TTENNISENNIS | Page 6 CCRICKETRICKET | Page 7 No. 1 Djokovic, Williamson’s Nadal headline 238 leaves virus-hit Pakistan facing ATP Cup big defeat

Wednesday, January 6, 2021 FOOTBALL Jumada I 22, 1442 AH Pochettino starts GULF TIMES at PSG with no time to waste SPORT Page 3 GOLF Commercial Bank Qatar Masters returns to ECGC in March By Sports Reporter term Title Sponsor, Commercial destination where international event. We are looking forward to Doha Bank. The tournament is con- tournaments are and will be held. seeing how they will tackle the sidered Qatar’s annual ‘must- Our fruitful co-operation with course on their second visit. The attend’ sporting and social event, Qatar Golf Association, the Ol- event is an ideal opportunity for he Education City Golf fi rst held in 1998 and widely ympic Committee, and Education us to further our goal in growing Club will be on the Eu- known for bringing together the City comes to add another inter- the game of golf here in Qatar and ropean Tour Calendar for world’s best golf talent, the likes national tournament to the agenda we aim to use it as a platform to the second year in a row of Sergio Garcia, Rory Mcllroy, of Qatar as we look forward to wid- get as many new people engaged whenT it hosts the 24th edition Adam Scott, Justin Rose, Ernie ening the platform of this coop- in the sport.” of the Commercial Bank Qatar Els and Henrik Stenson have all eration through supporting more The Commercial Bank Qatar Masters in 2021 from March 11- competed in past years. sports activities in the future.” Masters was attended by thou- 14. Designed by two-time Major Qatar Golf Association Presi- The 2021 event will see Educa- sands of spectators in 2020 and champion and World Golf Hall dent Hassan Nasser al-Naimi tion City support and emphasise broadcast to a global TV audi- of Famer Jose Maria Olazabal, said, “There is no hiding from the community and family activities ence of over 500 million view- the exciting venue expects to fact that most of 2020 has been Commercial Bank EGM, Chief as it aims to encourage young ers. For the 24th edition of the not only challenge the European packed with challenges for eve- Qatar Golf Association President Commercial Bank’s GCEO Joseph Marketing Off icer, Hussain al- Qataris to take up the sport and event, all eyes will be on Doha as Tour stars but to entertain local ryone. Once again, on behalf of Hassan Nasser al-Naimi. Abraham. Abdulla. to grow the game of golf in Qatar. the biggest names in the sport vie and international spectators with the Qatar Golf Association, we Speaking on behalf of Edu- for the Mother of Pearl Trophy on its unique views of the Doha Sky- are truly grateful for the contin- We are also very excited about mercial Bank Qatar Masters attracts international fans and cation City Golf Club, General one of the newest golf courses on line and the 2022 Education City ued commitment and support of working alongside Education tournament for sixteen consecu- members of the Qatari society, Manager Michael Braidwood the Tour. World Cup Stadium. the Qatar Olympic Committee City Golf Club for the 24th Edi- tive years. This is a testament to and promotes a healthy lifestyle said: “Education City Golf Club The European Tour’s 2021 The highly-anticipated event and our long-term Title Spon- tion and aim to continue its long- our commitment to supporting in the country.” is excited to be hosting the 2021 schedule will feature a mini- is organised by the Qatar Golf sor, Commercial Bank which has time success.” Qatar’s vision to be a sporting Commercial Bank EGM, Chief Qatar Masters for the second mum of 42 tournaments in 24 Association (QGA), the Qatar Ol- helped us position the Commer- Commercial Bank’s GCEO hub. Not only does such an event Marketing Offi cer, Hussain al- time. The players enjoyed the countries, as golf’s global Tour ympic Committee (QOC), Edu- cial Bank Qatar Masters as a sig- Joseph Abraham stated: “We are increase community participa- Abdulla said, “Qatar is now con- challenge and condition of our resumes a full international pro- cation City Golf Club and long- nifi cant world-class golf event. honoured to sponsor the Com- tion in sports activities but it also sidered a world-class sporting course in the 2020 edition of the gramme.

DAKAR RALLY Al-Attiyah claims third stage win, closes in on lead Qatari star and three-time Dakar winner is second overall, around five minutes behind leader Peterhansel

Qatar’s Nasser Saleh al-Attiyah and his co-driver Mathieu Baumel of France compete during Stage 3 of the Dakar Rally 2021 around Wadi Ad-Dawasir, in Saudi Arabia, yesterday. (AFP)

AFP Toyota teammate Henk Lategan dunes and a fast plateau had 2016 and 2019, fi nished just 1:16 “Every day is going to count 6. Sébastien Loeb/Daniel Elena +3:16 (penalty: 2:00) Wadi ad-Dawasir, Saudi Arabia of South Africa. made it “a really complete stage”. ahead of Benavides – later ex- right up until the last one, but (FRA/MON/Brx) +13:14 3. Matthias Walkner (AUT/Ktm) “I’m quite happy,” said al- “The result is not perfect be- tended by a 2min penalty for the so far there have been no major 7. Martin Prokop/Viktor Chytka +4:36 (penalty: 2:00) Attiyah, also an Olympic bronze cause of the puncture,” he said in Argentine – and now sits third in problems.” (CZE/CZE/Ford) +13:42 4. Skyler Howes (USA/Ktm) +7:16 atari driver Nasser al- medallist in the skeet at the 2012 reference to an early incident. the overall standings behind new Today’s fourth stage from Wadi 8. Mathieu Serradori/Fabian Lur- (penalty: 1:00.) Attiyah won the third London Games. “Today we re- “But I’m really happy with the American leader Skyler Howes and Ad-Dawasir to Riyadh, at 813km quin (FRA/BEL/Century) +16:05 5. Sam Sunderland (GBR/Ktm) stage of the Dakar Rally ally pushed a lot and Mathieu job done by Edouard Boulanger, Frenchman Xavier de Soultrait. the longest of this Dakar if the link 9. Wei Han/Min Liao (CHN/CHN/ +8:24 in Saudi Arabia yester- (Baumel, co-pilot) did the navi- my co-pilot. In the complicated “So far, it’s been up and down. sector is included, sees competi- Smg) +17:49 6. Xavier De Soultrait (FRA/Husq- day,Q holding off the challenge of gation well. Everything is work- places, he did a really good job. It’s quite frustrating to be in front tors racing a 337km special. 10. Cyril Despres/Michael Horn varna) +8:50 French arch-rival Stephane Pe- ing very well like we need it to. I’m happy with the car and I’m one day and then at the back the (FRA/SUI/Peugeot) +19:05 7. Franco Caimi (ARG/Yamaha) terhansel. “I’m really quite happy with happy with the co-pilot, so it’s next,” said Price. RESULTS Overall standings (top 3) +10:04 The three-time winner of the the pace, because to open and to good for the next day.” “The diffi culty of the naviga- Car (top 10) 1. Stéphane Peterhansel/Edouard 8. Daniel Sanders (AUS/Ktm) +11:22 Dakar sped through a 403km win the stage is good.” tion means it’s hard to open the 1. Nasser al-Attiyah/Matthieu Boulanger (FRA/FRA/Mini) 9. Rui Goncalves (POR/POR/ loop around Wadi ad-Dawasir, Peterhansel, a 13-time Dakar PRICE REELS IN BENAVIDES road. I’m going to have to do it Baumel (QAT/FRA/Toyota) 3:17:39 10:39:02 Sherco Factory) +12:19 the gateway to the Empty Quar- winner, consolidated his lead in Two-time winner Toby Price tomorrow, but I hope there’ll be a 2. Henk Lategan/Brett Cummings 2. Nasser al-Attiyah/Matthieu 10. Jose Ignacio Cornejo Florimo ter, a vast sand desert that covers the overall standings with a third- clocked 3hr 33min 23sec in win- bit of respite and that it will be a (RSA/RSA/Toyota) +2:27 Baumel1 (QAT/FRA/Toyota) +5:09 (CHI/Honda) +13:09 much of the southern Arabian placed fi nish, 4:05 off the pace. ning the motorbike category for day that’s less complicated on the 3. Stéphane Peterhansel/Edouard 3. Mathieu Serradori/Fabian Overall standings (top 3) Peninsula, in 3hr 17min 39sec to The Frenchman, whose previ- his 13th Dakar stage win, the navigational front.” Boulanger (FRA/FRA/Mini) +4:05 Lurquin (FRA/BEL/Century) +26:21 1. Skyler Howes (USA/Ktm) take the victory. ous Dakar victories came seven Australian KTM rider tracking Price added: “It’s been a good 4. Yasir Seaidan/Alexey Kuzmich 12:05:48 (penalty: 1:00) Already winner of the prologue times in a car and six on a mo- down Argentinian Kevin Bena- day for me. The bike’s working (KSA/RUS/Century) +7:09 Bike (top 10) 2. Xavier De Soultrait (FRA/Husq- and Monday’s second stage, al- torbike, said a mixed terrain in- vides (Honda) in a gripping race. well, I didn’t fall and I didn’t have 5. Sheikh Khalid al-Qassimi/Xavier 1. Toby Price (AUS/KTM) 3:33:23 varna) +00:28 Attiyah fi nished 2:27 ahead of cluding big rocks, sandy canyons, Price, winner of the Dakar in any fuel problems like yesterday. Panseri (UAE/FRA/Peugeot) +12:31 2. Kevin Benavides (ARG/Honda) 3. Toby Price (AUS/Ktm) +00:52 Gulf Times 2 Wednesday, January 6, 2021 FOOTBALL

LEAGUE CUP FOCUS Premier League to Solskjaer wants continue during new English lockdown

AFP bio-secure bubbles in place. London, United Kingdom Matches, however, will con- tinue to be played behind closed doors. trophies to show for remier League foot- Prior to Johnson’s announce- ball and other forms of ment, England Netball an- elite professional sport nounced their home series with in England will be al- Jamaica, scheduled for late Janu- Plowed to continue despite new ary, had been postponed because national lockdown restrictions of international travel restric- announced by the British gov- tions between Britain and the ernment on Monday. Caribbean island imposed as a Man Utd progress Nearly 56mn people in Eng- result of the pandemic. land will return to a full coro- A lockdown similar to the one navirus lockdown, possibly un- introduced in England in March United went out to Guardiola’s men in the final four of the competition last season til mid-February, to try to cut last year as a result of a rising spiralling infection rates, Prime number of Covid-19 cases means AFP Minister Boris Johnson said in a outdoor gyms, golf courses and London, United Kingdom televised address. tennis courts will close, with The measures, which include amateur outdoor team sports the closure of primary and sec- prohibited. le Gunnar Solskjaer ondary schools, will come into Johnson’s announcement fol- believes winning the eff ect today, he said after Scot- lowed a statement earlier on League Cup would be land announced similar meas- Monday by Nicola Sturgeon, the a “big step” in Man- ures from midnight (0000 GMT) First Minister of Scotland, that chesterO United’s development as yesterday. will see professional sport con- he prepares for today’s semi-fi - But a list of exemptions pub- tinuing in Scotland despite rising nal showdown with Manchester lished by the UK government numbers of Covid-19 cases. City at Old Traff ord. allowed “elite sportspeople (and Scottish football and rugby United went out to Pep Guar- their coaches if necessary, or clubs are on a Scottish govern- diola’s men in the fi nal four of parents/guardians if they are un- ment exemption list that states the competition last season, be- der 18) – or those on an offi cial “those involved in professional fore losing in the semis of the FA elite sports pathway – to com- sports, for training, coaching Cup and Europa League. pete and train”. or competing in an event” are However, the Red Devils had a One key point in determining among the groups those allowed third-place fi nish in the Premier whether a sporting competition to leave their homes. League behind City and runa- can go ahead will be if it has, as Scotland’s new lockdown will way winners Liverpool to show the Premier League does, a test- last for at least the rest of Janu- for Solskjaer’s fi rst full season in ing regime and the provision of ary. charge. United have pushed on again this season in the league to fi nd themselves level on points with Premier League records 40 new Liverpool at the top of the ta- ble with a game in hand on the Covid-19 cases, highest in a week champions. “A semi-fi nal is a chance to Reuters tests,” the league said in a get to the fi nal, to get your hands Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer (centre) celebrates with his players Edinson Cavani (left) and Nemanja Matic (right) after London, United Kingdom statement. on a trophy in the next round winning the EPL match against Wolverhampton Wanderers at Old Traff ord in Manchester, United Kingdom, on December 29, 2020. (AFP) “Between Friday 1 January and and for this team it would be a Sunday 3 January, 984 players very, very big step getting your good form so there’s no excuses.” who won 10 major trophies in United are not expected to “I think it’s also important he Premier League said and club staff were tested for hands on a trophy,” said Solsk- his time as a player at United. be busy in the transfer window that we bring ex-players that yesterday that a total Covid-19 and of these, there jaer. TROPHY DROUGHT “But it gives you hunger to get this month, but Solskjaer has al- have been somewhere else. Tof 40 individuals tested were 12 new positives.” “We’ve developed a lot in the United have not won a trophy more, so of course the squad is ready made one new addition to “I’ve been somewhere else positive for Covid-19, the high- Last week, Fulham’s games at last six months, last 12 months since last lifting the League focused, we’re ready to give it a his backroom staff , with former after having worked under Mick est number of cases in a week Burnley and Tottenham Hotspur since the last semi in the Cara- Cup and Europa League in go. I think we’ve prepared well midfi elder Darren Fletcher re- Phelan, Sir Alex (Ferguson) and this season, in two rounds of were called off due to a Covid-19 bao (League) Cup so of course Jose Mourinho’s fi rst season in for this game.” turning to Old Traff ord. Carlos (Queiroz). We know one tests conducted last week. outbreak at the west London it’s not just learning to win charge, four years ago. The League Cup semi-fi nals “His experience of being here way of the coaching but they’ve Since the new season kicked club, while Manchester City’s semis. “You play football to win tro- are being played over one leg in- through both successful and dif- been to diff erent clubs and got off , 171 individuals in the Eng- match at Everton was cancelled “We’ve also earned the right to phies, to get your hands on a stead of the usual two this year fi cult times, we felt it was right diff erent ideas. lish top-flight have tested posi- due to fresh Covid-19 cases feel we can go all the way with our trophy — even though when you due to the congested schedule as now for Darren to come in and “Fletch, with his ideas and tive for the novel coronavirus reported at the Etihad club. performances. We are confi dent, win that trophy you move on to a result of the coronavirus pan- give us that input,” said Solsk- thoughts will improve us in the in 19 rounds of testing. The United Kingdom has we are going into the game with the next one,” added Solskjaer, demic. jaer. backroom staff .” The league, which is now con- recorded more than 2.7 mn ducting tests twice per week, confirmed Covid-19 cases and did not name the people who more than 75,000 deaths, as Criticism of Cavani ban grows in South America tested positive but said they per a Reuters tally. will self-isolate for 10 days. Prime Minister Boris Johnson he South American posting an Instagram message for any misunderstanding and be made bearing in mind the of them.” “The Premier League... can announced a new national Football Confederation to a friend with what the FA declined to challenge the ban. context in which they were The statement followed similar today confirm that between Covid-19 lockdown on Monday T(CONMEBOL) joined the decided to be a racist term after “The disciplinary measure made and above all the cultural protestations by both the Monday 28 December and due to surging infections in growing criticism of England’s his Manchester United side’s levelled on the Uruguayan peculiarities of each player and Uruguayan Football Associa- Thursday 31 December, 1,311 the country caused by a new FA yesterday with a condemna- 3-2 win over Southampton on player clearly does not take into each country. tion and a union of Uruguayan players and club staff were variant of the virus, but the tion of the three-match ban Nov. 29. account the cultural character- “CONMEBOL condemns and professional players. tested for Covid-19. Of these, Premier League will be allowed given to Uruguayan Edinson The FA said the post brought the istics and use of certain terms always will condemn with the The country’s Academy of Let- there were 28 new positive to continue. Cavani for alleged racism. game into disrepute and ordered spoken in daily life in Uruguay,” greatest energy any racism or ters, an association dedicated Cavani was last week banned him to undergo “face-to-face CONMEBOL said in a statement. discrimination but the specific to protecting and promoting for three games and fined education” as part of his punish- “Judgment of these kind of case for which Cavani was sanc- the Spanish language used in 100,000 pounds ($136,180) for ment. The striker apologised declarations... should always tioned does not constitute one Uruguay, also criticised the ban. COMMENT

PREMIER LEAGUE My duty to raise Tears of joy for Hasenhuettl as Saints beat Liverpool awareness on Reuters his attacking trio of Roberto dementia: Ferguson Southampton, United Kingdom Firmino, Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane failed to fi nd the net Reuters despite dominating possession London, United Kingdom outhampton coach Ralph in the second half. Hasenhuettl shed tears of “What was disappointing? joy and collapsed to his How long have we got?” he told ormer Manchester Unit- knees at the fi nal whistle the BBC. “The start, obviously, ed manager Alex Fer- afterS an early Danny Ings strike not only the goal but the start guson has said it is his secured the Saints a shock 1-0 in general. Congratulations to personal duty and the Premier League win over cham- Southampton, they deserved it.” game’sF responsibility to address pions Liverpool on Monday. The 53-year-old German the problem of dementia that has The Austrian’s emotional cel- said that his side knew what to impacted several former players. ebrations might have led some expect from Southampton but The issue of dementia in the fans to think that Southampton were caught out in the open- professional game was sparked had just secured the Premier ing exchanges and found them- by the death of England’s Nobby League title. Southampton manager Ralph Hasenhuttl (right) celebrates his team’s win as Liverpool manager Juergen selves unable to recover. Stiles in October and there have But as wins over Liverpool are Klopp looks on at St Mary’s Stadium in Southampton, United Kingdom, on Monday. (Reuters) “At the beginning, how we been calls for the issue of head a rare occurrence for the Saints, played, where we lost the balls injuries in sport to be given fur- with the last one coming in the huettl jokingly told BBC Sport. Hasenhuettl’s team were sive pressure and the defending – it’s not rocket science. We ther attention. league almost fi ve years ago, it “When you see our guys fi ght- forced to defend for long peri- around the box was the key today should have done much better. Stiles and many of his 1966 was an occasion to savour for ing with everything they have, it ods in the second half, and he – then still try and play football. We played into their hands with World Cup winning team mates Hasenhuettl who took charge of makes me really proud. You need admitted that it was deep into We did it in a good way,” he said. the start,” he said. had been diagnosed with de- the south-coast club in 2018. to have the perfect game against stoppage time before he felt that In contrast, his Liverpool “These are outstanding play- mentia before their deaths while “There were tears in my eyes Liverpool and I think we did his side could get a result. counterpart Jurgen Klopp was ers, but they were not ready United great Bobby Charlton also The PFA has said clubs, – because of the wind!”, Hasen- have that.” “It felt like we were under mas- left extremely frustrated after from the start.” disclosed his diagnosis recently. leagues and the Football Associ- “It’s been very sad. Bobby’s ation must develop a strategy to not been well for a while. The monitor and adapt training, and gates have been opened by Nob- also come up with techniques Rooney’s Derby close training Arsenal defender Saliba joins Wigan face fresh crisis aft er by’s passing and Bobby’s diagno- that will protect the long-term ground aft er virus outbreak Nice on loan for rest of season Spanish bid is rejected sis. They are huge fi gures. It has health of players. to create an awareness,” Ferguson There have been widespread Championship strugglers Derby County have closed Arsenal have loaned centre back William Saliba to Former Premier League club Wigan have been plunged told the Daily Mail. calls to reduce heading during their training ground after several first-team staff mem- French Ligue 1 side OGC Nice on loan for the rest of into fresh turmoil after administrators broke off talks with “I don’t know what the Pro- training sessions. bers and players tested positive for coronavirus, the the season in a bid to give him more playing time, the a Spanish bidder, saying the off er had been reduced by fessional Footballers’ Asso- “Heading is a part of foot- club said yesterday. Derby, managed on an interim basis Premier League club announced on Monday. Saliba, almost 50 percent. The 2013 FA Cup winners have been in ciation (PFA) is doing but the ball that has been there for over by Manchester United great Wayne Rooney, are liaising who was signed by Arsenal in July 2019 for about 27mn administration since the start of July. The 12-point penalty League Managers Association is 100 years and you can’t take it with the English Football League over their upcoming pounds ($36.59mn), spent last season on loan at St they received for going into administration relegated concerned and (chief executive) out,” Ferguson said. “But I think matches. Their next scheduled fixture is an FA Cup third- Etienne and has yet to make his debut for the Premier them to League One – the third tier of English football. Richard Bevan has been fantas- it would be easy to reduce it in round match against non-league Chorley on Saturday. League club, with the 19-year-old only playing for the They are currently struggling in the relegation places, two tic,” he said. training.” “Staff members and players were tested on Monday Under-21 side. The France youth international was also points from safety. “This would not allow us to pay non- “We have to see what we can Ferguson as well as Liverpool and have subsequently returned a number of positive left out of the club’s Europa League squad for the group football creditors the required 25 pence in the pound to do to help. Football has a duty great Kenny Dalglish and Eng- results,” read a statement on Derby’s website. “They and stage. Nice are 12th in the standings after 16 games avoid further sanctions against the club. This would result to look at the situation... People land boss Gareth Southgate will their close contacts must now serve a period of isolation and return from the league’s winter break with a game in a 15-point deduction and would eff ectively relegate the like myself owe it to the game to take part in an online event this at home in line with UK government guidelines.” against Brest on Wednesday. club to League Two,” the club said in a statement. see if there’s something we can month to raise money for the do.” battle against dementia. Gulf Times Wednesday, January 6, 2021 3 SPORT

LIGUE 1 SERIE A Ronaldo-inspired Juventus face Milan Pochettino starts test as Inter lurk Having played drawing two in his absence. The 39-year-old Swede scored with Maradona 10 goals in six games played be- fore picking up a muscle prob- and Ronaldinho, lem. at PSG with no Including Ibrahimovic, 13 dif- he is expected to ferent players have scored for Milan since the beginning of the get the best out season, compared to just eight for Juventus. of Mbappe and Pirlo revealed that the club “were a little short” among strik- Neymar ers and were looking at bringing time to waste in an additional forward during the transfer window. AFP Carlo Ancelotti came in and Milan’s young team have been Paris, France failed to win the title. harnessed by Ibrahimovic’s re- Pochettino, who arrives with turn to Lombardy a year ago, his faithful assistant Miguel promising to deliver the ‘Scu- auricio Pochettino D’Agostino and a backroom detto’ they last won with him in got on well with Di- team also including his son, Se- 2011. ego Maradona and bastiano, needs to hit the ground Since March, Milan are un- Ronaldinho during running. beaten in the league and on Sun- Mhis playing days and his rela- Appointed on Saturday, his day won 2-0 at Benevento de- tionship with another global fi rst game in charge is at Saint- AFP spite playing a man down for an footballing superstar in Neymar Etienne today and his fi rst Milan, Italy hour. will be key to his chances of suc- chance to win silverware comes “It’s too early, in April we will cess at Paris Saint-Germain. next midweek, when PSG play see where we are in the standings The Argentine this week be- Marseille in the Champions ristiano Ronaldo- and understand where we can ar- gins his reign as coach of PSG, Trophy, the match which usually powered Juventus head rive,” continued Pioli. where his brief is to get the starts the French season. for Serie A leaders AC “In my opinion Juventus, In- best out of Neymar and Kylian “It is going to be a diffi cult Milan today with little ter and Napoli are the strongest Mbappe and go one step further start for him. Let’s not judge Croom for error in their push for a sides in Serie A, we just have to than his predecessor Thomas him right away or expect to see 10th consecutive Serie A title. keep going along our path.” Tuchel. ‘his’ team already,” Luis Fernan- Andrea Pirlo’s side are 10 Big-scoring Inter go to Clau- Sacked with six months left dez, who coached the Argentine points behind unbeaten Milan, dio Ranieri’s Sampdoria chasing on his contract, Tuchel is un- when he played for PSG, told having played a game less. a ninth straight league win. likely to be missed by support- AFP. Inter Milan lurk just one point But top scorer Romelu Lukaku ers of the Parisian club despite Pochettino will need to put behind their city rivals with a remains uncertain after picking leading them to the Champions his stamp on PSG in time for chance to pull ahead against up a thigh injury in their 6-2 win League fi nal for the fi rst time in their Champions League last-16 mid-table side Sampdoria. over Crotone on Sunday. their history. tie against Barcelona, the fi rst “Against Juventus it’s not de- Six points behind Inter, third- The German won the Ligue 1 leg of which is in February. cisive nor a passing of the baton,” placed Roma travel to rock bot- title in each of his two full cam- Dele Alli and Christian Erik- insisted Milan coach Stefano tom Crotone, with Napoli two paigns in charge and a domestic Paris Saint-Germain’s new Argentinian head coach Mauricio Pochettino (right) walks with the club’s sen, who played under Pochet- Pioli. points away from the capital side quadruple last season to go with sporting director Leonardo (left) and staff members as he leaves after a training session and his off icial tino at Spurs, have already been “Juve have won the last nine ahead of their match with lowly the historic European run. presentation at the team’s training grounds in Saint-Germain-en-Laye, west of Paris, yesterday. (AFP) linked with January moves to titles and aren’t far behind us.” Spezia. Pochettino, in contrast, has Paris, but Neymar and Mbappe But a failure to take three points Sassuolo look to get back win- never won a trophy as a coach played alongside Maradona at pected now. his CV in Paris, where domes- will be central for Pochettino. would weigh heavily on Pirlo’s ning ways against 19th-placed but his credentials are clear. Newell’s Old Boys and shared a “This club has always held a tic success is taken for granted Monday’s edition of sports team who currently sit fi fth. Genoa, with Atalanta hosting The 48-year-old is fondly room with the Argentine legend special place in my heart,” said and progress in Europe matters daily L’Equipe carried a photo It will be a clash of styles be- struggling Parma hoping to close remembered by fans of Totten- on away trips, was a central de- Pochettino following his ap- most. of Pochettino laughing with tween Milan and the champions, the three-point gap between ham Hotspur, who he steered to fensive stalwart at the Parc des pointment on a contract until In the last eight years, Qatar- Mbappe, his shoulder around who have relied heavily on Ron- them and the Champions League four straight top-four fi nishes in Princes between 2001 and 2003. the end of next season, with the owned PSG have won seven Ligue the France star. aldo this season, with the Portu- places. the Premier League and to the He helped them fi nish fourth option of a further year. 1 titles and fi ve French Cups. They Fernandez has no doubts guese scoring 14 of their 29 goals, Ninth-placed Lazio host Champions League fi nal in 2019. in Ligue 1 in his fi rst season, and He spoke of the team’s “fan- also won the now defunct League about the new coach. including six braces. Fiorentina, sitting 14th, des- captained them to a French Cup tastic potential” and he has Cup six times. Yet Tuchel left the “The players are going to like Without the 35-year-old, Ju- perate to keep in touch with the FROM RONALDINHO TO fi nal in 2003, which they lost to no time to waste as he seeks to team third in Ligue 1, a point be- him. He has that human side, ventus have struggled for vic- European spots after a wildly in- NEYMAR Auxerre. maximise that. His reputation hind Lyon and Lille. the approach that will allow the tories, being held three times in consistent season so far. Now, refreshed after a year out That team, with an attack led depends on it. players to express themselves,” his absence by Crotone, Hellas of the game, he has resurfaced by Ronaldinho — “a great team- After all the impressive work BARCELONA ON THE he told France Football. Verona and Benevento. TODAY’S FIXTURES at a club where he was a popular mate” as Pochettino recalled in at Espanyol, Southampton and HORIZON “When you have a coach like Juve will also be without in- Cagliari v Benevento player. 2019 — underachieved and the Spurs, now is the time for Po- The last time PSG changed Mauricio, you want to fi ght for jured forward Alvaro Morata, Sassuolo v Genoa Pochettino, who briefl y new coach knows what is ex- chettino to add silverware to coach mid-season, in 2011/12, him, do things for him.” their second best scorer after Ro- Crotone v Roma naldo, with defender Alex San- Lazio v Fiorentina dro also out after testing positive Torino v Hellas Verona LA LIGA for coronavirus. Sampdoria v Inter Milan Milan have remained solid de- Bologna v Udinese spite missing injured top scorer Atalanta v Parma Zlatan Ibrahimovic since late Napoli v Spezia Marcelino returns to work as Athletic Bilbao coach November, winning fi ve and AC Milan v Juventus Reuters Rey with Valencia, beating Bar- He also has a habit of verbally in the Spanish Super Cup. Cuadrado becomes second Juventus Madrid, Spain celona in the fi nal, after securing lashing out at referees and on The Super Cup is one of two back-to-back top-four fi nishes two occasions vented his anger early opportunities to win some player to test positive for Covid-19 with the team — but was sacked after matches at Athletic, who silverware with Athletic, who arcelino, one of early the following season after he said were favoured by offi - are due to play last season’s re- Juventus confirmed yesterday that Juan Cuadrado has tested the most consistent falling out with owner Peter Lim. cials. scheduled Copa del Rey fi nal positive for Covid-19, the second player from the Serie A champi- coaches in Spanish Non-sporting reasons also He will be tasked with bring- against Real Sociedad in April. ons to test positive this week. Brazilian defender Alex Sandro is football but seen by led to him leaving Villarreal af- ing some consistency to Athlet- “We are ambitious about re- already in isolation after testing positive on Monday, with Cuad- Msome as a divisive character, is ter reaching the 2016 Europa ic, who sacked Gaizka Garitano paying the confi dence that has rado confirmed as having contracted Covid-19 after the latest back in the fold after 16 months League semi-fi nals, with Span- after beating Elche on Sunday been shown in us to coach this round of testing. “Juventus Football Club announces that, during off and is ready to stamp his au- ish media reports saying he and have yet to secure back-to- historic club,” Marcelino told the checks provided for by the protocol in force, Juan Cuadrado thority on an Athletic Bilbao had been dismissed following a back wins this season. the club’s website after being has emerged positive with Covid-19. The player has already been side in need of a shake-up. breakdown in his relationship They are ninth in the stand- appointed. placed in solitary confinement and is asymptomatic.” Juve travel A coach since 1997, Marcelino with players. ings, seven points from the Eu- Athletic are Spain’s fourth to AC Milan today, when Andrea Pirlo’s side will aim to reduce the has had success at practically Known for his attention to ropa League places and eight most successful club in terms of 10-point gap to the league leaders. every club he has taken charge detail and a particular focus from the top four. domestic trophies, with eight ti- of, leading three sides to pro- on players’ diets and weight, He faces a gruelling start to his tles and 23 Copas to their name, motion to La Liga, two into the Marcelino has been described by tenure, however, hosting Barce- while they are the only side Europa League and one into the former players as both a pain in lona on Wednesday before visit- apart from Real and Barca never SPOTLIGHT Champions League. the neck and the best coach they ing La Liga leaders Atletico Ma- to have been relegated from the He also won the 2019 Copa del have ever had. drid and then facing Real Madrid top fl ight. No Zlatan, no problem Big win for Al Arabi over Al Khor as Milan rated Europe’s most improved team

Reuters proved team in Europe, while London, United Kingdom Champions League winners Bay- ern Munich improved the third most to move from fourth place ven with Zlatan Ibrahi- overall to fi rst. movic sidelined through Simon Gleave, head of sport injury, AC Milan have analysis at Gracenote, said: “The maintained their early Euro Club Index is an objective seasonE form and improved more ranking of European football than any other team in Europe clubs which informs us which in the last year, according to the teams are the best, which are the Euro Club Index football ranking most improved or falling fastest, from Nielsen’s Gracenote. and a whole host of other things The Serie A leaders and only without bias. unbeaten side in Europe’s top “AC Milan, Bodo/Glimt and fi ve leagues — England, Spain, Bayern Munich’s results over the Germany, Italy and France — face last year make them the most champions Juventus today as improved teams in Europe.” they look to lay down a marker in Many have questioned wheth- their quest for a 19th Scudetto, er 39-year-old Ibrahimovic and their fi rst in a decade. could still produce the goods in According to Gracenote’s data, the far reaches of his career, but Milan are the only team to have his goals have been pivotal to increased their Euro Club Index Milan’s impressive start to their by more than 500 points in the delayed campaign. last year. The seven-time Euro- However, Ibrahimovic has pean champions’ improvement since been missing with a thigh means they have climbed from injury, and without his contribu- being the 47th-best team in Eu- tion, many expected the wheels Action from the Qatar Men’s Basketball League match between Al Arabi (in white) and Al Khor (in blue) at Al Gharafa Sports Club Hall yesterday. Arabi won the encounter rope a year ago to number 20. to come off for Milan. But in re- 107-54. (Right) Al Sadd (in white) beat Al Ahli (in green and black) 92-75 in the other match yesterday. Norwegian champions Bodo/ cent weeks several other players Glimt are the second-most im- have stepped up in his place. Gulf Times 4 Wednesday, January 6, 2021 SPORT

SPOTLIGHT Offi cials still expect 2021 Six Nations to go ahead as SC continues to engage planned Tournament organisers said Monday they still expected the 2021 Six Nations Cham- pionship to go ahead as scheduled in February and March despite the rising number of coronavirus cases communities across in Britain, Ireland and the rest of Europe. The latest edition of Europe’s annual showpiece rugby union tournament is set to begin on the opening weekend of February, with no spectators because of Qatar on the road to 2022 Covid-19 restrictions. But with the British and Irish Lions tour of South Africa in ‘Despite the pandemic, it’s been a very busy year, culminating with the inauguration of Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium’ doubt because of the global pandemic, there have been suggestions that the Six he Supreme Commit- Nations could be delayed by tee for Delivery & Legacy four months to take advan- (SC) has continued to en- tage of a gap in the schedule gage thousands of people and allow matches to be Tin Qatar as the country’s FIFA played in front of fans. World Cup preparations con- As things stand, the 2021 Six tinue. Despite the ongoing pan- Nations will begin on Febru- demic, a variety of programmes ary 6, when Italy face France and initiatives run by the SC’s in Rome and champions Eng- Community Engagement Divi- land welcome Scotland to sion have thrived in 2020 as Qa- Twickenham for the Calcutta tar aims to involve everyone on its Cup. Wales and Ireland are World Cup journey. scheduled to complete the During 2020, the SC increased first round at Cardiff ’s Princi- its number of agreements with pality Stadium on February 7. local community groups to 53. “The Six Nations is planning As part of these agreements, for the tournament to go groups are given access to the ahead as scheduled, but we SC’s Community Grant Scheme. are monitoring the situation Eight projects received funds in with the unions and their the last year as the SC helps to respective governments and boost local projects and ensure health authorities,” a spokes- their sustainability. person said Monday. Community Engagement also There was a similar message focused its eff orts on volunteer- from England’s governing ing during 2020. The Volunteer Rugby Football Union. Programme, established in 2018, “We are committed to the already contains a database of fixtures, monitoring the more than 260,000 people who situation with all parties and are interested in supporting the planning continues aligned delivery of both Qatar 2022 and with current guidelines,” said SC events. an RFU spokesperson. Many thousands of volunteers Lectures were held on a number All the competing unions have supported a vast number of topics, including the Qatar face losing significant rev- of SC events in recent months, 2022 cultural experience and enue if matches are played including the inauguration of Generation Amazing – one of behind closed doors, as Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium and Qa- the SC’s legacy programmes. happened towards the end tar’s hosting of AFC Champions A key highlight of the year for of last year’s competition. League matches. Community Engagement took The 2020 Six Nations fin- In addition, Community En- place on Qatar National Day ished at the end of October gagement held a webinar in No- during the inauguration of Ah- after a seven-month pause vember to share details about mad Bin Ali Stadium in Al Rayy- following the initial spread of the Volunteer Programme with an. As part of the event, Com- Covid-19 across Europe. community leaders. Then on 5 munity Engagement organised a Meanwhile, there are con- December – International Vol- series of fan activations and cul- cerns that Covid-19 could unteer Day – an event was held tural experiences for the benefi t lead to the postponement at Khalifa International Stadium of spectators. of the Lions’ tour of South to pay tribute to the thousands Khaled al-Suwaidi, Stake- Africa. An eight-match of people who have supported holder Relations Senior Manag- itinerary that culminates in a SC events in recent years. During er, said: “Despite the pandemic, three-Test series against the the event, which was attended it’s been a very busy year, culmi- world champion Springboks by several SC ambassadors, 60 nating with the inauguration of is set for July and August. lucky volunteers got the chance Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium. The Fan However, with Britain, Ireland to play football on the pitch dur- Zone activations were very well and South Africa still in lock- ing a four-team tournament. received and it was incredibly down to try and bring down The SC has also continued to fulfi lling to see these activities infection rate and the pos- prepare for the most accessible being enjoyed by fans of all ages sibility of fans being allowed FIFA World Cup in tournament during the event. It was the per- to travel and attend matches history through its Accessibility fect end to what has been a dif- receding, the Lions said Forum. In 2020, visits to Educa- fi cult year for everyone.” Saturday that a decision on tion City and Ahmad Bin Ali sta- Al-Suwaidi continued: “We whether the tour goes ahead diums were organised for forum will continue to engage with a planned could be taken as members in order to test facili- everyone in Qatar as we get ever soon as February. The RFU ties and provide feedback. closer to the fi rst World Cup in added: “We are continuing Community Engagement has our region. We believe every lo- discussions with all parties also focused on engaging lo- cal resident is an ambassador for and have no update beyond cal students through a range our tournament and will benefi t the recent statement from of workshops and seminars at from Qatar’s hosting of the tour- the Lions.” schools and universities in 2020. nament.” qatar2022.qa

OLYMPICS Super-fan determined to welcome world to Tokyo

AFP hide Suga announcing Monday can’t be him, so I’ll try to do my organisers have to reduce the Tokyo that he was considering declar- best and do it my way. He’s pass- number of fans, or even exclude ing a state of emergency in the ing the baton but the role is dif- overseas visitors. greater Tokyo area. ferent.” “For Mr. Yamada and me, the histle-blowing, A recent poll by public broad- Ishikawa says she was excited purpose of attending the Olym- fl ag-waving super- caster NHK revealed that a ma- when Tokyo was awarded the pic Games was not just cheer- fan Kyoko Ishikawa jority of people in Japan oppose Games but also knew it would be ing... the main purpose was has attended every holding the postponed Tokyo diffi cult to get hold of tickets in sharing love and friendship and WSummer Olympics in the past 30 2020 Games this year, with most Japan, where demand was ini- smiles,” she said. years – and the Tokyo resident favouring another delay or out- tially sky-high. “The value of having it with- doesn’t plan on missing out on a right cancellation. She and her family applied for out people from around the Games in her home city. But Ishikawa – a successful the maximum 60 tickets each in world would probably be 50 per- The 51-year-old can’t wait to businesswoman with her own IT the fi rst lottery with no luck. In cent – or even less – but it’s still welcome the world to Tokyo, company, who transforms her- the second lottery they got one better than nothing.” even though surging infections self into an exuberant uber-fan ticket between them, for wres- Ishikawa also plans to take and skyrocketing costs have every four years – is of a diff er- tling. part in the rescheduled torch convinced many other Japanese ent opinion. Now that 18 percent of tickets relay, and she is looking for- that the event should not go Her obsession began on a sold in Japan will be refunded af- ward to adding to her collection ahead this year. 1992 backpacking trip to Bar- ter buyers asked for their money of Olympic memorabilia, which “The Olympics are amazing,” celona, where she managed to back, Ishikawa is confi dent she ranges from tickets and T-shirts said Ishikawa, who has become buy a cheap ticket to the Olym- can lay her hands on more. But to key chains and programmes. a familiar face at Olympic ven- pic opening ceremony and was she is more concerned about the Even if the Games are can- ues with her traditional Japanese blown away by the atmosphere. possibility of the event not tak- celled altogether, Ishikawa is outfi t and ‘hachimaki’ head- The next day, she had a chance ing place at all. determined to look on the bright band, adorned with her coun- encounter with Naotoshi Ya- side, saying it would be an try’s red-and-white fl ag. mada, a fellow Japanese who had ‘SYMBOL OF HOPE’ “iconic memory” in her life of “The power of diversity. The attended every Olympics since Organisers last month unveiled Olympic fandom. energy of diversity. The Olym- the 1964 Tokyo Games and who This picture taken on December 19, 2020, shows Olympic super-fan Kyoko Ishikawa posing in front of an a raft of virus countermeasures But she is confi dent that To- pics are only three weeks, but took her under his wing. Olympic rings installation outside the National Stadium in Tokyo. (AFP) aimed at holding the Games kyo 2020 will be remembered for within that short period you get safely, from banning cheering the right reasons. a concentrated picture of the ‘OLYMPIC GRANDAD’ Summer Olympics that fol- second Tokyo Olympics unful- an Olympic fan,” said Ishikawa. in stadiums to asking fans to “Defi nitely, they will happen,” whole world,” she told AFP. Together, Ishikawa and Yamada lowed, turning heads and mak- fi lled. “Without that, there’s no clo- download tracking apps on their she said. “It’s going to be a sym- A third wave of coronavirus – known in Japan as the ‘Olym- ing friends wherever they went. “It was such a pity, because sure. phones. bol of hope. It’s going to be a sign infections is causing jitters in Ja- pic Grandad’, in his trademark Yamada died in 2019 aged 92, the Tokyo Olympics would have “I want to try to take on his Ishikawa is adamant the that we are still fi ghting – hope pan, with Prime Minister Yoshi- gold top hat – travelled to every leaving his dream of watching a been the completion of his life as legacy and his spirit. Of course, I Games should go ahead even if for human beings.” Gulf Times Wednesday, January 6, 2021 5 SPORT

NFL Judge fi res away aft er Eagles’ loss KO’d Giants Reuters win, we will never do that as long Judge went a step further, New York as I am the head coach of the mentioning the sacrifi ces that New York Giants.” Judge said. fell on the families of the players. Judge never actually men- “To tell (players) please ew York Giants head tioned the Eagles by name, but don’t have your family over coach Joe Judge did he hardly had to. for Thanksgiving, please avoid not hold back Mon- Pederson said afterward he Christmas gatherings, we know day, one day after the was coaching to win the game, it’s your wife’s birthday, let’s NPhiladelphia Eagles appeared to but the Eagles did benefi t in make sure we put that one throw away a chance to defeat defeat, landing the No. 6 over- off until the off season,” Judge the Washington Football Team, all selection in next year’s NFL said. ending the Giants’ last chance at draft. “There’s a number of sacri- making the playoff s. During a trying 2020 season, fi ces made by all the players and With one last playoff spot to Judge referenced Giants players coaches in this league. There’s a be decided Sunday night, Wash- who decided to “opt in” number of sacrifi ces that comes ington nabbed it with a 20-14 and play, while honouring the along as well with the family victory in a game where Eagles sacrifi ces that the decision re- members and people connected head coach Doug Pederson de- quired. to them.” cided to make a second-half “To me, you don’t ever want The Giants did have a chance switch from starting quarter- to disrespect those players and to earn their way to the playoff s back Jalen Hurts to Nate Sudfeld, their eff ort and disrespect the on the fi eld, but won just six who had not thrown a pass in an game,” Judge said. games all season, including three NFL game since 2018. “The sacrifi ces that they defeats in the last four games. The Giants were poised to ad- made to come into work every New York did go 2-0 against the vance with an Eagles victory. day and test before coming in, Washington Football Team, but Judge was not amused. to sit in meetings spaced out, Washington was able to win the “To disrespect the eff ort that to wear masks and have shields NFC East with just seven victo- everyone put forward to make over those masks, to go through ries. this season a success in the Na- extensive protocols, to travel in “So we’re not going to make tional Football League, to dis- unconventional ways, to get text excuses as an organization, not respect the game by going out messages at 6:30 in the morning now, not ever,” Judge said about there and not competing for 60 telling them practice was going the team’s fate falling to a game minutes and doing everything to be cancelled (and) we have to between division rivals. “We had they can to help those players do a virtual day.” our opportunities.” New York Giants head coach Joe Judge.

NBA FOCUS Broncos great Elway steps down Antetokounmpo’s 43 as team’s GM

AFP ball side and I’ll be there for Washington them in any way possible. “I’m excited to begin this chapter and fi nd the next gen- ohn Elway stepped eral manager of the Denver fuel Bucks, Tatum down as Denver Bron- Broncos.” cos general manager on Since taking over the general Monday after a decade manager duties in 2011, Elway inJ the role for the NFL team he teams have won AFC West di- led to two Super Bowl titles as a vision crowns, played in two quarterback. Super Bowls and going 96-74 The 60-year-old left the (.565) to rank fourth among ac- position a day after the Bron- tive NFL general managers. nets 40 in Celtics win cos fi nished 5-11 and missed “John Elway is the most im- the playoff s for a fi fth straight portant and impactful person season since winning Super in the history of the Denver ‘You can see that he’s getting better and better as each day goes by’ Bowl 50, but said he will re- Broncos,” Broncos president main as president of football Joe Ellis said in a statement. operations. “I have nothing but grati- AFP Vic Fangio was retained as tude for how he accepted this Los Angeles head coach and Elway said the challenge 10 years ago and new general manager he hires helped us accomplish great will have the fi nal call on all things as an organisation. In ilwaukee’s two-time reigning personnel and football deci- recent weeks, he and I have Most Valuable Player Giannis sions while working closely had a number of very positive Antetokounmpo poured in 43 with Fangio. “Working in this – and honest – conversations points Monday, powering the role for the last 10 years and about improving the team as MBucks to a 125-115 NBA victory over the going back to my playing days, well as his own future. Detroit Pistons. I’ve always tried to do every- “John arrived at this deci- Antetokounmpo connected on 17 of 24 thing I can to help the Broncos sion and I am fully supportive shots from the fi eld. He made a brace of win and get better,” Elway said of him and this new structure. three pointers and was simply unstoppa- in a statement. With all of his experience and ble in the paint. “As part of a transition I’ve competitive fi re, I know John His was just one of the outstanding thought about for a long time, will be a tremendous resource performances on a night that featured a I have made the decision to for the Broncos in this role.” 40-point outburst from Boston Celtics step up into an elevated role star Jayson Tatum and a triple-double for and hire a general manager to FALCONS BACKUP Luka Doncic of the Dallas Mavericks. lead our personnel and football SCHAUB PLANS TO RETIRE Antetokounmpo set the tone early in staff . Atlanta Falcons backup quar- Milwaukee, scoring 30 of the Bucks’ 67 “While I’ll continue to be terback Matt Schaub plans fi rst-half points. president of football operations to retire from the NFL, team in 2021, the GM will have fi nal owner Arthur Blank said Mon- say on the draft, free agency day. RESULTS and our roster. This person will The 39-year-old Schaub be empowered to make all foot- started only three games over Atlanta 108-113 New York ball decisions, working in part- the last six seasons but re- Miami 118-90 Oklahoma nership with Vic. mained in the league as a Boston 114-126 Toronto “I will be there to support knowledgeable reserve and Golden State 137-106 Sacramento our GM and Vic, providing mentor to younger players. He my perspective, helping with spent the past four seasons in Dallas 113-100 Houston the big decisions and being Atlanta, where his career start- Milwaukee 125-115 Detroit a sounding board whenever ed in 2004 as a third-round Indiana 118-116 New Orleans needed.” pick out of Virginia. Elway guided Denver to vic- In 155 games (93 starts), Orlando 103-83 Cleveland tory in the 1998 and 1999 Su- Schaub passed for 25,467 Philadelphia 118-101 Charlotte per Bowls before retiring at age yards, 136 touchdowns and 91 38, then oversaw the decision interceptions. He also rushed Detroit managed to trim the defi cit to making in building the squad for 353 yards and four touch- 118-110 with 2:38 left to play, but Antetok- that captured the 2016 Super downs. ounmpo stopped their momentum with a Bowl. “With all that goes into Schaub served as the Hou- block of a driving Sekou Doumbouya shot, the day-to-day responsibili- ston Texans’ primary starter then grabbed the rebound of teammate ties of a GM and how the job from 2007-12. He is the Tex- Donte DiVincenzo’s miss for a put-back has grown, this structure will ans’ all-time leader with basket that eff ectively ended the Pistons’ set us up for success and allow 23,221 passing yards, ahead of comeback bid. me to focus on the big picture,” second-place Deshaun Watson “The blocked shot and the put-back Elway said. (14,539). He also is the fran- was big,” Bucks coach Mike Budenholzer “This is a great place with all chise leader with 124 passing said, adding that he wouldn’t have liked to Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo shoots over Detroit Pistons’ Mason Plumlee at the Bradley Center in Milwaukee on the resources to win. We have a touchdowns, ahead of Watson see the defi cit whittled further. Monday. (USA TODAY Sports) lot of good people on the foot- (104). Detroit, playing without star Blake Griffi n, also saw rookie Killian Hayes go season. Doncic, who sat out Sunday with “You can see that he’s getting better and battle, the Knicks seized an early double- down in the third quarter with a hip injury a quadriceps contusion, returned with a better as each day goes by.” digit lead only for Atlanta to take a four- that kept him out the rest of the game. vengeance with 33 points, 16 rebounds The Philadelphia 76ers improved their point lead into halftime. NBA issues tougher in-game mask Boston’s Tatum scored 21 of his season- and 11 assists as Dallas held off a late league-leading record to 6-1 with a 118- The Hawks pushed their lead to 15 with policy for players best 40 in the second quarter as the Celt- Rockets push for a 113-100 victory. 101 victory over the Charlotte Hornets. less than fi ve minutes left in the third, but ics rallied from an early defi cit to beat the The Slovenian star, still just 21, notched Tobias Harris scored 22 points to lead they couldn’t hang on. “We didn’t play The NBA has instituted a and coaches, and each team Toronto Raptors 126-114. his 26th career triple-double. Tim Hard- seven Sixers players in double fi gures in great but we found a way to win,” Knicks tougher mask policy that will must divulge the names of Tatum connected on 11 of 19 shots from way Jr. added 30 points off the bench for the wire-to-wire win. Joel Embiid added coach Tom Thibodeau said. go into eff ect yesterday, mak- private trainers and sundry the fi eld and was a perfect 13-for-13 from Dallas, who led by as many as 16 in the 14 points and 11 rebounds, Danny Green Indiana’s Malcolm Brogdon delivered ing it mandatory practice for specialists they work with the free throw line as he fell one point shy third quarter. contributed 13 points, and Ben Simmons the game-winner as the Pacers broke the dressed and active players to outside of the team facility, of matching his career best. The Rockets, with 23 points from Chris- had 12 points, 10 rebounds and six assists New Orleans Pelicans’ hearts 118-116 in wear masks on the bench until per the reports. The fi rst meeting of the teams since tian Wood and 21 from James Harden, tied for Philadelphia. overtime, having rallied from six points they enter a game. Players are not required to Boston eliminated Toronto in the second it up with 10 minutes remaining, but the down with less than a minute remaining Multiple outlets reported the don a mask coming out of round of the playoff s in September was Mavericks relentlessly pulled away again. KNICKS FIND A WAY in regulation. updated policy, citing a memo a game, though it’s highly in Tampa, Florida, where the Raptors are While Mavs coach Rick Carlisle con- New York’s Julius Randle scored 28 points There was no such drama for Golden the league sent to every team. recommended. based, amid continuing coronavirus re- ceded that Doncic came into the season and pulled down 17 rebounds and Austin State as Stephen Curry followed up Sun- Also, players and coaches Inactive players and coaches strictions on travel to Canada. “behind the curve” on his conditioning, Rivers drilled a late three-pointer that day’s 62-point outburst with 30 points, must wear masks when must continue to wear masks The Dallas Mavericks won a Texas tus- he said his young star is clearly going in helped the Knicks erase a 15-point third- nine rebounds and eight assists in the outside the team environment throughout the duration of sle with the Rockets in Houston on the the right direction. quarter defi cit in a 113-108 victory over Warriors’ 137-106 romp over the Sacra- and if around other players games. back of Doncic’s fi rst triple-double of the “You can tell on the fl oor,” Carlisle said. the Hawks in Atlanta. In a back-and-forth mento Kings. Gulf Times 6 Wednesday, January 6, 2021 SPORT

TENNIS FOCUS Civil Guard training opened my eyes to World No. 1 Djokovic, plight of migrants, says Muguruza

Reuters The 27-year-old said that Madrid seeing migrants make sea Nadal headline crossings from Africa was the toughest challenge when she wo-time Grand Slam worked with the coast guard. champion Garbine Mu- “It was quite hard because guruza has said training you see many people in need,” with special groups of she added. “I experienced TSpain’s Civil Guard police force many aspects of the job and I during her off -season opened found this one pretty tough. virus-hit ATP Cup her eyes to the hardships faced I love all the adventure stuff , by vulnerable migrants trying to but there is an ugly truth that reach Europe. they have to face and it really ‘This is a format that shows off the passion of players and we’re expecting some spectacular action’ Muguruza underwent mili- opened my eyes.” tary training with the Civil Muguruza, a runner-up at AFP Guard after her French Open the Australian Open last year, Melbourne exit in October last year, tak- also said she had no con- ing part in helicopter rescue cerns about this year’s event missions, cave diving and self- from February 8-21 despite orld number one defence classes on the Spanish the strict Covid-19 protocols Novak Djokovic island of Mallorca. in place, which include a 14- and second-ranked “It was an incredible week,” day mandatory quarantine for Rafael Nadal will Muguruza told reporters at the players. Wheadline a slimmed-down fi eld Abu Dhabi Open. “I’ve always “I’m not really concerned, at the coronavirus-hit ATP Cup, wanted to do military training, I think they’re doing an in- organisers said with the tourna- ever since I was a kid, but the credible job in putting all this ment cut in half to 12 teams. timing was never right with together and making a whole The innovative championship playing tennis. swing in Melbourne,” she said. debuted across three Australian “Just sharing with them the “I think it’s going to be men- cities - Perth, Brisbane and Syd- kind of job that they do - they tally tough to go through the ney - in January last year with don’t get any awards or tro- protocols because nothing 24 nations split into six groups phies - it was such an experi- comes easy now. I have to pre- ahead of a fi nals series. ence.” pare for that.” Djokovic’s Serbia emerged tri- umphant, overpowering Nadal’s Spain to win the inaugural title. But the onslaught of Covid-19 forced a radical change to how the 2021 season will look, with the Australian Open pushed back three weeks to February 8. Players will arrive in Australia from January 15 and undergo a mandatory two-week quaran- tine before the ATP Cup is held alongside two WTA 500 and two ATP 250 events, all in Melbourne in the week leading into the Grand Slam. Spain’s Garbine Muguruza in action during her French Open Teams’ qualifi ed for the ATP third round match against Danielle Rose Collins of the US at the Cup based of men’s singles Roland Garros in Paris on October 3, 2020. (Reuters) rankings, with Austria, Russia, Greece, Germany, Argentina, Italy, Japan, France and Canada also making the grade. Australia Becker’s former coach Brett dies at 67 was included as host nation, but without showman Nick Kyrgios, Australian Bob Brett, who needed”. who was not on the team sheet. coached Boris Becker in his “He made it very clear what All of the world’s top 10 play- standout 1989 season during he expected from me: willing- ers will take part, except Roger which he won Wimbledon ness, discipline, willpower, Federer who has pulled out of and the US Open, died punctuality. Three hours’ the Australian Open for the fi rst yesterday of cancer at the training in the morning, three time in his career as he continues age of 67. hours in the afternoon. ‘What his recovery from two rounds of Brett coached Becker from you do afterwards doesn’t knee surgery. November 1987 to Febru- interest me.’ ATP Finals champion Daniil ary 1991, a period when the “It was a pure business rela- Medvedev headlines a strong German also became world tionship. Brett treated me like Russian team alongside fellow World No 1 Novak Djokovic (right) with second-ranked Rafael Nadal. number one on the back a grown-up.” top 10 star Andrey Rublev, while of 18 tour-level titles won In a four-year partnership world No 3 Dominic Thiem will lar tennis action.” -Serbia (Novak Djokovic, Dusan -Austria (Dominic Thiem, Den- -Greece (Stefanos Tsitsipas, together. with Ivanisevic, which ended try to take Austria to glory. The 12 teams will be divided Lajovic, Filip Krajinovic, Nikola nis Novak, Philipp Oswald, Tris- Michail Pervolarakis, Markos In a 46-year career, Brett at the end of the 1995 season, “The players are looking for- into four groups of three with Cacic) tan-Samuel Weissborn) Kalovelonis, Petros Tsitsipas) also worked with Johan the Croat won nine titles ward to stepping up and repre- the winners of each group con- -Argentina (Diego Schwartz- -Japan (Kei Nishikori, Yoshi- -Canada (Denis Shapovalov, Kriek, Goran Ivanisevic, Mats from 17 tour-level finals, with senting their countries again, testing the knock-outs and the man, Guido Pella, Horacio Ze- hito Nishioka, Ben McLachlan, Milos Raonic, Peter Polansky, Wilander and Marin Cilic, as runner-up finishes at Wimble- and the fi eld, including defend- four remaining progressing to ballos, Maximo Gonzalez) Toshihide Matsui) Steven Diez) well as many national tennis don in 1992 and 1994. ing champions Serbia and fi nal- the semi-fi nals. Each tie will -Spain (Rafael Nadal, Rob- -Russia (Daniil Medvedev, An- -Germany (Alexander Zver- associations. Brett then coached Andrei ists Spain, is strong,” said tour- be comprised of two singles erto Bautista Agut, Marcel drey Rublev, Aslan Karatsev, ev, Jan-Lennard Struff , Kevin Becker said in his 2004 Medvedev to the 1999 French nament director Tom Larner. matches and one doubles. The Granollers, Pablo Carreno Busta) Evgeny Donskoy) Krawietz, Andreas Mies) autobiography that the Open final, took Nicolas “This is a format that shows draw will be made on January 20 -Italy (Matteo Berrettini, Fabio -France (Gael Monfi ls, Benoit -Australia (Alex de Minaur, Melbourne-born coach Kiefer from outside of the off the passion of the players and ahead of the tournament start- Fognini, Simone Bolelli, Andrea Paire, Nicolas Mahut, Edouard John Millman, John Peers, Luke “was tough - exactly what I Top 50 to world number four. we’re expecting some spectacu- ing on February 1. Vavassori) Roger-Vasselin) Saville).

Australian Open forced to switch player quarantine hotel MOTORSPOPRT

Australian Open organisers were forced the Westin, to safely accommodate the mandatory 14-day quarantine imposed on to find new quarantine accommodation international playing group,” organisers all overseas arrivals before taking part in Final decision on for players yesterday after a hotel pulled said in a statement. a week of warm-up tournaments. out, reportedly because of concerns from Local media reported that a legal threat Melbourne only emerged from a months- residents. Organisers of the year’s first from several permanent residents in the long lockdown in October following a Australia F1 staging tennis grand slam confirmed they had luxury hotel had scuppered the plan to second wave of Covid-19, complicating secured new hotel accommodation after host players there. planning for the Grand Slam. Melbourne’s The Westin cancelled plans The news comes 10 days before the first Australia has largely contained the ‘in coming weeks’ to house tennis players during two weeks players are expected to arrive in the city. coronavirus, although fresh outbreaks in of quarantine ahead of the tournament. The start of the opening Grand Slam Sydney and Melbourne have forced au- AFP Prix Corporation continues to “Several hotels in Melbourne have already of 2021 has already been delayed until thorities to reintroduce some restrictions, Melbourne work closely with the Victorian been secured, including a replacement for February 8, to allow players to undergo a including state border closures. (state) government and Formula 1 on conditions and arrange- fi nal call on staging ments relating to the staging the Australian Grand of the Australian Grand Prix in AUSTRALIAN OPEN Prix will be made in Melbourne in 2021,” they said the “coming weeks”, in a brief statement. “Further organisersA said yesterday fol- detail will be provided upon fi - lowing reports it could be nalisation of arrangements with Kenin ready to seek Djokovic’s advice in title defence postponed over strict travel all parties in the coming weeks.” restrictions and the emergence Construction around the Reuters top seeds in Melbourne when the crazy nervous,” Kenin added. of a new strain of Covid-19. temporary Albert Park circuit Abu Dhabi event gets underway on Febru- “He told me some things which I Website autosport.com is yet to start and tickets are ary 8. will not disclose since I’d rather said the Melbourne-based not currently on sale. “I defi nitely think I can talk keep it a secret.” race, which is due to kick off The Australian race, the tra- ofi a Kenin has never de- to Novak... I think that will be While many tournaments the new season on March 21, ditional season curtain-raiser, fended a Grand Slam title helpful since we’re both defend- were played last season with- would likely be pushed back to was called off last year just before but the reigning ing champions,” Kenin told re- out crowds due to the Covid-19 later in the year, with Bahrain hours before the fi rst practice Australian Open cham- porters ahead of the Abu Dhabi pandemic, Kenin hopes to see poised to open the 2021 calen- session after a McLaren team pionS said yesterday that she will Open, a warm-up tournament them return in numbers in Mel- dar on March 28. It pointed to member tested positive, with seek advice from world number before the Australian Open. bourne, even if capacity is lim- Australia’s tough coronavirus drivers scrambling to leave the one Novak Djokovic if she feels “He did give me great advice ited. restrictions, which require in- country. the pressure is too much to han- ahead of the fi nal (last year) since “When I played at Cincinnati ternational travellers to quar- The pandemic threw the dle. we were practising next to each and US Open (without crowds), antine for two weeks, as pos- season into chaos and racing Kenin won her maiden Grand other.” it was completely diff erent,” she ing signifi cant logistical and only started in Austria in July, Slam in Melbourne last year Kenin, who was seeded 14th said. fi nancial obstacles. with the Melbourne event not which set the American on last year, came back from a “It’s so quiet, like a ghost Many of Formula One’s teams rescheduled. course to break into the top 10 set down to beat Spain’s twice town. It’s not the ideal atmos- are also based in England where Despite concern about the and claim the WTA Player of the Grand Slam champion Garbine phere, I love the fans and use cases are surging, spurred by a fate of this year’s race, hun- Year award. Muguruza in the fi nal. their energy to help me play bet- more infectious new variant, dreds of the world’s top ten- The 22-year-old, who was “He came up to me and he ter. I’m going to be super excited further complicating matters. nis players are set to arrive in also the French Open runner- was really nice about it and told to have some kind of crowd and Australian organisers said they Melbourne from January 15 for up, is currently ranked fourth in me some things before the fi nal try to go back to something nor- were working through the is- 14 days’ quarantine before the the world and will be among the which was special because I was mal.” sues. “The Australian Grand Australian Open. Gulf Times Wednesday, January 6, 2021 7 CRICKET

REPORT SPOTLIGHT Williamson’s 238 Australia and India leaves Pakistan resume ‘arm-wrestle’ facing big defeat Tests series Daryl Mitchell also scores century as hosts post 659 for 6 in first innings

New Zealand’s captain Kane reacts after Australia’s Will Pucovski (L) waits to bat as team’s coach Justin reaching his double Langer looks on during a training session at the Sydney Cricket century yesterday. Ground (SCG) yesterday.

AFP low opener Joe Burns has been Sydney dumped. Warner’s opening partner is still unknown. Will Pucovski has ustralia and India been given the all-clear from a resume their “arm- concussion and could make his wrestle” Test series at debut, although Marcus Harris is 1-1 tomorrow after a also waiting in the wings. Abuild-up marred by a coronavi- If either play, Matthew Wade rus outbreak in Sydney and con- would drop back to number fi ve cerns over a potential biosecurity with Travis Head facing the axe. breach by the Indian team. “There’s loyalty to all our New Zealand The four-Test series is fi nely players. And whatever way we batsman Daryl poised after India, crushed by go — the hardest thing is... it’s so Mitchell celebrates eight wickets in Adelaide — hard to fi t seven or eight into six,” reaching his where they fell for their record said Langer, when asked about century against low of 36 — emphatically Head. Pakistan at bounced back in Melbourne. But he stressed his batsmen Christchurch. Spearheaded by stand-in must start putting more runs on skipper Ajinkya Rahane, who is the board, with the team failing deputising during Virat Kohli’s to go past 200 during the series. paternity leave, they levelled “We’re addressing the issues. the series with their own eight- I think we got 200 in that sec- wicket win. ond innings (in Melbourne), but “The fi rst two Tests have been any time you’re not scoring over AFP CHRISTCHURCH SCORECARD had put on 369, the third-best all-time tough cricket, it’s 1-1 and that 200, you’re looking at ways to Christchurch partnership for New Zealand and a record probably shows how close the improve.” Pakistan 1st innings 297 (Azhar Ali 93, Bowling: Afridi 35.5-8-101-2 (2nb), Abbas for the fourth wicket. series is,” said Australia coach After Melbourne, India coach M. Rizwan 61, F. Ashraf 48; Jamieson 34-11-98-2 (2w, 1nb), Shah 26-2-141-0 (12w, The day had resumed with New Zealand Justin Langer, describing the se- Ravi Shastri hailed the team’s ane Williamson underscored 5-69, Southee 2-61) 9nb), Ashraf 28-4-106-2 (3w), Masood 286 for three, 11 runs in arrears and with ries as an “arm-wrestle”. turnaround as one of the great his ranking as the world’s pre- New Zealand 1st innings (overnight 2-0-17-0, Gohar 32-0-159-0, Sohail 1-0-2-0 conditions favourable for the bowlers who “We are very, very determined comebacks of all time, but the mier batsman with a masterful 286-3) had cloud cover and a ball only fi ve overs to get out of the blocks hard on euphoria was short-lived. double century as New Zealand T. Latham c Sohail b Afridi ...... 33 Pakistan 2nd innings old. Thursday.” Rohit Sharma, Rishabh Pant, Ktook control of the second Test against T. Blundell lbw Ashraf ...... 16 S. Masood c Southee b Jamieson ...... 0 But for every plan Pakistan set to dis- The series has also been event- Shubman Gill, Prithvi Shaw and Pakistan yesterday. K. Williamson c Masoon b Ashraf ...... 238 Abid Ali not out ...... 7 miss Williamson, he had an answer — ful off the fi eld with Sydney, Navdeep Saini were all seen din- In between the showers at Hagley Oval R. Taylor c Masood b Abbas ...... 12 M. Abbas not out ...... 1 with a range of strokes from silky touches which has raced to contain a new ing in a Melbourne restaurant, in Christchurch, Williamson was in clas- H. Nicholls c Shah b Abbas ...... 157 Extras ...... 0 to powerful drives. Covid-19 cluster, only confi rmed in what looked like a biosecurity sic form, batting for nine hours 33 min- B. Watling c Sohail b Afridi ...... 7 Total (one wicket; 11 overs) ...... 8 Along the way he followed Ross Tay- as host of the third Test after the breach. utes for his 238 and leading New Zealand D. Mitchell not out ...... 102 Fall of wicket: 1-3 (Masood) lor and Stephen Fleming in becoming the Melbourne game. But India’s cricket board has to an imposing 659 for six declared to lead K. Jamieson not out ...... 30 Bowling: Southee 6-4-5-0, Boult 3-2-2-0, third New Zealander to pass 7,000 runs. The Sydney Cricket Ground taken no action so far, and after Pakistan by 362. Extras (b27, lb8, w17, nb12) ...... 64 Jamieson 2-1-1-1 The end came for Williamson three has slashed its available capacity the entire touring party tested At stumps on day three, the tourists Total (six wickets; 158.5 overs) ...... 659 Toss: New Zealand overs before tea when he skied a short ball from 50 to 25% — about 10,000 negative for the coronavirus on were already in trouble at eight for one, Fall of wickets: 1-52 (Blundell), 2-52 Series: New Zealand lead 1-0 from Faheem Ashraf and was caught in the fans — after a public backlash Sunday, the fi ve seem to be clear with Kyle Jamieson adding to his fi ve- (Latham), 3-71 (Taylor), 4-440 (Nicholls), Umpires: Chris Gaff aney (NZL), Chris deep by Masood. over the potential health risks. to play. wicket haul in the fi rst innings by remov- 5-452 (Watling), 6-585 (Williamson) Brown (NZL) In four innings from three Tests in the Separately, fi ve Indian play- That would see Gill, who was ing Shan Masood for a duck. Did not bat: Tim Southee, Matt Henry, TV Umpire: Wayne Knights (NZL) past month Williamson has scored 251, ers were spotted dining inside a highly impressive on debut in It was a relentless performance from Trent Boult Match Referee: Jeff Crowe (NZL) 129, 21 and 238. Melbourne restaurant, in appar- Melbourne, pad up again, while Williamson who became only the second Nicholls, dropped on 92 and 133, was ent contravention of biosecurity the explosive Pant will once more New Zealander after Brendon McCullum hampered by a calf strain which left him protocols. keep wicket. to score four double centuries. hobbling between the wickets. Australian offi cials have also Sharma only joined the team Daryl Mitchell, who wondered if he those hard lengths, there is a lot of pace went for an expensive 159 off 32 overs on But he was still able to attack, with played down reports claim- last week after a late injury- would ever get a bat while Williamson there and hopefully we can put Pakistan debut, said the fi elding errors hurt. boundaries producing 48 of his 68 runs on ing India are not keen on having enforced arrival. But he was im- was at the crease, described his skipper as under some pressure and see what hap- “The dropped catches cost us. There is day three, before he top-edged a short ball the fi nal Test in Brisbane, due to mediately made vice-captain, “a freak who’s set us up with a chance to pens,” he said. no reason to drop catches but it happens from Mohammed Abbas and was caught stricter quarantine arrangements suggesting he too will play, po- win”. Williamson should have been out for in cricket,” he said. at deep fi ne leg. there. tentially in place of the under- Williamson delayed the declaration un- 177 on the fi rst ball after the fi rst of two “Dropping Kane Williamson cost us a Should New Zealand win the Test it The weather could aff ect plans performing Mayank Agarwal. til Mitchell completed his maiden century rain stoppages, but as has happened sev- lot of big runs.” will confi rm their ranking as the number for both teams, with showers There will be a new-look at- and the all-rounder said despite his un- eral times in the Test the chance was put Williamson and Nicholls had rebuilt the one side in the world for the fi rst time — forecast for Thursday and Friday. tack with Umesh Yadav out of the beaten 102 off 112 balls it remained a good down, this time by Azhar Ali, who earlier innings after New Zealand were reduced to go with Williamson’s promotion as the Run-shy Australia are set to series after hurting his calf and T. pitch for the bowlers and should produce in the day had dropped Henry Nicholls to 71 for three on Monday’s second day. number one batsman — and keep alive make at least one change, with Natarajan called up as a replace- a result. short of his century. By the time Nicholls was dismissed ear- their chances of making the World Test David Warner expected to return ment. India were already with- “If we put it in the right areas and bang Pakistan spinner Zafar Gohar, who ly in the afternoon session for 157, the pair Championship fi nal after missing the fi rst two Tests out injured regulars Mohammed with a groin strain, while fel- Shami and Ishant Sharma.

BOTTOMLINE Oman to host Test, ODI series Muscat: Oman will host ODI, This is a very proud moment T20 Internationals and Test for us all,” said Madhu Jesrani, matches for the first time in his- Secretary, Oman Cricket. Rain, rain stay away, India tory this year after the Interna- “Oman Cricket is delighted tional Cricket Council approved to know that the Sultanate its cricket facilities, the Times of has become an accredited Oman reported yesterday. venue for Test matches, ODI The Gulf nation will host a and T20 Internationals. The players at Sydney pray three-match ODI series be- credit must go to our chairman tween Afghanistan and Ireland Kanak Khimji and the Board IANS and fi nal Test at the Gabba in Brisbane, R Ashwin and co. would like to have a 90 were possible on the third day, only later this month followed by a of Directors for guiding us all Sydney which has been a fortress for the Aus- full fi ve-day contest and not lose any 25.4 overs were possible on the fourth two-match Test and three- these years. This honour and tralians. The hosts have not lost a Test overs due to rain like it happened the last day. The Aussies, resuming day 4 on matchT20 International series achievement is a realisation of at the Gabba for over 30 years and India time. Back in 2019, India had a chance to 236/6 in 83.3 overs, were bowled out for between Afghanistan and our chairman’s dream. Oman orecasts for rain on the fi rst two haven’t beaten them in any of the six seal a 3-1 series win, which would have 300 after playing 21.2 more overs in their Zimbabwe in February. hosting Test matches and all days of the third Test in Syd- previous attempts. been the fi rst time they won three Tests fi rst innings. “This is big news and a wonder- forms of international cricket ney would disappoint the In- The surface at the SCG is closer to the in a series in Australia. However, rain They were then 6/0 in four overs as ful achievement for Oman is a dream come true. This dian team management that is ones back home and helps the spinners played spoilsport on the last three days play was abandoned on day 4. Cricket. The New Year has was his vision and we should bankingF heavily on the third Test at the more than any other Australian surface. of the fourth and fi nal Test at Sydney. The fi fth day of the Test was washed started on such a promising all thank him for guiding us to friendly Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) While India have won just one Test in India had forced Australia to follow out, thereby robbing India a chance to note for the Sultanate. Apart the path,” said Duleep Mendis, surface to take a 2-1 lead and retain the Sydney, back in 1978, they have managed on. After making 622/7 declared in the win the series 3-1. from the UAE, Oman is the Chief Development Off icer at Border-Gavaskar Trophy. to draw fi ve times in 12 matches. Most fi rst innings, they bowled out the Aus- The Indians and Australians also en- only other Associate nation to Oman Cricket and coach of India would look to win the SCG importantly, against this Aussie team, sies for 300 in the fi rst innings. dured a bit of rain in Melbourne that enjoy Test, ODI and T20I status. national team. Test before proceeding for the fourth which is fi nding it diffi cult to play spin, While 73.3 overs out of the scheduled hampered their practice sessions.

Wednesday, January 6, 2021 GULF TIMES CRICKET

SPOTLIGHT FOCUS SA wrap up series ‘Bubble life’ proves no win over Sri Lanka party for It is South Africa’s first Test series win since they defeated Pakistan in 2018/19 AFP SA, Lanka Johannesburg

imuth Karunaratne’s century could not pre- vent South Africa from completing a 2-0 series winD on the third day of the sec- ond Test against Sri Lanka at the Wanderers Stadium in Johannes- burg yesterday. South Africa won by 10 wickets after Sri Lanka were bowled out for 211 in their second innings. Set to make 67 runs to win, the hosts sealed their victory half an hour after lunch. Karunaratne, the Sri Lankan captain, made 103 after start- ing the day on 91. His dismissal started a collapse in which Sri Lanka lost their last six wickets for 35 runs. Lungi Ngidi took four for 44 and fellow fast bowler Lutho Si- pamla ripped through the tail to take three for 40. Karunaratne and Niroshan Dickwella started brightly af- ter Sri Lanka resumed on 150 for four. Karunatne went to a 123- ball century with two successive off -side boundaries off Anrich Nortje but an attempted pull off the same bowler looped off a top edge to backward square leg. Ngidi followed up with the wicket of Dickwella in the next South Africa’s Aiden Markram (R) is congratulated by Sri Lankan players after South Africa’s victory during the third day of the second Test over when a leading edge carried match at the Wanderers stadium in Johannesburg yesterday. to mid-off and there was mini- South Africa’s captain Quinton de Kock holds the series trophy mal resistance from the rest of the after his team’s 2-0 win over Sri Lanka yesterday. batting. Aiden Markram batted aggres- Boucher hails team aft er easy series win sively at the start of the fi nal in- Johannesburg: South Africa coach are only a handful of caps between nings but escaped when he edged Mark Boucher hailed a first series win them and so a lot of inexperience there,” AFP chi on January 26, there will be a loose drive against Vishwa for his side following a lean run of form Boucher told a news conference. Johannesburg no break for the Sri Lankans. Fernando with his score on 14 in over the last two years after they romped “They learnt a lot of lessons and they They will have to go into the last over before lunch. Kusal to an easy 2-0 triumph over Sri Lanka learnt them very quickly as well. It’s a quarantine for six days after Mendis dived forward from sec- yesterday group that is growing and as long as we ival captains Quin- fl ying home on a charter fl ight ond slip and appeared to take a “First of all, it’s just good to get a win un- see growth we are happy. The way they ton de Kock and Di- and will have minimal time to good catch but a television review der our belts,” said Boucher after South responded to a few harsh words that muth Karunaratne prepare for two Tests against showed he had taken the ball on Africa beat Sri Lanka in the first Test in were needed at times was good and is highlighted the dif- England in Galle, starting on the bounce. Pretoria last week and followed it up with something to build on.” Rfi culties of “bubble life” after January 14. Markram fi nished on 36 not a 10-wicket triumph in the second Test at South Africa had lost eight of their previ- South Africa beat Sri Lanka by Karunaratne said he ex- out while Dean Elgar followed up The Wanderers Stadium yesterday. ous nine Tests, five of them at home, 10 wickets on the third day of pected Sri Lanka to play well his 127 in the fi rst innings with 31 “Our batsmen got among the runs, spent going into the Sri Lanka series at the end the second and fi nal Test at the in home conditions but said not out. Elgar made 253 runs in good time in the middle and so that will of a 11-month hiatus, having dropped to Wanderers Stadium in Johan- both teams would face a test of the series and was only dismissed have given them a lot of confidence six in the world Test team rankings. nesburg yesterday. mental strength because of the twice. It was South Africa’s fi rst for our next series in Pakistan and then “By no means are we a finished product,” The win completed a 2-0 restrictions imposed by Covid. Test series win since they defeat- against Australia. They can build on that Boucher warned. “There is still a lot of series clean sweep for South “We can’t go out. We stay in ed Pakistan 3-0 in South Africa in momentum.” hard work to be done but the guys under- Africa. the room, we go to the ground 2018/19. A surprise 2-0 home de- South Africa now prepare to visit Pakistan stand that. De Kock hailed South Af- and we play cricket. We need feat against Sri Lanka in the same for the first time in 14 years for a two test “We are going to make mistakes along rica’s fi rst series win in almost some space to go out and eat series started a sequence of three series later this month. They then host the way but as long as we keep learning two years and praised a young something and meet friends. successive series losses. Australia in February and March. from those mistakes, then we are heading bowling line-up who kept Sri Unfortunately we don’t have South Africa will depart soon “If you look at our bowling attack, there in the right direction.” Lanka under pressure for most that,” he said. for their fi rst series in Pakistan of the two matches. Karunaratne said Sri Lanka’s since 2007/08. The fi rst of two But he told SuperSport tel- fi rst innings collapse from 71 Tests starts in Karachi on January WANDERERS SCORECARD evision he had “mixed feelings” for one to 157 all out had hurt 26. Sri Lanka will return home on about South Africa’s next as- the team. “We had a good start a chartered fl ight and go straight Sri Lanka, first innings, ...... 157 D. Chameera c De Kock b Sipamla ...... 0 signment, a tour of Pakistan but suddenly we lost wickets,” to Galle, where they will play two South Africa, first innings, ...... 302 V. Fernando not out ...... 1 South Africa, second innings later this month. “I’m keen to he said. “We fought back hard Tests against England, starting on Sri Lanka, second innings A. Fernando b Sipamla ...... 0 A. Markram not out ...... 36 play some cricket but bubble and we did a good job in patch- January 14. (overnight 150-4) D. Elgar not out ...... 31 life at times can be a bit frus- es.” Sri Lanka were hit hard by inju- D. Karunaratne c Mulder b Nortje ...... 103 Extras (b9, lb2, nb2, w1) ...... 14 Extras ...... 0 trating,” he said. He highlighted the batting ries in South Africa. Four players K. Perera b Ngidi ...... 1 Total (56.5 overs) 211 Total (0 wkts, 13.2 overs) ...... 67 Both teams stayed at a coun- form of Kusal Perera in the in- were injured during the fi rst Test L. Thirimanne c De Kock b Ngidi ...... 31 Fall of wickets: 1-1 (Perera), 2-86 (Thirimanne), Bowling: V Fernando 4-0-23-0, A. Fernando try club for the duration of the jury-enforced role as an open- and could not play in Johannes- K. Mendis c De Kock b Ngidi ...... 0 3-92 (Mendis), 4-109 (Bhanuka), 5-176 (Karu- 4-1-20-0, Hasaranga 2.2-0-16-0, Shanaka 3-1-8-0 series in a bio-secure environ- ing batsman and the bowling of burg, while leading fast bowler M. Bhanuka c Maharaj b Nortje ...... 1 naratne), 6-181 (Dickwella), 7-190 (Shanaka), ment to prevent the spread of opening bowlers Vishwa Fern- Suranga Lakmal and opening N. Dickwella c Bavuma b Ngidi ...... 36 8-209 (Hasaranga), 9-210 (Chameera) Result: South Africa won by ten wickets Covid-19. ando and Asitha Fernando as batsman Oshada Fernando were D. Shanaka c Sipamla b Mulder ...... 8 Bowling: Ngidi 15-5-44-4, Nortje 19-2-64-2 (1w), Series: South Africa won the two-match series “It’s really hard to stay in a “positives” to take back to Sri unable to play in either match be- W. Hasaranga b Sipamla ...... 16 Mulder 13-3-52-1, Sipamla 9.5-1-40-3 (1nb) 2-0 bubble for a long time,” said Lanka. He said he hoped expe- cause of injuries. Karunaratne, who completed rienced players Angelo Math- a tenth Test century yesterday ews, Dinesh Chandimal and morning before his dismissal Suranga Lakmal would be fi t for BOTTOMLINE for 103 started a collapse in the England series. which the last six wickets fell De Kock brushed off talk for 35 runs. that South Africa had gained Sri Lanka were bowled “revenge” after losing a home out for 211 and South Africa series against Sri Lanka two knocked off the 67 runs they seasons ago. needed in 13.2 overs without “After the year we had we Warner ‘very likely’ for third Test losing a wicket. just wanted to get off to a good Reuters who was unavailable for the fi rst Tests af- While the South Africans start in the next season,” he Melbourne ter suff ering concussion when struck in will have a short time at home said, referring to a year of me- the helmet by a short ball in a tour match. before leaving for Pakistan to diocre results and cancelled Pucovski has a history of concussion start a two-Test series in Kara- tours because of Covid. ustralia coach Justin Langer has problems and India’s pace attack, led by all but confi rmed David Warner the formidable Jasprit Bumrah, pelted the will return for the third Test Australians with bouncers in Melbourne, India’s Rahul out with sprained wrist against India and said uncapped striking specialist batsmen Marnus La- Aopener Will Pucovski is available for se- buschagne and Wade on the helmet. Sydney: India’s injury-hit strength”. lection after clearing concussion proto- Yet Langer said there was “no reason” squad suff ered a further blow The 28-year-old, who has cols. why Pucovski could not be selected. yesterday when experienced played 36 Tests but was left Regular opener Warner has been racing “All the concussion protocols... have wicketkeeper-batsman KL Ra- out for both the Adelaide and to be fi t for the Sydney Cricket Ground been passed,” he said. hul was ruled out of the rest Melbourne Tests, will head to (SCG) test starting Thursday after miss- “It’s just working out the balance of of the series against Australia the National Cricket Academy ing the fi rst two matches in Adelaide and our team, where we’re at in the series... with a sprained left wrist. in Bengaluru to recover. Melbourne with a groin strain. we weigh up whether this Test match is The right-hander hurt himself It is a further setback for the Warner admitted last week he was un- right, or the next Test match is right.” while batting in the nets tourists who started the four- likely to be fully fi t but Langer told re- Pucovski’s inclusion would likely mean at the Melbourne Cricket Test series without injured porters on Tuesday the lefthander was Wade reverting to his usual spot in the Ground during a practice ses- leading fast bowler Ishant “very, very, very likely” to play at the SCG middle order and batsman Travis Head sion on Saturday after India Sharma and experienced where Tim Paine’s Australia will hope to being dropped after scores of 38 and 17 in won the second Test by eight batsman Rohit Sharma. take a 2-1 lead in the four-match series. the defeat in Melbourne. wickets. They have since lost two Warner is expected to replace the Langer said Head was a “good player” Australia’s David India’s cricket board said more pacemen, Mohammed dropped Joe Burns but selectors will but declined to back his inclusion for Warner prepares to he will “not be available for Shami (arm) and Umesh Ya- have to decide whether Pucovski should Sydney. bat during a training the remaining two Tests of dav (calf), although Sharma partner Warner at the top of the order “He’s one of the guys currently in the session at the Sydney the Border-Gavaskar Trophy rejoined the squad last week or retain Matthew Wade as a makeshift team. Whether that changes for this Cricket Ground (SCG) as he will need about three and could make his return in opener. game, I can’t tell you. We’ve got some yesterday. weeks time to recover the third Test in Sydney start- Pundits have expressed concern about decisions to make... probably after this completely and regain full ing tomorrow. the risks of picking 22-year-old Pucovski, afternoon’s (training) session.”