FFOOTBALLOOTBALL | Page 3 NNBABA | Page 5 Moyes says Irving stars he has ‘point as Celtics to prove’ at extend win West Ham streak to 9

CRICKET Wednesday, November 8, 2017 Safar 19, 1439 AH Big blow for England as Finn GULF TIMES ruled out of Ashes SPORT Page 4 CRICKET FOOTBALL/QSL CUP clinch Hamdalla hat-trick as T20 series aft er Rayyan beat Markhiya

By Sports Reporter ry-time goal to seal Al Rayyan’s victory. rain-hit thriller Earlier, Parou Sadeeqi had given Al Doha Rayyan an eighth minute lead before Hamdalla went on the rampage. Al With heavy rain lashing the city, the start of the third T20I was delayed by a bderrazzaq Hamdalla scored Rayyan talisman Tabata also regis- a hat-trick as Al Rayyan tered on the score sheet by converting couple of hours and the match was reduced to an eight-overs-a-side aff air eased past Al Markhiya 5-2 from the spot in the 80th minute. to consolidate their position Al Markhiya ensured it was not a Ain Group B after the third round of the complete whitewash with Saleh al- QSL Cup yesterday. Yazidi (49) and Anas Mubarak fi nding In two other matches in Group B, the target. Umm Salal edged Al Sadd 2-1 and Al In another match, Umm Salal upset Ahli beat Al Arabi 3-2. Al Sadd with Mahir Yousuf grabbing a Al Rayyan now have nine points second-half brace. from three matches with an all-win After a goalless fi rst session, he record, having beaten Al Ahli and Al scored in the very fi rst minute after Sadd earlier. resumption and then helped his team The tournament resumed yesterday clinch victory with a 90th minute strike as the QNB Stars League is taking a after Al Sadd had equalised through two-week international break during Jassim al-Shammari in the 77th. which three friendlies will be played in Al Ahli, meanwhile shocked Al Arabi Qatar, involving the hosts, Iceland and 3-2 with Khalil Sharif scoring twice in the Czech Republic. a span of two minutes in the second Although the QSL Cup is a tourna- half. ment mainly to give the juniors some His goals in the 55th and 57th min- experience, Al Rayyan fi elded veteran utes helped Al Ahli equalise after Ah- Rodrigo Tabata and the prolifi c Ham- mad Salah and Abdulrahman Mansour dalla who has been making waves in had put Al Arabi 2-0 up in the fi rst ses- the QNB Stars League. sion. Yesterday, Hamdalla struck in the Colombian Cristian Nazarit then 33rd and 39th minutes before claiming struck in the 83rd minute to clinch vic- his hat-trick with a second-half inju- tory for Al Ahli.

India’s (L) celebrates with (C) and after Sharma took a catch to dismiss unseen New Zealand batsman Colin Munro yesterday in the 3rd T20 match in Thiruvananthapuram.

IANS SCORECARD Earlier, India posted 67/5 in their Thiruvananthapuram allotted eight overs. Fast bowler Tim Southee bowled India C. Munro c Sharma b Bumrah ...... 7 well for New Zealand with fi gures of ndia defeated New Zealand by six R. Sharma c Santner b Southee ...... 8 K. Williamson run out ...... 8 2/13 in his two overs. Leg-spinner runs in the third and fi nal Twen- S. Dhawan c Santner b Southee ...... 8 G. Phillips c Shikhar b Kuldeep ...... 11 Ish Sodhi copped some punishment ty20 International (T20I) to win V. Kohli c Boult b Sodhi ...... 13 C. de Grandhomme ...... 17 from the Indian batsmen, but ulti- the series 2-1 at the Greenfi eld S. Iyer c Guptill by Sodhi ...... 6 H. Nicholls c Iyer b Bumrah ...... 2 mately ended up with fi gures of 2/23. IInternational Stadium here yesterday. Fast bowler Trent Boult also bagged a M. Pandey c de Grandhomme b Boult T. Bruce run out ...... 4 The three-match series was locked ...... 17 M. Santner not out ...... 3 . 1-1 after the hosts won the opening H. Pandya not out ...... 14 Extras (b4, lb1, w3) ...... 8 Asked to bat fi rst by the Kiwis, the Hat-trick hero Abderrazzaq Hamdalla of Al Rayyan. match in Delhi while New Zealand M. Dhoni not out ...... 0 Total (8 overs — 6 ) ...... 61 hosts ran into trouble in the third clinched the second encounter in Ra- Extras (lb 2, w1) ...... 3 Did not bat: T. Boult, T. Southee, I. over when Southee sent back openers jkot. Total (8 overs — five wickets) ...... 67 Sodhi Shikhar Dhawan and Rohit Sharma SPOTLIGHT With heavy rain lashing the city, the Did not bat: B. Kumar, J. Bumrah, Fall: 1-8, 2-8, 3-28, 4-28, 5-39, 6-48 off consecutive deliveries. start of the third T20I was delayed by a Kuldeep Yadav, Y. Chahal Bowling: Kumar 2-0-18-1, Bumrah 2-0- Indian skipper Kohli had a promis- couple of hours and the match was re- Fall of wickets: 1-15, 2-15, 3-30, 4-48, 9-2, Chahal 2-0-8-0, Kuldeep Yadav ing start, smashing leg-spinner Ish duced to an eight-overs-a-side aff air. 5-62 1-0-10-1, Pandya 1-0-11-0 Sodhi for a boundary and a six off Oman to host Bowling: Boult 2-0-13-1, Santner 2-0- Umpires: Anil Chaudhary/Nitin back to back balls before falling later Pacer Jasprit Bumrah was the 16-0, Southee 2-0-13-2, Sodhi 2-0-23-2 Menon (IND) that same over while attempting to most successful among the Match referee: Chris Broad (Eng) send another into the stands. FIFA executive Indian bowlers with fi gures of New Zealand India win series 2-1 Sodhi bagged another wicket in 2/9 in his two overs. His fellow M. Guptill b Kumar ...... 1 his next over when Shreyas Iyer mis- pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar and timed his shot and holed out to Gup- summit in February left -arm spinner Kuldeep Yadav till at long off . bagged a wicket each opener Martin Guptill with a slower dav against the turn. With and Manish QNA the distinguished position enjoyed by ball that swung away to hit the off - Henry Niholls fell while attempting Pandey looking dangerous with the Muscat the Sultanate and the strong relation- Having restricted the hosts to 67/5 stump. Guptill was going for an ambi- a sweep of Bhuvneshwar only to pick bat, it seemed that India will go past ship between the OFA and the FIFA, after winning the toss, the New Zea- tious heave through mid-wicket, but out Shreyas Iyer at fi ne leg. Tom Bruce the 70-run mark. Oman News Agency (ONA) reported. land batsmen struggled right from the was beaten by the movement in the air. was run out later in that same over as But Boult produced an excellent fi - he Sultanate of Oman will The idea of this summit came from start and could only manage 61/6 in Colin Munro, the other New Zea- the Kiwis tottered at 49/6 after seven nal over to contain the hosts to a man- host the FIFA Executive Sum- the vision of FIFA president Infantino their eight overs. land opener, departed in the next over overs. ageable total. mit on February 4, 2018, as part of his theme: “Bringing Foot- Pacer Jasprit Bumrah was the most when he holed out to mid on off a Jas- With 19 runs needed in the fi nal Pandey was caught at the boundary Tin the presence of the FIFA ball Back to FIFA and FIFA to Football” successful among the Indian bowlers prit Bumrah delivery. over, Colin de Grandhomme did give by an excellent fi elding eff ort by Colin President Gianni Infantino and top of- in order to strengthen the relationship with fi gures of 2/9 in his two overs. Kane Williamson and Glenn Phillips the visitors a glimmer of hope when he de Grandhomme and Mitchell Santner fi cials of various national associations, between the FIFA and its members and His fellow pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar added 20 runs between them before smashed the third ball for a six. while attempting to hit a Boult deliv- the Omani Football Association (OFA) to provide a platform for the exchange and left-arm spinner Kuldeep Yadav both fell to consecutive balls. William- But with the Kiwis needing 12 runs ery out of the park. Santner had made announced. of experiences and information. bagged a wicket each. son was run out thanks to an accurate off the last three balls, Bhuvneshwar the initial catch but even as he was In a statement, the Omani Football There will be 12 summits in diff erent The Kiwis had a poor start to their throw by Hardik Pandya while Phillips bowled a tidy line to ensure that India falling to the ground he lobbed the ball Federation said Oman was chosen as countries selected by the FIFA from chase when Bhuvneshwar bowled was caught while attempting to hit Ya- won the match and the series. to de Grandhomme. the venue for the summit as a result of November 2017 to March 2018. Gulf Times 2 Wednesday, November 8, 2017 FOOTBALL QATAR FACE IRAQ IN AFC U-19 CHAMPIONSHIP QUALIFIERS

Qatar’s boys train ahead of their final match of the AFC U-19 Championship qualifiers in Doha. Qatar take on Iraq today to decide the group winners. The hosts opened their campaign in group C with a 2-0 victory against Lebanon at Grand Hamad Stadium in Doha on Monday. Hisham Ali scored the goals for Qatar, both of which came in the dying moments of the first half. Iraq are also on three points after their 2-0 victory against Lebanon on Saturday.

SPOTLIGHT Croatia out to maintain perfect playoff record Australia to play Honduras Zagreb: Having billed Greece as the most awkward oppo- nents they could draw in the World Cup playoff s, Croatia will head into the two-leg tie confident of maintaining their flawless record in the on edge of killing fi eld final round of qualifying for major tournaments. The Croatians have won all four of their playoff s to The winner of the two-leg playoff gets a berth in the World Cup tournament next year in Russia reach either World Cup or European Championship AFP tournaments in the past and Tegucigalpa, Honduras have advanced to 9 out of 11 major finals as an independ- ent nation. Tomorrow’s home ustralia are to face Honduras leg against the Greeks comes for a World Cup playoff in a after a turbulent year in Central American stadium on which Croatia were dislodged Friday located on the edge of from the top of Group I by aA cane fi eld notorious for being where Iceland halfway through the gangs dumped corpses and dismem- qualifying campaign and bered victims with chainsaws. sacked coach Ante Cacic last But the Socceroos “have nothing to month ahead of a crucial 2-0 fear,” assured the police of San Pedro win at Ukraine in their final Sula, the host city in Honduras, pointing match. to greatly improved security in recent Cacic’s replacement Zlatko years. “We will have the Australians eat Dalic oversaw the result ‘shots’ and chuco chicken,” a local spe- which enabled Croatia to fin- ciality, rather than dodge any violence, ish as runners-up and earn a said police spokesman Jorge Rodriguez, playoff berth, instilling strong referring to a dish of black-bean tortil- belief that they can complete las and a local style of chicken. the recovery against an The match in the city’s 40,000-place injury-hit Greek side. Olimpico Metropolitano Stadium is Defensive Milan the fi rst part of a playoff that will then Badelj has been ruled out of see both Australia and Honduras fl y to the tie with a ribcage muscle Sydney for the return tie on November injury while striker Mario 15. The winner gets a berth in the World Mandzukic is doubtful with Cup tournament next year in Russia. a hamstring strain. Although San Pedro Sula built up an unenviable Mandzukic is a vital player reputation in the past as the most mur- for Croatia, Dalic has options derous city in Honduras — itself part of with the in-form Andrej Kra- Central America’s notorious Northern Australian players train ahead of their World Cup playoff against Honduras in San Pedro Sula, Honduras, yesterday. (Reuters) maric who scored both goals Triangle, along with Guatemala and against the Ukrainians and El Salvador, where gang violence, drug policy that President Juan Orlando to play. Santos Leonel Reyes, one of go away... the problem is latent,” he lion, sits at the foot of a wooded moun- AC Milan’s Nikola Kalinic. traffi cking, poverty and corruption are Hernandez has deployed against the vi- the guards at the government morgue said. The gangs “operate like guerrillas.” tain known as El Merendon. A small Greece, who finished be- rife. Five years ago, a Mexican NGO cious gangs. When Australia face up to that conducts autopsies on victims of Manuel Martínez, a 67-year-old taxi zone of walled mansions for the wealthy hind Belgium in Group H, are called the place the second most violent Honduras in the stadium, surrounded violent deaths, said, “It’s calm now be- driver, acknowledged “there are still perches above the city’s outer band, a hoping that captain Vasilis city in all of Latin America, after Juarez by barbed wire, there will be 1,200 po- cause there are patrols 24 hours a day in risky areas” in the city. He added that, lively area of boulevards with funparks Torosidis and central defend- in Mexico. lice and soldiers deployed inside and all the city — there are no more turf wars when his cab is hailed by someone with and shopping centres. More central is er Sokratis Papastathopoulos But now, after four years of stepped- outside the venue, in consecutive secu- between the gangs.” tattoos — a common adornment for the city park in front of a colonial-era win a race against time to up military and police patrols and ag- rity rings, Rodriguez said, adding that That has made a big diff erence from gang members — “I don’t take them.” cathedral and a few high-rise buildings, be fit for the clash. Should gressive street crackdowns, things drones would also be used. four years ago, when “there were an av- But he reckoned “nothing will hap- below which sit middle-class houses either of them miss the first have improved, authorities insist. Four “All of them will have radios, backed erage of 24 bodies a day coming in here,” pen to the Australians, because here with their markets. Beyond them are leg, German coach Michael battalions of militarised police — each by video cameras and connected to a he said. “Now there are three a week.” footballers are protected. the slums, plagued by crime. As the Skibbe is likely to deploy ei- one comprised of 500 armed police — central command,” he explained. “That But a captain at the gate of the police Here there is only football and poli- captain of the Honduras team, Maynor ther Kyriakos Papadopoulos have been installed in the area, setting already worked well when the United camp warned that San Pedro Sula is still tics... there’s nothing to be afraid of.” Figueroa, said: “The only war they (the or Panagiotis Retsos. up base. They are part of a get-tough States, Costa Rica and Mexico came” a “time bomb.” “Here, the gangs never San Pedro Sula, population one mil- Australians) will see is on the fi eld.”

FOCUS Seeing double as identical twins play for Russia AFP players, a much welcome boost after a dreadful youth squad, winning three consecutive Russian Moscow Euro 2016 campaign. Players such as the Mi- titles. Alexei then made his debut in the Russian ranchuks are “highly motivated” and “have a in 2013 but Anton was made to completely diff erent attitude to football”, Mutko wait before getting his chance. Anton was sent pponents of Russia’s national side stressed. “It’s a generation of professionals.” on loan to Estonian high-fl yers Levadia Tallinn can be forgiven for confusion as they The twins meanwhile said their invitation for the 2016 campaign, during which he scored face two identical players: twin broth- to the national side had done wonders for their 15 goals in 33 matches. ers Anton and Alexei Miranchuk. The confi dence. “It was incredibly motivating for us That form abroad earned him a brief cameo 22-year-oldO Miranchuk siblings appeared to- when we got the call up to the national squad,” alongside his brother for Lokomotiv at the end gether in the national squad for the fi rst time Anton Miranchuk, who made his senior Russia of the last season, before thrusting him into a last month after manager Stanislav Cherchesov debut in October’s 4-2 win over South Korea, regular role this term. But the separation was rewarded their solid performances for Russian said. “I just couldn’t put my feelings into words.” hard, Anton admitted. league leaders Lokomotiv Moscow. “Of course it’s a great responsibility,” his “We’ve been together since we were born. “We gave the new players a chance to show brother Alexei, who earned the fi rst of his 12 in- I feel a constant spiritual connection with my their worth in matches with teams that have al- ternational caps in 2015, added. “When you join brother and I feel I miss him after just a couple of ready qualifi ed for the 2018 World Cup fi nals,” the national squad, it’s a new experience, new days apart. But I don’t regret my secondment to Cherchesov told journalists after friendlies feelings and new opportunities. It’s cool.” Lokomotiv Moscow’s Anton Miranchuk (left) and Aleksey Miranchuk. Estonia. It was very useful to get regular match with South Korea and Iran. “(Mario) Fernandes, The players’ mother Yelena Miranchuk said practice and experience. It helped me a lot to (Konstantin) Rausch and the Miranchuk twins the family traces its origins back to the Cos- of years, Spartak Moscow invited the boys to Alexei added. “Things might have gone diff er- win a place in Lokomotiv’s line-up when I came looked impressive with their club sides this sea- sacks, independent horsemen forces who join their football academy. They came to Mos- ently without her keeping an eye on us.” back.” son and we needed to test them in the national guarded Tsarist Russia’s borders. She believes cow with their mother, a trained teacher who After the Miranchuk brothers turned 16, His brother Alexei naturally agreed. “For me squad. That helped us to fi nalise the pool of the this gave her sons their active and uncompro- got a job at their school’s boarding house. Spartak released them for not being physically it was really hard to play and to progress without candidates into our World Cup squad.” mising nature. “It was non-negotiable that our mum came strong enough, forcing them to join Lokomotiv’s my brother,” he added. “But now I feel that this The country’s football chief Vitaly Mutko The brothers started out training with the Ol- with us,” Anton said. “She’s the head of our academy. parting was for the best. Now everything has got hailed the brothers from the southern Krasnodar ympus club of their native town of Slavyansk- family — she has always been with us, she has Their natural talent soon shone through and back to normal and I feel we’re both ready to go region as part of a new generation of dedicated on-Kuban in their home region. After a couple watched and supported us the whole time,” they became integral members of Lokomotiv’s up to the next level.” Gulf Times Wednesday, November 8, 2017 3 FOOTBALL

PREMIER LEAGUE Injured Ireland trio to miss New West Ham boss Moyes Denmark WC playoff

Dublin: Ireland will be with- out defender Richard Keogh, midfielder James McCarthy says he has ‘point to prove’ and forward Sean Maguire for their World Cup playoff against Denmark which kicks off with the first leg on West Ham, languishing in 18th position with two wins in 11 games, are banking on Moyes’s experience Saturday. Keogh has a groin problem AFP United but was dismissed after just 10 while McCarthy and Maguire London months in charge. are suff ering with hamstring Despite his failure at United and a strains, the Football Asso- disappointing stint in Spain with Real ciation of Ireland said on its est Ham named former Sociedad, the Hammers are backing the website on Monday. Everton and Manchester Scot to help shore up a leaky defence as The trio were in a United boss David Moyes well as getting the best out of big-mon- provisional 34-man squad as their new manager yes- ey summer signings Marko Arnautovic named by Martin O’Neill Wterday after sacking Slaven Bilic follow- and Javier Hernandez. “We’ve done a last month for the two legs ing a string of poor results that left the contract which suits both parties, we starting at Copenhagen’s club mired in the Premier League rel- are all comfortable with it,” Moyes said. Parken Stadium before the egation zone. “Let’s get the job done and then talk at return in Dublin three days The Hammers parted company with the end of the year.” later. Keogh came off early Bilic on Monday, two days after a chas- But he faces a challenge to win round in Derby County’s defeat by tening 4-1 loss at home to Liverpool the fans after some supporters viewed Reading in the Championship convinced co-chairmen David Sullivan his proposed arrival at the London on Saturday, with Everton’s and David Gold that the club needed a Stadium with scepticism. “Do I have a McCarthy sidelined since change of direction to stop the rot. point to prove? Yes, I think I do,” Moyes making his only club appear- West Ham, languishing in 18th po- told the club website. ance this season on Oct. 25. sition with just two wins in 11 games, “I’ve managed fi ve clubs since start- However, O’Neill is hoping are banking on Moyes’s experience in ing out nearly 20 years ago, starting at Burnley midfielder Jeff Hen- the English top fl ight to lift them out of Preston and then going to Everton. My drick will be fit for the first danger despite his underwhelming re- period at Manchester United is well- leg after he suff ered a glute cent record in management. documented and I then did something injury against Southampton Moyes — who says he has a “point to I have always wanted to do by experi- in their Premier League game prove” — has been given an initial six- encing management abroad, with Real on Saturday. “Jeff ’s said he’s month contract with a clear brief to pull Sociedad. improving so that’s good the club away from relegation trouble “It’s only been the last job where I feel news. He’s pretty hopeful and and his future will be evaluated at the it wasn’t a good move and I didn’t enjoy the medical team are hope- end of the season. the experience. So I’m hungry to make ful,” O’Neill said “We need somebody with experience, sure I get things right now. The focus O’Neill cut David Mc- knowledge of the Premier League and here is purely between now and the end Goldrick, Jonny Hayes, Daryl the players in it, and we believe David of the season. The fi rst thing is to win Horgan and Alan Browne is the right man to turn things around the next game and build from there, and from a squad now numbering and get the best out of the players at the I’m sure we will be in a much stronger 27 including David Meyler club,” said Sullivan. “He is highly re- position before long.” who will be available for the garded and respected within the game, Moyes took training yesterday and second leg after suspension. and will bring fresh ideas, organisation has almost a fortnight to get to know There was no call up for and enthusiasm.” his new players, with his fi rst match in Burnley striker Jonathan Moyes, 54, has been out of manage- charge at Watford on November 19. Walters, who was left out of ment since he resigned from his post Former West Ham defender Bilic was the original squad after miss- at Sunderland at the end of last season the fourth Premier League managerial ing the final two games of the after failing to prevent the northeast casualty of the season, the Croatian’s campaign and still has a knee club being relegated from the Premier exit following those of Dutchman problem. Seamus Coleman League. He managed Everton for 11 Frank de Boer (Crystal Palace), Craig is a long-term absentee after years from 2002 before leaving the club Shakespeare (Leicester) and Ronald David Moyes, 54, has been out of management since he resigned from his post at Sunderland at the end of last season after breaking his leg. to replace Alex Ferguson at Manchester Koeman (Everton). failing to prevent the northeast club being relegated from the Premier League. (AFP)

SPOTLIGHT ROUND-UP England hit by more withdrawals World Cup will be swansong for Germany, Brazil games for France’s Koscielny aurent Koscielny will Berne, he will never be forgot- after twice attempting to gain a retire from the France ten,” Loew said. German driving permit by using team after the 2018 In the 1954 fi nal, Zoltan fake Guinean documents. World Cup, making way Czibor and Ferenc Puskas, one Germany daily Bild quoted Lfor a new generation of players, of football’s greatest players, the fi gure of 415,000 euros, due the Arsenal centre-back said netted goals for Hungary after to calculations based on Keita’s yesterday. “I’m starting to get a six and eight minutes. Mid- daily salary, and Leipzig’s dis- bit old at 32. fi elder Max Morlock pulled a trict court would only confi rm to With Sam (Umtiti of Bar- goal back for the Germans in SID, an AFP subsidiary, that the celona) and the others in their the tenth minute. Right winger fi ne is a “six-fi gure sum”. twenties and on the lookout, the Helmut Rahn then wrote himself The 22-year-old, who will time has come,” Koscielny told into German football folklore, join Liverpool for the 2018/19 a press conference at the French equalising before half time and season, has lodged an appeal team headquarters. scoring the winner six minutes against the penalty and should “It’s an important decision. I from time. Schaefer played for the matter now go to court, the have done my bit for France, but Cologne from 1948 to 1965, case is likely to be heard next I have six months left to make winning the German title in 1962 year. Prosecutors in Leipzig the most of it and to make sure and 1964. accuse Keita of forgery after he I leave with good memories,” he allegedly tried to use fake Guinea said. In defence, France coach INTER CAPTAIN ICARDI OUT driving documents to obtain a Didier Deschamps can usually OF ARGENTINA SQUAD German licence last December, count on Real Madrid’s Raphael Inter Milan captain Mauro Icardi then again in January. Varane, 24, and the 23-year-old will miss Argentina’s upcoming He is not the fi rst football star Umtiti, who made his debut at international friendlies because in Germany to be hit recently Euro 2016, while Paris Saint- of a knee injury, his club with a huge fi ne for a driving- Germain’s Presnel Kimpembe, confi rmed. The 24-year-old related off ence. Germany winger 22, leads a host of other youthful picked up the injury against Marco Reus had to pay a penalty contenders for places in the Torino at the weekend and will of 540,000 euros in 2014 when back line. “There are fi ve or six train separately for four or fi ve it emerged he had been driving of us oldies hanging on, who days. But he will not travel to without a valid driving licence. have diff erent tastes in music Russia for Saturday’s friendly Keita has also landed himself to the young ones, we’re not against the 2018 World Cup in hot water on the pitch in exactly old ourselves,” added the hosts and a game on Tuesday recent weeks after being sent off 49-times capped Koscielny. against Nigeria. Icardi had been three times in seven games for France face Wales in Paris on on form for Inter Milan scoring both club and country. Friday and travel to Cologne to 11 goals in 12 games as his side play world champions Germany are third in Serie A two points off COUTINHO A DOUBT FOR on November 14 as part of their leaders Napoli. BRAZIL FRIENDLIES England’s (from left) Tammy Abraham, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Jesse Lingard and Joe Hart attend a training session at St George’s Park in build up to next year’s fi nals in Liverpool midfi elder Philippe Burton-on-Trent yesterday, ahead of their friendly matches against Germany on November 10 and Brazil on November 14. (AFP) Russia. KEITA HIT WITH 415,000 Coutinho is injured and will EUROS FAKE LICENCE FINE probably miss Brazil’s friendly AFP injured his calf towards the end of Sunday’s Federation. Abraham’s father is Nigerian LOEW MOURNS LOSS OF Liverpool-bound Naby Keita against Japan in Lille on Friday London win against Arsenal. and a childhood friend of Nigerian federa- 1954 WORLD CUP WINNER has reportedly been hit with but could feature against Eng- Alli, Kane and Winks have already pulled tion president Amaju Pinnick, who claimed Hans Schaefer, the last-but one a 415,000 euros ($480,009) land, the team doctor said. After out with injury issues of their own, with in September that Abraham had decided to surviving member of the West fi ne for allegedly using a forged the encounter with Japan, Brazil aheem Sterling, Fabian Delph and Southgate bringing in Michael Keane and play for the west African country. German team which won the driving licence. The Guinea play at Wembley on Tuesday. are the latest Jake Livermore. More faces will likely be But Abraham, an England Under-21 inter- 1954 World Cup, died yesterday, international and RB Leipzig The Brazil squad has been withdrawals from England’s inju- drafted in by the England boss ahead of Fri- national, denied the claim and having been his ex-club Cologne said. The midfi elder fell off side with police preparing in Paris. ry-hit squad for friendlies against day’s friendly against Germany but Chelsea called up for England’s forthcoming friend- 90-year-old played on the left WorldR Cup holders Germany and fi ve-time defender Gary Cahill was set to train yester- lies, the striker is not entertaining second wing in the fi nal as the Germans winners Brazil, the FA said yesterday. day. England, who play Brazil on November thoughts. “I see myself as being a long-term fell two goals behind after just Arsenal's French Gareth Southgate’s men kick off their 14, are already missing Adam Lallana, Danny England player,” Abraham, 20, told reporters eight minutes but fought back centre-back World Cup preparations with back-to-back Welbeck, Nathaniel Chalobah, Tom Heaton at England’s St George’s Park training base to beat Hungary, 3-2, in “the Laurent Koscielny. Wembley matches against the international and Ross Barkley. Southgate had plumped in Burton-on-Trent, central England. Miracle of Berne”. heavyweight teams over the coming week. for a bold squad, with Tammy Abraham, “That is where my main focus is and I am Schaefer’s death means Tottenham’s Dele Alli, Harry Kane and Har- Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Joe Gomez called 100 % focused here to try and get into that midfi elder Horst Eckel, 85, is the ry Winks have already withdrawn from the up for the fi rst time as Daniel Sturridge, Alex team. I was pretty set on England really last surviving member of that initial 25-man squad, with England receiv- Oxlade-Chamberlain and Chris Smalling and playing in the Premier League meant it team. Germany’s current coach ing three further setbacks yesterday. were overlooked. would be nice to play in the England team as Joachim Loew, who is prepar- Henderson had been due to arrive for well.” Abraham is on loan at Swansea City ing for Friday’s friendly against training later in the week after missing Liv- ABRAHAM HAS NO REGRETS from Chelsea and has scored fi ve goals in England in Wembley, mourned erpool’s win against West Ham with a thigh ABOUT NIGERIA SNUB his fi rst 14 appearances for the Welsh club. the loss. “The news that Hans problem. City winger Sterling is out with a Abraham says he never considered playing Asked about Nigeria’s interest, he said: “It Schaefer has died makes us all back complaint and Delph — looking for his for Nigeria at international level despite re- was fl attering, but for me my main focus very sad here in the national fi rst England cap since November 2015 — peated overtures from the Nigerian Football was here." team. As one of the heroes of Gulf Times 4 Wednesday, November 8, 2017 SPORT

CRICKET SPOTLIGHT England call up Starc makes history with Curran aft er Finn two hat-tricks in one game ruled out of Ashes AFP Sydney

A son of the late Zimbabwe all-rounder Kevin Curran, Tom has played a trike bowler Mitchell Starc became the fi rst man to take single ODI and three Twenty20 internationals but is yet to make his Test debut two hat-tricks in the same fi rst- class game in Australia yester- dayS as he hit ominous form ahead of AFP London the Ashes Test series against England. The left-arm paceman became only the eighth player in fi rst-class cricket urrey seamer history — and the fi rst in 39 years — to was added to England’s Ashes achieve the feat as he spearheaded New squad yesterday after Steven South Wales to victory over Western Finn was ruled out of the tour Australia in the Sheffi eld Shield. ofS Australia with a knee injury. Having removed Jason Behrendorff , Finn, himself a late replacement for David Moody and Simon Mackin in the absent Ben Stokes, has been diag- WA’s fi rst innings to complete his fi rst nosed with a torn cartilage in his left career hat-trick, Starc then got both knee and will head back to England for Behrendorff and Moody again off the a possible operation. Ruled out: Steve Finn fi nal two deliveries of his 15th over. Curran, 22, was next in line and the Jono Wells then edged Starc on the England and Wales Cricket Board has “return to the UK in the next 48 hours fi rst ball of his next over to Australia ominous touch ahead of the Test series. announced he will fl y to Australia to- where he will meet a knee specialist and NSW captain at fi rst Australia take on England in the fi rst day. to ascertain whether he will have an slip to end the match. of fi ve Ashes Test matches in Brisbane, A son of the late Zimbabwe all- operation”. Starc fi nished with the match fi gures starting on November 23. rounder Kevin Curran, Tom has played The fi rst Test between England and of seven for 97 in NSW’s 171-run vic- Australian leg-spinner Jimmy Mat- a single one-day international and Australia starts at Brisbane on No- tory. thews remains the only player to take three Twenty20 internationals but is vember 23. He also took a career-best 8-73 for two hat-tricks in a Test match after he yet to make his Test debut. Meanwhile, all-rounder Moeen Ali, NSW against South Australia under did it against South Africa in Manches- He took 24 wickets at 34.66 for Sur- who has a side strain, will miss this lights at Adelaide Oval and looks in ter in 1912. rey in the First Division of the County week’s day-night match against a Championship last season, while av- Cricket Australia XI but was on track eraging a useful 27.44 with the bat. to be available for a return to action FORMULA ONE His selection has seen Curran cho- in the warm-up game in Towsnville sen ahead of two more experienced starting Nov 15. pace bowlers in Liam Plunkett and “Mo Ali... more precautionary Mark Wood. now, we will just leave him out of this File picture of Finn only made the current tour one and make sure he’s right,” Bayliss England’s Tom Curran. when he was added to the squad in told reporters in Adelaide. place of the suspended Stokes, whose Finn was added to the squad as a Force India involvement remains in the balance as replacement for Ben Stokes after the the ECB conduct an internal discipli- all-rounder was suspended following nary inquiry and await the outcome of his arrest on suspicion of causing ac- a police probe into his involvement in tual bodily harm outside a nightclub. a brawl outside a Bristol nightclub on Bayliss also responded to reports in to take more September 25. the Australian media yesterday that Yesterday’s announcement end- said Stokes would soon face a England ed another miserable tour of Aus- and Wales Cricket Board disciplinary tralia for Finn, who suff ered his in- hearing and could join the squad in jury when, after in the nets time for the third test. risks with 4th in Perth ahead of the fi rst warm-up “I haven’t spoken (to anyone) or match, he hit himself while batting in heard of anything since we have been the nets. here,” said Bayliss. The Middlesex quick was dropped “If we concentrate on that, and midway through England’s victori- wondering if he is coming or not, that spot secure ous Ashes campaign of 2010/11 and might take the focus off what we’re left the previous 2013/14 trip un- trying to achieve so we have just been Reuters der a cloud when then limited-overs going about preparing with the players London coach Ashley Giles declared him “un- we have got here. selectable”.England coach Trevor “If he happens to turn up at some Bayliss told reporters in Adelaide stage, it’s a bonus. If he doesn’t, bad orce India are prepared to let yesterday: “He (Finn) had an injec- luck, we will just get on with what we Sergio Perez and Esteban Ocon tion a couple of days ago which they have got.” race more freely in the last two thought would help.” ECB director of cricket Andrew races of the season now that But the ECB statement confi rming Strauss said England were looking for theF team are sure of fourth place in the Finn was out of the tour said he would “clarity” over Stokes’s position. Formula One championship, co-owner Vijay Mallya indicated yesterday. Mexican Perez and his young French BOTTOMLINE team mate were reined in by the Silver- stone-based team after their on-track clashes cost Force India points and possible podium places earlier in the year. Force India are now 99 points clear of fi fth-placed Williams, and 165 behind Chinese team kicked out aft er third-placed Red Bull, with a maxi- high note. The race in Brazil this week mum 86 remaining to be won. is an opportunity to continue our run of “With fourth place secure, we have strong performances at the very least.” the freedom to take a new approach Mercedes-powered Force India, who into the remaining races — perhaps by fi nished fourth overall last year with 173 rider attacks Swiss rivals trying some diff erent things or diff er- points, are enjoying their best season ent Friday drivers in the car to see what yet in terms of points scored with 175 AFP we can learn for next year,” said Mallya from 18 races so far. Shanghai in a team preview for this weekend’s Perez fi nished fourth at a wet Inter- Brazilian Grand Prix. lagos last season, while Ocon — then “We can also be more aggressive with now-defunct Manor in his debut Chinese rider with the local with strategies and take more risks,” season — was 12th. Keyi Look team faces severe added the tycoon, who is contesting an Force India have been running Mexi- punishment after attacking extradition request from India on fraud can reserve driver Alfonso Celis Jr in members of the Swiss national charges and has not left Britain since some of their Friday morning free prac- Ateam at the Tour of Hainan in extraordi- March last year. tice sessions. Mallya did not name any nary scenes. “We’re still hungry for strong re- others who might get slots in Brazil or Race organisers on the southern Chi- sults and want to end the season on a Abu Dhabi. nese island said that Wang Xin and his team would never be allowed back fol- lowing the violent incident that saw police step in and Keyi Look expelled from the event. Motorcycling veteran Rossi Video footage posted online shows a rider, purported to be Wang, beating one staff member of the Swiss team to keen to keep racing beyond 40 the ground and kicking him in the head, before attacking a second one. AFP, Milan: Italian motorcycling leg- three weeks fuelled by new energy The rider then retrieves a tyre pump end Valentino Rossi said yesterday and motivation. from a support car, with the seeming he will make a decision on his future “I’m preparing in a focused and intent to use it as a weapon. next year but was keen to keep rac- organised manner for the final week- Police and bystanders rush in to in- This photo taken on November 4 shows cyclists competing during the 2017 Ring of Hainan international road cycling race ing beyond 40. end race in Valencia,” he insisted tervene, as dozens of people look on in in Lingshui in China’s southern Hainan province. “I will decide on my future over the ahead of the Spanish race he won in shock. next season,” the Yamaha rider, who 2003 and 2004. The Chinese Cycling Association ance attitude towards uncivilised be- Chinese rider. “We never bumped into for any misunderstandings and to show turns 39 in February, told Sky Sport Rossi is out of this season’s title fight (CCA) is weighing further punishment haviour and violence” and alleged that him, you can see that from the race vid- him and his team that we respect them Italia. as he sits fourth ahead of Sunday’s following the incident at the end of in addition to Wang, Keyi Look team eo,” he told Eurosport. and meant no harm. “If I find out after a few races that I’m Valencia MotoGP where Spaniard stage seven on Friday, a 166.5 kilome- staff were also involved. “He simply hit the back wheel of “But both he and his team ap- competitive, I’d like to keep going Marc Marquez can clinch a fourth tre ride between the cities of Sanya and “CCA will make a further decision another rider and went down. He was proached us with anger and everything longer.” title in five seasons. Wuzhishan.It was sparked when the after more investigations on this inci- obviously embarrassed and took out his escalated from there.” The nine-time world champion “It’s an important moment for me, Swiss team car “had physical contact” dent,” it said in a statement. frustration on us. Keyi Look and Wang apologised in suff ered a double tibia and fibula I’m arriving in quite good form at with Wang, causing him to fall, the CCA Danilo Hondo, the Swiss team man- “We tried to approach him after the statements on Weibo, China’s equiva- fracture in early September but the last event in Valencia. My leg has said. ager and allegedly one of Wang’s tar- race, in fact we waited 45 minutes after lent of Twitter, but blamed the Swiss for returned to competition after just improved and I feel fit.” The CCA said it had “a zero-toler- gets, denied their car had struck the the fi nish for him to cross to apologise knocking him over with their car. Gulf Times Wednesday, November 8, 2017 5 SPORT

NBA NHL Tatar’s late goal saves Red Wings in 3-2 Irving stars as Celtics victory over Canucks

By Helene St. James time-out. Detroit Free Press Thomas Vanek, who had 38 points in 48 games last season with the Wings before being omas Tatar made his traded at the deadline, helped extend win streak to 200th career point a the Canucks halve the lead at memorable one. 7:16 of the third period when Tatar scored with he drew two defenders while T1:14 left in regulation Monday in the low slot, freeing Sedin to night at Rogers Arena to lift slip the puck behind Howard. the Detroit Red Wings past the Del Zotto made it 2-2 at 9:30 Vancouver Canucks, 3-2, for when he fi nished a nice pass the Wings’ second road in two from Bo Horvat. 9, Warriors chill Heat days. Pavel Buchnevich scored Darren Helm scored his the Rangers’ third power-play ‘We knew coming into this game it was going to be tough, they were going to grab. It third goal of the season and goal of the third period with Martin Frk was credited for a 8:33 left to snap a tie as New wasn’t pretty we couldn’t make our shots, so we knew we had to just stick to the basics’ goal that a Canucks defense- York beat Columbus. The man knocked into his own net. Rangers, down 2-0 early in the AFP Daniel Sedin and Michael second period, rallied for their Los Angeles Del Zotto scored 2:14 apart in fourth consecutive victory. the third period to make it a tie Michael Grabner scored game. Jimmy Howard made 26 twice, including an empty- yrie Irving exploded saves as the Wings improved netter with 48.8 seconds for 35 points to steer to 4-1 in their past fi ve games. remaining, and Kevin Shat- the Boston Celtics to a The Wings earned a 1-0 tenkirk and Chris Kreider also ninth consecutive vic- lead less than six minutes into scored for the Rangers, who Ktory on Monday as Golden State the game when Frans Nielsen received 22 saves from Henrik extended their winning streak to fi red a shot that Jacob Mark- Lundqvist. four games. strom stopped, only to have Artemi Panarin, Josh An- Irving broke the 30-point Helm bury the rebound. It was derson and Oliver Bjorkstrand barrier for the fi rst time since his Helm’s second goal in four had the Blue Jackets’ goals. summer move to the Celtics as games. It was Nielsen’s fi rst Sergei Bobrovsky made 21 Boston overcame a battling At- assist of the season. saves. lanta Hawks side to win 110-107 The Wings executed well Tuukka Rask stopped a on the road. in the fi rst period, generat- third-period penalty shot Boston needed a three-point- ing scoring chances by fun- that turned out to be the dif- er from Irving with 1min 37sec nelling pucks to the net. They ference, and fi ve Boston play- remaining to fi nally subdue the won 57 percent of face-off s, ers scored goals in a win over Hawks, giving the Celtics a 104- and limited the Canucks to Minnesota. 103 lead. one shot during a power play. After Mikael Granlund cut It was the fi nal twist of a game The Wings took a delay of Boston’s lead to 4-2 with a goal that saw no fewer than 25 lead game penalty with seconds to 1:33 into the third, Granlund changes. spare after Scott Wilson sent was tripped by Torey Krug “He made huge plays down the puck over the glass, giving while heading for a short- the stretch,” coach Brad Stevens the Canucks 1:58 with the man handed breakaway with 13:05 said of Irving. “I thought he advantage to start the second left. Granlund, whose goal was not only made the plays, but he period. his fi rst of the season, moved made a lot of right reads, too.” During a power play late in in on Rask on the penalty shot, Stevens said he suspected Irv- the second period (the penalty but the goalie turned the shot ing might be due a big perform- was drawn by Helm), Frk took aside with his right pad. ance after an 11-point outing in a shot on net that Vancou- The save became even his previous game at Orlando on ver defenseman Christopher more important when Min- Sunday. “When you’re coaching Tanev knocked the puck into nesota’s Eric Staal scored a against people, I always look at his own net. short-handed goal with 4:04 the box score for the game be- The Canucks challenged remaining to close the gap to fore,” Stevens said. goaltender interference be- one goal. “If they really struggled but cause Henrik Zetterberg was they’re really good, that’s just battling away in front of the RESULTS scary stuff . Guys like that don’t net, but offi cials ruled no in- Capitals 3 Coyotes 2 (OT) have quiet nights twice in a row.” terference before the puck Maple Leafs 4 Golden Knights 3 (SO) Jayson Tatum also weighed in crossed the goal line at 15:15. Bruins 5 Wild 3 with a double-digit tally, scor- Losing the challenge meant Red Wings 3 Canucks 2 ing 21 points while pulling down the Canucks forfeited their Jets 4 Stars 1 eight rebounds. Al Horford add- ed 15 points while Jaylen Brown chipped in with 11 points. But Irving’s virtuoso dis- play was the main talking point amongst his team-mates after the win. “It’s exciting to be out there on his side, watching him do all those incredible things,” Boston Celtics guard Kyrie Irving (No 11) goes to the basket past Atlanta Hawks forward Taurean Prince during the second half of their NBA said Celtics rookie Tatum. “He’s game at Philips Arena. PICTURE: USA TODAY Sports a great player.” Irving, meanwhile, was Kevin Durant and Draymond and Stephen Curry had a rela- play physical and grind out a In Monday’s other game, the pleased with the way Boston Green steered Golden State to a tively quiet night, with Thomp- win.” Brooklyn Nets held off a late held on to close out the win. scrappy 97-80 victory over the son scoring 13. Miami’s top scorer was James Phoenix Suns rally to clinch their “We had to get our act togeth- Miami Heat at the Oracle Arena. Curry added 16 but had an off Johnson with 21 points, followed fi rst road victory of the season. er,” Irving said. “You could just Durant scored 21 points with night with his normally reliable by Goran Dragic who scored 19 D’Angelo Russell scored 13 of tell that mentally and physically, eight rebounds while Green three-point shooting, making and Kelly Olynk with 10. a 23-point haul in the fi nal nine we were dragging a little bit.” weighed in with 18 points and just two of nine attempts. The Warriors had opened up minutes to help the Nets close Boston now lead the Eastern nine rebounds as the Warriors “That’s a scrappy team,” a 50-37 halftime lead but were out the 98-92 win in Phoenix. Conference with a 9-2 record. were made to work for victory by Green said afterwards. never able to fully cut loose from “I just didn’t want to lose and Atlanta, who had stunned a physical Miami team at Oracle “We knew coming into this a dogged Miami team. wanted to do whatever it took to Cleveland on Sunday in an upset Arena. game it was going to be tough, Miami rallied to cut a win,” said Russell. win, are bottom of the confer- The win saw the Warriors im- they were going to grab, they 20-point defi cit to just 10 points ence at 2-9. prove to 8-3 in the standings, were going to hold. in the third quarter but the War- RESULTS Detroit Red Wings forward Luke Glendening (right) celebrates putting them alongside leaders “It wasn’t pretty we couldn’t riors were able to keep their op- Celtics 110 Hawks 107 with teammates on the bench after scoring a goal against the Warriors down Heat Houston. make our shots, so we knew we ponents at arm’s length for the Warriors 97 Heat 80 Vancouver Canucks during the first period at Rogers Arena. In the Western Conference, Warriors duo Klay Thompson had to just stick to the basics, remainder of the contest. Nets 98 Suns 92 PICTURE: USA TODAY Sports

NFL Staff ord shines in Lions win over Packers AFP dullah went over from four yards Kerley gets 4-game ban for failing drug test Los Angeles out to give the Lions a 14-0 lead. Green Bay kicker Mason Cros- New York Jets wide receiver Jeremy Kerley was handed a four-game by reduced the arrears with a 35- ban on Monday after failing a drug test for a banned steroid, the atthew Staff ord yard fi eld goal to make it 14-3 at National Football League confirmed in a statement. threw for two touch- half-time. But two Matt Prater Kerley, 28, said in a statement he was “shocked” at how the sub- downs as the Detroit fi eld goals put Detroit 20-3 stance, Turinabol, had entered his system. Lions sent the Green ahead early in the fourth quarter “I am 5’9” (1.75m) tall and 180 pounds (81.6 kilos), and I have never MBay Packers sliding to a third to subdue the home fans at Green used steroids in my life,” Kerley said. straight defeat with a 30-17 win Bay’s Lambeau Field. “I’m a good athlete but anyone can look at my body composition and in their NFC North divisional tell that I’m not a steroid user. match-up on Monday. Packers have been winless “While I did not have enough time prior to the deadline to resolve Staff ord connected with wide ever since quarterback this case, I fully intend to investigate this matter until I am able to receiver Marvin Jones in the fi rst Aaron Rodgers suff ered a figure out what caused the positive test, because I know that I have and fourth quarters as Detroit season-ending broken done nothing wrong. improved to 4-4, pulling level collarbone last month “When I find out what substance was tainted, I will pursue all rem- with Green Bay (4-4). edies at that time because this is not right. I have and will always The Packers have been winless Hundley briefl y raised hopes be a clean player, and I look forward to returning to the Jets to play ever since quarterback Aaron of a recovery when he crossed against the Saints next month.” Rodgers suff ered a season-end- with a one-yard touchdown run Kerley will be eligible to return to the Jets roster on December 11. ing broken collarbone against to cut Detroit’s lead to 20-10. The Texan has bagged 22 receptions for 217 yards and a touchdown Minnesota last month. Staff ord, however, had other this season. Rodgers’ understudy Brett ideas, picking out Jones for his Meanwhile Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans was hit Hundley threw for 245 yards second touchdown of the night, with a one-game ban on Monday following an off -the-ball hit in his and ran for one touchdown but to make it 27-10 and put Detroit team’s defeat to the New Orleans Saints at the weekend. the Packers’ off ense was never out of sight with just over eight Evans landed in hot water after an incident involving Saints corner- able to get on top of the Detroit minutes remaining. A further back Marshon Lattimore during Sunday’s 30-10 loss. defense. Staff ord, who made 26 Prater fi eld goal improved De- Evans saw red after Lattimore shoved Bucs quarterback Jameis Win- of 33 attempts for 361 yards, hit troit’s cushion to 20 points at ston when the signal-caller appeared to tap him on the helmet. Jones with a 25-yard pass to put 30-10 before Green Bay grabbed Evans responded by flying into the Saints player with his back Detroit ahead in the fi rst quarter a consolation score through a Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Staff ord celebrates after throwing a touchdown pass in the fourth turned, flattening Lattimore. before running back Ameer Ab- Jamaal Williams touchdown. quarter against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field. PICTURE: USA TODAY Sports Gulf Times 6 Wednesday, November 8, 2017 SPORT

SPOTLIGHT Kenyan’s Sumgong gets four year drugs ban AFP in 2012, starred at the London channel ARD and Britain’s Sun- IOC suspends Nairobi Marathon in 2016, defying the day Times newspaper last July Frankie Fredericks odds to win despite suff ering a alleging that doping was rife at bruising fall. the elite training centre in Iten. Former Namibian sprinter enya’s Olympic mara- Steeled by her success in Lon- Kenyan athletics boss chief Frankie Fredericks was sus- thon champion Jemima don, she then became the fi rst Jackson Tuwei warned that any pended by the International Sumgong has been sus- Kenyan woman to win Olym- athlete who failed to comply Olympic Committee yesterday pended for four years pic marathon gold, defeating would not be selected to repre- after being placed under Kfor doping, Athletics Kenya said Ethiopia’s world champion Mare sent the country in international formal investigation in France yesterday. Dibaba in Rio to confi rm her sta- competitions. in a probe into allegations of “Sumgong will serve the four- tus as the world’s top marathon “Forty-nine athletes have vote buying to win the 2016 year ban as from (April 3) when runner of 2016. been found to have violated the Summer Olympics for Rio de she was provisionally suspend- Due to her suspension she was WADA (World Anti-Doping Janeiro. Fredericks, who won ed,” Athletics Kenya said in a unable to defend the title in Lon- Agency) code in the past fi ve four silver medals at the 1992 statement. don this year. years but were cautioned ac- and 1996 Games, is suspected The 32-year-old tested posi- Earlier this year, Sumgong was cording to the laws of the land of receiving bribes and laun- tive for the banned blood booster one of a number of top Kenyan and WADA code,” he said ear- dering the money through EPO in an out-of-competition athletes who welcomed a new lier this year. Sumgong’s former Paris, a source close to the in- test by the International Asso- initiative to eradicate doping, training partner, the 2014 Chi- quiry in France said on Friday. ciation of Athletics Federations which has tarnished their image, cago and Boston Marathon He appeared before a French (IAAF) in her native Kenya. agreeing to be monitored by doc- champion Rita Jeptoo, is serving magistrate. Fredericks has Erythropoietin is a natural tors appointed by the IAAF and a four-year ban after also testing previously rejected allegations hormone that stimulates red cell Athletics Kenya. positive for EPO. of corruption. The IOC said in production. For a runner, inject- “It will be easy for us now to In 2012 Sumgong tested posi- a statement that its executive ing an artifi cially produced ver- communicate with these doc- tive for steroid Prednisolone fol- board had decided to suspend sion increases oxygen absorption tors before we take any medicine lowing the Boston marathon. She Fredericks after “considering which allows them to run harder when the need arises,” said Sum- only served half of a two year ban the gravity and urgency of the and faster without tiring. gong. after a successful appeal blamed This file photo taken on August 14, 2016 shows gold medallist Kenya’s Jemima Jelagat Sumgong reacting situation and its impact on the Sumgong, who also tested The move came after an in- the failed control on treatment during the podium ceremony for the women’s marathon at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at Sambodromo reputation of the IOC.” positive for a banned substance vestigation by German television for a hip injury. in Rio de Janeiro. (AFP)

RUGBY FOCUS Scotland need global family to stay Laporte: World Cup among the elite

Reuters Championship. London PLAYER DEFICIENCY There is arguably more onus uke Hamilton faced on Scotland to keep tabs on report leaves ‘door a very awkward con- their talent abroad than on any versation with Wales other leading rugby nation. rugby selectors in 2011. Scotland has less than LThe Welsh-born backrower 50,000 registered players, ac- called up for Scotland ahead cording to fi gures from World of this month’s internation- Rugby, fewer than any other als was told that if selected top 10 team. New Zealand has for Wales Under-20s to play around 150,000 players, Aus- open to drug abuse’ against France he would for- tralia has over 200,000, Eng- ever be tied to the country of land and South Africa have ‘We are not rated as well over doping because they tell us that we are too strict!’ his birth. about 400,000 and France It was a so-called “cap- over half a million. AFP ture” match - rules soon to be “We can’t just restrict our- London changed by the sport’s govern- selves to Scotland,” national ing body - that would have an- coach Gregor Townsend told nulled any claim to qualify for the BBC. rench rugby chief Ber- Scotland through his Scottish “There are a number of peo- nard Laporte has raised father. Luckily for Scotland, ple I know that leave the coun- the stakes in a bitter war although it may not have felt try to go to work in London or of words over the destiny that way for Hamilton at the to work elsewhere...They have ofF the 2023 World Cup yesterday time, it was a conversation the children and they still feel very by saying the sport risks being 19-year old never had to have. Scottish. seen as weak over doping. Despite being involved in eve- “We have got to make sure Last week, the Rugby World ry other match of that Under- we are aware of who they are Cup Board recommended the 20s Six Nations campaign, he and that they are aware of the World Rugby Council award the did not feature against France. opportunity they have playing tournament to South Africa after His Welsh team mate Steven for Scotland.” a technical report placed it ahead Shingler, who has a Scottish Looking beyond your bor- of rival bidders France and Ire- mother, did play in the game ders for talent is not a new land on an overall score across a and was later barred by World concept, but Scotland seem to range of criteria. Rugby from representing be leading the chase. That prompted a furious re- Scotland when he was called At the last World Cup in sponse from Laporte, the presi- into their full international 2015, Samoa had the most dent of the French Rugby Fed- squad the following year. foreign-born players with 13, eration (FFR), who said the Hamilton’s road to Scottish closely followed by Wales, organisation would be writing rugby has had many twists, Tonga and Scotland all with 12. to World Rugby chairman Bill but as Scotland continues A similar analysis of the Beaumont seeking a correction to increase eff orts to un- 2017 Six Nations squads put over what they said were a series earth foreign talent, it is not Scotland on top with 18 for- of inaccuracies, including the that unusual. He is one of 20 eign-born players, well ahead quality of stadiums and hotels. foreign-born players in Scot- of Wales with 10 and Italy on “We are not rated as well over land’s 38-man squad for this eight. Scotland’s push to re- doping because they tell us that month’s games against Samoa, cruit players through parent- we are too strict! On security, New Zealand and Australia. age comes after World Rugby we have the same number of There could be even more in in May announced a broad points even though there are 52 the future. Last month, Scot- reform of eligibility rules in- murders a day in South Africa,” tish Rugby launched a Scottish cluding an extension to the Laporte told AFP in an interview Qualifi ed Programme which length of time it takes to qual- last week. comprises 10 international ify through residency from Laporte went further in an scouts based in places ranging three to fi ve years. interview with Britain’s Times statement like that you allow World Rugby responded to and prevent the kind of back- Spring also pointed out in a from England to Japan. Six of Of the 20 foreign-born newspaper published yesterday, for doping being acceptable and Laporte’s initial comments last room deal-making that had been letter to World Rugby Coun- them are directly employed by players in Scotland’s squad, highlighting a section of the leaving the door open to abuse.” week by saying they were “un- a factor in previous World Cup cil voters that South Africa had the union. three qualify only through World Rugby report that says founded and inaccurate”, insisting host decisions. But its publica- been stripped of staging the This strategy, coupled with residency. “there is a potential risk related ‘Incompetence’ it had implemented a “transpar- tion has proved controversial, multi-sport 2022 Common- big investment into its acade- But as one door shuts an- to the criminality of anti-doping Laporte added: “We want ent’ objective’ professional and with Irish offi cials unhappy at wealth Games. my system and plans to launch other opens. The obscure rule violations in France” because the World Rugby to issue a list of robust host selection process”. coming third with a score South African Rugby chief ex- a semi-professional domestic that captured Shingler, and government had not guaranteed corrections on the material mis- Both South Africa, in 1995, of 72.25 compared to 75.88 for ecutive Jurie Roux weighed into league, should help Scotland very nearly Hamilton, will be an exemption for players. takes that have been spotted. We and France, in 2007, have previ- France and 78.97 for South Af- the simmering row by saying secure their place among the scrapped from next year. “France is the leader in the want to give the delegates the ously staged the World Cup out- rica. “we hope that sanity will prevail world’s best. Sides may no longer nomi- crackdown and fi ght against correct facts so that they have right. Ireland are bidding to be Ireland bid chief Dick Spring because an independent process The country climbed to its nate their Under-20s as their doping worldwide,” Laporte accurate information. the main hosts for the fi rst time, has criticised a “skewed” scor- is there for a very specifi c reason highest ever world ranking of second team, which eff ective- said. “If the World Anti-Doping “I am not doubting the good although they did stage matches ing system that would “pre- - to keep it independent”. fi fth this year - they currently ly allows them to tie players to Agency (WADA) sees this re- faith of the people who compiled as part of the 1991 and 1999 edi- clude” many potential new bid- The World Rugby Council will lie sixth - and their Under-20s their country if they compete port, they will not believe it. It the report but there was a certain tions. The aim of the report was ders from staging a Rugby World make the fi nal decision in Lon- recorded their highest fi nish, against another side that is a is laughable. When you read a amount of incompetence.” to give voters an objective guide Cup. don on November 15. also fi fth, in the Junior World nominated second team.

All Blacks fight for bus seats and food as depth shows Neville will be fi rst woman referee in European cup The All Blacks have been left scrapping it’s easier,” Foster said of the squad. but yes a little bit,” Foster said. “You’re “We’re all under pressure for results. for food and the best seats on the team “You’ve got a fully fit squad to train always thinking of trying to take a “When I look at the French situation, I Joy Neville will make history when she becomes the first woman bus as the old heads of the world cham- against, you’ve got plenty of energy. You helicopter view, looking at the bigger see a massive player base... you’ve got to referee a match in one of the leading European club competi- pion outfit are forced to accommodate a have the ability to run players against picture and assessing things, but you a lot of quality players here. In some tions. raft of young guns. Assistant coach Ian a full 15-on-15 scenario, which you don’t stay long in that state. ways it’s a little bit like us where you’ve European Professional Club Rugby announced on Tuesday that Foster predicted a “demanding” week sometimes don’t have on tour what with “The art of it is to focus on the here and been forced to give a number of newer, Neville would referee the Challenge Cup pool game between ahead for the New Zealand backroom injuries or illnesses.” now... because that’s what Test match younger players more gametime in big- Bordeaux-Begles and Russian club Enisei on December 15. staff with an enlarged squad of 43 play- Foster added: “There are scraps to see Rugby is about. If we don’t (do that), ger games and sometimes that can be Neville is a former international who played 70 times for Ireland. ers. A host of more experienced players who sits where on the bus, they’re fight- we don’t get what we want. This game a blessing in disguise. There’ll be people She was in charge of the Women’s Rugby World Cup final were rested for the opening autumn ing for every bit of food and every seat against France is all that matters.” out there wearing the blue jersey wanting between New Zealand and England in August and has been an victory over the Barbarians, but they they can get!” Turning to France, whom New Zealand to put their best foot forward. “They’re assistant referee in both European club competitions. are now back for France and rubbing While lauding the inclusion of younger take on at the Stade de France on a team that is evolving,” he said, calling Neville is also scheduled to serve as an assistant referee when shoulders with a crop of outstanding up- players, Foster played down the theory Saturday, Foster expressed his wariness France the “highest off -loading team in the Barbarians play Tonga in Limerick on Friday and in the Spain and-coming talent that underlines New that it was an integral part of a longer- at Les Bleus’ long injury list. “Talk about the world, If we let them do that with their versus Canada and France versus Japan internationals later in Zealand’s strength in depth. “In some term strategy with an eye on the 2019 injuries and disruptions can galvanise a enthusiasm and younger players, we’re November, the EPCR, which runs the European Challenge Cup ways it’s more complex, in some ways Rugby World Cup. “The answer is no, team,” said the former Waikato fly-half. going to be in trouble.” and the Champions Cup, said. Gulf Times Wednesday, November 8, 2017 7 SPORT

HORSE RACING GOLF Top of the world! Park becomes fi rst O’Brien edges dad rookie number one

AFP Her incredible form carried Beijing through to the LPGA Tour this year with two wins to date in- cluding a fi rst major at the US outh Korean sensa- Women’s Open, nine top-10 as Rekindling wins tion Park Sung-Hyun fi nishes and top-20 fi nishes at became the fi rst LPGA three other majors. Tour rookie to be Not only that, the super- crownedS world number one consistent Park has never yesterday after a season in missed a cut in her 29 career which she also won her fi rst LPGA Tour starts. major. She had romped away with The 24-year-old, who the LPGA’s Rookie of the Year Melbourne Cup knocked countrywoman Ryu honours long before this sea- So-Yeon off the top spot, is son ended and with two tour- ‘I can’t believe it. I am thankful to Lloyd who suggested I bring him down and he would have a the fourth South Korean world naments to go, she is ranked number one since the rankings second in the Player of the good chance in the race. His preparation went really good. Corey gave him an unbelievable ride’ were introduced in 2006, join- Year standings. ing Shin Ji-Yai, Park In-Bee Only Ryu, who is sitting out and Ryu. this week, is ahead of Park who “I was very surprised and is seeking to become just the amazed by what I’ve achieved,” second player in history after Park told LPGA.com in Hainan Nancy Lopez in 1978 to earn Island, where she will play in both rookie and player of the this week’s Blue Bay LPGA season honours in the same tournament. year. “This is all too sudden for Park had originally declared me, and it hasn’t hit me yet,” she wanted to become number Park added. “I think this is an one within three years of mov- honour for my whole family.” ing full-time to the LPGA Park reaches number one Tour. exactly a year after she held “I’ve accomplished my goal a press conference in Korea a lot faster than I’d planned, to announce she would take and it does put some pressure up membership on the LPGA on my shoulders,” Park said. Tour, after a season in which “But I am also determined she won seven times on the to keep trying harder and Korean LPGA Tour, contended harder. I think I was able to get in three major championships this far this fast because I con- and had risen to world number tinued to push myself without 10. settling for less.”

SPOTLIGHT World’s richest turf race hikes prize money

AFP “The world’s richest turf Sydney race is not in Melbourne to- day,” it said. “It’s in Sydney at Royal Randwick.” he world’s richest Racing NSW chief executive turf race will boost its Peter V’landys played down prize money to Aus$13 tensions with Racing Victoria, million (US$10 mil- saying The Everest had fi lled Tlion), organisers said in a a void in the Sydney racing Owner Lloyd Williams (2nd left), trainer Joseph O’Brien (left) and jockey Corey Brown hold their trophies after their horse Rekindling won the 157th Melbourne Cup at Flemington Racecourse in Melbourne yesterday. (AFP) cheeky full-page newspaper calendar. “Naturally we are ad placed on the day of its rival in awe of the Melbourne Cup AFP all-Irish one-two-three when he Irish-trained stayer to win fol- lost for words. his last start in the English St Melbourne Cup. and its success,” he told the Melbourne fi nished three lengths behind in lowing Vintage Crop (1993) and “I chased the ride about Leger and he came into the Mel- The inaugural Aus$10 mil- newspaper. “Sydney, however, the famous 3,200-metre (2 mile) Media Puzzle (2003), and the six weeks ago and with a light bourne Cup weighted at just 51.5 lion Everest race, initiated by needs its own event. handicap at Flemington. sixth overseas winner overall. weight (thinking I was) a big kilograms. Big Duke was fourth Racing New South Wales, took “The Everest is that event. rish trainer Joseph O’Brien Rekindling gave his Australian Property developer Williams chance to get on him.” ahead of the Scottish-trained place at Sydney’s Royal Rand- In its fi rst year, it exceeded all edged his famous father owner Lloyd Williams his sixth also owns runner-up Johannes Rekindling was the fi rst three- Nakeeta, with another Irish run- wick last month, irking pow- expectations and the race has Aidan to land the Melbourne success in the Melbourne Cup Vermeer. “An absolute dream. I year-old to win the Melbourne ner, Thomas Hobson, sixth. erbrokers in the state of Victo- already established its own Cup as Rekindling led an all- and was jockey Corey Brown’s am so thrilled,” Williams said. Cup since Skipton in 1941. The well-backed English ria as it clashed with the start personality and charisma.” IIrish sweep of the placings after second win in the race. “Just to do it with this Johannes Vermeer, ridden by stayer Marmelo led into the of top racing in Melbourne. The inaugural Everest, over a close fi nish yesterday. “I can’t believe it. I am thank- 24-year-old (trainer Joseph Ben Melham, looked the likely home straight but fell off to Rivalries look set to esca- 1200 metres (3/4 mile or six Aidan O’Brien has trained a ful to Lloyd who suggested I O’Brien). He has been taking winner halfway down the long ninth, while the Godolphin sta- late with the timing of the furlongs), was won by fi ve- world-record 27 Group 1 wins bring him down and he would the world on. I thought that this Flemington track before Rekin- ble’s Melbourne Cup drought announcement diverting at- year-old Redzel with Kerrin this year but his 24-year-old son have a good chance in the race,” horse had some chance.” dling, with a three-kilogram continued with topweight Hart- tention from yesterday’s Mel- McEvoy in the saddle. beat him to a debut victory in the Joseph O’Brien said. weight advantage, reeled him in. nell fi nishing a fading 20th in the bourne Cup – known as “the The newspaper said the Ev- Aus$6 million (US$4.6 million) “His preparation went really ‘It’s a dream’ Rekindling came to Australia 23-strong fi eld. race that stops a nation”. erest jackpot would rise fur- race when Rekindling wore down good. Corey gave him an unbe- Brown was dumbfounded af- with impressive form. Three Last year’s winner Almandin, The advert in The Austral- ther to Aus$14 million in 2019 Johannes Vermeer to snatch it by lievable ride. Everyone, the lads ter his second win in Melbourne starts ago he won the Curragh another of Williams’s six run- ian said prize money in 2018 and Aus$15 million in 2020, half-a-length. at home and the lads here, have following his ride on Shocking in Cup before he ran second to ners, fi nished 12th with Italian would jump by Aus$3.0 mil- meaning the winning horse The Willie Mullins-trained done an unbelievable job.” 2009. “It is a dream to even ride staying star Order Of St George, jockey Frankie Dettori still with- lion, while noting the Mel- will likely take home more Max Dynamite, who fi nished In the race’s 157th edition, in the race,” the jockey said. “To also at the Curragh. out a win in his 16th ride in the bourne Cup only off ered than the entire prize pool for second in 2015, completed an Rekindling becomes the third come out and win it again, I’m He was a close-up fourth at Melbourne Cup. Aus$6.2 million. the Melbourne Cup.

TENNIS Future arrives, a little late, as Next Gen revolution begins

Reuters much to savour as Khachanov and ed that way. Milan Medvedev showcased their consid- A shot-clock ticked away in the erable skills – and the new rules that corner to enforce the 25-second rule would make traditionalists wince. between points - ironic considering he future arrived late but There is a school of thought that the tardy start. after some old-fashioned men’s Tennis, still in the midst of its Electronic Hawkeye calls replaced glitches, two Russian trail- golden era, is not broken. So don’t line judges with an automated, rath- blazers fi red the fi rst shots fi x it. Yet the ATP knows the clock er unnerving, British accented voice Tin what could be a revolution in ticks ever louder on the careers of calling instantaneously “OUT” or Tennis at the Next Gen ATP Finals Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Novak “FAULT”. yesterday. Djokovic and Andy Murray – who Italian crowds don’t need an ex- “Tennis Re-invented” is the are all in their 30s. cuse to make noise and the scrap- catchphrase of the tournament Hence it wants to promote the ping of any requirement for them to launched this year by the ATP to “Next Gen” led by Germany’s Al- stay silent, or stay still during play, showcase the young men it hopes exander Zverev, who withdrew from meant a constant hubbub sound- will lead it towards a brave new Milan to concentrate on playing tracked the action. world, together with a raft of in- with the ‘grown ups’ at next week’s Experienced Brazilian chair um- novations designed to catch a new ATP Finals in London. pire Carlos Bernardes still presided wave of Tennis fans. With a black hole looming, that over the action - yet even he got left Sunday’s botched draw ceremony is why they have invested so much behind. branded as “sexist” and “trashy” time and eff ort into making the Mi- In the second game of the third was hardly what the ATP had in lan event rock. set he instinctively called out “let” mind – forcing them and sponsors Featuring the top seven players in when a Medvedev serve fl icked the Red Bull to apologise after players the ATP rankings aged 21 and under net – forgetting that service, for this had to select glamorous models to – minus world number three Zverev week at least, are fair game. determine their round-robin group. – and with an Italian wildcard, it is Another novelty was the sight of And all the talk of new technology, Tennis on fast forward. the players wearing headphones at gizmos and enhanced fan experienc- On a two-tone blue singles only the end of sets - not to listen to their es looked a little lame when, minutes court, backdropped with a deep red favourite tunes, but to take advice before Karen Khachanov and Daniil mock-up of Milan’s iconic La Scala from their coaches. Medvedev were scheduled to appear opera house, things did feel very dif- Any notion that the tournament for the tournament’s opening salvos, ferent indeed. would be a “hit and giggle” aff air workmen were still welding pieces For starters sets were played to was quickly put to bed by action be- of the temporary stadium together. four with a tiebreak at 3-3. With no tween world number 45 Khachanov It hardly felt state-of-the-art. advantage points, deuce eff ectively and Medvedev, ranked 20 places Yet once the crowds, many of became ‘sudden death’. lower. them children, eventually fi lled the Five of the fi rst six games of the They did the organisers proud as humongous aircraft hanger-sized match, eventually won by Medvedev Medvedev hit back to win the Group Russia’s Daniil Medvedev plays a return to compatriot Karen Khachanov in their Group B singles match during the first edition of the hall at the Fiera Milano, there was in one hour 48 minutes, were decid- B match 2-4 4-3(6) 4-3(3) 4-2. Next Generation ATP Finals in Milan yesterday. (AFP)

Wednesday, November 8, 2017 GULF TIMES SPORT

SPOTLIGHT FOCUS Samba striker QFA, Iceland FA chiefs Elber takes keen to boost ties a trip down Bergsson is in Doha as Iceland and Qatar are set to play a friendly on November 14 memory lane spire Academy wel- up, I lived and breathed football. By Sports Reporter comed a full-house I would exercise outside for long Doha yesterday morning as hours and train in a youth sports prolifi c Brazilian goal academy similar to Aspire Acad- striker,A Elber de Souza, com- emy three to four times a week. he President of the Qatar Foot- monly known as Giovane Elber, Only those of us who had the ball Association (QFA), Sheikh took part in a student session ti- willpower, persistence and com- Hamad bin Khalifa bin Ahmed tled “My Experience.” mitment were able to go far in al-Thani received the President Aspire Academy regularly or- their football career and achieve Tof the Football Association of Iceland, ganises similar educational ses- their dreams,” he continued. Gudni Bergsson yesterday at QFA’s head- sions with top athletes in the “When I fi rst moved to Italy, it quarters in Al Bidda Tower. world to inspire their student- was so surreal to see all the foot- Bergsson is in Doha as Iceland and Qa- athletes and motivate them to ball stars I used to watch on tel- tar national teams are set to play a friend- achieve their full potential. evision on the same pitches with ly match on November 14 at 7:30pm in Al Top offi cials from the Acad- me. It was at that moment that I Duhail Stadium. emy, including Ali Salem Afi fa, realised I there is nowhere else I’d QFA Vice President Saoud al-Mohan- Deputy Director General of As- rather be.” nadi, QFA General Secretary Mansoor pire Academy, and Jassim al- Elber also highlighted the al-Ansari, Executive Director of the QFA Jaber, School Principal, along importance of teamwork in be- President offi ce Ali Dawood, QFA Execu- with coaches and teachers joined coming a success athlete, noting tive Director of Strategy and Institutional their students in attending the that his key to success with VfB Development Mushtaq al-Waeli, QFA Di- session. Stuttgart and later with FC Bay- rector of Operations of National Teams At the start of the session, ern Munich was to work become Department Ahmed Abbassi, Iceland FA Elber spoke about becoming a a successful team player and Board Members Rikhardur Dadason and professional football player at support the team playing as one. Magnus Gylfasson attended the meeting. the age of 10, when he joined Praising Aspire Academy, During the meeting they discussed the Brasileiro Serie B club, Londrina Elber said: “I think you have bilateral relations concerning football in Esporte Clube before his growing the best sports academy in the the two countries. They also discussed talent led him to the top teams world. It looks like a dream from matters of mutual interest and the im- in Europe. Before long he was what I’ve seen during my visit. portance of developing them in the com- named part of the Brazilian U17 This academy is your ticket to ing period in Qatar and Iceland and ways national team. the top and this opportunity is to enhance the co-operation between the Speaking about his experience, not always available for every- two associations. he said: “I had to work very hard one. We would’ve dreamed to At the end of the meeting, both Presi- to get to the level I was at that have something like this in Bra- dents stressed on the importance of age, and I did everything I could zil when I was growing up. Use building on the relationship between the to improve my skills. I was lucky this chance to fulfi l your dreams two associations and developing them to be given the chance to play in of becoming top players. Be- further in the future. Iceland FA Presi- European leagues, becoming the ing a professional footballer was dent also praised the role played by the fi rst Brazilian footballer under 18 my dream. But football gave me QFA President which directly impacts to play professional football in- much more than that. Football is football in a positive way. Commenting ternationally.” more than sports, it brings peo- on the infrastructure improvements of Elber explained that “Growing ple and cultures together.” Qatar and preparations for the 2022 FIFA World Cup, Bergsson said: “We had a very interesting and good presentation in the Supreme Committee for Delivery & Lega- Qatar Football Association president Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa bin Ahmed al-Thani presents a memento to President of the Foot- cy Pavilion where I got a very good insight ball Association of Iceland, Gudni Bergsson (left) yesterday at QFA’s headquarters in Al Bidda Tower. into the thinking and philosophy behind Qatar’s bid and behind the preparations ing World Cup, shown a tremendous and kids have got the ambition to want to try to help each other to strengthen the for the 2022 FIFA World Cup Qatar. performance during the Euro 2016, and better themselves and play profession- game of football. “It’s interesting to witness how Qatar managed to show the world that Iceland ally abroad in Europe. We have 70 play- “We are happy to share our experience is trying to make sure that this signifi cant has a great football team, he said: “It all ers playing in Europe professionally, so and knowledge with Qatar. From what I tournament will benefi t the country and started with our development of players all that gives us the possibility of having see and what I hear, Qatar is working re- the region, not just during the World Cup at the grassroots level. We have got a lot a good national team.” ally well with their limited pool of play- but after the World Cup as well. It was of clubs in Iceland, a good participation, When asked about the possibility of ers, they have got a good academy (As- positive experience and a very informa- and a healthy number of registered play- exchanging experience between the Ice- pire Academy), the league is strong and tive presentation so I now know a lot ers. They start at an early age of six years land FA and QFA, and the possibility of the national team is developing, which about the World Cup in Qatar in which old where they get good coaching, educa- signing an MoU in the future he said: “I means we can certainly learn from each Iceland can hopefully participate in and tion and good facilities. think within the football world, and see- other. We will discuss it further in the fu- qualify for it.” “We try to work with the limited ing that Iceland and Qatar both have a ture and I can see certain key areas we can When asked about how a small nation number of players that we have given the small population, we should be exchang- cooperate in and exchanges going ahead Former Brazilian striker Elber de Souza (centre) with Aspire Academy such as Iceland qualifi ed for the upcom- small population and then those players ing our knowledge and experiences and between the two associations.” off icials yesterday.

Qatar, German girls play friendly match QNB STARS LEAGUE I wish to win at least one title with Al Sailiya: Abdukholiqov l Sailiya have been enjoying a good goals to my credit after joining the side in run in the QNB Stars League this January transfer window. I hope to increase season and their 3-2 victory over that number, so the team could achieve pos- Umm Salal saw them leapfrog the itive results. latterA into the top four in standings after seven rounds. The performances and dedi- What’re your targets and ambitions? cation of Al Sailiya players, including Uzbek In the fi rst place, I would love to win one import Temurkhuja Abdukholiqov, have title with Al Sailiya. I had won titles with come in for special praise. The forward, the clubs I have played for, last of which who has been contributing immensely to the league, cup and award for the top scor- the team’s cause, is a key player in Tunisian er with my previous team Lokomotiv. We coach Sami Trabelsi’s scheme of things. had also qualifi ed for the AFC Champions Abdukholiqov is joint-third in the top League quarter-fi nal. scorers’ chart with six goals along with Al Duhail’s Youssef Msakni after Duhail’s How did you feel while leaving Lokomotiv Youssef El Arabi (11) and team-mate Wagner for Al Sailiya? Ribeiro (seven). Excerpts from an interview. I felt so happy. I had received two or three off ers from the Gulf region and Iran. I chose What’s your assessment of the team since Al Sailiya because that was the best option the beginning of this season? tum in the rounds to come? for me. I came to Doha to play and not be a I’m very happy because of the good start After seven rounds of action, we all know substitute. I’m 26 and if I don’t play a lot we’ve had. We’ve won fi ve of the seven that the league will be very diffi cult this sea- now, then when’ll I do that? matches in the league and lost only to strong son. The teams’ level is close. Plus, when Qatar Women’s Sports Committee hosted a friendly football match between Qatar and Germany teams Al Sadd and Al Rayyan. some fi ght for the top-four position and What’s the diff erence between the current girls’ team. The match was played as part of the Qatar Germany 2017 Year of Culture event in the some others to avoid relegation, that’ll make season and previous one for your team? presence of Lulua al- Marri, chairman of the Qatar Women Sports Committee. A number of senior Did you expect Sailiya would go places? the matches tough. We started the season with good prepara- German embassy off icials were also present on the occasion. Qatari team consisted of mostly young Even during the pre-season camp, we tions and that boosted our confi dence. The girls, not exceeding 15 years of age. While they put up a decent performance, they went down 3-5 to knew this team had potential. We benefi t- How do you analyse your performance? technical staff have enhanced our overall their experienced German counterparts. ed from the overseas friendlies we played. Footballers develop after every day and performance. We’ve a great coach and outstanding play- also every season. I’m very happy with my ers who’re determined to give off their best. contribution to the team, which has helped What do Al Sailiya miss while competing With hard work, we’ll achieve success even me improve my performance. for titles? though we don’t know what awaits us as the Nothing, I believe. As I said, we’ve got a league progresses. Do you think you’re playing at your best very good team of professional as well as na- for Al Sailiya? tional players producing positive results. What’s the reason behind your good Indeed. When you play in a strong league, performance? it’ll enable your performance to evolve. What’s your personal ambition this sea- A supportive team management, dedi- son? cated players and coach. A lot of people have praised the team’s In fact, my personal ambition matches performance this season compared to the that of the team. I wish to win at least one Will Sailiya be dark horses this season? previous one… title this season with Al Sailiya and dedicate Why not… The main target of any team The credit goes to consistency, the posi- it to the club’s president Abdulla al-Eida, is to win games and ours is no diff erent. We tive atmosphere prevailing in the team camp who has provided the side with everything may be the dark horses and even title con- and performances of players. We’ve a great to progress and improve. tenders when we’ve factors favouring us. team and I’ll try harder to score more goals. We’ve top-quality technical staff and play- Which team has grabbed your attention? ers capable of helping the side to many sur- Will you be able to continue your scoring There’re a number of reputed teams in the prises by the time the season ends. spree? QNB Stars League this season. Prominent I’ve already scored six goals so far and among them are Al Rayyan, Al Duhail and Will you be able to sustain the momen- that’s a good fi gure. Last season, I had seven Al Sadd.