SPORT Wednesday 26 December 2018 PAGE | 05 PAGE | 07 Revitalised Hamilton and Djokovic leads the Mercedes F1 way as old guard champions for stays on top the fifth time Mbappe named French Player-of-the-Year

IANS France claim its second FIFA World PARIS Cup title this summer in Russia, winning the tournament’s Best French football talent Young Player award himself. Kylian Mbappe has been On club level, Mbappe became elected French Player of the winner of Ligue 1, French Cup the Year, the France and French League Cup with Paris Football magazine Saint-Germain. He scored 34 goals Qatar beat Kyrgyzstan has announced. in all competitions in 2018. The World Cup The French Player of the Year in home friendly winner Mbappe, is presented annually by the France Action during yesterday’s friendly who had spent Football magazine since 1959. Orig- encounter between Qatar and Kyrgyztan his 20th inally, only French players playing which took place at the Khalifa birthday just five in France were eligible, before International Stadium in Doha. Qatar won days ago, fin- French players playing abroad were 1-0 with Akram Afif scoring the winning ished atop in also taken into consideration for the goal. It was Qatar’s second international the vote ahead of award, whose jury is currently com- friendly as the team prepares for the Raphael Varane and Antoine posed of former winners and mag- AFC Asian Cup which will be held from Griezmann. azine editors. January 5 to February 1 in the UAE. The latest laurel was another Last year’s winner of the Al Annabi’s next match will be against recognition for Mbappe’s break- award was Chelsea midfielder Algeria tomorrow. through year of 2018. He helped N’Golo Kante. Boxing Day Test: Kohli

urges batsmen to step up Virat Kohli

IANS particular series and what your plans should be against him. He has defi- Paine expectspects Indian skipper Virat Kohli nitely bowled very well yesterday urged his from the opposition.” Kohli batsmen to step up and insisted that the team is Marsh to bobolsterlster support the bowlers in their taking it as a challenge and good job, ahead of the third further praised Lyon for Test beginning on Boxing bowling so well in Australia Aussie bowlingwling Day here. where conditions are not Australian Kohli struck a magnifi- always spinner-friendly. all-rounder cient 123 in the second Test “For a spinner to bowl IANS Mitchell but could not stop Australia so well in Australia is a MELBOURNE Marsh from winning by 146 runs huge thing. We are taking as the other batters around it as a challenge, and we Australia captain Tim Paineaineinne asseassertedsertedd him failed. definitely want to improve yesterday that the inclusionlussisionion ofof all-alalll Similarly, in the first our play against him. We rounder iinn Test Pujara’s hundred have put in the effort in the playing XI for the helped India win by 31 runs. practice, it now matters third Test Indian bowlers, on the who we execute those on against India will contrary, have done exceed- the field. improve the team’ss ingly well, picking up 40 “As I said, if there is a bowling options for thehhee in four innings. challenge coming your crucial contest. “It is very important for way, you try and counter it. “It’s a long series,es, our batsmen to stand up, That’s our effort - if we bowlers have had a rreallyeallea y bbibigg because as everyone can have been dismissed in a workload and we feel we’we’re’ree ggoingoingoin tot see, our bowling has been particular way, not repeat need Mitch’s bowling atat somesoommmee point,”poiointnt,” PainePaiinen performing really well. Oth- that mode of dismissal. As was quoted as saying by icc-cricket.com.icicciccc-c--ccriricri ket.ket cocom.m. erwise, the bowlers won’t cricketers, that is all you “The majority of thishis decision’sddeecciscisiisiis onn’sns beenbeen be able to do anything with can do,” he added. based around (the factctct tthat)hat) it’itit’ss a longlonongo the totals that we have been Kohli added that he is series, we’ve played onn a lotlot ofof hothhooott daysdayayys compiling,” skipper Kohli thrilled to be playing his and our bowlers have hadadd aab bbigig w workload.oorklor oad. said on the eve of the third second Boxing Day Test We believe Mitch can comecomeein ini andanandn do a Test. down under. really good job with thee batb andanndd obviouslyoobbvviousslyy “If we are “It’s amazing (as an he’ll give great support tot ourur bowlbbobowbowlers,”wleersers,rs ” hehe second, we will try to take Indian captain Virat Kohli (right) runs with team-mates occasion). Obviously, day added. the lead or get as close to the during a training session in Melbourne, ahead of the one is the most anticipated The four-Test seriess is lolocklockedockckkedd a att 1-1-11 afaafterter India won the opening mmamatchtch iinn A Adelaideddldeldeelaaidded anandd opposition total as possible. third cricket Test match against Australia. day and we are expecting If you equal a big score, then a lot of people to come in, the hosts drew level withth victoryvicctctooory iinn .PePerrthh. it becomes a second-innings’ maybe 80,000-plus. So I Marsh is the only changehangeangngee inn theththee AustralianAuAustusstrralian match and if you take a good “As a team, I don’t think wickets in two Tests, has have experienced that line-up from those twoo matches.matchtchches.es Hee replaces repeplaplalacecess first-innings lead, then you whether you are 2-0 up or been India’s bane and Kohli twice before. opener ,coommbb, who sstrustruggledggled can capitalize on that,” Kohli 2-0 down or 1-1, what’s praised the off-spinner for “It’s definitely a magical against the Indian bowling.ling.ngg added. happened in the past has no his efforts. day to step on the field, the Paine however, insistedissted thatt HHanHandscombdscod mb “The batsmen must step significance at all to what’s “Lyon is a very good national anthems for both is still an option for theefe ffinaliininalinaal concontesttesttest off thehee up collectively. I won’t say going to happen in the next bowler. He consistently teams, and you can sense series which starts in SSydneyydned y onn JaJJanuaryaanuaryuar 33.. individually whether two Tests or what’s going bowls in good areas. So we the energy in the stadium. “I’m sure Pete woulduldul be upset.upupsupseet.t I thinkthithink someone needs to do that to happen in the next Test have to have our plans For me, that is my most he’s had conversationsns w withith the seleselectorsctoctororrs or not, but as a batting unit, which is quite immediate. against such a bowler so favourite personal moment that there’s a few thingsingini s ththeyey wwouldouldd liklilikeke we have to definitely put up “The key is to stay in the that we can also explore of the Boxing Day, when the him to work on and PetePetetee is openopeeen too tthat,”hahaatt,,” a better performance,” moment, stay in the present, scoring options because if anthems are sung, you are he said. Kohli sent out a loud and understand and remember he is allowed to bowl at one standing on the field and “Going to , a placplacela e wherewwheerree itt normallynormarmmallllylly clear message for his batting why you won the first Test, spot for a long time, he there are so many people spins, I think people comeomee backb ack intoin the foldfold unit,” he pointed out. which was because of us becomes even more around you. Definitely, it is pretty quickly becausese he’she’ses’ renownedrerenoenonownednedd as Kohli did not want to being in the present dangerous. one of the most iconic Test probably our best playererr of spinspin...I I knoww he’hehe’lllll b bee dwell on the last two tests, moment,” the skipper “These things you need matches and we are very doing everything he canann to ggetet bbackack intonnto thee saying the key is to stay in stressed. to figure out constantly - happy to be a part of that,” side,” Paine added. the moment. , with 16 who is bowling well in a he added. WEDNESDAY 26 DECEMBER 2018 SPORT 05

What I do or how I think, I am not going to take a banner outside to the world and CRICKET: BOXING DAY TESTS explain that this is who I am and you need Virat Kohli Australia vs India: 3rd Test, in Melbourne to like me or stuff like that. These are Indian captain South Africa vs Pakistan: 1st Test, in Centurion things that happen on the outside. ACTION New Zealand vs Sri Lanka: 2nd Test, in Christchurch TODAY’S Minister of Culture and Sports adopts new statutes of QREC

THE PENINSULA The introduction of the new thank H E Salah bin Ghanem Al schools and training academies, participant is a Qatari or a person DOHA statutes makes reference to Ali, Minister of Culture and holding races in Qatar and residing in Qatar who joins QREC QREC as a sports club established Sports, for the attention and overseas, registration and for a definite period of time; and The Qatar Racing & Equestrian by the State for an indefinite support paid to all club”, he said. issuance of licences related to the honorary participant is a Club (QREC) is approaching a new period. “H E the Minister is keen to horse affairs in accordance with person whom QREC Board era following the decision of the It further states that the provide the proper environment, the QREC’s terms of reference decides to grant them this capacity Minister of Culture and Sports, H E QREC’s statutes has been which contributes to the devel- and organisation, supervision for their valuable services to the Salah bin Ghanem Al Ali adopted in accordance with the opment of the activities of the and participation in local, GCC, State or QREC. There are also con- (pictured), adopting the new provisions and rules established club, including QREC, which Arab, regional and international ditions identified in the statutes for statutes of QREC, having reviewed in this respect, including Article brings about plenty of benefits championships. anyone wishing to participate in the Law Governing Sports Clubs. no. 53 of the Law Governing for Qatar’s sports under the lead- The new provisions of the the QREC’s activities. The new statutes include 41 Sports Clubs of 2016 and its ership of the Amir H H Sheikh QREC’s statutes identify the types A board of directors will articles governing work at QREC amendments under the Law no. Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani,” Al of participation in QREC’s manage the QREC’s affairs. and the relations between QREC 12 of 2018. Mohannadi said. from the QREC’s facilities and activities. It is formed of a chairman, a and its stakeholders. The QREC Chairman, Issa bin The new statutes of QREC participate in its activities. These include three types: the vice chairman and not less than It supersedes the decision no. Mohammed Al Mohannadi, identifies the Ministry of Culture It also refers to QREC’s role active participant is a Qatari or a three or more than 7 members. 2 of 1987 of the Supreme Council lauded H E the Minister of Culture and Sports as the entity super- in promoting and enhancing the person residing in Qatar who is The decision appointing the board for Youth Welfare and any pro- and Sports’ decision adopting the vising QREC. It describes a par- equestrian sport, in all its disci- licensed to benefit from the and identifying their term is vision any provision contrary to new statutes of QREC. ticipant in QREC’s activities as plines, by various ways, including QREC’s facilities and participate issued by the Minister of Culture the provisions of this decision. “First of all, we would like to anyone who is licensed to benefit the establishment of equestrian in its activities; the associate and Sports. Revitalised Djokovic leads the way as old guard stays on top

AFP slumping to a string of unchar- before further fitness problems PARIS acteristic defeats -- including an curtailed his season. embarrassing loss to Italian jour- He played in just nine tour- Next Gen poster boy Alexander neyman Marco Cecchinato at the naments, his fewest since 2002, Athletics Zverev’s season-ending Tour French Open -- following elbow yet still won five titles and com- Finals triumph served up a surgery to fix a lingering injury. piled a commanding 45-4 record. glimpse into the future of men’s Over the next few months bring back tennis although 2018 remained though Djokovic surged back to FLUSHING MEADOWS a year dominated once more by his all-conquering best, sweeping MELTDOWN the usual, yet ageing, suspects as to Wimbledon and US Open Serena Williams returned to Fiers on a revitalised Novak Djokovic crowns and completing a historic the court after her 14-month returned to the peak of his Masters sweep with an elusive maternity leave, battling back powers. victory in Cincinnati. from life-saving surgery, but $14m deal The Serb “There was always part of twice fell agonisingly short of tumbled out of the me that believed I could make it landing a record-equalling 24th AP top 10 for the back and I never thought it was Grand Slam crown. OAKLAND first time in a impossible,” Djokovic said of his She required a series of Roger Federer continued to defy his advancing years as he decade and climb back to world number one. operations to free her from the defended his Australian Open title and then eclipsed Andre Free agent right-hander Mike was ranked “It turned to out to be a risk of blood clots in the wake of Agassi as the oldest top-ranked player in ATP history, at the Fiers (pictured above) agreed as lowly as perfect five months of the year, giving birth to her daughter in age of 36. to a two-year contract worth 22nd in with two Grand Slam titles.” September 2017, a scare that more than $14m to stay with June, Roger Federer continued to prompted her to sport an eye- the Oakland Athletics, who defy his advancing years as he catching black catsuit at Roland were determined to find an defended his Australian Open Garros. experienced starter this title and then eclipsed Andre She finished runner-up at offseason to help lead a young Agassi as the oldest top-ranked both Wimbledon and the US rotation. player in ATP history, at the Open, but it was the nature of her They brought him back age of 36. defeat in New York that will stick less than a month after not Rafael Nadal domi- in the memory after a meltdown tendering him a contract. Fiers nated in typical fashion in the final against Japan’s Naomi will earn $6m in 2019 and on clay, swaggering Osaka. $8.1m in 2020. to an 11th Roland Williams erupted after a Oakland would like to add Garros title, but code violation for receiving another starter, too, realizing the injury- coaching from her box, and sub- it must provide depth given all plagued sequently called chair umpire the injuries last season. Ace Spaniard Carlos Ramos a “liar and a thief” Sean Manaea is recovering limped out after she incurred a one-point from shoulder surgery and not of two penalty for racquet abuse. expected back until at least the other The American later described All-Star break. Grand the decision to then hit her with Angelique Kerber completed the third leg of a career Grand "We were pretty clear, and Slams a game penalty following her Slam by battering past Williams to become the first German it's pretty obvious, starting tear-filled tirade as “sexist”. woman to win Wimbledon since Steffi Graf in 1996. rotation was an area we abso- An astonishingly poised lutely had to address," Billy Osaka held her nerve to seal reduced to tears when a pro-Wil- Angelique Kerber com- Beane, A's executive vice pres- victory and become the first Jap- liams crowd booed the trophy pleted the third leg of a career ident of Baseball operations, anese woman to win a Grand ceremony announcers. Grand Slam by battering past Wil- said on a conference call on Novak Djokovic Slam singles title, but the Fortunately, Williams grace- liams to become the first German Monday after the team tumbled out of the 20-year- fully intervened and called for woman to win Wimbledon since announced Fiers' deal. "... It's old was them to show the young Steffi Graf in 1996. all about the starters right top 10 for the first time in champion respect. The season also marked the now. We have to be opportun- a decade and was ranked end of the 118-year Davis Cup in istic and patient." HALEP AND WOZNIACKI its traditional format, with a The A's acquired Fiers in as lowly as 22nd in June. END WAIT revamped version of the compe- August from Detroit, and he Over the next few months, In a season of firsts, Simona tition next November bringing helped the club reach the he surged back to his Halep eased the pain of three together 18 nations in one place playoffs for the first time since previous major finals defeats, to for a week. 2014. He went 5-2 with a 3.74 all-conquering best, follow in the footsteps of her Kevin Anderson’s 26-24 ERA in 10 outings with nine sweeping to Wimbledon manager Virginia Ruzici, 40 years defeat of John Isner in the fifth starts after joining Oakland, on, by claiming the French Open set of this year’s Wimbledon which lost the AL wild-card and US Open crowns championship. semi-finals prompted another game at New York. and completing a Caroline Wozniacki’s rethink, leading the All England Beane credits the patience yielded her maiden Club to introduce a tie-break to 33-year-old Fiers for being "a historic Masters Grand Slam triumph too, the Dane settle matches that reach 12-all reliable guy throughout his sweep with an taking the Australian Open title in the decider. career," which is key for the elusive victory to briefly return to world number “It is bucking tradition but A's given all the injuries to one. I think a lot of people believe their rotation. in Cincinnati However, she later that is not a bad thing,” Isner Jharel Cotton had Tommy before revealed her battle with rheu- said in the wake of the rule John surgery in March, fol- matoid arthritis, an change. lowed by three others who returning to autoimmune disease which Similarly, a 10-point tie- also underwent the elbow the peak of his powers. causes swelling of the break will be used in the final ligament replacement joints and fatigue, fol- set at the Australian Open, surgery: opening day starter lowing her diagnosis where Federer will eye his Kendall Graveman, Daniel ahead of the US Open. 100th career title. Gossett and top prospect A.J. Puk. 06 SPORT WEDNESDAY 26 DECEMBER 2018 Steyn bids for SA record, says there is more to come

AFP CENTURION

Fast bowler Dale Steyn said yesterday he was looking beyond breaking the record for most Test wickets for South Africa in the forthcoming series against Pakistan. Steyn currently shares the record of 421 wickets with former captain Shaun Pollock, who retired in 2008, and needs one more in the first Test against Pakistan, starting at SuperSport Park today, to hold first place on his own. “I have a lot more wickets in me than just one more,” he said. “I haven’t saved myself just to take one more wicket than Polly (Pollock), there is a bigger goal at the end of the day.” He admitted that the past two years, during which he has had several setbacks had been frustrating. “I do think it will be a beautiful thing to happen, if it happens. It has taken a long time and these records are great things to achieve. “I will be highly honoured but I will get back to my mark and Australia’s Mitch Marsh dives to retrieve the try to take the next one.” ball during training in Melbourne yesterday. The 35-year-old, who will be playing in his 89th Test, seemed set to take the record when he played in two Tests in Sri Lanka earlier this year but could only take two wickets to tie with Pollock. “It’s just nice to have a red ball in my hand again,” he said. “Sri Lanka was tough conditions for the fast bowlers, but by India unveil new opening the looks of things - the way the nets have been playing out in the middle - there is some spice. “I am looking forward to getting out there and playing five competitive days of cricket.” Steyn is currently joint eleventh in the all-time list of wicket- pair, Australia pick Marsh takers in . Sri Lankan spinner , who retired in 2010, heads the list with 800 while the top fast bowler is current England opening bowler James Anderson with REUTERS series 1-1, the tourists included being rated “poor”, sported a crossed, you have no issues,” 565. MELBOURNE Jadeja in the playing XI after first green tinge which made India said Kohli. choice Ravichandran Ashwin captain Virat Kohli optimistic of “I’m sure Tim and myself India dropped both their strug- failed to recover from an a result in the penultimate match both understand what happened Bowlers with most Test wickets gling openers and opted for the abdominal strain. of the series. and we definitely don’t want to left-arm spin of Ravindra Jadeja India also left out paceman “As a side you always want do something unnecessary. We PLAYER SPAN MAT WKTS for the Boxing Day Test against Umesh Yadav, while Rohit a result. The surface looked want to lead our team well and Australia in their bid to reclaim Sharma returned to bolster the pretty dry underneath yesterday. play good cricket which the M Muralitharan (SL) 1992-2010 133 800 the lead in the four-match series middle order. There’s a good coverage of grass public want to see.” S Warne (AUS) 1992-2007 145 708 at the Australia have recalled all- which should keep the surface The series will shift to A Kumble (INDIA) 1990-2008 132 619 (MCG) yesterday. rounder Mitchell Marsh at the intact,” Kohli told reporters. Sydney for the finale beginning J Anderson (ENG) 2003-2018 145 565 Openers Lokesh Rahul and expense of middle order “It should have enough for on Jan. 3. G McGrath (AUS) 1993-2007 124 563 Murali Vijay have paid the price batsman Peter Handscomb in the bowlers to be interested on Teams: C Walsh (WI) 1984-2001 132 519 for putting together just one the only change to the side who all days of the Test match. Hope- India: Mayank Agarwal, Kapil Dev (INDIA) 1978-1994 131 434 double-digit stand at the halfway won the Perth test by 146 runs. fully it’s much more lively than Hanuma Vihari, Cheteshwar H Herath (SL) 1999-2018 93 433 point of the four-Test series, “It’s a long series, our it was last time.” Pujara, Virat Kohli (captain), S Broad (ENG) 2007-2018 124 433 hardly the starts that would help bowlers have had a really big Kohli and Paine clashed Ajinkya Rahane, Rohit Sharma, Sir R Hadlee (NZ) 1973-1990 86 431 bring India a first test series win workload and we feel we’re more than once in the tension- Rishabh Pant (wicketkeeper), D Steyn (SA) 2004-2018 88 421 Down Under. going to need Mitch’s bowling at filled Perth test but the Indian Ravindra Jadeja, Mohammed S Pollock (SA) 1995-2008 108 421 Mayank Agarwal will make some point,” Australia skipper captain played down the alter- Shami, Ishant Sharma, Jasprit H Singh (INDIA) 1998-2015 103 417 his Test debut yesterday with told reporters. cations, saying sparks are bound Bumrah Wasim Akram (PAK) 1985-2002 104 414 spinning all-rounder Hanuma “I’m sure Pete would be to fly when two competitive Australia: , C Ambrose (WI) 1988-2000 98 405 Vihari joining him in a new-look upset. I think he’s had conver- teams meet. Marcus Harris, , M Ntini (SA) 1998-2009 101 390 opening pair. sations with the selectors that “When both teams are pas- , , Ian Botham (ENG) 1977-1992 102 383 After their decision not to there’s a few things they would sionate and desperate to win, Mitchell Marsh, Tim Paine M Marshall (WI) 1978-1991 81 376 play a specialist spinner spec- like him to work on and Pete is obviously those things happen (captain-wicketkeeper), Pat Waqar Younis (PAK) 1989-2003 87 373 tacularly backfired in Perth, open to that.” on the field. Cummins, , Nathan Imran Khan (PAK) 1971-1992 88 362 where Australia levelled the The MCG pitch, a year after “As long as the line is not Lyon,

Perth Test win I am not here to change perceptions: Kohli has given us confidence, IANS outside to the world and explain make my team win,” expressed MELBOURNE that this is who I am and you the 30-year-old. Australia’s captain Tim Paine trains says Paine need to like me or stuff like that. The Australian media has in the nets in Melbourne ahead of Fresh from his spat with Aus- These are things that happen on chastised him after the row with the third cricket Test match against IANS tralian counterpart Tim Paine, the outside,” the skipper said on Paine, even though Indian coach India starting today. MELBOURNE India skipper Virat Kohli said on the eve of the third Test. Ravi Shastri called him an the eve of the Boxing Day Test The series is level at 1-1 after ‘absolute gentleman’. Taking a lot of confidence that he does not get affected by Australia won the second match “He (Shastri) has spent from the big win in Perth, all the talk about his public by 146 runs. enough time with me to know Australia will feel they can get image and people who know him “I have no control over that. the kind of person I am. The the better of India in the third and understand what he is. It’s an individual choice, what people who know me, you can Test here, feels captain Tim “What I do or how I think, I you want to focus on. My focus ask them. I won’t be answering Paine, who also stressed that am not going to take a banner is on the Test match, winning the this question myself,” said Kohli. his side are not getting ahead Test match On the spat, Kohli said: of themselves. India’s batsman and doing “That’s past. It’s Test cricket, at “Certainly when you have Hanuma Vihari well for the the highest level, when two an inexperienced team and sweeps a team. That’s tough teams are going against you get a big win like in Perth ball during a all it is,” each other, there will be things against the number one team training session Kohli that will happen on the field. I in the world, guys are going in Melbourne pointed out. think it is important to leave it to grow in confidence a little yesterday. “I hon- there and focus on the next Test. bit and come to Melbourne estly have no “We are not looking to find feeling better than when we idea about something to talk about. As long did to Perth,” Paine said on any of the as the line is not crossed, you the eve of the match. articles or have no issues. I am sure Tim “I don’t feel like we are on anything that and myself both understand top of them. We feel like we people say what happened and don’t want are getting better with every because that to do something unnecessary. Test. We are improving with does not We want to lead our teams well every game but we need to concern me. and play good cricket, which the keep stacking up good days It’s not public wants to see,” Kohli in his and play good Test cricket,” something I reply also sent a subtle message Paine added. have written. for the Australian captain. On India making three Everyone is Kohli scored a brilliant 123 changes for the Boxing Day entitled to in the second Test on a spicy Test, Paine said: “India’s his or her Perth track. Asked about his changes don’t really bother point of preparation, arguably the us because we have done our view, and I world’s best batsman said it’s all room and work on, it’s not some- “For me, what has worked is homework on all of their have total in the mind and you cannot be thing that you can arrive and feel being comfortable in where I am players for a number of respect for daunted by the situation. on that particular day.” playing. Not necessarily looking weeks now. We have been that. I just “As a batsman, if at any stage, Kohli added that for him, it’s at how difficult the wicket is, but prepared for all of them to want to you are hesitating or are scared about getting into a positive if you are able to feel com- play. What they do is their focus on of the pace and the bounce then frame of mind more than any- fortable there, then you are more business, and we will keep good cricket, you are definitely going to get hit. thing and he works relentlessly or less in control of what you focussing on what we are and try and It’s something that you sit in your to achieve it. want to do,” he added. doing,” Paine expressed. WEDNESDAY 26 DECEMBER 2018 SPORT 07 Hamilton and Mercedes F1 champions for the fifth time

REUTERSREUTERS hit hard by the death mid-season of The 33-year-old Hamilton chapter at Ferrari next year, trading LONDONLONDON combative chairman Sergio Mar- ended the year on 73 wins with places with 2007 champion Kimi Raik- chionne and their own mistakes. Schumacher’s all-time record of konen -- who won in Texas for his first Lewis Hamilton and MercedesMe won Red Bull ended their Renault 91 coming into range. victory in 113 races. their fifth Formula OneO champi- partnership with four victories, their Double world champion Fernando onships in 20182018 but,b even if biggest haul since 2013 when they Alonso called it a day, leaving as one Ferrari won six races in 2018, nnothingothing actually cchanged at were last champions, to set new of the greats but with McLaren still tthehe top, tthehe season at engine suppliers Honda a high their best effort since 2008. agonisingly slow and ushering out leastleast aaddeddded an exciting benchmark for 2019. racing director Eric Boullier among twisttwist to ttheh same old Hamilton moved onto another Red Bull ended the year with others. story.story. level, however. four victories, their biggest haul Alonso will now chase the Indi- Yes,Yes the top His success, with 11 wins from 21 since 2013 when they were last anapolis 500, and Triple Crown glory, three --- the ‘Silver races and 11 poles, was all the more after winning the Le Mans 24 Hours champions. Arrows’Arrow along impressive given that Ferrari’s with Toyota at the first attempt in with Ferrari and Sebastian Vettel could claim to have 2018. Red Bull -- the faster car for at least the first half Spaniard Marc Marquez collecting his The return of the French Grand againaga won all of the season. fifth MotoGP crown while Frenchman Prix after a 10-year absence was a ththee races, just Unlike Vettel and Ferrari, Ham- Sebastien Ogier went one better to popular comeback, the traffic jams asas they have ilton barely put a wheel wrong as he end a closely-fought rally champi- around Le Castellet much less so as forfo the past equalled the late Argentine Juan onship as a six-times champion. fans fumed in tailbacks for hours. fivef years. Manuel Fangio’s five titles, with only Formula One’s youth revolution New faces coming in for 2019 will And yes, Michael Schumacher ahead on seven. continued, with fresh faces lined up include Britain’s Formula Two theirth drivers The highlights included storming for 2019 as teams gave the driver champion George Russell, at Williams, alsoa filled all from 14th on the grid to victory in merry-go-round a hefty push. and teenage compatriot Lando Norris butbu one of the Germany, while Vettel skidded off as Only Mercedes and fifth-placed at McLaren. 63 podium he led in the wet, and an astonishing Haas will be carrying unchanged line- Australian Daniel Ricciardo will placesplaces ini what was pole position lap in Singapore. ups into 2019, also a crucial year off also have a new team after leaving more than ever a two-tier The 33-year-old Briton staged an the track with commercial rights Red Bull for Renault -- now the sport’s championship.championship. epic recovery from last to second at holders Liberty Media facing tough fourth-ranked team. At the front,front however, Silverstone, and ended the year on discussions over the sport’s future Force India who had previously the ffightight fforor supsupremacyr was 73 wins with Schumacher’s all-time direction. been best-of-the-rest, went into far closer, with ttheh outcome record of 91 coming into range. Another, very real, shove landed administration and emerged under far from clearclear andan Mercedes “I’ve grown, I’ve understood Red Bull’s Max Verstappen, who the new ownership of a Canadian con- havinghaving to wait ununtilt the fourth myself more,” Hamilton said when turned 21 and delighted Dutch fans sortium led by Lance Stroll’s billionaire racerace to open their win asked what he had learned from a with two race wins in 2018, in hot father Lawrence. account.account. year that left Finnish team mate water after an altercation with Force In the year’s least surprising FerrariFerrari wonwon six, their Valtteri Bottas winless, mentally bat- India’s Esteban Ocon. move, Stroll junior moved from Wil- bestbest effort sincsincee 2008 but tered and bruised. Sauber’s Charles Leclerc was liams -- the former champions now still some wayway sshorth of what Hamilton’s continuing reign was rookie of the year and the exciting 10th and last -- to his father’s team mightmight have bebeen,e and were echoed elsewhere in motorsport, with young Monegasque will begin a new for 2019.

AFC Asian Cup: Jeje hopes to fire India in Quique Sanchez Flores tandem with Chhetri REUTERS Flores NEW DELHI Indian forward Jeje Lalpekhlua named (pictured) believes his “telepathic understanding” with Sunil Chhetri up front will stand the team in good Shanghai stead in their Asian Cup return after an eight-year hiatus. Shenhua Chhetri’s tally of 65 goals from 103 international matches since his 2005 debut makes him India’s most coach Old Trafford, home of Manchester United. prolific striker. But Stephen Con- stantine’s team will also need Jeje REUTERS to fire if they are to progress beyond HONG KONG the group stage in the January 5- 6 before taking on hosts UAE and February 1 tournament in the UAE. Bahrain. Former Watford and Man United must “I played with him when I made Chhetri is the lone surviving Espanyol manager my debut. Since then we have been member of the 2011 team who lost Quique Sanchez Flores playing together,” the Mizo striker was all three group games in Qatar, but has been named as the quoted as saying in an All India Jeje insisted the team had made sig- new head coach of relish Old Trafford, Football Federation release nificant improvements since then. Chinese Super League yesterday. “With every match, we have side Shanghai Shenhua, “I feel together we fit in well and been getting better and have the club said yesterday. complement each other’s styles... We achieved a lot in between. This team The Spaniard says coach Solskjaer have a telepathic understanding on is a strong one as we have put in a lot replaces Wu Jingui, who the pitch,” he said. of good work so far. We are confident takes over as sporting REUTERS India will kick off their Group A in our abilities and feel that we can director after steering MANCHESTER campaign against Thailand on Jan. take on any challenge,” he said. Shenhua to victory in the Chinese FA Cup in Manchester United interim coach Ole Gunnar 2017. Solskjaer (pictured) expects his players to Sanchez Flores has relish the opportunity of playing at Old not worked since April, Trafford after scoring five goals in a Premier when he was dismissed League match for the first time in five years. by Spanish side Solskjaer’s caretaker spell until the end of Espanyol after almost the season got off to an ideal start with a 5-1 two years at the helm. win at Cardiff City on Saturday but United still The former Real Madrid remain eight points behind fourth-placed and Spain defender Chelsea in the table. makes the move to United have recorded only four wins in China having also pre- eight home league games this season, and Sol- viously coached Watford skjaer has urged his players to step up to the in England’s Premier plate when they host Huddersfield Town League, Benfica in Por- today. the first time since Alex Ferguson’s last game tugal and clubs in the “I think the boys are looking forward to in charge in 2013. . playing at Old Trafford and that’s important,” Solskjaer, who won six Premier League The 53-year-old will Solskjaer, who replaced the sacked Jose titles under Ferguson, said it was critical his be expected to improve Mourinho last week, told reporters. players respected the club’s traditions by Shenhua’s Chinese “It’s not like they were outperforming sticking to an attacking style of play. Super League prospects themselves (at Cardiff). We’ll evaluate, look “They’ve not said anything about any hand- Indian after a seventh-place at a few clips and as I said earlier we can brake but we spoke today in the team meeting striker Sunil finish last season, when do better, we can understand each other about how when we get one (goal), we want to Chhetri the club finished 30 better.” get two. When we get two, we want to get three. in action points adrift of first-time United players, who appeared shackled The attacking philosophy is in the walls of Man in this file champions Shanghai by the pragmatic approach under Mourinho, United. That’s tradition, that’s history, that’s photo. SIPG. enjoyed greater creative freedom at Cardiff how we want to play. This was a good reflection as they netted five goals in a league match for of what we want,” Solskjaer added.