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Buggies Unfair, Says Al-Attiyah, As Peterhansel Wins Dakar

Buggies Unfair, Says Al-Attiyah, As Peterhansel Wins Dakar

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Saturday, January 16, 2021 Jumada II 3, 1442 AH ‘Ruthless’ Root GULF TIMES hits fi rst century in over a year SPORT Page 7 MOTORSPORT Buggies unfair, says al-Attiyah, as Peterhansel wins Dakar Frenchman wins for a record-extending 14th time „ Qatar’s three-time champion is runner-up 14 minutes behind

X-Raid Mini JCW Team’s Stephane Peterhansel (top, right) and co-driver Edouard Boulanger (top, left) celebrate after winning the yesterday. (Reuters)

Toyota Gazoo Racing driver Nasser Saleh al-Attiyah (left) of Qatar and X-Raid Mini JCW Team’s Stephane Peterhansel (right) of France pose after the latter’s Dakar Rally win in , , yesterday. (AFP)

AFP “I’m more disappointed than EXPERIENCE AND CALM coming the race’s fi rst fatality Jeddah, Saudi Arabia last year because if you only have Peterhansel said he still had the this year. four fi ngers and not fi ve fi ngers “same emotion” as he did after like everybody else, it does not his fi rst victory back in 1991. BENAVIDES TRUMPS BRABEC atar’s three-time Dakar help. “To win the Dakar is always re- Argentina’s won champion Nasser Saleh “We need to change the rule ally complicated,” he said. “There the motorbike category, lead- al-Attiyah called out against the buggies because now are no easy victories on the Dakar. ing home defending champion the unfair advantage the buggies have been winning This one from the outside maybe of the United States buggiesQ have over 4x4 cars in the for fi ve years against the 4x4 looked easy, but it was not easy by 4:56 in a fi rst Honda 1-2 since Rally, even as France’s Stephane cars. There is no question, it is every day to manage the small 1987. Peterhansel won the event for a not a fair rule. I hope the organ- gap over Nasser. Briton , the record-extending 14th time. isers will change it, otherwise “Experience and being able to 2017 champion, fi nished third. The 55-year-old Mini driver, we won’t be interested in com- stay calm helped to win. Benavides, who broke his nose aided by co-pilot Edouard Boul- ing,” said the Qatari star, who has “The fi rst victory on the mo- in a crash on the fi fth stage that anger, fi nished 14min 51sec ahead hopes his sporting year will in- torcycle is my favourite, because saw his helmet shattered, be- of al-Attiyah (Toyota), with clude a seventh Olympics, where it was the one that I dreamed a came the fi rst South American to Spain’s — winner of he will compete in skeet. lot of and now it’s really a bonus. win the category, calling it “ab- yesterday’s 12th and fi nal stage Peterhansel, nicknamed ‘Mr Winning is always a big emotion, solutely crazy”. from to Jeddah — round- Dakar’, has now won the car cate- but the fi rst victory was the best “I went at 110 percent, but Argentinian biker Kevin Benavides (top) celebrates with teammates following his victory in the Dakar Rally ing out the podium in another gory eight times, having also won one.” now it’s true: I’ve won the Dakar in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, yesterday. (AFP) Mini. the motorbike category six times. Peterhansel’s victory came — I’m so, so happy! I did some “This is the second year that we His latest win has come 30 shortly after news that French mistakes, for sure. I think it’s im- ways continue, to stay calm and “pretty bummed” at not de- Honda had already won a one are fi ghting against the buggies,” years after his initial success in motorcyclist Pierre Cherpin had possible to do a perfect Dakar,” he focused day by day and to work fending his title, but added that and two finish. I wasn’t even said al-Attiyah, who fi nished run- the most gruelling event on mo- died from injuries sustained in a said. hard day by day.” “number two will work”. born in 1987! It’s cool to go one ner-up for the fi fth time. torsport’s calendar. crash on the seventh stage, be- “The important thing is to al- Brabec admitted to feeling “I didn’t even know that and two again.” LOSS Dakar Rally results

STAGE 12 RESULTS Boulanger (FRA/FRA/Mini) 44:27:11 French rider Cherpin dies from injuries in Dakar crash Cars (top 10) 2. Nasser al-Attiyah/Matthieu Baumel 1. Carlos Sainz/ (ESP/ESP/ (QAT/FRA/Toyota) +14:51 Reuters held in 1978. Mini) 2:17:33 3. Carlos Sainz/Lucas Cruz (ESP/ESP/ Paris, France Two motorcycle riders died after falls 2. Nasser al-Attiyah/Matthieu Baumel Mini) +1.01:57 in last year’s rally, Portugal’s Paulo Gon- (QAT/FRA/Toyota) +2:13 calves during competition and Dutch- 3. Stephane Peterhansel/Edouard Bikes (top 10) rench motorcycle rider Pierre man Edwin Straver some days later as a Boulanger (FRA/FRA/Mini) +2:53 1. Ricky Brabec (USA/Honda) 2:17:02 Cherpin has died fi ve days af- result of his injuries. 4. /Michael Horn (FRA/ 2. Kevin Benavides (ARG/Honda) +2:17 ter crashing during the seventh Organisers said Cherpin was found SUI/Peugeot) +4:01 3. (AUT/Ktm) +4:13 stage of the Dakar Rally, organ- unconscious after being reached by 5. Vladimir Vasilyev/Dmitro Tsyro 4. Skyler Howes (USA/Ktm) +5:49 isersF said yesterday. the medical helicopter. (RUS/UKR/Mini) +5:36 5. Daniel Sanders (AUS/Ktm) +7:11 The 52-year-old amateur, who was After surgery he was airlifted from 6. Jakub Przygonski/Timo Göttschalk 6. Lorenzo Santolino (ESP/Sherco Fac- taking part unassisted in his fourth Sakaka to hospital in Jeddah, from (POL/GER/Toyota) +6:35 tory) +10:31 Dakar rally, had undergone neurosurgery where he was being fl own to the French 7. Sheikh Khalid al-Qassimi/Xavier 7. Joan Pedrero Garcia (ESP/Ktm) and was placed in a medically induced city of Lille. A two times fi nisher of the Panseri (UAE/FRA/Peugeot) +6:39 +10:40 coma after the crash in Saudi Arabia. event, that ended in Jeddah yesterday, 8. Brian Baragwanath/Taye Perry 8. Joaquim Rodrigues (POR/Hero) +12:18 “During his transfer by medical Cherpin had been 77th overall on the (RSA/RSA/Century) +6:39 9. Jaume Betriu (ESP/Ktm) +12:35 plane from Jeddah to France, Pierre eve of his accident. 9. Mathieu Serradori/Fabian Lurquin 10. Sebastian Bühler (GER/Hero) +13:06 Cherpin died from the injuries caused “I am an amateur, I don’t want to (FRA/BEL/Century) +6:51 by his fall during the seventh stage win but to discover landscapes that I 10. /Alex Haro Bravo Overall standings (top 3) from Ha’il to Sakaka on Jan. 10,” or- would never have had the opportunity (RSA/ESP/Toyota) +7:39 1. Kevin Benavides (ARG/Honda) ganisers said in a statement. to see otherwise,” he had said before 47:18:14 (penalty: 2:00) He was the fi rst fatality this year in the event. “Everything is exciting: rid- Overall standings (top 3) 2. Ricky Brabec (USA/Honda) +4:56 an event that has claimed many lives ing the bike, living out your passion, 1. Stephane Peterhansel/Edouard 3. Sam Sunderland (GBR/Ktm) +15:57 since the fi rst Paris-Dakar rally was getting to know yourself.” Pierre Cherpin (right) of France at the . (AFP/ASO) Gulf Times 2 Saturday, January 16, 2021 FOOTBALL

SPOTLIGHT Rooney ends playing career to become full-time Derby boss AFP tive performances.” Manchester United for £27mn ($37mn). London Rooney said he was “blown away” by “I think we have got the best young Derby’s potential when he arrived at the player this country has seen in the past club after a spell playing for DC United 30 years,” said Ferguson on the day he anchester United and Eng- in the United States. “To be given the splashed out a then world-record fee land great Wayne Rooney opportunity to follow the likes of Brian for a teenager. ended his illustrious play- Clough, Jim Smith, Frank Lampard and Rooney soon started paying that fee ing career yesterday to take is such an honour,” he said. back, scoring a hat-trick on his debut in Mup the job of managing Championship “And I can promise everyone in in- the Champions League against Fener- side Derby on a full-time basis. Derby volved in the club and all our fans, my bahce. The forward scored 253 goals for confi rmed the 35-year-old former for- staff and I will leave no stone unturned United, winning fi ve ward had agreed a permanent deal until in achieving the potential I have wit- titles and a Champions League med- 2023, having succeeded Phillip Cocu on nessed over the last 12 months of this al, all under Ferguson. He played 120 an interim basis in November. historic football club.” matches and scored 53 goals for the na- The club statement confi rmed that in Rooney, who captained Manchester tional side, appearing for the fi nal time accepting the manager’s role, Rooney United and England, hangs up his boots against the United States in 2018. He had “elected to call time on his illus- as the all-time leading goalscorer for rejoined Everton from United in 2017 trious playing career to fully focus on United and his country. He is also the but was at Goodison Park for just a year his job”. Rooney was in charge for nine second-highest goalscorer in Premier before moving to MLS side DC United. matches as interim boss at Derby, win- League history, with 208 goals. Rooney joined Derby in January 2020 ning three and drawing four. Rooney made his debut for boyhood as a player-coach and took caretaker “We are delighted to confi rm the club Everton in 2002 and shot to prom- charge when Cocu was sacked. appointment of Wayne Rooney as our inence by scoring a sensational goal to He will have a tough job on his hands new manager,” said Derby County chief beat then-champions Arsenal days be- despite his pedigree. Derby are cur- executive offi cer Stephen Pearce. “Our fore his 17th birthday. After an impres- rently in the Championship relegation recent upturn in results under Wayne sive showing for England at Euro 2004 zone but are level on 19 points with Wayne Rooney hangs up his boots as the all-time leading goalscorer for Manchester United and his country. He is also the was married together with some posi- he was signed by Alex Ferguson for Sheffi eld Wednesday, in 21st place. second-highest goalscorer in Premier League history – behind only Alan Shearer – with 208 goals. (AFP)

PREMIER LEAGUE FOCUS Premier League warns players to Liverpool’s Klopp laments avoid own goal over celebrations AFP London

Fernandes impact at United remier League goal cel- ebrations will be under intense scrutiny this United hold a three-point lead over Liverpool, a huge turnaround from their last trip to Anfield weekend after players Pwere reminded of their respon- AFP we’ve done in the training ground and sibility to set an example dur- Liverpool what the players are putting down every ing the coronavirus pandemic. single day. When football in England re- “We probably deserve to be where we started in June after the Cov- iverpool manager Jurgen Klopp are at at the moment but I don’t think id-19 shutdown, much was highlighted the arrival of Bruno many would have thought another word made of strict measures to limit Fernandes at Manchester United for it than an ‘upset’ if you go six weeks the spread of Covid-19. as the major force behind the back (and asked) if we beat Liverpool at But footballers are coming un- LRed Devils’ resurgence ahead of a top- Anfi eld. But we’re looking forward to der increasing pressure to tone of-the-table clash between the sides the game and hopefully we can cause down their celebrations with tomorrow. that upset.” the country in a third lockdown For the fi rst time since 1997 Liver- With points certain to be dropped by as authorities battle to contain pool and United sit fi rst and second in one of the title contenders at Anfi eld a highly infectious strain of the the Premier League ahead of a meet- this weekend, third placed Manchester virus. Lawmaker Julian Knight, ing between, historically, the two most City can climb back into the race. Ham- who chairs the House of Com- successful sides in English football. pered by Sergio Aguero’s prolonged mons Digital, Culture, Media United hold a three-point lead over the absence with a variety of injuries and and Sport committee, labelled reigning champions, a huge turnaround forced to deal with a debilitating coro- some of the scenes at matches from their last trip to Anfi eld a year ago navirus outbreak among his squad, Pep “brainless”, saying they gave out when Liverpool’s 2-0 win opened up a Guardiola has somehow steered Man- an “awful message”. 30-point gap between the two. chester City back into the title race. Even England’s deputy chief Fernandes arrived in Manchester City’s 1-0 win against Brighton on medical offi cer, Jonathan Van- from Sporting Lisbon nine days later Wednesday extended their unbeaten Tam, suggested footballers and United have not lost a domestic run to 14 games in all competitions and should avoid hugging and kiss- away game since. Unbeaten in 11 league left them just four points behind United ing to celebrate goals. Covid-19 games, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s men are with a game in hand. deaths in Britain currently stand challenging for the title for the fi rst time Manchester United’s Bruno With City hosting Crystal Palace at more than 87,000 — the worst since Alex Ferguson’s retirement as boss Fernandes. (Reuters) tomorrow before taking on Aston Vil- toll in Europe. in 2013. “He is an outstanding player,” la, West Bromwich Albion, Sheffi eld The Premier League sent out said Klopp of Fernandes, who won his United and Burnley in their next league new directives last week, includ- fourth player of the month trophy in games, the time is now for Guardiola’s ing demands players avoid high 2020 by picking up the award for De- men to take their move. fi ves and handshakes after they cember yesterday. City’s lack of goals this season — they have scored. Chief executive Ri- “Before he joined United we played have scored fewer than any other team chard Masters said the Premier already Sporting on the US tour (in in the top nine — could have been fa- League must set the “right ex- 2019) and in that game already you tal to their title hopes, but Guardiola’s ample”, while English Football could see ‘wow’. Obviously everybody oft-maligned defence has come to the League chief executive Trevor knew him. You could really see he was a rescue. Birch warned football would diff erence maker, that’s what he shows Fortifi ed by the arrival of Ruben Dias come under “extreme govern- now. He is settled, he’s a very infl uen- from Benfi ca and John Stones’ recent mental pressure” if players con- tial player for United, involved in a lot revival, City are much improved from tinued to fl out the rules. of things. People talk about the goal in- the back four that was routinely criti- The question is, how easy will volvements, but the link-up and other cised last season and now boast the it be to change the habits of a situations as well. He seems to be a league’s best defensive record. lifetime? Manchester City play- leader as well, so unfortunately a good ers crowded together after Phil signing for United.” FIXTURES (1500 GMT Foden scored the winner against Both clubs looks set to do battle UNLESS STATED) Brighton on Wednesday and in a title race for the fi rst time since Fulham players also hugged after Today: Wolves v West Brom (1230), 2008/09 when United emerged victo- got the points, they deserve the points chester United side are underdogs as he against the champions, they’ve got an their late equaliser against Tot- Leeds v Brighton, West Ham v Burnley, rious under Ferguson. However, Klopp they have so far, we have ours, and the target an “upset” against Liverpool at amazing record at Anfi eld in the league. tenham. claimed victory against the league lead- season there is still a long way to go. We Anfi eld. Solskjaer believes this side are They haven’t lost for many, many years Fulham v Chelsea (1730), Leicester v But Harry Kane was more ers is sweet enough on its own without just try to win football games and to do the underdogs despite their lofty posi- so of course it’s a great test for us. Can (2000) muted in his celebrations after drawing too many conclusions on the this we need to perform on our highest tion. we go there and cause an upset?” Tomorrow: Sheff ield United v Tot- he opened the scoring against impact it could have come the end of level because United are a good team. “The next one is always the biggest, Asked if United beating Liverpool tenham (1400), Liverpool v Manches- Fulham, exchanging fi st bumps the season. They always were and that’s it.” it’s always the most important,” said would really be an upset, the Norwegian ter United (1630), Manchester City v with teammates instead. City “Winning against United is enough the United manager. “Being, of course, said: “If you look at the last few seasons, Crystal Palace (1915) boss warned on where we’re in the league, that just I think it would be an upset and it would itself. That’s all we have to think about,” SOLSKJAER TARGETING Monday: Arsenal v Newcastle (2000) yesterday against scapegoating he added. “There is no extra add on be- ‘UPSET’ WIN AT LIVERPOOL gives us more confi dence and it’s an in- be a shock. Our position at the moment players over their goal celebra- cause of the situation they are in. They Meanwhile, Solskjaer insists his Man- dication of where we’re at. But the game is a product of all the hard work that Postponed: Aston Villa v Everton tions.

MATCH REPORT ‘Fatigued’ Arsenal frustrated in goalless draw against Crystal Palace AFP period when we gave the ball away too tute last weekend. But Kiernan Tierney Tyrick Mitchell. London much. We are playing a lot of games and was absent with muscle tightness and James Tomkins was inches away from you can see fatigue. Many players aren’t the Gunners missed the Scotland left- giving Roy Hodgson’s men the lead fresh. We lacked the quality in the fi nal back’s busy presence. “Tierney is a real as the Palace defender got above Rob ikel Arteta admitted Ar- third to win the game.” threat and the way we attack on the left Holding to glance his header against senal were suff ering from Arsenal sit in 11th place, eight points is really important but he is injured and the bar from Eberechi Eze’s free-kick. fatigue after their recent adrift of the Champions League places we have to fi nd a solution. He will have Arsenal were struggling to get out of revival ground to a halt in a as they continue to pay the rice for their an MRI scan tomorrow,” Arteta said. their own half and Bernd Leno had to Mscrappy 0-0 draw against Crystal Pal- worst start to a season since 1974-75. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has make a superb save to repel Benteke’s ace on Thursday night. Arteta’s side Just before Christmas, Arsenal were endured a diffi cult season and, once header from Mitchell’s cross. had won their previous four matches only four points above the relegation again, Arsenal’s captain was a diffi - Arteta’s half-time team talk seemed in all competitions, but they were for- zone, so their current position 12 points dent fi gure. The Gabon forward briefl y like it might have the desired eff ect tunate extend their unbeaten run to away from the bottom three aff ords sparked into life and tested Vicente and Hector Bellerin drilled just wide fi ve games. Palace were unable to con- Arteta some much-needed breathing Guaita with a fi erce strike that was par- from the edge of the area in the open- vert several fi rst half chances at the space. But this disjointed display un- ried by the Palace keeper. ing minute of the second half. Arsenal Emirates Stadium and, although Ar- derlined the attacking fl aws that have But Palace were fi nding their feet on threatened again as Bukayo Saka forced senal improved after the interval, they stopped Arsenal building on last sea- a wet evening and Granit Xhaka had to Guaita to block at the near post before missed a chance to climb into the top son’s FA Cup triumph. Palace have only make a perfectly timed sliding tackle to Alexandre Lacazette blasted into the half of the Premier League. “I wanted won one of their past eight matches in stop Wilfried Zaha getting a shot away side-netting after a fl owing move. to see a win and a few goals but we were all competitions and are one point be- after the forward slalomed into the Arteta sent on Nicolas Pepe and fatigued. I cannot fault the spirit but it hind Arsenal in 13th. penalty area. Palace broke through the Thomas Partey, back after a month out wasn’t enough,” Arteta said. Emile Smith-Rowe, Arsenal’s prom- Arsenal defence again when Christian with a thigh injury. But the expected “We created a lot of situations ising young midfi elder, started after Arsenal’s Hector Bellerin (left) vies for the ball with Crystal Palace’s James Benteke scooped his shot wastefully push never came and Palace were able against the low block but there was a scoring against Newcastle as a substi- McArthur during the Premier League match in London on Thursday. (AFP) over from 10 yards after good work by to keep the misfi ring Gunners at bay. Gulf Times Saturday, January 16, 2021 3 FOOTBALL

SPOTLIGHT Auckland withdraw from Club World Cup over Covid Zurich: FIFA was yesterday and security protocol provid- informed by Auckland City FC ing the safeguards required to that, in light of the Covid-19 protect the health and safety pandemic and related quaran- of everyone involved in the face Barca tine measures required by the competition. New Zealand authorities, the Following the withdrawal of club will be unable to partici- Auckland City, the FIFA Club pate in the FIFA Club World Cup World Cup 2020 will be con- 2020 in Qatar. tested by Al Duhail SC, Al Ahly, Despite FIFA’s regular Bayern , Ulsan Hyundai, exchanges with the club, New Tigres and the winners of the Zealand Football and the OFC in CONMEBOL Libertadores final in Super Cup fi nal recent days, the requirements scheduled for 30 January. The of the New Zealand authori- first-round match will no longer ties in relation to isolation and take place and Al Duhail SC will quarantine go beyond FIFA’s begin the competition in the remit and, therefore, it was not second round. The competi- possible to reach a solution. tion format remains otherwise FIFA said together with the unchanged. The draw to finalise Qatari authorities, will imple- the pairings will take place in aft er ousting Real ment a comprehensive medical Zurich on 19 January. ‘We are 90 minutes from winning a title. It would be amazing to achieve that’ BUNDESLIGA Flick under pressure as Bayern take on in-form Freiburg

AFP tendon. In his absence, Emre Berlin Can is expected to partner Tho- mas Delaney in the defensive midfi eld. undesliga leaders Bayern After wins over top-six clubs Munich host in-form Wolfsburg and Leipzig, Dort- Freiburg tomorrow un- mund want a home win over bot- der pressure to bounce tom side Mainz to help trim the Bback from consecutive defeats fi ve-point gap behind Bayern. “It including their shock midweek was a very good step in Leipzig, German Cup exit. but it won’t do us any good if we Freiburg are on a club record don’t build on it,” said Dortmund fi ve-game winning streak in the coach Edin Terzic. league while Bayern are licking Leipzig want to be the fi rst their wounds after crashing out team this season to win at Wolfs- of the German Cup to second- burg today. “Whether Bayern division Holstein Kiel in a pen- are currently weak or not has no alty shoot-out. “The team will eff ect on us,” said Leipzig head now have to show the coach that coach Julian Nagelsmann. “Af- what happened was a hiccup,” ter defeat against Dortmund, we Bayern chairman Karl-Heinz want to keep our good position in Rummenigge said. the league — that is only possible It was the fi rst time for 20 with a win,” he added. years that Bayern have exited the Third-placed Bayer cup in the second round to a club Leverkusen are at Union Berlin outside the Bundesliga and ends on Friday without new signing any potential repeat of last year’s Timothy Fosu-Mensah as the ’s Raul Garcia (third right) celebrates with teammates after scoring during the Spanish Super Cup semi-final against Real Madrid in Malaga. (AFP) treble haul. The shock defeat left ex-Manchester United defender Bayern coach Hansi Flick know- is quarantined after completing AFP Real Madrid and Barcelona.” pitch following the goalless draw at Os- Vazquez gave the ball away cheaply, al- ing the European champions his transfer from the UK. Madrid Real coach was defi - asuna. Cancelled fl ights meant Madrid’s lowing Raul Garcia to fi nish past Courtois “must do better” having also Matthew Hoppe is one to ant in defeat. “It is not a failure,” he said. players were unable to leave and then Madrid’s full-back dragged In- thrown away a two-goal lead in watch out for this weekend. The “You can’t win every game.” until Monday, forced to fl y straight to igo Martinez down at the back post after last Friday’s 3-2 league loss at Schalke teenager became the eal Madrid suff ered a shock de- Messi is touch and go to be fi t for the Malaga without returning home. letting him sneak in behind him. Moenchengaldbach. fi rst American to score a Bundes- feat in the Spanish Super Cup fi nal, after missing Wednesday’s pen- But even Zidane admitted on Wednes- Raul Garcia drove the penalty into the “That’s their right,” Flick said liga hat-trick in last Saturday's on Thursday night as Athletic alty shoot-out victory over day that four days preparation was top corner and Bilbao might have been concerning the displeasure of his 4-0 win at Hoff enheim. The win Bilbao pulled off a 2-1 victory in with a muscle problem, although even enough and there was little to suggest three up had Iker Muniain fi nished off a superiors, “they are the ones who lifted Schalke off the bottom of RMalaga to reach tomorrow’s fi nal against without their captain, Barcelona will be concern from his line-up given it was fl owing move by heading in, instead of are in charge at Bayern Munich. the table, but they are six points Barcelona. Raul Garcia scored twice in strong favourites. Bilbao, though, should his full-strength team, the same core of wide of the post. Madrid were better after “We have to immediately get short of escaping the bottom the fi rst half, the second a penalty, and take huge confi dence from an excellent players that has driven their resurgence the interval, with lively. back on track,” he added fi rmly. three. while Karim Benzema pulled one back for performance at La Rosaleda in what was since October. He hit the post from an Eden Hazard Flick is under pressure from Today, Schalke are away to the defending champions, Bilbao held on only their second game under Marcelino, “Our start to the game was diffi cult,” pull-back and then the crossbar with a all sides. Working as a TV pun- Eintracht Frankfurt, who have to complete a statement win under their who replaced the sacked Gaizka Garitano said Zidane afterwards. “The fi rst half swerving shot from distance. dit, former Bayern midfi elder signed Luka Jovic on loan back new coach Marcelino Garcia Toral. earlier this month. was not good. They had two chances and The pressure told when Fede Valderde’s Bastian Schweinsteiger has criti- from Real Madrid after the Ser- Bilbao were beaten 3-2 by Barca in La They were also up against a Madrid scored two goals. In the second part we cross was nodded back for Benzema to tap cised the tactic of defending high bian striker struggled to adapt Liga only last week, with team that had been unbeaten since De- changed the picture, we improved and in, leaving Madrid with just over 10 min- up the pitch. “It’s unnecessary in Spain. Likewise, Schalke are scoring twice at San Mames, yet they will cember 1, even if a chaotic weekend created chances.” utes to fi nd an equaliser. in my eyes, then you shouldn’t reportedly in talks with Klaas- get another shot at Ronald Koeman’s side caused by the heavy snowstorm in Spain Raul Garcia was sent off after 13 min- Benzema thought he had it but the fl ag complain if your opponent plays Jan Huntelaar, 37, who they want this weekend, with a trophy up for grabs might have had lasting eff ects on players’ utes when Real Madrid beat Bilbao in the was up for off side before the right ball” behind the de- to sign on loan from Ajax. The in . “We are 90 minutes from win- minds and bodies. Zidane insisted he was league last month but this time he had headed wide and Vinicius Junior curled fence, Schweinsteiger said. Dutch striker scored 126 goals ning a title,” said Marcelino. “It would be not making excuses on Saturday when he two goals in the fi rst half, each coming over in a frantic late surge that Bilbao Despite defeat at Gladbach, in 240 appearances for the Royal amazing, and even better to do it beating criticised the state of the snow-dusted after a mistake by Lucas Vazquez. First, survived. Bayern keep their two-point lead Blues from 2010-17. in the table as Borussia Dort- mund were the only top six club FIXTURES (ALL TIMES PREMIER LEAGUE FOCUS to win last weekend with a 3-1 1430GMT UNLESS STATED) victory at second-placed RB Today: Borussia Dortmund v Leipzig. Erling Braut Haaland Mainz 05, Hoff enheim v Arminia scored twice at Leipzig to prove Mourinho casts doubt on Barcelona presidential he is over a hip injury, while Eng- Bielefeld, Wolfsburg v RB land winger Jadon Sancho has Leipzig, Cologne v Hertha Berlin, scored in his last two games. Werder Bremen v Augsburg, Bale’s future at Tottenham elections postponed due At home to Mainz today, v Borussia Moencheng- fourth-placed Dortmund are ladbach (1730) without Belgium midfi elder Axel Tomorrow: Bayern Munich v to Covid restrictions Witsel, who could be sidelined Freiburg, Eintracht Frankfurt v for months by a torn Achilles Schalke (1700) AFP the possibility of modifying the cur- Madrid rent sports legislation in order to en- able voting by post on the new date of the elections, a request that the Gov- arcelona announced yes- ernment has undertaken to study.” terday that the club’s presi- , Victor Font and Toni dential elections have been Freixa are the three candidates who postponed after a rise in will stand, after each gained the re- coronavirusB cases prompted heavy quired number of signatures from restrictions in the region. The elec- club members. Laporta and Font are tions were set for January 24 but the considered the two favourites to win. Catalonian government told the club Laporta was Barca president be- yesterday morning that exceptions to tween 2003 and 2010, overseeing Reuters of discussion.” the rules would not be made to allow the appointment of Pep Guardiola London Bale has started only one Premier League people to vote. as coach and his hugely successful game this season and was an unused sub- The delay means Barcelona will fi rst two years in charge. Laporta also stitute in the 1-1 draw with Fulham this not have a new regime in charge for claims to enjoy a close relationship ottenham Hotspur manager Jose week. He has started six of the club’s Eu- the last week of the January transfer with Messi and insists the Argentin- Mourinho said he has not had “one ropa League ties though. Mourinho said window while Lionel Messi’s future ian can be persuaded to stay. second” of discussion about the it was “step by step” in trying to get the is set to remain unresolved for a while Font, meanwhile, has framed him- possibility of Gareth Bale extend- best out of the 31-year-old and was coy longer. Messi’s contract expires at the self as the candidate for the future, Ting his loan spell beyond the end of the sea- on whether or not Bale would be involved end of June, when he could leave the although he has also been clear Messi son. Welshman Bale’s return to Tottenham against Sheffi eld United. “I don’t know. club for free, having failed in an at- signing a new contract would be a on loan from Real Madrid was greeted with I didn’t make a decision yet, let’s wait,” tempt to secure an exit last summer. priority. Font has been keen to em- great excitement but his impact has been Mourinho said. A new date has not been set for the phasise his close ties with Her- minimal and he has spent most of his time Sixth-placed Tottenham are desperately elections but the club said in a state- nandez, the club’s former midfi elder on the bench. in need of three points tomorrow to re- ment it would ask the Catalonian touted as a potential replacement for Asked about Bale’s future yesterday, ignite their top-four challenge after pick- government to allow people to vote Ronald Koeman as coach. ahead of his side’s Premier League clash ing up only one win in their last six league by post. The statement read: “For Laporta, Font and Freixa are bid- with Sheffi eld United on Sunday, Mour- games. its part, the club has understood the ding to succeed Josep Maria Bar- inho off ered up no hints regarding Bale’s Sheffi eld United are bottom of the table impossibility of holding elections on tomeu, who brought his turbulent situation. “There was not even a second but picked up their fi rst win of the season the scheduled date due to mobility tenure as president to an end in Oc- of discussion about that,” Mourinho told against Newcastle United in midweek and restrictions decreed by the Catalan tober, following mounting pressure reporters. “Gareth is a player on loan un- Mourinho has warned his players against Government in the current context from fans and his public falling out til the end of the season. Not one second reading anything into their league posi- of pandemic, which is why the date of with Messi. of discussion. We are speaking about, of tion. “If in our mind we’re going to play the the elections must be delayed. After a dismal year on the pitch, course, Gareth, himself, Real Madrid, Tot- worst team in the Premier League we’re go- “In this sense, the club has asked Barca fans will hope a new president tenham, but I promise you, not one second ing to be in big trouble,” he said. the Catalan Government to evaluate brings a fresh start. Bayern Munich manager Hansi Flick. Gulf Times 4 Saturday, January 16, 2021 SPORT

HATHAB QFA not to allow Qatar players for club duty Haidan wins Medium aft er April 30

Doha: Mansoor al-Ansari, Secretary-General of the Qatar Football Association (QFA), said yesterday that Qatar players will not appear Tour in a close contest for their clubs on any local or continental competitions after April 30, 2021. Haidan and D Saucedo top the 36-combination field in a fastest time of 36.67 seconds The decision has been announced keeping on view By Sports Reporter Qatar’s commitments in the Doha summer this year. This deci- sion comes on the recom- mendation of the National ohamed Saeed Haidan Teams Administration after put on an excellent round the recent meetings with the astride 11-year-old stal- Competitions Committee, lion D Saucedo to clinch the which was approved by the MMedium Tour title during the eighth Executive Off ice of QFA. round of the Longines Qatar Equestrian The secretary-general of Tour Hathab supported by The Social & QFA stated that this step Sport Contribution Fund yesterday. of setting deadlines for At the Qatar Equestrian Federation’s international players has outdoor arena, Haidan and D Saucedo been decided in the interest topped the 36-combination fi eld with a of Qatar national team that fastest time of 36.67 seconds. The pair will be getting ready for Copa narrowly beat Cyrine Cherif and nine- America in June and July fol- year-old stallion Brennus Villelongue, lowed by the Gold Cup in the who missed out on top spot 0.29 sec- US in July and August. onds. Just 0.03 seconds behind was In the coming months, Nasser al-Ghazali on Hurry Up, but the Qatar will also appear in Eu- rider had to be content with third spot. ropean qualifiers for the 2022 The team tour title was won by Lusail, FIFA World Cup to be held in with Mubarak Yousuf al-Rumaihi and Qatar. Al-Ansari also informed Mohamed Nasser al-Qadi coming for a that a letter from the Asian winning total of 164.77. Team Salam In- Football Confederation has ternational fi nished second, followed by confirmed that the AFC Business Trading Company. Champions League matches Earlier, Haidan had fi nished second will be held from April 14-30. in the Small Tour behind winner Saeed Nasser al-Qadi. In the 52-combination fi eld, al-Qadi on Best Of Des Forets fi n- Saeed Nasser al-Qadi won the Small Tour class with Best Of Des Forets. ished in a time of 49.53 seconds. Haidan came home in 49.85 seconds with Quick 82.54 & 36.96 secs, QR6,000 Nasser al-Qadi, Ghanim Nasser al-Qadi, Step. In third place was Mohammed 3. Nasser al-Ghazali (Hurry Up) 86.28 & Hamad Nasser al-Qadi) Total time: Nasser al-Qadi on Vlacido in a time 36.99 secs, QR4,500 179.30 secs. 50.09 seconds. Small Tour | Accumulator with Joker, Results Medium Tour Teams. Prize Money: QR30,000. Art. 269.5 | 100/115cm | Prize Money. Medium Tour | Table A, One round QR20.000 against the clock with jump off , Art. 1. Lusail (Mubarak Yousuf al-Rumaihi, 1. Saeed Nasser al-Qadi (Best Of Des 238.2.2 | 120/135cm. Prize Money: Mohamed Nasser al-Qadi), Total Time: Forets), Time: 49.53 seconds QR30,000 164.77 secs 2. Mohamed Saeed Haidan (Quick 1. Mohamed Saeed Haidan (D Saucedo); 2. Salam International (Jaber Rashid Step), 49.85 seconds Time: 83.43 & 36.67 seconds; Prize Mohamed Saeed Haidan astride 11-year-old stallion D Saucedo in action during al-Amri, Faleh Suwead al-Ajami) Total money: QR7,500 the eighth round of the Longines Qatar Equestrian Tour Hathab supported by The Time: 174.32 secs 3. Mohamed Nasser al-Qadi (Vlacido) 50.09 seconds 2. Cyrine Cherif (Brennus Villelongue) Social & Sport Contribution Fund at the Qatar Equestrian Federation yesterday. 3. Business Trading Company (Saeed

LIGUE 1 Pochettino tests positive for Ramsey fi nally fi nding his feet at Juve Reuters Covid-19, to miss Angers game Agencies Paris aron Ramsey struggled to impose himself at Juventus following his dream move from Arsenal in 2019, ew Paris St Germain but he is fi nally proving what he manager Mauricio canA do in Italy as the Turin club continue Pochettino has tested their march back up the Serie A standings. positive for Covid-19 Ramsey, who joined Juventus following a Nand will miss the today’s game teary departure from Arsenal after 10 years against Angers as he goes into at the north London club, proved an unlikely Juventus’ self-isolation, the French Ligue 1 hero last Sunday when his 82nd-minute Aaron Ramsey (left). club said yesterday. strike put them 2-1 ahead against a dogged (AFP) Pochettino’s assistants Jesus Sassuolo. Perez and Miguel D’Agostino are Their eventual 3-1 win kept them seven set to take charge of the squad for points behind leaders AC Milan, having today’s league encounter. “Paris played one game fewer, and four off second- smart player. Unfortunately we have only weekend, arriving right on cue in the pen- Saint-Germain manager Mauri- placed Inter Milan, who Juve face in the San had him at 100% on a few occasions. I hope alty area as he so often did at Arsenal, will cio Pochettino has tested posi- Siro tomorrow. that day by day we can have him back to his help him kick on. tive for Sars-Cov2 after a PCR While Juve, who are chasing a 10th best as he is an important player for me and There is still a long way to go in the sea- test. He will now be in isolation straight title, have not been their usual im- this club.” son, but tomorrow’s clash at the is a and follow the appropriate medi- perious selves this season, four wins in their Injuries plagued Ramsey’s spell at Arsenal crucial one for Pirlo, who has much to prove cal advice,” the club said. last fi ve league games, including a 3-1 suc- in the Premier League, and his fi rst year at in his fi rst season as a senior coach. A defeat Pochettino, who was ap- cess at AC Milan last week, have propelled Juventus in 2019-20 was no diff erent as he tomorrow would leave Juve seven points pointed earlier this month and Andrea Pirlo’s side back up the table. started just 11 league games. This season, behind Inter, and a loss coupled with an replaced sacked German man- ’s goals have of course Ramsey has seen more regular fi rst-team AC Milan win at Cagliari on Monday would ager Thomas Tuchel, claimed his been pivotal to their revival, but several oth- action, but it is in the last fi ve games that the leave the champions 10 points off top. fi rst piece of silverware in only er players have found their form in recent Welshman has really stepped up. With Milan having lost only once all sea- his third game in charge when weeks. Paulo Dybala and Federico Chiesa The only game in that run in which Ram- son, overcoming such a gap would not be PSG won the French Super Cup have also impressed, but Ramsey has caught sey did not feature for more than an hour easy. Ronaldo’s goals will be crucial, but on Wednesday. Defending league the eye of boss Pirlo. “Ramsey has been a was Juve’s 3-0 defeat to Fiorentina. Ramsey others will have to chip in, and Ramsey, fi t champions PSG are a point be- are a point better off than both Dijon was cancelled yesterday revelation to me,” Pirlo said last month. has made two assists in his last three starts, and fi nding some form, could make a big hind leaders Olympique Lyon- the capital side and Lille in third. after a Covid-19 outbreak in the “I had no idea he was such a good and and scoring his fi rst goal of the season last impact. nais at the halfway stage of the With Lyon not playing Metz un- Breton side. The postponement season. Three PSG players had til tomorrow, a win for Paris will of tomorrow’s game is the fi rst in already tested positive for the take them back to top of the ta- Ligue 1 since Marseille’s meeting ROUND-UP virus in the last week — Brazil- ble, at least for one night. with Nice on November 17 was ian Rafi nha, German player Thilo Mauro Icardi, is the player called off . Kehrer and French youth inter- to watch this weekend. Icardi Under protocols agreed at the national Colin Dagba. had played fi ve minutes in three beginning of September, match- Ibrahimovic planning on extending Milan stay PSG are fresh from beating months before coming off the es are postponed if a team does espite turning 40 this year, Zlatan played for Juventus, Inter Milan and his Demba Seck cross with Marseille 2-1 in Lens in midweek bench to score for PSG as they not have 20 players with negative Ibrahimovic is thinking about current side between 2004 and 2012, but volleying in the second just before the hour to win the Champions Trophy, beat Brest 3-0 last weekend. tests available. Lorient also con- extending his stay at AC Milan the Swede insists he picked Milan for a against their rivals who are fi fth in Serie A. the traditional curtain-raiser That earned him a start in fi rmed that their training centre beyond this season with talks reason. SPAL will face Juventus on January 26 af- to the French season moved to midweek against Marseille, when would close for a minimum of plannedD over a new contract, the Swede “I chose Milan because it was the most ter the former 13-time winners beat Genoa the middle of winter as a conse- he scored the opener, crashed 10 days after positive tests from said yesterday. Ibrahimovic joined Milan diffi cult challenge,” Ibrahimovic added. 3-2 on Wednesday after the match went to quence of the coronavirus pan- a shot off the bar and then won youth players and management. in December 2019, and signed a one-year “With all due respect, I see Atalanta in the extra time. demic’s impact on football. PSG the decisive late penalty con- There are fears that the virus extension last summer to carry on in Serie A Champions League and Milan not — I have In-form Atalanta also advanced 3-1 past have claimed back-to-back wins verted by . The Argentine may have spread after the Lori- for another season in 2020-21. come to change this situation.” Cagliari, to set up a meeting with either under Pochettino after drawing looked overweight and sluggish ent youngsters played a recent Injury has disrupted Ibrahimovic’s cam- Lazio or Parma. at Saint-Etienne in his fi rst game for much of 2020 and spent most friendly against Nantes. Lorient paign, but that has not deterred the veteran SPAL BOOK ITALIAN CUP QUARTERS Cagliari goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario at the helm. The return of Ney- of the fi rst half of this season in- sit 19th in Ligue 1, are winless in striker from believing he can still compete CLASH WITH JUVENTUS pulled off a string of saves for the Sardin- mar as a substitute after a month jured, or sidelined after a positive fi ve two and are points and one in one of Europe’s top leagues into his 40s side SPAL shocked top-fl ight Sas- ians before Luis Muriel set up Aleksei out was signifi cant, as the world’s coronavirus test. Now he has a place behind Dijon. after a return of 10 Serie A goals from just suolo 2-0 on Thursday to advance to the Miranchuk to fi re in the opener just before most expensive player came off new look off the pitch, sporting a six starts this season. quarter-fi nals of the Italian Cup where they the break. the bench to score a crucial late beret everywhere he goes, and on FIXTURES (KICK-OFFS GMT) “As long as I’m fi ne, I’ll go on,” Ibra- next take on Juventus. SPAL are the only re- Riccardo Sottil got Cagliari back level the fi eld he suddenly looks sharp penalty against Marseille. Today: Marseille v Nimes (1600), himovic said in an interview with Italian maining Serie B side left in the competition after 55 minutes slotting in from an angle They are minor changes again and ready to fi ght with newspaper Corriere dello Sport. after holders Napoli beat second-division after a solo run through the Atalanta de- Angers v Paris Saint-Germain and it remains to be seen how Moise Kean for a place up front. “My contract expires in June and we’ll leaders Empoli 3-2 on Wednesday. fence. (2000) PSG shape up by the time their talk about it. I didn’t want to get trapped In the clash between two sides from The Bergamo side went ahead again fi ve Champions League last 16, fi rst LORIENT’S DIJON GAME Tomorrow: Brest v Rennes in dead-end situations or even trap my Emilia-Romagna, Sassuolo played the minutes later with Robin Gosens setting up leg against Barcelona comes CANCELLED DUE TO (1200), Lorient v Dijon, Nantes v club. That’s why I signed up for six months second half a man down after Filip Djuricic Muriel for his 13th goal this season, with around in mid-February. In the COVID-19 CLUSTER FORCES Lens, Nice v Bordeaux, Stras- on arrival and then renewed. I am for the was sent off just after the break for fouling Croatian Bosko Sutalo adding a third off a meantime Neymar could now Meanwhile, relegation threat- bourg v Saint-Etienne (all 1400), freedom of choice.” . corner three minutes later. Roma play Spe- start today in Angers as PSG look ened Lorient’s home game Lille v Reims (1600), Lyon v Metz Eyebrows were raised when Ibrahimovic SPAL took the lead just after Djuricic’s zia next Tuesday with the winner going on to pile the pressure on Lyon, who against fellow Ligue 1 strugglers (2000) returned to Serie A, where he had already exit with fi nishing off a to play Napoli in the quarter-fi nals. Gulf Times Saturday, January 16, 2021 5 SPORT

NBA FOCUS NFL’s generation No Harden, no games as Brady, Brees ready problem as Wood playoff duel

AFP Buffalo Bills or the Baltimore Los Angeles, United States Ravens. The Ravens travel to Buff alo on Saturday in a game that pits om Brady and Drew two more members of the NFL’s fuels Rockets win Brees go head-to-head new generation of quarterbacks while young guns Patrick against each other, with the Bills’ Mahomes and Baker Josh Allen (24) facing the Ravens’ ‘We have the Mamba mentality... means everybody is thinking, has a lot to prove’ TMayfi eld renew their rivalry as reigning MVP Lamar Jackson, the NFL playoff s showcase two also 24. AFP generations of quarterback tal- But if the AFC is no country Los Angeles, United States ent tomorrow. for old men, the NFC side of the After a thrilling series of wild playoff s is, with the exception of card games, eight teams head the Los Angeles Rams’ 26-year- he Houston Rockets put this into the divisional round this old Jared Goff , a veritable senior week’s franchise-altering trade in weekend aiming to book a place citizens outing. the rear view mirror on Thursday in the AFC and NFC Champion- When Tampa Bay Buccaneers night as they kicked off their post- ships where Super Bowl berths quarterback Brady takes the fi eld JamesT Harden era with a gutsy comeback will be at stake. against New Orleans Saints op- NBA win over the San Antonio Spurs. In the AFC, the top seeds and posite number and fellow forty- Journeyman Christian Wood scored a reigning Super Bowl champion something Brees, a combined team high 27 points and had 15 rebounds the Kansas City Chiefs make four decades worth of NFL expe- for the Rockets in a 109-105 win over the their postseason bow after a bye rience will be on view. Spurs a day after Houston sent shock- week with a home game against Six-time Super Bowl cham- waves through the NBA when they trad- the Cleveland Browns at Arrow- pion Brady made light of the two ed three time league scoring champion head Stadium. quarterbacks’ advanced years Harden to the Brooklyn Nets as part of a It is only the second NFL this week, posting a mocked up mammoth multi-team deal. meeting between Chiefs signal- graphic that suggested Sunday’s Sterling Brown delivered 23 points and caller Mahomes and Browns game at the Superdome would be Jae’Sean Tate had 13 points and 10 assists counterpart Mayfi eld, who head better suited for television’s His- for short-handed Houston, who were an exciting crop of young quar- tory Channel. coming off back-to-back blowout losses terbacks that have lit up the NFL at home to the Los Angeles Lakers. in recent seasons. FOUR-DECADE RIVALRY Asked what the feeling was like in the Mahomes and Mayfi eld’s ri- “Tom and I have a friendship and Rockets’ dressing room one day after the valry began before their respec- mutual respect. We were tex- blockbuster deal, Wood correlated it to tive NFL careers however. In ting back and forth on Monday, the never give up mindset of the late Lak- 2016, the two tyros combined in chuckling at this whole scenar- ers superstar Kobe Bryant. a high-scoring college football io,” said Brees. “We have the Mamba mentality. That classic, when Mayfi eld’s Oklaho- “He’s 43, I turn 42 on Friday, means everybody is thinking, everybody ma Sooners defeated Mahomes’s so that’s 85 years and a lot of has a lot to prove,” Wood said. “We are Texas Tech by an eye-popping football experience that’s gonna all dogs out there. It starts with DeMar- 66-59 scoreline. be on the fi eld on Sunday.” cus (Cousins) to me. Everybody wants to come out and play hard.” The blockbuster trade came less than 24 hours after the disgruntled Harden declared that the Rockets were “not even close, honestly” to the league’s top com- petition. Wood is with his sixth team in fi ve NBA seasons since turning pro with the Phila- Christian Wood (left) of the Houston Rockets shoots over LaMarcus Aldridge of the San Antonio Spurs during the NBA game at AT&T delphia 76ers in 2015. Houston signed Center in San Antonio, Texas, United States, on Thursday. (AFP) him in November to a three-year deal af- ter he played 62 games with the Detroit away to seal the win for the Rockets. CJ McCollum and Damian Lillard each Pistons last season. RESULTS In Portland, Domantas Sabonis had 23 scored 22 points for the Trail Blazers. “My life long dream is to play in this points and 15 rebounds to lead the visit- Nurkic, of Bosnia-Herzegovina, headed league,” Wood said. “Me being cut shows Denver 114-104 Golden State ing Indiana Pacers to a 111-87 win over the to the dressing room in the third quarter my resilience. I was tired of being cut. Houston 109-105 San Antonio Trail Blazers, who lost centre Jusuf Nur- holding his right wrist and the Blazers I was tired of being waived. I just had to Philadelphia 125-108 Miami kic with a broken wrist. later announced he suff ered a fracture. keep going. Malcolm Brogdon added 25 points and Elsewhere, Chris Boucher matched his “Every single night I have to come out Toronto 111-108 Charlotte seven assists for the Pacers, who im- career best with 25 points and added 10 and think I am the best player.” Indiana 111-87 Portland proved to 4-1 on the road and snapped an rebounds as the Toronto Raptors held off Mayfi eld, 25, threw for 545 It is the latest instalment of a Wood made his Rockets’ debut in De- 11-game losing skid in Portland. the Charlotte Hornets 111-108. yards and seven touchdowns in rivalry that has spanned four dif- cember, tallying 31 points, 13 rebounds after being outscored 52-45 over the sec- In Philadelphia, Shake Milton scored a that epic win; Mahomes fi nished ferent decades — the two quar- and three assists in a thrilling 128-126 ond and third quarters. NURKIC INJURED season-high 31 points off the bench, To- with a record 819 passing and terbacks fi rst met in 1999 as col- overtime loss to Portland. Spurs star DeMar DeRozan’s shot as Indiana built a 25 point lead in the second bias Harris added 18 and the Philadelphia rushing yards. lege players. Thursday’s win was just as entertain- the clock was winding down bounced quarter and held a double-digit cushion 76ers rolled over the depleted Miami Heat “We had to score every single In seven regular season NFL ing as the Rockets held on for the victory twice on the rim before falling harmlessly the rest of the way. 125-108. drive in the second half to win games since, Brees leads the ri- that game,” Mayfi eld recalled valry 5-2 — including two wins this week. this season in the NFC South. NHL “It was an unbelievable game Sunday’s game may well turn and unbelievable atmosphere. out to be the last meeting be- Just the back and forth is some- tween the two men, who are one thing that I will not forget.” and two on the NFL’s all-time Marchand propels Bruins past Devils in shootout While a similarly high-scoring passing yards and completions encounter is unlikely on Sunday, standings. Reuters the Chiefs and Browns do how- Brees is expected to head into New York, United States ever possess two of the most po- retirement after this season, while tent off enses in the league. Brady plans to play on for at least one more year with the Bucs. rad Marchand opened ‘COOL TO PLAY HIM’ The winner of the Bucs-Saints the scoring, assisted on Cleveland advanced to the di- clash will advance to a meeting Boston’s other regula- visional round by rattling up 48 with either the Green Bay Pack- tion goal and scored the points in an upset of the Pitts- ers or Los Angeles Rams, who onlyB goal of the shootout Thurs- burgh Steelers last weekend, meet at Lambeau Field today. day night as the Bruins edged while the Chiefs have averaged The top-seeded Packers will the New Jersey Devils 3-2 in the just under 30 points per game look to their own future Hall-of- season opener for both teams in this season. Fame quarterback to shepherd Newark, New Jersey. The 25-year-old Mahomes them through to the NFC Cham- Marchand, the Bruins’ third meanwhile is looking forward pionship game, the 37-year-old shooter, fi red a shot beneath the to locking horns with Mayfi eld Aaron Rodgers, the front runner right leg of Mackenzie Black- once more. for this year’s MVP award. wood as the Bruins improved to “It’s cool to get to play against Rodgers is chasing a second Su- 3-1-0 in season openers under him in such a big game in the per Bowl ring a decade after lead- head coach Bruce Cassidy. playoff s and everything like ing the packers to the Vince Lom- that,” Mahomes said. bardi Trophy in 2011, and has been “I’ve known him for a long in scintillating form this season as RESULTS time, since I was a senior in high the Packers have averaged more Oilers 5-2 Canucks school. He got the better of me in than 31 points per game. college. I’ll try to do my best to Green Bay’s multi-faceted of- Islanders 4-0 Rangers win in the NFL.” fense however will face a search- Capitals 6-4 Sabres The winner of tomorrow’s ing examination from the Rams, Jets 4-3 Flames clash in Kansas City will ad- whose rampant defense helped (OT) vance to an AFC Champion- deliver a 30-20 upset of the Seat- ship meeting against either the tle Seahawks last weekend. Bruins 3-2 Devils (SO) Wild 4-3 Kings (OT) Nets’ Irving fi ned $50,000 over Hurricanes 3-0 Red Wings Covid protocol breach Sharks 4-3 Coyotes Boston Bruins center Brad Marchand (right) celebrates his game-winning goal against the New Jersey Devils at Prudential Center in Newark, (SO) New Jersey, United States, on Thursday. (USA TODAY Sports) Brooklyn Nets guard Kyrie attending indoor gatherings of G Knights 5-2 Ducks goalie interference penalties pried the puck loose from Kyle Hughes assisted on the goal. the goal-scorer when his shot Irving has been fined $50,000 more than 15 people. Predators 3-1 Blue Jackets that led to the Bruins’ regula- Palmieri near the New Jersey Another goalie-interference into the crease bounced off sev- by the NBA after attending a Irving has not played since Jan- tion goals. Ty Smith, making his blue line and dished to Patrice penalty on Wood set up the eral players before ticking off the crowded indoor party without uary 5 for what the Nets have Boston’s Nick Ritchie scored NHL debut, was credited with a Bergeron. The center headed Bruins for what proved to be a upper body of Bruins defense- wearing a mask, the league said are “personal reasons”. in the third period and goalie goal late in the third period. toward the net and fi red a shot short-lived lead with 6:48 left. man Charlie McAvoy and into said yesterday. However he will be eligible to Tuukka Rask made 20 saves in Blackwood made 35 saves as across the crease to Marchand, Ritchie took a pass from March- the net. Irving was placed under inves- return to team activities on Sat- regulation and overtime. He the Devils lost the head coach- who was able to tuck a shot un- and and fi red into the right cor- The Devils outshot the Bru- tigation after video emerged urday after a five-day quarantine added two saves in the shootout, ing debut of Lindy Ruff . der Blackwood’s arm at 17:40. ner of the net with one second ins 4-2 in overtime and had two on social media showing him period, provided he continues with the Devils’ last attempt, The Bruins outshot the Devils Wood intercepted a pass by left on the power play. breakaway chances in the fi nal attending a birthday party with to test negative for the virus, the from Jack Hughes, going wide of 16-4 in the fi rst period but didn’t the Bruins’ Sean Kuraly at center The Devils needed just 34 75 seconds. Palmieri took a shot no mask. NBA said in a statement. Irving the net. break through until a power play ice to begin a breakaway that led seconds to tie the game on what that bounced off Rask’s pads, NBA protocols to combat the will also forfeit salary earned Miles Wood scored for the generated when Wood interfered to his game-tying goal off the amounted to an own goal by the and Rask stymied Hughes with coronavirus forbid players from during his quarantine period. Devils but also committed two with Rask at 17:02. David Krejci post at 8:51 of the third period. Bruins. Smith was credited as about seven seconds left. Gulf Times 6 Saturday, January 16, 2021 SPORT

FOCUS SWIMMING Judge in Sun Yang ‘Anything can doping case had doubtful impartiality, says Swiss court

Reuters restraint required of judges, and happen’ with Tokyo had repeatedly used violent ex- Zurich, Switzerland pressions. “In his tweets, the arbitrator hinese swimmer Sun castigates a Chinese practice of Yang did not get an dog slaughter and denounces the impartial hearing when consumption of this meat at a lo- he was banned for eight cal festival in China,” the Federal Olympics: minister Cyears for doping off ences as one Supreme Court said. of the judges had tweeted anti- “Some expressions refer to Chinese messages concerning the skin colour of certain Chi- ‘The organising committee and the IOC must be thinking about back-up plans’ animal rights, Switzerland’s nese people he targets,” it added. highest court said yesterday. “In addition, the arbitrator also AFP The Federal Supreme Court made the said remarks in tweets Tokyo, Japan said tweets by the president of after his appointment as presi- the panel of arbitrators at the dent of the panel of arbitrators Court of Arbitration for Sport deciding in the Sun Yang case.” Japanese cabinet min- (CAS) — the Italian Franco Frat- As a result, the case has now ister admitted yes- tini — had exhibited possible bias been sent back to CAS, which terday that “anything against Chinese people and their must hear it again with a diff er- can happen” with the treatment of dogs. ent panel of judges. coronavirus-postponedA Tokyo “The Federal Supreme Court The sanctions imposed on Sun Olympics, becoming the fi rst therefore considered that the were automatically lifted after senior offi cial to concede un- doubts as to the impartiality of the court’s December decision, certainty about the Games as the arbitrator were objectively CAS said, adding its procedure Japan and other countries battle justifi ed,” the Lausanne court would resume once a new presi- a surge in cases. said yesterday, giving reasons for dent of the panel had been ap- Taro Kono, minister for ad- its December decision to send pointed. ministrative and regulatory re- the matter back to CAS, which is “Ultimately, a new award will form, did not rule out the pos- based in the same city. be issued, which could be diff er- sibility of the Olympics being Triple Olympic champion Sun ent from the fi rst one, or similar,” cancelled, with greater Tokyo was originally banned by CAS a CAS spokeswoman said. and other regions currently un- last February after it accepted The decision could potentially der a state of emergency until at an appeal from the World Anti- clear the way for Sun to compete least February 7. Doping Agency (WADA) against at this year’s delayed Tokyo Ol- He is the fi rst cabinet minister a decision by swimming govern- ympics, depending on when the to deviate from Prime Minister ing body FINA to clear him of case is heard. Yoshihide Suga’s insistence that wrongdoing for his conduct dur- Sun, the reigning world and Japan is on track to hold a “safe ing a 2018 test. Olympic champion in 200 me- and secure” Games, despite a The swimmer appealed and tres freestyle, was banned after state of emergency being ex- the Swiss Federal Supreme Court he and members of his entourage panded this week to cover a total in December upheld his chal- were found to have smashed vials of 11 regions, including Osaka lenge against the CAS Panel “on containing blood samples taken and Kyoto. the grounds of bias of one of the at an out-of-competition test in “Given the coronavirus situ- arbitrators of the CAS”. September 2018. ation, anything can happen,” Giving its reasons yesterday, Sun has questioned the cre- Kono, a high-profi le former for- the court said the CAS arbitra- dentials and identity of the eign and defence minister, told a A man walks in front of a screen showing a promotional video of the Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games in Tokyo, Japan, yesterday. (AFP) tor had tweeted about animal testers and has constantly pro- press briefi ng. protection issues, without the claimed his innocence. “The organising committee cording to local media. pic minister Seiko Hashimoto “We will take the infection that the latest anti-virus meas- and the IOC must of course be Mori also said Japan will de- saying yesterday that Japan is situation at home and abroad ures would help rather than thinking about back-up plans. cide in the coming months suspending an exemption that into account and react accord- hinder preparations. The government is fi rmly pre- whether to allow foreign fans allows foreign athletes to enter ingly,” she added. “We expect that the series of paring for the Olympics and to enter for the Games, saying: the country to train while the The ban on non-resident for- measures being implemented Paralympics.” “We will have to make a very country’s state of emergency is eign athletes is also likely to af- by the government of Japan, the Public support for the Ol- diffi cult decision from February in place. fect baseball and J-League foot- Tokyo metropolitan government ympics has plummeted in Ja- to March.” Japanese athletes will still be ball teams, who are preparing to and other prefectural authori- pan, with a recent poll fi nding able to re-enter Japan, but they begin their seasons. ties will help improve the situa- that more than 80 percent of ‘FIRST LINE OF DEFENCE’ will no longer be allowed to skip On Thursday, Japan’s Top tion,” it said in a statement. respondents think the Games Suga has said Japan is commit- the 14-day quarantine period. League rugby put its season on “We hope that daily life can should be cancelled or post- ted to hosting the Games and “We want to prioritise saving hold just two days before it was return to normal as soon as poned again. believes the public mood will lives,” Hashimoto was quoted due to begin, after a rash of play- possible, and we will continue Tokyo 2020 President Yoshiro change when the country begins as saying. “So as a preventative ers from several clubs tested to work closely with all related Mori said in a speech Tuesday its vaccination programme, set measure to eliminate risk, we positive for the virus. parties in our preparations for that another postponement was for late February. want to strengthen our fi rst line The Tokyo 2020 organising holding safe and secure Games “absolutely impossible”, ac- Local media quoted Olym- of defence a level. committee insisted yesterday this summer.”

BADMINTON SPOTLIGHT Korean An fells Thai Jail term for blood doping doctor in ‘Aderlass’ trial

AFP ing medicine for a further three ethical standards”. expressed remorse, “I took a caught undergoing a blood star for semis spot of Berlin, Germany years and was fi ned 158,000 eu- The trial, which started last wrong turn, it’s all my fault,” transfusion. ros ($191,821). September, is the fi rst major and regrets involving his four Schmidt was arrested at the Dagmar Freitag, chair- prosecution under anti-doping co-defendants: “I am infi nitely same time during raids in Er- Thailand Open enior fi gures in German woman of the German govern- legislation introduced in Ger- sorry that I dragged the other furt, central Germany, where he sport yesterday wel- ment’s sports committee, hopes many in 2015. four into it”. is based. comed the prison sen- Schmidt’s sentence acts as a de- Blood doping is aimed at Tischler noted Schmidt’s Initially, the list of events af- tence handed to the doc- terrent. boosting the red blood cells, cooperation in handing over fected by Schmidt’s blood dop- torS at the centre of the ‘Aderlass’ “The criminal networks have which allows the body to trans- a Slovenian mobile phone, “a ing ring was impressive, includ- international blood-doping trial now been made unmistakably port more oxygen to muscles, massive help, without which the ing the 2014 and 2018 Winter in Munich after the fi rst major aware that serious doping of- increasing stamina and per- trial would not have taken place Olympics, the 2016 Rio de Janei- test of Germany’s anti-doping fences can be punished with a formance. in this form”. ro summer Olympics and 2018 laws. not inconsiderable prison term,” “It’s a harsh sentence, but just Schmidt has been in custody Tour de France. Dr Mark Schmidt, 42, has said Freitag. right,” sports law expert Michael since Austrian and German po- On Tuesday, Austrian cyclist been sentenced to four years, 10 Schmidt has been found guilty Lehner told AFP subsidiary SID. lice swooped during coordinated Stefan Denifl became the latest months for masterminding an of 24 counts of using doping “The anti-doping law has raids in February 2019, as part of athlete jailed due to the smash- Taiwan’s Chou Tien-chen in action during the men’s singles international blood doping ring methods and two counts of for- passed its baptism of fi re.” Operation Aderlass — ‘Blood- ing of the Aderlass ring, when competition at the Thailand Open in Bangkok yesterday. (AFP) between 2012 and 2019. bidden use of medicinal drugs. Two of Schmidt’s four co- letting’ in German. he received a two-year sentence, “Finally we are seeing a ver- “You are the head of, what defendants were each given sus- The raids included a swoop 16 months of which will be sus- AFP meet eighth ranked Angus Ng, dict that includes draconian I now call, a ‘doping system’,” pended sentences of two years, on the 2019 Nordic World Skiing pended. Bangkok, Thailand ranked eighth in the world in penalties for those cheating in presiding judge Marion Tischler four months and one year, four Championships in Seefeld, Tirol. However, contrary to what the semis. Ng handily beat Hong sport,” said Alfons Hoermann, said in Munich. months. Five athletes and two suspects anti-doping authorities had Kong teammate Lee Cheuk-yiu president of the German Olym- She described how Schmidt The other two, one of whom were detained at the champion- hoped for, no big names from outh Korea’s seventh- 21-17, 21-12. pic Sports Confederation, after had administered a drug not ap- is Schmidt’s father, were given ships, two hours before the start the sporting world were revealed seeded An Se-young be- Denmark’s Viktor Axelsen also the verdict. proved for humans on a female fi nes of 6,560 euros and 9,900 of the men’s 15km cross-country during the trial, which was often sted Thai star Ratchanok sailed through his game against Schmidt has also received an athlete in a “human experi- euros. event. interrupted due to the coronavi- Intanon yesterday, halt- Indonesian Jonatan Christie. additional ban from practis- ment” which was “beyond any In court last week, Schmidt One Austrian athlete was rus pandemic. ingS the former world champion’s Axelsen, the fourth seed, will progress to the semi-fi nals of face another Indonesian, sixth- badminton’s Thailand Open af- ranked Anthony Ginting. SAILING ter a 22-20, 21-12 game. The Thailand Open is the fi rst of The fourth-seeded athlete was three consecutive tournaments in no match for the 18-year-old, Bangkok culminating in the World who prevailed in the fi rst match Tour Finals from January 27. Ainslie takes surprise lead in America’s Cup challenge after a nail-biting 40-shot rally. The athletes — fl own in a week “Every shot was incredible and before the start for quarantine AFP lengers American Magic and their foils in light winds to lose she won on her own game,” said and testing — are competing be- Auckland, New Zealand Italy’s Luna Rossa on day one of by 28 seconds. 25-year-old Ratchanok, who hind closed doors as a virus pre- the Prada Cup challenger series. Not only was the British boat noted her opponent had more caution. The series will determine faster, it also manoeuvred bet- speed than when they had played On Wednesday, a German ritish sailing legend which of the gravity-defying ter than in the warm-ups, with before. coach in the tournament tested Ben Ainslie hailed 23-metre (75-foot) yachts — Ainslie praising a “nice team ef- The South Korean teen prod- positive for the virus but his an “epic turnaround” which fl y above the water bal- fort”. igy, who in 2019 was named players were allowed to continue yesterday after his IN- anced on hi-tech foil arms — will The Prada Cup runs until Feb- Most Promising Player, will face competing. BEOS Team UK charged to a 2-0 race defending champion Team ruary 22, beginning with a series Spain’s Carolina Marin, an Ol- The test result however lead on the opening day of the New Zealand for the America’s of round-robins. ympic and World champion prompted Hong Kong mixed America’s Cup challenger series Cup in March. The winner proceeds to the who snatched victory from Thai doubles players Tse Ying-suet in Auckland. The Prada Cup has 17 race fi nal, while the other two chal- player Supanida Katethong 21- and Tang Chun-man to pull out Critics labelled the boat “the days, meaning Team UK remains lengers face off in a seven-race 16, 21-16. of their next match against the lamest of lame ducks” when it a long way from claiming the semi-fi nal. Meanwhile, men’s badminton German team. lost all of its six warm-up races challenger’s spot. The fi nal begins on February world number two Chou Tien- The Badminton World Fed- last month, failing to fi nish three However, the opening day was,” he said after winning the ahead and steadily built the lead 13 and is a best-of-13 contest, chen marched into the semi-fi - eration said they respected the of them. success shows detractors were fi rst leg. “It nice to fi nd the pace to win by one minute 20 seconds. with the fi rst yacht to win seven nals, coming from behind to beat Hong Kong’s team decision but But four-time Olympic wrong to write off Ainslie’s when it counts.” Ainslie’s boat again led from races victorious. younger opponent Lee Zii Jia 21- defended allowing the Germans champion Ainslie bounced back challenge. In the opening leg against start to fi nish in the second leg The winner then faces Team 17, 21-15. continue, saying all players had from the embarrassing fl op to “It feels a little bit better than American Magic, Team UK went against Luna Rossa, when the NZ from March 6-21 to compete Second-seeded Chou will tested negative. claim victory over rival chal- the six losses or whatever it through the fi rst gate 11 seconds Italians struggled to stay up on for the main prize. Gulf Times Saturday, January 16, 2021 7 SPORT

CRICKET FOCUS Windies ‘inspired’ by former captain Clive Lloyd’s letter ‘Ruthless’ Root captain Jason Holder chose not to tour over fears of coronavirus. Kieron Pollard, Darren Bravo, Sheldon Cottrell, Evin Lewis, Shai Hope, Shimron Hetmyer and Nicholas Pooran also de- clined to travel for the same rea- son. hits fi rst ton in “I am happy to be back and importantly, given the role to lead the team. It is a big job. I just want to lead the team to the best of my ability, to a series win,” said Mohammed, who last played for West Indies on the Bangladesh tour in 2018. over a year Mohammed previously led West Indies in an ODI against His 18th Test ton helped maintain pressure on the hosts England and three in- ternationals against Pakistan. AFP He added, “I felt I really got “It is the second time that I am Galle, Sri Lanka in a good mindset throughout West Indies’ players attend a captaining. I am quite happy to this game so far. Will try and practice session at the Sher-e- do it. It is a great opportunity for take that forward into the rest Bangla National Cricket Stadium me personally to lead the West aptain said of this winter tour and beyond.” in Dhaka yesterday. Indies team,” he said. he wants England to England will tour India for a “Growing up you always want be “ruthless” after his full series including four Tests AFP sort of things you want to hear,” to play for the West Indies but unbeaten 168 took the after the two matches in Sri Dhaka Mohammed told reporters at a leading the Caribbean team, it is team’sC lead to 185 over Sri Lanka Lanka as part of a hectic cricket virtual press conference in Dha- a great feeling. on a rain-hit second day of the calender in 2021. ka. “Sometimes things come in opening Test. Lawrence, 23, stood fi rm message from former “There’s a lot of negative talk diff erent ways. I just have to grab England were 320 for four with his captain, displaying captain Clive Lloyd has going around. When you hear this opportunity and make the when rain halted play in Galle. confi dence against the spin- inspired stand-in West someone like Clive Lloyd, he puts best use of it, and lead the team to Root and Dan Lawrence, who ners as he brought up his fi fty Indies one-day inter- a great belief within you. the best of my ability,” he added. scored 73 on his Test debut, in 95 balls with fi ve fours and nationalA captain Jason Moham- “It is an opportunity for all The West Indies begin their built a 173-run partnership after one six. med, he said Thursday ahead of us to try to put our hands up, tour with a warm-up match the tourists resumed the day on Lawrence, who plays for of a three-match series against fi rstly to get in the original team, on January 18 before playing a 127-2. English county Essex, survived Bangladesh. when the full squad is back. three-match one-day interna- Root, who is batting with two dropped catches on 60 and In an open letter, the 76-year- “It has inspired the team, and tional series. (7), hit his 18th Test 68 and fi nally fell to Perera. old Lloyd urged members of the hopefully we can back his wis- The fi rst two ODIs will take ton and kept up the pressure on “Very impressed, I thought depleted West Indies squad to dom,” he added. place in Dhaka on January 20 and the home bowlers despite los- he played magnifi cently well,” take advantage of the opportu- Mohammed was recalled to 22 with the fi nal one-day game in ing overnight partner Jonny Root said of the Essex batsman. nity, reminding them of their the West Indies ODI side after Chittagong on January 25. Bairstow for 47 early in the day. “Showed exactly why he de- selection for the series on merit. more than two years and was They will also play two Test “I think the things could hap- serves an opportunity to play “It is coming from one of our handed the captaincy to lead an matches during the tour in Feb- and it’s the start of something greats. Obviously those are the inexperienced side after regular ruary. very special for him.” SCORECARD Earlier Bairstow became left-arm spinner Lasith Em- GOLF Sri Lanka 1st innings 135 (D. buldeniya’s third victim, Chandimal 28; D. Bess 5-30, S. Broad caught at gully. The 3-20) ended a 114-run third-wicket stand for the tourists. Niemann shares Sony Open England 1st innings (overnight 127- Off -spinner Dom Bess re- 2, J. Root 66, J. Bairstow 47) turned career-best fi gures of Z. Crawley c Hasaranga b 5-30 to help skittle Sri Lanka lead with Malnati, Kokrak Embuldeniya ...... 9 out for 135 — the lowest fi rst- D. Sibley c Thirimanne b innings score at the venue — in AFP Embuldeniya ...... 4 two sessions on Thursday after Los Angeles J. Bairstow c Mendis b pen very quickly as the game and passed 100 soon after the hosts elected to bat. Embuldeniya ...... 47 moves forward, generally does lunch with a single off Dilru- “Obviously it’s been a tough J. Root ...... 168 here. It is really important that wan Perera. He raised his bat couple of days for us and proba- oaquin Niemann chipped D. Lawrence c K. Mendis b we make the most of this fi rst and hugged Lawrence. bly we are a long way behind the in for eagle from off the Perera ...... 73 innings lead that we have got It was the star batsman’s game,” Sri Lankan fast bowling green at the 18th hole on J. Buttler not out ...... 7 now,” Root told reporters. highest Test score in more than coach David Saker said. Thursday to grab a share Extras “We will be really ruthless. I a year after going through 2020 “The best way we can start Jof the fi rst-round lead in the US (b7, nb5) 12 Total (94 overs, 4 ) 320 have spoken about this ahead without a century and said he tomorrow is get these six wick- PGA Tour Sony Open alongside Fall of wickets: 1-10 (Sibley), 2-17 of the series and make it count felt “good” to make it count. ets as quickly as we can. I think Peter Malnati and Jason Kokrak. (Crawley), 3-131 (Bairstow), 4-304 and put them under pressure. “Generally when I get a hun- the opposition put us in a lot of Chile’s Niemann, who lost a (Lawrence) That way try and bat just once.” dred I make it really count,” pressure. I think Joe Root batted playoff to Harris English at the Bowling: Embuldeniya 38-4-131-3 After a full opening day in Root, who has a Test best of 254 very well and the young kid on Tour Championship on Sunday, (nb1), Fernando 8-0-21-0, Hasaranga the empty stadium in Galle, in 98 Tests, said. “I have got a debut was very good as well.” added seven birdies and one bo- 15-1-63-0 (nb2), D. Perera 28-2-82-1 rain started falling just before good record past 100. Tomor- The two-match series has re- gey in his eight-under par 62 at (nb2), D. Shanaka 5-1-16-0 the start of the second day and row I will try to make another sumed after being aborted last Waialae Country Club in Hono- Toss: Sri Lanka wiped out the fi nal session. really big one and drive the March due to the coronavirus lulu, Hawaii. Root started the day on 66 game forward from there.” pandemic. Malnati had nine birdies and one bogey as he set an early tar- get, and Kokrak fi red eight birdies SPOTLIGHT without a bogey in an afternoon Tendulkar junior makes eff ort that matched his career- low round on the PGA Tour. domestic debut for Mumbai Niemann, who grabbed his fi rst Pakistan ring in Mumbai: Arjun Tendulkar US tour title at the Greenbrier in followed in the footsteps of September of 2019, said his near- his illustrious father, Sachin miss at Kapalua last weekend pro- major changes for Tendulkar, yesterday by vided “a little extra motivation.” making his senior debut “It hurt a little bit,” the 22-year- in a Twenty20 game for old said. “But you have to go to the South Africa Tests Mumbai. next page. We’re in another week The 21-year-old left-hander (you’ve) just got to forget about AFP provement are identifi ed.” claimed a wicket in his it and take the positives of last Wasim said Naseem and Ab- second over after sharing week.” Joaquin Niemann hits his tee shot on the 17th hole during the first bas were not up to the mark in the new ball with India in- Niemann said that a little bit round of the Sony Open golf tournament at Waialae Country Club. New Zealand. ternational Dhawal Kulkarni. of everything was going right for PICTURE: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports akistan dropped bats- “Both Naseem and Abbas His batting legend father Haryana in the Syed Mush- him on Thursday. men Shan Masood and were lacking that bite so we have may not be entirely happy taq Ali T20 tournament. “Hitting the ball great off the back-to-back birdies at 17 and 18 birdie at the par-three 17th and along with not included them in the squad though as Mumbai lost the Sachin, revered in cricket- tee, my irons are pretty good, he added four more birdies com- birdied 18. His four birdies com- Pfast bowlers Moham- which will be trimmed to 16 be- game. mad India, began his career I’m putting well — it’s easy when ing in, including a fi ve-footer at ing in included back-to-back med Abbas and Naseem Shah in fore the Test,” said Wasim. Standing at over six feet with Mumbai’s junior team you’re playing that way,” he said, the 18th. birdies at the eighth and ninth. a wholesale shake-up yesterday South Africa will arrive early (1.83 metres), the left-arm before being picked for the adding that his chip-in at the last “It’s always great to play well,” The top trio were two strokes in for the upcoming two-match Saturday and after a fi ve-day quick bowler has played jun- senior side at the age of 15. “will help me sleep for tomorrow.” Malnati said. “The more you can front of a group of six players on Test series against South Africa. quarantine play the fi rst Test in ior cricket and was picked He won his first cap for India Malnati, who won his only play well at the start, the easier it 64: Australian Aaron Baddeley, The changes were forced after Karachi from January 26. for India Under-19 in 2018. in 1989 before going on to tour title at the Sanderson Farms is to kind of roll that into more. So South Korean Kim Si-woo and Pakistan lost both Tests on their The second Test will be in Arjun, who did not face a become the highest Test Championship in 2016, kickstart- to get a good number on the board Americans Vaughn Taylor, Jim tour of New Zealand where they Rawalpindi from February 4 delivery as he was number scorer as well as the first ed his day with a 35-foot birdie early, it feels great.” Herman, Patton Kizzire and Dan- failed in all three departments of before three Twenty20 interna- 11 batsman, returned figures player to score 100 interna- putt at the 11th — his second hole. Kokrak also teed off on 10 and iel Berger. the game. tionals on February 11, 13 and 14 of 1-34 from his three overs. tional centuries. He retired He added another birdie at 12 rolled in a 13-foot birdie putt at Eighth-ranked Webb Simpson Opener Masood had managed — all in Lahore. Mumbai went down to in 2013. and answered his lone bogey of the 11th. After a seven-foot bird- of the United States was among 13 just 33 runs in the last eight Test More consideration was the day with a birdie at 14. After ie at 14 he gave himself a tap-in players tied at 65. innings since scoring 156 against given to performers of the just England in August, failing mis- concluded domestic fi rst- erably in New Zealand where he class matches from where six BOTTOMLINE scored just 10 in two matches uncapped players — Kam- with three zeros. ran Ghulam (batsman), Saud Left hander Sohail managed Shakil (batsman), Nauman Ali just 28 in two Tests in New Zea- (left-arm spinner), Khan (off - Brazil arrests fugitive Argentine golf star Cabrera land. spinner) Tabish Khan (fast bowl- The 17-year-old Naseem and er) and Agha Salman (batsman) AFP tice for the golfer — a request for police spearhead Abbas both managed — are selected. Rio de Janeiro forces worldwide to locate a wanted per- just four wickets in the series. Ghulam, 25, created a new son and send them back home. Left-arm spinner Zafar Gohar record for most runs in a Quaid- Cabrera has been a fugitive in Argen- is the fi fth player dropped from e-Azam trophy tournament with rgentinian golfer Angel Ca- tina since August 14, when he failed to the last Test at Christchurch 1249 while Sajid took the most brera, wanted by Interpol on show up to the prosecutor’s offi ce for a which Pakistan lost by an in- wickets with 67. domestic violence charges, meeting as scheduled, after being ac- nings and 176 runs earlier this Awas arrested in Rio de Janeiro cused of violence against his partner, Ce- month. Pakistan squad Thursday, and will be extradited to his cilia Torres Mana. Cabrera was last seen But new chief selector Mo- Babar Azam (capt), , home country to stand trial, Brazilian at a tournament in August in Ohio in the hammed Wasim refused to ac- Abdullah Shafique, Imran Butt, police said. Winner of two major tour- United States. cept it was a “panic like situa- Azhar Ali, Fawad Alam, Kam- naments — the US Open in 2007 and the Mana fi led an abuse complaint against tion”. ran Ghulam, Salman Ali Agha, Masters in 2009 — the 51-year-old is the golfer in 2016, saying he had punched “No, it’s not panic,” said Saud Shakeel, Faheem Ashraf, accused by Argentina police of “bodily her in the face. Two other women have Wasim while announcing the Mohammed Nawaz, Mohammed injury, theft, repeatedly disobeying au- previously also fi led complaints against squad. Rizwan, Sarfaraz Ahmed, Nau- thority and threats,” the Brazilian federal him — his ex-wife Silvia Rivadero, moth- “We have selected a squad af- man Ali, Sajid Khan, Yasir Shah, police said in a statement Friday. er of his two children, and Micaela Escu- ter analysing the performance in , Hasan Ali, Shaheen He was arrested Thursday in Rio’s up- remain in custody until his extradition to nounced. dero who was his partner from 2014 to New Zealand and areas of im- Shah Afridi, Tabish Khan. scale Leblon neighbourhood, and will Argentina, it added. No date has been an- Interpol in September issued a red no- 2016.

Saturday, January 16, 2021 GULF TIMES SPORT

HANDBALL WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP CRICKET Qatar kickstart India fi ght back but Australia hold campaign with edge in fi nal Test AFP SCORECARD Brisbane Australia 1st innings n under-strength India fought back in D. Warner c Sharma b Siraj ...... 1 the fi nal session to leave the fourth Test M. Harris c Sundar b Thakur ...... 5 against Australia evenly poised after M. Labuschagne c Pant b Natarajan ...... 108 Angola victory Athe opening day at the Gabba in Bris- S. Smith c Sharma b Sundar ...... 36 bane yesterday. M. Wade c Thakur b Natarajan ...... 45 Australia fi nished the fi rst day on 274 for fi ve, C. Green not out ...... 28 Valero Rivera’s side had gone down to Angola 24-23 in the opening match of with Cameron Green on 28 and Tim Paine along- T. Paine not out ...... 38 side him on 38 to put the home side marginally in Extras (b4, lb4, nb5) 13 the 2019 tournament when it was hosted jointly by Denmark and Germany front on a benign Gabba wicket. Total (for five wickets) 274 With the four-match series locked at 1-1, Aus- Fall of wickets: 1-4 (Warner), 2-17 (Harris), tralia need to win the fi nal Test to regain the Bor- 3-87 (Smith), 4-200 (Wade), 5-213 (La- der-Gavaskar Trophy. buschagne) They looked certain to be in a much stronger To bat: P. Cummins, M. Starc, N. Lyon, J. position when they reached 200 for three shortly Hazlewood after tea, with Marnus Labuschagne and Mat- Bowling: Siraj 19-8-51-1, Natarajan 20-2-63-2 thew Wade scoring freely. (5nb), Thakur 18-5-67-1, Saini 7.5-2-21-0, Sundar But they lost Wade (45) to a rash attempted pull 22-4-63-1, Sharma 0.1-0-1-0 shot then Labuschagne for a superb 108 in the India: Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, space of 13 runs to leave them at 213 for fi ve, be- Cheteshwar Pujara, Ajinkya Rahane (capt), fore Green and Paine steadied the innings against Mayank Agarwal, Rishabh Pant, Washington a tiring attack. Sundar, Shardul Thakur, Navdeep Saini, Mo- India’s eff orts were especially admirable con- hamed Siraj, T Natarajan. sidering they were fi elding two debutants in their Toss: Australia bowling attack following injuries to Jasprit Bum- Umpires: Bruce Oxenford (AUS), Paul Wilson rah and Ravi Ashwin. (AUS) They also lost fast bowler Navdeep Saini to a TV umpire: Paul Reiff el (AUS) groin injury midway through the second session. Match referee: David Boon (AUS) Labuschagne said despite missing so many frontline bowlers, the Indian attack was still po- tent. playing just his second Test, struck with his fi rst “When you are playing really good teams, it ball, Harris chipping a simple catch to Sundar at doesn’t matter who comes in — everyone in that square leg to leave Australia 17 for two. line-up is very disciplined,” he said. But Labuschagne and Steve Smith, Australia’s “They understand their role. They’re very saviours in so many recent matches, once again strong bowlers. steadied the rocking ship. “I was disappointed today not to make a really Smith, who roared back to form with a century big hundred but like I said, the Indian bowling in Sydney, was impressive but on 36 he clipped a was very disciplined, very strategic.” ball to short midwicket to Sharma to give Sundar India started the game as underdogs following his fi rst Test scalp. the loss of four players from the drawn third Test, “It’s amazing for me — it’s a dream come true which fi nished on Monday in Sydney. for me,” Sundar said. Pace spearhead Bumrah (abdomen), off -spin- “It’s a big honour to represent your country in ner Ashwin (back), batsman Hanuma Vihari the fi rst place. is an amazing oppor- (hamstring) and all-rounder Ravi Jadeja (broken tunity. Qatar’s Mahmoud thumb) were all ruled out. “My fi rst wicket will be treasured.” Hassaballa scores T Natarajan and Sundar made their debuts Australia should have lost Labuschagne in the against Angola during while there were also recalls for batsman Mayank next over when he edged Saini to gully, but the their Group C match Agarwal and seam bowler Shardul Thakur. normally reliable Ajinkya Rahane spilled a simple in Borg El Arab, near By contrast, Australia only made one change, chance. Alexandria, in Egypt with Harris coming in for Will Pucovski, who in- To make matters worse, Saini appeared to injure yesterday. jured his shoulder while fi elding in Sydney. his groin in the delivery stride and left the fi eld. Yet India got away to the perfect start when Cheteshwar Pujara grassed a much harder David Warner fell on the last ball of the fi rst over, chance when Labuschagne was on 48, but from IHF an aggressive 6-0 defence, interrupting the ish coach Valero Rivera to call a timeout at edging Siraj to second slip, where Rohit Sharma that moment the Queenslander was in fi ne form, Borg El Arab, Egypt Angola attack already at the nine-meter line. 17:16 in the 37th minute. took a superb catch diving to his right. stroking nine boundaries and two all-run fours Angola answered with an agile 3-2-1 defence “The team was the key to win this game Natarajan shared the new ball with Siraj and on his way to his century. with good goalkeeping from Giovany Mua- today. Our defence was very well and we im- kept the pressure on with some tight bowling, Siraj was the pick of the Indian attack with 1-51 atar began their campaign in the chissengue between the posts. However, his proved our attack in the second half”, said a his opening spell of six overs going for just eight off 19 testing overs, while Natarajan (2-63) also 27th Men’s Handball World Cham- counterpart Danijel Saric was even better, satisfi ed goalkeeper Saric. runs. impressed despite showing signs of fatigue late pionship in style yesterday, beat- fi nishing with a 42 percent save rate. After the timeout, Qatar scored three goals The pressure eventually told when Thakur, in the day. ing Angola 30-25 in their opening A beautiful spin shot from pivot Yassine in a row and took control of the match. Left GroupQ C match with a splendid performance Sami gave Qatar the lead for the fi rst time at wing and Player of the Match Ahmad Madadi in the second half. 8:7 in the 18th minute. Angola drew level im- scored his fourth penalty in the 45th minute Valero Rivera’s side had gone down to An- mediately after and held the lead for almost to make it 23:18. Although Angola played gola 24-23 in the opening match of the 2019 the rest of the half, only to give it away 25 well, they were unable to get closer than four tournament when it was hosted jointly by seconds before the break. Qatar led 14:13 at goals. Denmark and Germany, but yesterday they half. Frankis Marko opened the second half “We came with a lot of motivation into this lived up to their superior ranking and exacted with a goal to give Qatar their fi rst two-goal tournament. We miss some players, but of revenge on their rivals from Africa lead of the game. A save from Saric followed course the whole team knew what happened Angola’s line player Jaroslav Aguiar was by two goals, put Qatar ahead 17:13. This time two years ago. We played very serious from the fi rst to put the ball in the net, while Qatar it was Angola who struggled to put the ball beginning to end and I can only congratulate only scored for the fi rst time fi ve minutes into in the net, scoring for the fi rst time after fi ve my team.” the match. minutes. The drought was followed by an un- Japan and Croatia are the other two teams Both defences stood strong. Qatar played answered 3:0 run for Angola, causing Span- in Group C.

BOTTOMLINE No special favours for virus-hit Murray

AFP biosecurity offi cials wearing Melbourne personal protective equipment, before being whisked away to hotel quarantine. ealth chiefs vowed Players are only allowed into yesterday there will be the country with proof of a no preferential treat- negative test prior to departure, ment for fi ve-time fi - or with approval as a recovered nalistH Andy Murray, saying he case at the Australian govern- must return a negative Covid-19 ment’s discretion. test if he wants to play the Aus- That rule applied to Ameri- tralian Open. can world number 50 Tennys The former world number one Sandgren, who was permitted was due to travel to Melbourne onto a fl ight from Los Angeles on one of a series of charter Thursday despite tweeting that fl ights laid on by tournament he tested positive this week. organisers, but revealed on It was his second positive Thursday he had tested positive result, having been diagnosed Australia’s Marnus Labuschagne for the virus. with Covid-19 in November. celebrates reaching his century He is isolating at home in “Mr. Sandgren is not infec- against India at the Gabba in London, casting major doubt tious. His infection is histori- Brisbane yesterday. over whether he will be able to cal,” said Foley. “So, he’s met the play the opening Grand Slam of rigorous health criteria that has the year. been set.” The tournament has Windies’ Walsh tests positive for Covid-19, misses Bangladesh ODIs Britain’s Press Association already lost some key players, news agency said the three- with Roger Federer out injured Dhaka: West Indies’ tour of Bangladesh suff ered negative Covid-19 tests, after undergoing four time major winner, apparently and world number 25 John Isner a fresh setback yesterday when leg-spinner Hay- tests within the last 11 days. in good health, was hoping to “Mr. Murray, and the other Murray was handed a wild- opting not to travel due to the den Walsh Junior tested positive for Covid-19 and The three-match ODI series starts on January 20. arrive in Australia at a later 1,240 people as part of the pro- card to the Open, hoping to coronavirus restrictions. was ruled out of the upcoming one-day series, West Indies are already without regular skipper date. gram, need to demonstrate that make his fi rst appearance in In another blow, American off icials announced. Jason Holder, Kieron Pollard, Darren Bravo, But Victorian state health if they’re coming to Melbourne Melbourne since 2019, when world number 16 Madison Keys Cricket West Indies said the frontline 25-year-old Sheldon Cottrell, Evin Lewis, Shai Hope, Shimron minister Martin Foley said the they have returned a negative he revealed the extent of a right said she too had tested positive slow bowler will undergo a period of self-isola- Hetmyer and Nicholas Pooran. Scotsman won’t be getting any test. hip problem and raised the pos- and would not play. tion but is asymptomatic. All pulled out of the tour due to Covid-19 con- special favours. “So should Mr. Murray ar- sibility of imminent retirement. Meanwhile, world number “(He) first returned a negative test result on ar- cerns “In regards to Mr. Murray, rive, and I have no indication More than 1,200 players and three Dominic Thiem arrived rival into Bangladesh on the weekend, and then Bangladesh has recorded more than 500,000 we’ve been clear from the start that he will, he will be subject support staff have begun ar- without coach Nicolas Massu, had a positive return on his test in Dhaka yester- pandemic cases but its fatality rate has been one that anyone who tests posi- to those same rigorous arrange- riving for 14 days’ quarantine who has also tested positive, and day (Wednesday),” said a CWI statement. of the world’s lowest. tive is not able to be part of the ments as everyone else. Should ahead of the delayed tourna- Spanish superstar Rafael Nadal “This result was verified by a second positive test Walsh, who started his international career with programme coming into Mel- he test positive prior to his at- ment, which is due to start on is missing his coach Carlos Moya today.” the United States, has played 10 ODIs for West bourne and Australia,” he told tempts to come to Australia, he February 8. who has decided not to make the All other members of the squad returned second Indies. (AFP) reporters. will be refused.” They are being greeted by trip.

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