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Friday, December 6, 2019 Rabia II 9, 1441 AH GULF TIMES SPORT Saudi Arabia edge Qatar 1-0 in close Gulf Cup semi-fi nal

Action from the 24th Arabian Gulf Cup semi-final between Qatar (in maroon) and Saudi Arabia (in white) at Saudi Arabia’s Abdullah al-Hamdan celebrates Al Janoub Stadium yesterday. PICTURES: Shemeer Rasheed and AFP his goal yesterday. Qatar players congratulate Saudi Arabia players for their victory.

REPORT Bahrain go past Iraq in penalties to reach fi ft h fi nal ‘We may be the weakest of the four in the semi-finals, but we managed to be the best and reach the final’

By Yash Mudgal Doha

ahrain kept their win- ning streak over Iraq in- tact to enter fi nal of the 24th Arabian Gulf Cup yesterday.B At the Abdullah Bin Khalifa Stadium, Bahrain defeated three- time champions Iraq 5-3 in a thrilling penalty shootout to end a tie that had started with three goals inside the fi rst 18 minutes of play. Both the teams were locked two-all at the end of full time play. Thirty minutes of extra time play too couldn’t break the dead- lock forcing the penalty shoot- out. Iraq started off well with Mo- hamed al-Shammari, who plays for Al Duhail in the QNB Stars League, scoring the opening goal at his home stadium, and the Ira- qi fans went wild. Al-Shammari latched on to a rebound which came off Bahrain keeper Sayed Hashem, who could not hold on to the brilliantly exe- cuted free-kick by Alaa al-Ghar- rawi, and guided the ball past a helpless Hashem to go 1-0. While Iraq was on the attack, Bahrain played the waiting game and were content in getting back into the Iraq territory through break back moves. And Bahrain responded less than ten minutes later, when Abdulla al-Haza’a Bahrain coach Helio Sousa (right) consoles Iraq’s Mohamed Majid guided a corner kick past the (centre), who missed his penalty shot during the shootout yesterday. keeper to equalise. Bahrain players celebrate their win in the Gulf Cup semi-final against Iraq at Abdullah Bin Khalifa Stadium yesterday. PICTURES: Anas Khalid However, Bahraini’s relief was “We have played a great game the defence especially the second short-lived, as just four minutes past Iraq keeper Jala Hajem at the nities to force the matter. On the ble against Kuwait, raised high Ali Madan converted Bahrain’s today and our players gave a high goal was a gift at this level,” Ka- later Ibrahim Bayesh put Iraq 2-1 stroke of half-time to make it 2-2. fi rst occasion, Bayesh al-Kaabawi to meet a cross from the right fi fth penalty to take his team to quality performance,” Bahrain tanec said. ahead. Thereafter, both the teams failed to beat the goalkeeper in but his header was straight at the title clash. coach Helio Sousa said. “We have played six games The much talked about Bah- came up with threatening moves the third minute of extra time and Hashem. This was Bahrain’s fi fth win “Our players have shown that within 20 days, and the team also rain defence resisted quite a few but could not trouble the scorers. in the eighth minute substitute In the shoot-out the fi rst three over Iraq in recent times and they can concentrate and come suff ered several injuries, I think Iraq attacks successfully and Coaches of both the teams ringed Shareef al-Amari did everything kicks from both the sides were it will be their fi fth fi nal in the back in the game. We may be the it is an impressive performance.” even managed to equalise again in a couple of substitutions in right to beat his marker but ended spot on. Thiago slotted Bahrain’s tournament. Before yesterday’s weakest of the four in the semi- Now the fi nal question re- much against the run of play the second session but it did not up shooting wide. fourth penalty, but substitute semi-fi nal, Bahrain had only de- fi nals, but we managed to be the mains, will Bahrain win their through a counterattack which make much of a diff erence on the At the other end, Iraq goal- Mohamed Majid, who scored feated the Lions of Mesopotamia best and reach the fi nal,” the Por- maiden title when they will meet earned them a fl ag kick. goal front as the half remained keeper Hajem pulled off a save to Iraq’s winning goals in their in the competition over a decade tuguese said. three-time champions Saudi Al-Haza’a’s left-footed fl oater goalless. keep out a threatening shot from tournament-opener against ago. Their most recent win, how- Iraq coach Srecko Katanec felt Arabia in the fi nal at the Kha- caught the Iraq defence unaware, Both the teams created open- Marhoon in the tenth minute of hosts Qatar, shot wide much to ever, was when they beat Iraq 1-0 his tired side played a good game. lifa International Stadium on as an unchallenged Mohamed ings in extra-time to but could not the extra time. Bahrain’s Thiago the crowd’s disbelief, leaving the in the 2019 WAFF Championship “We opened the game well, December 8 or Saudis regain the Marhoon leapt high to head home score. Iraq had two clear opportu- Fernandes, who scored a dou- 22-year-old inconsolable. in October. but we failed to control well in title after a gap of 15 years. Gulf Times Friday, December 6, 2019 2

PICTURES: Anas Khalid, Jayan Orma, Shemeer Rasheed, Sights from the 24th Arabian Gulf Cup Noushad Thekkayil Gulf Times Friday, December 6, 2019 3 FOOTBALL

PREMIER LEAGUE Solskjaer, Mourinho sing McTominay’s praises Manchester United manager for the home side but it was Ole Gunnar Solskjaer says Scott McTominay who stole the show. McTominay has become virtu- “The physical presence he ally “undroppable” after the gives us, the leadership he midfielder produced another gives us in midfield, he also Man Utd infl ict dominant display in 2-1 victory releases Fred.” over Tottenham Hotspur. Spurs manager Jose Mour- McTominay returned from inho, who gave McTominay his more than three weeks on the breakthrough at United, said the sidelines with an ankle injury Scottish midfielder was the dif- to patrol the midfield area ference between the two sides. alongside Fred as United, who “They had more emotion than drew their last two Premier us,” the Portuguese coach said. fi rst Spurs defeat League games, claimed all “You see for example, McTomi- three points at Old Traff ord. nay’s performance... he was Liverpool thrash Marcus Rashford scored twice dominant. He was dominant.” Everton to go 8 points on Mourinho clear of Leicester SCOTTISH PREMIERSHIP

AFP London, United Kingdom Celtic strike late

ose Mourinho endured an unhappy return to Man- as Rangers slip chester United as Marcus Rashford struck twice in aJ 2-1 defeat for Tottenham while Liverpool maintained their up at Aberdeen eight-point lead at the top of the Premier League, putting fi ve AFP Ryan Jack put Rangers fi rmly in goals past Everton. Glasgow, Scotland charge, but a goal from Jon Gal- Second-placed Leicester lagher just before half time re- equalled their top-fl ight league stored some belief for Aberdeen. record of seven consecutive cott Brown’s dramatic Rangers’ intensity levels then wins with a 2-0 victory against injury-time strike gave dropped in the second half as bottom side Watford while Celtic a 2-1 win over Andrew Considine struck the Chelsea bounced back from two Hamilton to move the equaliser for Aberdeen in the consecutive league defeats to HoopsS two points clear at the top 48th minute. beat Aston Villa 2-1. of the Scottish Premiership as “For 40 minutes the game was Mourinho’s fi rst loss since Rangers let a two-goal lead slip so one-sided, we were cruising,” taking charge of Spurs eases the to draw 2-2 at Aberdeen. Gerrard told Sky Sports. pressure on Ole Gunnar Solsk- Celtic looked on course for “They scored at an important jaer as United moved above Tot- a routine evening when Ryan time, before half-time, and it tenham, up to sixth in the table. Christie pounced to score from seemed to fl ip the whole mo- Rashford smashed United into close range in the 13th minute mentum of the game. Then it an early lead with the help of to put the home side in front at seemed like we couldn’t han- some poor goalkeeping by Paulo Celtic Park. dle the pressure second half, we Gazzaniga, the England interna- But the Accies stayed in the lacked a bit of experience.” tional’s powerful shot creeping game and seemed to have se- The Dons could even have won in at the near post and he had cured an unlikely point when the game late on through Sam chances to extend the lead. Marios Ogkmpoe bundled in a Cosgrove, but Rangers were also Yet for all United’s dominance Liverpool’s Divock Origi (left) scores a goal during the English Premier League match against Everton at Anfield in Liverpool, United Kingdom, leveller in the 90th minute. furious a foul on Alfredo Morelos in the fi rst 45 minutes, one mo- on Wednesday. (Reuters) Celtic, though, snatched what was given as a free-kick outside ment of brilliance from Dele Alli could be a vital winner in the title the box despite the contact on pulled Mourinho’s men level be- Aston Villa) and we came back in All but one of the goals came derful goals, sensational passes, raham, who was prolifi c during a race when captain Brown burst the Colombian from Lewis Fer- fore the break. a great manner.” in a frantic fi rst half at Anfi eld super pieces of football. I loved loan spell at Aston Villa last sea- into the box to fi re in a winner guson appearing to take place Alli plucked the ball out of Mourinho, sacked by United as Divock Origi and Xherdan it a lot.on son, proved the diff erence against two minutes into injury time. inside the area. the air and skipped beyond two last December, described his re- Shaqiri, who replaced the rested “We needed fresh legs and I Villa, heading in Reece James’s “It was fraught at times because Elsewhere, James Scott’s swift United defenders with one touch ception at Old Traff ord as “nice Roberto Firmino and Mohamed had to show my respect to the cross to open the scoring. mentally, we switched off towards double inspired fourth-placed before slotting home his fourth and polite”. Salah, put Liverpool 2-0 up in- boys in the squad, that’s all. Trezeguet bundled home to the end and allowed Hamilton to Motherwell to a comfortable 3-0 goal in as many games since “It’s a step back against a team side 17 minutes. They proved it. It is much more bring the visitors level before the get an equaliser, which I wasn’t victory over St Mirren to move to Mourinho took charge. that is playing with the same Michael Keane pulled a goal fun making changes, all of the break, but Abraham then turned happy about,” said Celtic man- within a point of Aberdeen. United were handed the objective as us, trying to get up back for Everton before Origi boys are ready to deliver per- provider by chesting down for ager Neil Lennon, who cited Sun- Steven MacLean rescued chance to retake the lead when the table and reach the top six,” got his second and Sadio Mane formances like this.” Mason Mount to brilliant volley day’s upcoming League Cup fi nal a point for Hearts with a late Rashford went down under he said. “We need to keep going. fi nished off a blistering counter- Leicester moved back above high past Tom Heaton. against Rangers as an explanation equaliser to deny Livingston a Moussa Sissoko’s challenge in We made mistakes but it’s not attack to make it 4-1. City as Liverpool’s closest chal- Wolves, in fi fth place, remain for his side’s display. fi rst victory at Tynecastle in over the penalty area early in the sec- good to be crying about them The scoring did not stop there lengers. unbeaten in the league since “It’s the psychology of foot- 17 years in a 1-1 draw, but the ond half and he put his recent now.” as Richarlison cut the defi cit Brendan Rodgers’ side were September and goals from Le- ball. A lot of talk and a lot of Jambos remain just one point off spot-kick woes behind him to once more, but Georginio Wi- awarded a penalty after the ander Dendoncker and Patrick build-up has been about Sunday the bottom of the table. send Gazzaniga the wrong way. ORIGI DOUBLE jnaldum hammered the fi nal nail break when Jonny Evans went Cutrone either side of half-time and, subconsciously, I think we Ross County came from be- “The three points are massive Liverpool emphatically restated in the Everton coffi n as an eighth down clutching his face inside gave them a 2-0 win against a were a little bit fl at.” hind to take all three points in a for us,” said Solskjaer. their title credentials by thrash- defeat in 11 league games sees the area and Jamie Vardy made disappointing West Ham at Mo- Rangers failed to convert dom- 2-1 win against Hibernian, end- “We’ve had too many draws ing their city rivals 5-2, surging the Toff ees slip into the bottom no mistake, scoring for the sev- lineux. inance into points at Pittodrie as ing a run of nine games without this season and given too many eight points clear of Leicester three. enth straight game. Southampton moved out of Aberdeen snatched a 2-2 draw in a win and St Johnstone moved off points away from winning posi- after their 14th win in 15 games. “All the goals were incredible, James Maddison sealed the the bottom three with a 2-1 win a bodyblow for Steven Gerrard’s the bottom with their fi rst clean tions. It’s a great lesson the last Manchester City, in third place, outstanding,” said Liverpool points deep into stoppage time. against fellow strugglers Nor- men. sheet on the road in 10 months in two games (Sheffi eld United and are 11 behind the leaders. manager Jurgen Klopp. “Won- Chelsea forward Tammy Ab- wich. Goals from Scott Arfi eld and a goalless draw at Kilmarnock.

SPOTLIGHT City, United head into derby with renewed confi dence

Reuters back to full competitiveness. this situation of low block and a Manchester, United Kingdom But on Tuesday, in a 4-1 dis- giant dominating in the air and mantling of Burnley at Turf being fast in counter-attack.” Moor, City looked like City again There are plenty of teams who week ago there was lit- and above all they looked like a have tried such an approach tle about tomorrow’s Guardiola team again — pass- against City, however, and found Manchester derby to ing crisply, moving with pur- that Guardiola’s side are well whet the appetite but pose, dominating possession and capable of dismantling their de- afterA statement performances deadly near goal. fence and limiting their counters. from both teams it suddenly has On Wednesday, United, in- The derby then will be a much the feel of ‘must watch’ football spired by a confi dent and tal- better indicator of City’s ability again. ented Marcus Rashford and with to recapture their best form than Manchester City had lost their Scott McTominay powerful in a half-hearted Burnley provided. mojo, their draw at Newcastle central midfi eld, deservedly beat But whatever the outcome, Juer- United the latest in a series of a Tottenham Hotspur team man- gen Klopp’s Liverpool will expect below-par performances which aged by their former boss Jose to have their lead intact. suggested not only that their title Mourinho. The European champions, who hopes were fading but that Pep What makes Saturday’s game at crushed Everton 5-2 in Wednes- Guardiola might need to think the Etihad fascinating is that while day’s Merseyside derby, travel to about a rebuild of his side. sixth-placed United may trail City Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola celebrates the victory over Manchester United’s Rashford (centre) scored two goals in the win Bournemouth on Saturday with Manchester United’s draw at by 11 points, the same margin that Burnley on Tuesday. (Reuters) over Tottenham Hotspur on Wednesday. (AFP) Eddie Howe’s side having lost four home to Aston Villa was a list- Liverpool have over Guardiola’s straight games and picked up just less display which brought ques- team, Solskjaer’s side have been at Traff ord and they are the only team United are well equipped for a defensive approach, they are of young people with lots of en- one win since the start of October. tions, from some quarters, about their best in the biggest games. to have taken points off Liverpool, games where they aren’t expect- not afraid to be at home, to take ergy and good mentality,” he said. Second-placed Leicester, on a whether Ole Gunnar Solskjaer United have beaten Chelsea, with a 1-1 draw at home in October. ed to be on top for long stretches. their time, to be in control of the “When they are winning run of seven straight wins, are at was the right man to lead them Leicester City and Spurs at Old Mourinho himself noted that “They are not afraid to be with emotions of the game. Then lots matches, they are comfortable in Aston Villa on Sunday.

Van Marwijk has UAE was in charge of Australia at the 2018 World contract,” Wilmots, who led Belgium’s golden ankle. The Belgium forward injured his right sion ordering them to pay six million euros Cup. He has coached Feyenoord and Borussia generation to the Euro 2016 quarter-finals, ankle in last week’s 2-2 draw at home to Paris ($6.61mn) to Nantes for the transfer of Emiliano contract terminated Dortmund among others at club level. added. In November he also said on the platform Saint-Germain following a clash with interna- Sala, who died in a plane crash on his way to he and his staff were in an “intolerable situation” tional teammate Thomas Meunier, although join the Welsh club, the Court of Arbitration for Dutch coach Bert van Marwijk has had his Wilmots resigns as Iran due to serious contractual violations by the the club initially said he had suff ered bruising. Sport (CAS) said yesterday. After signing for contract with the United Arab Emirates na- Iranian Football Federation (FFIRI). Earlier in the A statement from Real did not say how long he Cardiff for 15mn pounds ($19.25mn) in January, tional team terminated after some 10 months coach year, the Belga news agency reported the FFIRI would be out. Gareth Bale meanwhile was absent Sala was travelling there from the French club in charge. The UAE Football Association said had paid Wilmots late and he had threatened to from yesterday’s training session and according when his plane crashed in the English Channel. in a statement the “UAE FA board members Belgian Marc Wilmots announced he was leaving resign with his contract running until the 2022 to Marca he will miss tomorrow’s La Liga match The body of the 28-year-old Argentine striker have decided to terminate the services of the his position as coach of Iran after six matches World Cup. with Espanyol as well as Wednesday’s Champions was recovered nearly three weeks later after an national team head coach,” and that a new in charge which included a 14-0 victory over League game at Club Bruges due to a hamstring underwater search found the wreckage. In Oc- coach will be announced in the next few days. Cambodia, he said on Twitter. “Contrary to the Hazard out of ‘Clasico’ with strain. Real also said yesterday that defender tober, FIFA ordered Cardiff to play a six million- The decision comes after the UAE were beaten informations published in the Iranian press, no Marcelo has sustained a calf injury. euro sum, relating to the first instalment of his 4-2 by Qatar in the Gulf Cup on Monday. Van amicable agreement between the Iranian federa- fractured ankle transfer fee, to the French club. A hearing was Marwijk, 67, has been in charge of the UAE tion, myself and my staff has been found,” he Cardiff City appeal to CAS expected to take place in the spring of 2020 team since succeeding Italian Alberto Zac- posted on Wednesday. “We are in negotiations in Real Madrid’s 100-million-euro ($110mn) forward and a decision was not expected before June. cheroni in late January. Van Marwijk led the order to find an amicable solution after a failure Eden Hazard is set to miss his side’s crunch over verdict in Sala case Cardiff , playing in the English Premier League Netherlands to the 2010 World Cup final, was to respect contractual obligations by the Iranian match with La Liga leaders Barcelona later this at the time, were relegated at the end of the Saudi Arabia coach between 2015 and 2017 and federation after the justified termination of the month after being diagnosed with a fractured Cardiff City have appealed against the deci- season. Gulf Times 4 Friday, December 6, 2019 FOOTBALL

LIGUE 1 BUNDESLIGA 1970s revisited as leaders Gladbach Neymar, Mbappe seek to beat Bayern

Reuters Gladbach forward Alassane Berlin, Germany Plea said felling Bayern would mean so much. “Bayern are a big club with orussia Moenchengla- countless successes,” he said this fi re PSG fi ve points dbach trying to bring week. “They have won the league down the mighty Bay- title almost every season in the ern Munich after years past years and play without in- ofB Bavarian dominance might terruption in the Champions sound like a line from a 1970s League. German football almanac but “They have top players and are that will be the case tomorrow arguably the strongest team in when the two sides meet in the the league. That is why we really clear in Paris league. want to win that game.” For decades-long roles have Plea has formed a formidable ‘It says a lot if in December our two key players are starting for the first time together’ been reversed this season, with partnership with fellow French- the ‘Foals’ of Gladbach galloping man Marcus Thuram and Swiss AFP away at the top of the standings international Breel Embolo, Paris, France while Bayern struggle to keep scoring four goals and recording pace. four assists. For younger German football Thuram has contributed six eymar and Kylian fans this is a completely new ex- goals while Embolo, who strug- Mbappe both scored as perience but more seasoned fans gled for a starting spot at Schalke Paris Saint-Germain could draw parallels to some 45 04, has fi ve. restored their fi ve- years ago when Bayern, in the “The fact that we are still pointN cushion at the top of Ligue midst of their three consecutive league leaders shows how 1 with a 2-0 win over Nantes on European Cup wins, lost their good we have been working Wednesday. domestic crown to a sensational and how good a season we Mbappe’s smart fi nish shortly Gladbach team. have been playing,” Plea add- after half-time and Neymar’s Gladbach won fi ve of eight ed. “We have a great team... late penalty saw the hosts ease to league titles between 1970 and and we are currently in just victory at the Parc des Princes. 1977, including three straight very good form.” PSG, whose scheduled game from 1975-77. The Bavarians will be feel- against Monaco last weekend was Bayern have again become the ing the heat, having suff ered a postponed due to bad weather, most powerful force in German shock 2-1 home loss to Bayer also have a game in hand on sec- football, having won seven con- Leverkusen last week, their ond-placed Marseille as they bid secutive league titles starting fi rst defeat under interim coach for a seventh French league title in back in 2013 but their opponents Hansi Flick. eight seasons. are enjoying a scintillating cam- Another loss would see them Marseille won 2-0 at Angers paign. drop further behind in the title on Tuesday to briefl y cut the gap After decades stuck mid-table race and put Flick’s future at the to only two points. or even lower, Gladbach are top of club in doubt. Thomas Tuchel started Ney- the heap on 28 points, four ahead Second-placed RB Leipzig, mar and Mbappe together for of fourth-placed Bayern, and on 27 points, host Hoff enheim, the fi rst time this season, al- closing in on the unoffi cial autumn while Schalke 04, a further two though the German coach left champions title with the winter points behind in third, travel to Edinson Cavani and Mauro Icar- break coming later this month. Leverkusen. di on the bench. “It says a lot if in December our two key players (Mbappe and Neymar), who we want to make the diff erence, are starting for the fi rst time together,” said Tuchel. “Imagine if (Lionel) Messi and (Luis) Suarez played together for the fi rst time in December (for Barcelona)... They lacked rhythm, I’m not expecting too much from both of them. “I’m happy they scored, but Paris Saint-Germain’s Neymar (left) is congratulated by teammate Kylian Mbappe after scoring a goal during the Ligue 1 match against FC there is a lot of potential (for Nantes at the Parc des Princes in Paris, France, on Wednesday. (AFP) them to improve).” Mbappe fired the first open- delay, the goal was ruled out by Mbappe met Angel Di Maria’s Earlier on Wednesday, Gel- Amiens’ game against Reims ing over the crossbar, before VAR for an apparent high foot low cross with a backheel fl ick son Martins came off the bench was postponed due to fog. Nantes’ Ludovic Blas was de- from Julian Draxler. into the corner after fi ne work to fi re Monaco to a 2-1 win over Bordeaux were ordered to nied by Keylor Navas in the The world’s most expensive by Neymar. Toulouse as the principality temporarily close the south (From left) Borussia Moenchengladbach’s players Breel Embolo, PSG goal. player almost gave PSG a half- The Brazilian eventually got side made it six victories in nine stand at their Matmut Stadium Alassane Plea and Marcus Thuram take part in a training session in Neymar appeared to have put time lead anyway, but saw his his goal with fi ve minutes re- league outings. after fans protesting against club Moenchengladbach, Germany, on Wednesday. (AFP) the hosts in front with a fan- low shot tipped away by visiting maining, scoring his penalty at Saint-Etienne moved into president Frederic Longuepee tastic left-footed strike after goalkeeper Alban Lafont. the second time of asking after fi fth with a 4-1 success over delayed their 6-0 thrashing of Nantes could only half clear a The league leaders did forge substitute Icardi encroached in Nice, while Montpellier were Nimes by 25 minutes on Tuesday SERIE A corner, but following a lengthy ahead in the 52nd minute as the area. held to a 2-2 draw at lowly Dijon. after invading the pitch.

Italian sports daily under fi re over ‘Black Friday’ headline Lazio threaten

Reuters Smalling and Lukaku on op- scribed as “innocent.” key chants when he went to take “black”, and he was “trying to Sarri’s unbeaten Rome, Italy posite sides. “’Black Friday’, for those who a penalty for Inter Milan during a get whiter”. The club said that The headline, in English, was want and can understand it, Serie A match at Cagliari. the comments were sarcastic posted in bold letters on the was and is only the praise of dif- A veteran Italian pundit was and aimed at Balotelli’s critics. record at Juventus talian sports daily Cor- newspaper’s front page along ference, the pride of diff erence, dropped from one of the coun- Last week, all 20 Serie A clubs riere dello Sport has been with a picture of the two black the magnificent richness of try’s Sunday night round table signed an open letter saying Reuters Icondemned by anti-racism players. diff erence,” it said in a mes- programmes in September Italian football had to do more Milan, Italy group Fare for using the It drew criticism from Fare sage posted on its website. “An after suggesting Lukaku could to fight racism. headline ‘Black Friday’ along which retweeted the headline innocent title... is transformed only be stopped by giving him Earlier this year, Englishman with a picture of players Chris under the comment: “The me- into poison by those who have bananas to eat. Smalling, who has joined Roma aurizio Sarri is still Smalling and Romelu Lukaku to dia fuels racism every day. This the poison inside.” Last month, the president of on loan from Manchester unbeaten after 19 preview today’s match between is today’s edition of Corriere Italian football has been plagued Italian club Brescia said on the United, backed a campaign for matches in his new Inter Milan and AS Roma. dello Sport.” by racism and Lukaku himself sidelines of a Serie A meet- players to boycott social media role as coach of Ju- Mventus but that proud record The match will see former In reply, the newspaper stood was a victim when the Belgium ing that striker Mario Balo- for 24 hours in a protest against Manchester United teammates by its headline which it de- forward was insulted with mon- telli’s problem was that he was racism. faces a severe test when the Serie A champions visit free-scoring Lazio tomorrow. Sarri’s numbers have been im- COMMENT pressive with 15 wins and four draws, yet the chain-smoking substituted and generally given coach does not seem to have quite the impression that he is not re- imposed his distinctive footballing ally enjoying himself. Club game key to development of Asian women’s philosophy on his team. Sarri said, however, that the A 2-2 draw at home to Sas- 34-year-old had got his fi t- suolo on Sunday meant they lost ness back and just needed some top spot and left them one point polish. football, says Player of the Year Kumagai behind Inter Milan, who host AS “In terms of resistance, he has Roma today. recovered, the next step will be Reuters hance their game and we need to continue on the world stage. Led by Ciro Immobile, Serie to regain a touch of brilliance but Hong Kong having these kind of tournaments.” “I think that shows how far the women’s A’s topscorer with 17 goals, Lazio he is on the way up,” he said after Nippon TV Beleza last week won the game in Asia has come. It’s quite diffi cult to have climbed to third after a run the Sassuolo match. inaugural Asian Women’s Club Champi- compare the last three World Cups, the one of six successive league wins and Ronaldo also suggested that he sian Player of the Year Saki Ku- onship after teams from Japan, South Ko- that we won and the last one. have already blasted 33 goals in was better, posting a photograph magai says the development rea, China and Australia participated in a “At the World Cup we played this year we 14 games. of himself on Twitter with the of club football is crucial to the FIFA-funded round-robin competition. had a fairly young team with inexperienced Juventus, who are chasing their caption: “Positive vibes!” continued improvement of the It was the latest move to further devel- players. ninth successive title, had hoped Still, the question remains as women’sA game on the world’s most popu- op the women’s game in Asia, a continent “As a team that inexperience cost us, I that Sarri’s arrival would change to whether Ronaldo is the prob- lous continent. that has achieved success at global level think, but gaining the experience we did the rather dour image the side had lem or the solution for Juventus. Kumagai, part of Japan’s 2011 World but which risks being left behind by the at this year’s World Cup can make us into acquired under his predecessor Juve have looked at their best Cup-winning side, this week added current surge in popularity of the game in a better team in the coming years.” Massimiliano Allegri. when Argentine pair Gonzalo Asia’s highest individual honour to an Europe and the United States. Any lingering disappointment from Yet, despite several players Higuain and Paulo Dybala have impressive trophy haul that includes six For the fi rst time since the Women’s the World Cup campaign has been off set saying that they are having more both been playing. French league titles, one French Cup tri- World Cup began in 1991, no Asian team by the recognition she fi nally earned from fun under Sarri, Juventus have The duo scored all three goals umph and four UEFA Women’s Champi- managed to reach the quarter-fi nals of the Asian Football Confederation at their continued their habit of sneaking between them in a 3-1 win at ons League titles. this year’s tournament in France. annual awards ceremony in Hong Kong narrow wins. Atalanta, Dybala scored a late The midfi elder’s success at club level Japan, fi nalists at the two previous on Monday. Twelve of their 15 wins have winner against AC Milan after has come since she joined French pow- World Cups, went out in the group stage “I’ve been nominated a few times be- been by single-goal margins and, coming on for Ronaldo and they erhouse Olympique Lyonnais in 2013 and after losses to two European sides but fore but at last I’ve been able to win this in Serie A, their total of 25 goals were also on target when Juve the 29-year-old would love to see other Kumagai says progress is being made. award and I’m very, very happy,” said Ku- scored is six less than at the same won 2-1 at Inter, their best result Asian women given the same opportunity game as well,” she said. “I think the level of women’s football magai. stage last season. of the season. to develop their game at the highest level. “I know the AFC and FIFA have es- in Asia is growing, especially since I made “It’s quite diffi cult to compare indi- Much of the focus has been on Yet, with Sarri fearing that a “I play in Europe, in France, and we tablished a new competition and I think my debut,” she said. vidual trophies against team trophies but Cristiano Ronaldo who, despite Ronaldo-Higuain-Dybala trio play in the UEFA Women’s Champions that’s a very good thing for women’s “You can see this particularly in the I think it’s a result of my team’s perform- scoring six goals in 11 games, has would unbalance the team, one League, where we play foreign teams very football, both in Japan and in Asia as well. youth tournaments where the last four fi - ance that means I was able to win this struggled with pain in his knee, of them has to be left out to make often and I think that has enhanced my “These kind of experiences will en- nals you always see an Asian team playing award.” shown his displeasure on being way for the Portuguese forward. Gulf Times Friday, December 6, 2019 5 SPORT

NBA MLB Billionaire Cohen ‘in talks’ to increase Antetokounmpo stake in Mets

AFP main in the role of the control New York person and CEO for fi ve years and Jeff Wilpon will remain in his role of chief operating ew York Mets an- offi cer for the 5-year period leads Bucks to 13th nounced Wednes- as well. day that hedge fund “Steve Cohen will contin- billionaire Steve ue as CEO and president of ‘AT THE END OF THE DAY NCohen is in talks to “increase Point72 Asset Management his investment” in the Major and his stake in the Mets will MY TEAMMATES WANT League Baseball club but that continue to be managed by Fred and Jeff Wilpon will con- his family offi ce, Cohen Pri- ME IN THE GAME’ tinue to run the team for the vate Ventures,” the Mets said. straight win next fi ve years. Cohen fi rst bought a “The Sterling Partners and 4% stake in the Mets for Steve Cohen are negotiat- $200,000 in 2012, after the ing an agreement in which Wilpons’ deal to sell a third of Steve Cohen would increase the team to hedge fund man- his investment in the New ager David Einhorn in 2011 York Mets,” the team said in for $200mn collapsed. a statement after widespread In 2013, Cohen’s former media reports that Cohen fi rm, SAC Capital, plead- was in negotiations to pur- ed guilty to insider trading chase a majority stake. charges and paid a record Sterling Partners is the $1.8bn penalty. investment fi rm of current Cohen was accused of fail- Mets majority owners Fred ing to adequately oversee an Wilpon and his son Jeff . employee but was not per- The Wall Street Journal re- sonally fi ned. ported that the Wilpons are The Mets have made it to “in talks to sell up to 80 per- the Major League Baseball cent” of the club to Cohen in playoff s just three times since a deal that values the Mets at the Wilpons became majority $2.6bn. owners in 2002. The Mets statement did They lost to the Kansas not confi rm any fi gures but City Royals in the 2015 World said that as part of the agree- Series, but last reached the ment “Fred Wilpon will re- post-season in 2016.

File photo of New York Mets right fielder Michael Conforto hits a single in the first inning against the Atlanta Braves at Citi Field in New York on Sep 29, 2019. PICTURE: USA TODAY Sports

49ers lock horns with Saints for critical NFC battle Giannis Antetokounmpo (right) of the Milwaukee Bucks drives to the basket against Blake Griff in of the Detroit Pistons during the second half at Little Caesars Arena on Wednesday. (AFP) The New Orleans Saints were on Thanksgiving night. AFP Griffi n angered the Bucks by stepping over “Thirty-two fastbreak points on the sec- the first NFL team to clinch “We have a list of goals and Antetokounmpo’s legs. ond night of a back-to-back, that’s just great a spot in the playoff s. Now objectives. We just want to Los Angeles RESULTS Middleton raced over and admonished eff ort by our team,” Lakers coach Frank Vogel they’re trying to enhance their knock them down one by one, Dallas 121-114 Minnesota Griffi n and after a lengthy review Brown, said after his team’s 10th straight road win. seeding. but at the end of the day, let’s iannis Antetokounmpo’s 35 Griffi n and Middleton all received technical “We just want to continue to battle on the The San Francisco 49ers seem just keep it simple right now. Brooklyn 130-118 Atlanta points propelled the Milwau- fouls. “At that point, I was, like, tired,” An- defensive end,” Davis said. “We played with headed to the playoff s also, “Let’s just focus on playing kee Bucks to a 13th straight NBA Boston 112-93 Miami tetokounmpo said. “I was, like, ‘They’re go- great pace tonight and were able to get points but their standing has slipped. our best football. I still think victory on Wednesday, a hard- Portland 127-116 Sacramento ing to do this all night.’ in transition. We just played together.” The 49ers visit the Saints on it’s out there on both sides of Gfought 127-103 win over the Pistons in “At fi rst I was trying to talk back, trying to The Jazz lost for the fi fth time in sixth LA Lakers 121-96 Utah Sunday in a game that will the ball.” Detroit. let them know this is more than basketball. games — but suff ered just their second home have a significant eff ect on the The Saints had three Antetokounmpo, the reigning NBA Most Chicago 106-99 Memphis We can stop playing basketball, we can fi ght. defeat of the season. pecking order atop the NFC. takeaways and nine sacks Valuable Player, powered through a conten- Indians 107-100 Oklahoma City “At the end of the day my teammates want In Boston, the Celtics defeated the Miami The Saints, 49ers and Seattle against the Falcons, but tious encounter, pulling down six rebounds Charlotte 106-91 Golden State me in the game, my teammates want me to Heat 112-93, handing the Heat their fi rst Seahawks are tied at 10-2, they also were penalized and handing out nine assists as the Bucks keep my head in the game.” defeat of a three-game road trip that had and the San Francisco-New nine times for 121 yards and continued their domination of the Pistons. Milwaukee 127-103 Detroit The tough-guy posturing didn’t help the included wins over the Brooklyn Nets and Orleans winner will hold that allowed Atlanta to recover The Bucks improved to 19-3 — tied for Orlando 128-114 Phoenix Pistons and the Bucks emerged with their Toronto Raptors. Miami were without coach head-to-head tiebreaker. The three onside kicks — though best record in the league with the Western longest winning streak since 1973. Erik Spoelstra, who returned to Florida on Saints hold the tiebreaker on one was negated by a Falcons Conference-leading Los Angeles Lakers, The Lakers put on a defensive clinic in Wednesday for the birth of his second son. the Seahawks, who have a penalty — and have a late who beat the Utah Jazz 121-96 in Salt Lake points, 14 rebounds and fi ve assists. Utah, coming up with 13 steals and blocking The Heat led by as many as 11 points early leg up against their NFC West chance to tie. City. Milwaukee, whose eight wins over De- Antetokounmpo and Detroit’s Blake Grif- 12 shots as they held the Jazz to 41% shoot- in the second quarter, but Boston closed the rival 49ers, who would be a San Francisco was the last troit last season included a fi rst-round play- fi n clashed early and often. ing. Anthony Davis, battling illness that saw half on a 28-9 scoring run to take a 52-44 wild card if the season ended team in the NFL to lose a off sweep, have now notched two wins this Midway through the second quarter, Grif- him receive intravenous fl uids at halftime lead at halftime and never trailed in the sec- today. game this season, but it has season over the Pistons. fi n elbowed Antetokounmpo in the face and of the Lakers’ win at Denver on Tuesday, ond half. Jaylen Brown scored 31 points and “We’ve got bigger fish to fry,” now lost two of its last four. The Bucks led by 11 at halftime, and by 20 teammates hurried to intervene as the two scored 26 points. Davis added fi ve rebounds, Kemba Walker added 28 for the Celtics, who Saints quarterback Drew The 49ers managed just 119 after three quarters as the Pistons proved exchanged words. six assists and three blocked shots. withstood a 37-point performance by Mi- Brees said after New Orleans yards and three points in the unable to mount a challenge. Antetokounmpo answered in the third LeBron James added 20 points and hand- ami’s Jimmy Butler. clinched its third consecutive second half of a last-second Khris Middleton added 17 points for Mil- with a monster block of Griffi n’s layup at- ed out 12 assists for the Lakers, who didn’t The Dallas Mavericks won a see-saw bat- NFC South title with a 26-18 20-17 loss at the Baltimore waukee and Eric Bledsoe chipped in 15. tempt, and less than a minute later when trail at all after the fi rst quarter and led by as tle against the Minnesota Timberwolves victory at the Atlanta Falcons Ravens on Sunday. Reuters Andre Drummond led Detroit with 23 he hit the court after a foul by Bruce Brown, many as 25 in the second half. 121-114.

NHL Carlson tallies twice as Capitals conquer Kings Reuters Los Angeles RESULTS Colorado 3-1 Toronto ohn Carlson scored two goals, and Ilya Pittsburgh 3-0 St. Louis Samsonov made 22 saves to lead the vis- Ottawa 5-2 Edmonton iting Washington Capitals to their fi fth straight victory, 3-1 over the Los Angeles Washington 3-1 Los Angeles JKings on Wednesday night. Tom Wilson also scored an empty-net goal for Washington, which improved to an NHL- 4:36. It was his 100th career tally. best 13-2-1 on the road. The Metropolitan Divi- Less than nine minutes later, he scored No. sion-leading Capitals now have 47 points after 101 when he took a cross-ice pass from T.J. Os- 30 games, a franchise record. hie while cutting in from the bottom of the right Carlson has 42 points (11 goals, 31 assists) circle, deked Quick down to the ice and then on the season. He joins Calgary’s Al MacInnis wrapped the puck around the right post from (1990-91, 11 goals, 31 assists) as the only de- behind the goal line. It marked the 13th multi- fensemen since 1979-80 to record 42 points in point game of the season for Carlson. their fi rst 30 games of a season. Lizotte cut it to 2-1 at the 3:20 mark of the Blake Lizotte scored for the Kings. Jonathan third period. He picked up a puck behind the net Quick had 19 saves for Los Angeles, which lost that Samsonov had mishandled and then tucked for just the third time in its past 10 home games it inside the right post for his third goal of the (7-2-1). season. Carlson, coming off his sixth three-point Los Angeles nearly tied it with 6:25 to go game of the season and having scored the game- when Anze Kopitar rifl ed a shot from the high winning goal on Tuesday night in a 5-2 victory slot that caromed off the crossbar. at San Jose, scored two goals in the fi rst 13:27 on The Kings pulled Quick for with 2:04 left, Wednesday to stake Washington to an early 2-0 and the Capitals sealed the win when Wilson lead. scooped up a rebound of an Alex Iafallo shot in Carlson’s fi rst goal came when drove in on the front of the net and then fi red it down the ice right wing and snapped a wrist shot from above with 1:19 to go. It was Wilson’s 11th goal of the John Carlson (No. 74) of the Washington Capitals deeks Jonathan Quick (32) of the Los Angeles Kings, for his second goal of the game and a 2-0 the right circle that clanged in off the far post at season. lead, during the first period at Staples Center on Wednesday. (AFP) Gulf Times 6 Friday, December 6, 2019 CRICKET

FOCUS SPOTLIGHT Arthur confi rmed Willis was a ‘terror’ as SL head coach for batsmen, says ‘Willis was a bowler who never allowed you to relax for a moment. His incoming Kapil Dev ball was hard to spot and tackle’

AFP New Delhi

ob Willis was a “terror to face,” Indian great Kapil Dev said yesterday, re- vealing that the England fastB bowling legend, who has died aged 70, was the only one to Newly appointed Sri Lanka’s head coach Mickey Arthur speaks ever hit him with the ball. during a press conference in Colombo yesterday. (AFP) In a Test in England, Willis pitched the ball short and Dev Reuters Twenty20 contract with New went for his signature “Nataraj” Colombo Zealand side Central Districts. pull shot, the former all-rounder He took charge of a mercu- said as he paid tribute to Willis rial Pakistan side in 2016 and whose death was announced on outh African Mickey led them to the 2017 Champions Wednesday. Arthur has been ap- Trophy victory in the 50-over “It was a very sharp ball, faster pointed as Sri Lanka’s format and the number one than I had imagined, and hit me on head coach on a two-year ranking in the world in both tests the ear. It was the only time I was contract,S the country’s cricket and twenty20 internationals. struck,” the World Cup-winning board (SLC) said yesterday. Pakistan, however, decided captain, 60, told the Hindu daily. The 51-year-old former fi rst not to renew Arthur’s con- “Willis was a terrifi c fast class cricketer has enjoyed a tract following the team’s fail- bowler, with a run-up that was more illustrious career as a head ure to reach the semi-fi nals of unique. Not a fl uent run-up but coach with the national teams this year’s 50-over World Cup once the ball left his hand it was of South Africa, Australia and in England. “It had been three terror for the batsman,” he said. Pakistan. SLC appointed former very good years with Pakistan He added: “I never heard Wil- fast bowler Rumesh Ratnayake and I needed a little bit of time lis swear at a batsman, never as interim coach in August after away. The Sri Lankan job became saw him argue with the umpire. a fallout with head coach Chan- available and I started discus- He did not believe in talking. He dika Hathurusingha, who was sions,” Arthur said. wanted his ball to speak for him. criticised for Sri Lanka’s exit at “I looked at the talent that’s A true legend he was.” the group stage of the 50-over available and that’s the key mo- Sandeep Patil recalled mean- World Cup in England. tivating factor... to help these while that despite having in 1982 “We are very happy and young players fulfi l their poten- smashed Willis for six fours in pleased that we have been able tial.” In his fi rst assignment as Sri one over, as well as for four fours to obtain the services of Mickey,” Lanka coach, Arthur will return in the 1983 World Cup semi-fi - SLC secretary Mohan Silva told to Pakistan this month for the nal, the Englishman was fright- reporters. “He’s a well-known two-match test series, starting ening to come up against. personality who has been the from Dec. 11. The middle-order master said head coach of a number of coun- Zimbabwean Grant Flower he was “never comfortable fac- tries.” SLC President Shammi will join his support staff as the ing (Willis). He would put fear in Silva said Hathurusingha was batting coach while Australians the mind of the batsman with his no longer on the payroll of the David Saker and Shane McDer- searing pace. You had to watch board but did not provide fur- mott will be the bowling coach him very closely as he neared ther details. Arthur was recently and the fi elding coach respec- the stumps and be ready for the released from his short-term tively, the SLC added. thunderbolts that he would un- ing 325 wickets with his aggres- leash. Thunderbolts they were.” sive pace bowling and also cap- Patil added to the Hindu tained England for a spell before newspaper that in the infamous retiring in 1984 and taking up a South African cricket crisis deepens 1982 encounter, the lanky Eng- career in broadcasting. lishman, best known for his 8-43 Yashpal Sharma, who saw off he crisis in South taking the job — although demolition of Australia in the Willis in 1982 in Chennai in a African cricket he confirmed on Monday 1981 Ashes, had still congratu- knock of 140, said that the Eng- deepened yes- that new talks were under lated him for his century. lishman was “second to none, in terday as former way. According to Bacher, “How many would do that? speed, skill, and feats.” chiefT executive Ali Bach- in more than two months He should have been annoyed “If the pitch helped him, he was er called on incumbent since the original discus- with what I had achieved, but a terror, unplayable. Willis was a Thabang Moroe to quit, sions, Smith had still not here he was patting me. He won bowler who never allowed you to while a second independ- been presented with a my respect that day,” Patil said. relax for a moment. His incoming ent director resigned from contract for his considera- And in the next Test, Willis hit ball was hard to spot and tackle,” the board of Cricket South tion. him on the helmet. Sharma told the Hindu. Africa. The first talks took place “He made a sign that it was all “He was a quiet man on the Bacher, a former Test cap- before South Africa toured squared up. I had hit for six fours fi eld. His bowling spoke for tain, said Moroe was out of India in September and and he had struck me on my hel- him. I would rate him alongside his depth, while independ- October, where they were met. He did not speak a word. I Michael Holding and Malcolm ent board member Iqbal heavily beaten in all three never heard him abuse either, on Marshall in terms of speed. Khan, the chairman of Tests. Bacher alleged that the fi eld. He was a lovable fast What I liked most was how he CSA’s finance committee, current Test captain Faf du bowler,” Patil said. appreciated the opponent even said he could no longer Plessis had not been con- though he competed hard on the be party to an organisa- sulted about the appoint- ‘Unplayable’ fi eld,” Sharma added. tion that was “ruining the ment of the inexperienced Willis played in 90 Tests, tak- “A rare gentleman fast bowler.” game”. Enoch Nkwe as interim Khan blamed Moroe for team director. the majority of issues Nkwe was in charge of BOTTOMLINE besetting CSA, including the team that toured India failing to adhere to the and looks set to continue terms of an agreement in the role in a home Test with the SA Cricketers’ series against England, Association, the banning which starts on December of five journalists last 26. In addition to the role As World T20 looms, India to weekend and “widespread of director of cricket being credit card abuse”. vacant, no selectors have In his letter to CSA presi- yet been appointed ahead dent Chris Nenzani, Khan of the England tour. “The wrote: “Unfortunately, all current CEO is out of his focus on fi elding best side: Kohli fingers point at the CEO. depth and I strongly sug- Reuters cricket and this a good format to see them,” Kohli “But, having said that, I gest that he resigns immi- Mumbai said. cannot believe that you are nently in the best interests “But now heading into the World Cup rankings not aware of the many is- of South African cricket,” are going to be irrelevant because T20 anyone can sues that have caused this said Bacher. ndia will experiment less and look to play win on the day. I think our combination is getting malaise and to that extent In a separate interview their best Twenty20 side with just over 10 stronger and stronger. you are also complicit and with an Afrikaans-language months left before the T20 World Cup, cap- “We will probably be playing as close to the perhaps even the entire website, Bacher said, tain Virat Kohli said at Hyderabad on the eve eleven that we want in the World Cup as possible board.” Khan’s resignation “We’re currently the joke of ofI a three-match series against West Indies yes- for the remainder of the T20 games we have lead- came a day after that of world cricket. terday. ing into the World Cup.” Shirley Zinn, leaving CSA “I don’t want us to end Kohli’s men are the top-ranked side in test Kohli, India’s batting mainstay, also threw his with only three of their five up like the West Indies, cricket and number two in the 50-over format weight behind under-pressure stumper batsman independent directors. who were once a mighty behind England but the inaugural T20 World Cup Rishabh Pant. CSA will be holding an cricket nation but have just champions are ranked fi fth in the world in the Opening batsman Rohit Sharma, who led In- emergency board meeting disappeared over the last shortest format of the game. dia in the absence of Kohli against Bangladesh, in Johannesburg tomorrow decade or two.” Support “T20 is a format where you experiment a lot implored critics of Pant to leave the 22-year-old at which it said “important for Moroe came from Jack more things than ODI and test cricket. I think alone and let him play with freedom. decisions will be made”. Madiseng, a CSA board from that point of view you take a lot more risk in Pant has received criticism lately from India’s Bacher said in an inter- member and Moroe’s terms of what you want,” Kohli told reporters. coaching staff , pundits and the media after losing view with the espncricinfo successor as president of “As a team you want to give chances to young- his wicket through loose shots and his position website that he had medi- Gauteng cricket. sters. So you can’t really pinpoint where we stand. in the India test side has been taken by fi t-again ated talks between Moroe In an email to Nenzani and Ranking is actually the refl ection of the strongest Wriddhiman Saha. “As Rohit rightly pointed out and former Test captain CSA deputy president Be- eleven but we haven’t really played the strongest as well, he needs to be left alone,” Kohli said. “We Graeme Smith on August resford Williams, Madiseng eleven together for many games.” India will see know he’s a match-winner and once he comes 28, which could have led to accused the pair of a lack the return of experienced seamers Bhuvneshwar good you will see a diff erent version of him — Smith becoming CSA direc- of leadership. Madiseng Kumar and Mohammed Shami to the T20 scheme which you’ve seen in the IPL (Indian Premier tor of cricket. said the board and not the of things while frontline left-arm wrist-spinner League) already because he’s free, he’s relaxed Smith announced on CEO needed to be held ac- Kuldeep Yadav also makes a comeback. there. He feels that there’s a lot more respect November 15 that he had countable for “rubbishing “For us it’s about fi guring out who are the play- when it comes to his abilities and what he can India’s captain Virat Kohli during a training session ahead of the first T20 match against withdrawn his interest in the CSA’s brand”. AFP ers that can make a transition into international achieve for the team.” West Indies at the Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium in Hyderabad yesterday. (AFP) Gulf Times Friday, December 6, 2019 7 SPORT

FOCUS F1 waves chequered fl ag for tradition over technology

Reuters ended off icially a lap early. London, United Kingdom Drivers continued at racing speeds for another lap but, de- spite the actual chequered flag ormula One’s govern- being waved at the end of the eSports levels up ing body has ruled for 53rd, the positions after the 52nd Ftradition over technology lap stood as the final result. when it comes to deciding the That meant Mexican Sergio off icial end of a grand prix. Perez off icially finished ninth The FIA said in a statement and in the points despite crash- after a World Motor Sport ing out. Council meeting in Paris that The sport has seen several the waved chequered flag chequered flag mix-ups in the with SEA Games would be reinstated next sea- hands of celebrities. son as the “definitive end-of- A miscommunication led to race signal”. fashion model Winnie Harlow It represents progress for video gaming, which was a Under new rules introduced accidentally waving the flag this year, a digital chequered early at last year’s Canadian demonstration sport at last year’s Asiad but has been flag mounted on the starting Grand Prix, an error that led lights gantry took precedence to the digital flag being given left off the programme for the next edition in 2022 over the physical flag, which precedence. debut was still waved as before when In Brazil in 2006, soccer great cars crossed the finish line. Pele waved too late and missed AFP The digital display was blamed home race winner Felipe Manila, Philippines last October for the Japanese Massa’s Ferrari as it crossed Grand Prix at Suzuka being the line.

Sports took a step into the sporting mainstream yesterday as it made its BOXING debut at the Southeast Asiane Games, becoming a medal event for the fi rst time at an Ol- ympic-recognised multi-sport I will die trying to competition. As the typhoon-hit Games, spread across dozens of ven- defend my title against ues in the northern Philippines, neared the halfway stage, eS- ports made its grand entrance at Joshua, says Ruiz Jr a darkened arena in Manila. It represents progress for vid- eo gaming, which was a demon- stration sport at last year’s Asian Games but has been left off the programme for the next edition in 2022. Players from nine countries are competing over six days for medals in Mobile Legends, Are- na of Valor, Dota 2, Starcraft II, Tekken 7 and Hearthstone. “This is a very, very historic day because for the first time eSports will be played in the Southeast Asian Games,” lo- cal mayor Francis Zamora said at an opening ceremony at the 5,500-capacity San Juan Are- na. The 11-country Games, fea- Andy Ruiz Jr and Anthony Joshua pose after the press conference turing a record 56 sports, were ahead of their bout tomorrow. (Reuters) rocked by deadly Typhoon Kammuri which forced about Reuters Klitschko in his bid to reclaim half of Tuesday’s events to be Bengaluru, India the title at the fi ght dubbed the rescheduled. Gamers from Malaysia (left) and Vietnam (right) compete in the qualifying rounds of the eSports event at the Southeast Asian Games in ‘Clash on the Dunes’. It was the second time ma- Manila, Philippines, yesterday. (AFP) “I may be less than 17 stone jor sporting event has suff ered orld heavyweight (107.95kg),” Joshua said. “I’m typhoon disruption in Asia in a full SEA Games programme re- rean opened his medal account the men’s 1,500m freestyle, the ble yesterday with 60 golds — champion Andy punching loose and heavy — recent months, after Typhoon sumed on Wednesday. on Wednesday with a win in longest event in the pool. compared with the 24 it won in Ruiz Jr has said he rhythm and fl ow. Hagibis forced the cancellation Among highlights at the the 4x200m freestyle relay in a Places in the women’s foot- 2017. fulfi lled a lifelong “Before I was trying to bench- of matches during the Rugby event, Olympic champion SEA Games record time of 7min ball fi nal will also be decided, as Seven of the last 11 host na- Wdream when he triumphed over press a house. I used my body World Cup in Japan. Joseph Schooling will be hoping 17.88sec. Myanmar take on Thailand and tions have fi nished top of the Britain’s Anthony Joshua in June to get where I needed but then I Despite 13 deaths in Typhoon to bag his fi rst individual gold of Six medals were up for grabs Vietnam face the Philippines in medals table at the SEA Games, and he would “die trying” to de- started realising the sweet sci- Kammuri, none of the 8,750 ath- the Games when he swims in the yesterday at the aquatics centre in semi-fi nal clashes. where the fl exible sporting pro- fend his belts in the title rematch ence of the sport. I am punching letes and team offi cials or 12,000 50 metres butterfl y fi nal. New Clark City, the Games’ main The Philippines remained in gramme is traditionally weight- in Saudi Arabia tomorrow. like a horse kicking backwards volunteers was reported hurt and The 24-year-old Singapo- hub north of Manila, including fi rm control of the medals ta- ed towards the home team. Mexican-American Ruiz pro- right now.” duced one of boxing’s biggest Ruiz, however, said he would upsets when he dethroned the not ‘underestimate’ Joshua and previously undefeated world that he had his own strategies champion Joshua with a sev- to counter the former Olympic Ferrari end the season with a title, unlike in real F1 enth-round stoppage at New champion. York’s Madison Square Garden. “I know he lost weight and Reuters first attempt. as a team. A perfect perform- with a 26-point lead. place on the grid. “I have been doing this since that he will try and box me London, United Kingdom Red Bull won the team trophy, ance,” added the teenager from That was soon whittled away, The Dane ended up 10th in the I was six and it is fi nally paying around,” Ruiz added. “So it’s my taking over at the top from Viterbo, who was first pick in with Red Bull’s Danish racer race while Tonizza finished off ,” Ruiz told the BBC. “There job to prevent that. Mercedes who had been domi- this year’s pro draft after failing Frederik Rasmussen winning runner-up to Alfa Romeo’s is no way I am going to let these “(In the June bout) I was the talian gamer David nant in both the real and virtual to be selected last time. the first two races to clinch the Hungarian Daniel Bereznay belts go, I will die trying. one who had the strength, the Tonizza won the esports worlds. Britain’s Brendon Leigh had team title, while Tonizza was and with a total of 184 points to “It has been a roller-coaster one backing him up. When I IF1 Pro Series for Ferrari on Ferrari did not join their track won the first two titles but was handed a three second penalty Rasmussen’s 171. and now that I made the dreams jabbed I pushed him away.” Wednesday, ensuring at least rivals last year when Formula already out of the reckoning in race two for exceeding track Red Bull had 246 points to come true there is no way I will Joshua believes this will not be one championship trophy for One teams entered the virtual before the final round of races limits. runners-up Ferrari Driver Acad- let these go.” the last time the two fi ght each the Italian team after another championship for the first time, at Suzuka, Austin’s Circuit of That gave Rasmussen a four emy’s 184. Joshua has trimmed down other and predicted a third bout season of disappointment on but the Italians made up for that. the Americas and Sao Paulo’s point advantage with only anti- Tonizza, who now lives in Ma- ahead of the second WBA, IBF and in the future if Ruiz was up for it. the real racetrack. “It’s just great. I don’t know Interlagos. clockwise Interlagos to come. ranello, said he hoped to take WBO title showdown with an eye “This ain’t going to be the Formula One’s oldest, most where my head is,” declared Tonizza had gone into the Tonizza started on pole posi- the trophy back to the factory on taking the contest deep into the last time I see Ruiz in the ring,” successful and glamorous Tonizza, who has adopted the evening’s action at the Gfinity tion while the unemotional for all to admire. latter rounds, saying he expects a Joshua said. “We make for good team have not won a drivers’ nickname ‘Tonzilla’ after a arena, a converted West London Rasmussen, dubbed by British “I will ask if it’s possible to show “marathon, not a sprint”. fi ghts. title since Finnish ‘Iceman’ Kimi commentator mispronounced cinema over an underground former grand prix driver Jolyon this beauty,” he said, suggest- The Briton has also been taking “I think there’s defi nitely gon- Raikkonen in 2007, but their his name. railway station next to Chelsea’s Palmer ‘the Iceman of esports’, ing cheekily that maybe the era advice on his training regime and na be a knockout and that is what esports outfit triumphed at the “This was our rookie year, also Stamford Bridge soccer stadium, could manage only seventh of ‘Icemen’ was over. diet from former world heavy- people want to see, bloodshed weight champion Wladimir and knockouts.”

COMMENT Russia should get ‘tougher’ on doping: PM Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Speaking to reporters during He argued that clean Russian Medvedev said yesterday the an annual televised question- athletes should not be pun- Kipruto criticises Diamond League changes authorities should get tougher and-answer session with TV ished for others’ mistakes and on doping in sport while insist- journalists, Medvedev said Rus- complained the long-running Reuters League meetings, and it is not ing that other countries are not sia should get serious about doping scandal is like an “end- Eldoret, Kenya good that we shall be watching “without sin”. rooting out cheats. less anti-Russian TV series.” others at the fi nal.” Russia faces a possible new “We do have a problem with On Monday, the executive Kipruto said he has started doping ban and could be doping and this is unaccept- committee of the World Anti- enya’s Olympic 3,000 training for the coming year barred from all sporting com- able,” he said. Doping Agency will meet in metres steeplechase with two big goals in mind — petition for four years including “We should adopt a tougher Lausanne to consider the rec- champion Conseslus defending the Olympic title he the 2020 Summer Olympics line on this matter, towards ommendation to ban Russia. Kipruto has criticised won in 2016 in Rio and breaking in Tokyo and the 2022 Winter those taking the decisions on A WADA review panel has Kthe trimming of the Diamond the 7:53.63 world record set by Olympics in Beijing. the use of these substances.” accused Moscow of falsifying League programme next year Kenyan-born Qatari Saif Saaeed Russian authorities are accused “Here we have committed a laboratory data handed over to and told Reuters it will aff ect Shaheen 15 years ago. of tampering with drug test sin,” he acknowledged, while investigators as part of a probe athletes’ preparations ahead of “Next year, it’s an Olympic data they handed to global adding: “Are other countries into the doping allegations that the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. year, so I want to defend my title anti-doping watchdog WADA. without sin?” have plagued Russia for years. The steeplechase, triple when it comes to Tokyo,” he said. jump, 200 metres and discus “Another thing I want is to run More Tokyo 2020 events rescheduled due to heat concern have been cut from the Diamond the fastest run ever in steeple.” League’s core programme in an Kipruto plans to enter next Tokyo 2020 Olympics organis- degrees Fahrenheit). moved the marathon and eff ort to create a faster-paced year by running in winter cross- ers said yesterday the triathlon The men’s and women’s individ- race-walking to the northern and more exciting event. country competitions in Eu- and equestrian cross-country ual triathlon will start one hour Japanese island of Hokkaido The 24-year-old Kipruto, rope before getting ready for the would start earlier, the latest earlier at 6:30am (2130 GMT), over heat concerns. who successfully defended his at an Athletics Kenya confer- ing triple jump world record track. rescheduling due to concerns while the mixed team relay start Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike had world title in Doha in October, ence in the northwestern city of holder Jonathan Edwards and the “That’s what I am preparing over the Japanese capital’s time will move up to 7:30am repeatedly expressed her op- said the Diamond League meet- Eldoret. Jamaican sprinter Yohan Blake. for at the moment. That always stifling summer heat. from 8:30am, organisers said. position but off ered her reluctant ings gave athletes the opportu- “That’s where we always col- Kipruto is unhappy that the prepares us into getting endur- Doctors have warned the 2020 They also said the start time for support last month, saying the nity to gauge themselves against lect our tactics. Like, who is in men’s steeplechase will only ance,” he said. Games could see deadly medi- the cross-country part of the city would not stand in the way. the competition, especially shape, who is not in shape... so appear at fi ve Diamond League Looking further ahead, Ki- cal emergencies as athletes, equestrian competition was Organisers have won widespread heading into major champion- that we can see, we can get well- meetings and not in the fi nal. pruto wants to enter road races. volunteers and spectators face rescheduled from 8:30am to praise for their preparations but ships. prepared as well.” “I am worried about the fu- “I see it in my future, in my the sweltering Tokyo summer between 7:30am and 8:00am. extreme summer heat and poor “They (the changes) are going Other athletes have also criti- ture of steeplechase,” he said. dreams, I want to do long-dis- where the mercury can easily The International Olympic water quality have given them a to aff ect us in preparation for cised the move to cut down on “We gauge ourselves against tance, even up to marathon,” he reach 40 degrees Celsius (104 Committee (IOC) has already headache at test events. the Olympics,” he told Reuters Diamond League events, includ- other runners at these Diamond said.

Friday, December 6, 2019 GULF TIMES SPORT

FOCUS GOLF Infantino proposed as IOC member, but not Coe: Bach Sydney smoke Reuters IOC for the heads of soccer and Apart for his role at World Ath- Lausanne, Switzerland athletics was seen as almost au- letics, Coe is also Group Chair- tomatic. man of consultancy fi rm CSM Yet the two international fed- which also works with the IOC. stings as IFA president Gianni erations have been left out in the “CSM is consulting various Infantino has been pro- cold as they struggled with wide- organisations and stakehold- posed for International spread corruption and doping ers including having contractual Olympic Committee scandals which tarnished their partnerships with the IOC itself.” amateurs lead at membership,F but World Athlet- images. Diack, who has denied Bach said Coe had informed ics head Sebastian Coe will have wrongdoing, faces a corruption them that he could not imme- to wait due to a confl ict of inter- trial in France in January. diately resolve this situation but est, IOC President Thomas Bach Bach said Infantino had been was working on it. Bach said Coe Australian Open said yesterday. proposed for election at their next could become a member at their FIFA and World Athletics, the session in January along with In- session during the Tokyo 2020 Reuters ments is part of golf.” governing bodies of two of the ternational Tennis Federation Olympics. Sydney, Australia Scott, who like Oosthuizen biggest sports in the Olympics, chief David Haggerty and Japa- “He is hopeful to address it in and four other players is prepar- have been without member- nese Olympic Committee presi- a couple of months. Then that ing for next week’s Presidents ship ever since the departure dent Yasuhiro Yamashita. would mean the door is still couple of amateur col- Cup challenge against the Unit- from the IOC of their respective World Athletics chief Coe, come an IOC member as presi- consultation with him and since open for Tokyo.” lege students from Asia ed States in Melbourne, made a former presidents Sepp Blatter however, had not been proposed dent of one of our most impor- then we have addressed the risk The IOC elects new members outshone a handful of poor start to his quest for a sec- and Lamine Diack in 2015. due to a confl ict of interest. tant Olympic sports,” Bach of a potential of confl ict of inter- at its sessions once candidates major winners in the ond Australian Open title with For years, membership of the “We wanted him (Coe) to be- said. “Since then we are in close est he may have.” are vetted by the Olympic body. openingA round of the Austral- fi ve bogeys and a sole birdie. ian Open yesterday but the main “(The smoke) got pretty thick talking point was the blanket of for a while, it still is. It’s not HORSE RACING bushfi re smoke that shrouded great,” said Scott, adding that he 2020 Qatar the golf course. would look into wearing a face ExxonMobil Japan’s Takumi Kanaya mask for the second round on showed why he is the world’s top Friday. Open tickets amateur by shooting an opening “It feels like I should shove a round 65 and topped the leader- bit of salt water up my nose or to go on sale board alone until Taiwan’s Chun something and try and rinse my- An Yu joined him on six-under- self out. Obviously not the con- tomorrow par late in the afternoon. ditions we want to be playing in. Noor Al Hawa The pair were two shots ahead You kind of hope for rain.” By Sports Reporter of a trio of local challengers, in- Kanaya made the most of the Doha cluding 2015 champion Matt more benign early conditions Jones, with former British Open to spray fi ve birdies on his front winner Louis Oosthuizen and nine and a couple more to fi nish he online sale of England’s Paul Casey in a group after a single blemish at the third tickets for the of 15 a stroke further back on hole, his 12th. wins feature Qatar ExxonMobil three-under. “I had a bit of luck and I’m Open 2020 will go Casey played in a group with happy,” said the 21-year-old Qatari jockeys Meteb al-Marri and Faleh Bughanaim ride winners T Adam Scott (75) and Sergio Gar- Tohoku Fukushi University stu- live on the Qatar Tennis Federation’s (QTF) official cia (70) that endured the worst dent. By Sports Reporter website www.qatartennis. of the smoke blown over The “That has given me a little bit Doha org starting tomorrow. Australian Golf Club from fi res confi dence but I have three more Beside the online sales, that have raged in the country- days to go. I will do my best to- tickets for the tournament, side around Sydney for the last morrow.” l Wasmiyah Farm’s Noor which will run from Janu- month. Yu, known better as Kevin to Al Hawa won a top- ary 6 to 11 in Doha, will also “I must admit my eyes are his fellow students at Arizona quality Al Safl iya Cup be available at dedicated stinging,” said Casey, who hit an State University, was a later (Qatar Listed) contest at kiosks at the Doha Festival eagle three after a brilliant ap- starter but, unperturbed by the theA Qatar Racing and Equestrian proach shot at the 14th in his smoke, matched Kanaya’s seven City, City Center as well Club’s Al Rayyan Park yesterday. as the Khalifa Interna- fl awless 68. birdies to join his fellow amateur Noor Al Hawa, the 2016 Qa- tional Tennis and Squash “I’m not going to complain at the top of the leaderboard. tar Derby winner, beat last year’s Complex – the venue of the because there’s people in a lot “The air didn’t smell really Derby winner Full Moon, as tournament. worse position than me. It makes good, but I can get used to it, so jockey Tom Marquand guided his The 27th edition of the it tricky but overcoming the ele- no big deal to me,” he said. second winner yesterday, hav- ATP World Tour 250 series ing guided Mohamed Hamad al- tournament will feature Attiyah-trained Al Faisaliya to a some of the world’s top maiden victory earlier in the day. players including three- It was a big day for Qatari time Grand Slam champion apprentice rider Meteb Ali al- Stan Wawrinka of Switzer- Marri, who rode two winners, land and 2012 champion including Saeed Mohamed Shafi Jo-Wilfried Tsonga. al-Shafi ’s Al Mikdam in a Thor- Other players in the fray for oughbred Handicap and Mo- the golden falcon trophy hamed Ali Yousef al-Sheeb’s Trainer George Mikhaldes (left) receives the trophy from QREC CEO Nasser Sherida al-Kaabi after Noor Al of the 32-men singles and Kasser in the Local Purebred Hawa won the Al Safliya Cup yesterday. PICTURES: Juhaim 16-team doubles event Arabian Conditions event. include 2013 champion Qatari Jockey of the Year Jaber Dharman). Won by: No, 2, Richard Gasquet, 2018 Award winner Faleh Bughanaim 3 ¾. Time: 1:53.76. Owner: Saeed finalist Andrey Rublev, 2016 registered his fi rst victory of Mohamed Shafi al-Shafi. Trainer: Wimbledon finalist Milos the season when he opened the Saeed Mohamed Shafi al-Shafi. Raonic and Doha-resident meeting yesterday with a win Race 7: 1. On The Front Line (Ro- Fernando Verdasco, the astride Al Shaqab Racing’s Al- nan Thomas), 2. Woodkid (Tomas 2009 Australian Open ghaf in a maiden. Lukasek), 3. Shaheen (Ivan Rossi), semi-finalist and finalist The win was the fi rst of three 4. French Encore (Al Moatasem at the 2010 Monte-Carlo for trainer Alban de Mieulle, al-Balushi). Won by: Hd, 1 ½, 1 ¼. Rolex Masters. who also saddled Umm Qarn’s Time:1:23.58. Owner: Nasser Owa- Tournament Director Karim Jabalah and another Al Shaqab ida Salem al-Hajri. Trainer: Hadi Alami said, “We are happy horse — Meblish — to contrast- Nasser al-Ramzani. to announce the opening ing victories. While Soufi ane Race 8: 1. Wayside Flower (Harry of sales of tickets for the Saadi helmed Jabalah to a three- Bentley), 2. Harry’s Dancer (Ronan 2020 edition of the Qatar length victory in a maiden, Ro- Tom Marquand rides Noor Al Hawa to Al Safliya Cup victory. Thomas), 3. Flying Empress (Mar- ExxonMobil Open. The nan Thomas guided Meblish to a co Casamento), 4. Qatar Dance tournament is once again close victory by a head. (Gary Sanchez). Won by: 1 ¼, 3 ¾, 2 Race 4: 1. Naima (Ryan Curatolo), (Pier Convertino). Won by: 1 ½, No, offering our teeming fans Thomas was also aboard ¾. Time: 1:46.73. Owner: Al Shaqab 2. Razad (Soufiane Saadi), 3. Echo 2. Time: 1:11.98. Owner: Injaaz Stud. the opportunity to watch handicap winner On The Front Racing. Trainer: Alban de Mieulle. De Faust (Eduardo Pedroza), 4. Trainer: Jassim Mohamed Ghazali. some of the world’s best Line, while champion trainer Race 2: 1. Jabalah (Soufiane Saa- AJS Al Uraiq (Ronan Thomas). Race 9: 1. Kasser (Meteb Ali al- players live while they Jassim Mohamed Ghazali had to di), 2. Ginkeau (Pier Convertino), 3. Won by: 3 ½, ½, 1 ½. Time: 2:05.04. Marri), 2. Zahwa (JP Guillambert), enjoy a tremendous pack- be content with one victory on AJS Soghan (Alexander Reznikov), Owner: Jassim bin Ali al-Attiyah. 3. Nomas Al Shajaa (Ryan Cura- age of fun and entertain- the day, courtesy Harry Bentley- 4. Al Addaaj (Meteb Ali al-Marri). Trainer: Ahmed Kobeissi. tolo), 4. Lekhraib (Harry Bentley). ment we have carefully put ridden Wayside Flower in a six- Won by: 3, 10 ½, 3 ¼. Time: 1:45.74. Race 5: 1. Meblish (Ronan Tho- Won by: 3 ½, 1 ¾, ½. Time: 1:18.57. together for them at the furlong sprint. Owner: Umm Qarn. Trainer: Alban mas), 2. AJS Jamra (JB Eyquem), Owner: Mohamed Ali Yousef Public Village. I enjoin all Also shedding her maiden de Mieulle. 3. Taysh (Rashid Ali Al Marri), 4. al-Sheeb. Trainer: Mohamed Ali tennis lovers to make their status on the day was Ahmed Race 3: 1. Al Faisaliya (Tom Daloob (Faleh Bughanaim). Won Yousef al-Sheeb. purchases on time so as to Kobeissi-trained Naima, who Marquand), 2. Malik (Faleh by Hd, Shd, 3 ½. Time: 1:45.79. Race 10: 1. Noor Al Hawa (Tom avoid last-minute rush.” won under Ryan Curatolo. Bughanaim), 3. Luqta RS (Ronan Owner: Al Shaqab Racing. Trainer: Marquand), 2. Full Moon (Ryan Spain’s Roberto Bautista Thomas), 4. Sky Blue (Eduardo Alban de Mieulle. Curatolo), 3. Quelindo (Ivan Rossi), Agut won the last edi- RESULTS Pedroza). Won by: 3 ¾, Nk, 3. Race 6: 1. Al Mikdam (Meteb Ali 4. Otwo (Luca Maniezzi). Won by: tion after defeating 2010 Race 1: Alghaf (Faleh Bughanaim), Time: 1:39.89. Owner: Al Sakab al-Marri), 2. Braemar (Ali Khalid al- 1 ¼, 1 ¾, 1. Time: 2:29.73. Owner: Al Wimbledon finalist Tomas 2. RS Rasheeda (Ronan Thomas), Stud. Trainer: Mohamed Hamad Mosallam), 3. Majdi (Faleh Bugha- Wasmiyah Farm. Trainer: Georges Berdych 6-4, 3-6, 6-3 in an Amateur golfer Takumi Kanaya of Japan tees off on day one of the 3. Joudy (Ryan Curatolo), 4. Alsdry al-Attiyah. naim), 4. Istibdad (Abdulaziz Mikhalides. enthralling encounter. Australian Open golf tournament in Sydney yesterday. (AFP)

GOLF / HERO WORLD CHALLENGE Woodland, Reed share lead as Woods falters in Bahamas AFP under before closing with a bogey couple of poor iron shots that “When this wind’s blowing like Miami, United States and double-bogey in an even-par cost me a few shots.” this, you’re going to hit some great 72. Woodland said keeping it in the putts and great shots that are not Woods made a run up the lead- fairway was the key to his round, going to turn out very well,” he S Open champion Gary erboard with birdies at 11, 13 and which included eight birdies and said. “And you’re going to hit some Woodland and Patrick 14 followed by an eagle at 15 — two bogeys. bad ones that go your way.” Reed shared the lead where his chip from off the green “The wind was tricky,” he said. Woods hosts this 18-man Wednesday in the Hero took two bounces and rolled into “Fortunately I drove the ball real- event for the benefi t of his chari- UWorld Challenge as tournament the hole. ly well, gave myself a lot of looks table foundation. It’s not an of- host Tiger Woods faltered late in “Got it going on the back nine from the fairway which you’ve fi cial US PGA Tour tournament, the Bahamas. just a little bit, got myself kind of got to do. but off ers world ranking points. Woodland and former Masters right there in the mix and then bad “Obviously when you have a The 15-time major champion champion Reed both shot six- shots on 17 and 18,” Woods said. lot of birdies you see putts go in is also looking ahead to next under par 66 at wind-whipped Woods wasn’t the only player — so all in all a good day.” week’s Presidents Cup at Royal Albany Golf Club — displaying to run into trouble at Albany’s “Nice to get the game trending Melbourne, saying he’s spend- the kind of solid golf US Presi- closing hole — where Patrick in the right direction,” he added. ing considerable time this week dents Cup playing captain Woods Cantlay fi nished with a quad- “Obviously next week is a big prepping himself and his players. was hoping to see from the pair ruple bogey and Jordan Spieth a week — but so is this week.” “We have some things we need when he selected them for this triple bogey. to run through with the guys, month’s matchplay showdown Despite the disappointing fi n- PATIENCE KEY FOR REED some ideas,” Woods said. “We with Ernie Els’ International ish, Woods wasn’t discouraged Reed, who reeled off four straight want to have a clear picture of squad. about his game. birdies from the 13th through the what we want to do down there Woods himself had his strug- “I didn’t putt well today,” he 16th to join Woodland on six-un- because obviously once we get Gary Woodland of the United States plays his second shot on the third hole during the first round of the gles, improving from two-over said. “My short game was great, der, said patience was key in the down there things roll pretty 2019 Hero World Challenge at Albany in Nassau, Bahamas, on Wednesday. (AFP) through 10 holes to reach three- drilled it really well, just hit a challenging conditions. quickly.”