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Sunday, February 3, 2019 PREMIER LEAGUE Jumada I 28, 1440 AH Spurs strike late GULF TIMES as Higuain scores twice for Chelsea SPORT Page 5 SPOTLIGHT Final ‘most important game of my life’: Captain al-Haydos

Captain Hassan al-Haydos holds aloft the Asian Cup trophy yesterday after the team’s arrival in .

His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani hugs Qatar football captain Hassan al-Haydos yesterday as the national team arrived in Doha after winning the Asian Cup in . At bottom, His Highness the Amir greets star player Bassam al-Rawi as looks on.

AFC his delight to the-AFC.com on-fi eld leader believes that achieve- Abu Dhabi “Praise be to God. I think this was the ment has been well and truly surpassed most important game in my life, in the by claiming the biggest prize in all of most important tournament of my foot- Asian football. atar captain Hassan al-Hay- balling career,” he said. “Frankly, there’s a big diff erence (be- dos was elated at his side’s “Of course, I want to thank the boys, tween the Asian Cup and AFC Champi- stunning 3-1 win over Japan in who were great throughout the tourna- ons League),” he said. the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 ment, the coaching staff and the man- “Winning a championship with the fiQ nal, declaring he had emerged from the agement, all the offi cials in Qatar. national team has a diff erent emotion to biggest competition of his career as a “I think everyone had confi dence in it. The happiness is there for everyone champion. us from the start. We didn’t disappoint in the country.” Meanwhile, Al-Haydos’ The 28-year-old labelled the decider them and we are returning to Doha with Al Sadd teammate and Qatari left-back at Zayed Sports City Stadium as the big- the Cup.” Al-Haydos has enjoyed con- described Qatar’s gest game in his life, and goals to Almoez tinental success before, playing a sup- achievement as a dream come true. Ali, Abdelaziz Hatim and Akram Afi f en- porting role in Al Sadd’s AFC Cham- Hassan entered the competition fresh sured he fi nished it from at the top of the pions League fi nal win over Jeonbuk from winning the 2018 AFC Player of the Asian football mountain. Hyundai Motors as a 20-year-old in Year, and his stock continues to rise with Speaking after becoming the fi rst 2011. each performance, but the 25-year-old player in history to hoist the new AFC Until now, that had been the most said, for now, nothing can top becoming Asian Cup trophy, al-Haydos revealed signifi cant prize in his career, but Qatar’s an Asian champion. Gulf Times 2 Sunday, February 3, 2019 FOOTBALL

COMMENT Winning Asian Cup a great achievement, says QFA president

QNA further bring more successes for the World Cup in Poland in the of organising the 2022 FIFA World Abu Dhabi the Qatari football. coming period. Cup nine years ago, pointing out He added that the Asian title Sheikh Hamad congratulated that they have been preparing win was deserved after prepar- the players and their team for teams and smaller groups to set atar Football Associa- ing a strong and distinguished achieving this historic Asian them on the path to success. tion (QFA) President team under the supervision of achievement, stressing that the QFA president revealed that HE Sheikh Hamad bin the coach Felix Sanchez, who players have presented excellent the association plans to form a Khalifa bin Ahmed has been in touch with the young levels throughout the tourna- special Olympic team that seeks al-ThaniQ said that Qatar foot- players for years. Sanchez led ment, and honoured their coun- to reach the Olympics in Tokyo ball team had made a historic them to the Asian Youth Cup try and achieved a new glory for 2020. achievement after winning the win in 2014 and to qualify for their country and made history He praised the players’ great AFC Asian Cup for the fi rst time the World Youth Cup in the same for themselves. eff orts and success in the cur- ever, saying this achievement is year. His hard work with these This achievement is a unique rent edition of the Asian Cup, the result of ongoing work and players and fi rst team members point that adds a lot to the Qatari especially after they beat former eff ort of years. He said that a led them to succeed in the cur- football on its way towards the champions, including , Saudi strong national team has been rent edition of the Asian Cup and World Cup 2022, he said, point- Arabia, South Korea and Japan, built to bring more outstanding to claim the title. ing out that Qatar has a group of stressing that the next goal is to successes for Qatar in the 2022 QFA president said the small elements that have been continue to excel and achieve World Cup. 25-year-old generation is capa- equipped with great work to be success in Copa America in June. In a press statement, Sheikh ble of achieving the best in the complementary to this genera- Concluding his statement, the Hamad said that this unprec- future, adding that these players tion of players in the near future. QFA President congratulated edented achievement was the re- could be boosted by other ele- He stressed that preparing a His Highness the Amir Sheikh sult of a great work by offi cials in ments of the Olympic team or the distinguished team has been their Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani on the country, and a great eff ort to youth team, who will compete in goal since Qatar won the honour the AFC Asian Cup victory. QFA President HE Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa bin Ahmed al-Thani (right) at the team’s arrival in Doha.

FOCUS SPOTLIGHT History-maker Asian title just the Almoez sets sights on 2022

AFC Ali has been in devastating beginning for Qatar Abu Dhabi form through UAE 2019, also equalling the record of the most goals in one game with his four- ‘This is one step more to continue developing the team, to play another lmoez Ali had no sooner goal burst against DPR Korea in etched his name in the the group phase, and his on-fi eld tournament in the summer, and to be a competitive team at the World Cup’ history books of the relationship with Akram Afi f was AFC Asian Cup than of paramount importance to his heA was already looking forward nation’s fi rst-ever AFC Asian DPA Abu Dhabi to the next challenge that awaits Cup win. him and his Qatari teammates on As was so often the case over the road towards the country’s the last month, it was Afi f who he glittering gold con- hosting of the 2022 FIFA World supplied the pass that allowed fetti that heralded Qa- Cup. Ali to set himself up for his spec- tar’s Asian Cup win on Ali’s nine-goal haul makes tacular opener in the fi nal against Friday had hardly fallen him the most successful striker Japan and the Al Duhail forward Tback to earth before the next at a single AFC Asian Cup Finals paid tribute to his teammate. challenge was being discussed. ever with his total surpassing the “For the fi rst goal I had one For most countries, winning great ’s record, which defender behind me so I knew I a continental championship was achieved the last time the could put the ball in any corner, would spark days of celebra- tournament was played in the so I tried to put it in the corner tions and rewards aplenty for United Arab Emirates in 1996. past the goalkeeper,” he said. “It the gallant coach and heroes on That tally saw him fi nish as was a nice goal. the pitch. the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 “Akram and I have been to- But most countries are not topscorer as well as claim the gether for seven years and I know Qatar, awarded a World Cup to Most Valuable Player award, but where Akram will be and where host despite having never quali- despite an impressive personal he will pass and he knows what fi ed for the event and with vir- haul, Ali is already setting his is expected from me, so it’s nor- tually no footballing history to sights further forward. mal after seven years that we get speak about. along very well together.” Coach Felix Sanchez and his The Copa America is Qatar head coach Felix players will, no doubt, indulge diff erent and we will Sanchez, who worked with Ali themselves — they have, af- learn a lot from that. As a last year when he fi nished as the ter all, more than earned it by team from the Gulf, that leading scorer at the AFC U23 becoming the ninth diff erent ‘ Championship in China, praised will help us to have a better winners of the Asian Cup with performance in 2022. the 22-year-old forward and a 3-1 triumph over Japan in Abu — stressed that he expected even Dhabi. more from him in the future. But then it will be back to “Almoez is a fantastic player work. “We are working on the target and it’s a pleasure to coach him,” “This is one step more to con- of the 2022 World Cup and we said the Spaniard. “He’s 100% tinue developing the team, to have started well with the Asian committed and in each game he play another tournament in the Cup,” he said. “We managed to gives 100% and he reached this summer, and be ready for 2022, win (the title) and defeat Japan tournament in the perfect mo- to be a competitive team at the and for the next step towards the ment.” World Cup,” said Sanchez. World Cup, we will be preparing “We’re very proud of him. He It is less than four years to the for that with the Copa America got two awards that are very well next World Cup, and as hosts, in Brazil. deserved. He got this because of Qatar do not need to qualify. “We don’t expect to get re- the group, but he did excellent This, however, is a double- Qatar players and off icials hoist the AFC Asian Cup trophy during a victory parade in Doha yesterday. (Reuters) sults but to learn more about work. It’s very well deserved and edged sword, with a lack of football because we know the we’re proud of him. competitive games a problem Copa America is one of the big- “It’s not the fi rst time that he after they play as guests in the gest tournaments in the world. has shown this performance and Copa America this June. Al Annabi players dedicate AFC Asian Cup title to Qatari people The Copa America is diff erent last year in China he was also the “We are working on [the] tar- and we will learn a lot from that. top scorer, so he’s on the right get [of the] 2022 World Cup,” QNA eff orts and those of the coaching who did not participate in the Al-Haydos dedicated the win to As a team from the Gulf, that will way and I’m sure he will be look- said striker Almoez Ali, who Doha and administrative staff resulted games had a great role in sup- the leadership and the people help us to have a better perform- ing to do even better in the next added the individual honours in this victory over the Japanese porting the other players. of Qatar and all those who ance in 2022.” tournament and help the team.” of top scorer and most valuable team, one of the best in Asia. , the Qatar na- supported the team during the player to his winners medal. atari players dedi- Saad al-Sheeb, who was chosen tional team player who scored championship, especially in the “We started now with the cated their win in the as the best goalkeeper in the the second goal against Japan final, which was attended by a Asian Cup and managed to de- Q2019 AFC Asian Cup tournament, said that the team with a curling kick from outside large number of fans who stood feat Japan today. We’re prepar- to the people of Qatar and all deserved to win the title after the penalty area, expressed his by the players, and supported ing for it fi rst with the Copa residents, saying they met their showing best levels among delight with winning the Asian them throughout the game. America in Brazil — we’re not promise to return to Doha with all the teams participating in Cup for the first time in his his- He added that all of his fellow expected to win that but just to the AFC title. the tournament and winning tory, after beating the Japanese players have been champions learn in football. Qatari star , who against big teams like the Iraq, team. He said that this crown- in this edition of the Asian Cup, “The weakest teams are in expressed his great happi- Saudi Arabia and South Korea, ing is the best in his career, praising the great role of coach Asia — in the Copa America, we ness with the prestigious title, as well as against the hosts and in the career of the current Felix Sanchez, who read all the will learn more, we know the said it was deserved after the UAE in the semi-finals. generation of Qatari national matches, which made it easier teams there have a diff erent lev- team were impressive in all the He added that they were ex- team supporters, as well as in for players, especially during el. We will learn a lot there that games, all of which they won. pecting a tough game, but two the history of Qatari football. matches against previous will benefi t us as a team.” He added that the team are goals in the first half helped a Hassan al-Haydos, the captain, winners Iraq, Saudi Arabia and Ali is only 22 and one of 14 really happy. He noted that lot and gave the team strength expressed his great satisfaction South Korea. He added that players in Sanchez’s squad aged despite all the circumstances, to continue. He said that the with the victory, saying that beating Japan and winning the 25 or under. they succeeded in making the team included 23 players each his feelings and those of his col- title was the biggest success in Qatar’s rush to be competitive Qatari people happy, and their giving their all and even those leagues are indescribable. their history. following the World Cup award in 2010 was initially counterpro- ductive. Coaches changed rapidly a tournament record nine goals expect from me,” Ali said. “We get be done for this Qatar side. along with the ability to pay and there was little structure to will hog the headlines. on very well together.” “[Their performance was] not huge wages, Qatar face few re- the development of players. Sanchez has continually Qatar defeated Lebanon, North a surprise for me, we knew Qa- strictions in choosing their boss. Bit by bit that changed, aided stressed the team rather than Korea, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, South tar can have a tight defence and That, however, was where by substantial investment and the individual with everyone Korea, the UAE and Japan to lift strength in attack,” said beaten Sanchez was happy to draw the the long-term goal being placed doing their job. the trophy with a tournament Japanese coach Hajime Moriya- line about the future. above quick fi xes. The decision Creative forward Akram Afi f, record plus-18 goal diff erence. su. “They can move the ball and “I’m only thinking about to- to promote Sanchez, a long- 21, was involved in an astonish- They were undeniably the best create chances, I think the head day, it’s a great day for me, the term youth coach in the coun- ing 12 of the team’s 19 goals in team but, as Ali said, Asia is weak coach is building a great team for players, and the country,” he try, to the senior team was also the United Arab Emirates, in- — only Japan made it out of the the World Cup.” said. “There can be news, this inspired. cluding all three in the fi nal — group stage at the last World Cup. Whether Sanchez gets the person, this person [linked to The Spaniard has known and scoring a late penalty having set South America is a diff erent chance to stay in the post that the job] — we’re thinking about worked with the majority of the up the other two. proposition and facing Colom- long remains to be seen. Ru- our work. squad for several years, many of “We have been together for bia, Paraguay and Argentina will mours have linked big-name “2022 is in three years’ time. A young fan clicks a selfie with Qatar’s Almoez Ali after the 2019 AFC them of since they were children. seven years, I know Akram, where give a much better indicator of coaches to the job, and with the In football you don’t know what Asian Cup champions arrived in Doha yesterday. PICTURE: Noushad Ali is one example and with he will pass, and he knows what to just how much work remains to incentive of a home World Cup will happen in two weeks.” Thekkayil Gulf Times Sunday, February 3, 2019 3 FOOTBALL

COMMENT FOCUS Qatar’s win WC hosts Qatar ignites hope box clever, punch for 2022 Reuters to derail the Qataris. Abu Dhabi Japan and Qatar will next play competitively as guest nations at the Copa America, a tacit ad- atar running rampant mission that other Asian coun- to secure a maiden tries do not off er strong enough Asian Cup title in Abu opposition to truly test a team above their weight Dhabi might have been with ambitions to compete at the theQ worst-case scenario for the highest level. hosts but it also off ered hope for Ali made that charge explicit, Qatar conceded just one goal in Asian Cup and scored 19, winning all seven games Gulf football that the 2022 World declaring Asia was the weakest Cup might not now be a humili- of football’s regions and saying AFP ating experience for the region. he needed to go to Europe to im- Abu Dhabi Qatar coach Felix Sanchez said prove his game before 2022. throughout the Asian Cup that It was hard to argue with his his mission was to show that his analysis given the standard of oming from nowhere young squad could match the some of the football at the fi rst to win the Asian Cup best teams in Asia and they de- Asian Cup featuring an expanded is just part of the proc- livered, beating former champi- 24-team fi eld. ess for Qatar as they ons Saudi Arabia, Iraq and South A format that left some teams lookC ahead to this year’s Copa Korea on their way to the fi nal. still in with a chance of advanc- America and then the big one — On Friday, they conceded their ing despite losing their fi rst a home World Cup in 2022. fi rst goal of the tournament but two matches did not help, and Felix Sanchez’s team are still stunned four-times cham- neither did a lack of marketing keeping their expectations in pions and World Cup regulars which resulted in many UAE res- check for the South American Japan 3-1, with striker Almoez idents being completely unaware championship despite snatch- Ali setting an Asian Cup scoring the Asian Cup was going on. ing the Asian title from a lowly record with his ninth strike. Champions Australia fl opped world ranking of 93. It was a beauty, too, an over- in the quarter-fi nals mainly be- But it is hard to overstate their head kick taken with such com- cause of their inability to turn achievement in going from zero posure that you would never dominant performances into points at the last Asian Cup to have guessed that Ali and his goals, while Saudi hopes that their fi rst continental title in teammate Bassam al-Rawi were they could end their long wait record-breaking style. under the cloud of an eligibility since their third title lasted only It also means that Qatar are row until only a few hours before until the round of 16. fi nally making headlines for the kickoff . Carlos Queiroz’s Iran looked right reasons after the turbu- Politics is never far from the like they might end their 43-year lence that has surrounded their surface in Asian football and the drought until they were undone in successful bid to host the World political and economic boycott the semi-fi nals by the only Japan Cup. of Qatar launched by the United performance that came anywhere Almoez Ali’s bicycle kick Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, near the dominant style that won epitomised a stylish win as it Bahrain and Egypt 18 months ago the Samurai Blue four titles. sparked Qatar’s 3-1 fi nal victory hung heavily over the later stages With some emotion, Portu- over Japan and broke Ali Daei’s of the tournament. guese Queiroz drew a close to 23-year-old mark for goals at There were almost no Qataris his eight years in charge of Team single Asian Cup. in the stadium to witness their Melli, as did China’s Italian “I’m sorry for breaking Mr. triumph, with thousands of Om- World Cup-winning coach Mar- Daei’s record,” a humble Ali said anis making the journey from the cello Lippi following his error- after scoring his ninth of the neighbouring sultanate to step in prone side’s defeat to Iran in the tournament. Qatar captain Hassan al-Haydos receives the AFC Asian Cup winners’ trophy to expect from me,” Ali said. as proxy supporters. last eight. “I expected to score goals from FIFA president GIanni Infantino and AFC president Sheikh Salman bin “That’s normal after all the Ali and his team mates had been There were some bright notes — maybe three or four — but I Ibrahim al-Khalifa in the presence of QFA president Sheikh Hamad bin time we’ve spent playing to- pelted with sandals and drinks from nations with less football- didn’t expect to score nine,” he Khalifa bin Ahmed al-Thani, players and other off icials on Friday. gether. We get along very well bottles for the temerity of cel- ing pedigree — India were denied added. together too.” ebrating their goals when the lo- a fi rst run to the knockout stages Fittingly for a team that Asia and South America, when the world for top coaches, Qatar Qatar’s win sparked jubilant cals fi nally turned out to support only by a stoppage-time penalty has punched above its weight, they compete at the Copa Amer- are beginning to recoup their in- scenes back home in Doha but the UAE in the semi-fi nals, only and Vietnam’s eff ervescent style Akram Afi f struck a boxing- ica as guests in June-July. vestment. for the team, bigger goals now to witness a humiliating 4-0 rout. took them to the last eight. style pose as he celebrated the But Ali said the Copa was all Head coach Felix lie ahead. In farcical scenes after Friday’s South Korea were joined by the late penalty that ended Japan’s about learning for Qatar, con- Sanchez led Qatar to “This is one step more fi nal, Saudi journalists berated one Asian player of world stature resistance. tinuing the methodical ap- their fi rst Asian un- to continue developing the Japan coach Hajime Moriyasu for for their third match but a fatigued Qatar conceded just one goal proach which has already paid der-19 title in 2014, team, to play another tourna- not having delivered the thumping Son Heung-min failed to revive all tournament and scored 19, dividends. and they reached the ment in the summer and to be they felt Qatar deserved, rants that their lacklustre campaign and re- winning all seven games and “We’re not expecting to win, semi-fi nals at last ready in 2022 to represent Qa- the bemused Moriyasu answered turned to Tottenham Hotspur af- beating former champions Sau- but just to learn because after year’s Asian under-23s tar in the World Cup,” Sanchez with a polite “thank you”. ter the quarter-fi nal loss to Qatar. di Arabia, Iraq and South Korea, the World Cup, the Copa Amer- — where Ali was also the said. The timing of the UAE FA Ali was named Player of the as well as Japan. ica is the biggest competition in top-scorer. protest against the eligibility of Tournament but the award could They also thrived in a hostile the world,” Ali said. Afi f clocked up a tourna- Qatar’s Akram Ali and Al Rawi, which was dis- easily have gone to his forward environment in the United Arab “The weakest teams are in ment-record 10 assists and Afif strikes a missed, also left a sour taste in partner Akram Afi f, who sealed Emirates owing to the ongoing Asia, Asia is the weakest conti- formed a devastating partner- boxing-style pose the mouth, looking at best like the title for Qatar when he coolly Gulf blockade, with their fans nent for football so in the Copa ship with Ali, underlining Qa- to celebrate his bad sportsmanship and at worst despatched a spot kick for the fi - largely barred from visiting and America we will learn more. tar’s cohesion in both defence late penalty that a politically-motivated attempt nal goal of the 17th Asian Cup. home spectators pelting them “We’ll benefi t a lot as a Gulf and attack after years spent ended Japan’s with shoes and bottles in the team — this will help us have a playing together. resistance semi-fi nals. better performance in 2022.” “We’ve been together seven on Friday. SPOTLIGHT The title raised the beguil- After spending many millions years so I know exactly where (Reuters) ing possibility of Qatar being of dollars on their world-class Akram will be, where he will crowned champions of both , and scouring pass and he always knows what British media praise A look at those who lit up Asian Cup Qatar’s triumph

AFP final with his coolness under LUX, BECAUSE HE’S WORTH QNA to support Qatar in the absence Abu Dhabi pressure and no-nonsense IT London of their own fans, who were una- approach. A little-known footballer from ble to travel because of the unjust The Southampton defender Kyrgyzstan became an instant blockade imposed by the siege rom a record-breaking Qa- also won plaudits — and sex symbol in the ex-Soviet ritish media have countries. tar forward born who just a round of applause from republic after plundering a praised Qatar national Another article in the Inde- Fcouldn’t stop scoring to journalists — after calling hat-trick against the Philippines team’s historic achieve- pendent said Almoez Ali scored a reluctant Kyrgyz sex symbol, for organisers to improve to fire the White Falcons into ment in the Asian Cup with a spectacular overhead Bfor the fi rst time in their history kick for a record ninth goal of AFP takes a look at five players refereeing standards and exert the last 16 on their tournament who lit up the Asian Cup: more control over the off -field debut. after beating Japan 3-1 in a thrill- the Asian Cup to set Qatar on controversies that dogged the The 29-year-old heart-throb ing fi nal at the Zayed Stadium in their way to a fi rst continental FLOAT LIKE A BUTTERFLY tournament. Vitalij Lux, with the James Abu Dhabi. title with a stunning 3-1 win over Qatar’s Almoez Ali scored an But the tournament ended in Dean film-star looks and a The BBC’s website high- four-times champions Japan. eye-popping record nine goals heartbreak for Yoshida, who name that sounds like a posh lighted Qatari achievement on It added Ali’s early goal took at a single Asian Cup, surpass- ironically conceded a VAR-as- shampoo, admitted he was a its homepage titled “World Cup him past Ali Daei’s 1996 tally and ing Iran legend Ali Daei’s tally sisted penalty that gifted Qatar little bemused by all the sudden 2022 hosts Qatar won their fi rst helped the Qataris make an em- of eight in 1996 with a wonder their third goal and eff ectively attention. ever Asian Cup with a 3-1 victory phatic statement ahead of their strike in Abu Dhabi that sparked ended Japan’s resistance in the Team off icials revealed that Lux over four-time winners Japan”. hosting of the 2022 World Cup. a 3-1 upset over Japan in the final. was a smash hit with the ladies It praised the performance of As for the Daily Mail, it said Al- final. back in Kyrgyzstan — but the Qatar team as they had gone 10 moez Ali scored spectacular over- The baby-faced striker had bashful hunk insisted he would hours and eight minutes without head kick as Qatar managed to win plastic bottles and shoes pelted rather hide out in his hotel conceding a single goal at this the Asian Cup for the fi rst time. at him after scoring in Qatar’s than get the David Beckham year’s competition prior to a goal It added that Qatar made an 4-0 semi-final victory over treatment. by Japan’s Minamino in the fi nal. emphatic statement ahead of the hosts UAE, but had the last Qatar’s Saad al-Sheeb won Goalkeeper of the Tournament award. The BBC added: “Qatar im- 2022 World Cup. laugh as the 2022 World Cup ‘IRANIAN MESSI’ press three years out from host- France Football newspaper hosts went on to lift the Asian Mercurial Iran striker Sardar defeat and was lucky not to be boasting Asian footballer of ing World Cup.” covered the event under the title Cup for the first time. Azmoun flounced away from sent off for a petulant slap on the year Abdelkarim Hassan The historical achievement of “Qatar makes history and wins The -born Ali had the national team after last a Japanese defender in a bitter and faced only 11 shots on Al Annabi was also highlighted its fi rst Asian title.” been under investigation by year’s World Cup, upset with end to an Asian Cup that had target, he showed cat-like by the Guardian newspaper, Reuters news agency said Qa- tournament organisers after the abuse he had suff ered from promised so much for Iran. reflexes when called upon — which said on its sport page: ‘Qa- tar stun four-times champions Emirati football off icials lodged Iranian fans. notably with two superb saves tar stun Japan with 3-1 win to be Japan 3-1 in Abu Dhabi to claim a protest over his eligibility. He Coaxed back by coach Carlos ALL HANDS ON DECKCHAIRS during Qatar’s semi-final win crowned Asian Cup champions.’ the fi rst ever continental title. was cleared to play in the final Queiroz for the Asian Cup, Though statistics suggest Qatar over UAE. It added that Qatar team The Guardian newspaper said hours before kickoff and scored the 24-year-old Rubin goalkeeper Saad al-Sheeb was As Qatar beat three former claimed a fi rst continental ti- World Cup 2022 hosts Qatar beat an outrageous overhead kick forward — dubbed the “Iranian one of the tournament’s most champions in Saudi Arabia, Iraq tle with a stunning 3-1 win over Japan to win major Asian trophy. before walking off with the Messi” — quickly rediscovered underemployed players, he and Son Heung-min’s South four-times champions Japan. Spanish newspaper Mundo player of the tournament award his mojo, scoring four goals be- quietly set a record six clean Korea without ever looking The newspaper also praised Deportivo highlighted the game for good measure. fore the tournament favourites sheets at a single Asian Cup seriously stretched, Al-Sheeb Almoez Ali who scored with a and talked about Spanish Felix were derailed by Japan in the as the 2022 World Cup hosts provided an immovable last spectacular overhead kick for a Sanchez, the Qatar coach, saying SAINTS AND SINNERS semi-finals. stormed into the final. line of defence for the tourna- record ninth goal of the Asian he led the Qatari team to win the Japan captain Japan captain Maya Yoshida Azmoun, reportedly a target for While al-Sheeb had the ment’s shock winners and Cup to set Qatar on their way to Asian Cup. was the rock at the heart of stands next to the AFC Asian Premier League club Wolves, deckchairs out for much of unsurprisingly was voted best a fi rst continental title. Australia’s FTBL chose a head- Japan’s run to the Asian Cup Cup winners’ trophy. cut a forlorn figure in a 3-0 the time behind a defence goalkeeper. It also highlighted the role of line saying: “Impressive Qatar Omani fans who had turned out beat Japan to win Asian Cup.” Gulf Times 4 Sunday, February 3, 2019 FOOTBALL ASIAN CHAMPS ARRIVE TO ROUSING WELCOME

Members of the Qatar football team celebrate atop a bus as they take part in a parade along the Corniche yesterday.

Akram Afif poses with a welcoming party of children.

Qatar players celebrate with the flags of friendly countries.

Qatar coach Felix Sanchez kisses his son watched by his other children yesterday. PICTURES: Noushad Thekkayil and agencies Salem al-Hajri poses with a group of children. Gulf Times Sunday, February 3, 2019 5 FOOTBALL

PREMIER LEAGUE Man City look to revive title bid against Arsenal AFP lost four of their past nine league fi x- City, though, need others around “There are ups and downs during a Manchester tures, and that three of those defeats Fernandinho to be more consistent too. season. Players cannot sustain the same have been against teams who started Kevin de Bruyne is one player still level for 11 months of a season.” this weekend in the bottom half of the seeking that consistency, having so far While Guardiola did not make any ep Guardiola needs a quick re- table. failed to rediscover the form that made major signings during January, Arsenal sponse from his side against At St James’ Park, City allowed their him the club’s player of the year last could give a debut to former City youth Arsenal today to show that concentration to slip after Sergio Aguero season. midfi elder Denis Suarez, who joined on Manchester City’s challenge for had given them a fi rst-minute lead, and De Bruyne, undoubtedly struggling Thursday from Barcelona for the rest of theP Premier League title remains intact. there was a strong sense they missed the as a result of a long World Cup cam- the season. Guardiola can be thankful City will leadership skills of club captain Vincent paign with Belgium and a series of in- Manager Unai Emery is still look- go into the match at the Etihad Stadium Kompany, who has made just six league jury problems since, made only his third ing for consistency from his players; a only fi ve points behind leaders Liver- starts this season because of a series of league start of the season at Newcastle, 22-match unbeaten sequence in the au- pool. fi tness problems. and was subdued. Guardiola needs the tumn suggested this might be a success- It could well have been worse after Without Kompany’s authority, City Belgium midfi elder back to his best if ful season, but since that run ended on a lethargic display brought a surpris- are vulnerable to switching off , and that City are to stand any chance of catching December 16, Arsenal have gone out of ing 2-1 defeat at relegation-threatened cost them heavily at Newcastle. They Liverpool. both domestic cup competitions. Newcastle on Tuesday, but Jurgen were not helped either by the tactics of But the optimistic City boss said: Their only serious hope of a trophy is Klopp’s side struggled to take advantage their opponents, with Rafa Benitez set- “If we didn’t have the motivation, we in the Europa League, a tournament in as they were held to a 1-1 draw at home ting up a 3-4-2-1 system that crowded would not be where we are, which is still which they have largely fi elded fringe by Leicester the following night. the middle of the pitch and gave Fern- in all competitions. players this season. City could argue Tuesday’s defeat was andinho little space to operate in. “We are in the Carabao (League) Cup Emery is aiming to make a little piece a blip, given they had won their previous The Brazilian midfi elder, who has fi nal, still in the Champions League, and of history on Sunday; in 11 previous eight matches, but three of those victo- been one of City’s outstanding per- we are there in the league. meetings as a manager with Guardiola, ries were in cup games against lower- formers this season, did not have a good “People were saying not so long ago he has never won. If he were to end that division opposition. night in England’s northeast, clumsily that we were the perfect team. My an- run this weekend, the result would be A more worrying statistic for City conceding the penalty from which Matt swer is the same now as it was then: welcomed warmly in north London, and manager Guardiola is that his team have Ritchie scored the home side’s winner. Every game is a challenge. perhaps at Anfi eld too. Manchester City’s Spanish manager Pep Guardiola.

SPOTLIGHT FOCUS Buff on would like to stay a second Spurs strike late season at PSG as Higuain scores twice for Chelsea Spurs are now just four points behind leaders Liverpool, who are in action on Monday

AFP London

on Heung-min struck AFP pletely satisfied” with the late to fire Tottenham Paris club’s dealings in the January into second place in transfer window but that he the Premier League “wasn’t angry.” Syesterday as Gonzalo Higuain oalkeeper Gianluigi Tuchel had asked for two opened his account for Chelsea Buffon said yester- players to increase his de- in a five-goal rout at Stamford day that he wants fensive options, but the club Bridge. “to stay another only landed one. Spurs looked to be head- Gseason” at Paris Saint-Ger- “Angry, no, no,” the Ger- ing for their first league draw main. man said. “The winter trans- of the season at Wembley but The 41-year-old, who fer window is so complicated. Son’s 83rd-minute goal earned played 176 times for Italy and Who wants to lose a player? Mauricio Pochettino’s men won the World Cup in 2006, “There are very few pos- a hard-fought 1-0 win over arrived as a free agent from sibilities in the winter trans- Newcastle and enabled them to Juventus last summer on a fer window. The challenge is leapfrog Manchester City, who one-year contract with an putting together a team dur- play today. option for a second. ing the summer.” Chelsea beat bottom side At PSG, he has split goal- “If you need to do a lot of Huddersfield 5-0 thanks to keeping duties with Alphonse deals in the winter, you will two goals apiece from Higuain Areola, who was part of the probably be disappointed,” and Eden Hazard and a late France squad that won the Tuchel added. At Christ- header from David Luiz as they World Cup last summer. mas, he asked for “a second returned emphatically to goal- “If Alphonse and the club (Marco) Verratti and a second scoring form. want it, I would stay another Marquinhos” but PSG only Tottenham are now just four season here, but for the mo- bought Argentine midfielder points behind leaders Liver- ment, it’s important to stay Leandro Paredes for an esti- pool, who are in action at West focused on the objective, the mated 47mn euros ($54mn) Ham on Monday, but just as match in Lyon, then Bordeaux from Zenit Saint Petersburg, significantly they consoli- and after that Manchester,” while Everton turned down dated their position in the top Buffon said. PSG bids for Idrissa Gueye. four after their 19th win in 25 Runaway Ligue 1 leaders PSG have lost Neymar with matches. PSG visit third-placed Lyon injury until early April and Spurs enjoyed more than today and take on Manches- midfielder Adrien Rabiot re- 70% possession but faced a ter United in the last 16 of the mains at the club after the dogged Newcastle, buoyed by Champions League on Febru- transfer window but has ex- a stunning 2-1 win over Man- ary 12 and March 6. pressed his desire to leave. “As to my contract for the “If you ask if I’m satisfied “We don’t need to be in next season, we have plenty with Paredes, I say clearly some position like today to of time to think about it,” said yes,” Tuchel said. “He has convince ourselves about Buffon, at a press conference the quality and personality our capacity or potential. he gave with Areola yester- to play for PSG,” he said. “He We believe in ourselves” day. has a good vision of the game. Meanwhile, coach Thomas He can accelerate play. He can chester City in midweek that Tuchel said he was “not com- make a lot of passes.” carried the Magpies five points clear of the relegation zone. An incredible clearance off the line from Fabian Schar Search for missing Sala denied what seemed a certain plane to begin today goal for Christian Eriksen and Chelsea’s Gonzalo Higuain celebrates scoring their first goal against Huddersfield in the Premier League yesterday. Fernando Llorente then looped London: The privately-fund- operate tomorrow.” a golden headed chance high turned from the Asian Cup. expense of Arsenal. of a plane carrying new signing of leaders Liverpool, host Ar- ed search for the missing The search will be conducted and wide. “Sonny is like a battery that Higuain, 31, was signed on Emiliano Sala from France. senal today, with Manchester plane carrying Argentinian “in close co-ordination” with But Son again stepped up to you have that you work, work, loan until the end of the sea- Defending champions Man- United travelling to former footballer Emiliano Sala will the Air Accidents Investiga- the mark, just as he did with work, work but when the bat- son from Juventus to help the chester City, five points adrift champions Leicester. begin today, conditions per- tion Branch (AAIB), with two an equaliser against Watford tery is gone, it’s gone,” he said. 2016/17 champions rediscover mitting, the scientist leading vessels scouring around four in midweek, to compensate for Chelsea manager Mau- their sharpness in front of goal. the mission said yesterday. square nautical miles of sea the injured Harry Kane’s ab- rizio Sarri admitted before Elsewhere, struggling Ful- RESULTS AND STANDINGS Sala was travelling from bed north of the Channel sence with his 14th goal of the the match against bottom side ham were unable to recapture France to join up with his island of Guernsey. season. Huddersfield that he had found the spirit of their dramatic Tottenham ...... 1 Newcastle Utd .0 6 Man United 24 13 6 5 48 35 45 new club, Premier League Sala was flying in the Piper The South Korean had a it hard to get any rest since midweek comeback against Crystal Palace .....2 Fulham ...... 0 7 Wolverhampton 25 11 5 9 33 32 38 strugglers Cardiff City, in a PA-46 Malibu plane after helping hand from Newcastle Wednesday’s humiliating 4-0 Brighton, losing 2-0 to Crystal Burnley ...... 1 Southampton...... 1 8 Watford 25 9 7 9 33 34 34 light aircraft on January 21 transferring from French goalkeeper Martin Dubravka, defeat at Bournemouth. Palace. Chelsea ...... 5 H Field Town ...... 0 9 Everton 25 9 6 10 36 36 33 when it went missing close team Nantes in a 17mn euro who let Son’s powerful effort His side, seeking to avoid a Wolves consolidated their Brighton & Hove 0 Watford ...... 0 10 Bournemouth 24 10 3 11 37 42 33 to the Channel Islands. move. It vanished from radar slip beneath his grasp to undo third straight Premier League position in seventh place by Albion Everton ....1 Wolverhampton 3 11 Leicester 24 9 5 10 30 30 32 Suspected debris from the around 20 kilometres (12 all his side’s good work. defeat, went ahead in the 16th beating Everton 3-1 at Goodi- Cardiff Bournemouth 1730 12 West Ham 24 9 4 11 30 37 31 plane washed up on the miles) north of Guernsey, “It is a massive result to be in a minute through Higuain and son Park, while Southamp- 13 Brighton 25 7 6 12 27 36 27 Normandy coastline on with pilot Dave Ibbotson the very good position in the table,” doubled their lead with an ton conceded a penalty deep P W D L F A Pts 14 Crystal Palace25 7 5 13 26 33 26 Wednesday. only other person aboard. said Pochettino. “We don’t need Hazard penalty on the stroke of into added time to draw 1-1 at 15 Newcastle Utd 25 6 6 13 21 33 24 Marine scientist David Rescue workers suspended to be in some position like today half-time. Burnley. The match between 1 Liverpool 24 19 4 1 55 14 61 16 Southampton 25 5 9 11 27 42 24 Mearns, who is directing the off icial search for the to convince ourselves about our Both players scored again Brighton and Watford finished 2 Tottenham 25 19 0 6 51 24 57 17 Burnley 25 6 6 13 26 46 24 the private search on behalf aircraft last Thursday after capacity or potential. We believe midway through the second goalless. 3 Man City 24 18 2 4 63 19 56 18 Cardiff 24 5 4 15 20 46 19 of the Sala family, said: an intensive hunt involving in ourselves.” half and Luiz made it 5-0 with In the late kick-off, Cardiff 4 Chelsea 25 15 5 5 45 23 50 19 Fulham 25 4 5 16 25 55 17 “Tomorrow the weather will planes and boats failed to And the Argentine lauded a late strike as Chelsea re- are playing at home for the first 5 Arsenal 24 14 5 5 50 33 47 20 H. field Town 25 2 5 18 13 46 11 be good. We will be able to locate it. Son’s stamina since he re- turned to the top four at the time since the disappearance Gulf Times 6 Sunday, February 3, 2019 SPORT

NBA GOLF Eagle fl urry sends Li in joint lead Irving nets 23 points AFP King Abdullah Economic City, Saudi Arabia

i Haotong made four eagles, including a record three on par-4 in front of admiring holes, to catch up with Lformer world No1 Dustin John- son on top of the leaderboard ‘Obviously what’s going on in terms at the end of the penultimate round of the inaugural Saudi of that noise and commentary is International yesterday. The 23-year-old Chinese just a bunch of nonsense right now’ star was in the news recently Knicks fans when he was controversially secutive birdies around the penalised two shots on the fi nal turn – hitting his approach hole of the Dubai Desert Clas- shot on the diffi cult and long sic under the new Rules of Golf par-4 ninth to four feet, and after his caddie was deemed then getting to similar length to have lined up his putt. The with a chip on the 10th and his penalty had dropped him from tee shot on the 164-yard par-3 tied third place to a share of 11th. On the 12th, he drained a 12th position. long 30-footer putt to go four Yesterday, at the Royal ahead at that stage. Greens Golf Club, Li was in But with back-to-back ea- rampant form as he started with gles on the 17th and 18th holes, a chipped-in eagle on the par-4 Li fi nally caught up with the fi rst hole, and then chipped in American. for another eagle on the 10th Johnson, who shot a 61 on hole. He then drove the par-4 Friday, could not capitalise on 17th hole for his third eagle, and the 17th and 18th holes which then made his putt from eight were playing easy and down- feet on the par-5 18th after wind, but he was happy with reaching the green in two. his Golf. It was the fi rst time since “I thought I played well. the European Tour started Probably played just as well as keeping records in 1999 that a I did yesterday. Gave myself a player made three birdies on a lot of opportunities. Made a lot par-4 hole, and his four eagles of good putts. Just holed a few matched the eff ort of Mark more yesterday than I did to- Pilkington in the second round day,” he explained. of the 2007 Singapore Masters. New Zealand’s Ryan Fox and On the PGA Tour, Wil- Frenchman Alex Levy both lie Wood (1990 Pebble Beach shot rounds of 67 to move to Pro-Am, third round) and tied fourth place at nine-un- Scott McCarron (1995 Bob der par, seven behind the joint Hope Chrysler Classic, second leaders. round) have made four eagles Former US Masters cham- in a single round. pion Sergio Garcia was dis- Li fi nished on eight-under qualifi ed during the Saudi par 62 and caught up with International third round for Johnson (65) at 16-under par intentionally damaging the 194. England’s Tom Lewis (62) greens at the Royal Greens Golf moved to third place on his own, and Country Club in King Ab- but he was fi ve shots behind the dullah Economic City. leaders at 11-under 199. Garcia apologised in a state- Johnson seemed to be pow- ment posted on the European ering ahead with four con- Tour website.

New York Knicks forward Kevin Knox (left) shoots the ball past Boston Celtics center Al Horford during the first-half at Madison Square Garden. PICTURE: USA TODAY Sports Storming finish lifts Fowler to Phoenix lead AFP fan support I get in any arena,” he said RESULTS Russell Westbrook got his fi fth straight Los Angeles on Friday. “Obviously what’s going on in triple-double and 18th of the season, fi n- Rickie Fowler birdied his last four holes on Friday to seize a terms of that noise and commentary is Denver 136-122 Houston ishing with 14 points, 12 rebounds and 14 one-shot lead - and at least temporary bragging rights - over just a bunch of nonsense right now. Oklahoma City 118-102 Miami assists as the Thunder defeated the Heat good friend Justin Thomas after two rounds of the US PGA Tour’s yrie Irving, who could become a “Can’t do anything about it so I’m just for the sixth consecutive time. “There Phoenix Open. free agent at the end of the sea- accepting, I’m appreciative, but at the Boston 113-99 New York were some real good positive things to “It’s fun, getting to play with your buddies, those are the people son, fi nished with 23 points, 10 same time I’ve got a game to focus on.” Utah 128-112 Atlanta take from the game all the way around,” you want to lose to the least,” Fowler said after his sizzling finish rebounds and six assists as the The New York fans’ admiration might be Charlotte 100-92 Memphis Thunder coach Billy Donovan said. propelled him to a six-under par 65 at TPC Scottsdale. His 13-un- KBoston Celtics defeated the struggling misdirected as Irving already made a point Kelly Olynyk scored 21, Josh Richardson der par total of 129 put him one stroke on front of Thomas, who New York Knicks 113-99 Friday. at a Celtics’ fan event last fall of telling dan and Wesley Matthews, plus two fu- scored 18 and Hassan Whiteside fi nished carded a five-under 66 and at 130. The contest came just one day after the the crowd he would re-sign with Boston. ture fi rst-round picks. The Knicks’ new with 12 points and 16 rebounds in the loss. It was a further stroke back to South African Branden Grace, Knicks traded injured Kristaps Porzingis Although he seemed to back off on that players weren’t available, so they started In the late game, Nikola Jokic had 31 who highlighted his 64 with a hole-in-one, and American Trey to the Dallas Mavericks which will give somewhat Friday when asked if his mind Dotson and Kadeem Allen as guards. points and 13 rebounds and Malik Beasley Mullinax. Fowler, who shared the overnight lead with Thomas New York the funds to go after top free has changed about remaining a Celtic. Dallas announced Friday that Porzingis had a career-high 35 points as the Denver - his housemate this week - and Harold Varner, was two-under agents this summer. “Ask me July 1,” he said. Marcus Morris likely will not play this season as he con- Nuggets beat James Harden and the Hou- for the day after three birdies and a bogey when he birdied 15 Knicks fans are hoping Irving will be added 18 points for the Celtics, who won tinues to recover from a torn ACL injury. ston Rockets 136-122. to launch his run. At the par-three 16th, where a raucous crowd willing to sign with them - and he got a for the eighth time in nine games. Damy- Elsewhere, Paul George scored 43 Harden scored 30 points to stretch his of thousands surrounds the green, he rolled in a 10-footer. He loud ovation from the crowd of 19,700 at ean Dotson scored 22 points and Kevin points and had a career-high 10 three- streak to 25 games of scoring 30 or more drained a 13-foot birdie at 17 and capped his round with an eight- Madison Square Garden when the start- Knox had 21 for the hapless Knicks, who pointers as the Oklahoma City Thunder points. He needed a late three-pointer foot birdie. ing lineups were announced. A “We want lost their 12th straight. New York has now beat the Miami Heat 118-102, extending to keep the streak alive. Harden’s streak “I hit some really good putts to finish the day off ,” said Fowler. Kyrie! We want Kyrie!” chant echoed started February with a loss after losing 24 the NBA’s longest current winning streak started with a 50-point night against the But with two runner-up finishes in Phoenix on his resume, the through the arena in the third quarter. of 27 games in December and January. to seven games. Los Angeles Lakers on December 13, and American was well aware that there remains “a lot of Golf to be “It’s nothing but a distraction at this In Thursday’s multi-player deal, the “Paul George, tonight, was tremen- nearly ended on a diffi cult shooting game played”. “We’re halfway, and we’re going to battle it out,” he said. point,” said Irving, who was born in Mel- Knicks gave up Porzingis, Tim Hardaway, dous,” Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said. for the reigning league MVP. During one Thomas made the last of his six birdies at the 15th, bouncing bourne, Australia but grew up in New Jer- Courtney Lee and Trey Burke to Dallas “One of the more impressive shooting stretch Harden missed 10 of 11 shots and back from his first bogey of the week at 14. sey. “Like I said, I’m appreciative of the and received Dennis Smith, DeAndre Jor- displays I’ve seen this season.” four free throws.

NHL Lightning squeak by Islanders in shootout Reuters RUST, GUENTZEL POWER PENGUINS New York RESULTS PAST SENATORS Bryan Rust and Jake Guentzel each scored Chicago 7-3 Buff alo twice Friday as the Pittsburgh Penguins held ictor Hedman scored the only goal Nashville 4-1 Florida on for a 5-3 win over the visiting Ottawa Sena- in the shootout Friday night as the Tampa Bay 1-0 Islanders tors for their second straight win. Tampa Bay Lightning edged the Teddy Blueger also scored, and Phil Kessel host New York Islanders 1-0. Pittsburgh 5-3 Ottawa and Sidney Crosby each had two assists for VThe Lightning have alternated wins with Washington 4-3 Calgary the Penguins, who built leads of 3-0 and 4-1. losses in their last seven games. The Island- Detroit 3-2 Toronto Goaltender Casey DeSmith stopped 37 of 40 ers have lost two straight but only fi ve of their Senators shots. Bobby Ryan, Mikkel Boedker last 20 (15-3-2). Carolina 5-2 Las Vegas and Matt Duchene scored for Ottawa, which It was the Islanders’ fi rst 1-0 game decided Dallas 3-1 Minnesota lost its third in a row. Anders Nilsson made 35 in overtime or shootout since a shootout win saves and picked up an assist. over Philadelphia on Nov. 24, 2014, and the Vasilevskiy also stopped Valtteri Filppula The Penguins played without center Evgeni Lightning’s fi rst 1-0 game decided in over- at point-blank range midway through the Malkin. The team announced before the game time or shootout since an overtime loss to the second with a kick save that dislodged the he has an upper-body injury. Pittsburgh did New York Rangers on March 6, 2017. Light- goal from its moorings. have Nick Bjugstad and Jared McCann in the ning goalie Andrei Vasilevskiy made 36 saves The Lightning’s best early chance came lineup. They were acquired earlier in the day in regulation and overtime. late in the second period, when Hedman had a in a trade with Florida and arrived about 15 Islanders goalie Thomas Greiss recorded 41 brief opening at a breakaway before Islanders minutes before puck drop. Bjugstad picked up saves in regulation and overtime. Hedman’s defensemen Johnny Boychuk and Nick Leddy a secondary assist. Blueger, playing in his sec- lone goal, scored on the Lightning’s fi rst shot caught Hedman and wrapped him up deep in ond NHL game, got his fi rst goal to open the in the shootout, capped a spirited, defensive- the New York zone. scoring at 3:19 of the fi rst. minded battle of division leaders that served Tampa Bay buzzed throughout the fi rst Matt Cullen dug the puck out of the corner as an appetiser for a potential Eastern Con- half of the third period, during which it held and set up a Blueger blast from the left dot. At ference fi nals matchup. a 14-5 shot advantage. The Islanders nearly 17:55 of the fi rst, Guentzel scored his 25th to Though there were just fi ve penalties scored with a little more than eight minutes give Pittsburgh a 2-0 lead. called, there were several on-ice skirmishes, left, when Jordan Eberle forced a turnover He scored on a one-timer off a backhand including a mix-up in the Lightning’s crease behind the Lightning net and was stuff ed feed from Crosby. Rust scored his 12th goal in at the end of the fi rst period. by Vasilevskiy, who also smothered a pair of the past 21 games to make it 3-0 at 11:36 of the The teams combined for 72 scoreless shots putback attempts by Anders Lee. second. in regulation. The Islanders had the best op- Boychuk and Leddy then teamed up again His shot from the top of the slot went over portunities during the fi rst two periods, in- to slow down Anthony Cirelli with a little less Nilsson’s glove. On an Ottawa power play, cluding a pair of breakaway chances by Ryan than three minutes to go. Pulock shovelled Ryan cut it to 3-1 at 15:00 of the second. He Pulock that were turned away by Vasilevskiy Brayden Point’s shot out of the crease in the sped to the net and converted a feed from Ryan Tampa Bay Lightning’s Victor Hedman celebrates with his teammates after scoring game winning goal in the opening 20 minutes. fi nal minute. Dzingel. against the New York Islanders at NYCB Live’s Nassau Coliseum in Uniondale, New York. (Getty Images/AFP) Gulf Times Sunday, February 3, 2019 7 SPORT

SIX NATIONS Scotland make winning start with 33-20 victory Reuters to their score. got minutes later after captain Greig hope after Berghan was sent to Louis Picamoles. Scotland’s third try, although Laidlaw shifted the ball to the the sinbin for collapsing the ball. Despite racing to a 16-0 half- television replays cast doubt on left after a turnover and it went Palazzani, who had to play time lead, France were left to rue its veracity, and substitute Chris through several hands before from the kickoff after first- their woeful goal kicking at the inger Blair Kinghorn Harris went over for their fi fth. Kinghorn crossed over. choice scrumhalf Tito Tebaldi rain-hit Stade de France, Mor- scored a hat-trick of Italy opened the scoring from At the start of the second half, was hurt in the pre-match war- gan Parra and Camille Lopez tries and pivot Finn Tommaso Allan‘s penalty but Russell stabbed through a clever mup, went over from close to combining to miss 13 points with Russell provided Scotland led 12-3 at halftime, grubber kick over the Italy line the line, then Padavani burst their respective boots. Wdecisive moments of genius as going on to open up a 28-point that Hogg chased and got a touch through for the second and “I’d be lying if I didn’t say that Scotland got their Six Nations lead before allowing Italy to on, but there did not seem to be winger Esposito fi nished off the was a relief. Credit to George campaign off to a winning start come back late on a clear but icy- any downward pressure on the late rally with another breaka- North and the defence, who with a 33-20 victory over Italy at cold afternoon. ball from the Scotland fullback. way try. came through in the conditions,” Murrayfi eld yesterday. Italy’s ninth-minute penalty Nevertheless referee Luke captain Alun Wyn Jones told Scotland scored fi ve tries to came after Ryan Wilson was penal- Pearce, on his test debut, award- NORTH DOUBLE HELPS BBC. three for Italy for a deserved win, ised for a spear tackle on 35-year- ed it, then referred it to the TMO WALES PAST FRANCE “We hold our hands up and headlined by Kinghorn’s three old Italian captain Sergio Parisse, and got a positive second opin- A George North try dou- say we came out a bit cold in the scores but inspired by Russell’s who broke Brian O’Driscoll’s ion even though television re- ble helped Wales overcome a fi rst half but we learnt pretty clever touches, both out of the record of Six Nations caps with his plays continued to cast doubt. 16-point fi rst-half defi cit to seal quickly at the start of the second hand and with the boot. 66th competition appearance, all A break from a dramatic 24-19 victory over half as we should have.” But Scotland will be con- of them as a starter. and another subtle Russell of- France in the 2019 Six Nations France opened at a lick and cerned after letting a 31-3 lead Their 3-0 advantage lasted fl oad saw Kinghorn complete his opener and equal their longest when Wenceslas Lauret secured slip in the fi nal 10 minutes after just three minutes before Scot- hat-trick in the 54th minute and winning sequence since 1999. a turnover in their own half, was yellow card- land got their fi rst score as Rus- eight minutes later there was In an uncharacteristically Yoann Huget charged up the ed and Italy took advantage of sell delivered an inch-perfect another home try, this time for error-ridden fi rst-half, Wales fi eld. The winger was brought the one-man advantage to score crossfi eld kick into the arms of replacement Harris, with Russell spilled the ball and conceded down, but after several phas- Scotland’s wing Blair Kinghorn (left) celebrates with Scotland’s through Guglielmo Palazzani, Kinghorn, who had a simple again involved in the build-up. turnovers under pressure from es was back in the thick of it, flanker Jamie Ritchie after scoring his third try during their Six Edoardo Padovani and Angelo sprint to the line. Scotland lost focus and al- a fantastic showing by the home combining with Lopez to fi nd Nations match against Italy at Murrayfield in Edinburgh, Scotland, Esposito to give some late gloss The winger went over again 10 lowed Italy a sudden glimmer of back-row led by ubiquitous No 8 Picamoles on the outside. yesterday. (AFP)

CRICKET RUGBY Resurgent England upset holders Ireland Opener Karunaratne Reuters to draw Keith Earls out of the Dublin Ireland defensive line and hand Jonny May a clear two-on-one. The try was the visitors’ fi rst resurgent England in Dublin in eight years and upset Six Nations while Ireland, as they so often champions Ireland do under Schmidt, appeared to yesterday, hand- compose themselves, they were stretchered off as Sri ingA Joe Schmidt a fi rst ever being forced into a raft of errors home defeat in the champion- that would come back to haunt ship with a resounding 32-20 them throughout the game. victory that blew the tourna- England’s targeting of Robbie ment wide open at the fi rst Henshaw in his fi rst start at weekend. fullback for Ireland since his Ireland coach Schmidt had debut six years ago was also predicted the clash between the reaping early dividends. Lanka chase big total holders and England, cham- First though, the hosts brief- pions in 2016 and 2017, would ly grabbed the lead back with ‘We lost a couple of wickets afterwards so it was definitely a distraction’ be decided in the last quarter a Johnny Sexton penalty and but it was over far sooner than - after looking like they had that as the four-try visitors ran spurned Tom Curry’s 10 min- away from his uncharacteristi- utes in the sin bin - barrelled cally sloppy side.England made over for a Cian Healy try upon a sensational start and never the England fl anker’s return really looked back, stunning to the fray. But they gifted the the hosts with a try after just 90 advantage back fi ve minutes seconds. later when Jacob Stockdale After a clever lineout hand- tried to fi eld an Elliot Daly dink ed Manu Tuilagi a typically through under pressure only thumping reintroduction to Six to juggle it over the line where Nations action, England went the ball fell back at the feet of a through a couple of fast phases grateful Daly.

England’s centre Henry Slade dives over the line to score a try during the Six Nations match against Ireland at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin yesterday. (AFP)

SECOND TEST Patient Bravo helps

Team doctors check Sri Lanka’s batsman Dimuth Karunaratne after being hit by a delivery from Australia’s Pat Cummins during day two of the second Test at Manuka Oval Cricket Windies extend lead Ground in Canberra yesterday. (AFP) AFP hander was last out when he AFP met, close to the neck area. Scorecard the magical mark. North Sound, Antigua and charged down the pitch at Canberra He slumped to the ground, Opener Joe Burns punished Barbuda Moeen Ali to be stumped. dropping his bat as Australian SRI LANKA 1ST INNINGS AUSTRALIA 1ST INNINGS the inexperienced Sri Lankan It was the off -spinner’s players ran to assist. attack on Friday in a 308-run third wicket of the innings. D. Karunaratne retired hurt 46 (overnight 384-4; T. Head 161) pener Dimuth Karu- A doctor and physio sprinted stand with Travis Head (161), arren Bravo’s ultra- Stuart Broad, England’s J. Burns b Rajitha 180 naratne was rushed onto the ground and called for L. Thirimanne c Khawaja b Lyon carrying his bat through the day. patient half-century outstanding bowler on the to hospital after a more medics and after some 10 41 K. Patterson not out 114 But he only lasted fi ve overs extended the West second day when he picked up Ofrightening blow by a minutes, he was put on a stretch- D. Chandimal c Paine b Starc 15 T. Paine not out 45 Saturday after resuming on 172, Indies fi rst innings three wickets, was left empty- bouncer yesterday as Sri Lanka er and taken off the fi eld on a golf adding eight runs before chop- leadD to 119 as the home side handed on the third morn- K. Mendis b Cummins 6 Extras (lb3 nb10, w4) 17 chased a massive Australian fi rst buggy. Cricket Australia said he ping a delivery from quick Kasun were eventually dismissed for ing as opening partner James innings total built on the back of complained of pain in the neck K. Perera not out 11 Total (5 wickets declared; 132 Rajitha onto his stumps. 306 on the third morning of Anderson fi nally got among three centuries. and tingling to the hands and D. de Silva not out 1 overs) 534 He trudged off dejected af- the second Test against Eng- the wickets to limit the West In overcast conditions, the was ferried to hospital. Extras (lb2, b1) 3 Fall of wickets: 1-11 (Harris), ter missing a glorious chance to land yesterday. Indies quest for a sizeable fi rst home team resumed day two of Coach Chandika Hathurus- 2-15 (Khawaja), 2-28 (La- notch a fi rst Test double century Trailing in the three-match innings advantage after he re- the second Test in Canberra on ingha said later he was in “good Total (3 wickets; 43 overs) 123 buschagne), 4-336 (Head), against a team missing its three series after suff ering a 381-run sumed at 272 for six. 384 for four and extended their spirits” and “in no danger”. Fall of wickets: 1-90 (Thir- 5-404 (Burns) fi rst-choice pace bowlers – defeat in the fi rst Test in Bar- He fi rst removed Jason lead to a massive 534 for fi ve when “It hit on the back of the neck imanne), 2-101 (Mendis), 3-120 Bowlers: Rajitha 28-5-103-1, Suranga Lakmal, Lahiru Kumara bados, England openers Rory Holder, who contributed 22 to skipper Tim Paine declared. so he is being assessed,” he added. (Chandimal) Fernando 30-3-126-3, C. Karu- and Dushmantha Chameera – Burns and debutant Joe Denly a 45-run seventh-wicket part- At stumps, Sri Lanka were 123 It clearly unsettled Thirimanne Bowlers: Starc 8-2-32-1, Rich- naratne 22-0-130-1, Perera 32-4- through injury. survived four overs in reaching nership with Bravo, via a catch for three in reply with Kusal Per- who fell to spinner Nathan Lyon ardson 9-4-23-0, Cummins 112-0, De Silva 20-2-60-01. Burns’ departure brought the nine without loss at the inter- to stand-in wicketkeeper Jon- era on 11 and Dhananjaya de Silva for 41 in the next over, caught by consistent Paine to the crease, val at the Sir Vivian Richards ny Bairstow. not out one. Paine’s declaration Usman Khawaja at slip. 10-2-25-1, Lyon 16-5-40-1. who kept the pressure on the Stadium in Antigua. England team offi cials have looked premature given the ease Cummins then clean-bowled visitors, still reeling after being Bravo was the lone West In- confi rmed that although regu- with which Sri Lanka’s openers Kusal Mendis for six and when After being dropped on his the day on 25. beaten at the fi rst Test in Bris- dies batsman to fail in both in- lar ‘keeper Ben Foakes suff ered weathered the new-ball attack led captain Dinesh Chandimal fi rst ball, Patterson, who earned “It’s another nice milestone. bane by an innings and 40 runs. nings of the match at Kensing- no fracture when struck on the by under-pressure Mitchell Starc. gloved a Starc ball to Paine be- a debut in the fi rst Test at Bris- I’ve played that innings in my At the other end Patterson ton Oval and made amends in hand while batting on the fi rst On a fl at Manuka Oval track hind the stumps for 15, the tour- bane after hitting 157 and 102 for mind ever since I was a little grabbed his chance with both a manner completely against day on Thursday, Bairstow will Karunaratne and Lahiru Thir- ists were in trouble. “We lost a a Cricket Australia XI in a warm- boy,” said Patterson. “More im- hands, smashing 14 fours and a his nature, his even 50 coming do duty behind the stumps for imanne saw off some lightning couple of wickets afterwards so up against Sri Lanka, never portantly, it just put the team six in his breakthrough knock. off 216 deliveries, the slowest- the rest of the match. quick deliveries and a bouncer it was defi nitely a distraction.” looked back. in a position to win another Patterson was preferred for ever by a West Indies batsman Kemar Roach then became barrage and had built an 82-run admitted Hathurusingha. The The New South Welshman Test match.” Following a cen- Brisbane and Canberra to young in Test Cricket in terms of balls Anderson’s second wicket stand before disaster struck. impressive Kurtis Patterson was shored up his credentials ahead tury drought stretching back to batting prospect Will Pucovski, faced. courtesy of a fi ne diving catch Playing in his 58th Test, Karu- not out 114 and Paine on 45 at the of an Ashes tour to England lat- October when Khawaja scored who was released from the squad In stark contrast to the by Ben Stokes at second slip naratne was 46 not out when a declaration with Vishwa Fern- er this year by bringing up his 141 against Pakistan in Dubai, it late Friday to deal with mental watchful defi ance which typi- when the tailender essayed a rising Pat Cummins ball glanced ando the pick of the Sri Lankan maiden hundred with a drive to turned into a fl ood in Canberra health issues that have plagued fi ed his near six-hour occu- massive drive at the experi- off his shoulder and onto his hel- bowlers with 3-126. mid-off for three after starting with three players bringing up him in the past. pation of the crease, the left- enced swing bowler.

Sunday, February 3, 2019 GULF TIMES SPORT

HORSE RACING No surprises as Pazeer, Gazwan win features ‘Pazeer has always been the best horse in my stable, especially among the Thoroughbreds. He won his last race impressively, but the distance was a little bit shorter than this one. Today, he repeated it again, and he won against the biggest horses in Qatar’

Trainer Ibrahim al-Malki and connections lead in Pazeer, with Eduardo Pedroza astride, after the victory in the HE Sheikh Joaan Bin Hamad Al Thani Trophy yesterday. PICTURES: Juhaim Trainer Julian Smart and jockey Theo Bachelot with Gazwan after the win in HH The Amir’s Sword Trial (Gr3 PA).

By Mikhil Bhat “Pazeer has always been the wait till (HH The) Amir’s Sword den by JP Guillambert, edged out Doha best horse in my stable, espe- RESULTS and let’s see what time is it that the competition by a neck to reg- cially among the Thoroughbreds. day.” ister his fi rst career victory. He won his last race impressively, Race 1: 1. Fahim (Ronan Thomas), 2. Al Baraa (Edu- Face (Tomas Lukasek), 3. Copleys Walk (Ronan Smart’s fi rst winner on the Ivan Rossi rode his second bdulatif Hussain al- but the distance was a little bit ardo Pedroza), 3. Barq Al Shajaa (Saleem Golam), 4. Thomas), 4. Victory Laurel (Eduardo Pedroza). Won day was Sharesa, who has been winner of the season when he Emadi-owned Pazeer shorter than this one,” al-Malki Aws (Adnan Hawa). Won by: 2 ¾, ¾, ½. Time: 1:34.54. by: Nk, 1 ¼, Shd. Time: 1:24.14. Owner: Injaaz Stud. nothing less than impressive partnered Tareq Essa Abdulla has been one of the told Gulf Times referring to the Owner: Umm Qarn. Trainer: Alban de Mieulle. Trainer: Mohamed Jassim Ghazali. this season, taking her fourth schooled Cococabala in the mainstays in Ibrahim colt’s victory in the 2000m Umm Race 2: 1. AJS Al Maha (Tomas Lukasek), 2. AJS Al Race 7: 1. Sharesa (Theo Bachelot), 2. Daloob consecutive victory in Qatar Thoroughbred 3 Year Old Trial al-Malki’sA Thoroughbred ros- Qarn Trophy last month. yesterday. Ridden by Bachelot in event yesterday. An objection Moheeb (Ronan Thomas), 3. E’zaaz (Harry Bentley), 4. (Faleh Bughanaim), 3. Al Naama (Ronan Thomas), ter. And barring minor aberra- “Today, he repeated it again, Soulta (Theo Bachelot). Won by: Nk, 4 ¼, 5. Time: 1:32.43. 4. Qassy (Ryan Curatolo). Won by: ½, 1 ¼, 3 ¾. Time: the colours of Sheikh Khalifa bin by Jean Baptiste Hamel over in- tions, the colt had a good strike and he won against the biggest Owner: Al Jeryan Stud. Trainer: Hadi Nasser al-Ramzani. 1:45.18. Owner: Sheikh Khalifa bin Mohamed bin Mohamed bin Khalifa al-Thani, terference in the Thoroughbred rate having won 10 out of his 18 horses in Qatar. He deserves to Race 3: 1. Darkanna (Jean Baptiste Hamel), 2. Khalifa al-Thani. Trainer: Julian Smart. Sharesa began moving up the Sprint Trial saw Mohamed Hus- career outings going into yester- be a champion here in Qatar,” Anima Rock (Harry Bentley), 3. Cristofano Allori Race 8: 1. AJS Moaddie (Faleh Bughanaim), 2. order on the outside coming on sain-trained Darkanna pick up a day’s meeting. added al-Malki, who also had a (Stephan Ladjadj), 4. Izzthatright (Theo Bachelot). Fakhir (Harry Bentley), 3. Winne Taouy (Theo Bach- to the home straight in the mile- victory in the six furlong run. Yesterday, in the USD100,000 winner in Sheikh Faisal bin Ha- Won by: 1 ½, 1 ¼, Hd. Time: 1:11.99. Owner: Al Thu- elot), 4. Al Junood (JP Guillambert). Won by: 2 ¾, 2, long Purebred Arabian Trial. In the race, Harry Bentley HE Sheikh Joaan Bin Hamad Al mad bin Jassim al-Thani’s Surra mama Racing. Trainer: Mohamed Hussain. 3 ¾. Time: 1:46.78. Owner: Al Jeryan Stud. Trainer: Bachelot and his partner had the favourite, Anima Rock, Thani’s Trophy, the fi ve-year- Man Raa. Race 4: 1. Cococabala (Ivan Rossi), 2. Rex Place Hadi Nasser al-Ramzani. went past two Al Shaqab Racing schooled by Ghazali, come in old improved his record notch- The horse notched his second (Faleh Bughanaim), 3. Channel (Tomas Lu- Race 9: 1. Gazwan (Theo Bachelot), 2. Al Walid horses – Daloob and Al Naama from wide on the home straight ing his 11th win with a confi dent straight victory winning the Lo- kasek), 4. Julius Limbani (JP Guillambert). Won by: (Faleh Bughanaim), 3. Spaghetti (Harry Bentley), – in the fi nal furlong, and then to close in on the rails leaving lit- run under Eduardo Pedroza in cal Thoroughbred Trial event for 3, ¾, Hd. Time: 1:25.78. Owner: Al Jasra Stud. Trainer: 4. Rajeh (Ryan Curatolo). Won by: 3, 4 ¼, 2 ¾. Time: held on to the position to win by tle room for Hamel and Al Thu- the 2200m race at the Qatar four-year-old and older horses. Tareq Essa Abdulla. 2:27.67. Owner: His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin half a length at the post. Daloob mama Racing’s Darkanna. Even- Racing and Equestrian Club’s Al There was nothing stopping Race 5: 1. Surra Man Raa (Eduardo Pedroza), 2. Al Khalifa al-Thani. Trainer: Julian Smart. and Al Naama, both schooled tually, the matters were settled Rayyan Park. Julian Smart-trained Gazwan Lusail (Faleh Bughanaim), 3. Abha (Ronan Thomas), Race 10: 1. Pazeer (Eduardo Pedroza), 2. Veranda by De Mieulle, fi nished second in the steward’s room, with Dar- Once he snatched the advan- once he grabbed the advantage 4. Footprintinthesand (Saleem Golam). Won by: 2 ¾, (Ronan Thomas), 3. Al Shaman (Theo Bachelot), 4. and third under Bughanaim and kanna registering her fi rst victo- tage on the home straight, the on the top of the home straight ½, ¼. Time: 1:54.29. Owner: Sheikh Faisal bin Hamad Jewel House (Ivan Rossi). Won by: ½, 1 ¼, ¼. Time: Thomas respectively. ry in Qatar, pushing Anima Rock Siyouni colt held off challenges in the HH The Amir Sword Trial bin Jassim al-Thani. Trainer: Ibrahim al-Malki. 2:19.59. Owner: Abdulatif Hussain al-Emadi. Trainer: Earlier, Qatari jockey Bugha- to second, while Stephan Ladjadj from His Highness Sheikh Mo- (Gr3 PA) yesterday. Race 6: 1. Nordic Dream (JP Guillambert), 2. Top Ibrahim al-Malki. naim rode a winner in the HH had Cristofano Allori fi nish third. hamed bin Khalifa al-Thani’s Ve- At eight years he was the old- The Amir Silver Sword Trial for Umm Qarn’s Fahim built on his randa, helmed by Ronan Thomas est horse in the 2200m race for one and a half furlongs out, by Harry Bentley. told Gulf Times yesterday. four-year-old Purebred Arabi- second place fi nish on debut last for trainer Stefano Ibido, closer four-year-old and older horses, Gazwan was off and away for a “I was told that probably the “The race (Qatar National Day ans. AJS Moaddie was the sec- month to shed his maiden sta- to the post to win by half a length. but that was no factor for the His fantastic victory that had Smart young horses will win (HH The Trophy) with Yazeed last time, ond winner on the day for trainer tus in the day’s fi rst race, a seven Julian Smart-trained Al Sha- Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin yelling in celebration. Amir’s) Sword this year, they are there was no pacemaker in the Hadi Nasser al-Ramzani and Al furlong Local Purebred Arabian man put up an impressive show Khalifa al-Thani-owned horse, Al Shaqab Racing’s Al Walid, that good. So we waited. What race, and we only lost by a nose Jeryan Stud. Novice Plate, under Thomas. In surging from back of the pack to with Bachelot in the saddle, to ridden by Faleh Bughanaim for I have got at home this year is (short head). Today, he followed In a close fi nish to the mile- the Local Purebred Arabian Nov- snatch third under Theo Bach- match pacemaker Aaley Al Mag- Alban de Mieulle, was second, a Gazwan who feels and trains the pacemaker and I believe he long Thoroughbred Cup Trial for ice Cup, Lukasek rode Al Jeryan elot, also in the famous royal blue am up front. ahead of Jassim Mohamed Ghaz- better than he has been train- has beaten the track record. And four-year-olds and older horses, Stud’s AJS Al Maha to her second and white stars silks like Thomas. Taking the advantage almost ali-schooled Spaghetti, helmed ing in a while,” an ecstatic Smart we weren’t even going quick. So Injaaz Stud’s Nordic Dream, rid- victory this season.

FOCUS Bertens sets up fi nal with Vekic Serbia, Australia, Germany AFP Saint Petersburg

utch second seed Kiki Bertens beat Be- grab fi nals berths lorussian fourth seed AFP their tie with Slovakia at 2-2 in Aryna Sabalenka in Bratislava and set up a winner- straightD sets yesterday to set Paris takes-all showdown between up a fi nal with Donna Vekic of Felix Auger-Aliassime and Nor- Croatia in the Saint Petersburg ormer champions Serbia, bert Gombos. WTA indoor event. Germany, Australia and Shapovalov and Auger-Ali- The 27-year-old world Italy punched tickets to assime had earlier dropped the number eight, who is seeking the Davis Cup fi nals yes- doubles to Klizan and Filip Po- her eighth career title, won 7-6 Fterday, while Japan rallied from lasek, losing 3-6, 7-5, 6-3. Unh- (7/5), 6-2 in one hour 38 min- a 2-1 defi cit as Taro Daniel won eralded Swiss duo Henri Laakso- utes to record her third win over the decisive rubber to overcome nen and Jerome Kym kept their Sabalenka in as many meetings. China. nation’s hopes alive with a 4-6, “It was a really tough match,” Serbia, playing without Aus- 6-3, 7-6 (7/1) win over Evgeny Bertens said. “Aryna is a great tralian Open champion Novak Donskoy and Andrey Rublev to player. She hits the ball really Djokovic, watched their 2-0 trim Russia’s lead to 2-1 in Biel. hard, So I had to stay aggres- overnight lead evaporate in Germany’s Alexander Zverev returns during the Davis Cup qualifiers Switzerland, the 2014 cham- sive where I could and just try as roared against Hungary’s Gabor Borsos in Frankfurt. (AFP) pions, are without both Roger to return the balls back where I Netherlands’ Kiki Bertens celebrates winning her semi-final back to send their clash to a fi fth Federer and Stan Wawrinka who couldn’t. Luckily it was enough against Belarus’ Aryna Sabalenka yesterday. (Reuters) rubber. partnered able 3-0 advantage. Andreas Seppi guided Italy into have combined for a total of 23 to win today.” Sanjar Fayziev to a 2-6, 6-1, 6-3 Third-ranked Alexander the fi nals of the revamped com- singles titles. Both players looked nervous fi nal on the fourth match point. tempo maintained by the win over Nikola Milojevic and Zverev cruised to a 6-3, 6-4 win petition after the 1976 champi- Japan fought back after drop- at the start producing a cata- Later yesterday Vekic, who Croatian. in the doubles over Gabor Borsos in the fi rst ons dispatched India 3-1. Seppi ping the doubles to sweep the logue of unforced errors. was seeded eighth here, out- The second set was almost a before he downed Dusan Lajovic reverse singles as the countries brushed aside India’s number reverse singles in Guangzhou as But Bertens was slightly classed Russian veteran wild carbon copy of the fi rst as Ve- 6-3, 6-4 in the singles. opted to play out the remaining one 6-1, Daniel clinched the fi nal point more accurate, winning the card Vera Zvonareva, now kic produced two more early But Filip Krajinovic picked dead rubbers in Frankfurt. 6-4 in the fi rst reverse singles tie with a tense 6-3, 6-7 (4/7), 6-3 opening set in a tiebreak after ranked 97th, 6-2, 6-2 to level breaks to claim her place before up the decisive point by com- Australia romped to a 4-0 on Kolkata’s grass court after In- victory over Li Zhe. 56 minutes on court. In the sec- their head-to-head record at sealing her victory with a back- ing from behind to beat world rout of Bosnia and Herzegovina dia avoided a whitewash by tak- Yoshihito Nishioka thrashed ond, Bertens tightened her grip one all. hand volley after one hour 10 number 280 Sanjar Fayziev 4-6, in Adelaide, as John Peers and ing the doubles. Wu Yibing 6-2, 6-0 to level the on the play breaking twice for a Vekic, 30th in the WTA rank- minutes on court. 6-3, 6-0 to nail down a place for Jordan Thompson clinched the Italy, who had led 2-0, over- tie after Gong Mao-Xin and commanding 4-0 lead. ings, was in complete com- “I’m really happy to be here Serbia at November’s revamped tie with a 7-5, 6-1 defeat of Mirza night were forced to extend the Zhang Ze edged Ben McLach- Sabalenka, 10th in the WTA mand from the start breaking in the fi nal,” Vekic said. “It was fi nals in Madrid. Germany, who Basic and Tomislav Brkic in the encounter after Simone Bolelli lan and Yasutaka Uchiyama 5-7, rankings, broke back to reduce her rival’s serve twice for a one- much more diffi cult to win than won the last of three titles in doubles. Teenager Alexei Popy- and Matteo Berrettini lost to Ro- 7-5, 6-4. Kazakhstan are also the arrears but it was her last set lead in 38 minutes. the scoreline indicates. She’s 1993, eased to victory over Hun- rin, in his Davis Cup debut, fol- han Bopanna and Divij Sharan through as success in the match as Bertens The 34-year-old Zvonareva a really tough player, she gets gary as Jan-Lennard Struff and lowed up with a 6-1, 7-6 (7/2) 6-4, 3-6, 4-6. Canada’s Denis completed a 3-1 victory over broke again in the fi nal game had beaten three higher-ranked a lot of balls back and I had to Tim Puetz strolled to a 6-2, 6-3 win over Nerman Fatic, while Shapovalov overcame Martin Portugal by swatting Joao Sousa which lasted more than nine opponents this week but looked work really hard for every single doubles triumph to an unassail- the fi fth match was not played. Klizan 7-6 (7/4), 6-4 to level aside 6-4, 6-1. minutes sealing her spot in the tired and failed to match the point today.”