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Saturday, December 12, 2015 FOOTBALL Rabia I 1, 1437 AH Coach Van Gaal GULF TIMES defi ant in face of Man United crisis SPORT Page 11 EXCLUSIVE fans in Qatar can now cheer for Qalandars! Qalco buys Super League team for $25mn

By Anil John Sports Editor

an cricket, money and Sufi sm mix? Yes, according to Fawad Rana, the CEO of Qatar Lubricants Company (Qalco), the fi rm that has created a buzz around the cricketingC world by paying $25mn to buy the Pa- kistan Super League’s (PSL) Lahore franchise for 10 years. It’s the fi rst instance of a company boasting full ownership of a Twenty20 team playing in a foreign tournament, and yesterday Rana re- vealed the name of the franchise, for the fi rst time, to Gulf Times. For him, Lions, Rams and Tigers are passe – the Qalco-owned team will be known as the Lahore Qalandars, the ‘Q’ repre- senting both Qatar and Qalco. In an exclusive interview with this newspaper, Rana said the name was chosen to highlight the Sufi culture of Lahore which is all about love, Fawad Rana: passionate about cricket understanding and peace. ‘Qalandar’ is a term commonly used in India and Pakistan for Sufi Rana added the move makes sense as because mystics or saints whose shrines attract millions otherwise it would mean the richest owners of devotees, regardless of their religious affi lia- would get to buy the best players by paying them tions. obscene amounts of money. “As you are probably aware, Lahore and in- “By maintaining a strict salary cap we want deed other parts of Pakistan have numerous Sufi to ensure fair competition. Otherwise one or shrines which are symbols of peace and harmo- two teams would have the best players while the ny. We wanted to project this aspect of Lahore others would have to make do with players of and Pakistan’s traditions,” he added. lesser ability.” Lahore, of course, is the second-largest city Rana also added that he would be trying in Pakistan after and the capital of the his best to host a PSL game in Qatar in 2017. Punjab province from where Rana belongs, and “Absolutely, we will try to host an exhibi- the idea to get involved with the PSL came about tion game early next year and one or two when the Pakistan Cricket Board was trying to actual PSL matches involving Lahore down get Qatar to host the event after the Emirates the line.” Cricket Board (ECB) had initially refused per- More than 300 players are up for grabs for mission because of logistical problems. the PSL. Some of those included in the Plati- “When the PCB initially got in touch with num category are Chris Gayle, Kieron Pollard, , Shahid Afridi and Chris Gayle are some of the Platinum category players up for grabs in the Pakistan Super League. the Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC) we at Shane Watson, , Kumar Qalco were quite thrilled and decided Qatar Sangakkara, , Lasith Mal- should own a team. Thankfully, our chairman inga, , Kevin Pietersen, James All about Pakistan Super League HE Sheikh Sultan bin Jassim al-Thani is a great Anderson, Ian Bell, Alastair Cook, Misbah-ul- sports lover and he immediately approved of the Haq, Shahid Afridi and Younis Khan. The teams WHO SPENT WHAT FOR THE TEAMS tion. Instead, they will be picked through a will be used to determine which team gets op- idea,” said Rana. will be fi nalised shortly. Several companies made the bidding for the draft. Each franchise will have a salary- cap of portunity to pick first and in the later rounds, However, despite the fact that the PCB later While Rana is proud of his company, he rues five franchises with the PCB managing to earn $1.2 million, including the signing of players, the order will be set randomly accordingly to reached an agreement with the ECB about the the fact that the PSL won’t be played in Pakistan $93mn in total. coaches and support staff . A total of 16 players the strength of the prior picks. PSL dates and decided not host the tournament because of security concerns. Karachi, bought by Salman Iqbal, the CEO of will be picked up from five diff erent catego- in Qatar, Qalco still went ahead with its bid for “Pakistan’s security situation has dramati- the Abdul Razzak Yaqook (ARY) Group, went ries - Platinum, Diamond, Gold, Silver, and WHO OWNS THE BROADCASTING AND the team. cally improved after the military started going for $26mn, was the most expensive, with La- Emerging. TITLE SPONSORSHIP RIGHTS? “It’s great for Qatar to own a cricket team. As after the terrorists. There is also political stabil- hore coming a close second with $25mn. Each team will have a right to pick five foreign The PSL’s title sponsorship belongs to Habib everyone is aware, South Asians are crazy about ity in the country now and I am confi dent that Consumer electronics and home appliances players, with only four allowed in the playing Bank Limited for three years, while Ten Sports the game. The success of the Indian Premier top international players would start playing in company Haier Group acquired Peshawar for XI. Each of the five PSL teams will get one and state broadcaster PTV Sports are the of- League (IPL) has been phenomenal. I am confi - Pakistan in a couple of years. After all, logically $16mn, while Islamabad was bought for $15mn selection per round to pick a player, and there ficial broadcasters. dent that the PSL would also prove a great suc- it’s a Pakistani tournament and should be played by Leonine Global Sports, an entity created will be 16 rounds. The draft will be accordingly The value of the broadcasting deal is $15 cess.” in Pakistan. ” specifically for the PSL by a group of Pakistani managed to ensure that one team does not million, with the PCB selling the production The Pakistan board is keen to avoid some of the A staunch advocate of India-Pakistan peace, investors. get to pick all the top players from the two top rights to Sunset + Vine. The PCB itself will bear issues that have plagued the IPL where absolute he is also keeping his hopes high of a resumption Omar Associate, a Karachi-based holding categories. Apart from the 16 players, a team is all costs. Global television rights have been money power rules. “In the PSL we have a salary of cricketing ties between the two nations. company with several businesses won Quetta also allowed four supplemental picks to add to given to Tech Front, a UAE-based media rights cap with no team allowed to spend more than a “After all what is cricket without India and for $11mn. their 20-man squad. acquisition company. The sponsorship deal, total of $1.2mn on players, coaches and support Pakistan playing against each other? I hope both Normally, the team with the worst regular-sea- including the title sponsorship, is estimated to staff , with each squad consisting of 16 players se- countries sit down calmly and talk cricket in- PLAYER SELECTION PROCESS son record gets to pick first. But since this will be more than $6 million. lected from fi ve diff erent categories - Platinum, stead of always talking politics. Cricket should Players won’t be bought in an IPL-style ac- be the first edition of the PSL, a lottery system (Cricinfo) Diamond, Gold, Silver, and Emerging.” not be the victim of politics.”

BOTTOMLINE Sports tribunal upholds Platini suspension

AFP Reeb said judges considered whether FIFA’s ethics watchdog reportedly highlighted CAS’s order against FIFA insist that their “oral contract” is valid Lausanne Platini suff ered irreparable damage wants to ban Platini for life, and Blatter extending the provisional ban. under Swiss law. from the temporary suspension while is also facing further punishment. He claimed that given the emergence According to Platini’s entourage, the an investigation over a 1.8 million euros FIFA’s in-house court is expected of new evidence in Platini’s favour—a new evidence proves the legitimacy of he Court of Arbitration for ($2 million) payment was completed. to issue its fi nal verdict this month, a 1998 UEFA document seen by AFP this the oral contract with Blatter. Sport (CAS) yesterday backed In its appeal, Platini’s camp insisted statement said on Thursday. week—FIFA’s ethics judges would not be With the possibility of a lifetime sus- a 90-day FIFA ban against the ex-Juventus star had done nothing Platini’s temporary suspension ex- able to issue a ruling before January 5. pension pending, a victory on Thurs- Michel Platini (pictured), in wrong and was being unfairly blocked pires on January 5 and CAS noted that The FIFA statement said the ethics day would not have marked the end of Ta new blow to the Frenchman’s hopes of from campaigning for FIFA’s presidency. even if it were lifted, there was no guar- court “intends to come to a decision Platini’s problems. entering the FIFA presidential race. In a unanimous decision, the three antee that FIFA’s electoral committee during the month of December,” with- But it would have been a symbolic Platini, head of European confed- CAS judges found that no irreparable would approve Platini’s candidacy be- out mentioning a possible delay. win for the man who seemed on track to eration UEFA and a FIFA vice president, damage had been caused, but urged fore the temporary ban runs out. FIFA opened the investigation into become the most powerful fi gure in the had been the favourite to succeed out- FIFA to quickly reach a fi nal decision in Platini after Swiss prosecutors said he world’s most popular sport. going FIFA president Sepp Blatter, until the case. STILL HOPEFUL? had been questioned over a 2 million It also would have left him free to he was named in a Swiss criminal in- The court ruled out an extension Platini’s camp voiced optimism after Swiss franc ($2 million/1.8 million euro) take part in Saturday’s draw for the vestigation in September. of the temporary ban, saying it would the ruling. payment Platini received from FIFA in 2016 European Championships in FIFA suspended Platini and Blatter in breach Platini’s rights. “Michel Platini knows he will ul- 2011 for work done a decade earlier. Paris. France is hosting the tournament October. “Mr. Platini has lost a round, but it’s timately be exonerated,” his lawyer Blatter and Platini acknowledge and Platini has been a key organiser as CAS Secretary General Matthieu not fi nal,” Reeb told journalists. Thibaud d’Ales told AFP. D’Ales also there was no contract for the fee, but UEFA president. Gulf Times 2 Saturday, December 12, 2015 CRICKET

SPOTLIGHT ECB denies double standards aft er Overton tells Pakistan-born player to ‘get back to own country’ By Ali Martin in London against Overton, which incurred an au- did not hear it, while their player also his fi nal contribution; a 12th man re- The Guardian tomatic two-match ban because of two denied the comment in his evidence. placed him, with the all-rounder’s ab- previous minor off ences on his record, In Overton’s case, according to docu- sence later explained to the attending came only two days after Overton had ments seen by the Guardian, it was only media as a “hand injury”. he and Wales Cricket been named on England’s performance Wharf and Yardy who heard the alleged The player conduct report, complet- Board has defended its discipli- programme—the overseas winter train- comment. Yardy, with Zaidi at ed by the umpires Wharf and Gould, nary procedure and denied in- ing camp for players considered next in the time, challenged Overton’s use of and Yardy’s statement were then sent to terference after it emerged that line for international selection. language immediately, telling him “you Fordham at the ECB offi ces. From there, promisingT England seamer Craig Over- Despite this squad being picked after can’t say that”, with Wharf then con- the day after the match concluded, the ton (pic) was found to have told Sussex’s the ECB had learned of the incident at sulting with his senior colleague Ian CDC announced, via a press release, Pakistan-born batsman Ashar Zaidi to Hove—but before his punishment was Gould at the end of the over. that Overton had incurred a level one “go back to your own ****ing country” announced—the board has denied any Because of the nature of the com- breach of the directives—“using lan- during a county match last season. suggestions that an emerging player on ments, and without wanting to disrupt guage that is obscene, off ensive or in- Overton, who came close to selection the radar of the selectors was spared a the game, they agreed to discuss the sulting and/or making an obscene ges- for England’s winter Test tour to South greater ban that would have followed, matter after the close of play before ture”—therefore avoiding a hearing and Africa, was reported to have made the had the more serious level three breach contacting the ECB head of cricket op- a possible extra ban. remark by both the Alex Wharf, been handed down. erations, Alan Fordham, at Lord’s, via With Overton having chalked up two at the bowler’s end, and the non-strik- An ECB spokesperson told the telephone, to make him aware of the previous off ences in 2015—the first for ing batsman, Mike Yardy, in the 57th Guardian: “Following the incident, the situation and request advice. physical contact on the fi eld away to over of Somerset’s four-day Division on-fi eld umpires sought advice from The following morning Wharf, Gould Worcestershire in May, the second for One match away to Sussex at Hove that the ECB’s Cricket Department, who re- and the ECB cricket liaison offi cer Gra- abusive language in the match prior to began on 14 September. ferred the matter directly to the chair- ham Cowdrey met Overton and Somer- the Hove incident, at home to Hamp- The Guardian understands Wharf man of the Cricket Discipline Commis- set’s head coach, Matthew Maynard, in shire—he was automatically suspended included this in his report, with Yardy sion, Mr Gerard Elias, QC. the indoor school at Hove to outline the for Somerset’s next two matches. giving a written statement in support. “After reviewing the umpires’ report, off ence in person. Uncapped Overton took 43 champi- Zaidi, who was playing for Sussex on his the chairman of the CDC gave clear While Overton did not speak, May- onship last season as Somerset British passport before being released guidance that this should be reported nard suggested the comment could have avoided relegation and was nominated by the club at the end of the season, told as a level one off ence and that no fur- been aimed at his own Somerset team- for the PCA Young Player of the Year. the match offi cials he had not heard an- ther action would be taken by the CDC. mate Tom Cooper, an Australian crick- He was recently revealed to have been ything beyond the “usual” comments The automatic penalty for a level one of- eter who plays for the club on a Dutch “close” to being named for the upcom- that did not upset him. fence was subsequently applied and this up points on a driving licence, a previ- County Championship trophy at Trent passport, following an earlier mis-fi eld. ing Test tour to by the na- Sent the evidence from Yardy and took to nine points, the ously clear record for Overton would Bridge when Yorkshire sealed the title Both were given a player conduct report tional selector James Whitaker. Wharf by the ECB, the Cricket Dis- threshold for an automatic suspension. have seen this incident met with only a that September, a decision that con- in order to fi ll out the relevant player’s Overton was one of seven emerging cipline Commission went on to give “The Cricket Discipline Commission reprimand. tinues to rankle at the club, despite comments section. fast bowlers to feature in a 12-day Eng- Overton a level one breach for using is an independent body which operates The issue has raised the questions their successful defence last summer After this meeting the umpires met land training camp in Potchefstroom, abusive language, the lowest of the at arm’s length from ECB. Craig Over- over consistency in punishments hand- in which the 32-year-old fi nally got his Yardy, who provided a written state- South Africa, in November before an four in the ECB directives. A level three ton’s selection for the EPP squad would ed out by the CDC, as well as the ECB’s hands on the silverware. ment in support of what Wharf reported elbow injury resulted in him being breach is the fi rst that covers “language have played no part whatsoever in the response. There was no offi cial response to the he had heard on the fi eld. Zaidi was then withdrawn from the current Lions that vilifi es another person on the basis CDC’s ruling in this matter. In 2014, Yorkshire’s Andrew Overton case from Yorkshire but, pri- asked whether he had heard the words squad playing in the ongoing Twenty20 of race or national origin”. “ECB refutes any suggestion of in- Gale was banned for two matches after vately, senior fi gures are concerned by “go back to your own fucking country” series against Pakistan A in the United The verdict stands in contrast with terference or bias in the proper discipli- telling Lancashire’s Ashwell Prince to what they perceive as double standards. but replied that he had not heard any- Arab Emirates. the case of Yorkshire’s captain, Andrew nary process.” “fuck off back to your own country, you Somerset have declined to comment thing beyond “the usual” comments. Both he and his twin brother, fast bowl- Gale, in 2014, in which the ECB appealed Overton, who denied Wharf and Kolpak fucker”, only for the ECB to later on the Hove incident publicly, although Given the nature of the incident, er Jamie Overton, are considered future for a longer ban after a similar exchange Yardy’s claim in his submission, sat out make an appeal over the CDC’s decision a club offi cial told the Guardian that, Somerset advised Cowdrey that Over- internationals, with the pair both added between Gale and Lancashire’s South of Somerset’s fi nal match of the season and see this suspension extended by a in their view, it diff ered to that of Gale ton would not take the fi eld for the re- to the England one-day squad that beat African batsman Ashwell Prince. and will miss his side’s 2016 opener at further two games as a . at Old Traff ord as Overton had already mainder of the match, with his 14th New Zealand 3-2 in the early part of the The announcement of the charge Durham. With this ban akin to chalking Gale was also barred from lifting the turned away from the batsman, who over, in which the incident took place, summer but not featuring in the series.

WORLD TWENTY20 Himalayan town of Dharamsala to host Indo-Pak India open campaign World T20 clash he sleepy hillstation of Dharam- sala will host arch-rivals India and TPakistan at next year’s cricket World Twenty20, while the final will be staged at Kolkata’s historic Eden Gar- dens, organisers said yesterday. again NZ on March 15 The bitter foes will meet in the group stages on March 19 in remote Dharam- sala in the Himalayan foothills whose Mumbai and New Delhi to host the two semi-finals while Kolkata’s Eden Gardens will stage stadium houses just 23,000 fans, the International Cricket Council (ICC) an- the final of the March 8-April 3 tournament, to be played across eight venues in India nounced in India’s Mumbai. World cricket’s governing body said eight venues across India would host Reuters the showpiece event, which runs from Mumbai March 8 to April 3, with Mumbai and New Delhi staging the semi-finals and Kolkata the final. osts and inaugural champions In- dia will kick off the Super 10 stage of “The ICC and BCCI are fully commit- the World Twenty20 with a March 15 ted and will work together to make this match in Nagpur against New Zealand a memorable event,” said ICC chairman Hin the sixth edition of the tournament off ering a Shashank Manohar, who also heads the record $5.6 million in prize money. Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). Mumbai and New Delhi will host the two India versus Pakistan is set to be one semi-fi nals while Kolkata’s Eden Gardens will of the most anticipated clashes of the stage the fi nal of the March 8-April 3 tourna- tournament but fans could find tickets ment, to be played across eight venues in India, hard to come by, with organisers over- the International Cricket Council (ICC) an- looking larger stadiums in favour of nounced yesterday. Dharamsala, home to the Dalai Lama. Defending men’s champions have been placed in Group One of the Super 10 stage Eden Gardens, in comparison, can along with South Africa, 2010 winners England, accommodate more than 60,000 2012 champions West Indies and a qualifi er. spectators while Mumbai’s Wankhede Group Two will include India, 2009 cham- Stadium, which is likely to have been pions Pakistan, , New Zealand and a ruled out because of security reasons, second qualifi er. has a capacity of around 35,000. “India has hosted World Cups in 1987, 1996 “We, as hosts, are fully prepared to and 2011. We can assure you this time it will be organise one of the most entertaining bigger, better and most entertaining,” Indian spectacles in world cricket,” said BCCI board (BCCI) secretary Anurag Thakur said at secretary Anurag Thakur, who is also the launch ceremony in Mumbai yesterday. president of the Himachal Pradesh Eight teams have been split into two groups Cricket Association which runs the for the qualifying stage from March 8-13. Two of them will progress to the Super 10 Dharamsala stadium. stage of the event, which will see a 86 percent India had suspended bilateral cricket jump in total prize money for the men’s com- with Pakistan in the aftermath of the petition from the last edition in in deadly 2008 attacks on Mumbai, which 2014. The total prize money for the women’s New Delhi blamed on militants based event, to be played simultaneously with the across the border. men’s, is $400,000, a 122 percent increase from A recent thaw in relations has raised the previous tournament. hopes for a bilateral series, which is Bitter neighbours India and Pakistan, who currently awaiting the Indian govern- have been wrangling over a bilateral series this ment’s approval. month, will clash in a March 19 contest in pic- India, Pakistan, New Zealand and turesque Dharamsala, against the backdrop of Northern Indian mountains. Australia are placed in Group 2 of the “We need a cooler climate for such a high- Indian cricketers (from left) Shikhar Dhawan, Virat Kohli and Ajinkya Rahane pose with the ICC World Twenty20 trophy during the tournament’s second round Super 10s stage, the ICC voltage contest,” Thakur quipped. launch event in Mumbai yesterday. A total of 58 matches, including 35 men’s matches and 23 women’s matches, will be played in the 27-day announced. ICC chairman Shashank Manohar promised tournament in eight Indian cities—Bangalore, Chennai, Dharamsala, Kolkata, Mohali, Mumbai, Nagpur and New Delhi. (AFP) South Africa, England, West Indies a successful tournament in the game’s fi nancial and Sri Lanka are in Group 1. Two powerhouse. “India is a country where cricket World Twenty20, saying their rivals’ experience tions,” he said. “It’s not such a big home ad- The IPL is also usually held in April, featur- qualifying teams will join the Super 10s is a religion and not many places can match the of playing in the IPL had robbed the tourna- vantage anymore and, especially with formats ing players from most of the leading countries stage after the first round. passion for the game like (in) India,” said Mano- ment’s hosts of home advantage. like T20 where the cricket is so quick, any team in world cricket. The second round gets under way har, who is also the BCCI president. Speaking at a promotional event for the tro- could be a favourite.” Kohli was part of the team which won the with hosts India taking on New Zealand “I am fully confi dent that the BCCI will de- phy, the swashbuckling batsman said many play- Kohli said that India’s recent defeat against 50-overs World Cup on home soil in 2011 but on March 15 in Nagpur, in the western liver an outstanding world cricket event.” ers expected to star in the tournament had grown South Africa in a T20 series that preceded the he was on the losing side when India lost the state of Maharashtra. familiar with local conditions through the annual just-completed Test series showed that foreign last World T20 against Sri Lanka in Bangladesh Defending champions Sri Lanka be- (IPL). players “know where to bowl and which shots to in 2013. Although he skippers the Test side, he Kohli plays down favourites tag “So many players all around the world have hit in Indian conditions”. is expected to be back in the ranks during the gin the defence of their title against a Meanwhile, Indian Test skipper Virat Kohli played in the IPL for eight-nine years now, so Bookmakers have India as 3-1 favourites to win World T20 under the captaincy of Mahendra qualifying team on March 17 in Kolkata. played down India’s status as favourites for the they are pretty familiar with the Indian condi- the tournament, with Australia priced at 5-1. Singh Dhoni. Gulf Times Saturday, December 12, 2015 3 CRICKET

AUSTRALIA vs WEST INDIES/ 1ST TEST Is it a bird, or a 100mph ?

low-flying seagull was blamed for interfering with the speed gun yesterday when New Zea- A land’s Neil Wagner bowled a ball clocked at 160 Bravo wages lone kilometres (99.4 miles) per hour—one of the quickest on record. The surprise missile from Wagner, whose normal bowling speed is in the low 130s, lit up social media before the speed radar’s operators said the read- ing may have been aff ected by a passing bird. The left-arm seamer’s ball came on a blustery day at Dunedin’s University Oval when he was bowling to Sri Lanka’s on day two of the first Test. battle for WI aft er However, members of the television production team operating the speed radar said a bird had probably caused an inaccurate reading from one of two monitors at the ground. The alternative reading was 133kph, more in keeping with Wagner’s usual pace. If Wagner did in fact send down a ball at 160kph, he would have been just a shade off Mitchell Starc’s Test world record of 160.4, set last month in Perth. The fastest recorded delivery is 161.3 by Pakistan’s Shoaib Aussie runathon Akhtar, nicknamed the “Rawalpindi Express”, against England in a 2003 World Cup limited-overs match. Spinner Lyon strikes for hosts after Voges and Marsh put on record stand of 449 “If Neil Wagner is hitting 160km, then the drinks cart is doing 150km and West Indian cricket is nosediving at warp,” quipped Twitter user @eld2_0. AFP caught on the ropes by Bravo off spinner Jomel Warrican, ending a day’s occupation of the crease as he compiled his highest Test score. athan Lyon put the skids under the Australia hammered 145 runs in the ses- fl ailing West Indies as Australia set sion to go to lunch at 583 for four enabling course for an overwhelming early Steve Smith to declare the innings during victory despite Darren Bravo hold- the break. Ning on in the fi rst Test in Hobart yesterday. “That between Voges and At the close of a stop-start day through Marsh was unbelievable and to have those showers, the Windies were 207 for six with guys out in the middle for that long and to Bravo off ering spirited resistance on 94 and do that job has put us in a pretty good posi- Kemar Roach in support on 31. tion as bowlers,” Lyon said. “It’s now up to Bravo and Roach kept the Windies in- us to go out and take 20 wickets.” nings pulse beating with an unbeaten sev- The Windies made a steady start after enth- stand of 91. lunch, but soon began to unravel. “I think the guys are confi dent in Darren Kraigg Brathwaite lasted 26 balls before and me at the crease. We’ve done a pret- Josh Hazlewood trapped him leg before ty good job so far, hopefully we can carry wicket for two in the ninth over. on tomorrow and do a much better job,” Chandrika followed in the 20th over when Roach said. he was deceived by a drifting Lyon delivery Lyon claimed two wickets in one over to and got an outside edge to Smith at slip for FOCUS trigger a middle-order collapse to have the 25. Samuels lasted only 14 balls before he West Indies in familiar trouble in their chase was splendidly caught and bowled by Lyon after a mammoth declaration of 583 for four for nine. on the second day. Blackwood didn’t see out Lyon’s over and ‘Veteran’ Karunaratne The probing off -spinner snared the was gone fi ve balls later, caught at bat-pad wickets of Marlon Samuels and Jermaine by Joe Burns, giving the spinner three for 18. holds fi rm at the top Blackwood in his seventh over along with The Windies attack went down a bowler opener Rajendra Chandrika for 175 Test when quick Shannon Gabriel left the fi eld Reuters wickets to leave the hapless Caribbean tour- with what a team spokesman said was a Dunedin ists struggling to avoid a heavy defeat with stress reaction in his left ankle, putting him three days left. in doubt for the rest of the series. “I’m really confi dent in my skill set to get imuth Karunaratne had recognised prior to the fi rst the job done. The ball is coming out beau- Scoreboard Test against New Zealand that he was now the senior tifully out of my hand in the nets and I’ve Australia (1st innings; overnight 438-3) Dman in the top order for Sri Lanka and he needed to been working hard,” said Lyon, who is play- J Burns b Gabriel ...... 33 stand up and be counted to guide his younger teammates. ing in his 50th Test match. D Warner c Ramdin b Warrican ...... 64 The 27-year-old left hander was considered a veteran in the The Windies sticky predicament was ac- top of the order, having played 23 previous Tests, with his S Smith c Blackwood b Warrican ...... 10 centuated by the dismissal of skipper Jason opening partner Kusal Mendis playing just his second, while A Voges () ...... 269 Holder, the last of the recognised batsmen number three Udara Jayasundera was making his debut. at the crease with Bravo. S Marsh c Bravo b Warrican ...... 182 “There is no (Kumar) Sangakkara and Mahela (Jaya- Holder refused to seek a referral after be- M Marsh (not out) ...... 1 wardene) so we have to put our hands up and play big knocks,” ing struck high on the pad by Peter Siddle Extras (b-4, lb-3, nb-14, w-3) ...... 24 Karunaratne said in a televised interview after he made a pa- and walked off for 15, leaving his side in deep Total (4 wickets decl., 114 overs) ...... 583 tient 84 in Sri Lanka’s 197 for four at the close of play at Uni- strife at 116 for six. Fall of wickets: 1-75, 2-104, 3-121, 4-570 versity Oval in Dunedin of the second day. “We have to play Replays showed that the ball was missing Bowling: J Taylor 17-0-108-0 (nb-2, w-1); with the youngsters and hang on with them, rotate the strike the stumps and the towering Holder may K Roach 16-1-99-0 (nb-4, w-1); S Gabriel and try to get a big one and (for me) to play a senior role.” have stayed on as the players left the fi eld 10-1-59-1 (nb-4); J Holder 24-3-75-0 (nb-4, Unfortunately, Mendis and Jayasundera were unable for a brief rain break. w-1); J Warrican 28-1-158-3; K Brathwaite to put that advice into action, with the side slumping to The West Indies eff orts were in sharp 13-0-52-0; J Blackwood 6-0-25-0 29-2 before the opener combined with fellow ‘veteran’ Di- contrast to Australia’s run spree, propelled West Indies (1st innings) nesh Chandimal, also playing his 24th Test, to patiently re- by a record 449-run fourth-wicket stand by K Brathwaite lbw Hazlewood ...... 2 build Sri Lanka’s innings. and . R Chandrika c Smith b Lyon ...... 25 The opening batsman, who had a previous reputation The West Australian pair eclipsed the D Bravo (batting) ...... 94 as a dashing player who needlessly gave his wicket away fourth-wicket Test record of 437 set by Sri chasing the shot that was not quite on, buckled down M Samuels c&b Lyon ...... 9 Lankans Thilan Samaraweera and Mahela with Chandimal and thwarted, then frustrated, New Zea- J Blackwood c Burns b Lyon ...... 0 Jayawardene against Pakistan in 2009. land’s attack. It was also the biggest Test stand by Aus- D Ramdin b Hazlewood ...... 8 He took 136 deliveries to reach his sixth Test half century, tralians at home, bettering the 405-run J Holder lbw Siddle ...... 15 though it was brought up with a elegant straight drive off fi fth-wicket partnership by Sid Barnes and K Roach (batting) ...... 31 Neil Wagner for his fi fth boundary. Don Bradman against England in in Extras (b-7, lb-10, nb-5, w-1) ...... 23 After tea he had looked set to secure his fourth test cen- 1946. Total (6 wickets, 65 overs) ...... 207 tury but he fell tantalisingly close and it was something of But the duo fell two runs short of Aus- West Indies batsman Darren Bravo fends off a delivery during his unbeaten 94 against Fall of wickets: 1-17, 2-58, 3-78, 4-78, 5-89, a surprise given the way he had blunted the eff orts of New tralia’s all-time highest partnership for any Australia on the second day of the first Test in Hobart yesterday. (AFP) 6-116 Zealand’s disciplined four-pronged pace attack. wicket of 451 held by Bill Ponsford and Brad- Bowling: J Hazlewood 16-4-43-2; J Pattin- “I did all the hard work in the fi rst few overs and unfortu- man against England at The Oval in 1934. est score against the West Indies with an in 1969. son 15-0-68-0 (nb-5, w-1); P Siddle 12-5-22- nately I didn’t get to bat through the innings and get a big one,” Voges also posted Australia’s high- unbeaten 269, eclipsing Doug Walters’ 242 Marsh holed out just before lunch for 182, 1; N Lyon 19-6-43-3; M Marsh 3-1-14-0 Karunaratne added. “I missed out on a golden opportunity.”

NEW ZEALAND vs SRI LANKA/ 1ST TEST Chandimal, Karunaratne lead Lanka fi ghtback AFP gave Watling his third catch. Scoreboard Dunedin Skipper Angelo Mathews only made two be- fore he added to Watling’s collection and gave New Zealand (1st innings; overnight 409-8) Tim Southee a 27th birthday present with the M Guptill c Chandimal b Mathews ...... 156 inesh Chandimal and Dimuth Karu- fi nest of edges to a bullet heading down leg side. T Latham c&b Lakmal ...... 22 naratne spearheaded a gritty Sri Lan- Umpire said not out but a New K Williamson c Karunaratne b Pradeep ...... 88 ka fi ghtback on the second day of the Zealand appeal showed the faint edge picked up R Taylor lbw Pradeep ...... 8 fi rst Test against New Zealand in Dun- by the Hotspot technology and Sri Lanka were B McCullum c Vithanage b Siriwardana ...... 75 edinD yesterday. four down for 156. M Santner c Chandimal b Chameera ...... 12 They came together with the tourists looking Vithanage had a life fi ve overs before stumps B Watling c Vithanage b Chameera ...... 5 fragile at 29 for two, and put on 122 for the third when he drove Doug Bracewell hard at Kane D Bracewell lbw Pradeep ...... 47 wicket in reply to New Zealand’s fi rst innings 431. Williamson at short cover and was dropped. T Southee c Siriwardana b Lakmal ...... 2 At stumps, Sri Lanka were 197 for four with Chan- Chandimal, who played a chanceless innings, N Wagner c Jayasundara b Pradeep ...... 7 dimal on 83 and Kithuruwan Vithanage on 10. has faced 208 deliveries for his 83. T Boult (not out) ...... 0 Karunaratne was out for 84 after providing When on one, he kept out a yorker from Neil Extras (b-4, lb-3, nb-1, w-1) ...... 9 stubborn resistance with Chandimal, which Wagner which the speedgun clocked at 160 kil- Total (all out, 96.1 overs) ...... 431 was desperately needed after Sri Lanka failed to ometres (99.4 miles) per hour—close to Mitch- Fall of wickets: 1-56, 2-229, 3-245, 4-334, 5-359, make the most of the conditions when they won ell Starc’s Test record of 160.4. 6-365, 7-394, 8-399, 9-426 the toss and sent New Zealand in to bat. But the seamer has never bowled anywhere near Bowling: S Lakmal 16-1-69-2; N Pradeep 23.1- With six wickets in hand, Karunaratne be- that speed before, and offi cials suspected a low- 2-112-4; A Mathews 9-2-28-1; D Chameera 20-2- lieved Sri Lanka were in a position to save the fl ying bird caused a misreading. Wagner was one of 112-2 (w-1); R Herath 19-1-46-0; U Jayasundara Test from what had been a very tough situation. four wicket-takers with Trent Boult, Tim Southee 5-0-33-0 (nb-1); M Siriwardana 4-0-24-1 “We’re slightly in a good position,” he said, Dinesh Chandimal (right) was unbeaten on 83 while opener Dimuth Karunaratne scored 84 in Sri and Santner also sharing in the dismissals. Sri Lanka (1st innings) adding patience would be key. “The wicket is a Lanka’s 197-4 in reply to New Zealand’s first innings total of 431 in the first test at Dunedin. (AFP) Kusal Mendis, in his second Test, was the fi rst D Karunaratne c Watling b Santner ...... 84 bit slower than we expected and it’s not turning to fall when he edged Boult to be gone for eight K Mendis c Watling b Boult ...... 8 much. It’s two-paced and we have to wait for four seamers that can all exploit that”. The middle session produced only 65 runs, and provide Watling with his 100th Test dis- U Jayasundara c Watling b Wagner ...... 1 the loose ball and get runs.” After the New Zealand innings wrapped but while the New Zealand bowlers sent down a missal. Udara Jayasundera, on debut, made one. D Chandimal (batting) ...... 83 But New Zealand quick Trent Boult thought up early on Friday, the outlook for Sri Lanka series of dot balls they seldom looked threaten- At the start of the day, New Zealand added a A Mathews c Watling b Southee ...... 2 there was still enough in the wicket to keep the darkened when Test novices Kusal Mendis and ing. As the pitch fl attened in the fi nal session, further 22 runs to their overnight score 409-8. K Vithanage (batting)...... 10 advantage with the home side. Udara Jayasundera fell cheaply, both caught be- Sri Lanka upped the tempo and cracked 48 in 13 Doug Bracewell reached 47, his highest Test Extras (b-1, lb-4, nb-4) ...... 9 “It’s going to be a big push in the morning. hind by BJ Watling. overs before left-arm spinner Mitchell Santner score, before he was the last wicket to fall being Total (4 wickets, 81 overs) ...... 197 If we can get one early, the cliche of one brings But Karunaratne and Chandimal stepped up, made the breakthrough. trapped lbw by Nuwan Pradeep. Fall of wickets: 1-19, 2-29, 3-151, 4-156 two and we’ll be into the tail,” he said. curtailing their attacking instincts. Karunaratne, a century-maker against New Pradeep, the less threatening Sri Lankan pace Bowling: T Boult 16-5-38-1; T Southee 16-4-35-1; Boult saw signs of reverse swing developing They delicately negotiated their way to bring Zealand a year ago, had played patiently for 198 bowler on the opening day, was ultimately their D Bracewell 16-4-29-0 (nb-4); N Wagner 13-2-53-1; “and that’s going to become a big factor with up the 100 in the 45th over just before tea. balls before he slashed at a drifting delivery and most successful with four for 112. M Santner 19-6-37-1; K Williamson 1-1-0-0 Gulf Times 4 Saturday, December 12, 2015 SPORT

GOLF ROUND-UP THAILAND GOLF CHAMPIONSHIP Donaldson braves heat for 2-shot lead China’s Feng takes AFP get nicer weather in the morn- Bangkok ing, but that was not really the case today. But the good thing is that the ball goes further.” n a day in which The German, who was run- the oppressive heat ner-up in this event last year sapped the strength and would dearly love to win of even the strong- the trophy, said he was very command in Dubai estO players, Jamie Donaldson pleased with his performance. held on to a two-shot lead in “I played really well. I think the second round of the Thai- seven-under today is a very land Golf Championship at good score.” Amata Spring Golf and Coun- Kaymer said his strategy for try Club yesterday. the weekend would be hitting The Welsh Ryder Cup star the fairways. “Driving will be fi red a four-under 68 to keep the key,” he said. with 5-stroke lead two clear of a charging Mar- Garcia said the key to his tin Kaymer who moved into round was “having plenty of second spot with an excel- water to drink. I got through a ‘I played really well on the front nine. Made a couple bogeys on the back, but I birdied the lent seven-under 65, the best lot of bottles.” round of the day. The Spanish star said he re- 17th to come back. I think five-under is still a pretty good score because the day was windy’ Spain’s Sergio Garcia, who ally felt the heat on the last six shot 69, led the chasing pack holes. Garcia said he was rela- a further two strokes behind, tively happy with his score. “I AFP along with the impressive gave myself plenty of chances Dubai English youngster Matthew but did not put them all away. Fitzpatrick who shot an excel- But I felt I played pretty good lent 67 and Thailand’s Chin- through the round.” ven a storming fi nish by Thai narat Phadungsil with a 69. One of the pre-tournament LPGA Tour star Thidapa Suwan- In joint sixth place were Ko- favourites, big-hitting Bubba napura, who made six birdies in rea’s Byeong-Hun An with a Watson, was some way back her last six holes, wasn’t enough to 67, and Thailand’s Panuphol after shooting a 70. He admit- stopE defending champion Shanshan Feng Pittayarat who shot 66. ted he was not at his best and of China from taking a fi ve-shot lead at the Donaldson, who fi red a was happy to make the cut. end of the penultimate round of the Dubai magnifi cent 63 in the opening “The best moment was at Ladies Masters yesterday. round, admitted the tropical the 17th island green. I almost World number six Feng, the highest heat was a factor. hit it in the water, but then ranked player in the fi eld and two-time “It was a great temperature sunk a much-needed birdie,” winner of the season-ending champion- to start with, but it got really he said. ship of the Ladies European Tour, shot her hot on the back nine,” he said. Defending champion Lee third successive round of fi ve-under par 67 “It was tough out there and a Westwood felt he was still in to move to 15-under par for the tournament. case of trying to stay hydrated with a chance after shooting a At one stage, she led the fi eld by a and not drop sweat on the ball.” 68, although he is well behind whopping margin of ten shots, but that The Welsh star said he was the leaders. was whittled down to fi ve as she failed to pleased with his performance, “I’ve played pretty well,” he maintain the momentum on the back nine, considering the conditions. said. “But I’ve been wasting while Suwannapura caught fi re. “I dropped a couple of shots too many putts. I still have a Despite playing in pain—the 23-year- out there today, but overall, I chance for a weekend charge old Thai star has been experiencing shoot- have been playing nicely. I’ve up the leaderboard.” ing pain from her glutes down to the right just got to keep doing what I’ve Thai fans were pleased to leg since the middle of the year—Suwan- been doing.” see their local hero Thongchai napura fi nished with a seven-under par 65 Kaymer also had problems Jaidee have a much better sec- to move to 10-under par 206. with the heat, although it did ond round, ensuring he would France’s Jade Schaeff er was in solo third not seem to aff ect his play. make the cut and climb the place following a 70 at six-under par, while “It was like a sauna out leaderboard after shooting a Germany’s Caroline Masson (67) and Eng- there,” he said. “They say you fi ve-under 67. land’s Melissa Reid (70) were tied fourth at fi ve-under par 211. The 26-year-old Feng had surged to six- under par for the day with six birdies in 11 holes, before making the fi rst bogey of the tournament on the 48th hole with a tee shot that she pulled to the left waste area on the 12th. She quickly followed it up with another bogey on the 14th. “I played really well on the front nine. Made Shanshan Feng of China studies the fairway during the third round of the Dubai Ladies Masters in Dubai yesterday. (AFP) a couple bogeys on the back, but I birdied the 17th to come back. I think fi ve-under is still a “Can I catch Shanshan? No, I don’t think Kuchar comes off a win in October at the bourne last February, her fi rst tournament pretty good score because the day was a little so. I know she’s pretty good and she hits it a Fiji International event on the Australasia win after topping the rankings. bit more windy,” said the Chinese star. hundred percent. I’m just going to have fun PGA Tour while English has a best fi n- The New Zealander, now 18, said she “I think the back nine, maybe I mis- tomorrow and try to fi nish my round again.” ish of second this year, losing a playoff at was eager to take part in the US$1.3 mil- judged the wind a couple of times. And British 52-year-old legend Laura Davies, Torrey Pines. Northern Ireland’s Graeme lion event, co-sanctioned by the USLPGA, then there was one poor drive on the 12th who was second behind Feng at the half- McDowell, who won a US PGA Tour event which moves to a new home at Adelaide’s hole, so I made a bogey there. I’m not re- way stage with two successive rounds of last month in Mexico, and American Gary Grange Golf Club next February. ally thinking about any score tomorrow. 68, faded away with a 77. Woodland were one stroke adrift, sharing “(The Australian Open) really helped to On the course, every time I’m just focusing second with the US duo of Hunter Mahan jump-start a great year for me in 2015 and I shot by shot. Tomorrow, I’m just going to and Billy Horschel. am thrilled to be the defending champion,” do the same thing as the past three days.” English, Kuchar grab lead Americans Daniel Berger and Charley Ko said. “It’s always fun for us to play in front Suwannapura’s round went the other Americans Matt Kuchar and Harris English Hoffman shared fourth on 60 with Co- of our fans in Australia and we are already way of Feng’s. She started with a bogey combined for a 14-under par 58 in a scramble lombia’s Camilo Villegas and American hearing good things about the Grange.” and was just one-under par after 12 holes format to seize a one-stroke lead after the Cameron Tringale. Last year, Tringale Australia’s former world number one when she started her birdie run. Except for opening round of the 27th annual Franklin won the title alongside Aussie Jason Day, Webb, who has won the tournament a the 17th, where she two-putted for a birdie Templeton Shootout in Naples, Florida. The who last week pulled out of defending record fi ve times, said she was pleased the and the 18th, where she was left with a three-day invitational event hosted by re- the title. tournament was returning to South Aus- fi ve-feet birdie putt, her other birdies were tired Australian star Greg Norman matches 12 tralia for the fi rst time in 21 years. all result of putts from 15-20 feet range. pairs of golf’s top men’s players in three dif- “It’s fantastic for the tournament to get “I don’t know what happened. Today, ferent styles, with the second day featuring Ko to defend Australian title back to South Australia and I can’t think of I just see the line and my caddie, Matt, he a modifi ed alternate shot and the fi nal round Teenage world number one Lydia Ko a better way to start a big year than by get- can see the same thing as me. I was like ‘just utilizing a better-ball format. said yesterday she will defend her Austral- ting into contention on Sunday afternoon knock it’, and it’s in,” said Suwannapura. “I Kuchar and English, the only pairing to ian Open title against a strong fi eld next in Adelaide,” she said. While the fi eld is yet was really not expecting anything. I was have played the event together more than year, including local hope Karrie Webb. to be fi nalised, organisers said rising star just hitting balls and try to knock it on the once, won the Shootout in 2013 and fi n- Ko was just 17 when she became the Minjee Lee, 19, from Perth, would add fur- green. Just par was fi ne for me. ished second last year. youngest player to win the title in Mel- ther local interest to the event.

BADMINTON Saina misses out on unexpected semis chance AFP “I’ve not been able to train since the former world champion from China Dubai China Open three weeks ago and after who did not need to win to qualify, and the fi rst game I could feel I was getting Ratchanok Intanon, the former world tired. It was a very, very big match and champion from Thailand, who played aina Nehwal said her body had it was tough. But I am happy with how enterprisingly well to deny Wang Shix- let her down as she missed out I tried. And I will look back on what’s ian, the former world number one from on an unexpected place in the been a very good year.” China, by 21-14, 21-19. Super Series semi-fi nals in Du- It means Marin could yet win the The men’s semi-fi nalists are Chen baiS yesterday. Super Series title for the fi rst time, de- Long, the titleholder and world cham- The former world number one from spite a 21-9, 21-15 loss earlier yesterday pion from China, Kento Momota of India got the chance to progress against to the almost overlooked but brilliantly Japan, and two Danes, Jan Jorgensen, the odds because Carolina Marin, the mobile Japanese player Nozomi Oku- the world number two, and Viktor Ax- world champion and favourite to win hara, which it seemed might have put elsen, the world number six. the Super Series fi nals for the fi rst paid to her chances. Chen completed his unbeaten three- time, was pushed to the edge of exit by This followed the Spaniard’s stun- match sequence with a 21-14, 21-17 win a second defeat in two days. ning three-game loss to Nehwal on over Jorgensen. As both were already But when Nehwal was faced with Thursday, an encounter which may sure of qualifying they just “enjoyed an opponent, the former holder Tai have undermined her belief that she themselves out there,” Chen said. Tzu Ying, who had not won a game let can deliver her best in Dubai in slow- That did not prevent him from ac- alone a match in her two previous en- ish conditions which do not suit her celerating impressively from a 10-13 counters, her physical resources failed attack-minded game. defi cit to win the fi rst game, or from her as she fell to a painful 16-21, 21-18, Her formidable smash hardly ever producing another well-timed surge 21-14 loss. found the fl oor and after one long rally of fi ve points out of six in the middle Just a handful of extra points in which Marin nearly but not quite won of the second game, which ensured his the second game, in which Nehwal several times, she ended fl at on her control of the match. He still looks an repaired an eight-point defi cit to back for several seconds. odds on favourite. reach 16-16, would have scraped her This left Okuhara 13-11 up, and after Earlier the tournament saw a pre- through. Instead it was uncomfortable her third straight win she announced mature exit for Zhao Yunlei, the Ol- to watch her attempts at dragging her that she was just trotting off for a bit ympic champion in both women’s and heavy limbs around the court as the ef- more training as she really hoped to get mixed doubles, with a knee injury, fects of recent injuries took their toll. still fi tter. ending hopes of Super Series titles “I thought I could make it but my Okuhara and Marin will be joined here for her great partnerships with legs just wouldn’t let me,” she said. in the semi-fi nals by Wang Yihan, the Tian Qing and Zhang Nan. India's Saina Nehwal went down to Tai Tzu Ying 16-21, 21-18, 21-14 to to miss out on a Super Series semi-final berth yesterday. Gulf Times Saturday, December 12, 2015 5 SPORT

Ladjadj rides Al Safi to Muraikh Cup win

Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club general manager Nasser Sherida al-Kaabi (fourth from right) with the winners of Muraikh Cup at the QREC yesterday. Injaaz Stud-owned Al Safi, trained by Mohamed Jassim Ghazali (third from left) and ridden by Stephan Ladjadj (third from right), won the feature race of yesterday’s card. PICTURES: Juhaim

FOCUS CYCLING Teenage British junior champion Formula E could admits EPO doping

Reuters which I promptly admitted to all London wrongdoing.” Evans won the national junior 10-mile time trial in September develop driverless ears that the use of per- but has been stripped of the title formance-enhancing and dismissed by two amateur drugs in amateur cycling clubs, London Dynamo and Cat- are on the rise increased ford CC Equipe/Banks. withF a confession by a Brit- He has refused to say who ish junior national champion to supplied him with the EPO but having used the banned blood off ered a warning to anyone con- booster EPO. sidering using performance en- element, says Agag Eighteen year-old Gabriel hancing drugs. Evans said in a statement on a “Know that my choice has time-trialling website (www. turned out to be immensely de- ‘Maybe...cars could drive themselves to the starting grid’ timetriallingforum.co.uk) and structive,” he said. an interview with Cycling Week- UKAD have not yet revealed Reuters ly magazine that he had been his punishment. London tempted to dope after losing the In a further blow to the sport, national 25-mile time trial title British Masters champions An- in August and having watched a drew Hastings, 35, was banned magine a motor race where the cars BBC documentary on doping. on Thursday for using anabolic drive themselves from the garage to “A lot of it was curiosity. On 3 steroids despite coming up with starting grid and then park up, ready August 2015 I bought EPO for the a novel excuse. for the drivers to jump in. fi rst time,” he wrote. “On 11 Au- Hastings tested positive at the ISounds like science fi ction? Not for gust 2015 I travelled to France for National Time Trial Champi- Alejandro Agag, the chief executive of a week’s training camp with the onships in May and the follow- the Formula E electric series whose latest family of a then-teammate. ing day won the British Cycling brainchild is an entirely driverless cham- “With me I brought one vial Masters 35-39 age group title. pionship to be known as ‘Roborace’. of EPO. This was found by the He said he had borrowed a If the Spaniard concedes that robot teammate’s father who presented used syringe from a stranger at a racing is not sport as the world knows it, evidence to UK Anti-Doping. gym to inject a vitamin and that he believes the technology could also fi nd “UKAD contacted me shortly the steroids detected must have a home in more conventional competi- after to arrange a deposition, in come from that needle. tion—and maybe not in the too distant future. “Maybe...(Formula E) cars could drive themselves to the starting grid and the Ralf Schumacher to run F4 team drivers can just walk and do interviews on the way,” Agag told Reuters when asked Former Formula One racer Ralf Schu- about potential crossover between Rob- macher (pictured) announced yesterday orace and his main series. he will run a Formula 4 team next season, “I think that is a transfer we could or- perhaps pitting him against his famous ganise quite soon, actually,” he added. brother Michael’s son Mick. “I kind of just came up with it but...the Ralf Schumacher will co-run the HTP cars could just go and place themselves Junior Team in the category intended for on the grid and then we start the race. junior drivers alongside partner Gerhard This is the kind of technology every car Ungar. will have in the future,” he added. “Running a team to encourage young Agag, an entrepreneur whose offi ce in In this September 12, 2014, picture, Chinese workers look at engineers moving a Mahindra Racing car as they prepare for the talent has always been a common objective for us,” said Schu- Hammersmith, West London, overlooks upcoming Formula E Championship race in Beijing. (Reuters) macher, the younger brother of record seven-time F1 champion a particularly traffi c-choked part of the Michael, who continues to recover from a skiing accident in 2013. capital, is a big fan of ‘disruptive’ tech- way from sport, Agag can only concur. that the technology was still only 90 per- ing. Once out of the garage, they are on Ralf Schumacher may not be in competition with his 16-year-old nology that changes the existing order. “This is a competition of technology cent complete. their own. nephew Mick, though, as the latter could step up to Formula 3 He also likes to think out loud, the con- which is not necessarily motorsport or “I think we can have a prototype ready Agag said tests conducted by Audi, who next season. versation free-wheeling from the dawn sport at all. Sport is Formula E. Driverless in September (2016), so we will do test- compete in Formula E, had shown already of classical civilisation to the realms of racing is probably not sport,” he said. ing...in October, November and Decem- that driverless cars could be a match for science fi ction, but his series has pushed “People will always want to see drivers ber and then start producing in January anything driven. boundaries from the start. racing. Driverless is never the end of mo- and you can have 10 or 20 cars by end “The driverless car, one car on its own, RUGBY The ‘Roborace’ concept was conceived torsport. Motorsport will always be there. of March and do the fi rst race in April now can go faster than any driver because less than two months ago when Agag fl ew From the Roman times, or before, we’ve (2017),” he said. it takes the corners exactly at the maxi- back from Beijing with Denis Sverdlov, been watching humans racing each other.” “This car is more or less going to be like mum limit and calculates with the com- founder of investment fund Kinetik. a skateboard. So you have a fl at battery in puter,” he said. Namibia to play in It was unveiled last month as a pro- PROTOTYPE PRODUCTION the fl oor, four motors - one on each wheel “When you have another 10 cars, you posed support package for Formula E’s Driverless technology is, however, a ma- - and that’s it. crash. Because you don’t know where the 2016-17 season, with 10 teams each jor focus for manufacturers and others “It may not look like a car. But cars of other cars are. So the diffi culty here is to S.Africa’s Currie Cup fi elding two identical all-electric cars in such as Google and Apple. the future may not look like cars. Or the create a system that can recognise where hour-long races. “Formula E wants to be where the in- cars today won’t look like cars of the fu- the other cars are and beat them, overtake Every ‘car’ will have a name, so that dustry is going. This is one of the places ture,” he added. and so on. Reuters and Namibia play in a round- fans—and particularly gamers—can en- where the industry is going and we want The driverless cars will be truly auton- “It’s going to take time,” said Agag. Cape Town robin format, with the unions gage even without the human element. to add value to the industry,” said Agag. omous, reacting to rivals through sensors “Probably in the fi rst race a lot of cars will that host the six Super Rugby For those who say robot racing is a long The Spaniard recognised, however, and guided by radar or satellite position- crash against each other.” franchises automatically ad- outh Africa’s domestic vancing to the second stage. rugby competition, the They will be joined by the Currie Cup, will include three other unions with the most Jaguar poised for Formula E move the Namibia national team points on the log table. inS 2016 and be expanded to a sev- Those nine will form the Pre- Reuters While the Spaniard gave no names, an Williams F1 chief executive Mike ment in response to speculation. en-month long tournament which mier Division for the remainder London informed source told Reuters sepa- O’Driscoll is a former managing director “As part of that process we consider a overlaps the Super Rugby season. of the competition, while the six rately that Jaguar, owned by India’s Tata of Jaguar, leading the company through wide range of activities including mo- The South African Rugby Un- teams that do not fall into that Motors, were planning to enter in the the sale to Tata in 2008. torsport. At this point we have no new ion (SARU) confi rmed yesterday bracket will contest the First Di- aguar Land Rover (JLR) are prepar- 2016-17 season. Formula E currently has a maximum 10 announcements to make and any news that the world’s oldest domestic vision title. ing to enter Formula E with the Jaguar have also scheduled a news con- teams, so any manufacturers looking to is speculation only.” rugby championship, fi rst con- “The enthusiasm for the Cu- Jelectric racing series also set to ference for an “exciting announcement” come in would have to replace or take Jaguar’s last major foray into motor- tested in 1889, would contain 15 rie Cup remains intense among confirm more manufacturers in its 2016- on Tuesday. over an existing entity. sport ended at the end of 2004 when teams and 166 matches, up from our members and the new format 17 season. Sky television reported that JLR, who Five of the current teams already have the then-Ford owned company sold 76 games in 2015. It will be played was driven by their desire to see “We have some really important news are expected to commit to launching links to manufacturers with Renault, Cit- their unsuccessful Formula One team between April and October. all teams playing each other once coming up that will reinforce the mo- an electric car, had decided to join roen’s DS brand and Audi among those to Red Bull, who turned them into world Namibia have played in fi ve again,” Jurie Roux, CEO of the mentum of the championship. We are an- Formula E to develop green technol- represented. beaters. Rugby World Cups but failed to South African Rugby Union, said nouncing more OEMs (original equipment ogies for their road cars in conjunc- “Jaguar Land Rover is continuously The company is rapidly expanding its win any of their 19 matches at the in a statement. manufacturer) coming,” Formula E chief tion with the Williams Formula One evaluating new opportunities for the model line-up and announced on Friday global showpiece tournament. The Premier Division matches executive Alejandro Agag told Reuters. group. business,” the company said in a state- that it will build a car plant in Slovakia. The fi rst round will see the 14 will start after the completion of South African provincial sides the Super Rugby season. Gulf Times 6 Saturday, December 12, 2015 SPORT

NBA SPOTLIGHT Texans ‘ironman’ Watt to play Sunday, Gasol, Bulls hold despite broken hand

Reuters injured reserve for the time be- Houston ing. He is anxious to return to action soon doing the important work he does for our game.” ouston Texans defen- Madden, who had surgery off Clippers, stop sive end J.J. Watt once on November 30, moved to an again lived up to his in-patient rehabilitation facil- ironman image when ity in Oakland, California, on heH said he planned to play in to- Wednesday. morrow’s home game against the He made his name as head defending Super Bowl champion coach of the fabled Oakland New England Patriots despite a Raiders teams of the 1970s, broken hand. guiding them to a Super Bowl ti- three-game slide The reigning defensive player tle after a 13-1 1976 season. of the year did not practise with After an award-winning ca- the team on Thursday, and in- reer as a NFL broadcaster, Mad- ‘Derrick was aggressive. He was huge for us, mask or no mask’ stead worked with trainers on den lent his name and beloved the side fi eld wearing a cast on personality to the hugely popular his left hand. EA Sports gridiron video game DPA “I broke my hand in practice Madden Football. Los Angeles and will play in the game Sun- Elected to the Pro Football day,” Watt, a three-time Pro Hall of Fame in 2006, Madden Bowl selection who has started continues to serve the NFL as his time there would be 76 consecutive games since co-chair of the player safety ad- no late game collapse, making his National Football visory panel and chairman of the as Derrick Rose rescued League debut in 2011, told re- coaches’ subcommittee to the the Chicago Bulls. porters. competition committee. TSpaniard Pau Gasol poured “I’ve played with worse than in 24 points and Rose had nine this before. Football is a game Cutler’s brother-in-law of his 11 in the fourth quar- where things happen.” believed dead ter Thursday, as the struggling Asked how he would respond A body thought to be that of Bulls held off the visiting LA if Patriots players targeted his the brother-in-law of Chicago Clippers 83-80 to stop a three- injured hand, the 26-year-old Bears quarterback Jay Cutler game slide. replied: “Let ‘em try. Come at it. has been found, a fortnight after “I’m just happy we were able I’ll take advantage of whatever Michael Cavallari disappeared, to win the game,” Rose said. you try to do.” US authorities said. “It’s all about winning and I Watt was also limited in prac- The remains were found by a don’t have to go to sleep think- tice on Wednesday, when he was crew searching in a steep, rocky ing about another loss.” listed with injuries to his groin area in southern Utah, the Grand Chicago had been outscored and hand on the offi cial report. County Sheriff ’s Offi ce said. 102-70 in the fourth quarter of “I don’t think it will aff ect The Utah medical examiner their previous three setbacks him,” said Texans coach Bill was to confi rm the identity of the and appeared to be headed O’Brien. victim and cause of death. for another after blowing a Watt, who ranks third among Cavallari is the brother of re- 16-point third-quarter cush- active NFL defensive ends with ality TV personality Kristin Cav- ion and a 10-point bulge in his unbroken 76-game run, has allari, who married NFL quar- the fourth. But Rose has been 70-1/2 career sacks, 42 passes terback Cutler in 2013. wearing a clear protective face defended, 11 fumble recoveries He has been missing since No- mask since fracturing his left and 13 forced fumbles. vember 27, when his abandoned eye socket on the fi rst day of The Texans (6-6) will bid for a car was found alongside a dirt practice, but shed the mask and fi fth win in six games on Sunday road with the engine running found his stroke. when they face the formidable and the air bag deployed in Utah. “When I went out there they challenge of the (10-2) Patriots. Four days earlier, the 30-year- told me I could play without Pau Gasol (R) of the Chicago Bulls old Cavallari had been arrested my mask, so I took it off in the blocks a shot by Luc Richard Coach Madden recovering in Southern California on an al- fourth quarter,” the former Mbah a Moute of the Los Angeles from open-heart op legation of threatening a woman. league MVP explained. “Actu- Clippers at the United Center in Hall of Fame NFL coach John He was released on bail and it’s ally, I forgot it and said I’m going Chicago, Illinois. The Bulls Madden, 79, is out of hospital not clear if the incident and his to leave it off .” defeated the Clippers 83-80. and on the road to a full recov- disappearance were related. Jimmy Butler had 14 points (Getty Images/AFP) ery from open-heart surgery, Kristin Cavallari, who gained with eight assists, while Taj the NFL said in a statement on fame appearing on the MTV re- Gibson netted 12 and eight re- Thursday. ality series Laguna Beach and bounds for the Bulls (12-8) who “I spoke to John yester- The Hills, mourned her brother ended a seven-game home slide day,” NFL Commissioner Roger on an Instagram post. to the Clippers. Goodell said. “He sounds great, “My heart is in a million piec- “Actually, I didn’t even notice but is frustrated about being on es,” she said. Derrick wasn’t wearing a mask in the fourth quarter but I like it,” Butler said. “Derrick was JJ WATT aggressive. He was huge for us, was no intent to hurt, or intent RESULTS Elsewhere: added 16 points, 12 assists and mask or no mask.” to even really hit him. I was go- Oklahoma City Thunder nine boards, and the Kings (9- Blake Griffi n had 18 points ing to try to hit the ball and he Brooklyn ...... 100 Philadelphia ...... 91 107, Atlanta Hawks 94: Kevin 15) held off the visiting Knicks and 11 rebounds, Chris Paul pump faked me.” Chicago ...... 83 LA Clippers ...... 80 Durant collected 25 points, 12 after nearly blowing a 19-point netted 12, while DeAndre Jor- Los Angeles trailed by 16 Okl. City ...... 107 Atlanta...... 94 rebounds and 10 assists for his third-quarter cushion. Carmelo dan fi nished with 10 and 14 re- when Griffi n exited but used Sacramento 99 NY Knicks...... 97 seventh career triple-double, Anthony had 23 points and 14 bounds for the Clippers (13-10), it as a rallying cry. Led by their and the Thunder rolled the rebounds but missed a potential who hit 10-of-22 triples but second unit, the Clippers went visiting Hawks for their third game-tying triple at the buzzer had their three-game winning on a 25-9 tear capped by a pair the outcome but missed a wide- straight win. Russell Westbrook as the Knicks (10-14) lost their streak snapped. of 3-pointers by Josh Smith to open fi ve-foot push shot and had 23 points with 10 assists fourth in a row. The Clippers played the fi nal square the contest at 66-apiece the Clippers grabbed the re- while Serge Ibaka fi nished with Brooklyn Nets 100, Phila- 18 minutes without Griffi n, who with 7:19 left. The Bulls re- bound with six seconds left. a season-high tying 23 and 10 delphia 76ers 91: Italy’s An- was hit with an automatic ejec- sponded and regained the lead, Paul looked to send the game boards as OKC (14-8) domi- drea Bargnani scored a season- tion midway through the third 81-75 on triples by Rose and into overtime but his 3-point nated the boards, 52-34. Kent high 23 points, Thaddeus Young quarter after being whistled for Gasol, and three free throws by attempt bounced off the back of Bazemore scored 22 points added 18 with 11 rebounds, and a fl agrant-2 foul when he un- Aaron Brooks with 2:28 to go. the iron and the Bulls escaped. for Atlanta (14-9) which had the Nets (7-15) pulled away to intentionally whacked Gibson A fl oater by Rose put the Bulls “I like the way we fought back its modest two-game streak beat the league-worst Sixers for across the face with his right ahead, 83-77 with 45 seconds but we didn’t play too smart the stopped their sixth home win in the last arm on a layup attempt. Griffi n remaining, before a Wesley last few minutes of the game,” Sacramento Kings 99, seven games. Jahlil Okafor had quickly helped Gibson up. Johnson triple draw the Clip- Clippers coach Doc Rivers said. New York Knicks 97: De- 22 points and 10 rebounds for “I wasn’t trying to hit him in pers to within three. “That’s when I want to be great Marcus Cousins had 27 points Philadelphia (1-22) outscored the face,” Griffi n said. “There Butler had a chance to seal and we weren’t great.” and 11 rebounds, Rajon Rondo 30-17 in the fourth quarter.

NFL Catanzaro’s late goal lift s Cardinals to win over Vikings

By Matt Vensel the game late. But Teddy Bridge- The Vikings responded right away But the Vikings lost two fumbles Star Tribune water was sacked from behind on with a seven-play, 80-yard touch- in Cardinals territory. Wide receiver third down deep in Cardinals terri- down drive. Peterson slalomed Jarius Wright gave the ball away in tory with just seconds remaining by through the Cardinals defense for a the red zone in the second quarter n Thursday night, the Dwight Freeney. Bridgewater fum- 9-yard touchdown run to fi nish off and Peterson coughed up another short-handed Vikings bled, and the game was over. the drive. He also had a 21-yard run fumble in the third. Peterson has found themselves in an- Cardinals quarterback Carson earlier in the drive, gaining 3 more fumbled seven times this season. other showcase game, this Palmer threw for 310 yards and yards on that play than he did in After Peterson’s latest fumble timeO against the fi rst-place Arizona tossed two touchdowns by late in Sunday’s 38-7 drubbing against the killed a promising drive, the Car- Cardinals. the fourth quarter against an under- Seahawks. dinals went ahead for good. Palmer Prime time was not kind to them manned and overmatched Vikings After grumbling about the off en- tossed a quick pass out to Floyd, in their season opener, when they got defense. sive play-calling after rushing for a who got a key block by Fitzgerald steamrollered by the San Francisco Injuries forced the Vikings to start season-low 18 yards against the Sea- and went untouched down the right 49ers on “Monday Night Football.” four rookies against the league’s top- hawks, Peterson had 69 yards on 23 sideline for a 42-yard score that And they played poorly in high-pro- ranked off ense and they moved vet- carries late in the fourth quarter. made it 17-10. fi le, nationally televised, late-after- eran cornerback Terence Newman The Cardinals reclaimed the lead On Arizona’s next drive, cor- noon losses to Green Bay and Seattle. to safety to start in place of Harrison with a 65-yard touchdown pass to nerback Xavier Rhodes dropped a But this time, the Vikings did not Smith, who missed his second game wide receiver John Brown. Palmer would-be interception that he likely wilt in the spotlight. They went into in three weeks. shuffl ed around in the pocket to buy would have returned for a touch- halftime with the score tied at 10-10 They were also missing nose tackle time for Brown to get open on a deep down. The Cardinals would keep and threatened to take a third-quar- Linval Joseph and outside linebacker crossing route. Brown pulled away on driving downfi eld to go up 20-10 ter lead when running back Adrian Anthony Barr. from cornerback Captain Munner- with a fi eld goal early in the fourth Peterson fumbled in Cardinals terri- Palmer completed his fi rst eight lyn, caught the pass then sprinted quarter. tory. In the end, though, the Cardi- pass attempts for 54 yards on the down the right sideline for the go- Walsh booted a 54-yard fi eld goal nals’ off ensive fi repower and one de- game’s opening drive, including a ahead score. with 12:15 remaining in the game to cisive fourth-quarter drive resulted 19-yard catch by Michael Floyd and Still trailing 10-7 late in the second cut the Cardinals’ lead to 20-13, then in a 47-yard fi eld goal by Chandler a 17-yarder by fellow wideout Larry quarter, quarterback Bridgewater the Vikings tied the score again with Catanzaro with 1 minute, 23 seconds Fitzgerald Jr. But the Cardinals had to completed a 32-yard pass to rookie an impressive 11-play, 88-yard drive remaining to give Arizona a 23-20 settle for a 27-yard Chandler Catan- tight end MyCole Pruitt to put kick- that ended with a 7-yard touchdown victory at University of Phoenix Sta- zaro fi eld goal after their rookie run- er Blair Walsh in position to boot a pass from Bridgewater to underuti- dium. ning back, David Johnson, dropped a game-tying fi eld goal from 44 yards lized wide receiver Mike Wallace be- Arizona Cardinals kicker Chandler Catanzaro (No 7) kicks a field goal in the fourth quarter The Vikings looked poised to tie would-be touchdown on third down. just before halftime. fore the Cardinals countered. against the Minnesota Vikings at University of Phoenix Stadium. PICTURE: USA TODAY Gulf Times Saturday, December 12, 2015 7 SPORT

NHL BASEBALL Flyers race past Angels get hard-hitting Blues for 4-2 victory infi elder Kane extends streak but Hawk’s lose 5-1 to Predators Escobar

By Mike DiGiovanna tin Upton and Alex Gordon _ and Los Angeles Times talking with teams on numerous trade fronts. There was a grow- ing sense this week that owner he Los Angeles Angels Arte Moreno might be reluctant left the winter meet- to push the team’s payroll past ings Thursday without a $189 million, potentially putting slugging left fi elder, but a crimp in the team’s pursuit of theyT did add a hard-hitting in- a big bat. fi elder in Yunel Escobar, who was The four top outfi elders fi g- acquired from the Washington ure to get long-term deals worth Nationals for reliever Trevor Gott more than $20 million a year, so and minor league pitcher Michael signing one would push the An- Brady. The Angels also received gels over the soft cap. about $1.5 million in cash. The Angels could spend big Escobar, 33, is coming off his on such a player now and shed best off ensive season, when salary — most likely that of $20 he hit .314 with a .375 on-base million pitcher C.J. Wilson or $5 percentage, .415 slugging per- million pitcher Hector Santiago centage, nine home runs and — during the season. Luxury 56 runs batted in. He has a ca- tax is based on end-of-the-year reer slash line of .281/.350/.385 payrolls. There is also a chance with 78 homers and 449 RBIs the price of one of the sluggers in nine seasons. The 6-foot-2, could drop into a range Moreno 215-pound Escobar has made is comfortable with as the winter 986 of his 1,159 career starts at progresses. shortstop but probably will play Moreno is impulsive, as his third base for the Angels, who pursuit of Josh Hamilton, who did not make a qualifying off er to signed a fi ve-year, $125 mil- veteran free agent David Freese. lion deal with the Angels before Escobar, who has been traded the 2013 season, showed. If he six times and will be playing for is waffl ing on paying premium his fi fth organization, has one dollars for a big bat this week, year remaining on a contract he could change his mind if the that will pay him $7 million next right deal presents itself next season and includes a team op- week. Moreno loves to lie low be- tion for $7 million in 2017. fore making a big splash, as evi- Gott, 23, was called up by the denced by his surprise signing of Angels last July and went 4-2 Albert Pujols to a $10-year, $240 with a 3.02 earned-run aver- million deal at the winter meet- age in 48 games, striking out ings before the 2012 season. The Philadelphia Flyers’ Matt Read (No 24) scores past St. Louis 27 and walking 16 in 47 2/3 in- So it was not really surpris- Blues goaltender Brian Elliott in the second period at the Scottrade nings. Armed with a fastball that ing that Fox Sports reported Center in St. Louis. PICTURE: Chris Lee/St. Louis Post-Dispatch/TNS touches 98 mph and a develop- Wednesday afternoon the An- ing slider, he worked his way up gels are “a fi nalist” for Heyward, to a seventh-inning role. who could command a deal in By Jeremy P. Rutherford a .942 save-percentage. RESULTS came into the game with a goal games with a third-period goal Brady, a 28-year-old right- the 10-year, $200 million range, St. Louis Post-Dispatch Elliott made 26 saves, but against every club in the NHL in a 5-1 loss to Nashville on hander, went 7-7 with a 3.77 ERA along with the St. Louis Cardi- the Blues couldn’t fi nd more Detroit ...... 3 Montreal ...... 2 except the Blues. Thursday. Kane’s 18th goal of at double-A Arkansas. nals and Chicago Cubs. than two goals from Robby Fab- Tampa Bay ...... 4 Ottawa ...... 1 Sound familiar? the NHL season wasn’t enough Escobar’s salary will bring the The Angels selected two players n the past week, the key bri and David Backes despite Florida ...... 4 Washington.....1 Pittsburgh captain Sidney to overcome the Predators’ Angels’ 2016 payroll to within $9 in the major league portion of the phrase around the Blues’ putting 37 shots on Philadelphia Philadelphia ...... 4 St. Louis ...... 2 Crosby was also looking fi rst strong fi rst period off ensively million to $14 million of the $189 Rule 5 draft, reliever Deolis Guerra locker room has been goalie Michal Neuvirth, who Nashville ...... 5 Chicago ...... 1 his fi rst-career goal against the and goalie Pekka Rinne’s superb million luxury tax threshold, and from Pittsburgh and Korean fi rst “building good minutes.” played outstanding. Winnipeg ...... 6 Columbus ...... 4 Blues in the teams’ recent meet- play in the fi nal period. it is unclear how it will aff ect the baseman Ji-Man Choi from Balti- IThey admit they’re not go- The Blues had the look of ing November 25. Crosby came Rinne made 35 saves in win- team’s pursuit of a left-fi eld bat. more. Asked whether he thought Calgary ...... 4 Buff alo ...... 3 ing to erase a month’s worth of a determined club in the fi rst up with two in the Penguins’ ning for just the second time General Manager Billy Eppler both could make the team next sub-par play in one night, but period. Though the game re- 4-3 overtime win. since November 17. He turned left the winter meetings’ hotel spring, Mike LaCassa, the team’s stringing together some pro- mained scoreless after 20 min- son. Brayden Schenn passed Giroux got his on Thursday, away at least six quality Black- before the trade was announced. director of minor league opera- ductive periods would be a start. utes, the team registered 10 the puck to the front of the net, and it was a dandy. Taking a pass hawks scoring chances in the Eppler said Thursday he is tions, said, “Yeah ... how often On the heels of Tuesday’s shots, 11 hits and had no givea- where Blues defenseman Jay from Schenn, Giroux entered second period, denying centre “still having conversations” do you see a team, especially one win, the Blues added more ways. Paul Stastny’s bid for his Bouwmeester couldn’t fi nd the the off ensive zone with a head Andrew Shaw four times and with representatives for the top with the expectations we have, good minutes in the fi rst period third goal of the season was de- positioning or the muscle to of steam, which wasn’t good robbing Kane twice. free-agent outfi elders _ Jason take two guys in the major league against Philadelphia Thursday nied early in the period, other- prevent Raffl from putting a de- news for the nearest defender, However, the Chicago right Heyward, Yoenis Cespedes, Jus- phase of the Rule 5 draft?” night at Scottrade Center. wise the Blues would have taken fl ection past Elliott for a 1-1 tie. Magnus Paajarvi. He blew past winger poked a rebound under a But what the Blues had been a lead into the fi rst intermission. The goal was Philadelphia’s Paajarvi and then deked Elliott prone Rinne at 5:43 of the third building fell apart in the sec- The night continued to look fi rst in 171 minutes in this build- before beating him with a back- period to continue a streak that YUNEL ESCOBAR ond period, as the Flyers scored up when Robby Fabbri did give ing. The visitors would only handed shot. started October 17 in a 4-1 win three unanswered goals in a 4-2 the Blues the lead just 1:35 into need 3:21 for the next one. Like that, a 1-0 lead had dis- over Columbus. Kane pumped win in front of a disappointed the second period, scoring his Matt Read handed the Flyers integrated, with three Phila- his fi st in the air after scoring crowd of 14,028. fi fth goal of the season. Dmitrij their fi rst lead of the game, 2-1, delphia goals against the Blues’ as the Blackhawks fans in the It’s now been exactly one Jaskin had the puck behind the with 13:24 remaining in the sec- top line. Paajarvi and Vladimir building cheered loudly. month since the Blues last Philadelphia net and fl ipped it ond period. Tarasenko were each minus-3 Kane’s streak is at 24 and won back-to-back games, and in front to Robby Fabbri, who Following a turnover by Blues and Paul Stastny was a minus-2 counting but he still has a long it won’t be any easier to turn wasted no time punching it past defenseman Petteri Lindbohm, as the Flyers took a 3-1 lead into ways to go to catch Wayne things around with Central Di- goalie Michal Neuvirth. Michael Del Zotto put a blis- the second intermission. The Gretzky’s all-time record 51- vision-leading Dallas headed to Against Philadelphia, at Scot- tering shot on net. Lindbohm Blues made a strong push in the game points streak. American town Saturday. trade Center, one goal has been blocked that, but the rebound third period and pulled to with- Kane is living on the edge with The Blues said Thursday enough in the teams’ recent his- was left laying in the slot. Read in 3-2 on Backes’ eighth goal of this streak. He had back-to- morning that they would have tory. The Blues had blanked the corralled it and whiff ed on his the season. It came on the pow- back games where he needed extra incentive later that night Flyers three times in their last fi rst attempt but then wrapped er play with 12:23 left in regula- points on home ice in empty-net with goaltender Brian Elliott four trips to St. Louis. the puck around the out- tion. But that’s all the Blues had, situations to keep his streak go- in net, looking for his fi rst win Philadelphia made up for that stretched of Elliott. as they dropped to 1-3-1 in their ing—one against the Winnipeg since Oct. 18. In his last fi ve ap- with three goals before the end The Blues were slipping last fi ve home games. Jets with a hand-pass to Artemi pearances, Elliott had a record of the period. quickly. Raffl and Read had Patrick Kane extended his Panarin who scored and one he of 0-2-1, but in that stretch had Michael Raffl started it off goals and captain Claude Giroux Chicago Blackhawks’ record scored himself earlier this week a 1.60 goals-against average and with his third goal of the sea- was looking for his. The captain point-scoring streak to 24 against the same Predators.

SUNDSTEDT CLAIMS QATAR CHAIN REACTION-FUWAIRIT TROPHY

Olympian and former MTB world champion Pia Sundstedt claimed the Qatar Chain Reaction-Fuwairit trophy by winning the mountain bike race held at Fuwairit, The event was presented by Qatar Extreme Sports founder patron Farhan al-Sayed. Michelle Guerin, who flew from Dubai for the event, finished second and Eulogy Van Dyk claimed the third spot. Juan Botha won the men’s title, while Dubai rider Tom Little and Denrei Catalan finish second and third. This was the most successful which attracted big number of participants and crowds. Gulf Times 8 Saturday, December 12, 2015 SPORT

FOOTBALL Edgy but defi ant Paris awaits Euro 2016 draw

DPA tourists in front of Notre Dame ca- and their visit serves the purpose of Paris thedral seem to make nothing of remembering but also looking for- the heavily armed military forces ward. guarding this landmark and others. “The return to Paris for the draw eads turn as a siren sounds The attacks, some 11 months af- will be special for me. I think that I and the fi re brigade speed ter that against the Charlie Hebdo will pay my respects for what hap- down the Boulevard Gou- magazine, have left France scarred pened on November 13 and to the vion-Saint-Cyr and past and edgy but at the same time defi - immediate family of those lost,” Hthe Palais des Congres where Sat- ant amid the ongoing state of emer- Germany coach Joachim Loew said. urday’s Euro 2016 draw will take gency. “I hope that our French hosts can place. “To rock’n roll” says the writing return to normality as soon as pos- An hour later yesterday there is on a paper heart hung next to a cut sible. They are a big and traditional a sudden commotion and shouting out paper guitar on a string above footballing nation. With the Euro match on the Metro 8 platform at more fl owers, wreaths and candles draw at the weekend, football will Franklin D Roosevelt station. outside the Bataclan club where come more into focus again. Regular-looking men reveal red most of the victims lost their lives. “To look ahead, the European armbands out of nowhere, identify- And a young girl tortures her Championships are also something ing themselves as police. Two of the electric guitar to the sound of punk to look forward to. offi cers do not mince their words as rock at the Chatelet metro sta- “As with all the participants in they argue with three youths and tion; while platters of fresh oysters Paris, we want to represent our way another man on the platform, while make their way to hungry diners in of life, meaning openness, toler- another offi cer looks under one car- packed restaurants from racks out- ance, respect, solidarity and free- riage of the east-bound train, prob- side in the chilly Paris air. dom. We will not surrender these ably in search of suspicious objects. The militants attacked the French values.” A few stops onwards, at the Place way of life by fi ring into restaurants France never considered can- de la Republique, the mount of the and a concert hall, but also foot- celling the draw or Euro 2016 even national monument is still a sea ball as three suicide bombers blew though the event will create plenty of fl owers, candles, drawings and themselves up outside the Stade de of security headaches in and out- fl ags. Dozens of locals and tourists France on that fateful night. side the stadiums for the 51 matches look and read in silence, interrupted At least one of them is said to in nine cities attended by hundreds only by a sob or a clicking camera. have had a ticket to the game France of thousands of fans. “If we put But 30 yards on the clatter of were playing against Germany at Euro 2016 in doubt we will be bow- skateboards on concrete gives a re- the time, with French President ing to he rules of the terrorists,” or- minder that life is going on almost Francois Hollande in attendance, ganizing committee chief Jacques a month after the November 13 at- but he was stopped outside. Lambert said right after the attacks. tacks by Islamic militants which left As a result, the trip to Paris for “We will take the necessary steps 130 people dead. the 24-team draw means a whole lot so that Euro 2016 takes place with The packed metro 8 also contin- more to the world champion Ger- the best possible security meas- An aerial view shows the Parc des Princes soccer stadium in this picture taken July 14, 2013 in Paris. The French capital is one of the ued on soon after the incident, and mans than to the other delegations, ures.” ten host cities for the Euro 2016 soccer finals that will be played from June 10, 2016 to July 10. (Reuters)

CRICKET Opening shots fi red in SA with Smith’s comeback talk South Africa struggling to find settled partnership at top of order as 4-match Test series against Engalnd begins on Boxing Day

By Vic Marks The Guardian

he titbit that Graeme Smith is apparently contemplating coming out of retirement has Tno direct impact on England’s tour, but it tells us something: in South Africa they are even more perplexed than England about their opening batsmen. Smith’s musings – that he might use the Masters Champi- ons League to launch a comeback – will probably come to nothing. They conveniently highlight the Dubai venture, taking place be- tween 28 January and 14 Febru- ary, which is towards the end of England’s tour. The notion that a few runs against some creak- ing old superstars in a Twenty20 tournament unlocks the creden- tials for a comeback for South Africa against New Zealand next August is fanciful, to say the least. But the idea would surely never have surfaced if South Africa had been able to fi ll the hole left by Smith, who retired in March 2014 with 9,265 Test runs to his name. The opening batsmen will have a crucial role in the series in South Africa, which begins in on Boxing Day. The Eng- land players, having celebrated Christmas prematurely, will set off on Thursday. This series will provide a clear contrast to the ones both nations have recently experienced. In India, where South Africa were defeated 3-0, and in the UAE, where England lost to Pa- kistan 2-0, opening the batting was, theoretically, a boon. It should have been easier to score runs at the top of the order be- fore the spinners held sway – al- though the fi gures do not always refl ect that. In South Africa it will all be rather diff erent. There we anticipate a contest dominated GRAEME SMITH by pace bowlers with a couple of spinners on hand to off er backup. Both sides will be more comfort- able with these conditions. The ball will swing and bounce far more readily than in Nagpur The men in possession are 34 from 117 balls in his last Test mestic records, but neither has tors.Cook has had more part- partner, though we will know well as beyond. Hales is the bold or Sharjah, which means that Dean Elgar and Temba Bavuma. innings in Delhi (although his ever played a Test match. ners than Tony Curtis (not to be more when England announce choice and ’s incli- opening the batting will be a Elgar is a gritty 28-year-old left- strike rate exceeded that of all England have one banker at confused with Tim, who opened their lineup in Potchefstroom on nation often seems to be a shrug tricky proposition. hander, who has played 21 Tests the other batsmen in that re- the top of the order. Alastair the batting for Worcestershire a 15 December, the venue for the of the shoulders followed by a For South Africa the openers’ averaging 34. He moved up the markable, yet ultimately vain, Cook, who has always opened couple decades ago). fi rst of two three-day warm-up laid-back “well, let’s fi nd out”. role is to keep their world-class order since this was where the blockathon). the batting, has a record that is This time two out of Alex matches. Compton off ers an alternative batsmen, and AB vacancy arose in the national The likely alternatives are almost identical to Smith’s but Hales, and Gary He has been on the verge for and, unlike Ballance, he has the de Villiers, protected from the team. about the same age as Smith but he is not yet ready for the Mas- Ballance will probably occupy a while and he off ers an aggres- advantage of being experienced new ball for as long as possible. Bavuma, 25 years of age and are lacking his vast reservoir of ters Champions League. Who the No2 and No3 position in the sive counterpoint to Cook. But as an opener as well as a No3. In the absence of a monumental 5ft 3in tall, is another converted experience. Stephen Cook, 33 accompanies him has yet to be England team, with James Tay- there are doubts about his tech- There is the conundrum – fi gure like Smith this is likely to opener, who shunned his ag- and son of Jimmy, and Andrew decided and this will remain the lor likely to slot in at fi ve. Hales nique for , which ex- unless Andrew Strauss contem- be a struggle. gressive instincts when scoring Puttick, 34, have impressive do- trickiest topic for the tour selec- is the favourite to start as Cook’s ist within the England camp as plates coming out of retirement. Gulf Times Saturday, December 12, 2015 9 FOOTBALL

BUNDESLIGA SERIE A Super-charged Sunday Bayern out to puts focus on Inter AFP Milan

apoli host Roma and Fiorentina are away to Juventus in a su- exorcise Gladbach per-charged Serie A Nweekend in which all four title contenders will have one eye on leaders Inter Milan. Although designed to provide some pre-festive thrills, the pe- nultimate round of games before the league stops for the winter Inter coach Roberto Mancini. defeat in derby break has been made even more enticing by the current state of remember much about the game aff airs in Italy’s top ight.fl but luckily I’m okay,” said Brazil ‘We have to play well and fight for everything... We have to keep our concentration Inter travel to Udinese today midfi elder Melo, who does not with a one-point lead on Fioren- expect an easy run-in to the fes- and score the first goal, that should lay the foundations for us to have some fun’ tina, with Napoli two points be- tive break. hind and Roma in fourth at fi ve “It’s important we fi nish this points off the pace. Champions fi rst half of the season strong- Juventus are only one-point be- ly, but we know it’s going to be hind Roma in sixth. tough at Udinese and against Inter could go four points Lazio after that.” clear of Fiorentina with a win Napoli host Roma on Sunday today but their trip to the Friuli in the ‘Derby del Sole’, with the comes with a twist, 38-year-old hosts fi rm favourites at the San striker Antonio Di Natale hinting Paolo three days after hammer- Wednesday it could be his last ing Legia Warsaw 5-2 in the Eu- home game for the club that has ropa League to record six wins been his home since 2004. out of six in the group stage. “The fans are always behind Last week’s 3-2 reverse at Bo- us and always fi ll the stadium. I logna left scars, and Napoli coach want to show my thanks in our Maurizio Sarri said: “There are a last home game of the year by lot of title contenders this sea- giving them a special gift,” said son, but that doesn’t mean we Di Natale. have to settle for seventh place.” Having seen Udinese lose to Roma, unconvincing in a 1-1 both Napoli and Fiorentina in re- Champions League draw at home cent weeks, either side of two wins to BATE Borisov on Wednesday against Sampdoria and Chievo, Di that secured passage to the last Natale expects no-frills Inter to be 16, travel south on the back of a tough to beat today. league defeat to Atalanta and last He added: “Their game is not week’s 1-1 draw at Torino—and exceptional, but they’re winning likely to be without injury-hit consistently and conceding few Ivorian Gervinho. goals. We’ve been working hard in the past days for this game.” Fixtures (GMT) Inter have scored the fewest goals (18) from the top six teams, Today but Roberto Mancini’s men have Genoa v Bologna (1300), conceded only nine times in 15 Palermo v Frosinone, Sassuolo games and their reverse at Napoli v Torino (both 1600), Udinese a fortnight ago was their lone de- v Inter Milan (1845) feat in nine successive outings. Tomorrow The visitors should welcome Chievo v Atalanta, Empoli v back Felipe Melo, who spent a Carpi, AC Milan v Verona (all night in observation last week 1300), Napoli v Roma (1600), after a head clash with team- Juventus v Fiorentina (1845) mate Gary Medel in their 1-0 win Monday against Genoa. Lazio v Sampdoria (1845) “I’m fi ne, thank God. I don’t

Bayern Munich’s coach Pep Guardiola gestures during his team’s Champions League match against Dinamo Zagreb at the Maksimir stadium, Zagreb, Croatia. DIFFERENT STROKES AFP and score the fi rst goal, that should lay Fixtures (GMT) z Chicharito’s goal haul -Mid-table Munich the foundations for us to have some fun.” Frankfurt have won just one of their last Ingolstadt deserve Bayern’s respect Today ten games, while Thomas Tuchel’s Dort- with a symmetrical record of fi ve wins, Bayern Munich v Ingolstadt, VfL mund have lost just twice all season in Ajax exit Europa ayern Munich host Ingolstadt fi ve draws and fi ve defeats in their fi rst Wolfsburg v Hamburg, Werder Germany’s top fl ight after being drubbed in the fi rst Bundesliga derby season in Germany’s top-fl ight and are Bremen v Cologne, Hoff enheim v 5-1 by Bayern and stumbling to a shock between the clubs today full of 11th in the table with 20 points. Hannover 96, Darmstadt v Hertha defeat at Hamburg. League, Augsburg respect for their Bavarian neigh- Coach Ralph Hasenhuettl has kept Berlin, Bayer Leverkusen v Borussia Fresh from their Champions League bours,B but determined to bounce back most of the side which won last sea- exits in midweek, Bayer Leverkusen and Moenchengladbach (1730) from their shock defeat at Moencheng- son’s second-division title and they have Tomorrow Borussia Moenchengladbach meet at the strike late to advance ladbach. drawn with top side Wolfsburg, Schalke Augsburg v Schalke 04, Borussia BayArena with the teams in contrasting Pep Guardiola’s Bayern crashed to and Moenchengladbach so far. Dortmund v Eintracht Frankfurt form. their fi rst German league defeat of the “They deserve to be where they are in (1630) Roger Schmidt’s Leverkusen have won season last Saturday when they were the league and I hope they stay up,” said one of their last eight games in all com- humbled 3-1 by third-placed Gladbach. Bayern captain Philipp Lahm, who played petitions while Gladbach are unbeaten in It was only Bayern’s second loss of the alongside Hasenhuettl in the Bavarian back Medhi Benatia, who suff ered a sus- their last nine German league games un- season, following a Champions League youth football. pected torn left thigh in Zagreb. der new coach Andre Schubert. defeat at Arsenal, and Bayern are deter- “They don’t just play defensively and Second-placed Borussia Dortmund, Unlike the team he plays for, mined to protect their fi ve point lead in don’t just stand at the back.” who lag fi ve points behind Bayern, want to Leverkusen’s Javier Hernandez is in the table. Between them Poland’s Lewandowski keep the pressure on Munich with a win at form and the ex-Manchester United “We have to play well and fi ght for eve- and Thomas Mueller have scored 27 home to Eintracht Frankfurt on Sunday. and Real Madrid striker ‘Chicharito’ rything, it won’t be an easy game,” said league goals so far this season, but the Gabon striker Pierre-Emerick Au- has scored 12 goals in the last 11 games. Robert Lewandowski, whose goals sealed Germany forward expects a tussle. bameyang has scored 17 of Dortmund’s Bayer have only failed to score twice in a 2-0 win at Dinamo Zagreb on Wednes- “We have a task on Saturday which will 42 goals in 15 games this season, while their last 32 games against Gladbach, day with Bayern in the last 16 in Europe. clearly be a diffi cult thing,” said Mueller. German striker Marco Reus has weighed one of which was a 3-0 defeat when the “We have to keep our concentration Bayern are set to be without centre- in with eight more. sides last met. Ajax players react after their 1-1 draw against Molde FK.

BOTTOMLINE Reuters Key Results London Group A Ajax (NED) 1 Molde (NOR) 1 our-times European Fenerbahce (TUR) 1 Celtic Champions Ajax Am- (SCO) 1 sterdam were felled at Euro places the focus in Ligue 1 the fi rst hurdle of the Group B continent’sF second tier Europa Sion (SUI) 0 Liverpool (ENG) 0 AFP They are currently fi fth, three Results League on Thursday, exiting in Paris points adrift of the podium so the group stage two days after Group C still very much in contention Today rivals PSV Eindhoven celebrated Borussia Dortmund (GER) 0 despite poor recent results that Reims v Nice (1500 GMT), long-awaited success. PAOK (GRE) 1 unaway leaders Paris have piled pressure on coach Lille v Lorient, Troyes v Bastia, Dutch football was in a jubi- Saint-Germain put Hubert Fournier. Montpellier v Guingamp, lant mood after PSV became the Group J their undefeated record “We showed a diff erent face Nantes v Toulouse fi rst club in eight years from the Tottenham Hotspur (ENG) 4 on the line at home to (on Wednesday) and if we had Tomorrow Netherlands to reach the last Monaco (FRA) 1 LyonR tomorrow. played this way in some previous 16 of the Champions League on Monaco v Saint-Etienne (1300 Few would have expected games we probably would have GMT), Marseille v Gazelec Tuesday, but Ajax’s failure to Group L Caen, whose best top-fl ight fi n- fought to be in this competition Ajaccio, Angers v Bordeaux make it out of Group A following Partizan Belgrade (SRB) 1 ish was fi fth in 1992, to be chal- for longer,” said Fournier, whose (both 1600 GMT), Paris Saint- a 1-1 draw at home to Molde will Augsburg (GER) 3 lenging for Champions League team fi nished bottom of their Germain v Lyon (2000 GMT) have dampened enthusiasm. places but while PSG have been, group and so must now focus Ajax were pipped to second as expected, the dominant force, purely on domestic matters for place by Fenerbahce, whose 1-1 the force they once were on the the battle for European spots is the rest of the campaign. “He felt something at the back draw with Celtic added their continent. now the main point of interest in “That’s life. Elite football is of his thigh on the run that led name to the lengthy list of quali- They came into their fi nal France. not forgiving. However, this to his goal,” said Lyon president fi ers for the knockout rounds. group match needing to win Newly-promoted Angers cur- game gives us hope, and shows Jean-Michel Aulas. Joining Fenerbahce in the draw and hoping Fenerbahce would rently hold second spot having us the path we must take in the Laurent Blanc’s PSG side will were Olympique de Marseille, slip up against Celtic, beginning lost just three times in 17 out- league, which is our bread and be in relaxed mood as they con- Sion, Midtjylland, Lokomotiv with promise by taking the lead ings, although they are a whop- butter. tinue a stunning start to their Moscow, Sporting, Fiorentina, through Donny van de Beek’s ping 15 points behind PSG al- “We have a diffi cult match campaign that has seen them Anderlecht and Augsburg, who looping header after 14 minutes. ready with the season not yet at File picture of Paris Saint-Germain coach Laurent Blanc. in Paris on Sunday night,” he drop just six points. wrapped up their place thanks to Yet Norwegian outfi t Molde, its halfway stage. added. Paris have not lost a domestic a dramatic late goal against Par- under the guidance of former Angers are not in action until compete towards the top of the Angers are a further point ahead. Last season’s Ligue 1 player of game since March and a fourth tizan Belgrade. Manchester United striker Ole Sunday when they host strug- table from the outset. After an awful run of form, the year Alexandre Lacazette is straight title already appears a Ajax, one of Europe’s most Gunnar Solskjaer, have proved gling Bordeaux while, elsewhere, Monaco have revived their Lyon caused a surprise when a major concern for Lyon after formality while the Champions decorated teams, won four surprisingly impressive in the Monaco and Saint-Etienne meet fortunes after a slow start and they beat Gary Neville’s Valen- hurting himself while scoring League is the biggest priority straight domestic titles between Europa League and Harmeet at the Stade Louis II in a battle of have climbed to fourth, just one cia side 2-0 on Wednesday in the his side’s second goal against with passage through to the last 2010 and 2014 and currently lead Singh levelled with a low shot 15 two sides who were expected to point behind Caen in third while Champions League. Valencia. 16 already guaranteed. the table, but they are no longer minutes before halftime. Gulf Times 10 Saturday, December 12, 2015 FOOTBALL

LA LIGA FOCUS Barcelona aim for one billion euro goal Neymar-less Barca AFP abroad and embark on a 600 Barcelona million euro renovation of the 93,000 capacity Camp Nou sta- dium. arcelona are aiming It has one overseas offi ce in to become the world’s Hong Kong and plans to open highest earning club in more in New York, Sao Paulo and the next six years and are Shanghai by 2017, Bartomeu said. aim to stave off Bdetermined to counter England’s Barcelona, which is owned by Premier League, club president its 145,00 members, also wants Josep Maria Bartomeu said in an to set up its own university and interview published yesterday. move into women’s sports. The Spanish giants will make But the Barcelona boss ac- about 600 million euros ($658 knowledged that the shadow of million) this year but Bartomeu England’s Premier League hangs told the Financial Times news- over his club’s plans. chasing Madrid paper he was aiming to lift this “Our rival is the Premier to one billion euros ($1.1 billion) League. It is not a specifi c club, by 2021. it is the strength of the Premier ‘We are going there to compete. They drew in their last match, but they are playing “We want to be the fi rst club League itself,” Bartomeu said. to reach one billion euros in rev- He insisted that Barcelona great football and are in their best form with the return of Messi’ enues,” said Bartomeu, who won has the fi nancial power to hold an election for a six-year term off any English challenge for in July after Barcelona overcame its three top stars Lionel Messi, team divisions to win the Cham- Neymar and Luis Suarez. But pions League. Bartomeu said Barcelona acad- A Deloitte survey said that emy teenagers were being lured Real Madrid (549 million euros) by big money English off ers. and Manchester United (518 mil- “The 16-year-olds constantly lion) were the of top world foot- receive off ers from the Premier ball revenue earners in 2014. League that are very tempting. The president said he wants Every year there are some who to increase Barcelona’s presence go,” the Barcelona chief said.

Suspended FIFA president Blatter says $100mn bribery case is ‘over’ Suspended FIFA president The 79-year-old’s problems Sepp Blatter (right) insisted deepened this month when that a $100 million bribery the BBC said US authorities case in which he is report- are investigating evidence edly implicated “is over”, and indicating he knew about pleaded ignorance over alleged $100 million in bribes paid to corruption by top off icials at the former FIFA members. scandal-hit world body. Blatter said that the bribery Blatter, speaking to Japan’s case “is over, it is finished. It Nikkei business daily, also was solved in court. And it protested that he should have was solved by the FIFA ethics been warned before Swiss committee”. police arrested seven FIFA Asked whether he knew about off icials in May, and said he the payments to Havelange, hoped to return to his job in his former boss, Blatter the coming weeks. reiterated: “It is settled. It “It was a tsunami,” he said of was settled by a tribunal in the May arrests on behalf of US Switzerland. They even went authorities, which plunged the to the highest court. (There) world body into crisis, in the was no harm to me on ethics, interview published yesterday. nothing.”

File picture of FC Barcelona’s Lionel Messi (right), Neymar and Luis Suarez during a training session. SPOTLIGHT AFP late to draw 1-1 at Valencia and allow Standings Barcelona last month and Ronaldo be- Barcelona Atletico Madrid to cut the gap at the lieves they are on the right track. top to two points with Real Madrid two Today “It is normal at a club like Real Madrid ‘Big Phil’ back on big points further adrift. Barcelona v Deportivo la Coruna when things don’t go well everyone is criti- uropean champions Barcelona And they face another stiff test at the (1500), Celta Vigo v Espanyol (1715), cal,” said the World Player of the Year. will have to do without the in- Camp Nou against a revitalised Depor- Levante v Granada (1715), Sevilla v “We are used to that, but little-by- stage at Club WC jured Neymar for their fi nal La tivo la Coruna side that are enjoying a re- Sporting Gijon (1930), Las Palmas v little we are improving, the team is bet- Liga game before Christmas at turn to their glory days after a number of Real Betis (2105) ter and more confi dent. Five consecutive AFP homeE to Deportivo La Coruna before jet- seasons bouncing between the top-fl ight victories, we are on a good run and we Tomorrow Tokyo ting off to the Club World Cup in Japan. and the second division. Rayo Vallecano v Malaga (1100), Eibar need to continue like this.” The Brazilian star’s absence due to a Lucas Perez’s 10 goals have propelled v Valencia (1500), Atletico Madrid v Barca’s brilliance and the madness at groin problem is a huge miss as he has the Galicians up to sixth in the table and Athletic Bilbao (1715), Villarreal v Real Real Madrid has taken the attention away ell-travelled coach been Barca’s player of the season given he is happy for Barca to be distracted by Madrid (1930) from Atletico Madrid. However, Diego Luiz Felipe Scolari Lionel Messi’s recent two-month layoff their upcoming trip to Japan. Simeone’s men can be top of the league at has become an un- due to a knee ligament injury, scoring 14 “It seems like Barca will be without Christmas should they win their next two likely fi gurehead goals in just 13 league appearances. Neymar which benefi ts us. If Messi, Sua- Madrid’s problems have continued this league games due to Barca’s Club World Wfor China’s soaring football am- Messi also missed training on Thurs- rez and (Andres) Iniesta also want to stay week as the club’s appeal against their ex- Cup commitments next weekend. bitions as he takes Guangzhou day due to personal reasons and was seen at home and save themselves for the Club pulsion from the Copa del Rey was turned Atletico face a tough test themselves Evergrande into the Club World heavily stretching his hamstring towards World Cup, we’d accept it,” said Perez. down and star striker Karim Benzema sus- at home to Athletic Bilbao on Sunday, Cup this week. the end of a depleted Barca side’s 1-1 “We are going there to compete. They pended from playing for France due to his though, as Europe’s best defence faces up Just a year after leading Brazil’s against Bayer Leverkusen on Wednesday, drew in their last match, but they are alleged part in a blackmail scandal. to the triple threat of Aritz Aduriz, Inaki ill-fated World Cup campaign on but is expected to be fi t to start. playing great football and are in their best However, on it they are fi ne form hav- Williams and Atletico old boy Raul Gar- home soil, the mustachioed “Big Luis Suarez was left on the bench for the form with the return of Messi.” ing smashed Malmo 8-0 to equal the big- cia, who have already combined for 30 Phil” is thriving with the meg- File picture of China’s trip to Germany as the holders had already In contrast to Barca’s injury problems, gest ever margin of victory in the Cham- goals this season. Meanwhile, after a dis- abucks club after helping them Guangzhou Evergrande head qualifi ed for the last 16 of the Champions Real Madrid coach Rafael Benitez fi nally pions League on Tuesday with Cristiano appointing start to his managerial career secure their second Asian title in coach Luiz Felipe Scolari. League, and will return seeking to score for has a fully-fi t squad to choose from as he Ronaldo scoring four and Benzema hit- as Valencia crashed out of the Champi- three years. his ninth consecutive game. is expected to welcome back Sergio Ram- ting his fi rst hat-trick in fi ve years. ons League in midweek, Gary Neville gets The ebullient Brazilian has great team at a great club and Barca were left to rue a host of missed os and Marcelo for Sunday’s demanding That win was Madrid’s fi fth in a row his fi rst taste of La Liga action as Los Che brought a dash of Latin passion great players—I can realise this chances last weekend as they conceded trip to fi fth-placed Villarreal. since being humiliated 4-0 at home by travel to Eibar. to the touchlines and military dream,” he said. rigour to his team, who are un- “In life we have happy days beaten since he arrived in June and not so happy days, but to- BOTTOMLINE and won their fi fth straight Chi- night it has been a wonderful nese title in October. night. I’ve had a few great mo- The ex-Portugal and Chelsea ments before and tonight, I feel boss now returns to the global quite extraordinary.” stage at the Club World Cup, Scolari is handsomely com- where Evergrande will meet pensated for his work in Spanish uber-team Barcelona Guangzhou, a bustling metropo- Spanish confi dent of a Euro treble if they win their opening match lis of 8.5 million people not far against Mexico’s Club America from Hong Kong, where he rakes AFP Bosque’s men took revenge over recent tournament wins. tomorrow. in a reported salary of $5 million. Madrid Slovakia in September, winning Yet, a major question remains In the background are moves Money seems no object for 2-0 in Oviedo. over who should ensure that run to revolutionise football in Chi- some clubs in the world’s second “This style is defi ned, it is continues in France next year. na, a country which has so far biggest economy, where Mano till reeling from the so- what has allowed us to experi- Del Bosque has vacillated be- been better known for watch- Menezes this week arrived at bering experience of ence many unique things we tween his confi dant Casillas and ing rather than playing the sport Shandong Luneng as the third being knocked off their have never experienced before,” the much younger and on-form with huge viewing fi gures for ex-Brazil boss in China—report- perch at the 2014 World said the hero of the 2010 World David de Gea for the past year European leagues. edly on even more money than Cup,S Spain’s golden generation Cup fi nal Andres Iniesta. without naming a number one. But under football fan Presi- Scolari. head to Euro 2016 seeking re- A reserve team of Spain’s next Casillas was one of those most dent Xi Jinping, China has its But Evergrande, jointly owned demption in an unprecedented generation then won in Ukraine at fault for Spain’s collapse at eyes on hosting and even win- by Internet giant Alibaba and third consecutive European in October and the run of friend- the World Cup and was also to ning a World Cup, while football one of China’s biggest real es- Championship triumph. ly defeats against Europe’s upper blame in the defeat to Slovakia. has been mandated at more and tate fi rms, have been in a league Coach Vicente del Bosque class was ended with another He has even taken a step down more schools. of their own when it comes to kept his job to the surprise of impressive display in seeing off at club level by moving to Porto China’s most ambitious club— splashing out on foreign talent. many despite the debacle in Bra- England 2-0 last month. after a 16-year career with Real full name Guangzhou Evergrande Former Real Madrid striker zil that saw the then defending “The Spanish national team Madrid. Taobao—have proved a good fi t Robinho arrived in July, follow- world champions sent packing is always a contender for any ti- By contrast, De Gea starred for the resurgent Scolari, 67, who ing in the footsteps of ex-Spurs after just two games. tle,” said captain Iker Casillas at in the win over Ukraine and has departed the Selecao after their midfi elder Paulinho (14 million Now, in what seems certain to the launch of Spain’s kit for next been in sensational form for thumping 7-1 World Cup semi- euros, $15.4 million) and another be his fourth and fi nal tourna- File picture of Spain’s coach Vicente Del Bosque. year’s fi nals. People know that Manchester United over the past fi nal defeat to Germany, before a Brazilian, striker Ricardo Gou- ment in charge of La Roja, Del Spain has a very well-formed two years. brief stint at Gremio. lart, who signed for a Chinese Bosque is hoping to roll back early in qualifying by Slovakia, 2016 draw, the mood music has team and will be among the fa- However, the sensation is that record 15 million euros in Janu- the years to Spain’s three con- Spain also lost in friendlies to changed. vourites for the Euros.” Del Bosque will once again side ‘FEEL QUITE EXTRAORDINARY’ ary. secutive major tournament wins France, Germany and the Neth- Those points lost in Slovakia with those that have won for him “The winners are those that will Scolari is also Evergrande’s between 2008 and 2012 with erlands without even scoring a were the only three dropped in CASILLAS OR DE GEA in the past and stick with Casillas. not give up,” said the jubilant third big-name coach of recent a balanced squad of decorated goal. Spain’s whole qualifying cam- Spain haven’t conceded a goal Should Del Bosque get it right Brazilian, after hoisting the AFC times, after fellow World Cup- veterans and talented new blood. That led to outcries for more paign. Moreover, the mesmer- in a competitive game for over at both ends of the fi eld, Spain Champions League trophy last winner Marcello Lippi, who led The suddenness of Spain’s signifi cant generational change ising passing ‘tiki-taka’ style a year, bringing back memories still have all the other com- month. them to the 2013 Asian crown, fall from grace in Brazil caused a from the ever loyal Del Bosque. that propelled their recent suc- of their unbreachable defence in ponent parts to be champions “My next target is the (Club and the brief tenure of Fabio series of aftershocks. Beaten 2-1 Yet, ahead of Saturday’s Euro cess was back in evidence as Del the knockout stages in all their again in Paris come July 10. World Cup). Why not? I have a Cannavaro. Gulf Times Saturday, December 12, 2015 11 FOOTBALL

ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE ACROSS BORDERS ‘Generation Amazing’ football pitch Coach Van Gaal launched in Jordan

By Our Correspondent by our side on our way to host Aqaba, Jordan the fi rst ever FIFA World Cup in the region. I want to take this chance to extend my gratitude to defi ant in face of eneration Amazing, our strategic partners at Right the Supreme Com- to Play and to the Aqaba Special mittee for Delivery & Economic Zone Authority, who Legacy (SC)’s landmark played a vital role in the delivery Gfootball-focused corporate so- of this project. cial development programme “Opening our second Gen- dedicated to using the power of eration Amazing pitch in Jordan football for generational change emphasises the regional nature Man United crisis today celebrated the opening of of a Qatar World Cup and comes its second community football as part of our ongoing endeav- pitch in Jordan, with the formal ours to create a lasting legacy for ‘We are now in the Europa League and we have to win the Europa League but that is not launch of a pitch in Al-Sham- this tournament for the coming eyeh, Aqaba. generations”. easy. I can say that in advance but nobody hears me because they don’t want to hear’ The launch event took place at On his part Right To Play’s CEO, the newly constructed ‘Pitch of Kevin Frey said, “Today’s launch Goals’ which is at the centre of event of the “Pitch of Goals” is the the community of Al-Shameyeh culmination of many months of on the outskirts of Aqaba. It was preparation and hard work so that attended by senior SC repre- Right To Play can share one of two sentatives, including SC Chief Generation Amazing pitches in of the Advisory Unit & Special Jordan. The contributions from Projects, Khalid al-Kubaissy; the Supreme Committee for De- Generation Amazing strategic livery and Legacy and the Aqaba partner Right To Play’s CEO, Special Economic Zone Author- Kevin Frey; and Mr Abdullah ity (ASEZA) have helped us ensure Yaseen, Commisioner at ASE- that the local children and youth ZA, which donated the land on of Aqaba have a safe place to play which the pitch is built, as well football. I am sure many goals will as other dignitaries and com- be scored right here on this fi eld. munity representatives from the Even more importantly, through region, including representa- our programs the children and tives from the AFDP. youth in Aqaba will also learn im- Generation Amazing was portant life skills, like how to work launched in 2010, with a com- as a team and how to accept and mitment to bring about positive understand one another”. change to the region using the power of football. The current “The warmth welcome and phase of the programme was support we have received launched in 2014 in disadvan- made us feel at home. The taged communities across Jor- people and the Leadership dan, Nepal and Pakistan with of Jordan have always the support of strategic partner shown support and stood Right To Play on the ground. In by our side on our way these communities, through the to host the fi rst ever FIFA engagement of people, the con- World Cup in the region. I struction of pitch infrastructure want to take this chance to and the delivery of comprehen- extend my gratitude to our sive Football for Development strategic partners at Right programmes, Generation Amaz- to Play and to the Aqaba ing is bringing about long term Special Economic Zone benefi ts to thousands of children Authority, who played a and young people each year. vital role in the delivery of The event in Al-Shameyeh this project highlighted the importance of the new pitch to the local area, which Also present at the event suff ers with isolation from nearby were Jordan’s young Generation Aqaba, as well as lack of utilities Amazing Ambassadors, Ashraf and general services. It is the fi rst Marwan Salameh, Yazeed Ab- Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal and assistant manager Ryan Giggs look dejected after their team’s loss to Wolfsburg in their Champions League match. safe play space in the area, giving dallah al-Khalayleh, Zaid schoolchildren and young people Ahmad Alkhalayfeh, Hadeel AFP win. That’s the past. You have to analyse Fixtures “The problem is that we have to meet access to a facility that will en- Athamneh and Moayad Mor- Manchester the club now and you cannot compare it the expectations and the expectations at courage them to leave the streets shed, who have been engaged in with 10 years ago. There is an evolution in Today a club like Manchester United are very and engage in football activities. the delivery of the programme in European football. Norwich City v Everton (1245) high, and that’s our problem. Starting in early 2016, Right To Jordan since early 2014, includ- ouis van Gaal played down the “We have to work hard to win that. I Crystal Palace v Southampton (1500) “I work here and my players are work- Play will provide daily support ing raising awareness of the pro- scale of the storm gathering have already won the Europa (UEFA) Cup Manchester City v Swansea City ing here, I have a board who works here, in the delivery of the Football for gramme’s activities and coach- around Manchester United and with Ajax in my fi rst season, and I was (1500) so you have to manage that you have good Development programme includ- ing others in their community claimed that expectations of the very proud of that. For me, the Europa Sunderland v Watford (1500) results and that you are progressing. ing tournaments, play days and on the importance of Football for LOld Traff ord club need to be re-assessed. League is a big competition.” “We are doing that, but in the outside leagues, which will use football Development for bringing about West Ham United v Stoke City (1500) Van Gaal’s management of United has United have failed to win any of their AFC Bournemouth v Manchester world I think it’s more of a problem than drills to help young participants positive and lasting change. come under closer scrutiny following his last four games following their defeat in United (1730) in our inside world.” to learn new skills. All activities The male Generation Amazing team’s exit from the Champions League Wolfsburg but remain fourth in the Pre- Meanwhile, Van Gaal said he will wait will be open to both girls and boys, Ambassadors played a friendly at the group stage following their 3-2 de- mier League, three points behind lead- Tomorrow to hear from Ryan Giggs whether there who will be given access to segre- match against the under 18 Na- feat at Wolfsburg on Tuesday night. ers Leicester City ahead of their trip to Aston Villa v Arsenal (1330) is any truth in the speculation linking gated activities. In this way, Gen- tional Olympic Football Team The former European champions are Bournemouth on Saturday evening. Liverpool v West Bromwich Albion United’s assistant manager with the va- eration Amazing will reach 3,125 of Jordan, and then all fi ve of now heading for the Europa League but Van However, their results and style of play (1600) cancy created at Swansea by the sacking benefi ciaries every year. them helped to deliver Football Gaal insists that winning that competition continue to come in for criticism from Tottenham Hotspur v Newcastle of Garry Monk. Speaking at the event SC for Development exercises for will not be straight-forward with the status former players, pundits and supporters. United (1600) United are without nine players for Chief of the Advisory Unit & 80 children and youth present of United, and the level of European com- United have not a won a trophy since their trip to Bournemouth with Bastian Special Projects, Khalid al- Ku- at the event. The Ambassadors petition, much changed in recent years. the last of their 20 top-fl ight titles in Monday Schweinsteiger starting a three-match baissy said, “We are delighted had a similar role to play at the Van Gaal said: “We are now in the Eu- 2013 but Van Gaal insists there is no tur- Leicester City v Chelsea (2000) ban after the Germany international to be here in Aqaba today. The last Generation Amazing pitch ropa League and we have to win the Eu- moil within the club. accepted an FA charge of violent con- warmth welcome and support launch event in Al Baqa’a refu- ropa League but that is not easy. I can say The Dutchman added: “You can lose duct for putting an arm into the face we have received made us feel gee camp in Amman in August, that in advance but nobody hears me be- and you can win in sport, and you have to am working very hard and my players are of West Ham defender Winston Reid at home. The people and the and will continue to fl y the fl ag cause they don’t want to hear. accept that, as a player and as a manager. working very hard and doing everything in last Saturday’s 0-0 draw with West Leadership of Jordan have al- of the programme right up to “A club as Manchester United has to “But you have to work very hard and I we can do. Ham. ways shown support and stood 2022 and beyond.

QATAR STARS LEAGUE ‘Sadd controlled the game and deserved to win’

By Sports Reporter “The winning run was always Doha going to end at some point. I’m QSL hosts members of Entrepreneurship proud of my players and what Organization at Qatar Classico they have achieved this season l Sadd head coach Jesual- – to lose their fi rst match in Qatar Stars League (QSL) on Thurs- Before the clash, the members do Ferreira (right) praised December is outstanding” day hosted members of Entrepre- of the organization were given a his players after the Wolves neurship Organization at Qatar Clas- guided tour of Al Sadd Stadium, a claimed a famous Qatar Clas- “The level of performance tonight sico clash between soccer giants Al venue that uses eco-friendly cooling sicoA victory over Al Rayyan in Round 12 was high. If we keep playing like that we Rayyan and Al Sadd. system to play football during hot of the QSL. will win plenty more games.” QSL Executive Director of Market- weather. The Wolves’ 2-1 success at Jassim Bin Fossati felt Rayyan were unlucky to ing & Communications Khalifah Al-Haroon added: “I renew my invita- Hamad Stadium brought Al Rayyan’s lose the high-tempo, and at times fre- al-Haroon welcomed members of tion to the football fans to come to record-breaking winning run to an netic match, against their fi ercest rivals. Entrepreneurship Organization at the venues as we in the Marketing end on Thursday. Hamza Senhadji and “We created a lot of chances and on the game won by Al Sadd 2-1 at Jas- & Communications Department Muriqui grabbed the goals for Sadd on another day we would have scored a lot sim Bin Hamad Stadium. always ask the fans…. Who do you what proved to be a memorable night. more goals. We lacked a bit of luck to- “The Entrepreneurship Organization support? We would like the fans to Ferreira, in charge for only his second night, including losing Victor Caceres is a global entity with a branch in support the QSL clubs by establish- Sadd game, said: “I’m delighted with to injury – someone who is a key player Qatar as well as several companies,” ing a huge fans base across all com- the victory and the huge spirit shown for us. Al-Haroon said on Thursday. munities living in Qatar.” by the players. We controlled the match “The timing of the second Sadd goal “We had invited them to the sea- Al-Haroon pointed out to the fact and deserved to win.” was crucial. We created a lot of chances son’s biggest QSL game given their that QSL is trying to help the The victory ended Sadd’s two-game before half-time and could easily have interest in the QSL. All guests at the clubs in establishing genuine fan losing run and helped the Wolves to 24 points from 12 games. Following the defeat Rayyan head been in front when they scored.” game were enthralled by the quality base. second place in the QSL after collecting Ferreira added: “The players were coach Jorge Fossati refused to be down- Fossati went on to say there is still of football on the pitch and the fine “The clubs are already exerting keen given the freedom to show their skills hearted after what he felt was a strong a long way to go in the title race, organization off it,” he added. eff orts but we are looking forward Ferreira, in charge for only his against the league leaders, and they performance. which his side currently leads by “The huge turnout of fans was a to attracting more spectators to the second Sadd game, said: “I’m didn’t disappoint.” Fossati said: “The winning run was nine points. real spectacle at Al Sadd Stadium,” venues,” al-Haroon said. delighted with the victory and For Rayyan, it was a fi rst loss of a remark- always going to end at some point. I’m He added: “After every win I told al-Haroon added. He indicated that there is a 40 per- the huge spirit shown by the able season. The Lions had won 11 games proud of my players and what they have the fans that the title has not been Entrepreneurship Organization is a glo- cent increase in fan turnouts at QSL players. We controlled the match out of 11 to set a new QSL record for con- achieved this season – to lose their fi rst settled. There are still a lot of matches bal foundation with a branch in Qatar. games this season. and deserved to win” secutive wins going into the match. match in December is outstanding. to be played.”

Saturday, December 12, 2015 GULF TIMES SPORT

TOP OF THE LINE Best of 3x3 basketball honoured in Doha

By Sports Reporter Doha

he best 3x3 basketball players, organisers and personalities were rewarded at the inaugural edition of the FIBA 3x3 Awards, Tpresented by the Qatar Basketball Fed- eration (QBF) on Thursday in Doha. Dusan Domovic Bulut (Serbia) re- ceived the World’s No 1 player award after leading the FIBA 3x3 Individual World Ranking at the end of the sea- son. The list of decorated players also included Patricia Vicente (Andorra, World’s No 1 Player - Women), Nina Aho (Hungary, World’s No 1 Player - U18 Women) and Nedim Muslic (Qa- tar, World’s No 1 Player - U18 Men). Last but not least, Terrence Romeo (Philippines) was named the most spectacular player of the year by the fans following a social media contest held on all FIBA 3x3 social media ac- counts. Winners from the inaugural edition of the FIBA 3x3 Awards pose with the Qatar Basketball Federation president Sheikh Saoud bin Abdulrahman al-Thani. In the organisers’ categories, the Brazil Basketball Federation (CBB) won The Turkish Basketball Federa- Abdulrahman al-Thani was presented night, 3x3 continues to be in spotlight World’s No 1 Player - Women: Patricia Basketball Federation (CBB) the Best Performing Federation award tion (TBF) took home the Best CSR the Outstanding Contribution Award. in Doha. The season-ending event for Vicente (Andorra) Most Active Federation: Netherlands after leading the FIBA 3x3 Federation Project award for their social activi- Under his leadership, Qatar became the 3x3 basketball brings together the best World’s No 1 Player - U18 Men: Nedim Basketball Federation (NBB) Ranking at the end of the season, while ties around 3x3. Hungarian private host of the FIBA 3x3 All Stars, estab- teams from the FIBA 3x3 Individual Muslic (Qatar) Most Valuable Promoter: B33 (Hungary) the Netherlands Basketball Federation promoter B33 received the Most Valu- lished a nation-wide 3x3 programme Ranking. World’s No 1 Player - U18 Women: Nina Best CSR Project: Turkish Basketball (NBB) received the award for the Most able Promoter award for attracting and built a team that won the 2014 FIBA Aho (Hungary) Federation (TBF) Active Federation after organising more over 5,000 players to their 3x3 tour- 3x3 World Championships. WINNERS Most Spectacular Player: Terrence Outstanding Contribution: Sheikh than 3,000 games involving over 4,000 naments over the year. With the third edition of the FIBA World’s No 1 Player - Men: Dusan Romeo (Philippines) Saoud Bin Abdulrahman al-Thani players in 2015. QBF president Sheikh Saoud bin 3x3 All Stars scheduled for late last Domovic Bulut (Serbia) Best Performing Federation: Brazil (Qatar)

CYCLING FOCUS Tickets on sale for UAE’s al-Mansoori Inter-PSG clash By Sports Reporter teams contain some of the most Doha gifted players in the world and we are sure that every football fan in Qatar will be eager to attend this ickets for the much- prestigious game.” awaited friendly match Tickets are limited to fi ve per wins fi rst stage of between Inter Milan and person and can only be bought on- Paris Saint-Germain, line via www.qfa.com.qa, which is whichT will be held here in Doha, the only offi cial source to purchase are now on sale online. tickets for this match. The match will take place at This will be the latest high- Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium, profi le match involving famous home of Al Sadd Sports Club, European clubs to take place in GCC Seniors event on Wednesday, December 30, Doha. In 2014, Qatar hosted the with the kick-off scheduled for Supercoppa Italiana between 7:30pm. Juventus and Napoli, while Bay- Qatar’s Abduljanan and al-Bourdainy complete the podium Qatar Football Association ern Munich faced the Qatar Stars chief executive offi cer Mansour League All Stars during their By Sports Reporter al-Ansari said: “I am pleased to winter break in January 2015. Doha announce that tickets are now VIP tickets are available for on sale for this friendly match QAR250, Category 1 for QAR150, between two of Europe’s most Category 2 for QAR50 and Family hmed Yusuf al-Mansoori of prestigious sides. Category 2 for QAR50. UAE claimed the fi rst stage of “Both Inter Milan and Paris Fans are urged to buy tickets the Qatar leg of the 14th GCC Saint-Germain are fl ying high early to avoid missing out on this Seniors Cycling Championship in their respective leagues, so it great opportunity to see an ex- atA Losail International Circuit yesterday. promises to be an exciting match citing clash between two giants Qatar’s Khaleel Abduljanan fi nished and occasion. The squads of both in world football. second, while his compatriot Ahmed Bassam al-Bourdainy clinched the third spot. SPOTLIGHT The riders completed seven laps around the Losail International Circuit covering the roads outside Losail Shoot- ing Range and the Losail Sports Arena for Round two of 80.5kms long stage. Al-Mansoori said he enjoyed the battle with Qatar riders. “Qatar team gave us a Qatar International tough competition today,” he said. “It was a tough stage because it was fairly windy and it is very diffi cult when Endurocross today the wind was against you,” he said. “I did this for my team. We have a great bunch of riders. They do well as a team,” By Sports Reporter al-Mansoori said. Doha “I think I did well and I hope I can con- tinue to ride well in the next two days also as today was a good start for us in Qatar,” he second round of Qatar he said. International Enduro- Qatar’s al-Bourdainy also said the cross will take place to- windy conditions made riding tough. day at Sealine with Mo- “It was very windy and cold as well at hamedT Jaff ar, Ross Runnalls and the start,” al-Bourdainy said. Tomi Sarivaara leading in their “The UAE riders did well today, but I Ahmed Yusuf al-Mansoori of UAE (second from left) celebrates his win in the first stage of the Qatar leg of the 14th GCC Seniors Cycling respective categories while Brit- am confi dent we will come back well in Championship on the podium along with Qatar’s Khaleel Abduljanan and Ahmed Bassam al-Bourdainy (left), who finished second and ish rider Paul Holmes leads the the next two stages. We have done well at third respectively, as Qatar Cycling Federation president Sheikh Khalid bin Ali al-Thani (right) looks on. PICTURES: Jayaram quads. this event and we will be stronger over the In the E1 class, Kuwaiti KTM course of the next two days,” he said. ira and conclude at Madinat Al Shamal rider Jaff ar leads his class with 47 after the riders complete a distance of points and his compatriots Me- “We usually see great contests 129.9kms. shari Abou Shaibah and Moaath among the riders and that was The third stage will begin at Camel al-Ansari are second and third the same case today as well. Race Track in Dukhan (119.8kms) while with 42 and 38 points respec- Michael Anderson is in third Qatar team is doing well and I am the fourth and fi nal stage begins in Si- tively. position. confi dent they will come back maisma and ends at Al Zubarah Fort Jaff ar, who was compet- In the Veterans class, Tomi with stronger performances over (119.8kms). ing in the E2 class last year and Sarivaara from Finland and Luc the next two days,” QCF president At the end of the prize distribution changed to E1 this season, is very Dubois from Canada are tied for Sheikh Khalid bin Ali al-Thani said ceremony yesterday, Qatar Cycling Fed- confi dent after a good start to the the fi rst spot in the standings eration (QCF) president Sheikh Khalid season and is looking forward to with 47 points. Today, the riders will start and fi nish bin Ali al-Thani presented a souvenir to the coming round. Holmes leads the quads stand- the second’s day’s action in Madinat Al former secretary general of QCF Majid “I had a great start in the ings with 47 points and Qatari Shamal. al-Naimi. championship but I have to be rider Mohammed Abu Issa is The riders will cover a distance of The ceremony held at venue of yester- well prepared and strong for this second with 43 points. 103.3kms, Qatar Cycling Federation day’s race was staged to thank al-Naimi season as the competition and In the opening round, Holmes (QCF) said. for his ‘outstanding contributions’ to the level is higher. I had a fi erce won the fi rst moto as Abu Issa The third and fi nal day of action will promote cycling in Qatar and the region. battle with Meshari in the last had some problems with his quad be held in Dukhan where the riders will GCC cycling offi cials also presented a round and for sure this coming and fi nished in fourth place. In cover a distance of 98.4kms. special plaque to al-Naimi. round we will compete again for the second moto, the Qatari rider After a break of two days, QCF will Sheikh Khalid said: “The Qatar leg the lead,” the Kuwaiti said. fi nished in fi rst place and Holmes stage the hugely popular Tour of Zubarah of the GCC Championships is popular The newcomer in this cham- second. Kuwaiti rider Fahad al- that will start on December 16 and end on among the riders. We usually see great pionship in the E2 class, South Musallam is third in the standings. the 19th of this month. contests among the riders and that was African Ross Runnalls, won Free practice starts at 9:05am This week’s Tour of Zubarah will be the the same case today as well. Qatar team both the races in the opening and the fi rst race for the bikes is third edition of the four-day event de- is doing well and I am confi dent they will round and is leading with 50 scheduled at 10:35am and the signed to promote the country’s rich her- come back with stronger performances points. Emirati rider Moham- second one at 12:25pm. For the itage and historical sights. over the next two days. ed al-Balooshi came second quads, the fi rst race will be at The fi rst day’s action will be held at As- “We have a busy week with two events in both the races and with 44 11:30am and the second one at pire Zone (3.3km prologue). The second and then we will prepare for the Tour of Sheikh Khalid presented a souvenir to former secretary general of QCF Majid al-Naimi points is second in the stand- 1:20pm. Podium ceremony will day’s action will commence at Al Thak- Qatar events next year.” (right) for his ‘outstanding contributions’. ings. Runnalls’ compatriot be at 2:15pm.