FOOTBALL | Page 2 NBANBA| Page 5 Man United Giannis implode gets third against triple-double; Watford Bucks win big

Monday, December 23, 2019 Rabia II 26, 1441 AH GULF TIMES SPORT

SPOTLIGHT Winning Club World Cup is ‘absolutely sensational’, says Liverpool boss Klopp The victory completes a fabulous year for Liverpool, after winning the Champions League and UEFA Supercup

AFP as them,” said their Portuguese coach Doha Jorge Jesus, who took over in June be- fore leading them to the Brazilian title and the Copa Libertadores. urgen Klopp described winning “Flamengo have had an unforget- the Club World Cup as “abso- table season. We have shown that the lutely sensational” after Roberto best Brazilian team can compete on Firmino’s extra-time goal al- the same level as the best teams in Eu- lowedJ Liverpool to beat Flamengo 1-0 rope.” in the fi nal in Doha on Saturday and lift Klopp welcomed back Virgil van the trophy for the fi rst time. Dijk after the Dutchman sat out Firmino was picked out by Sadio Wednesday’s semi-fi nal due to ill- Mane and waited for goalkeeper Diego ness, while Firmino, Mane and Trent Alves to commit before slotting low Alexander-Arnold were recalled after into the net in the 99th minute of an starting on the bench against Monter- absorbing contest at the Khalifa Inter- rey. national Stadium. Firmino, Naby Keita and Alexan- It was the moment that fi nally punc- der-Arnold all came close for Liver- tured the hopes of the Brazilian side pool in the fi rst six minutes, but Fla- and their vibrant support, after Liver- mengo gradually settled into the game pool had been denied a penalty by VAR and matched the European champions right at the end of normal time. for much of the fi rst half. The Qatari referee initially gave a However, they were lucky not to fall spot-kick for a foul on Mane by Rafi nha behind at the beginning of the second on the way into the box, but changed period when Firmino controlled Hend- his mind following a lengthy review, erson’s ball forward and sent a shot off forcing the contest into an extra 30 the inside of the post. minutes. Liverpool also needed goalkeeper Still the European champions had Alisson to produce a fi ne stop from a enough to come out on top, with Firmi- Gabriel Barbosa strike, before Alex Ox- no repeating his semi-fi nal heroics, lade-Chamberlain went off injured as when he scored an injury-time winner extra time began to loom. against Monterrey of Mexico. Then Alves stretched to tip a net- “I couldn’t be more happy for him bound Henderson shot from 25 yards that he could score that goal because Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp arrives at John Lennon Airport in Liverpool after winning the FIFA Club World Cup Qatar over the bar and, with the match in in- before the game we spoke a lot about 2019 in Doha on Saturday. At right Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson holds the trophy as he alights from the plane. jury time, the English side thought they what this competition means to South had a penalty. American people and especially Bra- ons League and UEFA Supercup. know how it would feel, but now I can better team tonight.” However, referee Abdulrahman Al zilian people,” Klopp said. Having earned the title of world say it’s outstanding, absolutely sensa- Flamengo had been hoping to re- They fell short, although they cer- Jassim dramatically cancelled his de- “It means the world to him, it champions, if Klopp’s team see out tional and I’m so proud of the boys,” peat their win over Liverpool in the tainly gave the Premier League leaders cision after reviewing the footage on a helped us and on top of that it was a their huge lead at the top of the Pre- Klopp said after winning a competi- old Intercontinental Cup in 1981 and a game in what was their last outing of pitchside monitor. sensational goal.” mier League, they will have a case to tion that has not always been held in thereby become the fi rst non-Euro- a long season. Liverpool fi nally found a way through The victory completes a fabulous be remembered as the fi nest side in high regard in Europe. pean winners of the Club World Cup “We lost, but only in terms of the nine minutes into the fi rst half of extra year for Liverpool, with a third piece the illustrious history of the club. “Flamengo are a really, really good since fellow Brazilians Corinthians result. Otherwise we were not los- time though thanks to Firmino, and of silverware to go with the Champi- “I said before the game that I didn’t football team but I think we were the beat Chelsea in 2012. ers in any respect. We were as good Flamengo could not respond.

BOTTOMLINE Liverpool players bask in glory of Doha success iverpool’s players basked in And amid the post-match jubi- and a proud moment for all those the history-making feeling lation in Doha, Trent Alexander- involved. Liverpool’s Roberto Firmino after securing a fi rst ever Arnold was already relishing the Alexander-Arnold added: “It’s and Alisson pose with their FIFA Club World Cup title in prospect of another update inside the best of the best this tournament, medals and the trophy as they LQatar on Saturday night. reception at the training ground. so we knew what we were coming in celebrate after winning the A tense, hard-fought fi nal against “The Champions Wall is massive to. “We won it late in both games Club World Cup on Saturday. Copa Libertadores winners, and at Melwood, so we’re excited to go and it just shows the quality that Brazilian champions, Flamengo back and hopefully see it,” said the we’ve been up against. It was excit- went to extra-time at Khalifa In- full-back. ing for us to be part of this tourna- ternational Stadium and was even- “I think this may be the only tro- ment and we’ll be really proud to go tually settled by Roberto Firmino’s phy the club hasn’t won, so to be back with this trophy.” 99th-minute strike. able to do it is huge for us, putting Fellow full-back Andy Robertson The victory represented a new ourselves in the history books and echoed those sentiments, opening addition to the Reds’ honours col- making sure we’re remembered as up in his post-match assessment on lection – their 47th major trophy a really good Liverpool team. It’s why the squad was especially moti- – and means they will possess the an exciting time to be a Liverpool vated to secure the silverware. FIFA Champions Badge for the next player.” “We were so determined to win year. Just as they did in the last-minute this,” said Robertson. “To be world champions is in- semi-fi nal victory over CON- “A week before Christmas, com- credible,” Firmino, who is the fi rst CACAF Champions League winners ing away from your families and man to score in a Club World Cup Monterrey three days earlier, the it’s a tough time of year being away fi nal for Liverpool, told FIFA.com. Reds dug deep to defeat Flamengo. from them for that long, but it has “It’s a unique feeling. Wearing the Firmino hit the post early in the all been worth it. badge of world champions for the second half and then a VAR review “Now we go back as champions next year will be amazing.” overturned a decision to award Liv- and put this trophy in a cabinet it A third alteration to the Champi- erpool a penalty in the closing mo- has never been in before. We’ve ons Wall at Melwood in 2019 will now ments of normal time. written history in Liverpool’s long be required, following on from June’s But a rapid counter-attack saw history and it’s a fantastic feeling, Champions League glory and the Jordan Henderson and Sadio Mane nobody can take that away from UEFA Super Cup success in August. set up Firmino for an historic goal us.” Gulf Times 2 Monday, December 23, 2019 FOOTBALL

LOOKING AHEAD ITALIAN SUPER CUP Flamengo eager to build on promising run Lazio edge Juve Reuters The next few weeks will be key to Europe and try to prove him- Sao Paulo, Brazil in deciding whether this year self after disappointing spells at was a one-off or the beginning Inter and Benfi ca. 3-1 in Riyadh of a tropical dynasty. The encouraging news for Fla- day after narrowly los- “All the conditions are there mengo is they have the resources DPA Paulo Dybala tapped in Juve’s ing the Club World for Flamengo to continue their to ensure they remain dominant. Rome, Italy equalizer after a Ronaldo at- Cup fi nal to Liverpool, hegemony in Brazilian foot- Flamengo get more money tempt on 45. Flamengo are hoping ball,” Jesus said after Saturday’s from TV rights and their own Lazio captain Senad Lulic vol- toA keep hold of cult fi gures Jorge defeat. “They are on the right members’ schemes than any azio lifted the Italian leyed in at King Saud University Jesus and Gabriel Barbosa so track, but it is not up to me, it’s other Brazilian club and are sec- Super Cup with a 3-1 Stadium on 73 and substitute that they can build on their most up to the directors to know what ond only behind Palmeiras in defeat of Cristiano Ro- Danilo Cataldi drilled in a stop- successful season in almost 40 steps they are going to take. overall revenues, according to naldo’s Juventus yes- page time free-kick after the years. They’re all set.” to the Serie A and Libertadores his future remains undecided and Sports Value, a Brazilian consul- Lterday in Riyadh, Saudi Ara- dismissal of Juve’s Rodrigo Ben- Coach Jesus said their per- Two of the biggest question titles. Flamengo will aim to resolve the tancy fi rm. bia, handing the former trophy tancur. formance in Doha, which ended marks surround the future of The former Benfi ca and issue as soon as possible. The spending spree that led to holders their second defeat of Lazio, who also stunned the with the 1-0 extra-time loss, Jesus and talismanic striker Bar- Sporting Lisbon coach told re- The same goes for Barbosa, the arrival of top names from both the season. Serie A champions 3-1 in the showed that Brazil’s best can bosa. porters he would only leave Rio whose loan from Inter Milan European clubs and domestic ri- The domestic cup winners league earlier this month, had now compete at the highest lev- Jesus has turned Flamengo’s if he got an off er from “one of ends on December 31. vals looks set to continue, with went ahead when Luis Alberto also beaten them to lift the tro- el, a bold statement given the fi - fortunes around since arriving fi ve teams” he considers to be The striker, whose clinical Santos’s highly rated defender struck from inside the box on 16 phy in 2017. They have now won nancial gulf between Europe and in June, leading the team to a 29- among the top in Europe. fi nishing earned him the nick- Gustavo Henrique agreeing to join minutes after Sergej Milinkovic- fi ve. Juve are the most successful South America. game unbeaten run on their way He did not name the teams but name Gabigol, may opt to return Flamengo early next year. Savic squared from the right and on eight.

EPL SPOTLIGHT Qatar Airways congratulates FIFA Club World Cup Qatar United implode 2019 champions Liverpool

By Sports Reporter Doha against feisty atar Airways extended its congratulations to Liverpool, who were De Gea howler and Deeney’s crowned World Club championsQ following their 1-0 victory over Flamengo at the penalty hand Watford victory; FIFA Club World Cup Qatar 2019 Willian scores in Chelsea win fi nal in Doha on Saturday. The Watford dramatic match at a full-capaci- ty Khalifa International Stadium AFP was decided in extra-time, with Watford, United Kingdom Liverpool netting the crucial goal to defeat the Brazilian club and lift the trophy. Qatar Airways anchester United cabin crew were on hand with the collapsed to a hu- medals and trophies to support miliating 2-0 de- the ceremony. feat against Premier Qatar Airways Group chief ex- MLeague bottom side Watford ecutive HE Akbar al-Baker said, yesterday after a David de Gea “I would like to congratulate howler, bringing their recent re- Liverpool FC on being crowned vival to a shuddering halt. FIFA Club World Cup Qatar 2019 tremendous anticipation to 2022, thing at the core of the airline’s Not even the returning Paul Champions. I would also like to when the FIFA World Cup Qatar brand message — Going Places Pogba, on as a second-half sub- praise the CR Flamengo team and 2022 will be hosted in our home Together. stitute, could save his misfi ring their passionate, travelling sup- country.” Qatar Airways currently op- team, who again struggled to porters, for making the fi nal such a Qatar Airways holds an ex- erates a modern fl eet of more impose themselves against one memorable occasion. Over the last tensive global sports portfolio, than 250 aircraft via its hub, of the league’s lesser lights. ten days we have enjoyed world- sponsoring top-level sporting Hamad International Airport, The key moment in the match class football, packed stadiums events and some of the biggest to more than 160 destinations came in the 50th minute when and colourful, animated football football clubs around the world worldwide. The world’s fastest- De Gea somehow allowed a supporters. As the national carrier including AS Roma, Boca Jun- growing airline has added several tame, spinning eff ort from Is- of the State of Qatar, we were de- iors and Bayern Munich. As offi - exciting new destinations to its maila Sarr to creep through his lighted to bring thousands of foot- cial FIFA partner, Qatar Airways growing network this year, in- hands and in at the near post. Manchester United’s David de Gea watches the ball go into the goalmouth off Watford’s Ismaila Sarr ball fans from all over the world to sponsors the FIFA Club World cluding Rabat, Morocco; Izmir, Watford doubled their lead during the English Premier League match in Watford, United Kingdom, yesterday. (Reuters) watch the world’s best clubs. Qatar Cup Qatar 2019 and the FIFA Turkey; Malta; Davao, Philip- four minutes later when Troy will be the stage once again for the World Cup Qatar 2022, refl ecting pines; Lisbon, Portugal; Mogad- Deeney fi red home from the the net, but the goal was ruled from the penalty spot. bid for a top-four spot. FIFA Club World Cup in 2020 and the values of sport as a means of ishu, Somalia; Langkawi, Malay- penalty spot after the otherwise out for a foul on De Gea. Solskjaer threw on Mason The win for Watford lifts we now also look forward with bringing people together, some- sia and Gaborone, Botswana. impressive Aaron Wan-Bissaka They looked certain to take the Greenwood, Pogba and Juan them to 12 points, level with brought down Sarr with a mis- lead in the 34th minute Jesse Lin- Mata in a desperate search for 19th-placed Norwich, but still judged sliding tackle. gard was clean through on goal some inspiration. six points from safety. Nigel Pearson coaxed a bat- but the midfi elder’s chip landed Harry Maguire headed Mahrez, Mane and Salah nominees for African tling performance from Watford on the roof of Ben Foster’s net. straight at Watford goalkeep- CHELSEA OUTPLAY SPURS Footballer of the Year in his fi rst home game in charge Towards the end of the fi rst er Ben Foster and Foster then Chelsea enjoyed a timely return and they deservedly won just half Watford enjoyed a sus- palmed away a Pogba shot. to form to outplay Tottenham Reuters be the favourite for the award African Football plus former their second league match of the tained spell of possession but But they could not fi nd a way Hotspur in a 2-0 away victory Cairo, Egypt ahead of his Egyptian club players and media. season to give themselves hope the teams went in at 0-0. through and will head north for in the Premier League as Frank mate after Liverpool won the The coaches and captains of of survival. But the game slipped from Christmas in low spirits. Lampard outwitted his former Champions League. However, the 54 African national teams There was no hint of the dra- United’s grasp early in the sec- United have notched up some mentor Jose Mourinho in their iverpool pair Sadio Mane he faces stiff opposition from will now vote for the winner, ma to come in a largely unevent- ond half. memorable results against the managerial battle yesterday. and Mohamed Salah, Mahrez, who won the Premier to be announced on Jan. 7 at a ful fi rst half. Will Hughes sent a free kick traditional top clubs this season, Willian struck both Chelsea Lplus Riyad Mahrez from League with City and also cap- ceremony at Hurgada in Egypt. Anthony Martial scuff ed a into the area and the ball fell to beating Chelsea, Tottenham and goals in the fi rst half as Chel- Manchester City, were named tained Algeria to the Africa Cup Salah has been African Football- shot wide as United, backed by Sarr, who did not hit it cleanly Manchester City and drawing sea consolidated fourth place as the three candidates for this of Nations title in mid-year. er of the Year the last two years vocal away support, enjoyed the but somehow the ball wriggled against Liverpool. while Tottenham’s dismal af- year’s African Footballer of the The nominees were named on while Mahrez was the winner bulk of early possession while through De Gea’s gloves. But they have struggled badly ternoon went from bad to worse Year award, to be decided next Sunday after being selected in 2016. Sane was third in 2016 Watford looked a threat when United did not properly re- against some of the sides lower as forward Son Heung-min was month. by a panel of technical experts and runner-up to Salah the last they came forward. cover before Wan-Bissaka’s foul down the table and this result shown a red card just past the Senegal talisman Mane will from the Confederation of two years. The home side had the ball in enabled Deeney to make it 2-0 could be potentially fatal in their hour mark.

BOTTOMLINE FOCUS Dalian Professional FC U-14 concludes QF tour Arsenal’s Ljungberg

By Sports Reporter extremely excited. I followed all series of cultural activities, vis- unhappy with Ozil’s Doha the instructions as every move- iting landmarks such Souq Wa- ment must be precise. qif and the National Museum of “I would like to thank my Qatar and enjoying the sport and show of dissent he Dalian Professional family, the coaches, the Club entertainment Education City FC Under-14 football and China for giving me this op- has to off er from Golf, Bowling, Reuters not have picked him for the squad team wrapped up its portunity to take part in such an recreation centres and more. London, United Kingdom because I want to make a stance Qatar Foundation tour important international event. I Further to the Dalian Pro- that it’s not what I accept from an Twith six young players, along will never forget the moment I fessional FC tour, the partner- Arsenal football player. with six Qatar Foundation youth walked in the stadium and feel- ship has also enabled 18 Qatar rsenal interim coach “That’s my decision. I won’t serving as fl ag bearers for the fi - ing so proud.” Foundation youth, including Freddie Ljungberg has make the decisions again, but nal of the FIFA Club World Cup During the week-long tour, those from the ability friendly criticised Mesut Ozil’s that’s what I think.” Qatar 2019, which took place at each of the 22 aspiring foot- programme to also participate unacceptable conduct It is not the fi rst time an Arsenal Khalifa International Stadium ballers were given the chance to in the Wanda FIFA Flag Bearers afterA his substitution against player has been involved in a con- on Saturday. serve as fl ag bearers, along with Programme. Manchester City in the Premier troversy after being taken off at the Dalian Professional FC came 18 young people from QF’s sport Mohammed A. Fakhroo, Ex- League last weekend. Emirates Stadium this season. to Qatar as part of Wanda’s FIFA and community programs. ecutive Director of Outreach Germany playmaker Ozil Granit Xhaka reacted angrily Flag Bearers Programme at the Lincoln Zhang, Wanda Presi- and Institutional Advancement kicked his gloves in frustration to home fans booing him as he FIFA Club World Cup Qatar dent of Culture, said: “Wanda at Qatar Foundation, said: “We after being withdrawn in the walked off the pitch during a 2019, an ongoing initiative be- Group has powerful and deep- are thankful to the Wanda Group 59th minute of Arsenal’s 3-0 de- match against Crystal Palace in tween Qatar Foundation (QF) rooted connections to football in for our continued working rela- feat at the Emirates Stadium. October, and was subsequently and Wanda aimed at inspiring China, particularly in our home tionship that has enabled Qatar Ljungberg, who took tempo- stripped of the club captaincy. the next generation of football of Dalian. It is our commitment Foundation youth from all na- rary charge of Arsenal for the fi nal Former captain Mikel Arteta talent in China and all over the to continue to support the de- tionalities to have transforma- time in Saturday’s goalless draw at took permanent charge as the world. velopment of the sport through tive and inspirational moments, Everton, revealed Ozil would have new head coach of the club yes- Liu Enzhe, 14 and a defender initiatives in China and across both on and off the pitch. been dropped from the travelling terday, and has described Ozil as for Dalian Professional FC said: the world that provide players would like to thank our partners three friendly games against “The Wanda FIFA Flag Bearer squad had he not been injured. a “massive player” for Arsenal in “As a child I used to watch a lot and fans with richer experi- at Qatar Foundation for all their select teams from Aspire Acad- Programme has allowed youth “The fans were not happy,” his fi rst news conference. of football and saw young kids ences. support in granting this group emy, Qatar Academy Doha, and ambassadors, including those Ljungberg told reporters. “I got But the Spanish coach has carrying the fl ag into the sta- “We are delighted to have of talented young footballers a Qatar Foundation, and trained at with disabilities from our abil- asked about it and said, ‘At Arse- also promised to be ruthless dium and I never imagined that been able to connect our part- truly unforgettable experience.” QF’s facilities in Education City. ity-friendly sports programme, nal, that’s not how we behave and with Arsenal’s struggling squad, one day I would get the op- nership with FIFA with our As part of the tour, the visit- The team was also given the to participate in these unforget- not what we do’. I stand by that. warning the players must deliver portunity to do the same. I was football club in Dalian, and I ing Chinese team also played opportunity to participate in a table moments in sport.” “Mesut was injured, but I would “passion and energy”. Gulf Times Monday, December 23, 2019 3 FOOTBALL

SPOTLIGHT Bayern make Flick head coach until ‘at least’ end of season AFP four-week winter break, four last month with Bayern scoring 16 Bayern face Chelsea in the last Berlin, Germany points behind leaders RB Leipzig. goals and conceding none. 16 in Europe in a repeat of the Under Flick Bayern reached However back-to-back league 2012 fi nal won by the Blues. the last 16 of the Champions defeats, both by a 2-1 margin, at After the Christmas break ayern Munich yesterday League and became the fi rst Ger- home to Bayer Leverkusen and Flick will take his squad to Doha confi rmed interim boss man club to win all six matches in away to Borussia Moenchengla- from January 4-10 for a train- Hansi Flick will remain the group stage. dbach dampened the mood be- ing camp before their fi rst league head coach “until at least” “FC Bayern is very satisfi ed fore Bayern won their last three game of 2020, against Hertha theB end of the season after winning with the work of Hansi Flick,” games of 2019. Berlin on January 19. eight of his 10 games in charge. said club chairman Karl-Heinz Several Bayern players, most “I am happy that FC Bayern “FC Bayern and Hansi Flick Rummenigge. “Under him as noticeably Thomas Mueller and continue to place their trust in have agreed” that he “will remain head coach, the sporting devel- Philippe Coutinho, who has re- me as head coach,” said Flick. head coach... at least until the opment is outstanding, both in booted his career on loa n from Bar- “I really enjoy working with end of the current season,” the terms of the quality of our game celona, have fl ourished under Flick. the team and the coaching staff . club said in a statement. “A con- and the results achieved. “Hansi deserves our trust,” “Now we’re recharging the tinuation of Hansi Flick as head “In the Champions League said sports director Hasan Sa- batteries again and then we will coach beyond that is a conceiv- group stage, we set a new record. lihamidzic. “The fact that our try to bring as many victories able option for FC Bayern.” “I am convinced that FC Bay- players have presented them- and titles to Munich as possi- The 54-year-old, an assistant ern will continue next year where selves so convincingly in the past ble.” with the Germany team that won it left off in the last few games, few weeks shows that we are on There was more good news for the 2014 World Cup, took charge namely playing attractive and the right track with Hansi Flick. Bayern on Saturday as top scorer after Niko Kovac was sacked in successful football.” “I am convinced that we can Robert Lewandowski, who has 19 early November. achieve our sporting goals with goals in 17 league games, success- Saturday’s 2-0 home win over ‘HANSI DESERVES OUR TRUST’ him, whether in the Bundesliga, fully underwent a groin operation. Wolfsburg kept Bayern third in Flick got off to a fl ying start by win- German Cup or the Champions The Poland star is expected to the Bundesliga heading into the ning his fi rst four games at a canter League.” take part in the winter camp.

LIGUE 1 BUNDESLIGA Dusseldorf beat Union late to move Mbappe double third bottom

DPA even two Gikiewiczs might not Berlin, Germany have saved. Union deservedly levelled early in the second half though ortuna Dusseldorf when Michael Parensen prod- keeps PSG’s lead climbed out of the Bun- ded home from close range after desliga automatic rel- Marvin Friedrich’s header had egation places yesterday been cleared off the line. afterF a late 2-1 home win over Dusseldorf’s American keeper Union Berlin in their last game of Zack Steff en has also had a good the year. fi rst half of the season and he Erik Thommy unleashed a vi- came to the rescue again with cious swerving strike in injury several saves in the second pe- over Marseille time to lift Dusseldorf into the riod. relegation play-off spot and con- Then with the game seemingly ‘Kylian and Neymar are really good together, they’ve gained confidence’ demn Werder Bremen to spend- drifting to a draw, midfi elder ing Christmas and the turn of the Thommy decided to have a crack AFP year in second bottom, a point from distance and the swerving Paris, France behind. ball went in off the post, with Bottom side Paderborn, fi ve Gikiewicz arguably making a rare points behind Bremen, host Ein- mistake by not diving to stop it. ylian Mbappe scored tracht Frankfurt later in the fi nal Dusseldorf had been suff ering twice as Paris Saint- Bundesliga game of 2019. from the well-known “second Germain maintained Promoted Union, in 11th, were season syndrome” where they their seven-point lead the better side in the fi rst half were fi nding things much tough- Kat the top of Ligue 1 with a 4-1 without really creating any gilt- er than last term, when they fi n- victory over Amiens on Satur- edged chances. ished a heady 10th in their fi rst day. Dusseldorf were reduced to campaign back in the top fl ight. World Cup winner Mbappe, shots from distance which at fi rst Hennings is third on the Bun- who celebrated his 21st birthday never troubled Union’s Polish desliga scoring charts with 11 but on Friday, netted either side of goalkeeper Rafal Gikiewicz — otherwise Dusseldorf have found Neymar’s eff ort before Mauro one of the standout stoppers of goals hard to come by and have Icardi added a late fourth at the the fi rst half of the season. netted a joint-league worst 18 Parc de Princes. But then out of the blue Rou- from their 17 games. Steven Mendoza claimed a wen Hennings unleashed an un- But that 18th goal proved cru- consolation eff ort for the visi- stoppable rocket from just out- cial in a game they could easily tors who dropped into the rel- side the corner of the box which have lost. egation zone. “Kylian and Neymar are really good together, they’ve gained LA LIGA confi dence. Neymar pushes Kylian and Kylian pushes Ney,” PSG coach Thomas Tuchel said. “We played like a team. Now Atletico beat Betis the challenge is to keep this at- titude,” he added. Second-placed Marseille re- to move fourth main behind their bitter rivals going into the two-week win- DPA Youssef En-Nesyri netted early in ter break with a 3-1 win over Barcelona, Spain the second half as Javier Aguirre’s Nimes. Leganes, 19th, moved three points Tuchel recalled Neymar, the clear of bottom side Espanyol. world’s most expensive player, (From left) Paris Saint-Germain’s Thiago Silva, Ander Herrera, Kylian Mbappe and Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting pose for a picture as they give tletico Madrid scraped Espanyol have 10 points from to the squad after resting him for gifts to children from the Paris Saint-Germain’s foundation after the Ligue 1 match against Amiens in Paris, France, on Saturday. (AFP) a 2-1 win at Real Betis to 18 games and are fi ve points from the midweek League Cup vic- remain in the title race, safety, while Leganes now have tory over second-tier Le Mans. left the fi eld with an ankle injury claiming the opener before Sofi - to fourth after a 5-1 hammering Montpellier 4 (Laborde 14, 57, while Leganes earned 13 points. Amiens boss Luka Elsner after 58 minutes. ane Alakouch turned a cross into at Monaco. aA crucial 2-0 victory over rel- Real Sociedad earned a thrilling Savanier 30, Mollet 83) Brest 0 chose against giving striker Mbappe clinched his double his own net. Metz moved out of the bot- Nantes 1 (Blas 18) Angers 2 egation rivals Espanyol in La Liga 4-3 win at Osasuna to move fi fth. Alexis Blin a start despite his on 65 minutes fi ring past Gurt- was involved in the build-up tom three with a 2-2 draw at (Bobichon 51, El Melali 88) yesterday. The visitors took a three-goal injury time match-winner in ner’s near-post. to Dario Benedetto’s second ef- 16th-placed Dijon due to Habib Nice 3 (Sarr 16, Boudaoui 19, Alvaro Morata thought he had lead through Mikel Oyarzabal, Wednesday’s cup success over Colombia winger Mendoza fort before celebrating his sec- Maiga’s injury time equaliser. Lees-Melou 41) Toulouse 0 broken the deadlock for Atletico Portu and Martin Odegaard, but Angers. netted his fi fth of the season ond goal in four matches by Paris Saint-Germain 4 with a header but the video assist- the hosts hit back through Ariadne Mbappe opened the scor- with 20 minutes to play before donning a Santa Claus hat. RESULTS (Mbappe 12, 65, Neymar 47, ant showed the forward was off - Hernandez just before half-time. ing after 12 minutes to claim his Icardi made sure of the rout after “We’ll make the most of the Dijon 2 (Amalfitano 18, Balde Icardi 84) Amiens 1 (Mendoza side and the goal was disallowed. Chimy Avila’s strike three 40th goal of the calendar year, 84 minutes. holidays because we’ve deserved 42) Metz 2 (Diallo 15, Maiga 70) At the other end Zou Feddal minutes after the restart helped chipping over goalkeeper Regis them. We will rest well before 90+2) Reims 1 (Cafaro 44-pen) Lyon headed against the crossbar as Osasuna pile on the pressure but Gurtner after a sweeping coun- PROUD PAYET attacking January and February Marseille 3 (Alakouch 47-og, 1 (Toussart 9) Betis drove Atletico back. their attempt to level was ham- ter-attack move. Elsewhere, captain Dmitri Payet which will be tough,” Payet told Benedetto 66, Payet 82) Nimes 1 Rennes 1 (Niang 83) Bor- Angel Correa then netted the pered by Fecund Roncalgia’s red Neymar scored a second, his starred in Marseille’s convincing Canal+. (Briancon 90+2) deaux 0 visitors just before the hour mark card after 70 minutes. fourth in as many league match- victory over Nimes. Rennes rose to third edging Monaco 5 (Martins 23, Balde Strasbourg 2 (Ajorque 22, when the Argentine won the ball Alexander Isak tucked home a es, two minutes into the second The 38-time France inter- Bordeaux 1-0 thanks to Mbaye 30, Ben Yedder 53, 65, Glik 90+3) Thomassson 62) Saint-Etienne 1 back high up the pitch, charged fourth for Real Sociedad before half before captain Thiago Silva national was inches away from Niang’s eff ort as Lille dropped Lille 1 (Osimhen 14) (Boudebouz 73-pen) into the box, rounded goalkeeper Avila brilliantly scored again to Joel Robles and rolled home. create a frantic fi nale, but mid- Atletico survived heavy pres- table Osasuna could not fi nd the SERIE A sure before Morata cleverly back- equaliser. heeled in Correa’s cross to help the Rojiblancos move fourth, on RESULTS 32 points from 18 games, seven Leganes 2 (Braithwaite 11, En- Atalanta hand rudderless Milan fi ve-goal thrashing behind leaders Barcelona. Nesyri 54) Espanyol 0 Marc Bartra pulled one back Osasuna 3 (Ariadne 45+1, Avila Reuters goal margin and the fi rst since This cannot be the real Milan.” ed Robin Gonsens’ cross-shot a Milan defender, evaded Don- in stoppage time when he fi red 49, 84) Real Sociedad 4 (Oyarzabal Milan, Italy 1998. “Today’s performance was into the net in the 61st minute, narumma as the goalkeeper home a loose ball, but it was too 15, Portu 18, Odegaard 28, Isak 79) Milan are tenth in the table seriously insuffi cient,” added although he refused to celebrate rushed out of his area and added little too late for the Andalusians. Real Betis 1 (Bartra 90+3) with 21 points while Atalanta Pioli, Milan’s second coach of his goal, then Ilicic scored twice the fi fth. At Butarque, Martin Braithwaite Atletico Madrid 2 (Correa 58, lejandro Gomez scored climbed to fi fth with 31 as they the season after his predecessor in an nine-minute spell to turn The referee spared Milan fur- struck in the 11th minute and Morata 84) a stunning individual capped an outstanding year Marco Giampaolo was fi red after it into a humiliation for Milan as ther punishment by mercifully goal and Josip Ilicic which saw them qualify for the only seven games. “I expected a their defence fell apart. adding on only one minute of notched a second- Champions League for the fi rst reaction from us in the second First, the Slovenia forward stoppage time. halfA brace as Atalanta thrashed time and reach the last 16. half but it didn’t come, in fact collected a pass on the right, a rudderless AC Milan 5-0 on “It’s been a fantastic year which we were even worse.” outfoxed his marker and drilled RESULTS Sunday, handing their oppo- has been crowned by today’s per- Gomez opened the scoring in his shot past Donnarumma in Atalanta 5 (Gomez 10, nents their joint-heaviest Serie formance,” said Atalanta coach the 10th minute, nutmegging a the 63rd minute, then he curled Pasalic 61, Ilicic 63, 72, Muriel 84) A defeat. Gian Piero Gasperini. hapless Andrea Conti before fi r- a delightful eff ort into the top AC Milan 0 Former Milan player Mario His opposite number Ste- ing a right-foot shot past Gian- corner from outside the area. Lecce 2 (Babacar 85, Farias Pasalic rubbed further salt into fano Pioli said that Milan “ap- luigi Donnarumma in the tenth Davide Calabria cleared a shot 90+1) Bologna 3 (Orsolini 43, 66, their wounds by also scoring. It proached the match in the minute. off the line but there was still Soriano 56) was the fourth time Milan have wrong way and you just can’t af- Pasalic, who clipped the more to come as Luis Muriel Parma 1 (Grassi 90+2) lost a Serie A match by a fi ve- ford to do that against this team. crossbar before halftime, divert- ran onto a through ball, outran Brescia 1 (Balotelli 72) Gulf Times 4 Monday, December 23, 2019 CRICKET

ODI SERIES SELECTION NZ’s Blundell to replace Raval in Kohli stars again in Boxing Day Test run chase as India ‘I had a nervous look when I walked back, but when I watched bag series ‘Jaddu’ he looked very confident’ Reuters Blundell will play his first Melbourne Test since replacing in- jured regular wicketkeeper B J Watling during the 2017 eserve batsman Tom home series against West In- Blundell has been dies. confi rmed to replace Blundell batted at number Australia’s Marnus Labuschagne hits a shot on Day the out-of-form Jeet eight in his three Test innings, RavalR at the top of New Zea- which included a century on one of the first Test against Australia at the Perth Stadium in Perth yesterday. (AFP) land’s batting order for the Box- debut in Wellington. ing Day Test against Australia at “I’ll probably try to still bat the Melbourne Cricket Ground. the same,” he said of his pro- Blundell opened the bat- motion. ting for New Zealand yesterday “It’s just the fi rst 30 balls in a warmup match against a I’ll just have to be a bit more Victoria state XI and made a patient outside the off -stump, timely unbeaten half-century and if I can last those 30 balls, before retiring. Raval was jetti- then hopefully I can bat a bit soned after twin failures in the more positively.” 296-run defeat to Tim Paine’s New Zealand pace spear- Australia in the series-open- head Trent Boult bowled for er in Perth, following a poor Victoria in the practice match home series against England. yesterday as he looked to prove “I feel like I can do a good job his fi tness for the second Test wherever,” two-Test wicket- from Thursday. Boult missed keeper batsman Blundell told the fi rst Test in Perth with a rib reporters in Melbourne. injury but is expected to line “This game I’ve been given up at the MCG in a major boost the opportunity to open, so for Kane Williamson’s team as I’m really looking forward to they look to level the three- Boxing Day.” match series.

Bushfi res place Australian cricket summer under cloud

Reuters the country’s most populous Team India celebrate after winning the third ODI of a three-match series against the West Indies at the Barabati Stadium in Cuttack yesterday. (AFP) Melbourne city, and a further five BBL games. AFP Scorecard Jadeja. Sharma, who ended the year as the “For Cricket Australia, it’s a Cuttack top ODI batsman with 1,490 runs in 28 azardous smoke challenge,” Thunder coach WEST INDIES KL Rahul c Hope b Joseph 77 matches, was named man of the series for from bushfi res Shane Bond said post-match his 258 runs including a knock of 159 in the raging over a large in Canberra. E. Lewis c Saini b Jadeja 21 V. Kohli b Paul 85 kipper Virat Kohli smashed 85 to second ODI. swath of east- “I’m not quite sure what the S. Hope b Shami 42 S. Iyer c Joseph b Paul 7 H help India pull off a nervous chase Kohli is next with 1,377 runs in 26 ODIs. ern Australia have become process and protocols they’re of 316 to win the third one-day in- R. Chase b Saini 38 R. Pant b Paul 7India paceman Navdeep Saini claimed a headache for the nation’s going to have going forward. ternational by four wickets against two wickets after being handed his ODI cricket board, which faces S. Hetmyer c Yadav b Saini 37 K. Jadhav b Cottrell 9 “Ultimately you just want to WestS Indies and clinch the series yester- cap by Kohli. the threat of disruptions to get it right so that fans don’t day. N. Pooran c Jadeja b Thakur 89 R. Jadeja not out 39 The 27-year-old Saini got his maiden its lucrative summer sched- get sick and everyone’s clear India relied on a key 58-run sixth-wick- K. Pollard not out 74 S. Thakur not out 17 ODI wicket after sending the dangerous ule. in terms of the medical stuff et stand between Kohli and Ravindra Jade- J. Holder not out 7 Extras (lb2, w9, nb1) 12 Shimron Hetmyer back to the pavilion Match off icials halted the Big as well.” Australia has been ja, unbeaten on 39 off 31 balls, to achieve for 37. Hetmyer’s wicket ended a 62-run Bash League (BBL) match fighting wildfires for months their target with eight balls to spare in Extras (lb4, w3) 7 Total (6 wickets, 48.4 overs) 316 third-wicket stand with Roston Chase between Sydney Thunder as hot, dry conditions cre- Cuttack. Total (5 wickets, 50 overs) 315 Fall of wickets: 1-122 (Sharma), 2-167 who was bowled by a toe-crushing yorker and Adelaide Strikers midway ated an early start to the fire Paceman Keemo Paul claimed three Fall of wickets: 1-57 (Lewis), 2-70 (Hope), (Rahul), 3-188 (Iyer), 4-201 (Pant), 5-228 from Saini for 38. through due to “dangerous season, with blazes destroy- wickets, including that of Kohli in the 47th 3-132 (Hetmyer), 4-144 (Chase), 5-279 (Jadhav), 6-286 (Kohli) But Pooran counter attacked and com- and unreasonable playing ing more than 700 homes over, before Jadeja and Shardul Thakur, 17 (Pooran) Bowling: Cottrell 10-1-74-1 (w7), Holder pleted his second successive fi fty with a six conditions” at Canberra’s and nearly 3mn acres (1.2mn not out, took the team home and to a 2-1 off left-arm wrist spinner Kuldeep Yadav, Manuka Oval late on Satur- hectares) of bushland. Bowlers: Thakur 10-0-66-1 (w2), Shami 10-0-63-1, Paul 9.4-0-59-3 (nb1), Chase series win. who went wicketless after coming into the day. More than 105 fires were 10-2-66-1, Saini 10-0-58-2 (w1), Yadav 10-0- 4-0-19-0, Pierre 7-0-46-0, Joseph 8-0-53-1 “Having done it so many times, you ob- game with 99 scalps. A number of spectators still burning across NSW 67-0, Jadeja 10-0-54-1 (w2) viously have a bit more calmness and you He hit 10 fours and three sixes in his required medical attention, yesterday, with 59 considered Result: India won by four wickets understand how the dew is playing and INDIA (target 316) knock that lasted 64 balls before falling to while Adelaide’s test bowler uncontained and one burning all you need is a short partnership,” said R. Sharma c Hope b Holder 63 Series: India won the three-match series Thakur with a mistimed hit to deep point. Peter Siddle was unable to at an emergency level. Kohli, who was named man of the match. 2-1. “I don’t think there’s much to be disap- bowl more than two overs Earlier this month, play- “It was outstanding to see others fi nish- pointed about. Obviously results matter as the smoky haze at the ers complained of “toxic” ing the game. I had a nervous look when I Pollard remained unbeaten on 74 off 51 and Alzarri Joseph sent Rahul trudging but if you look at where we are from where ground thickened through- conditions at the SCG during walked back, but when I watched ‘Jaddu’ deliveries after Pooran hit an attacking 89 back to the pavilion after his second suc- we’ve come from, I can’t fault the boys, out the evening. a Sheff ield Shield match (Jadeja) he looked very confi dent.” to pulverise the Indian bowling in the last cessive score of 50 plus. He made 102 in they showed their mettle,” said Pollard. With tinder-dry conditions between NSW and Queens- Rohit Sharma, who made 63, and K L 10 overs that produced 118 runs for the India’s series-levelling second ODI. Pant dropped three catches to give and little rain forecast, wild- land which was blanketed in Rahul, on 77, laid the foundation of the West Indies. But Kohli kept up the attack during his Chase (on nought), Hetmyer (on nine) fires may continue to burn for a smoky haze. team’s chase with an opening partnership I response Kohli, who made India bowl 81-ball knock despite wickets falling at the and Pooran (on 52) extended stays at the a number of weeks in New Local soccer and rugby of 122 after the West Indies posted 315 for fi rst after winning the toss, batted with other end before chopping a wide delivery wicket. India will next host Sri Lanka for South Wales (NSW), which league federations post- fi ve. West Indies skipper Kieron Pollard conviction despite wickets falling from the on the off side onto his stumps. a three-match Twenty20 series starting hosts the third test between poned a number of youth and Nicholas Pooran put together 135 runs other end to make the second-ranked ODI Thakur then hit two fours and a six in his January 5. Australia and New Zealand on matches across the state two for the fi fth wicket to lift their side from side fi nish the year on a high. six-ball cameo to bring the packed house Australia will also travel to India for Jan 3 in state capital Sydney, weeks ago. 144 for four to a fi ghting total. Jason Holder got Sharma caught behind back to life as he celebrated the win with three ODI matches starting January 14.

SPOTLIGHT Pakistan close in on series win despite Fernando ton AFP Scorecard tic level,” said Dickwella of the opener, who Karachi struck 13 boundaries in his 266-minute PAKISTAN 1st innings 191 D. Karunaratne c Rizwan b Abbas 16 knock. “Had we had one more big partner- SRI LANKA 1st innings 271 O. Fernando not out 102 ship we could have saved this Test,” he add- ri Lanka opener Oshada Fernando ed. Pakistan’s head coach Misbah-ul-Haq PAKISTAN 2nd innings (overnight 395 for 2) K. Mendis c Azam b Naseem 0 struck a maiden century to delay praised his team’s fi ghtback. Pakistan’s victory quest after the S. Masood c Oshada b Kumara 135 A. Mathews c Rizwan b Shaheen 19 “We were under pressure after conced- home team’s top four all scored A. Ali lbw b Kumara 174 D. Chandimal lbw b Naseem 2 ing an 80-run lead in the fi rst innings,” said hundredsS in the second Test in Karachi Misbah. “To come out and be in a winning A. Ali st Dickwella b Embuldeniya 118 D. de Silva b Yasir 0 yesterday. Set a daunting 476 runs to win, position is satisfying and eased the pres- Sri Lanka were tottering at 97 for fi ve be- B. Azam not out 100 N. Dickwella b Sohail 65 sure.” In the morning Pakistan batsmen fore Oshada and Niroshan Dickwella halted M. Rizwan not out 21 D. Perera c Rizwan b Naseem 5 fl ayed the Sri Lankan bowling. the slide with a resolute 104-run stand for Extras (lb5, w2) 7 Extras: (lb 3) 3 It was only the second time in a Test the sixth wicket. But the last three overs of innings that the top four all scored centu- the day saw Dickwella fall for 65 — bowled Total (for 3 wkts declared, 131 overs) 555 Total: (for seven wkts; 60.1 overs) 212 ries after openers Abid Ali (174) and Shan while attempting a reverse sweep off spin- Fall of wickets: 1-278 (Masood), 2-355 Fall of wickets: 1-39 (Karunaratne), 2-40 Masood (135) grabbed theirs on Saturday. ner Haris Sohail — and Dilruwan Perera (Abid), 3-503 (Azhar) (Mendis), 3-70 (Mathews), 4-96 (Chandi- India against Bangladesh at Dhaka in caught behind off Naseen Shah for ve.fi Bowlers: Fernando 24-2-105-0, Kumara mal), 5-97 (De Silva), 6-201 (Dickwella), 2007 was the other occasion. Azhar, who The 16-year-old Naseem had the best 29-5-139-2, Embuldeniya 50-4-193-1 (1w), 7-212 (Perera) had a lean 2019, completed his 16th cen- fi gures of 3-31. At the close, Sri Lanka were Perera 21-1-94-0 (1w), De Silva 7-0-19-0. Bowling: Shaheen 14-3-51-1, Abbas 12-2- tury before he was stumped off spinner 212 for seven with Oshada (102 not out) at Lasith Embuldeniya after 11 boundaries in SRI LANKA 2nd innings 33-1, Naseem 11.1-3-31-3, Yasir 19-2-84-1, the crease and with the visitors needing an Sohail 4-0-10-1. his 157-ball innings. Azam’s fourth centu- unlikely 264 runs for victory. Pakistan need ry — and third in the last four Tests — had just three wickets today to win the series — dium pitch where the home batsmen fl our- man, edged a short delivery from Shaheen seven boundaries and a six off 131 balls. their fi rst at home since the 2009 attack on ished. Skipper Dimuth Karunaratne went Shah Afridi to wicketkeeper Mohammad Earlier, when Pakistan resumed at 395 for the Sri Lanka side resulted in international for 16, Kusal Mendis for a duck and Angelo Rizwan. After tea, young Naseem ac- two, Azhar smashed three boundaries off cricket being suspended in the country. Matthews for 19 before tea. Pace spearhead counted for Dinesh Chandimal (two) and pace bowler Vishwa Fernando and then Pakistan earlier declared their second in- Mohamed Abbas had Karunaratne caught leg-spinner Yasir Shah dismissed Dhanan- took two runs to complete his fi rst century nings at lunch on 555 for three after Azhar behind in the tenth over of the innings be- jaya de Silva (nought) to leave Sri Lanka in 12 months. Azhar added 148 for the third Pakistan’s Haris Sohail (left) celebrates with teammates after taking returned to form with 118 and Babar Azam fore Naseem had Mendis snapped up in the struggling at 97 for fi ve. Dickwella praised wicket with Azam as Sri Lankan bowlers the wicket of Sri Lanka’s Niroshan Dickwella (second right) during the struck 100 not out. It was a dismal batting slips. It became 70 for three when Math- Oshada’s resistance. “He is a very good toiled hard for wickets. Lahiru Kumara fi n- fourth day of the second Test at the National Cricket Stadium in Karachi show by the Sri Lankans on a National Sta- ews, Sri Lanka’s most experienced bats- batsman and has scored heavily at domes- ished with two for 139. yesterday. (AFP) Gulf Times Monday, December 23, 2019 5 SPORT

NBA NHL Caps stop Lightning for season sweep Giannis gets third ers voted in as captains for the Reuters New York Jan. 25 All-Star Game in St. Louis, home of the defending NHL champion Blues. mitry Orlov scored The Capitals took a 1-0 the tiebreaking goal lead in this game when Radko late in the third pe- Gudas fi red a long shot past riod, and Nic Dowd McElhinney 4:40 into the triple-double; Bucks addedD an empty-netter as the second period. Jonas Sie- Washington Capitals defeated genthaler dug out the puck the visiting Tampa Bay Light- behind the net for Washing- ning 3-1 Saturday night. ton and sent it over to Lars The game was tied 1-1 when Eller on the right wing. Eller two penalties forced Wash- then found Gudas near the ington to play two men short centre of the blue line, and the for 86 seconds. But the Capi- defenseman scored his fi rst rout Knicks 123-102 tals killed off those penalties, goal this season on a shot that and Orlov broke the deadlock snaked its way past McElhin- ‘Stats are going to be there if you are on the court and doing your best’ less than a minute later with a ney. slap shot from just inside the The Capitals had several left point for a 2-1 lead with good shots and fi nished with 6:03 remaining. a 35-27 edge in that area but Washington drew another the Lightning tied it at the penalty a few minutes later, 10-minute mark of the third and Tampa Bay coach Jon period on a Nikita Kucherov Cooper pulled goalie Curtis goal. McElhinney with just under Tampa Bay had a good four minutes left. That gave chance to take the lead soon the Lightning a 6-on-4 ad- after as Washington got those vantage, but Dowd scored a two penalties. But Caps goal- shorthanded empty-netter ie Braden Holtby (26 stops) with 2:23 left. made at least three tough The victory let Washington saves, the defence stepped up, sweep the three-game season and Washington killed both series with Tampa Bay. penalties. That put the Caps Also, Alex Ovechkin of the in position for the two key Capitals was one of four play- goals after that.

RESULTS Buff alo 3-2 Los Angeles Anaheim 6-5 NY Islanders Winnipeg 6-0 Minnesota Nashville 4-3 Boston Florida 4-2 Carolina Edmonton 4-3 Montreal Philadelphia 5-4 Ottawa Toronto 4-1 Detroit Washington 3-1 Tampa Bay Chicago 5-3 Colorado Vancouver 4-1 Pittsburgh St. Louis 5-2 San Jose

Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (centre) shoots the ball as New York Knicks centre Mitchell Robinson (third right) defends during the second half at Madison Square Garden. PICTURE: USA TODAY Sports

AFP whose 38.5-point per game average is Cameroonian Embiid grabbed a game- RESULTS New York the only one ahead of Antetokounmpo’s high 13 rebounds while Australian guard 31.8-point average, poured in 47 points in Ben Simmons had 14 points, 11 assists Utah 114-107 Charlotte Houston’s 139-125 victory at Phoenix. and eight rebounds for the Sixers (21-10) iannis Antetokounmpo deliv- Brooklyn 122-112 Atlanta Harden hit 15-of-27 shots from the and Bradley Beal had 36 points in a losing ered his third triple-double of Philadelphia 125-108 Washington fl oor, including 9-of-19 from 3-point cause. the season and Khris Middleton range, and 8-of-9 free throws as well as Croatian forward Bojan Bogdanovich Chicago 119-107 Detroit scored a game-high 23 points to contributing six rebounds and seven as- scored 26 points and Frenchman Rudy Gpower the NBA-leading Milwaukee Bucks Milwaukee 123-102 New York sists for the Rockets. Gobert added 17 points and 19 rebounds over New York 123-102 on Saturday. Memphis 119-115 Sacramento Russell Westbrook added 30 points and as the Utah Jazz won 114-107 at Char- Greek star Antetokounmpo had 22 LA Clippers 134-109 San Antonio 10 assists while Clint Capela had 17 re- lotte. Terry Rozier led the Hornets with 29 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists for the bounds and 14 points for Houston. points. Bucks, who improved their league-best Houston 139-125 Phoenix Kawhi Leonard scored 26 points, passed Brooklyn’s Spencer Dinwiddie scored record to 26-4 with an eighth consecutive Portland 113-106 Minnesota out nine assists, pulled down seven re- 39 points and the host Nets beat Atlanta road victory. bounds and made four steals to power the 122-112, outscoring the Hawks 37-14 in Antetokounmpo made 8-of-10 shots and doing your best. Los Angeles Clippers to a 134-109 victory the fourth quarter for the victory. from the fl oor, 2-of-4 from 3-point range “The hard part is making your stats at San Antonio. Zach LaVine scored 33 points to lead and went 4-of-8 from the free throw line count. I just want to be on the court and The Clippers improved to 22-9 and re- the Chicago Bulls over the host Detroit for the Bucks, who were coming off a help my team win.” mained hot on the heels of the Lakers in Pistons 119-107 while Jae Crowder had 17 Thursday triumph over the Western Con- Kyle Korver had 17 points off the bench the West. points and 10 rebounds to lead Memphis ference-leading Los Angeles Lakers. as Milwaukee produced seven double-fi g- Joel Embiid and Josh Richardson each over visiting Sacramento 119-115. “I’m not into stats,” Antetokounmpo ure scorers while the Knicks, who slid to scored 21 points to lead six double-fi gure Damian Lillard scored 29 points to lead Washington Capitals’ team members celebrate after scoring a said. “I’m here to get the job done. Stats 7-23, were led by Julius Randle’s 20 points. Philadelphia scorers as the 76ers ripped the Portland Trail Blazers over visiting goal against the Tampa Bay Lightning during the third period at are going to be there if you are on the court NBA scoring leader James Harden, Washington 125-108. Minnesota 113-106. Capital One Arena in Washington. (AFP)

NFL Patriots, Texans clinch division titles with wins who fell to 3-32 all-time against AFP RESULTS Washington Brady. “Amazing accomplishment and Houston 23-20 Tampa Bay great win,” Brady said. “That’s a New England 24-17 Buff alo eigning Super Bowl cham- damn good football team we beat. pion New England and the Give credit to our guys. We came San Francisco 34-31 NY Rangers Houston Texans clinched back in the fourth quarter. Our de- NFL division titles with fense has been playing great all year. hosts back in front with 5:06 re- Dion Dawkins that put Buff alo level victoriesR Saturday, Houston seal- Another hard-fought game. I’m maining. 10-10 at half-time. ing a playoff berth and the Patriots glad we won.” The Patriots (12-3) Brady fl ipped a 2-point conver- moving closer to a fi rst-round bye. would secure a fi rst-round playoff sion pass to Julian Edelman to boost TEXANS REACH PLAYOFFS New England held off a late Buf- bye with a home victory next week New England’s lead to the fi nal The Texans (10-5) earned a fourth falo fi ghtback for a 24-17 home tri- over Miami (3-11). margin. The Bills drove to the Patri- playoff berth in fi ve seasons as De- umph to secure an 11th consecutive Buff alo seized the lead on the next ots 8-yard line in the fi nal minutes shaun Watson threw for 184 yards AFC East division title while the drive when John Brown raced past but New England’s defenders made and ran for 37 more, Ka’imi Fair- Texans forced fi ve turnovers in a 23- New England’s defenders, caught two sacks and forced an incom- bairn kicked three fi eld goals and 20 victory at Tampa Bay to claim the a Josh Allen pass and raced un- plete pass, setting up a fi nal des- Bradley Roby returned an intercep- AFC South crown. touched into the end zone to com- perate toss into the end zone that J tion for a touchdown. And the San Francisco 49ers plete a 53-yard touchdown play as C Jackson batted away to seal New Houston won for the fourth time edged the Los Angeles Rams 34-31 the Bills grabbed a 17-13 advantage. England’s win. Buff alo’s Stephen in fi ve games, a run that included a on Robbie Gould’s game-ending 33- It was Buff alo’s longest play from Hauschka kicked a 35-yard fi eld goal win over the Patriots. yard fi eld goal to boost their chances scrimmage all season. to open the scoring but the Patriots Houston joined New England, at a fi rst-round bye. The result also In response, Brady drove the Pa- seized the lead on Brady’s 8-yard Buff alo, Baltimore and Kansas City clinched a playoff spot for Minne- triots 77 yards in 11 plays but was touchdown pass to Matt LaCosse. in the American Conference play- sota by eliminating the Rams from stopped two yards from the goal line Brady directed the longest drive off s with Pittsburgh and Tennessee, the hunt. Tom Brady, the 42-year- on a third-down run and the Patri- surrendered by the Bills this year on both 8-6, fi ghting for the fi nal spot. old Patriots quarterback with a ots settled for a 20-yard Folk fi eld a 17-play, 81-yard march that lasted The playoff -bound 49ers improved record six Super Bowl titles, com- goal to pull within 17-16 with 10:47 nearly nine minutes and ended on to 12-3 after Jimmy Garoppolo pleted 26-of-33 passes for 271 yards to go. New England forced a Buff alo a 36-yard Folk fi eld goal for a 10-3 threw a 46-yard pass to Emmanuel and a touchdown and also ignited punt and Brady drove the Patriots 59 New England lead. Buff alo drove 59 Sanders with 35 seconds remain- two fourth-quarter scoring drives yards in seven plays, Rex Burkhead’s yards in 32 seconds with Allen fl ip- ing to set up Gould’s game-winning New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (left) runs the ball against Buff alo Bills strong safety Micah Hyde to rally New England past the Bills, 1-yard touchdown run putting the ping a 1-yard touchdown pass to fi eld goal. (right) and defensive tackle Ed Oliver in the second half at Gillette Stadium. PICTURE: USA TODAY Sports Gulf Times 6 Monday, December 23, 2019 SPECIAL

YEARENDER From Woods to Rapinoe — standout moments in 2019 Woods finally won a major again, Djokovic outlasted Federer in an epic Wimbledon final, Rapinoe shone on and off the pitch at football’s women’s World Cup, and Kolisi became the first black player to captain Springboks to a major rugby title LIVERPOOL VS BARCELONA IN CHAMPIONS LEAGUE year after losing the Champions League fi nal, ALiverpool seemed down and out in the semis as they lost the fi rst leg 3-0 at Barcelona. But they staged an improbably comeback at Anfi eld, winning 4-0 — the last goal from Divock Origi off a corner which made Barca look like schoolboys. Manager Jurgen Klopp said: “I said to the boys before the game: ‘I don’t think it’s possible but because it’s you I think we have a chance’, because they are really mentality giants.” They went on to lift the trophy a sixth time, 2-0 over Tottenham in Madrid; and the Europa League fi nal was also an all-English aff air, Chelsea beating London rivals Arsenal 4-1 some 3,000 kilometres away in Baku.

ALPINE SKI STARS BOW OUT he alpine ski world cham- pionships in Are, Sweden, Twas the moment for two of the greatest names of the sport to end their careers — and both bowed out with medals which were no longer entirely expected. US skier Lindsey Vonn captured bronze in the women’s downhill, In this July 10, 2019, picture, USA women’s football team captain Megan Rapinoe speaks in front of the City Hall after the ticker tape parade for after crashing out days earlier in the World champions in New York. (AFP) In this April 14, 2019, picture, Tiger Woods celebrates winning Masters the super-g. At 34, she became at Augusta National Golf Club. (AFP) the oldest woman to win a medal the fi rst one in which the home at a world championship. She team won no match. The Nation- WOODS WINS THE MASTERS DJOKOVIC VS FEDERER IN bowed out with 82 World Cup als won the two openers in Texas, t was one of the greatest WIMBLEDON FINAL wins, four short of Ingemar Sten- the Astros rebounded with three comebacks of golf, per- hen world number one mark’s record 86. At 36, Norway’s wins in Washington but then Ihaps in sport, when at 43 Novak Djokovic and eter- Aksel Lund Svindal called it quits failed twice to clinch the trophy and after returning from back Tnal Roger Federer renewed after winning silver in the men’s at home as the Nationals roared surgery which had threatened their rivalry at the All England downhill, beaten by two hun- back to win the series 4-3 from to fi nish his career, Tiger Woods Club in what became the longest dredths of a second by teammate a 6-2 (from 2-0 down) in the triumphed at the Masters in Au- Wimbledon fi nal at 4 hours 57 and friend Kjetil Jansrud. “He is decider. The Nationals, who gusta, Georgia. “It’s a long time! minutes and one of the most going to leave a big hole,” Jansrud started off 1969 as the Montreal It’s unreal,” Woods said after gripping, decided by the new said of the two-time Olympic and Expos, clinched the fi rst title in a victory which came 11 years tiebreak rule at 12-12 in the fi fth fi ve-time world champion. Aus- the franchise’s 51 seasons. It was after his last major tournament set. Djokovic saved two match trian great Marcel Hirscher also also the fi rst championship for a win, the US Open in 2008, and points on Federer’s serve at 8-7 ended his career after the season, US capital team since the Sena- 14 years after the last of now fi ve as he prevailed 7-6 (5), 1-6, 7-6 having won the World Cup eight tors won in 1924. Masters titles. It was a 15th major (4), 4-6, 13-12 (3). Federer spoke years in a row. for Woods, who is now three of “an incredible opportunity WOMEN’S WORLD CUP behind the record held by Jack missed” as he fell short of a 21st WORLD SERIES o say Megan Rapinoe had Nicklaus and came after years of grand slam title again while aseball’s 2019 World Series a successful Women’s struggling with knee and back Djokovic was just relieved to between the Washington TWorld Cup would be a problems as well as headline- have won the “most mentally BNationals and the Houston gross understatement. She making issues in his personal demanding match” of his career. Astros went down in history as left the tournament in France life. “This is probably one of the as champion, best player and greatest comebacks I think any- top scorer while off the pitch body’s ever seen,” said current driving an equal pay move- number one Brooks Koepka, who ment, speaking out against fi nished tied for second. racism and standing up to US President Donald Trump. The HEAVYWEIGHT UPSET outspoken 34-year-old scored s heavyweights go in the 2-0 victory over the Mexico’s Andy Ruiz Netherlands in the Lyon final Aseemed in a league of his where she won back-to-back own, far from the well-honed titles and her nation a record- physical specimen he was facing extending sixth title. And it was in champion Anthony Joshua. no surprise she was also crown But that counted for nothing women’s Footballer of the Year. at New York’s Madison Square Rapinoe said she wants to be Garden when Ruiz fl oored the remembered as “someone who British champion four times, was willing to stand up for what winning by technical knock-out was right.” in the seventh round in one of boxing’s biggest upsets. Ruiz, CRICKET WORLD CUP who fought as a replacement for osts England captured the Jarrell Miller, became the fi rst World Cup title for the Mexican world heavyweight Hfi rst time after after three In this November 7, 2019, picture, South African Rugby captain Siya Kolisi (centre) holds up the Web Ellis champion while Joshua suff ered previous fi nal defeats in 1979, trophy during a World Cup winners’ parade in Soweto, South Africa. (AFP) a fi rst professional defeat after 1987 and 1992 in a dramatic 22 victories, 21 by knock-out. fi nal against New Zealand in the landmark does not, however, Joshua though got his revenge, one-day international format at count as a world record as it was outclassing Ruiz on a unanimous Lord’s. Some batting heroics by not run in open competition but points decision in their rematch In this July 14, 2019, picture, Serbia’s Novak Djokovic (left) poses with England all-rounder Ben Stokes on a specially designed course in Diriyah, Saud Arabia in De- the winner’s trophy as Switzerland’s Roger Federer holds the runners and a stroke of fortune after a using 41 pacemakers. Kipchoge, cember. up plate after their Wimbeldon final. (AFP) fi elder’s throw defl ected off the 2016 Olympic marathon his bat to the boundary — and champion, does however hold the was then wrongly scored by offi cial world record of 2:01.39 set the umpire in England’s favour in Berlin in 2018. — helped the hosts in a thriller which was tied, went to a Super RUGBY WORLD CUP Over, and with the scores still outh Africa were crowned tied was awarded to England Rugby World Cup champi- because of their superior bound- Sons for the third time after ary count. The International proving too strong for England in Cricket Council (ICC) has since a 32-12 victory in the fi nal at the abolished the boundary count- Yokohama International Stadium back rule and said that in future in Japan in November. It was an any Super Over will be repeated emotional and historic moment until any one side has scored for the country as Siya Kolisi more runs. became the fi rst black captain to lift the trophy. President Cyril FIRST SUB 2-HOUR MARATHON Ramaphosa had been handed the moment in running history number 6 jersey by Kolisi before to match the breaking of the game in a highly signifi cant Athe 4-minute-mile barrier gesture for South Africans who by Roger Bannister in 1954 came remember their fi rst democrati- in Vienna in October when Eliud cally elected president Nelson Kipchoge became the fi rst athlete Mandela donning it when South to run a marathon faster than two Africa won their fi rst World hours. The Kenyan great posted Cup in 1995. Three-time world 1 hour 59 minutes and 40.2 sec- champions New Zealand, who onds in a specially organised run had won the last two editions, in Vienna. “Today we went to the meanwhile had to settle for third In this October 12, 2019, picture, Kenya’s Eliud Kipchoge celebrates as In this June 1, 2019, picture, USA’s Andy Ruiz (left) fights with England’s Anthony Joshua during their IBF, moon and came back to earth!” palace after being beaten 19-7 by he crosses the finish line at the end of his attempt to bust the mythical WBA, WBO & IBO World Heavyweight Championship fight at Madison Square Garden in New York. (AFP) he said on Twitter. The historic England in the semi-fi nals. two-hour barrier for the marathon in Vienna, Australia. (AFP) Gulf Times Monday, December 23, 2019 7 SPORT

TENNIS Lasting legacy not trophy-hunting drives Djoko AFP exhibition event in Abu Dhabi, where really need goals, daily goals, monthly Abu Dhabi he secured third place with victory goals, yearly goals. over Karen Khachanov on Saturday. “So I do have them, as everyone “I think it’s always about fi nding that else. Of course I’m aware of the privi- ovak Djokovic says the main purpose, and the reason, the meaning lege that I have to fi ght for history and source of his motivation at of actually playing. For me, especially to be able to possibly achieve even this stage of his career is se- in the last couple of years, it’s not only greater things and that’s something curing a lasting legacy rath- about winning a tennis match or a tro- that drives me of course, alongside Ner than simply trying to win tennis phy. other things.” matches and trophies. “It had to be something greater than Djokovic will begin his 2020 season For nearly two years, from mid- my own achievements. Something that by representing Serbia in the ATP Cup 2016 until mid-2018, the 32-year-old would be related to legacy, something in Australia. Serb had admittedly struggled with that would really be inspiring the lives He remains midway through his pre- motivation after pulling off the historic of others, particularly kids.” season preparations, and leaves Abu feat of winning four Grand Slams in Federer holds the men’s all-time Dhabi with one loss, to Stefanos Tsitsi- a row - a fi rst in men’s tennis since record of most majors won, with 20, pas, and one win over Khachanov. 1969. and Nadal is breathing down his neck “I got what I came here for, two good Djokovic recaptured his spark and with a total of 19. Djokovic is younger matches,” he said on Saturday. has since added a quartet of majors than both of them though, and has a Later Saturday, Nadal battled past to his overall tally, which now stands shot at closing the gap on his two ri- Tsitsipas 6-7(7/3), 7-5, 7-6 (7/3) in a at 16. vals. “That’s a goal,” said Djokovic, 3hr 12min fi nal showdown. While the world number two re- when asked if he is fuelled by breaking The Spaniard looked in supreme mains in a tight battle with Rafael records. form against the 21-year-old Tsitsipas Nadal and Roger Federer in the race for “I’m motivated by breaking my own and can head to Australia for the ATP most Grand Slam titles won, Djoko- records and moving my own bounda- Cup brimming with confi dence. vic believes what currently drives him ries and that”s something that moti- in the sport is something deeper than vates me to compete. that. “I do love to play tennis so I do like to “You need to constantly give your- be on the practice court. But competi- Serbia’s Novak Djokovic serves the ball self fuel from the source, whatever the tive tennis is diff erent. In order to com- to Russia’s Karen Khachanov during the source is,” Djokovic said at the Mu- pete to be a professional tennis player Mubadala World Tennis Championship badala World Tennis Championship and to compete at the highest level, you Final in Abu Dhabi on Saturday. (AFP)

GOLF FOCUS Janewattananond ‘Stoked’ Scott wins wins Thailand Masters AFP Jazz’s victory came after a Bangkok solid fi rst two days at the Phoe- nix Gold Golf and Country Club in Pattaya, with rounds of 69 hailand’s Jazz Janewat- and 67. But he lit up in the third tananond dominated the round with a dazzling 11-under- competition on home par 60, scrambling to the top of Australian PGA to turf to win the Thailand the leaderboard thanks in part to TMasters yesterday, capping a a seven-hole birdie streak. stellar season with his second On Sunday he quickly extend- big victory on the Asian Tour ed his lead with birdies on three this month. of the fi rst four holes. He sank The 24-year-old rising star another fi ve birdies throughout stormed ahead to end the fi nal the day to hold onto the top spot, round with a six-under-par 65, pumping his fi st after making the end title drought fi nishing the $500,000 tourna- fi nal putt. It’s been a breakout ment with a 23-under total of season for Jazz, the 2019 Asian ‘It was really fun and caps off a nice year for me. I drew on my experience’ 261. Behind him were Thailand’s Tour Order of Merit champion. Suradit Yongcharoenchai and His four titles of the year include AFP Phachara Khongwatmai, and the Indonesian Masters a week Gold Coast, Australia Belgium’s Thomas Detry - all ago as well as the Singapore and with an 18-under total of 266. Korea Opens.

“stoked” Adam Scott won his fi rst tournament in almost four years yesterday, keeping his cool on the back nine of the Eu- ropeanA Tour co-sanctioned Australian PGA Championship to clinch a two-shot victory. The Australian world number 18 had posted more than 20 top-10 fi nishes since his last success at the WGC-Ca- dillac Championship in March 2016 and, in front of his home crowd at Royal Pines Resort on the Gold Coast, sank a birdie on the 14th and an eagle at the next to hold off New Zealander Michael Hendry. It was Scott’s second Australian PGA title after romping to victory in 2013 ahead of American Rickie Fowler, and partly made amends for his bitter disap- pointment at being on the losing team at last week’s Presidents Cup. “After a good save on 12 it was time to do something, I was behind,” said Scott after a three under par 69 gave him a 13-under winning total of 275. “There were opportunities for eve- Thailand’s Jazz Janewattananond poses with the trophy after winning ryone and I was the one who took them Thailand Masters yesterday. (Asian Tour) today. I’m stoked with it, it’s been a long time coming. I’m really happy to win an- other PGA here,” he added. The 39-year-old, who grew up on the Charlo stops Harrison to reclaim Gold Coast, credited the crowd support super welterweight title for helping him fi nally get back into the winner’s circle. Jermell Charlo stopped Tony continue. “I thought it was over,” “The support has been great, I’ve had Harrison in the 11th round to Charlo said. “I’m not the referee. friends and family here, a lot of familiar reclaim the World Boxing Coun- He come to fight. He did what faces out there, a lot of familiar voices cil super welterweight title on he had to do. He had a lot of yelling at me,” he said. Saturday in a championship re- pressure on him.” “It was really fun and caps off a nice match in suburban Los Angeles. Once fighting resumed, Charlo year for me. I drew on my experience. Charlo knocked down Harrison landed another five punches “I’ve been seeing good things in my in the second round and twice while wobbly Harrison could game for eight or nine months really,” he more in the 11th before referee only cover up, prompting Reiss added. “Belief is a big thing and eventu- Jack Reiss stopped the bout two to end it. “I ain’t going to ques- ally you just have to get it done and today minutes and 28 seconds into tion whatever he saw,” Harrison was my opportunity.” the 11th of 12 scheduled rounds said. “I started getting a little A gutsy Hendry, who has been strug- in Ontario, California. lax. I got caught between hooks. gling with a rib injury, had a one-stroke Charlo improved to 33-1 with his No excuses. He earned it. I got lead at the 10th, but a bogey-bogey fi nish 17th victory inside the distance caught slipping in between. ruined his card. while Harrison fell to 28-3. Don’t trade your off ense for He was fortunate to get through the The showdown of 29-year-old defense.” Harrison wants a third day with the injury having got progres- Americans was the first fight for fight between the rivals to settle sively worse through the week, causing Harrison since he took a unani- who is best. “I would love to do him discomfort at the top of the back- mous decision over Charlo last it one more time,” Harrison said. swing. December in New York, the only “I feel like I let (my hometown A group of fi ve players tied for third, loss of Charlo’s career. of Detroit) down. I think I let me three behind Scott, including young Chi- “I got that belt back,” Charlo down. It’s 1-1. Hopefully we do it nese big-hitter Yuan “Carl” Yechun and said. “I waited until the 11th but I again.” Charlo said he wants to Australian Wade Ormsby. didn’t leave it up to the judges.” become the division’s first un- Defending champion Cameron Smith Charlo was leading on the score- disputed champion since 2004, fi nished with a 70 to end his tourna- cards of two of the three judges which would put him in the path ment six adrift of Presidents Cup team- in the 11th when he landed a left of reigning World Boxing Asso- mate Scott, while American 2009 Open Adam Scott poses with trophy after winning Australian PGA Championship yesterday. (Getty Images/European Tour) hook on the champion’s chin, ciation and International Boxing Championship winner Stewart Cink hit a staggering Harrison, who wob- Federation champion Julian Wil- fi nal round 71 to end his fi rst Australian 68-72-68-70, Nick Flanagan 72-73-63-70, 71-68-71-71 Steven Jeff ress 71-70-72-71, Stewart Cink bled backwards into the ropes liams, an American who defends tournament in 16 years nine off the pace. Wade Ormsby 68-69-70-71 282-Brett Rumford 72-69-72-69, Travis (USA) 70-72-71-71, Jamie Arnold 73-72-67- and onto his rear. Charlo landed his title next month. “We can 279-Andrew Dodt 69-72-70-68 Smyth 68-72-72-70, Greg Chalmers 74- 72, Brady Watt 72-70-69-73 five punches in a row, a left hook kick it again,” Charlo said of Har- FINAL-ROUND LEADING SCORES 280-Kim Min-kyu (KOR) 72-69-72-67 69-68-71, Nick Cullen 68-73-68-73 285-Josh Geary (NZL) 73-69-73-70, Mat- and solid right, sending down rison’s third-fight hopes. 275-Adam Scott 70-67-69-69 281-Johannes Veerman (USA) 70-71- 283-Damien Perrier (FRA) 70-72-73-68, thew Stieger 74-70-70-71, Stephen Allan Harrison again. Charlo climbed “But I’m off to bigger and better 277-Michael Hendry (NZL) 70-68-70-69 73-67, Brett Rankin 67-73-72-69, Denzel Brad Kennedy 71-72-71-69, Anthony 70-75-69-71, Ryan Fox (NZL) 69-72-72- the far ropes to celebrate but things. I’m down for whatever 278-Cameron Davis 72-70-69-67, Yuan Ieremia (NZL) 77-67-69-68, Cameron Quayle 70-66-75-72 72, Cameron Champ (USA) 71-70-71-73, Harrison rose and Reiss let him makes history.” Yechun (CHN) 70-65-73-70, Min Woo Lee Smith 74-65-72-70, Bryce Easton (RSA) 284-Tom Power Horan 72-66-75-71, Aaron Cockerill (CAN) 70-71-69-75.

Monday, December 23, 2019 GULF TIMES SPORT

GOLF The Mother of Pearl trophy moved to ECGC s the starting date of of Pearl Trophy from Doha Golf tion City Golf Club, the General Commercial Bank’s Club to Education City Golf Manager Michael Braidwood Qatar Masters 2020 is Club. At Commercial Bank, we stated: “It gives us great pleasure approaching, Com- are committed to driving more to receive the iconic Qatar Mas- mercialA Bank and Doha Golf participation in sport activities ters trophy to our premises. The Club have moved the Mother in Qatar, and we are looking for- trophy will take pride of place of Pearl Trophy from Doha Golf ward to yet another successful in our club house lobby and will Club to Education City Golf edition of this very special tour- allow golf enthusiasts to take a Club (ECGC) where Commercial nament, which supports Qatar’s closer look at it and have a pic- Bank’s Qatar Masters 2020 will national vision of being a world- ture with it. I am sure it will in- take place from the March 5-8. class venue for sport, promoting spire all golfers who enter Edu- The majestic Mother of Pearl healthy lifestyles, and bringing cation City Golf Club.” Trophy is considered a symbol of members of the Qatari commu- Commercial Bank Qatar Mas- the rich Qatari heritage, as pearl nity together.” ters has witnessed high attend- diving and trading have been the Fahad Nasser al-Naimi, Gen- ance in 2019 and was broadcast mainstay and backbone of the eral Secretary of Qatar Golf Asso- to a global TV audience of over Qatari culture and identity for ciation, commented: “Happy to 450 million viewers. For the 23rd so long, evoking historical sig- be part of the trophy movement, Edition of the event, all eyes will nifi cance and strong social and come March 2020, once again, we be on Doha as the biggest names emotional bonds amongst Qa- will see the biggest names in the in the sport compete for the taris. sport vie for the Mother of Pearl Mother of Pearl Trophy on one Just like its name implies, Trophy on the new picturesque of the newest golf courses. the Mother of Pearl Trophy is Education City Golf Course. The exciting new venue of unique, strong, resilient, and is a “The Qatar Olympic Commit- Education City Golf Club is ex- source of pride to those who own tee and the Qatar Golf Associa- pected to entertain local and and carry it. tion are excited and looking for- international audiences with its Hussein al-Abdulla, EGM, ward with great anticipation to exceptional views of the Doha Chief Marketing Offi cer, said: “It yet another successful Commer- Skyline and the Education City is such a great pleasure to be part cial Bank Qatar Masters.” FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 of moving the unique Mother Speaking on behalf of Educa- Stadium.

WEIGHTLIFTING FOOTBALL/ QNB STARS LEAGUE Al Rayyan beat Al Wakrah 1-0 to Qatar’s Fares wins keep title hopes alive Olympic spot with Fares beat Iranian competitors for his gold medals, lifting 228kg in the double gold clean and jerk and 404kg in total

Action from Al Rayyan-Al Wakrah QNB Stars League match at the Al Gharafa Stadium yesterday. PICTURE: Anas Khalid

By Sports Reporter out a 1-1 draw in Week 11 of the Doha QNB Stars League at the Qatar SC Stadium yesterday. Hamdi Harbaoui took Al l Rayyan beat Al Wak- Arabi ahead in the 14th minute, rah 1-0 with a late a lead that was neutralised by winner in their QNB Qatar SC through Kayke Rod- Stars League match at riguez in the 25th minute. theA Al Gharafa Stadium yester- Al Arabi now have 15 points day. Al Rayyan thus kept their and Qatar SC 13. Qatar SC had title ambitions well and truly completed a hat-trick of vic- alive. The only goal of the game tories before the QNB Stars was scored by Yacine Brahimi League took a long break. in the 90th minute. Al Rayyan Al Arabi have played one moved on to 25 points, while Al match less as their game Wakrah remained on 12. against Al Sadd was deferred Following an extended break due to the latter’s AFC Cham- from the QNB Stars League, pions League commitment. both sides were cautious in Possession was almost even Qatar’s Fares Ibrahim (fourth from left) celebrates on the 96kg class podium of the Qatar International Cup Weightlifting Championships in Doha yesterday. (below) Fares in action their approach to the open- in the fi rst half and the match during the competition. PICTURES: Jayaram ing stages and were unable to lived up to its billing. Al Arabi fashion too many chances. surged ahead through Har- By Sports Reporter Al Rayyan showed posi- baoui, who headed in a free- Doha tive signs as they sought a kick by Marc Martinez from the breakthrough but a resolute right. Kayke drew level for Qa- defensive performance by Al tar SC as he nodded home Na- atar’s Fares Ibrahim Hassou- Wakrah limited The Lions to sir Abbas’ cross from the right. na bagged two gold medals at long-range eff orts in the fi rst Qatar SC played with one the Qatar International Cup half. Rodrigo Tabata fi rst tried man less from the 19th minute Weightlifting Championships his luck as he skipped past the when Eisa Ahmed was red- onQ way to securing his spot at the Tokyo opposition, but his shot fl ew carded by referee Nayef al-Ka- Olympics next year. high over the bar. Abdelaziz diri for a foul on Abdullah Issa. Fares, who is a junior world champion Hatem also attempted from Qatar SC’s Sardor Rashidov and a world silver medallist at the senior distance, but his low drive made a couple of forays after level, won the 96kg class at the Radisson raced marginally past the out- restart. The Uzbek hit the side Blu Hotel in Doha yesterday much to the side of the post. netting in the 49th minute and joy of Qatari fans at the venue. The second half was equally fumbled a chance in the 58th Fares beat Iranian competitors for his tight as Al Wakrah continued minute. At the other end, Har- gold medals, lifting 228kg in the clean and their impressive defensive baoui headed wide from close jerk and 404kg in total. performance ,but thought they with only goalkeeper Jassim “I am very happy and with my eff ort to- had fallen behind at the mid- al-Hail in front, after Abdullah day,” said Fares, who fi nished seventh at way point when Franck Kom Marafy sent a cross. the Rio Olympics as an 18-year-old. scored. Fortune was on their In the fi rst match of the day “I was very young when I took part in side as Kom’s excellent turn Al Sailiya defeated Umm Salal the fi rst Olympics but now I am experi- and shot in the penalty area 2-0 at the Qatar SC Stadium enced and much more confi dent. Hope- was disallowed when the ref- yesterday. fully I can win a medal in Tokyo next year,” eree spotted an infringement Meanwhile, Al Gharafa face added the 21-year-old. Iran’s Kianoush in the build-up. Al Sadd today. The kick-off Rostami fi nished second while his compa- In spite of a superb defensive is at 19:20 at the Al Gharafa triot Ali Miri was third. Rostami won the display from Al Wakrah, they Stadium. The battle between snatch title with 178kg. Miri’s best in the were unable to fi nish the job as two heavyweights highlights snatch was just 162kg. they came undone by a piece of the Week 11 action. That both Fares beat Rostami in all the three at- creative genius in the fi nal mo- teams are in the top four adds tempts in the clean and jerk to ensure his ments of the game. Al Rayyan spice to it. Not to mention the fi rst gold medal. While the Qatari recorded won a free-kick out wide on the star-studded line-ups! 213, 223 and 228kg, the Iranian hoisted 210, right side of the penalty area and, Al Gharafa are third with 220 and 225kg, which allowed Fares to win with perfect vision, Tabata de- 20 points (six wins, two draws the second gold with a diff erence of just ceived the defence by pulling the and as many defeats). The one kilo. ball back to Brahimi who curled Cheetah’s goal diff erence is +9 Azerbaijan’s Minkova Kastova Boyanka a marvelous right-footed strike (20 goals for and 11 against). made a clean sweep of all the three gold North Korean Choe Hyo Sim emerged attempt. The North Korean was second to Halder, who was fi fth in the snatch but did into the far corner of the goal. Reigning champions Al Sadd medals in the women’s 59kg class, Latvia’s the champion in the women’s 64kg cate- Bordignon in the snatch but won the re- well in the clean and jerk to fi nish second are placed fourth with 15 Rebeka Koha and Romania’s Irina Lacra- gory, totaling 229kg, eight kilos more than maining two sections to stamp her class. with 123kg, which helped her secure the QATAR SC 1 AL ARABI 1 points (fi ve wins and three de- miora Lepsa was third. second-placed Italian Giorgia Bordignon’s The bronze medal went to Indian Rakhi third spot in the total. Qatar SC and Al Arabi played feats with no draws).