NBA | Page 6 GOLF | Page 7 King James Spieth has To Advertise here Call: 444 11 300, 444 66 621 rules at come a long Kobe's fi nale way in short in Cleveland period

Friday, February 12, 2016 FOOTBALL Jumada I 3, 1437 AH Prince Ali says GULF TIMES FIFA politics aff ected fi xtures SPORT Page 10

FOOTBALL Zola says several Qatar clubs interested in Terry 'I believe the Qatari league is a league that wants to grow bigger so I believe there might be interest not only from Al Arabi but there might be interest from all the Qatari league

Al Arabi coach Gianfranco Zola (top) played alongside John Terry (L) at Chelsea years ago.

AFP “I believe the Qatari league is a peared for Chelsea more than 200 Doha league that wants to grow bigger times. so I believe there might be inter- Both players were in the squad est not only from Al Arabi but there which won the FA Cup in 2000 and ohn Terry is a “big name” might be interest from all the Qatari the side that secured a top four fi n- player who would attract in- league.” ish for Chelsea, coached by Claudio terest from several club sides Terry, 35, announced at the end Ranieri, in 2002/03. in Qatar, his former Chel- of January that he would leave the Press speculation has linked Terry seaJ teammate Gianfranco Zola said London club in the summer when to a big money move to Al Arabi, who yesterday. The Italian was speaking his contract expires, claiming there are fi fth in the Qatar Stars League, publicly for the fi rst time since his would be no “fairytale ending”. one place behind Al Sadd, the team current side—Al Arabi—was linked However, Chelsea have also held for which Xavi Hernandez plays. to the Chelsea following out some hope to the centre-half Qatar is eager to get more big Terry’s announcement last month that they may off er him a new deal names to play in its domestic league that he would leave the English “in the coming months”. in the run-up to the 2022 World Cup. champions at the end of the season. Terry is just three games away However, Zola, 49, warned it would But Zola said it would not only from playing his 700th match for not only be Qatari clubs after Terry. be his team in the Gulf who would Chelsea in a career stretching back “He’s been linked not only to Qa- want to sign the potential free agent to October 1998 when he made his tar, he’s been linked also to the MLS, Terry. debut against Aston Villa. to China.” And competing for top “When we talk about John Terry, In that time, Terry has won four names with the Chinese might prove we are talking about a big player, titles, fi ve FA Cups, tough, even for the Qataris. big name and I believe a player of three League Cups, the 2012 Cham- “It’s more diffi cult for any league this stature is not of interest only pions League and the 2013 Europa if there is a league like China which for the team, but also for the whole League. has invested so much money. It will league,” said Zola at a Doha press At the beginning of his career be more competition for Qatar, for conference. he played alongside Zola, who ap- leagues in Europe.”

PREVIEW Arabi expect strong reaction from Lekhwiya

By Sports Reporter Zola also noted that the game will high pressure, and I am confi dent we “This week we are playing a side “You only have to look at Al Khor who Doha give his side the chance to leapfrog Al can get a good result.” in a similar position to us. We have made limited changes in the winter, Sadd and get into the top four. “We Oliveria is taking care of the side not achieved a win in three matches and they have improved drastically. have spoken with the squad about our whilst head coach Djamel Belmadi now, and we need to win and change Whilst Al Gharafa have changed play- l Arabi boss Gianfranco Zola aim for the season. They know that serves a match ban, handed to him our way against Al Kharaitiyat,” he ers, and not won yet, it is important is expecting Lekhwiya to if we win we will put pressure on Al in the wake of his sending off against said that you strike a right balance with bounce back strongly from Sadd, which is important for the over- Sailiya in round 17. Despite the Red Talking about his current position your team. Hopefully we can archive their defeat to Al Sailiya all aims of the side.” Knights being without their coach on in the league Osim said; “Right now this against Al Ahli.” Awhen they clash in the Qatar Stars The Italian said he expected his side the pitch, Oliveria believes the sus- we are in 12th place and some would Ahli head coach Yousuf Adam ad- League today. to cope with the suspension of Ashkan pension will make little diff erence. say we are fi ghting for survival. This is mitted that facing Al Kharaitiyat will Lekhwiya, the defending champi- and Ali Jasmi. “Belmadi leads the team, but the a chance for my side to get a result and be a tougher challenge than facing Al ons, found their already slim hopes Zola concluded by giving an update squad is mature enough to win with- we will be looking to do that against Al Sadd in round 17. of retaining the title vanish after the on his team ahead of the Lekhwiya out him. I believe we have the confi - Ahli. “Our match this week will be a dif- shock 3-2 defeat by Al Sailiya al- game. “We will be without Ashkan dence to win, they know what is re- “Our team cannot sign big play- ferent challenge for us as we are play- lowed runaway leaders Al Rayyan to and Ali Jasmi for this match as they are quired of them. ers because of certain circumstances; ing a rival. In many ways we have had consolidate their advantage at the suspended. However we will fi nd ways Oliveria concluded the press con- some members of our squad have been to change our mentality and give our top. Al Rayyan now have 48 points to cover these players in our squad. ference to address the rumours around here for a long time. When developing best in order to archive a positive re- while third-placed Lekhwiya have The return of Paulinho to training will Youseff Msakni who has been linked a side you need to have patience, our sult. only 34. help us for this match.” with a number of sides in China. “Ru- side will emerge stronger and develop “The players have to prove them- “Lekhwiya are coming off the back Lehwiya’s assistant coach Bruno mours like this always chase big play- in the second half of the season” the selves again just like they did against of a loss to Al Sailiya, they will be look- Oliveira put on a brave face, saying his ers. Msakni is happy and Lekhwiya is Bosnian tactician remarked when Al Sadd. The match against Al ing to win again,” Zola, the former West side can return to winning ways af- happy with Youseff .” asked why his side was struggling this Kharaitiyat is one against a rival and Ham coach noted at his side’s pre-match ter their morale-shattering loss to Al Meanwhile, Al Kharaitiyat head coach season.” my squad has prepared well for this press conference yesterday morning. “I Sailiya. Amir Osim has stressed the importance Osim concluded his conference not- challenge.’ The Qatari coach respond- think we can build on the good perform- “We will face a good side his week, of his side’s match against Al Ahli in ing that changing professional players ed when asked about his sides 1-1 Lekhwiya coach Djamel Belmadi is ance we had against Al Gharafa.” but Lekhwiya is used to playing with round 18 of the Qatar Stars League. does not aff ect the mentality of teams. draw with Al Sadd. serving a one-match ban Gulf Times 2 Friday, February 12, 2016

ICC U19 WORLD CUP SPOTLIGHT Richards backs Windies set up title West Indies stars in World clash with India T20 dispute West Indies beat hosts Bangladesh by three in the semi-final AFP would miss all these Dubai guys.” Sammy claims that players have been off ered just $6,900 per match iv Richards (pic- in India with around $27,600 to be tured) yesterday threw made if a player features through- his support behind the out the tournament. West Indies squad who In their 2012 title winning areV locked in a bitter pay dispute campaign, however, the cap- which is threatening their partici- tain said payments ranged from pation in the World Twenty20. almost $60,000 to more than The West Indies Cricket Board $135,000. (WICB) could be forced to send a But WICB chief executive second string to the prestigious Michael Muirhead has refuted tournament in India next month claims that the contracts of- if the 15-man squad refuses to fered represent a fee reduction sign contracts before Sunday’s of as much as 80 percent from deadline. that obtained prior to the latest “In these modern times in- agreement. dividuals know exactly what is “Players were given an op- their worth and when you have portunity to discuss the new a tournament with Chris Gayle, structure and no concerns were Dwayne Bravo, Kieron Pollard raised at that time,” he noted in and Darren Sammy, all these are responding to Sammy and refer- great Twenty20 players,” Rich- ring to a negotiating process in ards told AFP. May of 2015 that also involved Sammy, the captain of the representatives from the Inter- team and the man who led the national Cricket Council and the West Indies to the 2012 World global players’ representative or- Twenty20 title, earlier this week ganisation FICA. wrote to the WICB asking them “It is disappointing that you to reconsider what he described would choose to question the as an 80 percent pay cut in play- terms now, on the eve of the ers’ fees for the tournament. WT20 in India.” It is the latest in a series of dis- Meanwhile, Richards, who is putes between the players and in the UAE as a mentor for the the WICB—in October 2014, the Quetta team in the Su- team abandoned their tour of In- per League, told AFP that he dia in another row over money. hopes the problem does not get Richards said that players out of hand. should be given contracts much “What I can see so far, and if more in advance. it’s true, the West Indies play- “What I believe is that some- ers are getting pay cuts. I believe times the problem is that the that at some point they may have board gives contracts too late to do some negotiations,” said and may be that doesn’t give the Richards. players time to digest what is “Governance has been a prob- good and what is not good and lem in the past. I guess if you they ask them to sign that imme- have good governance then you diately,” he claimed. wouldn’t have problems. West Indies great Richards “I, as a player, would sympa- said it will be a signifi cant loss if a thise with players because I know second-string team is sent to the what boards can be like, what World Twenty20, to be staged administrations can be like.” from March 8-April 3. Richards added that he was “I am hoping common sense happy to help the West Indies West Indies players celebrate after winning the ICC U19 World Cup semi-final against Bangladesh in Mirpur yesterday. (ICC) prevails, if everyone comes to team. a mutual understanding then I “I would like to be involved. I ICC nings with an 85-run stand for the sixth two wickets apiece. Added Hetmyer: “Credit to the bowl- think it will be okay. The World can bring the knowledge I have.” Mirpur, Bangladesh with Mohamed Saifuddin (36), Gidron Pope provided the West Indies ers for not allowing Bangladesh to run up after half the side had been dismissed a swashbuckling start by taking 14 of the a big score. It was a good wicket to bat on, for 113 runs. fi rst over bowled by Mehidy before rac- but we did well to keep them down to 226. he West Indies broke Bangladeshi The West Indies lost wickets regu- ing to 38 off 25 balls, which included fi ve “Springer was excellent as always. We hearts with a thrilling three- larly to keep Bangladesh in the hunt till fours and a six. lost quite a few wickets, but as long as wicket win over the host in Mir- Springer built on skipper Shimron Het- Hetmyer took 16 deliveries to get off Springer was out in the middle we knew pur yesterday to set up the title myer’s half-century to record a memora- the mark before making a 59-ball 60 to we had a great chance. Tclash with India in the ICC U19 Cricket ble victory. lift his team to 147 for three in the 28th “We are very excited about playing In- World Cup. Bangladesh, electing to bat on a misty over. dia in the fi nal. It will be a very good con- Shamar Springer followed his two for morning, lost openers Pinak Ghosh and West Indies moved to 177 for four, test.” 36 with an unbeaten 62, which steered Saif Hassan by the seventh over to make needing just 50 more runs in 13 overs, Mehidy rued the lack of runs by the the West Indies past Bangladesh’s 226 it 27 for two. It then slipped to 88 for when left-arm spinner Saleh Ahmed batsmen, but praised the team for giving all out with eight balls to spare in front of four after star batsman Nazmul Hossain turned the game around with two wickets the West Indies a good fi ght. thousands of dejected home fans. was dismissed for 11 and Joyraz Sheik in the 38th over. “It was a slow pitch, but 226 was not The West Indies, which had also fell for 35. Springer kept his end up and pun- enough,” the Bangladesh captain said. reached the fi nal when the tournament Mehidy hit seven boundaries in ished the loose balls before ending the “But I am happy with the way the team was staged in Bangladesh in 2004, will Saifuddin’s company before both the match with two consecutive boundaries fought till the end. Till the last boundary, meet an undefeated India for the title in batsmen fell off successive deliveries by through the covers off Saifuddin. we thought we could win it. Mirpur on Sunday, February 14. This will seamer Keemo Paul. “It’s a great feeling and an even better “We are disappointed that we could be the fi rst-ever fi nal between the two Mosabbek Hossain denied the bowler a feeling to be in the fi nal, a dream come not give our fans a win, but our biggest sides at the age-group level. hat-trick, but Paul fi nished with impres- true,” said Springer. “It was quite a chal- achievement was to reach the semi-fi nals Bangladesh skipper Mehidy Hasan sive fi gures of three for 20 from just three lenge out there, but I just backed myself for the fi rst time. We will still try to fi nish top-scored with 60, reviving the in- overs. Springer and Chemar Holder took to do well.” third in the tournament.” FOCUS BOTTOMLINE MCC to trial red cards, Month before tournament, WT20 problems mount sin-bins to tackle

AFP time round,” Ford told AFP. While the Delhi High Court indicated ibbean where a pay dispute shows little behaviour issues New Delhi “But the delay in ticket sales and the on Monday it was likely to give its green sign of being resolved before a February venue being undecided has really made it light, it also left open the possibility that 14 deadline for players to sign contracts hard for the fans to plan their travel.” it would not make a fi nal decision for drawn up by the West Indies board. Reuters “Whilst the majority of cricket torm clouds were gathering Tickets for other major sporting events nearly another three weeks. While it appears unlikely the West In- London is played in a competitive but fair yesterday over cricket’s World in 2016 such as the Rio Olympics in Au- “Twenty days is the maximum time dies will boycott the event, its credibil- spirit, there are some players, or Twenty20, with organisers still to gust and football’s European Champion- given, we will get things in order in 10 ity would take a major hit if stars such as even teams, whose behaviour release tickets or confi rm the ven- ships which take place in in June days,” Chetan Chauhan, vice-president Chris Gayle stay at home and are replaced ricketers could soon fi nd is below what is expected for ues,S less than a month before the tourna- went on sale months ago. of the Delhi and District Cricket Associa- by second-stringers. themselves removed cricket. ment begins in India. Thakur told reporters last Friday that tion, told AFP. The 2009 winners Pakistan have also from the ground or sin- “Indeed, fi ve matches in the Hundreds of thousands of supporters tickets would be released at the start of “We have already told the BCCI to start voiced concerns about security in India binned for 10 overs as UK had to be abandoned in 2015, are expected to attend the 16-team con- this week, a month before the fi rst match- the ticket sales. We have told them that while stopping short of threatening a Cthe sport’s lawmakers trial new following outbreaks of violence.” test which begins on March 8, the fi rst we are absolutely fi t to host the matches boycott. on-fi eld sanctions to address the Mirroring the red card in soc- time India has hosted the world cup for “Twenty days is the maximum time with all the approvals in place.” The South Asian arch rivals have not declining standards of player be- cer, a cricketer might be sent off the game’s newest and most popular for- given, we will get things in order played a bilateral series for more than haviour. for the rest of the match or retired mat. in 10 days,” DDCA vice president MYSTERY ‘PLAN B’ three years amid diplomatic tensions but The Marylebone Cricket Club out while batting for the most But with question marks over the pres- Chetan Chauhan said. “We have Nevertheless, the BCCI says it has drawn they are due to play each other on March (MCC), the guardian of the serious level-four off ences like ence of the West Indies and New Delhi already told the BCCI to start the up a Plan B without revealing which ven- 19 in the Himalayan town of Dharamsala. game’s laws, has invited leagues, threatening an umpire, physical yet to receive clearance to host matches, ticket sales. We have told them that ues might step in. Thakur said it was ultimately up to Pa- schools and MCC Universities in assaults and racist abuse. fans who need to secure fl ights, hotels we are absolutely fi t to host the But the problems have evoked unfor- kistan whether they decided to come to the United Kingdom to be part of The MCC has proposed 10 and even visas are still unable to fi rm up matches with all the approvals in tunate memories of the ODI World Cup India. the trial where umpires will be overs of sin-binning a player travel plans. place” in 2011 when Kolkata lost its right to host Memon acknowledged the delay to ticket empowered to impose on-the- for level-three off ences, such The offi cial line from the Indian board matches after furious fans had already sales was unhelpful but added that it would spot sanctions. as threatening and intimidating is that any glitches will be ironed out and es involving the tournament’s minnows. paid for their fl ights from England. be unfair to lay all the blame at the door of Match offi cials currently re- behaviour, racist comments and there is no cause for alarm. But that deadline came and went and Veteran sports writer Ayaz Memon the Indian board as it was an International port players or incidents to the a deliberate beamer. “Everything will be sorted out very organisers have set next Monday as their said the uncertainty over whether India’s Cricket Council (ICC) event. match referee at the end of day’s A fi ve-run penalty is the pro- soon,” Anurag Thakur, secretary of the new target, a month before India play capital was fi t to stage matches was “ago- No one from the ICC was available for play following which actions are posed sanction for lesser of- Board of Control for Cricket in India New Zealand in the fi rst heavyweight nising”. comment when contacted by AFP. taken. fences. (BCCI), told AFP. clash. “If Delhi loses its World Cup games “As far as the tournament is con- “There is clear evidence, both “The trials are part of a thor- But Paul Ford, co-founder of New Zea- The delay can be explained in part by then it is a big blow to the BCCI and a set- cerned, I hope that West Indies don’t anecdotally and through increased ough review of the Laws of land’s Beige Brigade fan club, said it was the uncertainty over whether New Del- back to the cricket administration in In- send a third-string team,” said Memon. reports via leagues, that the stand- Cricket being undertaken by the now simply too late for some fans. hi’s Firoz Shah Kotla stadium will receive dia... and that is not acceptable,” Memon “And I also hope that Pakistan don’t ards of player behaviour on the Club with a view to publishing a “We would have loved to travel to In- all the permits needed to stage its four told AFP. skip the event because that will take away cricket fi eld are declining world- new Code of the Laws in October dia as New Zealand have a good team this matches—including the fi rst semi-fi nal. Another crisis is brewing in the Car- the sheen from a world tournament.” wide,” the MCC said. 2017,” the MCC said. Gulf Times Friday, February 12, 2016 3 CRICKET

FOCUS PREVIEW / NZ VS AUS, 1ST TEST Moving ball to McCullum wants test Australian series win to go with technique in Wellington

Reuters and at times fear, in the minds of Wellington batsmen. ‘sweaty cap’ memory Hazlewood’s ability to swing the ball and Siddle’s to seam it off the wing and seam friendly pitch should create issues for New ‘I’ve been pretty strong about how I’ve gone about the style of cricket which I’ve conditions, a lack of truly Zealand but the Australians have scary Australian bowlers shown they are not immune to and New Zealand captain struggles with similar movement. tried to play throughout my career’ BrendonS McCullum’s retirement Last year at Trent Bridge, are all themes that will resonate Stuart Broad showed how badly when the fi rst Test gets under- they play the moving ball when way in Wellington today. he took 8-15 as England skittled The Basin Reserve wicket was the tourists for 60 in their fi rst heavily grassed just 48 hours out innings. from the toss and, even if bril- “We haven’t been good enough liant sunshine in New Zealand’s with the bat on wickets that have capital was expected to brown it been doing a bit in the last year or off , McCullum and Steve Smith so,” Smith said. are still likely to ask the opposi- “The wicket here looks like it tion to bat. might do a bit so we’ve got a bit Similarly-grassed pitches in to prove and we’ve got to adapt New Zealand in recent years have accordingly, a lot better than we not helped the fast bowlers as have in recent times.” much as expected, however, as New Zealand’s opening duo both captains noted yesterday. Tim Southee and Trent Boult “I think the wicket will dry out have the ability to swing and quicker than what you’d expect,” seam the ball and while they have McCullum said. “The fi rst two been down on pace this summer, days will be challenging for the recent outings have suggested batsmen ... (and) you have to just they are pushing it back into the hang in there and get a competi- 140kph plus range. tive score. That pace will be needed to try “It’s not going to be the 500 or and put pressure on an Austral- 600 but you just have to be com- ian side which is likely to retain petitive and then the third and the aggressive mindset that has fourth innings are where things characterised their batting in re- take shape.” cent years. Despite having won 29 of their Underpinning the entire se- 55 previous Tests against New ries is the fact McCullum will Zealand and taken the home retire after the second Test in encounter 2-0 last November, Christchurch. Australia are not overwhelming The fi rst match at the Basin favourites to win the series and Reserve will be his 100th Test, reclaim the number one ranking all of which have been played in . in succession since his debut in Their pace bowling unit of Pe- 2004. ter Siddle, Jackson Bird and new “I’m looking forward to these spearhead Josh Hazlewood lacks two Test matches,” McCullum the blistering speed of the two said. “It will be a great series, Mitchells, Starc and Johnson, two evenly matched teams. Not a both of whom created doubt, better way to go out really.”

New Zealand’s Martin Guptill (left) and Brendon McCullum get ready for their innnings during the third ODI against in Hamilton earlier this month. (AFP)

AFP opener said Thursday as he reminisced incentive to win the series as it will see “I’ve been pretty strong about how I’ve Wellington about his career which began in 2004 as them reclaim the top spot in the world gone about the style of cricket which I’ve a wicketkeeper-batsman. rankings from India. tried to play throughout my career,” he “It will be pretty special to be able to do “He’s been a terrifi c cricketer for New said. s much as Brendon McCullum it at home. Zealand for a long time now and anyone “That can have its knockers as well and looks back fondly on a stellar “It’s also nice to be able to have one of that plays 100 Tests that’s an incredible at the same time it can change a game career, more than anything he your last Tests and the 100th Test on such achievement, and hopefully we can make too so that’s one thing I’ll look back on wants to sign off with a series a special ground.” it a pretty average one for him. We want fondly as I was able to maintain that winA over Australia starting with the fi rst The Basin Reserve is where McCul- to win,” Smith said. even through times which were slightly Test in Wellington today. lum cracked his best Test score of 302 “We want to be number one in all for- averse.” The clash at the Basin Reserve is also against India two years ago to become mats of the game. That’s our goal.” For all the highs and lows of his career, his milestone 100th and he bows out of the only New Zealander to post a triple including a back injury that has dogged international cricket after the second and century. ‘SWEATY BLACK CAP’ him for the past six years, McCullum fi nal Test at Hagley Oval in Christchurch If true to form and he belts at least one In his 99 Tests so far McCullum has said that for him “the game’s always been next week. six at the Basin it will give him 101 in his scored 11 centuries, 31 fi fties and a total about the changing room afterwards, af- The last time New Zealand claimed a career and give him the outright Test of 6,273 runs (at an average of 38.48) in- ter you’ve been able to earn a Test win in “series” win over Australia was in a one- record which he currently shares on 100 cluding 751 fours to go with his 100 sixes. tough circumstances”. off Test, also at the Basin Reserve, 26 with now retired Australian Adam Gil- While recognised as one of the “You’ve got dirty whites and sweaty years ago when McCullum was only eight christ. game’s biggest hitters, McCullum ac- black caps and (to) be able to look back on years old. As much as Australia captain Steve knowledged that his desire to bludgeon hard work achieved, that’s what I got into “It will be nice to tick off a series win Smith admires McCullum for what he the bowling did not always pay off but the game for and that’s going to be the Australian captain Steve Smith admitted his team’s batting line-up has against Australia,” the swashbuckling has achieved, he said his side had added he had no regrets. last memory of the game as well.” not done well on wickets that “have been doing a bit”. (AFP)

PSL Peshawar, Quetta post contrasting victories

eshawar Zalmi survived Ravi up a mammoth 183 on the scoreboard. fourth wicket with his skipper. Bopara’s quickfi re knock to Zalmi got off to a fl ying start with Russell remained the most successful beat by three openers Mohamed Hafeez (59) and bowler for by claim- runs in a thrilling fi nish in Tamim Iqbal (37) amassing 86 runs ing three wickets. After dismissing PSharjah yesterday. in the fi rst ten overs. Wicket-keeper Luke Wright (fi ve) and Kevin Pietersen A calculated last over by West Indies Kamran Akmal, who came in to bat at (zero) off consecutive deliveries in the international Darren Sammy, which number three, scored 30 runs off 20 third over, he returned to send Shehzad yielded two wickets, including a run balls, hitting two sixes and as many back to the hut in the 10th over. out on the penultimate , left fours. But by the time Shehzad departed, Mohamed Amir at strike for the last Kings bowlers looked helpless as Zal- pressure was already off the Gladiators ball with a boundary required for vic- mi batters continued to press after their and they were sailing smoothly towards tory. Amir, however, couldn’t connect fi ne start. the victory. and Zalmi picked up the win. Both sides made a change each with Earlier, Gladiators took wickets at Bopara smashed 67 of 32 balls in an replacing left-arm pace- regular intervals to bowl out United for innings that included fi ve fours and man Junaid Khan for Zalmi while Nau- a meager 117 in 19.1 overs. Last match’s four sixes to help revive his team after man Anwar came back for Kings. star failed to impress they slumped to 48 for 5 in 8.5 overs. Hafeez, for his 35-ball 59 that in- against Gladiator’s slow pace attack. Bopara was accompanied by Sohail cluded seven fours and three sixes, re- He was dismissed for two by left-arm Tanvir (23) to establish a crucial 61-run ceived the Man of the Match award. spinner Zulfi qar Babar. partnership for the seventh wicket. Shane Watson, however, contin- Earlier, James Vince (44) had laid the SARFRAZ LEADS QUETTA TO ued his impressive run and smashed a foundation for Kings to chase the 183 COMFORTABLE VICTORY quick-fi re 40 off 28 balls. His innings set by Zalmi. None of the other Kings Skipper Sarfraz Ahmed led the charge included three fours and three sixes, batsmen succeeded in putting up a for as they chased but he was dismissed by Aizaz Cheema. show. Zalmi players kept it tight on down a 118-run target to down Islama- New Zealand international Grant El- the fi eld and grabbed three sharp op- bad United by seven wickets yesterday. liott, who was playing his fi rst match portunities to run out Nauman Anwar, Sarfraz, with his 39-ball 51, steadied for Gladiators, also chipped in by taking and Usama Mir (in the fi - the Gladiators ship, along with Ahmed three crucial wickets. nal over). Shehzad, who scored 41 off 31 deliver- After getting rid of United’s wicket- Zalmi’s pace spearhead ies, after United’s pace spearhead An- keeper batsman Brad Haddin and Sam took two wickets, whereas Shaun Tait, dre Russell had picked up two wickets Billings on consecutive deliveries, Elli- skipper , Mohamed As- in quick succession. ott returned to dismiss Kamran Ghulam ghar and Sammy claimed one wicket Shehzad and Sarfraz’s 59-run stand (nine). each. for the third wicket put things back into Haddin was by Gladiators After winning the toss and deciding Gladiators’ control. Mohamed Nawaz skipper Sarfraz on 15, whereas Billings to bat fi rst, Zalmi all-rounders Afridi came down to bat at number fi ve and was trapped leg before on two. Elliott’s and Sammy scored quick-fi re 17 and 18 scored an unbeaten 14 off 21 to establish bowling fi gures read 4-0-25-3 and he Peshawar Zalmi’s Mohamed Hafeez scored a quickfire half century against Karachi Kings during their runs respectively to help their side put a match-winning 45-run stand for the was declared the Man of the Match. match in Sharjah yesterday. (PCB) Gulf Times 4 Friday, February 12, 2016 RUGBY

SHAKE-UP UNFAZED France make Jones praise, crowd won’t six changes for cow Canna

AFP diff erent team to show up. De- spite off ering praise to England centre and fel- low fl y-half George Ford, he taly fl y-half Carlo Canna in- has called on to make the sists he won’t be cowed by necessary adjustments to stop game praise from Eddie Jones, or Jones’s men in their tracks. the crowd, “The France game is over, we whenI the Azzurri host England paid a small price for our inex- ‘In modern rugby, there is no starter or replacements. It’s more of a relay’ looking to cause a Six Nations perience and that made the dif- upset on Sunday. ference to the fi nal score. Now Until last year, Canna was we’re working hard to give Eng- plying his trade with second di- land some food for thought,” vision side Fiamme Oro before added Canna. making a career-defi ning switch “For me, the choice of Jones to to Pro 12 outfi t . deploy Ford and Farrell together France’s national team captain On his Six Nations debut in was really interesting. They’re answers questions at a last week, the 23-year- both great players and respec- press conference in Marcoussis, south of old was one of the highlights tively make huge contributions Paris, yesterday. of an Azzurri side that left the to the squad. They are two play- largely satisfi ed ers we need to watch. in spite of a 23-21 defeat to the “We’re facing a totally dif- hosts. ferent team from last week: one He scored one of Italy’s two that, in the fi rst two phases, we’ll tries, made the conversion and try to use the pack to push the fi nished the game with a penalty team forward and open up the and a drop goal to his name as game. Jacques Brunel’s new-look Italy “We have to be solid in the came close to causing a major tackles, much more than we upset. were against France.” It prompted praise from new In August last year Canna England coach Jones, but Canna became the fi rst Fiamme Oro is not overly impressed: “It’s player in 29 years, and the team’s nice to receive compliments fi rst since current team manager but maybe the tactic of (Eddie) Luigi Troiani, to pull on the Az- Jones is to put me under pressure zurri shirt. He may be used to ahead of Sunday’s match. much smaller crowds, but Italy’s “More than the points I scored newest fl y half star is perfectly or the compliments I received, at one with the prospect of his I’m thinking about the two kicks Stadio Olimpico debut in the Six and the penalty I missed: in my Nations. position, that’s unacceptable.” “Of course I will be emotional, England travel to Rome look- but not too much. Until a year ing to build on the back of a bat- ago I was playing in the Eccel- tling 15-9 victory over Scotland lenza (second tier) league in at Murrayfi eld. front of much smaller crowds,” Canna expects a completely he said.

CONFIDENT England set out to ‘smack’ Italy in Rome

Reuters being dropped last year for disci- Rome plinary reasons following a bril- liant start. “You know that he’s a real Reuters “In modern rugby, there is no starter kicked a long-range winning penalty “He has been working very well in the ones made a winning start threat from the fact he’s thrived Paris or replacements. It’s more of a relay. It’s with fi ve minutes left. past two weeks, his behaviour has been as England coach when his in Sevens,” Ireland’s Dave Kear- not a sanction. Of course the players are “We have to show the whole squad beyond reproach,” said Noves. side produced an eff ective, ney said of Vakatawa. “Give evaluated but we also want to see the that we trust them,” Noves added. Team: if unspectacular, display to someone like that space and they rance manager Guy Noves has players in the squad play,” Noves told a The former Toulouse coach, who took defeatJ Scotland 15-9 at Murray- cause you trouble.” 1-Jeff erson Poirot, 2-Guilhem Guirado made six changes for tomor- news conference yesterday. over from Philippe Saint-Andre after (captain), 3-, 4-Alexandre fi eld last weekend. Holders Ireland, who drew row’s Six Nations match at home New-look France, in Noves’ fi rst last year’s World Cup, said he did not Flanquart, 5-, 6-Wenc- England will expect to beat 16-16 with in , to Ireland as Les Bleus look to match in charge, rallied from 18-10 know who would be his goal kicker af- eslas Lauret, 7-, Italy in Rome with Jones set to have made three changes with tightenF up their defence after scrap- down to edge Italy 23-21 at the Stade de ter Bezy missed three attempts against make some changes with the brothers Dave and 8-, 9-Sebastien Bezy, ing a win over Italy in their tournament France tomorrow. Italy. 10-, 11-, Australian wanting more fl eet- and Sean O’Brien called into the opener. “Against Italy we were not up to in- “They will decide between them. It’s 12-Jonathan Danty, 13-MaximeMermoz, footed forwards to take the game team. Props Jeff erson Poirot and Uini Ato- ternational standards in defence,” said not because Bezy missed three that he 14-Teddy Thomas, 15-Maxime Medard to the Azzurri. Wales, who clawed back a nio, lock , fl anker Noves. has become a bad player. He’s got tal- Replacements: “We’ll pick the best 23 for It- 13-point fi rst-half defi cit against Yacouba Camara, centre Maxime Mer- “Ireland are very good at keeping the ent.” Noves added more fi re to his back- 16-, 17-, aly, so we could conceivably pick the Irish, will be expected to pre- moz and wing Teddy Thomas come in ball, they are defence crushers.” line by naming Thomas, who made a 18-, 19-Paul Jedrasiak, a faster pack,” Jones said when vail at home on Saturday against for Eddy Ben Arous, Rabah Slimani, Paul Scrumhalf Sebastien Bezy, who made scintillating debut with France last year 20-, 21-Maxime Machen- asked whether he would reshuf- Scotland who are on an eight- Jedrasiak, , Gael Fickou his debut against the Italians, will again before being snubbed by Saint-Andre aud, 22-Jean-Marc Doussain, 23-Hugo fl e a team who gave away several game losing streak in the Six Na- and Hugo Bonneval. start alongside fl yhalf Jules Plisson who for disciplinary reasons. Bonneval breakdown penalties in the fi rst tions. half against Scotland. Flyhalf Dan Biggar is fi t enough Forwards and to play in an unchanged Wales BOTTOMLINE , along with team after recovering from an scrumhalf , are likely ankle sprain while Scotland made to replace Joe Marler, Joe Launch- one change with Duncan Taylor bury and Danny Care when Jones replacing injured centre Matt names his team on Friday. Scott. “We want to go to Rome and Johnny Sexton, Sean smack Italy,” said Jones. O’Brien and Rob Kearney have all Biggar in unchanged Wales Like England, new-look France been passed fi t and were named also made a winning start with a on Thursday in Ireland’s team to new coach at the helm although face France in the Six Nations in they were far from impressive Paris. in scraping a 23-21 win at home The defending champions are team for Scotland clash over Italy. The French, indepted struggling with a spate of inju- ing their run to the World Cup Scots have not won in the Welsh to Jules Plisson’s late long-range ries so news of this trio’s inclu- AFP quarter-fi nals in October and has capital since a 27-22 victory in penalty to get them over the line sion for Saturday’s trip to the become a vital component for 2002. against the Italians, on Saturday Stade de France will have come Gatland. Welsh Grand Slam and Triple host an Ireland side who they as a welcome boost for coach Joe Gatland has again picked cap- Crown hopes were nixed by the have not won against since 2011. Schmidt. ly-half Dan Biggar was tain at blindside draw at the , but With his own number eight Both fl anker O’Brien and full- yesterday named in an fl anker, while con- they remain strong candidates Louis Picamoles ruled out in- back Kearney missed last week- unchanged Wales team tinues at number seven. for the title, with three of their jured, Noves has made six chang- end’s opening 16-16 home draw for tomorrow’s Six Na- Jonathan Davies will win his remaining four matches at home. es as Les Bleus look to tighten with Wales in which Sexton tionsF clash with Scotland in Car- 50th cap and lines up alongside Wales team (15-1) announced their defence against Ireland who picked up a shoulder knock. diff after overcoming an ankle at centre for the yesterday for tomorrow’s Six Na- beat them 24-9 in the pool phase O’Brien completes a back row injury. 41st time in Tests, with Ans- tions match against Scotland at at the World Cup in October. containing CJ Stander and Jamie A sprained ankle forced Big- combe off ering cover across the Cardiff ’s Principality Stadium “Against Italy we were not up Heaslip, with Tommy O’Donnell gar to hobble off during the rstfi back division from the bench. (1650 GMT kick-off ): to international standards in de- replacing on the half of last weekend’s 16-16 draw “It’s great to see Jonathan Liam Williams; , fence,” said Noves, who has kept bench. with Ireland in Dublin, which saw reach his 50th cap and continue Jonathan Davies, Jamie Roberts, faith in his novice halfback pair- Kearney’s younger brother Rhys Priestland take his place. his impressive international Tom James; Dan Biggar, Gareth ing of Sebastien Bezy and Jules Dave comes in on the left wing But the number 10 is partnership with Jamie in the Davies; , Justin Plisson. “Ireland are very good at instead of , who along fi t enough to retain his place in midfi eld,” Gatland added. Tipuric, Sam Warburton (capt); keeping the ball, they are defence with Munster fl yer ’s starting XV, “We were impressed with the , Luke Charteris; crushers.” miss the trip to Paris. with the fi t-again Gareth Ans- impact from the bench last week Samson Lee, Scott Baldwin, Rob France will look to outspeed Zebo has failed to recover from combe replacing and that will be just as vital this Evans the Ireland defence with their a knee problem while Earls was among the replacements in the play,” head coach Gatland said whilst we will be asking a little weekend in what is going to be a Replacements: Ken Owens, talented wingers Virimi Vakata- unable to recover from suspected only change to the match squad. in a Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) more of some of the players as tough battle.” , Tomas Francis, wa and Teddy Thomas. Sevens concussion. “They got through “It’s great to be able to name press release. well.” Wales have beaten Scotland in Bradley Davies, , stalwart Vakatawa scored a try training and at the same time we an unchanged side, with Dan “It’s a reward for some players Biggar was one of Wales’s eight successive Tests since Gat- Lloyd Williams, Rhys Priestland, on his debut against Italy while just felt they weren’t 100 per cent coming through, fi t and ready to who put in a great shift in Dublin stand-out performers dur- land took charge in 2008 and the Gareth Anscombe. Thomas is back in the team after fi t. We just felt it was a risk.” Gulf Times Friday, February 12, 2016 5 SPORT

TENNIS SPOTLIGHT Coe ‘won’t accept’ Nestle split with Troicki to meet scandal-hit IAAF

AFP the IAAF in a statement. London “This has been a success- ful programme with 15 million kids aged seven to 12 years in orld athletics chief 76 countries taking part in fun Mahut in quarters Sebastian Coe team activities which promotes angrily hit back at a healthy, active lifestyle. Nestle’s move to “In 2016 IAAF Kids’ Athletics ‘I’m happy with this win. I was fortunate to win it in two sets’ Wterminate its sponsorship of the plans to reach a further 15 coun- scandal-hit IAAF, insisting he tries, training 360 lecturers, in- will not accept the decision. structing 8,640 physical educa- Nestle, the world’s larg- tion teachers, with three million est food company, became in children participating by the end VIKTOR TROICKI 2012 the main sponsor of a pro- of the activation.” gramme aimed at promoting Separately, Coe has faced athletics for youths worldwide. criticism following Russia’s ban It was reported to be worth $1 from the sport for what a com- million a year. mission of the World Anti-Dop- “Angered and dismayed by to- ing Agency’s (WADA) described day’s kids’ athletics announce- as “state-sponsored” doping. ment. We will not accept it. It’s WADA’s report claimed that the kids who will suff er,” said In- the IAAF governing council ternational Association of Ath- must have known about corrup- letics Federations (IAAF) presi- tion orchestrated by Diack, and dent Coe in a brief statement. about doping in Russia. Nestle said they were con- Since the scandals broke, Coe cerned over fears that the cor- has been travelling the globe, ruption and doping scandals notably in Asia, where he has surrounding the sport could sought to shore up support for damage the company’s reputa- IAAF, hoping to ease the con- tion. cerns of corporate backers weary “I confi rm that we have de- of being tied to a tainted organi- cided to end our partnership sation. with the IAAF Kids Athletics Speaking in Tokyo on Monday, programme with immediate ef- Coe, who won back-to-back Ol- fect,” Nestle spokeswoman Lydia ympic 1,500 metres gold med- Meziani told AFP in an email. als at the 1980 and 1984 Games, “This decision was taken in said “the journey back to trust is light of negative publicity asso- one of an uncertain length, but ciated with allegations of cor- we have to make changes.” ruption and doping in sport Nestle said it had informed made against the IAAF,” she the IAAF of its decision and added. would “await a formal acknowl- Meziani said Nestle decided edgement from them that our to “terminate (its) existing rela- partnership has ended”. tionship with the IAAF” because The defection of Switzerland- a continued partnership “could based Nestle as a sponsor came negatively impact our reputation after the IAAF admitted last and image.” month that it was battling to re- The IAAF is facing crises on tain corporate backing, amid re- multiple fronts, including wide- ports that Adidas was also walk- spread allegations of corruption ing away. AFP in the Netherlands, claiming the Ros- level the set at 5-5. and bribery under disgraced The deal with the German Rotterdam malen summer grass event in 2013 and Nishikori responded by breaking former boss Lamine Diack. sportswear giant signed in 2008 2015. Harrison again in the next game and Former World No 1 Henin Before Coe’s tough-talking and reportedly worth tens of “I’m happy with this win,” Mahut, holding at love to claim the victory after to coach Svitolina reaction to Nestle’s decision, millions of dollars was due to run iktor Troicki is one win away now 5-4 on the season, said. “I was for- 81 minutes. the world body had been keen to until 2019. from equalling his best per- tunate to win it in two sets. Left-hander Nishioka downed Former world number one Justine Henin stress the benefi ts of its partner- Independent investigations formance at the ABN AMRO “I had so many opportunities but he Ukraine’s Illya Marchenko 6-1, 6-3 to of Belgium is set to serve as a coaching ship with Nestle. have found that corruption was World Tennis Tournament was serving too well. I had one more book a quarter-fi nal match against US consultant to Ukraine’s top player Elina “The IAAF is in discussion embedded in the IAAF during Vafter knocking out Hyeon Chung, one chance at set point in the fi rst and I took fourth seed Sam Querrey, who elimi- with Nestle concerning the fi nal the tenure of Diack, a Senegalese Svitolina, local media reported yesterday. of four teenagers in the Top 100 of the it. I had a good rhythm, I’m pleased with nated Swiss qualifi er Henri Laaksonen “I’m very happy that Justine will join our year of its fi ve-year partnership national now facing criminal Emirates ATP Rankings, 7-6(5), 6-2 in this one.” 6-3, 6-4. team,” Ukrainian sports website www.ten- with IAAF Kids’ Athletics,” said charges in France. 90 minutes to maintain his early season Chardy was playing Rotterdam for Kukushkin advanced by ousting US nis.sport.ua quoted Svitolina, 21, as saying. form. the second time after winning a round fi fth seed Denis Kudla 6-1, 7-5, winning The contract of the 33-year-old Belgian The two-time Sydney champion, in 2015. The number 28 stands 6-4 in 22 of 30 points off the American’s sec- says that she will act as a special consult- who also fi nished runner-up to Roberto 2016. ond serve. ant to Svitolina, currently ranked 21st in Bautista Agut in last week’s Sofi a fi nal, the world. now goes on to meet the oldest player in Top seed Nishikori, qualifier Erratic Venus into Taiwan “It’s too early to say anything for the mo- the draw, 34-year-old Nicolas Mahut. Nishioka advance quarter-finals ment as we have plenty of work to do,” Troicki is hoping to better his 2011 run Three-time defending champion Venus Williams beat Poland’s Urszula Svitolina said. to the Rotterdam semi-fi nals (l. to Sod- Kei Nishikori and Japanese compatriot Radwanska 6-4, 6-2 to set up a Taiwan “I need to be completely focused on my erling). Yoshihito Nishioka, a 130th-ranked Open quarter-fi nal against Anastasija practices and matches as every slight Mahut overcame fellow Frenchman qualifi er, advanced to the quarter-fi - Sevastova, despite not hitting top form detail is very important at this level.” Jeremy Chardy 7-5, 6-2 in their fourth nals of the ATP Memphis Open with on Thursday. Henin will accompany the Ukrainian meeting. straight-sets triumphs. The top seed was broken in each set player to some of her tournaments, the The 34-year-old Mahut who has Top seed Nishikori defeated 124th- but she still had too much for Radwan- first of which is coming up next week in played four matches this week at the ranked Ryan Harrison 6-2, 7-5 to book ska, ranked 101 places lower at 113th in Dubai. Ahoy stadium, will be competing in his a last-eight date against Kazakstan’s the world, as she went through in 86 Svitolina studied at Henin’s tennis second quarter-fi nal of the season after Mikhail Kukushkin in the indoor hard- minutes. The seven-time Grand Slam academy in Belgium and practised under advancing into the top eight last month court tournament. winner, 35, sent down two double faults Henin’s supervision in Abu Dhabi ahead of in Sydney, where he lost to Troicki. Seventh-ranked Nishikori beat and only landed 48 percent of her fi rst this season’s start. A repeat of that match could be on the the American in the second round at serves in the fi rst set but reached her She noted that her co-operation with Henin Rotterdam programme if eighth seed Memphis for the second year in a row. debut quarter-fi nal of 2016. — who won seven Grand Slam singles titles Troicki defeats South Korean Hyeon Nishikori also won their only other pri- Next up for Williams is a fi rst career and a gold medal at the Athens Olympics in Chung later. Mahut, the ATP number or meeting last year at Indian Wells. meeting with Latvia’s Sevastova, also 2004 — had been very helpful. 54, had not defeated Chardy in any of Nishikori served for the match in the ranked outside the top 100 at 103, as she This season Svitolina, who has won their three previous meetings. Mahut 10th game of the second set but Har- eyes her 49th tournament victory. three WTA titles during her career so far, advanced in just under 90 minutes, rison denied him on four match points Local hope Hsieh Su-wei beat Mandy reached the final of the Hopman Cup overcoming nine Chrady aces and sav- and forced the fi rst break points the Minella 6-4, 4-6, 6-2 to join Williams tournament in Perth, Australia last month, ing all of the seven break points he faced. Asian star faced in the match, fi nally in the last eight alongside fellow seed along with Alexandr Dolgopolov. The Frenchman has a winning history cracking his serve on his fi fth chance to Misaki Do.

ATHLETICS Kenya doping bribe claims by banned runners

AFP claims, while Athletics Kenya ethics Commission for alleged Nairobi said the claims were “spurious Francisca Koki (R) and corruption and covering up dop- but also farfetched”, and that the Joyce Zakari ing. process of their ban was a proc- The IAAF Ethics Commis- op Kenyan athlete Fran- ess “beyond any individual ma- sion has appointed a Kenyan cisca Koki, suspended for nipulation”. lawyer, Sharad Rao, to carry out doping, said she and fel- Both Koki and Zakari were investigations on the three of- low runner Joyce Zakari each given a four-year ban af- fi cials. The IAAF confi rmed last wereT asked to pay nearly $50,000 ter being found guilty of using a November that ex-AK vice- in bribes to the national athletics prohibited substance, Furosem- president Okeyo had been under federation chief to help the case. ide, in Beijing in August 2015. investigation by Kenyan police Sprinters Koki and Zakari, Koki, a 400m hurdler, said she over allegations of doping cover- suspended for doping violations and Zakari were asked for cash ups. at the Beijing World Champion- in October, a month before their A German broadcaster had al- ships, claimed Athletics Kenya suspension. leged that Kenya offi cials were chief executive offi cer Isaac extorting money from athletes Mwangi asked them for the bribe Athletics source of pride and coaches to cover ups failed but they were unable to pay. “We thought it was unfair for IAAF offi cials on the matter. route of maligning individuals After the pair tested positive Other runners claim they drug tests, in return for lenient “The two of us were asked an offi cial to ask for money from Mwangi said he had spoken to and the federation, by making in Beijing, Kenya’s Deputy Presi- have also been asked for cash to doping bans. to give 2.5 million shillings us, especially when we were in both Koki and Zakari, but dis- false allegations with the aim of dent William Ruto announced shorten their ban. Family of a Kenya, which is placed near ($24,000, 21,000 euros) each such a kind of a desperate situ- missed their claims he had asked causing damage to them,” AK plans to criminalise doping. former top runner who has also the bottom of Transparency In- by the Athletics Kenya’s Isaac ation after we had been kept in for a bribe. added. been banned said the athlete was ternational’s annual corruption Mwangi,” Koki told AFP. suspense for a long time before “It is not true that I asked for The success of Kenya at Bei- ‘Such a big amount’ asked for “such a big amount”, index, coming in 145th out of 174, “We could not aff ord such a the four-year suspension was money from them,” Mwangi in- jing — topping the medals ta- Many in Kenya fear doping is too much for them to pay. has long been blighted by graft. big sum of money... for me I have imposed on us,” Koki said. sisted to AFP. ble for the first time since the rife among their top class run- In December, three top Ath- In November, a dozen foreign never even seen such an amount. “We are crying for our case Athletics Kenya added in a championships started in 1983, ners, who have been the source letics Kenya offi cials including diplomats representing Kenya’s I just started running recently to be heard, because we believe statement that the athletes had taking seven golds, six silvers of enormous national pride. president Isaiah Kiplagat, dep- biggest donors criticised its fail- and I have not been able to make many other athletes have been been “entitled to appeal” their and three bronze medals—was More than 40 Kenyan athletes uty president David Okeyo and ure to tackle the corruption “cri- much money.” faced with the same dilemma.” ban but did not. “They have tarnished after Koki and Zakari have been suspended for doping former treasurer Joseph Kinyua sis” and threatened to impose Mwangi has denied the She said she had spoken to instead opted to take an easier failed drugs tests. in the past two years. were suspended by the IAAF travel bans on wrongdoers. Gulf Times 6 Friday, February 12, 2016 NBA

ROUND-UP SPOTLIGHT Portland’s Lillard added to US King James rules Olympic candidates at Kobe Bryant’s Cleveland fi nale Bryant and James have always had a mutual respect. Lakers legend Bryant revealed before Wednesday’s match that the two players were closer than many fans realised

Agencies Los Angeles

eBron James spoiled Kobe Bry- ant’s Cleveland fi nale on Wednes- day as the Cavaliers cruised past the Los Angeles Lakers in a vic- Ltory overshadowed by an injury to Kevin Love. Trailblazers’ Damian Lillard. Kyrie Irving scored 35 points and James added 29 as the Cavs romped home 120- AFP be considered for the US Olym- 111 against the Lakers, before the Cleve- Portland pic Team,” said US national team land fans bade a fond farewell to the retir- managing director Jerry Colangelo. ing Bryant. US Olympic coach Mike Krzyze- Bryant fi nished with 17 points and six ortland Trail Blazers guard wski was fi ne with the move, Lil- rebounds while shooting just fi ve of 16 Damian Lillard, having a lard having been a fi nalist for the for the Lakers. stellar NBA season with Basketball World Cup squad two However, the Cavaliers victory was career highs in scoring and years ago. marred by an alarming injury to Love, assists,P was named Wednesday to “Both Mike and I feel like Dam- who left the game in the fi nal minute of the fi nalist roster for the US Olym- ian is playing at a very high level the second quarter after a tangle with pic team. and that he should be added to our Bryant. USA Basketball announced the list of Olympic fi nalists,” Colangelo Love yelled out in pain after Bryant’s move, approved by its board of said. arm appeared to catch his shoulder. It directors, that adds another tal- The two-time defending Ol- was the same left shoulder which saw ented playmaker to a candidates ympic champions will try to add Love sidelined for six months after sur- list that already includes reigning to their golden haul next August gery last year. NBA Most Valuable Player Stephen in Rio de Janeiro. Australia, China, A Cavaliers source said the injury did Curry and four-time NBA MVP Spain, Lithuania, Nigeria, Argen- not appear to be as serious as the previ- LeBron James. tina, Venezuela and Brazil plus ous shoulder problem and that Love had Lillard, in his fourth NBA cam- three winners of qualifying events left the match out of an abundance of paign, is averaging 24.2 points, in July will try to dethrone the NBA caution. sixth in the NBA, and 7.3 assists, superstar squad. Bryant meanwhile shared an embrace seventh in the league, as well as 4.4 Also among 30 previously an- with James as he left the court for the fi - rebounds a contest. He’s connect- nounced fi nalists are New York’s nal time with one minute left on the clock ing on 41.8 percent of shots from Carmelo Anthony, San Antonio’s as the Cavaliers support rose in a stand- the fl oor, 36.2 from 3-point range LaMarcus Aldridge, Chicago’s ing ovation. and 86.5 percent from the free Jimmy Butler, Oklahoma City’s Bryant and James have always had a throw line. Kevin Durant and Russell West- mutual respect. Lakers legend Bryant “I recently received a call from brook, Cleveland’s Kyrie Irving revealed before Wednesday’s match that Damian, and during our conver- and Kevin Love and Houston’s the two players were closer than many sation he expressed his desire to James Harden. fans realised. “We’ve been close. We talk on the phone probably more than people know,” Wife of Thunder assistant coach dies in car crash said Bryant, who announced in Novem- ber that he would retire at the end of this Oklahoma: The wife of Okla- news of Ingrid’s passing,” the season. homa City Thunder assistant Thunder said in a statement. “We talk about the game, we talk about coach Monty Williams died on Monty Williams is a former NBA diff erent strategies that center around Wednesday following a car player and well-regarded coach the game. We talk about diff erent things accident the night before, the around the league who is an off the court. Business related, players NBA said. assistant for the USA Basketball association related. We speak, there is The crash took place in the program. much more communication than people Oklahoma City area and Ingrid He joined Oklahoma City’s staff want to (believe).” Williams, 44, succumbed to the this season after serving as Bryant and James will have one more injuries on Wednesday. head coach of the New Orleans encounter when the Cavaliers face the “The Thunder organisation has Pelicans the preceding five Lakers at the Staples Center in Los Ange- heavy hearts tonight with the years. les next month. Between them they have combined to play in the last nine NBA fi nals, although oddly they have never faced each other PUNISHMENT in competition for basketball’s biggest prize. There is no chance of that changing in Bryant’s farewell season, with the Lakers Clippers suspend having the worst record in the Western Conference, a miserable 11-44 for the season. Griffi n four games for Only the Philadelphia 76ers (8-45) have a worse record. The Cavaliers im- proved to 38-14 with Wednesday’s win. punching incident Meanwhile, the Golden State War- riors stretched their winning streak to 11 Reuters games to improve to 48-4 for the sea- Los Angeles to get back to work with his team- son with a comfortable 112-104 victory LeBron James of the Cleveland Cavaliers guards Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers during the mates, the organisation and Clip- against the Phoenix Suns. second half of their game at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland on Wednesday. per Nation which starts immedi- Once again Steph Curry top-scored for he Los Angeles Clippers ately with rehab, appearances and the reigning NBA Finals champions, chip- have suspended forward attendance at games.” ping in with 26 points, just ahead of team- sparking Celtics (32-23) over the Clippers Toronto Raptors 112: Karl-Anthony tons 93: Reserve Will Barton scored 15 of Blake Griffi n four games The Clippers, who revealed that mate Klay Thompson with 24 points. for their fi fth win in six games. Towns had 35 points with 11 rebounds, his 20 points in the fi nal quarter, and the and will withhold his the NBA assisted them in setting The Memphis Grizzlies bounced back Chris Paul had 35 points and 13 assists Andrew Wiggins netted half his 26 in the visiting Nuggets (22-32) dropped the injury- payT for an additional contest for Griffi n’s punishment, also said from the disappointment of losing star while J.J. Redick netted 27 for the Clip- fi nal quarter, and the Timberwolves (17- depleted Pistons (27-27), who were without punching an equipment manager they will donate the salary from center Marc Gasol to a broken foot to pers (35-18), who had won 12 of their pre- 37) stormed from 18 down to hand the ailing starters Ersan Ilyasova Reggie Jackson last month, the NBA team said on the fi ve games Griffi n will miss to dominate Brooklyn in a 109-90 victory. vious 14 road games. visiting Raptors (35-17) just their second and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope. Wednesday. charities focused on disadvan- The Grizzlies were left reeling on zAtlanta Hawks 113, Chicago loss in the last 16 games. zMemphis Grizzlies 109, Brooklyn The Clippers said the Jan. 23 taged youth in Los Angeles. Tuesday after it was confi rmed Gasol Bulls 90: Germany’s Dennis Schroder DeMar DeRozan topped Toronto (35- Nets 90: Mike Conley scored 20 points, incident in Toronto, which left the At his request, the team also faces a long layoff —possibly the remain- 18 points and the visiting Hawks (31-24) 17) with 35 points. Jeff Green added 12 of his 18 in the piv- fi ve-time All-Star with a broken said Blake, who was selected by der of the season—after fracturing his used a decisive 38-25 third-quarter blitz zNew Orleans 100, Utah Jazz 96: otal 39-18 third-quarter, and the visiting hand and was expected to keep the Clippers with the fi rst overall right foot. to hand the short-handed Bulls their Anthony Davis scored 19 points, includ- Grizzlies (31-22) blasted the Nets (14-40) him sidelined four to six weeks, pick in the 2009 NBA Draft, re- However they shrugged off that set- fourth straight loss. ing the go-ahead basket and triple in in their fi rst game since losing Spaniard has no place in its organisation. quested to spend time with the back to ease past the Nets for a morale- Spaniard Pau Gasol had 20 points and the fi nal minute, as the Pelicans (20-32) Marc Gasol to a broken right foot. “Blake is remorseful and has charities. boosting victory as they prepare for the 10 rebounds for Chicago (27-25), which snapped the visiting Jazz’ season-high zSacramento Kings 114, Phila- apologised for his actions,” the Griffi n, 26, is averaging 23.2 All-Star Game season break. was playing without injured All-Star seven-game success despite Derrick Fa- delphia 110: DeMarcus Cousins had 28 Clippers owner Steve Ballmer and points and 8.7 rebounds per game “It was just a really good feeling be- Jimmy Butler (knee). vors’ 29-point eff ort. points with 12 rebounds, Darren Colli- head coach Doc Rivers said in a this season but has not played cause it has not been a fun 36 hours for us zMinnesota Timberwolves 117, zDenver Nuggets 103, Detroit Pis- son netted 25, including two game-free joint statement. since Christmas Day because of a with the news about Marc,” coach Dave throws with 8.1 seconds left, as the visit- “He understands his actions partially torn left quadriceps ten- Joerger said. ing Kings (22-31) rallied from 17 down in have consequences, and is eager don. “Yesterday was kind of shock. Today it Scuffl e makes defeat worse for Suns the third quarter to beat the Sixers and kind of set in. So now we can go into the stop a four-game slide. break, get some mental rest and some Phoenix: The Phoenix Suns’ broke up the dust-up, but they could Robert Covington scored a career- physical rest and have a plan of what season took another fractious turn do little to halt their freefall. high 29 points for the league-worst Six- we’re going to do.” on Wednesday when team mates The Suns (14-40) lost to the Warriors ers (8-45). Grizzlies guard Tony Allen said the loss Markieff Morris and Archie Goodwin 112-104 for their ninth straight defeat zCharlotte Hornets 117, Indiana of Gasol had hit the side hard. got into a shoving match during the as they sank further down the West- Pacers 95: Kemba Walker had 25 points, “He’s a former defensive player of the team’s loss to the Golden State War- ern Conference. and the visiting Hornets (27-26) won year, a franchise player. To see him go riors. Phoenix fired coach Jeff Hornacek their third in a row while handing Pacers down is devastating,” he said. A heated conversation turned physi- last week and promoted assistant Earl (28-25) their worst loss of the season. cal between the two players during a Watson to interim head coach. zPortland Trail Blazers 116, Hou- Elsewhere: first-quarter timeout as Morris stood Wednesday’s incident is not the first ston Rockets 103: Damian Lillard had zBoston Celtics 139, LA Clippers over a seated Goodwin who then internal conflict for Morris who was 33 points and nine assists, and the host 134 (OT): Isaiah Thomas had 36 points leapt up from the bench. suspended two games in December Trail Blazers (27-27) trimmed the Rockets with 11 assists, and Evan Turner netted The huddled Phoenix bench quickly for throwing a towel at Hornacek. (27-28) despite a game-high 34 by James half his 14 in a 9-2 run to close the game, Harden. Gulf Times Friday, February 12, 2016 7 SPORT

SPOTLIGHT Jordan Spieth has come a long way in short period Spieth, still just 22, appears to have remained wholly unspoiled by the trappings of overwhelming success that has made him the world’s No. 1 golfer, not only in the off icial rankings but the unoff icial buzz

By Carl Steward San Jose Mercury News

e has his own bobblehead now. He has fi lmed a com- mercial with Stephen Curry. He has a bank account he couldH easily live on for the rest of his life, and his fame has probably ex- panded ten-fold just from this time last year. But Jordan Spieth, still just 22, appears to have remained wholly unspoiled by the trappings of over- whelming success that has made him the world’s No. 1 golfer, not only in the offi cial rankings but the unoffi cial buzz. He’s not at a Tiger Woods level yet, but he’s closing fast and he has loads of time. He already might be there if there was something controversial or nega- tive TMZ could write about him. But so far ... clean cut, clean slate. Spieth re- mains cordial, humble, playfully witty, self-deprecating and remarkably down to earth for someone who has come so far so fast. He’s even still dating his high school sweetheart. As for being the top-rated golfer in the world, he’s having fun with it, not wearing it around his neck like an anvil. “As far as the No. 1 ranking goes, you’re just recognized more,” Spieth said Wednesday. “You tweet, there’s a good chance it can end up on ESPN ... the kind of stuff that wouldn’t have happened before.” “Before” wasn’t that long ago. In 2013, Spieth was a fresh-faced 19-year- old fl edgling pro from the University of Texas who cashed his fi rst check right here at the Pebble Beach Pro-Am, which he will play for the fourth con- secutive year that started Thursday. Playing on a sponsor’s exemption that fi rst time around, he made $65,000 for fi nishing in a tie for 22nd. In 2015, while still fresh-faced, he won fi ve tournaments, including the Masters and U.S. Open, fi nished in the top four in the other two majors, claimed the season-ending TOUR and he was my sports hero growing greatest clutch shot chip. As many from his own charity event when Spi- Just a couple of years ago, Spieth “heaving” for Spieth and half-empty Championship as well as the year’s Fe- up in Dallas. I had never met the guy. as he’s had, that was one that I’ve eth asked for odds on holing a 98-yard would have been telling that story to for him. dEx Cup points title. He received a $10 So a few weeks ago, I got the opportu- watched over and over and over again approach shot _ and then not only did about fi ve people in the AT&T Peb- “It just shows I need to work harder,” million bonus for that, and coupled nity to go down after a Mavs game and on YouTube just because how incred- it, but told him “pay up” while the ball ble Beach press room. He was ranked a Day said with a half-smile. “Hope- with his tournament earnings of better hang out with the players and take pic- ible it was. was still in the air. respectable 16th in the world in 2014, fully, a couple more people will fi ll the than $12 million _ a record for a single ture with Dirk. And I thought that was “That was what really cemented it. I “No lie, I’m watching it, it hits three fi nished in a tie for fourth, but still room after that.” It’s going to be tough year _ made himself a very rich young pretty awesome.” was probably 11 or 12 at that time, just feet behind the pin, spins back and hadn’t “arrived.” Last year, he came to to catch the current No. 1, though, who man. And that doesn’t even take into Spieth still talks of Woods with ex- starting to really pick golf as my No. 1 goes in the hole with all these people the tournament and fi nished tied for started 2016 by winning the Hyundai account the fl ood of endorsements he ceeding reverence, even though while sport and fall in love with it. What it watching,” Owen said. seventh as the world’s ninth-ranked Tournament of Champions, shooting has picked up along the way, includ- playing at Torrey Pines in 2014 with did for me was it made want to go out While Owen was telling the story, player. He was starting to gain some 30-under par and depositing another ing AT&T, Under Armour, Coca-Cola, Tiger as his playing partner, he shot a that day, that evening, and go work on Spieth just listened and grinned imp- signifi cant media attention, but he $1.3 million in the bank. All the while, Rolex, Titleist and many more. But he 63 while his idol shot 71. my short game.” ishly. “If you call enough of them, once still hadn’t scratched the surface as he continued to wear the top spot with still speaks like the next-door neighbor “It wasn’t like a ‘wow, I’m better He hasn’t yet lost that innocence or in a while they’re going to go in,” he far as what was to come. Wednesday, casual aplomb. kid, a bit awestruck by this whole ce- than you’ moment by any means,” he exuberance despite his exploding ce- said. “I’ve been doing it going to back his pre-tournament news conference “As far as my responsibility with it, lebrity thing even now. He admitted he recalled. “It was just a round.” lebrity status. Playing this week with to like grade school with friends. We was Tiger/Phil-like. Packed. A dozen I don’t think it changes with anything still gets his own goose-bumps around Spieth was more animated talking his long-time amateur partner, coun- just kind of mess around. It’s just, hey, cameras. Every seat taken. The room, I’ve done,” Spieth said. “I think that some of them. about how Woods inspired him to seri- try singer Jake Owen, he talked excit- whatever, hole-in-one, you owe this. as one reporter put it in a question to there’s just more of an interest in be- “The other day I met (NBA star) Dirk ously pursue golf as a youngster. edly about all the side bets he likes to It’s probably not going to happen, but Australian star Jason Day, who only ing nice to people, smile. But the label Nowitzki for the fi rst time,” he said. “I “Yeah, it was the 2005 Masters,” he make while out on the course during when it does, you get a good story out won the PGA Championship last year shouldn’t change who you are, good or grew up living half a mile from him, said. “The chip-in on 16. That’s the a friendly round. Owen recalled one of it.” and is ranked No. 3 world-wide, was bad.”

GOLF NHL Thailand’s Thitiphun soars into Rangers lead in Bangladesh Open extend

AFP appointing,” Lee said. Joint over- Thailand night leader Shunya Takeyasu of Japan slipped to eighth position after a top- sy-turvy show, which included a dou- win streak hailand’s Thitiphun Chuay- ble bogey, and ended the day on a par prakong fi red a fl awless score of 71. Reuters fi ve-under-par 66 to take Pretoria: South Africa’s Justin Hard- New York the lead after the second ing birdied five of his final eight holes to roundT in the $300,000 Bashund- surge to the top of the leaderboard af- hara Bangladesh Open yesterday. ter the opening round of the European enrik Lundqvist made Placed second overnight, the 23-year- Tour’s Tshwane Open yesterday. 34 saves for his third old Thai carded fi ve birdies to take a two- Harding, who missed the cut in his shutout of the sea- shotolf Club. previous two European Tour tourna- son as the New York Overnight co-leader Lee trailed in ments in 2016, carded a seven under-par RangersH won their fourth game the second place with a two-under par 63 and is one shot ahead of compatriot in a row, 3-0 against the Pitts- 69 while Indian trio Chikkarangappa Michael Anthony (64). burgh Penguins on Wednesday. S. (66), Shubhankar Sharma (68) and Home golfer Thesis Spangenberg, who It was Lundqvist’s 58th ca- fi ve-time Asian Tour winner Gaganjeet only came through the qualifying tour- reer shutout and his sixth all- Bhullar (67) shared the third place with nament on Tuesday to take his place in time against the Penguins as Pittsburgh Penguins goalie two others. the fi eld, continued that form with a fi ve he improved to 27-14-4. Kevin Marc-Andre Fleury (29) makes Thitiphun, chasing his fi rst Asian Tour under-par 65, despite a double-bogey on Hayes, Dominic Moore and Jes- a glove save against Rangers. title, rediscovered some of his best form the 10th hole. per Fast provided the goals for as he negotiated the course with only 25 South African Open champion Bran- the Rangers. Canucks 2, Coyotes 1 putts. don Stone carded a disappointing one Red Wings 3, Senators 1 Ryan Miller improved to 9-1 “I am feeling very excited to be on top over-par 71, but at least took bragging Petr Mrazek made 22 saves lifetime against Arizona with a of the leaderboard now,” he said, accord- rights in his family after father Kevin was and Detroit defeated Ottawa at 34-save performance for Van- ing to a press release from the organisers. four shots worse off following his open- Joe Louis Arena. Danny DeKey- couver. Jake Virtanen and Jan- “I will just keep doing the same for the ing round. ser, Henrik Zetterberg and Dar- nik Hansen scored for the Ca- next two rounds. I will try not to think It is not the fi rst time the Stones have ren Helm scored for the Red nucks. Martin Hanzal scored too much about my scores. I will stick to Lee was disappointed not to emulate “I told myself to keep trying to hit gone head-to-head on the European Wings. Zack Smith scored for for the Coyotes, who lost its my game plan and try to do my best out his opening day performance but said he good shots like how I did yesterday Tour, they also played in the Joburg Open the Senators and Craig Ander- fi fth straight, while Louis there.” hoped to make up in the remaining rounds. but it didn’t happen, which was dis- last season. son made 25 saves. Domingue made 24 saves. Gulf Times 8 Friday, February 12, 2016 CRICKET

SPOTLIGHT England must protect Root, Stokes and Ali , says Cook ‘What is so diff erent about this side is we can have a bad day, and we can turn it around the next day’

Paul Weaver in particular their captain, Brendon McCul- The Guardian lum, which infl uenced England’s positive Alastair Cook (R) with Ben Stokes approach to the game early last summer. Paul Farbrace was acting coach then, before ngland’s Test captain says the coun- Trevor Bayliss took over for the Ashes series. try’s most exciting talents need to “It helped playing New Zealand, watching have their workloads managed as how they went about it. We knew that was they risk burnout the attitude they’d bring into the series,” says EEnglish cricket’s most exciting talents, Cook. Ben Stokes and Joe Root, must be protected “Paul and I sat down with the squad be- and rested on occasions, according to the fore those two games and said this is how we Test captain, Alastair Cook. want to play. People saw at fi rst hand that Stokes and Root, along with the versatile it worked. Maybe we learned not take our- Moeen Ali, play for England in all three for- selves too seriously. The guys just relaxed a mats of the game. little bit more. And with the players we’ve “There is no right answer. But at one stage got at the moment, it’s defi nitely the best fi t. recently Rooty got very jaded and missed Whether it’s the best fi t in three years’ time, the one-day series against Australia,” says it probably won’t be, because it will be dif- Cook, who rediscovered his best Test form ferent.” after being dropped from the one-day side. Cook, 31, is already England’s leading Test “Those two, plus Moeen, are dead certs in all run-scorer and needs three dozen more to three squads. And there’s going to have to be reach 10,000. “Another 36 runs would put times to take those guys out of international it in a diff erent league,” he says. “It’s a weird cricket. When it becomes a chore, you need one. When Andrew Strauss got his 25th cap to protect them.” I thought I’d love to get 25. I had three. But Cook looked totally relaxed in jeans and goalposts change. If I played two more years, T-shirt, and is looking forward to a more it would be close to 150 games.” low-key return to cricket with Essex at the Asked if he ever thought about his place in start of the domestic season. the pantheon, he added: “I think you natu- He admits that he had not watched a ball rally do. I don’t think there’s anyone who of England’s three recent ODIs in South Af- isn’t worried about it. You want to score rica, but added: “I’ve been listening on the runs at the highest average you can. radio in the lambing shed. Brilliant! If we “That’s what motivates you to keep driv- can do the double, and win the Test and the ing the standards. But, he adds: “I’m not one-day series, that will be a brilliant win- going to play another 126 Test matches. As ter statement for Team England, as it is now, soon as that hunger wavers a bit, your per- with such separation between the squads.” formance drops.” He concedes that England had been slow Cook scored 766 runs in seven innings in to adapt to the frenetic pace of current ODIs. Australia in 201011 - “probably the best I’ll “The game of one-day cricket has changed ever bat” - and is now targeting the next over the last two years. We were slow to Ashes series there, in 2017-18, possibly as catch on to that. We were one year behind his swansong. the revolution. The guys who have gone “That would be phenomenal. A long way in now and taken it forward are brilliant to away, but certainly realistic. That would watch and exciting to watch.” be a great way to go. I didn’t quite have my The form of England’s Test side is just as rhythm and timing in South Africa. I didn’t positive. “We got to No1 in the world by be- quite feel comfortable at the crease.” ing really methodical, very insular, and we Cook, under pressure for so long as Eng- ground opposition down. We played to our land’s captain, though not as opening bats- strengths hugely. We became a very effi cient man, now looks more secure in the job than side who didn’t have many bad days,” says ever. But he says he would be happy to play the long-format captain. for England as just another member of the “What is so diff erent about this side is team. we can have a bad day, and we can turn it “The captaincy thing is brilliant, and I around the next day. That’s what makes it love it. But I didn’t start off playing cricket so exciting. That’s why I think everyone to captain England. I wanted to score runs enjoys watching this side play. This team is and stuff . If, whenever Joe Root takes over, defi nitely more exciting to watch.” It was the or whoever takes over, it would be great to positive cricket played by New Zealand, and support them if I still justifi ed my place.”

FOCUSFOCUS What does Buttler’s IPL deal say about cricket’s new world order?

Barney Ronay week IPL break is a genuine breath of per- England against Sri Lanka fi ve days later: fi rst post-KP global Twenty20 star. The Guardian estroika. Intriguingly, even a little oddly, no stigma, no need to join the queue, re- There are both enormous fi nancial it emerged this week Buttler himself spect the longer form, recalibrate your rewards here and also a kind of ambas- appears to have been told a lack of fi rst- game in four-day purgatory. And yet it sadorial gravitas. English relations with t has been another quietly revolu- class matches will be no obstacle to an is still hard to see how, logically or fairly, the IPL have been traumatic on all sides, tionary week for English cricket’s instant Test recall. “Trevor [Bayliss] has Buttler can be picked to play Tests under not least for the players who have tried to relationship with that oddly insistent said there’s no reason why you can’t play this arrangement. White-ball commit- combine IPL and England cricket, with entity; the outside world. The selec- in the IPL, come back and play in a Test ments will rule him out of all but three a relentless grinding of gears over avail- Ition of a World Twenty20 squad for next match a week later,” Buttler said shortly Championship matches for Lancashire ability, payments, player priorities. Kevin month’s tournament in India has again before he was bought for £385,000 as this season, his only scheduled red-ball Pietersen’s desire to play a full IPL was a focused the mind on the fraught, quietly “back-up overseas batsman” to Corey games in a 20-month period running spark for the toxic cluster-bomb that was shifting connection between new and old Anderson and Lendl Simmons, both of from last October to June 2017. the end of his England career . worlds. whom can expect to be pushed hard by Just imagine the peculiar signals it Eoin Morgan has found a balance after The legacy of non-engagement with English cricket’s most exhilarating ham- would send to every other player in con- the associated traumas of his IPL stints the global T20 world is still here. Eng- mer of the white ball. tention for the same spot if Buttler really in 2009 and 2010. Luke Wright played 46 land’s 15-man squad contains nine play- What to make of this drastic shift in is allowed to waltz back into the Test team ODIs before his six game spell in the IPL ers with no experience of the major fran- policy? Certainly there is a lot to be said on a hunch or in the hope the passing of in 2013, and just four since. Ravi Bopara chise leagues, a senior batsman in Joe for pragmatism and fl exibility, special time (“some nugget I’ve picked up in the tried to combine an IPL spring with an Root who has only ever batted 35 times cases being made. Andrew Strauss de- IPL”, in his words) will have fi xed a bat- Ashes summer six years ago and never re- in T20 matches anywhere, and just two serves credit for sticking to his brief of ting technique that has looked ill-suited ally recovered with England. players with experience of the Indian Pre- embracing the white-ball world, includ- to extended periods of defence on pitches This year’s auction was a curious mier League. Related: England’s Jos But- ing relaxation of the key Andy Flower rule where the ball moves. thing all round, with the franchises less tler to play for Indian Premier League’s that at least one fi rst-class match is re- More simply, it is hard to see how But- star-struck and more intent on balanc- Mumbai Indians quired before a player can be considered tler is supposed to improve suffi ciently to ing squads. At the top end Shane Watson On the plus side it also contains Jos for selection for Tests, a rule that limited justify a recall. He was dropped from the was bought for a sensational $1.98m , Buttler and Sam Billings, in their own English players to three weeks at the IPL. Test team for a reason. He may have the in return for which he might actually way frontiersmen in a tentative thawing As England captain, Strauss was in- hands of a cricketing demigod - whippy, have to bowl a bit. Further down Carlos in the tense, often destructive interaction volved in a famous spat with Chris Gayle low-slung, beautifully destructive - but Brathwaite fetched more than Pietersen, with the BCCI’s powerhouse league. For on exactly this issue “There’s a line and the long game is bound up with footwork the big cheese of the Big Bash. the fi rst time two current England play- certainly we wouldn’t want our players and Buttler tailed off in Tests because his Next year will be a full auction, with a ers have been not just allowed but en- to arrive two days before a Test,” Strauss feet seem to exist in a slightly separate much wider roster of players up for grabs. couraged to play the full Indian Premier said after Gayle had rocked up straight sporting universe to those glorious hands. It seems likely the ECB’s new engagement League season in April and May, there- from the IPL to play a Test at Lord’s in This isn’t a glitch or run of poor form. policy, or alternatively its intervening by ruling themselves of seven County 2009. And yet, six years on, what’s good He has two fi rst-class hundreds in fi ve muddle, will be properly tested then, with Championship matches and pretty much for Gayle is now good for Strauss too. years. This is a thrilling, but also very Ben Stokes, Root and others sure to be an entire home Test series. At fi rst glance, at least. It is also worth specifi c kind of talent. drawn to the light. For now, Buttler enters The decision to allow Buttler in par- remembering Strauss spoke more sternly At which point you wonder if it may a year of format shemozzle and untested ticular to play a full IPL season represents in November of players becoming white- be best just to go with the natural con- ground, a kind of laboratory test case in a profound change of policy for the Eng- and red-ball specialists, of being told sequences of all this, to off er Buttler the the ongoing process of engagement. land and Wales Cricket Board, and fur- eventually they must choose between the choice, without blame or recrimination, There will be friction and awkward ther evidence the unshakeable primacy of two. With a nod to the law of unintended to simply exist within the white-ball choices. Not to mention a danger of try- Test cricket is perhaps a thing of the past. consequences it is possible this might just world. He is a brilliantly pure, distinc- ing to wring too much out of a player who Buttler may no longer be in the Test team be what ends up happening with Buttler tive cricketer, with a cold-eyed televisual may or may not end up having a Test ca- but he remains an England poster boy, an now. In theory there is now nothing to charisma. If he plays as he can over seven reer from here, but who should simply be

A-list draw alongside Ben Stokes and Joe prevent him getting back from the IPL weeks in India he could fi nd himself at allowed to breathe in the air that suits him Root. To off er such a prime asset a seven- on 22 May then playing a Test match for another level altogether; English cricket’s best. Gulf Times Friday, February 12, 2016 9 FOOTBALL

KING’S CUP Barca set unbeaten record to see off Valencia The 1-1 draw was Barcelona’s Neville took charge in December. 29th match unbeaten as coach And Neville also left out some of the Luis Enrique’s side surpassed the most important members of his squad previous best mark set by former for tomorrow’s crucial clash at home to boss Pep Guardiola in 2010-11 Espanyol which looks set to decide his season future at the club. “We are preparing the game al- AFP ready for Saturday, we know it is a big Valencia match,” said Neville. “The focus after losing last week and Sunday has always been the match on Saturday against n under-strength Barcelona Espanyol. I thought we deserved to win side set a new club record the game tonight. They weren’t perfect of 29 games unbeaten to circumstances after last week, but the progress to the Copa del Rey players played with dignity.” (King’sA Cup) fi nal with a 1-1 draw at However, there was some relief for Gary Neville’s Valencia for an 8-1 ag- the England coach as Negredo, who gregate win on Wednesday night. has cost his side with a series of vital Barca’s place in a fi fth fi nal in six missed chances in recent weeks, fi nally years was assured after a 7-0 fi rst-leg found the net. The former Manchester rout last week and without their star City striker was aff orded a huge amount attacking trio Lionel Messi, Luis Sua- of room in behind the Barca defence to rez and Neymar, the under-fi re Neville open the scoring six minutes before the looked set to be handed some relief by break and, despite fi ring his fi rst eff ort Alvaro Negredo’s fi rst-half opener. straight at Marc-Andre ter Stegen, the However, 19-year-old Cameroonian rebound fell favourably for him to tap midfi elder Wilfred Kaptoum came off home his ninth goal of the season. the bench to score his fi rst Barca goal Both sides went through the motions and preserve the European champions’ in the second-half in front of a crowd unbeaten run six minutes from time. of barely 15,000 at the 55,000 capacity Sevilla look well set to meet Barca Barcelona players celebrate after scoring the equaliser against Velencia in their Spanish Copa del Rey (King’s Cup) second leg semi-final match on Wednesday. (AFP) Mestalla. However, Neville was denied in the fi nal on May 21 as they travel to his biggest win since arriving at the Celta Vigo in the second leg of the oth- Everyone at Barca has had things so good year,” said Barca boss Luis Enrique. eye to his side’s busy upcoming schedule selves in the midst of a relegation Mestalla late on when Juan Camara’s er semi-fi nal leading 4-0. in recent years we are used to reaching In total, Enrique left 11 fi rst-team reg- in La Liga and the Champions League. battle in La Liga having not won for cross picked out the unmarked Kap- “I’m very happy to be in the fi nal. the fi nal, but it is hard to be there every ulars back in the Catalan capital with an By contrast, Valencia fi nd them- 12 league games, including nine since toum to slot home from close range.

FRENCH CUP GERMAN CUP Lewandowski nets twice as Bayern Ibrahimovic brace beat Bochum 3-0 to seal semis spot AFP their place in the semis when Berlin Thiago Alcantara converted puts PSG in quarters Mueller’s superb cross on 61 minutes. obert Lewandowski Lewandowski then added ‘We didn’t start too well, but we were much better in the second period’ netted twice to seal their third just before the fi nal Bayern Munich’s 3-0 whistle to claim his 29th goal win at ten-man min- in all competitions. nowsR VfL Bochum on Wednes- Earlier, Hertha ended their PSG’s Swedish forward Zlatan Ibrahimovic day to reach the German Cup 35-year wait to reach the semi- (right) scores against Lyon in their French semi-fi nals. fi nals as Japan midfi elder Gen- Cup round of 16 match on Wednesday. (AFP) Bayern have drawn Werder ki Haraguchi sealed a 3-2 win Bremen at home, while Hertha at second-division side Hei- Berlin will host Borussia Dort- denheim. mund, in the semi-fi nals to be The hosts took an early lead played on April 19-20. when defender Arne Feick was This is the seventh straight left unmarked from a free-kick year Bayern have reached the to head home on 10 minutes. last four having lifted the tro- But Hertha’s Vedad Ibisevic phy a record 17 times. netted twice to put Berlin 2-1 Pep Guardiola-coached up after 21 minutes as heavy Bayern had few problems at snow fell in southern Germa- second-division Bochum and ny. Haraguchi scored the third should have won by more after when he beat two defenders on Thomas Mueller had a fi rst- a mazy dribble before beating half penalty saved. the goalkeeper on 58 minutes. “Before we scored the fi rst There was a nervous fi nal goal, it wasn’t easy. Bochum few minutes as Heidenheim played well and it’s always pulled a goal back when Marc dangerous in the cup,” said Schnatterer netted a late pen- Lewandowski. alty. The Poland hot-shot Hertha are now just one gave Bayern the lead on 39 game away from a home cup minutes with a fi erce shot fi nal at Berlin’s Olympic Sta- from the right. dium on May 21. Bochum were reduced to The last time Hertha were ten men when defender Jan in the last four was in 1985, Simunek was sent off for almost a decade before wing- bringing down Arjen Robben er Mitchell Weiser, who set on the edge of the area on 43 up both of Ibisevic’s goals, minutes. was born. “I think that was a dive “We got off to a bad start, (from Robben) and it wasn’t a but we ended up dominating. red card,” Bochum coach Gert- Now we want to reach the fi - jan Verbeek told Sky. nal,” said right-back Weiser. AFP crossing for Ibrahimovic to chest home. “You can’t win with 10 men On Tuesday, Pierre-Em- Paris Blanc extends PSG contract until 2018 The Swede struck again just four min- against Bayern Munich, but we erick Aubameyang claimed utes later when Serge Aurier slid in a low worked unbelievably hard.” his 30th goal of the season aris St-Germain said yesterday that Paris won the league, French Cup, and cross from the right for Ibrahimovic, who But Robben was adamant he as Dortmund won 3-1 at VfB latan Ibrahimovic scored twice as coach has extended his League Cup last year and are on course to was marginally off side, to poke beyond was brought down. Stuttgart. holders Paris Saint-Germain eased Pcontract until 2018, giving him a free repeat the feat this year. They have not lost Anthony Lopes. “He was the last man, it was Gabon striker Aubameyang past Lyon 3-0 to reach the quar- rein for the tough Champions League cam- a game in domestic competition for seven Alexandre Lacazette blazed over as a clear foul. Those are the rules and Germany winger Marco ter-fi nals of the French Cup on paign ahead. Blanc’s current deal runs out at months and beat Lyon 3-0 on Wednesday Bruno Genesio’s men sought to reduce and, besides, the game was de- Reus, who have provided 45 of ZWednesday, extending the capital club’s the defi cit, and the visitors were under- cided after that,” said Nether- Dortmund’s goals in all com- the end of the season and the club’s wealthy to reach the French Cup quarter finals. winning run to 16 matches. Qatari owners moved to tie in the 50-year- The club said Blanc signed his new deal standably aggrieved when Rabiot, clearly lands captain Robben. petitions this season, netted Ibrahimovic bundled in the opening goal old to a new contract without waiting to see just before the match. behind the last defender, converted Max- When the resulting spot- before Henrik Mkhitaryan just past the hour at the Parc des Princes, how the side do in looming decisive Cham- But the Champions League is the trophy well’s left-wing cross to seal a fourth win kick was eventually taken, claimed their late third. and the Swede added a second soon after pions League clashes. Paris play Chelsea in that Paris owner Nasser al-Khelaifi wants in as many attempts over Lyon this season. Mueller’s weak penalty at- Veteran Claudio Pizarro as PSG began to turn the screw. the last 16, with the first leg next week. and the announcement surprised some. Earlier, Nantes came from behind in ex- tempt just before the break helped seal Bremen’s 3-1 win Adrien Rabiot then netted a third on 75 “Quite simply, we need to look to the Paris are seeking their first-ever tra time to claim a thrilling 4-3 victory at was saved by Bochum goal- at ten-man Bayer Leverkusen minutes, with Laurent Blanc’s men stay- future, that’s the way I see it,” said Blanc af- Champions League crown after bowing Bordeaux, with US international Alejandro keeper Manuel Riemann. by creating and scoring a goal ing fi rmly on course to repeat last year’s ter the new deal, which he called “a strong out at the quarter-final stage for the past Bedoya netting a 118th-minute winner. But Bayern made sure of in their shock victory. domestic treble. show of faith”. three seasons. Al-Khelaifi said in a French Saint-Etienne also needed extra time PSG will travel to six-time winners “I’m very happy, also for my staff . A newspaper interview in December that to see off ’s bottom side Troyes Saint-Etienne in the last eight having al- coach is nothing without his staff . For us, he considers Blanc to be “one of the best as France Under-21 forward Neal Mau- ready knocked Christophe Galtier’s side continuing the adventure is a show of faith coaches in the world”. pay struck the decisive blow in the 107th out of the French League Cup in Decem- but also a big responsibility. And in announcing the new deal, he said minute, while Lorient thumped fourth- ber. “We didn’t start too well, we were a “The club has ambitions both nation- he was “extremely proud and happy” with tier Sarre-Union 4-0. bit better towards the end of the fi rst half. ally and in Europe, and we’ll do all we can the extension. “It was important to us that On Tuesday, second-division strugglers But we were much better in the second pe- to reach those objectives. We’ll get there; he be a continuing part of Paris Saint- Sochaux knocked out Monaco with a 2-1 riod,” Rabiot told France 3. we’re ready. We’re aware that we’re at a big Germain’s plans. He has obtained excellent victory at the Stade Auguste Bonal, with Blanc’s side host Chelsea in the fi rst leg club where expectations are very high.” results since his arrival. He has already Gazelec Ajaccio and fi fth-tier Granville— of their Champions League last-16 tie next “Laurent Blanc is now tied to the capi- won eight trophies with us, which is quite drawn against the winner of Thursday’s tie Tuesday, but fi rst they are at home to Lille tal’s club until June 30, 2018,” PSG said in a simply formidable. Also, I like our team’s between amateurs Trelissac and Marseille tomorrow. statement. playing style, a style that he has instilled.” in the next round—also advancing. “As of Sunday, we’ll start preparing However, Granville goalkeeper Clement for the game against Chelsea. The game Daoudou was hospitalised following an against Lille, with all respect to Lille, is of Angel Di Maria, while midfi elder Blaise ing Lyon the lead fi ve minutes before the assault at a fast-food restaurant after the badly timed,” said the coach. Matuidi made way for Benjamin Stambouli. break, but Salvatore Sirigu fl ung himself to match, which left him with heavy bruising “The calendar can’t get any tighter. If A quiet fi rst half saw Paris fail to register his left to brilliantly turn behind the teen- and a broken nose. you talk to me about the fi xture list, I get a single shot on target, with Cavani wast- ager’s curling eff ort. “We’re shocked and outraged by what heated, so it’s better to avoid it,” he added. ing the home side’s best opportunity when Ibrahimovic drilled narrowly wide early happened. It was in no case a fi ght but in- Blanc handed Edinson Cavani, relegated he steered wide after Lucas picked out the in the second period, but PSG’s mounting deed an assault,” Granville’s co-president to several substitute appearances in Ligue Uruguayan just inside the area. pressure eventually told on 63 minutes as Fabrice Clement was quoted as saying by Bayern Munich’s Polish striker Robert Lewandowski celebrates 1 since the turn of the year, a start in place Maxwell Cornet went close to giv- Lucas burst down the left-hand side before regional daily Ouest France. after scoring against VfL Bochum on Wednesday. (Reuters) Gulf Times 10 Friday, February 12, 2016 FOOTBALL

Bordeaux suspend two Nagelsmann youngest Referee becomes first Argentine player loses four Samir Nasri wants to end players after bust-up coach in history casualty of Juve vs Napoli toes in team bus crash career at Manchester City

Goalkeeper Jerome Prior and defender Lamine Struggling Bundesliga side Hoff enheim yesterday A top-of-the-table clash between champions An Argentine footballer lost four toes when his team Samir Nasri hopes to end his career at Manches- Sane were “suspended indefinitely” by Bordeaux appointed 28-year-old Julian Nagelsmann as Juventus and leaders Napoli has seen its first bus crashed in Venezuela after playing a qualify- ter City despite the club replacing the injury- yesterday due to a “serious incident” after the coach to replace Huub Stevens. Nagelsmann, who casualty 48 hours ahead of kick-off after match ing match in the Copa Libertadores regional club plagued midfielder with young striker Kelechi club’s French Cup exit to Nantes. According to was in charge of the Under-19 team, becomes the referee pulled out injured yesterday. tournament, off icials said. Patricio Toranzo, 33, was Iheanacho in their Champions League squad for several sources, the two players came to blows in youngest permanent coach in Bundesliga his- has now been drafted in, a move one of several members of Argentine club Atletico the knockout rounds earlier this month. Nasri was the dressing room after a last-gasp loss. The club tory. Dutchman Stevens, 62, quit on Wednesday that won’t displease Napoli fans after another po- Huracan hurt in the crash as the team headed to initially expected to miss the rest of the season said that they “would make no further comment because of heart problems. Nagelsmann, who tential candidate, Gianluca Rocchi, was only given the airport after their 1-0 win over local side Caracas with a thigh injury he picked up in October but on the matter and nobody will answer any ques- was due to take over at the end of the season, an additional assistant’s role. Napoli fans keen on FC. “We were informed after the operation that the the France international said last month that he tions about this decision”. Senegalese interna- has signed a contract until June 2019. The club seeing their side stretch their two-point lead over player Toranzo lost four toes of his left foot. Sadly hoped to return to action by the end of March. tional Sane wanted to leave Bordeaux during the are second-bottom in the German top flight, Juventus at the top of the table won’t be they had to be amputated,” top Caracas FC off icial “There are so many exciting things happening January transfer window, but could not find him- level on points with basement side Hanover displeased by Orsato’s appointment ahead of Roc- Ricardo Padron said on television. Midfielder Toranzo here. You never know what will happen in football, self a club. On Wednesday evening the Girondins after picking up just 14 points in 20 games. They chi. Rocchi’s poor handling of a controversial clash is acclaimed for his skills and shooting with his right but it would be a pleasure to finish my career bowed out of the Cup at the last 16 stage as Ale- visit fellow strugglers Werder Bremen tomor- between Juventus and Roma in October 2014 led foot. Huracan said on its Facebook page that all its at City,” Nasri told the club’s website (www.mcfc. jandro Bedoya’s 118th-minute goal gave Nantes a row. Nagelsmann is expected to complete his to him being temporary sidelined by refereeing players were “out of danger” but Toranzo, striker co.uk). The former Arsenal man, who has scored 4-3 extra-time win. The suspensions for Sane and coaching qualifications in a few weeks, but both chiefs in Italy amid claims he had given undue Diego Mendoza and one of the team’s trainers Pablo one goal in eight appearances this season, said Prior bring even more problems for an already the German Football League (DFL) and German favours to the Turin giants. In a five-goal thriller Santella were still hospitalized. The bus crashed off he was looking forward to rekindling his ‘special porous defence that have conceded 11 times in Football Federation (DFB) have approved the ap- that saw Juve prevail 3-2, Rocchi awarded three a highway on the way to Simon Bolivar Airport near connection’ with midfield duo David Silva and their last three games, and 18 in their last six. pointment, the club said. penalties in the first half. Caracas. Huracan staff said the bus’s brakes failed. Yaya Toure upon his return. PREMIER LEAGUE Prince Ali says FIFA politics affected Arsenal hope to stop international fixtures Leicester juggernaut Victory for Gunners over leaders Leicester would cut the gap at the top to two points

Reuters Geneva

ome national teams have been given unfavourable com- petition fixtures for failing to toe the political line inside Ssoccer’s world governing body, the Jordanian candidate bidding to become its next president said yesterday. Prince Ali bin al-Hussein, one of five men competing to take over as head of FIFA, described a climate of fear and reprisals inside the scandal-plagued organisation, whose outgoing boss Sepp Blatter was suspended in October and banned for eight years in December. “Let me tell you what happens when you don’t go with the recognised powers in FIFA,” Prince Ali, who is head of Jordan’s football association, told a news conference. “Development projects mysteriously stall; tournament hosting bids are For a club that just suddenly compromised or withdrawn; national teams start to about managed to mysteriously face less favourable fixtures or even referees. avoid relegation All of these are eff ective ways to punish member associations last year, that fail to demonstrate political loyalty.” Leicester City’s FIFA is mired in the worst crisis in its 111-year history, with performances this corruption investigations underway in Switzerland and the season have been United States. Several dozen people, including senior soccer nothing short of off icials, have been indicted. remarkable Prince Ali is regarded as an outsider in the February 26 election to succeed Blatter, who has led FIFA since 1998. Swiss-Italian Gianni Infantino has won the backing of Euro- pean soccer’s governing body UEFA and South America’s CONMEBOL, while Africa’s confederation has backed Sheikh Salman Bin Ebrahim al Khalifa of Bahrain. Prince Ali did not enlarge on the allegation that national DPA have had) a week to prepare for that and I and at the end of the season we will know fi cult to make a prediction on the future.” teams had been given unfavourable fixtures, but he said the London have to think about it. Leicester is a strong what happens. It will be another tough game At the other end of the table, bottom practice had extended to FIFA competitions. side but we are also a strong side. At home against Arsenal. When we play together we side Aston Villa, now just four points “I’m referring to competitions and a lot of times it comes with our fans and support, we can do it.” are very good and that is the secret, we all adrift but eight points from safety, take on down to the (continental) confederations as well, and the way fter Manchester City’s failure, this Leicester continue to confound critics play for each other. We are a team.” Liverpool at Villa Park. they approach games,” he said. weekend it is Arsenal’s turn to try and defy those who keep expecting the Manchester City, meanwhile, will look to Second-bottom Sunderland take on “It’s a common feeling within the footballing world and it’s to stop the Leicester City jug- wheels to fall off their unlikely title bid. rebound when they host Tottenham, a side fi fth-placed Manchester United while something that one has to really tackle and make sure there is gernaut from running away with Having escaped relegation last season who sit second, one point ahead of them- third-bottom Norwich host West Ham. no interference in terms of how things are planned.” Athings at the top of the Premier League. in the most dramatic manner, Leicester’s selves. Tottenham have not won at City Newcastle, just one place above the rel- Asked if the practice included World Cup qualifiers, he said: Victory for Arsene Wenger’s side to- performances have been little short of re- since 2010 but the home side could be with- egation zone, travel to champions Chelsea, “I think sometimes it happens across the board.” morrow would cut the gap at the top to just markable. out playmaker David Silva, who suff ered a who, after a terrible fi rst half of the season, World Cup qualifiers are usually organised by the confeder- two points and the Frenchman knows that But though they now admit they are in recurrence of his ankle injury last weekend. are now unbeaten in 11 games. ations of the continents in which they take place. “Confedera- if they are to clinch the league title, this is the title race, striker Leonardo Ulloa says “I think it will be diffi cult for him to re- Bournemouth play Stoke, Crystal Palace tions have a lot of pull in how they organise the tournaments, a match they need to win. they are not getting carried away. cover soon,” manager Manuel Pellegrini are at home to Watford and Everton play and FIFA has to keep a much more watchful eye because The Gunners returned to winning ways “We must try to play the same, with said. “We will see before the weekend. West Brom, while Swansea meet South- these are FIFA tournaments and therefore they have to guar- by beating Bournemouth after four league the same intensity and spirit, and after “In football, things change from one ampton in the weekend’s other match. antee that things are done much more eff ectively,” he said. games without a win and the importance we wait to see what happens at the end of week to another. We’re not in our best mo- FIFA could not immediately be reached for comment. of this match was enhanced by Leicester’s the season,” said Ulloa, who has been out- ment - we have just 14 players fi t and we’re Tomorrow's Fixtures Prince Ali has served four years on FIFA’s executive commit- stunning 3-1 victory at Manchester City. shone this season by the performances of playing a lot of games.” 15:45: Sunderland vs Manchester United tee, but described himself as a rebel. He said he was surprised “Beating Bournemouth is very good for striker Jamie Vardy. For the fi rst time this season, Leicester 18:00: AFC Bournemouth vs Stoke City to learn when he joined the committee that meetings were the future as we now have a very big game “It is part of our spirit. The manager are the bookmakers’ favourites but Pel- 18:00: Crystal Palace vs Watford held below ground at its Zurich headquarters. at home against Leicester who are now says we must fi ght for every ball. The re- legrini, who will stand down in the sum- 18:00: Everton vs West Bromwich Albion “It is a bunker, three floors underground, and for me that is not the favourites for the Premier League,” sult is the second thing. The fi rst thing is mer, believes there is still time. 18:00: Norwich City vs West Ham United the vision that one should have for that organisation,” he said. Wenger told the Arsenal website. to fi ght and to work for the team. “If Leicester continue playing the way 18:00: Swansea City vs Southampton “There is a problem where minutes are not published. And even “A win can maybe prepare you in a bet- “But we don’t think about the title, just they are, of course they are favourites,” he 20:30: Chelsea vs Newcastle United when they are received they are not accurate, in my opinion.” ter condition for the next game. We (will about the next game. We take it step by step said. “There are 13 games more so it’s dif- (All timings Qatar time)

SERIE A Title contenders Napoli, Juve in leadership clash Napoli’s redoubtable attack “Should Napoli win at the week- ahead of the big match, I have played Saturday’s clash to change my mind tackling Juve’s rocky defence end, they will open up a sizeable lead football for more than 10 years. or the mind of our team,” the coach is one of the many tasty over us with just 13 games to play, “It is all up to us. We must stay calm, said. “We are going to face this match ingredients in tomorrow's while for us it will cap off our magical keep down the euphoria, which can aware that our opponents are really big match pitting the Naples run in style and give us a huge boost hurt you. We have to keep our feet on strong. We might suff er but we will leaders away to chasing for the rest of the campaign.” the ground; if we should have a bad perform a match with the right men- champions Juventus The Naples side are two points moment, we must then get stronger tality, with a humble attitude and also ahead of Juve, topping the stand- than before.” to play with grit.” DPA ings on 56 points from 24 games and Higuain added he enjoys being lik- A draw, however, would allow Na- Rome boasting the league’s best attack ened to living legend Diego Maradona, poli to lift the title in case they fi nish as Argentine ace Gonzalo Higuain who helped Napoli win their two titles level with Juve in mid-May, having scored 24 of their 53 goals. in 1987 and 1990. won 2-1 in Naples in late September as uventus goalkeeper Gianluigi Another Argentine, rising star “He did a lot here,” Higuain said of the Bianconeri went through an initial Buff on will captain the title Paulo Dybala, is Juve’s top scorer on 13 his compatriot. “Everyone loves him; rough patch. holders into a table-topper goals, while Buff on leads the best de- getting close to what he did would be Ten points clear of the top, mean- against visiting Serie A lead- fence package, with 15 conceded. a wonderful thing.” while, third-place Fiorentina close Jers Napoli tomorrow, which he de- The Bianconeri come from a club Pondering how to contain the Ar- the weekend late Sunday at home to scribed as a clash between maturity best-ever run of 14 consecutive victo- gentine, Juve boss Massimiliano Al- Inter, who sit one point behind on 45. and keenness. ries and are three shy of Inter Milan’s legri is likely to add a defender to his Roma (44) also eye the third avail- “We have to make our experience record of 17 in the 2006-07 season. usual three-man package as both able Champions League berth as they count on Saturday night and use it to Napoli also broke an own record win- mainstay Giorgio Chiellini and Martin visit struggling Carpi Friday. negate Napoli’s intensity and enthu- ning their last eight outings, with Hi- Caceres are injured. The round opens as Lazio welcome siasm,” the 38-year-old Buff on said. guain on target eight times in the last six. Napoli’s Maurizio Sarri is enjoying Verona at Rome’s Stadio Olimpico, “After a long spell out of the lime- “I hope to keep scoring, which will the good form of his squad and denied the venue which on Sunday will host light, they are back at the top of the certainly help the team to go as high that he would settle for a draw. the Italy v England rugby match in the table and they fully deserve it. as possible,” Higuain said. “I am calm “I always play to win, it won’t be . Gulf Times Friday, February 12, 2016 11 SPORT

HORSE RACING Avranche rides Black Beach to Marmi Cup win Trainers Ghazali and al-Malki finish with three winners each

By Sports Reporter Doha

month after he shed his maiden status with an imperious run in a six-furlong race, Sheail bin Khalifa al-Kuwari’s Black Beach faced his fi rst real test andA came out on top winning the Marmi Cup, a Class 1 race for three-year-old thoroughbreds on the dirt at Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club here yesterday. The Jassim Ghazali-schooled colt, with Ger- ald Avranche at the helm, beat the Ibrahim al- Malki-trained duo of Shaka Zulu and Ediye by half-a-length for his second win on Doha dirt. The win was third on the day for champion trainer Ghazali, while al-Malki also had three winners in the nine-race card. Aqdaar, running for al-Malki, picked up his fi rst win of the season when the three-year-old colt won the Class 3 Thoroughbred Handicap event under Adnan Hawa. At the post in the six-furlong race, Aqdaar had no challenger fi nishing fi ve lengths ahead of Majed Seifeddine-trained Adulation and Injaaz Stud’s Adulation. Khalifa bin Sheail al-Kuwari’s Samjida picked up her fi rst win since April last year in style when the four-year-old was ridden to a four- length victory by Alberto Sanna in the Purebred Arabian Handicap event for four-year-olds and older rated 90 and above. The Majd Al Arab fi lly, trained by Ghazali, beat Al Wasmiyah Farm’s Amer horse Jelmud and Zakhir Stud’s Zameer. The six-furlong Class 5 Thoroughbred Qatar Society of Al Gannas president Ali bin Khatim al-Mehshadi, deputy president Mohamed Abdullateef al-Misnad and QREC general manager Nasser Sherida al-Kaabi Handicap event for horses rated 55 to 75 was di- with the winners of Marmi Cup, a Class 1 race for three-year-old thoroughbreds, at the QREC yesterday. PICTURES: Juhaim vided into three runs with 12 runners in the fi rst and 13 in the other two. Raad Al Zaeem (Gerald Avranche), 3. Mahbooba The fi rst run was won by Rashid Khamis Sail (Marvin Suerland), 4. Akram (Pier Convertino). al-Kuwari’s New Hope, picking up his fi rst vic- Won by: 1, Hd, 3. Time: 1:28.87. Owner: Khalifa bin tory in Doha, ahead of Dhafi al-Marri’s Chess Sheail al-Kuwari. Trainer: Jassim Ghazali. Valley and Dubawi Coast. Race 4: 1. New Hope (Alberto Sanna), 2. Chess Abdulaziz Ali al-Qhathiri’s Stolen Story Valley (Marco Monteriso), 3. Dubawi Coast emerged winner in the second run. The three- (Yanis Aouabed), 4. Buy Art (Evert Pheiff er). Won year-old colt, who had fi nished last in Decem- by: 1.75, 0.75, 0.75. Time: 1:12.88. Owner: Rashid ber’s Qatar Derby Trial, was running on the dirt Khamis Saif al-Kuwari. Trainer: M.R. al- Kuwari. for the fi rst time in Doha. Marco Monteriso rode Race 5: 1. Stolen Story (Marco Monteriso), 2. the Kodiac colt to victory ahead of Sylvia Pan- Sylvia Pankhurst (Adnan Hawa), 3. The Scut- khurst and Scuttler. tler (Gaetan Faucon), 4. Pipe Bomb (Adrie de Hassan al-Matwi’s Incredibile was the Vries). Won by: 1, 0.5, Nk. Time: 1:12.55. Owner: fastest in the three runs, beating Ghazali- Abdulaziz Ali al-Qhathiri. Trainer: A al-Qhathiri. trained Gathurst by three lengths while Zuhair Race 6: 1. Incredibile (Brett Doyle), 2. Gathurst Mohsen’s charge Rijm was third. (JP Guillambert), 3. Rijm (Marvin Suerland), 3. Khalifa bin Sheail al-Kuwari’s Muraqabah Arriana (Gerald Avranche). Won by: 3, 2.5, Hd. not only gave Ghazali his fi rst win of the evening Time: 1:12.17. Owner: Hassan Ali Hassan al-Matwi. but also to shed her maiden status on her third Trainer: Hassan al-Matwi. career outing. Race 7: 1. Samjida (Alberto Sanna), 2. Jelmud In the seven-furlong race for four-year-old (Almotasem al-Balushi), 3. Zameer (Adrie de Local Thoroughbreds, the Great Journey fi lly, Vries), 4. La Hoor (Brett Doyle). Won by: 4, 1.5, who made her Doha debut in the Qatar Oaks in 1. Time: 1:32.73. Owner: Khalifa bin Sheail al- December, fi nished a length ahead of Raad Al Gerald Avranche rides Black Beach to win in the Marmi Cup at the QREC yesterday. Kuwari. Trainer: Jassim Ghazali. Zaeem, while Mahbooba was third. (RIGHT) QREC GM Nasser Sherida al-Kaabi presents a memento to Qatar Society of Race 8: 1. Aqdaar (Adnan Hawa), 2. Adulation In the fi rst race of the day, Sheikh Faisal bin Al Gannas deputy president Mohamed Abdullateef al-Misnad yesterday. (Pier Convertino), 3. Ventura Shadow (Marvin Hamad bin Jassim al-Thani’s Meqdam Al Zaidy Suerland), 4. Indaria (Almotasem al-Balushi). shed his maiden status on his second outing in Al-Malki’s second win of the day was with Al RESULTS Ibrahim al-Malki. Won by: 5, Nk, Hd. Time: 1:11.36. Owner: Ibrahim the Local Purebred Arabian Maiden Plate event. Taweel, who was raced to his second career vic- Race 2: 1. Al Taweel (Pier Convertino), 2. Al Khat- Saeed al-Malki. Trainer: Ibrahim al-Malki. After a strong debut last month, when the tory by Pier Convertino in the Purebred Arabian Race 1: 1. Meqdam Al Zaidy (Evert Pheiff er), 2. taf (Gerald Avranche), 3. AJS Fath Elkheir (Ali al- Race 9: 1. Black Beach (Gerald Avranche), 2. fi ve-year-old fi nished second in a 14-horse Advanced Plate event. AJS Buraq (Ali al-Showeikh), 3. Hijran (Gaetan Showeikh), 4. Intizaa (JP Guillambert). Won by: Shaka Zulu (Cedric Segeon), 3. Ediye (Jean Bap- fi eld, Ibrahim al-Malki’s charge was ridden The fi ve-year-old gelding, owned by Saad Faucon), 4. Ostorah Dukhan (Gerald Avranche). Hd, 1, 1. Time: 1:51.81. Owner: Saad Rabiah Saad tiste Hamel), 4. Regality (JP Guillambert). Won to victory by Evert Pheiff er ahead of Al Jeryan Rabiah Saad al-Kaabi, fi nished ahead of Al Jery- Won by: 1.5, 1.5, 1.5. Time: 1:20.27. Owner: Sheikh al-Kaabi. Trainer: Ibrahim al-Malki. by: 0.5, 5, 0.5. Time: 1:11.53. Owner: Sheail bin Stud’s AJS Buraq and Umm Qarn’s Hijran. an Stud duo Al Khattaf and AJS Fath Elkheir. Faisal bin Hamad bin Jassim al-Thani. Trainer: Race 3: 1. Muraqabah (Stephan Ladjadj), 2. Khalifa al-Kuwari. Trainer: Jassim Ghazali.

AL KASS CUP Aspire down Al Ahli, Real edge Reysol in penalties By Sports Reporter busier of the two keepers during the PENALTY DRAMA ENDS Action from the match between Aspire Doha opening half. Aspire were attempting WITH MADRID TRIUMPH to get skilful left winger Aboubakar Football Dreams and Al Ahli yesterday. Karamoko on the ball as much as possi- In the other match of the day, Real Ma- spire Football Dreams kept ble, and he was a constant threat from drid prevailed 6-5 in a nervy penalty their hopes of Al Kass glory the fl anks as Football Dreams buzzed shootout to send unfortunate Kashiwa alive, after edging past Al Ahli around their opponents, but continu- Reysol crashing out, after a pulsat- by a single goal in a gripping ally encountered a brick wall as they ing match ended in a 0-0 stalemate in Acontest that looked to be heading for attempted to apply the fi nishing touch normal time. penalties until the deadlock was broken to their skilful approach play. It was the Japanese side who showed by Souleymane Aw late in the match. Meanwhile, Al Ahli reprised the more attacking intent in the early stag- Both sides had shown moments tactic that had served them so well es. On six minutes they put the Real of genuine promise in their previous previously, attempting to hit their op- backline under pressure with two cor- games. The Saudi outfi t had surprised ponents on the break by playing balls ners in quick succession, establishing a everyone with their impressive 3-0 over the top for their speedy frontline dominance that would retain through- defeat of PSG, while powerful, attack- to latch on to. out the fi rst half. ing football combined with tenacious And, against the run of play, it was Reysol striker Shunta Nakamura was pressing had characterised Aspire’s The Royals who fi rst threatened to break proving a willing target man, and the approach thus far. the deadlock when, on 17 minutes, Ali midfi eld’s quick, incisive passing al- And, as the game got underway, Makki’s fl oated free kick from deep on ways had a chance of fi nding him. He Football Dreams picked up where they the left was headed away by Aspire de- did not lack support and, for the fi rst had left off , combining well to domi- fender Salim Daiby, only for Feras Al- time in the tournament, Real Madrid nate possession as they worked to try ghamdi to show astonishing technique were on the back foot. and unlock a stubborn Saudi defence. by volleying the clearance goalwards After the shootout ended in a 3-3 This was easier said than done, how- from fully 25 yards out, his fabulous ef- deadlock, sudden death ensued. The ever, as Al Ahli had not conceded for fort narrowly fl ashing over the bar with teams could still not be separated until 175 minutes of their time at Al Kass. keeper Abdul Nurudeen beaten. Kenta Tsutsumi stepped up to take the The exception was a devastating fi ve- This was Al Ahli’s best chance of 17th penalty of the shootout. His eff ort minute spell against Real Madrid, dur- the fi rst half, as Aspire created a suc- sailed agonisingly over, allowing Cu- ing which Los Blancos had fi red three cession of half-chances. However, the jure a chance that seriously worried Robert Kumadey. The marauding left search of a decisive opening, and they dola to power home and leave Madrid superb goals that any defence would Saudi backline remained resolute, of- their opponents. back hammered his shot against the were soon knocking on the door. Cap- jubilant and Reysol distraught. have struggled to prevent. ten frustrating their opponents before Some neat interplay from the Aspire post, in what was the last meaningful tain Mohamed Nyanje was played in on It was a game that neither team had And, in Bakr Eissa, The Royals had they could get a shot away, and Foot- youngsters culminated in Alhassane action of the fi rst period. through the inside right channel, but deserved to lose – the tie of the tour- arguably the tournament’s outstand- ball Dreams had to wait until added Soumah producing a delicious back- The second half got underway with his shot from just inside the area fl ew nament according to some. But Madrid ing keeper, and he was certainly the time at the end of the fi rst half to con- heel from the left of the area to set up Aspire continuing to push forward in wide of the right-hand post. live to fi ght another day.

Friday, February 12, 2016 GULF TIMES SPORT

TOUR OF QATAR Cav holds slender two-second lead going into fi nal stage ‘I knew I just needed to bury myself deep and we’d still hang onto the jersey anyway’

Young rider classification leader Soren Andersen, overall leader Mark Cavendish and points classification leader Alexander Kristoff on the podium yesterday.

By Yash Mudgal the fi nal 1km at the back of the group and fi n- Doha ished fi fth to retake the lead he lost to his team- mate Hagen after the time trial Stage 3. “It was horrible to lose fi rst and second posi- imension Data managed to hang on to tion rider in such a disappointing way. Edvald the Tour of Qatar leader’s jersey after punctured in the last 10km and unfortunately a dramatic day as former champion Lotto Jumbo went full gas, BMC as well but ob- Mark Cavendish regained the overall viously they had a reason to but Jumbo don’t leadD thanks to misfortune of his teammate Ed- have anyone on GC so it was a bit sad,” Manx vald Boasson Hagen as Alexander Kristoff of Ka- man said. tusha sprinted to victory at Madinat Al Shamal “All the guys waited for Edvald to try and Team Katusha’s Alexander Kristoff celebrates as he crosses the finish line to win the fourth stage of Tour of Qatar yesterday. PICTURES: Jayaram yesterday. bring him back. It was a full cross-tail fi nish so Hagen, who was in the front group of 25- it means you need a full team with you otherwise tomorrow. Cavendish is leading the race and he RESULTS 6. Sacha Modolo (Ita) Lampre - Merida 17 odd riders, had a flat wheel twice with just you just going to be hammered in the gutter. So is not a slow man, so if it comes down to bonus STAGE FOUR 7. Sam Bennett (Irl) Bora-Argon 18 14 8km left to go. By the time he was back on a we put all our eggs in Edvald’s basket and I knew seconds I think, if he’s not unlucky, he will pro- 1. Alexander Kristoff (Nor) Team Katusha 3:57:12 8. Jos Van Emden (Ned) Team LottoNl-Jumbo 12 new bike, he was 40 seconds down in the I just needed to bury myself deep and we’d still tect his lead, but it is quite open.” 2. Greg Van Avermaet (Bel) BMC Racing Team 9. Andrea Guardini (Ita) Astana Pro Team 9 chasing bunch. hang onto the jersey anyway,” the 30-year-old The longest stage in this year’s tour, cover- 3. Jacopo Guarnieri (Ita) Team Katusha 10. Jacopo Guarnieri (Ita) Team Katusha 9 Earlier, with around 14km to go, on the last of Briton said. ing 189km from Al Zubarah Fort to Madinat Al 4. Sam Bennett (Irl) Bora-Argon 18 the four laps of the fi nish circuit, the split hap- Manx Missile has taken a slender two-second Shamal, began at high speed, with 50km cov- 5. Mark Cavendish (GBr) Dimension Data YOUNG RIDER CLASSIFICATION pened under the pressure of cross winds and an lead over BMC’s Greg van Avermaet into today’s ered in the fi rst hour. Though the road surface 6. Manuel Quinziato (Ita) BMC Racing Team 1. Soren K Andersen (Den) Giant-Alpecin 10:51:43 attack from LottoNL-Jumbo. fi fth and fi nal stage to Doha. was generally good, the edges were littered with 7. Viacheslav Kuznetsov (Rus) Katusha +0:00:06 2. Sven Erik Bystrøm (Nor) Katusha +0:00:19 “S*** happens,” Boasson Hagen said. “Yeah, “The team rode incredibly strongly today. gravel and riders suff ered an unusually high 8. Soren K Andersen (Den) Giant-Alpecin +0:00:08 3. Moreno Hofland (Ned) LottoNl-Jumbo +0:02:12 it would’ve been a big win, but now my victory Matt and Mekseb controlled the race alone, with number of punctures. 9. Moreno Hofland (Ned) LottoNl-Jumbo +0:00:09 4. Nils Politt (Ger) Katusha +0:02:36 chances are gone. I can’t do much about it,” the no help from any other teams and that was awe- After a number of early attacks, a group of 10. Michael Morkov (Den) Katusha 5. Daniel Eaton (USA) UnitedHealthcare +0:02:54 28-year-old rider, who won two stages of Tour some to see for 190km. Honestly we got to pay nine riders, including Briton Mark McNally of 6. Simone Antonini (Ita) Wanty-Groupe Gobert de France in 2011, said. back the good work the guys have done all week Wanty-Groupe Gobert, forced their way clear GENERAL CLASSIFICATION +0:03:04 “First I got a fl at on the front. Well, actually and hold on to the jersey tomorrow,” Cavendish of the peloton. The escape built a lead in excess 1. Mark Cavendish (GBr) Dimension Data 10:51:13 7. Soufiane Haddi (Mar) Skydive Dubai +0:03:10 it was a double puncture but I only realised the said. of two minutes, though immediately after the 2. Greg Van Avermaet (Bel) BMC +0:00:02 8. Xhuliano Kamberaj (Alb) Skydive Dubai front wheel at the time,” Hagen said. Kristoff defeated his Katusha teammate Jaco- fi rst intermediate sprint, just before a section of 3. Manuel Quinziato (Ita) BMC +0:00:06 +0:03:36 “I stopped, got a new front wheel and then I po Guarnieri and Belgian Van Avermaet to the cross winds, the gap began to tumble under the 4. Alexander Kristoff (Nor) Katusha +0:00:09 9. Mekseb Debesay (Eri) Dimension Data +0:07:38 started going again, but then I realised I had a line for the second win of the tour. impetus by BMC. 5. Edvald B Hagen (Nor) Dimension Data+0:00:19 10. Mike Teunissen (Ned) LottoNl-Jumbo +0:08:33 fl at at the back too. A double fl at and then the “The team did a really good job in the fi nal kil- Talking about Hagen’s misfortune, Dimen- 6. Soren K Andersen (Den) Giant-Alpecin +0:00:30 group was gone and it was too hard to chase. ometre, putting me with really good speed into sion Data director Roger Hammond said: “They 7. Sam Bennett (Irl) Bora-Argon 18 +0:00:41 TEAMS CLASSIFICATION “It was too fast up front, they were too far the sprint,” said Kristoff . “For me it was just to rode a perfect stage, they were in control all the 8. Sven Erik Bystrøm (Nor) Katusha +0:00:49 1. BMC Racing Team 32:34:27 away and it was hard to get back. But the side fi nish it off and keep the other guys behind me. time and then there was a puncture at the worst 9. Viacheslav Kuznetsov (Rus) Katusha +0:00:50 2. Team Katusha +0:00:57 wind in the fi nal kilometre allowed Katusha to I knew Cavendish was there but I think he was possible time. But what can you do; only try to 10. Michael Schar (Swi) BMC +0:00:58 3. Bora-Argon 18 +0:02:03 put their rivals in the gutter and so the front stuck a bit behind so it went perfectly for our rectify it.” 4. Dimension Data +0:03:55 group split and was scattered in the wind. Cav- team.” The fi fth and fi nal stage is 114km long and fi n- POINTS CLASSIFICATION 5. Astana Pro Team +0:06:09 endish stayed with the leading riders but was The 28-year-old Norwegian, who won three ishes on the Doha Corniche. With time bonuses 1. Alexander Kristoff (Nor) Team Katusha 42 pts 6. Team LottoNl-Jumbo +0:06:26 not on Kristoff ’s wheel. He tried to make his own stages and the points classifi cation in Qatar last up for grabs in two intermediate sprints during 2. Mark Cavendish (GBr) Dimension Data 42 7. Fortuneo - Vital Concept +0:07:31 sprint but faded in the wind and fi nished out of year, is now fourth and just nine seconds behind the 10 laps of the Corniche, and again at the fi n- 3. Greg Van Avermaet (Bel) BMC Racing Team 31 8. Wanty - Groupe Gobert +0:09:30 the time bonuses. overall leader Cavendish of Dimension Data. ish, every second will help decide the overall 4. Edvald B Hagen (Nor) Dimension Data 29 9. Topsport Vlaanderen-Baloise +0:09:56 Cavendish was among the leaders but entered “The general classifi cation will be decided winner of this year’s race. 5. Manuel Quinziato (Ita) BMC Racing Team 17 10. UnitedHealthcare Professional +0:10:13

BOTTOMLINE Millar says ‘been there and done it all’ aft er taking mentor role

By William Fotheringham tional time trial title as a second-year junior The Guardian in 2015. “What that tells us is that we can’t get com- placent,” said Millar. “It’s easy to forget what n a move that is likely to prove controversial, goes on at the bottom of the pyramid, the pres- possibly inspirational and certainly educa- sures on riders who are trying to make their way, tional, British Cycling confi rmed yesterday the amount they put in. In a sense we’ve created that it is employing the former professional, a rod for our own back – the scale of British Cy- IDavid Millar, in a temporary capacity as a men- cling, the success across the board means we tor to the under-23 men’s academy following have massive fi gures and role models but there their relocation to Italy. is a big gap between that and the grassroots. The When he retired at the end of 2014, the Scot whole culture needs educating, and I can off er a was one of the most successful British pros bridge between those two worlds.” ever, winning stages in the Tour de France and Employing Millar will clearly not be to the a wearer of the leader’s jersey in all three major taste of many within the sport in Britain. One Tours during a 17-year career. But he also served race organiser in south-west England resigned a two-year ban from 2004-06 after confessing his British Cycling membership on Thursday on to the use of the blood-booster erythropoietin hearing the news. “I think it’s just wrong to have (EPO), after which he reinvented himself as a someone who was banned as a world champion leading anti-doping campaigner within the for cheating, who cost British Cycling money sport. Millar then helped to found the ground- and credibility,” Vin Cox told the website road. breaking Slipstream squad together with “He was a damage to sport at the time, he Jonathan Vaughters in 2008. should be saying ‘I was a damage to the sport at Millar explained to the Guardian his role is the time and I should be fi nding something else likely to remain an informal one, with what to do’. I don’t want any of my eff orts or money amounts to a probationary period for the fi rst to go towards his wages or to give him any cred- few months. His argument for taking up the role ibility.” is that he is uniquely qualifi ed to advise young Another voice from within the British sport, riders because of having doped himself – dam- Stefan Wyman of the Drops women’s pro team, aging his career for a short time and throwing wrote on his Twitter feed: “If this was published his entire life into turmoil – he can give genuine on 1 April, I’d understand. Why. Just Why.” answers to the questions they will have. The counter view came from the British Cy- “I have been there and done it all recently, cling technical director Shane Sutton in a state- good and bad,” he said. “It will make that world ment confi rming Millar’s appointment. “Nur- seem real to them. I’m still close to what they are turing an anti-doping culture is at the heart of dreaming of. They can ask me things and they everything we do at British Cycling and edu- will know they will get real-life experiences as In this July 13, 2012, picture, Great Britain’s David Millar celebrates as he crosses the finish line to win the 12th stage of Tour de France in Annonay cating our young riders on the subject is a re- an answer. It’s not just a matter of telling them Davezieux, southeastern France. (AFP) sponsibility we take seriously. Having someone what not to do, but why. of David’s calibre on board to support us in this “I can tell them about the risks, how [dop- clean, but you can see from what’s happening in someone he is riding against, sees something he The issue of doping among young riders in education process is invaluable; he is readily ing] can damage you. It’s about qualifying them athletics that there is a way to go. doesn’t understand, he can talk to me. He will Britain has a certain immediacy to it follow- available to share his experiences as a profes- for the world they are going into. Cycling has “I’m in a strong position to educate those guys know that I will do something about it, and that I ing the revelation that an 18-year-old, Gabriel sional cyclist to the young riders who aspire to cleaned up its act, it’s possible to get to the top on what happens. If one of them has doubts about will give him an idea of how to cope with it.” Evans, had used EPO before winning a na- succeed in their careers.”