Established 1961 Sport

MONDAY, DECEMBER 9, 2019

Britain’s Joshua defeats Ruiz to Messi hat-trick breaks NBK celebrates 25th 25reclaim heavyweight crown 25 La Liga record 26 walkathon anniversary

Bahrain beat Saudi to lift Gulf Cup Bahrain crowned champions for first time • ’s Amir congratulates Qatari leader

DOHA: Bahrain’s players celebrate after winning the 24th Final football match between Bahrain and Saudi Arabia at the Khalifa International Stadium in the Qatari capital yesterday. —AFP

DOHA: Bahrain were crowned champions Al-Jaber Al-Sabah congratulated Qatari He praised the team’s high spirit and of the 24th Arabian Gulf Cup football Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani determination which enabled them to honor tournament held in Qatar yesterday after on the conclusion of the successful 24th the homeland and lift the coveted trophy their 1-0 victory over Saudi Arabia. Arabian Gulf Cup. “The event achieved with merit. He hailed the achievement which Bahrain waited for 49 years to achieve its aspired goals of strengthening the reflects Bahraini football’s standing in the their first title since the tournament was bonds of brotherhood and interaction Gulf, regional, continental and international first held in Manama in 1970 to register among the Gulf neighbors,” read the con- arenas, expressing hope that the achieve- their name in the records of the champi- gratulatory cable. ment would serve as a catalyst for players ons of the Gulf Cup. HH the Amir praised the huge prepara- to look forward to more trophies in future The first half was a contest between the tions made by the organizing committee championships. two teams through counterattacks, as they ahead of the tournament and the excep- King Hamad commended the efforts exchanged control, seeking to score the tional facilitations provided for this region- exerted by the Bahrain Football Association first goal to increase the chances of winning al event, which made it a resounding suc- chaired by Sheikh Ali bin Khalifa bin the title. The Saudi team had the opportuni- cess. He also hailed the sportsmanship Ahmed Al-Khalifa for the team’s good ty to advance after a penalty kick was demonstrated by the competing sides at preparation which ensured their success in awarded to them in the 12th minute, but the much-celebrated event. He wished the winning the trophy. He praised all national Salman Al-Faraj missed the opportunity to Qatari Amir the best of health and his efforts to support and encourage the score. The contest continued in the second country, growth and prosperity. HH the national team to attain this landmark hon- half, with a high technical level and beautiful Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al- orable achievement, hailing the administra- offensive football. The crowd were enjoying, Jaber Al-Sabah and HH the Prime Minister tive and technical staff. whether in the stands or behind the screens. Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al- He saluted Bahrainis and residents who Bahrain’s first goal came through Mubarak Al-Sabah both expressed similar supported the national team during the Mohammed Al-Rumaihi in the 69th minute sentiments in separate cables. championship and encouraged the players DOHA: Qatar’s Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani (2nd-R) presents the trophy to through a cross from Mahdi Faisal. The Meanwhile, King Hamad bin Isa Al- to win the historic title, commending the Bahrain’s goalkeeper Sayed Jaffer (L) for winning the 24th Arabian Gulf Cup Final football match ended with this historic goal for Khalifa congratulated the national team press and the media for supporting the match between Bahrain and Saudi Arabia at the Khalifa International Stadium in the Qatari Bahrain, achieving its second title in four players on winning the Gulf Cup in Qatar national team. He hailed the historic capital Doha yesterday. — AFP months after the West Asian Championship for the first time in the history of Bahraini achievement which, he said, represents a held in the Iraqi city of Arbil in August. football since the championship was first crucial turning point in the march of football expressing confidence in the ability of this them further success in the march. He also Kuwait tops the list with 10 titles, while launched almost 50 years ago. The king in Bahrain. generation of players to continue the march reiterated keenness on supporting the Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Iraq have won it extended his deepest thanks to the national “The achievement attained by the of excellence and winning more trophies. youth and sports movement and develop- three times, and the UAE twice and team on the historic and honorable achieve- Bahraini champions in this Gulf champion King Hamad also congratulated the ing all sports in Bahrain for the national Bahrain for the first time yesterday. ment, hailing their impressive performance has brought joy to all the people of Bahrain brotherly Saudi national team, hailing their team to continue their march in future HH the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad during the championship. and expatriates as well” said King Hamad, outstanding performance and wishing championships. — Agencies

with 16 goals this term. The 32-year-old striker’s blistering Iheanacho and, with the injured Tyrone Mings unable to striker running onto Jack Stephens’ long pass to notch his Red-hot Vardy fires run has given him a chance of equalling his sequence of sprint back, Vardy had space to round Tom Heaton before fifth goal in his last five appearances. scoring in 11 successive matches during Leicester’s 2015- stumbling over the ball. But Newcastle were level in the 68th minute when Jonjo 16 title-winning campaign. Quickly recovering his footing, the striker glided past Shelvey headed in substitute Andy Carroll’s cross, giving title-chasing Leicester “I thought they were amazing, it is a historical day for Ezri Konsa to slot home from inside the six-yard box. After the midfielder three goals in his last three games. And the club and the performance warranted that,” Rodgers bagging the winner against Everton last Sunday, Nigerian Federico Fernandez won it with three minutes left when he said. “It really does mean something special, it puts the forward Iheanacho struck again in the 41st minute. tapped in after Sean Longstaff’s long-range effort was to club record win team in the history books of Leicester City.” Teed up by a sweeping Leicester move, James fumbled by Saints keeper Alex McCarthy. Leicester’s surge up the table, after 12 wins from their Maddison surged into the Villa area and delivered a fine Newcastle are up to 10th place, while Southampton sit LONDON: Leicester closed the gap on last 14 league games, has made them unexpected title con- cross that Iheanacho turned in from close range. Grealish third bottom. Sheffield United came from behind to win 2-1 leaders Liverpool as extended his red-hot tenders again and leaves them in position to qualify for the gave Dean Smith’s side a lifeline in first half stoppage-time at second-bottom Norwich. Norwich took the lead in the streak with a brace in yesterday’s record-breaking 4-1 Champions League. Jurgen Klopp’s men remain heavy title when Villa’s captain shot past after 27th minute through captain Alexander Tettey’s powerful rout of Aston Villa. ’ second-placed side favourites and the acid test of Leicester’s credentials will Leicester failed to clear. finish for his first Premier League goal since 2016. moved within eight points of Liverpool thanks to goals come with successive fixtures against Manchester City But Evans restored Leicester’s two-goal advantage in Enda Stevens equalised for United in the 49th minute from Vardy, and Jonny Evans at Villa and Liverpool over Christmas. the 49th minute when the defender met Maddison’s corner with a header from George Baldock’s cross. And Baldock Park. Jack Grealish had reduced the deficit to 2-1 late in “We will just concentrate on playing as well as we can with a towering header for his first goal since February. went from provider to scorer three minutes later when he the first half, but Leicester cruised to an eighth consecu- and with a performance level as high as we can,” Rodgers Vardy put the result beyond doubt in the 75th minute twisted into space before blasting home. tive top-flight victory, setting a new club record that added. “Wherever we are in the table we always look to as he raced clear of the Villa defence to drill past Heaton. Chris Wilder’s eighth-placed team thought they had smashed the previous best from the 1962-63 season. chase the team in front of us.” Newcastle fought back to make it two consecutive wins been reduced to 10 men in the 74th minute, but Chris Vardy has now scored in eight consecutive Premier Vardy maintained his superb form to put Leicester with a 2-1 success against Southampton. Danny Ings gave Basham’s red card for a foul on Kenny McLean was over- League appearances and is the competition’s top scorer ahead in the 21st minute. Latching onto a fine pass from Southampton a 52nd-minute lead at St James’ Park, the turned by VAR. — AFP