SPORT SATURDAY 31 DECEMBER 2016 21 Starc earns Australia series victory

Melbourne Reuters SCOREBOARD

itchell Starc shone Pakistan (I ): 443-9 dec with bat and ball as Australia dis- Australia (I innings): missed Pakistan M Renshaw b 10 for 163 to secure D Warner c Sarfraz b Riaz 144 Man innings and 18-run victory in U Khawaja c Sarfraz b Riaz 97 the second test yesterday, the S Smith 165 P Handscomb c Sami b Sohail 54 win giving the hosts an unassail- N Maddinson b Yasir Shah 22 able 2-0 lead in the three-match M Wade c Shafiq b Sohail 9 series. M Starc c Shafiq b Sohail 84 Lanky left-arm paceman N c and b Shah 12 Starc smashed 84 with the bat, Extras (B1, LB12, W1, NB13) 27 including a record seven sixes at Total (8 wkts dec) 624 the Melbourne Ground, Fall of : 1-46, 2-244, 3-282, 4-374 (Hands- comb), 5-433, 6-454, 7-608, 8-624 then tore through Pakistan's tail Did not bat: J Hazlewood, J Bird. with 4-36 as Australia's bowlers : Amir 33-6-91-0 (1nb 1w) snatched an unlikely win from a Sohail 31-7-131-3 rain-blighted match. Y Shah 41-2-207-3 Pakistan's capitulation left Riaz 32-5-147-2 (12nb) their heart-broken and Azhar 5-0-35-0 after falling for a second-ball Pakistan (II innings): duck with a rash sweep-shot, S Aslam b Hazlewood 2 42-year-old veteran Misbah-ul- A Ali lbw b Hazlewood 43 Haq said he would consider B Azam lbw b Starc 3 Au stralian players rush to embrace team-mates Josh Hazlewood (2right) and David Warner (right) after Australia defeated retiring before the series finale Y Khan c Handscomb b Lyon 24 in Sydney. Pakistan on the final day of the second cricket Test match in Melbourne, Australia yesterday. M Ul-Haq c Maddinson b Lyon 0 For home captain and man A Shafiq c Handscomb b Lyon 16 S Ahmed b Starc 43 of the match Steve Smith, it was against the reversing ball after tea. maiden series win in Australia short leg, clutching two tough Sarfraz Ahmed for 43, cleaned M Amir b Bird 11 a golden day as he smashed an Pakistan lost the first Test in goes on and they have now lost chances to remove Younus and up through the gate. S Khan not out 10 unbeaten 165 in the morning ses- Brisbane by 39 runs but won four matches in succession. Asad Shafiq for 16. Starc returned to bowl W Riaz b Starc 0 sion and watched Pakistan admiration for their dogged Australia spinner Nathan Pakistan went to tea on a Wahab Riaz for a duck and Y Shah c Bird b Starc 0 disintegrate on a sun-bathed fourth innings resistance, when Lyon shrugged off recent form shaky 91-5 and three overs after wrapped up the win by having Extras (B4, LB5, NB2) 11 afternoon. After declaring Aus- they put an Australian record woes to bowl his best spell of the the break, seamer Josh Hazle- Yasir Shah sky an easy catch to Total (all out, 53.2 overs) 163 tralia's first innings at 624 for total of 450 on the board. series, capturing three wickets wood trapped Azhar Ali, Bird at mid-on. Fall of wickets: 1-3, 2-6, 3-63, 4-63, 5-89, 6-101, 7-143, 8-153, 9-159, 10-163 eight just before lunch, Smith Much of that acclaim evap- in the middle session, two of Pakistan's last specialist bats- Following the Hobart thrash- Bowling: Starc 15.2-4-36-4 gave his bowlers 68 overs to run orated yesterday as their them in three balls to remove man, lbw for 43. ing by South Africa, which Hazlewood 13-3-39-2 through the tourists. shambolic followed an stalwarts Younus Khan (24) and Paceman Jackson Bird surrendered the series, Austral- Bird 11-2-46-1 (2nb)

In the end, the Aussies needed equally abysmal effort in the field Misbah. bowled Mohammad Amir for 11 ia's new-look team have won Lyon 14-4-33-3 only 53.2 overs of the quota as in the morning. Rookie batsman Peter and a sizzling Starc inswinger their last three matches in Result: Australia won by an innings and 18 runs Pakistan's demise hastened Pakistan's 52-year wait for a Handscomb was outstanding at accounted for wicketkeeper succession.

Pakistan South Africa crush Lankans fined for slow Port Elizabeth over rates Reuters

outh Africa's bowlers needed a lit- Melbourne tle more than an hour of the final AFP S day's play to dismiss for 281 in their second innings and claim akistan have been fined a 206-run victory in the first Test for a slow over rate yesterday. Pagainst Australia during struck twice and Ver- the second Test in Melbourne, non Philander, Kagiso Rabada and the ICC said yesterday. spinner Keshav Maharaj mopped up Match referee Ranjan the tail to complete a comprehensive Madugalle imposed the fine victory for the hosts at St George's Park after Misbah-ul-Haq's side and conclude a satisfactory start to the was ruled to be two overs three-match series. short of its target when time "We had to toil hard for this one allowances were taken into but the bowlers got great benefit today consideration. Misbah considers from all the hard work they put in," Under ICC regulations, winning captain told players are fined 10 percent retirement ahead of reporters. of their match fees for every South Africa took the last five wick- over their side fails to bowl in final Sydney Test ets for just 41 runs. the allotted time, with the Sri Lanka had displayed dogged captain fined double that resistance on Thursday after being set amount. Accordingly, Misbah Melbourne a mammoth target of 488 early on the was fined 40 percent of his AFP fourth day and stymied South Africa's match fee, while his players hopes of wrapping up the result with received 20 percent fines. aptain Misbah-ul-Haq (pictured) said he a day to spare. was considering retirement after Paki- A day of toil for the home attack Cstan's shattering two-session capitulation produced just five wickets but by to Australia in the second Test in Melbourne to stumps, captain and Bangladesh's lose the series yesterday. were the last rec- Pakistan crashed to an innings and 18-run ognised batsmen for Sri Lanka and defeat to the Australians on the final day at the needed to dig in on Friday to give their Haidar officially Melbourne Cricket Ground. side any chance of salvaging a draw. Misbah's tactics and fielding strategy were However, Mathews departed in the reprimanded questioned during the and he third over of the day, trapped leg before scored just 11 and a duck in his two trips to the by Abbott for 59 and then De Nelson crease. Silva followed four overs later in sim- AFP The 42-year-old veteran of 71 Tests from ilar fashion for 22. 2001 said he would decide in the coming days Philander had to change direction angladesh bowler Tan- whether to call time on his career and indi- on his follow through but made good veer Haider has been cated he was no guarantee to play the third ground to snatch a one-handed catch Bofficially reprimanded Test, starting in Sydney on Tuesday. to remove for three by the International Cricket "I think I need to think about it," Misbah off his own bowling. South African bowler Kyle Abbott (left) celebrates with a team-mate Council (ICC) for swearing told reporters after the Test defeat. Rabada then sent Dushmantha their win against Sri Lanka during the fifth and last day of the first Test at New Zealand batsman "I always believed that if I couldn't contrib- Chameera back without scoring with at St George's Park ground in Port Elizabeth in South Africa yesterday. Neil Broom during the sec- ute to the team then it's no point staying there. a searing that took a healthy ond one day cricket I haven't decided (about Sydney) but let's see." edge. international in Nelson on Misbah said he could offer no explanation was the last wicket SCOREBOARD Thursday. for his side's dramatic collapse after trailing by to fall, bowled by Maharaj for four, South Africa (I innings): 286 R Herath c&b Philander 3 The incident happened on 181 runs on the first innings following Austral- leaving unbeaten on Sri Lanka (I innings): 205 D Chameera c de Kock b Rabada 0 the last ball of the 19th over ia's declaration of 624 for eight. 19. South Africa (II innings):406/ 6 decl S Lakmal not out 19 when Tanveer, after being hit "Pressure sometimes does things like that. South Africa, who won the toss and Sri Lanka (II innings): N Pradeep b Maharaj 4 for a four, used obscene lan- Full credit to Australia the way they batted to opted to bat, amassed 286 in their first D Karunaratne run out (Duminy, de Kock) 43 Extras (B-4 LB-3 NB-1 W-3) 11 guage which was heard by the put us under pressure," he said. innings and Sri Lanka scored 205 in K Silva lbw b Rabada 48 Total (all out) 281 umpires. K Perera c de Kock b Maharaj 6 Fall of wickets: 1-87, 2-93, 3-118, 4-193, 5-225, 6-246, 7-258, "After scoring 443 you should not be in that reply. South Africa's second innings K Mendis c de Kock b Rabada 58 8-258, 9-274, 10-281 Tanveer, who was mak- position to lose a Test match on the last day. I was declared on 406 for six. Both teams A Mathews lbw b Abbott 59 Bowling: V Philander 22 - 5 - 65 - 1; K Abbott 20 - 6 - 38 - 2(w- ing his ODI debut, admitted

think we should take the blame as a batting have little time to recover before the D Chandimal c Rabada b Maharaj 8 2); K Rabada 21 - 4 - 77 - 3(nb-1 w-1); K Maharaj 30.3 - 7 - 86 - 3; swearing and there was no unit because the pitch was very good on the second test at Newlands in Cape Town D de Silva lbw b Abbott 22 J Duminy 3 - 0 - 8 - 0 need for a formal hearing, the last day." begins on Monday. ICC said in a statement. 22 SPORT SATURDAY 31 DECEMBER 2016

Ronaldo turns Wenger labels Chelsea League title favourites down London Gunners manager Wenger conceded Premier League games on their way AFP yesterday they are firm favourites to the title in 2001-02, extending the audacious to take the title. run to 14 the following campaign, rsene Wenger has labelled "At the moment Chelsea are the but Wenger says he would do noth- Chelsea as 'super-favourites' super-favourites because they are ing but congratulate Chelsea if they Chinese bid Afor the Premier League title quite big and made a big difference," match their single-season run. after watching the leaders close in Wenger said. "What they do is fantastic," he London on Arsenal's record for consecutive "But it is theirs to lose as we say added. "If they do it, it's absolutely AFP victories. here in . They can still lose marvellous because nobody Antonio Conte's side have it, at the moment they have won it expected that. orld player of the opened up a six-point lead at the top but they can still lose it. "At the start of the season, they year Cristiano Ron- of the table thanks to a superb run "It's still a long way to go and had a little bit of a dodgy start, but Waldo rejected a of 12 successive wins. very difficult for everybody so the after, since they've changed their world record £257m (€300m, Chelsea have been perfect in the head-to-head (matches) will have a system, they are on a run where the $317m) bid from China, his league since a 3-0 defeat at Arsenal vital importance. confidence plays a big part. agent Jorge Mendes has on September 24 led to a change in "They have addressed their "If they do it, you can only say claimed. formation from Blues boss Conte. problems well. You have to give 'well done'. Record are there to be Mendes told Sky Sports Arsene The west Londoners can consol- credit to Conte to find a solution that beaten and if somebody does better Italia that the unnamed Chi- Wenger idate pole position in this weekend's has balanced well his team." than you, you have to acknowledge nese Super League side had clash with Stoke and Arsenal won 13 consecutive it and say 'well done'." offered the 31-year-old Por- tuguese superstar a record £85m a year as salary. "From China, they've offered €300m to Real Madrid and more than €100m per year to the player," said Mendes. Guardiola and Klopp meet "But money is not every- thing. Real Madrid is his life. Cristiano is happy at Real Madrid and it is impossible to go to China." China has through its again in Anfield showdown Super League clubs flexed considerable financial mus- cle in the international Reds vs Citizens transfer market, most recently buying Brazilian Klopp was a thorn in international Oscar from Guardiola's side during their Chelsea and Argentinian vet- time as rivals in the Bundesliga eran Carlos Tevez -- with the with his team latter reportedly set to earn overcoming Pep's Bayern four €38m a year. times in eight matches. However, Mendes said the star of his stable was out City, meanwhile, have not of reach. won at Anfield in the league "The Chinese market is a new market," said Mendes. since a 2-1 victory in May "Cristiano is the best 2003, a run of 13 matches. player in the world and best ever. It is normal to have some offers. London AFP

ep Guardiola confronts one of the few opposition managers Allardyce to have regularly outwitted him when Manchester City visit Jur- rejects gen Klopp's Liverpool in the PPremier League's stand-out New Year's Chinese offer Eve fixture. Klopp was a thorn in Guardiola's side London during their time as rivals in the Bundes- AFP liga, with his Borussia Dortmund team overcoming the Catalan's Bayern Munich rystal Palace manager four times in eight meetings. Sam Allardyce claims Liverpool go into today's game at Che rejected a lucrative Anfield a point above City in second place offer from a Chinese club and while Klopp says past encounters will Jurgen Klopp Pep Guardiola before taking charge of the count for little, he is relishing the pros- Premier League strugglers. pect of resuming hostilities. Chinese Super League "We know everything about how Pep teams have been spending big played with Bayern, but that is not impor- he is at City and he is there to be success- 2014 Super Cup and eliminated them in men enjoyed two resounding wins in the money in a bid to add prestige tant any more because it is different ful and not to show how good he is." the semi-finals of the German Cup in 2015. league, triumphing 4-1 at Anfield and 3-0 to their developing league. players and different systems," Klopp said. Guardiola arrived in Munich in 2013, Having arrived at Liverpool in Octo- at the Etihad Stadium. Players as well as Manag- "In Holland it was Johan Cruyff and shortly after Bayern had pipped Klopp's ber 2015, Klopp has had almost a year's City, meanwhile, have not won at ers are in demand and Total Football. He (Guardiola) was very Dortmund to glory in the Bundesliga and head start on Guardiola in the Premier Anfield in the league since ex-Liverpool Allardyce revealed he was nearly perfect with Barcelona. He had a German Cup and beaten them 2-1 in the League. loanee Nicolas Anelka's stoppage-time offered the opportunity to big influence with Bayern and changed Champions League final at Wembley. But while Liverpool appear closer to goal secured a 2-1 victory in May 2003 -- head to Asia after his brief their style completely. Bayern swept to the Bundesliga title the finished article than City, who lost a run of 13 matches. tenure as England manager "He is an outstanding manager, 100 in Guardiola's three seasons in Bavaria back-to-back games against Chelsea and The visitors will be buoyed by the came to an end. percent. I am not interested too much and Klopp left Dortmund after a disap- Leicester City earlier this month, there is return of top scorer Sergio Aguero, who "Did I have an offer? Yes. in giving things a name, but you can see pointing seventh-place finish in the little between them in the standings. has missed City's last four games through I didn't go. I could have gone on the pitch he is an influential 2014-15 campaign. Both teams are chasing a fourth suc- suspension after being sent off for a wild but I preferred to stay here," manager. But the bespectacled former Mainz cessive league win and with Chelsea six lunge on Chelsea's David Luiz. he told reporters yesterday. "He has a clear idea and a pretty much coach gave Guardiola several bloody points clear of Liverpool at the summit, Klopp has confirmed Liverpool, 4-1 "It's difficult for a player good idea. He has had a fantastic career noses, beating him in the 2013 German neither Klopp nor Guardiola can afford victors against Stoke City on Tuesday, will or a club to turn that down, until now. Super Cup and inflicting his first home to lose momentum. once again be without centre-back Joel it's just the way of the world "He had a nice style with Barcelona league defeat with a 3-0 win in April 2014. City beat Liverpool on penalties in last Matip and playmaker Philippe Coutinho and changing forces in the and was really good with Bayern and now Dortmund also beat Bayern in the season's League Cup final, but Klopp's due to ankle problems. football world. Mourinho upbeat as he faces old friend Karanka

Manchester unwise. The England forward's total in all competitions to 50 for guiding the club back into the AFP value to his club has diminished the calendar year. Premier League in May after a , he has started just eight of Unit- Henrikh Mkhitaryan, seem- seven-season absence. anchester United man- ed's 18 league matches under ingly unwanted during the "It never really crossed my ager Jose Mourinho is in Mourinho, and has not scored in opening months of the season, mind to go into management after Moptimistic mood as he the English top division since the has hit form too after scoring his I finished playing," said prepares to face an old friend in opening weekend. third goal in three matches. Karanka. Middlesbrough handler Aitor United, though, can count on Karanka has thanked Mour- "But after working with Jose Karanka, despite facing the pros- goals from elsewhere as they seek inho for giving him the for those three years, I realised pect of being without his to defeat opponents led by Kara- confidence to pursue a career in that any fears you might have captain. nka, who was Mourinho's management as he prepares to about taking the plunge aren't Wayne Rooney was absent assistant at Real Madrid. go up against his mentor for the important. with a minor thigh problem as Swedish veteran Zlatan Ibra- first time. "He has a great way about Manchester United recorded a himovic, having endured a The Middlesbrough manager him, a manner with the players fourth successive Premier League mini-drought in the autumn, has was assistant to the Portuguese and I learned so much from him victory by beating Sunderland 3-1 well and truly put that behind at Real Madrid for three years about how to make things work." on Boxing Day, and Mourinho him. His neat finish against Sun- from 2010, and has added to his Boro go in search of a first Former Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho (right) talks to his admitted immediately after that derland brought his 11th goal in growing reputation during a league win at Old Trafford for assistant Aitor Karanka in this September 26, 2012 file photo. match a quick recall may be the last 10 matches, and took his three-year reign on Teesside, almost 13 years. SATURDAY 31 DECEMBER 2016 SPORT 23 Federer launches Qatar's top stories of injury comeback at 2016 ahead 2022 WC Perth AFP Teams (with current rankings) The Peninsula 3D printed stadium Barcelona's Lionel Messi talks oger Federer makes his models. These were tested in a to his Afghan superfan Murtaza long-awaited return to AUSTRALIA - Nick Kyrgios ith the year special wind-tunnel facility to Ahmadi on the pitch before the Rtennis after six months (13)/Daria Gavrilova (25) 2016 drawing ensure that all the venues being start of their friendly match out with a knee injury in tomor- CZECH REPUBLIC - Adam Pav- lasek (75)/Lucie Hradecka (165) to a close, we built for 2022 have value engi- against Saudi Arabia's row's mixed teams Hopman FRANCE - Richard Gasquet take a look neering in place to make them Al Ahli FC in this Cup in Perth ahead of next back at some both cost-effective and help month's Australian Open. (18)/Kristina Mladenovic (42) December 13 Wof the most successful stories cooling technology built into The Swiss 17-time Grand GERMANY - Alexander Zverev file photo. put out by the Supreme Com- stadiums achieve the ideal tem- Slam champion has not played (24)/Andrea Petkovic (55) mittee for Delivery and Legacy perature for playing football a match since July when he GREAT BRITAIN - Daniel Evans (SC) this year as Qatar reached throughout the year. tumbled during the final set of (66)/Heather Watson (76) the half-way mark in prepara- a loss to Milos Raonic in the SPAIN - Feliciano Lopez (28)/ tions to host the 2022 FIFA 5. CHALLENGE 22 SECOND semi-finals at Wimbledon. Lara Arruabarrena (66) World Cup. CYCLE LAUNCHED: The second Federer, 35, had surgery for SWITZERLAND - Roger Fed- cycle of the SC’s regional inno- the first time in his career on erer (16)/Belinda Bencic (43) 1. MURTAZA MEETS MESSI: vation award was launched at his left knee in February and USA - Jack Sock (23)/Coco The year 2016 ended with a real the end of September, with an after the Wimbledon set-back Vandeweghe (36) heart-warming moment which expanded reach to 10 countries he did not finish the season, made headlines in media out- in the Arab region. Following a missing out on the US Open and lets worldwide and captured road show across participating Rio Olympics. Nick Kyrgios also makes his the imagination of social media countries, a record number of During his time out of the return in the Hopman Cup, but users, as 6-year-old Afghan fan 937 submissions have been game Andy Murray and Novak from a playing ban, after his Murtaza Ahmadi finally met his received. A series of stories Djokovic fought out the world spectacular meltdown at the hero Lionel Messi in Qatar. The were published about Chal- No.1 ranking and his Swiss Shanghai Masters in October SC invited Murtaza to Doha for lenge 22 in the build up to the compatriot Stan Wawrinka won resulted in an initial eight-week the December 13 friendly second cycle being launched, the US Open. suspension. between F.C. Barcelona and Al with the 360 degree virtual Federer makes his return A condition of the ATP Ahli of Saudi Arabia, and reality proposal of one of last with his world ranking down to reducing the ban to three weeks arranged for the youngster to year’s winning teams catching 16, his lowest since 2001. meant the controversial walk out onto the pitch ahead the imagination of football fans. The Swiss legend, who will 21-year-old had to consult a of the match, holding the hand Imagine watching a game of partner with Belinda Bencic, sports psychologist to prepare of the Argentine superstar. football in 360 degree live said he was looking to ease his him for the new season. streaming; a fan experience of way back before the start of the Kyrgios, who will partner 2. COOLED HELMETS: As the future! Australian Open in Melbourne with Daria Gavrilova in the Qatar continues to use innova- on January 16. Australian team, said he was tive solutions across different 6. 30 MILLION YEAR OLD "I'm really positive about now focusing on better man- areas in preparations for 2022, ROCK: Some of our stories this how I'm feeling right now, and aging his schedule and time. the SC announced in Decem- year focused on the past, as did practice is going well," said Dual Wimbledon champion ber that together with one of the most successful sta- Federer, who was watched by Petra Kvitova had pulled out of researchers at Qatar University dium updates which was 5,000 fans at a practice session the Hopman Cup before she and Aspire Zone, solar-pow- published earlier this year. The in Perth on Thursday. was knifed by a home intruder ered helmets have been Qatar Foundation Stadium "Expectations are low this month and required sur- developed in Qatar which can works were advancing rapidly, because I don't have the gery on her racquet hand. help to lower the body temper- and one of the rock types found matches yet and it's going to be Kvitova will be out for six ature of construction workers under the stadium as machines best-of-five from the get-go at months and has been replaced by up to 10 degrees centigrade. dug 18 meters deep for the the Australian Open. in Perth by three-time doubles The cooled helmets are planned foundation of the stadium was "I'm happy I've got the Hop- Grand Slam champion Lucie to be rolled out on SC construc- 30 million years old. It was a man Cup and I've got my three Hradecka, who partners with tion sites from this summer, story which captured the imag- matches there to ease my way Adam Pavlasek in the Czech with a potential legacy use ination of the global media, and in." team. envisioned for countries with not only history enthusiasts hot climates across the world. were interested in the rare find. requirements regarding the on May 6 this year. One story recruitment, employment, liv- from the final in particular cap- 3. LUSAIL STADIUM 7. XAVI IN JORDAN: Xavi ing and working conditions of tured the imagination of ADVANCES: In November, the Hernandez was announced as everyone engaged on an SC regional audiences, as Jerry Nadal looks to kickstart SC announced the Main Con- an ambassador of the SC’s Gen- project. Ayitey recounted his journey tractor on Lusail Stadium, eration Amazing programme, from a 17-year-old forward in which will host the Final of the and only a few days later he 9. WORKERS CUP: The 2016 the Ghana Premier League, to 2017 in Brisbane 2022 FIFA World Cup Qatar. visited a refugee camp in Jor- Workers Cup was the most suc- a heroic performance at the The announcement saw Qatari dan to play football and inspire cessful edition yet, with 11,050 heart of the Workers Cup contractor HBK Contracting Co. the children involved in the spectators watching the Final champions Taleb Group’s Brisbane W.L.L. (HBK) and China Rail- programme there. The videos on May 6 this year. One story defence. AFP way Construction Corporation of Xavi preparing to go to Jor- from the final in particular cap- Limited (CRCC) appointed as a dan, and then meeting the kids tured the imagination of 11. TURF AND TREE NURS- panish great Rafael Nadal joint-venture (JV). The news at the SC’s pitch in Jordan made regional audiences, as Jerry ERY STORIES: This year we also (pictured) will be hoping came as Qatar marked six years news and social media feeds Ayitey recounted his journey featured stories about Qatar’s Sthe season-opening Bris- to go until the opening (21 from around the world. from a 17-year-old forward in quest to find the perfect pitch bane International gives him November) and Final (18 the Ghana Premier League, to for 2022, growing different the chance to kick-start his December) of the 2022 FIFA 8. IMPACTT ANNOUNCED AS a heroic performance at the types of grass at the SC’s turf career following an injury- World Cup. EXTERNAL MONITOR: Earlier this heart of the Workers Cup nursery in close collaboration plagued 2016. year, Impactt were announced champions Taleb Group’s with Aspire. Meanwhile, a spe- The 30-year-old has won 4. 3D PRINTED WORLD CUP as the SC’s independent third defence. cial tree farm in the North of 14 Grand Slam singles titles in STADIUM MODELS: This summer, party External Monitor. The Qatar is preparing to grow a glittering career, the last com- innovation ‘made in Qatar’ second edition of the SC Work- 9. WORKERS CUP: The 2016 16,000 trees to be used around ing at the French Open in 2014. made world news, as research- ers’ Welfare Standards was Workers Cup was the most suc- the stadium precincts, making But his 2016 campaign was ers at Qatar University worked published on 1 March 2016, and cessful edition yet, with 11,050 for a green and sustainable ruined by a wrist injury that together with the SC to produce clearly sets out the SC’s spectators watching the Final tournament in six years’ time. forced him out of Roland Gar- feel I'm healthy enough, and I'm ros after the second round and very excited to be coming to A computer-generated image of Lusail Stadium, which is slated saw him miss Wimbledon. Brisbane for the first time in my to host the opening and final games of the 2022 World Cup. He then lost to Frenchman life. I'm working hard enough to It will have a seating capacity of about 86,000. Lucas Pouille in the fourth be competitive. That's my main round of the US Open and thing, to be competitive." slipped to number nine in the Nadal will be the fifth seed world rankings at year end. in Brisbane, behind world But the Spaniard says he is number three and defending fit again and insists he can still champion Milos Raonic of Can- challenge for a Grand Slam title. ada, Switzerland's three-time "My idea is to stay here for Grand Slam winner Stan a few more years and I feel Wawrinka, Japan's Kei enough motivation to be here," Nishikori and rising Austrian Nadal said after beating Tomas star Dominic Thiem. Berdych of the Czech Republic The top eight seeds are 6-0, 6-4 at the Mubadala World rounded out by Nadal's fellow Tennis Championship exhibi- Spaniard David Ferrer, and tion tournament in Abu Dhabi. French duo Pouille and Gilles "I believe that I can com- Simon. pete for important things in the The women's draw is next three years." headed by Germany's Angel- Nadal will be making his ique Kerber, who won the first appearance at the Brisbane Australian and US Opens in International, a major lead-up 2016 and finished runner-up at tournament to the Australian Wimbledon on her way to tak- Open, and one that boasts a ing over from Serena Williams high-class field. as world number one. "I'm ready to play in Bris- The tournament begins at bane -- I hope to be 100 per cent the Queensland Tennis Centre ready to play at a good level. I on New Year's Day. SPORT

Saturday 31 December 2016 PAGE | 21 PAGE | 22 Starc earns Wenger labels Australia series Chelsea League victory title favourites Golden double for Anna, Sergey wins men’s blitz

Armstrong Vas Sergey Karjakin of Russia with 13 points at the end of 17 Carlsen struggles The Peninsula stunned world champion Mag- rounds of action. nus Carlsen of Norway to win “It was a fantastic victory. I World champion nna Muzychuk of the men’s crown. can’t believe yet that I have won Magnus Carlsen Ukraine completed a Yesterday, at the Ali Bin Attiya two back to back champion- finishes second for the golden double in Hamad Arena, defending cham- ships,” Anna said. second time in Doha. Qatar by winning the pion Anna, who on Wednesday “I am happy with the golden women’s FIDE won the Rapid title, stormed her double. It was a top field but after WorldA Blitz Championship while way to retain the title finishing winning the Rapid on Wednes- yet another disappointing day for day it gave me the confidence to Carlsen who finished runner-up Ukraine's grandmaster go for another title and I played for the second time in Qatar, Anna Muzychuk consistently in the blitz also. It is while Sergey had his way to the celebrates after nice to end the year on a winning top. winning both note,” said the Ukranian. “It is nice to win in Qatar,” FIDE World Chess Commenting on the cash said the Russian after winning the Russian grandmaster Sergey Karjakin celebrates after Rapid and Blitz prize of $20,000 she collected Blitz crown. winning the gold medal at the FIDE World Chess Rapid from the two events, she said: “After winning the first round Championships, and Blitz Championships 2016, in Doha yesterday. “The title is more important for match against Carlsen I was con- in Doha me than the money.” fident of winning the title,” he yesterday. Valentina Gunina of Russia added. took the fourth place. Blitz Championship only, Marin came second with while Kateryna “After the fourth round I had Defending champion Alex- Bosiocic of Croatia, Maxim Vach- Lagno also of Russia took the sec- the control over the proceedings. ander Grischuk of Russia finished ier-Lagrave of France were in ond and third place, both with The win over Carlsen was a sweet fifth while another former world third place after day one. Both scores of 12.5. Zhongyi Tan of revenge for me having lost to him champion Vishwanathan Anand the Blitz and Rapid Champion- China picked the fourth place in New York in the world cham- came 15th. ships were Swiss pairings while India’s Harika Dronavalli pionship a month back,” said After day one, Carlsen of tournaments. came fifth. Sergey. The Norwegian finished Norway and Sergey led the The Blitz event was contested At the end of day one of the second in the Rapid tournament standings. 12 rounds were played over twenty one (21) rounds in two-day event of Blitz, Alexan- which ended on Wednesday during the first day. Sergey found open championship and seven- dra Kosteniuk of Russia had the In Rapid, Carlsen finished his form after the Rapid and teen (17) rounds in women`s lead but Anna who was in third with the same score as ultimate started the new tournament with championship, with a single place bounced back to have the winner Vassily Ivanchuk of six victories, including a victory game for each round, Swiss situation in her favour. Ukraine but Vassily won on over the World Champion event. The total prize money for Harika started perfectly 6/6 account of better tie break score. Carlsen. the Open tournament was but made only half a point in the Yesterday, Carlsen and Sergey became the sole $400,000 with the winner tak- next three rounds on day one. Sergey both finished with 16.5 leader after 4th round but slowed ing home $40,000 for each Alexandra outplayed two score but the Russian won on down later on, allowing Carlsen championship and total prize in Indian best female players Harika account of a better records from to join him on the lead with 10/12. Women Championships was and Koneru Humpy and climbed the earlier rounds. Daniil Dubov Daniil and Alexander both $80,000 with the winner Anna on the top with 7.5. of Russia clinched the third place of Russia, who missed the Rapid taking home $20,000 for win- In the men’s section, it was and Hikaru Nakamura of USA and arrived for the ning both the championships. Al Marri guides Beyonce to honours at Al Rayyan

The Peninsula fourth, clocking 39.64 seconds while Sheikh atari rider Yousuf Al Sabah, Rashid Towaim astride Femke EC, QAl Marri pro- clocked 34.61 seconds duced a magnificent to complete the top display at the QEF five in the QR 45,000 Main Arena when he event. guided Beyonce to a Earlier, in Com- spectacular win on petition 4, the day two of the Al 120cm class, Saudi Rayyan International Arabian rider Saad AL RAYYAN INTERNATIONAL SHOW JUMPING CHAMPIONSHIP Show Jumping Cham- Alajmi, astride Riso- pionship which horse Emilia, (Comp. 4) Table A, One round against the clock with jump-off continued yesterday. clocked 33.92 sec- Art. 238.2.2 - 120 cm - Prize: QR 35,000 Al Marri won the Art. onds to bag the QR Rank Horse Rider Time Prize Money 238.2.2 - 135 cm class 8,750 prize ahead of 1 Risohorse Emilia Saad Alajmi 33.92 QR 8,750.00 to bag QR 11,250 after local riders Hussain 2 Casanova Hussain Said Haidan 34.04 QR 7,000.00 a flawless 37.10-sec- Said Haidan who 3 Cascano Salmeen Sultan A M Al Suwaidi 34.76 QR 5,250.00 ond run at the Qatar guided Casanova to 4 Expresso Mohammed Said Haidan 36.57 QR 3,500.00 Equestrian Federa- a podium finish, 5 Per Sempre Funny Abdulrahman Alnemr 38.57 QR 2,450.00 tion's (QEF) Main clocking 34.04 sec- Arena. onds to purse QR (Comp. 5) Table A, One round against the clock with jump-off

Saudi Arabia's 7,000 ahead of his Art. 238.2.2 - 135 cm - Prize: QR 45,000 Bader Mohammed fellow Qatari rider 1 Beyonce Rashid Towaim Al Marri 37.10 QR 11,250.00 Alfard, astride Fulla, and third place win- Demirsoy powers Narazo 2 Fulla Bader Mohammed Alfard 37.32 QR 9,000.00 won the second place ner Salmeen Sultan 3 Clinton Hamad Ali Al Attiyah 39.01 QR 6,750.00 and bagged QR 9,000 A M Al Suwaidi who 4 Birgitta Abdulrahman Alhamazani 39.64 QR 4,500.00 in prize money with guided Cascano and De Nyze Z to grand victory 5 Femke EC Sheikh Yousuf Al Sabah 34.61 QR 3,150.00 a time of 37.32 sec- clocked 34.76 sec- (Comp. 6) Table A, One round against the clock Art. 238.2.1 - onds ahead of Qatari onds to bag QR erin Demirsoy guided Narazo De Nyze Arabia's Ramzy Hamad Al Duhami clocked 145 cm - Prize: QR 270,000 rider Hamad Ali Al 5,250. Z to a convincing victory in the 145cm 62.64 seconds to win QR 54,000 to finish sec- 1 Narazo De Nyze Z Derin Demirsoy 62.61 QR 67,500.00 Attiyah who guided Expresso, ridden Devent and bagged a whopping QR ond while Kamal Abdullah Bahamdan guided 2 Garlic VH Kapelhof Ramzy Hamad Al Duhami 62.64 QR 54,000.00 Clinton to book the by Qatari rider 67,500 after a brilliant run which lasted for Lacasino and clocked 63.30 seconds to book 3 Lacasino Kamal Abdullah Bahamdan 63.30 QR 40,500.00 remaining slot on the Mohammed Said 62.61 seconds yesterday, at the Al Rayyan the remaining spot on the podium and secure 4 Tamira IV Khalid Mohammed Al Emadi 64.73 Qr 27,000.00 podium, clocking Haidan and Saudi International Show Jumping Championship. QR 40,500 in prize money at the Qatar Eques- 5 Gunder Ali Yousuf Al Rumaihi 67.19 QR 18,900.00 39.01 seconds. Arabia's Abdulrahman Garlic VH Kapelhof, ridden by Saudi trian Federation's (QEF) Main Arena. Birgitta, ridden by Alnemr, astride Per Saudi Arabian rider Sempre Funny, com- Rashid Towaim Al Marri. astride Beyonce, clears a hurdle during the second day of the Al Rayyan International Show Jumping Championship at Abdulrahman pleted the top five of Alhamazani came in the QR 35,000 event. the Qatar Equestrian Federation's (QEF) Main Arena yesterday. Pictures by Lotfi Garsi