PSG’s Neymar and Mbappe to start against Liverpool, says Tuchel PAGE 19

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 2018

Former F1 world champion Schumacher’s UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE PAGE 18 son Mick moves to Formula Two PSG VS LIVERPOOL Star Aussie spikers aim to excel at Qatar Master with an eye on Tokyo 2020

Al Sadd will meet Al Khor in their RAAJIV TRIPATHI rescheduled QNB Stars League DOHA match at the Al Khor Stadium on Wednesday. THREE-TIME Asian cham- pion Chris McHugh and 2018 Commonwealth Games win- Al Sadd to ner will use the 2018 AVC Aspire Beach Volleyball Qa- play Al Khor tar Master Tournament as a stepping stone for the crucial sans Xavi, next season. With a new and talented Abdulkarim young partner Zachery Schu- bert, the Australian has not set TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK any goal in this edition, which is DOHA starting on Wednesday with 16 top pairs vying for top honours. AL Sadd Sports Club will take The Australian had teamed on relegation-threatened up with Damien Schuman last Al Khor in the QNB Stars year and finished runners-up League on Wednesday sans to local stars Jefferson Santos their Spanish midfielder Xavi Pereira and Cherif Younousse. Hernandez, who is nursing an McHugh, who won three injury and defender Abdulka- Asian crowns with Isaac Kapa rim Hassan, who is away in 2012, 2014 and 2016, had a to attend the AFC Player of memorable time in the 2018 the Year award ceremony in Commonwealth Games when Muscat, Oman. he and Schuman emerged Hassan has been nomi- the champions. Later the nated for the honour along Australian sport authorities with Yuman Suzuki and Kenti separated them with an aim Misao of Kashima Antlers. to build two strong teams for The Al Sadd-Al Khor clash the Tokyo 2020 Olympics is a rescheduled match from qualification race. Round 5 of QNB Stars League So Australia have en- and will be played at the Al tered two pairs in the Qatar Khor Stadium. The match was Master this year. Apart from postponed due to Al Sadd’s McHugh and Schubert, the Australia’s Chris McHugh goes for a deceptive drop against Qatar’s Tamer Abdelrasoul and Assam Mahmoud during a friendly game ahead of the AVC Aspire Beach Volleyball Qatar 2018 AFC Champions League other duo consists of Shuman Master at the Aspire Park on Tuesday. The tournament involving 16 teams from seven nations begins on Thursday. engagements, where they lost and Cole Durant, which had to Iran’s Persepolis in the lost in the pre-quarters last semi-finals. year. Both the teams are back Al Sadd are currently sec- and will be trying to complete ond on the points table in the the unfinished job. Qatar’s Cherif (Younnouse) QNB Stars League with 26 Talking after a practice and (Ahmed) Tijan are points, eight adrift of toppers match with Qatar’s second playing really good Al Duhail. The Wolves are sure team of Assam Mahmoud and volleyball this year and to go all out as they want to be Tamer Abdelrasoul, McHugh they are among the top 10 in strong contention for the ti- said, “My team has been a tle that they last won in 2013. bit up and down this season in the world. They also won They have another game, mostly due to injury. This the Asian championships against Al Duhail, in hand. It week we are here at the Aspire this year so they will be has been rescheduled for De- Zone in Qatar. This is a great a team to beat. cember 11, also owing to the opportunity for us to get out AFC Champions League. and play all out. Three-time Asian champion “I don’t think that we have Chris McHugh of Australia More on page 19 Ô any expectations this week. Cherif and Tijan are playing 3-day show really good volleyball this year ia, other teams to watch this and they are among the top 10 A total of 16 teams, with two year are Iran and Kazakhstan. Bounedjah bags players in the world. They also from Australia, Iran, Japan, In September, Iran’s Arash won the Asian championships Oman, Kazakhstan; one from Vakili and Bahman Salemi- AFC award this year so they will be a team New Zealand and three from injeboroun played the Asia to beat,” he added. Qatar are participating in the Championship final against TEHRAN: Baghdad Bouned- He praised his young four-day AVC Aspire Beach winners Younousse and Tijan jah has won the 2018 AFC teammate and added though Players from Qatar and other countries at the draw ceremony of the AVC Aspire Beach Volleyball Qatar Volleyball Qatar Master 2018 of Qatar. Champions League top scorer their future is good, they need Master 2018 held at the Aspire Zone in Doha on Tuesday. (HANSON K JOSEPH) tournament to be held at the Kazakhstan’s Alexandr Dy- award after the Algerian’s 13 to put in a great deal of effort Aspire Park from Wednesday. achenko and Alexey Sidoranko goals saw him finish ahead of in order to be competitive together, the better we will be he said, “I think this decision We’re very close to it. It is al- have won both the Asia Cham- Suwon Samsung Bluewings’ against strong teams from Qa- getting. Next year for sure is was meant for both present ways good to share any suc- pioship (2013) and Asian Dejan Damjanovic and Al Du- tar, China and Japan. a big year with the Olympics and future. Now Australia has cess,” McHugh said. fulltime in Adelaide. Games (2014). This year, hail’s Yousef El Arabi. “Zach is a very talented qualifications and everybody two quality men’s teams. Both He said the sport has a “The pool of players in they finished third in the Asia The Al Sadd forward young volleyballer. It is that will be out to do their best. are working strongly, helping good bunch of players in Aus- Australia, especially among Championship in Thailand, matched the all-time single we need to play a couple of “I am committed for the each other to get better with tralia and beach volleyball is men, has been growing. As a beating compatriots Dmitriy tournament record held by tournaments together. We’ve 2020, we’ll play together and an ultimate aim to get a place going to be exciting in Asia. nation, Australia has to keep Yakovlev and Sergey Bogatu. Muriqui who netted the same a few things to work out. We’re other Australian team will among the top 15 in the world “We’ve a good group of pushing hard to keep up with Qatar’s Assam Mahmoud tally by the conclusion of learning each other’s game. also play together. We’ll all try or win the Continental Cup. young guys in Australia. Most nations like Qatar, China and and Tamer Abdelrasoul, who Guangzhou Evergrande’s 2013 The future is bright but we our best and hopefully we can The process is on. athletes have been on the Aus- Japan, who are improving was fifth at the 2014 Asian campaign. have to just keep working hard qualify for the Tokyo Olym- “The Commonwealth tralian programme since the rapidly. It is an exciting time Games in Incheon, are also each and every day. pics,” McHugh added. Games was an amazing ex- start of the year and so we for beach volleyball in Asia.” capable of pulling off an up- More on page 19 Ô “The more we try and play On the split with Schuman, perience for me and Damien. have about 10 players training Besides Qatar and Austral- set or two. German sentenced to 14 years for Dortmund football team bus bomb AFP born in Russia, was also found Wenergold had left letters Several players of Borussia DORTMUND guilty of causing an explosion suggesting an Islamist terror- A court in Dortmund found Dortmund, who currently sit and two counts of causing se- ist motive at the scene, spark- four points clear at the top of A German man who launched rious injury after the blasts ing initial alarm about a pos- Sergej Wenergold, 29, guilty the Bundesliga table, gave emo- a shrapnel bomb attack on wounded Spanish defender sible jihadist attack. of 28 counts of attempted tional testimony during the trial the team bus of football club Marc Bartra and a police officer. He had bought put op- murder after he detonated about the trauma they suffered. Borussia Dortmund in April Wenergold had stayed in tions worth some €26,000 three explosive devices A day after the attack, the 2017 to make money on the the same hotel as the team ($29,000) – essentially a bet while the team bus was en team played their postponed club’s shares diving was on when he remotely triggered on the club’s share price fall- game against Monaco and Tuesday sentenced to 14 the bomb attack on the even- ing – and had hoped to gain route to the stadium for a lost, prompting then coach years in jail. ing of April 11, 2017 as the bus half a million euros, said Champions League game Thomas Tuchel to rail against A court in Dortmund was heading for a Champions’ prosecutors. against Monaco last year. UEFA for not giving the play- found Sergej Wenergold, 29, League quarter-final match ers time to come to terms with guilty of 28 counts of attempt- against Monaco. ‘I would like to apologise’ their fear before returning to ed murder after he detonated He had hidden in a hedge Wenergold’s defence lawyer on a window room facing the the pitch. three explosive devices while three explosive devices, each Carl Heydenreich had insisted front and then, in the chaos Wenergold, who con- the team bus was en route to of which contained up to a his client hoped to spark pan- after the blasts, by calmly fessed to the attack in Janu- the stadium for a Champions kilogramme (2.2 pounds) of ic, not to wound or kill people. walking into its restaurant to ary, voiced his regret last League game last year. a hydrogen peroxide mixture Wenergold reportedly order a steak. week when he told the court: After an 11-month trial, the and about 65 cigarette-sized drew attention to himself at Defendant Sergej W. (right) is escorted by judicial officers into the Police arrested him 10 “I would like to apologise to trained electrician, who was metal bolts. the hotel, first by insisting district court in Dortmund, Germany, on Tuesday. (EPA-EFE) days after the attack. everybody.” Sports Wednesday, November 28, 2018 17 Yasir bamboozles Kiwis, Women’s Cricket matches Imran Khan Spinner claims 14 wickets as Pakistan level series against New Zealand

AFP DUBAI

LEG-SPINNER Yasir Shah fol- lowed his extraordinary first innings performance with a six wicket haul as Pakistan beat New Zealand by an innings India’s Mithali Raj (3rd right) with the Indian team during the national and 16 runs in the second Test Big honour Mesmerising anthem before the World T20 semi-final against England.(AFP) in Dubai on Tuesday to level I came to know yesterday Leg-spinner Yasir Shah’s the series 1-1. figures are the The 32-year-old, who took (about Imran Khan’s record) Angry Indian cricket 8-41 on Monday, had figures so it’s an honour that my second-best match return of 6-143 in the second innings name will come with him. ever for Pakistan in Test legend opens fire over for a match haul of 14-184. cricket, bettered only by New Zealand – following- Man-of-the-Match Yasir Shah former captain and on after being dismissed for World T20 exclusion 90 in the first innings – were current prime minister bowled out for 312 soon after come return to form having Imran Khan who took AFP tea on the fourth day. scored just 21 runs in the three 14-116 against Sri Lanka NEW DELHI “I came to know yester- innings of this series. in Lahore in 1982. day (about Imran Khan’s re- Latham completed his 15th INDIAN cricket heroine Mith- I have nothing against the cord) so it’s an honour that Test fifty but was dismissed ali Raj has furiously accused T20 captain Harmanpreet my name will come with him,” the following ball, a little edge cricket leaders of bias for Kaur except for the fact that said Yasir. behind off Hasan, television dropping her for last Friday’s her call to support the “I haven’t bowled as umpire Ian Gould confirming World Twenty20 semi-final, decision of the coach to well as this, especially with that Sarfraz Ahmed had taken which India lost to England. the pitch offering turn and the catch cleanly. Raj, the highest run scorer leave me out of the eleven bounce like it did. We wanted Harry Nicholls came to in the women’s international was baffling and hurtful. to put the disappointment of the crease and set about frus- game and still India’s One-day the first Test behind us and trating the Pakistan bowlers, captain, wrote a furious letter Mithali Raj set up the series.” adding 52 with Taylor for the of complaint and met Board Yasir’s figures are the sec- fourth wicket and 57 with BJ of Control for Indian Cricket India’s last league game against ond-best match return ever Watling for the fifth. (BCCI) leaders on Monday to Australia with a knee injury. for Pakistan in Test cricket, Taylor tried to take the vent her anger. She was declared fit on the bettered only by former cap- attack to the bowlers, hitting “For the first time in a 20 eve of the England semi-final tain and current prime min- seven boundaries and a six in year long career, I felt deflat- but the selectors stuck with the ister Imran Khan who took his 82 but grew impatient after ed, depressed and let down,” team that beat Australia. T20 14-116 against Sri Lanka in being tied down. An attempted said the 35-year-old in the captain Harmanpreet Kaur Lahore in 1982. sweep off Bilal Asif ended in a letter seen by AFP. said selectors had stuck to a They are also the best by top edge that looped to deep Raj questioned whether “winning combination”. a Pakistani bowler against backward square leg where “my services to my country are “I would also like to point New Zealand, beating Waqar Yasir took a comfortable catch. of any value to a few people in out that I have nothing against Younis’s 12-130 in Faisal- Yasir trapped Watling leg power who are out to destroy the T20 captain Harmanpreet abad in 1990. before for 27 to end another Pakistan spinner Yasir Shah celebrates the wicket of New Zealand batsman Neil Wagner on the fourth day me and break my confidence.” Kaur except for the fact that Medium-pacer Hasan frustrating the stand and get of their second Test in Dubai on Tuesday. (AFP) Raj singled out BCCI com- her call to support the decision Ali was also at his best, tak- into the Kiwi tail. De Grand- mittee of administrators mem- of the coach to leave me out ing 3-46 as Pakistan gained a homme made just 14 and So- SCOREBOARD ber Diana Edulji and national of the eleven was baffling and measure of revenge for losing dhi was bowled behind his coach Remash Powar for drop- hurtful,” Raj wrote. the first Test by four runs in legs for four, unwisely trying PAKISTAN (IST INNINGS): 418-5 H. Nicholls b Hasan 77 (T. Latham), 4-198 (R. Taylor), 5-255 (BJ Watling), 6-270 ping her from the team beaten “I wanted to win the World Abu Dhabi last week. to sweep Yasir from well out- (Haris Sohail 147, Babar Azam 127 not out, Azhar Ali BJ Watling lbw b Yasir 27 (de Grandhomme), 7-285 (Sodhi), 8-301 (Nicholls), by eight wickets by England. Cup for my country and it Resuming on 131-2 and side off-stump. 81; C. de Grandhomme 2-44) C. de Grandhomme b Hasan 14 9-311 (Wagner) . “The brazen support of a hurts me because we lost a NEW ZEALAND (IST INNINGS 90) I. Sodhi b Yasir 4 Bowling: Abbas 15-7-29-0, Hasan 19-7-46-3, Yasir needing a further 197 to make Nicholls stood firm amid (J. Raval 31; Yasir Shah 8-41) N. Wagner c Hasan b Yasir 10 COA member is a clear sign golden opportunity.” 44.5-9-143-6, Hafeez 3-1-6-0, Asif 27-5-61-1, Sohail Pakistan bat again, the New the wreckage, striking Bilal NEW ZEALAND (2ND INNINGS; OVERNIGHT 131-2) Ajaz Patel not out 5 of bias and also that a stance England lost to Australia Zealand batsmen, led by Ross Asif for a straight six, before J. Raval st Sarfraz b Yasir 2 T. Boult c Sarfraz b Yasir 0 4-0-16-0. has already been taken against in the tournament final. T. Latham c Sarfraz b Hasan 50 Extras: (b 9, lb 2) 11 Toss: Pakistan. Taylor (82), Henry Nicholls Yasir nipped one between bat K. Williamson c Sarfraz b Yasir 30 TOTAL: (All out; 112.5 overs) 312 Result: Pakistan won by an innings and 16 runs. me,” said Raj, who has played “Never did I think she (77) and Tom Latham (50), and pad to bowl him for 77. R. Taylor c Yasir b Asif 82 Fall of wickets: 1-10 (Raval), 2-66 (Williamson), 3-146 Series: 1-1. Final Test from December 3. 197 One-Day Internationals, 85 (Edulji) will use her position dug in to make things tough It was a brave stand from T20 matches and 10 Tests for against me, more after hearing for the Pakistani bowlers. Nicholls but as skipper Kane India since making her 50-over what all I had to go through in Taylor smashed Hasan’s Williamson later admitted, the 40 runs in 14 overs. day, Yasir put us under tre- total was always a factor.” debut in 1999 against Ireland. the Caribbean as I had spoken first ball of the day to the cover damage had been done in the “We batted better in the mendous pressure and put the The end came swiftly as Ya- Raj hit two straight half- to her about it.” boundary to reach his 29th first innings when New Zea- second innings,” said William- ball in the right areas and got sir picked up the last two wick- centuries at the World T20 in The BCCI did not immedi- half century in Tests, a wel- land lost all 10 wickets for just son. “But that session yester- us for 90. That low first innings ets in the space of four balls. the West Indies before missing ately comment on Raj’s tirade.

Big Appeal: Bold and brash Virat Kohli pulls in the advertising dollars despite verbal slips

EING the highest sage,” said Mishra, whose profile athlete in the The 30-year-old cricketer firm manages other Indian world’s second most with tattooed arms and cricketers including Ravin- populous country, coiffured hair currently dra Jadeja and Prithvi Shaw. BIndia cricket captain Virat “After all, brands also endorses 21 brands includ- Kohli has built such a for- want to be seen as patriotic. midable brand across the ing Tissot, Audi, Puma, “Sports and Bollywood spectrum that even his occa- Uber and Hero, pushing stars usually avoid controver- sional brash and indiscreet him into the Forbes’s 2018 sies, but fans want their icons India bowler Ishant Sharma bowls at the nets as coach Ravi Shastri comments fail to tarnish it. list of the world’s 100 high- to have a voice,” he added. looks on. Watches, cars, sports est-paid athletes. Coming Cornerstone Sport & En- shoes, motorbikes, clothes, tertainment, the company ride services, tires, snacks, in at No. 83 on the back of which represents Kohli, de- Our aim is to win the Test health foods, headphones his estimated $24 million clined to discuss his endorse- – even toothbrushes – they income over the previous ments and sponsorships. series in Australia: Ishant have all had the Kohli mar- 12 months, Kohli is the According to Forbes, $20 keting treatment. world’s top earning cricket- million of his total comes IANS Ishant said the practice The 30-year-old cricketer from endorsements and $4 SYDNEY match is important for the with tattooed arms and coif- er and comes in ahead of million from salary and so- team because this match will fured hair currently endorses other high-profile athletes called “winnings”, which INDIA’S pacer Ishant Sharma only set the tone for the Bor- 21 brands including Tissot, such as Novak Djokovic would include prize money. on Tuesday said that the team der-Gavaskar Trophy. Audi, Puma, Uber and Hero, and Sergio Aguero. Kohli’s earnings could is focused on winning the “I think it’s pretty serious pushing him into the Forbes’s continue to increase thanks four-match Test series starting for us (the practice game), 2018 list of the world’s 100 to India’s strong growth - it December 6 in Adelaide. because we have to set the highest-paid athletes. world’s top ranked test bats- is the fastest growing large Ishant said no player is tone. You know the condi- Coming in at No. 83 on the man, as “overrated” and said economy in the world and thinking about the personal tions, obviously playing here back of his estimated $24 mil- he would rather watch Aus- that should mean many performance, rather all play- after a long time. You need to lion income over the previous tralian and English batsmen more marketing dollars – ers have one aim of winning get into the groove, get used to 12 months, Kohli is the world’s than “these Indians”, Kohli and the obsessive interest the Test series. the conditions and I think it’s a top earning cricketer and responded with both barrels. in cricket in the country and “The biggest thing right pretty important game for eve- comes in ahead of other high- “You should go and live across the Indian diaspora. now is to win the series and ryone,” he said. profile athletes such as Novak somewhere else, you know,” He has smoothed out that’s what everybody is focus- With pacers like Moham- Djokovic and Sergio Aguero. he said in a video posted on some of his rough edges. He ing on right now. med Shami, Umesh Yadav, It is unlikely he would his personal telephone app, does not endorse soft drinks “We are not even think- Jasprit Bumrah, Bhuvneshwar ever be able to challenge the match winning innings to 25 – can identify themselves which he uses to interact with or skin-lightening cream any- ing about personal perfor- Kumar doing their job well, Is- likes of current Forbes’ No.1 help India to victory over Aus- with the man living their fans and sell merchandise. more, advocates a healthy mances. Just one aim that is hant is taking this opportunity Floyd Mayweather or No. 2 tralia and his performances dream,” said Kohli biogra- “Why are you living in our lifestyle, and comes across as to win a series in Australia,” to display to make his mark. Lionel Messi due to cricket’s have ensured he enjoys rock pher Vijay Lokapally. country and loving other coun- a family man and a leader. Ishant told reporters ahead of “If you’re representing the appeal being mostly tied to a star status in the cricket-mad Kohli has a strong social tries? I don’t mind you not lik- He fights for salary hikes the four-day practice match country the pressure is there, small batch of predominantly country of 1.3 billion. media presence with over ing me but I don’t think you for his players, demands that against Cricket Australia XI on I think it’s a great opportu- Commonwealth countries. He wed actress Anushka 37 million fans on Facebook should live in our country...” players’ partners be allowed on Wednesday. nity as well because you have However, he could soon Sharma last year to create a and is followed by more than Kohli later said he was tours, and seeks to influence “Everyone is really pas- a healthy competition in the eclipse Mahendra Singh marriage between cricket and 25 million on Instagram and “all for freedom of choice” who is appointed team coach. sionate. We are pretty moti- team as you can see there a lot Dhoni as the highest earn- Bollywood, India’s two big- 27.1 million on Twitter. and while the episode bur- Mishra of Baseline vated to win the series. Not of fast bowlers coming up and ing Indian sportsman ever. gest obsessions, helping give “He speaks his mind, nished his reputation as be- Ventures said Kohli’s appeal only in Australia, when we if you are not doing well then Former India cricket captain him a ‘family man’ image that takes stands, interacts on so- ing touchy about criticism it had evolved. played in South Africa and any time you can sit behind Dhoni earned $31 million in can appeal to a middle class cial media – all of it goes well did little to damage his brand. “As an aggressive young- England we were pretty mo- and watch the game,” he said. 2015 as he promoted a series audience – and harness its with his fans,” Lokapally said, Quite the opposite, said ster, he was attractive to cer- tivated to win a series abroad “ I think it is a great op- of brands. spending power. describing Kohli as “complete Tuhin Mishra, managing di- tain brands then. As married, and I think that is the biggest portunity for everyone to do Kohli’s success off the That does not mean he has theatre”. rector of sports marketing mature and responsible cap- opportunity for us right now well in any conditions as you pitch is matched by his prow- lost traction with India’s youth. His sponsors have had a firm Baseline Ventures. tain of the team, he is attrac- because we always have a good can see we did well in the last ess on it. “The youth of the coun- bumpy ride at times. “Such frankness can actu- tive to another set of brands balance in the side which can two tours especially in South A prolific scorer of runs, try – and more than half of When a cricket fan re- ally boost the brand, provided now,” he said. do things for us which is very Africa and England as well,” on Sunday he produced a India’s population are under cently described Kohli, the it aligns with the brand’s mes- (REUTERS) promising,” he added. he added. 18 Wednesday, November 28, 2018 Sports Rollercoaster season leaves highs and lows at Mercedes Despite Hamilton’s victory, Bottas finished a distant fifth citing mental fatigue REUTERS LONDON

MERCEDES Formula One Mick Schumacher boss Toto Wolff joked at Sunday’s Abu Dhabi Grand Prix that he would be book- Schumacher moves ing himself into rehab after a rollercoaster season that ended with his team winning closer to F1, signs both titles for the fifth year in a row. If he did, the Austrian Formula Two deal might find one of his drivers there already. Valtteri Bottas started the REUTERS maturity and skills needed to year determined to fight, and LONDON make it.” The young German beat, team mate Lewis Ham- said the move was “a logical ilton to the title but the Finn- MICHAEL Schumacher’s step” on the ladder and would ish driver ended it mentally 19-year-old son Mick has help him improve his skills and drained and further away moved a step closer to follow- gain more experience. than ever from his goal. ing his father into Formula “I can’t thank the Prema “He said to me he just One after the Prema team an- family enough for what we wants to disappear back home, Finish Formula One driver Valtteri Bottas of Mercedes AMG GP during the drivers parade ahead of the Abu Dhabi Formula One Grand Prix on nounced that he will race for achieved together as a team, recharge the battery, forget, Sunday. (EPA-EFE) them in Formula Two next sea- especially this year, how we recover and recuperate and son. continued to develop together,” then come back next year,” some as no more than a use- “We’ve seen him do better next season in similar fash- The series feeds into For- he added. Wolff told reporters. “I can un- ful wingman for Hamilton -- and I hope he can find his way ion, when he will be chasing a mula One, and this year’s top The young Schumacher will derstand the frustration.” even if he did take the award again.” sixth world crown and closing three finishers - George Russell, be testing with Prema in Abu Mercedes have hailed for most fastest laps. Hamilton won more than in on Schumacher’s all-time Lando Norris and Alexander Dhabi later this week. Bottas as a team player, a “It’s been a mentally twice as many races as any- record of 91 wins. Albon - have all secured seats Five times world champion driver who does not play poli- pretty tough year so I need one else this year but Mer- The bad news for Bottas with grand prix teams for 2019. Lewis Hamilton said in Oc- tics, and Hamilton has said a break,” Bottas, who has no cedes had their least domi- is that Mercedes have seen Mick Schumacher won tober that he expected Schu- they could be Formula One’s guarantee of staying in his nant showing of the last five a change in their champi- the Formula Three European macher to go all the way. best pairing ever. The statis- coveted seat beyond next seasons. They won 11 of 21, on, which will not make the championship this year with “There will 100 percent be tics are less complimentary, year, said on Sunday. compared to 12 in 2017, 19 Finn’s task any easier. eight wins, seven pole positions a Schumacher back in Formu- however. Some of it is down to bad in 2016 and 16 in 2015 and “He’s actually driven and 14 podium finishes. That la One, partly because of the Bottas, who was testing luck, Hamilton’s genius and 2014. stronger after winning the title means he is already quali- name, but secondly because again in Abu Dhabi on Tues- the rise of Ferrari and Red Ferrari won six, their big- driver’s title,” Wolff said. fied to race in Formula One. he’s doing a great job,” the day, was alone among the top Bull as challengers in the gest tally since 2008, while “I feel he’s just so embed- “He is an extremely tal- Mercedes driver said then. three teams’ drivers in failing toughest season yet for Mer- Red Bull’s four was their Need a recharge ded in the team and inte- ented and dedicated racer, Michael Schumacher won to win a race in 2018, the first cedes as the team to beat, but most since 2013. grated that the driver’s title working with him is a pleas- a record seven Formula One winless in a Mercedes since there were also painful mis- Hamilton made the dif- He said to me he just wants felt incomplete, which for a ure and we can’t wait to begin championships, including Michael Schumacher in his takes. ference -- equalling his best to disappear back home, driver is really strange. this adventure together,” said five in a row with Ferrari, and final 2012 season. “Confidence is not at the ever season’s haul of 11 wins, recharge the battery, forget, “When you look at his Rene Rosin, principal of the also holds the record for race Since the V6 turbo hybrid highest and he needs to try for a career tally of 73, with recover and recuperate and face, there was almost more Mercedes-powered team, in a wins with 91. era began in 2014 Mercedes and pick it up again in the 11 poles. He also became the then come back next year. I relief and happiness about statement on Tuesday. The 49-year-old, whose have always had both drivers winter, because he can do bet- first driver to score more than sealing the constructors’ title “This series is not an easy privacy is closely guarded, has finish the season in the top ter,” said retired 2016 world 400 points in a campaign and can understand the (than the drivers’). one due to its learning curve not been seen in public since he three -- until Bottas. champion Nico Rosberg, the won the title with two races to frustration. “That’s why he just didn’t for rookies, especially with the suffered severe head injuries in The Finn ended up fifth man Bottas replaced, after spare. take the foot off the throt- introduction of the new car, a skiing accident in France in overall, a slide from third the Finn finished fifth on The Briton signed off with Mercedes team boss tle until the very end. That is but we think that Mick has the December 2013. last year, and dismissed by track on Sunday. a victory and intends to start Toto Wolff on Valtteri Bottas somehow a new Lewis.” Wallabies should accept more overseas Manny Pacquiao says trainer players, says ex-World Cup coach Dwyer Roach ‘never left’ his team AFP REUTERS pit where (overseas teams) MANILA MELBOURNE can take every player in Aus- tralia – and are we any worse MANNY Pacquiao said on AUSTRALIA should consider off than say people like Argen- Tuesday that veteran trainer easing eligibility restrictions on tina?” Dwyer said. Freddie Roach never left his overseas-based players to boost “I think we need to make an orbit, despite a public split, and the Wallabies’ competitiveness, environment available for play- was helping the Filipino boxing former World Cup-winning ers in Australia which will make legend get ready for his upcom- coach Bob Dwyer has said. them want to play here, because ing bout in Las Vegas. Michael Cheika’s Aus- it offers them their best chance Pacquiao was training in tralia wrapped up their worst of becoming a better player.” Manila ahead of the January test season in 60 years with a Dwyer repeated a common 19 showdown against Adrien thumping defeat by England complaint in Australia that the Broner, a fight that may be a at Twickenham on Saturday, Former Wallabies coach Bob Dwyer speaks with the media after his domestic Super Rugby teams prelude to a long-speculated Philippine boxing icon Manny Pacquiao trains at a boxing gym in leaving fans pessimistic about side beat England to win the 1991 Rugby World Cup. had failed to prepare their play- on rematch with Floyd May- Manila on Tuesday ahead of his WBA Welterweight bout title with US their chances at next year’s ers adequately for test rugby. weather. boxer Adrien Broner in Las Vegas, on January 19, 2019. (AFP) World Cup in Japan. lose top line players,” Dwyer, Skelton and Japan-based loose “I look at all of the players The Roach-Pacquiao reun- Players based at overseas who guided the Wallabies to forward Sean McMahon, are who have played in the UK in ion comes after the men abrupt- reporters after hitting the mitts. old American, for his first US teams are ineligible for Walla- their first World Cup triumph plying their trade overseas and recent years, or some who are ly parted ways, breaking up one “He is still involved in the train- fight since 2016. bies selection unless they have in 1991, told Australian Asso- are ineligible for selection. still playing there, and you look of boxing’s most famous dou- ing.” Pacquiao, the only fighter “I am already excited. (Af- played 60 tests under the so- ciated Press. Rugby Australia has been at their condition now com- ble-acts, following the Filipino’s to win world titles in eight dif- ter) more than two years I am called “Giteau rule”, which was “We probably need to look loathe to ease the restriction, pared with their condition when defeat to Jeff Horn in 2017. ferent weight divisions, got a coming back to Vegas to fight,” introduced in 2015. hard at who we can pick who is fearing it could trigger an exo- they were playing in Australia,” Roach was reported to have boost to his storied, but slowing said Pacquiao. Dwyer said Australia could not playing in Australia, I know dus as players desert local Super he said. “The perfect example been upset by his dismissal, but boxing career, after stopping Speculation remains high ill-afford to limit their playing at the moment we’ve got the 60- Rugby teams for more lucrative is Will Skelton. He doesn’t look agreed to return after late-night Argentina’s Lucas Matthysse in that the Broner bout could be a pool given the lack of depth in test rule. For me, we can change contracts overseas. like the same person as he was talks with the fighter last week. July in Kuala Lumpur. warm-up for a sequel to 2015’s domestic rugby. that any time we want to.” A Dwyer felt such fears were when he played for the Wara- “I tell people even in Ameri- Just over six months later “Fight of the Century”, that “We’re not that well off in number of capped Wallabies, overblown. tahs. That’s no good, that’s an ca that Freddie never left Team he will be back in the ring, this Pacquiao lost to Mayweather depth that we can afford to including Saracens lock Will “There’s not a bottomless indictment on us.” Pacquiao,” Pacquiao, 39, told time against Broner, a 29-year- on points. Wizards overcome Rockets; Durant explodes for 49 in Warriors win

AFP Harden missed five of his for, to be on the big stage, a skill and your game,” said Thompson finished with 29 LOS ANGELES seven shots in the fourth. In big moment, going against a Durant. points, including six three overtime, Harden was one of guy like that.” “I feel like I am relaxed in pointers and 19 points in the JOHN Wall scored six of his two from the field and had Eric Gordon scored a those moments and it is all fourth quarter. 36 points in overtime as the two free throws. He had 11 season-high 36 for the short- about getting the best shot I The past three games, Washington Wizards out- turnovers, including three in handed Rockets, who played can get. If I focus on getting Durant has scored 125 points lasted the Houston Rockets overtime. without Chris Paul for the the best shot from the start and Thompson 91. They were 135-131 in overtime on Mon- “It’s not even about my- second straight game. of the game to the end of the the only two Warriors in dou- day despite James Harden’s self,” Harden said. “It’s about Washington’s Otto Porter game then I feel comfortable ble figures on Monday. season-high 54 points. our entire team. We had a re- opened the scoring in over- in the fourth quarter when my Durant became the sev- Bradley Beal equaled his ally good start to the game and time with 4:47 to play and the team needs me. enth player in franchise season-best with 32 points kind of let our guard down.” Wizards maintained the lead “Tonight one of my fa- history to post consecutive and Markieff Morris fin- Harden played a season- the rest of the way. vorite shots came to me at 40-point games, joining Cur- ished with 22 points and 10 high 47 minutes and Rockets Elsewhere, Kevin Durant the end I was able to knock it ry, Thompson, Rick Barry, rebounds. Wall had two bas- coach Mike D’Antoni said he continued his hot streak, scor- down.” Wilt Chamberlain, Antawn kets in overtime and dished knows he is asking a lot of his ing a season-high 49 points On Monday, Durant gave Jamison and Purvis Short. out 11 assists. superstar. Monday as the two-time de- the Warriors the lead on a Nikola Vucevic had 30 Harden scored 12 points “We’re asking you know fending NBA champion Gold- three-point play with 79 sec- points, 12 rebounds and six in the first quarter, 11 in the what? Play (47) minutes, en State Warriors beat the Or- onds remaining before nailing assists for the Magic, who are second and 21 points in the make every play,” D’Antoni lando Magic 116-110. another from beyond the arc coming off a victory over the third quarter. His career high said. “There are going to Durant’s explosive even- with 22 seconds to go. Los Angeles Lakers. is 60 points. be periods where he’s just ing came just two nights after Golden State’s deep talent The Warriors now embark He started the fourth gassed.” Wall said Beal en- he torched the Sacramento pool was on display as they on a five-game road trip that quarter on the bench then joys the challenge of facing Kings for 44 in a 117-116 War- were without stars Stephen begins on Thursday against Golden State Warriors Kevin Durant goes up for a shot on Orlando added six more as the teams Harden. rior victory. Curry and Draymond Green. the league-leading Toronto Magic’s Terrence Ross and Mo Bamba during their NBA game at remained deadlocked 125-125 “It’s what you dream of,” “You not born with any- Durant got help from Raptors in which they hope to ORACLE Arena in Oakland on Monday. (AFP) at the end of regulation. Wall said. “It’s what you live thing, you have to craft your his supporting cast. Klay have Curry back in the lineup. Sports Wednesday, November 28, 2018 19 UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE Newcastle climb Neymar, Mbappe to start away from drop zone with for PSG against Liverpool Burnley win Defeat at the hands of Liverpool at Parc des Princes today poses the risk of elimination for the French champions Match delayed after referees’ would be eliminated already from a competition they are assessor collapsed in the tunnel desperate to win. “It is super important that we do no lose focus and think about what could happen,” said Tuchel, who has won all 14 Ligue 1 games in charge since being appointed at the Qatar- owned club in the close season. “We have to play this game relaxed, but at the same time 100 percent focused on what we have to do. “We cannot control the re- sult, nobody can in football, and for that, no matter what the result is, the sun will shine the next day again and we will have to get up out of bed and go to work, whether in a better mood or a not so good mood. “It is sport, and we are look- ing forward to this challenge.” Only Barcelona and Real Madrid have beaten PSG at the Parc des Princes in the Cham- pions League since the Qatari takeover seven years ago, so Newcastle United’s defender Ciaran Clark (centre) celebrates scoring the challenge facing Liverpool his goal with teammates during their English Premier League match is huge -- all the more so given against Burnley at Turf Moor in Burnley on Monday. (AFP) that klopp’s men have lost their last four games away from An- AFP deserved something but once Paris St Germain’s Kylian Mbappe and Neymar with teammates during training at the Ooredoo Training Centre, in Paris, on Tuesday. (REUTERS) field in the competition. BURNLEY, UNITED KINGDOM you give those goals away it’s Amid their best ever start difficult at 2-0 down in the AFP players in the world came off in- to a Premier League season, NEWCASTLE pulled further Premier League.” PARIS jured playing for their countries which continued with a 3-0 clear of the Premier League The game kicked off 30 in international friendly match- win at Watford on Saturday, relegation zone with a third minutes late after referees’ as- NEYMAR and Kylian Mbappe es last week, with Mbappe hurt- the Reds also know the stakes successive win and first at Turf sessor Eddie Wolstenholme are set to start for Paris Saint- ing a shoulder with France and are high in Europe. Moor in over 40 years as they collapsed in the tunnel and Germain against Liverpool in Neymar a groin with Brazil. “It’s going to be a diffi- beat Burnley 2-1 on Monday. was taken to hospital. their crunch Champions League Both players have scored cult game in Paris and a good Federico Fernandez’s But the delay did not dis- tie on Wednesday after recover- 13 goals in all competitions this game to show how good we fourth-minute shot, which turb Newcastle who went ing from injuries, coach Thom- season, and the injuries caused are. We go there to try to win, took a huge deflection off Ben ahead when Chris Wood failed as Tuchel said. alarm bells to ring at PSG as for sure,” Xherdan Shaqiri Mee, gave Rafael Benitez’s to clear a corner before Mee’s “They are fit and in form. they watched Saturday’s tight told the club’s website. Newcastle an early lead before half-hearted attempt to block They are fine. They did a full Ligue 1 win against Toulouse the visitors doubled their lead Fernandez’s shot only diverted training session today and from the stands. Fixtures through Ciaran Clark in the the ball into the top corner. yesterday. There is no prob- PSG come into Wednes- Atlético vs Monaco 23rd minute. lem, they will start tomorrow,” day’s game in third place in Burnley pulled a goal back Team effort Tuchel said at a press confer- Champions League Group C, Lokomotiv vs Galatasaray courtesy of Sam Vokes’s head- ence at the Parc des Princes on a point behind both Liverpool Dortmund vs Club Brugge er five minutes before half- “The main thing was the effort Tuesday. “If they were not fit and Napoli with two games left. PSV vs Barcelona time. of the players. We stuck to the they could not play but they did That means a defeat against Tottenham vs Internazionale Newcastle then squan- game plan. We suffered a bit not complain at all yesterday last season’s runners-up, cou- PSG vs Liverpool dered several chances to put at the end but we could have and today, and for me right now pled with a win for Napoli at Napoli vs Crvena Zvezda the result beyond doubt after scored a third goal,” Benutez Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah with teammates during a training session there is no risk.” home to Red Star Belgrade, Porto vs Schalke 04 the break, with Matt Ritchie said. The two most expensive at Melwood, in Liverpool, on Tuesday. (REUTERS) and the French champions missing from close range while Joselu hit a post. They survived a late Burn- More poor defending con- ley fightback to hold on for tributed to Newcastle’s sec- their first win at Turf Moor ond goal, an unmarked Clark AFC honours Bounedjah with since December 1975. heading in Ritchie’s cross. Cautious Al Sadd face Victory saw Newcastle But Burnley scored against ACL 2018 top scorer award move up into 13th place in the the run of play in the 40th table, four points clear of the minute when Vokes looped a TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK team in the upcoming compe- bottom three, with Burnley header over Martin Dubravka, DOHA titions. This award is a result bottom club Al Khor just a point above the relega- with the Newcastle goalkeeper of the efforts of everyone on tion zone. “The main thing was a long way off his line. THE Asian Football Confed- the team.” the effort of the players,” Ben- Newcastle should have eration (AFC) has honoured Al “We had an intense cam- itez told Sky Sports. gone 3-1 up five minutes into Sadd striker Baghdad Bouned- paign in the AFC Champions “We stuck to the game- the second half when DeAndre jah with the Top Scorer Award League. We hoped we could plan. We suffered a bit at the Yedlin’s cross-shot was de- after the Algerian finished on reach the final. This is what end but we could have scored flected into the path of Ritchie, top of the 2018 AFC Champi- we will aim for in the next a third goal.” who somehow shot wide from ons League goalscoring charts edition,” he added. Frustrated Burnley boss just a few yards out. with 13 goals. “I am proud to finish Sean Dyche said: “There was Joeslu then hit the post be- Al Sadd sporting direc- as the ACL top scorer and an unlucky goal and then a fore Yedlin make an important tor Mohammed Gholam, first I hope to continue giving poor goal. block at the other end to pre- team manager Abdullah al my best for Al Sadd in the “On balance we probably serve Newcastle’s lead. Breik and head coach Jesu- upcoming competitions as aldo Ferreira presented the well.” award to Bounedjah on Mon- The forward matched the day, before the start of the all-time single tournament main training session. record held by Muriqui who Copa Libertadores final to be netted the same tally by the conclusion of Guangzhou Ev- played outside Argentina Positive ergrande’s 2013 campaign. effect However, unlike Muriqui AFP two weeks ago. who lifted the continental ASUNCION The second leg had to be title with the Chinese Super postponed after Boca play- O “This award will have a League side, with Al Sadd SOUTH American football ers suffered cuts from broken positive effect on the team eliminated from the tour- administrators Conmebol glass and from smoke inhala- in the upcoming nament in the semi-finals said on Tuesday that the post- tion when their bus was at- competitions. This award is by Persepolis, Bounedjah’s Al Sadd’s Ali Asadalla (left), Hamid Ismael and teammates during a training session at the club premises poned Copa Libertadores final tacked by River fans on the a result of the efforts of involvement in the 2018 in Doha on Monday. second leg between fierce lo- way to the Monumental Sta- everyone on the team.” AFC Champions League was cal rivals River Plate and Boca dium in the Argentine capital brought to an end at the pe- against Al Duhail, in hand. It we displayed in the Al Duhail Juniors would be played out- on Saturday. nultimate stage. It’s a rescheduled has been rescheduled for De- match, where we provided a side Argentina. Boca’s president Daniel Bounedjah expressed his Bounedjah scored his first cember 11, also owing to the good level and were close to a Following a meeting with Angelici petitioned the con- delight at receiving the award, goals of the 2018 AFC Cham- match from Week 5 AFC Champions League. drawn result. We must put in the two Argentine clubs’ presi- tinent’s governing body to saying: “I am very happy to pions League with a brace in of the QNB Stars Al Sadd will miss influen- more efforts against Al Sadd. dents in Asuncion, Conmebol award them the trophy, a be crowned as the top scorer Al Sadd’s 2-1 Matchday One tial Spanish midfielder Xavi “I’m seeking stability said the match, to take place move his River counterpart and I want to thank all my away at the United Arab Emir- League Hernandez, who is out with and consistency in our per- on “December 8 or 9,” would Rodolfo D’Onofrio branded teammates, the staff and the ates’ Al Wasl, before netting a an injury with a torn muscle. formance. I haven’t been be at an as yet undecided ven- “shameful.” management. This award will second double against Perse- TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK His compatriot Gabi Fernan- thinking about relegation or ue. Some potential final ven- have a positive effect on the polis on Matchday Two. DOHA dez will return for the Wolves. play-off. Our aim is to collect The original second-leg ues have already expressed an Defender Abdulkarim Hassan maximum points and the best clash between the two Buenos interest in hosting the derby RELEGATION-THREAT- will be absent as he has to at- possible ranking in the table. Aires clubs at the weekend was dubbed a “superclasico”, and ENED Al Khor will play host Al tend the AFC Player of the We don’t even think of play- postponed after Boca players the most important in Argen- Sadd in the rescheduled match Year award ceremony in Mus- off,” said Casoni. were injured in an attack on tine club football history, as from Week 5 of the QNB Stars cat today. The left-back has Al Sadd coach Jesualdo their team bus by River fans it pits the two most popular League at the Al Khor Stadium been nominated for the hon- Ferreira said: “We have four with pepper spray, stones and teams in the country in the on Wednesday. our along with Yuman Suzuki matches until the end of the sticks. continent’s most prestigious The match was postponed and Kenti Misao of Kashima year; therefore we seek to end Conmebol president Ale- final. due to Al Sadd’s engagements Antlers. the year with good results on jandro Dominguez told re- The group that runs the in the 2018 AFC Champions On the other hand, Al our way to the title.” The win porters that “the final cannot Atletico Mineiro stadium in League, where they lost out to Khor are desperate for points over Al Arabi gave us a big be played in Argentina.” Brazilian city Belo Horizonte Iran’s Persepolis in the semi- as they are 11th with eight boost in preparation for Al A Conmebol statement offered on Tuesday to host the finals. points. They are very much Khor, and we need to beat Al moments earlier said that due match. Al Sadd are second in the in the danger zone and defeat Khor to continue our title push. to the weekend “violence... That came a day after the QNB Stars League table with will be their fifth in a row and Ferreira pointed out that that put players, officials and Italian city of Genoa cited cul- 26 points, eight adrift of Al ninth of the season. Al Khor may be at the bottom fans at risk... it would not be tural links between the city Duhail. The Wolves are sure Al Khor coach Bernard Ca- of the table but his team will prudent to play the final in” and Italian immigrants to to go all out as they want to be soni said: “We’ll face a strong play with caution because Al Argentina. Argentina in the early 20th in strong contention for the ti- competitor that has players of Khor have quality players and The tie is delicately poised century as it suggested the Baghdad Bounedjah (second left) holds his AFC Top Scorer Award with tle that they last won in 2013. great technical ability. We’ll needs to win to get away from following a 2-2 draw at Boca’s Marassi stadium as a potential coach Jesualdo Ferreira and team officials in Doha on Monday. They have another game, play with the same spirit that the danger zone. Bombonera home just over venue.