SPORT Thursday 25 January 2018

PAGE | 30 PAGE | 32-33 PAGE | 34 Afif eyes 3rd spot Wozniacki eyes first Rabada gets threee for Al Annabi after final as Kerber as India crash to semi-final setback looks to stop Halep 187 all out

QNB STARS LEAGUE Sneijder renews rivalry FIXTURES Today Al Gharafa vs Al Sadd as Al Gharafa meet Al Sadd Al Gharafa Stadium at 6.40pm FAWAD HUSSAIN young players are doing a great job,” best possible way. They are strong Tomorrow THE PENINSULA he said. from the starting eleven to the Al Sailiya vs Al Markhiya Speaking about his QSL experi- bench, so we have a tough Al Ahli Stadium at 4.30pm DOHA: When they faced each other ence so far, the Dutchman said: task on hand. We are trying Qatar SC vs Al Arabi sporting the Real Madrid and Barce- “After I started playing in Qatar, I out various combinations Qatar SC Stadium at 6.40pm lona jerseys respectively, sparks regularly get to see news about Xavi is a legend. I have and you can see some flew as the two produced sublime Qatar football in the Dutch media. played against him changeschanges in our line-up. Saturday football in Europe. It augurs well for this league. The when he was with “We“We will play our nat- Fast forward to 2018, Dutch star organisation is amazing and the ural game and we have Umm Salal vs Al Ahli Wesley Sneijder and Spanish great Qatar league’s future is bright.” and the our tactics readyready and we Al Gharafa Stadium Xavi Hernandez will renew their Al Gharafa will enter the field Spanish national team. will implement them. We at 4.30pm rivalry in Doha today when Al with a strong squad consisting of It is always good to have a goodgood mix of youthyouth Al Khor vs Al Kharaitiyat Gharafa host Al Sadd in a key clash Diogo Amado and Almahdi Ali as and exexperience.pep rience. We are also Al Khor Stadium QNB Stars League (QSL) clash. well as youngsters Othman Al Yahri, have great players in a happy with the way our at 4.30pm Since his arrival at the club ear- Ahmed Alaaeldin and Amro Seraj. team: Sneijder yyoungoung playersplayers are shapingshaping lier this month, Sneijder has injected Al Sadd, on the other hand, are up,” said Bolukbasi. Al Duhail vs Al Rayyan some much-needed bravado in the likely to miss injured striker Bagh- Al Duhail Stadium Al Gharafa’s ranks as The Cheetahs dad Bounedjah, who sat out the first at 6.40pm have claimed back-to-back victo- three matches in this season’s “With Baghdad,ad, we drewdrew,, lost ries to leapfrog to sixth spot in the league and is missing in action since and won. Withoutt him,him, we have to standings. their loss to Al Duhail in Week 10, play in a different wway.ay. This does not The retired Dutch is for this game as well. belittle his abilities,s, but I wowon’tn’t cry happy to meet Xavi on the pitch However, Al Sadd’s Portuguese over his absence. I willwill always looklook again. coach Jesualdo Ferreira played for solutions. I wishsh he returnsreturns “Xavi is a legend. I have played down his absence. healthy and 100 perer cent fit ttoo against him when he was with Bar- play, in order to helplp us in the celonacellona aandndd thethhe SpanishSpaniishh nationalnattiional upcomingupcomiing mmatchesattchhees wwhichhichh team. It is always good to havehave willwill be difficult,” hehe added.added. greatgreat plaplayersyers in a team,” Sne- Meanwhile,Meanwhile, AlAl ijderijder said on the eve of the GharafaGharafa assistant coachcoach match.match. BulentBulent BolukbasiBolukbasi saidsaaid WhileWhile Al GGharafahharaffa hhaveave hishis teamtteam willwill gogo shown good form, Al Sadd aagainstgainst AAll SaSadddd have displayeddisplayed an equalequal with full level of hunger by thrash- confidence. inging Al SailiyaSailiya 6-0 in their “We“We areare previousprevious ggameame to stastayy sec- pleasedpleased with our ond in the standings. performancesperformances in SneijderSneijder admitted thethe last ttwowo hihiss teteamam was ffacingacing a gaggames,mes,, wherewhere wewe toughtough tatasksk aass theythey bbidid toto hadhad 100100 percentpercent winwwin snatchsnatch fifth spot from recordrecord and we hohopepe to UmmUmm Salal.Salal. continuecontinue that way.way. ThereThere “We“We want to be hhighlyighly isis no room for let-uplet-up in a competitive on the field and lleagueeague competition.competition. We mustmust beatbeat AlAl Sadd.Sadd. We wantwant to showshow workwork more and putput in greatergreater efforts.efforts. ourour best. We have scscopeope for “We“We have ppre-re- improvementimprovement and our paredpared for thethe Al SaddSadd matchmatch in thet h e

Xavi Hernandez Wesley Sneijder Big win against UAE keeps Qatar’s unbeaten run intact

CHINTHANA WASALA battle which ended at 28-25 in THE PENINSULA favour of the hosts yesterday. The win assured the Koreans SUWON, SOUTH KOREA: their place in the semi-final Defending champions Qatar against the seemingly unbeat- maintained their winning able Qatari side. streak at the Asian Handball The two teams will lock Championships when they horns in the tournament’s sec- defeated the UAE 34-20 yester- ond semi-final which will take day. place tomorrow in Suwon. Already out of the compe- Qatar became the first team tition, having lost both their to make it to the last four of the Group 2 matches, the UAE con- Championship when they put tinued to struggle as Al Annabi up an impressive show to defeat proved to be too good for them. Bahrain 29-21 on Tuesday. On their familiar hunting Qatar stays on course for a ground, the Seo-Suwon Chilbo repeat success at the prestig- Gymnasium in Suwon, South ious championship, extending Korea, the defending champi- their winning streak to six ons led 18-11 at half time. matches. On behalf of the reigning Qatar have already booked champions, Houssem Romane their place in next year’s IHF (9) was the top scorer. A. Handball World Cup which will Berrached and Kamal Mallash take place in Denmark and Ger- netted five apiece. many when they reached the For the losing side, Waheed semis on Tuesday. Al Blooshi (5), Essa Al Bannai The other teams which Qatar players and officials pose for a photograph (4) and A Al Jneibi (4) added were able to book their place after defeating UAE in their final Main Group match points. in the World Cup are Saudi of the Asian Handball Championship in Suwon, Elsewhere, South Korea Arabia, Bahrain and South South Korea yesterday. defeated Iran after a tough Korea. 30 SPORT THURSDAY 25 JANUARY 2018 Juve close League Cup: Man City into in on Han, Pellegri: first final of Guardiola era Reports AFP AFP : Italian champions BRISTOL: Pep Guardiola saw his Juventus are closing in on two Manchester City side pushed promising teenage forwards hard before defeating second- – North Korea’s Han Kwang- tier Bristol City in an entertaining Song and Italian Pietro League Cup semi-final on Tues- Pellegri – according to day to leave him one game away reports yesterday. from winning his first major Crunch talks will take trophy in English football. place midweek with Cagliari Guardiola’s runaway Pre- to bring 19-year-old Han to mier League leaders, eyeing an , with Genoa’s Pellegri, unprecedented season quadru- 16, being targeted for a sum- ple given they also remain mer move, Gazetta Dello involved in both the FA Cup and Sport and Italia Champions League, won 3-2 on reported. the night for a 5-3 aggregate win Born in Pyongyang, Han over the Championship side. spent some of his youth at a They kicked off with a nar- football academy in Barce- row advantage at Ashton Gate lona before returning to his after a 2-1 first-leg win at the Eti- homeland to join FC had Stadium. Chobyong. But goals either side of half- He returned to Italy in time from Leroy Sane and Sergio 2015 playing with Cagliari’s Aguero effectively saw Manches- academy side before joining ter City to a win on Tuesday and the first team last season, success over the two legs as they making his debut for reached their first final under the Sardinian outfit, and scor- former Barcelona and Bayern ing his first goal last April. Munich manager Guardiola. This season Han was Bristol City were undaunted, Manchester City’s Argentinian loaned to Serie B side Peru- however, with Marlon Pack pull- striker Sergio Aguero (right) gia where he has flourished, ing a goal back in the 64th in action on Tuesday. scoring seven goals in the minute before Aden Flint scored current campaign. deep into stoppage time. control, these type of games we are so happy,” he insisted. Bernardo Silva. His cross was It would have been easy for Cagliari have valued the However, there was still time never end until the end. “Nobody can take away what we fired in by Sane and left Bristol Bristol City to be overwhelmed North Korean at 20m euros for to round off “This is a lesson for next have done, but Chelsea or Arse- City, chasing promotion to the from then on in but, to their ($24.6m), a sum viewed as the scoring for Manchester City. weekend in Cardiff in the FA Cup nal are strong teams.” lucrative Premier League, with credit, it was the southwest side excessive by the six-time Guardiola’s men will now and especially for the Champi- Meanwhile, Pack summed a mountain to climb. who scored next, in the 64th reigning champions. face the winners of between ons League,” the Spaniard up the mood of the home side by Four minutes after the re- minute. As part of the move, their Premier League rivals Arse- warned. saying: I’m proud of the boys and start Aguero, Manchester City’s John Stones made a mess of Juventus’s Italy Under-21 nal and Chelsea at Wembley on “At 2-0 we knew it would be proud to be part of this team. all-time leading goalscorer, a clearance and when it came striker Alberto Cerri, cur- February 25, with the two Lon- easier because they needed three Hopefully we can take this into seemed to put the result of the back into the box, Pack guided rently on loan at Perugia, don clubs deadlocked at 0-0 or four goals but with one minute the league now and keep it tie beyond doubt. a well-directed header across would move to the Sardini- after a first-leg stalemate. left it was 2-2 and anything could going.” The Argentina striker, fresh Manchester City goalkeeper ans. Pellegri made history by “We are so happy to be there, happen.” It looked as if Bristol City from a hat-trick in a 3-1 league Claudio Bravo and into the top becoming the youngest scorer to reach this final,” Guardiola, Guardiola played down the would deny Manchester City a win over Newcastle United last corner. in Serie A last May in Roma whose debut season as City boss personal importance of reach- goal in the first half of Tuesday’s weekend, still had plenty to do Flint turned in a header late legend Francesco Totti’s fare- last term saw him end a cam- ing a Wembley final, saying: “It’s match. But three minutes before following De Bruyne’s cross-field on to give Bristol City fans hope well match and also became paign without a trophy for the not for me, it’s for Manchester the break, Hordur Magnusson ball. of extra time but, pressing for the youngest to net a brace first time in his managerial City, a club who are trying to made the mistake of trying to But he made light of a tight that goal, their side were wide- earlier this season. career, told Sky Sports. reach another level. shepherd the ball out of play angle by letting fly with a shot open to a counter-attack, with He has scored two goals “We played an amazing “I know that we will be rather than clearing and was dis- into the top corner from 18 yards Sane cutting the ball back for De in six appearances for Genoa game until 2-0 and then we lost judged by trophies we win but possessed near the byline by out. Bruyne to fire home. in the current campaign.

A football fan poses O’Neill extends Cup trophy for photographs next to the FIFA world cup deal until 2020 trophy. arrives in SL LONDON

to kick off REUTERS: Ireland manager Martin O’Neill has signed a contract extension through to 2020, the country’s Football global tour Association (FAI) said on Tuesday, ending speculation he could return to the club REUTERS game. O’Neill was linked with the Stoke City COLOMBO: The World Cup trophy has job when Mark Hughes was sacked this arrived in Sri Lanka for the first time month, but rejected the chance to return as the most coveted prize in global to Premier League management, accord- soccer started a 54-country tour ing to British media reports. ahead of Russia 2018. “Martin O’Neill has signed a contract The trophy arrived late on Tues- extension to remain on as Ireland man- day and was unveiled by President ager until 2020!,” the FAI announced on Maithripala Sirisena and Prime Minis- its official Twitter feed. ter Ranil Wickremesinghe at two The 65-year-old O’Neill, who separate events with the participa- replaced Italian Giovanni Trapattoni as tion of French 1998 World Ireland manager in 2013, will continue Cup-winning midfielder Christian to be assisted by ex-Manchester United Karembeu. “We are privileged to be midfielder Roy Keane, after the FAI said selected as the first country on the FIFA his backroom team had also extended trophy’s international tour,” Sports Min- their deals. ister Dayasiri Jayasekara said. O’Neill, whose side reached the 2016 The trophy is scheduled to be European Championship finals in France taken to Male in the Maldives later but failed to book a spot at this year’s today. World Cup, will be in charge for the Euro 2020 qualifying campaign. Barca’s Mascherano latest star to make move

AFP record transfers, Chinese author- himself, the distinguished Argen- Mascherano would be given an saying that is just under the ities moved to crack down on tine Mascherano has, official farewell and say good- threshold that would trigger a SHANGHAI: Argentine interna- sky-rocketing deals last year. starting today, officially joined bye to fans at today’s Copa del 100 percent tax under rules tional defender will take the Hebei China Fortune Football Rey quarter-final, second leg imposed by the Chinese Football Mascherano (pictured right) was number 14 shirt – the same he Club,” the Chinese side said, against Espanyol. Association (CFA) on incoming unveiled as the Chinese Super wore at Barcelona and for his without disclosing the transfer Last month, Sport, a Catalan foreign transfers last May. League’s most high-profile sign- country – and team up with fee. daily, said that Hebei had The surcharge was a way of ing in a year yesterday as he another Argentina international, Barcelona announced on reached a deal to sign him from reining in Chinese clubs who in joined Hebei China Fortune from Ezequiel Lavezzi, at Hebei, who Tuesday that Mascherano, who Barca for 10m euros ($12.2m), recent transfer windows shelled Barcelona. are based in the northern city of can also play as a defensive mid- conditional on the Spanish club out huge amounts on interna- The highly decorated Qinhuangdao and are coached fielder, was leaving the club after plugging the gap, which they did tional stars, prime among them 33-year-old is the biggest name by former Manchester City man- seven-and-a-half successful sea- by signing Colombian centre- Tevez, who moved back to Boca to head to China since his fellow ager Manuel Pellegrini. sons, without stating his back Yerry Mina. Juniors earlier this month after Argentine Carlos Tevez 12 “After reaching agreement destination. Chinese media however put a miserable year at Shanghai months ago. After a series of with Barcelona FC and the player The Catalan giants said the transfer fee at 5.5m euros, Shenhua. THURSDAY 25 JANUARY 2018 SPORT 31 QFA set to host 4 FIFA-backed referees seminars

THE PENINSULA popular Italian referee of his the Referees Committee, will 2018 World Cup in Russia this FIFA have sanctioned a series FIFA will undertake all time Pierluigi Collina, Chairman also be part of the seminars. summer. The seminar will fea- of seminars in one country. In financial costs of the four ses- DOHA: The Qatar Football of the FIFA Referees Commit- The first seminar will be ture of 37 referees from one year, no country has ever sions while QFA will provide Association (QFA) is preparing tee, and Swiss Massimo Busacca, attended by 100 attendees from February 5 to 9. organised such a number of ref- logistical support. to host four major referees Executive Director of the Refe- around the world from January The third seminar will be erees’ courses. It is worth noting that QFA seminars - fully backed by rees’ Department. 30 to February 2 at the Inter- held from February 12 to 16 The FIFA-QFA collaboration hosted two workshops for the world governing body FIFA - in Hani Balan, Chairman of the Continental Hotel, QFA while the fourth and final ses- on referees was launched four referees of the 2018 World Cup the coming days, it was Qatar Referees Committee and announced yesterday. sion of the referees’ will be years ago when Qatar hosted and the 2019 World Cup for confirmed yesterday. Vice-Chairman of the FIFA Ref- The second forum is for the attended by 100 lecturers from training sessions for the refe- Women in France. These seminars and courses erees Committee, and Naji referees and video assistants February 19 to 22. rees of the 2014 FIFA World Cup The first session was held in will be supervised by hugely Juwaini, Executive Director of who will feature in the FIFA This is the first time that held in . April 2016. Germany face old foes in 1st Nations League

REUTERS

LAUSANNE: Germany will face old rivals France and the Neth- erlands after the trio were drawn together in the same three-team France is a big group for the inaugural UEFA nation, very good Nations League, the latest addi- players, and tion to the football calendar, yesterday. too, so The trio will feature in Group it’s interesting for One of League A, the top divi- us, our players and sion of the four-tier tournament of course our fans, that UEFA has introduced to replace international friendlies says Joachim Loew and which will run alongside the traditional European champion- ship qualifiers. It was an early boost for the competition which critics say is Akram Afif (foreground) eyes third spot for Qatar at AFC too complex, adds to an already U23 Championship in China. crowded calendar and, because it provides an additional path to tournaments such as Euro 2020, makes it too easy for the top The competition’s trophy is displayed during the UEFA Afif eyes 3rd spot teams to qualify. Nations League draw in Lausanne yesterday. UEFA, concerned that for Al Annabi after NATIONS LEAGUE DRAW international football is losing all 55 of Europe’s national teams place at Euro 2020, offering a League A popularity to the club game, divided into four divisions -- back door for teams who do not semi-final setback Group 1: Germany, France, Netherlands argues that the league will pro- Leagues A to D -- that are qualify through the regular Group 2: Belgium, , Iceland vide the top nations with more themselves split into four groups, qualifiers. THE PENINSULA Group 3: Portugal, Italy, Poland competitive matches against to be played between Septem- This mechanism guarantees Group 4: , England, Croatia each other. ber and November. that one fourth-tier side -- such CHANGZHOU: Qatar’s hopes of reaching the AFC U23 League B In the other League A groups, In League A, the winners of as Georgia, Azerbaijan, Faroe Championship China 2018 final were dashed after falling Group 1: Slovakia, Ukraine, Czech Republic Italy, who failed to qualify for each group qualify for the semi- Islands or Malta -- will reach 4-3 on penalties to Vietnam on Tuesday, but Akram Afif Group 2: Russia, , this year’s World Cup finals, will finals, which will be played in Euro 2020. and Omar Al Emadi have promised to learn from the expe- Group 3: Austria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, face European champions Por- June 2019, followed by the final. Germany coach Joachim rience. Northern Ireland tugal and Poland in Group Three The four last-placed teams are Loew said the new competition Qatar led twice, only for Vietnam to equalise on both Group 4: Wales, Republic of Ireland, Denmark while Spain take on England and relegated to League B. was “really interesting.” “I like occasions to push the game into extra time with a 2-2 League C Croatia in Group Four. In the other leagues, the four these kind of games,” he told draw. Belgium will meet Switzer- group winners are promoted and reporters. “France is a big nation, Group 1: Scotland, Albania, Israel “First of all, I want to say congratulations to Vietnam,” land and Iceland in Group Two, last team in each group goes very good players, and Nether- Group 2: Hungary, Greece, Finland, Estonia Afif told the-AFC.com arguably the easiest. down. lands too, so it’s interesting for “We were playing to be the first, unfortunately we Group 3: Slovenia, Norway, Bulgaria, Cyprus The Nations League features Each league also has one us, our players and of course our couldn’t win this game,” said Akram, who gave Qatar their Group 4: Romania, Serbia, Montenegro, fans. It’s better than the friendly first lead when he converted a penalty in the 39th minute. Lithuania games we have sometimes. Despite the loss, the 21-year-old was optimistic of the League D “I’m really happy.” future. Group 1: Georgia, Latvia, , Andorra Poland coach Adam Naw- “I hope we will learn from our mistakes. We will con- Group 2: Belarus, Luxembourg, Moldova, San alka agreed. “It’s a very good tinue to do our best in the future. Marino idea to have this competition “But we will play for third now, where we will do our Group 3: Azerbaijan, Faroe Islands, Malta, Kos- instead of friendlies, we have a best. I hope we can achieve a good result.” ovo very interesting group with the Al Emadi admitted they were caught off guard with Group 4: Macedonia, Armenia, Liechtenstein, European champions Portugal the Vietnamese revival but was also quick to commend Gibraltar and four-times world champi- the Southeast Asian side for a well-fought match. Fixtures ons Italy,” he told Reuters. “I think we came in and started well, we scored a goal,” Portugal coach Fernando Matchday 1: September 6-8, 2018 said the Qatar SC midfielder. Santos told UEFA’s website: “One Matchday 2: September 9-11 “After that, Vietnam played with a lot of heart and of the positives with this com- passion. They came back into the game twice, which was Matchday 3: October 11-13 petition is more games between very surprising to us even though they’ve done this before. Matchday 4: October 14-16 teams of a similar standard. “Congratulations to Vietnam, they were the better Matchday 5: November 15-17 “Some countries knew they side. Hopefully we can learn from this experience and Matchday 6: November 18-20 will always struggle to get to a come back better.” The four winners of the League A groups take World Cup or a EURO, and they The young Al Annabi, who were knocked out in the part in a play-off on June 5-9, 2019 will now have another reason to semi-finals of the 2016 edition on home soil by Korea Play-offs for teams that did not qualify direct- invest in grassroots development

Republic, have a chance to claim revenge as the two meet ly for Euro 2020 will take place on March 26- and, of course, all European

Former Portuguese soccer player shows the ticket of Italy in the third-place play-off tomorrow. football will benefit from that,” 31, 2020 during the draw of the UEFA Nations League. he said. Sanchez denies Henry told him to quit Arsenal

AFP announced by United, Sanchez know I don’t need to explain Sanchez, who scored 80 four-and-a-half-year contract wrote on Instagram: “I remem- this to the majority of Arsenal goals in 166 appearances for that will make him the highest- LONDON: Alexis Sanchez ber today, a conversation I had fans but contrary to specula- Arsenal, was in the final year of paid player in the Premier (pictured right) has denied that with Henry, a historic Arsenal tion at no time did I tell Alexis his contract at the Emirates Sta- League. Arsenal great Thierry Henry player, who changed club for Sanchez to leave Arsenal. I had dium after turning down a new It has been widely reported advised him to leave the club the same reason and today is no idea he was going to sign for deal. that Sanchez will earn a pre- before his move this week to my turn.” Man Utd until I saw it on the Sanchez sealed a move to tax salary of £500,000 Premier League rivals Those comments have been news like the rest of you.” United from Arsenal in a swap ($697,000, 569,000 euros) a Manchester United. construed to mean that Henry, Sanchez, 29, tweeted yes- deal with Henrikh Mkhitaryan, week at Old Trafford. The Chile international who left Arsenal for Barcelona terday: “I want to clarify that saying he was “thrilled to be Manchester United legend clarified remarks he made in 2007, advised Sanchez that Henry never told me to leave joining the biggest club in the Ryan Giggs said Alexis Sanchez referring to the Gunners’ record it was time to move on. the club, it was a personal deci- world”. was a ready-made “superstar” goalscorer after completing his Henry tweeted himself yes- sion ... he LOVES the club and The Chile striker, who came who can give the Red Devils a much-anticipated switch to Old terday that this was not the someday it would be nice to see close to joining Manchester City lift as they bid to chase down Trafford on Monday. case. him as the arsenal coach last summer, has signed what Premier League rivals Man- After the signing was The Frenchman wrote: “I because he loves the club.” is believed to be a chester City. 32 SPORT THURSDAY 25 JANUARY 2018 THURSDAY 25 JANUARY 2018 SPORT 33

AUSTRALIAN OPEN SEMI-FINALS Roger Federer of Switzerland hits a return to Tomas Berdych during their Australian Open quarter-final match in Melbourne yesterday. What you need to know KERBER VS HALEP

SHORN OF SEEDS Kyle Edmund and Chung Hyeon are the first unseeded players in the men’s draw to reach the semi-finals since Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in 2008. It is the first time multiple unseeded players have got so far since the trio of Thomas Enqvist, Tommy Haas and Nicolas Lapentti in 1999.

BLAST FROM THE PAST At world number 58, Chung Hyeon is not only the first Korean to make a Grand Slam semi-final, but the lowest- ranked man into the last four at Melbourne since Marat Safin in 2004. Safin, then ranked 84, lost in the final to Roger FEDERER vs CHUNG Federer, who Chung plays next. Safin bounced back to win the title a year later. HEAD TO HEAD

HOT RUN Age: 36 Age: 21 Three of the women’s semi-finalists are already 2018 WTA Turned Pro: 1998 Tuyrned Pro: 2014 ANGELIQUE KERBER SIMONA HALEP title holders. Angelique Kerber won the lead-up Sydney Singles Ranking: 2 Singles Ranking: 58 International, Simona Halep was triumphant in Shenzhen Age: 29 Age: 26 and Elise Mertens was crowned champion in Hobart. Singles titles: 95 Singles titles: 1 Height: 5’8” Height: 5’6” Only Caroline Wozniacki is still searching for some silverware, Grand Slam Grand Slam Singles Ranking: 16 Singles Ranking: 1 but came close, losing in the Auckland final to Julia Goerges. Federer in semi-finals: 43 semi-finals: 0 Career Prize Money: Career Prize Money: HISTORY IN THE MAKING $21,607,604 $20,912,291 Elise Mertens is in her first Slam semi-final ever, and on her WTA Singles Titles: 11 WTA Singles Titles: 16 Melbourne Park debut. If she wins the title, she will make history with no woman ever crowned champion in their maiden Australian tournament. She is the first Belgian in a Grand Slam semi since Kirsten Flipkens at Wimbledon in 2013. Wozniacki eyes first RECORD-SETTING FEDERER Evergreen Roger Federer has extended his record for most semi-final appearances in Australia in the Open-era. He is now in his 14th, which is six more than the next in line -- Stefan 43rd final as Kerber Edberg. The Swiss star is in the last four at a Grand Slam for an incredible 43rd time, a record unlikely to be matched any time soon. Behind him are Jimmy Connors and Novak looks to stop Halep Djokovic, both on 31. Slam semi

AFP 6-0 to become the first Belgian to make the semis since Clijsters in 2012. AFP Federer’s latest MELBOURNE: Former champion Angel- “I’ve got nothing to lose, that’s for sure,” Determined Edmund keeps victory is his 92nd Hyeon Chung ique Kerber is the player to beat as the said Mertens who had never got beyond the MELBOURNE: Defending champion in 105 matches in of South Korea Australian Open reaches the semi-finals this third round in four previous Slam appear- Roger Federer swept into a record Melbourne to make Chung sweeps in action morning, while second seed Caroline Wozni- ances. “I guess I’m a bit, well, the underdog. it simple as final beckons 14th Australian Open semi-final with against Tennys acki continues her long quest for a first But I’m ready for it.” an immaculate straight sets win over the Australian Open Sandgren of major. Wozniacki and Mertens will square off REUTERS With so much raw mate- KYLE EDMUND long-time rival Tomas Berdych his most successful the United Romanian top seed Simona Halep, also in the first semi-final on Thursday after- rial to work with, Rosengren’s yesterday. Grand Slam in terms Sandgren to book States in search of a first Grand Slam title, is the noon with Kerber and Halep following on MELBOURNE: They say you main work with Edmund is The second seed cruised to a 7-6 during their player tasked with stopping the German Rod Laver Arena. can take the man out of York- between the ears -- curing the Age: 23 (7/1), 6-3, 6-4 win in 2hr 14min on of matches won along from reaching a second Australian Open Kerber, seeded 21 after a form slump in ATP ranking: 49 Australian shire but cannot take Yorkshire all-too-regular lapses that Rod Laver Arena and will face with Wimbledon. Open quarter- final after winning in 2016. 2017, appears back to the dominant best that out of the man and while Kyle were holding him back. (Highest ranking: 40) unseeded South Korean Chung Federer meeting Wozniacki, a semi-finalist in 2011 who brought her two Grand Slam titles in 2016. final match Edmund now lives in the Baha- “Tennis is a mental game,” Grand slam titles: 0 Hyeon on Friday for a place in the in Melbourne has never quite lived up to the hype in the She will go back into the top 10 after the mas his no-nonsense style of the former coach of Magnus final. excited to be playing him, he’s got yesterday. majors, will need to overcome Belgian sur- tournament. tennis would have the locals Norman said. “I’m not there to 2017 Australian Open The 19-time Grand Slam cham- nothing to lose, I will tell myself the prise package Elise Mertens, ranked 36, who The only major winner left in the draw back home nodding in teach him how to hit forehands pion, who hasn’t lost in five matches same and we’ll see what happens.” is in the last four on her Australian Open said she had fallen back in love with tennis approval. and backhands, he’s so good at performance: Second against Berdych in Melbourne, will Federer was broken in his open- debut. and feels the same vibes as in her success- The 23-year-old, who grew that. It’s more to get everything round play in his 43rd Grand Slam semi- ing service game and fell behind 2-5 The Dane is full of confidence after her ful 2016 run when she toppled Serena up just north of the Humber together so he can use his final, a record for the post-1968 before he broke back with a back- biggest career win at last year’s season-end- Williams in the final. Estuary in Beverley, is two Aus- strength at the right moment. Best Australian Open Open Era. hand in the ninth game to send the ing WTA Tour finals. “I’m proud how I got through all the last tralian Open wins away from “Was about making him performance: Semi- The Swiss legend has yet to face first set into a tiebreaker. She was impressive either side of a sec- weeks and being in the semis again in a completing an unlikely meta- play depending on the score- finalist, 2018 Chung, who has got past six-time He put the foot down and ond-set blip as she beat gritty Spaniard Carla Grand Slam. So I’m feeling good,” she said. morphosis from the “other board, knowing when the champion Novak Djokovic and world careered to five set points before tak- Suarez Navarro 6-0, 6-7 (3/7), 6-2 to reach On a 14-match win streak this year, the British player” to Grand Slam pressure was himself or on the No.4 Alexander Zverev to get to the ing the tiebreaker with an audacious the last four. German juggernaut put her foot down to champion. other guy. Trying to teach Kyle 2018 Australian Open last four. drop shot. Wozniacki won her only previous meet- accelerate past US Open finalist Madison Keys Even if that did happen, to understand the game.” results: Federer’s latest victory was his He continued to put the squeeze ing with Mertens on clay last July in three in just 51 one-sided minutes 6-1, 6-2 in their and it’s a big ‘if’ considering he Edmund is guaranteed to First round: beat 92nd in 105 matches in Melbourne on the Czech and broke him in the sets. quarter-final. Halep was equally impressive would have to beat former US climb to 25th in the world Kevin Anderson to make the Australian Open his most eighth game and served out for a two “I remember playing her in Bastad. She’s in coming from 0-3 down against big-serv- Open champion Marin Cilic rankings and could overtake 6-7(4) 6-3 3-6 6-3 successful Grand Slam in terms of sets to love lead after 90 minutes. a great player,” said the Dane who first ing sixth seed Karolina Pliskova to rattle off then most probably 19-times Murray if he gets to the final matches won along with Both players exchanged breaks became world number one in 2010. “She’s 12 of the last 14 games in a 6-3, 6-2 win. Grand Slam great Roger Fed- here. 6-4 Wimbledon. early in the third set before Federer had a very good start to the year.” The Romanian, who in the third round erer, his coach Fredrik He will have to find Second round: beat “I’m happy I got out of the first reeled off a signature backhand win- Mertens, 22, defended her title in Hobart saved three match points in surviving the Rosengren says his charge will another level if he is to con- Denis Istomin 6-2 6-2 set. It ended up being the key of the ner to break again in the fifth game. before the tournament and is on a 10-match longest match of the tournament, 15-13 in not get cocky. tinue his run but can take 6-4 match,” Federer said on court. He consummately served out for winning streak. the final set against Lauren Davis, is expect- “I’m not expecting him to inspiration from Thomas Third round: beat “Tomas played well in the first the match for his 20th win in 26 She trains at the Kim Clijsters Academy ing another drawn-out battle. be running to buy the Ferrari. Johansson, who he has been Nikoloz Basilashvili couple of sets especially. I think in meetings with Berdych. and remarkably hasn’t lost in her last 18 “For sure is going to be a second mara- He is not that kind of guy,” the hitting with this week. the third set he dropped a little bit. Federer is coming off an extraor- matches on Australian soil dating to back thon this tournament,” said Halep. “But I’m 7-6(0) 3-6 4-6 6-0 Swede, who has helped trans- The Swede came from “It was tough the first set. Could dinary 2017, when he won a fifth to Hobart qualifying in 2017. used to that. I know her pretty well. I know form Edmund’s fortunes since nowhere to win the title in 7-5 have gone either way. He deserved Australian Open title and a record Mertens is yet to drop a set and blasted she’s very strong opponent, very strong being hired in October, told 2002 as 16th seed, the lowest Fourth round: beat it. I stole that one a little bit.” eighth at Wimbledon, after return- past world number four Elina Svitolina 6-4, player. She likes it here.” reporters. seed other than Federer to Andreas Seppi 6-7(4) Federer has now won 14 out of ing from an injury lay-off. The muscular 21-year- Edmund is no flash Harry, claim the title in the profes- 7-5 6-2 6-3 14 quarter-finals in Melbourne and The 36-year-old is bidding to REUTERS prematurely about victory and what The Korean converted a second WOZNIACKI VS MERTENS on or off the court -- a trait he sional era, with the Swiss Quarter-finals: beat has yet to drop a set in this win his 20th Grand Slam title and is it might mean for his expectant old South Korean break point to get back on serve and shares with three-times Grand triumphing last year as the 17th tournament. the oldest man to reach the semi- MELBOURNE: Hyeon Chung's trail- nation. the pair fought furiously in a breath- Grigor Dimitrov 6-4 tosses American Tennys Slam champion Andy Murray, seed after a long injury layoff. Looking ahead to his semi-final finals in Australia since Ken Rosewall blazing run through the Australian "I think (in the) last game, many Sandgren aside 6-4, less tiebreak. who has carried the flag for Edmund will certainly have 3-6 6-3 6-4 opponent Chung, Federer said: “He’s (42 years) in 1977. Open continued yesterday as the things come together. If I win one Sandgren wound his forehand up British tennis for more than a plenty of support against Cilic incredibly impressive in his move- It was in Melbourne a year ago relentless South Korean tossed Amer- more point, I make history in Korea," 7-6(5), 6-3 to become his for a straightforward winner to secure decade. on Thursday. “Yorkshire... ment, he reminds me a lot of Novak where he lit the fuse on his late-life ican Tennys Sandgren aside 6-4, he told reporters. nation’s first Grand Slam two set points but instead thumped the A cricket lover, Edmundd YYorkshire”orkshire” hhisis ffansans cchantedhanted the way he is able to slide forehand tennis renaissance, beating Berdych, 7-6(5), 6-3 to become his nation's first "Something I (was) thinking like semi-finalist. Chung will ball into the net to allow Chung to level admitted after his quarter-- aagainstgainst Dimitrov on his RoRodd and backhand and use the hardcourt Kei Nishikori, Mischa Zverev and Grand Slam semi-finalist. that. I have to think about the cere- meet champion Roger at 5-5. finals victory over worldd LLaveraver Arena debutdebut as as a claycourt. Stan Wawrinka before downing Bespectacled like Clark Kent but mony. Anyway, I had to stay calm Another rush of blood saw the number three Grigor Dimitrovv hehe won in four setsets.s. “He gets balls back and stays great rival Rafael Nadal in a five-set playing like Superman at a sunbathed because... the match was not finished Federer for a place in the American fire long, and a clinical that one of his idols, formerr “It was unbeliev-unbeliev- aggressive in defence, so I’m really final classic. Rod Laver Arena, world number 58 yet." final, and should head Chung needed only one chance to take Australia captain Ricky Pon-- ablablee howhow hhee hhandledandled Chung became the lowest ranked Chung's raw power ultimately into that clash brimful of the set. ting, did not recognise himm yesterday,”yesterday,” RodengreRodengrenn Roger Federer of Switzerland puts on his headband before his match player into the last four at Melbourne prevailed, a blazing forehand into the The Korean flapped his hands at when they were in the samee said.said. “He was so relaxed.relaxed. I toldtold against Tomas Berdych at the Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne, Australia Park since Marat Safin in 2004. corner causing a scrambling Sand- confidence. the crowd in triumph, as a red-faced restaurant this week. himhim go on there, take the stage, yesterday. The muscular 21-year-old will gren to push his desperate retrieve Sandgren retired to his chair to shake While bashful off court,, bebe tthehe man, no excuses.” meet champion Roger Federer for a well past the baseline. his head and fume. however, there is nothing timidd place in the final, and should head Chung flashed a broad grin as The match began in an unnerv- The American appeared spent and about his no-frills playing style.. into that clash brimful of South Koreans draped in flags roared ing way for all concerned, a false slumped to a 3-1 deficit, but gave the Essentially, it involves crank-- confidence. in the terraces and his mother shaped alarm ringing out and warning to crowd their money's worth with bril- ing up a forehand forged in a As in his fourth round elimina- a love heart with her arms from the "evacuate, evacuate, evacuate" early liant volleying to save a fifth match blast furnace and burning thee tion of six-times champion Novak players' box. in the first set. point. The 26-year-old bowed out to felt off the ball. Djokovic, Chung had all the answers South Korea has been late to the Play was halted for a few warm applause from the crowd, CAROLINE WOZNIACKI ELISE MERTENS Three-times Australiann against world number 97 Sandgren, party in global tennis but Chung's moments and some fans scurried for though a storm over his social media Age: 27 Age: 22 Open champion Mats Wilan-- returning virtually everything the success could light a fire for the sport the exits. links with right wing nationalists raged der describes it as the bestt battling American could throw at in the east Asian nation. Chung broke Sandgren in the on in the background. Height: 5’10” Height: 5’8” forehand in the business. him. It has also been a devastating raid third game and served out the set to "I'm happy with being resilient," Singles Ranking: 2 Singles Ranking: 36 That said, he is no one-- A near-perfect display finished by a player barely spoken about love, then took the heavy-legged Sandgren said. Career Prize Money: Career Prize Money: trick pony. His serve is vastlyy with a wobble when serving out the before the tournament, with most of American's serve again to take a 2-0 "It's not easy to come off some big improved under Rosengren, ass match, as he squandered a 40-0 lead the buzz around young guns like Ger- lead in the second. wins, biggest wins of my career, crazy $26,856,094 $845,390 is his defence, even if Edmundd and saw a total of five match points many's Alexander Zverev, who Chung Sandgren rallied strongly, break- stages, like quarter-finals of a slam... WTA Singles Titles: 27 WTA Singles Titles: 2 prefers to be wheeling away evaporate into a cloudless sky. dismantled in the third round, and ing Chung twice but he faltered when and to deal with the stuff off the court in the centre court. He later admitted to thinking Australian Nick Kyrgios. serving for the set at 5-3. as well." 34 SPORT THURSDAY 25 JANUARY 2018 England’s Shrubsole on Wisden cover AGENCIES lot of people are thrilled on It’s an amazing her behalf.” LONDON: England’s Anya In a similar move, Wisden honour and Shrubsole (pictured right) will India has chosen to put two privilege to be be the first woman to appear members of the India side who on the cover of on the front cover of the fabled made it to the Women’s World Wisden Wisden Cricketers’ Almanack Cup final - a high-fiving . To be after her heroics at last year’s Sushma Verma and Shikha on the front of World Cup. Pandey - on the cover of its such an iconic Shrubsole hit the winning 2018 edition. runs in a tense semi-final vic- The tradition of putting a and historic book tory over before photo on the sleeve of the means a huge her six for 46, which included Almanack only began in 2003, amount. Most five in 19 balls, brought with Virat Kohli last year’s of all, it’s a clear England back from the brink as cover star. they edged India in the final at In 2009, Claire Taylor representation of a packed Lord’s. Almanack, holding the Wom- global trophy, we might as became the first female to be the strength of the A photo of the 26-year-old en’s World Cup aloft at Lord’s. well have given up and said named one of Wisden’s Five women’s game, will grace the famous yellow Her spell of five wickets in 22 cricket is for men only and Cricketers of the Year, awarded jacket of the 155th edition of the balls had ripped the trophy always will be. The old-school for performances during the and the impact Almanack, which has been pub- from India’s hands, as England pick might have been Steve preceding English summer. A of the World Cup lished every year since 1864. held on for a nine-run win amid Smith, but cricket has moved number of players from the side victory and the “It’s an amazing honour and scenes of high drama. beyond that now. Anya was led by Heather Knight, includ- privilege to be on the cover of It was seen as a watershed thrilled when I told her, and ing Shrubsole and star work of the entire Wisden,” said Shrubsole. “To be moment for the sport, follow- to judge by the instant reac- allrounder Nat Sciver, are team. on the front of such an iconic ing the advent of professional tion on Twitter this morning a potential recipients in 2018. and historic book means a huge contracts and increased profile amount. “Most of all, it’s a clear of competitions such as the Kia representation of the strength Super League and Women’s Big of the women’s game, and the Bash League. impact of the World Cup vic- Booth said that Shrubsole tory and the work of the entire was the standout candidate to team.” be showcased on the 2018 This year’s Almanack, a edition. comprehensive chronicling of “The choice of Anya Shrub- the game over the past 12 sole as Wisden’s cover star for months, will be published on 2018 was reassuringly easy,” April 12. Booth said. “ was a nat- “She’d bowled the spell that ural for this year’s Wisden won England the World Cup, so cover, having stolen the show in my mind it was going to take on the most memorable day of something pretty extraordinary the 2017 summer,” said Wisden to topple her from the perch. editor Lawrence Booth added. And the fact that she wasn’t a “Shrubsole is Wisden’s first token pick was important,” he female cover star -- and, thanks said. to the excitement she generated “Women’s cricket under- that day at Lord’s, almost cer- went a revolution in 2017, so tainly not the last.” if we weren’t going to reflect Shrubsole is pictured in the that with a photo of an Eng- familiar primrose hues of the lish cricketer brandishing a

U19 World Fast bowler Rabada gets three as Cup: Pakistan beat Proteas India crash to 187 all out on day 1 to enter semis IANS

REUTERS CHRISTCHURCH: A superb display of and JOHANNESBURG: Fast bowler some composed batting by Ali Kagiso Rabada took three wick- Zaryab propelled Pakistan to ets as South Africa bowled India a three- win in an out for 187 to take the opening absorbing contest with South day honours on a seaming Africa at the ICC U19 World wicket in the third and final test Cup Super League quarter- at the Wanderers in Johannes- finals here yesterday. burg yesterday. With Pakistan chasing a South Africa were six for one target of 190 runs, an in reply at the close, with opener unbeaten 74 from Zaryab Dean Elgar (4) and nightwatch- ensured that the hard work man Rabada (0) to resume today of fast bowlers Muhamad as the hosts look to build a size- Musa and Shaheen Afridi did able first innings lead on a not go waste at the Hagley difficult pitch. Oval here. Aiden Markram (2) was the The left-handed Zaryab only South African wicket to fall compiled a cautious but as he edged a delivery from Bhu- attractive 111-ball knock vneshwar Kumar to which included five bounda- wicketkeeper Parthiv Patel, with ries as two-time champions the pitch giving plenty of encour- Pakistan reached the target agement to both sides’ all-seam in 47.5 overs after pacers attacks. Musa and Shaheen had The hosts will be pleased shared five scalps to help with their day’s work after India restrict formidable South had won the toss and elected to Africa to 189/9. bat, despite having dropped The victory over the 2014 catches, eschewed what would edge to AB de Villiers at third slip. home attack. He had a slice of ABOVE: South African champions means Pakistan have been a successful review De Villiers bruised the mid- early luck when given cricket players will now play the winners of and at times bowled too short dle finger of his right hand in after Ngidi struck him on the celebrate the dismissal tomorrow’s quarter-final and wide. taking the catch and had to leave pads. South Africa did not review of an Indian batsman between India and Bangla- The key wicket was that of the field for treatment. umpire Ian Gould’s decision and during the first day of desh in the second semi-final Virat Kohli (54), though he was Cheteshwar Pujara (50) was replays showed the ball would the third Test match here on January 30. twice dropped off relatively sim- the only other Indian batsman have hit leg stump. in Johannesburg Pakistan will be thankful ple chances when on 11 and 34. to post a half-century, with his Pujara’s vigil came to an end yesterday. RIGHT: to Zaryab, who was not per- He was finally removed when patient innings taking 179 deliv- when he edged all-rounder Indian batsman turbed even as the 2004 and Lungi Ngidi (1-27) induced an eries as he tried to stifle the Andile Phehlukwayo (2-25) to Cheteshwar Pujara 2006 champions were wicketkeeper Quinton de Kock, plays a shot. reduced to 111/5 after all- SCOREBOARD one of five dismissals for the rounder Jason Niemand gave India (I innings) ...... 7-144, 8-163, 9-166 gloveman. Rabada (3-39) was South Africa a glimmer of M. Vijay c De Kock b Rabada ...... 8 Bowling: Morkel 17-5-47-2 (1nb, 1w), Philander 19-10- perhaps the pick of the home hope with the wickets of cap- L. Rahul c De Kock b Philander ...... 0 31-2 (1nb), Rabada 18.4-6-39-3 (1w), Ngidi 15-7-27-1, bowlers, both fast and accurate. tain Hassan Khan and C. Pujara c De Kock b Phehlukwayo ...... 50 Phehlukwayo 7-1-25-2 He removed opener Murali Vijay Muhammad Taha. V. Kohli c De Villiers b Ngidi ...... 54 South Africa: F. du Plessis, D. Elgar, A. Markram, H. Amla, (8), caught by De Kock, before But Zaryab found an able A. Rahane lbw b Morkel ...... 9 A. de Villiers, Q. de Kock, V. Philander, A. Phehlukwayo, K. P. Patel c De Kock b Morkel ...... 2 Rabada, M. Morkel, L. Ngidi grabbing the wickets of Ishant partner in Saad Khan and the H. Pandya c De Kock b Phehlukwayo ...... 0 South Africa (I innings) ...... Sharma (0) and the stubborn duo added 65 runs for the B. Kumar c Phehlukwayo b Rabada ...... 30 D Elgar not out ...... 4 Kumar (30). sixth wicket. This was Zary- Mohammed Shami c Rabada b Philander ...... 8 AK Markram c †Patel b Kumar ...... 2 Morne Morkel (2-47) and ab’s third half-century in the I. Sharma c Du Plessis b Rabada...... 0 K Rabada not out ...... 0 Vernon Philander (2-31) also tournament and second suc- J. Bumrah not out ...... 0 Extras ...... 0 chipped in with wickets but were cessive player of the match Extras (b10, lb8, nb2, w6) ...... 26 Total ...... 6/1 (6 overs) guilty at times of bowling with award after his 59 in another Total (76.4 overs)...... 187 Fall of wickets: 1-3 Fall of wickets: 1-7, 2-13, 3-97, 4-113, 5-144, 6-144, Bowling: Kumar 3-2-3-1, JJ Bumrah 3-2-3-0 too much width, failing to make low-scoring match against Sri the batsmen play. Lanka. THURSDAY 25 JANUARY 2018 SPORT 35

Olympics: Russia ban decision Cricket: QECC League begins tomorrow was ‘a balance’, says Bach THE PENINSULA

REUTERS Athletes from Russia”.. Dozens Among them are Sochi gold DOHA: The most awaited and the biggest T20 cricket carni- of Russian athletes in recent and silver medallist figure skater val - the Qatar Expat Cricket Community (QECC) League LONDON: A decision to ban the months have been retroactively Ksenia Stolbova and ice dancer Season-3, begins in Qatar on Friday. Russian team from next month’s sanctioned for anti-doping rule Ivan Bukin as well as Olympic The Season-3 League is organised by Qatar Expat Cricket Pyeongchang Winter Olympics, violations in Sochi with Russia champion short-track speed Community in association with 98.6 FM the first Malayalam but invite a number of carefully also being stripped of several skater Viktor Ahn, none of whom radio in Qatar and will run until May 2018. screened Russian athletes, had medals. had been sanctioned for doping A total of 120 cricket teams are participating in the league been “a balance”, Olympics An independent review in Sochi. which will be played in two phases - Phase-1 followed by president Thomas Bach panel drew up a list of Russian “This independent panel Champions League Phase-2. (pictured) said yesterday. athletes, invited to compete as which put together the invita- The 120 teams are divided in to 10 pools and the pools Bach said the International independents, after carefully tion list, the final invitation list, are named after world famous cricket stadiums. Each pool Olympic Committee (IOC), examining their doping records gives us the highest confidence will have one champion and runner-up and they will be which in December banned and testing history, possible that there will be only clean Rus- rewarded with cash prize. Russia’s Deputy Prime Minis- involvement in the scandal and sian athletes (in Pyeongchang),” Also lot of other exciting prizes and cash awards will be ter Vitaly Mutko from the other factors. Bach said. given to pool wise Man Of The Match, Best Bowler, Best Bats- Olympics for life over a wide- They will march and com- “If an athlete is not on the man, Best Wicket Keeper, Best All rounder etc. spread doping scandal, had pete at the February 9-25 Games list then the independent panel The matches will be played on Fridays at various grounds wanted a sanction “apparent under the Olympic flag and any has serious indications by dif- across the country, informed the organisers. to the world”, but did not want medal ceremonies involving ferent sources and by different to humiliate Russia. them will feature the Olympic means. The IOC wanted to “give anthem instead of the Russian “There could be a suspicion, clean Russian athletes the one. there could even be an ongoing opportunity to participate, and “This panel took their procedure. There could be many Kundapura cricket give a young and new genera- responsibility very seriously by factors which did not lead to the tion of clean Russian athletes the The IOC on December 5 making it absolutely certain.... satisfaction of the panel,” he final on Friday opportunity to be at the Olym- banned Russia over “systematic that there is not the slightest said. pic Games and be ambassadors manipulation” of the anti-dop- doubt or suspicion on athletes “The purpose is to invite THE PENINSULA for a new clean Russian sport,” ing system at the 2014 Sochi to be invited,” Bach said after clean Russian athletes for which Bach said in a conference call Games, but left the door open to several big-name Russian ath- this panel is certain and has not DOHA: The final of the Kundapura Trophy 2018 will be held with a small group of athletes with no history of dop- letes were excluded in recent the slightest doubt or tomorrow at the Old Ideal School Ground tomorrow at 7.30pm. reporters. ing to compete as “Olympic days. suspicion.” The tournament began on January 23 with 10 teams par- ticipating in the tournament played on a league-cum-knock-out basis, informed Iqbal Navunda, President of Kundapura Tro- phy Cricket (KTC). KTC, a non-profitable sports body representing cricketers and cricket lovers from Kundapura Spurs spoil LeBron’s taluka in Karnataka, was formed last year to promote the game of cricket in Qatar. K Jayaprakash Hegde, former Karnataka Minister, ex-MP, milestone night ex- MLA will grace the closing ceremony as Chief Guest of Honour and Azim Abbas – Chairman and Head of ISC will REUTERS Anderson scored 10 points and grace as Chief Guest. pulled down 12 rebounds for the MIAMI: LaMarcus Aldridge Spurs, who ended a two-game scored 30 points, and new start- losing streak. ing point guard Dejounte Murray James scored 28 points to Sixty riders to take part added 19 points, 10 rebounds lead Cleveland, which lost for the and seven steals as the San Anto- third time in four games and for in ‘Megaride’ of MAQ nio Spurs rolled to a 114-102 win the eighth time in their past 11 over the reeling Cleveland Cava- contests. THE PENINSULA liers on Tuesday at the AT&T By scoring eight points in the Center in San Antonio. first quarter, James became the DOHA: The Malaysian Association of Qatar (MAQ) will be Cleveland cut the Spurs’ lead seventh player in NBA history to organising the Megaride 2018 tomorrow. to 100-94 on a 3-pointer by LeB- reach 30,000 career points, as The annual event is aimed at bringing together all ron James with 5:08 to play. well as the youngest to do so at Malaysian bikers within the community. This year it is However, San Antonio 33 years and 24 days of age (sup- Cleveland Cavaliers small forward LeBron expected that 60 bikers will take part in the ride. The group responded with a left-handed planting Kobe Bryant, 34 years James celebrates after scoring his 30,000 of bikers participating are from the SBK (Super Bike) group tip-in by Murray, who has taken and 104 days). career point during a time out against and HOG (Harley Owner Group). over at point guard position from Isaiah Thomas scored 14 for the San Antonio Spurs at AT&T Center The event will be flagged of by the President of the Malay- stalwart Tony Parker, and a ring- the Cavaliers, Jae Crowder added on Tuesday. sian Association of Qatar, Mohamad Redzuan Nordin, from ing 3-pointer off a mini-break 13 points, and Dwyane Wade and Caribou Cafe Al Sadd Stadium at 7.00am. by Danny Green to get the Spurs Kevin Love tallied 12 and 10 six points from Parker and gar- in the first half, 50 percent to The riders will then cruise their way to Al Khor through out of harm’s way for the final points, respectively, for Cleve- nered the Spurs a 63-55 lead at 48.6 percent overall. Shamal Highway and end the ride at the Al Khor Community minutes. land. Love also led the Cavaliers intermission. The Spurs played without at 10.30am. On hand to receive them will be the new Ambas- Patty Mills’ 3-pointer with with 11 rebounds, all on the The Spurs led by as many as forwards Kawhi Leonard sador of Malaysia H E Dato Ahmad Fadil Nordin to the beat 1:16 to play pushed San Antonio’s defensive end. 14 points in the third quarter (rehab from an offseason quad of the traditional hand drums (kompang) by the Malaysian cushion to 112-96 and sent the San Antonio finished strong before settling for an 89-81 injury) and Rudy Gay (right group. Cleveland starters to the bench. to end the first half, breaking out advantage heading into the final heel bursitis), center Pau Gasol The reception will then kick off with a traditional dance Parker added 14 points off of a tie game with 2:47 to play in 12 minutes. (right wrist) and reserve guard performed by the Malaysian students of Al Khor International the bench for San Antonio while the second quarter by forging a San Antonio outshot Cleve- Manu Ginobili (right thigh School and followed by some raffle draws, a few speeches. Davis Bertans hit for 13 and Kyle 11-3 run. The sequence featured land 52 percent to 47.4 percent contusion). Jones delighted England are Six Nations rivals’ key target

AFP

LONDON: England are the team everyone else always wants to beat in the Six Nations Champi- onship -- and coach Eddie Jones would not have it any other way. The Australian’s injury-hit squad head into next month’s edition looking to become the Action from the Qatar Rugby Federation’s (QRF’s) National Club Rugby Championship. first side in the tournament’s long history to win three suc- cessive outright Championship QRF’s National Club Rugby titles. But even when they have not been at the summit of Euro- pean rugby union, the Red Rose Championship hots up have always been an inviting target. England manager Eddie Jones (left) and captain Dylan Hartley “Everyone wants to beat pose for photographers next to the Six Nations Trophy during the THE PENINSULA points behind. league.” Today, Doha Gold – England,” said Jones at the Six 2018 Six Nations Rugby Tournament in London, Britain, yesterday. Dave Ford, captain of Doha Doha RFC’s men’s second team Nations launch in London on DOHA: The Qatar Rugby Feder- Maroon, said: “We’re still pur- – and Doha Vets will go head to Wednesday. ation’s (QRF’s) National Club suing our main goal of going the head in the six round of the “We have to live with that tournament a success if they a second straight Six Nations Rugby Championship continues entire season undefeated. We competition. The teams, cur- expectation and embrace that beat England.” Grand Slam last season -- since to heat up with Doha Maroon have some big friendlies com- rently placed fourth and fifth because We have the most Jones, Australia’s coach taking over as England coach topping the scoreboard and only ing up against Kuwait and respectively, will play at DRFC money, the most players. when they lost the 2003 World following their first-round exit two rounds left before the start Muscat before, hopefully, a win- at 7pm. The QRF’s National Club “It’s like the Rugby Cham- Cup final to England, added: “It on home soil in the 2015 World of the highly-anticipated semi- ner takes all final against the Rugby Championship is set to pionship where everyone wants just raises the stakes for us. Cup. final matches. Camels. New coach Regan Sue conclude in March 2018. The to beat New Zealand and South “We’re up for it. All these Yet despite that impressive Doha Maroon – Doha RFC’s has recently come on board matches are being played in Africa but they don’t necessar- injuries create an opportunity run of results, Jones has sought men’s first team – is currently from New Zealand and brought three different venues across the ily want to beat Australia. for us -- we’ll show you how to portray England, second only sitting in first place with 20 a new level of intensity that we country, including Al Khor, “But in this tournament, you good we are.” to world champions New Zea- points, followed closely by the can hopefully take forward to DRFC, and Aspire Zone’s Warm- can feel it, the priority of every Jones has lost just one game land in the global rankings, as Camels, who trail just three convincingly winning the Up Track. team, they can make their -- when Ireland denied his side outsiders to retain their title. THURSDAY 25 JANUARY 2018 36

We have confidence in SPORT him, he is so strong and his foot is causing us no Joachim Loew, Tennis CRICKET German head coach on Australian Open in India vs problems at the moment. goalkeeper getting fit for the World Cup Melbourne South Africa Men’s semi-finals Second day of third Test match Tunis roar to 2-0 win over AC Milan THE PENINSULA opening goal. Milan keeper Nic- Zanellato produced a brilliant colo Zanellato saved a close- reflex save to keep the ball out. DOHA: Esperance Tunis proved range effort and saw the Milan coach Simone Baldo their convincing opening victory rebound headed onto the bar, had seen enough and, in an over Wydad was no fluke, domi- only for the ball to cannon into effort to introduce some nating AC Milan and roaring to the path of Zied Berrima, who attacking momentum, made a a 2-0 victory, in so doing stroked home effortlessly. triple change. Alessandro Sala, preserving their proud record Roared on by a vociferous Riccardo Tonin and Daniel of not conceding a goal at Al support, Esperance were now Maldini replacing Niccolo Corti, Kass 2018. firmly in the ascendancy, snap- Marco Frigerio and Andrea Regardless of the result, ping into tackles and generally Porrini. both sides were already assured disrupting Milan’s rhythm. The With 15 minutes remaining, of qualification for the knockout Italian bench erupted in protest Milan almost found a way back stage. This knowledge seemed against some rough treatment into the game when Fantaziu to contribute to a rather low-key handed out by the Tunis side, Corneliu stole in at the far post, opening, with little of the but Milan could not find a way but shot over with the goal at his urgency that had characterised to fashion an equaliser before mercy. The chance exemplified School students playing handball during an interschool match at the Schools Olympic Program each team’s match-up against the half time whistle sounded. the Italians’ day, with hope (SOP) in Doha in this file picture. Wydad on display. Tunis were straight out of replaced by disappointment. Neither Milan nor Tunis had the blocks as soon as the second On 80 minutes, flying conceded a goal in their opening half got underway, and doubled winger Anice Ammous was cen- Stage set for World Schools games, and their backlines were their advantage almost imme- timetres away from adding a not unduly tested in the opening diately. A powerful cross was third for Tunis, after breaking quarter this time round, with swung in from the left, and free down the left and firing a little to choose between the Hamza Abdelkarim volleyed a low cross-shot that Zanellato Handball Championship teams and few clear-cut first time effort home. somehow managed to tip round chances. On 50 minutes, two goals the post. QNA Attiyah Hall at Al Sadd Club Association, said that much have But all that changed on the almost became three as mid- It mattered little, as Milan while women’s competitions been done one month before the half hour mark, as Tunis began fielder Khalil Melliti burst into were unable to muster a DOHA: Doha will host the 2018 will be held at the women’s gym start. The level of readiness at to enjoy a sustained spell of the area and shot hard and low response, and ultimately came Handball World Schools Cham- in Aspire. the two halls in Al Sadd club and pressure, culminating in the into the right corner, but keeper out second best. pionships from February 22 to The organizing committee Aspire makes us confident that 28, with participation from 29 delegation included Abdul- the tournament will run Action from the Al Kass Cup Arab and European countries. rahman Al Muftah, Executive according to the schedule set in International match between The International School Director of the School Sports light of the great participation Esperance Tunis and AC Milan at Sport Federation (ISF) has Association, Dr Saleh Salem, by many countries, he added. Aspire Academy training ground approved the organization of the technical expert of the School A draw ceremony of the in Doha yesterday. tournament, which will be held Sports Association, and Ibrahim Handball World Schools Cham- for the first time in Doha, to take Al-Shahoud, representing the pionships held in Doha places advantage of Qatar’s great Technical Committee of the Qatar in Group A in the boys potential for organizing such Championship and the Hand- event along Denmark, Austria, tournaments, following the great ball Federation. Poland and Morocco. success achieved when Qatar Executive Director of the Turkey, Brazil, Greece, India organized the World Tennis School Sports Association and Belgium are in Group C. School Championship two years Abdulrahman Al Muftah said France is placed with Croatia, ago. that the organizing committee Serbia, Iran and Bulgaria in An organizing committee is working to ensure a high level Group B while Germany, Czech delegation on Tuesday toured of readiness before the launch Republic, Romania and Georgia the facilities where the Cham- of this event, which is going to are in Group D. pionships will be played in order held for the first time in Qatar, Denmark, France, Croatia, to inspect the latest preparations adding that the confidence given Belgium and Georgia are placed and ensure that all the ISF by the ISF encouraged the com- in Group D of the girls’ tourna- requirements are met after mittee to ensure a successful ment. Group A has Turkey, Ger- another visit by the ISF delega- organization of the event and to many, Romania and Bulgaria tion to inspect the readiness of highlight Qatar’s capabilities in while Group B consists of Hun- the facilities of the organizing such large gary, Austria, Serbia, Czech tournament. tournaments. Republic and India. Slovenia, The Boys competition will Dr Salah Salem, technical Brazil, Sweden and Greece com- be held at Ali bin Hamad Al expert of the School Sports plete Group C.

QWSC chief meets German Ambassador ahead of Bayern Munich friendly in Doha

THE PENINSULA The Chairperson of the Qatar DOHA: The Chairperson of the Women’s Sports Qatar Women’s Sports Committee Committee (QWSC) Lulwa Al (QWSC) Lulwa Marri met with Hans-Udo Muzel, Al Marri during German Ambassador to Qatar, her meeting and discussed maters relating to with Hans-Udo football in particular and sports Muzel, German in general. ambassador to During the course of the Qatar. meeting the forthcoming Cliff Acaso (second left) and Reynaldo Amazona (left) the friendly between Qatar’s wom- winners of the QTF Open 2018 doubles title are seen with en’s team and the Bayern runners-up Juan David Ramirez and Issa Shannan at the Munich outfit were also dis- Khalifa International Tennis and Squash Complex. cussed. The two teams clash in Doha on February 2 at the QWSC headquarters. Doha will be hosting the Cliff and Reynaldo women’s football team of Bayern Munich from January 27 to Feb- ruary 3. clinch doubles title The Bayern Munich delega- tion will also visit the Museum THE PENINSULA of Islamic Art (MIA) during their training week in the Qatari DOHA: Top seed and defending champion Cliff Acaso and Reynaldo capital. Amazona defeated Juan David Ramirez and Issa Shannan to win A number of sports person- the QTF (Qatar Tennis Federation) Open doubles title alities and German diplomats In the title clash at the Khalifa International Tennis and Squash will be in attendance at the Feb- Complex, Cliff and partner came from a set down to win 5-7, 6-3, ruary 2 friendly, a communique 10-6. The players are contesting in Under-12, 14, 18, besides Men’s from QWSC said yesterday. and Ladies Singles and Doubles. Children below ten years played The Bayern Munich delega- in three stages - Red, Orange and Greenball, while the veterans tion is also scheduled to visit the informal get together. dunes. The QWSC Chairperson wished to see greater sporting above 45 contested in the men’s singles veterans. Cash vouchers Qatar Olympic Committee The visitors are also sched- thanked the German ambas- exchanges between the two worth QR15,000 will distributed by QTF on the final day of the (QOC) headquarters for an uled to go for a visit to the desert sador for the meeting and countries. tournament today. The Men’s singles final will be played today.