SPORT Tuesday 5 February 2019 PAGE | 05 PAGE | 07 Starc takes Benzema, Vinicius 10 to lead lead Real Madrid Australia to to fourth 2-0 series win straight win Qatar at the helm of Asian football

FIFA MONDAY

The 2019 edition of the AFC Asian Cup was, in many ways, a milestone tournament. Perhaps, therefore, it is appro- priate that a new name was etched onto world football’s second-oldest continental tournament. Few could argue with Qatar’s success after the Gulf nation broke the hearts of three 2018 FIFA World Cup partici- pants during a stunning run to glory. Seven successive wins and a remarkable defensive record headlined a slew of sta- tistical highs achieved by Al Annabi. Qatar’s 3-1 win over record four-time winners Japan in the final concluded a month of near-perfection from Felix Sanchez’s charges. Qatar Football Association (QFA) President Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa bin Ahmed Al Thani and members of the QFA’s Board of Directors pose for a photograph with the AFC A win for one of Asia’s Asian Cup winning Qatari team players, officials and support staff during a felicitation ceremony hosted by QFA at the Ritz-Carlton, in , yesterday. lesser lights is somewhat emblematic of the rapidly growing depth across the world’s largest continent. An Asian Cup breaks increase to 24-teams proved QFA family celebrates historic win to be far from bloated, with viewership records many of the newer names THE PENINSULA enjoying a landmark tour- THE PENINSULA players and the coaching staff nament. The likes of Vietnam, DOHA during the tournament. You DOHA Kyrgyz Republic and Oman, to gave us your best. This will name just a few, will likely look The Qatar Football Association prove a platform through The AFC Asian Cup 2019 cames to a back on the tournament as a (QFA) - headed by President which we will seek greater close as fans and viewers witnessed turning point. Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa bin glory.” the biggest AFC Asian Cup in history Qatar’s success was simply Ahmed Al Thani - yesterday The QFA President added: live and exclusive on beIN Sports. extraordinary. This, after all, is celebrated Qatar’s Asian Cup “Every success comes with sac- The final was broadcasted on a nation that had not won a victory with a special gathering rifice and hard work. This will beIN’s free to air (FTA) channel as a single Asian Cup match on at the Ritz-Carlton. give us greater resolve for present from beIN to the MENA region. foreign soil since 1984. The QFA leadership was future assignments of our The competition saw Qatar win Qatar wrapped up the joined by members and staff of teams. The benefits of the hard its first ever AFC Asian Cup in its history group-stage with a 2-0 win various departments and com- are there for all to see.” as it deservedly overcame Japan 3-1 over Saudi Arabia, before 1-0 mittees at a luncheon where Speaking on the occasion, in the final at the Zayed Sports City victories over 2007 winners QFA Vice President, Saud Khalid Mubarak Al Kuwari, Stadium in Abu Dhabi. QFA President Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa bin Ahmed Al Thani Iraq and a strong South Korea. Abdulaziz Al Mohannadi, Director of Marketing and A record of over 350 million and Qatari captain Hassan Al Haydos during the ceremony. There was a dominant 4-0 Ahmed Abdul Aziz Al Buainain, Communication, said yes- people tuned in to beIN Sports to semi-final win over UAE, but Hani Taleb Balan and Sheikh terday: “This reception has watch the tournament and cheer their the best was yet to come. Two Ahmed Bin Hamad Al Thani and every employee at QFA. I everyone at QFA. We have lofty been organised by QFA under favourite national teams as the world spectacular goals in the early besides members of the Exec- give thanks our players and the goals and we will - God Willing the Chairmanship of His Excel- witnessed Qatar lift its first ever Asian stages of the final from break- utive Office of QFA were also coaching staff for their amazing - will achieve our targets. This lency Sheikh Hamad bin Cup trophy. through star and present. title win.” win shows we are on the right Khalifa bin Ahmed Al Thani. For the very first time in the MENA Abdulaziz Hatem were worthy The QFA President said He added: “This win will track.” This gathering shows and will region, viewers and fans could tune of any final, and left four-time yesterday: “Winning the tour- now drive us further. We will The QFA President said: promote team work in the into beIN Sports’ Facebook and winners Japan with no nament is a dream come true. continue to work harder and “We are very happy. We are future also.” YouTube accounts and enjoy live answers. It was possible because of the look for even better perform- smiling and we are thankful to He added: “It is important streaming of the AFC Asian Cup UAE Japan will take positives hard work of the players, the ances, on and off the field. This God at the same time. I admire to sit and aim for higher targets. 2019 final on any device and on every from their campaign, with a coach, our team backroom staff will require more efforts from the dedication shown by the This is just the beginning. The screen. host of fresh names gaining results we got are truly beIN’s world-class coverage at the invaluable experience ahead deserved. I am sure the players AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 included a of 2022 World Cup qualifying. will continue to strive and work parade of studio guests representing Defeat in the final left new harder and so will we at our the best in talent and commentating, coach Hajime Moriyasu just shy end. The future of Qatar with the likes of Mohamed Saadon Al of becoming the first person to football looks promising.” Kuwari, Lakhdar Berriche, Youssef Seif, win the Asian Cup as both QFA official Naji Al Juwaini Raouf Khleif, Mohamed Abutrika, player and coach. said: “This is the first time that Jamal El Hajj, Ayman Jadah, Feras Al With plenty of familiar we have lived through such Khateb, Ahmad Khalil, Ibrahim Khalfan names absent, there were some great moments. We have and Mubarak Mustafa joining in- growing pains under Moriyasu, achieved many title wins but studios from Doha, the UAE and the notably a comeback victory this one feels just great. I special beIN studio at the corniche to over outsiders Turkmenistan applaud the QFA President for share their experiences and opinions and a most un-Japanese rate guiding us through this era of with the viewers. of 28 per cent possession in a amazing success. I thank the beIN also hosted legendary 1-0 win over Saudi Arabia. QFA for this ceremony. This win manager Jose Mourinho during the Japan’s tournament was far puts greater responsibility and Asian Cup. In his first TV appearance from vintage at times. They The QFA President poses for a photograph with the support staff of Qatar national team. I am sure we will be up for it.” since leaving Manchester United in won their first five games by a December, the former Chelsea, Real single goal – the first nation to Madrid, Inter Milan and Porto manager do so in the competition’s a long continental drought, undoing in a last-eight defeat Qatar aside, it is perhaps Philippines to advance. The took part with a panel of expert ana- history. showed early promising signs. against UAE. Vietnam who made the most Central Asians then pushed lysts based in beIN SPORTS’ studios Top-ranked Asian team, They had conceded just once Saudi Arabia rarely got progress at UAE 2018. UAE to the brink, hitting the exclusively covering the AFC Asian Cup Iran seemed on track for in four straight wins heading going and a group-stage defeat Featuring many graduates frame of the goal on several UAE 2019 game between Qatar and success after a strong group into the quarter-final against against Qatar was followed by of their successful AFC U-23 occasions, in one of the Saudi Arabia for the very first time in stage was followed by con- Qatar, but a Hatem long-range a single-goal loss against Championship side, Vietnam matches of the tournament. his career and in Asian football. fident wins over Oman and special undid their hopes. Japan, bringing the curtain constantly impressed both Oman won through to the beIN has secured continued China. But Team Melli, fea- Holders Australia were in down on the Juan Antonio Pizzi technically and tactically, and knockout stage for the first growth in viewership across the Middle turing many Russia 2018 cam- trouble before the tournament era. China endued a similar Japan needed all their know- time in the most dramatic East and the world, establishing itself paigners, unexpectedly fell started with their injury woes campaign, struggling in the how to earn a 1-0 quarter-final manner imaginable, with a as a household name with the apart in the second half of the headlined by the absence of group stage before and suf- win. 93rd-minute goal enough to exclusive broadcast of some of the semi-final against Japan, with midfield ace Aaron Mooy. The fering a hefty 3-0 quarter-final Kyrgyz Republic enjoyed a help them advance. world’s top sporting and enter- the 3-0 defeat spelling the end Socceroos dominated pos- loss to Iran. China poster-boy stunning debut at continental There was also history for tainment properties, including the FIFA of Carlos Queiroz’s eight-year session in all five matches but Wu Lei defied injury problems level. They opened with an India, who won their first Asian World Cup, UEFA Champions League, tenure. a failure to unpick tight to score one of the goals of the unlucky 2-1 loss against China, Cup match since 1964 with a AFC Asian Cup, as well as other Like Iran, North Korea, defences was a constant theme, tournament, and earn a move but Vitalij Lux starred with a rollicking 4-1 victory over sporting and entertainment channels. who were also seeking to end which eventually proved their to Espanyol. hat-trick in a 3-1 win over Thailand. 06 SPORT TUESDAY 5 FEBRUARY 2019

Super Bowl winners

List of National Football League’s Super Bowl champions (Since 2000). Feb. 3, 2019 - New England 13, Los Angeles Rams 3 Feb. 4, 2018 - Philadelphia 41, New England 33 Patriots outlast Feb. 5, 2017 - New England 34, Atlanta 28 (OT) Feb. 7, 2016 - Denver 24, Carolina 10 Feb. 1, 2015 - New England 28, Seattle 24 Feb. 2, 2014 - Seattle 43, Denver 8 Feb. 3, 2013 - Baltimore 34, San Francisco 31 Rams to win Feb. 5, 2012 - New York Giants 21, New England 17 Feb. 6, 2011 - Green Bay 31, Pittsburgh 25 Feb. 7, 2010 - New Orleans 31, Indianapolis 17 Feb. 1, 2009 - Pittsburgh 27, Arizona 23 Feb. 3, 2008 - New York Giants 17, New England 14 Super Bowl Feb. 4, 2007 - Indianapolis 29, Chicago 17 Feb. 5, 2006 - Pittsburgh 21, Seattle 10 Feb. 6, 2005 - New England 24, Philadelphia 21 Feb. 1, 2004 - New England 32, Carolina 29 Jan. 26, 2003 - Tampa Bay 48, Oakland 21 Feb. 3, 2002 - New England 20, St. Louis 17 Jan. 28, 2001 - Baltimore 34, New York Giants 7 Jan. 30, 2000 - St. Louis 23, Tennessee 16

New England Patriots wide receiver and MVP of the Super Bowl LIII, Julian Edelman celebrates with the Vince Lombardi Trophy after defeating the Los Angeles Rams at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, on Sunday.

AGENCIES New England Patriots ATLANTA running back Sony Michel Patriots Edelman wins (centre) celebrates with The New England Patriots team-mates after scoring claimed the Lombardi Trophy for a touchdown against Super Bowl MVP award a record-tying sixth time, the Los Angeles Rams defeating the Los Angeles Rams in Super Bowl LIII, on AGENCIES 13-3 in a Super Bowl LIII slugfest Sunday. ATLANTA on Sunday in Atlanta. A clash of generations at quarterback and head coach, this Patriots wide receiver Julian Edelman was named MVP of Super was billed as a battle between Bowl LIII. 41-year-old Tom Brady and Edelman caught 10 passes for 141 yards to help New England 66-year-old Bill Belichick of New claim a second Super Bowl in three seasons. He caught one of the England and 24-year-old Jared most memorable passes in Super Bowl history to help New England Goff and 33-year-old Sean McVay rally over the Atlanta Falcons in 2016. of Los Angeles. Edelman, who began the season serving a four-game suspension, Instead it was the place- is the first wide receiver to be named Super Bowl MVP in 10 years. kickers, punters and the defensive He is the seventh wide receiver in Super Bowl history to be named play-callers, Wade Phillips of the MVP. Rams and Brian Flores of the “Tough times don’t last, tough people do,” Edelman said. “We Patriots, who controlled much of knew, it’s just about taking one play at a time. It’s about being the action -- or lack thereof. It resilient.” was the first Super Bowl without The high-scoring Rams were held to three points in Super a touchdown by either team Bowl LIII, prompting Edelman to say he didn’t deserve the MVP through three quarters, and the award. lowest-scoring Super Bowl (3-3) “They should be the MVP -- the whole D,” Edelman said. entering the fourth. Edelman, 32, now ranks second all-time in playoff receiving “It’s sweet,” Belichick said yards with 1,412. Edelman has at least five receptions in 13 consec- while accepting the Lombardi utive postseason games, the longest streak in playoff history. His 115 Trophy. “Everybody counted us career postseason receptions rank second in NFL history. Pro Football out, from the beginning of the The New England Patriots’ Julian Edelman “... I’m so happy for my Hall of Famer Jerry Rice holds the record with 151 career catches in season to midseason, but we’re Patriots defeat the Los becomes the first wide teammates. This is a dream the playoffs. still here.” Angeles Rams 13-3 in receiver to be named come true for all of us.” Quarterback Tom Brady was MVP of four of the Patriots’ six Super Brady being Brady, he came Super Bowl LIII in Atlanta Super Bowl MVP in Goff finished 19 of 38 for 229 Bowl wins. Edelman joins Brady and wide receiver Deion Branch, through when it mattered and to claim the Lombardi 10 years and also the yards and the one pick. Cooks who was MVP of Super Bowl XXXIX in 2005, as players to earn the helped the Patriots match the Trophy for a seventh wide receiver in had eight grabs for 120 yards. award in Patriots’ Super Bowl wins. Pittsburgh Steelers with six Super McVay put plenty of blame Edelman also had one rushing attempt for eight yards. Bowl rings. record-tying Super Bowl history to be on himself. Brady did not throw a touchdown pass, but Edelman had recep- Taking over at their own 31 sixth time. named MVP. After eight straight Johnny tions on each of the Patriots’ scoring drives. after the Rams’ ninth punt, the Hekker punts to begin the game, Patriots marched 69 yards in five the Rams made it 3-3 on Greg plays to score the game’s only Cooks. On the seventh play, interception. Julian Edelman Zuerlein’s 53-yard field goal five. New England took a 3-0 the Rams’ 35. Gostkowski touchdown and take a 10-3 lead Gilmore picked off an errant caught 10 passes for 141 yards to with 2:11 left in the third quarter. lead into halftime on missed his first field-goal with 7:00 to play. Brady was throw to Cooks with 4:17 left as claim Super Bowl MVP honors, Los Angeles left some points on Gostkowski’s 42-yard field goal attempt (46 yards), and Brady 4-for-4 for 67 yards on the drive, Goff tried to avoid a Patriots blitz. and Michel rushed 18 times for 94 the field, however, as three plays in the second quarter. had the half’s only turnover, a including a 29-yarder to Rob “To be honest, I couldn’t yards. earlier, Goff was late throwing The Rams had more punts deflected interception on his Gronkowski to set up Sony believe he threw it,” Gilmore told “It was an unbelievable year,” to a wide-open Cooks in the (six) in the first half than first first pass attempt. New England Michel’s 2-yard touchdown run. reporters afterward of the play. Brady told CBS on the field after back of the end zone, with the downs (two) or completions also failed on fourth-and-1 late It was the rookie’s sixth TD of the Capping a nine-play, 72-yard the game. “We just fought through throw broken up by Jason (five). The NFL’s No. 2 offense in the half. postseason. drive, Stephen Gostkowski then it more so than anything. It’s McCourty. in both scoring and yards during Neither team reached the The Rams roared right back, iced the game for the Patriots unbelievable to win this game.... After two weeks of buildup, the regular season, LA reached red zone before the break. It was driving to the New England 27 in with his second field goal. His We’ve been this far and lost, the showdown started slowly intermission with 57 total yards. the second-lowest-scoring first five plays. On the sixth play, 41-yarder stretched the lead to 10 which is really tough. I wish we with the ninth scoreless first The Patriots tallied 12 first half in Super Bowl history. The Stephon Gilmore and Duron with 1:12 remaining. had played a little better on quarter in Super Bowl history. downs and gained 195 yards in Pittsburgh Steelers led the Min- Harmon broke up a potential Brady completed 21 of 35 offense, but we won and it’s The Patriots have been involved the half but mustered only three nesota Vikings 2-0 at halftime touchdown catch by Brandin passes for 262 yards and one unbelievable. in five of those -- and won all points, despite four trips inside in Super Bowl IX. Irving shines as Celtics snap Thunder’s winning streak

Boston Celtics guard Kyrie Irving AGENCIES Raptors 121, Clippers 103 (left) drives to the basket while BOSTON Serge Ibaka scored 16 points and Oklahoma City Thunder guard grabbed 12 rebounds as Toronto defeated Russell Westbrook defends during Kyrie Irving racked up 30 points and 11 visiting Los Angeles. their NBA match played at TD assists to lead the Boston Celtics to a 134-129 Kawhi Leonard added 18 points and five Garden, on Sunday. win over the Oklahoma City Thunder at rebounds for the Raptors, who swept the home on Sunday. two-game season series between the teams. The win was the fourth consecutive and Pascal Siakam and CJ Miles each scored 15 the ninth in the last 10 for the Celtics. The points, and Delon Wright chipped in with Thunder’s seven-game winning streak was 14 points off the bench for Toronto. snapped. Grizzlies 96, Knicks 84 Irving hit a floater with 23 seconds Mike Conley returned from a minor remaining with the Celtics clinging to a knee injury and scored 25 points as two-point lead. He drove past Terrance Memphis dominated the second half of a Ferguson, and let go of the floater over the victory over New York, whose home losing outstretched arms of Thunder 7-footer streak reached a team-record 15 games. Steven Adams. Russell Westbrook, coming Conley sat out Friday’s loss in Charlotte over to help, got his finger on the shot, but with left knee soreness and was ques- it fell through the basket to extend Bos- tionable for Sunday but returned and helped ton’s lead. the Grizzlies win for the third time in their Paul George led the Thunder with 37 last 20 games since Dec. 26. The veteran points but was just 5 of 16 from behind the guard recorded his 12th game with at least 3-point line. Westbrook had a monster 25 points, shot 9 of 17 and also totaled eight game once again -- 22 points, 16 assists and rebounds and seven assists. Marc Gasol 12 rebounds -- but his critical turnover with added 24 points and nine rebounds as 8.1 seconds left and Oklahoma City down Memphis outscored New York 54-43 in the by two helped Boston escape with the win. second half. TUESDAY 5 FEBRUARY 2019 SPORT 07 Project 2022 reaps rewards for Qatar

REUTERS teams, leading them to a first title matches. It is likely to be sorely ABU DHABI at the Asian under-19 champi- tested in June at the Copa America onship in 2014 and the semi- in Brazil, however, when the Qataris He may not get there with them, finals of the under-23 tour- will play as a guest team in a group but if Qatar’s fast-improving nament in 2018. Almoez Ali is featuring Argentina, Colombia and squad do make a decent fist of one of those players and the Paraguay. their World Cup campaign in 22-year-old striker won the We’re not expecting to get 2022, the host nation will have Player of the Tournament award results but just to learn because plenty to thank Felix Sanchez for. in the UAE after scoring a record after the World Cup, the Copa On the face of it, the amiable nine goals. America is one of the biggest Spaniard has transformed the “I am very proud of working competitions in the world,” said footballing fortunes of Qatar with the coach, I’ve been with Ali.“Asia is the weakest continent since taking over as their 11th him for nine years,” Ali said, for football so at the Copa head coach in the space of a before comparing him to Man- America we will learn more. As decade in July, 2017. chester City coach Pep a team from the Gulf, that will After finishing pointless and Guardiola. help us to have a better per- ranked 13th out of 16 teams at the “He’s highly intelligent.” formance in 2022.” last Asian Cup in 2015, not a great The longevity of the rela- Qatar have never qualified deal was expected of the Qataris, tionship with the coach is also for the World Cup, which means 93rd in the FIFA rankings, in the reflected on the park, not least in they will play their maiden finals United Arab Emirates. Ali’s partnership with , match on home soil -- the first Sanchez had expectations, the gifted forward who sets up team to do so since Italy in 1934. however, and his team fulfilled many of the striker’s goals. Many have being linked with them, storming to a first conti- “Akram and I have been Sanchez’s job including the likes nental title with seven wins in together for seven years and I Zinedine Zidane. seven matches -- four against know where Akram will be, and “We’re focused on our work Qatar’s captain Hassan Al Haydos (centre) raises the trophy as he celebrates their win during the AFC former Asian champions. where he will pass, and he knows and enjoying this historic Asian Cup final against Japan held at the Mohammed Bin Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi on February 1. “This is one step more to con- what is expected from me,” Ali moment,” Sanchez said when tinue developing the team,” said. asked if he wanted to coach the Sanchez told reporters after the While that Ali-Afif combination team at the World Cup. 3-1 final win over Asian power- will be ready in 2022 to represent triumph go back a lot further than Academy when they were as is always a threat, it was the compact “2022 is three years away and house Japan. Qatar as a really competitive 2017, however. Sanchez first young as nine-years-old. defence that laid the foundation for this is football, we don’t even “We play another big tour- team in the World Cup.” coached many of the players in He moved up with them the run to the title in the UAE, con- know what’s going to happen in nament in the summer and we The roots of the Asian Cup his squad at Qatar’s Aspire through the age-group national ceding just the one goal in seven three weeks.” Al Kass Cup: PSG and Kashiwa share honours

THE PENINSULA DOHA

Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) and Kashiwa Reysol shared the spoils in the opening match of Al Kass 2019, following a pulsating encounter that exploded into life Hani Balan (left), CEO of Qatar Stars League and Pierluigi Collina, FIFA in the last few minutes. Referees’ Committee Chairman and a legendary former FIFA referee Barcelona and Cameroon from Italy, watch the match proceedings of the Al Kass Cup match legend Samuel Eto’o performed between PSG and Kashiwa Reysol at Aspire Academy yesterday, the ceremonial kick off to get the game underway, with Reysol’s combative striker Yuki Shimizu Barcelona and Cameroon catching the eye in the early legend Samuel Eto’o , who stages. However, it was mid- plays for Qatar Sports Club in fielder Naito Saito who went the Qatar Stars League kicks close to opening the scoring for off the tournament. the Japanese on six minutes, his short-range effort smothered by Romain Sallard, who also con- fidently claimed the resultant corner with a minimum of fuss. The first half drew to a close with Kashiwa in the ascendancy, Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) and Kashiwa Reysol players in action during their opening match of Al Kass but unable to break the deadlock 2019 at Aspire Academy yesterday. due to a resolute Parisian defence. the tournament also boasts an challenge on Hubert Muamba. Chabrol forced the ball home PSG are the only club apart all-female match officials roster. On 70 minutes, hard- following a frenzied goalmouth from Aspire Academy to have Canadian referee Chennard running attacker Noireau was scramble. It was desperately participated in all eight editions acquitted herself well in this withdrawn for Edouard Michut, cruel on Kashiwa, yet they of the tournament, and are also opener, content to let the play and the French side’s attacking refused to be beaten, pouring the record holders, having taken flow whenever possible. threat was blunted as a result. forward and snatching a sensa- the cup home on three occa- Ten minutes into the second Kashiwa continued to fashion tional 92nd minute leveller sions. Meanwhile, Kashiwa period, Noireau went close with the better chances, but Sallard when substitute Hidetaki Maei Reysol are competing for the a fine drive that Sasaki could performed admirably to keep crashed a rising effort in off the fifth time. Both sides are only parry, but the danger was the French side from bar. therefore familiar fixtures at cleared by Reysol’s alert conceding. The capacity crowd at Aspire Aspire Zone. backline. By now, the game was And - implausibly and Academy had witnessed a However, Al Kass 2019 is developing into a full-blooded against the run of play - PSG thrilling finale to an engrossing notable for the introduction of encounter, typified on the hour appeared to have stolen a game – one that has already set several new elements. VAR is mark when Sugawara saw winner with five minutes a high watermark for Al Kass being used for the first time, and yellow following a thundering remaining, when Tidjany 2019. Benzema strikes as Real Madrid close gap at the top

AFP inconsistency as the sturdiness of January 2016. The only La Liga the legs of Carlos Vigaray that led MADRID Atleti and, particularly, Barca. player to have scored more in all to Benzema’s opener as Sergio Madrid could now overtake competitions this season is Lionel Reguilon was set free down the Real Madrid gained ground on Atletico if they win the city derby Messi. left, his cross ensuring the both Barcelona and Atletico next weekend but the difference He did it starting alongside Frenchman could not miss. Madrid in La Liga as Karim behind Barcelona, whom they both Bale and Vinicius but it was Alaves defended so deep at Benzema and Vinicius Junior each face in the Copa del Rey on the latter, not the former, that times that Madrid’s defence were scored in a 3-0 win over Alaves Wednesday, is still a considerable looks to be Benzema’s most dan- playing more as creative mid- on Sunday. eight points. gerous partner. fielders but the visitors were not Benzema, Vinicius and Gareth “We will fight for everything Bale endured one of his without chances on the break. Karim Benzema Bale started together for the first until the end,” Solari said. “Today quieter nights and it was Tomas Pina took too long to of Real Madrid time and two thirds of the newly- there was a real hunger to cut the noticeable that while Benzema shoot and Jony Rodriguez forced dubbed ‘BBV’ delivered as Madrid gap.” It may have been the 5-1 loss and Vinicius both departed to a smart save from Thibaut celebrates after capitalised on Barca being held to Barca in October that proved rousing ovations late on, there Courtois. scoring a goal by Valencia and Atletico losing at the final straw for Julen Lopetegui was a scattering of disgruntled Madrid, though, ended any during La Liga Real Betis. but Alaves’ 1-0 victory at Mendi- whistles when the Welshman was hopes of a comeback with 10 match against Mariano Diaz, on as a sub- zorrotza, their first over Real in replaced by Marco Asensio shortly minutes left as Asensio picked out Deportivo Alaves stitute, added a third late on. 87 years, was perhaps the team’s after the hour. Vinicius at the back post. The at Santiago After 22 rounds, this is the first rock bottom. “It was difficult,” Solari said. teenager controlled, picked his Bernabeu Stadium in which Madrid have been the Benzema has been the “Alaves defended very well, they spot and put it there. in Madrid, Spain only winners from the established revival’s ringleader since and his were determined and there Mariano’s diving header in on Sunday. three clubs, which is as much an latest goal was his sixth in four weren’t many spaces.” It was Vin- injury-time from Isco’s cross indication of their own games, his best streak since icius’ clever reverse pass through added a final flourish. TUESDAY 5 FEBRUARY 2019 SPORT 05 We know how good they are and hopefully once their bans Tim Paine says Smith FOOTBALL FOOTBALL are up they’ll be welcomed and Warner to play Ligue 1 German DFB Cup back and they will win Test huge part in Ashes Marseille vs Bordeaux, Borussia Dortmund vs

matches like they did before. series ACTION 9.00pm Werder Bremenn, 10.45pm TODAY’S Starc takes 10 as Australia Sri Lanka will bounce back in register thumping victory SA: Chandimal AFP AFP SCOREBOARD CANBERRA CANBERRA Australia (I innings) ...... 534-5 decl. Sri Lanka (I innings) ...... 215 A resurgent Mitchell Starc took five Australia (II innings) ...... 196-3 decl. Sri Lankan skipper Dinesh Chandimal insisted wickets as Australia wrapped up a Sri Lanka (II innings) yesterday his battered team can lift their game confidence-boosting 2-0 series D Karunaratne b Starc ...... 8 and be competitive on the upcoming tour to South thrashing of Sri Lanka yesterday, L Thirimanne c & b Cummins ...... 30 Africa despite being outplayed over two Tests by with the tourists skittled for 149 in D Chandimal c Labuschagne b Starc ...... 4 Australia. the second Test at Canberra. N Dickwella b Starc ...... 27 They have now lost a home series to England In front of a sparse crowd on day K Mendis c Patterson b Lauschagne ...... 42 3-0, then away to New Zealand 1-0 to go with four, Sri Lanka resumed on 17 K Perera c Paine b Starc ...... 0 their two defeats in Australia. without loss, needing a daunting 516 D de Silva c Head b Richardson ...... 6 The first Test in South Africa looms on Feb- to win and ending 366 short. C Karunaratne c Paine b Cummins ...... 22 ruary 13, with the squad flying straight there from There was little resistance from D Perera c Paine b Cummins ...... 4 Australia this week to continue a gruelling the under-strength visitors who K Rajitha (not out) ...... 2 overseas schedule. wilted under a pace onslaught led V Fernando b Starc ...... 0 “We are a young team and always learning Extras (LB1, B1, W2) ...... 4 by spearhead Starc, who ended with how to play, especially in these tough conditions. Total: (10 wkts) ...... 149 5-46 and took 10 wickets in the game Fall of wickets: 1-18, 2-28, 3-58, 4-83, 5-83, 6-97, We will bounce back in South Africa,” Chandimal as he emphatically bounced back 7-143, 8-143, 9-148, 10-149 said from a lean spell. “I mean, they are three tough tours, we have Australia’s Mitchell Starc (centre) celebrates his wicket off Sri Lanka’s Bowling: Starc 18-2-46-5, Richardson 9-1-29-1, “It’s nice to get some reward. I’ve finished two and now South Africa. batsman Kusal Perera with team-mates during day four of the second Lyon 13-1-51-0, Cummins 8-2-15-3, Lauschagne 3-1- said all summer this group has been “South Africa is similar to these conditions Test match at the Manuka Oval Cricket Ground in Canberra, yesterday. 6-1 working really hard,” said skipper and with very good bowlers. We know that as a Tim Paine. “I think we’re starting to team we have to play in tough conditions and we build towards something so it’s great “We were outplayed as a team bowling at close to 145 kph (90 mph), miserable series in which he need to adjust to those conditions and step up as to get some reward for the work in all departments,” Sri Lankan clipping his leg bail in only the third managed just 24 runs in two Tests. a team.” we’ve been putting in.” He was espe- skipper Dinesh Chandimal said. over of the day. Niroshan Dickwella, promoted They came into the Canberra Test without cially pleased with his bowlers, who “Credit goes to Australia. They It was a big blow with the expe- to number four from his usual six, injured pace spearheads Lahiru Kumara, Dush- worked well as a unit. have played some outstanding rienced opener their best batsman was building a handy partnership mantha Chameera, and Nuwan Pradeep, who “The wicket didn’t offer a lot but cricket throughout the series,” he in the first innings before he was before Thirimanne was removed by were all badly missed with Australia smashing they kept smacking away and added. struck in the head by a Pat Cummins Cummins for 30. four centuries. bowled beautifully. For our group to Dimuth Karunaratne and Lahiru bouncer. Thirimanne tried to fend off a They were also without all-rounder Angelo get some belief out of this will be Thirimanne had survived a tough six Chandimal also failed to deliver, short ball but it ricocheted off his bat Mathews, with the added off-field distraction of excellent moving forward.” overs on Sunday ahead of stumps, struggling against the speed and and Cummins took an athletic diving an ongoing ICC corruption investigation into Sri Paine set the big run chase after and they resumed with hopes high bounce of a fired-up Starc, bowling catch. It went from bad to worse with Lankan cricket. declaring Australia’s second innings of taking the game into a fifth day to at perhaps his best over the past Dickwella bowled by Starc for 27 just Despite this Chandimal said that while the at 196 for three, following their provide momentum ahead of an year. before lunch and Kusal Perera, team has been transitioning in recent years, and mammoth first innings 534 for five upcoming Test tour to South Africa. He poked at an away swinger cleared to play after taking a hit on is still young, it was time for them to start declared. Sri Lanka were bowled out But Karunaratne failed to add to and was caught at slip for four by the helmet on Sunday, out for a performing. for 215 in reply. his overnight eight with Starc, Marnus Labuschagne, capping a golden duck next ball. England hold crisis meeting Guptill out of New Zealand after 2-0 West Indies loss side for India T20 series

REUTERS this game. It’s a big year ahead... AFP “It’s a shame as he’s obvi- LONDON I’d have to say it’s a concern.” WELLINGTON ously a big part of our white-ball Skipper Joe Root said after their sides, but we’ve got to look at the England have held a crisis latest loss that England’s batting Martin Guptill was yesterday big picture and ensure he gets meeting after a second humili- was to blame after managing 187 ruled out of the New Zealand the injury right.” Guptill was ation by the West Indies in as and 132 in two innings. side for the Twenty20 series injured before Sunday’s fifth ODI many Tests left the team “We haven’t seemed to have against India after failing to against India in Wellington worried by their poor form in a the will to fight. There have been recover from a back injury. which the tourists won by 35 year they host the World Cup some loose shots and other guys Coach Gary Stead said runs to wrap up the series 4-1. and the Ashes series against have been tentative,” Bayliss Guptill failed a fitness test but he He has been replaced by Australia, coach Trevor Bayliss added. remained hopeful the big-hitting Jimmy Neesham for the three- (pictured) said. of why we haven’t played as “We have a lot of guys aver- opener would recover in time for game Twenty20 series, which Following a 381-run defeat well as we’d like. We posed aging in the low thirties. In years the one-day international series starts in Wellington on by the hosts in the first Test in some questions to them last gone by, that wouldn’t have against Bangladesh starting next Wednesday. New Zealand’s Martin Guptill Barbados last month, England night in the changing room and been good enough to stay in the week. The New Zealand squad (centre) walks off the pitch suffered a 10-wicket thrashing gave them 24 hours to think team.” England host the “Unfortunately Martin hasn’t includes newcomer Daryl in Antigua on Saturday to lose about it,” Bayliss told reporters. 50-overs World Cup starting in during the fourth ODI match recovered in time for this Mitchell, a son of former rugby the three-match series 2-0 after “Any defeat is not good. It’s May before welcoming arch- against India at Seddon Park Twenty20 series which is very player and one-time All Blacks only seven days of cricket. how you come back. Obviously rivals Australia in August and in Hamilton in this January 31 condensed with three games coach John Mitchell, who is now “We want to get to the root we didn’t come back too well in September. file picture. over five days,” Stead said. an England assistant coach. Fowler banishes demons to win Phoenix Open AFP His 17-under 267 total was good on the par-four 11th hole. He US PGA PHOENIX OPEN LOS ANGELES enough to win by two strokes chipped his third shot into the over South Africa’s Grace, who water. After his penalty drop, his Leading final-round scores on Sunday in the US Rickie Fowler survived a nervy briefly held the lead on Sunday ball rolled back into the water PGA Tour’s Phoenix Open (par-71; USA unless stat- back nine on Sunday to shoot a but made a bogey on 17. resulting in another penalty ed): 267 - Rickie Fowler; 64-65-64-74 three-over 74, out-dueling Grace fired his second stroke. He would eventually sink 269 - Branden Grace (RSA) 67-64-69-69 Branden Grace down the stretch straight two-under 69 to finish a 16-foot putt for a wretched 270 - Justin Thomas 64-66-68-72 to win the Phoenix Open for his alone in second. American Justin seven score. 272 - Chez Reavie 71-69-64-68, Bubba Watson fifth US PGA Tour title. Thomas was third after a one- Determined not to let 66-67-68-71, Matt Kuchar 67-65-65-75 Fowler lost a five-stroke over 72 for a 14-under total to another title slip through his 273 - Chris Stroud 71-66-67-69, Im Sung-jae (KOR) lead on a roller-coaster back finish three strokes back of his fingers, Fowler helped clinch the 69-68-67-69, Gary Woodland 68-67-66-72 nine, and closed with the highest roommate this week Fowler. win with a nice approach shot 274 - Jon Rahm (ESP) 67-68-70-69, Xander score by a winner in tournament Matt Kuchar (75), Bubba and then a two-putt birdie on 17. Schauffele 67-72-67-68, Russell Knox (SCO) 71-66- history, but he still managed to Watson (71) and Chez Reavie (68) Fowler now has had seven 69-68, Jhonattan Vegas (VEN) 70-69-66-69, Ha- banish some demons at TPC finished tied for fourth at 12-under. career 54-hole leads and con- rold Varner 64-71-68-71 Scottsdale. He held the 54-hole This is the PGA Tour’s lone stop in verted just two. On the final hole, 275 - Tyrrell Hatton (ENG) 66-71-70-68, Hideki lead here twice before, including Arizona and the only event on the Fowler hit his third shot to three Matsuyama (JPN) 68-69-69-69, Russell Henley last year when he finished in a annual west coast swing that’s held feet and then tapped in the 68-68-69-70, Trey Mullinax 67-64-72-72, Cam- tie for 11th. outside of California. winner for his first victory since eron Smith (AUS) 67-65-71-72 276 - Scott Piercy “I had to dig deep and fight For a while, it appeared the the 2017 Honda Classic. 66-71-71-68, Chesson Hadley 71-65-70-70, Webb through. It wasn’t easy out tournament might even be “I will tell you what, it wasn’t Simpson 67-69-70-70, Charley Hoffman 66-68-

there,” said Fowler. “I am happy heading for a playoff for a fourth fun,” said Fowler, who had a 70-72, Jason Kokrak 73-66-65-72, An Byeong-hun to get this one out of the way. straight year as both Fowler and five-shot lead at the tee at No. (KOR) 66-68-66-76 “It has been long time to get Grace found sand and water on 11. “Couple bad swings, couple a win here. There have been the back nine. Playing in a of bad breaks. You have to roll another bogey on No. 12 but Rickie Fowler poses with the trophy after winning the Phoenix Open plenty of good finishes, but too driving rain, Fowler had to with the punches.” Fowler fol- righted the ship with two birdies at TPC Scottsdale in Scottsdale, Arizona on Sunday. many second-place finishes.” survive a shocking triple bogey lowed his triple bogey with in the final four holes.