SPORT Tuesday 27 November 2018 PAGE | 09 PAGE | 11 Magical Yasir Formula One: destroys Kiwis Vettel takes stock as Pakistan as Ferrari lick sniff big win wounds

Ronaldo eyes revenge PSG face tough Liverpool test against AP This weekend, PSG didn’t Valencia PARIS even need stars Kylian Mbappe and Neymar, both injured and This week Paris Saint-Germain’s watching from the stands, in the AFP will face an acid test in the Cham- 1-0 victory against Toulouse. PSG TURIN pions League when they take on has won all 14 of its league games, Liverpool in a key match. scoring as many goals (46) as Cristiano Ronaldo is in hot A loss in the Champions second-placed Lyon and third- form and gunning for revenge League to Liverpool tomorrow place Montpellier combined. going into today’s Champions would leave Thomas Tuchel Even if PSG lost every game League clash against Valencia grappling with the same vexing from now on, the 42 points it has after seeing red against the problem of underachievement accumulated so far - already 15 Spaniards in the away leg, that undid other managers who more than Lyon - would likely with Juventus needing a draw have come and gone at the Parc save it from relegation. Since the in Turin to book their ticket des Princes in seven years of PSG French league’s expansion to 20 to the knockout rounds of the ownership by deep-pocketed teams in 2002, only Caen in 2005 European competition. Qatar. and Monaco in 2011 dropped “Happy to have helped Should Liverpool and Napoli, down with 42 points or more. the team on another which hosts Red Star Belgrade, But as impressive as PSG’s important win,” the 33-year- both win tomorrow then PSG will stats seem, they’re also a old wrote on social media be out of the Champions League damning indictment of the lop- after scoring his tenth goal regardless of results in the last sidedness caused in the league. this season for the Italian round of group play in December. The irony is that by forking out giants in Saturday’s 2-0 win PSG has five points from four so heavily on world-class over SPAL as Juventus opened matches so far in Group C. Liv- recruits, PSG also appears to have up a record eight-point lead PSG team-mates Neymar (left) and Kylian Mbappe attend the French Ligue 1 match against Toulouse erpool and Napoli both have six sown the seeds for them to go soft on the top of Serie A after 13 at the Parc des Princes Stadium in Paris, on Saturday. points. and underachieve in Europe, games. “It’s a decisive match in a because in France they simply Ronaldo was purchased very, very complicated group,” don’t always need to find their his right, was sufficient. PSG will Cup with Brazil, acknowledged “Even if you have quality, you by Juventus for $113mf rom Tuchel told French broadcaster highest gear to succeed. likely need more - much more - as much after a substitute have to fight. You must show why Real Madrid last summer to TF1 after PSG again won in the Against Toulouse, PSG squan- against Juergen Klopp’s Liv- appearance against Toulouse you are there. It’s a whole help their quest for the elusive French league on Saturday. dered chances and often lacked erpool, which won 3-2 when they where he looked sharp. process.” Champions League title after Part of the reason Tuchel’s intensity. Yet that didn’t really last played at Anfield in Sep- “You give more or less of Tuchel expects to have finishing runners up twice in players already have their backs matter against opponents with tember. Time to discover whether yourself in Ligue 1 and you can Mbappe (shoulder) and Neymar the past four seasons. to the wall in Europe is that one of the poorest scoring and Tuchel’s players still have that win. But in the Champions (groin) back against Liverpool. But the Portuguese steamrolling over poorer, weaker defensive records in the league. high gear. League, you are overtaken, “They’re improving by the superstar is also proving to be French league opponents each A touch of genius from striker Veteran right-back Dani because the others fight like day,” he told TF1. a key element in the team’s week isn’t sharpening them for Edinson Cavani, juggling the ball Alves, back from a knee injury animals,” French sports daily “We have time before race towards an eighth tougher Champions League with his left foot, turning and vol- that kept him out for six months L’Equipe quoted the former Bar- Wednesday. That’s good for us. I straight Serie A title, with nine nights. leying into the Toulouse goal with and caused him to miss the World celona star as saying. think they’ll be able to play.” goals and five assists of their 28 goals this season. No Italian team have ever achieved 37 points from the Bounedjah celebrates AFC Champions League top scorer award CHAMPIONS LEAGUE FIXTURES first 13 games, with Ronaldo Today’s Fixtures becoming the fastest forward CSKA Moskva vs Viktoria Plzeň (8.55pm) in the club’s history to score AEK Athens vs Ajax (8.55pm) 10 goals in all competitions. Hoffenheim vs Shakhtar Donetsk (11.00pm) “I don’t not care about the Olympique Lyonnais vs Manchester City numbers. I don’t count any- (11.00pm) thing, the important thing is Roma vs Real Madrid (11.00pm) that we take it home in May,” Manchester United vs Young Boys (11.00pm) said coach Massimiliano Juventus vs Valencia (11.00pm) Allegri. Bayern München vs Benfica (11.00pm) Next up is a Group H Tomorrow’s Matches return leg clash against Atlético Madrid vs Monaco (8.55pm) Valencia, who beat Rayo Val- Lokomotiv Moskva vs Galatasaray (8.55pm) lecano 3-0 in La Liga at the Borussia Dortmund vs Club Brugge (11.00pm) weekend, but are midtable in Spain. Al Sadd’s Baghdad Bounedjah, winner of the 2018 AFC Champions League top scorer award PSV vs Barcelona (11.00pm) ) Juventus are top of the celebrates with team-mates with the trophy in Doha yesterday. The Algerian’s 13 goals saw Tottenham Hotspur vs Internazionale (11.00pm) PSG vs Liverpool (11.00pm) group with nine points after him finish ahead of Suwon Samsung Bluewings’ Dejan Damjanovic and Al Duhail’s Yousef El four games, with Manchester

Arabi. RIGHT: Bounedjah Napoli vs Crvena Zvezda (11.00pm) Porto vs Schalke 04 (11.00pm) ) United two points behind and the Spaniards on five. Qatar and China join hands for football development

THE PENINSULA exchange programs between the sport. Their training courses for DOHA two countries in various age players, officials, referees and brackets to develop youth coaches etc are hugely beneficial The Qatar Football Association football. Qatar will also rely on for the participants,” he added. (QFA) yesterday signed a five- the help from Aspire Academy “There is no doubt that Qatar year collaboration agreement and Aspetar Sports Medicine has become the leading sports with the Chinese Football Asso- Hospital to beef up their center in Asia. We are proud to ciation (CFA) at the QFA head- exchange programs with CFA. be working with a body like the quarters in Al Bidda Tower. “I am very pleased to be in QFA. It is a professionally run Du Zhaocai, Vice Sports Qatar for this agreement. I would sports body that works diligently Minister of China and CFA like to thank Sheikh Hamad bin to develop the sport in Qatar and Acting President, Zhang Jian, Khalifa bin Ahmed Al Thani, around Asia,” he said. Senior Vice President of CFA, President of the Qatar Football The CFA President said he Roger Luo Zhao, Director of Association, the QFA Vice Pres- was impressed by Qatar’s prep- International Department (CFA) ident and the Secretary General arations being carried out to host and CJ Chen Jun, Manager, for this warm welcome”, Du the 2022 FIFA World Cup. International Department of Zhaocai commented after the The signing of the cooper- CFA, met with QFA President signing ceremony. ation agreement demonstrates Sheikh Hamad bin Kahlifa bin “The signing of this cooper- both associations’ objectives to Ahmed Al Thani, Hani Balan, ation agreement between the two cooperate and support the Board of Directors member, football bodies is something that development of football in both Qatar Football Association (QFA) President Sheikh Hamad bin Kahlifa bin Ahmed Al Thani and Du QFA, Mansoor Al Ansari, Sec- I look forward with great antici- countries by organising training Zhaocai, Vice Sports Minister of China and CFA Acting President exchange documents during the retary General of QFA and pation,” he said. sessions and camps, friendly Mushtaq Al Waeli, Executive signing ceremony in Doha yesterday. “The agreement will matches, development work- Director, Strategy & Institutional strengthen the cooperation in shops for technical staff, and Development, for the contract example of QFA’s attempt to stra- new agreement also brings QFA world’s biggest sport. various fields related to football. exchanging knowledge and ceremony. tegically develop football in all and CFA closer as they look into It is expected that Qatar and We know the experience Qatar expertise for the mutual benefit The latest signing is another regions of Asia and beyond. The ways and means to develop the China will have has in the field of developing the of both parties. 08 SPORT TUESDAY 27 NOVEMBER 2018

The members of the team pose for a group photo after sealing series sweep against yesterday. Mashrafe defends move to politics

AFP DHAKA

Bangladesh superstar has defended his decision to enter politics as the “need of the hour” after angering some fans by contesting upcoming elections. Mashrafe, who enjoys rockstar status in -mad Bangladesh, divided opinion when he announced he would run in the December 30 polls on an Awami League ticket. A photograph of the 35-year-old alongside party leader and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina England claim landmark Test dominated headlines for days. But it split fans in the South Asian nation of 165 million, which this year witnessed major rallies against the Awami series sweep after tense win League, which has jailed opponents and stifled dissent. AFP from injury, made his presence “I believe that every felt with 110 in England’s first conscious, worthy and innings of 336 after they honest Bangladeshi Skipper Joe Root hailed Eng- elected to bat first. should enter politics,” land’s “complete team-effort” Rashid then claimed five Mashrafe said late on yesterday after his team sealed with his leg spin to help Sunday in his first public a tense victory over Sri Lanka dismiss Sri Lanka for 240 as the remarks since in the third and final Test to tourists built a crucial lead. announcing his record their first overseas However, Sri Lanka coach candidacy. series sweep in 55 years. said “Maybe many can’t In the face of stubborn Sri the hosts fought hard in a series find the courage for dif- Lankan resistance, spinners that was not as one-sided as the ferent reasons and Jack Leach and took result reflected. mental limitations. I four wickets each to set up the “I thought it was a very thought that it was 42 run win inside four days in closely fought series especially important to break this Colombo. Needing 327 for an the last two games. The dif- mental barrier. So, I unlikely victory, Sri Lanka ference between the two teams myself took the initiative reached 284. was very little,” said to fulfil my desire,” he Leach trapped Hathurusingha. said in a Facebook post. lbw for 11 to “I thought England handled Earlier, the Awami trigger celebrations for England tough situations well.” League confirmed the who have not won all the The whitewash sealed a one-day international games in an overseas series of complete domination of the captain would contest a three or more Tests since Ted tour by England who parliamentary seat from Dexter’s side won 3-0 in New clinched the one-day inter- his home town Narail in Zealand in 1963. nationals 3-1 and the only southwest Bangladesh. It was the third time Sri match. A cricketer moving Lanka have been whitewashed into politics is nothing at home after India last year new in South Asia, where England’s Jack Leach appeals for successful for Sri Lanka’s Suranga Lakmal in Colombo, yesterday. INSET: SCOREBOARD and Australia in 2004. star players command The third Test highlighted England captain Joe Root poses with the winner’s trophy. England 1st innings ...... 336 god-like devotion from Sri Lanka 1st innings ...... 240 England’s pool of talent with England 2nd innings ...... 230 millions of fans. Leach coming in as the third , who hit a claiming Suranga on the fourth Sri Lanka 2nd innings It is, however, rare spinner with Ali and Adil gritty 86, and Roshen Silva, ball of the final session. D. Gunathilaka c Stokes b Moeen ...... 6 for a current player to Rashid, and Ben Foakes taking who made 65, put on 102 runs “It went a couple of hours D. Karunaratne b Moeen ...... 23 make the change. the wicketkeeper’s gloves but for the sixth wicket to launch longer than I would have liked D. de Silva lbw b Leach ...... 0 Mashrafe is expected to also scoring big runs. That’s been a big Sri Lanka’s resistance cam- to,” admitted England coach K. Mendis run out (Leach) ...... 86 skipper Bangladesh in a “That’s been a big secret in paign on a turning wicket. who nonetheless A. Mathews c Broad b Stokes ...... 5 three-match ODI series secret in our success L. Sandakan c Stokes b Leach ...... 7 our success -- being able to Number 11 Malinda Push- hailed the series win as a “just against the West Indies – being able to bring R. Silva lbw b Moeen ...... 65 bring different guys in, and pick pakumara also gave England a reward”. N. Dickwella c Jennings b Leach ...... 19 on home soil starting a team that is going to take 20 different guys in, scare with his unbeaten 42 off England were bowled out D. Perera c Jennings b Moeen ...... 5 December 9. wickets and score enough runs and pick a team 40 deliveries, lifting the hosts for 230 in their second innings S. Lakmal lbw b Leach ...... 11 “I don’t know what is to put teams under pressure,” that is going to take from 226-9 and raising hopes on Sunday with Jos Buttler M. Pushpakumara ...... 42 waiting for me in the said Root. of a miracle. making a crucial 64 after they Extras (b8, w5, nb2) ...... 15 next four and half years “The experienced players 20 wickets and Leach broke the Mendis- had fallen to 39-4 against the Total (all out, 86.4 overs) ...... 284 after the World Cup. So I Fall of Wickets: 1-15 (Gunathilaka), 2-24 (de have taken the extra responsi- score enough runs Silva stand with a brilliant one- opposition spinners. Silva), 3-34 (Karunaratne), 4-52 (Mathews), 5-82 made an assessment of bility. It’s been exceptional. It’s to put teams under handed pick-up and bullet Wicketkeeper-batsman (Sandakan), 6-184 (Mendis), 7-214 (Dickwella), the time. I listened to the been a complete team effort, pressure: Joe Root. throw at the non-striker’s end Foakes, who hit a century on 8-225 (Perera), 9-226 (Silva), 10-284 (Lakmal) need of the hour. it’s been a great tour,” said that got Mendis out. He had debut in the opener in Galle, Bowling: Broad 5-0-14-0 (w3), Moeen 26-3-92-4, Because I believe, work Root, who has set the target of started the day on 15 and reg- made an unbeaten 36 in the Leach 28.4-4-72-4, Stokes 8-1-25-1 (w2, nb1), should be done in due overtaking India as world being willing to learning and istered his seventh Test fifty second innings. Rashid 19-1-73-0 (nb1) time,” he said. number one Test team. improving, we wouldn’t have with eight fours and a six. He was named Man-of-the- Toss: England Mashrafe has already Result: England beat Sri Lanka by 42 runs “It’s easy for me to sit here achieved what we have,” Root Silva hit a fighting half- Series for leading the Series: England win three-match series 3-0 retired from Twenty20 and take all the compliments said at the post-match presser. century but was finally trapped chart with 277 runs including Man of the match: J. Bairstow international cricket and but without that squad of But Sri Lanka did not give lbw by Ali. Leach also ended the a ton and a half-century. Man of the series: B. Foakes has not played a Test players pushing each other, up without a fight. 58-run last wicket stand, Jonny Bairstow, returning match since 2009. Bangladesh coach defends hostile pitch after WI collapse

AFP Bangladesh were skittled out for 43, That’s a turning wicket and I think the CHITTAGONG their record low total. teams that come over to the subcon- “I think that’s the beauty of playing tinent plan for those sort of wickets. It’s Bangladesh coach (pic- all around the world,” Rhodes said of There’s lots of different just a different type of cricket,” the coach tured) has defended the pitch used for the Chittagong track. added. the first Test against West Indies where “There’s lots of different ways to play ways to play this wonderful Overall, 34 wickets fell to spinners his side won in three days, insisting this wonderful game and coming to game and coming to in Chittagong, which equalled a record foreign teams must expect hostile spin Bangladesh and playing on spinning Bangladesh and playing on for a Test in Bangladesh set in a victory tracks in South Asia. wickets it made for some intriguing spinning wickets it made over Australia last year. Rhodes said Bangladesh spinners took all 20 cricket,” the Englishman added. there was nothing wrong with a home side West Indies wickets to fall in the Chit- Bangladesh spinners also accounted for some intriguing cricket: taking advantage of the conditions. tagong game that ended on Sunday with for all 20 wickets when they beat Steve Rhodes “I’ll take you back to the Antigua Test a 64 run victory for the home side. England in a Test in Dhaka in 2016. match where we played on very alien Rhodes strongly indicated that the “I think in the subcontinent, in places conditions -- green, bouncy, a swinging Caribbean side should have foreseen a like Pakistan, in Sri Lanka, in India, in Rhodes said of the result. “There’s a Test ball,” he said. tough pitch after they used a pace- Bangladesh you have come to expect match going on in Colombo at the The second Test against West Indies friendly track in Antigua when turning wickets. So, it’s no surprise,” moment, with Sri Lanka and England. starts in Dhaka on November 30. TUESDAY 27 NOVEMBER 2018 SPORT 09 Magical Yasir destroys Kiwis as Pakistan sniff big victory

DUBAI ground I was thinking that I must AFP get ten wickets in the match, but Yasir dismissed opener Jeet Raval for never thought it will come in a two before accounting for New Zealand Leg-spinner Yasir Shah wrecked single day,” said Yasir. New Zealand with a career best “I came from injury and didn’t skipper Kane Williamson caught behind eight-wicket haul as Pakistan get the needed rhythm against for 30 to complete his third 10-wicket sniffed victory on the third day of Australia (last month) but now I haul in the match. the second Test in Dubai am getting it and very happy to yesterday. achieve this feat,” said Yasir. The 32-year-old grabbed 8-41 Rain had delayed the start of He also became the first Pakistani to take in 12.3 overs which annihilated the third day by an hour but when 10 wickets in a single day, ninth in the New Zealand to 90 all out in just the action started Yasir was light- 35.3 overs before taking two more ening, bowling to his best ability world with England’s left-arm spinner wickets as New Zealand -- fol- on a turning Dubai stadium pitch. Johnny Briggs doing it twice. lowing on -- were 131-2 at close Yasir dismissed Latham (22), in their second innings. Taylor (nought) and Henry Nicholls Yasir dismissed opener Jeet (nought) in his ninth over, trig- Six New Zealand batsmen fell without Raval for two before accounting gering a collapse during which scoring, making it the fifth occasion in a for New Zealand skipper Kane New Zealand lost all their ten Williamson caught behind for 30 wickets for just 40 runs after being Test when six batsmen failed to score in to complete his third 10-wicket well set on 50 without loss. an innings. haul in the match. Yasir’s bowling figures -- his Tom Latham (44) and Ross 15th five-wicket haul -- beat his Taylor (49) were at the crease at previous best of 7-76 against Sri unfortunate way as he tried to Two balls later he bowled close as New Zealand need Lanka at Galle in 2015 and also the reverse sweep Yasir but the ball experienced Taylor with a beau- another 197 runs to avoid an best against New Zealand. deflected off his bat to his thigh tiful that turned and beat innings defeat while Pakistan can Intikhab Alam (7-52) held the and hit the stumps. the forward push by the batsman. level the series by taking another record for Pakistan’s best bowling Raval top-scored with 31. Off his fifth ball Yasir bowled eight wickets with two days to against New Zealand, achieved at From 50-1 it became 61-2 Nicholls through the gap between play. Dunedin in 1973. when Yasir had Latham caught at bat and pad. New Zealand won the first Test New Zealand, resuming at 27 short-leg by Imam-ul-Haq off the It was Yasir who ran Bradley- in Abu Dhabi by four runs last without loss, lost Raval in an first ball of his ninth over. John Watling run out soon after week to gain a 1-0 lead in the lunch for one before dismissing Ish three-match series. SCOREBOARD Sodhi, Neil Wagner, Ajaz Patel and Taylor has hit six boundaries Pakistan Ist innings 418-5 me), 7-72 (Sodhi), 8-72 (Wagner), 9-90 (Patel), 10-90 Trent Boult -- all without scoring and a six in his return-to-form New Zealand Ist innings (Boult) in the space of nine balls. innings while Latham has hit three J. Raval b Yasir Shah ...... 31 Bowling: Abbas 9-4-18-0 (1nb), Hasan 10-5-25-1, Ha- Six New Zealand batsmen fell boundaries as the two have added T. Latham c Imam b Yasir ...... 22 feez 2-1-1-0, Yasir 12.3-1-41-8, Asif 2-1-2-0, without scoring, making it the fifth 65 for the unbroken third wicket K. Williamson not out ...... 28 New Zealand second innings occasion in a Test when six stand to take the fight to the R. Taylor b Yasir ...... 0 J. Raval st Sarfraz b Yasir ...... 2 batsmen failed to score in an Pakistan bowlers. H. Nicholls b Yasir ...... 0 T. Latham not out ...... 44 innings. BJ Watling run out ...... 1 K. Williamson c Sarfraz b Yasir ...... 30 But the day belonged to Yasir, C. de Grandhomme lbw b Hasan ...... 0 R. Taylor not out ...... 49 Williamson remained who rocked New Zealand in the I. Sodhi c Sarfraz b Yasir ...... 0 Extras: (b 4, lb 2) ...... 6 unbeaten on 28, watching wickets first innings. N. Wagner lbw b Yasir ...... 0 Total: (for two wkst; 43 overs) ...... 131 fell like nine pins at the other end. He also became the first Paki- Ajaz Patel lbw b Yasir ...... 4 Still to bat: H. Nicholls, B. Watling, C. de Grandhomme, With Sodhi’s wicket Yasir also stani to take 10 wickets in a single T. Boult st Sarfraz b Yasir ...... 0 I. Sodhi, N. Wagner, Ajaz Patel, T. Boult completed 100 wickets in 16 Tests day, ninth in the world with Eng- Extras: (lb3, nb1) ...... 4 Fall of wickets: 1-10 (Raval), 2-66 (Williamson) in United Arab Emirates (Dubai, land’s left-arm spinner Johnny Total: (all out; 35.3 overs) ...... 90 Bowling: Abbas 4-1-11-0, Hasan 5-3-5-0, Yasir Sharja and Abu Dhabi). Fall of wickets: 1-50 (Raval), 2-61 (Latham), 3-61 (Tay- 15-2-65-2, Hafeez 3-1-6-0, Asif 14-1-30-0, Sohail Briggs doing it twice. lor), 4-61 (Nicholls), 5-63 (Watling), 6-69 (Grandhom- 2-0-8-0 The third Test will be played “When I was coming to the in Abu Dhabi from December 3. Azhar rejoins ICC bids for women’s T20 in Somerset for 2022 Commonwealth Games 2019 season REUTERS Kevin Roberts said in a DUBAI statement. AFP “We are committed to LONDON The International Cricket cricket being a sport of Council (ICC) has submitted choice for women and girls Pakistan batsman Azhar Ali is returning to a bid for the inclusion of in Australia, and with the Somerset as an overseas player for the 2019 women’s Twenty20 in the ICC T20 World Cup in our season, the club announced yesterday. 2022 Commonwealth backyard in 2020, we know The 33-year-old, currently playing in the Games in Birmingham, the the popularity of the second Test against New Zealand in Dubai, governing body said women’s game will con- will be available for the entire County Cham- yesterday. tinue to rise in the coming pionship and Royal London One-Day Cup Cricket has not featured years,” he said. campaigns in his second spell at Taunton. in the quadrennial Games Cricket, which has Azhar will not play for Pakistan at next since its maiden appearance struggled to grow beyond its year’s World Cup in England and Wales, in 1998 when the South traditional bases, was last having retired from one-day internationals, African men’s team won the played at the Olympics in making him available for the whole summer gold medal in Kuala the 1900 Paris Games. after making a positive impression during a Lumpur. The ICC has been spell at Somerset last season. “Cricket and the Com- pushing for the game’s “I very much enjoyed my time with the monwealth are inextricably Olympic return with the club this year and I am really pleased to be linked and almost perfectly 20-over format but the going back,” he said. aligned with 910 million of powerful Indian board has “Somerset is a special club and it was a cricket’s one billion plus If cricket were not been very keen on it, pleasure to play for them in 2018. There was adult fans from Common- to be staged in fearing it might lose its a really good atmosphere in the dressing wealth countries,” ICC chief these Games, we autonomy and be room and there are some very good players executive David Richardson know every team answerable to the country’s at the club. The supporters were excellent (pictured) said. Olympic committee. and I look forward to seeing everyone again “Creating a new part- competing would Meanwhile, England next year.” nership between women’s be guaranteed women’s captain Heather Director of cricket Andy Hurry said: cricket and the Common- support. There’s Knight said: “It’s hugely “Azhar fitted in seamlessly during his time wealth Games demonstrates a ready-made exciting that women’s with us towards the back end of the 2018 the commitment both cricket is bidding to become season. Knowing the positive impact that he organisations have to audience and part of the Commonwealth will have both on and off the field, alongside growing women’s sport...” ready-made Games. his availability all summer, were key factors Birmingham is the perfect infrastructure in “So much of what we do in wanting to secure him.” place to launch this part- is about trying to get young nership as 23 percent of its the local vicinity: girls and boys to pick up a residents have links to David Richardson bat and a ball and start cricket-playing nations playing the sport and the outside the United Kingdom, exposure of being in a global Azhar Ali Richardson said. were quick to support the event like the Common- “If cricket were to be bid two days after their wealth Games would be so staged in these Games, we women’s team won the valuable for that. know every team com- World Twenty20 crown in “We saw earlier this peting would be guaranteed West Indies. year when the England ‘home’ support. There’s a “It’s exciting to think Netball team won the gold ready-made audience and that cricket could poten- medal on the Gold Coast ready-made infrastructure tially feature at the 2022 that there’s a massive in the local vicinity,” he Commonwealth Games in opportunity to inspire and Pictures showing Pakistani spinner Yasir Shah in action and added. Birmingham,” to grow the game and we’d celebrating a wicket against New Zealand during the third Cricket Australia (CA) CA chief executive love to be a part of that.” day of their second Test in Dubai, yesterday. 10 SPORT TUESDAY 27 NOVEMBER 2018

Olympics: AOC Tennis: Croatia captain Krajan slams funding cuts for minor sports ahead of Tokyo hails his Davis Cup dream team REUTERS MELBOURNE REUTERS an unbelievable achievement LILLE, FRANCE and shows you the quality that The Australian Olympic Com- we produced.” mittee (AOC) has hit out at Croatia captain Zeljko Krajan Victory was especially sweet funding cuts to minor sports hailed his “dream team” after for Cilic who had bitter mem- announced yesterday, saying Marin Cilic sealed a second Davis ories of the 2016 final against they would create “enormous Cup title for the Balkan nation Argentina to banish. problems” for planning and by beating France’s Lucas Pouille In that match in Zagreb, he budgeting ahead of the 2020 on Sunday. was two sets to the good against Tokyo Games. Just as he was on Friday Juan Martin del Potro and The government-funded against Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, the required just one more set to give Australian Institute of Sport 30-year-old world number Croatia a match-winning 3-1 (AIS) announced a new seven was in commanding form lead. investment model which will to crush Pouille 7-6(3) 6-3 6-3 Del Potro battled back to win boost high performance to give the Croats a winning 3-1 in five before Federico Delbonis funds for a number of sports lead. beat Ivo Karlovic to give but cut funding to others He did not drop a set in his Argentina victory. deemed to have lower medal- two singles while Croatian “I always sleep well,” the winning chances. number two Borna Coric had 30-year-old Cilic, who made his AOC Chief Executive Matt given the favourites a flying start debut in 2006, said, when asked Carroll said that athletes’ on Friday with an easy win over whether that Del Potro defeat Croatia’s Marin Cilic kisses the winner’s trophy as Croatia’s preparations could be ham- Jeremy Chardy. occasionally kept him awake at team players celebrate their victory over France after pered by financial concerns. Neither Cilic nor Coric night. the Davis Cup World Group final at The Pierre Mauroy “Sports that are lifting dropped serve all weekend as “I’m just proud of the team Stadium in Villeneuve-d’Ascq, northern France, on Sunday. performance through well Croatia emulated the 2005 side today after everything we’ve thought-out strategic plans, which beat Slovakia in the final. been through. This is definitely employing coaches and “This is the one of the best one of the best moments of my have been part of this team since that was in the team.” “Sometimes the bar is too high. driving improvement in their teams we’ve ever had -- it’s like career. There was a lot of 2006. France captain Yannick That’s my feeling. systems have found them- a dream team,” Krajan said. pressure but I played a hell of a “I have seen a few genera- Noah, who will step down from “We lost to a better team. We selves abandoned or facing “After seven years on the bench match today and deservedly tions of players, I have seen a lot his third stint in charge, said his did everything we could to be at great uncertainty,” Carroll (as captain) it’s an honour for me won.” of tennis, a lot of wins, a lot of team had been outplayed as they this level with the Croatian team. said in a statement. to be here. Cilic said the fact that the matches lost too. failed in their bid to win the title We just went to their locker- “It would be naive to “My singles players not only final was the last in the compe- “It’s amazing to finish a two years in succession. room to congratulate them. I think that high performance didn’t lose a set, they didn’t lose tition’s current guise added to chapter of this kind with the way “The guys did the think they’re beautiful winners athletes can enjoy their best serve in three matches which is the joy. “It’s historic,” he said. “I we played and the atmosphere maximum,” Noah said. and they deserve it.” preparation when there is financial pressure on coaching, programs, compe- titions and rising costs.” The AIS said in a statement yesterday that “a Noah is not happy with revamp plans small number” of sports faced funding cuts after June 2019. REUTERS to win the men’s singles at the “Having advised these LILLE French Open in 1983, said he had sports and organisations also spoken to Haggerty at the about our funding decisions, pre-final dinner. we are giving them time to Yannick Noah launched an “I said I’m disgusted and digest the information and impassioned attack on the upset to his face. It’s the truth. advise their athletes and imminent Davis Cup revamp It’s the way I feel. Everyone has stakeholders before public after his third spell as France a right to feel differently but I feel announcements are made,” captain ended in defeat in the I owe the Davis Cup because it AIS Director Peter Conde final by Croatia on Sunday. means so much to me as a said. Shortly after 24-year-old player, as a spectator. “We are confident that Lucas Pouille, whose defeat by “We have people who have these changes will not impact Marin Cilic sealed France’s fate, decided it doesn’t matter, I don’t on Olympic or Paralympic said he was quitting the Davis know if they don’t know, or they podium success.” Cup, Noah said the competition don’t care. But as I told the pres- Australia’s national table was disappearing in all but ident I’m not from his world.” tennis federation confirmed name. On Saturday, Haggerty said its funding had been cut. “When people tell us it’s still the Davis Cup had to change to “The AIS has determined going to be the Davis Cup, they appeal to a greater television that, relative to other sports, are lying. I will tell them ‘you are audience. they consider table tennis has liars’,” an emotional Noah told “We know that in France and a low probability to win a reporters. Croatia this final is being fol- medal at the 2020 Olympic The International Tennis France captain Yannick Noah shakes hands with the Croatia team players after they won the Davis lowed by many consumers,” Games, or win a gold medal Federation (ITF) has decided that Cup final following at the Stade Pierre Mauroy, Lille, France, on Sunday. Haggerty said. “In the rest of the at the 2022 Commonwealth from 2019, apart from February’s world, it’s not being followed to Games,” Table Tennis Aus- qualifying round, ‘home’ ties will Davis Cup glory in 1991 and 1996 dollars? This will never happen David Haggerty, the ITF pres- the same degree. tralia said. be scrapped and the current in his first two spells as captain again. ident, immediately after their “This is where we see it Local media reported that World Group knockout format and again last year, said occa- “So why don’t people tell the defeat was confirmed. turning into a proper World Cup sychronised swimming had replaced by an 18-nation, one- sions like Sunday, when 22,000 truth? It will never be the same. “It was a message that I of tennis with fans all around the also had its program cut. Fed- week event to be staged in fans produced an incredible With all due respect, I really wanted to send him directly. I world watching their 18 teams eration Synchro Australia was Madrid. atmosphere inside Lille’s Stade hope they don’t (continue to) call think he received it well,” he told in one location and seeing it unable to provide immediate Best-of-five-set matches will Pierre Mauroy, would be con- it the Davis Cup because this is reporters, while his partner broadcast or streamed.” comment. also change to best-of-three. signed to history. not the Davis Cup. Pierre-Hugues Herbert said it Kosmos chief executive The investment shakeup The makeover is being “We talk about money but “Playing two sets is not Davis had been a sad day. Javier Alonso, who has spear- boosts funding for 12 high backed to the tune of $3bn over how much is it worth for the Cup. Playing somewhere else is “I am extremely sad today headed the revamp alongside performance programs from 25 years by Spanish investment ballboy, who is from here, to not Davis Cup.” about the decisions of the ITF,” Spanish soccer international 2019 including women’s firm Kosmos -- a deal the ITF shake the hand of Lucas Pouille French doubles player said Herbert. “After, it may be a Gerard Pique, said: “We are in soccer, rugby sevens and says will pump much-needed and have a picture with him?” Nicolas Mahut, who was also left good competition, but it will 2018 and if we look at 100 years women’s softball, the AIS money into national Noah told reporters. unhappy about the changes to never be what it has been, the ago tennis was something very said. federations. “How much is that worth? the competition’s format, was Davis Cup.” different. Tennis has to evolve The Olympic Winter Noah, who led France to How much is the dream in seen in a long discussion with Noah, the last home player into a new era.” Institute of Australia will get an increase of almost A$2.3m ($1.67m) over the next two years in a boost for winter sports, while there will also French players united against Davis Cup overhaul be increases for para-winter sport and para-athletics. AP of a crowded schedule. should have come up with better solu- “We will certainly con- LILLE The French tennis federation sup- tions. “There are other means to find tinue to support Australian ported the reform. money. The Grand Slams tournaments athletes to provide the best French players don’t like the new Davis “I’m extremely sorry because of the Last year I was crying of could have given some of their revenues chance of international Cup format and they’re saying it loud and ITF decision,” doubles specialist Pierre- and the Davis Cup would have been podium success, but the clear. After failing to defend their title this Hugues Herbert said. “It was the last true joy, this year I was crying saved,” Mahut said. emphasis will be on the weekend in northern France in a 3-1 loss Davis Cup.” because I was sad. As far “We needed to find ways to lighten number of Australian med- to Croatia, the French lashed out at future Herbert’s partner, Nicolas Mahut, said as I’m concerned, I’m not the schedule, we had so many good ideas allists across a breadth of plans adopted earlier this year and Lucas he spoke with ITF David Haggerty imme- going to play in the Davis to save that competition. There were other sports,” said Conde. Pouille said he would boycott the com- diately after the final to express his solutions.” Sports funding has petition from now on. discontent. Cup anymore.” France’s Davis Cup captain Yannick become an increasingly con- This weekend marked the last time in “I believe he understood very well Says Lucas Pouille Noah, who oversaw his last Davis Cup tentious issue in Australia, the 118-year-old competition history that what I wanted to say,” said Mahut, without match this weekend and will be replaced which the country slumping the final was played in a best-of-five giving details. Lucas Pouille, who was by Amelie Mauresmo, is also a fervent to its lowest medals haul in matches format and over a three-day thrashed in straight sets by Marin Cilic on Cup anymore. opponent of the overhaul. 24 years at the 2016 weekend. Starting next year, the top team Sunday a year after he wrapped up “That was the last time.” “It will never be the same, it’s going Olympics. Disagreements event in men’s tennis will be decided with France’s 10th title, said he would not play The ITF said it expects the new format to be something else,” said Noah, who over funding models sparked a season-ending, 18-team tournament at in the Davis Cup anymore. will help generate more money for tennis guided France to three Davis Cup titles. a public feud last year a neutral site. “Last year I was crying of joy, this year development around the world. “I really hope this is not going to be called between AOC President John The International Tennis Federation I was crying because I was sad,” Pouille A $3bn, 25-year deal has been agreed the Davis Cup. Playing two sets is not the Coates and John Wylie, believes this format, with matches played said. by the ITF with Kosmos, an investment Davis Cup. They are lying. I told (Haggerty) chairman of government in best-of-three sets, will be more “I’m not going to change my mind group founded by the Barcelona defender to his face I’m disgusted and upset because funding agency Sport attractive to elite players who often pass about the new format. As far as I’m con- Gerard Pique. this is the way I feel. Australia. on competing for their countries because cerned, I’m not going to play in the Davis Mahut claimed tennis stakeholders “The Davis Cup was so much for me.” TUESDAY 27 NOVEMBER 2018 SPORT 11

Els pulling out all stops as International captain AP MELBOURNE it was first held at Royal Melbourne, but The logo attempts to give the team they are no bigger than a it has had a dry spell since - no wins a more unified focus while also allowing garden shed, was repainted and just a tie in South Africa in 2003. members from different countries to to feature a Presidents Cup As hard as he tried, Ernie Els couldn’t So Els came into Melbourne on the have the flags of their home countries trophy. put the ball in the cup. The Big Easy weekend to announce during the final represented. Members of the public wasn’t on a green at Royal Melbourne, round of the World Cup at Metropolitan “It’s a special group of guys from all walking on the popular strip though. This was on a plastic grass strip Golf Club that Australian veteran Geoff over the world that make up the Pres- couldn’t believe it when in the middle of Brighton Beach, famous Ogilvy would be one of his captain’s idents Cup International team,” Els said. they saw Els trying his hand for its iconic beach houses, on Mel- assistants for the Dec. 9-15, 2019 “Being from across the globe, we at cricket and passing bourne’s Port Phillip Bay. tournament. don’t all play for the same flag. This around an Australian Rules The cup was a giant plastic replica And to meet with the head greens- special group of people needed some- football. of the Presidents Cup trophy, and keeper and officials at Royal Melbourne thing to identify with. To lift the spirit Autographs were signed despite trying a dozen or more times to get some insights on how he might, of the team, we felt like we needed a and pleasantries exchanged. with a wedge from about 20 meters, as captain of the host team, be able to logo for ourselves.” He even played Paper, the closest the ball came yesterday was help set up the course to suit his players. By yesterday afternoon, he was Rock, Scissors with a wacky to ricochet off part of the oversized Tiger Woods, the US captain for the dressed more casually in slacks and a television crew from Perth, trophy. Presidents Cup next year, will make a polo shirt for his beach outing and a Western Australia, who later Els is pulling out all the stops to similar trip to Melbourne in early catered barbecue featuring lamb chops challenged him to another make sure the International team, of December to check out the golf course and prawns. attempt at putting the ball in which he is captain, hoists the real Pres- and make some promotional And, of course, in the Australian the plastic trophy. Special memories at Royal Melbourne idents Cup next December when the appearances. beach tradition, drinks from an “esky,” Except one of their guys threw the Golf Club & always great to be back here! tournament is held for the third time at On Sunday night, Els was off to host or portable cooler, tucked in the stand. ball at the cup, which was now about Royal Melbourne. a reception at the Royal Melbourne The front of one of the beach 50 or 60 meters away, and Els hit a gap Looking forward to 2019 @PresidentsCup The International team had its only clubhouse to unveil a new logo for the houses, many of which are worth a wedge. No luck for Els this time around @Melbourne, says Ernie Els in this win over the United States in 1998 when International team. half-million dollars despite the fact either. In between clubs, again. picture he tweeted yesterday.

F1 star Alonso Rugby: Schmidt to departs with step down after donuts, praise and penalties World Cup; Farrell AFP ABU DHABI Fernando Alonso said is the replacement goodbye to Formula One on AFP Sunday amid a fanfare of DUBLIN crowd-pleasing donut spins, generous tributes and a World coach of the year Joe Schmidt is to step down as Ireland handful of post-race penalties handler after next year’s World Cup and be replaced by their from the FIA. defence guru Andy Farrell (pictured below) the Irish Rugby Football After walking through a Union announced yesterday. guard of honour before the The 53-year-old New Zealander -- named coach of the year start of the season-ending on Sunday -- says he will take time out of coaching to prioritise Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, Alonso his family. pulled on his helmet and This may lay to rest the rumours linking him with potentially delivered a dogged drive that Ferrari’s German driver Sebastian Vettel walks ahead of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix at the Yas Marina taking over world champions New Zealand were Steve Hansen to took him to 11th in his final Circuit on Sunday. announce in December he too is stepping down after the World outing with McLaren. Cup. Schmidt has guided the Irish to unprecedented success in his It was a metaphor for tenure since taking over the reins of a demoralised outfit in 2013. much of the Spaniard’s Under him they have won career: he nearly finished in three Six Nations titles -- Vettel takes stock as the points, just as he nearly including this year’s Grand became the greatest Slam -- and two historic wins champion of his era and over world champions New nearly won titles with Ferrari. Zealand, including a first ever Ferrari lick wounds Despite two drivers’ win over them on Irish soil in world crowns won with an epic 16-9 victory earlier this AFP race, he tangled with Hamilton think we had a lot of lessons. It Renault, in 2005 and 2006, month. ABU DHABI on the opening lap with a similar was a tough year in general. the 37-year-old Spaniard Schmidt will next year outcome - another Hamilton “The team is strong and the leaves behind a feeling that hope to set right the one major Sebastian Vettel, so graceful in triumph that added to the gath- team has potential, but surely it his was an unfulfilled career disappointment in his reign -- his handling of defeat by Lewis ering momentum of the was a lot of things that hap- in F1 and a legacy that is as the humbling by Argentina in Hamilton in this year’s drivers’ 33-year-old Briton. pened inside the team.... much about his personality the 2015 World Cup quarter- title race, yesterday began While Vettel admitted his “It’s up to us to look into as his talent. finals -- and deliver the Webb serious reflections on his and own faults, he was prepared also every single detail and make “I have been very sur- Ellis trophy to Ireland for the Ferrari’s disappointing season to concede that Ferrari had not sure we come out as a stronger prised because I have raced first time. and a harsh self-examination. been faultless in an inconsistent group, enabling us to build a with great champions,” he Schmidt, who was hired as The four-time champion season overshadowed by team stronger package for next year said. “I raced with Michael Ireland coach on the back of a German, whose Ferrari car was upheavals following the death and for the future.” (Schumacher, a seven-time successful spell at Irish often the fastest on the grid, of Sergio Marchionne. Vettel will be joined at champion), I raced with province Leinster winning suc- conceded he had to look at “Things didn’t come together Ferrari next year by a new Jenson Button. cessive European Cups himself first and the team sec- so obviously we did a step back team-mate in Monegasque “And, two or three years (2011/12), has often spoken ondly after he had finished towards the end of the year, prodigy Charles Leclerc who ago, in the same place, it was about how little he gets to see second behind new five-time which enabled us to be more replaces Finn Kimi Raikkonen his last race and no-one had his family with the demands of champion Hamilton in Sunday’s competitive again,” he said, in a bid to rejuvenate the drivers’ all the things that I have the job. season-ending Grand Prix. explaining how the team had line-up and add competitive received this weekend. So, I One of Schmidt’s four children Luke suffers from epilepsy and “I don’t think I ever have any been forced to abandon an focus. On Sunday, Raikkonen cannot say thanks enough to the coach has become heavily involved in the epilepsy charity in problems raising my hand if I made update package that saw them bade farewell to the Italian team everyone.” Ireland. a mistake,” he said, conceding that under-performing. with an early retirement after However Alonso hinted “I have decided to finish coaching and will prioritise family in 2018 he had made a few. “I have “But I think we’ve under- losing power. It was a downbeat he might even make a commitments after the RWC in 2019,” said Schmidt. “I feel that to look at myself first.” stood what went wrong. We end to an often colourful career comeback after taking a Irish rugby is in good hands. The management and players have In a spectacular season that obviously will try to do a better with Ferrari before he moves to break in 2019 to try and win been incredible to work with and the tremendous support we have saw the title race ebb and flow job in the future. That was one Sauber, but a signal that Ferrari titles in other motorsports. had, particularly at Lansdowne Road, but where ever we have as Ferrari and Mercedes battled key thing. On the other hand, I are ready for change. “Right now, I am not travelled has been uplifting.” for supremacy before an excep- thinking to come back... but I David Nucifora, the IRFU’S Director of Rugby, concurred with tional purple patch from Ham- don’t know how I will feel others such as captain Rory Best and world player of the year fly- ilton secured both titles for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix Results next year. I need a break now half Johnny Sexton that Schmidt’s contribution had changed the Silver Arrows, Vettel was, he - in 2019 I need different 1. Lewis Hamilton (GBR/Mercedes-AMG) 305 km in 1hr 39:40.382 face of the sport in Ireland. admitted fallible. challenges. I want to fight for 2. Sebastian Vettel (GER/Ferrari) at 2.581 “Joe’s contribution to Irish rugby is broader than just the success “Knowing as well, as a the ‘triple crown’, the Indy achieved with the national team,” he said. racing driver, how quickly 3. Max Verstappen (NED/Red Bull) at 12.706 500 and other races. Maybe “Regardless of what happens on the pitch over this period of things can go wrong, how 4. Daniel Ricciardo (AUS/Red Bull) at 15.379 Daytona. Maybe other things.” time (the next 11 months) we are all clearly aware and thankful of quickly things could have gone 5. Valtteri Bottas (FIN/Mercedes-AMG) at 47.957 He admitted, too, that he the better place that Joe will be leaving Irish Rugby in post the differently this year, I think I 6. Carlos Sainz Jr (ESP/Renault) at 1:12.548 had not had time to absorb Rugby World Cup.” have to review a couple of 7. Charles Leclerc (MON/Sauber) at 1:30.789 the scale and impact of F1’s Farrell, a former England rugby league great who switched things,” he said. 8. Sergio Perez (MEX/Racing Point Force India ) at 1:31.275 many messages of praise and codes and represented England in union as well, has been instru- “But there’s other things that 9. Romain Grosjean (FRA/Haas) at 1 lap good luck. mental also in Ireland’s success since being hired in 2016. went wrong and don’t need a lot 10. Kevin Magnussen (DEN/Haas) at 1 lap “Each time I go to my The 43-year-old Englishman -- whose son Owen is England’s of reviewing or over-compli- 11. Fernando Alonso (ESP/McLaren-Renault) at 1 lap room, I look at my telephone co-captain and first choice fly-half -- has been Ireland’s gain and cating too much. 12. Brendon Hartley (NZL/Toro Rosso-Honda) at 1 lap and I see hundreds and hun- his home country’s loss. “I know what I need to do. 13. Lance Stroll (CAN/Williams) at 1 lap dreds of messages,” he said. Eddie Jones considered him surplus to requirements as defence Certainly, here and there, 14. Stoffel Vandoorne (BEL/McLaren-Renault) at 1 lap “I sit down in the chair and coach on taking over following the 2015 World Cup debacle which looking back I haven’t been at 15. Sergey Sirotkin (RUS/Williams) at 1 lap somebody knocks on the door saw hosts England crash out in the group stage. the top of my game so... I look to tell me to go out and see a

Farrell’s prowess in defence coaching has been integral to at myself first....” new person. So, literally, I’ve three victories over the All Blacks in the last two years, the two In his home German Grand Final 2018 overall drivers standings (top 5) had no time. I need a little bit Irish ones in Chicago in 2016 and this year and the British & Irish Prix, Vettel crashed out of the 1. Lewis Hamilton (GBR) 408 points of time for myself to realise Lions success in 2017 in the three Test series which ended 1-1. race lead and handed the initi- 2. Sebastian Vettel (GER) 320 what a magic weekend that “I have learned a lot from Joe over the past few seasons and I ative in the title race to Ham- 3. Kimi Raikkonen (FIN) 251 I’ve had.” will continue to learn from him over the next year,” said Farrell. ilton who, in the rain, claimed a 4. Max Verstappen (NED) 249 Alonso leaves the sport Nucifora said Farrell’s appointment provided the essential famous victory. 5. Valtteri Bottas (FIN) 247 with two titles, 32 race wins ingredient of continuity. In Italy, at Ferrari’s home in 17 seasons. TUESDAY 27 NOVEMBER 2018 SPORT 07

We are still in the running and we have our fate in our own CRICKET FOOTBALL hands. I think that in order to Kylian Mbappe Pakistan vs New Zealand Bayern Munich vs Benfica win a competition you need PSG teenage 2nd Test - Day 4 Allianz Arena

things to click into place. superstar ACTION in Dubai 11.00pm (Doha Time) TODAY’S Qatari jockeys sharpen skills at riding academies in England, South Africa

THE PENINSULA DOHA

The Qatar Racing & Equestrian Club (QREC) management hailed the steps being taken by Qatari jockeys for training at the world’s best available horse riding acad- emies to sharpen their talents. These initiatives reflect the jockeys’ commitment to benefit from the highest training level in order to improve their per- formance and reach the stage, which will qualify them to realise their ambitions. QREC encourage such steps with a view to creating a fine base of Qatari jockeys. QREC Board recognise the importance of having Qatari jockeys present at races to compete with the more famed and experienced Qatari jockeys Abdulaziz Jaber Dharman and Saleh Salem Al Marri during a training session in this file picture. RIGHT: Abdulaziz and Saleh with Nasser bin Sherida Al international jockeys who ride Kaabi, General Manager of Qatar Racing & Equestrian Club. in the weekly race meetings at Al Rayyan Park, which is in line with the QREC’s strategy and one-month training course in look forward to ride for Qatar’s requires plenty of patience, hard I have learned from the training vision for the coming years. South Africa. leading farms and studs, work and commitment in course into practice at the races Recently, two riders, Later, jockey Abdulla including Al Shaqab Racing, training as well as continuous this season at Al Rayyan Park”. Abdulaziz Jaber Dharman, 23 Mubarak Al Maadeed attended Umm Qarn and Al Shahania in learning.” years old, and Saleh Salem Al a training course for two months international races in Europe.” “Honestly speaking, I wish My ambitions are Marri, 25 years old, have in South Africa as well. Al Marri shared his col- priority of riding at QREC races undergone training at the British Dharman highlighted how league’s attitude. would be given to Qatari limitless and I wish Racing School in Newmarket, valuable the training course in “I would like to thank the jockeys in future. I know this I look forward to I would reach the England. England has been. QREC management and, in will be possible only if my col- competing with the level of jockeys like However, this was not the “I have benefited a lot and particular, Nasser bin Sherida leagues and I succeed in con- world’s top jockeys Dettorie and Ryan first time for Qatari jockeys to learned a great deal about Al Kaabi, such support by vincing horse owners and seek professional experience as horseracing’, he said, QREC has been very pro- trainers of our merit and that by gaining more Moore. I will put what a group of them attended a “My ambition is sizeable in ductive for us, especially as we deserve to be the first experience and I have learned from training course in South Africa this field and I look forward to we are the first Qatari jockeys choice,” he added. through continuous the training course last year. Again, another group competing with the world’s top to undergo such course in “I rode in 20 races last season learning. I look of five jockeys did the same jockeys by gaining more expe- England. We hope to reach the and I was placed on several into practice at the earlier this year when Khalid rience and through continuous level of some jockeys such as occasions, but I wish I would win forward to ride for races this season at Abdulaziz Al Kuwari, Abdulla learning. I will join another Faleh Bughanaim in Qatar and several races. My ambitions are Qatar’s leading farms Al Rayyan Park: Saleh Saleh Al Yahri, Ali Khalid Al Mos- course in England next year and Frankie Dettori at the global limitless and I wish I would reach and studs: Abdulaziz Salem Al Marri allam and Abdulla Rashid Al then I could ride in some races level. the level of jockeys like Dettorie Jaber Dharman Adgham underwent a there on a gradual basis. I also “We know very well that this and Ryan Moore. I will put what Raptors’ hot streak continues Hanifin, Jankowski lead Flames to 6-1 AFP LOS ANGELES romp over Arizona Kawhi Leonard delivered 29 points and 10 rebounds as the NBA-leading Toronto Raptors AP for a long time now. Now we won their fifth consecutive game ARIZONA get a day off and then we get by cruising past the Miami Heat another practice and we’ve got 125-115 on Sunday. Calgary coach Bill Peters took two at home.” Calgary led 6-0 Kyle Lowry finished with 12 one on the chin Sunday, and so before Clayton Keller scored for points and 10 assists for the did the team his Flames domi- Arizona with 6:16 remaining. Raptors, who are off to their best nated, the Arizona Coyotes. Three of the Flames’ goals 21-game start in history with 17 Noah Hanifin and Mark were short-handed. wins and four losses. Jankowski each scored twice, “If you have a chance to Jonas Valanciunas had 17 former Coyotes goalie Mike make something happen, do it,” points and 10 rebounds, and Smith just missed his 38th Hanifin said. Pascal Siakam finished just two career shutout and the Flames “They want us to make points shy of his career best with routed Arizona 6-1. plays. A team like Arizona, they 21 points. Smith, making his first start have a ton of short-handed Veteran Dwyane Wade in five games, made 28 saves goals this year. It just shows turned back the clock by scoring in his first win since Nov. 1. that if the opportunity is there, a season high 35 points. It was Peters wasn’t around to take it.” The Coyotes have the most points ever for a Heat watch about 10 minutes of the allowed five shorted-handed player coming off the bench, but game after he was hit in the left goals in their last two games. they still lost for the seventh time jaw with a puck while standing “The power play is hor- Toronto Raptors forward Kawhi Leonard (right) battles to get past Miami Heat centre Bam Adebayo in their last nine games. in his customary spot in the rendous,” Arizona coach Rick in the second half of their NBA game at Scotiabank Arena on Sunday. And that won’t cut it against bench area early in the second Tocchet said. “It really cost us. Toronto, who are 11-0 against period. He needed eight stitches The effort on the power play is teams with losing records. Orlando defeated Los Angeles James and Kuzma were a the victory for the Magic. Mean- and returned late in the period. not there. The 5-on-5 we’re fine Josh Richardson scored 19 130-117. combined zero-for-five in the while, Jimmy Butler hit the “I think it’s going to hurt at, but it’s just we lose juice points and Bam Adebayo had 16 “We’re trying to build some- quarter in which the team shot game-winning 3-pointer with more tomorrow, right?” Peters during the power play.... A lot points and a career-high 21 thing, and wins like these can just five-of-21. 0.4 seconds remaining as the said after the game, the nasty of our best players are on the rebounds in the loss. really help you build some James said they need to Philadelphia 76ers rallied for a cut and stitches clearly visible. power play and they have to The Raptors, who made a momentum,” Vucevic said. become more consistent. wild 127-125 victory over the “One of those things. stick with the program and season-high 17 three-pointers Aaron Gordon had 17 points “Defensively, we kind of Brooklyn Nets on Sunday night There’s not a lot of room up right now they’re not, and that in Friday’s win over Atlanta, shot and DJ Augustin added 12 points broke down and the energy level in New York. there, you’ve got to be paying falls on me.” 11 for 35 from beyond the arc and nine assists for the Magic. was a little lower than our Butler, who was ques- attention.... They did a good job, Sean Monahan and T.J. against the Heat. LeBron James had 24 points expectations, and they took tionable to play due to a sprained got me stitched up and back to Brodie also scored for Calgary. Elsewhere, Nikola Vucevic and seven assists for the Lakers, advantage of that,” James said. left ankle, scored 18 of his 34 work.... Hopefully, it’s the last The Flames rebounded from a finished with 31 points and 15 who have won six of their last In the fourth, James missed points in the fourth quarter and time, but I doubt it.” The Flames loss at Las Vegas on Friday rebounds as the Orlando Magic seven NBA games. Kyle Kuzma a three-pointer and Ross made hit his second game-winner have won four of five but were night and have won four of five. snapped the Los Angeles Lakers’ scored 21 points and Brandon him pay by driving to the rim for since joining Philadelphia in a coming off a loss to Las Vegas. Arizona has lost four in a row, three-game winning streak with Ingram added 17. a basket which broke a 104-104 trade from Minnesota on Peters liked what he saw. counting in overtime loss, and a 108-104 victory. The Magic used a rock-solid tie. November 12. “We’ve got a good group. has been outscored 11-2 in the Terrence Ross had 16 points defense and some timely scoring The Lakers’ Kentavious He gave Philadelphia the We like our team,” he said. two games since goalie Antti including a clutch layup with 34 by Gordon and Vucevic to out- Caldwell-Pope missed another dramatic win when he took the “When we have time to practice Raanta returned after missing seconds left as the Magic beat the score the Lakers 35-19 in the shot from beyond the arc on the inbounds pass from Ben and work on things typically we eight games with a lower-body Lakers for the second time in third quarter and seize a 86-71 following Lakers possession, and Simmons, began to move slightly get better. This sets up real well. injury. The Coyotes finished the eight days. On November 17, lead. Gordon got a dunk to help seal inside the 3-point arc, We’ve played every other day home stand 1-3-1.