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Thursday, January 17, 2019 FOOTBALL Jumada I 11, 1440 AH Son sparks GULF TIMES South Korea to win over China SPORT Page 3 PREVIEW Proud Sanchez says

FOCUS eager to top group Teams put politics ‘We are very proud of our performance, especially in the last game. aside before Asian It was a very good result but we must keep looking forward’ Cup meeting

By John Duerden have done well so far and go into The Guardian the game with two wins each, meaning they have already quali- fi ed for the last 16. That may take o wonder the Asian off some of the edge and both Football Confederation camps have been trying to play it bans all talk of politics all down, saying that there is little at its competitions. prospect of past episodes such as NPlenty of games on the continent the 2017 Gulf Cup when the Saudi come with off -pitch baggage: the and Emirati teams withdrew from Korean Derby, v Iraq and Vi- press conferences that contained etnam v Cambodia to name just a Qatari broadcasters. few but, traditionally, Saudi Ara- The Qatar spokesperson, Ali bia v Qatar has not been anything Salat, was very positive before to write home about. Not until the game. “Everything has gone now. These days you cannot write smoothly since we arrived in the home to if you are in Emirates,” he said, adding that the and vice versa and that is just one six-hour journey was not too bad. reason why today’s Asian Cup “We are looking forward to the clash between the two is eagerly Saudi Arabia game.” awaited. Handshakes will take place, Some have been calling the say offi cials, and the game will be meeting in , the capi- played in the right spirit. tal of the host nation the United Salat agrees that not shaking Arab Emirates (UAE), the “Block- hands had not crossed Qatari ade Derby”. The UAE – along with minds. “Football is a message of Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Egypt peace. The slogan of the compe- – cut off diplomatic relations with tition is ‘bringing Asia together’ Qatar in 2017. and we are going to follow that There is no political solution in during the competition.” sight and there have been football The message on the fi eld may consequences. When Qatar were be one of peace and fair play but thrashing North Korea 6-0 last off it the issues are unlikely to be Sunday, the only positive for the solved soon. “The notion that small band of DPRK cheerlead- football can help is delusion- ers was that there were virtually ary,” James Dorsey, an expert in no Qatari fans to rub their noses Middle Eastern football politics, in it. The usual 45-minute fl ight said. “Football can only be a fac- Qatar players train ahead of their match against Saudi Arabia today. from Doha to Abu Dhabi has be- tor in an environment that is come a pain, and that is even you conducive to a solution, it can’t AFC The group winners will face will plan well, as we did for the Arabia and we must plan for a “We have maximum confi- are allowed in at all. Even when the create that environment.” Abu Dhabi the Group D runners-up, either other matches, as we want to good game tomorrow.” dence in the players and have AFC forced the UAE to host Qatari Dorsey sees the blockade as Iran or Iraq, while the runners- win the group,” said Sanchez. Sanchez also hailed his play- no preference as to who we clubs in the 2018 Asian Champi- an unsuccessful attempt to force up will go up against the top- “It is going to be a tough ers for their determination to could play in the Round of 16. ons League, it has not always gone Qatar to follow the regional line nockout stage qualifi- placed team from Group F — ei- game but hopefully, we can get do well in the AFC Asian Cup. We have an ambition to win the smoothly. Wesley Sneijder and set by the Saudis and its allies. cation may have been ther Japan or Uzbekistan. the result we desire,” said the “Their focus has been only on title and every match is equally his Al Gharafa teammates took 18 “It has failed to break Qatar’s re- sealed but both Saudi Both coaches — Saudi Ara- Spaniard. the tournament and they have difficult,” he added. hours to get there last February. solve and/or garner international KArabia and Qatar’s bia’s Juan Antonio Pizzi and Sanchez said Qatar’s confi- been working very hard, before Saudi Arabia go into the tie Both Saudi Arabia and Qatar support.” game plan for their final AFC Felix Sanchex of Qatar — were dence has been boosted by their we came here and even now. having defeated DPR Korea 4-0 Asian Cup UAE 2019 Group E adamant that their teams would two wins so far — a 2-0 triumph The players are all progressing and Lebanon 2-0, results which tie today will not hinge on who play to win. over a tough Lebanon and a 6-0 well and that is very important.” have boosted the confidence of SPOTLIGHT their possible Round of 16 op- Qatar, said Sanchez, have defeat of DPR Korea, which saw Meanwhile, Saudi coach Pizzi Pizzi’s players. ponents might be. The match prepared for the match just as scoring four goals. said he doesn’t care who their “Qatar is a team with many will begin at 7pm Qatar Time. they did for the ties against “We are very proud of our next opponents would be. qualities and they have good Both go into the match with Lebanon and DPR Korea. performance, especially in the “I have never played a match strikers. However, we are also Al-Attiyah on verge a perfect record of two wins, “We are doing exactly the last game. It was a very good in anticipation of who our next doing well collectively and with Qatar only needing a draw same as we have for the other result but we must keep looking opponents will be and that is I have full confidence that to win the group on goal differ- games but we know it is a match forward. exactly how we will go into the my players can get the three of third Dakar title ence. which will decide top spot. We “The focus now is on Saudi match tomorrow,” said Pizzi. points.” AFP the Dakar. Pisco, Peru “The Dakar is really diffi cult. Every day we work very hard to Qatar goalkeeper al-Sheeb hails be fast and not make mistakes. atar’s Nasser al-Attiyah The car is good, the buggy is a team spirit ahead of Saudi clash virtually wrapped up a good car. We’ve followed our third Dakar Rally title strategy from the beginning. yesterday as Stephane “We’ve been leading since Abu Dhabi: Peterhansel’sQ hopes of a 14th tri- stage three and building up the Qatar goalkeeper eight times to top the table on Saad al-Sheeb has praised the goal diff erence from the also umph on the world’s most gruel- gap every day, we’re quite happy.” sense of unity in the team at perfect Saudis. ling race suff ered a painful end. While 2011 and 2015 champion the Asian Cup and is relishing “When we came here, it was with Al-Attiyah, driving a Toyota, al-Attiyah was consolidating his a head-to-head encounter with the plan of taking it one game at claimed his third stage of this domination, 13-time winner Pe- Saudi Arabia on Thursday to a time,” al-Sheeb said. “After two year’s event and will head into terhansel was forced to quit after decide the winner of Group E. wins, our confidence has been today’s fi nal 112km run into Lima only 26 kilometres of the 313km While forwards Almoez Ali, tour- boosted. We will prepare well for with an overall lead of 51min ninth stage after a bad land- nament top scorer on five goals, the match and our aim is to get 27sec over Mini driver Nani ing that injured co-driver David and have drawn the three points.” Roma who was second yesterday, Castera’s back. praise, al-Sheeb says it was a col- While consideration is some- almost fi ve minutes behind on “After a big impact, Castera lective eff ort which brought wins times given to the merit of finish- the day. complained of severe back pain over Lebanon and North Korea ing first or second, tricky last 16 “Until now everything has and was transported to Lima hos- for the 2022 World Cup hosts. ties await both teams. The group gone very well and tomorrow we pital,” said a spokesman for Pete- “Almoez and Akram are very winners will meet Iran or Iraq just need to bring everything to- rahansel’s X-Raid team. good players and with the help while the runners-up face Japan gether in Lima,” said al-Attiyah Peterhansel, 53, had won two of the other players, have helped or Uzbekistan. “Our spirit is high after his 34th career stage win on stages in this year’s race, but had Qatar progress,” al-Sheeb said as we really want to do well in slipped well adrift of the overall Wednesday. “We are one team — the Asian Cup,” the keeper for ‘The Dakar is really diffi cult. pace set by al-Attiyah and had whether the 11 players who start, the Doha club Al Sadd said. “We Every day we work very stood fourth overnight. those on the bench and the Sanchez) has prepared us well, have worked very hard and will hard to be fast and not make Nine-time world rally champi- coaching staff . whether in attack or defence.” continue doing so as we want to mistakes. The car is good, on Sebastien Loeb, in a Peugeot, “Our strength, as I said, lies in Qatar have kept two clean progress as far as we can in the the buggy is a good car. also slipped down the standings our team spirit. The coach (Felix sheets while finding the net competition.” (DPA) We’ve followed our strategy after losing almost 40 minutes Qatar coach Felix Sanchez oversees a training session yesterday. from the beginning’ stuck in the dunes. Gulf Times 2 Thursday, January 17, 2019 FOOTBALL

PSG TOUR OF QATAR PSG TAKE PART IN A CAMEL RACE At 34, Silva is again dominant in PSG defence Paris Saint-Germain squad pose after taking part in a camel race at the Al Shahaniya racecourse yesterday. Fired up by manager Thomas Tuchel’s stirring speech in the tents pre-race, the Paris 'You always have quality, and time gives you the experience. Saint-Germain players piled into 4x4s provided by the organisers, with each player controlling their camels via walkie-talkie. The 13 camels covered the 4km racetrack at speeds of up to 40km, When you put the two things together, you go up a level' with the players steering the dromedaries from cars alongside. Neymar and Tuchel emerged victorious in the two thrilling morning races. The two winners each AFP received cheques of €25,000 euros from the club’s off icial partner Ooredoo, and the money will Doha be donated to the Paris Saint-Germain Endowment fund.

t 34, veteran centre-back Thiago Silva has re-emerged this season as the pillar of the Paris Saint-Ger- main defence as the French champi- onsA prepare for an assault in Europe. The PSG captain spoke in Qatar as his side prepares for a second half of the season in which they will resume their campaign for a long-coveted fi rst Champions League trophy with a last-16 tie against resurgent Manchester United. “I think I’ve already enjoyed some good times in my career,” he said, when asked about his form this season. “But at this age it is better. You always have quality, and time gives you the experience. When you put the two things together, you go up a level.” PSG manager Thomas Tuchel is ecstatic after winning the camel race. Thiago Silva was one of the scapegoats in 2017 when PSG blew a 4-0 fi rst-leg lead in second round against Barcelona, collapsing 6-1 as they conceded three times after the FOCUS 88th minute. “I heard a lot of things: ‘I’m not a leader, I’m not this or that’,” he said. “It wounds you, but after that it’s also the kind of thing that motivates you the most.” Happy to come back to Qatar, The Brazilian’s refound form has come after Thomas Tuchel replaced Unai Emery as coach. “He’s given me the tranquility to play. He tries says PSG forward Neymar to solve problems as quickly as possible and he talks to me to discover the best solution,” he he Paris Saint-Germain forward Neymar said, adding that Tuchel involves him in de- gave his thoughts to the club's website on cision-making. “That’s something I’ve never the French Ligue champions Qatar tour felt before, so I’m giving something extra.” and the mouthwatering challenges to He pointed to a 3-0 victory away to 10-man Tcome this season. Amiens in at the start of December. “Against Amiens, I played for him,” he said. Q. How is the Qatar Tour 2019 going? “He suggested that I play just 45 minutes, but I really enjoy being able to discover Qatar a little at the end of the fi rst half, the score was still more. I came here a few years ago with the Brazil, 0-0. I could not leave my team in that posi- right here, to Aspire. I’m very happy to come back tion just so I could have a rest for upcoming here for what is the third or fourth time. Come matches. I told him ‘I’ll play to the end.’ When back to win the 2022 World Cup? I think about it... the team needs me, I’m there.” it’s my dream! Who knows, it could happen here. Thiago Silva agreed with suggestions that this might be the strongest PSG team since he Q. PSG are through to the Champions League arrived in 2012. “It’s not only the players but Last 16 despite a diffi cult group. Looking back, the way we play,” he said.”We’re playing more what’s your analysis of the group stage? as a team.” It was diffi cult! It was a very tough group with Thiago Silva said that Tuchel’s direct and two top-class teams and a Crvena Zvezda who open approach to players helped explain the surprised everyone. It was very diffi cult, but we improved productivity of the team in general stayed focussed, we played well at the times it was and Neymar in particular. “He (Neymar) has needed, and we qualifi ed. understood, as everybody has understood, because these are things that you tell him to Q. What do you think of the draw with his face,” he said. “Respect is to say things to Manchester United your next opponents? your face and the coach does it very well, he It’s a good draw, I like playing against good is very strong on the technical part but espe- teams. Manchester United are a great club, one cially on off -fi eld matters, managing those the biggest in the world, with top-class players who are not playing. He tries to motivate eve- who can decide games. So I think it’ll be a great Neymar trains at the Aspire academy yesterday. ryone to be ready. That’s the diff erence.” Paris Saint Germain’s Brazilian defender Thiago Silva gives an interview in Doha. (AFP) game for those who love football. PICTURE: Noushad Thekkayil

SPOTLIGHT Mourinho to make Asian Cech’s trophy-strewn career the result of enduring excellence Cup debut By Dominic Fifield across goal [to the right], which is why ing’s Stephen Hunt back in October on beIN The Guardian I went that way.” 2006. The injuries he sustained that day The attempt was pushed aside and were life-threatening, and yet he was Doha: Jose Mourinho will parity preserved, with Cech going back playing again after three months. join beIN SPORTS, the global t feels appropriate to start with that on to turn away Ivica Olic’s shot and The protective skullcap he still wears in sports broadcaster, this week night at the Allianz Arena almost fl ick Bastian Schweinsteiger’s attempt matches has almost become a badge of as part of the AFC Asian Cup seven years ago when, one by one, against the post in the shootout. honour, a reminder of his bravery but, 2019 and English Premier players of considerable reputation Of all his performances over a glit- also, underlying good sense. League coverage, which view- Iin Bayern Munich’s ranks withered in tering 20-year professional career, Cech’s time at Chelsea had ended ers across the Middle East Petr Cech’s presence. Six diff erent op- which he has announced will conclude in 2015, when Thibaut Courtois es- and North Africa (Mena) enjoy ponents strode up to take a penalty and, at the end of the current campaign, that tablished himself as fi rst choice in his exclusively on the leading on each occasion, the Chelsea goal- Champions League success in Munich stead, after 228 clean sheets in 494 sports channel. keeper dived the right way. The three was surely his fi nest. games and with Roman Abramovich In his first TV appearance saves he conjured would eff ectively se- His eff orts that night summed Cech personally sanctioning his departure to since leaving Manchester cure his club’s fi rst European Cup. up: a display of nerve and character, an immediate rival out of respect for his United in December, the Cech, like his victorious teammates, strength and concentration, all evi- contribution. former Chelsea, Real Madrid, did not sleep much after that giddy tri- dence he was one of the best goalkeep- His time at Arsenal has yielded an FA Inter Milan and Porto man- umph in Bavaria with the celebrations ers in world football. Cup and a further 40 league shutouts, ager will be part of a panel of rightly raucous and prolonged. The Czech Republic’s most-capped his standards still high behind a far less expert analysts based in beIN But, on the morning after the night player with 124 appearances, who had secure backline, though since October studios exclusively covering before, he off ered an insight into the signed for Chelsea from Rennes in 2004 his appearances have come only in cups two highly anticipated games: scale of the planning which had made in preparation for Jose Mourinho’s ar- as Bernd Leno has established himself The AFC Asian Cup 2019 that success possible. In his posses- rival, invariably oozed calm authority as the preferred option. Cech told the group stage fixture, Qatar vs sion, as he sat in a small meeting room but allied it with presence, quality, an- club and his teammates of his decision Saudi Arabia today at 7pm. at the team hotel, was a two-hour DVD ticipation and excellent technique. on Tuesday morning. The English detailing every penalty Bayern had been In his pomp, he was utterly reliable. Arsenal praised an “exemplary pro- match between Arsenal awarded over the previous fi ve years. No one comes close to matching the 202 fessional on and off the pitch” and and Chelsea on Saturday at He and his confi dante, the goal- clean sheets he has kept in the Premier “fantastic ambassador”. Those at Chel- 8:30pm. A host of beIN stars keeping coach Christophe Lollichon, League, a tally almost a full season – 33 sea will recognise the contribution he are set to feature with Mour- had studied each in meticulous detail, games – higher than his nearest chal- made to foundation events. He still runs inho for the two games with learning the takers’ habits and routines. lenger. the summer football schools which at- Mohamed Saadon al-Kuwari, He knew what was coming. There were 13 major honours over tract children from around the world to Mohamed Abu Trika, Tarek Only Arjen Robben, a former team- his 11-year stint at Stamford Bridge – a Sparta Prague’s academy complex. al-Jalahma, Mubarak Mostafa mate whose penalty technique showed haul which included “every single tro- Throw in his appearances drumming all taking part in this week’s “no pattern whatsoever”, had unnerved phy possible”, as he acknowledged in his for the indie-rock band, Eddie Stoilow, exciting two matches. him after grabbing the ball in extra- statement confi rming retirement plans and it is easy to see why Cech has en- The commentator for the time following Didier Drogba’s trip on – where he was among a core of sen- deared himself to all over the years. “I Qatar vs Saudi Arabia game Franck Ribery. ior players alongside John Terry, Frank feel like I have achieved everything I will be Issam Chaouali, the But, even then, common sense kicked Lampard and Drogba who, regardless of set out to achieve,” he concluded in his match will be on beIN MAX in. “When you’re tired having played the identity of the manager, drove that statement on Twitter. “I will continue HD1. The commentator for the 105 minutes, players choose power team to silverware. to work hard at Arsenal to hopefully Arsenal vs Chelsea game will rather than technique, rather than plac- It is testimony to his strength of win one more trophy this season, then be Hafid Derradji, the match ing it,” Cech said. “I thought he’d smash character that he achieved so much of I am looking forward to seeing what life Goalkeeper Petr Cech will retire at the end of the season having won four Premier will be live on beIN SPORTS it somewhere near the corner and he’s his success after suff ering such a dread- holds for me off the pitch.” He will be League titles, five FA Cups, the Champions League and the Europa League during HD2 and beIN 4K. left-footed. If I’m left-footed, I’d go ful skull fracture in collision with Read- missed. his time at Chelsea and Arsenal. (Reuters) Gulf Times Thursday, January 17, 2019 3 FOOTBALL

ASIAN CUP ‘Proud’ Son sparks South Korea to win over China Hwang Ui-jo and Kim Min-jae were on target as the Koreans, boosted by the arrival of their talisman, ran China ragged

AFP fort against the post. Abu Dhabi The Koreans, joint title favourites with Iran, doubled their lead six min- utes after the break when Son’s corner n eff ervescent Son Heung- was met by Kim’s thumping header. min inspired title-chasing South Korea, who famously reached South Korea to a comfortable the World Cup semi-fi nals in 2002, 2-0 victory over China yes- have failed to win Asian football’s most terdayA to fi nish top of their Asian Cup coveted prize since winning back-to- group. Hwang Ui-jo and Kim Min-jae back titles in 1956 and 1960. They have were on target as the Koreans, boosted been fi nalists on four subsequent occa- by the arrival of their talisman, ran Chi- sions, including in 2015 when they were na ragged in Abu Dhabi. beaten in extra time by hosts Australia. Son won the penalty converted by But the addition of the mercurial Son Hwang and fi zzed in the assist for Kim has clearly energised the Taeguk War- to help South Korea fi nish top of Group riors, who suddenly look a very diff er- C with a perfect nine points as they ent proposition. “We are very satisfi ed look to end 59 years of Asian Cup hurt. with the eff ort that Son made,” said “Of course I’m a bit tired — I didn’t ex- South Korea coach Paulo Bento, who pect to play for so long,” Korean captain is yet to learn the identity of his team’s Son said after completing 87 minutes last-16 opponents. “What’s important despite a punishing run of 13 games for in this moment for Son and the rest of Tottenham since the start of December. the team is to enjoy this result and then “But it’s an honour to wear this red go again.” China, Asian Cup runners- shirt and play for the national team. up in 1984 and 2004, began the com- My fi rst game of the tournament, clean petition by edging Kyrgyzstan 2-1 and sheet, 2-0 — it’s a happy afternoon!” overpowering the Philippines 3-0. But Marcello Lippi’s China fi nished as they were no match for South Korea and group runners-up having likewise al- were lucky not to concede further goals ready sealed their place in the last 16 by in a lop-sided game. winning their fi rst two matches. “Let’s be honest, the Korean team Spurs forward Son, who played in the is much stronger than us — they’re club’s 1-0 defeat by Manches- faster, technically superior and play ter United three days ago, showed quick with greater intensity,” shrugged Lippi, feet to tempt China defender Shi Ke whose side face Thailand in the last 16. into a rash challenge 12 minutes. “They are one of the favourites to win Hwang calmly tucked away the spot- the tournament — we have to accept kick to send thousands of Korean ‘Red that and focus on our next challenge.” Devils’ fans wild at the compact Al Elsewhere in Group C, a Vitalij Lux Nahyan Stadium. South Korea, who hat-trick sent Sven-Goran Eriksson’s beat Asian Cup fi rst-timers Philippines Philippines crashing out and gave Kyr- and Kyrgyzstan 1-0 in their open- gyzstan hope of progressing as one of ing two games, went for the jugular. A the best third-placed teams in a 3-1 China’s Linpeng Zhang (left) fights for the ball with South Korea’s Son Heung-min during the AFC Asian Cup group C match in Abu Dhabi yesterday. (AFP) Hwang Hee-chan rocket forced China victory. German-based Lux struck goalkeeper Yan Junling into a fi ngertip once in the fi rst half and twice in the grabbed a consolation goal through RESULTS Kim Min-jae 51) China 0; Kyrgyzstan 3 Group D: Iran 0 Iraq 0; Vietnam 2 (Quang save before Hwang Ui-jo curled an ef- second in before the Philippines Stephan Schrock with 10 minutes to go. Group C: South Korea 2 (Hwang Ui-jo 14, (Lux 24, 51, 77) Philippines 1 (Schrock 80) Hai 38, Que Ngoc Hai-pen 64) Yemen 0

Bielsa admits SPOTLIGHT FA CUP Leeds spied on all opponents Iran, Iraq play out goalless draw Newcastle survive this season AFP Blackburn scare London: Leeds United’s iconic Dubai Argentine manager Marcelo AFP It took extra time to settle the Bielsa admitted yesterday he London tie, with Blackburn’s Bradley has spied on training sessions ran claimed bragging rights over arch- Dack missing a golden chance of all the Yorkshire side’s op- rivals Iraq yesterday as they fi nished before Joselu pounced to slot ponents this season, adding top of their Asian Cup group after ewcastle survived an FA home in the 105th minute after more fuel to the debate over an engrossing but goalless draw at a Cup scare at Blackburn Rovers goalkeeper Ipacked Al Maktoum Stadium in Dubai. as they blew a two- spilled Fabian Schar’s drive. the tactic. Bielsa’s side are four points clear at the top of the The latest instalment in one of football’s goal lead before hitting Blackburn complained in vain great rivalries failed to live up to their clas- Nback to win 4-2 after extra time that Joselu was off side. Ayoze Championship, foot- ball’s second tier, after beating sic 2015 quarter-fi nal, won by Iraq on pen- in Tuesday night’s third-round Perez completed Newcastle’s Derby County 2-0 last Friday. alties, as a raw and uncompromising fi rst replay. Rafael Benitez sent out an escape act moments later when But the match was overshad- half gave way to a more measured second under-strength line-up featur- he cut in from the right and fi red owed by Bielsa’s admission he period. It meant that Iran, Carlos Quei- ing eight changes from Newcas- home. Newcastle, who haven’t sent a club employee to spy on roz’s three-time winners, fi nished top of tle’s 2-1 defeat at Chelsea in the won the FA Cup since 1955, host Derby’s training session a day Group D on goal diff erence after their 5-0 Premier League on Saturday. fellow Premier League club Wat- before the game. thrashing of Yemen and 2-0 win over Viet- The stand-ins made a fast ford in the fourth round. In a statement, Leeds owner nam. Iran welcomed back Brighton’s Ali- start when Sean Longstaff scored In the night’s other third- Andrea Radrizzani apologised reza Jahanbakhsh, last season’s Eredivisie his fi rst goal for Newcastle. The round replays, Sheffi eld on Saturday for the incident, top-scorer, from injury as they set about 21-year-old found the net inside Wednesday booked a trip to which is now the subject of a going unbeaten for a 20th straight game at the fi rst minute with a defl ected holders Chelsea as the second- Football Association investiga- the group stage. strike from outside the penalty tier strugglers won 1-0 at League tion. Bielsa called an impromp- And in a physical fi rst half in front of a area. Callum Roberts, handed his One side Luton. Wednesday are tu press conference yesterday, deafening crowd, Iran, Asia’s top-ranked Iran’s (left) and Iraq’s Amjad Attwan go for a header during the AFC fi rst Newcastle appearance since without a permanent manager sparking rumours he could side, were largely on top but couldn’t make Asian Cup Group D match at Al-Maktoum Stadium in Dubai. (Reuters) January 2015, doubled their lead while they wait for Steve Bruce to sensationally resign as he has their advantage count. As the challenges in the 22nd minute with his fi rst take charge on February 1. in shock fashion at Lazio and fl ew in, Jahanbakhsh and Iraq’s Safaa Hadi At the other end, Ahmed Yasin’s low vand. It looked like both sides were happy goal for the club. But the Championship outfi t Marseille in the past. both wiped away blood, and Iranian mid- shot was just off target and 18-year-old to settle for a draw before Iraq’s Humam But Blackburn pulled a goal avoided an upset at Kenilworth However, the former Argen- fi elder was lucky not to forward , scorer of a brilliant Tariq swung a cross to substitute forward back 12 minutes before half- Road against a Luton team who tina manager instead off ered see red for a stamp. Iran’s solo goal against Yemen, glanced a header , whose header was acrobati- time through former Newcastle are chasing promotion after a up more information on how came close with a header, Ghoddos saw wide. Jahanbakhsh withdrew just after the cally palmed away by Beiranvand. How- forward Adam Armstrong. And 13-match unbeaten run. Atdhe he scouts the opposition in a powerful drive defl ected away and Ja- hour mark and Iraq’s Ali followed short- ever, clear-cut chances were scant in the Republic of Ireland international Nuhiu won it for Wednesday what he claimed is a bid to hanbakhsh fi zzed one over on the rebound. ly afterwards, following a fi nal attempt second half as the former war-time foes Darragh Lenihan equalised for when the striker’s eff ort was help the FA’s investigation. Iran also strongly claimed a penalty when which the teenager drove straight down saved their energies for the bigger chal- Blackburn with a header in fi rst- defl ected past James Shea in the “I observed all the rivals we Hadi handled accidentally. the throat of goalkeeper Alireza Beiran- lenges to come in the knockout phase. half stoppage time. 46th minute. played against. We watched all the training sessions before we played them,” said Bielsa. “My FOCUS goal is to make this easier for the investigation. By doing this I assume the possible sanc- tions by the authorities.” Ronaldo strike helps Juventus to Italian Super Cup triumph Derby manager Frank Lampard questioned Bielsa’s Agencies rie A is always Juve’s principle objective, we are sportsmanship and refuted the Jeddah top of the table, but it’s a very long tournament excuse of cultural diff erences and it’s going to be tough, so we need to keep with Spurs manager Mauricio working. I dedicate the goal to the team, my fam- Pochettino insisting the prac- ristiano Ronaldo put his off -fi eld contro- ily, friends and everyone around the world who tice is normal in Argentina. But versies behind him as he scored the only loves Juve and loves Cristiano.” Bielsa was adamant what he goal of the game to lead Juventus to vic- The events off the fi eld appeared to have lit- has done is not illegal. tory against AC Milan in the Supercoppa tle impact on the Portuguese star’s performance ItalianaC last night in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Ronal- on the pitch for his team. Ronaldo’s 61st-minute “As Frank Lampard said, he doesn’t believe that I didn’t do’s day started with the news that a former girl- strike proved decisive as he nodded a Miralem have bad intentions. He friend was set to meet with the legal team of Ka- Pjanic chipped ball past Gianluigi Donnarumma believes I violated the fair play thryn Mayorga, the woman who claims he raped in the Milan goal to break the deadlock against spirit. I have to adapt to the her in a Las Vegas hotel room in 2009. their longtime rivals. Milan’s appeals for off side rules linked to the habits of Ronaldo: “ I am happy to have scored the win- were waved away by the offi cials, with VAR re- English football,” added Bielsa. ning goal and start 2019 with my fi rst Juventus plays showing the Portuguese superstar was level “I did not try to get an unfair trophy. It was a very diffi cult match, it’s very with the last Milan defender and therefore onside. sporting advantage. But I did warm and hard to play in these conditions. We Paolo Dybala nearly put Juve 2-0 up on 68 min- it because it was not illegal or played well, created a lot of chances and obvi- utes, but his slotted fi nish was correctly ruled out violating specific laws.” ously I am happy to have scored the winning goal. for off side. But things eventually went from bad Bielsa then talked through I am happy, it was my intention to start 2019 with to worse for Milan when Ivory Coast midfi elder his preparation for matches a trophy, I have my fi rst title with Juve and I am Franck Kessie was sent off for a dangerous chal- with four hours dedicated to very happy! lenge on Emre Can after 73 minutes. Following analysing every game the op- He added: “It is only the start, we take it one the sending off , 10-man Milan were hamstrung in position has played this season. step at a time. We’ve got this Cup, now we must their attempts to get back into the game, as Juven- Juventus’ Portuguese forward Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates after scoring during the Supercoppa Italiana keep working hard to achieve the next trophy. Se- tus cruised through the remainder of the game. final against AC Milan at the King Abdullah Sports City Stadium in Jeddah yesterday. (AFP) Gulf Times 4 Thursday, January 17, 2019 SPORT

GOLF FOCUS Top-ranked Ariya ready as LPGA Lowry fi res 62 to grab season opens in Florida AFP Miami sole lead in Abu Dhabi orld number one Ariya Jutanugarn of Thailand will try to A group of four players were tied for second place at seven-under par follow up on a sea- Wson where she swept the awards AFP when the 2019 LPGA campaign Abu Dhabi tees off today in Florida. The Tournament of Champi- ons at Lake Buena Vista features hane Lowry fi red a course celebrities and winners from record-equalling 10-under- last season in a new event, but par 62 to grab a three-shot lead the 23-year-old from on the opening day of the Abu comes in as a favourite after tak- DhabiS Championship yesterday. The ing a break with family on the Irishman, currently ranked 75th in the beaches of southern Thailand. world but without a win since his tri- “(I) feel a little bit still tired, but umph at the World Golf Champion- getting a lot better. Feel fresh. ship-Bridgestone Invitational in August Something new,” Ariya said. 2015, was bogey-free on what looked a Ariya split with last year’s demanding Abu Dhabi Golf Club course caddie, Les Luark, and now has with narrow fairways and juicy rough. bagman Daniel Taylor, the fi an- Despite fi nding just four fairways, the cee of LPGA rival Pernilla Lind- 31-year-old Lowry was rarely troubled berg. “So far pretty good in the as he fi red one dart-like approach shot Ireland’s Shane Lowry, currently ranked 75th last two days. I like him a lot,” after another in his 10-birdie round. in the world, is without a win since his triumph Ariya said. “He really always has That matched the tournament record at the World Golf Championship-Bridgestone a good attitude, really helps me.” low of 62 established by Henrik Stenson Invitational in August 2015. (AFP) Also working on her game are in the third round of the inaugural edi- coaches Lynn Marriott and Pia tion in 2006. Nilsson. Ariya has asked them to A group of four players were tied for get her back to a 2016 mentality second place at seven-under par, in- when she felt more free with her cluding 2010 British Open champion swing and game. “I didn’t have Louis Oosthuizen and his fellow South worries. I’m not scared about the African Richard Sterne, Frenchman outcome at all, and I don’t have Mike Lorenzo-Vera and 2014 champion that feeling for, like, two years Pablo Larrazabal, who holed out his already,” Ariya said. second shot from 174 yards on the par- “But how can I go back to have four 16th hole and birdied the last two. that feeling? So we’re just work- England’s Ian Poulter made light of a ing on that. At that time, every- 34-hour trip from Hawaii to reach Abu thing was so new for me. I just Dhabi on Tuesday night, shooting a took some lessons with Pia and six-under-par 66 to be tied sixth along Lynn about playing golf, com- with compatriot Lee Westwood and mitment, everything, and I feel three-time champion Martin Kaymer so fresh that time. But I’ve been of Germany. World No.2 Brooks Koepka and rented a house in Dubai. Myself and overall, it was a very satisfying, solid Brown Paul Waring, Thongchai Jaidee (THA), doing that for so long, I didn’t opened his campaign with a bogey-free (fellow Irishman) Paul Dunne are sharing and controlled round,” said the German. 69 — Tommy Fleetwood, Joost Luiten Adrian Otaegui (ESP), Andres Romero feel like it’s fresh anymore. I 67, while former number one Dustin the house and we’re practising together (NED), Ross Fisher, Dustin Johnson (USA), (ARG), Matthias Schwab (AUT), Thomas didn’t have that good commit- Johnson managed a three-under-par and we’ve been playing a lot together LEADING FIRST-ROUND James Morrison, Alexander Levy (FRA), Aiken (RSA) ment so I just feel like I have to 69, a score matched by two-time de- and we got some great work done.” do something fresh, try to learn (GBR + IRL unless stated): Nino Bertasio (ITA), Adri Arnaus (ESP), fending champion Tommy Fleetwood. Oosthuizen, who recently won the Jack Singh Brar, Nicolas Colsaerts (BEL), every day.” 62 — Shane Lowry Selected other: Lowry credited his preparation for South African Open, was two-over after Andy Sullivan, Joachim B Hansen (DEN), She intends to hit more drivers 71 — Li Haotong (CHN), Robert Rock the tournament after a long lay-off for his fi rst fi ve holes, but made nine bird- 65 — Louis Oosthuizen (RSA), Richard Scott Jamieson, Gavin Green (MAL), Ryan this season, but that also means his round. “It equals the best score I’ve ies in his last 13. “I won (recently), but working on her wedge game. “If Sterne (RSA), Mike Lorenzo-Vera (FRA), Fox (NZL), Sam Horsfield 72 — Henrik Stenson (SWE), Tyrrell ever shot, but I think I’ve had better it’s very important to keep going and Pablo Larrazabal (ESP) Hatton, Jose Maria Olazabal (ESP), I’m going to hit driver, I have to rounds in tougher conditions. But it’s play well,” said the world number 26. “A 70 — Justin Walters (RSA), Robert work on my wedge,” Ariya said. Shubhankar Sharma (IND), An Byeong- right up there,” said Lowry when asked good start to the season is always nice 66 — Soren Kjeldsen (DEN), Alexander Macintyre, Richie Ramsay, Romain Wat- “My wedge has to get better, hun (KOR), Kurt Kitayama (USA), Trevor if it was his best round ever. for the rest of the year. You can sort of Bjork (SWE), Lee Westwood, Ian Poulter, tel (FRA), Erik van Rooyen (RSA), Tapio then I feel more comfortable to Immelman (RSA) “Perfect conditions this morning build on that.” Martin Kaymer (GER) Pulkkanen (FIN), Matt Wallace, Zander hit driver. I feel a lot better. I’ve out there, and I just went down and did Two-time major champion Kaymer 67 — Brooks Koepka (USA), Thomas Lombard (RSA), Bernd Wiesberger (AUT), 73 — Paul Dunne been working on (wedge) the last pretty much a lot of things right. The was bogey-free for his round, but after Pieters (BEL), Fabrizio Zanotti (PAR) Thomas Bjorn (DEN), Wang Jeunghun 74 — Stephen Gallacher, Andrew John- two weeks.” And she also wants one thing I was very happy with is how making six birdies in his fi rst 11 holes, to see more success from her 68 — Benjamin Hebert (FRA), Maximilian (KOR), Gaganjeet Bhullar (IND), Pedro ston, George Coetzee (RSA) I didn’t panic at all when I got to like six, he was disappointed to not add to his Figueiredo (POR), Bradley Dredge, 20th-ranked sister Moriya, who Kieff er (GER), Aaron Rai, Rafa Cabrera- 75 — Robert Karlsson (SWE), Thorbjorn seven, eight-under. I had a lovely break tally. “Made a few nice putts early in the Branden Grace (RSA), Eddie Pepperell, won her fi rst LPGA crown last Bello (ESP), David Lipsky (USA), Tom Olesen (DEN), Kiradech Aphibarnrat year to join Ariya in the champi- at Christmas. I was home for the whole round, and even though I created more Matthew Southgate, Sam Brazel (AUS), lot of it, and I came out with my family chances, the putts didn’t go in. But Lewis, Dominic Foos (GER), Steven (THA), SSP Chawrasia (IND) ons-only opener.

CRICKET Pandya refuses to step out of home, says father Kohli wants India to be superpower in Tests New Delhi: All-rounder Hardik kites but his busy cricketing Pandya’s father said yesterday schedule never allowed him to IANS mats of the game are equally important. that his son has become a be at home during this festival Melbourne “If we focus too much on shorter formats social recluse and has refused over the last few years,” Mid- - yes, they’re important - but if we solely to step out of his home or Day quoted Pandya’s father focus and look at them as an escape or an attend phone calls ever since Himanshu as saying. “This time, irat Kohli added another feather excuse to not be in the kind of situations he was forced return from he had a chance to fly kites, but to his cap after becoming the that Test cricket presents to you, then the Australia tour due to his because of the adverse situ- fi rst ever India skipper to win a there’ll start being a mental problem with controversial comments on a ation, there was no mood to Test series on Australian soil. the cricketers coming up,” expressed the television talk show. celebrate the festival,” Pandya’s VHowever, the 30-year-old wants to take skipper. Pandya and top order bats- father added. Pandya and his Indian cricket to much greater heights. Kohli also praised head coach Ravi man Lokesh Rahul were asked teammate KL Rahul faced a lot Kohli has shared his vision for the Indian Shastri saying spending too much time to go home from the three-ODI of flak for their comments on team, saying he wants his nation to be a with the game in diff erent roles over the series against Australia after the TV show,” he added. superpower in the longest format of the years has helped him understand the game being suspended for their com- Committee of Administrator game. better. “Because he (Shastri) has done so ments on a talk show which chairman Vinod Rai had origi- “I wouldn’t say goal but I would rather much commentary, and he’s seen the game were widely condemned as nally suggested a two-match speak of a vision, which is for India to be a so much and has played so much himself - crass and sexist. Hardik, who ban for the erring duo, but superpower in Test cricket or a very, very just watching the game - he knows where hails from Baroda, has report- the Board of Control for India strong side in Test cricket in the years to the game is heading,” Kohli said. edly stopped all social contact (BCCI) is yet to take a final deci- come,” Kohli told Star Sports. “I think if “So just getting feedback from him con- and did not celebrate Makar sion on the issue. “He is very Indian cricket respects Test cricket, and stantly has been the biggest help for me, Sankranti, which is a popular disappointed with the suspen- Indian players respect Test cricket, then in terms of moulding my own personal- Hindu festival in Gujarat. sion and repents the views he Test cricket will stay at the top because ity into captaincy. He’s someone who has “It’s a festival... a public holi- expressed on the TV show. He of the fan base that we have all over the never tried to change me just to be able to day in Gujarat, but Hardik did is committed not to repeat the world,” the Indian skipper pointed out. fi t into the captaincy mode,” the skipper India’s cricket team captain Virat Kohli signs autographs for fans at the Sydney not fly any kites. He loves flying same mistake,” Himanshu said. Kohli however, also said the shorter for- added. Cricket Ground in Sydney last week. (AFP)

ROUND-UP Bravo and Joseph recalled by West Indies for England series Thomas (cover for Joseph) AFP a stress fracture in his back. of Darren Bravo, who will add value to amenities, such as integrated catering, Bridgetown, Barbados John Campbell, a 26-year-old left- a batting department, we expect to see Schedule: 1st Test: Jan 23-27 at Bridg- wheelchair accessible spaces, and lift handed opener from Jamaica, re- marked improvement,” Browne added. etown; 2nd Test: Jan 31-Feb 4 at North access to all levels, the MCC said. ceived his fi rst call-up along with the “Young, exciting, fast bowler Alzarri Sound; 3rd Test: Feb 9-13 at Gros Islet Construction will begin on Aug. arren Bravo could play his 30-year-old Shamarh Brooks, who Joseph, who was sidelined by injury, re- 24 after England’s second Ashes test fi rst Test for the West Indies captained the West Indies at the Un- turns to the squad and Shamarh Brooks against Australia and the new seats will in over two years after the ex- der-19 World Cup in 2008. “After a dif- has been elevated for his solid fi rst- LORD’S GROUND GETS NEW be ready for use in 2020, the MCC said perienced top-order batsman fi cult Test Series in Bangladesh late last class performances over the last three STANDS PERMISSION TO in a statement, adding that the fully fi t- wasD recalled Tuesday for next week’s year the opportunity presents itself for years. John Campbell the incumbent ‘A’ ted-out facilities would be completed INCREASE CAPACITY series opener against England in Bar- our team to pick itself up,” chairman of team opener, who has played fi rst class Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) has by 2021. bados. Bravo hasn’t featured in a Test selectors Courtney Browne said. “Al- cricket for a number of years will open been granted permission to construct “We are excited to be commencing since a tour of the UAE in October 2016, though a tough series against England the batting after a good fi rst-class sea- two new stands at Lord’s to replace the another transformational development but the 29-year-old returned to the in- is anticipated, home turf has always son in 2018.” existing Compton and Edrich stands at Lord’s and, by raising the capacity to ternational fold late last year as part of been a place where our team has made Squad: Jason Holder (capt), Kraigg and increase the stadium’s capacity to 31,000 we will be able to welcome more the one-day squad. strides.” Brathwaite, Darren Bravo, Shamarh 31,000, it said yesterday. spectators to enjoy matches at the larg- Fast bowler Alzarri Joseph also England have won just one Test se- Brooks, John Campbell, Roston Chase, The new three-tier stands, to be est cricket ground in the country,” MCC earned a recall ahead of the three- ries in the Caribbean in the past 50 Shane Dowrich, Shannon Gabriel, Shim- built at the stadium’s Nursery End, chief executive and secretary Guy Lav- match series, although fellow quick years, in 2004, although the West In- ron Hetmyer, Shai Hope, Alzarri Joseph, will cost 50mn pounds ($64.37mn). ender said. The MCC’s members will be Oshane Thomas was named as cover as dies were beaten 2-0 in Bangladesh at Kemar Roach, Jomel Warrican, Oshane The redeveloped stands will improve asked to approve the plans at the club’s the former continues his recovery from the end of last year. “With the return sightlines for spectators and off er other annual general meeting in May 2019. Gulf Times Thursday, January 17, 2019 5 SPORT

NBA SPOTLIGHT James takes part in shoot-around Cuban-born catcher on eve of Grandal signs with Warriors score medical exam baseball Brewers

AFP AFP one of the most important parts Los Angeles Los Angeles for me.” After playing on Dodgers teams that lost the 2017 Major record 51 points os Angeles Lakers asmani Grandal, who League Baseball title to Houston star LeBron James helped the Los Angeles and the 2018 crown to Boston, Ltook part in the Dodgers reach the last Grandal won’t mind being on team’s shoot-around on two World Series, was another contending squad that Yintroduced Tuesday as the new missed its fi rst World Series ap- Tuesday, a day before he was due for another catcher for a Dodgers’ playoff pearance since 1982 by a single evaluation of the groin victim, the Milwaukee Brewers. win. in 1st quarter injury that has sidelined The 30-year-old Cuban-born “The fact that they did that him since Christmas. American signed a one-year shows they’re ready to win now,” “He didn’t do the up-and- deal worth $16mn late Monday Grandal said. “For me, it was just Curry, Thompson finish with 31 points each in win over Nuggets down stuff ,” Lakers coach with the Brewers, who lost to the a matter of getting on another Luke Walton said. “He did Dodgers in last year’s best-of- contending team and hopefully AFP the half-court shooting seven National League Champi- helping them reach their goals. Los Angeles and passing.” onship Series. “I’m excited to get started. James, a four-time NBA Being near his family during In my opinion, this is one of the Most Valuable Player, pre-season workouts was a fac- most complete teams in base- he reigning champion Golden was to miss his 11th game tor in the choice, Grandal said. ball.” State Warriors amassed an NBA when the Lakers hosted The Brewers spring training Grandal batted .241 with 24 record 51 fi rst-quarter points the Chicago Bulls on Tues- facility is in Phoenix while the home runs and 68 runs batted in Tuesday on the way to a 142-111 day night. Dodgers are based in Glendale, in over 140 games for the Dodgers Twin over Denver in a duel for the Western the suburbs. last season. Since he limped out of Conference lead. a 127-101 victory over “It came down to what was “Yasmani has distinguished The Warriors moved half a game ahead the two-time defending best for my family,” said Grandal. himself as one of the premier of the Nuggets atop the West, seizing con- champion Golden State “My wife said she’d rather have catchers in baseball,” Brewers trol with a blistering opening period that Warriors on Christmas spring training (in Phoenix) and general manager David Stearns included 10 three-pointers — a franchise Day, the Lakers have lost be with the kids a little bit more. I said. “He provides us a powerful record for a fi rst quarter. seven of their 10 games. have a 14-month-old who’s run- force in the middle of our lineup, They broke the previous league record Walton said a deci- ning crazy around the house, and he’s one of the best receivers in for fi rst-quarter points of 50, most recent- sion would be taken on if this gives me two extra months baseball and he handles a pitch- ly achieved by the Phoenix Suns against Wednesday as to whether to watch him run around, that’s ing staff exceptionally well.” Denver on November 10, 1990. James will travel with the “That was a fi reworks show,” Warri- team for a two-game trip ors coach Steve Kerr said, calling the fi rst to Oklahoma City today quarter display “beautiful, beautiful bas- and Houston on Saturday. ketball.” “It won’t be decided until Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson fi n- once we see what the ished the night with 31 points apiece, Kevin report is,” he said. Durant added 27. Draymond Green scored Walton said he couldn’t just four points but delivered 13 of the give specifics of James’s Warriors’ 38 assists. recent workouts, but said “I liked the way our guys moved the ball,” he continues to play a key Kerr said. “A lot of shot fakes, playing with role with the team even as purpose, playing with a simple style of ex- he’s sidelined. ecution but aggressive at the same time. “He does a lot of that “Finding that balance is always what when we’re not here,” we’re looking for and that was as good as Walton said. “I don’t know it gets.” the amount of running Michael Beasley scored 22 points to lead he’s doing. I just know he fi ve Nuggets players in double fi gures, but seems to be in good spir- Denver simply couldn’t keep pace and the its. He’s got another test Warriors, who have struggled with injuries tomorrow to get some and inconsistency in the fi rst half of the more information on it. season, improved to 30-14 — half a game “He’s the leader of this ahead of the 29-14 Nuggets. team,” Walton added. “I fi gured our guys would be excited to “When he’s around talking play,” said Kerr, noting that the Warriors Denver Nuggets’ Nikola Jokic (left) guards Golden State Warriors’ Stephen Curry during to guys, it helps.” were beaten on their last trip to Denver. the NBA game in Denver, Colorado, on Tuesday. (USA TODAY Sports) Rajon Rondo, who has “They came in focused and aggressive.” been sidelined after sur- last week — was a confi dence builder for “I didn’t see this one coming,” Heat gery to repair a finger in- 76ERS ROUT TIMBERWOLVES the 76ers who play their next 12 games coach Erik Spoelstra admitted. “It was just jury on his right hand suf- The Warriors’ statement win was just one against teams with winning records. an onslaught.” fered on Christmas Day, of the lopsided results of the day. “We’ve got a tough stretch coming up In Atlanta, the Hawks pulled away with also took part in shooting Philadelphia forward Jimmy Butler’s against all playoff teams,” Embiid said. “I a 24-8 fourth-quarter scoring run to beat drills on Tuesday. fi rst game against his former team was no think the next three weeks are really going the Oklahoma City Thunder 142-126. “It felt good to see those contest as the 76ers destroyed the Minne- to shape our season. It’s going to be excit- John Collins led Atlanta with 26 points two on the court,” Walton sota Timberwolves 149-107. ing to see where we are.” — setting a tone as he made his fi rst 11 said. Sixers center Joel Embiid scored 31 In Indianapolis, the Indiana Pacers led shots on the way to connecting on 12 of 14 points and pulled down 13 rebounds and wire-to-wire in a 131-97 victory over the from the fi eld. guard Ben Simmons fell just shy of a tri- Phoenix Suns. Although the Thunder put up 41 points ple-double with 20 points, 11 rebounds and Myles Turner, back in action after miss- in the third quarter to take a three-point nine assists in an NBA clash that Philadel- ing four games with a sore right shoul- lead into the fi nal frame, the Hawks surged phia controlled from start to fi nish. der, scored 18 points and pulled down back with 45 points in the fourth quarter. The Sixers scored 83 points in the fi rst six rebounds for the Pacers, who had 20 PREPARATIONS half — their highest fi rst-half total since points apiece from starting forward Bojan dropping 83 on San Antonio on March 24, Bogdanovic and reserve Tyreke Evans. RESULTS 1989. Their 21 three-pointers were a team Milwaukee’s Most Valuable Player can- record. didate Giannis Antetokounmpo had 12 SAtlanta 142-126 Oklahoma City Atlanta airport says Butler, traded from Minnesota in No- points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists for his Golden State 142-111 Denver vember after agitating for a move since fourth triple-double of the season as the Milwaukee 124-86 Miami the start of the season, added 19 points as Bucks dispatched the Miami heat 124-86. Indiana 131-97 Phoenix ready for Super seven Sixers players — including all fi ve Eric Bledsoe had 17 points and Malcolm starters, scored in double fi gures. Brogdon added 16 for the Bucks, who were Philadelphia 149-107 Minnesota The rout of a struggling T’Wolves team on the defensive early but led 30-23 by the LA Lakers 107-100 Chicago Bowl crush despite — who fi red head coach Tom Thibodeau end of the fi rst quarter. shutdown NHL Reuters contract security on hand during Atlanta, United States the 10-day operational period.” She said the airport typically handles about 270,000 passen- Lightning continue to roll by shutting out Stars tlanta airport will be gers a day. ready to fi eld the tens “(That) equates to about four Reuters of thousands of addi- times the Mercedes Benz Sta- New York RESULTS tional visitors expected dium at capacity — every day,” forA next month’s Super Bowl de- she said, referring to the venue NY Islanders 2-1 St. Louis spite the ongoing US government where the NFL’s championship ndrej Palat and NY Rangers 6-2 Carolina shutdown, which has left criti- game will be held. Mikhail Sergachev Columbus 4-1 New Jersey cal airport personnel unpaid, a The partial US government provided all the of- spokesperson said Tuesday. shutdown, which is the result of fense and goaltender Montreal 5-1 Florida Hartsfi eld-Jackson Atlanta a political dispute over funding AndreiO Vasilevskiy was perfect Detroit 3-1 Anaheim International Airport (ATL), for a wall along the US southern between the pipes as the visiting Nashville 7-2 Washington already the world’s busiest, border, entered its 25th day on Tampa Bay Lightning handed expects to see an additional Tuesday. the Dallas Stars a 2-0 loss Tues- Minnesota 3-2 Los Angeles 125,000 passengers ahead of the The shutdown has led 800,000 day night. Winnipeg 4-1 Las Vegas February 3 game and is bringing federal workers, including TSA Vasilevskiy made 35 saves — Tampa Bay 2-0 Dallas in reinforcements to meet the agents and air traffi c controllers, including 13 in each of the fi rst additional numbers, said Elise to go without pay. San Jose 5-2 Pittsburgh two periods — to backstop the Durham, the airport’s director of Atlanta air traffi c controller NHL-leading Lightning to a communications. Dan McCabe on Tuesday said the fourth win in fi ve games. It was at the New York Islanders after More than 1,800 volunteers shutdown has forced the can- his third shutout of the season colliding with a referee, was able will help passengers navigate cellation of meetings aimed at and the 15th of his career. to suit up. the airport while additional cus- planning for the up to 1,500 extra Palat opened the scoring with While the Lightning continue tomer engagement agents will be fl ights per day. a textbook off -the-rush goal at to roll, Dallas is heading in the on hand to assist people entering “It’s like being told you’re 7:55 of the fi rst period. Yanni opposite direction. The Stars and exiting the city, she added. playing in the Super Bowl but Gourde’s short touch pass at have lost three straight games Durham said the Transpor- you can’t look at any game fi lm, the off ensive blue line sent Ste- and four of fi ve outings. tation Security Administration you can do limited game plan- ven Stamkos into the off ensive Dallas failed to convert on six (TSA), the federal agency respon- ning and your playbook is some- zone with speed and the puck. power-play chances, three in sible for airport security screen- thing that you’re going to have to As three defenders converged on each of the fi nal two periods. ing, had committed additional re- put together at the last second,” Stamkos, he made a nifty dish to Dallas Stars goaltender Anton Khudobin (second from left) and his teammates defend against Tampa Goalie Anton Khudobin made sources for the Super Bowl, before he told Reuters. a wide-open Palat, who buried Bay Lightning’s Ondrej Palat (second from right) during the game in Dallas, Texas. (USA TODAY Sports) 19 saves for Dallas, which ac- the government shutdown. “We’re going to keep it safe a perfect one-timer for his sev- quired veteran forward Andrew “That commitment still but in order to keep things safe enth goal of the season. while Stamkos has one goal and lead with his second goal of the traffi c to arrive in front of the net Cogliano via trade on Monday stands and we expect to have ad- sometimes effi ciency has to suf- Both Palat and Stamkos are fi ve assists. season at 9:15 mark of the third before wiring a long wrist shot. and had him skate on a line with ditional TSA offi cers to support fer,” he said. on four-game point-scoring Sergachev provided the period. Anthony Cirelli cleanly The Lightning also received Jason Spezza and Erik Condra. the increased operations,” Dur- “I’m not saying that’s going to streaks. Palat has netted three much-needed insurance marker won the faceoff in Dallas territo- good news when Victor Hed- Cogliano did not register a point ham said. happen but the potential for de- goals and one assist in his run, when he doubled the Tampa ry, and Sergachev waited for the man, who left Sunday’s game in 12:11 of ice time. “We also will have additional lay is real.” Gulf Times 6 Thursday, January 17, 2019 SPORT

FOCUS SPOTLIGHT Scotland name seven uncapped Why Murray is set players for Six Nations

Reuters I believe there’s much more to London come,” he said in a media release from Scottish Rugby. “They’ve a genuine desire to njuries to key players has get better and reach their poten- to forfeit a $4.6mn forced Scotland coach Gre- tial in what is a huge year for our gor Townsend to select seven sport. uncapped players in his 39- “In the past 18 months we’ve Iman squad for the Six Nations played 18 test matches and have yesterday. introduced 18 new players to Townsend has cast his net test-level rugby. wide after 19 players under con- “Once again, our squad fea- sideration were unavailable for tures players aiming to take bonus and join NFL selection, including experienced that step, which is a testimony loose-forward John Barclay, lock to their performances this sea- Richie Gray and both fi rst-choice son and the growing strength in The Oklahoma quarterback is a dual-sport star. Why would he choose the hookers Fraser Brown and George depth of Scottish rugby.” Turner. The team will be captained by brutality of football over a more comfortable life in baseball? It will be a worry for Townsend scrumhalf Greig Laidlaw. to be missing so many players Scotland open their Six Na- By Oliver Connolly post-draft success and national ahead of the World Cup later this tions campaign at home to Italy The Guardian relevancy. year, with the Six Nations pro- on Feb. 2. They fi nished third in There’s a lifestyle ques- viding vital fi ne-tuning for the 2018 after victories over Eng- tion here, too. Murray was a global event where Scotland have land, France and Italy but were o this is what a college superstar before he turned 18: been pooled with Ireland and tempered by away losses to Wales athlete with real leverage he may have been the best high hosts Japan. and champions Ireland. looks like. Oklahoma’s school football player in Texas Uncapped hookers David Kyler Murray has done a history. At Oklahoma, he won Cherry (Edinburgh), Jake Kerr SQUAD masterfulS job pitting two sport- the biggest award college sports (Leicester Tigers) and Grant Forwards: Alex Allan, Adam ing giants, Major League Base- has to off er. But getting to the Stewart (Glasgow Warriors) will Ashe, Simon Berghan, Jamie ball and the National Football big leagues in baseball is hard. stake a claim for a place at the Bhatti, David Cherry, Allan Dell, League, against each other. Top draft picks are routinely tournament. Grant Gilchrist, Gary Graham, Let’s rewind for a moment sent down to the minors to Others included are back-row Jonny Gray, John Hardie, Jake to explain what’s happened. develop their games: the aver- Gary Graham (Newcastle Fal- Kerr, Stuart McInally, Willem Nel, Murray was a brilliant two- age player spends anywhere cons), tight-head prop D’Arcy D’Arcy Rae, Jamie Ritchie, Sam sport athlete in high school, from three to fi ve years in the Rae (Glasgow Warriors), and Skinner, Grant Stewart, Josh which is little surprise given farm system, sometimes longer, centres Sam Johnson (Glasgow Strauss, Tim Swinson, Ben Toolis, that his father was once a star and the fl ameout rate even Warriors) and Chris Dean (Edin- Hamish Watson, Ryan Wilson quarterback at Texas A&M and among touted prospects is high. burgh), who have also yet to play Backs: Chris Dean, Darcy Gra- his uncle played professionally Minor-league lifers earn below international rugby. ham, Nick Grigg, Sam Johnson, for the San Francisco Giants and a living wage thanks to a spend- Townsend says he is not afraid Chris Harris, Adam Hastings, Chicago Cubs. Murray started ing bill that exempts baseball to blood new players though, Stuart Hogg, George Horne, Pete off his college career playing teams from having to pay even this close to the World Cup. Horne, Huw Jones, Lee Jones, both sports, but the Oakland minor-league players minimum “There’s certainly been a lot Blair Kinghorn, Greig Laidlaw A’s were excited enough by his wage and overtime for all hours of improvement from this group (captain), Sean Maitland, Ali Price, talent that they picked Murray worked. A life of luxury it is not. of players in recent seasons and Finn Russell, Tommy Seymour. in the 2018 fi rst-year player NFL players, by contrast, are draft and signed him to a deal thrown directly into action. that guaranteed the outfi elder There is no minor league or de- PREPARATION $4.6mn. This despite the fact velopmental structure you must that Murray was still playing work through before seeing the football. fi eld, since college serves that The rest, as they say, is purpose. Murray may not start WC boss planning for history. Murray, who had right away in the NFL, or have been a fringe college football overnight success, but he’ll at player prior to the 2018 season, least get to enjoy all the trap- typhoons, quakes strolled into the Sooner’s QB- pings of being a professional friendly off ense and exploded. athlete, and a star one at that. AFP “A lot of what we will do in the Murray threw for 4,361 yards, MLB does have one thing Tokyo coming six months is contin- ran for another 1,001 and ac- In this September 8, 2018, picture, Oklahoma quarterback Kyler Murray looks downfield for an open going for it, however: long-term gency planning,” Gilpin said in counted for 54 total touchdowns receiver against UCLA in Norman, Oklahoma. (TNS) health. Baseball is unquestion- an interview, adding organisers (42 passing, 12 rushing), leading ably easier on the body than ith the fi nal count- needed to plan for eventualities Oklahoma to the College Foot- Arizona Cardinals head coach rent deal with the A’s. Americans know who Trout football. The NFL has never down to this year’s such as losing a stadium or ma- ball Playoff . He capped the year Kliff Kingsbury said in October The dynamics of long-term is. Only LeBron James, Lionel been safer but it is not safe. Even Rugby World Cup jor transport hub at the tourna- off by winning the Heisman he would take Murray with the quarterback deals are chang- Messi and Aaron Rodgers with all the rule changes meant in Japan well under ment’s height. Trophy, the sport’s most pres- fi rst overall pick in this year’s ing, too. Many NFL contracts compare to Trout on the fi eld: to protect the health of quar- Wway, organisers are focusing their “It would appear that it’s that tigious individual honour. draft if he had the chance. sound huge but much of the all-time greats doing all-time terbacks, playing pro football eff orts on contingency planning fi rst period of the tournament — Suddenly the decision be- If Murray is confi dent he will money is not guaranteed. That great things in the social media is asking for a lifetime of health in the notoriously earthquake and when it is still typhoon season came a bit more diffi cult: foot- be a fi rst-round selection, and paradigm appears to be shifting. age. But according to the Post concerns, and the dangers of typhoon-prone country, tourna- — that we’re likely to have some ball or baseball? On Monday, his fi rst love is football, this Kirk Cousins’ agent made sure report, Trout’s recognition brain trauma in the NFL are ment director Alan Gilpin said. issues.” Murray revealed his choice with should be an easy decision: the the $90mn contract his client level was equal with NBA bench never far from the national On the pitch, Gilpin predict- One year after typhoon Trami a simple tweet: “I have declared NFL wins every time. Let’s start signed with the Vikings last player Kenneth Faried. Only one conversation. Retired baseball ed the 2019 edition of rugby’s lashed Japan, the equivalent for the NFL Draft.” with the money. The average off season was wholly guaran- baseball player ranks in the 100 players, meanwhile, still suff er showpiece would be the “most weekend in 2019 will see fi ve But that’s not the end of the annual MLB salary is around teed. Aaron Rodgers worked out most followed athletes on Twit- the aches of pains of anyone who competitive ever” with a nar- games across the country, in- discussion. Monday was the $4.5mn compared to $2.9mn in a similar deal in which close to ter: Tim Tebow, a former college has devoted their life to sports, rowing gap between the top 15 cluding the blockbuster Aus- deadline for Murray to declare the NFL. What’s more, baseball $100mn of his new deal is non- football star, whose baseball but the incidence of serious teams, and hosts Japan “defi - tralia-Wales encounter in Tokyo himself eligible for April’s NFL players’ careers are longer and refundable. career is stuck in the New York brain injury relative to football is nitely” capable of reaching their and Japan taking on high-fl ying draft, not the fail-safe point be- every cent of their contracts are Off the fi eld, football has the Mets’ minor-league system. infi nitesimal. And, besides, any fi rst quarter-fi nal. Ireland, Gilpin noted. fore his fi nal decision. He hasn’t fully guaranteed. edge, too. Cam Newton, Tom There’s a slight chance the MLB player who spends 41 days Japan is especially vulnerable However, he stressed it was signed a deal with an NFL team, But quarterbacks selected in Brady, Aaron Rodgers and Drew fi nancial discrepancy won’t be on a big-league roster is granted to extreme weather in Septem- possible to make plans even for and could still report for spring the fi rst round aren’t average Brees all earn more money in so great if Murray does choose a pension and access to MLB’s ber, when the tournament will be the vagaries of the weather and training with the A’s at the end players. Last year’s top overall endorsements than they do baseball. ESPN reported on healthcare program for life. in full swing, he noted. seismic activity. of February. If he does choose pick, Baker Mayfi eld, landed a from their NFL salaries. To reach Sunday that MLB had given Ultimately, Murray will In September last year one “Our view is that you can plan football, he will forfeit his $21.8mn signing bonus and will that level of fame in MLB, and the A’s approval to off er Mur- soon be a very rich young man, typhoon knocked out Osaka for it. You’ve just got to make sure $4.6mn bonus with the A’s. earn $32mn during his four-year therefore command that kind of ray a major league deal with whichever sport he chooses. He Airport and another lashed the you’ve worked through all those That gives Murray, his family rookie deal. Even at the tail end of money, is a long, arduous road. signifi cant guaranteed money has played his hand perfectly so whole country, forcing authori- diff erent permutations,” he said. and representatives a month to the fi rst round, NFL signal-call- After all, baseball has failed spec- – Murray wants $15mn – in an far, leveraging the NFL and MLB ties to take the highly unusual Knock-out matches can be fi gure out how much he’s worth ers do well for themselves. Lamar tacularly to market Mike Trout, eff ort to convince him to stick against one another in a way no step of cancelling public trans- postponed but the pool sched- to an NFL team, but the general Jackson, selected 32nd overall in arguably the most gifted player in to baseball. MLB rules prevent athlete has since John Elway. port in Tokyo. ule is too packed for this, mean- feeling is that he’s a star in the the 2018 draft, the fi nal pick of the game’s rich history. teams from signing players right Now he gets to follow his heart That month, a strong earth- ing that an apparent mis-match making even if, at 5ft 10in, he is the opening round, commanded Last year a market research out of the draft to major league and pick the sport he grew up quake also rocked the northern such as New Zealand-Namibia very small for an NFL quar- a signing bonus a hair above fi rm told the Washington deals, but Murray’s situation dreaming of playing. Only he island of Hokkaido, killing doz- could be declared a draw if the terback. For example, the new $4.9mn, more than Murray’s cur- Post that only 22 percent of is considered unique given his knows which one that is. ens and knocking out power. elements intervene.

BOTTOMLINE New Pro League designed to raise hockey’s profi le

Reuters on attendances and fi gures dur- Weil is promoting the idea to fi nd out how big the sport is; fi nds himself on the other side of Lausanne, Switzerland ing the Olympic games,” said the of relegation internally and the it’s a strange comment from the the fence in a sport which has to Frenchman, who worked as mar- home-and-away format meant CEO of a federation (but) cur- fi ght hard to attract sponsorship keting director at global football “we will have loud and good rently we get surprises every day and fans. ockey hopes to begin body FIFA for nine years. games with good crowds,” he on how many players there are in “It’s more down-to-earth, a new era on Satur- “From then onwards, the FIH added. the world,” he said. its more realistic,” he said, add- day when Spain and has been developing this hockey The FIH said it would en- For example there are about ing that he wanted to learn how Belgium kick off its revolution.” sure that all Pro League matches 76 college teams in the United smaller federations coped. ambitiousH annual Pro League, a Argentina, Australia, Belgium, would be broadcast live, either on States, even though the national “I always admired the small new competition which aims to Germany, Britain, the Neth- free-to-air channels in ‘home’ federation is relatively small. federations for... how they get transform the sport and reduce erlands and New Zealand will nations or via its own OTT (over- “There are hockey fi elds all events organised and get teams its dependence on the Olympic play in the men’s and women’s the-top) platform FIH.live, over the place in the US, in col- to locations. At FIFA, every team Games for exposure. leagues with Pakistan and Spain launched in January and which is lege, and you ask yourself why do coming (to a tournament) is paid The league will feature nine completing the lineup in the free to all fans. you not take advantage of that? for, hotels are booked, reserved, national teams in the men’s and men’s and China and the US in There must be people loving you have all the staff and agen- women’s competitions, playing the women’s. LONG TRADITION hockey a lot in the US.” cies. each other home and away over India, eight-times men’s Ol- Field hockey has a long tradition, One of Weil’s main tasks is to “The approach here is diff er- a six-month period followed by ympic champions, are not tak- having been included in the fi rst fi nd the right sponsors — those ent; hockey is based on a huge semi-fi nals and a fi nal. ing part, having pulled out 18 International Hockey Federation (FIH) chief executive Thierry Weil. modern Olympics in 1908, and who cannot aff ord to go into number of people doing it on a It is a bold move for an amateur months ago as the federation did is widely played, with the FIH football but want exposure. voluntary basis.” sport but Thierry Weil, the Inter- not believe it would benefi t the generate revenue on our own, not But Weil said it was necessary boasting 137 national associa- “Hockey has quite a premium One thing that struck him was national Hockey Federation (FIH) women’s team and did not want being 100 percent dependent on to ensure participants had the re- tions. fan base. They are fans who can the sense of fair play. chief executive, told Reuters in an only the men’s team to take part. the Olympic movement.” sources to take part so the com- It is, however, not generally spend quite a bit of money but we “Given the speed of the game, interview it would off er top-level Weil said they would join in 2021. The teams in each league petition was sustainable. considered a mainstream sport need to fi nd the brands who are a player has no time to complain. international hockey outside the “We must continue to be a were selected via an application “You can generate revenues at although it seems unfair to de- looking to sponsor and we need If a player stays on the ground World Cup and Olympic years. role model and a good federation process and there is no relega- your home games with ticketing scribe it is a minority sport. to deliver properly to those com- and pretends to be injured, they “There was a little bit of a within the Olympic movement,” tion — something which in foot- and sponsorship locally but you Even Weil does not know how panies,” he said. penalise their own team,” he said. wake-up call from the IOC in he added. “But we also need to ball would lead to criticism of a also need to fl y to the other games many people play the sport. After working with the world’s “If you’re part of it, you don’t no- 2014 in relation to hockey, based do other things which allow us to closed shop. which is costly,” he said. “The fi rst mission we have is biggest game at FIFA, Weil now tice... but for me, it was ‘wow’”. Gulf Times Thursday, January 17, 2019 7 TENNIS

REPORT SPOTLIGHT Novak, Rafa and I still Grand Slam Federer and Nadal favourites: Federer

Reuters on the hard courts, basically any Melbourne court if he’s feeling 100 %, if he plays like last year. “Maybe just because of my oger Federer has given amount of titles I have at Wim- stay on track as cold comfort to the next bledon and other places, maybe generation of men’s also have to put me in the mix players hoping for every time, as well.” GrandR Slam glory, saying he, No- The last time a player not vak Djokovic and Rafa Nadal are named Federer, Djokovic or still deserving favourites to claim Nadal won a Grand Slam was at the game’s biggest trophies. the 2016 US Open where Swiss The top three seeds at Mel- Stan Wawrinka claimed his third Sharapova dazzles bourne Park raffl ed all four of the Grand Slam trophy. majors between them last year, Pundits have decried the with Federer winning his sixth younger generation’s failure to Sharapova is in scintillating form and has dropped just three games in two matches Australian Open, Nadal claiming break into the Grand Slam cartel his 11th French Open and world enjoyed by the old guard but have AFP number one Djokovic sweeping some tipped change at the top Melbourne Wimbledon and the US Open. this year. The Swiss master is bidding The 21-year-old Alexander for his 21st Grand Slam crown Zverev, who claimed the ATP oger Federer ground out and a hat-trick of Melbourne ti- Tour Finals and is seeded fourth a tough three-set win tles this year, and he sailed into in Melbourne, is often touted as to make the Australian the third round yesterday with the player most likely to upset Open third round for a straight sets win over British the apple cart but has only a soli- anR incredible 20th straight year qualifi er Dan Evans. tary Grand Slam quarter-fi nal to yesterday, with long-time rival Before the tournament, top his name, at Roland Garros last Rafael Nadal also safely through seed Djokovic declared the three year. in his drive towards an 18th should be favourites to win the “There are other guys, no Grand Slam title. Slams, and Federer agreed when doubt about it,” said 37-year-old Women’s defending cham- asked after his Evans match. Federer, who will play American pion Caroline Wozniacki also “Yes, I guess so,” the third seed Taylor Fritz in the third round. progressed to set up a mouth- told reporters. “I think also with Sascha watering clash next with in- “I mean, look, I think we know (Zverev) holding the World Tour form former world number one how to win Slams, Novak, Rafa, Finals, I think it’s fair to say that Maria Sharapova. myself. I mean, Rafa has to be even though he has not ripped But it was curtains for South the number one favourite, I don’t through those Slams yet, he will African Kevin Anderson, who care how he feels, before the go deep this year defi nitely at one slumped out to young American French. of them. Frances Tiafoe and became the “Novak is always a favourite “Maybe even here. We’ll see.” highest seed, at fi ve, to be sent packing so far. On an overcast day at Mel- bourne Park, second seed An- gelique Kerber, the 2016 winner, and former US Open champion Sloane Stephens joined the big guns in round three, but the women’s side also saw a top 10 player crash. Ninth seed Kiki Bertens, who raced through the rankings last year after winning three ti- tles, was whipped in three sets by Russia’s Anastasia Pavly- Spain’s Rafael Nadal signs autographs after his victory against Australia’s Matthew Ebden on day three of the Australian Open yesterday. uchenkova. Federer might be 37 but he’s route to round three, outclassing steamrolled Sweden’s Johanna not showing his age, with Brit- local hope Matthew Ebden 6-3, Larsson 6-1, 6-3 as she bids to ish qualifi er Dan Evans the lat- 6-2, 6-2. The Spaniard is bid- become the fi rst woman to de- est to fall under his spell as he ding for his own slice of history fend the title since Victoria Aza- works towards a third successive by becoming the fi rst man in the renka in 2013. Australian crown and 21st major Open era, and only the third in It set up a tough clash with Switzerland’s Roger Federer serves against Britain’s Daniel Evans victory. history along with Emerson and fi ve-time Grand Slam cham- during their singles match on day three of the Australian Open in He defeated Evans at Wim- Rod Laver, to win each Grand pion Sharapova, who blitzed Melbourne yesterday. bledon last year with the loss Slam on two or more occasions. past Sweden’s Rebecca Peterson of just eight games, but it was “I played a solid match, I was 6-2, 6-1. The Russian is in scin- a much harder assignment this happy with the way I served. I tillating form and has dropped Australia’s top ranked players through time, winning 7-6 (7/5), 7-6 did a few things very well,” said just three games in her opening (7/3), 6-3 on Rod Laver Arena. Nadal, who next plays Austral- two matches. “I’m really happy Melbourne: Australia’s top- like Samantha Stosur, Lleyton “I think if I could have pulled ian Alex de Minaur. “It is an with the way I performed,” said ranked male and female play- Hewitt and Pat Rafter since the away earlier in the match it honour to play here. Was a great Sharapova, adding that she was ers, Alex de Minaur and Ash- 1990s.No Australian man or might have been easier,” said the atmosphere.” Anderson, beaten looking forward to the Wozni- leigh Barty, won their respective woman has won the singles title third seed. “I think he played by Novak Djokovic in the Wim- acki showdown. second-round Australian Open at their home Grand Slam since very well, it was hard to pull bledon fi nal last year, was sent “It’s a tough third round but matches yesterday, salvaging an the 1970s. The last women’s fi - away to his credit.” home by Tiafoe 4-6, 6-4, 6-4, I have set up the challenge and otherwise diffi cult start to the nalist was Wendy Turnbull in The Swiss star’s Australian Russia’s Maria 7-5.The fi fth seed struggled I’m ready to go out there and tournament for the host nation’s 1980, while Hewitt lost the 2005 achievements so far put him on a Sharapova in action with an elbow injury early in the take it.” Meanwhile, three-time best players. Teenager De Min- fi nal to Russia’s Marat Safi n. par with other six-time winners against Sweden’s clash and couldn’t cope with Grand Slam champion Kerber aur beat qualifi er Henri Laakso- Local hopes have for several Novak Djokovic and Roy Emer- Rebecca Peterson the 20-year-old’s power and fi - dominated Brazilian qualifi er nen 6-4, 6-2, 6-7 (7), 4-6 6-3 to years largely rested on Stosur, son — although the Australian yesterday. nesse. Beatriz Haddad Maia 6-2, 6-3 set up a clash with second seed Nick Kyrgios and Bernard Tom- great’s victories all came before Sixth seed Marin Cilic, who to stay on a collision course with Rafa Nadal. Earlier in the day, ic, all of whom lost their fi rst the Open era. lost in the fi nal to Federer last Stephens in the quarter-fi nals. Barty beat Wang Yafan 6-2, 6-3 round matches this year. He next plays American Tay- year, had no such dramas, grind- Stephens, who endured a hor- in a straight-forward aff air, and The 15th-seeded Barty is the lor Fritz. If he goes on to win the ing past American Mackenzie ror run at Melbourne Park since will play Greece’s Maria Sakkari highest ranked local player — tournament, he will become the McDonald in four sets and next reaching the semi-fi nal in 2013, in the third round. either man or woman — in the fi rst man ever to claim seven or plays Spanish 26th seed Fern- exiting in the fi rst round in 2015, The pair carry the hopes of a tournament and is known for more titles at two Grand Slams, ando Verdasco. 2016 and 2018, swatted aside nation at a tournament where her court craft and is an accom- having already won eight Wim- Dane Wozniacki, who is bat- former doubles partner Timea Australians have had limited plished doubles player, while bledons.Nadal had an easier tling rheumatoid arthritis, Babos 6-3, 6-1. success despite boasting several she has also played elite-level Grand Slam singles champions cricket.

BOTTOMLINE CRITICISM RESULTS Men’s singles (2nd round) 4-6, 6-3 Bryan believes Murray could Murray hits Stefanos Tsitsipas (GRE x14) bt Rafael Nadal (ESP x2) bt Matthew Viktor Troicki (SRB) 6-3, 2-6, 6-2, 7-5 Ebden (AUS) 6-3, 6-2, 6-2 Nikoloz Basilashvili (GEO x19) bt come back from hip surgery out at LTA Stefano Travaglia (ITA) 3-6, 6-3, 3-6, Women’s singles (2nd round) 6-4, 6-3 Sloane Stephens (USA x5) bt Timea Reuters be with your kids, play. It’s frustrating Reuters Tomas Berdych (CZE) bt Robin Babos (HUN) 6-3, 6-1 Melbourne when you can’t put on your shoes.” London Haase (NED) 6-1, 6-3, 6-3 Petra Martic (CRO x31) bt Marketa Bryan conceded that he was unsure Andreas Seppi (ITA) bt Jordan Vondrousova (CZE) 6-4, 7-5 how Murray’s hip would hold up un- Thompson (AUS) 6-3, 6-4, 6-4 Aliaksandra Sasnovich (BLR) bt oubles veteran Bob Bryan, der the comparatively greater strain of ndy Murray has criticised Britain’s Diego Schwartzman (ARG x18) bt Anett Kontaveit (EST x20) 6-3, 6-3 who has made a successful singles. Lawn Tennis Association for failing to Denis Kudla (USA) 6-4, 7-5, 3-6, 6-7 Caroline Garcia (FRA x19) bt Zoe return to competitive tennis “I never once told him this is the build on his success and grow the game (6/8), 6-4 Hives (AUS) 6-3, 6-3 following hip surgery, has way to go because I do see that singles over the last decade. Marin Cilic (CRO x6) bt Mackenzie Ashleigh Barty (AUS x15) bt Wang urgedD Andy Murray to have the same is a diff erent monster,” he said. AThree-times Grand Slam champion Mur- McDonald (USA) 7-5, 6-7 (9/11), 6-4, Yafan (CHN) 6-2, 6-3 operation but also warned the Briton “Those guys are really sliding ray went out of the Australian Open in the fi rst 6-4 Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova (RUS) bt that it could end his hopes of a come- around, killing themselves for four round on Monday, and said the match could be Frances Tiafoe (USA) bt Kevin An- Kiki Bertens (NED x9) 3-6, 6-3, 6-3 back. hours. Who knows if this joint would the last of his professional career due to pain in derson (RSA x5) 4-6, 6-4, 6-4, 7-5 Amanda Anisimova (USA) bt Lesya Murray was eliminated from the hold up. his right hip. Fernando Verdasco (ESP x26) bt Tsurenko (UKR x24) 6-0, 6-2 fi rst round of the Australian Open on “It’s not going to break, but who The 31-year-old Scot has been hailed as one of Radu Albot (MDA) 6-1, 7-6 (7/2), 6-3 Maria Sakkari (GRE) bt Astra Monday, and said the match could be knows if you have that little explo- Britain’s greatest sportsmen, a double Olympic Karen Khachanov (RUS x10) bt Sharma (AUS) 6-1, 6-4 the last of his professional career, with siveness needed to be super quick on gold medallist who in 2013 also became the fi rst Yoshihito Nishioka (JPN) 6-3, 6-3, 6-3 Danielle Collins (USA) bt Sachia the pain of his right hip having be- the singles court. If you’re a step slow, British man to win a Wimbledon singles title in Roger Federer (SUI x3) bt Daniel Vickery (USA) 6-3, 7-5 come unbearable. it’s very exposed out there on a singles 77 years. Evans (GBR) 7-6 (7/5), 7-6 (7/3), 6-3 Caroline Wozniacki (DEN x3) bt The three-times Grand Slam cham- surgery to at least improve his quality court.” “I’m not sure Britain has really capitalised Taylor Fritz (USA) bt Gael Monfils Johanna Larsson (SWE) 6-1, 6-3 pion said he would decide whether to of life. While limping and grimacing be- on the last seven or eight years of success we’ve (FRA x30) 6-3, 6-7 (8/10), 7-6 (8/6), Kimberly Birrell (AUS) bt Donna have surgery within a week or push “I’m just telling him, I feel great, tween points, a typically dogged Mur- had,” the BBC quoted the former world number 7-6 (7/5) Vekic (CRO x29) 6-4, 4-6, 6-1 on through the pain to farewell fans at quality of life is great, practices are ray bowed out of Melbourne with a one as saying. Roberto Bautista Agut (ESP x22) bt Petra Kvitova (CZE x8) bt Irina Begu Wimbledon. going well,” said 40-year-old Bryan. brave defeat in fi ve sets to 22nd seeded “Whether it be myself, my brother, Jo (Konta), John Millman (AUS) 6-3, 6-1, 3-6, 6-7 (ROU) 6-1, 6-3 Bryan, who has won 23 Grand Slam “Maybe I’m not 100 % yet, but I’m Spaniard Roberto Bautista Agut. Kyle (Edmund), the Davis Cup, those sorts of (6/8), 6-4 Belinda Bencic (SUI) bt Yulia Putint- titles in men’s and mixed doubles, only fi ve months. The doctors said this An emotional Bryan struggled to things, I’m not sure how much we’ve done there,” Grigor Dimitrov (BUL x20) bt Pablo seva (KAZ) 7-5, 4-6, 6-2 and an Olympic gold medal with twin is more of like a seven or eight months compose himself in the media confer- added Murray, who has been critical of the LTA Cuevas (URU) 6-3, 6-7 (5/7), 6-3, 7-5 Aryna Sabalenka (BLR x11) bt Katie brother Mike, cut his 2018 season until you feel perfect. ence as he spoke of Murray’s tearful in the past. Maybe it’s something I should have Thomas Fabbiano (ITA) bt Reilly Boulter (GBR) 6-3, 6-4 short in May and had hip surgery in “Until I feel that, I can’t give you the media conference on Friday when he given more thought to while I was playing but Opelka (USA) 6-7 (15/17), 6-2, 6-4, 3-6, Angelique Kerber (GER x2) bt Beat- August before returning to competi- guarantee, but I think he’s to the point said he would likely retire this year. I never felt that was my job to do that.”Murray 7-6 (10/5) riz Haddad Maia (BRA) 6-2, 6-3 tive tennis this year. where this is probably his last option. “I stayed up till three in the morn- said he could not understand how the number of Alex de Minaur (AUS x27) bt Henri Maria Sharapova (RUS x30) bt He said he had not advised Murray “I would love to see him do it just ing watching all the tributes on social people playing tennis had dropped over the past Laaksonen (SUI) 6-4, 6-2, 6-7 (7/9), Rebecca Peterson (SWE) 6-2, 6-1 either way but hoped he would get the for quality of life. You can sleep, walk, media,” he said. decade despite unprecedented success.

Thursday, January 17, 2019 GULF TIMES SPORT

SPOTLIGHT FOCUS Mosanda edge City Education City Stadium reaches Exchange in Qatar signifi cant sustainability milestone Airways T20 cricket he design and con- designed to allow for the dis- certifi cation after Khalifa In- by a run struction of Education assembly of the upper tier, in- ternational Stadium, Al Bayt City Stadium – which cluding 20,000 seats. Stadium – Al Khor City, Al By Sports Reporter is set to host matches The fi ve-star rating was Rayyan Stadium and Al Wakrah Doha Tduring the 2022 FIFA World awarded by letter of conform- Stadium. Khalifa International Cup – has achieved an out- ance, which confi rms that the Stadium recently received a standing sustainability rating. fi nal design fulfi ls its sustain- confi rmed four-star GSAS rat- osanda rallied and Under the Global Sustain- ability requirements. The fi nal ing following its completion. scripted an excit- ability Assessment System certifi cate will be awarded once GSAS is a performance-based ing one-run victory (GSAS), it has become the fi rst the stadium has been construct- system, developed for rating over City Exchange stadium in the world to receive ed and undergone fi ve third- green buildings and infrastruc- Min a Division A match in the Qa- a provisional fi ve-star design party audits to check that the ture. The primary objective of tar Airways Twenty20 Cricket and build certifi cation. construction meets the design. GSAS is to create a sustainable Tournament. Eng. Jassim Telefat, the Su- Eng. Bodour al-Meer, the SC’s building environment, consid- After Kamran Khan cracked 49 preme Committee for Delivery Education City Stadium construction site. Sustainability & Environmental ering the specifi c needs and out of Mosanda’s 142 for four in & Legacy’s (SC) Competition Manager, said strong knowledge context of the Gulf region. GSAS 20 overs and Imran Ali chipped Gulf Colours Lagaan’s Javed Venues Executive Director, said mensely proud to receive the to Doha Metro; low toxicity transfer procedures helped to is administered in Qatar by the in with 35, the latter joined hands was adjudged Man of the Match the achievement had exceeded provisional fi ve-star rating – indoor materials which provide deliver the fi ve-star rating. Gulf Organisation for Research with Ahmer to restrict the rivals for his 58-run knock against expectations. this major achievement dem- a healthy indoor environment “The fact that we were able to & Development. at 141 for eight in a pulsating fi n- Bangladesh Seniors. “We originally targeted a onstrates that we are delivering and LED sports lighting which achieve a fi ve-star rating is tes- Education City Stadium’s ish. four-star rating but were able on our commitment to sustain- off ers better light quality at tament to our knowledge shar- main contractor – and GSAS Khan’s 50-ball knock had four took Doha Falcons to 135 for to exceed our target without ability and green building.” lower energy consumption. ing programme, where we en- service provider – is a joint boundaries and Ali also hit four eight. But Selex made light of the increasing the capital expendi- A proposed quarter-fi nals In addition, the stadium is able SC contractors from across venture between J&P Qatar shots to the fence in his 34-ball in- target, getting the required runs ture by using smart engineer- venue in 2022, Education City wrapped in thermally effi cient our infrastructure programme WLL, Conspel Qatar WLL, J&P nings. Shafi q picked two wickets in 16.2 overs. Sherin and Asif (21 ing, collaboration across all Stadium – known as the Dia- and refl ective fabric that acts to share information and lessons Avax SA and J&P Overseas Ltd. for 13 and Rayees had one for 27. in 18 balls) saw the team home disciplines, and fully utilising mond in the Desert – features as shading to protect the build- learned,” said al-Meer. ASTAD is fulfi lling the roles City Exchange got stuck af- despite a four-wicket haul by the team’s collective knowl- a range of sustainability fea- ing from direct sunlight. It also Education City Stadium is of project management, con- ter Shafeeq hit two sixes and as Mohamed. edge of green building princi- tures, including: direct access benefi ts from water effi cient the fi fth proposed Qatar 2022 struction management and many fours in 39 and Jackson ples and the GSAS system.” to public transport via the Ed- fi xtures and fi ttings, uses recy- stadium to receive a provi- construction supervision. blasted a six and six fours in his BRIEF SCORES Telefat added: “We are im- ucation City tram system link cled water for irrigation and is sional GSAS design and build (SC.qa) 18-ball cameo of 35. Ali’s two Mosanda 142 for four in wickets for 15 with one maiden 20 overs (Kamran Khan 49 in over and Ahmer’s two for 10 in 50 balls, Imran Ali 35 in 34 balls; two overs enabled Mosanda to Shafiq 2 for 13, Rayees 1 for 27) HORSE RACING pull off the close victory. beat City Exchange 141 for Javed’s 58 in just 36 balls were eight in 20 overs (Shafeeq 39 supported well by Ameen and in 41 balls, Jackson 35 in 18 balls; Saeed as Gulf Colours Lagaan Imran Ali 2 for 15, Ahmer 2 for 10) easily defeated Bangladesh Sen- by one run. Man of the match: iors by 34 runs in another match. Imran Ali (Mosanda) Javed hammered a six and nine Gulf Colours Lagaan 156 all fours to lay the base of his team’s out in 18.1 overs (Javed 58 in 36 156 in 18.1 overs. Ziku and Ronny balls; Ziku 2 for 25, Ronny 2 for Guillambert rides shared four wickets. Haleem 22) beat Bangladesh Seniors battled the longest for Bangla- 122 all out in 17.5 overs (Haleem desh Seniors and got 23 with a six 23 in 21 balls; Ameen 3 for 16, and two fours. Ameen and Saeed Saeed 3 for 17) by 34 runs. Man grabbed three scalps each to send of the match: Javed (Gulf Colours the opponents crashing all out at Lagaan) 122 in 17.5 overs. Doha Falcons 135 for eight In the third match, Sherin’s in 20 oves (Iftikhar 55 not out Receding Waves to all-round display (four wickets in 55 balls, Kashif 42 in 40 balls; for 18 and 21 runs) was the high- Sherin 4 for 18) lost to Selex 136 light as Selex beat Doha Falcons for six in 16.2 overs (Sherin 21 by four wickets. in 19 balls, Asif 21 in 18 balls; Mo- Iftikhar’s 55 not out with a six hamed 4 for 16) by four wickets. and three fours, and 42 by Kashif Man of the match: Sherin (Selex) win for his treble MOTORSPORT Mohamed Jassim Ghazali’s ward wins Umm Al Afai Cup, yesterday’s feature By Sports Reporter Souq Al Wakra to Doha host start of Qatar’s n a blitz of a race, JP Guil- lambert rode Mohamed Jassim Ghazali-trained Re- opening round of ceding Waves to a fantastic Ivictory in the Umm Al Afai Cup sprint, yesterday’s feature on MERC in March dirt at Qatar Racing and Eques- trian Club’s (QREC) Park yesterday. The 1100m Thoroughbred Handicap event for horses rated 75-95 saw the Khalifa bin Sheail al-Kuwari-owned colt take the advantage on the back straight, and withstand intense pressure from Hadi Nasser al-Ramzani- schooled Top Face, with Tomas Lukasek in the saddle, in the fi nal two furlongs to win with a length to spare. Midsummer Knight fi nished Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club (QREC) Racing manager Abdulla Rashid al-Kubaisi (third from right) with the winners of the Umm Al Afai a promising third on his after Receding Waves won the feature at Al Rayyan Park yesterday. PICTURES: Juhaim debut for Ghazali’s father and Czech driver Vojtech Stajf won last year’s Qatar International Rally. champion trainer, Jassim, under by: 8 3/4, 1 3/4, 1. Time: 1:10.78. Marco Casamento. Owner: Dr Ebtesam Abdullatif By Sports Reporter invited to the event from Jordan, The winner was Guillambert’s al-Muslamani. Trainer: Abdullatif Doha Kuwait, Oman and several Euro- third on the day, having guided Saad al-Muslamani. pean countries. Ghazali senior’s ward, Rahibah, Race 5: 1. Bsheer (Faleh Bugha- Nasser Saleh al-Attiyah, who to victory in the six-furlong Lo- naim), 2. Yanar (JP Guillambert), he Manateq Qatar Inter- is currently competing in the cal Purebred Arabians event for 3. Khor Al Adaid (Ivan Rossi), 4. national Rally will kick Dakar Rally in Peru, has domi- four-year-old and older fi llies Taysh (Rashid Ali al-Marri). Won start the FIA Middle East nated the Qatar event in recent and mares, and Lo De Nalane, by: 2, Nk, Hd. Time: 2:00.27. Own- Rally Championship in seasons and has taken 13 victo- also from the stables of the T2019 and has moved back to its ries in 17 years. er: Al Shaqab Racing. Trainer: champion trainer, to his maiden Hossin Mohamed Ashour. traditional date at the start of the The multiple regional cham- victory in the Thoroughbred Race 6: 1. Shaman Bu Thaila season and will open the series pion missed out last November, Maiden Plate event. (Jimmy Quinn), 2. Mister March 14-16. however, with a surprise win fall- Jassim Mohamed Ghazali Mahjoob (Faleh Bughanaim), 3. The Qatar Motor and Motor- ing to Czech driver Vojtech Stajf. himself had three winners, with Daleem (Rashid Ali al-Marri), 4. cycle Federation (QMMF) has He became the fi rst non-Arab al-Kuwari’s Caid De L’Ardus The Shark (Marco Casamento). also announced that the event’s driver to win the event since the winning the penultimate race of Won by: 1, Hd, Nk. Time: 1:51.12. rally headquarters and service late Bjorn Waldegard’s success the day, a six-furlong Purebred Owner: Ibrahim al-Malki. Trainer: park will remain at Lusail Sports with co-driver Fred Gallagher in Arabian Conditions race, under Ibrahim al-Malki. Arena but the pre-event press a Toyota Celica Turbo way back champion jockey Harry Bentley. Race 7: 1. Rahibah (JP Guillam- conference, ceremonial start and in 1986. Qatari jockey Yousef al- bert), 2. Zahwa (Harry Bentley), prize giving ceremony will move The Qatari duo of Abdullah Hajri and Faleh Bughanaim 3. Al Eshrah (Marco Casamento), to an exciting new location in Al and Nasser al-Kuwari won the rode winners on the day too, 4. Walaa (Faleh Bughanaim). Wakrah, south of Doha. MERC 2 category in Qatar in 2018 with al-Hajri riding Abdulla- Won by: 4 3/4, 2 3/4, 1 1/2. Time: The ceremonial start will take and regional MERC 3 champions, tif Saad al-Muslamani-trained JP Guillambert rides Receding Waves to Umm Al Afai Cup at the Al Rayyan Park yesterday. 1:19.32. Owner: Injaaz Stud. Train- place on the beach in front of the Henry Kahy and Musa Djiyerian, Eskander Yar to a maiden vic- er: Jassim Mohamed Ghazali. Souq Al Wakra Hotel on Thurs- wrapped up an excellent season tory in a Novice event, before in Mohamed Ashour. Thoroughbred Handicap event (Adnan Hawa). Won by: No, 1 1/2, Race 8: 1. Caid De L’Ardus (Harry day, March 14, and this venue with two-wheel drive honours in helming Thorndyke, another al- Ibrahim al-Malki’s wards for horses rated 70 and below 2 1/2. Time: 1:12.10. Owner: Khalifa Bentley), 2. Zameer (JP Guillam- will also host the prize giving their Skoda Fabia 1.6. Muslamani charge, to victory in locked out the top two spots in with only a short head to spare. bin Sheail al-Kuwari. Trainer: Jas- bert), 3. Saab (Gerald Avranche), ceremony and start and fi nish This year’s rally will be held the Thoroughbred Handicap for the 1700m Local Thoroughbred sim Mohamed Ghazali. 4. Al Muntathar (Eduardo media facilities. under the chairmanship of horses rated 80 and below. Handicap for horses rated 85 and RESULTS Race 3: 1. Normandie Attack (To- Pedroza). Won by: 3 1/4, Hd, Hd. The competitive action will QMMF president Abdulrahman Bughanaim, who received below, with Jimmy Quinn rid- Race 1: 1. Eskander Yar (Yousef mas Lukasek), 2. Al Mikdam (Ger- Time: 1:18.21. Owner: Khalifa bin then take centre stage on a series al-Mannai and senior commit- the Best Qatari Jockey Award ing Shaman Bu Thaila to a one al-Hajri), 2. Texas (Jimmy Quinn), ald Avranche), 3. Eledeed (Jean Sheail al-Kuwari. Trainer: Jassim of timed gravel surface specials tee members. Portugal’s Pedro on the Qatar Sports Excel- length victory ahead of stable- 3. E’zaaz (Theo Bachelot), 4. Mu- Baptiste Hamel), 4. Nautical Mile Mohamed Ghazali. through the Qatar deserts on Almeida will act as Rally Director lence Day from Qatar Olympic mate Mister Mahjoob, who was naawashat (Harry Bentley). Won (Ivan Rossi). Won by: Shd, 1 1/4, Race 9: 1. Receding Waves (JP Friday, March 15, and Saturday, and is working alongside Qatari Committee (QOC) president partnered by Bughanaim. Qatari by: 3 1/2, 3 1/4, 1/2. Time: 1:19.26. 3/4. Time: 2:03.84. Owner: Mo- Guillambert), 2. Top Face (Tomas March 16. Clerk of the Course Rashed Al- HE Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad apprentice jockey Rashid Ali al- Owner: Dr Ebtesam Abdullatif hamed Nasser al-Naimi. Trainer: Lukasek), 3. Midsummer Knight The QMMF is providing free Sulaiti. al-Thani in November, rode Marri helmed the third-placed al-Muslamani. Trainer: Abdullatif Mohamed Nasser al-Naimi. (Marco Casamento), 4. My Sha- shipping on the Oman-Doha- The event last visited the Al Al Shaqab Racing’s Bsheer to Daleem in the race. Saad al-Muslamani. Race 4: 1. Thorndyke (Yousef rona (Harry Bentley). Won by: 1, Oman and Kuwait-Doha-Kuwait Wakrah area in 2012 — the Al a fine two-length victory in Lukasek rode Mohamed Race 2: 1. Lo De Nalane (JP Guil- al-Hajri), 2. Noble Masterpiece 4 1/2, Hd. Time: 1:04.04. Owner: routes and fi ve-night accom- Wakrah stadium hosted rally the 1700m Purebred Arabian Nasser al-Naimi’s Normandie lambert), 2. Modhafarah (Marco (Marco Casamento), 3. Criss- Khalifa bin Sheail al-Kuwari. modation for the driver and co- headquarters and the QMMF ran Handicap race for horses rated Attack to the colt’s fi rst victory Casamento), 3. Almasah (Theo crossed (Theo Bachelot), 4. Ha- Trainer: Mohamed Jassim driver as a generous concession stages in the south of the country 80 and below for trainer Hoss- in Qatar, when they topped the Bachelot), 4. Acclaimed Dancer keem (Meteb Ali al-Marri). Won Ghazali. to competitors. Teams have been and to the west of Doha.