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Tuesday, January 28, 2020 TENNIS Jumada II 3, 1441 AH Nadal downs GULF TIMES Kyrgios to ease into quarters SPORT Page 2

SPOTLIGHT Qatar claim Asian handball title for fourth straight time Cheered on by hundreds of flag-waving Qatari fans, Valero Rivera’s squad posted a 33-21 victory over South Korea in the final

HE Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad al-Thani, the president of the Qatar Olympic Committee, poses with coach Valero Rivera, Qatar Handball Association president Ahmed al-Shabi and members of the team and support staff after Qatar won the Asian Handball Championship yesterday. At right, Qatari players and off icials pose with the trophy.

By Sports Reporter when they won the title for the fi rst time, Qatar were three-times The oldest man in the team at 42, Saric Doha before repeating the feat in 2016, 2018 and defending champions going produced several saves to deny the South winning the latest edition yesterday. into the tournament, having Koreans at crucial moments of the match, “This is a great occasion for Qatar. We swept all opposition since 2014 much to their frustration. atar won the Asian Handball were determined from the start and all the At the same time, Qatar’s forwards kept Championship for the fourth players put in an excellent performance,” semis at the Asian tournament, they were peppering the rival goal, taking a 21-14 lead time in a row yesterday, beating Rivera said. determined to go the distance. after 10 minutes in the second half and ef- South Korea in a one-sided fi - “We were unbeaten throughout and that It refl ected in their play yesterday as they fectively putting the match beyond South nalQ at the Sheikh Saad al-Abdullah Sports speaks volumes about the quality of our upped the tempo late in the fi rst half after Korea’s reach. Qatar were soon 31-17 ahead Complex in Kuwait. players,” he added. the teams were tied 10-all at the 25-minute but with time running short, the Koreans, Cheered on by hundreds of fl ag-waving Qatar swept the group stage with wins mark. who were aiming for their 10th continen- Qatari fans who had fl own to Kuwait to over China and Japan before accounting for In the next fi ve minutes, Qatar swamped tal title, had to be content with the second witness the fi nal, Valero Rivera’s squad led South Korea, Iran and Kuwait in the quar- the South Korean defence to score four place. for most part of the match to post a 33-21 ter-fi nal league to qualify for the last-four more goals to edge the fi rst half 14-11. Earlier yesterday, Japan edged out Bah- victory and assert their supremacy yet stage where they beat Bahrain to make the The South Koreans were expected to put rain by a scoreline of 27-26 in the bronze again at the continental level. fi nal. up a strong show in the second half but were medal match. The top four teams have all Qatar were three-times defending Qatar’s fi rst task was to qualify for the thwarted by the fortress-like Qatar defence qualifi ed for the 2021 World Men’s Hand- champions going into the tournament, World Championship and having achieved who foiled raid after raid, with goalkeeper ball Championship, which is due to take having swept all opposition since 2014 that objective by booking their spot in the Danijel Saric proving particularly eff ective. place in Egypt from January 14-31 next year. Qatar fans cheer their team during the final against South Korea.

FOOTBALL Sailiya keen to book Champions League spot By Sports Reporter playoff route. but Trablesi said there was no whose team conceded eight Doha For Al Sailiya, this will be point in looking back. goals in their last two QNB their first taste of the Cham- “The Champions League is Stars League matches – against pions League if they are able to a new tournament and we are Al Sadd and Al Gharafa. atar would have four put it past Shahr Khodro who on the verge of history. We are The Uruguayan added that he teams in the AFC defeated Bahrain’s Riffa 2-1 in not thinking about our past de- preferred to concentrate on the Champions League the preliminary round on Sat- feats but looking at the future,” present. “Our immediate goal this year provided Al urday to qualify for the play- said Tunisian Trablesi, whose is to beat Estheglal and qualify RayyanQ and Al Sailiya win their offs. side includes players such as for the group stage. We will take respective playoff matches “I’ve waited a long time for Algerian Nadir Belhadj, Iranian it from there afterwards.” against Iranian opposition in this, obviously I am excited at Karim Ansari and captain Majdi Al Rayyan, meanwhile, are Doha today. the prospect of Al Sailiya quali- Siddiq. aiming to qualify for the 10th Al Rayyan will be facing Es- fying for the AFC Champions The winners of the Al Sailiya time although they have never theglal, while Al Sailiya take on League,” their Tunisian coach vs Shahr Khodro game will join been able to make it beyond the Shahr Khodro hoping to join Sami Trablesi said at a press Group B, which includes Saudi group stage. domestic rivals Al Sadd and conference yesterday. Arabia’s Al Hilal, Shabab Al The pair last faced off in the Al Duhail in the group stage “I am very confident even Ahli Dubai and Uzbekistan’s 2018 group stage, with the game of Asia’s premier club tourna- though I am aware the task Pakhtakor. in Doha ending 2-2 and Estegh- ment. won’t be easy task to beat Shahr Meanwhile, Al Rayyan coach lal winning 2-0 in Tehran as the Al Sadd and Al Duhail booked Khodr. A new start beckons for Diego Aguirre admitted that Iranian side advanced and Al their automatic spots after fin- Al Sailiya,” added Trablesi. facing Estheglal will be a dif- Rayyan exited. ishing first and second respec- Al Sailiya lost 0-1 to Al Ahli ficult task. Playoffs will be played across tively in the 2018-2019 QNB in Week 13 of the QNB Stars “The match won’t be easy the Asian continent today to fill Stars League, but Al Sailiya, League in the weekend, follow- at all, but I’ve been personally in the eight vacant spots spots Al Sailiya coach Sami Trablesi speaks to the press yesterday, ahead of who finished third, and fourth- ing their 0-2 loss to Al Duhail in talking to the players to try and remaining in the AFC Champi- his team’s match against Iran’s Shahr Khodro. placed Al Rayyan, take the the 2020 Qatar Cup semifinal, motivate them,” said Aguirre, Al Rayyan coach Diego Aguirre. ons League. Gulf Times 2 Tuesday, January 28, 2020 TENNIS

AUSTRALIAN OPEN PREVIEW Federer wary of Sandgren as Nadal settles Kyrgios Djoko semi looms

AFP ter-fi nals he has made, Federer Melbourne has won them all. Sandgren said he was just happy to have another chance oger Federer has at a big tournament. score to keep heat faced most top play- “Getting to play in a big sta- ers on tour but never dium, getting to play in front his Australian Open of a lot of people, because I’ve quarter-fiR nal opponent Ten- played a lot of tennis in front nys Sandgren, and he is wary of the very few people, the fact of the American as he attempts I get to do that seems to bring to set up a potential last-four out the best tennis in me,” he clash against Novak Djokovic. said. on Federer record The Swiss great swept into “It seems if I play pretty the last eight for a record 15th well, I have a shot.” Wawrinka beats fifth seed Medvedev to set up a quarter-final with Germany’s time at Melbourne Park af- At stake is a semi-fi nal ter a fi rst-set wobble against against either second seed Zverev; Halep beats Mertens and Pavlyuchenkova stuns former champion Kerber unheralded Hungarian Mar- Djokovic or Canadian Milos tin Fucsovics. He now goes Raonic. toe-to-toe on Tuesday with The Serbian has been in fi ne the last American in the men’s touch as he targets a record draw who has belied his 100 eighth title and a 17th Slam world ranking by beating crown, but he has his work cut eighth seed Matteo Berrettini out against one of the biggest and 12th seed Fabio Fognini. servers in the game. The Australian Open is So far Raonic, who has failed Sandgren’s favourite Major to beat Djokovic in nine pre- and he came from nowhere vious attempts, has played to make the quarter-fi nals 59 service games and is yet to in 2018, eventually losing to be broken, pumping down 82 South Korea’s Chung Hyeon. aces. Federer has never played the “Obviously it’s a huge ad- 28-year-old, and is not un- vantage when you hit serves derestimating the challenge as from that height. You can hit he looks to win his fi rst Grand any angle, anything you really Slam since Melbourne in 2018 want,” said Djokovic. “That and seventh in Australia. puts a lot of pressure on your “I wonder why he’s not opponent.” ranked higher, to be honest. He said fellow big servers Every time I see him play, I feel John Isner and Ivo Karlovic like he plays very well. He’s perhaps had the edge on Raon- got a lot of stuff in his game ic, but the Canadian was a bet- that he’s deserving of being ter mover around court. higher,” said the world number “If the returner gets the three. ball back in play, then I think “I didn’t follow him that Raonic is better than these closely. I mean, I remember two guys,” he said. “But I feel he played Chung in the quar- like maybe you could read his ters the last time I played the serve better than Isner and semis, to play Chung with his Karlovic.” blisters and all that. Raonic has been plagued by “I remember watching that injuries throughout his career, closely because I was going to but has found success in Mel- maybe play the winner.” bourne, reaching the semi- Federer, who is chasing a fi nals in 2016 and the quarters 21st Grand Slam title, was also three other times, including watching as Sandgren tamed last year. fi rebrand Italian Fognini on “I think we play quite op- Sunday. posite from each other, and “It was impressive how he he’s done a good job in the past was competing. I’m looking neutralising my serve,” said forward to a tough one.” the 32nd seed of Djokovic. The odds are heavily stacked “So I have really got to focus in the 38-year-old’s favour. Of on my things well and be the Spain’s Rafael Nadal celebrates after victory against Australia’s Nick Kyrgios (not in picture) Romania’s Simona Halep celebrates after beating Belgium’s Elise Mertens during their the 14 Australian Open quar- one dictating.” during their singles match on day eight of the Australian Open in Melbourne yesterday. (AFP) singles match on day eight of the Australian Open in Melbourne yesterday. (AFP)

champion who is resurgent since AFP COLLATED RESULTS Melbourne reuniting with coach Conchita Martinez, beating Kiki Bertens (X Denotes Seeding) Rublev (RUS x17) 6-4, 6-4, 6-4; Swiatek (POL) 6-7 (4/7), 7-5, 7-5 6-3, 6-3. “It’s like couples, we all afael Nadal won a Men’s singles Rafael Nadal (ESP x1) bt Nick Simona Halep (ROU x4) bt Elise want Brad Pitt and Jennifer Ani- grudge match with Nick 4th rd: Dominic Thiem (AUT x5) Kyrgios (AUS x23) 6-3, 3-6, 7-6 Mertens (BEL x16) 6-4, 6-4; ston to get back together, right?” Kyrgios to reach the bt Gael Monfils (FRA x10) 6-2, (8/6), 7-6 (7/4) Garbine Muguruza (ESP) bt joked Martinez, the 1994 Wim- Australian Open quar- 6-4, 6-4; Stan Wawrinka (SUI x15) Kiki Bertens (NED x9) 6-3, 6-3; bledon champion. ter-fiR nals and keep the heat on Earlier, Martina Navrati- bt Daniil Medvedev (RUS x4) 6-2, Women’s singles Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova (RUS Roger Federer’s record for Grand 2-6, 4-6, 7-6 (7/2), 6-2; Alexan- 4th rd x30) bt Angelique Kerber (GER lova and John McEnroe were Slam titles yesterday. der Zverev (GER x7) bt Andrey Anett Kontaveit (EST x28) bt Iga x17) 6-7 (5/7), 7-6 (7/4), 6-2. among the big names to criti- The world number one, la- cise Court, the 24-time Major- belled “super salty” by Kyrgios winner whose 1970 sweep of the after he criticised the Australian’s ed matches but the Spaniard said ner will next play Austria’s Do- champion from Romania, who Grand Slam titles was marked behaviour last year, fought off a he was impressed by what he’d minic Thiem - his victim in the avoided an exodus of top seeds with a short ceremony at Rod furious challenge to go through seen from the often-tempera- last two French Open fi nals - as in the previous round, will next Laver Arena. Navratilova said 6-3, 3-6, 7-6 (8/6), 7-6 (7/4). mental Australian at this tour- the clay king targets Federer’s play Estonia’s Anett Kontaveit, a the devout Christian’s deeply As the tennis world mourned nament. Kyrgios fought back to all-time record of 20 Major titles. 6-7 (4/7), 7-5, 7-5 winner against conservative views were “actu- the death of Kobe Bryant, Kyr- challenge Nadal in a high-octane Elsewhere, powerful Swiss Iga Swiatek of Poland. ally hurting people”, while fellow gios arrived at Rod Laver Arena clash played in good spirit, with Stan Wawrinka beat fi fth seed “She’s strong. I’m here just to American legend McEnroe called wearing an LA Lakers shirt, and a polite handshake afterwards - a Daniil Medvedev 6-2, 2-6, 4-6, face any challenge I have. So I’m Court a “crazy aunt”. 15-year-old Coco Gauff had far cry from some of their previ- 7-6 (7/2), 6-2 to set up a quar- not thinking negative,” Halep The Australian once praised tributes to the basketball great ous exchanges. ter-fi nal with Germany’s Al- said of Kontaveit. “I just want to South Africa’s apartheid system, scrawled on her trainers during “When he is playing like to- exander Zverev, who overcame go there and to give my best.” said “tennis is full of lesbians” the doubles. There was also con- day with this positive attitude close friend Andrey Rublev 6-4, Angelique Kerber, the 2016 and described transgender chil- troversy as Australia’s Margaret he gives a lot of positive things to 6-4, 6-4. champion, was the latest big dren as “the work of the devil”. Court, often criticised for her our sport,” said the Spaniard. And Simona Halep rose to name to fall as she went down to “There’s only one thing longer deeply conservative views, was “He’s one of the highest tal- number two in the world with Russia’s Anastasia Pavlyuchenk- than the list of Margaret Court’s honoured for her 1970 calendar- ents we have on our tour and I a 6-4, 6-4 victory over Elise ova 6-7 (5/7), 7-6 (7/4), 6-2. achievements: it’s her list of of- year Grand Slam. like the Nick Kyrgios during the Mertens, taking a big step for- Pavlyuchenkova’s quarter-fi nal fensive and homophobic state- Switzerland’s Roger Federer celebrates after victory against Nadal and Kyrgios had been whole of this tournament.” ward in a rapidly clearing wom- will be against Garbine Mugu- ments,” McEnroe said in a video Hungary’s Marton Fucsovics in their Australian Open match in feuding after some bad-temper- The 19-time Grand Slam win- en’s draw. The Wimbledon ruza, the two-time Grand Slam for Eurosport. Melbourne. (AFP)

FOCUS Djokovic, Osaka lead tennis community in mourning Bryant Reuters live forever in our hearts. There much in the short time I’ve been Kyrgios appeared close to tears Djokovic said at the weekend Melbourne are not enough words to express lucky enough to have known as he walked out on court in a Los Bryant had helped him when he my deepest sympathies to the you. Angeles Lakers shirt with Bry- was battling an elbow injury and Bryants and every family suff er- “Thank you for existing. You ant’s name on the back, which he was struggling to “mentally and ustralian Open cham- ing from this tragedy.” will forever be my big bro/men- kept on through the warm-up. emotionally handle” working pion Novak Djokovic Naomi Osaka, who won the tor/inspiration. Love you.” “Basketball is practically my his way back to the top. “He was led the tennis world in women’s title at Melbourne Park Djokovic’s great rival Rafa life. I watch it every day. I’ve one of the people who was re- mourning for “mentor” a year ago, also called Bryant a Nadal also joined a cavalcade been following it for as long as ally there for me to give me some KobeA Bryant yesterday after Mel- mentor as she penned a touch- of top players in expressing I can remember,” the Australian very valuable advice and guide- bourne Park awoke to the news ing tribute. “Hey...I don’t really his condolences, declaring his said after his loss. lines to kind of believe and trust that the NBA great had died in a know what to do so I’m writing “shock” at the news of the death “When I woke up to the news, in myself, trust the process that helicopter crash along with his you this letter,” Osaka posted on in California of one of the NBA’s it was pretty emotional. It was I’ll be back,” he told ESPN. daughter and seven others. Twitter. all-time greatest players. pretty heavy, all day. Obviously Djokovic and Osaka were not Djokovic had spoken fondly of “Thank you for being you. “I woke up this morning to I was having basketball on at the only ones who received sup- his relationship with the former “Thank you for inspiring peo- this terrible news, super sad,” my house, watching the games. port from Bryant, with 2008 Los Angeles Laker in an inter- ple everywhere, you have no the Spaniard said on Rod Laver I was heavy. It’s just tough. It’s Australian Open champion Mar- view at the weekend and the idea how many hearts you’ve Arena. “He was one of the great- horrible news.” ia Sharapova also stunned by the 16-times Grand Slam champion touched. Thank you for being so est sportsmen in history.” Multiple Grand Slam cham- news. “This is incredibly diffi cult signed off his tweet with the humble and not acting as big as pion doubles pairing and Lakers to process,” wrote the Russian. words: “RIP my friend”. you are. LAKERS SHIRT fans Bob and Mike Bryan played “I will never forget your gen- “My heart truly mourns over “Thank you for caring and Nadal, chasing his 20th Grand their fi nal match at Melbourne erosity, and the time you set the news today. Kobe was a great checking up on me after my hard Slam title, made the comments Park before retirement with yel- aside in some of my most dif- mentor and friend to me,” the losses. Thank you for randomly after his fourth round victory low tape on the backs of their fi cult moments. I am forever Australia’s Nick Kyrgios wearing a Los Angeles Lakers jersey with Serbian wrote. texting me ‘You ok?’ over Australian Nick Kyrgios, legs marked with Bryant’s shirt grateful. My heart is with you former basketball player Kobe Bryant’s number during his warm-up “You and your daughter will “Thank you for teaching me so who is a basketball fanatic. numbers and nickname, Mamba. and your beautiful family.” before the match against Spain’s Rafael Nadal in Melbourne. (AFP) Gulf Times Tuesday, January 28, 2020 3 SPORT

FOCUS SPOTLIGHT Sweden’s Sagstrom Sheikh Fahad to participate in captures fi rst career LPGA victory Middle East pro boxing c’ship Sagstrom became the 12th dif- AFP Miami, United States ferent player from Sweden to win QNA petes under a license from the on the LPGA Tour and the fi rst to Doha Spanish pro boxing body and win since Pernilla Lindberg won has said that he is seeking dates adelene Sagstrom the 2018 ANA Inspiration. that do not clash with his bouts earned her fi rst ca- She had shot a third-round atar’s fi rst profession- in Spain during the year. reer USLPGA Tour 67 to seize a 54-hole lead for the al boxer Sheikh Fahad The 32-year-old super wel- title on Sunday with fi rst time in her young career. bin Khalid bin Jassim terweight boxer, who is coached Ma closing round of two-under 70 The three-time Symetra Tour al-Thani announced by Franck Bohec, said that while to capture the Gainbridge LPGA winner got off to a rocky start hisQ participation in the Middle participating in the champion- by one stroke. Sunday at the Boca Rio Golf Club East Professional Boxing Cham- ship was not initially a part of The 27-year-old turned pro in course with bogeys on two of her pionship, which the World Box- his programme, it was hard to 2016 and won in her 69th start fi rst four holes. ing Council (WBC) has created ignore especially since it will on the LPGA Tour, edging out She got her putter going with in its agenda for the region. give a huge fi llip to his profes- runner-up Nasa Hataoka of Ja- a birdie on the par-fi ve eighth The pro boxing competition sional career, as he will be one of pan and fi nishing with a 17-un- hole, the fourth straight day she comprises eight rounds of three the very few Arab boxers in the der 271 total. birdied the hole. minutes each. championship. Hataoka shot a fi nal round Sagstrom then rolled in two Sheikh Fahad, who has been Sheikh Fahad made a win- three-under 69 to fi nish alone in straight birdies on Nos. 10 and 11 unbeaten in his 13-bout career ning debut against Hungary’s second. to get to 16-under. She drained so far, described his participa- Bela Sandor in May 2016. He American Danielle Kang her fourth and fi nal birdie of the tion in the championship as has since beaten a string of Ro- closed with a 69 for sole pos- day on the par-three 17. “immensely signifi cant”, par- manians — Adrian Parlogea session of third at 15-under Hataoka fi nished with fi ve ticularly because it is considered (thrice), Gheorghe Ghiompirica while Celine Boutier (70) was birdies and two bogeys. He sec- his fi rst step towards interna- (twice), Marius Racaru (twice), two strokes back in fourth with a ond bogey came on the par-four tional participation in major Bogheanu (twice), Marius Petre 13-under 275. 18 which prevented her from get- cards. Sorin (twice) and Dumitru Nicu In this September 21, 2019, picture, Qatari boxer Sheikh Fahad bin Khalid al-Thani (left) lands a punch on South Korea’s Kim Sei-Young ting into a playoff . Sheikh Fahad currently com- Manea. Romania’s Ionut Bogheanu during their bout in Madrid, Spain. (73) rounded out the top fi ve by Kang shot a bogey-free 69 that fi nishing at 11-under, six strokes included back-to-back birdies in back of Sagstrom. the middle of her front nine. GOLF Leishman wins at Torrey Pines as

Australian’s red-hot MOTORSPORT putting helped him Rahm falters claim his fifth PGA title Kobayashi leads Wayne Taylor team to repeat Daytona win

Reuters Der Zande in a rain-shortened Salvo, North Carolina race. This time Kobayashi was behind the wheel for the closing laps. apan’s Kamui Kobayashi “Wayne brought me the best pulled away in the closing car ever I drove... It’s a fantastic hours to give Wayne Tay- feeling.” lor Racing to their second The team, with excellent consecutiveJ 24 Hours of Daytona weather conditions, completed a victory in a Cadillac DPI on Sun- record 833 laps to break the pre- day. vious mark of 808 set two sea- The international team won by sons ago. more than a minute over a pole- They also overcame what setting Mazda with fi ve-time In- could have been a costly error by dyCar champion Scott Dixon of Briscoe, who drove through a red New Zealand, Dutchman Renger light on the pit lane that resulted van der Zande and Australia’s in a penalty that dropped him Ryan Briscoe sharing the driving from the lead to a lap down. with Kobayashi, a former For- But Briscoe regained the lead mula One driver. lap under the fi fth full-course “Two times, two wins. It’s caution. amazing,” said Kobayashi, who NASCAR champion Kyle claimed the 2019 title with twice Busch made his debut in the race Formula One champion Fernan- but his team struggled in the GT do Alonso, Jordan Taylor and Van Daytona class.

Hooker Chat replaced by rookie Baubigny in France Six Nations squad Racing 92 hooker Camille Chat has been replaced by uncapped club teammate Teddy Baubigny in France’s Six Nations squad after suff ering a calf injury, the French Rugby Federation (FFR) announced yesterday. Chat, 24, who has 26 Test appearances, was expected to succeed the retired Guilhem Guirado in les Bleus’ number two shirt for their opening match of the tourna- ment against England on Sunday. Baubigny, 21, is alongside fellow international rookies in Bordeaux-Begles back-rower Alexandre Roumat and Montpellier centre Yvan Reilhac as the new faces to join the France set-up this week as Dylan Cretin and Kylian Ham- daoui have fitness problems. Toulouse pair Julien Marchand and Peato Mauvaka are the other hooker options available for new head coach Fabien Galthie. The FFR did not state for how long Marc Leishman of Australia hugs his caddie Matt Kelly after the putt on the 18th green during the final round of the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines South in San Diego, Chat would be ruled out but newspaper Midi Olympique reported California, United States, on Sunday. (AFP) he would be sidelined for two weeks and he could also miss the visit of Italy on February 9. Galthie names his side to face Eddie Reuters behind Leishman, who surged to some good birdie putts early and name below his best. 276 - Brandt Snedeker (USA) Jones’ Rugby World Cup runners-up on Thursday. Cary, North Carolina victory with a seven-under-par then some great par saves later. Rory McIlroy, with the world 69-67-72-68, Rory McIlroy (NIR) 65 despite hitting some awful They’re probably even more im- number one ranking there for 67-73-67-69 England prop Kyle Sinckler to join drives. portant than the early ones.” the taking with a win, was nev- 277 - Tom Hoge (USA) 71-71-67- ustralian Marc Leish- The burly Australian’s red- Leishman started the round er a factor after teeing off three 68 Bristol man putted brilliantly hot putting helped him claim his four strokes behind Rahm, who shots behind Rahm. 278 - Bubba Watson (USA) 67- to win the Farmers In- fi fth PGA Tour victory as sev- dropped four shots in the fi rst Three bogeys in the fi rst four 73-69-69, Patrick Reed (USA) England and Harlequins prop Kyle Sinckler will join Bristol on a surance Open in San eral players including overnight fi ve holes. holes left the Northern Irish- 69-69-70-70, Tony Finau (USA) two-year deal ahead of the 2020/21 season, the English Premier- DiegoA on Sunday when the death leader Jon Rahm faltered. Rahm said he would not lose man reeling, though like Rahm 70-70-68-70 ship club announced yesterday. Sinckler has won 31 England caps of basketball great Kobe Bry- Leishman fi nished at 15-un- much sleep over his failure to he recovered somewhat to shoot 279 - Max Homa (USA) 73-68- and played in all three Tests on the British and Irish Lions’ 2017 ant cast a shadow over the fi nal der 273, one shot ahead of Rahm win on Sunday as the death of 69 and fi nish equal third with 71-67, Patrick Rodgers (USA) New Zealand tour. Bristol, fifth in the Premiership, already have round. (70), who regrouped and birdied Bryant and the outbreak of the American Brandt Snedeker, 70-69-72-68, Beau Hossler (USA) former New Zealand back Charles Piutau and England number Several of the players compet- the fi nal three holes, his long China’s new coronavirus put three strokes behind Leishman. 72-66-73-68, Charley Hoff man eight Nathan Hughes in their ranks while Fiji star Semi Radradra ing at Torrey Pines knew Bryant eagle putt at the last coming up things in perspective. McIlroy was also stunned by (USA) 69-74-71-65, Tiger Woods is heading to Ashton Gate next season. “The opportunity to come well, notably Tiger Woods. just a few inches short. “I was coordinating with a Bryant’s death. (USA) 69-71-69-70, Harry Higgs to Bristol and play under Pat Lam (Bristol rugby director) was one News of Bryant’s death in a “I feel pretty lucky I was able friend to actually meet some- “First basketball team I really (USA) 70-68-69-72 that I couldn’t turn down,” Sinckler, 26, told Bristol’s off icial web- helicopter crash quickly spread to win hitting it in some of the time soon and pick his brain,” followed were the Lakers,” he 280 - Maverick McNealy (USA) site. “The Bears are an ambitious club on the up.” Sinckler started around the Torrey Pines course spots I hit it today,” Leishman said the sombre Spaniard. said. 71-71-69-69 the World Cup final in November but went off after being injured as the round progressed. said. “There’s an epidemic going 281 - Jason Day (AUS) 73-67- during the opening minutes against South Africa in Yokohama. Woods, though, was unaware “This feels pretty amazing. I on in China that could poten- LEADING FINAL ROUND 72-69, Keegan Bradley (USA) Bristol boss Lam said: “Kyle is an outstanding player and it’s fan- until after the round. wasn’t expecting this at the start tially kill thousands. Me missing SCORES 66-72-73-70, JB Holmes (USA) tastic to bring someone of his international calibre to the Bears. Vying for a record 83rd PGA of the day. (I’m) elated. a putt really, really doesn’t mat- 273 - Marc Leishman (AUS) 68- 68-69-71-73, Kang Sung (KOR) He’s coming into his peak years as a front-rower and has a wealth Tour victory, he shot 70 and “I putted as good as I’ve prob- ter to me right now.” 72-68-65 69-71-67-74, Cameron Champ of experience at the very highest level.” fi nished equal ninth, six strokes ably ever putted today. I made Rahm was not the only big 274 - Jon Rahm (ESP) 68-71-65-70 (USA) 71-68-68-74 Gulf Times 4 Tuesday, January 28, 2020 CRICKET

FOCUS SPOTLIGHT Williams’ ton gives Zimbabwe upper Wood’s nine-wicket hand on Day 1

AFP Harare WILLIAMS CENTURY Williams began swiftly gallop- ing to 36 from just 36 balls. He fi ne second Test slowed slightly to reach his third haul helps England century by Sean Test half-century and found a Williams enabled handy partner in Raza. Together Zimbabwe to domi- they added 159 for the fi fth wick- nateA the opening day of the et as the Sri Lankans struggled to second Test against Sri Lanka plug the gaps in the fi eld. in Harare yesterday, as they The breakthrough came when reached 352 for six at the close. Raza, on 72, miscued a pull off The Zimbabwe captain, who Embuldeniya and dollied up wrap up series 3-1 won the toss and chose to bat a catch to Angelo Mathews at fi rst, made 107 from 137 balls, long-on. ‘It’s taken a big eff ort from every one and it’s a very exciting time for English cricket’ an innings which swung be- Williams went on to bring up tween the swashbuckling, his second Test century — his with 10 fours and three sixes, fi rst was against New Zealand and the pragmatic. in Bulawayo four years ago — by He was well backed up by sweeping Embuldeniya for four. Brendan Taylor who made a He gave it away in the next run-a-ball 62 and Sikandar over, however, when he attempt- Raza who hit two sixes and ed to slog a straight ball from four fours in his 72. Dhananjaya de Silva over mid- Looking to bounce back wicket and was bowled. from last week’s 10-wicket Sri Lanka took the new ball defeat at the same venue in the immediately but were unable to fi rst Test, Zimbabwe pressed make further inroads as Chaka- on in the evening with Regis bva and Mutombodzi batted Chakabva on 31 and debutant watchfully through to the close. Tinotenda Mutombodzi on 10. The visitors had begun the day After the early losses of well with Lahiru Kumara fi nd- Prince Masvaure and Craig Er- ing the edge of Masvaure’s bat vine, Taylor began the coun- for nine before Irvine nudged ter-attack, hitting 10 fours De Silva to short leg where Os- and one six over long-off from hada Fernando snapped up a left-arm spinner Lasith Em- sharp catch. Zimbabwe made buldeniya in his brisk knock. two changes to the side that lost Taylor scored the lion’s the fi rst Test with Carl Mumba share of the runs in a 65- replacing the injured Kyle Jarvis run partnership with opener and all-rounder Mutombodzi, Kevin Kasuza who played in who bowls leg-spin, coming in spite of being ‘substituted’ for his Test debut ahead of Ain- for the second innings in last sley Ndlovu. Sri Lanka made week’s fi rst Test after being hit one change with left-arm pace on the head while fi elding at bowler Vishwa Fernando coming short leg. in for Kasun Rajitha. Kasuza batted through the Sri Lanka lead the two-Test morning before losing his off series 1-0. stump to Suranga Lakmal for 38. BRIEF SCORES Lakmal, who bowled su- Zimbabwe, first innings, day 1 at perbly in the fi rst Test, pro- stumps, 352-6 (S. Williams 107, S. England’s captain Joe Root (back row centre) holds the series trophy with teammates at the end of the fourth day of the fourth Test in Johannesburg yesterday. (Reuters) duced another fi ne delivery Raza 72, B. Taylor 62, K. Kasuza to remove Taylor, nipping one 38, R.Chakabva 31 not out; S. Reuters et,” said Root as he took the series third wicket kept alive unlikely home back to peg him leg before. Lakmal 2-31, D. de Silva 2-67) Johannesburg trophy. hopes after South Africa were 90-2 at For South Africa it marked a 108- lunch. year low as they lost for the eighth Quinton de Kock hit another ngland bowled South Africa time in their last nine Tests for their swashbuckling knock, but by the time out for 274 runs yesterday worst run since 10 defeats in 11 Tests he fell for 39 runs, with eight wickets to win the fourth Test at The between 1910 and 1912. down, the contest was already over. Wanderers by 191 runs and Wood took 4-54 — fi nishing with Van der Dussen was given out leg ensureE an emphatic 3-1 series victory. nine wickets in the game — and Stu- before wicket to Chris Woakes with Mark Wood took four wickets as the art Broad and Ben Stokes added two just the third ball he faced yesterday home team crumbled in the evening more for England as they took the last and almost ran out of time as he dith- session after threatening to off er stoic six South African wickets for 39 runs. ered over whether to review, but then resistance earlier in the day. The home team were facing a near won a reprieve as the ball was shown England completed the task with impossible target of 466 and pro- to be missing the wickets. a day to spare with South Africa fall- vided a fl icker of resistance but lost He took advantage to hit 15 fours ing well short of their 466 run target wickets at crucial intervals. and two sixes in a boundary-fi lled in- in what would have been the highest “England were better than us in nings and will be livid with the way fourth innings Test chase. every department with both ball and he went out, essentially ending hopes The success is a massive boost for bat,” said home skipper Faf du Plessis. of fairytale for both himself and his a young English team who overcame “We have to give them credit for team. several obstacles on a tough tour and being the better team.” calms questions over Joe Root’s cap- Rassie van der Dussen scored 98, BRIEF SCORES taincy. falling agonisingly short of a maiden England 400 (Crawley 66, Root, 59, “It took a lot to pick ourselves up Test century, before being tricked Pope 56, Nortje 5-110) and 248 (Root after losing the fi rst Test and that’s into off ering an easy catch, just vefi 58, Hendricks 5-64) beat South Africa been extremely pleasing. It’s taken balls after Du Plessis had been bowled 183 (de Kock 76, Wood 5-46) and 274 a big eff ort from every one and it’s a by Stokes for 35. (van der Dussen 98, Wood 4-54) by England’s Mark Wood (right) celebrates taking the wicket very exciting time for English crick- Their 92-run partnership for the 191 runs. of South Africa’s Anrich Nortje yesterday. (Reuters)

TWENTY20 Sean Williams (right) celebrates after scoring a century during the first day of the second Test against Sri Lanka at the Harare Sports Club in Harare yesterday. (AFP)

Pakistan-Bangladesh third match washed out England, Sri Lanka win opening AFP playoff matches Lahore Dan Mousley smashed 57 off get another win under our 36 balls as England cruised to belts as we try to progress to he third Twenty20 in- victory over Japan in the ICC the Plate final. ternational between Pa- U19 World Cup Plate quarter- “Our bowlers did really well kistan and Bangladesh final in Potchefstroom. to keep on task as the Japan was abandoned without Japan set England 94 to top order occupied the crease Ta ball being bowled yesterday win, with the Young Lions for the first 30 overs and we because of bad weather in La- reaching the total in the 12th showed our clinical side to hore, giving the home side a 2-0 over for the loss of a single take the final eight wickets in series victory. wicket. quick succession. Murky conditions and drizzle Scott Currie and Hamidullah “Dan has had a fine delayed the scheduled 13:00pm Qadri each took three wickets, tournament with the bat (0830 GMT) toss at the Gadaffi with Joey Evison taking two so far, so it was a good stadium pitch, but play was in balls in the 30th over. opportunity for him to move called off three hours later. Lewis Goldsworthy continued to the top of the order and Pakistan won the fi rst match his fine, economical form, he didn’t let us down with his by fi ve wickets on Friday and the taking one wicket for seven half-century.” second by nine wickets the next runs in his seven overs. England will play again on day. Qadri has now taken 11 Friday against the winner of The series win helped Paki- wickets in the tournament the clash between Zimbabwe stan hang on to their number one at an average of 11.09, while and Canada for a place in the ranking in Twenty20 interna- Goldsworthy’s economy rate Plate final. (ecb.co.uk) tionals with 270 points, leading of 2.03 from 32 overs is the Australia by just one point. best of any bowler with more SRI LANKA WIN Pakistan skipper Babar Azam than 11 overs bowled in the BY 233 RUNS said the series win will help the tournament. In another playoff match, Sri team’s confi dence. Mousley hit seven fours and Lanka bagged a comfortable “Our bowling was outstand- two sixes in his half-century, 233-run victory over ing in both the games... helped putting on 53 with Sam Young Nigeria at Ibbies Oval in us keep them down to low to- (16) for the first wicket. Young Potchefstroom. tals,” said Babar who lost 2-0 in was bowled by Max Clements Ravindu Rasantha was the Australia last year in his fi rst se- for 16 and Mousley was joined stand-out performer with a ries as skipper. at the crease by Jordan Cox, superb 102 off 111 balls as Sri Bangladesh skipper Mah- who also scored 16, with the Lanka finished on 306-7. mudullah said the loss was dis- Pakistan’s players pose for a photograph with the series trophy at the Gaddafi Cricket Stadium in Lahore yesterday. (AFP) pair seeing England home. In reply, Nigeria were bowled appointing. George Hill, captaining the all out for 73 with Dilshan “Before the series we knew one and we are nine. We man- match they won convincingly out late yesterday but return on one-day international on April 3 side in place of George Madushanka taking five of that Pakistan will be favourites aged to put a good fi ght in the because they have a good bowl- February 5 to play the fi rst of two in Karachi, and the second Test Balderson, said: “It’s great to the wickets. because they are world number fi rst match, but in the second ing side.” Bangladesh is due to fl y Tests, in Rawalpindi. They play a starting April 7. Gulf Times Tuesday, January 28, 2020 5 SPORT

NBA PREVIEW Playoff push ramps up as NHL Lillard scores 50 as returns to action

Reuters fi ve teams are separated by Los Angeles just one point. The Vancouver Canucks lead the division, but the he NHL playoff race Edmonton Oilers, Calgary Blazers down Pacers can turn upside down Flames, Arizona Coyotes and during the stretch Vegas Golden Knights are run, as the St. Louis right behind them. LILLARD NOW BECOMES THE FIRST PLAYER TBlues proved last season. “We’ve been there at the The Blues rallied from last top for a while now,” Coyo- IN BLAZERS’ HISTORY TO SCORE AT LEAST place in the league in Janu- tes coach Rick Tocchet said. ary to reach the playoff s and “Now we’re in a situation if 40 POINTS IN THREE STRAIGHT GAMES rolled through four postsea- we have a bad week, we could 139-129 son rounds to win the Stanley be in fi fth place. There are 31 Cup. That run provides fuel games left and it’s all down- for this season’s race, which hill. We have some young still includes most of the guys, I think they understand league. it’s going to be hard. If you “With the Blues, they found think it’s hard now, it’s going their groove and they kept to be really hard.” going last year and rode that Head-to-head games will wave,” said Toronto Maple decide the divisional races. Leafs forward Mitch Marner, “You know what happens at whose team sat four points out the end of the year, everybody of the playoff s entering this starts playing each other, so season’s All-Star break. “We that heightens it even more,” need to fi nd that groove and Flames defenseman Mark keep pushing. The teams right Giordano said. “The division- behind us and right in front of al games, the head-to-heads us are doing the same thing.” if you can win them in regu- Only the Detroit Red Wings, lation, it does a lot for you. New Jersey Devils and Ottawa Those are emotional games. Senators are out of the East- You’ve got to be able to con- ern Conference race. Only the trol your emotions, be disci- Anaheim Ducks and Los An- plined.” geles Kings appear to be done Last season, the Flames in the Western Conference, were the anti-Blues. They though the San Jose Sharks are dominated their side of the sinking fast. league for much of the sea- Otherwise, postseason son, then faded late and took berths are up for grabs for a quick exit from the playoff s. teams that can gain traction “It’s about putting it to- and sustain it into April. gether at the right time,” For instance, the surprising Giordano said. “I feel like last Columbus Blue Jackets won year we had a great start and six consecutive games com- an unbelievable fi rst half and ing into the All-Star break. sort of lost that confi dence They currently sit in the fi rst that we had down the stretch wild-card spot in the Eastern and it carried over in the play- Conference. off s. So hopefully this year is a “We’re coming together complete opposite.” pretty nicely,” Blue Jackets Winning the big head-to- defenseman Seth Jones aid. “I head games, as the Blues did think we were playing pretty a year ago, can solidify a team good hockey earlier in the year for the postseason grind. and we weren’t getting the re- “It’s going to be a fi ght to sults. As of late, really the past the end,” Golden Knights eight weeks, we really came winger Max Pacioretty said. into our own.” “We’re expecting these last 30 In the Metropolitan Divi- games to be really intense, but sion, the second-place Pitts- on the bright side, if you’re burgh Penguins and sixth- able to get in, if you’re able to place Philadelphia Flyers are get through these games, that separated by just seven points. should prepare you for the Portland Trail Blazers’ Damian Lillard in action. (TNS) In the Pacifi c Division, the top playoff s.”

in their past nine games. Indiana dropped Trail Blazers a 129-114 lead with 4:22 re- Reuters RESULTS Los Angeles its 11th straight game at Portland. maining. Atlanta 152-133 Washington NBA legend Kobe Bryant died in a heli- The Pacers made one last push to cut New York 110-97 Brooklyn copter crash earlier Sunday at the age of the defi cit to nine points. But Lillard made amian Lillard continued his 41, and both teams remembered him at two free throws to reach 50 points for the scoring spree with 50 points, LA Clippers 112-97 Orlando the outset of the game. night and make the score 137-126 with matched his season high of 13 Portland 139-129 Indiana The Trail Blazers won the tip and let 1:26 left en route to Portland closing out assists and grabbed six rebounds Memphis 114-109 Phoenix the 24-second clock run out without at- the victory. toD lead the Portland Trail Blazers to a 139- tempting a shot. The Pacers took pos- Hassan Whiteside contributed 21 129 victory over the visiting Indiana Pac- New Orleans 123-108 Boston session and did not cross midcourt in the points, 14 rebounds and six blocked shots ers on Sunday night. Toronto 110-106 San Antonio mandatory eight seconds — the numbers and Carmelo Anthony had 14 points and Lillard made 14 of 23 shots from the fi eld Denver 117-110 Houston 24 and 8 representing what Bryant wore eight rebounds for the Trail Blazers, who — including 8 of 12 from 3-point range — during his stellar 20-year career with the shot 54.4% from the fi eld and 20 of 35 to become the fi rst player in franchise stretch. Los Angeles Lakers. from 3-point range. history to record three straight eff orts CJ McCollum scored 28 points and The Pacers trailed by 17 early in the Doug McDermott made six 3-pointers of 40 points or more. Lillard has scored made six 3-pointers for the Trail Blazers fourth quarter before Justin Holiday con- while scoring 19 points for Indiana. 158 points in the three games, beginning after missing the previous three games nected on a 3-pointer to complete a 13-4 Indiana was without Malcolm Brogdon with a franchise-record 61 against Golden because of an ankle injury. burst and bring his club to 116-108 with (concussion) and Myles Turner (illness). State on Monday and 47 against Dallas on Jeremy Lamb scored 28 points and 8:18 remaining. Lillard scored 23 fi rst-half points on 7 of Thursday. Domantas Sabonis had 27 points, 14 re- Indiana later was within seven points 8 shooting from the fi eld as the Trail Blaz- Lillard has made at least eight 3-point- bounds and a career-best 11 assists for the before Lillard scored eight straight points ers held a 66-56 lead at the break. Sabonis ers in each game and has 27 during the Pacers, who lost for just the second time — including two 3-pointers — to give the scored 18 before halftime for Indiana.

NFL/PRO BOWL MLB Jackson’s two TD passes lead AFC past NFC Dodgers brand Reuters touchdown receptions in a losing ef- Astros cheats; don’t Los Angeles fort. The AFC built a 24-14 halftime lead but slipped behind 27-24 in the want 2017 title amar Jackson threw two touch- third quarter after back-to-back NFC down passes, Deshaun Watson touchdowns. Tannehill completed a Reuters a fake banner hanging in our and Ryan Tannehill passed for 60-yard touchdown strike to Chark to Los Angeles stadium. We didn’t earn that. one touchdown apiece, and the put the AFC back on top for good. We didn’t catch that fi nal out to LAFC held on for a 38-33 win over the The NFC tried a Pro Bowl experi- win a championship.” The Los NFC on Sunday afternoon at the Pro mental rule after pulling within fi ve he Los Angeles Dodgers Angeles City council voted this Bowl in Orlando, Florida. points late in the fourth quarter. In- may consider the Hou- week to ask Major League Base- Jackson led all signal-callers with stead of trying an onside kick, the NFC ston Astros frauds and ball to award the 2017 and 2018 185 passing yards to help the AFC win opted to start on its own 25-yard line cheaters, but they want titles to the Dodgers. MLB said its fourth consecutive Pro Bowl since for a 4th-and-15 play. nothingT to do with hanging a it has no plans to vacate either the game returned to a head-to-head The decision did not pay off as “fake banner” to represent a championship.“Frustrating is conference format. T.J. Watt provided Cousins’ long pass attempt was inter- championship they did not win probably the fl oor of my emo- a defensive highlight for the AFC when cepted by the Baltimore Ravens’ Earl on the fi eld. tions,” Dodgers manager Dave he returned a fumble 82 yards for a Thomas. After silence the past few Roberts said. touchdown. The game kicked off shortly after weeks, Dodgers players and Added Dodgers infi elder En- Kirk Cousins came off the bench to news spread of Kobe Bryant’s death in front-offi ce staff sounded off on rique Hernandez: “They cheat- lead the NFC with 181 passing yards a helicopter crash. The NFL honored the Houston Astros’ sign-steal- ed, they got away with it. They and a pair of touchdowns. He followed Bryant with a moment of silence be- ing scandal from the 2017 season got a ring out of it.” Russell Wilson and Drew Brees, who fore kickoff , and players paid tribute to at the club’s annual fan conven- Dodgers team president Stan threw for one touchdown apiece but him during the game. tion on Saturday. The Dodgers Kasten said he still has ques- each fell short of 100 passing yards. Packers linebacker Za’Darius Smith not only lost the 2017 World tions about the entire matter. Jackson was named as the Pro Bowl’s gathered several NFC teammates for a Series to the Astros, they also “We got the report. We read off ensive MVP, while Calais Campbell Bryant tribute after a fumble recovery. lost the championship series in the report. We accepted the re- was named as defensive MVP. The players mimicked Bryant’s fa- 2018 to the Boston Red Sox, who port,” Kasten told The Athletic, Mark Andrews, DJ Chark Jr., Jack mous fadeaway jump shot. also are under investigation for which detailed the sign-stealing Doyle and Andre Roberts each hauled “It is heartbreaking,” the Texans’ stealing opponents’ signs elec- practices of the Astros and Red in touchdown catches for the AFC. Watson said during a sideline inter- tronically, a violation of baseball Sox. “The next day, we went Davante Adams had two touchdown view with ESPN. “For us to fi nd out in rules. “We don’t want a trophy,” right back to building the best catches to lead the NFC. Michael the locker room before we came out, a AFC quarterback Lamar Jackson of the Baltimore Ravens (centre) in action during the Pro Bowl Dodgers veteran Justin Turner team we could to win a World Thomas and Amari Cooper also had lot of guys were just very emotional.” at Camping World Stadium. PICTURE: USA TODAY Sports told reporters. “We don’t want Series in 2020. Gulf Times 6 Tuesday, January 28, 2020 FOOTBALL

QATAR AIRWAYS, PHILIPPINE FOOTBALL FEDERATION SIGN AGREEMENT

Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive HE Akbar al-Baker (left) and Philippine Football Federation General Secretary Atty. Edwin B Gastanes signed a sponsorship agreement which sees Qatar Airways confirmed as the title sponsor of the Philippines Football League until 2022. The signing ceremony was held in Doha on Sunday.

SERIE A BUNDESLIGA Coach demands more from Leipzig Struggling Napoli in tight title race

AFP ing training) the decision was Berlin not that we were burning to become German champions.”

ulian Nagelsmann ‘KEEP WORKING’ shock leaders Juve wants more from his It’s been an unusually vocal RB Leipzig side ahead week for the calm and col- ‘We lost a match against an opponent who had done the minimum to win’ of a crucial run of fi x- lected 32-year-old, who is in Jtures for the Bundesliga lead- his fi rst year with the eastern AFP ers, after Saturday’s defeat at German club after a sum- Milan Eintracht Frankfurt left him mer switch from Hoff enheim, asking whether his players where he became the young- genuinely wanted to win the est permanent head coach in iotr Zielinski and Loren- German title. Bundesliga history at 28 when zo Insigne scored in the Leipzig have seen their lead he took over in 2016. second half as strug- over second-placed Bayern Nagelsmann used a mid- gling Napoli shocked Munich cut to one point after week press conference to slam Pchampions Juventus 2-1 to spoil a meek performance in the the mentality of the younger coach Maurizio Sarri’s return to 2-0 loss to mid-table Ein- generation of players, in- the Stadio San Paolo on Sunday. tracht. With league games cluding wantaway midfi elder Sarri had not been back to against title rivals Borussia Hannes Wolf. The 20-year- Naples since being sacked in Moenchengladbach and Bay- old Austrian – who joined May 2018 after three successful ern over the next fortnight, Leipzig from partner club campaigns, and before moving as well as the club’s fi rst foray Salzburg in the summer – told to Chelsea. in the Champions League Nagelsmann he was grow- This season he has taken over knockout stages against Tot- ing frustrated with a lack of eight-time reigning champions tenham Hotspur, Nagelsmann game time ahead of the 2020 Juve, a move seen as a betrayal by said the club needs to decide European Championships and his former team, the two-time whether or not they deserve wanted to be sent out on loan. Serie A runners-up. their spot at the top of Ger- “It’s currently a trend that Juve missed the chance to man football. every player who is not a reg- open up a six-point lead on In- “We need to decide wheth- ular starter wants to leave im- ter Milan at the top of the table, er or not we push towards the mediately,” Nagelsmann said after Antonio Conte’s side were title, or whether we stay here, on Thursday. earlier held 1-1 by Cagliari, their have something to eat and Nagelsmann said Wolf, who third consecutive draw. drink, and fall back into the made his Leipzig debut last Inter are three points behind pack,” Nagelsmann said. month having missed the fi rst Juve with Lazio a further two Nagelsmann criticised his four months with his new side points adrift in third after city squad’s listless eff ort in what due to an ankle fracture picked rivals Roma ended Simone In- was just Leipzig’s third league up on international duty, zaghi’s side’s 11-match winning loss of the season, saying their needed to focus on improving streak. lack of energy and urgency in training before complaining “It is pleasant and exciting to was evident during the week’s about a lack of opportunities. go back,” said Sarri despite the training sessions. It should be “a virtue to whistles and insulting banners “We do not have the quality keep working towards some- of his former fans, reserving his of Bayern or Dortmund. That thing, even if a phase in your criticism for his “under-par, means we have to use every career is not going so well,” mentally bland” team. minute of training better than Nagelsmann said. “We lost a match against an them,” Nagelsmann said. “It would not help anyone opponent who had done the “I don’t always see that. in life if I just ran away when minimum to win,” he added. When you see our 11 against something wasn’t going well... “We were passive throughout 11 (in training) on Wednesday, (playing football) also includes the game, always halfway be- you can see that we are a long getting through negative peri- tween pressure and waiting, we way from being a top team. ods, sticking with it, acceler- made mistakes.” Napoli’s Piotr Zielinski (right) and Juventus’ Federico Bernardeschi in action during their Serie A game in Naples, Italy. (Reuters) “Everyone makes the deci- ating and not letting it go.” In Naples, Zielinski broke the sion for themselves whether In addition to playing rivals deadlock after 63 minutes fi n- after 86 minutes to an explo- consecutive games in all compe- bound eff ort, as Juve crashed to run of three consecutive defeats. they want to be a winner and Gladbach and Bayern over the ishing off a rebound after Insigne sion of joy among the crowd. titions. just their second defeat of the “It’s a victory for the whole rip in. You don’t have to tell next fortnight, Leipzig will was denied by Juve goalkeeper Cristiano Ronaldo pulled a goal The visitors pushed for the season. Napoli move up to tenth of Naples,” said Insigne after me the decision, I feel it, I see face Frankfurt again, this time Wojciech Szczesny. back as the game headed into in- equaliser but Alex Meret smoth- place, 12 points off the Champi- his team’s fi rst home win in the it on the pitch. in the last 16 of the German Insigne volleyed in a second jury time for his 13th goal in nine ered Gonzalo Higuain’s goal- ons League places after ending a league since October 19. “And on Wednesday (dur- Cup on February 4.

SPOTLIGHT FIFA Technical Experts’ Workshop kicks off in Doha

QNA session, Secretary-General of football which is the 2022 Doha of Qatar Football Association FIFA World Cup. Mansoor al-Ansari expressed For his part, FIFA Techni- pleasure for hosting the event cal Director Steven Martens IFA Technical Experts’ for the second consecutive extended thanks to Qatar Workshop kicked off year, bringing together ex- Football Association for the in Doha yesterday perts from around the world. distinguished organisation, with the participation Al-Ansari said Qatar’s the great media attention and ofF 100 experts and coaches hosting of such major events the logistic support which has from the various national fed- refl ects its commitment to been provided by the State in erations under the umbrella of positively contribute to de- order to achieve an ideal suc- the FIFA. veloping the technical ex- cess for FIFA workshops. The workshop was moder- pertise in the region and the Doha hosted the fi rst FIFA ated by FIFA Technical Direc- world, and affi rms that the Technical Experts’ Workshop tor Steven Martens and was State of Qatar has become in January 2018, as part of four attended by French interna- an important sporting hub in seminars that the FIFA chose tional training legend Arsene the world of football, noting to hold in Qatar. Wenger, German coach Erich Qatar’s organisation of sev- Doha hosted the FIFA Rutemoller, American coach eral major sports events and World Cup Russia Referees April Heinrichs and English workshop, and most impor- Seminar in 2018; and the FIFA coach Steve McClaren. tantly its preparation to host Women’s World Cup France Addressing the opening the biggest event in the world Refereeing Seminar. Delegates pose during the FIFA Technical Experts’ Workshop in Doha yesterday. Gulf Times Tuesday, January 28, 2020 7 FOOTBALL

LIGUE 1 COMMENT Klopp insists no fi rst-teamers will Neymar dedicates play in Cup replay

Reuters competitive games in respect of Shrewsbury it,” Klopp told reporters. “I have said to the boys already, two weeks ago, that we will have a iverpool manager Juergen winter break, so it means we will goal to Bryant as PSG Klopp says no fi rst-team not be there – it will be the kids players will be involved who play that game because they in their FA Cup fourth- cannot deal with us like nobody Lround replay with third-tier cares about it. Shrewsbury Town next month “I know it is not very popular, because it clashes with the inau- but that’s the way I see it. The gural Premier League break. Premier League asked us to re- Klopp’s much-changed side spect the winter break and that’s go 10 points clear were forced to a replay by third- what we’ll do. If then the FA do tier Shrewsbury on Sunday as not respect it then we cannot they let slip a two-goal lead to change. But we will not be there.” ‘It’s deeply saddening for the world of sport and for all of us’ draw 2-2 in a pulsating tie at Klopp also confi rmed that New Meadow. Liverpool’s under 23s coach Neil AFP He has never taken Liverpool Critchley would manage the Paris into the fi fth round of the FA Cup team in that game. since arriving in October 2015, Critchley took charge of the but now appears ready to sac- League Cup quarter-fi nal tie eymar dedicated his rifi ce the chance of ending that against Aston Villa this sea- second goal in Paris poor record. son when Liverpool’s fi rst team Saint-Germain’s 2-0 Shrewsbury’s players and fans squad were in Qatar for FIFA’s win at Lille to basket- celebrated wildly at the prospect World Club Cup. Villa won 5-0. Nball legend Kobe Bryant, whose of a trip to Anfi eld, but Klopp Klopp, who believes Cup re- death in a helicopter crash ear- was not amused. plays should be scrapped, will lier on Sunday shocked the The new Premier League win- almost certainly be as good as world, as his double shot the ter break means all clubs will his word. French champions 10 points have a blank weekend. “It’s about players’ welfare clear at the top of Ligue 1. Liverpool, who lead the table and they need a rest – mental The world’s most expensive by a massive 16 points, would rest, physical rest,” he said. player slotted home the 52nd- have had no league game be- “That’s what the winter break minute penalty and went over tween facing Southampton on is about and then another com- to television cameras by the side February 1 and Norwich City on petition tells us it’s not that im- of the Stade Pierre Mauroy pitch February 15. portant. We had to make these to make the number 24 with his Now they will host Shrews- decisions before because the fi ngers in honour of Bryant’s bury in the week beginning Feb- boys have family and the in- shirt number. ruary 3. ternational players like Jordan “It’s deeply saddening for the “In April 2019, we got a let- Henderson, Virgil van Dijk, Gini world of sport and for all of us,” ter from the Premier League Wijnaldum, Trent Alexander- said Neymar to Canal+ after the where they asked us to respect Arnold, Mo Salah, Sadio Mane, win, which put PSG 10 points the winter break, not to organ- all these guys they never have clear at the top of the league. ise friendlies and not to organise time off .” “Not just for basketball fans, but for everything he did for sport.” He had already put his side Liverpool were warned over possible ahead with a fi ne strike in the winter break clash: FA fi rst half before putting the game out of reach and increas- Liverpool were warned about draw at Shrewsbury on Sunday ing the gap between them and the possibility of an FA Cup that he would “respect” the second-placed Marseille. fourth-round replay during the break and that under-23s His 12th league goal of the mid-season break before the boss Neil Critchley would take season tipped the balance in the start of the current campaign, charge of a youthful side for the Parisians’ favour after a posi- the Football Association has replay, which is currently sched- tive start for the home side, who said. uled for February 4, subject to a were unbeaten at home ahead of Manager Jurgen Klopp said timing change for television. the match. neither he nor his first-team If that date is confirmed, it The Brazilian almost im- stars would be present for their would mean the Premier mediately slipped through replay at home to Shrewsbury, League leaders’ winter break Mbappe but the onrushing Mike Paris St Germain’s Neymar celebrates scoring their second goal from the penalty spot against Lille. (Reutres) which is set to take place during would amount to 10 football- Maignan stopped the France the first week of the scheduled free days, the gap between Feb- World Cup winner from clinch- and counter-attacks and this Bordeaux won 1-0 courtesy strips will go to the two Argen- Earlier Karl Toko Ekambi break. However, the FA, which ruary 4 and their home match ing his 14th top-fl ight eff ort of is not easy to do against a good of a late goal by Jimmy Briand as tine clubs Sala played for in his scored on his Lyon debut Sun- acknowledged the importance against Norwich on February 15. the campaign. team like Lille.” Nantes played most the second youth. day in a 3-0 victory over bottom of a rest for the players, said A Liverpool side led by Critch- Mbappe was stopped again by Lille stay seventh after the half with 10 men after the dis- A portrait of Sala was also club Toulouse. clubs were all aware such a situ- ley lost 5-0 to Aston Villa in the Maignan when he got his body defeat, two points away from missal of Andrei Girotto. displayed in the centre circle Cameroon striker Toko ation could arise. League Cup quarter-final while in the way of a fi erce close- the European places. The 28-year-old Sala was during the warm-up and there Ekambi, who joined on loan this “Prior to start of the 2019-20 the first team competed in the range eff ort, but the away side killed last January when the was a minute’s applause ahead week from Villarreal until the season, all clubs accepted that Club World Cup in Qatar, a com- were given a penalty soon after EMOTIONAL DAY small plane taking him to join of kick-off . end of the season, sealed the Emirates FA Cup fourth-round petition they went on to win. for a clear Gabriel handball just Neymar’s tribute came on what Cardiff City after being bought Supporters laid fl owers out- win six minutes later as Lyon replays, where required, would Klopp’s approach to the FA Cup before the forward’s shot. was already an emotional day from Nantes for £15 million side the ground and broke out climbed up to fi fth in Ligue 1. have to take place during the drew some criticism, but former Neymar squeezed his spot- in French football, with Nantes ($19.5 million) crashed off the into a song commemorating Toko Ekambi came on as first week of the mid-season Liverpool player and Sky Sports kick just beyond Maignan, who and Bordeaux also honouring Channel island of Guernsey. Sala in the ninth minute, repre- a fi rst-half substitute after a player break,” the governing pundit Jamie Carragher backed got his hand to the shot but their former striker Emiliano Nantes wore a special white senting the shirt number worn scary incident involving France body said in a statement. the German. “Senior players looked on in horror as it made Sala, a year after his death in a and pale blue shirt inspired by by the player which has since Under-21 forward Martin Ter- “This will only aff ect a small having a winter break is right, its way in off the post. plane crash. Argentina while Bordeaux’s kit been retired by Nantes. rier. number of clubs due to the split you can’t implement one and “We deserved to win, I think The clubs remembered Ar- featured an Argentine fl ag be- Sala left his homeland to Terrier was stretchered off of Premier League fixtures in then have a replay in the break. we played well,” said PSG coach gentine forward Sala before neath the club crest fl anked by join Bordeaux in 2012 and then after fainting on the pitch, but the mid-season player break.” That’s the same for all PL clubs,” Thomas Tuchel. the Derby de l’Atlantique at the the player’s initials. played for Nantes between 2015 Lyon said at half-time the play- Klopp said after his side’s 2-2 Carragher wrote on Twitter. “We controlled the match Stade de la Beaujoire. Proceeds from the sales of the and 2019. er had regained consciousness.

LA LIGA Real go top with gritty win over Valladolid AFP after winning only one of their last 12. They Valladolid stay 16th, fi ve points above the bottom three. Valladolid’s Joaquin Fernandez was lucky not to be sent off early on for a two-footed eal Madrid moved top of La Liga challenge on Rodrygo, which only earned him for the fi rst time since October on a yellow card, despite the protests of Ma- Sunday after grinding out a 1-0 drid’s players. win away at Real Valladolid to make Casemiro thought he had scored when he BarcelonaR pay for their surprise defeat to nodded in at the back post but VAR showed Valencia. him to have been just off side and Valladolid It is 16 weeks since Madrid last fi nished arguably fi nished the fi rst half the stronger. a round top of the pile and it looked like a Thibaut Courtois made a good save to deny scrappy contest at the Jose Zorilla would end Michel and then had to backpeddle to pre- goalless until Nacho headed in the winner vent Raul Garcia’s cross dropping in under with 12 minutes remaining. his crossbar. After a scrappy opening 45 min- Victory means Zinedine Zidane’s side pull utes, Madrid improved in the second period three points ahead of Barca, whose 2-0 loss as the lively Rodrygo tested Jordi Masip and away at the Mestalla on Saturday under new Benzema twice should have scored. coach Quique Setien could prove a turning First, he failed to volley in an excellent Isco point in a nip-and-tuck title race. cross from close range and then rose high to Madrid now have the luxury of hosting meet Rodrygo’s delivery but headed wide of their struggling city rivals Atletico Madrid, the post. who are 10 points back after a goalless home Valladolid were retreating and, in the 78th draw with Leganes earlier on Sunday, with a minute, Madrid struck. Toni Kroos’ corner cushion next weekend, not to mention on the was cleared back out to him and at the second back of a 19-game unbeaten run. time of asking, he picked out Nacho, who di- That streak included them drawing a game verted a smart header into the far corner. they arguably should have won at Camp Nou Nacho ran over to Zidane on the touchline in December and then lifting the Spanish Su- to hug his coach. per Cup earlier this month in Saudi Arabia. There was a late siege as Valladolid came As Barcelona pursue a more entertaining again in the fi nal minutes, the stadium erupt- style of football under Setien, Madrid march ing after Sergi Guardiola tapped in at the back on, gaining momentum with wins that based post. But his outstretched right foot was off - largely on solidity and a stubborn defence. side, and Madrid breathed a sigh of relief. Their form has been even more impressive given the absence of key players, with Eden Hazard, Karim Benzema and Gareth Bale starting only four times together this season. Real Madrid’s defender Nacho Fernandez Real Valladolid, who are owned by the (left) vies for the ball with Real Valladolid’s former Brazil and Real Madrid striker Ron- forward Sergi Guardiola during their La Liga aldo, are being drawn into a relegation fi ght match in Valladolid. (AFP) Tuesday, January 28, 2020 GULF TIMES TRIBUTE

LOSS ‘Everything I learned came from Kobe’: Bryant’s legacy will live long aft er his death

A boy with a basketball walks past a wall in Manila, Philippines, painted for former LA Lakers basketball player Kobe Bryant, following his death in the US on Sunday. (Below) Bryant with his daughter Gianna. (AFP, USA TODAY Sports)

fi dence and the swagger even Achilles tendon, limped off the Sunday, they tweeted tributes, Former Lakers shooting guard and his daughter at 17 and 18,” Magic Johnson court and returned to make two posted photos and wrote mes- Mamba’s life remembered on Sunday. “When free throws before exiting. You can sages on their sneakers. Gianna died in a helicopter crash in California he missed that shot that was an still hear fans at Staples Center “The day I earned your respect in numbers airball in Utah and he knew he murmur, “Well, Kobe made two was a day I’ll never forget,” vet- By Dan Woike and Broderick with basketball fans worldwide. from a knee fracture, Bryant was coming back. That says a without an Achilles” when a Laker eran forward Jae Crowder said. Times he helped the Turner His willingness to sprint toward re-watched that game from Jan lot about that dude. He was like, misses a pair of free throws. Bryant’s fi nal season before 5 Lakers win the champion- Los Angeles Times (tca/dpa) big moments and big shots 22, 2006, and tweeted along, ‘OK, I’ll be back. Don’t worry His tenure with the Lakers was retirement provided him an ship, including 2001 when he endeared him to fans and some- providing a type of director’s about me. I’ll take it again.’ This far from perfect. He wasn’t al- opportunity to reinvent himself beat the Sixers in five games. times enraged his critics. But commentary. He would do the dude here is a diff erent cat. But ways a popular teammate, some- once again, this time as a gra- After Game 3 of that series, ighty-one points in his when things mattered most, you same in retirement on an ESPN he loved being a Laker, that’s one times near impossi- cious veteran open to refl ection Bryant infamously responded prime and 60 on his way could count on Bryant always show called “Detail”. thing he always loved. He ble to play alongside about his career and legacy as to a Sixers fan heckler, “We’re into retirement. Five being a part of it. “Watching the game now, the and I shared because his drive he made stops around the NBA. going to cut your hearts out championships with the His death sent a wave of grief easy shots I missed, I could of for excellence was While the celebrations (and the Wednesday.” Bryant then LosE Angeles Lakers, 18 All-Star through the basketball world on had 100 pts!” Bryant too hard for others fl ood of shot attempts) weren’t went out and nearly had a appearances representing them, Sunday, with eight games across tweeted to match. He was always popular with his team, triple-double that night (19 15 All-NBA honours, two jerseys the NBA played while teams in 2013, viewed as being Bryant left the game in a perfect points, 10 rebounds, nine as- hanging in the Staples Center and players off ered tributes and ending his responsible for way — taking 50 shots and scor- sists) and the Lakers won the rafters — No 8 and No 24 couldn’t contain their emotions. comments breaking up the ing 60 points against the Jazz. series two days later. And the number that will Veteran centre and Angeleno with, “I felt pairing with In retirement, Bryant became haunt Los Angeles and the world Tyson Chandler, now a backup like I was O’Neal (and, the father to an heir — his Times named All-Star, — only 41 years old. centre on the Rockets, stared looking at to his credit, daughter Gianna. They went to 18 playing in 15 games, A future Hall of Famer, an onto the court early in Houston’s a Salvador starting again WNBA games and he proudly winning MVP four times. all-time great, the second-best game against Denver and shook Dali painting with Pau posted videos of her posting up Times named to the shooting guard ever and the his head in disbelief. Tears welled #master- Gasol). He players and making fadeaway 12 NBA’s all-defensive closest thing to Michael Jordan in the eyes of his teammates, piece.” and Dwight jumpers just like him. team, eight times first team. It’s still Howard people have seen, Kobe Bryant including Austin Rivers, who He’d become a basketball dad Times all-NBA, 11 times the second- weren’t able died Sunday morning, one of idolised Bryant’s game. and an AAU coach. first team. nine who perished in a helicopter Toronto players embraced highest-scoring to coexist Now, he’s a memory and the 15 crash in Calabasas. their former teammate, San game in NBA and push world is grieving. Switched from The loss was mourned in all Antonio guard DeMar DeRozan, history. the Lak- “Kobe was one of the fi ercest 8, 24 jersey No. 8 to corners of the world. Presidents who grew up in Los Angeles Bryant also is ers to the title people competitors the NBA has ever No. 24 in 2006 because he Donald Trump and Barack trying his best to mimic every revered as a winner expected. known,” former Lakers general wanted a new number for the Obama both tweeted tributes. Bryant mannerism. DeRozan’s and, ironically, a that.” He and O’Neal reconciled, manager Mitch Kupchak said. second half of his career. Bry- NFL greats Tom Brady and coach, Gregg Popovich, consoled lot of that reverence Bryant earned accolades with the former Lakers big man “Who will ever forget his Game 7 ant opted for No. 24, his first Peyton Manning expressed their him before the game began with began with a high- for his toughness — both physi- tweeting Sunday that he’s “sick” performance in the 2010 NBA Fi- high school number. (Kobe sadness. Paris Saint-Germain a tribute — both teams taking profi le loss. cal and mental. right now. nals against the Boston Celtics? also wore No. 33 at Lower soccer star Neymar scored a goal 24-second violations. During his fi rst trip to the His “Mamba Mentality” slo- Late in his career, the Lakers Despite his own and our entire Merion, but the Lakers retired off a penalty kick and held up “Everything I learned came playoff s as a rookie, Bryant gan was as much about Bryant’s struck out when trying to pair team’s shooting struggles, he that number in Kareem two fi ngers on his right hand and from Kobe. Everything,” tried to extend a fi rst-round ability to block out immeasur- an ageing Bryant with a top willed us to win with 23 points — Abdul-Jabbar’s honour.) The four on his left. DeRozan told reporters. “Take series with the Utah Jazz in the able pain as it was anything else. free agent. Making things even 10 coming in the fourth quarter Lakers retired both 8 and 24. “Words can’t describe the Kobe away, I wouldn’t be here. fi nal seconds of regulation. In the 2000 NBA Finals, Bry- tougher, the team gave Bryant a — and 15 rebounds. That game No. of points he scored pain I’m feeling,” Jordan said in I wouldn’t have love. I wouldn’t Like he would so many times in ant missed most of Game 2 and 48.5-million-dollar extension epitomised his drive, his passion 81 on Jan. 22, 2006 a statement. “I loved Kobe — he have the passion, the drive.” his career, he pushed into the all of Game 3 because of a sore after he tore his Achilles, eating and his desire to win. Although against the Toronto Raptors. was like a little brother to me. We After LeBron James passed mid-range, stopped and rose to ankle only to bail out the Lakers up a big chunk of the Lakers’ the game was close throughout, Bryant shot 28 for 46 (61%) used to talk often, and I will miss Bryant for No 3 on the NBA’s make the big shot — except this with 47 minutes of grinding play salary-cap room. I always felt that one way or an- from the field, including 7 for those conversations very much. all-time scoring list on Sat- one fell way short and the Lakers that they desperately needed The contract, combined with other he would not let us lose. 13 on 3-pointers, and 18 for He was a fi erce competitor, one urday night, Lakers teammate eventually lost in overtime. with Shaquille O’Neal foul- a game that had been diminished “... Kobe was a once-in- 20 at the free-throw line. It’s of the greats of the game and a Kentavious Caldwell-Pope was That airball, though, be- ing out. Bryant sealed the game because of injuries and age, helped a-generation player who will the second-highest ever in creative force.” asked about his favourite Bry- came part of Bryant’s legacy, with three baskets in the clutch push the Lakers into the worst forever be remembered for his an NBA game, bested only by While not without his on- and ant performance, and without a moment when he was still a against the Indiana Pacers to stretch in franchise history — a competitive nature and his will Wilt Chamberlain’s 100. off -court controversies, Bryant’s hesitation he mentioned the teenager that helped build the help erase any memories from streak of six consecutive seasons to win. They threw away the No. of points he combination of skill, hard work 81-point game. framework of what was to come. the Utah failure. without a postseason appearance. mold when Kobe Bryant was 60 scored in his final and relentless pursuit of winning Seven years after that per- “There will never be another Then near the end of the 2012- Still, peers admired him. born. There will never be an- game, April 13, 2016. resonated in Los Angeles and formance, while recovering Kobe, man. He had the con- 13 season, Bryant ruptured an Throughout the NBA on other like him.”

“The NBA family is devastated I will miss those conversations “There’s no words to express morning over this devastating “It’s unbelievably sad and the “So sad to hear the heartbreak- copter crash in California. That is by the tragic passing of Kobe very much.” the pain Im going through with news that Kobe and his young reality is sinking in because I ing news of the deaths of Kobe terrible news!” Bryant and his daughter, Gianna. — Michael Jordan this tragedy of loosing my neice daughter, Gigi have passed away was told about five minutes and his daughter Gianna. Kobe — US President Donald For 20 seasons, Kobe showed us Six-times NBA champion Gigi & my brother @kobebryant in a helicopter crash. Cookie and ago. He burned so competi- was a true legend and inspira- Trump, on Twitter what is possible when remark- I love u and u will be missed. My I are heartbroken.” tively hot, the desire to win he tion to so many. Sending my able talent blends with an abso- “Kobe was a legend on the condolences goes out to the — Earvin Magic Johnson, brought every night on both condolences to his family and “Beyond devastated... my big lute devotion to winning.” court and just getting started in Bryant family and the families of Former Lakers great, on Twitter ends of the floor, not too many friends and the families of all brother... I can’t, I just can’t — Adam Silver, what would have been just as the other passengers on board. guys can say that. Any time he who lost their lives in the crash. believe it.” NBA Commissioner meaningful a second act. To lose IM SICK RIGHT NOW.” “Most people will remember Kobe was in the game he’d take on RIP Legend.” — Pau Gasol, Gianna is even more heartbreak- — Shaquille O’Neal as the magnificent athlete who in- their best player. It’s a shocker — Cristiano Ronaldo, Former Bryant teammate, on “I am in shock over the tragic ing to us as parents. Michelle Former Bryant teammate, on spired a whole generation of bas- to everyone, unbelievably sad, Portuguese and Juventus striker, Twitter news of Kobe’s and Gianna’s and I send love and prayers to Twitter ketball players. But I will always and one of the more tragic on Instagram passing. Words can’t describe Vanessa and the entire Bryant remember him as a man who was days.” “Nooooooooooo God please No! the pain I’m feeling. I loved Kobe family on an unthinkable day.” “As I try to write this post, my much more than an athlete.” — Tiger Woods, “Reports are that basketball — Dwyane Wade, — he was like a little brother to — Barack Obama, mind is racing. I’m in disbe- — Kareem Abdul-Jabaar, Former World No 1 golfer great Kobe Bryant and three Three-times NBA champion, on me. We used to talk often, and Former US President, on Twitter lief and have been crying all Former Lakers great, on Twitter others have been killed in a heli- Twitter