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Friday 16 December 2016 PAGE | 22 PAGE | 23 Tiger's return, Ronaldo lifts Palmer's death Real Madrid mark 2016 golf year to world final European clubs say 'no' to Infantino's plans

Agencies yesterday said the move would World Cup 'would not dilute by more than one country. The needs to move forward with an 'not be in the interest of the fans the quality'. FIFA chief, in October said he “entrepreneurial mindset”. he European Club Asso- or the players'. Rummenigge, 61, According to Infantino, an got 'positive vibes' on his new However, the ECA, led by ciation (ECA), yesterday has written a letter addressed expanded World Cup would vision named “Fifa 2.0”. A FIFA Rummenigge wants to put 'foot- Topposed FIFA President to the FIFA chief saying a include 16 groups of three teams World Cup being held in two ball first' instead of making Gianni Infantino's plan of 32-team FIFA World Cup is a - a formula that would retain the countries would 'cut costs for plans that could hurt the inter- expanding the FIFA World Cup number that fits into all scheme current maximum of seven host nations', Infantino said at ests of those managing football to 40 teams after the 2018 edi- of things from every aspect. World Cup games per team. the time. across Europe. tion to be held in Russia. Europe, which has 55 Infantino, elected in Febru- Infantino, 45, has a simple A vote will be held at the next Infantino's expansion plans member countries - the most ary to succeed the disgraced agenda: 'to promote the game, FIFA Council meeting on Janu- of taking the game to all cor- for any continent around the Sepp Blatter in the wake FIFA's protect its integrity and bring ary 9-10 to decide whether the ners of the globe were dealt world - seems to be happy near collapse amid a massive the sport to all.' And he we do format is going to stay the same with a nasty blow ECA Chair- with the number 32. Infantino, corruption crisis, also feels com- this 'by investing, by innovat- or it will be changed according ECA Chairman man Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, on the other hand, strongly fortable with the idea of future ing, by involving the fans more.' to Infantino’s vision for the future German football legend, feels more teams at a FIFA World Cup editions being hosted The Swiss-Italian said FIFA of world football. Karl-Heinz Rummenigge Former champs Al Gharafa post gutsy win over El Jaish

The Peninsula Al Gharafa shine Al Gharafa's midfielder Vadimir Uygun and Weiss (left) vies for the ball ormer Qatar Stars pocession against El Jaish's League (QSL) champi- 7 Murad Naji during their Qatar Umm Salal ons Al Gharafa Stars LEague game at Lekhwiya yesterday fought in It was Al Gharafa's seventh Stadium yesterday. style to beat El Jaish 2-1 part ways win of the season as points Fat Lekhwiya Stadium. leaders El Jaish suffered Krisztian Nemeth (25) and only their second loss of The Peninsula Vadimir Weiss (78), penalty) the season. scored for the winners in the mm Salal formally tense round 12 clash. announced yesterday It was Al Gharafa's seventh second loss of the season. For Uthat they have parted win of the season as points lead- Sabri Lamouchi's side, the only ways with Turkish head ers El Jaish suffered only their goal was scored by Uzbek import coach Bulent Uygun by Sardor Rashidov in the 66th mutual consent. minute. El Jaish dominated pro- The decision came in the WEEK 12 ceedings (53) percent in the first wake of their 8-0 defeat to Al YESTERDAY'S RESULT 10 minutes as both sides strug- Sadd. gled for ball possession at Uygun has spent three El Jaish 1-2 Al Gharafa Lekhwiya Stadium. years with the Orange For- TODAY'S FIXTURES After the cagey start, El Jaish's tress and pushed them into Rashidov sneaked into the Al the upper reaches of the Al Shahaniya vs Al Khor At Grand Hamad Stadium (4.00pm) Gharafa box but his powerful shot league in his two full seasons towards the goal was blocked by However, it was the former slipped into the El Jaish box and skipper Ali Al-Nuaimi brought in charge. Al Sailiyah vs Al Sadd goalkeeper Yusuf Ali who man- champions who opened the took aim at the goal but his shot down Muyad Hassan of Al Umm Salal also At Suhaim Bin Hamad Stadium aged to punch the ball to kill the scoring. was blocked by Abdulaziz Abdulla Gharafa, a tackle that saw refe- announced his replacement, (4.00pm) threatening move. In the 25th minute, Nemeth who put in the dive. ree point to the penalty spot Mahmoud Jaber. Al Ahli vs Lekhwiya Three minutes later, striker produced an acrobatic volley off Two minutes later, Al Gharafa much to the dismay of El Jaish The Egyptian born coach At Suhaim Bin Hamad Stadium (6.10pm) Romario of El Jaish launched a a curling corner kick to help the skipper Luwrance Quaya pro- players and officials at the is no stranger to the Umm fierce drive from the edge of the one-time QSL giants take lead. duced a snap-header inside El touchline. Salal set-up having previously TOMORROW'S FIXTURES box but his shot narrowly missed It was Nemeth's fifth goal in Jaish box but his close-range Weiss scored off the penalty worked with the clubs youth Umm Salal vs Al Wakrah the Al Gharafa goalpost. the season for Al Gharafa. deflection missed the far goalpost with a gentle tap to the left of El teams. At Suhaim Bin Hamad Stadium (4.00pm) By the 20th minute, El Jaish Nine minutes later, El Jaish's by inches. Jaish goalkeeper Saoud Al-Khater Jaber took his first train- Al Kharaitiyat vs Muaither SC had increased their ball posses- Ahmed Moein went for a power- In the 66th minute, El Jaish's in the 78th minute. ing session on Wednesday At Al Khor Stadium (4.00pm) sion to 55 percent - they also ful left-drive from the edge of the Rashidov produced a powerful A couple of minutes later, El evening, and will start to pre- managed a tally of four corners Al Gharafa box but his shot was shot to help the QSL giants Jaish's Lucas Mendes dived inside pare his side ahead of their Al Arabi vs Al Rayyan At Grand Hamad Stadium (6.10pm) - as the home side started to build palmed away by goalkeeper Ali. equalize. the Al Gharafa box but got penal- Round 12 match against Al pressure on Al Gharafa. In the 50th minute, Romario Twelve minutes later, El Jaish ised for 'faking' a foul instead. Wakrah tomorrow evening. QMMF unveils new logo at special ceremony

The Peninsula present at the ceremony held "Our plans are huge. We inside the VIP enclosure of are looking to develop the he Qatar Motor and LIC. sport. We want to compete Motorcycle Federation "This is a special occasion with other countries in the T(QMMF) yesterday for us as we unveil our new region and the world," he said. unveiled their new logo at a logo," Al Mannai said at the The QMMF President said special ceremony attended by ceremony. "As you can see that he will be working to see top the country's top riders and the new logo also presents a Qatari riders 'competing at the officials at the state-of-the-art look of our national flag. You highest level' in the future. Losail International Circuit will also notice that the shape "There is no doubt that (LIC). of the word 'Q' is about speed," "We have many new running and cycling sessions. there has been a huge success QMMF President Abdul- he said. objectives to meet at QMMF. We have seen that this has in Qatar in motor sports. At rahman Al Mannai was joined "We are making a fresh Number one, we want to pro- become a major success with QMMF, we want to focus on by Khalid Al Remaihi, Vice start. We feel this is a signifi- mote motor sports in sports fans here," he said. our new ambition. This logo is Chairman and Secretary Gen- cant achievement since we partnership with our stake- "Also, we are becoming a part of our new endeavours. eral of Losail Circuit Sports have been targetting the youth holders," he said. said. commercial model that is a The new logo reflects the youth Club (LCSC). of the country. We want to "We want to engage the sustainable one. LCSC have of the country. It shows the Qatar's top riders Meshal encourage or enhance the cul- local community into the cir- introduced new activities that changes that have taken place Al Naimi, Saeed Al Sulaiti and ture of motor sports in Qatar," cuit. LCSC opens the circuit are being held all year around," in the field of technology in the QMMF President Abdulrahman Al Mannai Nasser Al Malki were also he said. every Wednesday for walking, he said. sport," Al Mannai said. SPORT FRIDAY 16 DECEMBER 2016 21 Kohli urges India Ton-up Smith keeps to 'leave mark on Aussies rolling world cricket' Chennai AFP Brisbane in pink-ball Tests under the AFP lights to put Australia in a ndia's talismanic captain Virat Kohli yesterday strong position. urged his in-form teammates to "leave a mark kipper Steve Smith Pakistan feared they Ion world cricket" by going on to become one of scored a hundred might have lost their star the greatest sides ever. and rookies Matt pace bowler Mohammad Kohli's India are bidding to extend their 17-game Renshaw and Amir after he fell to the unbeaten run in the dead rubber fifth and final Test Peter Handscomb ground in the final session against England, which starts in the southern city of Shalf-centuries as Australia clutching his right knee Chennai today. The hosts, who have already clinched took an early grip on the after a misfield. the series 3-0, will become the first Indian team to pink-ball first Test against Amir jarred his knee go 18 matches without a loss if they avoid defeat Pakistan in Brisbane after his right leg dug into against Alastair Cook's struggling tourists. yesterday. the turf as the ball ran on to Kohli called on his players to build on recent Smith, dropped on 53, the boundary rope. successes and become a team that can be men- showed the way as the Aus- He was ferried off the tioned in the same breath as Don Bradman's tralians built the ground by a medi-cab, but Australian "Invincibles" and the legendary West foundations for a sturdy remarkably returned to the Indies side of the 1980s. first innings after winning field 30 minutes later. "We still understand we got to play a lot of the toss. It was a huge relief for cricket everywhere in the world. It's not only about At the close before a the tourists after it conjured this one period we are going through. As I said it's first day Gabba crowd of up memories of England Australia's Steven Smith plays a cut as Pakistan's wicketkeeper Sarfraz Ahmed an ongoing process which needs to be sustained more than 26,000, the fast bowler Simon Jones looks on during their first day-night cricket Test at Gabba Stadium in Brisbane for the next five, seven or eight years for us to home side were 288 for rupturing an anterior cru- yesterday. The home side were 288 for three with Smith on 110 and Handscomb become a top quality side and leave a mark on three with Smith on 110 and ciate ligament in a similar not out on 64. Today is the second day of play. world cricket -- maybe known as one of the best Handscomb, playing in only fielding mishap at the teams to have assembled on the field," the 28-year- his second Test match, not Gabba in 2002. old told reporters. out on 64. Smith raised his Australia lost the wicket The batsman, who is in the form of his life after 16th Test century with a of Renshaw in the middle striking his third double century of the year, has driven four off Mohammad session after the dismissals already become the first Indian captain to win five Amir with three overs left of David Warner and successive series, including a 3-0 whitewash of in the day. It came off 184 Usman Khawaja in the Anderson out of India New Zealand in October. balls with 15 fours. opening session. India sit comfortably at the top of the world The pair put on an Renshaw did not put a rankings but Kohli insisted his side were taking unbroken stand of 137 runs foot wrong in an assured nothing for granted going into the Chennai Test. for the fourth wicket after innings until the 44th over Test with 'soreness' "We don't feel invincible to be honest, we young opener Renshaw when he was caught behind respect every opposition, we admit every time we chipped in with an impres- off Wahab for 71 off 125 are put under pressure, and we know teams are sive 71 also playing in his balls with nine fours. The Chennai Out of form all-time leading Test going to put us under pressure," he said. second Test. Smith was put youngster looked at ease in AFP wicket-taker with 467 Kohli leads the series' batting chart with 640 down on 53 nearing the his home ground Test Anderson missed scalps in 122 matches, and runs, way ahead of England batsman Joe Root, who dinner break when an edge match and was on course ngland fast bowler the first game with Cook said he still had a big has 397 for the four matches. England skipper Cook off spinner Azhar Ali went for his maiden Test century James Anderson was shoulder injury, role to play. said after the huge innings and 36-run loss in the in and out of wicketkeeper before Wahab struck. Paki- Eruled out of the fifth and he has taken "I am very confident third Test in Mumbai that Root was "ready" to suc- Sarfraz Ahmed's gloves. stan struck with two quick and final Test against only four wickets he can make a big contri- ceed him as captain, without saying when he would Smith and Handscomb wickets in the first session India with "body soreness" in the next three bution to English cricket eventually step down. batted through the entire after Warner and Renshaw yesterday, dealing a blow over the next couple of Kohli agrees that Root has what it takes to move Tests as India final session when most gave Australia a solid start. to the tourists' hopes of a years. I think we are going up from his role of vice-captain. wickets statistically tumble Amir had Warner leg consolation win. stormed to three to have to manage him a "Joe is an outstanding player... he is very posi- before wicket for 32 after Anderson missed the straight wins. bit more than we have tive, always thinks of any situation as an SCOREBOARD the Australian vice-captain first game, a draw in managed him in Test opportunity...pp y I don't know what captaincy p y would Australia (I innings): was struck on the pad on Rajkot, with shoulder Test in Mumbai for his matches," said Cook. dodo to that," Kohli told a presspress M Renshaw c Ahmed b Wahab...... 71 leg stump in the 24th over. injury, and he has taken confrontation with Ravi- England have had to conference.conference. D Warner lbw Amir ...... 32 Warner was given out only four wickets in the chandran Ashwin, the deal with injuries to their U Khawaja c Misbah b Yasir ...... 4 by English umpire Ian next three Tests as India top-ranked Test bowler, first-choice bowlers right S Smith (batting) ...... 110 Gould and did not seek a stormed to three straight after he questioned the through the series with P Handscomb (batting) ...... 64 Extras (LB-2, W-1, NB-4) ...... 7 review, ending an opening wins to clinch the series. batting technique of Stuart Broad hurting his Total (for 3 wkts)...... 288 stand of 70. "Unfortunately Jimmy Indian captain Virat Kohli. foot during the second Fall of wickets: 1-70, 2-75, 3-151. Khawaja was out to a is ruled out. He picked up Emotions threatened Test in Visakhapatnam. Bowling: Amir 18-6-40-1; Rahat 19-4- false stroke to leg-spinner body soreness in the last to boil over when Ashwin Broad is now racing 69-0; Yasir 31-5-97-1; Wahab 15-3-52-1 Yasir Shah. Khawaja game. So he is not going approached Anderson as against time to get fit for (4nb, 1w); Ali 7-0-28-0. advanced down the wicket to be risked in this game," he came out to bat during the final game in Chennai, Pakistan: Sami Aslam, Azhar Ali, Babar but hit straight into Misbah- England skipper Alastair England's second innings where preparations were Azam, Younis Khan, Misbah-ul-Haq, Asad

ul-Haq's midriff at short Cook told reporters in and then walked with him hit by the widespread

Shafiq, Sarfraz Ahmed, Wahab Riaz, Mo- India's hammad Amir, Yasir Shah, Rahat Ali. midwicket and was on his Chennai. to the crease, forcing the damage caused by way for four. Anderson, 34, made umpire to intervene. Cyclone Vardah on captain news during the fourth Anderson is England's Monday. Virat Kohli Qatar Junior Falcons emerge GCC U17 Champions

The Peninsula proud with the chemistry of the and JK Sports –Jazzville Baslet- team, we are the champion” said ball League. he hard work in the months Francis Mercado, head coach of Rifai Kanakan of Junior Fal- of rigid training paid off for the Junior Falcons. cons was chosen as the Most Tthe Filipino kids in Qatar In the past few years, PIBAQ Valuable Player of the when they won the U17 Youth has been embarking on a bas- tournament. GCC All-Filipino Club Champi- ketball clinic based on the FIBA The Qatar delegation led by onship 2016, held in Manama, international standards to mold Carido included Gabrielle Anto- . young Filipinos with good poten- nio Cruz from Philippine The Qatar Junior Falcons tials to become future stars in the International School Qatar outplayed five other equally hardcourt in the (PISQ), Jesse Andrew Sirios tough teams from host Bahrain, where such sports has been very from PISQ, Razle Jan Fajardo and Saudi Arabia which popular over the decades. from PISQ, Arvin John De Leon paraded the best of the Filipino The tournament held at Zain from PISQ, Kim Biala from student cage players aged under Basketball Arena saw two teams PISQ, Juliano Vincenso Lopez 17 from an all-star selection in from the host country, two teams from PISQ, Rashad Kanakan their respected Filipino from Saudi Arabia and one each from Philippine School Doha communities. from UAE and Qatar slugging it (PSD), Jayson Clark Dominic The Junior Falcons who had out in the two-day event early Pascua from PSD, John Kyle been undergoing several months this month. Japson from PSD, Eskit Nosidal of training from the weekend PIBAQ chairman Pat Carido from PSD, Sharoff Dion Zafar basketball clinic under the tute- said their recent feat has inspired Ali from Doha English School lage of Filipino veteran coaches them to extend extra effort to and Armiani Josef Grimaldo led by former San Beda Red promote the basketball training Andres from Newton Interna- Lions cage star Francis Mercado not only for the young boys in tional School. Qatar Junior Falcons players and officials pose for a photograph after winning the U17 Youth survived a three-point thriller Qatar but to all other millions of Also joining the delegation against Dubai, 65-61, adding countrymen in the Filipino com- GCC All-Filipino Club Championship 2016, in Manama, Bahrain recently. were coaches Mercado, Lon- feather to the cap of the new munities in the GCC. galong, Arvin de Leon and champions. Adding prominence to the The Filipino Club Basketball Durano Jr. hosted the (Team 1 of Bahrain), Tia Betty’s Andrew Sirios. “The heart and willingness tournament were the presence Group, an active member of tournament. Restaurant International (Team PIBAQ expressed gratitude of the team is really their weap- of Philippine Ambassador to Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipi- Durano extended his grati- 2 Bahrain), White Camel Youth to the delegation sponsors like ons, everyone sacrifice played Bahrain Alfonso S. Ver and Cul- nas (SBP), the basketball tude to the participating teams Basketball Club based in Riyadh, OOREDOO, Alicafe, Happy Jour- their roles and put courage on it. tural Attache John Jiao of the governing body in the Philip- including Qatar Junior Falcons, KSA, New Generation Basketball ney Travel, Filipino Community We're really happy and very Philippine Embassy in Qatar. pines, led by Chairman Emil Batang Jawo Junior Stallions Camp based in Dammam, KSA Centre, Go Sports and Gulf Air. 22 SPORT FRIDAY 16 DECEMBER 2016 Harden breaks record and powers Rockets

Los Angeles NBA Celtics at the AT&T Center Thunder, who lost for the AFP arena. third time in four games. Harden scored 15 Pau Gasol added 17 points In Memphis, Marc Gasol ames Harden matched the points, 14 assists and and grabbed 13 rebounds and posted a double-double with franchise record for 11 rebounds to post Tony Parker had eight points 17 points and 11 rebounds to career triple-doubles to his 14th career in a two-and-a-half-minute power the Memphis Grizzlies lead the Houston Rockets triple-double and stretch of the fourth quarter to an easy 93-85 win over the Jto a dominating 132-98 equal the mark set to help San Antonio with- Cleveland Cavaliers who victory over the shorthanded by NBA Hall of Fame stand a Celtics comeback try. played without their three Sacramento Kings yesterday. centre Hakeem Parker finished with 16 stars LeBron James, Kevin Harden finished with 15 Olajuwon. points, including 10 in the Love and Kyrie Irving. points, 14 assists and 11 fourth quarter as San Anto- The Cavaliers decided to rebounds to post his 14th Cavaliers who nio improved to 20-5 on the give the three the night off career triple-double and played without their season. and it showed as Cleveland equal the mark set by NBA Manu Ginobili added 12 never led in the game and three stars LeBron Hall of Fame centre Hakeem points and Dewayne Dedmon trailed by 25 points in the James, Kevin Love Olajuwon. and Patty Mills had 10 each. fourth quarter. Harden needed only 30 and Kyrie Irving, lost In Salt Lake City, Rodney Memphis got a game-high minutes to deliver his fifth 93-85 to Memphis Hood scored 25 points and 20 points from guard Troy triple-double on the season Grizzlies. Gordon Hayward added 17 to Daniels off the bench and he in front of a crowd of 15,000 lead the Utah Jazz to a 109- hit four of eight three-point- at the Rockets' Toyota Center The Rockets extended 89 victory over the Oklahoma ers. Swingman Tony Allen arena. their league record for con- City Thunder. finished with 16 points, eight And the Rockets pro- secutive games with at least Shelvin Mack added 15 rebounds, three steals, an duced a season-high 40 10 three-pointers at the 7:13 points and five assists off the assist and a block. Guard assists on 50 field goals, their mark of the second quarter bench while Rudy Gobert Toney Douglas chipped in 14 most since February 1995. on a three from Sam Dekker. notched his 16th double-dou- points with six rebounds, five "Everybody is getting Forward Ryan Anderson ble of the season with 12 assists and two steals for the shots, everybody is scoring led all five Houston starters points and 12 rebounds. Grizzlies. Houston Rockets the basketball. Everybody is in double figures with 22 Utah led from start to fin- NBA RESULTS guard James Harden happy," Harden said. points. He was four for seven ish while shooting 58.3 San Antonio 108 - 101 Boston drives to the basket The Rockets improved to from three-point range while percent from the field and 19-7 on the season and won forward Trevor Ariza finished 13-of-23 from three-point Utah 109 - 89 Oklahoma City during the first quarter Detroit 95 - 85 Dallas their eighth consecutive five-for-seven from beyond range. against the Brooklyn Memphis 93 - 85 Cleveland game. the arc. Russell Westbrook tallied Nets during their NBA Housten 132 - 98 Sacramento Houston also flirted with Elsewhere in San Anto- 27 points, six rebounds and Brooklyn 107 - 97 LA Lakers match at Toyota Center the NBA record for three- nio, Texas, Kawhi Leonard five assists for Oklahoma Toronto 123 - 114 Philadelphia

in Houston, Texas, US pointers, hitting 22 of 42 from scored 26 points as the San City. Washington 109 - 106 Charlotte

yesterday. LA Clippers 113 -108 Orlando behind the arc while cruising Antonio Spurs held on for a Enes Kanter added 19 to the win. 108-101 win over the Boston points off the bench for the Miami 95 - 89 Indiana

2017 European Tiger's return, Palmer's death mark 2016 golf year Tour schedule Washington his way to US PGA Player of the Another could be Japan's Tiger Woods retains three AFP Year honors, ending a series of Hideki Matsuyama, who won the major near misses. Challenge for his fourth victory golf year featuring four Stenson won the British in two months and fifth of the tournaments first-time men's major Open, outlasting Phil Mickelson year. He won twice in Japan and Achampions, the return of in a two-man duel down the at a WGC event in Shanghai, fin- London Tiger Woods and Olympic com- stretch at Royal Troon, only to ishing a career-best sixth in the Reuters petition set the stage for more fall short in an Olympic last-day rankings and serving notice he thrills in 2017. showdown for gold with Rose. is a major threat next year. hree tournaments will Tears were shed over the Stenson also claimed his second The Americans defeated return to the European death of icon Arnold Palmer in Race to Dubai crown on the Europe 17-11 at Hazeltine to TTour schedule in 2017. September. But there was much European PGA Tour. reclaim the Ryder Cup after hav- The Open de Portugal to celebrate too, including golf's American Jimmy Walker was ing lost three in a row and six of is back after an absence of returned to the Olympics for the the wire-to-wire winner of the the prior seven team show- seven years and will be first time since 1904, with Eng- PGA Championship, edging downs, a US task force played at the Morgado Golf land's Justin Rose, the 2013 US defending champion Day by a assembled after a 2010 defeat Resort in Portimao from May Open champion, and South stroke after rain set up a mara- bringing a new push for the tro- 11-14, the tour said in a news Korean Park In-Bee, a seven- thon final day and "lift, clean and phy fight. release on Tuesday. time major winner, capturing place" rules. But players began Ryder Cup The Rocco Forte Open gold medals in Rio. Day did win three PGA week with heavy hearts after will be staged a week later, But the Olympics was events in 2016, the Arnold Palmer's passing. Golfers played marking the tour's return for haunted by the withdrawal of Palmer Invitatational and WGC with "Arnie's Army" pins and the first time since 2012. several top men's players, many Match Play as well as the Play- after the competition attended The Andalusia Valder- over Zika virus concerns, and ers Championship. Palmer's funeral. rama Masters in October goes months later by the course's fail- Johnson took the PGA money Top-ranked New Zealand back to the scene of the 1997 ure to boost the sport's impact and low scoring awards although teen Lydia Ko, who took a silver Ryder Cup, as well as the pre- in Brazil. it was McIlroy who claimed the medal at Rio, won the ANA Inspi- vious two editions of the Australia's Jason Day finished FedEx Cup playoff points crown ration at Rancho Mirage for her tournament in 2010 and 2011. atop the world rankings with after winning the Deutsche Bank second major victory in a row. Northern Ireland's Rory McIlroy Championship and season-end- But it was Thailand's world second, American Dustin Johnson ing Tour Championship. number two Ariya Jutanurgarn third, Sweden's Henrik Stenson Woods, a 14-time major who won the LPGA season Race fourth and US star Jordan Spieth champion with 79 career US PGA to the Globe and five LPGA Mickelson fifth. But only two of them won Tour triumphs, made his long- events, three in a row in May plus major titles in the first year since awaited return in December after the Women's British Open for sidelined by 2011 that produced four first-time a 16-month layoff following back her first major crown and the men's major winners. surgery. Woods finished 15th in a Canadian Women's Open. She England's Danny Willett won field of 18 at the Hero World Chal- took the LPGA money crown and hernia the Masters after Spieth had a lenge, showing flashes of his peak Player of the Year honors. American Brittany Lang at the Championship as well as LPGA Sunday back-nine meltdown form but lacking consistency. There were a trio of first- US Women's Open and Ariya. Rookie of Year and the Vare Tro- Los Angeles while in position to claim back- Watching his fight back to tour- time major winners -- Canadian South Korean third-ranked phy for low scoring average, AFP to-back green jackets. nament fitness figured to be one teen Brooke Henderson at the Chun In-Gee took her second edging Ko in a fight decided on Johnson won the US Open on of 2017's biggest attractions. Women's PGA Championship, career major at the Evian the season's last hole. hil Mickelson faces an indefinite period on the Psidelines after undergo- ing a second hernia operation in the space of two months, European number one Stenson his management company has confirmed. A statement from Laga- captures another award dere Sports late Monday said the 46-year-old five-time Major winner was expected London for a second time is a fantastic way to to make a full recovery from Reuters bring the curtain down on it," Stenson the surgery. said in a news release. The operation will not wenty-four hours after winning "There have been some great golf- prevent him from serving as the 2016 Golf Writers' Trophy, ers who have won this award, and a tournament ambassador at T British Open champion Henrik many more who just missed out over the CareerBuilder Challenge Stenson was named the European the years, so to receive it twice now is in La Quinta, California from Tour's Player of the Year on Tuesday. a huge honour." January 19-22. The 40-year-old Swede, who The highlight of the campaign for Mickelson underwent a ended the season as the number one Stenson, who also won the award in hernia operation in October. golfer in Europe, landed the Player of 2013, came when he captured his first Currently 19th in the World the Year prize for the second time. major victory after an epic final-round Golf Rankings, Mickelson is a "It has certainly been the best sea- duel with American left-hander Phil five-time major tournament Henrik Stenson son of my career and to now be voted Mickelson in the British Open at Troon champion and 42-time win- the European Tour Golfer of the Year in July. ner on the PGA Tour. FRIDAY 16 DECEMBER 2016 SPORT 23

Nacional slam Ronaldo lifts Real to world final video ref after world club exit Yokohama Club World Cup Real Madrid's forward Cristiano AFP Ronaldo (right) scores a goal Osaka Real's win extends their club past Club America's goalkeeper AFP arim Benzema and Cristiano record unbeaten run to 36 Moises Munoz during their Club Ronaldo found the target as matches in all competitions. World Cup semi-final match at outh American champi- Real Madrid eased past Yokohama International Stadium ons Atletico Nacional Mexico's Club America 2-0 Confusion regarding questioned football's in Yokohama, Japan yesterdaty. S yesterday to reach the Club Ronaldo's goal was cleared new video referee after the KWorld Cup final in Japan. using the video technology first ever penalty awarded The Spanish giants will face shock being trialled by FIFA in under the system helped finalists Kashima Antlers, the J-League Japan. dump them out of the Club champions, in Yokohama on Sunday World Cup -- and even had as they look to capture their second suspicions of offside. world title in three years and fifth in alled by FIFA in Japan. The Colombians felt total. Ronaldo's face turned to thunder aggrieved after Hungarian "Our sole aim was to reach the final, as the Mexicans protested he had been referee Viktor Kassai used the so it's job done," Real coach Zinedine offside -- until Paraguayan referee new technology for the first Zidane told reporters after watching Enrique Caceres finally indicated that goal in their shock 3-0 defeat his side extend their club record the goal stood. by Japan's Kashima Antlers unbeaten run to 36 matches in all "It's a new invention but to be hon- on Wednesday. competitions. est I don't like it," said man of the match In a ground-breaking His countryman Benzema said, "It Luka Modric when asked about video moment, Kassai stopped play, was a hard game against a tough team replays. ran to the side of the pitch and but we played well and won the game "It causes confusion. I hope they watched a replay, before -- now for the final." don't continue with this system because blowing for the penalty which With Ronaldo firing blanks until for me it is not football." was converted by Shoma Doi. scoring with virtually the last kick of Zidane refused to criticise the tech- Nacional were fuming as the game, Benzema struck in first-half nology, although his comments hardly the foul in question, Orlando stoppage time, finishing clinically with amounted to a ringing endorsement Berrio's trip on Daigo Nishi as the outside of his right boot after a deft either. he ran towards an airborne pass from Toni Kroos. "If you ask my personal impression, free kick, had gone virtually Ronaldo, who scooped his fourth it could cause problems," he said. "But unnoticed by the players. Ballon d'Or earlier this week, had if it's FIFA policy then we have to get The Colombian players already squandered a gilt-edged used to it. We don't have the power to continued to remonstrate opportunity by heading against the decide. Maybe it will help make things with the referee as they post. clear and transparent." trudged off, and their frustra- The Portuguese superstar also saw Club America coach Ricardo La tion will have been two stinging efforts blocked by goal- Volpe insisted his side had been unfor- compounded as replays sug- keeper Moises Munoz but his dogged tunate to lose. gested Nishi may have been persistence paid off when he swept "I think luck was against us," offside in the build-up. home from a tight angle deep into injury growled the firebrand Argentine. "That decision was cru- time. "Real Madrid were not the better cial because we were in Confusion followed, however, when team. I told the players they can be control and it unbalanced us it appeared the goal could be ruled out proud of the way they fought," he emotionally," complained using the video technology being tri- added. Nacional defender Farid Diaz. "It totally changed the game." The video system is being trialled in FIFA competitions for the first time at this year's PSG and Monaco cruise into Club World Cup, although goal-line technology is already widely used. French League Cup last-eight In a move to modernise the game, assistant referees monitor television screens Paris Mbappe, who turns 18 on December 20, now and relay information on so- AFP has six goals for the season in all competitions. called "match-changing Rennes will be fed up of the sight of the Stade decisions" to the match offi- efending champions Paris Saint-Germain Louis II where they lost 3-0 in a league game in cials during the game. eased into the French League Cup quar- September. Nacional's players reacted Dter-finals on Wednesday with a 3-1 win Jaroslav Plasil put Bordeaux ahead against Nice furiously after Kassai used the over Lille while Monaco routed Rennes 7-0. after 14 minutes while a 22nd-minute strike from video replay in Osaka follow- However, Ligue 1 leaders Nice were knocked Gaetan Laborde made it 2-0 before Alassane Plea ing protests from the Kashima out, going down 3-2 to Bordeaux in their last-16 tie. pulled one back just before the interval. bench, rather than players on At the Parc des Princes, PSG ended a three- Laborde restored Bordeaux's two-goal lead the field. match winless run as Unai Emery's men defeated 10 minutes into the second period with Mario Balo- "I don't understand it Lille in a repeat of last season's final. telli's 83rd-minute penalty proving just a because Kashima's players Lucas scored twice with a 43rd-minute pen- consolation for Nice who have already been elim- didn't argue and carried on alty and a 57th-minute goal before young Spanish inated from the Europa League this season. playing," growled Nacional striker Jese made the most of a rare start to hit the Lyon also exited the tournament, losing 4-3 captain Alexis Henriquez. third after 69 minutes. on penalties at home to Guingamp after a 2-2 draw Kassai actually took less Lille's goalkeeper Mike Maignan (right) vies for the ball PSG will face Metz, who won a penalty shoot- in normal time where they twice came back from than 30 seconds to make the possession with Paris Saint-Germain's Jean-Kevin Augustin out 11-10 against Toulouse, in the quarter-finals. a goal down. decision after being alerted during their League Cup match at the Parc des Princes Title-chasing Monaco saw 17-year-old Kylian On Tuesday, Marseille crashed out after los- by his video assistant watch- Stadium in Paris, France on Wednesday. Mbappe hit his first professional hat-trick as the ing 4-3 on penalties to second-tier Sochaux ing on a small screen by the Principality side also made the quarter-finals. following a 1-1 draw. side of the pitch. Perfect 10 for Chelsea as Ibra rescues United

PREMIER LEAGUE London Arsenal on September 24, keep- Pep Guardiola's City hit back since August by edging Palace to RESULTS AFP ing eight clean sheets. Conte's men after successive defeats against remain three points below Mauri- Wednesday are six points clear of Liverpool, Chelsea and champions Leicester cio Pochettino's men in sixth place. Crystal Palace 1 -2 Manchester United esc Fabregas's goal earned who stole above Arsenal into sec- City by winning 2-0 at home to Jose Mourinho's side went Manchester City 2-0 Watford Chelsea a 1-0 victory at Sun- ond place courtesy of a 3-0 win at Watford. ahead in first-half stoppage time Middlesbrough 0-3 Liverpool Cderland on Wednesday Middlesbrough in which Adam Guardiola, who dropped John at Selhurst Park when Ibrahimovic Stoke 0-0 Southampton

-- their 10th in succession -- as Lallana scored twice. Stones and reverted to a back four, chested down Juan Mata's free- Sunderland 0-1 Chelsea

Antonio Conte's side surged six Having seen his side beaten saw his side prevail thanks to goals kick for Paul Pogba to score from Tottenham 3-0 Hull West Brom 3-1 Swansea points clear at the Premier League 4-3 at Bournemouth and then held in each half by Pablo Zabaleta and close range. United were pegged West Ham 1-0 Burnley summit. to a 2-2 draw by West Ham United, David Silva. The only black mark back in the 66th minute when Fabregas, who came in for Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp for City was a knee injury sus- James McArthur beat David de Gea Nemanja Matic, curled in from dropped goalkeeper Lorus Karius tained by Ilkay Gundogan, which at his near post, but with full-time Willian's 40th-minute cut-back to for Simon Mignolet. Guardiola said was likely to keep beckoning Pogba freed Ibrahi- Zlatan establish Chelsea's longest winning His team went ahead in the the Germany midfielder out for movic to dink home his 14th goal Ibrahimovic run within the same league cam- 29th minute when Lallana headed "several months". City remain of the season. paign since 2005-06. in from England team-mate Nath- fourth, seven points adrift of Chel- West Bromwich Albion There were also wins for Liv- aniel Clyne's right-wing cross. sea, but only a point below climbed to the heady heights of erpool, Manchester City and Lallana teed up Divock Origi Liverpool and Arsenal. seventh place after a hat-trick of Tottenham Hotspur, while Zlatan to add a second on the hour and Tottenham are three points headers by Salomon Rondon gave Ibrahimovic's 88th-minute strike eight minutes later the Belgian back in fifth place after Christian Tony Pulis's men a 3-1 home win earned Manchester United a 2-1 returned the favour as Lallana Eriksen scored twice in a 3-0 over third-bottom Swansea City. win at Crystal Palace. claimed his second goal. home win over Hull City, with Vic- The Venezuelan striker Chelsea, for whom Eden Haz- Liverpool moved above Arse- tor Wanyama also on target. became the first player to score a ard missed out due to a knock, nal on goal difference, Arsene Having beaten Spurs 1-0 on headed Premier League hat-trick have won all 10 league games they Wenger's side having lost 2-1 at Sunday, United recorded back-to- since Everton's Duncan Ferguson have played since losing 3-0 at Everton on Tuesday. back league wins for the first time in December 1997.