SPOTLIGHT| Page 2 GGOLFOLF | Page 5 Messi double Feng wins at Osasuna Dubai title, To Advertise here brings relief India’s Aditi Call: 444 11 300, 444 66 621 for Barcelona fi nishes third

Sunday, December 11, 2016 CRICKET Rabia I 12, 1438 AH Kohli, Vijay GULF TIMES hit tons as India edge ahead SPORT Page 11

QATAR STARS LEAGUE SPL Rangers break Lamouchi’s Jaish aim Hearts on Cathro to avoid further shocks debut ‘The match tomorrow is important after our first loss and we must bounce back immediately. The players are ready for this diff icult game against Muaither’

By Sports Reporter intensity and pressure. That is the season,” added the French Doha how we learn. I am proud of how coach. my players played against Le- Points are a priority for khwiya. Muaither at the moment, and itle hopefuls El Jaish “It was a diffi cult moment for Birol revealed his expectations take on Muaither to- the club, but now we must focus for the fi rst half season. day in the Qatar Stars and come together to reach our “I am targeting 14 or 15 points League hoping to goal.” by the fi rst half of the season. bounceT back from their unlucky El Jaish are without a host of With this tally we have a good defeat to Lekhwiya on Tuesday. players for the match against chance to survive in the league,” An own goal my Lucas Muaither, and Lamouchi said he added. Mendes saw El Jaish go down that it’s the right time for the The second game of the day Ian Cathro’s debut as Hearts coach 2-1 for their fi rst defeat of the non-regulars to step in. will see Al Ahli take on Al Sha- was not a happy one. season, which cut their lead at “Now it is a good time for hania who have been quietly to just one point with Al Sadd the other players in my group to picking up points, boosting AFP and Lekhwiya snapping at their step up and take their chance,” their survival. The Brigadeers Glasgow heels. he said. have yet to register a win under With the tournament nearing As for Muaither, they are now returning coach Yusef Adam the half-way stage, things will on a three-game losing streak in and will be aiming to pull away an Cathro’s debut as head only get trickier at the top from the QSL and have dropped into from the relegation dogfi ght at coach of Hearts ended in de- now on and El Jaish coach Sabri the relegation zone. the foot of the QSL standings. feat as Rangers ran out 2-0 Lamouchi is well aware that any “Jaish are the top of the Later in the day, Al Sailiya Iwinners in their Scottish Pre- further lapses could seriously league since the start of the sea- welcome an in-form Al Ghara- miership clash at Ibrox yesterday. dent their chances of winning son. We played well against a fa side to Al Ahli stadium. A goal in each half for Rob Kiern- the title for the fi rst time. big team in Al Rayyan last time Sami Trabelsi’s Peregrines re- an and Barrie McKay allowed Rang- “The match tomorrow is im- and I am targeting a similar per- turned to winning ways last ers to gain revenge for a 2-0 defeat portant after our fi rst loss and formance.” week againt Muaither and will to Hearts at Tynecastle just 10 days we must bounce back imme- In their previous match be wanting more of the same ago as they strengthened their grip diately. The players are ready Muaither narrowly lost 1-0 to Al against Al Gharafa. on second place in the table. for this diffi cult game against Sailiya and slipped into the rel- As for the visitors, they have Rangers are nevertheless eight Muaither,” Lamouch said at his egation zone. Despite the result been on a fantastic run of form points behind Celtic having played press conference yesterday. Birol has drawn some positives in recent weeks and are unde- three games more, with the de- “Muaither’s matches against from the defeat. feated in eight QSL games. A fending champions running out 4-1 Al Sadd and Al Rayyan were “In our last game we played win could further bolster Al winners at Partick Thistle on Friday. very close, so we are not under- the best match of the season Gharafa’s top four ambitions. Aberdeen leapfrogged Hearts estimating them going into the in our opinion and had many The fi nal game of the day will into third despite being held to a game,” added the Frenchman. chances to score in this game. see QSL champions Al Rayyan 0-0 draw at home by St Johnstone. Lamouchi stressed that his We now need to focus on getting visit Al Wakrah who picked Former Newcastle United as- young side can still take some as many points as possible. up their fi rst win of the season sistant Cathro had been the centre positives from the game against “We have played three games against Al Khor. Lions supremo of attention before the match with Muaither. and we have not scored a goal, Michael Laudrup is expecting several commentators question- “We hope we learn from this El Jaish coach Sabri Lamouchi this is a problem. However, I a big reaction from his players ing the wisdom of bringing in the game. My team need the experi- am happy how the team has who lost 5-0 to Al Sadd in the 30-year-old — who never played ence to play in games with high progressed since the start of Qatar Clasico. the game professionally — to re- place Robbie Neilson, departed for MK Dons. ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE And the signs didn’t look good for the former Rio Ave, Valencia and Newcastle assistant when, in stark contrast to their last meet- ing, Rangers put Hearts under re- lentless pressure from the start. Lee Wallace fi red a thunderous Vardy shreds Pep’s City, Arsenal go top strike wide before Kenny Miller AFP showed great skill to pull down a London Results high ball over the top and then the composure to loft the ball over the LA LIGA Arsenal 3 (Walcott 42, Ozil 49, Iwobi 75) advancing Jack Hamilton only to amie Vardy broke his three- Stoke 1 (Adam 29-pen); Burnley 3 (Hen- see his eff ort land narrowly wide. month goal drought with a drick 13, Ward 16, Boyd 75) Bourne- However, it was Hearts who hat-trick as Premier League mouth 2 (Afobe 45+2, Daniels 90); thought they had struck fi rst. champions Leicester City sen- Hull 3 (Snodgrass 27-pen, Diomande Rangers had been on the receiv- sationallyJ infl icted a humiliating 4-2 ing end of a very late off side deci- 72, Livermore 78) Crystal Palace 3 defeat on Pep Guardiola’s Manchester (Benteke 52-pen, Zaha 70, Campbell sion against Hearts in their previ- City yesterday. 89); Leicester City 4 (Vardy 3, 20, 78, ous meeting and the Jambos were At a rain-sodden King Power Sta- King 5) Manchester City 2 (Kolarov to suff er a similar fate at Ibrox in dium, Vardy hit his fi rst top-fl ight tre- 82, Nolito 90); Swansea 3 (Sigurdsson the 17th minute. ble and Andy King also found the net to 51-pen, Llorente 54, 80) Sunderland A ball into the box caused panic ensure Leicester atoned for their 5-0 0; Watford 3 (Okaka 36, 64, Prodl 59) in the Rangers defence and, af- Champions League mauling by Porto. Everton 2 (Lukaku 17, 86) ter they failed to clear their lines, City, who replied through Aleksandar Hearts midfi elder Don Cowie Kolarov and Nolito, had previously fall- tapped in from close range only for en to a stormy 3-1 loss at home to Chel- Theo Walcott equalised before Alex his celebrations to be cut short by sea and lie four points below new leaders Oxlade-Chamberlain teed up Ozil to the assistant referee’s fl ag. Arsenal, who beat Stoke City 3-1. fl oat a delightful header over Lee Grant The home side soon regained Nolito’s late goal spared Guardiola in the 49th minute. their focus and Hearts had Hamil- from his joint-heaviest league defeat as Alex Iwobi completed victory to ton to thank for keeping out Wal- a manager, but the game exposed huge lift Arsenal top on goals scored above lace’s eff ort before Callum Pater- fl aws in a defence that has registered Chelsea, who go in search of a ninth son blocked the follow-up from just one clean sheet in 17 matches. consecutive win against West Brom- Jason Holt. With Sergio Aguero and Fernand- wich Albion today. Rangers weren’t to be denied for inho banned after being sent off against Leicester City’s Jamie Vardy celebrates after scoring a goal during his team’s 4-2 win over Manchester City yesterday. (Reuters) Victory came at the cost of a fi rst- long. Holt earned his side a free- Chelsea, Guardiola had to reshape half injury to Shkodran Mustafi and kick to the left of the box and James his team, with Kelechi Iheanacho and drilled home his fi rst Leicester goal Claudio Bravo and roll in his second. home teams scoring at least three goals. Wenger was aggrieved that Stoke were Tavernier’s in-swinging delivery Fernando selected to deputise. since September 10. City, who remain fourth, bossed the Mesut Ozil’s crafty header inspired awarded a penalty after Granit Xhaka was met by Kiernan who bulleted a But his plans fell apart in less than Two minutes and 15 seconds later, second half, but Vardy completed his Arsenal to a comeback victory over caught Joe Allen with his elbow. header beyond Hamilton. fi ve minutes as quick-fi re goals by City failed to clear a long throw-in and hat-trick in the 78th minute after seiz- Stoke as Arsene Wenger’s side sup- “We got a very unlucky penalty The second half was just fi ve Vardy and King put the champions in Slimani teed up King to arc a fi ne shot ing on a wretched John Stones back- planted Chelsea at the summit. against us, because it is not even a foul minutes old when the Gers dou- charge. into the top-left corner. pass, rendering Kolarov’s free-kick and in my opinion. But we have showed bled their advantage. The Hearts With less than three minutes on the After Slimani had volleyed over, Leices- Nolito’s goal anecdotal. Llorente lifts Swansea great mental strength,” said the Arsenal defence were posted missing as clock, Riyad Mahrez’s pass was helped ter added a third, Mahrez’s exquisite The match completed a day that fea- Charlie Adam’s penalty put Stoke manager. “It is down to us to maintain they allowed a long throw-in from on by Islami Slimani for Vardy, who cushioned pass releasing Vardy to round tured 29 goals in six games, with all six ahead at the Emirates Stadium, but the focus and the desire to improve.” Wallace to bounce in the box. Gulf Times 2 Sunday, December 11, 2016 FOOTBALL

LA LIGA PREVIEW Coach Conte wants Chelsea to Messi double at underline title Osasuna brings credentials Barcelona relief ‘We are Barcelona and we know we can never give up. We are candidates to win the league, it doesn’t matter if we are four, five, six or seven points behind, we won’t give up”

AFP Madrid

ionel Messi struck twice as Bar- celona recorded their fi rst win in four La Liga games to close to within three points of Real Ma- Ldrid at the top of La Liga with a 3-0 vic- tory at Osasuna. Chelsea coach Antonio Conte Barca should have killed the game off in the fi rst half as Luis Suarez and Messi AFP “Sunday is the type of game missed two big chances each against La London we can fi nd diffi cult if we don’t Liga’s bottom side. put the same concentration, the However, Suarez rounded off a nefi same focus, that we had in the team move to break the deadlock just ntonio Conte has called previous games. before the hour before Messi’s double in on Chelsea to underline “The best reply from my play- the fi nal 17 minutes moved him ahead of their status as favour- ers is to be focused every day Cristiano Ronaldo as La Liga’s top scorer ites for the Premier during the training session. If with 11 for the season. LeagueA title with an dominant you have a good training session “We are Barcelona and we know we can display against West Bromwich you show me that you are fo- never give up,” Suarez told BeIN Sports Albion today. cused for the game. Spain. “We are candidates to win the Conte’s side are three points “It’s important to talk with the league, it doesn’t matter if we are four, clear at the top after a blistering players, but the reply in training fi ve, six or seven points behind, we won’t run of eight successive victories and on the pitch is important.” give up.” including last weekend’s impres- Conte insisted “January is far Barca were in desperate need of a lift sive triumph at title rivals Man- away” as he fended off transfer after conceding in the last minute to Real chester City. window questions amid specu- in last weekend’s El Clasico. The Blues have scored 22 goals lation of an audacious bid for The Catalans’ upturn in performance and conceded just two in their Arsenal forward Alexis Sanchez. since captain Andres Iniesta’s return winning streak, but Chelsea boss Chelsea midfi elder Cesc Fa- from a six-week injury layoff continued Conte believes he will have a bregas has been linked with a in the fi rst half at Osasuna, but Barca clearer picture of his team’s title move, but the Spaniard pro- were in danger of paying for their profl i- chances at the end of the busy duced a compelling performance gacy in front of goal. Christmas programme. against City and Conte has been A brilliant pass from Messi freed Sua- Pointing out to his players delighted with his recent im- rez inside the area just eight minutes in, that Chelsea started the season provement after a poor start to but the Uruguayan pulled his shot inches as also-rans in the title race ac- the season. wide of the far post. cording to many pundits, Conte Asked if Fabregas provided Suarez then hit the woodwork as he called on them to prove they can an example for the whole squad spun inside the area. cope with the pressure of leading with his composure in biding Osasuna remain fi ve points off safety from the front by seeing off Al- his time then taking his chance, and it was easy to see why they are still bion at Stamford Bridge. Conte said: “For sure, I want this. without a home win all season as the “It’s diffi cult to accept (be- “If there is good competition, hosts were opened up at will. ing favourites) because we have great competition, this is very Suarez turned provider for Messi, but played only 14 games,” Conte said. important.If I haven’t a prob- Nauzet Perez rushed from his goal to “We started as underdogs this lem for the decision and it’s al- block. season, but I suppose it’s normal ways the same line-up, that’s not And the goalkeeper frustrated the if you’re playing good football good. fi ve-time World Player of the Year again and winning a lot of games. “It means that our level, our moments later by just raising a hand in “It’s important to continue, squad is improving. It’s impor- time to divert Messi’s attempted chip that from this win we don’t lose tant to continue this challenge.” behind. our hunger.” Albion shouldn’t be underes- “We were patient and generated a lot On paper, Chelsea have a timated by Conte’s men as Tony of chances,” said Barca boss Luis Enrique. golden opportunity to cement Pulis’s side will arrive in west “It was key to go in front and calm our- pole position heading into the London in confi dent mood after selves down. new year as their fi xtures after winning three of their last four “The goals came in the second-half, the West Brom clash are against matches. but we deserved to go in front in the fi rst- Sunderland, Crystal Palace, Pulis, known for his conserva- half and have a much easier game.” Bournemouth and Stoke City. tive game-plans, has sparked the Osasuna briefl y threatened to cause But Conte stressed the im- Albion surge by playing a more a huge upset either side of half time as portance of focusing only on the expansive style of late. fi rstly Oriol Riera just couldn’t stretch to next opponent and demanded But that attacking philosophy tap home a dangerous cross at the back his players show their commit- will be tested by fi xtures against post. ment by playing with high inten- Chelsea, Manchester United and Sergio Leon then gave Barca a scare sity in training. Arsenal in the next few weeks. when his brilliant lob over Marc-Andre “It’s always diffi cult to say if “Let’s get through the tough ter Stegen came back off the underside of these fi ve games are a great op- Christmas period, with diffi cult the bar. portunity,” Conte said. “This games coming up, starting with Barca created fewer chances in the sec- Barcelona’s Argentinian forward Lionel Messi celebrates after scoring against Osasuna at the Reyno de Navarra (El Sadar) stadium league has taught me that every Chelsea on Sunday,” Pulis said. ond half, but were more clinical. in Pamplona yesterday. game is very tough. “Then we’ve got Swansea, Sergio Busquets and Messi combined “If you don’t face every game Man United and Arsenal too. to release Jordi Alba on the left and his off side. The second goal came about in volleyed home by Messi at the near post. clear of three Osasuna defenders and left with great concentration and They’re really tough games, great low cross was rolled into an unguarded similar fashion 13 minutes later as Alba And Messi didn’t need any help for his Perez on the fl oor before lifting the ball preparation you can fi nd yourself games to play, full houses over net by Suarez despite Osasuna calls for again got to the by-line and his cross was second in stoppage time as he wriggled high into the net. in trouble. the festive period.”

BOTTOMLINE Man United, Spurs in scramble to stay in touch

AFP win for four games, with four draws, so we just Their sticky patch ended their Champions London want to win this game and get to the top of the League campaign before it had really begun and league.” Although its transport implications have saw them slip seven points below leaders Chelsea provided unwelcome complications for Mourin- in the title race. he threat of a long, dark winter hangs ho, the Europa League has given United some rare But they will travel north energised by two over Jose Mourinho’s Manchester United moments of positivity in recent weeks. handsome victories, having crushed Swansea as they prepare to welcome Tottenham It has been particularly kind to Henrikh Mkhi- City 5-0 last weekend before sinking CSKA Mos- Hotspur to Old Traff ord in the Premier taryan, who temporarily disappeared from view cow 3-1 in mid-week to join United in the Europa LeagueT today. following his close-season switch from Borussia League. Without a home win in four league games, Dortmund. The stunning form of Mourinho’s former club United trail fi fth-place Tottenham by six points The Armenian playmaker shone in the 4-0 win Chelsea under Antonio Conte has only deep- and will be left with a chasm to bridge just to se- over Feyenoord and opened his account for the ened the gloom surrounding the Portuguese, but cure a Champions League place if they lose. club with a fi ne goal on Thursday, having inspired Spurs manager Mauricio Pochettino remains an Their preparations have been disturbed by United to a 4-1 League Cup win over West Ham ardent admirer. Thursday’s Europa League trip to Ukraine, where United in between. “For me, he is the Special One and will always they beat Zorya Luhansk 2-0 to secure a last 32 With United having scored just seven goals be the Special One,” said Pochettino, who saw slot, but Paul Pogba says it cannot serve as an ex- in their last eight league games — a run that has his side outclass United 3-0 at White Hart Lane cuse. yielded a solitary win — he seems increasingly when the teams last met in April. “When you’re playing those competitions, integral to Mourinho’s hopes of salvaging the “For me, he was a reference when I started my you’re playing every three days,” the France mid- season. career at Espanyol. He was always very kind to me fi elder told MUTV. “We know how good he is,” Pogba said. “You and opened his door. “We have the team to change and be ready. We just have to be confi dent and now he’s playing “I always assess my colleagues and try to be have to be ready for those games. When you pre- more, he has more games in his legs. objective. I really believe he is one of the best. pare in pre-season, it’s to play those games every “He is just getting going.” “Sometimes you struggle a bit. It’s not easy to three days. Having recently endured a sequence of one arrive at a new club, set up ideas and philosophy, “We know how hard it is to play against Tot- This file photo taken on October 23, 2016 shows Manchester United’s French midfielder Paul Pogba victory in 10 matches in all competitions, Tot- but for me he was, is and will be one of the best tenham. We’re playing at home, where we didn’t during the English Premier League football match against Chelsea. tenham can sympathise with United’s struggles. managers in football history.” Gulf Times Sunday, December 11, 2016 3 FOOTBALL

ADVICE SCOTTISH PREMIER LEAGUE Rodgers proud of Don’t react to Celtic domination criticism, Klopp tells goalie Karius

‘I heard the criticism was very harsh. When we analysed the game I found eight AFP mand and big intensity on a daily Glasgow basis. They’ve coped with that players who could have defended the goal before Loris was involved’ and grew with that every single day. eltic manager Brendan “In order to do that you’ve got Rodgers says he is to be prepared to change a little proud of his side’s desire but if you can then it will change to win as they picked up a lot in your game and I can see Ctheir ninth victory in a row as those changes in how we play they defeated Partick Thistle 4-1 developing all the time.” at Firhill. Thistle looked to have frus- The Hoops extended their lead trated Celtic in the fi rst half be- at the top of the Scottish Pre- fore Stuart Armstrong tapped in miership to 11 points with two a cross from Leigh Griffi ths in the games in hand as their unbeaten 39th minute. start to the season continues. The recalled Celtic striker, The Glasgow giants have making his fi rst start in over a dropped just two points in 14 month, was the provider again matches and former Liverpool as he played a short free-kick for boss Rodgers says he is delighted Armstrong to arrow a shot past with the development of his side Tomas Cerny in the 48th minute since his arrival at Celtic Park in before Griffi ths got his name on the summer. the scoresheet less than a minute “Overall I am absolutely proud later with a curling strike. of the players for the eff ort they Thistle pulled one back on the are putting in. Their focus and hour mark as some sloppy mark- mentality and that relentless at- ing allowed Liam Lindsay to head titude to want to win games is Sean Welsh’s fl oated free-kick clear,” Rodgers said. into the box past Craig Gordon. “The mentality of the team is Callum McGregor fi nished the very strong. The fi tness we’ve scoring for Celtic in the 82nd built up mentality over the minute as he volleyed past Cerny course of the season is helping for their 70th goal in all competi- the players. tions this season. “I can see the development of “It was an outstanding result the players and the relationship for us. I don’t think they’ve con- between training and playing and ceded more than two goals in a how they’re taking on concepts game this season before tonight,” of our build-up and consolidat- the Celtic manager said. ing the game. Celtic now face three home “Obviously we’ve got goals in games in the space of seven days the team and we’re a very aggres- in a gruelling festive fi xture list sive team and we attack. but Rodgers says his side will be “The team is maturing a lot happy to be back at Parkhead. and are staying very composed “The players will have a de- File picture of Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp and calm under pressure and served day off tomorrow as they that’s a real good sign so early need to recover,” the Celtic man- AFP before Loris was involved,” Klopp said. available for the Merseyside derby on De- gled to maintain the progress from last in our relationship working to- ager said. Liverpool “He made a mistake too. Even the cember 19. season, but he maintains he has the full gether.” “Then we will be back in and best goalkeepers in the world still make Sturridge has frequently struggled in support of the club. The Celtic manager added: the only focus is now Hamilton mistakes. We know we have to deal with December and has not started a single “I feel the support, I have said it so “We’ve come in with a new way and we need to keep this mo- urgen Klopp has urged Liverpool pressure. Premier League match for the Reds in the many times,” he said. “In the conversa- of working and there’s a big de- mentum going. goalkeeper Loris Karius to “close “There is no perfect recipe for devel- month since he joined in January 2013. tion we had this week, I felt the support. his ears” to criticism ahead of to- opment but close your ears helps a lot. I The England international’s last start “I spoke a few times about it, with day’s Premier League clash with am quite good at this actually. Hopefully in the month came for Chelsea on New my squad, and I know what we achieved WestJ Ham. he can adapt to my skills.” Year’s Eve 2011 against Aston Villa. last season and it is time for us to turn it Abuse scandal — what we know Bournemouth clinched a dramatic 4-3 Liverpool are boosted by the return of “He won’t be with the team. I have no around. victory over Liverpool last weekend after centre-back Joel Matip, who missed the idea when he will be back. What can you “We had meetings with the squad and AFP, London: The sex abuse sights of former players is Karius fumbled a shot from Steve Cook defeat to Bournemouth with an ankle in- do? Nothing. Wait. That is my job,” said individually and the only way we can get scandal that has rocked Eng- Southampton. Around a in stoppage-time which allowed Nathan jury. Klopp. out of the situation is to train hard and lish football’s foundations has dozen have claimed they were seen new revelations every abused by former youth coach “He is not in training with the team hope the luck comes on our side. Keep Ake to bundle the ball into the net. But England striker Daniel Sturridge day since they first surfaced a Bob Higgins with some taking Karius, who joined Liverpool from will miss the fi xture against the Hammers at the moment so we don’t have to think going and keep working. fortnight ago. legal action against the Saints. Bundesliga outfi t Mainz in May, dis- after he was ruled out of Liverpool’s next about him for the team with West Ham “We have to be positive, I have got a Here AFP Sports takes a look Higgins was found not guilty placed Simon Mignolet as Klopp’s fi rst two matches with a calf injury. and Middlesbrough, but maybe after great reaction from the players this week. at what we know so far: of sex abuse in 1992. Three choice and is set to keep his place at An- Sturridge has not featured for the Reds then.” I felt really bad. Not only me, we all felt years earlier, police and social fi eld this weekend despite the costly mis- since a 12-minute cameo in the goalless Meanwhile, Slaven Bilic admits he felt bad. Coaches accused services issued a joint letter take. draw with Southampton on November humiliated after last weekend’s 5-1 home “To be one down on 70 minutes but At least seven youth coaches warning he was dangerous to “I heard the criticism was very harsh. 19. No specifi c timescale has been put defeat to Arsenal left West Ham hovering lose 5-1, you are angry, frustrated but you or scouts — three of whom children. He has yet to com- When we analysed the game I found eight on the 27-year-old’s return by Klopp, one place above the relegation places. have to get over it, which we have done are now dead — have been ment. players who could have defended the goal although the German hinted he may be Hammers boss Bilic has so far strug- and we have a big game on Sunday.” accused of sexual abuse, although the National Police Number of victims Chiefs Council revealed on The number of victims, Friday there are 83 poten- according to the NPCC, still BOTTOMLINE tial suspects. Two of those stands at around 350 although still alive — former Crewe that figure could well rise as Alexandra youth coach Barry ‘Operation Hydrant’ — the Bennell, who has served three overall investigation into jail terms for sex off ences, and historic sex abuse covering all Northern Irishman Jim McCaf- walks of life — sifts through the ferty, who served as kitman allegations, “with processes Okaka’s brace for Watford and a scout at Celtic — have to determine if the referral been charged. Bennell, who relates to a victim or a witness also had links with Manchester and whether the information City, Stoke and Leeds, was received is new or a duplica- found unconscious in a hotel tion of information already deepens gloom at Everton near London before being received”. charged with eight counts of sex abuse whilst McCaff erty FA cover-up? AFP Gerard Deulofeu took over to fl ick a graceful back-heel vol- spoke to the Irish Mirror as he Present FA chairman Greg Watford from the former Crystal Palace ley home from six yards. wanted to ‘cleanse his soul’ Clarke doesn’t believe so al- winger at Vicarage Road and Watford might have gone before walking into a police though he admits people may drew an unorthodox, volleyball- ahead before half-time, but Troy station where he was subse- have preferred to turn a blind talian striker Stefano Oka- style save from Watford goal- Deeney miscued after ghosting quently charged although with eye to the rumours. The FA do ka’s fi rst two Watford goals keeper Heurelho Gomes with a in to meet Adlene Guedioura’s non-football linked off ences not emerge well from the 1997 inspired a 3-2 comeback teasing early cross. deep cross. committed in Ulster. Channel Four documentary win over Everton yester- The hosts seemed to be build- The second goal would not exposing sex abuse in football Iday, leaving Ronald Koeman’s ing up a head of steam, with elude them for long, however, Chelsea and Saints in eye of dismissing the allegations with side with one win in 10 Premier Ramiro Funes Mori obliged as Jose Holebas bent a free-kick the storm a ‘no comment’. However, four Some of the biggest names years later they launched a League games. to slide in and prevent Okaka into the box from the left in the in English football such as review into child protection Romelu Lukaku scored twice reaching Etienne Capoue’s low 59th minute and Prodl charged Chelsea and Manchester City at football clubs led by an for Everton, bookending the cross, when Everton took a 17th- in to plant a header past Steke- figure among the 98 clubs eminent specialist, Professor scoring, but Okaka’s double — minute lead. lenburg. from all levels the National Celia Brackenbridge. Meant to the fi rst a brilliant fl ick — and a Gareth Barry did not even Within fi ve minutes it was 3-1. Police Chiefs Council (NPCC) last four years it was abruptly Sebastian Prodl header earned need to look up to know where Stekelenburg produced a fi nger- say have been ‘impacted’. The halted in 2003. The research- Walter Mazzarri’s men victory. Lukaku would be running, hoist- tip save to keep out Miguel Bri- present Chelsea regime has ers criticised the clubs’ It was Watford’s fi rst win over ing a fi rst-time pass over the tos’s header, but from the result- attracted a welter of criticism attitude and added the clubs Everton since a 2-1 success in Watford defence for the Belgium ing corner Holebas picked out for paying compensation to were at loggerheads with the March 1987 and took them above striker to fi nish past Gomes. Okaka to glance in his second former youth player Gary FA over the ‘importance of the the Merseyside club in the table, Okaka’s fi rst attempt at an goal. Johnson — who was abused by issue’. putting them level on points equaliser lacked the pace or Koeman sent on Ross Barkley, ex-Chelsea scout Eddie Heath Clarke, who has only been in in the 1970s when the club the job for a few months, has with Manchester United. placement to trouble Everton Enner Valencia and Aaron Len- was under diff erent ownership launched a review headed by Everton have gone fi ve games goalkeeper Maarten Stekelen- non and the latter’s left-wing — but with a gagging order an eminent lawyer to uncover without a win and now face a burg, but his second eff ort was cross allowed Lukaku to reduce attached in 2015. He broke how much the FA knew about daunting pair of home games a gem. the arrears with a close-range that condition to go public and the allegations raised down against Arsenal and derby rivals Watford’s Italian striker Stefano Okaka celebrates after scoring Nordin Amrabat curled a cross header four minutes from time. the club issued a statement the years in what he has Liverpool before a trip to cham- against Everton at Vicarage Road Stadium in Watford. into the box from the right and But Watford held on, a stop- ‘apologising profusely’ for his described as being the biggest pions Leicester City. Okaka — signed from Ander- page-time Barkley free-kick the suff ering. Another Premier crisis in English football that Everton received a blow this son signing Yannick Bolasie campaign due to a serious knee lecht in August — stole in front only meaningful eff ort Gomes League club who are in the he could recall. week with the news close-sea- is likely to miss the rest of the injury. of his marker before pirouetting had to save. Gulf Times 4 Sunday, December 11, 2016 FOOTBALL

BUNDESLIGA SERIE A Juve derby a ‘family’ aff air Lewandowski fi res for Torino coach Sinisa

AFP Bayern Munich back Turin, Italy orino coach Sinisa Mihajlovic paraded 60-year-old fan “Socrates” and the club’s kit man to underline the com- bined eff ort that will go into beating Tderby rivals Juventus today. Serie A champions Juventus hold a four- to top as Leipzig lose point lead on Roma and AC Milan at the top but have worries over an injury-ravaged de- fence that leaked three goals in a shock reverse Mueller scores first goal of the season after 999 minutes; Reus scores late equaliser for Dortmund at Genoa a fortnight ago. Torino are 11 points off the pace in seventh as they look for their fi rst win over Juve since Reuters April 2015 when the “Granata”, then under Berlin current Italy coach Giam Piero Ventura, ended a 20-year wait to beat their city rivals. Although England goalkeeper Joe Hart hampions Bayern Munich and 10-goal striker Andrea Belotti have been reclaimed top spot in the key for Torino this season, Mihajlovic says Bundesliga after crushing other members of the Torino “family” will be VfL Wolfsburg 5-0 yester- pivotal. dayC as RB Leipzig slumped to their “Renato Cornaglia, otherwise known as fi rst loss of the season -a 1-0 defeat ‘Socrates’, 60 years old and a lifetime fan of at Ingolstadt. Torino,” Mihajlovic said. Arjen Robben put the dominant “He saw our last scudetto win (in 1976) and hosts ahead with a trademark move relegation and has never given up on the club. down the right and a superbly curled Even if he doesn’t have his boots, tomorrow he left-footed shot in the 22nd before will be playing alongside us. Robert Lewandowski tapped in for a “And there’s Luca Finetto, the kit man who two-goal lead four minutes later. is with us every day. He, too, will be playing The Pole replicated his move on tomorrow because our success doesn’t just de- the hour to turn in a Thomas Mueller pend on the saves made by Hart or the goals of shot before the attacking midfi elder Belotti.” then turned scorer, fi nally breaking Mihajlovic, in his fi rst season at the club, his goal drought this season after added: “Juventus won’t just be playing against having failed to score for 999 min- 11 players but the whole Torino family. They utes. will have to earn a win against us. “I am happy for Thomas, that he “Whatever happens, we will walk off with scored today,” Bayern coach Carlo our heads held high. The only thing I ask is for Ancelotti told reporters. a great derby full of intensity and professional- “But he always does a very good ism.” job on the pitch even if he does not Juventus won both derbies last season on score. their way to a record-equalling fi fth Serie A “It was a very good performance title, but injuries are stopping them pulling from us,” added the Italian. away from the chasing pack before Christmas Brazilian Douglas Costa complet- this season. ed the rout in the 86th minute to lift Juve were without their legendary three- Bayern to 33 points, ahead of Leipzig man “BBC” defence of Andrea Barzagli, Leon- on goal diff erence. ardo Bonucci and Giorgio Chiellini in a crucial Wolfsburg are just a point above 3-1 home win over Atalanta last week. the relegation zone in 15th place, Massimiliano Allegri was forced to deploy a without a win in their last four makeshift back three of Patrice Evra, Daniele matches. Rugani and Mehdi Benatia as Juve, despite a Promoted Leipzig’s sensational dominant display on Wednesday, laboured to a start to the season came to a halt 2-0 Champions League win over Dinamo Za- when Brazilian Roger’s glancing greb. fi rst-half header earned struggling While Barzagli and Bonucci are out till the Ingolstadt only their second win of New Year, Chiellini is expected to return for the campaign. Sunday to marshal a makeshift defence that The hosts had to endure an hour will be under the orders of captain and goal- of pressure as Leipzig sought the keeper Gianluigi Buff on. goal that would have kept them top, Allegri could again start with Gonzalo Hi- and Emil Forsberg missed a golden guain and Mario Mandzukic up front after re- chance in the 88th minute to equal- fusing to confi rm if Paulo Dybala, who made ise from four metres out. his return from a six-week injury lay-off with Ingolstadt were reduced to 10 men a cameo appearance in midweek, is fi t enough in stoppage time after the dismissal to start. of Mathew Leckie. “I won’t reveal our team, but I still have to “Defeats always hurt, it doesn’t decide on Dybala,” said Allegri. matter against who,” said RB coach Thanks also to Iago Falque and Adem Ljajic, Hasenhuettl, who’s side battered the (L-R) Bayern Munich’s Spanish midfielder Javi Martinez, Bayern Munich’s Dutch midfielder Arjen Robben, Bayern Munich’s French midfielder Franck Ribery, who have 12 league goals between them, Torino Ingolstadt goal with 13 shots, to the Bayern Munich’s Austrian defender David Alaba and Bayern Munich’s Polish striker Robert Lewandowski celebrate after the first goal for Munich during the have the third most potent attack in Serie A. hosts four, but could not score. Bundesliga match against VfL Wolfsburg in Munich yesterday. (AFP) But Allegri is also wary of his own side’s “The opponents forced their own habit of underperforming after midweek en- game on us, we had little infl uence cent (more shots) count. The ball needed another late goal from Marco in sixth spot Hamburg SV had Lewis midway through the second half as deavours in the Champions League. and didn’t show enough courage. didn’t want to go in.” Reus, who brought his side back to Holtby dismissed in the 44th minute the home side earned a scrappy 1-0 “We’ve lost three games after being involved “We were better after the break, Borussia Dortmund continued 2-2 at Real Madrid in midweek, to for elbowing an opponent and Augs- win to earn their second straight win in the Champions League, so I hope that’s it but we couldn’t make our 300 per- their erratic domestic form and snatch a 1-1 draw at Cologne and stay burg’s Dominiko Kohr was sent off and move up to 16th place. fi nished now,” he said.

QATAR STARS LEAGUE Falcao scores hat-trick for rampant Monaco Radamel Falcao netted a hat-trick as Monaco crushed 10-man Bordeaux 4-0 to go provi- sionally top of the Ligue 1 table yesterday. Djibril Sidibe got the opener and Falcao Wakrah fancy chances against Rayyan found the net in fortunate fashion to double the principality club’s lead inside five minutes By Sports Reporter at the Matmut Atlantique. Doha Falcao added two more goals in the second half, including one from the penalty spot, while Bordeaux ended a wretched evening l Wakrah coach Kais Yak- a man down after the sending-off of Adam oubi is hoping to exploit Al Ounas. Rayyan’s mental frailties Europe’s top scorers, Monaco have now when they clash in the Qa- scored 53 goals in just 17 league games, only tarA Stars League today. four fewer than they managed in the whole With just one win from 10 match- of last season. es, Al Wakrah are facing relegation, As a result they are now top of the table, but Yakoubi is still excited about above Cote d’Azur rivals Nice on goal diff er- facing reigning champions Rayyan ence, with defending champions Paris Saint- who are smarting from a 5-0 thrash- Germain four points back in third position. ing at the hands of Al Sadd earlier PSG are at home to Nice in a huge game on last week. Sunday evening at the Parc des Princes. “When we look to the table we Monaco have often struggled in Bordeaux know there is a big gap in quality down the years but they stunned their hosts between us and Al Rayyan. But it’s by opening the scoring inside 80 seconds also a good opportunity to take ad- as Bernardo Silva set up France full-back vantage of the defeat Al Rayyan had Sidibe to find the net with a low finish across against Al Sadd. We don’t need to goalkeeper Jerome Prior. give the players motivation when It was 2-0 soon after when Prior tried to palm they play the best teams in the QSL. out a low cross from Valere Germain but the It’s an appropriate time to play Al ball ricocheted off Falcao and into the net. Rayyan,” said Yakoubi. Any hopes Bordeaux harboured of a come- “Our target is to start picking up Al Rayyan head coach Michael Laudrup (centre) expects a big performance from his players. back in the second half were nipped in the points. We picked up our fi rst win bud as Monaco made it 3-0 on the breaka- and we need to continue on this path despite the missing names we are “Wakrah come into the game with misfi ring in recent weeks, but full fi tness. “Daniel Goumou has way in the 50th minute. if we are going to avoid relegation aiming to get a positive result.” plenty of confi dence as they haven’t Laudrup believes they will soon fi nd been playing well at the moment, Thomas Lemar’s long ball found Germain this season,” added the Tunisian. Meanwhile, Rayyan coach Michael lost in four games. It is a good thing their form. “I know they are upset at you cannot be away from playing and he squared for Falcao, who took a touch Yakoubi also revealed he will be Laudrup is expecting a big perform- that the game comes very quickly. not scoring but I know that with for- matches for so long and not drop off before stabbing home. without some key players heading ance from his side. We need to put the defeat against wards they will get one goal and then physically. We are in a run of games The Colombian was handed the chance to into the game. “The atmosphere is “After the game like the other day Al Sadd behind us. We cannot think more will come and I hope in this now and naturally he is going to drop complete his hat-trick from the penalty spot good in the squad but we have had (against Al Sadd), it’s important to about the league title at the moment, moment they will do this.” off . I am expecting that. Likewise for just after the hour mark when Nicolas Pallois only have 72 hours to prepare for have a reaction and knowing my we just have to focus on the game Ending the press conference, Caseres. He will need two months to petulantly threw Silva to the ground inside this game. Maher Yusef and Ahmed players they will show this against Al that is ahead of us.” Laudrup stressed that his midfi eld- get back to his best when he returns, the box. Fadel will be absent for this game but Wakrah,” said the Dane. Al Rayyan’s forwards have been ers will need time to get back to that is football.” Gulf Times Sunday, December 11, 2016 5 GOLF

DUBAI LADIES MASTERS INJURY Rose concedes title, Feng wins record focuses on ‘rehab’ fourth Dubai title,

India’s Aditi third File picture of British golfer Justin Rose. AFP said such preparations were nor- Hong Kong mal for him, after spending most ‘I knew that playing in the wind is one of my strongest parts. So even though I was of his career coping with back problems. five behind, I always thought that maybe I would still have a chance to win this week’ ustin Rose admitted his “Anyone who plays this game Hong Kong Open title for a living and plays as much as defence was all but over we do, it’s part of the job. If you yesterday and said he was scan everybody here, they are all treatingJ the $2 million tourna- going to have a bad back at one ment as “rehab” for a painful point,” he said. back injury. “I’ve been dealing with it The Olympic champion card- since I was 21 years old. I’ve had ed level-par 70 for an aggregate bad discs since I was 21 and I’ve score of one-under 209 for the done a brilliant job managing it tournament, trailing the leaders throughout my career. by a distance after round three. “I’ve been very gym-fi t and Rose displayed signs of dis- I’ve got a great team which oper- comfort during his round but he ates around me, and every once said he was feeling his way back in a while things fl are up. It’s just to fi tness after pulling out of last the nature of the beast.” week’s Hero World Challenge Rose said he felt confi dent with the back problem. enough in his back to unleash “I think this has been the per- on a couple of tee shots late in fect week for me, sort of acts as his round, “stuff that I wouldn’t rehab,” the 36-year-old English- have entertained the fi rst few man told reporters. days”. “I’m out here doing my job, But with no chance of retain- the physios out here have been ing the Hong Kong trophy, he great, the gym facilities at the said he had tempered his expec- hotel have been great. It’s been a tations to merely shooting a good really good week getting fi t.” fi nal round on Sunday. The world number 15 and de- “(I’ve got) no prospects re- tailed a heavy schedule of taping, ally in term of winning the golf physio and gym work before he tournament,” Rose said, adding: even picks up a club to practice “I feel like I deserve a good round before his rounds. out of the week. I felt very close But the 2013 US Open winner to playing well this week.”

BOOST Atwal stays alive in

Shanshan Feng of China celebrates after winning the final round of the 2016 Omega Dubai Ladies Masters at the Emirates Golf Club in Dubai yesterday. tour card battle at AFP American Beth Allen won the LET Or- Final Scoreboard (Top-10) Dubai der of Merit crown, while Ashok was the Hong Kong Open Rookie of the Year. Pos Name R1 R2 R3 Total Score Prize money (€) Feng made the most of the early holes 1 SHANSHAN FENG (CHN) 72 70 64 -10 206 75,000.00 IANS to fi nish in the tournament to re- efending champion Feng Shan- playing downwind, making four birdies 2 CHARLEY HULL (ENG) 72 71 65 -8 208 45,000.00 Hong Kong tain his full playing rights. shan won a record fourth Dubai in a row from the second onwards, and T3 ADITI ASHOK (IND) 70 70 70 -6 210 26,250.00 “If I think about it, then prob- Ladies Masters title yesterday then had another fantastic stretch from T3 FLORENTYNA PARKER (ENG) 67 72 71 -6 210 26,250.00 ably I won’t be able to play. I know following a brilliant eight-un- the diffi cult par-4 ninth onwards, as she T5 GEORGIA HALL (ENG) 71 70 70 -5 211 16,750.00 ormer Asian Tour I’m outside the number looking derD par fi nal round 64. added three more to her tally. number one golfer Arjun in. First thing was to make the cut, T5 ASHLEIGH SIMON (RSA) 69 72 70 -5 211 16,750.00 The 27-year-old from China started “I’m really happy that I actually T7 NONTAYA SRISAWANG (THA) 72 70 70 -4 212 12,833.33 Atwal fi red a third round because my back wasn’t all that the day fi ve shots behind overnight lead- brought out my ‘A game’ today,” said T7 EMILY KRISTINE PEDERSEN (DEN) 69 71 72 -4 212 12,833.33 of four-under-par 66 great the fi rst two days. Couldn’t er Felicity Johnson of England. Feng. atF the UBS Hong Kong Open to practice or anything. You know, T7 FELICITY JOHNSON (ENG) 73 64 75 -4 212 12,833.33 But she claimed back-to-back titles “I knew that it was going to be windy T10 KYLIE WALKER (SCO) 70 72 71 -3 213 10,750.00 brighten his chances of retaining if I play solid tomorrow, I think I fi nishing on a 10-under par total of 206 and I knew that playing in the wind is one his full playing rights next year. should be all right.” as the leaders fell by the wayside on a of my strongest parts. So even though I The 43-year-old was disap- Atwal, the fi rst Indian to win on windy day at the Majlis course of Emir- was fi ve behind, I always thought that on the golf course, but today I got in there “It was pretty solid. I actually didn’t pointed to bogey his last hole with the Professional Golfers’ Associa- ates Golf Club. maybe I would still have a chance to win and kind of concentrated,” said the world start very well today. I was one-over in a three-putt at a sun-kissed Hong tion (PGA) Tour, was simply glad Feng, the highest ranked player in the this week and I tried my best. Eight-un- No18. the fi rst four holes when all four were Kong Golf Club but fi ve birdies he managed to stay in the Hong fi eld at world No4, was chased home by der was a pretty good score.” “I holed a few putts today and I missed actually birdieable with the tailwind. on the card pushed him up to tied Kong Open following back trouble England’s Charley Hull second at eight- Hull, who won her fi rst LPGA Tour a lot of putts. I hit it pretty well and it was So I didn’t really make use of that,” said 19th position with one round to at the start of the week. under par following a 65. title three weeks ago at the CME Group really windy today. So I’m quite happy the Olympian who also qualifi ed for the play for the 2016 season. “I played in the Pro-Am and India’s Aditi Ashok signed off a bril- Tour Championship, had a similar story with my score in them conditions.” LPGA Tour next year. Currently in 69th position on it got tight in the morning, and liant season tied for third place with Eng- to Feng. Ashok, who shot a third consecutive Allen, who won twice in the season the Order of Merit, Atwal needs it just kept progressively getting land’s Florentyna Parker at six-under par After two quiet days, the 21-year-old round of 70 with four birdies and two bo- before fi nishing tied 55th at six-over to break into the top-60 on bad, and I’ve already pulled out 210 in the tournament that was reduced from Woburn caught fi re and posted a geys, was happy with her fi nish, although this week, topped the LET Money List Sunday to keep his full card and of two tournaments this year, to 54 holes following the death of caddie bogey-free 65. disappointed that she could not make the with 313,079 euros ($330,000), while needs to earn US$16,000 here one on the PGA Tour and one on Maximilian Zechmann on the opening “Today, I kind of woke up and got into most of the fi rst four holes that played Ashok was second in the standings at to overhaul current 60th ranked the European Tour. day Wednesday. my golf game. I’ve been a bit lazy all week easy Saturday. EUR206,665. Shunya Takeyasu, who is not “And I knew this was the playing this week. symptoms coming up. I went Atwal said he has not calcu- to the physio (Phillipa Stewart) HONG KONG OPEN lated the mathematics for his and I wanted to hit balls and Tour survival. Finishing alone she said no. in the 33rd position is worth “Then yesterday was a little US$16,000. bit better, the back, and then to- “I know I’m close. Because eve- day was a lot better. I’m looking rybody else keeps telling me,” At- forward to tomorrow. I want to wal responded on Saturday when shoot a low one tomorrow,” he Bello scents end to win drought asked if he knew where he needed added, according to a release. AFP I’m just confi dent.” Scoreboard Hong Kong Brazel, the world number 480, shot 67 to become a challenger 199 - Rafa Cabrera Bello (ESP) for what would be by far the big- 64-65-70, Sam Brazel (AUS) Record-equalling Howell scorches yder Cup star Rafa Ca- gest victory of his career. 66-66-67 into contention brera Bello recovered He said keeping his nerves in 201 - Tommy Fleetwood (ENG) from a late stumble to check would be key today. 66-68-67 David Howell came from Tour 2017 season-opener after retain a share of the “I’m going to try and control 202 - David Lipsky (USA) 66- nowhere to shoot a record- taking six weeks off to recover HongR Kong Open lead and move the nerves better than I did... and 70-66 equalling 63 at the Hong Kong from a foot injury. within sight of his fi rst victory in just enjoy it, enjoy the atmosphere 203 - Justin Walters (RSA) Open yesterday, as the former “I got the most out of the four years yesterday. of it all and take it all in, it’s been 67-67-69, David Howell (ENG) Ryder Cup player rediscov- round in the end and I’m The Spaniard leads alongside fun,” he told reporters. 70-70-63, Andrew Dodt (AUS) ered long-lost form to surge delighted to have made that Australia’s Sam Brazel on 11-un- Brazel, whose partner died 69-67-67 up the leaderboard. move here,” he said. der-par 199 after surviving a suddenly from bacterial menin- 204 - Edoardo Molinari (ITA) The 41-year-old world number “Having not played in six double bogey on the par-four gitis in 2009, said winning the 72-68-64, Thongchai Jaidee 228, who defeated then world weeks, it would be a nice way 14th by birdieing two of his last Hong Kong Open would “mean (THA) 67-68-69, Lee Soo-Min number one Tiger Woods to to start the season with a top four holes for level-par 70. the world” to him. (KOR) 72-68-64, Paul Dunne win the inaugural HSBC Cham- five, top 10 finish,” added the England’s Tommy Fleetwood Fleetwood said an eagle on the (IRL) 68-69-67, Jason Scriven- pions in Shanghai in 2005, Englishman. fi red three-under-par 67 to lie in par-fi ve 13th had got his “juices er (AUS) 67-69-68, Daniel Im scorched to seven-under at Howell has only won twice sole second spot with an aggre- fl owing” as he also aims to end a (USA) 69-67-68 par-70 Fanling to put himself since his HSBC Champions gate score of 201, one stroke bet- long win drought. 205 - Stephen Gallacher (SCO) in contention. victory, the most recent be- ter than America’s David Lipsky The 25-year-old Englishman 69-70-66, Shiv Kapur (IND) A run of birdie, birdie, eagle at ing the Alfred Dunhill Links who shot 66. This handout shows Rafa Cabrera Bello of Spain teeing off during has not won on the European 68-69-68, Peter Uihlein (USA) the turn laid the platform and Championship in 2013, and Cabrera Bello, a bright spot round three of the Hong Kong Open at the Hong Kong Golf Club. Tour since clinching the 2013 66-70-69, Benjamin Hebert after only just surviving the he admitted he had not had a in Europe’s Ryder Cup defeat, is Johnnie Walker Championship (FRA) 66-70-69, Danny Willett cut on Friday, Howell roared vintage year. bidding to join fellow Spaniards day and Friday at Fanling. ropean Tour win since the 2012 at Gleneagles. (ENG) 68-66-71 up the leaderboard to be tied “This whole calendar year has Jose Maria Olazabal, Miguel “I didn’t fi nd my rhythm so Dubai Desert Classic, said he “I haven’t won for a long time, Selected: for second as play continued been a real struggle for me Angel Jimenez and Jose Manuel well, I didn’t fi nd the serenity I would be calm heading into the I had a year out of the game real- 209 - Miguel Angel Jimenez in round three. with injury,” he said. Lara as a Hong Kong winner. had played with the fi rst couple last day. ly — I was playing dreadful from (ESP) 69-68-72, Justin Rose Howell, who matched the “Czech (Masters) and The “I had a tough day,” said Ca- of days, so I struggled with bo- “I’ve been joint leader or lead- mid-2015 to mid-this year — so (ENG) 70-69-70 course record held jointly by Open, really, were the high- brera Bello, who has topped the geys and birdies.” ing by myself many times, looking I’ve sort of being on a path since 210 - Patrick Reed (USA) 70- Chris Wood and Lucas Bjerre- lights of last season. But yeah, leaderboard after all three rounds But the 32-year-old, who has for that third win,” he said.”So it’s August getting my game back,” 70-70 gaard, arrived at the European so it’s been a while,” he added. following his 64 and 65 on Thur- been waiting for his third Eu- a very common position for me. he said. Gulf Times 6 Sunday, December 11, 2016 SPORT

SPOTLIGHT DOWNWARD SPIRAL Suns hand Lakers James ninth on fi ft h consecutive loss scoring list aft er

114-84 rout of Heat The Phoenix Suns’ Drew Bledsoe (R) drives to the basket. MCT get past the losses of two of their Los Angeles best scorers. ‘That’s how it is in our league. There’s years where teams are going to be very good Starting point guard D’Angelo Russell and starting shooting and then they’ve got to go through a point where they have to rebuild’ acing a respite in their guard Nick Young both remain schedule with the six- out with injuries. win Phoenix Suns com- After each electrifying of- Fing to town, the Los An- fensive play, perhaps a three- geles Lakers couldn’t capitalise. pointer by Williams, or a dunk by The Suns beat the Lakers 119- Larry Nance Jr., the fans at Sta- 115, handing the Lakers their fi fth ples Center implored their team consecutive loss, and keeping with chants of “de-fense.” Most them winless in December. often, the Suns scored easily. The loss dropped the Lakers to The Lakers allowed the Suns a 10-15 while the Suns improved to season-high 62 points in the fi rst 7-16. Late, the game was close. half. Phoenix closed the second After the Suns’ Leandro Bar- quarter with a 10-2 run to take a bosa missed a shot with 2:03 left 10 point lead into halftime. in the game, Lakers forward Julius By the start of the fourth quar- Randle took the rebound on a fast ter, the Suns had 89 points. break and delivered a thundering Although his coaching pedi- dunk through traffi c to bring the gree came from the fast-paced, Lakers within fi ve again. On the high scoring Golden State War- Lakers next possession, Randle riors, defense was the fi rst thing nearly lost the ball but fought to Lakers Coach Luke Walton asked keep it and got the ball to rookie his team to master. The fi rst few forward Brandon Ingram. He days of training camp were all made both free throws bringing about defense. After them, Wal- the Lakers to within three. ton said he wanted his team to be Down three, the Staples Cent- strong defensively, and believed er crowd stood up to chant “de- they could do it. fense” in unison. They didn’t They aren’t there yet. Most get the stop they wanted. At the every step forward off ensively was other end of the court, Randle met by step backward defensively. fouled suns guard Eric Bledsoe, In the fourth quarter, Wil- defl ating the building. Bledsoe liams orchestrated a backward made both free throws to give the four-point play. He made a fi rst Suns a fi ve-point lead. free throw, missed the second, A Suns shot clock violation then got the ball back after Tho- with 26 seconds remaining in the mas Robinson rebounded the game, gave the Lakers some hope miss. Williams’ three-pointer despite being down fi ve. Ingram from in front of the Lakers bench hit a corner three-pointer with brought the Lakers within fi ve 17 seconds left to bring the Lak- points in the fourth quarter. ers within two points. But Eric Defensive breakdowns by the Bledsoe’s two free throws gave Lakers, though, allowed the Suns the Suns a four-point lead that to keep stretching their lead. all but sealed the game. “The good defensive teams, Lou Williams led the Lakers they enjoy getting stops,” Walton Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (R) shoots over Miami Heat guard Rodney McGruder during the second half at Quicken Loans Arena. The Cavs won 114-84. with 35 points, marking the third said, when asked if having a defen- time this season and the third sive mindset is diffi cult. “They en- MCT Haslam was a late scratch from the Heat ahead and continued trying to win fol- Hassan Whiteside had eight points and time in four games he scored at joy the process of watching other Cleveland for personal reasons, wiping away the lowing James’ departure. 12 rebounds for the Heat. Miami shot a least 35 points. The Lakers have teams struggle. Get good looks. On fi nal link between James and the Heat’s “That’s how it is in our league. There’s season-low .348, which is also a low for relied on Williams’ off ense to bad defensive teams, it’s defi nitely championship past. There was no one on years where teams are going to be very any Cavs opponent this season. carry them as they’ve worked to a struggle yes.” wyane Wade is gone and Chris the fl oor Friday whom James played with good and then they’ve got to go through a The Heat’s starting frontcourt com- Bosh’s career is likely over. So, in Miami _ and he left the franchise three point where they have to rebuild,” Tristan bined for 20 points, meaning Love too, is any remaining feud be- seasons ago. Thompson said. “Myself and Kyrie have and James each outscored them alone. ANALYSIS tween the Cavaliers and the Dion Waiters (torn thigh muscle) was been part of that rebuilding stage for the Thompson grabbed eight rebounds for MiamiD Heat. one of six injured Miami players. They Cavs and years went by and now we’re top the Cavs and Iman Shumpert scored 10 LeBron James scored 27 points against began the game with just three subs, al- of the East. For guys that were in Miami like points off the bench. The Cavs remain his former team to move into ninth place though they managed to hang around un- (Haslem) being part of the Heatles and then home to host the Charlotte Hornets on It’s time Clippers set on the NBA’s all-time scoring list in the til the second half. Irving’s driving layup going through the whole rebuilding phase, Saturday. Lue said there is a chance J.R. Cavs’ 114-84 victory Friday. James added at the third-quarter buzzer extended the it defi nitely makes you appreciate the suc- Smith could return to the lineup then. eight rebounds and eight assists, while Cavs’ lead to 87-69 and coach Tyronn cess. But as a young player on the Heat, it sail on new start Kevin Love fought through back spasms Lue pulled his regulars after James passed should motivate you to keep getting better RESULTS to score 28 points and grab 15 rebounds. Elvin Hayes (27,313) for ninth place on the because there’s going to be a time where Magic 88 Hornets 109; Heat 84 Cavaliers Kyrie Irving scored 23 points. scoring list. they are going to get better and be back to 114; Raptors 101 Celtics 94; Pistons 117 Injuries and Wade’s defection in free The swiftness with which the Cava- where they were.” Timberwolves 90; Rockets 102 Thunder agency has reduced the Heat to smolder- liers rose and the Heat tumbled reinforc- For now, that doesn’t appear to be any- 99; Hawks 114 Bucks 110; Pacers 103 ing ashes, last place in their division and es how fragile a winning culture is to craft time soon. Goran Dragic scored 15 points, Mavericks 111; Knicks 103 Kings 100; Suns little hope of making the playoff s. Udonis in the NBA; the Heat, after all, pushed Derrick Williams scored 17 points and 119 Lakers 115

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Anthony leads Knicks over Kings File picture of LA Clippers’ players greeting each other. MCT ing fl aws if you are stuck in the MCT against the Los Angeles Lakers. off guard” by Jackson’s criti- Los Angeles NBA’s better conference at the Sacramento Cousins led the Kings with 28 cal comments about him being worst possible time. points, 12 rebounds and six assists a ball-stopper. He said earlier The Clippers have had to deal but missed a potential go-ahead in the day that he wishes Jack- hat do you do with with a Western Conference largely hil Jackson wants Car- layup with 21.9 seconds left. son had spoken to him privately a $2 billion team ruled for years by the San Antonio melo Anthony to get rid With the Knicks ahead by and added that the Knicks don’t that’s really good Spurs and is now expected to be of the ball quicker, and three, Rudy Gay misfi red on a need “any negativity” right now. W... but not quite dominated for years by the Golden he did for most of Friday three-pointer with 3.9 seconds Anthony had said there is “a good enough? Steve Ballmer State Warriors. In between, there Pnight’s game. to go that went out of bounds temporary black cloud” over owns the Los Angeles Clippers – was a run by the Oklahoma City Anthony was quick to shoot off of Darren Collison. The the Knicks brought on by Jack- one of the most expensive also- Thunder until Kevin Durant de- and to pass to his teammates and original call was that it was off son’s statement that Anthony rans in American sports history. fected to Oakland. carried the New York Knicks of- the Knicks, but the referees re- holds the ball too long. Anthony Ballmer’s Clippers are loaded The Clippers roared to a 14-2 fensively for three quarters. But viewed it and reversed the call. said he doesn’t understand why with decorated stars (Chris Paul, start this season but were harsh- it wasn’t a good fi nish for him. Anthony was fouled and missed Jackson made those remarks, Blake Griffi n and DeAndre Jor- ly reminded of their place in the He missed some big shots both, but the Knicks survived. especially given that the Knicks dan) in a big attractive market, West pecking order by the War- down the stretch and, with a After Collison hit two foul have been winning. led by a coach (Doc Rivers) who riors on Wednesday night. chance to put the game away, shots to give Sacramento a 98- “At the end of the day, we’re already has a title on his resume. Golden State routed L.A., 115- missed two free throws with 2.6 97 lead, the Kings intentionally playing good basketball,” An- And what has all that glitter 98, at Staples Center, the War- seconds to go. But the Knicks fouled Joakim Noah with 2:09 thony said. “That’s the only gotten them at the end of the last riors’ seventh consecutive win in still were able to pull out a 103- left. Noah, who had missed 12 thing that really matters at this few seasons? the regular-season series. 100 win over the Kings at Gold- of his last 13 from the line, made point. Any negativity that’s A consolatory pat on the back The worst news for the Clip- en 1 Center in the opener of a both foul shots to give the Knicks coming toward me or toward the instead of a parade. pers: Durant, Steph Curry and fi ve-game Western swing. a 99-98 lead. team, I don’t think we need it at L.A. has averaged 55 wins the Klay Thompson all had sub-par After Anthony missed his With a few chances to extend this point, especially when we’re last three seasons under Rivers, games. second free throw, DeMarcus the lead, Anthony misfi red on trying to make a run.’’ the former Magic coach who won Afterward, Clippers power Cousins got the rebound, and his two three-pointers and Jennings Jackson’s comments came in an a title in Boston in 2008. But the forward Marreese Speights – heave from beyond midcourt hit bricked his three-point try. After interview with CBS Sports Net- Clippers advanced past the fi rst who left Golden State to sign in the front of the rim. Cousins missed his driving layup, work. He said Anthony has “a lit- round just twice in that stretch L.A. – lectured his new team. Anthony, who shot 9-for-22 Jennings rebounded it, was fouled tle bit of a tendency to hold it for and were ousted by Houston two “Guys just got to sacrifi ce, do after a 6-for-8 start, fi nished New York Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony (R) controls the ball and hit both free throws to put three, four, fi ve seconds, and then seasons ago and Portland last some other things than scor- with 33 points, seven rebounds against Sacramento Kings forward Rudy Gay. the Knicks on top 101-98. After everybody comes to a stop.” season. ing, do some other things than and four assists to lead the Cousins drove and scored with Later that night, Anthony About 25 other teams would your personal goals. Just try Knicks (13-10). His two foul zingis, who started 1-for-10, fi n- eight points and 11 rebounds. 15.6 seconds left, Anthony’s two scored 35 points to lead the be thrilled to trade places with something new,” Speights said. shots with 14.8 seconds left were ished 6-for-19 and had 17 points Derrick Rose missed his sec- foul shots made it 103-100. Knicks over the Miami Heat. He the Clippers and be labelled as “They’ve been doing it here for the last points of the game and and 10 rebounds. Brandon Jen- ond straight game because of The game provided a posi- also hit two game-winning shots underachievers. But critics point four or fi ve years and it hasn’t made him 12-for-12 from the nings had 13 points and seven to lower-back stiff ness. He said tive fi nish to the day for An- in a four-game span during a 9-3 to their lack of chemistry and been working, so it’s time to try line at that point. Kristaps Por- assists and Kyle O’Quinn added he will try to play Sunday night thony, who said he was “caught stretch for the Knicks. mental toughness, two unnerv- something new.” Gulf Times Sunday, December 11, 2016 7 SPORT

SPOTLIGHT DESIRE Love to win Heisman Wild prevail over Trophy, says Jackson Oilers in six-round shootout, 3-2 File picture of Louisville quarterback Lamar Jackson. MCT Football Awards, this race came Louisville into stark relief: Jackson was After Wild were unable to beat Talbot on seven shots on an overtime 4-on-3, Staal named winner of the Maxwell Award, given to the best player in scored the shootout winner and Dubnyk sealed the deal as the Wild beat the Oilers amar Jackson has the the country, and Watson won the words of a Bible verse O’Brien Award, given to the best MCT tattooed on his right bi- quarterback. St. Paul, Minnesota Lcep, but he doesn’t know Oklahoma wide receiver Dede what they say. Westbrook, Sooners quarterback He contorted his body to read Baker Mayfi eld, and Michigan’s s Bruce Boudreau joked, it took it on Friday, a day before learn- utility knife and defensive force “a lot of praying” to keep the ing if he’ll win the Heisman Tro- Jabrill Peppers round out the fi nal- NHL’s teenage leading scorer, phy, but the cursive is diffi cult to ists. “Quite frankly, I don’t think I Connor McDavid, off the score make out from his vantage point. should win,” Peppers said Friday. sheetA Sunday night. “That’s my mom’s favourite “I think there’s a lot more guys Five nights later, the Wild must have scripture,” the Louisville quar- here who are more qualifi ed, but I found another house of worship again. terback explained. “I had to get think my skillset and all the phases Not only did McDavid go without a it, in honour of her.” that I helped my team” recom- point for a second straight meeting, his For the record, Felicia Jones’ mend him. “Just to be with the turnover led to a third-period goal by the favourite verse – Mark 6:4 – likes of the guys that are here, it’s Wild, he took a penalty in overtime and reads that a prophet is with- defi nitely a tremendous honour.” he couldn’t beat Devan Dubnyk to win out honour in his own home. It Peppers, a sophomore, played the game in an eventual shootout. doesn’t quite apply to Jackson, on off ense, defense and special But after the Wild was unable to beat who’s had plenty of accolades teams, in a host of positions. He Cam Talbot on seven shots on an over- from his hometown of Florida had 72 total tackles with 16 for a time 4-on-3, Eric Staal scored the shoot- and across the nation, but it is a loss, four sacks, an interception, out winner and Dubnyk sealed the deal as testament to his devotion to his and 751 all-purpose yards. West- the Wild beat the Oilers, 3-2, after a six- mother. She’s the one who got brook and Mayfi eld, meanwhile, round shootout. him into football, she was the anchored that powerful Oklaho- The Wild, playing in their fi fth over- fi rst one to train him, she was the ma off ense – Westbrook caught time in nine games, improved to 5-1-3 in only parent to raise him, and on 16 TDs and had 1,465 receiving its past nine. This, after Talbot made nine Saturday night in midtown Man- yards, while Mayfi eld threw for 38 saves in overtime, plus Charlie Coyle and hattan, she’ll fi nd out if her son touchdowns and rushed for six. Staal hit posts. becomes the youngest player to Watson, a junior, fi nished third After McDavid’s turnover led to Jason ever win the Heisman. in last year’s Heisman vote. This Zucker’s go-ahead goal early in the third Jackson, a sophomore, is 19 year, he passed for 3,914 yards period, the Wild were forced to kill back- years old, still has braces along his and 37 touchdowns and added to-back penalties late in the period. The bottom teeth, and passed for 3,390 six rushing touchdowns and 529 Wild held Edmonton to one shot on the yards and 30 touchdowns with yards. He led Clemson to the Col- fi rst power play, but nine seconds into Louisville this season, with anoth- lege Football Playoff for the second Matt Dumba’s holding penalty on Mc- er 1,538 yards and 21 touchdowns year in a row, and had a strong fi n- David, Ryan-Nugent Hopkins tied the on the ground. He, along with ish – something that could give score and forced overtime by wristing a surging Clemson quarterback De- him the nod over Jackson, the shot through Patrick Maroon’s screen. shaun Watson, are the favourites presumed favourite. Jackson had During its fi rst home game since Nov. to win the award (Watson was not a weaker schedule, and stumbled 25, the Wild also got a goal from Zucker available to media Friday). in the fi nal two games of the year, and 25 saves from Dubnyk. And during Thursday’s College against Houston and Kentucky. It was Minnesota’s third consecutive home win. Dubnyk, the NHL’s leading in goals- CLIMATE CHANGE against average and save percentage, im- Minnesota Wild forward Jason Zucker carries the puck up ice during the third period against the Edmonton Oilers. proved to 8-1 against the Oilers, who 12 years ago drafted him in the fi rst round. a strong period, got fl at-footed coming did a great job packing it in and getting in from Jordan Eberle. He crossed a pass to He has not allowed more than three goals back down the ice after a forecheck. De- shooting lanes. the far point for Dumba, who slid right and Giants believe bad in a game this season. He has allowed 25 fenseman Jared Spurgeon was unable to A perfect example was the shift before whistled a beauty through traffi c. goals in his past 18 starts. intercept Benoit Pouliot’s pass to Leon the goal when the Zach Parise-Staal-Coyle With the way the Oilers were clogging The Wild improved to 12-3-1 in their Draisaitl, and after Dubnyk made a fan- buzzed. Good pressure, but no goals. the middle of the zone, tiptoeing the blue weather could work past 16 games against the Oilers and 22- tastic save on the red-hot forward’s fi rst The Wild’s passing was also suspect. line was about the only way to get pucks 4-1 in its last 27 home games against the attempt, Draisaitl scored on his own re- On one power play earned by a great shift through on this night. Oilers since Feb. 25, 2007. bound. from the fourth line, Ryan Suter couldn’t The Wild fi nally took a 2-1 lead early in in their favour Minnesota got a lot of unsung eff orts. It was his sixth goal in the past six set up Jason Pominville for a good one- the third on Zucker’s second goal in two It didn’t get a point, but the fourth line games and the second time in the past timer. Coyle was off the mark with a games and eighth point in eight games. MCT him up, he said why he thinks of Chris Stewart-Tyler Graovac-Kurtis seven games the Wild had been scored handful of passes in the period, and Sut- He had actually just fouled up a 2-on-1 New Jersey it will help the Giants: because Gabriel had its best game since assem- on fi rst. The previous time was Sunday’s er, Dumba and Marco Scandella had glar- by passing behind Mikael Granlund, but they’ve been acclimating to it. bled in Calgary last week. They were come-from-behind overtime win in Ed- ing turnovers. with Koivu pressuring, McDavid dropped “We’ve played the last three physical, provided scoring chances and monton. The Wild didn’t exactly get off to a a puck to Granlund, who fed Zucker in inter and the Cow- games in the cold weather, 45 to lots of play in the off ensive zone. The Wild out-attempted the Oilers strong start in the second period, but front. boys will be arriving 40 degrees, and they haven’t, The Wild also blocked 22 shots, led by 21-18 in the period, but only six shots Dubnyk was good early and ultimately at MetLife Stadium just to put it plainly,” Cruz said, Coyle’s fi ve. reached goalie Cam Talbot. Fifteen oth- the Wild tied the score on Dumba’s third RESULTS Wtonight. The Giants also noting that the Giants have The Wild were 55 seconds away from ers were either blocked or missed the goal of the season and fi rst at 5-on-5. Capitals 4 Sabres 1; Blues 4 Devils 1; Blue are excited to welcome both. practised outdoors all week while getting out of the fi rst period score- net, a lot of those where the Wild had no Nino Niederreiter’s good work along the Jackets 4 Red Wings 1; Oilers 2 Wild 3; With a blustery forecast for the temperatures have been less, but the Erik Haula line, which had choice but to fi re wide because the Oilers wall set up the chance after he spun away Rangers 1 Blackhawks 0; Sharks 2 Ducks 3 game time that includes tem- dropping and the winds howling. peratures in the 20s and a good “I don’t care who you are, how chance of icy rain and snow, the ready you are, where you played BOTTOMLINE Giants believe they will have an in college; if you haven’t played advantage over a team that plays in the cold, it takes a toll and it its home games in a billion-dol- does something to your body un- lar bubble and might not be as til you get used to it. If you ever prepared to face the elements. do. We feel like we have that ad- “We’re a cold-weather team vantage, having been in a couple and we welcome the conditions,” of cold-weather games.” Broncos must fi x off ense soon coach Ben McAdoo said Friday. Dallas has not played outdoors MCT dynamic as they can be – and ley on Friday. Birds chirped, “I think it will be great for our since Nov. 13, and it was 56 de- Nashville the linemen and quarterbacks squirrels frolicked. If healthy, team, great for the game. It’ll grees that day in Pittsburgh. haven’t the cache to command Siemian will help the cause. create a great atmosphere.” Since entering college in 2012, a room. Meantime, Von Miller, I asked star cornerback Chris The usually stoic McAdoo Cowboys quarterback Prescott he worst off ense in DeMarcus Ware, Aqib Talib and Harris Jr. if the Broncos defense might have been visibly happier has played in only three games Broncos history stum- TJ Ward share the timidity of could survive another game about the possibility of snow in which the kickoff tempera- bles onto the fi eld today a fi reworks salesman. Is it any where it must play 80 snaps like Sunday night than he has been ture was below 40 degrees and Tat Tennessee. While wonder why Denver’s ‘D’ oper- it did at Jacksonville. The NFL about anything else this season. none in which the temperature the “O” takes its sweet time, the ates at an unhealthy decibel level average is around 63. “Playing in elements is always was below freezing. The chilliest Broncos are running out of it. while Denver’s ‘O’ seems stuck “For me, I can handle it,” Har- fun for the players and coaches,” game he’s played in the NFL was The Broncos off ense never on mute? ris said. “I think everybody else he said. “We practice in them that unseasonably warm day in has been lower (ranked), as un- At diff erent times this season should, too.” and we see them every day, so it Pittsburgh. inspiring (almost weekly) or lit- coach Gary Kubiak has used a The Broncos defense estab- will be great for us.” There is a diff erence between tered with more questions (on news conference to ask for more lished a standard and is stick- His players, for the most part, being a cold-weather team and the off ensive line, fi rst; at run- from Siemian/Lynch, more from ing to it. Over 30-plus years the agreed. “They’ve always been just a team from a cold-weather ning back, where Justin Forsett, running backs not named CJ An- Broncos off ense set a standard playing inside a dome,” safety city, though McAdoo said they 31, was plucked from the “used” derson, more from his off ensive of scoring that few franchises Landon Collins said. “With the go hand-in-hand. “Living in it bin as a “new” add, second; at line. It’s approaching time to ask could equal. That standard isn’t conditions, you get them outside, is a good place to start,” he said. quarterback, third). for more from Kubiak’s off ensive being met – this season or last it’s a whole diff erent ballgame. “Practising in it helps. Being able “We’re dropping like fl ies,” braintrust. – and they sit squarely on the You have to use gloves, the receiv- to play physically behind your starting running back Devontae Nothing could stop the Bron- playoff bubble. ers are going to feel hits a little bit pads helps. Being able to keep Booker said. cos defense from raising the It should be no wonder the more. It’s a toughness thing. It’s a your feet on the ground helps. They’ve never fi nished a sea- Lombardi trophy as Super Bowl Broncos defense is paid $23 mil- mental thing. It’s a will, the will to Playing on turf usually levels it son lower than where they are 50 champions. Almost everyone lion more than the off ense. The do what you need to do.” out a little bit. But it’s good play- now – 27th in yards, the old- stopped the Broncos off ense. It defense is working overtime. Do the Giants have more of all ing in it and living in it.” school metric used to rate of- ranked 16th. It got worse. “We just need to do better,” of that than the Cowboys? The Giants may not seem like fensive production. Denver’s File picture of Broncos players in action against the Chargers. The Broncos are what they are. off ensive co-ordinator Rick “I think so,” he said. a textbook cold-weather team worst fi nal ranking on off ense “We get turnovers. We play Dennison said. When it comes to slowing because they have not been able was 26th, in 1983, John Elway’s This is the opposite of great. The defensive side of the room well on defense,” Ware said. “We The Broncos usually are a down Ezekiel Elliott and Dak to run the ball eff ectively, but fi rst as QB. (See, there’s hope This is not good enough. had the look, feel and jovial sound play situational football on of- franchise known for its off ense. Prescott and Dez Bryant, they’ll McAdoo has some history on his for Trevor Siemian and Paxton What are the Broncos trying of a band of frat bros pregaming fense. That’s been our formula Get this: Over the past two dec- take all the help they can get. side when it comes to altering Lynch.) There were other low to be on off ense? Upon entering on a fl ight to Las Vegas. and that’s how we have gotten to ades the Broncos had a top-fi ve It was Victor Cruz who a week that defi nition. He was an assist- points in points – not many, but the team’s locker room on a re- Who are the voices of infl u- where we are now.” off ense more times (11) than it ago gleefully broached the pos- ant coach on the Packers team some _ such as 25th (1980), 23rd cent weekday afternoon, I spot- ence for the Broncos on off ense? He’s not wrong. ranked among the next 27 (nine). sibility of facing Dallas in an that won the Super Bowl in 2011 (2011), 22nd (1984, 2001) and ted eight off ensive players on their Mum is the word with highly Siemian, the choice for start- Denver’s “O” often stands for outdoor game in mid-December with a rushing game ranked 24th 21st (1992, 2006). No. 27 is the dumbphones, texting, talking, paid wideouts Emmanuel Sand- ing quarterback by far, returned Oh, my! Too often lately it’s been at MetLife Stadium. On Friday, in the NFL and was 15-1 the year great Steve Atwater. Tinder-ing, not teammate-ing. ers and Demaryius Thomas – as to the practice fi eld at Dove Val- Oh, dear. with the meteorology backing after while ranked 27th. Gulf Times 8 Sunday, December 11, 2016 SPORT

SWIMMING FOCUS Hartley red card indefensible, US teenager Andrew, says Saints boss

AFP London

orthampton’s director of rugby Jim Puts spring surprises Mallinder said he could not defend Dylan Hartley after the England cap- tain was red-carded during his side’s N37-10 European Champions Cup defeat by Leinster. Hartley, 30, was dismissed just six minutes after coming on as a substitute at Franklin’s Gardens on Friday for swinging an arm at Sean at Short Course Worlds O’Brien, with England head coach Eddie Jones watching on. He now runs the risk of an eight-week ban, Hungarian Hosszu triumphs in the 100m individual medley for her fifth gold of the championships jeopardising his chances of captaining England in the Six Nations and leading the British and Irish Lions in New Zealand next year. AFP “You can’t strike to the head,” Mallinder Montreal said. “We’ve seen enough of them over the last few weeks and I think it was a red card. “Dylan has been playing really well and S teenager Michael Andrew leading England by example, so it was disap- and Jesse Puts of the Neth- pointing on returning from England and doing erlands were upset win- such a good job that that happens.” ners on Friday at the Short Hartley skippered England to a record- CourseU World Swimming Champi- equalling 14th consecutive Test win over Aus- onships in Windsor, Canada. tralia last week. The 17-year-old Andrew, whose But the New Zealand-born hooker has a sor- age-group success has seen him ry disciplinary record, having been banned for tipped as a multi-medal threat in the a total of 54 weeks over the course of his career. mould of Olympic superstar Michael He was dropped by then England coach Stu- Phelps, won the 100m individual art Lancaster – now on the coaching staff at medley in 51.84sec. Leinster – for the 2015 World Cup after head- He edged Japan’s Rio Olympic butting Saracens’ Jamie George. bronze medallist Daiya Seto, who But Jones, who succeeded Lancaster af- took silver in 52.01 with Japan’s ter the tournament, reinstated him, praising Shinri Shioura earning bronze in Hartley’s “aggressive and uncompromising 52.17. approach to playing rugby”. World record holder Vladimir Mo- Television pictures showed Jones running a rozov settled for equal sixth, shortly gloved hand down his face as Hartley was given after anchoring Russia to victory in his marching orders by French referee Jerome the men’s 4x50m freestyle relay. Garces in the 58th minute of Friday’s match. Aleksei Brianskii, Nikita Lob- England open their Six Nations title defence intsev, Aleksandr Popkov and Mo- against France at Twickenham on February 4. rozov clocked 1:24.51 to claim gold Leinster coach Leo Cullen said Hartley’s ahead of the United States and Japan dismissal had “knocked the stuffi ng out of” in the sprint relay that opened the Northampton. While he did not defend Hart- evening’s action. ley’s conduct, Saints captain Tom Wood sug- Their triumph came on the same gested the hooker’s demotion to the bench may day as another damning report on have been a factor. state-backed doping in Russia. “I can only assume he is trying to make an Canadian investigator Richard impact and be positive,” Wood said. McLaren released a new report in “I can’t speak for him, but my impression is London saying that more than 1,000 that he’s on the bench, he’s eager, it’s a big Eu- Russian athletes were involved in ropean night and he wants to make an impact.” or benefi ted from eff orts to conceal Former England centre Will Greenwood positive tests. tweeted: “All sorts going wrong @SaintsRugby Amid renewed calls for banning - @DylanHartley would not have done that in Russia from international sports, Jesse Puts of the Netherlands celebrates his gold medal in the 50m Freestyle final on day four of the 13th FINA World Swimming Championships (25m) at the @EnglandRugby shirt - no excuse for it - but the country’s swimmers stuck to WFCU Centre in Windsor Ontario, Canada. (Getty Images/AFP) it tells a tale.” business in Windsor, bookending Hartley’s dismissal, and the outcome of the the night with a victory in the men’s Swimming’s “Iron Lady,” win- match, completed a dismal week for North- 200m freestyle relay. ner of three gold medals at the Rio China’s Chen banned for two years for doping at Rio ampton. They have been under fi re after let- Mikhail Dovgalyuk, Mikhail Ve- Olympics, added another crown to ting Wales wing George North play on against kovishchev and Artem Lobuzov had those she had already earned this Beijing: Chinese swimmer Chen starting on 11 August 2016 and Leicester last week despite appearing to be Russia lying fourth when anchor week in the 200m butterfl y, 100m Xinyi has been banned for two ending on 10 August 2018 for concussed. Aleksandr Krasnykh hit the water. and 200m backstroke and 400m in- years after failing a drug test her first anti-doping rule viola- He powered to the front for a victory dividual medley. at the Rio Olympics, the sport’s tion,” FINA said in a statement. in 6:52.10, with the United States American Leah Smith added governing body (FINA) said. “Furthermore, the FINA Dop- All Blacks great Meads defi es second in 6:53.34 and Japan third in 400m freestyle gold to the 800m Chen finished fourth in the ing Panel acknowledged the 6:53.54. free title she won on Thursday, women’s 100m butterfly at Rio Court of Arbitration for Sport cancer with mystery ‘cure’ Puts pulled off the upset in the powering away from tenacious but did not start in the 50m Panel decision regarding the Legendary All Blacks hardman Colin Meads men’s 50m freestyle, pulling away Russian Veronika Popova to win in freestyle heats after Chinese disqualification of the athlete’s believes he is winning his battle with cancer in lane seven to win in 21.10sec and 3:57.78. state media reported she had results at the Rio 2016 Olympic with a mystery “cure” helping him defy medi- edge Russia’s Morozov by four one- Popova clocked 3:58.90 for silver tested positive for the diuretic Games.” cal predictions to stay alive. The 80-year-old, hundredths of a second. and Japan’s Chihiro Igarashi earned hydrochlorothiazide. Chen’s suspension followed in his first interview since being diagnosed Lithuania’s Simonas Bilis settled bronze in 3:59.41. Hydrochlorothiazide, known as Friday’s release of the second with pancreatic cancer in August, said the for bronze in 21.23. Japan’s Junya Koga won the men’s a masking agent, is a banned part of the World Anti-Doping cancer had not taken hold as expected and he Hungarian Katinka Hosszu’s gold 50m backstroke in 22.85sec, holding substance because it can be Agency report into state-spon- believed he was beating the illness. “I was up- medal binge continued with a tri- off France’s Jeremy Stravius (22.99) used to spur weight loss and sored doping in Russia. The set a little bit with one of the specialists when umph in the 100m individual medley with Pavel Sankovich (22.03) taking cover up the presence of other report found more than 1,000 he gave me a time... A lifespan. I just said to — her fi fth gold of the champion- bronze. illegal drugs by diluting urine Russian competitors across myself ‘well, I’ll beat that’,” he told Newstalk ZB ships. Denmark’s Jeanette Ottesen won collected in doping tests. dozens of sports were involved radio yesterday. “I have another check-up next Hosszu clocked 57.24 to take the the women’s 50m butterfl y, surging “The FINA Doping Panel decid- in an institutional conspiracy to week but I’m doing real good. I’ve got experts gold ahead of Australian Emily See- on the fi nal half-lap to win in 24.02 ed... to impose on the athlete a conceal positive drug tests dat- all over the world giving me information. I bohm (57.97) with bronze going to ahead of American Kelsi Worrell and period of two years’ ineligibility, ing back to at least 2011. think I’m on my way to recovery. Jamaican Alia Atkinson (58.04). Japan’s Rikako Ikee.

RUGBY/ EUROPEAN CHAMPIONS CUP Ulster, Munster on fi re; Glasgow edge Racing

AFP Dunbar and Ali Price, with Finn full-back Charles Piutau out- Paris Russell kicking 13 points before pacing the defence after bluff - Carter pulled back a converted ing his way into space down the try near the death. right wing to cross in the corner. lster edged Clermont Munster’s demolition of But Clermont hit back 39-32 in a nine-try Leicester was thanks to tries through England winger Nick thriller as Munster from Simon Zebo, Jaco Taute (2) Abendanon to keep the French and Glasgow also sent and a penalty try, New Zealander side in the hunt. Uout European Champions Cup Tyler Bleyendaal hitting four Skipper Damien Chouly then markers yesterday. penalties and three conversions. went over, Morgan Parra’s con- The result saw Ulster go sec- A see-saw fi rst-half in Ul- version taking Clermont to ond in Pool 5 on nine points, ster’s home of Belfast was wit- within fi ve points. three behind leaders Clermont, ness to two ambitious teams Ulster had New Zealand-born who picked up two bonus points willing to run everything saw the prop Rodney Ah You sin binned despite the defeat. lead change hands seven times. late-on for a high tackle, and There was more French heart- Clermont’s Fijian No 8 Peceli the Irish province tried to run break when last season’s losing Yato opened the scoring, Ul- down the clock, with Pienaar at fi nalists Racing 92 went down to ster’s Luke Marshall splitting the the helm. But with 20 seconds to a 23-14 defeat by Glasgow. defence for a straight run-in and play, they gifted Clermont a fi nal Racing, featuring a glut of then Ian Henderson crossing af- chance, a knock-on in midfi eld internationals including ex-All ter a Ruan Pienaar cross-kick as ending French hopes. Blacks playmaker Dan Carter, Ulster roared back. Toulouse notched up a 36-6 currently sit last in Pool 1 with But slick hands saw South bonus-point Pool 2 win away at no points African-born France full-back Zebre, Hugo Bonneval (2), Gael Munster are atop the pool af- Scott Spedding go over before Fickou, Joe Tekori and Yoann ter handing Leicester a record Paddy Jackson gathered his own Huget all scoring for the visitors European loss, running out 38-0 grubber to hand the advantage in a match which ended with 16 victors at their near-impregna- back to the Irish province at the minutes to play because of thick ble Thomond Park ground. end of an enthralling fi rst 40 fog. Racing took the lead against minutes, 22-18. The game had been a must- Glasgow through Juan Imhoff , A high-tempo start to the sec- win for Toulouse, with Wasps but the Scottish side then took ond period saw Marshall crash and Connacht playing today in Clermont’s French centre Wesley Fofana (3rd R) runs with the ball during the European Rugby Champions Cup rugby union match against over through two tries from Alex over for his second, All Blacks the pool’s other game. Ulster at Kingspan Stadium in Belfast yesterday. (AFP) Gulf Times Sunday, December 11, 2016 9 SPORT

MOTORSPORT FOCUS Omani trio dominate Red Bull Car Park Frijns grabs valuable Drift fi nal podium

Agencies win. If you love your hobby, Muscat you will do anything for it”. It was a bittersweet result for long-time national cham- n a storm of smoking tires pion Ali al-Balushi or ‘Lalou’, points with 2nd place and roaring engines, the as his friends call him, who Red Bull Car Park Drift took home second place for Final 2016 concluded this year with 390pts at the fi - Cullen speeds to second race win of Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Iwith Omani Haitham al-Had- nal round; however, the judges idy crowned as the ‘King of looked into the second round Drift’ on Friday. points, which gave al-Hadidy The executive director of the title as he scored more. Qatar Motor and Motorcycle “I am happy that I came Federation (QMMF) Sultan second and that I have main- Zaher al-Muraikhi was at the tained my performance for event in preparation of Qatar three years in a row at the Red being the host country of Red Bull Car Park Drift. I am glad Bull Car Park Drift Final 2017. that today was a celebration of The event was also attended Omani talents on the podium, I by the Austrian ambassador to didn’t expect it at all.” Qatar Willy Kempel. Sold-out From his side, Tarek al- crowds lined the drifting track Shaihani, who came third created at Port Sultan Qaboos with 386pts said, “I predicted to be part of the biggest mot- that this year all the Omani orsports event ever hosted in drivers would reach the po- Oman. Under the patronage of dium. We trained hard and we HH Sayyid Taimur bin Assad dedicate this win to the peo- al-Said, the Red Bull Car Park ple of Oman.” Drift Final was held in asso- International drifting stars ciation with the Oman Auto- Ken Gushi, Dai Yoshihara, mobile Association. Aleksandr Grinchuk and Kha- The participants represented lid al-Manji carried out judg- the best of the best drifting tal- ing. The judges were focusing ent from Qatar, Kuwait, Mau- on a range of diff erent crite- ritius, Egypt, Morocco, Jordan, ria including drifting skills, Lebanon, Tunisia, UAE, Bah- car look, box, clipping point, rain, Saudi Arabia and Oman. pendulum, gate one and two, They earned their place at the car smoke and tire smoke. The Final having topped their re- demanding track designed spective nation qualifi ers. by Rally Champion and Red At only 18 years of age, fi rst Bull athlete Abdo Feghali was time competitor Haitham al- complete with permanent Hadidy took home fi rst place crane structures that tested with 390pts and after a stel- the drifting skills of the com- lar performance. Previously petitors on a new level. al-Hadidy said his dream was Suleiman al-Rawahi, Man- to put his country on the map aging Director of the Oman Qatar’s Charlie Frijns in action during the second round of the Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Middle East in Dubai. for drifting and motorsports. Automobile Association said, He said, “I feel so happy; I re- “The Red Bull Car Park Drift Agencies second position behind rival and ahead of Cullen on second in the Arabia’s Bandar Alesayi saw the and overtook me. I continued to ally wasn’t expecting to win. Final 2016 really went off with Dubai race winner Cullen. grid. Setting up another mouth- safety-car deployed for fi ve of fi ght for my position and really It is fantastic that this year it a bang. The region has really Speaking after the race Frijns watering motorsport prospect. the twelve laps. happy that I managed to fi nish was an all-Omani podium. made a name for itself in the racing for Frijns Structural Steel After the win Ryan Cullen Once the action got back un- on the podium in this very com- All the competitors had great world of drifting and Oman reland’s Ryan Cullen has ME said: “It was a very heavy said; “I’m really happy, I got a derway there was little chance for petitive category.” performances, everyone put hosting the fi nal for the fi rst raced to victory from pole start to the race, I found myself great start and I was quite a bit overtaking. The top six positions “Going from a 15th place fi nish on a great show. I only got my time has really placed it on the position narrowly beat- stuck behind Ryan, and Dylan ahead going into the fi rst corner. were completed by Tom Oliphant in Bahrain to a 6th place fi nish driver’s licence three months map for regional and interna- ing Qatar’s Charlie Frijns was trying to get past me on the I saw everybody else fi ghting of Britain in fourth, slightly here is a massive improvement. ago so I am ecstatic about this tional motorsports events.” Iinto second in the fi rst race of outside. I lost some speed and behind me so I just got my head ahead from a chasing pack which If I can keep myself within the the second round of Season 8 of dropped down a couple of posi- down and pushed to create a big- included Germany’s Wolfgang top ten and sneak onto the podi- the Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge tions. ger gap with the grip I had. Triller, who fi nished fi fth and um a few times this season I will Middle East at the Autodrome. “Heading into the corner on “There was an accident just UAE-resident Bashar Mardini in be extremely satisfi ed.” Irishman Cullen took his sec- the back straight I made some behind me and when the safety sixth. For Mardini racing on his Saturday’s second race in ond win of the season with ease contact with Bander and he span car came out, it took away the home circuit the result is a mas- Dubai will once again feature a and was untroubled throughout out. I then saw a crash in front of lead I had and the hard work I sive boost to his podium ambi- diverse grid comprising of pro- at the front of the competitive me involving Al Zubair and Dylan put in. When the race continued, tions, after making a sizable im- fessional, amateurs and rookies grid featuring 16 drivers from Pereira, I took advantage of this Charlie Frijns was very close to provement on his opening round from around the world. 12 diff erent countries. Cullen and made my way back into third catching me but I just focused results in Bahrain. Drivers from Ireland, Nor- eventually fi nished 0.563 sec- place. Once the safety car had and managed to re-gain a bit of a After coming sixth overall way, Germany, Luxenberg, Swe- onds clear of Qatar-based driver gone in I managed to get past Al lead and win the race. and third in the silver category den and Turkey have descended Charlie Frijns who fi nished where Zubair and tried to close the gap “The main aim was to qualify Dubai-based Mardini said: “I am upon Dubai to challenge local he started the race in second. on Ryan for fi rst place. If I had a in fi rst and win the race today, feeling happy, surprised, and a stars representing the United Third place went to surprise few more laps maybe I could have that is what I did, and I am over bit relieved I think. It was a hec- Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Qatar, package of the championship, Al made it to fi rst place but Ryan was the moon with the performance!” tic race, I got a good start and Oman and Saudi Arabia, in the Faisal Al Zubair of Oman who sur- defending very well and I am hap- There was a huge crowd, per- didn’t lose any positions which I region’s most professional and prised organizers and even him- py with the 2nd place fi nish.” fect warm conditions in Dubai was happy with. When the crash established race series. self to make the overall race podi- Ahead of the second race over and a tightly packed grid with happened it worked in my favour With all drivers competing in um for the fi rst time, a remarkable the weekend in Dubai Frijns will only two seconds separating the slightly as it bunched up the fi eld identical Porsche 911 GT3 Cup feat for the rookie driver. be looking to build the momen- top ten places in qualifying. But again and kept us close together cars, the one-make series will Frijns who won the previous tum of his challenge for the title the race didn’t quite live up to for three or four laps. race across three world class re- race of the championship was even more courtesy of an impec- the excitement of the opening “When the race re-started it gional racing circuits, namely the very satisfi ed with his day’s work cable qualifying session. round. was very diffi cult, I lost a posi- Bahrain International Circuit, Winners of the Red Bull Car Park Drift Final celebrate with the second place fi nish is enough The Doha resident out fought Unfortunately an incident tion to Wolfgang Triller who is a Dubai Autodrome and Yas Mari- executive director of Qatar Motor and Motorcycle Federation to push the young driver up from championship leader Cullen involving early championship very experienced driver. He got a na Circuit in Abu Dhabi between (QMMF) Sultan Zaher al-Muraikhi and ambassador of Austria to third in the overall standings into with Frijns on pole, one place leader Dylan Pereira and Saudi better exit out of the last corner November 2016 and April 2017. Qatar Willy Kempel.

SPOTLIGHT Ladies only training days at Losail Circuit from Dec 13

By Sports Reporter al-Attiyah said, “I have been month dedicated for ladies only initiative. An open area is very Doha president of the circuit for one and four days of the month open important to us because most year now and during the period, to all families and the public. We places females have allocated for we have been able to use the facil- will provide extra care and ac- them, it is in a closed room or osail International Cir- ity the most we can, but still we tivities for the ladies only days small gym. cuit is opening its doors can do more work in community as we are trying our best to mo- “So the privacy that is provided twice a month for ladies engagement and use it to its full tivate the women in the commu- to us by the Losail International only to enable them to potential. Today I am happy to nity who don’t have as much ac- Circuit is very helpful and we Lexercise in an outdoor facility launch this new event with Qatar cess to areas to exercise,” he said. appreciate it greatly. We will be with privacy. Sports for All Federation and Qa- “‘I would like to send a special providing the cycles and gear, so The above announcement was tar Cyclists. We are here to pro- thank you to the Qatar Sports for people wouldn’t have to fi nd ways made in the presence of president vide all we can from the circuit to All Federation for their continu- to bring their personal cycles from of Qatar Sports for All Federation cyclists in the community.” ous eff orts in providing activities home all the way here. We will (QSFA) Abdulrahman al-Dosari, “We came to this Circuit with for the Qatar community. also have special trainers to pro- president of Losail Circuit Sports three goals in mind - To have “From the day Saud al-Attiyah vide yoga lessons, mini boot camp, Club (LCSC) Saud al-Attiyah, more community engagement, was named president of the Lo- walking, and other activities. Qatar Cyclists representative Dr increase the motor sports in- sail International Circuit we have “After the success we had in Abdulaziz al-Kuwari and Oola volvement in our youth and to seen an increase in community April, I am optimistic that we will Sports CEO Haya al-Ghanim lessen the burden on the gov- involvement and the cyclists are have a great turnout. We will kick during a press conference held ernment on providing facilities extremely happy to have some- off the event on the 13th of De- last Wednesday, a regular train- for physical activity. With these where where they can ride freely cember and we hope that this ini- ing day at the circuit. goals in mind we hope that the without the worry of road safety. tiative will encourage more fami- In cooperation with Qatar community comes to our facility (From left) Oola Sports CEO Haya al-Ghanim, president of Losail Circuit Sports Club (LCSC) Saud al-Attiyah, I would like to thank all those in lies to join us and enjoy a healthier Sports for All Federation and and takes advantage of it as it will president of Qatar Sports for All Federation (QSFA) Abdulrahman al-Dosari and Qatar Cyclists representa- Qatar providing activities to the lifestyle,” Haya said. Qatar Cyclists, Losail Circuit be open to the public,” he said. tive Dr Abdulaziz al-Kuwari during the press conference. public, especially to Minister of The fi rst Ladies training days Sports Club continues to focus QSFA president Abdulrahman Culture and Sports His Highness will be on December 13 and the on hosting physical activities al-Dosari said. “Qatar Sports to all the females interested in Qatar Sports for All Federation pants (including some who came Salah Bin Ghanim al-Ali for his next days will be on December that aims to maximise the full for All Federation was very having a comfortable atmosphere and Losail International Cir- from KSA) which show the as- continuous support,” he said. 20 and 27. The track will be open potential of the facilities. concerned and focused on en- for them to come and exercise. cuit under the slogan ‘Activity is piration from women who want Mrs. Haya al-Ghanim was also from 17:00 to 20:30 with the The goal is to provide the com- couraging the community to be “To continue this focus on phys- wellness’. to exercise and we wish to con- very proud to organise recurring registration on the same day and munity with a safe and comfort- more physically active and live a ical activity, we will be launching “As agreed with the Qatar tinuously grow the participation training days for ladies and pro- free of charge. You will be asked able environment to exercise in. healthier lifestyle. this new event, Ladies Training Sports for All Federation, there during this event. vide this opportunity to all the to complete a registration form In addition to regular Wednes- “As a part of this focus, we Days, as part of this continuous ef- will be days specifi cally for “On days for females only, ladies to exercise freely some- and sign a waiver. day training days, the track will launched a Women’s Commu- fort to make our community live a women where it will be com- there will be other activities where that is open and not in a There will be an abaya and bag now also be open exclusively for nity Sport activity that is taking healthier life,” he said. pletely closed off for them to be such as walking, jogging, yoga, closed area. “I would like to start check in station and no men will ladies only on selected Tuesdays place in four diff erent schools on Dr Abdulaziz al-Kuwari said comfortable in an open area. We as well as special allocated area off by thanking the Losail Inter- be allowed inside the track with of every month. Speaking on the a weekly basis where we open the that Qatar Cyclists is very proud had this event last year for one for the children,” said al-Kuwari. national Circuit and Qatar Sports the CCTV system monitored by occasion LCSC president Saud recreation centres of those schools to announce this launch with day and had over 700 partici- “There will be two days of the for All Federation for this great female staff only. Gulf Times 10 Sunday, December 11, 2016 CRICKET

OPINION Cummins and our need for pure, frictionless speed Pat Cummins, after endless strains and twangs, is back bowling fast for Australia, who have a ghost attack — a set of genuinely scorching pace bowlers in their prime — quietly assembling

By Barney Ronay zingy lifter to Martin Guptill that took a lovely vaguely for the last few years, is quietly assem- not happen much. Plus, of course, they are Aus- The Guardian crunchy edge — Cummins gets great edges — and bling around him. Something seems to have tralian and in many ways Australian speed is the gave another thrilling, teasing suggestion of the stirred in late 2011. best speed. pure speed wrapped up in that corkscrew action. James Pattinson, also prodigious, rapid and If only because, like baseball in America, Aus- here are few things in sport as exciting as Cummins is still just 23. Strange to think he fragile, made his Test debut two weeks after Cum- tralian cricket is an aspect of how that country pure speed. Remember the stodgy start made his Test debut for Australia almost exactly mins. Mitchell Starc, currently the fastest bowler likes to see itself, part of some half-imagined to the Rio Olympics? The empty seats, fi ve years ago. Back then he was basically a love- in the world, made his a week later. Josh Hazle- shared pastoral soul, something pure and sun- the greasy drizzle, the sense of an entire ly idea, a lithe and coltish teenager able to bowl wood, steadier but hugely eff ective, had played his bleached and essentially youthful. GamesT drifting into the arena of the unwell? over 90mph while fl oating in, springing up like a fi rst game for Australia 18 months before. Cricket matters in Australia, just as the idea of Usain Bolt fi xed that, instantly and without bouncy cartoon tiger and slingshotting through All four are in their shared sporting prime. an Australian fast bowler has a genuine vitality, argument, by turning up, goofi ng about waving the crease in a blur of fast-twitch limbs. Between them they have exactly 300 Test wick- an energy that seems to come out of the soil and at people, and then running as fast as humans The thing about Cummins was his clarity. ets at 26 since that explosive dawn in 2011. the sun. Just walking into the Waca in Perth, the ever have for a combined total of one minute and From the outside he had come from nowhere, And yet Starc, Pattinson and Cummins, three mottled, streaky patterns of the desert grass un- 40 seconds, erasing everything else outside that making his T20, fi rst-class, ODI and Test de- genuinely scorching mid-20s fast bowlers, have der those great alien concrete lights, is a thrill in brilliant, luminous moment. buts within the space of 10 perfect months. Five played one game together for Australia. Hazle- itself. Seeing England’s batsmen shaken by the In his American football novel End Zone, Don games into his professional career he was the wood, Starc, Pattinson and Cummins — in and sight of Mitchell Johnson gliding in, moustache DeLillo spends a lot of time marvelling at the leading wicket-taker in the Big Bash. That No- out, crocked, dropped — have still never played writhing, arm winding back behind him like a speed of his fi ctional running back Taft Robin- vember he made a dreamy Test debut against together in any format. Not once. man about to throw the javelin, you admired son. “Speed is the last excitement left, the one South Africa at the Wanderers, taking six for 73, There is hope, though. This week Cummins, them more for being able to stand there at all. thing we haven’t used up,” DeLillo writes, and the youngest Australian to take an international Starc and Hazlewood got on the fi eld together Like all kinds of myth-making, I am aware you kind of get what he means. fi ve-for. He even hit the winning runs. for just the third and fourth occasion in fi ve there is something obviously deluded and soppy For all the cladding, the fi ne points of craft Australia swooned at a cloudless, very Aus- years of shared timeline. Pattinson could be about this. The idea of a long-term Test pace and tactics, there will always be some part of us tralian kind of talent. The future was wide open. back for the Big Bash. attack is old-fashioned in itself. Cummins and tapping our foot, a little glazed, nodding politely Cummins has not played a Test match since. The Ashes are a year away. That ghost attack Pattinson will, with any luck, get a good run at as the coff ee is passed round, just craving a little Last year he was out for 14 months with a back is beginning to hover once again at the edge of things now, but this is likely to be in white-ball bump of the pure stuff . strain. A series of doomed, maddeningly bitty things, fl ickering in and out like Victorian gar- cricket, short spells that preserve that brittle Speed: it’s a kick. At which point, enter Pat cameos have brought a combined 69 interna- den sprites. It is a seductive idea for many rea- fast bowler’s frame. Cummins, still the most interesting young tional wickets at 21 apiece. He still bounds and Australia fast bowler Pat Cummins celebrates sons. Despite the concertina-eff ect of looking This is just what sport does, keeping us com- fast bowler in the world, and now back playing springs, hair lopping, like some cinematic ideal after dismissing New Zealand's Tom Lathan in back, a long-term fast bowling unit is a pretty ing back in search of things that probably never cricket again for Australia after endless strains of limpid Australian athletic vitality. He still the third ODI in Melbourne on Friday. (AFP) rare thing. existed in the fi rst place. Just as watching Cum- and twangs. bowls with real pace at a wildly attacking length. Cummins, Pattinson and Starc are all prop- mins and Starc this week it was hard not to be This week Cummins took four wickets against He is also still basically an idea. to jinx it. But Australia’s lost boys, the ghost erly quick, of an age and, on the face of it, a fi ne caught up again by that same quality, the dream New Zealand in Canberra, the best of them a Something is happening, though. I don’t want attack that cricket fans have muttered about tessellation of skills and angles. This really does of pure, frictionless speed.

FOCUS WELL BEGUN Pakistan thrash Beleaguered Aussies CA XI by regain confi dence 210 runs ahead of Pak series ‘Obviously it’s going to be diff erent in Brisbane against the pink ball and against quality opposition like Pakistan, so we’ll have to be at our best if we want to score some runs at there. It’s been a great series for us and great for our confidence as well. Winning is a lot better than losing and it becomes a bit of a habit as well. Hopefully we can keep up this habit for the rest of the summer’

Reuters Melbourne Australia’s in-form opener David Warner was adjudged man-of-the-series with two AFP acking context, suspense and centuries against New Zealand Cairns, Australia crowd enthusiasm, the Chap- in the ODI series. (AFP) pell-Hadlee series between Australia and New Zealand may pener Azhar Ali hit an Lnot have generated the returns project- unbeaten 82 and spin- ed by its commerce-minded organisers. ner Mohamed Nawaz took The home side, however, enjoyed three wickets as Pakistan a windfall of confi dence from the 3-0 thrashedO a modest Cricket Australia series win which captain Steven Smith XI by 210 runs in Cairns yesterday. hopes will be banked for the Tests The tourists declared their sec- against Pakistan starting this week in ond innings at 216 for six and then Brisbane. polished off the CA XI for 109 off Scarcely 20,000 fans turned up to 27.3 overs to win early on the fi nal the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Fri- day of their three-day day-night day to watch the fi nale against New game ahead of next week’s fi rst Test Zealand, a year after more than 90,000 against Australia in Brisbane. packed the stadium for the World Cup Pakistan set the CA XI a target of fi nal between the same teams. 311 run but the inexperienced home With New Zealand’s batsmen skit- side never got within range with left- tled for 147 in 36.1 overs, Australia won arm spinner Nawaz snaring three for by 117 runs, bringing an unloved tour- 31 and pacemen Mohamed Amir and nament jammed between two Test se- Rahat Ali each capturing two wickets. ries to a premature conclusion. Ali added 38 to his overnight Former players and pundits have score and struck three of his seven long bemoaned the proliferation of fours and two sixes on the fi nal day one-day tournaments that jam up the before the Pakistan declaration to international calendar and tend to of- set up the result. fer little more than bragging rights to Rebuilding New Zealand punished for ‘trepidation’, says Hesson Nawaz was unbeaten alongside the winning team and revenues to the Ali on 36 off 47 balls, with Sarfraz hosting cricket board. ew Zealand’s rebuilding one-day opponents last year. “We haven’t played well at all. We’ve spinner Santner and Colin de Grand- Ahmed the only man to be dismissed The International Cricket Council is international side played with “The first couple of games I’d de- played a side with a little bit of trepida- homme made belated contributions. yesterday, bowled for 39. weighing proposals to inject relevance N“trepidation” against a resurgent scribe them as a passive performance, tion. It’s exposed us in some areas that “We’ve lost 10 players from our side “We were very satisfi ed with what to the format, including making bi- Australia and their lack of intensity in the especially in the field and with the ball,” we knew a little bit about but it’s shown from a year ago and we’ve got some we got,” Ali said. “Everyone got time lateral series serve as qualifi ers for the field contributed to a 3-0 series whitewash, Hesson told reporters. “There were some us we’ve got plenty of room to move.” players there who are trying to find in the middle — that was the most quadrennial World Cup. Black Caps coach Mike Hesson has said. good signs (in Melbourne) with a more With Ross Taylor scratched from the their feet in international cricket,” said important thing. Getting runs is a “There’s been a few proposals that Australia, fired by another match-win- complete performance with the ball and tour to have eye surgery, opener Martin Hesson. “They’ve played against a diff erent thing but spending time have come up and you want as much ning century from opener David Warner, in the field but we weren’t able to back Guptill and all-rounder James Neesham very good side and some have shown and getting used to (the pink ball) is relevance for every series as possible,” completed the sweep with a 117-run rout that up with the bat. were the only New Zealand batsmen to ex- glimpses and others have been found very important.” Smith told reporters after the Mel- of the touring side at the Melbourne “The energy and intensity in the field cel with the bat in Kane Williamson’s team. a little bit wanting in areas where we Pakistan are coming off a two- bourne win. Cricket Ground on Friday. is something we’ve really instilled into Opener Tom Latham, BJ Watling and thought they’d be better in.” Test series defeat in New Zealand Australia enjoy the top ranking in That followed a pair of stinging losses whoever has come into the group and all-rounder Mitchell Santner had dread- New Zealand take on a newly-confident and have lost their last nine Tests in one-day cricket but selectors have often for the Black Caps in Sydney and Can- those first couple of games that was the ful series, all averaging under 12. Pace Bangladesh in another three-match one- Australia going back to 1999. been loath to fi eld their strongest teams. berra, magnifying a steep decline since most disappointing, that we didn’t off er spearhead Trent Boult battled hard for day series from December 26 in Christch- “As a team we really want to im- They sent an under-strength squad to Brendon McCullum’s team contested as much as we needed to in the field and his six wickets but had precious little urch before three T20s and a two-Test prove,” Ali said. “Fielding is really South Africa, resting frontline pacemen the World Cup final against the same didn’t back up our bowlers enough. support until Melbourne, where left-arm series against the same side in January. important, catching in Test matches Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood, who if you catch well generally you end up were duly hammered 5-0. getting a result.” Local media blamed the whitewash in Smith will hope for the same spur said. “It’s been a great series for us and bounced back with four straight wins, capturing three wickets and two with South Africa in part for the humbling 2-1 against Pakistan, who they play in the great for our confi dence as well. Win- including the dead rubber Test in Ad- a pair of almost unplayable inswinging Brief scores Test series loss at home to the Proteas. fi rst day-night Test at the Gabba from ning is a lot better than losing and it be- elaide with a re-jigged side. yorkers. Pakistan 208 (Y Khan 54, S Ahmed The South Africa one-day tour- Thursday. comes a bit of a habit as well. Hopefully While in-form opener David Warner “I think he’s got better with every 39; C Valente 4-36, M Steketee 3-47) nament was another that lacked any “Obviously it’s going to be diff erent we can keep up this habit for the rest of was man-of-the-series with two cen- game he’s played (and) I think he’s and 216-5 declared (A Ali 82 not out, meaningful context, but Proteas cap- in Brisbane against the pink ball and the summer.” turies against New Zealand, the return getting back to his best,” said Smith. M Nawaz 36 not out; R Lees 2-28) tain Faf du Plessis said his side’s victory against a quality opposition like Paki- Since being humiliated in Hobart to to form of pace spearhead Mitchell “When he’s (bowling yorkers) we know beat CA XI 114 (J Winter 39; M Amir gave them an edge ahead of the highly stan, so we’ll have to be at our best if we lose the South Africa Test series with Starc is ominous for Pakistan. The left- he’s going pretty well, so hopefully we 3-15, R Ali 3-26, W Riaz 3-28) and 109 anticipated Test series. want to score some runs at there,” he a game to spare, Smith’s side have armer was in full fl ight at the MCG, can see a big series against Pakistan.” (A Nair 42; M Nawaz 3-31) by 210 runs Gulf Times Sunday, December 11, 2016 11 CRICKET MUMBAI TEST Mortaza counting Kohli, Vijay hit tons on home memories as India edge ahead for NZ test AFP ‘He played exceptionally well today and you have to take your hat off sometimes and just accept it. Dhaka The amount of runs Kohli has scored this series, if you take those away it’s a completely diff erent series. angladesh limited-overs captain Mashrafe Mortaza said his team was It’s very hard to bowl against guys when they’re in that sort of form. They deserved the scores they got’ Bbanking on their recent fine perform- ances at home to come good during their upcoming series against New Zealand. In their first overseas bilateral series in more than two years, Bangladesh will play three one-day internationals, as many Twenty20 internationals and two Tests from December 26 to January 24. Ahead of the tour, Bangladesh will hold a two-week conditioning camp in Sydney with some of the players of the 22-member squad having already left for Australia. “Two years ago we had targeted to win 80 per cent of our matches at home and by the grace of God we have managed to achieve that target,” Mortaza told reporters. “But it’s a diff erent challenge to play outside home. Even established teams find it diff icult to win away from home and from that aspect, it’s a bigger challenge for us. New Zealand conditions are diff erent... so it’s going to be diff icult. If we can take the good home memories there and show the kind of confidence that got us wins at home I think we will get a good result,” he added. Bangladesh have not played in a bilateral away series since their tour of West Indies in August-September in 2014 when they lost all their matches. Since then they have transformed them- selves into a successful unit, winning 18 of their last 23 one-day internationals at home in addition to the recent Test series victory against formidable England. Their successful home run also included bilateral ODI series wins over Pakistan, India and South Africa and a runners-up trophy in Asia Cup Twenty20 tournament. They also reached the World Cup quarter-finals in Australia and New Zealand at the expense of England in 2015. Bangladesh had held a similar conditioning camp in Australia before the World Cup and Mortaza hoped it would bring some positive results during the New Zealand series as well. “The 15-day camp we had in Australia before the World Cup in 2015 helped us a lot,” he said. “It would have been better if we had the camp in New Zealand. “But as far as I am concerned that could Reuters shared crucial stands with the lower- James Anderson, compounding Eng- day and you have to take your hat dav are batting I think we’re in a pret- not be arranged. But this is still a good initia- Mumbai order batsmen — 57 with Ravindra land’s problems. off sometimes and just accept it,” ty good position.” tive. We are at least going to a place which is Jadeja for the seventh wicket and an Yadav was reprieved again on 28 Root said of Kohli afterwards. “The close to New Zealand.” unbroken 87 with Yadav. when replays showed he had edged amount of runs Kohli has scored this Scoreboard In ODIs, Bangladesh are ranked seventh to ndia captain Virat Kohli main- Vijay and Kohli, who also passed Moeen to wicketkeeper Jonny Bairstow series, if you take those away it’s a England (1st innings) ...... 400 New Zealand’s fourth. In Tests, Bangladesh tained his red-hot form as he and 1,000 Test runs in 2016 and 4,000 down the leg side but England did not completely diff erent series,” added India (1st innings; overnight 146-1) languish at ninth rank behind the sixth- Murali Vijay struck fi ne centuries in his career, added 116 for the third have any reviews left to challenge the the 25-year-old Root, whose England L Rahul b Ali ...... 24 placed Kiwis. to help the hosts overtake Eng- wicket before the former was out for umpire’s not out decision. side must win this match if they are to M Vijay c&b Rashid...... 136 Iland on day three of the fourth Test 136, hitting a full toss from Adil Rash- Resuming on 146 for one, the hosts keep the contest alive. C Pujara b Ball ...... 47 at the Wankhede Stadium yesterday. id straight back to the leg-spinner. suff ered an early jolt when Cheteshwar “It’s very hard to bowl against guys V Kohli (batting) ...... 147 The hosts, leading 2-0 in the fi ve- England successfully reviewed Pujara (47) was bowled by the sec- when they’re in that sort of form. K Nair lbw Ali ...... 13 match series, reached 451 for seven at the umpire’s not out decision to dis- ond ball of the morning shouldering They deserved the scores they got,” P Patel c Bairstow b Root ...... 15 the close, 51 runs ahead of the touring miss Karun Nair lbw for 13 off Moeen arms to paceman Jake Ball. However, said Root, who grabbed two wickets. R Ashwin c Jennings b Root ...... 0 side. Captain Kohli was unbeaten on Ali before part-time off -spinner Joe it proved to be the only success for the “The most important thing is we look R Jadeja c Buttler b Rashid...... 25 147 at stumps with Jayant Yadav bat- Root picked up the wickets of Parthiv English bowlers in the morning as Vi- forward to tomorrow and we take J Yadav (batting) ...... 30 ting on 30. Patel and Ravichandran Ashwin in jay and Kohli fl ayed the attack. those three early wickets when we get Extras (b5, lb7, w2) ...... 14 The 28-year-old Kohli brought up four balls. Vijay reached his second century the opportunity. Total (7 wickets, 142 overs) ...... 451 his 15th Test hundred and second of India, who were comfortably placed of the series with a single against off - “Then when it comes to batting we Fall of wickets: 1-39 (Rahul), 2-146 the series and celebrated with a leap on 262-2, were reduced to 307-6 be- spinner Moeen and hit 10 fours and look to put pressure back on them. If we (Pujara), 3-262 (Vijay), 4-279 (Nair), in the air, bringing the 22,000 crowd fore Kohli and Jadeja propped them three sixes in his knock. He was given can do that well then we have a really 5-305 (Patel), 6-307 (Ashwin), 7-364 at the stadium overlooking the Ara- up. Jadeja was out to Rashid for 25. out lbw to Rashid on 116 but managed good game on our hands,” added Root. (Jadeja) bian Sea to their feet. The hosts could have been in more to overturn the decision on review “Any lead is gold on this wicket,” Bowling: Anderson 15-5-43-0, Woakes Kohli batted majestically, rarely trouble if Rashid had held on to a re- as replays suggested he got an inside Vijay told reporters. “During tea- 8-2-34-0, Ali 45-5-139-2 Rashid 44-5- looked in trouble, and hit 17 fours turn catch from Kohli, then on 68. edge before the ball struck his pad. time we just thought get close to their 152-2, Ball 14-5-29-1, Stokes 8-2-24-0, with sublime stroke-making. He Root also dropped Yadav on eight off “He played exceptionally well to- target but now the way Virat and Ya- Root 8-2-18-2

FOCUS SLOPPY Vijay reaps reward for clearer mindset Root rues failure to take half-chances

Reuters Reuters fi rst-innings lead on a turning Wankh- “After that middle session in the way Mumbai Mumbai ede Stadium pitch on which they have that we got ourselves into a pretty good to bat last. position, it was quite frustrating that But India captain Virat Kohli guided we couldn’t take the wickets at the back urali Vijay’s technique had ngland had India on the ropes his team to 451 for seven at the close for a end there,” Root said. “It just proves that been questioned in the run- in the fourth Test after picking lead of 51, riding on a 57-run stand with when you create those half-chances you up to the fourth Test after the up four quick wickets in the af- Ravindra Jadeja for the seventh wicket got to make sure you take them.” India opener got out three ternoon session yesterday but and an unbroken 87 with Jayant Yadav. Kohli remained unbeaten on 147 and timesM during the series to short-pitched letE the hosts off the hook by failing to England had their chances to break the importance of Rashid’s spill was balls from the England fast bowlers. take opportunities. both partnerships. Leg-spinner Adil clear. “That was a very diffi cult catch,” The 32-year-old showed he had India, who lead the fi ve-match se- Rashid failed to hold on to a return Root said. “When it’s coming at you at worked out the problem, however, with ries 2-0, were tottering at 307 for six, catch from Kohli, then on 68, while that pace, you are following through a fi ne 136 at the Wankhede Stadium still 93 behind England’s total of 400 Joe Root (pic) dropped Yadav on eight and it’s on you before you know it.” yesterday. The touring side dished up and facing the prospect of conceding a off James Anderson. The England vice-captain, who took a number of bouncers to him but Vijay two wickets with his part-time off - swayed away from most of them while spin, tried to remain upbeat. dropping his wrists on the way to his “Most important thing is that we eighth Test century. look forward, look to tomorrow and “I did think about it because I was we take those three early wickets when playing a lot of those balls which I we get those opportunities,” Root said. should have left alone and lot of other “When it comes to batting we will look factors which I don’t want to reveal at to put pressure back on them and be this moment,” Vijay told reporters after positive just like we were in the fi rst in- the day’s play. “My basic game plan was nings. If we can do that and do that well to back my instinct and play the way I then we have got a really good game on want to play.” and three sixes against the English spinners. All 10 England wickets in our hands.” Vijay started the fi ve-match series spinners. “Actually my game plan is the fi rst innings went to spinners with Root was eff usive in his praise for with a century in the fi rst innings of the to attack the spinners because I don’t Ravichandran Ashwin picking up six Kohli, who completed 1,000 Test runs opening Test at Rajkot but could only want them to settle in one particular and left-armer Ravindra Jadeja taking in 2016 during his innings. manage 66 runs in his next fi ve innings. area where they fi nd it comfortable,” he the remaining four. “He is obviously very driven and he’s “I would like to rate this hundred said. “I just wanted to use my feet and “Any lead is gold on this wicket, and very ambitious, you can see that in the highly because I started off well in this use the depth of the crease and play ac- so we think that we are defi nitely in a way he approaches the game,” Root series but couldn’t do well in couple of cording to my game plan and it came very strong position at the moment,” said. “Very emotional and he wears matches,” he said. “I couldn’t play the out pretty well I guess.” said Vijay. “During tea, we decided that his heart on his sleeve. I wouldn’t say way I wanted to play, I was getting out Captain Virat Kohli’s unbeaten 147 we need to get as close to their target as intimidating or anything like that but too early. Here I came out in a much ensured the hosts, who lead the series possible but now the way Virat and Jay- it’s quite good to play against guys that clearer mindset.” 2-0, were already 51 runs ahead in the ant (Yadav) are batting, I think we are in express how they feel and try and make His knock was studded with 10 fours fi rst innings on a pitch assisting the a pretty good position to dictate terms.” you feel uncomfortable.” Sunday, December 11, 2016 GULF TIMES SPORT

TABLE TENNIS/ ITTF WORLD TOUR GRAND FINALS Long sets up all-Chinese title clash against Zhendong The women’s final will be contested between Germany’s Han Ying and China’s Zhu Yuling

By Sahan Bidappa Doha China’s Ma Long (left) in action during his semi-final against Jeoung Youngsik of South Korea. Long won 4-0. a Long has been in a class of PICTURES: Noushad Thekkayil his own for some time now. The World No. 1 Chinese paddler has been dominat- Ming the table tennis circuit and yesterday in Doha he showed a glimpse of that. The Rio Olympic and world cham- pion cruised into the fi nal of the ITTF World Tour Grand Finals after another commanding victory, a 4-0 (11-9, 11-8, 11-8, 14-12) rout of Jeoung Youngsik of South Korea, in the semi-fi nals. A little later, China’s Fan Zhendong beat compatriot Xu Xin 4-2 (11-5, 5-11, 11-5, 6-11, 11-6, 11-9) to set up another all-Chinese title clash against Ma Long. No. 12 seed Youngsik has been the sur- prise element of the tournament so far, having defeated higher seeds Vladimir Samsonov and Chuang Chih-Yuan. But yesterday, the Korean was up against a diff erent class of player in Mo Long, the top seed. To his credit Young- sik did put up a fi ght, but never looked like winning any of the fi rst three games. With his back to the wall, Youngsik came out fi ring in the fourth set, even managing a game point. But Ma Long won the decisive moments in the game to seal the match. “I think both Jeoung and I played at a high level during the match tonight. I won four-nil but the score in all four games was very close. Today my han- dling of crucial points was also quite good and I think Jeoung played well,” said Ma Long. “He’s grown and improved a lot over the past two years. In the previous matches, he had to recover from two-nil down to win, so it shows that he has very strong skills and is very capable. Tonight I was in control of the match overall,” the Germany’s Han Ying will defending champion added. meet Zhu Yuling of China For Zhendong though, it was a test (right) in the women’s final. of his temperament and fatigue. In the quarterfi nals played in the afternoon, the Chinese No. 2 seed had recovered from a two-game defi cit to beat Germa- ny’s Dimitrij Ovtcharov, the No. 8 seed, 4-2 (9-11, 10-12, 15-13, 11-8, 11-8, 11-5). Zhendong, however, showed little ef- fect of that stressful match as he took the opening game in no time. Third seed Xu Xin won the second and fourth games, but Zhendong un- leashed some spectacular shots to clinch the fi fth and sixth games and close out the match. Xu Xin played some powerful fore- hand top spin returns, but Zhendong anticipated well and blocked every shot to leave his countryman stunned. In the quarters, Xu Xin had overpowered Ja- pan’s Yuto Muramatsu, the No. 10 seed, in straight games (11-2, 11-6, 11-5, 11-4). The women’s fi nal will be contest- ed between Germany’s Han Ying and China’s Zhu Yuling. Both the paddlers snuff ed out any chances off an all-Jap- anese fi nal. in the round of 16, but yesterday she had committed plenty of unforced errors. ships last week. Third seed Yuling beat second seed no answer to Ying’s defensive game. “Today I had a good balance between The other Japanese on the night, Kasumi Ishikawa, winner two years ago Ying relies more on technique, with attack and defence. I felt confi dent. Last Ishikawa, was always going to struggle in Bangkok, 4-0 (16-14, 11-3, 11-8, 11-7). the 33-year-old German possessing a time when we played in Kuwait, I won against Yuling, having just won once The highly-rated Miu Hirano was the solid backspin return. And Hirano’s ag- the fi rst three games but then Hirano against the Chinese in eight attempts. other Japanese to bow out in the semis. gressive approach fell fl at against the played much stronger. I was prepared The fi rst game was a close aff air, with The 16-year-old teen, seeded No. 10 experienced Ying. for a tough match, I’m surprised that I Yuling employing defence and attack in here, lost to Germany’s Han Ying, the The two had met earlier this year in Ku- won so easily,” a delighted Ying said. equal measure. After Yuling managed to No. 11 seed, 0-4 (2-11, 4-11, 3-11, 5-11). wait, where Ying needed full seven games Hirano also seemed to suff ering from snatch the opener in 16-14, she cruised Hirano had shocked World No. 6 and to secure victory. But yesterday Ying con- fatigue, having arrived in Doha after through the next three games to book fourth seed Feng Tianwei of Singapore trolled the game from start, as Hirano playing the World Junior Champion- her place in the fi nal.

BOTTOMLINE Russia face ban calls again aft er 2nd McLaren report AFP nied state backing for doping, saying so. So, yes, I think the IOC should be don in August next year. The Winter London that it “will continue the fi ght against taking a very strong stance and should Olympics take place in Pyeongchang in doping with zero tolerance”. be excluding Russia until such time as February 2018 and Russia is due to hold Russia’s track and fi eld team was al- they’ve put their house in order.” the football World Cup that summer. here are growing calls for Rus- ready banned from international com- Clemens Prokop, president of the McLaren identifi ed doping as being sia to be banned from the Win- petition for doping and was barred from German athletics federation (DLV), rife in Russian athletics and weightlift- ter Olympics and other major the Rio Olympics in August, but there is called for a total ban on all Russian ing, but his report found evidence of international events after the now growing pressure — not to mention competitors. banned substances being used in foot- Tlatest startling revelations of state- anger — for more sanctions. “Russian sport should be excluded ball too. sponsored doping across Russian sport. The United States, Britain and Ger- from all international competitions, “We didn’t really have a chance to Richard McLaren described on many all swiftly condemned Russia, including the Olympic Games, until look at Russian soccer across the board, Friday how Russia “hijacked” sport by while the International Paralympic its credibility is restored,” said Prokop. to look at diff erent teams and what’s involving more than 1,000 athletes in Committee, which banned Russia com- “This is a fundamental attack against going on,” McLaren said after present- an “institutional conspiracy” to win by pletely from the Rio Paralympics in the Olympic movement when the ing his report fi ndings in London. “I mass doping at the Sochi 2014 Winter September, called the McLaren fi ndings values of the movement are dragged think there are 33 footballers listed in and London 2012 Olympics and other “astonishing”. through the mud by a country.” the report. Not all of those are Russian global competitions. Liz Nicholl, chief executive of UK The IOC responded to McLaren’s by the way — some are foreigners.” The Canadian lawyer, who detailed Sport, which is tasked with helping latest damning report by announcing That led British MP Damian Collins in a previous report how Russian secu- Britain to Olympic success, said that it would reanalyse all 254 urine samples to question whether Russia was fi t to rity services were involved in the nefari- the International Olympic Commit- taken from Russian athletes at Sochi. host the 2018 World Cup. ous scheme, said in a second report for tee (IOC) should exclude all Russian The report, the IOC declared, “FIFA now have to look very serious- the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) competitors from the Winter Games in showed that there “was a fundamental ly at the way in which the World Cup that at least 30 sports were implicated Pyeongchang, South Korea in 2018. attack on the integrity of the Olympic is going to be staged,” Collins, of the and that salt and instant coff ee were “Absolutely. Until there’s evidence Games and on sport in general”. Culture, Media and Sport Select Com- used to manipulate Russian samples. that Russian athletes are competing Several major international sporting mittee, said. “How can Russia give con- Russia’s sports ministry — said to be clean,” The Daily Telegraph quoted her events are on the calendar in the com- fi dence to FIFA and to the world that central to the ruse to cheat its way to as saying. “All the evidence that we’ve ing months, including the IAAF (ath- there will be proper anti-doping meas- success over several years — again de- got is that they’re not likely to be doing letics) World Championships in Lon- ures in place during the World Cup?”