FFOOTBALLOOTBALL | Page 6 Neymar injury concern as PSG draw with Bordeaux

Tuesday, December 4, 2018 CRICKET Rabia I 26, 1440 AH Williamson and GULF TIMES Watling boost NZ after Yasir shines SPORT Page 2 SPOTLIGHT Can Samba emulate Barshim by winning top IAAF award?

By Sports Reporter Doha Track and field’s top awards to be announced in Monaco today an Abderrahman Samba make it two- in-a-row for Qatar after Mutaz Barshim won the IAAF Male Athlete of the Year in 2017? CSamba, the 400m hurdling sensation, who File photo of Samba celebrating fi nished the Diamond League season unbeaten, after winning the Intercontinental is up against recently-minted world record hold- Cup in Ostrava earlier this year. ers Kevin Mayer (decathlon) Armand Duplantis (pole vault, U-20) and Christian Coleman (60m indoors) besides Eliud Kipchoge (marathon). The IAAF’s prestigious awards gala will take place today in Monaco as the world governing body for the sport honours the year’s best ath- letes whose achievements helped contribute to another unforgettable year for track and fi eld. Qatar’s Samba, this year set the world’s quick- est time in 400m hurdles since 1992, beating the record of Edwin Moses. He also won the 400m hurdles and 4x400m relay gold at the Jakarta Asian Games. Samba set the track on fi re this season and holds the world lead in 400m hurdles being unbeaten in nine fi nals of the Diamond League. More than 80 of the world’s fi nest track and fi eld athletes will converge on the French Riviera to help celebrate the past year. While the evening will reach its climax with the announcement of the male and female Ath- letes of the Year, the recipients of the IAAF Ris- ing Star Awards, the Coaching Achievement Award, Women’s Award and President’s Award will also be revealed. The ceremony will also name the winner of the second Athletics Photograph of the Year compe- tition. The 25 shortlisted images will also form part of a photography exhibition which will be held alongside the IAAF Athletics Awards from December 1-5 at the Meridien Beach Plaza Hotel. The IAAF Athletics Awards will be live streamed on the IAAF’s YouTube Channel and Facebook page. Last year, Qatar’s legendary high jumper Mu- taz Essa Barshim and Nafi ssatou Thiam of Bel- gium were named as the male and female IAAF World Athletes of the Year.

BOTTOMLINE Bassem excels in Paris Reds boss Klopp charged for wild celebration AFP London

iverpool manager Jurgen Klopp was charged by the Football Associa- tion yesterday after he raced onto the pitch to celebrate his side’s late winner againstL Everton in the Merseyside derby. The German was overjoyed by Divock Ori- gi’s 96th-minute goal courtesy of a horren- dous misjudgement from Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford and raced over to Reds goal- keeper Alisson Becker. He apologised for his actions after the 1-0 win at Anfi eld but the FA announced he had Liverpool manager been charged with misconduct. Juergen Klopp runs Klopp has until 1800 GMT on Thursday to onto the pitch respond to the charge. celebrating his team’s “Immediately after the game I apologised to goal against Everton (Everton manager) Marco Silva when we spoke on Sunday. to each other,” Klopp said following the match. “I told him how much I respect his work. “What can I say about it? I didn’t want to run. It was not in my plan. I didn’t want to run Liverpool hero Origi said his added-time most crucial I have scored for Liverpool so it to Ali (goalkeeper Alisson), I couldn’t stop ob- winner was one of the most important he has was special,” said the 23-year-old. “You could viously. Not cool, but it happened.” scored for the club. see the emotion of the fans and the coach and Silva said he did not hear an apology from The Belgium international, making his fi rst the players so we celebrated all together.” Qatar’s ace rider Bassem Mohamed finished second in the Land Rover Grand Prix at the Paris the Liverpool boss, and added: “To be honest, I appearance at Anfi eld since May 2017 after Prior to his 84th-minute entrance on Sun- Masters on Sunday. Bassem astride Gunder put on a splendid show to finish behind winner didn’t see so I don’t know what he did and how spending last season on loan at Wolfsburg, day, Origi had played just 11 minutes for Liver- Britain’s Tony Cadet, who clinched the title with Tolede de Mescam. Frenchman Olivier he did it.” The last-gasp win took unbeaten capitalised on Pickford’s error to nod home pool this season in one substitute appearance Guillon was third with Vitot du Chateau. Liverpool to 36 points — just two behind lead- from close range — his 22nd goal in 79 matches during the 2-0 Champions League defeat in ers Manchester City. for the club. “It was a crucial goal, one of the Serbia against Red Star Belgrade. Gulf Times 2 Tuesday, December 4, 2018 CRICKET

ABU DHABI TEST FOCUS India’s pace hype faces stern test in Williamson and Australia series

Reuters com.au recently. New Delhi “Obviously when you come to conditions like South Africa, Australia, England, you need Watling boost NZ aving spent frustrating pace bowlers and in the past decades envying Paki- they might have had one or two, stan’s endless supply but now they’ve got three or of fast bowlers across four. Hthe border, India’s excitement “And when they travelled in around their current pace attack South Africa (earlier this year), is palpable but they would do we felt like that was the best well to temper their sunny opti- pace (attack) that they’ve had.” aft er Yasir shines mism in Australia. Considering they will be op- For a nation that traditionally erating against an Australian built their bowling attack around team shorn of two of their best Yasir is aiming to become the fastest man to reach 200 Test wickets crafty spinners who operated as batsmen — the banned duo of if their life depended on it, India Steve Smith and David Warner have fi nally acquired a versatile — India have reasons to be op- pace attack, which helped them timistic but the challenges are claim 20 wickets in all but two substantial. Tests this year. For starters, it is going to be a India captain Virat Kohli diff erent ball game, quite literal- pleasantly fi nds himself spoilt ly. Unlike the SG or Dukes balls for pace choice, a luxury none of they usually wreak havoc with, his predecessors in the job had, the old Kookaburra in Australia and is naturally upbeat about does not really swing or seam, winning the four-Test series which could substantially defang Down Under, something the the Indian quicks, especially Ku- previous Indian teams could not mar, who is unlikely to be fi elded manage in 11 previous attempts. for the series opener in Adelaide In Mohamed Shami, the tour- from Thursday. ists have got a quick who can The lack of sideways move- move the ball both new and old. ment from the fi rm surfaces will It was hardly a surprise that the also mitigate the threat Shami Indian board limited his work- or Yadav would otherwise pose load to 15-overs-per-innings in bowling elsewhere, while the SCORECARD the domestic Ranji Trophy prior heat will challenge them to to the series in Australia. maintain their pace throughout New Zealand Ist innings Among others, Bhuvneshwar the day. J. Raval lbw b Yasir ...... 45 Kumar’s prodigious swing, Sharma will be looking for- T. Latham lbw b Shaheen ...... 4 Umesh Yadav’s consistent ward to the extra bounce as he K. Williamson c Shafiq b Hasan ...... 89 pace and Ishant Sharma’s extra chases redemption in arguably R. Taylor b Yasir ...... 0 bounce make them real assets. the cruellest place for a touring H. Nicholls b Yasir ...... 1 Cherry on top is Jasprit Bum- bowler where each wicket has BJ Watling not out ...... 42 rah, whose sling-arm action and cost the touring bowlers 47 runs C. de Grandhomme c Shafiq b Asif ...... 20 awkward release point along since 2000. T. Southee c Azam b Asif ...... 2 with his ability to bowl yorkers In his 10 Tests Down Under, W. Somerville not out ...... 12 almost at will adds an X-factor the gangly quick has managed Extras: (b 8, lb 6) ...... 14 to the unit. only 20 wickets with an embar- Total: (for seven wkts; 90 overs) ...... 229 When coach Ravi Shastri rassing 62-plus average — worst Stil to bat: Ajaz Patel, T. Boult was asked in August if this was by a full-time bowler who has Fall of wickets: 1-24 (Latham), 2-70 the best Indian attack ever, the sent down a minimum of 2000 (Raval), 3-70 (Taylor), 4-72 (Nicholls), 5-176 former Test player gushed, “By a balls in Australia. (Williamson), 6-203 (Grandhomme), 7-209 mile, by a mile. No (other India) The team could still ben- (Southee) team comes even close.” efi t from the experience of the Bowling: Hasan 16-5-46-1, Shaheen South Africa captain Faf du 30-year-old, believes former In- 17-4-43-1, Yasir 31-9-62-3,Asif 24-2-57-2, Plessis concurred, having had dia pace spearhead Zaheer Khan. Haris 2-0-7-0 a fi rst-hand experience against “Ishant leading the attack on Umpires: Paul Reiff el (AUS) and Ian them earlier this year when his his fourth tour (of Australia) now, Gould (ENG) team prevailed 2-1 in an intense that’s heaps of experience which Tv umpires: Bruce Oxenford (AUS) home series. is very important,” Khan told Match referee: Javagal Srinath (IND) “... for the fi rst time, they’ve www.cricbuzz.com. got three or four seamers in their “You need not look at the squad that can bowl 140(kph)- numbers all the time... the expe- plus and are very good bowlers,” rience of playing in Australia is New Zealand captain Kane Williamson (C) plays a shot during the first day of the third and final Test match against Pakistan at the Sheikh Zayed International Cricket Stadium in du Plessis told www.cricket. going to play a huge role.” Abu Dhabi yesterday.

AFP stone of 200 Test wickets. in the match. one boundary in his 180-ball dis- Pakistan level the series in Dubai, Abu Dhabi The record is currently 36 The scoring rarely got above play of self-denial. has 25 wickets in the series so far. Tests, set 82 years ago by Aus- two an over. With both teams needing a It was teenage left-arm pace- tralian legspinner Clarrie Grim- Watling also dug in and the win to seal a series which is cur- man Shaheen Shah Afridi, mak- ew Zealand skipper mett. pair batted right through the rently tied at 1-1, Yasir was the ing his Test debut as a replace- Kane Williamson hit a Yasir managed 3-62 but was middle session. key and the leg-spinner induced ment for injured medium pacer fi ghting half century then thwarted by the fi fth wicket Williamson passed 50 in a Test a mini-collapse in the morning Mohamed Abbas, who gave Pa- while BJ Watling batted stand of 104 in 249 balls between for the 46th time but he was not as the Kiwis slipped from 70-1 to kistan their initial breakthrough withN patience to delay leg-spin- Williamson and Watling. able to convert his innings into 73-4 at lunch. and claim his fi rst Test victim. ner Yasir Shah’s bid to become He failed to take any more another hundred. Yasir trapped opener Jeet The 18-year-old nipped one the fastest to 200 wickets on the wickets in the last two sessions Having reached 89 off 176 Raval leg before with a faster one back sharply to rap opener Tom fi rst day of the third and fi nal and still needs another two wick- balls, he mistimed a clip off Has- for 45. Raval reviewed but ball- Latham on the pads. Test in Abu Dhabi yesterday. ets to hit the 200-mark and claim an Ali shortly after tea and found tracking showed it would have Pakistan reviewed the on- Williamson missed out on a the record. a gleeful Asad Shafi q pouching hit leg stump. fi eld not out decision and were 19th Test century but Watling Williamson struck seven the catch at short midwicket. With his next ball, Yasir clean- rewarded when ball-tracking was unbeaten on 42 as New Zea- boundaries but these were the Off -spinner Bilal Asif took bowled Ross Taylor as the bats- showed the ball would have can- land closed on 229-7, a measured bright points in a day when de- over from Yasir, claiming Colin man went back but completely noned into the stumps. recovery after being reduced to fence came fi rst. de Grandhomme for 20 and Tim missed the ball. New Zealand, who won the 72-4 by a triple strike from Yasir The normally robust and ag- Southee for two to fi nish with Henry Nicholls saved the fi rst Test by four runs in Abu in the fi rst session. gressive Kiwi captain curbed his 2-57. hat-trick but shortly after he at- Dhabi, brought in fast bowler Yasir began his 33rd Test need- attacking instinct as he attempt- But Watling kept one end in- tempted to sweep but was bowled Tim Southee and off -spinner ing fi ve wickets to become the ed to carve out a fi rst innings that tact through his patient near- around his legs. Will Somerville in place of Neil Spoilt for choice: Virat Kohli fastest man to reach the mile- might give his side some leverage four hour batting, hitting only Yasir, whose 14 wickets helped Wagner and Ish Sodhi.

SPOTLIGHT BOTTOMLINE Gayle awarded Bangladesh thumping of West $220k in damages Justice McCallam said in Reuters her decision that the defama- Sydney tion “went to the heart of Mr Gayle’s professional life as a Indies bittersweet for Walsh est Indies bats- respected batsman” and “had particular resonance in crick- AFP giant who took 519 Test wickets dominate. man Chris Gayle eting circles”. Dhaka for the West Indies, today acts Shakib Al Hasan, Mehidy was award- as fast-bowling coach for Bang- Hasan, Taijul Islam and Nay- ed A$300,000 The jury also found that ladesh, and said the thumping eem Hasan accounted for all 40 ($220,770)W in damages by an Fairfax was motivated by ormer West Indies was bittersweet. wickets, a record for a Test se- Australian court yesterday, malice in publishing the sto- bowling great Court- “I might say that I am dis- ries in Bangladesh. more than a year after he won ries, which could have left ney Walsh has admit- appointed with probably how Despite the spinners’ domi- a defamation case against the company open to punitive ted to mixed emotions things have unfolded, but I am nance, Walsh insisted Bangla- Fairfax Media over an alleged damages. Fas his countrymen were routed very happy to be involved with desh’s fast bowlers had more to incident during the 2015 Justice McCallam said she by Bangladesh — the side he Bangladesh,” Walsh told report- give. World Cup. decided against aggravated now helps coach, who earned a ers in Dhaka. “Tactically, we wanted to play New South Wales Supreme damages because Gayle had rare Test series win. “We are in a winning situa- more spinners to win a Test and Court Justice Lucy McCal- not given evidence about Bangladesh swept the series tion, so my pride is intact. As the series. It was achieved,” he lum made the award for ar- whether the harm he suffered 2-0, with the second Test wrap- a West Indian, you are going to said. ticles published in January was increased by the malice. ping up Sunday inside three be disappointed in the perform- “Hopefully when we go to 2016 that alleged the 103-Test Fairfax Media said the pub- days as the Tigers recorded their ance.” New Zealand, the seamers cricketer had exposed him- lisher intended to appeal be- fi rst-ever victory by an innings Walsh’s part in the second might get a better opportunity. self to a masseuse during the cause of concerns over the margin. Test win was somewhat dimin- We might get diff erent types of tournament. way the trial was conducted. The Caribbean visitors made ished as Bangladesh did not wicket, and they should want In October 2017, a jury “The jury was misled in a just 111 runs in their fi rst innings fi eld a single fast bowler — an to grab those opportunities as found Fairfax had failed to way that prejudiced Fairfax, — the lowest Test score ever re- unprecedented move for the well.” Bangladesh, who will also establish the truth of the and Fairfax did not get a fair corded against their hosts — to home side. play three one-day internation- reports. It also found Fair- trial,” a spokesman said in become the fi rst side Bangla- Their lone fast bowler in the als and three Twenty20 inter- fax had failed to establish a statement. “The damages desh has ever asked to follow- fi rst Test, Mustafi zur Rahman, nationals against West Indies, that the allegation Gayle had award merely confirms the on. bowled just four overs in that will visit New Zealand in Febru- propositioned the masseuse appalling burden of defama- Walsh, a Jamaican cricketing match, leaving the spinners to ary. was “substantially true”. tion laws in this country.” Gulf Times Tuesday, December 4, 2018 3 SPORT

HOCKEY WORLD CUP BOXING Fury says Wilder will try to avoid Olympic champions rematch ‘at all costs’

AFP out and stay away from me at London all costs,” he told Britain’s ITV network. “I’m only getting better, and yson Fury said yester- better and better. I can beat Argentina crush NZ day WBC heavyweight them all but they need to fi ght champion Deontay me. We need to give Britain the ‘When you have a goalkeeper who makes a save from a penalty stroke you can only congratulate Wilder will try to avoid biggest fi ght in British box- Ta rematch with him “at all ing history and that’s me and him. We are pleased with the draw in the end but we want to keep getting better and better’ costs” after their epic draw in Joshua. Los Angeles. “Let’s make it happen. The Wilder retained his belt country wants it, I want it, on Saturday after a thrilling everybody wants it. The only 12-round battle ended in a split people who don’t seem to want decision draw at the Staples it is their team,” he added. Center. Wilder’s trainer Jay Deas The result means the Amer- told BBC radio he would want ican is still in a position to Wilder to take on Fury again achieve his dream of unify- before a potential fi ght with ing the heavyweight division Joshua. against Fury’s fellow Briton “If it’s something that peo- Anthony Joshua, who holds the ple would like to see again we WBA, IBF and WBO versions of would absolutely love to do it. the title. Both guys put on a tremendous After the bout, Wilder fi ght,” Deas said. said he would prefer to target “If it was up to me – and Joshua’s titles in a bid to unify only me – I would like to do the the division but would be sat- Fury fi ght fi rst because I think isfi ed with either a rematch there is unfi nished business. against Fury or a chance to take “If the money makes sense on Joshua. But Fury said that in the UK I would love to do it Wilder could try to avoid him. there. Deontay has never had a “I’ve got a funny feeling he’s problem with travelling. That’s going to get his running shoes not the issue at all.”

Williams sign Canadian Latifi as F1 reserve

Canadian Nicholas Latifi this year bought a stake of will be a reserve driver for around 10 percent in the Williams next season, the McLaren Group, would help Formula One team announced them at race weekends and in yesterday. The 23-year-old was the factory. previously test and reserve He will drive in six Friday first driver for Force India, who free practice (FP1) sessions as now have Canadian owners well as test days before and and have been renamed Rac- during the season. ing Point F1. “It’s a fantastic opportunity to Williams, former champi- continue my F1 development, ons who finished last in the and to build my on-track championship that ended experience with more FP1 in November, have Britain’s sessions and the rookie and 2018 Formula Two champion Pirelli tests,” said Latifi in a George Russell and Poland’s statement. Robert Kubica as their race “As well as this, a big part of drivers for 2019. my role will be simulator driv- British-based Williams said ing and helping to support the Argentina’s Agustin Mazzilli (centre) and New Zealand players vying for the ball during their group stage match at the 2018 Hockey World Cup in Bhubaneswar yesterday. (AFP) Latifi, whose father Michael development of the new car.”

FIH thee Clement, who changed the – after the game. Sticks net for his third goal of the The Kookaburras were victo- Bhubaneswar trajectory of the ball to give Spain “When you have a goalkeeper competition. Argentina made it rious over Ireland in their fi rst shot-stopper Quico Cortes little who makes a save from a penalty 2-0 in the third when New Zea- Pool B match, with China hold- TENNIS hope of saving. stroke you can only congratulate land captain Blair Tarrant was ing England to a draw. The day’s ay Six of the Odisha The Red Sticks dominated the him. We are pleased with the robbed of possession in his on results are certain to be signifi - Hockey Men’s World second quarter, setting up camp draw in the end but we want to circle by Lucas Vila, who made cant in the potential fi nishing Cup Bhubaneswar in the opposition half but unable keep getting better and better in no mistake with a blistering fi n- positions in this group. Halep, Osaka to play in 2018 featured the sec- to get the goal that their endeav- this tournament.” ish past the left hand of Black Australia coach Colin Batch ondD round of matches in Pool A, our deserved thanks to some ex- In celebration of the Interna- Sticks goalkeeper Richard Joyce. felt that his team would be given Sydney International with Argentina claiming their cellent saves from France goal- tional Day of Persons with Dis- The match scoring was complet- a stern test by England, stating: second successive Pool A victory keeper Arthur Thieff ry. abilities (IDPD), before the start ed by Lucas Martinez fi ve min- “We will have to overcome a mo- AFP line Wozniacki and Elina Svi- to put themselves within touch- While a penalty corner drag- of the match the players of Spain utes from the end, who dived in tivated England team who con- Sydney tolina. The men’s side is weaker ing distance of the quarter-fi nals fl ick from France captain Victor and France were introduced to to make it 3-0 from close range ceded a late goal to draw their with Britain’s 14th-ranked Kyle yesterday. Charlet forced a fi ne save from Guest of Honour Md Jafar Iqbal, after Argentina’s initial pen- match against China. Edmund the top seed, along Argentina’s 3-0 victory over Cortes in the third quarter, it was a member of the India’s World alty corner attempt had been While they will be disappoint- orld number one with the likes of Gilles Simon, New Zealand sees them move the Spaniards who remained on Cup winning blind cricket team. blocked. ed with the outcome, statistical- Simona Halep and Alex de Minaur, Lucas Pouille onto six points at the top of the top and fi nally got their equaliser Two teams that claimed vic- “It was a great game for us”, ly they did very well in the match US Open cham- and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga. pool, three points ahead of sec- early in the fourth period. Alvaro tories in their fi rst matches went said Argentina’s Lucas Vila, who so I don’t see them making many pion Naomi Osaka Talented American Frances ond placed New Zealand with Iglesias was the scorer, complet- head to head in the second game was named Odisha Player of the changes to their style of play. Wwill headline a strong fi eld in Tiafoe will join fellow break- one round of matches to play. ing a slick passing move that cut of the day, with New Zealand de- Match, at the end of the game. “We were pleased to win our the women’s draw of the Syd- through sensations Stefanos Spain and France – who drew in through the France defence and termined to upset the FIH Hero “I think our defence was re- fi rst match; however, we need ney International, organisers Tsitsipas and Edmund. the day’s earlier match – ended allowed Spain’s number nine the World Rankings by attempting ally strong and in attack we took to improve from our perform- said yesterday. Tiafoe has established him- the day in third and fourth posi- easiest of fi nishes. to get the better of reigning Ol- our chances and scores some ance against Ireland”, continued Eight of the world’s top 10 self as one of the most exciting tion respectively. Although it proved to be the fi - ympic champions Argentina. good goals. Its only two games Batch, who was a member of the have signed on for the Janu- rising stars in men’s tennis in Spain and France started the nal goal of game, France missed a Despite a diff erence of seven so there is a long way to go, but Australia squad that won the ary 6-12 event as they use it 2018, becoming the youngest day needing to recover from gilt-edged opportunity to claim all places in the rankings, New Zea- I think we are in a good way and 1986 FIH Men’s World Cup in to warm up for the Austral- American to win an ATP World opening day defeats – Spain lost three points when a penalty stroke land held their own for much of now we have a few days to make London, England. ian Open Grand Slam the fol- Tour title (since Andy Rod- to Argentina while France fell from Hugo Geneset was brilliantly the opening quarter, limiting Los some little changes.” “The Irish team was able to lowing week. Also playing will dick in 2002) when he claimed to New Zealand – and get some saved by a diving Cortes, cement- Leones to half chances. The action continues today deny our scoring and we need to be defending champion and the ATP 250 title at the Delray crucially important points on ing his position as the Odisha Argentina eventually made the with two crucial matches in Pool get more outcomes from our at- Wimbledon winner Angelique Beach Open in February. “I’m the board. Player of the Match in the process. breakthrough midway through B. Australia will be looking to tacking circle entries. We missed Kerber, Sloane Stephens, Petra delighted that so many of the France struck early in the con- “Quico was the best player of the the second quarter thanks to a consolidate their position at the two injections on our penalty Kvitova, Karolina Pliskova, Kiki world’s most talented players test when Victor Charlet’s per- game”, said Spain’s Marc Salles – terrifi c backhand strike from top of the table when face Eng- corners and while that is rare, we Bertens, and Daria Kasatkina. have chosen to come to Sydney fect backhand pass was guided who made his 200thsenior inter- Agustin Mazzilli, who picked out land at 1700 before Ireland take need to make sure we are better in The only two members of the in January,” said tournament home from close range by Timo- national appearance in the match the top left corner of the Black on China at 1900. that area.” top 10 not taking part are Caro- director Lawrence Robertson.

GOLF Rahm wins Hero World Challenge AFP Sunday singles against boyhood “Tiger kind of laughed and fi nish 17th in the 18-player fi eld. year on the famed Royal Mel- Nassau, Bahamas idol Woods and delivered Europe said ‘it’s all about feel out there’. bourne course. Woods, as the their much-needed fi rst point In presenting me the trophy FULL YEAR FOR WOODS USA Team captain, is due to host with two and one triumph. he said, ‘Hey, that’s a pretty “The entire year has been amaz- a press conference on course on Rahm says a putting tip Now Rahm has his name on good performance from some- ing and I’ve just been so blessed Wednesday in Melbourne. last August from tourna- Woods’ Hero World Challenge one to have the opportunity,” said ment host Tiger Woods trophy. “That Sunday with Ti- who can’t putt on Bermuda Woods. FINAL SCORES helped the Spaniard to ger is one of the most emotional, greens.’” “To come from where I came 268-Jon Rahm (ESP) 71-63-69-65 stormJ his way to a four-shot most important moments in my American Tony Finau holed a from last year at this point to 272- Tony Finau 72-64-67-69 success at the Hero World Chal- golf career,” said Rahm. dramatic 10-footer for birdie at have the ability to actually play 273-Justin Rose (ENG) 70-70- lenge on Sunday. “I started crying when I was the last in a score of 69 for sec- and compete again in the game 68-65 Rahm, 24, was never chal- shaking his hand because that ond place at 16-under and in and do it consistently is quite 274-Henrik Stenson (SWE) 68- lenged over the fi nal round, meant so much to me to play the process denying Justin Rose amazing.” 66-69-71 shooting a bogey-free 65 for a against Tiger Woods. from returning to World No. 1. “The desire hasn’t changed. 275-Patrick Cantlay 65-70-76-64, 20-under par total on the Albany “A couple of months later to Rose, who eagled 15 in a last It’s just the body is sometimes Rickie Fowler 72-67-67-69 course. win his event – his Foundation’s round 65, had been sharing sec- unwilling to respond to what the 276-Dustin Johnson 68-67-72-69 The win is Rahm’s third suc- event along with Hero, this is re- ond place in 15-under par and mind wants,” the 14-times major 277-Alex Noren (SWE) 69-69-70- cess this season and a seventh ally special.” the assurance of again becoming champion told Golf Channel. 69, Xander Schauff ele 73-68-66- victory in his short two-year pro And it was the putting tip on World No. 1 only for Finau to pull “That’s just part of the injuries 70, Gary Woodland 72-66-67-72 career and in the process sees the practice green at East Lake the rug out from under the Eng- I’ve had and the ageing proc- 278-Patrick Reed 65-77-66-70 Rahm move to a career high No. that has now sees Rahm become lishman. ess and trying to deal with that 280-Bryson DeChambeau 70-71- 6 on the world rankings. the fi rst Spanish winner of the “It’s not a huge goal for me and compete.” Woods was then 71-68, Justin Thomas 70-70-70- Rahm had shared the lead on Hero World Challenge. to be No. 1, but when you have headed to his private jet to Los 70, Bubba Watson 69-73-69-69 both day two and day three and “When we were at East Lake these opportunities you want to Angeles to board a Qantas fl ight 282-Keegan Bradley 71-69-72-70 capped his closing round with Tiger was putting next to me. I take them,” said Rose. to Melbourne and arriving today 283-Jason Day (AUS) 71-72-70-70 three birdies in four holes from just can’t putt on Bermuda as I And Woods rounded-off his for a three-day Presidents Cup 287-Tiger Woods 73-69-72-73 the sixth. Last September, Rahm had grown up in Spain on poa full-season return to competi- inspection and promotion of 288-Hideki Matsuyama (JAP) Jon Rahm of Spain poses with the trophy after winning the Hero was drawn in the Ryder Cup annua,” said Rahm. tion with a tired-looking 73 to the event being staged later next 74-68-71-75. World Challenge at Albany, Bahamas. (Getty Images/AFP) Gulf Times 4 Tuesday, December 4, 2018 SPORT

NBA SPOTLIGHT Markkanen’s return begins period of Mavs topple Clippers, heightened scrutiny for Bulls and Hoiberg

By K.C. Johnson about.” Chicago Tribune Before Markkanen’s injury Lakers ease past Suns in late September, Hoiberg talked excitedly about utilising ‘I thought it was one of the best competitive things I’ve seen in a long time’ auri Markkanen is back. him and LaVine as two off en- Now what? sive talents in screen-and-roll There will be off en- situations. But Hoiberg also sive sets with the ver- quickly shelved the experiment Lsatile forward in the post. Plays of playing Jabari Parker at will be designed to free him for small forward, a look the coach 3-pointers. He will bring the resuscitated in Markkanen’s ball up to initiate off ense at fi rst game back. times and be involved in plenty “I’m excited to get a bigger of screen-and-roll situations sample size with all the line- with Zach LaVine at others. ups and see which ones work These all are good things for the best,” Hoiberg said. “We the Bulls. had the three of them out there But Markkanen’s return af- together for a short period of ter missing the fi rst 23 games time. I think (Parker) and Lauri with a right elbow injury also can play well together. And I will feature a period of adjust- think Lauri can play very well ment and changing roles, not with Wendell. That’s the future to mention heightened expec- of this franchise, those two tations and increased scrutiny guys on your frontline.” from management on coach A case in point for the ad- Fred Hoiberg and his staff . That justment period: After scor- scrutiny will be further inten- ing a career-high 28 points on sifi ed when Kris Dunn and Friday, Carter had just six shots Bobby Portis return, which, and scored eight points on Sat- barring a setback, will happen urday. in the next few weeks. Still, Markkanen, who like- Hoiberg’s future has been ly will move into the start- an open topic since the eve of ing lineup as early as Tuesday training camp when manage- against the Pacers, sounded ment fi elded questions on how upbeat about what’s to come. the coach would be judged in “It’s going to be awesome,” order to make it to the fi nal he said. “We just need to get season of his fi ve-year deal. some run-in together. All I The widespread injuries that played was like two practices have contributed to a six-game in training camp. I think me losing streak – and 10 losses and Wendell complement each in 11 games – have challenged other really well. Him being the management to hold true to rim protector that he is, we can its vow not to judge Hoiberg by switch on defense. Off ensively, the won-lost record. he can pretty much do every- But with the team headed thing.” to full strength save for Den- Hoiberg doubled down on zel Valentine and his season- his commitment to playing ending left ankle surgery, Parker some at small forward. management will be watching This will drop Justin Holiday’s closely for more organised and minutes. effi cient off ense and better “He’s one of the more tal- player development. If those ented players on this roster,” Dallas Mavericks forward Harrison Barnes (No 40) and LA Clippers guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander fight for the loose ball during the second quarter at the American Airlines Center. don’t manifest themselves as Hoiberg said of Parker. “We PICTURE: USA TODAY Sports the team gets whole, an in-sea- have to get some lineups prac- son coaching change wouldn’t tising and used to each other.” Lakers were coasting to a relaxed 120-96 pable, and that trickles down to us,” said be a surprise. Parker has posted four dou- AFP RESULTS Los Angeles victory over the struggling Phoenix Suns. Pelicans point guard Tim Frazier. Hoiberg and the players are ble-doubles in his last seven Miami 102-100 Utah Kyle Kuzma led the Lakers with 23 It was a much-needed road win for the optimistic for progress. But games and scored at least 20 Pelicans, who improved to 12-12. points in fi ve of his last seven. Philadelphia 103-95 Memphis points. Superstar LeBron James added 22 they also know work remains. he short-handed Dallas Maver- while sitting out the entire fourth quarter DeMar DeRozan’s big game helped the “We have some times where He didn’t like being moved to icks denied the Los Angeles Clip- Dallas 114-110 Clippers of the comfortable victory. San Antonio Spurs bounce back from two it doesn’t look right. And we the bench during preseason, pers a fi fth straight NBA victory San Antonio 131-118 Portland The Suns led by as many as 17 in a fi rst embarrassing defeats with a 131-118 vic- have times where we look really a role he’ll have to embrace Sunday, dropping the Clippers Charlotte 109-119 New Orleans quarter in which James characterized the tory over the Portland Trail Blazers. good,” LaVine said. unless Hoiberg opts to start Tfrom fi rst place in the Western Conference Lakers’ play as “horrible”. After losing their last two games by a “We’ll get some dudes back Parker over Holiday at small with a 114-110 win. Lakers 120-96 Phoenix But Los Angeles had cut that defi cit combined 68 points, the Spurs respond- and really see what we’re forward. Harrison Barnes scored 30 points to blocked a shot by Tobias Harris and made to 10 points by the end of the period and ed with their highest point total in two lead the Mavericks, who were without star two free throws to seal the win. out-scored the Suns 40-15 in the second weeks. rookie Luka Doncic. “I thought it was one of the best com- to seize control. LaMarcus Aldridge added 29 points and But DeAndre Jordan, playing his fi rst petitive things I’ve seen in a long time,” “I think we’re just getting better every Rudy Gay chipped in 18 as the Spurs with- game against his former team, chipped Mavs coach Rick Carlisle said of Smith’s day,” three-time NBA champion James stood a 37-point performance form Port- in 16 points and 23 rebounds for Dallas, eff ort. “He got switched and blocked the said of the young Lakers team. “We know land’s Damian Lillard. who notched a fourth win in their last fi ve shot, got the rebound and made two free what’s winning basketball for us – that’s In Miami, Dwyane Wade drained two games even with Doncic sidelined by a throws – winning plays.” defending and sharing the ball.” free throws with 3.2 seconds remaining sore hip. It was a bruising contest. Smith lost to seal the Heat’s 102-100 victory over the The Clippers had taken the lead for just a tooth when Patrick Beverley’s elbow DAVIS DOMINANT Utah Jazz. the second time in the contest on Lou caught him in the mouth and the intensity Anthony Davis powered the New Orle- The 76ers notched a fourth straight vic- Williams’ three-pointer with 46.9 sec- ramped up from there. ans Pelicans to a 119-109 victory over tory, 103-95 over the Memphis Grizzlies onds remaining. Dallas forward Wesley Matthews was the Hornets in Charlotte, delivering 36 in Philadelphia. Barnes drove for a basket and missed whistled for a technical foul and Bever- points, 19 rebounds and eight assists. JJ Redick led the 76ers with 24 points. but Mavs forward Dorian Finney-Smith ley was ejected for throwing a ball at a fan Davis, who also came up with two steals Jimmy Butler delivered another dominant tipped in the rebound to put Dallas back as the Clippers fell to 15-7 and ceded fi rst and blocked two shots, set the tone early fourth-quarter performance, scoring 13 of Chicago Bulls forward Lauri Markkanen passes around Milwaukee on top. place in the West to Denver. with 17 points in the fi rst quarter. his 21 points in the fi nal period to keep the Bucks forward John Henson in the first half on January 28, 2018 at They led 112-110 when Dennis Smith Back in Los Angeles, meanwhile, the “When he plays like that, he’s unstop- Grizzlies at bay. the United Center in Chicago. PICTURE: Chicago Tribune/TNS

NHL Ducks rally to stun Capitals AVALANCHE’S VARLAMOV Reuters RESULTS Washington SHUTS OUT RED WINGS Anaheim 6-5 Washington Semyon Varlamov had 24 saves for his fi rst shutout of the season and Nathan MacKin- Winnipeg 4-3 Rangers ontus Aberg scored the tiebreaker non had a goal and an assist as the Colorado with 5:05 remaining and fi nished Calgary 3-2 Chicago Avalanche beat the host Detroit Red Wings with two goals and one assist as the San Jose 3-1 Montreal 2-0 on Sunday night. Gabe Landeskog also had a goal and an as- Anaheim Ducks rallied from a four- Colorado 2-0 Detroit goalP second period defi cit and stunned the sist, and Mikko Rantanen, the leading scorer host Washington Capitals 6-5 on Sunday af- Los Angeles 2-0 Carolina in the NHL, had assists on both goals for the ternoon. Avalanche, who have gone 9-0-2 since losing Aberg scored his second goal of the game goal for the Ducks at 9:24 before Washington fi ve in a row. after a pass from Ryan Getzlaf (one goal, two answered once more. Colorado’s top line accounted for all the assists). With Washington goalie Braden John Carlson blasted a shot from near the points, and the shutout is the fi rst this season Holtby pulled away from the net, Aberg blue line that Tom Wilson got his stick on to for the team. scored easily from the left side and complet- defl ect past Gibson. That goal came at 13:19, MacKinnon, who led the league in scor- ed the Ducks’ comeback from a 5-1 defi cit as made it 3-1, and ended Gibson’s day. ing in November and was named the NHL’s they scored the fi nal fi ve goals. The Capitals stretched the lead to 4-1 on second star for the month, kept up his strong The Ducks scored twice in the second pe- Evgeny Kuznetsov’s dazzling goal in the sec- play with his 19th goal of the season. He riod and added three more in the third and ond period. He was sprung by a quick pass struck six seconds after Jonathan Ericsson ended Washington’s seven-game winning from Brett Connolly near center ice, came in drew a holding minor. streak. alone, made a quick fake that moved Miller MacKinnon won the faceoff back to For the Ducks, Ryan Miller came on for and actually tucked the puck into the corner Landeskog, who fed Rantanen low. Rantanen starting goalie John Gibson after he gave up of the net while a stride or two past it at 4:59. quickly sent a pass to MacKinnon in the slot, three goals in the fi rst 13:19 and held Wash- Nic Dowd added a Washington goal later and his one-timer beat former teammate ington to two, earning the win. in the period before Andrew Cogliano and Jonathan Bernier at 4:54 of the second pe- Miller fi nished with 19 saves in the win. Rickard Rackell started Anaheim’s comeback riod. Nicklas Backstrom gave the Capitals a 1-0 with goals 55 seconds apart, and it was 5-3 af- Tyson Jost had a chance to give Colorado a lead when he scored in the opening minute. ter two periods. two-goal lead when he had a breakaway later Alex Ovechkin came in with Backstrom on a The Ducks then got power-play goals from in the second period, but the puck slid off his two-on-one rush and fed his line-mate, who Aberg and Hampus Lindholm less than two stick as he tried to backhand it past Bernier. easily put it away. minutes apart midway through the third pe- Bernier, who was Varlamov’s backup last Chandler Stephenson scored at 6:08 when riod, tying the game with 10:59 remaining. season, fi nished with 27 saves. his centering pass from the right side de- Both came as a result of boarding penalties to The game featured two teams that com- fl ected off an Anaheim player’s skate and past Dmitry Orlov of the Capitals. Aberg got the promised one of the most heated rivalries Pontus Aberg (left) of the Anaheim Ducks celebrates his game-winning goal with teammate Kiefer Sherwood Gibson. Getzlaf cut the lead to 2-1 with his game-winner later on. from 1996-2002. against the Washington Capitals during the third period in Washington. (Getty Images/AFP) Gulf Times Tuesday, December 4, 2018 5 SPORT

NFL SPOTLIGHT Brady ties Manning mark, hits 1,000-yard Rams grab NFC West rushing record

AFP and his history of kneel downs New York to run out the clock at the end of games has no doubt cost him chances to get to milestone uperstar New Eng- sooner. division crown, Pats land quarterback Tom ESPN Stats & Information Brady, the 1,000-yard reckoned that heading into rushing mark fi nally Sunday’s game Brady had lost achieved,S added to his pass- 160 rushing yards to kneel- ing plaudits as well on Sunday downs since 2006. with a record-equalling 579th Brady had spoken light- career touchdown pass. heartedly of late of chasing the Five-time Super Bowl win- 1,000-yard rushing mark, but roll and Packers fade ner Brady connected with Josh he downplayed the moment Gordon for a 24-yard TD late after the game. ‘That’s the first step. We’re happy, but we have to keep rolling’ in the third quarter of a 24-10 “I don’t want to make too victory over Minnesota to tie much of a four- or fi ve-yard Peyton Manning for the most gain. That wasn’t really a dif- touchdown passes in NFL his- ference in the game,” he said. tory, regular season and play- “I’m not going to save the ball. off s included. “Obviously, I’m not a scram- It was Brady’s 508th regular- bler. Hopefully I can make a season touchdown pass – tied couple of plays running for it. I for third on the career list with made a good third down (play) Brett Favre behind Manning’s on that one.” 539. The Patriots were having But that was just one of the none of that modesty on their milestones reached Sunday Twitter feed. by Brady, who fi nally amassed “HE DID IT” they crowed 1,000 rushing yards for his ca- in post after after Brady, un- reer. der pressure in the pocket on a Never known for his scram- third-down with three yards to bling abilities, Brady hit the go play, shot through an open- plateau on a fi ve-yard burst in ing to pick up a fi rst down. the fi rst quarter. Their next post, however, Brady, who has passed for noted that the previous high more than 69,000 yards in his for games needed for a quar- stellar career, needed 19 years terback to reach 1,000 rush- and 265 games to reach the ing yards was the 161 of former 1,000-yard rushing mark. Giants great YA Tittle – who The most he ever ran for in a in fact fi nished his career with season was 110 yards in 2002, just 999.

Los Angeles Rams running back Todd Gurley runs for a touchdown during the second-half against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field. PICTURE: USA TODAY Sports

Rams defender Aaron Donald helped over the Buff alo Bills and the AFC South- AFP RESULTS Los Angeles clinch the win when he forced a fumble leading Texans beat the Cleveland Browns from Lions quarterback Matthew Staff ord Denver 24-10 Cincinnati 29-13 for their ninth straight victory. in the fourth quarter. The Los Angeles Chargers rallied from he Los Angeles Rams became the Linebacker Samson Ebukan recovered Chicago 27-30 Giants a 27-3 defi cit to beat the Steelers 33-30 in fi rst team to move into the NFL the ball at the Detroit 24-yard-line and Carolina 17-24 Tampa Bay Pittsburgh. Michael Badgley kicked the playoff s on Sunday as the Green Gurley raced 13 yards for a touchdown Cleveland 13-29 Houston game-winning 29-yard fi eld goal with no Bay Packers fi red coach Mike Mc- three plays later to put the Rams up 23-13. time remaining. He actually made good on Rams 30-16 Detroit TCarthy in the wake of a shock loss to the The victory pushed the Rams to 11-1, his third try after the Steelers were twice Arizona Cardinals. moving them a step closer to home-fi eld Buff alo 17-21 Miami whistled for off -side – as he missed a 39- Week 13 brought another milestone day advantage in the NFC playoff s. They are Indianapolis 0-6 Jacksonville yard attempt and had a 34-yard eff ort for superstar New England Patriots quar- one game ahead of New Orleans for the Baltimore 26-16 Atlanta blocked. The Carolina Panthers’ playoff terback Tom Brady, who matched Peyton top seed in the conference after the Saints hopes took a hit with a 24-17 loss to the Manning’s all-time record for passing lost to the Dallas Cowboys in an upset on Arizona 20-17 Green Bay Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Panthers quar- touchdowns with his 579th in a 24-10 vic- Thursday. It’s the fi rst time since 1979 that Jets 22-26 Tennessee terback Cam Newton threw four inter- tory over the Minnesota Vikings. the Rams have won back-to-back division ceptions and veteran tight end Greg Olsen It was just one memorable mark on the titles. “That’s the fi rst step,” Donald said. in place of Hunt and scored on a fourth- said after the game he would miss the rest day for fi ve-time Super Bowl champion “We’re happy, but we have to keep rolling.” and-goal play from the one yard line in the of the season after reinjuring his right Brady, who also, fi nally, surpassed 1,000 The Kansas City Chiefs continued their third quarter. “The mindset of this team is foot.The situation got bleaker in Green rushing yards for his career in his 265th playoff push with a 40-33 victory over the whenever you get your opportunity, you Bay, too, as the 3-9 Cardinals stunned the NFL game. The Rams, coming off a big Oakland Raiders. Patrick Mahomes threw make the most of it,” Mahomes said. Packers, 20-17, at Lambeau Field. week, got off to a slow start in Detroit. four touchdown passes, joining Manning “I think every single game, someone Zane Gonzalez kicked a 44-yard fi eld Quarterback Jared Goff made just 17 of and Brady as the only quarterbacks to else steps up. We kept our mind on that goal with 1:41 remaining that stood as the 33 passes for 207 yards and an eight-yard reach the 40 touchdown mark through 12 and just playing football, a game we love.” game-winner when Green Bay’s Mason touchdown pass to Robert Woods late in games in a season. The Chiefs didn’t seem Despite their 10th victory of the sea- Crosby missed a 49-yarder as time ex- the fi rst half that broke a 3-3 tie. to miss star running back Kareem Hunt, son, the Chiefs were unable to punch their pired. Hours later, the Packers announced It was running back Todd Gurley who who was released on Friday after celebrity playoff ticket thanks to victories for the that McCarthy, who guided the team to put the Rams over the top, running for news site TMZ released video of a Febru- Miami Dolphins and Houston Texans. the Super Bowl crown in the 2010 season, New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady reacts after a 132 yards and two touchdowns and also ary incident that showed him shoving and The Dolphins kept their AFC post- had been fi red in his 13th season with the touchdown during the first quarter against the Minnesota Vikings catching three passes for 33 yards. kicking a woman. Spencer Ware started season hopes alive with a 21-17 victory club. at Gillette Stadium. PICTURE: USA TODAY Sports

MLB Dark days are ahead for rebuilding Mariners By Larry Stone made over the years. working right now for the Braves for Jake Arrieta, a washout with The Seattle Times But that’s where they are. And and possibly the Phillies. The the Orioles who became a Cy there’s salvation in squarely fac- jury is still out on the multitude Young Award winner. And it ing reality. of other teams who are going the would behoove the Mariners, wo things about the im- This is a potential path out of “tanking” route, to use the most obviously, to draft much better pending trade of Rob- the vast middle ground they have pejorative description (one that than they have, particularly with inson Cano and Edwin found themselves mired in. I’ve will never, ever escape Dipoto’s their top 10 picks. The Mariners’ Diaz to the Mets, on top gone over this before, but they lips). The ideal scenario will be to draft failures, more than any Tof all the other foundation-rip- are light years behind the Astros accelerate the rebuild, i.e., mini- single thing, are what got them ping moves the Mariners have in their own division, and the mise the misery, with the Brew- into this predicament. Incongru- made and the inevitable ones Red Sox/Yankees in the wild- ers as the role model. ously, they will be drafting 20th still to come: card race. So for the foreseeable It all depends, of course, on overall in 2019, uncommonly low 1. Dark, desolate times are future, their best-case scenario the prospects that are suddenly for a team in tear-down mode. ahead, no way to sugarcoat it. was the second wild card. fl ooding Seattle’s way, and how But that’s those 89 wins at work. The Mariners will be a lousy On top of that, the 2018 Mari- well, and how quickly, they de- They should be back in the top 10 baseball team in 2019 and 2020. ners were an 89-win team in velop. One need only to say the by 2020. Then we’ll take inventory and name only. Their path to that to- names “Jesus Montero” and The bulk of the team the Mari- see how the rebuild is going, but tal last year was so fl uky, and so “Justin Smoak” to understand ners put out on the fi eld this you can probably add on a cou- unsustainable, that I give Jerry the pitfalls that are lurking. But upcoming season will be of the ple crummy years on top of that. Dipoto credit for not clinging to now, at least, the Mariners will makeshift variety. The real dra- That’s if they’re lucky. the wishful delusion that they have star-quality (maybe even ma will be on the minor-league 2. This is nevertheless the were better than that. Anyone superstar) talent in what had level as the next wave of talent right way for the Mariners to go, with any baseball acumen could Seattle Mariners manager Scott Servais been a barren farm system. It starts down their path. weighing all the circumstances see the Mariners were headed for would serve them well to obtain Whether those players get to at play. a fall in 2019. Colome. They’re letting their pick names out of a hat to see not go all the way? By the time even more of it. the fi nish line with the full reali- Reconciling those two opin- So now Dipoto has started the best power hitter, designated who’s next to go: Jean Segura? the Mariners come out the other After that, it would help to sation of their potential is any- ions will be diffi cult, maybe im- process, with the fervent hope hitter Nelson Cruz, move on Mike Leake? Dee Gordon? Kyle side, Haniger will be in his 30s get a little lucky. The Astros one’s guess. The baseball land- possible, for Mariners fans, who that when it all gets rebuilt, they with minimal or no eff ort to re- Seager? and approaching free agency. wouldn’t have gotten where they scape – especially the Mariners’ have been beaten down by so will be in a far better place than sign him. Same with outfi elder Dipoto is doing what he has Once they have dealt Paxton and did without a 5-foot-5 infi elder landscape – is littered with failed many years of bitter disappoint- they would have been by mud- Denard Span. always resisted: Tearing it down Diaz, the Mariners in essence are they signed with little expecta- prospects. ment and management malfea- dling along, hoping for miracles. And now, once the deal is of- to the studs, to use his phrase. making the statement that no tion out of a Venezuelan tryout There are no guarantees, in sance. They’ve traded their ace fi cially announced, they’ll be Or, if Dipoto decides to hang on one is off limits. camp, Jose Altuve. other words. The whole en- And it’s important to note that pitcher, James Paxton. They’ve without their unparalleled re- to Mitch Haniger, their best and Will it work? It worked, to the He became the best player in deavor is fraught with danger. it’s the right way for the Mari- traded their defensive-whiz liever, Edwin Diaz, and their most marketable player remain- hilt, for the Astros and Cubs, the American League in 2017. The playoff drought will push, or ners to go only because of a tidal catcher, Mike Zunino, and one superstar second baseman, Rob- ing, tearing it down to the stud. who got a World Series crown The Cubs don’t get where they surpass, two decades. But it still wave of bad decisions they’ve of their shutdown relievers, Alex inson Cano. After that, you can At this point, though, why out of their tear-down. It’s did without an unnoticed trade beats the alternative. Gulf Times 6 Tuesday, December 4, 2018 FOOTBALL

LIGUE 1 Atletico's Costa to undergo foot operation in Brazil

Diego Costa will undergo an operation in Brazil this week to aid his recovery from a foot injury, Atletico Madrid said yesterday. The club would not estimate how long Costa might be out but said Neymar injury concern the striker had been feeling discomfort in his left foot for several weeks. “The player, who underwent surgery on the fifth metatarsal of his left foot twelve years ago, suff ers from discom- fort following a knock that occurred a few weeks ago.” Costa played 90 aft er Bordeaux end minutes against Girona on Sunday and helped Atletico rescue a 1-1 draw as his run prompted Jonas Ramalho to score a late own-goal. The 30-year-old has struggled for form in recent months. PSG’s fl awless run Sierra Leone disqualifi ed from African Nations Cup

Brazilian striker substituted 57 minutes into the hugely entertaining 2-2 draw Sierra Leone have been disqualified from the 2019 African Cup of Nations AFP qualifying competition, the Confedera- Paris tion of African Football (CAF) said. Foot- ball’s world governing body FIFA had suspended the Sierra Leone Football aris Saint-Germain are again Association (SLFA) in October due to sweating on Neymar’s fi tness “government interference”. after the superstar attacker CAF’s decision means Kenya and Ghana left the fi eld at Bordeaux on are assured of first and second place in PSunday clutching his groin before An- Sierra Leone’s Group F and have there- dreas Cornelius’ late header ended the fore booked their place in next year’s French champions perfect start to the finals. “Sierra Leone is disqualified from Ligue 1 season. Brazilian Neymar was the qualifiers and all its matches are an- substituted 57 minutes into the hugely nulled,” CAF said in a statement. entertaining 2-2 draw the Matmut Atlantique stadium, in which he had opened the scoring and had looked in UEFA to use VAR from great form before having to head to the CL knockout rounds dressing room with what looks to be an injury to the same adductor muscle Video Assistant Referees will be used that nearly stopped him from scoring in the Champions League from the the decisive goal in Wednesday’s huge knockout stages of this season’s compe- 2-1 win over Liverpool. tition and in the Nations League finals in “I don’t know at all (what his injury June, UEFA confirmed after a meeting is). We have to be careful, he said it was of the Executive Committee. European not a problem to play tonight but the football’s governing body had previous- pitch was hard and I hope he will be in ly stated its intention to introduce VAR good shape after Strasbourg,” said PSG only from the start of the 2019/2020 coach Thomas Tuchel, referring to season. VAR is already used in a number his side’s must-win fi nal Champions of Europe’s top leagues, including League group game at Red Star Bel- Spain’s La Liga, Germany’s Bundesliga grade in nine days’ time. and Serie A in Italy and was widely seen The Ligue 1 leaders, who had won all as a success at this summer’s World 14 of their league matches going into Cup. The Europa League final and the Sunday’s pulsating clash, had to wait under-21 European Championships in until the last minute to see if Neymar Italy in June will also use VAR. and strike partner Kylian Mbappe would be ready for the win over the Reds, who now face an uphill battle for Coach Lamouchi shown qualifi cation to the Champions League the door at Rennes last 16 thanks to Neymar’s fi rst-half winner last week. Rennes have eff ectively sacked their The pair twice put PSG in front on coach Sabri Lamouchi after he was sus- Sunday, but Jimmy Briand and Cor- pended in the wake of poor recent form, nelius ensured that Bordeaux became Bordeaux’s Andreas Cornelius (left) celebrates after scoring against Paris Saint-Germain in the Ligue 1 in Bordeaux, southwestern France on Sunday night. (AFP) the French Ligue 1 club announced. In a the fi rst French team to stop the runa- statement, Rennes said Lamouchi had way leaders this season. However the after a goalless draw at Reims. Rudi fi rst-time by number 10. fi rst-half stoppage time as the home crashing home what looked to be the been “suspended” and reserve team result is unlikely to slow down PSG’s Garcia’s side stay fi fth. Meanwhile His 11th league goal of the season side rocked under pressure. winner and almost immediately ask- coach Julian Stephan been put in tem- march to the title, as they still stand mid-table Toulouse drew 2-2 with took some time to be awarded how- However the hosts fought back ing to be substituted with an apparent porary charge of the first team. 14 points ahead of nearest challengers with fellow relegation rivals Dijon and ever, as the VAR dithered over whether again after the break, and they got muscle problem. The 47-year-old Lamouchi is unlikely Montpellier, who took advantage of Strasbourg routed Rennes 4-1. Mbappe was off side and interfer- their fi rst reward when Briand slot- Tuchel didn’t remove the 19-year- to return, meaning Sunday’s chasten- Lyon drawing 2-2 at Lille to sneak into Neymar’s opener for PSG came after ing with the play as he fl ashed a leg ted home a fi ne cross from the lively old however, and he was there to see ing 4-1 home defeat against Strasbourg second with a 2-1 win at Thierry Hen- a spell of concerted Bordeaux pressure at Neymar’s shot. That goal looked Yann Karamoah. Neymar was substi- Cornelius meet Maxime Poundje’s will be the last of his year-long spell in ry’s struggling Monaco on Saturday. and at the end of a superb exchange to have broken Bordeaux, and Angel tuted shortly afterwards and Bordeaux cross with such force that PSG keep- charge in Brittany. Rennes are currently PSG’s arch rivals Marseille failed to with countryman Dani Alves, who on Di Maria, who had fl uff ed a golden smelled blood, but Mbappe turned the er Alphonse Areola couldn’t stop his 14th in Ligue 1, four points clear of the make the most of their fellow Cham- his fi rst start of the season fl ashed in a chance laid on for him by Neymar ear- match in PSG’s favour, latching on to header from crossing the line and end- relegation zone before tomorrow’s trip pions League chasers dropping points powerful cross that was crashed home lier in the half, then struck the post in Julian Draxler’s through ball before ing PSG’s 100% start. to Lyon.

LA LIGA Sevilla surrender lead to Barca aft er Alaves draw

Reuters Yedder’s 78th minute equaliser, as the Earlier, Ousmane Dembele took with 13 years training in Barca’s acad- Vitoria-Gastiez, Spain Frenchman nipped in behind the de- another step on the road to redemp- emy, is likely to enjoy many more cel- fence to turn in Pablo Sarabia’s cross. tion as Barcelona eased past Villarreal. ebrations in front of the club’s fans but It meant Alaves, who beat European Dembele, dropped last month by coach for Dembele, the sense was time had evilla slipped off the top of La champions Real Madrid 1-0 at their Ernesto Valverde, was making his sec- been running out. Liga on Sunday night as they Mendizorrotza stadium earlier in the ond consecutive start and repaid the Valverde’s patience with the 21-year- could only draw 1-1 at Alaves, campaign, and Atletico Madrid remain faith by teeing up Gerard Pique’s open- old appeared to be wearing thin when whose comfortable protection the only teams yet to lose at home in ing goal in a comfortable 2-0 win at the he was dropped against Real Betis three ofS their unbeaten home record allowed the league this season. The Basque side Camp Nou. weeks ago but a late equaliser against champions Barcelona to climb back to resisted Sevilla’s attempts to grab a Carles Alena, the 20-year-old Span- Atletico earned a reprieve, and this was the league’s summit. Alaves’ winger late winner with some ease and almost iard also regarded as a star of the future, another lively performance. Jony slammed the ball into the roof of won themselves when Darko Brasanac came off the bench to add a late flour- “He played a great game and was one the net from close range to give them headed against the post and keeper To- ish, chipping in his fi rst La Liga goal and of our outstanding players,” Valverde the lead in the 37th minute, despite mas Vaclik nearly pushed the ball over Barca’s second after a defence-splitting said. “He has so many assets — pen- protests from Sevilla that Jonathan the line before fi nally grabbing hold. pass from Lionel Messi. “Alena has etration, dribbling, shooting, speed, Calleri was in an off side position when Sevilla slid down to second place earned his step up to the fi rst team,” confi dence, daring. Let’s hope it con- he provided the cross for the goal. in the standings on 27 points after Valverde said. Villarreal stayed 17th, tinues like this.” Home goalkeeper Fernando Pacheco 14 games, one behind leaders Barca. with the pressure mounting on coach Heartening too for Valverde will have made a fi ne save to prevent Franco Atletico Madrid are third on 25, while Javier Calleja, who has overseen only been the clean sheet, Barcelona’s fi rst Vazquez equalising soon after the Alaves are fourth with 24, one point one league win since September. in the league since the second game of Sevilla’s Andre Silva (left) shoots past Alaves’ Pina during the La Liga match at the break but could not stop Wissam Ben above fi fth-placed Real Madrid. Alena, a dainty attacking midfi elder the season back in August. Mendizorroza stadium in Vitoria, Spain on Sunday night. (AFP)

QNB STARS LEAGUE FOCUS Salal’s Rhaili out for the Maradona’s Mexican club fall short in fi nal AFP the hosts equalised. That second Dora- season with cruciate San Luis Potosí, Mexico dos goal, in particular, elicited a euphoric celebration from El Diego, who used a walkie-talkie throughout the match to ligament injury iego Maradona’s new club, Do- give orders to his assistant coach, Luis rados, fell just short of winning Islas, on the sideline. But San Luis tied it mm Salal defender Adil the Mexican second-division up again nine minutes later on a Dorados Rhaili has been ruled fi nal and a shot at promotion on own goal, and then drove home two more out for the rest of the Sunday,D abruptly ending the Cinderella of their own — the latter in extra time, season with a cruciate story of the Argentine legend’s latest for- courtesy of Argentine Leandro Torres — Uligament injury. The Moroccan ay into coaching. to claim the match and the series. damaged his knee during their Dorados, from the western state of Maradona’s arrival has fuelled unprec- goalless draw against Al Ahli in Sinaloa, lost their second-leg fi nal to edented interest in the Mexican second Week 14 of the QNB Stars League Atletico San Luis, who pulled off a 4-2 division. A plethora of Maradona scarves, last Friday. victory in extra time at home to win the jerseys and other merchandise was on It will take at least six months title series 4-3 on aggregate. Maradona Mexican second division club Dorados’ coach Diego Maradona reacts during the final off er outside the stadium ahead of the for him to be back in action fol- raised eyebrows when it was announced against Atletico San Luis in San Luis Potosi, Mexico, on Sunday. (AFP) match. Ecstatic Dorados fans had trav- lowing the surgery and rehabili- in September he was taking the managing elled more than 12 hours by car for the tation programme. Rhaili is one job at struggling Dorados, who were then cartels than football. being sent off near the end of Dorados’s match. This would have been the fi rst of the standout defenders in the in 13th place in their 15-team league. But he answered his critics with an em- fi rst-leg victory for launching a tirade coaching championship for Maradona, QNB Stars League. Umm Salal, eighth in the QNB Sceptics questioned what interest the phatic series of wins, improbably coach- against the offi cials when he thought his whose managerial career has lacked the He has been a key member of Stars League table with 17 points, 1986 World Cup champion from Argen- ing the team to the championship and team should have been awarded a penalty. sparkle of his playing days. His previous the Umm Salal squad ever since will host Al Arabi in Week 15 at tina, who has publicly battled drug ad- within spitting distance of promotion to His club opened the scoring in the cen- coaching jobs included teams ranging he joined The Orange Fortress at the Al Gharafa Stadium on 8th diction and alcoholism, could have in the fi rst division. Maradona, 58, had to tral city of San Luis Potosi, and claimed from the Argentine national side to clubs the beginning of last season. December. moving to a place better known for drug watch the match from the stands, after the lead again in the 57th minute after in his home country and the Middle East. Gulf Times Tuesday, December 4, 2018 7 FOOTBALL

PREMIER LEAGUE Small is beautiful for Arsenal as Torreira fi ts in perfectly A decade after Gilberto left the Emirates, Arsenal look to have at last found a defensive midfielder of similar stature in the powerful pocket-sized Uruguayan

By Jonathan Wilson out on top. The Guardian But Torreira had a huge role in help- ing him to do that, adept playing just in front of the back four as part of the 3-4- o it turns out what Arsenal had 2-1, allowing Granit Xhaka to operate as been missing all this time has a more creative player alongside him, been an energetic deep-lying and just as eff ective pushing higher af- midfi elder. Who knew? It was ter the switch – which was, of course, entirelyS fi tting that it should be Lucas what allowed him to make the run into Torreira who rounded off their 4-2 vic- the box that brought the fourth goal. tory in the north London derby against His impact on the side has been ex- Tottenham on Sunday; he had been the traordinary. In the 965 minutes he has key player in the game, not just for what played, Arsenal have scored 28 and he did with the ball, and without it, but conceded 11. In the 295 he has not, they because of what he embodies. have scored four and conceded nine. In the days of the debilitating nice- Arsenal are yet to lose a game Torreira ness, Arsenal would probably not have has started. come back from conceding two goals He’s not just a ball-winner, though: in quick succession just after the half- his pass completion rate is at almost hour. Late-period Arsene Wenger 90%. In that sense, although he devel- would have bemoaned his luck, made oped at Institución Atlética 18 de Julio arch comments about the disputed (whose badge he wears tattooed on his penalty, and everybody would have calf) rather than a national academy, wondered just how Arsenal could end Torreira represents Oscar Tabarez’s up losing so disappointingly having ideal of the new Uruguayan player. started so well. Tabarez, who has eff ectively run Nor, you suspect, would Wenger Uruguayan football since 2006, spent have made the decisive tactical switch much of the summer telling anybody Unai Emery did after 71 minutes, bring- who would listen that when his country ing Matteo Guendouzi on for Shkodran beat Brazil to win the 1950 World Cup Mustafi and changing from 3-4-2-1 to they committed only 11 fouls. This, he 4-3-3 to combat Tottenham’s switch insisted, was proof that Uruguay’s his- from 4-3-3 to 3-4-2-1 a few minutes torical style was tough but not brutal, earlier. Tottenham had started the that it was possible to be committed game with a midfi eld diamond before without being dirty. Lucas Torreira celebrates after scoring the final goal, and his first for Arsenal, in Sunday’s 4-2 north London derby win over Spurs. (AFP) adjusting their shape at half-time as He has worked over the past 12 years it became apparent that the narrow- to re-establish technical ability rather Torreira, perhaps, is the song with shop for his family you wonder if it’s him look like a Lilliputian surprising icant perhaps is the proof that, at last, ness of their midfi eld was merely not than aggression as the defi ning feature which Arsenal fans salute him. Al- too late to change that line to “He likes Gulliver by thrusting an arm across his they have solved the problem at the overwhelming the lesser numbers of a of a Uruguayan midfi elder, which is though in repackaging an old favourite a corned-beef pie”). chest and whipping the ball off his toes. back of midfi eld. The answer was not Torreira-fuelled Arsenal in the centre, why the national team is now staff ed about Patrick Vieira, his role in the team He is, though, undeniably short Sunday felt like a major moment for Mikel Arteta, or Francis Coquelin, or but was opening the fl anks to the home not by the likes of Egidio Arevalo Rios is acknowledged, the line “he’s only fi ve for a Premier League player. A pho- Arsenal, a day on which they fl irted Mohamed Elneny, or Granit Xhaka, but full-backs, Sead Kolasinac in particu- and Diego Perez but by Rodrigo Bent- foot fi ve”. (Given Torreira comes from tograph from the fi rst half on Sunday with carelessness and rejected it, in it looks as though it may be Torreira. A lar. This was a game of big, bold tacti- ancur, Matias Vecino and Torreira. Fray Bentos, fabled for its meat packing that showed him challenging Dele Alli, which their manager came out on top in decade after Gilberto Silva left the club, cal changes and it was Emery who came The most disappointing thing about plant, and last year bought a butcher’s thanks to a trick of perspective, made a major tactical battle. But most signif- he has at last been replaced.

SERIE A FOCUS Roma and Inter share spoils in thriller Hughes sacked by Southampton AFP AFP Milan London

oma battled back for a 2-2 draw ark Hughes has which denied Inter Milan second been sacked as man- place in Serie A on Sunday night in ager of Southamp- a Stadio Olimpico thriller between ton after just eight twoR sides looking to impress after losing in Mmonths in charge, the struggling Europe during the week. Premier League club announced Keita Balde Diao gave Inter the half-time yesterday, despite an improved lead amid Roma fury at having a penalty ap- performance in a 2-2 draw with peal denied, but the side from the capital Manchester United. powered back with a Cendiz Under scorcher The Welshman, 55, took over after the break. Aleksandar Kolarov slotted at St Mary’s in March and guided in a penalty to seal a point for the Romans them to Premier League survival to cancel out Inter captain Mauro Icardi’s as well as an FA Cup semi-fi nal header. but was unable to inspire a bet- Inter — who lost to Tottenham Hotspur in ter campaign this season. Former the Champions League midweek — remain RB Leipzig boss Ralph Hasen- third, level on 29 points with second-placed huettl is reportedly the front- Napoli who were playing Atalanta last night. runner to replace Hughes — the Champions Juventus opened up an 11-point new boss will be Southampton’s lead on Napoli with a 3-0 win at Fiorentina fourth permanent manager in 18 on Saturday at one stage, are 18th will happen before the weekend, on Saturday with Cristiano Ronaldo scor- months. “We would like to ex- in the Premier League, just one Davis said: “To me it does indi- ing from the spot to bag his 10th goal in 14 press our thanks to Mark and his point ahead of bottom club Ful- cate that. But whether that hap- games. staff for all of their eff orts dur- ham. pens or not will be up to the guys “It was a very entertaining match for all ing their time at St Mary’s,” the They have won just one of upstairs. I’m taking the team up watching and I think a valuable point for club said in a statement. “The their 14 Premier League matches until Wednesday and we’ll see both teams,” said Inter coach Luciano Spal- search for a new manager to take this season under Hughes, suf- after that.” letti. “It shows we are on the right track.” the club forward is already under fering seven defeats. The former The former Saints goalkeeper Roma — who advanced to the Champions way. First team assistant coach Manchester United, Barcelona revealed his pride at taking tem- League knockout rounds despite losing to Kelvin Davis will lead the team and Chelsea forward signed for porary charge of the club but Real Madrid — have only won one of their for tomorrow’s Premier League Southampton as a player towards said he would not look beyond last six league matches and are down in sev- game against Tottenham Hot- the end of an illustrious career. tomorrow’s match. “The oppor- enth place. Eusebio Di Francesco’s side were spur at Wembley.” During his subsequent coach- tunity I’ve got now is to take the furious they were denied a penalty call after Assistant fi rst team manager ing career he has managed Wales lads for a couple of days’ training Danilo D’Ambrosio tripped Nicolò Zaniolo Mark Bowen and assistant fi rst as well as Blackburn, Manchester and to prepare for the Tottenham before Keita broke through after 37 minutes. team coach Eddie Niedzwiecki City and Stoke. Asked if being game,” said Davis. “After that is D’Ambrosio then set up Senegalese wing- have also left the club. South- given control only up until to- after that. I don’t think it would er Keita to blast in a volley from close range. ampton, who were 2-0 up against morrow’s Tottenham trip sug- be wise to even consider any- “It’s shameful,” said AS Roma legend Franc- Jose Mourinho’s United at home gests a permanent appointment thing after that.” esco Totti. “I want to know, and we all do, how those in the VAR booth didn’t see that foul. We all saw it on a far smaller screen.” Turkish winger Under pulled Roma level AS Roma’s Aleksandar Kolarov (left) and Inter Milan’s Matteo Politano go for a header Croatia court drops false testimony charges against Modric six minutes after the break rifl ing in from during the Serie A match at Stadio Olimpico in Rome on Sunday night. (Reuters) distance to stun Samir Handanovic in the Zagreb: Real Madrid’s Luka state attorney and confirmed $16.5mn the club was paid when Inter goal. Icardi rose to head in a corner on along with suspended Argentine forward Napoli 0-0 last weekend. Chievo captain Modric, FIFA’s footballer of the the first-instance decision that Modric moved to Tottenham 66 minutes before Kolarov slotted in a pen- Gonzalo Higuain. Sergio Pellissier, 39, opened for the hosts af- year, will not face charges of there was not a suff icient level Hotspur in 2008. Despite his alty on 73 awarded after Marcelo Brozovic’s Roberto Inglese nodded in his fourth goal ter 25 minutes, as Lazio were unable to turn giving false testimony in the of evidence to raise an indict- conviction, Mamic is at large arm touched the ball. this season for Parma from a corner fi ve their domination into goals. criminal trial of his former boss ment,” the court’s spokesman and living in Bosnia. Prosecutors The match ended in drama with former minutes after the break but Milan pulled Italy forward Immobile fi nally broke at Dinamo Zagreb, who was Kresimir Devcic told reporters. accused Modric of giving false Roma boss Spalletti banished from the side- one back six minutes later thanks to Cu- through after 66 minutes for his ninth goal convicted in June of evading Modric testified last year testimony at the trial about the lines for dissent to cheers from the Stadio trone volleying home. Kessie slotted in Mi- of the season following a one-two with Ar- tax and siphoning transfer fees at the trial of a tax off icial and dates when he signed annexes Olimpico crowd. lan’s second from the spot on 71 minutes gentine Joaquin Correa. Immobile rattled from the club. A Croatian ap- three former senior off icials to his professional contracts Inter are now four points ahead of city after Alessandro Bastoni was deemed after the bar ten minutes later but Simone Inza- peals court rejected a request from Dinamo Zagreb, includ- which covered transfer fees. rivals AC Milan who moved fourth after consultation with VAR to have handled the ghi’s side were unable to to fi nd the three by prosecutors to have charges ing its former chief executive In September Croatia’s state Patrick Cutrone and Franck Kessie sealed ball. Parma drop to ninth and are now fi ve points and drop to fi fth. reinstated against the Croatian Zdravko Mamic. In June, Mamic attorney also charged another a 2-1 comeback win over promoted Parma. points behind AC Milan who occupy the fi - Earlier Torino — with coach Walter Maz- international midfielder that was sentenced to six-and-a-half Croatia international, Liverpool Lazio dropped to fi fth a point back after be- nal Champions League berth. zarri back on the bench after a health scare had been thrown out by a lower years jail for siphoning millions defender Dejan Lovren, with the ing held 1-1 at bottom club Chievo. In Verona, Ciro Immobile grabbed a point — rallied past 10-man Genoa 2-1 to move court. “The (Zagreb county) of dollars in transfer fees from same off ence as Modric. That It was a hard-fought victory for Milan for Lazio against a Chievo side still looking sixth. Sassuolo dropped out of the European court rejected the appeal by the the club, including part of the case is still pending. who have a number of injured players out for their fi rst win of the season, but who held places following a goalless draw at Udinese.

Tuesday, December 4, 2018 GULF TIMES FOOTBALL

NATIONS LEAGUE Aguero gives Man City injury scare

London: Pep Guardiola said England’s Southgate he was warned by club doc- tors that top scorer Sergio Aguero could be ruled out until January if he aggravated a muscle injury. The Argen- tina international missed Saturday’s 3-1 win over warns of Koeman’s Bournemouth and is doubtful to face Watford and Chelsea this week. “The doctors told me (on Friday) Sergio cannot play,” Guardiola said. “If he plays, maybe it’s four or five weeks Dutch revolution off . In that situation, this month, with a lot of games, he was not safe.” The draw in Dublin also produced a meeting of host nation Portugal and Switzerland in the last four City’s all-time top scorer appears unlikely to make AFP the trip to Vicarage Road on Dublin Tuesday or Stamford Bridge on Saturday. “Right now, I’m not quite sure,” Guardiola said ngland manager Gareth South- when asked about the avail- gate lauded Ronald Koeman ability of Aguero, who has for his transformation of the eight Premier League goals Netherlands’ fortunes after the this season. “I speak with the twoE nations were paired together in the doctors every day, they make semi-fi nals of the inaugural Nations a report and a briefing,” he League yesterday. added. “They say ‘ready’ or The draw in Dublin also produced ‘not ready’ and we decide.” a meeting of host nation Portugal and Gabriel Jesus started Switzerland in the last four for the against Bournemouth in right to reach the fi nal. The third-place Aguero’s absence but was playoff and fi nal will take place on June unable to add to his single 9, with the latter game being staged in league goal so far this season Porto. All four sides qualifi ed for UEFA’s for the Premier League pace- new competition — designed to replace setters. Aguero’s form has meaningless friendly matches with limited the Brazilian’s playing competitive internationals — by win- time recently but the 21-year- ning their three-team groups in the top old said he was ready to con- tier of the Nations League. tribute if needed following his As England were reaching the semi- own injury concerns, which fi nals of the World Cup in July, the saw him miss last week’s Dutch had to watch from afar after fail- Champions League win over ing to qualify for a second major tour- Lyon. nament in a row. “I’ve been training really England won a friendly 1-0 in Koe- hard, maybe that’s why I felt man’s fi rst match in charge in Amster- something in my groin last dam in March, but in his fi rst com- week,” Jesus said. “Unfortu- petitive campaign, the Netherlands nately I was out of the Cham- beat both world champions France and pions League match that I Germany to a place in the last four of really wanted to play. I always the Nations League. “We play a team in make it clear for Pep that I’m Holland at a similar stage to us, devel- here to help the team regard- oping, exciting young players and I can less of how. Obviously that I see the impact Ronald has already made want to play more minutes, with that team,” said Southgate, whose but I respect who is playing at side will face the Dutch in the northern the moment.” Portuguese city of Guimaraes on June 6. Koeman believes his side’s return to form in recent months has restored the pride of Dutch fans in their national England manager Gareth Southgate (right) and his Netherlands counterpart Ronald Koeman address a press conference in Dublin yesterday. (AFP) team after a lean few years. “It was dif- fi cult the time when we started with the we have a lot of players in the Premier the top. The Netherlands also needed a tioned if Cristiano Ronaldo would re- European champions Portugal were players. We had two big tournaments we League,” said Koeman. “The way Gareth late show to edge out world champions turn to his side having missed all four unbeaten in four games against Poland didn’t qualify for. The best compliment is managing the English team is how we France by scoring twice in the fi nal fi ve Nations League fi xtures to date. With and Italy to secure their place and the for the players is again the people in like (in the Netherlands). He’s giving minutes in a 2-2 draw away to Germany. the Champions League fi nal just four honour of hosting the tournament. Holland are proud of the national team.” opportunities to young players.” The 50,000-capacity Estadio do Dra- days before Portugal’s semi-fi nal, San- Switzerland shocked Belgium by The former Everton manager was just as However, there could be disappoint- gao in Porto will host Portugal’s meet- tos hinted that could hinder his prepa- bouncing back from 2-0 down to beat complimentary about Southgate’s im- ment for some travelling fans as the ing with Switzerland on June 5 and the ration and aff ect any decision on Ron- the number one ranked side in the world pact on the Three Lions and in particu- Dom Afonso Henriques stadium in Gui- fi nal. “We are hosting this in our coun- aldo’s participation. 5-2 last month to make the last four. lar his willingness to fi eld young play- maraes holds just 30,000 with England try, with our people, and that brings ex- “These fi nal games will be decided Vladimir Petkovic’s side also beat Por- ers, something which has traditionally and the Dutch both expected to bring tra responsibility,” said Portugal coach by the players and it is very close to the tugal in World Cup qualifying two years characterised Dutch football. a strong support. England came from Fernando Santos. “We have the dream Champions League and Europa League ago and he is hopeful of pulling off an- “We know it’s always a battle be- behind to late on to beat Croatia 2-1 at of getting to the fi nal and winning the fi nals. It will have an infl uence on the other upset. “You go to these tourna- tween England and Holland. We have a Wembley last month and leap from bot- trophy.” Nations League and may infl uence our ments to win them,” said Petkovic. “We lot of respect for the English team and tom of a group also including Spain to Santos, though, was coy when ques- preparation.” are ready to make a surprise in June.”

SPOTLIGHT PREMIER LEAGUE Spurs fan arrested aft er banana Pep urges Sterling to do even better AFP skin thrown onto Arsenal pitch Manchester, United Kingdom

AFP said: “I’ve played against Spurs and I’ve taken a lot London of abuse from Spurs but never ever has it been ra- ep Guardiola challenged in-form cial. Now Spurs have to deal with this because some Manchester City forward Raheem idiot has done that. It’s not only embarrassed Spurs Sterling yesterday to improve his football fan has been arrested after a ba- but it has embarrassed the Premier League because game even further, despite his spar- nana skin was thrown onto the pitch at it has gone around the world.” klingP form for club and country. Sterling the Emirates Stadium as Arsenal forward Gabon forward Aubameyang opened the scoring has recently been rewarded with a new fi ve- Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang celebrated on Sunday with his 10th-minute spot-kick and, af- year contract, worth a reported £300,000 scoringA a penalty in front of Tottenham fans. ter Tottenham had replied through Eric Dier and a ($382,000) a week, by the Premier League The Gunners won a memorable match 4-2 on Harry Kane penalty, then equalised early in the sec- leaders and is currently enjoying the best Sunday and London’s Metropolitan Police after- ond half. Alexandre Lacazette put the hosts 3-2 up form of his career. wards confi rmed that seven arrests had been made. before Lucas Torreira added Arsenal’s fourth. The He is the Premier League’s joint-leading Press Association reported that one of those ar- unrest was not restricted to the stands as the two English scorer, his eight goals matching rests came after a banana skin was hurled from sets of players had to be separated following Dier’s Harry Kane’s tally after the weekend games, the away end as Aubameyang celebrated scoring equaliser on a feisty afternoon in north London. and is joined by two others on top of the as- in front of the Tottenham fans. “Behaviour such as The England midfi elder celebrated by putting his sists table. But Guardiola says his star can- this is completely unacceptable and the supporter fi nger to his lips, with Arsenal substitute Stephan not rest on his laurels and warned Premier in question will be issued with a ban,” a Totten- Lichtsteiner reacting angrily to the gesture and ref- League rivals that there is far more to come ham spokesman said. There were also six arrests eree Mike Dean showing Dier a yellow card. Both from the 23-year-old. for public order off ences — at least two of which clubs were charged by the Football Association yes- “He can do better,” said the City boss. are believed to be Arsenal supporters who lit smoke terday with failing to ensure their players conduct- “We are so delighted with what he’s done in canisters during the match. Former Arsenal and ed themselves in an orderly fashion over the melee three years but he can do better. He can be England forward Ian Wright, speaking as a pundit, that followed Dier’s goal. more consistent, his fi rst touches, recep- tions, many things. Defi nitely — I’ve said many times we are delighted but he can do better.” Guardiola, speaking ahead of his side’s Manchester City’s Raheem Sterling (right) has recently been rewarded with a new five-year trip to Watford today, leapt to the defence contract, worth a reported £300,000 a week, by the Premier League leaders. (AFP) of Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp, who has faced criticism for his celebrations after his nouncement that European governing body helped by it and it will be good.” team’s late victory over Everton on Sunday. UEFA will introduce VAR for the knockout Sergio Aguero and Alexander Zinchenko The German was charged by FA for stages of the Champions League this season. face late fi tness tests before City travel to sprinting onto the pitch but Guardiola, who City felt decisions went against them in last Watford. was similarly criticised for his response to season’s quarter-fi nal defeat to Liverpool, Kevin De Bruyne is not yet ready to return a late win against Southampton last sea- especially when Leroy Sane had a goal ruled to the fi rst team. son, can understand his actions. “I did it, out in the tie at the Etihad. against Southampton,” said the City man- “I welcome the news, I’m delighted with PREMIER LEAGUE FIXTURES ager. “There’s a lot of emotions in those mo- it,” said the City manager. “The Premier Today: AFC Bournemouth vs Huddersfield ments. I know when I did it I was not happy League is the last one (to adopt VAR) and to have done it. sooner or later it will happen. This season, Town; Brighton & Hove Albion vs Crystal Pal- “So I can understand (Everton manager) our second goal against Shakhtar was a ri- ace; West Ham United vs Cardiff City (all 19:45 Marco Silva, (then Southampton manager) diculous penalty. It’s so we don’t have to talk GMT) Watford vs Manchester City (20:00) Mauricio Pellegrino when it happens. But about it or to talk about last season versus Tomorrow: Burnley vs Liverpool; Fulham sometimes it is what it is and it’s an emo- Liverpool. vs Leicester; Wolverhampton Wanderers vs tional game, everything happens in your “Now with VAR, we are looking to make Chelsea; Everton vs Newcastle United (all mind. I talk from my side, you have to be re- better football, better decisions. Most of 19:45) Manchester United vs Arsenal (2000); A banana skin was thrown on to the pitch after Arsenal’s Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang celebrated scoring spectful of the others.” the time, not always, the ref will do a good Tottenham Hotspur vs Southampton (2000) his side’s first goal against Tottenham on Sunday. (AFP) Guardiola has also welcomed the an- job. Everyone makes mistakes and they’ll be