MMOTORSPORTOTORSPORT | Page 4 BOXING | Page 7 Al-Mohannadi Joshua knocks claims Baja out Pulev to set title as season up likely Fury concludes fi ght

Monday, December 14, 2020 FOOTBALL Rabia II 29, 1442 AH Late Negrao penalty GULF TIMES puts Ulsan in Asian CLeague fi nal SPORT Page 2 FOCUS Doha has excellent chance to win Asian Games bid: Mansour Qatari athletics legend Talal Mansour is confident that Doha can successfully host the Asian Games for the second time

oha is well-prepared to host the Asian Games in 2030, Qatari sprint great Talal Mansour has said.D Mansour, who ruled the sprints in Asia in the ’80s and early ’90s, said that such is the level of Do- ha’s capabilities that it can host an Asian Games “even next year”. “Qatar enjoys a high level of preparedness, we can host an event of this magnitude event next year,” Mansour, the winner of four gold medals at the Asian Games in Seoul (1986), Beijing (1990) and Hiroshima (1994) said in Muscat yesterday. The Doha 2030 Ambassador added that he aspires to see his son as one of the gold medal win- ners at the 2030 Asian Games, when he will be 22 years old. Qatari athletics legend Talal Mansour. His son is currently training at Aspire Academy as a youth ath- lete and is considered a potential future champion. “I believe Doha has an excel- lent chance to win the Asian Games bid,” Mansour added three days ahead of the decision on the venue, which will be an- nounced at the Olympic Council of Asia’s General Assembly on Wednesday. A high profi le Qatari delega- tion comprising sports admin- istrators and former and current Qatar Olympic Committee President and Doha 2030 Asian Games Bid Committee Chairman HE Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad al-Thani with other athletes are in Muscat as part of off icials ahead of the Olympic Council of Asia General Assembly meeting in Muscat. the Doha 2030 Bid Committee’s fi nal preparations to present its dent of the Syrian Athletics Fed- away when an Arab country will case to the OCA on Wednesday. eration and expressed his happi- host the Olympics. Meanwhile, Major General ness to see the Qatari star again “Experience gained at the Mowafaq Juma, Honorary Presi- for the Doha 2030 bid. Asian level will benefi t Arab ath- dent of the Syrian Olympic Com- “Sporting events like these are letes whenever an Arab country mittee and a member of the Olym- very important for Arab youth gets to host the Olympics,” he pic Council of Asia, said that Qatar as they will contribute to their added. Major General Jibril Rajoub, Chairman of the Supreme Council for hosted the Asian Games in 2006 skills,” he said. Major General Jibril Rajoub, Youth and Sports of Palestine. and this is one of the most promi- Suhail Khoury, a member of Chairman of the Supreme Coun- nent strengths of Doha’s bid. the Executive Committee of the cil for Youth and Sports of Pales- He added that the developed Olympic Council of Asia, point- tine, said that the State of Qatar infrastructure in Qatar and the ed out that the chances of Doha is a successful model in host- increase of sports facilities are all winning the 2030 bid are good ing pioneering global sporting strong factors which contribute because Qatar hosted the 2006 events. to the possibility of Doha win- Doha hosting the most promi- The honorary president of edition with great distinction. Rajoub wished that there ning the right to host the Asian nent Asian event in Doha as it will the Syrian Olympic Commit- “Qatar’s experience doubles should be an initiative by the Games. make it easier for athletes and the tee pointed out that he met the the possibility of Doha win- Olympic Council of Asia to find Major General Muwafaq add- public to move around and enjoy Qatari star and competitor Ta- ning the 2030 bid edition also,” a consensus suitable for hosting ed: “The geography of Qatar watching all sports with ease and lal Mansour at the 2006 Asian Khoury said. the Asian event by the two cit- greatly enhances the chances of convenience.” Games when he was then presi- He added that the day is not far ies.

Aspire Zone

Major General Mowafaq Juma, Honorary President of the Syrian Olympic Committee and a member of the Olympic Council of Asia.

Suhail Khoury, a member of the Executive Committee of the Olympic Council of Asia. Gulf Times 2 Monday, December 14, 2020 FOOTBALL

SPOTLIGHT Sadd ease past Gharafa to extend lead to seven points By Sports Reporter sham who produced a perfect dive to that sailed past the Arabi goalpost in Doha defl ect the ball away. what was their fi rst serious attempt Sadd doubled their lead when Muf- at goal. Edmilson curled in a power- tah brought down Guilherme Torres ful left-footed drive that was smartly l Sadd warmed-up for the resulting in a long-range free-kick. pouched by Al Arabi keeper Sataa al- Amir Cup fi nal in style, with a Cazorla curled in a free-kick that sailed Abbasi in the 15th minute as both teams clinical 4-1 win over Al Ghara- above the Gharafa wall and dipped on traded attacks regularly. fa in the QNB Stars League at the goalkeeper before bouncing. Al Duhail then opened the scoring. theA Al Duhail Stadium yesterday. It was In the 74th minute, Hanni despite Rodrigues, in the centre of the pitch a critical match for Sadd against the under pressure from defender Ab- near the Al Arabi box, found Edmil- second-placed Gharafa, but the league delkarim Hassan, found Koo with a son with a short pass. Al Arabi’s Fahad leaders put on a ruthless display as they neat cross and slipped in the ball from Shnein gave a hot chase but Edmislon, extended their lead to seven points. touching distance of the goalline. Koo after slipping into the box, fl icked the Boualem Khoukhi (fi fth minute), charged into the Sadd box and fi red ball to the right of the goalkeeper from Santi Cazorla (63rd minute), Akram Afi f home with a powerful shot. close range. (84th minute) and Baghdad Bounedjah Ten minutes later, Afi f produced a With Al Duhail seeking momentum (90th minute) scored the goals for deft left-footed fl ick from an acute an- to their attacks, coach Sabri Lamouchi Sadd, who have 25 points follow- gle into the top of the net for his fi fth benched Mohammed Muntari, who ing their eighth victory. Koo Ja-Cheol goal of the season. Bounedjah added received a yellow card in injury time scored in the 76th minute for Gharafa, Al Sadd’s fourth goal in the last minute of the fi rst half, and brought in striker who remained on 18 points after their from close range. Almoez Ali. The Al Duhail duo of Luiz third defeat. Martin and Dudu were also benched. In just the second minute of the EDMILSON BRACE POWERS After a few tame exchanges, Edmil- fast-paced clash, Sadd captain Has- DUHAIL TO VICTORY son curled in a long-range shot in the san al-Haydos, darting down the right Meanwhile, a brace from Edmilson 66th minute, but his shot slipped past fl ank, delivered a near-perfect cross for Junior secured defending champions Al the post without causing damage to Al Baghdad Bounedjah, but Gharafa de- Duhail a 2-0 win over Al Arabi at home. Arabi. fender Tamim al-Muhaza kept his nose Edmilson scored in the 32nd and 78th The Red Knights sealed their com- ahead of the feared Algerian striker to minutes as Duhail won for the fi fth time manding show with another strike head the ball for a corner. this eason and are fi fth on 15 points. Al from Edmilson who fi red a bullet from In the fourth minute, Gharafa’s Arabi remained on six points after their the edge of the box after a short pass Homam Elamin brought down al-Hay- fi fth defeat. from Almoez stationed around 20 yards dous close to his own box with a reck- After a cagey start, Arabi’s Abdulla away. Edmilson stopped the ball, made less tackle that saw the Qatar national al-Marafi provided a bit of fl air when he a quick assessment of the angle and team skipper writhing in pain. Khoukhi attempted a bicycle kick from the edge then fi red a shot to the right of al-Ab- did not disappoint with the resultant of the box, but his spectacular shot was basi, who dived full length. free-kick, sending the ball into the net Al Sadd players celebrate after Baghdad Bounedjah (third right) scored against Al Gharafa in the QNB Stars League. punched by keeper Mohamed al-Bakri Qatar Sports Club, meanwhile, beat with a slick shot that sailed into the top in the sixth minute. Al Sailiya 3-1 to stay fourth. Anthony right of net with Gharafa keeper Salah fashion. On the half-hour mark, Tarek goalpost. Two minutes later, Gharafa referee sought the assistance VAR and Two minutes later, Duhail’s Eduardo Okpotu (11th and 15th minutes) and Hassan unable to stop the ball. Salman of Sadd, after making his way wasted a golden opportunity to score then pointed to the spot kick. Gharafa’s Rodrigues (Dudu) dribbled past Ibra- Youcef Belaili scored for Qatar SC, It was Khoukhi’s fi rst goal of the into the Gharafa box, picked up a de- off a penalty kick. Salman brought Algerian midfi elder Sofi ane Hanni de- him Kalla and charged into the Arabi while Kara Mbodji netted once for season and it came off in a spectacular fl ected ball and fi red a shot that hit the down Yousef Muftah of Gharafa. The cided to go left of keeper Meshaal Bar- box. The Brazilian fi red a powerful shot Sailiya, who are seventh with 11 points.

ASIAN CHAMPIONS LEAGUE SERIE A Juventus grind Negrao penalty out win at Genoa Reuters win in the newly-named Stadio Genoa, Italy Diego Armando Maradona, beat- ing Sampdoria 2-1 to move third behind Inter Milan, who fought ristiano Ronaldo con- back to see off Cagliari 3-1. verted two late penalties Napoli needed to come from on his 100th appearance behind in the stadium renamed puts Ulsan in fi nal for Juventus in all com- a week ago following the death Cpetitions as the Serie A titlehold- of club legend Maradona last ers ground out a 3-1 win away to month. Maradona led the club The South Korean side will take on Iran’s Persepolis in the final on December 19 a dogged Genoa side yesterday. to their only league titles in 1987 Ronaldo, who also converted and 1990 and the UEFA Cup in AFP two penalties in the 3-0 win at 1989. Doha Barcelona on Tuesday, struck in Inter Milan bounced back after the 78th and 89th minutes, tak- their Champions League exit, re- ing his tally to 10 in the league claiming second place and mov- unior Negrao struck from the this season — as many as the ing two points behind leaders AC penalty spot in the 119th minute entire Genoa team — and 14 all Milan, who were hosting Parma as South Korea’s Ulsan Hyundai competitions. late last night. Motors reached the fi nal of the Juve, chasing a 10th succes- Antonio Conte’s Inter were AsianJ Champions League with an action- sive Serie A title, are fourth with trailing with a quarter of an hour packed 2-1 win over Japan’s Vissel Kobe 23 points from 11 games and are to go in Sardinia, after Ricca- yesterday. still unbeaten, although they rdo Sottil put the hosts ahead Hotaru Yamaguchi’s 52nd minute goal have drawn fi ve times. Genoa, before the break and a series of for Vissel Kobe was cancelled out by Yoon who narrowly escaped the drop fi ne saves from home goalkeeper -Bit-garam’s 81st minute strike before last season, are one off the bot- Alessio Cragno. Former Cagliari the match went into extra-time at the Al tom with six points. It took Juve player Nicolo Barella volleyed Sadd Sports Club. But after more fran- 57 minutes to break through in the equaliser after 77 minutes tic action during which both teams were when Weston McKennie fl icked with Danilo D’Ambrosio coming unlucky to miss several chances, Negrao the ball to Paulo Dybala and the off the bench to immediately nod won a penalty for Ulsan when he was Argentine beat Mattia Perin with in a second with six minutes to fouled by Vissel Kobe goalkeeper Daiya Ulsan’s Junior Negrao celebrates a shot inside the near post for his go. Romelu Lukaku added a third Maekawa one minute from time. after scoring a penalty during the AFC fi rst league goal of the season. deep into injury time as Inter re- The Brazilian stepped up to score with Champions League semi-final against Genoa replied out of the blue turned to second spot. a low strike to Maekawa’s right as Vis- Vissel Kobe at the Jassim Bin four minutes later, Stefano sel Kobe’s injured captain Andres Iniesta Hamad Stadium in Doha. (AFP) Sturaro sidefooting past Wo- SERIE A RESULTS jciech Szczesny from Luca Pel- watched dejectedly from the stands. Ul- Cagliari 1 (Sottil 42) Inter Milan san Hyundai, who won the title in 2012 legrini’s cross to score against his 3 (Barella 77, D’Ambrosio 84, for the fi rst time, will now clash with old club. With 12 minutes left, Iranian giants Persepolis in the fi nal on Juan Cuadrado was sent sprawl- Lukaku 90+4); Atalanta 3 (Gos- December 19. ing by a clumsy Nicolo Rovella ens 44, Malinovskiy 55, Toloi 63) Both teams were cautious in the fi rst tackle and Ronaldo fi red his Fiorentina 0; Napoli 2 (Lozano 53, half but still created chances with Ulsan spot kick into the middle of the Petagna 68) Sampdoria 1 (Jankto making the better opportunities. Kim In- goal. Perin then upended Alvaro 20); Bologna 1 (Christante 24-og) sung inexplicably missed a sitter in the Morata after Genoa gave the ball Roma 5 (Poli 5-og, Dzeko 10, 29th minute for the South Korean giants, away in defence and Ronaldo Pellegrini 15, Veretout 35, Mkhi- shooting wide from close in a one-on- duly blasted the ball into the roof taryan 44); Genoa 1 (Sturaro 61) one situation with Maekawa, and Ne- of the net. Juventus 3 (Dybala 57, Cristiano grao fi red the ball into the side-netting Earlier, Napoli got their fi rst Ronaldo 78-pen, 89-pen) three minutes before the break. But Vis- sel Kobe came out strongly and forced disallowed by VAR in the 75th minute af- in the winning goal for Ulsan. “Before the fused to blame Iniesta’s absence for his Ulsan on the back foot immediately by ter it was ruled that a foul was committed game we knew it was going to be tough team’s defeat after reaching the semi- breaking the deadlock seven minute after during the build-up. but my players gave everything on the fi nals during their fi rst appearance in the resumption. With the Ulsan players fall- Ulsan got the equaliser soon after with pitch,” said Ulsan Hyundai Motors coach competition. “In football there are no ifs ing back and crowding the goal, Takuya Yoon Bit-garam fi ring home from just Kim Do-hoon. He said his team will try and buts. Maybe he could have made a Yasui slipped in a low pass from a corner outside the box, the ball taking a slight to recover from the hectic schedule dur- diff erence but I am proud of the players,” and Yamaguchi blasted home with a fi rst- defl ection off Bjorn Johnsen. The goal ing the six-day interval before the fi nal said Miura, a former midfi elder who was time shot to put Vissel Kobe ahead. was initially disallowed for off side but against Persepolis on Saturday. a member of Japan’s Asian Cup winning Despite missing Barcelona legend Ini- VAR ruled in Ulsan’s favour once again. “We will recover and analyse what we teams in 2000 and 2004. esta’s experience and creative genius in Desperation grew for both sides in have done well so far. The players have “I am disappointed because this is not midfi eld, Vissel Kobe more than held extra-time as chances were spurned but really done well despite being tired with the result we wanted but at the same time their own against an Ulsan side high on with seconds remaining before the inevi- games every three days. Now we just I am happy with the performance. We confi dence following a seven-match table shootout, Maekawa got into a rather want to win the last game and return to achieved a historical result by reaching winning streak. But luck was against unnecessary tangle with Negrao forcing Korea with the title.” the semis during our fi rst participation Genoa’s goalkeeper Mattia Perin (left) fouls Juventus’ Alvaro Morata them as they had a goal by Daiju Sasaki the referee to point to the spot resulting Vissel Kobe coach Atsuhiro Miura re- but we have to move forward.” during the Italian Serie A match in Genoa yesterday. (AFP)

BOTTOMLINE Fonte scores winner as Lille replace Paris Saint-Germain at top of Ligue 1 lead on 16 minutes at the Stade Pierre- champions PSG next Sunday in what winners in fi ve of their past six. Lyon, end following a disastrous Champions 77) Metz 2 (Bronn 34-pen, Nguette 69); AFP Lille 2 (Bamba 16, Fonte 44) Bordeaux Paris Mauroy before Toma Basic levelled could be a defi ning week in terms of a who have won at the Parc des Princes League campaign. from a Hatem Ben Arfa corner. competitive title race this season. since 2007, will hope PSG are feeling 1 (Basic 28) Portugal defender Fonte, who turns “We did our job. We’ll go home and the eff ects of completing their mid- LIGUE 1 RESULTS Played Saturday: Marseille 2 (Thauvin ose Fonte’s bullet header sent 37 later this month, powered in a header watch the other match (PSG v Lyon),” week Champions League match against Nice 0 Rennes 1 (Niang 28); Brest 2 5, Benedetto 13) Monaco 1 (Ben Yedder Lille top of Ligue 1 following a at a Bamba corner at the end of the fi rst said Fonte. “We’ll keep going game Istanbul Basaksehir 24 hours later than (Honorat 29, Mounie 76) Reims 1 (Zene- 79-pen); Lens 2 (Omlin 35-og, Kakuta 2-1 home win over Bordeaux, al- half to move Lille a point clear of PSG after game and give everything,” the planned. 49-pen) Montpellier 3 (Mavididi 15, though Paris Saint-Germain can and two above Marseille who have two coach added Marseille reeled off their sixth suc- li 64); Lorient 3 (Boisgard 1, Hamel Mendes 25, Laborde 68) reclaimJ fi rst place as they were hosting games in hand. Just three points separate the top fi ve cessive victory on Saturday night by 28-pen, Wissa 89) Nimes 0; Nantes 1 Lyon late last night. Jonathan Bamba’s Lille travel to bottom side Dijon in clubs in Ligue 1, with in-form Lyon un- beating Monaco 2-1 after their Eu- (Simon 23-pen) Dijon 1 (Konate 53); Played Friday: Saint-Etienne 0 exquisite curling strike gave Lille the midweek before the visit of defending beaten in 10 matches and Montpellier ropean adventure came to an abrupt Strasbourg 2 (Simakan 65, Thomasson Angers 0 Gulf Times Monday, December 14, 2020 3 FOOTBALL

PREMIER LEAGUE LA LIGA Sociedad retake Liverpool, Spurs top spot despite Eibar draw AFP zema denied by a fi ne save from Madrid Jan Oblak moments earlier. Atletico, who also made the miss chance to Champions League knockout eal Sociedad moved round in midweek, struggled to back to the top of La make any impression and star Liga yesterday despite striker Luis Suarez was an anon- only managing a 1-1 ymous fi gure up front. Real went homeR draw with Eibar in San 2-0 up after 63 minutes with Sebastian. The Basque club are Kroos again the provider. level with Atletico Madrid on 26 His pass eventually fell for extend lead points after the capital club fell Dani Carvajal who unleashed to a 2-0 defeat to local rivals Real a 30-metre drive which hit the Madrid on Saturday evening. post but was diverted into the net Liverpool need a Salah penalty to avoid an embarrassing defeat at Fulham Ander Barrenetxea gave the by the helpless Oblak. The ‘keep- hosts the lead with a thumping er was credited with an own-goal AFP strike in the 20th minute, but for his troubles. It was only the London Sergi Enrich turned home with fourth goal conceded by the usu- 25 minutes remaining to send his ally water-tight Atletico defence team eighth on 15 points. Socie- in 11 league games this season. iverpool and Tottenham remain dad would have had a bigger gap It was a night of frustration tied at the top of the Premier between them and Atletico had with Simeone’s men manag- League after both were surpris- Igor Zubeldia’s 80th-minute ing just one shot on target. “We ingly held to 1-1 draws at Fulham tap-in not been ruled out by VAR didn’t have the courage to at- Land Crystal Palace respectively yesterday. for an extremely tight off side. tack, now we have to work and The top two face each other at An- Yesterday’s draw was Socie- improve. They were better. They fi eld on Wednesday and, after Chelsea, dad’s sixth is as many games in were forceful, precise, and when Manchester City and Manchester United all competitions, and came af- they had their chance, they put failed to win on Saturday, they missed the ter another 1-1 draw at Napoli them away,” said the Argentine. chance to open up a gap at the top in the on Thursday which saw them “We can have a bad game, we title race. Liverpool needed a Mohamed squeeze into the last 32 of the can. That hurts, yes it hurts.” Salah penalty 11 minutes from time to Europa League. Atletico how- Egos too were hurting. Portu- avoid an embarrassing defeat at Fulham ever have two games in hand on guese star Joao Felix showed his after a dreadful fi rst-half performance Sociedad while Real Madrid, who displeasure at being replaced by from the English champions left Jurgen are now just three points behind Saul on the hour. Suarez allowed Klopp seething on the touchline. the leaders, have played one less. himself an ironic smile when “We needed half an hour to get our feet Villarreal are four points off he too was benched in favour of in the game, that’s why I shouted a bit at the lead in fourth after drawing Geoff rey Kondogbia in the 73rd them,” said Klopp. “The fi rst 30 minutes 1-1 at Real Betis, who move up minute. “Joao Felix, if he plays, was just not good, we could have lost the to seventh on 16 points. Barce- he wants to contribute more, he game in that period. We didn’t because lona meanwhile were playing late wants to fi nish the 90 minutes,” the next 60 were really good.” night yesterday against Levante said Simeone. “But I can’t ex- Bobby DeCordova-Reid’s thunderous in 10th place, just three points plain his behaviour.” fi nish into the far corner to take the lead above their opponents who are in In stark contrast, Zidane could was no more than Scott Parker’s side de- the relegation zone. Ronald Koe- be especially pleased for Casem- served as the returning Alisson Becker man’s troubled side have three iro who had returned from Cov- kept Liverpool in the game before the games in hand on Sociedad but id-19 quarantine while Carvajal break. Fulham were also controversially are coming into their match at had recovered from a right leg not awarded a penalty when referee An- the Camp Nou off a humiliating injury. It was a night to remem- dre Marriner stood by his initial decision 3-0 home defeat to Juventus in ber also for captain Sergio Ramos after reviewing Fabinho’s challenge on the Champions League. who was playing in a Madrid der- Ivan Cavaleiro. by for the 43rd time, Liverpool dominated the second-half REAL MADRID TAKE to pin Fulham back, but needed a spot- DERBY HONOURS LA LIGA RESULTS kick themselves to salvage a point when On Saturday, Real Madrid Real Sociedad 1 (Barrenetxea 20) Aboubakar Kamara was penalised for reignited their La Liga title push Eibar 1 (Enrich 65); Real Betis 1 handling Georginio Wijnaldum’s free- beating leaders Atletico 2-0 as (Ruibal 51) Villarreal 1 (Pau Torres kick. Salah slammed the penalty low and their city rivals suff ered a first just beyond the grasp of Alphonse Areola, league defeat of the season. It 5) but Fulham comfortably saw out the fi nal Fulham’s Bobby Decordova-Reid scores against Liverpool in the Premier League in London yesterday. (AFP) was a disappointing night for Played Saturday: Valencia 10 minutes to the delight of 2,000 fans at Diego Simeone’s side who had 2 (Soler 26-pen, Vallejo 83) Craven Cottage. rebound. “We lost two points. If I look to Adams netted against his former club. were hosting Burnley at the Emirates late boasted a 26-match unbeaten Athletic Bilbao 2 (Villalibre 55, Despite the limited numbers, there the last 10 minutes of the game, yes, if I Stuart Armstrong’s defl ected eff ort last night looking to end a run of four run in the league, stretching Garcia pen-79); Getafe 0 Sevilla is pattern across the last two weekends look at the fi rst 45 minutes, yes, but from doubled the Saints’ advantage before league games without a win. back to February. That was a run 1 (Etxeita 81-og); Huesca 1 (On- that the return of supporters is providing 45 to 75 minutes we couldn’t play or build Nathan Redmond wrapped up their fi fth which consisted of 17 wins and tiveros 66) Alaves 0; Real Madrid a boost to the home side. “They played a from the back and we made lots of mis- victory in the last seven games. “I don’t PREMIER LEAGUE RESULTS nine draws. Real had been the 2 (Casemiro 15, Oblak 63-og) takes,” said Spurs coach Jose Mourinho. see any reason why we shouldn’t con- big part,” said Parker. Crystal Palace 1 (Schlupp 81) Tottenham last team to beat Atletico in the Atletico Madrid 0 Palace could also count on the return Guaita then redeemed himself with a tinue what we’re doing at this moment,” league. Zinedine Zidane’s team 1 (Kane 23); Southampton 3 (Adams 34, of fans to Selhurst Park for the fi rst time pair of outstanding saves as Spurs sud- said Hassenhuttl. “We know every game were in front after 15 minutes Friday: Valladolid 3 (Weissman 7, Armstrong 62, Redmond 83) Sheff ield in nine months to inspire a second-half denly found their attacking thrust again is tough but as long as I see the guys are when Casemiro headed home 76, Orellana 56-pen) Osasuna 2 fi ghtback against Tottenham. Harry Kane after the equaliser. The Spanish ‘keeper hungry, the mentality has changed com- United 0; Fulham 1 (De Cordova-Reid 25) a corner from Toni Kroos. That (Budimir 27, Torres 43) opened the scoring thanks to a goalkeep- got down low to his left to deny Kane pletely at this club. There’s no reason, for Liverpool 1 (Salah 79-pen) was reward for Real’s early pres- Today: Celta Vigo v Cadiz ing howler from Vicente Guaita as he a second before Eric Dier’s brilliant me, why we shouldn’t keep playing like Played Saturday: Manchester United 0 sure which had seen Karim Ben- (2000) misjudged the England captain’s long- stoppage-time free-kick was somehow this.” Manchester City 0; Newcastle 2 (Almiron range eff ort. clawed behind by Guaita. Bottom of the table United remain 1, Gayle 82) West Brom 1 (Furlong 50); Spurs then sat on their lead and failed Southampton are now just two points without a win this season, having lost 11 Wolves 0 Aston Villa 1 (El Ghazi 90-pen); to hold out for a sixth consecutive Pre- off the top after they climbed into third of their 12 games to leave them starring Everton 1 (Sigurdsson 22-pen) Chelsea 0 mier League clean sheet when Hugo with a comfortable 3-0 win over strug- relegation in the face. Leicester can move Played Friday: Leeds 1 (Klich 6-pen) Lloris failed to hold Eberechi Eze’s free- gling Sheffi eld United yesterday. Ralph to within a point of the leaders when they West Ham 2 (Soucek 25, Ogbonna 80) kick and Jeff rey Schlupp swept home the Hasenhuttl’s side took the lead when Che host Brighton later on Sunday. Arsenal

DORTMUND SACK MANAGER FAVRE AFTER DEFEAT TO STUTTGART Berlin: Bundesliga club Borussia Dort- in danger, and we have to take action,” the squad’s heaviest home defeat since final whistle on Saturday mund said yesterday they have fired said Dortmund sporting director Michael being humbled 5-1 at home to Bayern Favre, 63, left Ligue 1 side OGC Nice head coach Lucien Favre, a day after Zorc. A defiant Favre said that he was Munich in 2009. Dortmund have taken for Dortmund in 2018, having previously the team suff ered their heaviest home disappointed by the decision. “I think it’s just a point in their two league games managed fellow Bundesliga clubs Hertha defeat in over a decade. a great shame that we are parting ways,” since star striker Erling Braut Haaland Berlin and Borussia Moenchengladbach. Swiss coach Favre is to be replaced the sacked Swiss was quoted as saying was ruled out until January with a hip The club confirmed that Favre’s as- by his assistant-coach Edin Terzic after by Bild newspaper. “We had two very injury. sistant Edin Terzic would take the reins Dortmund crashed 5-1 to VfB Stuttgart successful years and have a team which Their home form has been particu- “until the end of the season”, beginning leaving them fifth in the league five would also have had a successful season larly poor in recent weeks, with defeat with Dortmund’s trip to Werder Bremen points behind leaders Bayern Munich. this year. I am still convinced of that,” he to Stuttgart the third loss in a row at tomorrow. Terzic, 38, previously worked “It is very diff icult for us to take this step, added. the Signal-Iduna-Park. Favre’s fate was in Dortmund’s youth system and was but we believe that the current negative Yet Favre himself had also branded “a decided during a crisis meeting of club part of Croatian coach Slaven Bilic’s staff Real Sociedad’s Ander Barrenetxea (centre) vies for the ball with development has put our season goals disaster” Saturday’s showing, which was bosses at the stadium directly after the at both Besiktas and West Ham United. Eibar’s Martin Merquelanz (left) and Pape Diop during the La Liga match in San Sebastian, Spain, yesterday. (AFP)

BUNDESLIGA Bailey fi res Bayern Leverkusen top as late goal denies winless Schalke Reuters booking in the 65th. A stoppage time penalty a neck brace. Schalke later confi rmed that the Bayer Leverkusen’s Leon Bailey Leverkusen, Germany from Lucas Alario sealed their seventh win in 29-year-old was “stable and responsive” and celebrates after scoring against the last eight games and they leapfrogged Bay- on his way to hospital, but both sets of players Hoff enheim in the Bundesliga ern Munich into fi rst place on 25 points. were left visibly shocked by the incident. yesterday. (Reuters) amaican Leon Bailey scored twice to Bayern, who stumbled to a 1-1 draw at Un- steer unbeaten Bayer Leverkusen to a ion Berlin on Saturday are one point behind, BUNDESLIGA RESULTS 4-1 victory over Hoff enheim yesterday level with RB Leipizg, winners 2-0 over Werder Augsburg 2 (Serdar 32-og, Richter 90+3) and take over the lead in the Bundesliga Bremen on Saturday. Schalke 2 (Raman 52, Boujellab 61); Bayer forJ the fi rst time in six years. Bailey fi rst struck Earlier, Bundesliga crisis club Schalke saw Leverkusen 4 (Bailey 4, 27, Wirtz 55, Alario after four minutes, thundering in a shot from their winless run extended to 27 games after outside the box and from a tight angle past Augsburg forward Marco Richter snatched a 90+1) Hoff enheim 1 (Baumgartner 50) keeper Oliver Baumann. stoppage-time equaliser in a 2-2 draw over- Played Saturday: Borussia Dortmund 1 (Rey- The 23-year-old winger then intercepted an shadowed by a serious injury to Mark Uth. na 39) VfB Stuttgart 5 (Wamangituka 27-pen, inexplicable 30-metre back pass from Andrej Richter’s late header crowned a heartbreak- 53, Foerster 60, Coulibaly 63, Gonzalez 90+1); Kramaric to beat the keeper again. Leverkusen, ing evening for Schalke, who remain on course RB Leipzig 2 (Sabitzer 26-pen, Olmo 41) Wer- who were missing half a dozen players to in- to equal Tasmania Berlin’s notorious, 54-year- der Bremen 0; Borussia Moenchengladbach jury and Covid-19, were caught napping when old Bundesliga record of 31 games without a 1 (Embolo 70) Hertha Berlin 1 (Guendouzi 47); Christoph Baumgartner was left unmarked to win. Schalke’s misery was compounded by Freiburg 2 (Grifo 79-pen, Jeong 90+2) Arminia charged forward and curl in a shot to cut the concerns for Uth, who was stretchered from Bielefeld 0; Mainz 05 0 Cologne 1 (Rexhbecaj defi cit in the 50th. the fi eld unconscious after a clash of heads 55); Union Berlin 1 (Proemel 4) Bayern Munich Leverkusen’s 17-year-old Florian Wirtz, with Augsburg defender Felix Uduokhai in the 1 (Lewandowski 67) however, restored their two-goal lead fi ve min- 10th minute. The striker was treated on-fi eld utes later with a solo eff ort before Hoff enheim’s for around 15 minutes before being carried Played Friday: VfL Wolfsburg 2 (Weghorst 76- Florian Grillitsch was sent off with a second from the pitch attached to a drip and wearing pen, 88) Eintracht Frankfurt 1 (Dost 63-pen) Gulf Times 4 Monday, December 14, 2020 SPORT

SPOTLIGHT Al-Mohannadi claims Baja title as QMMF successfully concludes 2020 season QMMF conducted all its championships for the season including the QSTK, QTCC, Qatar National Sprint and Baja

RESULTS AND STANDINGS FIFTH ROUND RESULT (Cars) : 1. al-Kuwari 72; 3. Mohamed al-Meer 50; Khalid al-Mohannadi/Kirill Shubin 4. Ahmed al-Mohannadi 37; 5. Ahmed (Polaris) Total time: 2:21:2.4 seconds; Allouh 33; 6. Abdullah al-Rabban 18 2. Abdullah al-Rabban/Nasser al- Co Drivers: 1. Manuel Lucchese 60 Kuwari (Jeep) 2:51:09.5; 3. Ahmed points; 2. Egor Okhotnikov 40; 3. Kirill al-Mohannadi/Mubarak al-Khelaifi Shubin 25; 4. Tamer al-Hijazeen 23; (Canam) 3:06:35.5; 4. Ahmed al- 5. Mubarak al-Khelaifi 23; 6. Nasser Kuwari/ Manuel Lucchese (Yamaha al-Kuwari 18 YXZ 1000R) 3:19:30.8; 5. Mohamed al-Meer/Egor Okhotnikov (Chevrolet FIFTH ROUND RESULTS (Bikes): Buggy) 3:25:35.1; 6. Ahmed Allouh/ 1. Martin Chalmers (Yamaha) Total Tamer al-Hijazeen (Canam) 3:53:04.4 time: 3:15:59.0 seconds; 2. Michael Overall Results: Drivers: 1. Khalid Anderson (Husqvarna) 3:18:48.2; 3. al-Mohannadi 97 points; 2. Ahmed William Magnat (KTM) 3:38:05:3

Overall podium winners pose after the fifth and final round of the Qatar National Baja at Sealine on Saturday.

By Sports Reporter ships including the Qatar Superstock events as we were battling with COV- Ahmed al-Kuwari, who fi nished Doha Championship (QSTK), the Qatar Tour- ID-19 situation, but the QMMF man- fourth in the fi nal round in the Jeep, ing Car Championship (QTCC), the Qa- aged to complete all national champi- fi nished second overall with 72 points. Khalid al-Mohannadi finished with 97 points to win the overall title. tar National Sprint and the Qatar Na- onships – the QSTK, QTCC and Qatar Al-Kuwari and his co-driver Manuel n a tremendous accomplishment, tional Baja. In September, the QMMF National Baja and the Qatar National Lucchese walked away with QR60,000. a total time of 3:15:59.0 seconds. In Off -Road Championship, said al-Ha- the Qatar Motor and Motorcycle also tied up with race bikes team Ten Kate Sprint Championship,” he added. Mohammed al-Meer had a disappoint- second was Michael Anderson (Husq- mad. Explaining the reason behind the Federation (QMMF) on Saturday Racing for new Ten Kate YZF R-6 bikes ing fi nal round, fi nishing fi fth with co- varna), while William Magnat (KTM) move, al-Hamad said: “The champi- concluded a successful completion for Qatar Superstock competition. AL-MOHANNADI TRIUMPHS driver Egor Okhotnikov, but that was finished third. Riders were not eli- onship will be a mix of Endurance and Iof all their earmarked national motor- Speaking of the accomplishment, Meanwhile on Saturday, Khalid al-Mo- enough for a overall third place with 50 gible for overall points as only two Baja. The fi rst round is going to be En- sport events of 2020 with the conclu- QMMF Executive Director Amro al- hannadi emerged as the Qatar National points. rounds were held this season, with a durance and the last round is going to sion of the Qatar National Baja cham- Hamad, said: “Saturday marked the Baja champion after winning the fi fth In the fi fth round, Abdullah al- minimum three required to constitute be Baja. The points for Endurance and pionship. conclusion of the QMMF conducting all and fi nal round at the Sealine. Rabban and Nasser al-Kuwari fi nished a championship. Baja will be accumulated for the fi nal In what has had been a very chal- national competitions for 2020 calen- Driving a Polaris, al-Mohannadi second clocking 2:51:09.5 seconds, but championship round. lenging year following the coronavirus dar. There were so many delays because clocked a total time of 2:21:02.4 sec- were well behind winner al-Mohannadi BAJA REBRANDED AS QATAR “The sixth and fi nal round will be an pandemic which in a way ‘threw span- of the Covid-19 situation and we had to onds with Russian co-driver Kirill and Shubin. In third were Ahmed al- OFF-ROAD CHAMPIONSHIP extended week of competition which ner in the works’ for motorsport around reschedule or even postpone events but Shubin. It was the second successive Mohannadi and Mubarak al-Khelaifi , In another forward-going step, the will be held over two days. It will be the globe, the QMMF ensured the re- in the end we managed to do it. win for al-Mohannadi and his third who timed 3:06:35.4 seconds. QMMF has decided to make the Qatar longer Baja than usual. And it’s going turn of competitions, after the forced “We did really well. And it is worth overall, which fetched him a total In the bikes category, Martin National Baja more competitive with to be the double points. This will keep it break, in October. mentioning that a lot of federations points of 97 and earned him QR 80,000 Chalmers riding a Yamaha emerged the new version of which will be re- interesting for all the participants until QMMF conducted all its champion- around the world decided to cancel in prize money. triumphant in the fifth round with vealed from the 2021 season as Qatar the last round,” he added.

CRICKET FOCUS Holder’s rearguard action keeps West Indies alive Burns fails as Australia’s AFP Indies second innings was already waver- selection woes mount Wellington ing at 73 for two by lunch with Boult ac- West Indies’ captain Reuters available due to a groin injury counting for Kraigg Brathwaite (24) and Jason Holder plays a Sydney while opener Will Pucovski has Darren Bravo (4). Campbell and Shamarh shot in Wellington also been ruled out of the pink- est Indies captain Jason Brooks put on 89 for the third wicket but yesterday. (AFP) ball contest in Adelaide due to Holder held off a venomous just as they looked comfortable the West oe Burns’ poor run at the concussion. The selectors would New Zealand attack as the Indies lost their way losing three wickets top of the order continued have hoped to see some sort of tourists survived to be 244 for three runs. yesterday when he fell for form from Burns in his fi nal op- Wfor six at stumps yesterday on day three Neil Wagner accounted for Brooks one in a warmup match portunity before the opening of the second Test in Wellington. They (36) and Kyle Jamieson removed Roston againstJ India A, leaving hosts test, but the right-hander was require a further 85 runs with four wick- Chase for this second duck of the match Australia with a selection head- trapped leg before wicket to a ets remaining to make New Zealand bat and bowled Campbell for 68 and the West ache ahead of Thursday’s fi rst straight delivery from India fast again and avoid a second innings defeat. Indies went to tea at 158 for fi ve. Despite a Test at Adelaide. bowler Mohammed Shami. Against a four-pronged pace attack, chilly breeze, more than 4,700 spectators Burns has now managed 62 Marcus Harris, who was called rated by the West Indies as “one of the fi lled the grass banks at the Basin Reserve runs in his last nine innings, and into Australia’s Test squad as best” in the world and who continued to waiting for New Zealand to mop up the his 21-ball stay at the wicket for cover for Warner and Pucovski, get bounce and movement off the pitch, tail. But the only wicket to fall in the fi nal Australia A on the fi nal day of managed to score fi ve before be- the tourists lost seven wickets in the fi rst session was that of Jermaine Blackwood, the contest at the Sydney Cricket coming Shami’s second victim. two sessions but only one after tea as bowled by Boult for 20 before the stub- Ground did little to boost his Australia A recovered from the Holder launched into the bowling. born resistance of Holder and da Silva confi dence ahead of a four-Test early loss of wickets through a s He was not out 60, with eight fours and ensured the Test went into a fourth day. series against India. the three-day match ended in a two sixes, when bad light ended play an Boult, unsuccessful in the fi rst innings, David Warner will not be draw. hour early. Joshua da Silva, in his debut has three for 75 while Jamieson’s two sec- Test, was not out 25 with the pair adding ond innings wickets have given him seven an unbeaten 74 for the seventh wicket. for the match. INJURY New Zealand quick Trent Boult said they were targeting an early fi nish on day four with the new ball 14 overs away. “It’s all SCOREBOARD set up nicely for us tomorrow,” he said. Pakistan lose Babar “Hopefully we can scratch out a couple NEW ZEALAND I INNINGS 460 10-131 (Gabriel) R. Chase c Latham b Jamieson 0 before the new ball and set it up nicely .” WEST INDIES 1ST INNINGS Bowling: Southee 17.4-6-32-5, Boult J. Blackwood b Boult 20 West Indies opener John Campbell (OVERNIGHT 124-8) 14-5-34-0, Wagner 12-5-28-0 (1nb), J. Holder not out 60 for New Zealand T20s eked out 68 runs in the second innings Auckland: Pakistan’s hopes opening match of the two-test J. Holder c Boult b Jamieson 9 Jamieson 13-4-34-5 (1w) but said it was hard going in New Zealand J. da Silva not out 25 suff ered a big blow yesterday series from Dec. 26. conditions where the ball does a lot. C. Holder not out 8 Extras (b1, lb5, w1) 7 when captain Babar Azam was Babar’s injury came a day af- New Zealand needed less than fi ve WEST INDIES 2ND INNINGS (FOL- ruled out of the three-match ter top-order batsman Imam- S. Gabriel b Southee 2 Total (six wickets; 65.4 overs) 244 overs at the start of the day to take the LOWING ON) Twenty20 series against New ul-Haq fractured his left thumb, Extras (lb3, w1, nb1) 5 remaining two wickets and end the West K. Brathwaite c Young b Boult 24 Fall of wickets: 1-37 (Brathwaite), 2-41 Zealand after fracturing his right also during a practice session. Indies fi rst innings at 131. Tim Southee Total (10 wickets; 56.4 overs) 131 (Bravo), 3-130 (Brooks), 4-131 (Chase), thumb during a practice session. Pakistan’s T20 vice-captain J. Campbell b Jamieson 68 mopped up the tail to fi nish with fi ve for Fall of wickets: 1-0 (Brathwaite), 2-22 5-134 (Campbell), 6-170 (Blackwood) The batting mainstay will Shadab Khan was also carrying 32 to go with the fi ve for 34 by Kyle Jamie- (Bravo), 3-29 (Campbell), 4-29(Chase), D. Bravo c Nicholls b Boult 4 Bowling: Southee 17-4-63-0, Boult 15.4- not be able to attend practice a groin niggle, the cricket board son, who was not required to bowl on the 5-97 (Brooks), 6-111 (Blackwood), 7-117 (J. S. Brooks c Watling b Wagner 36 1-75-3, Jamieson 15-4-43-2 (1w), Wagner for at least 12 days, the Pakistan said. third morning. Holder), 8-117 (Joseph), 9-127 (da Silva), 16-4-53-1, Mitchell 2-0-4-0 Cricket Board said, and he faces a The fi rst T20 will be played in Faced with a 329-run defi cit, the West race against time to be fi t for the Auckland on Friday. Gulf Times Monday, December 14, 2020 5 SPORT

NBA AMERICAN FOOTBALL Chinese-born He scores US college Giannis, emotional football touchdown, Towns back on hails ‘Great Wall’ court for preseason Antetokounmpo hit by an accidental elbow to the face early in the loss to Mavs

AFP Los Angeles, United States

iannis Antetokounmpo, blood- Running back Jackson He of the Arizona State Sun Devils warms ied from a cruel elbow blow, up before the NCAAF game against the Arizona Wildcats at Arizona fi nished with 25 points and Stadium in Tucson, Arizona, on Friday. (AFP) Karl-Anthony Towns welcomed Ga respite from a Covid-19 family tragedy and American football knowl- AFP as 14 NBA teams embarked on their fi rst Los Angeles, United States edge barriers. preseason games Saturday. “I was like, ‘Oh man I love this Clubs are fi ne-tuning their rosters as sport,’” He said in a video on the veterans work on their roles and rookies eizhang “Jackson” He, university website. seek to show they can contribute with the only Chinese-born “When you have a passion for the new NBA season less than two weeks player in major college something, it overcomes your away. American football, com- fears, because it’s something you Just under two months have passed Ppleted an amazing sport journey like. I had the mentality of break- since the Los Angeles Lakers won their by scoring a touchdown for Ari- ing all the barriers in my life.” 17th NBA title making it the shortest off - zona State in a victory over arch- He’s parents sent him to San season in league history for some teams. rival Arizona. Diego to attend high school, But for the eight teams who did not He was mobbed in joyful cel- where he began playing Ameri- make it to the post coronavirus shutdown ebration by his Sun Devils team- can football fi ve years ago. games inside a bubble in Orlando, Flori- mates after scoring their fi nal He selected a new name for his da, it has been the longest layoff since the touchdown Friday night in a 70-7 American adventure and since 1998 labour lockout. road romp on an impressive one- he enjoyed the music of Michael on-one eff ort, forcing his way Jackson, Jackson He was born. into the end zone while in the After the parent of a future RESULTS grip of a defender. teammate suggested he should Toronto 111-100 Charlotte The reserve running back orig- play, He became an off ensive lin- inally from Shaoguan, China, ran eman at Lutheran High, slowly Cleveland 107-104 Indiana four times for seven yards and solved the language barrier and Oklahoma City 121-108 San Antonio made history with his scoring ef- after a stint at a small college in Dallas 112-102 Milwaukee fort, although he heaped praise chilly North Dakota, decided to upon his “Great Wall” blockers. attend Arizona State. Memphis 107-105 Minnesota Karl-Anthony Towns (right) of the Minnesota Timberwolves grabs a rebound against Kyle Anderson (left) of the Memphis Grizzlies “I don’t know what to say,” He He asked about joining the Sun Golden State 107-105 Denver during the third quarter of the preseason game at Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States, on Saturday. (AFP) told ESPN. “It’s not me. It’s all Devils as a walk-on, making the Utah 119-105 Phoenix the linemen in front of me. I call Sun Devils squad on a tryout rath- “I got back to the locker room and the them ‘The Great Wall’ because er than being a prized recruit. Celtics’ Thompson might miss opener: Stevens doctor checked my eye,” said Antetok- they protect me and I just got in.” The team needed players on its The Minnesota Timberwolves were ounmpo. “I didn’t want to play just two He, whose name on the back scout squad, a unit that tries to one of those eight and their grief-stricken Tristan Thompson’s injured hamstring will be a ramp-up period for him when- minutes and sit the rest out. I decided to of his jersey is spelled out in play as the next week’s opponent centre Towns was in tears during the pre- could keep him out of Boston’s season- ever he is able to go live in practice, go out and compete because it was the Mandarin rather than English, would play, so He found his way games ceremonies after taking to the fl oor opener on December 23, Celtics coach and I’m assuming it won’t be just one of fi rst game.” ran around left end and into a into the programme. for the fi rst time since losing seven rela- Brad Stevens said Saturday. those situations where you’re available Mavericks star Doncic fi nished with 16 defender at the 1-yard line, then The reward for his eff orts was tives, including his mother, to Covid-19. The 6-foot-9 centre, whom the Celtics one day and you get a good practice in points in 13 minutes of playing time. overpowered his way across the his starring role late in the Sun The NBA halted its season in March signed to a two-year, $19mn contract in and you can play. I think it’ll be a little Elsewhere, two-time MVP Stephen goal line for the touchdown. Devils’ latest triumph. due to the global pandemic and Towns’ November, “has not been in any part of more than that,” Stevens said. Curry and the Golden State Warriors also In recalling his journey from “You really have to be open mother died soon after in April. practice yet,” Stevens said. In 57 games for the Cavaliers last sea- hit the fl oor for the fi rst time since the China to US gridiron acclaim, He for everything,” He said of his As the players and coaches were intro- The lost practice time is especially son, Thompson shot 51.2 percent from March stoppage. noted how he adored the sport US football journey. “When you duced in the empty arena, Towns sat on concerning, Stevens said, because the floor. He averaged 12 points and 10.1 Curry will have his hands full this sea- from the start and that helped are open for something, you get the bench with his face buried in a towel. Thompson, who has career averages rebounds in just over 30 minutes per son trying to lead the Warriors back to the him overcome language, culture something back.” Teammates came over to comfort Towns of 9.4 points and 8.7 rebounds over game. top rung of the NBA’s Western Confer- as he wiped away the tears. nine seasons, all with the Cleveland Boston has already said its high-scoring ence. Towns delivered 13 points and eight Cavaliers, hasn’t played an NBA game point guard, Kemba Walker, won’t be The league’s premier shooter, who rebounds in 22 minutes for the T-Wolves since March. ready until mid-January at the earliest played just fi ve games last season due to NHL legend Gretzky’s rookie card and his sidekick D’Angelo Russell also The Cavaliers, last in the Eastern Con- as he recovers from a knee injury. a broken hand, scored 10 points and had looked impressive with a team-high 14 ference, didn’t qualify for the pandem- The Celtics, who lost to the Miami Heat three assists as the Warriors edged the sells for record $1.29mn points in a 107-105 loss to Memphis. ic-induced NBA “bubble” near Orlando, in the Eastern Conference Finals last Denver Nuggets 107-105. Fla., to finish off last season. season, open their season at home Curry’s task was made that much NHL superstar Wayne Gretzky STRAY ELBOW Because of the extended layoff , “there against Milwaukee. harder when the team learned recently added another record to his long First overall pick Anthony Edwards came that Klay Thompson would miss the sea- resume on Friday when The Great off the bench to score fi ve points in 26 an accidental elbow to the face early in the Antetokounmpo, who the Bucks hope son with a torn right Achilles tendon. One’s collectable card from his minutes in the loss. game but it didn’t stop him from scoring a to sign to a contract extension before next Thompson also missed all of the 2019- rookie season fetched $1.29mn at In the Milwaukee Bucks’ preseason game-high 25 points in the Bucks 112-102 week’s deadline, went to the dressing 20 NBA season after tearing the ACL in auction, becoming the first hockey opener, Antetokounmpo was bloodied by loss to Luka Doncic’s Dallas Mavericks. room for repairs but didn’t stay long. his left knee in the 2019 playoff s. card to sell for more than $1mn. A mint condition 1979 O-Pee-Chee card of Gretzky with the Edmonton SOCCER Oilers during the 1978-79 season broke the previous high mark set by the same card, which sold for $465,000 in August 2016, according to NHL.com. “Baseball has a much longer history and has a lion’s share Columbus Crew lift 2020 MLS Cup of the sports collectors’ market as a whole, but hockey has its place, and Gretzky definitely goes on the Mount Rushmore of AFP best XI – Jordan Morris, Uru- greatest of all time,” Chris Ivy of Heritage Auctions told The Los Angeles, United States guayan Nicolas Lodeiro and Canadian Press. “He’s right up there with Babe Ruth and Michael Peru’s Raul Ruidaz – couldn’t Jordan.” The 59-year-old Canadian is the league’s all-time leading manufacture a shot on goal, and scorer and won four Stanley Cups in his Hall of Fame career. He ucas Zelarayan scored coach Brian Schmetzer brought is widely considered the greatest hockey player ever. twice as the Columbus in Sweden’s Gustav Svensson Crew beat Seattle 3-0 and Australian Brad Smith at Panthers fi ning players who broke to win the 2020 MLS half-time in hopes of turning LCup on Saturday, denying the things around. virus rules: report Sounders a second straight Ma- “We needed to get out of our jor League Soccer crown. funk,” said Schmetzer. The Carolina Panthers are fining players who broke Covid-19 Zelarayan, the Argentine mid- But there would be no miracle protocol rules during their bye week at least $10,000, ESPN re- fi elder who formerly starred for comeback like the one that saw ported Saturday. The team placed eight players on the reserve/ Tigres in Mexico, opened the the Sounders score three goals in Covid-19 list last Monday: wide receivers DJ Moore and Curtis scoring in the 25th minute and the last 15 minutes in the West- Samuel, defensive tackles Derrick Brown and Zach Kerr, lineback- sealed the Crew’s second MLS ern Conference fi nal against er Shaq Thompson, tackle Greg Little, punter Michael Palardy Cup triumph in the 82nd at MAP- Minnesota. and practice squad wideout Ishmael Hyman. Some of those play- FRE Stadium in Columbus, Ohio. Columbus managed to con- ers reportedly gathered outside of the team facility, contrary to He set up Derrick Etienne’s tain Morris and Ruidiaz, who NFL and NFLPA protocols. Carolina is not the first team to issue 31st-minute strike on the way to showed their usual commitment fines over coronavirus concerns. Last week, Broncos coach Vic Man of the Match honors. but had no quality opportuni- Fangio said all four of the team’s quarterbacks would be fined for “I think we took advantage ties. not wearing masks at the team facility. That protocol violation of every single moment that we Lodeiro, a former Ajax and left Denver without a quarterback for its Week 12 loss against the had,” Zelarayan said through Boca Juniors player saw a shot New Orleans Saints. an interpreter. “We tried to be in the 71st minute glance off the strong every time we had the near post. Raiders’ Abram appealing $80K in ball, and I think we capitalised Zelarayan delivered the fi nal on every single opportunity that Lucas Zelarayan (second from left) of Columbus Crew lifts the trophy after a 3-0 win over the Seattle dagger in the 82nd, fi ring a left- fi nes: report we had.” Sounders in the MLS Cup Final in Columbus, Ohio, United States, on Saturday. (AFP) footed shot into the top corner With some 1,500 spectators after a deft pass from Colombian Las Vegas Raiders safety Johnathan Abram is appealing $80,000 in the stands amid continuing no one is going to stop us from ing Nagbe and Santos, the Crew back post past Frei after a deep Luis Diaz. in fines for two hits against the Atlanta Falcons, NFL Network Covid-19 restrictions, the Crew getting there,” an emotional came out determined to take cross from Harrison Aff ul. The match capped a 25th MLS reported Saturday. Neither of the hits was penalised during the shrugged off the absences of key Crew coach Caleb Porter said advantage of their home-fi eld Columbus doubled the ad- campaign upended by the coro- Raiders’ 43-6 loss in Atlanta in Week 12. One hit came during a contributors Darlington Nagbe after the club added a second advantage. vantage six minutes later when navirus pandemic. tackle of Falcons running back Ito Smith in the backfield, and the and Pedro Santos – both ruled MLS Cup to the one they cap- In the 17th minute, Columbus Haiti international Etienne Play was suspended between other was a hit on wide receiver Russell Gage along the sideline. out after positive coronavirus tured in 2008. forward Gyasi Zardes had a clear curled in a right-footed shot af- March and July, resuming with The NFL reviewed both plays and determined Abram lowered tests. Seattle, meanwhile, were fi rst chance, his eff ort saved by ter Zelarayan faked an attempt the “MLS is Back” tournament his helmet to initiate contact. The fines totalled more than the “When you have a vision denied a third MLS title in fi ve Seattle’s Swiss keeper Stefan Frei. from the top of the box and fol- in a quarantine bubble in Or- roughly $60,000 Abram earns per game in base salary, per the that’s strong, when you assign years, unable to recover despite The Crew seized the lead in lowed up with the pinpoint pass. lando, Florida, that two teams report. Abram, 24, has 63 tackles, five passes defensed and two a value to a goal and you get a a determined second half. the 25th minute, Zelarayan fi ring A Sounders side featuring had to withdraw from because interceptions in 10 starts this season. group of guys that buy into that, Despite the body-blow of los- a left-footed shot from near the three players in the MLS’s 2020 of coronavirus cases. Gulf Times 6 Monday, December 14, 2020 SPORT

GOLF SPOTLIGHT Westwood is top Birdie runs lift English player in Europe and Kuchar into the lead AFP 126 with Canada’s Mackenzie Miami Hughes and American Lanto for the third time Griffi n. Defending champions Rory mericans Harris Eng- Sabbatini of Slovakia and Kevin ‘It wasn’t something I set out to do at the start of the year, but it shows the consistency I’ve shown’ lish and Matt Kuchar Tway of the United States were fi red an 11-under par 61 another stroke back in fi fth Agencies from the course and the gym and on the in Saturday’s modifi ed alongside Americans Tony Finau range, the hard work that people don’t alternateA shot session to seize a and Cameron Champ. Dubai see, I love that. I don’t need to motivate fi ve-stroke lead after two rounds The three-day event is played myself very often.” at the 32nd QBE Shootout. among 12 pairs with no spectators nglishman Lee Westwood was Westwood’s 2020 season started The US duo opened with fi ve due to the Covid-19 pandemic. crowned Europe’s number one with that win in Abu Dhabi and he also straight birdies, parred the next Kuchar was pleased at the golfer for the third time in his achieved a top 25 at the WGC-Mexico six holes and then birdied six in a pair’s sizzling start, which al- career with a second-placed fi n- Championship before Covid-19 led to row from the par-3 12th through lowed them to overtake O’Hair ishE yesterday behind compatriot Mat- the season going into hiatus. the par-5 17th before a closing par and Na quickly and seize the thew Fitzpatrick, who won the Euro- The Worksop native then played a big to stand on 25-under 119 after 36 lead, then withstand the run of pean Tour’s season-ending World Tour part in the European’s Tour return to ac- holes at Tiburon Golf Club in Na- pars before the back-nine birdie Championship. tion, hosting the Betfred British Masters ples, Florida. binge. Westwood won the Harry Vardon Tro- to kick off the UK Swing and playing in “Had the driver going today,” “You take birdies where they phy again 20 years after he fi rst lifted it, three of those events. English said. “He had a lot of come,” Kuchar said. “It’s about with a steady fi nal-round 68 at Jumeirah He fi nished in the top 20 at the U.S. wedge shots and he’s one of the keeping the pedal down and we Golf Estates in Dubai to go 14-under for Open Championship and back to back best on tour at that and I got hot did a good job of that today.” the tournament and fi nish one stroke Rolex Series events to keep racking up with the putter. They had a chance to birdie the behind Fitzpatrick, who took home the Race to Dubai points, and his con- “It felt pretty easy for that al- last but English lipped out from $3mn for his victory. sistency was shown by the fact he had ternate shot format.” seven feet, leaving Kuchar the fi - Westwood won $2mn for fi nishing one missed cut in 15 appearances. Americans Kevin Na and Sean nal tap-in. at the top of the Race to Dubai leader- Come this week and he knew that he O’Hair, who fi red a 56 to lead af- Na and O’Hair opened with board, while overnight co-leader Patrick would need a good performance to take ter Friday’s scramble, were sec- four pars and a bogey at the par-3 Reed lost the chance to become the fi rst the big prize and, just as he has done so ond on 124. fi fth, answered with birdies at six American to claim the honour as he end- many times, Westwood duly delivered to South Africa’s Louis Oosthui- and seven and added birdies at ed tied in third place with Viktor Hov- World Tour Championship, Dubai and player in the world spot, and I needed to beat Fitzpatrick by just 27.8 points over zen and two-time Masters cham- 11, 13 and 15 to hang onto second land at 13-under. after fi nishing second to Matthew Fit- win here to win the Race to Dubai, and I the season, despite suff ering from a back pion Bubba Watson of the United ahead of the charging interna- Fitzpatrick, who had a share of the zpatrick at Jumeirah Golf Estates, he is managed to do that. injury. States shot 66 to share third on tional duos. lead before the fi nal round, began with Europe’s best once again at 47 years of “And then this one, I’m kind of the “The two lads in the physio unit, Nigel birdies on the opening four holes and age. more mature player on the European and Rob, have done an incredible job on added a further gain before the turn and “It’s been 20 years since I sat there at Tour now. It wasn’t something I set out me,” he said. “They have stretched me in FOCUS fi nished steadily to seal his fi rst Rolex Valderrama and fi nished second in the to do at the start of the year, but it shows places I didn’t think I had and they have Series win. American Express Championship to win the consistency I’ve shown. given me a massage twice a day. I’m very A tearful Westwood admitted after the Volvo Order of Merit as it was back “The motivation’s never changed, re- appreciative to the job they have done on that victory there were times when he then,” he said. “I won here in 2009 to win ally. I get to get up each day and do the my back this week. was not sure he would ever win again the Race to Dubai and now I’ve fi nished job I love. I’ve always wanted to be a “I knew I needed to go out there and but he claimed a 25th European Tour tri- second to win it today. golfer and I don’t want it to end. shoot a good round today. I played great umph and second Rolex Series title ear- “They have all been very diff erent. I “So I’m prepared to keep working hard as I have done all week. I missed a load Purton and lier this season at the Abu Dhabi HSBC guess 2000, sort of I was winning a lot, and put myself in the line of fi re and try of chances today but hit a wedge to two Championship presented by EGA. but I was still up and coming. It was only and get into contention in tournaments. feet on 16 and made a great par on 17 and That gave him a chance of a Harry my seventh year on Tour. It’s where I’m most comfortable and then made a great four at the last when I Vardon Trophy hat-trick at the 2020 DP “2009, I was honing in on the best what I love doing. I love the work away needed to.” Moore star BOTTOMLINE in HK races AFP three-year-old colt Mogul can Hong Kong go on to become a very special horse. Shibuno clings to US Women’s “He’s a horse that we always ritish jockey Ryan expected a lot from, he just took Moore was the star of a while to really put himself to- the show at the Hong gether. He seems a beautiful Kong International horse and all being well I think Open lead by one over Olson RacesB yesterday, winning two of he’ll be a really nice four-year- the four Group One contests. old.” AFP It was a day of international Purton also left his mark on Los Angeles dominance at the Shatin race the day, taking Hong Kong’s course, with only the victory of richest race — the HK$28mn Hong Kong’s best horse Golden (US$3.6mn) Hong Kong Cup apan’s Hinako Shibuno, the Sixty preventing the raiders (2,000m) — with another Japa- 2019 Women’s British Open from landing a clean sweep on nese galloper in Normcore to be- champion, clung to a one-stroke the city’s biggest day of racing. come the most successful jockey lead over American Amy Olson After opening proceedings in the history of HKIR. afterJ Saturday’s third round of the 75th with a commanding victory Purton, who entered the US Women’s Open. riding Aidan O’Brien-trained meeting equal with Mosse on The 22-year-old nicknamed “Smil- Mogul in the Hong Kong Vase eight HKIR Group One wins, ing Cinderella,” trying to win her US (2,400m), Moore snared the capped a big week that also saw Women’s Open debut, fired a three- Hong Kong Sprint (1,200m) him win Wednesday’s Interna- over par 74 to stand on four-under 209 aboard Japanese outsider Danon tional Jockeys’ Championship. after 54 holes at Champions Golf Club Smash. “Obviously now I’ve won in Houston, Texas. Moore’s win in the Sprint saw more international races than Shibuno, who led by three strokes him join star trio Gerald Mosse, anyone else, that just tops it off ,” when the day began, managed only one Zac Purton and Joao Moreira as he said. birdie against four bogeys, starting and the only jockeys to win all four This year’s Hong Kong Derby finishing her round with bogeys. HKIR Group One races and the winner Golden Sixty snared his “It was a little shock that I dropped 37-year-old was just grateful to fi rst Group One win under star a couple of shots but I will do my best get a chance to achieve the feat local jockey Vincent Ho in the tomorrow and try to play my way,” in a year when global racing has Hong Kong Mile to cement his Shibuno said through a translator. been hit hard by Covid-19. place among the world’s best. Olson, seeking her first LPGA title, “I’m very thankful to every- “Before the race I was still shot 71 to grab second with the only one at the Hong Kong Jockey worried about the overseas hors- others under par being Thailand’s Club for getting us over here es but after the race the horse has Moriya Jutanugarn and South Korean and giving us a chance to ride,” told me he is a champion,” said Kim2 Ji-yeong, both on 212. he said, adding that he believes trainer Francis Lui. “Definitely pleased,” Olson said. “It’s not easy. It was really a grind out there. I’m pleased with how I played.” Moriya, whose only LPGA title came Hinako Shibuno hits a fairway shot on Slovenian outsider wins Val d’Isère World Cup at the 2018 Los Angeles Open, fired a the seventh hole during the third round 72 while Kim2 matched the week’s best of the US Women’s Open Champions Val-d’Isère, France: The open- packed snow as Cater set off round with a bogey-free 67, leaping Golf Club in Houston. PICTURE: Thomas ing men’s World Cup downhill just after noon, goes some way into contention after making the cut Shea-USA TODAY Sports race produced a surprise win- to explaining why he won. on the number. ner at Val d’Isere yesterday as Otmar Striedinger of Austria “So far I’m happy. I’m playing pretty Slovenia’s Martin Cater won his was also something of a sur- solid,” Moriya said. “You can’t really be first race on the circuit. prise 0.22sec adrift in second, aggressive and you just have to be pa- other on 18, missing an eight-footer but then made a bogey at six before see how far I’ve come up on the score- The powerfully built Cater was while Urs Kryenbuehl was third tient out there.” for par. making a charge with birdies at the board,” she said. taken aback that he had won at 0.27. This was the first World The event was rescheduled from Olson, who aced the par-3 16th on par-3 eighth and par-5 13th to reach “I really didn’t expect to be perform- and only celebrated after a long Cup downhill race for nine June due to the Covid-19 pandemic, Thursday, made bogeys at the third and 4-under, two behind Shibuno. ing so well and I’m just glad to be here.” hard gaze at the clock. months due to the break in ac- which also kept spectators from at- sixth and another to start the back nine She stumbled with a bogey at 14 and New Zealand’s Lydia Ko was in a “I must have skied fast,” joked tion caused by the coronavirus tending. after a birdie at the par-5 ninth. suffered a plugged lie in a greenside pack in fifth on level par 213 that in- the outsider who came out of pandemic. Shibuno opened with a three-putt But the 28-year-old responded with bunker at the par-4 17th on her way to cluded a US trio — 19-year-old Yealimi the start gate 41st, long after World Cup overall champion bogey but birdied the par-5 fifth after birdies at the par-5 13th and par-4 17th a double bogey and a round of 72. Noh, amateur Kaitlyn Papp and Megan the last of the favourites had Norway’s Aleksander Aamodt blasting out of a bunker to three feet, and just missed a 15-footer to settle for “I got one bad break and just one bad Khang. finished. Kilde was fourth on the treach- stretching her lead to four strokes. par at 18. hole and everything’s pretty solid,” Swedish amateur Linn Grant, three “I thought I was in the top ten erous looking course on a day At the seventh, a mud-ball approach “Got off to a rough start out there Moriya said. back at the turn, found the water on or top 15 and I couldn’t believe where the action was held rolled off the back of the green. Shibu- but I played really well closing out and Back-nine starter Kim2 birdied the her approach at the 10th and her chip it when I saw I’d won,” said the up twice to take away injured no pitched to five feet but missed the anything can happen out there tomor- 10th and the par-3 16th and fourth rolled back into the water on the way to 27-year-old. Cater took 2min fallers. The women’s World Cup par putt. row,” Olson said. holes, then chipped in for birdie at the a quadruple-bogey eight on the way to 04.67sec to swoop down the giant slalom race at French re- Shibuno, who won four times last “It’s all about staying patient and ninth to share third. a 78 that dropped her out of the hunt. 3037m course on fast, compact sort Courchevel was postponed year on the Japan LPGA Tour, found a not getting caught up in what anyone “In the first half of the round I The only amateur to win the US snow in bright sunshine. at the last minute because of bunker at the 14th, blasted out to 30 else is doing.” wasn’t keeping up, but later as the day Women’s Open was France’s Catherine The sunshine on the hard heavy overnight snowfall. feet and two-putted for bogey, and an- Moriya, 26, birdied the par-5 fifth went on I did look and was surprised to Lacoste in 1967. Gulf Times Monday, December 14, 2020 7 SPORT

BOXING SPOTLIGHT Vodafone and Padel In partner to hold Joshua knocks fi ve tournaments

By Sports Reporter matches for audiences to enjoy Doha the excitement of the tourna- ment from anywhere on their smartphones. odafone Qatar and In October, Vodafone was out Pulev to set up Padel In, the fi rst and named the Offi cial Sponsor of only indoor padel club the 2020 Padel Tournament, in Qatar, have partnered organised by the Qatar Olym- Vto hold fi ve major padel tourna- pic Committee which saw huge ments between now and May participation — testament to the 2021, kicking off with the Qatar sport’s rising popularity in the National Day (QND) 2020 Tour- country. A mix between tennis nament, which began yesterday and squash, padel is the fastest- likely Fury fi ght at Al Sadd Sports Club and will growing racket sport in the world conclude on Thursday, Decem- due to the fun, easy and social ber 17. nature of the sport. ‘I started this game in 2013 and I’ve been chasing the belts ever since’ Padel enthusiasts will also get This latest partnership with the opportunity to take part in Padel In is a continuation of other tournaments scheduled Vodafone Qatar’s support of next year in January, National the country’s sports sector. The Sport Day in February, March Company, especially their net- and during the holy month of work, has already had a signifi - Ramadan. cant role in several of the coun- As part of the partnership, Vo- try’s highly successful local and dafone’s GigaNet network will international sporting events power the Padel In venue giving including the 24th Arabian Gulf the organisers seamless connec- Cup, His Highness The Amir’s tivity needed to host large sport- Sword Festival 2020 and 2020 ing events and to live-stream the Qatar Masters golf tournament.

RUGBY Referee Owens ends international career aft er 100th Test

Reuters Cardiff

Britain’s Anthony Joshua (L) reacts to winning the fight against Bulgaria’s Kubrat Pulev (R) during their heavyweight world title boxing match at Wembley Arena in north west elsh rugby union ref- London on Saturday. eree Nigel Owens, the most-capped AFP “I started this game in 2013 Joshua and WBC champion Fury referee in world and I’ve been chasing the belts to fi nally go head-to-head has rugby,W announced on Friday that London ever since. been in place since earlier this he has ended his 17-year interna- “Whoever has got the belt, year. tional career. Owens became the nthony Joshua said he I would love to compete with “Starting from tomorrow, fi rst referee to offi ciate in a cen- wants to unify all four them. If that is Tyson Fury then we make the Tyson Fury fi ght tury of tests when he took charge referee in the community game world heavyweight let it be Tyson Fury.” straight away. It’s the only fi ght of an Autumn Nations Cup clash because when you are very fortu- boxing titles in an all- Pulev had lost just once previ- to be made in boxing. It is the between France and Italy last nate to get so much out of some- BritishA clash with Tyson Fury ously in his career to Wladimir biggest fi ght in British boxing month. thing, I think it’s hugely impor- after a dominant ninth round Klitschko in 2014, but was out- history,” said Joshua’s promoter The 49-year-old said it was the tant that you give something back knockout of Bulgaria’s Kubrat classed by Joshua, who could Eddie Hearn. perfect milestone with which to to it as well.” Pulev at London’s Wembley have had victory wrapped up “I know he (Joshua) wants it. bow out of international tests and Owens was the longest serving Arena on Saturday. within three rounds. He is the best heavyweight in the fact that he would not be of- member of World Rugby’s elite In front of 1,000 fans, with at- Twice Pulev was given a count the world, I promise you. He’ll fi ciating at the 2023 World Cup in international panel, notably tak- tendance limited due to corona- by the referee in round three break him down, he’ll knock France was a factor in making his ing charge of the 2015 World Cup virus restrictions, Joshua ensured after he was left fl ailing on the him out.” decision. “Nobody has a divine fi nal between the victorious All there was no repeat of a shock ropes by an explosive burst of Fury also confi rmed he wants right to go on forever. There comes Blacks and the Wallabies as well defeat in his fi rst clash with Andy punches from Joshua. the fi ght with a post on social a time where it’s time to move on so as several European Champions Ruiz Jr in 2019 as the 39-year-old The IBF, WBA and WBO world media shortly after Joshua’s win. international refereeing will come Cup fi nals. Owens added that he Pulev was swotted aside. champion then surprisingly took “I want the fi ght, I want the to end now, that France v Italy game would be moving into a coaching Attention will now turn to the his foot off the accelerator to al- fi ght next,” said Fury, who has was my last test match,” Owens role with the Welsh Rugby Union possibility of a much-anticipat- low Pulev to hang in the fi ght. not been in the ring since beat- said in a statement. (WRU) to train young referees. ed clash with WBC champion But in round nine three up- ing Deontay Wilder in February. “To go out on 100 is a good time “We currently have fi ve ref- Fury in 2021. percuts in quick succession put “I’ll knock him out inside Britain’s Anthony Joshua (R) lands a punch on Bulgaria’s Kubrat Pulev. to go. I’m not going to be around erees including myself refereeing “I’m up for anything. Who Pulev back on the canvas and three rounds.” for 2023, I don’t want to be. I still at Pro 14 level so it will be excit- wants to see Anthony Joshua this time he did not get back up However, Fury could be con- After the fi rst bout was con- in the second fi ght. hope to referee in the Pro 14 and ing to help them make further box Tyson Fury in 2021?” Joshua in time as Joshua took his career tractually obliged to fi ght Wilder troversially declared a draw, A third clash between the two locally in Wales this season and progress as well as our other asked the crowd to a chorus of record to 24-1. for a third time before taking on Wilder activated a rematch was postponed earlier this year maybe next as well. upcoming male and female ref- cheers. An agreement in principle for Joshua. clause following Fury’s victory due to coronavirus. “I will certainly continue to erees,” he added.

BOTTOMLINE Challenging week aft er concussion revelations, says RFU head Sweeney

Reuters but also in the context of their motiva- “This is not a project that has a start London tion which is to improve the game and date and a fi nish date,” he said. “This make it better and safer for future gen- is something that we know we have to erations.” continually work on as players get fi t- ill Sweeney, the head of the Sweeney said the RFU had yet to ter and stronger. We need to fi nd ways Rugby Football Union (RFU), receive any details from lawyers rep- to adapt to and operate with that rule said it had been “a very chal- resenting the players and was evasive framework. lenging week” in the wake of when asked if the world’s biggest rugby “It’s important to stress that the aim newsB that a group of former players are union had insurance in place for such a to make the sport safer, and all the work set to take legal action after suff ering claim, well aware that in 2016 the NFL that goes into that, that’s a journey that brain damage they say was the result of settled a $765mn class action from has no conclusion.” concussions. players who suff ered brain damage Sweeney said he had tried to contact England’s World Cup-winning prop from playing American Football. Thompson this week — though his ini- Steve Thompson said this week that he “It’s not a time to hide, not a time to go tial attempts had been foiled by having had no memory of the 2003 fi nal and, missing, it’s really a time to be open and the wrong phone number. “We’ve tried, along with several other former play- transparent,” he said. “We’ve got to make that’s just to have a chat and see how ers, held the sport’s various govern- sure we’re making the necessary chang- he’s doing,” he said. ing bodies responsible for their failure es, to ensure we’ve got the safest possible Sweeney also said that it would take to adequately protect the players from game across all the diff erent levels. years to bring the RFU’s fi nances back long-term mental impairment. “We do take player welfare extremely on track after an expected loss of around “It’s a very serious matter, a very seriously — I want to reassure you of 135mn pounds-worth ($178.08mn) of serious moment for us, this has been a that — and it features in every strategic revenue this year due to the impact of very challenging week,” Sweeney told document we produce.” Covid-19. reporters on Friday. Sweeney went to great lengths to out- “We’re on top of the situation, hav- “First and foremost in these legal- line the progress the sport has made in ing restructured the business that re- istic times this is very much a human dealing with concussion, from the im- sulted in 119 redundancies,” he said. story and we recognise the diffi culties plementation of new return to play pro- “So the RFU business model is inher- the families are going through and then tocols, changes in the laws to try to lower ently still sound, but it will take a few bringing these stories into the public. tackle height and the graduated levels of more years to get back to being debt “We applaud them for doing that, contact allowed in youth rugby. free.”

Monday, December 14, 2020 GULF TIMES SPORT

FOCUS SPOTLIGHT Commercial Bank, ECGC host golf tourney for kids Ooredoo is Offi cial

By Sports Reporter Doha Telecommunications

s Commercial Bank Partner of Amir and Education City Golf Club (ECGC) gear up to host the annual Cup Final CommercialA Bank Qatar Masters in 2021, the two establishments By Sports Reporter phisticated technology – includ- teamed up to organise the Final Doha ing Massive MIMO antenna and Play to Par Tournament of the elastic cloud radio technologies year for kids on Thursday. — to provide state-of-the-art After revamping the pro- oredoo has announced 5G. gramme, ECGC launched the Play it is to be Offi cial Tele- The event will be closely mon- to Par in September 2020, a series communications Part- itored on a real-time basis by tailored to take children from the ner for the upcoming a group of on-site experts and practice area to the golf course. AmirO Cup Final, the last match in the Ooredoo Network Operation Now, the programme of 2020 has to Par Red and Orange level for with ECGC for the second year. Hussein al-Abdulla. titude of fun exercises.” a popular competition featuring Centre to ensure seamless com- come to an end with the Final younger kids, and the Play to Par As we prepare to host Com- “Golf and fi tness education After enrolling in Play to Par, all the teams from Qatar’s fi rst munication in the stadium and Tournament of the Year event. Yellow and Blue level for older mercial Bank Qatar Masters in and development of the child children are allocated into the and second division. at other important hotspots ex- Around fi fty kids participated ones. 2021, we take pride in support- are our priority,” said Education age and skill appropriate class. The Amir Cup Final, post- pected on Qatar National Day. in the event and played enjoy- Attendees enjoyed the chal- ing golf activities dedicated for City Golf Club General Manager Each class has content devel- poned from March due to the Sabah Rabiah al-Kuwari, Di- able rounds of golf at one of the lenging course while also tak- kids, as such activities engage Michael Braidwood. “Our Play oped to best suit the needs of the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic rector PR at Ooredoo, said: country’s most spectacular golf ing in the stunning, picturesque junior golfers and prepare them to Par revamped classes are de- specifi c group. situation, is set to be held at 7pm “We’re delighted to be sponsor- courses. sceneries and green fi elds of the to be professional players in the livered in a memorable, safe and To enrol in the 2021 Play to Par on Friday, December 18, at the Al ing the upcoming Amir Cup Fi- The tournament was split into golf course. future,” said Commercial Bank healthy environment as we en- programme, visit: www.ecgolf. Rayyan Venue. nal, a much-anticipated event two levels of players: the Play “We are elated to partner up EGM, Chief Marketing Offi cer courage learning through a mul- com. Top teams, Al Sadd — who on Doha’s sporting calendar. We have won the Amir Cup an im- have many football fans here in pressive 16 times — and Al Arabi Qatar and some incredible talent, FORMULA 1 will battle it out to decide who and it’s always exciting to see the walks off with the trophy. action on the pitch. Supporting The match will act as the inau- events that promote a healthy, gural event at Al Rayyan Venue, active lifestyle is hugely impor- and the winning team is guar- tant to us as part of our corporate anteed a place in the 2021 AFC social responsibility strategy, and Champions League. we’re so pleased to see sporting Ooredoo has been proactively events gradually resume as we Verstappen ends working to ensure the telecom move out of lockdown and back infrastructure at Al Rayyan Ven- towards some kind of normal. We ue is ready for the event. The wish both teams the best of luck, venue has been fi tted with so- and may the best team win!” season with clinical MOTORSPORT Al-Attiyah in with a shot at World Cup Red Bull triumph title at Hail Baja 2 Red Bull driver eases home 15.976 seconds clear of Bottas; Hamilton finishes third

AFP Abu Dhabi

ax Verstappen claimed his second win of the season and the 10th of his Mcareer yesterday when he drove to a clinical victory for Red Bull in a season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. The 23-year-old Dutchman dominated from start to fi nish as he turned his third pole position into a demonstration of speed, talent and fl awless strategy to leave both Mercedes men well beaten behind him. It was the fi rst time he had claimed a lights-to-fl ag victory in Formula One. “What a way to close a season — fantastic mate,” said his Red Bull engineer at the end on team radio. “After such a busy year, I think everyone was a bit tired at the end, but it is amazing,” he replied. Verstappen eased home 15.976 seconds clear of Valtteri Bottas, Agencies al-Attiyah of vital points. who at least recovered some Hail As second-placed Ten Brinke pride by taking second after his said: “Maybe I can self-improve forlorn showing at the Sakhir a little. We are still in for the Grand Prix, and 18.415 ahead asser Saleh al-Atti- title. We are two and Vasilyev of seven-time champion Lewis yah’s start-to-fi nish (Vladimir) is one, but if Nasser Hamilton. victory at Hail Baja 1 wins the next race and we are not “I am so happy,” said Verstap- has opened the door in the top four (subject to stage pen. “I really enjoyed that and it is Nto a fascinating number of per- wins), Nasser can win. Let’s see, a great win and a great day for the mutations in the overall Driv- we have two days to make better team. I am going to enjoy the po- ers’ Championship, as teams get steps for the next Baja.” dium — and enjoy going home!” ready for a gripping fi nale to the Despite drive shaft issues and On his return to action after re- 2020 FIA World Cup for Cross- a disappointing fi nish at Hail covering from a bout of Covid-19, Country Bajas at Hail Baja 2 to- Baja 1, Vasily Gryazin remains in Hamilton struggled to make any morrow and Wednesday. prime position to claim the FIA impact as he battled through Offi cial points still need to be T3 title. In the unoffi cial stand- ahead of Alex Albon, who fi nished approved by the FIA but, provi- ings, the Russian SRT Can-Am fourth in the second Red Bull, just sionally, the Qatari star has cata- Maverick X3 driver holds a 1.5 seconds adrift of the out-of- Red Bull’s Max Verstappen celebrates after winning the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix yesterday. (Reuters) pulted himself into third in the 25-point advantage over Saleh sorts champion. rankings with 28 points and now al-Saif and a 28-point lead over “You can’t win them all,” said Car was deployed. trails leader Vladimir Vasilyev by Guillaume de Mevius. Hamilton. “And, considering RESULTS (top 10) 4. Sergio Perez (MEX) 125 For Perez, winner of the pre- 15 points and teammate Bernhard A fi nish should guarantee the the last couple of weeks that I’ve 1. Max Verstappen (Red Bull) 1:36:28.645 5. Daniel Ricciardo (AUS) 119 vious weekend’s Sakhir Grand ten Brinke by 14.5 points. Russian the title and only out- had I am genuinely happy with 2. Valtteri Bottas (Mercedes) +15.976 6. Carlos Sainz (ESP) 105 Prix, it was a disappointing end A repeat success and two stage right victory and two stage wins the weekend, even I am have not 3. Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes) +18.415 7. Alexander Albon (THA) 105 to his 135 races with the Silver- wins for al-Attiyah would be suf- would enable his Belgian rival to been 100 per cent. 4. Alexander Albon (Red Bull) +19.987 8. Charles Leclerc (MON) 98 stone outfi t. fi cient to clinch the FIA Baja title tie, should Gryazin fail to fi nish. “But, congratulations to Max. 5. Lando Norris (McLaren) +1:00.729 9. Lando Norris (GBR) 97 By lap 20, Verstappen was 3.7 if neither Vasilyev nor Ten Brinke Al-Saif knows that victory and It was a hard race for me and I 6. Carlos Sainz Jr (McLaren) +1:05.662 10. Pierre Gasly (FRA) 75 seconds ahead of Bottas who led fi nish inside the top three. two stage wins would give him am glad it’s all over. It’s a fan- 7. Daniel Ricciardo (Renault) +1:13.748 Constructors’ standings (top 10) Hamilton by 1.9. Albon, fourth, Russian driver Denis Krotov the title if the Russian was to re- tastic result anyway to get two 8. Pierre Gasly (AlphaTauri) +1:29.718 1. Mercedes 573 pts was a further fi ve seconds adrift. is fourth, seven points adrift tire. Bernt Hoff man is not com- podium fi nishes.” 9. Esteban Ocon (Renault) +1:41.069 2. Red Bull-Honda 319 Back racing for the fi rst time of al-Attiyah, and also still in peting. Mercedes teammate Bot- 10. Lance Stroll (Racing Point) +1:42.738 3. McLaren-Renault 202 since recovering from Covid-19, with a mathematical chance of Two competitors will also be tas said: “The Red Bull was too Fastest lap: Daniel Ricciardo (Renault) 1:40.926 4. Racing Point-Mercedes 195 Hamilton was operating at less snatching the title, while a win looking anxiously at each other quick today. We could not get (55th lap) 5. Renault 181 than full power — both physically for Carlos Sainz at Hail Baja 2 to decide the outcome of the new near them and could not keep up 6. Ferrari 131 and with his end-of-cycle engine and serious trouble for all his ri- FIA T4 category. Again subject to with them, but it was a solid race Drivers’ standings (top 10) 7. AlphaTauri-Honda 107 — and, after pitting, was unhappy vals would open the door for the FIA approval, Kees Koolen heads from my side.” 1. Lewis Hamilton (GBR) 347 pts 8. Alfa Romeo Racing-Ferrari 8 with his new ‘hard’ tyres. Spaniard to snatch glory at the into a showdown with Poland’s Lando Norris came home 2. Valtteri Bottas (FIN) 223 9. Haas-Ferrari 3 “That doesn’t feel like a good 11th hour. Aron Domzala holding a seven- fi fth ahead of his Ferrari-bound 3. Max Verstappen (NED) 214 10. Williams-Mercedes 0 strategy,” he said. Soon after- With the three-time Dakar point advantage. McLaren teammate Carlos wards, he added: “I’m defi nitely champion determined to show Sainz, a solid showing by the struggling with the balance. Is his teeth and push for the title, ri- FIA World Cup for Cross- precocious pairing that secured ahead of Alpha Tauri’s Pierre to draw clear of the two ‘black race for either driver. Leclerc the fl oor ok?” val drivers within the X-raid Mini Country Bajas Drivers’ third place in the constructors’ Gasly, Esteban Ocon in the sec- arrows’. Bottas recovered from fi nished 13th with Vettel one It became clear that Mercedes team, most notably Sainz and standings championship on a day when ond Renault and Lance Stroll of a sluggish departure to retain place back, a disappointing end were conserving tyres, and pow- Stéphane Peterhansel, could well 1. Vladimir Vasilyev (RUS) 43 pts they announced an American Racing Point. second ahead of Hamilton as the to a disappointing season for the er, to preserve reliability, in the become the thorn in his side if the 2. Bernhard ten Brinke (NLD) 42.5 consortium is buying a major fi eld settled without incident on Italian team. unlikely hope of reeling in Ver- battle was to be as intense on Hail 3. Nasser al-Attiyah (QAT) 28 stake in the team. CLEAN START the opening lap. Sergio Perez’s Racing Point stappen for a late race to the fl ag. Baja 2 as it was last weekend. Stage 4. Denis Krotov (RUS) 21 Daniel Ricciardo, in his last After a warm sunlit desert day, Vettel, in his last race for Fer- lost power on lap 10, prompting But the Dutchman cruised wins for either of the Mini JCW 5. Andrey Novikov (RUS) 19.5 race for Renault before replacing Verstappen made a clean start rari, passed teammate Leclerc to the arrival of the Virtual Safety clear to endorse his and Red Buggy drivers could change the 5. Carlos Sainz (ESP) 19.5 Sainz at McLaren, was seventh from his fi rst pole of the year take 12th but it was not a happy Car, followed by the ‘full’ Safety Bull’s potential for next season. situation completely and deprive 5. Aron Domzala (POL) 19.5