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Saturday, January 20, 2018 TENNIS Jumada I 3, 1439 AH Nadal ominous as GULF TIMES Wozniacki gets back on track SPORT Page 7 AFC U23 CHAMPIONSHIP SPOTLIGHT Outstanding Qatar reach semis Uzbekistan end Japan’s reign AFC The early aggression gave Uz- aft er late scare Jiangyin, China bekistan the lion’s share of pos- session, forcing Japan to play on the counter. ‘I think Palestine showed great spirit and they tried until the very last minute’ zbekistan upset de- Ryosuke Kojima was defi nitely fending champions the busier goalkeeper, fending off Japan in the AFC U23 close attempts from Zabikhillo Championship Chi- Urinboev and Dostonbek Kham- naU 2018 quarter-fi nals with a damov, but Javokhir Sidikov comprehensive 4-0 win at the opened the scoring in the 30th Jiangyin Sports Center Stadium minute with a shot from outside yesterday. the box. Uzbekistan showcased a Just four minutes later, Kham- dominant display of football and damov doubled their lead when raced to a comfortable three- he latched onto a back pass to goal lead in the fi rst half, before Kojima and slid the ball in from Jasurbek Yakhshiboev sealed the close range, before Yakhshiboev win with his second goal of the found the back of the net in the game after the break. 39th minute. Before the match began, both Even with a comfortable lead, teams observed a minute’s si- Ravshan Khaydarov’s side con- lence in memory of the Uz- tinued to pile on the pressure, bekistan citizens who perished and Yakhshiboev scored his sec- in the recent bus fire in Kaza- ond just two minutes into the khstan. second half to make it 4-0. Uzbekistan, well aware of Ja- Uzbekistan will meet the win- pan’s quality, applied pressure ners of the Korea Republic and from the start and didn’t give the Malaysia quarter-fi nal tie at the young Samurai Blue any space to Kunshan Sports Center Stadium move freely. on Tuesday.

Uzbekistan’s Jasurbek Yakhshiboev (right) celebrates his goal with teammate during their match against Japan yesterday. (AFC)

FOCUS

Qatar’s Almoez Ali (left) in action during the AFC U23 Championship match against Palestine in Changzhou, China, yesterday. Danial aiming to be

AFC and claim his fourth goal of a memorable Changzhou, China campaign. Malaysia’s hero again With Qatar in the ascendancy, the ir- repressible Almoez Ali was on hand once AFC lmoez Ali continued his rich again to double his side’s lead just three Kunshan, China vein of form at the AFC U23 minutes later, this time making no mis- Championship 2018 as his brace take from close-range following a fi ne al- and Hisham Ali’s second half Brake cross from the left. anial Amier Astrike helped Qatar survive a late Pales- Hisham Ali then forced Fakhouri into Norhashim is hoping tine revival to seal a place in the semi- another fi ne stop shortly after the break, he can fi ll his family’s fi nals courtesy of an eventful 3-2 win. before the diminutive midfi elder latched eyes with tears of joy The Al Duhail forward starred through- onto Salem al-Hajri’s pass to fi re home onceD more when Malaysia take out an intriguing encounter to guide Qa- from six yards and extend Qatar’s advan- on Korea Republic with a place tar, who fi nished fourth at the competi- tage. in the semi-fi nals of the AFC U23 tion’s 2016 edition, into the next phase To their credit, Palestine refused to Championship 2018 at stake to- shock result against the Saudis and break Palestinian hearts after they buckle, and they duly reduced the defi cit day. and advance to today’s quarter- had forced their way back into the game on the hour mark, Dabbagh converting Danial scored the only goal fi nal meeting with Korea Republic. late on. Mahmoud Abuwarda’s cross with aplomb of the game as Malaysia handed “It was a very tough group for Qatar are now scheduled to meet either to give his team a glimmer of hope. Saudi Arabia a defeat that took us and we worked really hard, but Iraq or Vietnam, who play today, in the The goal clearly revitalised Palestine, Ong Kim Swee’s side into the last we deserved to make the quarter- last four on Tuesday. as fi rst Dabbagh blasted over the bar eight for the fi rst time, prompt- fi nals,” said Danial. “I’m so proud “We are very proud to have reached the when well placed, and then Abuwarda ing emotional scenes on the of all my teammates because we last four of this very important tourna- had a shot defl ected onto the bar by Qatar pitch and back at home. worked really, really hard. Eve- ment. My players have made a huge eff ort custodian Mohamed al-Bakri in the 76th “Straight after the match I ryone doubted us because we to reach this position and they gave eve- minute. made a video call with my fam- weren’t anyone’s choice to go to rything (tonight), not just as individuals Despite having Mohamed Bassim dis- ily and they were crying because the quarter-fi nals.” but as a team. I think Palestine showed missed for a second bookable off ence, they watched the game in Malay- The Koreans will off er a very great spirit and they tried until the very Palestine continued to grow in confi - sia,” said the 20-year-old mid- diff erent test for Danial and last minute, but over the course of 90 dence, and they ensured a nail-biting fi elder. “I’m very proud that I’ve company, with Kim Bong-gil’s minutes, I believe we deserved the win,” fi nale when Mohamed Darwish beat al- made them proud of me. side coming into the game off the Qatar coach Felix Sanchez said. Bakri at his near post with a delightful “It was a tremendous feeling to back of a 3-2 win over Australia On a foggy night in Jiangsu province, it free-kick on 87 minutes. score for my country and it was the that eliminated the Olyroos from was tournament debutants Palestine who It was not to be for Palestine, however, winning goal. It is an indescribable the competition. raced out of the blocks at the Changzhou as Qatar dug deep to preserve their lead feeling to score a goal like that. I But after the victory over Olympic Sports Center with striker Oday in the game’s fi nal moments and confi rm don’t know how to explain my re- Saudi Arabia, the Malaysians are Dabbagh making the most of hesitancy in their place in the semi-fi nals. action. It’s hard for me to believe feeling more confi dent than ever. the Qatar defence to fi zz a shot narrowly “We had a great second half, but just that I could score a goal and help “In the group stages against wide of the left-hand upright with only could not fi nd the equaliser. This is cer- my country create history.” Saudi it was a more physical 40 seconds played. tainly not the end for this team. We have The win over the Saudis game but against Korea it’s a to- Group A winners Qatar responded a lot of young players who will be able to marked a remarkable comeback tally diff erent match because quickly, however, and Sanchez’s charges play at the next U23 Championship, and for the Malaysians, who had technically they are very good,” came close to taking the lead on seven we will come back and do better next started their campaign in the said Danial. minutes when Sultan al-Brake’s lobbed at- Qatar’s Hisham Ali celebrates his goal against Palestine yesterday. time. What we have done throughout group with a 4-1 defeat at the “They’re very skilful. But I tempt from a quick Akram Afi f free-kick the tournament has made me very proud hands of Iraq before securing a think if we can keep our disci- landed on the roof of the net with Palestine nents, and after seeing Fakhouri make a utes, the livewire striker connecting with of the team and what we have achieved point against Jordan with a 1-1 pline like we did against Saudi goalkeeper Ramzi Fahkouri beaten. fi ne save from his drilled shot, Almoez Bassam al-Rawi’s pinpoint pass to steer here,” Palestine head coach Ayman San- draw. then we have a chance to qualify Qatar continued to press their oppo- Ali fi nally broke the deadlock on 32 min- the ball home with an outstretched leg douqa said. That set them up to record the for the semi-fi nal.” Gulf Times 2 Saturday, January 20, 2018 FOOTBALL

LIGUE 1 Retiring Ronaldinho thanks ball Sao Paulo: World Cup winner Neymar on the spot as Ronaldinho took the unusual step of thanking his ball on Thursday as he spoke for the first time about his retirement, announced on Tuesday by his brother. “ After three decades dedicated to football I’m Lyon await leaders PSG leaving my childhood dream — a dream realised,” said the 37-year-old, who hasn’t actual- ly played professional football Emery’s team are 11 points clear of second-placed Lyon, who rely on inspiration from captain Fekir for more than two years. “Thanks old boy for being AFP the source of inspiration Paris throughout all this time and a companion through so many victories,” he said, addressing yon will look to inject fresh life a ball and repeating the words into the Ligue 1 title race at home once uttered by Real Madrid to Paris Saint-Germain tomor- great Alfredo Di Stefano, who row when the focus will once died in 2014. Lagain fall on world record signing Ney- “The people who know me mar. The Brazilian scored four times in know how shy I am and that I Wednesday’s 8-0 rout of Dijon but was don’t usually speak much but I whistled by his own fans after taking a want to thank with all my soul late penalty and denying Edinson Cav- those who have helped me to ani the chance to break Zlatan Ibrahi- do that which I love the most.” movic’s all-time PSG goals record. Ronaldinho enjoyed a “If he’d given it to (Cavani) it would trophy-laden career that took have been a nice gesture. Now if it’s just him from Gremio in Brazil to a question of the record...if it’s not (on Paris Saint-Germain, Barce- Wednesday), it will be on Sunday. He lona, AC Milan and back to his will smash the record,” said PSG de- homeland. He won the Copa fender Thomas Meunier of Cavani’s America in 1999, World Cup history-making aspirations. “I don’t in 2002, Ballon d’Or in 2005, think you should linger over these types Champions League in 2006 of details,” added the Belgium interna- and Copa Libertadores in tional. “He (Neymar) was the one who 2013. On top of that he lifted was supposed to take it. In reality he just Spain’s La Liga trophy twice, did what he should have done.” Italy’s Serie A once and even While PSG registered a record home the FIFA Confederations Cup. win, Cavani notched his 156th goal for the club to draw level with the record set SERGI ROBERTO SIGNS by Ibrahimovic over four seasons in the NEW BARCELONA DEAL French capital. A section of support- Sergi Roberto has signed a ers jeered when the Uruguayan wasn’t three-year contract extension presented the opportunity by Neymar with Barcelona, tying him to to eclipse that mark, and Meunier ad- the leaders of La Liga until mitted he found that reaction disap- 2022, the club announced. pointing. “When you score four goals, Barcelona said the deal provide two assists and everything you included a 500 million-euro bring to the team, to be whistled just for ($614mn) buyout clause for a penalty, I think that’s a bit ungrateful the 25-year-old, whose exist- from the supporters,” Meunier said. ing deal was due to expire in Nevertheless, the result kept Unai 2019. Spanish press reports Emery’s team 11 points clear of second- said that deal had included place Lyon, who will rely on more in- a buyout clause worth just spiration from captain Nabil Fekir as 30 mn euros, a figure that they chase a sixth league win in seven Brazilian star Neymar scored four times in Wednesday’s 8-0 rout of Dijon but was whistled by his own fans after taking a late penalty and denying Edinson Cavani the made them vulnerable to matches. Fekir is level on 15 goals with chance to break Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s all-time PSG goals record. (AFP) approaches from rival clubs. Neymar, trailing only Cavani (20) and The announcement comes Radamel Falcao (16), after netting the ance off the bench on his return from a in Normandy. “We know our recent re- are unbeaten in fi ve matches as they from his contract, which was due to ex- just a day after Barcelona opener in a 2-0 victory at Guingamp. knee injury. Marseille kick off the action sults against Caen, but we have to forget look to work their way out of trouble pire at the end of the season. revealed that Gerard Pique “Nabil’s performance was extraordi- on Friday with a trip to Caen, where they them. If I need it, I have a big rubber in following a disastrous start to the cam- FIXTURES had extended his contract by nary,” Lyon coach Bruno Genesio said will aim for a fourth consecutive victory my offi ce,” Garcia said. “What we have paign. Bordeaux begin life after Jocelyn (all times 1900 GMT unless stated) three years to 2022. afterwards. “He’s been on a roll since after overtaking defending champions to keep in mind is that we’re again play- Gourvennec away to Nantes today, after Today: Nantes v Bordeaux (1600), Amiens The 30-year-old joined the start of the season. He’s at an inter- Monaco for third place. ing before everyone else. We have an- the crisis-hit club sacked their coach v Guingamp, Montpellier v Toulouse, Barcelona from Manches- national level and doing it consistently.” Rudi Garcia’s team have thrashed other chance to put the pressure on the following a run of just two wins in 14 Rennes v Angers, Strasbourg v Dijon, ter United in 2008 and has Lyon also welcomed back striker Ber- Caen 10-1 on aggregate over the past teams around us.” games since September. Former France Troyes v Lille. proved an increasingly steady trand Traore in midweek as the Burkina two meetings, but the Marseille boss is Monaco host bottom-of-the-table midfi elder Jeremy Toulalan has also left Tomorrow: Nice v Saint-Etienne (1400), presence as centre-back. Faso international made a late appear- adamant there will be no complacency Metz tomorrow, although the visitors Bordeaux after asking to be released Monaco v Metz (1600), Lyon v PSG (2000)

LA LIGA QNB STARS LEAGUE Barcelona stay calm aft er Sadd face Sailiya, aim to seeing unbeaten run end

AFP get back to winning ways Madrid By Sports Reporter Doha ndres Iniesta has insisted that nobody at Barcelona is panicking after the runaway leaders of La Liga saw their long unbeaten l Sadd will aim to get back to win- run come to an end. Lionel Messi missed a ning ways when they take on Al penaltyA as the Catalans lost 1-0 away to local rivals Sailiya in the QNB Stars League Espanyol in the quarter-fi nals of the Copa del Rey today. The Wolves dropped points on Wednesday, although the holders can still turn lastA week after being held to a draw by Al the tie around in the second leg next week. Markhiya and are now behind leaders Al Du- “What nobody was expecting was that we would hail (32 points) by four points. not lose a game until now,” Iniesta said. It was a fi rst Al Sailiya are also coming off a draw defeat in 30 games in all competitions for Ernesto against Al Arabi with the Peregrines’ gap Valverde’s side, who have still not lost in La Liga. “It with fi fth-placed Umm Salal (19) reduced to is football, it is sport, and you always have to play in just one point. very intense matches,” added Iniesta, with tomor- Sadd are likely to miss the injured duo of row’s trip to Betis to come before the return against ace striker Baghdad Bounedjah and mid- Espanyol. “It is not a one-off tie and in the second fi elder Ahmed Sayyar. Bounedjah has been leg we will try to change things. For the defeat to out of action ever since he injured his leg plant doubts would be to see it from a very negative during the against Al Duhail that they lost viewpoint after so many matches without losing.” 2-4, while Sayyar pulled his back muscle Iniesta said that he hoped to be back soon from during training ahead of the Markhiya clash. an injury that he described as “only a strain”, while However, they have the likes of Xavi Her- Barca are also without their two record signings nandez, Jugurtha Hamroun and Hassan al- Al Sadd coach Jesualdo Ferreira (right) and midfielder Ali Assadalla at a press conference Philippe Coutinho and Ousmane Dembele due to Lionel Messi missed a penalty as Barcelona lost 1-0 Haydous to do the trick. They had recently yesterday ahead of their team's match against Al Sailiya. thigh problems. Dembele is out for three to four away to local rivals Espanyol in the quarter-finals of strengthened the squad with goalkeeper weeks after hurting himself in last week’s 4-2 vic- the Copa del Rey on Wednesday. (Reuters) Sami Subait and striker Ali Faridoun. to extend their winning streak, having made UMM SALAL VS AL GHARAFA tory at Real Sociedad. Al Sadd coach Jesualdo Ferreira said: “The a strong start to the league’s second phase Umm Salal and Al Gharafa are on a high Betis are the great entertainers in La Liga — their morrow. A 1-0 home defeat to Villarreal last week- Al Sailiya match will not be easy. It will be with a 3-0 victory over Al Khor, and close following their victory over Al Kharaitiyat last two games have seen them win 5-3 and 3-2 — end made it the fi rst time Real had suff ered back- more diffi cult and I hope my players display the gap with Duhail. The Lions are third on and Al Ahli respectively. Tunisian attacking and coach Quique Setien has urged his players to to-back home league defeats in more than eight a strong reaction after we were forced to play goal diff erence after being tied with Sadd on midfi elder Oussama Darragi has suddenly attack the leaders at the Benito Villamarin. “Bar- years. They have taken just one point from their last out a goalless draw with Al Markhiya 28 points. become Umm Salal’s hero with his two-goal celona are very diffi cult (to play against).We will be three La Liga outings while doubts are being raised “Al Sailiya are a strong side with many They may not start Moroccan striker eff ort on debut in Qatar. brave, I’m sure,” Setien said. “It is our destiny to about Cristiano Ronaldo’s future at the club beyond top-quality players who are capable of turn- Abderrazzaq Hamdallah as coach Michael Egyptian coach Mahmoud Jaber’s confi - play, to win the ball back in the opposition half and this season. Zidane has said that he “can’t imagine a ing the tide of a match. So the games against Laudrup does not want his injury to aggra- dence at the post-match Press conference is go after them to try to pose them problems.” Madrid without Cristiano”, but the Portuguese su- them are always tough, but we will seek to vate ahead of a hectic schedule, with the justifi ed as the injured trio of Ismael Mah- With Real Madrid mired in crisis, Atletico Madrid perstar will be 33 next month and he has just four collect three points,” AFC Champions League engagements too moud, Adel Alawi and Bazman Awad is set are Barcelona’s nearest challengers, sitting nine league goals this season. Meanwhile, Sailiya have not won a game coming their way. to return. However, Ivorian striker Yannick points back in second place. Diego Simeone’s side Ronaldo was left out of the squad for Thursday’s since their 3-2 victory over Al Gharafa in However, they have a strong squad con- Sagbo may be missing in action as he is still entertain Girona as they seek to bounce back from a 1-0 Copa del Rey victory at Leganes along with Kar- Week 8. Tunisian coach Sami Trabelsi is sisting mainly of Rodrigo Tabata, Sebastian nursing an injury. 2-1 home loss to Sevilla in the Copa del Rey. im Benzema and Gareth Bale. They should all return known for bringing the best out of his play- Soria and Mohsine Moutaouali. Tunisian New recruits Dutch star Wesley Sneijder Centre-back Diego Godin is banned but Diego against Deportivo. ers and he will rely on the experience and Ahmad al-Ajlani-coached Al Kharaitiyat and Iranian Mehdi Taremi will be the aces of Costa can return after suspension. Valencia, a fur- FIXTURES (ALL TIMES GMT) expertise of playmaker Wagner Ribeiro, would look to put behind their 1-3 defeat to Al Gharafa, ably led by midfi eld strongman ther two points back in third, will be confi dent of Today: Saturday Espanyol v Sevilla (1200), Atletico Valentin Lazar, their top scorer Temurkhuja Umm Salal and garner some points as they Luis Jimenez. beating a Las Palmas side in wretched form — the Madrid v Girona (1515), Villarreal v Levante (1730), Las Abdukholiqov and captain Majdi Siddique. stare at relegation. New coach Bulent Uygun will expect bottom-of-the-table side from the Canary Islands Palmas v Valencia (1945) Al Sadd had won 3-2 when they met in the The Thunders are warming the 10th po- nothing less than three points in The Chee- have lost their last two matches by an aggregate Tomorrow: Alaves v Leganes (1100), Real Madrid v fi rst phase. sition with nine points. They have managed tahs’ quest for a top-four fi nish. score of 10-0. Deportivo (1515), Real Sociedad v Celta (1730), Betis v to register only two victories. Moroccan for- They are now sixth with 14 points. The Meanwhile, at the Bernabeu, Zinedine Zidane’s Barcelona (1945) AL RAYYAN VS AL KHARAITIYAT ward Rachid Tiberkanine leads their charge. teams had played out a goalless draw in the faltering reigning champions host Deportivo to- On Monday Eibar v Malaga (2000) In the another match, Al Rayyan will keen Al Rayyan had won 3-1 in the fi rst phase. fi rst phase. Gulf Times Saturday, January 20, 2018 3 FOOTBALL

PREMIER LEAGUE Mourinho tells United to forget Sanchez and focus on Burnley Sanchez’s proposed move to Old Traff ord would cost the club a reported £180mn when fees and salaries are factored in

AFP jobs and in my case when it goes Manchester, United Kingdom to the table of negotiations I like to be out (not involved).” Guardiola has no bitterness He added: “I am out and I will ose Mourinho insists just calmly wait for news, no over failed Sanchez bid the pending signing of more than that. I will speak with Arsenal forward Alexis you (the media) if one day we sign Manchester, United Kingdom: Sanchez must not dis- him, I can speak with you about Pep Guardiola has said he tractJ from Manchester United’s him and what he can bring to our feels no anger towards Alexis league campaign when they visit team. He’s an Arsenal player, he’s Sanchez despite losing out on Burnley today. not my player, there’s no point the chance to sign him for Man- Victory for Mourinho’s team in me speaking about something chester City. Sanchez looked at Turf Moor would cut leaders that may or may not happen.” set to reunite with his former Manchester City’s advantage at British media have reported Barcelona boss at the Etihad the top of the Premier League to that once United have sealed Stadium, only for Premier nine points — the fi rst time their the signing of Sanchez, they will League leaders City to pull out lead has been down to single dig- move onto another signifi cant of the deal on Monday. its since the start of December piece of business for the Janu- It is understood Guardiola, when Pep Guardiola’s side won ary transfer window — signing club owner Khaldoon al-Mu- the derby match at Old Traff ord. Mourinho to a new, long-term barak and other senior City City will play later in the day deal. The United manager is be- off icials were all unhappy at the against Newcastle. ing off ered a two-year extension wages that the Chile forward Mourinho is desperate for to his existing contract, due to was demanding. Sanchez is United to forget the high-profi le expire at the end of next season, instead set to join City’s local pursuit of Sanchez and focus only but is relaxed over the time-scale rivals Manchester United, on Sean Dyche’s team. “There is for the signing. currently their closest title nothing new,” Mourinho said re- “My contract ends July 2019, challengers, from Arsenal on garding Sanchez’s possible move so plenty of time to speak,” he a four-and-a-half year contract to Old Traff ord. insisted. “I know that the club is reportedly worth a staggering “I think clearly everybody happy and the owners, the board £505,000 a week ($701,000, knows that we are there and es- are happy, they know I am happy 572,000 euros). pecially when the Arsenal man- and when that’s the case one day Guardiola suggested both ager (Arsene Wenger) speaks so we decide to do something we will the player and his agent Fern- clearly like he did. There is no do it easily. But plenty of time.” ando Felicevich had driven the adding there was “no news” point in trying to hide or deny Meanwhile Mourinho praised decision to choose a move to when asked if he was making but it is not done at all. So in this left-back Luke Shaw, who has Old Traff ord rather than push progress in his bid to sign a moment, (Henrikh) Mkhitaryan started fi ve consecutive games for a transfer to City — but central defender. our player, Sanchez an Arsenal for United in the absence of the insisted that was their right. Guardiola, formerly in charge player and with a match tomor- suspended Ashley Young, now He added it was a “pleasure” of Bayern Munich as well as row (Saturday) I want to switch available to play against Burnley. to manage Sanchez, the player Barcelona, explained he only off and focus on the most impor- Shaw’s future at Old Traff ord he signed for Barcelona from wanted to sign “nice people” tant thing, which is the match.” looked in doubt as he struggled Udinese in July 2011. whom he felt would fit in with Sanchez’s proposed move to for fi tness and form following an “I’m not the guy with the his current squad at the Etihad. Old Traff ord would cost the club horrendous leg break in 2015. mathematics, with the num- “At all the clubs around the a reported £180mn ($249mn, “Luke has played very well,” bers,” Guardiola said yesterday. world, when you take players in 204mn euros) when fees and sal- Mourinho said. “He was already “What I know right now is that winter or in summer, it’s to im- aries are factored in and involves improving and playing well when I he (Sanchez) is still an Arsenal prove and to achieve the club’s United midfi elder Mkhitaryan started playing him after that long player. I think he is going to goals. I always believe that if moving in the opposite direc- spell without minutes. I’m really United so congratulations players are to adapt quickly, tion to Arsenal. It is understood happy. You look at the transfer to both of them. At the end, it depends on their quality, Sanchez has agreed to United’s market, I can say that in this mo- the players, when they have and it depends if they are nice off er but that Mkhitaryan still ment I don’t see many left-backs contenders, they decide where people. We are looking for nice has to complete negotiations better than Luke Shaw.” they want to play. people to come to help if we with London giants Arsenal be- “Their managers (agents) believe we need them.” fore the transfer can be formal- FIXTURES decide where they want to play. Guardiola added that left- ised. Mourinho was vague when (1500 GMT unless stated): They decide that. Good luck back Fabian Delph will be out asked if the signing was depend- Today: Arsenal v Crystal Palace, (to them). My opinion on Alexis “for a while” with a knee injury, ent on Mkhitaryan joining the Brighton v Chelsea (1230 GMT), remains the same. It was a while captain Vincent Kom- Gunners but did confi rm the Ar- Burnley v Manchester United, pleasure to be with him at Bar- pany is unlikely to play against menian will not play at Burnley. Manchester City v Newcastle (1730 celona. He was going to decide Newcastle today as he recovers “I don’t know,” said experi- GMT), Everton v West Brom, Leices- to move on to another club, so I from a calf strain. enced Portuguese boss Mour- ter v Watford, Stoke v Huddersfield, wish him all the best.” Guardiola believes Delph’s inho. “Sometimes people think West Ham v Bournemouth Meanwhile Guardiola sug- absence will leave a major hole transfers involve a lot on the Tomorrow: Southampton v Tot- gested he had no signings in in the squad, but is reluctant managers in the negotiations. I tenham (1200 GMT) the pipeline for the remainder to be panicked into signing a Manager Jose Mourinho is desperate for Manchester United to forget the high-profile pursuit of Alexis think it depends on the profi le of On Monday: Swansea v Liverpool of the January transfer window, replacement. Sanchez from Arsenal and focus only on today’s Premier League game at Burnley. (AFP) the club, the way we establish our (2000 GMT)

SPOTLIGHT ROUND-UP Conte accepts Millennium man Allardyce fetes ‘great journey’ AFP CITY MIDFIELDER FERNANDINHO London Everton manager SIGNS CONTRACT EXTENSION Pedro dived Sam Allardyce. (AFP) Brazilian international Fernandinho rated by Manchester City manager Pep Guar- AFP am Allardyce says he has enjoyed a diola as one of the three best defensive London “great journey” as he prepared to midfi elders in the world signed a two year take charge of his 1,000th match extension to his contract. The new deal when his Everton side host West will see the 32-year-old — who has been ntonio Conte ac- BromwichS Albion today. The 63-year-old at City since joining from Ukrainian side cepted Pedro dived in — who may be best remembered for his Shakhtar Donetsk for £34mn ($47mn) in a controversial FA Cup 67-day spell in charge of England undone 2013 — tied to the club till 2020. tie that has left Chelsea by ill-judged remarks to undercover jour- Fernandinho, who has won a Premier withoutA the forward and fellow nalists — has managed 11 clubs. League title and two League Cups since striker Alvaro Morata for a Pre- He thought he had already qualifi ed being at City, has provided the steel in mier League match at Brighton for the English League Manager’s Asso- midfi eld which has had Guardiola purr- today. Pedro and Morata were ciation’s “1,000 Club” for coaches who ing that if every side had “three Fernand- both sent off after they each spent at least part of their careers in Eng- inho’s they would be champions.” received an initial yellow card land and have passed that number of club The Brazilian — whose time at Shakhtar for diving on Wednesday night games. Allardyce will be the 31st member. was a golden one for the club sweeping in a third round FA Cup replay Allardyce started his coaching career six league titles and the 2009 UEFA Cup against second-tier Norwich. in 1991 as player-manager at Limerick, — said it made him feel special that Guar- Chelsea fi nished extra time at guiding them to promotion to the top tier man for saving clubs threatened with PREMIER LEAGUE TO PAY diola should pay him such compliments. Stamford Bridge down to nine of the League of Ireland, but those games relegation from the Premier League and TRIBUTE TO TRAILBLAZER REGIS men and drawing 1-1 before win- ary transfer window. did not qualify as they are not regarded as has never experienced the drop from the Former West Bromwich Albion and Eng- GERMANY STAR GORETZKA TO ning a pernalty shootout. Willian The Blues have been linked a full-time professional club. top tier, said his counsel for managers land forward Cyrille Regis, a trailblazer JOIN BAYERN NEXT SEASON was also shown a yellow card in with Roma’s Edin Dzeko, while “I actually thought I was already there starting out was simple. “Survival is the for black players, who died on Sunday Schalke 04 confi rmed that Germany an incident that called into ques- there were reports Thursday they when I left Crystal Palace because if you fi rst thing on your mind,” he said. “That aged 59 will be honoured at all Premier midfi elder Leon Goretzka will join Bayern tion the eff ectiveness of the Vid- wanted to bring Stoke’s experi- counted Limerick I was well past 1,000 is about understanding what is needed at League matches this weekend. Munich for next season on a free trans- eo Assistant Referee system that enced Peter Crouch to Stamford games, but unfortunately those games that football club with the players at your The Premier League announced yes- fer, with the Bundesliga leaders beating is being trialled in English cup Bridge after a move for another weren’t added because it wasn’t a full- disposal.” terday there would be a minute’s applause Liverpool to his signature. The 22-year- ties this season. target man, Andy Carroll, col- time professional football club,” he said and all the players would wear black arm- old completed a medical in Munich on Chelsea coach Conte was un- lapsed because of the West Ham yesterday. “Having got the nod last week DYCHE SAYS AUTHORITIES DON’T bands as a tribute to the swashbuckling Thursday and has signed a contract until happy with the booking Morata forward’s ankle injury. this was going to be my 1,000th game I’m CARE ABOUT SPREAD OF DIVING striker, who scored 112 goals in 297 ap- June 30, 2022, Bayern later revealed. received but said the Spain strik- Conte, however, was tight- absolutely delighted to have hit that mile- Football’s ruling bodies appear to be un- pearances for West Bromwich Albion be- The midfi elder has vowed to help er had over-reacted in earning an lipped ahead of a match against stone, mainly all in the Premier League.” interested in dealing with the problem of fore moving on to Coventry and winning Schalke fi nish in the top four this season, immediate second booking for Brighton where Chelsea will look Allardyce, who said last May he would diving in the sport said Burnley manager the FA Cup in 1987. to earn a Champions League place, and to dissent, but he had no defence to maintain their grip on a top never manage again after standing down Sean Dyche, who believes the increase in Regis played fi ve times for England lift German Cup as his parting gift. for Pedro’s fi rst yellow card. four place that will guarantee from the Crystal Palace job, joked he had simulation refl ects a ‘cultural change’ in between 1982 and 1987 and was one of Goretzka, 22, has scored six goals in 12 “For Pedro we must be hon- qualifi cation for the Champions never worked in his life. “To experience so the Premier League. the stars of the West Brom team between appearances for his country. He made his est to accept Pedro dived,” Conte League. “I give my opinion to my many diff erent clubs with so many diff er- Dyche has frequently expressed his 1977 and 1984 alongside two other back breakthrough at the 2017 Confederations said. Chelsea did score their fi rst club, but the fi nal decision is for ent cultures has been a great journey for concern about the spread of diving for players, Laurie Cunningham and Bren- Cup, where he helped a Germany side goal after three successive score- the club,” he said. me,” said Allardyce. “I’ve never worked penalties but says he senses little appe- don Batson. The trio faced frequent rac- missing their World Cup-winning stars less draws. They are unbeaten “I have to wait and to see what since I left school so this is just a continu- tite to deal with the issue. “I just think the ist abuse from opposing fans throughout beat Chile 1-0 in the fi nal. The right- in 11 games, but without a win happens during this transfer ation of what’s been a lovely way to spend game is so big now. I cannot believe, there their careers. Regis was born in French footed Goretzka joined Schalke from VfL in 2018, drawing all fi ve games market. I’m very calm under my time in this industry. I look forward are children all over the country diving all Guiana in February 1958 but moved to Bochum in 2013 and has scored 19 goals since the turn of the year — a run this aspect. It’s not right to talk to the lads making sure we win tomor- over the place... I just can’t believe that London with his family at the age of fi ve. in 130 games for the Royal Blues. He can that suggests the Premier League about players of other teams. I’m row and I can celebrate it a little bit more the powers that be of a fantastic sport He was spotted playing Sunday morning play as a deep-lying midfi elder, winger champions could do with signing not interested in it,” the Italian when we get those three points.” like football don’t grip hold of that. I am football in Regent’s Park in London by the or attacking midfi elder and his versatility a proven striker during the Janu- added. Allardyce, who is regarded as a fi re- stunned by that,” Dyche said. chairman of a non-league club. will be a bonus for Bayern. Gulf Times 4 Saturday, January 20, 2018 CRICKET

ENGLAND’S TOUR OF AUSTRALIA FOCUS NZ complete Impressive England series whitewash ‘We’re two-nil up in the over Pakistan series and we’re still looking AFP take 2-0 lead for a complete performance’ Wellington AFP Brisbane, Australia ew Zealand infl icted a rare 5-0 one-day inter- national series white- ngland turned in an impressive wash over Pakistan all-round team performance to Nyesterday with a 15-run win at beat Australia by four wickets in Wellington’s Basin Reserve. the second one-day international A century to Martin Guptill atE the Gabba yesterday. helped the Black Caps set a 272 After restricting Australia to 270 for total that proved too much for nine from their 50 overs, the English Pakistan after Matt Henry tore cruised past the total with 5.4 overs to through their top order. spare. Pakistan were all out for 256 “I thought our bowlers were excep- with one over remaining. tional,” England captain Eoin Morgan It is only the third time Paki- said. “On a really hot day they coped very stan have been on the wrong end well.” of a 5-0 ODI clean sweep after C. Munro c Nawaz b Raees 34 All of England’s batsmen contributed they succumbed by the same K. Williamson c Amin b Yamin 22 to the run chase, which was always in margin to Australia in 2010 and R. Taylor b Ashraf 59 control following a 117-run second wicket the West Indies in 1988. C. de Grandhomme not out 29 partnership between Jonny Bairstow (60) New Zealand have won by a H. Nicholls c Zaman b Raees 1 and Alex Hales (57). 5-0 margin only once before, T. Latham c Ahmed b Ashraf 2 Joss Buttler (42), Morgan (21) and Chris when they hosted the West In- M. Santner run out 1 Woakes (39 not out) all made handy con- dies in 2000. T. Southee not out 14 tributions, while Joe Root held the in- The target should have been Extras (lb6, w3) 9 nings together with a measured 46 not achievable, given the short Total (7 wickets; 50 overs) 271 out. boundaries at the Basin Reserve, Fall of wickets: 1-52 (Munro), “We did enough to win,” Morgan said, but speedster Matt Henry ensured 2-101 (Williamson), 3-213 adding: “It’s far from our best perform- Pakistan made a disastrous start. (Guptill),4-232 (Taylor), 5-239 ance with the bat. Called up to give Trent Boult (Nicholls), 6-243 (Latham), 7-244 “I suppose that’s exciting in a way. a break, Henry made the most (Santner) We’re two-nil up in the series and we’re of his opportunity to take three Bowling: Yamin 9-0-65-1 (1w), still looking for a complete performance England’s Joe Root (left) and Chris Woakes (centre) celebrate the team’s victory as Australia’s Marcus Stoinis looks on during the wickets in three overs and skittle Raees 10-0-67-3 (1w), Nawaz as a batting unit. second one-day international in Brisbane, Australia, yesterday. (AFP) the tourists’ top order. 10-1-43-0, Ashraf 9-0-49-2, Khan “Hopefully that comes in Sydney in He ended with fi gures of four 10-0-35-0, 2-0-6-0 Sunday.” England captain Morgan turned to his Smith conceded Australia were well (Smith), 3-124 (Head), 4-209 (Marsh), 5-213 for 53, while spinner Mitchell The Australians went into the match spinners with immediate eff ect. beaten. (Finch), 6-216 (Stoinis), 7-255 (Carey), Santner took three for 40. PAKISTAN without leg-spinner Adam Zampa, who Moeen Ali had Warner caught at slip “We’re not playing good enough one 8-261 (Starc), 9-270 (Tye) Pakistan slumped to 57 for fi ve F. Zaman c Williamson b Henry 12 proved expensive in the opening ODI in for 35, bringing Steve Smith to the crease. day cricket at the moment,” he said. Bowling: Wood 9-0-55-0, Woakes 9-0-37-1 before Haris Sohail and Shadab U. Amin c Taylor b Henry 2 Melbourne on Sunday, opting for bats- The Australian captain struggled to 18 “We were in a good position at 3-209 (1w), Plunkett 8-0-43-1 (5w), Ali 7-0-31-1, Khan combined for a 105-run B. Azam c Guptill b Henry 10 man Cameron White instead. from 25 balls before part-time off -spin- with 11 overs to go and we only scored 60 Rashid 10-0-71-2 (2w), Root 7-0-31-2 (1nb) partnership that steadied the in- H. Sohail c Henry b Santner 63 They also handed debuts to paceman ner Root trapped him lbw. with seven wickets in hand,” he added. nings. It ended when Sohail tried M. Hafeez c Munro b Ferguson 6 Jhye Richardson and wicketkeeper Alex Root then enticed Travis Head into “That’s not enough against a quality ENGLAND to loft the ball over the fence but S. Ahmed c Taylor b de Grand- Carey. charging down the wicket, only to chip English batting line up.” J. Roy c Finch b Starc 2 misread Santner’s slower deliv- homme 3 However, the decision to go into the a return catch to the bowler to leave the J. Bairstow c Warner b Richardson 60 ery and instead off ered Henry a F. Ashraf c Southee b Santner 23 match without a recognised spinner Australians on 124 for three. SCORECARD A. Hales b Richardson 57 straightforward catch. S. Khan c Nicholls b Santner 54 proved costly on a pitch that helped the Marsh and Finch consolidated but the AUSTRALIA J. Root not out 46 His departure on 63, with A. Yamin not out 32 slow bowlers. scoring rate slowed as they struggled to get D. Warner c Root b Ali 35 E. Morgan b Starc 21 Shadab following soon after on M. Nawaz b Ferguson 23 Finch, who blasted his 106 from 114 Ali, Root and leg-spinner Adil Rashid away. A. Finch c Roy b Plunkett 106 J. Buttler c Carey b Starc 42 54, seemingly ended Pakistan’s R. Raees c Ferguson b Henry 5 balls, helped Australia get away to a quick The Australians then lost three wickets S. Smith lbw b Root 18 M. Ali b Starc 1 faint hopes of victory. Extras (lb5, w18) 23 start alongside David Warner. for nine runs to allow the English to take T. Head c and b Root 7 C. Woakes not out 39 Faheem Ashraf (23), Aamer Total (all out; 49.0 overs) 256 The burly opener looked like he was control. M. Marsh st Buttler b Rashid 36 Extras (lb1, w5) 6 Yamin (32) and Mohamed Nawaz Fall of wickets: 1-14 (Amin), leading Australia to a score well past Debutant Carey made a quickfi re 27 be- M. Stoinis c Buttler b Rashid 4 Total (6 wickets; 44.2 overs) 274 (23) all made late cameos but lack 2-19 (Zaman), 3-31 (Azam), 4-52 300 but his dismissal, soon after that of fore he was brilliantly run out by Woakes, C. White not out 15 Fall of wickets: 1-2 (Roy), 2-119 (Hales), of wickets ultimately proved cost- (Hafeez), 5-57 (Ahmed), 6-162 (So- Mitchell Marsh, ensured England were who used his football skills to kick the ball A. Carey run out 27 3-129 (Bairstow), 4-157 (Morgan), 5-225 ly when Rumman Raees was dis- hail), 7-171 (Khan), 8-202 (Ashraf), able to keep the Australian scoring under into the stumps as the batsman attempt- M. Starc c Roy b Woakes 3 (Buttler), 6-227 (Ali) missed with six balls remaining. 9-235 (Nawaz), 10-256 (Raees) control. ed a quick single. A. Tye run out 8 Bowling: Starc 10-0-59-4 (1w), Richardson Bowling: Southee 9-0-46-0 (1w), Finch and Warner both dominated the Woakes then had Mitchell Starc caught Extras (lb2, nb1, w8) 11 10-1-57-2 (1w), Head 7-0-55-0, Tye 9-0-47-0 SCORECARD Henry 10-1-53-4, de Grandhomme English fast bowlers, who pitched too in the deep before running out Andrew Total (9 wickets; 50 overs) 270 (1w), Finch 3-0-17-0 (1w), Stoinis 4.2-0-34-0 NEW ZEALAND 10-0-48-1 (1w), Ferguson 10-0-64- short on the Gabba wicket. Tye on the last ball of the innings. Fall of wickets: 1-68 (Warner), 2-110 (1w), Marsh 1-0-4-0 M. Guptill c Hafeez b Raees 100 2 (8w), Santner 10-0-40-3

SPOTLIGHT Tamim and Shakib set up biggest one day win for Bangladesh AFP plundered two sixes and seven fours as hit the top score of 29 while wickets S. Rahman not out 24 N. Dickwella b M. Rahman 16 Dhaka Bangladesh came within four runs of regularly tumbled at the other end. M. Mortaza c Dananjaya b Pradeep 6 D. Chandimal run out 28 their record one-day score against Sri Hathurusingha saw his side collapse N. Hossain lbw b T. Perera 0 A. Gunaratne c Saifuddin b Shakib 16 Lanka. in 32.2 overs. M. Saifuddin not out 6 T. Perera c Mahmudullah b Shakib 29 amim Iqbal smashed 84 as He was given strong support by Perera, who took three for 60, was Extras (b4, lb1, w7) 12 W. Hasaranga c Rahim b Shakib 0 Bangladesh hit 320 and then Shakib Al Hasan who made 67, and also his side’s most eff ective bowler. Total (seven wickets; 50 overs) 320 A. Dananjaya c Shakib b R. Hossain 14 infl icted further misery on Sri took three for 47 to claim man of the But nothing could stop Tamim, Fall of wickets: 1-71 (Haque), 2-170 S. Lakmal b R. Hossain 1 Lanka to claim their biggest match honours, and Mushfi qur Rahim Shakib and Rahim setting up their (Iqbal), 3-227 (Shakib), 4-277 (Mah- N. Pradeep not out 0 Twin in one-day cricket — by 163 runs on 62. side’s triumph. Only some excellent mudullah), 5-284 (Rahim), 6-297 Extras (lb6, w1, nb1) 8 — yesterday. Tamim put on a scintillating 99 for bowling by Perera at the end of the (Mortaza), 7-298 (N. Hossain) Total (all out; 32.2 overs) 157 Sri Lanka, under new coach Chan- the second wicket with Shakib before Bangladesh innings prevented an even Bowling: Lakmal 9-0-60-0 (w1), Fall of wickets: 1-2 (K. Perera), 2-43 dika Hathurusingha, were skittled out wicketkeeper Niroshan Dickwella bigger defeat. Pradeep 10-0-66-2 (w1), Dananjaya (Tharanga), 3-62 (Mendis), 4-85 for 157 and the performance will set successfully reviewed a not-out deci- 10-0-40-1 (w2), T. Perera 9-0-60-3 (Dickwella), 5-106 (Chandimal), 6-117 new alarm bells ringing after they lost sion to end his 102-ball innings. SCORECARD (w3), Gunaratne 5-0-38-1, Hasaranga (Gunaratne), 7-117 (Hasaranga), 8-150 to Zimbabwe in their previous match Sri Lanka, rebuilding under Hathu- BANGLADESH 7-0-51-0 (Perera), 9-152 (Dananjaya), 10-157 in the three-nation contest. Mashrafe Mortaza. rusingha after their worst year in in- T. Iqbal c Dickwella b Dananjaya 84 (Lakmal) But Bangladesh celebrated their “I think Tamim could have got a ternational cricket, never posed a se- A. Haque c Dickwella b T. Perera 35 SRI LANKA Bowling: N. Hossain 4-0-17-1, Mortaza victory. hundred. Shakib also could have gone rious threat as they lost by 163 runs. Shakib Al Hasan c & b Gunaratne 67 K. Perera b N. Hossain 1 8-1-30-2 (nb1), R. Hossain 5.2-0-20-0 “If you look at (the) recent past, it on.” With captain Angelo Mathews M. Rahim b T. Perera 62 U. Tharanga c Mahmudullah b Mortaza 25 (w1), M. Rahman 5-0-20-1, Shakib 8-1- is one of our best wins,” said captain The 28-year-old left hander Tamim missing due to injury, Thisara Perera Mahmudullah c T. Perera b Pradeep 24 K. Mendis c R. Hossain b Mortaza 19 47-3, Saifuddin 2-0-14-0

ICC U19 WORLD CUP India stay unbeaten, Pakistan hold off Sri Lanka

IANS third over. nows Papua New Guinea (PNG) by 311 spearhead the Pakistan chase after pac- Tauranga, New Zealand The other Zimbabwe opener Wesley runs to qualify for the knockout rounds. ers Thisaru Rashmika and Dhananjaya Madhevere was then involved in two Australia fi nished second in the group Lakshan struck early blows for Sri Lanka. partnerships with Dion Myers and Mil- with four points from three matches. Zaryab made a steady 59 off 94 balls ndia beat Zimbabwe by 10 wickets ton Shumba. They are slated to meet Group C toppers and posted a 61-run stand with Mo- in a Group B clash to maintain their The trio did their best to keep the England in the last eight stage. PNG have hammad Taha to help Pakistan recover all-win record at the ICC U-19 Indian bowlers at bay, but struggled to lost all their three group matches and exit from their initial struggles. World Cup here yesterday. keep the run rate going. the tournament. Rashmika fi nished with fi gures of 3 ILeft-arm spinner Anukul Sudhakar Once the three of them had returned In Whangarei, opting to bowl fi rst, for 47 to be the most successful among Roy spearheaded the Indian bowling to pavilion, the batsmen in Zimbabwe’s Pakistan dismissed Sri Lanka for 188 the Sri Lankan bowlers. eff ort with fi gures of 4 for 20 as Zimba- middle and lower order were cleaned up runs in 48.2 overs. bwe were dismissed for 154 runs in 48.1 by the Indian bowlers with four of them Suleman Shafqat was the most suc- BRIEF SCORES overs. falling before reaching double fi gures. cessful bowler for Pakistan with fi g- Zimbabwe 154 all out in 48.1 overs Openers Harvik Desai and Shubman Gill Shumba was the highest scorer for ures of 3 for 29 while fellow fast bowler (Milton Shumba 36; Anukul Roy 4 for then produced unbeaten half-centuries to Zimbabwe with 36 runs off 59 deliveries. Shaheen Afridi bagged two wickets. 20) lost to India 155 for no loss in 21.4 carry India to victory in just 21.4 overs. Apart from Roy, Arshdeep and Ab- Sri Lanka ran into rough weather overs (Shubman Gill 90 not out, Harvik The Indian boys have thus fi nished hishek Sharma also bowled well, end- right from the start and were tottering Desai 56 not out) by 10 wickets the opening round at the top of Group ing up with a couple of wickets each. at 72 for 5 in the 23rd over. Australia 370 for 8 in 50 overs B with six points after winning all their Desai and Gill then put on an unbeat- Jehan Daniel (53 runs off 70 balls) (Nathan McSweeney 156, Jason Sangha three matches, while Zimbabwe are en opening stand of 155 runs to power then added 76 runs along with Ashen 88, Param Uppal 61) vs Papua New out of the tournament. They will face the Indians to an easy victory. Bandara as the duo tried to steady the Guinea 59 in 24.5 overs (Jason Ralston 7 Bangladesh, who are second in Group Gill scored a quickfi re 90 off 59 balls boat. But once they departed in back to for 15) by 311 runs C, in the quarter-fi nals. Pakistan players celebrate a wicket during their ICC U19 World Cup match against which was studded with 13 boundaries overs, Sri Lanka’s hopes of posting a re- Sri Lanka 188 in 48.2 overs (Jehan In Group D, Pakistan beat Sri Lanka Sri Lanka in Whangarei, New Zealand, yesterday. (ICC) and a six. Desai produced a steady 56 off spectable total went up in smoke. Daniel 53; Suleman Shafqat 3 for 29) by three wickets at the Cobham Oval in 73 balls with eight boundaries and a six. In reply, Pakistan overhauled the tar- lost to Pakistan 190 for 7 in 43.3 overs Whangarei, to fi nish top of the group Electing to bat fi rst, Zimbabwe ran opener Gregory Dollar was bowled by In another Group B match in get with 39 deliveries left. (Ali Zaryab 59; Thisaru Rashmika 3 for with four points from three matches. into trouble right at the start when Indian fast bowler Shivam Mavi in the Christchurch, Australia thrashed min- Ali Zaryab struck a half-century to 47) by three wickets Gulf Times Saturday, January 20, 2018 5 SPORT

NBA NFL Unlikely pals lead Vikings, Eagles into Rockets topple playoff showdown

AFP New York

ase Keenum and Nick Wolves, Cavs hold Foles, NFL teammates in 2015 and reserves when this season began, will Cbe the unlikely leaders tomor- row when the Minnesota Vikings visit the Philadelphia Eagles with a Super Bowl berth at stake. Keenum took over as Vikings on to edge Magic quarterback in the second week of the campaign after starter Sam Bradford suff ered a knee injury Harden was back in the lineup after missing seven games with a hamstring strain and guided Minnesota to a divi- sion crown while Foles has been Agencies safe 98-91 lead by hitting a 3-pointer the Eagles signal caller for barely Los Angeles with 5:31 remaining, but Orlando stormed a month since Carson Wentz suf- back and took a 103-102 lead with 31 sec- fered a season-ending knee in- and gone only to now fi nd them- onds left after Shelvin Mack rebounded jury. selves on a collision course. ric Gordon scored 30 points and a missed 3-pointer by Aaron Gordon and But one of these substitutes “It’s pretty wild,” Foles said. James Harden added 10 in his re- converted a short jumper in the lane. will extend his fairy-tale journey “Case’s success doesn’t surprise turn from injury as the Houston On the next possession, Kevin Love in the National Conference fi nal, me because we prepared together Rockets defeated the Minnesota missed a contested dunk but Thomas the winning team to face either and we were around each other ETimberwolves 116-98 on Thursday. grabbed the rebound with 15 seconds left the defending champion New every day. The big message there Harden was back in the lineup after and was fouled by Mack four seconds left. England Patriots or Jacksonville is, no matter what happens, you missing seven games with a left ham- After Thomas restored Cleveland’s lead, Jaguars in Super Bowl 52 on Feb- have to keep believing in your- string strain and fi nished with 10 points Elfrid Payton missed a layup. Following ruary 4 in Minneapolis. self, keep working hard and just on three-of-15 shooting. He played 26 a replay review, the game ended with a “A Foles versus Keenum NFC never give up.” minutes and also had seven assists, two jump ball at center court with two-tenths Championship so good job to all Keenum and Foles have spoken steals and two blocks. of a second remaining. you guys who predicted that,” frequently in recent months. Chris Paul had 19 points, nine assists LeBron James scored 16 points as the Keenum joked. “Are we proud “We’ve talked during the sea- and six rebounds, and Clint Capela added Cavaliers carried a 67-47 lead into halft- of what we accomplished? Heck son,” Keenum said. “We watch 20 points in the win. Houston has won 15 ime and held a 23-point lead early in the yeah. Is there more ahead of us? the same fi lm and similar de- of the past 17 meetings with Minnesota, third. He is 25 points away from becoming Heck yeah.” fenses we have played. Nick is a including a 10-game winning streak at the seventh player in NBA history to reach One team will end a long wait great guy. I know he has got a lot home. 30,000 career points. for a Super Bowl return, with of confi dence and I’m looking Coming into the NBA contest, Harden Love added 12 while Dwyane Wade Minnesota having the chance to forward to playing against him.” was leading the league in scoring (32.3 contributed 11 as the Cavaliers won for the become the fi rst NFL team to play The Vikings boast the NFL’s points) and ranked third in assists (9.1). fourth time in 13 games despite commit- in a Super Bowl on its home fi eld top defensive unit, allowing He suff ered the injury in the fourth quar- ting 19 turnovers. after an astonishing last-play 61- only 15.8 points and 275.9 yards ter of a double-overtime victory over the Payton fi nished with 19 points and yard touchdown pass by Keenum a game. Los Angeles Lakers on December 31. eight assists for Orlando, which has lost to Stefon Diggs that eliminated “Minnesota is a little bit more Harden also extended his streak of 28 of its last 33 games. Evan Fournier and New Orleans last weekend. diverse in their coverages. They double-digit scoring games to 227, the Gordon added 17 apiece as the Magic out- “It would be a shame to let like to switch it up. They do a second-longest active streak behind scored Cleveland 56-37 in the second half something like that go to waste,” good job of rockin’ and rollin’ the Cleveland’s LeBron James (834). Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) dribbles the ball as Minnesota but also missed 17 of 22 3-pointers. Vikings tight end Kyle Rudolph safeties,” Foles said. “They play a Gordon’s three-pointer helped the Timberwolves forward Taj Gibson (67) defends during the second quarter of their With about a minute left in the third, said. lot tighter down. They’re not go- Rockets fi nish the third quarter on a 16-4 NBA game on Thursday. PICTURE: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports Jonathon Simmons tracked down a loose The Vikings have lost fi ve con- ing to give us much underneath run to take an 89-70 lead into the fourth ball near the 3-point line and coasted in ference fi nals in a row, the most so we’re absolutely going to have with their largest advantage of the game. suspension for the altercation with the land Cavaliers blew a 23-point lead and for a dunk, cutting the lead to 80-78. After recent of them eight seasons to make some larger comple- With Rockets forward Trevor Ariza Clippers. held off the Orlando Magic for a 104-103 Wade made an errant pass into the seats, ago, since last playing in the Su- tions.” sitting out the fi rst part of a two-game Jimmy Butler led Minnesota with 23 win Thursday night at Quicken Loans Simmons tied the game at 80 by hitting per Bowl in 1976. Minnesota has Vikings defensive end Ever- suspension for a postgame locker room points, and Karl-Anthony Towns added Arena in Cleveland. two free throws with 49.2 seconds left. never captured a Super Bowl ti- son Griff en had a career-high 13 incident on Monday in Los Angeles, Luc 22 points and 16 rebounds and fi ve blocks. Thomas shot 6 of 15 but also made six of Cleveland took an 84-80 lead into the tle, losing to Kansas City, Miami, quarterback sacks and was de- Mbah a Moute started in Ariza’s spot, Andrew Wiggins fi nished with 16 points. seven free throws. His biggest points oc- fourth following hoops by Derrick Rose Pittsburgh and Oakland from scribed by Eagles coach Doug scoring 14 points. Elsewhere, Isaiah Thomas scored 21 curred after Orlando briefl y took its fi rst and Jeff Green on its last two possessions 1969-1976. Pederson as a “game-wrecker.” Along with Ariza, guard Gerald Green points and hit the go-ahead free throws lead in the fi nal minute. of the third before nearly losing down the The Eagles, who last won Stopping him will be the job of was also serving the fi rst of a two-game with 11 seconds remaining as the Cleve- Thomas gave the Cavaliers a seemingly stretch. an NFL crown in 1960 before Eagles left off ensive tackle Ha- the Super Bowl era began, have lapoulivaati Vaitai, a second- reached the championship spec- year blocker whose parents were tacle twice, falling to Oakland in from Tonga. 1980 and New England in 2004. “We’re going to slide help over Embiid powers Sixers past short-handed Celtics Keenum and Foles have been there,” Pederson said. “Big V friends since their days for the had challenges all season. We’ve oel Embiid had 26 points, 16 re- McConnell had 15 for the Sixers, who The Sixers built a 21-point advantage The Sixers surged to a 71-53 advantage then-St. Louis Rams in 2015. faced some tremendous defen- bounds and six assists in an over- inched above.500 by one game and won in the second half, but they have had after the third as McConnell provided a Foles and Keenum traded start- sive ends this year. But this defi - all dominant eff ort, and the visit- without sharpshooting guard JJ Redick, trouble holding onto double-digit leads major spark with nine points in the final ing duties for the Rams that sea- nitely will be his greatest chal- Jing Philadelphia 76ers held on to out due to a leg injury. The last time the all season. 2:29. son but both were soon replaced lenge.” defeat the Boston Celtics 89-80 Thurs- Sixers were above.500 came on Dec. 12. After the Celtics crept back within 82-68, Boston was hampered by a slew of day night at TD Garden. Al Horford and Marcus Morris paced the Simmons responded with a nifty layup turnovers, with 18 through the third. The Embiid starred after learning earlier in the Celtics with 14 points each while Marcus to put the Sixers back up 16 with 4:45 team committed 15 alone in the first half, SPOTLIGHT day that he was selected as a starter in Smart added 13 and Jaylen Brown had 12. remaining. more than its season average of 14.1. the upcoming NBA All-Star Game. Embiid Jayson Tatum contributed 11 for Boston, Tatum drained a 3-pointer from the The Celtics also struggled with their was the first Philadelphia player selected which played without All-Star starting baseline to close the Celtics within 86-79 shooting, going 4 of 22 from beyond the to start since Allen Iverson in 2009-10. guard Kyrie Irving, out because of a with 2:01 left. After a turnover, Horford arc through the third. James, Curry Embiid scored 20 or more points for the shoulder injury. missed a trey to potentially cut the lead It was only the fourth time in franchise 24th time this season. The Celtics had won the previous three to four. Horford and Brown each missed a history that the Sixers held the Celtics to Dario Saric scored 16 points and T.J. matchups this season. 3-pointer on the Celtics’ next possession. 53 or fewer points through three quarters. will captain teams in new-look NHL All-Star Game

AFP teammate Irving. Los Angeles But the selection proc- ess won’t be held in public, Bergeron’s hat-trick keeps the NBA opting to hold that eBron James and schoolyard-style process Stephen Curry led the behind closed doors and an- voting for NBA All- nounce the results. Star Game starters Among the starters named Bruins’ winning streak going announcedL yesterday and will Thursday, James will be mak- serve as team captains in the ing his 14th consecutive Agencies games after going 12 contests without league’s new-look mid-sea- All-Star appearance. Other Boston scoring. son exhibition on February 18. Eastern Conference play- Patrice J.T. Miller also scored for the Rangers, Cleveland Cavaliers super- ers elected in voting by fans, Bergeron who have won two straight games for the star James, a four-time NBA players and a media panel are atrice Bergeron recorded his (37) of the fi rst time in almost a month. The Sabres Most Valuable Player, was the the Milwaukee Bucks’ Greek third career hat trick by scoring Boston suff ered their sixth loss in the past seven top vote-getter among fans in star Giannis Antetokounmpo, in each period, and the Boston Bruins games. the Eastern Conference and Australian-born American Bruins gained at least a point for scores overall, garnering 2,638,294 Kyrie Irving of the Boston Pthe 15th straight game by rolling to a 5-2 against the BLUES 4, SENATORS 1 votes. Celtics, the Toronto Raptors’ victory over the New York Islanders on New York Scoring three second-period goals, He will therefore get to DeMar DeRozan and the Phil- Thursday at Barclays Center in New York. Islanders at St. Louis added to host Ottawa’s season- choose fi rst when the captains adelphia 76ers’ Cameroonian Bergeron, who scored four goals on Jan. the Barclays long woes. pick their teams from the 10 star Joel Embiid. 6 and also had a hat trick Jan. 11, 2011, Center in Vladimir Tarasenko, Alex Pietrangelo starters named Thursday and Embiid edged out New York scored the tying goal in the fi rst period, New York and Brayden Schenn gave St. Louis all the the reserves to be selected by Knicks forward Kristaps Por- netted Boston’s third goal on the power City on off ense it needed in the middle period as NBA coaches. zingis of Latvia and Celtics play in the second and tallied early in the Thursday. it won its second straight game and tied Golden State Warriors star center Al Horford from the third. Winnipeg atop the Central Division with Curry led the balloting in the East for the fi nal frontcourt Brad Marchand added an empty-net 59 points. Carter Hutton made 20 saves Western Conference with spot. goal and set up Bergeron’s fi rst and third assists. The Devils have now won two Columbus goaltender Joonas Korpisalo to pick up the win. 2,379,494 fan votes. Joining Curry in gaining goals. Ryan Spooner had the tiebreaking straight games to maintain their hold on turned away all three Dallas shots, in- Neither team scored in a drab fi rst pe- “Captain huh? Really Ap- starting nods from the West goal and an assist, and David Krejci had second place in the Metropolitan Divi- cluding the fi nal one by Tyler Seguin to riod that included just seven shots each preciate all the votes from the are Golden State teammate two assists. sion, trailing the Capitals by fi ve points. clinch the win. on net. But the Blues found the net in the fans, media and players! Hon- Kevin Durant, Houston Rock- Bergeron’s big night helped the Bruins Hall netted the winner in dynamic Jordan Schroeder and Tyler Motte, two second period — a period that has killed ored to be an All-Star,” Curry ets star James Harden and two improve to 11-0-4 in their past 15 games. fashion, fi rst chipping the puck past a players who have spent the majority of Ottawa this season, as it now has a mi- tweeted shortly after the New Orleans Pelicans players It is the longest streak in the NHL this defender for a breakaway and then lifting the season in the AHL, combined for the nus-29 goal diff erential in the second. starters were named. — Anthony Davis and DeMar- season and Boston’s longest since going a top-corner shot past Washington goal- Blue Jackets’ lone goal in regulation. Ko- The captains can choose cus Cousins. 15-0-1 from March 2-30, 2014. tender Braden Holtby. rpisalo, Columbus’s backup netminder, Results players from either confer- Cousins beat out Warriors made sure that tally was enough until the NEW JERSEY 4 Washington 3 (OT) ence as the game moves away Draymond Green and San An- DEVILS 4, CAPITALS 3 (OT) BLUE JACKETS 2, STARS 1 (SO) fi nal minutes of regulation. Boston 5 NY ISLANDERS 2 for the fi rst time from its East tonio Spurs forward LaMarcus Taylor Hall scored 34 seconds into Artemi Panarin scored the deciding PHILADELPHIA 3 Toronto 2 (OT) versus West format. Aldridge for a frontcourt spot. overtime and New Jersey regrouped after goal in a shootout as Columbus beat Dal- RANGERS 4, SABRES 3 COLUMBUS 2 Dallas 1 (SO) The new approach adds NBA coaches will name the blowing a two-goal lead to claim a 4-3 las in Columbus, Ohio, to snap a two- Rick Nash scored a pair of goals and NY RANGERS 4 Buff alo 3 some intrigue, with James reserves on Tuesday, and the win over Washington in Newark. game losing streak. assisted on the winner, as host New York St. Louis 4 OTTAWA 1 having fi rst dibs, for instance, teams will be announced next Hall is riding a six-game point streak Panarin was the only one of the six edged Buff alo. Las Vegas 4 TAMPA BAY 1 on Curry’s teammate Kevin Thursday, after the captains in which he’s netted fi ve goals and six shooters to fi nd the net in the tiebreaker. Nash now has four goals in his last two NASHVILLE 3 Arizona 2 (SO) Durant or his own former make their selections. Gulf Times 6 Saturday, January 20, 2018 SPORT

GOLF BOXING Former world champion Fury has Pieters leads; suspension lift ed

Reuters London

ormer world heavy- McIlroy, Johnson weight champion Tyson Fury is set to resume his career after the British FBoxing Board of Control (BBBC) lifted his suspension subject to medical clearance. The BBBC had suspended the 29-year-old’s licence in 2016, also in contention citing anti-doping and medi- cal issues, and he has not fought since beating the previously un- The 25-year-old Belgian, who was a star for the European Ryder Cup team in defeated Wladimir Klitschko to claim the IBF, WBA and WBO about his intentions, announcing their loss to the US at Hazeltine, made seven birdies in his bogey-free round of 65 world titles in November 2015. his retirement and then claiming Fury accepted a backdated he intends to regain his title. AFP two-year doping ban last De- Fury has split with his trainer, Abu Dhabi cember and this month an- his uncle Peter Fury, and will nounced that he was applying to now team up with Ben Davison, have his licence reinstated. whose fi rst task will be to oversee ory McIlroy and Dustin Johnson “Following an interview with the boxer’s fi tness regime after both made their moves yester- Tyson Fury at the British Box- recent pictures posted on social day, but they were left chasing ing Board of Control offi ces ear- media showed him to be bloated. the long-hitting Thomas Pieters lier today, the suspension of his On Thursday, Fury posted on ofR Belgium at the halfway stage of the $3 British Boxing Board of Control social media: “Working really mn Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship. boxer’s licence will be lifted sub- hard & putting in the sacrifi ce The 25-year-old Belgian, who was a ject to receipt and clearance of needed to achieve glory. Along star for the European Ryder Cup team in all medical requirements,” the with the sunshine there has to their loss to the US at Hazeltine, made BBBC said on its website. be a little rain sometimes! There seven birdies in his bogey-free round of When Fury was suspended, will be no victory without pain.” 65 to climb on top of the leaderboard at 12 the BBBC pointed to concern Fury has previously scheduled under par. about his health after he admit- his possible return for April, by Spain’s Jorge Campillo added a 64 to ted using cocaine to help him when IBF and WBA champion his opening-round 69 to be one behind cope with depression. Anthony Joshua will have met Pieters, while Alexander Levy of France Since then, the boxer has fre- WBO title holder Joseph Parker (65) and England’s Ross Fisher (67) were quently given mixed messages in a unifi cation bout. in tied third place at 10-under 134 along- side overnight joint leader Tommy Fleet- wood (68), who turned 27 on Friday. COMMONWEALTH GAMES After a disappointing opening round of even-par 72, world number one Johnson bounced back with a brilliant bogey-free round of eight-under-par 64. Shooters up in arms McIlroy is yet to make a bogey after two rounds and an eagle on his fi nishing hole catapulted him to nine-under for the over Birmingham tournament with a round of 66. Thomas Pieters of Belgium plays a shot during round two of the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship yesterday. Pieters, ranked 40th in the world, fi n- ished second here in 2016 but missed 2022 exclusion the cut last year. However, he once again Rahm red-hot in California desert showed his love for the National course at Abu Dhabi Golf Club with a round that Reuters practised and followed the sport. fi nished on a high note — a chipped-in AFP, Los Angeles: Spain’s Jon Rahm tried not to get ahead of myself.” But Mickelson had three bogeys and London He said the CGF president birdie on the ninth from the greenside fired a 10-under par 62 on Thursday to Although he couldn’t break 60, Rahm just one more birdie the rest of the way, would meet shooting’s world bunker. seize a one-stroke lead in the first round was pleased with the lowest round of capping his round with a bogey at the governing body, the ISSF, to dis- “It was nice to hole one on the last af- of the US PGA Tour CareerBuilder Chal- his career on the PGA Tour. par-four 18th. hooters are up in arms cuss future plans. ter two terrible shots. Ball-striking was lenge in La Quinta, California. “That’s golf,” said Rahm, who picked up “It was fun to get back out and be over a decision not to It will be the fi rst time since good, but the rest of it was decent today,” Rahm, the highest-ranked player in four more birdies coming in. “You’re not competitive,” Mickelson said. “I for include their Olym- Edinburgh 1970 that shoot- said Pieters. the field at number three in the world, going to make every single putt, you’re some reason am stuck on 70 here at pic sport in the 2022 ing, which became an optional “I mean, I hit most of the middle of the BirminghamS Commonwealth sport for host cities after 2014, sizzled on the La Quinta Country Club not going to hit every shot perfect. La Quinta, whether I get off to a good greens. If I had a wedge, I went at the fl ag course — one of three in use over the I birdied the last hole, had a couple start or a bad one I end up shooting the Games programme. has not featured at a Common- and I think I got up-and-down or made first three rounds — with eight birdies of great sand saves coming in, shot same score.” Commonwealth Games Fed- wealth Games. England will have birdie with a wedge in my hand three or and an eagle. 10-under par. Singapore: Masters champion Sergio eration (CGF) chief executive a squad of 20 shooters at the four times. It wasn’t really that fancy but He was one stroke in front of Americans “There’s not much more I can ask for,” Garcia had his second round at the David Grevemberg confi rmed 2018 Games on Australia’s Gold a very good round.” Austin Cook, Jason Kokrak and Andrew added Rahm, who hit 12 of 14 fairways Singapore Open halted on Friday as yesterday that shooting, classi- Coast, including double gold McIlroy, returning to professional golf Landry. and 15 of 18 greens in regulation and a tropical storm swept across the fi ed as an optional sport, would medallist Steve Scott. The coun- after a lay-off of nearly 100 days, gave It was a further stroke back to Brandon needed 25 putts. city-state, stopping play at the Sentosa not feature. try has won 168 shooting medals himself plenty of chances in his fi rst 17 Harkins, Martin Piller, Beau Hossler and Kokrak seized his share of second Golf Club. The British city was chosen at past Games. holes, but converted only four birdies. His Aaron Wise. by playing his last five holes, the fifth World number 10 Garcia was one last December, replacing Dur- Scott, who won bronze at the spirits were clearly lifted when he poured With back-to-back birdies to start, an through ninth at La Quinta, in five-un- under par after eight holes when ban in South Africa which was 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics, in his eagle putt from 20 feet on the last. eagle at the par-five fifth and birdies der par, with three birdies and an eagle. play was stopped by rain in the late stripped of the event because it told the Shooting Times website “It was a nice way to fi nish. Felt like I at six and seven Rahm was six-under Landry had five birdies and an eagle on afternoon. failed to meet promises made. (www.shootinguk.co.uk) that gave myself tons of chances on the back through his first seven holes. his outward run at La Quinta and picked Rain has disrupted play on the “We know they (Birmingham Birmingham’s decision was a nine. I always struggle to read these He couldn’t help but remember up two more birdies coming in while Serapong course for the second day organisers) considered all op- “big blow”. greens, I feel like I’m hitting good putts Canadian Adam Hadwin’s 59 on the La Cook fired seven birdies and an eagle running with 78 players yet to finish tional sports carefully, but a fi nal “Obviously we’ve still got the and they are just sliding by the edges,” Quinta course last year. on the Nicklaus Tournament course. their round. decision was reached,” Grevem- Olympic Games and all the other said McIlroy, who has slipped to 11th in “Any time you have that going for you, Five-time major-winner Phil Mickelson Play will resume early today morning. berg wrote in an open letter to world events we try to achieve the world rankings. you get thoughts come in your head, making his first start since the WGC- The Spaniard was off to a good start the editor of Britain’s Shooting in,” he added. “But it was nice, I stayed patient and 60, maybe 59,” Rahm said. “I knew that HSBC Champions in October, got off to on Thursday, tieing in first place with Times. “The CGF has awarded “But everyone who has tried feel like I got what I deserved on the last if I kept playing good I was going to a fast start with four birdies in his first American Kurt Kitayama with five- the Games supporting these to get to the Commonwealth for staying so patient and it was nice to have more birdie opportunities, and I six holes at La Quinta. under-par 66. plans and consequently shoot- Games this year and didn’t, and fi nish with a three, leapfrog a few guys ing will not feature at the 2022 has more than the ability to win and get myself into contention for the Commonwealth Games.” a medal in 2022, are not going to weekend.” Grevemberg, an American have that opportunity to do so.” Johnson was pleased with his eff ort, rything really well. I drove it well. I hit myself really good chances for birdies. It Among the notables who will miss week- former wrestler who was chief More than 27,000 people had especially after the even-par 72 round on a lot of really good iron shots. Hit a lot was pretty stress-free,” said Johnson who end play are European Ryder Cup veter- executive of the 2014 Glasgow signed a Shooting Times petition Thursday. of good putts that didn’t go in the hole made three birdies in his last four holes. ans Ian Poulter and Lee Westwood, who Games, recognised that would asking Grevemberg to ensure the “It was pretty easy for a 64. I did eve- from pretty close range, but all day, I gave The cut fell at two-under par 142. missed by one shot. be disappointing for those who sport was included.

CYCLING World champ Sagan shows class in fourth stage AFP The Slovakian fi nished the stage Call for Froome's suspension Adelaide in 3hr 21min 7sec to take the ochre leader’s jersey, two seconds ahead of South African Daryl Impey, who eam Sky should suspend tration of 2,000 nanograms per orld champion Peter Sa- fi nished second yesterday Chris Froome until an inves- millilitre (ng/ml), double WADA’s gan showed his class when tigation into his failed drugs threshold. he won the fourth stage of gan remained in a good position at the test for an asthma medica- “Team Sky should suspend Froome,” the UCI season-opening front of the leading group as a number T tion is over, according to Interna- Lappartient told daily Le Tel- WTour Down Under in South Australia of riders tried to attack. tional Cycling Union (UCI) president egramme. yesterday, taking the overall lead in the But on the fast descent to the line, David Lappartient. “However, it is not up to me to inter- process. the 27-year-old made his move. The four-time Tour de France fere. Without going into the question Sagan, who had a string of minor He followed the wheel of Impey be- winner, who denies breaking any of guilt, it would be simpler for placings in the last two years of the fore turning on the power in the fi nal rules, could potentially be stripped everyone,” said the Frenchman, who race, fi nally enjoyed a win in the run metres to take the win. of his Vuelta a Espana title after a was elected last September. into the town of Urailda. Impey fi nished second, with Spain’s urine test he took during the race in “It’s up to (team manager Dave) The Slovakian fi nished the stage in Luis Leon Sanchez (Astana), Italian September showed excessive levels Brailsford to take his responsibilities. 3hr 21min 7sec to take the ochre leader’s Diego Ulissi (UAE Team Emirates) and of Salbutamol. Apart from that I think that it is what jersey, two seconds ahead of South Af- McCarthy (BORA-Hansgrohe) making Salbutamol is permitted as a legal the other riders wish.” rican Daryl Impey, who fi nished second up the top fi ve. Sagan said despite tak- asthma drug by the World Anti- Lappartient, who said he was noti- yesterday. ing the leader’s jersey, he was expecting Doping Agency and the UCI said fied of Froome’s test result an hour Australian Jay McCarthy was in third teammate McCarthy to take the lead on Froome’s failed urine test did not after being elected in Bergen, Nor- place, nine seconds behind Sagan. stage fi ve, which includes two climbs necessitate a mandatory provisional way, on Sept. 21 last year, believes Sagan, from the BORA-Hansgrohe up the notorious Willunga Hill. suspension even if analysis of his that “in the eyes of the wider public team, formed part of a lead group that “Tomorrow will be again another urine sample showed a concen- (the Briton) is already guilty.” caught race leader Zak Dempster on story,” he said.“I’m in the ochre jersey the approach to the King of the Moun- now but we all know we are racing here tain climb at the top of Norton Sum- for Jay. It’s his home race. He’ll have a perature reached 45 degrees Celsius (115 but maybe not the hottest in my career mit Road. He then battled defending much harder climb than today to have degrees Fahrenheit), it was not the hot- so far, as I’ve experienced something champion and race favourite Richie Bora Hansgrohe rider Peter Sagan (2nd-R) wins the stage on the fourth day of the his say tomorrow.” test day of racing he had experienced. slightly hotter in California a couple of Porte towards the fi nish at Urailda. Sa- Tour Down Under cycling race in Adelaide yesterday. Sagan added that although the tem- “It’s been a very hard day of racing years ago,” he said. Gulf Times Saturday, January 20, 2018 7 TENNIS

AUSTRALIAN OPEN SPOTLIGHT Federer says Nadal ominous get on with it as Open defends as Wozniacki gets heat policy

AFP Melbourne

ustralian Open organ- back on track isers defended their heat policy yesterday Third seed Dimitrov had huge second-round fright from Russian qualifier Rublev as Roger Federer down- playedA the oven-like conditions AFP on court, saying players should Melbourne be fi t enough to deal with it. The comments follow suf- focating weather at Melbourne afael Nadal stormed into the Park over the past two days, with round of 16 at the Australian some players struggling to cope Open yesterday with a vintage as temperatures hit 40 Celsius performance as Grigor Dimitrov (104 Fahrenheit). andR Caroline Wozniacki kept their Grand Novak Djokovic on Thurs- Slam hopes alive on a hot draining day. day described the conditions as But French Open champion Jelena “brutal”, complaining it was hard Ostapenko’s tournament is over, with to breathe and they were “right Alize Cornet of France had her the Latvian seventh seed crashing out in on the limit”. blood pressure monitored by a three sets to Estonian Annet Kontaveit. Organisers only activate the doctor on court during a medical Spanish world number one Nadal extreme heat policy and halt play timeout yesterday. (AFP) showed no mercy to 28th seed Damir or close roofs when the tempera- Dzumhur on Margaret Court Arena, as ture exceeds 40 Celsius and the er players suff er. As long as noth- he rediscovers his best form after ankle wet bulb globe temperature in- ing bad happens, it’s all good.” trouble. dex hits 32.5 Celsius. Among those in trouble was The top seed raced through the match Tournament director Craig Gael Monfi ls, with fears for his in just 1hr 50min, wasting as little energy Tiley said the Australian Open health in his mid-afternoon as possible in the 6-1, 6-3, 6-1 rout. was one of the only events in match against Djokovic Thurs- “I was very, very focused,” Nadal said. the world to actually have a heat day. “I’m very happy with everything and to policy. The Frenchman, known as have another chance on Sunday.” “The policy is from consulta- one of the fi ttest players on tour, That chance will be against 24th seed- tion with the players, and re- looked dazed and confused in the ed Argentine Diego Schwartzman for a member in most places, be it second set and eventually got place in the quarter-fi nals. the Middle East or others parts medical assistance. Third seed Dimitrov, who could meet where it is very warm, they don’t He said afterwards he was Nadal in the semis, had plenty to prove have a heat policy,” he said. “dying” on court. after a huge second-round fright from a “Throughout the site we have Yesterday, France’s Alize Cor- qualifi er, who pushed him to fi ve sets. ice misters, there’s plenty of net had her blood pressure and And the Bulgarian delivered in a testing water. For the players there’s pulse monitored by a doctor on 6-3, 4-6, 6-4, 6-4 win over Russian ris- Caroline Wozniacki of Denmark in action during her match against Kiki Bertens of the Netherlands at the Australian Open in ice vests, there’s longer periods court during a medical timeout. ing star Andrey Rublev as temperatures Melbourne yesterday. (Reuters) of rest and they of course have She said she thought she was touched 40 Celsius (104 Fahrenheit). shade on their chairs,” he added. going to faint, labelling condi- “These are the most important match- “These are professional ath- tions “dangerous for the health es for me, when things are not working for CoCo in more hot water letes. We are at the end of the day of the player”. me and I fi nd a way,” he said. “I’m feeling an outdoor event. We want it to But she added: “I would never good physically, the heat didn’t scare me CoCo Vandeweghe was yesterday stay an outdoor event as long as give up. I would need to be crawl- at all today, so that’s a good sign.” slapped with the largest fine at the possible but at the same time en- ing on the court before I give up.” He will next face Australian Nick Kyr- Australian Open so far for her exple- suring that the health and well- Federer said it was a tough call gios who beat French veteran Jo-Wilfried tive-laden outburst directed at her being of players is taken care of.” to make on whether to halt play Tsonga in four close and entertaining sets conqueror Timea Babos in the first or not. in a prime-time evening match on Rod round. As the 10th seed was dumped ‘IT HAPPENS’ “What do you do? You stop all Laver Arena. out at the first hurdle Monday, she Federer escaped the worst on matches?,” he asked. Second seed Wozniacki has not im- also at one stage copped a code viola- Thursday, playing a night match “The lucky guys on the big pressed so far, but she put in a better per- tion for delaying play to eat a banana. on Rod Laver Arena, but said he courts, they get to play under the formance to beat Dutch 30th seed Kiki Organisers fined her US$10,000 for had endured searing Australian roof. The other guys get post- Bertens 6-4, 6-3, fi nally getting over the unsportsmanlike conduct for the temperatures plenty of times and poned till the next day? Is that line on her fourth match point. verbals, which were followed imme- experienced worse. great? That’s not great either.” It sets her up with a clash against 19th- diately by the slamming of the fiery “If you want to get to the top, He added that all the play- seeded Slovak Magdalena Rybarikova. American’s racquet into the court. you’ve got to play in all condi- ers knew these conditions could Fourth seed Elina Svitolina also kept Her going bananas, however, went tions,” he said. happen, and it was a level playing her title dreams alive by ending the hopes without further sanction. “We know it can be very hot fi eld. of young teenage pretender Marta Ko- here in Australia. I remember the One of the worst years for styuk. Social media riles Dasha days when we had four days of 40 heat at the Open was 2014, when At just 15, Kostyuk was the youngest degrees in a row a few years back. many players were in trouble. Melbourne Park third-round contestant Daria Gavrilova is the darling of the lo- Now we got two. Among them was Blaz Kavcic since Martina Hingis in 1996. But she still cal crowd at Melbourne Park, but some “It’s defi nitely a challenge,” he who was placed on a drip, while has a lot to learn with fellow Ukrainian online Aussie punters took vitriolic added. “It’s hard to prepare for Frank Dancevic said was hallu- Svitolina handing out a 6-2, 6-2 lesson. Rafael Nadal signs autographs after winning his match against Damir Dzumhur. (Reuters) exception when she blew a 5-0 first that in some ways. But you know cinating about cartoon character “She’s defi nitely got a bright future,” set lead in the early hours of Thursday when you come down here that Snoopy in his dazed state. said Svitolina. round of 16, celebrating her 27th birthday pressure early in the second set as she morning to lose her second-round can happen. A cooler change blew through She now plays another qualifi er — by holding off a gritty three-set challenge succumbed to the baking weather. match. It was so bad she had to change “Sure, I was watching the oth- Melbourne late yesterday. big-serving Czech Denisa Allertova who from Thai qualifi er Luksika Kumkhum. Kyle Edmund joined Nadal in the round her Instagram privacy settings. “Shhh romped past Magda Linette 6-1, 6-4 — Her reward is a match against Belgium’s of 16, overcoming the elements in a fi ght- to all the betting people... I copped it for a place in the quarter-fi nals on Sun- Elise Mertens, who beat struggling Alize ing fi ve-set win over Nikoloz Basilashvili. hard last night. Only people I follow ASSESSMENT day. Cornet of France in two tough sets. Italian Andreas Seppi, Spanish 10th can comment on my posts now... so my In a tournament shorn of seeds, 81st- Cornet was among players wilting in seed Pablo Carreno Busta, and Croatian family doesn’t see all the ‘love’ I get”. ranked Petra Martic also swept into the the heat, with a doctor taking her blood sixth seed Marin Cilic also progressed. Battle-ready Djokovic BOTTOMLINE is ‘physically extraordinary’: Agassi Kyrgios takes down idol Tsonga Reuters Melbourne

Reuters but couldn’t breach Tsonga’s serve and Melbourne was left repeatedly fl at-footed by the 15th ovak Djokovic is “phys- seed’s exquisite volleying. ically extraordinary” But he raised his game again in the and can emulate Roger ick Kyrgios toppled his child- clinches of the tiebreak, pounding a re- Federer by winning the hood idol Jo-Wilfried Tsonga to turn at set point that ricocheted harm- NAustralian Open in his fi rst tour- bury his Rod Laver Arena hoo- lessly off Tsonga’s racquet. nament for six months, mentor doo and reach the fourth round It was the Frenchman’s turn to grow Andre Agassi said yesterday. Nof his home Australian Open yesterday. testy and he took great exception to a The Serb arrived in Australia Away from his favoured Hisense Arena heckler in the crowd after Kyrgios served with question marks over his where he draws energy from the raucous out the opening game of the fourth set to elbow injury and has played two atmosphere, the 17th seed reined su- love. rounds in Melbourne wearing a forward.” preme in the tiebreaks, downing former Yelling in French at the off ending fan, compression sleeve on his serv- Djokovic had not played fi nalist Tsonga 7-6 (5), 4-6, 7-6 (6), 7-6 Tsonga ignored the chair umpire’s warn- ing arm. a competitive match for six (5) on the fl oodlit centre court. ings to calm down and was given a code The 12-times grand slam months before his fi rst round “I knew it was going to be an incredibly violation for unsportsmanlike conduct. champion has re-modelled his clash with American Don- tough match. I was very nervous going “The guy was talking to me and telling serving action to take the pres- ald Young and while that was a out there today,” Kyrgios told reporters me, ‘you are under pressure now, you are sure off the joint but it held up breeze, his clash with Monfi ls in after a riveting clash lasting three hours under pressure now’, when I was bounc- during a four-set win over Gael 40 degrees heat proved to Agassi and 17 minutes. ing my balls,” Tsonga told reporters. Monfi ls in brutal heat on Thurs- that the 30-year-old is battle “I knew my best chance was probably “That’s it. I lost it and I drive a little bit day. ready. to get in a couple breakers... Tiebreaks crazy.” “If you haven’t played for a long “Recovery is not something kind of favour the big server.” headed 22-year-old. After being broken in the second set, he The squall passed quickly, though, and time, anything that isn’t quite the I worry about with him,” said With men’s great Rod Laver and Hol- As the only native left in the draw, Kyr- returned to his chair fuming and yelled a he knuckled down to take Kyrgios into a centrepiece of your game, can Agassi, who added he is not lywood actor Will Smith in the terraces, gios will carry the hopes of a nation into foul-mouthed lament for playing a match third tiebreak, storming to a 5-2 lead after go through a bit of a challenge,” working with Djokovic for ‘per- Kyrgios grabbed his fi rst win in front a blockbuster clash against Grigor Dim- in the doubles tournament on Thursday another charge to the net. former world number one Agassi, sonal gain’. of fans in the posh seats, raising hopes itrov, another supreme talent desperate instead of resting on a day of scorching But the Australian roared back bril- who fl ew in to be in Djokovic’s cor- “Novak is physically extraor- among the locals he might return there to prove his major credentials. heat. liantly, raising a match point by reeling ner, told AAP yesterday. dinary and he has a recovery for the title match in nine days. Heavy-legged, he lost the set to his Tsonga forward with a deftly placed drop “With a new service mo- ability that is unlike mine, prob- Australia has waited 42 years for a new FRUSTRATIONS childhood hero, who once signed auto- shot and volleying his scooped recovery tion and the pressure and the ably just because the nature of men’s champion, so expectations will The centre court pressure against the graphs for a 12-year-old Kyrgios during into an open court. big match and not playing in a how his body is made and how rise again following Kyrgios’s impressive formidable Frenchman was a test of Kyr- his run to the 2008 fi nal at Melbourne With tension at fever pitch, Tsonga while, that was the time for it to effi cient he is. four-set win, a third successive match gios’s emotions and his frustrations did Park. surrendered by netting a forehand, leav- get tested and, getting through it, “The guy has a capacity for without a major meltdown for the hot- threaten to boil over on occasion. Kyrgios recovered from the setback ing Kyrgios to soak up thunderous cheers. he’ll be a lot better for it moving pushing himself that is unique.”

Saturday, January 20, 2018 GULF TIMES SPORT

QNB STARS LEAGUE QFA PRESIDENT BACKS IRAQ EFFORTS TO LIFT STADIUM BAN

Boudiaf strikes as Doha: President of the Qatar Football Association (QFA) HE Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa bin Ahmed al-Thani said that he supports all the eff orts made by Iraq to lift the ban imposed on its stadiums. Sheikh Hamad said in a Duhail edge Arabi statement that he will chair an off icial delegation that will pay a visit to Iraq in the near League leaders Duhail maintain unbeaten run and take their points tally to 35 future. The delegation will meet with off icials there and discuss By Sports Reporter uniting their eff orts in order to Doha reach that goal. QFA President also said that QFA will request FIFA to allow arim Boudiaf scored the all-im- a friendly match to be played portant goal in the 29th minute between Qatar and Iraq in as leaders Al Duhail defeated Baghdad. He said that Qatar is President of the Qatar Football hosts Al Arabi in their QNB more than ready to employ all Association Sheikh Hamad Bin KStars League Week 13 match yesterday. of its capabilities and that of its Khalifa Bin Ahmed al-Thani The narrow win maintained Duhail’s un- local and international partners beaten run and took their points tally to at the service of the Iraqi The number of participants 35. Action was mostly restricted to the Al football. Qatar will participate is expected to reach 700 in the Arabi area from the start and a goal was in a friendly tournament to be Masters Cup. coming any time, with captain Youssef played in Iraq in March. Syria Msakni, spearhead Youssef el-Arabi and and Kuwait will be the other EMIR SWORD FESTIVAL playmaker Nam Tae-Hee raiding the rival teams in the championship. FROM FEBRUARY 22 citadel. He also hoped that Iraq Foot- The Racing and Equestrian It looked like Al Duhail opened their ball Association will host many Club will host HH the Emir 27th account in the 16th minute when Nam tournaments in the future. Equestrian Sword Festival on headed the ball in, but the goal was ruled The statement was released February 22nd and will run off side. Despite a defensive approach by following the visit made by until February 24th. Al Arabi, The Red Knights did take the Iraqi Minister of Youth and The race will begin on Thurs- lead around the half-hour mark when Sport Abdul Hussein Abdul day with the 30th race of the Boudiaf headed in a Murad Naji corner Reda and president of the Iraqi season, which includes 8 races, from the right, leaving goalkeeper Ma- football association Abdul Kha- the last half of which is the soud Zarayi and defenders rooted, for leq Masoud. The two off icials main Zubarah Award for finest what seemed to be a silly goal. held a number of meetings Pure Arabian horses. Attacking midfi elder Khalfan Ibrahim with Qatari sports off icials. The main race will be held was like a one-man army in the Al Arabi on February 24th, the last day attack. His two free-kicks, earned when QATAR TEAM PREPARE of the festival which includes he himself was fouled on both occasions, FOR ASIAN INDOOR HH the Emir’s Award for the were off the mark and a shot that went ATHLETICS original hybrid horses and wide were all that they had to show for Qatar athletes are preparing Emir’s Sword for the finest Pure their eff orts in the first half. to participate in the upcom- Arabian horses. The second half was off to a slow ing 8th Asian Indoor Athletics pace, yet Duhail dominated possession. Championships, which will take QATAR INTERNATIONAL On a day when el-Arabi, the QNB Stars place from February 1 to 8 in ENDURANCE CUP TODAY League’s leading scorer with 19 goals, was Tehran, Iran. Around 13 Qatari Qatar Endurance Commit- off -colour, Tunisian attacking midfi elder athletes are due to compete in tee will organise the Qatar Msakni tested the Al Arabi defence time the event including Olympian International Endurance Cup and again, but to no avail. champion and World Athlete of today. The event will take place Midfi elder Ahmed Fathi, who had the Year, Mutaz Barshim. The at Sealine with a large number scored Al Arabi’s equaliser in their credit- Qatar athletes team delegation of horses from Qatar and other able 1-1 draw against Al Sailiya in the pre- will leave Doha to Tehran by nations taking part. vious week, played the striker’s role. the end of the month. A total of 113 participants will However, diminutive Abdullah Hassan take part in three races that caught the eye among the Al Arabi ranks QATAR TO HOST are 120km, and 80km long. by his timely clearances and interven- FINA MARATHON SWIM The medical check up will take tions as he provided a shield in front of WORLD SERIES place 24 hours before the race, his defenders and against the charging Qatar will host the FINA which will begin at 6am. rival attackers. Marathon Swim World Series The scoreline might have swelled had Al Duhail’s Karim Boudiaf (left) and Diego Jardel of Al Arabi vie for the ball during the QNB Stars League match yesterday. (10km) at the Doha Corniche QSAF HOLDS it not been for Abdullah’s alacrity. The in March. The event’s organis- GENERAL ASSEMBLY Dream Team made a spate of substitu- FABIANO NETS WINNER FOR Kings moved to 11 points. even before the rivals had settled down. ing committee chaired by Qatar Shooting and Archery tions towards the end in their bid to make QATAR SC AGAINST MARKHIYA Qatar SC fi elded their all three winter The game also saw Fabiano and Khaleel Ibraheem al-Jaber held Federation (QSAF) held its An- a breakthrough. In another match, Qatar SC came up signings — others being Syrian striker Markhiya spearhead Kwame Karikari a meeting recently to coordi- nual General Assembly meeting They missed Syrian striker Mardik with an improved display to beat hosts Al Osama Omri and Iranian attacking mid- miss chances. And Abdulqadir Ilyas, who nate eff orts needed to host the at Lusail shooting Complex. In Mardikian who sat out due to an injury Markhiya 1-0 at Al Arabi Stadium. fi elder Sijad Mujtaba — for the fi rst time. joined The Oryxes from Al Duhail after championship. the meeting, off icials discussed and Khalfan struggled without a team- Striker Patrick Fabiano made his debut On the other hand, Markhiya were the start of this season along with Bilal FINA Marathon Swim World the importance of developing mate who could do the fi nishing. in Qatar memorable by netting the win- without their new recruit, Brazilian at- and midfi elder Anas Mubarak from Al Cup will be preceded by the the sport and building a solid Duhail almost conceded an own goal ner as early as the fi fth minute after evad- tacking midfi elder Eric de Oliveira. The Gharafa, could not make any headway af- Masters Championship which base of young shooters. The when defender Lucas Mendes’ faulty ing the challenge from defenders Saleh strike by Fabiano, who was a leading ter being put through with the ball a few will be held for the public attendees also set a plan for clearance with his head hit the crossbar. Badr and captain Bilal Mohammed. scorer with Kuwait SC last season, will do times. Al Markhiya had more possession for 1.5km. All Qatari clubs, national teams to participate in Arabi got a last chance to score at the Chances were almost equal in the clash them a lot of good in their fi ght to avoid (58 per cent) and forced more corners individuals and institutions will the upcoming Arab Champion- stroke of fi nal whistle, but Diego Jardel between two bottom-placed sides, but it relegation. Qatar SC’s attacks were most- (four against Qatar SC’s one), but could participate in this event. ship and Asian Championship. sent his free-kick wide. was Qatar SC who had the last laugh. The ly aimed at the Brazilian and he struck not fi nd the target for once.

SPOTLIGHT ASIAN HANDBALL CHAMPIONSHIP Al-Rumaihi triumphs at Hathab Qatar beat China for

By Sports Reporter Doha Mubarak Yousuf al-Rumaihi rides Viking D to victory second straight victory during the sixth leg of Hathab ubarak Yousuf al- at the Al Shaqab yesterday QNA Rumaihi was in Seoul splendid form as he took day one hon- Mours on the opening day of the atar’s handball sixth leg of Hathab – the na- team recorded tional equestrian series – at the their second Al Shaqab indoor arena yesterday straight win at the The Qatar Armed Forces rider, eighthQ Asian Men’s Hand- who is currently placed third in ball Championship, beating the Big Tour overall points tally, China 34-9 in Seoul, South rode chestnut gelding Viking D Korea yesterday. The cham- with poise and composure to top pionship is also important the Table A, One round against as it acts as a qualifi er to the the clock 115/125cm class in World Cup, which will take 69.60 seconds. place in Denmark and Ger- Mohammed Said Haidan on many in 2019. bay mare Corrado’s Coriana The win lifted Qatar’s fi nished second, coming home Medium Tour and Big Tour later point tally to four points. in 72.22secs, while Jaber Rash- in the afternoon and evening. They lead Group D, ahead of Action from the match between Qatar and China during the eighth id al-Amri riding Belucci Van Saudi Arabia on goal diff er- Asian Men’s Handball Championship in Seoul, South Korea yesterday. T’Vleminkhof ended up as third RESULTS ence. The Saudi team defeat- in 72.83secs. Open Class: Table A, One round ed New Zealand yesterday. Earlier, Ghanim al-Nasser against the clock (115/125cm) The match between Qatar Qadi of Al Shaqab excelled in the Prize-money: QR15,000 and Saudi will determine the Small Tour winning the Table A, 1. Mubarak Yousuf al-Rumaihi; group winner, as both have One round against the clock with Horse: Viking D; Faults: 0; Time: guaranteed their qualifi ca- jump off event in 28.88secs with 69.60secs; Prize: QR3,750 tion into the next round. a smooth and fl awless show on 2. Mohammed Said Haidan; Member of the Qatari delega- Fudine, a chestnut mare. Corrado’s Coriana; 0; 72.22secs; tion in the competition Adel The win will shore Ghanim up QR3,000 al-Enzi said that the team is from his current fi fth place (37 3. Jaber Rashid al-Amri; Belucci giving their best so far. points) in the overall standings. Van T’Vleminkhof; 0; 72.83secs; He added that the match Throwing herself up as a surprise QR2,250 against China was more runner-up was Carlota Vin- Small Tour: Table A, One round challenging than the one cente Alarcon, also of Al Shaqab, against the clock with jump off , against New Zealand, but astride Calva Z on home turf. She (110/115cm) Prize-money: QR the Qatari team has enough clocked 33.36secs. 10,000 experience to overcome the Saeed Nasser al-Qadi, riding 1. Ghanim Nasser al-Qadi; Fudine; 0; two challenges. He added Desperadito, had to settle for the 42.44 & 28.88secs; QR2,500 that the team was taking the third place fi nishing in 35.46secs. 2. Carlota Vincente Alarcon; Calva Z; fi rst round seriously, as a Today, the competitions will 0; 41.17 & 33.36secs; QR 2,000 Small Tour winner Ghanim Nasser al-Qadi (top centre), runner-up team’s performance during begin at 9 am with dressage 3. Saeed Nasser al-Qadi; Despera- Carlota Vincente Alarcon (left) and third-placed Saeed Nasser al-Qadi that round determines their which will be followed by the dito; 0; 46.84 & 35.46secs’ QR 1,500 pose with the off icials during the podium ceremony. path towards the fi nal.