HOCKEY | Page 6 Germany in last 8 but Malaysia crash out

Monday, December 10, 2018 SPOTLIGHT Rabia II 3, 1440 AH Sterling says GULF TIMES newspapers are fuelling racism SPORT Page 3 QNB STARS LEAGUE Sparks set to fl y in Duhail vs Al Sadd clash

By Sports Reporter draws – two against Al Rayyan and one Djamel Belmadi ahead of the 2018-19 Doha against Qatar Sports Club – allowed Al season QNB Stars League, also has an Sadd to close the gap to just one point impressive track record in coaching. and raise expectations of a tight fi nish. He guided his country Tunisia at the an the feared trio of Baghdad Al Sadd are coming off a 4-1 victory 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia. Bounedjah and Akram Afi f over Al Shahania, while Al Duhail were The Al Sadd attack will be led by crack the mean Al Duhail de- held to a 1-1 draw by Qatar SC in Week Algerian striker Bounedjah, who last fence when they clash in the 15. It was the third time that The Red week became the Qatar league’s all- QNBC Stars League tomorrow? Knights were dropping points this sea- time top scorer in a single season when Can Al Duhail’s Youssef El Arabi or son and second successive time they he took his personal tally to 28 goals af- Almoez Ali overcome the resoluteness were held to a draw, having had to play ter scoring twice against Al Shahania. of AFC Player of the Year Abdelkarim out a 2-2 draw with Al Rayyan in the He surpassed Brazilian striker Clem- Hassan who is known for his no-non- previous round. erson Soares’ record of 27 goals set in sense ways in the Al Sadd defence? Both Al Sadd and Al Duhail are level the 2007-08 season for Al Gharafa. These are some of the questions on the number of victories (11). Al Du- Al Sadd also have Hassan al-Hay- on every Qatar football fan’s mind as hail have a goal diff erence of +26 (36 dous and Afi f in attack, while their the domestic giants square off for the goals for and 10 against). midfi eld will be held together by Span- fi rst time this season in a high-voltage However, The Wolves have the best iards Xavi Hernandez and Gabi Fern- match where sparks are expected to fl y goal diff erence among the 12 teams andez. and set the tone for the remainder of (+49, 62 goals for and 13 against). Al Moroccan striker Yousef El Arabi the tournament. Sadd also have one defeat (against will spearhead Al Duhail’s off ence, in The match was rescheduled from Al Ahli in the fi rst leg) and two draws the company of Almoez Ali and Paolo week 9 due to Al Sadd’s semi-fi nal against their name. Edmilson. match against Iran’s Persepolis in the The contest will also be noted on the Though they will continue to miss AFC Champions League, which the tactical front. injured midfi elder Nam Tae-hee, they Wolves lost on aggregate. The kick-off Al Sadd’s Portuguese coach Jesualdo have the services of the likes of Karim is at 6.30pm at the Al Sadd Stadium. Ferreira has had over 30 years’ experi- Boudiaf and Luis Martin in the middle, The encounter could prove a turning ence in the game, and has managed a and Lucas Mendes, Mohamed Mousa point in the league in which Al Duhail host of top European sides including and Murad Naji at the rear. have 36 points, with Al Sadd close be- the likes of Malaga in Spain and Pana- Al Sadd are 13-times winners, but hind on 35. thinaikos in Greece. their last title was in 2013 after which it Al Duhail are the only unbeaten Al Duhail’s Tunisian coach Na- has been Duhail all the way except for team in the tournament but their three TERRIFIC TRIO: Akram Afif (L), Baghdad Bounedjah (C) and Hassan al-Haydos form a lethal combination for Al Sadd. bil Maaloul, who replaced Algerian 2016 when Al Rayyan won the title.

SPOTLIGHT QNB announces Neymar as Global Brand Ambassador The agreement grants QNB all exclusive marketing rights of Neymar Jr as a Brand Ambassador of all the Group’ s marketing campaigns and advertising platforms in which he will appear across its major businesses NB Group, the largest fi nan- cial institution in the Mid- dle East and Africa, has an- nounced the appointment ofQ Brazil and Paris Saint-Germain football star, Neymar Jr, as the Group’s Global Brand Ambassador. The exclusive partnership was signed by Yousef Darwish, General Manager of QNB Group Communica- tions, and Neymar Silva Santos, the owner of NR Sports, at QNB’ Paris branch. The agreement grants QNB all ex- clusive marketing rights of Neymar Jr as a Brand Ambassador of all the Group’ s marketing campaigns and advertising platforms in which he will appear across its major businesses. The partnership with Neymar Jr underpins the bank’s key values that reflect its commitment and passion to provide its global community of customers around the world with the best banking products and raise its US $4.2bn valued brand’s visibil- ity in support of its vision to become a leading bank in the Middle East, Africa, and Southeast Asia by 2020, QNB said. Neymar Jr’s selection as QNB’s latest Global Brand Ambassador is a reflection of the bank’s commit- ment to enrich the lives of its cus- tomers through its growing network Yousef Darwish, General Manager of QNB Group Communications (R), and Neymar Silva Santos (L), the owner of NR Sport of international branches around the & Marketing, sign the agreement in Paris in the presence of Brazil and PSG starNeymar Jr. At right, Darwish with Neymar Jr. world and motivating them to perse- vere and pursue their dreams through with our brand and who is always exceptional experience to our cus- be partnering with QNB. Neymar the inspiring image of an exceptional looking for opportunities to reach tomers. This partnership with Ney- Jr shares the same values with QNB player. Neymar Jr has an extraordi- greatness. Named one of the 100 mar Jr enhances our brand awareness and its constant pursuit of excellence nary social-media presence; where most influential people in the world, in international markets, where QNB and achieving great results in every he boasts a total follower count of Neymar Jr is a true sport icon who puts great efforts, in line with our game. number of countries as part of CSR nies now extends to more than 31 209 million across Facebook, Twitter inspires fans worldwide to strive to global business strategy, and fur- “We are happy to support QNB’s activities across its international countries across three continents and Instagram. reach the ultimate standards of ex- ther strengthens our bid to develop efforts to bring football community branches as an integral part of its providing a comprehensive range of Yousef Darwish, General Manager cellence. the communities where we oper- together through football and inspire overall strategy to become one of the advanced products and services. The of QNB Group Communications, “Neymar Jr is undoubtedly the ate across our growing international people not to only pursue success leading brands in Middle East, North total number of employees is around said: “We are delighted to welcome best brand Ambassador with whom network.” but challenges, to be better.” Africa and South East Asia. 29,000 operating through more than Neymar to the QNB family; a man we share the same values that will Neymar’s father, Neymar San- QNB Group sponsors various ini- The Group’s presence through its 1,200 locations, with an ATM net- who shares many of the same values bring a lot of passion to deliver an tos Sr, said: “We are very pleased to tiatives and sports programmes in a subsidiaries and associate compa- work of more than 4,300 machines. Gulf Times 2 Monday, December 10, 2018 FOOTBALL

SPOTLIGHT AMBITION Pochettino Liverpool leapfrog Man urges Spurs to fi ght for title

AFP City: do we have a real Leicester, United Kingdom

auricio Pochet- tino challenged his Tottenham squad to fi ght for silver- Mware on two fronts after see- Premier League race? ing his team thrust themselves back into the Premier League title race with a 2-0 victory at Leicester City ahead of a Cham- City remain firm favourites to win their second consecutive title but their aura of invincibility pions League trip to Barcelona in midweek. has been shaken and a hungry Liverpool are not in the mood to back off The Tottenham manager saw his side brush the Foxes aside de- AFP spite Harry Kane and Christian London Eriksen, two of his most potent attacking players, playing only cameo roles off the bench. The anchester City — Premier pair will now be fresh for tomor- League champions-elect row’s crucial Champions League in the eyes of many — now trip to Catalonia with Spurs know they are in a real scrap needing to win at the Camp Nou Mafter Liverpool leapfrogged them to the to guarantee progress to the last top of the table on a telling day in the 16. And Pochettino believes all of title race. Both sides started Saturday his players will have a role in the unbeaten after 15 matches with an im- hectic weeks ahead. “To show pressive 25 wins between them — but the belief you have in the squad it was Pep Guardiola’s champions who is massive,” said Pochettino. blinked fi rst. “There’s no point players Mohamed Salah scored a hat-trick for playing every three days. It’s Jurgen Klopp’s side as they romped to a not healthy, they need to rest 4-0 win at Bournemouth in the early and need some time to breathe. kick-off , taking them to 42 points, one For some teams it’s so diffi cult clear of City. City had the tougher task to manage. The most impor- of taking on Chelsea at Stamford Bridge tant thing is being genuine in later in the day and despite dominating the trust you have in the squad. the fi rst half they ended up losing 2-0 — We are showing we trust all the their fi rst league defeat since April. players. In this busy period eve- City remain fi rm favourites to win rybody needs to be focused.” their second consecutive title but their Victory in the East Midlands aura of invincibility has been shaken moved Tottenham back into and a hungry Liverpool are not in the third, just six points off the top mood to back off . Guardiola took pride of the Premier League, now in his team’s performance despite the headed by Liverpool following defeat, saying he never felt they were Manchester City’s fi rst defeat of going to match the Arsenal Invincibles, the season at Chelsea. who went through an entire Premier By staying in the race despite a League season unbeaten in 2003-04. host of injury problems and de- “We are going to try to be champi- lays over moving into the club’s ons,” he said. “In a season like this, with new stadium, Pochettino now a lot of games — plus after last season believes his players can keep — everybody wants to beat us. They put pace with the league leaders. in something extra. What is important “The three points are massive is how we react. Even if we would have to keep our position in the table,” won today, it’s still only the beginning he added. “It’s a massive win for of December. There are still a lot of us. The reality is we are there, points to play for.” fi ghting Liverpool, City, Chelsea For all of City’s much-vaunted squad and Arsenal — that’s the reality. depth, they sorely missed the injured It was a tough place so I’m very Sergio Aguero at Stamford Bridge, mus- happy with the performance. I tering 14 shots but managing just four am so pleased and it allows us to on target. Kevin De Bruyne — last sea- start thinking about Barcelona.” son’s club player of the year — has bare- In the absence of Kane and ly featured during this campaign be- Eriksen, Son Heung-min came cause of injury and although City have Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah (left) had a quiet start to the campaign by the standards of last season, but is now the Premier League’s joint-leading scorer, with 10 goals. to the fore by opening the scor- an enviable supply of creative players, ing with a left-footed rocket it is diffi cult to replace a player of that pitch, Salah has started fi ring again. confi dence. Liverpool are also show- watch as Manchester United overhauled Guardiola does not think it is going to from the edge of the penalty area standard. Liverpool have not been play- The Egyptian forward had a quiet start ing the resilience of would-be cham- their proud record of 18 top-fl ight titles. be just a two-horse race. Arsenal, under before crossing for Dele Alli to ing with the same fl uency as they did to the campaign by the standards of last pions — scoring deep into injury time Klopp said: “The thing is that we just new manager Unai Emery, are on a 21- head home Spurs’ second just last season but they have added steel to season, in which he scored 44 goals in last week to beat Everton and battling really want to be as successful as pos- game unbeaten run in all competitions before the hour mark. their game and boast a phenomenal de- total, but is now the Premier League’s back from a goal behind against Burnley sible. Nobody knows what that means, and Tottenham are only six points off Son’s impact in the fi rst few fensive record, with just six goals con- joint-leading scorer, with 10 goals. in midweek. It is almost impossible to nobody. This league is so diffi cult to play top spot while Chelsea are still in the months of the season was lim- ceded in 16 Premier League matches. The manner in which he took his third overestimate what winning the Premier in, but 42 points I usually had in April mix. “We are only in December,” said ited by his participation in the The addition of centre-back Virgil goal yesterday in particular showed a League would mean to Liverpool fans. and now it is December. That’s massive the City boss. “Can Liverpool win the Asian Games, but the South Ko- van Dijk and goalkeeper Alisson Becker player who is back to his best after a Last crowned champions of England and it’s exceptional and it is all to the Premier League? Yes. Ask me if Tot- rean has been in fi ne form in re- has made an enormous diff erence at nasty shoulder injury in the Champi- in 1990 — before the birth of the Pre- boys, they deserve all the credit for that tenham, Arsenal or Chelsea can — yes, cent weeks after skipping inter- the back and at the other end of the ons League fi nal appeared to knock his mier League — they had to stand by and because they really fi ght for each yard.” of course.” national duty last month.

FOCUS MATCH REPORT Mata hails ‘exciting’ United win aft er frustrating run Doherty snatches late

AFP the Spaniard said. “We know that we are London not in the position that we want to be winner for Wolves and should be, so every game I go onto the pitch, or we go onto the pitch, I think uan Mata says Manchester United’s about giving everything for the fans and against Newcastle “complete performance” against giving a performance like today, so we Fulham was just the tonic for a team must face every game like we did today.” Reuters that has endured a frustrating start Mata was one of four changes to the Wolverhampton Wanderers, UK toJ the season. United started Saturday’s line-up following the 2-2 midweek draw game on a four-match winless streak, with Arsenal and made an important leaving them well behind in the race for a contribution, becoming the third Span- en-man Newcastle top-four Premier League fi nish, but over- ish player to score 50 goals and register 50 United were beaten powered bottom club Fulham 4-1. assists in Premier League history. 2-1 by Wolverhampton Ashley Young, Mata and Romelu Lu- “It’s not bad,” he said. “Fifty and 50. Wanderers in the Pre- kaku netted in an impressive fi rst-half When I came to the Premier League a few Tmier League yesterday when display, with Marcus Rashford sealing a years ago I was very excited and very mo- Matt Doherty scored in the fi fth 4-1 win after substitute Aboubakar Ka- tivated about my period in the Premier minute of added time. The home mara had reduced the defi cit from the League and I am enjoying it so much. I am side suff ered from having United spot. Mata said the performance and re- lucky to have been able to score and as- States international defender sult were “basically what we needed”. sist that many goals but I am still hungry DeAndre Yedlin sent off for a “Good start, good goals, creating a for more. I want more assists, more goals, professional foul with more than lot of chances, making the fans excited more enjoyment in the pitch, so hopefully Manchester United’s Juan Mata (centre) in action against Fulham during the Premier half an hour to play. about the game, about our performance,” I can do (so).” League match at Old Traff ord in Manchester on Saturday. (Reuters) Manager Rafa Benitez was furious, apparently believing a covering defender was in posi- BOTTOMLINE tion to prevent an attempt on goal. Promoted Wolves, who had Wolverhampton Wanderers’ beaten Chelsea 2-1 on Wednes- Matt Doherty celebrates after day after six games without scoring against Newcastle a win, went ahead in the 17th yesterday. (AFP) Rangers held by Dundee in Scottish Premiership minute with Diogo Jota’s second AFP tors found themselves in trouble again Rangers enjoyed the bulk of possession cure a place in the Europa League knock- goal of the week. Down to ten men for 38 min- Glasgow when former Rangers striker Kenny Mill- after that but their numerical superior- out stages. Newcastle equalised six min- utes, including fi ve of added er scored in the ninth minute, capitalising ity failed to pay off as Dundee defended “It was not good enough,” Gerrard said. utes later when Salomon Ron- time, Newcastle had held out on a hesitant rearguard to beat goalkeeper stoutly for a well-deserved point that ex- “We didn’t look like a Rangers team, indi- don, having crashed a free kick with defi ance and some compo- angers lost ground in the Pre- Allan McGregor. tended their unbeaten run to four games vidually we didn’t look like Rangers play- against the bar, crossed for Ay- sure – though goalkeeper Martin miership title race with a 1-1 That advantage was cancelled out in and lifted them off the bottom. ers. We kept making stupid decisions, we oze Perez to score. But Doher- Dubravka made a trio of excel- draw at 10-man Dundee yester- the 21st minute when Dundee defender Steven Gerrard’s side moved into sec- never really carried out the game plan ty’s last-gasp header from close lent saves. But when Dubravka day, missing out on the chance to Nathan Ralph was dismissed by referee ond place, two points behind Celtic, who that we worked on for the last couple of range pushed Wolves into the top pushed away Diogo Jota’s rising drawR level on points with Celtic at the top Alan Muir for a foul on Daniel Candeias have a game in hand. But Rangers will games. So no surprises in terms of the re- half of the table and left Benitez’s shot, the rebound fell onto the of the table. After losing 1-0 at home to just outside the box and defender Andy have to improve signifi cantly if they are to sult because our performance didn’t de- side 15th, three points above the head of Matt Doherty who nod- Aberdeen at Ibrox in midweek, the visi- Halliday fi red in the resultant free-kick. beat Rapid Vienna on Thursday and se- serve better.” bottom three. ded in from six yards. Gulf Times Monday, December 10, 2018 3 FOOTBALL

SPOTLIGHT Sterling accuses newspapers of fuelling racism

AFP at Stamford Bridge, which City lost able, both innocent, have not done a London 2-0. The England international said he thing wrong but just by the way it has was not surprised by the behaviour of been worded.” the fans but did not elaborate on what The Football Association released aheem Sterling has accused was said. a statement condemning any act of British newspapers of help- “I just want to say, I am not normally discrimination in the game. “We take ing to “fuel racism” with the the person to talk a lot but when I think all allegations of discrimination ex- way they portray young black I need my point heard I will speak up,” tremely seriously and will work with footballersR after he suff ered alleged he posted. “Regarding what was said the clubs and the relevant authorities abuse during Manchester City’s defeat at the Chelsea game, as you can see by to ensure this matter is dealt with ap- at Chelsea. Chelsea and the police are my reaction I just had to laugh because propriately,” it said. Former Manches- investigating the incident at Stamford I don’t expect no better.” ter United defender Patrice Evra, who Bridge on Saturday, which was high- In his social media post, Sterling re- was racially abused by Luis Suarez in lighted on social media. fers to headlines about Adarabioyo, 21, 2011, expressed his dismay at the inci- Sterling, 24, posted on Instagram and fellow City youngster Phil Foden dent at Stamford Bridge. “I saw what yesterday, referencing a story from buying houses. While the article about happened with @sterling7 yesterday.... January about City teammate Tosin Adarabioyo focuses on how he spent How does this happen still in 2018?!,” Adarabioyo reportedly buying an ex- £2.25mn ($2.9mn) on a property with- the Frenchman tweeted. pensive house despite never having out making a top-fl ight appearance, Sterling, who recently signed a con- started a Premier League match. “The midfi elder Foden, 18, is described as tract extension with Manchester City, young black kid is looked at in a bad having “set up a future”. has previously faced negative publicity, light. Which helps fuel racism an(d) ag- “You have two young players start- often for non-football issues. Treated gressive behaviour,” Sterling wrote. ing out their careers — both play for as a scapegoat during England’s disas- “So for all the newspapers that don’t the same team, both have done the trous Euro 2016 campaign, he dubbed understand why people are racist in right thing, which is buy a new house himself “The Hated One” on Insta- this day and age all I have to say is have for their mothers who have put in a lot gram. Sterling was widely criticised a second thought about fair publicity of time and love into helping them get again ahead of this year’s World Cup an(d) give all players an equal chance.” where they are,” said Sterling. in Russia for having a tattoo of a gun Sterling received a barrage of abuse “But look at how the newspapers on his leg. He explained it was a trib- from home supporters as he retrieved get their message across for the young ute to his father, who was shot dead in the ball from behind the goal during the black player and then for the young his birthplace of Jamaica when Sterling fi rst half of the Premier League match white player. “I think this is unaccept- was just two years old. Raheem Sterling (left) suff ered alleged racial abuse during Manchester City’s defeat at Chelsea on Saturday. (AFP)

LA LIGA Disputed penalty earns Mainz draw with Hanover

Berlin: Daniel Brosinski’s 86th-minute penalty rescued Bale snaps drought as a dramatic 1-1 draw for Mainz and robbed struggling Hano- ver of a much-needed win in the Bundesliga yesterday. Visitors Hanover accused Mainz striker Jean-Philippe Mateta of diving to win the penalty, and were left fuming Real edge past Huesca after the video assistant failed to intervene on their behalf. “It was clearly the wrong decision,” Hanover’s Matthias Messi steals the show with two free-kick goals as Barcelona maintain their lead at the top Ostrzolek said. “Mateta told us himself that he had dived. I AFP from which the French attacker curled said that if he was a real man Madrid in a fi ne second. he would go to the referee It was then Dembele’s turn to become and own up.” provider a minute before the break, The second of two hotly areth Bale ended a run of 802 slipping in a super through ball that disputed penalty decisions minutes without a goal in La Suarez somehow took on and squeezed in the game, Brosinski’s late Liga as Real Madrid won 1-0 home from near the byline. equaliser left Hanover second at bottom side Huesca yester- Messi capped a dominant team and from bottom in the Bundes- Gday to climb back to within fi ve points individual display with his second liga table, and doomed them of leaders Barcelona. The Welshman free-kick of the night, which this time to a 20th consecutive away struck his fi rst goal in the league since whipped past Lopez which such venom game without a win. the start of September to lift Real to a the Spanish goalkeeper could barely Hanover got off to a fourth win in fi ve matches and move the move towards it. perfect start when Hendrik European champions up to fourth place. Nikola Kalinic opened his league Weydandt put them ahead Bale put a halt to his longest spell account for Atletico Madrid with the on 12 minutes, turning in a without scoring in the league since opener against Alaves earlier on Sat- deflected cross from Genki joining Real as he expertly cushioned in urday, before Antoine Griezmann and Haraguchi. A resurgent Mainz a volley from an arcing cross by Alvaro midfi elder Rodri sealed all three points had a penalty appeal waved Odriozola on eight minutes. Huesca at the Wanda Metropolitano with goals away after the ball struck the winger Ezequiel Avila forced a bril- in the fi nal 10 minutes. hand of Hanover defender liant stop from Real goalkeeper Thibaut The only negative note for Simeone Kevin Wimmer just before the Courtois, the Belgium international was World Cup winner Lucas Hernan- half-hour mark. punching the ball to safety midway dez leaving the fi eld with a knee injury Referee Robert Hartmann through the fi rst half. in the fi rst half. Mouctar Diakhaby’s upheld his decision after a Bale nearly added to his haul on 25 header in second half stoppage time VAR review. Hartmann was minutes when his fi erce drive from the for Valencia meant Sevilla missed the forced to suspend the game edge of the area was tipped over by opportunity to stay just a point behind for several minutes early in a scrambling Aleksandar Jovanovic. Barca. Pablo Sarabia had put the visi- the second half as flares in the Gonzalo Melero should have levelled tors into the lead nine minutes into the away block filled the stadium for Huesca right after the break only to second half and Sevilla had chances to with smoke. nod wide of the goal despite having the seal the points at the Mestalla with Ever Yet Mainz remained un- whole target at which to aim. Banega and Andre Silva hitting the post. fazed, and continued to push A swerving David Ferreiro shot drew for an equaliser. The home another smart save from Courtois as SPANISH LA LIGA RESULTS side were finally rewarded Real withstood a spirited fi ghtback from Eibar 4 (Enrich 8, Escalante 57, Charles on 83 minutes when they the hosts, but Bale continued to threat- 61-pen, 65) Levante 4 (Morales 10, Rober were given the controversial en and forced two further saves from Pier 26, Tono 75, Mayoral 90+2); Huesca penalty. Tempers flared as Jovanovic. Courtois turned over a late 0 Real Madrid 1 (Bale 8) Hanover protested the deci- Moi Gomez free-kick and Huesca, who sion, before Brosinski coolly slumped to a 10th defeat in 15 games Real Madrid’s Gareth Bale celebrates after scoring against Huesca in the La Liga yesterday. (AFP) Playing today: Athletic Bilbao v Girona slotted the ball in. this season, were denied a point when (2000 GMT) Anthony Ujah appeared to Dani Carvajal headed off the line from as Tono halved the defi cit before May- another goal as he and his teammates the top of the pile with a mesmerising Played Saturday: Atletico Madrid 3 have won the game for Mainz Christian Rivera. Earlier, Borja May- oral struck at the death. romped to victory at the RCDE Sta- display alongside front-three partners (Kalinic 25, Griezmann 82, Rodrigo 87) with a header in added time, oral salvaged a point for Levante with On Saturday night, Lionel Messi stole dium and made sure Barca kept chas- Luis Suarez and Ousmane Dembele that Alaves 0; Valencia 1 (Diakhaby 90+2) but his celebrations were cut a stoppage-time equaliser in a thrilling the show with two free-kick goals in a ing Atletico Madrid and Sevilla at bay. left Espanyol dead and buried by half- Sevilla 1 (Sarabia 55); Villarreal 2 (Bacca short as the goal was ruled 4-4 draw away to Eibar. Eibar, who beat blistering display as Barcelona main- Atleti and Sevilla had moved level on 28 time. Messi began the rout in the 17th 83, 87) Celta Vigo 3 (Mendez 44, Okay out for off side. A second Madrid 3-0 in their last home game, tained their lead at the top of La Liga points with Barca on Saturday after Di- minute with a perfectly placed free- 49, Gomez 51); Espanyol 0 Barcelona 4 yellow card for Oliver Sorg, led 4-2 with 15 minutes to play after a with a thumping 4-0 derby win over ego Simeone’s side defeated Alaves 3-0 kick that arched past a desperate Diego (Messi 17, 65, Dembele 26, L. Suarez 45) though, put the final flourish quick-fi re brace by Charles added to Catalan rivals Espanyol. and the Andalusians drew 1-1 at Valen- Lopez, and followed that up by keep- on a bitter afternoon for Played Friday: Leganes 1 (Nyom 64) goals from Sergi Enrich and Gonzalo The Argentine superstar curled home cia. However Messi made sure that Er- ing possession under intense pressure Hanover. Escalante. But Levante snatched a draw two sensational set-pieces and set up nesto Valverde’s team kept their place at before providing the pass for Dembele Getafe 1 (Cabrera 39)

SERIE A Zapata hat-trick has Atalanta aiming for Champions League

AFP two-goal lead to draw 2-2 at nine-man fi nish with 10 men. Belgian Mirallas, A bottom club, while Empoli beat Bo- Milan Cagliari on Saturday. Leaders Juventus 31, who joined the Tuscan side on a sea- logna 2-1 in a battle between relegation are eight points clear of second-placed son-long loan after falling out of favour candidates. Napoli, who smashed Frosinone 4-0 at Goodison Park, came on as a late uvan Zapata got Atalanta on Saturday, with Inter Milan a further substitute and made an instant impact ITALIAN SERIE A RESULTS back winning ways in Serie A three points back in third after losing to when he beat Sassuolo keeper Andrea Sassuolo 3 (Duncan 62, Babacar 67, Sen- after consecutive losses with the champions on Friday. Consigli with seconds remaining. si 80) Fiorentina 3 (Simeone 70, Benassi hat-trick against former club Milan host Torino later Sunday look- A chaotic fi nal period saw Sassuolo’s 89, Mirallas 90+6); Empoli 2 (Caputo 10, UdineseD yesterday that brought them to ing to close the gap on their city rivals to Filip Djuricic and Fiorentina’s Nikola La Gumina 80) Bologna 1 (Poli 41); Parma within touching distance of the Cham- just one point. “We’re in the company Milenkovic sent off before Fioren- 1 (Bruno Alves 53) Chievo 1 (Stepinski pions League places. of great teams, everyone can fi ght for tina struck back. Mirallas’ late level- 46); Udinese 1 (Lasagna 12) Atalanta 3 Colombian striker Zapata’s goals put the Europa League and maybe even for ler, which came after his side had gone (Zapata 2, 62, 80) Gian Piero Gasperini’s side seventh, fourth place,” added Gasperini. 3-1 down with 10 minutes remaining, just four points away from fourth place Zapata opened the scoring after just means ninth-placed Sassuolo are also Played Saturday: Napoli 4 (Zielinski and the fi nal Champions League spot two minutes when Rafael Toloi nodded Barrow failed to fi nish Hans Hateboer’s scored in last week’s defeat to Napoli, on 21 points, two points ahead Fioren- 7, Ounas 40, Milik 68, 85) Frosinone 0; held by AC Milan. “We’re aiming for the on a Papu Gomez corner and the Co- cross and the ball fell to the striker. The who had loaned him to Udinese. tina, who drop to 12th after their eighth Cagliari 2 (Ionita 84, Sau 90+5) Roma 2 Scudetto (league title) now,” laughed lombian fi nished from close range, only 27-year-old sealed the points 10 minutes Earlier on-loan Everton winger Kevin game without a win. (Cristante 14, Kolarov 41); Lazio 2 (Acerbi Atalanta coach Gian Piero Gasperini. for Kevin Lasagna to quickly respond from time with his fi rst ever hat-trick in Mirallas struck his fi rst Serie A goal six Elsewhere Parma were held 1-1 at 79, Immobile 90+6-pen) Sampdoria 2 Atalanta move above Roma, both on for the hosts, levelling 10 minutes later. Italy, again off an Hateboer cross. “Za- minutes into injury time to snatch a home by 10-man Chievo after Bruno (Quagliarella 21, Saponara 90+9) 21 points alongside three other teams, However Zapata struck again on 62 pata’s enjoying a good moment,” said point for Fiorentina in a dramatic 3-3 Alves’ free-kick cancelled out Mariusz Played Friday: Juventus 1 (Mandzukic after the capital club was threw away a minutes when teenage substitute Musa Gasparini, after the South American also draw at Sassuolo that saw both teams Stepinski’s shock opener for the Serie 66) Inter Milan 0 Gulf Times 4 Monday, December 10, 2018 SPORT

SPOTLIGHT Ballon d’Or was an amazing night for women: Hegerberg The Norwegian striker named the world’s best female footballer tells of her pride – and why the furore over the compere’s sexist remark ‘got out of hand’

By Suzanne Wrack books, said it was important that “out- The Guardian rage is there in every situation where that theme comes up”, but was keen to tilt things away from the sexism row da Hegerberg says she wants and what it says about the industry, and to be remembered as the fi rst back to what the award represents. woman to win the Ballon d’Or, “It was an amazing night for women after the moment she collect- in general and women who play foot- edA the biggest individual prize in foot- ball. I really want to say thank you to ball was marred by the male compere of France Football for putting it in place, I the awards ceremony asking her if she know it’s 2018 and it’s been a long time would like to twerk on stage. “It got out coming, but at the same time it’s im- of hand and I want the attention to be portant to show what a big step forward on the historic moment for the Ballon this is for women’s football. d’Or and what it meant for me,” says “It was, and is, quite emotional to Hegerberg, 23. be honest,” she says. “I try not to use The elite of football gathered last the word proud too often but I was re- Monday in Paris to crown a new king, ally proud, because I was in a position and for the fi rst time in its 62-year to promote women’s football and that’s history, a queen. The Ballon d’Or, the what I’m passionate about. It’s a night most prestigious individual prize in the when we celebrate the best footballers men’s game, won by either Cristiano in the world, male and female. Ronaldo or Lionel Messi for the preced- “They’re the same as us, we’ve been ing 10 years, was lifted aloft by World working hard every day to achieve Cup fi nalist Luka Modric. things like this. The mutual respect is And the new era also saw the in- there. There is no diff erence. That’s augural women’s prize picked up by what’s so nice about nights like this be- Lyon striker Hegerberg – a Norwegian cause it puts both sexes up front, and player with almost 300 career goals, that’s how it should be.” four French league titles and a hat- Of the 15 nominees for the inau- trick of Coupe de France trophies and gural award, seven were from Lyon, a of Champions League titles. testament to the fi ve-times European As Hegerberg collected her prize, champions. “It shows the mentality in she gave a speech with the message for the group,” says Hegerberg. “I call it a young girls all over the world to “please, team award as much as an individual believe in yourselves”. award. I know I’ve had some fantas- At which the host, French DJ Mar- tic seasons, but we’ve achieved great tin Solveig, asked the record-break- things together.” ing goal-scorer “do you know how to On Wednesday night Hegerberg was Lyon’s forward Ada Hegerberg (centre) is congratulated by her teammates after she won the Women’s Ballon d’Or award for best player in Paris last Monday. (AFP) twerk?”. Cool-headed as ever, applauded by almost 60,000 fans as Hegerberg replied with a curt “no” she took to Lyon’s Groupama Stadium For serial winners, both as a team matched Ronaldo’s tally for the same decision to step back from the Norwe- of women’s football and what is needed and turned to leave and, in that mo- pitch. “It was fantastic to go home to and personally, you might imagine duration. With 41 goals in 41 games gian national team in 2017, dismayed for its growth. “Our job is to work hard. ment, a viral clip was born. Fury en- my home pitch, a fantastic stadium, in staying motivated would be hard. But she is 10 shy of the all-time Champi- by the lack of commitment of the Nor- Every woman player has a responsibil- sued. Tennis star Andy Murray, a vocal front of great fans. It shows they appre- Hegerberg describes winning and scor- ons League record held by Anja Mittag wegian Football Federation to women’s ity to work hard and stay out of your supporter of women’s rights, was one ciate the football,” said Hegerberg. ing as an addiction: “When you fi rst of Germany, but setting that as a target football, the Ballon d’Or winner will comfort zone every day to deliver good of the fi rst to voice his anger, describing “That’s the philosophy from (Lyon win a trophy you want to do it again for this term is looking too far ahead. “I not be seen on the biggest stage, at the football. We need to continue to deliver levels of sexism within sport as “un- owner) Jean-Michel Aulas and the club, and again. It keeps you hungry. People don’t think too much about how many World Cup in France next summer. But good football … so that in the end they real”. it’s a modern way to think. We have wonder what you are going to do af- goals I’m going to target. I work really to her, principles matter. can’t see through us, they have to see “Why do women still have to put up everything we need to perform at the ter you’ve won the Champions League hard and prepare really well for the sea- “I wouldn’t be the player I am today the value in it. with that shit. What questions did they highest level, that’s why I feel like the three times? Win it again, if I can. son to come … I know when I’m well if I didn’t stand for my values, what I’m “There’s a long way to go, there are ask Mbappe and Modric? I’d imagine club should be seen as an example. This That’s what defi nes the best athletes, prepared, when I’ve worked hard, the passionate about and what I believe in. small fi ghts and bigger fi ghts we need something to do with football,” Murray isn’t something Aulas has built in one being capable of showing up year after results will come.” It’s easy to lose yourself on the road and to (have). We don’t have to be alone in said on Instagram. year, it was a project, he was patient year at the highest level.” Missing from her cabinet is interna- you have to take some tough decisions this, we need help from bigger organi- Hegerberg, speaking to the Guard- and now he has the best team. It pays Last season the striker scored 15 tional acclaim, and that is a situation to stay true to yourself.” sations, from men as well, who have the ian about her latest place in the history off .” Champions League goals, a record, and unlikely to change. Having made the She is animated discussing the future power to help make a diff erence.”

FOCUS BOTTOMLINE Aspire Academy’s 3K and 6K Atlanta beat Portland to win MLS Cup AFP runs attract top athletes Atlanta spire Academy’s third style, Aspire Academy organised Park. While the Kuwaiti runner edition of the annual 3K this run for both genders, aged 12 Jassim praised the overall excel- tlanta United won the Major and 6K cross-country years and above. lent organisation of the event League Soccer title in its second runs featured promi- The winners from the 6K and expressed his excitement to season of existence, defeating the nentlyA on Saturday with the par- run were, from the men, Saeed participate in upcoming activi- Portland Timbers 2-0 in the MLS ticipation of 16 student-athletes Farhan al-Adaa, who fi nished the ties at Aspire. CupA fi nal on Saturday. Atlanta’s MLS Most and over 100 recreational run- race in 17 minutes and 30 sec- Cross-country running is one Valuable Player Josef Martinez led the way ners from schools, sports clubs, onds. In the women’s event, Laila of the disciplines that comes in front of a league-record crowd of 73,019 and sports enthusiasts across Salem clocked 32 minutes and 56 under the umbrella of athlet- at Mercedes Benz Stadium, opening the Qatar. seconds. ics. It also allows individuals and scoring in the 39th minute with his 35th goal Renowned athletes in Qatar As for the 3K run, Dery Youssef families to race with their loved of the 2018 campaign. and the region, including Qatar’s secured fi rst place after fi nish- ones as well as professional ath- Argentine defender Franco Escobar dou- triathlete, Abdulla al-Humaidi ing the race in 8 minutes and 56 letes, which increases the spirit bled the score in the 54th minute as Atlanta and Kuwaiti triathlete Jassim seconds, whilst Natasha Cros of competition. made coach Gerardo “Tata” Martino’s last al-Ostath, also took part in the clinched the fi rst position for fe- The cross-country run was or- match at the helm a victory before he de- event. The cross-country run males as she clocked 11 minutes ganised by the athletics depart- parts to take over as coach of Mexico. At- comes as part of Aspire Acad- and 37 seconds. ment at Aspire Academy with a lanta pressed from the beginning. Martinez Atlanta United players celebrate after winning the MLS Cup. (USA TODAY Sports) emy’s celebratory activities for The Qatari triathlete al-Hu- vision of providing an opportu- was sent tumbling by a challenge from Lar- Qatar National Day 2018. Stem- maidi described the race as an nity for its student-athletes to rys Mabiala in the penalty area but play was Ten minutes later Atlanta seized the lead er Brad Guzan denied Portland’s fi rst real ming from its keenness to pro- exceptional experience due to partake in a wide range of run- waved on and VAR backed up the call. At- as a sliding Michael Parkhurst sent the ball chance, set up by Sebastian Blanco’s cross to mote an active and healthy life- the natural terrain path at Aspire ning competitions. lanta’s Miguel Almiron had a clear chance toward the penalty area and Martinez beat Jeremy Ebobisse. in the 29th minute from a cross from Greg Liam Ridgewell at the top of the box then Ebobisse’s close-range header was Garza but Portland goalkeeper Jeff Attinella rounded Attinella to slot the ball into an pushed away by Guzan to keep it 1-0 at the dived right to swat the shot away. empty net. Four minutes later Atlanta keep- interval.

Afghan football chiefs suspended over abuse on women’s team Kabul: Afghanistan has suspended five attorney general, said. “To conduct the Popal welcomed news of the suspen- off icials including the president of the investigations thoroughly, collect evidence sions, tweeting: “If we all stand together country’s football federation over allega- and to ensure justice, the team of prosecu- and raise our voice and become the tions of sexual and physical abuse against tors decided to suspend these people,” he #Voice4voiceless no one would be dare to the national women’s team, off icials said said, adding that all the suspended off icials hurt innocents.#Football is not abuse.” yesterday. The decision comes days after were male. Safi Sadab, an AFF spokesman, said the President Ashraf Ghani ordered the at- The Guardian cited what it described as federation was ready to “cooperate with torney general to conduct a “thorough in- senior figures associated with the women’s the investigation”. Football’s world govern- vestigation” into what he called “shocking” team who said the abuse had taken place ing body FIFA has also said it was looking claims of abuse by male off icials against in Afghanistan, including at the Afghani- into the claims, while the Danish sports- members of the women’s team — allega- stan Football Federation (AFF) headquar- wear Hummel announced it had cancelled tions that were first reported in Britain’s ters, and at a training camp in Jordan last a sponsorship deal with the team due to Guardian newspaper. February. the allegations. “The attorney general’s off ice has The story quoted former captain Khalida Afghanistan has made strides to suspended...the president of the football Popal — who fled the country after receiv- promote female football — as well as the federation, his deputy, the federation’s ing death threats and has spoken out previ- national side, four years ago it launched its secretary general, the head of goalkeep- ously about the discrimination women face first all-women’s football league that ran in ers and the head of provincial coordina- in Afghanistan — as saying male off icials parallel with the men’s. In 2017 the female Over 100 recreational runners from schools, sports clubs, and sports enthusiasts across Qatar took part in tors,” Jamshid Rasuli, spokesman for the were “coercing” female players. teams were sidelined by a lack of funding. the Aspire Academy’s third edition of the annual 3K and 6K cross-country runs. Gulf Times Monday, December 10, 2018 5 SPORT

NBA SPOTLIGHT Booker and Ayton exchange words as Celtics dominate frustration grows with Phoenix Suns

Reuters rookie Mikal Bridges and coach New York Igor Kokoskov were visibly up- Bulls for franchise set with each other at the end of the third quarter. Video from ith the Phoenix the telecast showed Kokoskov Suns appearing trying to talk to Bridges and the to be headed for rookie trying to walk away. But a fourth straight Kokoskov would not let him, Wseason with a sub-.300 win- constantly staying in front of ning percentage, frustration Bridges’ face as he tried to talk record 56-point win is defi nitely mounting in the to him. desert. When asked by a reporter ‘It’s pretty clear that he’s got a flair for the moment. He’s unafraid’ And according to a report by what the conversations on the the Arizona Republic’s Duane bench were like when the Suns AFP Rankin, that frustration may were down 25 after the fi rst Los Angeles be reaching new heights. quarter, veteran player Trevor After scoring just nine fi rst- Ariza reportedly replied, “How quarter points for the second long have you been around aylen Brown came off the bench to straight game and suff ering Basketball? ... So what do you score 23 points as the Boston Celt- their seventh loss in a row, the think the conversation would ics recorded the biggest margin of Suns on Thursday night saw be like after that?” victory in franchise history with a their two most high-profi le After the reporter re- 133-77J demolition of the Chicago Bulls on players exchange emotional sponded, “Probably not very Saturday. words to cap a night full of positive,” Ariza summed the The Celtics improved to 15-10 on the them. situation up. “Exactly. Not too season and the 56-point win eclipsed a According to Rankin, “After happy, but again, that’s on us 51-point victory (153-102) over the Phila- the game, Phoenix’s top two for not playing hard.” delphia Warriors in 1962. players, Devin Booker and De- The 108-86 loss to the Trail Daniel Theis delivered a career-high andre Ayton, exchanged words Blazers at Portland dropped 22 points and 10 rebounds for the Celt- after the 10-minute cooling off the Suns to 4-21. ics who went wire-to-wire Saturday to period as members of the me- stretch their winning streak to fi ve games. dia entered the visiting locker If there were doubts about The 56-point loss was the worst ever for room for the tail end of that whether All-Star outfi elder the hapless Bulls, surpassing a 53-point (127- conversation.” Bryce Harper would return 74) shellacking at Minnesota on November They have had animated to the Washington Nationals, 2001. Boston exploded for a 17-0 start in the conversations on the court team owner Mark Lerner on fi rst six minutes of the game cruised to their when discussing plays but, ac- Friday didn’t give fans any rea- second consecutive one-sided victory after cording to Rankin, “this felt son to be optimistic. beating New York 128-100 two days ago. diff erent.” “I really don’t expect him Jayson Tatum had 18 points and Terry Rozier “I’m an emotional guy, too,” to come back at this point,” added 15 for the Celtics, who have outscored Ayton told Rankin. “I start to Lerner said on 106.7 The Fan, opponents an average of 126.2 to 97.6 during feel stuff . When I don’t sense making his fi rst substantial their fi ve-game streak. it and the energy is not there, comments on the matter. “I that’s when you start to hear think they’ve (Harper and RESULTS my mouth. I don’t care who agent Scott Boras) decided to it is. Nineteen-year vet or 15 move on. There’s just too much Clippers 98-121 Miami years, it don’t matter. We all money out there that he’d be Atlanta 106-98 Denver have a job to do and I have to leaving on the table. That’s just step it up a little more, too.” not Mr. Boras’ M.O. to leave Cleveland 116-101 Washington According to the report, money on the table.” New York 104-112 Brooklyn Portland 113-105 Minnesota Chicago 77-133 Boston 12-year MLB veteran Napoli retires Memphis 88-111 Lakers Indiana 107-97 Sacramento Veteran catcher/first baseman “I am proudest of positively Dallas 107-104 Houston Mike Napoli announced his aff ecting peoples’ lives and retirement from baseball on putting smiles on peoples’ Shaquille Harrison came off the bench Saturday. faces by simply being myself, to score a career-high 20 points for the Napoli, 37, played 12 seasons reflecting the way I was Chicago, whose previous worst loss was in the major leagues, starting brought up in South Florida,” 122-83 to Toronto last month. with the Los Angeles Angels Napoli wrote. The Celtics led 35-17 after one quarter and followed by Texas, Boston “I played through many inju- as it shot 60.9 percent, and led 64-43 at and Cleveland. He had three ries as well as major surgeries the half thanks to 52.4-percent shooting. stints with Texas. and I would do it all over again Chicago didn’t score its fi rst fi eld goal He had hoped to rejoin the the exact same way.” until the 5:06 mark of the fi rst quarter. Indians in 2018 and was with Napoli had a career batting av- Elsewhere, Luka Doncic and Wesley Triple-A Columbus in April erage of.246. He hit 267 home Matthews scored 21 points apiece as the when he suff ered a season- runs and drove in 744 runs in Dallas Mavericks overcame a 35-point ending knee injury. An All-Star 1,392 games. night from James Harden to beat the Hou- with Texas in 2012, Napoli ap- Meanwhile St. Louis Cardinals ston Rockets 107-104. Slovenian rookie peared in three World Series catcher Yadier Molina is slated Doncic started slowly but caught fi re – one each with the Rangers, to undergo minor surgery on late in the fourth, scoring 11 consecutive Boston Celtics guard Terry Rozier shoots on Chicago Bulls forward Cristiano Felicio of Brazil (left) during their NBA game at the Red Sox and Indians – and his left knee next week, ac- points to erase an eight-point Houston United Center in Chicago. (EPA) was part of Boston’s 2013 cording to multiple reports. lead as the Mavericks recorded their ninth championship team. He hit 30 Cardinals president of Base- straight win at home. 105-102. Eric Gordon then missed a po- early foul trouble, led all scorers while championship. Doncic fi nished seven of or more homers twice and had ball operations John Mozeliak Doncic, 19, made a fl oater to tie the tential tying three-pointer for Houston at Paul fi nished with 23 points and eight as- 17 from the fi eld with seven rebounds. De- one 100-RBI season during told St. Louis Baseball Weekly contest 102-102 late in the fourth after the buzzer. “It’s pretty clear that he’s got sists. However, the Rockets couldn’t hold Andre Jordan fi nished with 12 points and his career. In a statement on that Molina will undergo a Chris Paul had missed two free throws. a fl air for the moment,” Dallas coach Rick the lead less than two weeks after losing 20 rebounds. Also, LeBron James had 20 Twitter, he thanked his family, “very small procedure.” Harden then put up an air ball from be- Carlisle said of Doncic. “He’s unafraid. to Dallas by 20 points at home. The Mav- points, nine assists and eight rebounds, teammates and fans. He said Molina is expected to recover yond the arc and Doncic made the Rockets You don’t see that every day. It’s a unique ericks extended their longest home win- Kyle Kuzma added 20 points and nine re- he would pursue other career prior to the start of spring pay for their mistakes by draining a three- three or four minutes, whatever he put ning streak since winning nine straight bounds, and the Los Angeles Lakers dom- opportunities in baseball. training. pointer to give Dallas a three point lead, together there.” Harden, who overcame in 2011, the year they won their only NBA inated the Memphis Grizzlies 111-88.

NHL Flames top Predators for 5th straight win Reuters saves for the Predators, who have lost two RESULTS New York straight and are 2-4-0 in their last six. Philadelphia 6-2 Buff alo DZINGEL’S OT WINNER LIFTS liver Kylington scored his fi rst NHL Los Angeles 5-1 Las Vegas SENATORS OVER PENGUINS goal in a two-point game and Elias Boston 6-3 Toronto Ryan Dzingel’s power-play goal in overtime Lindholm and Sean Monahan also Ottawa 2-2 Pittsburgh Saturday lifted the Ottawa Senators to a 2-1 netted one goal and one assist as win against the visiting Pittsburgh Penguins. theO host Calgary Flames beat the Nashville Islanders 3-2 Detroit After Pittsburgh was tagged for having Predators 5-2 Saturday night. Goalie Mike Tampa Bay 7-1 Colorado too many men on the ice, Mark Stone, from Smith made 25 saves for his sixth consecutive Rangers 5-4 Florida the left circle, found Dzingel on a back-door victory as the Flames – who are riding a fi ve- pass. Dzingel scored on a severe-angle shot game winning streak – vaulted into the top Washington 4-0 Columbus along the extended goal line 1:20 into over- spot in the Western Conference. San Jose 5-3 Arizona time. Neither team scored in the third period Kylington, a second-round pick in 2015, Islanders 3-2 Detroit after Ottawa tallied in the fi rst and Pittsburgh scored his milestone goal 72 seconds into the in the second. game to open the scoring, ripping a top-cor- Tampa Bay 7-1 Colorado Thomas Chabot also scored for the Sena- ner shot set up by Lindholm. Colton Sissons Rangers 5-4 Florida tors, who snapped a two-game losing streak. drew Nashville even with 52.6 seconds left in Washington 4-0 Columbus Jean-Sebastien Dea scored for the Pen- the opening frame, redirecting a bouncing guins, who had won two in a row. Craig An- San Jose 5-3 Arizona puck into net to give him six goals on the year, derson, who has faced more shots than any but Monahan restored Calgary’s lead with son even more memorable, and Lindholm other NHL goalie, stopped 35 Pittsburgh the lone tally of the second period at 16:40 iced the game with an empty netter with shots. Penguins goaltender Casey DeSmith, for his team-high 18th goal. three minutes left on the clock. Lindholm making his fourth straight start, stopped Again the visitors drew even when Craig is riding a six-game point streak in which 27 of 29 Senators shots. Ottawa earlier in Smith scored 54 seconds into the third peri- he’s collected fi ve goals and 11 points while the day announced two signifi cant injuries. od, but Garnet Hathaway scored the eventual Johnny Gaudreau collected two assists to give Leading scorer Matt Duchene will be out for a game-winning goal with a right-out-of-the- him four goals and 13 points in a seven-game number of weeks because of a groin problem, playbook tally at 6:03 of the third period. The spree. and winger Bobby Ryan has a concussion. Flames won a faceoff and worked the puck to The Flames were without captain Mark Pittsburgh played without winger Patric Matthew Tkachuk for a point-shot blast that Giordano, who served the fi rst outing of the Hornqvist, who left the team’s game Thurs- Hathaway defl ected home. two-game suspension he was handed for day. He participated in the morning skate but Alan Quine, who was called up due to in- a knee-on-knee hit on Minnesota’s Mikko was ruled out because of a lower-body injury. juries to the Calgary forward ranks, added a Koivu on Thursday, and Mikael Backlund, Chabot opened the scoring at 4:24 of the much-needed insurance tally six minutes who was injured late in that same game af- fi rst period. His shot from the left point sailed Calgary Flames centre Elias Lindholm and Nashville Predators defenseman Ryan Ellis (left) battle for the later to make his fi rst NHL game of the sea- ter taking a hard check. Juuse Saros made 20 past DeSmith’s glove for his eighth goal. puck during the third period at Scotiabank Saddledome. PICTURE: USA TODAY Sports Gulf Times 6 Monday, December 10, 2018 SPORT

HOCKEY WORLD CUP RUGBY Late tries enable NZ to avoid shock Germany down Sevens exit

AFP Cup quarter-fi nals, Samoa will Cape Town have to compete for the sec- ondary Challenge Trophy. “The belief was always wo tries in the last there,” said New Zealand cap- spirited Malaysia 5-3, minute enabled New tain Andrew Knewstubb. Zealand to stay in con- “It was a matter of taking it tention for the title on on to the park. It was lucky we theT fi rst day of the World Rug- pulled up our socks in the last by Cape Town Sevens tourna- couple of minutes.” ment at Cape Town Stadium South Africa captain Philip on Saturday. Snyman, wearing a special New Zealand, winners of multi-coloured jersey to mark Dutch beat Pakistan the opening tournament of the the 100th anniversary of the 2018/2019 season in Dubai last birth of former president Nel- Malaysia’s fourth-place finish in Pool D resulted in their elimination from the event weekend, faced elimination son Mandela, said: “New Zea- before the quarter-fi nal stage land kept their composure. FIH for the fi rst time in their his- “It’s lucky (for us) that it’s Bhubaneswar tory until they rallied to beat only day one. We’ll have to be a hosts South Africa 26-21 in the bit sharper tomorrow.” fi nal match of the day. South Africa meet Scotland he pool phase of the Odi- An injury-hit New Zealand in the quarter-fi nals while New sha Hockey Men’s World side needed to win to qualify Zealand play Australia. Cup Bhubaneswar 2018 for the knockout stage after New Zealand’s win over has come to an end, with suff ering a shock 21-17 defeat South Africa was a reverse of TGermany confi rming themselves against Samoa in an earlier their defeat against Samoa, for as the winners of Pool D while Pool A match. whom Tula Maloi came off the the second-placed the Nether- Inside the last minute, South bench to score the winning try lands and third-placed Pakistan Africa’s Blitzboks led 21-14 but after the fi nal hooter. reached the cross-over play- Sione Molia scored a late con- The United States, runners- off s. verted try to draw the teams up in Dubai, won all three Sadly, it proved to be the end level. There was just enough matches against Japan, Spain of the line for Malaysia, whose time for New Zealand to kick and Argentina to top Pool B fourth-place fi nish in Pool D re- off , South Africa were unable to and qualify to play England at sulted in their elimination from secure possession and Vilimoni the last-eight stage. the event. Koroi scored in the left corner. Spain gained a surprise 35- Germany’s fi rst place fi nish in South Africa, New Zealand 12 win over Argentina to earn Pool D earns them a direct tick- and Samoa were tied at the top a place in the quarter-fi nals et to the quarter-fi nals, where of the table but South Africa, and condemn Argentina to the they will await the winner of the defending series champi- Challenge competition. the cross-over play-off match ons, won the group ahead of The Spaniards will play per- between Belgium and Pakistan New Zealand on points diff er- ennial contenders Fiji, who tomorrow. ence. clinched fi rst place in Pool C A second-place fi nish for the While South Africa and New with a 21-19 win over England Netherlands sets up a cross- Zealand go through to Sunday’s in a top-of-the-table clash. over match against Canada on December 11, with the winner playing host nation India in the quarter-fi nals. Germany sealed their place at the top of the Pool D standings with a 5-3 victory over Malaysia, but they certainly did not have everything their own way. Die Honamas were outstand- Germany’s Christopher Ruhr scores a goal against Malaysia during the 2018 Hockey World Cup match in Bhubaneswar yesterday. (AFP) ing in the fi rst period, with Timm Herzbruch fi nding the roof of the once again showing his incred- bit in trouble. But I think Malay- from close range just seven min- alty corner into the roof of the net from a penalty corner in the ible refl exes to touch home an- sia played quite nice today, they utes into the contest, but two net. It was the fi nal goal of the opening minute before Christo- other cross to make it 4-2 before had good counter-attacks and minutes later Pakistan’s Umar pool phase, with total number pher Ruhr crashed an unstoppa- Razie netted another to keep good penalty-corners. We knew Bhutta restored parity from a of goals scored so far in Bhu- ble backhand eff ort into the top Malaysia within touching dis- it before but we were not so con- second phase penalty corner baneswar being 111. left corner just before the end of tance at 4-3. centrated in the third quarter in situation, sliding the ball under Speaking after the match, the quarter. Malaysia found themselves the defence. the body of onrushing Dutch Netherlands midfi elder Robbert Ruhr played a decisive role reduced in numbers due to dis- “We’re really happy to be now goalkeeper Pirmin Blaak from a Kemperman said: “We played a in Germany’s third goal, surg- ciplinary cards for much of the through to the quarter-fi nals. tight angle. very solid game. In the fi rst two ing into the circle before seeing fi nal quarter, but that did not That was our aim today. Finish- Pakistan gave an excellent quarters Pakistan defended real- his cross-shot touched home by stop them having a great chance ing at the top of the pool is good showing in the second period, ly well. It was diffi cult to fi nd the Marco Miltkau. to pull his team level from a pen- for the self-confi dence and for but it was the Dutch who took gaps but we kept the pace high. I At 3-0, things were looking alty corner situation. The eff ort the rhythm.” a 2-1 lead into half time when a think we can be happy after this bleak for Malaysia, who des- was charged down, with Ger- Pakistan knew that by avoid- beautiful interchange between match.” perately needed at least a draw many going straight down the ing a heavy defeat against the Valentin Verga and player of the The knock-out phase begins if they were to have a realistic other end to kill the game at 5-3 Netherlands they would be cer- match Seve Van Ass ended with today, with two cross-over play- chance of reaching the knock- thanks to Herzbruch’s second tain of a place in the knock-out the former fi ring a cool fi nish off matches taking place. out phase. Remarkably, they goal of the day to all but end phase of the competition. between the legs of Green Shirts At 16:45 IST, England will play dragged themselves back into Malaysia’s hopes of remaining A win against the Netherlands shot-stopper Imran Butt. New Zealand, with the winner the game with two goals just be- in the competition. would be enough to move ahead The Netherlands confi rmed setting up a quarter-fi nal meet- fore half time. “We are happy that we could of the Dutch into second place a second-place fi nish in Pool D ing against Pool A winners and Razie Rahim scored the fi rst win against Malaysia”, said Ger- in the Pool, which would set- with three goals in the second reigning Olympic champions before setting up the second, many’s Tobias Hauke, who today up a cross-over match against half, with Jeroen Hertzberger Argentina on Wednesday 12 De- fi nding the goal with a penalty made his 300thinternational ap- Canada, who fi nished third in supplying Bob de Voogd for an cember. corner before providing the per- pearance for Die Honamas, after Pool C, as opposed to Olympic easy fi nish before Jorrit Croon The second match today sees fect assist for the diving Nabil the game. silver medallists Belgium, Pool forced home a penalty corner France facing China, with Pool Noor from another penalty cor- “It was a tough game. We C’s second-placed fi nisher. from close range. B winners and reigning world ner situation. started really well with 3-0 up The Netherlands were fi rst to A 5-1 score-line was com- champions Australia lying in Branco du Preez of South Africa is chased by Jona Nareki of New The two sides traded goals in in the beginning of the second make a mark on the scoreboard pleted by Mink van der Weerden, wait in the quarter-fi nals for the Zealand during the 2018 HSBC Cape Town Sevens at Cape Town the third quarter, with Miltkau quarter, but then we got a little when Thierry Brinkman netted who slammed a stunning pen- winner. Stadium in Cape Town. (EPA)

FIGURE SKATING Kihira upsets Zagitova to win ISU Grand Prix Final AFP Los Angeles RESULTS Women na-Nikita Katsalapov (RUS) 201.37, 1. Vanessa James-Morgan Cipres apan’s rising star Rika Kihira Final standings after free skate 3. Charlene Guignard-Marco Fabbri (FRA) 219.88, 2. Cheng Peng-Yang Jin won the battle of the 16-year 1. Rika Kihira (JPN) 233.12 pts, 2. Alina (ITA) 198.65, 4. Alexandra Stepano- (CHN) 216.90, 3. Evgenia Tarasova- olds, upsetting reigning Ol- Zagitova (RUS) 226.53, 3. Elizaveta va-Ivan Bukin (RUS) 196.72, 5. Tiff ani Vladimir Morozov (RUS) 214.20, 4. ympic champ Alina Zagitova Tuktamysheva (RUS) 215.32, 4. Kaori Zaggorski-Jonathan Guerreiro (RUS) Natalia Zabiiako-Alexander Enbert toJ claim ladies’ gold at the ISU Grand Sakamoto (JPN) 211.68, 5. Sofia 184.37, 6. Kaitlin Hawayek-Jean-Luc (RUS) 201.07, 5. Nicole Della Monica- Prix Figure Skating Final on Saturday. Samodurova (RUS) 204.33, 6. Satoko Baker (USA) 184.04 Matteo Guarise (ITA) 187.63, 6. Daria Skating her free programme ‘Beauti- Miyahara (JPN) 201.34 Free dance Pavliuchenko-Denis Khodykin (RUS) ful Storm’ by Jennifer Thomas, Kihira Free skate 1. Madison Hubbell-Zachary 186.81 missed her fi rst triple Axel but skated 1. Rika Kihira (JPN) 150.61, 2. Alina Donohue (USA) 124.82, 2. Victoria Free skate clean the rest of the way, including Zagitova (RUS) 148.60, 3. Elizaveta Sinitsina-Nikita Katsalapov (RUS) 1. Vanessa James-Morgan Cipres nailing her triple Lutz-toeloop. Tuktamysheva (RUS) 144.67, 4. Kaori 124.04, 3. Charlene Guignard-Marco (FRA) 148.37, 2. Cheng Peng-Yang Jin “I made a mistake early but got to Sakamoto (JPN) 141.45, 5. Sofia Fabbri (ITA) 120.35, 4. Alexandra (CHN) 141.21, 3. Evgenia Tarasova- go out there and fi nish. I am really Samodurova (RUS) 136.09, 6. Satoko Stepanova-Ivan Bukin (RUS) 119.52, Vladimir Morozov (RUS) 140.16, 4. happy to perform that way on this Miyahara (JPN) 133.79 5. Kaitlin Hawayek-Jean-Luc Baker Natalia Zabiiako-Alexander Enbert stage,” said Kihira. Kihira, who also Ice Dance (USA) 112.71, 6. Tiff ani Zaggorski- (RUS) 125.89, 5. Daria Pavliuchenko- won the short programme, fi nished Final standings after free dance Jonathan Guerreiro (RUS) 111.39 Denis Khodykin (RUS) 125.57, 5. with a personal best total score of 1. Madison Hubbell-Zachary Dono- Pairs Nicole Della Monica-Matteo Guarise 233.12 points to beat runner-up Za- hue (USA) 205.35, 2. Victoria Sinitsi- Final standings after free skate (ITA) 117.86 gitova by more than six points. European champion Zagitova, a breakthrough season in 2018. She the added height, winning grand gold medal with a free dance total skating to “Carmen” in her free pro- won two prior grand prix events prix series events in Helsinki and score of 205.03. The duo won the gramme, earned a total of 226.53 - the Internationaux de France in Moscow. Zagitova burst onto the sixth ice dance gold medal for the points while her Russian compatriot Grenoble and the NHK Trophy in scene last year winning gold at the US in the history of the Grand Prix Elizaveta Tuktamysheva grabbed the Hiroshima where she posted her European Championships. She says Final. The US has also won a med- third spot on the podium with 215.32 previous best score of 224.31. She she is feeling the pressure more this al in ice dance at every fi nal since points. The women’s competition was is the fi rst women to land a triple season. 2006. In the pairs, France’s Vanessa a Japan-Russia aff air as Japan’s Kaori Axel-triple toeloop in competi- “The fi rst season is easier than James and Morgan Cipres rallied Sakamoto placed fourth, Russia’s So- tion when she did it at the junior the second one. Because you go out from a fourth place fi nish in the fi a Samodurova fi nished fi fth and Ja- grand prix fi nals last year. Zagitova the fi rst time there are no expecta- short program to capture gold with pan’s Satoko Miyahara was sixth. started the 2018 season several cen- tions and you can just skate,” she 219.88 points. James and Cipres Kihira earned $25,000 for fi nish- timetres taller after going through a said. Madison Hubbell and Zachary scored 148.37 points in the free ing fi rst while Zagitova collected growth spurt over the summer. But Donohue continued the US domi- skate to beat out runners-up Peng Ladies free programme gold medallist Japan’s Rika Kihira poses with her medal at the ISU $18,000. Kihira’s victory continued she adapted almost immediately to nation of ice dance by winning the Cheng and Jin Yang of China. Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final 2018-19 in Vancouver. (AFP) Gulf Times Monday, December 10, 2018 7 SPORT

MOTORSPORT GOLF / SOUTH AFRICAN OPEN Oosthuizen ends 33-month winless Champ al-Khelaifi run in Johannesburg

AFP Johannesburg

ouis Oosthuizen ended clinches double in a 33-month winless run by lifting the South Afri- can Open trophy for the Al-Asiri second and Lfi rst time yesterday after a six- shot victory at Randpark Golf third respectively in Club in Johannesburg. The 2010 British Open cham- the two races pion last triumphed on the Euro- QTCC opener pean Tour in 2016 when he won the Perth International in west- By Sports Reporter the race by the fourth lap. ern Australia. 62 for the fi rst-round lead, but Doha Towards the end of the race, The 36-year-old South Afri- trailed fellow South African I tried to relax but it was not can closed with a four-under- Charl Schwartzel by two shots at a good idea as immediately par 67, shrugging off a poor start the halfway mark having carded efending champion Mohamed caught me and I to eagle 14 and fi nish well clear a 70. Abdulla al-Khelaifi had a diffi cult time to build of runner-up Romain Langasque A third-round 67 gave him a won both the races the gap again but fi nally I got from France. three-stroke advantage and the of the opening the victory again.” Schedule clashes meant Oost- expected fi nal-round challenges roundD of the Qatar Touring For al-Asiri, it was a great huizen was playing in the South from Schwartzel and in-form Car Championship (QTCC) fi rst race. “The race was good African Open for the fi rst time Matt Wallace of England never this weekend at Losail Inter- for me being my fi rst time since 2010 and he wept after materialised. national Circuit. racing here. I had to push 120 clinching an ultimately comfort- Instead, Langasque, who In the fi rst race, the Qatari percent behind the champion able victory. trailed Oosthuizen by seven rider took the lead start- and it was very hard. I tried “This is a very special victory shots after three rounds, fi red a ing from pole, crossing the to push in the fi rst three laps, for me as I become only the sixth fi ve-under 66 that included an checkered fl ag in a time of as hard as I can but I couldn’t golfer to win the two oldest na- eagle and fi ve birdies to surge 24:32.701 in his new Honda reach him, I was closer in tional golf championships, the into second spot. S2000 car. one section but then he went British Open and the South Afri- Major winner Schwartzel Newcomer drivers Ahmed away, so I decided to take it can Open.” closed with a 72 to share third al-Asiri in a Honda Civic and easy and secure the second Fellow South Africans Ernie place with compatriots Thomas Hamad al-Sulaiti, driving a place,” he said. Els, Bobby Locke and Gary Play- Aiken (67) and Bruce Easton Toyota GT86, fi nished sec- Newcomer al-Sulaiti was er, Swede Henrik Stenson and (66) and Oliver Wilson (67) from ond and third respectively. very happy with his fi rst po- New Zealander Bob Charles pre- England. The second race had to be dium of the season. “This is viously achieved the ‘double’. re-started due to a red fl ag great and I am very happy “I did not start well today, LEADING SCORES AFTER in the fi rst lap as drivers Ib- with my result. First time Winner Abdulla al-Khelaifi (centre) poses with second-placed Ahmed al-Asiri (left) and third-placed Hamad scrambling a par at one and FINAL ROUND rahim al-Mannai and Nasser racing in the championship al-Sulaiti on the podium for the first race of the opening round of the Qatar Touring Car Championship (QTCC) at dropping shots at two and three 266 — Louis Oosthuizen (RSA) al-Ahbabi crashed in turn and getting third place is the Losail International Circuit. before recovering with four bird- 62-70-67-67 7 and their cars got stuck in amazing for me. Hope I can ies to turn two under for the 272 — Romain Langasque (FRA) the gravel. stay like this and be back in round,” said Oosthuizen. 69-68-69-66 After the green fl ag, with the podium,” he said. “For the second successive 274 — Thomas Aiken (RSA) 67- a reverse grid in race two, it Another newcomer, al- round I struggled off the tee early 68-72-67, Bruce Easton (RSA) 68- took only three laps for al- Khaiat, too was happy with on and had to bite the bullet be- 69-71-66, Charl Schwartzel (RSA) Khelaifi to regain the lead his podium fi nish in the sec- fore coming good as the round 67-63-72-72, Oliver Wilson (ENG) and race to yet another vic- ond place. “Overall I am very progressed. 73-66-68-67 tory. happy, being my fi rst time “While realising that I was 275 — Yikeun Chang (KOR) 70- Mohamed al-Khaiat fi n- in this championship. In the building a good lead, it was not 65-72-68, Branden Grace (RSA) ished second in a Toyota fi rst race I had some prob- until 14 that I could relax a little 66-68-71-70, Jbe Kruger (RSA) 66- GT86. Al-Asiri completed lems and fi nished sixth but bit. 67-72-70, Anthony Michael (RSA) the podium. in the second race, it was a “My nine-iron second at that 67-71-69-68, Madalitso Muthiya “At the beginning of the very good beginning for me par-fi ve hole was a perfect shot, (ZAM) 63-68-71-73, Haydn Porte- three laps, al-Asiri was because I started in front and leaving me with a short putt for ous (RSA) 68-70-68-69, Brandon pushing very hard and I tried kept the fi rst position for an eagle.” Stone (RSA) 71-67-71-66, Jeff to get rid of him because as some laps. Hopefully for the Oosthuizen opened with a Winther (DEN) 68-69-68-70 long as he caught me in the next round we will be readier straight I am done, so I had and try to take some weight to build a big gap. I managed off of the car and be faster on SPOTLIGHT to do that by the fi fth lap and the track,” al-Khaiat said. by that time al-Asiri pace Trophies were presented came down so I was in the by Losail Circuit Sports Club safe zone and managed to (LCSC) vice-president and Transgender boxer secure the win,” al-Khelaifi general manager Khalid al- said after the fi rst race. Remaihi and LCSC CEO Juan “Race 2 was a bit diffi cult Baquero. Pat Manuel makes after the crash and the re- The next round of Qatar start of the race but I man- Touring Car Championship aged to overtake Mohamed will be held on December 14- Winner Abdulla al-Khelaifi (centre) poses with second-placed Mohamed al-Khaiat (left) and third-placed Ahmad history with pro win al-Khaiat who was leading 15, 2018. al-Asiri on the podium for the second race of the opening round of the QTCC. AFP don Games after just one bout. Los Angeles Months later he began the transition to male, and after sur- SECOND TEST gery and hormone treatments ransgender boxer Patri- waded through the bureaucracy cio Manuel made history of getting licensed to fi ght. Saturday with a unani- California boxing authorities Woodland, Hoff man in three-way tie for shootout lead mous decision victory were wary of granting a license, Tover Mexican super-feather- but once the International Olym- AFP day at Tiburon Golf Club in under 66 kept them in a strong McDowell said. “We look for- Having joined the leading weight Hugo Aguilar in Indio, pic Committee ruled prior to the Miami Naples, Florida. It was good position going into Sunday’s ward to getting out there to- group, Woodland and Hoff - California. 2016 Rio Games that female to enough for a share of the lead four-ball fi nal round. morrow. I think if we continue man said they would keep the Manuel, 33, became the fi rst male transgender athletes could on 19-under 125 alongside two “Emiliano’s partner showed to play this way we have a pedal down in Sunday’s best transgender male to fi ght profes- compete “without restriction” the ary Woodland and teams who shared the over- up today,” said McDowell. “I felt chance.” ball round. sionally in the United States. way was cleared for him. Charley Hoff man had night lead: Graeme McDowell a little bit more comfortable.” Kizzire and Harman had fi ve “Best ball you’ve got to be “I wouldn’t trade any of it. Aguilar, fi ghting in the United eight birdies in their and Emiliano Grillo and Patton He admitted the duo were birdies, a bogey and an eagle in aggressive,” Woodland said, It was worth everything I went States for the fi rst time, learned eight-under 64 on Kizzire and Brian Harman. disappointed with their “slow their 66. with Hoff man adding: “Two through to get to this point,” of Manuel’s transition just two GSaturday to join a three-way tie Northern Ireland’s McDowell fi nish” — after their bogey at Americans Kevin Na and looks at birdie on every hole is Manuel said, according to the days before the bout,” the Times for the lead after the modifi ed and Argentina’s Grillo had eight 15 they parred the last three Bryson DeChambeau, who the most important thing.” Los Angeles Times. “I’m a profes- reported. But he said it wasn’t a alternate-shot second round of birdies, including fi ve in a row — but said they went into the shared the overnight lead, The tournament featuring 12 sional boxer now.” problem. the QBE Shootout. from the 10th through the 14th. fi nal round with plenty of con- slipped a shot off the pace after two-person teams is the 30th Manuel fought in the 2012 US “For me it’s very respectable,” Americans Woodland and That stretched ended with their fi dence. a 67 that included seven birdies edition of the unoffi cial event Olympic trials as a female, but a he said. “It doesn’t change any- Hoff man had the round of the second bogey at 15, but their six- “We both played really well,” and two bogeys. founded by Greg Norman. shoulder injury spelled the end of thing for me. In the ring he wants a bid to make the team for the Lon- to win and I want to win too.”

BOXING Lomachenko beats Pedraza to unify lightweight belts

AFP “Everything is good — I’m eight fi ghters inside the distance rounds. New York healthy 100 %,” Lomachenko since then. “It was a great fi ght, and declared after wrapping up the “He did a very good job,” Lo- Emanuel Navarrete fought like victory to improve to 12-1 with machenko said of Pedraza’s a true Mexican warrior,” said asiliy Lomachenko nine wins inside the distance. staying power. “I respect Pe- Dogboe, who fell to 20-1 with 14 added the World Box- “I am happy,” he said. “I draza, the Pedraza team — very knockouts. ing Organization light- (moved) a little closer to my good job.” He was making the second weight world title to dream, to my goal.” On the undercard, Mexico’s defense of the title he won with Vhis World Boxing Association That’s to unify all of the major Emanuel Navarrete battered an 11th-round knockout of Jes- belt with a unanimous 12-round lightweight belts. previously unbeaten Isaac Dog- sie Magdaleno on April 28. On decision over Jose Pedraza on “Two more belts, and maybe boe to seize Dogboe’s World August 25 in Arizona he stopped Saturday. we can make in the next year Boxing Organization super ban- Japan’s Hidenori Otake. Ukraine’s Lomachenko, a a fi ght with Mikey Garcia,” he tamweight world title. Navarrete, 23, improved to three-weight world champion said. Navarrete rocked Dogboe in 26-1 with 22 knockouts. who had never before unifi ed Garcia is the unbeaten World the 10th round and dominated He hasn’t lost since dropping two titles in the same class, Boxing Council 135-pound the rest of the way with two a four-round unanimous deci- knocked down Pedraza twice in champion. judges awarding him the fi ght sion to Daniel Argueta in his an explosive 11th round. Pedraza, making his fi rst de- by scores of 116-112 and a third fourth pro bout six years ago. Two judges saw it 117-109 for fense of the WBO title he won making it 115-113. “Hearing those words was the Lomachenko while a third made with a unanimous decision over Navarrete, an underdog against culmination of a dream,” Nav- it 119-107 for the 30-year-old Ray Beltran on August 25, was the London-based Ghanaian arrete said of hearing his name who was fi ghting for the fi rst the fi rst fi ghter to go the dis- champion, made the most of his announced as world champion. time since having shoulder sur- tance against Lomachenko since height and reach advantage. “This world championship gery in the wake of his 10th- Suriya Tatakhun in a feather- Dogboe, his face bloodied and represents every day that I was round technical knockout of weight world title bout in 2014. swollen, had to dig deep to avoid working away from my family. Vasiliy Lomachenko (left) knocks down Jose Pedraza (right) in the eleventh round of their WBA/WBO lightweight Jorge Linares on May 12. Lomachenko had stopped a knockout over the fi nal two This title represents sacrifi ce.” unification bout at The Hulu Theater in Madison Square Gardenin New York on Saturday. (AFP)

Monday, December 10, 2018 GULF TIMES SPORT

FIRST TEST Australia lose four wickets in record India run chase AFP experienced Usman Khawaja to stick Adelaide Scorecard around but he decided to run down the pitch to an Ashwin delivery on eight INDIA 1st inn 250 all out 8-303 (Rahane), 9-303 (Shami), 10-307 and sliced it to Rohit Sharma, who took ustralia were staring at de- a diffi cult catch. AUSTRALIA 1st inn 235 all out (Sharma) feat in the fi rst Test yesterday, And when Handscomb miscued a Bowling: Starc 21.5-7-40-3, Hazlewood losing four wickets in their INDIA 2nd inn (o/n 151-3) pull shot off Shami on 14 to Pujara, they 23-13-43-1, Cummins 18-4-55-0, Lyon record run chase at the Ad- were in deep trouble. K.L. Rahul c Paine b Hazlewood 44 42-7-122-6, Head 2-0-13-0 elaideA Oval after being set a target 323 Play had started 30 minutes early to M. Vijay c Handscomb b Starc 18 to win by India. make up for rain disruptions on Sat- At stumps they were 104 for 4, need- C. Pujara c Finch b Lyon 71 AUSTRALIA 2nd innings urday, with Australia needing an early ing another 219 for an unlikely victory V. Kohli c Finch b Lyon 34 A. Finch c Pant b Ashwin 11 breakthrough to build on the momen- with their fate resting on the shoul- A. Rahane c Starc b Lyon 70 tum after Virat Kohli fell to Lyon near ders of Shaun Marsh, who was not out M. Harris c Pant b Shami 26 the close on day three. 31, and local boy Travis Head who re- R. Sharma c Handscomb b Lyon 1U. Khawaja c Sharma b Ashwin 8But two fours from Pujara off Josh mained unbeaten on 11. R. Pant c Finch b Lyon 28 S. Marsh batting 31 Hazlewood in the second over of the India amassed 307 in their second R. Ashwin c Harris b Starc 5 day set the tone. innings with vice-captain Ajinkya Ra- P. Handscomb c Pujara b Shami 14 The right-hander brought up 50 — hane smashing 70 and fi rst innings M. Shami c Harris b Lyon 0T. Head batting 11 his 20th in Tests — with a three off Lyon century-maker Cheteshwar Pujara a I. Sharma c Finch b Starc 0Extras (lb1, nb1) 3 and hardly looked troubled until the composed 71. off -spinner fooled him half an hour be- J. Bumrah not out 0 Total A late collapse got the crowd on their (four wickets, 49 overs) 104 fore lunch and Finch caught him off bat Extras (b21, lb13, w2) 36 feet and gave Australia a fl icker of hope, Fall of wickets: 1-28 (Finch), 2-44 (Har- and pad. with India’s last four wickets falling for India’s Mohamed Shami (right) celebrates the wicket of Australia’s Marcus Harris Total (10 wickets, 106.5 overs) 307 ris), 3-60 (Khawaja), 4-84 (Handscomb) It was a crucial 87-run partnership just four runs. on the fourth day of the first Test in Adelaide yesterday. (AFP) Fall of wickets: 1-63 (Vijay), 2-76 (Ra- Bowling: Sharma 8-3-19-0, Bumrah with Rahane, who brought up his 16th Spinner Nathan Lyon was the pick of hul), 3-147 (Kohli), 4-234 (Pujara), 5-248 11-5-17-0, Ashwin 19-4-44-2, Shami 9-3- half-century with a boundary. the bowlers, taking six wickets for 122 dies managed in 1982. “Just simple cricket, we need to not (Sharma), 6-282 (Pant), 7-303 (Ashwin), 15-2, Vijay 2-0-7-0 He was eventually out going for a runs off 42 overs. It was his 13th ve-fi The home side can take some com- complicate things and just go out there needless reverse sweep off Lyon, with wicket haul in Tests. Mitchell Starc fort, though, by Western Australia in and enjoy ourselves and compete hard Starc picking up the catch. snared 3 for 40. a domestic match last month scoring and fi ght our backsides off .” 11 in his second failure of the match. Debutant Marcus Harris matched his The aggressive Pant went in search of Australia need to make history to 313 to beat South Australia here when He was caught behind off spinner fi rst innings score of 26, hitting three quick runs as India’s lead approached win. The only successful fourth innings Marsh was 163 not out. SET THE TONE Ravichandran Ashwin when the ball crunching boundaries before he was 300, whacking three fours and a six in Test run chase of more than 300 at Ad- “We defi nitely still believe we can Australian opener Aaron Finch — who whistled past his glove. He chose not to caught by Rishabh Pant off Mohamed succession off one Lyon over. elaide came in 1902, when the hosts win this. It’s just about coming out to- survived being given out lbw second ball review the decision, which was a mis- Shami, getting an edge on an attempted But when he went for another big hit made 315 to beat England, with the big- morrow, winning the fi rst ball, the fi rst when a review showed Ishant Sharma take. Replays showed the third umpire cut shot. and fell for a quick-fi re 28, it prompted gest in modern times the 239 West In- over, the fi rst hour,” said Lyon. had overstepped the crease — made just would have overturned it. Australia desperately needed the a collapse from 282 for 5 to 307 all out.

SPOTLIGHT FOCUS Qatar Superstock Mushfi qur steers will be the best in Middle East, says Bangladesh to easy Sports Minister win against WI Wicketkeeper-batsman hits unbeaten 55 as hosts reach 196-run target in 36th over

HE the Minister of Culture and Sports Salah bin Ghanem bin Nasser al-Ali.

QNA has achieved great success de- Doha spite being only in its third year, pointing out that it welcomed new faces. This fact confi rms E the Minister of Cul- the competition has made great ture and Sports Salah progress over the past two years. bin Ghanem bin Nasser The Minister lauded Losail al-Ali has expressed the Circuit Sports Club for estab- Hhope that the Qatar Superstock lishing the Qatar Motorsports 600 series will develop into the Academy, saying it was a pleas- best event of its kind in the region. ure for him to visit it and learn In a press statement while at- about its work, especially as it tending the fi rst round of the off ers the opportunity to chil- event at Losail International dren to enjoy motorcycling. Circuit, HE al-Ali said that Qa- He added that the academy tar has the ability to make this emphasises the role of the State tournament the largest and most of Qatar in sports, as it includes important in the region through 71 children of diff erent nationali- increasing investments and at- ties who were selected out of the tracting leading riders. He add- 211 children. ed that the organisers want the He pointed out that 25 of the 71 competition to develop annu- children were Qatari and it rep- ally and achieve sustainability resents a remarkable success. through high participation. He stressed that the academy West Indies’ Shimron Hetmyer (left) is clean bowled as Bangladesh’s Mushfiqur Rahim looks on during the first ODI in Dhaka yesterday. (AFP) HE the Minister expressed his aims to co-operate with other delight at the large number of academies around the world, as AFP stand but Soumya Sarkar killed Paul put on 51 runs for the sev- Scorecard riders who took part in the event well as expand its scope in the Dhaka off the visitors’ hopes with a enth wicket to give their bowl- and was particularly happy that future by training aspiring four- brief cameo of 19 from 13 balls, ers something to fi ght for. there were lots of entries from wheel racers, especially as Qatar which included two fours and Paul hit two sixes and a four WEST INDIES 10-0-61-1 (w1) Kuwait, Australia and Hungary. has many heroes in this sport, ushfi qur Rahim top a six. in his 28-ball innings before he K. Powell c Hossain b Shakib 10 He praised the Losail Circuit notably Nasser Saleh al-Attiyah. scored with an un- Mushfi qur, who hit fi ve was dismissed by Mustafi zur in Sports Club for organising events HE the Minister said that this BANGLADESH beaten 55 as Bang- boundaries in his patient the fi nal over. S. Hope c Hasan b Mortaza 43 that help the youth develop their academy will be able over time ladesh defeated knock, pushed Roston Chase Left-arm pacer Mustafi zur D. Bravo c Tamim b Mortaza 19 T. Iqbal c Bishoo b Chase 12 skills and giving them a safe en- to attract riders from abroad, es- MWest Indies by fi ve wickets in for a single to complete his 31st fi nished with 3-35 after fellow vironment to compete in pres- pecially Europe, as Qatar off ers M. Samuels c Liton b Hossain 25 L. Das b Paul 41 the fi rst one-day international fi fty in ODIs before an outside fast bowler Mashrafe grabbed tigious competitions. appropriate weather during the S. Hetmyer b Hasan 6 I. Kayes b Thomas 4 in Dhaka yesterday. edge to leg spinner Devendra 3-30 playing his 200th ODI — He said that the championship European winter. Set a modest target af- fl ew to third man for two runs the fi rst Bangladeshi to do so. R. Powell c Das b Mortaza 14 M. Rahim not out 55 ter three wickets each from to wrap up the victory. Mashrafe was named man of R. Chase c Hasan b Rahman 32 Shakib Al Hasan c Hope b Powell 30 Mashrafe Mortaza and Mus- Earlier, opener Liton Das the match for his eff ort. K. Paul c Hasan b Rahman 36 S. Sarkar c Powell b Chase 19 tafi zur Rahman helped Bang- scored 41 off 57 balls with five “The West Indies are very Want tailenders to show bit more ladesh restrict West Indies to fours for the home side, but dangerous in this format but K. Roach not out 5 Mahmudullah not out 14 application, says Bangar 195-9, the hosts sailed to 196-5 not before he was reprieved our bowlers were brilliant,” D. Bishoo c & b Rahman 0 Extras (lb 6, w13, nb2) 21 in 35.1 overs for a comprehen- on five off a no-ball by Kemar Mashrafe said after the match. O. Thomas not out 0 Total (five wickets; 35.1 overs) 196 India’s batting coach Sanjay were all out for 307. sive win to kick off the three- Roach. West Indies’ Powell blamed Bangar wants the tail-end “We were expecting at least Extras (lb 3, w2) 5 Fall of wickets: 1-37 (Iqbal), 2-42 match series. West Indies owed their total his side’s batting for their de- batsmen to show a bit more 25 (more) runs from there. (Kayes), 3-89 (Das), 4-146 (Shakib), Mushfi qur shared 57 runs to 43 off 59 balls by opener Shai feat. Total (nine wickets; 50 overs) 195 application than what they did That is an area where we 5-175 (Sarkar) with Shakib Al Hasan for the Hope and contributions from “We just didn’t bat as well as Fall of wickets: 1-29 (Pow- in the second innings on the are continuously looking to fourth wicket to steady Bang- lower order batsmen Roston we wanted to and that brought ell), 2-65(Bravo), 3-78 (Hope), Bowling: Roach 6-0-35-0 (w5, fourth day of the opening Test improve. And we are hoping ladesh’s innings after West Chase and Keemo Paul, who about our downfall. The play- 4-93 (Hetmyer), 5-119 (Powell), nb1), Chase 9-1-47-2 (w2), Thomas match here yesterday. that the lower order, espe- Indies had reduced the home made 32 and 36 runs respec- ers who got starts on such a 6-127(Samuels), 7-178 (Chase), 5-0-34-1 (w3, nb1), Paul 8-0-37-1 Ravichandran Ashwin (5), cially the tailenders at 9, 10, 11 side to 89-3 on a slow pitch at tively. hard wicket should have car- 8-194 (Paul), 9-195 (Bishoo) (w3), Bishoo 6.1-0-30-0, Powell Ishant Sharma(0), Mohamed show a bit more application the Sher-e-Bangla National The visitors, who opted to ried on,” he said. Bowling: Hasan 10-0-30-1, Shakib 1-0-7-1. Shami (0) and Jasprit Bumrah than what they did today,” Stadium. bat fi rst, had been restricted The second match of the 10-0-36-1, Rahman 10-0-35-3, RESULT: Bangladesh won by five (0) could only manage to add Bangar told reporters after Rovman Powell dismissed to 127-6 after 40 overs despite series will be held at the same Mortaza 10-0-30-3 (w1), R. Hossain wickets five runs to the total as India the end of the day’s play. Shakib for 30 to break the Hope’s eff ort, but Chase and venue tomorrow.