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Home , Dwayne Bravo, LiAngelo Ball, Mushfiqur Rahim, Taskin Ahmed

SPORT Friday 10 February 2017

PAGE | 21 PAGE | 23 I'llI'l never 'feel great' Al Rayyan look too again, admits cut Lekhwiya leadad Tiger Woods in key clash FIA T2: Qatar's Adel crowned world champion

The Peninsula The Qatari driver claimed victories in Portugal, Abu Dhabi and Spain race issan’s Adel Hussein (pictured) during a successful campaign in the has won his FIA appeal and has world’s toughest off-road N belatedly been crowned the championship. 2016 FIA T2 World Champion. “I would like to thank the FIA for Running with support from Nissan confirming me as the 2016 FIA T2 Middle East, Nissan Qatar and the Qatar World Champion and a special thanks Motor and Motorcycle Federation to Nissan Middle East, Saleh Al-Hamad (QMMF), the Qatari produced several Al-Mana Co. and the QMMF for their stunning performances in last year’s support,” said Adel Hussein. FIA World Cup for Cross-Country Ral- “I am very happy and am now look- lies and finished second in the unofficial ing forward to 2017 and a calendar that points’ standings behind Saudi Arabia’s features an extra two events, where I Yasir Saeidan. hope to defend my title. I expect the But Adel Hussein’s TOK Sport team competition to be even stronger this protested the legality of his main rival’s year. The timing of the decision was car at the Rally of Morocco in October particularly poignant for me with the Adel Hussein in action in this file photo. The and the protest was upheld at a recent new season set to start in Russia at the Qatari driver has been crowned the 2016 FIA Court of Appeal. on top of the championship for the sec- end of February. FIA T2 world champion after his team won This meant Saeidan lost the points ond successive year , after Denis “I am the number one ranked T2 appeal. he scored at the event and Adel Hus- Berezovskiy’s victory in 2015. In his driver in the world and it is the perfect sein was declared the FIA T2 World first full season of cross-country start to what I know will be another Champion, with Nissan’s rugged Patrol competition, challenging year.”

Ismael aims Kuznetsova to play key withdraws role against Al Rayyan from Qatar Total Open The Peninsula The Peninsula

ekhwiya winger Ismael Mohammed is looking ussia’s Svetlana Lto make a big impact for Kuznetsova, the world his sides title chances when RNo. 8, has announced the Qatar Stars League (QSL) her withdrawal from the 2017 leaders take on Al Rayyan in Qatar Total Open due to an the match of the week for abdominal injury. round 20. The 2009 French Open The Qatar international is winner made the announce- set to return to the side after ment yesterday. suspension. “I am sad to announce "It’s going to be a tough that I am not able to partici- match, that could decide the pate in the Qatar Total Open title perhaps. I am looking this year," said the Russian. Action from the Qatar Stars League (QSL) match between Al Kharaitiyat and Al Sailiyah at Al Khor Stadium yesterday. Al forward to the game," Ismael "I recently sustained a said ahead of the crunch tie. Kharaitiyat bagged full points with a 2-1 victory. minor abdominal injury. My He hoped his team will doctors have advised me to maintain their unbeaten run rest so I can be prepared to in the ongoing season. get back on the court as soon "I don’t predict games, but as possible. Doha puts on an I hope that Lekhwiya will win, Al Kharaitiyat edge feisty amazing event and I apolo- of course," he said. gise to all the fans that I won’t "If we follow the head be joining this year, but I look coach’s instructions, and it is forward to coming back next also important to be in full year! I extend my best wishes concentration during the Al Sailiyah as Al Arabi win to the organizers," she added. match, taking into consider- Qatar Total Open Tour- ation that match might be nament Director Saad al tight with very few chances The Peninsula Round 20 A clumsy clearance by Al resumption of play, Al Kharaiti- Mohannadi said: “We wish in front of goal," said the Sailiyah goalkeeper Gregory yat's Abdulrahman helped his Svetlana Kuznetsova all the Qatari player. l Kharaitiyat yester- Al Kharaitiyat come Gomis saw Al Kharaitiyat draw side take lead, heading one in best as she recovers from her He termed the Al Rayy- day picked up their from behind to bag level in the 30th minute. from close range. injury. She will definitely be an's duo of Sebastian Soria fifth win of the Qatar fifth victory of the Following a penalty box Abdulrahman produced a missed in Doha this year but and Sergio Garcia as the main Stars League (QSL) season with melee, goalkeeper Gomis failed snap-header on a pass from San- we look forward to welcom- threat for his side. season with a 2-1 Abdulrahman scoring to punch the ball away confi- jar Tursunov. Six minutes later, ing her at future events.” "Al Rayyan is a big team victoryA over Al Sailiyah the winning goal dently and the ball landed near Wagner swept into Al Kharaiti- The 2017 Qatar Total with quality players, I believe yesterday. the feet of Saad who calmly slot- yat box but his shot from close Open will be held from Feb- Sebastian Soria and Sergio Playing at Al Khor Stadium, Al Kharaitiyat's Deya ted a shot into the net. range was punched away by ruary 13 to 18 at the Khalifa Garcia are the players to Al Kharaitiyat rallied for their In the 34th minute, Al Saili- goalkeeper Sufian. International Tennis and- misses penalty kick watch out for," he said. win after conceding a goal in the yah's Wagner Ribeiro produced In the 65th minute, Wagn- Squash Complex in Doha. with goalkeeper 17th minute which was scored a bullet from the edge of the Al er's snap-header from inside the by Dragos Grigore. Gomis blocking the Sailiyah box but goalkeeper box ricocheted off the goalpost However, Al Kharaitiyat hit attempt easily Ahmed Sufian offered a timely as Al Sailiyah failed to find the back through Mohammed Saad block. equaliser. (30) and Mohamed Abdulrah- The rebound landed at Wag- In the 76th minute, Al man (49). leaving the backline of Al ner's feet again and another Kharaitiyat's Deya messed up a The match kicked off with a Kharaitiyat shocked. attempt at the goal saw the ball penalty kick that was easily flurry of fast-paced moves The ball sailed to the far left slip past the goalpost. deflected by goalkeeper Gomis. around the midfield but neither corner of the Al Kharaitiyat Two minutes from the first- Meanwhile, Al Arabi seem- side could make any genuine before crashing into the net to half whistle, Al Sailiyah's ingly turned a corner yesterday inroads inside each other's the the absolute joy of the Al Saili- Romanian midfielder breezed when they stunned former QSL penalty boxes. yah camp. past three Al Kharaitiyat play- champions Al Gharafa 2-0. Al Sailiyah, however, pro- Eight minutes later, Al ers but his quick-footed shot Jiminez Luis (49) and Yusef duced a magic moment to take Kharaitiyat's Anwar Deya sailed above the crossbar in Ali (70) powered Al Arabi with the lead in the 17th minute. Grig- launched a ferocious drive from what was lucky escape for the spectacular footwork as the boys ore back-headed off a 25 meters but his shot sailed just boys in white. in red posted their 7th win of the Ismael Mohammed near-perfect corner kick, above the Al Sailiyah crossbar. Four minutes into the season. Svetlana Kuznetsova SPORT FRIDAY 10 FEBRUARY 2017 21 I'll never 'feel great' again, admits Woods Tiger Woods

Dubai Woods made an ill-fated and Rory McIlroy. "This is the AFP attempt to play in the European changing of the guard. All these Tour's Dubai Desert Classic last guys can move it," he said. "It iger Woods has admitted week, pulling out with back wasn't important to hit the ball the combined toll of mul- spasms after a birdie-free first- I feel good, but hard, it was more important to Ttiple operations on his round 77 left him 13 shots off the not great. I don't hit the ball flush, but now these battered body means he doesn't lead. kids tee it up and just go after it." think he "will ever feel great" Woods had missed the cut a think I'll ever feel Meanwhile, US Ryder Cup again. week earlier at his first US PGA great because it's Jim Furyk said on But the former world number tour event of the year at Torrey Wednesday he wants winners on one said he hoped to be able to Pines. three back the American squad to take on compete for titles and majors in He is entered for next week's surgeries, four Europe in the match play show- the future, in an interview for tournament at Riviera as he tries knee operations: down in France in 2018, and has Dubai magazine Vision. to recover form and fitness tweaked the selection process "I feel good, but not great," before a tilt at the season's first Tiger Woods accordingly. said Woods, 41. "Granted, I don't major, the Masters in Augusta in The PGA of America and think I'll ever feel great because early April. Furyk, speaking at the Pebble it's three back surgeries, four "The whole plan was to get Beach National Pro-Am in Cali- winners will receive two points guts, the fortitude, the game to knee operations." my body, mind and spirit ready fornia, announced minor per $1,000 earned in those win golf tournaments... winning The 14-time major-winner for that first full week in April," adjustments to the selection cri- events. Those who make the cut a PGA Tour event with a strong returned from a 16-month injury said the 14-time major winner. it back. It was tough, it was more teria to give PGA Tour victories at the majors will receive 1 1/2 field, to me, is more important lay-off in December and has "You know, I've done it (won at than brutal," he said. greater weight and top-10 fin- points per $1,000 earned. "If you than finishing third at a major slumped to 674 in the world Augusta) four times and I'd love Woods, who has not won ishes in major championships finished third in a major cham- championship." rankings. to do it a fifth." Woods said he since 2013 and whose last major slightly less. pionship, you earned more Furyk was named Ryder Cup "I am always going to be a lit- would carry on as long as he felt victory came in 2008, said golf The process will still see eight points than a winner in a PGA captain last month, succeeding tle bit sore, it's just the way it is. capable of winning, after a pain- was becoming a different game players qualify directly for the Tour event," Furyk said. Davis Love, who guided the But as long as I can function and ful rehabilitation. with the power of the "kids" team based on points earned at "And I really value winning. United States to a 17-11 rout of function at a good enough level "There were a lot of times I dominating the world rankings, events this year and next. I want the guys that hit shots Europe at Hazeltine in Minne- then I'm fine with that," he said. didn't think I was going to make such as Jason Day, Jordan Spieth But now only the major down the stretch, that have the sota last year. Thompson shines as NBA: It's a whole new ball-game for Warriors crush Bulls siblings

Los Angeles percent from the floor, but made AFP 11 of 33 three-point attempts and Los Angeles an incredible 92 points in a pulled down 14 offensive AFP 146-123 win over Los Osos, he Golden State War- rebounds. going 30-for-39 from two- riors bounced back in The defeat was especially trio of -play- point range. a big way on Wednes- painful for the Bucks, who saw ing siblings from LaMelo stepped up to day, romping to a Jabari Parker depart with a ACalifornia have put the lead the scoring with wire-to-wire 123-92 sprained left knee after a drive NBA on alert with a series of LiAngelo -- who in Decem- TNBA victory over the under- to the basket in the third high-scoring performances ber posted 72 points in a manned Chicago Bulls in quarter. that have grabbed national game -- sitting on the side- Oakland. Parker, who scored 14 attention. lines nursing an injured Klay Thompson celebrated points, had to be helped off the , 19, younger ankle. his 27th birthday by sinking six court and didn't return. brother LiAngelo Ball, 18, and LaMelo's extraordinary three-pointers en route to a The Memphis Grizzlies' dom- LaMelo Ball, 15, rose to prom- scoring feat came just days game-high 28 points for the inant defense was on display in inence while playing together after Chino Hills saw the end Warriors, who were shocked by a 110-91 home win over the on their high school team in of their 60-game winning the Kings in Sacramento on Phoenix Suns. Chino Hills, roughly 36 miles streak. Saturday. The Grizzlies held the Suns (57 kilometres) east of Los "Well I mean that's one The Warriors haven't lost to 33 percent shooting – 21.7 Angeles. way to bounce back after a back-to-back games since April percent from three-point range So far, 19-year-old Lonzo loss,... I see you little bro 92," of 2015. – in a game that saw three play- has garnered the most inter- big brother Lonzo wrote on Kevin Durant scored 22 ers tossed late in the fourth est after an impressive Twitter. points, pulled down 10 rebounds quarter. freshman season in college The performance also got and handed out seven assists and Devin Booker, who led the basketball with UCLA, where the attention of the profes- Draymond Green added 19 Suns with 20 points, fouled he has averaged 15.1 points sional sports world, with NFL points as the Warriors improved Memphis reserve Troy Daniels and 7.8 assists per game. stars Jared Goff and Todd their league-leading record to with 1:10 remaining. Their The 6ft 6in (1.98m) point Gurley of the Los Angeles 44-8. heated exchange drew in a guard is widely seen as being Rams and Los Angeles Dodg- Stephen Curry had a quiet welter of players, with Daniels one of the most sought-after ers center fielder Joc night, scoring 13 points to see his Golden State Warriors guard Klay Thompson (centre) in action shoving Phoenix's Tyler Ulis talents in this year's NBA Pederson taking to Twitter to streak of consecutive games of against Chicago Bulls during their NBA game at Oracle Arena before officials and coaches Draft, likely to be chosen wax about his talents. 20 or more end at 16. yesterday. stepped in. either first or second "Wow, kid can absolutely That didn't matter against a Ulis, Suns teammate Mar- overall. ball," was the verdict of Rams Bulls team missing All-Star for- quese Chriss and Daniels were One mock draft projec- Goff. ward Jimmy Butler because of a many assists. We held the ball. LeBron James added 25 for the ejected and a total of six techni- tion has Ball being selected The Ball brothers' preco- bruised heel and veteran guard We turned it over. It was very Cavaliers, who rallied from a six- cal fouls handed out. by the Los Angeles Lakers, cious rise has been overseen Dwyane Wade, who stayed at disappointing." Nevertheless, the point halftime deficit to win their the iconic NBA franchise who by father LaVar, a towering the team hotel because of an Spurs never trailed, shooting 52.7 fourth in a row. NBA RESULTS are rebuilding after lurching former NFL player with the upper respiratory illness. percent from the field and mak- The Boston Celtics saw their Sacramento 108 Boston 92 from one catastrophic cam- New York Jets, who runs a The San Antonio Spurs, sec- ing 11 of their 22 three-point seven-game winning streak end, Golden State 123 Chicago 92 paign to another in recent successful personal training ond in the West and behind the attempts as they improved to falling 108-92 to the Kings in LA Clippers 119 NY Knicks 115 years. business. The boys' mother, Warriors, didn't live up to coach 40-12. All-Star forward Kawhi Sacramento. Memphis 110 Phoenix 91 But Lonzo's displays have Tina, a former college bas- Gregg Popovich's high standards Leonard scored 32 points for the The Miami Heat extended Utah 127 New Orleans 94 almost been outshone by the ketball player who is now a but still pulled off a 111-103 vic- Spurs. their winning streak to 12 games Minnesota 112 Toronto 109 performances of his younger school athletic director, has tory over the 76ers in The NBA champion Cleve- with a 106-88 victory over the Miami 106 Milwaukee 88 brothers who have continued also guided their careers. Philadelphia. land Cavaliers snapped the Bucks in Milwaukee. Detroit 121 LA Lakers 102 to shine back in the world of "I tell my boys all the "We didn't play a good 48 Indiana Pacers' seven-game Hassan Whiteside scored 23 Washington 114 Brooklyn 110 high school basketball with time, someone has to be bet- minutes," Popovich said. winning streak with a 132-117 points and James Johnson added Atlanta 117 Denver 106 Chino Hills. On Tuesday, ter than (Michael) Jordan.

"We played good the last triumph in Indianapolis. 20 for Miami, who held Milwau- San Antonio 111 Philadelphia 103 LaMelo served notice of his Why not you?" LaVar told the three, four, five. We didn't move Kyrie Irving and Kyle Kor- kee to 47.1 percent shooting. The Cleveland 132 Indiana 117 burgeoning talent by scoring Maxpreps.com website. that well. We didn't get that ver scored 29 points apiece and Heat were a slightly better 47.7 NHL: Blackhawks edge out Minnesota Wild 4-3

New York Kuemper's legs to send Chicago to 3:03 remaining when defenseman Hjalmarsson lost the puck, Agencies its third straight win. Marco Scandella carried the puck which slid past Kuemper right to Ryan Hartman, Nick Schmaltz all the way up the ice and then went Panik. Panik scored his 12th of the and Richard Panik also scored for to the left of Crawford. season from the side of the goal to onathan Toews scored at 3:09 of the Blackhawks, who got 35 saves Scandella's centering pass was regain the lead for Chicago after overtime as the Chicago Black- from goaltender Corey Crawford. tipped home by Haula to set up Minnesota's flurry tied the game. Jhawks snapped an eight-game Jared Spurgeon, Zach Parise and overtime. Schmaltz scored his fourth of regular-season losing streak against Erik Haula scored for the Wild, who Panik secured a loose puck the season 69 seconds into the sec- the Minnesota Wild with a 4-3 had won two games in a row and behind Kuemper after the goalie ond period but the Wild stormed victory. returned home for the first time came out to challenge the play back. Toews, who added two assists, since Jan. 26. Kuemper made 28 when Chicago defenseman Niklas Spurgeon put Minnesota on the Chicago Blackhawks' in action against Minnesota Wild tapped home a rebound between saves. Hjalmarsson was fed the puck in board 37 seconds later for his sev- during their NHL game in Minnesota on Wednesday. Minnesota goaltender Darcy Minnesota tied the game with the left circle. enth goal of the season. 22 SPORT FRIDAY 10 FEBRUARY 2017

'Head of state' level security Kohli, Vijay tons power India for PSL 2 Hyderabad, Lahore Reuters AFP

n insatiable smashed his akistan will deploy 16th Test century and Murali Vijay thousands of police and (pictured right) registered his ninth to P bullet-proof buses for steer India to a commanding 356 for the final of its fran- three against on the open- chise league, set to be held in ingA day of a one-off Test in Hyderabad Lahore next month after the yesterday. rest of the tournament is India lost opener Lokesh Rahul in the first over played in the UAE. of the match but were in a strong position at The violence-hit country stumps after Vijay (108) added 178 runs with has not hosted a high-profile and captain Kohli extended foreign team since a 2009 his recent run of powerful . gun and bomb attack on the Kohli was on 111 at stumps, his fifth 50-plus Sri Lankan cricket side that score in the last seven Test innings, helping put killed eight people and India, currently the top-ranked Test team, on injured nine others, includ- course for a big first innings total. ing visiting players. Ajinkya Rahane, returning from a finger injury, In one such mix-up, both batsmen found The first edition of its was batting on 45 at the other end, having played themselves at the same end. But Mehedi could not five-team Twenty20 tourna- second fiddle to his skipper in their 122-run fourth collect a throw and dislodge the bails at the non- ment, the Pakistan Super partnership. striker's end which could have sent Vijay, then on League, reported a healthy Playing their first Test on Indian soil, Bangla- 35, back to the pavilion. Vijay brought up his fifty $2.6m profit last year despite desh got an early breakthrough when the sprightly in 82 balls and went on to hit being held entirely in the dismissed Rahul for two with the straight back for the only six of his knock which United Arab Emirates. fourth of the match. also contained 12 boundaries. This year, the finalists are While others might have left the fuller deliv- Pujara edged Mehedi to Bangladesh captain set to fly to Lahore for a lim- ery well outside the off-stump, Rahul went for an after a composed 83, and left- ited time to feature in the expansive cover drive without moving his feet, arm spinner bowled Vijay around the showpiece event on March 5 only to drag the ball onto his stumps. leg after the break at tea. in a sobering nod to the del- India's Virat Kohli walks back Vijay and Pujara shrugged off occasional dis- There was no real respite for the tourists, how- icate security situation in the to the pavilion at stumps comforts to help India overcome the loss with their ever, as Kohli scored freely against the limited country. on the first day of the Test fifth century stand of the current home season. resources of a team ranked eight places "The transportation of the against Bangladesh at The Off-spinner Mehedi Hasan induced a couple below India. cricket players from hotel to Rajiv Gandhi International of edges but could not separate the batsmen The right-hander needed 130 balls to bring up stadium to hotel will be in Cricket Stadium. despite some occasionally comic running between his fourth century in seven Tests, reaching the bullet-proof buses escorted the . mark with his 10th boundary. by heavy police contingents," Pakistan Cricket Board's sen- ior media manager Raza Rashid told AFP. SCOREBOARD He added the match would also be watched by the India (I innings) International Cricket Coun- L Rahul b T Ahmed ...... 2 Azhar steps down as captain , M Vijay b T Islam ...... 108 cil task force chief Giles C Pujara c M Rahim b M Hasan ...... 83 Clarke and other senior V Kohli (batting) ...... 111 officials. A Rahane (batting)...... 45 Ibadat Nisar, a senior Extras (LB-5, NB-2) ...... 7 police officer in charge of the Total (for 3 wkts) ...... 356 Pakistan bring in Sarfraz tournament's security, said Fall of wickets: 1-2, 2-180, 3-234. the players would be given Bowling: T Ahmed 16-2-58-1; K.I Rabbi 17-1- Dubai, 91-0; S Sarkar 1-0-4-0; M Hasan 20-0-93-1; plummetted to ninth in one-day rankings. "head of state" level Shakib Al Hasan 13-3-45-0; T Islam 20-4-50- AFP Currently at eighth Pakistan risks having to protection. 1. qualify for the 2019 World Cup to be held in "The activities would be To bat: W Saha, R Ashwin, R Jadeja, B Kumar, zhar Ali (pictured right) stepped down England. monitored through closed- U Yadav, I Sharma as Pakistan one-day captain after a The top seven teams plus hosts England circuit TV cameras," he said, Bangladesh: T Iqbal, S Sarkar, M Haque, string of poor results and will be will get direct entry in the 2019 World Cup yesterday adding the move- , Shakib Al Hasan, M Rahim A (capt), S Rahman, M Hasan, T Islam, T Ahmed, replaced by Sarfraz Ahmed (pictured far while four other ranked teams will feature ment of players and officials K.I Rabbi right), the head of Pakistan's cricket board in a 10-team qualifying round in 2018. would be watched in a des- Toss: India Umpires: Marais Erasmus (RSA) said. Khan said Test captain Misbah's future ignated control room manned and Joel Wilson (WIS) TV umpire: Chris Gaf- Ali's job was on the line since Pakistan's is also in question. by police, intelligence and

faney (NZL) 4-1 defeat in England in September last year Pakistan's 3-0 Test series loss in Aus- other experts. but he was given a lifeline after he led the tralia in December-January -- their fourth Some 414 players were side to a clean sweep against West Indies in consecutive whitewash -- had raised calls placed in the draft for the the United Arab Emirates in Ali managed just 37 in the three matches for his sacking. 2017 September-October. in Australia and missed the remaining two "Misbah has asked for some time (about edition, a list which included Sri Lanka "Ali came to me and said that his batting with injury. Ali was surprisingly appointed his future) so we have given him time to former New Zealand captain form was affecting due to captaincy and that captain after Misbah-ul-Haq retired from decide in the next few days," said Khan. Brendon McCullum, West recall Malinga he wanted to step down, so we have one-day cricket following Pakistan's quar- Pakistan players are currently featuring Indian stars and appointed Sarfraz as one-day skipper," Paki- ter-final exit in the World Cup in 2015. in the second edition of the Pakistan Super Dwayne Bravo, Australia's for tour to stan Cricket Board chairman Shaharyar Khan He led Pakistan in 31 one-day interna- League in United Arab Emirates. , Bangladesh's said. tionals winning 12 and losing 18. One match Their next international assignment is a Shakib Al Hasan and Eng- Australia Sarfraz, who accepted the one-day cap- ended without result due to rain. three-match one-day and three-Test tour land's Twenty20 captain Eoin taincy, is already leading the Twenty20 side. Under his captaincy Pakistan of the West Indies starting late March. Morgan. Colombo AFP

ri Lanka yesterday recalled veteran fast Neck injury forces Australia's Sbowler Lasith Malinga to Test discard Cowan slams the squad for a series of Lynn out of T20 series Twenty20 internationals in Australia this month after his Melbourne Australia's selection policies recovery from a long-running knee problem. Reuters The 33-year-old, who Melbourne have to work extra hard on the welfare side to retired from in persistent neck injury has ruled aggressive Australia bats- Reuters look after guys that they spit out the other side," 2010, has not played interna- man Chris Lynn (pictured) out of the Twenty20 series against the 34-year-old told local reporters yesterday. tional cricket since last A Sri Lanka later this month, said ormer Test batsman Ed Cowan has criticised "I don't think the Australian Test team man- February when Sri Lanka suf- yesterday. Australia's handling of discarded players after ages any kind of exit very well, to be honest. fered an early exit from the Lynn has been battling with a bulging disc in his neck for some F Nic Maddinson withdrew from domestic "From my own personal experience it feels Asia Cup time and using medication to manage cricket in the wake of his omission from the like you're left at a train station, you look up and Malinga gave up Test the pain. national team. the train is five stops (gone) flying down the cricket after deciding he was The injury forced him out of Aus- Middle order batsman Maddinson will miss tracks." unable to withstand the rig- tralia's one-day squad for their matches New South Wales' Sheffield Shield match against Left-hander Cowan, who played 18 matches our of five-day matches but against Pakistan last month. Queensland this week and remain unavailable for Australia, speaks from experience, having been has continued to make him- "Chris resumed some light training for selection for "personal reasons", Cricket Aus- dumped after a single Test of the 2013 Ashes in self available for Twenty20 as part of his rehabilitation but was still tralia and Cricket NSW said in a joint statement. England despite his decent form in the preceding and 50 over cricket. unable to function at the level he needs The 25-year-old was one of a trio of young series in India. The 34-year-old has not been con- Thilanga Sumathipala, to play international cricket due to his batsmen to debut for Australia over the home sum- sidered since. president of the Sri Lankan existing neck injury," team physiother- mer after selectors shook up the under-performing "First and foremost it's just pure disappoint- cricket board, said Malinga apist Kevin Sims said in a statement side during the South Africa Test series. ment," Cowan said of being axed. "I think for some had proved his fitness and yesterday. While Queensland opener Matt Renshaw and guys it can be a relief because the spotlight of inter- even pencilled the former "Chris will be seeing a specialist later Victoria top order batsman Peter Handscomb national cricket is very bright and very harsh and skipper in for the next 50 over this week and from there we will have thrived at the top level, Maddinson struggled and if you're not playing well then sometimes you're World Cup being played in a better understanding of the ongoing management, along with was dropped after the Boxing Day Test against actually relieved that you can be taken back from England in 2019. Skipper the return to play timeframes." Pakistan, having scored only 27 runs from his three that. Then it's a question of time healing the wound Angelo Mathews was on Mon- Ben Dunk has been brought into the side for the matches that matches. and really wanting deep inside to get better and day ruled out of the Australian start on February 17 in Melbourne. Cowan, a New South Wales team mate of Mad- reclaim that place. That whole process doesn't tour because of a hamstring "It's unfortunate that Chris is not fit to participate in this series, dinson, said Australia needed to do more to look happen overnight." injury. Sri Lanka will face but we are excited at the prospects Ben will bring to the squad," after the mental health of young players tossed Cowan backed the left-hander to reclaim his Australia on February 17 in interim chairman of selectors Trevor Hohns said. out of the top level. place in the Test side. Melbourne, in Geelong on "Ben was the highest run scorer for the Big Bash, amassing a "If they're going to churn through players then "He'll come back stronger when he chooses February 19 and in Adelaide total of 364 runs in just 222 balls faced and currently sits on an Cricket Australia need to be aware that there's to really flick that switch of desire wanting to play on February 22. average of 52." going to be some burn and that they're going to and we'll support him through that," he said. FRIDAY 10 FEBRUARY 2017 SPORT 23 QSL: Al Rayyan look to cut Lekhwiya lead in key clash The Peninsula QSL FIXTURES TODAY Umm Salal vs Al Ahli at Qatar Stadium 4: 40pm Barca appeal efending champions Al Khor vs Muaither SC Al Khor Stadium Al Rayyan are eye- 4: 40pm against

ing a victory against Al Rayyan vs Lekhwiya at Al Sadd Lekhwiya to remain Stadium 6:50pm Suarez's ban in hunt for their Dsuccessive Qatar Stars League they're staying for video work (QSL) title as the football giants after training so that is all that I from final clash at Al Sadd Stadium today. need from my players. Al Rayyan are third in the “We don’t need to hide that Madrid table and are desperate to secure we are looking forward to win- Reuters a victory after a draw in their last ning the game. I’m very confident match. in my players I can feel the men- arcelona hope to However, beating Lekhwiya Al Rayyan’s Rodrigo tality of the players. And if we reverse Luis Sua- who are yet to lose a match this Tabata (left) and win it can take us out of the dan- B rez's (pictured) season is nothing less than an Lekhwiya’s Ahmed ger zone,” added the Croatian. suspension from the uphill task and Al Rayyan head Yasser Aziz vie for Stimac also spoke about his King's Cup final after coach Michael Laudrup (pic- ball possession during team's chances of survival. launching an appeal tured) is aware of the fact. their Qatar Star “I trust my team and players against the Uruguayan's "It’s a big game, we are play- League (QSL) match at for staying in the league. They second booking in Tues- ing the top team in the league understand and implement eve- day's semi-final second Lekhwiya Stadium in they have not lost any game this rything I tell them. We work as leg with Atletico Madrid, this November 2015 file season and they are having a a family and that’s what we the Spanish champions fantastic season. Last time we photo. need,” he said. said on Wednesday. were very close to beat them but El Jaish, fresh from being The Cup holders said they scored in injury time. So we in motion for the title race. I Speaking about the impor- knocked out of the AFC Cham- on www.fcbarcelona. will try to win this time,” said think Lekhwiya will win the title tance of the game, Oliviera pions League are finding it com that they will also Laudrup because they win even the tight added: “Every game is decisive difficult to win matches as they appeal Sergio Busquets' Speaking about his ambition games. Even if we beat them in every game is three points. I are now fourth in the table. The yellow card in the game, this season, the Danish coach the game they will still manage What we will do don’t think this game is decisive Soldiers will be gunning for the which finished 1-1 and added: “Even if we win the last to win the league,” Laudrup said is try to win this for the title.” win to get themselves back on sealed a 3-2 aggregate 7 games I don’t think we will be at the press conference Meanwhile, Al Shahania take track. victory to put Barca in number one because Lekhwiya yesterday. game and put on El Jaish in round twenty of the Sabri Lamouchi, the head the King's Cup final for will not lose many points." Lekhwiya are cruising at the the ball in QSL. The match will take place coach of El Jaish, made no the fourth successive "But what we will do is try top of the table and are unde- motion for the at the Al Arabi stadium on Sat- qualms about the situation his year. to win this game and put the ball feated this season. The Cops will urday.Al Shahaniya are in the team is in. Busquets is not sus- be looking to push further ahead title race: drop zone in twelfth position “It’s a tough moment for El pended for the final, in the race by getting the three Michael Laudrup with sixteen points. Jaish now especially after exit- while Barca are not points against Rayyan. The Oryxes will be looking ing Champions League. Now appealing against the Bruno Oliviera, the assistant for the win against an out of form against Shahania, we need to win decision to send off coach of Lekhwiya, is treating El Jaish. this game to get back in the defender Sergi Roberto, this game like the rest. Igor Stimac, the head coach league and we need to score who is banned from “The game preparation has game. He (Laudrup) wants to of Al Shahania had this to say goals because you can only win playing in the final, for been normal like we did against take the pressure of his players about the upcoming game. if you score goals,” said the receiving two yellow every other team. We work on by making this statement. “El Jaish is a great team, they coach. cards. the training ground and we get "We have been consistent are fourth in the league. They lost “With the new coach Shaha- Referee Jesus Gil the confidence. The expectation and we hope we can continue a couple of games and probably nia is a different team with a new Manzano said in a report is the same which is to win the this trend. There is only a five- psychologically shocked after system, new players, and fresh that he booked Suarez in game,” he said. point difference, which is not a losing the AFC Champions perspective. They had good the 90th minute for “It's too early to think about lot so we can’t be relaxed and League qualifying game," he said. games previously and we are "striking his arm against winning the league. We stick to take it for granted,” added the "I am satisfied with my looking forward to a tough a rival player in a reck- the game, we think game by Portuguese assistant. team, everyone is giving their all, game,” added the Frenchman. less fashion while contesting the ball", while Busquets was carded for "kicking the United post 18 percent rise ball out of play when a Juventus extend Serie A lead free-kick was due to be taken, in a sign of in second quarter revenue disagreement". Rome Barcelona said there AFP Juventus' Mario was an extra ball on the Mandzukic reacts London pitch when Busquets hampions Juventus after scoring Reuters booted the other one extended their lead at the against Crotone away. Ctop of Serie A to seven during their Serie A nglish soccer club Manches- Suarez expressed points with a 2-0 win at Crotone match in Crotone on ter United yesterday said it disbelief at getting sent as nine-man AC Milan stunned Wednesday. E was on course to meet its off after the game on Bologna 1-0 on Wednesday. full-year financial targets as it Tuesday, claiming that Having seen their lead cut posted an 18 percent rise in sec- Atletico midfielder by Roma's 4-0 success over ond-quarter revenue despite its Koke had exaggerated Fiorentina on Tuesday, second- absence from the lucrative Cham- the impact of the inci- half goals from Mario Mandzukic pions League. dent in order to get him and Gonzalo Higuain kept Mas- United, whose best known sent off. similiano Allegri's team on players include Paul Pogba and "I'm laughing at that course for a sixth straight Zlatan Ibrahimovic (pictured), are second yellow card, it's scudetto. currently sixth in the 20-team Eng- not even a foul," the The defeat leaves Crotone lish Premier League. striker told Gol TV after languishing in 19th place and close range a cross from Gerard midfielder Juraj Kucka just The club's adjusted earnings before interest, tax, depreciation his first red card as a nine points from safety. Deulofeu. before the hour mark. and amortisation for the three months to December 31 rose to 69 Barcelona player. Later on Wednesday, Milan But victory had seemed Centre-back Alessio Romag- million pounds ($86.6m from 56.1m pounds a year earlier. Reve- "I did absolutely ended a three-match losing improbable after the dismissals noli had also been forced off nue increased by 18 percent to 157.9m pounds. nothing. It was what he streak in sensational fashion as of centre-back Gabriel Paletta with injury after half an hour of The club reiterated its revenue target of between 530 to 540m (Koke) wanted." Mario Pasalic tapped home from in the first half and Slovak the match. pounds for the year to the end of June. Under-fire Wenger calls for Arsenal unity

London looking beyond their grasp, speculation united when things go wrong." -- people who turn things around. But AFP over the future of Wenger, who is out Wenger tried to emphasise that we can deal with that." Arsenal will look of contract at the end of the season, has unity by insisting quotes attributed to to return to winning ways in the league rsenal manager Arsene Wenger intensified. But this is not the first time Arsenal defender Laurent Koscielny, at home to relegation-threatened Hull has urged everyone connected the veteran French manager's Arsenal which appeared to question the team on Saturday, although the visitors will Awith the Gunners to remain position has been called into question selection against Chelsea, had been "lost arrive at the Emirates Stadium fresh "united" despite seeing the club slip fur- since he arrived at the north London in translation" from the defender's from a morale-boosting 2-0 win at ther behind in the Premier League title side in 1996 and Wenger said Thursday native French. home to Liverpool. race. it was vital that the Gunners remember "That story has been twisted," said Wenger said a decision on whether Successive defeats by Watford and their "special strength" of unity. Wenger. Spanish full-back Hector Bellerin could leaders Chelsea have left Arsenal 12 "Ideally you want everybody to Asked if he had spoken to the France play against the Tigers was expected to points off the summit and only one point be happy," Wenger said when asked international regarding his reported be taken on Friday. ahead of Liverpool in the race for the what factors would help him decide comments, the Arsenal boss added: "Yes The 21-year-old suffered a head fourth and final Champions League whether or not to sign a new of course. He didn't mean that at all (that injury as he tried to stop Chelsea's Mar- qualifying position. contract. the line-up was wrong). cos Alonso heading the opening goal in Arsenal last won the Premier League "Arsenal is made of special "But when you have disappointing the Blues' 3-1 win at Stamford Bridge Arsene Wenger in 2004 and with the title once more strengths, and that strength is to be results you know what you get last Saturday.