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Tuesday, January 12, 2016 FOOTBALL Rabia II 2, 1437 AH Messi trumps GULF TIMES Ronaldo, Neymar to win Ballon d’Or SPORT Page 5 AFC U23 CHAMPIONSHIP, VS CHINA 7:30PM Qatar seek to end 24-year wait for Olympic spot ‘We have to start well in the competition and we will play against a well organised and quality team’

Qatar coach Felix Sanchez. (left) The Qatar U23 team during a training session.

FOCUS ‘We will do what we can to provide the best experience’

By Sahan Bidappa fi nal target to be in the Olympic Games,” On tonight’s opener against China, “Of course we need to go step-by- Doha the 40-year-old Spaniard said yesterday. Sanchez knows his team will face a tough step, game-by-game... We are going The Qatar squad features several play- challenge. “We expect the fi rst game to be to try to do well in each of them, ers who won the AFC U-19 Champion- a very important game, we have to start with the fi nal target to be in the atar’s football team will be ship title – including -based well in the competition and we will play Olympic Games” seeking to end a 24-year wait Akram Afi f, who scored the winning goal against a well organised and quality team. for a place at the Olympics, in the fi nal. Al Sadd’s Abdelkarim Has- We’re going to try to be ready to play well, but win their maiden AFC U-23 Champi- when the AFC U-23 Champion- san is another player to watch out for. to perform well and to be successful,” he onship. shipQ kicks-off here in Doha today. The 22-year-old centre-back has already added. “We are ready for this tournament,” Qatar has not qualifi ed for the Olym- played over 40 times for the senior side Meanwhile, China will be attempting to said the former Iran national team de- pics since 1992 Barcelona Games, where and is being tipped to be the captain of the seal their fi rst appearance at the Olympic fender and FIFA World Cup star. “I’m they bowed out in the quarter-fi nals. It’s 2022 World Cup team. Games since hosting the event in Beijing really proud to have 23 players who are been a long drought, but a streak which is One of the most experienced players in in 2008. Their coach Fu Bo was hoping for willing to die and sacrifi ce for their coun- expected to come to an end this time. the entire competition, the Al Sadd star a good start against Qatar. “We think Qa- try and do their best for their people and The top three fi nishers at the AFC U-23 reads the game well, is strong in the tackle tar is a very strong team, but we will pre- country. Our target is not just to qualify Mansour al-Ansari, QFA General Secretary and CEO, LOC Championship will earn places in Brazil in and on the ball and is ready to stake his pare well for this game and hopefully we for the Olympics; we are looking at be- the summer, replacing the previous format claim to become one of Asia’s top defenders. can get a good result,” said Fu, who previ- ing champions for this tournament. We By Sports Reporter the World Cup have a great ex- of home-and-away Olympic qualifi ers. Sanchez, however, chose to focus on ously served as the caretaker coach of the are looking for fi rst place and hopefully Doha perience. And at the same time And Qatar is hoping to seal a third appear- team rather than an individual and said senior national team. we can achieve that. We have been work- Qatar competes and wins the ance at the Olympics, which they fi rst did they will have to play well as a unit to “Our players do feel some pressure, but ing so hard to perform well because the championship and qualifi es for in 1984. Felix Sanchez’s boys are one of the emerge successful. “I strongly believe our coaches will try to relieve that pres- audience has to enjoy the game and enjoy he Local Organising Rio Olympics. Which is also a favourites to secure a place at this year’s Ol- that we are a team and each player has his sure as we get prepared for the game be- seeing the next stars of Asian football,” Committee (LOC) has challenge, we aim to achieve. Ei- ympics in Rio de Janeiro in August. role. They all are really important, wheth- cause it’s really important,” he added. Khakpour added. been working hard to ther or we are ready. We will do The hosts, who are in Group A, begin er they are in the starting XI or in the At , mean- On the other hand, Syria have had a ensure smooth running what we can to provide the best their quest tonight at the Abdullah Bin bench. Hopefully this is going to be our while, the tournament opening game will hard time preparing for the big event, Tof the AFC U-23 Championships experience. Khalifa Stadium, where they run into one strength. To be a strong team everyone be held between other Group A teams, with strife at home hampering their beginning today in Doha. A lot of of the contenders, China. Before that, needs to make an eff ort when it is needed. Iran and Syria. Iran’s coach Mohammad training. But coach Muhannad al-Fakeer eff ort from diff erent stakehold- Will this be looked as a pre- Iran will take on Syria in the opening That is the only to compete against other Khakpour said ahead of the game that his was confi dent his team can make a strong ers has gone into the prepara- paratory event for the Qatar 2022 match of the championship. The tourna- teams,” the coach said. team’s aim is not just to qualify for Rio, start against an Iran team his side lost 2-0 tions for the event. Mansour World Cup? ment, which runs from today to January to in a friendly late last year. al-Ansari, QFA General Secre- Every sporting event in Qa- 30th, is expected to showcase rising stars “We know this is a fi rst match in this tary and CEO, LOC said he and tar is a preparation for the 2022 of Asian football with 16 teams fi ghting Stars of the future take centre stage in Doha competition and we know it’s important his team are looking forward to World Cup. We take it as a chal- for the honours. The quality of the foot- and we know many things about the Iran giving the participants a great lenge and we take it as a step for- ball on show is likely to be high, consid- Asia’s future football stars will look “With the second FIFA World Cup in Asia team,” said al-Fakeer. “Iran will be very experience. At the same time ward. ering traditional heavyweights like Korea to clinch their place at the Rio 2016 on the horizon, as Qatar is hosting the diff erent to what we saw two months ago he hopes that Qatar can win the Republic, and Iraq participating. Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro when tournament in 2022, tournaments like here in Qatar. We know the Iran team is a tournament and provide the ic- “Every sporting event in The likes of Vietnam, Thailand and Yem- the AFC U-23 Championship begins in the AFC U-23 are vital. They highlight good team, has very strong players. It will ing on the cake. Qatar is a preparation for en, all of whom impressed during quali- Doha today. what Asia can off er on the international be a very tough match, but we believe it Excerpts: the 2022 World Cup. We fi ers nine months ago, are also likely to A total of 16 teams will be battling for stage and help boost development and will be the passport to qualify for the next take it as a challenge and we spring a surprise. the three places available for Asian sides grassroots on the continent. stage. We wish to get a good result against How do you feel going into this take it as a step forward” Qatar, despite earning automatic quali- in Rio and Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim “In London in 2012 Asian teams per- them.” tournament? fi cation as hosts, will be eager to put on al-Khalifa, the Asian Football Confedera- formed above expectation, with Korea Teams from other groups, who are ex- We are prepared. We have a What measures have been tak- a show in front of passionate home fans. tion president, has urged football fans Republic and Japan finishing third and pected to dominate are Korea Republic, good experience in hosting ma- en to promote the tournament? The team is buzzing with optimism after to catch a glimpse of Asian football’s fourth in the men’s competition and Ja- Japan are Australia. Shin Tae-Yong’s Ko- jor events. We hosted the second The LOC, through its market- Coach Sanchez led them to the title in the exciting future. pan’s women being runners-up in their rea enter the competition targeting their biggest football competition we ing department has been pro- 2014 AFC U-19 Championship in Myan- The AFC president said: “There is no event. I am sure that Asia will be strong tenth Olympic appearance. The bronze- can host under the FIFA umbrella moting the championship and mar and thus earned qualifi cation for last doubt that Asia has some outstanding again in Rio.” medallist at London 2012, Korea has re- which is the AFC 2011 fi nals, giving it the exposure that it de- year’s FIFA U-20 World Cup in New Zea- young football talent - that has already Among the players taking part is mained undefeated in the build-up to the which is also the biggest football serves. The mascot (Najim) is a land. However, they fi nished third in the been obvious at the FIFA Under-20 and Dostonbek Kharmdamov of Uzbekistan campaign. competition under AFC. And we great tool to reach out to the local 2015 WAFF U-23 Championship in Octo- FIFA Under-17 tournaments where Asian who was recently named the AFC Japan, bronze medal winners at Mexico had a very successful competi- public and also the international ber. teams have performed creditably. Youth Player of the Year 2015 at the 1968, under Makoto Teguramori pro- tion in 2011. This is the second audience. The ticket sales are Sanchez, while acknowledging team’s “Now the AFC U-23 Championship off ers glittering awards ceremony in Delhi gressed to AFC Championship, as group biggest event under the AFC and online. chances, said his team would take it one a chance to see stars in the making - the last November. Uzbekistan begin their winners in the qualifi ers. Meanwhile, Au- the third biggest for us under We are also going all out to game at a time. “Of course we need to go players who will be pushing for places campaign against Korea Republic also relio Vidmar’s Australia team is fi lled with FIFA. promote our national team. We step-by-step, game-by-game, because in the FIFA World Cup 2018 and the on Wednesday. stars, which includes eight European- We have two challenges. One is want the followers of the Qatar every game is going to be diff erent and Asian Cup 2019, as well as this summer’s The top three sides will qualify for the based players, but have not been in top to host a great event where these national team to be able to come they will be very important. We are going Olympic Games. Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro. form. They will be expected to get return young players who will be the and support their team for the to try to do well in each of them, with the to winning ways though. future players for their teams in championship. Gulf Times 2 Tuesday, January 12, 2016 AFC U23 C’SHIP, DOHA

SPOTLIGHT Olympic qualifi cation adds extra spice to the event

AFC during the intervening years before AFC recognises Asian Doha 2012 in London. refereeing talent Iran and DPR Korea both reached Qatar team during a the quarter-fi nals in 1976, while Ku- practice session The AFC yesterday awarded three ith the AFC U-23 Cham- wait matched that feat in Moscow four match off icials, Abu Bakar al-Amri pionship now acting as years later. from Oman and Fahad al-Mirdasi the qualifi ers for the men’s Japan famously handed a Brazil team and Abdulah al-Shalwai, both from football tournament at the tipped for the gold medal and which , with the AFC Special WOlympic Games, this month’s event in featured the talents of players such as Award for Referees. Doha off ers the teams the chance to future FIFA Player of the Year Ronaldo The awards were handed over to the follow in the footsteps of Japan in 1968 and Roberto Carlos a surprise 1-0 de- refereeing trio who featured at the and Korea Republic in 2012 when the feat at Miami’s Orange Bowl in 1996. 2015 FIFA U-20 World Cup final by pair both claimed medals. However it was not enough to take Chairman of the AFC Competitions Korea Republic’s bronze medal- Japan into the knockout phase of the Committee Saoud Mohannadi. The winning performance at the 2012 competition as Akira Nishino’s team ceremony took place in Doha at the Olympic Games in London equalled ultimately missed out on goal diff er- referees’ preparation course ahead of Asia’s best performance in the men’s ence behind the South Americans and the AFC U-23 Championship. football tournament at the Olympiad a Nigeria side that would eventually go AFC President Shaikh Salman bin after emulating Japan’s 1968 success in on to win the gold medal. Ebrahim al-Khalifa said: “Asian ref- Mexico City. Four years later, it was Japan who ereeing is world class, as constantly Kunishige Kamamoto famously went closest again but were denied in proven by the international per- scored twice in the third place play-off the quarter-fi nals when they were de- formances of our top referees like against the hosts to secure Japan’s - feated by the United States. Abu Bakar al-Amri, Fahad al-Mirdasi and Asia’s fi rst Olympic media in foot- It was Iraq who went almost repli- and Abdulah al-Shalwai. This pres- ball and earn a place in Asian football’s cated Japan’s 1968 success when, in tigious award is the AFC’s way to pantheon of greats 2004 in Athens, Adnan Hamad steered thank these top referees for their And Park Chu-young and Koo Ja- his team from the war-torn nation to contribution to Asian football.” cheol added their names to that list the competition’s semi-fi nals. Al-Mirdasi, Saudi compatriot Abdu- after scoring against Japan at the same Iraq topped their group after fi nish- lah a-Shalwai and Abu Bakar al-Amri stage in London as Korea Republic ing ahead of Costa Rica, Morocco and of Oman, who are both AFC Assist- etched their names in the history of Portugal to qualify for the last eight ant Referees, oversaw the 2015 FIFA Asian football. alongside Korea Republic. U-20 World Cup final where Serbia Before Japan’s 1968 triumph, the But while Korea Republic fell to Par- defeated Brazil 2-1 after extra time. closest the continent had come to se- aguay in the quarter-fi nals, Iraq saw pan and Korea Republic both made Korea, meanwhile, needed penalties But while it was only Asia’s second Al-Mirdasi was also the fourth of- curing a medal was in 1956, when India off Australia to reach the last four and it through to the last eight while the to edge out hosts Great Britain after Ji medal in the men’s football tournament ficial of the AFC Asian Cup 2015 final fi nished fourth in Melbourne after see- put themselves within striking dis- United Arab Emirates drew huge plau- Dong-won’s opener was cancelled out at the Olympic Games, Asia’s women between eventual champions Aus- ing off hosts Australia in the quarter- tance of a medal. dits on their debut appearance at the by Aaron Ramsey and saw the sides have had more success in recent years tralia and Korea Republic, and took fi nals in a tournament that featured A 3-1 loss in the last four against Olympic Games. draw 1-1 after extra-time. with China taking the silver medal at the charge of the Oman v Kuwait and only 11 teams. Paraguay ended Iraq’s hopes of gold Korea Republic progressed from a But with Asia guaranteed a medal, inaugural women’s football tournament Jordan v Iraq group stage matches. Japan then reached the knockout before they suff ered a 1-0 defeat to group stage that contained eventual the semifi nals proved one step too far in the United States in 1996. The 30-year-old also off iciated five phase on home soil in 1964, but it was in Italy in the bronze medal match. gold medal winners Mexico with an for the continent’s representatives as China reached the fi nal but the hosts AFC Champions League 2015 group Mexico City that Kamamoto and com- Hosts China, Australia, Japan and unbeaten record, while Japan fi nished Japan lost 3-1 to Mexico and Korea Re- proved to be one obstacle too far and stage ties, three AFC U-19 Champi- pany excelled, with the forward fi nishing Korea Republic all failed to make an clear of Honduras, Morocco and . public suff ered a 3-1 defeat to Brazil. United States ran out 2-1 winners. onship 2016 qualifiers as well as a as the tournament’s top scorer. impact at the 2008 Olympic Games And Japan continued that form in And it was Korea Republic who were And Japan matched that achieve- match in the FIFA World Cup 2018/ Despite the lack of medal-winning in Beijing, with the quartet unable to the quarter-fi nals as Kensuke Nagai, able to pick themselves up as Park and ment by reaching the gold medal AFC Asian Cup 2019 Preliminary success, though, there have been a progress to the quarter-fi nals. Maya Yoshida and Yuki Otsu scored to Koo netted at Cardiff ’s Millennium match in London only to lose 2-1 to Round 2 joint-qualifiers. number of standout performances But four years later in London, Ja- secure a 3-0 win over Egypt. Stadium to deny Japan. the United States. Gulf Times Tuesday, January 12, 2016 3 AFC U23 C’SHIP, DOHA

SPOTLIGHT ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW! A guide to the AFC U23 Championship 2016 that begins today, including a detailed analysis of the participating teams

AFC Doha

ith the AFC U23 Champi- onship 2016 set to begin in Qatar, the excitement is starting to build as fans Wthroughout the continent wait to see if their favourites will rule the Asian roost.

BACKGROUND The inaugural event – the 2013 AFC U22 Championship – took place in Oman in January 2014 after the origi- nal tournament was postponed. This is the fi rst time the event will be used as the qualifi er for the Olympic Games. The top three teams from this tournament will qualify for Rio 2016. The tournament is open to all the AFC’s Member Associations. Partici- pating teams take part in an offi cial qualifi cation round, with 16 advancing to the fi nals. The qualifi ers were held on offi cial match days in March 2015. As with other age-limit national team competitions, the qualifi cation groups were drawn on a zonal basis for the West (West, Central and South Asia) and the East (East and ASEAN). The previous competition’s ranking was applied for the seeding of teams dur- ing the draw and Qatar, as 2016 hosts, received a direct bye to the fi nals. A total of 44 member associations entered the qualifying competition for the 2016 edition. Excluding Qatar, 43 teams competed in 10 groups, with the group winners and the fi ve best second-placed teams going through to the fi nals where they will be joined by the hosts. Widely regarded as the AFC’s sec- ond biggest national team competition after the AFC Asian Cup, the compe- tition in Qatar is expected to attract a plethora of attention from sponsors, The AFC U23 Championship 2016 mascot - Najim, the desert fox fans and media alike.

FORMAT The 16 teams - Qatar, Iraq, Saudi Ara- Tae-yong’s side cruised to victories successive wins over Bangladesh (4- FIXTURE LIST FOR THE AFC U23 CHAMPIONSHIP, 2016 bia, Jordan, Korea Republic, Australia, over Brunei (5-0), Timor Leste (3-0) 0), India (4-0), and Uzbekistan (2-1). Syria, Japan, UAE, Iran, DPR Korea, and group hosts Indonesia to qualify Star of the show in Dhaka - and argu- GROUP A GROUP C QUARTER-FINALS Uzbekistan, China, Yemen, Thailand for Qatar 2016 with a perfect record. ably of the entire qualifi ers - was Iraq- January 12 January 13 January 22 and Vietnam - have been divided into Bronze medallists at the 2012 Lon- based Omar Kharbin, who is a regular Syria v Iran 1630hrs Iraq v Yemen 1630hrs QF2 four groups of four teams each and each don Olympics and champions at the feature in the Syria senior squad. After Venue: Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium Venue: Suhaim Bin Hamad Stadium Winner Group B v Runner Up Group A group shall play a one-round league. 2014 Asian Games (again with a 100% scoring twice against hosts Bangladesh Kick-off : 1630hrs The top two teams in each group (eight record), the South Koreans were un- and then India the Al Mina’a forward Qatar v China 1930hrs Korea Republic v Uzbekistan 1930hrs Venue: Abdullah Bin Khalifa Stadium teams in total) will qualify for the able to include the inaugural AFC U22 completed a hat-trick of doubles in Venue: Abdullah Bin Khalifa Stadium Venue: Suhaim Bin Hamad Stadium knockout stage. The champions, the Championship to their impressive roll the top-of the-table decider against QF1 runners-up and the third-placed team of honour after their campaign came to Uzbekistan, with his fi rst-half brace January 15 January 16 Winner Group A v Runner Up Group B will qualify for the Olympic Football an end at the semi-fi nal stage follow- seeing the Syrians fi nish ahead of the China v Syria 1630hrs Yemen v Korea Republic 1630hrs Kick-off : 1930hrs Tournament Rio 2016. ing a 1-0 defeat to eventual champions Central Asians and Kharbin emerge as Venue: Abdullah Bin Khalifa Stadium Venue: Suhaim Bin Hamad Stadium Venue: Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium Iraq. the top scorer in the qualifi ers. THE TEAMS Iran v Qatar 1930hrs Uzbekistan v Iraq 1930hrs January 23 AUSTRALIA JORDAN DPR KOREA Venue: Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium Venue: Suhaim Bin Hamad Stadium QF3 Australia head to Qatar aiming for a A second-half hat-trick from Al We- One of the continent’s strongest sides Winner Group C v Runner Up Group D continental double as the Olyroos look hdat forward Baha’ Faisal Mohammad at youth competition having won titles January 18 January 19 Kick-off : 1630hrs to add the U23 trophy to the AFC Asian saw Jordan draw 3-3 with Kuwait to at under 19, under 17 and under 14 lev- Qatar v Syria 1930hrs Iraq v Korea Republic 1930hrs Venue: Suhaim Bin Hamad Stadium Cup the senior side won on home soil take top spot in Group B having previ- els, DPR Korea failed in their quest to Venue: Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium Venue: Grand Hamad Stadium back in January, while a top-three fi n- ously enjoyed comfortable wins over add the under 22 trophy to their list of QF4 ish will see Aurelio Vidmar’s side be- Pakistan (5-0) and Kyrgyzstan (4-0), accolades as they bowed out of the in- Iran v China 1930hrs Uzbekistan v Yemen 1930hrs Winner Group D v Runner Up Group C come Australia’s sixth representatives who held the Kuwaitis to a goalless augural AFC U22 Championship at the Venue: Abdullah Bin Khalifa Stadium Venue: Suhaim Bin Hamad Stadium Kick-off : 1930hrs at the Olympic Games since the tour- draw earlier in the campaign to the Group Stage. But the North Koreans Venue: Grand Hamad Stadium nament became an Under 23s com- advantage of Jamal Abu Abed’s side. will have a second bite of the cherry GROUP B GROUP D petition in 1992. Australia stormed Jordan fi nished an impressive third at after qualifying for next year’s fi nals by January 13 January 14 SEMI-FINALS into the 2016 AFC U23 Championship the inaugural AFC U22 Championship edging Thailand on goal diff erence to Japan v DPR Korea 1630hrs Jordan v Vietnam 1630hrs January 26 fi nals after fi nishing top of Group F, after defeating Korea Republic 3-2 on top Group G, after playing out a goal- Venue: Grand Hamad Stadium Venue: Suhaim Bin Hamad Stadium SF2 – Winner QF2 v Winner QF 4 scoring a tournament-leading 15 times penalties following a goalless draw less draw with the group hosts follow- Kick-off : 1630hrs in their victories over Hong Kong (6- after extra-time at the Seeb Stadium, ing wins over the Philippines (4-0) and Saudi Arabia v Thailand 1930hrs Australia v UAE 1930hrs Venue: Abdullah Bin Khalifa Stadium 0), Chinese Taipei (4-0) and Myanmar having also drawn with the South Ko- Cambodia (4-1). Venue: Grand Hamad Stadium Venue: Grand Hamad Stadium (5-1), with fi ve of their tally coming reans in the group stage. SF1 – Winner QF1 v Winner QF 3 from former Scotland U-19 interna- JAPAN January 16 January 17 Kick-off : 1930hrs tional Jamie Maclaren. SAUDI ARABIA Like their East Asian neighbours Korea Thailand v Japan 1630hrs Vietnam v Australia 1630hrs Venue: Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium Runners-up to Iraq at the inaugural Republic, Japan bowed out of the inau- Venue: Grand Hamad Stadium Venue: Grand Hamad Stadium IRAQ AFC U22 Championship, Saudi Ara- gural AFC U22 Championship follow- 3RD / 4TH PLACING Inaugural champions Iraq, winners bia overcame a sluggish start to the ing a 1-0 defeat to eventual champions DPR Korea v Saudi Arabia 1930hrs UAE v Jordan 1930hrs January 29 of the 2013 AFC U-22 Championship, 2016 qualifi ers to advance as winners Iraq, only Makoto Teguramori’s side Venue: Grand Hamad Stadium Venue: Suhaim Bin Hamad Stadium Loser SF1 v Loser SF2 earned the right to defend their title of Group C. After needing an 88th fell at an earlier hurdle as Japan exited Kick-off : 1745hrs at next year’s fi nals in Doha by top- minute Abdullah Madu penalty to see at the quarter-fi nal stage. And like the January 19 January 20 Venue: Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium ping Group A under Yahya Alwan, who off Palestine in their opening match, South Koreans, Japan’s return to the Saudi Arabia v Japan 1630hrs Jordan v Australia 1930hrs subsequently took charge of the senior the Saudis were held to a surprise goal- tournament with qualifi cation to next Venue: Suhaim Bin Hamad Stadium Venue: Suhaim Bin Hamad Stadium FINAL team in August following an 11th hour less draw by Afghanistan before fi nish- year’s fi nals in Qatar was achieved with January 30 change of mind by former Qatar coach ing their campaign strongly with wins clinical effi ciency as the Samurai Blue - DPR Korea v Thailand 1630hrs UAE v Vietnam 1930hrs Winner SF1 v Winner SF2 Dzemal Hadziabdic. The title holders, over Nepal (6-0) and Iran (2-1). One of who have participated in every edition Venue: Grand Hamad Stadium Venue: Grand Hamad Stadium Kick-off : 1745hrs who defeated Saudi Arabia 1-0 in the the strongest teams in their region, the of the Olympics since 1996 - defeating Venue: Abdullah Bin Khalifa Stadium historic fi nal thanks to a 33rd minute Saudis won the 2014 Gulf Cup of Na- Macau (7-0), Vietnam (2-0) and hosts winner from 2012 AFC Youth Player tions U23 Championship with a 5-2 Malaysia (1-0) to top Group I with a of the Year Mohannad Abdul-Raheem, victory over Kuwait in the fi nal in Bah- 100% record. ter a 0-0 draw with the North Koreans ment debutants alongside 2016 AFC led by former Czech Republic youth displayed their championship creden- rain to win the tournament for third saw them fi nish below the Ra Pong- U23 Championship hosts Qatar and team coach Miroslav Soukup then hit tials during the qualifi ers as they re- time in six editions. CHINA gi coached side on goal diff erence. fellow Asean side Thailand after their fi ve past Sri Lanka without reply before corded victories over Lebanon (4-1), China will be looking to make a bet- Thailand, six-time SEA Games gold- wins over Malaysia (2-1) and Macau Yemen ended their qualifi cation cam- the Maldives (7-0) and Bahrain (2-0). UNITED ARAB EMIRATES ter impression in Qatar than they did medallists set up the top-of-the-table (7-0) ultimately proved enough to take paign with a narrow 1-0 loss to table- Iraq picked up the point they needed The United Arab Emirates advanced in Oman at the inaugural AFC U22 clash following victories over Asean the Group I runners-up through as the topping UAE to reach the fi nals as the to top the table in their fi nal match to next year’s continental champion- Championship, where they failed to get rivals Cambodia (2-1) and the Philip- third best second-placed team. Quali- fourth best second-placed team after against Oman but not before enduring ship in neighbouring Qatar by top- beyond the group stage following de- pines (5-1). fi cation for next year’s fi nal rates highly fi nishing Group D runners-up. a nervous fi nish as the Group A hosts ping Group D with a 100% record fol- feats to Uzbekistan (2-1), runners-up in the list of achievements for Vietnam scored twice in the last two minutes as lowing victories over Sri Lanka (4-0), Saudi Arabia (2-1) and Iraq (1-0), who IRAN who are relatively unheralded at under UZBEKISTAN Alwan’s side let slip a two-goal lead. Tajikistan (3-0) and Yemen (1-0). went on to complete a hat-trick of wins Buoyed by the four goals of the prodi- 23 level having never qualifi ed for the Uzbekistan made the 2016 AFC U23 Quarter-fi nalists at the inaugural AFC over East Asians sides with subsequent giously talented Sardar Azmoun - who Olympics or gone beyond the Round of Championship by taking the last berth QATAR U22 Championship, where their run in victories over Japan and Korea Repub- scored three times at the 2015 AFC 16 at the Asian Games. Although they available as the fi fth best second- As tournament hosts, Qatar were ex- Oman ended with a 1-0 loss to Jordan, lic on route to becoming champions. Asian Cup including a sublime strike have never won the SEA Games, Viet- placed team, with inaugural hosts empt from the qualifying campaign the UAE will be aiming for at least a The Chinese qualifi ed to the 2016 AFC against Qatar - Iran recorded victories nam did claim the silver medal three Oman, Myanmar, Indonesia, and Laos and will be keen to put on a strong top three fi nish in next year’s edition, U23 Championship by topping Group over Nepal (5-0), Palestine (3-0), and times and the bronze once since the all missing out after fi nishing runners- showing on home soil after failing to which would see the Emiratis return to J in emphatic fashion after consecu- Afghanistan (6-0) and went into the regional tournament became an under up in their respective groups. The qualify for the 2013 AFC U22 Cham- the Olympic Games for only the second tive 5-0 wins over over Mongolia and Group C decider needing just a point 23 competition in 2001. Central Asians left it late to win their pionship. Quarter-fi nalists at the 1992 time following an impressive showing Singapore set up decisive meeting with against Saudi Arabia to advance as Group E opener with goals in the 87th Olympics - when the tournament be- at London 2012, where a team that fea- group hosts Laos, which ended with a group winners. A 2-1 defeat, however, YEMEN minute and second-half stoppage time came an under 23 event - and Asian tured a number of players that would convincing 3-0 victory for Fu Bo’s side. saw the Saudis take top spot although A hard-fought win over Tajikistan fol- fi nally seeing off India before Bakhti- Games gold medal winners on home go to feature for the senior side that Iran would ultimately still qualify to lowed by a comprehensive hammering yor Ashurmatov’s side enjoyed a more soil in 2006, Qatar have a reasonable fi nished third at the 2015 AFC Asian THAILAND the fi nals as the second best second- of Sri Lanka earned Yemen a return to comfortable win over hosts Bangla- pedigree at this level and could feature Cup, shone in the global spotlight. Having missed out on the inaugural placed team, to mark a second ap- the AFC U23 Championship fi nals af- desh. After going down 2-1 to group a number of players from the side that AFC U22 Championship, Thailand will pearance in the tournament after tak- ter qualifying for the inaugural tour- winners Syria, Uzbekistan’s victories won the 2014 AFC U19 Championship SYRIA make their tournament debut after ing part in the inaugural competition, nament, where they were unable to of the South Asian duo proved enough in Myanmar. Syria sealed passage to the AFC U23 qualifying for Qatar 2016 as the fi rst where they failed to reach the knock- progress beyond the group stage after to see the Uzbeks return to the fi nals Championship for the second time, best second-placed team with a run- out stage after fi nishing third in their losing all three games in Oman. Yem- having qualifi ed for the inaugural tour- KOREA REPUBLIC having reached the quarter-fi nals of ners-up fi nish in Group G behind DPR group behind Japan and Australia. en’s quest to reach the 2016 AFC U23 nament, where they failed to make it to A powerhouse at under 23 level, Korea the inaugural tournament in Oman Korea. In what was the tightest fi nish Championship began positively after the knockout stage after fi nishing third Republic made the most of a compara- in 2014, by winning 2016 qualifying amongst all the qualifying groups, the VIETNAM a brace from Aiman al-Hagri saw the behind eventual fi nalists Saudi Arabia tively kind qualifi cation draw as Shin Group E in impressive fashion with Thais had to settle for second place af- Vietnam emerged as the third tourna- Gulf side edge the Tajiks 2-1. The side and Iraq. Gulf Times 4 Tuesday, January 12, 2016 FOOTBALL

EPL PREVIEW SPOTLIGHT Barca, Espanyol Feast and famine as seek to calm Arsenal face Reds waters before Klopp can only envy the riches at Arsenal counterpart Arsene Wenger’s disposal Cup clash

Reuters protagonist as that is what the Madrid spectator deserves,” Luis Enrique Arsenal could aff ord to make five changes as they breezed told a news conference after Sat- past Sunderland in the FA Cup on Saturday. (AFP) urday’s 4-0 win at home arcelona and Espanyol to Granada. “I am open to speak- have fought out a couple ing to Galca to try to lighten the of brutal derbies in re- mood if necessary,” added the cent weeks and the bit- former Barca and Spain mid- Bter city rivals are seeking to calm fi elder. Espanyol president Joan the waters ahead of tomorrow’s Collet urged fans not to get car- King’s Cup last-16 second leg. ried away, warning them that the Espanyol held visiting Barca club faced sanctions if insults to a 0-0 draw in La Liga on Jan. 2 were heard during the game. “We before the Cup holders thumped are clear in our minds that the tie them 4-1 in last week’s fi rst leg is very tough for us but we have at the Nou Camp. Both games to ease the tension,” Collet said. were littered with fouls and yel- The last 16 of this year’s com- low cards, Espanyol had two petition features two other der- players sent off in the Cup clash, bies. Atletico Madrid and Rayo with Barca forward Luis Suarez Vallecano are level at 1-1 after banned for two matches follow- last week’s fi rst leg, with the re- ing a fracas in the tunnel after the turn at the Calderon in the Span- fi nal whistle. ish capital on Thursday. The rivalry between the clubs Sevilla have a 2-0 lead from the has sharpened over Catalonia’s fi rst leg at Real Betis, who sacked continuing campaign for inde- their coach Pepe Mel on Sunday, pendence from Spain, with Barca before they meet at the Sanchez seen as a symbol of the region’s Pizjuan stadium tomorrow. separatist ambitions and Espan- Villarreal need to overturn a yol fi ercely loyal to the central 3-2 defi cit when they host Ath- government in Madrid. letic Bilbao tomorrow, while The Catalan parliament swore Gary Neville’s Valencia lead Gra- in a new separatist leader on nada 4-0 before Thursday’s re- Sunday, putting the pro-inde- turn in Andalusia. Two non-La pendence movement’s commit- Liga sides have survived, with ment to break with Spain over second-division Mirandes and the next 18 months back on track. Deportivo La Coruna tied at 1-1. Barcelona coach Luis Enrique Third-tier Cadiz, who went and counterpart Constantin through after Real Madrid were Galca of Espanyol will meet and expelled for fi elding an ineligible hold a photo session today in an player, look certain to be elimi- attempt to ease tensions. nated after losing 3-0 at home to “I want football to be the only Celta Vigo.

AFP way we did (against Sunderland) and I’m Assessing the situation after the draw Wayne Rooney penalty to see off third- London sure we will be fi ne. The team was up to at Exeter, he said: “The main problems we division Sheffi eld United in the FA Cup on the challenge. We didn’t rush the games have is because our centre-halves are in- Saturday, but midfi elder Marouane Fel- and we knew we had to be patient. It is jured in this moment. We had fi ve centre- laini believes there was no shame in being wo teams coping very diff erently nice to get the three goals and that is con- halves at the beginning of the season and made to toil by well-drilled opposition. with English football’s high-in- fi dence for the team as we had a diffi cult at this moment no centre-halves. That’s “It was diffi cult against a team like that tensity mid-season fi xture pro- week ahead.” the situation, but next week it could be who come to defend,” the Belgium inter- gramme meet tomorrow when Klopp can only envy the riches at Arse- diff erent.” national told MUTV. “We tried to create TPremier League leaders Arsenal resume nal counterpart Arsene Wenger’s disposal Leicester City, two points behind Arse- chances and we kept the ball well. We had their pursuit of the title at injury-ravaged as he contemplates an injury list that cur- nal in second place, return to White Hart patience and, in the end, we won and we Liverpool. rently features 11 senior players. Seven of Lane to face Tottenham Hotspur, just are now ready for the next game.” While Arsenal could aff ord to make vefi those—including playmaker Philippe three days after a 2-2 draw between the United’s cross-town rivals Manches- changes as they breezed past Sunderland Coutinho, striker Daniel Sturridge and teams there in the FA Cup. ter City had a far more straightforward in the FA Cup on Saturday, Liverpool centre-backs Dejan Lovren and Martin Leicester were a minute from victory third-round assignment, easing to a 3-0 manager Jurgen Klopp’s decision to fi eld a Skrtel—have hamstring problems, but when Harry Kane equalised from the win at Norwich City. Seeking to bridge youthful starting XI at fourth-tier Exeter Klopp has dismissed suggestions that his penalty spot for Spurs, but having made the three-point gap between themselves City on Friday almost backfi red as his side hard-running playing style is to blame. seven changes to his line-up, Leicester and Arsenal, Manuel Pellegrini’s side scraped a 2-2 draw. manager Claudio Ranieri was satisfi ed resume hostilities with Everton, who beat First-team regulars like Mesut Ozil, with the outcome. them 2-1 last week in the fi rst leg of their Aaron Ramsey and Per Mertesacker will FIXTURES “I was very pleased with our perform- League Cup semi-fi nal. come back into the Arsenal team at An- ance because eight players without play— “It’s very important to be focused game fi eld and right-back Hector Bellerin be- (1945 GMT unless otherwise stated) some play sometimes, in the League by game. We’ve played in the FA Cup lieves such strength in depth bodes well Today: Aston Villa vs Crystal Palace, Cup—and now they play in the FA Cup, and now we must return to the Premier for the months ahead. Bournemouth vs West Ham United, New- and I think they deserve a positive result,” League,” said Pellegrini. “We have to play “The legs are fi ne and we have shown castle United vs Manchester United he said. “Two-two is a positive result. two games at home and it’s very impor- that we have very good players on the Tomorrow: Chelsea vs West Bromwich Well done!” tant that we try to reduce the gap that we bench also and the rotation helps us get Albion, Liverpool vs Arsenal (2000 GMT), Spurs start the week in fourth place, have with Arsenal.” good results,” said the Spaniard, who set Manchester City vs Everton, Southamp- but Manchester United can go draw level ’s improving Chelsea, up goals for Ramsey and Olivier Giroud in ton v Watford, Stoke City vs Norwich City, on points with Mauricio Pochettino’s 2-0 victors against Scunthorpe United the 3-1 success against Sunderland. Swansea City vs Sunderland, Tottenham men if they win at struggling Newcastle on Sunday, host West Bromwich Albion, Barcelona’s Luis Suarez (left) and Gerard Pique (centre) argue with “We have a lot of games and they are all Hotspur vs Leicester City (2000 GMT) United in today’s stand-out fi xture. seeking to record consecutive league wins Espanyol’s goalkeeper Pau Lopez during Spain King’s Cup first leg hard games, but we have to respond in the United required a stoppage-time for the fi rst time this season. match at Camp Nou stadium last week.

ROUND-UP FOCUS Klopp warns Guardiola over fi xture list Kazakhs to chose new

London tape blackmail bid, according to testimony pub- lished yesterday. coach via Internet poll Reuters The account given by the Lyon midfi elder, re- ported by Le Monde newspaper, highlighted ten- AFP involvement of the fans in the game. If iverpool manager Juergen Klopp has sions even though Valbuena said Sunday he would Astana they exercise their right to infl uence this warned Bayern Munich coach Pep Guardi- be ready to play with Benzema at the European decision it will defi nitely be for the ben- ola about the ’s packed fi x- Championships this year. Charges of complicity to efi t of our squad.” ture list, and the weather, if he goes ahead attempted blackmail and conspiracy made against azakhstan’s football federation The national team hot-seat in the Lwith his plan to join an English club. Real Madrid striker Benzema have jolted France’s is giving fans the chance to help energy-rich state is currently vacant af- Guardiola has been strongly linked with a move preparations for the Euro 2016. select a new coach for the na- ter the contract of the previous manager, to Manchester City since the former Barcelona Three men, including a friend of Benzema, have tional team via an Internet vote, Yury Krasnozhan of Russia, expired last manager confi rmed that he was leaving Bayern at been charged over the blackmail. Benzema has itK was announced yesterday. month. the end of the season and was keen to work in Eng- been excluded from the national squad. Benzema Football lovers will fi rst be able to cast “We do not only talk about the full land. The German team are enjoying the Bundes- approached Valbuena about the tape at a national ballots in an online poll to decide if the openness of our federation, we are doing liga winter break and have not played a competitive training camp in October. next national manager should be foreign our best to put it into practice,” Kozhaga- game since Dec. 19. Liverpool will have played nine Juergen Klopp “He assured me he had seen it ... he swore on or Kazakh, federation supremo Yerlan panov said. games during that period by the time the German his daughter’s life, he told me it was hot. He scared Kozhagapanov said. “But if the number of voters does not champions resume their league campaign on Jan. able to deal with the workload and enjoy the expe- me,” Valbuena was quoted as telling an investigat- If more than 50,000 people participate reach the target it will also be an impor- 22. “That’s the thing, it’s the number of games, rience of living in England. ing judge on November 20. then the result will be considered valid tant sign for the federation. In this case football, football, football. With a perfect pre- “What I can say about here is very positive, great “He lied to me to make me meet this person, and the federation will then hold a sec- we will take the decision on our own.” season you are prepared for a long, long journey,” country, great people, the food is much better than just to help his friend. Afterwards I thought Karim ond round of voting to decide between Kazakhstan—which has a population Klopp told reporters. everybody said,” Klopp joked. “OK, the weather is is intelligent enough. He knows that if I meet his four candidates. of some 17.5 million—has never qualifi ed After Friday’s 2-2 FA Cup draw with fourth-tier not great—like everyone said!,” friend, it won’t be for nothing,” Valbuena added. “We decided to give our fans the for any major tournaments either in Asia Exeter City, Liverpool, who are eighth in the Pre- Benzema later told investigators had not seen chance to express their will, to exert or in since joining UEFA in 2002. mier League, host leaders Arsenal tomorrow and BENZEMA ‘SCARED’ VALBUENA the sex-tape. France’s star goalscorer is banned an impact on this strategic decision,” Five foreign coaches and eight local bitter rivals Manchester United on Sunday. Klopp, OVER SEX-TAPE BLACKMAIL from meeting Valbuena and the French federation Kozhagapanov told local media in capital managers have led the national squad who has had to cope with a number of injuries to Mathieu Valbuena said that France teammate Ka- has said he will not be chosen for the national team Astana. since the country gained independence key players recently, is confi dent Guardiola will be rim Benzema “lied” and “scared” him over a sex- until the case it settled. “Football cannot develop without the from the Soviet Union in 1991. Gulf Times Tuesday, January 12, 2016 5 FOOTBALL

SPOTLIGHT MESSI NAMED WORLD’S BEST FOR FIFTH TIME Barcelona boss Enrique won the coach award while Ellis took the women’s trophy FOCUS

AFP Zurich Move over Ronaldo,

arcelona star Lionel Messi won a record fi fth FIFA Ballon d’Or award for the Messi back on top world’s best player at a cer- emonyB in Zurich yesterday. AFP He dethroned three-time winner Zurich List of winners Cristiano Ronaldo in adding to his four consecutive awards from 2009 Ballon d’Or: Lionel Messi to 2012. Brazil star Neymar came ionel Messi deposed eter- Women’s World Player of the third in the vote of journalists and nal rival Cristiano Ronaldo Year: Carli Lloyd coaches. “It’s a very special moment to take back his crown as Coach of the Year: Luis Enrique to come back, to get a Ballon d’Or the undisputed king of Puskas Award: Wendell Lira again after the two years in which Lworld football by lifting a record World Women’s Coach of the Cristiano Ronaldo won each time. fi fth Ballon d’Or yesterday. Year: Jill Ellis “This Ballon d’Or means a lot more Much has changed since, just 12 Fifpro World XI than I could have ever dreamed of as Lionel Messi poses with trophy months ago, a disgruntled Messi, Goalkeeper: Manuel Neuer (Ger- a child,” said the 28-year-old Messi. after receiving the 2015 FIFA fresh from losing a World Cup fi - many, Bayern Munich); Defenders: “It’s incredible that it’s my fi fth, it’s Ballon d’Or award for player of nal and disillusioned with coach Dani Alves (Brazil, Barcelona); much more than I ever dreamed of,” the year in Zurich. (AFP) Luis Enrique’s regime at Barcelo- Sergio Ramos (Spain, Real Ma- said the 28-year-old Messi. na, sat in stony silence as Ronaldo drid); Thiago Silva (Brazil, Paris Messi had 41% of the vote Ronal- announced his intention to hunt Saint-Germain); Marcelo (Brazil, do getting 28% and Barca’s Neymar down the Argentine’s then-record Real Madrid) 8.0%. Messi was the star player as four Ballon d’Or haul. Midfielders: Paul Pogba (France, Barcelona won the treble of Cham- A year on, the roles were re- Juventus); Luka Modric (Croatia, pions League, La Liga and Spanish versed, Messi’s record now even Real Madrid); Andres Iniesta Cup last season, before also adding further beyond Ronaldo’s reach in (Spain, Barcelona); Forwards: the Club World Cup last month. the personal duel between the two Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal, Real Although he became the fi rst ever men who have taken standards to Madrid); Lionel Messi (Argen- player to win the award fi ve times, unseen heights in their domina- tina, Barcelona); Neymar (Brazil, Messi had said earlier that he would tion of the sport during the past Barcelona) swap all those individual accolades decade. Rarely has there been for a World Cup success. such little debate over who was one of the most frightening front- “Team awards are more important the deserving winner. Even in the lines the game has ever seen. than individual ones,” he said, before Spanish capital, unlike in previous Even a two-month injury lay- adding that the World Cup “is every years, there was no campaign for off due to knee ligament damage player’s objective, it’s really the pin- Ronaldo in the year he became Real couldn’t derail Messi’s case as he nacle”. Madrid’s all-time leading goal- also scored in the UEFA Super Cup Messi and his Argentina team- scorer. In Zurich last year, Messi and Club World Cup fi nals to take mates came close to winning the had even cast doubt on his future Barca’s total trophy haul for the World Cup in Brazil in 2014 but were at Barcelona. His benching for a year to fi ve. beaten 1-0 by Germany in the fi nal. 1-0 defeat to Real Sociedad the There was still disappointment His Barcelona boss Luis Enrique most ignominious start to what at international level. Another won the coach of the year award would turn out to be the second fi nal defeat - this time on penal- while Jill Ellis took the women’s most successful in Barca’s 116- ties to Chile at the Copa America trophy. She had guided the US to year history. - means Messi has still to deliver a women’s World Cup glory in Canada Messi missed an open train- major trophy for La Albiceleste. last summer, beating Japan 5-2 in the ing session with the club’s fans, However, whilst others may use fi nal. Carli Lloyd scored a hat-trick Barca sporting director Andoni his record with Argentina to doubt in that match and that was enough Zubizarreta was sacked and club his candidacy as the best player to help her land the FIFA women’s legend Carles Puyol walked. En- ever, in Barcelona 2015 enshrined player of the year gong. rique would have followed suit had his legacy as the greatest. Brazilian Wendell Lira won the Messi demanded it. He scored the goal that sealed Puskas award for goal of the year for Instead, he used the fuel of the a fi fth La Liga title in seven years his spectacular overhead bicycle kick most disappointing year of his ca- and maybe even his best ever goal for Atletico Goianiense against Goa- reer in 2014 to fi re Barca to a treble in the Copa del Rey fi nal. Yet, his ianesia in a regional league match, of Champions League, La Liga and signature moment came with the edging out Messi’s own mazy dribble Copa del Rey trophies. return of an old mentor in Pep against Atletic Bilbao in last season’s His partnership with Neymar Guardiola when Bayern Munich Copa del Rey fi nal. and Luis Suarez suddenly kicked visited in the Champions League Barca and Real dominated the into gear, between them hitting 137 semi-fi nals in May. “There is not team of the year as well with four of Barca’s record 180 goals in 2015, a system or coach to stop talent of players each, including Messi, Ney- making the South American trio his magnitude,” said Guardiola. mar and Ronaldo.

ROUND-UP Juve suff ered in victory against Samp, says Allegri

Blatter to appeal eight-year ban Turin: Juventus “suff ered” on Khedira added to Paul Pogba’s their way to a 2-1 win away 17th minute strike when he col- AFP PSG THREATEN BRITISH SINGER to Sampdoria on Sunday and lected Paulo Dybala’s pinpoint Zurich M.I.A. OVER USING JERSEY expect a “diff icult” time trying pass to beat Emiliano Viviano in Sepp Blatter Paris Saint Germain football club has to stay near the top of , the hosts’ net. demanded that British singer M.I.A. re- coach Massimiliano Allegri said. But Antonio Cassano re- allen FIFA chief Sepp Blatter will move images of its PSG jersey from her Hovering above the rel- duced the arrears in the 64th appeal against his eight-year “Borders” music video which features egation zone after their first minute and Sampdoria were ban, his lawyer said, joining fel- refugees trying to get to Europe. The matches of the season, the unfortunate not to earn at least low suspended offi cial Michel singer yesterday published a copy of a Turin giants are firmly back a share of the spoils after the FPlatini in a fi ght to clear his name. “We legal letter she received from PSG’s dep- in contention for a record- hosts spurned a series of late will appeal it, of course,” Blatter’s US- uty chief executive Jean-Claude Blanc equalling fifth consecutive title opportunities. “Sampdoria based attorney Richard Cullen confi rmed demanding she remove the images and after moving two places up to played well in the final min- to AFP in an e-mail. compensate the Qatar-owned French second at two points behind utes,” admitted Allegri. The confi rmation came after FIFA’s league leaders for “harm suff ered.” Napoli. dropped to “It was a great win for us ethics tribunal on Saturday revealed it “So there’s the case MIA vs PSG - third, also on 38 points, follow- but we suff ered. Winning nine had provided Blatter and UEFA president discuss...”, M.I.A. wrote on her Twit- ing a shock 1-0 defeat to Sas- games in a row isn’t easy so Platini with the reasons for imposing the ter account. The letter says PSG had suolo while Fiorentina slipped moving up to second place is a ban, clearing the way for both men to ap- an “unpleasant surprise” when M.I.A. to fourth at a further point off big achievement for us.” peal. A lawyer for Platini, who has also twice appeared in her latest music video the pace following their shock Napoli went top of the table been banned for eight years, had earlier wearing a jersey in which the PSG logo is 3-1 defeat to Lazio on Saturday. at the halfway stage for the first confi rmed an appeal would be launched. clearly visible, as well as those of spon- Juventus looked to be cruis- time since led In December, FIFA’s ethics tribunal sors Nike and the Qatari National Bank. ing to their ninth consecutive them to the second of their two ruled both men had abused their posi- The slogan “Fly Emirates” has been win of the campaign after Sami leagues titles in 1990. tions over a 2 million Swiss francs ($2 changed to “Fly Pirates”. million, 1.8 million euros) payment made half of January 2016.” “After receiving He told French sports newspaper The video of “Borders” shows images to Platini in 2011 for work carried out be- the grounds for the decisions, both offi - L’Equipe that he no longer had “the time of migrants climbing fences and packed tween 1999 and 2002. Blatter, who has cials may lodge an appeal with the FIFA nor the means to go to the voters, to meet into boats in a commentary on the recent headed FIFA since 1998, was also fi ned Appeal Committee,” the statement said. people, to fi ght against the other candi- infl ux of people into Europe fl eeing war 50,000 Swiss francs while Platini, a FIFA If that appeal is rejected, the two men dates. “In withdrawing, I am dedicating and poverty. vice-president, was fi ned 80,000 Swiss can appeal further to the Court of Arbi- myself to my defence.” “Borders, what’s up with that? Poli- francs. tration for Sport (CAS), the highest tri- FIFA has since last May be rocked to its tics, what’s up with that? Police shots, The court insisted there was “no legal bunal in sports. At the time of the ver- core by a cascade of corruption charges what’s up with that?” sings the British- basis” for the payment that Blatter au- dict, both men angrily vowed to fi ght the and arrests that culminated with the Sri Lankan rapper, whose real name is Juventus’ Paul Pogba thorised for Platini in 2011. Platini’s law- bans, which started immediately. implication of the two long considered Mathangi Arulpragasam. controls the ball during yer Thibaud d’Ales said Saturday that his The tribunal decision promises to end world football’s most powerful men. “More than being surprised, we sim- the match against 60-year-old client had indeed received 79-year-old Blatter’s four decades with The US justice department has charged ply do not understand why we are asso- Sampdoria. (Reuters) the reasons behind the ban. “We’ll read FIFA in disgrace. 39 individuals and two companies over ciated, through our logo and the offi cial them, analyse them and launch an appeal It also dealt a devastating blow to graft within world football going back jersey of our team’s players, to such de- on Monday,” D’Ales said. Platini’s hopes of taking over as head of decades, in a sweeping prosecution that nunciation,” reads the legal letter. The tribunal did not provide further FIFA in an election on February 26. has sparked an unprecedented crisis at The letter lists social actions taken by details of the reasoning behind its de- The UEFA president pulled out of the FIFA. A total of nine FIFA offi cials were the PSG Foundation such as helping poor cision. Instead it stressed it had now race earlier this week, saying the ban has arrested during two raids at the fi ve-star and sick children and the donation of “fulfi lled its commitment to provide the made it impossible for him to put togeth- Baur au Lac hotel in Zurich, on May 27 one million euros ($1.1 million) to French grounds for the respective decisions to er a campaign to take on the sport’s most and December 3, by Swiss police acting charities “in the context of the refugee Mr Blatter and Mr Platini within the fi rst powerful job. on US warrants. crisis.” Gulf Times 6 Tuesday, January 12, 2016 SPORT

NBA FOCUS Wheeler has healthy outlook on future Clippers survive with New York Mets

By Steven Marcus you’ve got to do to get better.” Newsday Wheeler and Wilmer Flores nearly were traded to Milwaukee for Carlos Gomez in July until ack Wheeler has made it the Mets decided not to make the Pelicans in overtime quite clear that he wants deal, reportedly over Gomez’s to remain with the Mets. medical records. Wheeler’s It is as important to the name also surfaced in talks ‘But I keep saying this isn’t our team until number 32 (Griff in) gets back’ Zright-hander as his rehabilita- with the Reds about Jay Bruce. tion from Tommy John surgery, Wheeler later called Sandy Al- which will keep him sidelined derson and expressed his desire until the middle of summer. to stay a Met. Los Angeles Clippers guard Chris Paul (right) In terms of a possible return “I thought maybe I should call steals the ball in front of New Orleans Pelicans date, “I said from the beginning and say, ‘Hey, I really want to be center Omer Asik (L) during their NBA game at of June or July,” Wheeler recently part of the organization,’ “ he the fi rst quarter at Staples Center, Los Angeles. said from Port St. Lucie, Fla., said. “I was here at the beginning PICTURE: USA TODAY Sports where he is undergoing rehabili- of the rebuilding process and I tation. “That’s still the timeta- want to see it through. I want to ble for me. There’s this process; be part of the success because I you never know if you’re going know it’s coming, I know what to have setbacks. They could be we’re capable of and I just want- late, could be earlier. You never ed to stay here and have fun. I know. I’m not really trying to set love the city, I love the fans, I love a timetable.” playing at Citi Field.” Wheeler was 18-17 with a 3.50 Wheeler said he never took it as ERA in 49 career starts before a compliment that another team undergoing surgery last March. wanted him. “Not really. Hon- His contract status is club- estly, I really don’t look at it that friendly. He is not yet arbitra- way,” he said. “At least I don’t.” tion-eligible, and free agency There is no indication that is out of the picture until 2020. Wheeler is involved in any cur- That makes him a bargain for the rent trade discussions. The Mets _ or another team. Mets appear to be focusing on Wheeler, 25, yearns to be part his return. “Zack is progressing of what could be the best start- very well,” Alderson said in an ing rotation in the big leagues. emailed statement. “We expect And certainly the Mets have to him to be ready sometime mid- be intrigued about the prospect season. His call (last July) dem- of adding a healthy Wheeler to onstrated a strong desire to stay the mix of Matt Harvey, Jacob with the Mets. He is loyal to his deGrom, Noah Syndergaard and teammates and believes in the Steven Matz. It could be a Cy-5 direction of the team. This says combination. a lot about Zack and about the While the fi rst four pitch- Mets.” ers are virtually assured of re- Wheeler said the physical maining at least through 2016, side of his rehabilitation is going Wheeler has been given no such well. After his March surgery, he guarantee. The signing of Barto- did have to adjust to a summer lo Colon to a one-year deal keeps without playing. “You have the the fi fth spot warm for Wheeler surgery, that’s hard enough as it and retains an established starter is,” he said, “and then you got to if Wheeler is traded. spend all summer down here not “You never know. Something playing baseball. It’s a diff erent DPA Jordan collected 12 with 11 re- RESULTS 28 of his 31 points in the second (19-18) third straight setback. could happen,” Wheeler said. part of it. I enjoyed watching for Los Angeles bounds. half, including the tie-breaking zHouston Rockets 107, In- “I was traded after the trading once. I don’t know if it necessar- “We played poorly tonight, LA Clippers 114 Orleans 111 (OT) triple - his career-high-tying diana Pacers 103 (OT): Trevor deadline, so you never know. You ily grounds you, but it makes you especially down the stretch,” Dallas 93 Minnesota 87 eighth of the game with 1:22 left Ariza scored a season-high 24 just try to keep your hopes up, realize, hey, be grateful for what t wasn’t supposed to be this Jordan said. “Some games, you Cleveland 95 Philadelphia 85 - shooting the Trail Blazers past points and Corey Brewer drilled keep pushing through, do what you have.” tough but the streaking LA have to grind it out and that’s Memphis 101 Boston 98 the visiting Thunder. CJ McCol- the go-ahead 3-pointer with Clippers will take it any way what we did.” Houston 107 Indiana 103 (OT) lum netted 22 points for Port- 40 seconds left in overtime, they can get it. The Clippers took advantage NY Knicks 100 Milwaukee 88 land (16-24), which knocked helping the Rockets (19-19) IChris Paul had 25 points with of the absence of the Pelicans’ Denver 95 Charlotte 92 down a whopping 19-of-44 rally from 12 down in the fourth ZACK WHEELER 11 assists, Jamal Crawford net- top scorer and rebounder An- Portland 115 Oklahoma City 110 from behind the arc to snap a quarter to beat the Pacers for ted 21 off the bench and the thony Davis because of a back Utah 86 LA Lakers 74 three-game home slide. Kevin their third straight win. Paul Clippers escaped the visiting contusion to lead 88-76 early in Durant dropped in 28 points George topped Indiana (21-16) New Orleans Pelicans 114-111 the fourth quarter. But they re- to lead Oklahoma City (26-12) with 20 points. in overtime on Sunday for their laxed and had it cut to three on Holiday fi nished with a sea- while Russell Westbrook had 25 zNew York Knicks 100, season-high ninth consecutive a Jrue Holiday 3-pointer with son-high 29 points, Tyreke with 15 assists and nine boards. Milwaukee Bucks 88: Car- victory. 3:22 left. Evans added 26 and Anderson zDallas Mavericks 93, melo Anthony had 24 points, “We went through a stretch Los Angeles appeared to have contributed 16 and 10 rebounds Minnesota Timberwolves 10 rebounds and eight assists, where we messed up some plays, it wrapped up but Holiday made for New Orleans (11-25), which 87: German juggernaut Dirk and the Knicks (19-20) won for missed some shots and couldn’t all three free throws with 1.6 has lost fi ve of its last six. Nowitzki scored 29 points, in- the fourth time in fi ve games af- make plays on defence,” Craw- seconds left after getting fouled “We battled hard today,” An- cluding a key three-point play ter bouncing the visiting Bucks ford said. “Yet, we still found a by Austin Rivers on a three- derson said. “It’s frustrating to with 90 seconds left, and the (15-24), led by Greg Monroe’s way to win.” point attempt to force overtime. lose a close one but you can’t visiting Mavs (22-16) sent the 28-point, 10-rebound eff ort. The Clippers’ streak is their Trailing 106-105 in the extra knock our eff ort.” sliding Timberwolves to their zDenver Nuggets 95, fourth longest in franchise his- session, Johnson and Paul bur- Elsewhere: zCleveland sixth straight loss. Andrew Charlotte Hornets 92: Ita- tory and they improved to 8-0 ied back-to-back three-point- Cavaliers 95, Philadel- Wiggins topped Minnesota (12- ly’s Danilo Gallinari fi red in 27 since All-Star forward Blake ers 67 seconds apart, giving the phia 76ers 85: LeBron James 26) with 21 points. Memphis points and the Nuggets (14-24) Griffi n suff ered a partially torn Clippers a fi ve-point advantage. matched his season high with Grizzlies 101, Boston Celtics 98: held off the visiting Hornets (17- tendon left quadriceps tendon Mbah a Moute and Johnson 37 points, including 12 in the fi - Zach Randolph had 25 points 20) despite going scoreless for on Christmas day. “We are hap- then combined to split six free nal 7.5 minutes, and the visiting with 13 rebounds off the bench, the fi nal 4 minutes 17 seconds. py that we are winning games,” throws in the fi nal 38 seconds, Cavs (26-9) beat the stubborn Matt Barnes hit the go-ahead zUtah Jazz 86, LA Lakers Paul said. “But I keep saying this and the Clippers exhaled af- Sixers for their seventh straight lay-in with 50 seconds left, and 74: Gordon Hayward scored isn’t our team until number 32 ter Ryan Anderson’s poten- win. Jahlil Okafor led league- the Grizzlies (21-18) rallied from 25 points and the visiting Jazz (Griffi n) gets back.” tial game-tying three-pointer worst Philadelphia (4-36) with 21 down in the third quarter (17-20) snapped a seven-game Wesley Johnson scored 15 missed at the buzzer. 21 points. to edge the visiting Celtics for road slide after beating the Lak- points and backup centre Luc “Every night is not going to be zPortland Trail Blazers their biggest come-back win of ers (8-31) - minus Kobe Bryant, Mbah a Moute added 14 for the pretty,” Mbah a Moute said. “We 115, Oklahoma City Thun- the season. Isaiah Thomas had a who was out with a right Achil- Clippers (25-13), while DeAndre have to win games like this.” der 110: Damian Lillard fi red in game-high 35 points in Boston’s les’ strain.

NHL Ovechkin reaches 500-goal milestone as Caps win

The Sports Xchange from forward Mike Hoff man, who “My job is to put the puck in and I Washington netted his team-high 20th goal of the tried to do my best,” Ovechkin said. season in early in the second period. The Capitals hopped over the Fighting for the fi nal wild card bench to embrace Ovechkin, who lex Ovechkin became the spot in the Eastern Conference waved to the fans. fi fth-fastest player to standings, Ottawa has lost fi ve of its “No disrespect to the Senators record his 500th NHL goal last six and eight of its last 10. when we all jumped on the ice there,” and added another for “It’s obviously a tough one to Oshie said. “But we couldn’t contain goodA measure as the 30-year-old swallow,” said Senators goalie An- ourselves. ‘O’ didn’t know about it led the Washington Capitals to a 7-1 drew Hammond, who allowed seven but we wanted to be out there and rout over the Ottawa Senators on goals on 36 shots. celebrate with him.” Sunday. “It’s one of those nights where Wayne Gretzky, Mario Lemieux, “It’s nice to be in that spot,” you fi gure out pretty early you’re not Mike Bossy and Brett Hull are the Ovechkin told reporters after play- at your best, but you’ve got to fi nd four players to reach the milestone ing in his 801st NHL game. a way to keep your team in it and I in fewer games than Ovechkin. His “It’s a history moment. I wave and wasn’t able to do that tonight.” fi rst goal gave the Capitals a 5-1 lead blew a kiss to my dad and my mom. after two periods and he stepped My dad quit is his job and spend all MASS CELEBRATION into the spotlight again midway his time with me. Basically he was It has been quite a fi rst half of through the third period, beating my personal coach when I was a lit- the season for Ovechkin, who in Hammond with a mad dash to the tle kid and for him it was a special November became the NHL’s lead- net at the 9:46 mark. moment. ing Russian-born goal scorer. Last His second goal of the night gave “It’s a pretty special moment for week, Ovechkin was named captain him the NHL lead with 26 goals, them.” of the Metropolitan Division for the one more than Dallas Stars forward Forwards Justin Williams, T.J. NHL All-Star Game. Jamie Benn. Oshie, Zach Sill and Tom Wilson, Ovechkin’s milestone goal came RESULTS and defenseman Dmitry Orlov also on the power play, where he posi- Buff alo 4 Winnipeg 2 scored goals for the Capitals, who tioned himself in the left circle. He Washington 7 Ottawa 1 improved to an NHL best 32-7-3. cradled a long pass from team mate Chicago 6 Colorado 3 The Capitals are now 13-1-1 in their Jason Chimera and snapped a hard New Jersey 2 Minnesota 1 last 15 games. shot past Hammond for his team- Detroit 2 Anaheim 1 Alex Ovechkin (No 8) of the Washington Capitals celebrates his 500th career NHL goal in the second period with teammate Justin The Senators’ only off ense came high 25th goal of the season. Florida 2 Edmonton 1 Williams (No 14) against the Ottawa Senators at the Verizon Center in Washington. (Getty Images/AFP) Gulf Times Tuesday, January 12, 2016 7 SPORT

NFL Packers, Seattle Seahawks advance in playoff s ‘This was really a survival game for both teams. It was an amazing defensive eff ort on both sides; it was one of those all-day jobs’

AFP Washington

dramatic missed fi eld goal saw the Seattle Seahawks edge past the Minnesota Vikings as theA Green Pay Packers demol- ished the Washington Redskins on a pulsating day of NFL wild card action playoff on Sunday. The story of the day came in Minneapolis, where Vikings kicker Blair Walsh fl uff ed an easy 27-yard fi eld goal attempt with 26 seconds left on the clock to allow Seattle to cling on for a nail-biting 10-9 victory. Walsh’s miss was the fi nal act of an icy afternoon in Minneso- ta, where sub-zero temperatures before kick-off made the game the third coldest match in NFL history. The mercury plunged minus six degrees Fahrenheit (minus 21 Celsius) before the game. The coldest match ever recorded was the 1967 “Ice Bowl” between the Dallas Cowboys and the Green Bay Packers, where the tempera- ture was minus 13 at kickoff . “I can tell you this: It’s my fault. I don’t care if you give me a watermelon (to kick), I should be able to put that through,” Walsh said afterwards. “I’m the only one who didn’t do my job there. That’s on me.” Vikings coach Mike Zimmer was in no mood to sugarcoat the miss for Walsh. “It’s a chip shot, he’s gotta make it,” Zimmer said, insisting that his team had done enough for victory. “I’ve probably never been more proud of a football team than I am of this team,” he said. The Seahawks, runners-up in last season’s Super Bowl and Seattle Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman (No 25) and strong safety Kam Chancellor (No 31) celebrate after a recovered fumble against the Minnesota Vikings in the fourth quarter of a NFC Wild Card playoff champions two years ago, now football game at TCF Bank Stadium in Minnesota. PICTURE: USA TODAY Sports advance to a meeting with the National Conference number covered their best form to clinch Packers’ off ensive weaknesses. RESULTS one seeded Carolina Panthers a convincing 35-18 victory. “When you get in the play- Trump brands NFL football ‘soft’ next week. Redskins quarterback Kirk off s you don’t have to talk about National Football Conference Seattle coach Pete Carroll paid Cousins was sacked six times the regular season anymore,” he At Minneapolis, Minnesota The National Football League’s (NFL) eff orts to tone down some of the game’s violence in a bid to tribute to his team’s never-say- as the Packers roared back from said. Running backs Eddie Lacy Seattle 10 Minnesota 9 protect player health has made gridiron “soft”, US presidential hopeful Donald Trump said Sunday. die approach. 11-0 down to overpower the and James Starks both crossed At Washington Trump who leads the polls for the Republican nomination for the White House, said in Reno, Ne- “This was really a survival home side at FedExField. for touchdowns as the Packers Green Bay 35 Washington 18 vada, that too many penalty flags were ruining the NFL. game for both teams,” Carroll Rodgers made 21 of 36 for 210 booked a visit to Phoenix next American Football Conference “You used to see these tackles and it was incredible to watch,” Trump said. “Now they tackle—‘Oh, said. “It was an amazing defen- yards and two touchdowns while Saturday to face the Arizona At Houston head-on-head collision, 15 yard (penalty)’. sive eff ort on both sides; it was the Packers also made yardage Cardinals. Kansas City 30 Houston 0 “The whole game is all screwed up. You say, ‘Wow, what a tackle.’ Bing. Flag. one of those all-day jobs.” on their running game. “We just The win in the NFC fi rst- At Cincinnati “Football’s become soft. Football has become soft.” Added Seahawks cornerback needed a game like this to get round game means the Pack- Pittsburgh 18 Cincinnati 16 Trump’s comments came on the second day of the NFL playoff s, and a day after a chippy game Richard Sherman: “The football our mojo back and get our confi - ers will have a chance to avenge Divisional Round Fixtures between the Cincinnati Bengals and Pittsburgh Steelers, in which two personal foul calls on Bengals gods were with us today.” dence going,” said Rodgers, who their humiliating 38-3 defeat to Saturday, January 16 defenders helped the Steelers move within range of their game-winning field goal. had been under close scrutiny the Cardinals on December 27. AFC: Kansas City at New Cincinnati linebacker Vontaze Burfict could be facing suspension for driving his shoulder into the Packers back in synch during his team’s regular-season “There’s not too many times England; NFC: Green Bay at head of Pittsburgh receiver Antonio Brown, who suff ered a concussion. In Washington, the Redskins’ off ensive struggles. you have the opportunity to go Arizona; Sunday, January 17 “I watched yesterday in particular. So many flags, right? So many flags,” Trump said, voicing admira- unlikely run to the postseason Green Bay head coach Mike back and have a re-do,” McCa- AFC: Pittsburgh at DenverNFC: tion for legendary hard-man defenders Dick Butkus, Lawrence Taylor and Ray Nitschke, and his came to an abrupt end as Aaron McCarthy said the display rthy said. “We’re looking for- Seattle at Carolina aff ection for New England Patriots superstar quarterback Tom Brady, a personal friend. Rodgers and Green Bay redis- should end discussion of the ward to it.”

FOCUS Owners to pick winners, losers in LA relocation bids

Reuters Post-Dispatch just published a any team that ends up moving will geles has worked to push other Los Angeles dartboard featuring owner Stan pay a $550 million relocation fee. cities to pony up public money, Kroenke’s face after the team The owners could pick one with the league often encourag- trashed the city’s stadium pro- of the two proposals from the ing such brinkmanship. ith the National posal and its economy in its re- teams or a completely diff erent Most recently, league offi cials Football League location application. solution. That leaves open the began talking up the charms of (NFL) poised to All three teams would clearly possibility that any one of the Los Angeles while the Minnesota award Los Angeles rather start packing for Los An- three teams - or any combina- Vikings were seeking a new sta- Wa team - and maybe two - own- geles. Unlike many franchises tion of them - could play in LA dium in 2012. ers also face the delicate task of in the past - more than a dozen next season. NFL Commissioner Roger picking at least one loser. have threatened an LA move - “The ownership is not bound Goodell fl ew to Minneapolis to Three franchises — the St. these teams do not appear to be to any particular outcome,” said warn state legislators that Los Louis Rams, San Diego Charg- using LA as a negotiating ploy NFL spokesman Greg Aiello. Angeles was a viable option, and ers and Oakland Raiders — ap- to secure more public money in The stalled stadium negotia- shortly after that lawmakers ap- plied on Monday to relocate, the their current cities. tions in St. Louis, San Diego and proved a deal to fi nance a new fi rst time any team has formally “It’s been 14 years that Oakland will have as much to stadium for the Vikings, sched- requested to fi ll the LA vacancy we’ve been working very hard do with the owners’ decision as uled to be open for the 2016 sea- since the Raiders and Rams left to try and get something done a desire to fi nally bring football son. the region in 1995. here,” said Chargers owner back to Los Angeles, said David The city and state paid for The owners likely will green- Dean Spanos earlier this week. Carter, executive director of the about half of the Vikings’ $1.087 light at least one relocation this “We’ve had nine diff erent pro- Sports Business Institute at the billion U.S. Bank Stadium. week, sports business experts posals that we’ve made, and all University of Southern Califor- “LA has defi nitely been for the say. The bigger debate may be of them were basically rejected nia. NFL what Washington DC used whether LA, already saturated by the city.” “It’s unlikely those franchises to be for baseball - a bogeyman with sports and entertainment League owners will gather for considering relocation will all that you use to scare city coun- options, can support two NFL a special meeting in Houston on be able to fi nd suitable, work- cils,” said Neil deMause, editor teams. Any decision leaves at Tuesday and Wednesday to re- able stadium deals in their home of Field of Schemes, a website least one team trying to repair solve the uncertainty. markets,” Carter said. that tracks stadium subsidies. strained relations with fans and In January 2015, Kroenke Both Los Angeles proposals Some cities are pushing back offi cials back home. proposed a $1.86 billion sta- Oakland Raiders fans hold signs that read ‘Stay in Oakland’ in opposition of the Raiders potential move to are expected to be fi nanced pri- more against taxpayer money “The teams going back to their dium next to the Forum in In- Los Angeles during an NFL football game against the San Diego Chargers in Oakland in this December 24, vately without relying on ma- for pro sports teams, but others home markets that is a prob- glewood, which effectively 2015 file photo. PICTURE: USA TODAY Sports/Files jor subsidies. But a move to the have long resisted - including lem,” said Marc Ganis, president jump-started the competing nation’s second biggest market Los Angeles. and founder of Chicago-based relocation bids. The Charg- teams currently play in the but consensus has formed around during committee meetings to holds the allure of greater rev- “One reason LA hasn’t had a sports business consulting fi rm ers and Raiders responded the league’s oldest stadiums. the need to make a decision. “It’s evaluate the applications. enue from naming rights, tel- team in so long,” deMause said, SportsCorp. following month with a joint So far, neither plan is believed time to get a conclusion,” Indian- The league has said a decision evision and future hosting of “is that that city’s voters have The Rams may face the most proposal for a $1.75 billion NFL to have the needed support of 24 apolis Colts owner Jim Irsay told on the relocation bids could come the Super Bowl. In the past, the never expressed much appetite trouble at home: The St Louis stadium in Carson. The two of the 32 votes from NFL owners, reporters in New York this week on either of those two days, and threat of relocation to Los An- for stadium subsidies. Gulf Times 8 Tuesday, January 12, 2016 CRICKET

PREVIEW FOCUS Gayle’s BBL comments will not aff ect cricket, Australia to blood says ICC CEO

IANS events, 40 percent of them are Mumbai women and it is much higher when it comes to T20s. It is a strategy to engage women in the he International Cricket game more through T20. It is two new pacemen Council’s (ICC) chief not about females watching the executive Dave Richard- game but about world audience son said here on Monday watching women play,” he said. thatT West Indian batsman Chris “I can say that worldwide Gayle’s controversial post- more than one million women match comments in the Big Bash are playing and the quality of the League (BBL) could have been game is also increasing day by avoided, adding the game will day. In World Cup events, ear- in one-day opener hardly be aff ected by the contro- lier England and Australia used versy. to win; now we will fi nd India, Gayle was fi ned 10,000 Aus- West Indies, South Africa win- ‘He’s got a bit of pace to him so hopefully he can hurry up the Indian batters a bit’ tralian dollars ($7,190) for ask- ning events. Very proud of wom- ing a female TV presenter Mel en’s cricket and I hope it will McLaughlin out on live televi- increase day by day,” the former sion after a BBL match. South Africa cricketer said. Gayle later apologised for the The 56-year-old said the in- JOEL PARIS SCOTT BOLAND incident but said the reactions troduction of new teams in the were seen as “out of proportion”. upcoming World T20 in India “Gayle comments in BBL in March-April showed the tre- could have been avoided. But I mendous growth of the game. think cricket does not need to Debutant Oman will play in worry about it. Cricket can eas- their fi rst ICC event alongside ily move on from here on with- Scotland, Hong Kong and Af- out worrying,” Richardson said ghanistan. at a press conference here to an- “The game has grown tremen- nounce ICC’s eight-year spon- dously in the last 10-15 years. sorship (2016-2023) deal with T20 format is a tool to globalize money transfer services Money- the game. In the World T20 in Gram International. India we will see new teams The ICC CEO also spoke about playing which is a real boost for the growth of women viewership the game. Teams like Oman who and their involvement in the will debut in ICC event and oth- sport, which is a big plus for the ers like Scotland, Hong Kong, game. Afghanistan will also make the “Of the viewership of ICC event big,” Richardson added.

ICC Chief Executive David Richardson speaks during a news Reuters West Indies and impressed with a conference in Mumbai to promote the T20 World Cup. Perth seven-wicket innings haul for Victo- India to try out rookies, says Dhoni ria state against Western Australia at the WACA in November. India will test out several uncapped players out for the series with a hamstring injury. NZ all-rounder Astle called up ncapped pacemen Joel Paris “His death bowling has been very in the limited- overs series in Australia, “Shami has been very good for us. If you for Pakistan T20 series and Scott Boland will make impressive,” Smith said. captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni said see (last year’s) World Cup also, he was their international debuts “I think he hits a yorker as well as yesterday. Injuries to fast bowlers Moham- someone who bowled really well for us, Legspinning all-rounder Todd Astle is in line for a limited overs for Australia in the fi rst one- anyone at the moment. He’s got a bit med Shami and Mohit Sharma have taken someone who can bowl with the new ball, debut after being named in New Zealand’s 13-man squad for a World Uday match against India in Perth to- of pace to him so hopefully he can sting out of the Indian attack and they will in the middle over and also at the death,” Twenty20 warmup series against Pakistan. day. hurry up the Indian batters a bit.” be without Suresh Raina’s all-round energy Dhoni said. Astle, who played one test for New Zealand three years ago, re- The pair join Josh Hazlewood and Smith also said he hoped the WACA after the limited-overs specialist was India play five one-dayers and three places legspinner Ish Sodhi from the squad that swept Sri Lanka in fast bowling all-rounders Mitchell would be back to its traditionally fast dropped from the side. Twenty20 Internationals on their tour of their two-match series. Marsh and James Faulkner in a pace- and bouncy ways after it was widely India are likely to blood Barinder Sran, Australia. The 29-year-old earns his spot after some solid all-round perform- heavy attack at the WACA. criticised for being a batsman’s par- Gurkeerat Singh and Rishi Dhawan in the ances for Canterbury in New Zealand’s domestic 50-over competi- Having lost Mitchell Starc to foot adise during the recent test series series and Dhoni acknowledged he will tion but both he and Sodhi may still be retained for the World T20 injuries for the entire home summer against New Zealand. have to be patient with the uncapped trio. in India, with coach Mike Hesson keen to take three spinners to the and fellow left-armer Mitchell John- Over 1,600 runs were piled on in “As far as newcomers are concerned, we’d subcontinent. “With the spin-friendly conditions we’re likely to play son to retirement in November, Aus- the fi ve-day draw, with six centuries definitely feature them in the tournament in during the ICC World Twenty20 in India, it’s important we have all tralia fast-tracked 23-year-old West- scored. because we want to see where they stand,” of our bases covered and Todd is certainly an option for us,” Hesson ern Australian Paris into the side after “It looks a little bit soft at the mo- Dhoni said ahead of the first match of the said in a statement. impressing in domestic limited overs ment under foot,” Smith said. “It’s five-game series against the world cham- “He’ll get an opportunity to play at some point against Pakistan, in cricket. obviously a day out from the game. pions today. what will be a tough series.” Johnson and Starc enjoyed success We’ll wait and see how it looks to- The 2011 World Cup-winning captain, who New Zealand host Pakistan in the opener of the series at Eden Park at the WACA using the ‘Fremantle morrow. quit tests in late 2014, believes the supply on Friday, followed by matches in Hamilton and Wellington. Doctor’, a dependable afternoon sea- “But hopefully it’s got a bit more of talented young players who can im- Left-arm spinning all-rounder Mitch Santner is the other slow bowler breeze, to swing the ball into right- pace and bounce than the test match mediately adapt to international cricket is in the Kane Williamson-captained squad. handed batsmen and Australia cap- we played here. at an end. Tom Latham has been added to the squad for the first match to tain Steve Smith said that had come “I guess the WACA and Gabba have “Right from the late 1980s, we got cricket- replace resting batsman Ross Taylor, who will return for the second into calculations in picking Paris. been a fortress for us in one-day and ers who were ready to play international and third games, the only other change from the Sri Lanka series. “Traditionally we like to play a left- test cricket for a while. cricket,” Dhoni said. “Once they made their The World T20 starts in India in March. armer here who can use the breeze and “Obviously it’s a bit diff erent to debut, they were there for 10-15 years. I New Zealand squad: Kane Williamson (capt), Corey Anderson, Todd move the ball so hopefully he’ll be able what the Indians are used to back think that trend is changing slowly.” Astle, Trent Boult, Grant Elliott, Martin Guptill, Matt Henry, Tom to do that for us tomorrow,” Smith home. Hopefully we can exploit that India will feel Shami’s absence most, the Latham (first game only), Mitchell McClenaghan, Adam Milne, Colin told reporters in Perth on Monday. early on.” 25-year-old returning from a lengthy injury Munro, Luke Ronchi, Mitchell Santner, Ross Taylor (second and third Boland, 26, was a surprise selec- The Perth match is the fi rst in a layoff only to land in Australia and be ruled games). tion in Australia’s Test squad against fi ve-game series against India.

SPOTLIGHT Steyn ruled out of third Test against England

Reuters tially showed no muscle damage “We haven’t had him since the “Robert has had success in Johannesburg but he has returned to doctors fi rst test in India and that has both domestic and interna- DALE STEYN this week to try to diagnose the been disappointing,” Domingo tional cricket during his career problem. told a news conference. and he’ll have plenty to off er the ast bowler Dale Steyn The sore shoulder followed a South Africa are also without dressing room,” England’s direc- has been ruled out of this groin injury that kept him out of another key paceman in Vernon tor of cricket Andrew Strauss week’s third Test against three of four tests against India Philander, who tore ankle liga- said in a press release on Mon- England in a major blow in November and raises ques- ments in India and did not re- day. “It’s an opportunity for toF South Africa’s bid to get back tions about his future. cover as quickly as the team’s players and coaches to exchange into the four-match series. Domingo, however, believes management had hoped. diff erent ideas which is so im- The shoulder injury which re- the 32-year-old paceman will portant, particularly at this stage stricted his bowling in the fi rst recover. England turn to Croft for in the side’s development. test and forced him out the sec- “I don’t think it’s the end of spin tips in South Africa “He has worked with our per- ond has not healed in time for Dale Steyn,” he said. “All players England will draft in former formance programme in the past the third game starting at the will experience some sort of nig- international off -spinner Robert and has proved a popular and Wanderers in Johannesburg on gles. He is a great athlete. He is Croft to assist their slow bowlers valuable addition and I’ve no Thursday, South Africa coach as fi t as they come.” during the fi ve-match One-Day doubt this group of players will Russell Domingo said on Mon- South Africa had been hoping International series in South Af- also gain a lot from his involve- day. A spasm meant Steyn was Steyn, the world’s top-ranked rica starting on February 3. ment.” able to bowl only 22 balls in the test bowler, would return to Croft will join the coach- Croft, 45, played 50 ODIs dur- second innings of the fi rst test in spearhead a four-man seam at- ing team of Trevor Bayliss, Paul ing a fi ve-year international ca- Durban that England won by 241 tack in the high altitude condi- Farbrace, Ottis Gibson and Gra- reer that ended in 2001 and was a runs. The second test at New- tions of Johannesburg as they ham Thorpe as a consultant spin key fi gure in Glamorgan’s limited lands was drawn last week. seek to preserve their position at bowling coach for a 12-day pe- overs success during his 23 years Scans on Steyn’s injury ini- the top of the test rankings. riod at the start of the series. playing for the club. Gulf Times Tuesday, January 12, 2016 9 CRICKET

SPOTLIGHT REUNION Amir: The road Fleming to link up to redemption with Dhoni Later this week, the world’s attention will be riveted on a compelling comeback in Pune By Kamran Rehmat Reuters Features Editor Mumbai

f you could help it, you probably tephen Fleming will re- wouldn’t want to be in Mohamed unite with India’s limit- Amir’s shoes. Yet later this week, ed-overs skipper Mahen- the world’s attention will be riveted dra Singh Dhoni at the Ion a compelling comeback whose rever- newS Pune team after the former berations will be felt a fair distance from New Zealand captain was named Auckland if, as is likely, he dons the Pa- as coach for the Indian Premier kistan colours again. A more emotional League (IPL) Twenty20 tourna- moment in recent cricketing history ment. would be hard to recall. Dhoni was captain of the Come to think of it, emotion is writ- Chennai Super Kings when ten all over the Amir story. From over- Fleming was coach and he led stepping the mark intentionally at Lord’s them to the IPL title in 2010 and which snipped the fairytale rise of argu- 2011. The ninth edition of the ably, the world’s fi nest fast bowler at 18 tournament will be played from like a brute censor scissor — famously April 9 to May 29. reducing West Indian great Mike Hold- The franchise owners of ing to a quiver on TV live — to hopefully, Chennai and Rajasthan were marking his run-up at Eden Park almost suspended for two years in July fi ve-and-a-half years later, it has the following an illegal betting and successful Test captain and is his making of a pulsating spectacle. spot-fi xing scandal surrounding country’s highest Test run-scor- As his date with destiny draws near, the IPL, which has an estimated er. He retired from international there is going to be no dearth of both ap- brand value of $3.5 billion and cricket in 2008. peal and revulsion on the second coming, boasts Bollywood stars and ma- “He has been remarkably suc- which is what fuels the tantalizing possi- jor conglomerates as investors. cessful as a player in the interna- bility of what many had deemed impos- The western Indian cities of tional arena and I fi rmly believe sible: the road to redemption. Ironically, Pune and Rajkot were named as that his technical knowhow, per- Amir has found more support abroad home to two new franchises for severance and organisation skills than at home. the next two years and Dhoni was will work wonders for our team,” Led by former captain and commen- Pune’s fi rst pick in a player draft Sanjiv Goenka, chairman of the tator Rameez Raja, Amir found himself held last month. RP-Sanjiv Goenka Group that teetering on the edge of selection after Fleming, 42, was New Zea- owns the Pune franchise, said in his ODI captain Azhar Ali and ex-skipper land’s longest-serving and most a statement. Mohamed Hafeez refused to even train with him, the former even tendering his resignation before being persuaded oth- erwise. T20 WC TROPHY IN PAKISTAN Will those calling for permanent time on the international career of a young man, who seeks redemption — what else is the purpose of punishment, you wonder — also take a moment to refl ect if it is morally right to render him an outcast aft er meeting the ends of justice?

While everyone is entitled to their opinion, you do wonder how Raja did share the Pakistan dressing room with many of the tainted players mentioned in the Justice Qayyum Commission report; more recently, he was happy to bask in the limelight with them at the Pakistan Super League auction, too. If he could land captain Mike Atherton, who like Amir because of his age and mitigating More recently, Amir has found sup- be more forthcoming about who from many of his English contemporaries in circumstances provided an interesting port from New Zealand captain Bren- amongst those of his tainted mates tor- the commentariat, themselves betrayed contrast. don McCullum, who has said the pacer Pakistan ODI cricket captain Azhar Ali (2R) unveils the ICC pedoed his Test captaincy, for instance, some sentiment at the cruel twist in the The other two off enders, Salman Butt should be given a second chance and Twenty20 World Cup trophy at the Army Public School (APS) in the unforgiving campaign to nix the Amir tale when they advocated for leniency. and Mohamed Asif, have never received that he had no qualms playing against Peshawar and then poses with the students of the school. The rehab would make slightly more sense. Former off -spinner Vic Marks even an iota of the sympathy accorded to him. school was the scene of the deadliest terror attack in Pakistan’s We haven’t seen the last of the proph- waxed philosophical, asking mourn- Amir to this day, and for reasons too well “He was a very young man at the time history in December 2014. The trophy is in Pakistan for a two-day ets of doom; of this, one can be sure. Also fully, if people before hadn’t committed known to bear repetition. Suffi ce it to and he’s gone through a sound reha- tour. conceivable is the sarcasm Amir will cop a cardinal sin or two before life hadn’t say, the sophisticated Butt, was the cap- bilitation programme,” McCullum told for the rest of his life whether he man- fully opened up yet. tain, and Asif, a habitual off ender. AP recently. “If he gets out on the fi eld ages to turn the page or not, for, that is This came as a bit of a surprise con- “Mike Atherton is someone whose against us, then you play against the the nature of the beast. sidering England and Pakistan have words and support really inspired me. man you’re playing against, not a man Amir’s vow to win back hearts with rarely enjoyed a moment of bliss in the I’ve been given a second opportunity. who may have made some mistakes as a wickets and love is only to be expected cricketing realm: to put it frankly, their Sometimes in life you don’t get a second youngster.” from someone who lost the time of his history is cast in a certain ‘no-love-lost’ chance, but I want to make the most of New Zealand Cricket chief David life to a stupid call. But will those call- mould. From umpire kidnapping to terse this second life I have been given,” Amir White also put things into perspective. ing for permanent time on the interna- suggestions of sending mothers-in-law said, of one of several former greats “He was a very, very young man, a boy tional career of a young man, who seeks on all-expenses paid trips, a lot of ab- waiting to see him in action again, al- really. He showed remorse at the time, redemption — what else is the purpose stract exchanges from Boycott to Both- most as if he belonged to them, not the admitted to it,” White said. “I’m per- of punishment, you wonder — also take am and Gatting to Shakoor Rana litter stage. sonally comfortable with him coming to a moment to refl ect if it is morally right the la-la land. “Nasser Hussain, who I once saw New Zealand and playing.” to render him an outcast after meeting While the English team and media walking around the team hotel in Sri It may take a while for many oth- the ends of justice? were understandably aghast following Lanka in the early hours of the morning ers, including some average willowers Having said that, a second chance, the spot fi xing revelations — a sordid before a Test match unable to sleep, so against quality pace and swing in testing and a tilt at redemption, is not for eve- tale compounded by ridiculous coun- worried was he about his form, spoke for conditions, who tried to lead a rebel- ryone. Amir knows it full well. Last terclaims made by the then PCB chief us all when he said, ‘Please don’t let it be lion at the camp, to be as comfortable. September, when the ICC let Amir and Ijaz Butt at the English team’s expense the kid’,” Atherton wrote in The News of But who knows, a few quick wickets from the PCB know he was free to fl y again, when he was asked to pull out the of- the World back then as fears grew Amir Amir up front may open up a 20/20 vi- he didn’t forget to thank former Eng- fending players — the sympathy for would be banned for good. sion for the naysayers!

BOTTOMLINE High average attendances put Big Bash cricket among top 10 sports leagues in world

The Guardian nprecedented interest The Sydney Morning Herald league, La Liga, is just ahead of The impressive fi gures should “Having said that it’s obvious- we had 30,000 at the Gabba one London in the Big Bash League, claims that the big crowds the BBL, with an average attend- be taken in context though: be- ly not really our focus. Our focus night. Those were considered at Australia’s domestic attracted to the fi ft h ance of 28,498. The NFL tops the fore yesterday, just 24 games in is on our own backyard and mak- the time to be fantastic numbers. Twenty20 cricket com- edition of the 35-match list, with 68,278, and the German total had been played, compared ing sure we continue to appeal “We’ve stated that at the end Upetition, has catapulted it into Bundesliga is some way behind in with the 19 played so far by each to kids and families. That is as of the season we’re going to con- tournament, which runs BBL ninth on the top 10 of the most watched from 17 December to 24 second (43,331). The English Pre- of the 20 Serie A teams. The satisfying to us as perhaps some sider our options. I guess we sort sports leagues in the world, ac- January, make it the ninth mier League sits in fourth place BBL’s total attendance fi gure be- of those big numbers on a global of think of it as growth rather global list so far cording to a report. most watched league with average crowds of 36,464. fore Sunday was nearly 700,000; scale.” than expansion and it can take The Sydney Morning Herald globally A record 80,883 people turned the NFL drew a total of 17 million Everard is still trying to get his many diff erent forms. this season, claims that the big crowds at- up at the Melbourne Cricket during its regular season in 2015. head around the Melbourne der- “It could potentially be more higher than Italian tracted to the fi fth edition of the son, more than Italy’s top fl ight Ground last weekend to watch Nevertheless, the fi gures are by fi gure, which gave him cause games ... We’ve already gone on 35-match tournament, which football league Serie A, Japan’s the derby between the Stars and encouraging for the BBL’s man- to consider further possibilities the record to say we’re not con- football’s Serie A runs from 17 December to 24 professional baseball league the Renegades, and another large, ager, Anthony Everard. “That’s for the league. sidering introducing new teams January, make it the ninth most and Australia’s domestic foot- 40,000-plus crowd is expected fl attering, given that the compe- “I think that number has been at the moment. We haven’t put and Japan’s pro watched league globally. ball leagues - the AFL, NRL, A- at the Sydney Cricket Ground for tition is only fi ve years old, to be a real eye-opener for us,” he said. a time frame on that. We’re not Before yesterday’s two games, League and Super Rugby. the Sixers’ clash with the Thun- in the company of some of those “If I refl ect on the fi rst few years going to get caught up in its suc- baseball league an average of 28,279 people at- Based on fi gures for the 2015- der this weekend, which is likely really established sports leagues,” of the Big Bash we were astound- cess this year and make too many tended BBL matches this sea- 16 season, Spain’s top football to push the average even higher. he told Fairfax Media. ed by mid-20,000s and I think knee-jerk reactions.” Gulf Times 10 Tuesday, January 12, 2016 SPORT

SPOTLIGHT Imperious Spieth powers UK Athletics to 8-shot Hawaii victory wants records Though Spieth bogeyed the par-three eighth after missing the green erased to off the tee to the right, he rebounded with birdies at the ninth and 10th, where he drained a 15-footer to regain a five-stroke cushion overcome doping crisis

DPA world championships in Lon- Berlin don. Member federations should be held accountable and reim- ritain’s federation UK burse prize money for athletes Athletics (UKA) yester- who are banned; companies day recommended re- should not sponsor athletes setting world records in who doped; and bans for serious orderB to start a new and clean era fi rst-time off enders doubled to in the showcase sport which has eight years. been battered by doping and cor- In addition, UKA wants to ruption allegations. look into whether life bans can UKA published “A Manifesto be imposed on British athletes for Clean Athletics” in which who commit a serious fi rst of- apart from new records it also fence. recommends a public global reg- Looking at the records, the ister of all drug tests and stiff er manifest said “to call to the sanctions for drug cheats. IAAF to investigate the impli- The manifesto came three cations of drawing a line under days before Thursday’s planned all pre-existing sport records release of the second part of a - for example, by adjusting WADA independent commis- event rules - and commencing sion report on doping in athlet- a new set of records based on ics. performances in the new Clean After a fi rst report from late Athletics era.” last year, Russia was banned Using new rules could be the from the ruling body IAAF over only way for a new set of records widespread doping and its ath- as up to now only records letes could also miss competing of doped athletes have been at the Olympics in summer in scrapped. Rio de Janeiro. Germany for legal reasons did Former IAAF president Lam- not erase national records in the ine Diack is under criminal in- reunifi ed country which were vestigation in France, and his set by possibly doped East Ger- son as well as the former Rus- man athletes. However, German sian athletics chief are banned sports lawyers and former WADA for life by the IAAF ethics com- chief Dick Pound have disputed mittee for extortion to cover up this and suggested records can be positive doping tests of a Rus- erased in the event of other evi- sian athlete. dence. “The integrity of athletics All eyes will be on Pound again was challenged as never be- in Thursday when he as head of fore in 2015. Clean athletes and the WADA commission releases sports fans the world over have the latest report, and he said been let down,” UKA chairman “there will be a wow factor.” Ed Warner said. The report is to deal with cor- “UKA believes the time has ruption within the IAAF and come for radical reform if we are reports from ARD network and to help restore trust in the sport. Britain’s Sunday Times paper last Athletics needs to act very dif- summer on a leaked blood data- ferently if we are to move on base. from the crisis facing the sport. Doping allegations against “Greater transparency, Kenyan athletes and the possi- Reuters bogey to post a 30-under total of 262. out of steam after the turn on the way he drained a 15-footer to regain a five- tougher sanctions, longer bans bility that Turkish and Moroccan Maui, Hawaii He became only the second player to to a 69 and had to settle for a distant stroke cushion. -and even resetting the clock on athletes could possibly also have finish a 72-hole event on the PGA Tour second place. He picked up further shots at the 15th world records for a new era - we been told to pay money to cover at 30-under par or better, emulating Brandt Snedeker birdied two of the last and the par-four 16th, where he hit a should be open to do whatever it up tests add to problems of the ordan Spieth underlined his South African Ernie Els who won the four holes for a 67 to tie for third with superb approach to within three feet of takes to restore credibility in the sport. status as world number one by 2003 Tournament of Champions with a fellow American Brooks Koepka (71) at the flag, to storm seven ahead before sport.” IAAF president Sebastian Coe, cruising to an eight-shot victo- 31-under aggregate. 21-under. ending his round in style with another Warner said the manifesto who succeeded Diack in August ry at the Hyundai Tournament “I’m very satisfied,” Masters and US However, Spieth commanded the spot- birdie at the last. should be just one of many con- and was questioned by French ofJ Champions in Hawaii on Sunday tributions because “what mat- police during a raid of the fed- Open champion Spieth told Golf Chan- light at Kapalua in champion fashion as Asked how he felt after matching after repelling an early challenge by nel after being congratulated by his he eased to his sixth victory on the PGA 14-times major winner Woods with a ters now is that athletics faces eration headquarters in Monaco, fellow American Patrick Reed. family on the edge of the 18th green. Tour in his last 21 starts. seventh PGA Tour victory before the up to the scale of the problem has pledged to double the IAAF On a breezy day at the Kapalua Resort “Felt comfortable the whole week. Five shots clear of the chasing pack age of 23, Spieth replied: “I don’t think facing the sport and is brave anti-doping budget and testing on the island of Maui, the imperious Spi- “I felt like it was just a short three-week overnight, the Texan briefly had his there’s any reason to compare. I think enough to take the tough and pool of athletes, and set up an in- eth signed off with a six-under-par 67 to break over the holidays and then just lead trimmed to three as a red-hot it’s awfully early (in his career). radical steps to ensure its long tegrity unit. clinch his seventh career title on the PGA try and continue exactly what we were Reed reeled off four birdies on the front “We (he and caddie Michael Greller) are term health - however diffi cult “Be under no illusion about Tour, matching Tiger Woods in achieving doing last year. It worked this week and nine. very excited about where we’re at at they may be.” how seriously I take these is- that total before the age of 23. all parts of the game were firing.” Though Spieth bogeyed the par-three the start to our career as a team. What Mandatory blood passports sues,” Coe insisted last week. “I The 22-year-old Spieth outclassed the Defending champion Reed cut Spieth’s eighth after missing the green off the Tiger’s done, I can’t imagine ever being for athletes competing at major am president of an International elite, winners-only field of 32 at Kapalua lead to three shots after making a siz- tee to the right, he rebounded with done again but it’s nice to be in that championships were also rec- Federation which is under seri- as he mixed seven birdies with a lone zling start to the final round but he ran birdies at the ninth and 10th, where company.” ommended, with at least the 10 ous investigations and I repre- leading nations to have them sent a sport under intense scru- for their athletes at next year’s tiny.

BOTTOMLINE IAAF insists ‘no systematic doping’; staff ers helped in life bans

DPA Agency (WADA) which had alleged sion documentary by Germany’s ARD by ARD and Britain’s Sunday Times in Berlin Diack: under widespread doping within Russian network from December 2014, resulted July. investigation athletics and corruption within the in the suspension of the Russian fed- The WADA commission said it was in France IAAF by covering up positive doping eration from the IAAF in December. likely the corruption scheme allowed AAF staff members repeatedly tests for money. Last week, the IAAF ethics commit- the athletes to compete at the 2012 confronted then president Lam- The IAAF admitted that the corrup- tee banned for life Diack’s son, former Games, and the IAAF said from Janu- ine Diack on delays of disciplinary tion allegations were “truly abhorrent, IAAF marketing consultant Papa Mas- ary 2013 onwards its staff ers constant- proceedings against six Russian and the IAAF cannot, and does not, sata Diack; former IAAF treasurer and ly urged Diack to resolve cases after Iathletes who had violated anti-doping seek to avoid and downplay them in a Russian athletics chief Valentin Bala- “unexplained and suspicious delays” rules, and resisted approaches to have any way.” khnichev; and former Russian coach in the results management. them compete at the 2013 world cham- “The IAAF wishes to salute the Alexei Menikov. It said an IAAF staff member fi led a pionships in Moscow. courage of the whistle-blowers (in- Former IAAF anti-doping commis- complaint to the ethics committee in Insisting that “there is no systemat- cluding its own staff members) who sion director Gabriel Dolle was banned April 2014 after learning of Shobuko- ic doping within the IAAF,” the ruling have helped to expose the wrongdo- for fi ve years. va’s corruption allegations, and three athletics body said in an analysis seen ing described in the IC Report. It will The bans came in the wake of allega- months later “the IAAF staff mem- by dpa that staff members alerted the do everything in its power to punish tions fi rst made by one of the six Rus- bers referred the cases to CAS without IAAF ethics committee in April 2014 the wrongdoers and to reform its own sian athletes, marathon runner Liliya further notice to their superiors at the about corruption allegations around systems to make sure that no one can Shobukhova, in the ARD documentary, IAAF.” which last week led to life bans for Di- ever again interfere improperly with its that she paid 450,000 euros (480,000 The case was stayed but the IAAF ack’s son and two Russian offi cials. anti-doping procedures.” dollars) to avoid a doping ban before went before CAS in the end because The IAAF employees also referred It insisted that “only a very small the 2012 London Olympics. the athletes were not disqualifi ed from the cases to the Court of Arbitration number of individuals formerly as- Diack, his son, his lawyer Habib Cis- events including the Olympics in a for Sport (CAS) in July 2014 without sociated with the IAAF are believed to se and Dolle are also subject of a crimi- Russian ruling. notifying their superiors when they have been involved in the alleged cor- nal investigation by French authorities The IAAF stressed in the analysis it still remained unresolved, four of them ruption” that the athletes were ulti- on corruption and covering up of posi- was not failing its drug-testing obliga- dating back to before the 2012 London mately sanctioned, and that it “is not tive doping tests. tions, had sanctioned more athletes in Olympics. aware of any other interference ... in The aff air has rocked the IAAF and a Russia than in any other country since The analysis was a detailed answer the work of its medical and anti-dop- second WADA report is due Thursday 2011 (76), and conducted tens of thou- sent Friday to an independent com- ing department.” on alleged corruption within the IAAF, sands of tests since 2001, including mission of the World Anti-Doping The WADA report, based on a televi- and an IAAF blood database leaked samples for the biological passport. Gulf Times Tuesday, January 12, 2016 11 TENNIS

SPOTLIGHT PREVIEW Murray serves Aussie Kyrgios in up $121,000 for spotlight at Syrian refugees Kooyong

Murray’s donations to Unicef were matched by his sponsors Standard Life and Under Armour, along with the Lawn Tennis Association and the ATP.

AFP Days aft er leading Kooyong Australia to only its second title at the Hopman Cup mixed-teams event in he pre-Australian Open Perth, the 20-year-old has spotlight will be fi xed become a hot topic in the fi rmly on volatile Nick Grand Slam run-up due to Kyrgios with the exu- his heroics on court—and berantT young Aussie heading his new-look good the fi eld at the Kooyong Classic behaviour starting today. Days after leading Australia ness end of the Australian ten- to only its second title at the nis summer. Hopman Cup mixed-teams “I’m nervous, I’m excited. I event in Perth, the 20-year-old don’t really know how much or has become a hot topic in the how little to do. I’m just going to Grand Slam run-up due to his get out there and practise a bit heroics on court—and his new- more. look good behaviour. “I feel like I play my best ten- Kyrgios, who had frequent nis on big stages. If I’m serving brushes with officialdom last well and playing the right game season, is the top drawcard in style, I think I’ve got a good an expanded 12-man field at chance.” Kooyong Club in Melbourne, Tuesday’s opening pro- former home of the Austral- gramme will feature half of the ian Open and venue for an up- fi eld on court with the remain- coming first-round Davis Cup der to play Wednesday. As in the tie again the United States in past, winners progress while March. losers complete relegation play. The richly-talented young- On Tuesday, Frenchman Gilles ster is coming off a contentious Simon brings a 2-2 record into an 2015, including an infamous on- opening match with Spain’s Feli- court spat with Stan Wawrinka ciano Lopez as the pair meet for which sparked stinging criti- the fi rst time since 2014. cism from fellow players. Australian Open wildcard It led to the ATP handing him Omar Jasika faces South Ko- a 28-day suspended sentence rea’s Hyeon Chung and Nicolas Thomson Reuters Foundation charities working in Syria. donations made by the British public from support for children who have lost so that remains in eff ect until late Almagro and Paul Henri Math- London “I remember watching the news last Oct. 29 October last year. And additional much.” February. It will be imposed ieu hold another Spain-French summer and deciding I wanted to do funds were raised through the Tie Break Murray is the latest in a line of celebri- if he gets in trouble on court clash. something to help some of the millions of Tens tournament and the ATP ACES for ties to highlight the Syrian crisis, which is again, something he managed The Wednesday line-up in- ritish tennis star Andy Murray has children whose lives have turned upside Charity programme. entering its sixth year. to avoid in Perth. The power- cludes former Australian Open helped raise more than 83,000 down by the situation in Syria,” said Mur- The money raised by the tennis cham- Actor Edward Norton has started a ful Kyrgios, who won all four of fi nalist Marcos Baghdatis tak- pounds ($121,000)for Syrian ref- ray, who is expecting his fi rst child next pion can provide more than 16,000 chil- Crowdrise campaign and raised more his singles rubbers at the Hop- ing on Spanish youngster Pablo ugee children by donating money month with his wife Kim. dren with blankets, Unicef said. than $450,000 for a Syrian man he called man Cup and helped team-mate Carenno Busta, while German Bfor every ace he scored through his Andy’s “It’s amazing that we’ve been able to “Almost fi ve years into the confl ict, “the Scientist” who had lost seven family Daria Gavrilova to the fi rst Aus- teen Alex Zverev plays Britain’s Aces initiative, the UN children’s agency raise so much, and I’m very grateful to my Syria remains one of the most danger- members in a deadly attack on his home in sie victory in the event for 16 Kyle Edmund in addition to the (Unicef) said yesterday. sponsors and fans for their help in this - I ous places to be a child and millions of Syria, according to the Crowdrise website. years, will take to the court on showcase Kyrgios match. Murray, who is ranked world number couldn’t have done it without them,” he children have lost loved ones, homes and Actress Susan Sarandon spent her Wednesday when he faces Bel- The event is also used by ma- two, announced in September he would said in statement. schools,” Unicef UK executive director, Christmas meeting Syrian refugees on the gian David Goffi n. jor players for one-off warm- donate 50 pounds for every ace he hit until Murray’s donations to Unicef were David Bull, said. Greek island of Lesbos, in an eff ort to raise “My game can always get bet- ups under match conditions the end of 2015. matched by his sponsors Standard Life “Their world has been turned upside awareness of the refugee crisis. ter. There’s always things I need with Kei Nishikori to take ad- He is the latest celebrity to donate and Under Armour, along with the Lawn down by the confl ict and humanitarian Actors Benedict Cumberbatch, Mandy to improve on. You can never vantage of an invitation do money to Syrian war victims. Last month, Tennis Association and The Association needs are becoming ever more urgent. The Patinkin and Angelina Jolie and author JK be too ready, I feel, for a Grand that by testing himself against actors Sacha Baron Cohen and Isla Fisher of Tennis Professionals. support of Andy, his fans and the wider Rowling have also highlighted the crisis in Slam,” world number 30 Kyrgios Jasika, a former US open junior announced a $1 million donation to two The UK government also matched all tennis community will help us provide recent months. said as he prepared for the busi- winner.

ROUND-UP Williams says she’ll be ready for Oz Open

Agencies tally relaxed and at ease. It all comes I will just try to recover and see how In the men’s draw, Italian fi fth seed Melbourne natural after that. I feel tomorrow. But my body feels Andreas Seppi eliminated Denis Is- “I know what I need to do on and good.” tomin of Uzbekistan in three sets, but off the court to win big tournaments. Kerber struggled with the intense Seppi’s compatriot Simone Bolelli erena Williams is ready to That is what I like to do.” heat early in her match, dropping the went out to American qualifi er Alex- tackle the Australian Open in Germany’s Angelique Kerber opening set without winning a game, ander Sarkissian 6-2, 7-6 (7/5). less than a week, with the world overcame the loss of the fi rst set on but she battled on. In the evening match, experienced number one saying her knee a day of extreme heat in Sydney as “It’s good to have a match like this Spaniard Tommy Robredo was too problemsS are getting better by the day. she maintained her build-up to next under my belt. It’s always hot in Aus- strong for Australia’s John Millman “My body is feeling great now,” the week’s Australian Open on Monday. tralia. I think it was a good match to 7-6 (7/3), 6-3. 34-year-old told Melbourne’s Herald The fourth seed, one of the few prepare for Melbourne,” she said. Big-serving Croat Ivo Karlovic Sun. “Obviously I had a hiccup but members of the women’s world top 10 With temperatures hitting 37 Cel- became the fi rst seed to fall at the right now it is doing much better. I’ve not to be hit by injury in the lead-up to sius (99 Farenheit) the WTA’s ex- Auckland Classic on Monday, losing had a few days of training so it’s look- the year’s fi rst Grand Slam, came from treme heat policy came into force, al- in straight sets to Canada’s Vasek Po- ing good.” a set down to oust Ukraine’s Elina Svi- lowing Kerber and Svitolina to take a spisil. The six-time Australian Open win- tolina 4-6, 6-0, 6-3 in Sydney Inter- 10-minute break before the third and With the tournament’s big names, ner was forced to quit last week’s national’s fi rst round. deciding set. including four-time champion David Hopman Cup in Perth after play- Kerber, who lost to Victoria Aza- Australia’s Samantha Stosur fought Ferrer, enjoying a fi rst-round bye, ing just one set due to infl ammation renka in Saturday’s Brisbane Inter- back from a set and a service break the focus was on Karlovic as the only caused by bone-on-bone contact. But national fi nal, is looking for more down to overcome defeat Italy’s Rob- seeded player in action on day one of Williams told the Herald Sun she was matches to hone her form leading into erta Vinci 4-6, 7-5, 7-5 in two hours the Australian Open warm-up event. “ready for it”. the Australian Open in Melbourne. Kvitova and Radwanska’s with- “I had a lot of matches last week, 30 minutes. But he failed to fi re on centre court Williams went through training While defending champion Petra drawals came after injury problems but that was actually also my plan Among other fi rst-round winners and Pospisil, ranked 16 places below Monday before hothouse 35 Celsius Kvitova and second seed Agnieszka at other Australian tournaments for to come to Australia, to have a lot of on Monday were Italy’s world number the world number 23 ground out a 7-6 temperatures kicked in at Melbourne Radwanska pulled out of the Sydney the world’s top-ranked stars includ- matches, and also to play a few more 19 Sara Errani, over Spanish seventh (7/4), 7-5 victory. Park. event citing injuries, Kerber powered ing Serena Williams (knee), Simona matches here,” Kerber said. seed Carla Suarez 6-3, 6-3, and Ger- “It feels great. I played really well “We (players) are all out there kill- on to get in some valuable match prac- Halep (Achilles), Garbine Muguruza “I don’t know how far I can get. man Sabine Lisicki, who eased past and I’m thrilled about that,” Pospisil ing it. I just need to make sure I’m to- tice. (foot) and Maria Sharapova (forearm). I’m healthy. I have no pain anywhere. Slovenia’s Polona Hercog 6-4, 6-3. said.

Tuesday, January 12, 2016 GULF TIMES SPORT

SPOTLIGHT Qatar Olympic Committee urges whole nation to get behind U-23 football team It is the first time that the AFC U-23 Championship will also serve as a qualifier for the Olympic Games, which take place in Rio de Janeiro from August 5 to 21 this year

By Sports Reporter at the . Doha Several of Qatar’s current U-23 squad were members of the historic team that won the 2014 AFC U-19 he Qatar Olympic Committee Championships. These include Ahmed (QOC) has extended their best QOC chief Sheikh Joaan bin Moein, the tournament’s MVP and wishes to the U-23 football Hamad al-Thani AFC Young Player of the Year in 2014, team ahead of their participa- and Akram Afi f, scorer of four goals in Ttion in the AFC U-23 Championships, the tournament, including the winner which begin in Doha today. The com- in the fi nal against DPR Korea. petition also provides an opportunity Speaking ahead of this year’s Olym- for a Qatari football team to qualify for pic Games, Dr Thani al-Kuwari, Sec- the Olympic Games for the fi rst time in retary General of the Qatar Olympic 24 years. Committee, said: Speaking on behalf of the QOC, “2016 is an incredibly exciting year President Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad bin for the Qatar Olympic Committee and Khalifa al-Thani, said: we are working hard to provide full “On behalf of the whole Qatar Ol- support to our athletes on their jour- ympic Committee I would like to wish neys to Rio 2016. The Olympic Games all the best to our U-23 football team are the pinnacle of every athlete’s ca- in the upcoming AFC Championships. reer and simply qualifying is the cul- This is a very talented young team and mination of many years of hard work, we look forward to following their dedication and commitment. Our ath- progress throughout the tournament. letes are true role models for our na- 2016 is a milestone year for Olympic tion and we hope that they will inspire sport in Qatar and we encourage the a new generation of sporting heroes to whole nation to get behind the team as follow in their footsteps. We wish the they compete to qualify for Rio 2016. U-23 team well in the AFC Champion- We are already very proud of the team ships and also pass our congratulations and I hope that everyone will join us by to the Local Organising Committee sharing our pride, celebrating our pas- and everyone involved in the organi- sion for sport and uniting in support of sation of this prestigious tournament. the team on their journey.” We have no doubt that Qatar will once The AFC U-23 Championships will again raise the bar and the Champion- take place in Doha from 12th-30th ships will be a huge success.” January and involves 16 teams from the Several Qatari teams and athletes AFC’s Member Associations. Qatar is have already qualifi ed for Rio 2016, in Group A and will play China in its including the Equestrian team, Men’s fi rst match on 12th January at 7.30pm Handball team, who were silver med- at the Abdullah Bin Khalifa Stadium, allists at last year’s World Champion- before playing Iran on 15th January ships, and members of the athletics and Syria on 18th January. The top two It is the fi rst time that the AFC U-23 August 2016, with the tournament’s teams must be under 23 years old, with in 1992 when they achieved their best team, including 2014 World Indoor teams from each group will progress to Championship will also serve as a qual- top three teams qualifying. In order to the exception of three over-23 players result to date of reaching the quarter- Champion and 2012 Olympic bronze the quarter-fi nals, which take place on ifi er for the Olympic Games, which take allow teams from around the world to allowed per squad. Qatar last qualifi ed fi nals. The U-23 team’s biggest success medallist, Mutaz Barshim and World 22nd and 23rd January. place in Rio de Janeiro from 5th-21st compete equally, members of Olympic for the Olympic football tournament in history was claiming the gold medal Junior Champion, Ashraf Elseify.

QATAR CUP SHOOTING PORSCHE GT3 CUP Qatar’s Frijns Rashid wins double trap gold geared up for Abu Dhabi return

Agency been incredibly high. With a lot Abu Dhabi of these circuits it is extremely important to qualify in a strong position as it is very difficult short winter break has to climb places on some of the proved only to height- tighter tracks and the defen- en interest, increase sive driving by the other teams driver focus and build doesn’t make it any easier. We Aanticipation as the region’s have been working on a few leading race series speeds to- things over the winter break wards a long-awaited return to and one of the main focuses the UAE’s capital for Round 3 going into the third round is to of the Porsche GT3 Cup Chal- get myself into a strong posi- lenge Middle East. tion on the grid, and build from In two weeks the Middle there. The Abu Dhabi track is East’s most competitive drivers an exciting one so it’s sure to be will return to the track in Abu a great race!” Dhabi at the Yas Marina Circuit For racing fans in the UAE, for the first time in over three the return of the spectacular years with two races scheduled Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge on Friday, January 22. Middle East to the capital will For some drivers the break serve as a timely reminder of since Round 2 at Saudi Arabia’s the country’s domination so Al Reem Circuit in early De- far this season with Jeffrey Shooters pose before the start of the double trap event at the Losail Shooting Complex yesterday. cember will have been a wel- Schmidt’s Al Nabooda Rac- comed chance to reflect and ing Team occupying two of the By Sports Reporter “We had a diffi cult competition right recover from a grueling open- three top spots in the stand- Doha from the fi rst qualifying series. It got ing to Season 7. ings. Schmidt who heads the more intense in the semi-fi nals and the After a tough start to the sea- overall championship by twelve fi nal was a big test of nerves. Thank god, son, Doha-based driver Charlie points from his two consecu- xperienced Rashid Hamad al- I was able to keep myself focused and Frijns of Team Frijns Structural tive round wins, is keen to Athba defeated Masoud Ali al- won the title ahead of the Asian quali- Steel Middle East, has had a replicate his invincible form Athba to win double trap gold of fi ers which will be held in India,” Rashid chance to review his perform- from the start of the season as the Qatar Cup at the Losail Lo- Hamad, Rashid, who led Masoud Ha- ance in the early rounds and set the action hits Abu Dhabi next sailE Shooting Complex yesterday. mad al-Athba and Hamad al-Marri to new goals for the season ahead. weekend: The former double world champi- clinch the 2014 Asian Games double Thanks to some strong driv- “I couldn’t have asked for a onship silver medallist Rashid won the trap team gold medal, said. ing in the last round, Frijns better way to wrap up 2015 with well-contested fi nal 28-26. “The close contest will help other came away from the techni- the win in Saudi Arabia. I’m In the bronze medal round, Hamad shooters, who are nurturing the hopes cally challenging Saudi Arabia pleased with my performances Ali al-Marri defeated Masoud Hamad of getting a quota place for the Rio circuit with some vital team so far, but I remain focused on al-Athba 26-25 in a thrilling fi nish. Games,” he said. points which saw him climb what is a big year ahead. Masoud dominated the fi ve rounds of Head of the shotgun team Ibrahim to 7th in the overall driver’s “To open another year of the qualifying phase and collected 128 al-Mohannadi gave away the prizes and standings. racing in Abu Dhabi is just per- but he could not repeat the perform- said the Qatari shooters would fare well Now Team Frijns will be fect, and I hope that the excel- ance and was beaten narrowly by Ha- in the upcoming Olympic Games quali- looking forward to getting lent conditions at Yas Marina mad Ali. fying event in New Delhi. back on track in 2016 with Abu Circuit can help me unleash Rashid Hamad, fourth in the 2012 Dhabi the perfect opportunity the best in me. I know that I’ve London Olympics and 2014 Incheon RESULTS for Charlie to start closing the got more in the tank, and I’ve Asian Games, used his experience in Double Trap gap on 6th place Abdulaziz al- spent considerable time with the semi-fi nals and topped the round For gold medal: Rashid Hamad al- Faisal of Al Faisal racing. the team over the break to as- to qualify for the title match, while Athba beat Masoud Ali al-Athba 28-26 “It’s been a tough start to the sess every inch of my races so Masoud was two targets less than the For bronze medal: Hamad Ali al-Marri Rashid Hamad al-Athba (C), Masoud Ali al-Athba (L) and Hamad Ali al-Marri pose on the season for me and the standard far this season – hopefully it winner. beat Masoud Hamad al-Athba 26-25 podium of double trap at the Losail Shooting Complex yesterday. of driving out on the track has will show!”