SPORT

Tuesday 10 January 2017 PAGE | 21 PAGE | 23 Thomas wins Messi wonder goal Tournament of saves Barca in draw Champions title with Villarreal QSL: Lekhwiya trounce Al Gharafa Al Khor win

Madison scores a brace for Al Khor in crucial 3-1 victory over Al Sailiyah.

The Peninsula

our-time Stars League champions Lekhwiya put in a commanding perform- ance against Al Gharafa Fto register a 3-0 win, while Al Khor grabbed vital three points in the 3-1 win over relegation threatened Al Sailiyah. At their home ground, Lekhwiya grabbed two goals in the first half, with Ismaeel Mohammad and pouncing on errors from Gharafa keeper Yousef Hassan. Whilst substitute Lekhwiya players celebrate after scoring a goal against Al Gharafa in the match at Lekhwiya Stadium yesterday. Lekhwiya won 3-1. RIGHT: headed in third mid-way through Action from the match between Al Khor and Al Sailiyah at Al Ahli Stadium yesterday. Pictures: Kammutty VP/The Peninsula the second half. It was the home side Muftah was palmed away by Returning striker Moham- The rest of the first half was two minute after play had awarded a penalty on the 91st Lekhwiya who dominated the Yousef Hassan and Ismael med Muntari put the game to rest finely balanced in terms of pos- restarted, the Brazilian Madison minute. Despite Al Khor’s goal- chances in the opening half. Mohammed was on hand to poke on the 67th minute grabbing his session but neither side created struck again to make it 2-0 from keeper Baba Jibril saving the first After dominating play for in from close range. sides third goal with a close any clear cut chances on goal and ten yards out. attempt, replays showed he left large swathes of the first half, Ali was amongst the chances range header. it went into half time 1-0 to Al Al Sailiyah looked to regain his line before the ball was struck Lekhwiya had the ball in the net and made it count in first half Meanwhile, Al Khor grabbed Khor. their composure and get back and he was sent off with a sec- when defender Khalad Muftah stoppage scoring his sides sec- a vital three points against Al Al Sailiyah suffered a body into the game but any chances ond yellow card his protests to slid in to score from close range, ond goal of the evening, profiting Sailiyah after beating them 3-1. blow when Mostafa Mohamed, of a point were snuffed out when the referee who blew for the however it was adjudged to be from another Yousef Hassan It was Al Khor that got off to took a high boot to the face, giv- Mohsen Yagur found himself in penalty to be retaken. off side by the referee. error. Ismaeel Mohammad a dream start, bagging a goal ing him an immediate swelling the six yard box and in front of Al Khor had already used all However ’s pounced on a misplaced pass and with just three minutes gone under his right eye and nasty cut an open goal on the 79th minute their substitutes so up stepped side wasn't to be denied and side footed the ball into the back thanks to a goal from their Bra- on the forehead that took med- to make it 3-0. his outfield teammate, Ali Abdul opened the scoring with five of the net from the distance, zilian import Madison who ics some time to treat. This There was some last minute Karim, who valiantly put the minutes left of the first half. much to the delight of his slotted home from close range stoppage seemed to break Al drama and a consolation goal for gloves on and nearly saved the A deep cross from Khalid team-mates. to give The Knights a 1-0 lead. SailiyaH’s concentration and just Al Sailiya after they were penalty. FA Cup lustre fades as top Maradona backs teams shroud their stars 48-team World Cup Zurich AFP London against top-flight rivals Burnley AFP at the Stadium of Light, which iego Maradona yesterday backed controversial plans to habitually hosts crowds of close expand the World Cup to 48 teams, a day before world foot- eavy squad rotation and to 42,000. Dball's powerful governing council faces a key decision on dwindling attendances And only 5,199 people the issue. Hover the third-round watched Cardiff (average "It sounds like a fantastic idea to me," the 56-year-old, who weekend suggested the FA Cup, attendance 16,414) lose to Ful- inspired Argentina to World Cup glory in 1986, told reporters at once the jewel in the crown of ham in a match that kicked off FIFA's Zurich headquarters. English football, is locked in a at the inconvenient hour of 11:30 "This will give more possibilities to countries that have never downward spiral. GMT. reached that level of competition." The FA Cup is the game's It was a different story for FIFA president Gianni Infantino, who took charge of the scan- oldest knockout competition, the competition's minnows, dal-tainted world body last year, has made expanding the World dating back 146 years, and however, showing the FA Cup Cup from the current 32 teams the centrepiece of his boasts a history rich with famous continues to hold special mean- administration. upsets and unforgettable finals. ing for those sides closer to the But his plans have faced criticism including warnings that it But it is increasingly seen as base of the English football pyr- will dilute the quality at football's showcase event. an inconvenience for the big amid than the top. "The quality will not fall," said Maradona, dripping with sweat teams, for whom Champions Non-league Sutton United, after rumbling his way through a mini tournament of former foot- League qualification is all- who pulled off a famous upset ball greats and current executives. important, while financial Tottenham's Son Heung-min celebrates scoring their second against Coventry City in 1989, Infantino has been courting support from the game's most concerns mean league position goal with Moussa Sissoko against Aston Villa in the FA Cup saw their attendance leap from powerful figures ahead of today's meeting. is the top priority for many Third Round at White Hart Lane on Sunday. an average of 1,518 to 5,200 for Among those playing on the snow-lined pitch Monday was UEFA smaller clubs. their 0-0 draw at home to third- boss Aleksander Ceferin, who has voiced scepticism towards expan- "The FA Cup is a great com- important challenges ahead. changed his entire starting XI. tier AFC Wimbledon. sion, and CONCACAF chief Victor Montagliani, who is open to a bigger petition, but there are other The Premier League's lead- Liverpool manager Jurgen It was a similar story for tournament. Former French international David Trezeguet said more priorities now," said Cardiff City ing scorers, Diego Costa, Zlatan Klopp, meanwhile, selected the their National League (fifth-tier) World Cup berths could give "possibilities to countries and especially manager Neil Warnock, whose Ibrahimovic and Alexis Sanchez, club's youngest ever team -- rivals Barrow, who lost 2-0 to players who have never experienced this beautiful competition", side lost 2-1 to second-tier rivals did not see even a second of with an average age of 21 years Rochdale. while acknowledging that details still needed to be worked out. Fulham. action in the FA Cup at the and 296 days -- and saw them Lincoln City, another non- Among the major concerns from critics is that a longer tour- "A club like ours cannot weekend. taken to a replay by fourth-tier league team, secured a nament would increase pressure on an already strained club afford to go down." Premier League leaders Plymouth Argyle. creditable 2-2 draw at second- schedule. The influential European Clubs Association, led by Ger- The FA Cup final was once Chelsea, FA Cup holders Man- Football Association chief tier Ipswich Town, while man great Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, has come out against an the only match shown live on chester United and Tottenham executive Martin Glenn defended Plymouth's 0-0 draw at Liver- enlarged World cup, citing football's overloaded calendar. British television and the tour- Hotspur each made nine changes the big sides' right to make pool was celebrated like a win Infantino says that money should not drive any decision, but nament's third round -- when to their teams and although they changes, saying blooding young by their large army of travelling a confidential FIFA report seen by AFP projects that a 48-team top-flight teams enter the com- all progressed, other top-tier players was "not a bad thing". fans. tournament would bring a cash boost of $640 million (605 mil- petition -- has produced some sides came unstuck. The sense of disinterest was Publicly funded national lion euros) above projected revenues for next year's finals in Russia. memorable shocks. Bournemouth -- now of the reflected in the attendances, broadcaster the BBC was criti- The influential council will review five proposals on Tuesday: leav- But in recent times the glam- Premier League, but who which were largely down on the cised for televising live games ing the World Cup unchanged at 32 teams, two proposals for a our clubs have made their stunned Manchester United as average crowds for league involving Manchester City and 40-team competition and two 48-team scenarios. priorities clear by fielding weak- Third Division underdogs in games. Tottenham instead of shining a Infantino is said to be backing a 48-team option with 16 groups ened teams in order to keep their 1984 -- lost 3-0 at third-tier Mill- Just 17,632 fans turned up to light on the competition's of three, which would come into effect for the 2026 leading players fresh for more wall after manager Eddie Howe watch Sunderland draw 0-0 underdogs. competition. SPORT TUESDAY 10 JANUARY 2017 21 Thomas defies Matsuyama for Tournament of Champions title

Los Angeles Justin Thomas of AFP the United States ustin Thomas held off red- It's a great feeling. celebrates with Bekele to hot Hideki Matsuyama to the trophy on the win his third USPGA Tour I obviously 18th green after title on Sunday with a final- stumbled a bit winning during the run London Jround 69 at the Tournament final round of the more than I would of Champions in Kapalua, SBS Tournament of with an eye Hawaii. have liked on Champions at the Thomas's four-under par some of those Plantation Course effort gave him a 22-under total holes, but I think it at Kapalua Golf on record of 270 and a three-shot win over really shows Club on Sunday in Japan's Matsuyama – who Lahaina, Hawaii. London arrived in Hawaii having won where my game's Reuters four of his prior five tournaments worldwide. at right now". riple Olympic track Thomas was, in fact, the only -Justin Thomas champion Kenenisa man to beat Matsuyama in that TBekele (pictured span, at the CIMB Classic in above), the second-fastest Malaysia in October. After a bogey at 10, and birdies marathon runner in history, But the 23-year-old Ameri- at 11 and 13, he grabbed a five- will make another attempt at can had to survive some tense stroke lead over Matsuyama at claiming the world record moments on the back nine to 22-under. over the classic 26.2 mile dis- again best Matsuyama, who But Matsuyama narrowed tance when he leads a stellar started the day two behind Tho- the gap with a remarkable eagle field for the London mara- mas and carded an three-under at the par-four 14th, where his thon in April. 70 for 273. flop shot from 60 feet off the Ethiopian Bekele, widely Former world number one green found the hole. And at 17 he three-putted for it really shows where my game's Day, back in action this week regarded as the greatest dis- and defending champion Jordan Things got even more tense bogey as Thomas rolled in a at right now. after three months off rehabbing tance runner of all time and Spieth matched the best round at 15, where Thomas hit out of three-footer for birdie to rebuild "I stuck it out to still get it a troublesome back, had his ups world record holder over of the tournament with a final- the fairway into dense vegeta- his lead before they both bird- done."Spieth, who started the and downs but finished on a high 10,000 and 5,000 metres, ran round 65, heading a trio sharing tion in a hazard en route to a ied Kapalua's par-five 18th. day in 19th, 10 shots off the pace, note with an eagle to cap his two hours, three minutes and third on 276 alongside Pat Perez, double-bogey seven that sliced "It's a great feeling," said had eight birdies in his sparkling three-under 70. He finished tied three seconds when winning who carded a 67, and Ryan his lead to one stroke as Mat- Thomas, whose victory in the eight-under effort, including four for 13th on 279. Although he said Berlin last September, six sec- Moore, who posted a 71. suyama parred the par-five from elite 32-man event for last sea- in a row starting at the 12th. he always tees it up expecting to onds outside Dennis Kimetto's It was a further stroke back almost the same spot in the son's title winners was his first "Very, very satisfying," he win, he said there were positives world record of 2:02:57 set on to US Open champion Dustin fairway. tour title on US soil after his said. "To come back, fire a strong to take away. the same course in 2014. Johnson, Patrick Reed and Matsuyama had a 10-foot back-to-back CIMB Classic wins. one today ... I certainly take a lot "I didn't have anything in the Having been left out of Brendan Steele. birdie putt to move into a tie for "I obviously stumbled a bit of confidence off this round back of my mind that my back the Ethiopian team for the Rio Thomas was rolling with the lead at 16, but left it inches more than I would have liked on going into next week." was going to go out this week," Olympics a month earlier it three birdies on the front nine. short. some of those holes, but I think World number one Jason he said "The back held up." was a clear message from Bekele that he had mastered the marathon after intially producing very good, but not world best-threatening times Grizzlies down Jazz, Warriors in his first forays over the distance. The 34-year-old, with five track world titles to his rebound with win over Kings name over 10,000m and 5,000, finished third in Lon- don last year behind Kenyan Los Angeles NBA RESULTS 117-106 win over the Sacramento duo Eliud Kipchoge and AFP Kings. The Warriors improved to Stanley Biwott and Kip- LA Lakers 111 Orlando 95 32-6 on the season as they choge's course record of uard Mike Conley finished Detroit 125 Portland 124 rebounded from a 128-119 loss to 2:03:05 and Kimetto's world with 19 points and nine Golden State 117 Sacramento 106 Memphis Saturday in a game mark will both be in his sights. G assists as the Memphis Cleveland 120 Phoenix 116 which saw them blow a 24-point "London is the greatest Grizzlies managed to hold off a Memphis 88 Utah 79 lead. marathon in the world and I fourth quarter rally from the Utah Houston 129 Toronto 122 Stephen Curry finished with would love to win there," Jazz for an 88-79 NBA win LA Clippers 98 Miami 86 30 points and Kevin Durant added Bekele said in a statement

Sunday. Washington 107 Milwaukee 101 28 on Sunday for the Warriors issued by race organisers Forward Zach Randolph came Philadelphia 105 Brooklyn 95 who have played 124 straight con- revealing the lineup on Mon- off the Grizzlies' bench in front of tests without losing consecutively, day. "The field is always the a crowd of 16,100 at the FedEx- quarter to get within five at 82-77 the longest streak in NBA best and victory means so Forum to post a double-double with 69 seconds to play on a bas- history. much. After finishing third with 13 points and 11 rebounds. ket by guard Hill. But with 24 Elsewhere, Kyrie Irving, LeB- last year, I know what I need "I was really happy with the seconds left in the game, Jazz ron James and Kevin Love to do to win." effort," Grizzlies coach David center Rudy Gobert fouled Mem- combined for 80 points and the Biwott, who won the 2015 Fizdale said. phis center Marc Gasol from Cleveland Cavaliers blew a New York City Marathon, is The Jazz committed 18 turn- behind the three-point line. Gasol 20-point third-quarter lead but likely to be Bekele's main overs that Memphis turned into made all three free throws to held on to defeat the host Phoe- rival as he leads the Kenyan 26 points. Forward Gordon Hay- boost the lead to 85-77 and Utah nix Suns 120-116. challenge in the absence of ward led the Jazz with 22 points, never got closer than six points. James had 12 of his 28 points two-time champion Kip- George Hill tallied 15 and forward In Sacramento, the Golden in the fourth quarter, including choge. Biwott finished LeBron James of the Cleveland Cavaliers reacts after hitting Trey Lyles chipped in 11 points off State Warriors, who lost to the two three-pointers 25 seconds runner-up in 2014, fourth in a three point shot against the Phoenix Suns during the the bench. Grizzlies a day earlier, overcame apart to stretch a two-point Cleve- 2015 and second again last second half of their NBA game at Talking Stick Resort Arena The Jazz rallied from a a lackluster first half Sunday to land edge to a 115-109 lead with year in a personal best of in Phoenix, Arizona on Sunday. 17-point deficit in the fourth avoid back-to-back losses with a 2:47 left. 2:03:51. Steelers rout Dolphins 30-12

New York The third-seeded Steelers did nd Roethlisberger was nearly Matt Moore pressured constantly Agencies all that and more in winning an flawless in running the offense, while losing two fumbles and NFL-best eighth in a row, one which ran up 219 yards in the first throwing an interception during he Pittsburgh Steelers' more than the top-seeded New quarter alone. a mid-game span of only three dynamic B-team offensive England Patriots, who appear to The Steelers quickly built a series, the mistake-ridden Dol- Ttrio of Ben Roethlisberger, be Pittsburgh's biggest roadblock 20-3 lead less than 18 minutes phins didn't come close to Antonio Brown and Le'Veon Bell, to playing in a ninth Super Bowl. into the game and went on to only replicating their 30-15 win over a bitterly cold winter day and "We had a lot of significant their second playoff win since last the Steelers on Oct. 16, which non-stop pressure by the blitzing contributions. We had the big appearing in the Super Bowl dur- started Pittsburgh on a four-game defence created a 30-12 AFC three running on offense and the ing the 2010 season. losing streak. play-off game home rout of the defense stopped the run," Steel- Roethlisberger apparently Jay Ajayi, who ran for 204 Miami Dolphins on Sunday that ers coach Mike Tomlin said. injured an ankle on the next to yards and two touchdowns in that wasn't even that close."The Bell ran for two touchdowns last play of the game. Big Ben game, was held to 33 yards on 16 defence played great, and we and a team playoff record 167 doesn't know the severity, but he carries and wasn't a factor. went out to control the ball and yards, Brown caught two first- was spotted in a walking boot on "We had a difficult time run- Matt Moore (left) of the Miami Dolphins congratulates score some touchdowns," Bell quarter touchdown passes of at his right foot after the game. ning the ball ... it took us time to said after the Steelers coasted into least 50 yards and the Steelers' "We will find out soon, hope- get going," Moore said. "We took Maurkice Pouncey of the Pittsburgh Steelers after the AFC next Sunday's AFC divisional pressure defense forced three fully," Roethlisberger said. time to get going, but it was dif- Wild Card game at Heinz Field on Sunday in Pittsburgh, game at Kansas City. turnovers. A With backup quarterback ficult most of the day." Pennsylvania. 22 SPORT TUESDAY 10 JANUARY 2017 Cibulkova claims comfortable win

Sydney AFP

lovakia's world number six Dominika Cibulkova dropped just two games in blistering heat to win her opening match at Sthe Sydney International yesterday. The diminutive Cibulkova, Galfar Al Misnad captain receiving the trophy after the final of QCA Tournament Division A who upset world number one title at Asian Town Cricket Stadium in recently. Angelique Kerber to win the WTA finals in Singapore last October, swept past Germany's Al Misnad thrash Youngsters world number 31 Laura Siege- mund 6-2, 6-0. Cibulkova, who lost to Chi- na's Li Na in the 2014 Australian Club to win Division A title Open final, will next play Cana- dian wild card Eugenie Bouchard in the second round The Peninsula while Izzeth and Taimoor picked and gave away the trophies. Also of the WTA lead-in tournament one wicket. Qatar Cricket to next week's Australian Open. alfar Al Misnad blew away Harris was the only Al Feroz Association General Secre- "When you start a season, the challenge of Al Feroz Youngsters player to resist Gal- tary Mazoor Ahmad, Satish G you always start with some con- GYoungsters Club and won far Al Misnad’s strong bowling Pillai, Executive Director, Gal- fidence, not doubt, but you the QCA Tournament Division and made 31 runs. Bilal (15) and far Al Misnad, and Amin Ul Islam always need to get into this A title with a nine-wicket vic- Imran Ashraf (13) were other (QCA) were present on the match rhythm," said tory in the final at the Asian batsmen to reach double occasion. Cibulkova. Town Cricket Stadium in Doha. figures. Brief scores "It's not easy if I would Galfar Al Misnad’s bowlers Galfar Al Misnad secured the Galfar Al Misnad Team beat expect myself to play like I did reduced the title clash to one- target in 24 overs at the expense Al Feroz Youngsters by nine in the (WTA) final against Ker- way traffic as they shot out the of Kamran Khan (4). wickets ber, I think that would be too rivals for just 99 runs in 31 overs, Iranga and Zaheeruddin Al Feroz Youngsters Team: much expectation. 19 overs before the stipulated were then involved in an unde- 99 all out in in 31 overs (Harris "This is the time of the year batting limit. feated second-wicket stand. 31, Imran Ashraf 13, Bilal 15, when you just have to warm up Gayan of the winning team Iranga hammered a fine 54 Qalandar 7, Nadeem 7, Gayan 3 yourself in the matches." Dominika Cibulkova of Slovakia hits a return to Laura was declared the Player-of-the not out with half a dozen bound- wkts, Izzeth 1 wkt, Kamran Khan Cibulkova, who lost to -Final for his three wickets for aries. Zaheeruddin smashed 2 wkts, Taimoor 1 wkt, Umar 3 Agnieszka Radwanska in the Siegemund of Germany during their women's singles first 19 runs in seven overs. four hits to the fence during an wkts) Sydney final four years ago, was round match at the Sydney International tennis tournament Gayan and Umar led the unbeaten 39. Noman got the Galfar Al Misnad: 100 for knocked out in the quarter- in Sydney, yesterday. debacle of Al Feroz Youngsters only wicket to fall. one in 24 overs (Iranga 54 , finals of last week's Brisbane with the latter also grabbing Ali Akbar Farabi, Manager, Zaheeruddin 39, Noman Sarwar International by France's Alize away three of four break points. three wickets. Ticketing Operations – Qatar, 1 wkt) Cornet in straight sets. British sixth seed Johanna Kamran Khan maintained Qatar Airways, was the chief Man-of-the-Match: Gayan Kerber and Radwanska, the Konta was too strong for Aus- the pressure and scalped two, guest at the prize distribution of Galfar Al Misnad (3 wickets) top two seeds, have a bye into tralian Arina Rodionova 6-3, When you start a the second round at Sydney. 6-4 and fellow Australian Former world number one and Samantha Stosur again bombed season, you seventh seed Caroline Wozni- out in the first round, going out always start with Junaid replaces acki dumped Olympic 6-3, 6-1 to Russia's Anastasia some confidence, 'No regrets' for Morgan champion and last year's final- Pavlyuchenkova. returning Irfan ist Monica Puig out of the "It was tough conditions out not doubt, but you as he resumes captaincy tournament 6-3, 2-6, 6-4. Puig, there. I don't really know what always need to get for ODI series who lost to Russia's Svetlana to say," said Stosur, who has not into this match Kuznetsova in last year's final, won a match in almost five Mumbai had 12 break point opportuni- months. rhythm" Karachi AFP ties but could only convert Russian eighth seed Elena - Dominika AFP three, while Wozniacki put Vesnina withdrew with a lower Cibulkova akistan were forced ngland's Eoin Morgan yesterday to add Junaid (pictured) insisted yester- PKhan to their squad for Eday he had no regrets back injury when trailing Amer- a five-match one-day series over his controversial decision ican Coco Vandeweghe 6-2, in Australia, after Mohammad to skip last year's tour of Bang- 4-0. Russian-born Australian Irfan returned home because ladesh, ahead of his return to Daria Gavrilova advanced with his mother died. the one-day captaincy in India now time to move on. "I don't a 6-3, 7-6 (7/1) win over The 27-year-old Junaid this week. regret that at all. It was a deci- Croatia's Donna Vekic in a night was not named in the initial Morgan, skipper of Eng- sion I'm very comfortable with," match. squad of 15 announced on land's Twenty20 and 50-over Morgan said. In the men's draw, Austral- December 30. sides, came in for criticism for "It was a decision I consid- ian qualifier Matthew Barton "Following Irfan's return opting out of the Bangladesh ered all consequences (to) when eliminated British number two to Pakistan due to his moth- series over security concerns, I did. Sitting here or sitting at Kyle Edmund 7-6 (7/3) 7-6 (7/5) er's death, the chief selector with several commentators home I would have been very and will next face either Gilles Inzamam ul Haq after con- saying his decision had dam- comfortable with it." Muller or Alexandr sulting the team management aged his authority. Jos Buttler stepped up to the Dolgopolov. has named fast bowler Jun- But speaking to journalists captaincy when England played German fifth seed Philipp aid as Irfan's replacement," in Mumbai, where England play three ODIs in Bangladesh in Kohlschreiber ousted Italy's said a release by the Pakistan two warm-up matches this October, with Morgan opting Fabio Fognini 6-4, 6-4 and Ital- Cricket Board. week before their first ODI out of the tour in the wake of a Caroline Wozniacki of Denmark hits a return to Monica Puig ian Paolo Lorenzi needed two Junaid has not played for against India on Sunday, Mor- deadly attack on a cafe in of Puerto Rico in their women's first round match at the tiebreakers to overcome Ger- Pakistan since May 2015. He gan said he was comfortable Dhaka which was popular with Sydney International tennis tournament in Sydney, yesterday. man Florian Mayer 7-6 (7/4), has 78 wickets in 52 ODIs. with the decision and it was foreigners. 4-6, 7-6 (7/5). Aspire Banks Tournament: QCB and QIB cruise into semi-finals

The Peninsula was played between QCB, whose Meanwhile, QIB scored three remarkable performance has remarkable goals against Barwa atar Central Bank (QCB), made them one of tournament Bank in a hard-fought game that Doha Bank, Qatar Islamic favourites, and opponents Ahli ended 3-1. QBank (QIB) and Masraf Al Bank. The game finished with an The final game between Mas- Rayan qualified for the semi- impressive 7-2 win for QCB, with raf Al Rayan and Standard finals of the Aspire Banks six of their seven goals coming Chartered Bank looked one- Tournament after beating their in the first half. sided from the outset, with the respective opponents in last Sat- In the second game, Doha former securing the biggest win urday’s thrilling quarter-finals. Bank shocked spectators with an of the night with an eventual Organised by Aspire Zone unexpected 2-0 win against score line of 9-0. Foundation in partnership with Qatar National Bank, a team that Fierce competition is the QCB, next week’s semi-finals have proven to be one of the expected in next Saturday’s are expected to see exciting strongest competitors in the semi-finals between the remain- games involving the four strong- tournament. ing four standout teams of the est teams in the tournament as This victory enabled Doha tournament as QCB take on QIB Action from the quarter-final match of Aspire Banks Tournament between Masraf Al they each fight it out for a place Bank to jump from fourth to first at 6:00pm, followed by Doha Rayyan and Standard Chartered Bank at Aspire Zone in Doha on Saturday. in the final. in the rankings, guaranteeing Bank’s match against Masraf Al The first match of the night them a place in the semi-finals. Rayan which kicks off at 7:30pm. TUESDAY 10 JANUARY 2017 SPORT 23

Ozil links La Liga: Messi wonder goal saves Arsenal future to coach Wenger

Berlin Barcelona in draw with Villarreal AFP rsenal's German inter- Barcelona vs Villarreal national Mesut Ozil Asays he is waiting to Messi's late equaliser denied learn the fate of manager the hosts a win on the day Arsene Wenger before agree- they announced a sponsorship ing to sign a new contract deal to rename El Madrigal the with the London club. Ceramics Stadium. Wenger's contract at Arse- nal expires at the end of the Villarreal's Jaume Costa was season and Ozil's decision sent off deep into stoppage hinges on whether it is time, but there was barely renewed or not, he told Ger- time to restart the game man football magazine Kicker. before the referee blew his "The club know that I am whistle. here above all because of Arsene Wenger, who came to get me and who has placed his Madrid trust in me. The club also know AFP that I want to have clarity first of all about what the manager arcelona's poor start to 2017 is going to do," he said. continued as they lost further Ozil's contract has 18 ground on Real Madrid at the months left to run and he said top of La Liga despite a sensa- he is ready to re-sign, tional last minute Lionel Messi depending on Wenger's fate. Bfree kick salvaging a 1-1 draw at Villar- "I am very happy playing real on Sunday. for Arsenal and I feel very good The Spanish champions lost their here. I told the club I am ready opening game of the year at Athletic Bil- to sign extend my contract. The bao in the Copa del Rey on Thursday and Barcelona's Lionel Messi shoots to score a last supporters want me here. So now trail Real by five points having also minute equaliser against Villarreal during their La now it is up to the club." played a game more. Liga match at the Ceramic Stadium in Villarreal , Arsenal, fifth in the table Italian forward Nicola Sansone looked Spain on Sunday. behind leaders Chelsea, are to have handed Villarreal a first win over still in with a chance of win- Barca since 2008, but Messi's late inter- ning the title, he insisted. vention denied the hosts on the day they Messi came close in unusual fashion The visitors had huge claims for a pen- Costa saw a second yellow card deep into "A year ago at this stage announced a sponsorship deal to rename as his thumping header from a corner was alty waved away when Villarreal captain stoppage time, but there was barely time we were top and many peo- El Madrigal the Ceramics Stadium. tipped over by Sergio Asenjo before Luis Bruno deflected Messi's effort over with to restart the game before blew for full- ple thought we would be A draw leaves Villarreal still in fifth, Suarez's fiercely hit drive was also too an outstretched hand and seconds later time and arguably brought the curtain champions. Now Chelsea are a point adrift of Atletico Madrid in the final close to the Villarreal 'keeper. Messi smashed the inside the post with a down on Barca's title defence. in that position ... But I am Champions League place. Another Villarreal counter-attack fine effort from the edge of the box. Elsewhere, Celta Vigo moved into the convinced we can still Barca dominated possession through- caught the Spanish champions cold at the The controversial penalty calls were top half of the table as Iago Aspas moved achieve our goal of being top," out, but struggled to create clear-cut start of the second-half as Alexandre evened up as referee Ignacio Iglesias Vil- level with Cristiano Ronaldo on 11 La Liga he said. chances against the tightest defence in La Pato's perfectly weighted pass picked out lanueva was also unmoved when goals for the season in a 3-1 win over Ozil, 28, who has been out Liga. Sansone and his effort back across goal Sansone's shot struck Javier Mascherano's Malaga. because of ill health for the last Indeed it was the hosts who enjoyed nestled in the far corner. hand inside the Barca box. Athletic Bilbao remain seventh after three Arsenal games, said the the best opportunity of the opening half Barca had a fine chance to immediately And Messi finally broke Villarreal's being held 0-0 in a Basque derby at home absence of a winter break in when former Barca midfielder Jonathan respond when a quickly taken Messi free- resistence as he was fouled on the dge of to Alaves. English football meant Premier dos Santos blasted over when unmarked kick freed Neymar inside the area, but again the area and stepped up to arrow a free- And Real Betis moved nine points League players never recov- at the back post from a flowing the Brazilian's effort lacked the power or kick perfectly into the top corner. clear of the relegation zone thanks to a ered the sharpness they had at counter-attack. accuracy to unduly trouble Asenjo. Villarreal ended with 10 men as Jaume 2-0 win over fellow strugglers Leganes. the start of the season. Chelsea's Conte Coutinho set for Liverpool return Philippe Coutinho cannot imagine London a member of the squad that "No final decision has been AFP travels to St Mary's, with a view made until now, but tomorrow life without to building up his fitness ahead (today) would be his fourth ses- hilippe Coutinho is in line of Sunday's Premier League sion with the team. It is not that football to make his comeback showdown with Manchester many, but for being in the squad Pfrom a seven-week injury United. it is enough." London lay-off in tomorrow's League "I think Phil is fit enough to Klopp also said that captain Reuters Cup semi-final first leg at South- be part of the squad and that Jordan Henderson will return to ampton, manager Jurgen Klopp means there could be minutes, first-team training on Thursday helsea manager Anto- said yesterday. but it depends on the game," following a heel problem. nio Conte understands The Brazil playmaker, 24, Klopp told a press conference The Liverpool manager is C Manchester City boss has not played since sustain- at Liverpool's Melwood training expected to revert to a full- Pep Guardiola's recent com- ing ankle ligament damage in base. strength line-up at ments about early retirement the first half of Liverpool's 2-0 "It was six or seven weeks Southampton, having fielded the from management but the Premier League win at home and that is long so he needs min- club's youngest ever team in Italian says he cannot imag- to Sunderland on November utes in training especially, but Sunday's 0-0 FA Cup stalemate ine life without football. 26. then as soon as possible min- at home to fourth-tier Plymouth Guardiola told the media Klopp confirmed he will be utes in games. Argyle. last week that he is "arriving at the end" of his coaching career before clarifying that he will not be quitting man- agement anytime soon. Juve set record after Roma and Lazio scrape home "...I have great respect for Pep and I think that when you Milan have a method, when you successive title, broke their own Roma broke through when Juventus' Gonzalo Higuain have a philosophy of football, Reuters record of 25 home wins in a row Izzo inadvertently turned a celebrates after scoring an idea you want to bring in set under Antonio Conte Bruno Peres cross into his own a goal against Bologna every team you manage, you onzalo Higuain scored between 2013 and 2014. net from close range. spend a lot of energy," Conte twice to give Juventus an Higuain, last season's top- Lazio made heavy weather during their Serie A match said. G easy 3-0 win over Bolo- scorer with Napoli, volleyed of beating Serie A debutants at the 'Juventus Stadium' "And sometimes it can gna on Sunday which set a Serie Juventus in front after seven Crotone who remained in the in Turin, Italy on Sunday. happen that you are a bit A record of 26 consecutive minutes from Miralem Pjanic's relegation zone on nine points. tired, more tired, in some home wins. pass and fellow Argentine Paulo Immobile broke the dead- periods. Second-placed AS Roma Dybala converted a penalty four lock in the last minute after a "I'm sure that Pep wants needed an unlucky own goal minutes before halftime. fortuitous rebound sent the ball to continue for a long time. I from Armando Izzo to beat Higuain got away from his into his path. think his work is fantastic." Genoa 1-0 away and neighbours markers to head in Stephan Udinese took a 17th minute The Italian boss cannot Lazio survived a controversial Lichtsteiner's pass 10 minutes lead through Jakub Jankto and imagine his own life without disallowed goal before snatch- into the second half, taking his twice hit the post before Inter football as he targets another ing a last minute win over lowly season's tally to 12. snatched an equaliser on the 20 years as a manager. Crotone. Roma were missing striker stroke of halftime when Perisic "Twenty more years? Ivan Perisic scored at the Mohamed Salah as he had swept in Mauro Icardi's pass Now I'm 47. I prefer that my end of each half as Inter Milan joined Egypt's squad for their from 12 metres. wife doesn't listen to this! This came from behind to beat Udi- African Nations Cup prepara- The Croatia winger struck is our life. nese 2-1 and notch their fourth tions while Genoa were playing again three minutes from full- "Football is our life and successive league win. their first game since selling key time as he headed in Joao it's right to continue to live in Juve's win kept them four midfielder Tomas Rincon to Mario's free kick at the far post. football. In the moment that points clear of Roma at the top Juventus. Seventh-placed Inter have football is not in our life, I with a game in hand. Juve have Genoa goalkeeper Mattia won five out of seven games think probably we die," Conte 45 points while Roma have 41, Perin was injured early on as he and lost only one since coach said. Napoli 38 and Lazio fourth on made a brilliant save to deny Stefano Pioli replaced Frank de Chelsea are currently top 37. Edin Dzeko and was replaced Boer, who was sacked after less of the premier league table. Juventus, aiming for a sixth by Eugenio Lamanna. than three months in charge.