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Saturday, December 10, 2016 FOOTBALL Rabia 1 11, 1438 AH Real eye record GULF TIMES back where it all began for Zidane SPORT Page 4

SCANDAL DECISION Report exposes Russia denies state doping ‘institutional’ programme

Reuters in a new report for the World Anti- Moscow Doping Agency (WADA) that more than 1,000 Russian athletes in about 30 sports took part in a plan involving ussia denied it was running Moscow sports ministry offi cials to use any state-sponsored dop- banned drugs at the Sochi and London doping by Russia ing schemes after fresh rev- Olympics and other global events. elations from the McLaren The sports ministry said it would Rreport yesterday of an “institutional “carefully study the information con- z McLaren says Russia corrupted London Games on unprecedented scale conspiracy” by Moscow to cheat. tained in the report with the aim of “The Russian sports ministry with coming up with a constructive posi- z More than 1,000 athletes in 30 sports, including soccer, involved full responsibility states there are no tion”. government programmes to support Moscow has consistently denied Reuters sample swapping between male and doping in sport,” the ministry said in a the existence of any government-run London female athletes. statement, adding that it “will contin- scheme to cheat its way to medal glory The International Association of ue the fi ght against doping with zero and says it is doing all it can to reform Athletics Federations (IAAF) said in tolerance”. its doping control system in a bid to ore than 1,000 Rus- a statement that 53 % of the athletes Investigator Richard McLaren said crack down on drug use. sian athletes competing whose details had been shared with in summer, winter and them by McLean’s investigation team paralympic sport were in- had been sanctioned or were currently Mvolved in or benefi ted from an institu- undergoing disciplinary proceedings. I am not a traitor, says Russian whistleblower Stepanova tional conspiracy to conceal positive The International Paralympic doping tests, an independent WADA Committee (IPC) said the full fi ndings tested because I didn’t know how the report said yesterday. of the report were unprecedented and system worked. The second and fi nal part of the astonishing. “I didn’t realise that the management report for the World Anti-Doping “They strike right at the heart of was in on it, that even if you’re caught Agency by Canadian sports lawyer the integrity and ethics of sport,” Par- you won’t be disqualified if your Richard McLaren provided more de- alympic sport’s governing body said coach has connections.” tails of an elaborate state-sponsored in a statement. Stepanova, who was given a two-year doping scheme operated by Russia. Yelena Isinbayeva, the twice Ol- Reuters, London: Whistleblower ban in 2013 for abnormalities in her It said there was a systematic ympic pole vault champion and now Yulia Stepanova has denied being a blood passport, said that suspension cover-up, which was refi ned at the a Russian anti-doping offi cial, how- traitor and said being banned for two made her determined to expose how 2012 Olympics, 2013 world athletics ever, said it was unfair to single out years was the turning-point that led deep the problems in Russian athlet- championships and 2014 Sochi Win- Russia for criticism. her to expose Russia’s state-backed ics had actually spread. ter Olympics, and that more than 30 “If we want to clean up world sport, and systematic doping programme. “It was a turning-point and I had a sports, including soccer, were in- let’s start,” she said. “We don’t need Stepanova secretly recorded Russian choice or rather a second chance,” volved in concealing positive doping to concentrate on just one country. I coaches and athletes describing how she added. “I could return to the samples. think banning clean Russian sports- they used performance-enhancing same system and simply think, okay “We are now able to confi rm a cover men is impractical and unfair.” drugs — evidence used to ban more so they’re lying, but they’ll take me up that dates back until at least 2011 Lawyer Richard McLaren delivers his second and final part of a report for the The original McLaren report, re- than 100 Russian athletes from the back into the national team and pay and continued after the Sochi Ol- World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), at a news conference in London yesterday. leased in July, revealed widespread Olympics this year. me money or else I could do the right ympic Games. It was a cover up that state-sponsored doping in Russian She has been called a traitor by her thing.” evolved from uncontrolled chaos to London 2012 and no Russian athlete cow laboratory that dealt with elite sport. former coach Vladimir Kazarin and is She spent the next two years gather- an institutionalised and disciplined tested positive. athletes. The July report found Moscow had currently in hiding in North America ing evidence, driven by the desire to medal-winning conspiracy,” McLaren “Yet the Russian team corrupted the It added that four Sochi gold med- concealed hundreds of positive dop- with her husband Vitaly, a former Rus- expose the truth. told a news conference yesterday. London Games on an unprecedented allists had samples with physiologi- ing tests in many sports ahead of the sian anti-doping off icial. “The reason I was doing it was to “It was a cover-up of an unprec- scale, the extent of which will probably cally impossible salt readings, while Sochi Games and led to a partial ban “In 2007, for the first time my coach show that this was the system,” she edented scale and the second part of never be fully established,” he said. 12 Russian Sochi medallists had evi- of Russian athletes competing in the (Kazarin) started giving me testoster- said. “I just wanted them to admit this report shows the evidence that “The desire to win medals super- dence of tampering with the bottles Rio Olympics in August. one injections,” she told the BBC in an that yes, everyone’s doing drugs, the increases the number of athletes in- seded their collective moral and ethi- containing their urine samples. Although Russian track and fi eld interview. bosses are covering it up. That’s what volved as well as the scope of the con- cal compass and Olympic values of The report detailed how a clean athletes and weightlifters were banned “I did know it was banned, but before was important to me.” spiracy and cover up. fair play. urine bank existed in the Moscow from competing at Rio, the Interna- giving it to me I think my coach Stepanova said she thought telling “We have evidence revealing that “For years international sports laboratory, where salt and coff ee were tional Olympic Committee rejected prepared me well because he was tell- the truth would make things better. more than 500 positive results were competitions have unknowingly been added to clean samples to try to fool a blanket ban and let international ing me stories about how it’s normal, “I don’t consider myself a traitor,” she reported as negative, including well- hijacked by the Russians. Coaches offi cials testing “B samples” in sup- sports federations decide which ath- that’s how it’s done. said. “I simply revealed the shameful known and elite-level athletes, who and athletes have been playing on an posedly tamper-proof bottles. letes should be eligible to compete. “Every night I had a dream that the truth, which our country doesn’t want had their positive results automati- uneven fi eld.” The report included evidence of The evidence contained in the re- doping inspectors were coming to to confront, and the only reason I told cally falsifi ed.” The report said a urine sample- DNA mismatches, where a tampered port can be found at the website: test us, every single night the same the truth about it all, was to try and McLaren said Russia won 24 gold, swapping technique used at Sochi B sample did not match the DNA https://www.ipevidencedisclo- nightmare. I was really afraid of being put a stop to it.” 26 silver and 32 bronze medals at became regular practice at the Mos- of previous specimens and cases of surepackage.net/

BOTTOMLINE STATUS QUO Head of Russian Blatter blasts FIFA chief federation re-elected

AFP pended in the wake of the scandal. Moscow Shlyakhtin also saw off competi- tion from ARAF general secretary Infantino over lack of respect Mikhail Butov and high jumper An- ussia’s scandal-ridden ath- drei Silnov. Shlyakhtin, who was first AFP “I am defi nitely not a happy man Never never an answer — never,” said when he held a press conference last letics federation yesterday drafted in at the start of the year as a London (with) what happened with FIFA,” Blatter. December but he went further with re-elected Dmitry Shlya- crisis manager, now faces the mam- Blatter told the BBC. Blatter, who served as FIFA presi- the BBC. “It was 1 November 2015. I khtin president after Yelena moth task of trying to convince the “I have never seen in any company dent for 18 years but was subject to was at the cemetery in my home vil- RIsinbayeva pulled out, as fresh rev- IAAF that Moscow has done enough isgraced former FIFA presi- that the new president... was not pay- withering criticism during his tenure, lage — where we have a family grave. elations on state-run doping rocked to fix its rotten system. dent Sepp Blatter accused ing respect to the old president.After claims he is too trusting and as a re- And I was there... very, very weak, I sport in the country. “We agree that there are problems his successor Gianni Infan- his election we had a very good con- sult he and his team never expected couldn’t move,” he said. Russia remains suspended by the in Russian athletics and we don’t hide tino of showing a lack of re- tact and he stopped at my house and the FBI investigation that exposed “They brought me immediately to International Association of Athlet- this,” Shlyakhtin said after the vote. spectD for him in an interview with the we had a chat. I told him I have a list massive corruption involving senior a hospital in Zurich and they thought ics Federations (IAAF) after it was “We are working to eliminate these BBC. of questions that should be solved in FIFA members. I was going to die in the next hours. kicked out in November 2015 over problems as best we can. The things The 80-year-old — who on Mon- Fifa which has not been solved before. “I think people are good, and they Seriously. drug cheat allegations in a move that that were done since our suspension day lost his appeal at the Court of “(Infantino) said ‘I will work on are not good,” said Blatter. “It was a lady doctor there and she saw its athletes banned from interna- demonstrate our capacity for re- Arbitration for Sport (CAS) over a that’ and he never came back.” The Swiss, who served as the faith- (asked) me: ‘Who should I phone?’ tional competition and miss the Rio form.” six year ban from football for a 2mn Blatter said Infantino, who was ful secretary-general under his simi- And I said: ‘No, no, no, I will go home Olympic Games. But the job of returning Russia to Swiss franc payment to then UEFA UEFA secretary-general under Plati- larly disgraced predecessor as FIFA tonight.’ And she said: ‘Oh no.’ Two-time Olympic pole vault the fold likely became even tough- boss Michel Platini — said Infantino ni, had not returned his phone calls president the late Joao Havelange, “They brought another doctor and champion Isinbayeva withdrew from er after the second part of a report had dropped by his house once since since that meeting. also claims he came perilously close he said: ‘OK calm down, calm down.’ the running after this week being for the World Anti-Doping Agency he was elected in February and Blatter “I have asked him, I have sent him a to death late last year. “I had time enough in the hospital appointed head of the supervisory (WADA) detailed more jaw-dropping had raised matters he thought should letter and I have his personal number An unusually dishevelled and un- to think that life is (more) than only board of RUSADA, Russia’s national revelations on the scale of Russia’s be dealt with. and I was told that it’s still correct. shaven Blatter had alluded to this football.” anti-doping agency, which was sus- state-run doping programme. Gulf Times 2 Saturday, December 10, 2016 CRICKET

MUMBAI TEST SPOTLIGHT Reiff el suff ering from concussion, to India make strong miss rest of Test

Reuters Mumbai start in reply to ustralian umpire Paul Reiff el will not offi ci- ate in the remainder of the ongoing fourth Test Abetween India and England after suff ering concussion following a blow to the back of his head on Thursday. England’s 400 Television umpire Marais Er- asmus, who took over Reiff el’s on-fi eld duties after he left the India reach 146-1 at stumps * Ashwin takes six wickets for 112 runs fi eld, will continue for the rest Umpire Paul Reiff el is helped by of the match, the Indian cricket support staff . board (BCCI) said in a statement yesterday. “Paul, however, has been ad- The incident occurred in vised to rest, which is the normal the second session on Thurs- course prescribed following a day when former Australia fast concussion. bowler Reiff el was hit by a lobbed “As such, he will not take any throw from the outfi eld from In- further part in the Mumbai test dia’s Bhuvneshwar Kumar at the and has been replaced by Marais Wankhede Stadium. Erasmus.” England’s medical staff helped Indian umpire Chettithody the 50-year-old off the fi eld with Shamshuddin, who was present play restarting after a brief delay at the ground as part of a pro- with Erasmus replacing Reiff el. gramme to train local umpires on “Paul Reiff el underwent pre- the decision review system, re- cautionary tests yesterday, placed Erasmus as the television which came back all clear,” the offi cial ahead of reserve umpire BCCI said. Nitin Menon.

NEW DEAL Paceman Philander signs for Sussex

AFP to take fi ve wickets on his Test London debut, has played county cricket in England on four previous oc- casions, for Middlesex in 2008, outh African all-rounder Somerset in 2012, Kent in 2013 and Vernon Philander com- Nottinghamshire in 2015. mitted himself to play- “I’m really looking forward ing the fi rst half of the to getting to Hove and playing 2017S season for Sussex in a major for Sussex for the fi rst couple coup for the County Champion- of months of the English sea- ship second division outfi t. son,” said Philander, who most The 31-year-old, who has taken recently played a leading role in 142 wickets in 37 Tests at an aver- the Proteas’ impressive 2-1 Test age of 22.21, will be available for series win over Australia. Sussex’s fi rst six County Cham- “Although I haven’t come up pionship matches and the group against Sussex much in my time stage of the One-Day Cup tour- playing in England, I’ve always nament. Philander, one of a select heard good things about the club group of South African cricketers and set-up. England’s Jos Buttler belts the ball at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on the way to his 76 against India.

Reuters India off -spinner Ravichandran Pakistan on top of CA XI, but struggle under lights Scoreboard Mumbai Ashwin completed fi gures of six for 112 for his 23rd fi ve-wicket haul and AFP, Cairns, Australia: on after fending at a ball outside England 1st innings: 5-249 (Bairstow), 6-297 (Stokes), 7-320 left -arm spinner Ravindra Jadeja Pakistan held a lead of 218 off -stump. urali Vijay and Cheteshwar A. Cook st Patel b Jadeja 46 (Woakes), 8-334 (Rashid), 9-388 (Ball), took the other four wickets runs over a Cricket Australia XI Opener Azhar Ali looked more Pujara shared a century stand K. Jennings c Pujara b Ashwin 112 10-400 (Buttler) after the second day of their comfortable to remain not out as India made a strong start in J. Root c Kohli b Ashwin 21 Bowling: Kumar 13-0-49-0, U. Yadav The umpire turned down the appeal for three-day day-night match in 44 at the close with Sarfraz their reply to England’s total M. Ali c Nair b Ashwin 50 11-2-38-0, Ashwin 44-4-112-6, J. Yadav 25-3- catch against Stokes but India managed to Cairns yesterday ahead of next Ahmed on four. Mof 400 on the second day of the fourth overturn the decision on review with the J. Bairstow c U. Yadav b Ashwin 14 89-0 (1nb), Jadeja 37.1-5-109-4 week’s pink-ball Test against Sami Aslam (12) was out leg test at the Wankhede Stadium yesterday. B. Stokes c Kohli b Ashwin 31 India 1st innings: batsman leaving the fi eld making his dis- Australia. before wicket after leaving a ball Vijay was unbeaten on 70 and Pujara on J. Buttler b Jadeja 76 L. Rahul b Ali 24 pleasure evident. The tourists fought back to before the dinner break and the 47 not out with India on 146 for one at the C. Woakes c Patel b Jadeja 11 M. Vijay not out 70 Jadeja dismissed Chris Woakes and dismiss the CA XI for 114 and an tourists also lost Babar Azam two close, still 254 runs behind. A. Rashid b Jadeja 4 C. Pujara not out 47 Rashid cheaply to boost India’s chanc- innings lead of 94 runs before balls into the final session when The right-handed pair added 107 runs J. Ball c Patel b Ashwin 31 Extras (b1, lb4) 5 es of keeping England’s total to under going to stumps at 124 for five he edged to first slip for 22. for the second wicket after Lokesh Rahul J. Anderson not out 0 Total (1 wicket, 52 overs) 146 350. ahead of today’s final day. Veteran Younis Khan was run out had fallen following an opening stand of Extras (b 1, lb 2, nb 1) 4 Fall of wickets: 1-39 (Rahul) But Buttler and number 10 Jake Ball, But there were some concerns for seven before Misbah’s strug- 39 with Vijay. Total (all out, 130.1 overs) 400 Bowling: Anderson 8-4-22-0, Woakes playing his first match of the series about Pakistan’s ability to play gling innings and Asad Shafiq England captain Alastair Cook intro- Fall of wickets: 1-99 (Cook), 2-136 5-2-15-0, Ali 15-2-44-1 Rashid 13-1-49-0, Ball and second overall, frustrated India the pink ball under lights after was bowled between bat and duced spin from both ends after seven (Root), 3-230 (Ali), 4-230 (Jennings), 4-2-4-0, Stokes 4-2-4-0, Root 3-1-3-0 with a partnership of 54 for the ninth they lost four top-order wickets pad for 29. overs and there was considerable turn on wicket. in the final session. Paceman Mohamed Amir looked off er for Moeen Ali and Adil Rashid. Ashwin broke the stand when Ball, who It is the tourists only warm- impressive bowling in the CAXI Rahul hit four crisp boundaries in his Pujara looked solid and hit some sub- win completed fi gures of six for 112 for his was on nought when India captain Virat up game under lights before first innings swinging the ball 24 before off -spinner Moeen breached his lime boundaries off the back foot against 23rd fi ve-wicket haul and left-arm spin- Kohli dropped a sharp chance at slip off Thursday’s day-night Test against and finishing with 3-15 from 10 defences to bowl him. the England fast bowlers. ner Ravindra Jadeja took the other four Jadeja, was caught behind. Australia in Brisbane. overs. Vijay twice mis-hit Rashid but the ball Earlier, Jos Buttler made 76 to guide wickets. Buttler repeatedly used the reverse Captain Misbah-ul-Haq was dis- Rahat Ali (3-26) also claimed landed safely beyond the reach of the the touring side, trailing 2-0 in the fi ve- Resuming on 288 for fi ve, England lost sweep against Jadeja and hit six bounda- missed for a duck to go with his three wickets, while paceman fi elders on both occasions. The opener hit match series, to a strong total before they Ben Stokes for 31 in the third over to Ash- ries and a big six off Ashwin before Jadeja first-innings 20, facing 29 balls Wahab Riaz (3-28) cleaned up the leg-spinner for six over the long-off were all out 25 minutes after lunch. win, who had picked up four wickets on bowled him as he attempted another big before he was bowled, playing the tail. boundary. India off -spinner Ravichandran Ash- Thursday. shot.

ODI Warner the man as Aussies rout New Zealand

AFP Colin Munro with unplayable yorkers when he pulled Lockie Ferguson to deep fences of Colin Munro and trapped ner 9-0-43-2 (1w), De Grandhomme 10-0-50-2 Melbourne and then trapped Mitchell Santner leg mid-wicket, where a diving Nicholls Santner leg before wicket to wreck the (2w), Williamson 1-0-3-0, Munro 2-0-19-0 before wicket with reverse swing to fi n- couldn’t take a diffi cult low catch. Black Caps hopes. ish with three for 34. Then Australia’s bowlers fi nished off Captain Steve Smith sealed the vic- New Zealand pener David Warner Warner, with 299 runs at 99.66 from the job with Starc in deadly form and tory with another stunning one-hand- M. Guptill c Bailey b Head 34 smashed his second straight the three matches, was named man of supported by paceman Pat Cummins, ed fl ying catch at slip to dismiss Trent T. Latham c Faulkner b Cummins 28 hundred and Mitchell Starc the match and man of the series after medium-pacer James Faulkner and Boult off Cummins. K.Williamson lbw b Faulkner 13 bowled lethal reverse swing raising his 11th ODI century and sev- part-time spinner Travis Head, all with H.Nicholls b Starc 3 toO spearhead Australia to a third em- enth for the year. two wickets. Australia C.Munro b Starc 20 phatic win over New Zealand in the Only Indian great Sachin Tendulkar, Cummins claimed the wicket of D.Warner run out (Boult) 156 B.J.Watling lbw b Head 8 Chappell-Hadlee Trophy in Melbourne with nine in 1998, has hit more ODI opener Tom Latham for 28, snapped up A.Finch c Nicholls b Boult 3 C.De Grandhomme c Head b Hazlewood 11 yesterday. centuries in a calendar year. by Faulkner at backward square leg. S.Smith c Nicholls b Boult 0 M.Santner lbw b Starc 15 The Australian vice-captain was run “It’s a team performance,” Warner Faulkner got the prized wicket of G.Bailey c Santner b De Grandhomme 23 T. Southee c Warner b Faulkner 4 out on the last ball of the innings for said.”Credit to the bowlers for coming Kane Williamson, leg before wicket for M.Marsh b De Grandhomme 0 L.Ferguson not out 4 156 off 128 balls — more than half of out and executing the plans.”Our bats- 13 with the New Zealand skipper losing T.Head b Santner 37 T.Boult c Smith b Cummins 1 his team’s 264 for eight total — with 13 men had to relay the message and they a review in the process. M.Wade c De Grandhomme b Santner 14 Extras (lb2, w4) 6 fours and four sixes. did extremely well.” Martin Guptill chased a wide deliv- J.Faulkner c Guptill b Boult 13 Total (all out, 36.1 overs) 147 It follows Warner’s 119 off 115 balls Warner was the diff erence after New ery from Head, and Bailey snapped up M.Starc not out 0 Fall of wickets: 1-44 (Latham), 2-74 (Wil- against the Black Caps in Canberra on Zealand had made early inroads into the a leaping catch at short cover for 34 off Extras (lb5, w11, nb2) 18 liamson), 3-79 (Guptill), 4-83 (Nicholls), 5-98 Tuesday. Australian batting. 40 balls. Total (8 wickets, 50 overs) 264 (Watling), 6-113 (De Grandhomme), 7-126 Starc then led Australia to a series He was involved in partnerships with Eleven balls later Starc bowled new- Fall of wickets: 1-6 (Finch), 2-11 (Smith), 3-73 (Munro), 8-139 (Santner), 9-143 (Southee), clean sweep helping to skittle New Zea- George Bailey (62) and Travis Head comer Nicholls with a wicked late- (Bailey), 4-73 (Marsh), 5-178 (Head), 6-226 10-147 (Boult) land for 147 off 36.1 overs to reclaim the (105) which helped Australia fi ght back swinging yorker for three to reduce the (Wade), 7-262 (Faulkner), 8-264 (Warner) Bowling: Starc 10-3-34-3 (2w), Hazlewood Chappell-Hadlee Trophy. from 11 for two and 73 for four. Black Caps to 83 for four in the 17th over. Bowling: Southee 10-2-45-0 (3w), Boult 10-1- 7-1-22-1 (1w), Cummins 5.1-0-26-2 (1w), Faulkner Starc bowled Henry Nicholls and Warner gave a tough chance on 18 Starc then ripped through the de- 49-3 (2w), Ferguson 8-0-50-0 (2nb, 3w), Sant- 7-0-26-2, Head 7-0-37-2 Gulf Times Saturday, December 10, 2016 3 FOOTBALL

SPOTLIGHT CLUB WORLD CUP Superstar Ronaldo Cruising Chelsea targets world treble face West Brom, aim for cloud nine Real Madrid’s Portuguese forward Cristiano Ronaldo. AFP his chiselled looks and muscu- Tokyo lar physique, which he regularly Antonio Conte’s Chelsea juggernaut rolls back into action against West Bromwich fl aunts by removing his shirt to celebrate goals. Albion with the Premier League leaders chasing a ninth consecutive win ristiano Ronaldo will There is similar reaction when have little time for “cyber Ronaldo is wheeled out for Japa- AFP clones” or facial keepy- nese television on his money- London uppy when the Real Ma- making trips as studio guests gid- Cdrid superstar arrives in Japan next dily poke and prod his stomach. week for the Club World Cup. ntonio Conte’s Chelsea jug- The Portuguese pin-up met a CYBER CLONE gernaut rolls back into action life-size silicon Ronaldo complete Japanese scientists unveiled a against West Bromwich Albion with ripped abs, greased-back hair cyber clone of the player last year tomorrow with the Premier and twitching eyebrows on a com- to promote an electric muscle LeagueA leaders chasing a ninth consecu- mercial visit last year. stimulator for sculpting a wash- tive win. The world’s highest-paid ath- board stomach, a device being Chelsea produced the most impressive lete has also appeared in a Japanese advertised again during com- display of their winning streak last week- commercial to promote a bizarre mercial breaks at this year’s Club end when they came from behind to win face-stretching gadget designed World Cup. 3-1 at Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City. to enhance the user’s smile. Ronaldo, tipped to win his They have not won nine successive But Ronaldo, who rakes in third Ballon d’Or trophy on league games within the same season nearly $90 million in salary and Monday, gave the doppelganger since 2007 and ahead of West Brom’s endorsements yearly according the thumbs-up but drew the line visit, Marcos Alonso has urged his team- to Forbes, insisted he would be in at modelling the propeller-like mates not to let their level drop. Japan on a diff erent kind of busi- face stretcher, which requires the “Winning game after game gives you ness as European champs Real user to nod excitedly while biting confi dence, but you have to keep work- chase a second Club World Cup on a ball in the middle. ing,” the Spanish wing-back told the in three years. Zinedine Zidane’s table-top- Chelsea website. “It is a big tournament and I ping Real face either Mexico’s “The results give you confi dence to have been lucky enough to win Club America or South Korea’s work in this way, though. We have got it twice before,” he told Japan’s Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors in the to use this momentum of the last eight Nippon TV, referring to the 2014 competition’s second semi-fi nal league games and go on to have another tournament and his fi rst per- in Yokohama next Thursday. good game against West Brom now.” sonal triumph with previous club Barring an major upsets, the While most of Chelsea’s title rivals Manchester United in 2008. Spanish giants will face Liberta- have been in European action this week, “Of course I want to win it for dores Cup holders Atletico Na- Conte’s side have once again had a full a third time,” added the 31-year- cional in the competition fi nal on week to prepare for the visit of Tony Pu- old. “We are not going to Japan December 18. lis’s side. for a holiday. We go there with The Colombians will have the It is 32 years since West Brom last won the sole aim of winning the title hopes of a grieving continent at Chelsea, but they have drawn on two of and to be crowned the best team on their shoulders after Copa their last three visits and have climbed to in the world.” Sudamericana fi nal opponents seventh in the table on the back of a four- Ronaldo, who touches down Chapecoense were all but wiped game unbeaten run. in Japan on Monday, has legions out in a plane crash that claimed “(Chelsea) are on a great run of form,” of female fans who swoon over the lives of 71 people. West Brom manager Pulis told the club website. “The manager’s come in and he’s changed things around and got the SERIE A players playing the way they can. It’s a wonderful, wonderful squad of players. File picture of Chelsea coach Antonio Conte (R) gesturing during a training session. But we’ll go there and do our best.” Guardiola’s City will look to kick their ARSENAL ON SONG senal to a 5-1 win at West Ham United Europa League trip to play Ukrainian side Depleted Juve face title challenge back into gear when they While City have won their last three away last weekend, which was followed by a Zorya Luhansk. visit unravelling champions Leicester matches in the league, they have won just superb 4-1 win at Basel in the Champi- Jose Mourinho’s side, currently sixth, City today. four of their last 14 games in all competi- ons League, but manager Arsene Wenger trail fi fth-place Spurs by six points and Torino in Turin derby The ill-tempered defeat at Chelsea’s tions as Guardiola continues to search for feels there is more to come. will have a mountain to climb in terms of hands left a mark, with Sergio Aguero and a durable winning formula. “I feel the team is on the way upwards,” Champions League qualifi cation if they Fernandinho picking up red cards that His problems pale in comparison, he said. lose at Old Traff ord. will keep them out until after Christmas. however, beside those of Leicester man- “But we have as well to show that fi rst City have slipped to fourth place in ager Claudio Ranieri, who saw a second- of all we can improve, that we have the FIXTURES the table, four points below Chelsea, string side trounced 5-0 by Porto in the desire to improve as a team, and as well, Today and although Leicester are toiling in 16th Champions League on Wednesday. that we can repeat the performances (1500 GMT unless otherwise stated): place, Pablo Zabaleta is taking nothing With seven defeats already, Leicester’s week in, week out. Arsenal v Stoke, Burnley v Bournemouth, for granted. league form is as alarming as last season’s “Stoke is another challenge for us that Hull v Crystal Palace, Leicester v Man “Always it’s a diffi cult place to go. Even was astonishing and has left them just we can reset, refocus and continue our City (1730 GMT), Swansea v Sunderland, if they are not doing great in the domes- two points above the relegation zone. development and take the points.” Watford v Everton (1230 GMT) tic competition, they are still a good team, Second-place Arsenal, three points Like Chelsea, third-place Liverpool very competitive,” said the City right-back. behind Chelsea, can provisionally take have had a week off to prepare for Sun- Tomorrow “It is going to be a tough game. We over at the summit if they beat Stoke City day’s home game with West Ham. (1415 GMT unless otherwise stated): need to win and get three points after the by two goals or more at the Emirates Sta- Manchester United, in contrast, enter- Chelsea v West Brom (1200 GMT), Liver- big defeat last weekend to stay in the fi ght dium today. tain Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday just pool v West Ham (1630 GMT), Man United v for the title.” Alexis Sanchez’s hat-trick fi red Ar- two days after returning from a gruelling Tottenham, Southampton v Middlesbrough

File picture of Juventus’ forward Gonzalo Higuain. EUROPA LEAGUE AFP able had the champions not suf- Milan fered a stunning 3-1 defeat to Genoa a fortnight ago. Massimiliano Allegri’s men eported Manchester have made amends, a 3-1 home United target Andrea win over Atalanta preceding a United’s Mkhitaryan breaks duck Belotti could star when 2-0 Champions League win over AFP now starting to show his worth. the last 32 from Group L behind Torino host depleted Dinamo Zagreb in midweek that “He worked hard physically the Turkish side Osmanlispor. cityR rivals Juventus looking to secured top spot in Group H and Paris and tactically — the talent was Celta Vigo won 2-0 at Pana- secure the spoils from a city der- a place in the last 16. there, we knew that when we thinaikos and qualify from by attracting particular interest But injuries and stuttering enrikh Mkhitaryan bought him. Now he’s playing Group G, while Fiorentina are from Roma and AC Milan. form continue to compound scored his fi rst Man- good — in the Premier League, through as winners of Group J With 10 goals in 13 appearanc- Juve’s chances of pulling away chester United goal to Europa League and EFL Cup — after a 2-1 win over Qarabag in es in only his second season in from the chasing pack. set up a 2-0 win over and now the goal means a little Azerbaijan secured by a 76th- Serie A, Belotti — who celebrates Remarkably, the Old Lady HZorya Luhansk in Ukraine on more happiness for him, so I’m minute goal from 19-year-old his goals by mimicking a roost- were without the three-man Thursday and take Jose Mour- very pleased,” Mourinho said. Federico Chiesa, son of ex-Italy er’s comb with an open hand to ‘BBC’ defence of Andrea Barzag- inho’s side into the last 32 of the striker Enrico, who was then his forehead — has emerged as li, Leonardo Bonucci and Giorgio Europa League. SOUTHAMPTON OUT sent off shortly after. the most exciting home-grown Chiellini on Wednesday. United required only a point to United will join Tottenham Hot- PAOK of Greece are also into striker in years. While Barzagli and Bonucci secure progress from Group A but spur, who drop out of the Cham- next week’s draw for the fi rst So much so that Torino presi- are out till the New Year, Chiel- Mkhitaryan’s 48th-minute strike pions League, in the last 32, but knockout round thanks to a 2-0 dent Urban Cairo, amid reports lini is expected to return tomor- and a late Zlatan Ibrahimovic goal there was bitter disappointment win against Slovan Liberec, while of interest from United manager row to marshall a makeshift separated the sides and took the for fellow Premier League club Gent joined Shakhtar Donetsk in Jose Mourinho, added a 100m defence that will be under the Premier League club through in Southampton. advancing from Group H. euros buyout clause when he tied orders of captain and goalkeeper second place behind Fenerbahce, Claude Puel’s men knew a the 22-year-old front man to a Gianluigi Buff on, who was rested who won 1-0 at Feyenoord thanks goalless draw or a win at home RESULTS new deal until 2021 in midweek. against Zagreb and will make a to a Moussa Sow eff ort. to Hapoel Beer-Sheva would see Group A “I will repay the club’s faith in resturn tomorrow. The game went ahead despite them advance from Group K but Zorya Luhansk (UKR) 0 Man- me by giving my everything in concerns about the state of the instead drew 1-1 with the Israelis chester United (ENG) 2 (Mkhi- every training session and every FIXTURES (GMT) icy, rock-hard pitch at the Chor- Manchester United’s Armenian midfielder Henrikh Mkhitaryan and were eliminated. taryan 48, Ibrahimovic 88) game,” Belotti said. Today nomorets Stadium in Odessa, celebrates after scoring a goal during the Europa League tie. The visitors went in front in It should buy Torino coach Crotone v Pescara (1700), Samp- almost 1,000 kilometres away the 79th minute, Yuval Shabtai Group E Sinisa Mihajlovic time to ward doria v Lazio (1945) from Luhansk in the confl ict- two minutes from the end as a fi ne told BT Sport. pouncing on a poor pass by Oriol Astra Giurgiu (ROU) 0 AS Roma off potential suitors although torn east of the country. one-touch passing move ended “The fi rst half was a little bit Romeu and setting up Maor Bu- (ITA) 0 Belotti’s stock is sure to rise if Tomorrow After a goalless fi rst half, with Paul Pogba sending Ibrahi- diffi cult because we couldn’t zaglo to fi re home. he produces another trademark Cagliari v Napoli (1130), Atalanta United broke the deadlock three movic away, the Swede running fi nd the last pass but in the sec- Virgil van Dijk equalised with Group K performance against a Juve side v Udinese (1400), Bologna v minutes into the second half as through and fi nishing coolly. ond half we created some space a defl ected shot in stoppage time Southampton 1 (Van Dijk 90+1) that has shown chinks in its ar- Empoli (1400), Palermo v Chievo the Armenian Mkhitaryan burst “I was waiting a long time for the wingers and the strikers. but they could not get a winner Hapoel Beer-Sheva (ISR) 1 (Buza- mour of late. (1400), Torino v Juventus (1400), forward from midfi eld through for this goal. My next goal has The important thing was to win and Hapoel go through instead. glo 79) Juventus make the short trip to Inter Milan v Genoa (1945) the middle of the Zorya defence to be at Old Traff ord because I today and go through.” A brilliant late chip by Manuel the Stadio Olimpico with a four- before fi nishing past goalkeeper want to score at home,” Mkhi- Mourinho praised the play- Trigueros gave Villarreal a nervy Inter Milan (ITA) 1 (Eder 23, 90) point lead on both Roma and Monday Igor Levchenko. taryan, who previously played in maker, who endured a diffi cult 2-1 win over Steaua Bucharest Sparta Prague (CZE) 1 (Marecek AC Milan although the cushion Fiorentina v Sassuolo (1800), They wrapped up the victory Ukraine for Shakhtar Donetsk, start to his United career but is that took the Spanish club into 54) would have been more comfort- Roma v AC Milan (2000) Gulf Times 4 Saturday, December 10, 2016 FOOTBALL

LA LIGA BUNDESLIGA Top meets bottom as Leipzig head to Real eye record winless Ingolstadt back where it all began for Zidane Deportivo’s last visit to Real was Zidane’s first match in charge back in January and the 5-0 thrashing of the Galicians was a sign of things to come in a dream debut year This file photo shows RB Leipzig’s Director of Sports, Ralf Rangnick.

AFP ning goal in Tuesday’s 1-0 home Berlin win against Atletico Madrid in the Champions League. Wolfsburg are struggling with ottom faces top today just two wins this season to leave when basement dwellers them just two points from the rel- Ingolstadt host unbeat- egation zone and their Germany Ben Bundesliga leaders RB forwards Julian Draxler and Mario Leipzig, who are chasing an eight Gomez have failed to gel. straight win to keep Bayern Mu- They have picked up just four nich off the top. league points since Valerien Is- RB Leipzig’s coach Ralph Has- mael replaced Dieter Hecking as senhuettl returns to Ingolstadt, head coach in October. who he left in May having taken Cologne host a Borussia them from the bottom of the sec- Dortmund side buoyed by their ond division to Germany’s top 4-1 romp at home to Borussia fl ight in his three seasons. Moenchengladbach last Satur- Ingolstadt, who have slipped day and Wednesday’s 2-2 draw at down to 18th in the table af- Real Madrid. ter their 2-1 defeat at Werder Both Cologne and Dortmund Bremen, have yet to win a match are just outside the Bundesliga’s at home this season. top fi ve. Pierre-Emerick Aubam- Leipzig, meanwhile, have the eyang netted twice to leave him best away record in the Bundes- as the league’s top scorer with liga with fi ve wins and two draws. 15 goals so far, while Cologne RB are the surprise package crashed to a 4-0 drubbing at this season and have now been Hoff enheim last weekend. top of the table since Bayern’s The match pits the league’s top 1-0 defeat at Borussia Dortmund strikers against each other with a fortnight ago. Anthony Modeste having hit 12 Timo Werner, the club’s top goals in 13 league games. scorer with eight goals, has been Both Aubameyang and Marco in the spotlight for the wrong Reus are in form as the pair both reasons this week. scored at Real. After being awarded a penalty Andre Schubert is in danger just 19 seconds into last Satur- of becoming the sixth Bundes- day’s 2-1 win at home to Schalke, liga coach fi red this season and his replays showed Werner dived. Borussia Moenchengladbach bad- Second-placed Bayern Mu- ly need a win at Mainz on Sunday. nich host VfL Wolfsburg on Sat- Real Madrid’s French coach Zinedine Zidane takes part in a training session at Valdebebas training ground in Madrid yesterday. urday in a repeat of the match FIXTURES which broke four Bundesliga (1430 GMT unless stated) AFP 2016 as they head for the Club World Cup minute equaliser to Madrid in last week- been a common theme for Jorge Sampaoli’s records last season when Robert Today Madrid in Japan on Sunday. end’s El Clasico, Barca got back to win- men as despite lying third in La Liga, seven Lewandowski scored fi ve goals in Bayern v Wolfsburg, Cologne v However, Deportivo have also been ning ways with a morale boosting 4-0 points adrift of Real, they have won just nine minutes. Borussia Dortmund, Hamburg v buoyed by a surprise 5-1 romp over high- thrashing of Borussia Moenchenglad- four of their 12 away games this season. Bayern’s Germany forward Augsburg, Ingolstadt v RB Leip- eal Madrid can set a club record fl ying Real Sociedad on Monday to regis- bach on Tuesday. The Europa League holders will be keen Thomas Mueller is without a zig, Freiburg v Darmstadt, Hertha by extending their unbeaten run ter a fi rst league win since early October Crucially the returning Andres Iniesta to make amends for a shock 2-1 defeat Bundesliga goal is his 12 games so Berlin v Werder Bremen (1730) to 35 games when Deportivo la and move out of the relegation zone in has starred in his fi rst two appearances at Granada last weekend and maintain far, while Lewandowski has been Coruna visit the Santiago Bern- the process. after a six-week injury layoff over the a two-point lead over Atletico Madrid regularly hitting the net. Tomorrow abeuR today. “I am always optimistic and I am going past week. when they travel to Celta Vigo tomorrow. The Poland hot-shot netted Borussia Moenchengladbach Deportivo’s last visit to Real was Zin- there with the hope of getting something With their captain restored, the Cata- Atletico aren’t in action until Monday twice in last Friday’s 3-1 win at v Mainz, Schalke v Bayer edine Zidane’s fi rst match in charge back from the game,” said Deportivo boss lans looked like the Barca of old by reg- when they visit sixth-placed Villarreal in Mainz before drilling in the win- Leverkusen (1630) in January and the 5-0 thrashing of the Gaizka Garitano. istering a competition record 993 passes a crucial clash in the fi ght to qualify for Galicians was a sign of things to come in “We are in the more desperate situa- against the Germans in midweek. next season’s Champions League. a dream debut year for the Frenchman as tion and we are not going to the Bernabeu “The most important thing is that the SCOTTISH PREMIERSHIP a senior coach. just to make up the numbers.” team continues to believe in what it does FIXTURES (GMT) Madrid haven’t tasted defeat since April, Madrid are at full strength bar the ab- and how it does it,” said Iniesta. Today winning the Champions League, UEFA Su- sence of Gareth Bale. Toni Kroos and Al- “I am convinced we will get to the fi nal Osasuna v Barcelona (1200), Real per Cup and opening up a six-point La Liga varo Morata made their return from inju- months of the season in the hunt for all Sociedad v Valencia (1515), Las Palmas v No need to be top lead over Barcelona in the process. ry in the 2-2 with Dortmund in midweek the trophies.” Leganes (1730), Real Madrid v Deportivo “You have to congratulate the players,” and are likely to feature once more, whilst Neymar is suspended so Arda Turan is la Coruna (1945) insisted Zidane humbly after Madrid had Mateo Kovacic could be recalled after be- expected to start alongside Lionel Messi player to be a good to settle for qualifying for the last 16 of the ing rested on Wednesday. and Luis Suarez in attack after netting a Tomorrow Champions League in second place behind hat-trick against Moenchengladbach. Eibar v Alaves (1100), Celta Vigo v Sevilla Borussia Dortmund on Wednesday. INIESTA STYLE Sevilla were the one Spanish side not (1515), Espanyol v Sporting Gijon (1730), coach: Warburton “They are the ones that are on the Barcelona can cut the gap to three points assured of their place in the Champions Real Betis v Athletic Bilbao (1945) pitch, that have to fi ght and run.” before Madrid kick-off with victory at rock League last 16 before this week, but ground AFP “He’s got a lot of confi dence to Los Blancos will be looking for the bottom Osasuna earlier today. out a 0-0 draw at Lyon to progress. Monday Glasgow come and do this job and I’m sure perfect end to their La Liga campaign for After the blow of conceding a last However, struggles on the road have Villarreal v Atletico Madrid (1945) a lot of ability too. “I’m pleased to see him get his angers manager Mark chance and I’ll wish him well — LIGUE 1 Warburton says you but only after this weekend.” don’t need signifi cant Warburton, whose side trail playing experience to bitter rivals Celtic by eight makeR it in management. points at the top of the Scottish The 54-year-old Englishman, Premiership having played three who had a career outside football games more, insists his side are as a city trader before spending still a draw for star players de- Pressure on PSG coach Emery the money he earned to travel spite the club’s ill-fated signing AFP starred last season. game and were able to rest key round Europe to learn about of the fi ery Joey Barton. Paris Without him, the side from players for Wednesday’s Cham- coaching, was speaking about The English midfi elder was the Cote d’Azur — with a re- pions League defeat to Bayer the appointment of former New- Warburton’s marquee signing in ported budget less than a tenth Leverkusen in Germany having castle United assistant coach Ian the summer as Rangers prepared nai Emery is once again of PSG’s — have gone from already qualifi ed for the last 16 Cathro as Hearts manager ahead for their return to the top fl ight. a coach under pres- strength to strength this season as group winners. of their visit to Ibrox today. However, the much-travelled sure as his Paris Saint- under Lucien Favre and they They are targeting the sym- The 30-year-old, who never Barton managed just eight games Germain side prepare have topped the table since mid- bolic title of topping the table at played professional football, be- before his outspoken nature saw Uto face Nice tomorrow looking September. the year’s end and striker Valere came the youngest manager in his contract terminated by the to close the gap on the surprise They have only lost once in Germain said: “It would be nice Scottish top fl ight history when club following a bust-up with Ligue 1 leaders. the league all season and im- to be autumn champions and we he replaced Robbie Neilson. management and teammates A 12-game unbeaten run had pressed in beating Toulouse 3-0 will give everything in the fi nal And Warburton, whose own in the wake of their 5-1 derby appeared the perfect response last weekend to hold a three- matches of the year to do that.” playing experience was limited to thrashing by Celtic. to early-season criticism of Em- point lead over Monaco and a Lyon will aim to bounce back non-league football after failing Despite the controversy, Barton ery at PSG, but in the last week four-point advantage over the from the disappointment of being to make the grade at Leicester, claimed this week in an interview the Spaniard has seen his side capital giants. eliminated from the Champions said Cathro deserved a chance to with BBC Radio 5 Live he wouldn’t humbled 3-0 by Montpellier and League after failing to get the bet- prove himself after four years as hesitate to make the move to Ibrox then left to scramble a 2-2 draw BALOTELLI BACK? ter of Sevilla as they host Rennes. assistant manager at Portuguese again if faced with the same op- with Ludogorets in the Champi- Paris Saint-Germain’s Spanish headcoach Unai Emery. Mario Balotelli is in line to fea- side Rio Ave, Spanish outfi t Va- portunity in the future. ons League. ture after making his comeback FIXTURES lencia and Newcastle. Warburton said other top play- After two such worrying insisted midfi elder Blaise Ma- give us the desire to lift our from a month on the sidelines (1900 GMT unless stated) “I’m delighted to see the ap- ers would not be put off making a performances, it is debatable tuidi, just about the only PSG hands and show a diff erent with a calf injury in Thursday’s Today pointment. I think it’s brave similar switch. “It’s a big club. It’s whether Emery could even sur- player deserving of pass marks face in the last 16. We must im- Europa League meeting with Bordeaux v Monaco (1600 GMT), on his part and a brave call by not about Joey or myself, Rang- vive a defeat at home to Nice, against Ludogorets. prove, and that starts on Sunday Russian outfi t Krasnodar. Bastia v Metz, Lille v Montpellier, Hearts,” the Rangers manager, ers is a magnifi cent club, a fan- which would leave the defending PSG needed a late Angel di against Nice,” said Emery in his Monaco travel to Bordeaux Nancy v Angers, Nantes v Caen, whose side were defeated 2-0 by tastic football institution.” champions seven points adrift Maria equaliser to avoid de- still stumbling French. today knowing a win would Toulouse v Lorient Hearts last week, said. of the southern upstarts with feat at home to the Bulgarians PSG have Adrien Rabiot and take them provisionally top of “I think it is brave in the right Today’s Fixtures (1500GMT un- the season’s halfway stage ap- after a lacklustre display but Javier Pastore on the sidelines the table, above Nice on goal Tomorrow way and all credit to Hearts for less otherwise stated) proaching. the result meant they finished while Di Maria is in wretched difference. Lyon v Rennes (1400 GMT), giving him his chance. He’s a Aberdeen v St Johnstone, Dun- “It is a diffi cult spell, but we second in Champions League form, so they may look to Hatem Leonardo Jardim’s prolifi c Saint-Etienne v Guingamp (1600 young coach but he’s very knowl- dee v Ross County, Inverness CT will show a reaction on Sunday Group A to Arsenal. Ben Arfa for creative inspiration side are still running at an aver- GMT), Paris Saint-Germain v Nice edgeable and demonstrated that v Hamilton, Motherwell v Kilmar- in what is a huge match for us,” “This disappointment must against the club for whom he age of more than three goals per (1945 GMT) to a number of people in the game. nock, Rangers v Hearts Gulf Times Saturday, December 10, 2016 5 SPORT

NHL Boston Bruins go down to Colorado Avalanche

By Steve Conroy around,” said Krug. “At the end of the Then off a faceoff win, Brad Marchand Boston Herald (TNS) day it’s a 50-50 play.... I probably won’t found him in the high slot, from where do that anymore. Sometimes you’ve got Pastrnak lasered a one-timer past Pick- to go through those things to learn. ard for his league-leading 18th goal. o maybe spotting the opposition “It was one of those things I thought But after the Bs put on some pres- a three-goal lead isn’t a recipe instinctively I could get there and keep sure to get the equalizer, the Avs ended for success. them hemmed in. You could even tell, the B’s momentum two seconds after a A night after coming back when he went in on the breakaway he Kevan Miller penalty was up. Khudobin Sfrom a three-goal defi cit to salvage what was tired. If I keep that in, hopefully we stopped a Francois Beauchemin shot, felt like a very good point in Washing- get a couple chances. But we’ve got to but the rebound went to Mikhail Grig- ton, the Bruins were just as hospitable be better. It’s some of our better players orenko, who deftly fed Carl Soderberg to the Colorado Avalanche. on our team and we’ve got to take the for a nice backdoor goal. But this time the Bs would only have a onus on ourselves to start capitalizing That was the killer. The Bs had some loss to the NHL’s worst team to show for on our opportunities and changing the chances in the third, but the Avs seemed it. David Pastrnak reaffi rmed his status game for our team.” determined to end their streak as they as a special player with two terrifi c goals, Following the script from the previ- threw their bodies in front of pucks to but that was all the Bs could muster as ous night, the Bs then allowed a bad snuff out scoring chances — and the they had their six-game point streak goal early in the second. Brandon Carlo Bs point streak. “Defi nitely, we have to snapped with a 4-2 loss to the Avs. was simply trying to get the puck deep get better,” said Pastrnak. “The last two The Avalanche, who were waiting in outside the off ensive blue line, but he games we kind of slept in the fi rst pe- Boston while the Bs played in Wash- hammered it into John Mitchell’s shin riod and those games can happen, obvi- pads, and the Colorado forward took off ington on Wednesday, halted an 0-5-1 Patrice Bergeron (right) of Boston ously, but we have to learn from them. It on an odd-man rush. Khudobin lost his skid. A slow start is expected on the Bruins battles for the puck with can’t happen again.” angle and gave up a bad shortside goal second of back-to-back games, but it Fedor Tyutin of the Colorado to make it 3-0. Results doesn’t excuse the wounds the Bs in- Avalanche during the first period It looked like the Bs might come back fl icted on themselves early on. of their NHL game in Boston. (AFP) Carolina 3 ...... LOS ANGELES 1 “Until you can fi nd your legs you’ve from this defi cit, too, when Pastrnak Calgary 2 ...... ARIZONA 1 got to be smart, and we weren’t,” said unleashed his own brand of lightning DALLAS 5...... Nashville 2 coach Claude Julien. “We gave up some Goalie Anton Khudobin (four goals time and space to walk through the slot in a good way. Torey Krug dove to keep with two goals in 1:20. First, he scored NY Rangers 2 ...... WINNIPEG 1 soft goals and dug ourselves a hole that on 22 shots) was not sharp, nor was the and beat Khudobin to the glove side. a puck in at the blue line, which he did. after stepping out of the penalty box MONTREAL 5...... New Jersey 2 was certainly hard to come back from Bs’ struggling power play. The Bs were The game was still manageable when The only problem was that he slid past and taking a great indirect pass from Vancouver 5 ...... TAMPA BAY 1 tonight. They looked like a well-rested 0-for-2 on the man advantage and al- Fedor Tyutin was called for slashing at the puck, leaving it on a tee for a Nathan Tim Schaller off the boards. He put a Pittsburgh 5 ...... FLORIDA 1 team, they had a lot of energy. They’re a lowed a shorthanded goal that put them 12:57 to give the Bs their second power MacKinnon breakaway goal. move on goalie Calvin Pickard, who Colorado 4 ...... BOSTON 2 team that hadn’t won in a while and you fi rmly in chase mode for the night. The play. The fi rst unit has not scored now “I thought they were tired and if I made a strong initial save, but Pastrnak NY ISLANDERS 3 ...... St. Louis 2 could tell that they were tired of losing. Avs got on the board in a 4-on-4 situ- in six games and the desperation was could keep it in, we could keep them stayed right on top of the play to put PHILADELPHIA 6 ...... Edmonton 5 They came out ready to play tonight.” ation when Matt Duchene was given showing, but it did not manifest itself hemmed in and keep them running home the rebound. (Home team in CAPS)

NBA Australia beefs up integrity unit ahead of fi rst Grand Slam

ustralia’s tennis association has added two full-time investigators to its integ- Bulls infl ict fi rst road Arity unit and promised greater prize money at lower-tier events in a bid to thwart betting-related corruption. Tennis Australia (TA) informed yesterday it had implemented a raft of new measures “designed to safeguard the integrity of the upcoming summer of tennis”, which includes next month’s Australian Open, the year’s first Grand Slam. loss of season on Spurs The tournament was rocked last year by media allegations that more than a dozen top players were repeatedly flagged over suspi- ‘The guys get a lot of money to get ready to play. No Knute Rockne speeches. It is your job. If you cions for throwing matches in the past decade and none had been properly investigated by are a plumber and you don’t do your job, then you don’t get any work. If you are a doctor and you the Tennis Integrity Unit. The TIU rejected the allegations but subsequently announced botch operations you are not a doctor anymore. If you are a basketball player you come ready’ a major review into its operations during the second week of the tournament. Tennis Australia’s national integrity unit, AFP headed by Ann West, was now staff ed with a Chicago an “information and intelligence off icer” and a “safety and risk manager”, both with law en- forcement backgrounds, the governing body he San Antonio Spurs suff ered their rstfi said in a media release. road loss of the season on Thursday, as While top players can earn millions of dollars the Chicago Bulls led wire-to-wire en a year in prize money, lower tier professionals route to a 95-91 victory that snapped a who make significantly less have long been Tthree-game skid. considered vulnerable to corruption, and The Spurs needed just one more road win to dozens have been arrested this year in stings tie the NBA record of 14 straight road victories around the globe. Australian former profes- to start a season, set by the Golden State War- sional Nick Lindahl was fined by a Sydney riors last season. But they failed to fi re against court in April after pleading guilty to match- a struggling team and coach Gregg Popovich fixing at a minor domestic tournament. was livid that they couldn’t deliver in front of a Prize money would also be boosted during crowd of 21,400 at United Center arena. the qualifying and early rounds of the Austral- “I don’t remember playing tonight. The guys ian Open. TA said there would be increased get a lot of money to get ready to play,” said Pop- “security vigilance” at local events, including ovich of the Spurs. “No Knute Rockne speeches. tighter restrictions on player and accreditation It is your job. If you are a plumber and you don’t access, and it would block access to all gam- do your job, then you don’t get any work. If you bling websites on its public Wi-Fi hotspots. are a doctor and you botch operations you are All licensed Australian bookmakers would not a doctor anymore. If you are a basketball have to provide mandatory reporting of all suspi- player you come ready.” cious betting alerts, the governing body added. Veteran Dwayne Wade, who left Miami in An independent review panel, formed to inves- the off season to return home to Chicago after tigate allegations of corruption in tennis and the the Heat gave up on him, led the Bulls with 19 eff ectiveness of existing integrity procedures, is points. Rajon Rondo fi nished an assist short of expected to release its findings before the Aus- a triple-double with 12 points, 10 rebounds and tralian Open, which runs from January 16-29. nine assists. Jimmy Butler, who’d scored at least 20 points in his previous 15 games, added 13 — Rinaldi named US Fed Cup captain all in the second half. Taj Gibson and Robin Lopez each had 12 for ormer world number seven Kathy Rinaldi the Bulls, who led by as much as 18 points in the Fhas been appointed US Fed Cup captain in third quarter and fended off strong San Antonio place of Mary Joe Fernandez, who relinquished comeback attempt in the fourth. the role in October, the United States Tennis “We needed a win,” said Wade. “When you’re Association (USTA) has announced. Rinaldi, 49, out there playing, you’re not thinking about takes over an expanded position which will also how this team’s on a roll on the road. You’re just involve working with Team USA players through- thinking about getting the win. That’s a very out the WTA Tour season and a much closer liai- good team, of course, but tonight was about us son with the USTA’s player development. Rinaldi fi nding a way to get a win here at home.” won three WTA singles titles and two doubles Kawhi Leonard led the Spurs and all scorers crowns during a playing career that ended in with 24 points, Patty Mills added 16 points and September 1997. In 1981, she became at 14 years, Pau Gasol had a double-double (13 points, 10 91 days the youngest player to win a match at rebounds) in his return to Chicago after leaving Wimbledon, a record that stood until 1990. The via free agency in the off season. United States, winners of a record 17 Fed Cup “Because of our talent and quality of play, we titles, last won the women’s team competition in are able to make up ground. Tonight we were 2000 and were runners-up in 2010. down (18) and were able to make up some ground, but in the end it wasn’t enough,” said Gasol. IPTL will bounce back, says Bhupathi Chicago Bulls forward Doug McDermott (left) tries to get past San Antonio Spurs guard Manu Ginobili. (Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports) DeRozan, Lowry spoil he International Premier Tennis League team like that, that plays extremely hard. They nine-point defi cit to tie the game with 4:45 left in (14), and Saric with 13. The Pelicans lost their Twill “bounce back” despite the pulling out Wiggins’ homecoming party jumped out on us and we had to fi ght back the the quarter. Wiggins led all fi rst-half scorers with fourth straight game despite Anthony Davis’ 26 of Roger Federer and Serena Williams over whole game until the fourth quarter.” 15 points. Lowry led the Raptors with 12 points. points and 11 rebounds. Guard Langston Gal- money problems and dropping from five tour- In Toronto, DeMar DeRozan scored 27 points Zach LaVine scored 29 points and Karl-An- DeRozan needs 250 more points to equal loway also scored in double fi gures for the Peli- naments to three, its founder said yesterday. and Kyle Lowry tallied 25 points and 11 assists as thony Towns recorded 17 points and 11 rebounds forward Chris Bosh as the Raptors all-time cans with 19 points. Mahesh Bhupathi, who launched the IPTL the Toronto Raptors rallied to beat the Minne- for Minnesota. The Timberwolves took a one- leading scorer. In Salt Lake City, Stephen Curry scored 26 in 2014, said he was sure “new money” was sota Timberwolves 124-110 in Andrew Wiggins’ point lead into the fourth quarter but consecu- points and Kevin Durant added 21, including 11 on its way for the innovative tournament, homecoming game. tive three-pointers by Lowry and Patrick Pat- Sixers snap road losing streak in fourth quarter, to help Golden State hold off a without specifying where it would come from. Wiggins scored 11 of his 25 points in the fi rst terson had the Raptors ahead by 12 points with late rally and defeat the Utah Jazz 106-99. The IPTL, which features a shortened scoring quarter but the Timberwolves were no match less than fi ve minutes to play. In New Orleans, Dario Saric scored eight system, shot-clock, cheerleaders, DJs and for the off ensive fi repower of the Raptors at LaVine hit a three-point shot with 3:06 to consecutive points in a decisive fourth-quarter franchise-based teams is billed as a refreshing home. Wiggins, who was the fi rst overall draft play to cut Toronto’s lead to seven points but the charge and Ersan Ilyasova had a team-high 23 Results update to the traditional tennis format. But pick in 2014, is from the Toronto area and re- Raptors’ march continued. Cory Joseph came points as the Philadelphia 76ers snapped a 23- CHICAGO 95 ...... San Antonio 91 this year’s tournament is missing most of the ceives plenty of attention each time he crosses off the bench to score 12 points for the Raptors game road losing streak with a 99-88 win over Golden State 106 ...... UTAH 99 game’s top players and this week, the IPTL the border to play. Toronto’s Jonas Valanciunas and DeMarre Carroll scored 10. Gorgui Dieng the New Orleans Pelicans. MEMPHIS 88 ...... Portland 86 said superstars Federer and Williams were added 20 points and 10 rebounds. fi nished with 10 points for Minnesota. The Sixers entered the game with the NBA’s Philadelphia 99 ...... NEW ORLEANS 88 skipping the Indian leg. Bhupathi has blamed “We just picked it up,” DeRozan said. “We Wiggins scored 11 points in the fi rst quarter worst record, but they had fi ve players in double TORONTO 124 ...... Minnesota 110 their absence on chaos caused by India’s with- kicked in our experience of understanding on fi ve-for-seven shooting to lead the Timber- fi gures, comprising Ilyasova, guard Sergio Ro- WASHINGTON 92 ...... Denver 85 drawal of 500 and 1,000 rupee banknotes. how to win games. We can’t underestimate a wolves to a 32-22 lead. The Raptors overcame a driquez (16), Joel Embiid (14) and Nik Stauskas (Home team in CAPS) Gulf Times 6 Saturday, December 10, 2016 SPORT BOXING Chisora punished Joshua eyes Klitschko but bout to prize in Molina bout go ahead ‘I will make Eric look like a novice. It’s a breaking-down job. This is boxing, this is science. It’s about being clever, so I’m going to go later on in the rounds breaking him down. I’m the guy that should beat Klitschko, so I have to make sure I perform like the guy who should beat Klitschko’

AFP London

iery heavyweight Dereck Chisora has been fined £25,000 ($31,000, F29,600 euros) and received a suspended two-year ban for hurling a table at a press conference to promote tonight’s bitter bout with British champion Dillian Whyte. The British Boxing Board of Control (BBBC) — who have withdrawn 32-year- old Zimbabwe-born Chisora’s licence before for disciplinary reasons — have also deemed the fight will no longer be for the British title. It will, however, still be a WBC world heavyweight title eliminator fight, although the duo will weigh in at diff erent times and not face-off as Wednesday’s ill- tempered press conference is not the first time they have clashed out of the ring. “The Board considered the matter with great care and concern,” read a statement form the BBBC. “Mr Chisora’s previous record, which is not good, was consid- ered, as was a letter written to him, his opponent Dillian Whyte, his manager and the promoters by the General Secretary of the Board, dated the 16th November 2016, warning them that they should not misbehave and bring the sport of boxing into disrepute prior to the contest. Anthony Joshua (left) and Eric Molina during “Having viewed and listened to a record- the weigh-in ahead of tonight's fight. (Reuters) ing of what occurred the Board concluded that Mr Chisora’s behaviour fell far short of that expected from a licensed boxer. AFP American Molina. turns 41 in March, has been lined up respectful of Molina’s power, with 19 weeks ago after Klitschko opted to wait Indeed his behaviour was wholly unaccept- Manchester “I will make Eric look like a novice,” to meet Joshua at Wembley Stadium in of his 25 wins being stoppages. until next year to box again. able and deserving of punishment.” said Joshua, who has knocked out all London on April 29. “He’s looking for that one-shot The Mexican-American made an Chisora previously fell foul of the BBBC 17 of his professional opponents, at a Molina, 34, is attempting to pull knockout and anyone who is 17 or 18 inauspicious start to his career — he when they banned him for his behaviour orld heavyweight cham- press conference in Manchester. off a big shock and scoff ed at Joshua’s stone (108 kilogrammes/238 pounds was knocked out in the fi rst round of before and after a world title fight with pion Anthony Joshua “It’s a breaking-down job. This is promise to make him look like a begin- or 114kg/252lbs), that is possible,” said his professional debut in 2007 — but Vitali Klitschko in 2012. fi ghts Eric Molina to- boxing, this is science. It’s about being ner. “You have to make me look like a the 2012 Olympic gold medallist. stopped two-weight world champion They withdrew his licence to box after night, but all the talk this clever, so I’m going to go later on in the novice,” Molina said to Joshua. “He’s said he has spotted three or Tomasz Adamek in his last fi ght. he slapped Klitschko at their weigh-in for Wweek has been about who the Briton rounds breaking him down. “If you slip up once, you will be four weakness in me, but I’ve seen Molina has taken a break from his the world title bout in Munich and spat could fi ght next. “If I get past Eric, it’s only going to dancing. All of Britain will be very 10 or 13 weaknesses in him and it’s job of teaching disabled children, after water in the face of his opponent’s brother, Joshua’s second defence of his IBF get tougher. I’m the guy that should surprised. Joshua’s not even the best fi rst come, fi rst served. It’s fi rst to the attaining a masters degree in special Wladimir. Chisora subsequently brawled world crown might not be generating beat Klitschko, so I have to make sure heavyweight in the division. (Deontay) punch and I’m ready for a 12-round education four years ago, and win or with former world heavyweight champion as much excitement and anticipation I perform like the guy who should beat Wilder is the hardest puncher in the fi ght because he’s dangerous.” lose against Joshua, he plans on re- David Haye at the post-bout press confer- as his previous fi ghts, but much is on Klitschko.” division.” Joshua, 27, has hardly put a foot turning to the day job. ence after they exchanged insults. the line. Klitschko, who reigned for over nine It is Molina’s second world heavy- wrong in his professional career, aside “He’s going to have the toughest Chisora and Whyte’s unappetising Should he prevail, Joshua will be years until he lost on points to Briton weight title fi ght, after he gave WBC from one brief moment of concern fi ght of his career — that’s a guarantee,” promotion for the bout — which is on the set to face former world champion Tyson Fury a year ago, will be an inter- champion Wilder a scare early on be- against compatriot Dillian Whyte a Molina said. “This is the heavyweight undercard of Anthony Joshua’s world Wladimir Klitschko in a 2017 mega- ested observer when Joshua gets into fore being knocked out in the ninth year ago. division. What makes it so exciting is heavyweight title defence against Eric fi ght and he must therefore ensure the ring at the Manchester Arena. round last year. That was the Texan’s Molina was drafted in as a replace- that any one punch can change the fi ght Molina in Manchester — comes a week nothing upsets those plans against The Ukrainian powerhouse, who third professional defeat, but Joshua is ment opponent for Joshua less than six and I bring that to the table.” after Haye threw a punch at fellow Briton and WBC cruiserweight champion Tony Bellew in a press conference to promote SWIMMING their fight next March. Crawford looks to end year on a high Le Clos breaks 100m fl y world record Los Angeles: Terence Crawford puts his World Boxing Organization and World AFP holder Mireia Belmonte of Spain, who Boxing Association super lightweight Montreal pulled out of the event after a disap- titles on the line in Omaha, Nebraska, pointing showing in the 400m medley tonight against big-punching John Mo- on Tuesday. lina, who showed his mettle in June in an had le Clos, rebounding from Germany’s Marco Koch further upset win over Ruslan Provodnikov. what he considered a disap- soothed the disappointment of Rio Unbeaten Crawford, the Boxing Writers pointing Rio Olympics, won with a victory in the 200m breast- Association of America fighter of the year his second gold of the Short stroke, adding a second gold to the in 2014, has two victories already on his CourseC Swimming World Champion- 100m breast title he captured on resume in 2016, taking his record to 29-0 ships on Thursday with a world record- Wednesday. (20 knockouts) with a fifth-round techni- setting victory in the 100m butterfl y. Koch, the reigning long course world cal knockout of Henry Lundy in February The South African’s time of 48.08sec champion who was relegated to sev- and a unanimous decision over Viktor improved his own world record of enth in the 200m breast at the Olym- Postol in Las Vegas in July. 48.44, set at the previous edition of the pics, clocked a championship record of The 29-year-old will be a heavy favorite championships in Doha in 2014. 2:01.21 for a comfortable win over Brit- in front of his hometown fans against Le Clos, denied a 200m fl y Olympic ain’s Andrew Willis (2:02.71) with Rus- 33-year-old Molina, despite the Califor- repeat in Rio, added another gold to the sia’s Mikhail Dorinov third in 2:03.09. nian’s impressive win over former titlist 200m fl y title he captured on Tuesday Australian Brittany Elmslie, a relay Provodnikov that took his record to 29-6 when the championships kicked off in gold medallist in Rio, snatched victory with 23 knockouts. Windsor, Canada. in the women’s 100m freestyle, earning “You’ve got to be careful with the type American Tom Shields was second her fi rst short course world title in 51.81. of guys that throw wild punches and in 49.04 and Australian David Morgan Silver went to 2012 double Olym- come in with their head,” Crawford said. claimed bronze in 49.31. pic sprint gold medallist Ranomi Kro- “He’s a strong puncher. He’s upset a lot of Hungary’s one-woman wrecking mowidjojo of the Netherlands, who people and he’s hurt a lot of people.” crew of Katinka Hosszu, a treble gold was second in 51.92, while Canadian Nevertheless, Crawford is already envi- medallist in Rio, picked up her fourth teenager Penny Oleksiak, who shared sioning a victory that he believes should individual gold of the championships 100m free gold with American Simone earn him another fighter of the year nod. in the 200m backstroke. Manuel in Rio, took bronze in 52.01. “I did a number on Hank Lundy, the kind It was another convincing win for The United States capped the night that nobody else was able to do,” Crawford the “Iron Lady,” who was in control with a victory in the mixed 4x50m said. “I unified the title against Postol, a guy from the 50m mark and steadily built medley relay. Michael Chadwick, everybody said was almost as good as I her lead to win in 2:00.79 — more than swimming the fi nal freestyle leg, hit was. I am an undefeated champion and a second in front of runner-up Daryna the water in seventh place but stormed was fighting a guy (Postol) coming off a Zevina of Ukraine (2:02.24). Australian home to complete the victory in 1:37.22. knockout win against (Lucas) Matthysse Emily Seebohm took bronze in 2:02.65. The win gave breaststroker Lilly and I totally dominated him. Hosszu, winner of the 200m but- King her third gold of the champion- “Now I’m fighting another guy com- terfl y, 100m back and 400m indi- But she wasn’t a factor as she Smith, the 400m free bronze med- Kiah Melverton was earned bronze in ships, after an individual triumph in ing off an impressive win, a number one vidual medley earlier in the meeting, capped her night with an eighth-place allist in Rio, led all the way to head a US 8:16.51. the 50m breast and her swim on Amer- contender, and a win over him should con- also topped the semi-fi nal times in the fi nish in the 800m freestyle won by one-two in 8:10.17. Ashley Twichell The 800 free fi eld was missing ica’s world record-setting women’s vince people that I am fighter of the year.” 100m individual medley. American Leah Smith. was second in 8:11.95 and Australian reigning champion and world record- 4x50m medley relay. Gulf Times Saturday, December 10, 2016 7 SPORT

FOCUS GOLF / DUBAI LADIES MASTERS Resurgent Willett Birdie blitz lift s Johnson makes charge at to Dubai lead

AFP Parker — fourth in the Order of Merit Dubai but without a win this year — insisted she could snatch victory on Saturday. “The only thing I haven’t done this sensational round of eight- year is win and that’s all I’m going to do under par 64 lifted England’s tomorrow. And I’m just going to go for Hong Kong Open Felicity Johnson to a two-shot it,” she warned. lead yesterday heading into Ashok, who made four birdies in fi ve theA fi nal round of the tragedy-hit Dubai holes in the middle of her round, has Cabrera Bello shoots sparkling 65 to extend his lead to three strokes Ladies Masters. won the last two individual LET tour- Play was suspended early Wednesday naments, including her home Open. AFP two days’ time.” in the season-ending championship of “Obviously I didn’t play as well on Hong Kong It wasn’t such a good day for Poul- the Ladies European Tour following the the par 5s as I thought I would. It’s not ter, who snarled at a cameraman dur- death of caddie Max Zechmann on the great, but it was still two-under, so it’s ing his mini-collapse as he quadruple- course, and the tournament has been not bad. I’m happy,” she added. asters champion Danny bogeyed 15 and bogeyed 18 to card 72 reduced to 54 holes. Willett rediscovered his and survive the cut by a stroke. Johnson, who started the day tied for LEADING SECOND-ROUND SCORES magic touch as he shot Rose, the biggest draw at the $2mn 47th place after her one-over par 73 on 137: Felicity Johnson (ENG) 73-64 four-under-par 66 to lie tournament and struggling with a bad Thursday, was bogey-free in a second 139: Florentyna Parker (ENG) 67-72 Mhot on the trail of Rafa Cabrera Bello at back, was also worried about miss- round that contained eight birdies. 140: Aditi Ashok (IND) 70-70, Emily Kris- the Hong Kong Open yesterday. ing the cut until he rolled in birdies on Overnight leader Florentyna Parker, tine Pedersen (DEN) 69-71 As injury-hampered defending holes three, seven and eight to score could only fi nish on even-par 72 after 141: Angel Yin (USA) 71-70, Ashleigh Si- champion Justin Rose and Ian Poulter one-under 69. mixing three birdies with three bogeys, mon (RSA) 69-72, Laura Jansone (LAT) — left fuming after a late quadruple The Olympic champion said he was but the Englishwoman slipped only one 69-72, Cheyenne Woods (USA) 68-73, bogey — fl irted with the cut, Willett moving more freely on day two but position to second at fi ve-under par. Georgia Hall (ENG) 71-70, Lynn Carlsson fi nally located the form that has elud- after a number of missed putts, the India’s Aditi Ashok, continued her (SWE) 71-70, Linda Wessberg (SWE) 70- ed him for months. tournament is slipping out of reach. hot streak as the 18-year-old moved 71, Jade Schaeff er (FRA) 69-72 The 29-year-Englishman has “I set myself a mini-goal of fi nish- into contention for a third straight title 142: Shanshan Feng (CHN) 72-70, Klara slumped since winning his fi rst ma- ing the day three under which I felt with a second successive two-under Spilkova (CZE) 71-71, Thidapa Suwan- jor title in April, dropping out of the would keep me in touch,” he said. par 70. She was tied third at four-under napura (THA) 71-71, Isabelle Boineau world’s top 10, and he was delighted to “It’s going to require a couple of low alongside Denmark’s Emily Kristine (FRA) 71-71, Jodi Ewart Shadoff (ENG) lie joint third after round two. ones now,” he said. Pedersen (71). 71-71, Kylie Walker (SCO) 70-72, Amelia “It’s nice to be in this position after “It was a beautiful morning out Lewis (USA) 70-72, Gwladys Nocera the last few months,” said Willett, who LEADING SECOND ROUND SCORES there. Obviously the bacon tomato (FRA) 70-72, Leticia Ras-Anderica (GER) skipped the BMW Masters and last 129: Rafa Cabrera Bello (ESP) 64-65 sandwich I had for breakfast worked 70-72, Nontaya Srisawang (THA) 72-70, month’s World Cup to rest a bad back. 132: Sam Brazel (AUS) 66-66 this morning. It was a great day for 143: Lina Bloqvist (DEN) 73-70, Stacey “I came out here probably as fresh 134: Danny Willett (ENG) 68-66, golf,” said Johnson, 29, a two-time Keating (AUS) 72-71, Charley Hull (ENG) as I’ve been for a month and a half,” he Paul Peterson (USA) 66-68, Tommy winner on the LET, who started with 72-71, Belen Mozo (ESP) 72-71, Carly said. “It’s probably showed mentally Fleetwood (ENG) 66-68, Justin Walters four birdies in her fi rst fi ve holes. Booth (SCO) 72-71, Kelsey McDonald more than anything.” (RSA) 67-67 “I hit a lot of really close iron shots. (SCO) 72-71, Emma Cabrera-Bello (ESP) However, Willett remains fi ve adrift 135: Thongchai Jaidee (THA) 67-68, I holed out really well with my putts 71-72, Isi Gabsa (GER) 71-72, Anne van of Ryder Cup team-mate Cabrera Bel- Hung Chien-yao (TPE) 69-66, Danny but I had probably seven birdie putts Dam (NED) 69-74, lo, who shot a sparkling 65 at par-70 Chia (MAS) 69-66, Steve Lewton (ENG) within four feet, so that always makes 144: Camilla Lennarth (SWE) 73-71, Fanling to lie 11-under and extend his 68-67 the game a little bit easier. Nanna Koertz Madsen (DEN) 73-71, lead to three strokes. 136: Carlos Pigem (ESP) 68-68, Peter “All the ones I hit close, I converted, Pornanong Phatlum (THA) 72-72, Noemi While Willett hasn’t tasted victory Uihlein (USA) 66-70, Daniel Im (USA) so just 24 putts. Hitting a lot of good Jimenez Martin (ESP) 71-73, Nuria Itur- since the Masters in April, Cabrera 69-67, Benjamin Hebert (FRA) 66-70, iron shots, you’re going to have a good rios (ESP) 69-75, Sophie Giquel-Bettan Bello’s winless streak stretches all the Jason Scrivener (AUS) 67-69, Andrew score.” (FRA) 68-76 way back to the Dubai Desert Masters Dodt (AUS) 69-67, David Lipsky (USA) in 2012. 66-70 “I know I will win again. I’ve won before,” said the Spaniard, 32. “I don’t think I’m doing anything England’s Danny Willett putts wrong not to get the win, so it will during round two of the UBS Hong happen. Hopefully it will happen in Kong Open yesterday. (AFP)

Chinese teenager Dou Zecheng sets sights on PGA Tour

AFP can playing rights — where he was returned home to Henan province, on the PGA Tour,” he said. Hong Kong named Player of the Year and Order has played with two-time Masters And he was under no illusions of of Merit winner after four tourna- champion Bubba Watson at the the diff iculties he will face settling ment wins. Shenzhen International in April. into his new life in the US, where he eenage Chinese golfer Dou “It’s definitely great they had the PGA Dou said he was impressed with the will be based either in Las Vegas or Zecheng set his sights yes- Tour China Series in China, which did top players’ mental strength. Houston. Tterday on becoming the first bring a lot of foreign guys to play,” he “When they make a bogey they come “It’s really hard for players from mainland player to win a PGA Tour told AFP. back with five birdies, and that’s what China, they’ve got to travel and card as he shrugged off a disappoint- He singled out US golfer Charlie we need to learn,” he said. spend time in a diff erent country”, ing debut at the Hong Kong Open. Saxon, who finished second in the Dou is following in the footsteps of Chi- Dou said. The 19-year-old crashed out of the PGA Tour China Series Order of nese golf sensation Li Haotong, who “And there are not a lot of (Chinese event after failing to make the cut Merit, as someone he had enjoyed also won the PGA Tour China Series players) to talk to over there, which but he was looking to the future and competing against. Player of the Year honours in 2014. makes you a little bit lonely.” a season playing in the United States “He hits it long and straight, which He said players such as Li represent- But he remains determined and on the Web.com Tour. you wouldn’t see so much from ed the “next generation of Chinese said golfers such as Tiger Woods He won the chance after an out- Chinese players,” said Dou. golfers”, but added he was deter- and Rory McIlroy were players who standing season in the PGA Tour The teenager, who only got his driv- mined to keep his feet on the ground. would inspire him in his career. China Series — designed to put play- ing licence two days after winning “I wouldn’t say I’m Chinese so I’m “They’re players who make golf dif- ers on the road to securing Ameri- the PGA Tour China Series when he special — you’ve still got to play good ferent,” he said.

19th Qatar National Purebred Arabian Horse Show

Florentyna Parker of England plays a shot during the third round of the Dubai Ladies Masters at the Emirates Golf Club yesterday. (AFP)

SPOTLIGHT Kelly-Stricker lead Templeton Shootout

AFP Kelly and Stricker are playing to- Miami gether for the record eighth time. They won in 2009, and Kelly also won with Rod Pampling ten years ago. erry Kelly and Steve Stricker got Harris and Rio Olympics bronze off to a rousing start at the Fran- medallist Kuchar won in their fi rst start klin Templeton Shootout, fi ring together in 2013 and were runners up an opening round 16-under 56 the last two years. forJ a one-stroke lead in Naples, Florida, Charles Howell and South African on Thursday. Rory Sabbatini were third at 59, and The former winners of the event defending champions Brandt Snedeker have a slight lead over fellow Ameri- and Jason Dufner shot a 60 with Kevin cans Harris English and Matt Kuchar at Chappell-Kevin Kisner and England’s the Tiburon Golf Club course. Luke Donald-Russell Knox of Scotland. Kelly and Stricker combined to shoot Lexi Thompson, a seven time win- one eagle, 14 birdies and three pars in ner on the LPGA Tour, became just the the fi rst round scramble format as they second woman to compete in the event fi nished just one stroke shy of match- after Annika Sorenstam in 2006. ing the event’s 18 hole scoring record The 21-year-old Thompson played which has been set four times. brilliantly, fi nishing with an eagle Theeb Al Shaqab representative Sheikh Hamad bin Ali al-Thani receives the trophy after the colt finished second in Class 2 for Colt Foals at the 19th Qatar The teams will play modifi ed alter- on No. 18. She and her playing part- National Purebred Arabian Horse Show at the Al Shaqab Arena yesterday. PICTURE: Juhaim nate shot Friday and close with better ner Bryson DeChambeau, 22, were in ball on Saturday. eighth after a 62.

Saturday, December 10, 2016 GULF TIMES SPORT

TABLE TENNIS / ITTF WORLD TOUR GRAND FINALS SPOTLIGHT Olympic champions Yuling in pole position Ning and Long aft er Ning pullout; Ma named ITTF stars Long cruises through Yuling makes it to semi-finals after stern test in quarters by Cheng I-Ching

By Sahan Bidappa Doha

Awardees take a selfie at the ITTF Star Awards in Doha on Thursday. he women’s fi eld at the ITTF World Tour Grand Finals was thrown By Sports Reporter wide open after defending cham- Doha pion Ding Ning of China withdrew Tfrom the event in Doha yesterday. Ning was scheduled to play Germany’s io Olympic champions Han Ying in the quarter-fi nals at the Ali Ding Ning and Ma Long Bin Hamad Al Attiyah Arena, but the of China were named world and Olympic champion was forced female and male Table to pull out as she suff ered from a high TennisR Stars respectively at the temperature. ITTF Star Awards, held in Doha The absence of Ning very much opens on Thursday night. up the top half of the draw, with Zhu Yul- The award show was held on ing, also of China, now the highest ranked the sidelines of the ITTF World player in the tournament. The world No. Tour Grand Finals, which began 4, who is in other half of the draw, yester- at the Ali Bin Hamad Al Atti- day sealed her spot in the semis. yah Arena on Thursday. In total, Ding Ning receives her award. The 21-year-old is seeded third in Doha eight awards were handed out and the Chinese hopes fi rmly rest on her. to honour the world’s best table Yuling, however, was given a stern test in tennis athletes. the quarters by Chinese Taipei’s Cheng Having dominated the inter- I-Ching before she won 4-2 (8-11, 10-12, national table tennis scene since 12-10, 11-8, 11-8, 11-7). his victory at the 2015 World The No. 6 seed Ching won the fi rst two Championships, world number games but dropped her level, giving Yul- one Ma Long was the favourite ing a chance to make a recovery. And the Zhu Yuling of China beat Chinese Taipei’s Cheng I-Ching in the quarter-finals of the ITTF World Tour Grand Finals at the Ali Bin Hamad for the men’s award. The Chinese Chinese needed no second initiation as Al Attiyah Arena yesterday. PICTURES: Noushad Thekkayil was adjudged as the best in 2015 she won four games on the trot to clinch too and he became fi rst player to the match. receive the title twice in a row. Ching is one of the most improved “Thanks to the ITTF and the players on the circuit, having jumped Qatar Organizing Committee for from No.22 to No. 7 in the world rankings. giving me this award. I’m very Against Yuling, she unleashed her strong happy and honoured to receive forehand game to take a 2-0 lead but Yul- this award in Doha. Thanks to ing made some tactical changes to make everyone for the recognition of a comeback. my eff orts and results in 2016,” “She made many changes after the said Ma. second game; especially with her service. “I hope that through my ef- She served short and I made mistakes. I forts and those of other members am pleased with my level but disappoint- of the table tennis community, ed to lose,” said Ching. we will be able to spread table Yuling on the other hand was relieved tennis to more corners of the ITTF president Thomas Weik- to have got through. “It was a hard match globe,” he added. ert (right) and Qatar Table Ten- having to come back from two-nil down. Ding Ning was the over- nis Association president Khalil Ching played very well today, the scores whelming choice for the wom- al-Mohannadi cut a cake. were tight and even in the third game, I en’s award, which was voted for could only take the game after 10-10,” the by fellow players and members of when retrieving the ball from be- Chinese said. the media. Ding was also induct- low the height of the table at the “I think winning the silver medal at the ed into the ITTF Hall of Fame to- Japan Open. World Cup defi nitely was a big step in her gether with fellow teammates Xu Miu Hirano of Japan returned career; she’s more confi dent on court, Xu Xin (right) and Chen Chien-An in action during their match yesterday. Xin and Liu Shiwen. home with the Breakthrough Star more experienced and is able to handle Liu Guoliang of China received title. At 16, Hirano became the crucial points better. One reason why I in the tournament, having defeated Ding seventh and fi nal game 11-4. Yuan of Chinese Taipei 4-2 (11-13, 10-12, the Coach of the Year Award for youngest World Cup champion, lost in the fi rst two games was because I Ning in the Chinese Super League last With her victory over three-time Olym- 11-6, 11-7, 12-10, 11-1). the second time in succession, and is the fi rst non-Chinese ever wasn’t executing my strategy as planned. weekend. The 30-year-old was expected pic medallist Feng in Doha, Hirano looks The other two spots in the semis will while his compatriot Liu Jing was to take home the trophy. After that I was thinking of those points to make a strong bid for the sport’s big- set to cement her reputation as a player to be decided today, when Xu Xin of China named Para Female Athlete of the Egypt’s Rinad Fathy was the and how I could play those points to my gest prize but fi zzled out against Hirano watch out for in the future. In the last quar- takes on Japan’s Yuto Muramatsu, while Year. Jing had claimed her third 2016 Fair Play Star for acts of favour,” Yuling added. in the last two games. ter-fi nal today, Yang Haeun of South Korea Germany’s Dimitrij Ovtcharov meets Fan consecutive Paralympic sin- sportsmanship and honesty at Meanwhile, Han Ying will play the Tianwei, the 2010 champion, had will take on Japan’s Kasumi Ishikawa. Zhendong of China. gles gold in Rio earlier this year. the ITTF African Junior Cadet winner of the quarter-fi nal match be- come out fi ring in her match against the Meanwhile, men’s defending champi- Earlier, the No.8 seed Ovcharov had Belgium’s 16-year-old Laurens Championships. tween Japanese teen Miu Hirano and Japanese teenager, claiming the fi rst two on Ma Long cruised into the semis yester- beaten Hong Kong’s Tang Peng, the No.14 Devos took the Male Para Table At 2-2 and 12-11 in the Cadet Hong Kong’s Tie Yana, which is sched- games 11-6, 11-4. But the 16-year-old day. The Chinese was in supreme form as seed, in fi ve games (11-9, 11-5, 13-15, 14- Tennis Star award. At the Rio Girls’ Team Final, Fathy gave an uled for today afternoon. proved to be no walkover, as she clawed he dispatched Wong Chun Ting of Hong 12, 11-6) to reserve his place in the quar- Paralympic Games, Devos se- edge point to her opponent that Yesterday, world No. 11 Hirano, the back to win the next two games 11-9, 11-6. Kong 4-0 (11-4, 11-3, 11-6, 11-5). ter-fi nals. cured the Singles Class 9 title. At neither the umpire nor the assist- ninth seed in the tournament upset world While Tianwei looked ready to claim The World No. 1 Ma Long, also the Ol- The second seed Zhendong accounted 16 years, he became the youngest ant umpire saw, which resulted in No. 6 and fourth seed Feng Tianwei of victory after winning the fi fth game (11- ympic champion in Rio, hardly put a foot for Japan’s Koki Niwa, the No.15 seed 4-1 player ever to win gold in a table the loss of her individual game. Singapore in the round of 16. Tianwei 7), the veteran player could not fend off wrong not even giving Chun Ting a sniff . (11-6, 11-7, 11-7, 9-11, 11-4) and Xu Xin, tennis event at Paralympics. But Fathy’s sportsmanship made a bright start but eventually lost the challenge from her plucky young op- Up next for Ma Long in the semifi nal the No.3 seed, defeated 11th seeded Chi- Chinese Fan Zhendong was rewarded in the end, as 3-4 (11-6, 11-4, 9-11, 6-11, 11-7, 5-11, 4-11) ponent, as Hirano turned on the heat to today is Jung Young-sik of Korea. In the nese Taipei’s Chen Chien-An 4-0 (11-8, claimed the 2016 Star Point Egypt were crowned the eventual Tianwei was one of the fancied players level the score at 3-3 before winning the last eight, Young-sik beat Chuang Chih- 11-11, 11-6, 11-8). award for his amazing roller shot champions.

BOWLING Agerbo, Kulick win gold in World Singles

esper Agerbo of Den- (doubles and team) and fi nished mark and defending second to Agerbo in all-events. women’s champion Kel- In the other match, Ismail ly Kulick of the United sidelined three-time Asian StatesJ struck gold in the World champion Michael Mak (right) Singles Championships which of Hong Kong, 235-224. Ismail concluded yesterday with the received the silver medal while knock-out fi nals at Qatar Bowl- Mak and Jahi both got a bronze ing Center in Doha. medal. Along with the gold medal, The women’s medal round Agerbo and Kulick received featured three USA vs. Singa- 8,000 and 6,000 dollar bonus- pore matches. Fourth-seeded es, respectively. New, who won the season- Agerbo, a seven-time Eu- ending Smithfi eld PWBA Tour ropean champion, fl ew past Championship for her fi rst ca- 19-year-old Rafi q Ismail of reer PWBA title and the fi rst Malaysia, 256-205, to seal the major, edged top-seeded world Jesper Agerbo (right) of Denmark celebrates his win. victory. champion Shannon Pluhowsky, PWBA spokesperson Kulick, 238-237, to advance to the title who won the inaugural World match. Singles Championships in Cy- Second-seeded Kulick, who prus in 2012, defeated 2016 made sports history by win- PWBA Rookie of the Year New ning the 2010 PBA Tournament Hui Fen of Singapore, 214-195, of Champions to become the to successfully defend her title. fi rst woman to win a PBA Tour In the semi-fi nals, Agerbo, event, eliminated New’s team- who won three gold medals at mate and No. 3 seed, Shayna the 2016 European Champi- Ng, 216-172, in the other semi- onships (singles, trios and all- fi nal match. events), eliminated No. 4 seed, New earned the silver medal Joonas Jahi of Finland, 234-168. while Pluhowsky and Ng shared Jahi won two gold medals at the the bronze medal. Kelly Kulick of the United States (back row, second from left) won among the women, while New Hui Fen of 2016 European Championships (BowlingDigital.com) Singapore finished second, ahead of Shannon Pluhowsky and Shayna Ng, who shared the bronze medal. Kelly Kulick celebrates her win.