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Saturday, December 31, 2016 FOOTBALL Rabia II 2, 1438 AH Guardiola, Klopp GULF TIMES meet again in Anfi eld showdown SPORT Page 3 CHESS ‘Satisfi ed’ Karjakin claims

Muzychuk, who won Rapid earlier, completes Blitz world title golden double by defending her Blitz title

By Yash Mudgal Doha

ussia’s Sergey Karjakin fi n- ished the year on a “satisfi ed” note by clinching the Fide World Blitz Championship ti- Rtle yesterday. In the women’s section, consistent Ukrainian Anna Muzychuk completed a golden double by defending her blitz ti- tle she won in 2014 in Russia, a day after winning the rapid title. “I am satisfi ed with the victory as it came after a disappointment in USA. I am happy to go home with the world ti- tle,” the 26-year-old grandmaster said. Exactly two months after his narrow World Blitz winner Sergey Karjakin. loss to Magnus Carslen in the classi- cal World Chess Championship, the Russian gave the Norwegian a test of his own medicine by claiming the title under his nose at the Ali Bin Hamad Al Attiyah Arena. The Karjakin-Carlsen tussle in Doha was as close as the one in New York last November. The Russian scored 16.5 points from 21 rounds of the fast and furious form of the game, and so did the Norwegian. But the fi rst place went to Karjakin on tie-break. Carlsen and Karjakin dominated the blitz event from the very beginning. After Day 1, they shared the lead with 10.0/12 and they continued to lead throughout Day 2. However, before the last round Carlsen led with 16.0/20, Women’s Rapid and Blitz winner Anna while Karjakin was half a point behind. Muzychuk. In the last round, Carlsen was to play Peter Leko with black, while Karjakin Winners of the Fide World Rapid and Blitz Championship with Qatar Chess Association (QCA) president Khalifa al-Hitmi, Fide president Kirsan Ilyumzhinov and QCA had white against Baadur Jobava. general secretary Mohamed al-Medaihki at Ali Bin Hamad Al Attiyah Arena yesterday. PICTURES: Shemeer Rasheed After failing to create any serious winning chances against Leko, Carlsen realised that my play in rapid was not four rounds – the lone defeat coming told Gulf Times. STANDINGS fi nally settled for a perpetual and a upto the mark. I was bit upset with that. against his old nemesis Carlsen in the “I am happy with the golden dou- BLITZ: Open: 1-2. Sergey Karjakin (Rus) draw, while Karjakin grabbed his op- “So, on day one (of the blitz) I man- 20th and penultimate round. ble. It was a top field but after winning and Magnus Carlsen (Nor), 16.5/21; 3-5. portunity, defeating Jobava. aged to beat Carlsen, which was a beau- In the women’s section Muzychuk the rapid it gave me the confidence to Daniil Dubov (Rus), Hikaru Nakamura In the tie-break, the Elo-average of tiful continuation of our story in New emerged as the clear winner in the go for another title and I played con- (USA) and Alexander Grischuk (Rus) the opponents came into play. Karja- York. And after beating the Norwegian, 34-player fi eld. Muzychuk fi nished sistently in the blitz also. It is nice to 14.5; Women: 1. Anna Muzychuk (Ukr) kin’s opponents had a better average I realised I really could claim the cham- with 13 points from a possible 17. Rus- end the year on a winning note,” said 13/17; 2-3. Kateryna Lagno (Rus) and and that clinched the title for Karjakin. pion’s title.” sia’s Valentina Gunina came second, the Ukrainian. Gunina Valentina (Rus) 12.5; 4. Tan “Ahead of this championship, I Russian grandmaster Daniil Dubov, while Russia’s Kateryna Lagno secured The total prize money for the Open Zhongyi (Chn) 11; 5-6. Dronavalli Harika thought I only wanted to play chess 20, was in a three-way tie for bronze the third place. India’s Dronavalli Ha- tournament was $400,000 with the (Ind) and Daria Charochkina (Rus) 10.5. here and take a rest from all the at- with Hikaru Nakamura and defending rika fi nished fi fth overall after a tie with winner taking home $40,000 for each RAPID: Open: 1-3. Vassily Ivanchuk tention. I didn’t set any big goals for champion and compatriot Alexander Daris Charochkina of Russia on 10.5 championship. Total prize money (Ukr), Alexander Grischuk (Rus) and championship,” Karjakin said. Grischuk at 14.5 points. points in the 17-round competition. for the women’s championship was Magnus Carlsen (Nor) 11/15; Women: Talking about his victory route, he India’s Viswanathan Anand fi n- “It was a fantastic victory. I can’t $80,000 with the winner taking home 1. Anna Muzychuk (Ukr) 9.5/12; 2. said, “After an okay performance in the ished 10th overall with 13 points, af- believe yet that I have won two back $20,000 for winning both the champi- Alexander Kosteniuk (Rus) 8.5; 3. Nana rapid event I tried harder in the blitz. I ter recording three wins in the last to back championships,” Muzychuk onships. Dzanigdze (Geo) 8 Rapid champion Vassily Ivanchuk.

CRICKET / AUS VS PAK, DAY 5, 2ND TEST Starc brilliance earns Australia series victory

Reuters he smashed an unbeaten 165 in the morn- Australia spinner Nathan In Melbourne it was their senior play- (Wade), 7-608 (Starc), 8-624 (Lyon) Melbourne ing session and watched Pakistan disin- shrugged off recent form woes to bowl ers leading from the front, with David Bowling: Amir 33-6-91-0 (1nb 1w), Sohail tegrate on a sun-bathed afternoon. his best spell of the series, capturing Warner’s run-a-ball 143 and Smith’s 17th 31-7-131-3, Y. Shah 41-2-207-3, Riaz 32-5- After declaring Australia’s fi rst in- three wickets in the middle session, two ton setting a platform before Lyon and 147-2 (12nb), Azhar 5-0-35-0 itchell Starc shone with nings at 624 for eight just before lunch, of them in three balls to remove stal- Starc brought the match home. bat and ball as Australia Smith gave his bowlers 68 overs to run warts Younus Khan (24) and Misbah. “We’re still a work in progress. We’re PAKISTAN 2nd innings dismissed Pakistan for 163 through the tourists. Rookie batsman Peter Handscomb a young team and I’m proud of the boys,” S. Aslam b Hazlewood 2 to secure an innings and In the end, they needed only 53.2 overs was outstanding at short leg, clutching Smith added. “It’s been outstanding but A. Ali lbw b Hazlewood 43 M18-run victory in the second Test yes- of the quota as Pakistan’s demise has- two tough chances to remove Younus we want a clean sweep in Sydney.” B. Azam lbw b Starc 3 terday, the win giving the hosts an un- tened against the reversing ball after tea. and Asad Shafi q for 16. Y. Khan c Handscomb b Lyon 24 assailable 2-0 lead in the three-match “I said to the boys that cricket’s a Pakistan went to tea on a shaky 91-5 SCORECARD M. Ul-Haq c Maddinson b Lyon 0 series. funny game and anything can happen,” and three overs after the break, seamer PAKISTAN 1st innings 443-9 dec A. Shafiq c Handscomb b Lyon 16 Lanky left-arm paceman Starc Smith told reporters of his morning ad- Josh Hazlewood trapped Azhar Ali, Paki- AUSTRALIA 1st innings (o/n 465-6) S. Ahmed b Starc 43 smashed 84 with the bat, including a dress to his team. I thought Starcy was stan’s last specialist batsman, lbw for 43. M. Renshaw b Yasir Shah 10 M. Amir b Bird 11 record seven sixes at the Melbourne incredible.” Paceman Jackson Bird bowled Mo- D. Warner c Sarfraz b Riaz 144 S. Khan not out 10 Cricket Ground, then tore through Pa- Pakistan lost the fi rst Test in Bris- hammad Amir for 11 and a sizzling U. Khawaja c Sarfraz b Riaz 97 W. Riaz b Starc 0 kistan’s tail with 4-36 as Australia’s bane by 39 runs but won admiration for Starc inswinger accounted for wicket- S. Smith not out 165 Y. Shah c Bird b Starc 0 bowlers snatched an unlikely win from their dogged fourth innings resistance, keeper Sarfraz Ahmed for 43, cleaned P. Handscomb c Sami b Sohail 54 Extras (b4, lb5, nb2) 11 a rain-blighted match. when they put an Australian record to- up through the gate. N. Maddinson b Yasir Shah 22 Total (all out, 53.2 overs) 163 Pakistan’s capitulation left their tal of 450 on the board. Starc returned to bowl Wahab Riaz M. Wade c Shafiq b Sohail 9 Fall of wickets: 1-3 (Aslam), 2-6 (Azam), captain heart-broken and after fall- Much of that acclaim evaporated on for a duck and wrapped up the win by M. Starc c Shafiq b Sohail 84 3-63 (Younis), 4-63 (Misbah), 5-89 ing for a second-ball duck with a rash Friday as their shambolic batting fol- having Yasir Shah sky an easy catch to N. Lyon c and b Shah 12 (Shafiq), 6-101 (Azhar), 7-143 (Amir), sweep-shot, 42-year-old veteran Mis- lowed an equally abysmal eff ort in the Bird at mid-on. Extras (b1, lb12, w1, nb13) 27 8-153 (Sarfraz), 9-159 (Riaz), 10-163 bah-ul-Haq said he would consider re- fi eld in the morning. Following the Hobart thrashing by Total (8 wickets dec, 142 overs) 624 (Shah) tiring before the series fi nale in Sydney. series win in Australia goes on and they South Africa, which surrendered the se- Fall of wickets: 1-46 (Renshaw), 2-244 Bowling: Starc 15.2-4-36-4, Hazlewood For home captain and man of the LYON ROARS have now lost four matches in succes- ries, Australia’s new-look team have won (Warner), 3-282 (Khawaja), 4-374 13-3-39-2, Bird 11-2-46-1 (2nb), Lyon match Steve Smith, it was a golden day as Pakistan’s 52-year wait for a maiden sion. their last three matches in succession. (Handscomb), 5-433 (Maddinson), 6-454 14-4-33-3 Gulf Times 2 Saturday, December 31, 2016 CRICKET

FOCUS CHANGE Misbah considers retirement ahead of fi nal Test Australia look to spin AFP Melbourne attack in Sydney

aptain Misbah-ul-Haq said Reuters While the duo are likely to be reunit- he was considering retire- Melbourne ed in Sydney, coach Darren Lehmann ment after Pakistan’s shat- said two-Test Agar also had a genuine tering two-session capitula- claim as an all-rounder. tionC to Australia in the second Test in ustralia have included spin- “He’s made (Sheffi eld) Shield hun- Melbourne to lose the series yester- ners Stephen O’Keefe and dreds and obviously batted well in that day. Ashton Agar in their squad Test match at number 11,” Lehmann Pakistan, who appeared safe from for the third and fi nal Test told reporters, referring to Agar’s im- defeat after amassing 443 for nine de- againstA Pakistan in Sydney after taking pressive 98 on debut against clared in their fi rst innings, crashed an unassailable 2-0 series lead in Mel- at Trent Bridge in the 2013 Ashes. to an innings and 18-run defeat to bourne with an innings and 18-run vic- “He’s certainly got the talent to be a the Australians on the fi nal day at the tory yesterday. batting all-rounder or a spinning all- Melbourne Cricket Ground. Uncapped paceman Chadd Sayers rounder, either way.” Misbah’s tactics and fi elding strat- and middle order batsman Nic Mad- Lyon came into the Melbourne Test egy were questioned during the Box- dinson, who failed to perform in his under pressure after a lean home sum- ing Day Test and he scored just 11 and a fi rst three Tests, were dropped from the mer but bowled his best spell on the duck in his two trips to the crease. squad. fi fth day against Pakistan, capturing The 42-year-old veteran of 71 Tests O’Keefe has been rested from the three wickets as the tourists were dis- from 2001 said he would decide in Sydney Sixers’ Twenty20 match on missed for 163. the coming days whether to call time Saturday and will vie with fellow left- Steve Smith had declined to back on his career and indicated he was no armer Agar to bowl in a twin-spin at- Lyon as an automatic selection for Syd- guarantee to play the third Test, start- tack with Nathan Lyon at the Sydney ney but the skipper was eff usive in his ing in Sydney on Tuesday. Cricket Ground Test which starts on praise for the off -spinner after the win, “I think I need to think about it,” Tuesday. as was Lehmann, who confi rmed him Misbah told reporters after the Test O’Keefe teamed with Lyon against Australia’s “number one” slow bowler. defeat. West Indies at the SCG in January and “I thought he was outstanding,” Le- “I always believed that if I couldn’t Pakistan’s Misbah-ul-Haq (right) walks off after been dismissed by Australia’s Nathan Lyon (left) on the final day of the both took three wickets in the fi rst in- hmann added. contribute to the team then it’s no second Test in Melbourne yesterday. (AFP) nings of the rain-aff ected draw. “He bowled consistent line and point staying there. I haven’t decided The pair also bowled in tandem in the length, which he was sort of up and (about Sydney) but let’s see.” innings following Australia’s declara- way they batted to put us under pres- on the last day. fi rst Test defeat in Sri Lanka in July before down with in the previous few Test Misbah said he could off er no expla- tion of 624 for eight. sure,” he said. “I think we should take the blame O’Keefe suff ered a hamstring tear and matches, and really got through the nation for his side’s dramatic collapse “Pressure sometimes does things “After scoring 443 you should not as a batting unit because the pitch was was sidelined for the rest of the tour. middle order so I’m pleased for him.” after trailing by 181 runs on the fi rst like that. Full credit to Australia the be in that position to lose a Test match very good on the last day.”

SPOTLIGHT SA VS SL, DAY 5, 1ST TEST Pakistan skip Kamran, Hafeez in ODI squad

AFP Dominant South Karachi

akistan have overlooked in- form batsman Kamran Akmal and allrounder Mohamed Ha- feez in a 15-man squad for the Pfi ve-match ODI series in Australia, keep- Africa crush Sri ing faith in the same set of players who went down 2-0 in the Tests yesterday. Akmal, 35, has been in superb form scoring 1035 runs in the four-day fi rst class tournament and another 361 with two hundreds in the ongoing one-day cup. Selectors instead retained Test bats- Lanka in opener man Asad Shafi q, who hit an epic 137 in Pakistan’s narrow 39-run defeat in the fi rst Test at Brisbane last week. South Africa take last five wickets for 41 runs to win by 206 runs Pakistan lost the second Test in Mel- bourne by an innings and 18 runs on Friday. They play the third and fi nal Test in Sydney from January 3 before the one-day series. Hafeez was thought likely to return to one-day team after his bowling ac- tion was cleared following a 12-month ban, but his recent form was not con- sidered good enough to earn a recall. “The one-day team has been se- lected keeping in mind the conditions in Australia and the performances of The fi rst one-day will be played on players in the recent series against January 13 at Brisbane followed by West Indies and in domestic cricket,” matches in Melbourne (January 15), said chief selector Inzamam-ul-Haq. Perth (January 19), Sydney (January 22) Pakistan whitewashed West Indies and Adelaide (January 26). 3-0 in United Arab Emirates in October. Azhar Ali, who hit a double-century “The team is a fi ne blend of experi- in the second Test, will lead the one- ence and youth, and the selectors have day side. stuck to the same combination of play- ers selected against West Indies series SQUAD: Azhar Ali (captain), Sharjeel earlier and believe that team will do Khan, Babar Azam, Shoaib Malik, Asad well on the tour”, he added Shafiq, Sarfraz Ahmed, Mohamed Giant paceman Mohamed Irfan re- Rizwan, Imad Wasim, Wahab Riaz, turns to the squad after being sent Mohamed Nawaz, Hasan Ali, Rahat Ali, home mid-way from the England one- Umar Akmal, Mohamed Irfan, Mo- day series following fi tness problems. hamed Amir

Pakistan fi ned for slow over rates in Test loss Pakistan have been fined for a slow over-rate against Australia during the second Test in Melbourne, the ICC said yesterday. Match referee Ranjan Madugalle imposed the fine after Misbah-ul-Haq’s side was ruled to be two overs short of its target when time allowances were taken into consideration. Pakistan collapsed in two sessions to lose by an innings and 18 runs to Aus- tralia on the final day of the Melbourne Test. Under ICC regulations, players are fined 10 percent of their match fees for every over their side fails to bowl in the allotted time, with the captain fined double that amount. Accordingly, Misbah was fined 40 percent of his match fee, while his players received 20 percent fines. The third and final Test starts in Sydney on Tuesday.

South Africa’s Kyle Abbott (second from left) and Temba Bavuma (centre) celebrate the dismissal of Sri Lanka’s Angelo Mathews (left) on Day Five of the first Test in Bangladesh bowler reprimanded for swearing Port Elizabeth, South Africa, yesterday. (AFP) Bangladesh bowler Tanveer Haider has been off icially reprimanded by the Reuters work hard to get all their 10 wickets to remove Rangana Herath for three SCORECARD International Cricket Council (ICC) for swearing at New Zealand batsman Neil Port Elizabeth but our seam attack has proven itself off his own bowling. SOUTH AFRICA 1st inns 286 all out Broom during the second one day cricket international in Nelson on Thurs- and we have been playing some really Rabada then sent Dushmantha SRI LANKA 1st inns 205 all out day. The incident happened on the last ball of the 19th over when Tanveer, good cricket lately,” he added. Chameera back without scoring with SOUTH AFRICA 2nd inns 406-6 dec. after being hit for a four, used obscene language which was heard by the um- outh Africa’s bowlers needed a Sri Lanka had displayed dogged re- a searing delivery that took a healthy SRI LANKA 2nd inns (o/n 240-5) pires. Tanveer, who was making his ODI debut, admitted swearing and there little more than an hour of the sistance on Thursday after being set edge. D. Karunaratne run out (Duminy) 43 was no need for a formal hearing, the ICC said in a statement. Broom was on fi nal day’s play to dismiss Sri a mammoth target of 488 early on the Nuwan Pradeep was the last wicket K. Silva lbw b Rabada 48 15 at the time and went on to score 109 not out to anchor New Zealand’s in- Lanka for 281 in their second fourth day and stymied South Africa’s to fall, bowled by Maharaj for four, K. Perera c De Kock b Maharaj 6 nings of 251. New Zealand won the match by 67 runs to take a 2-0 lead in the inningsS and claim a 206-run victory in hopes of wrapping up the result with a leaving Suranga Lakmal unbeaten on K. Mendis c De Kock b Rabada 58 three-match series. the fi rst Test yesterday. day to spare. 19. A. Mathews lbw b Abbott 59 Kyle Abbott struck twice and Ver- A day of toil for the home attack “I thought we could have batted D. Chandimal c Rabada b Maharaj 8 Bravo’s BBL season cut short by injury non Philander, Kagiso Rabada and produced just fi ve wickets but by a lot better. We played some terrible D. de Silva lbw b Abbott 22 spinner Keshav Maharaj mopped up stumps, captain Angelo Mathews and shots today and that was our down- R. Herath c and b Philander 3 West Indies all-rounder Dwayne Bravo has been ruled out for the rest of the tail to complete a comprehensive Dhananjaya de Silva were the last rec- fall,” Mathews said. D. Chameera c De Kock b Rabada 0 Australia’s Twenty20 Big Bash League with a hamstring injury, his Melbourne victory for the hosts at St George’s ognised batsmen for Sri Lanka and “We need to get more runs on the S. Lakmal not out 19 Renegades club said yesterday. Bravo suff ered the setback during a loss to Park and conclude a satisfactory start needed to dig in on Friday to give their board for our bowlers to bowl at in the N. Pradeep b Maharaj 4 the Perth Scorchers on Thursday and scans revealed a serious injury that will to the three-match series. side any chance of salvaging a draw. next Tests.” Extras (b4, lb3, nb1, w3) 11 require surgery and a long spell on the sidelines. Bravo was fielding on the “We had to toil hard for this one but However, Mathews departed in the South Africa, who won the toss and Total (96.3 overs) 281 boundary when he made a desperate dive to cut off a shot from Michael Klin- the bowlers got great benefi t today third over of the day, trapped leg be- opted to bat, amassed 286 in their fi rst FoW: 1-87 (Karunaratne), 2-93 (Perera), ger and clutched his hamstring in pain. “Unfortunately my Big Bash season is from all the hard work they put in,” fore wicket by Abbott for 59 and then innings and Sri Lanka scored 205 in re- 3-118 (Silva), 4-193 (Mendis), 5-225 over which is very disappointing,” Bravo said. “I’ll now have surgery and the winning captain Faf du Plessis told re- De Silva followed four overs later in ply. South Africa’s second innings was (Chandimal), 6-246 (Mathews), 7-258 (De rehabilitation to get me fit and playing at my best again. I want to thank all the porters. similar fashion for 22. declared on 406 for six. Silva), 8-258 (Herath), 9-274 (Chameera) Renegades fans for their support for me and I hope to see them again next South Africa took the last fi ve wick- Philander had to change direction Both teams have little time to recov- Bowling: Philander 22-5-65-1, Abbott 20- season.” Bravo was in his fourth season at the Renegades after a stint with the ets for just 41 runs. on his follow through but made good er before the second Test at Newlands 6-38-2 (2w), Rabada 21-4-77-3 (1nb, 1w), Sydney Sixers. “We expected we would need to ground to snatch a one-handed catch in Cape Town begins on Monday. Maharaj 30.3-7-86-3, Duminy 3-0-8-0 Gulf Times Saturday, December 31, 2016 3 FOOTBALL

PREVIEW/EPL CONFIDENT Zlatan says United can still win title Guardiola, Klopp Reuters London

latan Ibrahimovic is on the brink of another no- table scoring landmark in his remarkable career to meet again in Zand believes his goal glut can still propel Manchester United to the Premier League title. If the Swede scores against Middlesbrough at Old Traff ord today, he will have netted 51 goals in the calendar year, equalling United striker Zlatan is on a the best tally of 2016 recorded scoring spree in the EPL. Anfi eld showdown by any striker in ’s top fi ve leagues. “So, hopefully, the other In his current searing form, teams can do some mistakes and Klopp was a thorn in Guardiola’s side during their time as rivals in the Bundesliga, with his few would rule out the prospect close the gap even more. We are of this seemingly ageless fi gure working hard for it, believing in Borussia team overcoming the Catalan’s Bayern Munich four times in eight meetings netting the double that would it, we are here to win. take him past Barcelona’s Argen- “We have no excuses, we are tine maestro Lionel Messi as the here for what we are able to do year’s top marksman. and that’s win a title.” For, at 35, he appears to be As for his blistering form, hav- playing as brilliantly as ever and ing bagged 17 goals for United is savouring his English football following his move from experience, a journey that start- St Germain where he scored 33 ed shakily but has gathered mo- in 2016 to guide them to another mentum as he has acclimatised French title, Ibrahimovic is en- to the hectic world of the Premier joying proving a point to those League.Being the perfectionist who felt he might struggle in he is, though, Ibrahimovic wants England. his goals to propel United nearer “I talk with my feet, I don’t get to the summit as they currently paid to talk with my mouth,” he lie sixth, 13 points off the pace set said. “I get paid to talk with my by Chelsea. feet and that’s exactly what I’m “I’m happy, but I could be doing. happier,” Ibrahimovic said in an “I go into a season to do better interview with ESPN. than last season, because I know Asked if United could still win my last season was perfect, so I the title, he said: “I think so... try to do it more than perfect and we had our moments where the this is what I’ve been doing for results haven’t been what they the last 15 years. should have been after good per- “So what I’m doing now is formances, but we are still there nothing new, it’s just another and we have been closing the gap. season in my story.” PFA wants FA to ban heading for Under-10s

AFP, London: The Profes- executive Gordon Taylor told sional Footballers’ Asso- the Daily Telegraph yester- ciation (PFA) has urged the day. English Football Association “It would be a considered to ban children under 10 reaction bearing in mind heading balls amid growing evidence that has been com- fears of brain injuries. ing through from diff erent A new study from the Univer- sports and to a limited extent Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola. sity of Stirling found heading in football. a ball could cause memory “There have been rule AFP Total Football. He (Guardiola) was very es, beating him in the 2013 German Super “Chelsea are playing really well, as we problems for 24 hours and changes for youngsters London nearly perfect with Barcelona. He had a Cup and infl icting his fi rst home league were in the fi rst 10 games of the season. experts want to study the about pitches they play on, big infl uence with Bayern and changed defeat with a 3-0 win in April 2014. “We all know in football that one implications for younger about the numbers in the their style completely. Dortmund also beat Bayern in the 2014 morning you’re there and the next day players whose brains are still game, about whether or not ep Guardiola confronts one of “He is an outstanding manager, 100 Super Cup and eliminated them in the you’re not there anymore, so we have to developing. girls should be involved with the few opposition managers to %. I am not interested too much in giv- semi-fi nals of the German Cup in 2015. be ready and take the opportunity when At least 250 former football- boys and up to what age. have regularly outwitted him ing things a name, but you can see on the Having arrived at Liverpool in October it comes.” ers have been diagnosed “It is very much in line with when Manchester City visit Ju- pitch he is an infl uential manager. 2015, Klopp has had almost a year’s head City beat Liverpool on penalties in last with serious degenerative that. We don’t want to put off Prgen Klopp’s Liverpool in the Premier “He has a clear idea and a pretty much start on Guardiola in the Premier League. season’s League Cup fi nal, but Klopp’s brain conditions in recent the next generation but we League’s stand-out New Year’s Eve fi x- good idea. He has had a fantastic career But while Liverpool appear closer to men enjoyed two resounding wins in the years and PFA chief executive need to be very mindful. The ture. until now. the fi nished article than City, who lost league, triumphing 4-1 at Anfi eld and Gordon Taylor says football’s game needs to have a duty of Klopp was a thorn in Guardiola’s side “He had a nice style with Barcelona back-to-back games against Chelsea and 3-0 at the Etihad Stadium. governing body should con- care to all its participants.” during their time as rivals in the Bundes- and was really good with Bayern and now Leicester City earlier this month, there is City, meanwhile, have not won at An- sider following the example Former West Bromwich Al- liga, with his Borussia Dortmund team he is at City and he is there to be success- little between them in the standings. fi eld in the league since ex-Liverpool loa- of the United States, where bion and England star Jeff As- overcoming the Catalan’s Bayern Munich ful and not to show how good he is.” Both teams are chasing a fourth suc- nee Nicolas Anelka’s stoppage-time goal children 12 or younger are al- tle died in 2002 from a brain four times in eight meetings. Guardiola arrived in Munich in 2013, cessive league win and with Chelsea six secured a 2-1 victory in May 2003 — a run ready banned from heading. trauma caused by heading Liverpool go into today’s game at An- shortly after Bayern had pipped Klopp’s points clear of Liverpool at the summit, of 13 matches. “I think that has to be a seri- the heavy leather footballs fi eld a point above City in second place Dortmund to glory in the Bundesliga and neither Klopp nor Guardiola can aff ord to The visitors will be buoyed by the re- ous consideration. It is not a used when he played the and while Klopp says past encounters German Cup and beaten them 2-1 in the lose momentum. turn of top scorer Sergio Aguero, who has knee-jerk reaction,” PFA chief 1960s and 1970s. will count for little, he is relishing the Champions League fi nal at Wembley. “We’re still in the title race,” says City missed City’s last four games through prospect of resuming hostilities. Bayern swept to the Bundesliga title in left-back Gael Clichy. “Seven points is a suspension after being sent off for a wild “We know everything about how Pep Guardiola’s three seasons in Bavaria and lot. It’s a big gap and we won’t deny that. lunge on Chelsea’s David Luiz. played with Bayern, but that is not im- Klopp left Dortmund after a disappoint- “We’d like to be closer or even on top. Klopp has confi rmed Liverpool, 4-1 SPOTLIGHT portant any more because it is diff erent ing seventh-place fi nish in the 2014-15 But we have seen over the years teams victors against Stoke City on Tuesday, players and diff erent systems,” Klopp campaign. dropping points for fun, teams coming will once again be without centre-back said. But the bespectacled former Mainz back into the top four after two or three Joel Matip and playmaker Philippe “In Holland it was Johan Cruyff and coach gave Guardiola several bloody nos- games. Coutinho due to ankle problems. Wenger makes

BOTTOMLINE Chelsea favourites

AFP “They have addressed their London problems well. You have to give credit to Conte to fi nd a solution that has balanced well his team.” rsene Wenger has la- Arsenal won 13 consecutive Mourinho upbeat as he faces belled Chelsea as ‘su- Premier League games on their per-favourites’ for the way to the title in 2001-02, ex- Premier League title tending the run to 14 the follow- afterA watching the leaders close ing campaign, but Wenger says in on Arsenal’s record for con- he would do nothing but con- old friend Karanka at Boro secutive victories. gratulate Chelsea if they match Antonio Conte’s side have their single-season run. AFP Germain and his last few games ager was assistant to the Portu- opened up a six-point lead at “What they do is fantastic,” Manchester with Sweden before his sum- guese at Real Madrid for three the top of the table thanks to he added. “If they do it, it’s ab- mer international retirement. years from 2010, and has added a superb run of 12 successive solutely marvellous because no- Henrikh Mkhitaryan, seemingly to his growing reputation dur- wins. body expected that. anchester United unwanted during the opening ing a three-year reign on Tees- Chelsea have been perfect in “At the start of the season, manager Jose Mour- months of the season, has hit side, guiding the club back into the league since a 3-0 defeat at they had a little bit of a dodgy inho is in optimistic form too. The Armenian interna- the Premier League in May after Arsenal on September 24 led to a start, but after, since they’ve mood as he prepares tional may be in line to start after a seven-season absence. change in formation from Blues changed their system, they are toM face an old friend in Middles- coming on as a substitute to score “It never really crossed my boss Conte. on a run where the confi dence brough handler Aitor Karanka, with a spectacular ‘scorpion kick’ mind to go into management af- The west Londoners can con- plays a big part. despite facing the prospect of be- on Boxing Day, although he was a ter I fi nished playing,” said Kara- solidate pole position in this “If they do it, you can only say ing without his captain. touch fortunate his third goal in nka. weekend’s clash with Stoke and ‘well done’. Records are there Wayne Rooney was absent three matches was not ruled out “But after working with Jose Gunners manager Wenger con- to be beaten and if somebody with a minor thigh problem as for off side. for those three years, I realised ceded yesterday they are fi rm does better than you, you have Manchester United recorded a “The team spirit I see is just that any fears you might have favourites to take the title. to acknowledge it and say ‘well fourth successive Premier League fantastic,” Mourinho said. about taking the plunge aren’t “At the moment Chelsea are done’.” victory by beating Sunderland “It is getting better every sin- important. the super-favourites because Wenger also denied Arsenal 3-1 on Boxing Day, and Mourinho regards to the England forward’s ant at Real Madrid. gle day and I think that is show- “He has a great way about him, they are quite big and made a big right-back Mathieu Debuchy’s admitted immediately after that value to his club, but the fact is he Swedish veteran Zlatan Ibra- ing in the way we are playing, a manner with the players and I diff erence,” Wenger said. claim that he was blocked from match a quick recall may be un- has started just eight of United’s himovic, having endured a mini- because some of the football we learned so much from him about “But it is theirs to lose as we joining Manchester United last wise. 18 league matches under Mour- drought in the autumn, has well have produced in recent weeks how to make things work.” say here in England. They can year and hardly speaks to his fel- United are not short of attack- inho, and has not scored in the and truly put that behind him. has been very good.” Middlesbrough are without still lose it, at the moment they low Frenchman. ing options even without Rooney English top division since the His neat fi nish against Sunder- Karanka has thanked Mour- the Spaniard Antonio Barragan, have won it but they can still The 31-year-old has found who, in any case, has become an opening weekend. land brought his 11th goal in the inho for giving him the confi - who serves a one-match suspen- lose it. himself frozen out of the fi rst- increasingly peripheral fi gure at United, though, can count on last 10 matches, and took his total dence to pursue a career in man- sion after collecting a fi fth book- “It’s still a long way to go and team picture at the Emirates Old Traff ord this season. goals from elsewhere as they seek in all competitions to 50 for the agement as he prepares to go up ing of the season in the 1-0 defeat very diffi cult for everybody so Stadium and spent the second Mourinho has made sure of to defeat opponents led by Kara- calendar year, a period that takes against his mentor for the fi rst at Burnley that leaves them four the head-to-head (matches) half of last season on loan at saying all the right things with nka, who was Mourinho’s assist- in his fi nal months at Paris Saint- time. The Middlesbrough man- points above the relegation zone. will have a vital importance. Bordeaux. Gulf Times 4 Saturday, December 31, 2016 SPORT

RAGS TO RICHES OLDSPOTLIGHT FIRM CLASH Defeat not a disaster for Celtic, 38mn euro Tevez says captain Brown

AFP Glasgow

eltic captain Scott once didn’t have Brown admits it would not be a disaster if his Cside lost to Rangers in the Old Firm derby today. The Hoops have a massive 16-point lead over the Gers going into the New Year’s Eve show- down at Ibrox and still have a cash to buy boots game in hand over their rivals. Celtic are unbeaten in 23 do- Abandoned by his parents, Tevez was adopted by his uncle Segundo Tevez mestic games under Brendan Rodgers and are aiming to cap off AFP a remarkable fi rst half of the sea- Buenos Aires son with victory at Ibrox, which A statue remembering Celtic’s would be their 15th consecutive 1966-67 European Cup victory win in the league. is seen outside Celtic Park in rom the violent streets of Buenos “We’ve got to try and continue Glasgow. Aires’ notorious Fort Apache, the our undefeated run for as long as son of an alcoholic mother and we possibly can, but it wouldn’t “It’s always going to be tough without money to even buy a pair be the end of the world,” Brown when you go to Ibrox, especially ofF boots, Carlos Tevez is now football’s said when asked if a defeat would for the Celtic team this week. biggest earner. take the shine off Celtic’s start to They’ll be looking at this game The fi ery Argentine striker, who will the season. knowing fi ne well that they’re on bank a mind-boggling 38mn euros a year “We are a few points clear and a fantastic run of victories right with Chinese super club Shanghai Shen- we’ve got to go there and enjoy now. hua, has come a long way in his 32 years. the occasion.” “But anything can happen on Abandoned by his parents, Tevez was It has been four years since Saturday. If they can get all three adopted by his uncle Segundo Tevez who a Celtic side visited Ibrox on points, it lets everyone know how he quickly learned to call ‘papa’. league duty after Rangers’ fi nan- strong they are.” Thanks to Segundo, the young Tevez cial meltdown in 2012 resulted in Rangers had been in their best found a way out of the everyday blood- them being forced to start again form of the season with four suc- shed which was a depressing way of life in the lower leagues of Scottish cessive wins before they were for his neighbourhood, family and friends. football. held to a 1-1 draw by St Johnstone On one occasion, his best pal was Celtic thrashed Rangers 5-1 at on Wednesday. gunned down and killed by a bullet in the Celtic Park back in August, but It saw them fall even further head in a shootout with police following Brown expects a sterner chal- behind Celtic, who look well on an armed robbery at a city casino. lenge on the Gers’ home terri- course to claiming a sixth con- In November 1989, when Tevez was just tory. secutive title. six, Norberto Propato, the coach of the “It’s always going to be hard But Rangers striker Martyn All Boys youth team, rang the bell of Se- going to Ibrox, no matter how Waghorn says he and his team- gundo’s home hoping to convince him to many points you are clear or if mates do not need any extra mo- allow his nephew to sign on at the club’s you’re chasing,” the Celtic cap- tivation for an Old Firm derby. football school. tain said. “I don’t think you need an in- Unfortunately, there was no money to “It’s always a hard place to go, centive. You’re going into one buy football boots. but we have to go there and be- of the biggest derbies there is in Twelve years later, Tevez returned from lieve in our own ability and try to football and if you’re not moti- a training session at Boca Juniors to fi nd play our own game. vated by playing the game itself, his beloved uncle, a low-paid stonema- “There’s lots of pressure on you’ve got an issue,” Waghorn son, had lost his job at a time of economic them. We’re a few points clear, said. crisis. but you still want to go there and “It’s the biggest game in Scot- Struggling to feed their fi ve children, get the three points and have a tish football. Everyone wants to Segundo and his wife often went without good performance.” play in it, everyone wants to be food themselves. Brown has been warned part of it and everyone wants to However, with Tevez making just against complacency by Celtic stand out in it.” Wednesday’s around $200 a month, there was always a legend Murdo MacLeod, who match in Perth once again high- plate for the family’s great hope. won fi ve league titles, two Scot- lighted Rangers’ vulnerability Tevez, the son of Juan Carlos Cabral and tish Cups and one League Cup in at the back and manager Mark Fabiana Martinez, has never forgotten the his nine years at Celtic from 1978 Warburton faces a selection gratitude he feels to Segundo who gave as well as psychological — like the one on his In 2015, he returned to Boca Juniors The man born into a world of grinding to 1987. headache in defence with Clint him his name. neck, the legacy of serious burns from boil- from Juventus where he still had a year to poverty and gun battles, now buys homes MacLeod then returned as as- Hill joining skipper Lee Wallace For Carlos Bianchi, the coach with ing water when he was just nine months old. run on a lucrative contract with the Ital- for his family. sistant manager to Wim Jansen on the treatment tables. whom Tevez won most honours at Boca The injury required a two-month stay ian giants. At Boca, he was paid $2mn, a A keen golf player, he also cannot re- in the 1997-98 season to help Juniors, the secret of the player’s success in hospital. salary far inferior to what he was getting sist luxury cars while discreetly donat- Celtic stop Rangers winning a Today: (1400 GMT unless comes from his “pride and determina- From Fort Apache, he adopted a nick- in Serie A as he ended a nine-year spell ing huge sums to charitable organisa- 10th title in a row. otherwise stated): tion”. name of “The Apache”. He has also been in Europe where he had also appeared for tions. “Celtic may be the favourites Rangers v Celtic (1215 GMT), “You have to see him run on the pitch dubbed “the people’s player” and, aff ec- Manchester United, Manchester City and At Christmas, he married his childhood just now, but such are the nature Hamilton v Motherwell (1300 to understand. He was diff erent from the tionately, “Carlitos”. West Ham. sweetheart, the mother of his three chil- of Old Firm games that you never GMT), Dundee v St Johnstone, others, he fought for every ball as if it was Despite the great riches awaiting him in Back in Argentina, Tevez divides his dren, at a lavish ceremony in Uruguay. underestimate the opposition,” Partick Thistle v Kilmarnock, his last. He was always hungry,” remem- China, Tevez has often appeared to snub time between the fashionable La Boca However, in a grim reminder of his MacLeod told AFP. Ross County v Inverness CT bers Bianchi. money, opting to allow his heart to rule area of Buenos Aires and his mansion in troubled past, his home in Buenos Aires Tevez’s scars from his youth are physical his head. the elite quarter of San Isidro. was burgled while he was away. POOR RUN SPOTLIGHT Prandelli resigns as Ronaldo turns down audacious $317mn Chinese bid Valencia coach AFP said Mendes. stable was out of reach. London “But money is not everything. Real “The Chinese market is a new market,” Madrid is his life. Cristiano is happy at said Mendes. Real Madrid and it is impossible to go to “They can buy a lot of players, but then orld player of the year China.” again it is impossible to go for Ronaldo. Cristiano Ronaldo reject- China has through its Super League Cristiano is the best player in the world ed a world record £257mn clubs fl exed considerable fi nancial mus- and best ever. It is normal to have some W(300mn euros, $317mn) cle in the international transfer market, off ers. bid from China, his agent Jorge Mendes most recently buying Brazilian interna- “He won the European Championship has claimed. perstar a record £85mn a year as salary. tional Oscar from Chelsea and Argentin- with Portugal, it’s like winning the Ital- Mendes told Sky Sports Italia that the “From China, they’ve off ered 300mn ian veteran Carlos Tevez — with the latter ian league with Genoa: they were not the unnamed Chinese Super League side had euros to Real Madrid and more than reportedly set to earn 38mn euros a year. favourite,” added the 50-year-old Portu- off ered the 31-year-old Portuguese su- 100mn (euros) per year to the player,” However, Mendes said the star of his guese.

BOTTOMLINE Defence foundation for Chelsea surge, says Courtois

AFP at the moment and we just try Bojan Krkic could feature for London to keep it going and we will see Stoke after being told he has a in few weeks and months where future at the club by manager we are standing, and hopefully Mark Hughes. helsea goalkeeper we will be there in the race for The 26-year-old former Bar- Thibaut Courtois be- the championship.” celona and Ajax midfi elder has AFP charge of the fi rst team, though lieves the key to their Hazard declared the current only featured eight times in the Madrid it was unclear whether this was stunning turnaround in team could be better than the Premier League this season, a temporary or permanent ap- formC lies in the defence that has Chelsea side that won the title scoring three times. pointment. conceded just two goals dur- under Jose Mourinho two sea- But with Wilfried Bony, ormer Italy boss Cesare Valencia did not give a reason ing the club’s 12-game winning sons ago. Mame Biram Diouf and Ram- Prandelli resigned as for Prandelli’s departure, which streak. But Courtois warned the six- adan Sobhi all departing for coach of Valencia yes- comes after less than three The Premier League leaders point advantage could quickly the African Cup of Nations in Fterday, after a poor run months in the post. face Stoke City next at Stamford disappear. January, Hughes has assured the that has seen the relegation- The club is languishing in the Bridge today aiming to secure a “In the Premier League things Spanish striker he has a future threatened team go through bottom four of La Liga, and sports 13th consecutive league win in been transformed by Conte’s change much but now we are go really fast so we just have to at the club. several managers in quick suc- daily AS said he had quit as there a run that started in the wake of decision to switch to three fol- more solid at the back than at keep the focus on ourselves and “Bojan’s people came in and cession. was not enough money for fi ve a humiliating 3-0 defeat at Ar- lowing the Arsenal loss. the beginning of the season, it play game by game and then we we had a discussion because he “Cesare Prandelli has com- players he wanted to bring in dur- senal. “Letting in only two goals is is harder for people to break us will see,” said the 24-year-old hasn’t had many starts of late,” municated to Valencia Club de ing the transfer window. But while forwards Diego amazing,” Courtois told Chel- down, and when they do try to Belgian international. said Hughes. Futbol his irrevocable decision Valencia sacked coach Pako Costa and Eden Hazard, togeth- seafc.com. score a goal I try to save it. “Stoke at home will be hard “I want to give him more op- to resign from his position as Ayestaran in September for fail- er with inspirational midfi elder “After that Arsenal game we “Some other teams tried to and then we go to Tottenham, portunities and he will get more coach, as of Friday, December ing to pick up a single point in N’Golo Kante, have attracted had to build a new thing and we defeat us as well with that for- to Leicester, they are all tough opportunities from now until 30th,” the struggling La Liga gi- their opening four league games most praise in recent weeks, did it well, and there is a lot of mation but if it is well-worked games, and after we have Hull, the end of the season. ants said in a statement. of the season. Courtois says the revamped hard work in training. It was not like we do it, it is hard to break Liverpool and Arsenal. “We’ve got three attacking They added Salvador Gonzal- Before that, Britain’s Gary back-line has laid the founda- just that we did a new formation down and every day in training “So it is an important mo- players leaving in January so if ez — the former Spanish foot- Neville was sacked in March tions for the upturn in form. and it will work. we do it a lot. ment for us and then we will see he gets that opportunity he will baller known as “Voro” who for poor results after just four He believes the defence has “As a goalkeeper it doesn’t “That is why we have this run where we stand in February.” probably stay in the team.” works at the club — would take months in the post. Gulf Times Saturday, December 31, 2016 5 SPORT

NBA NHL Blue Jackets win 14th game Cavaliers withstand on the trot

Reuters Florida

lexander Wennberg scored twice as Celtics charge but no the Columbus Blue Jackets won their 14th successive game with a 5-3 vic- tory over the Jets in Winnipeg yester- day,A tying the National Hockey League’s third- longest winning streak. The Blue Jackets matched the unbeaten runs achieved by the 1929-30 Boston Bruins and the 2009-10 Washington Capitals. celebration for James They are now three wins shy of drawing level with the all-time record of 17 consecutive vic- ‘I just didn’t see him. Definitely got to pay attention to what’s going on in the flow of the game. tories set by the 1992-93 Pittsburgh Penguins. Nick Foligno had a goal and two assists for I was just throwing it back in to Kyrie and (Avery) just jumped it, so if I was paying attention to Columbus while Brandon Saad and Lukas Sed- lak also scored for the visitors. him, with Avery being the defensive-minded guy he is, I should have seen him. Big mistake’ Shawn Matthias, Bryan Little and Math- ieu Perreault scored for Winnipeg. Goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky stopped 31 of 34 shots to help Columbus improve to a league-best 25-5-4 and they will next be in action on Saturday when they visit the Minnesota Wild, who are riding a 12-game winning streak. The Blue Jackets, who fi nished 27th in the 30- team league last season, have not been beaten since they were edged out 2-1 in a shootout by the Florida Panthers on November 26. They have not lost in regulation since they succumbed 2-0 to the Calgary Flames on November 23. Elsewhere... Wild 6, Islanders 4: Minnesota extended its winning streak to 12 games with a 6-4 win over the New York Islanders. Wild forward Nino Nied- erreiter fi red a shot that pinballed off Erik Haula’s left leg, then right leg, then past goalie Jean- Francois Berube and into the net to put Minnesota up 5-4 with 9:30 remaining. Mikael Granlund’s empty-net goal with 1:41 to play sealed the Wild’s 12th straight victory, which extends a franchise record for longest winning streak. Blackhawks 3, Predators 2: Patrick Kane’s 700th career point, a tie-breaking goal at 14:48 of the third period, lifted the Chicago Black- hawks to a 3-2 win over the Nashville Predators. Kane ripped a wrist shot from the faceoff circle by Pekka Rinne for his 11th goal of the season, ena- bling Chicago to snap a season-high three-game losing streak. Corey Crawford made 36 saves for the Blackhawks, while Rinne stopped 20 shots. Bruins 4, Sabres 2: Ryan Spooner scored with 3:53 remaining then added an empty net goal with less than a minute left to lead the Boston Bruins to a win over the Buff alo Sabres. Krejci and Patrice Bergeron also scored for the Bruins, who over- came an early 2-0 defi cit. Tuukka Rask made 31 saves. Marcus Foligno and Kyle Okposo scored for the Sabres, while Robin Lehner made 34 saves. Boston Celtics’ Isaiah Thomas Canadiens 3, Panthers 2: Phillip Danault (centre) drives to the basket scored a breakaway goal 39 seconds into overtime past Cleveland Cavaliers as the Montreal Canadiens rallied to beat the forwards LeBron James (left). Florida Panthers. Max Pacioretty and Brendan The Cavs won 124-118. Gallagher scored for Montreal while Alexan- (Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports) der Radulov, Nathan Beaulieu, Danault and Pa- cioretty recorded assists. Goaltender Al Montoya posted 31 saves. Jason Demers and Vincent Tro- check scored for Florida. Jussi Jokinen, Jonathan Marchessault and Keith Yandle had assists and James Reimer made 38 saves for the Panthers. AFP guy he is, I should have seen him. Big Boston’s hopes. But the Raptors shot just 40% with our fourth-quarter defense for Maple Leafs 3, Lightning 2: The Toronto Los Angeles mistake.” “I thought it was good,” Crow- from the fi eld and tied a season low in much of the year, and tonight we did Maple Leafs won their fourth consecutive road Irving scored 32 points and hand- der said. “I had a good look at it. My points one day after their four-game a great job of that.” game with an overtime power-play goal on a ed out 12 assists for his fi fth double- coaches had confi dence in me to winning streak was snapped in a 121- Kemba Walker led the Hornets rebound by Nazem Kadri with 1:23 left for a 3-2 leveland superstar LeBron double in his last seven games. Kevin make that. I’ll step into it a hundred 111 defeat at Golden State. with 22 points, his three-pointer win over the Tampa Bay Lightning. Tampa Bay James wasn’t celebrating Love scored 30 points and pulled more times.” “We had too many mistakes to- with 1:40 to play giving Charlotte an goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy stopped 32 shots, yesterday, even after the down 15 rebounds. Thomas led the Celtics with 31 night, too many turnovers and 89-82 lead. while Toronto’s Antonie Bibeau made 25 saves. NBA champion Cavaliers Irving thought James might have points and Bradley added 23, but couldn’t make shots,” DeRozan said. The Hornets also got 13 points Red Wings 3, Senators 2: Anthony Mantha escapedC with a 124-118 win over the been a little hard on himself. “That Boston coach Brad Stevens said his Utah Jazz guard George Hill re- from Marvin Williams and 10 points scored at 1:07 of overtime to give the Detroit Boston Celtics on the eve of his 32nd guy is so special,” Irving said. “He team’s lack of defense left them in too turned with a fl ourish after a 13- from Jeremy Lamb, improving to 19- Red Wings a 3-2 victory over the Ottawa Sena- birthday. gives himself an ‘F’ and he still ends big of a hole. game injury absence, scoring 13 of 14 with their second straight victory, tors. Thomas Vanek and Tomas Tatar also scored James fell just two rebounds shy of up with 23, 8 and 11.” “If they have 100 points after three his 21 points in the fourth quarter of a which came on the heels of a 120-101 for the Red Wings, while Derick Brassard and his 46th career triple-double with 23 Irving limped off in the fi nal quarters, you don’t have a real chance 100-83 victory over the Philadelphia romp past the Magic in Orlando. Mark Stone scored for the Senators. Rookie Jared points, 11 assists and eight rebounds. minute with what he said was a tight to beat them,” he said. “We’ve got to 76ers. Charlotte center Cody Zeller Coreau earned the win, stopping 26 shots. Mike But eight turnovers and a serious right hamstring. play a lot better than that. Our guys Hill, who had a sprained toe, also played despite suff ering a cut on his Condon made 25 saves for Ottawa. lapse that kept the door open for the Cavaliers coach Tyronn Lue said did a great job in the comeback, but contributed eight rebounds and six hand in that victory in Florida, but Devils 2, Capitals 1: Keith Kinkaid stopped charging Celtics had James fuming he thought Irving would be ready to I was disappointed in the fi rst three assists as the Jazz, trailing by four the Hornets were without guard Mar- 43 shots, while Michael Cammalleri and Jacob over his own play. “I was horrible to- play on Saturday in Charlotte. quarters.” after three quarters, powered to the co Belinelli, who has a sprained ankle. Josefson scored shootout goals as the Devils night,” James said. “In every facet of Down 101-83 going into the fourth While James was chastising him- win. The injury ravaged heat, using defeated the Washington Capitals. The Dev- the game, I was just pretty bad and quarter, the Celtics got the defi cit self, Oklahoma City star Russell Elsewhere, Charlotte guard Nico- their 12th diff erent starting lineup ils scored on both their shootout attempts on it’s unacceptable.” to one point four times before suc- Westbrook was pointing fi ngers at las Batum fell just shy of his second of the year, lost their third straight Braden Holtby while Kinkaid, spectacular all The Cavaliers were up by 18 points cumbing. others — namely the referees — af- triple-double in four games as the game. game, stopped shots from T.J. Oshie and Evg- heading into the fourth quarter. A driving basket by Isaiah Tho- ter he was ejected in the third quarter Hornets erased a halftime defi cit to Josh Richardson led Miami with 20 eny Kuznetsov. After Jae Crowder’s three-pointer mas pulled Boston to 117-116 with of the Thunder’s 114-80 loss to the beat the Miami Heat 91-82. points, and Tyler Johnson scored 18. Stars 4, Avalanche 2: Tyler Seguin had two pulled the Celtics within 113-108 just over a minute to play when Irving Grizzlies in Memphis. France’s Batum scored 16 points, Goran Dragic returned from a back goals and an assist and Jamie Benn added two with 3:26 remaining, James listlessly countered with a driving layup of his In Phoenix, Eric Bledsoe scored grabbed 13 rebounds and handed out injury but connected on just two of 11 assists to lead the Dallas Stars to a win against tapped the ball back to Kyrie Irving own. Thomas was fouled on the Celt- 22 points with 10 assists and Devin eight assists. He had 20 points, 11 re- from the fi eld for fi ve points. the Colorado Avalanche. Devin Shore and Jamie after receiving the inbounds pass. ics’ next possession and sank both Booker added 19 points as the Suns bounds and 10 assists in a win over The Heat were without forward Oleksiak also scored for Dallas. Colorado got Boston’s Avery Bradley pounced free throws, as Irving departed. downed the Toronto Raptors 99-91. the Chicago Bulls on December 23. Josh McRoberts, who has broken goals from Matt Duchene and Mikhail Grigor- for the steal and an easy dunk that James tried driving past Celtics Forward PJ Tucker had 14 points The host Hornets trailed by seven foot, as well as guard Dion Waiters. enko, while Tyson Barrie made two assists. pulled the Celtics within three. guard Marcus Smart, who fouled him and center Tyson Chandler had 13 re- at halftime but scored the fi rst eight Oilers 3, Kings 1: Defenseman Eric Gryba “I just didn’t see him,” James said. with 21 seconds to play. James split bounds as the Suns won for the sec- points of the third quarter and went Results (Home team in CAPS) scored his fi rst goal of the season, and sixth of “Defi nitely got to pay attention to the free throws to give the Cavs a 120- ond time in seven games. on to out-score Miami 31-17 in the Dallas 101 ...... LA LAKERS 89 his fi ve-season NHL career, as the Edmonton what’s going on in the fl ow of the 118 lead. Toronto, the Atlantic Division period. UTAH 100 ...... Philadelphia 83 Oilers beat the Los Angeles Kings 3-1. Gryba game. I was just throwing it back in Crowder’s open look at a three- leaders who are second in the Eastern “The thing I liked was obviously PHOENIX 99 ...... Toronto 91 became the unlikely hero at 6:58 of the third to Kyrie and (Avery) just jumped it, so pointer with 10 seconds left bounced Conference behind the Cavaliers, had the third quarter, where we played MEMPHIS 114 ...... Oklahoma City 80 period. With the score tied 1-1, he fl ew in off the if I was paying attention to him, with off the rim. Cleveland’s Richard Jef- 24 points each from Kyle Lowry and well again,” said Hornets coach Steve CLEVELAND 124 ...... Boston 118 point to bat a rebound out of the air and into the Avery being the defensive-minded ferson hauled in the rebound to end DeMar DeRozan. Cliff ord. “And then we have struggled CHARLOTTE 91 ...... Miami 82 goal. Edmonton’s Cam Talbot made 28 saves. WESTBROOK EJECTED AS THUNDER FALL TO GRIZZLIES AFP shot clock being reset for the Griz- get reff ed the same way as other peo- rebounds and zero assists when he over 19 times and scored 27 points Los Angeles zlies after a Memphis attempt that he ple, and I don’t appreciate it.” departed. He also had six turnovers, below their season average. thought failed to hit the rim. Thunder coach Billy Donovan all in the first quarter — the most Grizzlies coach David Fizdale said Off icial Brian Forte said West- backed Westbrook’s stance that by any player in one quarter in the that with Westbrook’s departure, the ussell Westbrook’s tough brook’s objections were laced with some fouls against him aren’t being league this season. Thunder lost “the best player in the night in Memphis was cut profanity, but Westbrook insisted he called, saying that his star’s speed He ended up as the Thunder’s lead- league”. Rshort when the Oklahoma City didn’t know why he was tossed. and explosiveness make him “a really ing scorer, but it was an odd-looking “We’ll see him again soon,” Fizdale star was ejected in the third quarter “Honestly, it’s crazy, man,” West- diff icult guy to referee.” stat line for a player who is averaging said of the NBA’s leading scorer. “And of the Thunder’s 114-80 NBA loss to brook said. “Especially to be ejected “I think a lot of times he’s getting a triple-double (31.7 points, 10.9 as- I’m sure he’ll be chomping at the bit the Grizzlies yesterday. like that when I didn’t do nothing. It hit and fouled and there needs to be sists, 10.6 rebounds) this season. for that game and ready to go at us.” An argumentative Westbrook—who was just crazy... because I feel like more fouls called.... He should be go- The Grizzlies led 61-45 when he left Spanish big man Marc Gasol led notched his 15th triple-double of the I don’t get the benefit of the doubt ing to the free-throw line more than the game and quickly stretched the the Grizzlies with 25 points. Troy season against the Heat on Tuesday— most of the time. he is,” Donovan said. lead to 65-45. Daniels added 22 and Zach Randolph was tossed with 6:41 remaining in “I get so many techs for just talking. Westbrook said that in a physi- Memphis was ahead 78-61 enter- chipped in 21. the third quarter after picking up two I can’t even say nothing when I’m get- cal battle, the off icials were “letting ing the fourth quarter and led by as Daniels’ contribution included six quick technical fouls. ting hammered every time I go to the one side be more physical than many as 37 before it was over against three-pointers, five of them in the last He jawed with off icials about the damn basket,” he said. “I just don’t the other.” He had 21 points, five a Thunder team that turned the ball three minutes of the game. Gulf Times 6 Saturday, December 31, 2016 RUGBY

OPINION Lions tour is jewel in crown but rugby union approaches 2017 at crossroads The tour to New Zealand, despite the schedule, can restore faith and the Six Nations is shaping up nicely but with the professional era now more than 20 years old, the sport’s administrators must show conviction in the next 12 months

By Robert Kitson portant; if no one cares there can be no Following a meeting in San Francisco individual to whom the Lions are an The Guardian such thing as great sport. England rugby head at the end of January, we are promised anachronism, another 100 would mort- Which is why, heading into 2017, the coach Eddie Jones. an announcement on the future shape gage their grannies for a ticket. future shape of professional rugby un- of the global season. With sweeping Aside from Saracens’ ongoing sta- he most pertinent rugby quote ion badly needs clarifi cation. changes looming in French rugby un- tus as the Premiership team to beat, of 2016, inevitably, came from On the one hand this should be a glo- der the new chairmanship of Bernard the only other sure thing in 2017 is that Eddie Jones. “There’s only rious 12 months, potentially even better Laporte, a more enlightened era might England under Jones will remain box pressure when you don’t know than the last, with a British & Irish Li- be on its way. offi ce. The antipodean alchemist was Twhat you’re doing,” murmured Eng- ons tour of New Zealand twinkling at its Nothing, even so, is yet guaranteed. spot on before Christmas when he in- land’s head coach shortly before guid- heart. On the other the pro game, now The continuing self-interest of some sisted his side still had considerable ing his adopted country to their 13th more than two decades old, is mutating administrators remains depressing, as room from improvement and the Six Test victory of a perfect calendar year. from gung-ho adolescence into brutal is the failure to appreciate global rugby Nations, complete with bonus points, As a short, sharp Twitter-friendly adulthood. is only as strong as its weakest link. The will be fascinating. summation of how and why the Aus- What was a sport for all shapes and revolution, to misquote Billy Bragg, is At the moment Ireland rank above tralian guru has turned English for- sizes, both physically and fi nancially, more than just a T-shirt away. them, with the fi nal Dublin showdown tunes around, it was inch-perfect. grows ever less forgiving on both fronts. It will seem crazy to future histori- between the two sides in March al- What would England’s national Only the most unashamed oval-ball ans that Test eligibility was allowed to ready a magnet for the imagination. If cricket and football teams do for a mil- politician or one-eyed Barnum could become so skewed towards countries Joe Schmidt’s side can step it up and ligram of Jones’s self-assurance right claim things have never been healthier. boasting wealthy leagues—fair play to Scotland, France and Italy continue to now? Maybe the government should In terms of global spread, admittedly, Laporte for insisting only French pass- improve it could be a Championship for give him a call: who better to negotiate the graph is encouraging, while the 2015 port holders will henceforth be eligible the ages. a workable Brexit deal from a standing generated £2.3bn in overall for Les Bleus—or that the two best sides It would also help if more coaches— start? It is easy enough, too, to imag- economic output, including a £1.1bn in the world could not meet outside and players—reminded themselves ine him discussing the art of infl uential boost to the UK’s GDP fi gures. World Cups because of a squabble over that sporting life is to be grasped, rel- leadership with the US president-elect: The Olympics were an inspiring ad- gate profi ts. ished and celebrated. What is the point “Trumpy, mate, come over to Twicken- vertisement for sevens; no one who saw At least the All Blacks will face the in winning the league and looking as ham and I’ll show you how it’s done.” Fiji’s giant, modest gladiators kneel not just next Christmas but 30 years How many fully professional English Lions in a seismic series that, with luck, bored by the whole thing as Leicester The tide of global history could be to accept their gold medals could fail hence? Does it embrace sevens or 15s as clubs should there be? In other words, will restore everyone’s faith. It will be City’s players did on stage at the BBC’s turned for ever. to salute their humility and joy. The its best vehicle for long-term growth? should it stick or twist? If ever there desperately tough for the touring team, Sports Personality of the Year awards? In a post-truth world almost any- outpouring of passion and local pride Does it want to be a game weighted was a need for rugby men with vision, with both their preparation time and Rugby union, with its relative lack thing is feasible if enough people want aroused by the passing of Munster’s more towards elusive backs than mas- conviction and an unswerving belief in itinerary bordering on the scandalous. of terrestrial telly exposure, defen- to believe it. Rugby has long been fa- Anthony Foley also showed rugby’s soul todon forwards? the greater good, it is now. But who would not want to see a lumpy sive media relations and political in- miliar with this concept. How else can remains intact. With the spectre of concussion not Happily, World Rugby now has Bill Anglo-Irish pack, perhaps led by Alun fi ghting, does not currently have many the charms of a murderous eight-man Even so, there is a sense that, Jones disappearing, will it embark down the Beaumont and Agustin Pichot at the Wyn Jones, get stuck into New Zea- globally recognisable stars. In 2017 it shove or the monarch-of-the-glen aside, the game has never been more road of safer collisions and alienate tra- helm; between them they have the nec- land in the Tests, challenging the gifted needs to heed Jones’s advice, work out beauty of a ripe caulifl ower ear be ra- unsure of itself in more respects. ditional fans or attract the lawsuits seen essary human qualities and, in Pichot’s Aaron Smith, Beauden Barrett and Ben precisely what sort of sport it wants to tionally explained? Perception is im- Where, exactly, does rugby want to be in American gridiron? case, the youthful optimism. Smith to sparkle in adversity? For every be, and then go for it.

FOCUS Farrell expects Six Nations bonus points to lift Lions he introduction of make up for the absence of in- bonus points to the Six jured quartet Franck Romanet, TNations will improve the Pacific Islander Napolioni British and Irish Lions’ hopes Nalaga, Henry Clunies-Ross Parisse hopes to lead of defeating New Zealand for and Fijian Jone Tuva. the first time since 1971, Lions and Ireland defence coach Andy Farrell has said. North to return The Six Nations, which starts after head injury on February 4, confirmed last month that the new system, Wales wing George North is introduced initially on a trial set to make his first appear- Stade out of doldrums basis, will award a bonus point ance for Northampton since should a team score four or his latest head injury when more tries or lose by seven or the Premiership side face ‘I ask myself questions. It’s why I asked to meet (owner) Thomas Savare and his fewer points. A similar system Gloucester tomorrow. North’s has been in place in the south- club confirmed yesterday that father Jean-Pierre to better understand the club’s project and get some replies’ ern hemisphere’s international he will start at Kingsholm in competitions since the Tri- place of Juan Pablo Estelles as Nations was launched in 1996. he makes his maiden outing “We have been in front since appearing to have been against them (New Zealand) knocked out against Leices- with teams I have been ter on December 3. A Rugby involved with and they are Football Union and Premiership masters at the comeback, Rugby review opted not to staying calm and being clini- charge Saints or their medical cal,” Farrell, defence coach for staff with misconduct for allow- the 10-match tour next June ing North to resume playing and July, told British media. despite his suspected loss of “The way to score that consciousness during an aerial bonus-point try is exactly like collision. North was cleared to that — staying calm, being play in last Friday’s victory over clinical, not being frantic, and Sale, but Northampton omitted going about your job as you him from their squad. While should do rather than being North’s return to action brings too emotional. It will create to an end his most recent excitement as it goes, you’ll absence through concussion, know what you need to do the full consequences of al- along the way, but you still lowing him to rejoin the match won’t get away from the fact against Leicester are not yet that you need to win.” known despite the outcome of Farrell was part of the the investigation. The day after backroom staff that mas- Northampton were cleared terminded Ireland’s shock by the review, World Rugby triumph over New Zealand announced it was seeking to halt their record 18-match further information from the winning streak last month and RFU about an “apparent non- the 41-year-old felt that bonus compliance” with its concus- points would encourage sion protocols. teams to be more attacking. Faumuina to Stanley set to play in France quit Clermont World Cup-winning prop Char- New Zealand centre Benson lie Faumuina has confirmed Stanley has said he will quit he will leave New Zealand Top 14 outfit Clermont at the rugby next year and join end of the season after electing French side Toulouse after the not to take up an option for a British and Irish Lions series AFP ried for the future of the club. hasn’t exploded, that’s the most important people with the like. We have a good struc- fifth year in France. “If I want against the All Blacks. The Paris “It’s why I asked to meet (owner) Tho- thing,” the Argentinian-born player said. ture to play rugby, a good environment. We to carry on playing it will not 30-year-old had been linked mas Savare and his father Jean-Pierre to Parisse admitted that the club’s next have a strong personality, I’m not in a state be here,” the 32-year-old, who with a number of European better understand the club’s project and three games, starting with a home match of panic.” has three international caps clubs and with Owen Franks ergio Parisse has been a stalwart get some replies.” against Brive today, and followed by Tou- Top 14 leaders Clermont, who thumped with the All Blacks, said. The re-signing with New Zealand for Stade Francais, an ever-present Parisse has always been known as a louse and Grenoble, would be the “turning Stade Francais 46-10 last time out, trav- Australian-born Stanley came Rugby until 2019, Faumuina’s since his arrival in Paris in 2005. But fi erce competitor, notably when winning point of the season”. el Saturday to Toulouse, who this week to the club in 2012 and his hopes of establishing himself the Italy captain, an inspirational 121 caps for an Italian national side that has “After my neck injury and suspension, signed All Blacks prop Charlie Faumuina four-year deal runs out at the the first choice tighthead No.S 8, fi nds his Stade team fl oundering this for long times struggled. I don’t really have the feeling of having for the start of the next European season. end of this campaign, albeit he ahead of the 2019 World Cup season, 11th in the Top 14, with a new coach “I’m 33 years of age, I’ve extended my started the season. I can’t wait to string a But Clermont will be without four big had the option of agreeing a all but ended. Franks, who is in Greg Cooper in place of Gonzalo Quesa- contract until 2020, I could say to myself few games together,” he added. names, France internationals Camille one-year extension. Clermont, 29, has had an iron grip on the da and the announced departure of several ‘I’ll fi nish my career quietly’. Ex-All Blacks Cooper, capped seven Lopez, Damien Chouly, Scott Spedding and leading the way in Top 14 this number three jersey since his senior players at season’s end. “But it’s not my philosophy. I’m not times by New Zealand and who arrived at Noa Nakaitaci all handed an extra week’s season and on the verge of a international debut against It is certainly a time of fl ux for the club mediocre, but a competitor, I want to win. Stade at the season’s start as backs coach holiday. Prop Aaron Jarvis, winger David European Cup quarter-finals Italy in 2009 and has since based in the shadow of the Parc des Princes I want to know what the club’s real ambi- before being named in the head job for next Strettle and fl anker Julien Bardy are also all berth, have already seen racked up 90 caps. Faumuina at their state-of-the-art Stade Jean-Bouin, tions are for the coming years,” he said. season, said he was not “panicked” by the out, injured. former All Blacks wing Hosea has 46 caps, most coming off with the likes of Rabah Slimani, Hugo Bon- Parisse added that he hoped to end his loss of senior players from his squad. Second-placed Montpellier are away at Gear join Lyon on a short term the bench in place of Franks. neval and Rapahael Lakafi a all heading off career at Stade—“No one loves this club “New Zealand lost a few players after the Pau while La Rochelle, in third, entertain deal after the 32-year-old failed He will head to France after for pastures new next year. more than me”—but insisted that there World Cup and have continued to build,” he Grenoble tomorrow. The fi nal game of the to hold down a regular place next year’s Super Rugby “I ask myself questions,” Parisse said had to be a core of senior players to lead the argued. “I have big respect for the players weekend pitches Toulon against Racing 92 in the side. Lyon want Gear to season. yesterday when asked whether he was wor- squad. “The squad’s been shuffl ed but it who’ll leave, but we have to replace good in a battle for fourth spot. Gulf Times Saturday, December 31, 2016 7 SPORT

SPOTLIGHT NO PROBLEM Murray shrugs off Federer launches surprise Goffi n loss injury comeback at Hopman Cup Britain’s in action against David Goff in of Belgium. AFP “I served really well and that Abu Dhabi was key to staying in the match,” ‘I’m really positive about how I’m feeling. Expectations are low because I don’t have the said 26-year-old Goffi n who will face in Saturday’s matches yet and it’s going to be best-of-five from the get-go at the Australian Open’ orld number one fi nal. Andy Murray “Andy returns so well, puts the shrugged off his pressure on you so that makes it Wsurprise defeat to tough to serve well all the match. David Goffi n in the semi-fi nals “I maintained my level with of the Mubadala World Tennis the serve, felt really good on the Championships yesterday. baseline and came to the net Wimbledon and Olympic when I needed to.” champion Murray, who had won Nadal downed Canada’s Milos all fi ve of his previous meetings Raonic, the world number three, with the 11th-ranked Belgian, 6-1, 3-6, 6-3 in his semi-fi nal as was beaten 7-6 (7/4), 6-4. the 14-time major winner looks “I was striking the ball well. It to end an injury-hit 2016 with a was a pretty high-quality match fourth UAE title on Saturday. for the fi rst match in the year af- Nadal, 30, defeated Raonic for ter a break so it was good, just a the seventh time in eight career bit unfortunate in the end,” Mur- meetings. ray told The National newspaper. “It’s great to be back on court “I fi nd it great preparation for after a time without matches,” the new year. You’re practis- said Spanish great Nadal, a former ing and playing matches against world number one who is now some of the best players in the down at nine in the rankings. world. So it’s a great way to start “To beat two great players (To- the year, get into a good rhythm. mas Berdych on Thursday and It sharpens you up and I’m happy Raonic on Friday) is great news to be back.” for me.” Murray’s next stop is neigh- Nadal and Goffi n will meet for bouring Qatar for the opening the fi rst time today. week of the ATP season and two “David is very talented. It will weeks out from the Australian be a tough match but I will do my Open, the fi rst of best,” said Nadal. 2017. In the match for fi fth-place in Goffi n, meanwhile, said he was the six-man fi eld, France’s Jo- pleased to have fi nally defeated Wilfried Tsonga beat Czech Tho- Murray for the fi rst time. mas Berdych 6-7 (5/7), 6-3, 10-3.

Serena Williams gets engaged to Reddit co-founder Ohanian World number two tennis The 22-times grand slam player has singles champion announced become engaged to Alexis her engagement on Thursday Ohanian, co-founder of the to Alexis Ohanian, co-founder This file photo shows Switzerland’s gesturing as he leaves the court during his semi-final against Serbia’s at the . social media company Reddit. of the social media company “Down on 1 knee. He said four Reddit, who accompanied AFP The Swiss legend, who will partner season. Kyrgios, who will partner with quet in his pool. “It’s been a great event words. And i said yes,” the her to New Zealand for the Perth with , said he was look- in the Australian team, to start the year off . It gives you a big ad- 35-year-old American said ASB Classic which starts on ing to ease his way back before the start said he was now focusing on better man- vantage playing a few matches here,” said on the social media site on Thursday. of the Australian Open in Melbourne on aging his schedule and time. Zverev, whose ranking has soared from 83 Thursday. American Williams, 35, is top oger Federer makes his long- January 16. “The added media interest is never at the start of the year to a current 24. “I came home. A little late. seed for the tournament, a awaited return to tennis after six “I’m really positive about how I’m easy and it’s something that I haven’t and Coco Vandeweghe will be Someone had a bag packed warm-up event for the Austral- months out with a knee injury in feeling right now, and practice is going fully got my head around or got used to, bidding to give the United States a record for me. And a carriage ian Open grand slam later in tomorrow’s mixed teams Hop- well,” said Federer, who was watched by but what can I do?” Kyrgios said. seventh victory in the Hopman Cup. awaited. Destination: Rome... January, and she was whisked manR Cup in Perth ahead of next month’s 5,000 fans at a practice session in Perth “As far as how I’ll deal with it, I’ll just back to where our stars first through a crowded airport, Australian Open. on Thursday. keep my head down and go about my TEAMS (WITH CURRENT RANKINGS): collided.” telling reporters she was The Swiss 17-time Grand Slam champi- “Expectations are low because I don’t business as I have done the past few Aus- Australia – (13)/Daria Ga- The New York-born Ohanian, excited to be in New Zealand on has not played a match since July when have the matches yet and it’s going to be sie summers.” vrilova (25) 33, confirmed the news on his for the first time. he tumbled during the fi nal set of a loss to best-of-fi ve from the get-go at the Aus- Dual Wimbledon champion Petra Kvi- Czech Republic – Adam Pavlasek (75)/ Facebook page, writing: “She “It’s fun to go to new places,” in the semi-fi nals at Wim- tralian Open. tova had pulled out of the Hopman Cup Lucie Hradecka (165) said yes”. the world number two said. bledon. Federer, 35, had surgery for the fi rst “I’m happy I’ve got the Hopman Cup before she was knifed by a home intruder France – (18)/Kristina Williams is the best player of Serena’s older sister Venus is time in his career on his left knee in Febru- and I’ve got my three matches there to this month and required surgery on her Mladenovic (42) her generation. also competing in Auckland, an ary and after the Wimbledon set-back he ease my way in.” racquet hand. Germany – (24)/And- She has won 22 grand slam event she won in 2015, and said did not fi nish the season, missing out on Nick Kyrgios also makes his return in Kvitova will be out for six months and rea Petkovic (55) singles titles, the same as she was delighted to hear about the US Open and Rio Olympics. the Hopman Cup, but from a playing ban, has been replaced in Perth by three-time Great Britain – Daniel Evans (66)/Heather German Steff i Graf and trail- her sibling’s engagement. During his time out of the game Andy after his spectacular meltdown at the doubles Grand Slam champion Lucie Watson (76) ing only Australian Margaret Serena said it was unlikely the Murray and Novak Djokovic fought out the Shanghai Masters in October resulted in Hradecka, who partners with Adam Pav- Spain – Feliciano Lopez (28)/Lara Arrua- Court (24). duo, who have won 14 grand world No.1 ranking and his Swiss compa- an initial eight-week suspension. lasek in the Czech team. barrena (66) Williams touched down in slam doubles titles together, triot won the US Open. A condition of the ATP reducing the Alexander Zverev, who teams up with Switzerland – Roger Federer (16)/Belinda Auckland yesterday and would team up to play in New Federer makes his return with his ban to three weeks meant the controver- for Germany, says he is Bencic (43) quickly made her way to the Zealand. world ranking down to 16, his lowest sial 21-year-old had to consult a sports looking forward to his matches against USA – Jack Sock (23)/Coco Vandeweghe court to hit some balls ahead “Probably not. I wish, we will since 2001. psychologist to prepare him for the new Federer and Frenchman Richard Gas- (36) of the start of her 2017 season. see,” Serena said.

BOTTOMLINE FIS: Six Russians including ex-champ Legkov remain barred from TDS Olympic champion Alexander ing with samples at the Sochi Legkov and five other Russian Games. Nadal looks at Brisbane start cross-country skiers remain The FIS said the reasons for provisionally suspended in the doping panel decision will AFP “I’m ready to play in Brisbane Williams as world number one. connection with a doping be communicated directly to Brisbane — I hope to be 100 per cent ready Kerber began her 2016 season probe and will miss the up- the athletes in due course. to play at a good level,” he said. in Brisbane where she reached coming Tour de Ski, the ruling The German lawyer for “I feel I’m healthy enough, and the fi nal, going down to Victoria body FIS said yesterday. Legkov and Belov, Christof panish great Rafael Nadal I’m very excited to be coming to Azarenka. The FIS said its doping panel Wischemann, said in a e- will be hoping the sea- Brisbane for the fi rst time in my “It is the best way to start the took the “unanimous decision mailed statement that the FIS son-opening Brisbane life. I’m working hard enough to summer of tennis in Australia,” today to uphold the provi- did not want to decide on their International gives him be competitive. That’s my main Kerber said. sional suspensions of the Rus- suspension without conduct- theS chance to kick-start his ca- thing, to be competitive. “For me, Brisbane kick-start- sian cross country athletes, ing a hearing for which a date reer following an injury-plagued “I need a little luck at the be- ed the best season of my career Evgeniy Belov, Julia Ivanova, is yet to be set. 2016. ginning and to play matches, be- this year. Alexander Legkov, Evgenia The athletes have protested The 30-year-old has won 14 cause I haven’t played much for “You have to play tourna- Shapovalova, Alexey Petukhov their innocence and it can not Grand Slam singles titles in a the last four months.” ments that will prepare you for and Maxim Vylegzhanin.” be ruled out that they were glittering career, the last coming Nadal will be the fi fth seed in the big moments, which for The six athletes were sus- personally unaware of the at the in 2014. Brisbane, behind world number me, was winning the Austral- pended on December 22 after practices. But his 2016 campaign was three and defending champion ian Open and going on to be the the International Olympic All Russian samples from ruined by a wrist injury that Milos Raonic of Canada, Swit- number one player in the world.” Committee (IOC) opened Sochi, and other Games, are forced him out of Roland Garros zerland’s three-time Grand Dominika Cibulkova is seeded disciplinary proceedings being retested. after the second round and saw Slam winner Stan Wawrinka, second and will head into the against 28 Russian athletes Two biathletes and four him miss Wimbledon. Japan’s and rising tournament full of confi dence who competed at the Sochi skeleton sliders have been He then lost to Frenchman Austrian star . after beating Kerber to win the 2014 Olympics. provisionally suspended by in the fourth round Rafael Nadal gestures after defeating Canada’s Milos Raonic during The top eight seeds are round- WTA Finals in Singapore in late Investigations started after now alongiside the six cross- of the US Open and slipped to their semi-final in the Mubadala World Tennis Championship. ed out by Nadal’s fellow Span- October, the biggest win of the World Anti-Doping Agency country skiers. number nine in the world rank- iard , and French Slovakian’s career. (WADA) investigator Richard Legkov won Sochi gold in the ings at year end. said after beating Tomas Ber- three years.” duo Pouille and . The Czech Republic’s Karo- McLaren said in a report 50-kilometre event and relay But the Spaniard says he is dych of the Czech Republic 6-0, Nadal will be making his fi rst The women’s draw is headed lina Pliskova is third seed while published on December 9 silver, and is a Tour de Ski fi t again and insists he can still 6-4 at the Mubadala World Ten- appearance at the Brisbane In- by Germany’s Angelique Ker- Spain’s 2016 French Open that more than 1,000 Russian champion from 2013. challenge for a Grand Slam title. nis Championship exhibition ternational, a major lead-up ber, who won the Australian and champion Garbine Muguruza is athletes were implicated in Vylegzhanin won three silvers, “My idea is to stay here for a tournament in Abu Dhabi. tournament to the Australian US Opens in 2016 and fi nished fourth. The tournament begins wide-ranging doping prac- and Petukhoiv is a sprint few more years and I feel enough “I believe that I can compete Open, and one that boasts a runner-up at Wimbledon on her at the Queensland Tennis Centre tices, which included tamper- world champion from 2013. motivation to be here,” Nadal for important things in the next high-class fi eld. way to taking over from Serena on New Year’s Day. Saturday, December 31, 2016 GULF TIMES SPORT

AL RAYYAN INTERNATIONAL SHOW JUMPING CHAMPIONSHIP Demirsoy storms to solid victory with phenomenal time of 62.61 seconds Qatar’s Rashid Towaim al-Marri was at his best again winning the One round against the clock with jump-off 135cm class

Qatar’s Rashid Towaim al-Marri astride Beyonce poses with his trophy after winning the One round against the clock with jump-off 135cm class during the Al Rayyan International Show Jumping Championship at the Qatar Equestrian Federation’s Main Arena yesterday. PICTURES: Lotfi Garsi

Young riders pose with Qatar Equestrian Federation president Hamad bin Abdul- Turkey’s Derin Demirsoy (astride Narazo De Nyze Z) gets his trophy from Qatar Equestrian Federation president Hamad bin Abdulrahman al-Attiyah yesterday. rahman al-Attiyah at the Al Rayyan International Show Jumping Championship.

By Sahan Bidappa galloped around the arena with his dium fi nish. guided Fulla clear in 37.32 seconds. The by 0.8 seconds. The pair’s time of 34.04 Table A, One round against the clock Doha 10-year-old black stallion Garlic Vh Earlier, Qatar’s Rashid Towaim al- Saudi Rider won QR9,000. was good enough for second spot. Haid- with jump-off - Art. 238.2.2 - 135cm - Kapelhof. But the pair missed out by Marri continued his fi ne form on the Qatar’s Hamad Ali al-Attiyah took an won QR7,000 for his eff orts. Prize: QR45,000 a mere three seconds as they finished second day of the Championship, by the second spot, in his nine-year-old Qatar also took the third spot, 1. Rashid Towaim al-Marri (Qatar) urkey’s Derin Demirsoy the course in 62.64 and had to settle emerging triumphant once again. gelding Clinton, the pair completing with Salmeen Sultan A M al-Suwai- Beyonce. Time: 37.10. Prize money: stormed to a stunning vic- for a runner-up spot. their hurdles in 39.01, which fetched di impressing with Cascano as they QR11,250.00 tory on the second day of the This is the second time in a week QATAR’S AL-MARRI ON TOP the local rider QR6,750. A total of 38 jumped clear in 34.76 seconds to fin- 2. Bader Mohammed Alfard (Saudi Al Rayyan International Show that al-Duhami has fi nished behind The Qatari rider had won on the open- riders were in the fi eld, of which only ish on the podium. Al-Suwaidi pock- Arabia) Fulla. 37.32. QR9,000.00 TJumping Championship yesterday. Demirsoy. Last week, Demirsoy had ing day of the event with his 13-year- 10 made it to the jump-off . eted QR5,250. 3. Hamad Ali al-Attiyah (Qatar) Clinton. In an thrilling fi nish at the Qatar won the feature event at the Qatar In- old mare Dolce Vita M in the 130/135cm In the day’s opening event, one 39.01. QR6,750.00. Equestrian Federation’s Main Arena, ternational Show Jumping Champion- class. Yesterday, al-Marri was at his best round against the clock with jump-off RESULTS the 22-year-old Demirsoy and his ships with Harry K. again as he guided Beyonce to victory 120 cm class, Saad Alajmi of Saudi Ara- Table A, One round against the clock Art. Table A, One round against the clock 13-year-old grey gelding Narazo De Demirsoy once again marshalled his in the One round against the clock with bia fi nished fi rst. 238.2.1 - 145cm, Prize: QR270,000 with jump-off - Art. 238.2.2 - 120 cm - Nyze Z put in a phenomenal time of horse perfectly to outwit al-Duhami jump-off 135cm class. Alajmi and Risohorse Emilia crossed 1. Derin DEMIRSOY (Turkey) Narazo Prize: QR35,000 62.61 seconds, throwing down the and walk away with the top prize of The 10-year-old grey mare, Beyonce, the line in 33.92 for the top prize, which De Nyze Z. Time: 62.61 seconds. Prize 1. Saad Alajmi (Saudi Arabia) Risohorse gauntlet to the remainder of the fi eld QR67,500. Al-Duhami had to be con- galloped around the arena and stopped made the Saudi rider richer by QR money: QR67,500 Emilia. Time: 33.92 seconds. Prize competing in the 145cm class, the fea- tent with QR54,000. the clock in an impressive 37.10 seconds 8,750. 2. Ramzy Hamad al-Duhami (Saudi money: QR8,750.00 ture event of the night which carried a Saudi’s Kamal Abdullah Bahamdan to claim the top spot. Al-Marri took Qatar’s Hussain Said Haidan looked Arabia) Garlic Vh Kapelhof. 62.64. 2. Hussain Said Haidan (Qatar) Casa- total prize money of QR270,000. came third with Lacasino as the duo home QR11,250 for his eff orts. set for a home turf win after a blind- QR54,000 nova. 34.04. QR7,000.00 Ramzy Hamad al-Duhami looked stopped the clock at 63.30. Bahamdan The second place went to Saudi Ara- ing round with his 12-year-old gelding 3. Kamal Abdullah BAHAMDAN (Saudi 3. Salmeen Sultan A M al-Suwaidi (Qa- set to grab the top spot when he was richer by QR40,500 for the po- bia’s Bader Mohammed Alfard, who Casanova but failed to beat Alajmi’s time Arabia) Lacasino. 63.30. QR40,500 tar) Cascano. 34.76. QR5,250.00.

RALLYING Peterhansel seeks breathing space in Dakar

AFP The only scheduled rest day on Janu- Asuncion ary 8 will be spent in the Bolivian capi- tal of La Paz at a lung-busting 3,500m above sea level. tephane Peterhansel targets a While on the Bolivian Altiplano, fi ve 13th Dakar title next month, de- stages will be raced with a maximum scribing the gruelling 2017 rally altitude of 4,500m reached. as the most intense he has faced “The route of the 2017 Dakar pre- andS fearing the physical eff ects of rac- serves the rally-raid traditions, with a ing at South America’s punishing high physical challenge that will push the altitudes. competitors into the world of extreme The 51-year-old Frenchman clinched endurance,” said Dakar race sporting his sixth win on four wheels in this director Marc Coma, himself a fi ve- year’s event to add to six motorcycle time winner of the motorcycle title. triumphs since his debut back in 1988 There will be six stages of more than when the famed race was still held in 400km, dune crossing and driving in Africa. sand, especially on the sections of the Stephane Peterhansel from Team Peugeot Total performs during a test run with But when the 39th running of the route still unknown to rally-raid regu- the new Peugeot 3008 DKR in Erfoud, Morocco. Dakar starts in Paraguay on Monday, lars or during the all-important “Super many in the fi eld will be happy just to Belen” stage, three days from the fi nish fi ve-time motorcycle champion, is also Mini, the 2012-2015 champions, pin negotiate the six days spent at 3,000 line in Buenos Aires. back with Peugeot after a 34th and sev- their hopes on Mikko Hirvonen who metres or more above sea level. Peterhansel’s Peugeot team is com- enth-place spot in 2015 and 2016. marked his Dakar debut in 2016 with an “We all fear a little the time spent at pleted by two-time world rally cham- More than 90 car teams will take part impressive fourth-place spot. altitude. I fear for the teams, the staff , pion Carlos Sainz, a Dakar winner in with Toyota likely to be Peugeot’s main In the motorcycle championship, 149 mechanics,” said Peterhansel, who won 2010, but who has failed to fi nish in the challenger. vehicles will start with Australia’s Toby the 2016 event in a Peugeot after wins last two years. The Japanese squad boasts three Price defending his title with KTM. in 2004, 2005 and 2007 with Mitsubi- Nine-time world rally champion Se- former winners — South Africa’s Gin- The 2017 race will be the ninth time shi and 2012 and 2013 victories behind File picture of Stephane Peterhansel of the Team Peugeot Total. bastien Loeb returns for a second year iel de Villiers, who won the maiden the Dakar has been held in South Amer- the wheel of a Mini. with the French manufacturer after Dakar of the South American era with ica. The race was cancelled in 2008 over “Last year there were cases when have done in South America.” the Andes in Bolivia before returning to marking his debut with a ninth-place Volkswagen in 2009, Nani Roma, the security threats in Mauritania, organis- mechanics didn’t feel well. This is go- The 9,000km race will start in Para- Argentina and a fi nish at Buenos Aires fi nish in 2016. 2004 winner, and Qatar’s Nasser Al At- ers taking the decision to move the rally ing to be the most intense Dakar we guay, cross into Argentina, negotiate on January 14. Fellow Frenchman Cyril Despres, a tiyah, the 2011 and 2015 champion. to another continent in 2009.