CCRICKETRICKET | Page 4 GOLF | Page 6 Pandya Back-to-back powers India European home in Tour titles for thrilling fi nish Bezuidenhout

Monday, December 7, 2020 FOOTBALL Rabia II 22, 1442 AH Kane and Son fi re GULF TIMES Spurs to top; Vardy strikes late SPORT Page 3 SPOTLIGHT Commercial Bank swings into Education City Golf Club to develop next generation of golfers

By Sports Reporter Commercial Bank will also in- the future of golf in Qatar. Part to support and emphasise com- Doha troduce over 100 new women to of our CSR strategy is to develop munity and family activities as it golf in the private coaching area women in sport and starting with aims to encourage young Qataris at Education City Golf Club. The golf we feel it will add benefi t to to take up the sport and to grow ommercial Bank has aim is to encourage healthy par- the community with the low im- the game of golf in Qatar. entered into a partner- ticipation in sport and develop a pact outdoor sport. We are also Speaking on behalf of Educa- ship agreement with community of women golfers in excited to be planning the 2021 tion City Golf Club, the Gen- Education City Golf Qatar. Qatar Masters and we hope we eral Manager Michael Braid- ClubC (ECGC) to help develop Other initiatives also will in- can continue with our annual wood stated: “Our commitment the next generation of golfers clude a special series of Com- event as planned.” to developing golf amongst the in Qatar. Two key initiatives of mercial Bank Qatar Masters Part of Commercial Banks youth and women has been a pri- the partnership will develop golf Qualifi ers, as members of ECGC partnership will include the Qa- ority of ours since our infancy. programs for the youth and lady will be given the opportunity to tar Masters, a tournament that is The golf programs we have de- golfers. qualify for the 2021 Qatar Mas- considered Qatar’s annual ‘must- veloped are designed to encour- Participation in golf is associat- ters Pro AM to play alongside attend’ sporting and social event, age new golfers and help them ed with a wide range of benefi ts— the European Tour professionals, fi rst held in 1998 and widely quickly progress to playing on physical, emotional, social and with a series of exciting Qualify- known for bringing together the a golf course. We are grateful to cognitive—that can last well into ing events. world’s best golf talent; the likes Commercial Bank for their sup- adulthood; golf can be played for Speaking on behalf of Com- of Sergio Garcia, Rory Mcllroy, port and commitment in helping life. Developing an appreciation mercial Bank, Hussain al-Abdul- Adam Scott, Justin Rose, Ernie develop the sport of golf here in for the game at a young age is im- la, EGM Chief Marketing Offi cer, Els and Henrik Stenson have all Qatar.” portant and the aim is to build an said: “Commercial Bank is ex- competed in past years. The 2021 Commercial Bank early commitment with the youths Education City Golf Club General Manager Michael Braidwood (left) and Commercial Bank EGM and Chief cited to be partnering with Edu- The Commercial Bank part- Qatar Masters is scheduled to of Qatar to play golf. Marketing Off icer Hussein al-Abdulla. cation City Golf Club, to develop nership with Education City aims take place from March 11-14.

FOCUS SC celebrates the eff orts of volunteers towards WCup On International Volunteers Day, SC hosted an event at Khalifa stadium, including a football tournament

QNA Doha

he Supreme Committee for De- livery & Legacy (SC), the body responsible for delivering the infrastructure required to host theT FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, or- ganised an event to celebrate the SC’s volunteers at Khalifa International Sta- dium, in tandem with the International Volunteers Day, which is marked on December 5, each year. The event was attended by Secre- tary-General of the SC HE Hassan al-Thawadi, CEO of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Nasser al-Khater, and Workforce and Volunteer Director in the Local Organising Committee of the SC Secretary-General HE Hassan Qatar World Cup Rasha al-Qarni, along al-Thawadi gave the opening speech at FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 CEO Nasser with the SC’s ambassadors Khalid Sal- the event. al-Khater. man, Adel Khamis, and Mohamed Saa- doun al-Kuwari. who are citizens and residents of Qatar, Qatar, Team 2022, Amazing Team, and Al-Thawadi said that volunteering is as well as giving the opportunity to vol- Together Team, who won the title. a true refl ection of the vision set by the unteers who share a common passion For his part, al-Khater said that the SC to develop a culture of giving and and love for football to communicate, SC’s most important programme is the serving the nation, praising the active get to know each other and build rela- volunteering programme, pointing to role of the SC’s volunteers who play tionships between them. the SC’s keenness to involve commu- Together Team won a four-team football tournament at the Khalifa International Stadium that also saw the participation of a key role in Qatar’s eff orts to host an The event represented an important nity members in Qatar and the Arab Team Qatar, Team 2022 and Amazing Team. exceptional edition of the FIFA World opportunity for inspiration, awareness world in its journey towards hosting the Cup after less than two years from now. and building enthusiasm for volunteer- World Cup. play a distinct role in refi ning the vol- development opportunities provided and this is what humanity needs now, In his welcoming speech, al-Thawa- ing in Qatar, a country that is preparing Talking to the press, al-Khater said unteers’ experiences and qualifying by the SC for volunteers equipped them especially under the diffi cult circum- di said that history will remember the to host the FIFA World Cup, for the fi rst that since the launch of the SC’s volun- them to be football ambassadors during with an ideal set of skills and abilities stances through which the world is go- FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, the fi rst time in the Middle East and the Arab teering programme in September 2018 the World Cup Qatar 2022. and helped them identify the goals and ing. edition to be held in the Middle East world, after less than two years from now. to support preparations for hosting For her part, Workforce and Volun- aspirations to host an ideal edition of Al-Kuwari said that he was proud of and the Arab world, as one of the best It was also an opportunity for volun- the World Cup Qatar 2022, more than a teer Director in the Local Organizing the World Cup, in addition to motivat- the large number of SC’s volunteers, tournaments ever thanks to the volun- teers to learn about a part of the Qatari quarter of a million people from around Committee of the Qatar World Cup ing them to contribute to the success of who have contributed to the success of teers’ eff orts over the past ten years and culture related to the organisation of the world have applied to join the vol- al-Qarni said that volunteers are the the largest football event hosted by the more than one event during the recent what they will present in the future. the World Cup Qatar 2022, and empha- unteering team. key pillar for the success of any sports Arab region. period, most notably the FIFA Club In this event, he added, the SC cel- sising the importance of the role that Since 2018, the volunteering pro- tournament, pointing out that the vol- On the occasion of International World Cup and the GCC Champion- ebrates the International Volunteers volunteers play in the success of any gramme has succeeded in investing the unteering program in the State of Qa- Volunteers Day, al-Qarni said that this ship, especially since there is no suc- Day and sees it as an opportunity to event or sporting tournament. capabilities and energies of volunteers, tar for the World Cup has gone beyond event is a celebration of the SC’s vol- cessful tournament without a distin- celebrate the eff orts of the volunteers, On International Volunteers Day, the their passion and love for football in a many stages in changing the nature unteers, whose number reached 2000 guished cadre of volunteers. adding every success we have achieved SC thanked volunteers who have con- positive way, as they contributed to the of culture towards volunteering pro- people in 2020, for their eff ort and Al-Kuwari expressed his optimism together during previous sporting tributed actively towards the success success of many local and international grammes. time as well as their distinguished role about the volunteering experience in tournaments is a direct result of the of numerous tournaments and sport- tournaments held in Qatar, as well as She said that despite the challenges throughout this year. Qatar and the volunteering program, time and eff orts provided by the vol- ing events hosted by Qatar since 2018 in the opening of the Qatar World Cup faced in the recent period, the number SC’s ambassador al-Kuwari stressed especially in light of the registration of unteers. and on the road to the 2022 World Cup, stadiums, he added. of volunteers in 2020 is more than that that volunteering is one of the most im- more than a quarter of a million partici- The organisation of the event, in in addition to celebrating the Interna- On the occasion of International of the previous year, noting the suc- portant stages in the success of the or- pants to volunteer for the success of the which 600 volunteers representing 52 tional Volunteers Day. Volunteer Day, al-Khater praised the cess of the SC in communicating with ganization of the world championships, World Cup Qatar 2022, stressing that countries participated, came within The event witnessed the organisation great role played by the SC’s volunteers volunteers in all ways and giving them especially that part of the volunteers’ the volunteers are showing day after day the framework of the SC’s keenness to of a football tournament for volunteers during the events hosted by Qatar over continuous distance training courses. ideas and directives is co-operation, their commitment and enthusiasm for communicate with various volunteers in which four teams participated: Team the last period, saying that these events She stressed that the training and solidarity and service without charge, the success of this global sporting event. Gulf Times 2 Monday, December 7, 2020 FOOTBALL

ASIAN CHAMPIONS LEAGUE LIGUE 1 Lille beat Monaco Johnsen double fi res to keep pressure on leaders PSG AFP Saint-Germain after making a Paris late appearance as a substitute Ulsan into quarters for the Ligue 1 leaders 3-1 vic- tory at in-form Montpellier. usuf Yazici scored what With Neymar preserved ahead of Beijing Guoan also reach the last-eight phase as they edge out FC Tokyo 1-0 proved to be the winner next week’s crucial Champions as Lille beat fellow title League clash against Istanbul AFP hopefuls Monaco 2-1 Basaksehir and Mbappe rested yesterdayY to retake second place from the start, Colin Dagba’s fi rst Doha in Ligue 1 and increase the pres- career goal gave PSG the lead on sure on leaders Paris Saint-Ger- 33 minutes. uper sub Bjorn Johnsen’s fi ne main. Christophe Galtier’s men English forward Stephy Ma- second-half double fi red Ulsan dug deep at the Stade Pierre- vididi levelled before half-time Hyundai into the quarter-fi nals of Mauroy to end Monaco’s four- at the Stade de la Mosson, the the Asian Champions League with match winning streak and move ball just crossing the line de- aS commanding 3-0 win over Melbourne back to two points behind reign- spite the best eff orts of Dagba Victory yesterday. ing champions PSG. and Keylor Navas. Moise Kean Beijing Guoan also reached the last- Marseille are two points fur- restored the advantage for PSG eight phase earlier in the day, although ther back in third, but have two on 77 minutes after Rafi nha trig- in a much more sedate fashion, as they games in hand. Fourth-placed gered a quick counter, hitting a edged out FC Tokyo 1-0 courtesy of a Lyon could move level on points magnifi cent solo goal for his fi fth 59th-minute strike from A Lan. with Lille as they were playing in seventh league games. Ulsan Hyundai have never been beaten Metz in a late match. The Italy international was by Australian sides in the competition Lille, who were held to a draw then replaced by Mbappe, who and yesterday’s performance helped the by struggling Saint-Etienne last wrapped up the victory in stop- South Korean giants extend that record weekend, had the best chance page time as he brought up his besides taking their winning streak to six of the opening half but Jonathan century of goals in his 137th game matches, scoring more than one goal on Bamba’s strike was well saved by for PSG, tapping in a Layvin Kur- each occasion. away goalkeeper Vito Mannone. zawa cross. “I’ve been wanting Ulsan won the tournament in 2012 but Lille broke the deadlock in the to score for a few matches, it’s had not gone past the last-16 phase since, 53rd minute. a bit of a release,” Mbappe said. but yesterday’s show of strength helped Jonathan Ikone avoided two “When I signed here I wouldn’t them break a seven-year drought in style, challenges on the edge of the area even had thought of scoring three with coach Kim Do-hoon declaring “we before slipping a pass through for goals,” he beamed. “(A hundred) can make history in Qatar”. Canadian striker Jonathan David was part of a distant goal.” “I’d like to thank our players for their to score. The hosts doubled their Mbappe is joint-fourth on the great performance tonight. We had a lot advantage midway through the list of PSG’s all-time top scorers, of chances but the players were patient in second half as Turkish interna- level with Dominique Rocheteau the fi rst half,” said Kim. “We should have tionals Burak Yilmaz and Yazici and trailing Pauleta (109), Zlatan scored more goals but if we keep show- combined, with the latter slot- Ibrahimovic (156) and Edinson ing our quality like we did tonight, we can ting in from close range. Cavani (200). “I’m feeling better win the competition and make history in Yazici, who was introduced as and better, stringing matches to- Qatar.” a substitute three minutes before gether is going to allow me to get Ulsan could have won by a consider- his goal, has scored four times fully fi t,” he said. ably bigger margin but for the heroics of in the league this season despite “When I came here, I said that Melbourne’s Kiwi goalkeeper Max Cro- only starting twice. Pietro Pel- I wanted to get a lot better and combe who produced at least half a dozen legri pulled one back for Monaco you don’t do that in a year. It’s saves, including a brilliant one from Kim in the 90th minute, but there was been three and a half years, I’ve In-sung in a one-on-one situation from not enough time for an equaliser. experienced a lot of things here. 10 yards in the fi rst half. Melbourne, the The principality club sit fi fth, I’ve had some less good mo- only side from Australia to make the last Ulsan’s forward Bjorn Maars Johnsen (right) vies for the ball with Melbourne’s defender Storm Roux during the AFC Champions fi ve points behind PSG, who ments, but the club has always 16 this year — Sydney FC and Perth Glory League round of 16 match at the Education City Stadium in Doha yesterday. (AFP) saw off Montpellier 3-1 on Sat- supported me.” were ousted at the group stage — fell be- urday. Elsewhere yesterday, hind in the 65th minute when Ulsan’s to be leaving the competition,” said Mel- stage in three appearances. a great chance to put his side ahead just Saint-Etienne’s winless league LIGUE 1 RESULTS after resumption but inexplicably shot Norwegian international Johnsen steered bourne Victory coach Steve Kean, who But at the Education City Stadium they run extended to nine matches Lille 2 (David 52, Yazici 65) the ball into the net after it had rebound- previously managed Blackburn in the not only snapped that jinx but also took wide from a Renato Augusto pass. with a goalless draw at Dijon. Monaco 1 (Pellegri 90); Angers ed off the back of a defender following a English Premier League. “I think the re- their unbeaten streak at this year’s event But he soon made amends, scoring his Strasbourg moved out of the 2 (Fulgini 10, Capelle 90+6) Lori- shot by Kim In-sung. sult as it reads is a fl at result, and in the to seven matches. FC Tokyo, too, had nev- fourth goal of the competition after a relegation zone with a thump- Fellow sub Won Du-jae doubled their press it will look like we’ve been beaten er made it past this stage in two previous cutback from Augusto who had weaved ing 4-0 success over Nantes, ent 0; Bordeaux 1 (Ben Arfa 84) lead in the 77th minute, rising high for and beaten well, but I don’t believe that.” appearances but faltered against Chinese his way into the box from the right fl ank. while Hatem Ben Arfa scored a Brest 0; Dijon 0 Saint-Etienne 0; an excellent header to get on the end Earlier, Beijing Guoan reached the opposition yet again — they were beaten “Today’s game was very tight, the level late winner as Bordeaux edged Nantes 0 Strasbourg 4 (Lienard of a fi ne free-kick by Yoon bit-Garam. quarter-fi nals for the fi rst time with Bra- to the quarter-fi nal spot by Guangzhou shown by both teams was similar,” former Brest 1-0. Nice laboured to a 16-pen, Diallo 34, Ajorque 78- Melbourne’s exit was confi rmed when zilian striker A Lan the hero. After cruis- Evergrande in 2012 and Shanghai SIPG in Lyon boss Genesio said. “But I think we 0-0 stalemate at Reims in their pen, Zohi 83); Reims 0 Nice 0 Johnsen scored his fourth goal in two ing through the group phase unbeaten, 2016. The game sprang to life in the sec- deserved the victory because we domi- fi rst match since sacking Patrick Played Saturday: Rennes 0 matches, poking the ball in from point- Bruno Genesio’s Beijing Guoan wrote a ond half after both teams failed to pro- nated the game and got a lot of posses- Vieira as coach. Lens 2 (Kalimuendo 27, Ganago blank range following a corner with four new chapter in their history, having never duce a single shot at goal earlier. A Lan, sion. We were effi cient in both defence 77); Montpellier 1 (Mavididi 41) minutes remaining. “We are disappointed previously progressed beyond the last-16 previously known as Alan Carvalho, had and attack, so I congratulate my players.” MBAPPE BRINGS UP Paris Saint-Germain 3 (Dagba 33, CENTURY AS PSG WIN AT Kean 77, 90+1 Mbappe) MONTPELLIER On Saturday, Kylian Mbappe On Friday: Nimes 0 Marseille 2 Holders France to learn path to Qatar in World Cup qualifying draw scored his 100th goal for Paris (Benedetto 57, Germain 84) Paris: European nations led by reigning the tournament, which will start on No- League group winners who miss out on petition’s expansion to 24 teams, but champions France will today learn their vember 21, 2022 and conclude with the qualifying via the traditional path. Those reaching the World Cup promises to be a opponents in qualifying as they begin final on December 18 after being moved play-off s will produce three more quali- far more arduous task. the long and congested road towards the to the northern hemisphere winter. fiers in total, with Europe having 13 spots For example, after qualifying for Euro 2022 World Cup in Qatar. The draw for Playing with the dates of football’s out of the 32 at the finals. 2020 to reach their first major tourna- the qualifying stage will take place in a biggest events has become common- France, Belgium, Italy and Spain will ment since the 1998 World Cup, Scotland virtual ceremony at FIFA’s headquarters place due to the coronavirus pandemic, all be placed in qualifying groups of five will face an uphill struggle to make it to in Zurich, allowing France and leading and qualifying is scheduled to start with teams by virtue of having qualified for Qatar. Their world ranking of 48 means lights like Kylian Mbappe to start tracing three rounds of matches next March, be- the final four of the Nations League in they are in the third pot of seeds, so out their route to a successful defence of fore the delayed Euro 2020 tournament Italy next October. It all points to a con- could go into a group with, for exam- the trophy in Doha. goes ahead in June and July. tinuing pile-up of matches. For example, ple, France and Switzerland. Scotland’s Two years since their triumph in France will be joined in the first pot a team that reaches the final of Euro prospects of making the World Cup were Moscow, the French look the strongest of seeds for today’s draw by the world’s 2020 can expect to play 17 competitive not helped by their failure to top their side around, and recently qualified for top-ranked side Belgium, reigning Euro- games between March and November Nations League group last month. “The the finals of the Nations League that take pean champions Portugal and Croatia, next year. Club managers like Liverpool’s play-off route via the Nations League has place next October. “We mustn’t start be- the team they defeated in the 2018 Jurgen Klopp have bitterly criticised the gone — we’ll just need to qualify from the lieving we are better than we are but we final in Moscow. England, Spain, Italy, number of games their players are being group. That has got to be the aim,” said do have the feeling that we can still do Denmark, Germany and the Netherlands asked to play for club and country, and Scotland manager Steve Clarke. some great things,” France coach Didier will also be top seeds, with only the win- that issue is likely to come to the fore World Cup qualifying has already Deschamps said this week as he looked ners of each of the 10 groups qualifying again over the course of 2021. started elsewhere, including in South ahead to a packed 2021. automatically for the finals. The continent’s more modest nations America which began its marathon Qatar and FIFA recently celebrated The 10 runners-up will go into play- have had their access to the European 10-team round-robin tournament in Paris Saint-Germain’s Kylian Mbappe celebrates with teammate marking two years to go until the start of off s alongside the two best Nations Championship opened up by that com- October. Layvin Kurzawa after scoring a goal during the French Ligue 1 match against Montpellier on Saturday night. (AFP)

LA LIGA Dembele injury adds to Barcelona’s problems aft er shock loss to Cadiz AFP The loss in Cadiz dropped Barce- defenders.” Barcelona have won just ble after France international Thomas Madrid lona to eighth, 12 points behind lead- four games in La Liga but have been im- Lemar and Spain midfi elder Marcos ers Atletico Madrid. Both clubs have perious in the Champions League, win- Llorente scored for Diego Simeone’s played 10 games. “A gap of 12 points to ning all fi ve games. “They are diff erent men against Valladolid. he bad news continued for Bar- a team as strong as Atletico Madrid is a competitions,” said Koeman. “Defeat is Atletico are among fi ve clubs to re- celona yesterday when the club lot,” said Koeman on Saturday. “There diffi cult to explain. We were coming off main without a domestic defeat in Eu- reported that injury-prone are still games to be played, but if we good games.” rope’s main fi ve leagues since the start French forward Ousmane Dem- don’t improve our attitude and our On Saturday, Under-pressure Zidane of the season. Real Sociedad, who have Tbele tweaked his right hamstring in the consistency away from home, we can’t said Madrid’s scrappy 1-0 victory in lost just once in the league this term, loss to Cadiz the day before. “It is mi- have a say.” Seville was signifi cant after a testing could regain the lead if they beat De- nor and the progress will determine his Ter Stegen made his fi rst error after run of results. Sevilla goalkeeper Bono portivo Alaves in last night’s late match. availability,” said Barca in a statement. eight minutes, staying on his line at a guided Vinicius Junior’s eff ort into his Spanish media estimated he would corner and then fl apping at a soft close- own net in the second half, allowing Zi- LA LIGA RESULTS dane’s side to take the three points and be out for one to two weeks. Dembele range header from Alvaro Gimenez. Granada 3 (Suarez Charris 43, Molina suff ered a string of serious injuries to With the scores level after 64 minutes, move up to third in the table, six points 88, Sanchez 90) Huesca 3 (Rico 21, his right hamstring last season and ap- Lenglet, in his won penalty area, failed behind Atletico. Garcia 49, Okazaki 82); Osasuna 0 Real peared in only nine games for Barcelo- to control the ball from a Barcelona Following two defeats in the past na. This season he has already played 12 throw-in. Ter Stegen charged out but three games, including a 2-0 defeat Betis 2 (Iglesias 76, Miranda 90+1) times and scored four goals, including whiff ed on his attempted clearance, to Shakhtar Donetsk in midweek that Played Saturday: Levante 3 (Roger one in a Champions League victory at knocking the ball against Alvaro Ne- leaves Real’s Champions League quali- 5, Gomez 17, De Frutos 57) Getafe 0; Ferencvaros on Wednesday. gredo who rolled it into an empty net. fi cation hopes in the balance, Spanish Sevilla 0 Real Madrid 1 (Bono 55-og); He came on at half-time in Cadiz, with Cadiz’s Spanish forward Alvaro Negredo (right) celebrates with his teammates “We conceded goals that I can’t think press reports have linked former Tot- Atletico Madrid 2 (Lemar 56, Llorente Barcelona already a goal down in a match after scoring against Barcelona in the La Liga on Saturday night. (AFP) of other teams I’ve coached letting in,” tenham boss Mauricio Pochettino and 72) Real Valladolid 0; Cadiz 2 (Gimenez they eventually lost 2-1. He joins a grow- said Koeman. “We have to improve. ex-Madrid forward Raul to Zidane’s 8, Negredo 63) Barcelona 1 (Alcala ing injury list at the Camp Nou. Teenage be out until next year. Defender Samuel knocks, including goalkeeper Marc- When you don’t have the ball, you have job. Zidane said he was satisfi ed with 57-og) phenomenon Ansu Fati, Sergi Roberto Umtiti is another long-term casualty. Andre ter Stegen and defender Clement to go into battle with your opponent. the points after a “diffi cult” time. Friday: Athletic Bilbao 0 Celta Vigo 2 and defender Gerard Pique all suff ered Manager Ronald Koeman has been ro- Lenglet. Both returned to the team on I’m very disappointed. The attitude Atletico, now unbeaten in 26 games serious injuries in November and will tating other players who are carrying Saturday and made costly errors. was not good tonight, not only from the in La Liga, moved to the top of the ta- (Mallo 61, Aspas 78) Gulf Times Monday, December 7, 2020 3 FOOTBALL

PREMIER LEAGUE Kane and Son fi re Spurs to top as Vardy strikes late Son and Kane have combined for 31 league goals, the second most of any pair after Chelsea’s Drogba and Lampard (36)

AFP McBurnie headed an equaliser for Shef- London Tottenham Hotspur’s Harry fi eld United, who now have just one Kane (left) celebrates after point from 11 games. “I thought it was scoring with Son Heung-min very much deserved,” Rodgers said af- on Heung-min and Harry Kane during the Premier League ter the late drama. fi red Tottenham back to the top match against Arsenal in “We hit the post twice and created of the Premier League yesterday London yesterday. (AFP) other chances and our combination after Jamie Vardy struck in the play was good, while defending very fiS nal minute to lift Leicester to third in well. We just need that fi nal pass and it the table. Jose Mourinho’s men beat came late in the game and wins us the faltering Arsenal 2-0 in front of 2,000 match, and Jamie Vardy is one of the vocal fans at Tottenham Hotspur Sta- best in Europe in that position.” dium to leapfrog Chelsea. In the fi rst match of the day, Wil- Earlier, Leicester beat rock-bottom fried Zaha and Christian Benteke both Sheffi eld United 2-1 while Crystal Pal- scored twice as Crystal Palace made ace hammered struggling West Brom West Brom pay for Matheus Pereira’s 5-1. Spurs took the lead in the north fi rst-half red card in a 5-1 rout at the London derby in the 13th minute with a Hawthorns. The Eagles had strug- Son wonder goal. gled for goals in recent weeks, but with The South Korean was set free down Zaha restored after missing defeats to the left by Kane, cut inside and curled Burnley and Newcastle due to corona- a brilliant long-range eff ort into the top virus, Palace were a team transformed corner. as they moved to 11th in the table. The home side doubled their lead Liverpool was welcoming back sup- on the stroke of half-time as they took porters to Anfi eld as they were host- apart their local rivals on the break. ing Wolves in the fi nal match last night Giovani Lo Celso played in Son, who re- for the fi rst time since the Reds ended turned the earlier favour to tee up Kane a 30-year wait to win a top-fl ight title. to smash in from close range. Son and Kane have now combined PREMIER LEAGUE RESULTS for 31 Premier League goals, the sec- West Brom 1 (Gallagher 30) Crystal ond most of any pair after Chelsea’s Palace 5 (Furlong 8-og, Zaha 55, Didier Drogba and Frank Lampard 68, Benteke 59, 82); Sheff ield Utd 1 (36). Tottenham, who have not lost a league match since the opening day of (McBurnie 26) Leicester 2 (Perez 24, the season, now have 24 points after 11 Vardy 90); Tottenham 2 (Son 13, Kane matches, two clear of Chelsea and three 45+1) Arsenal 0 in front of Leicester and Liverpool. Playing Today: Brighton v Southamp- Mourinho praised his star forwards ton (2000 GMT) for their all-round contribution. “Har- Played Saturday: Burnley 1 (Brady 3) ry Kane clearing balls in the box, Sonny Everton 1 (Calvert-Lewin 45+3); Man- for the fi rst 60 minutes as a winger and chester City 2 (Sterling 5, De Bruyne then a second striker — it is not just in a row — against Manchester City, in the Premier League following their to a return to the Championship. Clubs Vardy kept his cool when through one- 26-pen) Fulham 0 West Ham 1 (Soucek about scoring goals and being world- Chelsea and Arsenal — would be a mo- sixth defeat of the season, and strug- in tier-three areas of England, with on-one and beat Aaron Ramsdale with class players,” he said. “It is about being ment for us to drop points and go back gling badly for goals. tougher coronavirus restrictions, still a confi dent right-foot fi nish in the 90th 38) Manchester United 3 (Pogba 65, great guys and doing your best for the to ‘normality’ but we didn’t go back to Leicester ended a four-game win- have to play behind closed doors, while minute. Greenwood 68, Rashford 78); Chelsea team. We grew up. I can imagine lots ‘normality’. We are there.” less run in all competitions at an empty tier-two zones such as London and Liv- Earlier, Ayoze Perez had put Brendan 3 (Giroud 27, Zouma 61, Pulisic 90+3) of people can imagine three matches Arsenal, by contrast, are now 15th Bramall Lane to push the Blades closer erpool can have crowds of up to 2,000. Rodgers’s men in front before Oli Leeds 1 (Bamford 4)

SCOTTISH PREMIERSHIP BUNDESLIGA Rampant Rangers pull 13 points Leverkusen close in on leaders Bayern Reuters from inside the penalty area. clear of struggling Celtic Gelsenkirchen, Germany Earlier, Silas Wamangituka scored both goals as VfB Stuttgart edged a 2-1 away AFP “Another strong performance in their body language and their win to Werder Bremen in what was a quiet Glasgow at a tricky place to come to,” performances.” ayer Leverkusen moved up to sec- game until it burst into life in second-half Gerrard said. “It’s a team full of But the Celtic boss said he ond in the Bundesliga and closed stoppage time. Wamangituka put Stuttgart confi dence and I’m sure all week could still rescue the situation. the gap to leaders Bayern Munich to ahead on the half-hour mark, drilling the angers opened up a they were saying ‘Let’s do the “Can I turn it around? Yeah, of one point after a pair of goals from ball home from the penalty spot after a foul yawning lead of 13 same to them as we did to Celtic’. course I can,” he added. “Will I setB pieces and a Patrik Schick eff ort gave on Wataru Endo by Dutch winger Tahith points over faltering The players showed a lot of qual- get the time to do it? Well, I’ve them a 3-0 win at bottom team Schalke 04 Chong, and there was little action until near Celtic yesterday, ham- ity to go and hurt Ross County at already been told that the club yesterday. Levekusen have 22 points from 10 the end of the match. meringR Ross County 4-0 before times. A pleasing performance. are with me but it’s a results- games, just behind Bayern who were held in Wamangituka nipped in to steal the ball Neil Lennon’s men were held at (James Tavernier) is certainly driven business and at the Saturday’s rip-roaring 3-3 home draw with after a defensive mix-up between keeper Jiri home by St Johnstone. playing at a very consistent level. minute the results aren’t what third-placed RB Leipzig, who are two points Pavlenka and Omer Toprak outside the box, Celtic, aiming for a record 10th I’ve never seen him at this level they should be. The results aren’t off top. Schalke, who extended their winless and then waited on the goal-line for Pav- title in a row, still have two games game-to-game, and he’s got good enough. It will improve, league run to 26 games, are rooted to the foot lenka to recover before blasting home from in hand over their bitter Glas- hunger.” I’ve no question of that.” of the table on three points. close range. gow rivals but Lennon is under Rangers’ win heaped the pres- Schalke keeper Michael Langer pulled Wamangituka and Bremen’s Davie Selke mounting pressure after just one sure on Celtic to respond in the SCOTTISH PREMIERSHIP off a string of superb saves but the porous were booked for their ensuing altercation win in fi ve league games. later kick-off but they were un- RESULTS defence in front of him could not keep the before Selke went up the other end and Kemar Roofe scored the open- able to force a win. Chris Kane visitors at bay. Schalke’s miserable after- headed a goal for the home side, but it was Ross County 0 Rangers 4 (Roofe er for Rangers in the fi rst half be- put St Johnstone ahead in the noon was compounded by a penalty miss as Bayer Leverkusen’s Patrik Schick celebrates too little, too late and Stuttgart managed to 28, Tavernier 56, Morris 72-og, fore James Tavernier netted his 79th minute and the visitors held Leverkusen keeper Lukas Hradecky saved scoring against Schalke. (Reuters) hang on for the three points. The win lifts 16th goal in all competitions this out for the point after substitute Defoe 90); Celtic 1 (Elyounoussi Steven Skrzybski’s spot-kick and Benito Ra- them to eighth in the standings on 14 points season in the 56th minute against Mohamed Elyounoussi headed 83) St Johnstone 1 (Kane 79) man’s follow-up header. Bailey corner, with the ball coming off the after 10 games, while Bremen are 12th on 11 the side who last week knocked an equaliser four minutes later. Played Saturday: Hamilton 1 Under pressure from visiting defender midfi elder’s head and shoulder as it sailed points. Celtic out of the Scottish League Since Celtic won 2-0 at St (Callachan 73-pen) Kilmarnock 0; Aleksandar Dragovic, Malick Thiaw beat inside the far post. Cup. Johnstone two months ago, they Livingston 2 (Pittman 57, Bartley his own keeper in the 10th minute to put Skrzybski then missed a gilt-edged BUNDESLIGA RESULTS A Callum Morris own goal and have recorded just two victories Leverkusen in front as the ball came off chance to pull one back as Hradecky parried 74) Dundee United 0; Motherwell Schalke 0 Bayer Leverkusen 3 (Thiaw 10- a late strike by Jermain Defoe in 12 matches. “I’m annoyed, his shoulder and trickled through Langer’s his tame penalty and the keeper then did 0 Hibernian 3 (Boyle 59, Doidge og, Baumgartlinger 67, Schick 78); Werder in his 800th career appearance I’m frustrated,” Lennon said. 88, McGinn 90+5); St Mirren 1 hands after Leon Bailey fl oated in a corner. superbly to push Raman’s follow-up header added gloss to the scoreline as “We’re trying everything with Langer then denied Bailey and Schick over the bar. Schalke were punished swiftly Bremen 1 (Selke 90+3) Stuttgart 2 (Waman- (McGrath 44-pen) Aberdeen 1 Rangers extended their unbeaten them. They’re feeling it, there’s time and again before Julian Baumgartlinger as Schick latched on to Nadiem Amiri’s pass gituka 31-pen, 90+1); (Hayes 37) run this season to 25 matches. no question of it, you can see that made it 2-0 in the 67th minute from another and smashed a left-footed shot past Langer Today: Hoff enheim v Augsburg (1930 GMT)

SERIE A Napoli see off Crotone to move third, ten-man Roma held by Sassuolo AFP and the task became simpler for the Pedro was sent off for a second book- Parma’s match with newly-pro- Rome away side fi ve minutes after the break able off ence fi ve minutes before the moted Benevento also fi nished goal- when Jacopo Petriccione was sent off break. His coach Paulo Fonseca fol- less while mid-table side Hellas Ve- for a late, high challenge on Demme. lowed him to the stands at the end of rona drew 1-1 with Cagliari. Atalanta’s apoli moved third in Serie A Italy international Insigne then laid the fi rst half after Henrikh Mkhitary- match at Udinese was postponed after yesterday after strolling to on Lozano for the second with a superb an’s goal was ruled out for a foul by Edin heavy rain made the pitch unplayable. a 4-0 win over bottom side long pass that left the Mexican with a Dzeko following a VAR check. Crotone, taking advantage of simple fi nish, and Demme made sure The hosts dominated after the break SERIE A RESULTS Nrivals Roma and Sassuolo battling to of the result with a drilled low strike 14 despite being outnumbered and were Hellas Verona 1 (Zacccagni 21) Cagliari minutes from the end following a lay- unlucky to not take the lead when Le- an entertaining goalless draw. Gennaro 1 (Marin 48); Parma 0 Benevento 0; Gattuso’s side are on 20 points, level off from substitute Mertens. onardo Spinazzola’s cross was guided Roma 0 Sassuolo 0; Crotone 0 Napoli with Juventus and three behind lead- Belgium forward Mertens then sup- onto the post by Sassuolo defender 4 (Insigne 31, Lozano 58, Demme 76, ers AC Milan after goals from Lorenzo plied the pass that allowed Petagna to Gian Marco Ferrari, under pressure Petagna 90+1) Insigne, Hirving Lozano, Diego Demme hammer home the fourth in stoppage from Dzeko. and Andrea Petagna earned the away time as Napoli temporarily closed the Sassuolo thought they had snatched Playing today: Fiorentina v Genoa side a simple three points despite start- gap between them and Milan. the points with 15 minutes left when (1945 GMT) ing without Dries Mertens and the in- Roma meanwhile were left ruing Lukas Haraslin whipped a long-range Played Saturday: Juventus 2 (McKen- jured Victor Osimhen. missed chances after their home draw shot past Antonio Mirante, only for the nie 78, Bonucci 89) Torino 1 (Nkoulou Milan can go fi ve points ahead of with Sassuolo as both teams had goals goal to be ruled out for the tightest of 9); Spezia 1 (Nzola 64) Lazio 2 (Immo- second-placed local rivals Inter Milan ruled out by VAR and the hosts played off sides by VAR. bile 15, Milinkovic-Savic 33); Inter Milan when they travel to Sampdoria late last the second half with 10 men. Roma are “I’m very proud of my team. We 3 (Lukaku 16, Hakimi 45, 70) Bologna 1 night. fi ve points off the lead in sixth after played very well even when down to (Dominguez 67) Insigne opened the scoring with a wasting opportunities to win despite 10. We were very well organised defen- *Udinese v Atalanta postponed due AS Roma’s Gonzalo Villar (centre) and Sassuolo’s Mehdi Bourabia (right) battle for trademark curling strike after cutting having a man less for 50 minutes, while sively and didn’t allow Sassuolo many to unplayable pitch the ball during the Serie A at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome yesterday. (Reuters) in from the left with half an hour gone, Sassuolo are a one ahead in fi fth. opportunities,” Fonseca said. Gulf Times 4 Monday, December 7, 2020 CRICKET

FOCUS Rahane FIRST TEST gets century boost ahead of captain’s NZ ease Pandya powers role in Tests to innings India home in win over thrilling fi nish Windies The victory gave India the T20 series with a game to play ndia’s Ajinkya Rahane AFP crafted an unbeaten century Sydney in a warm-up match yester- day to give himself a timely boostI ahead of his major respon- andik Pandya smashed sibility in the four-Test series two sixes in three balls against Australia beginning later in the fi nal over to this month, reports Reuters. Hpower India to a thrill- With regular skipper Virat ing six-wicket series T20 victory Kohli set to return home after over Australia in Sydney yester- the opening test in Adelaide to West Indies batsman Jermaine Blackwood celebrates day. attend the birth of his fi rst child, reaching his century on the fourth day of the first Test Chasing 25 runs in the fi nal two Rahane will be in charge in the match against New Zealand at Seddon Park in Hamilton. overs in pursuit of Australia’s tar- fi nal three matches in Australia. get of 195, Pandya was India’s hero The right-handed batsman AFP lossal fi rst innings. with a series of powerful strikes made 108 not out to help the Hamilton “We obviously didn’t bat — including the winning six off tourists overcome a top order well,” captain Jason Holder debutant Daniel Sams with two wobble and reach 237-8 on day said. balls to spare. one of the three-day match ew Zealand “In the initial stages of Pandya fi nished with 42 off against Australia A at Drum- stretched their our innings we just need 22 balls after Shikhar Dhawan moyne Oval. unbeaten run a little bit more fi ght in clubbed 52 from 36 and skipper Rahane hit 16 boundaries and at home to 14 those tough periods and get Virat Kohli 40 off 24 in India’s 195 a six, an upper cut against James Nmatches with a compre- through. for four. Pattinson to reach the half-cen- hensive win in the fi rst Test “Kane showed us exactly The victory gave India the T20 tury mark. against the West Indies in how it’s supposed to be series with a game to play in Syd- Number three Cheteshwar Hamilton yesterday after done, that was a proper Test ney tomorrow after they lost the Pujara, who was awarded man- ending a battling rearguard innings, being patient, buy- preceding 50-over ODI series 2-1. of-the-series when India won century by Jermaine Black- ing time.” “I have been in these situations their maiden Test series in wood. The West Indies lost 15 many times and I learnt from my Australia two seasons ago, also The West Indies were all wickets on day three as Tim mistakes in the past,” Pandya said. spent quality time in the mid- out before lunch on day four Southee led a masterclass of “My game is always around the dle and scored 54. for 247 after making only New Zealand swing bowl- confi dence which I carry; it has While Rahane played in the 138 in their fi rst innings in ing. that fi ne line where I back myself.” recent Indian Premier League reply to New Zealand’s 519 It left the tourists going Kohli was proud of his team’s (IPL) in the United Arab Emir- for seven, giving the hosts into the fourth day on the eff ort to take the series in such dy- ates, this was Pujara’s first victory by an innings and ropes at 196 for six in their namic fashion. competitive outing since a do- 134 runs. second innings. “The fact that two of our estab- mestic Ranji Trophy match in Blackwood was the pe- Blackwood and Joseph lished players are not playing, and early March. nultimate wicket to fall, for advanced the total to 244 to win like this, makes me very Pujara lasted 140 balls be- 104, after a 155-run stand before Kyle Jamieson and proud of this team,” he said. fore falling to Pattinson, who with Alzarri Joseph who Neil Wagner combined to “Pandya now realises that this claimed 3-58 to signal his own made 86. take the fi nal three wickets is the time to establish in the fi n- preparedness for the test series. The victory, set up over in the space of 10 deliveries. ishing role and play match-win- It was a mixed outing for the the fi rst two days when New ning knocks for us. tourists as three of their top Zealand captain Kane Wil- Scoreboard “He plays with all his heart and six batsmen, including open- liamson crafted a majestic New Zealand 1st innings 519-7 he certainly got that competitive ers Prithvi Shaw and Shubman 251, highlighted the diffi - dec (K. Williamson 252, T. Latham nature about him, and also has the Gill, fell for ducks. Wriddhiman culty overseas teams have 86, K. Jamieson 51 no; Gabriel skill to execute that at the highest Saha was the third, although on New Zealand wickets. 3-89, Roach 3-114) level.” the team will be happy that the The latest victory ex- West Indies 1st innings 138 (J. Shikhar Dhawan and KL Rahul India’s Hardik Pandya (L) celebrates with teammate Shreyas Iyer as Australia’s Daniel Sams (R) reacts at the stumper has returned to action tended New Zealand’s un- Campbell 26, J. Holder 25 no; gave India a fl ying start and had 56 Sydney Cricket Ground yesterday. after injuring his hamstrings in beaten home streak to an Southee 4-35) runs on the board in fi ve overs be- the IPL. impressive 14 Tests, a sta- West Indies 2nd innings (over- fore Rahul was caught in the deep “Unfortunately we didn’t ex- Australia crucially went into the son, A. Tye, A. Zampa tistic which took William- night 196-6) for 30 off 22. ecute well towards the end with game without their pace spear- Bowling: Chahar 4-0-48-0 (2w), son by surprise. K. Brathwaite c Blundell b Swepson then took a safe skied the ball.” heads Mitchell Starc and Josh Sundar 4-0-35-0 (1w), Thakur MITCHELL FINED “To be honest, I didn’t Southee 10 catch off Dhawan who tucked into Wade was run out in farcical Hazlewood. 4-0-39-1 (1w), Natarajan 4-0-20-2, New Zealand all-rounder know that was the case, J. Campbell c Latham b Boult 2 leg-spinner Adam Zampa on 52 in conditions when he was dropped Starc was withdrawn on com- Chahal 4-0-51-1 (1w) Daryl Mitchell has been fined but it’s great. It was a really D. Bravo c Southee b Wagner 12 his 36-ball stint with four fours at the third attempt by Kohli, but passionate grounds due to a fam- India 15% of his match fee for using good performance for us to S. Brooks c sub (Conway) b and two sixes. turned his back and failed to make ily illness and will miss the fi nal K.L. Rahul c Swepson b Tye 30 obscene language in the open- put together collectively,” Wagner 2 Newcomer Daniel Sams got the his ground from the throw to two matches of the series, while S. Dhawan c Swepson b Zampa 52 ing test against the West Indies said Williamson, who de- R. Chase lbw Jamieson 6 prized wicket of Kohli. He bowled wicketkeeper Rahul. Hazlewood has a back injury. V. Kohli c Wade b Sams 40 on Saturday, the International fl ected all credit away from J. Blackwood c Southee b a wide delivery, and Kohli chased It was a big wicket for India af- S. Samson c Smith b Swepson 15 Cricket Council (ICC) said yes- himself. Wagner 104 it — getting a thin nick behind to ter Wade had belted 10 fours and a SCOREBOARD H. Pandya not out 42 terday. “But we’re not getting J. Holder lbw Mitchell 8 Wade just when the India skipper six off 32 balls. Australia S. Iyer not out 12 The ICC said Mitchell ahead of ourselves. It was A. Joseph c sub (Santner) b was looking dangerous, with two Smith was caught at the third M. Wade run out (Kohli/Rahul) 58 Extras (lb1, nb1, w2) 4 breached Article 2.3 of its code nice we were able to put in a Jamieson 86 fours and two sixes off 24 balls. attempt by Pandya at long-off D. Short c Iyer b Natarajan 9 Total (for 4 wickets, 19.4 overs) when he used inappropriate lan- strong performance and for K. Roach not out 0 Earlier, new skipper Matthew from leg-spinner Yuzvendra Cha- S. Smith c Pandya b Chahal 46 195 guage as West Indies captain Ja- us it’s about trying to im- S. Gabriel b Wagner 0 Wade and Steve Smith hit half- hal off 38 balls with three fours G. Maxwell c Sundar b Thakur 22 Fall of wickets: 1-56 (Rahul), 2-95 son Holder was running between prove little bits at a time in S. Dowrich absent (injured) centuries to lift Australia to 194 and two sixes. M. Henriques c Rahul b Natarajan (Dhawan), 3-120 (Samson), 4-149 the wickets and in close proxim- each game.” Extras (lb7, w8, nb2) 17 for fi ve. India removed danger man 26 (Kohli) ity to him in the 62nd over. Although much has been Total (all out, 58.5 overs) 247 Wade — who was promoted to Glenn Maxwell before too much M. Stoinis not out 16 Did not bat: W. Sundar, D. Chahar, The global body said one de- made of New Zealand’s Fall of wickets: 1-4 (Campbell), the captaincy instead of an injured more damage was infl icted — D. Sams not out 8 S. Thakur, Y. Chahal, T. Natarajan merit point had been added to green wickets, and in Ham- 2-25 (Bravo), 3-27 (Brooks), 4-27 Aaron Finch — smacked 58, while caught by Washington Sundar at Extras (lb1, w8) 9 Bowling: Sams 3.4-0-41-1, Abbott the 29-year-old’s disciplinary ilton it was a lush emerald, (Brathwaite), 5-53 (Chase), 6-89 Smith chipped in with a breezy 46 point off Shardul Thakur for 22 off Total (for 5 wickets; 20 overs) 194 2-0-17-0, Tye 4-0-47-1 (1w 1nb), record. When a player reaches Williamson believed it was (Holder), 7-244 (Joseph), 8-247 after India won the toss and opted 13 balls with two sixes. Fall of wickets: 1-47 (Short), 2-75 Maxwell 1-0-19-0, Swepson 4-0-25- four or more demerit points fair to both sides and the (Blackwood), 9-247 (Gabriel) to bowl. Thangarasu Natarajan was the (Wade), 3-120 (Maxwell), 4-168 1 (1w), Henriques 1-0-9-0, Zampa within a 24-month period, they West Indies had fi rst ad- Bowling: Southee 15-2-62-1 (1w), “Maybe we were a little bit best of India’s bowlers with two (Smith), 5-171 (Henriques) 4-0-36-1 are converted into suspension vantage when they won the Boult 15-1-63-1 (1w), Wagner 13.5- short with the bat,” said Wade. for 20. Did not bat: S. Abbott, M. Swep- Result: India won by 6 wickets points, which lead to a ban. toss. 0-66-4 (1nb), Jamieson 12-2-42-2 But their strike bowlers (6w), Mitchell 3-0-7-1 (1nb) Kemar Roach and Shannon Toss: West Indies BOTTOMLINE Gabriel did not bowl full Result: New Zealand won by an enough to put pressure on innings and 134 runs the Black Caps, while the Series: New Zealand lead 1-0 West Indies batsmen ap- Umpires: Chris Gaff aney (NZL), England tour under threat aft er positive Covid-19 tests peared uneasy trying to re- Wayne Knights (NZL) ply to the home team’s co- TV umpire: Chris Brown (NZL) AFP to determine how best to move for- party awaited the test results. Paarl, South Africa ward.” CSA said the England players But soon after television coverage and management underwent an ad- began, commentator Mark Nicholas ditional round of tests on Saturday said he had received news that the Misbah says not being allowed to train wo members of England evening after two members of staff match was off . hurt Pakistan’s preparations in NZ cricket’s touring party in at their hotel tested positive for the Graeme Smith, CSA’s director South Africa have returned virus. of cricket, said he was “deeply re- Wellington: Not being statement after naming unconfi rmed positive tests Former England captain Mike gretful” that the match could not allowed to train in their an 18-member squad for forT Covid-19, forcing yesterday’s Atherton, now a commentator and go ahead “given the amount of time managed isolation in the three-match Twenty20 fi rst one-day international to be journalist, said he feared the entire and energy that has been put in Christchurch has aff ected series set to begin in Auck- cancelled and placing the rest of the series could be under threat. place to host a successful tour”. Pakistan’s preparation for land on Dec. 18. tour in jeopardy. Atherton said the new positive the series against New Zea- “While we completely The match in Paarl was to have cases had “ramped up” the concern After the South African player land, head coach Misbah- respect and understand opened the one-day series after Fri- that the England camp already felt tested positive, South African team ul-Haq said yesterday. the New Zealand govern- day’s scheduled fi rst match in Cape after the opening match was post- doctor Shuaib Manjra said he was Eight members of the ment laws... there is no Town was scrapped just before play poned. concerned about a possible breach 53-strong Pakistan squad denying the fact that the was to begin after a South African “Certainly this match is off and of the bio-secure bubble. have tested positive for implementation of certain player tested positive for coronavi- the England and Wales Cricket rector of England Men’s Cricket, I would be pessimistic about the Both teams checked in to the ho- coronavirus since their regulations has aff ected rus. Board (ECB) have agreed to cancel said: “We regret that we are unable other games,” said Atherton. tel on November 18. Two South Af- arrival, prompting the New our athletes, both mentally Cricket South Africa and the today’s Betway One-Day Interna- to play in today’s ODI, but the wel- Three Twenty20 internationals rican players were placed in quaran- Zealand health ministry to and physically...” England and Wales Cricket Board tional series opening match, which fare of the players and support staff were played before the latest scare. tine after early rounds of Covid tests revoke the tourists’ training Former captain and said in a joint statement that two was due to take place in Paarl,” the is our primary concern and whilst The second and third one-day but reportedly were cleared to play exemption on Friday. stumper Sarfaraz Ahmed members of England’s touring party governing bodies said. we await the results of further tests internationals are scheduled to be after being kept isolated from their “Top professional athletes returned to the Twenty20 had now contracted the virus, al- A decision on the remaining two the medical advice from both teams played at Newlands in Cape Town team-mates. require a certain envi- squad, along with all- though further tests were required. matches in the series will be taken was that this game should not take on Monday and Wednesday. Dr Manjra said he was surprised ronment to prepare so rounder Hussain Talat in The statement did not specify after the test results are ratifi ed in- place. Sunday’s opener was cancelled by the positive test which caused that they can perform at the only changes from the whether the individuals aff ected dependently by medical experts, the “We remain in constant dialogue after it was initially announced that Friday’s postponement because he the minimum expected side that defeated Zimba- were players or support staff . statement added. with Cricket South Africa and will the start at Boland Park in Paarl had confi dence in the bio-secure levels...” Misbah said in a bwe 3-0 last month. “Cricket South Africa (CSA) and Ashley Giles, the managing di- continue to work closely with them would be delayed while the England environment. Gulf Times Monday, December 7, 2020 5 SPORT

ATHLETICS NBA Kenya’s Kandie smashes half Timberwolves marathon world record in Valencia hire Hall of Famer Reuters day is a great day for me and also Tomjanovich as Bengaluru, India for Kenya.” The top four men all ran under the previous world best, with enya’s Kibiwott Jacob Kiplimo of Uganda fi n- consultant Kandie smashed the ishing second in 57:37, Kenyan half marathon world Rhonex Kipruto third in 57:49 Reuters “We continue our eff orts to record by 29 seconds and Kenyan Alexander Mutiso New York, United States build a world class basketball or- Kyesterday, becoming the fi rst taking fourth place in 57:59. ganization and it is all about our person to break 58 minutes at Kandie, 24, led the chasing people,” team president of bas- the Valencia Half Marathon. pack, which included reign- he Minnesota Timber- ketball operations Gersson Rosas Kandie, who fi nished sec- ing world champion Kiplimo, wolves announced the said in a statement. “These in- ond at the world half marathon through the 15km mark in hiring yesterday of Hall dividuals are incredibly talented championships in Gdynia in 41:10. of Famer Rudy Tom- and possess skills and experi- October, fi nished the Spanish The pair traded the lead over Tjanovich as a player personnel ence that will assist in building a annual race in 57 minutes and the next six km before Kandie consultant. sustainable winning program in 32 seconds, breaking the previ- made the decisive move, to fi n- Tomjanovich will provide Minnesota.” ous record of 58:01 set by com- ish more than a minute off his analysis of potential draft, trade The Timberwolves fi nished patriot Geoff rey Kamworor in previous personal best of 58:37. and free agency prospects, ac- 19-45 in 2019-20 and have only September 2019. Ethiopia’s Genzebe Dibaba cording to a press release. made one postseason appearance “I can’t believe it, I have beat- won the women’s race in 1:05:18, The 72-year-old Tomjanovich (2017-18) since the 2003-04 en Kamworor’s world record by setting the fastest time for a de- was elected to the Naismith Me- campaign. half a minute,” Kandie said. “To- but over the distance. morial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2020. A fi ve-time All-Star as NETS’ CLAXTON TO MISS a member of the Houston Rock- TRAINING CAMP NFL ets, Tomjanovich later coached Brooklyn Nets big man Nic the Rockets for 12 seasons and Claxton will miss training camp led them to back-to-back NBA with a knee injury, the team an- championships in 1993-94 and nounced yesterday. 1994-95. A second-round pick in the He also coached Team USA to a 2019 NBA Draft, Claxton was gold medal at the 2000 Summer diagnosed with right knee tendi- Olympics. He last coached in the nopathy and will instead begin a Sacks streak record NBA with the Los Angeles Lak- rehabilitation and strengthening ers in 2004-05, resigning after programme. 41 games due to health concerns. Claxton, 21, averaged 4.4 The Timberwolves made sev- points, 2.9 rebounds and 12.5 eral other additions to the staff minutes in 15 games with Brook- yesterday, hiring Joseph Blair lyn as a 2019-20 rookie. (assistant coach), Aaron Blacks- He did not participate in the hear (director of analytics), Josh NBA restart near Orlando after in Steelers’ sights in Gershon (college scouting coor- undergoing arthroscopic labrum dinator), Javair Gillett (vice pres- repair surgery on his left shoul- ident of sports science and player der in June. performance), Tru Pettigrew (VP The 6-foot-11 forward/centre of player programs/diversity and also played in nine games (fi ve inclusion), Nick Reick (video as- starts) with the NBA G League’s sociate) and Pat Sullivan (player Long Island Nets, averaging 16.7 development/defensive associ- points, 7.4 rebounds and 1.2 Washington game ate). blocked shots. Pittsburgh have done it 68 games in a row, a streak that began November 6, 2016 FOCUS

Joe Rutter coordinator Monte Kiffi n. The Tribune-Review (TNS) Tomlin said it was diffi cult to compare eras and systems, but he did fi nd a common thread be- Ravens had four hat the Pittsburgh tween the two. Steelers hope to “We had really good indi- accomplish today vidual rushers in Tampa, guys Covid-19 strains in doesn’t carry the like Warren Sapp and Simeon Whistorical signifi cance of, say, Rice, but it was more than that,” Joe DiMaggio’s 56-game hitting he said. “They rushed collec- streak. tively well together, much like facility in outbreak It won’t go into the sports the group we have here. We have pantheon of memorable mile- guys that you can characterize stones alongside UCLA’s 88 as really good individual rusher, consecutive wins, Cal Ripken’s but they rush well together. The 2,632 consecutive games played understanding of the larger body or the Boston Celtics’ run of and how they fi t in to it makes it eight NBA championships in a happen for them.” row. When Keith Butler took over In NFL annals, it hardly as defensive coordinator in measures up to Brett Favre’s 2015, he tried to keep some of run of 297 starts in a row, and it the same concepts deployed by likely won’t generate any ban- predecessor Dick LeBeau, archi- ner headlines or make the ESPN tect of the zone blitz. The Steel- crawl if it comes to fruition. ers had 48 sacks in Butler’s fi rst Still, the Steelers can tie the season, but things took a while NFL record for most consecu- to click in 2016. tive games with at least one After seven games that sea- sack today, and while that alone son, the Steelers had eight sacks. doesn’t carry much sizzle or Total. swagger, it is illustrative of how In four of those seven games, consistent the defence has been they didn’t generate a single at pursuing quarterbacks over sack. the past four-plus years. Beginning with that 21-14 loss The Tampa Bay Buccaneers In this December 1, 2019, picture, Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker TJ Watt celebrates a tackle against the in Baltimore, the Steelers reeled set the little-known streak in 69 Cleveland Browns at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States. (USA TODAY Sports) off 30 over the fi nal nine games. consecutive games from 1999- No team has been better at pres- In this December 1, 2020, picture, Trace McSorley of the Baltimore 2003. The Steelers have done it third-highest total in the NFL, trying to be the best team we “Quality players, it starts suring the quarterback since. Ravens rushes the ball during the fourth quarter against the Pittsburgh 68 games in a row, a streak that it’s a safe bet the Steelers will could possibly be. All that mat- there,” coach Mike Tomlin said. “We’re not the Blitzburgh that Steelers. (AFP) began November 6, 2016, at Bal- drop 36-year-old quarterback ters is getting the win.” “Guys like Bud, T.J., Cam and we used to be, but we certainly timore. Alex Smith at least once today. Although other long-time Tuitt, they provide a wave that are not far from it,” Butler said. AFP 10 days in a row. In that span, the Steelers have Although the record is within Steelers defensive players such we ride. They are good individu- “We don’t use as many blitzes Washington, United States ESPN, citing unnamed sourc- 233 sacks (including two team reach, it’s not exactly a topic as Cameron Heyward, Ste- ally. They are good collectively, as we used to, basically a four- es, said a strength and condi- sacks), more than any other of conversation in the Steelers phon Tuitt and Bud Dupree had and they are consistent in terms man rush for the most part. We tioning coach was suspended for team. locker room. a head start on Watt, he leads of their performances. I’ve been do sprinkle in some blitzes with altimore Ravens had not always wearing a facemask or After leading the NFL in “We’ve never really talked in the pack with 45.5 sacks during a part of several groups like fi ve-man, and the start of the at least four diff erent contact tracing device while in sacks the past three seasons, the depth about any of that stuff ,” the streak. Dupree, who is out that.” year, we used some six-man strains of Covid-19 vi- the team facility. Steelers again occupy the top said All-Pro outside linebacker for the rest of the season with a Tomlin was on the Tampa Bay stuff around the goal line. We rus in their facility dur- “We cannot undo what has oc- spot with 41 sacks during their TJ Watt, who was in his fi nal torn ACL, has contributed 35.5 staff for the fi nal three years of will do whatever we have to do to ingB a major outbreak involving curred,” Cass said. “But, we can 11-0 start. And with Washington season at Wisconsin when the and Heyward 32 over those 68 its 69-game run, working on a make sure we maintain the pres- 23 players, team president Dick do our best to learn from what allowing 35 sacks, tied for the sack streak began. “We’re just games. defensive unit led by long-time sure on the quarterback.” Cass said Saturday. has happened and be vigilant The Ravens suff ered one of the moving forward to ensure that it biggest outbreaks of the deadly does not happen again. BOTTOMLINE virus among sports teams, one “As the recent experience has that delayed their game at Pitts- shown us, this virus does not burgh Steelers for a week until need a large opening to spread and has pushed back last week’s within an organization and 99% game against Dallas Cowboys to compliance is not a passing grade World Athletics to allow ‘development Tuesday. when dealing with this virus.” “With a dangerous virus like At 6-5, the Ravens sit one this, everyone must comply with game behind Miami and Indi- the protocol to avoid infecting anapolis for the last playoff spots shoes’ if they meet technical specifi cations many. We now know that not in the American Conference with everyone at the Ravens followed fi ve games to play. Reuters tions as other approved shoes, the biggest distance-running its Alphafl y shoe that complies portant part of the shoe devel- the protocol thoroughly,” Cass The Ravens have 10 play- Bengaluru, India World Athletics said. achievements of 2019. with new rules introduced by opment process,” Ridgeon said. said in a statement. ers remaining on their Cov- The amendment applies to Eliud Kipchoge’s sub-two- the governing body. “With shoe manufacturers “Based on information pro- id-19 reserve list, including star competitions sanctioned by hour marathon in Vienna and Manufacturers use develop- agreeing to our new process of vided by the NFL, we have quarterback Lamar Jackson. thletes will be allowed World Athletics, area associa- Brigid Kosgei’s record-breaking ment shoes to conduct tests with submitting specifi cations and learned that we had at least four Third-string signal caller Trace to wear shoes still un- tions or member federations at run at the Chicago Marathon sponsored athletes before making shoes, if required, for approval unique strains of Covid-19 in our McSorley was pressed into duty der development in which its rules apply. brought Nike’s Vaporfl y shoes them available in the market. ahead of being worn in compe- facility. in the loss at Pittsburgh. international compe- But such “development into the spotlight, sparking de- World Athletics CEO Jon tition, we are confi dent that this “Three of the four were “To our community, our titionsA and events where World shoes” will not be permitted in bate over whether the advanced Ridgeon welcomed the amend- amendment will not impact the stopped and not spread within neighbors, our fans and families, Athletics rules apply, upon ap- the World Athletics Series or at footwear gave runners an unfair ment, insisting it would not af- integrity of competition.” our organization. Unfortunately, we say: Please learn from what proval of the shoes’ specifi ca- the Olympics. advantage. fect the competition’s integrity. Prototypes can be worn for a the fourth was a highly conta- happened here,” Cass said. “This tions, after a rule change by the A debate over runners’ shoes World Athletics banned the “The use of competition to period of 12 months, after which gious strain and spread through- virus is serious. Very serious. sport’s governing body. has been raging since high-tech shoes from professional sport complete the fi nal testing of they no longer qualify as devel- out our organization.” Please take care of yourselves The shoes will have to meet footwear developed by Nike earlier this year, following which development shoes by manu- opment shoes and can no longer At least one Ravens player and your loved ones. Let’s beat the same technical specifi ca- played a starring role in two of Nike launched a new version of facturers has always been an im- be used in competitions. tested positive for Covid-19 for this virus together.” Gulf Times 6 Monday, December 7, 2020 SPORT

GOLF SPOTLIGHT Grillo takes one-shot Back-to-back lead into fi nal round of Mayakoba

Reuters take into tomorrow.” Toronto, Canada Hovland made a stumbling start at the sun-kissed El Ca- maleon Golf Club with a bogey European Tour titles miliano Grillo’s com- on his opening hole but that was manding lead at the his only mistake, the Norwegian Mayakoba Classic was hitting back with nine birdies for chopped to a single shot an eight-under 63 to lurk two onE Saturday after Tom Hoge, back. Viktor Hovland, Adam Long and Long shot into contention Justin Thomas launched third- with the help of seven birdies on for Bezuidenhout round charges in Playa del Car- his front nine in an eight-under men. 63 to sit three off the pace while Grillo, chasing a second PGA Thomas had the round of the South African golfer had won the Alfred Dunhill Championship last weekend Tour win, began the day four clear day, a bogey-free nine-under 62 of the fi eld but the Argentine’s to join Patrick Rodgers (65) one AFP three-under 68 and 16-under stroke further adrift. Sun City, South Africa total was barely enough to hold “Try not to get wrapped up in off Hoge, who collected birdies where I’m at or what I’m doing,” over fi ve of his fi nal six holes for a said world number three Tho- hristian Bezuidenhout six-under 65 to sit one back. mas. “I’m trying to birdie every became the fi rst back- “Started in the lead, fi nished in single hole. to-back winner on the the lead, that’s kind of the idea,” “I just need to try to go out to- European Tour since Grillo said. “Hopefully, one more morrow and shoot another low JustinC Rose from England in of those. one because you kind of can’t put 2017 when he lifted the South “I just fi nished under par, fi n- a ceiling on this place when you’re African Open trophy at Sun City ishing with the lead again that’s playing it, you’ve just got to try yesterday. kind of what I take from today, and make as many as you can.” The 26-year-old South Afri- can carded a fi nal round 69 for a total of 270 and a fi ve-shot vic- tory over Wales’ Jamie Donald- son, who also fi nished with a 69 at the Gary Player Country Club. Bezuidenhout won the Alfred Dunhill Championship in South Africa last weekend with four sub-70 rounds and repeated the feat in the second oldest na- tional golf championship in the world after the British Open. It was the third consecutive victory by a South African in the event with Bezuidenhout emu- lating Branden Grace and major winner Louis Oosthuizen. The fi nal leaderboard this year was dominated by South Africans with Dylan Frittelli (71) third, Dean Burmester (71) fourth and JC Ritchie (72) fi fth. “It is an unbelievable feeling to win the South African Open,” said Bezuidenhout after three rounds of 67 and a closing 69 in South Africa’s Christiaan Bezuidenhout kisses the trophy as he secures his first South Africa Open title at the Gary Player Country Club in Sun northwestern South Africa. City, South Africa, yesterday. (AFP) “Every South African golfer FOCUS dreams of lifting this trophy and the trick, gave me some breath- South African includes straight Donaldson, seeking a fi rst Eu- birdied two and bogeyed one now I have joined so many illus- ing space and I heeded the ad- driving, reaching greens in reg- ropean Tour win since the 2014 when he needed a round in the trious names that are engraved vice of my caddie to be patient ulation and if birdie putts do not Czech Masters, fought bravely mid-60s to pose a serious threat. on it. and not take unnecessary risks.” drop, they are generally tap-ins and claimed six birdies, but he The South African Open South Koreans Ryu “I did not have a good front Bezuidenhout took what his for par. also bogeyed three holes, with was the last of three European nine, bogeyed eight, turned one caddie said to heart by parring At Sun City this week, he three putts at 17 ending any faint Tour events in the country and over and had my fi ve-shot over- fi ve of the remaining six holes birdied 21 holes and bogeyed hope of a miracle win. the season concludes with the and Park, US teen night lead trimmed to just two. and picking up a birdie at 16. only three, with two of those Frittelli, joint fi fth at the Mas- World Tour Championship in “But three birdies from 10 did The recipe for success of the coming at the par-three third. ters last month, parred 15 holes, Dubai, starting Thursday. Noh share LPGA lead

AFP Park. Washington, United States Noh’s best LPGA fi nish was Education City Golf Club hosts Hotelier Golf Series in a runner-up eff ort at last year’s Portland Classic. outh Korea’s Ryu So- “As soon as I fi nish, I wanted partnership with Crowne Plaza Doha – The Business Park yeon fi red a six-under to see the leaderboard and to see par 65 to grab a share of that I’m playing with those two he third hotel golf series Qatar each month. great prizes from Crowne Plaza Lyonel Schmit (37 points) and the lead with compatriot tomorrow,” said Noh about play- at Education City Golf Crowne Plaza Doha – The Busi- Doha – The Business Park, Paul Kelly (C/B-36 points) ParkS In-bee and US teen Yealimi ing with Park and Ryu. TClub took place on Satur- ness Park was the November including overnight stays for finished second and third Noh after Saturday’s third round “I’m really, really excited. Ac- day, November 28, in partner- sponsor of the monthly golf the division winners. respectively. of the LPGA Volunteers of Amer- tually in the beginning of the ship with Crowne Plaza Doha tournament, which aims to The next hotel series will be tak- Division B was topped by Ar- ica Championship. week I was talking to my parents – The Business Park. encourage local tourism and ing place in the month of Decem- shad Dar (C/B) with 39 points, World number 15 Ryu’s bogey- about Inbee and So Yeon and how As the weather in Qatar cooled hotel staycations as well as ber and interested participants while Wiktor Bak (C/B) and Zu- free round featured fi ve birdies in I really wanted to play with them down, over 70 golfers partici- introduce Doha’s dining outlets can register via ecgolf.com bair Jalal (C/B) finished second the fi rst eight holes and another and see just how good they are pated in the tournament that and exciting off erings. Simon Nsubuga won the Divi- and third with 39 points and 38 at the par-5 13th to leave her and be light there next to them. featured a diff erent hotel in The winners received some sion A with 38 points, while points respectively. Div A winner Simon Nsubuga. level with Noh and Park on four- So I’m excited for tomorrow.” under 209 after 54 holes at The World number fi ve Park fi red a Colony in suburban Dallas. 69, making a birdie at the sixth as “I have no complaints about well as back-to-back birdies at BOXING my ball-striking today,” said the eighth and ninth before her Ryu. “I hit 17 greens, I believe, lone bogey at the par-3 11th. and then I made so many birdie Park, a seven-time major win- chances. I wish I could have made ner, seeks her second title of more putts on the back nine.” 2020 after taking her 20th career Ryu, a two-time major cham- LPGA victory at the Women’s pion who captured this year’s Australian Open in February just Unbeaten Spence returns from Korean Women’s Open, seeks her before the season was halted for seventh career LPGA victory and the Covid-19 pandemic. her fi rst since the 2018 Meijer A pack sharing fourth on Classic. 210 included England’s Char- Noh, a 19-year-old rookie, ley Hull, Japan’s Nasa Hataoka, horrifi c crash to dominate Garcia birdied all four par-5 holes — the Americans Angela Stanford, Jes- AFP “In training camp I knew I was second, sixth, 13th and 17th, but sica Korda and Kristen Gillman, Washington, United States going to be good. I am back,” said then closed with a double bogey world number one Ko Jin-young Spence. to shoot 71 and fall back into a of South Korea and Thailand’s The 32-year-old Garcia had share of the lead with Ryu and Pornanong Phatlum. rrol Spence overpowered been hoping to carry some mo- challenger Danny Garcia mentum over from his previous in his fi rst fi ght since two straight wins and become surviving a near-fatal champion again for the fi rst time rolloverE car accident to retain since 2017. his World Boxing Council and “He was just a better man to- International Boxing Federation night. No excuses,” said Garcia. welterweight titles on Saturday. “I fought a hard, tough fi ght. He The 30-year-old Spence put had a good jab and that was the on a virtuoso performance win- key to the fi ght.” ning almost every round in a Garcia, a counter-puncher, 147-pound homecoming fi ght at was too conservative to do any AT&T Stadium in Dallas, Texas. serious damage. He spent the The undefeated Spence, who majority of fi ght on the defen- suffered serious injuries after sive, blocking combinations and being thrown from his car in stepping sideways to avoid any the drunk-driving smash, won Errol Spence Jr. (right) tries to land a punch on Danny Garcia during their WBC & IBF World Welterweight huge shots. by a unanimous decision prov- Championship fight at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, United States, on Saturday. (AFP) By the eighth round Gar- ing he is still the same boxer as cia was retreating to the ropes before the accident in October other out during the fi rst few olised Garcia with his jab and Garcia had one of his best desperately trying to land any 2019. rounds, Spence seized control relentless pressure, not allowing rounds in the second. They got punches while Spence just kept “The moment is surreal es- in the middle rounds to win on the challenger to make use of his into a heated exchange at the up the attack. pecially coming back from my all three scorecards by scores of pre-fi ght game plan. end of the round when Garcia hit Garcia’s corner told him to go accident year ago,” Spence said. 116-112, 116-112 and 117-111. “He was breaking him down Spence after the bell. for the big punch but he seemed “Be patient with me. This was a Spence improved to 27-0 with and taking the fi ght out of him. Spence hurt Garcia with a preoccupied with trying to just comeback fi ght for me and I had 21 knockouts while Garcia fell to His jab is the key to everything,” couple of punches in the third stay on his feet and preserve to shake off some cobwebs.” 36-3, with 21 KOs. said Spence’s trainer Derrick and by the fourth he was con- his record of never having been After the fi ghters felt each Spence, a southpaw, monop- James. trolling the tempo. knocked down in his career. Gulf Times Monday, December 7, 2020 7 RUGBY

AUTUMN NATIONS CUP SPOTLIGHT

‘Our performance Proud Farrell ‘golden’ wasn’t as sparkling as we wanted Argentina it to be but it penalty powers was a great thrive on game of England to title rugby’ adversity

Argentina’s Francisco Gorrissen (L) competes with Australia’s Ned Hanigan during their 2020 Tri-Nations rugby match in Sydney on Saturday. England’s players celebrate after their victory in the final of the Autumn Nations Cup international rugby union series against France at Twickenham, south west London, yesterday. The game finished 19-19, with England winning after kicking a penalty in sudden death extra-time. At bottom, a piece of action from the match. Reuters “Adversity was present from Sydney March on, and then the Jaguares Reuters tastic tryline defence of relentless Eng- were gone, there was the eco- London land forward attacks at the end of the nomic crisis in Argentina and half. rgentina’s squad left with the (union). The only pos- England’s backs then began to fi nd Australia yesterday full sibility of coming (to Australia) ngland won the Nations Cup fi nal their feet and as the pressure built, the of pride in their re- was through quarantine in Uru- in the most dramatic way yes- penalties began to arrive. Farrell slotted markable Tri-Nations guay and here. terday, as Owen Farrell landed a one but missed two, then England lost campaignA and with their repu- “But I never heard anyone “golden point” penalty in sud- their lineout after opting to kick a fourth tation as an international rugby complaining, I never heard any- den-deathE extra time to secure a 22-19 to the corner. power considerably enhanced. one whinging, it was all positiv- victory over a young French team who France were short of senior interna- The future of Argentine rugby, ity and feeding off each other’s had been seconds away from a glorious tional experience but many of the team and for many of its players, re- energy. I’m super proud and Twickenham triumph. featured in the back-to-back under-20 mains uncertain, but the trip to happy for the boys.” Farrell converted a Luke Cowan-Dickie World Cup-winning teams and they Australia must rank alongside This week, Ledesma said, had try with the last kick of normal time to showed great tenacity under pressure to stunning run to the 2007 World been the toughest of the tour level the scores, hit a post with a penalty start forcing turnovers. Cup semi-fi nals in the annals of after discriminatory comments 80 seconds into extra time — where the They then lost Jalibert to injury but South American rugby. posted by some team members fi rst points scored would win the match his replacement Louis Carbonel stepped The odds against success were on social media between 2011 — but then made no mistake with six in smoothly to land two penalties that considerable after months of and 2013 were unearthed. minutes left on the clock from wide on looked to be enough. training in lockdown at home, Flanker Pablo Matera, lock the left. However, England still had time to the shutdown of the Jaguares Guido Petti and hooker Santia- “We just had to keep fi ghting,” said launch one more attack and they duly Super Rugby team that employed go Socino were stood down on England coach Eddie Jones. “Owen had won a lineout and mauled Cowan-Dickie much of the squad, two lots of Tuesday, with Matera stripped of one of those rare days, so we had to fi nd over the line and Farrell nailed the pres- quarantine and no test action in the captaincy, but all were rein- other way to score points.” sure conversion to take the game to extra more than a year. stated on Thursday in a U-turn “Our performance wasn’t as sparkling time — raising a huge roar from the fans. The Pumas, however, beat by the Argentine Rugby Union as we wanted it to be but it was a great will be remembered for the two that made disappointment obviously, but we can be The captain had another kick from a three-times world champions (UAR) prompted by a player re- game of rugby, and we’ve won the Six Na- the diff erence when it mattered most. It proud of ourselves.” similar distance to win it 80 seconds into New Zealand for the fi rst time volt. tions and now the Eight Nations and we was tough on France, who played with France looked pacy and positive in the extra time but hit a post. England then in their opening match and fol- “From the beginning we said can’t do any more.” all the confi dence of youth and silenced early stages and though Farrell and El- defended carefully as France tried to set lowed that with two draws we didn’t want to make any ex- Fittingly, there were fans on site — al- those who ridiculed the game due to the liot Daly slotted a penalty apiece it was up a drop goal, and won another penalty against Australia. The only blot cuses but this week has been beit only 2,000 of them — to witness the unavailability of so many key players. the French who claimed the fi rst try as to quell the danger. on their copy book was a 38-0 hard,” Ledesma said. drama, England’s fi rst taste of extra time “It was not the French farce but the fl yhalf Matthieu Jalibert found a gap to With six minutes remaining, the pros- loss to the All Blacks. “All the other stuff , the prep- since winning the World Cup fi nal in French force today,” said fl anker Cameron feed fullback Brice Dulin, the only man in pect of a penalty shoot-out was looming “It’s been an incredible jour- arations, all the build-up was 2003. Woki. “We wanted to show that there the team with double-fi gure caps to his large but France winger Allivereti Raka ney the whole year,” coach Mario happy days, but this week has In that match it was Jonny Wilkinson was only one French squad. There’s no name. was trapped by Tom Curry and penalised Ledesma said after the 16-16 been tough, especially on some who held his nerve and this time it was B team or C team. We showed we could Two Jalibert penalties stretched the for holding on as Maro Itoje wrestled for draw on Saturday which closed of the boys, but these guys never Farrell, who missed four kicks in all but compete with England. There’s a bit of lead to 13-6 and France held it via a fan- the ball. their short season. stop surprising us.”

BOTTOMLINE Wales ‘will have a good crack at Six Nations’

AFP with England,” Pivac said. “We’ve learnt a lot about those Llanelli, United Kingdom “Obviously we selected a diff er- players and they’ve learnt a lot. ent type of squad for this Autumn You can’t buy that, you’ve got to go series, which has been discussed out in those games and learn from ayne Pivac insisted quite a bit. them,” added the Wales boss, whose Wales would be in con- “But combining the two squads side suff ered Nations Cup pool de- tention for the 2021 Six and our learnings, I’d like to think feats by England and Ireland. Wales’ Kieran Hardy watches the Nations title after the we’ll have a good crack at it (the Italy captain Luca Bigi was left scrum in action on Saturday. Wcoach’s fi rst year in charge ended 2021 Six Nations),” he added. regretting the Azzurri’s failure to with an unconvincing 38-18 win “No doubt others will be thinking press on in the closing 20 minutes over Italy on Saturday. England, France and Ireland.” after tries by Marco Zanon and Jo- Wales secured fi fth place in the Wales surged into a 14-0 lead han Meyer, allied to eight points inaugural Autumn Nations Cup against following maiden Test tries from the boot of fl y-half Paolo Gar- with the win in Llanelli, just their by Kieran Hardy and Sam Parry be- bisi, gave them a narrow lead. third victory under New Zealander fore perennial Six Nations strug- “We didn’t get a proper reaction Pivac. glers Italy fought back to be 18-17 when we had momentum,” Bigi said Italy, twice, and Georgia are the ahead early in the second half. after a match played behind closed only teams Wales have got the bet- Wales, however, regained their doors at Parc Y Scarlets because of ter of this year. But Pivac, who has composure in the fi nal quarter, with the coronavirus pandemic. repeatedly stressed the Nations Gareth Davies, George North and “We need to be more eff ective Cup’s role in developing squad Justin Tipuric running in the last of in the second half of games,” the depth ahead of the 2023 World their fi ve tries after Josh Adams had hooker added. Cup in France, insisted Wales could been yellow carded shortly before “But we’ve seen some new faces compete with Europe’s elite. half-time. in the Six Nations and this compe- “If we go pre-lockdown you “We’ve had 11 debutants since tition. We are evolving and improv- would say we’re not too far off , the the start of the Six Nations, that’s a ing and we are committed to this French game at home and the game huge number,” said Pivac. long-term project.” Monday, December 7, 2020 GULF TIMES SPORT

SPOTLIGHT Exciting fi nish to Qatar National Sprint Championship By Sports Reporter Doha FIFTH ROUND RESULTS OPEN CLASS 1: 1. Abdullah al-Khelaifi (Supra) 54.047; 3. Mahmud al-Mah- he 2020 Qatar National Sprint (Westfield Sport) 52.358; 2. Abdul moud (Porsche GT3) 54.905 Championship organised by Aziz al-Jabri (Westfield Sport) 54.472; Qatar Motor & Motorcycle 3. Ayad al-Okar (Subaru BRZ) 54.655 FINAL CHAMPIONSHIP POINTS Federation (QMMF) concluded OPEN CLASS 2: 1. Mohamed al- Twith the fi fth and fi nal round held at OPEN CLASS 1: 1. Abdul Aziz al-Jabri Khayarin (Mitsubishi Evo 10) 52.892; Losail on Saturday. 2. Mohamed al-Basti (Subaru STI 104 points; 2. Abdulla al-Khelaifi 93; 3. The championship which had be- WRX) 53.290; 3. Ibrahim al-Mannai Fakhreddine Bejaoui 53 gun in January was extended over the (Mitsubishi Evo 10) 54.035 OPEN CLASS 2: 1. Mohamed year following the forced coronavirus OPEN CLASS 3: 1. Abdullah al-Khelaifi al-Khayarin 105 points; 2. Mohamed pandemic break. Yet, the enthusiasm al-Basti 104; 3. Ibrahim al-Mannai 69 among participants remained high with (Supra) 52.333; 2. Abdulla al-Abbassi both the local and expat drivers excel- (Lotus Exige) 52.848; 3. Yousef al- OPEN CLASS 3: 1. Abdullah al-Khelaifi ling till the very end. Jabri (Supra) 54.001 98 points; 2. Abdulla al-Abbassi 94; 3. In the fi nal round, 44 participants Mohamed al-Khayarin 82 in six diff erent categories of Open and Production Cars made attempts before PRODUCTION CARS their best results were taken into ac- CLASS 1: 1. Saad Fahad (Mazda) 55.419; PRODUCTION CARS count in crowning the season’s cham- 2. Henry Kahy (Renault Clio) 55.632; 3. CLASS 1: 1. Henry Kahy 104 points; 2. pions. Nadim Ziade (Renault Clio) 55.640 Mansour Chebi 70; 3. Saad Fahad 69 Abdulaziz al-Jabri emerged best in CLASS 2: 1. Dean Ball (Porsche CLASS 2: 1. Mohamed al-Jaber 83 the O1 category, Mohamed al-Khay- Boxster 718) 54.083; 2. Ali Emadadhi points; 2. Dennis Nikitopoulos 72; 3. yarin in O2, and Abdullah al-Khelaifi (Audi) 55.093; 3. Jad Alawar (Ford Dean Ball 68 in O3. Henry Kahy topped the overall P1 category, followed by al-Jaber (P2), and Focus) 55.278 CLASS 3: 1. Francesco Fornaciari 110 Francesco Fornaciari (P3). CLASS 3: 1. Francesco Fornaciari points: 2. Mahmoud al-Mahmoud 85; In the Open 1 class, Abdulaziz al- (Lotus Exige) 51.434; 2. Ayad al-Okar 3. Ayad al-Okar 72 Jaber won the title for a second year in a row collecting 104 points - a diff erence of 11 points over his closest competitor Abdullah al-Khelaifi . The Qatar Motor & Motorcycle Federation (QMMF) President Abdulrahman al-Mannai and Executive Director Amro Al-Khelaifi recorded the fastest lap al-Hamad pose with the overall winners of the 2020 Qatar National Sprint Championship, the fifth and final round of which of 52.358secs during his second at- was held at Losail on Saturday tempt, especially since al-Jabri main- tained his pace and fi nished second in from Abdullah al-Abbasi, second- pation, especially since some of the the strong competition throughout 54.472secs in his third attempt, while placed. Yousef al-Jabri fi nished third contestants were unable to participate an entire season. In the fi nal round we Iyad Al-Aker came third with a time of in 54.001secs. In the P1 category, Leba- from outside Qatar due to the current amended the speed and changed the 54.655secs in his fi rst attempt. non’s Henry Kahy emerged as the over- coronavirus situation, especially since course which made the competition In the O2 category, competition was all winner with a tally of 104 points. His some countries cancelled their sports tougher,” he added. exciting until the fi nal round. Moham- compatriot Mansour Shibli was second activities, but we worked during the pe- Al-Hamad also revealed that a new ed al-Khayarin snatched the title man- with 70 points, and Qatari Saad Fahd, riod. We thank the FIA for their eff orts version of the championship will be aging to win the fi fth round with a time who won the fi fth round, fi nished over- throughout the past period and all con- launched in the new year in January, of 52.982secs, 0.308secs ahead of his all third (69pts). testants for adhering to the precaution- and therefore the competition will re- closest rival Mohamed al-Basti. Amro al-Hamad, Executive Director ary measures and Ministry of Public turn quickly and will be held in the In the O3 category, al-Khelaifi com- of QMMF, expressed his happiness with Health protocols,” said al-Hamad. same categories. pensated for his failure in the O1 cat- the great participation of 44 competi- “The competition was very strong The QMMF will be meeting the con- egory to claim the overall title fi nishing tors despite the exceptional coronavirus until the end, especially in some cat- testants soon to fi nd out if some ruled on top in the fi nal round with a time pandemic (COVID-19) circumstances. egories where the results were decided could be changed in order to attract In the final round, 44 drivers took part in six diff erent categories of Open and of 52.333secs, a diff erence of 0.515secs “We did not expect this great partici- by a point’s diff erence. It also refl ects more competitors. Production Cars.

F1 FOCUS Crash victim Grosjean to miss Perez takes fi rst Abu Dhabi career swansong Reuters ment. “We’ve tried as much as we could with the Manama doctor to recover and to repair my hand but the risk of racing is too big for my recovery and my health,” he said. “It’s one of the hardest decisions omain Grosjean will miss the Formula of my life but it’s obviously one of the wisest.” One season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Haas will instead run Brazilian reserve Pietro win, heartbreak Prix, with the Frenchman fl ying to Swit- Fittipaldi, standing in for Grosjean in Sakhir, for zerland to continue his a second consecutive weekend. recoveryR from injuries sustained Grosjean has been with Haas in a fi ery crash at last week’s Bah- since the US-owned team’s de- rain Grand Prix. but Formula One season in 2016. Forced to sit out yesterday’s Both he and teammate Kevin Sakhir Grand Prix, the French- Magnussen are leaving the outfi t for Russell man had been hoping to return at the end of this year, with Haas for what looked set to be his For- going for an all-rookie line-up in ‘I hope I’m not dreaming... ten years it took me. I don’t know what to mula One swansong in Abu Dhabi Mick Schumacher, son of seven- on Dec 13. Grosjean walked away time champion Michael, and Ni- say, after the first lap, the race was gone. But we just didn’t give up’ from the horrifi c crash last week, kita Mazepin, the son of a Rus- despite his car being split in half sian billionaire. and bursting into fl ame. Mercedes on Saturday said The 34-year-old suff ered they would be open to arranging second-degree burns to the back a farewell Formula One test for of his hands, for which he will Grosjean if the Frenchman was continue to receive treatment in unable to return in Abu Dhabi. Switzerland, his Haas team said in a statement Grosjean has said if he couldn’t race in Abu yesterday. “It is with great sadness that I will not Dhabi, he would try to arrange a private test in be able to do my fi nal race in Abu Dhabi and be January so he can say farewell to Formula One in with the team there,” Grosjean said in the state- a fi tting way.

Gharafa, Ahli register contrasting wins

Racing Point’s Mexican driver Sergio Perez celebrates after winning the Sakhir Formula One Grand Prix at the Bahrain International Circuit yesterday. (AFP)

Reuters Prix and hoping to land the seat alongside grid Williams, were dashed on the 62nd of 87 Manama Max Verstappen at Red Bull for 2021. “I hope laps. Mercedes brought both Russell and Bot- I’m not dreaming... ten years it took me. I tas into the pits together in a ‘double-stack’ don’t know what to say, after the fi rst lap, the under the safety car. ergio Perez took his maiden Formula race was gone. But we just didn’t give up.” But they fi tted some of Bottas’ tyres onto One victory for Racing Point after a Perez, who vaulted to fourth in the over- Russell’s car forcing him back into the pits a Mercedes pitstop mixup and puncture all standings after Sunday’s race, is the fi rst lap later. That dropped Russell behind Bot- denied super-sub George Russell an Mexican driver to win a race since Pedro Rod- tas despite a slow stop for the Finn but the almostS certain fi rst win on his debut for the riguez took victory in the 1970 Belgian Grand 22-year-old barged past the four-year Mer- world champions. The 22-year-old Briton, Prix. It was also Silverstone-based Rac- cedes veteran with a bold move at the restart parachuted in to replace Lewis Hamilton after ing Point’s fi rst win since the 2003 Brazilian for fourth. the seven-times world champion tested posi- Grand Prix when the team raced as Jordan. Three laps later he was past Ocon for sec- tive for Covid-19, looked comfortably in con- The 30-year-old also becomes the sec- ond and chasing Perez when a puncture trol having wrested the lead from his pole- ond fi rst time winner this season after Pierre forced him to pit for a fourth time, fi nally sitting teammate at the fi rst corner. Gasly scored his fi rst Formula One triumph putting paid to any chance he might have But a pitstop bungle, which initially for AlphaTauri at the Italian Grand Prix in had. Nevertheless, voted driver of the day, dropped him to fi fth, and then a puncture that September. If Perez’s drive from 18th to fi rst he charged back through the fi eld to score his struck while he was back up to second and was the stuff of fantasy, Russell’s race had the fi rst Formula One career points with ninth hunting Perez down for the lead, ended his makings of a nightmare. one place behind Bottas. hopes. That left Perez, who found himself at The Briton seemed to easily have the meas- He also took the point on off er for fastest the back of the fi eld at the end of the fi rst lap ure of Bottas who appeared to be his only lap. The Briton is, however, under investiga- after contact with Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc, real challenger after Leclerc and Verstap- tion by stewards for the tyre mix up. Bottas free to cruise across the line 10.5 seconds clear pen crashed out on the opening lap. Contact fi nished an underwhelming race in eighth. of Renault’s Esteban Ocon. with Perez broke Leclerc’s suspension while Mercedes have already won both champion- The Mexican’s teammate Lance Stroll was Verstappen, trying to avoid them, ran off the ships for the seventh year in a row, with Ham- Al Gharafa thrashed Qatar SC 98-59 in the 21 Qatar Basketball League at the Al Gharafa Indoor Hall third giving the podium an unfamiliar feel. track and into the barriers. ilton clinching his title in Turkey last month. yesterday. Gharafa, runners-up last season, had begun campaign on Saturday with an another “I’m speechless,” said Perez, who is out of a But hopes of a fairytale fi rst win for the The race was interrupted by two safety cars dominating win over Al Khor 104-64. In another match, Al Ahli edged past Al Rayyan 99-94. drive after next weekend’s Abu Dhabi Grand Briton, who otherwise drivers for back of the and one virtual safety car.