TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2016 SPORTS Qatar World Cup a ‘done deal’ ,organiser claims

DOHA: Holding the 2022 World Cup in and Muslim country,” said Al-Thawadi. “It “I am totally confident our file is going far enough with reforms. decision on the number of venues had Qatar is a “done deal”, a confident head is a done deal.” He added that World Cup clean,” he said. Qatar also faces contin- The issue of worker-safety is also been pushed back until next year at the of the Gulf state’s tournament organising organisers in the Gulf had a “generally ued criticism from human rights groups ongoing. Last month Qatar announced earliest. Qatar’s successful bid for the committee said yesterday, shrugging off positive” relationship with FIFA, football’s over the treatment of its labour force its first “work-related” death in regard to tournament allowed for up to 12 stadi- ongoing corruption and human rights governing body. helping to build World Cup venues and the World Cup, when a labourer died at ums to be used in 2022. concerns. Hassan al-Thawadi, secretary- Qatar is the subject of an ongoing related infrastructure. That issue is likely the Al-Wakrah Stadium. “What concerns “We are confident that we will not be general of the Supreme Committee for corruption investigation being carried to come into focus again next month us now is that this accident is not to be asked to implement twelve stadiums,” he Delivery and Legacy, told the local out by Switzerland’s Attorney General when Qatar is expected to announce the repeated. There is a comprehensive said. “We feel that eight stadiums is Arabic daily Al-Sharq newspaper that office. Launched in May 2015, the Swiss end of its much-criticised “kafala” labour investigation at the moment and we are enough for Qatar.” So far, Qatar has said football’s biggest tournament will go legal team is investigating the bidding system, the source of much criticism. going to finish it soon,” said Al-Thawadi. it will spend up to $10 billion (9 billion ahead in the Middle East despite calls process amid allegations of corruption “Kafala”, which places restrictions on He also tackled the thorny issue of euros) on stadium construction. If eight elsewhere for Qatar to be stripped of for the 2022 World Cup-and the 2018 workers’ ability to change jobs and trav- venue numbers and said organisers stadiums are eventually used it will hosting rights. tournament in Russia. el, is to be replaced by a contract system. would like to see eight stadiums used mean the 2022 finals will have the small- “The 2022 World Cup will be held in But Al-Thawadi told Al-Sharq that However, this is unlikely to placate during the 2022 World Cup. est number of venues at any tournament Qatar, the first in a Middle Eastern, Arab Qatar had nothing to fear. critics, who have accused Doha of not FIFA told AFP last week that a final since Argentina in 1978. —AFP Aubameyang, Kalou and Salah wreak havoc

PARIS: African Footballer of the Year hosts, but Keita levelled less than two min- Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang put a mini- utes later after pouncing on a Marco Parolo suspension behind him to strike four blunder in the area to beat Pepe Reina from Bundesliga goals for Borussia Dortmund at close range. the weekend. The Gabon striker was banned by his GERMANY coach for one match last week after he flew PIERRE-EMERICK AUBAMEYANG to Italy with friends ahead of a Champions (Borussia Dortmund) League fixture. Other African goal poachers The Gabon striker netted four goals as in top form included Egyptian Mohamed Borussia routed bottom side Hamburg 5-2 Salah in Italy and Ivorian Salomon Kalou in away to make amends for his midweek Germany, who scored hat-tricks. Milan indiscretion.Aubameyang had been suspended by coach Thomas Tuchel for ENGLAND Wednesday’s 1-0 Champions League win at SADIO MANE () home to Sporting Lisbon after he flew to The Senegalese international continues Milan in a private jet with friends on to shine for the rampant Reds, breaking the Monday. But ‘Auba’ needed just 27 minutes deadlock with a stunning header. He to score his first three goals and hit his stooped low at an angle to beat Watford fourth after the break, and celebrated his ‘keeper Heurelho Gomes with some force. first with Tuchel on the sidelines. His quar- Sane added a second, a simple tap-in, in tet of goals leave him joint top scorer, the second half for his fifth goal in five alongside Cologne’s Anthony Modeste, in home appearances for the Germany’s top flight with 11 goals club. SALOMON KALOU (Hertha Berlin) VICTOR MOSES (Chelsea) The Ivory Coast striker hit a hat-trick in He has flourished this season under Hertha’s 3-0 win at home to jaded Borussia Antonio Conte’s tutelage after a few sea- Moenchengladbach, who had Germany sons where it looked his undoubted talent international Christoph Kramer sent off in might be frittered away as he was sent out the first-half. The 31-year-old welcomed his on loan. The 25-year-old Nigerian gave a first goals since losing his father in August, sparkling performance in the 5-0 disman- two weeks before his aunt also passed tling of Everton and was unfortunate not to away. “It’s a relief with all the difficult situa- get on the scoresheet with a half-volley tions I’ve had to deal with,” he admitted that struck the post. having netted twice in the first half and wrapped up his treble six minutes from VICTOR ANICHEBE (Sunderland) time. It was his second Bundesliga hat-trick MEMPHIS: Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard (0) drives between Memphis Grizzlies forward JaMychal Green, left, and center Marc Never the most prolific of scorers, the in three seasons with Hertha. Gasol (33) in the first half of an NBA basketball game Sunday, in Memphis, Tenn. — AP Nigerian striker brought a rare smile to beleaguered Sunderland boss David NABIL BENTALEB (Schalke 04) Moyes’s face with a goal to bring them level The Algeria midfielder, on loan from with Bournemouth. Anichebe played under Tottenham Hotspur, scored his fourth goal Trail Blazers down the Scot at Everton in happier times and he in four Bundesliga games in Schalke’s 3-1 was at the centre of the action that led to win at home to Werder Bremen. Austria the winner when he was fouled in the midfielder Alessandro Schoepf opened the penalty area and Jermain Defoe converted scoring for the Royal Blues, but Bentaleb the penalty. “He’s (Moyes) the one who has grabbed the second on 38 minutes. When Grizzlies 100-94 been getting the blame, even though we Brazil defender Naldo forced Bremen goal- are the ones on the pitch,” said Anichebe. keeper Felix Wiedwald into a diving save, Bentaleb was on hand to rifle home the MEMPHIS: CJ McCollum matched his career high ITALY rebound from a tight angle. with 37 points, scoring 16 points in the fourth NBA results/standings MOHAMED SALAH (Roma) quarter to help the Portland Trail Blazers beat the Salah stole the show at the Stadio FRANCE Memphis Grizzlies 100-94 on Sunday. McCollum Utah 114, NY Knicks 109; Portland 100, Memphis 94; Sacramento 96, Toronto 91; Dallas 86, Milwaukee 75 (OT); Denver Olimpico with a hat-trick in a 3-0 romp over FAMARA DIEDHIOU (Angers) also matched his career best with six 3-pointers. 123, Boston 107; LA Lakers 119, Phoenix 108. Bologna. Salah’s only previous hat-trick The 23-year-old Senegal striker recently Damian Lillard added 19 points and seven assists, Eastern Conference Western Conference came for Egypt in a World Cup qualifier opened his international account in a 2017 and Maurice Harkless finished with 18 points. against Zimbabwe in 2013, but the former Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Atlantic Division Northwest Division Portland has won two straight. Marc Gasol led W L PCT GB Oklahoma City 5 1 .833 - Chelsea midfielder claimed his maiden Namibia. He scored the winner for his new Memphis with 21 points, and Mike Conley added triple in league football, albeit at the discre- club Ligue 1 outfit Angers, his second of Toronto 4 2 .667 - Portland 4 3 .571 1.5 16 points and seven assists, They have lost two Boston 3 3 .500 1 tion of officials after his 13th-minute open- the season, in a 1-0 victory over Lille. Utah 4 3 .571 1.5 straight, both at home. Zach Randolph had 15 NY Knicks 2 4 .333 2 Denver 3 3 .500 2 er took a deflection on the goalline before Angers coach Stephane Moulin described points and seven rebounds, and Vince Carter and Brooklyn 2 4 .333 2 beating Angelo Da Costa. There was no the forward’s lightning counter-attack as Minnesota 1 4 .200 3.5 Tony Allen scored 11 points each. The game was Philadelphia 0 5 0 3.5 Pacific Division doubt over Salah’s second-half strikes, magnificent in both its imagining and its Central Division close with 13 lead changes and 12 ties before LA Clippers 5 1 .833 - which took his goals tally to eight this sea- execution. Cleveland 6 0 1.000 - Portland pulled away late. McCollum had 10 Golden State 4 2 .667 1 son. Detroit 4 2 .667 2 straight Portland points during one stretch to put LA Lakers 4 3 .571 1.5 FRANCOIS KAMANO (Bordeaux) Milwaukee 4 3 .571 2.5 the game away. Chicago 3 3 .500 3 Sacramento 3 5 .375 3 KEITA BALDE (Lazio) The 20-year-old Guinean striker opened Phoenix 2 5 .286 3.5 Senegal’s Balde says Lazio don’t know the scoring in a 2-1 win for Bordeaux over Indiana 3 3 .500 3 JAZZ 114, KNICKS 109 Southeast Division Southwest Division how far they can go this season, but his Lorient. The side-footed tap-in was his first Gordon Hayward scored 28 points in his season Charlotte 4 1 .800 - San Antonio 5 2 .714 - equaliser-the fastest in Serie A this cam- goal for Bordeaux since joining from Bastia debut, while George Hill had 23 points and nine Atlanta 4 2 .667 0.5 Houston 3 3 .500 1.5 paign-helped grab a share of the points in in the middle of this year. The powerfully assists as Utah beat New York. Hayward had been Orlando 3 3 .500 1.5 Memphis 3 4 .429 2 a gutsy 1-1 draw at Napoli, who dominated built youngster from Conakry can play sidelined since breaking his right ring finger in Miami 2 3 .400 2 Dallas 1 5 .167 3.5 throughout at their San Paolo stadium. right across the front line. He has three training camp. He led the team in scoring last sea- Washington 1 4 .200 3 New Orleans 0 6 0 4.5 Marek Hamsik had given Napoli a 52nd- international caps and a four-year deal at son, averaging nearly 20 points. Rodney Hood minute lead with his 103rd strike for the Bordeaux. —AFP added 18 points to help the Jazz win for the third 16 for the Nuggets, who lost 16 of the previous 18 Nick Young scored 22 points, Jordan Clarkson time in four games. Rudy Gobert and Derrick meetings in Boston. Isaiah Thomas led the Celtics, added 18 and Los Angeles moved above .500 for Favors each had 13. Carmelo Anthony and Kristaps tying his season high with 30 points. Boston was only the second time in nearly three years with a England need ‘emotional Porzingis each had 28 for the Knicks, and Derrick missing starters Jae Crowder (sprained left ankle) victory over Phoenix. Two days after their stunning Rose added 18. New York has lost three of four. and Al Horford (concussion protocol). Mudiay, who upset of Golden State, the Lakers (4-3) held off the Control’ against Scotland went 0 for 7 from the floor in Denver’s double-digit Suns down the stretch despite Devin Booker’s KINGS 96, RAPTORS 91 loss at Detroit on Saturday night, shot 9 of 10 in the career-high 39 points. Julius Randle scored 18 for LONDON: England must show “emotional con- me is not important, it is about the team. DeMarcus Cousins had 22 points and 14 first quarter and had a season high already as he the Lakers, and Clarkson hit a 3-pointer with 1:27 trol” when they face Scotland in a World Cup “I want to leave the team and country on rebounds, Rudy Gay scored 23 against his former outscored the Celtics. The Nuggets led 42-23 after left to seal Los Angeles’ third victory in its last 14 qualifier at Wembley on Friday, interim manag- top of the group at the end of Friday night, that team and Sacramento beat Toronto. Gay had nine one and 77-52 at halftime. Boston left the floor to a meetings with the Suns, who have lost five of sev- er Gareth Southgate said yesterday. is my only focus.” England will be without points in the fourth quarter as the Kings (3-5) loud chorus of boos. en. Other than its season-opening victory last The first competitive clash between the Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Dele Alli who is snapped a four-game losing streak by winning the month, Los Angeles hadn’t had a winning record nations since 1999 is guaranteed to be highly injured while Arsenal’s Theo Walcott could drop finale of their five-game road trip. DeMar DeRozan LAKERS 119, SUNS 108 since the franchise was 10-9 on Dec. 6, 2013. — AP charged and while England are firm favourites, out as his wife is expecting a baby. led the Raptors (4-2) with 23 points, the first time Southgate says form goes out of the window “We are not totally sure but Theo could dis- this season he’s been held under 30. Kyle Lowry when the old rivals meet. appear at any time with his wife expecting,” added 15 points for Toronto, which had a three- Ranieri’s 40-point mantra no “Whatever happened with their results, it Southgate said. Fit-again Tottenham Hotspur game winning streak snapped. Raptors center does not reflect their performances,” Southgate striker Harry Kane returns to the squad after Jonas Valanciunas sat out with a sore knee. laughing matter for Leicester told a news conference. “Their mentality for a missing the qualifiers against Malta and MAVERICKS 86, BUCKS 75, OT game like this is unquestionable and they have Slovenia and there was also a recall for Arsenal’s LONDON: Leicester City manager Claudio room staff, I know last year they were looking to Harrison Barnes scored a career-high 34 points unquestionable spirit. We will have to better Jack Wilshere who is currently on loan at Ranieri spent the first half of last season talking get to 40 points, but they kept on winning and Dallas won for the first time this season, beat- that and outplay them to win the game,” he Bournemouth. Kane scored a penalty in a 1-1 about reaching the 40-point threshold to avoid games. Really deep down they should be look- ing Milwaukee in overtime. Barnes, who left Golden added. “We have to have emotional control draw at Arsenal on Sunday, his first action since relegation before his side galloped away with ing at the 40 points and then taking it from State to sign a $94 million, four-year contract with going into the game. It is the oldest interna- injuring his ankle on Sept. 18. “It’s obviously the title. That was mainly in jest but if Leicester’s there.” Until Sunday’s 2-1 defeat by West the Mavericks in the offseason, has scored at least tional fixture. We will make sure if the players early stages of coming back from quite a long Premier League results do not improve soon the Bromwich Albion, Leicester’s home form had 30 points twice this season after hitting the mark don’t know about it, that they are made aware injury but we saw (against Arsenal) the desire Italian will be taken more seriously if he starts continued in the same vein as last season with only once in his four years with the Warriors. His 20- of it in the early part of the week.” England are that he has and the knack of being in the right trotting out the same old line. three wins and two draws. foot jumper opened the scoring in overtime, and top of Group F with seven points from three place at the right time - not only the goal he While it is far too early to panic, 12 points Worryingly, however, West Brom easily nulli- the depleted Mavericks (1-5) never trailed after that. games while Scotland are fourth with four fol- scored, but a couple of other chances. It’s good from their first 11 games has left the Foxes two fied Leicester’s counter-attacking style as they The Bucks scored just one point in the extra period. lowing a heavy defeat by Slovakia last time out. to have him back in with the squad,” Southgate points above the bottom three and any talk of inflicted a first home league defeat on Ranieri’s The Mavericks played without starters Dirk Nowitzki Scotland did win the most recent competi- said. — Reuters defending the title, or even claiming a top-four men since September 2015. (right Achilles soreness) and Deron Williams (left tive clash between the sides, however, a 1-0 spot, are long gone. Instead, Leicester find them- With an appalling away record of one point calf strain). J.J. Barea added 21 points for Dallas, win in a qualifying playoff for the 2000 selves in the more familiar position of jostling from 15 this season, the last thing Leicester need including five in overtime. Jabari Parker led European Championship, although they lost with the likes of Hull City, Bournemouth and is a home slump. Milwaukee with 16 points, but only two after half- the home leg 2-0 and England advanced. Sunderland in the bottom half. Against West Brom they failed to register an time. Greg Monroe had 14 points and 11 rebounds Southgate is halfway through his four-game Former Leicester striker Emile Heskey said attempt on target in the first half while at the for the Bucks, who had won three straight. stint in charge following the sacking of Sam they need points soon to settle the nerves. back they were guilty of worrying lapses, none Allardyce. They also play Spain in a friendly “I think they’re probably concerned now, but more so than Danny Drinkwater’s errant back- NUGGETS 123, CELTICS 107 next week after which a decision will be made it’s very tight at the bottom so one win can take pass that allowed Matt Phillips to score the win- Emmanuel Mudiay scored 24 of his season-high on whether Southgate continues. “I was asked you to mid-table and you look relatively okay, ner. Riyad Mahrez, last year’s PFA player of the 30 points in the opening quarter, helping Denver to take four matches and I have got another but then two losses can get you sucked back in season, has failed to shine while Jamie Vardy’s to a big first half against injury-depleted Boston. two really exciting matches and I am looking again,” he told Sky Sports. goal have dried up to such an extent that he was Wilson Chandler added 22 points before leaving forward to that,” he said. “Knowing the owners and some of the back- on the bench on Sunday. — Reuters with a left hamstring injury. Danilo Gallinari scored “I have enjoyed it all and what happens to Gareth Southgate