SPORT Thursday 1 February 2018

PAGE | 30 PAGE | 31 PAGE | 36 India eye early Historic night for QSL giants enterer mmomentumo in ODI James Harden in Round 15 with sseries against SA Rockets’ win eye on ACL

Pellegri Relegation threat looms as follows risky path

Al Kharaitiyat eye full points REUTERS

ARMSTRONG VAS ZURICH: Pietro Pellegri’s THE PENINSULA A file picture of the Al Sadd players celebrating a goal move from Genoa to Monaco during the QNB Stars League match. was one of the most eye- DOHA: Al Kharaitiyat is aiming catching of the January to move away from the relega- transfer window but previ- tion zone and force their way up ous cases suggest the on the QNB Stars League (QSL) 16-year-old Italian is walk- standings. ing on a treacherous path. The best way for the strug- Monaco were widely gling side – languishing at the reported to have paid 25m 11th position with just nine points euros ($31 million) for Pellegri is to pocket wins in the upcom- who showed his enormous ing encounters. potential in September when And that is precisely what Al he became the youngest Kharaitiyat coach Yasser Sebaie player to score twice in a is targeting ahead of their Week Serie A game. 15 match against Al Sailiya. Football can be a cruel Sebaie took over as coach sport, however, and numerous after the club management prodigies, such as Alexandre sacked the Tunisian coach Pato, Freddy Adu and Reimond Ahmad Al Ajlani’s. The 0-2 loss Manco, have slipped into rel- to Al Khor last week resulted in ative obscurity in the last dismissal of Ajlan. decade after an early move to “Our team is going through a big club turned sour. The rou- a tough phase, there is no doubt tine is all-too familiar; the about it. I have just taken charge youngster moves to a big club, following the departure of fails to make an immediate or Ahmad Al Ajlani and got only two through injuries and Josue Mohy Markhiya 4-1 last week. They far as we are concerned. We win eye to overtake Duhail and sustained impact and is then days to work with the players. due to suspension as he had had suffered a 0-6 defeat at the must be wary of Al Khor. They they hope some of the teams will loaned to a smaller club where We have a serious problem picked up a fourth yellow card hands of Al Sadd in the previous have good strikers who can do a favour by ending the he also disappoints, leading to ahead of our game against a in the last match against Al Khor, week and had drawn 1-1 with Al come hard at us. It is not a great unbeaten run of the league lead- a downwards spiral. strong side like Al Sailiya. We which we lost 0-2,” Sebaie said Arabi in Week 12. Yet, The Per- thing that we have conceded ers and they do not drop points Brazilian Pato is one of will miss five players, four on the eve of the match. egrines were lucky to have many goals,” he added. on the way. the most eye-catching cases. “I hope our new recruit, stayed fourth. “Our defence is not bad. We At 17, he had an extraordinary QSL WEEK 15 FIXTURES Yemeni midfielder Ahmad Al However, Sam Trabelsi’s will miss Abdulrahman Al Harazi professional debut for Inter- Today’s match Hifi, comes good in the remain- men cannot afford to drop points who has gone back to Al Rayyan QSL STANDINGS nacional when he scored after 18:45: Al Kharaitiyat vs Al Sailiya, ing games and I wish him good if they are not to lose the fourth even though he was not doing 94 seconds, set up two more Al Khor Stadium luck. We can still move up in the position to Umm Salal who are that great with us. In fact, we QSL Standings at the end of Round 14 and headed against the post February 2 standings. I have been associated breathing down their neck with needed him more than Al Al Duhail 14 11 0 3 50 19 36 in a 4-1 win over Palmeiras. 16:35 : Al Ahli vs Al Duhail, Al Ahli Stadium with the team for five years now three points adrift of them. Rayyan,” he added. Al Sadd 14 11 2 1 40 15 34 After only 10 appearances 16:35: Al Markhiya vs Al Rayyan, Al Arabi and I know the players well,” he “All games are difficult. Our “Overall, our performance is Al Rayyan 14 10 2 2 37 22 32 - the same number that Pel- Stadium added. main target against Al Kharaiti- good and we are far away from Al Sailiya 14 7 5 2 30 25 23 legri made for Genoa -- he February 3 “I know our situation is pre- yat is to play how we did last the danger zone. But to stay in Umm Salal 14 5 4 5 23 22 20 joined AC Milan and made a 18:45: Al Arabi vs Umm Salal, carious. In fact, many teams are week when we beat Al Markhiya the fourth position, we must Al Gharafa 14 4 5 5 22 24 17 good start, only to suffer a Al Arabi Stadium facing problems and are under 4-1. We are also going through a work more and get more posi- Al Ahli 14 4 6 4 17 22 16 remarkable sequence of mus- 16:35: Al Khor vs Al Gharafa, pressure, not just us. We can stay difficult stage and we worked a tive results. Our ambition is a Al Khor 14 4 8 2 16 26 14 cle injures. Al Khor Stadium clear of the danger zone with one lot on the psychological aspects top-four finish,” Trabelsi said. Qatar SC 14 3 8 3 14 31 12 He returned to Brazil to 18:45: Qatar SC vs Al Sadd, or two victories,” said Yasser. ahead of this game,” Trabelsi Al Duhail lead the table fol- Al Arabi 14 2 7 5 17 27 11 join Corinthians in 2013 and,

Al Kharaitiyat 14 2 9 3 17 35 9

Qatar SC Stadium Al Sailiya is on 23 points and said. lowed by Al Sadd in the second still only 28, now plays for

Al Markhiya 14 1 8 5 9 24 8

will aim look to continue their “This match is not so crucial followed by Al Rayyan. Chinese club Tianjin winningwinning ways,ways, havinghaving beaten Al for us, but an important one as In the coming days, Al Sadd Quanjian.

Playing for Al Sadd a big challenge: Afif

RIZWAN REHREHMATM Belgium and I wish to play with a THE PENINSPENINSULAU strong team like Al Sadd and make my contribution to club by winning DOHA:DOHA: AAll SaSadd’sdd new winger Akram matches with this side. There are Afif, the star ofof Qatar’s enterprising many domestic and AFC challenges showshow atat lastlast month’smo AFC U-23 Asian for Al Sadd,” he added. CupCup campaign,cam yesterday said “I’m happy to be back at Al Sadd playingplayi for the Doha giants and I promise everyone that I will do is ‘a‘a big challenge’. my best to always give 100 percent The 21-year-old was on the pitch and help the team win unveiledun as an Al Sadd matches and trophies,” Afif said. playerpl after a loan deal “This team includes seniors and withwit Villareal came to an professionals of the highest order. end,end, tthe club announced on Working with them with them will its websitewebsit yesterday. Akram Afif poses with the Al Sadd shirt during be very exciting. Hopefully we will AfifAfif is expectedexpe to join Barca leg- his unveiling ceremony in Doha yesterday. be able to lead the team to success end Xavi whowho is the captain at Al in the coming matches. I hope to see SaddSadd anandd QatarQatar national team striker Al Sadd at the top always,” he said. Hassan AlAl Haydos.Hay helped his team-mate Alimoez Ali The youngster, born and brought Al Sadd, placed second behind “Joining Al Sadd is a new but big score 6 goals at the same event. up in Doha, launched his young points leaders Al Duhail on the QNB challengechallenge fforor mme. It is a great respon- Afif has appeared in 29 interna- career with Al Markhiya before join- Stars League table, take on Qatar SC sibility and hhonouro for any young tionals for Qatar since September ing Al Sadd juniors. on Saturday in a round 15 clash. Al pplayerlayer to jojoinin Al Sadd,” Afif said 2015 and has scored five goals. His “When I was promoted to the Duhail have 36 points from 14 yesterday.yesterday. recent strike came against Yemen in youth team (of Al Sadd), I moved to matches while Al Sadd have a tally “I pray thatthat I am successful with a Gulf Cup match at the end of Spain with Villarreal. In between I of 34. Third-placed Al Rayyan have my shortshort stint anda that I get the con- December in Kuwait. moved to Sporting Gijon,” Afif said 32 points. fidencefidence of coacoachc Jesualdo Ferreira,” “It is a dream of mine to be part yesterday. The club yesterday announced hehe added.added. of a winning team at Al Sadd. I will “(In 2017), I finally returned to influential Algerian winger Jugurtha AfifAfif witwithh ththree goals to his credit be playing for them until the end of Eupen but this is the first time I will Hamroun will miss the next clash helpedhelped QatarQatar finish third at the the season,” Afif said. be playing with the senior team of Al having picked up a fourth yellow 16-team tournamenttou won by “I am very happy with this move. Sadd,” Afif said. card in the last game, resulting in UzbekistanUzbekistan in ChinaC last month. Afif I am happy to join Al Sadd again,” “I have gained a lot of experi- an automatic one-game was influentialinfluentia with his assists that Afif said. ence during my time in Spain and suspension. 30 SPORT THURSDAY 1 FEBRUARY 2018 Latif’s appeal against Bangladesh dominate spot-fixing ban rejected

Sri Lanka in Chittagong AFP KARACHI: Former Pakistan AFP Lakshan Sandakan. He then hit opener Khalid Latif yesterday SCOREBOARD Herath for his only six to reach lost an appeal against a five- CHITTAGONG, BANGLADESH: Bangladesh (I innings) 160 and bring up his 2,000 Test year ban for spot-fixing but Mominul Haque hit a towering Tamim Iqbal b D Perera ...... 52 runs in his 47th innings. had his one million rupee century to help Bangladesh take Imrul Kayes lbw b Sandakan ...... 40 Mominul was the fastest ($10,000) fine waived, the opening day honours in the first Mominul Haque not out ...... 175 Bangladeshi to achieve the feat, country’s cricket body said. Test against Sri Lanka in Chit- Mushfiqur Rahim c Dickwella b Lakmal ...... 92 overtaking Tamim’s record of 53 Adjudicator Justice Faqir tagong yesterday. Liton Das b Lakmal ...... 0 innings. Khokhar upheld the ban, say- Mominul hit an unbeaten 175 Mahmudullah not out ...... 9 Sri Lankan batting coach ing there was “overwhelming” Extras (NB 4, W2) ...... 6 as the hosts reached 374-4 at Total (four wkts; 90 overs) ...... 374 Thilan Samaraweera was full of evidence against Latif, but stumps after electing to bat first To bat: Mosaddek Hossain, Mehedi Hasan, Taijul Islam, praise for Mominul, who is nick- waived the fine as his career at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Sunzamul Islam, Mustafizur Rahman named Mini. was almost over, Pakistan Stadium. Fall of wickets: 1-72, 2-120, 3-356, 4-356 “We should have bowled Cricket Board lawyer Taffa- The left-hander shared a Bowling: Lakmal 17-3-43-2 (nb2), Kumara 12-1-64-0 better than that. It is 40 runs too zul Rizvi told reporters in 236-run third-wicket stand with (w1), D Perera 24-4-98-1 (nb2), Herath 20-1-100-0, many for our part...” he said. Lahore. former captain Mushfiqur Sandakan 13-1-58-1 (w1), Dhananjaya 4-0-11-0 Mominul’s masterful display Latif, who had shown tre- Rahim, who fell just short of his Sri Lanka: D Karunaratne, D de Silva, K Mendis, D Chandi- at his favourite ground came mendous early promise as a fifth Test hundred after scoring mal, N Dickwella, R Silva, D Perera, R Herath, S Lakmal, L after Bangladesh had lost both cricketer but failed to make Sandakan, L Kumara. 92 off 192 balls. openers, Tamim and Imrul an impact at international Skipper Mahmudullah Kayes, in the morning session. level, played five one-day Riyad, on nine, was batting Tamim made 52 off 53 balls, internationals and 13 T20Is, alongside Mominul when stumps sharing a 72-run opening stand the last of which was against were drawn at the start of the with Kayes (40), until off-spin- the West Indies in Abu Dhabi two-match series. ner Dilruwan Perera bowled him in September 2016. Opener Tamim Iqbal gave with a beautiful delivery that The scandal surfaced dur- the hosts a strong start with his pitched outside off-stump and ing the second edition of the brisk 52 and said it was “a fan- Bangladesh cricketer Mominul Haque plays a shot during the first day of the first Test match against spun sharply. Pakistan Super League in tastic day” for Bangladesh. Sri Lanka at Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chittagong, yesterday. Tamim struck six fours, and February last year when Latif “We were very positive and a sweetly timed six off Perera was playing for Islamabad attacking from ball one. It was Lakmal, who returned figures of next ball, which swung late to Rangana Herath during his stay, over long-on, in his 25th Test United. nice to see.” 2-43, forced Mushfiqur to edge uproot the off-stump after the which has lasted 203 balls so far. fifty. Latif, 32, was charged Suranga Lakmal struck with behind the stumps after he had batsman had attempted to leave The 26-year-old posted his Sandakan trapped Kayes with orchestrating a deal with the second new ball to claim two struck 10 fours in his relatively the delivery. fifth Test century and his first in leg-before on the stroke of lunch, a bookie that would see his wickets off successive deliver- sedate innings. But Mominul was dominant more than three years off just 96 ending the left-hander’s 75-ball fellow opener Sharjeel Khan ies and give Sri Lanka some The medium-pacer bowled at the other end, hitting 16 fours balls, with back-to-back fours stay. deliberately playing two dot respite late into the final session. Liton Das for a duck with the and a six off veteran spinner off left-arm wrist spinner balls -- deliveries off which no run is scored -- in the opening match against Pesha- war Zalmi in Dubai. Spot-fixing involves ICC probes determining the outcome of India eye early momentum a specific part of a match UAE league rather than the overall result, and is therefore harder to after farcical detect than match-fixing. in ODI series against SA Sharjeel was also banned dismissals for five years -- two and a half years suspended -- and REUTERS IANS combinations and fix up certain providing the additional seam- his appeal was rejected last spots before the quadrennial ing option, it will all boil down on November. DUBAI: The Interna- DURBAN: After losing the three- tournament in England next year. how the pitch behaves and who Paceman Mohammad tional Cricket Council Test rubber 1-2, India will be Speaking of the upcoming amongst the spin trio of Yuzv- Irfan and spinner Mohammad (ICC) is investigating a eager to bounce back when they series, India will also be keen endra Chahal, Kuldeep Yadav, Nawaz were banned for one private Twenty20 face South Africa in the opener to better their past record and Axar Patel makes the playing XI. year and two months respec- league in the United of the six-match One-day Inter- focus on winning their first-ever South Africa, on the other tively for not reporting fixing Arab Emirates, the national (ODI) series here today. bilateral ODI series on South Afri- hand will miss the services of vet- offers. sport’s global governing Despite losing the Test series, can soil. eran AB de Villiers, who was ruled Another former opener body has said, after the Virat Kohli-led side will take India have previously lost 2-5 out of the first three matches with Nasir Jamshed -- alleged to footage of some farcical a lot of heart from their per- in 1992-93, 0-4 in 2006-07, 2-3 a finger injury and is most likely have played a role as coordi- dismissals went viral on formance in the final match in in 2010-11 and 0-2 in 2013-14. to hand a debut to young Khay- nator in the PSL fixing deal social media. Johannesburg, which they won They were also part of two tri- alihle Zondo. -- was banned for one year A match in the by 63 runs on a “poor” Wander- angular series in 1996-97 and Squads: for not cooperating with the Ajman All Stars League, ers pitch. 2001-02, featuring Zimbabwe India: Virat Kohli (Captain), inquiry. which is not sanctioned Going into the ODIs, the vis- and Kenya respectively, but the Shikhar Dhawan, Rohit Sharma, The decision against by the Emirates Cricket itors will also be bolstered by Proteas emerged victors on both Ajinkya Rahane, Shreyas Iyer, another international player, India team captain, Virat Kohli Board (ECB), saw sev- the arrival of the limited-overs occasions. Going into today’s tie, Manish Pandey, Dinesh Karthik, Shahzaib Hasan, was eral batsmen appear to experts, especially former skip- India is not expected to make Kedar Jadhav, Mahendra Singh reserved and will be throw their wickets in per Mahendra Singh Dhoni, who After engaging in six ODIs any drastic changes with Rohit Dhoni (wk), Hardik Pandya, Yuz- announced on Saturday. bizarre fashion, by run- seems to be able to infuse new and three T20Is against the Pro- Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan vendra Chahal, Kuldeep Yadav, Pakistani cricket has long ning themselves out or confidence into the side with just teas here, the men-in-blue will opening the batting and followed Axar Patel, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, been tainted by allegations of getting stumped with- his presence. head to Sri Lanka for a T20I tri- by the likes of Kohli, Ajinkya Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed spot-fixing. out trying to return to With only 14 months to go for series before playing three ODIs Rahane, Shreyas Iyer and Dhoni. Shami, Shardul Thakur. The most infamous inci- the crease, even when the 2019 ODI World Cup, India and as many T20Is in England It will be interesting to see South Africa: Faf du Plessis dent came on the 2010 tour the wicketkeeper will also look to kick off their and Ireland, with the 2018 IPL who among the likes of Man- (Captain), Hashim Amla, Quinton of England, when then-cap- fumbled. preparations in earnest during season in between. ish Pandey, Kedar Jadhav and de Kock (wk), Jean Paul Duminy, tain Salman Butt and bowlers “There is currently the series. With so much of limited- Dinesh Karthik gets a look-in Imran Tahir, Aiden Markram, Mohammad Amir and an ICC Anti-Corruption India have a long limited- overs’ cricket to be played in lower down the order even as David Miller, Morne Morkel, Mohammad Asif were all Unit (ACU) investigation overs’ schedule until their next overseas conditions, especially the bowling department looks Chris Morris, Lungisani Ngidi, given prison sentences for underway in relation to big Test assignment -- the five- South Africa and England, this set to be led by Bhuvneshwar Andile Phehlukwayo, Kagiso consiring to bowl deliberate the Ajman All Stars Test rubber against England in will allow the Indian team man- Kumar and Jasprit Bumrah. Rabada, Tabraiz Shamsi, Khay- no-balls in the fourth Test at League held recently in August. agement to try out the various With Hardik Pandya elihle Zondo. Lord’s. Ajman, UAE,” ACU gen- eral manager Alex Marshall said in a statement. “The ICC Anti-Cor- Nepal’s ‘Shane Warne’ keen to soak up IPL experience ruption Unit works to uphold integrity in AFP proud of you.” Lamichhane, who the only South Asian nation not Australian great Michael Clarke, cricket and in keeping has been likened to spin legend to have Test, one-day or T20 sta- when he played alongside the with that role, we are KATHMANDU: Nepal leg-spin- Shane Warne, made the mete- tus, barring the isolated kingdom former captain in a Hong Kong talking to players and ner Sandeep Lamichhane oric rise to the IPL just two years of Bhutan. Twenty20 Blitz tournament in officials and will not (pictured) says his breakthrough after being selected for Nepal’s Lamichhane credits Nepal’s 2016. Clarke invited Lamich- make any further com- Indian Premier League deal will national team. senior players with popularis- hane to train at his cricket ment at this time.” give him the chance to play “If you get the chance to play ing the sport among young academy in Sydney, an experi- The Ajman Cricket alongside the cricketing elite and in the IPL, lots of players will be people in a football-mad ence the teenager described as Council (ACC) has sus- promote the sport back at home. there who are very experienced country. unforgettable. pended all matches at Lamichhane, 17, became an guys and I think I will learn a “The senior guys have done “Playing with a player like the Ajman Oval. overnight hero after becoming lot,” Lamichhane, the son of a something for the new guys who Michael Clarke is such as a big “... we found the Nepal’s first cricketer to enter railway worker, told AFP in are coming right now into the thing. It was amazing and shar- Ajman Oval breaching the lucrative IPL, with Delhi Dubai. teams, and their contributions ing a dressing room with him the code more than Daredevils picking him in a Lamichhane’s Delhi team- have made our country a and getting experience from him, once and hence we have mega auction Sunday. mates will include Australian cricket-crazy nation,” he said. it was something like a dream suspended their affilia- His name was splashed all-rounder Glenn Maxwell and Lamichhane’s talent was first come true,” he said. tion,” ACC secretary across front pages of national pacemen Trent Boult (New Zea- noticed by former Nepal national Lamichhane is currently in general Shaji Ul Mulk newspapers and thousands took land) and Kagiso Rabada (South cricket coach Pubudu Dassanay- Dubai training with Nepal’s told ESPNcricinfo. to social media to express their Africa), among others. ake, who spotted him at a national team ahead of the excitement. Prime Minister Sher The teenager is expected to training camp in 2015. World Cricket League Division Sandeep Bahadur Deuba tweeted, “Not make Nepal more of a force in The spin-bowling sensation Two tournament in Namibia Lamichhane just me, but the entire nation is international cricket. They are then attracted the attention of next month. THURSDAY 1 FEBRUARY 2018 SPORT 31 Don’t call it a comeback - Pats to lead from front

AFP deficits of 14-3 and 20-10 to win “But I don’t think we want fourth-quarter deficits, Belichick 24-20. The decisive drive in the to have to overcome that again replied: “No. Nobody wants to be New England Patriots’ MINNEAPOLIS: Tom Brady and victory over the Jaguars was text- this year. That was tough to do. behind 28-3 and nobody wants quarterback Tom Brady the New England Patriots may book Brady, marching upfield We would prefer to get a lead, to be behind 14-3. Whatever the holds the Vince Lombardi have forged a reputation as the and threading a pinpoint pass to play ahead, play on our terms. situation we’re in we will try to trophy in this February 2017 comeback kings of the NFL but pick out Danny Amendola in the “It’s something that we talk prepare for it the best way we file photo. the defending champions are end zone. about every week. can. determined to avoid another It completed the 42nd fourth “But I realiSe it’s a “But we don’t want to be Houdini act in the Super Bowl. quarter comeback of Brady’s glit- 60-minute game. And however behind by two or three touch- The Patriots will aim to tering career, and was the it shakes out, ultimately you’ve downs in any game that we defend their title in Minneapolis 40-year-old’s 53rd game-win- got to figure out how to win in play.” on Sunday, a year after staging ning drive. the fourth quarter. Brady, who could also win a the greatest comeback in Super But Brady told reporters on “And if it comes down to record sixth Super Bowl on Sun- Bowl history, when they recov- Tuesday he would prefer to lead that, we’ve got the confidence day, said regardless of how the ered from 28-3 down to defeat from the front this weekend that we can go down the field game unfolded he expected to the Atlanta Falcons in against the Philadelphia Eagles, and win the game.” maintain his composure. overtime. rather than come from behind Brady’s sentiments were “I’m pretty calm all the Brady and his teammates as they were forced to do against shared by Bill Belichick, who time,” he said. “I have my provided a timely reminder of Atlanta last year. could claim a sixth Super Bowl moments but for the most part, their never-say-die approach in “There’s a great belief in this ring as head coach of the Patri- I’ve been around football for a their AFC Championship victory team that no matter what the cir- ots this weekend. long time and I know this game. over the Jacksonville Jaguars cumstance, that we have enough Asked if he relished the pres- Focus and composure is pretty earlier this month, overturning to overcome it,” Brady said. sure of having to overturn late, important for a quarterback.” NBA: Historic night for Harden in Rockets’ win

AFP NBA RESULTS Detroit 125 Cleveland 114 LOS ANGELES: James Harden LA Clippers 96 Portland 104 became the first player in NBA San Antonio 106 Denver 104 history to record a 60-point I was so locked in and focused on how I New York 111 Brooklyn 95 triple double as the short- could impact the game. Even the coach Toronto 109 Minnesota 104 handed Houston Rockets talking, I couldn’t hear him at all, says Utah 129 Golden State 99 defeated the Orlando Magic Houston 114 Orlando 107

114-107 on Tuesday night. James Harden after scoring a record New Orleans 103 Sacramento 114 The 60 points were also a 60-point triple double Washington 102 Oklahoma City 96 franchise single game record as he surpassed Calvin Mur- phy, who scored 57 points in game other than I was trying like I did tonight,” he said. collected 14 points and 20 1978. Murphy was in attend- to put the team on my back. The game was tied 107- rebounds for the Trail Blazers, ance at the game as a member “I was just aggressive. It 107 after a basket by Marreese who have won three in a row of the Rockets’ Root Sports tel- was a much needed win for Speights with just under four and six of their past seven evision broadcasting crew. us.” minutes to play. Neither team outings. He reached the 60-point NBA players took to social scored for more than two min- Lou Williams scored 20 milestone with a four-point media to congratulate Harden. utes after that, until Harden points off the bench for the play, stepping back and drain- “C’mon @JHarden13!!! seized command, scoring six Clippers, who lost for the ing a three pointer while being Now that’s insane G! 60 point straight points to make it 113- fourth in six games. However, fouled by Mario Hezonja. Triple Dub. Sheesh!!” wrote 107 with 45 seconds left. Williams was only 5 of 26 from Harden then made the free Cleveland Cavaliers LeBron “Amazing and topped it off the field, missing 16 shots in a throw as the crowd rose to its James. with a four-point play at the row after a 4-of-8 start. feet. Murphy smiled and Murphy tweeted, “Con- end,” coach Mike D’Antoni The Clippers were short- clapped as his scoring mark fell gratulations to @JHarden13 for said. “But we had to have every handed, having traded forward by the wayside. breaking my record. I’ve been minute from him.” Blake Griffin to Detroit on “Tonight I was ultra honored to hold the #Rockets The Rockets began the Monday for a package that aggressive,” said Harden. “I single game scoring record for contest without Chris Paul included Avery Bradley and was in attack mode.” 40 years. James you are a class (sore groin), and Trevor Ariza Tobias Harris from the Pistons. Harden collected his 10th act!” (strained hamstring). Eric Gor- None were in uniform for the rebound just moments later to The previous NBA high for don exited early in the second Clippers on Tuesday. earn his third triple double this a triple double was 57 points quarter with lower back Portland saw a 20-point, season. He made 17 of 18 free by both Michael Jordan in stiffness. third-quarter lead shrink to six throws and was 19 of 30 from December 1992 and Russell “I looked at coach and points in the final three min- the field with five baskets from Westbrook in March. said: ‘Eric can’t go,’” Harden utes, but the Blazers held on to beyond the arc. He also had “I had 50, 52, 53 a couple said “He said ‘go get ‘em’ and win. four steals and one block. of times. I didn’t know what after that I didn’t come out of Lillard had 16 points and Harden scored 18 points the record was,” said Harden. the game.” McCollum 10 as Portland led in the final quarter to record Harden, who grew up in Meanwhile, Damian Lillard 56-51 at the half. his ninth career 50-point south Los Angeles near where scored 28 points as the Port- The Blazers opened the game. the tennis’ Williams sisters land Trail Blazers held off a third quarter by outscoring the “I was so locked in and come from, was picked to play late surge by the host Los Clippers 24-9 to go ahead focused on how I could impact in the 2018 All-Star Game in Angeles Clippers to win 104- 80-60. Portland’s edge was the game. Even the coach talk- his hometown on February 18. 96 on Tuesday night at Staples 86-67 heading into the final ing, I couldn’t hear him at all,” “If I could do that there Center. period. James Harden of the Houston Rockets creates new record in NBA history Harden said. that’s for sure the MVP. Hope- CJ McCollum added 16 The Clippers trimmed the after scoring points for his side on Tuesday. “It feels like any other NBA fully I can put on a show there points and Jusuf Nurkic difference to 93-82 with 8:17 left. Ducks end Bruins’ streak

AGENCIES from Boston’s Patrice Nathan MacKinnon, the NHL’s into the empty cage 6:01 into Bergeron earlier in the period. second-leading scorer, left in the third for a 3-2 lead. NEW YORK: For the first time He was replaced by Ryan the second period with an Bryan Rust added his sec- in nearly two months, the Miller, who finished with five upper-body injury. ond goal of the game for Boston Bruins lost a game in saves. MacKinnon, hurt in a col- insurance later in the third regulation. Canucks 4, Avalanche 3 lision with Vancouver period, and Malkin completed Adam Henrique had two Sven Baertschi’s goal 1:07 defenseman Alex Edler along his hat trick with an empty- goals and Jakob Silfverberg into overtime gave host Van- the end boards, went to the net goal with 1:13 left for the also scored to help the Ana- couver a victory over dressing room favoring his left 5-2 lead. Rust finished with heim Ducks earn a 3-1 victory Colorado. shoulder. two goals and one assist. Tuesday in Boston, snapping Bo Horvat, Michael Del Penguins 5, Sharks 2 Knights 4, Flames 2 the Bruins’ league-best, Zotto and Daniel Sedin also Evgeni Malkin scored Eric Haula and Jonathan 18-game points streak. scored for the Canucks, while three goals, including the tie- Marchessault stunned Calgary Anaheim won its third Chris Tanev had three assists. breaker in the third period, as with goals 10 seconds apart straight game. Boston had won Gabriel Landeskog led the Pittsburgh defeated visiting late in the third period, and five straight and entered the Avalanche with two goals, JT San Jose. visiting Vegas scored three night 14-0-4 since its last set- Compher supplied a single The go-ahead goal came times during a 53-second span Anaheim Ducks players celebrate a goal against Boston Bruins at TD Garden back in regulation, a 5-3 defeat marker, and Mikko Rantanen when San Jose goalie Martin for the win. on Tuesday. at Nashville on December 4. had two assists. Jones tried to clear the puck Moments after Haula John Gibson stopped all 25 The Avalanche took their from behind the cage. evened the game 2-2 with 1:45 shots he faced in net for the third consecutive loss since the However, his pass went remaining, Marchessault pot- the scoring. The Golden Knights, who the 1993-94 Florida Panthers and Ducks, but departed with 7:25 end of their 10-game winning just a few feet, and Patric ted the winner. David Perron sit atop the Pacific Division and West- 1993-94 Anaheim Mighty Ducks for remaining in the game after streak. Making matters worse Hornqvist picked it off and added an empty-netter with ern Conference, won for the 33rd time the most wins by a first-year expan- being shaken up on a shot for Colorado, quickly fed Malkin, who put it 53 seconds left to round out this season, which ties them with both sion team. 32 SPORT THURSDAY 1 FEBRUARY 2018 THURSDAY 1 FEBRUARY 2018 SPORT 33 Aubameyang completes £56m move to Arsenal

AFP Aubameyang has scored 98 goals in 144 LONDON: Pierre-Emerick Aubam- Gabon’sGabon’s mmaskeda eyang joined Arsenal from Bundesliga games for Borussia Dortmund for a club Dortmund and had record fee of £56m yesterday, in a hand in 172 goals maverickmaverick sstriker the biggest deal so far on transfer deadline day. in 213 matches in all Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger -- competitions for his AFP Aubameyang once claimed who last August kept the football former club. to be quicker than sprint world on tenterhooks as he held BERLIN:BERBERLIN: Thee tratransferansfnsfer ooff Pierre-Emer-Pierre-Eme mer- out selling Alexis Sanchez to Man- ickk AubameyangAubA ameyangang too ArsenalAArsenaleen wiwillilll delightdelieligght legend Usain Bolt over Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah scores their third goal from the penalty spot during their English Premier League match chester City because he failed to Germany winger Leroyy Sane forfor PremierPreme Leagueg fans,s,s butbub heh leftft a trailtra 30 metres. When Bolt set against Huddersfield Town at the John Smith’s Stadium in Huddersfield, Britain on Tuesday. secure Thomas Lemar from up to seven weeks withhananhhan an anankleklklek e ofo uunreunrunrestrestst in hhisis wakekee aatt BorBoBorussiaussiaussiuuss DDort-ortor - the 100m world record Monaco -- did not wait until the injury and with the clubb comcompet-petp - mund.mununund.n last minute to land the Gabon ing on four fronts GuGuardiolaardiolaardioar ola ArsenalAArArsrseenenalenal finallfinallyy metmet Dortmund’sDortmundortmuno nd’ss ask-ask- in 2009, he clocked 3.78 striker. suggested he may rerequrequireeququire a ingn pprpripricericee ffoforor thehe Bun Bundesliga’sdedesligaesesligaligaiga’s toptop scorerscorec seconds over the first 30 West Ham United’s Cheikhou Kouyate and Crystal Palace’s James McArthur Wenger persuaded the Arsenal replacement. lastast seseason,seasonasoason,as , wwhenhen AuAubameyangububamameyanaameyangmeyanmeya g nettenenetted metres in Berlin. Liverpool bounce back vie for the ball possession during their English Premier League match board to pay more for the 28-year- “Right now, it’s thee samsamem as 311 goalsgoalgoals in 323 GermaGermananan leaguelleaeagueague gaggames.ames.mes.me played at the London Stadium on Tuesday. old than the £46.5m they shelled (Alexis) Sanchez, it’s nott tthehe placplaceace The GunnersGunGGunners confirmedcoonnfnfirnfirmedfirmedrmedd Aubam-AAubamuba - out for Frenchman ALexandre to talk about it. It’s so difficult,”ficuficultc lt,”, Cityit eyang h hadad joinjoijojoinedoininede forfor a newn wc cclublulubb recrrecord,ord,d, “It createscr restlessness, it makes you AFP England national player and our skip- Lacazette last August. manager Pep Guardiolala saidaid oonn reportedlyreportereportrepor dlyd £56££56m5656m ($79($7($79.2m).7979.9.2m2m).2 ) shakeshaakee youry head,” said the Germany per and maybe the skipper of Dortmund have eyed up a six- Tuesday when askededd ababoutout However,HoweHHooweevererr, despidespitetete cclinclinicalicalcaa fifinishinginishingnish winger.winwingger. HUDDERSFIELD, United Kingdom: England. month loan move for Belgian Mahrez. and lethalletl halal papacpace,acce, AuAubAubameyang’subaubbaameyanmeymeyang’g’’s DortDoDort-- The mostm blatant provocation came Jurgen Klopp believes Liverpool have “How can he not be a brilliant West Ham fight international Michy Batshuayi from “If things are not possible,ossible,ss e mundd lellegacygacgacycyy ---- 141 ggogoalsoalalsa in 2132 3 mmatmatchesccheses a ffortnfortnightig ago, when he was left out got their season “back on track” after Coming back on track player if he’s at Liverpool? If someone champions Chelsea, who have stip- then nothing is going to haphap-ap- inna allal competitionscompcompecomompeompmpetmpepetitiitionstiontions ---- is ttataintedintinten eded byby thehe forforr the 1-11 draw at Hertha Berlin after a 3-0 victory over Huddersfield Town. is the most important does not see his value what can I do? ulated there will be no option to pen. We don’t have too muchch mannermanm n e ofo hhi hisis depadepartudeparture.parrtuure. trattrainingaininaai g poorly. The Reds had stuttered recently thing. And now we have I am happy that he is back.” buy at the end of that period. and we play every three days.days. “II don’don dodon’tt knowknknow himhim anya y more,”morore,”, fumedf d At theth same time as the game, with a defeat to Premier League strug- a few days to prepare for Klopp also noted the profession- back to draw 1-1 “Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang We have to find solutions.”ns.”. disgrdisgrunisgruuntledtledtl d spsportingortingorortinrting directordidired recreectoectotorrM MichaelMichac el AubameyangAubAubamame was playing 5-a-side with glers Swansea City and an FA Cup exit alism shown by Liverpool midfielder has joined us from Borussia Dort- It’s not just the top clubslubs ZorcZorc wh wwhenhen Aubameyang,AubaAu meymeyameyanm ng,g,, 28,2 mademadede iit friendsfrienndds ini Dortmund. at the hands of West Bromwich Albion. another difficult game Can, who is out of contract at the end mund on a long-term contract for involved in the freneticicc laslastt crystalal clearcleal heh wantedwantwa eded outoouutt earliere thisth HeH wwore a Dortmund shirt bearing However, Klopp’s side clinically against Tottenham: Klopp of the season. a club-record fee,” the statement few hours of a Januaryry that month.mom h.h thet e namennaam of Ousmane Dembele -- who sealed the points at the John Smith’s Juventus have been strongly linked with Palace from Arsenal said. apart from Sanchez becomingccomincoming Dortmund’sDortmunDoDortmortmunrtmunrtmund’sd s FreFrench-bornncnchnch-b-bororrn ‘Enfant‘Enfa‘En ntn forcedforcrcedd BBorussia to sell him to Barcelona Stadium on Tuesday thanks to first- with the Germany international, but The club described him as “one the highest-paid playerer in tthehe Terrible’TTerrierriblrr ble’’h hass alalwalwaysa waysys beenbebeebeenn knownkknownwn forfoo inn AugustAAugugus by boycotting training. half goals from Emre Can and Roberto from scoring was our counter-press- Klopp revealed he has no qualms about REUTERS Despite missing 10 first of the world’s most highly-rated league -- on a reportedd pre-tax outlandishoutoutlanoutlandut ndishshhbe bebehbehaviour.ehhaaviour.avviour.iouour. LikeLi Dembele, Aubameyang ulti- Firmino before Mohamed Salah con- ing and defending situations when selecting Can despite the impasse over team players, including strikers”. £500,000 a week -- hhasas seen ArsenalArseA senalnal fansffanansns cancann expectexpeexpectc himhim too donon matelymamateely made it impossible for verted a late penalty. Huddersfield won the ball. a new deal. LONDON: An injury-plagued West “He scored 98 goals in 144 Bun- City pay a record fee of £57m£57m for masksmaskmasksks oorr somssomersaultsoomomersaultttt to to celebratecelececelelebele rraate goals.goals.al DortmundDorortmrtmun to keep him. Liverpool consolidated their grip “We had more moments than three “Sometimes you want to keep a Ham United fought back to salvage influential pair Marko desliga games for Dortmund and young French centre-backtre-backk However,HowevHoweveHow veer, a warningwararningng to ArsenalArsenasenal He aarrived in 2013 with a glowing on fourth place and have a five-point goals but it was difficult to play because player and sometimes you want to sell a 1-1 home draw against Crystal Arnautovic and Manuel had a hand in 172 goals in 213 Aymeric Laporte fromm AthletiAthletictic managermanagernageger AArseArseneseneenee WengerW gerg iss thatththatt threthreehree reputationrrepuputautatio after hitting 37 French league cushion on fifth-placed Tottenham, they defended well. a player,” he said. Palace in a hard-fought Premier matches in all competitions for his Bilbao. DortmundDorDortmunm d coaccoachesachacches -- ccurrentururrurrenenent boss PePeterterter goalsgoag alss iinn two and a half years with who face Manchester United yester- “It was not a brilliant performance, “As long as people behave like League encounter at the London Lanzini, West Ham former club,” it continued. Tottenham too aree getgettingtingg Stoeger,StoegerStoeger, plusp s predecessorspredepredecprer deceeceesssssorsssorsorsorsor PPetereteret r BoBBoszszs Saint-Etienne.SainSaintnt-Et day, in the race to qualify for the but it was very mature and exactly Emre does and delivers, that’s all you Stadium on Tuesday. United fight back to Aubameyang’s arrival should close to signing Brazilianan LLucasucass andnddT TTh ThomasThoommasas TuchelTucTuchehelell -- havhaveve hahadd to HavHavingi started in AC Milan’s youth Champions League. what we needed at the right moment. want. With 10 first team players miss- salvage a 1-1 home draw see French veteran Olivier Giroud Moura, who has fallenen out of disciplinediscdidisciplisciplp inein AAubameyangAububbamameyameyanmmeyameyangeyayg over tthehe academy,aacademy Aubameyang first fulfilled his “Coming back on track is the most “I would love to come here again “If he goes we shake hands and say ing, including influential pair Marko completing the musical chairs by favour at French giantsnts PariPariss lastlas 1616 mmomonmonths.onthsthshss. potentialppotentia at Saint-Etienne after spells important thing,” Klopp said. “And now because it is a game where we don’t goodbye and if he stays we shake Arnautovic and Manuel Lanzini, the against Crystal Palace. signing for Chelsea even though Saint Germain with thee arrivarrivalsalss ItI staststartedtartetededed witwithh minor ata Dijon,Dijon Lille and Monaco. we have a few days to prepare for have to fly and can get here by bus! So hands and say hello again.” situation looked grim for West Ham Wenger was loathe to let him move of Neymar and Kylian MbaMbappe. indiscretions,inindindisddidisciscrcretetions,tions,i ns, likeike sshav-hav- TheThe 2012/13 season was Aubam- another difficult game against I hope they stay in the league.” Klopp said he is not expecting a boss David Moyes when Palace took to a rival as Sanchez joined Man- The 25-year-old hasass aaccord-ccordd- ingngg thetht logoloogogoo ofof privateprivavate eyang’sey breakthrough year in France Tottenham. Liverpool captain Jordan Hender- busy end to the transfer window and the lead through Belgian striker parried away by Palace goalkeeper chester United earlier this month. ing to reports passed hisiss memedicaldicald l sponsorsspoponsossororrs NikeNikNiN inton asa he wonwo the League Cup before join- “That was the reaction we needed son made his first appearance since claimed there was no way that striker Christian Benteke in the 23rd minute. Wayne Hennessey. However, the French striker is and would be the fifthifth momost hish s haihahhair,r, ingin DortmundDor for 13 million euros to show. It was not brilliant, not the December and Klopp praised the mid- Danny Ings would be allowed to Rising to meet Andros Moyes said he was pleased with keen to stay in London as he seeks expensive signing in thehee cluclub’sb’s ($16m)($ iinn July 2013. best game we have played so far but it fielder’s performance on his return. leave. Townsend’s teasing cross, it was only his side’s display and a particular regular first team action to secure history -- PSG would like ththee WhenWhe Robert Lewandowski left for was deserved. “Jordan Henderson is a very good “No chance is Ings on the market, Benteke’s second league goal of the bright spot was the performance of his place in France’s World Cup majority of the £26.5m5m fee BayernBa MMunich in 2014, Aubameyang “I think the best thing we did apart footballer,” Klopp explained. “He is an only if I am unconscious!” he added. season. debutant midfielder Joao Mario, who squad. paid up front. steppedstepstepped up. The hosts responded and were joined West Ham on loan from Inter Aubameyang will alleviate the Those fighting to remainmain He nettedn 16 league goals in 2014/15, rewarded when referee Neil Swar- Milan last week. pressure on Lacazette although he in the cash-rich upper ech-chh- thenthen 25 more in his bumper season of brick awarded them a penalty for a “We were thinking (to take him would be ineligible for the Europa elon will also get in on thehee althoughalthoalthougalththohouguggh DortDoDort-ort- 202015/12015/165/16 when he netted 39 times in all foul by former Hammers defender off) after 60 or 70 minutes, but he League having already played in act with Swansea --- mundmmunundndd aararerebe bbackbackebacbackedd by competitions.comcompe James Tomkins, with West Ham cap- didn’t look like he needed it,” said the Champions League this whose win overr PuPumPPuma.uma.ma.a.. AubameyangA has expensive Higuain, Buffon put tain Mark Noble calmly dispatching Moyes. campaign. Liverpool saw them HeHe waswa droppedd ppedd by ttasttastes, once wearing crystal- the spot kick two minutes before “He was like a diesel engine, Elsewhere runaway leaders move out of the bottom thenthethenen coach-Tuchelcoc ach-Tuca -TucT hell ini encrusteden footwear to warm up halftime. looked as if he could get up and down Manchester City had lodged a sur- three -- seeking to NovemberNovembeovembm rr2 20162 for ta taktakinging a forfo a Rhone derby against Lyon. It was Noble’s 50th goal in a West no problem. He covered the ground prise £60m bid for 2016 champions bring Ghanaian striker privateprivatriva jet to Milan, jujusjust beforebeforeefefore Masks are also his thing -- Ham shirt. easily and certainly played like a Leicester City’s Algerian star Riyad Andre Ayew back to a ChamChampionsChampionsi n LLeLeagueaguaguea gagame,me, to seee especiallye those of Juves on brink of final Inspired by the tenacious tack- really good footballer tonight.” Mahrez, who ignored manager Wales. family.amamily superheroes.s ling of Noble and makeshift The draw means West Ham go Claude Puel’s pleas for him to stay The Swans are hop- Thenhen he annoaanannoyeannoyannoyedy ddD DortmDortmundrtmtmundu d He donned a spiderman AFP midfielder Pablo Zabaleta, West above Watford into 10th place, by putting in a transfer request. ing to sign thee team-matesteam-mat tes by checkingcheckinchecchehecking his father fathert mmask after scoring for Saint- Ham pushed for a winner after the while Palace remain a point back However, Leicester are unlikely 28-year-old for aroundd andd brotherbrothertthe inintoto the team hhotelhotel durdur-urr- EtienneEti against Rennes in 2012/13. BERGAMO: Gonzalo Higuain scored break. in 12th. to let the 26-year-old -- who was £18m according to thehe ing a wwinterinterin ttrainingrainingning camcampmp iinn Spain ini A batman hood -- with Dort- after three minutes and Gianluigi Five minutes after halftime, Just eight points separate the bot- a key player in their stunning title London Evening Stand-d- earlyearl JJanuary.anuary. mundmuund teteam-mate Marco Reus pulling Buffon saved a penalty as Juventus Javier Hernandez had a glorious tom 12 clubs in the Premier League, success in 2016 and who has ard -- having sold him to MattersMatters cameme ttoo a hheheadhead whenwhen he wwass on a RobinRob mask -- was then donned stayed on track for a fourth straight chance to give West Ham the lead, meaning neither side is yet free of returned to form this term after a the Hammers for £20.5m5m kickedkicked out oof the squssqsquadad forfor theirr ffirstirst afterafteter nnettinget against Schalke in the Ruhr Italian Cup on Tuesday with a 1-0 only to see his point-blank header relegation danger. dip last season -- leave for less than in 2016 -- but the Lon-n- ggameame of 2018,018, a ggoallgoallessess drawdraw wwithh derby.deerby. semi-final, first leg win at Atalanta. £90m. don side who have onlyy WolfsburgWolfsburg on J Januaryaanuary 14. AubameyangAuba is fast, once claiming Buffon -- making his first appear- City have lost influential Javier Hernandez as HavingHavining alalso bebeenen droppeddropped in Novem-NNovemvem- to be quickerqu than sprint legend Usain ance in goal since turning 40 and after their one fit striker will ber by b Bosz foforr arrivingarriving llateate to training,traininning, BBolt ovovere 30 metres. a two-month layoff with a calf injury Wenger persuaded the want to bring in a Stoeger again ejecteejectedd him forfor missimissingssingn a WhenWhe Bolt set the 100m world -- showed he was back at his best as Arsenal board to pay replacement. team meeting.mem eting. recordr ini 2009, he clocked 3.78 sec- he made his first Cup appearance Turkish club pays more for the 28-year- Watford’s long- It leftl ft ththehe clclububb rred-red-faced,ed-faced, a day aafterfter onds overov the first 30 metres in since 2012. old than the £46.5m time servant Troy CEO HanHans-JoachimHa s-Joachs-Joaachim WatzWatzkezke had Berlin. The holders got on the scoresheet Deeney could fill the describeddescribedd AAubaAubameyangb mmeyang as thethe “totaltotal ppropro-- “When“Wh I was with the Milan youth in Bergamo after just two-and-a-half player in Bitcoin they shelled out for void and is valued at fessional”fessional” in a DieD WWeltelt ininterview.terview.iew teams I ran 30 metres in 3.9sec, that minutes when Argentine Higuain Frenchman ALexandre £16m to leave the Andre SSchuerrlechuerrlhu e admitadmittedted the squad was official,offi but I’ve run it in 3.7sec found a way through the Atalanta Lacazette last August. club he has been with shookshook ttheirheir cocollectivellective hheadseads at AuAubam-bam- too,”too,” AAubameyangu told German daily defence and curled into the corner. AA since 2010. eyang’seyang’s rrecentecent bebehaviour.haviour. Bild.Bild. It was the quickest goal this sea- son for Massimiliano Allegri’s side SAKARYA, TURKEY: An amateur who are sitting second in Serie A Turkish football club has acquired a behind Napoli. Juventus’ defender Andrea Barzagli and goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon (right) player by paying in Bitcoin. Atalanta thought they would level celebrate after defeating Atalanta in their Italian Tim Cup football match at Harunustaspor said it had signed when the video assistant referee (VAR) 22-year-old Omer Faruk Kiroglu by Mourinho expects Sanchez to affect Rashford’shford’s rroleole awarded a penalty after Medhi Bena- the Atleti Azzurri d’Italia Stadium in Bergamo on Tuesday. paying in cryptocurrency, a first in the tia handled in the box, but Alejandro world of football, according to the Gomez’s spot-kick was saved by the Gomez after the break, tipping over Napoli at the San Paolo Stadium to club. REUTERS Yeovil Town. Rashford’s strike took Midtjylland in the Europa League games this season and has featuredtured evergreen Buffon. the second. advance to the semi-finals, Atalanta “We decided to do it to be men- his goal tally to double figures for in 2016 and has quickly established in every match in the Championspions Buffon got down low to hold the “I’m happy for Gigi (Buffon), who could not find a way past Juventus tioned in Turkey and the world. Our in the first Amateur Division Group B. LONDON: New Manchester United the season. himself as a key member of the League and domestic cup Argentine’s driven effort to the left. hadn’t played in the Italian Cup for who controlled the game. club is playing for the title. I hope this Created in 2009 by an unidenti- signing Alexis Sanchez can act as a “The kid is having a hell of an squad. competitions. “I am glad we honoured the Ital- five years,” Allegri added. “He hasn’t Higuain came close late on and ‘Bitcoin signing’ will bring us the title,” fied person under the pseudonym catalyst in the development of experience at every level so there “Marcus’s story is quite inter- “Rashford is a very importantrtant TheThe kid is havinhavingg a hell ian Cup again this year,” said Juventus forgotten everything he knew just for Buffon again saved his team three said the club’s chairman Haldun Sehit Satoshi Nakamoto, Bitcoin’s value of fellow forward Marcus Rashford, is an amazing future waiting for esting because he started playing player for us... He plays every ggameame ooff an experience at coach Massimiliano Allegri. being out of action for 45 days. minutes from time when he blocked at the signing ceremony late bitcoin increased more than 1,200 manager Jose Mourinho said. him, and being surrounded by these with (former manager Louis) Van -- starting or coming fromm the “It’s an important result, although “He had a rest for a few weeks, Andrea Petagna’s point-blank shot. Tuesday. percent last year, rising to $13,800 on Chile international Sanchez, players can only help him,” Mour- Gaal when the team was really in bench as a striker, as a left winger,nger, every llevelevel so ttherehere is an nothing is decided until the second perhaps he needed to put his feet up, Allegri’s men now just have to Kiroglu was offered 0.0524 in Bit- Dec. 31 after beginning the year at who joined United from Arsenal last inho said ahead of yesterday’s trouble to have options, and then as a right winger,” Mourinho added.dded. amazinamazingg ffutureuture waitinwaitingg fforor leg.” but he’s back now and he’s our first- maintain their advantage when they coin, about $530.4 at 1045GMT, and $999. week, impressed on his debut for Premier League clash at Tottenham the monster that kills the little kids United are second in the leagueeague him, aandnd beibeingng sursurroundedrounded Higuain missed a chance for a sec- choice goalkeeper. host Atalanta in the return leg on Feb- 2,500 Turkish liras ($666) for the rest Bitcoin’s value climbed to its high- the club days later, setting up Rash- Hotspur. arrives but he plays every game.” table with 53 points and trail rruna-una- bbyy thesethese playersplayers can ononlyly ond after half an hour with two Blaise “Wojciech Szczesny did well in his ruary 28 in Turin. of the season. est level of $19,900 on Dec. 17, and ford for the opener in a 4-0 FA Cup Rashford burst onto the scene The 20-year-old has played a way leaders Manchester City bbyy 12 Matuidi efforts deflected over the bar. absence and is a champion, but Buf- AC Milan and Lazio face each Based in the northwestern prov- then lost 50 percent of its value in a fourth round victory at League Two with a brace for United against part in all 24 of United’s league points. help him: MourinhMourinhoo Buffon again saved two quick-fire fon is Buffon.” other on Wednesday in the second ince of Sakarya, Harunustaspor plays month to fall below $1,000 on Jan. 16. attempts from top Atalanta scorer Despite beating league leaders semi-final at the San Siro. 34 SPORT THURSDAY 1 FEBRUARY 2018 All Blacks take Bledisloe Cup clash to Yokohama

REUTERS

WELLINGTON: New Zealand Rugby (NZR) have confirmed the third Bledisloe Cup clash with Australia later this year will be held in the Yokohama Stadium, the venue for the 2019 Rugby World Cup final. NZR had already signalled they were keen on taking the trans- Tasman clash to Japan after announcing in May that they would face the Brave Blossoms before heading to Europe for the end-of- year tour. The world champion All Blacks face the Wallabies on Oct. 27 in Yokohama before they play Japan at the National Stadium in Tokyo on Nov. 3. Tennis star Roger Federer yesterday talks to the media upon his arrival in Zurich, Switzerland, after his sensational Australian Open “We’re delighted to confirm that a Bledisloe Cup test match victory in Melbourne on Sunday. Federer beat Marin Cilic of Croatia in five sets to claim his 20th career Grand Slam victory, the most will be played in Japan for the second time in the history of this by any male tennis player in the world. It was Federer’s 96th career title win. The 36-year-old has also won more than $115,050,482 great rivalry,” NZR chief executive Steve Tew said in a statement in career prize money, the most by any player in the history of tennis. yesterday. “The last match in 2009 was a fantastic event but this year’s test at the 72,000-seat stadium in Yokohama will be at another level. “The All Blacks have huge support in Japan, so the Bledisloe Tomic ‘highly doubtful’ to Cup test will be important for the team as we build support ahead of Rugby World Cup 2019.” All Blacks coach Steve Hansen said having two tests on con- secutive weeks in Japan would also help the side acclimatise for the 2019 World Cup. return to Davis Cup: Hewitt Hansen conducted a similar exercise in 2014 when he primed the All Blacks for their 2015 World Cup-winning campaign by rep- licating the final four weeks of the tournament on their AFP had problems with governing end-of-season tour, with the team experiencing similar selections, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga body Tennis Australia. “I can’t tactics and preparation. attends a training SYDNEY: Australian Davis Cup talk about it, and obviously it is “It will be great for the team to prepare in two of the Rugby captain Lleyton Hewitt said session before just going to have to take time World Cup cities and play at the same venues,” Hansen said of the yesterday it is “highly doubtful” France’s Davis Cup to clear and fix... because I know two clashes in Japan. Bernard Tomic would play for ties against and the only way for Australia to win “As well as preparing for a huge Bledisloe Cup test and another Australia again, after the trou- Netherlands at The Davis Cup is for me and Nick important test against Japan, it’ll also give the team a chance to bled tennis star this week Halle Olympique (Kyrgios) playing,” he said. have a really good ‘dummy run’ of the facilities, and experience declared the team could not win Stadium in Tomic has a 17-4 win-loss the unique Japanese culture.” the event without him. Albertville. record playing Davis Cup but has The All Blacks have held the Bledisloe Cup, the symbol of trans- Speaking ahead of their not played for the national team Tasman supremacy, since 2003. World Group first round tie for over 12 months. A long-time The first Bledisloe Cup test, which doubles as the opening clash against Germany in Brisbane at supporter of Tomic, Hewitt of the Rugby Championship, is in Sydney on August 18, with the the weekend, Hewitt said Aus- brushed aside the troubled star’s second match at Auckland’s Eden Park on August 25. tralia was in good stead with its latest outburst. After the Japan game, the All Blacks then face Eddie Jones’s current team -- including Nick “There is probably a lot more England side at Twickenham on November 10, before meeting Kyrgios, Jordan Thompson and that plays out behind the scenes Ireland in Dublin on November 17. They conclude their tour against up-and-comer Alex De Minaur than what Bernie says publicly,” Italy on November 24. -- without Tomic. he said. “For me, he’s made some “It’s highly doubtful,” Hewitt mistakes and it will be a long send when asked about the way back.” England’s Jack chance of a Tomic return. The 25-year-old’s ranking Nowell is seen “With the team comarade- has plunged after a car-crash during a training rie we have at the moment, it is 2017 season in which he admit- session at as good as I’ve been a part of in ted he was “bored” and not Pennyhill Park, a long time. We fully believe that always giving 100 percent. He Bagshot, Britain, the players we have here, we can made headlines earlier this yesterday. go a long way,” he added. Tomic month after boasting “I just created a stir this week in a tel- count my millions” after he evision interview when he failed to qualify for the Austral- declared Australia could not win ian Open. He is appearing on the the Davis Cup without him. reality show “I’m a Celebrity ... “I love Davis Cup to bits, it’s Get me out of here!”, but has not that I don’t want to play,” he threatened to leave just two days told Channel 10 on Monday. after entering the South African But the 25-year-old said he jungle for the series. Golf: Day, McIlroy China’s Li aims to extend return to top 10 streak at Maybank event

AFP AFP with Li at the $3m event as he seeks his first individual victory on Asian soil. PARIS: Former world number ones Jason Day and Rory McIlroy KUALA LUMPUR: China’s rising golf sensa- “Now I would like to get an individual (pictured right) returned to the top 10 in the rankings yesterday, tion Li Haotong hopes his life-changing win victory in Asia, and this is one of the oppor- after the Australian’s victory at Torrey Pines and McIlroy’s second- over Rory McIlroy will pave the way for tunities,” said Stenson, 41. placed finish in Dubai. another title quest at this week’s Maybank “If you’ve got a chance to win a golf The 30-year-old Day jumped up four places after edging out Championship in Malaysia. tournament anywhere in the world these Alex Noren in a play-off at the Farmers Insurance Open on Mon- The 22-year-old became the first Chi- days, you’ve got to play well and we’ll see day, after darkness had brought an early halt the previous day, to nese men’s golfer to break into the world if we can get that going this week,” he said claim his first title since the 2016 Players Championship. top 50 after he edged four-time Major win- yesterday. Four-time major winner McIlroy slipped out of the top 10 last ner McIlroy at the Dubai Desert Classic last The world number 12 is in good form year after failing to win in a season for the first time since 2008, week. coming into the European Tour and Asian but he moved up three spots to eighth. Brimming with confidence after out- Tour event after consecutive top-10 finishes classing the Irishman, the now 32nd-ranked he managed at the Abu Dhabi Champion- World top 15 Li is aiming for another good outing. ship and Dubai. 1. Dustin Johnson (USA) 10.72 average pts “Sometimes one week can change eve- Austria’s Bernd Wiesberger will also be 2. Jon Rahm (ESP) 9.55 rything, sometimes it doesn’t happen. My optimistic of another good week after cre- 3. Jordan Spieth (USA) 8.80 game is pretty solid, and I’ve been putting ating fond memories at the Maybank 4. Justin Thomas (USA) 8.01 well,” said Li, ahead of Thursday’s opening Championship last year. 5. Hideki Matsuyama (JPN) 7.40 round. The 32-year-old carved his name into 6. Justin Rose (ENG) 7.39 “This week I’ll try to save as much the record books after becoming the first 7. Rickie Fowler (USA) 6.65 energy and have low scores. It’s a little bit player in European Tour history to notch 8. Rory McIlroy (NIR) 6.09 (+3) warmer out here, but I’ll go out and try to nine consecutive birdies. 9. Brooks Koepka (USA) 6.00 (-1) enjoy the pressure. The key is good tee shots Also in the hunt is Paraguay’s defend- 10. Jason Day (AUS) 5.80 (+4) and to get low scores.” ing champion Fabrizio Zanotti, who 11. Sergio Garcia (ESP) 5.66 (-2) In Kuala Lumpur three weeks ago, Li produced one of the biggest comebacks of 12. Henrik Stenson (SWE) 5.59 (-2) gave Team Asia two-and-a-half points in 2017 to win by a single stroke. 13. Tommy Fleetwood (ENG) 5.43 (-1) their 14-10 defeat to Europe at the Ryder Joining in the title race are Thailand’s 14. Marc Leishman (AUS) 5.19 (-1) Cup-style EurAsia Cup. big hitter Kiradech Aphibarnrat and Eng- 15. Tyrrell Hatton (ENG) 4.81 (+3) Top-ranked Henrik Stenson, who played lishman Lee Westwood, who previously won for Team Europe, is expected to contend the Malaysian Open. THURSDAY 1 FEBRUARY 2018 SPORT 35

Japan’s new measures Al Sulaiti and Al Naimi set threaten the 2020 Games to resume rivalry at LIC REUTERS TOKYO: Two Japanese THE PENINSULA doctors yesterday raised Saeed Al Sulaiti in action during round one of Qatar concerns about the govern- Superstock 600 at Losail Circuit. DOHA: The Qatar Superstock ment’s latest effort to prevent 600 and Qatar Touring Car second-hand smoking, saying Championship action resumes it could lead to the 2020 this weekend after a month’s Olympic Games in Tokyo break February 2 and 3. being held in an “extremely In the second round of Qatar smoky environment”. Superstock Championship, the The criticism comes a day defending QSTK champion after the government Qatar’s Saeed Al Sulaiti who took announced the thrust of the victory in the opening round, planned revisions to a law on is ready for another racing second-hand smoking, say- weekend. ing smoking would continue “I am really looking forward to be permitted in small bars to the second round. The open- and restaurants that put up ing round was exciting and very warning signs for potential positive for me as I got the two customers. victories,” Al Sulaiti said. The health ministry gave “I hope to keep the same no specifics, but Japan’s major rhythm and performance this newspapers said it contem- weekend. I have been training plated allowing smoking in hard this month and I am ready establishments with floor for this round,” he added. space of 150 square metres Arch-rival Mishal Al Naimi (1,615 square feet) or less. is second in the standings fol- That would be far more lowed by Nasser Al Malki. accommodating to smokers “I am ready for the second than the ministry’s plan of last round of Qatar Superstock. After Young Qatari rider Abdullah both races in the previous round always balance between push- also at the Paddock. Qatar March that limited smoking the first round, I continue to feel Al Qubaisi is fourth in the stand- and now has 10 points lead in ing hard and maintaining the car Superstock 600 and QTCC are to bars and other liquor-serv- sick after the race and it took me ings and hopes to get a great front of Saadon Al Kuwari. and tires. Good luck to all the organised by Losail Circuit ing spots with a floor space of almost two weeks to recover result and a podium as he did in Al Khelaifi expects another drivers,” Al Khelafi said. Sports Club and Qatar Motor and 30 square m. (323 sq feet) or myself but now I am fine,” Al the last race. thrilling competition among the Tomorrow QSTK track activ- Motorcycle Federation with less. Naimi said. In the QSTK Trophy, Soud Al participants. ity will start at 10:00am with the Pirelli Qatar and Inside as spon- “If establishments with a “I hope me and my team can Thani won both races in this cat- “It is very comfortable for me Free Practice 1 and QTCC activ- sors of both championships. floor space of 150 square make a good result and win both egory and leads with 50 points. currently since I have the lead in ity at 2:30pm. The karting track will be metres or less are exempt races to increase our overall Kuwaiti rider Mohammad Al the standings by 10 points but we On Saturday, QSTK Race 1 is open on both days of the cham- from the smoking ban, about points. We have to change the Zaidan is second and Michel are in the middle of the champi- scheduled to start at 11:30am and pionship for Adults and Kids. 90 percent of bars will escape setup of the bike and test it dur- Delarace from France is third. onship and anything can happen. Race 2 at 2:30pm. For QTCC, the Tomorrow the karting track the restrictions,” said Yumiko ing the official practice this In the third round of QTCC, We have seen that all the driv- first race is at 1:00pm and the is scheduled to be open from Mochizuki, a doctor and Thursday and see how is the new the points leader and defending ers are performing better in each second one starts at 4:00pm. 5pm to 10pm and on Saturday member of the Japan Cancer Ohlins suspension in the bike Champion Qatar’s Abdullah Al round and I have to be prepared There is free entrance for all from 2pm to 7pm, organisers Society. and what we can do,” he added. Khelaifi dominated and won for the worst situation and the fans at the grandstand and said yesterday. “If things stay this way, the Olympic Games in 2020 will be held in an extremely smoky environment.” Health ministry officials were not immediately avail- able for comment. Japan ranks at the bottom globally in anti-smoking measures, going by the types of public spaces that are entirely smoke-free, says the World Health Organization, which has teamed with glo- bal Olympics officials to ensure smoke-free Games venues.

IOC ‘very ‘concerned about flaw in sample bottles

Members of the Bayern Munich women’s football team are seen during their trip to the outskirts of Doha. Bayern Munich are in Doha for the winter training camp. The AFP visitors play a friendly football match against Qatar tomorrow. PARIS: The International Olympic Committee said yesterday it was “very concerned” about a possible Malaysia, Singapore take up glitch in the drug-testing kits to be used at the Winter Olympics opening in less than two weeks’ time. Winter Olympics challenge The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has already launched an investigation AFP first time at the Southeast Asian to land on a very small runway”, Speed skater Cheyenne Goh medals and a bronze at last into suggestions that urine Games in Malaysia, with ice the 20-year-old said. But he per- has faced similar challenges in year’s SEA Games. sample bottles manufactured KUALA Lumpur: In tropical hockey, figure skating and speed severed and began training in the neighbouring Singapore, where Goh, who is taking a year off by Swiss company Berlinger Malaysia and Singapore, Winter skating making their debuts. morning and evening when the even a modest cold snap can set after high school and splits her could be opened manually. Olympics medals are rarer than But it was not without prob- rinks were less crowded. the population shivering. time between Singapore and WADA said it had been snowflakes -- but a dedicated lems -- puddles formed on the “I skated two times a day, six This month a freak monsoon Canada, insisted her success was alerted by an accredited lab- group of athletes are hoping to hockey rink during matches, days -- sometimes six-and-a- surge sent the mercury plum- not unusual. “It’s not all that oratory in Cologne that the change that as they make their slowing down the puck and forc- half days -- a week,” he said. meting to almost 21 degrees strange that I’m representing a bottles could be opened after countries’ debut Games appear- ing marshalls with squeegees to There were no official pro- Celsius (70 fahrenheit) -- chilly country with no winter to speak being frozen. ances. dash onto the ice to mop up the grammes or funding for figure by Singapore standards -- send- of at a winter sport,” she said Berlinger said that in A Singaporean speed skater, water. skating so Yee’s parents had to ing people rushing to the shops after a recent training session in tests, it had been unable to as well as a figure skater and Figure skater Julian Yee, who spend huge amounts of their to buy scarves and winter the city-state. replicate the alleged problem skier from Malaysia will com- will represent Malaysia at next own money on his training. jackets. She is modest about her and that any difficulties pete in the Games, a huge month’s Games, is typical of ath- They also sent him to train But unlike her compatriots, chances of matching the success stemmed from the fact that achievement for countries bet- letes from the region who have abroad during school holidays, Goh got a taste for a cold climate of swimmer Joseph Schooling, the bottles had not been ter known for palm-fringed had to overcome a lack of facil- in China and South Korea. after moving to Canada aged who won Singapore’s first Olym- properly closed after use. beaches and year-round heat ities, limited official support and “People said: ‘Are you mad? four, where she developed a love pic gold medal in Rio in 2016. “These investigations than winter sports. public scepticism to pursue their You’re sacrificing all this of winter sports. But supporters hope her par- have revealed that the bottles It is the latest sign of an dreams. money,’” his mother Irene The 18-year-old initially took ticipation in the women’s 1,500 concerned were not correctly unlikely, yet growing, interest in When growing up, the only Cheow said. “We’re looked at up ice hockey, a staple of Cana- metres category will encourage closed after the sample had ice and snow sports in a winter- places he could find to practise differently now.” dian life, before discovering more Singaporeans to take up been provided,” the company less, steamy region, where were a handful of small, crowded Yee’s efforts paid off and he short-track speed skating while winter sports. “After Joseph said in an email. temperatures rarely drop below rinks in the shopping malls scat- won gold at last year’s Southeast watching the 2010 Vancouver Schooling’s gold medal, many The IOC yesterday said it 20 degrees Celsius (68 Fahren- tered around the capital Kuala Asian Games, and came eighth Winter Olympics. more became keen on swimming was “very concerned about heit) in most places. Lumpur. in the 2017 Asian Winter Games. As well as qualifying for the -- and we are hoping that the this issue”. A major milestone for win- Figure skating on the tiny His crowning glory was qualifi- Olympics, she has represented same happens to us,” said Sin- The Olympics open in ter sports in the region came last rinks was “like trying to get an cation for the Games, alongside Singapore at the Asian Winter gapore Ice Skating Association Pyeongchang, South Korea, year when they featured for the A380 (world’s biggest airliner) Malaysian skier Jeffrey Webb. Games and won two silver president Sonja Chong. on February 9. THURSDAY 1 FEBRUARY 2018 36

It is good that a few SPORT players, such as Hossam Al Rayyan Coach Kamal, Ahmed Yasser and Michael Laudrup CRICKET FOOTBALL expresses his delight Today’s Sri Lanka vs Bangladesh, QSL: Al Kharaitiyat take on Al Abdulrahman Al Harasi over return of key players Action have joined us. ahead of crucial games First Test, Day 2 Sailiya in Round 15 QSL giants enter Round 15 with eye on AFC Champions League

FAWAD HUSSAIN to congratulate Al Gharafa on physically and tactically a strong THE PENINSULA making it to the AFC Champions team and are breathing down Al League. It is good for Qatar to Sailiya’s neck for the fourth DOHA: The round 15 of the QNB have four teams this year in the position.” Stars League (QSL) will be a Asian competition compared to “We are prepared for this double challenge for top placed We have the desire to two last time,” said Laudrup. match in a better way than we teams as they will be looking to However, the Danish coach could earlier in the league cam- prep up for their opening AFC maintain our unbeaten said the immediate focus of his paign. We have changed some Champions League games streak throughout team was tomorrow’s match players and some new players besides maintaining their domi- against Al Markhiya. have come in,” he said. nation in the home contest. this season’s league “We have to take this game “The changes had reflected Al Duhail (36) points, Al Sadd competition and we very seriously as Al Markhiya on our results and performance (34 points) and Al Rayyan (32 are ready to face Al are fighting for their life. They in the second phase. We drew points) are the top three QSL will do everything because they two matches and lost to Al Duhail teams who will be playing the Ahli: Al Duhail coach want to stay in the league. I only by a one-goal margin. And AFC Champions League games Djamel Belmadi expect them to fight with all the our display against them, the later this month along with Al resources they have. We all league leaders, was Gharafa. know what they are capable of commendable. Al Duhail will take on Al Ahli doing. They even held Al Sadd “Our main problem is the tomorrow in QSL round 15, with goalless a couple of weeks ago,” players’ mentality. That should coach Djamel Belmadi saying his he said. change though I know it is not team will play to maintain their Meanwhile, Al Arabi coach easy to change. In many games domination, with an eye on the Luka Bonacic termed his team’s which we either drew or lost, we AFC Champions League. clash against Umm Salal this scored first. So that means there “We have the desire to main- week tough. is nothing wrong with the tain our unbeaten streak of Uzbekistan’s Pakhtakor. of key players ahead of crucial and we need to rotate the “All games are more difficult players’ physique or technique. throughout this season’s league “Striker Almoez Ali has games. players. The same is the case at this stage. Umm Salal can pose They must stay fully focused competition and we are ready to returned after doing duty for “It is good that a few players, with Al Duhail, Al Sadd and Al a serious threat to any side in the throughout the match, especially face Al Ahli,” Belmadi said ahead Qatar at the Asian Under-23 such as Hossam Kamal, Ahmed Gharafa. I take this opportunity QNB Stars League. They are in the last 20 or 25 minutes.” of the match. Championship in China. He is a Yasser and Abdulrahman Al “We have prepared the team good player who has made his Harasi have joined us. They will with yet another victory in mind. presence felt with his persever- certainly strengthen our squad The battle for the title at the top ance and ambitions despite being especially since we will have to does not bother us. In a way, young,” said Belmadi. soon play every three or four some pressure is good for us Al Rayyan coach Michael days as AFC Champions League because all teams that wish to Laudrup whose team will face matches are also coming up. win the championship play Al Markhiya was happy on return “We will also be travelling under pressure. “In the last round, we wanted to win over Al Rayyan, but we had an opponent who played very well. The draw was good for us, but our game against Al Ahli will not be like our first-phase match, which we won We have to take this game very seriously by a 6-1 margin. I would be as Al Markhiya are fighting for their life. Al Rayyan striker happy if we just win also. They will do everything because they want Rodrigo Tabata “The AFC Champions League to stay in the league. I expect them to fight (right) remains one will start soon, but we are not the of key players for only side playing in it. I congrat- with all the resources they have: Al Rayyan Red Knights. ulate Al Gharafa for making it to coach Michael Laudrup the group stage, getting the better Arsenal crash as Clucas double lifts Swansea AFP Arsenal continued to appear There appeared to be no hint vulnerable, but just when it of danger for Cech when Shko- SWANSEA: Petr Cech’s awful appeared they were likely to fall dran Mustafi played the ball mistake and two goals from Sam behind they took the lead back, but the keeper sliced his Clucas condemned Arsenal to a through a classy goal from Mon- clearance straight to Ayew and shock 3-1 defeat at Swansea as real after 33 minutes. the striker made him pay dearly the resurgent hosts climbed out Mesut Ozil played a teasing for his error. of the Premier League relegation cross to the far post and Monreal Arsenal looked ragged and zone on Tuesday. had read the German’s inten- almost fell further behind when Arsenal goalkeeper Cech tions, arriving late to steer the Dyer hit a shot that skimmed the horribly miscued an attempted ball past Lukasz Fabianski for his base of the post. clearance that allowed Jordan fourth goal of the season. With four minutes left, Ayew to give Swansea a crucial It may have been far less Clucas made it a miserable night 61st-minute lead. than Swansea deserved, but for Wenger when he scored at Nacho Monreal had put within a minute they were level the near post following a surging Arsenal 1-0 up, but Clucas lev- through Clucas. run by Ayew. elled before the midfielder sealed Ozil was guilty of being Meanwhile, Borussia Dort- the victory with Swansea’s third shrugged off the ball too easily mund signed Belgian forward goal in the 86th minute. in his own half, enabling Mawson Michy Batshuayi on loan from The result leaves Gunners to carry the ball forward. Chelsea just before the German manager Arsene Wenger still The centre-back slipped a transfer window closed yes- searching for his first away win neat pass to Clucas who drew the terday -- hours after Pierre- of 2018, despite a debut for sub- keeper and fired home the Emerick Aubameyang’s depar- stitute Henrikh Mkhitaryan fol- equaliser.It should have got ture to Arsenal. lowing his move from Man- worse for Arsenal moments later Having sold Aubameyang to chester United. when Leroy Fer beat two players the Gunners, who spent a club Arsenal have won only one on a swift charge out of defence, record £56m ($79.2m, 63.7m of their last five league games. but the Dutchman then finished euros), Dortmund have already With Liverpool winning at Swansea City’s English midfielder Sam Clucas celebrates after scoring their first goal on Tuesday. with a tame shot, comfortably secured his replacement, just Huddersfield, sixth-placed saved by Cech. before the country’s transfer Arsenal are now languishing remarkable back-to-back victo- Naughton was taken on by extended periods of possession, The second half followed deadline of 1800 (1700 GMT). eight points adrift of the top four, ries for Swansea, who have Nathan Dyer and when the but were unable to create open- much the same pattern as the The 24-year-old Batshuayi leaving them with an uphill task transformed their season with winger found Ayew his deflected ings and appeared vulnerable first, with Swansea content to has been signed until the end of to qualify for next season’s three wins in five league games shot screwed past the post with when the home side counter- soak up pressure from an inef- the season to fill Aubameyang’s Champions League. under new boss Carlos Cech stranded. attacked from deep. fective Arsenal and break from boots having spent the season on The arrival of Borussia Dort- Carvalhal. Dyer’s service then caused Only a late tackle by Gun- turnovers. Chelsea’s bench behind Alvaro mund striker Pierre-Emerick Emboldened by their dra- further panic for Arsenal in their ners defender Mohamed Elneny Wenger sent on Mkhitaryan Morata. Aubameyang, set to sign on matic victory over Liverpool, goalmouth and it needed a prevented Clucas from surging for his debut just past the hour, “Michy is a young, very inter- Wednesday’s transfer deadline Swansea pressed Arsenal in the smothering block by Hector Bel- through inside the box in the 15th but the Armenian had no time to esting striker, who has a high day, can’t come soon enough for early stages and immediately lerin to deny Alfie Mawson as he minute, but the Swansea appeals touch the ball before Swansea quota of goals,” Dortmund’s Wenger. created opportunities. lunged at the far post. for a penalty looked optimistic took a dramatic lead through director of sport Michael Zorc The result also completes A long ball from Kyle Arsenal settled and enjoyed at best. Ayew. told the club’s website.