SPORT

Tuesday 7 February 2017

PAGE | 25 PAGE | 26 Davis Cup: Britain, 'Sad' Cook resigns Spain enter as England Test quarter-finals captain Qatar Stars League giants eye ACL berths

The Peninsula Al Sadd all set for Estaghlal test fter posting their best AFC Champi- ons League (ACL) performance to date in reaching theA 2016 semi-finals, Qatar Stars League (QSL) giants El Jaish will be looking to build on last year’s campaign. To do so, though, they must first overcome Uzbekistan’s Bunyodkor in today’s vital play-off clash. My players understand the Runners-up in last sea- importance of this game. We son's Qatar Stars League, El are ready to give our best. Jaish also enjoyed a superb There is a great buzz in the continental campaign before dressing room. We want to their final four elimination by Al Ain. With former Barcelona win and advance to the next midfielder Seydou Keita skip- stage, says Al Sadd coach pering the side, Sabri Jesualdo Ferreira Lamouchi’s men will be hop- Former Barcelona midfielder Seydou Keita (left) and captain of El Jaish team addressing a press conference along with coach ing for another successful stint in Asia’s premier club Sabri Lamouchi on the eve of the AFC Champions League match against Bunyodkor of Uzbekistan in Doha. RIGHT: Coach of competition. Bunyodkor. The winner of El Jaish-Bunyodkor will book a place in the competition's Group Stage. Sixteen teams from various By way of contrast, parts of the continent are vying for the eight final spots in the competition's Group Stage. Bunyodkor have endured a tough time in recent years having failed to progress AFC Champions beyond the Group Stage since League Play-off 2014. El Jaish need a disciplined However, having twice El Jaish vs Bunyodkor reached the last four of the Today at 3.15pm continental tournament in Venue: Abdullah bin 2008 and 2012, the Uzbek side Khalifa Stadium will be hoping a squad brim- Winners will progress to performance, says Lamouchi ming with youthful talent will Group C help recapture former glories. Rizwan Rehmat analyze our opponents and study ready to give our best," Ferreira PREVIOUS MEETINGS Meanwhile,with a total of The Peninsula all the tactical aspects of the said. four Asian championships AFC Champions League game. We will fight the same "There is a great buzz in the between them, the 2017 AFC April 2014 l Jaish coach Sabri Lam- way we fight every game," Lam- dressing room," he said. Champions League Play-off El Jaish 1-2 Bunyodkor ouchi yesterday urged his ouchi said. "Our focus has "We want to win and showdown between Estegh- AFC Champions League Eplayers to produce a 'dis- always been towards the devel- advance to the next stage," he lal and Al Sadd at Tehran’s March 2014 ciplined performance' in their opment of our team in all said. When asked about Xavi's Azadi Stadium is certain to be Bunyodkor 1-2 El AFC Champions League knock- aspects," the El Jaish coach said. presence, the Al Sadd coach said: one to savour with a place in Jaish out clash against Uzbek giants El Jaish's Malian import Sey- "Xavi is a great player. He has Group A on the line. Bunyodkor, calling today's game dou Keita yesterday said: "We been talking to the players which In the AFC Champions Esteghlal vs Al Sadd 'a new challenge'. are ready to fight to win this always means so much to the League era, today’s hosts Today 3:30pm The two sides clash at game. We want to win and team. He has so much experi- Esteghlal have represented Venue: Azadi Stadium Lekhwiya Stadium today. The AFC Champions League advance to the next stage. It is a ence and is a role model for most Iran seven times – second Winners will progress to Lamouchi said his side may matches are completely do-or-die game for us. It is the young players. only to Sepahan – although have the advantage of playing most important match of the "We know what is required Group A different. We wish to succeed the two-time Asian Club on the home soul but he wouldn't season." In another match of us. We seek to get our best Previous meetings: None in our test and get to AFC Championship winners have take the opposition lightly. Champions League group involving a QSL side, Doha giants playing XI on the pitch," the not gone further than the "The real challenge is that we stage: Coach Sabri Lamouchi Al Sadd today face hosts Estagh- coach said. semi-finals (2013). The Play-off Stage of the must win," he told a news con- lal of Iran at Azadi Stadium in "The game could go to extra Like Esteghlal, Al Sadd 2017 AFC Champions ference yesterday. Tehran. time and the players are ready missed out on the 2016 edi- "It is an important game. We Bunyodkor," Lam- Al Sadd coach Jesualdo Fer- for any eventuality," the coach League kicks off today, tion but the Qataris need to put great emphasis on a ouchi said. reira yesterday told a media said. with 16 teams from – continental champions in disciplined performance," he "The AFC conference in Tehran: "It will be Al Sadd player Hossam 1989 and 2011 – will be keen various parts of the said. "My team is entering a new Champions League a tough game against a strong Kamal said: "We must fight to to return to the highest level continent are vying for challenge with this game. We matches are completely differ- side. This is completely differ- win. We are ready, as our coach of Asian club football. And the eight final spots in wish to succeed in our test and ent compared to other ent from our QSL matches. We said. Surely it will be a hard- with former Barcelona vet- the competition's Group get to AFC Champions League tournaments and our team will will be playing in front of a huge fought battle. Al Sadd will deliver eran Xavi pulling the strings Stage. group stage. But for that to hap- be facing a difficult task," Lam- crowd, I am sure." a memorable performance. We in midfield, 2017 could be a pen, we must overcome the next ouchi said yesterday. "My players understand the will fight on the pitch for the campaign to remember. obstacle - and that is "Before every game, we importance of this game. We are result we are looking for." Al Rayyan aim to narrow gap at the top in QSL

The Peninsula third place in the QSL standings. two goals in his last three outings. suspension and AFCON and now Michael Laudrup’s side have The veteran attacker will have to it seems that players are coming urrent Qatar Stars league improved significantly in defence be at his very best if Al Rayyan are back at the right time for the Red (QSL) leaders Lekhwiya will during the new year, conceding to defeat the champions elect in Knights. Cseek to cement their palce only three goals in that period. The Lekhwiya. The sides leading scorer Yusef at the top when they take on Lions are currently nine points As for Lekhwiya they have yet El Arabi made an immediate defending champions Al Rayyan behind Lekhwiya and know that to taste defeat this league season, impact for his side on his first in the Round 20 clash at Al Sadd a win could pile the pressure onto and are now only nine rounds match representing Morocco in the Stadium on Friday Djamel Belmadi’s side. away from going the whole sea- AFCON. The former Granada The clash between the two title Laudrup is no stranger to the son undefeated. Last time out they striker notched a hat-trick in the chasing sides promises to be an Lekhiwya set-up having led the bulldozed though Al Khor with a 6-0 win over Al Khor, which took interesting affair and a lot to offer. side to a league and cup double 6-0 victory, which expressed their his tally to 20 goals in just 13 QSL Both sides have enjoyed unde- during the 2014/2015 QSL season. title credentials loud and clear. games. Belmadi will certainly be feated starts to 2017 so far, and will One player who aided him during One of the characteristics of expecting the Moroccan hit-man A file picture of the have something offer as two of the this time was Qatar international this Lekhwiya side is their unre- to be amongst the goals against Al QSL match between leading sides in the QSL take on striker Sebastian Soria who is now lenting will to win, and this Rayyan on Friday, with a victory Lekhwiya and Al each other. at Al Rayyan and could be a key mentality has been provided by over their rivals all but assuring Wakrah played last For the home side Al Rayyan, player in this match. Soria has coach Belmadi. In recent weeks that the title is heading back to month. they have won all six games of rediscovered his goal-scoring Lekhwiya have been missing a Lekhiwya for a fifth time in the 2017 so far, and have consolidated touch in recent weeks, registering host of key players through injury, clubs history. SPORT 7 FEBRUARY 2017 TUESDAY 25

Trump leads Twitter Brady fairytale as Patriots praise of Patriots

Houston AFP fightback seals Super Bowl S President Donald Trump was quick off the mark in tweeting his praise of Uthe New England Patriots on Sunday, Houston Goodell – widely viewed as after they authored the biggest comeback in AFP Brady's arch-nemesis -- was Super Bowl history to beat the Atlanta subjected to deafening boos Falcons. om Brady inspired as he presented the Patriots "What an amazing comeback and win by the greatest come- with the Vince Lombardi the Patriots," Trump tweeted as social media back in Super Trophy. New England echoed with tributes to New England's 34-28 Bowl history on Brady, who threw for Patriots' quarterback triumph in the NFL championship showcase Sunday as the 466 yards and two touch- Tom Brady holds in Houston, Texas. TNew England Patriots downs, shrugged off "Tom Brady, Bob Kraft and Coach B are the Vince Lombardi stunned the Atlanta Falcons suggestions that the win total winners. Wow!" added Trump, who has trophy after his team 34-28 in an epic overtime amounted to a personal regularly referenced his friendship with Pats defeated the Atlanta duel. redemption. "This is all pos- quarterback Brady, coach Bill Belichick and In an extraordinary itive," he said. "It took a lot Falcons to win Super team owner Robert Kraft. finale to the most challeng- of mental toughness. We're Bowl LI in Houston Brady brought the Patriots back from a ing season of his career, going to remember this for on Sunday. 28-3 deficit to force overtime – the first Super Brady confirmed his right to the rest of our lives." Bowl overtime in history – becoming the first be regarded as the best The Falcons meanwhile quarter back to win five Super Bowl titles and quarterback gridiron has were left shellshocked after the first four-time Super Bowl Most Valua- ever seen with a fifth Super snatching a defeat from the ble Player. Bowl crown. jaws of victory which "That should shut up all the doubters Brady rallied the Patri- ensures they remain on the about who the greatest QB of all time is!!" ots brilliantly to overturn a list of teams never to have former Patriots linebacker Vince Wilfork 28-3 third quarter deficit, won a Super Bowl. tweeted. completing a thrilling win on "There's nothing you can Some of the comments celebrating Brady a night of improbable drama really say," said dejected and the team were tinged with lingering bit- at Houston's NRG Stadium. Falcons quarterback Matt terness over the four-game ban handed Brady Brady, 39, collapsed to Ryan. by the NFL over the Deflategate saga. the turf with emotion after "That's a tough loss. "#JusticePrevails," the Boston Police James White burrowed over Obviously very disap- department tweeted. "#BostonStrong: When from close range to score the pointed, very close to getting they suspended TB12 for 4 games they didn't winning touchdown on the done what we wanted to get just disrespect the greatest QB of all time, they opening drive of overtime. done, but it's hard to find insulted a region." "We all brought each words tonight." Boston's other pro sports teams – the other back," Brady said. "We The Patriots had looked NBA's Celtics, NHL's Bruins and Major League never felt out of it. It was a dead and buried after the Baseball's Red Sox -- offered their congrat- tough battle." Falcons scored three first ulations, as did individual players. The win capped a tumul- half touchdowns and an Rising Celtics star Isaiah Thomas, who tuous season for Brady, who early score in the third quar- leads the NBA in fourth-quarter scoring, was banned at the start of ter to power 25 points clear. tweeted: "You know what time it is!!! 4th qtr the campaign for four games No team had ever come killa!!! Damn that was amazing." over the "Deflategate" saga. back from more than 10 LeBron James (pictured), who led the National Football League points to win the Super Bowl touchdowns through Dev- what looked like a consola- deflected pass to put the Cleveland Cavaliers to an astonishing NBA commissioner Roger before, and the Patriots onta Freeman and Austin tion score when Brady found Patriots in enemy territory. Finals comeback triumph last season, added looked to be heading for a Hooper before Robert Alford running back White to make Brady marched his team his praise of Brady as the "Greatest of All Amazing comeback crushing defeat as the Fal- picked off Brady for an it 28-9. forward and White scamp- Time". cons ran riot. 82-yard interception score. But Gostkowski missed ered in from one yard to "Brady=GOAT. CONGRATS brother!!" But Brady, who had The Patriots could only the extra point afterwards, make it 28-26. Another two- James tweeted, also posting a video salute on looked a pale imitation of muster a Stephen and it seemed as if all Atlanta point conversion followed to the Uninterrupted website. 10 himself for much of the Gostkowski field goal to go had to do was ride out the make it 28-28 and take the Retired NBA star Kobe Bryant, winner of No team had ever come game, suddenly fired into life into half-time 21-3 down in clock. game to overtime for the first five NBA titles with the Los Angeles Lakers, back from more than 10 in the second half to produce the game. But a further Gostkowski time in Super Bowl history. tweeted: "5 rings can't be deflated #Brady points to win the Super a performance that will go A shellshocked Brady field goal made it 28-12 and The Patriots won the toss #Muse". Bowl before with the into National Football looked bereft after his inter- when Brady hit Danny and elected to receive and Patriots becoming the League folklore. ception blunder and it got Amendola for a six-yard with momentum clearly on first side to achieve the The Falcons, who had worse for the Patriots early touchdown, with a success- their side, there was only gone into the game boasting in the third quarter. ful two-point conversion to going to be one outcome. honour one of the most potent The misfiring Patriots follow, it had suddenly Brady, just as he had offenses in history, were left offense again squandered become a one-score game. done in his first Super Bowl distraught and still waiting their next possession and Now the Falcons were victory in 2002, nervelessly for their first Super Bowl Atlanta were back on the flustered and a crucial drive led his team forward and 5 crown. charge, powering forward faltered and the Patriots won soon they were camped on With the triumph, Tom They had appeared to be with a nine-play drive that the ball back. the Atlanta line. Brady secures a record roaring to the championship ended with Ryan lobbing a An epic drive hinged on It was left to White to fifth Super Bowl crown with quarterback Ryan pull- six-yard pass to Tevin Cole- a logic-defying 23-yard score his third touchdown of ing apart the Patriots in the man for a touchdown. reception to Julian Edelman, the night to clinch an amaz- first half. The Falcons scored New England grabbed who somehow gathered a ing victory.

Ailing Lowry stars in Raptors Davis Cup: Britain, Spain enter quarters win over Nets Paris Spain's Pablo Carreno Busta, who atoned for Friday's New York AFP Busta celebrates shock loss to world number 223 AFP after winning his Skugor in the opening singles ritain was defaulted into singles match against rubber. oronto's Kyle Lowry the Davis Cup quarter- Rafael Nadal sat out after Croatia's Nikola Mektic shrugged off illness and finals on Sunday while reaching the final of last month's B during their first-round stitches for his ninth tri- Spain edged Croatia to advance Australian Open, but the 14-time T Davis Cup match in ple-double on Sunday with and defending champion Argen- Grand Slam champion could well 15 points, 11 assists and 11 tina battled Italy into a decisive Osijek on Sunday. return for an April showdown rebounds, sparking the Rap- fifth match at a rain-hit tie. with former world number one tors over the Brooklyn Nets Canada's Denis Shapovalov Djokovic. 103-95. hit chair umpire Arnaud Gabas Serbia swept to a 4-1 victory Lowry played 40 minutes in the face with a ball and was over Russia in Nis as Dusan Lajo- for the Raptors, who were defaulted in the deciding match, vic beat Konstantin Kravchuk without star DeMar DeRozan handing Britain's Kyle Edmund 6-3, 4-6, 6-3 in a truncated for a seventh game due to a a 6-3, 6-4, 2-1 triumph and giv- fourth rubber before the hosts right ankle sprain. ing Britain a 3-2 victory in the conceded the final match. Raptors' Terrence Ross first-round tie at Ottawa. Heavy rain in Buenos Aires added 17 and DeMarre Car- "It was a strange way to fin- interrupted Sunday's first match roll contributed 15 while ish," Edmund said. "I've never before Argentina's Carlos Ber- Lopez had 20 points for the been part of something like that." locq defeated Italy's Paolo Nets, who suffered their ninth Shapovalov, a 17-year-old without injured world number facing either Spain or Serbia in (7/4), 6-1, 6-4 in the deciding Lorenzo 4-6, 6-4, 6-1, 3-6, 6-3, consecutive loss overall and Israeli-born Canadian, apolo- four Milos Raonic. a September semi-final. rubber in Osijek as five-time to level the tie at 2-2. 12th in a row at home, two shy gized to Gabas in the referee's Britain won Saturday's dou- Spain's Pablo Carreno Busta champions Spain rallied from a Argentina's Guido Pella and of matching a club record office as the umpire was being bles match. Edmund lost to swept Croatian journeyman 2-1 overnight deficit to knock out Italy's Andreas Seppi will meet home losing streak set in treated for bruising and swell- Pospisil in Friday's singles and Nikola Mektic in straight sets to last year's runner-up. in the decisive singles match 2010. ing of his left eye before being Shapovalov fell to Evans. clinch a 3-2 victory and set up a Roberto Bautista Agut had starting Monday at 1400 GMT. taken to a nearby hospital. Britain, the 2015 champions mouthwatering quarter-final earlier fought off a spirited chal- Holders Argentina are with- NBA RESULTS Pospisil had blasted 25 aces playing without top-ranked clash with Novak Djokovic's lenge from Franko Skugor, out Juan Martin del Potro and Oklahoma City 105 Portland 99 in a 7-6 (7/3), 6-4, 3-6, 7-6 (7/5) Andy Murray, advanced to a Serbia. winning 6-1, 6-7 (4-7), 6-3, 7-6 Federico Delbonis, the men who

Boston 107 LA Clippers 102 victory over Dan Evans to level quarter-final matchup April 7-9 Carreno Busta defeated (8/6) to level the contest. won the reverse singles to beat Toronto 103 Brooklyn 95 at 2-2 for Canada, which was against France with that winner world number 319 Mektic 7-6 said 26th-ranked Carreno Croatia in last year's final. 26 SPORT TUESDAY 7 FEBRUARY 2017

Australia FACTBOX hopeful Wade 'Sad' Cook resigns as * Born Dec. 25, 1984, in Glouces- ter, England. will be fit for * Scored an unbeaten 104 on Test debut against India at Nagpur India series in 2006 and made his one-day international debut against Sri Wellington England Test captain Lanka in the same year. Reuters * Scored 766 runs in seven innings during the 2010-11 ustralia are confident London Ashes tour to help England to wicketkeeper Matt AFP their first series win in Australia Wade will be fit for the for 24 years. A This file picture upcoming Test tour of India lastair Cook resigned * Scored 294 against India in and have no plans to call up as England Test shows Alastair 2011, his highest Test score to another glovesman as a pre- captain yesterday Cook who date, and was named as the caution, according to coach after a record 59 resigned as International Cricket Council's Darren Lehmann. matches in the role, England Test (ICC) Test Cricketer of the Year. Wade, who took over as sayingA it was "a sad day" but the captain yesterday * Succeeded Andrew Strauss as first choice wicketkeeper right decision for the team. after a record 59 ODI skipper in 2011 and as per- from Peter Nevill last Novem- Yorkshire batsman Joe Root matches in the manent Test captain in 2012. ber, missed two one-day is the strong favourite to take role, saying it was * Scored his 23rd century in internationals against New over with an announcement "a sad day" but 2012, against India, to break the Zealand last week because of expected in the next fortnight, the right decision record for most Test hundreds back spasms despite being as England build towards the for the team. for England. Also became the initially named as stand-in Ashes in Australia at the end of youngest player to pass 7,000 captain for Steve Smith. the year. Test runs and was named as Lehmann, though, said Cook, England's leading one of Wisden's Cricketers of Wade had already departed scorer in Tests with 11,057 runs, the Year. for the pre-series training became captain in August 2012 * Led England to the final of the camp in the United Arab and led his country to Ashes 2013 Champions Trophy, los- Emirates. glory on home soil in 2013 and ing to India. He lost the one-day "He'll be fine. He's got on 2015 as well as series wins in captaincy and a place in the the plane," he told reporters India and South Africa. and ICC (International Cricket A classically elegant left- 2015 World Cup squad after a in Hamilton. "It's been a huge honour to Council) World Test Captain in handed opening batsman, the poor run of form. "If there was any doubt, be England captain and to lead 2013. He tendered his resigna- square-jawed Cook took charge * Captained England to a 3-0 he wasn't going to get on the the Test team over the past five tion to England and Wales Stepping down of the England Test team fol- home Ashes win in 2013, but plane. So that's a good thing." years," Cook, 32, who intends Cricket Board (ECB) chairman lowing Strauss's retirement a 5-0 whitewash Down Under The 29-year-old Wade to carry on playing Test cricket, Colin Graves on Sunday. has been an from the game in August 2012. led to criticism of his captaincy. was replaced behind the said in a statement. "It's a sad day personally in incredibly hard In his first tour as captain he * Passed Graham Gooch's 8,900- stumps for the defeats in "Stepping down has been an many ways, but I want to thank led England to a first series win run tally during the 2015 series Auckland and Hamilton by incredibly hard decision, but I everyone I've captained, all the decision, but I in India in 28 years, hitting cen- against New Zealand to become middle order batsman Peter know this is the correct deci- coaches and support staff and, know this is the turies in the first three Tests. England's most leading run Handscomb, who also stood sion for me and at the right time of course, the England support- correct decision His first Ashes series in 2013 scorer in Tests. in when the wicketkeeper for the team." ers and the Barmy Army who ended in triumph and after a * Led England to a surprise 3-2 was taken sick during the Cook's decision to stand follow us home and away and for me and at the harrowing 5-0 whitewash in Ashes win in 2015 and was third Test against Pakistan in down follows England's 4-0 have given us unwavering sup- right time for the Australia in 2013-14, England named as captain of the ICC's January. series defeat in India at the end port," Cook added. team: Alastair regained the urn in 2015. Test team of the year. Lehmann said Hands- of last year, which put pressure "Playing for England really Cook oversaw a historic * Captained England to a 2-1 comb's performances were on him to quit. is a privilege and I hope to carry Cook series win in South Africa in Test series win in South Africa convincing enough not to The England and Wales on as a Test player, making a 2015-16 and last year England in 2016 against a team then warrant a call-up for Nevill, Cricket Board (ECB) said a full contribution and helping the came within one win against ranked No1 in the world. who has been in fine form "proper process" had started to next England captain and the Pakistan of topping the ICC Test * Ended 2015 as the year's third- with the bat in domestic appoint a successor, with the team however I can." rankings. highest Test run scorer with cricket. team not in Test action again England's director of cricket He went 35 Test innings 1,364 at an average of 54.56. "He was a bit rusty when until July. Andrew Strauss said Cook had playing formal or informal lead- without a century between May * In May 2016 became the first he only got 10 minutes notice Cook, who also led England made a "fantastic contribution" ership roles and whilst we've 2013 and March 2015, but the English batsman and the 12th at Eden Park," Lehmann in a record 69 one-day interna- and "deserves to be seen as one rightly not spoken to anyone in milestones have continued to player from any country to score added. "(But) he kept well (in tionals between 2010 and 2014, of our country's great relation to the Test captaincy so stack up. 10,000 runs in Test matches. Hamilton)." is the country's most capped captains". far, we can now talk fully and He was the first England * Stepped down as England Test Wade will be assessed Test skipper and has scored "We now move on with the openly within the team. batsman to reach 10,000 and captain in February 2017 after after his flight and his match more Test centuries than any process of appointing the right "We expect to be able to then 11,000 Test runs and sits an embarrassing 4-0 series loss fitness Tested in warm up previous captain. successor," Strauss said. make an announcement before 10th in the all-time list, 4,864 in India at the end of 2016. matches in the UAE and He was named Wisden "There are a number of the team head to the West runs behind the record held by * Led England in 59 Tests, more Mumbai. Cricketer of the Year in 2012 established players who are Indies on 22nd February." the great Sachin Tendulkar. than any of his predecessors. Wade was required as * Cook is England's most prolific stand-in captain in New Zea- Test batsman with 11,057 runs land because Smith suffered Mentor Gooch wanted Cook to stay as skipper in 140 Tests. an ankle injury but Lehmann said the Australia skipper was already in Dubai and London revealed this in an interview "My one abiding memory of batting. Agencies with the BBC Radio 5 Live folli- Alastair Cook batting was when Australia, who last won a wng Cook's resignation . I took a photo of the scoreboard Test in India in 2004, start the lastair Cook's mentor Gra- "This type of sportsman only in 2010 when Alastair Cook was series on February 23 with the ham Gooch (pictured) comes once in a generation, 235 not out (against Australia in first Test in Pune, which will Asaid he tried to convince maybe less. He's a great man and Brisbane). That's what he brings be followed by matches in the opening batsman to stay as he's still got great things to do for to the England team and I hope Bangalore, Ranchi and England Test captain. his country," said the former Test he continues that," added the Dharamsala. The former England captain cricket. former batsman.

Golf: Day leads world rankings Matsuyama outlasts Simpson London for second Phoenix trophy Agencies

ustralia's Jason Day Los Angeles PHOENIX OPEN SCORES year, fired a 65 to share fourth with continues to lead the AFP JJ Spaun (67) on 269. World world rankings after -17 Hideki Matsuyama (Japan) 65 68 68 66 number five Matsuyama notched A Webb Simpson (US) 67 71 65 64 securing 9.93 points. Rory apan's Hideki Matsuyama won his fifth victory in his last nine McIlroy is second followed by his second straight Phoenix -16 Louis Oosthuizen (SA) 68 67 68 65 starts worldwide, a stretch that Swede Henrik Stenson. JOpen title on Sunday, and just -15 Rickie Fowler (US) 67 68 69 65 included his triumph in the pres- like last year he needed a fourth JJ Spaun (US) 71 64 67 67 tigious World Golf Championships WORLD RANKINGS play-off hole to do it. -14 An Byeong Hun (Korea) 66 66 65 73 HSBC Champions at Shanghai last Matsuyama holed a 12-foot -13 Martin Laird (Britain) 67 66 65 73 October. 1. (1) Jason Day (Australia) 9.93 2. (2) Rory McIlroy (Britain) 9.49 birdie putt at the fourth play-off Daniel Berger (US) 71 66 66 68 "It has been a great run," Mat- 3. (4) Henrik Stenson (Sweden) 8.93 hole, the par-four 17th at TPC -12 Jordan Spieth (US) 70 68 67 67 suyama said. 4. (3) Dustin Johnson (US) 8.85 Scottsdale, to edge former US Open Matt Kuchar (US) 64 69 69 70 "I'm going to ride this as long

5. (5) Hideki Matsuyama (Japan) 8.80 champion Webb Simpson. Graham DeLaet (Canada) 67 69 65 71 as I can."

Simpson's 20-foot birdie Matsuyama was making his 6. (6) Jordan Spieth (US) 7.78 -11 Kang Sung-Hoon (Korea) 68 65 74 66 7. (7) Adam Scott (Australia) 5.97 attempt to win at the third play- fourth consecutive start in Phoe- 8. (8) Justin Thomas (US) 5.61 off hole, the par-four 10th, had nix and has never finished outside stopped one roll of the ball par 66 to join Simpson on 267, one the top five. 9. (15) Sergio Garcia (Spain) 5.44 Hideki Matsuyama of Japan poses with the trophy after short. stroke in front of South Africa's He thrives in the rowdy atmos- 10. (9) Patrick Reed (US) 5.22 winning the Phoenix Open on the fourth play-off hole at 11. (10) Alexander Noren ( ESP ) 5.20 Simpson charged up the lead- Louis Oosthuizen. phere of a tournament that attracts 12. (11) Justin Rose (Britain) 4.79 erboard with a seven-under par The duo took advantage of the mammoth crowds. TPC Scottsdale on Sunday in Scottsdale, Arizona. 13. (12) Bubba Watson (US) 4.67 64, with birdies at 17 and 18 giving struggles of overnight leader An Week-long attendance for the 14. (14) Rickie Fowler (US) 4.67 him the clubhouse lead at 17-under Byeong-Hun, who started the day tournament this year was esti- that play-off, but I'm really 2012 US Open winner, a first 15. (13) Danny Willett (Britain) 4.63 267. with a one-stroke lead over Scot- mated at 655,434, by far the most happy to win," he said. With US tour title since 2013. 16. (16) Paul Casey (Britain) 4.24 Matsuyama had his chances to land's Martin Laird but finished for a golf tournament in history. the victory, Matsuyama "To shoot seven-under on 17. (17) Branden Grace (SA) 4.10 seize the win in regulation, but it with five bogeys and three birdies The previous record of 618,365 was moved atop the USPGA Tour's Sunday is a great feeling," 18. (18) Russell Knox (Britain) 4.04 went to a playoff when his 20-foot in a 73 that left him in sixth place set last year at Phoenix. FedEx Cup standings, sur- Simpson said. "I wish I could

19. (23) Tyrrell Hatton (Britain) 3.93 putt at the 72nd hole stopped on 270. But, as in 2016, he had to work passing Justin Thomas, who have a couple of those putts 20. (19) Brooks Koepka (US) 3.92 inches short. Rickie Fowler, bested in a play- on Sunday to pull off the win. missed the cut. (in the playoff) back and hit He closed with a five-under off by Matsuyama in Phoenix last "It was a struggle, especially He denied Simpson, the them a little harder." TUESDAY 7 FEBRUARY 2017 SPORT 27

Saeed Al Sulaiti of Qatar in action in round two of the QSTK600 at Losail International Circuit. Arch-rivals and top Qatari riders Mashel Al Naimi and Al Sulaiti shared honours in round two of the QSTK600, clinching a race each. RIGHT: Al Sulaiti receiving the super pole prize from an official. Al Naimi and Al Sulaiti share honours

more time again. I could not win," Al Sulaiti said. "I am train- Super Stock 600 overtake him again," Al Sulaiti ing very hard and finally the Al Naimi continues to said. Al Naimi said the windy much-needed result has come. head points table with weather patterns made riding Regarding the race, I tried to a tally of 95, while Al tough. "I suffered a lot with this push from the beginning. My plan Sulaiti has 85 after indifferent weather. I had a prob- was to go and let Mishal stay one win and three lem with my arm band from behind me but it didn’t work. second-place finishes. second lap, I tried to push but I "So in the second race it was could not," Al Naimi said. a really funny fight from the "After six laps, I pushed to the beginning until the last lap. In the limit but I felt cramps in my last lap, in the first corner, we Rizwan Rehmat body. I suffered a lot because of had a touch. I want to say 'sorry' The Peninsula that. At the ninth lap I pushed to him. I was a bit aggressive but hard, making my fastest lap of this is racing and we are fighting rch-rivals and top the race. I am glad I won the for the victory," Al Sulaiti said. Qatari riders Mashel race," Al Naimi said. Al Naimi applauded the per- Al Naimi and Saeed "This week Saeed was very formance of Al Sulaiti. Al Sulaiti shared fast and he didn’t make any mis- "It was a very good race. I honours in round takes in the race," he said. struggled a lot to be in the front twoA of the QSTK600, clinching The third place was secured but today it was very difficult to a race each under lights at Losail by Al Malki. be in front of Saeed. Today he International Circuit. "I had a good start but in the really pushed me to the limit," Al By virtue of winning race 1 first corner I lost the gear so I Naimi said. of the two-leg round, Al Naimi went out of the track. When I "This is a good fight for the continues to head the points came back there were too many championship and I hope next table with a tally of 95 points. Al riders in front of me and then I time, there will be more fight to Sulaiti has 85 points after one tried to pass some of them dur- show people how challenging win (race 2) and three second- ing the three laps but at the end and competitive this champion- place finishes so far. Mashel and Saeed created a big ship is. I would like to thank Nasser Al Malki is in third gap and I couldn’t get close to Ooreedo for the support as well spot with 64 points after two them," Al Malki said. as QMMF and LCSC for making rounds. Saeed Al Sulaiti (left), Mashel Al Naimi (centre) and Nasser Al Malki, the podium winners at race In the second race, Al Sulaiti this great championship," he Al Sulaiti was thrilled with 2 of round two of the QSTK600, pose for a picture during the victory ceremony. sealed a memorable win with a said. Al Malki finished in third his top finish in race two and best narrow gap of 0.012 seconds position while Ali Al Shammari lap-time of 2:04.578. ahead of Al Naimi. finished in fourth place. The tro- "I am very happy to get my his rival regained his top posi- good start. I was leading the first weather changed - there was Al Naimi remained in the phies were presented by Qatar first pole position at Losail and I tion in lap sixth. Knowing that Al five laps and then I saw Mashel more wind and I was losing frac- lead during first four laps but Al Motor and motorcycle Federation felt very good on the bike," Al Naimi is faster on the straight right at my back so I let him lead tion of a second and he caught Sulaiti overtook him in the fifth. (QMMF) President Abdulrahman Sulaiti said after the Superpole. line, Al Sulaiti pushed on to cre- for a few laps and stayed behind me again. He overtook me with In the last lap, the two were Al Mannai, the LCSC General Man- In the first race, Al Sulaiti ate as much gap as possible. But him to study him a bit," Al Sulaiti two laps to go," Al Sulaiti said. riding so close that both riders ager and Vice-President Khalid Al retained his lead for almost half the veteran rider Al Naimi man- said. "In the last lap, I tried to touched their bikes and Al Naimi Remaihi and QMMF General Sec- of the race with Al Naimi very aged to pass Al Sulaiti with just "I did that and it worked as I overtake him again but he knew went wide that allowed Al Sulaiti retary Abdulrazaq Al Kuwari. close to him. But in the fifth lap, two laps to go and sailed to his was able to overtake him. I was the spot I was planning to over- the distance he wanted and he The next round will take Al Naimi overtook Al Sulaiti and win. trying to make a gap in the last take him and we passed one of went on to win the race. place during the Grand Prix of stayed in the front for one lap as "The race was good, I had a part of the race but then the the overlapped riders and I lost "I am very happy with this Qatar from March 23 to 26.

Ignore papers, Cameroon toast Nations Cup triumph Martial tells

Libreville Gabon, much-fancied Senegal United fans AFP and Ghana en route to the tour- nament finale. London ameroon celebrated the "I brought in some new AFP most improbable of victo- young players and we started Cries at the Africa Cup of working. We did a good job and ut-of-favour Manches- Nations on Sunday which coach now today we have a team," said ter United forward Hugo Broos hoped would pave Broos after Sunday's match. OAnthony Martial took the way towards a bright future His man management has to Twitter yesterday to tell for his team. been remarkable and on Sunday fans to ignore speculation he The Indomitable Lions it was notable that two substi- could be on his way out of the showed remarkable character tutes scored the goals. club. to come from behind and beat Nkoulou, the Lyon defender, British newspaper The Sun Egypt 2-1 in a brilliant game at started only once during the tour- claimed Martial, 21, could join the Stade de l'Amitie in Libre- nament and came on as a first-half Paris Saint-Germain at the end ville with Nicolas Nkoulou and replacement for the injured Adol- of the season after struggling Vincent Aboubakar scoring to phe Teikeu. Aboubakar, the to convince manager Jose spark wild celebrations. powerful centre-forward cur- Mourinho of his worth. But the It was the first time a team rently playing for Besiktas in France international told his had come from behind to win the Turkey, also started only one close to 800,000 Twitter fol- final since 1994 and it was a first game in Gabon, but he had scored lowers: "Dont listen (to) the continental title for Cameroon the decisive penalty in the shoot- papers it's wrong thanks. Come since 2002, their fifth in total. out against Senegal in the last eight on United." The triumph, witnessed by a and his winner in the final was Martial joined United crowd in the Gabonese capital stunning. from Monaco in September made up of a majority of Cam- Cameroon team players and coach Hugo Broos (centre) celebrate with the winner's trophy "It is the best way to win a 2015 in a deal with a reported eroonians, completed a final. I think we took a bit of a potential worth of up to after beating Egypt 2-1 to win the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations final at the Stade de l'Amitie remarkable journey for a side blow to the back of the head in £58m. He was United's top Sino-Gabonaise in Libreville on Sunday. who had been written off prior the first half but the substitutions scorer last season with 17 to the tournament. changed the match in the sec- goals in all competitions, but Eight players, notably the and the Schalke striker Eric call-ups to the squad, leaving inexperienced side. That team ond half," said the forward has found the net only six Liverpool defender Joel Matip Choupo-Moting, had refused Broos to work with a young and had already eliminated the hosts Clinton N'Jie. times this season.