SPORT 4 FEBRUARY 2017 SATURDAY 21

Pietersen NBA RESULTS Golden State 1 33 LA Clippers 120 San Antonio 102 Philadelphia 86 pulls out of Hussey warns Aussies Atlanta 113 Houston 108 Washington 116 LA Lakers 108

IPL auction New against sledging Kohli Warriors AFP

ormer England captain Sydney Virat Kohli gestures in clobber Kevin Pietersen ruled Reuters this December 2015 file Fhimself out yesterday of photo. Mike Hussey has the lucrative Indian Premier I wouldn't try and waned Australia against Clippers League (IPL) Twenty20 tour- ustralia need a clear fire Kohli up. I sledging the Indian nament, saying he needed a strategy to keep captain during their again breather after a packed Virat Kohli in check think he thrives on upcoming Test tour. schedule in recent months. and refrain from get- that and he's a Pietersen, 36, played for ting into verbal Los Angeles the Rising Pune Supergiants confrontationsA with the India real competitor, AFP franchise in the 2016 edition captain during the four-Test says Mike Hussey but could only manage four series starting this month, tephen Curry scored 29 games before missing the rest former batsman Mike Hussey points and Kevin Durant of the competition with a calf (pictured) has said. Sadded 26 on Thursday as injury. Under leading batsman the Golden State Warriors "FYI - I won't be going Kohli, India are unbeaten in their extended their dominance into the IPL auction. My win- last 18 Tests, registering series barrage because I think that fires over the Los Angeles Clippers ter has been too busy with all wins in Sri Lanka and West him up even more." with a 133-120 victory. my travel & I don't want to Indies, while thumping South Kohli has polarised opinion The Warriors beat the spend April/May away too!," Africa, New Zealand and Eng- over his regular run-ins with the Clippers for the ninth straight Pietersen announced on land at home. The captain's form opposition and fans, and was time, despite the injury Twitter. has been key to India's rise to fined half of his match fee in absences of Draymond Green, The explosive batsman number one in the test rankings, 2012 for responding to barrack- Zaza Pachulia, Shaun Living- plied his trade in South Afri- with the 28-year-old scoring ing from the crowd by gesturing ston and David West. ca's domestic T20 three double hundreds and aver- at them with his middle finger Green was held out with competition last year before aging almost 76 in Tests in 2016. during a Sydney Test. a left shoulder contusion suf- playing a big part in taking Kohli, who is often very Hussey, one of the former the last time they toured India fered in Wednesday's home Melbourne Stars to the semi- demonstrative on the field, has Australia batsmen who has in 2012 and were also white- win over the Charlotte finals of Australia's Big Bash said in the past that he does not tasted considerable success on washed 3-0 in Sri Lanka last Hornets. League. mind on-field skirmishes and the spinning tracks in South Asia, year. "We've got a deep team He also played for the Hussey believes it is that fire in does not feel there is much need Hussey thinks the touring and all the guys fit into their Quetta Gladiators in the inau- his belly that inspires the Indian for verbal duels. "I'd make sure side will need to keep Kohli quiet roles and execute our game gural season of the skipper to perform better. we have some very clear plans with the bat if they are to enjoy plan, our identity, every night Super League in 2016 and is "I wouldn't try and fire him and we try and stick to them as any success. no matter who suits up," set to be part of the team once up," Hussey told the Cricket Aus- best as we possibly can," the "From an Australian point of Curry said after the Warriors again for the upcoming tour- tralia website (cricket.com.au) 41-year-old Hussey added. view, Kohli is public enemy won their fifth straight. nament in February-March. ahead of Australia's tour, which "You don't want to get car- number one and we have to get They shot 52.5 percent The tenth edition of the starts in Pune on February 23. ried away with too much talk him out cheaply," Hussey said. from the field, and while their IPL is scheduled to begin in "I think he thrives on that and lose your concentration of "If he gets in, he'll go big and 14 three-pointers didn't the first week of April and the and he's a real competitor. what's important, which is exe- for the longest period of time. It's score big runs. approach the stunning 21 they auctions should take place at "He loves being in the fight cuting your skills. not going to be the team that's "He's very confident at the put up against the Hornets, it the end of this month where and loves the contest out in the "The team that wins will be the most verbal or the most moment, he knows the condi- was still an impressive follow top players will be up for middle. There's no need to get the one that can execute their aggressive." tions so well and generally if he up. grabs. involved in that sort of verbal skills at the highest quality and Australia were beaten 4-0 plays well, India win. "We'd rather be healthy," Curry said. "But to have a showing like this in a back- to-back, with so many guys out, is a big-time night." NZ's Wagner Former captain Clarke Curry's only three-pointer Neil Wagner in the first half was his 200th doubtful for of the season, making him the gets first coaching job first NBA player to hit 200 or more from beyond the arc in SA Tests five straight campaigns. Sydney stalwart George Bailey and He finished with three Wellington Reuters returning Test pace bowler treys, connecting on 11 of 23 Reuters James Pattinson. overall from the floor and ormer Australia captain "The squad has a really also handed out 11 of the War- ew Zealand paceman Michael Clarke will get his good mix of experienced play- riors 38 assists. Neil Wagner is doubt- F first taste of coaching at ers and some exciting young Durant had 10 assists and Nful for next month's the elite level against Sri Lanka talent," Clarke said in a eight rebounds for the War- home Test series against later this month after being put statement. riors. Klay Thompson scored South Africa after fracturing the next couple of weeks," coach one-day international against in charge of the Prime Minis- Cricket Australia have 21 points as seven Golden a finger in his bowling hand Mike Hesson said in a New Zea- Australia otomorrow. ter's XI for a Twenty20 match drafted in Clarke's predeces- State players scored in dou- in a domestic match on land Cricket statement. Opening batsman Martin Gup- in Canberra. sor as captain, Ricky Ponting, ble figures. Wednesday. "Neil's an important member till is doubtful for the match due Clarke retired at the end of former test batsman Justin Blake Griffin scored 31 The left-arm paceman, of our Test side and he is obvi- to concerns over a hamstring the 2015 Ashes series in Eng- Langer and former pace points and pulled down eight 30, suffered the injury while ously desperate to play in such a injury that saw him overlooked land after playing 115 tests and bowler Jason Gillespie to lead rebounds, but the Clippers fielding a ball off his own big series, so we'll do everything for selection for the second ODI has since confined his involve- the home side in the three- have now lost five of their last bowling during a match for we can to get him back on the in Napier on Thursday. ment in the game to the match T20 series against Sri seven. the Otago Volts. park as soon as possible." "Martin has made progress in commentary booth and a cou- Lanka. In San Antonio, coach "The initial assessment is The three-match series begins the last couple of days but it's not ple of club matches. The series will conclude in Gregg Popovich tied the that Neil will require four to in Dunedin on March 8. yet clear whether he'll be availa- The 35-year-old said he Adelaide on February 22, only league record for most career six weeks for recovery, but Meanwhile, New Zealand ble for selection," New Zealand was "thrilled" to mentor a side a dozen or so hours before wins with a single club with we'll be in a position to make added leg-spinner Ish Sodhi to selector Gavin Larsen said. "At this captained by Adam Voges and Australia begin their four-Test the Spurs' 102-86 win over a better judgement on that in their squad for the third and final stage it's probably 50-50." including Australia ODI series against India in Pune. the Philadelphia 76ers. Budapest puts finishing touches to 2024 bid as opposition grows

Budapest will submit the third and final to force a referendum. They then they will decide," Orban thing, so we can organise it in "I am mighty upset that the Reuters candidature file along with have collected close to 100,000 told a press briefing. "The gov- 2036 if you want but we have government never asked the rivals Paris and Los Angeles on in less than two weeks. ernment will accept that it to use this money for other people but went ahead and February 3. "Right now, signatures are would make a decision in the purposes." decided on its own, clearly out ungary's bid organisers The Hungarian government being collected in Budapest to fashion that people want it to." Momentum's pop-up stands, of some self-interest," said stu- for the 2024 summer and the city of Budapest have force a referendum aiming to Although it opposes the strewn all around central Buda- dent Andras Eszes after signing HOlympics in Budapest both supported the bid vocally, withdraw the bid," the Budapest 2024 bid, Momentum does not pest, are drawing in a constant the sheet. plan to engage the public in dia- but the city rejected calls for a 2024 bid committee said in an want to kill off the idea of Buda- throng of people signing to "I hope they collect the logue to quell a growing popular referendum in 2015. emailed statement. pest hosting the Games some demand a chance to vote. required signatures." movement opposing the cam- Plebiscites are usually risky "This is a challenge that ulti- time in the future. The party "It is ridiculous that they Judit Nagy, a 60 year-old paign to host the Games. for Olympic bids. Hamburg mately will make the bid advocates spending the multi- didn't ask the people," Fekete- housewife, stopped at the stand Budapest, one of three cit- pulled out of the race after a stronger. In this period the bid billion dollar budget elsewhere, Gyor said. to have a conversation but did ies competing to stage the event, negative referendum result in team focuses on domestic dia- and postponing the Olympic "This is a mega project in not give her signature. is bidding to become the first 2015 while Rome mayor Vir- logue taking place in our capital dream until Hungary is more Hungary, and they just forgot "I do think this would be a Eastern European country to ginia Raggi ended her city's bid city." prosperous. about the people. It seems (like) great investment for Hungary," host the summer Games in the last year to honour an election Hungarian Prime Minister "Hungary does not need an it is going to be a Fidesz Olym- she said. post-Communist era and is hop- promise. Viktor Orban has backed the bid Olympic Games in 2024," pics and not the Olympics of "Many people would profit ing to fulfil the International In Budapest, a nascent polit- wholeheartedly, but on Monday Momentum chairman Andras Hungary." from it, many people would be Olympic Committee's Agenda ical party called Momentum he said he would wait and see Fekete-Gyor said in his group's Passers by stopped at a able to find work, earn their liv- 2020 frugal Games Movement has launched a what the people of Budapest had headquarters in a decrepit cen- stand in a central Budapest ing, and the investment would programme. month-long campaign to col- to say. "If the people want to tral Budapest basement. underpass seemingly every stay here afterwards if they It remains in the contest and lect 138,000 signatures needed decide about (the Olympics) "The Olympics is a great minute on a recent afternoon. manage it right." 22 SPORT SATURDAY 4 FEBRUARY 2017 Australia take control over Czechs returns to Melbourne Davis Cup: Kyrgios AFP in top form victorious focused Nick Kyrgios Kyrgios reels off conceded just seven win over Satral as Pakistan games in powering Thompson upsets Australia to a 2-0 Czech number one lead over the Czech Vesely in the RepublicA in the first day of their opening singles AFP Davis Cup World Group tie match yesterday. akistan yesterday The controversial world Australia can wrap welcomed the number 15 took just 95 minutes return of interna- up the tie with P to reel off a 6-2, 6-3, 6-2 win tional after a victory in today's Nick Kyrgios of Australia hits over the 157th-ranked Jan Sat- 12-year hiatus, taking a ral and tighten Australia's grip pivotal doubles a return against Jan Satral 2-0 lead against Iran in on the hardcourt tie at Kooyong match of the Czech Republic during a group II Davis Cup in Melbourne. their Davis Cup world group match in Islamabad. Rookie Jordan Thompson That's what I'm aiming to do first round match at Kooyong International sport- upset Czech number one Jiri Ves- every match." in Melbourne yesterday. ing events have been ely 6-3, 6-3, 6-4 in the opening The big-hitting Kyrgios over- rarely held in the coun- singles match in two hours and whelmed the hapless Satral try which has fought a six minutes. although the Australian needed homegrown Islamist Thompson, 22 and ranked six match points to finally put insurgency for years, 65, made surprisingly light work away the Czech. with foreign teams citing of the 54th-ranked Vesely to sink Kyrgios said it wasn't as easy security fears ever since the Czech Republic's hopes of to win against a rookie opponent with victory in Saturday's piv- Australia has a very good dou- with the shaky Czech left-hander the 9/11 attacks on the splitting the opening day as some expected. otal doubles through the pairing bles team and Radek is not making five service breaks. United States. singles. "I had a week in Miami (after of John Peers and Sam Groth. playing because yesterday "It's the biggest moment in A 2009 militant Kyrgios, who was fined the ) and flew Doubles specialist Peers is (Thursday) he get injured a little my career, the summer has been attack on the Sri Lankan US$5,500 for swearing and back so I didn't have that long to fresh off a Grand Slam title win bit so it's tough for us," Navratil pretty good, but playing for your cricket team bus in throwing his racquet after a prepare -- about five days," he at the Australian Open, while said. country is amazing and getting effectively sealed stormy second round exit to told reporters. Groth reached the quarter-finals Thompson was handed his us off to a 1-0 lead is even bet- Pakistan's fate. Pakistan Andreas Seppi at last month's "There were some pre- of the men's doubles in debut by captain Hewitt after the ter," Thompson said. has played at neutral Australian Open, showed no such match nerves. I haven't played Melbourne. 27th-ranked Bernard Tomic "There were some nerves at venues ever since, host- behaviour under the watchful that many matches in 2017. Czech captain Jaroslav made himself unavailable, cit- the start, but I was just glad the ing its "home" cricket eye of Australia captain Lleyton "It's never easy playing a guy Navratil said former world ing scheduling issues, while balls were coming off the rac- matches in the United Hewitt. you don't know that well. He had number eight Radek Stepanek Vesely took over as the top- quet nicely." Arab Emirates, and ten- He maintained his focus, nothing to lose." was in doubt for the doubles with ranked Czech player following It is the eighth meeting in the nis in opponents' kept his emotions in check and Kyrgios improved his record an unspecified injury. the unavailability of world Davis Cup for the two nations, countries. sent down 21 aces. to 5-3 in singles rubbers against Stepanek, 38, has a history number 10 Tomas Berdych. with Australia leading 7-1. But security has "That's my main weapon," Satral, who was making his of back problems which almost The young Australian began Australia won their last improved in the last two Kyrgios said. "I'm always trying Davis Cup debut. ended his career in 2014. "It's a well with a break in the opening meeting 3-2 at the same stage years, signalling hopes to develop that part of my game. Australia can wrap up the tie difficult situation for us because game and had few problems two years ago in Ostrava. for the slow revival of international sport on Pakistani soil. Hopes were high at the Davis Cup match in Halep out of the capital Friday, where Clinical France batter Japan Pakistan won both sin- St Petersburg gles matches in straight sets. Aqeel Khan beat Tokyo hopes now hang by a thread Iran's Shahin Khaledan with injury AFP and Wimbledon champions 7-6 (7-1), 6-4, 6-2; while Pierre-Hugues Herbert and Aisam Qureshi downed Saint Petersburg rance took an early stran- Nicolas Mahut will look to com- Anoosha Shahgholi 6-1, AFP glehold on their Davis plete the victory when they 6-2, 6-2. FCup first-round tie against take on Yuichi Sugita and Yas- Khan said he was op seed Simona Halep pulled Japan yesterday as Richard utaka Uchiyama in today's "extremely happy" to see out of the St Petersburg Trophy Gasquet and Gilles Simon dom- doubles. "I'm pretty confident international tennis Tyesterday because of a persist- inated the opening day's singles for the doubles tomorrow," said return to Pakistan. ent knee injury, propelling a Russian matches. Simon. "But in tennis you never "This is a huge wildcard into the semi-finals. Former Wimbledon semi- know so we have to stay achievement," Salim Sai- "I'm really disappointed that I had finalist Gasquet swept past Taro focused." fullah Khan, president of to withdraw from the quarter-final Daniel 6-2, 6-3, 6-2 in Tokyo Nine-time winners France the Pakistan Tennis Fed- today, but my knee is not okay," the before Simon overpowered have won all three of their pre- eration said that having Romanian Halep, ranked fourth in Yoshihito Nishioka 6-3, 6-3, vious meetings with Japan, the the home advantage for the world, said. 6-4 to put the visitors firmly in last of those in 1981. the first time in years "After my last match I felt pain control of the World group Noah, a Davis Cup runner- would prompt a "huge and I feel it's risky to continue here." clash. up in 1982, wore the look of a leap" in Pakistani Halep, who enjoyed an opening- "It was difficult today from confident man fully expecting tennis. Richard Gasquet of France (left) is congraturated by Taro round bye, beat Croatia's Ana Konjuh the first point," insisted world his doubles pair to swiftly Pakistan last hosted in the second round in St number 24 Simon, despite con- Daniel of Japan after their Davis Cup world group first deliver the coup de grace. a Davis Cup tie in Islam- Petersburg. siderable evidence to the round match in Tokyo yesterday. "Two-zero, it was abad against New Halep's withdrawal saw Russia's contrary. "I was moving good -- but we have to stay ready in "I'm in great shape. Today expected," said the former Zealand in 2004, and 19-year-old wildcard Natalia Vikh- and hitting well and found a the doubles tomorrow." was a great match for me," champion. Japan's were forced to play its lyantseva advance to the semi-finals good rhythm," he added after World number 18 Gasquet purred the Frenchman. best Davis Cup result was a Group I play-off tie in of the event, where she will meet giving Yannick Noah's French was gifted victory after two Japan never seriously runner-up finish in 1921. They Christchurch, New Zea- either defending champion Roberta team a 2-0 lead. hours when Daniel coughed up posed a threat in the absence returned to the World Group in land which they lost 5-0 Vinci of Italy or France's Kristina "Two wins in straight sets, a seventh double-fault of the of world number five Kei 2011 after 26 years languishing in September last year. Mladenovic. nothing to complain about match. Nishikori. The home side's at the regional level.

Woods withdraws from Dubai Bolt in hurry to bring T20 success to track Desert Classic with back spasm Melbourne "Hats off to you guys for AFP being brave enough to step out Dubai of the box that athletics has Reuters he athletics world is hop- found itself in for donkey's ing to cash in on the years," England's captain and ormer world number one Tsuccess of cricket's high- 2008 Olympic champion Chris- Tiger Woods (pictured) octane Twenty20 format with a tine Ohuruogu said. Fhas pulled out of the new team event spearheaded by Olympic champion Australia's Twenty20 Big Dubai Desert Classic ahead of Usain Bolt which starts tomor- Usain Bolt speaks Bash League smashed spectator his second round because of a row in Australia. during a press and television viewership back problem, the European The inaugural Nitro Athlet- conference records this season pulling in Tour said yesterday. ics in Melbourne, which will also in Melbourne families and younger The American 14-time on Thursday, however, with the be held on February 9 and 11, yesterday. spectators. major champion, now ranked American appearing to be in features non-traditional events Crowds averaged 30,114 a 666th after his long injury lay- some discomfort as he strug- such as middle-distance and game, Cricket Australia said. off due to back problems, gled to find a rhythm. hurdles relays. Athletics Australia chief Phil recorded a miserable five-over After his round, Woods said World 100-metre record Jones said there was a need to 77 on the opening day on he was not in any pain on the holder Bolt said yesterday: "We lift spectator and sponsorship Thursday. course but decided to withdraw just want to make it more excit- interest in athletics outside the Appearing for the eighth on Friday morning, trailing ing so I'm looking forward to Male and female runners will "I think it's going to be great, Olympics and World time in Dubai, where he has overnight leader Sergio Garcia seeing the crowd reaction to also accumulate team points in it's going to be like cricket, but Championships. won twice with a 92-under par by 12 shots. what we are doing." a 60-metre (65.6-yard) dash, the Twenty20," Bolt said on "We have a number of back- record for the 28 rounds played Woods had also looked Twelve events each evening 150 metres and a 2x300-metre Thursday. ers," he told the Australian there since 2001, the 41-year- rusty last week when he played will include an elimination mile, relay. Bolt will be supported by The format sees an 'All-Stars' Broadcasting Corporation. old Woods looked out of sorts his first full-field PGA Tour where the slowest runners are US Olympic hurdle champion team captained by the Jamaican The concept is supported by as he continued his comeback event in 17 months after being knocked out after each lap until Kerron Clement and sprinter sprinter compete against teams International Association of Ath- at the European Tour event. sidelined by back pain and three competitors contest the Asafa Powell to try to draw in from Australia, China, Japan, letics Federations president His chances of avoiding spine surgery, and missed the final circuit. the crowds. England and New Zealand. Sebastian Coe. another early exit looked slim cut at Torrey Pines. SATURDAY 4 FEBRUARY 2017 SPORT 23

Monaco plot Cup revenge on agenda for Nice revenge in French summit clash

Real Madrid and Barcelona Paris AFP Madrid LA LIGA AFP ree-scoring Monaco led Fixures (GMT) by Radamel Falcao and Today eal Madrid hope to Mario Balotelli's slick Malaga vs Espanyol (1200), Barcelona vs Athletic F have Luka Modric Bilbao (1515), Atletico Madrid vs Leganes (1730), Nice side clash at the top of and Marcelo back fit Valencia vs Eibar (1945) French Ligue 1 this as they seek to exact Tomorrow weekend. revenge for their Sevilla vs Villarreal (1100), Sporting Gijon vs Early pacesetters Nice Rrecent Copa del Rey elimination Alaves (1515), Real Sociedad vs Osasuna (1730), have faltered of late allowing at the hands of Celta Vigo when Celta Vigo vs Real Madrid (1945) Monaco to move top of the

Monday

they return to Balaidos Granada vs Las Palmas (1945) table on goal difference on 49 tomorrow. points, with champions Paris Celta weathered a second- Saint-Germain lurking in leg storm at home after pulling third on 46 ahead of their trip off a surprise 2-1 first-leg win at Therefore, Rafinha, Arda to Dijon today. the Santiago Bernabeu to Turan and Denis Suarez are all In the reverse fixture progress to the last four 4-3 on likely to feature after being left Monaco were thrashed 4-0 aggregate just over a week ago. on the bench in midweek. at Nice in September as a However, the roles from the Defeat to Barca in midweek rejuvenated and refocused second leg of that tie look set to left Atletico's final season at the Balotelli scored twice and the be reversed as a far stronger Calderon in danger of petering visitors cracked with Lucien Real side travels north with out without a trophy. Favre's young side running Celta boss Eduardo Berizzo set Diego Simeone's men have rampant. to make a series of changes with failed to win in any of their last But Monaco have his side's Cup semi-final, sec- four games and face a fight just morphed into a goal-scoring ond leg away at Alaves on to qualify for the Champions phenomenon this season with Wednesday in mind. League next season rather than 65 goals from 22 league Modric and Marcelo have battling Madrid and Barca for the games, and when they went missed the last two games Celta Vigo's defender Sergi Gomez (left) vies with Alaves' French defender Theo Hernandez title. through to the French Cup through injury, but both returned during the Spanish Copa del Rey semi-final first leg match at the Balaidos Stadium in Vigo on Atletico are 10 points adrift last 16 on Wednesday oppo- to training on Thursday and Thursday. Both the teams will have it all to play for in the second leg of their Copa del Rey of their city rivals and just a point sition coach Bruno Luzi of could feature. semi-final after neither side could make the breakthrough in a first leg nearly washed out by ahead of Real Sociedad in fourth. third-division Chambly made The presence of Modric in awful weather conditions. However, they will be con- a joke that rang true. midfield would be doubly impor- fident of a return to winning "Monaco banged five past tant to Zinedine Zidane's men Cup revenge will also be on drawing 1-1 at Real Betis last Enrique has defended his ways when lowly Leganes visit us, like they do to everyone with Toni Kroos suspended. Athletic Bilbao's minds when weekend. Barca bounced back decision to rotate his squad the Calderon today without a win else," Luzi said, after his Berizzo has heavily rotated they travel to face Barcelona at to remain on course for a fourth throughout a demanding Jan- in their last 10 games. plucky side went down 5-4 in his Celta side in their past two the Camp Nou today. straight Cup final by beating uary and February of league Third-placed Sevilla's title extra time. La Liga outings to prioritise the Barca dumped Athletic out Atletico Madrid 2-1 in their semi- and Cup commitments with a ambitions were dealt a blow with Leonardo Jardim's Cup. of the Copa del Rey for the sixth final, first leg at the Vicente return to Champions League a 3-1 defeat at Espanyol last Monaco are still fighting on And with the Galicians just time in nine years in January and Calderon in midweek. action at Paris Saint-Germain weekend to leave them four four fronts at home and 90 minutes away from a first Cup need a similar outcome to pre- And Luis Enrique's men on February 14 also on the points off the pace. abroad and will bring back final since 2001 with the tie vent Real running away with the could be handed a double injury horizon. And Jorge Sampaoli's men's eight first-choice players that against Alaves delicately poised title. boost themselves as Andres Ini- "Between injuries, suspen- title credentials face another were either rested, suspended at 0-0, the Argentine expected The champions trail their esta returned to training on sions and tiredness, there is no stiff test when sixth-placed Vil- or on Africa Cup of Nations to do so again with the likes of eternal rivals by four points hav- Thursday and Sergio Busquets is other way. I rotate or we don't larreal visit the Sanchez Pizjuan duty midweek. top scorer Iago Aspas dropping ing also played a game more nearing a comeback form ankle challenge in all competitions," in the tomorrow's lunchtime "We deserve to be where to the bench. after a disappointing display in ligament damage. Enrique said this week. kick-off. we are (top of the league)," the Portuguese said after last week's 1-1 draw at PSG. "And nobody could say we are lucky to be in the Champions League last 16." Arsenal's title hopes "The title race is going to go all the way to the wire," he added. After four straight league draws Nice won 3-1 last on line in Chelsea clash weekend with strikers Balo- telli and Alassane Plea both scoring. London ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE into familiar territory and if they Under the Swiss Favre, AFP are to avoid yet another cam- Nice have the tightest defence Fixtures (GMT) Today paign boiling down to the race in Ligue 1 with just 15 goals rsenal will look to shrug Chelsea vs Arsenal (1230) for Champions League qualifi- conceded and a confident off recurring doubts Crystal Palace vs Sunderland (1500) cation, beating Chelsea would 22-year-old goalkeeper Yoan Aabout their mental forti- Everton vs Bournemouth (1500) be a good place to start. Cardinale on solid form. tude and the weight of recent Hull City vs Liverpool (1500) They have already beaten "Monaco is going to be a history when they visit runaway Southampton vs West Ham United (1500) Antonio Conte's men once this massive match and we'll need Premier League leaders Chel- Watford vs Burnley (1500) season, but it was to prove the all our focus. We'll need to be West Bromwich Albion vs Stoke City (1500) sea today. Tottenham Hotspur vs Middlesbrough (1730) catalyst for a surge to the top of organised and score at the Chelsea dropped points for Tomorrow the table for the vanquished, key moments," Favre said. only the second time in 17 Manchester City vs Swansea City (1330) rather than the victorious. PSG play today at Dijon,

matches in Tuesday's 1-1 draw Leicester City vs Manchester United (1600) It was in the 55th minute of who are two points clear of at Liverpool, but Arsenal could Chelsea's 3-0 defeat at the Emir- the relegation zone. not take advantage as they ates Stadium on September 24 Dijon will be wary of PSG crashed to a 2-1 home defeat by course we want to respond that Conte switched to the 3-4-3 new boy Julian Draxler, who Watford. It means the gap against Chelsea. system that revitalised his side's scored twice in a 4-0 away between the teams remains nine "When you lose a game, you season. The win left Arsenal rout of Rennes in the cup this points and should Arsenal fall want to respond straight away third, five places above their week, and top Ligue 1 marks- to defeat again at Stamford and we have to analyse well London rivals, and came amid man Edinson Cavani. Bridge, it is likely to spell yet what happened and respond a run of six straight wins that French internationals another premature end to a title straight away on Saturday in a would culminate in Wenger's Dimitri Payet and Patrice challenge. very convincing way." men drawing level on points Evra joined the struggle to "When you play at the top The defeat by Watford, who with leaders Manchester City. relaunch Marseille during the of the league like that, that is the scored twice in the opening 13 Four months on, however, winter break. most disappointing," Arsenal minutes, was Arsenal's fourth of Arsenal find themselves back in Midfield schemer Payet is manager Arsene Wenger said in the campaign and curbed a third, with Chelsea threatening likely to play some part but the aftermath of the loss to resurgence that had seen them to disappear over the horizon as the veteran defender Evra is Watford's Troy Deeney in action with Arsenal's Shkodran Mustafi Watford. take 13 points from a possible they go in search of an 11th con- out injured. "It's really worrying the way 15. secutive win in front of their during the English Premier League at the Emirates Stadium on "We'll have to adapt from we turned up in the first half. Of Arsenal's season is slipping own fans. Tuesday. the red-hot atmosphere of the Velodrome and get used to a cold winter night at Metz," Marseille coach Rudi Garcia warned of the trip to the side Cameroon stun Ghana to reach Cup of Nations final second bottom. Gabon when Ghana goalkeeper Razak That will be the Indomitable tournaments. But since the start Port-Gentil for a third-place AFP Brimah failed to deal with a free- Lions' first Cup of Nations final of this tournament we have play-off against Burkina Faso LIGUE 1 kick into his area and John since they lost 1-0 to the Egyp- shown we keep going right to the today. This was their sixth con- Fixures (GMT) ichael Ngadeu and Chris- Boye's weak defensive header tians in 2008. Then they also end in every game. secutive Cup of Nations Today tian Bassogog both merely served as an assist for beat Ghana in the semi-finals. "I am very happy, especially semi-final, but their wait to win Monaco vs Nice (1600), Bordeaux vs Rennes, Mnetted in the second half Ngadeu to control and fire home. "It is a real dream for us to for the team. They are an exem- the trophy for the first time since Dijon vs PSG, Guingamp vs Caen, Lille vs Lori- as Cameroon beat Ghana 2-0 in Bassogog then broke away get to the final," said a delighted plary group on and off the field 1982 will go on. ent and Montpellier vs Bastia (2000) Franceville on Thursday to reach to clinch the win and spark wild Broos. and they deserve to be in the "I am more than unhappy. Tomorrow

the Africa Cup of Nations final. celebrations as Hugo Broos's side "Ghana have more experi- final." Ghana, who have still We wanted so much to be in the Toulouse vs Angers (1400), Nantes vs Nancy

(1600), Saint Etienne vs Lyon (2000) A finely-poised tie remained progress to a final against Egypt ence than us -- look at what they never beaten Cameroon at the final," said a deflated Ghana goalless until the 72nd minute, in Libreville tomorrow. have done in recent competition, will now go to coach Avram Grant. SPORT

Saturday 4 February 2017

PAGE | 22 PAGE | 23 Bolt in hurry to Cup revenge on bring Twenty20 agenda for Real success to track and Barcelona Aguero still has City future, says Al Attiyah leads at Qatar Rally Pep Guardiola Hunt for 14th title that was the goal. We have bad Qatar Motor and weather here, but it is rare to be Motorcycle Federation Mancheste Al Attiyah overcomes like this and I was grateful to the President Abdulrahman AFP tough weather QMMF for cancelling the second Al Mannai and and stage and thinking of us.” anchester City man- conditions and stiff Executive Director Sultan Al Suwaidi said: “The ager Pep Guardiola resistance from Al Muraikhi flag off the weather conditions were very insisted on Friday the compatriot Al QMMF Qatar International M bad and that was the main rea- arrival of exciting young Bra- Suwaidi to take an son we got tired. I had the lead Rally yesterday. zilian Gabriel Jesus does not outright lead of 10.4 early on, but I was not able to put mean the end of Sergio Ague- seconds at end of more pressure on Nasser ro's glittering career with the day one of the because of the weather and I was club. two-day event. afraid to push too hard over the Jesus, 19, has made an second loop in case I made a assured start to life in Eng- mistake.” land since his £27m move The Peninsula The two Skoda Fabia R5 from Palmeiras, scoring on drivers were the class of a his full league debut in t wasn’t just foul weather con- depleted field. Qatar’s Rashed Al- Wednesday's 4-0 win at West ditions and poor visibility that Naimi and new Portuguese Ham United. INasser Saleh Al Attiyah had co-driver Hugo Magalães settled Aguero has started both to contend with to hold an out- into a routine well on the navi- of City's last two games on the right lead of 10.4 seconds after gator’s first rally in Qatar and bench, leading to speculation the opening leg of the QMMF held a comfortable third overall he could soon prove surplus Qatar International Rally and an MERC 2 (Group N) lead to requirements, but Guardi- yesterday. over the Kuwaiti pairing of ola believes the pair can play Bidding to win the opening Meshari and Fares Al Thefiri. The together. round of the FIA Middle East Kuwaiti duo were five minutes special stages to reach Losail the international rally in an Umm Wishah and the Qatari "I understand the debate. Rally Championship for a 14th adrift. with a massive lead of 13min unprecedented move by the beat Al Suwaidi by six seconds But there is no doubt about time, the Autotek-run Skoda After six of the 10 provisional 06sec over Khaled Al Mohannadi stewards, following a scrutineer- to trail the youngster by two the quality of Sergio," he said. Fabia R5 driver and French nav- starters were refused entry into and his new Indian co-driver ing report submitted by French heading to the remote refuelling "I can say how happy I am igator Matthieu Baumel ceded the Qatar International Rally by Musa Sherif. Al Kuwari would FIA Technical Delegate, Lionel zone. Al-Kuwari held a 3min with what he did, except the the opening special stage to event stewards for contraven- have been classified fourth in the Carre, concerning various safety 51.40sec lead in the National games when he was banned. young Khaled Al Suwaidi and ing various safety regulations, international and just 10 seconds regulations. event from Al Mohannadi. Henry "The big clubs in Europe British co-driver Marshall only four cars started the main behind Al Naimi had his car The quintet were given the Kahy was a distant third. always have a lot of strikers Clarke, before regaining the event and a further three con- passed all the FIA checks on option to take part in a new Al Attiyah snatched a 1.2-sec- and there has been at this advantage on stage four and tinued in a National Rally Thursday. National Rally section behind the ond advantage through the club too: (Mario) Balotelli, reaching the overnight halt at the running shortly behind. A biting Lebanon’s Henry Kahy main event. Lebanese navigator fourth stage and extended his (Carlos) Tevez, Sergio, (Edin) top of the leader board. northerly wind and shifting dust teamed up with Jordanian Musa Rony Maroun returned to the advantage over Al Suwaidi to 7.5 Dzeko all together. “The dust from the wind didn’t help matters either and the Djiyerian at the 11th hour and UAE, so Henry Kahy elected to seconds through the second "In the big clubs, you see made visibility really difficult this second stage was cancelled on held a distant third in a third Mit- start with Jordanian navigator Salwa special. Al Naimi was (it) at Real Madrid, Barcelona, morning,” admitted Al Attiyah, safety grounds. subishi Lancer Evolution. Musa Djiyerian. Asem Aref untroubled in MERC 2 and Al- Juventus. At Madrid (Alvaro) whose Autotek mechanics were Former co-driver Nasser Al Six short special stages were decided not to run the risk of Kuwari’s National Rally lead rose Morata doesn't play. Big clubs forced to carry out transmission Kuwari had been looking for- planned for a bitterly cold Fri- damaging his Renault with no to 11min 06sec. need a lot of strikers and we repairs at final service after a ward to pushing for the podium day. The forecast was for strong chance of picking up MERC 3 Al Attiyah won the last stage do." front differential failure. in the main event as a driver, but northerly winds of over 30mph points. Qatar’s Saif Al Naimi was of the day by 2.90 seconds to He added: "Sergio “We had five short stages the Qatari and his Irish naviga- and temperatures were down as also a non-starter. It was a take a lead of 10.40 seconds back remains the most -- or one of without any real issues, other tor Killian Duffy took small low as 7°C with the wind chill at below-the belt punch to the FIA to Losail. Al Naimi was a distant the most -- important play- than a lot of dust. There was no consolation from a comfortable Losail before the start. Middle East Rally Championship, third and comfortably clear of Al ers in our squad. Without him service at halfway, so that is overnight lead in the Qatar Only four cars made the offi- but the FIA regulations were Thefiri in MERC 2. it will not be possible. always at the back of your mind National Rally. cial start list for the MERC rally. plain to see. "He's played all the games as well. We have the lead and They won each of the five Masoud Al Saleh was given the Cars were flagged away from RESULTS except one in Barcelona for a option to re-scrutineer before the start by the QMMF’s Presi- QMMF Qatar International tactical decision and one the start after failing to conform dent Abdulrahman Al Mannai Rally Positions after SS6: when he'd come back from to safety regulations involving and Executive Director Sultan Al 1 Nasser Saleh Al Attiyah (QAT)/Mat- Argentina. the general circuit breaker and Muraikhi and Al Attiyah led three thieu Baumel (FRA) Skoda Fabia R5 "The other games when the manual fire extinguisher/ rivals into the MERC section of 30min 49.50sec he was not banned he always anti-torpedo device. He was not the event. Three cars followed 2 Khalid Al Suwaidi (QAT)/Marshall played, and played good. But able to continue and withdrew in the National Rally. Clarke (GBR) Skoda Fabia R5 now we knew from the begin- 30min 59.90sec from the rally. Somewhat surprisingly, per- 3 Rashid Al Naimi (QAT)/Hugo Magal- ning we have a new player. At the customary meeting on haps, Al-Suwaidi - running on hães (POR) Subaru Impreza WRX STi "In Brazil, Gabriel played Thursday evening, five of the soft tyres to his rival’s harder 35min 39.50sec on the left side. He likes to original 10 cars on the provi- compounds - managed to beat 4 Meshari Al Thafiri (KWT)/Fares Al-The- play on the left, with the sional list were refused a start in Al Attiyah by 8.7 seconds in the firi (KWT) Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X movement in the diagonals, poor visibility and shifting sand 40min 40.30sec like he was doing in the last that affected the opening 9.84km games. QATAR RALLY SCHEDULE QMMF Qatar National of the Mekaines stage to take the Rally Positions after SS6: "Both can play together Timetable of special stages today outright lead. 1 Nasser Al Kuwari (QAT)/Killian Duffy because Gabriel is good in the 09.45hrs SS7 Al-Kharsaah 1 Al Naimi comfortably beat Al (IRL) Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX box, he is a fighter. His back- 10.20hrs SS8 Al-Shabana 1 35min 49.50sec 10.55hrs SS9 QMMF 1 Thefiri to lead Group N by 47 wards play is really good. 2 Khaled Al-Mohannadi (QAT)/Musa 12.00hrs Remote service, seconds, although Al Kuwari – That is why he can help us a Sherif (IND) Mitsubishi Lancer Evo VIII Al-Kharsaah running in the National Rally lot. 48min 55.50sec 12.25hrs SS10 Al-Kharsaah 2 – was considerably faster. "I love the players who 3 Henry Kahy (LEB)/Musa Djiyerian Nasser Saleh Al Attiyah ( left) and Khaled Al Suwaidi, both of 13.00hrs SS11 Al-Shabana 2

The second stage was can- (JOR) Mitsubishi Lancer Evo VIII make backwards moves and

Qatar, during the Qatar Rally pre-event press conference on 13.35hrs SS12 QMMF 2

celled on safety grounds because 53min 54.70sec help the team and show me 16.15hrs Podium, Losail circuit Thursday. Al Attiyah overcame stiff resistance from Al Suwaidi of poor visibility, but Al Attiyah that desire to keep the ball, to to take the lead at the end of day one of the two-day event. was not to be denied through attack again. I love that." Yousef nets hat-trick in Lekhwiya's win

The Peninsula following the spot kick decision. himself one on one with keeper Msakni bulldozed his way before Ghaith Jumaa came in as the and then put the ball into the net curling it past the keeper into the orocco international replacement keeper a in place past the keeper, Jumaa, to dou- far side of the net to make it 5-0. Yousef El Arabi scored a of Babou Sidiki. Yousef stepped ble Lekhwiya’s lead. The Cops Nam Tae Hee put the final Mhat-trick to help up for the penalty and slotted it were awarded a second penalty nail in the coffin in the seventy Lekhwiya to a 6-0 win over Al into the bottom right corner to when Yousef was fouled in the ninth minute as he scored the Khor yesterday. give Lekhwiya the lead against box. The Moroccan score the sixth goal for Lekhwiya. The In the Round 19 match of the ten man, Al Khor. third goal of the evening in the result means the Cops stay at Qatar Stars League, the game In the thirty ninth minute fifty ninth minute. the top with 49 points. took a turn in the 26th minute Youssef Msakni dribbled past a Yousef got his hat-trick in In the other match yester- when Al Khor keeper Baba Dji- couple of Al Khor players and the 66th minute guiding Youssef day, Al Rayyan trounced Al Ahli bril gave away a penalty for a then played a defence splitting Msakni rebound to score his 5-1. Al Rayyan now have 40 Action from the Qatar Stars League (QSL) match between foul on Nam Tae Hee and pass to Nam Tae Hee in the box. third goal of the night. points from 19 matches and are received a red card for dissent The South Korean found Just eight minutes later, in third position behind Al Sadd. Lekhwiya and Al Khor at Lekhwiya Stadium yesterday.