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Monday, February 20, 2017 FOOTBALL Jumada 1 23, 1438 AH Ibra strikes to GULF TIMES fi re Man United into FA Cup quarters SPORT Page 2

FOOTBALL/ASIAN CHAMPIONS LEAGUE Lekhwiya take on UAE’s Al Jazira today Al Rayyan, the other Qatar team in the tournament, will clash with Al Wahda in tomorrow

By Sports Reporter be at their best to outwit Al Jazira, who But Lekhwiya are no pushovers ei- performance to date in the continental Doha are on an eight-game winning streak ther, having reached the quarter-fi nals tournament. in the UAE Pro League. However, Al in 2013 before bowing out to eventual Also today, another debutant, Esteghlal Jazira are also aware that continental winners Guangzhou Evergrande. Khouzestan of Islamic Republic of Iran, ekhwiya and Al Rayyan will club football can be a totally diff erent The made the last eight in 2015 too, will open the competition in Group B by be fl ying the Qatari fl ag in this ball game, having made their exit in the but lost to Saudi Arabia’s Al Hilal. Apart taking on Saudi Arabia’s Al Fateh, whose year’s Asian Champions League group stage last year with just one point from Al Jazira, the other teams in their only previous appearance came in 2014. which kicks off across the vast to their credit. group are Saudi Arabia’s Al Fateh and Esteghlal Khouzestan caused a major expanseL of the world’s largest continent But they are in cracking form of late, Iran’s Esteghlal Kouzestan. upset by claiming their maiden Iran Pro today. while Lekhwiya seem to have lost a bit Elsewhere, the fi rst round of fi xtures League title last year and have a recent With El Jaish and Al Sadd failing to of their spark, having drawn with Al includes a mouthwatering clash be- history that mirrors that of their op- make the group stage of the lucrative Wakrah and Al Rayyan before crashing tween 2015 runners-up Al Ahli of the ponents, who did likewise in winning event this year, the onus is now on de- to a shock 3-1 defeat to Umm Salal in and two-time their fi rst and only Saudi Professional fending champions recent weeks in the QSL. Asian champions Esteghlal FC the pick League championship in 2013. Al Rayyan and four-time winners Le- Lekhwiya coach Djamel Belmadi, of the day in Group A. will attempt to bounce back khwiya to prove that Qatar can hold its however, was confi dent his team can Al Ahli narrowly missed out on win- from the disappointment of their fi nal own when it comes to continental club pull off an opening win against Henk ning the 2015 competition after suff er- defeat to Jeonbuk when they host 2010 football. ten Cate’s Al Jazira. ing a 1-0 aggregate defeat to Guangzhou runners-up Zobahan in Group C on Lekhwiya are the fi rst to see action “We have to shift focus to the AFC Evergrande in the fi nal, while Esteghlal Tuesday – a repeat of last year’s Round as they take on top UAE side Al Jazira at Champions League now despite our return for the fi rst time since 2014 hav- of 16 clash. the Lekhwiya Stadium at 4.50pm today recent setbacks in the Qatar Stars ing seen off Al Sadd on penalties fol- As ever, the home side will look to in Group B, while Al Rayyan meet Al League,” Belmadi said. lowing a scoreless draw to advance via their talisman, 2016 AFC Player of the Wahda, also from the UAE, tomorrow “The continental event is a huge the Play-off s. Year , to lead them in Group D. Lekhwiya coach Djamel tournament with teams that are very Elsewhere in Group A, 2016 quarter- to victory but the Emiratis will be aware Lekhwiya, who led the QSL by six Belmadi talks to the media strong and we need to be at our best to fi nalists Lokomotiv will be hosted by that Zobahan will be no pushovers after points at one stage before allowing Al ahead of his team’s Asian progress in the tournament and we are Saudi Arabian debutants Al Taawoun the Iranians claimed a 1-1 draw on their Sadd to catch up with them, will have to Champions League match. confi dent about that,” he added. on the back of producing their best last visit to . Gulf Times 2 Monday, February 20, 2017 FOOTBALL

SPOTLIGHT STAY FOCUSSED Chelsea’s Conte Spurs and United wary of ‘Double’ talk ease into FA Cup quarter-fi nals File picture of Chelsea manager Antonio Conte. AFP we want to try to reach the end Wolverhampton and win some trophies. ‘We had to recover the right feeling after two defeats. We had to believe in the way “Because when you stay at a great club then your job is this, we work and play and that is what is important. We had lost that a little bit’ ntonio Conte has warned to try to fi ght until the end to try his players to avoid com- to win some trophies. We’re in a DPA placency as they seek good position now but we have to London to become just the third work very hard.” clubA in the history of English foot- The biggest crowd at Molineux ball to win the and for 36 years — 30,193 — saw ottenham Hotspur and Man- FA Cup ‘Double’ on two separate Chelsea negotiate the fi fth round chester United, two of the most occasions. tie with second-half goals from successful clubs in FA Cup histo- A 2-0 fi fth round win away to Pedro and Diego Costa. ry, eased into the quarter-fi nals Wolverhampton Wanderers on But the top-fl ight visitors were Tof the competition with respective away Saturday took Chelsea through forced to battle for the victory wins yesterday. to the quarter-fi nals of the FA and withstand a strong fi rst half Harry Kane scored a hat-trick as Tot- Cup, while they maintain a performance from a Wolves team tenham cruised to a 3-0 win at Fulham healthy, eight-point, lead at the that is currently struggling at the on Sunday while Zlatan Ibrahimovic top of the Premier League table. wrong end of the second-tier grabbed the winner in United’s 2-1 vic- That has left Conte’s team on Championship table. tory at Blackburn Rovers. course to join Arsenal, one of their England striker Kane opened the scor- London rivals, and Manchester ‘BOW DOWN TO LINCOLN’ ing for Spurs after 16 minutes and added United in winning ‘The Double’ Meanwhile Conte also joined two more in the second half as they ran for a second time, although the football fans all over the coun- out comprehensive winners against the cautious manager refused to take try in expressing his admiration Championship side. anything for granted. for non-league Lincoln City who After two straight defeats it was the “I think it’s a little early to talk produced one of the biggest FA perfect response by Tottenham, as man- about this,” Conte said.”But for Cup upsets of all-time to win ager Mauricio Pochettino readily admit- sure we are in these two compe- 1-0 at Premier League Burnley ted. titions. earlier on Saturday and reach the “We had to recover the right feeling “In the league we are do- last eight. after two defeats,” he said. “We had to ing a great job to stay on top of “We must bow down to them,” believe in the way we work and play and the table. Now, in the FA Cup, said Conte. “It’s true this is a that is what is important. We had lost we are in the quarter-fi nals and great achievement for them and that a little bit. I’m pleased with this because it also I think that’s the beauty of “I am very pleased, we started the game means we’re doing very well,” the football. It is the FA Cup, it’s in- with great urgency. We tried to show that Italian added. credible. we wanted to go to the next round. I am “We’re working very well but “In , it’s impossible for very happy after two defeats.” honestly, after this game it’s im- this to happen. It’s fantastic be- laid on the fi rst two portant to understand that noth- cause it shows that football is goals for Kane, who volleyed both in from ing is easy,” explained Conte, incredible and anything can hap- close range, and Dele Alli fed Kane with who joined Chelsea in pre-sea- pen if you trust in your work, if a neat through-ball as he completed his son after a stint managing Italy’s you have a great will to fi ght and hat-trick with a cool fi nish. national side. to take on the challenge. “We played very well and probably “If someone thinks that for “When you start, the chal- should have had a few more goals,” Kane sure in the league Chelsea will lenge can be impossible but in- said. “I thought the manager was going become champions, and for sure stead, Lincoln are now in the to take me off soon but fortunately I was we can win the FA Cup, it will be quarter-fi nals of the FA Cup and able to sneak the third one in.” very diffi cult. deserve a great compliment from Fulham manager Slavisa Jokanovic said “But we know that. We under- me, from Chelsea and from the Tottenham were just too good on the day. Manchester United’s Zlatan Ibrahimovic (L) and teammates applaud fans after the game against Blackburn yesterday. stand we want to stay there and whole country.” “They showed great respect to us, they chose a very strong team and they didn’t Results want any risks. They didn’t give us so UPSIDE many chances in the game,” he said. Fifth-round results from yesterday “They gave us no space to move the ball. They dominated all of the game, Fulham 0 Tottenham 3 (Kane 16, 51, they had it under control and put us in a 73) Kompany report diffi culty we are not used to.” Blackburn 1 (Graham 17) Manchester United fell behind at Blackburn to United 2 (Rashford 27, Ibrahimovic 75) Danny Graham’s 17th-minute goal but buoys Guardiola Marcus Rashford equalised for United 10 Playing Monday (1955 GMT) minutes later. Sutton v Arsenal Jose Mourinho brought on Paul Pogba Quarter-fi nal draw aft er Cup stalemate and Ibrahimovic in the second half with less than half an hour to go and the pair Chelsea v Manchester United AFP combined to set up the Swede to hook in Middlesbrough v Huddersfield/Man- Huddersfield, United Kingdom the winner 15 minutes from time. chester City Blackburn had several attempts on Tottenham Hotspur v Millwall the United goal in the dying minutes but Sutton United/Arsenal v Lincoln anchester City man- Mourinho’s side hung on to reach the last Ties to be played 10/13th March ager Pep Guardiola eight. Tottenham’s Harry Kane celebrates with the matchball at the end of the match. insisted Vincent Kompany had not Msuff ered a serious injury setback BOTTOMLINE after the captain missed Satur- day’s goalless FA Cup draw at Huddersfi eld Town. The Belgian centre-back, who has played just six times this sea- son because of a series of injury File picture of Manchester City problems, had been expected to manager Pep Guardiola. FA Cup ‘gladiator’ spirit hits EPL fi gure against the Champion- AFP Queen’s Park Rangers in 1914 to fi ght every match,” said the Ital- ship side but was not on the City “A big compliment to London reach the FA Cup quarter-fi nals. ian. team-sheet. the team, I know how Many Premier League and “’Who wants to fi ght? Tell Guardiola, however, played diffi cult it is with the pitch, Championship sides now fi eld me’. I need the soldiers, I need down concerns about Kompa- they are so aggressive, they incoln City boss Danny weakened teams in domestic the gladiators, because Millwall, ny’s fi tness, although it is un- are so dynamic” Cowley hailed his players cup competitions leading to ac- with 10 players, showed they are clear whether he will fi gure in for bringing the “magic” cusations of disrespecting the fantastic gladiators. Tuesday’s Champions League game at the John Smith’s Stadi- back to the FA Cup after world’s oldest senior football “It is strange because last sea- game at home to Monaco. um, saying the replay will not af- Lthey stunned Premier League knockout tournament. son we won for this, to be more “Two days ago, he felt some- fect his plans for a training camp Burnley to become the fi rst non- “I think maybe we’ve brought determined than the opponent thing in his leg. It is not a big, in Abu Dhabi, where City’s own- league team in more than a cen- some of the magic back,” said and play with more heart than big issue,” said Guardiola, who ers are based, next week. tury to reach the last eight. Cowley. the opponent. We could also lose stressed he was content to face “With this schedule, with a lot Sean Raggett’s 89th-minute “It is a brilliant cup competi- but we would fi ght every match. Huddersfi eld again in a last of games, we have Monaco, they header secured a famous 1-0 tion. Whoever says the FA Cup is I want to see this, the fi ght until 16-replay. (players) deserve to play,” Guar- win and Burnley boss Sean Dy- dead hasn’t lived in Lincoln for the end. “I knew the game that we had diola explained. “We are coming che was not the only Premier the last six to eight weeks. “This defeat could be good to play,” the Spaniard said. back on Saturday. We are going League manager bemoaning “And it has galvanised our for us because when you lose “In the fi rst half we had our to be two or three days there to his unwanted role in a football football club.” against a team who fi ghts, you chances, the (Huddersfi eld) see our chairman. “fairytale”. Leicester City man- have to say well done to them but goalkeeper was brilliant. “By midday we will be in Man- ager called on ‘FIGHTERS’ WANTED why did we lose?” “In the second half maybe we chester. Now our focus is on the his players to become “gladia- Burnley manager Dyche, who But the day was spoiled by played a bit better but we didn’t Champions League game.” tors and soldiers” after the Pre- as a player featured in Chester- ugly scenes when Millwall fans create many chances. Guardiola also refused to com- mier League champions latest fi eld’s surprise run to the FA Cup spilled onto the pitch and goad- “So many teams in the Premier ment on an incident that saw a defeat saw them beaten 1-0 by semi-fi nals in 1997, acknowl- ed the Leicester fans. League are out (of the FA Cup) plastic bottle thrown from the third tier Millwall in their fi fth edged Lincoln’s achievement. Missiles appeared to be and we have another chance stand towards Raheem Sterling round tie. File picture of Lincoln City’s English manager Danny Cowley reacting “We’ve unfortunately played thrown by both sets of sup- (February 28) at home, we will as he warmed up. This time a 90th minute goal after winning the English FA Cup fifth round match against Burnley. a part in Lincoln’s fairytale and porters while police horses were try to quality. Meanwhile Huddersfi eld by Shaun Cummings deepened obviously we didn’t want to do called upon to defuse the situa- “A big compliment to the manager David Wagner said his the crisis for Ranieri ahead of a tle to claw back the eight point an Arsenal side still reeling from that,” he said. tion. team, I know how diffi cult it is side had chances to beat City, crunch Champions League game defi cit to league leaders Chel- the 5-1 reverse they suff ered at Leicester boss Ranieri, FIFA’s “No-one wants to see that on with the pitch, they are so ag- although he too was happy with against Sevilla. sea — after a goalless draw with the hands of Bayern Munich coach of the year for his Premier the football pitch,” said Millwall gressive, they are so dynamic. a replay. “If you ask me did we Millwall could be in trouble Huddersfi eld of the Champion- in the Champions League last League upset last year, was again manager Neil Harris. “We will play a replay for the have some chances, yes, we had over a crowd invasion after the ship on a landmark weekend of Wednesday. angry and frustrated after seeing “I can’t condone that, but if I fi rst time in my life and we will two or three,” he said. fi nal whistle though. Cup upsets. Lincoln — who had already his relegation-threatened side have not seen it I am not going try to qualify,” he added. “But City had some very good Manchester City face a trou- Lincoln’s fellow non league beaten Ipswich and Brighton collapse again. to say anything negative because Guardiola defended his deci- opportunities as well and they blesome replay — and an un- side Sutton will be hoping to from the Championship — are “I want to speak again with you have to see something to sion to make eight changes to his were the better team but we wanted extra fi xture as they bat- round it off on Monday against the fi rst non-league club since the players and say we have to make a realistic judgement.” starting line-up for Saturday’s shouldn’t be surprised.” Gulf Times Monday, February 20, 2017 3 FOOTBALL

SPOTLIGHT PLAN I’d prefer to stay at Arsenal: Wenger Sutton seek scalp AFP “I do not want to take anything London away from Ferguson. He was an unbelievable manager, but had enough. I’m not at that stage.” rsene Wenger has re- vealed he wants to stay ‘BLAME CULTURE’ in football manage- Wenger also said this week he ment long-term and will make his decision on his of shaky Wenger hasA indicated for the fi rst time he future next month or in April, a would like to extend his spell as change from his previous sug- Arsenal’s manager. gestion it would be at the end of ‘As a team we would obviously like to win. We are not going to come here, look at the The Frenchman’s future is up the season. in the air, with his contract ex- Arsenal visit minnows Sutton Arsenal players and be like ‘Oh my days’ and be amazed by them’ piring at the end of the season United in the FA Cup on Monday and events on the pitch exposing and Wenger fears his side’s per- AFP him to criticism from supporters. formance against Bayern was so London Wenger said earlier this week abject it will take a long time for he intends to continue working his squad to recover from it. as a manager even if his 21-year “It will never be quick,” he plastic pitch, a vulnerable reign at the Emirates Stadium said. “We will keep that with us heavyweight and minnows with comes to an end, but he says his for our whole lives. But overall I giant-killing pedigree could preference would be to remain at still believe in life if you dwell too conspire to produce one of the Arsenal. much on the past, you forget to greatA FA Cup shocks when Arsenal visit When asked about his future prepare the future. non-league Sutton United today. in the game, the 67-year-old told “You have to show that is part Arsenal approach the fi fth-round tie reporters: “If you have a team, of a successful life. You have to reeling from Wednesday’s 5-1 humilia- maybe you can employ me. deal with disappointments and tion by Bayern Munich and with manager “That’s not a threat. My pref- focus 100 percent on what is in Arsene Wenger closer to the exit door erence is always to manage Ar- front of you and deal with that.” than ever before. senal. I think I have shown that. Wenger refused to single out Sutton stunned Coventry City, FA Cup But I am adult enough to analyse playmaker Mesut Ozil for any winners 19 months previously, in 1989 the situation.” blame following the loss in his and Micky Stephens, who played in that Wenger’s latest low came last native Germany. game and is now assistant manager, says Wednesday when Arsenal were “When you have a heavy de- they will approach Monday’s match with crushed 5-1 at Bayern Munich in feat like that, it’s diffi cult to come a similar mentality. the Champions League, leaving out on one individual because “It’s very diffi cult to stop them, but you them on the brink of a seventh you look at the way we conceded don’t want to give the players too much successive last-16 exit. goals and you can as well criticise information,” he told AFP this week. They are also 10 points below some other players,” he said. “I didn’t want to know too much when leaders Chelsea in the Premier “But overall for every single I played against Coventry. I wanted to League. player it is always to try to get know about the weaknesses, but not the But Wenger believes he still up to the next level and he is like strengths of the Coventry players. has at least four years left in his everybody else. “Everyone will know their strengths. managerial career and wants to “I absolutely accept the situa- All we can ask of our players is that they work for longer than Manchester tion and analyse it well. No mat- do their best.” United’s Alex Ferguson, who was ter how much we cry together, we Sutton currently sit 17th in the fi fth 71 when he retired in 2013. will not change the result. The tier, 105 places below Arsenal in the Eng- “Ferguson has some other in- only thing we can do is win the lish football pyramid, and have reached terests in life,” he said. next game. the fi fth round for the fi rst time. “He was older than I am today. “I would say it is more about Their National League counterparts He was four years older and retired character and being united. It Lincoln City have shown them the way, at 71. I’m 67. Maybe (I’ll manage is important you do not get in a having beaten Burnley 1-0 on Saturday to for) more, or maybe less. I don’t blame culture and be united to become the fi rst team from outside Eng- know. Everyone is diff erent. respond well.” land’s top four divisions to reach the last eight since 1914. Sutton entered the tournament in the SCOTTISH PREMIERSHIP fi rst round in November and have already upset fourth-tier Cheltenham Town, third-tier AFC Wimbledon and Champi- File picture of Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger. onship promotion-chasers Leeds United. Coach Rodgers Their down-at-heel Gander Green Lane AMAZED BY ARSENAL will make a decision regarding his Arse- changing room, Wenger is grateful to ground in south London will be at its 5,000 “I will be nervous before the game be- nal future in March or April. have another game to focus on. “I think capacity on Monday for a game that will cause I am an Arsenal fan through and The heavy loss in Munich left the north the future gives you hope and the next wants pitch fi t for present Arsenal with the unusual challenge through,” said Eastmond, who returns London club on the brink of a seventh game is part of the future,” he said. of playing on a synthetic 3G pitch. from a three-game suspension. successive last 16 exit in the Champions “I do not want to talk anymore about It will be a particularly special oc- “I never thought I would play Arsenal, League and they trail leaders Chelsea by my personal situation. What is impor- champions at Celtic casion for Sutton trio Craig Eastmond, but that is part of being a footballer and 10 points in the Premier League. tant is the next game. We had a big disap- Roarie Deacon and Jeff rey Monakana, all playing against a team you support. But while it is 13 years since Wenger pointment, we lost, and we want to win of whom came through the youth ranks “As a team we would obviously like to last led Arsenal to league glory, FA Cup the next game.” at Arsenal. win. We are not going to come here on triumphs in 2014 and 2015 left him level Arsenal are expected to be without Eastmond, 26, was the only one to Monday, look at the Arsenal players and be with Aston Villa’s George Ramsay as the centre-back Laurent Koscielny after he reach the fi rst team, making 10 appear- like ‘Oh my days’ and be amazed by them.” competition’s most decorated manager limped off with a hamstring injury at ances between 2009 and 2013 and play- Jack Jebb also spent time on Arsenal’s on six wins each. Bayern. ing alongside current Arsenal regulars books, but he — like Ben Jeff ord and Craig While neutrals will relish the thought But with no mid-week game to fol- , Laurent Koscielny, Francis Dundas — is cup-tied. of Arsenal’s handsomely renumerated low, Wenger has indicated he will select Coquelin and Kieran Gibbs. Wenger confi rmed this week that he stars squeezing into Sutton’s poky away a strong team.

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When true love turned sour... File picture of Celtic manager . AFP make sure of their touch before AFP woeful results plus certain play- Glasgow they get it under control. They London ers growing disenchanted with can’t play it fi rst time as it’s very the Portuguese handler resulted diffi cult. in the unthinkable happening eltic manager Brendan “So I think how they deal with rsenal legend Arsene and his leaving the club in De- Rodgers watched his the game on a diffi cult pitch and Wenger and Claudio cember 2015 by ‘mutual consent’. side beat Motherwell to how creative they are is huge Ranieri who guided claim their 20th league testament to them. Some of our Leicester City to the CESAR LUIS MENOTTI victoryC in a row before slamming football was very good in what is unlikeliestA of titles last season ARGENTINA the state of the pitch at his club’s — although it might not look it — are facing rocky futures for dif- Chain-smoking long-haired Parkhead ground. a very diffi cult surface. ferent reasons. coach who despite the permanent A fi rst-half penalty from in- “I think it is an old pitch here, Wenger — whose side tackle smoke clouds emanating from the form French forward Moussa so we need to modernise the non league Sutton in the FA Cup dugout could see clearly enough Dembele and a James Forrest fi eld. today — is in the spotlight as yet of what was going on on the pitch goal helped Celtic to a 2-0 win “It is a concern for me when another season threatens to end to mastermind the 1978 side cap- that extends their lead at the top you are trying to entertain sup- in disappointment vis a vis the tained by Daniel Passarella to of the Scottish Premiership to 27 porters and play a level of game, title and the Champions League. World Cup success at home. points over Aberdeen. the pitch is vital. And Ranieri because the Foxes Menotti stayed on for their The champions have won all “You are looking for fast foot- have lost their bite and are in dan- 1982 title defence but they lost 16 domestic matches they have ball and speed in your game. I ger of becoming the fi rst English to Belgium in their fi rst game. played at home this season, but think we showed in pre-season league champions to be relegated An early return home for a side after comfortably seeing off through to the early months of since Manchester City in 1938. including young talent Diego Mark McGhee’s side Rodgers this season the level of the game Ranieri’s last refuge is the Maradona but a labouring age- raised concerns about the pitch that we are looking to play. Champions League and his team ing defence came after defeats to and how it aff ects their playing “We actually go away to some have a tricky away trip to Sevilla File picture of current Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho during a press conference. eventual winners Italy and bitter style. grounds and play better because this week. rivals Brazil in the second round And the former Liverpool boss the pitch is better and obviously Here are fi ve other managerial ‘Big Phil’ never stood taller in 2012, the trophy above all oth- group stage. Menotti had run out revealed he would be asking the this here slows us down. We will icons who fell foul of the very than when he guided a Brazil CHELSEA ers that Russian oligarch owner of puff . Celtic board for a new playing get it sorted I’m sure, but it’s not same fans who used to chant side numbering the three ‘R’s’ The Switzerland-born Italy in- Roman Abramovich desired. surface in the summer. something that will be done in their names from the rooftops. Rivaldo, Ronaldo and Ronald- ternational was a popular fi gure The FA Cup was added that JUPP HEYNCKES “I thought the players did the short-term.” inho to the 2002 World Cup tri- as a player at the club — he scored season. Rewarded with a two REAL MADRID remarkably well, considering The Celtic manager even LUIZ FELIPE SCOLARI BRAZIL umph over Germany. goals in both the 1997 and 2000 year contract in June 2012 the Real Madrid are not renowned the level of the pitch was poor,” blamed the only booking of the Seen as the man most capa- FA Cup fi nal victories — but his amiable di Matteo was sacked in for sparing a manager’s feelings Rodgers, whose side are unbeat- game — a nasty challenge by ble of delivering World Cup glory standing became almost godlike November as a series of poor re- or career and Heynckes can at- en in 31 domestic fi xtures, said. Motherwell’s Ryan Bowman who on home soil in 2014 the dream when against all expectations he sults prompted the never patient test to that more than anyone. “Motherwell came and I caught Kieran Tierney’s leg with descended into a barely credible delivered the Champions League Abramovich to fi re him. The German handler brought thought they did very well. On his studs — was down to the bob- nightmare as without injured su- ‘the meringues’ their seventh the back of losing seven goals bly surface of the Parkhead pitch. perstar Neymar the Germans dis- JOSE MOURINHO CHELSEA European Cup trophy — and fi rst (against Aberdeen in midweek) “Again, I think it was a result mantled the hosts in a 7-1 wallop- The self anointed ‘Special in 32 years — in defeating Juven- you are always going to come of the pitch,” Rodgers said. ing which plunged the nation into One’ returned to Chelsea for a tus in 1998. here against a team that can at- “The ball pops up for Kieran, mourning. A loss that defl ated the second spell and duly delivered Ecstasy turned to misery as tack and score goals and sit deep and the player is coming in and team and led everyone to question the 2015 Premier League title in with a singular lack of gratitude and block out the spaces. he makes the challenge on the their ability. his second season back. Real sacked him days later for “Whenever you do that then back of that. Describing it as the ‘worst day All seemed set fair for another fi nishing fourth in the league. you rely on the speed of the game “If the ball rolls down nicely to of his life’ he jumped before he trophy-laden term in offi ce but He had the last laugh years — the combinations, the quick him then he’s getting tackled on was pushed, resigning from the things quickly disintegrated not later, ending his career by guid- play. his foot. post after the Netherlands beat least his fragile temperament. ing Bayern Munich to the tre- “But our players are having to “It didn’t look very good but I’ll them 3-0 in the meaningless A very public row with the ble of the league title, Cup and deal with a real diffi cult pitch and give the benefi t of the doubt to the third place play-off . club doctor Evas Carneiro and Champions League. technically they are having to player that he didn’t mean it.” Gulf Times 4 Monday, February 20, 2017 FOOTBALL

SERIE A Leipzig win to trim Hamsik sights Bayern’s lead Maradona record Napoli’s Slovakian midfielder Marek Hamsik moves to within three goals of Maradona’s long-standing 115-goal club record after scoring against Chievo yesterday

Leipzig’s striker Timo Werner celebrates after scoring yesterday.

AFP Results Berlin Yesterday Borussia Moenchengladbach B Leipzig cut Bayern 1 (Vestergaard 81) RB Leipzig 2 Munich’s lead at the (Forsberg 31, Werner 55) top of the Bundesliga to fi ve points yesterday as Played Saturday EmilR Forsberg and Timo Werner Borussia Dortmund 3 (Bruma netted in a 2-0 win at Borussia 20-og, Piszczek 48, Dembele Moenchengladbach. 59) Wolfsburg 0 Leipzig brushed off consecu- Mainz 0 Werder Bremen 2 tive defeats with an impressive (Gnabry 16, Delaney 23) display at Borussia Park to trim Hertha Berlin 1 (Ibisevic 21) the lead of Bayern, who had Bayern Munich 1 (Lewand- needed a 96th-minute Robert owski 90+6) Lewandowski goal to draw 1-1 at Hoff enheim 2 (Kramaric 64, Hertha Berlin on Saturday. 90+3) Darmstadt 0 Germany hopeful Werner, Eintracht Frankfurt 0 Ingol- who is in contention for a call-up stadt 2 (Bregerie 26, Gross 69) when die Mannschaft play Eng- Hamburg 2 (Hunt 15, Gre- land next month, and Forsberg goritsch 57) Freiburg 2 were involved in both goals as RB (Philipp 23, Grifo 72) returned to winning ways after defeats to Hamburg and Dort- mund. visitors 2-0 up. Second-placed RB took the However, Leipzig endured a lead when Forsberg, who signed nervous fi nal 10 minutes as the a new deal until 2022 earlier this hosts turned up the pressure. month, slammed home Werner’s Gladbach pulled a goal back pass on 31 minutes for the Swed- nine minutes from time when ish play-makers sixth league goal towering Danish centre-back this season. Jannik Vestergaard beat Gulacsi Leipzig’s Hungary goalkeeper with a header from a corner. Peter Gulacsi then saved Thorgan Leipzig’s midfi elder Hazard’s penalty on the stroke of Marcel Sabitzer forced Sommer half-time sending Leipzig into into a diving save in added time the break at 1-0. as RB chased a third goal. Werner, who is just 20, dou- The result leaves Leipzig eight Napoli’s Slovakian midfielder Marek Hamsik acknowledges the public at the end of the Italian match against Chievo at the Bentegodi stadium in Verona. bled RB’s tally with his 12th points clear of nearest rivals league goal of the season when Borussia Dortmund, who beat AFP good before the hour with a defl ected Results last August, but Zeman’s revived side were he swept Forsberg’s fi nal pass Wolfsburg 3-0 at home on Sat- Milan strike and although 3-0 in front by half-time thanks to goals by past Gladbach’s goalkeeper Yann urday to go third, while Gladbach beat Pepe Reina with a stunner for a Yesterday Gianluca Caprari and Ahmad Benali. Sommer on 55 minutes to put the are tenth in the table. 72nd-minute consolation, it proved too Bologna 0 1 (Barbosa 81) Caprari secured his brace in the 81st arek Hamsik moved to within little too late. Chievo 1 (Meggiorini 72) Napoli 3 minute and Cerri fi nally got on the three goals of Diego Marado- Napoli’s 16th win moved Maurizio (Insigne 31, Hamsik 38, Zielinski 58) scoresheet six minutes later. PLAN na’s Napoli record in a 3-1 win Sarri’s men up to second place. Pescara 5 (Orban 5-og, Caprari 19, 81, Pecara remain rooted to the bottom at Chievo as veteran Zdenek Chievo remain in 11th spot, 31 points Benali 31, Cerri 87) Genoa 0 on 12 points, 49 behind Juventus and 10 MZeman steered Pescara to a fi rst win since behind Juventus but well clear of a rele- adrift of fourth-from-bottom Empoli Sampdoria 1 (Quagliarella 22) Cagliari August in a 5-0 rout of Genoa yesterday. gation zone from which Pescara will now 1 (Isla 6) while Genoa dropped to 16th. Lille lure ‘el Loco’ Slovakia midfi elder Hamsik had moved harbour hopes of escaping. Udinese 1 (Fofana 7) Sassuolo 2 (De- Elsewhere, Seko Fofana sent Udinese to within four goals of Maradona’s 115- Zeman, a legendary fi gure in the Italian frel 70, 79) fans into raptures with a superb long- goal club record with his maiden Serie game who has coached Roma, Lazio, Na- distance volley after coolly fl icking Du- Bielsa back to France A hat-trick in a 7-1 rout at Bologna two poli and Cagliari, felt compelled to return Saturday van Zapata’s pass into the air in the sev- weeks ago taking his tally to 111. to Pescara following the sacking of Mas- Atalanta 1 (Conti 48) Crotone 0 enth minute. AFP And the 30-year-old attacking mid- simo Oddo in midweek because he said Empoli 1 (Krunic 67) Lazio 2 (Immobile But hopes of dominating a mid-table Lille fielder moved a step closer to becom- he “owed” the club something. 68, Keita 80) battle with Sassuolo were tempered by ing the southerners’ all-time top scorer The 69-year-old, until last year the Frenchman Gregoire Defrel, who came with an easy tap-in seven minutes be- coach of Swiss side FC Lugano, famously off the bench to hit a second-half brace in conic Argentinian coach fore half-time. coached Marco Verratti, Ciro Immobile Alberto Cerri chased a long ball down the space of nine minutes. , known as ‘el , who hit Napoli’s only and Lorenzo Insigne at his previous spell the left, got past his marker, kept the ball Earlier yesterday, 20-year-old Brazil Loco’ for his intense ‘all in’ goal in a 3-1 Champions League defeat at at Pescara, whom he quit to begin the from onrushing ‘keeper Eugenio Laman- international Gabriel ‘Gabigol’ Barbosa style, is returning to France Real Madrid in midweek, broke the dead- fi rst of two spells at Roma. na and, from an impossible angle, saw his came off the bench to hit his maiden Serie Ias manager of Lille, the newly lock on 31 minutes with a superb curling The chain-smoking Czech is known strike somehow defl ect off Lucas Orban A goal for Inter Milan to secure a 1-0 win bought out club said yes- strike that beat Stefano Sorrentino at his for a particularly off ensive game built and into the net. at Bologna that has boosted their Europa terday. far post. around a 4-3-3 formation, and Pescara Pescara’s only previous win this season League qualifying hopes. Inter sit fourth, “Lille and the Argentine coach Piotr Zielinskini had Napoli 3-0 to the were on fi re from kick-off . was a shock 3-0 away defeat of Sassuolo 15 points behind Juventus. have signed a two years deal which comes into eff ect in July,” Lille announced. LIGUE 1 Rumours had been ripe that up the pressure and squeezing Bielsa, who handled Argentina the most out of modest forma- and Chile before succesful stints tions, taking Athletic Bilbao to a at Athletic Bilbao and Marseille, Europa League fi nal in 2012, and would join the struggling north- coming close to a French title erners who were French cham- with Marseille. pions in 2011. He left Marseille in a blaze Balotelli sent off in Nice victory Bielsa is said to have inspired of fury one game into the 2015- AFP fresh from their famous win Results the likes of , Di- 2016 season, before a two-day Paris against Barcelona in the Cham- ego Simeone, Mauricio Pochet- stint at Italian side Lazio. pions League in midweek, can Yesterday tino and even Pep Guardiola, “That doesn’t worry me at leapfrog Nice again and cut Mo- Bordeaux 3 (Kamano 13, Pallois who in 2012 described Bielsa as all,” Lopez told AFP when asked ario Balotelli was naco’s lead to a single point if 43, Laborde 71) Guingamp 0 the best coach on the planet. about Bielsa’s walk outs. “He’s a sent off on his return they beat Toulouse at the Parc “He could coach any club pro, and those were clearly jus- to the Nice team but des Princes on Sunday night. Played Saturday anywhere so the fact he chose tifi ed decisions for specifi c rea- Lucien Favre’s side Marseille 2 (Njie 59, Thauvin us adds dimension to our project sons.” Mheld on for a 1-0 win at Lorient MARSEILLE WIN SANS GOMIS here,” the club’s new owner Ger- Lille are 14th in Ligue 1, and 64) Rennes 0 Angers 1 (Bamba on Saturday which sees them Elsewhere, Marseille overcame 5) Nancy 0 Caen 0 Lille 1 (El ard Lopez told AFP. were taken over three weeks ago close the gap on Ligue 1 leaders the absence of injured lead- Ghazi 70) “His recruitment is the fi rst by Lopez, former owner of For- Monaco. ing scorer Bafetimbi Gomis to Lorient 0 Nice 1 (Cyprien 15) concrete step of everything mula One team Lotus. Wylan Cyprien scored the beat Rennes 2-0 and boost their Metz 1 (Diabate 90+1-pen) we have promised to do here,” Earlier this week Lopez re- only goal of the game in Brittany, hopes of European qualifi cation. Nantes 1 (Rongier 68) added the Luxembourg-Spanish cruited Franck Passi who was collecting Arnaud Souquet’s Clinton Njie and Florian tycoon. Bielsa’s assistant at Marseille, to pass and fi ring home from inside Thauvin, the latter with a su- Bielsa is known for cranking oversee the rest of the season. the area in the 15th minute. perb strike, both netted in the before the hour mark. The result allowed Nice to go second half for the hosts as Mar- Five minutes later Marseille back above Paris Saint-Germain seille moved to within a point of had scored again thanks to a FIFA president Infantino calls unprecedented into second place and close to fourth-placed Lyon, albeit hav- superb goal from Thauvin as he African summit meeting within three points of Monaco, ing played two games more. smashed a shot high into the net FIFA President Gianni Infan- Tuesday and the rest repeat- who could only draw 1-1 at Bas- “We had an obligation to win on his left foot to make it 2-0. tino will meet more than 50 ing the exercise the next day, tia on Friday. here and it was quite an accom- There was no way back after presidents of African football organisers told Reuters. “To win away from home does plished performance,” said Mar- that for Rennes, who have now associations in an unprec- It is the first time such a sum- us good and it is well deserved seille coach , whose gone 10 league games without a edented summit in Johannes- mit has been held at which because we had to hold on at 10 team face great rivals PSG next. win. burg this week, off icials said FIFA deals directly with all the against 11,” Favre said. “Life without Bafe is possible, Lille eased their relegation yesterday. leaders of African football. “We saw how diffi cult it is for but in a diff erent style. Now we fears with a 1-0 win at fellow Each of the continent’s 54 Infantino, however, did all teams with the Monaco re- have eight days before the match strugglers Caen in their fi rst member countries has been meet about 20 association sult, so logically it was going to Nice’s Italian forward (R) leaves the field after against PSG, but fi rst of all we game under new coach Franck invited to a day-long executive presidents in Nigeria last July be diffi cult for us too.” receiving a red card during the Ligue 1 match against Lorient. will enjoy this result.” Passi. summit with Infantino, called in a gathering that pointedly Balotelli was sent off after On-loan Swansea City striker They had defender Adama to discuss general issues in snubbed long-standing Con- apparently talking out of turn All of a sudden the card came draw at Rennes due to illness, Gomis, scorer of 16 league goals Soumaoro sent off just after the the game and explain FIFA’s federation of African Football to match referee Tony Chapron out. Apparently there were but returned in Lorient in place this season, suff ered a knee in- hour mark but Anwar El Ghazi, plans to expand the World (CAF) President Issa Hayatou midway through the second half. words,” said Favre. of injured leading scorer Alas- jury in last weekend’s defeat at a January signing from Ajax, Cup and changes to its devel- and members of his executive It was his third red card this The Italian, who has scored sane Plea. Nantes that will rule him out for struck the only goal of the game opment structures. committee. season in the French top fl ight, nine league goals, has endured a It was a fi rst away win since around a month. with 20 minutes left. The association presidents will Usually the only time all although his fi rst, also against frustrating couple of weeks — he the end of November for Nice, Njie, fi lling in as the central Giant Malian striker Cheick Di- be divided into two groups association presidents get Lorient back in October, was was dropped from the team for while Lorient remain rooted to striker, fi red home fi rst-time abate’s late penalty secured a 1-1 with some 25 meeting Infan- together is for annual FIFA later overturned. a 1-0 win against Saint-Etienne the foot of the table. after the ball broke to him inside draw for Metz at home to Nantes tino and other FIFA off icials on and CAF Congresses. “I didn’t see what happened. and then missed last week’s Defending champions PSG, the area to open the scoring just and Angers beat Nancy 1-0. Gulf Times Monday, February 20, 2017 5 NBA

SPOTLIGHT FOCUS NBA continues push into Africa Robinson wins NBA Reuters remain committed to growing New York the game on the continent, and this showcase will continue to build on the positive momen- he NBA will continue tum we generated with the his- its push into Africa, toric fi rst game in 2015.” announcing on Sat- With China already the urday the league will NBA’s second biggest market slam dunk contest Treturn to Johannesburg with an after the United States, the exhibition game pitting Team league is looking for new coun- Africa against Team World. tries to plant its fl ag, includ- ‘I wanted to bring some energy to competition. I wanted to do something no one has ever seen’ In an ongoing eff ort to ing non-traditional basketball spread the basketball gospel, markets like India and Africa. tap new markets and develop A record 14 African players more players, the National were on opening night rosters Basketball Association (NBA) and more than 70 players from will bring promising African or with ties to Africa, including players including Bismack Bi- Hall of Famers Hakeem Olaju- yombo of the Orlando Magic won from Nigeria and Dikembe and Emmanuel Mudiay of the Mutombo from Democratic Denver Nuggets and American Republic of the Congo, have C.J. McCollum of the Portland competed in the NBA. Trail Blazers to South Africa for Basketball Without Bor- the August 5 showcase. ders has been holding camps Biyombo and Mudiay, from in Africa since 2003 and four the Democratic Republic of the graduates of the program are Congo, will play for Team Af- currently with NBA teams: Los rica. McCollum will compete Angeles Clippers’ Luc Mbah a for Team World. Full rosters of Moute, Toronto Raptors’ Pas- players and coaches will be an- cal Siakam, Philadelphia 76ers’ nounced later. Joel Embiid, all from Cam- It will mark the second time eroon; and Minnesota Tim- the NBA has staged a game in berwolves’ Gorgui Dieng from Africa, having also played in Senegal. Johannesburg in 2015. The NBA is holding a Bas- Team Africa will be com- ketball Without Borders camp prised of players from Africa in New Orleans as part of All- and second generation African Game festivities, exposing players while Team World will promising young talent from include players from the rest of around the world to profes- the world. sional and college scouts. “NBA players are among While there will be 16 pros- the most popular athletes in pects from African nations the world, and we’re excited attending the camp, none are to continue the game’s glo- from the seven mostly Muslim bal growth with this second nations targeted by US Presi- game in Africa,” said National dent Donald Trump’s travel Basketball Players Associa- restrictions, which federal ap- tion director Michele Roberts peals court judges have tempo- in a statement. “Our players rarily blocked.

Indiana Pacers’ Glenn Robinson poses with the Verizon Slam Dunk Champion trophy after winning the Verizon Slam Dunk Contest in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Getty Images/AFP)

AFP In the fi nal round, Robinson day night’s contest against the my head was at the rim.” Contest was that reigning champ New Orleans faced off against Jones, who Los Angeles Lakers. Houston Rockets guard Eric Klay Thompson was knocked advanced from the four origi- Gordon, the NBA’s leading out after scoring just 18 points. Bismack Biyombo (above) and Emmanuel Mudiay. nal competitors. The Los An- The NBA has struggled to three-point shooter this sea- New York Knicks center lenn Robinson scored geles Clippers’ DeAndre Jordan get its marquee players in son, defeated Cleveland Cava- Kristaps Porzingis won the Skills a perfect 50 on his fi - and the Orlando Magic’s Aaron the slam dunk contest and liers guard Kyrie Irving in the Challenge by defeating Utah Jazz nal dunk to capture the Gordon were eliminated in the that was underlined by the overtime round of the All-Star forward Gordon Hayward in the NBA All Star Game’s earlier rounds. inclusion this year of the Three-Point Contest, scoring 21 fi nal. Gslam dunk title Saturday after The NBA has struggled to get points to Irving’s 18 in the extra Porzingis won by nailing a undraft ed Jones leaping over three people for a its marquee players in the slam period. three-pointer from the left side dynamic two-handed reverse dunk contest and that was un- Robinson’s perfect 50 on the Gordon nailed several clutch of the key on his fi rst attempt. jam. derlined by the inclusion this winning dunk gave him a two- jumpers, including a fi nal shot “Before we started doing Indiana Pacers forward Rob- year of the undrafted Jones. dunk total of 94 in the fi nals. He in the second round to send the it, while I was doing the walk inson jumped over teammate Very few NBA fans know who ran from the right side, grabbed contest into overtime. “It’s all through, I knew that the pass Paul George, the club’s mascot Jones is as he has played just 24 the ball, and leaped over the trio, about getting hot,” Gordon said. and the shot on the three-point- and a Pacer cheerleader to eas- minutes this season in the league ducking his head to prevent him- “All of us know, as shooters, er was the most important parts ily win the contest over Phoenix after spending the majority of self from hitting the rim. anybody can get hot on any given of that,” Porzingis said. Suns rookie Derrick Jones. his rookie campaign with Phoe- “My head was at the rim,” night. Tonight was my night. “And I was able to make the “I wanted to bring some ener- nix’s development league team, Robinson said. “I’m an explosive As shooters, it’s all about being pass on the fi rst try all three gy to the competition,” Robinson the Northern Arizona Suns. player. consistent.” times. And then in the fi nal, that said. “I wanted to do something Jones didn’t record his fi rst “I got some great help to get The biggest surprise in the last shot just went in. So just a no one has ever seen.” dunk in the NBA until Wednes- this done. On a couple of dunks fi rst round of the Three-Point little bit of luck.”

HALL OF FAME McGrady, Moncrief, Webber among 14 fi nalists

AFP “We are proud to honour those New York who have shaped our game over the years.” McGrady, a seven-time NBA wo-time NBA scoring All-Star, played for seven NBA champion Tracy McGrady, clubs from 1997 to 2013. He won two-time NBA Defensive the 2001 NBA Most Improved Player of the Year Sidney Player Award and the NBA scor- TMoncrief and fi ve-time All-Star ing crown in 2003 and 2004 while Chris Webber were among 14 with the Orlando Magic. Basketball Hall of Fame fi nalists named Saturday. All three retired NBA standouts Finalists need 18 of 24 votes are among nine fi rst-time fi nal- from the Hall’s honours commit- ists on a list that also includes, tee for election into the Hall of among others, two-time NBA Fame. Inductees will be named on champion coach Tomjanovich April 3 in Phoenix, Arizona, with enshrinement on September 7-9 McGrady was also named a Chi- at the Hall of Fame in Springfi eld, nese Basketball Association All- Massachusetts. Star in 2013 with Qingdao Double- All three retired NBA standouts Star Eagles and ended his career are among nine fi rst-time fi nalists with San Antonio in a 2013 NBA on a list that also includes, among Finals loss to Miami. others, two-time NBA champion Moncrief, a fi ve-time All-Star, coach Rudy Tomjanovich. Prior fi - played for the Milwaukee Bucks nalists being considered again in- from 1979 to 1990 before one last clude fi ve-time NBA All-Star and NBA campaign with the Atlanta Olympic gold medallist Tim Hard- Hawks. away and one team — 10-time US He was the 1983 and 1984 De- national women’s champion Way- fensive Player of the Year. He aver- land Baptist University. aged 15.6 points and 4.7 “We are grateful to the 14 fi nal- rebounds. Webber, the 1994 ists in the Class of 2017 for the im- NBA Rookie of the Year, played for pact they have had on the game we fi ve NBA teams, topping the league cherish,” said Hall of Fame chair- in rebounds in the 1998-99 season man Jerry Colangelo. with Sacramento. Two-time NBA scoring champion Tracy McGrady (left) and five-time All-Star Chris Webber. Gulf Times 6 Monday, February 20, 2017 SPORT

NHL FOCUS Talbot shines as Oilers top Chicago Islanders rally falls Blackhawks 3-1

By Chris Hine Chicago Tribune

efore their extended break, the Blackhawks had won short against Devils fi ve consecutive games and were playing some of their best hockey of the season. So one of the main questions headed into Saturday’s game against the Oilers was if the ‘We are in a playoff race. There’s no mental crap right now’ HawksB would resume their quality play or if the six-day break would act as a hard reset and bring them back down. The answer was more of the former than the latter, but the only problem was that Oilers goaltender Cam Talbot was just a touch better. The Oilers defeated the Hawks, 3-1, at the United Centre to snap that fi ve-game win streak despite the Hawks controlling the puck most of the night. The Hawks ended up with 39 shots on goal while the Oilers had 22, but the Oilers just found the net a few times thanks to a goal from Matt Benning that went in off the skate of Trevor van Riemsdyk and a third-period score from Milan Lucic and an emp- ty-netter from Connor McDavid. The Hawks came out in the fi rst period like a team with fresh legs and dominated puck possession throughout. They ended with 12 shots on goal and kept the Oilers to just one shot on goal for the fi rst 18:19 of the period. But the Hawks couldn’t capitalize on the sustained zone pressure or a pair of power plays they drew in the period and the score remained 0-0. They came close a few times to scoring, once when Marian Hossa hit a post on the Hawks’ fi rst power play, and Artemi Pan- arin hit the other post later in the period. Panarin appeared to score and momentarily sent the crowd into a frenzy and set the fl ashing lights off at the United Centre before the crowd realized he hadn’t scored. It was a slower start to the second period for the Hawks, who began the period on the kill and later had to kill off an instigat- ing penalty on Ryan Hartman for instigating a fi ght he had with Oilers defenseman Eric Gryba, who had push Tanner Kero over into the board. Hartman earned fi ve minutes for fi ghting, two for instigating and a 10-minute misconduct penalty. Gryba, mean- while, just received fi ve for fi ghting. While the fi ght pumped up the crowd for a moment, it ended as a negative for the Hawks. On the ensuing power play, Matt Benning scored for the Oilers off the skate of Trevor van Riemsdyk for a 1-0 lead at 5:02 and the Hawks were without Hartman the rest of the period. After the sluggish start, the Hawks generated a number of chances in the second half of the period, but again they could not come up with a goal on Oilers goaltender Cam Talbot. After two periods, the Hawks held a 28-13 edge in shots on goal. The Oilers extended their lead in the third when Milan Lucic sent the puck in the net between Crawford’s legs at 9:50 causing Crawford to raise his head to the rafters in frustration. The Hawks kept applying the pressure they had applied all game and fi nally got on the board when Richard Panik scored in close on Talbot at 15:13, but that was the lone score on a night the Hawks thought there should have been more.

Jon Merrill (Right) and Cory Schneider of the New Jersey Devils celebrate after defeating the New York Islanders at Prudential Centre in Newark, New Jersey. (Getty Images/AFP)

By Arthur Staple team fell to 7-13-4 away from fi rst two periods we had shots “We were the better team to- nities, starting with me giving Newsday home. “If you have that (mental (29 of them) but we didn’t get night. Say what you want ... We them a breakaway goal ... Maybe block) you’re not strong enough the traffi c we needed.” need to start better, start (Sun- we just need to be a little more to be in it anyway.” With some pep after Ladd’s day) the way we fi nished this positional in our own end, take t’s three straight games now Nevertheless, the Island- 15th, the Isles surged. Anthony one.” away their time and space.” away from Barclays Centre ers fell behind 3-0 for the third Beauvillier followed up his own Even with the Devils throw- These three road losses do not that the Islanders haven’t straight road game. In Ottawa shot on a one-on-three rush to ing so little on Greiss, there were spell the end of the Isles’ playoff started well. On Saturday, at a week ago, they couldn’t break cut it to 3-2 at 13:48, the rookie’s mistakes. Greiss used his stick push. But without points on the Ileast they fi nished well, though the Senators’ steel trap and lost fi rst goal in 19 games, and the to deny Taylor Hall on an early road and 17 of the fi nal 25 away that got them the same zero by that score. In Toronto on Isles got a power play at 16:57. breakaway, but Devante Smith- from Barclays Center, there’s no points they got in their previous Tuesday, 3-0 became 7-1 in a lost Weight chose not to call his Pelly didn’t miss on his breaka- push without road victories. two losses. eff ort in the third period. time out and put his second way try at 7:10 of the fi rst after “There’s nothing to say about Nick Leddy’s shot towards a On Saturday, the Devils scored power-play unit out, a group Calvin de Haan mistimed a play this one,” Weight said, “except yawning net clanked off the post in each period on Thomas Gre- that did not get a shot on Sch- for the puck in the neutral zone. we have to win on the road if with 1:27 to go, cementing the iss, with Pavel Zacha’s defl ected neider. But after a change and A minute later John Tavares we’re going anywhere.” 3-2 Islanders loss to the Devils. power-play goal at 6:21 putting the Isles gained the zone, Sch- received a penalty shot after The Isles had to wait for the West the Isles in a three-goal hole. neider denied Anders Lee in Travis Zajac hooked Tavares on RESULTS Coast games to see how much There was barely a peep from the close and the puck squirted out a breakaway. Schneider got his Jets 3 Canadiens 2 damage this latest road loss did home side after that as the Is- to Nick Leddy charging off the right pad on Tavares’ wrister to Red Wings 3 Capitals 2 to their playoff standing, but landers fi nally got bodies to Cory left point. keep the Isles off the board. Sabres 3 Blues 2 with nine straight on the road Schneider’s grill. With Schneider nowhere in In the second on a power play, Wild 5 Predators 2 coming after Sunday’s visit by “We did a better job of get- sight, Leddy snapped one off the Ryan Strome and Tavares were Sharks 4 Coyotes 1 the Devils to Brooklyn the Isles ting in front of him there,” said post and the puck went harm- hounded into turnovers and Za- Panthers 4 Kings 3 have to look more at themselves Andrew Ladd, who scooped up a lessly out of play. jac buried a short-handed two- Senators 6 Maple Leafs 3 than the standings right now. loose puck with a tangle of bod- “I thought we deserved bet- on-one. Canucks 2 Flames 1 (OT) “We’re in a playoff race. ies in front and snapped one past ter,” said Weight, whose team “Obviously we were a lit- Devils 3 Islanders 2 Ryan Nugent-Hopkins (right) of the Edmonton Oilers taps helmets There’s no mental crap right Schneider at 8:58 to start the outshot the Devils 42-21 for the tle sluggish,” de Haan said. “We Oilers 3 Blackhawks 1 with Cam Talbot after a win over the Chicago Blackhawks in now,” Doug Weight said after his Isles’ attempted rally. “In the night. gave them too many opportu- Stars 4 Lightning 3 (OT) Chicago. (Getty Images/AFP)

BASEBALL Utley rejoins Dodgers, willing to accept bench role

By Andy McCullough wrote. “I’ll see you next week.” ing scouting reports, scouring need to rest more to conserve Los Angeles Times Utley was willing to accept a video, discussing strategy with energy. reduction in his role and his sal- his teammates. “It is important to Adrian to ary when he agreed to a one-year, “The name of the game is to be out there and play 150-plus he text messages $2-million contract. The deal be- win a baseball game,” Utley said. games,” Roberts said. “I respect reached Corey Seager as came offi cial on Saturday morn- “If you can fi nd any edge in any that. But I think for the organiza- a greeting and a warn- ing, soon after Utley arrived at diff erent situation, I think it can tion, it’s a conversation to curtail Ting. Camelback Ranch. Although be important.” the number of games. Because “Watch out when I come into Manager Dave Roberts referred we’re expecting to play deep in second base next year,” Chase to him as an “everyday player,” Iron Man no more? October and we need him to be as Utley wrote in the off -season, Utley is expected to back up For- For the last 11 seasons, Gonzal- fresh as possible.” when a reunion with the Los An- sythe at second base and Adrian ez has averaged 159 games per geles Dodgers looked so unlikely. Gonzalez at fi rst base. year, never appearing in fewer Kershaw to start Even his jokes contain a hint of “I think it’s not secret that I’m than 156. He takes pride in his In the least surprising devel- menace. not getting any younger,” Utley durability, even if the Dodgers opment of the spring, Roberts Seager idolized Utley during said. “I understand that things may opt to reduce his appear- announced that Kershaw would their time together and consid- change, and if I want to be part of ances to some extent in 2017. be the opening-day starter for ered him a friend. But if Utley a winning organisation, there’s a Gonzalez battled back and the seventh consecutive season. signed elsewhere, Seager would possibility that I take this type of neck problems in 2016. He has Kershaw will tie Don Drysdale become a rival. And on the dia- role. I’m up for it. I’m up for the struggled in the fi nal month of and Don Sutton for the franchise mond, Utley has little regard for challenge.” the season the last two years, record. friendship. Utley, 38, has faith in his abil- with a .694 on-base-plus-slug- Kershaw smiled when asked In January, the Dodgers ac- ity to aid the club on the fi eld. His ging percentage in September whether he had anything new to quired second baseman Logan arrival also provides a psycho- 2015 and a .645 OPS in Septem- say about the honor. Forsythe from Tampa Bay. For- logical boost for a roster that was Dodgers’ veteran infielder Chase Utley. ber 2016. He is excused from “Any time you get to do it, it’s sythe fi lled the void created by kept mostly intact after reaching swinging a bat for at least two special,” he said. “No, I don’t re- Utley’s free agency, and Utley as- the National League Champion- Dodgers players, coaches and unparalleled. Andrew Friedman, on the fi eld – is doing something weeks as he waits for infl amma- ally have anything diff erent to sumed he would play elsewhere ship Series in October. Although front-offi ce members speak of president of baseball operations, to try to help us win a game,” tion in his right elbow to subside. say. It’s always fun. It’s fun to get this season. Then, two weeks ago, his presence on the roster, as a Utley with reverence. Clayton sees Utley’s behaviour as a model Friedman said a few days ago. In addition to Utley, the Dodg- the season going and get to be he tapped out another message to left-handed-hitting infi elder, Kershaw intends to instruct his for his peers. “I’ve never been The praise causes Utley to ers can also use Scott Van Slyke part of it. I’m thankful I’ve gotten Seager. may be somewhat redundant, the son to strive to replicate Utley’s around a guy that, at basically blush. He loathes talking about and Rob Segedin as Gonzalez’s to do it for so long with the same “Don’t worry about getting Dodgers believe his value far ex- eff ort on the fi eld. Roberts refers any moment and time that you himself. But he does not deny the backups during the season. Rob- team. Not a lot of people get to do out of my way anymore,” Utley ceeds his production. to Utley’s steely consistency as walk by him – in the clubhouse, zeal he brings to his craft, study- erts suggested Gonzalez may that.” Gulf Times Monday, February 20, 2017 7 SPORT

GOLF BASKETBALL/ QATAR MEN’S LEAGUE Al Arabi thrash Ahli, Wakrah also win big Rumford wins fi rst Sports Reporter Mitrovic had 13. Doha Al Arabi had 17 second chance points while Al Ahli had just nine. l Arabi swamped Al In the second match of the Ahli 75-49 in the Qa- day, Al Wakrah thrashed Qatar tar Men’s League yes- Sports Club 110-82 with Tho- terday for one of the mas Blair and Ayeni Olatokun- World Super 6 title mostA one-sided results of the bo scoring 33 and 32 points, tournament so far. respectively. Talla Momar scored a game- Qatar Sports Club put up high 21 points for the winners, in- a fi ght in the fi rst quarter as cluding 12 from the three-point they restricted Wakrah to just mark, while Hamed Moutasim, a four-point lead (22-19), but Ndour Souleye and Adako Osaro fell by the wayside as the match had 11 points apiece. progressed. in fi nal shootout Al Arabi were off to a ier,fl By the time the second leading 12-13 after the fi rst fi ve quarter had ended, Al Wakrah minutes, before further con- led 57-29, and although Qatar ‘It’s massive. I had a tough year but I’m back and I couldn’t be happier’ solidating their hold on their Sports Club scored 26 points in hapless neighbours. the second, it was not enough They led 32-16 after the sec- for them to mount a fi ghtback. Reuters Semi-finals ond quarter and 56-27 after For Qatar Sports Club, Med- Sydney Brett Rumford (AUS) bt Adam Bland (AUS) the third before securing their drick Doggett scored 29, while 1-up 26-point victory. Ibrahim Giama had 25. Phachara Khongwatmai (THA) bt Jason For Al Ahli, Abdulrahman al- On Tuesday, Al Gharafa play ometown hero Brett Rumford Scrivener (AUS) 3 and 1 Muftah was the top scorer with Al Rayyan, while Al Shamal nailed his fi nal drive to beat Thai Quarter-finals 17 points, while Aleksander meet Al Sadd. teenager Phachara Khongwat- Steven Jeff ress (AUS) bt Jason Scrivener mai 2&1 in the six-hole match- (AUS) 2nd extra hole playH fi nal to win the inaugural World Su- Phachara Khongwatmai bt Matthew Mil- per 6 title in Perth yesterday and claim lar (AUS) 2 and 1 back his European Tour card. Adam Bland (AUS) bt Louis Oosthuizen Despite the innovative format, the (RSA) at 3rd extra hole 39-year-old Australian put together what Brett Rumford (AUS) bt Wade Ormsby was eff ectively a wire-to-wire victory at (AUS) at 2nd extra hole the Lake Karrinyup Country Club, having Second round of 16 fi nished the fi rst three rounds of stroke- Jason Scrivener (AUS) bt Nick Cullen play with a fi ve-shot lead. (AUS) 2 and 1 The fi nal was all square until the fourth Steven Jeff ress (AUS) bt David Bransdon hole when Rumford somehow got himself (AUS) 1-up out of the trees, over a bunker and onto Phachara Khongwatmai (THA) bt Lucas the green with a brilliant second shot be- Herbert (AUS) 1-up fore sinking a 10-foot putt to take the lead. Matthew Millar (AUS) bt Austin Connelly At the par-three penultimate hole, (CAN) 2 and 1 Rumford hit his tee shot to within three Adam Bland (AUS) bt Adam Blyth (AUS) feet of the fl ag, while Phachara found the 1-up greenside bunker and had no luck putting Louis Oosthuizen (RSA) bt Johannes his way out of the sand to eff ectively con- Veerman (USA) at 3rd extra hole cede the contest. Wade Ormsby (AUS) bt Jake Higginbot- “It’s amazing, particularly with the new tom (AUS) at 4th extra hole format, the fi rst win in that,” said Rum- Brett Rumford (AUS) bt Hideto Tanihara ford. “It’s been a long, hard-fought week (JPN) 2 and 1 (and) I’m really proud of myself.” It was a sixth European Tour victory First round of 16 for Rumford, who turned professional Nick Cullen (AUS) bt Ryan Evans (ENG) the year after Phachara was born, and re- 2-up secured him the tour rights he lost at the David Bransdon (AUS) bt Jeev Milkha end of last year. “It’s massive,” he added. Singh (IND) at 1st extra hole “I had a tough year but I’m back and I Phachara Khongwatmai (THA) bt Samuel couldn’t be happier.” Brazel (AUS) 1-up While Rumford dominated all four Matthew Millar (AUS) bt Casey O’Toole days of the tournament, Phachara had (USA) 1-up trailed by nine shots after round three and Adam Bland (AUS) bt Thomas Detry (BEL) grabbed the 24th and fi nal spot in Sun- at 2nd extra hole day’s matchplay knockout series with a Johannes Veerman (USA) bt Daniel Fox par at the third playoff hole. (AUS) at 3rd extra hole The 17-year-old was on fi re on Sun- Wade Ormsby (AUS) bt Pep Angles (ESP) Al Arabi and Al Ahli players vying for the ball during their Qatar day, however, and wins over locals Sam 1-up Men’s League match yesterday. PICTURES: Jayan Orma Brazel, Lucas Herbert, Matt Millar and Hideto Tanihara (JPN) bt Duncan Stewart Jason Scrivener put him into the fi nal of (SCO) 1-up. the event, also co-sanctioned by the Aus- tralasian PGA and Asian Tours. South Korea’s Jang wins He faced a long wait as Rumford bat- Australian Open tled his way past Adam Bland in the semi- South Korea’s Jang Ha-Na stormed to a fi nals and his touch ultimately deserted three-shot victory in the Australian Open him at the end of a long day in the Perth at Royal Adelaide with a blistering eagle- sunshine. birdie fi nish yetsreday. Asked whether it was fair that a player The world number six claimed her nine shots off the pace after the third Brett Rumford of Australia poses with the winner’s trophy after winning the final of the fourth LPGA tournament win with a sen- round should be in the hunt for the title at new World Super 6 golf tournament in Perth yesterday. (AFP) sational fl ourish to her fi nal round. the end of day four, Rumford, the trophy Jang, 24, conjured a remarkable fi nish safely in his hands, said he was happy with we’ve done a great job.” ian Steven Jeff ress 1-up in the fi fth-sixth with an eagle from long range at the 17th anything that was good for the sport. Bland, who knocked out former British place playoff . followed by a brilliant birdie at the 18th to “It really comes down to the people and Open champion Louis Oosthuizen in the reach 10-under 282. golf is bigger than one person,” he said. quarter-fi nals, fi nished third after beating Final round matchplay scores Her round of four-under 69 equalled “If it’s going to grow the game... and Scrivener 1-up in a playoff . Final the lowest round of the day but it was brings a bit more excitement and thrill, South African Oosthuizen had to set- Brett Rumford (AUS) bt Phachara Khong- done in the toughest of the conditions Wakrah’s Thomas Blair shoots the ball as QSC’s Ahmed Abdalla if that’s what we’ve created, then I think tle for fi fth place after seeing off Austral- watmai (THA) 2 and 1 with gusty winds. looks on.

CYCLING/TOUR OF OMAN Champion Hermans hails ‘beautiful’ maiden Tour

AFP Italy’s Sacha Modolo, was annexing his Valverde denies Muscat third stage of the race. The Katusha rider described the fi nal Contador for fi ft h dash for the line at the end of a 152 kilome- Andalusia win elgium’s Ben Hermans yesterday tre ride as “very complicated” due to the Veteran Spanish rider Alejan- celebrated “the most beautiful” headwind on Muscat’s Muttrah Corniche. dro Valverde claimed his fifth fi rst big win of his career in the The Norwegian added: “This week is Tour of Andalusia win in six Tour of Oman yesterday. going to give me a lot of confi dence before years as he held off compa- BAlexander Kristoff took the final day my main objectives, the Nieuwsblad (a one triot Alberto Contador to win honours in a sprint with 30-year-old Her- day race in Belgium) and the Paris-Nice.” by just one second yesterday. mans avoiding any mishaps in the closing In the general rankings, Portuguese rid- Belgium’s Tim Wellens won sixth stage. er Rui Costa came in second at 22sec with the 151.5km fifth stage from The BMC rider had topped the overall Italian Fabio Aru in third at 35sec. Setenil de las Bodegas to standings since surprising a group of bet- Hermans adds his name to a roll of hon- Coin in a breakaway group ter fancied rivals with a late attack to win our in Oman that includes cycling greats in a time of 3hrs 58min 31sec Wednesday’s second stage. Chris Froome and last year’s winner Vin- from Australia’s Simon Clarke He followed that up with Saturday’s pe- cenzo Nibali. and another Belgian Victor nultimate mountain stage to set up the win Campenaerts. which comes after his second place fi nish Results Both Valverde and Contador in last month’s Tour of Valencia. STAGE: 1. Alexander Kristoff (NOR/Katu- crossed the line as part of Hermans’ main claim to fame up to this sha) 2hr 57min 03sec, 2. Eduard Grosu the peloton 1min 45sec season was serving as lieutenant to his (ROM) s.t., 3. Sacha Modolo (ITA) s.t., 4. back. more decorated compatriot Philippe Gil- Bert Van Lerberghe (BEL) s.t., 5. Manuel “It wasn’t an easy day at all,” bert. But after the former world champi- Belleti (ITA) s.t., 6. Ramon Sinkeldam Valverde told Eurosport. on’s move to Quick Step Hermans has cap- (NED) s.t., 7. Sonny Colbrelli (ITA) s.t., 8. “It was cold, windy, rainy, italised on what he says is his “newfound Lasse Hanssen (DEN) s.t., 9. Kristian Sba- there was all sorts, but in the responsibility and freedom” at BMC. ragli (ITA) s.t., 10. Roy Jans (BEL) s.t. end there weren’t any attacks “To be worthy of this confi dence I Overall and that was better for us.” worked really hard over the winter, that’s 1. Ben Hermans (BEL/BMC) 20hr 56min France’s Thibaut Pinot was clearly the reason behind my early season 20sec, 2. Rui Costa (POR) at 22sec, 3. third, six seconds back overall form,” he said. Fabio Aru (ITA) 35, 4. Merhawi Kudus on Valverde. Looking ahead he added: “The aim now (ERY) 58, 5. Tsgabu Grmay (ETH) 1:12, 6. Contador was riding for will be to build on this in the Ardennes Romain Bardet (FRA) 1:17, 7. Mathias Frank Trek-Segafredo for the first classics.” (SUI) 1:19, 8. Lachlan Morton (AUS) 1:21, 9. Belgium’s Ben Hermans (second right) from BMC, Norwegian Alexander Kristoff (R) from Team Katusha Alpecin, Eritrean time after his switch from Kristoff , followed across the line in Giovanni Visconti (ITA) 1:33, 10. Nathan Merhawi Kudus (second left) from Team Dimension Data and Belgian Aime De Gendt from SVB team during the victory Saxo-Tinkoff . Muscat by Eduard Grosu of Romania and Haas (AUS) 1:38. ceremony of the 8th edition of the cycling Tour of Oman yesterday. (AFP) Gulf Times 8 Monday, February 20, 2017 SPORT

FOCUS Imperious Hirscher hails ‘perfect’ World Ch’ships

AFP Michael Matt, second and third fast- St. Moritz, Switzerland est after the fi rst run, dropped valuable seconds to eventually fi nish seventh and eighth. arcel Hirscher was at his Sweden’s Mattias Hargin looked to imperious best as he sped to be set for a podium place, with a healthy victory in the slalom at the lead time as he dropped into the bot- World Ski Championships tom section, only to ski out. Teammate yesterdayM to add to his triumph in the Andre Myhrer, winner at last season’s and silver in the combined. World Cup fi nals on the same slope, The 27-year-old Austrian, who also came in sixth, one place behind Russia’s won the world slalom title on home Alexander Khoroshilov. snow in Schladming in 2013, led af- There was the disappointment of ter the fi rst run and went on to clock another fourth place for Henrik Krist- a combined total of 1min 34.75sec to off ersen, the Norwegian having missed bring the curtain down on what he out on a giant slalom bronze by just dubbed a “perfect” championships. fi ve-hundredths of a second. That was a massive 0.68sec ahead of This time around Kristoff ersen, teammate Manuel Feller, whose silver winner of fi ve slaloms this season and was a career-fi rst podium fi nish. Ger- considered a gold medal contender many’s Felix Neureuther, victor in 10 here, was 0.11sec short of a medal. World Cup slaloms and previously a sil- Norway, in the absence of the injured ver and bronze medal winner at the last , fi nished fourth in two Worlds, claimed bronze, at 0.93sec. all fi ve of the men’s events in St Moritz. Hirscher admitted to racing the sla- Britain’s , whose sec- lom without pressure after his success- “After that very emotional giant slow so I decided to give everything in Only Austrian (seven) His slalom/giant slalom double was ond place in the Kitzbuehel slalom in es in the week leading up to the most slalom gold medal, which I’ve waited these two runs and it worked and now has more world titles than Hirscher, the fi rst since legendary Italian Alberto January was the country’s best for a technical of the events. for for a pretty long time, twice second the perfect championships are over.” who is now level with France’s Jean- Tomba achieved the feat in 1996. The male skier since 1981, also threatened “It is a very great feeling to ski with- position behind at the last Hirscher’s victory was his sixth Claude Killy. Austrian also becomes the fi rst man to in the fi rst run, in which he was fourth out this pressure on your shoulders,” two world champs, it was super easy world gold, two coming in team events, Hirscher has also notched up 43 claim three world medals at three dif- fastest. But a bad mistake on the sec- he said. “After the silver medal in the for me mentally to go into this race. and confi rmed his status as men’s ski- victories and 105 podiums in the World ferent editions. ond descent saw him clock up just the combined, the minimum goal was “Everything was ok, it didn’t mat- ing’s top performer, although he only Cup and is seemingly on track to claim In a nerve-racking race down the 22nd fastest time for 11th place overall. reached with one medal in fi ve starts at ter if I straddled at fi rst gate. The only has one Olympic medal to his name — a sixth consecutive overall title on the Suvretta course basked in sunshine, “I just wish I could have done better,” these world champs. thing that would not be fi ne was skiing slalom silver in the Games. season-long circuit. Austrian duo and said the Englishman.

SPOTLIGHT UNSTOPPABLE No limits Olympic white for peerless elephants? Rio’s Shiff rin AFP to St Moritz. St. Moritz, Switzerland “There is no limit,” warned Shiff rin, who now seems des- tined to accelerate her pursuit of peed divas be warned — the footsteps of Sweden’s Anja three-time consecutive Paerson and Kostelic, both sla- world slalom champion lom specialists who turned into got a herd of them Mikaela Shiff rin is tar- complete overall performers. Sgeting the super-G and downhill “Right now I’m still really mo- in her quest for global domination. tivated, I want to be the best ski- From the dead grass at the world famous Maracana stadium to the unsold apartments in the The American, still only 21 er, not just the fastest skier, but years old, vowed she had “no lim- the best technically, the strong- 31 towers of the athletes’ village that were meant to become a new luxury neighbourhood, you its” after crushing the opposition est person, be the most consist- by a whopping 1.64 seconds over ent,” the American said. don’t have to look far to see the unfulfilled promises of South America’s first two runs in the women’s slalom “So far my career has been at the World Ski Championships like that and I want to keep going in St Moritz. It was her third with it now, especially going into world win on the trot after previ- speed disciplines as well. I have ous victories in 2015 and 2013. a lot of goals there and hopefully Shiff rin opted out of compet- some day I’d like to win in super- ing in the super-G and alpine G and downhill, but that’ll take combined, saying she wanted some time before I can do that to focus on what she currently consistently, so it’s defi nitely a does best — the more technically long road for me. It feels like I challenging slalom and giant sla- just started!” lom. It was a ploy that paid off , Turning to her crushing sla- Shiff rin having also won a silver lom victory in St Moritz, Shif- in the giant slalom. frin acknowledged that it was no “I’m proud we took a step back mean feat, but admitted she was and said ‘I’m not doing the com- struggling to take it on board. bined or super-G but I’m focus- “I don’t really know what that ing on my events and will do my means yet,” she said of the treble, best’,” she said. “It put a little bit matching Germany’s Christel more pressure on the giant sla- Cranz, but that was back in 1937- lom and slalom but at the end of 39 when the world champion- the day it paid off .” ships were much smaller, equip- Shiff rin stormed to promi- ment used was nowhere near as nence as a precocious teenager cutting edge as it is today, and View of the tennis court at the Olympic Park after it was on the tough World Cup circuit. course-setting and preparation covered by sand to be used for beach volley in Rio. (AFP) Her breakthrough victory in the were not nearly as taxing as mod- Schladming worlds four years ern skiers face. AFP cians. If these schools don’t get built it ago promised a racer with nerve “I didn’t realise (about the tre- Rio de Janeiro will be a true fi asco,” Gustavo Martins, the and stamina, and she has not dis- ble) until someone mentioned it project’s original architect, said. appointed since. to me fi ve days ago. Today my real Other installations are meant to be She bagged the double in Bea- focus was just on the day, the two io’s Olympic organisers prom- turned over for use as high level sporting ver Creek/Vail in 2015 — a year runs and my own skiing. I was ised there would be no white ele- centers, but that also has yet to take place. after winning Olympic gold in trying not to worry about any- phants after the crowds and ath- “We’re going to have a meeting with the the Sochi Games — to join retired one else, any of the other skiers. Rletes went home. Unfortunately, sports ministry next week and we hope to Croatian Janica Kostelic as the It wasn’t about three medals, but six months later there’s a herd charging be able to use these installations in the sole skier to have defended a sla- today and one medal,” she added. through Brazil’s run-down second city. second quarter,” said Agberto Guimaraes, lom title in the modern era. Shiff rin said the record was From the dead grass at the world fa- executive director at the Brazilian Olym- Shiff rin, with 28 World Cup “a lot to think about”. “It’s a long mous Maracana stadium to the unsold pic Committee. wins to her credit, has shown time ago. It’s diffi cult to perform apartments in the 31 towers of the athletes’ Arguably the biggest legacy promise increasing ability in the speed so well in big events three con- village that were meant to become a new was dramatically reducing pollution in events, fi nishing a very credit- secutive times. It’s defi nitely not luxury neighbourhood, you don’t have to Guanabara Bay, the sewage-infested bay able fi fth in a testing super-G easy, I can understand why peo- look far to see the unfulfi lled promises of Carioca Arena, which where sailing events took place. Brazilian in Cortina just before travelling ple haven’t done it.” South America’s fi rst Olympic Games. hosted wrestling and judo offi cials initially promised to cut out 80% competitions in Rio. (AFP) Even a year before the Games started, of the untreated sewage pouring into the a top offi cial in the mayor’s ce,offi Pedro waterway. Paulo, promised: “We will leave no white That didn’t come close to happen- elephants.” Right before the August 21 ing and now that the media attention has closing ceremony, then mayor Eduardo largely ended, there are doubts about the Paes repeated the assurance. future of even tentative eff orts to reduce City and sports offi cials point to a new the sewage and garbage. metro line and bus network as lasting After the Games ended, offi cials pre- achievements. The transport system in dicted that 25 years would be needed to often chaotic Rio was badly in need of help do the job properly and even then only if and these costly infrastructure projects there were huge private investment. are widely seen as a success. The brightest spot is in transport, with But the Olympic Park, partly built on an Olympic record of 28, it’s now a dank, tainty over who will even run the installa- a metro line extension connecting the land formerly occupied by a deeply root- mosquito-fi lled hole. tions. The Olympic Park was expected to western neighbourhoods of Barra da Ti- ed local community, is in a state of eerie One of the most popular sporting lega- go into the hands of a private management juca to the tourist-friendly south of Rio. abandonment. Open to the public only on cies promised was to turn the Deodoro ca- company, but no one was interested. So the A once dirty and abandoned har- weekends, the vast area where swimming, noe slalom course into a giant swimming Brazilian sports ministry had to take over. bour zone was given a huge makeover, gymnastics, basketball and other popular pool. This was sure to be popular with the The Arena of the Future was meant to where the Museum of Tomorrow and competitions took place sees few visi- poor residents of northern Rio during the be broken up and transformed into four the AquaRio aquarium have proved hits. tors. Construction equipment is scattered city’s scorching summers. schools — another bright idea in the opti- However, Brazil’s recession has put a stop about, former rows of seats are piled up, But instead the park is closed. And al- mistic legacy plans. However, this has not to plans for further development. and sewage holes are left half-uncovered. though the mayor’s offi ce says “every- happened and the new mayor, elected after “Rio’s legacy plan is good,” said Chris- As for the Olympic swimming warm- thing is being done to reopen it as soon as the Olympics, says more time is needed to tophe Dubi, the International Olympic up pool, where just half a year ago Michael possible”, few are holding their breath. check the budget. “As a citizen, I’m very Committee’s executive director. “But it Phelps prepared to raise his medal tally to At the base of Rio’s problems is uncer- worried. I’ve learned not to trust politi- has to be carried out.” Gulf Times Monday, February 20, 2017 9 SPORT

TENNIS Wallabies lock Vickerman Basilashvili one win dies at age 37 away from breaking

AFP Sydney

Georgia’s ATP duck ormer Wallabies lock Dan Vickerman has passed away suddenly at the age Fof 37, plunging the rugby world into a ‘The more matches you play, the more you get used to playing in these important moments. I have state of shock, the Australian Rugby Union informed yesterday. really good energy at the moment and am enjoying being on court, so I hope to keep this level going’ The South African-born lock, who played 63 Tests for the Wallabies up until 2011, passed away at his family home in Sydney late Satur- Agencies day, the ARU said in a statement. Vickerman Los Angeles Kei Nishikori during his Argentina Open leaves behind wife Sarah and two sons. Authori- semi-final against Carlos Berlocq in Buenos ties have yet to comment on the cause of death. Aires. Nishikori won 4-6, 6-4, 6-3. (AFP) “The rugby world is in shock after news of ikoloz Basilashvili is one the tragic passing of Dan Vickerman,” ARU win away from becoming chief executive Bill Pulver said. “Dan was an the fi rst player from Geor- uncompromising competitor who forged a gia to win an ATP Tour ti- wonderful international rugby career despite Ntle after he sailed into the fi nal of the a number of injury setbacks along the way. Memphis Open yesterday. “A much-loved character off the field. He cared The 24-year-old survived a tight deeply about the game and the players, helping fi rst set against Mikhail Kukushkin, players transition into life after rugby in his role before racing through the second set with (the players association) RUPA following his to complete a 7-6(5), 6-1 victory over retirement. Our thoughts and prayers are with his Kazakh opponent. Basilashvili Dan’s family at this extremely diff icult time.” will play Ryan Harrison in the fi nal, Former Wallaby Phil Waugh, a close friend after the American overcame com- and teammate, said it was a terrible day for patriot Donald Young 6-4, 6-4 in the rugby in Australia. “We all have huge admira- other semi-fi nal. tion for the guy that he was,” Waugh said. “The more matches you play, the “He’s a guy that necessarily wasn’t the loudest more you get used to playing in these in the team, but had the most respect from important moments,” said Basilash- everyone playing with him. There’s so many vili, who is ranked a career-high 67th positive memories of him on and off the field.” after making it to the semi-fi nals at Another former Wallabies teammate Matt the Sofi a Open last week. “I have re- Burke added: “Very abrasive as a player but ally good energy at the moment and a great lad, great tourist, a very good player am enjoying being on the court, so I and was just one of the good lads that you hope to keep this level going.” enjoyed his company.” Basilashvili played aggressively Springbok great Victor Matfield tweeted: against Kukushkin, but converted “Waking up to sad news about Dan Vickerman only one of his 10 break points in a this morning. Always enjoyed playing against marathon fi rst set, which lasted near- him. A real competitor and a great guy.” ly 90 minutes and hung in the balance RUPA CEO Ross Xenos said Vickerman was deep into the tiebreak. He took just 22 well respected in the rugby world. “Dan was minutes to close out the second set. universally respected by his peers and the The player from Tbilisi has not rugby community during and beyond his play- dropped a set all week, going from ing days. Since retiring, he was very generous strength to strength after beating top in giving back to the game through coaching seed Ivo Karlovic in the round of 16. and voluntary roles supporting players’ off -field Basilashvili should be more rested development,” Xenos said. “We encourage all for the fi nal than Harrison, who af- players who are aff ected by today’s terribly sad ter beating Young in the evening semi news to support and be there for each other had to go straight back out for a dou- and to contact RUPA if they would like to talk.” bles semi-fi nal. Born in Cape Town, Vickerman moved Harrison, ranked 62nd in the world, dam World Tennis fi nal and record his Berdych, the 2014 champion and 2015 needed two hours 45 minutes to see China complete 5-0 to Australia and the Brumbies in the 2001 will be competing in his fi rst fi nal, af- 400th career win. The French sixth fi nalist playing his fourth semi-fi nal off wild card Berlocq, the 34-year- sweep over Taiwan season. The following year he made his Test ter losing his seven previous semi-fi - seed will compete for his fi rst title at at the Dutch event. He came good in old world number 77 to set-up a debut in a 31-25 Wallabies victory over France nal appearances. “I hit some obstacles the Ahoy stadium after fi nishing run- his second semi-fi nal of the season as title showdown against Ukraine’s In Taipei, Li Zhe and Zhang Zhizhen in Sydney. Following three seasons with the in my career where I really wasn’t sure ner-up six years ago. He next faces he bids for a fi rst trophy since win- Aleksandr Dolgopolov, who beat won singles rubbers to complete a Brumbies, Vickerman joined the Waratahs in if I was ever going to be able to do this Belgian third seed David Goffi n, who ning at home in Metz in 2015. Spanish fourth seed Pablo Carreno- 5-0 triumph for China over Taiwan in 2004 where he played five seasons in Sydney. again, so I’m really happy,” said Harri- defeated French qualifi er Pierre-Hu- Berdych came to the court with an Busta 7-5, 6-2. their Davis Cup Asia/Oceania Group After playing in his second Rugby World son, 24, who also has not dropped a set gues Herbert 6-1, 6-3 in 74 minutes, 8-3 lead in the series, including wins Nishikori made the fi nal on hard I tie. Li beat Lee Kuan-yi 5-7, 6-2, Cup in 2007 in France, he quit international all week. The two fi nalists will meet breaking four times. in their last two meetings, one a Doha court in Brisbane in January but was 7-6 (7/3) while Zhang defeated Peng rugby for three years to study in England and for the fi rst time. Goffi n will be playing his second quarter-fi nal last month. Tsonga fi n- beaten by Bulgaria’s Grigor Dimitrov Hsien-yin (TPE) 6-2, 3-6, 7-6(7/4) in earned a degree in Land Economics from Basilashvili defeated world fi nal in as many weeks after losing ished with two breaks of the 13th- in three sets. The 27-year-old will be Kaohsiung city, although China had Cambridge University. number eight Dominic Thiem last to Grigor Dimitrov in the title match ranked Czech while never facing a break chasing his 12th career title and third already sealed victory following Sat- While in England he played in two Varsity week en route to the semi-fi nals in Sofi a. The Belgian had already point in what quickly became one-way on clay after triumphs in Barcelona in urday’s doubles rubber. matches and also had a short stint with the in Sofi a, where he lost to eventual avenged that defeat by seeing off traffi c. “My only goal is to win the next 2014 and 2015. Chinese pair Wu Di and Zhang Northampton Saints in the 2009-10 season. champion Grigor Dimitrov. The Dimitrov in the Rotterdam quarter- match, this would be important for Dolgopolov, 28, has not dropped a Zhizhen took three straight sets The towering backrower returned to Australia Georgian’s only prior ATP fi nal came fi nals on Friday. Goffi n had not won me,” 2011 runner-up Tsonga said. set all week to reach his seventh ATP from Jason Jung and Peng Hsien-yin to continue his career with the Waratahs and in last July’s Austrian Open, where he a main draw match in Rotterdam be- fi nal. He will be contesting his fi rst 7-6 (7/4), 6-4, 6-3, putting China Wallabies, earning a place in the Wallabies lost to Italy’s Paolo Lorenzi. fore this breakthrough week and will title match in three years, since fall- through to face Kazakhstan in a pro- 2011 Rugby World Cup squad. reach a top 10 ranking for the fi rst Nishikori battles into ing to Rafael Nadal in Rio de Janeiro motion play-off in early April. Vickerman made his final Test appearance time after making the fi nal. Buenos Aires final in 2014. Taiwan has not beaten China in in the 2011 World Cup semi-final against New Tsonga faces Goff in “It was a good match, I played “I feel very good,” said world almost a decade, having lost the Zealand in Auckland. He was forced to retire in Dutch final pretty solid on my serve, which is In Buenos Aires, Japanese top seed number 66 Dolgopolov. “It’s really last three times the cross-strait op- in 2012 through persistent problems with good for my game. When I’m serving Kei Nishikori reached his second fi nal nice to be in a fi nal again because be- ponents faced off in 2011, 2012, and stress fractures in his right leg. After retiring In Rotterdam, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga like this I’m able to create a bit more of 2017 with a gruelling 4-6, 6-4, 6-3 cause I had a couple of tough years.” 2013. Taiwan’s Jung is ranked 168th, Vickerman worked in the real estate and rained down 10 aces, fi nishing off on the return and be a bit more off en- win over Argentina’s Carlos Berlocq Nishikori will square off against the highest among both teams, but development industry and was helping at Tomas Berdych 6-3, 6-4 in 72 min- sive,” Tsonga said. at the clay-court tournament. Dolgopolov for the sixth time, having had conceded his Friday’s singles Sydney University Rugby club until last year. utes to power into a second Rotter- Tsonga was unstoppable against The world number fi ve Nishikori won all 10 sets played. match due to a leg injury. US, Argentina remain unbeaten with lopsided wins

AFP scored a last try to trim the fi nal margin. Washington Action from yesterday’s Americas Rugby In Chile, Argentina’s Bruno Devoto Championship match between USA (blue) and scored two tries and the visitors rolled to Canada in Burnaby. USA won 51-34. (AFP) a 17-3 half-time edge and dominated the ike Te’o scored three tries to second half to keep the Condors winless. power the United States over Chile opened the scoring on Jorge Canada 51-34 but defend- Castillo’s penalty, but Argentine cap- ing champions Argentina tain Juan Cappiello answered with a routedM hosts Chile 45-10 to stay atop the try to his squad ahead to stay. Argenti- Americas Rugby Championship. na’s Fernando Luna added a try to end Argentina and the US Eagles each the fi rst half while Juan Cruz Gonzalez improved to 3-0, but the South Ameri- kicked a penalty. cans stretched their scoring diff erence Luna and Gonzalez each kicked margin atop the table from fi ve to 23 three conversions as well. points in the Six Nations-styled event. Devoto, Nicolas Solveyra and If both teams win next week, when Bautista Delguy added second half the US squad visits Chile and Argen- tries for Argentina while Rodrigo Fern- tina entertain Brazil, the title will come andez produced the only Chilean try. down to a US visit to Argentina in the Brazil jumped ahead 6-5 early at March 4 fi nale. Uruguay downed Brazil Uruguay, Moises Duque sandwich- 23-12 in Saturday’s other match. ing penalty kicks around captain Juan In suburban Vancouver, Ryan Mat- Gaminara’s unconverted try for the yas made a 30-meter run for try and host Teros. Te’o split two defenders after a stolen But tries from Ignacio Dotti in the line out for another US try in the fi rst 17th minute and Alejandro Nieto in the fi ve minutes before Shaun Davies add- 40th boosted Uruguay ahead 15-6 at ed a penalty kick for a 15-0 Eagles lead. half-time. Taylor Paris and Philip Mack an- er tackle in the 38th minute and the early in the second half and the Eagles US captain Todd Clever scored a try the 65th minute and Davies converted Duque lifted Brazil within a con- swered with tries to pull Canada with- Americans struck seconds later, Tony struck again with Canada still short- when the maul drove over the line and for a 44-20 US edge. verted try on a 43rd-minute penalty in 15-12 before Will Magie and Rob- Purpura driving over from the maul handed, Magie’s kick to the corner be- Davies converted for a 37-15 lead. Canada reserve George Barton added but Santiago Arata’s try in response bie Povey exchanged penalty kicks. with Davies converting to put the US ing knocked backwards by US winger Paris answered with an unconverted a try but Te’o responded to complete three minutes later boosted Uruguay’s But Canadian captain Ray Barkwill squad ahead 25-15 at half-time. Nate Augspurger and recovered by Te’o try for Canada three minutes later but the hat trick of tries for a 51-27 US ad- lead to 20-9 before penalties created was sent to the sin bin for an improp- Povey missed the posts on a penalty for a try and a 30-15 lead. John Quill added a try for the Eagles in vantage. Canada’s Admir Cejvanovic the fi nal margin. Gulf Times 10 Monday, February 20, 2017

NZ VS SA, 1ST ODI FOCUS De Villiers gets Root happy to rely on South Africa home old friend Stokes

AFP together we have a good under- with a ball to spare Leeds, United Kingdom standing, and it will be exactly the same in these new roles.” Root has had a close-up view De Kock scores 69 before captain comes to the rescue in a tense finish hen Joe Root leads of Stokes’s skill on the Test stage, England out for the be it his blistering double cen- AFP fi rst time as Test tury against South Africa in Cape Hamilton, New Zealand captain he will be Town last year or his fi ve- Wable to turn to a familiar face in haul in England’s 2015 Ashes- . clinching victory at Trent Bridge, polished Quinton de Kock half Yorkshire batsman Root fi rst a match destined to be remem- laid the foundation for came across Stokes in an Under- bered for Stuart Broad’s remark- South Africa’s four wicket win 12s tournament when the all- able eight for 15 on the fi rst day. over New Zealand in a tense fi n- rounder was representing Cum- “He’s very ‘in your face’, and ishA to a rain-shortened opening one-day bria. sometimes you need that up- international in Hamilton yesterday. Stokes may have had to move front brashness,” said Root of In a clash that went down to the wire, to nearby Durham in order to Stokes. it was a man-of-the-match performance pursue a fi rst-class cricket ca- “That second-innings display from de Kock on a wicket that took an ex- reer, but Root reckons many of from Ben — the ‘fi ve-for’, the skill ceptional amount of spin in New Zealand the fi ery all-rounder’s enduring he showed — I am sure in any conditions. traits as a player were on show other Test match he would have The departure of de Kock for 69 from an early age. got man-of-the-match,” added sparked a middle order collapse as even And knowing him as well as he Root, modestly omitting his cen- the New Zealand quicks turned to bowl- does, Root was happy to nomi- tury in the same match. ing cutters on the responsive pitch before nate Stokes as his vice-captain “Then, the way he played in an AB de Villiers rescue mission saw his after he himself accepted the top South Africa was just incredible side home with a ball to spare. job last weekend following the — and he is that sort of player “We never expected it to turn like that resignation as Test skipper of that with the odd moment in the in Hamilton,” de Villiers said. Alastair Cook. fi eld can really change a game, “From past experience this becomes a England and Wales Cricket turn it on its head.” really good batting track in the evening board director Andrew Strauss, Cook said one reason why he but that was far from it.” himself a former England cap- was able to lead England in a With the fi xture reduced to 34 overs tain, was of the same opinion as record 59 Tests was to avoid so- a side following heavy rain early in the the leadership of the side moved cial media, thereby remaining day, New Zealand posted 207 for seven, decisively to a younger gen- ignorant of the more extreme boosted by a whirlwind 51 off 23 balls at eration ahead of the teams next criticism that came his way. the end by unbeaten pair Colin de Grand- Test, against South Africa at Root, however, has no inten- homme and Tim Southee. Lord’s in July. tion of closing his Twitter ac- But any thoughts New Zealand had Recalling his fi rst impression count any time soon. that they were in a strong performance of Stokes, 26-year-old Root, “It’s something I’ve grown up were soon dashed by the way de Kock not bothering to suppress a grin, with in international sport, so launched into South Africa’s reply. said: “He was a little podgy me- I’m used to it,” Root explained. “At the halfway stage we felt we were dium-pacer back then. “With Cooky, it came along half right in the game,” captain Kane William- He’s obviously a slightly dif- way through his career. son said. ferent player right now,” added “With the new age we’re in “We knew needing fi ve and a half on Root, speaking at his Headingley now, where social media is a big that surface was going to be diffi cult and home ground. part of communicating and get- they got off to a very good start which “But he was always in your ting things out there, it’s some- made chasing down that total a lot easier.” face, letting you know he was thing you’ve just got to adapt to “South Africa showed their class with there — and that was great to and accept... it’s always going to the bat, batted very well and their com- South Africa’s AB de Villiers (left) and teammate Andile Phehlukwayo celebrate winning the ODI against New Zealand at Seddon Park play against. be there. posure towards the end was very impor- in Hamilton yesterday. (AFP) “We get on well outside of “It’s a great opportunity to get tant on a tough surface.” cricket as well. When we bat your messages across as well.” South Africa went into the fi nal over IN TATTERS order in tatters with only Kane William- 7-0-62-4 (1w), Phehlukwayo 5-0-28-0 (1w), of their reply requiring 12 to win, and de Chris Morris survived the hat-trick ball son (59) and Dean Brownlie (31) off ering Tahir 7-0-42-0, Shamsi 7-1-39-1, Duminy Villiers ended the game with a four off the and made 16 before his dismissal had South any resistance. 1-0-4-0 fi fth ball of Tim Southee’s over. Africa at 156-6 with 44 balls remaining. With de Kock in sublime form, assisted De Villiers with 37 off 34 balls and SCORECARD SOUTH AFRICA by Hashim Amla, South Africa started Andile Phehulkwayo (29 off 23) combined NEW ZEALAND Q. de Kock c Taylor b Boult 69 their run chase strongly with an 88-run eff orts to get the tourists home. D. Brownlie c Behardien b Morris 31 H. Amla c & b Williamson 35 stand. De Grandhomme and Southee’s whirl- T. Latham lbw Morris 0 F. du Plessis lbw Sodhi 14 Williamson used fi ve bowling changes wind partnership gave the New Zealand K. Williamson b Shamsi 59 A. de Villiers not out 37 in the fi rst 15 overs in an attempt to break innings a respectable look after they too R. Taylor c & b Morris 1 J. Duminy c & b Southee 1 up the pair but only succeeded when he suff ered a middle order collapse. N. Broom c Behardien b Morris 2 F. Behardien b Southee 0 put himself, a part-time spinner, on and De Grandhomme was unbeaten on 34 J. Neesham c de Kock b Rabada 29 C. Morris c Boult b Santner 16 had Amla caught and bowled for 35. off 19 balls while Southee faced 13 balls to M. Santner c de Kock b Rabada 17 A. Phehlukwayo not out 29 (14) joined de Kock to be 24 not out. C. de Grandhomme not out 34 Extras (b2, lb3, w4) 9 get the score to 117 when the South Afri- They were particularly harsh on the T. Southee not out 24 Total (for 6 ; 33.5 overs) 210 can innings suff ered a collapse with vefi most successful of the South Afri- Extras (b1, w9) 10 Fall of wickets: 1-88 (Amla), 2-117 (du Ples- wickets falling in the space of 39 runs. can bowlers, Morris, smacking the all- Total (7 wickets; 34.0 overs) 207 sis), 3-125 (de Kock), 4-126 (Duminy), 5-126 Trent Boult had de Kock caught in a rounder for 25 in the fi nal over. Fall of wickets: 1-19 (Latham), 2-69 (Behardien), 6-156 (Morris) sharp piece of fi elding by Ross Taylor at It saw Morris’s fi gures balloon out to (Brownlie), 3-72 (Taylor), 4-82 (Broom), Bowling: Santner 7-0-33-1, Boult 7-0-45-1, short midwicket and Tim Southee re- four for 62 off his seven overs, after he had 5-108 (Williamson), 6-136 (Santner), 7-156 Southee 6.5-0-47-2 (2w), de Grandhomme moved JP Duminy and Farhaan Behardein four for 24 off fi ve. (Neesham) 4-0-27-0, Sodhi 7-0-36-1, Williamson 2-0- with consecutive deliveries. Morris had left the New Zealand top Bowling: Rabada 7-1-31-2 (3w), Morris 17-1 (1w)

AUS VS SL, 2ND T20I Gunaratne fi reworks win T20 series for Sri Lanka

AFP lost too many wickets early but Asela balls and the promoted Ben Dunk 32 off A. Tye lbw b Kulasekara 0 Geelong, Australia fi nished the game for us,” skipper Upul only 14 balls. J. Richardson b Kulasekara 0 Tharanga said. Dilshan Munaweera’s one over cost Extras (lb5, w3) 8 “Winning in Australia is a huge 22 runs, with Dunk clouting him for Total (all out, 20 overs) 173 sela Gunaratne slammed a achievement. This is Asela’s fi rst tour three sixes and a four. Fall of wickets: 1-18 (Finch), 2-63 pulse-racing 84 to power Sri to Australia and we are happy.” Sri Lanka did not help their cause (Dunk), 3-113 (Klinger), 4-121 (Head), Lanka to a last-ball victory Australia’s captain Aaron Finch paid with a few dropped catches. Kapuged- 5-134 (Turner), 6-144 (Faulkner), 7-162 against Australia on Sunday, tribute to Gunaratne’s dynamic in- era put down Henriques when he was (Paine), 8-169 (Cummins), 9-173 (Tye), clinchingA their series. nings. on 19. 10-173 (Richardson) Gunaratne pounded the Australian “When you’ve got an in-form batter But Milinda Siriwardana took a su- Bowling: Malinga 4-0-31-2, Kulasekara bowlers with fi ve sixes and six fours in, it is tough. That was one hell of an perb diving catch at long-off to dismiss 4-0-31-4 (2w), Bandara 4-0-32-2 (1w), off 46 balls to get his side home by two innings,” Finch said. Ashton Turner for seven. Munaweera 1-0-22-0, Gunaratne 3-0-26- wickets to scenes of wild jubilation at “I thought the way we bowled in the Australia made two changes, with 1, Prasanna 4-0-26-1 Geelong. middle was outstanding. When you fast bowler Jhye Richardson making his It was the second time the Sri Lankans have a good player in good form, they debut and Dunk called in to bolster the SRI LANKA had denied Australia victory off the last hurt you. top order. N. Dickwella c Paine b Faulkner 14 ball, with Chamara Kapugedera ham- “Sri Lanka played very well there. Fast bowler Billy Stanlake was U. Tharanga c Richardson b Turner 4 mering a boundary to win Friday’s open- Take nothing away from them. We have dropped along with the legspinner D. Munaweera c Paine b Tye 10 ing match in Melbourne. been on the receiving end again. The . K. Mendis c Paine b Richardson 5 The Sri Lankans remain unbeaten series is gone, hopefully we can salvage Sri Lanka made one change to the A. Gunaratne not out 84 in fi ve T20Is in Australia, but this was something in Adelaide.” team that won in Melbourne on Friday, M. Siriwardana c Turner b Tye 0 their fi nest come-from-behind per- The series may be decided but there bringing in batsman Kusal Mendis at C. Kapugedera c Dunk b Cummins 32 formance in front of their excited expa- is one match to play, in Adelaide on the expense of left-arm wrist-spinner S. Prasanna c Head b Faulkner 7 triate fans. Wednesday, with the Sri Lankans eye- Lakshan Sandakan. N. Kulasekara c Klinger b Tye 12 With four overs left Sri Lanka needed ing a clean sweep. L. Malinga not out 1 52 to win but an undaunted Gunaratne Their triumph in Australia follows a SCORECARD Extras (lb2, w5) 7 tore into the Australian attack, slam- 2-1 T20 series victory over South Africa AUSTRALIA Total (8 wickets, 20 overs) 176 ming Moises Henriques for three con- last month. M. Klinger c Dickwella b Bandara 43 Fall of wickets: 1-5 (Tharanga), 2-22 secutive sixes and a four and then tak- The Australians could not believe A. Finch c and b Bandara 12 (Dickwella), 3-27 (Mendis), 4-40 ing two fours and a six off Andrew Tye’s what they were seeing after having the Henriques earlier hit his fi rst T20 in- three wickets in the fi nal over to keep B. Dunk b Gunaratne 32 (Munaweera), 5-40 (Siriwardana), 6-92 fi nal over. tourists struggling on 40 for fi ve in the ternational half-century to steer Aus- the dangerous Henriques away from M. Henriques not out 56 (Kapugedera), 7-119 (Prasanna), 8-160 The bashful Gunaratne only off ered a fi fth over and going nowhere fast. tralia to 173 after they were sent in to bat. the strike and restrict the Australia T. Head c Dickwella b Kulasekara 4 (Kulasekara) few words — “It is a very happy moment” But Gunaratne, who bludgeoned 52 off The big-hitting all-rounder was left score. He fi nished with four for 31 from A. Turner c Siriwardana b Prasanna 7 Bowling: Turner 2-0-15-1, Cummins 3-0- — before dashing away from his post- 37 balls in the fi rst game in Melbourne, unbeaten on 56 from 37 balls when the four overs. J. Faulkner lbw b Malinga 1 28-1 (1w), Faulkner 4-0-32-2, Richardson match man-of-the-match presentation. hit out spectacularly while Kapugedera last wicket fell off the final ball. Australia began strongly, with T. Paine lbw b Malinga 7 3-0-24-1, Tye 4-0-37-3 (1w), Henriques “Asela’s was an amazing innings. We chipped in with a run-a-ball 32. Veteran Nuwan Kulasekara captured Michael Klinger slamming 43 off 37 P. Cummins b Kulasekara 3 4-0-38-0 (2w) Gulf Times Monday, February 20, 2017 11 CRICKET

FOCUS IPL ‘Hammerman’ primed to make Ben Stokes his latest auction millionaire Richard Madley is again calling lots at cricket’s richest auction with eight England players hoping to spark bidding wars

By Ali Martin and I’m sure the England boys have The Guardian talked to Jos Buttler. He is playing for Indians for a second season this year and so already knows how he auc- much there is to learn from sharing the tion, cricket’s most capricious dressing rooms with the word’s best market place, gets under way players.” at the Ritz-Carlton hotel in Madley recalls one such example TBengaluru on Monday and presiding from the second IPL auction, when over the bids, bargains and blow-outs US dollars were the set currency, and will be the Briton known locally as the bidding for Mashrafe Mortaza, the “The Hammerman”. Bangladesh seamer, started at $50,000 A career auctioneer who has worked and ended up at $600,000 when the all over the world, Richard Madley was hammer came down in favour of the roped in to devise and run the inau- Knight Riders. “It just shows gural player sale in 2008 at a week’s how life changing the numbers can be,” notice and with a reputation for raising he says. money for county cricketers during The IPL auction is volatile and their benefi t years. Madley says predictions rarely come Having found his traditional to pass. And while in the early editions approach to the liking of the In- IPL auctioneer Richard Madley (Twitter). players were picked on Test reputa- dian cricket establishment since, the tions, sentimentality has long since 59-year-old now heads into his 10th his lot comes up. While the deals at disappeared; in 2011 Sourav Ganguly, IPL auction, with an expected televi- stake are for one season only, and all the great but then 38-year-old Indian sion audience in excess of 100 million the players will re-enter the auction in batsman, went unsold to the amaze- dwarfi ng that which will have seen him 2018, franchises are likely to have the ment of the wider cricketing public. as one of the tweed-clad experts on right to retain fi ve of their squad and “People asked if I was sad or disap- BBC’s Bargain Hunt or keeping wicket thus whoever gets the all-rounder now pointed but no, I could see why it hap- for Lacock 2nd XI in the Wiltshire could be making a long-term invest- pened,” he says. “The auction process League division seven. ment. is a pure and fair way of obtaining “Once a year some say I’m the most After Stokes, the best-placed market prices for a product. And if the infl uential man in world cricket,” Mad- Englishman is probably Mills. As a market doesn’t want it, it won’t be ley tells the Observer during a break England all-rounder Ben Stokes has set his reserve at the highest bracket of 2 crore rupees (£240,000). Twenty20 specialist, due to a con- sold, be it a King George III mahogany from valuing porcelain and oriental genital back problem that restricts his bureau or the former captain of India.” rugs at a country house in Somer- Jason Roy, Alex Hales, Chris Jordan and the case for Morgan, the captain, this “There are two boxes that need to workload, the left-arm fast bowler is Madley counts the $1.55m deals for set, while pointing out the Wiltshire Tymal Mills all hoping to start bidding return date becomes 1 May. Andrew be ticked: whether the player is good clear to play the entire tournament and and Andrew Flintoff League has no eighth division. “My wars among the eight franchises and Strauss, the director of England crick- enough and their availability,” says when told he has set his reserve price in 2009 among his personal auction role as the IPL auctioneer is not too feature in the seven-week tournament et, has informed the franchises of their Madley. “Few English players have at a mere 50 lakh rupees – or £60,000 highlights – “I’ve turned more cricket- dissimilar to an umpire. They like that that begins on 5 April. availability already but has remained ticked both in the past. Franchise hold- – Madley replies: “How very sensible ers into millionaires than Kerry Packer I am authoritative, clipped in my pro- With only 28 places available for the publicly coy on the subject. ers want to build a team to take them to of him – he’s been well advised. People but Freddie is the only one to buy me a nunciation, rigid in my increments and 121 overseas players in the auction – Heavy compensation to the county the fi nal, and if a player won’t be there ask me about tactics and I always beer” – and during a decade in the role I don’t stand too much nonsense.” teams are allowed nine in their squad system and tax makes the pricing at the end, they may think twice. After remind them it’s when my hammer has become accustomed to requests This year’s auction is intriguing and only four in their XI – expect tricky too. To that end, the all-round- all, no Premier League club would sign falls, not when the bidding starts. So for autographs and selfi es on the street from an English perspective. Amid some disappointments, however, not ers Stokes and Woakes have set their a footballer that misses the end of the be brave. I am a big eBay-er and start a in India. an ever-thawing approach to the least since an England training camp reserves at the highest bracket of 2 season and likewise to a fan of the IPL, lot of my stuff at 99p. I know it’s worth Using the same gavel at each auc- tournament by the England and Wales in Spain means the regular one-day crore rupees (£240,000). Morgan is that’s not good enough.” more but it gets people watching, tion, Madley has told the Indian board Cricket Board, eight of their current players among them must return on 14 similarly top tier, while the bidding for Stokes, whose reputation soared competing, and 99p can become £99 that it can reside in their new museum internationals are among the 351 play- May, a week before the fi nal. Bairstow will start at 1.5 crore. Hales during England’s winter tours of India, very quickly. So I am encouraged by his one day when he eventually steps down ers up for sale, with Ben Stokes, Chris If a player is required for the early and his international opening partner is expected to overcome this issue and reserve. from the rostrum. “Unless Lord’s make Woakes, Jonny Bairstow, Eoin Morgan, summer series against Ireland, as is Roy both begin at 1 crore. IPL insiders predict “fi reworks” when “But it is not all about the money a higher bid, it will retire there!”

SPOTLIGHT AUSTRALIA’S TOUR OF INDIA Sri Lanka, Pakistan Iyer’s double ton helps India A draw vs Australia AFP arm spinner Steve O’Keefe. Mumbai Ishan Kishan (4) then gave a thick complete line-up for edge to keeper Matthew Wade off . hreyas Iyer blasted a fi ne double But Iyer and Gowtham put together a century yesterday to help India 138-run partnership against Australia’s women’s World Cup A draw their three-day warm- frontline spin attack, before Gowtham up match against Australia, as was bowled by O’Keefe. ing wickets at regular intervals and theS visitors gear up for the Test series The tailenders made little impact, Agencies went into a shell. It was 55 for eight starting Thursday. with O’Keefe and off -spinner Nathan by the 32nd over and the innings The right-hander hit a career-best Lyon bundling the remaining three petered out for 43.4 overs, of which 202 not out with 27 fours and seven sixes batsmen out in just over fi ve overs. ri Lanka and Pakistan have 18 were maiden overs. Left-arm to help India A reach 403 in reply to the Australian openers David Warner (35) completed the list of quali- spinner Ekta Bisht fi nished with a visitors’ fi rst-innings 469 for 7 declared and Matt Renshaw (10) failed to give their fi ers for the ICC Women’s career-best fi ve for eight, which in- at Mumbai’s . team a solid start in their second innings, World Cup 2017 after the cluded seven maiden overs. Australia were 4-110 in their second in- with the fi rst wicket falling at 27. lastS round of Super Six matches India opener Deepti Sharma nings when the captains agreed to call off The visitors lost their fourth wicket were completed at the ICC Wom- scored 29 not out and Harmanpreet the game half an hour before schedule. on 101 when Peter Handscomb (37) was en’s World Cup Qualifi er 2017 yes- Kaur made 24 as India got to the Iyer, 22, scored at almost a run a ball caught by Gowtham off Rishabh Pant. terday. target easily. and was well partnered by Krishnappa Sri Lanka scored a 42-run vic- Pakistan captain Sana Mir: “I’ve Gowtham, whose 74 included 10 fours BRIEF SCORES: Australia 469/7 dec and tory over Bangladesh under the to admit that we were a little wor- and four sixes. 110/4 (P Handscomb 37, D Warner 35) Duckworth-Lewis-Stern method ried about the run-rates as our Australia’s David Warner (left) congratulates India A’s Shreyas Iyer after the latter India started the day on 176 for four draw with India A 403 (Shreyas Iyer 202 to qualify as the third side behind batting collapsed. We were check- scored a double century on the final day of three-day practice match at the and fi rst to go was Rishabh Pant (21), not out, K Gowtham 74; N Lyon 4-162, S India and South Africa with six ing the scores of other teams. It Brabourne stadium in Mumbai yesterday. (AFP) when he was caught and bowled by left- O’Keefe 3-101) points in the Super Six stage while (qualifying) was something that we Pakistan had a forgettable outing wanted to do on our own but at the against India in its last match to fi n- end of the day we are carrying posi- SPOTLIGHT ish with four points. tives from here. Our batting per- Pakistan was bowled out for only formed well in other matches and 67 runs and lost by seven wickets that’s how we could qualify.” as India got past the target in only India captain Mithali Raj: “I’m 22.3 overs but Pakistan qualifi ed as happy at the way the team has Pakistan Super League fi nal must the fourth team since Bangladesh shaped up from the fi rst game. It was nowhere near a big win that it has been a good tournament so far needed against Sri Lanka to come for us. Our spinners have done well into the equation. Sri Lanka scored through the tournament but our 197 for nine and then reduced batting has to be better, especially if be in Lahore, says task force chief Bangladesh to 68 for fi ve when rain we are chasing 200 or more against stopped proceedings. top teams - that is an area that These four teams have not only needs to be addressed.” AFP and it’s fi nal should be held in Lahore,” juring seven visiting players. Since then man of the England and Wales Cricket qualifi ed for the ICC Women’s India’s unbeaten run in the tour- Dubai Clarke told AFP from London. “It is re- foreign teams have stayed away from Board. World Cup 2017 but also for the ICC nament saw it fi nish with a maxi- ally important that the fi nal should be Pakistan tours over security fears. “Terror has no place in our society,” Women’s Championship. World mum of 10 points after the Super held successfully.” Pakistan hosted a short limited over said Clarke. “Terrorists should share champion Australia, England, New Six stage while South Africa won all top international cricket of- The Pakistan Cricket Board has vowed series with Zimbabwe in May-June 2015 whatever arguments they have or use Zealand and the West Indies are its matches except the one against fi cial insisted Sunday that the to maintain the fi nal in Lahore, assuring but that failed to convince major teams ballot boxes.” the teams to have already made India to fi nish with eight points. fi nal of Pakistan’s Twenty20 VIP security arrangements — reserved to tour. Clarke praised Pakistan cricket fans. it by virtue of fi nishing in the top The two sides will now play the fi - league must be held in La- for state heads — for foreign players Clarke, who visited Pakistan last month “Pakistanis are cricket fanatics and four of the previous ICC Women’s nal on 21 February. horeA despite a major bomb attack in the willing to travel to the city. to study security arrangements for inter- have a great knowledge of cricket and Championship that ran from 2014 In its last match against Ireland, country last week. A suicide bomb blast in Lahore on Mon- national teams, said reviving international I am sure they want to see their heroes to 2016. South Africa bowled out the op- Giles Clarke, head of an International day, which left 14 people killed and over cricket in Pakistan will take time. and their own players playing at home The India-Pakistan match, position for 166 in 49.5 overs with Cricket Council team seeking to revive 100 injured, had threatened the event. But “It’s a long road for the return of bi- and enjoy thrilling matches.” which was live-streamed from P. captain Dane van Niekerk, Lizelle cricket in the country, said the March 5 the Pakistan army and government have lateral international cricket to Pakistan. Since 2009 Pakistan have been forced Sara Stadium at icc-cricket.com, Lee and Sune Luus all taking two fi nal of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) backed plans to stage it in the city. On my recent visit, I noticed that not to play all home series in United Arab was the only one to fi nish before wickets. Mary Waldron (33 not out) in Lahore would be a key part of eff orts Lahore was also where the Sri Lankan just the authorities but the man in the Emirates. Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Ire- their venue was hit by rain. and Isobel Joyce (30) were the main to revive cricket in the country. team bus was attacked by militants in street is seeking the return of cricket to land and West Indies have refused off ers Put in to bat, Pakistan kept los- scorers for Ireland. “PSL is Pakistan’s domestic event March 2009, killing eight people and in- Pakistan,” said Clarke, a former chair- to tour Pakistan in the last fi ve years.

Monday, February 20, 2017 GULF TIMES SPORT

CRICKET PAKISTAN SUPER LEAGUE Islamabad United beats Peshawar Smith replaces Zalmi in thriller Dhoni as IPL team ‘We did not have a good last season and we wanted someone young to lead the side and skipper revamp it ahead of the upcoming season 10’

AFP New Delhi

ahendra Singh Dhoni has Islamabad’s Amad Butt (left) scored the winning run off the last ball. been removed as skipper of his Indian Premier League Agencies runs scored and the match tied, team with Australia’s Steve Watson was run out on 30. MSmith replacing him for the upcoming New man Amad Butt scored tournament, an offi cial statement said the winning run off the last ball yesterday. slamabad United handed Pe- after managing to get his bat to Dhoni, who stepped down as India’s shawar Zalmi a fi ve-wicket an attempted yorker gone wrong limited-overs captain last month, will defeat in a nail-biting last- by Junaid Khan. continue to play as wicketkeeper-bats- ball thriller in the Pakistan There were a few good starts man for the Rising Supergiants in ISuper League in Sharjah on Sat- in the Islamabad United’s inning the Twenty20 franchise-based competi- urday. but no one able to bank on it to tion that begins April 5. Set a 137-run target, a shaky make a big total. “Rising Pune Supergiant today an- start saw United at 15 for the loss Earlier, Zalmi’s Eoin Morgan nounced the appointment of of two wickets by the third over. made 28 off 28 balls before fall- as their new captain for the forthcoming Opener Dwayne Smith carried ing prey to Shadab Khan. Wahab edition of IPL season 10,” a team state- the bat for United, remaining un- Riaz made a quick fi re 23, which ment said. beaten on 72 (59 balls). included scoring 21 runs in one Team owner Sanjiv Goenka said Dhoni With wickets falling at regular over of Watson, but he was soon “is supportive of the decision, keeping intervals, Smith was joined by clean bowled by Mohamed Sami. the franchise’s best interests in mind”. Shane Watson and the duo cre- Sami and Rumman Raees were Under 35-year-old Dhoni’s captaincy, ated a 63-run partnership for the the pick of bowlers for United. the Pune team fi nished second last in fi fth wicket. Sami took three wickets at an their debut IPL season in 2016, winning However, drama unfolded with economy of 6.5 in four overs, while only fi ve games and losing nine. United six runs away from vic- Raees took two scalps at an econo- Dhoni scored 284 runs in 12 innings at a tory with an over to go. With fi ve my of 4.75 in his allotted quota. strike rate of 135 while 27-year-old Smith, who captains Australia in all formats, hit 270 in seven at a 153-strike rate. Some reports said Dhoni took the deci- Spin twins lead Afghanistan to win sion to step down and was not sacked, but team owner Goenka told the Press Trust Afghanistan defeated Zimba- with 54 as well as dangerous of India that wasn’t the case. bwe by 54 runs to take a 2-0 big-hitter Hamilton Masakadza “Dhoni has not stepped down. We have In this January 20, 2016, picture, Australia’s captain Steve Smith (left) and Indian captain MS Dhoni (right) shake hands before the lead in their five-match ODI (five). appointed Steve Smith as the skipper,” start of the fourth ODI match at the Manuka Oval in Canberra. (AFP) series yesterday thanks to For Afghanistan, opener Goenka told PTI. spinners Rashid Khan and Mo- Mohamed Shahzad made 64 “Frankly speaking, we did not have a and , which were sus- Yeterday’s announcement came as a Australian left-arm fast bowler Mitch- hamed Nabi who finished with for his eighth one-day inter- good last season and we wanted some- pended for two seasons following a spot- shock to scores of his fans who took to ell Starc was no longer a member of the six wickets between them. national fifty, Rahmat Shah one young to lead the side and revamp it fi xing scandal in 2013. Twitter to vent, making “MS Dhoni” one Royal Challengers Bangalore team. Chasing 239 to win, Zimbabwe hit 53 while Najibullah Zadran ahead of the upcoming season 10.” He had been the captain of the Super of the top trending topics in India. Starc had been signed up to the Banga- were well-set at 139-3 in the contributed a breezy 45. There was no immediate reaction from Kings since the IPL’s inception in 2008 “Pune team removed Dhoni from cap- lore franchise since 2014, but played only 32nd over before imploding, Dhoni. and made it the most successful team, taincy. I think this is time to remove @ two tournaments for them. He skipped losing seven wickets for just BRIEF SCORES: Afghanistan Dhoni was chosen to head the Pune having won the short-form tournament RPSupergiants from @IPL,” said Twitter last year’s edition due to a foot injury. 45 runs. 238-9 in 50 overs (Mohamed franchise after the Supergiants and Gu- in 2010 and 2011 and fi nishing runners- user Vaishali. The latest moves come just before the Teenage leg-break bowler Shahzad 64, Rahmat Shah 53, jarat Lions replaced up on four occasions. Separately, India’s cricket board said IPL player auction in Bangalore today. Rashid was named man of Najibullah Zadran 45) beat Zim- the match for his 3-25, a babwe 184 all out in 42.1 overs haul which included opener (Solomon Mire 54; Rashid Khan SPOTLIGHT Solomon Mire who top-scored 3-25) by 54 runs. Alfardan Premier Motors recognised QATAR STARS LEAGUE Al-Shammari for contribution to Qatar Total Open confi dent Shahania

By Sports Reporter minated in the fi nals on Saturday Doha when Karolina Pliskova of the can beat relegation Czech Republic bagged the win- ner’s trophy for 2017. lfardan Premier Motors Alfardan Premier Motors gen- By Sports Reporter Co., the exclusive retail- eral manager Rabih Ataya said, Doha er of Jaguar Land Rover “This year’s tournament wit- in the State of Qatar, nessed fi erce competition among celebratedA its continuing partner- the big names and we are proud to l Shahania head of ship with Qatar Total Open – the have partnered with Qatar Total Football Mohamed prestigious international tennis Open tournament 2017 for the 7th al-Shammari still be- tournament that was hosted from consecutive year. This enabled us lieves that his side has February 11-18 at the Khalifa In- to leave our glamorous print by aA chance of beating relegation, ternational Tennis and Squash providing an exquisite experience despite drawing with Al Wakrah Complex. for all participating players and last time out. As the offi cial transport pro- teams throughout the tourna- “We will have to work hard vider for tennis players and of- ment.” against Al Kharaitiyat in our next fi cials at Qatar Total Open 2017 He added: “At Alfardan Premier game, and our aim is the three for the seventh consecutive year, Motors, we strive to play an im- points. There is no time to com- will be very tough for us but our Alfardan Premier Motors added a portant and vital role in support- pensate with only fi ve rounds to players will put their best eff orts touch of elegance with a fl eet of 45 ing talents and sporting events go before the end of the season. to beat the drop.” Jaguar and Land Rover vehicles. held in Doha to support Qatar in This season has been very dif- These chauff eur-driven vehicles becoming a world-class desti- fi cult for my side; even the draw WELINTON SET TO RETURN ferried the tennis stars as well as nation for major, international will be the same as a loss,” noted FOR AL KHOR staff to and from the venue in lux- sporting events. Alfardan Premier al-Shammari when asked about QSL side Al Khor have confi rmed urious style and comfort. Motors has redefi ned luxury that’s his sides chances in their next that key defender Welinton is set The tournament witnessed an associated with tennis in this part game. to return to the side ahead of the exciting star-studded line up of of the world. This refl ects a per- Shahania will welcome back team’s Round 22 match against the world’s greatest women ten- fect synergy between the brand both Muhannad Adnan and Al- Al Sadd. nis players. The tournament cul- and the sport.” varo Mejia, who missed the Wak- The Brazilian defender sat out rah game due to suspension. of Khor’s 1-0 defeat to Al Gharafa “We have to be in our full con- courtesy a domestic suspension centration in order not to waste after picking up his fourth yel- any more points because the low card of the season against Workers Cup high fl iers gear up for 2017 edition coming games are going to be Muaither in round 20. Having tough for us.” served the ban, Welinton should The 2017 edition of the Workers Cup be- “We started training for this year’s training hard for the last four months Commenting on the previ- return to the starting lineup, gins in Doha this Friday with a record 32 competition a few months ago and have and the team is ready. We played very ous tie against Al Wakra, he said, which will be a major boost to teams aiming for the top prize – and one been very creative on the pitch. We well last year, including in the semi-final, “One point is a positive result. Khor coach . of them hoping for a repeat triumph. have also been able to go through the and we have realised we are a gifted However, we have to play for the In other team news, Al Khor Defending champions Taleb Group – process of creating a team this year by bunch.” victory, especially since we took also confi rmed that they are who are in Group C this year – were in identifying new talent and getting them One of the four participating teams with the lead twice in the game, in- hoping that midfi elder Musaab confident mood at the draw ceremony, to blend with the existing group.” a connection to the SC’s flagship CSR dicating that we must learn this Abdulmajeed will be fi t in time which was attended by representatives Other teams like last year’s semi-finalists project Generation Amazing, Larsen & valuable lesson and not repeat it. for the Friday evening’s match from all 32 participating teams. Larsen & Toubro are also looking to take Toubro are in Group E this year and their “Yes we do still have a chance against Al Sadd. The Qatari “Before last year’s final, I said that the “Though we are faced with additional an additional step in this year’s Work- Ghanaian captain is hoping to start this to stay in the QSL, despite the midfi elder missed the last game tournament is a great platform for work- pressure this year because no team has ers Cup. Abdulaziz Sulaiman, a former year’s campaign on a winning note. fact that we are in the 12th posi- against Al Gharafa with an injury, ers to discover themselves. But after we successfully defended the title, our self-be- professional footballer from Ghana and “The confidence we gained from last tion. We are only two wins away and could be fi t in time for the won the trophy the change has been lief from last year’s win knows no bounds now captain of Larsen & Toubro, was year has helped the team to express from safety. We will fi ght in all Sadd tie. truly phenomenal and well beyond even and will help us create tournament history optimistic about his team’s chances. themselves freely on the training the coming games hoping to Al Khor are currently in elev- what I had imagined,” said Taleb Group on 31 March, the day of the final.” “Our target this year is the beautiful ground and set new goals this year,” he achieve what we looking for,” he enth place in the QSL standings assistant coach Mohamed Saad. Taleb coach Ahmed Abdullah added: trophy,” said the winger. “We have been concluded. (SC.qa) said. and have 20 points from 21 QSL “The fi nal games of the season games played this season.