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Sunday, January 5, 2020 Jumada I 10, 1441 AH Black Caps on GULF TIMES the chase aft er Labuschangne’s double century SPORT Page 2

RALLYING Al-Attiyah aims for ‘dream’ fourth Dakar title in Saudi 342 vehicles were cleared to start after three days of technical and administrative scrutineering at King Abdullah Stadium

Agencies new Dakar in the Middle East,” used by Nasser al-Attiyah to Jeddah said al-Attiyah. The landscapes win last year’s Dakar. are really beautiful here, I know Despite the expertise of fi ve- some regions well. I did two rac- time bike champion Marc Coma atar’s Nasser al-Atti- es here, in 2008 and 2011, and I navigating, Alonso downplayed yah, the holder of the won both. But it won’t be easy his hopes of creating history by Dakar Rally title, will for anyone, we need to under- becoming the fi rst F1 champion begin his quest to re- stand this race, which is com- to lift the Dakar. tainQ his crown today when the pletely new for everybody. “Toyota drivers are racing for 42nd edition of the gruelling “It’s a mix of terrains that the victory, for me it will be a event revs off for the fi rst time in reminds me of Africa, Morocco little diff erent, enjoy the adven- Saudi Arabia. and South America. I never re- ture,” he told a press conference As many as 342 vehicles were ally thought the Dakar would on Friday. cleared to start after three days one day come to our region “We are very realistic about of technical and administrative when I started the career, and our hopes. We are taking it step scrutineering at King Abdul- now I’m just a thirty-minute by step. I’m perfectly aware of lah Stadium: 114 motorbikes, fl ight from home! It would be a my lack of experience and per- 23 quads, 83 cars, 45 SSVs and dream to win here.” fectly aware of my lack of pace.” 46 trucks. French competi- Meanwhile, two-time For- Alonso is hoping to make it tors make up the largest na- mula One world champion to the second week “with a lit- tional contingent with 109 Fernando Alonso embarks on tle better chance to be in the riders, drivers and co-drivers, his fi rst Dakar Rally determined top places”. He is not the fi rst F1 followed by Spain (75) and the to “enjoy the adventure”. driver to take up the Dakar chal- Netherlands (50). Among them, “It’s a bit crazy for the fi rst lenge. Belgian Jacky Ickx, a win- 13 women will put on their hel- time out of tarmac, out of as- ner of eight grand prix and six- mets for the inaugural stage to phalt, to go to the toughest race time winner of Le Mans, won Al Wajh. A total of 68 nationali- in the world but I love the chal- Dakar in 1983 and came second ties are represented, including lenge,” the 38-year-old Span- in 1986 and 1989. support crews. iard said. And Frenchman Patrick Tam- Al-Attiyah will be wearing a The 2005 and 2006 F1 cham- bay, who had two wins in his 114 new helmet with 3 stars and the Qatar’s Nasser al-Attiyah (third left) and France’s Matthieu Baumel (left) of Toyota Gazoo Racing pose for a photograph with Prince Mishaal bin pion is one of 351 starters in the grand prix, came third in 1988 dates of the three victories he Majid, governor of Jeddah and Sports minister Abdulaziz bin Turki al-Saud during a presentation in Jeddah yesterday. gruelling 7,500 kilometre mara- and 1989. made in 2011, 2015 and 2019. Al- thon that has moved to Saudi The 42nd Dakar gets under- Attiyah, along with navigator against a lineup of rally stars in- ing teammates Giniel de Villiers Saudi Yazed al-Rajehi. tle. We’ve won three times, but Arabia from South America. way in Jeddah today, concluding Mathieu Baumel will compete cluding his Toyota Gazoo Rac- and Fernando Alonso as well as “We are here to defend our ti- I know it will be hard with this He is driving the Toyota Hilux on January 17 in Qiddiya.

TENNIS Wawrinka in focus at Qatar ExxonMobil Open

By Anil John Doha

aking predictions in sport is tricky business even during the best of times, but doing so at the begin- Mning of a season can be a particularly nerve-wracking task and often an ex- ercise in futility. Especially in a cut-throat sport like tennis where packed schedules and big money combine to make a potent mix, there are only a handful of players about whom things can be said with a fair de- gree of certainty. The bigger the players confi rmed at a tournament, the higher the chances of getting a prediction right. For instance, it’s a no-brainer to suggest that either Roger Federer or Novak Djokovic or Rafael Nadal will win a particular tour- Top seed Stanislas Wawrinka of nament! They will deliver 90% of the Switzerland. time. But what if you are to choose a winner lo Endojar, something which he clearly among players in the middle and lower doesn’t relish. rungs of the game? The task becomes “It’s never nice to play a Spanish complicated. player, especially Pablo who is a good The combined total of Grand Slams friend who I have known for years,” won by Federer, Nadal and Djokovic is added Verdasco. “Also he is the only 55. At the Qatar ExxonMobil Open be- other Spanish player in the draw!” ginning tomorrow at the Khalifa Inter- Tennis players Frances Tiafoe of the US (third left), Fernando Verdasco of Spain (fourth left), Jeremy Chardy of France (fifth left) and Makel Jaziri of Tunisia (sixth left) American Frances Tiafoe, playing for national Tennis and Squash Complex, pose with tennis off icials at the draw yesterday. the fi rst time in Qatar, is impressed with top seed Stainslas Wawrinka is the only whatever he has seen so far. player with a major title under his belt – by the top four seeds is just 43, 12 less Cup due to Federer pulling out for fam- Kazakhstan in the second round and be much better,” said the Spaniard, who “I really like it so far. The courts are in fact three. that the combined total of just Grand ily reasons. could run into fourth seed Tsonga in the has won seven singles title and is un- really nice, the stadium is also pretty Russian Andrey Rublev, the second Slams won by Federer, Djokovic and Wawrinka has been handed an easy semis. None of the top four seeds were seeded in Qatar. nice, pretty big,” Tiafoe, who will be seed in Doha, has only won two ATP Nadal! draw in Qatar. The World No 16 has present at the draw yesterday, but Doha “Last year I had knee injury which taking on a qualifi er in the fi rst round, Tour titles in total, the Umag Open in The brand-new ATP Cup currently been given a bye in the fi rst round, will resident Fernando Verdasco was keen to aff ected me for a few months. It was said. With so many possibilities, pre- Croatia in 2017 and then the Kremlin on in Australia has played spoilsport. take on either France’s Jeremy Chardy make the best of the opportunity. hard period to play with that pain in the dictions are best left to the offi cials. Cup last year, events pretty much in the With the top players representing their or a qualifi er in the second round and “I have to stay focused and make a knee. So I hope to have a better 2020 “Maybe Rublev and Wawrinka in the lower rung of the game. countries at the tournament, the Qatar could run into Raonic in the semi-fi - good start. It is always a bit hard, the and put in some better performances fi nal,” said Qatar Tennis, Squash and Jo-Wilfred Tsonga of France, the ExxonMobil has to do with the best of nals. fi rst match. You need time to settle and fi ght for a big title,” added Verdasco Badminton Federation general secretary third seed, has won 17 titles and fourth the rest available. At the bottom half of the draw, Ru- down and get into the competition. I who moved to Qatar in 2015 and resides Tariq Zainal. seed Milos Raonic of Canada just 8. Even Wawrinka is here only because blev will take on either Malek Jaziri guess, I’ll be ready and be close to 100% at The Pearl. That would indeed be the best sce- The combined number of titles won Switzerland withdrew from the ATP of Tunisia or Mikhail Kukushkin of and then if I win obviously it’s going to He will be taking on compatriot Pab- nario for everyone. Gulf Times 2 Sunday, January 5, 2020 CRICKET

REPORT Black Caps on the chase aft er Labuschagne’s double ton ‘It was nice to get some runs today and when you’re well it’s nice if you can make them count’

AFP Sydney

ew Zealand made a secure start after a Marnus Labuschagne double century lifted NAustralia to a massive 454 fi rst innings total in the third Test yesterday. The rock-solid number three reached his highest Test score of 215 in Sydney with the Austral- ians dismissed just before tea on the second day. In reply, the Blackcaps grittily batted through the fi nal session without losing a , leaving skipper Tom Latham on 26 and Melbourne Test centurion Tom Blundell at 34 in their team’s to- tal of 63. There were a couple of close calls - notably a leg before wick- et appeal off and a possible edge off - but the Kiwis showed plenty of fi ght after enduring fi ve tough sessions in the fi eld in sapping heat. The day belonged to La- buschagne, who sweated on 199 for 20 minutes before he thick edged Colin de Grandhomme through the vacant slips to the ropes to bring up his double ton. The milestone came off 363 balls with 19 fours and a six and eclipsed his previous Test record of 185 against Pakistan in Bris- bane last November. “They batted really well to fi nish the day off . I thought the Australian faced. Melbourne centurion Travis we bowled really well,” La- Skipper supported Head fell to Matt Henry, cutting Scorecard buschagne said. Labuschagne to reach his double too close to his body and snick- “The wicket looks like it’s go- century before he was bowled ing to wicketkeeper BJ Watling. AUSTRALIA 1st innings Fall of : 1-39 (Burns), ing to go a little up and down and between his bat and pad by De The Kiwi bowlers had stran- (overnight 283-3) 2-95 (Warner), 3-251 (Smith), spin a bit but we stuck to our Grandhomme for 35. gled his scoring shots and his 10 D. Warner c de Grandhomme b 4-288 (Wade), 5-331 (Head), guns there and hopefully the re- Paine faced 92 balls and runs came off 42 balls. Wagner 45 6-410 (Paine), 7-416 (La- wards will come tomorrow. Australia’s Marnus Labuschagne (also right) celebrates scoring a shared in a 79-run stand with Henry was bowling despite buschagne), 8-426 (Pattinson), J. Burns c Taylor b de Grandhom- 9-430 (Cummins), 10-454 (Starc) “It’s always a privilege to play double century during the second day of the third Test against New Labuschagne to take Australia fracturing his left thumb on Fri- me 18 for Australia and it was nice to Zealand at the yesterday. (AFP) beyond 400. day. He had the injury strapped Bowlers: Henry 32-3-94-1 (1w), get some runs today and when Wickets tumbled quickly just and placed in a splint to continue M. Labuschagne c & b Astle 215 de Grandhomme 24-1-78-3 (1nb), you’re batting well it’s nice if you form that few other batsmen 1952-53. before tea with on playing. S. Smith c Taylor b de Grandhom- Wagner 33.1-9-66-3, Somerville can make them count.” have rivalled. After scoring 215 Labuschagne will face tougher bowled by Neil Wagner for two, The Sydney Test is being me 63 29-2-99-1, Astle 32-0-111-2. Labuschagne’s prodigious to drive Australia to 454 in the assignments overseas and much Pat Cummins caught off Astle’s played against the backdrop of M. Wade b Somerville 22 form has notched him a total of third Test against New Zealand tougher opposition than Paki- bowling for eight and Mitchell one of Australia’s most devas- 837 runs since November and he yesterday, Labuschagne has now stan and a New Zealand side rav- Starc hitting a breezy 22 off 21 tating bushfi re seasons with at T. Head c Watling b Henry 10 NEW ZEALAND 1st innings has now leapfrogged the great scored a double century, two aged by illness and injury but he balls before he was bowled by least 20 people losing their lives T. Paine b de Grandhomme 35 T. Latham 26 Neil Harvey (834) for most runs 150s, one century and two half has already shown remarkable Wagner, who fi nished with three in blazes raging across the coun- J. Pattinson b Wagner 2 T. Blundell not out 34 scored by an Australian during a centuries in his last seven in- maturity for a batsman with only for 66. The hosts lost two wick- try, including on the outskirts of P. Cummins c Phillips b Astle 8 fi ve-Test summer. nings. 14 tests under his belt. ets in the morning session. Sydney. Extras (b1, lb2) 3 He was also ’s The knock took him to 837 “I think he’s just very good at was out in Play will be suspended in the M. Starc b Wagner 22 Total (0 wkt, 29 overs) 63 leading run-getter last year with runs at an average of 199.57 for absorbing pressure and keeping the day’s fi rst over, bowled match at the umpire’s discre- N. Lyon not out 6 Bowling: Starc 7-0-18-0, Cum- 1,104 runs. Since he fi rst took the home season, bettering the ticking away,” said New Zealand off -stump while attempting to tion, should smoke signifi cantly Extras (lb6, nb1, w1)) 8 mins 9-3-18-0, Pattinson 4-1-10- guard against Pakistan again in 834 Australian batting great Neil spinner Todd Astle, who dis- sweep off -spinner Will Somer- aff ect air quality or visibility, but 0, Lyon 8-3-13-0, Labuschagne Total (all out; 150.1 overs) 454 Perth in November, though, he Harvey tallied in a fi ve-match missed Labuschagne caught and ville for no addition to his over- the sky above the ground has re- 1-0-1-0. has enjoyed a purple patch of series against South Africa in bowled with the 363rd night score of 22. mained largely clear so far.

OPINION SPOTLIGHT Kohli no fan of 4-day Test concept ‘Need fearless AFP tried in one-off games between match-winners to Guwahati South Africa and Zimbabwe and England against Ireland. But they are not allowed in the win tournaments’ ndia Test world championship which yesterday hit out at propos- is led by Kohli’s . IANS (Dhawan) at the top have not als to cut Test matches from The English, Australian and Guwahati fi red.” In the bowling attack, fi ve days to four as the world New Zealand national asso- Kohli will miss the expertise Ibody battles with the crowded ciations have indicated they are of Bhuvneshwar Kumar and cricket calendar. ready to change. Some players ndia sipper Virat Kohli Deepak Chahar as the duo Reports that the International like England captain Joe Root reckons it will be tough for have suff ered injuries while Cricket Council could decide to have also said the plan should his side to win ICC events Mohammed Shami has been cut the length of Test matches be considered. But the key Board until the middle-order rested and as a result, it will from 2023 have divided players of Control for Cricket in India Isteps up and delivers in situa- be a perfect platform for Nav- and nations. Kohli, who leads has not yet made a comment. tions when the top-order fails. deep Saini and Shardul Thakur the world Test batting rankings And several leading players Kohli also said the success of the to impress the selectors before as well as being captain of the have joined Kohli in coming out team can’t revolve around any the T20 World Cup. number one Test side, said the against the change. two or three players and the en- “I think because the tourna- format should not be altered. Australia captain Tim Paine tire team should click as a unit. ment is in Australia, you will “Day-Night Tests is the most said that while four days could India last won an ICC event need these many options and that should be changed about be used for some Tests, the main back in 2013 when the Men in back-ups ready to be able to Test cricket, according to me,” games had to stay at fi ve. Blue had lifted the Champions take fi rstly your strongest XI or Kohli said in Guwahati, ahead of Australia’s most successful Trophy under M S Dhoni. strongest squad and then have India’s T20 game today against off -spinner Nathan Lyon has Speaking on the eve of In- those back-ups in place, who Sri Lanka. called the idea “ridiculous”. dia’s clash with Sri Lanka in also can come and do the job,” With four-day Tests “you are “I believe you will get so the fi rst T20I of the three- Kohli expressed. purely only talking about getting many more draws and day fi ve match rubber, Kohli said: “We “It’s good that we identify numbers in and entertainment, is crucial,” he told the Unplay- need guys who are ready till fi ve or six guys and it will be and I think the intent will not be able Podcast before the recent numbers six and seven to win priority based on you know right,” said Kohli. “Then you will Test against New Zealand. “I’m you games. It can’t be depend- who goes and then back-ups speak of three-day Tests. I mean, totally against it and I hope ICC ent on two guys or three guys will be in place. Also with fast where do you end,” he added. aren’t even considering it.” in the batting line-up. You bowlers, we know small nig- “I don’t endorse that (change) The ICC and national boards know, that’s not how you win gles can happen every now at all. I don’t think that that is in favour of change say that cut- ICC tournaments. and then. So yeah, we’re pretty fair to the purest format of the ting Test time is a way to ease a “So that’s our main focus to sorted in that regard not wor- game - how cricket started.” calendar now packed with Tests, reveal situations to guys and ried at all,” he added. “Day-night Tests are another 50 over internationals and the expect them to come into their When quizzed what is in his step on commercialising Test growing number of T20 interna- own and become those fearless mind for the team in the new cricket and creating excitement tionals and leagues. match winners that we should year, Kohli said: “We have put around it, but it can’t be tinkered have going into a big tourna- the team on the right track in with too much.” ment. These next few series is terms of, you know, being the Day-night Test were also India’s captain Virat Kohli looks going to be very exciting to see team that everyone wants to initially resisted by players, but on as he attends a training who stands up in pressure sit- be across formats. I think it is a have become gradually accepted. session ahead of the first T20 uations, how they react when very exciting position to be in. The ICC allowed four-day match against Sri Lanka in may be Rohit (Sharma) or my- And that is something that we Tests in 2017 and they have been Guwahati yesterday. (AFP) self or KL (Rahul) or Shikhar want to continue.” Gulf Times Sunday, January 5, 2020 3 CRICKET

REPORT Qatar’s Iqbal Hussain makes top 10 with Senior service as 26 wickets in 2019

By Sport reporter Hunters to the inaugural Qatar Doha T10 League crown last month, “People will undoubtedly take notice of my bowling and atar national team progress. It will, in a way, motivate Broad, Anderson and Falcon Hunters me to play better cricket at the skipper Iqbal Hus- world stage and I feel the recent sain Chaudhry did Qatar T10 League was just the theQ country proud by taking the start I needed to express myself. I tenth highest haul of Twenty20 am the captain of Falcon Hunters International wickets in a calen- who fi nished as the champions of dar year ever. the inaugural edition. In 2019, Chaudhry collected “Lifting that trophy and being give England edge 26 wickets from 15 T20I matches the Man of the Final were really giving away 426 runs. big moments for me. Off the nalfi The haul is also the sixth high- two balls, fi ve runs were needed ‘Controlling the run rate was massive. I got my wickets through the pressure they built’ est in 2019 itself, a list that is and I had to go to the middle. I topped by ’s Sandeep Lam- just went in and completed the AFP ichhane with 28 wickets for 384 business in style and smashed a Cape Town runs. His teammate Karan K C six off the very fi rst ball I faced. and Netherlands’ Brandon Glov- “Now that franchise leagues er too have 28 wickets in 2019. have taken over almost every am Curran hailed the Overall, the most number of T20I part of the world, I would love to collective eff ort of the wickets taken in a calendar year explore for opportunities to play England bowlers af- is 31 by Australia’s Andrew Tye, in diff erent leagues and prove ter the tourists gained who achieved the feat in 2018. myself,” Chaudhry added. aS signifi cant advantage on the Chaudhry is delighted with QCA president Yousef Jeham second day of the second Test his performance. al-Kuwari expressed pride at against South Africa at New- “The bowling fi gures in the Chaudhry’s feat by saying: “The lands yesterday. year 2019 altogether came as a QCA feels proud at the achieve- Veterans Stuart Broad and surprise to me. I was unaware ment by Iqbal, who is the captain James Anderson were out- that I made it to the top charts. of the national team as well. He standing as South Africa were Defi nitely it is a big boost for me. is very talented player and we are reduced to 215 for eight at the I feel proud and satisfi ed how all very excited that his record close. the year ended on a high note for bowling fi gures have attracted The hosts were still 54 runs me,” he said. the global attention. behind England’s fi rst innings “Looking back at my per- “The Qatar national team will total of 269 on a dry pitch which formance and fi nding my name be involved in a lot of events is likely to get more diffi cult for among the top players in the early this year. Chaudhry will batsmen later in the match. world give me not only just sat- hopefully continue to excel as he Anderson, 37, took three for isfaction but also a big boost to did last year and motivate other 34, while 33-year-old Broad my career and future as an inter- players to put in their best to and Sam Curran took two wick- national player,” he said. bring more glory to the country,” ets apiece. Chaudhry also led Falcon al-Kuwari added. Ben Stokes held four catches at second slip, three of them athletic diving eff orts. More than half of South Af- rica’s runs came in a 117-run fourth wicket be- tween Dean Elgar (88) and Rass- ie van der Dussen (68). But Elgar and Van der Dussen were unable to dominate as England dried up England’s James Anderson (left) celebrates with Stuart Broad (right) after taking the wicket of South Africa’s Faf du Plessis yesterday. (Reuters) the runs, with Elgar eventually falling to a lofted drive when he tried to lift the scoring rate. Scorecard “Controlling the run rate was massive,” said Curran, who ENGLAND 1st innings S. Broad b Rabada 1 18-2-56-2 (1w), Maharaj 27-6-68-1, D. Pretorius c Stokes b Anderson 4 credited the eff ort of his fel- (overnight 262-9) J. Anderson c Van der Dussen b Pretorius 11-5-26-2. K. Maharaj c Sibley b Anderson 4 low bowlers for two important Z. Crawley c De Kock b Philander 4 Rabada 4 SOUTH AFRICA first innings wickets that he took shortly Extras (b4, lb2, nb1) 7 before the second new ball was D. Sibley c De Kock b Rabada 34 Extras (b4, lb1, nb1, w1) 7 D. Elgar c Root b Bess 88 Total (8 wkts, 84.4 overs) 215 due. “I got my wickets through J. Denly b Maharaj 38 Total (91.5 overs) 269 P. Malan c Root b Broad 5 Fall of wickets: 1-26 (Malan), the pressure they built,” he said. J. Root c De Kock b Nortje 35 Fall of wickets: 1-8 (Crawley), Z. Hamza c Stokes b Broad 5 2-38 (Hamza), 3-40 (Du Plessis), Curran said England had re- B. Stokes c Elgar b Nortje 47 2-63 (Sibley), 3-105 (Root), 4-127 F. du Plessis c Stokes b Anderson 1 4-157 (Elgar), 5-191 (De Kock), solved to bowl with more dis- (Denly), 5-185 (Stokes), 6-221 6-200 (Van der Dussen), 7-207 cipline after South Africa won O. Pope not out 61 (Buttler), 7-231 (Curran), 8-231 H. van der Dussen c Stokes b (Pretorius), 8-214 (Maharaj) the fi rst match in the four-Test J. Buttler c De Kock b Pretorius 29 (Bess), 9-234 (Broad), 10-269 Curran 68 World Championship Series at Bowling: Anderson 16.4-6-34-3, S. Curran b Pretorius 9 (Anderson) Q. de Kock c Anderson b Curran Broad 16-6-36-2 (1nb), Curran Centurion by 107 runs. 20 “We leaked a lot of bounda- D. Bess c De Kock b Philander 0 Bowlers: Philander 16-3-46-2, 13-3-39-2, Bess 27-3-62-1, Stokes ries at Centurion,” he said. “We Rabada 19.5-3-68-3 (1nb), Nortje V. Philander not out 13 9-0-34-0, Root 3-1-4-0 bowled really well as a group today.” the northern end. All the other Curran said England needed the patience factor. I might have yards in their legs and it being wickets by the fast bowlers to press home their advantage just chosen the wrong ball.” really hot, we would have been ‘DIRTY WORK’ were taken from the Wynberg today. “We saw at Centurion The left-handed Elgar said on top.” Off -spinner Dom Bess also end where they got bounce and that a fi rst innings lead was vi- the crack and divots outside the Elgar admitted that the loss played an important role, bowl- some sideways movement. tal.” off stump for right-handers had of four wickets in the last hour ing accurately from the north- A crack just outside the line Elgar said he was disap- been a challenge. had tilted the balance towards ern end while England cap- of off stump created uncertain- pointed with his mistimed drive “That’s potentially why our England. tain Joe Root rotated his faster ty for right-handed batsmen. against Bess which cost him his partnership was a little bit “We grafted and fought so bowlers from the more helpful Twelve of the 18 wickets in the wicket to a catch by Root, run- slower than usual.” hard to get ourselves into a rea- southern, Wynberg end. match have fallen from that end. ning back from mid-off . “It was He said he and Van der Dus- sonably good position. To let Bess had spells of nine and 14 “Bessy did the dirty work to- a very, very poor shot,” he said. sen had sought to wear out the it slip in the last hour was very overs and fi nished the day with day,” said Curran. But he said it was not because English bowlers in tricky con- disappointing. one for 62 off 27 overs. Ander- “Hopefully he will reap the he had been frustrated because ditions. “We knew that if they “We’ve got a good battle son took two wickets with the rewards in the second innings if of the slow scoring. came back tomorrow with us coming up tomorrow with ball second new ball, bowling from the wicket takes some spin.” “It wasn’t anything to do with three or four wickets down with in hand,” he said. Qatar’s Iqbal Hussain Chaudhry.

FOCUS India’s World T20 hero Pathan retires India all-rounder the selector’s radar after his yesterday retired from interna- final T20 against South Africa Wanted to return fresh and hungry, says Bumrah tional cricket more than seven in 2012. He now runs a cricket years after playing his last academy with his half brother IANS looking at how to bring the strength match for the national cricket Yusuf Pathan and does Hindi Guwahati back, how to improve upon the team. commentary. things I wanted to improve. The 35-year-old Pathan, who “I will keep contributing to “So take some time off and return played a key role in India’s Indian cricket, but it is always ce India pacer Jasprit fresh. Be hungry again. So all these inaugural Twenty20 World better if someone else takes Bumrah will be making things were on top of my mind. I am Cup triumph in 2007, played my place in domestic cricket. a comeback on the fi eld not looking too far ahead. I wanted 29 Tests, 120 ODIs and 24 T20 There are a lot of other things after a four-month break to take one match at a time,” ex- matches. in store for me and I will keep dueA to a stress fracture, but the pressed Bumrah.The pacer mean- “I am announcing retirement focusing on them,” Pathan told 26-year-old feels it wasn’t a diffi - while, also thanked the Indian from all forms of cricket. I have Star Sports. cult period for him. The pacer said support staff as they consistently been fortunate to share the “In domestic cricket, too, I have that there was ‘no pain’ and he uti- monitors his rehabilitation work dressing room with greats of been part of Jammu and Kash- lised the time away from the game beside giving valuable inputs. the game like (Sourav) Ganguly, mir cricket and after last season, to work on his strength and condi- “Very good inputs (from bowling (Rahul) Dravid, and (VVS) Lax- I thought what’s the motivation tioning. coach Bharat Arun). I was always in man. I am calling time on my to play any more?” The Virat Kohli-led team will touch with the support staff . The career,” said Pathan. take on Sri Lanka in the fi rst T20I of team management also kept on ask- “I would like to thank my family the three-match rubber and Bum- ing me what was going on and how for providing much-needed sup- rah is likely to fi nd a place in the was I progressing. Constant moni- port. I would like to thank my playing XI. Speaking to bcci.tv on toring was going on. They asked fans. They have always hoped the long break, Bumrah said: “It was questions like what do you want for my comeback. Their support not diffi cult for me as I was never to do now that you are back from has kept me going.” in pain. Not even for a single day. break,” Bumrah said. Pathan, a left-arm quick, I took it as an opportunity to build Bumrah also looked satisfi ed after claimed 301 international wick- my strength. his fi rst complete training session at ets including a Test hat-trick “I was always keeping a track on the Barsapara Cricket Stadium on against arch-rivals Pakistan what is happening so when you are Friday and said: “The intensity was in 2006. But the high point of back in the team, you shouldn’t be very good, very high intensity, to his career was the man of the too far away.” the point where you do exactly what match performance with his Bumrah also felt that playing all you wanted to do. bowling figures of 3-16 in the the three formats continuously af- “At the fi elding session, we cov- team’s World T20 title win in fected his fi tness and as a result, the ered all bases, we did the high Johannesburg. break was necessary. “When you catches, we did the run-out prac- An attacking left-handed bats- play continuously, your strength tice. And in the nets, we did spot man, Pathan has registered level goes down. Your fi tness level bowling, practised bowling yorkers. one Test century but fell off can also go down a little bit. So I was We ticked all the boxes.” India’s Jasprit Bumrah and Shikhar Dhawan during a training session ahead in Guwahati. (AFP) Gulf Times 4 Sunday, January 5, 2020 SPORT

TENNIS GOLF Defending champ Schauff ele leads US Nadal and Djokovic PGA Tournament of Champions AFP Leading 2nd-round make winning starts Los Angeles scores 137-Xander Schauff ele efending champion 69-68 Xander Schauff ele 138-Patrick Reed 72-66, ‘I started off extremely well, I was defi ed gusting winds Joaquin Niemann (CHI) and sometimes 66-72 Ddriving rain on Friday, fi ring 4-1 up and had some break points 139-Rickie Fowler 68-71 a fi ve-under par 68 to take a 140-Patrick Cantlay 69-71, in ATP Cup but then Kevin upped his game’ one-stroke halfway lead in Justin Thomas 67-73 the US PGA Tour Tournament 141-J.T. Poston 70-71, Mat- of Champions. thew Wolff 69-72 In wild weather on the 142-Gary Woodland 73-69, par-73 Plantation Course at Nate Lashley 71-71, Collin Kapalua, Hawaii, Schauff ele Morikawa 71-71, Lanto Grif- managed to shake off his early fin 71-71, Jon Rahm (ESP) impatience and notch fi ve 69-73, Matt Kuchar 68-74 birdies without a bogey on the 143-Graeme McDowell (NIR) way to a nine-under par total 74-69, Corey Conners (CAN) of 137. He was one stroke clear 73-70, Dustin Johnson 72-71, of US compatriot Patrick Reed Ryan Palmer 71-72 and overnight leader Joaquin 144-Kevin Kisner 72-72. Niemann of Chile. Reed grabbed eight birdies in a seven-under par 66 and followed up with a two-foot was joined on eight-under birdie at the next before roll- 138 by Niemann, who carded ing in three birdies in a row at a one-under 72. American the eighth, ninth and 10th. Rickie Fowler was alone in fourth after a 71 for 139, one ‘CLEARER PLAN’ stroke in front of Patrick Can- Another brace of birdies at tlay and Justin Thomas - who 13 and 14 was followed by his closed with back-to-back lone bogey of the day at 15, but bogeys. “It was an interesting he pulled a shot back with a day,” Schauff ele said. birdie at 17. Reed said a triple- Play was halted twice - bogey at the seventh hole on with players remaining on the Thursday had galvanised him. course - when heavy down- “Coming out today, I kind pours left standing water on of had a clearer plan of what the course. I needed to do to fi x my golf “I wasn’t really thinking swing for today. Next thing about my score just because I you know, I started hitting the was trying to stay as dry and ball better and started making warm as possible,” Schauff ele putts.” said. “I got kind of frustrated Reed was at the centre of a early in the round, I was miss- rules controversy at the Tiger ing a few putts here and there. Woods-hosted Hero World It was windy, the ball was Challenge in the Bahamas in moving on the greens. December, where he was pe- “My attitude was a little nalised after taking practice iff y, I’d say, at times. Once the swings that moved some sand monsoon came through it was in a bunker. kind of a nice time for me to Although partisan fans at relax and let it pass.” the Presidents Cup in Aus- After birdies on the front tralia heckled him mercilessly nine’s two par-fi ves, the fi fth over the aff air, Reed delivered and ninth, Schauff ele rolled a Sunday singles win to help in a 12-footer at the 13th and the United States beat the In- Novak Djokovic of Serbia reacts after winning his singles match against Kevin Anderson of South Africa on Day 2 of the ATP Cup at Pat Rafter Arena in Brisbane. (Right) Spain’s buried another from 12 feet to ternational Team in the match Rafael Nadal celebrates after winning his Group B singles match against Georgia’s Nikoloz Basilashvili. (Reuters) take a share of the lead at 16. play showdown at Royal Mel- He drained a seven-footer bourne. Reuters then broke again and held on to think the quality of tennis was and air conditioners. Japan, who Gael Monfils (FRA) bt Cristian at the par-fi ve 18th to grab sole After some time to refl ect, Sydney seal the tie for his team with a quite high. I was very pleased are without injured Kei Nishiko- Garin (CHI) 6-3, 7-5 possession of the lead from Reed said he had fond memo- 6-3 7-5 victory in Perth. with the way I kind of weathered ri, had an easy day in Perth Nicolas Jarry/Cristian Garin Reed - whose 66 matched ries of the trip Down Under. Djokovic, who defeated Nadal the storm.” with and Go (CHI) bt Nicolas Mahut/Edouard Niemann’s fi rst-round eff ort “(I) just absolutely enjoy orld number one in last year’s Australian Open World number four Dominic Soeda breezing through their Roger-Vasselin (FRA) 7-5, 6-2 as low round of the tourna- going to battle,” he said. “Fans Rafa Nadal over- men’s singles fi nal for a record Thiem did not have a great start to singles matches against Uru- Serbia 3 South Africa 0 ment. Reed had jump-start- were hostile, which you would came a temporary seventh title at Melbourne Park, his preparation for the year’s fi rst guay’s Pablo Cuevas and Martin Dusan Lajovic (SRB) bt Lloyd ed his round with a 41-foot expect, but I would never have blip on his way to had to dig deep in his 7-6(5) Grand Slam in two weeks’ time Cuevas respectively. (Reporting Harris (RSA) 3-6, 7-6 (7/4), 6-3 birdie putt at the fourth and missed it.” Wvictory at the ATP Cup yester- 7-6(6) win over Anderson and as he fell 7-6(4) 2-6 6-3 to Borna by Sudipto Ganguly in Mumbai; Novak Djokovic (SRB) bt Kevin day, shortly after Australian win the tie for Serbia in Brisbane. Coric of Croatia. Coric’s win over editing by Christian Radnedge) Anderson (RSA) 7-6 (7/5), 7-6 Open champion Novak Djokovic Anderson, 33, returned to the 2019 ATP Finals runner-up (8/6) survived a tough battle against court for the fi rst time since was enough for Croatia as 2014 COLLATED RESULTS Nikola Cacic/Viktor Troicki (SRB) fi t-again South African Kevin Wimbledon and played only fi ve US Open champion Marin Cilic In Sydney bt Raven Klaasen/Ruan Roelofse Anderson. tournaments in 2019 due to el- earlier rallied to beat Dennis No- Group E: Argentina 2 Poland 1 (RSA) 6-3, 6-2 The $15 million ATP Cup, bow and knee injuries. vak 6-7(4) 6-4 6-4. Guido Pella (ARG) bt Kamil Ma- In Perth which features 24 nations The runner-up at Wimbledon Earlier, the experienced pair of jchrzak (POL) 6-2, 2-6, 6-2 Group B: Japan 3 Uruguay 0 competing in Perth, Brisbane in 2018, when he lost the fi nal to Gael Monfi ls, who fi nished 2019 Hubert Hurkacz (POL) bt Diego (JPN) bt Martin Cue- and Sydney over 10 days, is a the Serb, fell to a 4-1 defi cit in in the top 10, and Benoit Paire Schwartzman (ARG) 4-6, 6-2, 6-3 vas (URU) 6-1, 6-3 solid platform for the world’s the opening set but fought back won their singles matches to help Maximo Gonzalez/Andres Mol- Yoshihito Nishioka (JPN) bt top players to prepare for this brilliantly to even things out. France seal their tie against Chile teni (ARG) bt Hubert Hurkacz/ Pablo Cuevas (URU) 6-0, 6-1 month’s Australian Open, which Djokovic soon lost his cool in Brisbane. Argentina required Lubasz Kubot (POL) 6-2, 6-4 Toshihide Matsui/Ben McLach- starts in Melbourne from Jan 20. and got into a lengthy argument their doubles pairing of Maximo Austria 0 Croatia 3 lan (JPN) bt Pablo Cuevas/Ariel Nadal was broken in his fi rst with the chair umpire after being Gonzalez and Andres Molteni to Marin Cilic (CRO) bt Dennis No- Behar (URU) 7-6 (7/5), 6-4 service game but found his denied an opportunity to chal- step up to the plate to clinch the vak (AUT) 6-7 (4/7), 6-4, 6-4 Spain 3 Georgia 0 groove immediately to break lenge. On the next point he furi- tie against Poland after Guido Borna Coric (CRO) bt Dominic Roberto Bautista Agut (ESP) back and another break of Geor- ously admonished the crowd for Pella and Hubert Hurkacz won Thiem (AUT) 7-6 (7/4), 2-6, 6-3 bt Aleksandre Metreveli (GEO) gian Nikoloz Basilashvili’s serve disturbance during a rally. their respective singles rubbers Ivan Dodig/Nikola Mektic (CRO) 6-0, 6-0 was enough for him to win the “What a way to start the year,” to level the tie at 1-1. bt Oliver Marach/Jurgen Meltzer Rafael Nadal (ESP) bt Nikoloz opening set. He broke his oppo- Djokovic said. “I started off ex- The players had to negoti- (AUT) 7-6 (7/4), 6-2 Basilashvili (GEO) 6-3, 7-5 nent twice to jump to a 5-2 lead tremely well, I was 4-1 up and ate trying conditions in Sydney, In Brisbane Pablo Carreno Busta/Feliciano Xander Schauff ele of the United States plays his shot from the in the second but faced two con- had some break points but then which saw temperatures reach Group A: France 2 Chile 1 Lopez (ESP) bt Aleksandre 18th tee during the second round of the Sentry Tournament of secutive breaks on his own serve Kevin upped his game. 44C, despite the new canopy Benoit Paire (FRA) bt Nicolas Bakshi/George Tsivadze (GEO) Champions at the Kapalua Plantation Coursein Kapalua, Hawaii. that levelled the set at 5-5. Nadal “He was on fi re tonight - I roof over the Ken Rosewall Arena Jarry (CHI) 6-7 (3/7), 6-3, 6-3 6-3, 6-4. (Getty Images/AFP)

SPOTLIGHT Kerber backs Barty to handle No. 1 pressures AFP man told reporters of Barty. with being the best player on the Brisbane, Australia “She put a lot of eff ort in and planet.“It’s for sure completely Serena, Kuznetsova to resume rivalry in Auckland she worked hard. It’s always diff erent - she has all the pres- a tougher year to start as the sure, all the expectation, es- Multiple Grand Slam winners Serena the Australian Open a few weeks later. ormer world number one number one player but I think pecially here in Australia,” said Williams and Svetlana Kuznetsova are The 15-year-old Gauff , who hit the Angelique Kerber knows she will deal with that situation.” Kerber. set to resume their 16-year rivalry after headlines with her first round win the pressure of starting a Kerber well knows the perils “I know her and also her team, being drawn yesterday to face each over Venus Williams at Wimbledon new season as the player of battling to back up a break- she played so well and I’m really other in the first round of next week’s last year, opens against World number everyoneF wants to beat, but she through season.After winning sure she’ll continue to play how Auckland WTA Classic. 56 and 2019 Auckland semi-finalist is confi dent Ashleigh Barty can Grand Slams in 2016 and 2018, she played particularly the end Tournament top seed Williams, 38, and Viktoria Kuzmova, while Anisimova meet the challenge. she struggled to emulate her re- of last year.” Kuznetsova, 34, are in a competitive has been drawn against Ukraine’s The Australian had a breakout sults in the following years. Since fi nishing 2016 as world half of the draw in which the veterans Kateryna Kozlova. year in 2019, winning the French “I was really trying to enjoy, number one after winning the are competing against the rising stars Ostapenko, the seventh seed, plays Open along with the prestigious but you really have to schedule Australian and US Opens, Kerber of tennis, including American teen sen- Germany’s Laura Siegemund in the WTA Finals, where she cement- your day a bit diff erent than if slipped to 21 the following year sations Amanda Anisimova and Coco first round. ed her place atop the year-end you were number 20 or number then climbed back to number Gauff as well as 22-year-old Latvian On the other side of the draw, fifth rankings. Both Kerber and Barty, 30 in the world,” she said. “You two when she won Wimbledon Jelena Ostapenko. seed Caroline Wozniacki, who will along with former world number have to improve every single in 2018. Williams leads Kuznetsova 10-3 in be playing her penultimate tourna- one Naomi , begin their tournament, every year, because Now ranked 20, she has a new their head-to-heads dating back to ment before retiring after the Austral- 2020 campaigns at the Brisbane even if you win a Grand Slam, coach 0 Didi Kindlmann 0 and is 2004 and has won 23 Grand Slams ian Open, faces unheralded New International from Monday. everyone is looking to beat you.” keen for a fresh start. compared to two for the Russian. Zealander Paige Hourigan in the first “She’s always a tough oppo- But she is confi dent the level- “I was really looking forward The last time Williams played in Auck- round. nent. She’s such a great player, a headed Barty has what it takes to 2019 being over and we are land, in 2017, she had problems with Wozniacki will also team up with great person as well and I’m real- to handle the expectations of 2020 now so I’m really looking the wind and was bundled out in the Serena Williams in the doubles for the ly happy for her that she reached her home fans and the extra forward to starting again,” she Australia’s Ashleigh Barty attends a training session ahead second round before going on to win first time. the number one spot,” the Ger- off -court workload that comes said. of the Brisbane International tennis tournament. (AFP) Gulf Times Sunday, January 5, 2020 5 SPORT

NBA NFL Vikings, Saints renew playoff Davis scores 46 to acquaintances lead Lakers over in Big Easy Pelicans, Harden

New Orleans Saints coach Sean Payton. boosts Rockets ence by the Rams late in the Reuters Minnepolis fourth quarter. New Orleans put that loss behind it and ‘Tonight I think my teammates just gave me great went 13-3 again this year. he New Orleans Saints “I think it says a lot about and the Minnesota Vi- our group to be able to take opportunities and put me in great position to score’ kings are very familiar some of those unfortunate cir- with one another. cumstances and be able to turn TWhen the Saints host the that into something positive Vikings in an NFL wild-card and use that as fuel, use that Los Angeles Lakers forward Anthony game today afternoon, it will as a way to bring us closer to- Davis (3) moves the ball against New be the fi fth time they have met gether and fi ght through that Orleans Pelicans guard E’Twaun Moore in the postseason. Minnesota adversity to bring out the best (55) during the first half of their game will break a tie with Philadel- in all of us,” quarterback Drew at Staples Center. PICTURE: Gary A. phia as New Orleans’ most fre- Brees said. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports quent playoff opponent. The Saints (13-3) were the “It feels like we’ve played fi rst NFL team to qualify for a handful of games,” Saints the playoff s this season when coach Sean Payton said. they captured a third con- The Saints and Vikings met secutive NFC South title on three times in a stretch of 25 Thanksgiving night. They games during the 2017 and were in position to claim a 2018 seasons, which included fi rst-round bye and perhaps the Vikings’ “Minneapolis the top seed in the NFC. Miracle” victory in the divi- But 10 days after clinch- sional round after the 2017 ing, they lost a 48-46 shoot- season. out to San Francisco, and Minnesota won a home both the 49ers and Green Bay game in the 2017 regular sea- won tiebreakers to claim the son, and New Orleans won a fi rst-round byes. New Orleans road game in the 2018 season. wound up No. 3. The teams even met in their Minnesota controlled its 2019 preseason opener back in fate in the NFC North until August. losing at home to Green Bay Of course the game that in Week 16, as the Packers stands out most was that 2017 wrapped up the division title playoff meeting in Minneapo- and the Vikings were locked in lis, in which New Orleans ral- at No. 6. lied from a 17-0 halftime defi - Coach Mike Zimmer rested cit to take a 24-23 lead with 25 several key players in the reg- seconds left. ular-season fi nale, and Min- The Saints seemingly were nesota lost to Chicago to fi nish on their way to Philadelphia for 10-6. the NFC Championship Game “I don’t think anybody be- when Case Keenum com- lieves that we can win this pleted a pass to Stefon Diggs, game, so we go in there and we AFP rookie safety Marcus Williams slug it out,” said Zimmer, who Los Angeles Ball scored a team-high 23 points and lead had dwindled to single digits with two going into the fi nal period. whiff ed on an attempted tackle is 2-2 against New Orleans, Ingram added 22 for the Pelicans, who cut 2:07 remaining when Harden drained a Theis’s big block fi nally defi ned the and Diggs sprinted to a 61-yard including playoff s. “All I re- a 22-point defi cit at the start of the fourth step-back three-pointer that boosted the night, leaving Young — who fi nished with touchdown as time expired. ally care about is that 53 guys nthony Davis had another big quarter to be seven behind with 2:25 re- Rockets’ lead to 11. 28 points and 10 assists — disappointed in Minnesota is 3-1 against believe. night against his former NBA maining. After another three-pointer, Harden his return to action after two games side- New Orleans in the playoff s, “It’s important that when team, scoring 46 points to lead A three-pointer from Danny Green, connected with Capela for an alley-oop lined by a sprained right ankle. starting with a 44-10 wild- you get in games like this, the Los Angeles Lakers to a 123- a steal by LeBron James and a basket by dunk that capped the scoring with 55.4 Terrence Ross was the star in Orlando, card victory in the Superdome number one, you have to 113A victory over the New Orleans Pelicans Davis pushed the lead back to double- seconds left. tying a season-high with six three-point- after the 1987 season in the be able to execute. Do what on Friday. digits and the Lakers won their fourth Harden made 13 of 24 shots. Capela ers in the Magic’s 105-85 victory over the Saints’ fi rst postseason ap- you’ve been doing all along.” Davis said his second 40-point game straight since halting a four-game losing connected on 12 of 16, outplaying Phila- Miami Heat. pearance. The Vikings will be bol- against the Pelicans wasn’t as emotional streak. delphia star Joel Embiid, who fi nished Ross fi nished with 25 points and team- New Orleans’ only victory stered by the return of Pro as his 41-point performance last Novem- Green fi nished with 25 points and with 20 points and 12 rebounds but made mate Nikola Vucevic posted his 15th dou- was pretty memorable also, as Bowl running back Dalvin ber in New Orleans, where he began his James chipped in 17 points and 15 assists just seven of 17 from the fl oor. ble-double of the season with 20 points it prevailed 31-28 in overtime Cook, who missed the last two NBA career as the overall top draft pick in — including a lob pass to Davis who threw In Boston, Daniel Theis blocked a and 11 rebounds. in the NFC Championship games because of a shoulder 2012. down a dunk with 3:42 remaining. three-point attempt by Atlanta’s Trae Jimmy Butler scored 23 points for Mi- Game in the Superdome, en injury. “It was just another game for me,” said “He just scored in every way that you Young with 2.7 seconds remaining and the ami, but the Heat were throttled by the route to the Saints’ only Super “I feel refreshed. I’m go- Davis, who also pulled down 13 rebounds. can,” Lakers coach Frank Vogel said. Celtics escaped with a 109-106 victory Magic in the fourth quarter when their six Bowl after the 2009 season. ing to be ready to go,” Cook “The fi rst game in New Orleans was defi - James Harden came up big in Houston, over the lowly Hawks. points matched the lowest total in a quar- The Saints bounced back said. “I’m going to be at full nitely a lot more emotional, not only go- scoring 44 points with 11 assists and 11 re- “I knew he wanted to take the three to ter by any team in more than two years. from the playoff loss at Min- strength. Looking forward to a ing against my former team but playing in bounds to notch his fi rst triple-double of win the game,” Boston center Theis said. “They absolutely stifl ed us, choked us nesota two years ago to go 13-3 good football game.” that arena again. the season in the Rockets’ 118-108 victory “He probably would’ve beat me for a lay- off ensively,” Heat coach Erik Spoelstra and claim the No. 1 seed in the Cook has rushed for 1,135 “Tonight I think my teammates just over the Philadelphia 76ers. up, but I think he just wanted the game- said. NFC last season. They nar- yards and 13 touchdowns and gave me great opportunities and put me in Clint Capela added a season-high winner... and at the end I was right there rowly missed going to the Su- caught 53 passes for 519 yards. great position to score the basketball.” 30 points with 14 rebounds and Russell to block it.” RESULTS per Bowl in an overtime loss at Minnesota linebacker Eric While it felt like a regular day at the of- Westbrook added 20 points as the Rock- Atlanta, who came into the game with LA Lakers ...... 123 New Orleans ...... 113 home against the Rams in the Kendricks (quad) also will re- fi ce for Davis, three players traded by Los ets handed the Sixers their fourth straight the league’s worst record, jumped to a 29- Phoenix...... 120 New York...... 112 NFC Championship Game. turn after missing one game. Angeles to obtain him — Lonzo Ball, Bran- defeat — a disappointing skid in the wake 11 lead in the fi rst quarter. Houston ...... 118 Philadelphia ...... 108 They almost certainly would Kendricks tied for the NFL don Ingram and Josh Hart — may have felt of their Christmas upset of the Milwaukee Boston, led by 24 points and 10 re- Boston ...... 109 Atlanta ...... 106 have won that game if the of- lead among linebackers with those emotions fl owing when the Lakers Bucks. bounds from Jaylen Brown, cut the advan- Orlando...... 105 Miami ...... 85 fi cials had called a penalty on 12 pass breakups during the played a highlight video featuring the trio. The Rockets’ 18-point third quarter tage to two points by halftime, and led by Washington ...... 103 Portland...... 122 a blatant case by pass interfer- regular season.

NHL ‘Preventable mistakes’ doom Red Wings By Ted Kulfan work too hard to create off ensive zone scored his ninth goal, defl ecting Esa Wings had pulled Bernier after a Dallas The Detroit News time, to give away those easy chances. Lindell’s shot from the high slot at 1:36. delay-of-game penalty for a 6-on-4 We have to be better at that, and our The Stars pushed the lead to 3-1 at advantage. It didn’t matter; the Stars speciality teams have to be better.” 11:42 of the second period, with Pav- gained possession of the puck, and ritical mistakes on special The Red Wings dropped their NHL- elski – who was given a sliver stick Sekera fi red a shot from the high slot teams were costly to the De- worst record to 10-29-3. before the game acknowledging his re- for his second goal. troit Red Wings on Friday Larkin opened the scoring with his cent 1,000th career game – scoring his The Wings only had fi ve shots on net Cnight, and they began the 10th goal at 3:47 of the fi rst period. eighth goal, beating Bernier off a 2-on- in the third period, as the Stars did a second half of their season with a 4-1 Robby Fabbri left a drop pass for 1 rush after a Bowey turnover. fi ne job shutting things down defen- loss to the Dallas Stars. Larkin between the hashmarks and “We just have to make sure we’re not sively. “They really locked us down Dylan Larkin opened the scoring but Larkin snapped a shot past goaltender giving away easy chances, breakaways, and we didn’t do a good job of getting the Wings couldn’t generate another Anton Khudobin blocker side. 2-on-0s, those will hurt you and that’s pucks through the neutral zone,” Lar- goal all evening, unable to build upon But the Stars began the slow climb not winning hockey,” Red Wings for- kin said. “Give them credit, they bot- Tuesday’s rare victory. back, as the Wings normally allow ward Justin Abdelkader said. tled us up and made it real hard to get Roope Hintz (short-handed), Radek teams to do. Blashill said the Wings need to be into the zone.” Faksa (power play), Joe Pavelski and In the midst of a four-minute pow- content with the game situation at The Wings were 0-for-5 on the Andrej Sekera (short-handed) scored er play – Dallas forward Radek Faksa hand. power play, while also allowing the two Stars goals as Dallas won the special for high sticking – the Wings allowed “Both the fi rst and third goals short-handed goals. A unit that has teams battle with three such goals, and Hintz’s short-handed goal, his 14th (against) were direct result of puck struggled all season truly had a forget- capitalised on Wings turnovers. goal, off an errant pass by Fabbri, lead- decisions, and we just have to be bet- table game. “We made what I would say totally ing to a 2-on-0 rush on Bernier. ter than that,” Blashill said. “We have “We’re all good players, so we need preventable mistakes and gave away The short-handed goal ignited the to be OK with the game being 1-0 and to go out and execute and make plays, goals and chances for no reason,” Red Stars. Detroit Red Wings right wing Filip Zadina (11) is tripped up by Dallas Stars center 1-1. You can’t force things that aren’t make tape-to-tape passes and get the Wings coach Jeff Blashill said. “We With Madison Bowey off for hold- Andrew Cogliano (11) during the third period at the American Airlines Center. there.” puck down there and around the net,” work too hard to try to create off ense, ing at 1:14 of the second period, Faksa PICTURE: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports Sekera capped the scoring after the Larkin said. Gulf Times 6 Sunday, January 5, 2020 SPORT

NFL ‘Grateful’ Wentz hauls injury-hit Eagles back into playoff breach Inspired play of their franchise quarterback – and their championship mettle – give Philly a puncher’s chance

By Dave Caldwell son, joining All-Pro right tackle The Guardian Lane Johnson on the sidelines. “It’s just fun to see guys step in big moments like that – guys who ot many people expect were last year on the practice the Philadelphia Eagles squad,” Wentz says. “For them to to last very long in the step up in the way they have, and NFL playoff s this year, for guys to make plays, it’s been Nbut not many people expected so cool to see. I think that’s what them to win the Super Bowl two makes it that much more fun to years ago, either. The Eagles do what we did, and then hope- somehow won two home playoff fully we can go do something games as an underdog then and special.” upset the New England Patriots The three-game losing streak with their backup quarterback, that preceded the four-game Nick Foles, to win their fi rst winning streak included a 17-9 Vince Lombardi Trophy. loss at home on November 24 to Well, Foles is gone, and the Seattle. Stalked by a Seahawks’ fi rst-choice starter in 2017, Car- defence that fi nished as the son Wentz, is healthy, back in seventh-worst defence in the his place and playing better than league, Wentz was sacked three ever. But the big problem now is times, threw two interceptions that Philadelphia is so banged and lost two fumbles, one on a up that just winning its last four botched handoff exchange. games and the championship After the Eagles lost the fol- in the mediocre NFC East is be- lowing week to the Dolphins, ing regarded as a signifi cant ac- the only reason they were still in complishment. How will, or can, the hunt for a playoff berth was they possibly win a playoff game because the Dallas Cowboys had against Seattle on Sunday? won only one more game than Because of the NFL’s awk- they had, and New York and ward playoff format, the Eagles Washington stank. Wentz led (9-7) will play host to the Sea- the Eagles to comeback victories hawks (11-5) because the Eagles over New York and Washington, won their division and Seattle is then threw for 313 yards in a vic- merely a wild-card team, albeit tory over the fl at Cowboys. in a better division. Lincoln Fi- “We don’t give up. We play for nancial Field in south Philadel- 60 minutes,” veteran defensive phia is such a snake pit that Seat- lineman Fletcher Cox said. “The tle is only a slight favourite. But coaches are always on us hard. Wentz also might be playing his We depend on the leaders to lead most inspiring football ever. and we’ve been doing a great job “I think he’s grown up as a of that. Just hats off to Carson. leader of this team,” says Doug He’s been doing a really good job Pederson, the Philadelphia coach of taking care of that side of the and former NFL quarterback. football.” “You’ve seen it here now the last Foles signed as a free agent couple of games, how he’s really In this December 29, 2019, picture, Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz (right) throws a pass against the New York Giants during the first quarter at MetLife Stadium in East with the Jacksonville Jaguars af- just put the team on his back and Rutherford, New Jersey, United States. (USA TODAY Sports) ter last season because the Ea- said, ‘Hey, follow me,’ and I think gles had made a commitment to that’s a sign of growth and a sign downs. Wentz, who turned 27 were 5-7 after losing their third in these games. Nobody has been He smiled when he said, “I to Joshua Perkins on the other Wentz, then etched it in stone of maturity.” this week, has thrown for only straight game on 23 November playing better than he has.” think my wife is mad that I’m not sideline about 50 yards away. in July with a four-year, $128mn But Pederson adds this: “I 14,191 yards and 97 touchdowns to the lowly Dolphins, but Wentz Wentz used the word “grate- wearing the full suit she picked In becoming the fi rst Eagles’ contract extension through 2024. spent eight years in Green Bay after the Eagles used their fi rst- has helped a patchwork unit that ful” no fewer than 10 times in a out. But we’re still hungry. That’s quarterback to pass for more than Foles will always be a hero in with Brett Favre, and that’s what round draft choice on him in now includes former practice- news conference after Sunday’s the concept. We’re not done.” 4,000 yards in a season, Wentz Philadelphia for winning a Super Brett did. Brett just put the team 2016, and his last two seasons squad players eke into the posts- victory at the Meadowlands, Wentz is seemingly bigger than has thrown for 1,199 yards, seven Bowl – and Wentz had been seen on his back when the chips were ended early because of knee and eason. where the Eagles have won 11 of his listed measurements of 6ft touchdowns and no intercep- until this year as the elite quar- against us and he said, ‘Hey, fol- back injuries. “Even when there have been a their last 13 meetings with the 5in and 237lbs. He is not as fast or tions in the last four weeks, to terback who got hurt. low me,’ and that’s what Carson But Wentz is healthy now, and few drives where they are punt- Giants. He was wearing a black agile as Baltimore Ravens quar- a lineup relying on its second He is fi ne now, and he sounds can do.” grateful: “Grateful for my health, ing the ball, he is not frustrated, cap with a Philadelphia logo and terback Lamar Jackson – who is? tight end, fourth running back more appreciative for another Whoa. Pederson favourably grateful to be out here with the he’s patient, he’s making good champions stitched on the front, – but Wentz rushed for 243 yards and third set of wide receivers. opportunity, too. He says: “I compares Wentz with Brett Fa- guys in these big meaningful decisions,” says Malcolm Jenkins, as well as a green T-shirt under this year. And he has an amazing The Pro Bowl right guard, Bran- think the last few years give you vre, the gritty legend who threw games. Grateful to be playing the Eagles’ veteran safety, “and I his suit jacket with, “The East Is arm: He rolled to his right and don Brooks, injured his shoulder time to refl ect and think about for 71,838 yards and 508 touch- into January,” he said. The Eagles think that’s what we’ve needed Not Enough”. threw a perfect touchdown pass Sunday and was lost for the sea- this.”

SPOTLIGHT NBA Doncic thrills young fan who says All-Star centre Drummond’s name NBA star eases epileptic seizures arising in trade talks: reports AFP New York, United States Reuters fi rst-round pick that the Hawks Porzingis of the Mavericks and two seasons with the Hawks, New York, United States acquired from Brooklyn and ex- Kyle Lowry of the Raptors. according to The Athletic. allas Mavericks guard piring contracts, among other Wojnarowski reported that The Hawks are 7-28 and last Luka Doncic, third in assets. while Drummond is a favour- in the Eastern Conference. The NBA scoring and assists ndre Drummond, the With the NBA trade deadline ite of ownership, there is a re- Pistons are 12-23 and 11th in the this season, delighted a Detroit All-Star cen- still a month away on Feb. 6, alisation that it might be time conference, who enter play Sat- nine-year-oldD fan Thursday who tre who has spent his the interest in the 6-10 Drum- to capitalise on what assets he urday four games out of eighth says watching the 20-year-old eight-year career with mond, who has led the NBA in might provide in a trade. The place and a playoff position. Slovenian helps ease his epileptic theA Pistons, is the subject of rebounding three times and is team appears stuck with the Drummond has career aver- seizures. trade talks, according to multi- atop the list at 15.8 boards per fi nal two years and $76mn on ages of 14.3 points and 13.8 re- Doncic greeted Brayden Whit- ple reports. game beginning play Saturday, the contract of injury-plagued bounds and 1.6 blocks per game ley before and after the Maver- ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski extends wider, according to Ya- Blake Griffi n. in 33.6 minutes. He has played icks’ 123-111 home victory over cited league sources as saying hoo Sports’ Vincent Goodwill. Yahoo Sports also reported at least 78 games per season Brooklyn after the young fan, the Pistons and Hawks have Goodwill lists Eastern Con- that the Hawks’ Trae Young and since his rookie season, when wearing a T-shirt with Doncic’s been in discussions. In return ference contenders Boston and Drummond are friends, and the appeared in 60 games, 10 as a name and jersey number was for Drummond, a two-time Toronto and Western Confer- team could be under pressure to starter. He was the Pistons’ fi rst- spotted in the stands. All-Star and a third-team All- ence power Dallas as showing get more help for Young, who round draft pick (ninth overall) Mavericks assistant coach NBA selection in 2015-16, the interest, saying Drummond, 26, has expressed frustration with in 2012 out of St. Thomas More Darrell Armstrong saw the young Pistons would receive a 2020 has relationships with Kristaps the mounting losses in his fi rst School in Connecticut. fan holding a sign reading: “My Doc said watching Luka helps my epilepsy! 9 months no seizures!” MLB Armstrong escorted Whitley from the stands onto the court before the game to greet Doncic on the free throw line, where he Ohtani should bat more oft en: Angels manager chatted briefl y, shared a hug and signed an autograph for the boy. AFP pearances as a designated hitter. Doncic, who is averaging 29.1 Los Angeles, United States The right-hander posted a 4-2 points and 8.9 assists a game, record with a 3.31 earned-run scored 31 points and grabbed 13 average and 63 strikeouts over rebounds for the Mavs in Thurs- apanese pitcher and des- 51 2/3 innings as a pitcher, all in day’s triumph. ignated hitter Shohei 2018. Hours earlier, Doncic was un- Ohtani should bat more An exact plan for Ohtani is veiled as the early vote leader in often for the Los Angeles uncertain. Angels general man- fan balloting for next month’s AngelsJ when he returns from ager Bill Eppler wants more NBA All-Star Game with two major operations, new An- information from the team’s 1,073,957 votes. gels manager Joe Maddon says. medical staff and trainers be- Last month, Doncic shared a Maddon, who in 2016 guided tendon replacement surgery and to change that in the 2020 cam- fore having Ohtani bat as much moment with a 22-month-old the Chicago Cubs to their fi rst had a left knee operation in Sep- paign. as fi ve times a week, in addition Slovenian boy with the rare ge- Major League Baseball title tember that slowed his progress, “That’s another 50 at-bats to a once-a-week pitching per- netic disease 1 spinal muscular since 1908, spent 31 seasons but the 25-year-old former a year you’re going to get out formance. atrophy who needed the world’s with the Angels before taking Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fight- of the guy that you wouldn’t “Don’t treat your guys like most expensive drug, Zolgensma manager jobs in Tampa Bay and ers star is expected to be ready get otherwise,” Maddon said China dolls,” said Maddon. “He gene therapy, that costs $2.125mn Chicago. He inked a three-year to hit when the season opens in in an MLB website posting. has gone through some tough per patient. Doncic helped raise deal last October to rejoin the March. “Wouldn’t the fans dig on that?” moments. He has gone through more than $2mn for the boy’s Angels. Ohtani has not typically bat- Ohtani has batted.286 with his rehab and now it’s time to medical treatment in Los Angeles Ohtani didn’t pitch last year ted on the days before or after he 40 home runs and 123 runs bat- be a baseball player... this guy is and to relocate his family. after undergoing “Tommy John” pitches, but Maddon is looking ted in over 210 career MLB ap- special.” Gulf Times Sunday, January 5, 2020 7 FOOTBALL

FA CUP Guingamp forward Julan killed in car crash

Guingamp forward Nathael Julan has died in an accident at the age of 23, the French Ligue 2 side said in a statement on Friday. “L’En Avant Guingamp is in mourning,” said the club. “The club had the immense pain to learn this afternoon of the accidental Man Utd held by death of its player Nathael Julan. On this tragic day, all members of the club join together to express their sad condolences to Nathael’s family.” It did not give any further details. French media, including the website of L’Equipe, said he died in a car crash after a training session. Julan was raised at Le Havre where he made his professional debut in Ligue 2 in 2015. He went on to make 42 appearances for Le Havre, scoring nine goals, before joining Guingamp in January 2018 when they were in Ligue 1. He made Wolves, Man City 10 top flight appearances before being loaned to Valenciennes in January last year and returned to Guingamp in June. Guingamp were relegated last season. Van Bronckhorst named Guangzhou R&F head coach cruise through Former Feyenoord boss Giovanni van Bronckhorst has been appointed the new coach of Guangzhou R&F for the upcoming Villa and Brighton suff er embarrassing exits with losses to Fulham and Sheff ield season, the Chinese Super League club announced yesterday. The ex-Barcelona, Arsenal and Netherlands full back replaces AFP Dragan Stojkovic, who left the club by mutual consent on Friday. , United Kingdom Van Bronckhorst stood down from his role as head coach of Feyenoord at the end of the season in the Netherlands having guided the club to the Eredivisie title in 2017. The 44-year-old will pluttering Manches- be expected to return Guangzhou to the upper reaches of the ter United were forced Chinese Super League after two disappointing seasons under to settle for a dour 0-0 Stojkovic. While the Serbian took the club into the top six of the draw at Wolves in the FA Chinese Super League in his first two campaigns, 10th and 12th CupS third round, while holders place finishes in 2018 and 2019 respectively saw the former Manchester City started their Nagoya Grampus coach part company with Guangzhou. bid to retain the trophy with a 4-1 victory against Port Vale yesterday. Gonzalez to replace Li as Wuhan Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s trou- head coach bled side didn’t manage a single shot on target in the latest in a Jose Gonzalez has been named as new coach of Chinese Super growing list of underwhelming League side Wuhan Zall for the 2020 season, replacing Li Tie. Li displays. led Wuhan to sixth place in their first season back in the Chinese Easily beaten by Arsenal in Super League last year before being appointed on Thursday the Premier League on Wednes- to take over China’s national team following the resignation of day, United once again struggled Marcello Lippi in November. Gonzalez has previous experience to fi nd any momentum and now with the Chinese Super League, serving as head coach of Beijing face an unwanted replay at Old Guoan for the first half of the 2017 campaign. The 53-year-old’s Traff ord later in January. most recent role saw him working as head coach of Spanish side Solskjaer made seven changes Malaga. at Molineux with the League Cup semi-fi nal fi rst leg against Manchester City looming on Tuesday. SPOTLIGHT Knocked out by Wolves in the FA Cup quarter-fi nals last sea- son, disjointed United nearly fell behind when Matt Doherty’s Ole slams Pogba’s volley was superbly turned away by Sergio Romero. Brandon Williams had a agent Raiola for strong penalty appeal rejected by VAR after the United left- back tumbled following a chal- Manchester City’s Phil Foden celebrates scoring their fourth goal during the FA Cup third round match against Port Vale at Etihad Stadium in criticising Man Utd lenge with Leander Dendoncker. Manchester, United Kingdom, yesterday. (Reuters) United Marcus Reuters “But Paul is our player and Rashford hit the bar with his for City after a month out with a Villa are languishing just 45 seconds before scoring his fi rst “Credit to Sheffi eld Wednes- London, United Kingdom agents are hired by players — not fi rst touch, but Wolves nearly hamstring injury, the 34-year-old above the relegation zone after a goal since November 2017. day, they deserve to go through. the opposite way around. It is not won it in the closing moments as Pope backed up his social media diffi cult fi rst season back in the “The game was won by two We huff ed and puff ed but our agents’ players, it is our players.” Raul Jimenez smashed against taunts by equalising with a glanc- top-fl ight and boss Dean Smith wonder-goals,” Smith said. “I second-half performance was anchester United Solskjaer was also left un- a post, leaving Solskjaer’s men ing header in the 35th minute. prioritised that survival battle don’t like losing in any competi- disappointing. We need to do manager Ole Gunnar impressed by the comments with just two wins from their Sergio Aguero restored order with nine changes against sec- tion, but everyone could see this better,” Potter said. Solskjaer believes of former United striker Robin last fi ve matches. when he fi red City back in front ond tier Fulham. wasn’t top of our priority list, Watford blew a three-goal Paul Pogba’s agent van Persie, who criticised the At the Etihad Stadium, City with his 15th goal of the season Anthony Knockaert gave because we have had injuries to lead in a dramatic 3-3 draw Mwas wrong to publicly disrespect Norwegian’s demeanour after boss Pep Guardiola made sev- three minutes before half-time. Fulham the lead at Craven Cot- three key players.” against third tier strugglers the club and said he will discuss United’s 2-0 loss to Arsenal on en changes, but Oleksandr Harwood-Bellis sealed the tage with a 54th minute curler Brighton endured the same Tranmere, while Newcastle were the situation with his midfi elder. Wednesday. Zinchenko got the scoring start- win from Stones’ fl ick in the as the former Brighton forward fate as Villa as Albion boss Gra- held to a 1-1 draw by League One Pogba’s agent Mino Raiola Van Persie, who wore the same ed against fourth-tier Vale after 58th minute and Phil Foden got grabbed his fi rst goal since Sep- ham Potter made seven changes minnows Rochdale. told an Italian newspaper that he shirt number as Solskjaer during 20 minutes. the fourth in the 76th minute. tember. from their New Year’s Day draw Leicester advanced with a 2-0 would no longer send his play- their playing days at Old Traf- Port Vale striker Tom Pope Anwar El Ghazi equalised for against Chelsea and second tier win against Wigan thanks to ers to United — “a club out of ford, won the Premier League had memorably mocked John VILLA, BRIGHTON Villa in the 63rd minute, but the Sheffi eld Wednesday took ad- Tom Pearce’s own goal and Har- touch with reality” — and that title with Manchester United in Stones last year, claiming he CRASH OUT understudies couldn’t hold on vantage with a 1-0 win at the vey Barnes’ strike at the King they would even ruin the career 2012-13 season. would love to play against him Aston Villa and Brighton suf- as Harry Arter won it with a 30- Amex Stadium. Power Stadium. of “Diego Maradona and Pele” if “I don’t know Robin and Rob- after being underwhelmed by fered embarrassing exits as the yard thunderbolt with 16 min- Adam Reach blasted Wednes- The pick of today’s ties sees they moved to Old Traff ord now. in doesn’t know me,” Solskjaer the City defender’s performance Premier League clubs paid the utes left. day into the fourth round with Liverpool face Merseyside rivals When asked if agents should be said. “He probably doesn’t have a during an England match. price for making a raft of team Midfi elder Arter had only been a defl ected long-range strike in Everton at Anfi eld, while Arse- off ering their opinions on clubs, right to criticise my management And with Stones returning changes. on the pitch for one minute and the 65th minute. nal host Leeds tomorrow. Solskjaer said: “No. I can speak to style and I won’t change. Paul Pogba about it. I don’t think I “He took my number 20 shirt should talk to — or about — agents and that’s probably all he’s going SERIE A that talk about us. to take from me as well.” Ibrahimovic vows to kick-start Milan COMMENT Stones must improve as Conte’s Inter seek rare win at Napoli fi tness record to fulfi l AFP brought in reinforcements Milan, Italy for Davide Nicola’s fi rst game against Sassuolo. potential at City: Pep Italy goalkeeper Mattia Perin latan Ibrahimovic has returns from Juventus along Reuters vowed to kickstart with Swiss midfi elder Valon Be- London, United Kingdom struggling AC Milan’s hrami and Bologna striker Mat- Serie A season as their tia Destro. Zlocal rivals Inter Milan recom- One to watch: As veteran Ib- anchester City mence a title battle with Juven- rahimovic prepares to start for manager Pep Guar- tus this weekend after the end of AC Milan, fellow Swede Dejan diola believes John the winter break. Kulusevski, 19, returns to Parma Stones has the abil- Milan play host to Sampdoria on loan after signing a fi ve-year Mity to become one of the best de- tomorrow, their fi rst game since deal with champions Juventus. fenders in the world but said he the humiliating 5-0 goal defeat The promising teenager has will not reach his potential until to Atalanta last month which had a breakthrough season since he stays fi t for long periods. sparked Ibrahimovic’s return. going on loan from Atalanta Stones last featured for City in “I’m ready and I really hope I to Parma in June, scoring four a 2-1 Premier League defeat by can play,” said the 38-year-old goals and setting up another Manchester United last month Ibrahimovic as he returned to seven in 17 games. and has been restricted to just 12 “It depends on him. It’s in his Milan nine years after his depar- He will be up against his par- club appearances this season. hands and in his head to become ture for Paris Saint-Germain. ent club this weekend. The 25-year-old is likely to re- one of the best.” “Things need to be improved Swedish forward Zlatan Ibrahimovic during his off icial presentation as an AC Milan player at the club’s “I’ve heard great things about turn to City’s starting lineup for In the absence of Stones, City on the pitch and that’s why I’m headquarters in Milan, Italy, on Friday. (AFP) Kulusevski,” said Ibrahimovic of the FA Cup third round match have been forced to play Brazil- here. I know what I have to do, the player who has more to Juve against League Two side Port ian midfi elder Fernandinho and Zlatan is still here.” Champions League football. had been in impressive form be- to achieve that feat since the in a deal worth nearly 44mn eu- Vale on Saturday after recovering 18-year-old Eric Garcia in centre Seven-time European champi- Inter Milan have not won at fore back-to-back losses. legendary ‘Grande Torino’ side ros ($49mn). from his third thigh injury of the back positions over the festive ons Milan are 11th in the table, 14 Napoli’s Stadio San Paolo since Meanwhile red-hot Lazio, back in 1948. campaign. period. points off the Champions League October 1997 but last season’s six points behind in third with One point behind Lazio in FIXTURES “He has the conditions to do Barcelona academy graduate places and just seven points clear runners-up are eighth this term, a game in hand, are looking in- fourth are capital city rivals Today it, but to be the best central de- Garcia has impressed Guardiola of the relegation zone. with Gennaro Gattuso replacing creasingly dangerous. Roma, who host Torino amid Brescia v Lazio fender you have to play one en- with his tactical maturity, hav- By contrast Inter are chal- Carlo Ancelotti last month. Simone Inzaghi’s side, who takeover talks with US billion- SPAL v Verona tire season, every three days be- ing helped City to victories over lenging champions Juventus’ “Inter have been strong in have not lost since their 1-0 de- aire Dan Friedkin. Genoa v Sassuolo ing there,” Guardiola told a news Sheffi eld United and Everton. hegemony at the top of Serie previous years but they have im- feat to Inter in late September, Fiorentina and Genoa start AS Roma v Torino conference. “Eric is so clever,” Guardiola A, with both sides level on 42 proved even more under Conte,” can push their league winning the calendar year with new Tomorrow “I don’t know why he has not added. “Everything you say to points after 17 games. said Napoli defender Mario Rui. streak to nine games against rel- coaches. Bologna v Fiorentina been able to play regularly. We him, he understands, he doesn’t Antonio Conte’s Inter travel “They will make us suff er, but egation-threatened Brescia. Giuseppe Iachini’s fi rst game AC Milan v Sampdoria try to help him. We have tried need more time to understand. to Napoli, while Juve are at home we are ready.” The Roman side have scored with 15th-placed Fiorentina will Juventus v Cagliari to do the best to help him since “Life is about opportunities. against sixth-placed Cagliari, Juventus return to action after two goals or more in each of be at Bologna, a team they are Atalanta v Parma the fi rst day of the 3-1/2 years We are delighted with how he has this season’s surprise pack- their Italian Super Cup defeat to their last 11 league games since unbeaten against in 10 games. Lecce v Udinese we have been here. We do every- taken his. He’s helped us in tough age who are well in the hunt for Lazio against a Cagliari side that that Inter defeat, the fi rst team Bottom club Genoa have Napoli v Inter Milan thing for him. moments.”

Sunday, January 5, 2020 GULF TIMES FOOTBALL

Bayern Munich arrive in Doha for training camp

Bayern Munich players take part in a training session at Aspire Zone yesterday. PICTURES: FCBayern.com Bayern Munich head coach Hansi Flick and goalkeeper Manuel Neuer (right) arrive in Doha.

QNB STARS LEAGUE Qatar SC hold Al Duhail on Al Duhail climb to 30 points to extend their lead over Al Rayyan to two Mandzukic debut points, Qatar SC now have 14 points atar SC held QNB Stars League lead- Khor beat Sailiya for second win this season ers Al Duhail to a 0-0 draw even as Mario l Khor beat Al Sailiya 2-1 Al Khor have the advantage of Mohamed al-Jabri to Ansari, who MandzukicQ made his debut in in Week 12 of the 2019-20 having played one game less as only had to place it in. Week 12 of the 2019-20 QNB AQNB Stars League at the their Week 7 fixture against Al Tiago Bezerra led Al Khor’s Stars League at the Al Gharafa Al Khor Stadium yesterday. Sadd was deferred due to the charge and their eff orts bore Stadium yesterday. Karim Ansari put Al Sailiya ahead latter’s AFC Champions League fruit as Helal struck the ball in With Al Duhail’s new star in the 18th minute, only to see commitment. It will now be from the top of the box after be- attraction Mandzukic straight Helal Mohamed equalise for Al played on January 21 before the ing set up by Tiago. into the starting line-up, Qa- Khor in the 29th minute. How- QNB Stars League resumes with Al Sailiya’s Nadir Belhadj tar SC set out to deny any clear ever, Ibrahim Amada struck the Week 12 action on January 23. unleashed two booming long- opening from the off and their winning goal in the 83rd minute Al Sailiya and Al Khor, who had rangers in each half. First, it went resolute defending was reward- as The Knights moved on to nine played out a 1-1 draw in the first narrowly over the bar. Later on, ed as they restricted the rivals points with their second victory. leg, started off on a fast pace this Al Khor goalkeeper Baba Djibril throughout. The victory will do a world of time, with both teams having collected his shot. The former Juventus maes- good in Al Khor’s bid to move their share of the ball. Ahmed Hammoudan and Tiago tro made a big impression as he away from the danger zone. Gradually, Al Khor were more were unlucky with their attempts brought his experience into the Al Sailiya, who are keen to be on the ascendancy, but it was at the goal in the first half. QNB Stars League for the fi rst in the top four like they did last Al Sailiya who surged ahead. After repeated attempts by both time. He was unlucky to have an season when they ended up Hamad al-Abidi crossed the ball teams to break the deadlock in early goal chalked off for a mar- third for their best-ever finish in from the right, Abdulqadir Ilyas the second session, it was the ginal off side decision. the league, stood on 17 points as took a shot at the goal and the turn of Amada to hit home the Qatar SC took confi dence they suff ered their fifth defeat. ball rebounded off Al Khor’s winner. from that call and they too had a goal disallowed midway through the fi rst half when Sardor Rash- idov’s clinical fi nish was ruled out by the linesman for off side. The away side went close again when Kayke Rodrigues forced Amine Lecomte into an excellent save from distance, before two quickfi re attempts from Yousef Msakni failed to challenge the scoreboard. In spite of the lack of goals, it was certainly a feisty match as both teams were made to work hard for the few opportunities that were created. Paulo Edmil- son and Mandzukic both went close for Al Duhail in the second half, but were unable to make the pressure count. The clearest opportunity for a Al Duhail’s Mario Mandzukic (left) in action during the QNB Stars League match against Qatar SC match winner came from Kayke yesterday. PICTURE: Shemeer Rasheed when he found himself free in the area and, from an acute an- drifted agonisingly wide of the tween the teams and Qatar SC climb to 30 points and marginally Al Khor’s Ibrahim Amada (second from left) celebrates his goal against Al Sailiya with his teammates dur- gle, executed a glorious chipped upright. will be the most content as they extended their lead over second- ing their QNB Stars League match yesterday. PICTURE: Noushad Thekkayil shot over the goalkeeper which A draw was a fair result be- now have 14 points. Al Duhail placed Al Rayyan to two points.

LA LIGA Ruthless Real Madrid dismantle gutsy Getafe AFP very much in the race for Cham- sence has off ered a reprieve for bobbling into his own net. Madrid, Spain pions League qualifi cation. An- Isco, who started again, and Bale, Karim Benzema tested Soria other excellent season under who twice should have scored in at his near post but Courtois was coach Jose Bordalas is proving the second half, only to tee up Mo- the busier of the two keepers. He eal Madrid made an im- last year’s remarkable top-four dric via substitute Fede Valverde. palmed away a stinging volley pressive start to the year challenge was far from a fl uke. At the other end, Thibaut from Mauro Arambarri, pushed as they picked apart a But their usually stubborn Courtois appears fi nally to be out a drive from Faycal Fajr and robust Getafe side to defence was overly-generous as fi nding his best form after a then blocked a close-range head- winR 3-0 in La Liga yesterday. Soria’s mistake and then a free rocky start since his summer er from Leandro Cabrera. Raphael Varane was the insti- header put Madrid in charge be- move from Chelsea. Courtois Getafe’s frustration was com- gator of two goals at the Coli- fore Modric completed what was, made three strong saves before pounded eight minutes into seum Alfonso Perez, fi rst pres- in the end, a comfortable win. Varane’s second gave Madrid the second half when an un- suring Getafe David Soria into a “We did it and we did it by breathing space. marked Varane nodded in Kroos’ missed punch and an own-goal fi ghting,” Zidane said. “He saves us two or three times whipped cross and the home side before himself heading home a Without either Ramos, who in the fi rst half, he was key,” said never looked like being revived cross from Toni Kroos. was suspended, or Eden Hazard, Zidane. thereafter. “I’m happy with his perform- who continues to nurse an ankle Getafe’s success under Bord- Bale tried to chip Soria and then ance but it’s especially important injury, this looked an awkward alas has been built upon tenac- go round him but made amends for when Sergio Ramos isn’t there, to fi xture for Zidane’s team on the ity as well as discipline and hard his misses in injury-time. have another leader,” said Madrid back of a two-week winter break. work, with right-back Allan Mendy twisted free before coach Zinedine Zidane. Instead, they keep the pressure Nyom particularly eager to make feeding Bale, who curled the ball Luka Modric then added a on Barcelona before travelling to his presence felt on Bale early on. beautifully, fi rst time and on the third deep into injury-time after Saudi Arabia next week, where Yet one late challenge too turn, into the path of the sprint- a brilliant fi rst-time pass by Ga- they could face a Clasico fi nal in many earned Nyom a yellow card ing Valverde. He could have reth Bale had set Madrid away on the Spanish Super Cup, with Va- and Madrid a dangerous free- scored himself but instead set the counter-attack. lencia up fi rst on Wednesday in kick that led to the opener shortly up Modric, who fi nished into an Victory sends Zidane’s side top the last four. after the half-hour mark. open net. of the table briefl y at least, one Hazard will stay at home after Kroos’ cross was put back in by point above Barcelona, who play Zidane confi rmed on Friday the Ferland Mendy on the opposite RESULTS later on Saturday against Catalan Belgian will not return until later side and while Soria sprung out Valencia 1 (Gomez 27) Eibar 0 Real Madrid’s Luka Modric (centre) loses his balance after he has shot to score a goal during the La Liga rivals Espanyol. this month at the earliest. to punch, he failed to connect and Getafe 0 Real Madrid 3 (Soria match against Getafe at the Col. Alfonso Perez stadium in Getafe, Spain, yesterday. (AFP) Getafe remain seventh and His worryingly extended ab- only succeeded in sending the ball 34-og, Varane 53, Modric 90+6)