CRICKET | Page 4 BOXING | Page 8 Kiwis Olympic To Advertise here sweep champion Call: 444 11 300, 444 66 621 B’desh Adams turns series professional

Tuesday, January 24, 2017 TENNIS Rabia Il 26, 1438 AH Nadal thrilled GULF TIMES by return to Grand Slam quarter-fi nals SPORT Page 2 fancy title chances aft er ousting

By Our Correspondent enthused by the prospect of his team going Paris all the way. Qatar goalkeeper Danijel Saric celebrates with “It’s a big day for sport in Qatar,” the teammates after Sunday's stunning victory Spaniard gushed after plotting Germany’s over European champions Germany in the atar are fancying their chances of downfall on Sunday. World Handball Championship in Paris. (AFP) making amends for their heart- “I am very happy. We played an excellent breaking second-place fi nish in match. We were down by one at half-time, 2015 after sensationally upsetting but we gave our best in the second half and EuropeanQ champions Germany in the last 16 fi nally we won,” he said. of this year’s 25th IHF Men’s World Cham- Rivera said Qatar worked hard for the win pionship in . and the victory proved the players gelled as a Displaying dazzling skills and supreme team, perhaps reacting to the negative criti- athleticism, Valero Rivera’s men upstaged cism in certain quarters over the presence of the mighty Germans 22-20 in Paris on Sun- several naturalised players in the squad. day to render the tournament wide open “We showed that we are a team. We after being written off as only worth a last- showed that Qatar deserve respect. We eight fi nish when the event began. worked hard for this, so this win represents They have a relatively easy quarter-fi nal a lot for us,” added the 63-year-old. outing against Slovenia today, and a vic- Qatar, the Asian and Asian Games cham- tory will pit them against either or pions, had beaten Slovenia 31-29 in the 2015 France in the last four phase from where it tournament in Doha, with Rafael Capote could be anybody’s game as far as the title scoring a whopping 12 goals in the match. is concerned. Capote was the MVP against Germany Qatar’s win over Germany evoked mem- with nine goals on Sunday and Qatar will ories of the 2015 tournament when it was be expecting another dazzling performance held in Doha where Qatar stormed into the from him today against Slovenia. fi nal before capitulating to France. Qatar goalkeeper Danijel Saric has also Coach Rivera had underplayed Qatar’s served Qatar well bringing off several key hopes this time round by insisting he was saves in the tournament and will have to be only targeting a quarter-fi nal spot, but fol- in top form to stop the Slovenians. lowing Sunday’s thrilling win against In other quarter-fi nal matches today, Germany and Olympic champions Den- Sweden meet France, face Croatia and mark’s upset loss to Hungary, even he was Norway take on Hungary. COMMERCIAL BANK Dutch teen Pierre Verlaar can’t wait McDowell, Noren, for action to begin

By Sports Reporter I’m aware of some of the previous Doha champions like , Ser- gio Garcia, and ,” he added. fter winning the biggest title With the winner of the Qatar of his career at this month’s Open earning a place at the Kaymer headline AQatar Open Amateur Commercial Bank Qatar Masters, Championship, Dutch teenager Verlaar looked set to book his Pierre Verlaar Jr is now preparing place against the European Tour for the biggest tournament of his stars one year ago when he held a life at this week’s Commercial Bank two-shot lead with the finishing line Qatar Masters. in sight, but eventually lost out to Runner-up at last year’s Qatar Rayhan Thomas, the Dubai-based Open Amateur, the 18-year-old Indian teenager. 20th CBQM line-up made amends earlier this month “I was two shots clear on 17 and by shooting three straight rounds then made a double bogey. I only of 70 at Doha Golf Club for a had to play par, par to win, but I ‘The more top-class players you have, the better it is for the whole field and six-under-par total of 210 and a didn’t, and then Rayhan made a three-stroke victory over local star birdie in the playoff to win,” said for the spectators to come and watch. That’s what it’s all about. It gives it a lift’ Saleh al-Kaabi. Verlaar, who’s attached to The Verlaar—born in 1998, the year Dutch golf club. “It felt like a stupid of the first Qatar Masters—is now way to finish. However, it was a well By Sports Reporter excited to return to the famed run tournament and I was thinking Doha course for Qatar’s long-standing I had to come back this year to try European Tour showdown, which again. It was like unfinished busi- features the likes of , ness so it felt great to win.” ajor winners Martin Kaymer Graeme McDowell and Ernie Els as Verlaar, who idolises Tiger Woods and Graeme McDowell, World it celebrates its 20th edition. and Rory McIlroy, said he was Number 10 Alex Noren and “I’ve never played a European especially pleased to better his new Race to Dubai Rankings Tour event. I’ve never even played 2016 score by nine strokes as he Mleader Tommy Fleetwood are among the on the European Challenge Tour. continues to build on his dream of favourites at the 20th Commercial Bank I’ve played in some pro events becoming a European Tour player. Qatar Masters, which tees off on Thursday. like on the MENA Golf Tour, but “I was happy with my scores at Ryder Cup rookies Rafa Cabrera Bello, it’s nothing like this,” said Verlaar, the Qatar Open as they were really and Andy Sullivan, in-form a Dutch national team player who consistent,” said Verlaar, whose and 2016 European has played golf full time since best friend Dario Antonisse will be Tour Rookie of the Year Wang Jeunghun— finishing school. caddying for him this week. “I was the youngest player in last year’s Olympic “I like the courses out here, in two behind after the first day, led Men’s Golf Tournament—also feature in a Qatar, Abu Dhabi and Dubai. I’ve after the second round and then strong fi eld at the Doha Golf Club. played a lot in this region, but I’m made little mistakes on the last day, Eight-time European Tour winner not sure what to expect at the but I made a lot of birdies. I hope I , competing for a 15th Commercial Bank Qatar Masters. can keep playing well this week.” time, and Thorbjørn Olesen are tied with Rory McIlroy and for the most consecutive winning years on the - pean Tour (2014-2016), so both will be looking to extend that sequence in Doha. Major winner Martin Kaymer has 11 Wood, who won in 2013, is among sev- European Tour titles to his name. en returning champions along with two- time winner Paul Lawrie (1999, 2012), 2018 European Ryder Cup Captain Tho- the spectators to come and watch. That’s because it’s just too strong. I think that’s ranked player after winning four times mas Bjørn (2011), Robert Karlsson (2010), what it’s all about. When the best players a big part of what this place is. on the 2016 European Tour. Fleetwood Alvaro Quiros (2009), four-time Major come to play in your tournament, it gives “It’s always bouncy and quite diffi cult moved to 53rd in the Offi cial World Golf winner Ernie Els (2005) and Darren Fi- it a lift,” said Lawrie, who would be play- to keep the ball pin high, so you have to Ranking after his victory in Abu Dhabi on chardt (2003). ing in his 18th Qatar Masters, having only hole out very well from fi ve and six feet all Sunday, where Kaymer tied for fourth. Lawrie believes the tournament’s 20th missed the 2000 and 2003 editions. the time because it’s hard to get the ball Wiesberger, one of the European Tour’s edition has been boosted by the return of “I love playing here. My record’s pret- dead when you’re putting from long dis- most in-form players, also tied for fourth his 2012 Ryder Cup teammates McDowell ty good and I always feel like I’ve got a tance. To win around here, you’ve got to to secure his third straight top-four fi nish and Kaymer, who are competing in the chance if I play half-decent. be deadly from fi ve to six feet.” on the European Tour. Commercial Bank Qatar Masters for the “You have to control your ball fl ight Kaymer and McDowell, with 11 and 10 The Austrian has now fi nished in the fi rst time since 2012 and 2014 respectively. around here. If you’re not in control, then European Tour titles respectively, are two top seven in seven of his last events on the “The more top-class players you have, you’re in trouble because of the wind. You of the fi eld’s most high-profi le players, circuit, which include runner-up fi nishes the better it is for the whole fi eld and for have to ride the wind. You can’t fi ght it although Noren is the fi eld’s highest- at the . Gulf Times 2 Tuesday, January 24, 2017 TENNIS

AUSTRALIAN OPEN BATTLE AHOY! Raonic fi ghtback Nadal thrilled by sets up Nadal clash return to grand slam quarter-fi nals Canada’s Milos Raonic celebrates winning his fourth round match. AFP bled by a virus during the earlier Melbourne rounds, but said: “I have the en- ‘For me, it means a lot because I start the season playing quarter-finals in a grand ergy. Still don’t necessarily feel at full capacity. slam again and after a couple of years without being in this round is great news’ hird seed Milos Raonic “I can go about my days nor- charged home to claim a mally. Sort of on the tail-end of quarter-fi nal with Rafael the recovery.” Nadal at the Austral- Raonic, who stretched his Tian Open following a fl uctuating record to 5-0 over the Spaniard, four-set win over Spain’s Rob- served up 33 aces but also had his erto Bautista Agut yesterday. issues with his serve as he was Raonic had early problems be- broken three times, along with fore he recovered under a closed nine double faults. roof to win 7-6 (8/6), 3-6, 6-4, The Canadian was vulnerable 6-1 against the 13th-seeded on serve in the opening two- Bautista Agut in two hours, 52 and-a-half sets, but he came minutes on Hisense Arena. good just in time. The boom-serving Canadian Raonic, a semi-fi nalist last trails the 14-time Grand Slam year, saved two of three break champion Nadal 6-2 in their pre- points in the ninth game of a vious meetings. rain-interrupted third set with It is the third straight year 200kmh-plus aces. Raonic has reached the quarter- Raonic reeled off nine of 11 fi nals in , and it is also games once the roof was closed. his sixth quarter-fi nal at a major, “Coming together now, the most by any Canadian player. putting in a great fi nish to last “I was very fortunate to get year, playing what I feel is some through today, (because) there of my best tennis right now,” were some moments where it Raonic said of his current form. was not looking so good, so “I have some very diffi cult I’m happy to fi nd a way to pull tasks ahead of me. I had a very through,” Raonic said. diffi cult one today. Next one is The Canadian has been trou- going to be a very diffi cult one.”

MATTERS OF THE HEART Heart-throb Dimitrov says love matches delayed rise

Spain’s Rafael Nadal celebrates his victory against France’s Gael Monfils during their men’s singles fourth round match yesterday at the Australian Open.

Reuters sive roadblock to Nadal’s hopes of a fi rst Results hand Monfi ls a free point then pounding Melbourne grand slam semi-fi nal since winning his a forehand over the baseline. last French Open in 2014. (x denotes seeding): Monfi ls clinched the set with a blazing “For me, it means a lot because I really forehand winner and strutted back to his afa Nadal returned to the grand start the season playing quarter-fi nals in MEN’S SINGLES chair with an index fi nger pointed at his slam big-time by weathering a a grand slam again, especially on a hard David Goff in (BEL x11) bt Dominic temple. furious Gael Monfi ls fi ghtback court (and) after a couple of years without Thiem (AUT x8) 5-7, 7-6 (7/4), 6-2, 6-2 Saving two break points and survived a to win 6-3 6-3 4-6 6-4 and being in this round is great news,” ninth Grigor Dimitrov (BUL x15) bt Denis marathon fourth game, an inspired Mon- reachR the Australian Open quarter-fi nals seed Nadal told reporters, still bathed in fi ls pounding away at Nadal’s serve like a Istomin (UZB) 2-6, 7-6 (7/2), 6-2, 6-1 yesterday. sweat after his work on a muggy evening. Milos Raonic (CAN) bt Roberto heavyweight boxer. Former champion Nadal had not reached “Very happy with an important victory Bautista (ESP) 7-6 (8/6), 3-6, 6-4, 6-1 Nadal fi red back with interest and it took the last eight in a major since the 2015 against a very good opponent. Rafael Nadal (ESP x9) bt Gael Monfils a low blow for him to be broken when an Grigor Dimitrov celebrates beating Denis Istomin yesterday. French Open, so he celebrated wildly after “When you lost the third (set), you are (FRA x6) 6-3, 6-3, 4-6, 6-4 unlucky net cord gave him no chance. closing out the two-hour 56-minute clash down 4-2 in the fourth, you are not under The Spaniard leapt to his feet to break AFP sian star Sharapova in 2015, will at a packed Rod Laver Arena. control, no. That’s the real thing.” WOMEN’S SINGLES back in the eighth game, however, pulling Melbourne face Belgian 11th seed David Gof- It was not the most convincing of wins Monfi ls came into the match with a Johanna Konta (GBR x9) bt Ekaterina Monfi ls wide across court before slam- fi n for a place in the semi-fi nals for the 30-year-old Spaniard, who be- 12-2 losing record against Nadal and Makarova (RUS x30) 6-1, 6-4 ming a two-hand backhand into the va- in the lower half of the draw. came rattled when sixth seed Monfi ls ral- the fl amboyant Frenchman started as if Serena Williams (USA x2) bt Barbora cant corner to level at 4-4. aria Sharapova’s ex- Istomin, the bespectacled lied brilliantly in the third set and went weighed down by the history. Strycova (CZE x16) 7-5, 6-4 The roar from the crowd almost lifted the boyfriend Grigor world number 117, showed the up 4-2 in the fourth. He was broken early in each of the fi rst Mirjana Lucic-Baroni (CRO) bt Jennifer stadium’s closed roof and Nadal jumped Dimitrov admit- eff ects of a demanding tourna- But Nadal summoned the resilience two sets and made his plight worse with Brady (USA) 6-4, 6-2 high and pumped his fi st in triumph. ted his relationships ment following his sensational of his halcyon days to win four straight some bizarre shots and mystifying deci- The moment felt like a turning-point Mmay have delayed his emergence second-round upset of six-time Karolina Pliskova (CZE x5) bt Daria games and keep his pursuit of a 15th sion-making. Gavrilova (AUS x22) 6-3, 6-3 and so it proved. as a top player as he extended his winner Novak Djokovic. grand slam title alive. He hammered a pair of blazing winners Monfi ls promptly crumbled on serve, hot streak at the Australian Open His game deteriorated after Novak Djokovic may be absent after to save set points in the second set but bowing out on the second match point yesterday. losing a second-set tiebreaker his shock second-round elimination but threw it away with a dismal drop shot. comfortable win but he came unstuck at with a huge backhand that fl ew just wide The Bulgarian heart-throb and despite medical treatment, third seed Milos Raonic looms as a mas- Nadal appeared on course to coast to a 4-4 in the third set, double-faulting to of the line. has long been touted as one of he had trouble getting around tennis’s next big things, but he the court as Dimitrov charged to reached only his third major victory. BOTTOMLINE quarter-fi nal with his win over giant-killer Denis Istomin. “I think when I was younger, Dimitrov, 25, beat the injury- I was struggling to kind of hit Uzbek 2-6, 7-6 (7/2), 6-2, diff erentiating love from a 6-1 to reach the last eight and personal love or a tennis stretch his winning streak to love or whatever else. nine matches after he won this There was time that I wasn’t Federer ready to restore order month’s Brisbane International. sure how to deal with both Reuters Federer added that he would the most important thing for me Afterwards, the man known as things in the same time.” Melbourne practice against a left-hander is to be focused on the next op- “Baby Fed” for his Roger Feder- before the clash with Zverev, ponent.” er-style play was asked whether Dimitrov lost to Rafael Nadal who charged Murray at the net In the women’s quarters, Ve- romantic entanglements may in the quarter-fi nals in Mel- eeing world number 50 and put the Scot off his rhythm nus Williams has the chance to have sometimes been a distrac- bourne three years ago and last Mischa Zverev and wild- from the baseline in their send a positive message to all tion from tennis. year he fell to Federer in the third card Denis Istomin upset fourth-round encounter. the veterans at the tournament “I obviously have a soft spot round. the top two players in the “Obviously he’s on a high when the 36-year-old takes for that,” joked the world number Dimitrov also reached the worldS at Melbourne Park shows right now. He’s feeling great,” on Russia’s Anastasia Pavly- 15. “On a serious note, I always semi-fi nals at Wimbledon in more players believe they can the Swiss said of Zverev. “Prob- uchenkova, 11 years her junior, try to keep whatever else outside 2014 where he lost to Novak take shake up the established or- ably feels the best he’s ever felt in the fi rst match on Rod Laver the court. Djokovic, after defeating de- der and that can only be good for on a tennis court. Arena. “I think when I was younger, fending champion Andy Murray tennis, says Roger Federer. “It’s going to be tough and dif- Williams could meet her I was struggling to kind of dif- in the quarter-fi nals. Zverev’s win over world ferent and tricky.” younger sister Serena in a ninth ferentiating love from a personal Istomin, who qualifi ed via the number one Andy Murray on Things will not get any easier grand slam fi nal if they both get love or a tennis love or whatever Asia wildcard play-off , beat Ivan Sunday came on the heels of for Federer should he get past through the draw but she is re- else. There was time that I wasn’t Dodig and Pablo Carreno Busta, Istomin’s second round victory the 29-year-old German, with fusing to think about that sce- sure how to deal with both things as well as Djokovic, to reach the over six-times champion No- compatriot Stan Wawrinka or nario just yet. in the same time. fourth round, equalling his best vak Djokovic, results which not Jo-Wilfried Tsonga waiting for She would fi rst have to get “But you learn. I guess we Grand Slam result. only surprised Federer but saw him in the last four. past Coco Vandeweghe or grow. I mean, I don’t want to say “It’s an unbelievable feeling. the odds of him winning the title Tsonga said he was taking it French Open champion Garbine I’ve learned from my mistakes, I’m not lying. I’m happy to be shortened. File picture of ’s Roger Federer. one match at a time. Muguruza in the last four. but I’ve learned myself a little on that stage of a tournament. “I never thought that Mischa “It’s going to be a tough “She’s a tricky player,” Mu- bit better. I think that helps me. Quarter-fi nals of a Slam, it’s Zverev and Denis Istomin would Rod Laver Arena today. able, are vulnerable, especially match,” he said of Wawrinka. “I guruza said of the 25-year-old Hopefully it’s going to help me great,” Dimitrov said. beat those two big guys,” said “I guess it’s good for tennis on a faster court. know he’s playing really good. Vandeweghe. “She has a lot of for the future through any kind “I’m happy that I’m capable to 17-times grand slam champion that a lot of guys believe stronger “But two huge surprises. No “If I win, another opponent, power, full shots, serve, every- of falling-in-love stuff .” do that. Just looking forward to Federer, who will play Zverev on now that the top guys are beat- doubt about that.” and if I win, another one, so... thing. She can play very well.” Dimitrov, who split with Rus- the next one.” Gulf Times Tuesday, January 24, 2017 3 TENNIS

AUSTRALIAN OPEN EASY WIN Fift h-seed Pliskova beats ‘Dasha’ to dash Age not just a Australian hopes number as Super Serena marches on ‘I think in general people our age aren’t really playing at a top level, so it’s impressive. Venus and I are mentally eight and nine, so that’s why we’re able to play a little better’ ’s Karolina Pliskova celebrates her win. AFP three. Reuters Melbourne It was a fright for the tall Melbourne Order of Play Czech who, with her left thigh strapped, was aggressive from Order of play on main courts arolina Pliskova dashed the start against Davrilova, t was back in 2003 that Serena Wil- at the Australian Open today home hopes when she breaking the nervous Australian liams fi rst stamped her name on (x denotes seeding): thrashed Daria Ga- straight away. Australian Open history, the then (Qatar Time) vrilova to move into an The power-hitting Czech sent 21-year-old taking down sister Ve- AustralianK Open quarter-fi nal down some big serves in the next I Rod Laver Arena nus to bring home her fi rst title on the 3:00am against comeback queen Mirjana game, with Gavrilova’s forehand blue courts of Melbourne Park. Venus Williams (USA x13) v Lucic-Baroni yesterday. letting her down as she struggled Fourteen years on, the American is Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova The fi fth-seeded Czech shut to get into the match. gunning for her 23rd grand slam title, (RUS x24) out a partisan crowd on Rod Lav- Pliskova was proving unplay- and, at 35, is now among the oldest play- er Arena to easily beat Australia’s able, dropping just two points in ers left in the draw having fought off 16th Not before 5:00am Gavrilova, nicknamed ‘Dasha’, her opening two service games, seed Czech Barbora Strycova over two Coco Vandeweghe (USA) vs 6-3, 6-3 and reach the last eight before breaking Gavrilova, seed- sets yesterday. Garbine Muguruza (ESP x7) for the fi rst time. ed 22, again to go 4-1 in front. Venus, at 36 the oldest player in the Stan Wawrinka (SUI x4) v Jo- It sets her up for a showdown The crowd had something to women’s draw, is also through to the last Wilfried Tsonga (FRA x12) against Lucic-Baroni, the feel- cheer about when the 22-year-old eight in her record 73rd grand slam and good story of the tournament broke back with Pliskova serv- Serena pondered whether it was a youth- 11:00am who is into her fi rst Grand Slam ing for the set, but the Czech still ful outlook that had kept the pair at the Mischa Zverev (GER) v Roger quarter-fi nal since Wimbledon closed it out 6-3 in the next game. top of the game for so long. Federer (SUI x17) in 1999. Gavrilova, bidding to become “I think it’s impressive. I think in gen- Followed by The Croat, who dropped out the fi rst Australian to reach the eral people our age aren’t really playing at Caroline Garcia (FRA)/Kris- of top-level tennis for most of last eight since Jelena Dokic in a top level, so it’s defi nitely impressive,” tina Mladenovic (FRA x1) v the 2003-2010 period following 2009, refused to lie down and she said. Ashleigh Barty (AUS)/Casey heartbreaking personal prob- went 1-0 up with a break in the “Venus and I are mentally eight and Dellacqua (AUS) lems, swept past American qual- second set. nine, so that’s why we’re probably able to ifi er Jennifer Brady 6-4, 6-2. But the Moscow-born play a little better.” Margaret Court Arena “I’m so excited to be in my fi rst 22-year-old, who also made the The world number two wore down the Not Before 4:00am quarter-fi nal. It’s tough to play fourth round last year, didn’t 30-year-old Czech in muggy, uncom- Ivan Dodig (CRO)/Marcel an Aussie girl, and I’m happy have the fi repower to match her fortable midday heat on Rod Laver Arena Granollers (ESP x9) v Bob to fi ght to the last point,” said opponent and errors crept in as in a game that saw her notorious serve Bryan (USA)/Mike Bryan (USA Pliskova. she was swept aside in 73 min- come in fi ts and starts. x3) “I’m feeling confi dent, much utes. Even while Serena conceded the dis- better than I did in the Grand Looking ahead, Plisokova said play was “probably not my best day,” Not Before 8:30am Slams before the US Open. Eve- facing Lucic-Baroni would not and that she could “play better,” the six- Samantha Stosur (AUS)/Sam rything is going my way now.” be easy. times Australian Open champion has yet Groth (AUS) v Darija Jurak After making the US Open fi - “She is hitting big. It’s going to drop a set at the tournament. (CRO)/Jean-Julien Rojer (NED) nal last year Pliskova has been to be quick. I’ll have to play ag- Strycova said that, despite the advanc- tipped as a potential champion gressive, we’ll see,” she said of ing years, Serena was still the dominant Not Before 10:00am in Melbourne, although she was the 34-year-old, who stunned force in women’s tennis. “I feel like eve- Pablo Carreno Busta (ESP)/ pushed all the way by Latvian third seed Agnieszka Radwanska rything depends on Serena,” she said. Guillermo Garcia-Lopez (ESP) teen Jelena Ostapenko in round in round two. “If she has a good day, you don’t have v Alex Bolt (AUS)/Bradley a chance. Everything depends on her, Mousley (AUS) what’s her day, if she feels well, also if her CARRY ON... body feels well. I feel she plays same as before. Yeah, it’s tough.” Williams is now the top ranked player left in the draw, after compatriot Coco Venus, Coco look to Vanderweghe made short work of world number one Angelique Kerber on Sunday. A 23rd grand slam title would vault steam into last four Williams back to the top of the rankings and next in line to test her mettle against AFP the modern queen of Melbourne Park is Melbourne Britain’s Johanna Konta. The ninth seed, who has never played Williams, was 11-years-old and living in geless Venus Williams the Sydney suburbs when Serena won her shows no signs of slow- maiden Australian Open title. ing down with another “She’s one of the players still playing Grand Slam semi-fi nal who I looked up to as a young girl wanting Abeckoning, but to get there she to be a tennis professional player,” Konta needs to beat a player who feels said. “It’s an incredible honour and I will her time has come. cherish every moment out there.” Serena Williams of the US reacts during her Women’s singles fourth round match against Czech Republic’s Barbora Strycova. The American will face off with Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova today, with either American BOTTOMLINE Coco Vandeweghe or French Open champion Garbine Mugu- ruza waiting in the last four. If Williams gets through it will be her 20th time in the last four at a major. For the Russian, it will USA’s Coco Vandeweghe. be the fi rst. ‘Tough cookie’ Lucic-Baroni ends Despite her lack of big-time a lot of matches this tournament success, Pavlyuchenkova feels kind of not knowing what to ex- that at 25 and with three Slam pect,” said the 13th seed. quarter-fi nal appearances under her belt she is ready to take the ‘BEAT HER TO THAT PUNCH’ 18-year wait to make quarters next step. In the other quarter-fi nal today, AFP stunned third seed Agnieszka from top-level tennis for most “I defi nitely feel like I’ve been giant-killer Vandeweghe, who Melbourne Radwanska in round two, made of the 2003-2010 period, before long enough on the tour, but at stunned world number one An- her debut at the US Open in 1997 slowly working her way back via the same time I can’t compare gelique Kerber in the last round, aged just 15 and teamed with lower-tier tournaments. myself to Venus and Serena, be- meets seventh seed Muguruza. ough cookie” Mirjana Martina Hingis to win the 1998 “I had a rough patch in my life cause they have been there,” said The confi dent American, who Lucic-Baroni wound Australian Open women’s dou- early on but I am really blessed the 24th seed. also ended the comeback of Eug- back the clock yesterday bles. with the family I have,” she said. “I remember I was a little girl enie Bouchard en route to her to make her fi rst Grand In 1999, at 17, she went to the Asked what advice she would — the racquet was bigger than fi rst Australian quarter-fi nal, SlamT quarter-fi nal in 18 years, Wimbledon semi-fi nals, but it give to young players facing me — and they were ready to play has no fear of the Spaniard. extending a stunning comeback all fell apart soon after as she hardships, she replied: “I’m go- in fi nals of a Grand Slam. So, of “It’s just another person for the former child prodigy. was engulfed by heartbreaking ing to get fi ned but F everything, course, I can’t compare myself to that’s in front of me, whoever The unseeded Croat last got personal issues. if there’s something you want to them, but at the same time I kind it may be, if it’s number one in this far at a major tournament at In the background back then do, go and do it with your heart.” of also feel experienced. the world, number 130 in the Wimbledon in 1999, where she was tough, demanding father “I’m not giving up, I’ve picked “I have had some matches world, it doesn’t matter, it’s still lost to Steffi Graf, before person- Marinko who, Lucic-Baroni up a few more battle wounds but with Venus before, as well. I an opponent to get in my way of al problems and injuries derailed later revealed, dished out regu- I’m pushing on,” she added. played her before, so I know how achieving my goals,” she said. her career. lar beatings — although he de- Lucic-Baroni was a prodigy it feels to play against her. Let’s Muguruza is an aggressive She now gets another crack at scribed them as “slaps” that when the Williams sisters fi rst see who’s gonna win.” power-hitter, whose game has the last four after sweeping past were “best for the child”. began to make their mark in the The pair have met fi ve times similarities to Vandeweghe. American qualifi er Jennifer Brady 1990s. before, with Williams, who is “She is going to play that way, 6-4, 6-2 at the Australian Open, ‘ROUGH PATCH’ They too are also into the last yet to drop a set in Melbourne, and no other way. For me it de- with either Karolina Pliskova or Eventually Mirjana, her mother eight at Melbourne Park with holding a 3-2 lead in their head- pends on if I can match it, as well Daria Gavrilova up next. Andelka and four siblings fl ed the Romanian on track to face to-head, most recently a win in as if I can beat her to that punch “It’s pure joy. There’s no other their Croatia home in the dead Serena in the semi-fi nals. Montreal in 2014. of getting fi rst strike, fi rst play,” feeling than bliss,” said Lucic- of night for the sanctuary of the Despite the emotional roller- At 36, she is enjoying every said the unseeded American. Baroni, who screeched with joy Croatia’s Mirjana Lucic-Baroni celebrates winning her Women’s United States. coaster, Lucic-Baroni said she moment of the tournament but Being in the last eight at Mel- and jumped up and down to cel- singles fourth round match against Jennifer Brady of the US. The drama, however, put the was not ready to call it a day also retains the hunger that bourne is also uncharted territo- ebrate the win. brakes on a journey which should just yet. drove her to seven Grand Slam ry for Muguruza, who also yet to “I always said I have the game. up because this is just incred- something I will work hard and have led to fame and fortune as “I’m clicked in, for sure. I’m titles, with the possibility of drop a set as she targets a second But to work so hard and make so ible. do anything I need to get it. fi nancial problems forced her to calm and focused now,” she said. meeting sister Serena in the fi nal Grand Slam title. “She’s a tricky many sacrifi ces, I hope no one is “I am a tough little cookie and What a satisfaction,” she added. put a career on a backburner. “The heart is a hundred percent, an added incentive. player, she has a lot of power, full going to pinch me and wake me really stubborn, when I want The 34-year-old, who Lucic-Baroni disappeared so that’s all that matters.” “I know her game. I have played shots, serve, everything.” Gulf Times 4 Tuesday, January 24, 2017 CRICKET

SECOND TEST SPOTLIGHT De Villiers returns to lead sweep one-day side

Reuters Zondi said in a statement yes- Cape Town terday. “We are entering a very im- portant phase of our prepa- outh Africa have recalled ration for the Champions Bangladesh series fi t-again batsman AB de Trophy in as we only Villiers to captain their have 10 games left — the fi ve one-day international here against Sri Lanka and ‘A few of the shots we played could have been much better. I take full responsibility’ sideS in the fi ve-match home se- another fi ve in New Zealand ries against Sri Lanka. — before we head for another The selectors also handed a major ICC event.” AFP fi rst call-up in this format to Ngidi took six wickets in Christchurch 20-year-old fast bowler Lungi as many overs in the fi rst two Ngidi and all-rounder Chris matches of the Twenty20 se- Morris returns after an injury ries against Sri Lanka. Bangladesh batting im- layoff for the series starting in “He has not only impressed plosion saw New Zea- Port Elizabeth on Saturday. with the wickets he has taken land cruise to a com- De Villiers has not played and the skills he has displayed, fortable nine wicket international cricket since but with the energy and in- winA in the second Test at Hagley June last year after an elbow tensity he has brought to his Oval in Christchurch yesterday. injury, but is in line to return game as well,” Zondi said. Bangladesh were all out for for the fi nal match of the South Africa are in action 173 in their second innings, with Twenty20 series against the in the 50-over format for the the damage done when they lost Sri Lankans in Cape Town on fi rst time since they white- fi ve for 23 in the middle of the Wednesday. washed Australia 5-0 on innings. New Zealand were left He will then skipper the home soil last October. with a 109-run target which one-day side having admitted they knocked off in 18.4 overs to last week that his top priority Squad: complete a rout of Bangladesh, at this stage of his career was to AB de Villiers (captain), Hash- winning all eight matches — lead the team at the 2019 World im Amla, Farhaan Behardien, three Twenty20s, three one-day Cup. A more immediate aim, Quinton de Kock, JP Duminy, internationals and two Tests — however, is this year’s Cham- Faf du Plessis, Imran Tahir, during the tour. The Test sweep pions Trophy in England. David Miller, Chris Morris, means New Zealand will over- “It is wonderful to have AB Wayne Parnell, Lungi Ngidi, take Pakistan and move to fi fth back available both as player Andile Phehlukwayo, Dwaine on the world rankings. and leader,” Cricket South Af- Pretorius, Kagiso Rabada, On a day of 14 dismissals on rica selection convener Linda Tabraiz Shamsi. an easy wicket, New Zealand coasted home with Tom Latham unbeaten on 41 and Colin de Grandhomme on 33, eff ectively ending the Test in three days after Sunday’s third day was New Zealand players pose after their series win on day four of the second Test against Bangladesh at Hagley Park Oval in Christchurch washed out. Bangladesh were 65 yesterday. (AFP) in arrears and in need of patience when they started their second Wagner for 26 after he had ini- Soumya (36) smacked a wide de (Soumya Sarkar 86, Shakib Al S Sarkar c Raval b de Grand- innings before lunch. tially grounded his bat behind Grandhomme delivery to Raval Hasan 59; Southee 5-94, Boult homme 36 Instead, they showed their the crease. In the fl eeting mo- at gully. 4-87) Mahmudullah b Wagner 38 inexperience with the short ball ment when wicketkeeper Nurul Mahmudullah, on 38, dragged New Zealand first innings Shakib c de Grandhomme b and tried to hook and drive their Hasan defl ected the ball on to a wide Wagner delivery on to his (overnight 260-7) Southee 8 way out of trouble. the stumps, Wagner was mid- stumps to start a slide in which J. Raval b Kamrul Islam 16 N Hossain b Boult 12 After 10 overs they went to stride with neither foot on the Bangladesh fell from 92 for three T. Latham c Nurul Hasan b S Rahman c Watling b Wagner 0 lunch at 20 for one, by tea they ground and he had momentarily to 115 for eight before the late Taskin Ahmed 68 N Hasan c Watling b Wagner 0 were 100 for fi ve and the end lifted his bat. burst from Taskin (33) and Kam- K. Williamson c Nurul Hasan b M Hasan c Latham b Boult 4 came 17 overs into the fi nal ses- A bewildered Wagner took out rul who was 25 not out. Kamrul Islam 2 T Ahmed b Boult 33 sion, boosted by a late slog from his frustrations when Bangla- Tamim was bitterly disap- R. Taylor c sub (Taijul Islam) b K Islam not out 25 Taskin Ahmed and Kamrul Islam desh went into bat taking three pointed with the way the Test Hasan 77 R Hossain c Watling b Southee 7 Sri Lanka’s injured Mathews to fl y home who put on 51 in 48 balls. wickets for 44. was eff ectively over in three days H. Nicholls b Mehedi 98 Extras (lb2) 2 There had been a question Tim Southee took three for after one day was washed out. M. Santner lbw b Shakib Al Total (all out, 52.5 overs) 173 Sri Lankan skipper Angelo Mathews is to fly home from South mark over the Bangladesh line- 48 and Trent Boult three for 52. “We all took the lazy option,” Hasan 29 Fall of wickets: 1-17 (Tamim), Africa after twisting his ankle during the second Twenty20 up after Imrul Kayes, Mushfi qur Bangladesh may have denied Ni- he said, demanding improve- B. Watling b Shakib Al Hasan 1 2-58 (Soumya), 3-73 (Shakib), international and will be replaced as captain by Dinesh Chandi- Rahim and Mominul Haque, cholls a maiden century but they ment from the top down before C de Grandhomme b Shakib Al 4-92 (Mahmudullah), 5-100 mal, selectors said yesterday. with 98 Tests between them, could not deny Southee becom- they go to for a one-off Hasan 0 (Sabbir), 6-100 (Nurul), 7-106 The Sri Lankan board said in a statement that Mathews had were kept out by injury. They ing the fi fth New Zealander to Test early next month. T. Southee c Mehedi Hasan b (Nazmul), 8-115 (Mehedi), 9-166 been “granted permission to return home” after injuring cobbled together a makeshift side take 200 wickets on a list headed New Zealand were left with Shakib al-Hasan 17 (Taskin), 10-173 (Rubel) himself during his team’s victory on Sunday in Johannesburg, a with seven players having three by Richard Hadlee with 417. a 109-run target which they N. Wagner run out (Nurul) 26 Bowling: Boult 17-3-52-3, South- match in which he played a starring role. or fewer Tests to their name, and Southee ignited the Bang- knocked off in 18.4 overs after T. Boult not out 7 ee 12.5-2-48-3, de Grandhomme “The next T-20 match will be captained by Dinesh Chandimal,” although the game was evenly ladesh collapse with the early Bangladesh were all out for 173 Extras (lb6, w4, nb 3) 13 11-3-27-1, Wagner 12-3-44-3 the board added in its statement. poised after the fi rst two days, wicket of Tamim Iqbal when in their second innings. Total (all out, 92.4 overs) 354 New Zealand second innings Mathews hit two sixes in the last over to hand Sri Lanka a the greenness of the wicket came the stand-in captain hooked to Tamim went cheaply for eight Fall of wickets: 1-45 (Raval), 2-47 J. Raval b Kamrul Islam 33 series-levelling three-wicket win in Sunday’s match after suff er- to the fore after that. Mitchell Santner waiting on the in the sixth over and after a brief (Williamson), 3-153 (Latham), T. Latham not out 41 ing a 3-0 Test series whitewash to South Africa. After the third day washout boundary. period of consolidation Bangla- 4-177 (Taylor), 5-252 (Santner), C. de Grandhomme not out 33 Mathews, who scored an unbeaten 54 at the Wanderers sta- the sun returned yesterday and He reached the milestone desh lost fi ve for 23 in the middle 6-256 (Watling), 7-256 (Grand- Extras (b1, wd1, nb2) 4 dium, told the post-match press conference that he expected New Zealand took command. with a short ball to Shakib al- of the innings. homme), 8-286 (Southee), 9-343 Total (one wicket, 18.4 overs) to be out for a couple of weeks and could well miss the rest of They resumed at 260 for sev- Hasan that was steered to Co- “The way I got out was rub- (Nicholls), 10-354 (Wagner) 111 the tour. en and aided by sloppy fi elding, lin de Grandhomme at point and bish,” a blunt Tamim said. “A few Bowling: Taskin Ahmed 22-2-86- Fall of wicket: 1-56 (Raval) The third and final T20 international will be played in Cape their last three partnerships put wrapped up the innings with a of the shots we played could have 1 (2w), Mehedi Hasan 19-3-59-2, Bowling: Taskin 5-0-21-0 (2nb), Town on Wednesday, followed by five one-day internationals, on 94 with Henry Nicholls lead- short ball to Rubel Hossain that been much better. I take full re- Rubel Hossain 17-2-65-0 (2nb), Mehedi 6-0-27-0 (1w), Kamrul finishing on February 10. ing the way with a career best 98. was edged to the wicketkeeper. sponsibility. I take full blame for Kamrul Islam 19-4-78-2 (2w, 1nb), 3-0-21-1, Shakib 4-0-28-0, Naz- In its statement, the Sri Lankan board said that fast bowler Soumya Sarkar and Mah- that because I started it.” Shakib Al Hasan 12.4-1-50-4, mul 0.4-0-13-0 Nuwan Pradeep and opener Dhanuskha Gunathilaka were also Southee milestone mudullah attempted to put Soumya Sarkar 3-0-10-0 Result: New Zealand won by expected to return home as they needed rest to recover from The innings was halted at 354 backbone into the innings add- Scoreboard Bangladesh second innings nine wickets. their injuries. with an unusual run out of Neil ing 41 for the second wicket until Bangladesh first innings 289 T Iqbal c Santner b Southee 8 Series: New Zealand 2-0

FOCUS We must back openers, not look for new ones: Kohli

Reuters India rest Ashwin, Jadeja for England T20s Mumbai India’s premier spinners Ravi- ers on run-filled pitches. chandran Ashwin and Ravindra The 34-year-old Mishra was in ndia’s opening batsmen Jadeja have been rested for the the ODI squad against England have come under fi re for three-match Twenty20 series but failed to make it to the poor starts in their last two against England starting this starting lineup. He finished with home series against New week. figures of 5-18 in his last outing IZealand and England but captain The selectors have recalled vet- for his country, an ODI against Virat Kohli says now is the time eran leg-spinner Amit Mishra New Zealand in October. to give them support not show and off -spinner Parvez Rasool Meanwhile Rasool, 27, who rep- them the door. in the 15-man squad, according resented India in just one ODI in The hosts defeated New Zea- to the the Board of Control for 2014, joins the squad riding on land 3-2 and won the three- Cricket in India (BCCI). his excellent domestic showing match ODI series against Eng- The Virat Kohli-led side, which in the Ranji Trophy competition. land 2-1 but there was not a won the three-match one-day Squad: Virat Kohli (capt), Ma- single 50-run partnership at the international series 2-1, moves hendra Singh Dhoni, Lokesh top of innings. into the shortest format with Rahul, Suresh Raina, Rishabh While 49 was the highest the first game scheduled in Pant, Manish Pandey, Yuvraj opening partnership between Kanpur on January 26. Singh, Hardik Pandya, Amit Rohit Sharma and Ajinkya Ra- Ashwin and Jadeja shared sev- Mishra, Parvez Rasool, Jasprit hane in the fi ve ODIs against en wickets between them in the Bumrah, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, New Zealand, India’s fi rst-wick- three 50-over matches, bowling Ashish Nehra, Yuzvendra et stands against England were tighter lines than the fast bowl- Chahal, Mandeep Singh. 13, 14 and 13. Lokesh Rahul played all three games against England, scoring we have, we’ll address them,” about one or two innings in in- eight, fi ve and 11, while partner Kohli told reporters. ternational cricket. Once you get Shikhar Dhawan managed one “First we didn’t have an open- the fl ow, everything clicks.” and 11 before making way for ing problem, it was an issue with Injuries have compounded Rahane, who was out for one in the middle order. Now the mid- India’s opening issues as the Sunday’s third ODI in Kolkata. dle order has been sorted. team have been unable to give India have no more 50-over “We have very good openers an extended run to a batting Indian captain Virat Kohli says the likes of Shikhar Dhawan and KL Rahul will soon find form. matches scheduled before they with us. It’s not a case where we pair. Sharma has not played any defend their Champions Trophy have to fi nd openers. You have to cricket since hurting his thigh in with injuries. Sharma, who holds have to take a decision on who England and Kohli would rath- pair revelation,” Kohli said. “We title in England in June but Kohli give chances for people to come the fi nal ODI against New Zea- the record individual ODI score would partner the right-hander. er focus on the positives. “The have played only at 70-75% po- is confi dent the problems will be back into form. land at the end of October while of 264, is expected to return to Despite the lack of solid starts, Champions Trophy (in 2013) is tential as a batting unit. If we play sorted out by then. “I think if we back our openers Rahul and Dhawan missed the face the new ball during the June India were still able to score over where we saw Rohit Sharma and at 100% I don’t know how many “Whatever areas or concerns and give them confi dence, it’s all series against the Black Caps 1-18 tournament but India would 300 runs in all three ODIs against Shikhar Dhawan as an opening- runs we can score.” Gulf Times Tuesday, January 24, 2017 5 SPORT

SIX NATIONS RUGBY FOCUS Budapest alarm at 2024 Olympics bid Sexton in Ireland referendum threat

AFP ing, Tarlos added. Momentum, Budapest a group comprising Hungari- ans mostly in their 20s and 30s, began their referendum eff ort udapest’s mayor ex- called “NOlimpia” on Thurs- squad for openers pressed alarm yester- day and collected 35,000 sig- day over the growing natures in four days, a spokes- prospect of a refer- person said Sunday. ‘As always there were some diff icult decisions but we feel that the group is a good mix’ endumB which could derail the While opponents of Buda- Hungarian capital’s bid to host pest’s Olympic bid, fearing the 2024 Olympics. spiralling costs and corruption, AFP Close to 50,000 people have have tried before to force a ref- London signed a referendum drive erendum, the attempts have launched last week by a civil been thwarted by city hall and group, according to latest me- the courts. tar fl y-half Jonathan dia projections. The supreme court gave the Sexton was included in To force a vote, the initia- green light however to Mo- the Ireland squad for the tive — which has been joined mentum’s drive earlier this fi rst two rounds of the Six by several opposition political month. NationsS announced yesterday parties — must reach 138,000 The group, which says it despite a recent injury scare. signatures within a month of could stand at the next par- Sexton has been dealing with the launch. liamentary elections in 2018 a calf complaint but that did not “Whoever loves Budapest on an anti-Orban ticket, says stop him being selected in a 40- supports the Olympics and money allocated to hosting the man squad for Ireland’s tourna- doesn’t sign these forms,” city Games would be better spent in ment opener against at mayor Istvan Tarlos told the M1 areas like health, education and Murrayfi eld on February 4 and news channel. transport. their February 11 match in Rome Hungarian sportspeople The Budapest 2024 bid, against an side coached by “deserve” the Games, he said, backed by sports-mad Prime former Ireland international and insisted that Budapest Minister Viktor Orban and ap- Conor O’Shea. “would do well” out of the Ol- proved by city hall as well as British and Irish Lion stand- ympics. parliament, envisages a low- off Sexton hobbled off during Many of the investments cost Games in line with IOC Leinster’s 24-24 draw at French slated as part of the Olympic reforms. side Castres on Friday, but Ire- bid would take place anyway The Hungarian capital is vy- land offi cials hope his withdraw- while the International Olym- ing with Los Angeles and Paris al was merely a precaution rather pic Committee (IOC) would to host the 2024 Games. A de- than anything more serious. contribute substantial fund- cision is due in September. Uncapped brothers Niall and were also both selected by Ireland coach Joe ATHLETICS Schmidt. Niall will contest the reserve hooker position behind Ireland captain with Leinster’s James Tracy while Russia’s Shubenkov Rory Scannell is a centre. Ireland will be without Sean Cronin, Best’s regular deputy, expects to hear fate through injury. , a wing and fullback, is the third uncapped player in the squad. within weeks “It has been good to watch the players over the past two months AFP tainted Moscow sports minis- and great to see many of them Moscow try had backed his decision to doing so well,” said Schmidt. compete in the upcoming sea- “As always there were some son as a neutral. diffi cult decisions but we feel ussia’s reigning 110m “I didn’t have any kind of that the group is a good mix with hurdles world cham- problem with my decision,” a number of key players having pion Sergey Shubenk- Shubenkov said. “I can even good experience and a number ov said yesterday he say that they initiated this of newer players having gained expectsR a ruling within weeks move.” valuable experience and confi - from athletics’ governing body The ban led to Russian ath- dence during the summer tour to the IAAF after he applied to letes missing the Olympics in South Africa and the recent au- compete internationally as a Rio and the International As- tumn series,” the New Zealander neutral. sociation of Athletics Federa- added. The Russian track and fi eld tions (IAAF) in December ruled Last year saw Ireland beat the team have been suspended to extend the punishment. southern hemisphere ‘big three’ from competition since 2015 The next review is sched- of South Africa, New Zealand over state-sponsored doping, uled for February but the bulk and Australia. Ireland’s star fly-half . but individual athletes can ap- of Russian athletes are likely to In particular a stunning 40-29 ply to take part in international miss the March 3-5 European win over world champions New SQUAD (Connacht), Rory Best (Ulster, Bastareaud returns to injury-hit France squad events as neutrals if they are Indoor Championships in Bel- Zealand in Chicago in November Backs (18): Tommy Bowe capt), (Leinster), deemed drug-free. grade. — their fi rst victory against the (Ulster), Andrew Conway (Connacht), Tadhg Mathieu Bastareaud was called into the France squad for the Six In addition to Shubenkov 10 In his latest damning report All Blacks — led many pundits (Munster), (Munster), Furlong (Leinster), Nations yesterday as Les Bleus suff ered further injury setbacks in more Russian athletes includ- released in December, doping to proclaim Ireland as the main Craig Gilroy (Ulster), Robbie (Leinster), Jamie Heaslip (Lein- the build-up up to their opening game against England. The power- ing two-time world champion investigator Richard McLaren challengers to Grand Slam title- Henshaw (Leinster), Paddy ster), (Ulster), ful centre replaced Henry Chavancy who was called up on Sunday high jumper Maria Kuchina, said that 1,000 Russians were holders England in this season’s Jackson (Ulster), (Munster), Dave after Wesley Fofana ruptured an Achilles tendon in playing for his 2014 European pole vault involved in a doping system Six Nations. (Leinster), (Con- Kilcoyne (Munster), Dan Leavy club Clermont in a Champions Cup game on Saturday. The French champion Anzhelika Sidorova organised by the Russian Ireland will face England in nacht), Luke Marshall (Ulster), (Leinster), Jack McGrath (Lein- federation did not elaborate on the nature of Chavancy’s injury or and 2015 European indoor sports ministry over several the fi nal round of the Champi- Stuart McCloskey (Ulster), Luke ster), Sean O’Brien (Leinster), that of prop , who has been ruled out and replaced champion in the 3,000m Yele- years. onship in Dublin on March 18. McGrath (Leinster), Conor Tommy O’Donnell (Munster), by . The 28-year-old Bastareaud, who has 39 caps, has na Korobkina have also applied The Russian government Ireland 40-man squad an- Murray (Munster), Tiernan Peter O’Mahony (Munster), not featured for France since the 62-13 defeat by New Zealand in the to the IAAF for neutral status, has denied any involvement in nounced Monday for their open- O’Halloran (Connacht), Garry Donnacha Ryan (Munster), John 2015 World Cup quarter-finals. Manager Guy Noves, who took over media reports said. doping. ing two matches of the 2017 Six Ringrose (Leinster), Rory Scan- Ryan (Munster), from Philippe Saint-Andre after the World Cup, said this month that “I expect to receive the IAAF Last week Russia’s athlet- Nations Championship against nell (Munster), Jonathan Sexton (Munster), CJ Stander (Munster), Bastareaud was on the right path to a France comeback a year after decision in mid-February at ics federation said it fully ap- Scotland at Murrayfi eld on Feb- (Leinster), Andrew Trimble Devin Toner (Leinster), James explaining that the player did not fit into his gameplan. Les Bleus the earliest,” the 26-year-old proved and supported the ruary 4 and Italy in Rome on (Ulster), (Munster) Tracy (Leinster), Josh van der play Six Nations champions England at Twickeham on February 4. Shubenkov told AFP, adding IAAF decision to give athletes a February 11: Forwards (22): Finlay Bealham Flier (Leinster) that Russian athletics and the chance to compete as neutrals.

CRICKET Warner wins Border medal for second year

AFP year to January 7, 2017. But he made Sydney up for lost time by smashing con- South Africa’s Cook set for Durham stint secutive hundreds against Pakistan in Melbourne and Sydney this southern South Africa opening batsman Stephen set batsman Jimmy Cook – a heavy scorer ustralia’s prolifi c open- summer. Warner blasted the fastest Cook is to play for Durham in the first half during his time in county Cricket – said ing batsman David Warner Australian Test half-century off just of the 2017 English season, the northeast joining Durham was the realisation of a fought off a strong challenge 23 balls at his home ground, the Syd- county announced Monday. dream. from his captain Steve Smith ney Cricket Ground. Cook, 34, who made a century on his Test “Ever since I was a young boy, watching my toA become just the fourth player to His 1,388 one-day runs was a debut against England at Centurion last dad play for Somerset, I always dreamed of win back-to-back Allan Border Med- world-high for the period and he year, has since gone on to establish himself one day playing county Cricket,” said Cook als yesterday. scored 2,420 runs in total across all at the top of the Proteas’ order. Now he in a Durham statement Only Ricky Ponting, Shane Watson three formats. will be available for the early rounds of “Now in linking up with Durham CCC I am and Michael Clarke have previously “Thanks to my teammates and Ste- Durham’s campaign in the second divi- getting to live out that dream. I am very won consecutive medals in Australian ve Smith — without you all I wouldn’t sion of English Cricket’s first-class County excited to be joining up with the team and cricket’s prestigious annual awards. be here, as it’s a team game,” the left- Championship following their controversial endeavour to contribute to Durham victo- Thirty-year-old Warner recorded hander said at a glittering ceremony in relegation last season. ries,” added Cook, who has a good average 269 votes over 248 for Smith and 197 Sydney. Cook will also play in the domestic One- of 41 from his nine Tests and has a mark of for fast bowler Mitchell Starc. “To the fans: we love the support Day Cup ahead of what is expected to be 41.17 in a first-class career that has so far Fellow players, the media and um- you give, we love entertaining you and his call-up to the South Africa squad for the yielded 40 centuries. pires vote for player of the year. I think the game’s in a great state at the Test section of their tour of England in July Durham coach Jon Lewis added: “We have The Australian vice-captain also moment.” and August. been looking to add quality to the squad took the one-day international player Starc is the fi rst bowler to win Test Durham were dramatically dumped into but also the right character to fit into the award, while Starc was crowned Test player of the year since Brett Lee in the second division as part of a series of dressing room, and we have found some- player of the year despite missing half 2008, with a total of 52 wickets. severe conditions imposed by off icials one who has both of those assets in Steve. the period with injury. Western Australian all-rounder following their £3.8 million ($4.7 million, 4.4 “Our conversations have been very promis- Shane Watson lifted the Twenty20 Hilton Cartwright was named Brad- million ) bailout by the England and ing, and he comes to us with a fine reputa- medal for a record third time thanks man young cricketer of the year after Wales Cricket Board last year. tion – built not only through his short to 298 runs at a strike-rate of 150.51 as making his Test debut against Paki- Now Durham will hope to field Cook international career so far but throughout well as nine wickets. stan earlier this month. alongside their South Africa-born England an excellent first-class record over many Warner only emerged from what Previous player of the year recipi- batsman Keaton Jennings as they try to years in South Africa – and we are looking was a lean spell by his lofty standards ents include Glenn McGrath, Steve overcome a mammoth 48-point penalty forward to welcoming him into the chang- towards the end of the voting period, Waugh, Adam Gilchrist and Smith deduction. Cook, the son of former Somer- ing room.” which ran from from January 8 last himself. Gulf Times 6 Tuesday, January 24, 2017 SPORT

NBA FOCUS Suns burn Raptors, Lakers suff er historic rout Wolves rally past in Mavericks Suns are riding a modest two game win streak and have now taken both games blowout Nuggets of the season series against the Raptors AFP At one stage Dallas’s lead jumped up Los Angeles to 53 points as the Lakers collapsed. AFP “They were just picking us apart,” Los Angeles Lakers guard Nick Young said. “We he Los Angeles Lakers crashed didn’t fi ght back.” to the heaviest defeat in the Lakers youngster Julius Randle was ric Bledsoe exploded for 40 iconic NBA franchise’s his- even more blunt: “They kicked our points as the Phoenix Suns tory on Sunday, slumping to butts today.” claimed another win over the Ta humiliating 122-73 loss on the road The Mavericks, who are 15-29, Toronto Raptors with a 115-103 against the Dallas Mavericks. snapped a two-game losing streak with victoryE on Sunday at the Air Canada The Lakers, who are in the midst of the win as the Lakers fell to 16-32. Center arena. a rebuilding phase this season after two The Lakers problems were laid bare The Suns are riding a modest two disastrous seasons, hit rock bottom in in ugly statistics — making just 13 of 37 game win streak and have now tak- Dallas after a nightmarish fi rst half that from the fl oor in the fi rst half, with nine en both games of the season series saw them trailing by 34 points at the turnovers. against the Raptors. break. “You’ve got to point to our defense. Devin Booker added 20 points for Lakers coach Luke Walton off ered In that second quarter, I thought we the Suns. Tyler Chandler had 16 points no excuses after a loss he described as did a great job defensively, setting the and nine rebounds. “embarrassing.” tone and setting the tempo,” said Mavs DeMar DeRozan had 22 points for “We didn’t show up to play, honest- guard Deron Williams, who fi nished Toronto, while Jonas Valanciunas ly, which is frustrating,” Walton told a with 13 points. contributed a double-double with 16 press conference. “It created a lot of off ense off the points and 12 rebounds for Toronto “And honestly it’s embarrassing — turnovers, and then just getting out who lost a third consecutive game for for us as a team, for us as an organi- and running. They only had 11 points in the fi rst time this season. zation, for our Lakers fans that are so that quarter, so our defense got us go- “If you’re a true competitor you good to us.” ing.” hate this feeling, you hate leaving Walton however declined to be The Lakers are one of the most suc- the arena like this,” DeRozan said. “It drawn on how he planned to respond to cessful franchises in NBA history with sucks at night, having that on your the rout. 16 championships but their fortunes mind, having consecutive losses, es- “We have teaching points, but what I have dipped in recent years. pecially three that you’re not used to say to them behind those doors, that is The last of their NBA Finals tri- having. between us,” Walton said. “I think they umphs came in 2010 while last season “You just have to come out with that understand and would agree and would they fi nished with a 17-65 record — the feeling and that hunger, that aggres- feel inside the same way that I feel.” worst in franchise history. siveness the next game.” Toronto led 60-57 at half time. DeRozan led Toronto with 16 points. Valanciunas had 10 points and 10 re- bounds in the fi rst half. Bledsoe led Phoenix with 18 fi rst-half points. Chandler banked in a hook shot with 7:29 to play to tie the game 95-95. Carroll’s jump shot with 6:37 left gave Toronto a two-point advantage but two free throws by Bledsoe tied the game again. PJ Tucker’s layup gave the Suns a 99-97 lead. Tucker made one of two free throws with 5:27 remaining in regulation and Phoenix led by three. Tucker scored on a hook shot and to give Phoenix a 102-97 lead. Bledsoe’s layup with 3:58 left gave Phoenix Suns point guard Eric Bledsoe celebrates after a basket during the NBA game against the Toronto Raptors at Air Phoenix and a six-point lead. And his Canada Centre in Toronto on Sunday. (USA TODAY Sports) jumper with 3:26 to go made it 107- 100. won fi ve of their past seven games. In Dallas, the Dallas Mavericks blitzed Jordan Clarkson, with 10, were the Elsewhere, Karl-Anthony Towns Gary Harris returned from an ankle Los Angeles in the second quarter, only Lakers to score in double fi gures. had 32 points and hit a go-ahead jump injury to score 22 points and Nikola handing the hapless Lakers their worst In Orlando, Stephen Curry scored shot with 42 seconds left as the Min- Jokic had 18 points and eight rebounds loss in franchise history 122-73. 27 points, and the Golden State War- nesota Timberwolves rallied to beat for Denver, who had won four of their Dallas rode a 31-9 run in the second riors won their seventh consecutive the Denver Nuggets 111-108 in a show- previous fi ve games. quarter that built upon its 29-22 lead game by overwhelming the Orlando down between two of the youngest after one quarter. Magic 118-98. teams in the NBA. YOUTH SERVED Seven Mavericks fi nished in dou- Shabazz Mohamed came off the The two teams have each been led by ble fi gures, including Justin Ander- RESULTS bench to score 20 for Minnesota. Ca- their young second-year centres. Den- son with 19 points. Seth Curry had 14 Minnesota 111 Denver 108 nadian star Andrew Wiggins had 24 ver was in eighth place in the Western points, and Dirk Nowitzki and Wesley Phoenix 115 Toronto 103 Deron Williams of the Dallas Mavericks takes a shot against Timofey Mozgov points for the Timberwolves, who im- Conference coming into the game, 3 Matthews each scored 13 points. Dallas 122 LA Lakers 73 (right) of the Los Angeles Lakers during their NBA game at American Airlines proved to 16-28 on the season and have 1/2 games in front of Minnesota. Lou Williams, with 15 points, and Golden State 118 Orlando 98 Centre in Dallas, Texas, on Sunday. (AFP)

NHL Sheary, Murray shine in victory over Bruins

By Jonathan Bombulie mixture of a lot of things, the way our The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review (TNS) team’s been playing and the way our line has been clicking right now. These streaks usually don’t last, so I’m going n December 15, 2015, Conor to enjoy it while it’s here.” Sheary and Matt Murray In between the off ensive outbursts, hopped into a car in Wilkes- the Penguins weathered quite a storm. Barre for a six-hour drive to With 6:26 left in the fi rst period, play BostonO to meet the Penguins for a game was stopped to repair a problem with the next night. the ice near the door to the Penguins Good friends and roommates on the runway. The repairs took quite some road who turned pro at the same time, time, so the teams went to their locker they were about to make their NHL rooms for an early intermission. debuts together. There’s no way they When the teams returned, they could have imagined what the next 13 played the time remaining in the months would hold. fi rst period, took a 60-second break, A Stanley Cup championship. Great switched ends, then went on with the personal success. And on Sunday after- second period. noon, they looked like two of the best During that stretch of 26 minutes or players in the world at their positions. so, the Bruins dominated play, taking a Sheary scored twice and Murray 31-13 advantage in shots and 51-17 edge made 44 saves as the Penguins handled in shot attempts. the Boston Bruins, 5-1, at PPG Paints That’s when Murray was at his best. Arena. A save he made on a David Backes back- “We’re still roommates on the road hand breakaway attempt late in the for road trips. He’s a really good friend. second proved to be a critical moment We’ve kind of grown up together,” Mur- in the game. ray said. “It’s really exciting for a guy “He puts a pretty good move on, like me to watch a good friend like that too. I wasn’t really expecting that from do what he’s doing. It doesn’t surprise him,” Murray said. “He went backhand me whatsoever, just because I know pretty early, and I just barely got a piece what he’s capable of, but it’s fun to be of it with the top of my blocker and it on this ride with him for sure.” Conor Sheary (left) of the Pittsburgh Penguins fights for position against David Pastrnak (centre) of the Boston Bruins while Matt Murray (right) defends during the NHL went out of play. I got a little bit lucky Sheary has scored two goals in three game at PPG PAINTS Arena in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, on Sunday. (AFP) on that one.” of his last four games. Only four left wings in the league have more goals at the NHL level,” coach Mike Sullivan period, his line struck twice to give the period, the Penguins scored three times a pass from Phil Kessel alone in front and RESULTS than Sheary’s 17 this season. said. “I think his game is just growing Penguins a 2-0 lead. to turn the game into a rout. steered in a shot on the power play. Nashville 4 Minnesota 2 “I’m not going to sit here and suggest by the day.” First, Bryan Rust fi nished a two-on- Chad Ruhwedel took a shot from the Sheary, Crosby and Rust have com- Chicago 4 Vancouver 2 to you that I thought he’d have 17 goals Sheary scored in each of the two of- one with Sidney Crosby. Later, Sheary right point that Patric Hornqvist col- bined for 14 goals and 35 points in their Philadelphia 3 NY Islanders 2 (OT) halfway through the season, but I knew fensive bursts the Penguins unleashed scored from the right post out of a net- lected in front and backhanded into the last 10 games. Columbus 7 Ottawa 6 (OT) he could play in this league and I felt in the game. front scrum. goal. Sheary buried another shot from “It’s going better than I expected at Pittsburgh 5 Boston 1 strongly that he could be a solid player In the fi rst 10 minutes of the second In the fi rst fi ve minutes of the third the right post off a Rust feed. Crosby took this point,” Sheary said. “I think it’s a NY Rangers 1 Detroit 0 (OT) Gulf Times Tuesday, January 24, 2017 7 SPORT

NFL SPOTLIGHT Lacrosse days a Falcons, Patriots distant memory to clash in Super for Patriots Bowl showpiece standout Hogan ‘It’s incredible. The team showed a lot of mental toughness over the year’

AFP Los Angeles

om Brady led the New England Patriots into the seventh Su- per Bowl of his career on Sun- day with a clinical 36-17 de- Tfeat of the Pittsburgh Steelers after the Atlanta Falcons routed the Green Bay Packers to reach the NFL showpiece. Brady, 39, will now be chasing a record-equalling fi fth Super Bowl crown in Houston on February 5 after throw- ing three touchdowns for 384 yards in a convincing defeat of the Steelers at Foxborough’s Gillette Stadium. Brady’s latest Super Bowl appear- ances comes a fully 15 years after he led the Patriots to victory over the St. Louis Rams in the 2002 championship game. “It’s incredible. The team showed a lot of mental toughness over the course of the year,” added Brady, who was suspended for the fi rst four games of the season over for his role in the Tom Brady (third from right) of the New England Patriots directs his team against the Pittsburgh Steelers in the AFC long-running ‘Defl ategate’ saga. Championship Game at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, Massachusetts, on Sunday. (AFP) “I’m just happy for the team,” Brady added. “I know we’re playing a great lanta line with a touchdown begging. team in a couple of weeks, but it’d be “I feel like we hurt ourselves in the great to fi nish it off .” fi rst half more than they really stopped Brady was at his deadly best on us,” Rodgers said. Sunday as the Bill Belichick-coached The Falcons meanwhile looked Pats outsmarted the Steelers with a threatening whenever they ventured Chris Hogan (right) of the New England Patriots celebrates after scoring a series of clever plays which often left into Green Bay territory. touchdown in the AFC Championship Game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Pittsburgh’s defense chasing shadows. Mohamed Sanu scored the opening Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, Massachusetts, on Sunday. (AFP) After a fi eld goal from Stephen touchdown from a fl ipped shovel pass Gostkowski opened the scoring for from Ryan before the Atlanta quarter- Reuters was able to make the most of it.” New England, Brady picked out wide back grabbed his team’s second six- St Augustine, Florida Asked what he would have said had he open receiver Chris Hogan for the fi rst pointer with a 14-yard run into the been told seven years ago that he would touchdown with a 16-yard pass. end zone. be playing for the Patriots in Super Bowl The Steelers responded with a fi ve- Ryan punished a Rodgers intercep- hris Hogan has come a long 51, Hogan replied with a grin: “No.” yard touchdown run from DeAngelo tion with a pass to fi nd Julio Jones way since his college lacrosse He was ready, however, to give his Williams which reduced the defi cit from fi ve yards, leaving the Falcons days and the New England former lacrosse team mates from Penn but Brady found Hogan once again 24-0 ahead at the break. Patriots are grateful after the State tickets for the Super Bowl clash with a clever play-fake that left the Jones then galloped away for a 73- wideC receiver set a franchise playoff against the Atlanta Falcons, to be Patriots defender in acres of space to yard touchdown in the opening min- mark with 180 receiving yards against played on Feb. 5 in Houston. make it 17-6. utes of the third quarter to put Atlanta the Pittsburgh Steelers. “I’m sure they will be hitting up Chris Boswell and Gostkowski 31-0 ahead. The 28-year-old from Connecti- my phone this entire week (asking for traded fi eld goals to keep the score re- Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan scrambles after a loose ball in the 2017 Further Atlanta touchdowns came cut caught nine passes and scored two tickets),” said Hogan. “It will be crazy. spectable but New England took full NFC Championship Game against the Green Bay Packers at the Georgia Dome in from Devonta Freeman and Tevin touchdowns, the second of them on A bunch of them are here right now so control with two quick touchdowns Atlanta on Sunday. (USA TODAY Sports) Coleman and although Green Bay at- a 34-yard fl ea fl icker from quarter- it will be fun just to see them and cel- in the third quarter from running back tempted to give the scoreline some back Tom Brady, to help New England ebrate with them.” LeGarrette Blount and receiver Julian crushed Green Bay 44-21 in their last really good,” added Ryan, who com- respectability with touchdowns from complete a 36-17 win on Sunday that Belichick, who has coached the Pa- Edelman which propelled the hosts ever game at the Georgia Dome. pleted 27 out of 38 pass attempts for Jordy Nelson, Davante Adams, and earned them a spot in the Super Bowl. triots to seven Super Bowl appearances, into a 33-9 lead. The Falcons surged into a 24-0 392 yards and four touchdowns. Jared Cook, the result was never in For Hogan, who was signed by the applauded Hogan’s record-setting dis- Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlis- half-time lead after overwhelming the Green Bay star Rodgers said Atlanta doubt. Patriots as a free agent in March last play against the Steelers. berger endured a frustrating evening, Packers defense with their varied run- had just been too good. “We played Ryan said the Falcons had been de- year after head coach Bill Belichick “Chris has done a good job for us all unable to get any change out of a domi- ning and passing game as Green Bay a hot team. You’ve got to give them termined not to let up on Green Bay described him as a “burner” with ex- year,” Belichick said about the wide re- nant Patriots defense until fi nding Cobi quarterback Aaron Rodgers was never credit,” Rodgers said. despite building their massive fi rst traordinary athleticism, it was simply ceiver who was lured from the Buff alo Hamilton with a 30-yard pass for a con- able to get going. “Matt is playing incredible right half lead. the latest chance for him to make the Bills on a three-year deal worth $12mn. solation score late in the fourth quarter. “We’ve got some more business at now, and that’s a very good off ense.” “We knew going in against Green most of opportunities. “He’s a good player. He does a lot of Houston in two weeks,” Ryan said after Rodgers was left frustrated as the Bay and going against Aaron (Rodgers) “I just want to be able to take advan- things well and he’s fast. RYAN RAMPANT AS FALCONS the Falcons were presented the NFC Packers squandered vital early scor- it’s never over,” Ryan said. “He’s such a tage of all the opportunities that I get,” “He had some good opportunities SOAR Championship trophy. ing opportunities through a missed great player. We just kept at them the Hogan told the NFL Network. “Playing (against Pittsburgh) and he took ad- Earlier Sunday, Matt Ryan led a domi- “We showed up. We did exactly Mason Crosby fi eld goal and a fumble entire four quarters. I’m proud of the in my fi rst championship game, the ball vantage of them. He creates some sepa- nant off ensive display as Atlanta what we’ve been doing all year. It feels from Aaron Ripkowski near the At- way we competed.” came my way a couple of times and I ration, creates some space in there.”

BOTTOMLINE Josoor announces second set of certifi cate, diploma programmes

By Sports Reporter certifi cate and diploma programmes Doha provide delegates with an interactive learning opportunity. Sessions led by industry experts and academics will fo- osoor Institute is now accepting cus on the conceptualisation, organisa- applications for the second set tion and execution of large scale events. of its professional certifi cate and Building on the successful delivery diploma programmes that are set model of the fi rst set, the 2017 pro- toJ begin in March 2017. Following the grammes will include a mix of online success of the fi rst unit, Josoor Institute and classroom lectures, team exercises has retained the programme topics for and site visits. Delegates will visit sta- the second intake, which are ‘Football diums in Qatar to get fi rst-hand knowl- and Sports Management’ and ‘Major edge about stadium operations and the Events Management’. Scholarships are delivery of successful events. also available for delegates who are in- Speaking about his experience terested to join and meet the selection from the fi rst set of the Football and criteria. Sports Management programme, Atiq Josoor Institute is a centre of excel- al-Ghanim a delegate from the Qatar lence for the sports and events indus- Football Association said: “During the tries, inspired and developed by the Delegates from the Football and Sports Management certificate and diploma programme, we learned from highly Supreme Committee for Delivery & programmes take part in a practical activity. skilled professors that came from pres- Legacy (SC). tigious universities such as Georget- The professional certifi cate and di- ing journey in providing the skills and age all those in the sports and events own University and the University of ploma programmes are designed and knowledge required to build sustain- industries in the Mena region to take up Liverpool. I benefi ted greatly from the delivered in partnership with leading able sports and events industries across this opportunity to develop their career knowledge and experience they shared international academic partners, in- Phil Clements, principal consultant for International Development, Leeds Beckett the region and beyond. The learnings paths” added al-Waeli. with us. Through the knowledge gained cluding Georgetown University, Uni- University, interacts with the delegates. gained from the programmes will em- The ‘Football and Sports Manage- from the speakers, we are able to apply versity of Liverpool and Leeds Beckett power delegates to shape not only their ment’ certifi cate and diploma pro- global learnings in Qatar.” University. The 12-month programmes grammes allow delegates the fl exibil- more than ever to continue to grow re- own careers but also the future of the grammes will provide delegates with The fi rst set wrapped up late last year are of the highest standards and are de- ity to continue with their professional gional talent and develop the human industry creating a legacy for the region a broad understanding of the com- with great success. The programme livered by renowned academicians and careers and enable them to learn the capabilities of the Mena region’s sports for many years to come.” plexities in the management of sports, included 68 delegates from Qatar and leading industry practitioners. practical and theoretical applications and events industries. “We are delighted by the interest that particularly football. Featured topics the region who saw great value in the Delivered part-time and in six blocks of delivered content. “The graduating delegates from the industry professionals have expressed include the analysis of goals and re- knowledge gained from the certifi cate spread over the year, the certifi cate and Commenting on the launch of these fi rst set have gone on to grow their ca- in the programmes’ second set. The sources, the development of revenue and diploma programmes. Delegates diploma programmes provide delegates programmes, Josoor’s executive direc- reers and developed a network of in- value gained from the certifi cate and streams, design and co-ordination, remarked on the impact that the learn- with the knowledge and skills neces- tor (acting) Mushtaq al-Waeli said, dustry peers through the connections diploma programmes is very tangible, scheduling and operations, staff man- ings of the programmes has left on their sary to develop their management and “Following the great success of our fi rst made at the programmes. With the and we have seen it shape and impact agement and the implementation of career and the experience they have leadership capabilities in the sports set of the certifi cate and diploma pro- launch of the second set this March, the careers of our delegates from the action plans. gained from the speakers and their in- and major events industries. The pro- grammes, we are committed and driven we enter the next phase of our excit- fi rst set,” therefore we would encour- The ‘Major Events Management’ dustry peers. Gulf Times 8 Tuesday, January 24, 2017 SPORT

FOCUS Double Olympic champion Adams turns pro

Reuters challenging for world titles within a year.” The 34-year-old Adams, one of the London GB Boxing had said earlier that the faces of the London 2012 Games, had fi rst female Olympic boxing champion, sparked speculation about her future who defended her 2012 fl yweight title when she tweeted on Sunday: “Bring ouble Olympic boxing gold in Rio de Janeiro last year, would not on the new era! The change has come medalist Nicola Adams be part of their squad working towards huge announcement coming soon stay turned professional yes- Tokyo 2020. tuned!!!” terday, announcing a debut The only other woman to win two Although professionals are now al- boutD in Manchester on April 8 before a Olympic boxing golds, American mid- lowed to compete at the Olympics, Ad- “Leeds homecoming” on May 13. dleweight Claressa Shields, made her ams has eff ectively ended her hopes of “I think this was the time for me,” professional debut last November. winning a third gold medal as GB Box- the 34-year-old, who has signed with Ireland’s Katie Taylor, a lightweight ing have made it clear they will favour promoter Frank Warren, told broad- gold medallist in 2012, has also turned fi ghters who are members of their full- caster BT Sport at a presentation in professional. time programme. London. “She has won everything there is Adams, a hugely popular fi gure in “After 2012, winning the Olym- to win and her place in history is se- Britain, has won pretty much every pics in London, I still had things that cured as the fi rst women to ever win a major title open to her as an amateur. I wanted to achieve. I wanted to be- gold medal for boxing and then top it She was the fi rst female fi ghter to come a world champion and a double by winning a second one in Rio,” said represent England in 2007 and, after Olympic champion before I turned GB Boxing’s performance director Rob overcoming a career-threatening back professional. McCracken of Adams. injury, became boxing’s fi rst Olympic “Now I’ve achieved everything I “We would have welcomed Nicola women’s gold medalist when she de- wanted to achieve as an amateur and staying on for the Tokyo cycle, howev- feated ’s Ren Cancan in the fl y- now I want to be a professional and er we recognise her decision to pursue weight fi nal at London 2012. achieve more.” other opportunities and wish her every Adams became the fi rst female box- Warren, who has previously said he success in whatever she goes on to do er to retain an Olympic title when she did not want to promote women’s box- next,” he added. “Nicola has made a did so at last year’s Rio Games. Having ing, said he was eating ‘humble pie’ in huge contribution to both the Olympic previously won European and Com- signing the diminutive Adams. programme and the sport of boxing. monwealth gold medals, 2016 also saw “Of all the signings I have made in She is a superb ambassador and has Adams complete a clean sweep of ma- my 35 years in the sport of boxing, this been a signifi cant part of the success jor titles when she won her fi rst world is among the most I have been excited we have enjoyed at GB Boxing in the championship by defeating ’s about,” he said. “I think Nicola will be last eight years.” Peamwilai Laopeam in Kazakhstan.

GOLF Manor F1 talks ongoing but money needed

Reuters Swaff ord claims fi rst London

dministrators for the Manor Formula One team say talks with Ainterested parties have intensified but a firm financial commitment has yet to be secured as a deadline looms. PGA win in 93rd start Manor need at least half a mn pounds ($622,000) to pay salaries, prepare the cars and go testing before the season Swaff ord is in his fourth year on the Tour and had never finished higher than a tie for eighth. starts in Australia on March 26. Adminis- trators FRP Advisory have agreed to pay In five previous starts this season his best finish was a tie for 13th at last week’s Sony Open all staff salaries to the end of January, after which employees may have to be laid off and preparations put on hold. The team, the smallest and least suc- cessful in the sport, currently employs 212 people at their factory in Banbury, central England. “Talks with interested parties will continue with all concerned aware that appropriate funding is needed to take the team forward to be in a position to complete testing with the beginning of the 2017 season still in everyone’s mind,” a spokesman for FRP Advisory said yes- terday. “However, there is as yet nothing further to announce.” Manor, who previously competed as Marussia, went into administration for the second time in little more than a year in early January. Their 2016 drivers, Germany’s Pascal Wehrlein and France’s Esteban Ocon, have secured seats with Sauber and Force India respectively. Manor are owned by Stephen Fitz- patrick, who runs independent British energy supplier Ovo and rescued the team in early 2015 after they had missed the final races of the 2014 season and gone into administration. The team, who started out in 2010 as Virgin Racing, lost 10th place in the 11-team championship last year when Sauber over- took them at the penultimate race in . That setback cost Manor tens of millions in prize money to fund the team. Manor Grand Prix Racing Ltd, which holds the rights to participate in the championship, is not in the administra- tion which aff ects the team’s operating Hudson Swaff ord poses with his trophy company, Just Racing Services Ltd with wife Katherine Wainwright Brandon after winning the CareerBuilder Challenge in La Quinta, California, on Sunday. (AFP) Ecclestone on verge of F1 departure

AFP “I can’t help but be slightly disap- Formula One boss Bernie Ecclestone Los Angeles CHINA ORDERS CLOSURE OF MORE THAN 100 GOLF COURSES pointed,” Hadwin said. could leave his position this week as “I really wanted to come out here Liberty Media prepare to complete its hina has ordered the closure 2004, which was largely ignored. Since land, as well as 47 others to stop fur- and kind of prove that yesterday was takeover of the sport, British media udson Swaff ord fi nally of a sixth of the country’s golf a fresh crackdown was launched in 2011, ther construction. just kind of a continuation of some reported yesterday. joined golf’s winner’s cir- Ccourses since 2011, its top 111 of China’s 683 golf courses nation- Golf courses are present in all of good play and kind of get it done to- Ecclestone, 86, has led the elite motor- cle on Sunday, fi ring a economic planner said, in an ongoing wide were ordered shut, the National China’s provincial-level regions except day, but I got beat.” sport for 40 years but Liberty has already Hfi ve-under-par 67 for a crackdown on a sport controversial for Development and Reform Commission Tibet, according to the NDRC. Dominic Bozzelli, who grabbed the appointed Chase Carey as F1 chairman and one-stroke victory at the PGA Tour’s its links with wealthy elites. (NDRC) said in a statement posted on The country boasts world-class fi rst-round lead with a 64, fi nished in it is reportedly on the verge of creating an- CareerBuilder Challenge. China’s ruling Communist Party has its website. Operators voluntarily closed fairways and an emerging crop of young fi fth place at 271, closing with a 71. other executive position to handle market- The 29-year-old American birdied an ambivalent relationship with golf. an additional 11, it added. players, but expensive club memberships Brendan Steele (70) and Chad ing and sponsorship. That would eff ectively three of his last four holes to claim Local authorities have profited from Courses were taken to task for mean that only a tiny minority of Chinese Campbell (71) tied for sixth place at rob Ecclestone of his power within F1 even his maiden USPGA Tour win in his selling land for courses, but they are illegally using arable land or nature have swung a golf club. In 2015, the coun- 272. Scott Stalling (66) took eighth at if he remained in adapted role. Last week 93rd Tour start. “This is a dream come seen as venues for shady dealmaking reserves, extracting groundwater in try’s 88 mn Communist party members 273, and Sean O’Hair (69), Richy Wer- Liberty gained approval of its shareholders true,” Swaff ord said. “I really didn’t between elites and politicians. prohibited areas, and other violations. were banned from joining golf clubs in enski (70) and Scotland’s Martin Laird and the sport’s FIA governing body for the get ahead of myself, didn’t really look Central authorities ordered a na- The NDRC ordered an additional 18 a corruption crackdown which also tar- (69) all came in at 274, tied for ninth. takeover and only formalities are left before at leaderboards, didn’t really know tionwide freeze on new golf courses in courses to return illegally occupied geted banquets and lavish gift-giving. concluding the deal. where I was.” Leading scores Ecclestone is widely credited with turn- He compiled a 20-under 268 total 268 — Hudson Swaff ord 65-65-71-67 ing F1 into the multi-billion dollar business to fi nish one stroke ahead of Canada’s with a bogey at the par-four No.1 be- had really good rhythm, was standing Third round leader Hadwin was 269 — Adam Hadwin (CAN) 71-69-59-70 it is today but he has also been criticized Adam Hadwin, who closed with a 70, fore stringing together fi ve straight tall and was hitting it beautifully. also in search of his fi rst PGA Tour win 270 — Brian Harman 67-65-69-69, Bud for prioritizing short-term profits over one day after storming to a 13-under pars. He then caught fi re with a burst “I didn’t make every putt I looked but his two-under 70 left him just shy Cauley 69-67-65-69 long-term investment. 59 in the third round at the La Quinta of three straight birdies to close out at, but I felt like I was hitting some of victory. 271 — Dominic Bozzelli 64-67-69-71 Country Club near Palm Springs, Cal- his front nine. pretty good putts, and to make three On Saturday, the 29-year-old from 272 — Brendan Steele 68-64-70-70, ifornia. Bud Cauley and Brian Harman On the par-four seventh, he hit his of the last four, and I felt like I actually suburban Vancouver became the fi rst Chad Campbell 66-69-66-71 both shot 69s and fi nished in a tie for approach to fi ve feet from the hole made the one on the last hole, it was Canadian shoot a 59, leaving him one 273 — Scott Stallings 67-71-69-66 third at 18-under 270. then easily made the short birdie putt. pretty special.” stroke off the Tour record 58 fired last 274 — Sean O’Hair 67-69-69-69, Martin Swaff ord is in his fourth year on the After making birdie on the par-fi ve The win comes with some nice year by American Jim Furyk at the Laird (SCO) 68-66-71-69, Richy Weren- Tour and had never fi nished higher eighth, he drained a 14-foot putt for perks, as Swaff ord is now qualifi ed for Travelers Championship. He birdied ski 69-67-68-70 than a tie for eighth. In fi ve previous birdie on the par-four ninth. the Masters, the Players Champion- two of his fi nal three holes on Sunday 275 — (ITA) 69-73- starts this season his best fi nish was a “I felt like my posture was good all ship, the Dean and Deluca Invitation- to fi nish at 19-under 269. 66-67, Patrick Reed 69-71-70-65, Chez tie for 13th at last week’s Sony Open. day, and it just allowed the club to al, the Memorial, the PGA Champion- Of the nine players to card a 59 (or Reavie 68-70-67-70, Charles Howell 67- Beginning the day two shots off the be in a perfect slot,” Swaff ord said. ship and the 2018 SBS Tournament of better) on tour, Hadwin is the fourth 68-70-70, Grayson Murray 68-69-67-71 lead, Swaff ord got off to a rocky start “That’s all we focused on this week. I Champions. who failed to win the event. (USA unless noted) Gulf Times Tuesday, January 24, 2017 9 FOOTBALL

SPOTLIGHT Hull’s Mason talking again aft er fracturing skull

AFP son on Sunday. Following the collision between London Cahill and Mason, medical staff from both clubs sprinted out to attend to the two players, with referee halting play for close to 10 ull City midfi elder Ryan Mason has been minutes as they each received on-fi eld treatment. talking in hospital about the incident Central Defender Cahill returned to his feet which left him with a fractured skull, and scored Chelsea’s second goal, a header, in the the club said yesterday. 2-0 victory but Mason left the fi eld on a stretcher HThe 25-year-old Mason suff ered the injury while receiving oxygen treatment. Several hours when he accidentally clashed heads with Chel- after the fi nal whistle, a Hull statement confi rmed sea’s Gary Cahill in the 14th minute of Hull’s that Mason had sustained a skull fracture. eventual 2-0 loss away to the Premier League Clubs and players from across England and leaders at Stamford Bridge on Sunday. Mason was beyond sent messages of support for Mason, subsequently taken to the nearby St Mary’s Hos- among them former Manchester United and pital in west London and underwent surgery. Chelsea striker Radamel Falcao, who tweeted: He was visited by Hull captain Michael Dawson “My thoughts and pray for Ryan Mason. Get well and several club offi cials yesterday. Afterwards, a soon!” Hull statement said: “Ryan has been visited this Gareth Bale, who played with Mason at Tot- morning at St Mary’s Hospital by club captain tenham Hotspur, tweeted: “Get well soon Mase!! Michael Dawson, club doctor Mark Waller, head Thoughts are with you and your family, stay of medical Rob Price and club secretary Matt strong!!!” The England team’s Twitter account Wild. Ryan has been speaking of the incident yes- posted a message reading: “Stay strong, Ryan” terday and will continue to be monitored at the alongside a picture of Mason earning his sole hospital over the coming days where the club will England cap to date. remain in close contact with Ryan, his family and Immediately after the match Chelsea head the staff at St Mary’s.” coach Antonio Conte said all those connected The statement added: “Ryan and his family with the London club hoped Mason would enjoy a have also been extremely touched by the over- speedy recovery. “It was a bad accident with Gary whelming support they have received and would and, I must be honest, after the fi rst half also Gary very much like to thank all of those who have wasn’t really good. He decided to continue the posted such positive comments both on social game,” said Conte. media and in the press over the last 24 hours.” “It was very bad this accident. Everyone at Cahill, Chelsea captain John Terry and assistant Chelsea, we hope to see him very soon on the Hull City Ryan Mason (right) was carried off and received oxygen after a clash of heads with Chelsea’s Gary Cahill during the English manager Steve Holland all reportedly visited Ma- pitch and to recover very soon.” Premier League match at Stamford Bridge in London on Sunday. (AFP)

PREMIER LEAGUE ROUND-UP Carroll says Payet Wenger hit with row galvanised West Ham misconduct charge Agencies London

Arsenal manager pushed fourth off icial after being sent off to stands idfi elder Dimitri Payet’s ongoing AFP row with West Ham London United over his de- Msire to move in the January trans- fer window has galavanised the rsenal manager Arsene Wenger rest of the squad, striker ANDY was charged with misconduct CARROLL has said. by England’s governing Football Payet has refused to play for Association yesterday after an West Ham since their 5-0 FA allegedA altercation with the fourth offi cial Cup defeat by Manchester City during Sunday’s 2-1 Premier League win on Jan. 6 in an attempt to force Pawson did not see the incident over Burnley. through a move to Olympique de but it was recorded on video and The veteran French boss was dismissed Marseille, according to British FA rules allow them to take ret- from his technical area by referee Jon media reports. rospective action. Senegal inter- Moss after being angered by the award West Ham, however, have not national Djilobodji was sent off of a stoppage-time penalty to Burnley, struggled without the infl uen- against Hull earlier this season. having allegedly verbally abused fourth tial midfi elder, recording back- offi cial . Wenger, 67, then to-back Premier League wins KREMLIN TO HOST tried to watch the closing minutes of the against Crystal Palace and Mid- WORLD CUP FINALS DRAW match in the tunnel at north London club dlesbrough, with Carroll fi nding The draw for the 2018 World Arsenal’s Emirates Stadium and televi- the net in both games. Cup fi nals hosted by Russia will sion pictures then showed him pushing “No one player is going to de- take place in the Kremlin on De- Taylor when asked to move back. stroy anything,” Carroll, who cember 1, the country’s Football Arsenal eventually won the match 2-1 has scored three in his last two Union (RFU) chief Vitaly Mutko after Alexis Sanchez scored an even later games, said. “Our response just said yesterday. Mutko, Russia’s stoppage-time penalty following Andre proves what the lads have got deputy prime minister, said that Gray’s spot-kick equaliser that cancelled deep down in themselves. It world football’s ruling body FIFA out Shkodran Mustafi ’s opening goal for proves our passion for football, had approved the plan though the title-chasing Gunners. for the manager and for our club. FIFA had yet to comment. Wenger, Arsenal’s manager since 1996, It’s everything. The fi ght the Russia will host the 2018 apologised for his behaviour after the lads have and the fans stand- World Cup between June 14 and match but that did not prevent him be- ing behind us has all been great. July 15 at 12 stadiums in 11 cities ing charged by the FA yesterday. “Arsene It’s a very tight-knit group, cer- including Moscow, Saint Peters- Wenger has been charged for misconduct tainly the tightest it’s been since burg, Kazan and Sochi. These following Arsenal’s game against Burnley I joined West Ham.” four cities are also the hosts of on Sunday (22 January 2017),” said a Saturday’s 3-1 win at Middles- the 2017 Confederations Cup statement issued by the FA. brough lifted West Ham to 10th that kicks off in Kazan on June 17 “It is alleged that in or around the 92nd in the table, with Carroll getting and will end with a fi nal in Saint minute, he used abusive and/or insult- on the scoresheet twice. The Petersburg on July 2. ing words towards the fourth offi cial. It striker, who has had his trouble is further alleged that following his dis- with injuries in the past, said he MODRIC, MARCELO INJURY missal from the technical area, his behav- hoped he could look forward to BLOW FOR REAL iour in remaining in the tunnel area and Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger (centre) is sent to the stands by referee Jonathan Moss (left) as fourth off icial Anthony Taylor an extended run in the side that Real confi rmed injuries making physical contact with the fourth looks on during the Gunners Premier League match against Burnley at the Emirates Stadium in London on Sunday. (AFP) would lead to a recall to the Eng- to key players yesterday with offi cial amounted to improper conduct. land team. Luka Modric and Marcelo both He has until 6:00pm (1800 GMT) on 26 “Look, it was nothing bad. I said some- time the Swiss international has been Wenger. “We don’t encourage our mid- ruled out of this week’s second- January 2017 to respond to the charge.” thing that you hear every day in football. sent off for club and country since 2014. fi elders to go down in their tackles and DJILOBODJI CHARGED WITH leg quarter-fi nal Spanish Cup tie Following the victory, which saw Arse- Overall nine times out of 10 you are not Xhaka, having already been shown a red make this type of tackle.” VIOLENT CONDUCT away to Celta Vigo. nal move up into second place in the Pre- sent to the stand for that. If I am, I am card while on Arsenal duty against Swan- Arsenal have won four of their last fi ve defender Papy Djilo- The Croatian midfi elder mier League, Wenger expressed “regret” (suspended), and I should have shut up sea earlier this season, will now miss the league games and with a trip to Stamford bodji has been charged with should be back in 10 days but the for his behaviour. completely. I was quite calm the whole Gunners’ next four games through sus- Bridge looming on February 4, Wenger violent conduct by England’s Brazilian defender could miss a Asked in particular about television game, more than usual, but just (not) in pension. Wenger, who saw his side move challenged his players to keep the pres- governing Football Association month of football including the pictures that showed him pushing Tay- the last two or three minutes.” up to second place, eight points behind sure on leaders Chelsea. following an incident late in Sat- Champions League last-16 fi rst- lor, Wenger replied: “I regret everything. Wenger, who faces the prospect of leaders Chelsea, was less forgiving about “We got an unlikely win, when it is urday’s 2-0 Premier League loss leg against Napoli on February 15. I should have shut up, gone in and go a fi ne and a touchline ban, was not the Xhaka’s second red card for Arsenal. 10 against 11 with two minutes to go it at West Bromwich Albion. There was no predicted re- home. I apologise for that. I was sent to only member of the Arsenal set-up in Blaming the Swiss for failing to follow is diffi cult to win,” Wenger said, hailing Djilobodji, who could be covery time given but Marcelo the stands. I didn’t know if I was sent to disciplinary trouble on Sunday. Gunners instructions to stay on his feet, Wenger his side’s resolve. “It was a tense game banned for up to four matches if is expected to miss league games the stands but I was sent out. I thought midfi elder Granit Xhaka was sent off for warned the midfi elder to curb his over- against a team that made it uncomfort- found guilty, appeared to swing against , Osasuna, I could watch it from the corridor, you a reckless lunge on Steven Defour that zealous challenges. “Xhaka has to con- able for us. We are a team that keeps go- his arms at West Brom midfi elder Espanyol, Valencia and Villarre- know. I went inside and watched it on tel- left Arsenal a man down for the fi nal 25 trol his game and not punish the team ing no matter what happens and that is a Darren Fletcher at an 86th- al, and Napoli in the Champions evision. minutes against Burnley. It was the ninth with a lack of control in his tackling,” said good thing.” minute free-kick. Referee Craig League. KLOPP FRUSTRATED AS LIVERPOOL’S TRANSFER PLANS STALL Liverpool: Manager Juergen Klopp has be- “I understand it is absolutely normal that peo- to off er a premium on any players they were able. That is the situation. That is why I say we football until the end of last year? Yes. Did we moaned Liverpool’s lack of progress in the Janu- ple ask whether we should have brought players looking to sign. “Clubs are saying ‘No, we have know the situation, we are prepared to move, lose on Nov. 26 Phil Coutinho and a few days ary transfer window following their first home in,” the German said. “The situation is yes, on the half a year to go, we cannot find another player but for the right player.” later Joel Matip – two of the best players until defeat of the season, saying he has identified his one side pretty simple, but on the other hand like this, we prefer to take money in the summer Liverpool face Southampton at Anfield tomor- now? Yes. Is this lucky? No. Did we cope with the targets but clubs are not willing to sell. it is pretty diff icult. It is not that we don’t want than a few pounds more in the winter than row in the second leg of their EFL Cup semifinal situation? Yes. Liverpool were stunned 3-2 by a strug- to bring players in. We do. But the thing is, the whatever,’” he added. tie. The Reds need to overturn a one-goal deficit “We don’t sit back now and say: ‘Look at this.’ gling Swansea City in the Premier League on players we want because we think they help us, “You see the situation. It’s tight, it’s close, we over Claude Puel’s side if they are to reach the We don’t look for excuses. What we need is to Saturday, a result that saw them slip to fourth the clubs don’t sell. It is not about money in this know that, but if the right decision is not pos- final at Wembley on Feb. 26. Klopp believes fight. In the good moments this team is still able in the table, 10 points behind leaders Chelsea. situation, it is the winter transfer window.” sible in signing the right player then you cannot the occasion presents a good opportunity to to play wonderful football and we did it already.” Liverpool, who have temporarily lost influential Liverpool have won just one of six games make the wrong transfer. It’s not as if there are bring back the feel-good factor that was present Klopp said that there were no injury concerns winger Sadio Mane to the African Nations Cup, in 2017, and Klopp indicated that the club had 20 players out there who could make this team around the club in the opening months of the within the Liverpool squad ahead of the South- are yet to sign a single player so far in January. missed out on their targets despite being willing stronger, who are running around and are avail- season. He said: “Did we play really, really good ampton game. Gulf Times 10 Tuesday, January 24, 2017 FOOTBALL

LA LIGA Dzeko Barca maintain pressure keeps Roma in title hunt on Real with Eibar win AFP Milan Barca midfielder Busquets looks set to miss at least the next two games after spraining an ankle din Dzeko’s second-half AFP strike kept Serie A title Madrid challengers Roma in the hunt with a 1-0 win at homeE to Cagliari that cut the gap ionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar were on leaders Juventus to one point all on target as Barcelona shrugged off the on Sunday night. loss of the injured Sergio Busquets to re- Fresh life was breathed into main just two points behind lead- the race for the scudetto last Lers Real Madrid with a 4-0 win at Eibar on Sunday week, especially for Roma and night. Sevilla separate the giants of Spanish foot- Napoli, when Juventus suff ered a ball in second, just a point behind Madrid, after 2-1 defeat at Fiorentina. But the twice coming from behind to edge a seven-goal Turin giants, aiming for a record thriller 4-3 at rock-bottom Osasuna. sixth consecutive title, fi red a However, Real Madrid also have a game in hand warning to their chasers with a over their title rivals, having been away playing at classy, fi rst-half performance in the Club World Cup, which they won in Japan. a 2-0 home win over Lazio that Barca’s visit to the Basque Country was only saw Paulo Dybala and Gonzalo eight minutes in when Busquets had to be carried Higuain strike shortly after the off with ankle ligament damage after a danger- quarter hour. ous challenge from Gonzalo Escalante that went It was Higuain’s 14th goal in unpunished. “The good news about Sergio Bus- 19 appearances and left the Ar- quets is that it doesn’t look as serious as we fi rst gentine only one behind league thought,” Barca boss Luis Enrique said. leader Mauro Icardi of Inter Mi- Busquets looks set to miss at least the next two lan, who, along with Atalanta, games after spraining an ankle. “Results on Mon- capitalised on AC Milan’s 2-1 day confi rm that Busquets has a sprained external San Siro to Napoli on Saturday to lateral ligament in his right ankle,” the Spanish push the Rossoneri down to sev- champions said in a statement, without indicating enth at 11 points adrift. how long he would be out for. Roma welcomed Cagliari with Spanish media said he would miss the next 10- the chance equal a club record of 15 days, which would defi nitely rule him out of 13 consecutive home victories, Thursday’s Copa del Rey clash with Real Sociedad last achieved in 1930. A wasteful fi rst half at the Stadio Olimpico saw Diego Perotti, Dzeko (twice) POINTS TABLE and Bruno Peres all spurn solid chances. But the increasingly (played, won, drawn, lost, goals for, goals frustrated home support were against, points): back on song on 55 minutes, Real Madrid 18 13 4 1 48 17 43 Dzeko muscling his way past Sevilla 19 13 3 3 42 25 42 Nicola Murru to meet Antonio Barcelona 19 12 5 2 51 17 41 Rudiger’s pacey delivery to vol- Atletico Madrid 19 10 5 4 34 16 35 Barcelona’s Neymar (left) attempts to get past Eibar’s Ander Capa during the Spanish La Liga match on Sunday night. (Reuters) ley in off the underside of the Real Sociedad 19 11 2 6 31 25 35 crossbar from eight yards. Villarreal 19 8 7 4 26 14 31 and the game with Real Betis on Sunday. La Liga’s top scorer this season with 15 when he takes, but from start to fi nish looked to win the It took the Bosnian’s league 19 8 5 6 24 21 29 The visitors were briefl y unsettled as a fi ne save robbed Florian Lejeune before slotting home at the game,” said Sevilla boss Jorge Sampaoli. “To fi nish goals tally to 14, just one behind Celta Vigo 19 8 3 8 29 33 27 from Marc-Andre ter Stegen prevented Adrian near post 22 minutes from time. Neymar hadn’t the fi rst half of the season with a record number of Icardi and level with Higuain and Espanyol 19 6 8 5 25 26 26 Gonzalez giving Eibar a shock lead at the tiny scored from open play since October, but brought points (42) and be second fi lls us with excitement Torino striker Andrea Belotti. Eibar 19 7 5 7 25 28 26 6,200 capacity Ipurua. Yet, there was little doubt that run to an end by slotting home Aleix Vidal’s for what is to come.” Roma coach Luciano Spalletti Las Palmas 19 6 7 6 28 30 25 over the outcome once Denis Suarez, who had re- low cross in stoppage time. Sergio Leon gave Osasuna a shock early lead piled the pressure on Dzeko to Alaves 19 5 8 6 17 20 23 placed Busquets, drilled home his fi rst Barca goal “A positive run of results means everything before an unusual hat-trick from Sevilla captain take more of his chances a fort- Real Betis 19 6 4 9 20 30 22 into the far corner from outside the box on the half fl ows better, the players have more confi dence,” Vicente Iborra levelled at 2-2 as he twice equalised night ago, calling the Bosnian Malaga 19 5 6 8 27 33 21 hour mark. added Enrique after a fourth straight win. “But we either side of an own goal to restore Osasuna’s lead. “too soft” in front of goal. Asked Valencia 18 5 4 9 28 33 19 Neymar missed a one-on-one and Luis Suarez are still far off where we want to be.” Osasuna were infuriated Franco Vazquez’s vital if he was still too soft, Dzeko Deportivo Coruna 19 4 7 8 24 29 19 hit the post as Barca squandered a series of chanc- Sevilla scored twice in the fi nal fi ve minutes to third goal for Sevilla was allowed to stand despite a said: “Yes, you all saw that today Leganes 19 4 6 9 15 31 18 es to kill off the game before half-time. However, end Real Madrid’s 40-game unbeaten run in all push on Oriol Riera 10 minutes from time. didn’t you!” Cagliari fi nished Sporting Gijon 19 3 4 12 19 37 13 Messi doubled their lead just six minutes into the competitions last weekend and have now won fi ve Pablo Sarabia’s fi ne left-footed shot from out- the match with 10 men, substi- Granada 19 1 7 11 16 42 10 second-half when he swept home Luis Suarez’s of the seven La Liga games when they have con- side the area sealed the points, but there was still tute Joao Pedro given his march- Osasuna 19 1 6 12 20 42 9 cross for his 28th goal in 26 games this season. ceded fi rst this season. time for Osasuna to pull another goal back when ing orders for a blatant kick on And Luis Suarez matched his strike partner as “The team did some good things and made mis- Kenan Kodro headed in from close range. Kevin Strootman.

DORTMUND FEND OFF REAL SPOTLIGHT TO SNARE ‘NEXT ZLATAN’ Hosts exit Cup of Nations

Dortmund: Borussia Dortmund yesterday he is still a minor the transfer is subject to approval AFP snapped up Swedish teenaged prodigy Alexander by FIFA, football’s governing body, which Borussia Isak in the face of intense competition from Real said they expected to receive soon. Madrid and other top European clubs. Isak — Dortmund’s current top striker, Pierre-Emerick dubbed the next Zlatan Ibrahimovic — moved from Aubameyang, has been tipped to leave the club here was agony for Gabon on Sun- AIK after just 24 games in the Swedish champion- at the end of the season. Isak became Sweden’s day as the Africa Cup of Nations ship for a reported 10mn euros ($10.7mn). youngest international goalscorer on January 12 hosts were condemned to a group- Although Isak himself will get 10 percent of the in a friendly against Slovakia in the United Arab stage exit following a goalless draw Twith Cameroon in Libreville. transfer fee “because of a clause in a new contract Emirates. He made his international debut against he recently signed with AIK,” it will still be a new Ivory Coast as a substitute four days earlier. Star man Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang record transfer fee involving a Swedish Allsven- The previous youngest scorer for Sweden was was guilty of a glaring early miss while Denis skan team. Erik Dahlstrom, who was 18 years and one day Bouanga broke down in tears at the end after Dortmund also bolstered their credentials for when he scored against Finland in 1912. hitting the post at the death as the Panthers unearthing young stars by extending the contract Among Isak’s team-mates will be fellow striker played out a third draw in as many games. of American 18-year-old Christian Pulisic, consid- Ousmane Dembele (19), Emre Mor (19) Despite ending the group stage unbeaten, ered another football wonderkid, until 2020. Isak and Julian Weigl (21) and winger Pulisic (18). Under Gabon become just the fourth host nation this month became Sweden’s youngest interna- Tuchel’s guidance, they will be integrated into a and the fi rst since Tunisia in 1994 to be tional goalscorer at 17 years and 113 days. fluid 4-3-3 formation which also features the likes eliminated from the Cup of Nations in the He had been linked to Real Madrid but joined of Marco Reus, Shinji Kagawa, Mario Gotze and group stage. In contrast, Cameroon, after a the Bundesliga club after an apparent change Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. build-up to the competition marred by the of heart. The striker scored 10 goals in his debut Top European sides, including reportedly withdrawals of key players, go through to season at AIK in 2016. “Alexander Isak is a hugely Liverpool, had been trailing attacking midfielder the last eight as runners-up in Group A. talented striker who many top clubs in Europe Pulisic, who joined Dortmund from high school as Burkina Faso won the group thanks to wanted to sign,” Borussia sporting director a 16-year-old. He has been a first-team squad mem- their 2-0 victory against Guinea-Bissau in Michael Zorc said. ber since January and scored four times in the the night’s other game in Franceville. Au- “We are delighted that he has chosen Borussia Bundesliga. Pulisic is the youngest full internation- bameyang had scored in each of the Pan- Dortmund. Both BVB and the player himself are al for the United States and already has 11 caps. thers’ opening games but they could only convinced that this transfer has great potential.” “I still have a lot to learn,” said Pulisic. “I feel draw 1-1 against both tournament debutants AIK said that representatives from 90 European Dortmund off ers the best conditions to do that. I Guinea-Bissau and Burkina Faso. However, clubs turned up at the ground in October last year have the chance to play in front of over 80,000 the Borussia Dortmund striker squandered to watch Isak play in a match against Gothenburg. fans. We have the best supporters in the world — it a glorious chance in the fourth minute at the Born in a Stockholm suburb to Eritrean parents, as does not get any better than that!” Stade de l’Amitie, somehow putting the ball wide at the back post with the goal gaping after an inviting Bouanga cross. Bouanga was the most inventive player for Gabon and he was desperately unlucky not to snatch a 94th-minute winner as his Gabon’s star forward Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang cuts a lonely figure after the hosts shot struck the post before Didier Ndong’s crashed out of the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations following their draw against Cameroon in the follow-up was turned over by Fabrice On- Group A match at the Stade de l’Amitie Sino-Gabonaise in Libreville on Sunday. (AFP) doa. Bouanga was in tears at the end as he collected his man of the match prize, while But it was everything, the preparation, the ers in Jonathan Pitroipa to injury, Burkina coach Jose Antonio Camacho — a last- change of coach, it wasn’t easy.” Faso can now look forward to a last-eight minute appointment to the job — refused to Meanwhile, Cameroon advance to the last tie in Libreville next weekend against the be drawn on his future as he blamed bad luck eight and a quarter-fi nal tie against Sen- runners-up in Group B. Whoever that is was for his team’s fate. “I am sorry for the fans egal in Franceville next Saturday. Burkina to be decided last night, when Senegal faced and for the team. We went out to win the Faso won the group thanks to their victory Algeria in Franceville and Zimbabwe met game but football is not fair,” said Camacho against Guinea-Bissau, who bow out with- Tunisia in Libreville. in reference to the last-gasp miss. “It is too out a win in their fi rst ever appearance at the Tunisia are best placed to go through as soon to talk about the future. We are sad that Cup of Nations. runners-up behind Senegal, while Algeria, we have not gone through.” A Rudinilson Silva own-goal on 11 min- despite the presence of African Footballer Borussia Dortmund beat Real French-born striker Aubameyang be- utes gave the Burkinabe, runners-up in of the Year Riyad Mahrez, need to win and Madrid to the signature of moaned a poor build-up to the tournament 2013, the lead in Franceville. Paulo Duarte’s hope Tunisia lose if they are to go through. 17-year-old Sweden striker which included a training camp which was side then made sure of the win in the second “Our chances are negligible but when our Alexander Isak. (AFP) late in starting. “I am really proud of all the half thanks to a 57th-minute strike by Ber- backs are against the wall and we need a lit- players, of everyone, because everybody trand Traore, the striker currently playing tle sparkle to get out of a crisis, that is when gave their all,” he said. “I thought we were for Ajax on loan from Chelsea. we are strong. I have no worries about that,” stronger than every other team in the group. Despite losing one of their best play- said Algeria defender Djamel Mesbah. Gulf Times Tuesday, January 24, 2017 11 SPORT

AL KASS INTERNATIONAL CUP PSG leave it late to stun Real, Eintracht cruise past Roma Kabuya scores a brace in Eintracht Frankfurt’s 3-0 win over Italian side AS Roma at Aspire

By Sports Reporter Doha

aris Saint-Germain stole the spoils against an accomplished Real Madrid side, scoring a sensational injury time goal Pto secure a 2-1 victory at the under-17 Al Kass international Cup at Aspire yesterday. The Spaniards had come into the game off the back of a comfortable 6-1 win against Al Ahli, but it was clear from the outset that they would face a far sterner test in the shape of PSG. Real made six changes to their line up. Jose Juarez had come off the bench to bag a brace against the Saudis the previous day, and was rewarded with a start. However, closely marshalled by the physically imposing central defen- sive pairing of Loic Soh and Abdourah- mane Barry, Madrid’s frontline found progress slow in the early stages, with chances at both ends few and far be- tween. Madrid had the majority of pos- session and went in front in the 39th minute. PSG’s playmaker Yacine Adli miscontrolled a pass from the keeper, and Antonio Marin charged the ball down near the centre circle, before ad- Paris Saint-Germain’s Alexandre Fressange (left) celebrates with teammate Eric Ebimbe after scoring a injury time winner vancing and unleashing a low drive that against Real Madrid during the under-17 Al Kass international Cup at Aspire yesterday. PICTURES: Jayaram Paris Saint-Germain are jubilant after their win over Real Madrid. took a defl ection on the way in. Real were good value for their lead, Real Madrid’s straightforward vic- minute of the match. Four minutes lat- which they comfortably held on to until tory the previous day meant that their er captain Sahverdi Cetin made it 2-0, the break. Within minutes of the re- progress to the knockout stages was before Kabuya netted his second in the start, though, PSG had a plausible claim more or less assured. And, there was 29th minute. for a penalty turned down when Real a sense that they were playing within centre back Rafael Gonzalez appeared themselves against the Parisians, per- REYSOL ROAR BACK TO to use an arm to control a bouncing ball haps conserving energy for greater BREAK BAYERN HEARTS in his own area. challenges ahead. Mindful that a draw In a late match on Sunday, Kashiwa Referee Abdulaziz Mussa waved would guarantee their advancement, Reysol produced a heroic performance French appeals away, but the incident the Spaniards sought to see the game to dump Bayern Munich out of Al Kass heralded a spell of greater attacking out while adhering to their attractive 2017 at the group stage, prevailing in a fl uency from the Parisians. However, style of possession football. pulsating contest. their pressure continued to lack an This approach almost brought a From the fi rst whistle, it seemed that end product, so coach Laurent Huard winner with fi ve minutes remaining. Bayern had learned from their mis- elected make changes in a bid to get Gonzalez narrowly failed to connect takes in their previous defeat to Red his side back into the game. One of the with a corner from the right, and a Bull Salzburg. Bayern were fi rst off the subs was instantly recognisable by his golden chance fell to Marvin Akinlabi mark in the sixth minute. Midfi elder famous surname. Al Kass has an estab- six yards out, who could only watch as Oliver Batista Meier gained possession lished pedigree of showcasing the skills the ball squirmed beyond his control following a stray pass and played the of ‘next generation’ players, including and behind for a goal kick. ball through to frontman Franck Evina, the children of some of football’s big- And, deep into injury time, PSG hit whose powerful strike was too much gest names. This year PSG have Timo- back in remarkable fashion, with Weah for the keeper to save despite getting thy Weah in their squad. Weah’s father belatedly living up to his star billing. a touch. Reysol got lucky when Bayern George is a former FIFA World Player of He cut in from the right and smacked a captain Lars Mai played the ball back the Year who was voted African Player stinging drive towards the top left cor- to the keeper. A momentary lapse in of the 20th Century. ner that Jiminez could not hold. The concentration from Michael Wagner Understandably then, there was a Spanish keeper struggled desperately saw the ball roll into the back of the net, tangible sense of expectation when to keep the ball out at the second at- much to the watching crowd’s disbelief. Weah Junior came off the bench on 56 tempt, only to defl ect it into the path Finding themselves on level terms, minutes, and was sent up front to lead of Alexandre Fressange, who could not Reysol looked to capitalise against a the line for the French. However, it miss from two yards out. now shaken Bayern side. They ahead was his teammate Omar Yaisien who In the fi rst match of the day, Ein- within two minutes in the second half, restored parity with 20 minutes to go tracht Frankfurt scored a 3-0 win over when Yuto Yamada picked the ball up Action during the match between Eintracht Frankfurt and AS Roma. after some sterling work from Eric Italian side AS Roma. All three goals for just inside Bayern’s half and played in Ebimbe, who ran at the Madrid defence the German side came in the fi rst half. Kaito Mori, who advanced through the stole the ball on halfway and advanced to make it 3-1. With 87 minutes on the minutes of injury time were added. before delivering a powerful shot that Midfi elder William Justin Kabuya middle and dispatched a low shot past before feeding Norihiro Syoda to his clock, Bayern pulled one back when Bayern pushed forward, but Reysol keeper Adrian Jiminez could only parry scored two goals for Frankfurt, with the Wagner. Reysol extended their advan- left, who took a touch before sliding Evina headed home to make the score stood fi rm to produce the shock of the into the path of the onrushing Yaisien. opening goal coming in the very fi rst tage when midfi eld Takumi Onodera the ball under the despairing Wagner 3-2 and set up a frantic fi nale. Four tournament so far.

Qatar ‘setting a benchmark’ for future SPOTLIGHT tournament planning: Interpol chief ‘Save the Dream’ and Al Kass host workshop Qatar’s early planning and detailed preparations Committee for Delivery & Legacy, Hassan Save the Dream’ joined forc- to host a safe and secure FIFA World Cup will set al-Thawadi, and security off icials to discuss es with Al Kass yesterday to precedent for future mega events, according Interpol’s Project Stadia. host a special workshop on to Tim Morris, Interpol executive director for The project supports Qatar in its preparations ‘the sidelines of the Al Kass Police Services. In Doha to discuss Interpol’s for the 2022 FIFA World Cup, as well as other International Cup to educate Project Stadia, Morris had an opportunity to Interpol member countries preparing major young footballers about the im- learn about plans for the 2022 FIFA World Cup public events. In April 2017 Project Stadia will portance of being a role model Qatar. He said: “Hosts look at what other hosts host the first International Major Event Security and promoting positive values are doing and the smart ones learn from each Conference in Doha, involving key decision- through sport. Building on the other. We’re seeing more and more that prepa- makers, experts and practitioners from around agreement signed between the rations are undertaken early but I think so far the world. Morris added that one of the big chal- ICSS and Al Kass at the opening Qatar has set the benchmark for preparing early lenges in terms of security is trying to imagine match of the Al Kass Interna- for such a major tournament. what the world will look like in 2022. tional Cup on Saturday, over 250 “Interpol’s Project Stadia is allowing off icials “We know what the security context is today, young footballers, offi cials and from both organisations to prepare for future but in six years’ time it might be a diff erent coaches attended the workshop challenges, but also to prepare a body of knowl- question and anticipating that and making pro- and heard from football legends, edge that leaves a legacy not only for Qatar and visions to be able to be flexible enough to ad- David Trezeguet and Bora Mi- the region but globally on some of the lessons dress it in 2022 will certainly be one of the chal- lutanovic, as well as ICSS Group learned in terms of security and running such lenges. Seeing the preparations, I’m confident CEO, Michael Hershman. important global events,” he added. the processes are beginning to be put in place Speaking to some of the world’s Morris draws on a wealth of experience with to enable the team here to address that chal- top under-17 club teams – in- the Australian Federal Police during a 30-year lenge.” He concluded: “The visit to the Supreme cluding Real Madrid, Paris Saint- From left: ICSS Group CEO, Michael Hershman, Bora Milutanovic and David Trezeguet at workshop. career, and emphasised the management of the Committee for Delivery & Legacy has helped me Germain, AS Roma and Aspire knowledge gathered by Qatar during prepara- understand much more clearly the context of Academy – David Trezeguet players and be part of the Save others, as well as ensuring your ucated about the important val- tions, will be “vital” for future hosts of major the whole project and not just the tournament. said: “Sport is a powerful vehicle the Dream family.” players live and play by the high- ues and life lessons that sport can tournaments. While in Qatar, the Interpol chief You can see how it’s an important catalyst for for positive change in society and Drawing on his signifi cant in- est standards of professional and teach them. met with the Secretary General of the Supreme growth, development and ultimately, legacy.” empowering young people. It ternational experience coaching personal integrity.” “Today’s workshop is an im- teaches values like teamwork, re- teams around the world, Bora In addition, Michael Hersh- portant reminder about the posi- spect and collaboration to young Milutanovic also spoke during man, ICSS Group CEO, also tive impact that sport can make people around the world, includ- the panel. highlighted the importance of a to society and has reinforced why ing those who have been less for- “Coaches play an integral role values-based approach in teach- we must protect and safeguard it tunate, and is a bridge between in promoting positive values in ing young people strong personal for future generations.” diff erent cultures and countries. sport. Not only do they set an values through sport. At the conclusion of the work- “Following my participation in example to their players, coach- He added: “In order to pre- shop, Massimiliano Montanari, Bayt Qatar and Save the Dream es are also in a unique position serve and safeguard the integ- Executive Director of Save the during the Rio 2016 Olympic where they can make a real and rity of sport, we must protect the Dream also announced Trezeguet Games, this gave me a valuable lasting positive impact on the next generation of sports stars. has been appointed as a new am- opportunity to learn about Save lives of their players. “As a coach, “Through the work of Save bassador for Save the Dream, the Dream and its important I believe it is important to ensure the Dream, the ICSS provides a which will see the Juventus leg- mission to promote and protect your players live by strong val- values-based approach to safe- end promote the positive values values in young people. I am ues both on and off the fi eld of guarding young people and we of sport to young people at vari- proud to join them as an ambas- play. This includes showing re- aim to ensure that young athletes ous Save the Dream workshops sador today to speak to young spect and caring for yourself and are properly empowered and ed- and activities around the world.