CRICKET | Page 3 Pakistan look to fi x batting woes against South Africa

Wednesday, January 2, 2019 FOCUS Rabia II 26, 1440 AH Schumacher’s son GULF TIMES Mick remains relaxed amid growing hype SPORT Page 4 TENNIS/ QATAR EXXONMOBIL OPEN SPOTLIGHT Federer gets bragging rights over Williams Thiem, Khachanov with Hopman Cup win crash out; Djokovic, Wawrinka advance Swiss star Wawrinka accounts for rising Russian Khachanov in straight sets

Serena Williams of the US (L) and Roger Federer of Switzerland (R) walk off the court together after their mixed doubles match on day four of the Hopman Cup tennis tournament in Perth yesterday.

AFP that you admire so much in a match Perth that actually means something. “It is really great and special to go against the greatest of all time.” oger Federer took the hon- Federer said he was thrilled to play ours in the much-anticipat- against one of the few players with ed mixed doubles clash with more Grand Slam titles. fellow great Serena Williams “I really enjoyed playing against inR what the latter described as the Serena, what an honour and pleas- “match of her career” at the Hopman ure,” he said. Cup in Perth yesterday. “I was nervous returning because In the biggest mixed doubles people talk about her serve so much. drawcard in the 31-year history of the “It was great fun, she is a great tournament, in what is expected to be champion, you see how focussed its fi nal edition, Federer teamed with and determined she is and I love that Belinda Bencic to win the match in about her.” straight sets under the Fast4 format The pair posed together for a selfi e and win the Group B tie for Switzer- after the match. land. In his singles match, Federer With 43 Grand Slam singles titles scored successive wins to start the (Williams 23, Federer 20) and more new season with an impressive 6-4, than US$200mn in prize money be- 6-1 victory over Frances Tiafoe. tween them, the two 37-year-olds The world number three was chal- had welcomed the chance to face lenged early by the 39th-ranked each other on the court in an offi cial American, but then secured the fi rst match for the fi rst time. set with a break in the 10th game. As it turned out, the tie was decid- Federer won seven games in suc- ed by the mixed doubles, after both cession and eight of the last nine as Federer and Williams won their ear- Tiafoe dropped away. lier singles matches. It was another encouraging per- A capacity crowd of 14,064 turned formance from Federer as he builds out for the tie, and they saw Federer his preparation for the upcoming and Bencic largely capitalise on the Australian Open in Melbourne, where mixed doubles inexperience of Wil- he will be looking to win a third suc- liams’ teammate, Francis Tiafoe, to cessive title and seventh overall. clinch the deciding rubber under the “It’s been a great start to the sea- Fast4 format, 4-2, 4-3 (5/3). son for me, I found a way and I have Williams, who seemed to be trou- to be happy right now,” Federer said. Novak Djokovic blasts a forehand against Bosnian Damir Dzumhur during their first round match yesterday. At right, Qatar’s Mubarak Shannan Zayid in action against bled by her right shoulder during the “It’s about staying fi t and healthy Guillermo Garcia-Lopez of Spain. The Spaniard won in straight sets. PICTURES: Noushad Thekkayil match but said it wasn’t a concern, and managing the game day by day.” was disappointed her doubles expe- Williams raced to an early 3-0 lead By Sahan Bidappa gues Herbert in the doubles fi rst round. already played three matches before the quarters. rience didn’t give the Americans the against Bencic, but then lost her way Doha Yesterday, they were on the opposite coming here, so I’m happy with the Meanwhile, sixth seed David Gof- edge. as the Swiss number 54 gained suc- sides of the court in a highly-antici- way I was playing today. I’m looking fi n was knocked out early. The Belgian However, even a rare defeat cessive breaks of serve to secure the pated fi rst round match, which lived forward for tomorrow’s match,” added lost to Lithuanian qualifi er Ricardas couldn’t take the gloss off the expe- fi rst set. ovak Djokovic and Stan up to the billing on the Centre Court. the 33-year-old, who will next face Berankis 3-6, 6-4, 7-6(4) in two hours rience of facing Federer for the fi rst, Although the American was hit- Wawrinka won their opening Khachanov is one of the most prom- Chilean Nicolas Jarry, who defeated and 18 minutes. Berankis will play Du- and almost certainly the only, time. ting more winners, she was also matches of the ATP season, ising players on the circuit, having Robin Haase yesterday, for the fi rst san Lajovic in second round, after the “I was so excited and literally it making more errors and looked in but second seeded Dominic defeated Djokovic in the fi nal to win time. Serbia got past Adrian Mannarino 6-3, was the match of my career,” she trouble until she broke Bencic in the NThiem was shocked by Pierre-Hugues the Paris Masters title. But the Rus- Meanwhile, Djokovic picked up from 7-6(5). said. 10th game to take the set and level the Herbert of France in straight sets in the sian third seed struggled to get past where he left off last season, with a 6-1, In another match, fourth seed Marco “Playing someone so great and match. Qatar ExxonMobil Open yesterday. Wawrinka’s serve, which made a big 6-2 thrashing of 47th ranked Dzumhur Cecchinato got his season off to a good World No 1 Djokovic needed only diff erence in the end. to enter the second round. The Serbian start with a 6-4, 6-2 triumph against 55 minutes to oust Damir Dzumhur in In fact, Khachanov won one more has already won an exhibition title in qualifi er Sergiy Stakhovsky. straight sets, while Thiem was beaten point than the World No 66 in the Abu Dhabi before landing in Dubai, TODAY’S QATAR EXXONMOBIL OPEN ORDER OF PLAY 6-3, 7-5 by Herbert in a late match. match, but Wawrinka pocketed the and based on last night’s display, looks RESULTS (1st Round) Wawrinka, for his part, sent third important points, including saving all on course for his third Qatar title. 1-Novak Djokovic (SRB) bt Damir Dzumhur Second round (prefix denotes Basilashvili seeded rising Russian Karen Khach- four break points he faced. It was top seed’s 11th consecutive (BIH) 6-1, 6-2; Q-Ricardas Berankis (LTU) bt seeding) Damir Dzumhur and Dusan Lajovic anov packing, winning 7-6 (9-7), 6-4 Wawrinka’s down-the-line back- victory in Doha, where he tasted back- 6-David Goff in (BEL) 3-6, 6-4, 7-6 (4); Stanislas vs (WC) Marko Djokovic and Novak to start the season in style after spend- hand winners were a treat to watch to-back success in 2016 and 2017. The Wawrinka (SUI) bt 3-Karen Khachanov (RUS) CENTRE COURT Djokovic ing most of 2018 on the sidelines with on the day, with Khachanov watching top seed will take on Marton Fucsovics 7-6 (9-7), 6-4; 4-Marco Cecchinato (ITA) bt injury. helplessly go past him. The two had today for a spot in the quarter-fi nals. Sergiy Stakhovsky (UKR) 6-4, 6-2; Guido Pella 3:30pm: Stan Wawrinka vs Nicolas COURT 2 Three-time Grand Slam champion faced each other only once previously, Fucsovics beat Marius Copil 6-3, 6-2 (ARG) bt Cem Ilkel (TUR) 7-6 (1), 6-3; Guillermo Jarry 3:30pm: (Q) Ricardas Berankis vs and former World No 3 Wawrinka with Wawrinka coming out trumps in a in 72 minutes. The Hungarian saved Garcia-Lopez (ESP) bt Mubarak Shannan Zayid Followed by: (1) Novak Djokovic vs Dusan Lajovic struggled last year had dropped out of tight match less than four months ago all eight break points he faced to defeat (QAT) 6-1, 6-3; Dusan Lajovic (SRB) bt Adrian Marton Fucsovics top-250 for the fi rst time since 2003, in St. Petersburg. the Romanian, whom he broke four Mannarino (FRA) 6-3, 7-6 (5); Marton Ficsovics Maximilian Marterer vs Pierre-Hu- before regaining some lost ground at “Today was a great match. I played times. (HUN) bt Marius Copil (ROU) 6-3, 6-2; Pierre- Not Before 6:00pm: Maximo gues Herbert or Dominic Thiem the end of last season. The Swiss began at a great level after more than a year “To start off the tournament as I Hugues Herbert (FRA) bt 2-Dominic Thiem Gonzalez and Nicolas Jarry vs Rob- (8) Fernando Verdasco vs (WC) intense preparations for the new sea- out. I think, as I said before the tourna- have tonight obviously makes me very, (AUT) 6-3, 7-5 in Haase and Matwe Middelkoop son in December, and that was well in ment, I was happy with the off -season very confi dent and also very happy. Tomas Berdych Followed By: Santiago Gonzalez evidence yesterday. work I did. I worked long and really First day of the new year, I want to Doubles (2nd Round) and Aisam-Ul-Haq Qureshi vs Mar- Rewinding the clock to the days hard, hard enough to know that sooner wish everyone a Happy New Year, lots Robin Haase & Matwe Middelkoop (NED) COURT 1 ton Fucsovics and Guido Pella when he was at his best, Wawrinka or later it will pay off ,” said Wawrinka, of good emotions and lots of good ten- bt 4-Dominic Inglot (GBR) & Franko Skugor displayed some high-class backhand whose last appearance in Doha came in nis,” Djokovic said to the cheers of the (CRO) 3-6, 6-3, 10-7; Nicolas Jarry (CHI) & Maxi- 3:30pm: (Q) Guillermo Garcia- COURT 3: game to get past World No 11 and dou- 2007. centre court crowd. mo Gonzalez (ARG) bt Albert Ramos-Vinolas Lopez vs (7) Roberto Bautista Agut bles partner Khachanov. Wawrinka “I’m feeling good physically. Ten- Today, Djokovic will also be in action & Fernando Verdasco (ESP) 6-3, 6-4; Aisam Followed By: Guido Pella vs (4) (3) Nikola Mektic and Alexander and Khachanov were on the same side nis-wise also. Today is the fi rst match in doubles, where he will team up with Qureshi (PAK) & Santiago Gonzalez (MEX) bt Marco Cecchinato Peya vs David Goff in and Pierre- of the net on Monday, falling short of the year against an in-form player, younger brother Marko as the siblings Marco Cecchinato & Andreas Sippi (ITA) 6-3, Andrey Rublev vs (5) Nikoloz Hugues Herbert against David Goffi n and Pierre-Hu- who won Paris Masters last year, had take on Dzumhur and Dusan Lajovic in 6-2. Gulf Times 2 Wednesday, January 2, 2019 TENNIS

PRAGMATIC SPOTLIGHT Kyrgios, Murray power into second Body fi rst, ranking round in Brisbane later, says Nadal aft er ankle surgery ‘I want to feel myself competitive every week that I am on court and I want to keep fighting for the things that really make me feel alive, you know’ Johanna Konta of Britain hits a return to Sloane Stephens of the US during their first round match at the Brisbane International tennis tournament in Brisbane yesterday.

Reuters Open title that took his Grand Brisbane Slam tally to 17. “It was a tough season in terms of injuries... I didn’t have ick Kyrgios started his the chance to play as often as I Brisbane Open title would like,” Nadal, who did not defence with a battling play after retiring against Juan 7-6(5), 5-7, 7-6(5) vic- Martin del Potro in their US Ntory over American Ryan Har- Open semi-final in September, rison in the opening round yes- said. terday. “On the other hand, I won Kyrgios’ preparations for the five events out of nine I played. season were interrupted by a It was a great level of tennis spider bite that required hos- every time that I was on court. pital treatment last month and So that’s great news. I enjoyed the Australian stuttered before it a lot.” firing 45 aces to overcome Har- Nadal was plagued by hip, rison in a rematch of last year’s knee, abdomen and ankle prob- final. lems last season but said he still Kyrgios, whose season ended had plenty to offer. in October due to a niggling el- “I believe I have a lot of tennis bow issue, will look to hit top to play in my career, and I really gear ahead of this month’s Aus- feel my body is not going worse tralian Open. He meets Jeremy every year,” Nadal, who plays Chardy next. France’s Jo-Wilfried Tsonga on Andy Murray made a suc- Thursday, added. cessful return to competitive In the women’s competition, tennis following a persist- double Wimbledon champion ent hip problem, sealing a 6-3, Petra Kvitova was made to work 6-4 win over local hope James before she downed American Duckworth. Danielle Collins 6-7(6), 7-6(6), Murray, champion in his pre- 6-3 in a little over three hours. vious two appearances in 2012 Johanna Konta struggled and 2013, will look to extend with patchy form last season his winning streak in the tour- but the Briton began the New nament to 11 matches when he Year with a bang, downing third meets Russian Daniil Medvedev seed Sloane Stephens 6-4, 6-3. next. “That was a tough match. Top seed Rafa Nadal said The first three games took he was raring to go follow- about half an hour,” Konta, who ing an injury hit 2018 that saw takes on Australia’s Ajla Toml- him contest only nine events janovic next, said. “I’m happy but win five titles including a I was able to maintain my level Rafael Nadal of Spain (2nd L) poses for a selfie with France’s Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (L), Andy Murray of Britain (C), Kei Nishikori of Japan (2nd R) and Nick Kyrgios of Australia (R) record-extending 11th French consistently throughout.” while wearing festive new year 2019 eyewear and party hats in front of the Queensland Tennis centre in Brisbane.

AFP intra-articular body and only resumed ally make me feel alive, you know, for the suff er more than what I did last year, be- Ostapenko dumped out of Shenzhen Brisbane training three weeks ago. things that motivate me. cause if you do (suff er injuries two) years He played the opening round at an ex- “So I will not (chase) the number one in a row, that mentally kills you,” he said. Beijing: Former French Open and I’m very happy that in the hibition event in Abu Dhabi last week, because it’s not my main goal. “I really believe that I have to keep winner Jelena Ostapenko’s poor second set I could come back panish superstar Rafael Nadal in- where he lost to South African Kevin An- “Of course, I prefer to be number having tennis to play in my career, and I form continued yesterday when from 0-2,” she added. sisted yesterday he is not chasing derson, and gets his season proper under one than number two, and I prefer to be really feel that my body is not going to get she suff ered a swift defeat at Known for her distinctive style, the world’s top ranking as he pre- way in the second round of the Brisbane number two than number fi ve, that’s ob- worse every year. the hands of Romanian Monica which relies heavily on a sliced pares to make a comeback from International tomorrow. vious,” he added. “Really my only goal is to keep doing Niculescu at the Shenzhen forehand, the Romanian quickly ankleS surgery, with taking care of his The 17-time Grand Slam winner said Nadal was forced to retire during the things that makes me happy, and to- Open. Ranked 99th in the jumped out to a 5-0 lead, while body a key priority. he hadn’t been worried about the world matches at two of the four Grand Slams day playing tennis makes me happy, and I world, Niculescu swept past the Ostapenko struggled to play The current world number two has rankings for the past two years. in 2018, but still added a record-extend- want to do it the best way possible and as Latvian world number 22 in less consistently in a match riddled not played a main tour event since a knee “My goal is just to be happy doing what ing 11th French Open crown to his col- long as possible.” than an hour in a straight sets with unforced errors. problem forced him to retire during his I am doing and be competitive all the lection. He said he wanted to ensure he In the second round Nadal will play ei- 6-0, 6-2 victory. Ostapenko endured a poor US Open semi-fi nal against Juan Martin weeks that I am playing,” he said. could take care of his body to allow him to ther Jo-Wilfried Tsonga of France or lo- “I played all the week great,” China Open last October, ham- del Potro in September. “I want to feel myself competitive keep playing as long as possible because cal hope Thanasi Kokkinakis, two players said Niculescu, beaming and pered by a wrist injury, before The 32-year-old had surgery on his every week that I am on court and I want of his love for the game. who have also been troubled recently by waving to a cheering crowd in a losing to a player ranked 299 ankle in November to remove a loose to keep fi ghting for the things that re- “The thing that I don’t want to do is injuries. post-match interview. places below her at the Hong “I think I played a solid game Kong Open.

BOTTOMLINE Delighted fans meet stars at ExxonMobil Qatar stand FOCUS By Sports Reporter Venus wins Doha three-set thriller very year during the Qa- tar ExxonMobil Open, ExxonMobil Qatar off ers against Azarenka fans the opportunity to meetE their favourite tennis stars American then served for the AFP at its stand in the Public Village. Auckland match. Hundreds of tournament-goers “I love my job, I love what I from all over the world gather at do but tonight was not easy and the stand to meet players and pick he ageless Venus Wil- maybe one of the toughest fi rst up signed giant-size tennis balls. liams launched her 25th rounds I’ve ever played,” Wil- Dominic Thiem, Jamie Mur- year as a professional by liams said, adding it was what ray, and David Goffi n have already outlasting Victoria Aza- she needed to start the year. visited the stand and tried out renkaT in a three-set thriller on “My goal was to get past the the racing car simulator and the day two of the WTA Auckland fi rst round, did you see who I new green cube 3D virtual reality, Classic yesterday. had to play, and we need these which provides a genuine immer- In the showdown between matches going into the Austral- sive experience of how dugongs the two former world number ian Open,” she said, referring live in their natural habitat. They ones, the 38-year-old Williams to the year’s fi rst Grand Slam also signed autographs for their overcame Azarenka, nine years which begins in just under two fans. her junior, 6-3, 1-6, 6-3. weeks. More of this year’s star-stud- The two hour 10 minute mar- “Now I’m hoping the next ded list of players will be passing athon was packed with power round will be fruitful for me.” by the stand. Fans are particularly Dominic Thiem (R) signs autographs for tennis fans at the ExxonMobil Qatar stand inside the Khalifa International Tennis and Squash and precision, and in the end Defending champion Julia excited about a possible visit by Complex yesterday. Azarenka’s nine aces were not Goerges coasted through her Novak Djokovic, and can increase enough. Williams’ superior ac- fi rst match with a 6-0, 6-4 win their chances of seeing him and goers,” said Saleh al-Mana, Vice spire young tennis players in Qa- tries and sectors. It also shines Tariq Zainal, Secretary-General curacy in the opening stages over Sweden’s Johanna Larsson, other players by regularly passing President and Director Public and tar to pursue a career in tennis,” a light on the country’s position of QTF. “We’re very pleased that gave her the fi rst set, before while fi fth seed Barbora Stry- by the stand during tournament Government Aff airs for Exxon- he added. Every year, the Qatar as a world-leading host of major ExxonMobil Qatar gives the pub- Azarenka took the second by cova was forced into a three- days. Mobil Qatar. Tennis Federation (QTF) works sporting events. lic the opportunity to meet their blasting winners as she moved set battle to survive Taylor “We work very hard to make “These players are role models tirelessly to ensure that some of “Tennis is as exciting and glo- tennis idols at the Qatar Exxon- her opponent from side to side. Townsend. our stand interesting, entertain- for millions of people around the the biggest names in tennis travel bal as it ever was before, and it’s Mobil Open year after year. The In the deciding third set there Strycova raced to a 5-1 lead ing and action-packed for every world, especially youth. It’s won- to Doha to participate in the tour- only going to get stronger as more players are helping us inspire a were two breaks by each player over Townsend before the year of the Qatar ExxonMobil derful to see them engage with nament. The Qatar ExxonMobil and more brilliant players emerge. generation of young tennis play- in the fi rst six games before Wil- American lifted her game to Open, but when the tennis play- their fans here in Doha – we’re Open is an example of how Qa- Many of these players are playing ers and fans in Qatar – the future liams opened a gap to go 5-3 up force the match to a deciding set ers visit, it makes it an even more very proud to provide a platform tar is setting global standards for here in Doha and people want to of Qatar’s tennis is bright because when Azarenka was wide with in which the Czech prevailed, to attractive venue for tournament- for this interaction that could in- excellence across various indus- see them - to meet them,” said of such eff orts,” added Zainal. a cross-court forehand. The win 6-2, 6-7 (5/7), 6-3. Gulf Times Wednesday, January 2, 2019 3 CRICKET

FOCUS OPPORTUNITY Sri Lanka series Pakistan look to fi x chance for NZ players to push batting woes against World Cup claims

Reuters we’re looking at Tim Seifert as a Wellington back-up keeping option as well. “It’s defi nitely a trial period still.” ew Zealand coach Gary While the focus might be on hostile South Africa Stead has had little the players, Stead added that time in charge of the against Sri Lanka they would also ‘We get a good start but whenever one wicket falls, we are not able to take control’ side but his focus will test their tactics and game plans Nbe fi rmly on this year’s World for the global tournament. Reuters “We get under pressure too Cup in England and Wales when England, the world’s top- Cape Town, South Africa quickly and it becomes mentally their one-day series against Sri ranked ODI side, credit New challenging in the second and Lanka begins tomorrow. Zealand for the way they revo- fourth innings.” Stead took over last year as lutionised ODI batting under the akistan’s struggling Pakistan have failed to cross coach from Mike Hesson, who captaincy of Brendon McCullum batsmen must fi nd a 190 in four of their last six Test in- surprisingly quit less than 12 at the 2015 World Cup. way to handle South nings, and collapsed while chas- months out from the May 30- Eoin Morgan’s side have built Africa’s potent pace at- ing a victory target of 171 despite July 14 World Cup. on that, regularly scoring in ex- Ptack if they are to claw their way being 147-4 against New Zealand The 46-year-old has selected cess of 300 in home matches. In back into the three-match series in Abu Dhabi in November. a mostly-settled squad for the the 42 ODIs played in England in the second Test that starts on Their cause in the second Test three-match series starting at since the last World Cup, the what is likely to be a lively New- will not be helped by the expect- Mount Maunganui, with three or hosts have posted 20 totals in ex- lands wicket tomorrow. ed return from injury of South four players vying to force their cess of 300, with three more than South Africa claimed the fi rst African seamer Vernon Philan- way into World Cup contention. 400. Test in Pretoria by six wickets in- der, who has 49 wickets at an With Colin de Grandhomme “They’re (the Sri Lanka side eight sessions as both bowl- average of 16.55 at Newlands. rested and Mitchell Santner still matches) about tweaking, look- ing attacks found conditions to Philander will come back into working his way back from knee ing at the style of play and how their liking with seam movement, the side, potentially for 11-wick- surgery, all-rounders Jimmy we want to play and looking at and at times steep bounce. et hero from the fi rst Test Du- Neesham and Doug Bracewell the options who fi t those roles as But it was the hosts’ ability to anne Olivier, with his return also have both been recalled after well,” Stead added. eke out runs on the challenging bolstering the batting line-up in more than a year out of the side. “The biggest thing for me is wicket that proved the diff er- his role as a genuine all-rounder. Attack-minded wicketkeeper looking at the style of play, game ence as Pakistan’s frail batting Another option for the hosts Tim Seifert will also make his plan, and looking ahead to the line-up withered in the face of would be to drop spinner Keshav one-day debut. World Cup, where we know it’s quality fast bowling. Maharaj, though that would be “It’s really now looking ahead likely to be 300-plus scores. Pakistan coach Mickey Arthur something of a risk with part- to the World Cup, being clear on “I want to make sure we get gave his batsmen a dressing timer Dean Elgar the only slow- the game plans we want to use our heads around that as well.” down after a second innings col- bowling alternative and New- and making sure the roles we The fi rst two games will be lapse that saw them lose nine lands known to take turn later in want to get people in that we’re played at Mt. Maunganui be- wickets for 90 runs, but it will the match. playing to those roles as well,” fore the sides move to Nelson take more than words to turn “Vernon picks himself at Stead said. for the fi nal match on January the tour around on a Newlands Newlands and his record speaks “We’re still looking at some 8. Sri Lanka’s tour ends with a wicket having similar charac- for itself so he will defi nitely be places within our team. We want Twenty20 game in Auckland on teristics to Pretoria. back in the side,” South Africa to see more of the all-rounders, January 11. “We are struggling in the sec- captain Faf du Plessis revealed. ond innings. We get a good start “The headache then will be but whenever one wicket falls, who we leave out and I will be we are not able to take control honest, it will be diffi cult to Afghans among direct qualifi ers for of the match,” Pakistan captain leave out a guy (Olivier) who Sarfraz Ahmed told reporters took 11 wickets in the match.” 2020 T20 World Cup after he recorded a pair of ducks Pakistan will likely see the he International Cricket other teams who will make it in the fi rst Test. return of their premier seamer Council yesterday through from the ICC T20 World “This has been happening for Mohammad Abbas, who missed Tconfirmed the sides that Cup Qualifier in 2019. Four over two years, since Hamil- the fi rst Test with a shoulder have qualified directly for the teams from the group stage will ton 2016. It has been so long we injury but has been tipped to be ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2020 advance to the Super 12s. now need to realise where we’ve ready for Cape Town. to be held in Australia, based Of the top 10 sides on the rank- made mistakes. It is everyone’s He has made a remarkable on the Twenty20 International ings table, top-ranked Pakistan, responsibility, including the start to his Test career with 61 (T20I) rankings as on Decem- India, England, Australia, South coaching staff .” wickets in 12 matches at an aver- ber 31. Africa, New Zealand, the West Ahmed has backed the tech- age of 16.62. As per the qualification cri- Indies and Afghanistan will nique of his players, but says it is South Africa have won all teria set for the tournament, start their campaign directly in a mental game for them on more three previous Tests against Australia and the other nine in the Super 12s. spiteful wickets in South Africa Pakistan captain Sarfraz Pakistan at Newlands and have top ranked sides have ensured Former champions and three against a quality home attack. Ahmed recorded a pair of only lost four times in 24 match- direct qualification, the Inter- time finalists Sri Lanka and “We lost too many wickets ducks in the first Test. es against the sub-continent national Cricket Council (ICC) Bangladesh will have to con- by playing loose shots,” he said. side at all venues. announced in a statement. tend with the other six quali- The top eight make it straight fiers in the group stage of the to the Super 12s stage while tournament, which will be held OFFBEAT SPOTLIGHT the remaining two will play in from October 18 to November the group stage along with six 15, 2020. NZ fast bowler Jamieson takes Don’t think I third-best fi gures in T20 Pant ‘best babysitter’, Canterbury’s Kyle Jamieson Chapman in his first spell then would make very recorded the third-best figures returned to dismiss Ronnie Hira, in Twenty20 cricket yesterday Mitchell McClenaghan and Ben in a brilliant display of fast Lister in four balls as Auckland says Paine’s wife good captain bowling when he took six were bowled out for 110. wickets for seven runs against Left-arm spinner Arul Suppiah Auckland. The 24-year-old took a world’s best six for five Agencies now: Cummins destroyed Auckland’s batting for Somerset against Glamor- Sydney lineup in the ‘Super Smash’ gan in 2011, while Bangladesh IANS clash at Eden Park’s Outer Oval. all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan Sydney Jamieson captured the wickets captured 6-6 for the Barbados im Paine and Rishabh of England international James Tridents against Trinidad and Pant’s humorous ex- Vince, Sean Solia and Mark Tobago Red Steel in 2013. changes caught on the ustralia speedster Pat Cummins has rubbished stump microphone have talks of his elevation as the future Test skipper while Tbrought comic relief in a tense hailing the incumbent Tim Paine of doing a “bril- series during which India and liant job”. NEW BEGINNING Australia are fi ghting for hon- ACummins, who starred with both bat and ball, taking ca- ours. reer-best fi gures of 6/27 in the second innings and register- Among other things, the ing another career-best 63 with the cheeky Indian wicket-keeper willow, albeit in a losing cause in the Warner ends horror called his Australian counterpart Boxing Day Test against India at the a “temporary captain”, rubbing Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), it into him that he is leading the drew calls from leg-spin legend 2018 on high with side only because Steve Smith is Shane Warne that the 25-year-old serving a 12-month ban over last pacer evokes captaincy material. year’s ball-tampering scandal in “I think it’s pretty ridiculous at baby news South Africa. the moment,” Cummins was quoted On the other hand, Paine as saying by cricket.com.au. “We’ve AFP children, Ivy Mae and Indi Rae. taunted Pant after he was obviously got ‘Painey’ (Tim Paine) at Sydney Candice Warner revealed in dropped from the Indian ODI the moment who is doing a brilliant May that she lost a baby a week side, saying maybe he could ba- job and I think it’s his for a long time after her husband’s tearful press bysit for him while he takes his now.” he wife of disgraced conference in Sydney in late wife to the movies. Cummins, who rose to No.3 on cricketer David Warner March after he was sent home But all seems to have ended the ICC Test blowing rankings af- has revealed she is preg- from Australia’s tour of South on a happy note after Pant met ter his MCG haul of 9/99, said he is nant again after suff ering Africa and banned for a year. Paine’s wife, Bonnie, and their more focussed on improving his in- aT miscarriage in the aftermath She attributed the loss to stress two toddlers during a function in dividual game at the moment. of her husband’s part in a ball- and an arduous fl ight home, de- Sydney attended by both teams. “I feel like I’m too busy in the tampering scandal that rocked scribing the couple’s devastation After the meeting, Bonnie game bowling and when I’m batting putting all my eff ort into the game. at realising she was miscarrying. Paine posted a picture on In- that. And when I’m not doing it I’m usually off with the fairies Candice Warner took to Twit- Warner was seen as the key in- stagram, describing Pant as the trying to recover. ter on Monday evening to make stigator of the attempt by Cam- “best babysitter”. Pant is seen Bonnie (right), wife of Australian cricketer Tim Paine, posted this “So, I don’t think I would make a very good captain at the the announcement, ending a eron Bancroft to alter the ball holding one of the kids and smil- picture with India’s Rishabh Pant on her Instagram account. moment,” he added. horror 2018 for the couple on a with sandpaper during Austral- ing broadly, indicating his ani- Cummins, however, did not rule out the possibility of ap- bright note. ia’s Test against South Africa in mosity with Paine is now a thing canes... we need a batter,” Paine front. pointing a fast bowler as the captain and in such a scenario has “We are so grateful for all the Cape Town. of the past. was heard saying over the stump “[I’ll] have him over for din- backed Josh Hazlewood for the vice captain’s role. love and support everyone has Then-captain Steve Smith was In one of the exchanges, Paine microphone during the Boxing ner. Can you babysit? I’ll take the “I think someone like Josh Hazlewood at the moment has an shown us this year. It is with a also banned for a year, with the tried to lure India’s keeper to sign Day Test. wife to the movies one night and enhanced role as vice captain, he’s always thinking about the full heart that we would like to pair’s suspensions due to expire with the Hobart Hurricanes. “Fancy that, Pantsy? Extend you’ll look after the kids?” game when he’s out there fi elding. share with you that in 2019 our in late March. Bancroft was exiled “Big MS [Dhoni] is back in the your little Aussie holiday. Beau- The exchange was thoroughly “When he’s batting in the sheds he is always watching and family of 4 will become a family for nine months and returned to one-day squad too, we might get tiful town Hobart too. I’ll get you enjoyed by cricket lovers and was thinking things through. Maybe it’s diff erent personalities, but of 5,” she said. action with the Perth Scorchers in him [Pant] down to the Hurri- a nice apartment on the water- very entertaining to say the least. I see no reason why a bowler can’t be a captain,” Cummins said. They already have two young the Big Bash League on Sunday. Gulf Times 4 Wednesday, January 2, 2019 SPORT

FOCUS RUGBY Confi dence key to turning things Schumacher’s son round: Farrell

AFP London

he fi ne line between winning and losing can boil Mick remains relaxed down to confi dence, England rugby co-captain Owen Farrell told The Guardian yesterday. The 27-year-old fl y-half - who has just com- Tpleted a degree in management and leadership - said this was behind England’s largely disappointing year in 2018 which saw them tamely surrender their two year reign as Six Nations champions and lose a series in South Africa. However, they ended the year on a brighter note, beating amid growing hype South Africa, World Cup hosts Japan and a weak Australia and losing narrowly to world champions New Zealand. Michael Schumacher’s son Mick is taking the next step towards a possible F1 career “Sometimes it can be about confi dence,” said Farrell. “You lose a couple of tight ones and things get hard. when he competes in the 2019 Formula Two series. This will only add to the hype “Sometimes you can be too desperate to win games and therefore you play on the edge and do things you wouldn’t around him but he seems to handle it all pretty well normally do.” Farrell, who appears to have beaten off rival George Ford DPA for the fi rst choice fl y-half spot after a spell of playing in- Berlin side centre while the latter took the playmaking role, says confi dence shows itself in a team’s discipline or lack of it. “Nobody wants to give penalties away but when your ick Schumacher does confi dence is low, and you’re a bit too desperate, you can’t not mind being com- help but do that,” he said. pared with his famous However, Farrell says scraping a win as England did in father Michael as he their opening November Test, 12-11, against South Africa Mtakes the next step towards a pos- -- when he made a contentious tackle at the end on Andre sible Formula One career. Esterhuizen that went unpunished by the referee - can be a “I am happy when I am com- game changer in that department. pared with my father. He is my “When you get a couple of wins the confi dence returns, idol, and it his him I look up to,” probably without you knowing it,” said Farrell. the 19-year-old has said. “You trust (yourself) subconsciously that bit more. This Mick Schumacher will get even helps under pressure. When that pressure comes in the more attention this year when he heat of a game, and you need to keep your composure, and moves up from winning the Euro- not give a penalty away, not step out of line, that’s where it pean Formula Three title into For- counts the most.” mula Two, the last category below Farrell, a four-time Premiership champion and two-time the elite series Michael Schu- European Champions Cup victor with Saracens, believes macher won a record seven times. perversely losing can also be a catalyst for transforming The looks, the stride, the voice, ones fortunes. “The main thing for me is that a loss off ers many feel reminded of the young a lot,” he said. “It probably shouldn’t be this way but a loss Michael Schumacher when they probably opens more doors for you than a win. encounter the son. Mick Schu- “To really buy into something, and to take it to another macher is even more admired level, you sometimes need a loss. since his father disappeared from “We had that last year at Saracens when we lost seven on the public yes after suff ering grace the bounce. head injuries in a skiing accident “We suff ered a big loss in Europe against Leinster in a fi ve years ago. But he remains re- quarter-fi nal but we opened up, came back strong and it laxed about all the attention. A fi le photo of Mick Schumacher before driving allowed us to play like we did for the rest of the season.” “It was always like that. It is his father Michael Schumacher’s car before Saracens fi nished as English champions two months later. normal for me. If you take some- a race at Spa-Francorchamps in Belgium on one who isn’t used to it and put August 27, 2017. (Reuters) him in my position it may be dif- ferent. But I had time to grow into Malaysia’s Olympic medallist it. That helped me a lot,” he said. shuttlers quit national team The Formula Three title 2018 showed that he can live with the The Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) said yes- hype but that will still grow, giv- terday that the men’s doubles pair Goh V Shem and Tan en that Formula Two races are Wee Kiong, silver medallists of 2016 Olympic Games, had contested as part of Formula one quit the national team. weekends. Goh and Tan’s withdrawal from the national team came “He is a fantastic young man. shortly after the departure of their teammates Chan The way he is balanced also shows Peng Soon and Goh Liu Ying, who were also 2016 Olym- how (well) the whole family han- pic silver medallists, reports Xinhua news agency. dles it. There not even a remote In a statement on Tuesday, the BAM said it appreciated sign of arrogance or over the top the service of the pair for sharing the values, principles self-confi dence in Mick,” former and philosophy of the Association during their 17-year Mercedes motorsport chief Nor- term with the national team. bert Haug told dpa. “After careful consideration and following discussions Haug knows what he is talking with various stakeholders, BAM has reached the decision about as he was close to Michael to accept the resignations tendered by men’s doubles Schumacher when he was a young Schumacher won his fi rst F3 race well,” Haug said. After the F3 title Schumacher’s seven world titles, whole of Germany looks at you. pair, Goh V Shem and Tan Wee Kiong eff ective January talent some 30 years ago but shy in Spa-Francorchanmps, the Bel- the question is no longer if but and it is not out of the question that It is very important for him that 5.” and at times even clumsy off the gian course where Michael Schu- rather when Mick Schumacher the Briton would race against the he doesn’t lose the joy of driving,” Goh and Tan, both 29, were reported to have been under track. Managed by Sabine Kehm macher made his F1 debut in 1991 steps into Formula One.Michael son. Mick Schumacher has given Rosberg said about Mick Schu- pressure for some time, having failed to win a title in two who has also looked after his fa- and won his fi rst race a year later. Schumacher’s former teams Mer- no time frame, saying only he wants macher. years after a remarkable 2016. They are ranked 14th in ther in this respect, Mick Schu- “If that was a Hollywood script cedes and Ferrari are both hugely to be “100 per cent ready” when he Nico Rosberg took 11 years to Badminton World Federation’s (BWF) latest rankings. macher seems better prepared of you wouldn’t believe it,” Haug said, interested as reigning reigning takes the step into F1. win the title, and he retired right The 2016 Rio Olympics silver medallists became the sec- what is to come. adding that the F3 title only high- world champion Lewis Hamilton Other sons of famous drivers after it at the young age of 31. ond notable names to leave the national team after the But like his father he started off lights his big talent. - who took Schumacher’s place at have been in F1, including Nico The only other father-son world mixed doubles pair Chan Peng Soon and Goh Liu Ying on kart tracks - under his mother’s “You don’t do that if the sun Mercedes in 2013 - said Mick “has Rosberg who won the title in 2016, champions so far are Britons Gra- quit in mid-December. maiden name or as ‘Mick Junior’ shines into your exhaust but be- huge talent just as his father had.” just as his father Keke Rosberg in ham and Damon Hill. But many F1 Chan and partner Goh had resigned from the Association to avoid any hype - and it was a cause you can handle the accel- Hamilton is contracted another the past. fans will be hoping that one day to pursue an independent path. stunning coincidence that Mick erator pedal and the steering wheel two years in which he could equal “It is quite diffi cult when the the Schumachers join this list.

GOLF Pressure on to strike while iron hot with new major schedule Reuters certainly have Tiger Woods sali- North Carolina, and the May 30- try to bounce back after losing his mann, a former world number one New York vating as he tries to end his dec- June 2 Memorial tournament in putting mojo in 2018, while Dus- who has made a solid start to his ade-long major drought streak. Dublin, Ohio. tin Johnson at age 34 needs to get professional career. In the women’s He has won four times at Au- These events both fall two cracking if he wants to add to his game, the female equivalent of the itting a hot streak at gusta National, once at Bethpage weeks before a major, which is solitary major title before Father Ryder Cup will take place at Gle- the right time will be (2002 U.S. Open) and once in a the way Woods has traditionally Time catches up with him. neagles in Scotland in September, the goal of golf’s top major at Pebble Beach (2000 U.S. prepared for the big ones. Super-talented Tony Finau, when the United States and Europe male professionals this Open), where he produced the A new tournament in Min- until now best known for turning face off in the Solheim Cup. But Hyear as a new calendar crams the greatest performance of his ca- nesota, the 3M Open, might an ankle while celebrating a hole- unlike men’s golf, in which nearly major championships into a su- reer, a record 15-stroke triumph. also benefi t from its slot in the in-one at the Masters par-three all the top players are European or per busy four-month stretch. He has never triumphed at Royal schedule two weeks before the competition last year, seems American, the Solheim Cup will in- The PGA Championship has Portrush, but then again nei- British Open. Woods has the poised to become the next genu- clude only two of the world’s top 10 switched from its traditional ther has any other active player, all-time PGA Tour record in his ine star. He did not win in 2018, players, based on the current rank- mid-August timeslot to mid- because the classic Northern sights in 2019, while it will also but came close several times and ings. May, which will force players to Ireland links has not hosted the be a most important year if he once the fl oodgates open there Asian golfers continue to focus like never before on try- British Open since 1951. ever hopes to catch Jack Nick- might be no stopping him. dominate women’s golf, with ing to peak between April and While Woods, who turned 43 laus’ record of 18 major cham- And keep an eye on Cameron South Korea supplying a never- July. Starting with the April 11-14 on Sunday, usually guards his pionships. With 80 PGA Tour Champ, probably the longest ending conveyor belt of talent. Masters at Augusta National, the schedule as closely as a state victories, Woods is two short of hitter ever to play the PGA Tour. But the world number one rank- majors will come thick and fast, secret, you can bet the house on Sam Snead’s mark, while his 14 The 23-year-old set an all-time ing belongs to Thai Ariya Jut- with the PGA Championship at where he will play once the ma- major titles leave him four short distance record with an average anugarn, the reigning US Wom- Bethpage from May 16-19, the jors get started. of the Nicklaus mark. drive of 343 yards in the second- en’s Open champion, who will US Open at Pebble Beach from His successful 2017 spinal fu- Golf has no shortage of good ary Web.Com Tour last year, 10 start 2019 as the woman to beat. June 13-16, and the British Open sion allowed him to play a full young players, many already yards longer than anyone else. The new year also ushers at Royal Portrush from July 18-21. schedule in 2018, but he says proven winners at the highest Champ is anything but a one- in the most widespread rules That’s four majors in 15 weeks, he overdid it at times and will level but still with much to prove. trick pony, however, already a changes in decades, designed to which could be bad news for be sure to pace himself better Rory McIlroy has four major ti- winner this new 2018-19 season make the game fairer, faster and players who have a form dip at in 2019. This means his regular tles, but has not won one since at the Sanderson Farms Cham- simpler. At the recreational level, the wrong time, but conversely PGA Tour appearances during 2014. Questions are being asked pionship and quickly following at least, it is more a case of the will allow those in good form to the majors stretch could be lim- about whether his wedge game is up with two more top 10s. rules catching up to what many strike while the iron is hot, so ited to the May 2-5 Wells Fargo consistent enough. Three-times Another worth watching is casual players have been doing to speak. The major venues will Championship in Charlotte, major winner Jordan Spieth will 20-year-old Chilean Joaquin Nie- for years anyway. Tiger Woods aims to end his decade-long major drought streak. Gulf Times Wednesday, January 2, 2019 5 SPORT

NBA SPOTLIGHT NBA ‘pre-agency’ an emerging Red-hot Harden lift s hurdle for Heat

By Ira Winderman pered when Paul George re- South Florida Sun-Sentinel upped this summer with the Oklahoma City Thunder and when Kyrie Irving vowed to he problem with pro- do the same with the Boston Rockets, Westbrook jecting into the future Celtics. with NBA free agen- For the Heat, that means it cy is that the future either is Plan B for 2020 free ‘We’ve got a long way to Tdoesn’t always arrive as or agency or perhaps utilisation when scheduled. of that space in a trade for a go, but we’re heading in For the Miami Heat, that potential 2021 free agent. makes the process a moving Beyond Davis, the free- the right direction’ target. agent class of 2020 hardly is bounces back The 2020 off season, at least transformative, with the list AFP at the moment, stands as the of unrestricted free agents Los Angeles off season of change for Pat Ri- currently headed by DeMar ley and the Heat front offi ce, DeRozan, Kyle Lowry, Dray- when the contracts of Hassan mond Green, Eric Gordon, ames Harden posted a 43-point Whiteside, Goran Dragic and Tim Hardaway Jr., Tristan triple-double on another record- Tyler Johnson come off the Thompson, Reggie Jackson, setting night on Monday to lead the books. Avery Bradley, as well as 2019 Houston Rockets to a 113-101 NBA That also stands as the sum- restricted free agents who po- victoryJ over the Memphis Grizzlies. mer when Anthony Davis can tentially could turn into 2020 Harden, the reigning NBA Most Valu- reach free agency. unrestricted free agents. able Player, added 13 assists and 10 re- If only it were that simple. In other words, the sum- bounds for his fourth triple-double of the If only pre-agency hadn’t mer of 2020 hardly projects as season and 39th of his career. entered the league lexicon. game-changing. And with his eighth straight game with Just ask the New Orleans Then there is the option to at least 35 points and fi ve assists he set an Pelicans. hold off until 2021 free agency, NBA record - bettering Oscar Robertson’s Because faced with the pos- similar to what the Lakers did two such seven-game streaks. sibility of losing something for with their cap cache this past More important for Harden, the Rock- absolutely nothing, teams have off season, when the list of ets - who made a sputtering start to the been forced to think a year out unrestricted free agents could season - won for the 10th time in their last about the implications. include Giannis Antetok- 11 games to improve to 21-15. It is why Kawhi Leonard ounmpo, Damian Lillard, Paul That’s a better measure, he said, than became a Toronto Raptor this George, Gordon Hayward and, individual accomplishments, as “bringing summer and Jimmy Butler a again, LeBron, among others. a championship to the city is the impor- Philadelphia 76er this fall. Be- The waiting game, of course, tant thing.” cause neither the San Antonio as with Anthony Davis this Harden drained six three-pointers and Spurs (Leonard) nor the Min- coming summer, does not take made 21 of his 27 free throws and the nesota Timberwolves (Butler) into account potential exten- Rockets led by as many as 24 before Mem- wanted to be left as empty- sions that yet reconfi gure the phis sliced the defi cit to nine points with handed as when LeBron James market. 1:26 to play. walked out of the door from When the Heat went all-in A free throw from P.J. Tucker and a the Cleveland Cavaliers leav- for 2010 free agency with Le- layup by Austin Rivers helped rebuild the ing only a toxic residue in his Bron, Dwyane Wade and Chris lead as the Rockets continued to win de- Northeast Ohio wake. Bosh, the process was pretty spite the injury absence of point guard Which brings us back to much straightforward: You Chris Paul. Davis and the initial notion of targeted the free-agency class “Off ensively and defensively guys are Heat 2020 cap space bringing of a particular year, hoarded stepping up,” Harden said. “We’ve got a The Brow within a short drive maximum cap space in the long way to go, but we’re heading in the of Broward. interim, and then allowed the right direction.” Not happening. clock to tick down toward the The Oklahoma City Thunder rode point Because the Pelicans either inevitable bidding. guard Russell Westbrook’s triple-double get Davis to sign an extension Now such clocks constantly to a 122-102 home victory over the Dallas on the dotted line at the start are being reset. Anthony Davis Mavericks, a day after falling to the Mavs of July or trade him in mid- as 2020 free-agent target? in Dallas. July. And the rest of the NBA More likely as 2019 off season Westbrook, who said after his disap- knows it, thus the lobbying by (or sooner) trade target. pointing nine-point performance in Dal- LeBron and the league’s (im- Living for the future in the las that he was letting his teammates potent) pushback on perceived NBA is an increasingly perilous down, bounced back in a big way with 32 tampering. proposition. Because some- points, 11 assists and 11 rebounds. Yes, the Pelicans certainly times it never arrives. Paul George added 22 points and Jerami could trade Davis to a place Or, if you prefer: caveat Grant chipped in 16 for the Thunder, who where he elects not to re-sign emptor Heat, which is Latin for never trailed. before 2020 free agency, but be careful of what you wish for such assumptions were tem- in NBA free agency. WARRIORS ECLIPSE SUNS Houston Rockets guard James Harden (right) dribbles the ball against Memphis Grizzlies forward Kyle Anderson during the first quarter The two-time defending NBA champion at the Toyota Center. PICTURE: USA TODAY Sports Golden State Warriors closed out 2018 Warriors’ Iguodala fined $25K for throwing ball with a 132-109 victory over the Suns in their rise in the Western Conference. Kemba Walker scored 24 points to lead RESULTS Phoenix. Stephen Curry scored 34 points Derrick White contributed a career- six Hornets players in double fi gures. Golden State Warriors swingman Andre Iguodala has been and pulled down nine rebounds. Kevin high 22 points for San Antonio, one of six Golden State 132-109 Phoenix Cody Zeller scored 14 points before de- fined $25,000 for “recklessly” throwing a basketball into the Durant added 25 points and Klay Thomp- Spurs players to score in double fi gures. parting with a broken bone in his right New Orleans 123-114 Minnesota stands, the NBA announced. The incident occurred after time son chipped in 15 for the Warriors, who led Jaylen Brown scored a season-high 30 hand in the third quarter. had expired in the second quarter of the Warriors’ 115-105 vic- by as many as 30. points for the Celtics, who were unable to Oklahoma 122-102 Dallas Jeremy Lamb departed in the fi rst quar- tory at Portland on Saturday. He was attempting to gain control Curry made fi ve of his nine three-point maintain a fi rst-half lead. Charlotte 125-100 Orlando ter with a right hamstring strain. of the ball before the buzzer sounded, but ended up flinging attempts as the Warriors connected on San Antonio got off to a slow start, mak- Houston 113-101 Memphis The New Orleans Pelicans overcame the it about 20 rows deep into the crowd in apparent frustration. 14-of-28 from beyond the arc in their 17th ing just one of their fi rst six shots from the absence of ailing Anthony Davis to post a Iguodala received a technical foul and was ejected from the straight victory over the Suns. fi eld. Aldridge scored just one point in the San Antonio 120-111 Boston 123-114 victory over the Minnesota Tim- game after a video review by off icials, a decision that didn’t sur- In San Antonio, the Spurs connected fi rst period, when the Spurs posted just 17 Indiana 116-108 Atlanta berwolves. prise Warriors coach Steve Kerr. “If you throw something into on 76 percent of their shots in a 46-point points total. Julius Randle scored 33 points and the stands - a mouthpiece, a ball or whatever - you get ejected,” third quarter to put away the Boston Celt- Boston star Kyrie Irving fi nished with said after the game that both of his eyes pulled down 11 rebounds and Darius Mill- Kerr said after the game. “I guess the distinction the off icials ics 120-111. 16 points. He departed briefl y in the sec- had been scratched. er scored 13 of his 21 points in the fourth had to make was, was that a shot? Was he just throwing the ball LaMarcus Aldridge scored 12 of his 32 ond half with an apparent eye injury after The Charlotte Hornets lost two start- quarter for New Orleans. Elfrid Payton, toward the hoop at the end of the half? Was it out of frustra- points in the third and San Antonio won colliding with the Spurs’ Marco Belinelli. ers to injury but still defeated the Orlando who missed 22 games with a broken fi nger, tion? And they deemed it was out of frustration.” for the 11th time in 13 games to continue Although Irving returned to the game, he Magic 125-100. chipped in nine points on his return.

NHL Devils rookie Blackwood posts 2nd straight shutout gone 5-0-1 in previous six). ing 13-0-1 in December – since losing to Reuters RESULTS New York Backup goaltender Anders Nilsson the Ducks 3-1 on Nov 27 in Tampa. Nashville 6-3 Washington made 19 saves and absorbed his ninth Point also had an assist. New Jersey 4-0 Vancouver straight loss. Andrei Vasilevskiy fi nished with 35 ackenzie Blackwood con- Boyle opened the scoring with 7:57 re- saves in picking up his 100th career vic- tinued the stellar start to his Pittsburgh 3-2 Minnesota maining in the fi rst period by heading in tory in 175 games. Nick Ritchie scored the career on Monday afternoon Islanders 3-1 Buff alo front of the net and tipping a shot from lone goal for Anaheim, which lost its sixth with 25 saves to become the Carolina 3-1 Philadelphia Drew Staff ord under Nilsson. straight game (0-4-2). Gibson stopped 33 Mfi rst rookie goaltender in team history to The Devils made it 2-0 late in the period shots for the Ducks, who snapped a streak record consecutive shutouts as the New Rangers 2-1 St. Louis during their fi rst power play when Wood of nine games in which Tampa Bay scored Jersey Devils recorded a 4-0 victory over Florida 4-3 Detroit scored his fourth, lifting a wrist shot from four or more goals each time. the visiting Vancouver Canucks on Mon- Los Angeles 3-2 Colorado the middle of the right faceoff circle over Kucherov started the scoring with his day afternoon. Nilsson’s stick after getting a slick cross- 19th goal of the season at 6:06 of the fi rst Brian Boyle and Miles Wood scored Tampa Bay 2-1 Anaheim ice feed from Vatanen. period. He one-timed a backhand cross- little more than six minutes apart in the Montreal 3-2 Dallas After Blackwood kept the lead, the Dev- ing pass from Erik Cernak from the bot- fi rst period as the Devils won their third Calgary 8-5 San Jose ils fi nished it off less than four minutes tom of the right circle past Gibson’s glove straight game and head into a four-game into the third when Vatanen and Zacha side to extend his goal-scoring streak to Winnipeg 4-3 Edmonton road trip on their fi rst three-game win- put slap shots by Nilsson. four games. ning streak since starting the season to Boston’s Patrice Bergeron on Thursday Ritchie tied it at 17:08 of the fi rst pe- 4-0. Defenseman Sami Vatanen added a and also became the fi rst rookie to post LIGHTNING EDGE DUCKS IN OT TO riod, sliding a crossing pass from Ondrej power-play tally early in the third before consecutive shutouts since Anaheim’s CAP NEAR-PERFECT MONTH Kase past Vasilevskiy’s left skate for his Pavel Zacha scored nearly two minutes John Gibson on Dec. 29-31, 2015. Brayden Point scored 35 seconds into fi fth goal of the season. later. He made a point-blank save on Markus overtime as the Tampa Bay Lightning It was dueling goaltenders after that Va- Blackwood helped the Devils beat the Granlund early in the second, stopped Bo fi nished the month of December without silevskiy and Gibson both trading Grade A Canucks for the eighth straight time by Horvat on an odd-man rush a few minutes a regulation loss, earning a 2-1 victory saves, including fi ve by Gibson on Steven producing his second career shutout in later and then made a kick save on Gran- over the host Anaheim Ducks on Monday Stamkos alone, sending the contest into just four starts. He was especially sharp lund late in the period to protect a two- night. overtime to set up Point’s heroics. in the second period when the Canucks goal advantage. Point took a pass at the blue line from Kucherov and Stamkos amassed a total spent most of the frame in the Devils’ de- The Devils also won despite missing Nikita Kucherov and then deked around of 51 points in December, becoming the fensive zone. Taylor Hall for a third straight game with Ducks defenseman Brandon Montour and fi rst set of teammates to combine for 50 or Two weeks after joining the Devils a lower-body injury. The Canucks fell to beat goalie John Gibson with a backhand more points in any calendar month since when Cory Schneider went on injured 2-1 on a six-game road trip necessitated shot inside the right post for the game- Jaromir Jagr and Mario Lemieux were reserve, Blackwood became the fi rst New by the World Junior Championships being winner. It was his 23rd tally of the season. one of four pairs of teammates to do so in Jersey goaltender to record consecutive contested in Vancouver. NHL scoring leader Kucherov had a March 2001. shutouts since Hall of Famer Martin Bro- The Canucks also fell to 8-3-1 in their goal and an assist for his 20th multi-point The Lightning became just the eighth Mackenzie Blackwood (left) and Brian Boyle of the New Jersey Devils deur on April 3-6, 2010. He ran his shut- last 12 games and were handed their fi rst game of the season for the Lightning. team in the past 10 years to fi nish a month celebrate after defeating the Vancouver Canucks at Prudential out streak to 122:50 since allowing a goal regulation road loss in seven games (had Tampa Bay improved to 14-0-1 – includ- without a regulation loss. Center in Newark, New Jersey. (Getty Images/AFP) Gulf Times 6 Wednesday, January 2, 2019 SPORT

NFL FOCUS Marrone: Jags to void Fournette’s Bengals’ Lewis among guarantees

Reuters bench and looking disinter- New York ested in what was happening on the fi eld. “I am disappoint- ed in the behavior today from he Jacksonville Jag- TJ Yeldon and Leonard Four- coaches sacked on uars intend to void the nette,” Coughlin said. “They remaining guarantees were disrespectful, selfi sh and ‘I regret I haven’t been that running back Le- their behaviour was unbecom- Tonard Fournette signed in his ing that of a professional foot- able to provide them with rookie contract, potentially ball player.” saving the team $7.1 million Yeldon didn’t play on Sun- the No. 1 goal of being and allowing them to move on day. His contract expires in from the No. 4 overall pick in March, and he is not expected ‘Black Monday’ world champions’ the 2017 NFL Draft. to be back with the Jaguars. Head coach Doug Marrone In related news, the Jaguars confi rmed the decision Mon- fi red running backs coach Ty- day morning. rone Wheatley on Monday, ac- The Jaguars had the right cording to NFL.com. Wheat- to take that step after the NFL ley, 46, played 10 seasons in suspended Fournette for one the NFL. He spent the past two game for violating unsports- seasons in his role under Mar- manlike conduct and unneces- rone, who also was his boss sary roughness rules when he when Wheatley served as the took part in an altercation in a Bills’ running backs coach in game against the Buff alo Bills 2013 and ‘14. in late November. Jacksonville ranked 19th in Fournette can challenge the the NFL in rushing this season team’s ruling, but if it is up- at 107.7 yards per game. held, the Jaguars can walk away Fournette missed the equiv- from the contract and owe him alent of seven full games with no more money. They also a hamstring injury, and team could try to trade Fournette, offi cials were said to be frus- and some team could fi nd great trated over the length of his re- value in a 23-year-old, former habilitation as well as his lack fi rst-round selection with a of conditioning. He yelled at a cap-friendly contract. fan in the stands in Tennessee Fournette and fellow run- in addition to his suspension ning back TJ Yeldon drew the following the Buff alo game. ire of team vice president Tom Fournette rushed for 439 Coughlin on Sunday, who is- yards and fi ve touchdowns on sued a terse statement after the 133 carries (3.3-yard average) loss to Houston. in eight games this season af- Fournette was inactive be- ter racking up 1,040 yards and cause of injuries, and Yel- nine touchdowns on 268 car- don was in uniform. Cameras ries (3.9-yard average) as a caught them sitting on the rookie.

Ravens’ Weddle set to share $1mn bonus with team Safety Eric Weddle has Tony Jeff erson is already in plenty of reason to celebrate line, saying that he needs Cincinnati Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis (left) and Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin (right) shake hands after their game at Heinz Field. PICTURE: USA TODAY Sports after the Baltimore Ravens $75,000, while adding with qualified for the NFL postsea- a smile, “Now, we’re going to AFP Broncos have fi nished back-to- son on Sunday. One million be in his pockets.” Los Angeles NFL under scrutiny for lack of minority coaches back seasons with a losing record bucks worth of reasons in Weddle, who was selected to since 1971-1972. fact. And he wants to share his sixth Pro Bowl earlier this The National Football League day there are three minority HCs should diversity be an NFL goal? Adam Gase is out as head those dollars with his team- month, missed out on the isappointed NFL clubs is under the microscope for and 1 minority GM after Ozzie Black head coaches didn’t win coach of the Miami Dolphins, mates and coaches. $1 million incentive in 2017 have wasted no time in lack of minority head coaches (Newsome) retires.” The NFL and were fired. Just like white who also announced that ex- For making the Pro Bowl and when Tyler Boyd’s game- ringing the changes for after a recent slew of firings in parted ways with five African head coaches were,” Travis said ecutive vice president of football playoff s in the same season, winning touchdown catch the new year, with four the league. Only two African American coaches this season - on Twitter. “NFL’s a meritocracy operations Mike Tannenbaum Weddle has finally earned and run on 4th-and-12 for the teamsD parting ways with their will no longer continue in that American head coaches and one Hue Jackson (Cleveland), Lewis & coaching talent is rare. White the seven-figure incentive Cincinnati Bengals in Week coaches on Monday. general manager remain after (Cincinnati), Todd Bowles (New and black coaches are being role. General manager Chris Gri- that has been part of his 17 ended the Ravens’ playoff The Cincinnati Bengals said multiple coaches were axed on York Jets), Steve Wilks (Arizona) treated the exact same. As er has been promoted to run the contract for three seasons in hopes. “I would trade one the departure of head coach Monday following the end of the and Vance Joseph (Denver). they should be.” But the NFL team’s football operations. Baltimore. million bucks for a chance Marvin Lewis was a “mutual” regular season. Two African American coaches has made a point to focus on Two teams didn’t wait un- The 12-year veteran, who ear- at the playoff s any second,” decision. Lewis, who spent 16 Marvin Lewis left the top job remain in Anthony Lynn - of minority and African American til Monday, with the New York lier found more value in mak- ESPN reported Weddle say- seasons in Cincinnati and earned at the Cincinnati Bengals, one the playoff -bound Los Angeles hires in a league where 70 per- Jets announcing the departure ing the playoff s than earning ing before Sunday’s season NFL Coach of the Year honours of six head coaches ditched Chargers - and Pittsburgh’s Mike cent of the players are African of Todd Bowls after four years the extra cash, said after Sun- finale. That’s just where I’m in 2008, was the second-longest within 12 hours of the end of Tomlin who has a Super Bowl American. The NFL enacted just hours after a season-ending day’s 26-24 nail-biting victory at. It’s not that I don’t ap- tenured coach in the league be- the regular season as teams to his name. Carolina Panthers the Rooney Rule in 2003 which 38-3 loss to New England on over the Cleveland Browns: preciate money or how much hind the New England Patriots’ acted swiftly in the wake of Coach Ron Rivera, who is Latino, requires league teams to inter- Sunday. The Tampa Bay Bucca- “I’ve been thinking about it money it is, but that’s not my Bill Belichick. disappointing campaigns. “Not is the only other minority head view ethnic-minority candidates neers sacked coach Dirk Koetter all week that if it happened, incentive to try to go to win.” “I want to thank the Bengals’ a good look for diversity today coach. Baltimore Ravens general for head coaching and senior on Sunday, shortly after their I’m going to do something The AFC North champion organisation, the fans and the in the NFL,” NFL Network’s Jim manager Newsome will step football operation jobs. The 5-11 season ended with 34-32 nice for all my teammates Ravens will meet the Los city of Cincinnati for their sup- Trotter tweeted on Tuesday. down at the end of the team’s results have been mixed and fol- loss to the Atlanta Falcons. and my coaches because I’m Angeles Chargers in an AFC port,” the 60-year-old Lewis “In 2006, when Commissioner playoff run this season. Fox lowing an owners’ meeting the The Green Bay Packers, whose nothing without my team. As wild-card matchup in Balti- said. “I regret I haven’t been able Goodell was hired, there were Sports Radio host Clay Travis league recently announced that season ended with an embarrass- much as it’s for me and my more on Sunday. to provide them with the No. 1 seven minority coaches and four was a dissenting voice amid the it was strengthening coaching ing 31-0 loss to the Detroit Lions play, my defense helped me Weddle has made the Pro goal of being world champions.” minority general managers. To- focus on minority hires. “Why and executive hire rules. in which star quarterback Aaron get to where I’m at.” Bowl in each of his three The Bengals started the sea- Rodgers suff ered a concussion, How he’ll divvy up the bonus seasons with Baltimore and son an encouraging 4-1. But de- The Arizona Cardinals, who lone season Wilks presided over Chip Kelly was fi red by the San had already fi red coach Mike Mc- is still unknown as Weddle also made it in 2011, 2013 fensive struggles saw defensive fi nished 3-13 and last in the the Cardinals’ worst season in 18 Francisco 49ers in 2016. Carthy after a week-13 loss to off ered, “I’ve got something and 2014 with the San Diego coordinator Teryl Austin sacked NFC West, sacked Steve Wilks years. Denver fi red Vance Joseph a the Cardinals, and the Cleveland brewing, but I am not going Chargers. In 16 games this and a slew of injuries further on Monday after one season as They’ll have the consolation day after the Broncos wrapped Browns had dismissed Hue Jack- to tell. You’ll find out when I season, he has recorded one damaged the team, which fi n- head coach. Wilks was hired on of selecting fi rst in the 2019 NFL up their second straight losing son after a loss to the Pittsburgh make it happen.” sack, three passes defensed ished 6-10 and last in the AFC January 22, 2018 to replace the Draft. Wilks, 49, becomes the season under the coach’s guid- Steelers midway through the But fellow Ravens safety and 68 tackles (54 solo). North division. retiring Bruce Arians and in his fi rst one-and-done coach since ance. It was the fi rst time the season.

PLAYOFF Foles to start for Eagles in opener against Bears AFP Monday.” stick around to watch his team tive texted her and stated the Washington Foles stepped in for Wentz for edge the Cincinnati Bengals 16- situation is similar to the one three key games to end the regu- 13 to keep its playoff hopes alive the Steelers experienced with lar season. He is 4-1 in fi ve starts for a time. The Steelers nonethe- wide receiver and Super Bowl ick Foles will start at in this campaign. Although he’s less missed out on the playoff s XLIII MVP Santonio Holmes. quarterback for the Su- not the Eagles’ top quarterback, when the Baltimore Ravens beat The team traded Holmes after per Bowl champion Phil- and isn’t expected to be with the Cleveland Browns shortly multiple run-ins with the law, adelphia Eagles in their them next season, he has plenty afterwards and the Indianapolis a four-game suspension for a NNFL playoff opener against Chi- of big-game experience. He took Colts beat the Tennessee Titans substance-abuse policy viola- cago, despite being injured in the over as starter when Wentz was in the Sunday night game. tion and public disagreements regular-season fi nale on Sunday. injured last season and led the The report also says that the with the team. Eagles head coach Doug Peder- Eagles to the Super Bowl crown Brown issue came to head with “Santonio Holmes was given son said Monday that Foles would – earning Super Bowl Most Val- teammates on Monday when head many, many chances here in start, saying the veteran signal- uable Player honours. coach Mike Tomlin did not ad- Pittsburgh until Mike Tomlin caller was “feeling good” and di- dress Brown’s absence with play- and [general manager] Kevin agnostic tests were “clear” after STEELERS KEPT BROWN OUT ers during a team meeting after Colbert fi nally said, we’ve had Foles took a heavy hit to the chest FOR DISCIPLINARY REASONS they showed up to the fi eld Sunday enough,” Kinkhabwala said on when he was sacked late in a vic- The reason Antonio Brown didn’t expecting Brown to play. Accord- the air. “And then Santonio Hol- tory that helped the Eagles secure play in the Pittsburgh Steelers’ de ing to Kinkhabwala, Tomlin will mes was let go, obviously. So a playoff berth at the 11th hour. facto elimination game on Sunday address the issue with the media. now in this situation, Mike Tom- “We’ll take care of him and wasn’t because of knee soreness The team listed Brown with a lin loves to say, ‘We will tolerate make sure he’s ready for Sun- but rather the result of a tumul- knee injury Thursday and Tom- you until we can replace you.’” day,” Pederson said of Foles. tuous week during which Brown lin told reporters on Friday that Brown, 30, has been named The coach had no update on argued with quarterback Ben Brown was undergoing tests on fi rst-team All-Pro each of the quarterback Carson Wentz, the Roethlisberger and didn’t take his knee (though he did not state past four seasons and is a seven- team’s No. 1 quarterback who part in the Saturday walkthrough. what types of tests or the nature time Pro Bowl selection. In 15 has been sidelined by a stress This is according to a re- of the knee injury). Kinkhabwala games this season, he caught 104 fracture in a vertebra. port by NFL Network’s Aditi reported that Brown and Roeth- passes for 1,297 yards and led the Should the Eagles get past the Kinkhabwala on Monday, which lisberger had a disagreement league with 15 touchdown grabs Bears to set up a second-round cites multiple sources. during Wednesday’s practice (also a career high). The Steelers meeting with NFC top seeds What’s more, according to and things went downhill the fi nished the season 9-6-1 and New Orleans, Pederson said, “I’ll Kinkhabwala, Brown left Heinz rest of the week. missed the postseason for the Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Nick Foles (right) attempts a pass over Washington Redskins nose tackle evaluate (the QB situation) next Field at halftime rather than She also said that an execu- fi rst time since 2013. Daron Payne during the first-half at FedEx Field. PICTURE: USA TODAY Sports Gulf Times Wednesday, January 2, 2019 7 FOOTBALL

FOCUS AFC ASIAN CUP India looking forward to Loew has to step challenges ahead: Constantine AFC Abu Dhabi

tephen Constantine needs no introduction to out of comfort Indian football fans. The Briton fi rst managed In- Sdia between 2002 and 2005, and since January 2015 he has been in charge for a second spell with the South Asian nation. Under him, India have made steady progress. Constantine zone in 2019 talks ahead of India’s fourth campaign at the AFC Asian Cup ‘We have a new spirit in the team but also more speed and skill’ – they previously qualifi ed for the 1964, 1984 and 2011 editions. DPA Excerpts: Munich What are your thoughts head- pare and that we are able to keep tournament we have in Asia. ing into the AFC Asian Cup our players in good shape on and oachim Loew is more UAE 2019? Tell us about your off the fi eld. Although we have What are the things India has than happy that the worst preparations, your hopes and not had the six-month-camp to get straight to become an year of his tenure as Ger- aspirations. the boys had in 2011, the current Asian football power? many coach is fi nally over Well, it’s obviously a great batch has been playing in a com- Well the main one for me is butJ he now faces the big chal- honour and a privilege to be here petitive league and of course that coach education. If we have bet- lenge of fully reshaping his team among the elite of Asian football. breeds competition amongst the ter coaches we will have better while at the same time qualify- We started to prepare for this as players. players but we really need to fo- ing convincingly for Euro 2020 soon as we had qualifi ed math- The quality of the players was cus more on this and that then and being a contender there. ematically from the group which there in 2011 as it is now but I feel leads into youth development. “It is good that 2019 is start- we won. Of course, I would have there is a more holistic approach We need to be producing players ing,” he has said, aiming “to fare liked a few games going into the now to then in that we are able all over India as there is no doubt much better than in Russia” at tournament but on the plus side, to use the GPS systems to ensure we have the talent but we need to the continental event played in a we are fi t and have no injuries that the loads we give players be starting earlier. dozen countries. so we are looking forward to the are manageable and we are able Germany’s shocking group challenges ahead. to monitor players who have the India are in a pretty tough stage exit at the World Cup as usual niggles and separate them group which includes Bah- title holders in Russia and the How diff erent is the team now from the others, put them on dif- rain, Thailand and hosts UAE. ensuing relegation from Nations in terms of attitude, skills and ferent programmes and so on. What are your thoughts on League A were the low points of focus? What have you done We are also using video anal- this and how would you go 2018 in which Germany lost a diff erent, compared to the ysis and are able to look at what about it? record six games. team before, say in 2011? Will we do right and correct and im- Any group we were drawn in It was only after a 3-0 drub- the 2019 Asian Cup help raise prove ourselves on a daily ba- was going to be tough but we are bing against the Netherlands in India’s profi le in football? sis so I do feel there has been here by merit; the players and autumn that Loew fi nally start- I think there is a huge diff er- an upgrade in the preparations staff have worked extremely hard ed to ring the changes, pledging ence in terms of how we prepared for this Asian Cup. Without a and all deserve to be here. We will to give young players a chance. back then. We are now using doubt, this will, of course, raise give a good account of ourselves Players born 1995 and 1996 sports science which has been the profile. It is after all the and make India proud, and as we are now playing a more and very instrumental in how we pre- World Cup for Asia the biggest always do take one game at a time. more leading role. Joshua Kimmich (23 years), Timo Werner (22), Niklas Suele UPDATE (23), Leon Goretzka (23) and Nasri completes West Ham Julian Bradt (22) were already move aft er doping ban part of the squad in Russia, and Leroy Sane (22), Serge Gna- Australia’s Boyle bry (23), Thilo Kehrer (22) and Germany made a shocking group stage exit at the World Cup as title holders in Russia and were 19-year-old super talent Kai relegated from Nations League A under head coach Joachim Loew (right). (AFP) Havertz have become important ruled out of as well. “The rebuilding is taking Germany must prepare for boom around Euro 2024: DFB boss Asian Cup with place,” Loew said. But the 58-year-old coach DPA influx of youngsters, and that Germany is also involved in knee injury also insists that “the youngsters Berlin the same is expected in five the Euro 2020 tournament need stability and orientation” years around the continental held across the continent, with Reuters as goalkeeper Manuel Neuer (32) tournament. Munich as a venue, and Grindel Bengaluru and midfi elder Toni Kroos (29 on erman football must “We know from the 2006 expe- expects the German team to January 4) remain key members. be prepared for a large rience that in no year so many do well after last year’s World But others like Jerome Boat- Gnumber of youngsters children and youths start play- Cup meltdown which has led ustralia winger Martin Boyle has been eng (30), Mats Hummels (30) starting playing the game ing football than in the year to a team rebuilding by coach ruled out of their Asian Cup campaign due and Thomas Mueller (29) are when the country hosts the of the World Cup in the home Joachim Loew. to a left knee injury, the Football Federa- no longer assured starters in a Euro 2024 tournament, the na- country. The same will happen “Joachim Loew has started tion of Australia (FFA) said yesterday. gradual shake-up. AScotland-born Boyle sustained the injury in tion’s football federation (DFB) in 2024, we must be prepared the rebuilding in a short time The captain Neuer supports president Reinhard Grindel for it,” Grindel said. frame, the backbone of expe- Sunday’s 5-0 friendly win over Oman and will Loew’s changes which also in- has said. “We need dedicated and well rienced players must now be return to club side Hibernian to continue his re- clude a diff erent gameplan as a Grindel said in a New Year’s educated coaches, and we merged with many young play- habilitation. 3-4-3 formation with the fast message on the DFB website need an adequate infrastruc- ers with a good perspective “We sent Martin for a scan yesterday and the Sane, Gnabry and Werner has yesterday that hosting the ture, especially artificial turf to a team that can play for the outcome of that assessment is that he will be out West Ham United have signed free agent replaced the possession game. 2006 World Cup led to a huge pitches.” title in 2020,” Grindel said. of action for an indefi nite period,” Australia coach Samir Nasri until the end of the campaign “We have a new spirit in the Graham Arnold said in a statement. with the French midfielder having completed team but also more speed and “Martin was desperate to stay with us but an 18-month doping ban, the Premier League skill,” Neuer said. a group featuring the Nether- 2022, no longer appears to be shook off the Euro 2012 semi- we’ve decided that the best thing for his long- side said on Monday. The former Arsenal Five players from the prom- lands, Northern Ireland, Estonia untouchable. A YouGov survey fi nal meltdown to lift the World term career for both his club and country is for and Manchester City midfielder had been ising 1995-1996 birth years are and Belarus. commissioned by DPA has re- Cup trophy. him to return to Scotland where he can receive training with the Hammers since last month already in the top 10 with the The Germans face the Dutch vealed that 41 per cent of Ger- Internally at the national great care at Hibernian. and is free to resume playing from January 1. most minutes after the World for the fi rst time in the group mans no longer consider him federation DFB the 2017 Con- “Martin has made a great impact and it’s unfor- “You choose a club and a project because of Cup debacle (Kimmich, Werner, on March 24, after a friendly the right coach, and only 35 per federations Cup is the highlight tunate timing, but his Socceroos journey is not over the ambition, and I think that West Ham has Suele, Kehrer and Sane) as Loew against Serbia four days earlier. cent back Loew. of Loew’s tenure as he impres- and we look forward to him pressing for selection everything to be one of the biggest clubs and German offi cials set their The team showed promising Loew has however been at his sively coached a makeshift and later in 2019 and as we go through the process of in London,” Nasri told West Ham’s website. sights in Euro 2020. football in the second Nations best when he had to leave his young team to the title. qualifi cation for the next FIFA World Cup.” “Coming back to the most competitive “The Euro is the aim,” Ger- League game against the Dutch comfort zone, be it at the 2010 This achievement is a decid- Boyle said he was “gutted” to miss the tourna- league in the world, with a team full of ambi- man football supremo Reinhard in autumn although it blew a World Cup with fresh faces such ing factor why Loew remains ment in the United Arab Emirates. tion with a manager that I know. It’s the best Grindel has said. two-goal lead in a last-minute as Mueller, Neuer and Mesut “the best possible national team “My focus now will be on my recovery and re- job in the world, and I’m really excited about Grindel has also insisted 2-2 draw. Oezil; or in 2014 when the gold- coach” (DFB vice-president turning to the pitch as soon as possible with Hibs. it.” West Ham have the option to extend the that there would be no excuse But results are now also need- en generation of Philipp Lahm Rainer Koch) despite the World Throughout the tournament the team will have 31-year-old’s deal by a year, the club added. if Germany didn’t qualify from ed as Loew, with a contract until and Bastian Schweinsteiger Cup debacle. my full support from Scotland,” he said.

BOTTOMLINE Hosts unknown, but Cup of Nations to take centre stage in Africa AFP PLAYER OF THE YEAR champions would be favoured venue for the annual match the lead of Europe and introduce Johannesburg, South Africa Egypt and Liverpool scoring to go one better than 2017 when Egypt and Liverpool between the Champions League a CAF Nations League? It would sensation Mohamed Salah is set they lost the fi nal to Cameroon player Mohamed and Confederation Cup winners. be an improvement on Afri- to retain the title in Dakar on in Libreville. Salah is set to retain Traditionally staged at the can riendlies often shunned by n Africa Cup of Nations January 8 with fellow Red Sadio Were South Africa to get the African Player of the home of the CAF champions, the Europe-based stars. with new dates and Mane from Senegal his closest nod, the chances of Senegal Year title in Dakar on switch has angered Esperance an expanded 24-team challenger. and former champions Tunisia, January 8. supporters, particularly as the OLYMPICS line-up will take centre If Salah continues to score Morocco and Nigeria lifting the club turns 100 on January 15. Egypt will host an eight-nation stageA this year in the continent, consistently he could challenge trophy would increase. tournament during November but the hosts have still to be the record of former Ivory Coast CLUB WORLD CUP with three places at the 2020 To- decided. and Manchester City star Yaya CHAMPIONS LEAGUE Esperance were the latest fl ops kyo Olympic Games up for grabs. CAF will announce next Toure, who was voted number Holders Esperance of Tunisia, from Africa, crashing 3-0 to Algeria, Nigeria, Senegal, Wednesday whether Egypt or one four consecutive times. TP Mazembe of the Democratic 2018 hosts Al Ain of the United South Africa and Egypt qualifi ed South Africa stage the June Republic of Congo and Al Ahly Emirates and eventually fi nish- for the previous two African 15-July 13 tournament after CUP OF NATIONS HOSTS of Egypt have won seven of the ing fi fth in a seven-club fi eld. tournaments and they have been Cameroon were dropped over There is little to choose between last 10 fi nals and are among the The change to an August-to- kept apart in the three-round preparation delays and security Egypt and South Africa ahead of favourites again. May CAF club season from this elimination competition. concerns. a fourth straight Cup of Nations Ahly, under new Uruguayan year should off er more prepara- The date switch from January/ to be held in a country not origi- coach Martin Lasarte, will be tion time and, hopefully, mean AFRICAN NATIONS February should end club-ver- nally chosen as hosts. desperate for a fi rst success since less embarrassment for African CHAMPIONSHIP sus-country rows after a grow- But one marked diff erence 2013 having lost the last two champions. No details have been announced ing number of African stars were would be the weather with Egypt fi nals to Wydad Casablanca of regarding qualifying for the sixth reluctant to leave their European experiencing northern hemi- Morocco and Esperance. FIFA WINDOWS edition of this unique interna- teams in mid-season. sphere summer heat in June and The fi rst during March will be tional football competition re- Increasing the number of July while South Africa shivers in CONFEDERATION CUP challenge from the region. UEFA Europa League. used for the fi nal Cup of Nations stricted to those playing in their finalists from 16 has already the southern hemisphere winter. North African clubs have Few pundits are looking qualifi ers and there are a further country of birth. Ethiopia will had an impact with former won 10 of the 15 finals in the beyond Raja, Etoile Sahel and CS SUPER CUP three nine-day internationals host the 2020 fi nals — the fi rst whipping boys Madagascar and CUP OF NATIONS second-tier competition and Sfaxien of Tunisia and Zamalek History will be made when Espe- windows in the second half of time the east African country has Mauritania qualifying for the Should Egypt be named hosts, trophy-holders Raja Casablan- of Egypt as potential winners rance and Raja meet with Qatar the year. staged a CAF competition since first time. the record seven-time African ca of Morocco head a powerful in the African equivalent of the becoming the fi rst non-African Will Africa consider following the 1976 Cup of Nations.

Wednesday, January 2, 2019 GULF TIMES FOOTBALL

PREMIER LEAGUE Bayern, PSG, PSV Eindhoven to have camps at Aspire

ootball fans in Doha can watch some of their favourite stars in Doha when several top European club teams, including FBayern Munich, Paris Saint-Germain and PSV Eindhoven Tottenham back hold their winter camps at Aspire this month. Bayern Munich will land in Doha on January 4 and will hold public training sessions at Aspire’s outdoor football pitches 1 and 2 at 10am on January 5, 6, 7 and 8. They will depart for Munich on January 9. PSV Eindhoven will also arrive on January 4 and will be in Qatar for a week. Club Brugge of Belgium (January 5 to 12), Zenit of Rus- sia (January 15-29), Kas Eupen of Belgium (January 8 to 13), PSG up to second aft er (January 13 to 17) and Iran’s Persepolis (January 9 to 19) will be also training at Aspire’s facilities. Qatar-owned PSG boast players like Neymar and Kylian Mbappe, while Bayern Munich have James Rodriguez, Arjen Robben and Franck Ribery among others. Top Russian clubs Zenit St. Petersburg, Spartak Moscow, Lokomo- tiv Moscow and FK Rostov will also play a tournament at Aspire from January 20-31. 3-0 win at Cardiff It’s organised by Russia’s ‘Match Premier’ television channel and co-organised by the Russian Premier League. Ramsey, out of contract in the summer, scores in Arsenal victory over Fulham SPOTLIGHT Sanchez eager for return to free-scoring United: Solskjaer

AFP Manchester, United Kingdom

fter scoring 12 goals in three games un- der caretaker manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, ManchesterA United could add another weapon to their attack- ing arsenal at Newcastle today, with Alexis Sanchez set to return from injury. The Chilean has been sidelined by a hamstring injury for the past month, meaning he missed the fi nal days of Jose Mourinho’s reign in charge at Old Traff ord. Sanchez was signed to much fanfare last January from Arsenal on reportedly the most lucra- tive contract in Premier League Manchester United’s caretaker history, but has so far failed to manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. deliver on expectations, scoring just four goals in 30 appearances. goals in his last two games, while However, Solskjaer believes Marcus Rashford and Anthony the more positive approach he Martial also appear to be fl our- has adopted in wins over Cardiff , ishing with more freedom to at- Huddersfi eld and Bournemouth tack. to begin his temporary spell in However, Solskjaer insisted charge until the end of the season he is only implementing what he will suit Sanchez’s game. learned for 11 seasons as a player “He’s a player that would ben- under Alex Ferguson at Old Traf- efi t from the rotation (of posi- ford. tions) and movements, and the United’s decline in the past more chances you create, the fi ve years has coincided with more times you get the ball into Ferguson’s retirement and Sol- the fi nal third, he’ll be an asset skjaer said he invited the club’s Arsenal’s Aaron Ramsey (centre) celebrates after scoring a goal against Fulham during their Premier League match in London yesterday. (Reuters) for us,” said Solskjaer. most successful manager to visit “I think he’s looking forward his players and coaching staff , Agencies eran Trippier crossed and the RAMSEY SCORES IN his mark with the third goal as mark to put Leicester just four to it. It certainly looked like which includes one of Ferguson’s London England forward had a simple ARSENAL WIN Arsenal kept Fulham rooted in points behind sixth-placed it yesterday (Saturday) in the former assistants Mike Phelan, tap-in after the ball ricocheted Aaron Ramsey was on the the relegation zone. Manchester United and leave (training) session because he at United’s Carrington training off Cardiff defender Sean Mor- scoresheet as Arsenal beat sec- Heavily-beaten at Liverpool Everton 10th. scored quite a few nice goals, so ground. ottenham moved back rison. ond-bottom Fulham 4-1 on New last time out, Arsenal were in “We said after that game we that’s encouraging.” “I do keep him informed. He into second place in Christian Eriksen made it Year’s Day to cement their posi- control from the moment Granit wanted to take three points Solskjaer has been credited visited us yesterday (Saturday) and the Premier League, six 2-0 nine minutes later with a tion in fi fth place in the Premier Xhaka (25) and Alexandre Laca- away. It was a diffi cult challenge for restoring United’s principles I think he enjoyed his time at the points behind leaders clever finish from the edge of League. zette (55) made it 2-0. but the team showed character,” of attacking football after two- training ground,” said Solskjaer. TLiverpool, after cruising to a 3-0 the box, although Cardiff boss The forward, out of contract Aboubakar Kamara scored Leicester manager Claude Puel and-a-half seasons with Mour- “We had a nice few chats and win at lowly Cardiff City yester- Neil Warnock will be disap- in the summer and linked with from close range 20 minutes said. inho’s more cautious approach. he encouraged us. He knows day. pointed with the way his de- a move away from the London from time to give Fulham hope. “The organisation of the team Shunned by Mourinho for we are Man Utd through and Liverpool face third-placed fenders backed off and gave club, scored his side’s third as But Ramsey restored their was perfect and I am happy for his fi nal three league games in through and we want to do what- Manchester City tomorrow the Dane space to wriggle and they eased to victory. two-goal advantage soon after the players because we lost our charge, Paul Pogba has roared ever we can up to the last second night, and City could move shoot home. Arsenal sit three points ahead and Pierre-Emerick Aubam- last game at home to Cardiff and back into form by scoring four we are here.” above Spurs if they avoid defeat The game was eff ectively over of Manchester United and fi ve eyang completed the scoring it was not a fair result.” at the Etihad Stadium. in the 26th minute when Son behind Chelsea, both of whom with a defl ected strike for the Spurs, beaten by Wolves at Heung-min produced a clinical play today. fourth seven minutes from the RESULTS FOCUS home on Saturday, took just fi nish with a shot on the turn Ramsey’s future has been the end. Everton 0 Leicester 1 (Vardy three minutes to get in front in after being well set-up by Kane. subject of much discussion in In the day’s early kick-off , 58) South Wales through the fa- The South Korean has scored 11 recent weeks, with media re- Jamie Vardy gave Leicester a 1-0 Arsenal 4 (Xhaka 25, Laca- miliar source of captain Harry goals in his last 12 starts. ports suggesting he is wanted by win at Everton to move his side zette 55, Ramsey 79, Aubam- Iran coach Queiroz Kane. Cardiff remain in 16th place, many of Europe’s biggest clubs. up to seventh. eyang 83) Fulham 1 (Kamara 69) After Kane launched an at- three points above the relega- But the Wales international, The former England striker Cardiff 0 Tottenham Hotspur tack, surging from deep, Ki- tion zone. who started on the bench, made pounced just before the hour 3 (Kane 3, Eriksen 12, Son 26) eyes strong start to

BOTTOMLINE Asian Cup campaign

Reuters competition of three games,” Bengaluru Queiroz added. “There are no small teams... I Amiri Maintenance Corps team wins was checking the results of the ran coach Carlos Queiroz has Iran team in diff erent competi- demanded a high-intensity tions, at under 17s, under 20s, start from his top-ranked and never has Iran beaten Yemen team in next month’s Asian in offi cial competition. Armed Forces Shield for football ICup opener against debutants “There’s a reason for that: Yemen. Yemen might draw or lose, but QNA Iran head into the tournament Yemen are a tough team to beat.” Doha in the United Arab Emirates as Iran are looking to end a 43- one of the favourites for the ti- year wait for their fourth title. tle and Portuguese Queiroz said They crashed out of the last he team of the Amiri Maintenance they must make their presence Asian Cup on penalties to Iraq in Corps won the Armed Forces Shield felt starting with the fi rst Group a thrilling quarter-fi nal. for football after beating the Amiri D clash in Abu Dhabi on Jan 7. At this year’s World Cup in Air Force team 3-0 in the fi nal match “I want to develop this kind of Russia, Iran narrowly missed ad- whichT was played at Al Arabi Sports Club yes- instinct in my team, to keep all of vancing from the group stage for terday. our energy so that it explodes in the fi rst time. The tournament was organised by the Mili- the 90 minutes against Yemen,” “When the game starts against tary Sports Association under the patron- Queiroz told the AFC website. Yemen, we need to get rid of the age of HE Chief of Staff of the Qatar Armed “And when we fi nish the game, frustrations we have around the Forces Lieutenant-General (Pilot) Ghanem bin then it’s time to think about Vi- team and focus on ourselves. It’s Shaheen al-Ghanem. etnam and after that Iraq.” about the 11 boys on the pitch The sponsor of the tournament crowned the Queiroz described the clash that start the game... and we teams that won the fi rst positions, and handed against Yemen, ranked 25 places need to go for it,” Queiroz added. the Shield of the championship to HE Com- below Iran in the Asian stand- “We cannot start a game like mander of the Qatar Amiri Maintenance Corps ings, as a “crucial” match and this in the Asian Cup and think Major-General Yousef bin Ahmed al-Mannai. urged his team not to underesti- about anything else. It’s 90 min- The fi nal match was attended by senior of- mate their opponents. utes to play for the people, to fi cers of the Qatar Armed Forces. “The fi rst game is always the play for the joy and happiness The Internal Security Force (Lekhwiya) won most diffi cult because it’s every- and pride of Iran.” the third place while the Intelligence and Secu- thing for the winner and almost The Asian Cup begins on Jan- rity Unit won the fourth. nothing for the loser in a short uary 5.