SPORT

Sunday 12 February 2017

PAGE | 26 PAGE | 27 Wenger may quit, Sanchez, Martial says Gunners great shine as Arsenal, Wright United rise

Football: Barca's 'MSN' smash Alaves for six Madrid AFP

ionel Messi, Luis Sua- rez and Neymar were Lall on target as Bar- celona went top of for the first time since October with a 6-0 thrash- ing of Alaves yesterday. In a dress rehearsal of the Copa del Rey final, Alaves paid for their semi- final exertions against Celta Vigo in midweek as Barca moved two points ahead of Real Madrid. However, Madrid have Tariq Darwish Zainal, General Secretary of Qatar Tennis Federation, Christophe Eon, Deputy Vice President, HR, Communications and CSR of Qatar Total and three games in hand. Bar- Karim Alami, tournament advisor of Qatar Total Open pose for a picture along with Agnieszka Radwanska of Poland, Roberta Vinci of Italy and Fatma Al ca's success was Nabhani of Oman during the draw ceremony of the Qatar Total Open in Doha yesterday. Pics: Salim Matramkot/The Peninsula overshadowed, though, by violent clashes between fans outside the ground Serena ranks which left one supporter in alongside hospital with serious head Qatar Open: Radwanska injuries. A group of Jordan and between 40 and 50 hooded fans clashed before kick- Ali: Roddick off, although the police added no arrests have been made. Videos released in handed a 'tough' draw Agencies the Spanish media showed fans throwing chairs and etired tennis star Andy wielding metal bars. Armstrong Vas (Australian Open) was a Roddick of the US says And in another blow to The Peninsula disappointment." RSerena Williams ranks the Catalans, The 27-year-old has had not alongside - Michael Jordan was stretchered off with a orld No. 6 the best of the starts in the sea- and Muhammad Ali - two of horrible looking ankle Agnieszka son, losing to eventual the greatest athletes of all injury just three minutes Radwanska semi-finalist Mirjana Lucic- time in any sport. from time. was yesterday Baroni in the second round of The 35-year-old sur- On the field, Barca boss handed a the Australian Open, the first passed Steffi Graf's tally of 22 Luis Enrique rotated his Wtough draw for this week's WTA Grand Slam of the year, but is Grand Slam wins at the Aus- squad once more with six Qatar Total Open which begins looking optimistically at the sea- tralian Open last month and changes from Tuesday's 1-1 at the Khalifa International Ten- son ahead. is now one Slam away from draw with Atletico Madrid nis and Squash Complex. Cibulkova, the third seed, equalling Margaret Court's that secured their place in The 2012 Wimbledon run- along with second seed Karolina all-time record of 24, which a fourth consecutive Cup ner-up from Poland, one of the Pliskova of Czech Republic are has stood since 1973. final. However, despite a four seeded players, has got a in the lower half of the draw and In a report posted on the trip to Paris Saint-Germain bye in the first round of the will most likely clash in the ww.wtatennis.com, Roddick upcoming on Tuesday, 32-player event but will face the semi-final if the results go as per paid glowing tributes to his Messi, Suarez and Neymar winner of the first-round match the rankings and seeding’s. fellow American in an inter- were all included and ran between former world No1. "It’s a great privilege to host view with ESPN. riot. The visitors had goal- Caroline Wozniacki of Denmark these bevy of stars once again in "It's amazing," said the keeper Marc-Andre ter and Kiki Berterns of Doha. We are looking forward to former men's World No.1. Stegen to thank for not FROM LEFT: Agnieszka Radwanska of Poland, Roberta Vinci Nertherlands. a great tournament which the "I've known Serena since we going behind early on with In all, 32 players will com- of Italy and Fatma Al Nabhani of Oman during the draw spectators will enjoy," said Tariq were eight or nine years old. a brilliant one-on-one save pete in the singles while 16 pairs ceremony of the Qatar Total Open in Doha yesterday. Darwish Zainal, General Secre- To see her go from the girl I from Theo Hernandez. will be showcasing their skills in tary of Qatar Tennis Federation. used to practice next to all the There was no doubt the doubles of the six-day world No.2 Angelique Kerber of to face top seed Kerber in the “This tournament is a great time to become this icon - and over the outcome once tournament. Germany, who will be joined by semi-finals. achievement, not only because not just one of the greatest Barca went in front thanks “I have always enjoyed play- the likes of World. 5 Dominika When asked about the pos- of the world class players and women athletes of all time to a fine team move fin- ing here in Qatar. Nice weather, Cibulkova of Slovakia, No.3 sible clash with the former world successful organization, but it but one of the greatest ath- ished off by Suarez from not hot not cold, not so windy Karolina Pliskova of Czech number one, Radwanska said also underlies Qatar’s capacity letes of all time, it's amazing," close range eight minutes and little rain,” said Radwanska Republic and Spain’s Garbine she is looking forward to the sec- to organize successfully internal Roddick said in the report. before half-time. while talking to journalists after Muguruza among others. ond-round clash with sports events. We have been Roddick grew up training A goalkeeping error the draw ceremony. “I hope to play some tough Wozniacki. sponsoring this tournament for alongside Williams in Florida from Fernando Pachecho Radwanska is one of the six matches in Qatar and in Dubai “I want to focus on the sec- over 15 years now and it has in their younger days. allowed Barca to double world top 10 players featuring and pick up a few points on the ond round clash and afterwards become a part of our culture. We "Watching her march her their lead three minutes at the February 13 to 18 event way,” Radwanska added, who talk about the semi-finals,” she wish all the best to the players,” way through the history of later as he punched a loose that has $776,000 prize up for has 20 career titles against her said. said Christophe Eon, Deputy our sport has been a pleas- ball off Suarez's head and grabs. name. Looking at the 2017 season, Vice President, HR, Communi- ure. She's always been a the ball rebounded for The array of stars at this If Radwanska gets past the Radwanska said: “Losing at the cations and CSR of Qatar Total, friend first and it's hard for Neymar to tap into an year’s tournament also include Wozniacki hurdle, she expected second round of the Grand Slam one of the sponsors of the event. me to disassociate that from empty net. The champions who she has become, but it's hit top form after the break been amazing to see. with four further goals in "Saying she's the best eight minutes. Messi drilled woman athlete shouldn't be his 34th goal of the season Nadal coach announces split taken as offensive as long as low past Pacheco just she's in the conversation with before the hour mark. Rome reporters the decision was through a crisis," he said. "Until Vandeweghe will lead the the greatest male athletes of The Argentine was AFP unexpected. he was 17 years old, it was me 17-time champion United States all time as well. then played in by Suarez, "These words took us some- who decided everything. Then against Germany in a Fed Cup "We need to enter her but the last touch came off afael Nadal's coach and what by surprise. If he said that, Carlos Costa arrived as manager. quarter-final showdown start- into the conversation with Alaves defender Alexis to uncle Toni Nadal has said then it means just that. I will Then his father became closer, ing in Lahaina, Hawaii. Jordan and Ali. I think that's make it 4-0. Ivan Rakitic Rhe will no longer accom- speak to Rafa about it in the each having his opinions. And Vandeweghe, ranked 20th, where the respect lies and blasted home the fifth from pany the tennis great on tour, coming days. I don't think we the truth is that every year I had will face 57th-rated Julia where the conversation needs Suarez's cut-back before complaining that he is being shut will be immediately communi- less decision-making, until the Goerges in the second singles to go after the acknowledge- the Uruguayan rounded off out of decision-making. cating on this subject," he said. day when I will decide on match after American Alison ment of what she's done for the rout himself after "From next year I will no Coach Nadal said there was nothing." Riske takes on 51st-ranked And- women in sports," Roddick Pacheco had parried Ney- longer follow Rafael on the cir- no rift with the former world Spain's Carlos Moya joined rea Petkovic in the tie opener. said. mar's initial effort. cuit and I will focus exclusively number one and multiple Grand the Nadal coaching team at the The winner will face either Roddick became a Grand Yet, Barca's fine day on our (tennis) academy," he was Slam champion. end of last year. Spain or the Czech Republic in Slam singles champion when was spoiled late on when quoted as saying on the Italian "Relations with my nephew Meanwhile, it was the semi-finals on April 22-23 he won the title at the 2003 Vidal's right ankle gave website tennisitaliano.it. Nadal's are still excellent. During all announced yesterday that Aus- for a chance to compete for the US Open, defeating Juan Car- way under an innocuous spokesman Benito Perez told these years, we have never been tralian Open semi-finalist Coco 2017 Fed Cup title. los Ferrero in the final. looking challenge from SPORT SUNDAY 12 FEBRUARY 2017 25

Norway are 'likely' to top Rio's colossal waste of money 2018 Winter

Rio De Janeiro Olympic tennis center, which Games table AP was used earlier this month for a one-day beach volleyball tour- io de Janeiro pulled off nament. This in a city with Seoul last year's Olympics, endless sand and beaches. Reuters keeping crime at bay Two temporary venues for and fending off dire swimming and handball have yet orway is expected to forecasts of corrup- to be dismantled. The exterior of return to the top of the Rtion, environmental degradation, the swimming venue is falling Nmedals table for the and cost overruns. apart and many translucent tap- first time in 16 years at the Six months after South estries that covered the outside 2018 Winter Olympics, while America's first games, the flood- of the building are frayed or fall- host country South Korea is gates have burst. ing to the ground. set to tie its record gold medal Rio organizers still owe cred- The warmup pool, which haul with six titles, sports data itors about $40m. Four of the was covered during the Games, firm Gracenote has new arenas in the main Olym- is filled with muddy, stagnant projected. pic Park have failed to find water. California-based private-sector management, and The Olympic Aquatics Stadium (also below), which was used Away from the park, the Gracenote Sports put Ger- ownership has passed to the fed- for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, is seen in Rio de Janeiro. famous Maracana stadium has many second in its 'Virtual eral government. Another new drawn the most attention. It was Medal Table" for the Games, arena will be run by the cash- renovated for the 2014 World scheduled for February 9-25 strapped city with Brazil stuck Cup at a cost of about $500m. It next year in the South Korean in its deepest recession in was largely abandoned after the alpine town of Pyeongchang, decades. Olympics and Paralympics, and ahead of the United States in The historic Maracana sta- then hit by vandals who ripped third. dium, site of the opening and out thousands of seats and stole The data analysis firm closing ceremony, has been van- Six months after televisions. forecast Norway to win 15 dalized as stadium operators, the "The Maracana is the biggest golds and 40 medals in total, Rio state government, and Olym- the 2016 Olympic symbol of the way the games which would both be record pic organizers have fought over Games, sports were managed," said Mauricio tallies. Canada currently $1m in unpaid electricity bills. Santoro, a political scientist at holds the record for most The electric utility reacted by venues in Rio de Rio de Janeiro State University. golds with 14 in 2010, while cutting off all power to the city Janeiro look like "The vast majority of people in the United States won a landmark. ghost towns with Rio will never go to the golf record 37 medals at the same There are few players for a course, or the Olympic venues. Games. new $20m Olympic golf course, many of the city's But the Maracana is different. It's Host country South Korea and little money for upkeep. top landmarks - the jewel of the crown." has set a target of eight golds Deodoro, the second-largest that used up Up the road from the Olym- at the Games, which will be cluster of Olympic venues, is pic Park, the $1bn Athletes the first Asian Winter Olym- closed and searching for a man- million of dollars Village — it housed about 10,000 pics staged outside Japan, agement company. Some building projects con- Games with only private money, on renovation in athletes — is fenced off and though six would equal its The state of Rio de Janeiro is nected to the Olympics and and almost succeeded. His $3bn the lead up to the empty. The developer says it has record haul from the 2006 months late paying teachers, World Cup have been tied to a operating budget — the budget sold only 260 of the 3,604 apart- and 2010 editions. hospital workers, and pensions. probe which has led to the jail- for running the games, not build- big show - now ments — about 7 percent. All but one of South The state also reports record- ing of dozens of politicians and ing the infrastructure — was need urgent care Rio's Globo newspaper Korea's 26 gold medals at breaking crime in 2016 in almost businessmen for receiving kick- frugal by Olympic standards. reported that new Rio Mayor prior Winter Games have all categories from homicides to backs in Brazil's largest At the last minute, he had to once again. Marcelo Crivella is arranging come from short track and robbery. corruption scandal. ask for a 250m-real bailout — low-cost loans for public speed skating, and Gracenote "During the Olympics, the Three politicians who were $80m — from the city of Rio and employees to buy the units. expected that run to continue city was really trying hard to instrumental in landing and the federal government to run Transportation projects with three golds in each sport keep things together," said Oliver organizing the Olympics — the Paralympics. driven by the Olympics look bet- at the 2018 Olympics. Stuenkel, a Brazilian who former Brazilian President Luiz Eventually, he got only 100m ter than the sports venues. Gracenote also predicted teaches international relations Inacio Lula da Silva, former Rio reals ($30m), and the shortfall expensive deals as the recession The Games led to a subway Russian teenager Evgenia at the Getulio Vargas Founda- governor Sergio Cabral, and has left organizers owing cred- kicked in. line extension, though at the Medvedeva would take the tion, a Brazilian university. "But former Rio Mayor Eduardo — itors millions. Levy said he has not asked reportedly inflated price of $3bn. women's figure skating gold the minute the Olympics were have been under investigation. Today, Levy says he's nearly the IOC to help pay debts, but They also produced a high-speed medal and that Canada would over, the whole thing Cabral, an early promoter of the a forgotten man. acknowledged the Olympic body bus network, a light-rail line, and the men's ice hockey tourna- disintegrated." Olympics and World Cup, has "I could call the president of came up with millions in a pedestrian-friendly, renovated ment for a third straight The Olympics — and to a been jailed on corruption the country, and the call was advance money several times port area. Rio's international air- Olympics. lesser extent the 2014 World Cup charges. taken," Levy said. "But try it during the run-up to the games. port also got a makeover. Pyeongchang was — showcased the reality of Rio, "The Olympics gave people today. I could call the IOC and "The whole thing was too People using the new sub- announced on July 6 2011 by a city romanticized for its a better sense of the difficulties everybody. But now people have painful," Levy told The Associ- way line have benefited, though the International Olympic sprawling beaches, annual Car- Brazil faces," Stuenkel said. other things to handle. We are ated Press. "We never really city traffic is still snarled. Committee (IOC), after the nival celebration, and sensual "Maybe not a better or worse no longer a priority." enjoyed the games, themselves; But many of the improve- 123rd IOC Session in Durban, lifestyle. image, but more rounded." Levy said organizers proba- 2016 was just extremely hard. It's ments benefit mostly the wealthy South Africa. Other candi- It also exposed the city's Sidney Levy, the chief exec- bly lost about $200m in income like we were climbing Everest, south and west of the city. dates that applied to host the crime, environmental contami- utive officer of the Rio organizing during the run-up to the Games and ice is falling on your lips, and "The gains were unevenly Games were Annecy, France nation, and corruption. committee, tried to run the as sponsors backed out of you are not seeing." spread across the city," Stuen- and Munich, Germany. The Olympic Park is a ghost kel, the political scientist said. Pyeongchang won on its third town; sleek sports arenas with- Levy, the CEO, said Tokyo's consecutive bid. out events, deserted before they 2020 Olympics will face com- were even broken in, and well- pletely different challenges. tended flower gardens, free from "They have a society that NHL RESULTS pedestrian wear-and-tear. works pretty well already," he "The arenas are beautiful," said. "They don't have to prove Minnesota 2 Tampa Bay 1 Wagner Tolvai said, walking anything to anybody." Chicago 5 Winnipeg 2 inside the park with his girlfriend Tokyo will face higher costs Patricia Silva. "But it's all aban- than Rio, and organizers are NBA RESULTS doned, everything has stopped. already looking for places to cut. An aerial view of Nobody is here." Levy suggested reining in Sacramento 108 Atlanta 107 Maracana Stadium, He likened the 2.5bn real sports federations, which all Phoenix 115 Chicago 97 which was used for the ($800m) park to a new shopping want five-star treatment. He LA Lakers 122 Milwaukee 114 Opening and Closing mall "without stores, or custom- used an example from the eques- Golden State 122 Memphis 107 ceremonies of the Rio ers." The park is only open on trian events. New Orleans 122 Minnesota 2016 Olympic Games, weekends, and there's not much "They wanted 15 horse 106 shows the turf being to do but walk, pedal a bike, or ambulances," Levy said. "We Washington 112 Indiana 107 dry, worn and filled look for shade. offered nine. In the end, the right Denver 131 NY Knicks 123 Miami 108 Brooklyn 99 with ruts and holes, in Four permanent arenas are number was four. The magic of being run by the federal govern- the Games doesn't come from San Antonio 103 Detroit 92 Rio de Janeiro. ment. Among them is the these things," he said. NBA: Green grabs NBA first in Warriors' big win

Los Angeles "It's pretty amazing to be the them twice this season. The Griz- "We didn't want to lose to from Dewayne Dedmon, who The Miami Heat stretched AFP only one of something in NBA zlies, who beat the Warriors this team three times in a row," continued to shine starting in their winning streak to 13 games history, something good," Green 110-89 in Memphis in December Thompson said. place of injured big man Pau -- the longest in the league this raymond Green produced said. and rallied from 24 down for a Curry added: "We have a cer- Gasol. season -- with a 108-99 come- an unprecedented triple- Warriors coach Steve Kerr 128-119 overtime win in Oakland tain sense of pride on this team." Dedmon had a season-high back victory over the Brooklyn Ddouble of 12 rebounds, 10 called it "as dominant a perform- in January, were never ahead in It was a wire-to-wire win too 17 points and career-high 17 Nets. assists and 10 steals Friday as the ance as I've seen from somebody this one and never looked like for the San Antonio Spurs, who rebounds, helping keep Detroit James Johnson came off the Golden State Warriors mauled who scored four points." they would get there. rolled to a 103-92 victory over center Andre Drummond in bench to score 26 points. Goran the Grizzlies 122-107 in And the Warriors didn't need Thompson opened the con- the Pistons in Detroit. check. Dragic added 21 for the Heat, Memphis. more from him offensively, with test by hitting three Kawhi Leonard scored 32 "He hit the boards hard, he who erased an 11-point third- Green put up just four points, teammate Klay Thompson scor- three-pointers. Golden State led points, pulled down six rebounds ran the floor, his energy, his quarter deficit. becoming the first player in NBA ing 36, Kevin Durant adding 24 62-49 by halftime and by as and handed out five assists and aggressiveness, his defense -- he The Washington Wizards got history to post a triple-double and Stephen Curry contributing many as 26 points in the fourth LaMarcus Aldridge contributed was fantastic in that regard," back to winning on their home without hitting double digits in 18 as Golden State turned the quarter as they improved their 19 points and 11 rebounds for the Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said floor with a 112-107 victory over points. tables on the only team to beat league-leading record to 45-8. Spurs, who also got a big night of Dedmon. the Indiana Pacers. 26 SPORT SUNDAY 12 FEBRUARY 2017 Bangladesh fight back against India

One-off Test Bangladesh's The visitors most captain Mushfiqur experienced pair of Rahim (right) and Irfan also investigated Shakib and Mushfiqur Shakib Al Hasan add 107 for the celebrate on the fifth- to third day of the in PSL fixing probe frustrate the hosts. one-0ff Test match against India at Dubai Mehedi notches his the Rajiv Gandhi month's tour of Australia but AFP maiden Test fifty with International returned home after the death of his mother. Bangladesh still Cricket Stadium akistan cricket officials PSL chairman Najam needing 166 runs to in Hyderabad yesterday. said yesterday fast Sethi said the probe will make India bat again. Pbowler Mohammad continue. Irfan (pictured) was one of "All three players will Hyderabad three more players under continue to play while the Reuters investigation after Sharjeel ACU will remain vigilant and Khan and Khalid Latif were continue to protect the PSL angladesh fought back provisionally banned in a from the menace of corrup- against India through widening spot-fixing tion," said Sethi. half centuries from scandal. Islamabad United left out Shakib Al Hasan, The Pakistan Cricket Irfan from their team for Mushfiqur Rahim and Board (PCB) said Irfan and their match against Lahore BMehedi Hasan to reach 322 for two others had been ques- Qalandars on Saturday. six at the close of the third day's tioned following the decision Hasan, who featured in play in the one-off Test in to suspend Khan and Latif Pakistan's World Hyderabad yesterday. and boot them out of the winning team in 2009, plays Bangladesh's most experi- Pakistan Super League (PSL). for Kings while enced pair of Shakib and to frustrate the hosts. The visi- Paceman Umesh Yadav, who balls. The left-hander was out "The PCB's anti-corrup- Babar represents Quetta Mushfiqur added 107 for the tors still face a steep task if they dismissed Soumya Sarkar on caught trying to loft off-spinner tion unit is continuing with Gladiators. fifth-wicket before the latter are to avoid the follow-on in Friday, found enough reverse Ravichandran Ashwin, the inquiries to root out corrupt Babar has played 15 combined with the 19-year-old response to India's mammoth swing to trouble Bangladesh's world's top-ranked bowler in practices and to safeguard Tests, five one-day and Mehedi for an unbroken sev- first innings total of 687-6 batsmen before he pinned down Tests, over mid-off. and protect the integrity of seven Twenty20 enth-wicket partnership of 87 declared. Mominul in front of the stumps Ashwin's left-arm spin col- the PSL," said a PCB release. internationals. At stumps, captain Mush- to dismiss him leg before for 12. league Ravindra Jadeja then "As a part of the investi- SCOREBOARD fiqur was unbeaten on 81 with Umesh continued to trouble dismissed Sabbir Rahman for 16, gations Irfan was also India (I innings): ...... 687/6 decl Mehedi not out on 51, his maiden Mahmudullah with his pace and the batsman falling leg before questioned. He does not face Bangladesh (I innings): Test fifty, at the other end with movement but pace-bowling while attempting a sweep shot. any immediate suspension. T Iqbal (run out) ...... 24 Bangladesh still needing 166 colleague Ishant Sharma reaped Mushfiqur, who got the ben- PCB's ACU has also ques- S Sarkar c Saha b U Yadav ...... 15 runs to make India bat again. the benefit by dismissing the efit of doubt in a run out appeal tioned Shahzaib Hasan and M Haque lbw U Yadav ...... 12 The duo kept India wicketless batsman leg before for 28 in his when he was on 18, Zulfiqar Babar." Mahmudullah lbw I Sharma ...... 28 for the entire third session. first over of the day. showed plenty of application Irfan, at 7f 1in (2m16) the S Al Hasan c U Yadav b R Ashwin ...... 82 After resuming on 41-1, the Ishant, who replaced Umesh, and temperament during his tallest international cricketer M Rahim (batting) ...... 81 Sa Rahman lbw Jadeja ...... 16 touring side suffered a major beat Mahmudullah's bat with an knock and will be crucial to ever, has played four Tests, M Hasan (batting) ...... 51 blow in just the third over of the angled and the bats- Bangladesh's hopes of avoiding 60 one-day internationals Extras (LB-13) ...... 13 day when Tamim Iqbal was run man's attempt to overturn the the follow-on. and 20 Twenty20 matches Total (for 6 wkts) ...... 322 out on his overnight score of 24. decision on review also proved Off-spinner Mehedi gave his since making his debut in Fall of : 1-38, 2-44, 3-64, 4-109,5-216, The left-handed opener was futile. Shakib then launched a captain, who suffered a blow to 2010. 6-235. stranded near the middle of the counterattack against India's his right hand in the last over of He was part of Pakistan's

Bowling: B Kumar 17-6-46-0; I Sharma 16-5- pitch after a terrible mix-up with bowlers and his 21st Test fifty the day against Ishant, able sup- one-day squad on last

54-1; R Ashwin 24-6-77-1; U Yadav 18-3-72-2; R Jadeja 29-8-60-1. partner Mominul Haque while was studded with 14 boundaries port and hit 10 crisp boundaries attempting a second run. in a knock that came off 103 in his flourishing knock.

Conte warns Wenger may quit, says Chelsea not to rest on Gunners great Wright their laurels

London could be in sight after 21 years should follow the example set Burnley AFP with the north Londoners. by supporters of north London AFP "I was with the boss last rivals Tottenham, who remained rsenal legend Ian Wright night, and if I'm going to be loyal after their failed title bid helsea may now be nine believes Arsene Wenger totally honest, I get the impres- last season. points clear at the top Awill quit the Premier sion that that's it," Wright told It remains to be seen if Cof the Premier League League club at the end of the BBC Radio 5 live on Friday. Wright's claim that Wenger but Antonio Conte is experi- season. "I was with him for a few may be in the final months of enced enough to know the Wenger is out of contract in hours. He didn't say to me, his reign proves accurate, but, title race is far from over. the summer and the Gunners 'I'm leaving at the end of the asked about the changes he Conte's side make the trip boss has yet to agree a new deal season', but I get the impres- has seen in the Frenchman, to Burnley on Sunday in high amid growing anger among sion, looking at him, that the former England star said: spirits thanks to their 3-1 vic- Arsenal fans at the team's fail- that's it. "On different things we were tory over title rivals Arsenal ure to mount a strong title "He actually mentioned talking about, (he looked) full last weekend. challenge. when we were talking that he's of life, you can see he's The Blues have won 16 Arsenal are trailing 12 points coming to the end. I've never switched on - just a wonder- of their last 18 league behind leaders Chelsea follow- heard him say that." ful, articulate man, a lovely matches and are odds-on ing a damaging 3-1 defeat at Wenger has won three Pre- guy. favourites to be crowned their London rivals last mier League titles and six FA "You just feel, you know champions. weekend. Cup since arriving at Arsenal in when someone... he looks But Conte is not getting It is 13 years since Wenger 1996. winded. He looks like someone's carried away because the last led Arsenal to the English But Arsenal sit fourth in the just whopped him in the stom- Chelsea manager is well title and some supporters Premier League table and host ach. He's lost all his wind. aware any slip could allow believe it is time for him to go. Hull on Saturday looking to "I feel someone's going to one of the chasing pack to Arsenal's French manager Arsene Wenger (centre) takes Wright, who played under avoid a third successive defeat. ask me, 'Do you think he'll go at close the gap. Wenger from 1996 to 1998, had Wenger took a swipe at the end of the season?'. I would his seat in the stands for the English Premier League match "Until the end of the sea- dinner with the 67-year-old on Arsenal's disgruntled fans this say, 'Just judging now... I think between Arsenal and Hull City at the Emirates Stadium in son you have to live with this Thursday and revealed the end week when he suggested they he will'." London yesterday. pressure," Conte said. "If the opponent win they close the gap. If they don't win you have the opportunity to take more points. But we have the experience to live with Cavani, Di Maria fire PSG past Bordeaux this situation. "It is important to live with yourself. We are top of Bordeaux difference. Marco Verratti was night off to freshen up for the pressure on the other teams. It Cavani was on hand to work his the table and can count only AFP back for PSG after sitting out Valentine's Day Champions was a clean match and good magic and take his Ligue 1 haul on our game. Good news from their last four games with a calf League last 16 first leg date with preparation for Tuesday." to a personal best ever 24 goals other teams and we will be dinson Cavani and Angel injury. He joined his fellow Ital- Barcelona at the Parc des Princes As in that 4-1 defeat last from only 25 games. With PSG happy. Di Maria stole the show in ian Thiago Motta - suspended for on Tuesday. The captain's shoes month that propelled PSG into a bossing the encounter Di Maria "Honestly, I think there EParis Saint Germain's 3-0 the Barcelona game - and Adr- in central defence against the fourth straight Cup final. deservedly doubled their advan- are six teams very strong and win at Bordeaux on Friday in an ien Rabiot in midfield. side PSG had knocked out of the Cavani's neatly executed tage as half-time approached. can fight to win the title. Also ideal warm-up for next week's PSG coach Unai Emery also French Cup quarter-finals were one-touch volley put PSG into a His cheeky chip over Bordeaux Manchester United. Champions League clash with welcomed back first choice filled by Presnel Kimpembe. sixth minute lead after Vokasin keeper Cedric Carrasso came "They have a great squad Barcelona. keeper Kevin Trapp with the "It was important to win Jovanovic's failed attempt to after a neat link-up from Lucas and a lot of players they PSG joined Monaco on 55 German enjoying a generally because there's another goal to head Marquinhos' cross from the and Verratti with the Italian mid- trust to win the title. This is points at the top of Ligue 1 but hassle free return to work. achieve," said Trapp. right out of danger. Unfortu- fielder delivering the assist to Di the truth and we must know remain second on goal Thiago Silva was given the "We have put a little more nately for the Bordeaux defender Maria. this. SUNDAY 12 FEBRUARY 2017 SPORT 27

H H Emir Sword Endurance Ride

The prize winners of the H H Emir Sword Endurance Ride are seen at the prize distribution ceremony with Sheikh Thani bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani and the Qatar Equestrian Federation (QEF) President Hamad Abdulrahman Al Attiyah. QEF Secretary General Saeed bin Mohammed Al Shafi was also present. Hamad Towaim Al Marri won the 120km endurance ride ahead of Mohammed Abdulla Al Jumaily and Khalid Sanad Ali Al Nuaimi. The Qatar Endurance Committee organized the event. The prize distribution ceremony was held at Endurance village, Sealine, Mesaieed. The race consisted of five stages totalling 120kms. The first stage was 34kms long. The second, third, fourth and fifth stages were 30, 20, 20 and 16kms long respectively. A total of 106 participants featured in the race. PIC: Abduljaleel KP Sanchez, Martial shine India captain says Asian Cup the key as Arsenal, United rise to development

London Watford. Mumbai AFP The French forward set up Reuters United's opener in the 32nd lexis Sanchez brought minute at Old Trafford with a ndia's hopes of developing as a soccer-playing nation are reli- manager Arsene Wenger low cross that was tapped in by ant on regular participation in tournaments like the Asian Cup, Asome breathing space Mata. Icaptain Sunil Chhetri (pictured) said yesterday. with a brace of goals as Arsenal Martial got on the score- Chhetri will be hoping to lead India to the 2019 Asian Cup finals overcame Hull City 2-0 in the sheet on the hour, running onto in the United Arab Emirates after the world's second-most pop- Premier League yesterday. Zlatan Ibrahimovic's pass, cut- ulous nation missed out on the last edition of the tournament in The Chilean forward conten- ting inside and coolly beating Australia two years ago. tiously scored with his hand in Heurelho Gomes at his near post. India, who have only reached the finals on three previous occa- the 34th minute and netted a Seventh-place Everton sions, have been drawn alongside Kyrgyzstan, Myanmar and Macau stoppage-time penalty to get squandered a chance to close on in Group A of the last round of qualifiers, with the top two teams Arsenal back to winning ways the teams above them after advancing to the expanded tournament. following successive defeats by being held to a 0-0 draw at The Asian Football Confederation's (AFC) decision to increase Watford and leaders Chelsea. sixth-bottom Middlesbrough. the number of finalists from 16 to 24 has given the country a bet- They provisionally climbed Sunderland remain bottom ter chance of qualifying and Chhetri believes it is an opportunity to third place, nine points behind of the table after Southampton's India should not pass up. Chelsea, while Manchester new Italian striker Manolo Gab- "To be honest, we should be playing at the Asian Cup every United moved to within a point biadini scored a slick brace in a time. That's the parameter we need to use to judge if we are doing of the Champions League places 4-0 win at the Stadium of Light. well or not," Chhetri said in an interview. by beating Watford 2-0. Jason Denayer also put "We have to keep playing in the Asian Cup which will mean Anthony Martial marked his Manchester United's Antonio Valencia battles for the ball with through his own goal before rubbing shoulders with the best in the region. You know the qual- return to the starting XI by scor- Watford's Troy Deeney during their English Premier League Shane Long completed the scor- ity you are playing against and then you know how much you ing one goal and setting up ing in added time. have improved." match at Old Trafford yesterday. United won 2-0. another for Juan Mata as Jose Second-bottom Crystal Pal- Cricket-loving India may have a population of 1.3 billion but Mourinho's side leapfrogged ace were also beaten, Joe Allen it is a massive under-achiever as far as soccer is concerned, with Liverpool. was coming to an end. "I didn't stand by referee Mark Clatten- scoring in the second half to give the national side 130th in the FIFA rankings and yet to make a sin- Spurs sit above Arsenal on give any indication about my burg and another handball, this Stoke City a 1-0 win that saw gle appearance at the World Cup finals. goal difference, with Manches- future," Wenger told reporters. time spotted by the officials, Mark Hughes's team climb to A quick glance at India's group opponents shows that Kyr- ter City a point back in fourth "You know I appreciate very gifted Sanchez his second goal ninth. gyzstan are ranked six places above them, Myanmar are 159th and place ahead of their trip to much that you want me to rest, in stoppage time. Gareth McAuley was cred- Macau are a further 25 places adrift, yet Chhetri is refusing to read Bournemouth tomorrow. absolutely. But I am not ready Sam Clucas was dismissed ited with a stoppage-time too much into those numbers. United trail City by a point, for that yet." for blocking Lucas Perez's goal- equaliser for West Bromwich "As far as our hopes are concerned, I have played enough to having played a game more, with Sanchez put Arsenal ahead bound header and Sanchez Albion in a 2-2 draw at West understand that you cannot think about the chances yet," India's Liverpool two points further in controversial fashion, the ball dispatched the spot-kick for his Ham United. most-capped player with 92 appearances said. "The way the rank- back in sixth. hitting his right hand and 17th goal of the campaign. After Nacer Chadli put West ings work is if you do well in the last six-to-eight months, your Following his side's win over rebounding into the net after his After not featuring in Unit- Brom ahead in the fifth minute, ranking can rise to an extent that you can't even imagine," he Hull, Wenger dismissed a claim close-range shot had come back ed's three previous league West Ham hit back through Sofi- added. "That's why when I face teams in Asia, I don't look too much by former Arsenal striker Ian off Hull goalkeeper Eldin games, Martial gave Mourinho ane Feghouli and Manuel into rankings. (Qualification) is not going to be easy." Wright that he had admitted his Jakupovic. a reminder of his ability by Lanzini, only for McAuley to India, who did qualify for the 1950 World Cup in Brazil but time at the Emirates Stadium The goal was allowed to inspiring his team to victory over level at the death. withdrew ahead of the tournament, open the final round of Asian Cup qualifiers away to Myanmar in Yangon on March 28. In the past, India coach Stephen Constantine has spoken of St Petersburg giving opportunities to youngsters to create a bigger pool of tal- ent for the national side but Chhetri, also the country's most prolific QSL giants El Jaish and stadium passes scorer with 52 goals, prefers continuity. "If you ask me, I would love to have a stable 11 or a stable 14," first test the 32-year-old said. "It's a personal thing. If the team keeps chang- ing then everything has to keep changing. But we will only have Al Sadd pick up points Saint Petersburg a stable 11 if the players take their chances and make the spots AFP their own." Chhetri is also an advo- The Peninsula El Jaish on the other hand deemed Jaish’s goalkeeper t Petersburg's purpose-built cate of leading by example came into the game desperate brought down Yousef Ballan in 2018 World Cup stadium on the pitch as the best les- atar Stars League (QSL) for a morale boosting win after the box. Khalfan stepped up to Spassed its first public test son a captain can give his giants El Jaish yesterday only one win in 2017 and elim- try and make it 2-2 from the spot yesterday after a decade in con- team mates to earn their Qbeat relegation threatened ination from the AFC Champions but was denied by the wood- struction.The futuristic respect and develop bonds. Al Shahaniya 2-1 at Al Arabi Sta- League mid-week. work, despite sending the spaceship-shaped 68,000-seater "I have been a young- dium, with the loss leaving The Sardor Rashidov scored the goalkeeper the wrong way. is to host seven World Cup games ster and I know speeches Oryxes languishing second from two goals for El Jaish, finding the In another game, hosts Al including a semi-final and the are boring," Chhetri said. bottom in the league table with net in the 42nd and 62nd Sadd crushed Al Wakrah 3-1 third-place play-off. "If I do the right things just six rounds of the season left. minutes. after Barca legend Xavi scored A crowd of 10,000 volun- on and off the field that's Igor Stimac’s Al Shahaniya Fahad Khalfan Al-Bulushi two goals (51 and 74) while Kha- teers came to witness the testing how a player is going to came into the game having reduced the defcit for Al Sha- lfan Ibrahim (81) also scored. of its audio and floodlight sys- learn. I was also a junior drawn four of their last five QSL haniya in the 69th minute. The only goal of the match tems and to watch a motor show. and I know how you learn games and fresh from a well- Al Shahania were given a for Al Wakrah was scored by "It's a great event," the from seniors, that's how you deserved point against title chance to level it at 2-2 on the Mohsine Moutaouali in the 56th 20-year-old Dima Petrenko follow. Speeches don't chasing Al Sadd. 71st minute when the referee minute. said. work."