GGOLFOLF | Page 4 CCRICKETRICKET | Page 3 India’s Taylor pays Sharma wins tribute to Joburg Open Crowe aft er in style 17th century

Tuesday, December 12, 2017 FOOTBALL Rabia I 24, 1439 AH Real Madrid tie GULF TIMES a ‘wonderful opportunity’ for PSG SPORT Page 7 SPOTLIGHT FOOTBALL/QSL CUP Misbah to thrill Big wins for Kharaitiyat, in Qatar National Al Gharafa, and Duhail

By Sports Reporter dulaziz al-Ansari compounded The Day cricket series Kings’ misery with goals in the 87th Doha The matches will be held at the 13,000-capacity Asian Town Stadium and 89th. ne-sided matches were the AL SAILIYA 0 AL GHARAFA 4 order of the day in the fi fth Abdulmajid Anad opened the scoring and fi nal round of the QSL in the eighth minute following a fumble OCup with Al Kharaitiyat, Al from the goalkeeper that allowed him Gharafa and Al Duhail recording huge to strike home into an empty net from victories in their Group A fi xtures. 25 yards at the Al Shamal Stadium. Al Kharaitiyat beat Qatar SC 6-1, Al Amro Seraj doubled the advantage Gharafa won 4-0 against Al Sailiya and for Al Gharafa just before half-time Al Duhail fi nished off their campaign with a weaving run before striking from with an 8-0 rout of Al Khor. distance and he secured the points in The results saw Al Gharafa, who had the 81st with a fi nish from close range. already qualifi ed for the semi-fi nals, Nasser al-Kaabi was on hand to confi rm fi rst position in the group with complete the scoring in the 86th. 13 points, while Al Kharaitiyat’s vic- tory took them to 11 points and secured AL KHOR 0 AL DUHAIL 8 them second spot. They too proceeded Al Duhail recorded an emphatic 8-0 to the last-four stage. victory over Al Khor to fi nish third on seven points at the Al Arabi Stadium. AL KHARAITIYAT 6, QATAR SC 1 The rout started as early as the third Al Kharaitiyat settled any early minute through ace Moroccan striker nerves with two goals from Rachid Ti- Youssef El Arabi, who also scored fi ve berkanine in the 29th and 37th minutes more in the 21st, 26th, 45th, 61st and before Saoud Nasser and Al Yazidi both 80th. A penalty from Mohamed Mousa scored with free-kicks in the 40th and in the 17th and Ahmed Mohamed in the 45th respectively at the Al Khor Stadi- 49th ensured Al Duhail were comfort- um. Qatar SC did pull one back through able winners. Abdurahman Akbar in 71st, but it was Group B matches in the round will be over as a contest by that point. Ab- played today.

Manzoor Ahmed, Salem al-Fuhaid, Sajjad Hussain Choudhry , Lt. Mohamed Ali al-Muraizeeq and Faisal al-Hudawi at yesterday’s press conference.

By Sports Reporter ‘We are celebrating Qatar Doha National Day for the third consecutive year and this year we are organising three matches akistan’s most successful to mark the occasion’ captain Misbah-ul-Haq will be the main attraction in the Iqbal (captain), Kamran Khan, Ta- Qatar National Day Twenty20 moor Sajjad, Rizlan Iqbar (W-K), Pcricket series between Asian Stars and Zaheer Ibrahim, Inam ul Haq, Na- Qatar Stars on December 15, 17 and 18, deem Aslam, Imran Asharaf, Faisal organisers announced yesterday. Khan, Mohamed Tanveer, Nouman The former Pakistan captain, who Sarwar, Aslim Ali, Aqib Javed, Awais has retired from cricket, is hugely Malik, Khurram Shehazad, Ushantha popular in the subcontinent. And with Madushanka, Ikramullah Khan and Asian expats residing in large numbers Mohamed Murad. in Qatar, Misbah’s presence for the se- CEO of Pro Events Sajjad Hussain ries to mark the Qatar National Day, is Choudhry, who has played an active a sure-shot crowd puller. role in bringing the cricketers to Qatar The exhibition matches will be held since last three years, said he is try- at the 13,000-capacity Asian Town ing his best to promote and popularise Cricket Stadium in the Industrial the game in the country. These three Area. The event is being organised by matches to mark the big day is yet an- Ibn Ajayan Project (IAP) in associa- other eff ort in that direction. tion with Pro Events and Organising “We are celebrating Qatar Na- Committee of Associated Activities tional Day for the third consecutive of Qatar National Day 2017 celebra- year and this year we are organising tions under the patronage of Ministry three matches to mark the occasion,” of Interior to celebrate the Qatar Na- Choudhry said, while addressing a tional Day. press conference yesterday. Misbah, who led Pakistan to the “We have also decided to charge for No: 1 spot in international Test rank- the only fi rst two matches and entry is ings in 2016, has played 75 Tests, 162 free for the Qatar National Day match,” ODIs and 39 T20Is. He also recorded he said. a 56-ball hundred against Australia in “This year the National Day celebra- 2014 – then the joint fastest hundred tion tournament is something special in Tests, sharing the record with West for us, as we see it as an opportunity Indies great Viv Richards. showcase our love and respect for this Al Duhail’s Youssef El Arabi (smiling) is congratulated by his teammates after Misbah will be joined by present country. We are bringing world crick- scoring one of his six goals against Al Khor. and past cricketers for the T20 series, eters from around the world for the with mostly his Pakistani counter- occasion and decided to charge for the parts making up the numbers. only fi rst two matches and entry is free Qatar continue preparations for 23rd Gulf Cup Wahab Riaz, Fawad Alam, Umar for the National Day match,” he said. Gul, Kamran Akmal, Salman Butt, Others who were present on the oc- Sami Aslam are the Pakistanis lined casion were Public Relation Offi cer The Qatar national football squad invited to the camp. The final list up for the Asian Stars. Players from Ministry of Interior Lt. Mohamed Ali continued their training in prepara- for the Gulf Cup will be announced other countries will also fi gure in the al-Muraizeeq, Community Reach Out tion for the 23rd Gulf Cup to be held in later. Meanwhile, the Arab Gulf Cup matches. Indians Waseef Jafar and S. Coordinator MOI Faisal al-Hudawi, Kuwait from Dec. 22 to Jan. 5. Football Federation (AGCFF) held a Badrinath, Sri Lankans Tillekratne Ibn Ajayan Projects’ Salem al-Fuhaid Qatar are set to face Liechtenstein consultative meeting yesterday in Dilshan, Dilhara Fernado and Bangla- and Qatar Cricket Association’s Man- on Thursday in a friendly in Doha to Doha. The meeting was chaired by HE desh’s Elias Sunny, Arafat Sunny and zoor Ahmed. ensure readiness ahead of the start Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa bin Ahmed Inam ul Haq are the others who have Matches on the fi rst two days will of the Gulf Cup against Yemen in al-Thani, president of Qatar Football confi rmed their participation. start at 5.30pm, while on the Qatar Na- Group B. Association and AGCFF. Former Pakistan spinner Saqlain tional Day the match will commence at Coach Felix Sanchez has decided to The consultative meeting discussed Mushtaq will be the coach and Amir around 3.00pm. Tickets are available at play Liechtenstein’s friendly match the formation of an AGCFF delegation Sohail will be the manager of the Indian Super Market, Filli café, Today’s behind closed doors. The training, to visit Kuwait in order to inspect the Asian Stars. Misbah-ul-Haq Fashion and Asian Town Cricket Sta- which took place at Aspire, included preparations for hosting the 23rd Gulf Qatar Stars will be represented by dium Gate Number 1. all 20 squad players, whom Sanchez Cup. Gulf Times 2 Tuesday, December 12, 2017 CRICKET

SPOTLIGHT INSULT TO INJURY England ‘tourists masquerading as Iconic WACA cricketers’ panned

AFP into farce as rudderless Poms face Sydney whitewash.” The Sydney Morning Herald also jumped on the bandwagon, scream- ngland were dismissed as ing “Teetering on the drink” on its prepares for life “tourists masquerading as back page in a story that said their cricketers” by Australia’s Ashes campaign was “again in disar- media which turned the ray”. screwE yesterday after Ben Duck- “It is the third time in four months ett was fi ned for pouring beer over that England’s preparations have teammate Jimmy Anderson. been derailed by an alcohol-fuelled Duckett was slapped with a re- incident,” it wrote. ported £1,500 ($2,000) fi ne and will Earlier in the tour, England cricket aft er the Ashes play no further part in the remain- chief Andrew Strauss insisted there ing England Lions matches following was no drinking culture in the team, Future Ashes contests will be held at the shiny, new Perth Stadium on the the late-night bar prank in Perth on but he still slapped a midnight cur- Thursday. few on the Ashes tour. opposite bank of the Swan River, a 60,000-seat arena that will use a drop-in pitch It plunged their already diffi cult The Duckett incident happened tour into another crisis after wick- on the fi rst night that the curfew had Reuters win in the 1979 test by striding out to the crease with etkeeper Jonny Bairstow headbut- been relaxed. Perth an aluminium bat made by a business partner. ted Australian Test opener Cameron The Australian newspaper spared He faced a few balls from Ian Botham before the Bancroft in a Perth bar during the England some of the more strident match paused for 10 minutes as the umpires de- tourists’ fi rst night in Australia. criticism dished out by other media, ground rich with cricketing history but manded he swap the metallic bat for a wooden one. and instead ran a story highlighting wanting of modern comforts will take its fi - “It was against, if not the rules, all expectations,” England have so far lost the the drinking on England’s 1986-87 nal Ashes bow when Australia host England said Tony Barker, a historian commissioned by the opening two Tests and have tour to Australia. in the third Test at the WACA on Thursday. WACA to write a book about the ground. their work cut out in the third That side featured the likes of AAustralia’s pace bowlers will hope to make Eng- “He got into a lot of strife about that — and a lot of Ian Botham, Allan Lamb and David this week at Perth’s WACA land’s last visit a forgettable one for their batsmen on ridicule from the English team at the time.” Ground, where they have not Gower, who enjoyed a tipple, but a wicket renowned as one of the world’s fastest and In the heated atmosphere of the 1982 test, Aus- beaten Australia since 1978 they still won the series, and without bounciest. tralia seamer Terry Alderman suff ered a calamitous a curfew. Future Ashes contests will be held at the shiny, new shoulder injury when he tackled a crowd invader af- That followed star all-rounder “Mike Gatting’s squad got the job Perth Stadium on the opposite bank of the Swan Riv- ter a number of spectators leapt onto the turf. Ben Stokes being suspended from done, winning 2-1 against Allan Bor- er, a 60,000-seat arena that will use a drop-in pitch, Greg Chappell led his team off the ground and po- the Ashes campaign after an inci- der’s side while burning the candle at host rock concerts and share tenancy with two Aus- The last time the English won at the WACA was lice arrested dozens in the crowd for unruly behav- dent outside a Bristol nightclub in both ends,” the newspaper said, sug- tralian Rules football teams. in 1978, against an Australia team left threadbare by iour. The injury set Alderman’s career back years. September that led to police inves- gesting that currently England “do The 22,000-capacity WACA will remain a cricket the World Series Cricket rebellion. Alderman notwithstanding, seam bowlers have tigations. not have the troops to hang onto the venue but only host lower-profi le internationals, As forgettable as the WACA experience has been usually thrived at the WACA where an afternoon sea England have so far lost the open- Ashes urn”. having fallen behind the standards of rival stadiums for England, it has been mostly glorious for Aus- breeze known as the ‘Fremantle Doctor’ provides ing two Tests and have their work cut While Australia’s media made the around the country. tralia, and the backdrop for some classic, comical additional assistance to the pace and bounce. out in the third this week at Perth’s most of England’s problems, coach Fans seeking a ‘state-of-the-art’ viewing experi- and quite bizarre Ashes moments since the fi rst Test “Never underestimate how important that sea WACA Ground, where they have not Darren Lehmann played a much ence may be glad to head across the river and leave the between the teams in 1970. breeze is because when you’re batting from the far beaten Australia since 1978. straighter bat on Sunday, saying the WACA’s bland terraces and ageing facilities behind. England batsman Brian Luckhurst holds the dis- end and there’s a fast bowler running from behind “These English Contiki tourists alcohol-fuelled indiscretions were England may also be happy to move on from a ven- tinction of scoring the WACA’s fi rst Ashes century it, it’s quite intimidating,” former Test batsman and masquerading as cricketers are about no laughing matter. ue where they have won only once in nearly 50 years with his 301-ball knock of 131 in that drawn fi rst test. Western Australia coach Justin Langer told Reuters. to seal their places in Ashes infamy,” “I’ve been through all that, so no, I of Tests. Australians, however, may remember the match Left-arm pacemen, particularly, enjoy the condi- Sydney Daily Telegraph said on its don’t have a chuckle at that,” he told Of the rest of those matches, most have been pain- as the arrival of one of the game’s rarest talents when tions, as Mitchell Johnson would attest. back page. reporters. ful defeats, including the last visit in 2013/14 when Greg Chappell, batting at number seven, scored 108 The retired quick took six wickets to help beat Eng- Contiki is a tour company that “You have those situations at vari- Michael Clarke’s side thrashed Alastair Cook’s tour- on debut. land in the 2013 match and had nine victims in 2010, caters for younger travellers and has ous stages throughout your career. ists by 150 runs to reclaim the Ashes. Adam Gilchrist’s 57-ball century in the 2006 win Australia’s only win in the dreary 3-1 series defeat. earned a reputation for attracting It’s not funny. England will march out on Thursday facing the against England set an Ashes record that still stands The WACA may yet be the backdrop to further de- the booze-fi lled party crowd. “It’s a case of actually making sure same 2-0 predicament that weighed on Cook’s men and ranks as one of the most destructive batting dis- fi nitive moments in international cricket but will only The Telegraph stuck the knife in you’re trying the best you can to get but Joe Root’s team can draw little inspiration from plays in test cricket. welcome fans, ironically, when not enough of them further with a blazing headline “Per- your side prepared. For me, I don’t recent history. Fast bowler Denis Lillee made his mark in Australia’s are expected to turn up to the new stadium. thetic”, adding: “Tour degenerates have a chuckle at any of that.” Gulf Times Tuesday, December 12, 2017 3 SPORT

Kohli, Sharma marry in Italy

AFP, Mumbai: Indian cricket captain Virat Kohli and Bol- lywood actress Anushka Sharma got married in Italy yes- terday, they said in a statement, ending weeks of frenzied speculation that they were getting hitched. “Today we have promised each other to be bound in love forever. We are truly blessed to share the news with you,” the celebrity couple said, adding that it had been a “beauti- ful day”. A statement sent to journalists said the wedding had been attended by close family and a few friends as “they wished their wedding to be a very private affair”. The ceremony was performed as per Hindu rituals, it added. Kohli and Sharma, both 29, posted different photos of themselves smiling together and dressed in colourful Indian wedding garb on their Twitter feeds late yesterday. The statement added that the couple will host a reception in New Delhi for relatives on December 21, followed by a celebration in Mumbai on December 26. They will live in Mumbai, the home of India’s Hindi film industry, it said. Rumours of their impending nuptials started swirling recently when Kohli pulled out of India’s limited-overs matches against Sri Lanka and Sharma also ducked out of her busy acting schedule in December. Indian TV channels have billed it as the “wedding of the year”. Kohli and Sharma started dating in 2013 after they met dur- ing the filming of a shampoo advert. The high-profile couple made their first public appearance a year later during a football match. Kohli is one of the world’s highest-paid athletes and a huge star in cricket-obsessed India, and Sharma is one of the top India cricket captain Virat Kohli with his filmstar wife Anushka Sharma are all smiles after their wedding in Milan yesterday. The couple got married in a glamorous ceremony actresses in the country’s multi-billion-dollar film industry. in Italy with only close relatives and friends invited.

SPOTLIGHT FENCING Korean Park and Romanian Ana Maria Taylor pays win titles in Qatar GP tribute to Crowe aft er record ton He equalled the NZ record of 17 centuries, held by Crowe and Kane Williamson

AFP SCORECARD Hamilton New Zealand first innings 373 (J. Raval 84, C. de Grandhomme 58; Gabriel 4-119, n emotional Ross Taylor paid Roach 3-58) tribute to his mentor the late West Indies first innings (overnight Martin Crowe following a 215-8) superb century which put K. Brathwaite c Southee b de Grandhom- NewA Zealand in sight of a series sweep me ...... 66 against the West Indies in Hamilton K. Powell c Blundell b Southee ...... 0 yesterday. S. Hetmyer c&b Boult ...... 28 Taylor equalled the New Zealand S. Hope c Taylor b Southee ...... 15 record of 17 Test centuries, held by R. Chase b de Grandhomme ...... 12 Crowe and Kane Williamson, and was S. Ambris hit wicket b Boult ...... 2 unbeaten on 107 when New Zealand S. Dowrich c&b Wagner ...... 35 declared their second innings at 291 R. Reifer not out ...... 23 for eight in the second Test. K. Roach c Boult b Wagner ...... 17 Winners in the Qatar Fencing Grand Prix celebrate on the podium. The West Indies, set a daunting M. Cummins b Boult ...... 15 444-run target, were two for 30 after S. Gabriel b Boult ...... 0 By Sports Reporter “The Olympic title at Rio de Janei- eight overs at stumps and staring at a Extras (b1, w7, nb0) ...... 8 Doha ro was special but my win in Doha is second loss after their innings defeat Total (all out; 66.5 overs) ...... 221 also special,” park said. in the fi rst Test. Fall of wickets: 1-5 (Powell), 2-46 The 22-year-old’s task was, how- A teary-eyed Taylor attributed his (Hetmyer), 3-90 (Hope), 4-112 (Chase), 5-117 ark Sang-young of South ever, not that easy as he had to battle success to Crowe, the former New (Ambris), 6-135 (Brathwaite), 7-169 (Dow- Korea and Ana Maria past former world champion Paolo Zealand captain who died last year rich),8-204 (Roach), 9-221 (Cummmins), Popescu of Romania sur- Pizzo of Italy in the semis. from lymphoma at the age of 53. 10-221 (Gabriel) Pvived a marathon final day “It was a long day and tiring day “We had some good nights with Bowling: Southee 19-9-34-2 (1w), Boult to win the men’s and women’s titles but I am happy that it ended with my Hogan (Crowe) over some red wine. 20.5-5-73-4 (2w), de Grandhomme 12-1-40-2, in the Qatar Fencing Grand Prix on win. I always like to come to Doha Talking about my batting, and lot of it Wagner 15-2-73-2 Sunday. because it’s hospitality and the level probably not positive. It came from a New Zealand second innings Park defeated compatriot Jung Jin- of competition here,” he added. good place and I guess that’s why I’m J. Raval c&b Cummins ...... 4 sun in the final, while Popescu pre- Park’s victory was more or less ex- here today,” he said. T. Latham lbw Reifer ...... 22 vailed over Mara Navarria. pected but Popescu proved a surprise “Martin always got me to have goals K. Williamson b Cummins ...... 54 Both players played five rounds winner. She defeated two-time Qa- and they weren’t there to be the be all R. Taylor not out ...... 107 starting with the last-64 stage be- tar Grand Prix winner Navvaria after and end all but be just a little reminder H. Nicholls c Dowrich b Cummins ...... 5 fore qualifying for the finals on an having beaten Hou Guangjuan in the now and then.” M. Santner c Ambris b Chase ...... 26 action-packed final day. semis. Taylor, 33, whose fi rst century was C. de Grandhomme lbw Gabriel ...... 22 Park, the reigning Olympic cham- The Qatar Grand Prix was held also at Seddon Park when he made 120 T. Blundell c Powell b Gabriel ...... 1 pion, had also won the title in Doha over three days in which about 350 against England in 2008, said before N. Wagner c Hope b Chase ...... 8 in 2014. fencers from 45 countries took part. the Test that Crowe wanted him to T. Southee not out ...... 22 break his record. Ross Taylor of New Extras: (b4, lb2, wd2, nb12) ...... 20 “Seventeen is the benchmark that Zealand celebrates his Total: (for 8 wickets; 77.4 overs) ...... 291 Hogan wanted me to get to and beat. century against the Fall of wickets: 1-11 (Raval), 2-42 (Latham), Pakistan bans Jamshed for 12 months in fi xing case But he said, also, carry on and don’t West Indies yesterday. 3-100 (Williamson), 4-111 (Nicholls), 5-161 stop there.” (Santner), 6-212 (de Grandhomme), 7-235 Lahore: Pakistan yesterday handed charges on Jamshed as yet as there Taylor had a near chanceless in- (Blundell), 8-257 (Wagner) former opener Nasir Jamshed a one- is another investigation under way nings, and when he was dropped by Bowling: Gabriel 15-0-52-2 (8nb), Roach year ban for failing to co-operate against him in (the) UK.” Shai Hope on 35, he said that became 6-1-28-0 (1nb), Cummins 17-1-69-3 (1w, 2nb), with investigators in a spot-fixing Britain’s National Crime Agency ar- a motivation to press on. Reifer 13-1-52-1 (1w, 1nb), Brathwaite 9-0-33-0, case that rocked the Pakistan Super rested Jamshed and one unnamed “I said ‘Let’s make it pay’. Some- Chase 17.4-1-51-2 League earlier this year. person five days after the spot- times you go through diff erent parts pass 50 was Williamson who managed mins took three for 69, while Shannon West Indies second innings Jamshed was allegedly the mid- fixing allegations surfaced during of your career and you go ‘Dammit’ 56 before he was undone by Cummins Gabriel and Roston Chase had two K. Brathwaite not out ...... 13 dle man between players and an the second edition of the PSL in and you go through a bit of a lull, and yorker. wickets apiece — batting coach Toby K. Powell c Southee b Boult ...... 0 alleged bookie. He has denied all February. Former Pakistan opener that was the fi rst thing I said to myself But most of the New Zealand bats- Radford was disappointed to lose two S. Hetmyer c Wagner b Southee ...... 15 charges. Sharjeel Khan was banned for five when it happened. Very fortunate,” he men were hurried up by a salvo of wickets before stumps. S. Hope not out ...... 01 Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) legal years — with half of that sentence said. short balls. “Obviously it’s going to be stiff Extras: (lb1) ...... 1 adviser Taff azul Rizvi announced suspended — while his fellow team- “I did hit it pretty hard though. “A lot of the batters coming in were task, a couple of days to bat out. But Total: (for two wickets, 8 overs) ...... 30 the verdict, saying the investigation mate Khalid Latif was also banned Sometimes when you get dropped you under pressure straight away, which is we would have liked to go in with no Fall of wicket: 1-4 (Powell), 2-27 (Hetmyer) into fixing charges was still under for five years and fined say ‘Oh no’ but I was trying to con- never easy as a batsman,” said Taylor, wickets down, obviously,” Radford Bowling: Southee 4-0-18-1, Boult 4-0-11-1 way. one million rupees ($9,460) in the vince myself I hit that pretty hard.” who had partnerships of 58 with Wil- said while adding they would not bat Toss: West Indies “The three-member tribunal banned same case. Khan was charged for Miguel Cummins led a feisty West liamson, 50 with Mitchell Santner for time in an attempt to avoid defeat. Umpires: Rod Tucker (AUS), Bruce Oxen- Jamshed for one year for non-coop- playing two dot balls during the PSL Indies bowling attack, at times remi- (26) and 51 with Colin de Grandhom- “You don’t just want to be batting ford (AUS) eration with the investigation,” Rizvi match between Islamabad United niscent of an earlier era when they had me (22). to survive, you’ve still got to put bad TV umpire: Ian Gould (ENG) told media. and Peshawar Zalmi as part of a bowlers with serious venom. But although the West Indies bowl- balls away and still look positive at the Match referee: Chris Broad (ENG) “PCB has not levelled any fixing spot-deal struck by Latif. The only other New Zealander to ers produced credible fi gures — Cum- crease and move positively.” Gulf Times 4 Tuesday, December 12, 2017 SPORT

GOLF SPOTLIGHT Stricker, O’Hair win QBE Shootout Sharma holds nerve some clubs into the greens, AFP Miami some short irons for me, we just fed off that fi rst day quite a bit. We felt comfortable with teve Stricker and Sean one another.” O’Hair captured the This is the second time both QBE Shootout on players have won this event – Sunday, fi nishing off Stricker having won in 2009 to claim maiden tour aS wire-to-wire victory with with partner Jerry Kelly and a best-ball eight-under 64 in O’Hair fi ve years ago with the fi nal round. Kenny Perry. The duo fi nished two strokes O’Hair and Stricker are the ahead of Graeme McDowell second team paired together and Shane Lowry to win the for the fi rst time to win the 24-player unoffi cial PGA Tour tournament. The fi rst was team event in Naples, Florida. Brad Faxon and Scott McCar- win at Joburg Open Pat Perez and Brian Har- ron in 2000. man placed third, four strokes “This is always a great event ‘This is my first win on the Asian Tour and the European Tour so it means a lot to me’ adrift of O’Hair and Strick- to fi nish the year off with and er. Lexi Thompson, the lone to pull this off is special,” woman in the event, tied for O’Hair said. fourth with her playing part- The 50-year-old Stricker ner Tony Finau. has won a dozen times on the O’Hair and Stricker fi nished USPGA Tour with his most the tournament at the Tiburon recent victory coming at the Golf Club at 26-under 190. 2012 Tournament of Cham- The Americans set the tone pions. He captained the US to in the tournament with a su- victory at the Presidents Cup perb 15-under 57 during the two months ago. opening round scramble. O’Hair has won four times “We just really jelled well on the Tour with his most re- together,” Stricker said. “With cent victory coming six years his length the fi rst day, getting ago at the Canadian Open.

Fans no longer able to call shots on rule violations Golf off icials will no longer consider rules violations pointed out by fans watching tournaments on television, the United States Golf Association and R&A said yesterday. The two governing bodies said in a statement they would “discon- tinue any steps to facilitate or consider viewer call-ins as part of the Rules decision process”. The USGA and R&A said that starting Jan 1 one or more off icials would be assigned to monitor the video broadcast of a competi- tion to help identify and resolve rules issues as they arose. Video review will be limited to material obtained from the commit- tee’s broadcast partner. Other video, such as from an individual’s smartphone or camera, will not be used. “The level of collaboration with our partners has been both vital and gratifying as we look to the future,” said Thomas Pagel, USGA senior director of the Rules of Golf and Amateur Status. “As technology has continued to evolve, it has allowed us to evolve how we operate, as well.” As television coverage of golf events has become more compre- hensive a debate has raged over whether those watching from home should be able to impact a competition. The issue was brought into the spotlight in April when Lexi Thomp- son took a four-shot penalty that cost her victory at the ANA Inspiration, one of women’s golf’s majors. Thompson had been leading by three in the final round and walk- ing to the 13th tee with her second major title in sight when she was stopped by a rules off icial, who told her of the penalty. A television viewer had alerted the LPGA that the American had marked her ball and replaced it in the wrong place on the 17th Shubhankar Sharma was unaff ected by the rain delay in Johannesburg as he claimed his first European Tour crown. hole in the third round, costing her two shots for the breach and another two for signing an incorrect scorecard. AFP opening-round 69 last Thurs- Tour season for me so I was con- tastic and the people were very shots by the turn. Johannesburg day, Sharma played 55 holes sidering whether I wanted to welcoming. I do not think I will But he could add only one without dropping a shot and his visit South Africa. I am really ever forget this week. This is my further birdie, leaving steady second-round 61 was the lowest happy that I did.” fi rst win on the Asian Tour and Sharma to succeed one week ndian Shubhankar Sharma score of the tournament. The previous best European the European Tour so it means a after compatriot Arjun Atwal Boks to host All Blacks at completed his maiden Euro- Visa delays and tiredness after Tour fi nish for the golfer ranked lot to me,” said Sharma. fi nished runner-up in the Mau- pean Tour triumph yesterday a long Asian Tour campaign left 462 in the world was shar- “On the fi rst day there were ritius Open. unhappy hunting ground in Johannesburg by winning the 21-year-old Indian contem- ing ninth place at the Maybank 240 players. I was just trying to South Africa host New Zealand next year in Pretoria, a city Ithe Joburg Open tournament he plating missing the tri-sanc- Championship in Kuala Lumpur play two good rounds to make LEADING SCORES where the All Blacks have won all four post-apartheid Tests almost did not compete in. tioned European Tour, Asian last February. the cut, which was really low. 264-Shubhankar Sharma (IND) against the Springboks. He carded a three-under-par Tour and South African Sun- “Winning the Joburg Open on “I was playing well and had 69-61-65-69 SA Rugby announced yesterday that the nations will meet on last-round 69 to fi nish three shine Tour event. my fi rst trip to South Africa is a a great start on the second day 267-Eric van Rooyen 64-67-70- October 6 in the Rugby Championship at Loftus Versfeld sta- strokes clear of South African His late decision to visit South wonderful feeling,” Sharma said which got things going for me. 66 dium, where New Zealand have scored 164 points in the four Eric van Rooyen in an event that Africa for the fi rst time paid rich after receiving the trophy from As soon as I reached 13 under 270-Shaun Norris 69-68-68-65, triumphs. The Test against reigning world champions New stretched to fi ve days because of dividends as he pocketed a 2.6 Johannesburg mayor and golfer after two days, I thought I had a Tapio Pulkkanen (FIN) 65-64- Zealand is the highlight of the South African Rugby season bad weather. million rand ($190,000/160,000 Herman Mashaba. chance to win. 73-68 with tickets for the Test in Cape Town this year sold out in less The fi nal round was suspend- euro) fi rst prize. “I met my caddie for the fi rst “The only thing I was telling 272-Marcus Armitage (ENG) than an hour. ed Sunday due to torrential rain, Victory also guaranteed Shar- time last Monday and we worked myself was to stay aggressive. I 69-66-67-70 Apart from the visit of world number one ranked New Zealand, lightning and hail and resumed ma, along with Van Rooyen and so well together. Heeding his ad- never wanted to be defensive. 274-James Morrison (ENG) 64- South Africa will host second-ranked England in a three-Test yesterday at 0730 local time joint third Shaun Norris of South vice was a key factor in my suc- “Even when I was in front I 70-67-73, Joachim Hansen (DEN) series during June. (0530 GMT). Africa, places at the 2018 British cess. never thought of defending my 66-67-71-70 England will be seeking a first win in the republic since a 27-22 Sharma birdied three holes on Open in Carnoustie next July. “Saving par on a number of lead. I actually set a target of 25 275-Christofer Blomstrand triumph in Bloemfontein in 2000. They lost four Tests and the outward trek, then parred all “I am thrilled that I came to holes thanks to up and downs under.” (SWE) 70-68-62-75, Jinho Choi drew one in South Africa since. the inward-nine holes with im- the Joburg Open,” said Sharma played a signifi cant role in keep- Van Rooyen quickly became (KOR) 69-66-70-70, Charlie South Africa won seven Tests, drew two and lost four this year maculate approach shots and after adding to fi ve victories on ing me at the top of the leader- the only fi nal-round threat to Ford (ENG) 70-64-71-70, Daniel - including a record 57-0 thrashing in New Zealand - casting putting highlights of his game. the Indian circuit. board. Sharma and fi ve outward-nine Greene 70-68-67-70, Paul Peter- doubts over the future of coach Allister Coetzee. After three bogeys during his “It has been a very long Asian “It has been absolutely fan- birdies narrowed the gap to four son (USA) 70-67-69-69

RUGBY New Zealand outmuscle Argentina in sevens fi nal AFP boys fought back after losing to the Argentina needed to score fi rst Johannesburg Americans in our opening match,” in the second half, but fell further New Zealand skipper Scott Curry behind instead as slack marking told reporters. allowed Tim Mikkelson to dot the owerful New Zealand out- “Today was a fresh start for us ball down unchallenged. A second played error-prone Argen- in Cape Town and we helped each Ravouvou try and one from Regan tina 38-14 in Cape Town other throughout the matches. Our Ware stretched the New Zealand Sunday to win the second team spirit made a huge diff erence. advantage to 31-7 before Luciano Pleg of the World Rugby Sevens “We are now looking forward to Gonzalez scored a consolation try. Series. the third leg in Sydney during Jan- But New Zealand had the fi nal The convincing victory followed uary followed by the fourth in our say with Sione Molia racing away two much closer matches - a 17-12 home town of Hamilton, where the to cross the line more than one quarter-fi nal win over England fol- tickets have already been sold out.” minute after the full-time hooter lowed by a 19-12 triumph against After reaching the fi nal with vic- sounded. hosts and title-holders South Afri- tories over fi rst-day surprise teams South Africa failed for the sec- ca. A new-look New Zealand squad the United States and Canada, Ar- ond successive season to win in under new coach Clark Laidlaw gentina made a string of unforced Cape Town after fi nishing run- fi nished runners-up to South Af- errors against the clinical New ners-up to England last year. rica last weekend in the fi rst leg of Zealanders. They had to settle for third place the 10-tournament series in Dubai. A crooked lineout throw led to and bronze medals this time after That result coupled with win- the fi rst Kiwi try by giant Joe Ra- edging Canada 19-17 in a play-off . ning in Cape Town gave the Kiwis vouvou, who shrugged off a series South Africa featured in the most an early lead in the overall stand- of attempts to bring him down be- dramatic match of the second day, ings with 41 points, two more than fore scoring. coming from 16 points behind to South Africa. An Argentine knock-on resulted pip 2016 Rio Olympic Games sev- New Zealand began the second in a scrum from which another ens champions Fiji 31-26 in the leg with an unexpected 22-0 loss huge Kiwi, Vilimoni Koroi, scored quarter-fi nals. to the United States, but bounced a soft second try “I am going to grow very old very back to defeat Spain and Australia The South Americans reduced quickly after matches like this,” convincingly and secure a last- the defi cit to 14-7 at half-time said South Africa coach Neil Powell eight place. thanks to a try and conversion from after a thriller watched by a 50,000 “I am so proud of the way the Lautaro Bazan Velez. Cape Town Stadium crowd. New Zealand Sevens team celebrate their victory in the Cape Town World Rugby Sevens Series in Cape Town. (AFP) Gulf Times Tuesday, December 12, 2017 5 SPORT

NFL Eagles and Steelers clinch division titles AFP The Seahawks’ frustration The Steelers improved to 11-2 The Panthers boosted their Los Angeles boiled over at the end of that with their eighth straight win af- playoff hopes as they improved contest, with defender Sheldon ter trailing by 11 points going into to 9-4. Richardson ejected for throwing the fourth quarter. The Vikings slipped to 10-3 he Philadelphia Eagles a punch in the fi nal minute and Pittsburgh quarterback Ben but remain atop the NFC North. clinched the NFC East defender Quinton Jeff erson try- Roethlisberger completed a ca- In Cleveland, the Browns divisional crown with a ing to go after fans who threw a reer-high 44 passes on a career- looked poised to score their roller coaster NFL vic- drink at him after he was tossed high 66 attempts for 506 yards. fi rst victory of the season af- Ttory over the Los Angeles Rams late in the game. He became the fi rst NFL quar- ter leading 21-7 against the on Sunday but saw quarterback The Eagles victory came after terback with three career 500- Green Bay Packers in the fourth Carson Wentz exit early with a a gutsy fourth-quarter fi ght- yard games. quarter. knee injury. back, when they clawed back The Ravens took a 38-29 lead But two Packers touchdowns Wentz threw for 291 yards and the momentum as the Rams with less than seven minutes sent the game into overtime and four touchdowns before limping appeared to be closing in on to play when Javorius Allen ran Green Bay emerged with a 27-21 off in the third quarter as the Ea- victory. nine yards for a touchdown. win. gles held on to claim a pulsating Wentz was out of the picture The Steelers answered with an In Buff alo, the Bills overcame 43-35 victory at the Los Angeles by then, having gone down in 11-yard touchdown by Le’Veon blizzard-like conditions to beat Memorial Coliseum. the third diving for a touchdown Bell - his third of the game. the Indianapolis Colts 13-17 But the gloss was taken off the that was nullifi ed by a penalty. And after the Ravens came in overtime in a game played win by Wentz’s injury, which US He gamely remained in the up empty on their next posses- with thick snow blanketing the media reported could be a sea- game and threw a clutch TD be- sion the Steelers went ahead fi eld. son-ending torn ligament. fore heading to the sideline. on Boswell’s 46-yard game- Eagles coach Doug Pederson The Rams took a 35-31 lead winner. RESULTS refused to speculate on the se- with a touchdown on their next Elsewhere Sunday, the Dal- Dallas ...... 30 NY Giants ...... 10 verity of the injury. drive, and it was up to Eagles las Cowboys stayed alive in their Detroit ...... 24 Tampa Bay ....21 “We will fi nd out more tomor- backup Nick Foles to pilot a quest for a wildcard berth with Kansas City ...... 26 Oakland ...... 15 row,” he said. “You’re speculat- Philadelphia comeback bid that a 30-10 win over the New York San Francisco 26 Houston ...... 16 ing he is going to be out, but I included two fi eld goals by Jake Giants. Chicago ...... 33 Cincinnati ...... 7 just don’t know yet.” Elliot and a fi nal touchdown. Dallas quarterback Dak Pres- Green Bay ...... 27 Cleveland ...... 21 The Eagles improved to 11-2 cott fi nished with a career-high Buff alo...... 13 Indianapolis ....7 and clinched the NFC East title Boswell seals Steelers win 332 yards as Dallas improved to Carolina ...... 31 Minnesota .....24 for the fi rst time since 2013. The Steelers clinched the AFC 7-6 in the NFC East to stay in the Denver ...... 23 NY Jets ...... 0 The Rams meanwhile remain North division title in dramat- postseason chase. Arizona ...... 12 Tennessee ...... 7 on top of the NFC West at 9-5, ic style, edging the Baltimore The Carolina Panthers jolted LA Chargers ...30 Washington ..13 one game ahead of the Seattle Ravens 39-38 on Chris Boswell’s the Minnesota Vikings 34-21 af- Philadelphia .....43 LA Rams ...... 35 Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Alshon Jeff ery (No 17) celebrates scoring on a two yard pass from Seahawks (8-5) who fell 30-24 to fi eld goal with 42 seconds left in ter a three-touchdown rushing Jacksonville .....30 Seattle ...... 24 Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz (not pictured) in the third quarter against the Los Angeles the Jacksonville Jaguars. the game. display from Jonathan Stewart. Pittsburgh ...... 39 Baltimore ...... 38 Rams at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. PICTURE: USA TODAY Sports

NBA NHL Tarasenko goal gives Blues OT Celtics turn tables win over Buff alo

By Jim Thomas Robin Lehner in tight to his St. Louis Post-Dispatch glove side. The Blues success- fully killed off two penalties. Then again, the Sabres are ith a burst of 30th in the NHL in power- on Pistons, Oladipo speed through play effi ciency at 12 percent the neutral entering the night. Other than zone, Vladimir Stastny’s goal, the highlight WTarasenko’s goal with just of the period was a sequence 35.2 seconds left in overtime where Brayden Schenn came gave the Blues a 3-2 victory to Alexander Steen’s defense over Buff alo on Sunday before after Justin Falk planted Steen 17,310 at Scottrade Centre. into the boards. shines for Pacers Playing their third game Strangely, Schenn got a in four nights, the Blues won double-minor for roughing ‘I wouldn’t call it payback. It’s just always good when you can respond the way you their fourth in a row, improv- - Falk got only two minutes ing to 21-8-2 on the season. - even though Falk ended up want to, especially on their home floor, just like they did on our home floor’ Buff alo fell to 7-18-5. It was throwing punches at Schenn Tarasenko’s 14th goal of the and getting him down on the AFP season and only his second ice. Sunday marked Schenn’s Los Angeles since he scored twice on Nov fi rst game of the season not 21 against Edmonton. on a line with Jaden Schwartz, For the third game in a row who is out for at least six weeks he Boston Celtics and eighth time this season, with a foot injury. It didn’t notched a satisfying win goalie Jake Allen took a shut- seem to matter at the start in Detroit on Sunday, out into the third period. But against Buff alo. handing the slumping Buff alo’s Evan Rodrigues made Schenn was in the right place TPistons their sixth straight NBA things interesting, cutting the at the right time to bang home defeat just two weeks after los- St. Louis lead to 2-1 with a a rebound of a Joel Edmundson ing to them in Boston. power-play goal at 1:42 of the shot past Sabres goalie Robin Al Horford led the way with third period. Lehner and into a wide-open 18 points, nine rebounds and six The Blues had some excel- net. It was Schenn’s sixth goal assists. Kyrie Irving added 16 lent chances in the period, in four games and his team- points and Marcus Smart and including two by Paul Stastny leading 16th of the season. Jaylen Brown scored 12 apiece for and a breakaway attempt by It took just 40 seconds for the Celtics, who held the Pistons Alexander Steen. Allen made Schenn to get the Blues on to season lows in points scored the puck disappear at the 13:06 top, their second-fastest goal and fi eld goal percentage in the mark, lying fl at on his back to of the season. (Carl Gunnars- 91-81 triumph. smother a rebound attempt by son scored just 15 seconds into “I wouldn’t call it payback,” Sam Reinhart. the New York Rangers game on star point guard Irving said. “It’s But Rodriques tied it at 2 October 10.) just always good when you can with his second goal of the The Blues, who had only respond the way you want to, es- night with just 1:27 left to play, nine shots through two peri- pecially on their home fl oor, just on a rebound shot into an open ods Saturday in Detroit, out- like they did on our home fl oor.” net to the right of Allen. shot the Sabres 16-7 in the It was also good to get a win, Stastny’s fi rst goal in seven period. Irving said, after a tough three- games - his seventh of the point loss to the San Antonio season - gave the Blues a 2-0 RESULTS Spurs on Friday night. lead late in the second period. Blues ...... 3 Sabres ...... 2 “We were locked in,” said Aron Stastny poked in a rebound of Maple Leafs ...... 1 Oilers ...... 0 Baynes, who pulled down 13 re- a shot from Tarasenko in the Blackhawks ...... 3 Coyotes ...... 1 bounds for Boston and was pri- slot, beating Buff alo goalie Wild ...... 4 Sharks ....3 (OT) marily responsible for holding Detroit center Andre Drummond to a season-low six points. The Eastern Conference-lead- ing Celtics did have some off en- sive struggles of their own. They were up by 16 in the fourth quar- ter when they hit a dry spell and the Pistons closed to within four. But Boston scored on four of their next six possessions to rebuild their lead. “Our off ense wasn’t as crisp tonight as we wanted it to be but defensively we had a Boston Celtics guard Kyrie Irving (right) dribbles while defended by Detroit Pistons guard Ish Smith in the second-half of their NBA game at game plan and we stuck with it,” Little Caesars Arena. PICTURE: USA TODAY Sports Baynes said. eight points in regulation to tie Raptors rolling have scored more than 100 in 12 decisive run, fi nishing with 34 Oladipo on fire it. Oladipo’s driving layup sliced The Toronto Raptors posted straight. “I don’t think our coach points. The Minnesota Timber- In Indianapolis, Victor Olad- the defi cit to 114-112 with 55 sec- their sixth straight win with a is ever happy,” guard Kyle Lowry wolves beat the Dallas Mavericks ipo poured in a career-high 47 onds remaining. 102-87 victory over the Kings in quipped. “But the thing about for the third time this season, points to lead the Pacers to a After an Oladipo miss, Thad- Sacramento. our coach is that he’s always hanging on for a 97-92 win in 126-116 overtime triumph over deus made the put-back basket The Raptors now boast the hard on us. He wants us to be a Minneapolis. Centre Karl-An- the Denver Nuggets. His electri- to tie it at 114-114 with 5.5 sec- third-best record in the East, but championship-caliber team.” thony Towns scored 28 points and fying performance had chants of onds left. Denver’s Will Barton coach Dwane Casey saw plenty In New Orleans, the Pelicans pulled down 12 rebounds for the “M-V-P” ringing around Bank- had a chance to win it but missed of room for improvement after used an 18-4 fourth-quarter Timberwolves, who consolidated ers Life Fieldhouse, but Oladipo at the buzzer. his team squandered an early scoring run to rally past the Phil- their fourth place in the West. isn’t the kind of player to let the The Pacers dominated over- 15-point lead before taking con- adelphia 76ers 131-124. admiration go to his head. time 12-2 - Oladipo delivering trol for good in the third period. The Pelicans had led by 11 at RESULTS “I’ve got a lot of work to do,” six points in the extra period. “Consistency is something halftime, but the 76ers roared New York ...... 111 Atlanta ...... 107 he said. “The biggest thing in the over- we’re fi ghting for,” Casey said. back with a 40-point third quar- Minnesota ...... 97 Dallas ...... 92 “I’m trying to be great. There’s time is we got stops,” Oladipo said “We’re trying to scratch at it.” ter and the visitors were up 103- New Orleans 131 Philadelphia .124 no in between, and I can’t settle after the Pacers won their fourth Maybe so, but the Raptors are 96 with less than 10 minutes to Indiana ...... 126 Denver ..116 (OT) St. Louis Blues right wing Vladimir Tarasenko acknowledges the for anything less.” straight. averaging 117 points per game play. Jrue Holiday made three Detroit ...... 81 Boston ...... 91 fans after scoring the game winning goal in overtime against the The Pacers scored the last “That’s what won the game.” during their winning streak, and three-pointers in the Pelicans’ Sacramento ..87 Toronto...... 102 Buff alo Sabres at Scottrade Centre. PICTURE: USA TODAY Sports Gulf Times 6 Tuesday, December 12, 2017 FOOTBALL

ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE QUESTIONS FA demands answers over Old Traff ord bust-up Chelsea face The home side are understood to AFP London have taken exception to City’s post- match celebrations. The Guardian reported that Arteta’s he Football Association de- eyebrow was split open during the me- manded answers from Man- lee in a narrow corridor outside City’s chester United and Manches- dressing room and said there were ter City yesterday following unconfi rmed reports that another reality check as Treports of ugly scenes that reportedly member of Guardiola’s backroom staff left City assistant coach Mikel Arteta needed medical treatment. bloodied after a fracas. The corridor leading to the dressing The Guardian newspaper said Arteta rooms apparently became congested was left with blood streaming down his as players and staff made their way face after a bust-up involving up to 20 through it after the game, and tensions players and members of staff from the spilled over into pushing and shoving, two clubs after Sunday’s Manchester with Arteta understood to have suf- title hopes fade derby, which City won 2-1. fered a cut to the head. Referee Michael Oliver did not wit- Mourinho did not make any refer- ness the scenes so the FA has not re- ence to what had happened during his Huddersfield is an opportunity to show they can put Ham loss behind them ceived a report on the matter from him post-match media work, according to but it has given the clubs until Wednes- the report. Arteta was being assessed AFP day to reply to a request for observa- in the City dressing room after being Huddersfield, United Kingdom tions following the incident. caught in the crossfi re, the report said. United manager Jose Mourinho and The incident at Old Traff ord brought City goalkeeper Ederson are reported to mind the famous ‘Battle of the Buf- helsea’s powers of recov- to have had a confrontation after the fet’ that erupted after United beat Ar- ery will be tested as Anto- game, while it is claimed Mourinho had senal in October 2004, when Arsenal nio Conte’s side attempt to milk and water thrown at him from the midfi elder Cesc Fabregas threw pizza bounce back from a painful away dressing room. at United manager Alex Ferguson. weekendC defeat when they visit Hud- dersfi eld today. Conte claimed Chelsea were no SPOTLIGHT longer in the Premier League title race in the wake of the 1-0 defeat at strug- gling West Ham on Saturday. That was the reigning champions’ West Ham results more fourth league defeat of the season and has, for now, retrained their focus on the fi ght to retain a top four position. important than Hart The trip to Huddersfi eld presents an early opportunity to show they can put the West Ham loss behind them. selection, says Moyes But while Conte concedes his side’s defeat to Manchester City was un- Reuters derstandable, their losses to Burnley, Bengaluru Crystal Palace and West Ham, the lat- ter two both in relegation danger, have given the Blues boss major cause for est Ham United manager concern. David Moyes is sensitive The inquest following the visit to towards goalkeeper Joe the London Stadium was clearly pain- Hart’s situation but ada- ful. Wmant that his team selection is based “We just didn’t play our stuff . It’s purely on getting results for the club. frustrating,” said Chelsea captain Gary Chelsea manager Antonio Conte looks on during the English Premier League match against West Ham United in London Hart, who is on loan from Man- Cahill. on Saturday. West Ham won the match 1-0. (Reuters) chester City, was replaced by Adrian “We were just not at the races — for for West Ham’s defeat by the Premier whatever reason that is. It’s disap- ager declared himself happy with the Huddersfi eld winger Tom Ince be- tackles, we win our battles, we make it League leaders this month and the pointing to come off and feel like that. Frenchman’s display. lieves life will be made very uncom- diffi cult for teams. Spaniard’s performance earned him a “I’m not one to make excuses. We do fortable for Chelsea when they visit “Chelsea have got talent in abun- starting role in the shock 1-0 win over have loads of games — but if we played ‘TECHNICAL QUALITIES’ the John Smith’s Stadium. dance. We know we are going to be champions Chelsea. to our levels today we get something “Bakayoko was playing a good game The Terriers recorded a morale- spells in the game where we won’t be Moyes looks likely to stick with out of the game. But we didn’t. but when you fi nd 11 players behind boosting 2-0 win over Brighton on on top. Adrian for Wednesday’s game against “We have been in good form of late the ball and you are losing 1-0, it’s Saturday and have already beaten “But we feel we can cause any team Arsenal but a continued lack of fi rst- which is why it’s so disappointing to important to change something,” said Manchester United at home. problems here. We beat United here team action will leave Hart in danger put in a performance like that. Conte. Ince reckons no team will fancy fac- — we deserved to beat them — and we of losing out on a place in England’s “We have to refl ect, we have to pick “Pedro has diff erent characteristics ing Huddersfi eld on their own patch ran City close.” World Cup squad. When I came in, I said I will tell you ourselves up and go again. We have to to Bakayoko, he’s better one-versus- in West Yorkshire now they have re- Huddersfi eld manager David Wag- “I always have compassion for the straight, I wouldn’t kid anybody.” try to freshen up and get the energy one and he has good technical quali- gained confi dence, and that includes ner will be without on-loan midfi elder players as well, that’s why it wasn’t an West Ham are 18th in the table. levels back up.” ties. Bakayoko satisfi ed me with his the defending Premier League cham- Kasey Palmer, who will be ineligible to easy decision on Joe,” Moyes told re- “Joe is incredibly experienced. World Conte will attempt to freshen up his performance.” pions. face his parent club. porters. “But, ultimately, it’s West Ham Cup, Champions League football,” side and having withdrawn Tiemoue David Luiz was the only weekend “I don’t think Chelsea or anyone Michael Hefele is still lacking fi tness I have to get results for. Moyes said. “So he’s such an important Bakayoko in favour of Pedro, is likely absentee and the centre-back is again does,” Ince said. following a long-term Achilles injury “He wasn’t happy. I told him the rea- player for us... he wants to play but I’ve to reshape his midfi eld after a lacklus- expected to be missing with a knee “The way we get in people’s faces, while fellow defender Jon Stankovic son why and that happens at clubs all got to do what’s best for West Ham, pick tre weekend display even if the man- problem. we stop people playing, we win our is still out with a knee ligament injury. over the country. It’s a manager’s job. the players I think will get us a result.”

BOTTOMLINE SCOTTISH PREMIER LEAGUE Lessons to be learned, Is the EPL title race over? says Celtic’s Rodgers AFP London AFP in stoppage time as Shaw’s shot was Glasgow cleared off the line by Mikael Lustig. anchester City’s victory at ‘CLOSE IT OUT’ the home of closest chal- eltic manager Brendan Rodg- “That was the craziest thing about it lengers Manchester Unit- ers says his side must learn as you could actually lose the game, ed left them a yawning 11 from their mistakes after let- and to lose the game would have been a Mpoints clear at the top of the Premier ting a two-goal lead slip in crime,” Rodgers added. League table and almost out of sight of aC 2-2 draw with Hibernian at Easter “The level of our play today was ex- the chasing pack. Road. ceptional — our movement, our posi- Set-piece goals from David Silva and The Hoops appeared to be cruising tioning, our creativity, and defensively Nicolas Otamendi earned City a 2-1 win to victory on Sunday after Scott Sin- we were very strong — but that last 15 Old Traff ord on Sunday and prompted clair’s quick-fi re second-half double minutes, not so good. even United boss Jose Mourinho to say had them 2-0 ahead with 15 minutes “We played some good football but the title race was “probably” over with remaining. we have to learn how to close it out.” fi ve months still to go. However, former Celtic player Efe It was the second successive 2-2 The records and superlatives pile up Ambrose’s defl ected shot gave Hibs draw between the sides in the league week after week for Pep Guardiola’s hope in the 76th minute before Oli following their meeting at Celtic Park multi-talented team. Shaw sent the home fans wild with an back in September. Their 14-game winning streak in equaliser three minutes later. Hibs manager Neil Lennon was the Premier League is the most by And Rodgers — while pleased with happy with the point against his old a side in a single top-fl ight season his side’s performance just four days side that sees them three points behind and strikingly their 46-point total after their Champions League exer- second-place Rangers ahead of their after 16 games was enough to secure tions against Anderlecht — said the meeting tomorrow. eighth spot in the Premier League last Hoops should have won the game from “I’m delighted with the result but I season. such a commanding position. didn’t think the performance was as City’s date at Old Traff ord on “I thought we were outstanding in good as it could have been,” Lennon, Sunday was seen as a last chance for the game for the fi rst 75 minutes and who managed the Hoops between 2010 United to inject some life into the Pre- controlled the game,” the Celtic boss and 2014, admitted. mier League race but Mourinho’s men Manchester City’s Nicolas Otamendi scores during the English Premier League match against Manchester United at Old said. “But we showed tremendous charac- failed their big test, conceding nearly Traff ord, Manchester, on Sunday. (Reuters) “We were 2-0 up and it should have ter to come back into the game. Overall 65 percent possession on home turf. been four or fi ve with the chances we I’ve got to be pleased with a point as in It is diffi cult to see where City are they got it too. They were totally ferent level” from United. ing the best team have won.” had, but then we presented them with the end we could have won it or lost it. going to slip up as they have already dominant, and fully deserved their “It’s tough to do what City have Mourinho conceded City would two goals. “We weren’t aggressive enough in beaten both defending champions 2-1 win.” done today, to go to Chelsea and play take some catching but he could not “It was nothing really that Hibs our challenges for 15-20 minutes in the Chelsea and second-placed United And Shearer was struck not just by like they did and come here and play resist a dig at his rivals. done in the game, it was more that we second half and that’s why they got the away from home. the result but by the style with which like they have, showing authority and “Manchester City are a very good stopped playing, passing, and went a goals. Former England captain Alan it was achieved. confi dence,” said on Sky Sports. team and they are protected by the bit longer on it. “The subs gave us a little bit of a Shearer said he cannot see anybody “People have been talking for a while “The goals were scruff y and Jose luck, and the gods of football are be- “It’s a point after what was a disap- spark. Once we got the goal we looked catching Guardiola’s men, even now about whether there has been a won’t believe they’ve conceded two hind them,” he said. “They are lucky, pointing Champions League game for very good. though we are still in mid-December. power shift in Manchester, and on Sun- goals from set pieces, but not many they have decisions in their favour.” us but we know we should have had “I’m thrilled to come back from 2-0 “There are still fi ve months of day it was there for everyone to see. teams have come here in the last 25 or Guardiola was more circumspect, three points. down against a team that normally the season to go, but the title race is “For United to play the way they 30 years and dominated like that. saying: “You cannot be champions in “We’ll certainly refl ect on it as two goes on and wins the game by three and over — I do not see anyone stopping did, sitting deep and kicking it long “You are talking about Barcelona or December.” points dropped. We have to ensure we four.” Manchester City from winning the with City controlling play, showed how Real Madrid. Not many teams come The City boss is clearly keen to learn from it and make sure it doesn’t The result means Celtic’s lead at the Premier League now,” Shearer wrote times have changed at Old Traff ord.” here and do that. I even saw some avoid complacency but it’s almost happen again.” top of the Scottish Premiership is now on the BBC website. United fans at the end clapping off the impossible to see a slip-up of the The result sees Celtic extend their fi ve points following rivals Rangers’ “It was not just the result the CITY ON A ‘DIFFERENT LEVEL’ City manager and players. magnitude that would allow his rivals unbeaten domestic record to 68 match- 2-1 win against Ross County on Satur- leaders got at Old Traff ord on Sunday Former United and England defender “Seventy thousand United fans back into the title race. es but their run, which stretches back day, although the Hoops have a game in that was signifi cant, it was the way Gary Neville said City were on a “dif- have walked out of there today think- It may be over already. to May 2016, almost came to an end hand. Gulf Times Tuesday, December 12, 2017 7 FOOTBALL

UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE LA LIGA Real tie ‘wonderful Suarez and Messi give opportunity’ for Barcelona win

Reuters Valencia and six ahead of Atletico in Vila-real, Spain third, while champions Real Madrid are fourth on 31. Villarreal coach Javi Calleja said the PSG, says Emery uis Suarez and Lionel Messi red card was unfair on his side. fi red Barcelona to a 2-0 victory “We were playing well and managing over 10-man Villarreal as the the periods of the game but everything Chelsea face Barcelona while Bayern take on Turkish champions Besiktas leaders won for the fi rst time in changed with the red card,” he told re- Lthree La Liga games to stay fi ve points porters. AFP clear on Sunday. “From the sidelines it didn’t look like Paris Barca looked set for a third consecu- a red card and I’m certain that if it had tive league draw as they created scant been the other way round it wouldn’t opportunities but they were presented have been a sending off . Raba has been aris Saint-Germain coach with the advantage of an extra man punished for being a young guy.” Unai Emery is confi dent his when Villarreal midfi elder Daniel Raba Barca coach Valverde said the red side have what it takes to get was given a straight red card for a wild, card was fair and praised his side for the better of title holders Real studs-up challenge on Sergio Busquets taking advantage. PMadrid after the teams were drawn to- on the hour mark. “It looked a strong challenge to me gether in the Champions League yes- Barca did not take long to cash in and and I think the player (Raba) realised it terday. Suarez broke the deadlock in the 72nd was an excessive challenge. The player The sides will meet in the last 16, minute, rounding goalkeeper Sergio was shocked and didn’t protest,” he surely not the tie PSG would have Asenjo to complete a move of quick said. wanted after winning their group passes by Messi, Jordi Alba and substi- “They were well positioned and ahead of Bayern Munich. tute Paco Alcacer. closed down all the spaces. They were Real, the two-time defending Euro- The visitors stretched their lead 11 dangerous on the counter, it was a game pean champions and 12-time winners minutes later with the help of a hap- that could have gone uphill for us but overall, came second behind Totten- hazard backpass from Victor Ruiz to we got the job done.” ham Hotspur in their group and will Busquets, who played in Messi for his Earlier, a goal by Saul Niguez racked host PSG in the Spanish capital in the 14th league goal this campaign. up a third straight victory in La Liga for fi rst leg on February 14. Barca lead the standings on 39 Atletico, who got an unconvincing 1-0 “I don’t think it’s the worst draw points, fi ve clear of second-placed win at Betis. possible. I think we are of a level where we can play against Real Madrid,” said Emery. “If you want to do something big in the Champions League you have to play against the best sides. “I think these matches will be the centre of the footballing world when they come around.” Bayern were rewarded for fi nishing Paris Saint-Germain head coach Unai Emery (centre) gestures as he shouts instructions to his players from the touchline behind PSG with a tie against Besik- during the Ligue 1 match against Lille at the Parc des Princes stadium in Paris on Saturday. (AFP) tas, the Turkish champions, while the French club will once again have to stage, when Madrid won 1-0 at the Wednesday’s League Cup tie at Stras- Basel (SUI) v Manchester City overcome one of the Spanish giants. Santiago Bernabeu after a 0-0 draw in bourg, where Paris lost 2-1 only 10 (ENG) Last season Paris faced Barcelona Paris. days ago. in the last 16 and were eliminated in “I have lots of friends in Madrid, “Neymar called me on Saturday. He February 14 and March 6 extraordinary fashion, winning 4-0 at I know Real Madrid well too, having said to me he had a family issue and Porto (POR) v Liverpool (ENG) home in the fi rst leg only to lose 6-1 in watched a lot of their matches. I know wanted to know if the club and I would Real Madrid (ESP) v Paris Saint- the return at the Camp Nou. what the atmosphere is like there,” allow him to go to Brazil to deal with Germain (FRA) In that match, Barcelona needed said Spaniard Emery. the problem,” said Emery. to score three times from the 88th “It is a wonderful opportunity for “The person comes fi rst, then the February 20 and March 14 minute onwards and did so. us. I am sure the team will be in perfect footballer. We gave him permission to Chelsea (ENG) v Barcelona (ESP) But since then PSG have strength- shape when the tie comes around.” make the trip. I hope he’ll be back in Bayern Munich (GER) v Besiktas ened, signing Neymar for a world Meanwhile, Emery admitted that three or four days, but I don’t know if (TUR) record 222 mn euros ($264 mn) from he has allowed Neymar to return to he’ll be back for Wednesday’s match.” Barca and beating Madrid to the sig- his native Brazil to deal with a family February 21 and March 13 nature of Kylian Mbappe from Mo- matter. LAST 16 DRAW Sevilla (ESP) v Manchester United naco. The 25-year-old was suspended for February 13 and March 7 (ENG) The tie will be the fi rst meeting Saturday’s 3-1 win over Lille in Ligue Juventus (ITA) v Tottenham Hot- Shakhtar Donetsk (UKR) v Roma of the sides since the 2015-16 group 1 anyway, and now looks likely to miss spur (ENG) (ITA) Barcelona’s Lionel Messi (right) celebrates scoring the team’s second goal with teammate Luis Suarez during their La Liga match against Villareal in Vila-real, Spain, on Sunday. (Reuters) Real Madrid eye January swoop for Bilbao ’keeper: reports BUNDESLIGA AFP However, Real plan on beating any for Spain and made his senior inter- transfer window in August 2015. Madrid competition to the 23-year-old’s national debut in November’s 5-0 De Gea was seen then as the long-term signature by paying his 20mn euro friendly win over Costa Rica. replacement to club legend Iker Casil- ($23.5mn) buyout clause. “We will try everything possible so that las, but with Keylor Navas in goal Ma- Stoeger looks to reboot eal Madrid’s first foray into the “When the winter window opens, Kepa stays here, but shortly there will drid have won the Champions League January transfer market will (Madrid) will pay the 20mn buyout be a definitive decision,” Athletic presi- in each of the last two seasons. Rbe to snap up Athletic Bilbao’s clause to evade the risk that (Arriza- dent Josu Urrutia told Movistar TV as Navas, though, has missed 10 match- faltering Dortmund promising goalkeeper Kepa Arriza- balaga) is punished for not renewing Arrizabalaga shut out Madrid in a 0-0 es due to injury already this season balaga, Madrid-based sports daily his contract by not playing and loses draw in Bilbao last weekend. and neither he, nor second choice Marca reported yesterday. the chance to go to the World Cup in Madrid famously missed out on the ’keeper Kiko Casilla have convinced AFP tunity, is now tasked with rebooting Arrizabalaga’s contract expires in Russia,” said Marca’s report. signing of De Gea after failing to reg- in a poor start to the season for Berlin Dortmund’s failing season that has also June meaning he could leave Bilbao Arrizabalaga, 23, is understudy to ister their transfer agreement with Madrid, who trail Barcelona by eight seen them eliminated from the Cham- for free at the end of the season. Manchester United’s David de Gea United in time on the final day of the points at the top of La Liga. pions League. eter Stoeger starts his colos- The Austrian, himself sacked by sal task of arresting Borus- Cologne only a week ago, has had only sia Dortmund’s freefall down Monday’s training session to prepare BOTTOMLINE the Bundesliga table today for the trip to Mainz, themselves win- Pwhile former employers Cologne face less in their last three games and just Maradona in India a daunting trip to leaders Bayern Mu- above the relegation places. nich. Stoeger has had little time to as- Stoeger’s immediate concerns are Celtic face Zenit, sess Dortmund’s problems ahead of his shoring up a leaking defence which has fi rst match in charge, away to strug- conceded 16 goals in the last six league glers Mainz. games, plus coaxing goals from a mis- Arsenal draw “In this phase, it’s about talking to fi ring attack. the boys, fi nding out about problem Tomorrow, Bayern, who hold an areas,” said Stoeger, who has signed a eight-point lead at the top, will look Swedes in Europa contract until the end of the season. to pick up a 13th win in their 14 games Dortmund are winless in their last since Jupp Heynckes took charge. AFP LAST 32 DRAW eight league games and Stoeger’s pred- Germany defender Mats Hummels Nyon, Switzerland Borussia Dortmund (GER) ecessor Peter Bosz was sacked on Sat- is struggling with illness, while goal- v Atalanta (ITA) urday after only 167 days in charge, and keeper Sven Ulreich is recovering from Nice (FRA) v Lokomotiv following a shock 2-1 home defeat to a groin strain that saw him miss Satur- rsenal will face Moscow (RUS) second-from-bottom Werder Bremen. day’s 1-0 win at Eintracht Frankfurt. Swedish minnows FC Copenhagen (DEN) v That capped a disastrous series of Cologne, 12 points from safety, are Ostersund whilst Atletico Madrid (ESP) results that saw Dortmund drop from chasing a fi rst league win this season Celtic drew Rus- Spartak Moscow (RUS) v top of the league to eighth. after the heartbreak of throwing away a siansA Zenit St Petersburg Stoeger, who described his appoint- three-goal lead in Sunday’s 4-3 defeat Athletic Bilbao (ESP) in the draw for the Europa AEK Athens (GRE) v ment as a “once in a lifetime” oppor- at home to Freiburg. League last 32 yesterday. Dynamo Kiev (UKR) The Gunners will need Celtic (SCO) v Zenit St to get past a Swedish side Petersburg (RUS) coached by Englishman Gra- Napoli (ITA) v RB Leipzig ham Potter, a former jour- (GER) neyman footballer now 42 Red Star Belgrade (SRB) v and who led Ostersund to the CSKA Moscow (RUS) Swedish Cup last season. Lyon (FRA) v Villarreal Potter, the only English (ESP) manager in European com- Real Sociedad (ESP) v petition, has taken the side Salzburg (AUT) from the Swedish fourth di- Partizan Belgrade (SRB) v vision to the top fl ight in six Viktoria Plzen (CZE) seasons and will now lead Steaua Bucharest (ROM) them out at Arsenal’s Emir- v Lazio (ITA) ates Stadium in a dream Ludogorets (BUL) v AC match-up for the Swedes. Milan (ITA) Back to the grim realities, Astana (KAZ) v Sporting Brendan Rodgers’ Celtic face Lisbon (POR) the 2008 UEFA Cup cham- Ostersund (SWE) v Arse- Argentine football legend Diego Maradona kicks a football towards his fans after signing it pions in the form of Roberto nal (ENG) during a charity event for cancer patients in Kolkata, India, yesterday. (Reuters) Peter Stoeger, new Austrian head coach of Borussia Dortmund, attends a press Mancini’s ambitious Zenit. Marseille (FRA) v Braga (POR) conference in Dortmund, Germany, on Sunday. (AFP)

Tuesday, December 12, 2017 GULF TIMES SPORT

WORLD 9-BALL CHAMPIONSHIP SPOTLIGHT Al Shaqab marks 25th anniversary with Hohmann, Feijen new brand identity

By Sports Reporter work by emphasising Qatar’s Doha maroon. The three champion horses have also been redrawn to accentuate their Arabian fea- l Shaqab, a member of tures, while the focal horse, win; knockouts Qatar Foundation, un- Marwan, represents the pride of veiled its new logo at Al Shaqab’s breeding programme Darb Al Saai over the and is a symbol of its contribu- Rota reaches last 64 even weekend.A The new brand iden- tion to Qatar’s story that is told tity reaffi rms Al Shaqab’s vision around the world. as Qatar players bow out of to be the leading equine centre of Sharing its renewed mission, excellence. al-Attiyah added: “We are a glo- the competition “We are delighted to unveil bal equine leader, passionately begin today Al Shaqab’s new logo with re- committed to preserving Qatar’s freshed vision and mission, heritage. We aim to do this by By Sports Reporter which refl ects our commitment promoting the Arabian horse and Doha to nurturing equestrian sport setting the highest standards in with a keen appreciation of Qa- horse welfare, breeding, equine tar’s heritage. This year marks Al education and research.” hile two former champions, Shaqab’s 25th anniversary, and Al Shaqab celebrated its 25th Thorsten Hohmann and our success and legacy over the anniversary and the launch of Niels Feijen, made it through past 25 years is testament to the its new brand identity at its Dar to the last 64 of the World key role we play in bringing to- Al Saai booth where it hosted a W9-Ball Championship through the losers’ gether history, culture and sport, number of fun activities includ- side of the draw, another one, Yukio Aka- while actively engaging the com- ing a 3D puzzle shaped, an Insta- gariyama, bowed out of the competition, munity in Qatar,” said Al Shaqab gram frame where families were even as four Qatar players made an exit executive director Khalifa al- able to have their photo taken, from the tournament yesterday. Attiyah. and Arabian horse illustrations At the Al Arabi Sports Club’s Indoor Hall The revamped logo maintains for children to colour-in. The yesterday, the two-time champion from the essence of the existing iden- selection of activities will also Germany overcame a late four-frame win- tity, but has several points of dis- include a prestigious Arabian ning spree from Finland’s Petri Makkonen tinction. The colour scheme is horse show, pony rides, as well as to win 9-7 for his spot in the last 64. aligned with the national frame- a dedicated riding area for ladies. Hohmann, who last won the champi- onship in 2013, ten years after his fi rst, had a 7-1 lead over his 29-year-old op- ponent, who then clawed his way back to 7-8 as Hohmann, nicknamed Hitman, won the 16th frame to advance. In 2013, the German world number 10 had made it through the losers’ side of the draw before lifting his second world 9-ball title. Feijen, 40, faced a see-saw battle against Kuwait’s Fawaz al-Rashedi before closing out the match 9-6 for his knock- outs place. Feijen went 3-0 up before his 38-year- old opponent won four straight frames SQUASH for a 4-3 lead. The Dutchman then came up with a three-frame streak of his won Israel Rota in action against Germany’s Andre Lackner during their World 9-Ball Championship at Al Arabi Sports Club Indoor Hall for a 6-4 lead, before closing out the yesterday. PICTURES: Shemeer Rasheed game in the 15th frame. Qatar’s al-Tamimi in Russian teenager Maksim Dudanets ac- counted for Japan’s Akagariyama, the 2011 champion, 9-7 to move into knockouts. next round of worlds The 19-year-old will face world number nine Jeffrey Du Luna of the QNA Philippines in the last 64, which starts Manchester today. A seven-frame streak by China’s Chu Bingjie halted the campaign of Qatar’s atar’s Abdullah al- Waleed Majid, while Bangladesh’s Md Tamimi reached the Al Amin was in sublime form beating second round of the Mhanaa al-Obaidli 9-0. Mhanaa’s broth- World Squash Cham- er Ali fought well early on in his match pionshipsQ in Manchester, Eng- against Ruslan Chinakhov before the land, on Sunday. Russian 25-year-old slowly pulled away The Qatari player defeated plex. He defeated Egypt’s Karim for a 9-5 victory. ninth seed Simon Rosner 12- Elhami in straight games 11-4, Qatar’s Muzammil Hussain opened 14, 11-9, 7-11, 11-7, and 11-3 in 11-5, and 11-2. Rosner was in Qa- well in his match against South Korea’s 52 minutes. Al-Tamimi showed tar recently to participate in Qa- Woo Seung Ryu going up 4-2 and then Germany's Thorsten Hohmann in action against Finland’s Petri Makkonen during their match yesterday. phenomenal character to come tar Classic. He gave a very strong holding a slight edge over his opponent from behind on two occasions performance and reached the at 5-4. However, 32-year-old Woo fought on the back of a 9-4 win over Germany’s old German opponent to set up a last Yusef in his last 64 match today. Ouschan and seal the victory. semi-fi nal, recording impressive back with a fi ve-frame streak to wrap up Andre Lackner yesterday. 64 match with Chinese 35-year-old Liu made it through the winners’ side of the The world no. 37 recently won results including straight games the match at 9-5. Rota, who has worked with the Qatar Haitao. draw on the back of two 9-5 wins, over the Qatar Circuit Squash, which wins over Egypt’s Karim Abdel- Israel Rota of the Philippines, who is Billiards and Snooker Federation for long, Defending champion Albin Ouschan Qatar’s Abdulatif Alfawal and Taipei’s took place at the Khalifa Interna- gawad and Marwan Shorbagy, based out of Qatar, made it to the last 64 gave very few chances to his 26-year- of Austria will face Kuwait’s Abdullah al- Hsieh Chia Chen. tional Tennis and Squash Com- before losing Tarek Momen.

2017 RED BULL CAR PARK DRIFT SERIES FINAL Qatar’s Saeed Hamad al-Rashedi wins King of Drift title remains in Oman Eventing competition in Thailand for the second year running By Our Correspondent Kuwait City

n front of 4,000 spectators, Rafaat al- Yahyai from Oman managed to clinch the 2017 Red Bull Car Park Drift Series Final title in a spectacular manner. ISecond place went to Othman al-Takriti from Jordan, followed by Ahmad Hamada from Egypt who rounded the podium. The day started with motorsport spec- tators lining up at Sirbb Circuit to witness the high adrenaline spectacle and fi nd out who will claim the coveted 2017 King of Drift title. The fi nal was held under the patronage of Sheikh Ali Fawaz AlSabah, organised by experts and athletes, the judging panel were This time, only four would make it to the Basel Salem AlSabah Motor Racing Club, assigned the task of evaluating the competi- next round. While awaiting the action to in co-operation with SIRBB Circuit and tors. Brothers Elias and Johannes Hount- resume, spectators were treated to a show Qatar’s Saeed Hamad al-Rashedi and his partner Graff iti de Lully won the FEI Eventing Asia CCI1* event at partners Total, Falken, Shop & Ship, PS4, donji, together forming “Team Driftbroth- by Julien Welsch, pro stunt rider since the Asia Eventing Championship 2017 in Pattaya, Thailand, on Sunday. Qatar Equestrian Federation presi- Nissan, Boubyan Bank, Drag 965, Acqua ers”, are both expert drifters from Germany 2009, who displayed his unique talents to dent Hamad bin Abdulrahman al-Attiyah (below, centre) was also present at the event. Eva and Trolley. Media partners, MBC Ac- with a history of full-on drifting careers. the roaring crowd. tion, Kuwait Times and Aljarida covered Aleksandr Grinchuk, Ukrainian native, has The fi nal four from round 2, Rafaat al- this popular event. participated in every competition in the city Yahyai, Othman al-Takriti, Ahmad Ha- The drifters then began the fi rst heat of Odessa, Ukraine, since kickstarting his mada, and Sary Zahalan all went head to consisting of 15 drifters on a challenging drifting career in 2007. Local racer and Ku- head, with one aim; to be crowned the track concocted by Abdo Feghali, Guin- wait’s fi rst certifi ed FIA racing driver, Kha- 2017 King of Drift. Local Kuwaiti compet- ness World Book Record holder for the led al-Mudhaf, rounded up the highly quali- itor, Ali Maskheed impressed the judges longest drift. Round 1 featured 15 drifters fi ed judging panel. with his tyre smoke and was awarded the from Kuwait, Egypt, Lebanon, Mauritius, Aiming to elevate the competition year King of Smoke title by Falken Tires. Bahrain, Tunisia, Jordan, Oman, Morocco, after year, Abdo Feghali, had modifi ed the Ultimately, Omani national, Rafaat al- Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Iran, and criteria to challenge the drifters. This year Yahyai, edged past the competition and Palestine. With only one drifter from each their performance was determined based clinched the title with a jaw-dropping participating country, the Red Bull Car on car look & design (10%), tyre smoke performance collecting an impressive 378 Park Drift rules allows three drifters from (10%), car sound (7%), section 1 drift- points, ensuring that the crown remains the hosting country; this year, Kuwait. ing (15%), section 2 drifting (15%), boxes in Oman, after his compatriot Haitham The three drifters from Kuwait partici- (15%), gates (15%), and pendulum (13%). al-Hadidi had won it last year. He was pated in the local qualifi er and topped the The top eight who broke through to beaming with pride as he held the trophy leaderboard; the winner, Ali Makhseed, round 2 were Raafat al-Yahyai, Othman and explained what it meant to him: “I am fi rst runner up, Fahad Aljadei and the third al-Takriti, Ahmad Hamada, Sary Zahalan, incredibly happy to be crowned the 2017 place winner Abdullah Aljadi. Mohammed al-Mansouri, Shahab Pis- King of Drift and delighted that the crown Consisting of top motorsport and drifting hanidar, Ali Makhseed and Nassim Saad. will remain in Oman for another year.”