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Saturday, January 9, 2016 FOOTBALL Rabia I 29, 1437 AH Holders Arsenal GULF TIMES start road to FA Cup history SPORT Page 11 FACE OFF Classic looms as Nadal takes on Djokovic in today’s Qatar final

SEE ALSO PAGE 2 Gulf Times 2 Saturday, January 9, 2016 TENNIS

QATAR EXXONMOBIL OPEN DIARY When Novak Early-season greeted fans in Arabic honours at stake as expensive sport like tennis. By Sahan Bidappa Doha When Marchenko started to train under Tibor Toth, he re- located to Bratislava, Slovakia, mong many things that since his hometown in Donetsk, Novak Djokovic can Ukraine, was at war. At the end of do, the World No 1 can last season, as part of his prepa- Djoko, Nadal clash speak in fi ve languag- rations, he went to the moun- esA – Serbian, English, German, tains to train under his fi tness Italian and French. The Serb coach. “It was like a bit of invest- Djokovic and Nadal have a 23-all record against each other going into today’s final studied English and German at ment for me,” said Marchenko. primary school, and learned Ital- And the ‘investment’ has ian when he worked with coach brought the Ukrainian quick Riccardo Piati. dividends, at least in Doha as Soon enough, one may have he made it to the semifi nals, his to add Arabic to the list. The 10- third at the ATP level and fi rst time Grand Slam champion is since 2010. Reaching the last four quite popular on the tour with meant that he has earned $57,380 fans and has a fun demeanour to – that is more than a quarter of go with his brilliance on court. what he made all year last season. At the Qatar ExxonMobil “I’m really happy it’s paying back Open, Djokovic, after his victory that quick,” said Marchenko. in the quarter-fi nals, addressed the fans in Arabic. He put on an DJOKO BACKS ITF PREZ ON impressive accent, as he said in DAVIS CUP FORMAT Arabic: “Hello, I am happy to be If new International Tennis Fed- in Qatar. Thank you.” eration president David Hag- So he was asked, is learning gerty has his way, then the Davis Arabic on his list next? “Yeah, Cup format is set for a revamp. why not? (Smiles) I have been Haggerty has revealed a pro- coming to Dubai and Abu Dhabi posal that would see both semifi - for many years and now here in nals and fi nal played over a single Doha, as well, so I have more than week each November at a neutral enough reason to upgrade my venue. At the moment, Davis Cup knowledge of Arabic language. is played annually and competed It’s a beginning. You know, now by 16 nations in World Group, I know a couple of phrases, cou- with each round played on speci- ple of words. It’s not easy. I think fi ed weekends throughout the writing will not happen yet any year, with one team hosting the time soon (smiling) but at least other. There is also a proposal to am learning certain phrases,” the hand the defending champions a ever-jovial Djokovic said. bye in the opening round. Djokovic is not the only top star, Haggerty found an early sup- who is a master at speaking lan- porter for his idea in Djokovic, guages. Roger Federer, the 17-time with the World No 1 believing the Grand Slam champion, also speaks existing one had become stale. “I four languages fl uently – his na- think the format has to change, tive Swiss German along with there is no doubt. I’m glad that French, English and German. they are at least considering, Serbia’s Novak Djokovic (left) and Spain’s Rafael Nadal (right) beat Tomas Berdych and Illya Marchenko in their respective semi-final matches yesterday. PICTURES: Jayan Orma One of the greats of the game, talking about it,” said the Serb. Federer is known for his ability to He added: “The problem in By Sahan Bidappa two years and he couldn’t have asked for set, before closing it out in just 35 min- switch eff ortlessly between lan- tennis is that you have several Doha a tougher test to end the drought. utes. The 94th-ranked Marchenko was guages in interviews and press governing bodies. You have, well, Final at 6pm today For, Djokovic is set to be hitting peak immediately down 15-40 in fi rst game of conferences. players belonging to ATP, Fed- form, the kind that won him three Slams the second set, before he pulled things erations belonging to ITF, Grand t’s happening right here — a Novak morrow,” world No. 1 Djokovic said of his and six Masters titles last year. There back. But Nadal made the break by love MARCHENKO TALKS ROI Slams are independent. So it’s a Djokovic vs Rafael Nadal fi nal. 47th meeting with Nadal. “Let’s see what were doubts whether he would play in the in the fi fth game to take a 3-2 advantage The surprise package of the Qa- bit complicated. In the last fi ve- In 2015, Djokovic and Nadal fell in happens. We’ve played each other so semis last night as the news spread that and held onto his serves to make it to his tar Open, Illya Marchenko has ten years, you don’t have many the quarter-fi nals and fi rst round re- many times, it will be an interesting one. I he had cut short his pre-match practice second fi nal in Doha. come into the season having ‘in- top players playing Davis Cup Ispectively. Cut to today, two of the sport’s hope we put on a good show and fans will after injuring his arm. “It was not a perfect win. But I did a vested’ in something. throughout the entire year be- greatest stars in history will face-off in an enjoy it.” But he was on court right after Nadal few good things and I’m happy with re- For a player ranked 94th in the cause it’s just a terrible schedule. enticing clash at the Qatar ExxonMobil Djokovic and Nadal have split equal had won his match. Djokovic started sult,” said Nadal. “Being in the fi rst fi nal world, it’s hard to travel with a I mean, you can’t expect, you Open. number of victories in their head-to- poorly though, as he was broken in the of the season in the fi rst offi cial tourna- big team, which has coaches, fi t- know, top players to participate Last night at the Khalifa Complex, both head contest — 23 each — and today’s very fi rst game, slipping and falling on ment is great, and I am very happy for ness trainer, physio and a man- in every Davis Cup match when Djokovic and Nadal were in their ele- encounter will decide who takes the lead the ground while going for a forehand. that. For sure, it is important for me for ager. Nothing comes cheap in an it comes after every Grand Slam.” ments in their respective semi-fi nals. and a mental edge as they head to Aus- Berdych sped to a 3-1 lead and it appeared my confi dence, (to) confi rm that the end Djokovic’s encounter was the toughest tralian Open, the year’s fi rst Grand Slam that the pre-match rumours on Djoko- of 2015 season had been something re- one, as he faced last year’s Doha fi nalist beginning on January 18. vic’s injury were true. alistic and the beginning of 2016 I am FUN AND GAMES and third seed Tomas Bedych. The top They hold the record for most meet- The World No.1, however, raised his still playing well. I have already won four seed Serb was down 1-3 in the fi rst set, ings between two players in the Open game and took fi ve successive games to matches here and I am in the fi nal. That but recovered to post a 6-3, 7-6 (3) win Era, eclipsing the mark previously held close out the set, as Berdych typically lost means I have confi dence, and rhythm. So over the Czech, a victory that was a testi- by Lendl and John McEnroe. Djokovic has his game and nerves. The second went on everything’s positive,” the 29-year-old Car simulator attracts mony to both Djokovic’s mental strength an 8-1 record against Nadal since the 2013 serve till the tie-breaker, before Djokovic added. and his ability with the racquet. US Open. He is 13-10 in tour-level fi nals burst through taking a 4-0 advantage. It Second seed Nadal was up against a and 16-7 on hard courts. was no looking back thereafter as he went RESULTS visitors and players at much easier opponent, but Illya March- After their victories last night, Djoko- 19-0 in hard courts against the sixth- Singles semi-finals enko was the giant-killer of the tourna- vic has now gone into his 16th straight ranked Berdych. 1-Novak Djokovic (Serbia) bt 3-Tomas Qatar ExxonMobil Open ment. The 14-time champion, however, ATP fi nal, third longest run in the Open In the fi rst semifi nal, Nadal, well aware Bedych (Czech Republic) 6-3, 7-6 (3) dismantled Marchenko, who had knocked era behind Ivan Lendl (18) and Roger Fe- of Marchenko’s recent good run, started 2-Rafael Nadal (Spain) bt Illya Marchenko out two seeds in previous matches, in- derer (17). While Nadal, who triumphed aggressively not giving the Ukrainian the (Ukraine) 6-3, 6-4 cluding defending champion David Ferrer here in 2014, will play his 99th tour-level momentum that he had played with all Doubles final in the fi rst round. Nadal took an hour and fi nal (67-31 record). along during the tournament. 3-Feliciano Lopez and Marc Lopez 17 minutes to win 6-3, 6-4. Moreover, the Spaniard is chasing his The Mallorcan played with much more (Spain) bt Philipp Petzschner (Germany) “I guess it’s an important match to- fi rst ATP World Tour hard-court title in vigour, opening up a 3-0 lead in the fi rst and Alexander Peya (Austria) 6–4, 6–3

BOTTOMLINE Spanish duo Feliciano and Marc win doubles

By Sports Reporter Doha By Sports Reporter driving skills, including Jer- Doha emy Chardy, Horia Tecau, Lukas Lacko, Jan Hernych and Sergiy eliciano Lopez and Marc Lopez Stakhovsky. won the Qatar ExxonMobil Open he race car simulator is ExxonMobil Qatar has been doubles title defeating Philipp back by popular demand the title sponsor of the Qatar Petzschner and Alexander Peya at this year’s Qatar Exx- ExxonMobil Open for 22 years, in 6–4,F 6–3 in the fi nal yesterday. onMobil Open. Housed partnership with the Qatar Ten- Last year, Spaniard Rafael Nadal and Tat the ExxonMobil Qatar stand in nis Federation. Since the start of Argentine Juan Monaco had emerged tri- the tournament’s Public Village, their collaboration, the Exxon- umphant in doubles. the simulator has been a high- Mobil Qatar stand has been one At the Khalifa Complex, Feliciano and light of a number of past tourna- of the highlights of the tourna- Marc, the third seeds, never looked in doubt ments, providing visitors with an ment and a much sought-after of wrapping up the title, as they completely interactive and realistic racing spot at its Public Village. Each dominated Germany’s Petzschner and Peya experience based on a full-size year, the stand is carefully and of Austria in a match that lasted one hour specifi cation racing car. creatively designed so that it is and six minutes. This year’s simulator has all appealing to visitors of all ages. The Qatar Open was their first tour- the features of a racing car, in- In line with the Qatar Na- nament together since 2012 Miami cluding an authentic, padded tional Vision 2030, ExxonMobil Masters, where they fell in the second cockpit headrest, four-point is committed to providing the round. Feliciano and Marc came back racing harness, gear lever pad- State of Qatar with the energy to together this year, with an eye on rep- dles, and a quick release carbon drive human potential; to sup- resenting Spain at the Rio Olympics in fi bre steering wheel. The simula- port research, safety, health and August. tor allows drivers to experience the environment; and to nurture And they seemed to have gotten along the unique movement of the its thriving society. Through a well instantly, winning their fi rst ATP ti- car under realistic acceleration, variety of partnerships with lo- tle together. It was also Marc’s third dou- braking and cornering condi- cal organizations such as QTF, bles title in Doha, having won previously tions. A built-in 5.1 surround the company invests in programs with Nadal in 2009 and 2011. QTF president Nasser al-Khelaifi with the doubles winners Feliciano Lopez and Marc Lopez, and the runner-up dup of Philipp sound system also provides users that support education, profes- Yesterday, the pair won purely on the Petzschner and Alexander Peya yesterday. PICTURES: Noushad Thekkayil with a full sensory experience. sional workforce development, strength of their service game, with The simulator isn’t just for and active and healthy lifestyles neither dropping a game. On the other “First of all, I want to thank everybody for Next week we will be in Sydney,” he added. they have been very successful together. tournament-goers, with many within Qatar’s community – hand, Petzschner and Peya were bro- their support,” Feliciano said after the vic- “We were together in 2012 years ago. For me it is a diffi cult task to replace a of this year’s line-up of tennis critical to building a skilled and ken once in the first set and twice in the tory. “It is a pleasure to play with him. Marc Yes, it has been a long time,” Marc said. great player like Rafa. I don’t think I will players having visited the Exx- productive workforce that can second. has become the champion for the third time. “He was playing with Rafa (Nadal) and be able to replace Rafa,” he added. onMobil Qatar stand to test their sustain Qatar’s future. Gulf Times Saturday, January 9, 2016 3 SPORT

DAKAR 2016 SHOOTING Peugeot’s Peterhansel takes stage and Ali al-Muhannadi takes 50m Rifl e lead; al-Attiyah remains fourth overall Prone event

AFP Salta, Argentina

akar Rally legend Stephane Pe- terhansel proved too strong for his Peugeot teammates Carlos Sainz and Sebastien Loeb in yesterday’sD sixth stage around the largest salt fl ats in the world in Bolivia. Success for the veteran Frenchman pow- ered him into the overall lead to give him a massive boost in his quest for a 12th success in motorsport’s toughest challenge. The 50-year-old from Alsace lined up Peugeot’s Stephane Peterhansel won the for the 542 kilometre timed run in Uy- sixth stage of Dakar 2016. (Reuters) uni, the longest stage of the rally, eight minutes adrift of nine-time world rally a fourth place, while Qatar’s Nasser Saleh champion Loeb. al-Attiyah brought in the fastest Mini But already the winner of Wednesday’s in at fi fth. Al-Attiyah is fi fth in overall fourth stage he now goes into today’s standings. Ali Rashid al-Muhannadi (second from right) won the men’s 50m Rifle drive from Uyuni to Salta in Argentina at Peterhansel competed in his fi rst Dakar Prone event in the Qatar Cup at the Losail Shooting Range yesterday. the head of the pack. in 1988, winning the fi rst of his six overall He leads Dakar debutant Loeb by 27sec victories on two wheels back in 1991 and By Sports Reporter In the girls’ section, Mehbubeh with Sainz in third at 5min 55sec. taking his 11th victory behind the wheel Doha Akhlaghi took the gold followed After a stunning drive in Uyuni, Pe- of a Mini in 2013. by Bahiya Mansour al-Hamad and terhansel timed 5hrs 1min 7sec to cross In the bikes category, Toby Price took Matara Fahad al-Assieri, in second the line 17sec ahead of Sainz with Saudi the day’s honours on a KTM. li Rashid al-Muhannadi and third place respectively. driver Yazeed al-Rajhi, in a Toyota, spoil- The Australian beat Paulo Goncalves won the men’s 50m Ri- In the other competition yes- ing another Peugeot sweep at the top fi n- by 1min 12sec but despite losing out the fl e Prone event in the terday, Ivan Bidniak topped in ishing over seven minutes adrift. Portuguese Honda rider retained the Qatar Cup at the Losail the 25m Rapid Fire Pistol for Loeb was over eight minutes adrift for overall lead. ShootingA Range yesterday. Vi- men. Bidniak shot down 26 tar- Qatar’s Nasser al-Attiyah is fourth in the overall standings. (Reuters) ascheslav Skoromnov fi nished gets while Oleg Engachov hit the second ahead of Mohammed right spot in 20 to fi nish second TENNIS / BRISBANE INTERNATIONAL Sadd al-Mubarak in the event. ahead of Maltsev Konstantin. Federer battles past Dimitrov, Azarenka sails into fi nal In the girls’ section, Mehbubeh Akhlaghi (centre) won the gold. ‘It was tough. Grigor’s a great shotmaker, the future’s ahead of him in the game’ Radwanska receives ranking boost with Shenzhen win Reuters Brisbane Poland’s Agnieszka Radwanska will move to fourth in the world rankings after beating Germany’s Anna-Lena Friedsam to reach the final of the Shenzhen Open in China yesterday. oger Federer quelled Grigor The Pole, currently ranked fifth, prevailed 6-2 6-4 to set up a Dimitrov’s challenge in three Saturday showdown with American Alison Riske, who beat Hun- sets in the Brisbane Internation- gary’s Timea Babos by the same scoreline in the other semi-final al quarter-fi nals and Victoria between two unseeded players. AzarenkaR blew away Samantha Crawford The ranking boost takes Radwanska above Russia’s Maria Shara- to reach the fi nal in the women’s draw pova ahead of the Australian Open, which gets underway on yesterday. January 18 in Melbourne. Azarenka ended American qualifi er “Reaching the final here is great preparation for the Australian Crawford’s dream run with a 6-0 6-3 win Open, and that’s a good projection too,” Radwanska said of the to set up a decider with Germany’s An- new ranking which will be confirmed on Monday. gelique Kerber, who also cruised through “First I’ll focus on winning here in Shenzhen, and then I’ll just try to the fi nal with a 6-2 6-3 win over to play the same tennis in Sydney and in Melbourne.” Spain’s Carla Suarez Navarro. Defending champion Federer, battling a fl u bug according to the local media, was Pakistan-China Davis Cup tie moved made to work hard by his Bulgarian oppo- to Sri Lanka over security concerns nent before the Swiss master prevailed 6-4 6-7(4) 6-4 at the Pat Rafter Arena. Pakistan will host its Asia Oceania Group I Davis Cup tennis tie in “It was tough. Grigor’s a great shot- Sri Lanka after opponents China refused to visit the violence-hit maker, the future’s ahead of him in the country over security fears, off icials said yesterday. game,” Federer said after setting up a The Pakistan Tennis Federation (PTF) said they had hoped that semi-fi nal against Austrian youngster the country’s strong economic links with China would help con- Dominic Thiem. vince off icials to bring the competition to Lahore. Federer broke Dimitrov in the 10th “It’s disappointing to note that International Tennis Federation game to claim the fi rst set but the Bulgar- has rejected our appeal of playing the tie in Pakistan and we are ian refused to throw in the towel. now forced to host it in Sri Lanka,” PTF secretary Khalid Rehmani For the fi rst time in his four meetings told AFP. The tie will be played from March 4-6. with the world number three, Dimitrov Victoria Azarenka hits a return against Samantha Crawford during their Brisbane International semi-final yesterday. (AFP) The PTF had invoked the foreign ministry’s aid in the bid to hold managed to win a set via a tiebreak to the match at home but to no avail, said Rehmani. force the decider but could not pull off an champion Marin Cilic 2-6 7-6(4) 6-4, fi nal against big-serving Canadian Milos The Australian, who has been criti- Pakistan have not hosted a home tie since 2005. upset. while home hope Bernard Tomic contin- Raonic. cised for poor behaviour in the past, went Pakistan are back in Group I for the tournament for the first time “The third was close and thankfully I ued his promising form by overcoming “Now I’m at the level the last few from 78th in the world to his current since 2006, while China clung onto their place with a relegation started to serve a little bit better,” Fed- Kei Nishikori. months of being in the top 20 and playing career-high last year when he claimed a play-off win over Thailand in September last year. erer said. “Maybe he didn’t have his best Tomic prevailed 6-3 1-6 6-3 against these players that have been consistently third tour title in Colombia. This will be the sixth head-to-head meeting between the two fi nish of the match today, but I enjoyed it 2014 U.S. Open runner-up Nishikori. in the top 10, fi ve in the world.” Raonic will provide another stern ex- teams, with China winning their last one 5-0 back in 2006. The anyway.” “Obviously this win is huge,” the world “Being in the top 10. It’s near. If I keep amination of those top-10 credentials winner will face seeded Uzbekistan for a chance to reach the Eighth seed Thiem made it through number 18 said after taking out the sec- playing the way I’m playing there is a after the Canadian easily took down World Group play-off s. to the semis by beating former US Open ond seeded Japanese to set up a semi- chance.” France’s Lucas Pouille 6-4 6-4.

SPOTLIGHT Australia Green pip Great Britain to Hopman Cup fi nal

AFP French duo rallied and forced a match to ment title would be a perfect start to Murray said the Hopman Cup had things I can still work on, the move- Perth a three set tiebreak. the year, as he looks to move on from provided an ideal launching pad for his ment can get a bit sharper and hit the Kyrgios managed to keep his unbeat- the controversies of 2015. upcoming Australian Open campaign ball a bit cleaner from the back of the en record intact by winning his ear- “It’s pretty special,” he said. “Hope- in Melbourne later this month. court, but I think that will come.” ustralia Green won a thrill- lier singles match against de Schepper, fully we can bring it home.” Murray was too good for the emerg- Watson showed she would be a dan- ing mixed doubles match 6-4, 6-4, while Gavrilova lost to Garcia Kyrgios, ranked 30th in the world, ing Zverev, despite being broken when gerous opponent in Melbourne with against France at the Hop- 6-4, 7-6 (9/7). will face world number 36 Alexandr he initially served for the second set, her second win in succession against man Cup yesterday to secure The win by the host nation side— Dolgopolov of Ukraine, after the coun- winning 6-3, 6-4 for two victories from Lisicki. aA place in the fi nal against Ukraine, who have not won the tournament try’s team secured their place in the fi - his three singles matches in Perth. Former Wimbledon fi nalist Lisicki snatching the spot from Great Britain. since 1999 -- denied Great Britain a nal on Thursday. His one defeat was to Kyrgios. is on the comeback trail after being Nick Kyrgios and Daria Gavrilova spot in the fi nal. “It is going to be tough,” Kyrgios said. “I obviously have things to prac- sidelined by injury for the second half propelled Australia into their fi rst Great Britain had temporarily kept “He has been playing really well and tice on and try to improve, I am fairly of 2015 and had her chances against Hopman Cup fi nal since 2003, beating their Hopman Cup fi nal hopes alive is a tricky customer. pleased with how I played,” Murray Watson, but could not match her oppo- French pairing Kenny de Schepper and with a 3-0 win over Germany. “He’s very unorthodox and has been said. “The serve was good, that is a nent’s consistency. Caroline Garcia in a tense decider, 6-4, Any Murray and Heather Watson won around the tour for a long time now, so good start to build from. Ranked 32 in the world, the German 2-6, 11-9. their respective singles matches against he’s not going to be easy at all.” “I gave up maybe fi ve or six break had three break points at 0-40 when The home side—one of two Austral- Alexander Zverev and Sabine Lisicki, but Ukraine’s previous appearance at the points total in the three matches, and Watson served for the match in the ian combinations in the mixed teams they needed Australia Green to lose in or- Hopman Cup was back in 1995, when some of them could have been avoided second set, but the world number 55 event—looked set to cruise into the fi - der to make the last two. siblings Andrei Medvedev and Natalia as well, so that was very good. claimed the fi nal fi ve points in succes- nal when they took the fi rst set, but the Kyrgios, 20, said taking the tourna- Medvedeva reached the fi nal. “The rest of my game there is a few sion to complete a 6-3, 6-4 win. Gulf Times 4 Saturday, January 9, 2016 CRICKET

ANNOUNCEMENT SPOTLIGHT ICC confi rms 16 teams for U-19 World Cup S Africa unchanged IANS tain, Najmul Hossain Chanto, Dubai Joyraj Sheik Imon, Zakir Hasan and Saeed Sarker. Afghanistan have retained he International Cricket four players from the 2014 tour- Council (ICC) on Friday nament where the Asian side confi rmed that 16 teams fi nished seventh. The four play- will battle it out in the ers are Ihsanullah Janat, captain for remaining two TU-19 World Cup starting later for this month’s event, Muslim this month. Musa, Waheed Shafaq and Zia- The 11th edition of the tour- ur-Rehman Akbar. nament will be held across eight India, who have won the tour- venues in four Bangladesh cities nament thrice, have named three from January 27 to February 14, players to the squad that fi nished and will feature nine Test play- fi fth in the last edition in the ing countries as well as seven UAE. These are Sarfraz Khan, England Tests associate and affi liate members, Ricky Bhui and Avesh Khan. namely Afghanistan, Canada, However, defending champi- Fiji, Ireland, Namibia, Nepal and ons South Africa — like England, ‘We were highly encouraged by the performance put up by the Proteas at Newlands’ Scotland. Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Zimba- The tournament will open bwe — will be appearing with a with the match between defend- completely fresh set of players, ing champions South Africa and though Dayyaan Galiem who hosts Bangladesh at the Zohur will appear in this edition, was Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium named in South Africa’s original (ZACS) in Chittagong. squad for the 2014 event but was The fi nal will be held at the later withdrawn. Sher-e-Bangla National Stadi- Both Ireland and Nepal are re- um in Mirpur. turning to the event after miss- All matches will be day fi x- ing out in 2014. For both, tt will tures and the semi-fi nals and be their seventh appearance. fi nal will have reserve days. Coincidentally, both sides have The squad list reveals that as retained 12 players each from many as 18 cricketers will take the U-19 World Cup qualifi ers, part in their second successive which was won by Nepal with U-19 World Cup. Ireland fi nishing second. Hosts Bangladesh have named Fiji will be making their maid- fi ve players who played in the en appearance in the tournament previous event in the United after winning the East Asia- Arab Emirates (UAE), where the Pacifi c U-19 Cricket Trophy in side fi nished ninth. These play- Blenheim. They have retained ers are Mehidy Hassan Miraz, 13 players from that successful who has been retained as cap- campaign.

BCB ponders over Mustafizur’s participation in PSL

The Bangladesh Cricket Board cause of an overuse of his legs (BCB) is considering holding in the early part of his career. back Mustafizur Rahman He does not want the same to from playing in the Pakistan happen to Mustafizur. Super League (PSL) to keep The likelihood of Mustafizur the young pacer’s bowling picking up an injury is some- DALE STEYN technique a secret. thing the board, too, is taking The board may choose to seriously. compensate him in order to “He (Mustafizur) is still very keep him from going to Paki- young. Taking so much pres- stan, a source in the BCB told sure at this age will not be Reuters lection convener Linda Zondi said in a bdnews24.com on Thursday. right for him, his body might Cape Town statement yesterday. JP DUMINY PSL franchise Lahore Qaland- revolt,” said BCB Media Com- “The very fact that they were nearly ars picked Mustafizur from the mittee Chairman Jalal Yunus able to force a win after conceding gold category. He is supposed on Thursday. outh Africa have named an 600 runs on the fi rst innings speaks to be paid a fee of $50,000 “Taking everything into ac- unchanged squad for the re- volumes for the character of this there. count, we’re thinking whether maining two Tests against group of players. Mustafizur’s crafty bowling it would be right to send him to England as AB de Villiers pre- “We feel we have all our bases cov- had played a crucial role in the PSL. But a final decision is paresS to lead the fi ve-day team for the ered and also the options that will en- Bangladesh’s success in the yet to be made.” fi rst time in Johannesburg on Thurs- able the team to exploit whatever con- series against India and South The source said Mashrafe had day. ditions they encounter.” Africa last year. Batsmen had a already spoken to BCB Presi- De Villiers takes over the captaincy The selectors have also named a tough time reading his cutters. dent Nazmul Hassan. The 31- from Hashim Amla, who resigned 14-man One Day International squad Keeping the World Twenty20 year old went as far to advise after the drawn second Test in Cape for a fi ve-match home series against in mind, Bangladesh limited- the board to off er Mustafizur a Town with his side 1-0 down in the England that starts on February 3. overs captain Mashrafe Bin restitution, if necessary. four-game series that sees further The only change from the squad Mortaza does not want bats- But Yunus denied having any fi xtures at the Wanderers (January that won 3-2 in India in October sees men to find a way to deal with knowledge of that. 14-18) and Centurion Park in Pretoria spinner Aaron Phangiso drop out. Mustafizur’s variations, the “I don’t really know anything (January 22-26). Batsman Rilee Rossouw, an original source confirmed. about any compensation. But it Premier fast bowler Dale Steyn has selection for that series but forced to The skipper is sure other will surely be considered if the been retained in the squad but will withdraw through injury, is fi t to take teams will eventually learn situation calls for it.” undergo a fi tness test on Monday as he his place again. to play Mustafizur by analys- Mashrafe has also shared his seeks to return from a shoulder injury, The ODI side will also be captained ing his action with the help of thought with coach Chandika while there is also place for middle- by De Villiers. modern technology, but he Hathurusingha, who agreed in order batsman JP Duminy. Test squad: AB de Villiers (cap- does not want to risk giving principle, the source added. Duminy was dropped from the team tain), Kyle Abbott, Hashim Amla, away the secret before the T20 Although the coach’s opinion that drew the second Test this week, Temba Bavuma, Quinton de Kock, JP world event. will be crucial, the board will but scored an unbeaten 153 for his Duminy, Faf du Plessis, Dean Elgar, Possibilities of Mustafizur have the final say. province in a domestic four-day fi x- Morne Morkel, Chris Morris, Dane picking up an injury, too, has ture on Thursday. Piedt, Kagiso Rabada, Rilee Rossouw, crossed Mashrafe’s mind. After losing the fi rst Test in Dur- Dale Steyn, Stiaan van Zyl, Hardus On the back of some minor in- ban, South Africa had England under Viljoen. juries, the 20-year old seamer, pressure on day fi ve in Cape Town af- ODI squad: AB de Villiers (cap- who is yet to have a fully ter both teams had scored over 600 in tain), Kyle Abbott, Hashim Amla, matured physique, had not their fi rst innings, a fi ght-back that Farhaan Behardien, Quinton de Kock, been able to execute his cutter has emboldened the selectors. JP Duminy, Faf du Plessis, Imran Ta- perfectly in the latter stages of “We were highly encouraged by the hir, David Miller, Morne Morkel, Chris the BPL. performance put up by the Proteas at Morris, Kagiso Rabada, Rilee Ros- Mashrafe himself suff ered be- Newlands,” Cricket South Africa se- souw, Dale Steyn.

FOCUS Gayle’s behaviour fairly expected: Watson

IANS when Watson’s Sydney Thunder social media and Gayle was Hobart hosts Gayle’s Melbourne Ren- fi ned 10,000 Australian dollars SHANE WATSON CHRIS GAYLE egades. (Rs.4,68,111) for making the dat- “There is no doubt people ing proposal live. ustralia veteran all- have always loved coming along The 36-year-old Carib- rounder Shane Watson and watching him (Gayle) play bean star released a statement has said he won’t be because of the entertainment he on Thursday which said that disappointed if fl am- can certainly provide. But there he along with his lawyer would boyantA batsman Chris Gayle is is always a line outside the game “immediately commence defa- denied a return to the Big Bash of cricket as well,” Watson was mation proceedings against League (BBL), and added that quoted as saying by Daily Tel- Fairfax Media” after it published the West Indian’s controversial egraph on Thursday. reports which claimed that he post-match interview hardly “In the end the people love the exposed himself to a woman in came as a shock as the behaviour entertainment part of cricket, Sydney while training for the was fairly expected. but there’s also a respect, that World Cup last year. Watson made it clear he part of playing the game on and “I have played against Chris thought Gayle had overstepped off the fi eld in the right spirit. In for a long time, since I started re- the mark with Channel 10 re- the end there are people who will ally, and that behaviour is fairly porter Mel McLaughlin, and be making decisions either way expected. supported Cricket Australia’s (about Gayle’s return). It’s not “People who know Chris plans to ban Gayle from BBL. just what you bring on the fi eld, Gayle will know those are the The Aussie all-rounder’s it’s what you bring off the field sort of things he can do at times, comments could spark some as well, which is as important,” and at an inappropriate time, fi ery scenes in the middle of he said. obviously it gets him into a fair Spotless Stadium on Monday The incident drew fl ak from bit of trouble,” Watson said. Gulf Times Saturday, January 9, 2016 5 CRICKET

SPOTLIGHT Amla did the honourable thing by jettisoning his burden There was no soul-searching by the South Africa captain - he was a man happy with his decision and itching to get on with the job at which he truly excels

By Mike Selvey The Guardian

t may be unusual to change captains at the midpoint of a series but Hashim Amla has chosen a good moment to concede his position and drop back into the ranks. A Iresignation after the massive defeat in Durban would have represented capitulation even if he had been contemplating it for a while. Now though he has done so on the back of a stirring fi ghtback from the side he led, and an emphatic return not so much to form (he had not looked out of touch in the second innings in Durban) as to relentless run-gathering. It is a little too strong to describe the outcome of a Test that had yet to complete its third innings as a “winning draw” for South Africa. With the conditions fi nally giving the bowlers some lateral movement on the fi nal day, we can only surmise what the England bowlers might have managed had they been defending, say, 200 and their colleagues rediscovered the art of catching but at least we know there will be an almighty scrap now up on the highveld. Sometimes it is only in the aftermath of such a decision that the extent of the burden is revealed. Those who were there in the dining room at Edgbaston remember the red eyes of Nasser Hussain, that most passionate of Eng- land captains. There were Michael Vaughan’s tears at the ECB centre of excellence at Lough- borough. Such is the responsibility, beyond simply a job, that comes with captaining one’s country or even just playing. It is only around nine months since Jonathan Trott, a man whose implacable demeanour hid inner turmoil, was lbw in what was to prove his fi nal innings for England. He positively skipped from the fi eld and sprinted up the pavilion steps, a man clearly content it was fi nally over. So there should be no surprise that in Amla’s case, he conducted a press conference that was a long way from the soul-searching of others and simply that of a man happy in the decision at which he had arrived and itching to get on with the job at which he truly excels. There is absolutely no question of Amla be- was to invite him into the camp. But Smith’s re- him, which was far from the truth. desperate to hang on to his position at all costs; him an average of 40.76 against a career aver- ing coerced into applying for the job in the fi rst marks, while trenchant, would surely have been “We clashed,” Chappell told me, “because the other understanding his leadership may not age 10 points or so higher. Since the start of the place on account of his ethnicity. With Graeme taken on board by Amla, a trusted colleague in his needs as a struggling player and captain and be in the best interests either of the side or him- tour of India that preceded the current series, Smith’s retirement, he, as a senior player, put Smith’s teams: there is a diff erence between be- those of the team were diff erent. I’m not the self. Serene and understated, Amla had taken nine innings had brought him fi ve single fi gure his name forward with others, including AB de ing pushed and being encouraged. hard-nosed control freak that I have been por- over a side who were in inevitable transition scores and a top score of 43. Villiers. He did so because he believed he could A decade ago, when England were in India, I trayed. I’m thorough, a realist, a pragmatist and after the loss of some of the greatest players the Whether, like Ganguly, his tribulations with make a diff erence, and after due process, was went to stay with their then coach Greg Chap- I’m honest. Much has been written and said, a game has seen. So a downturn in performance the bat were impacting on the team in a manner installed. It would also be wrong though to as- pell, and conducted an interview with him, lot of it misleading, but in essence I told Sourav was not entirely unexpected. But he has none- other than simply the lack of runs is doubtful. sume that, all things being equal, this was not which in part resonates now with the situation that if he wanted to save his career he should theless presided over the longest winless streak, If the captaincy itself, and all that it entailed, the choice that would be made, convenient for in which Amla found himself. consider giving up the captaincy. eight matches, in South Africa’s Test history, was aff ecting the capacity to do the job at which South African cricket that he had applied. At the time, Chappell had been dividing He was just hanging in there. Modest innings mitigation coming only in the state of the Bang- he truly excelled, then Amla is understanding It would also be erroneous to deduce that opinion in the country because of his fractious were draining him. He had no energy to give to ladesh weather and the pitches in India. Cer- enough to be able to arrive at the conclusion after the strong rumours in Durban that things relationship with the former captain Sourav the team, which was helping neither him nor us. tainly in this, Amla has seen the broader picture. he has. It is an honourable thing to have done, were in some disarray on and off the field that Ganguly, who had been struggling desperately It was in his own interest to give himself mind Where they share a common theme is the which may well be to the detriment of England. he had been pushed out of the job. There was for batting form with one Test hundred, in Bu- space to work on his batting so that it could be impact, as Chappell said of Ganguly, that it was That he has been able to do so on the back of a some fi erce external criticism, most promi- lawayo, in two-and-a-half years. He had been resurrected.” having on his batting and the team. Until his re- momentous innings, played perhaps with the nently from Smith in his role as media pundit, replaced as the captain by Rahul Dravid and the Here we have in Ganguly and Amla two cap- demptive double hundred in Cape Town , Am- release that comes with already having made a to which the response of Cricket South Africa coach was portrayed as the man who sacked tains at opposite ends of the spectrum: the one la’s previous 13 matches as captain had brought decision, merely serves to highlight it.

FOCUS Australia coach predicts fi esty India ODI series

AFP Melbourne Smith says challenge for Australia is to win abroad ustralia’s upcoming one-day campaign Australia captain Steven Smith believes the real challenge for his against India should be team is to win a series abroad and they will have to master the as feisty as ever, coach swinging ball if they are to succeed in their tour of New Zealand DarrenA Lehmann said Friday, next month. Smith and his men ruthlessly dominated the three-Test adding the dynamic would be home series against West Indies, winning it 2-0 after the rain-hit final a good challenge for his young match ended in a draw in Sydney on Thursday. squad. “We’ve always played quite well at home but the challenge for us is Asked about the mood of the to make sure we’re winning series away from home, and that starts fi ve-match ODI series, which with a tough series for us in New Zealand,” Smith said. gets under way at Perth’s WACA After this month’s limited over home series against India, Australia ground on Tuesday, Lehmann tour New Zealand and Smith warned the conditions would be diff er- said he expected it would be “the ence across the Tasman. same” as previous ones. “Hopefully we can adapt to the conditions we’re going to face in “They (India) are playing an New Zealand,” Smith said. aggressive brand of cricket as “I daresay they’re going to have a bit of grass on them and are going well so I don’t see that changing to swing a bit. So we have to be better than we have been previously over the next fi ve games,” he told on those sort of wickets and hopefully we can adapt well and have a reporters in Perth. successful tour there.” “India play the same way, so Victory in New Zealand, provided England translate their 1-0 lead it’s going to be an exciting se- in the ongoing four-match series in South Africa into series victory, ries.” will see Australia return to the top of the test rankings. Smith had no Matches in the past have seen doubt his team mates would adapt to the conditions to achieve top tempers fl are, with umpires in- rankings. tervening in Adelaide in 2014 as “I’ve had a few chats about it to some of the boys. When you’re players exchanged terse words under pressure you go back to the way you know and that can hurt and pointed fi ngers at each you a little bit away from home. “I think you almost have to find an- other. other way to do things. Whether that be playing in England or New The Perth game will be the Zealand making sure you play under your eyes. Here you can play fi rst time top-ranked Australia out in front of you a little bit more but that will get you into trouble have faced India since beating in England and New Zealand.” them in the semi-fi nal of the Meanwhile West Indies captain Jason Holder has said he rejected ICC Cricket World Cup in Syd- a proposal from his opposite number Australia’s Steve Smith to ney last March. open up the third and final Test with a dramatic last-day run chase, Lehmann said he was sure his India captain MS Dhoni with his teammates during the T20 match against a Western Australian XI in Perth yesterday. India won by 74 runs. (AFP) because he did not believe such a scenario was in the best interest 13-man squad—including un- of the team’s development. capped fast bowlers Scott Boland “So they’ll be used to that I’m sure they’ll handle it well. in Perth ahead of matches in the World Cup—they’re a quality “He came to us and made an off er. I just went back to the team and and Joel Paris—would handle the now, which is a good thing for It will be a good challenge for Brisbane, Melbourne, Canberra side,” the coach said. we thought at this stage of our development, it wasn’t the best thing situation well given their expe- us,” he said. them.” and Sydney. “So from our point of view, for us,” Holder told a media conference following the drawn contest rience with big crowds and the “International cricket is an- Lehmann said he was hoping “They (India) are a good one- we’ve got to play well and start on Thursday. pressures of domestic T20 cricket. other step up for them, but for “a good, fast, bouncy track” day side, they made the semis of well against them.” Gulf Times 6 Saturday, January 9, 2016 SPORT

NBA SPOTLIGHT Kings hold off Favre heads Hall of Bryant’s Lakers Fame list Bryant returned from a three-game absence nursing a sore shoulder and scored 28 points—including a two-handed dunk that coach Scott called a ‘young man moment’

AFP Results Los Angeles Atlanta 126 PHILADELPHIA 98 CHICAGO 101 Boston 92 he Sacramento Kings squandered HOUSTON 103 Utah 94 a 27-point lead but dug deep late SACRAMENTO 118 LA Lakers 115 for a 118-115 NBA victory over the Los Angeles Lakers in Kobe Bry- Tant’s last game in the California capital. ble-double of the season with 17 points Kings guard Rajon Rondo made a run- and 18 rebounds. ning basket to put Sacramento up by one The in-tune Bulls had an appreciative with 21 seconds left and then forced a audience in Spanish tenor Placido Do- Lakers turnover as a contest that looked mingo, a friend of Gasol’s who attended like a certain blowout came down to the the game. wire. “He’s a basketball fan,” Gasol said. Sacramento center DeMarcus Cousins Down by fi ve to Utah on their home then made two free throws and Lakers fl oor at halftime, the Houston Rockets guard Louis Williams missed a three- picked up the pace in the second half to pointer at the buzzer. beat the Jazz for the second time in four Bryant, the Lakers superstar who will days. retire at the end of this season, scored 28 Rockets guard James Harden scored 33 points in his 34th and fi nal regular season points in the 103-94 victory as Houston appearance in Sacramento. overcame the absence of center Dwight Bryant returned from a three-game Howard, who sat out with tightness in absence nursing a sore shoulder and his back. scored 28 points—including a highlight- Houston, who defeated the Jazz 93-91 reel two-handed dunk that Lakers coach in Salt Lake City on Monday, scored 64 Byron Scott called a “young man mo- points in the second half, connecting on ment.” 65.7 percent of their shots from the fl oor. Bryant, who led the Lakers to three After the break, they produced 12 fast- AFP In 2015 Favre was inducted playoff series victories over the Kings, break points, including 10 in the third Green Bay into the Packers Hall of Fame made 10 of 18 shots from the fi eld and quarter. and became the sixth player in six of eight free throws, and became the “I think we were playing for the most Packers history to have his jersey third player in NBA history—and at 37 the part pretty well defensively. Off ensively ormer Green Bay Packers number retired. youngest ever—to score 33,000 points in we were too slow,” Harden said of the fi rst great Brett Favre heads Named the NFL Most Valu- his career. half. the list of 15 Modern- able Player three straight times He took his tally to 33,010, but was on “We wanted to put an emphasis on Era Finalists who will be from 1995-97, Favre started in the bench for the night by the time the pushing the basketball, getting stops and consideredF for election to the Pro fi ve NFC championship games Lakers charged back into contention. just running out.” Football Hall of Fame in 2016. and led the Packers to a victory Rookie D’Angelo Russell scored 11 of Favre is one of three fi rst-year in Super Bowl 31 after the 1996 his 27 points in the fourth quarter for Los eligible nominees, along with season. Angeles. wide receiver Terrell Owens and Favre, 46, was a second-round Although the Lakers fell to 8-29 -- the guard Alan Faneca. pick of the Atlanta Falcons in the second-worst record in the league—Bry- The selection committee will 1991 NFL Draft. A year later, Fa- ant said the heart his young teammates meet in San Francisco on the eve vre was traded to the Packers. He showed late was encouraging. of Super Bowl 50 next month to stayed in Green Bay until 2007 “They played so well, they worked re- elect the Class of 2016. before playing one season with Jordan Clarkson (L) of the Los Angeles Lakers goes up for a shot against Quincy ally, really hard,” Bryant said. No more than fi ve modern- the New York Jets and two with Acy of the Sacramento Kings at Sleep Train Arena in Sacramento on Thursday. “It’s important for them to fi gure out era fi nalists can be inducted in a the Minnesota Vikings before PICTURE: Ezra Shaw/Getty Images/AFP how to close those games out without me given year. retiring. Owens played for fi ve on the fl oor.” This is the fi rst year Favre is teams in 16 NFL seasons, reach- The Chicago Bulls consolidated their Lawson suspended for eligible, having retired fi ve years ing the Super Bowl with the 2004 second spot in the Eastern Conference driving under the infl uence ago with virtually every major Philadelphia Eagles. with a sixth straight victory, downing the NFL career passing record. He ranks second in yards re- Boston Celtics 101-92. Houston: Houston Rockets guard His marks for touchdown passes ceiving with 15,934 and third Down 43-33 late in the second quarter, Ty Lawson was suspended for three and passing yards have since been in touchdown receptions with the Bulls out-scored Boston 15-4 in the games by the NBA on Thursday for a surpassed by Peyton Manning. 153. fi nal four minutes of the frame to lead California drunk-driving incident. 48-47 at halftime. Lawson’s latest suspension is for a They rolled from there, continuing driving under the influence charge in TALK SHOP an impressive streak that has seen them July and begins with Thursday’s game score at least 100 points in their last nine against the Utah Jazz. games. It’s the second driving under the That’s a feat the Bulls hadn’t accom- influence-related suspension in two plished since the 1995-96 season when months for Lawson, who was also Michael Jordan led the team. suspended for two games last month Shooting guard Jimmy Butler said the after a similar charge in Denver in Quotes Bulls’ off ensive output was rooted in im- January of 2015. proved defense. At that time Lawson was playing for “That’s what really won us the game,” the Nuggets. Butler said. In November, Lawson pleaded guilty “We were out there guarding, we re- to driving while impaired in the Den- from the bounded, and we got a lot of easy baskets. ver case, and additional charges of When we’re playing like that, we look re- speeding, driving under the influence ally good out there.” of alcohol and careless driving were Six Chicago players scored in double dropped. Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) drives past Utah Jazz forward Chris John- fi gures. Butler had a double-double of 19 Lawson is averaging 6.4 points and NBA son (23) and guard Raul Neto (25) in the second half of their game on points and 10 assists, Derrick Rose scored 4.3 assists per game this season. That’s just disrespectful, missing action after repeated Thursday. The Rockets won 103 to 94. PICTURE: Thomas B. Shea-USA TODAY Sports 18 and center Pau Gasol had his 19th dou- not just to a basketball knocks to his left bruised shin. player, anybody ... It’s He gets on everybody not my call, I’m just try- coaches, players. He doesn’t ing“ not to get blind.” - Houston care who it is because he BOTTOMLINE Rockets star James Harden on wants all of us to be better. the spectator who shined a laser “If that’s what it takes for us to in his eyes as he attempted free be better then I’m down for it.” - throws in a game at the Utah New Orleans Pelicans star An- Jazz. The NBA has reportedly thony Davis after coach Alvin banned the fan for a year. Gentry chastised him for lack Elder Griff ey supports shunned of eff ort in rebounding in a win I signed the paper without against Dallas. really noticing it.” - Port- land Trail Blazers coach He’s got to grow up, sim- Terry Stotts on the ple as that ... I’m going dopers for Cooperstown lineup“ card mix-up that left CJ to take him out of other McCollum—who is averaging games that he doesn’t seys at a news conference. cellation of the 1994 postseason Both Bonds and Clemens 21 points a game—accidentally like.”“ - Los Angeles Lak- Reuters New York “It’s an opinion thing,” the and helped revitalize fan interest. gained more than seven percent inactive for Wednesday night’s ers coach Byron Scott on 65-year-old Griff ey said, ac- “If it wasn’t for Mark and from last year’s voting. loss to the Los Angeles Clippers. 21-year-old power forward Ju- knowledging that many view Sammy, those two years that Suspicion by some that Piazza lius Randle’s petulant reaction ormer major leaguer them as cheaters. “But my look they were going for all those may have used PEDs might have He just continues to add at being taken out of the Lak- Ken Griff ey Sr. said at it, they put up the stats, the home runs, baseball would nev- kept the slugging catcher from new elements to his game. ers’ blowout win over Phoenix, yesterday his son earned numbers. I think they should be er have brought fans back,” the winning election until his fourth He was in here at 8 o’clock with the coach unhappy with induction into the Base- in the Hall of Fame.” elder Griff ey said. year as a candidate. this morning getting shots his defensive effort. ballF Hall of Fame the “right way” McGwire smashed 70 homers “Now they blame them for No such doubts were ever up.“ And he’s never satisfi ed, and but still feels bad for stars of the in 1998, while Sosa belted 66 in something. That’s the tough harbored about Griff ey Jr., the I think that’s the true sign of a It was a poor decision on so-called Steroids Era who have an enthralling duel that captured thing. During the time they were brilliant all-round talent, whose superstar when you continue to my end to definitely dis- been denied entry. a nation and shattered the single doing it, everyone loved that. fl owing swing produced 630 ca- work when you have success.” - respect the game, poor Speaking to Reuters a day after season home run mark of 61 set And all of a sudden they found reer home runs to go with 184 Chicago Bulls coach Fred Hoi- decision of mine to mis- Ken Griff ey Jr. was elected to the by Roger Maris in 1961. out he was doing steroids, what- stolen bases and 10 Gold Glove berg on shooting guard Jimmy represent“ the Bucks, myself, Hall of Fame in record fashion, The duo staged another power ever ... now they want to turn awards for sensational defensive Butler, whose recent hot streak my family, obviously my team- the elder Griff ey said that some show the next season, and may against them. I thought that was skills in center fi eld. included a 40-point half against mates.” - Contrite Milwaukee who have been overlooked by have spurred on others, includ- wrong.” In his fi rst year of eligibility, Toronto that eclipsed Michael Bucks guard O.J. Mayo, who voting members of the baseball former sluggers Mark McGwire ing Barry Bonds, to muscle up. Bonds, a seven-time National Griff ey Jr. got a record 99.3 per- Jordan’s club record for points was eventually fined $25,000 writers’ association belong in and Sammy Sosa for their feats. McGwire, who has admitted League MVP who in 2001 raised cent of the vote, eclipsing the in a half. for “aggressively pursuing” Cooperstown. “They made contact, they using PEDs, was named on 12.3 the home run record to 73 and previous mark of 98.84 percent a game official when he was Griff ey Sr., a former outfi elder played hard, just like we did, percent of ballots while Sosa was retired as the all-time home run set by Tom Seaver in 1992. It’s a magnet, but I’ll be all ejected from Milwaukee’s win who won two World Series titles and they still had to hit the ball. on 7 percent, both well shy of the leader, received 44.3 percent in “He did it the right way,” his right. It’s just frustrating over Minnesota on Saturday. with the Cincinnati Reds, said They still did it,” he said after his 75 percent needed for election. his fourth year on the ballot. proud papa said. “He didn’t like and annoying and all of the Mayo had to be restrained by performance-enhancing drugs son and Mike Piazza, the other The duo put on their home run Seven-time Cy Young winner being pumped. He didn’t like to other adjectives that you Bucks coaches and escorted (PEDs) infl ated some records, member of the Class of 2016, derby four years after a players- Roger Clemens, linked to PED pump up when he lifted weights, want“ to throw in there.” - Golden to the locker room by security but gave credit to the likes of donned their Cooperstown jer- owners labor confl ict led to can- use, was named on 45.2 percent. so he wouldn’t lift the weight.” State star Stephen Curry, on staff. Gulf Times Saturday, January 9, 2016 7 SPORT

SPOTLIGHT FOCUS NFL to live-stream all London games, Coe ‘could have in talks with Apple and Google

Reuters released by Yahoo and the NFL. pushed for IAAF New York About one-third of the view- ership came from outside the United States. he National Football Nationwide broadcasts of League is planning to Thursday night games on CBS live-stream all three and NBC’s Sunday night games games scheduled to be average more than 20 million Tplayed in London next season, U.S. viewers per minute, accord- reform years ago’ and Apple Inc and Alphabet Inc ing to Nielsen TV data. subsidiary Google are among the In the months leading up to ‘They had an opportunity a long time ago to address issues of governance, and you technology companies in talks London game live-streamed by to buy the rights to conduct the Yahoo, Yahoo dropped its asking streams, said two sources famil- price for commercials during the saw from the International Olympic Committee what happens if you don’t do that’ iar with the situation. game from $200,000 to less than Last year, the NFL partnered $100,000, buyers said. Ad slots with Yahoo Inc to live-stream were sold out. a London game, the fi rst time Still, media buyers said the Reuters test and blackmailing her over a technology company has game’s overall viewership and London it. Offi cials have said the scandal streamed a game for free to the participation of more than may spread to other countries and viewers. Live-streaming is be- 30 advertisers signaled a success other sports. coming increasingly popular as at the time. he head of an investigation The IAAF corruption inquiry, more consumers cancel their Given the big push by Google, that found high-level cor- focusing on the suppression of cable subscriptions, a practice Apple and other tech companies ruption in international positive doping results in return known as cord-cutting. Win- to build their presence in the athletics has accused Se- for payments by athletes, coin- ning a partnership with the NFL media world, it is no surprise Tbastian Coe, leader of the sport’s cides with a corruption scandal in to live-stream one or all three they would want to partner with world governing body, of missing world soccer body FIFA. games would be a big victory for the NFL, said Tom Richardson, opportunities to push reform “a Dutch IAAF Council member a technology company. a sports media professor at Co- long time ago” when he was vice- Sylvia Barlag defended Coe’s role. Apple owns Apple TV and lumbia University in New York president. “Seb championed the establish- Google owns YouTube. If Ap- City. Dick Pound authored a World ment of the Ethics Commission ple or Google win the rights to “Professional sports content Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) and Code on the IAAF Council,” stream one or more games, it is among the most premium independent commission report she said. “Without the independ- would be a fi rst for either com- content you can fi nd,” said Ri- that exposed a state-sponsored ent commission the IAAF would pany. chardson, who is also president culture of doping in Russia and not have had the mechanisms in The NFL wants to live-stream of consulting fi rm Convergence shook the athletics world. The place to investigate these matters more London games after last Sports & Media. “If it happened second part of the report, due next which resulted in the sanctions year’s streaming experiment was in Hollywood, why wouldn’t Thursday, is expected to focus on which were delivered yesterday.” deemed a success, according to it happen with professional the International Association of Coe has said his vice-president the sources, who asked to remain sports?” Athletics Federations (IAAF) that role was minimal and for a long anonymous because they are not Separately, the NFL has put its Coe heads. period took a back seat to organis- permitted to speak to the media. Thursday night football package, Coe was not immediately avail- ing the 2012 Olympics. It is unclear if the NFL seeks to which will include live-stream- able for comment on Pound’s ac- “I was aware we had a problem, sell the rights to stream all three ing rights, out to bid and is ex- cusation, but a Dutch IAAF Coun- but the specifi c numbers, I did games as a package or individu- pected to announce a decision cil member said he had played a not,” he told a British Parliamen- ally, or how much the league is by the Super Bowl in February, major part in exposing the prob- tary Committee last month. asking for the rights. according to one of the sources. lems faced by the sport. Earlier this week Coe published Representatives for the NFL, For the past two years, CBS Pound accused Coe, succes- his “road map” for the future of Apple and Google declined to has won the one-year deals for sor to Lamine Diack who is now athletics which included a radi- comment. broadcast rights for Thursday under French police investigation cal overhaul of the IAAF’s inter- About 15.2 million viewers night football, and the network on suspicion of corruption, and nal operations which he promised worldwide watched at least part is bidding again, CBS CEO Les then-fellow vice-president Sergey would result in greater account- of the live-streamed game in Oc- Moonves told attendees of the Bubka of worsening the situation ability, transparency and commu- tober, which was broadcast dur- UBS Global Media and Com- at IAAF by failing to take prompt nications. ing early-morning hours in the munications Conference last action. Coe said when the doping scan- United States, therefore drawing month. Fox Sports, a division “Coe and Bubka were there (as dal broke with a German television a smaller audience than regular of Twenty-First Century Fox, vice-presidents to Diack),” Pound report of misconduct within IAAF NFL games. In some cases, the is also among the bidders, a Fox told the British Times newspaper. that the investigation could stir stream of the game automatical- spokesman confi rmed. “It’s easy enough if you want to a witch-hunt that could ensnare ly started playing on Yahoo web- The three games scheduled to get a governance review. They had clean athletes. Pound rejected this sites and consumers who clicked be played in London are the In- a (19th-century) constitution in a suggestion. on those websites were counted dianapolis Colts versus the Jack- 21st-century organisation. “If the IAAF does not acknowl- as viewers if the streams played sonville Jaguars on Oct. 2, the “They had an opportunity a edge it had a problem, then it will for more than 3 seconds. New York Giants against the St long time ago to address issues of be hard to put in place the changes An average of 2.36 million Louis Rams on Oct. 23, and the governance, and you saw from the they need to make,” Pound said. viewers were watching at any Washington Redskins versus the International Olympic Commit- “With very few exceptions, I given time, according to data Cincinnati Bengals on Oct. 30. tee what happens if you don’t do have not seen international sports that,” he told the Times. federation presidents so involved The International Olympic in corruption, as opposed to mov- Manning back in the saddle for Broncos Committee was embroiled in a ing money around like the FIFA corruption scandal in the 1990s boys. Peyton Manning will return as Osweiler had a respectable 5-2 involving, among other things, “In a sense, this is worse. This starting quarterback when the record after replacing Man- infl uence-peddling and gifts by gets down to aff ecting the out- Denver Broncos launch their ning as starter during the latter cities bidding for the Games. come on the fi eld of play. It’s about postseason campaign later this stages of the regular season. Two top Russian athletics of- the integrity of competition.” month, head coach Gary Ku- Kubiak paid tribute to Osweiler’s fi cials and the son of Diack were The doping scandal has thrown biak confirmed Thursday. The talents on Thursday as he spoke banned from athletics for life on doubt over the award of some five-time MVP has not started to reporters to explain the Thursday for covering up an elite medals in international competi- a game for the Broncos since decision. “We think the world Russian athlete’s positive dope tion in recent years. mid-November, with injury and of Brock,” Kubiak said. “He’s poor form prompting Denver done a hell of a job. He’s played to rely on the talents of back-up extremely well in some tough ‘With very few exceptions, I have Brock Osweiler. situations, very tough kid. He not seen international sports federation However Manning made a tell- knows exactly what we think ing contribution after coming of him.” The Broncos finished presidents so involved in corruption, on from the bench in Sunday’s the season as the number one- win over the San Diego Charg- ranked team in the AFC playoff s, as opposed to moving money around ers and will start when the Bron- meaning they will enjoy home like the FIFA boys’ cos open their playoff campaign field advantage through the on January 17. postseason.

NHL Jones eff ort in vain as Sharks lose to Wings 2-1

By Curtis Pashelka they gave up four power-play side the Detroit zone, Patrick home. So it wasn’t a good sign for nGoalie Alex Stalock was re- Contra Costa Times goals, and to Winnipeg, where Marleau tipped a puck to Joel San Jose when a wrist shot from called from the AHL after two they simply didn’t compete hard Ward, who tried a forehand-to- Danny DeKeyser on an odd-man impressive games with the Barra- enough, the Sharks did a lot of backhand deke. But Red Wings rush beat Jones high on the glove cuda and will likely be used by the he Sharks’ frustrations the things they sought out to do goalie Petr Mrazek reached back hand side for a 1-0 Red Wings lead Sharks on a more regular basis as at SAP Center this sea- against the Red Wings. to make a magnifi cent save. 9:16 into the fi rst period. they enter a busy portion of their son reached new heights It still wasn’t enough to pre- Detroit went ahead shortly The Sharks got that goal back schedule. with Thursday’s 2-1 loss vent a third loss in four games, as after, as a Jones rebound came 1:41 later, as Ward redirected Stalock, 28, went 2-0 with a Tto the Detroit Red Wings. the Sharks fell to an inexplicable right to Abdelkader, whose slap a shot from the point by Brent 1.96 goals-against average and a The Sharks put 36 shots on the 5-12-0 at home this season. Al- shot got past the Sharks goalie Burns past Mrazek. The play was .930 save percentage in two games Detroit net and received a rela- though the Sharks have games for a 2-1 Wings lead. set up after Couture won a faceoff with the Barracuda. The Sharks tively solid performance from in hand on every team they’re “That one hurt,” Sharks cen- with Henrik Zetterberg. play 10 more games before their goalie Martin Jones. But they chasing in the Pacifi c Division, tre Logan Couture said of the Jones was otherwise solid for All-Star break begins Jan. 26, failed to capitalise on consecu- they remain in sixth place, six Abdelkader goal. “I hate to say three periods, as he fi nished with including back-to-back games tive scoring chances in the third points back of the second-place that’s the way it’s going right 23 saves, including 11 in the fi rst Monday and Tuesday against Cal- period and gave up the eventual Arizona Coyotes. now, but that’s the way it’s go- period. gary and Winnipeg. They also play winning goal to the Red Wings’ Little wonder, then, that Joe ing. They make a big save, get The Sharks were coming off on consecutive nights Jan. 23-24 Justin Abdelkader with 6:52 left Thornton picked up a double mi- the puck out to one of their guys one of their longest breaks of the against Minnesota and Los An- in the third. nor for roughing and a 10-minute Sharks goalie Martin Jones. who’s walking into a slap shot. season, as they had been idle since geles. “That’s the way things are go- misconduct for getting in a cou- He makes a good shot, so it’s their 4-1 loss to the Jets on Satur- Results ing right now,” Sharks coach Pete ple haymakers on the Red Wings’ frustrating.” day in what was easily one of their Washington ...... 4 NY ISLANDERS .1 DeBoer said. “We have to be re- Luke Glendening after time ex- ter tonight. We didn’t get it, and er’s goal. Tomas Hertl created a The Sharks fi nish their fi ve- worst performances of the season. Florida ...... 3 OTTAWA ...... 2 silient and know that if we play pired in the third period. that’s just the rut we’re in right turnover behind the Red Wings’ game homestand today against The Sharks felt they had a produc- Philadelphia ...... 4 MINNESOTA 3 (OT) that way over the long term, that “A little frustration,” DeBoer now. We have to keep pushing net and passed to Joonas Don- the Toronto Maple Leafs. tive three days of practice since DALLAS ...... 2 Winnipeg ....1 (SO) we’ll be all right.” said of the postgame get-togeth- until we get out of it.” skoi, whose quick shot from in Since February 2015, the Sharks that loss, the last time this season Arizona ...... 2 CALGARY ...... 1 Unlike other losses on this er. “You expect that. Guys are The Sharks had two solid scor- close went off the goal post. were 0-17-1, and 0-11 this season, they’ll have that much practice LOS ANGELES 2 Toronto...... 1 homestand to Colorado where (ticked) off . They deserved bet- ing chances before Abdelkad- Roughly a minute later in- when they allowed the fi rst goal at time between games. Detroit ...... 2 SAN JOSE ...... 1 Gulf Times 8 Saturday, January 9, 2016 SPORT

QATAR OPEN GOLF

Golfers in action on the second day of the Qatar Open Amateur Golf Championship at the Doha Golf Club. About 126 golfers are taking part in the three-day event. PICTURES: Jayaram

GOLF SPOTLIGHT Amazing Grace surges into joint lead Reed pips Spieth at rain-hit SA Open

Reuters Englishman Andy Sullivan, Johannesburg the defending champion, is in danger of missing the weekend after a 72 gave him a total of outh African Branden three over par, one shot outside for Hawaii lead Grace sunk birdies in the projected cut. consecutive holes to Seventy-eight players must storm into a share of the complete their second rounds ‘It’s just a day to get into a rhythm, kind of see where everything’s at’ leadS at the South African Open early on Saturday morning. before the threat of lightning and rain brought a premature end to LEADING COMPLETED SEC- AFP the second round yesterday. OND ROUND SCORES Lahaina, Hawaii Patrick Reed plays his shot from the second tee Grace, who had completed 136 -Keith Horne (RSA) 67 69 during round one of the Hyundai Tournament of the 11th hole when play was sus- 137 -Jbe Kruger (RSA) 67 70 Champions at the Plantation Course at Kapalua pended and later called off , was 138 -Brandon Stone (RSA) 71 67, efending champion Golf Club in Lahaina, Hawaii. (Getty Images/AFP) level with clubhouse leader and Justin Walters (RSA) 68 70, Ross Patrick Reed eagled compatriot Keith Horne on eight McGowan 68 70 the 18th hole on under par. 139 -Christiaan Bezuidenhout Thursday to pip world Having sunk successive bird- (RSA) 70 69 numberD one Jordan Spieth ies between the second and fi fth 140 -Dean Burmester (RSA) 70 for the fi rst-round lead at the holes, Grace added two more on 70, Retief Goosen (RSA) 68 72, US PGA Tour Tournament of 10 and 11, his only blemish a bo- Cameron Moralee (RSA) 69 71 Champions in Hawaii. gey at the par-three sixth. 141 -Nicolo Ravano (ITA) 69 72 Reed, who has six top-10 fi n- He carded an erratic 69 in 142 -Craig Lee 72 70, Thomas ishes in his last six tournaments Thursday’s opening round as he Linard (FRA) 68 74, Graeme around the world, played his seeks a fi rst victory in his home Storm 72 70 last six holes in six-under par to Open championship to go with 143 -Jason Scrivener (AUS) 72 seize the lead with an eight-un- six previous European Tour 71, Hennie Otto (RSA) 76 67, der par total of 65 on the par-73 wins. Daniel Im (USA) 73 70, Vaughn Plantation Course at Kapalua. Horne went bogey-free as Groenewald (RSA) 72 71, Lee Spieth, off to a solid start in three birdies completed a steady Slattery 75 68 his mission to carry his scin- 69 in windy conditions earlier 144 -Ben Evans 71 73, Romain tillating 2015 form seamlessly in the day. He and Grace share a Wattel (FRA) 74 70, Dominic into the new year, birdied the one-shot lead over South Afri- Foos (GER) 74 70, Richard last to cap a 66. Both were part can Jbe Kruger, who shot 70 in McEvoy 75 69, Erik Van Rooyen of a fi ve-way tie for the lead as his second round. (RSA) 73 71, Trevor Fisher Jnr they arrived at the par-fi ve 18th, Overnight leader Jaco van Zyl (RSA) 71 73 where Reed fi red his second shot suff ered a horror 11 holes before 145 -Tjaart Van Der Walt (RSA) 74 to 16 feet and made the putt. the players were called off the 71, David Drysdale 69 76, Jamie New Zealand’s Danny Lee course, including three bogeys McLeary 72 73, Lasse Jensen fi nished tied with Americans and a double-bogey on the par- (DEN) 73 72, Lyle Rowe (RSA) 73 Brandt Snedeker and J.B. Hol- four 10th. He is three under par 72, Wallie Coetsee (RSA) 70 75, mes on 67, with Argentina’s Fa- for the tournament with seven Stuart Manley 72 73 bian Gomez alone in sixth on 68. holes to play in his second round. 146-Alex Haindl (RSA) 71 75 Spieth, whose stellar 2015 birdies in his bogey-free round. 2015-16 US PGA Tour season PGA Tour playoff s. 69-Brooks Koepka, Steven South Africans Brandon 147-Andy Sullivan 75 72, Peter campaign included fi ve vic- has been underway since Oc- Reed came out on top at the Bowditch (ARG), Kevin Kisner, Stone (67) and Justin Walters Karmis (RSA) 74 73, Darren tories, two of them majors, ‘Brings out the best’ tober, but the fi rst event of the 2013 Wyndham Championship, Bubba Watson, Rickie Fowler (70), as well as Englishman Ross Fichardt (RSA) 73 74, Callum drained a 30-foot birdie putt at Reed picked up just two bird- calendar year is a highlight fea- and Spieth avenging that defeat 70-Smylie Kaufman, Padraig McGowan (70), were two shots Mowat (RSA) 75 72, Louis Calitz the second hole to get his 2016 ies on his outward run and said turing only last season’s tour- at the Valspar Championship Harrington (IRL), Matt Every, off the leaders at six under par (RSA) 77 70, Daniel Gavins 70 77, on track. the second, at the par-fi ve nament winners, with 32 tak- last March in a playoff that also Chris Kirk, Justin Thomas, having completed their rounds. Lindani Ndwandwe (RSA) 74 73 “It’s just a day to get into a ninth, was a turning point. ing part. They were greeted by included Sean O’Hair. Jimmy Walker, Jason Day (AUS) rhythm, kind of see where eve- “From there I just hit the benign conditions, with little “Maybe we want to beat each 71-Peter Malnati, Emiliano Grillo rything’s at,” said Spieth, the ball a little closer and hit better wind on a course softened by other so bad it brings the best (ARG), David Lingmerth (SWE), BRANDEN GRACE Masters and US Open cham- putts,” he said. pre-tournament rain. out in us,” Spieth said. Russell Knox (SCO), Bill Haas, pion. “Everything feels pretty Australia’s Jason Day, whose “I would call it as easy as the Scott Piercy good. I just need to tighten the fi ve victories in 2015 included a course could play,” said Spieth. LEADING FIRST-ROUND 72-Alex Cejka (GER) gap a little, maybe have a couple major breakthrough at the PGA “You can attack some pins if the SCORES 73-Dustin Johnson better looks at birdie. But I can’t Championship, opened with a wind isn’t blowing out here.” 65-Patrick Reed 75-Graeme McDowell (NIR), complain.” three-under par 70. He and Reed will play togeth- 66-Jordan Spieth Davis Love, Troy Merritt, Zach “If I do what I did today each Reigning British Open cham- er again on Friday, continuing a 67-Brandt Snedeker, J.B. Hol- Johnson day, we’re in good business,” pion Zach Johnson was well off rivalry that has already seen the mes, Danny Lee (NZL) 76-James Hahn added Spieth, who had seven the pace on two-over 75. The twenty-somethings duel in two 68-Fabian Gomez (ARG) 77-J.J. Henry.

FOCUS Engine talk revs up in Abu Dhabi with F1 teams looking to the future By Paul Weaver The place reeks of money. So on Wednesday evening to mark is pestering their chief executive erns the sport. Forget what’s The Guardian it’s a pity the circuit, made up those half-dozen races, in aid of Carlos Ghosn right now. happening on the track - this McLaren stalwart Alexander dies at 75 mostly of medium and low- the World Childhood Founda- There are suggestions he has power struggle has been the real speed corners, is essentially tion . There is also a new F1 pub- an much-improved budget for contest in recent months. American Tyler Alexander, who helped Bruce McLaren found the here were groans all uninteresting. lication being launched here; next year. Lotus are still waiting The idea from Ecclestone and McLaren Formula One team in the 1960s and remained a part of it round as we escapees The season is usually wrapped Rev Grand Prix Journal. In F1 for confi rmation that Renault Todt was to run a cheaper power for more than 40 years, died on Thursday at the age of 75. from a British winter up by now too, which it is in- nothing stands still. Unless it’s a will take over the team for 2016. unit alongside the very expen- “Tyler Alexander was one of the first pillars of our company,” said arrived in Abu Dhabi on deed on this occasion, though McLaren, of course. Meanwhile Red Bull, who have sive turbo hybrids. McLaren Group head Ron Dennis in a tribute on the McLaren TWednesday. The clouds might of course last season’s ridiculous looked in vain to Mercedes and But if this ends up with the website. have been painted by John Con- double points race at least pro- Engine talk will dominate Ferrari to give them a new power manufacturers lowering their “Bruce couldn’t have asked for a sturdier pair of shoulders upon stable in one of his gloomier vided some drama. the weekend, following unit, and who were blocked by engine prices most people will which to help build the team’s reputation. moods, and there was wind and And there was excitement too the decision by the F1 McLaren from turning to Honda, be happy. “Tyler was one of the finest of the old school: hardy, humble and rain in the desert air. in 2010, the second race here, Commission earlier in the may be forced to mend their rift Nobody really wants a two- wise, leaving a reputation and a legacy that will remain indelible in “This is a bit off ,” observed when Fernando Alonso, the Red week to reject the idea of a with the French company with tier championship. The manu- the history of international motorsport,” added Dennis. one Formula One mechanic. Bull pair of Sebastian cheaper, alternative engine whom they once had such a good facturers, along with the FIA, Raised in Hingham, Massachusetts, Alexander befriended Pennsyl- “The racing might be boring here Vettel and Mark Webber and for next year relationship . will present a proposal by 15 vania lawyer Teddy Mayer, who was involved in motorsport with his but at least you can usually get a even — mathematically — Lewis Engine talk will dominate the January. racing driver brother Timmy, and then met New Zealander McLaren bit of sun before Christmas.” He Hamilton all had chances of win- But even though the action weekend, following the decision There might not be too much in England. After starting out as chief mechanic with McLaren in spoke for many. This is the sun- ning the title. In the end Vettel on Sunday might be less than by the F1 Commission earlier in going on come race day, al- 1963, Alexander filled a number of roles at the team and ultimately shine banker on the F1 schedule prevailed to become the young- compelling, there will be plenty the week to reject the idea of a though Nico Rosberg’s upgraded became a director. and the good weather at least est champion and claim the fi rst of stuff going on in the paddock. cheaper, alternative engine for challenge to Hamilton , with fi ve Although he left in 1983 to run an IndyCar outfit with Teddy Meyer, puts everyone in a good mood of his four consecutive titles. There won’t be another race un- next year. poles and two wins recently, is who had taken over as F1 team principal after McLaren’s death in before a generally anticlimatic Apart from that, though, there til Melbourne in March but a lot That represents a victory for worth watching, as is anything 1970 and relinquished control to Dennis in 1980, he returned in 1989. race weekend. is little to remember from the six will have happened by then and the two strongest teams, Mer- Max Verstappen does. Alexander then worked for the team until 2008 when he retired af- The Yas Marina Circuit, races that have been staged here. a great deal of it will be discussed cedes and Ferrari, and a defeat But the politics are as compel- ter attending every race in a season that ended with Britain’s Lewis which will stage the final round So to jog our memory, Sut- this weekend. for the sport’s chief executive ling as ever. And the good news Hamilton taking his first career title with McLaren. of the 2015 season here on Sun- ton Images put on an exhibi- At the middle of everything is Bernie Ecclestone and Jean Todt, on Thursday morning was that “Quite simply, Tyler lived and breathed McLaren,” said Dennis. day, is surrounded by opulence. tion of special photographs here Renault, which is why everyone president of the FIA, which gov- the sun was shining once more. Gulf Times Saturday, January 9, 2016 9 FEATURES

SPOTLIGHT Russian doping scandal: a complex corruption trail that led to the very top One man’s decision to speak out over Liliya Shobukhova blackmail case exposed athletics’ rotten core and led to the suspensions handed down by the IAAF’s ethics commission on Wednesday

By Sean Ingle depending on the results of a French The Guardian police investigation into whether he took bribes. Other details also raised eyebrows. he biggest scandal in athletics The IAAF’s anti-doping department history started to slowly un- thought it “unusual and inappropri- furl over drinks at a crowded ate” when Cissé was brought in to Japanese hotel bar in February personally scrutinise Russian athletes’ T2014. It was the night before the To- biological passport cases “despite kyo Marathon but the Russian sports having never previously been involved agent Andrey Baranov was troubled by in any case at the result management something much deeper than his ath- level” - yet did nothing about it. Huw letes’ chances. When Sean Wallace- Roberts tried to quit from his legal posi- Jones, a senior IAAF offi cial he knew tion because the IAAF sat on six cases of and trusted, sat next to him, he ush- Russian biological passport violations, ered him into a quiet corner and told but stayed on because Diack refused to him: “I need your help.” accept his resignation. Tentatively, Baranov began to reveal The report was particularly damn- fragments of an extraordinary story ing about the behaviour of Russian involving doping, extortion and cor- and IAAF offi cials. Shobukhova’s sig- ruption. As he explained to a shocked Liliya Shobukhova paid money to Russian nature was forged onto an “acceptance Wallace-Jones, his athlete Liliya off icials to cover up doping violations. of sanction” form just before Russian Shobukhova — the second fastest fe- Athletics imposed a ban on her. And male marathon runner in history and while her story was “entirely consist- a winner of the London Marathon in ent”, Balakhnichev and Melnikov’s ac- 2010 — had given €450,000 (£335,000) count was “riddled with implausibili- to senior Russian offi cials in exchange ties, inconsistencies, transparent lies for covering up violations in her athlete and dubious documents”, and Papa biological passport. Massata Diack’s version was considered That decision to speak out — at con- to be “lacking in any plausibility”. siderable risk to Baranov’s safety — led Many in track and fi eld continue to directly to the decision on Thursday doubt Baranov and Shobhukhova’s mo- by the International Association of tives in coming forward, given that his Athletics Federations’ ethics commis- roster of athletes contains several with sion to hand life bans to Papa Mas- chequered pasts while she is a con- sata Diack, a former IAAF marketing fi rmed drugs cheat. But Baranov insists executive and the son of the former she deserves great credit for coming president Lamine, along with Valentin forward to the ethics commission and Balakhnichev, the former president of helping the World Anti-Doping Agency. the Russian athletics federation and As he told the Guardian: “Shobukhova IAAF treasurer, and Alexei Melnikov, was a “product of a system which was the former chief coach for Russian en- exposed by Wada” where athletes were durance athletes. Meanwhile Gabriel encouraged to dope - or frozen out. Dollé, the most senior anti-doping of- “Liliya was also brave to speak out. fi cial in track and fi eld until 2014, was Not many people know what she did or given a fi ve-year ban. what she went through.” The commission’s verdict was direct Baranov also admitted to the Guard- and damning. It found the four men had ian that he still fears the repercussions “acted dishonestly and corruptly and from speaking out. “Of course I am did unprecedented damage to the sport worried but what are you going to do?” of track and fi eld ... [having] conspired he says. “It had to be done for the fu- to extort what were in substance bribes by Dave Bedford, the legendary former ack directly. But the meeting left him Corruption is not new in interna- anti-doping director because of the ture.” from the athlete by acts of blackmail”. 10,000m world record holder and frustrated. As Wallace-Jones told the tional sport, of course. But this went Shobukhova case. And the Russians have a staunch ally But without the persistence of Wal- chairman of the IAAF’s road running ethics commission, Diack “immedi- beyond fi nancial embezzlement and Initially when we put this to the in Dave Bedford, a strong anti-doping lace-Jones the deep rottenness at the commission. After hearing Baranov’s ately told me that the accusations were bribes and directly on to the fi eld of IAAF, we were told that Dollé had “re- campaigner during nearly half a centu- heart of the sport may never have been story, he urged the pair to report what untrue and that if there was any truth play. The actions of senior IAAF and tired after more than 20 years with the ry as an athlete and administrator. “As exposed. Immediately after meeting they knew to the IAAF’s newly estab- then they would be investigated.” Russian offi cials meant that Shobukho- IAAF - he is 73 years old and the normal horrible and sordid as this case is, our Baranov in Tokyo, he phoned Dollé to lished independent ethics commission. Wallace-Jones was unconvinced. “I va was allowed to compete when she retirement age in Monaco is 65 so he sport is in a better position now know- ask him for clarifi cation. Dollé was Bedford trusted its head Michael Beloff told him that I believed that there was should have been banned because of was actually overdue to step down”. It ing this is happened than if it had been hesitant and suggested they should QC, one of the world’s leading sports considerable circumstantial evidence huge anomalies in her biological pass- was only when we insisted that sources pushed under the carpet,” says Bedford. chat when they were both back at the lawyers, to fi nd the truth. and that investigation was certainly port. had told us that Dollé had been ques- “And as a sport we have to give credit IAAF’s headquarters in Monaco. When At that meeting Baranov made called for,” he says. “He then proceeded As Beloff started quietly to go tioned by the ethics commission that to Baranov, Shobukhova, and Wallace- they did so over lunch a few days later, a second stunning revelation: that to tell me about his relationship with about his business, Shobukhova de- it reluctantly confi rmed the news. On Jones who bought this to the ethics Dollé was guarded. But Wallace-Jones some IAAF offi cials were involved in his son Papa Massata, saying how dif- cided she wasn’t going to pay any Thursday the IAAF’s ethics commis- commission.” kept digging. He alerted several other extorting money. As he explained, fi cult it had been and how they had not more bribes and was banned from sion banned Dollé for fi ve years for fail- But there is no hiding the fact that senior fi gures to Baranov’s story, in- Shobukhova had been asked to accept spoken for many years and that there athletics in the spring of 2014. For ing to ensure action was taken to sus- Thursday was another desperate day cluding the IAAF’s deputy general sec- a suspension in exchange for getting had been a lot of resentment from his several months the story went quiet, pend Shobukhova. for track and fi eld. And athletics’ repu- retary Nick Davies, and tried to arrange a €300,000 refund. The money was son as he was rarely at home due to his then in December 2014 it exploded. Most of the juiciest pieces of the re- tation is likely to suff er an even greater a meeting with the president of the transferred to her husband’s bank ac- political and sporting commitments.” First the German documentary mak- port were already in the public domain. battering next Thursday when Dick IAAF, Lamine Diack. But it was slow count from a company in Singapore Baranov and Wallace-Jones continued er Hajo Seppelt revealed widespread But buried in the appendices were in- Pound publishes a follow-up report going. called Black Tidings, which was linked to talk, both in person and on Facebook, doping in Russian athletics. Then the teresting titbits and further potential into IAAF corruption, which he says Another month, another meeting, to Papa Massata Diack. Baranov also piecing together what they knew like French newspaper L’Équipe revealed time bombs - including a revelation will contain a “a wow factor”. Given a another bar. On 28 March, Baranov and insisted that Balakhnichev, the IAAF detectives. Finally it was time to act. On that senior figures had extorted mon- that there was strong prima facie evi- French police investigation into several Wallace-Jones again found themselves treasurer and Russian Athletics presi- 12 April 2014, the day before the London ey from Shobukhova, which led Papa dence Habib Cissé, Lamine Diack’s le- former IAAF fi gures is also ongoing, drinking in a hotel — this time, the dent, had knowledge of the arrange- Marathon, the men signed a sworn dep- Massata Diack and Balakhnichev to gal adviser is now being scrutinised by those still left on athletics’ rickety ship Marriott in Copenhagen — on the eve ment. osition and sent it by courier to Beloff ’s step down from their IAAF positions. the ethics commission, along with Di- must yearn for a moment when they of the world half-marathon champion- Two days later, on 30 March, Wal- offi ce alleging corruption at the highest Then the Guardian revealed that Dol- ack himself. The case against Dollé too, are not being buff eted by wretched ships. Now, though, they were joined lace-Jones fi nally got to hear from Di- level of athletics’ governing body. lé had left his post as the medical and the report noted, might be reopened storms and scandals.

BOTTOMLINE Italian female football team play on in face of mafi a-style intimidation

By Rosie Scammell after its president received intimidating messages cebook page announced it was heeding the warn- of people and it was a beautiful thing to see,” said Bova said the ‘Ndrangheta typically keeps a low The Guardian relating to the club and his daughter, and had his ings and would close. Beita Fernandez, Sporting Locri’s captain. She is profi le and if it is found responsible for the Sport- car tyres slashed. Such intimidation is a technique commonly one of four Spanish players in the side and, threats ing Locri threats, it would be the fi rst time the But, after an outpouring of indignant and used by mafi a clans in Calabria, which is home aside, is focusing on winning their upcoming mobsters have acted in such a direct way against emotional messages from other teams across the to the notorious ‘Ndrangheta mafi a. It is not yet game against Lazio C5: “It’s a match that we must a football club. “There’s a new type of mafi a, the Weeks after its president country, the fi ve-a-side squad said it would re- known whether the club suff ered intimidation win, we must get more points and continue to young bosses are more brazen than the bosses of turn to the pitch at a match this weekend to be specifi cally because it is a female side, or whether play until the end,” she said. the past. Today’s young guys have a more arrogant received threats telling broadcast on national television and attended by other factors were at play. While Italy’s response to the Sporting Locri mentality,” he said. the Italian FA’s president, Carlo Tavecchio, along Although Italy’s national women’s side is threats has highlighted the ability of sport to bind But despite the mafi a’s capacity to interfere in him to close the club, with other sporting offi cials. ranked 13th in the world — above their male coun- communities together in the face of criminality, in football, the president of the Italian Sports Cen- Sporting Locri is kicking “To tell the truth, in order to continue in the terparts at 15th place — female football teams are Calabria football can be a profi table enterprise for tre in Reggio Calabria, Paolo Cicciù, is convinced championship it doesn’t make sense to stop. relatively rare in a society where sexism remains the mafi a. sport initiatives can off er young Italians an alter- off again after an It will be good to continue ... Sunday will be a common. Arturo Bova, the president of the region’s anti- native to criminality. great day for sport,” said midfi elder Rosanna Massimo Achini, the national president of the ‘Ndrangheta commission, said the powerful ma- “Invest resources in sport, think of the initia- outpouring of support Rovito. Italian Sports Centre, said there were far fewer fi a group seeks to be involved in every sector of tives that we do in places such as Locri,” he said. from across Italy A criminal investigation is under way to fi nd opportunities for women to play football than Calabrian society. “They arrive to do shady deal- “Sport is a choice for legality. If the government out who was behind the threats, which began on 7 men. “There are places where playing football re- ings, not to do good,” he said, remarking that dur- invests in this in Calabria, perhaps something December when the club’s president, Ferdinando mains a dream for women. In Calabria, there are ing his career he has often had his car torched by can change.” ne of Italy’s best female football teams Armeni, received a message reading: “It’s time to towns where there are no sports centres,” he said. criminal elements. Despite the diffi culties facing clubs in Calabria, will make a defi ant return to the pitch close Sporting Locri. Leave!”. The team continued Sporting Locri is one of Italy’s most important “A huge amount of money moves in Italian Cicciù credited Sporting Locri with helping to de- on Sunday, taking a stand against ma- playing until just before Christmas, when Arme- female clubs and, following the threats, an “I go to football … the ‘Ndrangheta use it for money- velop women’s football in Italy, a standing the team fi a-style threats that sought to shut ni’s tyres were slashed and the messages became play in Locri” initiative was launched to further laundering or to control territory,” he explained. will not willingly give up. Sounding upbeat ahead downO the club. more violent. raise its profi le. The scheme brought hundreds of The Calabrian mafi a is one of the world’s most of their next match, coach Luis Lapuente said the Sporting Locri, which hails from the southern The president decided to take action when a people to the town on 6 January, a public holiday, powerful criminal organisations and makes mil- players had no problems and are ready for kickoff . Calabria region and competes in Italy’s top Serie note suggested his daughter would be the target. for a community sports day. lions of euros from the cocaine trade, laundering “As we have said from the beginning, we will A league, had announced its closure last month A post declaring “Game Over” on the club’s Fa- “I’m happy that it went well. There were a lot profi ts through legal businesses. continue to play … We will go ahead,” he said. Gulf Times 10 Saturday, January 9, 2016 FOOTBALL

SPOTLIGHT BALLON D’OR Will Messi win his fourth or is it Ronaldo for the treble? Lionel Messi is favourite to win the Ballon d’Or on Monday after an impeccable 2015 but can Cristiano Ronaldo pip him to the post and get a hattrick? Another name in the mix is Neymar who is simply happy to be amongst the choices Messi looking to reclaim Ronaldo goes more in hope Neymar simply delighted to Ballon d’Or from Ronaldo than expectation be in the top three

DPA “You can’t live obsessing about DPA This understanding has been so Madrid what other people think about you, if Madrid eff ective that Barca won fi ve out oof you did, you wouldn’t live. Not even the six trophies they competed for God can please everyone.” in 2015: the Champions League, La ristiano Ronaldo raised eye- Ronaldo is often jeered by a vocal hen Neymar received Liga, the Spanish Cup, the European brows across the world by minority of the ‘madridista’ fans in the news that he was Super Cup and the Club World Cup. undiplomatically whooping the Estadio Bernabeu - despite all his one of the three can- Neymar fi nished joint third in the with delight when he won goals - especially when he declines didates to win the 2015 Liga scoring chart last season with Cthe Ballon d’Or in 2013 and 2014, to pass to a better-placed team-mate WBallon d’Or award, he did a euphoric Antoine Griezmann of Atletico Ma- ahead of arch-rival Lionel Messi. or balloons a free-kick well over the samba dance of delight. drid, behind Messi and Ronaldo. The question on everyone’s lips crossbar. “It is wonderful to be included In the Champions League, Ney- now is: can Ronaldo win it for a third The only trophy that he won in next to two such accomplished stars mar fi nished joint top with Messi straight time - as Messi did from 2015 was the Spanish league top as Leo (Messi) and Ronaldo,” Neymar and Ronaldo on 10 goals, thanks to 2010 to 2012 - or will Messi reclaim scorers award, well ahead of Messi beamed. hitting the fi nal goal in Barca’s 3-1 top spot on the podium? and Neymar - the third candidate on “I will be in very special company defeat of Juventus in the fi nal. Messi is the odds-on favourite to the Ballon d’Or shortlist this year. at the ceremony...I take this as a rec- Neymar also scored in the fi nal of win this time, having guided Barca to Despite Real’s lack of success in ognition of how hard i have worked the Spanish Cup, a 3-1 defeat of Ath- fi ve major trophies in a fl ood of goals. 2015, Ronaldo made it clear that he to improve my game in the last year letic Bilbao, played in Barca’s own In contrast, Ronaldo has endured wanted coach Carlo Ancelotti to stay or so.” Camp Nou. a diffi cult and trophyless year at on - and was furious when the Italian According to sources close to him, However, that was the night when Real Madrid, after the whites hit the was pushed aside for Rafa Benitez. Neymar, 23, entertains very few Neymar infuriated the Bilbao de- hights in 2014. Moreover, Ronaldo was, accord- hopes that he will be announced as fenders when - with the score at 3-1 However, former Germany goal- ing to media reports, absolutely livid the winner at Monday’s high-profi le - he tried to fl ick the ball over them keeper Oliver Kahn has predicted when Benitez - in his fi rst week in the ceremony in Zurich. with an audacious back-heel called a another win for Ronaldo: “It’ll prob- job - refused to accept that the Por- However, he is delighted just to be ‘Lambretta’ in Spain. on the top three shortlist for the fi rst The Basque defenders thought time in his brief career. Neymar was disrespecting them, His presence in the top three is en- and promptly hacked him down. In- tirely due to his exhilarating form for terestingly, Barca coach Luis Enrique Barcelona instead of his patchy form - instead of backing up his player - for Brazil. said he understood the annoyance of Neymar bowed out of the 2014 the Basques and advised Neymar to World Cup at the quarter-fi nal stage give up on the party tricks. with a back injury, then got himself Indeed, Neymar is not the most sent off and suspended against Co- popular opponent among players lombia in the group stage at the 2015 and fans in Spain. He has frequently Copa America. been accused of diving, and of trying “It has not been a good year for me to belittle defenders with his clever playing for Brazil,” he admitted re- tricks. cently. “But it has been a wonderful “Football is entertainment, the year at Barca, really wonderful.” crowd want to enjoy themselves,” he Neymar, playing as a false left- said recently. winger with freedom to roam, has “My fi rst priority is to help my linked up to devastating eff ect at team win, but I also want to entertain Barca with fellow South Americans the fans and let them see something Messi and Luis Suarez, forming the diff erent and unexpected.” much feared and admired ‘MSN’ strike trio. “It is wonderful to be included “The three of us are great friends next to two such accomplished off the fi eld and this also helps on the stars as Leo and Ronaldo. I will fi eld. We are always looking to fi nd be in very special company at each other and help each other, we the ceremony...I take this as a try not to be selfi sh. We seem to have recognition of how hard i have a very good understanding of each worked to improve my game in other’s movements and intentions.” the last year or so”

DPA “It would be an absolute Madrid travesty if the award did not go to Messi,” Catalan radio station RAC1 said. “He has been far and ionel Messi is the odds-on away the most eff ective player favourite to win the Ballon in world football in 2015 - there d’Or award Monday, after can be no doubt whatsoever an impeccable 2015 which about that” Lsaw him win almost every trophy he competed for. there have been many of them, for- Messi won the prestigious award tunately.” in 2010, 2011 and 2012, when he was What has helped Messi to return the elegant icing on the cake of Pep to the top has been Barca signing Guardiola’s all-conquering Barce- Neymar, in 2013, then Luis Suarez a lona side. year later. Messi reportedly asked the However, Guardiola left Barca in club to sign both players, in order to 2012 and the club underwent serious remove the exclusive responsibility internal problems, which contrib- of scoring from him - and to allow uted to Messi being edged out for the him to drop back and play in a slight- award by Cristiano Ronaldo in 2013 ly more withdrawn role. and 2014. So the Messi the world saw in 2015 But 2015 saw Barca return to glory was a more mature one, playing “in in spectacular style, winning the the hole” behind the front two, and Champions League, La Liga, the linking up devastatingly with them Spanish Cup, the European Super to form what is surely the most lethal Cup and the Club World Cup under forward line in contemporary world Luis Enrique, with Messi scoring football. ably be another battle between Mes- tuguese hitman was the best in the many of the crucial goals and setting “We have seen a new mature Mes- si, who’s had a strong season, and world, instead merely saying “he is up several others. si this past year or so,” commented Ronaldo, who has scored another clearly among the best players.” The only trophy to elude Barca Catalan television channel TV3. hatful of goals. After Real’s 4-0 meltdown against was the Spanish Super Cup, in which “At the age now of 28, he realizes “I think Ronaldo will win again, Barcelona in November, Ronaldo re- they were surprisingly beaten by he cannot reproduce the 40 or 50 a man who calls himself the world’s portedly told Real president Floren- Athletic Bilbao. metre sprints of a few years ago, so best player - and who can blame him tino Perez that “we will never win Messi is the overwhelming fa- he has learned to play in a diff erent for that?” anything with Benitez.” vourite to win what would be his way - in a calmer and more thought- Ronaldo’s alleged arrogance has fourth Ballon d’Or, despite being ful way, pacing himself through the not always endeared him to everyone “I think Ronaldo will win again, out injured with a sprained left knee 90 minutes. in the football world. a man who calls himself the from September to November - and The only frustration for Messi in In 2011, after being kicked from world’s best player - and who despite the stress of an ongoing law- 2015 has been his continued frustra- pillar to post by the defenders of Dy- can blame him for that?” suit against him for tax evasion. tions with Argentina. namo Zagreb - to the delight of the “It would be an absolute travesty if He helped his beloved ‘Albiceleste’ most of the crowd in the Croatian Indeed, Ronaldo looked positively the award did not go to Messi,” Cata- to reach the fi nal in Chile - just as capital - Ronaldo infamously de- relieved earlier this week when Pe- lan radio station RAC1 commented. he guided them to the 2014 World clared: “They hate me because I’m rez replaced Benitez with Zinedine “He has been far and away the Cup fi nal - and scored in the penalty handsome, rich and a great player.” Zidane. Benitez’s idea seemed to most eff ective player in world foot- shootout against Chile, only to see And last week he paraded his mas- be to take Ronaldo off the left wing ball in 2015 - there can be no doubt his team lose 4-1 to the hosts. sive ego once again by saying: “There and use him as a second striker, on whatsoever about that.” Messi then received some harsh are people who hate me, who say I’m the assumption that Ronaldo - who Messi himself has tried to play criticism in the Argentine media, vain, or arrogant, or this or that. will be 31 in February - was no longer down all the speculation about his leading national manager Gerardo “That’s part of my success. I was up to making 30 or 40-metre surges return to top spot, saying recently Martino among others to say they born to be the best. That’s the way down the fl ank. in his habitual understated style: “It would completely understand if I am, and if all my achievements It remains to be seen what particu- would be nice to win it (the Ballon he decided to take a well-deserved in football are down to that, then I lar role Zidane will assign to Ronaldo d’Or) again, I can’t deny that. break from national team duty for a wouldn’t change a thing. I go to bed - or whether the Portuguese striker “But the important thing is the year or so - something Messi refused every night with a clear conscience has more respect for the Frenchman trophies the team has won - and to even consider. and sleep perfectly well. than he had for Benitez. Gulf Times Saturday, January 9, 2016 11 FOOTBALL

SPOTLIGHT SERIE A Roma seek AC Milan Holders Arsenal redemption start road to FA

Cup history File picture of AS Roma’s Umar Sadiq (L) celebrating after scoring. AFP Egyptian hobbling off with a Milan thigh knock against Chievo. ‘For every Englishman it is a memorable cup. It would be an amazing achievement As Inter look to protect their one-point lead over Fiorentina (three consecutive titles) and I’m sure everyone will give everything to get there’ igerian starlet Umar and Napoli when they host Sas- Sadiq is in no hurry to suolo, Mihajlovic can only hope step into goal-shy Edin his misfi ring strikers improve in a Dzeko’s boots despite stadium he is all too familiar with NRoma hosting AC Milan today in having spent six seasons with a clash that could decide the fu- Roma’s bitter rivals Lazio. ture of both teams’ coaches. After Milan’s sixth reverse of Sadiq, 18, has found the net in the season on Wednesday, Mi- each of his last two appearances hajlovic hit out: “We weren’t for Roma, coming off the bench unlucky, when you miss fi ve to head home in a 2-0 win over one-on-one chances to beat the Genoa last month and giving the goalkeeper you risk conceding a Giallorossi the lead in a 3-3 draw goal at the end, and that’s what away to Chievo on Wednesday. happened. That result left Roma in fi fth Fiorentina, who have scored a place but Rudi Garcia’s men trail league-leading 36 goals thanks leaders Inter Milan by six points primarily to Nikola Kalinic (10) and the pressure is growing on and Josip Ilicic (9), host a strug- the French coach—although he is gling Lazio on Saturday with the not alone. chance to go provisional top for Milan handler Sinisa Mi- the second time in a week. hajlovic could become the latest Thanks to the league-leading scapegoat for the long-standing tally of Gonzalo Higuain (16 goals) malaise at the seven-time Eu- and a solid contribution from ropean champions following a Lorenzo Insigne (8), Napoli are 1-0 home defeat by Bologna in also just one point off the pace. midweek, when Milan had 16 at- Maurizio Sarri’s men travel to tempts on goal. Frosinone looking to avoid a re- Sadiq, meanwhile, believes peat of their scoreless draw with Roma can turn the corner with another promoted side, Carpi, a win at the Stadio Olimpico but earlier this season. despite Dzeko struggling to fi nd Juventus reinforced their bid the net—he has scored only three for a record-equalling fi fth title league goals so far—the Nigerian with a 3-0 rout of winless Verona has given the Bosnian his backing. in midweek and the champions, File picture of Arsenal Asked if Dzeko should be only three points adrift in fourth, manager Arsene Wenger. worried for his starting place, face Sampdoria away. Sadiq told asroma.it: “It’s im- portant for a striker to score Fixtures (GMT) AFP ability to manage the demands of com- Key Fixtures (GMT) mid-week following this weekend’s third but I shouldn’t be looking at my London peting on diff erent fronts. round ties. goals or my games right now, I Today But Chambers insists there will be no Today Allardyce claims it de-values the FA just need to keep working hard. I Carpi vs Udinese (1400), lack of incentive to deliver success in the Wycombe Wanderers (IV) v Aston Cup and will force him into making sev- hope Edin will come back 100%.” Fiorentina vs Lazio (1700), rsenal’s sights are set on the main domestic cup competition. Villa (1245) eral changes this weekend. Promoted to Roma’s senior Roma vs AC Milan (1945) Premier League title but Gun- The centre-back, who could be handed Arsenal v Sunderland (1500) He says his priority is securing a 10th squad after scoring 14 times in ners defender Calum Chambers a rare starting opportunity if Wenger ro- Birmingham City (II) v AFC Bourne- successive season of top fl ight football at 10 games for their youth team, Tomorrow says the possibility of becoming tates his squad, said: “I think for every mouth (1500) the Stadium of Light, with his side facing Sadiq could earn his second start Inter vs Sassuolo (1130), theA fi rst club in the modern era to lift the Englishman it is a very memorable cup. It a crucial visit to fellow strugglers Swan- after Dzeko’s appeal to halve a Norwich City v Manchester City Atalanta vs Genoa, Bologna vs FA Cup for a third successive season will gives that edge to it so you want to win it (1500) sea four days after their trip to London. two-match ban was rejected on Chievo, Frosinone vs Napoli, fi re their defence of the trophy. even more. Watford v Newcastle United (1500) Teenage defender Thomas Beadling Thursday. Verona vs Palermo, Torino vs Arsene Wenger’s side face Sunderland “It would be an amazing achievement West Ham United v Wolverhampton and back-up goalkeeper Jordan Pickford, Roma confi rmed, however, Empoli (all 1400) in the third round at the Emirates Sta- (to win it for the third time in a row) and Wanderers (II) (1500) 21, are expected to be involved for the winger Mohamed Salah could Sampdoria vs Juventus (1945) dium today eight months after their 4-0 I’m sure everyone will be everything to Manchester United v Sheff ield United 1973 FA Cup winners. be available despite the speedy victory over Aston Villa in last season’s get there. (III) (1730) Allardyce is unlikely to risk veteran fi nal. “I wouldn’t say we are discussing it but defenders John O’Shea and Wes Brown, And having ended the club’s nine-year we are thinking about it. Anything in the Tomorrow while nine-goal top scorer Jermain Defoe SACKED wait for a trophy by beating Hull City 12 cup can happen, it is not always straight- Chelsea v Scunthorpe United(III) and key midfi elder Lee Cattermole are months earlier, the Gunners last suff ered forward. (1400) also set to be rested for Wednesday’s trip defeat in the FA Cup way back in Febru- “You have to have both short range Tottenham Hotspur v Leicester City to South Wales. ary 2013. and long-range goals. A long-range goal (1600) Injuries to Younes Kaboul, Seb Lars- China dump Perrin The north Londoners sit top of the would be to break records, win trophies son and Jack Rodwell further lessen the Premier League and beat struggling Sun- and do well, so I think everyone strives options available to Allardyce, who said: derland 3-1 in December, meaning they for that.” rything to qualify. We are the holders of “We’ve got a ridiculously short period aft er World Cup opfl will face Sam Allardyce’s team confi dent Wenger has ruled out a return for Alex- the cup and I know as well by experience of time to recover after the Arsenal cup of extending their impressive run. is Sanchez who has a hamstring problem, that it is very important that you get in match, so I will be making changes. AFP With the Champions League due to while Santi Cazorla and Tomas Rosicky the competition and that you have a suc- “That’s not me disrespecting the FA Beijing resume next month, Arsenal’s chances are still out. cessful third round.” Cup, it’s me having to deal with the situa- of becoming the fi rst club since Black- “Will a young player or two start? I Meanwhile, Black Cats boss Allardyce tion caused by the diabolical way the games burn Rovers in the 1880s to make it three haven’t decided yet,” Wenger said. has criticised the scheduling of the next have been scheduled. The staff are working hina’s football body an- FA Cup wins in a row will hinge on their “The thinking is to give absolutely eve- round of Premier League matches in the very hard to help the lads recover.” nounced the sacking of national coach Alain Perrin yesterday after a disappointingC run of results left BOTTOMLINE their World Cup qualifying cam- paign hanging by a thread. The Chinese Football Associa- tion (CFA) said the decision had been made “out of considera- tion for the performance of the World Cup, and has ordered the United’s Van Gaal unfazed by Chinese national team” and “the game to be played more widely in needs of future team-building”. schools. After “sincere consultations” The challenge of leading the the two sides had decided Perrin world’s most populous and sec- “will no longer work as the head ond-largest economy to foot- impending Guardiola arrival coach of China’s national team”, ball glory would intrigue many a statement on the CFA website coaches—but China’s record in- AFP United kick off their FA Cup Keane,” explained Van Gaal, who said, adding that the search for vites caution. Manchester campaign with a third-round tie has also brought striker Keane, a replacement would start im- China are currently languish- at home to Sheffi eld United on 22, back following a loan spell mediately. ing at 82nd in the rankings, be- Saturday on the back of a fi rst at Championship side Preston The news comes just a year low the likes of Equatorial Guin- anchester United win in nine games against Swan- North End. after the ex-Lyon and Marseille ea and Libya, and have only ever manager Louis van sea City last weekend. “They are coming to us to ask boss led China to the quarter- reached one World Cup, in 2002. Gaal said yesterday Van Gaal is expected to name for a second chance. Manchester fi nals of the Asian Cup in Aus- The domestic game long suf- he would welcome a strong side for the visit of the United is a club that takes care of tralia, in their best performance fered from endemic corruption, MPep Guardiola to the Premier third-tier club, but will not in- all our players and I think it’s a in more than a decade. with a history of match-rigging League and does not fear the Bay- clude Adnan Januzaj. very good habit to have. But optimism has since faded, and bribery, but authorities have ern Munich coach will take his job. The winger, 20, has returned to “I believe in the talent of Ad- and the CFA made a public apol- sought to clean up the game in Guardiola this week expressed Old Traff ord after cutting short an nan Januzaj. I said it would be ogy and announced a review into recent years. his interest in managing in Eng- unsuccessful loan spell at Borus- very diffi cult to play matches in the Frenchman’s performance Now their big-spending land when he leaves the Bundes- sia Dortmund, where he started Dortmund and unfortunately I after a 0-0 World Cup qualifying clubs are fi nding success, with liga champions at the end of the just three games after moving to was right. draw with Hong Kong. Guangzhou Evergrande win- season. Germany at the end of August. “When he doesn’t play there With two games to go in the ning the AFC Champions League While he is widely expected But with the Belgium inter- too much, he can be better train- second round of qualifying for twice in the last three years. to take over at Manchester City, “I think that it is very good care of Manchester United and national set to play for United’s ing with us and maybe he can Russia 2018, China are third in Some Chinese fans said the Guardiola has also been linked he wants to do that and I don’t after this season, I still have one under-21 side at Reading on show talent in the fi rst team.” their group and teetering on the CFA had questions to answer. with a move to Old Traff ord, but think it will have an impact on year to go. Monday, provided the relevant United, who have not won the brink of elimination. “No matter who you hire or Van Gaal sees no problem in the his club. Every manager has that “I have received a contract paperwork is completed in time, FA Cup since 2004, are expected The way forward for China dismiss, the national team per- timing of his former Barcelona right to announce that. of three years and these are the he will not return to the fi rst- to have attacking midfi elder Jesse remains unclear, but they will formance doesn’t change. The captain’s announcement. “It’s not for sure he will be the same goals as when I came here.” team squad immediately. Lingard back from injury to face be desperate to solve the rid- key issue is not the coach, but “You have to set always your manager of a Premier League Van Gaal’s main goal is to win Van Gaal, however, intends to League One side Sheffi eld United. dle of creating a national team the system of Chinese football,” goals, as a manager also,” Van club. The Premier League club a trophy, with United having not give Januzaj a chance to re-es- But Phil Jones has joined fel- to match the country’s soaring posted one social media user. Gaal told journalists at his week- are also part of a contract. claimed any silverware since tablish himself at Old Traff ord, low defenders Marcos Rojo, football ambitions. “Without changing the sys- ly press conference. “He wants “I’m at the end of my career, Alex Ferguson led them to the where he has been since 2011. Luke Shaw and Antonio Valencia Spearheaded by football-lov- tem, it would be useless even if to sniff the culture of England so for me it’s not so interesting. Premier League title ahead of his “It’s more or less the same on the list of absentees after the ing President Xi Jinping, China you hire an extraterrestrial to and I wanted that also. For me it’s interesting how I take retirement in 2013. thing we have done with Will recurrence of an ankle problem. hopes to host and even win a coach the team.”

Saturday, January 9, 2016 GULF TIMES FOOTBALL

SPOTLIGHT FOCUS Ronaldo is more than untransferable, Enthused Bernabeu warns Zidane awaits Zidane’s bow as coach of Real ‘I will be satisfied with winning everything. Our objective is to win, we have two titles Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane (L) and Cristiano Ronaldo. that we can win and we are going to try until the end of the season’ AFP Zidane’s predecessor Rafael Be- Madrid nitez. And the world player of the year fueled speculation concern- ewly-appointed Real ing his future by stating several Madrid coach Zinedine times that he was uncertain what Zidane warned yes- he would do next season. terday that star striker Zidane, who took over from NCristiano Ronaldo would not be Benitez last Monday, said that leaving the club under his tenure. he would not be making trans- “Cristiano is more than un- fer requests during the transfer transferable, he’s the soul of this window. Madrid. As long as I’m here he “Possible departures, I don’t won’t leave, that’s for sure,” the think and I don’t want. Signings Frenchman told a press confer- neither, I have a big squad and am ence ahead of his fi rst game in satisfi ed with it.” charge today. Ten years after his last offi cial “Cristiano will play along the appearance on the pitch of the wing and he’ll play whatever Santiago-Bernabeu Stadium, happens. I’m going to give few former playmaker Zidane will instructions to Cristiano, his have a baptism of fi re on Satur- record talks for itself. The only day against Deportivo La Coruna thing I want is that he feels hap- in La Liga. py, at ease.” Real Madrid are third in La Real Madrid’s all-time leading Liga four points behind Atletico scorer, who turns 31 next month, Madrid, with Deportivo in sev- reportedly felt ill at ease with enth position.

Infantino has ‘respect’ for Platini as UEFA boss blames Blatter

FIFA presidential candidate said: “He did not want me to Gianni Infantino says he go to FIFA. He has often said respects and understands that I would be his last scalp, Michel Platini’s decision to but he is fallen at the same abandon his bid to head foot- time as me.” ball’s world governing body. Both say they will fight their Platini meanwhile blamed bans through the courts and FIFA’s outgoing president also take their cases to the Joseph Blatter for develop- Court of Arbitration for Sport Real Madrid’s new French coach Zinedine Zidane (C) looks at his players during a training session at the Valdebebas training ground in Madrid. ments which led to them both (CAS) in Switzerland. being banned from football Infantino, who is UEFA secre- AFP celona by two - having also played a game Fixtures (all times GMT) Barca can return to the top of the table for eight years. tary general and Platini’s right- Madrid more than the European champions. and open up a fi ve-point gap over Madrid The formal decision to with- hand man at the European “This is a diffi cult but stimulating Today when they host Granada earlier today. draw by UEFA president Platini federation, said: “I fully re- challenge, I want to take up the challenge Barcelona vs Granada (1500), Getafe The Catalans have drawn three of their means 45-year-old Infantino is spect and understand Michel rench legend Zinedine Zidane and do my utmost to win titles,” said Zi- vs Real Betis, Sevilla vs Athletic Bilbao last four La Liga games, but returned to now the confirmed candidate Platini’s decision to withdraw takes charge of Real Madrid for dane. (1715), Real Madrid vs Deportivo la goalscoring form thanks to an inspired of the European football body his candidacy for the FIFA the fi rst time when Deportivo la “I will be satisfi ed with winning eve- Coruna (1930), Levante vs Rayo Val- Lionel Messi as the Argentine scored UEFA to succeed Blatter at presidential election in order Coruna visit what is expected to rything. Our objective is to win, we have lecano (2105) twice and created two more for Gerard FIFA’s helm. to concentrate fully on the beF a sold out Santiago Bernabeu today. two titles that we can win and we are go- Tomorrow Pique and Neymar in a bad-tempered 4-1 Platini and Blatter were ongoing legal procedures. The Madrid fans turned out in their ing to try until the end of the season.” Villarreal vs Sporting Gijon (1100), win over local rivals Espanyol in the Copa last month banned from all Infantino wished Platini “all thousands to welcome Zidane at his fi rst Zidane has signalled his intention to Real Sociedad vs Valencia (1500), del Rey in midweek. football-related activity by the best in his eff orts to clear training session on Tuesday, hours after retain the star attacking trident of Cris- Eibar vs Espanyol, Las Palmas vs Luis Suarez could face up to a three- FIFA’s ethics committee for his name as soon as possible he replaced the sacked Rafael Benitez, tiano Ronaldo, Gareth Bale and Karim Malaga (1715), Celta Vigo vs Atletico match ban for confronting the Espanyol ethics breaches relating to a and I reiterate my support for who paid the price for his unpopularity Benzema up front and will have a fully-fi t Madrid (1930) players in the tunnel after the game, but 2011 payment to Platini of 2 his right to a due process.” with the club’s stars and fans alike after squad to choose from after captain Sergio any sanction would take eff ect in the Cup million Swiss francs (about 2 When he first announced his just seven months in the job. Ramos returned to training on Thursday. leaving him free to face Granada. million dollars). candidacy for the FIFA presi- By contrast, Zidane is beloved at the Despite their struggles under Benitez, “Real Madrid are one of the best teams Atletico have the toughest challenge of In an interview published dency, former France captain Bernabeu for his fi ve years as a player in Madrid have been lethal at home since in the world with the best players. The the title contenders when they travel to Friday by France’s L’Equipe Platini had been seen as the the Spanish capital, most notably scoring suff ering a 4-0 thrashing at the hands of sacking of the coach will make them go fi fth-placed Celta Vigo tomorrow. daily, Platini accused Blatter of favourite to succeed Blatter. a sensational winning goal in the 2002 Barcelona in November, scoring 25 goals for it from the start with Zidane as the Augusto Fernandez could make his bringing him down. Now there does not appear Champions League fi nal. in their last four games at the Bernabeu. new coach,” said Deportivo striker Lucas Liga debut for Diego Simeone’s men just In a report headlined “Platini: to be a clear favourite in the Yet, Deportivo’s visit will be his fi rst However, Deportivo’s resurgence un- Perez, who has scored 12 goals already. days after leaving Celta, whilst the hosts Blatter wanted my skin” Platini February 26 election in Zurich. match in senior management having only der former Madrid midfi elder Victor “For Deportivo the fact it is the Bern- are likely to again be without injured previously coached Madrid’s feeder team Sanchez has been one of the revelations abeu, that Zidane is the coach, means Spanish international Nolito. Castilla for the past 18 months. of the season. there will be more cameras, but I think Top-scorer Antoine Griezmann and Zidane has a tough task if he is to de- The Galicians have only lost three we have shown in the Camp Nou, at Va- Diego Godin will be among those to re- AFC U23 CHAMPIONSHIP liver only Madrid’s second league title in times in the league this season and have lencia and other diffi cult places that we turn to the Atletico side after Simeone eight years with Real trailing league leaders already taken points off Barcelona and will play with the same mentality to win made 10 changes for the 1-1 draw at Rayo Atletico Madrid by four points and Bar- Atletico. games wherever they are.” Vallecano in the Cup on Wednesday. Local schools in 2022 FIFA WORLD CUP QATAR Doha welcome Seventh proposed stadium AFC mascot Najim brings ‘design for legacy’ concept onto the world stage

By Sports Reporter enth proposed host venue for the World Meanwhile, Christopher Lee, Sen- Doha Cup to be announced and it will host ior Principal, Populous, said: “We have matches up to the quarter fi nals. The a long-standing tradition of designing By Sports Reporter gling with football offi cials and 450,000 square meter site where the venues with a genuine legacy including Doha having their photos taken with he Supreme Committee for Deliv- stadium will be located and will include the London, Sydney and Sochi Olympic ‘Najim’. LOC offi cials said more ery & Legacy (SC) has announced 6,000 car parks during the tournament stadiums. The SC challenged us to go fur- schools are on the list in the the seventh proposed host venue and 2,000 in legacy mode. ther again and the design for the venue he Local Organizing coming days. for the 2022 FIFA World Cup Qatar Speaking to www.sc.qa, Ghanim al- at Ras bu Aboud is going to be a game- Committee (LOC) has The offi cials also distributed inT December 2015. The seventh proposed Kuwari, SC Competition Venues Execu- changer. We are creating a whole new launched its promotion- literature detailing the event stadium will bring the ‘design for legacy’ tive Director, talked about the important neighbourhood in a fantastic waterfront al activities of engaging schedule and venues. Besides concept onto the world stage as one of the role the stadium will play in the develop- location overlooking West Bay and, at the schoolchildrenT ahead of the AFC Qatar, teams from Syria, Iran, fi rst stadiums ever designed from the be- ment of the Doha skyline and waterfront. same time, an incredible world-class sta- U23 Championship. China, Saudi Arabia, Japan, ginning with the ability to transform into He said: “All our planning for the 2022 dium for 40,000 fans.” The high profi le event will be North Korea, Thailand, Iraq, a successful and dynamic mixed use urban FIFA World Cup Qatar keeps in mind the Chuck Baldwin, Project Director, TiME held in Qatar from January 12 to South Korea, Uzbekistan, Yem- neighbourhood after the tournament. legacy use of the stadiums after the tour- Qatar, the project management company 30 at four venues. ‘Najim’, the en, Jordan, Australia, the United The Design Consultant for the venue nament has fi nished. This design aims to for the stadium, concluded: “It is excit- offi cial event mascot, visited Pa- Arab Emirates and Vietnam are is global architecture fi rm Populous. The create a unique and memorable addition ing to work as a partner with SC on such a kistani, British, Bangladeshi and also taking part in the event. venue will be located in Ras Abu Aboud, to the cityscape. With this project we high profi le programme, and particularly Sri Lankan schools in Qatar. The top three sides at the an exceptional waterfront location visible want to achieve a successful conversion on a stadium which creates a new model for Large crowds gathered dur- three-week tournament will from West Bay. from a sports venue into an appealing design and legacy use. We all want to help ing the LOC visits to the schools qualify for the 2016 Olympic The 40,000-seat venue was the sev- non-sport legacy concept.” make the World Cup in Qatar a great event.” which saw schoolchildren min- Games.