FFOOTBALLOOTBALL | Page 3 CCYCLINGYCLING | Page 7 Spurs’ Kane Froome to denies diving start season in aft er Anfi eld Spain under penalty row doping cloud

Tuesday, February 6, 2018 AMERICAN FOOTBALL Jumada I 20, 1439 AH Eagles soar past GULF TIMES Patriots for first Super Bowl title SPORT Page 5 RALLYINGSPOTLIGHT No Pyeongchang TOKYO OLYMPICS invite for Russians cleared by CAS, THE NEXT GOAL FOR says Olympic body QATAR’S U-23 PLAYERS

Members of the Qatar U-23 football team along with the coaching and technical staff were honoured yesterday by Qatar Football Association President Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa bin Ahmed al-Thani for their excellent show at the recent Asian U-23 Championship in China. PICTURES: Noushad Thekkayil International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach, centre, poses with members of the Canadian Olympic Team during a tour of Olympics. Ahmed al-Thani is one of the reasons for the By Sports Reporter the Pyeongchang Olympic Village yesterday. Doha “I hope they will win the next Asian U-23 team’s success.” championship and qualify for the Olympics. The He also asked the players of the Olympic team AFP among 42 Russians — bobsleigh- achievement in China has been the result of the to continue with their diligence and commit- Pyeongchang, South Korea ers, cross-country skiers, com- hard work and eff ort of the technical and admin- ment to Qatar and make the country proud at petitors in the skeleton and ice atar Football Association (QFA) Presi- istrative staff as well as the players.” the international level. hockey players — to appeal their dent Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa bin Sheikh Hamad said the performance of the play- Coach Sanchez added that the QFA President’s port’s top court CAS yes- bans. Ahmed al-Thani has urged Qatar’s U-23 ers was even more creditable because many of words of encouragement will boost the morale terday overturned Olym- In addition to clearing the 28, pic life bans on 28 Rus- CAS also lifted the life bans of an- Qfootballers to dream big and qualify for them had taken part in the high profile Gulf Cup of the players as they embark on their future the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo. sians accused of doping, other 11 Russians but barred them in the preceding week. endeavours. aS decision hailed by Moscow but from competing at Pyeongchang. Sheikh Hamad was speaking at a function yes- “They were under tremendous pressure but “The good words spoken by the President will terday to felicitate the team which finished third a major embarrassment for the Delivering its judgement CAS they still challenged for the Cup and unluckily surely encourage the players to do better. We in the recent Asian U-23 Championship in China. International Olympic Com- said: “In 28 cases, the evidence finished third. Many of them had gone directly are touched by his concern and enthusiasm for The ceremony was attended by Ivan Bravo, mittee just days away from the collected was found to be insuf- to China after taking part in the Gulf Cup. There- the team.” Director General of Aspire Academy, Saeed al- start of the Winter Games in fi cient to establish that an anti- fore, they deserve a lot of credit.” The Spaniard said it was unfortunate that the Pyeongchang. doping rule violation was com- Misnad, Technical Adviser of the National Teams He said coach Sanchez was doing a great job team lost to Vietnam via penalties in the semi- The Court of Arbitration for mitted by the athletes concerned. Department of QFA, Talal al-Kaabi, Project with the senior as well as the Olympic team and finals. Sport ruled that the there was “The evidence put forward by Manager of the European Project for Players at there was no need to change that. “It sure hurts but we must accept the result and “insuffi cient” evidence that the the IOC in relation to this matter Aspire Academy, the technical staff led by Span- “I don’t see that changing now. He has been do- move on. The players have great potential but athletes had benefi ted from a sys- did not have the same weight in ish coach Felix Sanchez, Ali Salat, QFA Head of ing a fine job and will continue in his dual role.” they will surely keep their focus. We will keep tem of state-sponsored doping at each individual case.” Media, and others. the 2014 Winter Games, hosted CAS’s decision was warmly He added that some of the Olympic team play- pressing with our plans in our bid to qualify for Sheikh Hamad said: “Our Olympic team did their by Russia. welcomed by Russian President ers will be inducted into the national team soon. the Tokyo Olympics,” he added. best and earned third place in the champion- The cleared 28, which in- Vladimir Putin. “These youngsters will form the basis of Qatar’s Saeed al-Misnad also thanked the QFA President ship. The bronze medal is the beginning of the cludes Sochi cross-country gold “We are very glad for our ath- national team that will play for the country in for his support for the team and his interest in road and not the end of it. medallist Alexander Legkov, are letes,” Putin’s spokesman Dmitry the 2022 FIFA World Cup,” he said. this distinguished group of players. “There are a large number of players in the Ol- now eligible to compete in the Peskov told reporters. Aspire Academy Director General Bravo thanked He said: “The players of the Olympic team have Pyeongchang Olympics starting “The information about the ympic team, who we will depend on, along with the President of QFA for honouring the Olympic made a great eff ort to achieve glory for their next week, but their participation decision of the Court of Arbitra- the youth team players who will take part to the team, saying: “The support of the QFA under country, but at the same time they must keep is by no means certain. tion for Sport proves that en- next AFC U-23 Championship, which will allow the leadership of Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa bin improving,” he said. “Not being sanctioned does ergetic work to stand up for our them to potentially qualify for the Tokyo 2020 not automatically confer the rights in court and elsewhere — it privilege of an invitation” to the is justifi ed, it can be eff ective and 2018 Games in South Korea, the it should continue,” Peskov add- IOC explained in a statement. ed. And we are hoping that this Russia are banned from work will certainly continue.” Pyeongchang over the doping He said it was unclear whether scandal but 169 Russian competi- the 28 who had their appeals up- tors have been cleared to take part held would now compete in South as neutrals. Korea. The IOC warned that CAS’s “It is a diffi cult question,” the verdict “may have a serious im- Kremlin spokesman added, not- pact on the future fi ght against ing Russian offi cials would con- doping”. tinue talking to the IOC. “Therefore, the IOC will ana- Last week’s mass CAS hearings lyse the reasoned decisions very were as a result of allegations of a carefully once they are available vast state-sponsored doping pro- and consider consequences, in- gramme contained in the report cluding an appeal to the Swiss into Sochi authored by sports law Federal Tribunal.” professor Richard McLaren for The exonerated group were the World Anti-Doping Agency.

London to host new World Cup event

London: London will host a man and one woman from each new World Cup event this sum- nation in each event. mer featuring eight top nations Each nation will be competing including the United States for a $2mn prize pot over two and Jamaica, British Athletics evening sessions of athletics announced yesterday. under the lights. Britain, the United States, “It’s great to see such an Poland, China, Germany, France, exciting head-to-head event Jamaica and South Africa will confirmed to be taking place compete at the London Sta- in London this summer — the dium on July 14-15. concept is one that will excite The tournament follows last everyone in athletics and is year’s world athletics champi- sure to attract new fans to onships in the British capital, the sport,” said Olympic and which also hosted the Olympics world 400m champion Wayde in 2012. The competition format van Niekerk. Sebastian Coe, QFA President Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa bin Ahmed al-Thani (L) lauded the eff orts of Qatar coach Felix Sanchez (right) and the U-23 team for their performance in the will feature all field events and president of athletics’ world Asian Championship. track events up to and includ- governing body the IAAF, hailed ing the 1500m, with just one the “innovative” event. Gulf Times 2 Tuesday, February 6, 2018 FOOTBALL

QNB STARS LEAGUE Ferreira, Laudrup tactical battle adds spice to Qatar Clasico Both coaches have been with their sides for some time now and know how to bring the best out of their players

By Sports Reporter Doha

he second Qatar Clasico match of the QNB Stars League 2017- 18 season between Al Rayyan and Al Sadd on Thursday at the TAl Sadd Stadium is sure to be a high- stake encounter in every sense of the word. Justifi ably so, considering the teams’ strength, reputation, history, performance, popularity, fan support, etc. Al Sadd are second in the table with 37 points, two behind Al Duhail and as many more than third-placed Al Rayyan. Al Sadd coach Jesualdo Ferreira of Portugal and his Al Rayyan counterpart Michael Laudrup of Denmark are both master tacticians and have produced excellent results. And that makes the ‘Qatar Clasico’ a battle for technical supremacy as well. Both coaches have been with the re- spective sides for some time now and know how to bring the best out of their players. Off the fi eld, the much-await- ed encounter will be a grand fi esta for supporters of two teams with the most fan base in Qatar football. Rayyan had won the previous Qatar Clasico 2-1, Al Sadd will look to settle the score. The Wolves have the likes of Span- ish great Xavi Hernandez, Jugurtha Al Sadd coach Jesualdo Ferreira (right) and his Al Rayyan counterpart Michael Laudrup of Denmark have produced excellent results for their teams. Hamroun, Morteza Mohammad and Hassan al-Haydous to match The Li- (20) and Youssef Msakni (14). Rayyan’s eight goals each. Hamroun, who had Rayyan’s fi rst-choice goalkeeper Omar also proved his mettle, but if Hamdal- Hassan and Hamed Ismail man The ons’ line-up of Abderrazaq Hamdallah, playmaker Rodrigo Tabata has scored 11 scored a brace in Weeks 13 and 14 but Barry is experienced enough, but will lah & co have their way, he will also be Wolves’ defence. Rodrigo Tabata, Sebastian Soria and goals, while striker Sebastian Soria has missed Sadd’s last match due to sus- fi nd it hard to contain the Sadd off ence, at the receiving end. In defence, the Li- Xavi leads the charge in Sadd’s mid- Mohsen Moutaouli. Moroccan striker found the net nine times. pension, will be back in action. where Algerian ace Baghdad Bounedjah ons are served by Gonzalo Vieira, Mou- fi eld, also consisting of al-Haydous Hamdallah is Rayyan’s top scorer with Al Sadd’s top scorers are Qatar in- Rayyan are coming off their 3-1 win is a doubtful starter even though he sa Haroun, Mohammed Alaelddin and and Hamroun, while al-Rayyan have 12 goals and is the third highest in the ternational al-Haydous and Algerian over Al Markhiya, while Sadd got the trained with the team on Sunday. Mohammed Juma, whereas Morteza in-form Mohsine Moutaouli and Daniel list, after Al Duhail’s Youssef el-Arabi attacking midfi elder Hamroun, with better of Qatar SC by the same score. Sadd custodian Saad al-Dossari has Mohamed, Pedro Miguel, Abdelkarim Goumou to assist Tabata.

SPOTLIGHT FIFA REFEREES WORKSHOP BEGINS IN DOHA Al Gharafa seek to end Al Duhail’s unbeaten run

By Sports Reporter they have South Korean play- Doha maker Nam Tae-Hee on eight goals. Duhail will also have the serv- l Gharafa hosts leaders ices of striker Almoez Ali, who Al Duhail in the QNB recently represented Qatar at the Stars League on Thurs- Asian Under-23 Championship day, and the match hogs in China and fi nished as the top theA limelight for more than one scorer with six goals. reason. Both Duhail and Gharafa Gharafa, meanwhile, have are coming off victories, against made signifi cant progress in Al Ahli and Al Khor respectively. the second half of the season, The Red Knights are leading the where they have registered more standings with 39 points, while number of victories (three) than The Cheetahs are placed sixth on they did in the entire fi rst phase, 20 points. taking their total wins to fi ve. Djamel Belmadi-coached Al They have fi ve draws and as Former Italian referee Pierluigi Collina (right) presents a souvenir to Hani Balan, Chairman of the Qatar Referees Committee and Vice-Chairman of the FIFA Referees Duhail are the only unbeaten side many defeats against their name. Committee yesterday. The five-day Referees Workshop began yesterday, with Chairman of the FIFA Referees Committee Collina supervising the programme. so far in the league this season. They embarked on the league A total of 48 off icials, who are likely to off iciate at the FIFA World Cup in Russia in June this year, are featuring along with scores of other local and international participants They have 12 victories to their campaign after the month- in the programme hosted by the Qatar Football Association. This will be the second of four FIFA workshops in Qatar this month following the FIFA Technical Experts’ credit, the same as nearest ri- long break under Turkish coach Workshop, which concluded last Friday. Doha will also host the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup France (February 12-16) and FIFA Master FUTURO Workshop (February 19-23). vals Al Sadd, while drawing three Bulent Uygun, who replaced matches. Duhail also have scored Frenchman Jean Fernandez. the most number of goals (54) Gharafa roped in Dutch World among all teams. Sadd are next Cup runners-up and UEFA SERIE A FOCUS on 43, while Al Gharafa have only Champions League winner Wes- 24. The goal diff erence is +35 for ley Sneijder and Iranian striker Al Duhail and -1 for Al Gharafa. Mehdi Taremi, while Chilean On the players’ front, Duhail midfi elder Luis Jimenez, who Koeman set have the QNB Stars League’s top captained the side in the fi rst Napoli beat Benevento to stay top two scorers in Moroccan striker half of the season, moved to Qa- to be named Youssef el-Arabi (20) and captain tar SC. The big question is ‘Will AFP just after the break, meeting Jose Dutch coach and Tunisian attacking midfi eld- Sneijder & Co halt the Al Duhaul Milan Callejon’s low cross for his 118th er Youssef Msakni (14). Then, juggernaut?’ goal for the club. Benevento had a AFP few chances and were even awarded The Hague apoli clung to top spot in a penalty for a Kalidou Koulibaly Serie A with a 2-0 win over tackle, only for it to be revoked by tailenders Benevento on the video assistant referee (VAR) be- ormer Everton manager Sunday night, after Gonza- cause of an earlier off side. Ronald Koeman is set to Nlo Higuain hit a rapid hat-trick and “We suff ered at the start, but then be presented as coach of Sami Khedira two in three minutes broke the deadlock with a great goal the Netherlands, Dutch as champions Juventus piled on the from Dries Mertens,” said Napoli newsF reports said, as the foot- pressure in the title chase with a 7-0 skipper Hamsik. “Once we went 2-0 ball-mad country seeks to revive win over Sassuolo. up, we tried to slow it down a bit and its fl agging fortunes. Koeman, Juventus were 4-0 up by half-time control the game. We’re not afraid of 54, who was sacked by Everton in after Alex Sandro opened the scor- anyone, as we must only focus on our October after a string of defeats ing on nine minutes in Turin with a own results.” saw The Toff ees fall into the rel- quick-fi re Khedira brace and a Mi- Roma got back to winning ways egation zone, will be taking over ralem Pjanic goal burying an over- to move closer to the Champions from Dick Advocaat — the lat- whelmed Sassuolo who are rooted in League places with Turkish winger est in a raft of unsuccessful ap- 15th position. Argentine ace Higuain Cengiz Under scoring the only goal pointments since 2014. dominated the second half with a within the fi rst minute in Verona. Advocaat was appointed in hat-trick in a 20-minute spell to Roma had not won since December May last year for a third stint bring his league tally to 13. 16 but 20-year-old Under got them as national coach, but stepped But Napoli replied with goals in off the mark early on taking the hosts down seven months later after either half from Dries Mertens and by surprise to slot in his fi rst Serie the once-mighty Oranje failed to Marek Hamsik keeping Maurizio A goal. The visitors held on despite qualify for the World Cup fi nals Sarri’s side one point ahead of the Lorenzo Pellegrini being sent off af- in Russia. An attack-minded six-time defending champions. In ter 51 minutes for tackling Ryder Ma- central defender, Koeman picked Naples, Mertens opened the scor- tos from behind. Roma stay fi fth but up 78 caps as a player between ing after 20 minutes at neighbouring move to within a point of Inter Mi- 1982-94, scoring 14 goals. He Benevento with a magnifi cent lob lan who occupy the fi nal Champions started his coaching career at from a tight angle, but the Belgian League spot after being held 1-1 by Vitesse in 2000, having already Al Gharafa strengthened their squad in the winter transfer window as limped off with an ankle injury in the Crotone. Lazio in third — 14 points served as Hiddink’s assistant they roped in Dutch star midfielder Wesley Sneijder (left) and Iranian fi nal minutes of the game. behind Napoli — were playing Genoa Napoli’s Mario Rui (left) and Benevento’s Guilherme with the Dutch national team at striker Mehdi Taremi. Slovak Hamsik doubled their lead at home late last night. vie for the ball on Sunday night. (Reuters) the 1998 World Cup. Gulf Times Tuesday, February 6, 2018 3 FOOTBALL

PREMIER LEAGUE Spurs’ Kane denies diving aft er Anfi eld penalty row

Tottenham’s Harry Kane goes down after a foul from Liverpool goalkeeper Loris Karius. (Reuters)

‘He (Karius) has dived, he got in the way and I’m a player. I’m not going to jump out of the way because it’s football’

AFP Kane’s fi rst spot-kick was saved but second penalty) because a lot happened the 24-year-old.”It is nice, I am going retain even a man dubbed “one of our tastic performance,” said Pochettino. London he converted a second deep into added for the fi rst one about the linesman so to enjoy the moment but let’s see how own” by the Tottenham faithful. “Kane “Against a team that is so diffi cult when time to salvage a point and reach 100 to give that penalty was massive – and many I can get this year and go from is one of the best players in the world, they are up on the score the control and Premier League goals. “He (Karius) has it was a penalty,” added Kane. there.” 100 per cent, if not the best pure strik- performance was amazing. The feeling ottenham striker Harry Kane dived, he got in the way and I’m a play- The debate surrounding the fi rst Pochettino hailed Harry s bravery er in the world at the moment,” even in the dressing room from the team is has hit back at Virgil van Dijk’s er. I’m not going to jump out of the way penalty centred on whether Liverpool after he shrugged off missing a pen- Klopp admitted before kick-off . that we dropped two points.” claim he dived to win a pen- because it’s football,” said Kane, deny- defender Dejan Lovren had touched alty to net his 100th. “He is one of the However, for all the talent available Spurs had got off to the worst pos- alty in Sunday’s dramatic 2-2 ing Van Dijk’s accusation. “I defi nitely the ball on its way through to Kane, best strikers. He can miss a penalty or a to Pochettino, Spurs’ challenge remains sible start when Salah latched onto a TPremier League draw at Anfi eld. Liver- felt contact and I went down.” who would otherwise have been off side chance, but the personality to score 100 undermined by their record on the road wayward backpass from Eric Dier to pool’s record signing said the England Kane, like manager Mauricio Po- as he clashed with Karius. Kane’s late Premier League goals is because you against their closest challengers. Under coolly slot past Hugo Lloris. The visi- international went down too easily un- chettino, praised the offi cials for hav- strike brought up a century of Premier have strong character,” said Pochettino. Pochettino, Spurs have still won just tors controlled the game after the break der pressure from goalkeeper Loris Ka- ing the strength of character to award League goals in his 141st match. Spurs still trail third-placed Liverpool one of 19 away trips to the rest of the but needed a spectacular strike from an rius for the fi rst of two Spurs penalties. two controversial penalties at Liver- Only Alan Shearer (124) reached the by two points down in fi fth in the race Premier League’s top six at Liverpool, unlikely source to get back level when “I think it is a dive. You see him pool’s home ground. Assistant referee landmark more quickly and the Tot- for a place in the top four. They are Manchester United, Manchester City, substitute Victor Wanyama smashed (Kane) diving clearly and no one is talk- Ed Smart fl agged for a Van Dijk foul tenham striker now has his sights set point behind Chelsea, who were play- Arsenal and Chelsea. The Argentine, into the top corner with his fi rst touch. ing about it but I think it is a dive,” said on Erik Lamela for the second penalty on the next 100, with Shearer’s all- ing Watford late last night. though, insisted progress is being made A frantic fi nal 10 minutes ensued as Van Dijk, who joined Liverpool from award after match offi cial Jon Moss had time record of 260 still some way off . Failure to make the Champions after dominating possession at Anfi eld Kane atoned for his poor fi rst penalty Southampton last month for £75 mil- waved play on. “I thought the linesman “That has to be the aim – and hope- League next season will further fuel after falling behind to Mohamed Salah’s and stayed a step ahead of Salah in their lion ($106 million, 85 million euros). showed amazing character to give (the fully quicker than I got to 100,” said speculation as to whether Spurs can third-minute opener. “It was a fan- personal rivalry for the golden boot.

LA LIGA ROUND-UP Atletico close gap on Barcelona Di Biagio to coach Italy Reuters Barcelona in March friendlies tletico Madrid closed the gap on taly Under-21 coach Luigi Barcelona to nine points at the top Di Biagio will coach the of La Liga, beating Valencia 1-0 senior side on a care- on Sunday night after the leaders taker basis for the friendlies hadA dropped points at local rivals Espanyol. Iagainst Argentina and England Angel Correa’s thunderbolt from outside in March, the Italian federa- the area in the 59th minute helped Atletico tion (FIGC) said yesterday. Italy to get a narrow win from a tight match, af- have been without a coach since ter Barcelona needed talisman centre back Gian Piero Ventura resigned in Gerard Pique to tie a spiky derby clash 1-1 in November after they failed to Cornella. qualify for the World Cup for the Pique nodded home in the 82nd minute fi rst time since 1958. after Gerard Moreno’s opener to help Barce- Di Biagio, 46, is a former mid- lona maintain their unbeaten La Liga record. fi elder who won 31 caps for Italy The defender, whistled throughout after and played at the 1998 and 2002 making provocative comments which upset World Cups and Euro 2000. His Espanyol fans after Barcelona knocked their club career included spells at rivals out of the King’s Cup in January, bur- Inter Milan and AS Roma as well ied Lionel Messi’s free kick with a powerful as Monza, Foggia, Brescia and header. Ascoli. He coached Italy’s Un- INJURED PIQUE SET TO Barcelona defender Samuel Ernesto Valverde had started the Argen- der-20 team between 2011 and MISS KING’S CUP SEMI-FINAL Umtiti during the Catalan tine on the bench as he rotated his side but 2013 and has led the Under-21 Barcelona defender Gerard Pique derby on Sunday. Garcia became threw on Messi in the second half as Bar- side from 2013 onwards. Italy is poised to miss the King’s Cup embroiled in a heated argument celona struggled to break down a stubborn play Argentina in Manchester on semi-fi nal second leg against with the French centre back on Espanyol on a waterlogged pitch in driving March 23 and England at Wem- Valencia after suff ering a knee the pitch in the 1-1 draw at the rain. Moreno headed home Sergio Garcia’s bley four days later. The FIGC is injury. The centre back scored RCDE Stadium in Cornella. inch-perfect cross in the 66th minute to itself without a president after the equaliser in a 1-1 La Liga “First of all to clarify, I already give Espanyol hope of repeating their King’s Carlo Tavecchio resigned in draw at Espanyol on Sunday but spoke with Samuel yesterday,” Cup fi rst-leg win over Barcelona but Pique November and the election for strained ligaments in his right Garcia said on Instagram below had the fi nal say. The defender celebrated his his replacement last week failed knee during the closing stages of a picture of the two players. “In goal by putting his fi nger to his lips to shush to fi nd a winner. the game. no way was it is my intention to the fans who had whistled him throughout. Atletico Madrid’s Angel Correa celebrates after scoring a goal during the Spanish league Roberto Fabbricini, general Early reports said Pique could be racist. You all know my wife is “Some of the fans here have been direct- match against Valencia at the Wanda Metropolitano stadium in Madrid on Sunday. (AFP) secretary of the Italian Olympic be sidelined for a month and from gypsy roots and I grew up ing insults at me and my family for a long Committee, was appointed FIGC miss the Champions League trip in a neighbourhood with every time,” Pique told reporters. “I was tell- Niguez piledriver from some distance and centre back had to be substituted after the commissioner on an emer- to Chelsea on Feb. 20, but he race in the world. My brother- ing them in general to be quiet but maybe then repelling Diego Costa’s header from a goalkeeper accidentally caught him with an gency basis. Fabbricini said the now looks set to miss the Valen- in-law, who I have a fi rm friend- I shouldn’t have. We just need to focus on corner. Correa broke the deadlock in spec- elbow while trying to beat away a free kick search for a long-term coach cia Cup game on Thursday and ship with, is African-American competing and winning La Liga. In the sec- tacular fashion in the 59th minute, receiving early in the second half. Neto did not reach was complicated because many the league clash with Getafe on too. In the tension of the game a ond half it was impossible to play football. the ball from Koke and crashing a shot into the ball and hit Godin, who was taken off in candidates had contracts with Sunday. New signing Yerry Mina lot of things are said that should It’s a good draw in the end and we are still the top right corner from outside the area for the 51st minute with blood streaming from clubs abroad. could make his Barcelona debut stay on the pitch.” unbeaten in the league.” his sixth league goal of the season. “There’s his mouth. “They will have to kill someone “If these people do not make alongside Samuel Umtiti against Reports said Barca defender Barcelona have now gone a club record 22 a very long way to go, we have to continue for us to get a penalty, if that’s not a penalty themselves free, it becomes dip- Valencia, with Thomas Vermae- Gerard Pique had to separate a league games without defeat, surpassing the on the same path,” Correa said. “We knew it on Godin,” Simeone said. lomatically diffi cult to go and ask len not yet fi t after injuring his furious Umtiti from Garcia, who total of 21 they managed under Pep Guar- was important to win today and I’m happy Atletico defender Stefan Savic also had them to consider the possibility hamstring last month. later came to the Barca dressing- diola in the 2009-10 season. to get the goal that helped the team win.” to be replaced after suff ering an apparent of leading the national team,” he room to make peace with his Atletico were as miserly as ever at the Meanwhile, Atletico defender Diego Go- hamstring injury. “The doctors will provide said. “Even in Serie A, there are GARCIA DENIES RACIALLY opponent. Pique’s 82nd-minute back against Marcelino’s Valencia as the din lost several teeth in a collision with Va- a better report,” Simeone said of the injured coaches worthy of consideration ABUSING BARCA’S UMTITI goal earned Barcelona a point af- second and third-placed clubs met at the lencia goalkeeper Neto duringand his man- duo. “It’s not easy to play a game with two but to ask for their availabil- Espanyol striker Sergio Gar- ter Gerard Moreno headed home Wanda Metropolitano. The hosts had the ager Diego Simeone was furious his side changes forced on you, but the perform- ity without following the rules cia has denied Spanish media Garcia’s cross to give Espanyol upper hand, with Neto tipping away a Saul were not awarded a penalty. The Uruguayan ances of those who came on were very good.” would be an own goal.” reports that he racially abused the lead in a feisty derby clash. Gulf Times 4 Tuesday, February 6, 2018 SPORT

FOOTBALL CRICKET De Kock adds to Generation Amazing SA injury woes

AFP refurbishes Jordan pitch Cape Town ‘The response has been fantastic and I’m delighted so many more people now have the he South African one-day international team suff ered opportunity to build more inclusive, sustainable and healthier communities’ a third injury blow yesterday Twhen wicketkeeper-batsman eneration Amazing, an initia- Quinton de Kock was ruled out of the tive launched in 2009 by the rest of the series against India because Supreme Committee for De- of a wrist injury. livery and Legacy (SC) to bring South Africa started the six-match Gpositive change to the region using the series against India as the world’s power of football, has recently refur- number one team in one-day Cricket, bished its football pitch in Al-Sham- with four of the world’s top ten bats- eyeh, Jordan, by installing solar panels men. They have already surrendered that enable the site to be used long into the top team ranking to India after the night. losing the fi rst two matches – and De Due to safety fears the pitches had Kock’s injury means Hashim Amla previously been unusable after sunset. is the only one of their leading bats- However, the installation of the inno- men still in action going into the third vative new panels enables hours of ex- match at Newlands tomorrow. tra use each day, meaning more young AB de Villiers and regular captain Faf people can benefi t from use of the pitch du Plessis were both sidelined by fi nger and develop vital social skills that will injuries, De Villiers for the fi rst three help them build stronger communities. matches and Du Plessis for the series. Isolated from nearby Aqaba with Both De Kock and Du Plessis were little in the way of utilities or general also ruled out of three Twenty20 inter- services, this latest development high- nationals at the end of the India tour. lights the importance of the Genera- Both may be struggling to be fi t in time tion Amazing pitch to Al-Shameyeh. for the fi rst of four Tests against Aus- Supported by Generation Amazing tralia, starting in Durban on March 1. community coaches, teachers edu- Cricket South Africa announced cate young people about issues such yesterday that De Kock was in “se- as responsibility for the environment vere pain and discomfort” after being through football, helping participants struck on the left wrist while batting build sustainable behaviours that help in the second match in Centurion on themselves and their communities. Sunday. He will need two to four weeks Commenting on the new panels, to recover. No replacement was named Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) but uncapped Heinrich Klaasen is the Senior Manager, Isabel Gultresa, said: favourite to take over the gloves after “Previously, use of this facility had to being added to the squad last week. cease after sundown due to safety fears. However, through this rehabilitation Bangladesh bolster batting for project, we are both showing the next second Sri Lanka Test generation how to live sustainably and Generation Amazing’s football pitch in Jordan lit up by solar panel powered lighting. Bangladesh have included batsman extending the valuable services Gen- Sabbir Rahman for the second Test eration Amazing provides. The inno- both girls and boys, ensuring everyone against Sri Lanka to strengthen their vative solar panels next to the playing is given an equal opportunity to devel- batting in the absence of injured all- fi eld will now allow the community op vital skills such as leadership, com- rounder Shakib Al Hasan, a team of- to safely use the pitches for up to 5-6 munication and teamwork. In this way, fi cial said yesterday. Shakib will miss hours after sunset.” Generation Amazing will reach 3,125 the second Test starting Thursday in Aqaba pitch is the fi rst safe play benefi ciaries every year through this Dhaka after he failed to recover from space in Al-Shameyeh, which lies on pitch alone. a fi nger injury that kept him out of the the outskirts of Aqaba in Jordan. It In 2016, Generation Amazing’s de- opening match. Sabbir, who played 10 gives schoolchildren and young people livery partner Right To Play provided Tests to score 480 runs at an average of access to a facility that will encour- daily support in the delivery of the 26.66, was ignored for the fi rst game age them to leave the streets, engage Football for Development programme after he failed to live up to expectations in community-building activities and, in Jordan. Football tournaments, play in the one-day tri-series last month. most importantly, enjoy the beautiful days and friendly but competitive The two-Test series remained locked game together. leagues were all used to embed sustain- at 0-0 after the fi rst match ended in a Corporate Social Responsibility able positive behaviours among par- draw in Chittagong on Sunday. (CSR) International Projects Manager, ticipants. “The wicket of Dhaka is much diff er- Rosa D’Alessandro, added: “The spot- So far, Generation Amazing has ent than Chittagong. So we thought an lights were changed from halogen to reached 26 communities through 26 extra batsman might be useful. This is LED to improve energy effi ciency, while pitches in fi ve diff erent countries, ben- why we included Sabbir,” said chief se- we also took this opportunity to refur- efi ting more than 35,000 participates lector Minhajul Abedin. The home side bish of the guard’s offi ce, replace bro- to-date. It is a movement that uses the dropped left-arm spinner Sunzamul Is- ken windows and install a protective power of football as a catalyst for social lam and pace bowler Rubel Hossain but grid to protect windows from future change to educate and empower the retained Abdur Razzak and uncapped damage. next generation in Qatar and beyond. off -break bowler Naeem Hasan in the “The response has been fantastic By 2022, it will have reached more 15-man squad. Sunzamul claimed just and I’m delighted so many more peo- than one million people, leveraging the one wicket in the just-concluded Test, ple now have the opportunity to build opportunity presented by Qatar host- giving away 153 runs in his 45 overs in more inclusive, sustainable and health- ing the 2022 FIFA World Cup to con- Sri Lanka’s only innings.Rubel did not ier communities.” nect sport’s powerful bodies and su- play the fi rst Test. Mahmudullah Riyad Importantly, although classes are perstars with those most in need. will continue as captain in the absence segregated, all activities are open to sc.qa The solar panels installed by Generation Amazing to light football pitch in Jordan. of regular skipper Shakib.

RUGBY ‘Wonderful’ Six Nations excites England coach AFP side, you had Ireland and France think we’ve scrummed as well Rome in an old-fashioned arm wrestle. as that in the time I’ve been in “You saw today (Sunday) that charge of England. there was a bit of an arm wrestle “We were completely domi- ngland coach Eddie and then it opened up at the end. nant and that’s English rugby. Jones forecast fans were “We feel honoured to be part When the game broke up at the in for a treat following of the tournament and the tour- end we were able to score tries... the “wonderful rugby” nament is only going to get bet- It wasn’t the perfect game but playedE on the opening weekend ter,” added the Australian after very, very positive.” of this season’s Six Nations. overseeing his 23rd victory in 24 The one downside for England Jones’s men launched their bid Tests in charge of England. was the sight of Ben Youngs be- for an unprecedented third suc- “We go next week (against ing taken off on a medical cart cessive outright title by rounding Wales) at Twickenham, there just 10 minutes into the game off the fi rst round of fi xtures with will be 82,00 people, they’ll be after crying out in pain when his a 46-15 win away to Italy in Rome absolutely pumped and we’ll be knee buckled during a tackle. on Sunday. A crowd of more than pumped to play in front of them.” “Ben will have an examina- 61,000 spectators at the Stadio The speedy Watson gave Eng- tion tomorrow (Monday) so Olimpico saw England run in land an early 10-0 lead with two we’ll know more after that,” said seven tries, with an emboldened unconverted tries and Jones, Jones. Italy scoring two of their own be- perhaps mindful he was in Italy, “He’s unlikely to be available fore fading away late on. said: “He got the Maserati out of for the Wales game.” The fi xture capped a weekend the car park today.” As for who would join Danny where Wales hammered Scot- Care, who came off the bench in land 34-7 in Cardiff , while Ire- ‘Twenty20 Simmonds’ Rome, as a scrum-half in Eng- land needed a last-ditch drop Simmonds might not have land’s squad for Wales, a playful goal from Johnny Sexton to see even been on the bench had Jones, indicating a preference for off France 15-13 in Paris. both Billy Vunipola and Nathan a ‘kicking’ No 9, said: “They’re It all promised a truly com- Hughes been fi t, but the Exeter on the Batphone mate.” petitive tournament, in marked back-row did not look out of Sunday’s result meant Italy, contrast to last year’s Rugby place in what was just his fourth who’ve now lost all 24 of their Championship where world Test. Tests against England, had gone champions New Zealand were “Sam’s a good young lad with 1,072 days since they last en- yet again the overwhelmingly a great set of skills,” said Jones. joyed a win over any opponent in dominant side in the southern “If he was a cricketer he’d the Six Nations. England head coach Eddie Jones during the warm up before the Six Nations match against Italy. (Reuters) hemisphere equivalent of the Six be playing Twenty20,” the avid “I’m proud and angry,” said Nations. cricket fan added. Italy coach Conor O’Shea, the ture. But I’m annoyed because for us and we will have to be more terday. Hooker Luke Cowan-Dickie “I thought if you look at the “He’s a bit diff erent – he’s fast former Ireland fullback, after we caused them a lot of problems disciplined against Ireland.” The 34-year-old Wiggles- was also added to the squad three games in the champion- and runs good lines.” a match where Azzurri skipper with the ball but the defeat is an- Meanwhile England have worth replaced Ben Youngs for the match against Wales at ship so far, what wonderful rug- Refl ecting on England’s over- Sergio Parisse suff ered a rib in- other statistic.” called scrumhalf Richard Wig- who was forced off with a knee Twickenham on Saturday. by,” said Jones. all performance, Jones said: jury. Italy next face O’Shea’s com- glesworth into a 32-man squad injury early in the 46-15 open- Number eight Nathan Hughes “You had Wales and Scotland “Our scrum and line-out was “Proud because we saw a team patriots in Dublin and he admit- for their next Six Nations game ing victory over Italy in Rome on will join the camp this week to throwing the ball from side-to- absolutely fi rst-class. I don’t with a lot of potential for the fu- ted: “It’s a long, hard road ahead against Wales, the RFU said yes- Sunday. get his knee injury assessed. Gulf Times Tuesday, February 6, 2018 5 SPORT

SPOTLIGHT Eagles soar past Patriots for fi rst Super Bowl title Eagles quarterback Nick Foles named Super Bowl MVP Q Brady throws Super Bowl record 505 passing yards

Reuters The Eagles went on to kick a Minneapolis fi eld goal to extend their lead to eight points and prevented the Passing, receiving Patriots from engineering a last- or a city that produced minute, game-tying drive. one of Hollywood’s ulti- Up 15-6, the Eagles had a star Foles named mate underdog stories, chance to build a comfortable the Philadelphia Eagles lead towards the end of the fi rst Super Bowl MVP deliveredF an equally inspiring half but intended receiver Alshon script by upsetting the New Eng- Jeff rey defl ected a Foles pass that Philadelphia quarterback Nick Foles was selected the Most land Patriots on Sunday for their was intercepted by Patriots de- Valuable Player of Super Bowl LII after throwing for 373 yards fi rst Super Bowl title. fensive back Duron Harmon steps in leading the Eagles to a 41-33 victory over the New England The Eagles were underdogs from the end zone. Patriots on Sunday night in Minneapolis. throughout the NFL playoff s, The turnover proved costly as Foles capped one of the more improbable storylines for and just as most expected little the Patriots marched 90 yards a Super Bowl MVP, completing 28 of 43 passes while also from fi ctional Philadelphia boxer back down the fi eld in less than Philadelphia Eagles quarterback becoming the first quarterback in Super Bowl history catch a Rocky Balboa, few onlookers out- three minutes, in a drive that was Nick Foles celebrates with the touchdown pass. side the City of Brotherly Love ex- capped by a James White touch- trophy after winning Super Bowl “Unbelievable,” Foles said on the field after the game. “We pected them to beat the defending down to pull within 15-12. LII against the New England felt confident coming in, and we just went out there and Super Bowl champions. However, the Eagles replied Patriots at US Bank Stadium in played football. We played this game since we were little kids, But Philadelphia, who em- with an impressive drive of their Minneapolis on Sunday. we dreamed about this moment. braced their lowly status with own that resulted in a touchdown “We’re very blessed.” some players wearing dog masks on a gutsy trick play on fourth Foles took over the starting job after regular-season MVP throughout the playoff s, stunned down from the Patriots one-yard candidate Carson Wentz sustained a torn anterior cruciate New England with a 41-33 victory line. ligament in Week 14. Foles went 2-1 as a starter to finish the to cap a remarkable turnaround The Eagles, opting not to kick regular season, but the Eagles entered the postseason with after fi nishing last in their divi- a fi eld goal, snapped the ball to serious question marks on off ense after being shut out 6-0 sion a year ago. rookie running back Corey Clem- by the Dallas Cowboys in Week 17 while Foles completed 4 of “We’ve been doubted since Day ent, who fl ipped the ball to tight 11 passes for 39 yards and an interception. One,” said Eagles tight end Zach end Trey Burton, who then threw He answered his critics by completing 77.8% of his passes Ertz, who caught what proved to a wide-open Foles for a walk-in for 598 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions while to be the game-winning touch- touchdown and a 22-12 halftime leading the Eagles to victories over the Atlanta Falcons and down. “This team, no one picked lead. the Minnesota Vikings to reach the Super Bowl. us. We come out here and we’re It marked the end of a wild Coach Doug Pederson vowed to remain aggressive with World Champions.” opening half that included missed Foles under center, and that included calling for two success- The victory set off a wild cel- extra points, a missed fi eld goal ful fourth-and-1 plays Sunday. The first was a touchdown pass ebration among the team’s many and a botched Patriots attempt to Foles from tight end Trey Burton on a trick play, and the green-clad supporters who at a trick play of their own when a second was a 2-yard completion from Foles to tight end Zach made the trek to chilly Min- wide-open Brady failed to haul in Ertz from Philadelphia’s own 45-yard line with the Eagles neapolis, while uplifting music an intended pass. clinging to a five-point lead in the fourth quarter. from “Rocky” blared through the The Patriots looked poised “My mentality coming into the game was, listen, I’m going to speakers above a fi eld covered in to collect a record-tying sixth stay aggressive with Nick and let him use his playmakers to silver and green confetti. Super Bowl in 17 seasons when make plays,” said Pederson. Brady threw his third touch- Foles, a devoutly religious Texan who plans to be a pastor down — this one a short pass to when he retires from the NFL, was thrust into the starting ‘This team, Rob Gronkowski with about nine role when Wentz was injured in December. minutes to play — to give his team After a shaky start, Foles improved steadily, producing a daz- no one picked their fi rst lead of the game, 33-32. zling performance against Minnesota in the playoff s before But the Patriots had no answer serving up Sunday’s masterpiece, which included three us. We come for the Foles-led Eagles. touchdowns and 373 passing yards. Patriots coach Bill Belichick If he reverts to being a back-up next season, he would be the out here and took the blame for the loss while first Super Bowl-winning quarterback not to have a starting Gronkowski, who was playing in spot since Trent Dilfer, who was cut by the Baltimore Ravens we’re World his fi rst game since suff ering a after their 2000 Super Bowl win. concussion two weeks ago, said The Eagles may now choose to hold onto Foles as insurance Champions’ he knew his team were going to be in case Wentz does not recover from his injury, or seek to in for a battle. cash in with a trade. The Eagles limped into the “You just knew that it was go- On Sunday however Foles was happy to bask in his success, post-season with an off ense ing to be a shootout the whole reflecting on the crowning glory of a career that he almost handicapped by a seemingly game and it was going to take all walked away from two years ago. hopeless backup quarterback fol- 60 minutes,” said Gronkowski. “About a couple of years ago, there was a time where I was lowing an injury to Carson Wentz “Unfortunately, we just didn’t thinking about hanging up the cleats,” he told reporters. in December, but Nick Foles come up with the most opportu- “And I think as people, we deal with struggles. And that was proved more than ready to shine nities to make to win the game.” a moment in my life where I thought about it, and I prayed on the game’s biggest stage. Brady fi nished with a Super about it. Foles, who nearly retired after Bowl record 505 passing yards and “I’m grateful that I made the decision to come back and play. an underwhelming 2015 season three touchdowns but could not “Foles’s performance on Sunday even included a touchdown with the St Louis Rams, showed deliver when it mattered most, when he turned receiver to collect a looping pass from tight no nerves playing in his fi rst Super his desperate pass falling to the end Trey Burton in a clever trick play, nicknamed a “Philly Bowl and went toe-to-toe with ground in the end zone as time Special.” Patriots counterpart Tom Brady, a expired. fi ve-time Super Bowl champion. “Losing sucks. That’s part of “I felt calm,” said Foles, who it,” said Brady. “You try to win and was named the game’s Most Valu- sometimes you lose. That’s the BOTTOMLINE able Player after throwing three way it goes.” touchdowns. “We felt confi dent The Patriots now enter an off - coming in and we just went out season some feel could mark the there and played football.” beginning of the end for their dy- The Eagles, who won three nasty after ESPN reported in Jan- championships in the pre-Super uary about a rift between Brady, Bowl era, had long been a tor- Belichick and owner Robert Kraft. Patriots’ Brady laments Super mented franchise and lost in their The trio have denied reports of only two previous Super Bowl ap- any off -fi eld tension but there will pearances, including to the Patri- be no shortage of attention paid to ots in 2005, but dug deep to bring their every move between now home a championship. and next season. Bowl loss, expects to return Trailing by a point late in the The game, played under a fourth quarter, the Eagles moved translucent US Bank Stadium ahead for good when Foles con- roof while temperatures outside Reuters which was just beyond his reach. nected with Ertz on a 11-yard plummeted, capped a season dur- Minnepolis Brady handed off to running back James touchdown to put his team ahead ing which NFL ratings dropped Quarterback Tom Brady White, who pitched it to Amendola on 38-33. Philadelphia missed a sub- after many players kneeled during of the Patriots fails to what appeared to be a reverse while Brady sequent two-point conversion the national anthem to protest ra- oments after a stunning Su- catch a pass during the sneaked out into the fl at, wide open. A attempt to leave the door open for cial inequality and as the league’s per Bowl loss to the Philadel- Super Bowl on Sunday. catch would have resulted in a fi rst down. the Patriots with a little less than concussion protocol entered the phia Eagles on Sunday, New Instead, it bounced off his outstretched two-and-a-half minutes to play. spotlight. MEngland Patriots’ 40-year- hands. But in a game when both of- But no players protested while old quarterback Tom Brady was not ready “Danny made a good throw. I just didn’t fenses moved up and down the Grammy Award-winning pop to retire, saying he would likely return and make the play,” Brady said. fi eld eff ortlessly and combined singer Pink performed “The try again for his sixth National Football Asked if he caught the pass in practice, for a Super Bowl record 1,151 Star-Spangled Banner” ahead League title. he said: “Yeah, I caught it. Didn’t catch it yards, Brady had the ball swatted of the year’s most-watched US Brady, the face of the NFL with his tonight.” from his grasp and it was recov- television broadcast, attracting fi ve previous Super Bowl victories, suf- Dominant as the Patriots have been ered by Philadelphia to all but seal an audience of more than 100mn fered his third defeat in the championship since Brady’s fi rst championship after the New England’s fate. viewers. game, losing the ball on a strip sack at a 2001 season, he said: “No one is going to crucial time in the Philadelphia Eagles’ feel sorry for us.” 41-33 victory. Nor will they feel sorry for Brady, who is “I expect to be back,” Brady said. “It’s revered in New England and in 2009 mar- 15 minutes after the game ended, so I ried Brazilian-born model Gisele Bund- would like to process this. I don’t see why chen, the mother of their two children. I wouldn’t be back.” Brady has attributed his longevity in The strip-sack play with a little over part to a strict diet of largely organic, two minutes left and his team down fi ve plant-based foods, avoiding those he says points overshadowed his Super Bowl contribute to muscle infl ammation, while record 505 yards passing. He completed drinking 12 to 25 glasses of water per day, 28 of 48 passes with three touchdowns including 20 ounces (60 cl) fortifi ed with and no turnovers, moving the ball so well electrolytes fi rst thing in the morning. that the Patriots never punted. He says he goes to sleep at 8:30pm. For all his success, though, two failed Derek Barnett recovering and advancing there and made a good play,” Brady said. For now, he will have the off -season to plays will stand out in Sunday’s loss. the ball to the Patriots’s 31-yard line. “They made a good play at the right time.” contemplate how the Patriots will return On the strip sack, he dropped back That led to a Eagles fi eld goal and an In another rare fl op, he went out as a to football’s center stage. to pass and came under pressure, with eight-point lead that held for the rest of receiver on a trick play on third down in “We’ll evaluate like we always do,” he Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Alshon Jeff ery (17) catches a Philadelphia linebacker Brandon Graham the game. the second quarter but could not haul in said. “I’m pretty sure everyone is tired af- touchdown pass over New England Patriots cornerback Eric Rowe knocking the ball loose and Philadelphia’s “Those guys had a good rush and got it the pass from receiver Danny Amendola, ter a long year.” on Sunday. Gulf Times 6 Tuesday, February 6, 2018 SPORT

NBA SPOTLIGHT Cavs should be taken off TV aft er blowout Horford’s buzzer loss, says LeBron

AFP told reporters after the home New York loss at Quicken Loans Arena. “I just think our mindset needs to change. I think we need to do frustrated LeBron things harder.” beater carries James said the Cleve- Despite the team’s struggles, land Cavaliers should Lue’s job is reportedly safe. be taken off “every na- “We are not fi ring our head tionallyA televised game for the coach,” one Cavaliers offi cial told rest of the season” following the ESPN late Saturday night. team’s 120-88 loss to the Hou- James scored just 11 points ston Rockets on Saturday night. on 3-of-10 shooting against the It was the Cavs’ eighth consecu- Rockets. He had nine rebounds Celtics past Blazers tive loss on national television and nine assists. and fourth by 24 or more points The Cavs (30-21) went ‘It’s a shot I work on a lot and it felt good when it left my hands’ since January 1. through midseason slumps in Cleveland has lost 12 of its past each of the past three years but AFP 18 games. “I’m lost for words, rallied to reach the NBA Finals Los Angeles actually,” James said, per ESPN, each time. referring to the Cavs’ streak on “We gotta stop worrying national TV. “They should take about the past,” James said. l Horford rattled in a us off every nationally televised “This is this season, and we fadeaway jumper as game for the rest of the season. haven’t played well versus any- the buzzer sounded to We haven’t played good ball and one. lift the Boston Celt- we get our butts kicked every “That’s not a question for me. icsA to a 97-96 NBA win over time we play on national televi- I show up to work every day. I the Portland Trail Blazers on sion, so I’m at a loss for word.” bust my tail every day. I’m the Sunday. Cavaliers coach Ty Lue ques- fi rst one to get to the gym and “It’s a shot I work on a lot tioned the eff ort and trust within I’m one of the last ones to leave. and it felt good when it left my the team. I do my part. I control what I can hands,” Horford said. “Don’t look like (we tried). control, and that is what I can Horford, Semi Ojeleye and We didn’t have no fi ght,” Lue control.” Jayson Tatum scored consecu- tive three-pointers late in the fourth quarter as the Celtics took the lead with an 11-0 scor- ing run after trailing 85-79. Horford said teammate Jaylen Brown was supposed to take the last shot but he was covered. “That shot epitomizes the work he puts in,” Brown said. “He embraces those opportu- nities and steps up to the chal- lenge.” Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James stands alone during Horford fi nished with 22 the second-half of their NBA game against the Houston Rockets at points and 10 rebounds for Quicken Loans Arena on Sunday. PICTURE: USA TODAY Sports Boston, who won their fourth game in a row. Tatum had 17 points and Brown scored 16 for the Celtics in front of a crowd Retiring ex-NBA star Marbury of 18,600 at the Boston Garden hopes to work for China’s team arena. Terry Rozier, starting in place Former NBA All-Star Stephon Marbury said he would like to work for of injured guard Kyrie Irv- China’s national basketball programme as he confirmed that the cur- ing, had 11 points on fi ve-of-18 tain would fall next week on his pioneering 22-year playing career. shooting. Marbury was expected to hang up his sneakers after the current sea- Damian Lillard scored the fi - son, which ends on February 11, and the 40-year-old aff irmed that in a nal eight points for the Blazers, series of social media posts Monday in which he professed his love for including a three-point play Boston Celtics forward Al Horford (No 42) celebrate with teammates after hitting the game winning shot against the Portland Trail Blazers at adopted home, China. with seven seconds left to give TD Garden in Boston. PICTURE: USA TODAY Sports Marbury is among the most popular players in the Chinese Basketball them the lead 96-95. Association (CBA) after becoming the first top former NBA star to Lillard fi nished with 21 points Elsewhere, the Milwaukee Antetokounmpo said the in- Memphis Grizzlies 101-86. The In Oklahoma City, Russell switch to China, where he has thrived since arriving in 2010. shooting six-of-19 from the Bucks breezed past the Brooklyn jury was not a serious one and Raptors have won fi ve straight Westbrook scored 36 points but He went on to win three league titles with the Beijing Ducks before fi eld. C.J. McCollum led the Nets 109-94 despite missing he wanted to come back in the at home against the Grizzlies. the mistake-prone Oklahoma switching this season to the Beijing Fly Dragons. Blazers with 22 points. star Giannis Antetokounmpo game but the coaching staff Toronto improved to a league- City Thunder couldn’t over- Marbury said on China’s Twitter-like Weibo on Monday that the Fly “They executed well down who left the game in the fi nal wouldn’t allow it. best 21-4 on home court this come some untimely turnovers Dragons’ season-closer on February 11 would be his “final cry”, as he the stretch, made some tough quarter with a sore right ankle. “I knew that if the game was season and 7-3 in its past 10 in a 108-104 loss to the Los An- thanked Chinese fans and players for their welcome. shots,” McCollum said. “Credit Eric Bledsoe scored 28 points, close I would defi nitely be back games. geles Lakers. “I want to work with the national team if asked. I think I can help be a them for battling back and then John Henson had 19 points and in,” the All-Star forward said. Grizzlies started their NBA The Thunder have now lost part of the growth. China is home and Beijing is life,” Marbury said. down the stretch they seemed 18 rebounds for the Bucks who Khris Middleton also had 16 life out as the expansion Van- four straight after going on an “I will be here forever, so I have time to help the youth. I want to add to to match every basket.” stretched their winning streak points for the Bucks, who im- couver Grizzlies where they eight-game win streak in Janu- China’s basketball foundation. I understand the culture and work ethic Celtics coach Brad Stevens over the Nets to 10 games. proved to 6-1 since fi ring coach played for six seasons. ary. because I’m a part of it.” said they were going to cel- Jason Kidd. In 2001 they moved to Mem- The point guard began his NBA career with the Minnesota Timber- ebrate the win by watching the Antetokounmpo scare DeMarre Carroll and Caris phis, leaving the Raptors as RESULTS wolves in 1996 and was later a two-time All-Star, first for the New Jersey New England Patriots battle the Milwaukee led by as many LeVert each scored 15 for the the lone Canadian team in the Phoenix 110 Charlotte 115 Nets then the Phoenix Suns, before joining his hometown New York Philadelphia Eagles in Super as 28 points at one stage and Nets, who lost for the sixth time league. Oklahoma City 104 LA Lakers 108 Knicks from 2004-2009. Bowl 52. were in control when Antetok- in seven games. Marc Gasol scored 20 points Boston 97 Portland 96 In China, Marbury played first for Shanxi and Foshan before settling “Wanted to end the game so ounmpo twisted his ankle and In Toronto, Delon Wright and Andrew Harrison had 16 for Brooklyn 94 Milwaukee 109 with the Beijing Ducks and sparking them to CBA crowns in 2012, 2014 we could go watch the Super headed to the bench. He fi n- had 15 points off the bench as the Grizzlies, who have lost six New York 96 Atlanta 99 and 2015. Bowl,” Stevens said. ished with 16 points. the Toronto Raptors beat the straight on the road. Toronto 101 Memphis 86

NHL Lehkonen scores twice in Canadiens victory Reuters Plekanec’s goal to round out games, though he improved his last 10 games. New York the scoring broke a 20-game record to 13-4-3 this season. The Hurricanes perked up drought after he earlier netted an Sebastian Aho scored for Caro- with 12 shots in the second pe- assist for the 600th point of his lina, which lost for the second riod, but they didn’t score. rtturi Lehkonen scored NHL career. straight game. They didn’t apply much pres- twice, including the Ottawa’s Mike Hoff man Goalie Cam Ward made 23 sure in the third period, with eventual winning goal opened the scoring two minutes saves for the Hurricanes. The only fi ve shots across the fi rst 17 midway through the into the second period, taking Sharks, who’ve won back-to- minutes before applying more secondA period to pace the Mon- advantage of David Schlemko’s back road games for the second pressure when Ward was pulled treal Canadiens to a 4-1 victory egregious giveaway at the Mon- time in a month’s span, are 2-1-1 for an extra attacker and fi nish- over the Ottawa Senators Sun- treal blueline to blast a shot four games into a fi ve-game road ing the period with 13 shots on day afternoon in Montreal. past Price. Canadiens forward stretch. goal. Carey Price made 25 saves to Jonathan Drouin played after be- The Hurricanes have split the record Montreal’s second con- ing forced from Saturday’s game Carey Price made 25 saves fi rst four games of a season-long secutive win, but Lehkonen was and being sent for X-rays. to record Montreal’s second eight-game homestand. the star of the show at the Bell The victory was also the 110th consecutive win, but Alex Tuch scored with 5:12 re- Centre. for Claude Julien as Montreal’s Lehkonen was the star of maining to give the Vegas Golden Lehkonen’s fi rst goal was head coach, which moved him the show at the Bell Centre Knights a 4-3 victory over the Montreal’s second power-play ahead of Alain Vigneault for sole Washington Capitals in a battle tally in a 98-second span as the possession of 11th in franchise The teams entered the game of division leaders Sunday after- Senators paid dearly for a penal- history. as the top two in NHL power- noon in Washington. ty parade. Lehkonen was parked Condon stopped 31 shots for play production across the past Tuch approached from goalie at the side of the net and lifted the Senators, who arrived in 14 games, but all the goals came Philipp Grubauer’s right and got a sharp-angled shot past Ot- Montreal riding a two-game in even-strength situations. off a weak shot that Grubauer tawa netminder Mike Condon winning streak but have a 2-7-0 Carolina came up empty on the couldn’t control, and the puck to break a 24-game goal scoring record in their last nine. game’s lone power-play oppor- slid through the crease and just drought. tunity. over the line inside the right Lehkonen scored his second Burns stays hot, leads Meier took a pass from Joonas post. of the game late in the mid- Sharks past Canes 3-1 Donskoi, who was in the corner, The victory put Vegas goalie dle frame, the benefi ciary of a Brent Burns supplied a goal for his 12th goal of the season. Marc-Andre Fleury (20 saves) seeing-eye pass from Tomas and an assist as the San Jose Aho tied the game in the fi rst into 13th place on the all-time Plekanec which left him with a Sharks used a strong beginning period with his third goal in four wins list (390), moving him past wide-open net. to pick up a 3-1 victory against games since returning from in- Dominik Hasek. Curiously, the only other two the Carolina Hurricanes on Sun- juries that kept him out of the Washington’s Barry Trotz goals Lehkonen had netted this day afternoon at PNC Arena in lineup for a couple of weeks. He passed Lindy Ruff for fifth place season came in a two-goal out- Raleigh, N.C. has a team-leading 19 goals. on the NHL’s all-time games ing against the Senators before Timo Meier and Chris Tierney Tierney put the Sharks back in coached list. Trotz now has Halloween. also scored for the Sharks, who front with 36 seconds remaining coached 1,494 games. Jeff Petry and Plekanec also won their second game in a row in the fi rst period before Burns tallied for Montreal. Petry’s goal after losing four straight. tallied just 2:03 into the second RESULTS during a fi ve-on-three advan- San Jose goalie Aaron Dell period. Burns has recorded two Canadiens 4 Senators 1 tage was his third in two games stopped 29 shots. Dell didn’t goals in the past four games, Sharks 3 Hurricanes 1 Montreal Canadiens left wing Artturi Lehkonen (right) celebrates his goal against Ottawa Senators with and tied the game 1-1. play in the team’s previous three with a total of 12 points in the Golden Knights 4 Capitals 3 team-mate Charles Hudon during the second period of their NHL game. PICTURE: USA TODAY Sports Gulf Times Tuesday, February 6, 2018 7 SPORT

CYCLING Froome to start season in Spain under doping cloud AFP However, as the medication Team principal Dave Brails- Last week the British rider London can be taken legally, Froome ford said: “We all recognise strongly denied a newspaper was not suspended by Cy- that these are diffi cult circum- report that he is seeking to ne- cling’s governing body the UCI stances but it’s important for gotiate a short ban rather than hris Froome said Mon- but merely asked to explain the all sides that this process is fi ght to prove his innocence day he is “confi dent” elevated reading. conducted fairly before a fi nal over the adverse test. of progress in a probe Team Sky said in December conclusion is reached. UCI chief David Lappartient into his adverse dop- they were providing informa- “It is a complex situation but said earlier this month that ingC test as the British rider tion to the UCI over the matter we’re working as hard as we can Froome should be suspended prepares for his fi rst race of the and confi rmed in a statement with Chris to resolve things as over the adverse test and some season at this month’s Ruta del on Monday that the process soon as possible.” of the rider’s main rivals have Sol. was ongoing. hit out at Cycling authorities Froome will be part of Team “I’m confi dent that we will Ruta win for failing to ban him. Sky’s line-up for the fi ve-day be able to get to the bottom of Froome, who will line up In 2016 the Russian hacking stage race in Andalusia, south- what has happened and I’m in Spain after spending the group Fancy Bears revealed that ern Spain, which runs from working hard with the team early part of the year training British rider and former Tour February 14 to 18. to do that,” Froome said in the in South Africa, last raced the de France winner Bradley Wig- Froome and his Team Sky statement on the team’s web- Ruta del Sol in 2015, when he gins had received three thera- revealed in December that the site. took overall victory and picked peutic use exemptions (TUEs) 32-year-old had tested for el- “Obviously I understand up a stage win along the way. during his career at crucial mo- evated levels of the asthma that this situation has created a “I have put in a hard training ments - before the Tour in 2011 medication salbutamol during lot of uncertainty. I completely block in January,” said Froome. and 2012 and the Giro d’Italia the Vuelta a Espana, which he get why there has been so much “It’s been good to be out on my in 2013. won for the fi rst time in Sep- interest and speculation. bike and to get the miles under Wiggins said he needed to tember. “I hope that people will ap- my belt. take the corticosteroid triam- Although salbutamol is preciate there are limits to “It’s been a couple of years cinolone to treat allergies but permitted in certain doses, what I can say whilst the proc- now since I was last at Ruta del some ex-cyclists have spo- the four-time Tour de France ess is still ongoing but no one is Sol. It’s a race I’ve enjoyed in ken out against that, saying it winner gave a urine reading of keener than me to move things the past and so I’m looking for- would have given him a signifi - British cyclist Chris Froome of Sky Team heading to a training session in Port de Alcudia on the Spanish island of twice the allowed limit. forward as quickly as possible.” ward to going back there.” cant performance boost. Mallorca on December 14, 2017. (AFP)

WINTER OLYMPICS FOCUS Hockey pioneer hopes to inspire black kids Brrr! Brutal cold move this season, opening the AFP Gangneung, South Korea door for Europe-based talent, minor-leaguers and top colle- gians. ordan Greenway, the fi rst Not that Greenway isn’t good African-American US Ol- enough for the NHL. He was a ympic ice hockey player, 2015 second-round NHL Draft hopes to inspire black pick by Minnesota, 50th overall, raises concerns over youthJ to his sport the way Tiger and at 6-foot-6 (1.97m) and 227 Woods did in golf or Serena Wil- (103kg) pounds he’s the largest liams has in tennis. player on the US Olympic roster. “I just really want kids out “Jordan’s size and ability will there to do something diff er- be a big factor on penalty kills ent, go against the colour barrier and power play,” US coach Tony in the sports world,” Greenway Granato said. said. “You see African-American “His versatility will bring opening ceremony players in other sports like bas- something special as a player.” ketball and football. I want kids Jordan accepts his racial pio- to feel all right to go try some- neer role with pride and respon- ‘They tell us it’s likely to be minus eight, minus 10, which is actually quite warm thing diff erent.” sibility. The 20-year-old Boston Uni- “Being the fi rst African- in comparison (to today). But it’s still a big ask to have athletes standing outside versity star forward is one of American, I’m really honoured four collegians on the US roster by that. Hopefully I’ve been a and then sitting for at least an hour and a half in the cold’ and helped the Americans win role model to other African- the 2017 World Junior Champi- American kids to go out and do AFP Winter athletes are used to onships, scoring three goals and something diff erent. Pyeongchang, South Korea being exposed to the cold, but setting up fi ve more. You don’t see a lot of Afri- even some of them say they are “It’s a proud feeling to win can-Americans playing hockey. feeling the eff ects with the vi- a gold medal for the USA and I Hopefully I can inspire them.” reezing weather at cious wind making for a pun- want to have that feeling again Greenway has 24 goals and 57 the Winter Olympics ishing climate. Noriaki Kasai, on the biggest stage,” Greenway assists in under three seasons threatens to force some the Japanese ski jumper, said: said. with a perennial college power athletes and staff to pull “I don’t think the cold will be a “Winning a gold medal is a and could play a major role in the outF of Friday’s opening ceremo- problem while I’m jumping be- feeling you can’t put into words. American men’s quest for their ny as Pyeongchang shivers in cause it’s just for a short time. That’s motivating me every day fi rst gold since 1980. temperatures plunging to minus “The scariest bit will be the to work hard. I couldn’t be more “Our college guys, I think they 20 degrees Celsius. opening ceremony. I’ll have to excited. I always had a dream to can compete in the NHL right Forget Russian doping, North stick heat patches all over my play in the Olympics. I didn’t now,” Granato said. “They are Korea and US speed queen body for that.” think it was going to happen.” going to have a major impact on Lindsey Vonn: much of the talk Greenway has his chance how we do.” among those arriving in South Gas heaters and heat pads because the National Hockey Greenway wouldn’t have it Korea this week is the brutal Organisers are taking meas- League, which had shut down any other way. cold. ures to make sure that the ath- for every Winter Olympics since “I want to make an impact any The Pyeongchang Games letes and 35,000 spectators at 1998 so players could compete in way I can,” Greenway said. “I’ll are shaping up to be one of the the opening ceremony do not the Games, decided against the put in all the eff ort I’ve got.” coldest Olympics ever. Italy are freeze. among the countries fearing the They are putting up a wind- dangerous eff ects of the big chill screen to block the powerful HEROICS and are advising their competi- winds and setting up 40 port- tors to ensure they are moving able gas heaters, along with 27 at all times during the tradi- heating respite areas. Organis- tional curtainraiser on Friday. ers will also issue survival kits Weibrecht chases Doctors with the Italian team that include a blanket, heating have ordered coaches and staff packs for the hands and feet and with heart problems or diabe- a heating pad that spectators hat-trick of podiums tes to keep in the warm instead can sit on. - the stadium for the opening Ian Chesterman, Australia’s AFP ceremony is open to the ele- chef de mission, said they had Pyeongchang, South Korea ments with no roof. been in talks with their kit man- New Zealand are taking no ufacturer for more than three chances and Peter Wardell, years about how to keep their merican Super-G ski their chef de mission, admit- athletes warm.“Whilst this is star Andrew Wei- ted yesterday: “We are a little the coldest Olympic Games brecht comes to trepidatious about the opening for a while, Australia’s athletes Pyeongchang seeking ceremony, which is going to be regularly perform and train in hisA third consecutive Winter Ol- at night, and how we are all go- equally or colder conditions,” he ympic podium and he’s just as ing to keep warm if it’s going to said. “From memory, Lilleham- unfancied now as he was before. be these sorts of temperatures. mer in 1994 remains the coldest Weibrecht hasn’t stood on a “They tell us it’s likely to be on record with regular tempera- World Cup podium in more than minus eight, minus 10, which tures of minus 25.” two years and has been ham- is actually quite warm in com- But not everyone is suff er- pered by a nagging left knee in- and the second after two major parison (to today). ing. Some say it is the Winter jury - just the sort of low-key shoulder injuries. “But it’s still a big ask to have Olympics, after all, and oth- level that came before his prior He fi nally reached his only athletes standing outside and ers are relishing the cold. Bryce Olympic heroics. World Cup podiums in Decem- then sitting for at least an hour Bennett, an alpine skier for the “I’ve had two great Olym- ber 2015, third on home snow and a half in the cold.” United States, said: “We’re ski pics before and I’m excited to be at Beaver Creek and second the He added: “Quite a few (Kiwi racers, we deal with being cold a back,” Weibrecht said Monday. next month at Kitzbuhel, in athletes) may decide they don’t lot. “It will be interesting how “I’ve been dealing with some Austria, both in Super-G. want to march, particularly those everyone adapts to it.” issues with my knee. I’m just “It’s all about being in the competing really soon after.” Park Hyun-Joo, 18, a volun- going to go put out the best per- right head space when you’re The mercury dipped to minus teer, donned ear muff s, scarf, formance I can.” skiing on the day, that balance of 13 degrees Celsius (9F) on Mon- gloves and several layers to ward But the veteran nicknamed agility and control,” Weibrecht day early evening and was set to off the elements. “War Horse” hinted there might said. go as low as minus 20 into early “It’s cold, especially at night, be another gallop to glory within “A lot of guys try to do some- Tuesday. but I can endure it and it’s our him. thing diff erent, push harder. For That would put Pyeongchang duty to volunteer for the Olym- “I’ve had two good weeks of me it has been stick with my on a par with parts of Siberia. pics,” she said stoically. training coming in here, possi- plan. It’s easy to get yourself bly the best I’ve had this season,” out of your element at a bigger Weibrecht said. “I’m going to event.” give it my best shot.” They don’t get bigger than the A man wraps up from the cold ahead of the opening of the Weibrecht turns 32 on Sat- Olympics, but Weibrecht shakes Pyeongchang 2018 Winter Olympic Games in Pyeongchang urday, fi ve days before trying that off . on February 4, 2018. The Pyeongchang Winter Olympic to add to a medal haul that saw “The tools that got us here are Games take place from February 9 to 25. (AFP) him collect 2014 Sochi silver and the tools that are going to work,” 2010 Vancouver bronze. he said. “It has always been stick The fi rst win came when to the process and it has come he was an unheralded hopeful together at the right time.”