Jan. 11, 2021 Fifty-plus footballer The oldest scorer in Japanese professional football Kazuyoshi Miura will still be playing aged 54 after extending his contract with Yokohama FC 11 for another season, BBC reported. Sports

Futsalplanet nomination Late equalizer rescues derby point for Esteghlal ‘result of team effort’: Sports Desk into Abdi’s way, who played a nice Mes head coach Rezaei dummy to go past his marker before ehdi Qayedi scored a his cool left-footed effort went in. Sports Desk 93rd-minute equalizer as missed a glo- MEsteghlal played to a 2-2 rious chance to give Persepolis the Mes Rafsanjan head coach Atefeh Rezaei said her nomination draw against archrival Persepolis in lead 10 minutes later, only to see his for the Best Female Club Coach in the World at the Futsal- the at the effort from the edge of the six-yard planet Awards 2020 was a result of the successful collabora- in . box cleared off the line by Esteghlal’s tion between everyone at the club. A second-half fightback had seen Masoud Rigi. “I don’t want to be humble, but my nomination for the Persepolis, having gone behind Persepolis then went in front in the award was because of a team effort among the club manage- through Amir-Arsalan Motahari with 66th minute, when Amiri tapped in ment, technical staff, and the players,” the Iranian coach, who only two minutes in to the game, take an Ehsan Pahlevan’s low cross past led her side to ’s Women’s Futsal Pro League title last sea- a well-deserved lead in the second Esteghlal’s keeper Rashid Mazaheri. son, told IRNA. period, courtesy of goals from Mehdi Nourollahi must blame himself for This was the fourth nomination for the country in the wom- Abdi and . not securing the victory for his side en’s categories at the sport’s most prestigious annual awards Mahmoud Fekri’s Blues started as his effort in a one-on-one situation – the third for the southern Iranian club. right on the front foot and an error of with Mazaheri went above the bar. Mes had already been shortlisted for the Best Female Club judgement by Reds midfielder Ka- With the game destined for a in the World award, while goalkeeper Zeinab Karami had mal Kamyabinia saw Motahari win much-needed victory for Persepolis, been named among the 10 candidates for the Best Female the ball in the box before his sizzling Qayedi kept his cool to dribble past Goalkeeper prize. strike found the bottom-right corner. in the box and fire Abdi could have brought Persepo- in the second goal past Reds keeper lis on the level terms in the 19th min- . The draw leaves Es- ute but his header went just wide. teghlal second in the table with 19 Having enjoyed the majority of points, two adrift of San’at Naft the ball in the first half, Yahya Gol- Abadan, which has played a game mohammadi’s men leveled the tie more, while Persepolis sits in the IRAN DAILY six minutes after the interval, when a eighth place with 12 points, having Esteghlal’s Mehdi Qayedi celebrates after scoring the equalizer during a 2-2 draw against Persepolis in the Persian Gulf Pro long ball from the Reds’ backline fell three games in hand. League in Tehran, Iran, on January 11, 2021.

‘We’re not even halfway’:

Solskjaer not thinking about United title tilt IRNA Mes Rafsanjan head coach Atefeh Rezaei the Champions League and most which is a different test again. today to play its rearranged game recently the League Cup, it has “No one will remember how from the opening weekend of the Gelareh Nazemi also received a nomination in the Best continued to grind out results to the league table looked like on season, but could be without Vic- Referee of the Year category. push up the table. January 12, 2021. We have good tor Lindelof, Paul Pogba, Luke Speaking of her side’s 20-year-old goalkeeper, Rezaei said, But, the Norwegian, who is momentum, started well again Shaw and Eric Bailly. “Karami has been playing in the league for three years. She dismissing any early chatter of a after the disappointment of [los- The latter went off just before truly deserves the award as she has been trying so hard and potential title challenge, said it’s ing to Manchester] City, bounced the halftime whistle as United contributed a lot to our title.” too early to get carried away and back really well with a win beat Watford in the FA Cup at Rezaei will see competition from nine counterparts for the just wants his side to keep build- [against Watford] and of course Old Trafford, having collided award. Russian Temur Alekberov, Brazilian Cristiane de Sou- GETTY IMAGES ing momentum. we want to build momentum with Dean Henderson’s knee, za, Julio Delgado and Andrés Sanz of Spain, as well as Japa- Ole Gunnar Solskjaer warned and could go into next weekend’s “We’re not even halfway again. while Solskjaer confirmed the nese coach Yoshitaka Kamikubo, Massimiliano Neri of Italy, Manchester United’s recent good crunch clash with Jurgen Klopp’s through the season and every “If we can get a win on Tues- other three missed the clash Pedro Henriques of Portugal, Ukrainian Alexander Ratych, run of league form could count side as the league leader if it wins game in the Premier League is a day then that’s two games on the through injury. and Brazil’s Esquerda are also picked in the nominees list. for nothing unless his team kicks its game in hand against Burnley challenge, they’re tests,” Solsk- bounce and we can go into the “I hope [they’ll be ready] for In the men’s categories, Iranian goalkeeper Alireza Samimi on and build momentum in a big today, goal.com reported. jaer said. “Every game is a differ- next game confident. Every game Liverpool, definitely, but I’m not is nominated for the Best Goalkeeper in the World award, week. Solskjaer’s side last lost in the ent test. Watford, they gave us a in the Premier League is a chance sure if they’ll make the Burnley with his team Mes Sungun Varzaqan among the 10 contend- United sits level on points with league at the start of November test, Burnley is a test, Liverpool to build more confidence.” one,” Solskjaer said when asked ers for the Best Club award. Liverpool at the top of the table and, despite being knocked out of is another, then you go to Fulham United travels to Turf Moor for an update on their condition.

Kawhi Leonard scored 35 Russian athletes set to compete points, leading the hosts Los LLeonardeonard hhitsits mmilestoneilestone Angeles Clippers to a 130-127 victory over the Chicago Bulls under FIS flag at World Ski Championships in NBA on Sunday. iinn ClippersClippers wwinin ooverver BBullsulls Leonard hit 14 of 22 shots, Russian athletes will compete told TASS. Championship events, including including 7 of 9 three-pointers, under the International Ski Fed- “We will prepare a new uni- the FIS Alpine World Ski Cham- and made a three-pointer in the eration (FIS) flag at the upcoming form and overalls for the world pionships next month in Cortina third quarter to top 10,000 ca- World Ski Championships run by championships.” d’Ampezzo, which are scheduled reer points, Reuters reported. the governing body, according to The FIS decision comes after for February 9-21. Paul George had 28 points, Russian Cross-Country Skiing the Court of Arbitration for Sport The FIS Nordic World Ski nine assists and seven rebounds, Federation Elena Vyalbe. (CAS) upheld sanctions imposed Championships are also set to Lou Williams added 21 points Vyalbe added that the team on Russia by the World Anti- take place next month, in Oberst- and Marcus Morris Sr. chipped would be known as “National Doping Agency (WADA) last dorf. This month’s World Men’s in 11 points and seven boards athletes of Russia” at world month. Handball Championship in Egypt for the Clippers. Nicolas Batum championships, insidethegames. The CAS halved the sanction will mark the first time Russia recorded four of the Clippers’ 13 biz reported. period from four years to two. will compete as a neutral since steals. She told the Russian state news All major competitions set to the nation’s flag and anthem were Zach LaVine had a season- agency TASS these measures are feature Russian teams must now banned from major events. high 45 points, connecting on set to apply to skiers, ski jumpers regard them as neutral teams, Russian players will compete 10 of 16 three-pointers, seven and Nordic combined athletes at separate from the “Russia” name. under the “Russian Handball Fed- rebounds and seven assists for the upcoming competitions. This includes abbreviations, eration Team” moniker. the Bulls, who lost their third in “Of course, it also applies to flags and names on uniform, with Critics of the CAS decision a row. It was the third consecu- jumpers and double athletes,” competitors being regarded as have complained that country’s tive game that LaVine scored at Dmitry Dubrovsky, president “neutral athletes” rather than part name has not truly been banned if least 32 points. of the Ski Jumping and Nordic of an official Russian team. the word “Russia” can still appear Combined Federation of Russia, This will apply at World on uniforms. Lakers 120 Rockets 102

Anthony Davis scored 27 points and blocked three shots in his return from a one-game injury hiatus as Los Angeles remained unbeaten on the road MARCIO JOSE SANCHEZ/AP with a victory over Houston. Clippers’ Kawhi Leonard dunks during an NBA victory over the Bulls at Staples Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA, on Davis, who missed the Lak- January 10, 2021. ers’ win over the Chicago Bulls last Friday with a right adduc- them shorthanded. ESPN. tor strain, started 9 for 9 from No pause plans Miami said earlier that guard “There are no plans to pause the floor. LeBron James added Avery Bradley would miss the the season, and we will continue 18 points, seven rebounds and The National Basketball As- game due to the NBA’s pan- to be guided by our medical ex- seven assists while Montrezl sociation said it is not planning demic health and safety proto- perts and health and safety pro- Harrell produced 16 points to temporarily halt the 2020-21 cols while Boston would have tocols.” and eight boards off the Lakers season, despite teams struggling had only eight players available, The Philadelphia 76ers, who bench. to cope with the impact of rising with nine players missing out faced Denver Nuggets on Satur- Christian Wood paced the COVID-19 cases and injuries. due to injury and COVID-19 day, also had the minimum eight Rockets with 23 points while Sunday’s game between the protocols. players active due to injuries James Harden added 20 points Boston Celtics and Miami Heat “We anticipated that there and virus concerns. and nine assists but committed was postponed because the Heat would be game postponements The NBA had postponed the seven turnovers. Houston shot did not have the league-mandat- this season and planned the game between the Oklahoma just 12 for 41 from behind the ed eight players available after schedule accordingly,” NBA City Thunder and Houston GETTY IMAGES arc. contact tracing protocols left spokesman Mike Bass told Rockets last month.