SPORT

Tuesday 12 December 20201717

PAGE | 31 PAGE | 32-33 PAGE | 36 Nadal heads ATP Tour Ton-up Taylor AlAl DuhailDu unstoppable as rankings as playersrs puts West Indiess MsakniM and Belmadi eye new season in trouble sweep top awards : Al Tamimi into last-16 at Worlds

Armstrong Vas plan. I felt really good on court and The Peninsula between the games I was positive and I’m really happy to be in round orld No. 37 Abdulla three for the first time ever. Al Tamimi created “It’s really good to back up a big history by becom- win with another win. Sometimes ing the first Qatari you can get overexcited and you player to reach think you have had enough in the Wthe last sixteen round of the World tournament but obviously it gave me Championships in Manchester the confidence to be sharper today yesterday. and I’m really looking forward to The 22-year-old Aspire Acad- tomorrow.” emy product rallied set aside the The Qatari wrapped up pro- challenge of of ceedings by pocketing the fourth to France in three games to one in 57 win the match and set up a clash minutes to reach the with three-time World Champion pre-quarter-finals. of England. The rising Qatari star, who said The Englishman, playing his last at the start of the championship that Worlds having already announced he is determined to do well in the his retirement at the start of the sea- championship to shed away the son, was stretched to the limit by Max inconsistency tag, overcame the Lee of Hong Kong. The home hero World No.27 with a score line of 11-5, won 11-9, 8-11, 11-7, 11-5 in 63 min- 11-6, 6-11, 11-7. utes to book a place in the last 16. Tamimi, who stunned No.10 Another three-time World seed Simon Rosner of Germany on Champion won the Sunday to make it to the second all-Egyptian battle with Omar round, began from where he left. He Mosaad in straight games 11-5, 11-6, won the first two games but Rosner 11-6. bounced back to take the third. Also moving into the third round “I couldn’t be happier,” said were Egyptians dup of third seed Tamimi. and seventh “I had a game plan and I stuck seed . to it for long enough. He picked up El Shorbagy defeated Joel Makin Qatar’s World No. 37 Abdulla Al Tamimi in action against Mathieu Castagnet of France during the second a lot of balls in the third, it got in my of Wales 15-13, 11-5, 12-10, while round of the World Squash Championships in Manchester, England yesterday. Al Tamimi beat Castagnet of head a little bit but I came back in Momen got the better of compatriot France to reach the pre-quarter-finals. the fourth stronger and with a game Zahed Mohamed 11-8, 11-7, 11-7.

Al Kharaitiyat players celebrate after scoring a goal against Qatar SC during yesterday’s QNB Stars League match played at Al Khor Stadium. AGCFF officials hold Gulf Cup meeting

QNA to the State of Kuwait after FIFA lifted suspension imposed on he Arab Gulf Cup Football Kuwait’s football association. Federation (AGCFF) held a The consultative meeting dis- Tconsultative meeting today cussed the formation of an AGCFF at the headquarters of the AGCFF delegation to visit Kuwait in order in Doha. The meeting was chaired to inspect the preparations for by Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa bin hosting the 23rd Gulf Cup which Ahmed Al Thani, President of is scheduled to be held from 22 Qatar Football Association and December to 5 January 2018. AGCFF. Results of the draw, previously The participants welcomed approved in September, were also the transfer of the 23rd Gulf Cup reviewed.

Al Annabi train ahead of friendly

QSL Cup: Al Kharaitiyat thrash Qatar Qatari football players train under the watchful eyes of SC 6-1 to make it to the semi-finals coach Felix Sanchez ahead of their friendly match against Liechtenstein which will be The Peninsula with free-kicks in the 40th opened the scoring in the an impressive 8-0 victory played in Doha on Thursday. and 45th respectively. Qatar eighth minute following a over Al Khor at Al Arabi brilliant team effort by SC did pull one back through fumble from the goalkeeper Stadium. Al Kharaitiyat saw Abdurahman Akbar in 71st, that allowed him to strike Al Duhail finished third A them thrashing Qatar but it was over as a contest by home into an empty net from with seven points. The rout SC by 6-1 which assured a that point. Abdulaziz Al Ansari 25 yards for Al Gharafa. started as early as the third berth in the semi-finals of the compounded The Kings’ mis- Amro Seraj doubled their minute through ace Moroc- QNB Stars League (QSL) Cup ery with goals in the 87th and advantage just before half- can striker Youssef El Arabi, yesterday. 89th. Al Kharaitiyat’s victory time with a weaving run who also scored five more in The Group A match which took them to 11 points and before striking from distance the 21st, 26th, 45th, 61st and was played at the Al Khor Sta- secured them second spot. and he secured the points in 80th. dium saw Al Kraitiyat taking At Al Shamal Stadium, the 81st with a finish from A penalty from Moham- a formidable 4-0 lead before Group leaders Al Gharafa who close range. mad Mousa in the 17th and half-time. had already qualified for the Nasser Al Kaabi was on Ahmed Mohammed in the Rachid Tiberkanine semifinals, confirmed the first hand to complete the scoring 49th ensured Al Duhail were scored in the 29th and 37th position in the group with 13 in the 86th. comfortable winners. minutes before Saoud Nasser points when they beat Al Elsewhere, Al Duhail fin- Group B matches in the and Al Yazidi both scored Sailiya 4-0. Abdulmajid Anad ished off their campaign with round will be played today. 30 SPORT TUESDAY 12 DECEMBER 2017

EUROPA LEAGUE DRAW The Europa League last 32 draw made Champions League last 16: Real yesterday: Borussia Dortmund (GER) vs Atalanta (ITA) Nice (FRA) vs Lokomotiv Moscow (RUS) FC Copenhagen (DEN) vs Atletico Madrid (ESP) Madrid vs PSG, Barca vs Chelsea Spartak Moscow (RUS) vs Athletic Bilbao (ESP) AEK Athens (GRE) vs Dynamo Kiev (UKR) Nyon, Switzerland Celtic (SCO) vs Zenit St Petersburg (RUS) AFP Spanish former Napoli (ITA) vs RB Leipzig (GER) international Xabi Red Star Belgrade (SRB) vs CSKA ristiano Ronaldo’s Real Alonso shows the Moscow (RUS) Madrid will resume slip of PSG during the Lyon (FRA) vs Villarreal (ESP) their bid for a first draw for the round Real Sociedad (ESP) vs Salzburg (AUT) European Cup treble of 16 of the UEFA Partizan Belgrade (SRB) vs Viktoria in 42 years against Champions League Plzen (CZE) CNeymar’s Paris Saint-Germain tournament at the Steaua Bucharest (ROM) vs Lazio (ITA) after the big-spending duo were UEFA headquarters Ludogorets (BUL) vs AC Milan (ITA) Astana (KAZ) vs Sporting Lisbon (POR) yesterday drawn together in a in Nyon yesterday. mouth-watering Champions Ostersund (SWE) vs Arsenal (ENG) League last 16 clash. Marseille (FRA) vs Braga (POR) No club has won the Euro- First leg to be played February 15. pean title three years running Second leg February 22

since Bayern Munich in the mid- Note: The seeded teams, listed 1970s, underlining how big an second here, are at home in the achievement it would be if second leg Madrid -- 12 times winners over- all -- won the trophy again in the Arsenal’s hopes final in Kiev in May. Challenging them for the title will be a record five English clubs to be tested by through to the last 16, with Chel- sea facing the most challenging Swedish club hurdle in the shape of La Liga giants Barcelona. Nyon, Switzerland Barca’s Spanish rivals Real AFP know exactly what it takes to be European champions, and in rsenal’s hopes of Ronaldo have the most prolific Europa League glory goal-scorer in the competition’s Awill be tested in the last history. 32 by Swedish minnows Emilio Butragueno, a Real Ostersunds, ironically director and former striker, coached by the only English regretted that one of the favour- taking into account they are two games like finals and for the fans of playing the first leg away can underestimating Besiktas, who manager left in European ites would be eliminated so soon of the contenders for the title,” it will be a thrilling tie.” always help you a little,” said should enjoy some raucous sup- competition and founded in in the competition. Butragueno told BeIN Sports PSG ambassador Maxwell Barca director Guillermo Amor. port from the city’s Turkish the same month Arsene “For the potential of the two Spain. said the Real tie threw up the “We are very optimistic, we are community. Wenger took over the teams, luck has worked out this PSG made waves in the chance for the Parisian club to confident and want to keep going “We know how strong they Gunners. way and one of the two teams transfer market in the close sea- atone for their 6-1 hammering in this competition. are after we followed their In the draw made yes- will be out at the last 16 stage, son when they signed Brazilian by Barcelona that eliminated “We will see who arrives bet- games against Leipzig. It will be rerday, the Gunners were which we think is a bit soon star Neymar for a world-record them in the last 16 last season. ter for the dates of the game. We a difficult task, but we are look- pitched against the central 222m euros, followed closely by “It’s a good draw, with two hope we will be strong because ing forward to the unusual Swedish club coached by Gra- CHAMPIONS LEAGUE DRAW great French hope Kylian good games to play,” Maxwell we are facing a strong team, an atmosphere in their stadium,” he ham Potter, who played for Mbappe, who will cost 180m said. “Our fans will like it after English team that runs and is said. Southampton in the Premier The draw for the last 16 of the Champi- euros when his loan deal we were knocked out by Barce- very physical but also has very “One always says that it is a League as part of a long ons League made yesterday: becomes permanent next lona last season. good players.” disadvantage to play at home in career that saw him win one Basel (SUI) vs Man City (ENG) summer.“Every summer they “It will be nice. It’s a beauti- English Premier League the first-leg, which is right -- it under-21 England cap and Bayern Munich (GER) vs Besiktas (TUR) have signed great players, they ful challenge for the club. I think leaders Manchester City play certainly won’t be an advantage make 307 Football League Chelsea (ENG) vs Barcelona (ESP) get stronger all the time and they we’re ready for that.” Basel, who have had some fine - but we are strong enough to appearances. Juventus (ITA) vs Tottenham (ENG) have had a nearly impeccable Barcelona will be wary of results against English sides in accept that and we will give our Now 42, Potter led Oster- Porto (POR) vs Liverpool (ENG) group stage,” acknowledged Chelsea, the English club enjoy- recent years, while five-time all.” England’s three-time cham- sunds -- created in October Real Madrid (ESP) vs PSG (FRA) Butragueno. ing four wins to three in their 12 winners and current Bundesliga pions Manchester United face 1996 when three local clubs Sevilla (ESP) vs Man Utd (ENG) “With Neymar and Mbappe previous Champions League table toppers Bayern Munich Sevilla, Liverpool, five-time win- (Ope IF, IFK Ostersund, Shakhtar Donetsk (UKR) vs Roma (ITA) they have improved a lot up meetings, their most recent com- drew Turkish giants Besiktas. ners, will be up against two-time Ostersund/Torvalla FF)

First legs to be played February 13/14 & front, they are a very dangerous ing in the semi-finals in 2012 as Bayern’s director of sport former champions Porto, and merged -- to the Swedish Cup 20/21. Second legs March 6/7 & 13/14 team who will demand the best the London side marched to the Hasan Salihamidzic said the Ger- Tottenham take on last year’s last season, having taken the of us. We need to face both title. “It is a good tie, the factor mans would not be beaten finalists Juventus. side from the Swedish fourth division to the top flight in six seasons. Far from being intimi- Villarreal’s midfielder Rodrigo Hernandez (left) vies with Barcelona forward Lionel Messi dated, Ostersunds seemed during the Spanish League match at La Ceramica Stadium in Vila-Real on Sunday. ecstatic with the draw, their Red-hot Man City English manager freely admitting his outfit would not be favourites against eye historic win Wenger’s Arsenal, currently sitting fifth in the Premier League. London “In December it is impossi- “I think it’s really cool to AFP ble to be champions but that go home to England and meet gap is very good for us.” one of the best teams in the anchester City will have United will look to bounce Premier League,” said Potter, history in their sights back from their first home who first signed for Oster- Mwhen the Premier defeat in 41 matches when they sunds in 2010. League title favourites face host Bournemouth. “Now we are really Swansea City tomorrow, while If United can barely see City underdogs,” he added in a their rivals despair of ever sprinting off into the distance, report in Swedish on the catching the runaway leaders. the view for champions Chel- club’s website. Pep Guardiola’s side surged sea and the rest of the chasing The club, who claimed a 11 points clear at the top thanks pack is even more dispiriting. shock win over Galatasaray to a season-defining 2-1 win at Third-placed Chelsea lag 14 in the second qualifying second-placed Manchester points behind City after a shock round and then finished sec- United on Sunday. 1-0 defeat at West Ham United, ond in a group featuring Nicolas Otamendi’s second- while fourth-placed Liverpool Athletic Bilbao and Hertha half strike clinched City’s are 16 adrift following their Berlin after only losing one record-equalling 14th succes- frustrating 1-1 draw against game, reported that Potter sive league victory, forcing Merseyside rivals Everton. looked delighted as he and United manager Jose Mourinho Chelsea boss Antonio Conte the club chairman realised to concede the title race is prob- claimed Chelsea were no longer Suarez and Messi give Barca win who they had been drawn ably over. in the hunt following their loss against. City can hit a new high by in east London and “Jubilation in Ostersund, beating Swansea at the Liberty Gary Cahill admitted they must Vila-Real, Spain Raba was given a straight red 39 points, five clear of second- OFK meet Arsenal in the next Stadium to break the record bounce back at Huddersfield Reuters card for a wild, studs-up chal- placed Valencia and six ahead of round,” the club said on Twit- they currently share with Arse- Town today. lenge on Sergio Busquets on the Atletico in third, while champi- ter. Meanwhile, Brendan nal for consecutive Premier uis Suarez and Lionel Messi hour mark. Barca did not take ons Real Madrid are fourth on Rodgers’ Celtic face Roberto League wins. ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE fired Barcelona to a 2-0 long to cash in and Suarez broke 31.Villarreal coach Javi Calleja Mancini’s ambitious Zenit St But Guardiola won’t let his Lvictory over 10-man Vil- the deadlock in the 72nd minute, said the red card was unfair on Petersburg, who beat Rang- side get carried away with 22 Fixtures (1945 GMT unless stated) larreal as the leaders won for the rounding goalkeeper Sergio his side. ers in the 2008 UEFA Cup games still to play, especially Today first time in three La Liga games Asenjo to complete a move of “We were playing well and final. with second-bottom Swansea Burnley vs Stoke, Crystal Palace vs Watford (2000 to stay five points clear on Sun- quick passes by Messi, Jordi Alba managing the periods of the “It’s never easy playing in fighting for their own GMT), Huddersfield vs Chelsea (2000 GMT) day, while Atletico Madrid edged and substitute Paco Alcacer. game but everything changed Russia,” Celtic’s Olivier survival. Tomorrow Real Betis 1-0. The visitors stretched their with the red card,” he said. Ntcham tweeted. “It means a lot in terms of Liverpool vs West Brom (2000 GMT), Manchester Barca looked set for a third lead 11 minutes later with the “From the sidelines it didn’t Celtic dropped out of the the way we played for our con- United vs Bournemouth (2000 GMT), Newcastle consecutive league draw as they help of a haphazard backpass look like a red card and I’m cer- Champions League, as did fidence, but in three days we go vs Everton, Southampton vs Leicester, Swansea v created scant opportunities but from Victor Ruiz to Busquets, tain that if it had been the other Napoli and RB Leipzig, who to Swansea in the winter time. Manchester City, Tottenham vs Brighton (2000 they were presented with the who played in Messi for his 14th way round it wouldn’t have been will meet each other in what We are going to face a lot of dif- GMT), West Ham vs Arsenal (2000 GMT) advantage of an extra man when league goal this campaign. a sending off. Raba has been appears to be the toughest ficulties,” he said. Villarreal midfielder Daniel Barca lead the standings on punished for being a young guy.” draw of the round. TUESDAY 12 DECEMBER 2017 SPORT 31

Nadal heads ATP Tour Tokyo 2020 venues will rankings as players be ready on time, says IOC eye the 2018 season London Tokyo Agencies AFP

okyo organisers are rand Slam star Rafael Nadal of Spain heads the latest ATP Tour back on track and will rankings as the world of tennis prepares for the new season complete their 2020 Gthat commences with 2018 Qatar ExxonMobil Open in the first Olympic venues on week of January. schedule, the Interna- Nadal, who won two Grand Slams in the 2017 season, is nar- T tional Olympic Committee (IOC) rowly ahead of Swiss star and tennis veteran Roger Federer who said yesterday at the start of a also bagged a couple of Grand Slam crowns this year. three-day visit. After bungling the rollout of 1 (1) Rafa Nadal (Spain) 10645 the showpiece Olympic stadium 2 (2) Roger Federer (Switzerland) 9605 two years ago, local organisers 3 (3) Grigor Dimitrov (Bulgaria) 5150 have come under scrutiny but 4 (4) Alexander Zverev (Germany) 4610 last month unveiled their first 5 (5) Dominic Thiem (Austria) 4015 new permanent venue for the 6 (6) Marin Cilic (Croatia) 3805 2020 Olympics in a welcome 7 (7) David Goffin (Belgium) 3775 public relations boost. 8 (8) Jack Sock (US) 3165 The new national stadium is 9 (9) Stan Wawrinka (Switzerland) 3150 set to be completed by Novem- 10 (10) Pablo Carrenyo (Spain) 2615 ber 2019 after Japanese Prime 11 (11) Juan Martin del Potro (Argentina) 2595 Minister Shinzo Abe tore up the 12 (12) Novak Djokovic (Serbia) 2585 original blueprints over its eye- 13 (13) Sam Querrey (US) 2535 watering $2bn price tag. 14 (14) Kevin Anderson (South Africa) 2480 But the IOC’s Games coordi- Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike (right) delivers a speech beside State Minister in charge of Tokyo 15 (15) Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (France) 2320 nation commission chairman Olympics Shunichi Suzuki (left) during the fifth meeting of the International Olympic Committee 16 (16) Andy Murray (Britain) 2290 John Coates backed Tokyo 2020 (IOC) Coordination Commission for the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 in Tokyo yesterday. 17 (17) John Isner (US) 2265 to deliver the venue on time. 18 (18) Lucas Pouille (France) 2235 “It was a significant accom- 19 (19) Tomas Berdych (Czech Republic) 2095 plishment to complete the first shortlist of three Tokyo 2020 loggerheads with local organ- identifying potential risks and 20 (20) Roberto Bautista (Spain) 2015 permanent venue,” he said before mascot candidates. isers over the prickly issue of threats to the Olympics.” 21 (21) Nick Kyrgios (Australia) 2010 a meeting with key Japanese offi- Schoolchildren from across costs, revealed the IOC presi- Tokyo won hosting rights in 22 (22) Kei Nishikori (Japan) 1885 cials, including Tokyo governor Japan will vote on the winner by dent had “praised Tokyo’s 2013, beating bids from Istanbul 23 (23) Albert Ramos (Spain) 1845 Yuriko Koike and Olympics Min- the end of February and Coates progress” during a recent meet- and Madrid, but preparations 24 (24) Milos Raonic (Canada) 1795 ister Shunichi Suzuki. said the new sports approved for ing in Paris as both sides painted have been far from smooth. 25 (25) Gilles Muller (Luxembourg) 1695 “There are six other venues Tokyo 2020 -- including skate- a rosy picture before getting After the fiasco of the Olym- 26 (26) Diego Schwartzman (Argentina) 1675 under way and with the progress boarding, sports climbing and down to business. pic stadium, designs for the 27 (27) Fabio Fognini (Italy) 1670 of the national stadium, we are BMX freestyle cycling -- would Suzuki, meanwhile, under- official Games logo were ditched 28 (28) Adrian Mannarino (France) 1635 very confident of meeting the bring some street cred to the lined the role of the Japanese following accusations of 29 (29) Philipp Kohlschreiber (Germany) 1440 dates you’ve set.” Games. government in guaranteeing a plagiarism. 30 (30) Damir Dzumhur (Bosnia and Herzegovina) 1391 Other items on the agenda “That youth focus and gen- safe Olympics. There was more bad news in Tokyo this week are security, der balance will be one of the “Of course security will be in October when organisers efforts to further reduce the greatest legacies of Tokyo of paramount importance,” he admitted that prolonged sum- $12bn Games budget and anti- 2020,” he added, pointing to the said. “To that end, the govern- mer rain had brought high levels World number one doping protocols, officials said. record 48.8 percent of women ment’s cooperation will be of bacteria to a venue earmarked Rafael Nadal of Spain Coates noted further set to compete in the Games. crucial, in particular in terms of for triathlon and open water (left) and Romania’s progress with last week’s Koike, who has often been at counter-terrorism measures and swimming. Simona Halep who tops WTA Tour singles standings. Russians want to compete at the Games, even as neutrals, says official

Moscow their way. ROC spokesman Konstantin Velikaya also said her commission will Reuters Vybornov said teams from biathlon and ask the IOC to remove a condition stopping snowboard had recorded videos affirming athletes from being invited to Pyeongchang their desire to compete, while the men’s if they have been suspended for doping in ussian athletes are overwhelm- hockey team has written “a collective the past. ingly in favour of competing at letter.” That affects a few athletes with earlier the upcoming Pyeongchang Some Russian hardliners believe it is offenses unconnected to the Sochi Olym- Games despite a ban on the shameful for athletes to compete at the pics, including biathletes banned for using national team, the country’s Olympics without their national flag. But the blood-booster EPO and speedskating ROlympic committee said yesterday. Velikaya defended the athletes, saying eve- world champion Denis Yuskov, who was sus- Sofia Velikaya said the Russian Olympic ryone watching will know who is from pended in 2008 after testing positive for Committee’s athletes’ commission, which Russia. marijuana. she chairs, has heard from “all the athletes “The choice of competing at the Olym- Forcing the Russians to compete as neu- in all sports” on the Olympic programme, pics is strictly individual,” Velikaya said. “I tral athletes puts the IOC in the with a majority in favour of competing. call on Russian society to treat athletes’ deci- uncomfortable position of regulating how Velikaya said no athletes have told the sions with understanding and respect.” they celebrate. ROC they would rather boycott. With the IOC due to send out invitations The Russian flag won’t be flown at medal “At the current moment, everyone’s to individual Russians over the next two ceremonies, but what happens if a Russian training and everyone’s hoping to take part months, Velikaya said Russian sports offi- winner accepts a flag or a gift from a spec- WTA Tour singles standings in the Olympics,” Velikaya said. cials would put together lists of their tator for a victory lap? Can Russian athletes The International Olympic Committee preferred teams. Those rosters, she said, fly the flag from their windows in the ath- 1 (1) Simona Halep (Romania) 6175 last week barred the Russian team from would stop the IOC from inviting “numbers letes village? Those are on a list of questions 2 (2) Garbine Muguruza Blanco (Spain) 6135 Pyeongchang because of doping offenses at five and six” in the Russian team while leav- Vybornov said Russia will ask of the IOC. 3 (3) Caroline Wozniacki (Denmark) 6015 the 2014 Sochi Games, but is allowing Rus- ing out genuine medal contenders. “A figure skater wins, let’s say, and they 4 (4) Karolina Pliskova (Czech Republic) 5730 sians to compete under a neutral flag as Russia is pushing back against some IOC throw her a teddy bear in Russian uniform 5 (5) Venus Williams (US) 5597 “Olympic Athletes from Russia.” conditions, however, backing appeals by onto the ice,” Vybornov said. 6 (6) Elina Svitolina (Ukraine) 5500 Last week, Russian President Vladimir Russian athletes banned for doping at the “She picks it up. Can she do that? Or is 7 (7) Jelena Ostapenko (Latvia) 5010 Putin said the government won’t stand in 2014 Sochi Olympics. that an offense?” 8 (8) Caroline Garcia (France) 4385 9 (9) Johanna Konta (Britain) 3610 10 (10) CoCo Vandeweghe (US) 3258 11 (11) Kristina Mladenovic (France) 2935 12 (12) Svetlana Kuznetsova (Russia) 2856 13 (13) Sloane Stephens (US) 2802 Boks to play New Zealand in Pretoria 14 (14) Julia Goerges (Germany) 2655 15 (15) Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova (Russia) 2485 Cape Town return home to host the Wallabies at the Nel- Ieremia has been tasked with attempting to 16 (16) Anastasija Sevastova (Latvia) 2475 Reuters son Mandela Bay Stadium in Port Elizabeth turn around the fortunes of New Zealand’s 17 (17) Ashleigh Barty (Australia) 2236 on September. 29. South Africa will finish largest provincial union Auckland after sign- 18 (18) Elena Vesnina (Russia) 2220 outh African Rugby have announced their campaign against New Zealand at alti- ing a three-year contract yesterday. 19 (19) Madison Keys (US) 2213 the venues for the Springboks’ three tude at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria, where Ieremia, who played for both Samoa and 20 (20) Magdalena Rybarikova (Slovakia) 2141 Shome matches in the 2018 Rugby they have won their last nine tests since a the All Blacks in the 1990s, replaces Nick 21 (21) Angelique Kerber (Germany) 2121 Championship, including a fixture against 45-26 loss to the All Blacks in 2006. White after Auckland narrowly escaped 22 (22) Serena Williams (US) 2030 world champions New Zealand in The Boks played their home Rugby being relegated from the top-tier of New 23 (23) Barbora Strycova (Czech Republic) 2025 Pretoria. Championship matches in Port Elizabeth, Zealand’s semi-professional provincial com- 24 (24) Daria Kasatkina (Russia) 1950 The Boks will start their campaign at Bloemfontein and Cape Town in 2017, when petition this year. The 47-year-old, who was 25 (25) Daria Gavrilova (Australia) 1865 King’s Park in Durban when they host Argen- they finished third in the competition. also an assistant coach at the Wellington 26 (26) Dominika Cibulkova (Slovakia) 1860 tina on August 18, before travelling to South SA Rugby announced this month that the Hurricanes from 2009-14, left the Samoa 27 (27) Peng Shuai (China) 1765 America for the return fixture at a venue that side would host England in three test role midway through this year. 28 (28) Agnieszka Radwanska (Poland) 1715 has yet to be decided. matches in June, 2018 to be played in Johan- Auckland have traditionally been one of 29 (29) Petra Kvitova (Czech Republic) 1653 After matches away to Australia in Bris- nesburg, Bloemfontein and Cape Town. the powerhouses of New Zealand rugby and 30 (30) Lucie Safarova (Czech Republic) 1650 bane and New Zealand in Wellington, they Meanwhile former Samoa coach Alama produced numerous All Blacks. 32 SPORT TUESDAY 12 DECEMBER 2017 TUESDAY 12 DECEMBER 2017 SPORT 33

India to host Taylor pays tribute Afghanistan’s Ton-up Taylor puts to ‘mentor’ Crowe Hamilton first-ever Test AFP n emotional Ross Taylor New Delhi Windies in trouble paid tribute to his men- Martin always got me IANS Ator the late Martin Crowe to have goals and following a superb century they weren’t there to ndia will host newly promoted Test side which put New Zealand in sight be the be all and end Afghanistan for their first-ever Test match, of a series sweep against the Hamilton, New Zealand the Board of Control for in India SCOREBOARD MOST TEST HUNDREDS West Indies in Hamilton all but be just a little I AFP yesterday. (BCCI) announced yesterday. The dates of the BY A NEW ZEALANDER reminder now and historic Test will be chalked out later, BCCI act- New Zealand (I innings): ...... 373 R Taylor () ...... 107 Taylor equalled the New then: Ross Taylor West Indies (I innings): H Nicholls c Dowrich b Cummins ...... 5 ing Secretary Amitabh Choudhary announced record-equalling 17th KS Williamson ...... 17 Zealand record of 17 Test cen- century by Ross Tay- K Brathwaite c Southee b de Grandhomme ...... 66 M Santner c Ambris b Chase ...... 26 turies, held by Crowe and Kane after a Special General Meeting here. K Powell c Blundell b Southee ...... 0 C de Grandhomme lbw Gabriel ...... 22 lor had New Zealand MD Crowe ...... 17 Williamson, and was unbeaten He said India will also host 81 matches across S Hetmyer c&b Boult ...... 28 T Blundell c Powell b Gabriel...... 1 closing in on a series on 107 when New Zealand all the three formats from 2019 to 2023 accord- S Hope c Taylor b Southee ...... 15 N Wagner c Hope b Chase ...... 8LRPL Taylor ...... 17 sweep against the R Chase b de Grandhomme ...... 12 T Southee (not out) ...... 22 declared their second innings ing to the new Future Tours Programme (FTP). West Indies after day three of the S Ambris hit b Boult ...... 2 Extras: (B4, LB2, WD2, NB12) ...... JG 20 Wright ...... 12 at 291 for eight in the second dropped by on 35, he “Afghans were scheduled to play their first A S Dowrich c&b Wagner ...... 35 Total: (for 8 wkts) ...... 291 second Test in Hamilton Test. said that became a motivation R Reifer (not out)...... 23 Fall of : 1-11, 2-42, 3-100, 4-111, 5-161,BB 6-212, McCullum ...... 12 Test in 2019 versus Australia but considering yesterday. The West Indies, set a to press on. K Roach c Boult b Wagner ...... 17 7-235, 8-257 NJ Astle ...... 11 the historic relationship between India and The West Indies, set a world- M Cummins b Boult ...... 15 : Gabriel 15-0-52-2 (8nb), Roach 6-1-28-0 daunting 444-run target, were “I said ‘Let’s make it pay’. Afghanistan, we decided to host their first Test,” record target of 444 to win, were S Gabriel b Boult ...... 0 (1nb), Cummins 17-1-69-3 (1w, 2nb), Reifer 13-1-52-1 (1w, two for 30 after eight overs at Sometimes you go through dif- Choudhary told reporters. in trouble at 30 for two by stumps Extras (B1, W7, NB0) ...... 8 1nb), Brathwaite 9-0-33-0, Chase 17.4-1-51-2 stumps and staring at a second ferent parts of your career and Pakistan’s former opening The next FTP cycle at home will include high- with two full days of play Total (all out) ...... 221 West Indies (II innings): fast enough on a yorkerrkker th thee rir rippedppedd loss after their innings defeat in you go ‘Dammit’ and you go batsman Nasir Jamshed Fall of wickets: 1-5, 2-46, 3-90, 4-112, 5-117, 6-135, K Brathwaite () ...... 13 profile series against England, South Africa and remaining. 7-169,8-204, 9-221, 10-221 K Powell c Southee b Boult ...... 0out the middle stump.mp. the first Test. through a bit of a lull, and that Australia. It was New Zealand’s day as Bowling: Southee 19-9-34-2 (1w), Boult 20.5-5-73-4 S Hetmyer c Wagner b Southee ...... 15It was Cumminss f irfirstst b ballall af afterter A teary-eyed Taylor attrib- was the first thing I said to Among other important decisions taken at they shut down the West Indies (2w), de Grandhomme 12-1-40-2, Wagner 15-2-73-2 S Hope (batting) ...... 1lunch and followeded hhisiss ffirstirstt bballall uted his success to Crowe, the myself when it happened. Very New Zealand (II innings): Extras: (LB1) ...... 1 Pakistan’s the SGM were lifting the ban on the Rajasthan for 221 to lead by 152 on the first caught and bowledd didismissalismissas l ooff former New Zealand captain fortunate,” he said. innings. J Raval c&b Cummins ...... 4 Total: (for two wkts) ...... 30Jeet Raval for fourr inin tthehehe mmorn-orn-n who died last year from lym- “I did hit it pretty hard Cricket Association, provided former IPL czar T Latham lbw Reifer ...... 22 Fall of wicket: 1-4, 2-27 Lalit Modi stays away from its functioning. New Zealand declared their K Williamson b Cummins ...... 54 Bowling: Southee 4-0-18-1, Boult 4-0-11-1 ing session. phoma at the age of 53. though. Sometimes when you “Yes, the ban on the RCA has been lifted but second innings at 291 for eight, He returned tot hethee s hshortortt d deliv-elivv- “We had some good nights get dropped you say ‘Oh no’ but Jamshed with certain conditions,” BCCI acting President with Taylor 107 not out, and then ery to send off thee ininconsistentncoc nssistenntt with Hogan (Crowe) over some I was trying to convince myself took two top-order wickets by Henry Nicholls forr ffiveivve whwhenhen aann red wine. Talking about my bat- I hit that pretty hard.” C.K. Khanna told IANS. stumps. attempt to fend the ba balllll a awaywaay waw wass ting, and lot of it probably not Miguel Cummins led a feisty The RCA was suspended by the Indian cricket Taylor joined the late Martin taken by wicketkeeperkeepeer SShShaneanne positive. It came from a good West Indies bowling attack, at suspended board in May 2014 when ex-Indian Premier Crowe and current captain Kane Taylor did give chances in a But he missed out on a hat- Dowrich. place and I guess that’s why I’m times reminiscent of an earlier League (IPL) Commissioner Modi was re-elected Williamson on 17 Test near majestic innings, with a top trick when the West Indies batted Mitchell Santnerner hhadadad a llifeifife here today,” he said. era when they had bowlers with its President. centuries. edge from Miguel Cummins fly- again -- needing a wicket first ball when an edge offC Cumminsumu minss b uurburststt “Martin always got me to serious venom. Since its suspension in 2014, RCA’s cricket The 33-year-old, who offered ing just out of reach of he removed Powell on his third through Dowrich’ss hahandsnds to to t hhethe have goals and they weren’t The only other New Zea- for a year affairs are being looked after by the BCCI. two chances in an otherwise wicketkeeper Shane Dowrich and delivery. , and hew wasas h hitit o onn tht thee there to be the be all and end lander to pass 50 was The RCA filed a suit against its suspension majestic innings, reached the on 35 he was dropped in the gully As New Zealand built on their helmet when he dduckeduucked inintotoo aa all but be just a little reminder Williamson who managed 56 by the BCCI, to which the board had asked the milestone driving Raymon Reifer by Shai Hope off . lead, the West Indies continued ball that did notot bbounceounncece aass now and then.” before he was undone by Cum- Islamabad association to withdraw all pending cases and to the boundary for only the 11th New Zealand were 263 for to fight with Miguel Cummins expected. Taylor, 33, whose first cen- mins yorker. AFP not to involve the cricket board in any case. four in his 198 ball innings. eight when Taylor brought up his reviving memories of a time when But when the sshort-pitchedhort-ppitcched tury was also at Seddon Park But most of the New Zea- The Supreme Court-appointed Committee Williamson was earlier out for hundred and with tailender Tim the calypso cricketers had seri- salvo ended it wass s spinnerpinnneer R Ros-osos- when he made 120 against Eng- land batsmen were hurried up akistan yesterday handed former of Administrators (CoA) already dissolved the 54 as he looked to lead New Zea- Southee (not out 22) plundering ously venemous bowlers. ton Chase who acaccountedcounntet d foforor land in 2008, said before the by a salvo of short balls. opener Nasir Jamshed a one-year ad-hoc committee that was constituted to run land to a series sweep following more boundaries they added a He zipped the ball around the Santner, caught at llong-onong--oon ffororr Test that Crowe wanted him to “A lot of the batters coming Pban for failing to cooperate with the affairs in Rajasthan cricket, paving the way the innings victory in the first Test. further 28 runs before ears of the New Zealand batsmen 26. break his record. in were under pressure straight investigators in a spot-fixing case that for the ban to go. The current record for a vic- declaring. in a short-pitched salvo mixed New Zealand wwereeree 119090 “Seventeen is the bench- away, which is never easy as a rocked the Pakistan Super League ear- The BCCI also decided against coming under torious fourth innings chase is The West Indies first innings with full-length deliveries to have for five at tea and dedeclaredclarredd mark that Hogan wanted me to batsman,” said Taylor, who had lier this year. 418, achieved 14 years ago when folded quickly on the third morn- three for 69. three wickets laterto to h haveave get to and beat. But he said, also, partnerships of 58 with Wil- Jamshed was allegedly the middle the jurisdiction of the National Anti-Doping Ross Taylor of New Zealand bats during the West Indies reached the tar- ing with Trent Boult taking the last His scalps included William- 40 minutes bowlingngg a att carry on and don’t stop there.” liamson, 50 with Mitchell man between players and an alleged Agency (NADA) and reiterated that it already the third day of the second Test against get against Australia for the loss two wickets to fall in successive son for 54 when the New Zealand the West Indieses Taylor had a near chance- Santner (26) and 51 with Colin bookie. He has denied all charges. follows the regulations laid down by World Anti of seven wickets. balls. skipper could not get his bat down before stumps. West Indies at Seddon Park in Hamilton less innings, and when he was de Grandhomme (22). Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) legal Doping Agency (WADA). yesterday. adviser Taffazul Rizvi announced the verdict, saying the investigation into fix- ing charges was still under way. “The three-member tribunal banned Jamshed for one year for non-coopera- tion with the investigation,” Rizvi told media. Iconic WACA prepares for Ashes farewell ‘Home boy’ Bancroft says Anderson “PCB has not levelled any fixing charges on Jamshed as yet as there is another investigation under way against Perth Alderman’s career back years. him in (the) UK.” Reuters Alderman notwithstanding, likely to be less ‘damaging’ in Perth Britain’s National Crime Agency seam bowlers have usually thrived arrested Jamshed and one unnamed per- ground rich with cricketing at the WACA where an afternoon son five days after the spot-fixing history but wanting of mod- sea breeze known as the ‘Freman- allegations surfaced during the second ern comforts will take its tle Doctor’ provides additional Sydney day-night Test in Adelaide and the ball is swinging like that. the end, though, as the hosts edition of the PSL in February. A Reuters final Ashes bow when Australia assistance to the pace and bounce. took 5-43 to bowl the hosts out “You can have the best steadily chipped away at Eng- Former Pakistan opener Sharjeel host England in the third Test at “Never underestimate how for 138 and give his side an out- game plan in the world but land on the fourth day when Khan was banned for five years -- with the WACA on Thursday. important that sea breeze is ngland opening bowler side chance of squaring the there can be a ball with your they were chasing 354 for half of that sentence suspended -- while Australia’s pace bowlers will because when you’re batting from James Anderson is series. name on it.” victory. his fellow teammate Khalid Latif was also hope to make England’s last visit the far end and there’s a fast Eunlikely to get the same “When he’s able to swing Bancroft added that the Josh Hazlewood then took banned for five years and fined one mil- a forgettable one for their batsmen bowler running from behind it, it’s swing and movement that made the ball like that, he’s extremely pressure Anderson applied in two quick wickets early on the lion rupees ($9,460) in the same case. on a wicket renowned as one of quite intimidating,” former Test him “very damaging” during the hard work and he’s very, very the twilight on the third day of fifth day before Mitchell Starc Khan was charged for playing two the world’s fastest and bounciest. batsman and Western Australia second Ashes Test but will still damaging,” Bancroft told the second Test had stymied the ripped through the tail to bowl dot balls during the PSL match between Future Ashes contests will be coach Justin Langer told Reuters. be a handful early on in Perth, reporters in Perth on Monday normally free-flowing Austral- England out for 233 and give Islamabad United and Peshawar Zalmi held at the shiny, new Perth Sta- Left-arm pacemen, particu- Australia’s Cameron Bancroft ahead of what could be the ian batsmen and made them Australia a 120-run victory and as part of a spot-deal struck by Latif. dium on the opposite bank of the larly, enjoy the conditions, as has said. series-clinching match for the work for every run. 2-0 series lead heading to the Spot-fixing is the practice of pre- Swan River, a 60,000-seat arena Mitchell Johnson would attest. Anderson was at his unplay- hosts. Anderson’s performance, WACA for the Dec. 14-18 match. determining the outcome of a specific that will use a drop-in pitch, host The retired quick took six able best with the pink ball in “No matter what’s going his first five-wicket haul in Aus- Perth local Bancroft was part of a match in return for money. rock concerts and share tenancy wickets to help beat England in the Australia’s second innings in the on, it’s bloody hard work when tralia, turned out be in vain in looking forward to playing on Jamshed has played two Tests, 48 with two Australian Rules football 2013 match and had nine victims his home ground, having scored one-day internationals and 18 teams. in 2010, Australia’s only win in the Australia’s Cameron Bancroft a career-best 228 not out there for Pakistan. The 22,000-capacity WACA dreary 3-1 series defeat. against South Australia before He was last included in Pakistan’s General view of the WACA in Perth, Australia. The WACA will host its final Ashes Test from Thursday. (right) hugs team mate will remain a cricket venue but The WACA may yet be the David Warner after hitting he was called into the national World Cup 2015 squad as a replacement only host lower-profile interna- Future Ashes contests will be held at the shiny, new Perth Stadium on the opposite bank of the backdrop to further definitive side to make his debut in the but was booed off by the crowd for being Swan River, a 60,000-seat arena that will use a drop-in pitch, host rock concerts and share tenancy the winning runs to win the tionals, having fallen behind the moments in international cricket first Test match of the Ashes first Test in Brisbane. overweight and in poor form. standards of rival stadiums around with two Australian Rules football teams. but will only welcome fans, iron- While the WACA pitch had Another former opener Shahzaib series at the GABBA Ground the country. ically, when not enough of them flattened and become more Hasan is also under investigation in the in Brisbane, Australia in this Fans seeking a ‘state-of-the- little inspiration from recent remember the match as the arrival metallic bat for a wooden one. are expected to turn up to the new batsmen friendly compared to case. November 27 file photo.. art’ viewing experience may be history. of one of the game’s rarest talents “It was against, if not the rules, stadium. the past when it provided stee- Paceman (banned glad to head across the river and The last time the English won when Greg Chappell, batting at all expectations,” said Tony Barker, Western Australia state’s sports pling bounce and express pace, for one year) and spinner Mohammad leave the WACA’s bland terraces at the WACA was in 1978, against number seven, scored 108 on a historian commissioned by the minister Mick Murray said the two Bancroft said it would still give Nawaz (banned for two months) have and ageing facilities behind. an Australia team left threadbare debut. WACA to write a book about the grounds could co-exist but sug- the swing bowlers like Ander- completed their sentences on not report- England may also be happy to by the World Series Cricket Adam Gilchrist’s 57-ball cen- ground. gested the WACA would need some son some assistance early on. ing fixing offers to the PCB. move on from a venue where they rebellion. tury in the 2006 win against “He got into a lot of strife about measure of renewal. “Always in the first session have won only once in nearly 50 As forgettable as the WACA England set an Ashes record that that -- and a lot of ridicule from “Over a period of time I think at the WACA it can be quite hard years of Tests. experience has been for England, still stands and ranks as one of the the English team at the time.” the interface between the two sta- work, but like anything, if you’re England’s paceman Jamshed was allegedly the Of the rest of those matches, it has been mostly glorious for Aus- most destructive batting displays In the heated atmosphere of diums themselves will become willing to put in the hard yards James Anderson middle man between players most have been painful defeats, tralia, and the backdrop for some in . the 1982 Test, Australia seamer special,” he told Reuters. early you can reap rewards later celebrates and an alleged bookie. He including the last visit in 2013/14 classic, comical and quite bizarre Fast bowler Denis Lillee made Terry Alderman suffered a calam- As cricket in Western Australia in the game,” said Bancroft. has denied all charges. The when Michael Clarke’s side Ashes moments since the first Test his mark in Australia’s win in the itous shoulder injury when he enters a new era, Langer expressed “It’s such a fast outfield that dismissing Australia’s batsman PCB has not levelled any thrashed Alastair Cook’s tour- between the teams in 1970. 1979 Test by striding out to the tackled a crowd invader after a a personal desire for the ground you don’t have to worry too fixing charges on him as yet ists by 150 runs to reclaim the England batsman Brian Luck- crease with an aluminium bat number of spectators leapt onto where he scored 711 Test runs, much about scoring, the ball Cameron Bancroft Ashes. hurst holds the distinction of made by a business partner. the turf. including two centuries, to con- goes through the infield and you on the third day of as there is another England will march out on scoring the WACA’s first Ashes cen- He faced a few balls from Greg Chappell led his team tinue hosting matches. instantly get two even if you the second Ashes investigation under way Thursday facing the same 2-0 pre- tury with his 301-ball knock of 131 Ian Botham before the match off the ground and police “I hope it remains the hub of don’t hit it really well. Test match in against him in the UK. dicament that weighed on Cook’s in that drawn first Test. paused for 10 minutes as the arrested dozens in the crowd for cricket in Western Australia, that’s “That’s the beauty of play- Adelaide. men but Joe Root’s team can draw Australians, however, may umpires demanded he swap the unruly behaviour. The injury set very important,” he said. ing at the WACA.” 34 SPORT TUESDAY 12 DECEMBER 2017 TUESDAY 12 DECEMBER 2017 SPORT 35

Eagles and Steelers bag Celtics turn tables on Pistons division titles

Los Angeles AFP

he Philadelphia Eagles clinched the NFC East Tdivisional crown with a roller coaster NFL victory over the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday but saw quarterback Carson Wentz exit early with a knee injury. Wentz threw for 291 yards and four touchdowns before limping off in the third quarter as the Eagles held on to claim a pulsating 43-35 victory at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. But the gloss was taken off the win by Wentz’s injury, which US media reported could be a season-ending torn ligament. Eagles coach Doug Ped- erson refused to speculate on the severity of the injury. “We will find out more tomorrow,” he said. The Eagles improved to 11-2 and clinched the NFC East title for the first time since 2013. The Rams mean- while remain on top of the NFC West at 9-5, one game ahead of the Seattle Sea- hawks (8-5) who fell 30-24 to the Jacksonville Jaguars. Boston Celtics guard Kyrie Irving (11) dribbles while defended by Detroit Pistons The Seahawks’ frustration forward Eric Moreland (24) in the first half of their NBA game at Little Caesars boiled over at the end of that Arena on Sunday. contest, with defender Shel- don Richardson ejected for throwing a punch in the final Los Angeles Spurs on Friday night. “We were NBA RESULTS The Pacers dominated over- ever happy,” guard Kyle Lowry minute and defender Quin- AFP locked in,” said Aron Baynes, time 12-2 -- Oladipo delivering quipped. “But the thing about our ton Jefferson trying to go after NY Knicks 111 Atlanta 107 who pulled down 13 rebounds six points in the extra period. coach is that he’s always hard on fans who threw a drink at him Minnesota 97 Dallas 92 he Boston Celtics notched for Boston and was primarily “The biggest thing in the us. He wants us to be a champi- after he was tossed late in the New Orleans 131 Philadelphia 124 a satisfying win in Detroit responsible for holding Detroit Indiana 126 Denver 116 overtime is we got stops,” Olad- onship-caliber team.” game. Ton Sunday, handing the center Andre Drummond to a Boston 91 Detroit 81 ipo said after the Pacers won In New Orleans, the Pelicans The Eagles victory came slumping Pistons their sixth season-low six points. Toronto 102 Sacramento 87 their fourth straight. “That’s what used an 18-4 fourth-quarter after a gutsy fourth-quarter

straight NBA defeat just two The Eastern Conference- won the game.” scoring run to rally past the Phil- fightback, when they clawed weeks after losing to them in leading Celtics did have some The Toronto Raptors posted adelphia 76ers 131-124. back the momentum as the Boston. offensive struggles of their own. their sixth straight win with a The Pelicans had led by 11 at Rams appeared to be closing Al Horford led the way with They were up by 16 in the fourth around Bankers Life Fieldhouse, 102-87 victory over the Kings in halftime, but the 76ers roared in on victory. Wentz was out 18 points, nine rebounds and six quarter when they hit a dry spell but Oladipo isn’t the kind of Sacramento. back with a 40-point third quar- of the picture by then, having assists. Kyrie Irving added 16 and the Pistons closed to within player to let the admiration go The Raptors now boast the ter and the visitors were up gone down in the third div- points and Marcus Smart and four. to his head. third-best record in the East, 103-96 with less than 10 min- ing for a touchdown that was Jaylen Brown scored 12 apiece But Boston scored on four of “I’ve got a lot of work to do,” but coach Dwane Casey saw utes to play. nullified by a penalty. He for the Celtics, who held the Pis- their next six possessions to he said. “I’m trying to be great. plenty of room for improve- Jrue Holiday made three gamely remained in the game tons to season lows in points rebuild their lead. There’s no in between, and I ment after his team squandered three-pointers in the Pelicans’ and threw a clutch TD before scored and field goal percentage “Our offense wasn’t as crisp can’t settle for anything less.” an early 15-point lead before decisive run, finishing with 34 heading to the sideline. in the 91-81 triumph. tonight as we wanted it to be but The Pacers scored the last taking control for good in the points. The Steelers clinched the “I wouldn’t call it payback,” defensively we had a game plan eight points in regulation to tie third period. The Minnesota Timber- AFC North division title in star point guard Irving said. “It’s and we stuck with it,” Baynes it. Oladipo’s driving layup sliced “Consistency is something wolves beat the Dallas Mavericks dramatic style, edging the just always good when you can said. the deficit to 114-112 with 55 sec- we’re fighting for,” Casey said. for the third time this season, Baltimore Ravens 39-38 on respond the way you want to, In Indianapolis, Victor Olad- onds remaining. “We’re trying to scratch at it.” hanging on for a 97-92 win in Chris Boswell’s field goal with especially on their home floor, ipo poured in a career-high 47 After an Oladipo miss, Thad- Maybe so, but the Raptors Minneapolis. 42 seconds left in the game. just like they did on our home points to lead the Pacers to a deus made the put-back basket are averaging 117 points per Center Karl-Anthony Towns The Steelers improved to floor.” 126-116 overtime triumph over to tie it at 114-114 with 5.5 sec- game during their winning scored 28 points and pulled 11-2 with their eighth straight It was also good to get a win, the Denver Nuggets. onds left. Denver’s Will Barton streak, and have scored more down 12 rebounds for the Tim- win after trailing by 11 points Irving said, after a tough three- His electrifying performance had a chance to win it but missed than 100 in 12 straight. berwolves, who consolidated going into the fourth point loss to the San Antonio had chants of “M-V-P” ringing at the buzzer. “I don’t think our coach is their fourth place in the West. quarter. Sharma wins South African Stricker and O’Hair event he nearly missed win QBE Shootout

Johannesburg JOBURG OPEN SCORES to five victories on the Indian circuit. Miami getting some clubs into the greens, AFP “It has been a very long Asian Tour AFP some short irons for me, we just fed Joburg Open leading scores after weather-affected final season for me so I was considering off that first day quite a bit. We felt ndian Shubhankar Sharma completed round was completed yesterday at Randpark Golf Club in whether I wanted to visit South Africa. I teve Stricker and Sean O’Hair comfortable with one another.” Johannesburg (RSA unless noted): his maiden European Tour triumph am really happy that I did.” captured the QBE Shootout on This is the second time both play- 264 - Shubhankar Sharma (IND) 69-61-65-69 yesterday in Johannesburg by win- The previous best European Tour fin- Sunday, finishing off a wire-to- ers have won this event -- Stricker I 267 - Eric van Rooyen 64-67-70-66 S ning the Joburg Open tournament he ish for the golfer ranked 462 in the world wire victory with a best-ball having won in 2009 with partner Jerry 270 - Shaun Norris 69-68-68-65, Tapio Pulkkanen (FIN) almost did not compete in. was sharing ninth place at the Maybank eight-under 64 in the final round. Kelly and O’Hair five years ago with 65-64-73-68 He carded a three-under-par last- 272 - Marcus Armitage (ENG) 69-66-67-70 Championship in Kuala Lumpur last The duo finished two strokes Kenny Perry. round 69 to finish three strokes clear of 274 - James Morrison (ENG) 64-70-67-73, Joachim Hansen February. ahead of Graeme McDowell and Shane O’Hair and Stricker are the sec- South African Eric van Rooyen in an (DEN) 66-67-71-70 “Winning the Joburg Open on my first Lowry to win the 24-player unofficial ond team paired together for the first event that stretched to five days because 275 - Christofer Blomstrand (SWE) 70-68-62-75, Jinho Choi trip to South Africa is a wonderful feel- PGA Tour team event in Naples, time to win the tournament. The first of bad weather. (KOR) 69-66-70-70, Charlie Ford (ENG) 70-64-71-70, Daniel ing,” Sharma said after receiving the Florida. was Brad Faxon and Scott McCarron

The final round was suspended Sun- Greene 70-68-67-70, Paul Peterson (USA) 70-67-69-69 trophy from Johannesburg mayor and Pat Perez and Brian Harman in 2000. day due to torrential rain, lightning and golfer Herman Mashaba. placed third, four strokes adrift of “This is always a great event to hail and resumed Monday at 0730 local “I met my caddie for the first time O’Hair and Stricker. Lexi Thompson, finish the year off with and to pull this time (0530 GMT). last Monday and we worked so well the lone woman in the event, tied for off is special,” O’Hair said. Sharma birdied three holes on the tri-sanctioned European Tour, Asian Tour together. Heeding his advice was a key fourth with her playing partner Tony The 50-year-old Stricker has outward trek, then parred all the inward- and South African Sunshine Tour event. factor in my success. Finau. won a dozen times on the USPGA nine holes with immaculate approach His late decision to visit South Africa “Saving par on a number of holes O’Hair and Stricker finished the Tour with his most recent victory shots and putting highlights of his game. for the first time paid rich dividends as thanks to up and downs played a signif- tournament at the Tiburon Golf Club coming at the 2012 Tournament of After three bogeys during his open- he pocketed a 2.6m rand icant role in keeping me at the top of the at 26-under 190. Champions. ing-round 69 last Thursday, Sharma ($190,000/160,000 euro) first prize. leaderboard. The Americans set the tone in the He captained the US to victory played 55 holes without dropping a shot Victory also guaranteed Sharma, “It has been absolutely fantastic and tournament with a superb 15-under at the Presidents Cup two months and his second-round 61 was the lowest along with Van Rooyen and joint third the people were very welcoming. I do 57 during the opening round ago. score of the tournament. Shaun Norris of South Africa, places at not think I will ever forget this week. scramble. O’Hair has won four times on the Visa delays and tiredness after a long the 2018 British Open in Carnoustie next “This is my first win on the Asian Tour “We just really jelled well Tour with his most recent victory Asian Tour campaign left the 21-year- July. “I am thrilled that I came to the and the European Tour so it means a lot together,” Stricker said. coming six years ago at the Canadian old Indian contemplating missing the Joburg Open,” said Sharma after adding to me,” said Sharma. “With his length the first day, Open. 36 SPORT TUESDAY 12 DECEMBER 2017

Match against Real Madrid a ‘wonderful opportunity’ for PSG: Emery

Paris AFP

aris Saint-Germain Misbah Ul Haq Saeed Ajmal Waseem Jafar Tillakaratne Dilshan Laxmi Balaji coach Unai Emery is Pconfident his side have what it takes to get the better of title holders Real Madrid after the teams were drawn together in the Champions League yesterday. QND cricket blockbuster: Misbah The sides will meet in the last 16, surely not the tie PSG would have wanted after winning their group ahead of Bayern Munich. and Dilshan lead Doha star cast Real, the two-time defending European cham- pions and 12-time winners Rizwan Rehmat joined by Pakistani fast bowlers overall, came second behind The Peninsula and Umar Gul, Tottenham Hotspur in their organisers said. group and will host PSG in the ecently-retired Paki- “We are bringing world-class Spanish capital in the first leg stan spinner Saeed cricketers from around the world on February 14. Ajmal will join his for the QND celebrations,” “I don’t think it’s the former team-mate Chaudhary said. worst draw possible. I think and highly successful “There will be a three-match we are of a level where we RTest captain Misbah Ul Haq in a series of matches between ‘Qatar can play against Real Madrid,” three-match series to celebrate Stars’ and ‘Asian Stars’ on said Emery. Qatar’s National Day. December 15, 17 and 18 at the “If you want to do some- Ajmal, who said goodbye to Asian Town Cricket Stadium,” he thing big in the Champions all forms of cricket a few days added. League you have to play ago, is one of top names to fea- “Many international players against the best sides. ture in matches to be played on from India, Pakistan, Sri lanka “I think these matches December 15, 17 and 18, organ- and Bangladesh are participat- will be the centre of the foot- isers Ibn Ajayan Projects (IAP) ing in the matches representing FROM LEFT: Manzoor Ahmed from QCA, Salem Al Fuhaid, Ibn Ajayan Projects, Sajjad Hussain balling world when they revealed yesterday. the two teams. The names come around.” Misbah, who captains Islam- include Wahab Riaz, Fawad Chaudhary CEO Pro Event, Lt. Muhammad Ali Al Muraizeeq, PRO Ministry of Interior, and Bayern were rewarded abad United in the Pakistan Alam, Misbah ul Haq, Saeed Faisal Al Hudawi, Community Reach Out Coordinator MOI, during a media conference in Doha. for finishing behind PSG with Super League (PSL), retired from Ajmal, Umar Gul, Kamran Akmal, a tie against Besiktas, the Test cricket in May this year fol- Salman Butt, Sami Aslam, Imam Turkish champions, while the lowing a successful career. ul Haq, Waseem Jafar, Laxmi an opportunity showcase our Qatar Stars players include Indian Super Market, Filli Café, French club will once again Former Indian opener Balali, S Badrinath, Tillakeratne. love and respect for this coun- Ch Iqbal (captain), Kamran Khan, Today’s Fashion and Asian Town have to overcome one of the Waseem Jafar is also one of the Dilshan, Dilhara Fernado, Maha- try,” he said. Tamoor Sajjad( vice captain), Cricket Stadium Gate number 1. Spanish giants. players of the Asian Stars XI. roof, Jeevan Mendis, Tamim Pro Event, one of the organ- Rizlan Iqbar (wicketkeeper), Lt Muhammad Ali Al Last season Paris faced Dashing opening batsman Iqbal, Arafat Sunny, and Inam ul izers, is an international event Zaheer Ibrahim, Inam ul Haq, Muraizeeq, Public Relation Barcelona in the last 16 and Tillakaratne Dilshan, now Haq,” he said. management company, special- Nadeem Aslam, Imran Asharaf, Officer, Ministry of Interior, were eliminated in extraor- retired, will also feature in the “At Pro Event, we have been izing in sports event. Faisal Khan, Mohammed Tan- Faisal Al Hudawi, Community dinary fashion, winning 4-0 series, Sajjad Mohammed Hus- organising cricket tournaments “We can see a growing inter- veer, Nouman Sarwar, Aslim Ali, Reach Out Coordinator, MOI, at home in the first leg only sain Chaudhary, CEO of Pro for the last three years. This est for the game of cricket in Aqib Javed, Awais Malik, Khur- Salem Al Fuhaid from Ibn Ajayan to lose 6-1 in the return at the Event, said at a press conference year’s National Day celebrations Qatar,” he said. “One of the best ram Shehazad, Ushantha Projects, and Manzoor Ahmed Camp Nou. yesterday. - held under the patronage of ways to develop the game is by Madushanka, Ikramullah Khan from Qatar Cricket Association In that match, Barcelona Hard-hitting Bangladesh Ministry of Interior - will is arranging such hugely popular and Mohammed Murad. (QCA) were also present at the needed to score three times opener Tamim Iqbal will be something special as we see it as matches,” he said. Tickets are available in press conference, from the 88th minute onwards and did so. But since then PSG have strengthened, signing Neymar for a world record €222m euros ($264m) from Barca and beating Madrid to the sig- Al Duhail unstoppable as Msakni nature of Kylian Mbappe from Monaco. The Brazil striker scored in five straight wins as the and Belmadi sweep top awards team finished ahead of Bay- ern Munich in its group. The tie will be the first meeting of the sides since the The Peninsula of the QSL Cup in the group stage. Accord- 2015-16 group stage, when ing to Stats, the official statistics and Madrid won 1-0 at the San- l Duhail’s Tunisian star Youssef figures provider for the QNB Stars League, tiago Bernabeu after a 0-0 Msakni has been adjudged the QNB Al Duhail made an average number of 591 draw in Paris. A Stars League’s Best Player for the passes, out of which 513 proved success- “I have lots of friends in months of November/December. ful. Short passes numbered 354 and Madrid, I know Real Madrid In a similar accolade for Al Duhail fans forward passes 188. well too, having watched a lot to celebrate and cherish, team coach There were 8.8 crosses from the left of their matches. I know what Djamel Belmadi was named ‘Best Coach’ and 15 from the right. They also made 19 the atmosphere is like there,” for the same period. tackles and 13 dribbles. said Spaniard Emery. Msakni scored five goals from as many They made 66 final-third entries and “It is a wonderful oppor- matches during the period and played an 43 penalty-area entries. Shots for reached tunity for us. I am sure the influential role as Al Duhail ended the 18 and shots against were nine. The aver- team will be in perfect shape tournament’s first phase in lead position age number of total shots on target was when the tie comes around.” with 29 points. He gave four assists as eight. The total distance covered was Meanwhile, Emery admit- well. 102,206. ted that he has allowed The attacking midfielder brought out The Algerian coach has a tough task Neymar to return to his native some exceptional performances and con- on hand as Al Sadd are breathing down Brazil to deal with a family tributed a lot to Al Duhail’s four victories their neck with two points behind. And matter. and one draw, starting from Week 7 till then, Al Duhail have the AFC Champions The 25-year-old was sus- Week 11. The physical aspects revealed that target and 22 against. The only blip on his League campaign as well on their pended for Saturday’s 3-1 win The high points were the 4-2 win over Msakni covered a total distance of 8,904.3 CV this season is that the team bowed out shoulder. over Lille in Ligue 1 anyway, Al Sadd in Week 9 and 8-2 victory against metres with a very high speed distance and now looks likely to miss Al Kharaitiyat in Week 8, the biggest mar- of 214.5 and very high speed sprints of Wednesday’s League Cup tie gin in the first phase. 12.6. at Strasbourg, where Paris The Red Knights’ other wins were Meanwhile, Belmadi’s influence at Al lost 2-1 only 10 days ago. against Al Khor (4-2) and Al Markhiya Duhail camp is also becomig apparent. “Neymar called me on (2-1), while they were held by Al Sailiya Under the Algerian who is known for Saturday,” Emery said. 1-1 in the last round. his shrewd tactics and astute acumen, Al “He said to me he had a Msakni, who was named the Player Duhail played five matches (Weeks 7 to family issue and wanted to of the Month for September as well, was 11) during the period, winning four and know if the club and I would at times unlucky not to have scored drawing one. allow him to go to Brazil to despite creating many chances and tak- In the process, they garnered 13 points deal with the problem,” said ing shots, either goalkeepers thwarting that helped their cause of staying on top Emery. him or his attempts going narrowly wide. after the first phase of the tournament “The person comes first, The technical analysis of the player ended on 8th December. then the footballer. We gave released by Stats, the official statistics and The Red Knights scored 19 goals and him permission to make the figures provider for the QNB Stars League, conceded only eight. In fact, they have trip. showed he made 48.7 passes, out of which pumped in 40 goals, way ahead of their “I hope he’ll be back in 37.7 were successful. nearest rivals Al Sadd and Al Rayyan, three or four days, but I don’t He spent 480.4 minutes on the pitch, while receiving 16 to have a goal differ- know if he’ll be back for scoring four goals from inside the box and ence of +24 halfway through this season’s Wednesday’s match.” one from outside. league competition. They had 46 shots on