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Home , Arne Gabius, Esma Aydemir, Great Ireland Run, Raees Mohammad, Rumman Raees, Sara Dossena

SUNDAY 7 JANUARY 2018 SPORT 21 I got off to a rough start, bogeyed three and four from Today the middle of the fairway. I Dustin Johnson Australia and England Third day of first Test was hitting some good shots, after firing 68 in second clash on fourth day of between India and South round of Tournament of just didn’t score very well. Champions in Hawaii fifth Ashes Test in Sydney. Africa in Cape Town.

PGA SCORES 136 - Marc Leishman (AUS) 67-69, Brian Har- man 68-68 World’s top athletes to join 137 - Dustin Johnson 69-68 138 - Pat Perez 72-66, Chris Stroud 72-66, Jhonattan Vegas (VEN) 68-70 139 - Jason Dufner 71-68 140 - Hideki Matsuyama (JPN) 70-70, Kevin Farah at Doha Kisner 70-70, Patrick Cantlay 70-70, Rickie Fowler 69-71, Kim Si-Woo (KOR) 69-71 THE PENINSULA the weather and we hope to visit 141 - Jordan Spieth 75-66, Jon Rahm (ESP) 71- some of the cultural landmarks, 70, Billy Horschel 70-71 DOHA: A stellar international like the Museum of Islamic Art,” 143 - Russell Henley 74-69, Daniel Berger 73- field of athletes have confirmed he added. 70 their participation in the Gemma Steele of the UK said: Ooredoo Doha Marathon to be “I am delighted to be competing held on Friday next weekend, in the in Doha. Qatar Tourism Authority (QTA) The event offers a great course, announced yesterday. some quality competition and a As many as 20 international fantastic location in which to Johnson puts professional men and women train and race. The facilities are will be joining a record number top class and the people of Qatar leaders on of more than 2,000 amateur ath- are very welcoming. The organ- letes already signed up for the isation has been great too. I shall short leash mega event. my heart out for you.” These top athletes will rep- Hassan Al Ibrahim, Acting REUTERS resent Qatar’s key tourism mar- Chairman at QTA said: “We are kets including the USA, UK, Ger- thrilled to be welcoming the top NEW YORK: Dustin Johnson many, Italy, as well as international champions to Qatar (pictured below) offered a and . to participate in the country’s reminder that he is still the The field is lining up with Sir largest mass participation event. world number one as he Mohamed Farah, 6-time world Their involvement helps us to moved within one stroke of champion and 4-time Olymic spread Qatar’s message of wel- second-round leaders Marc gold medalist, one of the greatest come to the world, and shines a Leishman and Brian Harman athletes of all time, in the spotlight on a fast-growing at the Sentry Tournament of half-marathon. Sir Mohamed Farah (left) and Gemma Steele will take part at Doha Marathon on January 12. sports tourism destination. We Champions in Hawaii on The men’s field also includes look forward to hosting them Friday. Arne Gabius, Germany – German marathon categories. He finished part of the Ooredoo Doha Mar- for $50,000 in prize money, with with the traditional Arabian hos- Johnson recovered from Marathon Record Holder, 18 time 3rd in the New York City Mara- athon which includes a full mar- equal prize funds for both the pitality Qatar is renowned for, a slow start to run up seven national champion, past Euro- thon in 2016. athon, half marathon, 10K and men’s and women’s events. as well as hosting them on visits birdies for a five-under-par pean 10,000m Silver Medallist The women’s field includes 5K events for adults and youth Gabius commented, “I’m to some of our world-class sports 68 on the Kapalua Plantation and Olympian. , as well as 3K and 1K events for excited to competing at the Half facilities.” course on the island of Maui. Bekir Karayel, Turkey – - a top UK runner, who came children. Marathon in Doha. The race is a QTA and Discover Qatar are He was deprived of a leading Turkish middle- and late to the professional ranks, via Over the past five years, the great fit into my overall plans for offering participants from share of the lead only when long-distance runner, special- an amateur club back- Ooredoo Doha Marathon has 2018, since I’m preparing for a abroad special hospitality pack- Leishman and Harman both ising in , having com- ground rather than an elite steadily grown to become the spring marathon. It will be great ages, which can be found at the birdied the 663-yard, par-five peted in both the 2012 and 2016 junior pathway. In 2017, she won largest mass participation event to get a break from training and Discover Qatar website. 18th which plunges down the summer Olympics. the Great Ireland Run, Great in Qatar attracting runners from test my fitness against some of Registration fees for the West Maui mountains. Ryan Vail, USA - 5-time All- South Run, Virgin British 10K and over 50 nationalities. the best athletes in the world.” Ooredoo Doha Marathon range Leishman (69) and American at Oklahoma State, he came 6th in the . The elite athletes have “This will also be my first between QR100 and QR250 Harman (68) posted 10-under has finished in the top ten in the Sara Dossena, Italy - the expressed their excitement to be time visiting Qatar and my depending on the participant’s 136. They also thrived in con- , and New York reigning Italian 10,000m cham- coming to Doha to run and expe- family is travelling with me, selected course and age. Hun- ditions which started with a City marathons. pion, she came 6th in the 2017 rience the destination’s unique which makes it even more dred percent of this year’s fees strong trade wind blowing Abdi Abirahman, USA - . In offerings. They will be competing exciting. No doubt we will enjoy will be donated to charity. down the mountain, before Somali-American long-distance addition to being a top road abating late in the day. runner and one of the world’s top runner she has also held national “I got off to a rough start, distance runners. He is a four- championships in Cross Country bogeyed three and four from time Olympian competing for the running, and duathlon. the middle of the fairway,” United States in 10,000m and Esma Aydemir, Turkey - a said 2013 champion Johnson, rising star of the Turkish middle- who has never shot over par and long-distance running, com- on the course. peting mostly in the 1,500m, “I was hitting some good 3,000m, 5,000m, 10,000m and shots, just didn’t score very marathon events. In 2017 she well. As many as 20 came second in the half mara- “(Birdies at the sixth, international thon at the World University eighth and ninth holes) got Games. me back in the rhythm and professional men and Allison Kieffer, USA - top played a really solid back women will be joining American distance runner and nine.” a record number world record holder for the Johnson has not made of more than 2000 indoor marathon. In 2017, Kieffer many headlines since a fall on placed 5th at 2:29:39 at the 2017 tournament eve knocked him amateur athletes New York City Marathon and she out of the Masters last April, already signed up for is a past winner of the Miami a tournament he would have Arne Gabius the mega event. Marathon. started as hot favourite The invitational elite half is coming off three consecutive victories. But he has done enough to stay atop the world rank- ings for close to an year. Celtics pull away late in Co-leader Leishman is coming off a two-win season, win over Timberwolves and the easy-going 34-year- old has his eye on even bigger AFP and better things. NBA RESULTS “It was tough (playing in LOS ANGELES: Marcus Smart Memphis 100 Washington 102 the wind), really happy with and Terry Rozier combined for Miami 107 New York 103 four birdies, no bogeys,” he 32 points as Boston’s reserves LA Lakers 94 Charlotte 108 said. keyed the Celtics’ 91-84 NBA Dallas 124 Chicago 127 “You play to win. Having victory over the Minnesota San Antonio 103 Phoenix 89 a year like I had last year, Timberwolves on Friday. confidence is high. I feel like Portland 110 Atlanta 89 In a hard-fought contest when I’m in this position I Denver 99 Utah 91 that included 15 lead changes, need to finish it off... but a lot the Eastern Conference-leading Milwaukee 110 Toronto 129 of golf to play.”

Celtics finally turned the tide Philadelphia 114 Detroit 78 late in the third quarter to post Boston 91 Minnesota 84 their fifth straight win. Boston had missed 12 of their and Rozier added 14 off the first 14 shots of the third and were bench as Boston’s reserves out- down 55-48 with less than five scored Minnesota’s 42-20. minutes left in the period. Star guard Kyrie Irving led But they made eight of their Boston’s starters with 16 points next 11 shots, closing out the and also pulled down nine third on a 17-7 scoring run. rebounds and eight assists. Dakar Rally gets under way The Celtics withstood a Irving’s finger-roll layup 25-point, 23-rebound perform- with 1.6 seconds left in the third Toyota’s driver Nasser Al Attiyah of Qatar (centre) jokes with Portuguese driver and former head coach ance from Minnesota star Karl- pushed the Celtics’ advantage of Chelsea and Tottenham, Andre Villas Boas (right), during a press conference in Lima on Friday ahead Anthony Towns. to 66-62 and they wouldn’t sur- of the 2018 Dakar Rally which started yesterday. Smart’s 18 points on eight- render the lead in the final of-13 shooting led the Celtics quarter. 22 SPORT SUNDAY 7 JANUARY 2018 South Africa Khawaja smashes 171 on top despite as Australia build lead Pandya heroics AFP effort -- long before he REUTERS with a flurry of boundaries in the face of some tight English when Shaun Marsh, on 22, was was called upon to bowl a fourth the last hour as the bowlers bowling. A fine stroke-player given out behind only CAPE TOWN: Hardik Pandya spell in what was his longest and SYDNEY: Usman Khawaja hit tired after a long day’s slog in but considered suspect against for the decision to be reversed went on a thrilling counter- most intensive bowling effort a mammoth 171 and Shaun bright sunshine at the Sydney spin bowling, Khawaja has had when TV pictures showed a attack but could not prevent since his shoulder injury. Marsh was approaching his Cricket Ground. a stop-start career in the big gap between ball and bat. South Africa from finishing on Pandya struggled against sixth Test as Australia It was Khawaja’s sure baggy green since making his It was debutant leg-spin- top on the second day of the Steyn early in his innings. He eased 133 runs ahead of hand, though, that guided Aus- debut at the SCG in the corre- ner Crane who finally ended first Test at Newlands yester- survived on a review after being England on 479 for four after tralia past England’s tally of sponding Ashes clash eight the 31-year-old’s time out in day. given out caught behind off the the third day of the fifth Ashes 346 after Mooen Ali (1-125) had years ago. the middle to claim his first Pandya scored a swash- fast bowler on five and was clash yesterday. stunned a packed house by He wasted no time in Test victim, beating the bat to buckling 93, then took two dropped by Dean Elgar at gully Khawaja shared a stand of moving the apparently knocking off the nine runs he leave Khawaja stranded and , but South Africa built off Steyn when he had 15. 188 with Steve Smith, unmoveable when he dis- needed to secure his first hun- Jonny Bairstow with a simple on a first innings lead of 77 and Pandya, 24, confirmed the who was dismissed just before missed Smith caught and dred against England at the stumping. were 65 for two at the close, an reputation he earned as a dash- lunch, and another of 101 with bowled for 83. start of the day, cutting Moeen Crane, 20, attracted the ire overall lead of 142 on a pitch ing stroke player, first in limited Marsh, who just missed out on Smith had already scored for two before soaking up the of the crowd with his habit of which has helped fast overs cricket and more recently his second hundred of the three centuries, two of them ovation from a crowd largely pulling out of his run-up but bowlers. when he scored 178 runs off 168 series in the over before unbeaten and one a double, in clad in pink in support of kept his head up despite fin- India had slumped to 92 for balls in three Test innings in Sri stumps. the series and although denied former fast bowler Glenn ishing with figures of 1-125. seven in reply to South Africa’s Lanka last year, including 108 Marsh will resume on 98 on a fourth, walked off his home McGrath’s cancer charity. It was a very good day on first innings total of 286 when off 96 deliveries in the third day four with his brother Mitch- ground having amassed 687 Spinner Moeen was again the decision review system for Pandya found a determined ally Test in Kandy. ell, who was 63 , as they runs at an average of 137.4 bowling when he reached the Australia with Mitchell Marsh in Bhuvneshwar Kumar. If anything, Pandya stepped look to bat the tourists out of the over the five Tests. 150 mark, two consecutive also reversing a late lbw deci- While 24-year-old Pandya up his aggressive attitude after match and set up an opportu- Khawaja had an lbw scare fours to get over the mark a sion after the snicko revealed went for his shots, Kumar took the dismissal of Kumar, swing- nity for their bowlers to secure in the following over but was rare flourish in a 381-ball an inside edge.Australia won 34 balls to score his first run but ing at a succession of a win that would give Australia reprieved when TV pictures innings that contained 18 of back the Ashes with victories in then played some fine strokes short-pitched deliveries from a 4-0 series triumph. showed Mason Crane had them along with a solitary six. the first three matches in Bris- of his own, scoring 25 in an Morkel and Kagiso Rabada. The Marsh brothers com- bowled a no ball and he oth- England captain Joe Root bane, Adelaide and Perth with eighth partnership of 99 His luck ran out when he bined for 104 in the final erwise looked assured as he came closest to a break- the fourth Test in Melbourne which more than doubled their flashed at a lifting ball from session and punished England calmly totted up the runs in through in the second session finishing in a draw last week. team’s total. Rabada and was caught behind. The partnership frustrated Rabada finished with three the South African bowlers and for 34, while Vernon Philander SCOREBOARD kept them in the field long took three for 33. Morkel and Australia’s Usman Khawaja celebrates after reaching enough for to give Steyn shared the other four his century yesterday. England (I innings)...... 346 South Africa another injury wickets. Australia (I innings) scare. Steyn, in his first Test Chetashwar Pujara C Bancroft b Broad ...... 0 match since suffering a frac- laboured to 26 off 92 balls, D Warner c Bairstow b Anderson ...... 56 tured shoulder in Australia in while Rohit Sharma took 59 U Khawaja st Bairstow b Crane ...... 171 November 2014, had taken two balls to score 11. South Africa S Smith c and b Ali ...... 83 for 51 when he pulled up with made a good start to their sec- S Marsh (batting) ...... 98 M Marsh (batting) ...... 63 a bruised heel and left the field ond innings, with Aiden Extras (B2, LB3, W1, NB2) ...... 8 three balls into his 18th over. Markram and Dean Elgar Total (4 wkts) ...... 479 Steyn would have hoped to putting on 52 for the first wicket Fall of wickets: 1-1, 2-86, 3-274, 4-375 end Pandya’s innings -- and has- before Pandya dismissed both To bat: T Paine, M Starc, P Cummins, J Hazlewood, N Lyon ten the demise of the Indian openers in successive overs. Bowling: Anderson 30-11-52-1, Broad 23-2-70-1, Ali 37- 9-125-1, Curran 20-2-71-0 (1w), Crane 39-3-135-1 (2nb), Root 8-3-21-0 SCOREBOARD South Africa (I innings) ...... 286 Fall of wickets: 1-16, 2-18, 3-27, 4-57, 5-76, 6-81, India (I innings) 7-92, 8-191, 9-199, 10-209 M Vijay c Elgar b Philander...... 1 Bowling: Philander 14.3-8-33-3, Steyn 17.3-6-51-2, S Dhawan c and b Steyn ...... 16 Morkel 19-6-57-2, Rabada 16.4-4-34-3, Maharaj 6-0- C Pujara c Du Plessis b Philander ...... 26 20-0 V Kohli c De Kock b Morkel ...... 5 South Africa (II innings) R Sharma lbw b Rabada ...... 11 A Markram c Kumar b Pandya ...... 34 R Ashwin c De Kock b Philander ...... 12 D Elgar c Saha b Pandya ...... 25 H Pandya c De Kock b Rabada ...... 93 K Rabada (batting) ...... 2 W Saha lbw b Steyn ...... 0 H Amla (batting) ...... 4 B Kumar c De Kock b Morkel ...... 25 Extras ...... 0 Mohammed Shami not out ...... 4 Total (2 wkts) ...... 65 J Bumrah c Elgar b Rabada ...... 2 Fall of wickets: 1-52, 2-59 Extras (B1, LB13) ...... 14 Bowling: Kumar 6-3-16-0, Bumrah 4-0-14-0, Moham- Total (73.4 overs) ...... 209 med Shami 5-1-15-0, Pandya 4-0-17-2, Ashwin 1-0-3-0 Williamson ton sinks Steyn suffers heel injury

AFP injury was being assessed and In the only cricket since his Pakistan in Wellington treated. injury, Steyn bowled 18 overs in CAPE TOWN: South African fast Steyn, 34, had not played in five Twenty20 matches for his bowler Dale Steyn left the field a first-class match since suffer- franchise, the Titans, as well as AFP SCOREBOARD with a bruised left heel yester- ing a fractured shoulder in a Test 12 overs in a low-key appear- day, the second day of his first in Australia in November 2016. ance for an Invitation XI against New Zealand Pakistan M Guptill c b ...... 48 lbw b Southee ...... 6 Test match in more than a year. He was included in a four- the touring Zimbabweans in WELLINGTON: Kane William- C Munro c Sarfraz Ahmed b ...... 58 Fakhar Zaman (not out) ...... 82 Steyn pulled up three balls man pace attack for the India December. son may have been New K Williamson c Hasan Ali b Rumman Raees ....115 lbw b Southee ...... 0 into his 18th over after taking Test despite coach Ottis Gibson South Africa finished the Zealand’s hero in their dominant R Taylor b Hasan Ali ...... 12 c Southee b Boult ...... 1 two for 51 in the first Test against expressing concern about risk- second day on top after closing win over Pakistan in the open- T Latham c Babar Azam b ...... 3 Shoaib Malik c Latham b Southee ...... 13 India at Newlands. ing him because of a lack of on 65-2, accumulating a lead of ing one-day international in H Nicholls c Ahmed b Hasan Ali ...... 50 Sarfraz Ahmed lbw b Astle ...... 8 A team spokesman said the match practice. 142 against India. Wellington yesterday, but he M Santner c Rumman Raees b 7 c Latham b Boult ...... 28 T Southee (not out) ...... 12 Faheem Ashraf (not out) ...... 17 said it was not a game for hero- T Astle (not out) ...... 0 Extras: (LB1, W10) ...... 11 ics. Extras: (LB3, W7) ...... 10 Total: (for six wkts) ...... 166 “You’re always thinking about Total: (for 7wkts) ...... 315 Fall of wickets: 1-6, 2-7, 3-13, 4-37, 5-54, 6-132 the role you need to play and the Fall of wickets: 1-83, 2-156, 3-192, 4-198, 5-288, Did not bat: Mohammad Amir, Hasan Ali, Rumman Raees situation of the game, and it cer- 6-297, 7-311 Bowling: Southee 6.1-0-22-3 (2w), Boult 6-1-35-2 tainly didn’t require something Bowling: Mohammad Amir 9-2-57-1 (1w), Rumman (2w), Ferguson 7-0-40-0 (3w), Santner 6-1-39-0 (3w), silly,” Williamson said after New Raees 10-0-68-1 (2w), Hasan Ali 10-0-61-3, Shadab Astle 5-0-29-1. Khan 9-0-49-0 (1w), Faheem Ashraf 9-0-58-1 (2w), Result: New Zealand won by 61 runs under Duckworth- Zealand beat the Champions Tro- Fakhar Zaman 3-0-19-1 Lewis system phy holders by 61 runs under the Duckworth-Lewis system. New Zealand made 315 for Williamson’s 115 off 117 deliver- wickets of Azhar Ali and Babar seven in their 50 overs and had ies came from a diet of ones and Azam, both lbw. the tourists at 166 for six when twos with only eight fours and Fakhar Zaman battled rain stopped play in the 31st over. one six. bravely to try to restore the Pakistan had arrived on a Williamson, who was Pakistan innings and was nine-match winning streak but dropped on 26 by Pakistan unbeaten on 82, the only innings fresh from playing in more wicketkeeper and captain Sar- of note, when rain stopped play accommodating conditions than fraz Ahmed, also featured in a and Southee had the figures of the 120 kilometre an hour (75 90-run partnership off 80 balls three for 22. mph) winds and rain that with Henry Nicholls before he “It’s a setback for us, espe- greeted them in Wellington. was caught by Hasan Ali off cially after losing two wickets After being sent in to bat, Rumman Raees in the 48th over. in the first over,” said Sarfraz (58) and Martin Ali was central in most of the who also shouldered part of the Guptill (48) gave New Zealand key New Zealand wickets with blame for his own fielding lapse. QCA organises Workers Cricket Festival a flying start with 83 for the first the dismissals of Munroe, “Hopefully we will sit wicket before Williamson went Nicholls (50) and Ross Taylor together and come up with a Players and officials pose for a group photo after the final of Workers Cricket Festival at Al Khor Barwa to the middle with the dismissal (12) to finish with three for 61. better performance next time.” Workers Community Complex on Friday. Qatar Cricket Association (QCA) organised the event in support of Munro in the 13th over. Pakistan were in trouble in The second match in the of FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022. Q-Con Qatar won the final after defeating Seashore by 8 wickets. While the openers plun- the very first over of their reply five-match series is in Nelson dered the boundaries, when Tim Southee took the on Tuesday. SUNDAY 7 JANUARY 2018 SPORT 23

Xavi tips Bayern as Qatar winter World Cup a ‘one of favourites’ to win Champions ‘smart’ move: Heynckes League this season ARMSTRONG VAS THE PENINSULA Bavarians win Doha friendly against Al Ahli THE PENINSULA

DOHA: Bayern Munich boss Jupp FC Bayern Munich and Al Ahli players DOHA: Former midfielder Xavi Hernan- Heynckes said that hosting the vie for the ball possession during dez has hailed Bayern Munich as “one of the favourites” 2022 FIFA World Cup during the their friendly match played at to win the UEFA Champions League this season. winter was a ‘smart’ move. Aspire Zone yesterday. Sandro Xavi, now plying his trade with Al Sadd in Qatar, He described the weather con- Wagner scored his first goal since where the German record champions are preparing ditions in Qatar at this time of year returning to Bayern Munich as the for the second half of the season, made the com- as ideal, and explained how his German side beat QSL team 6-0. ments in an interview with German sport magazine players will return to Germany Pic: Abdul Basit / The Peninsula SportBild. energised and motivated. “Bayern have improved under (Jupp) Heynckes During a press conference held this season,” the four-time European Cup winner in Doha yesterday, Heynckes said. “Everyone knows him and he knows the team insisted that there has been no con- and the club very well. They’re one of the favourites tact between the German club and to win the Champions League this year.” Chelsea over Arturo Vidal ruling out One man who could prove key to Bayern’s Euro- the possibility of the Chilean inter- pean hopes, as he was when the Bavarians last won national been sold during the the trophy in 2013, is fit-again Franck Ribery, who January transfer period. was singled out for praise by the Spain legend. The Bavarian midfielder has “He’s been one of the best players in Europe over been linked with a move to Stam- the last decade or so,” Xavi said. “He’s one of the best ford Bridge as Antonio Conte looks players in French football history. A top player!” to strengthen his midfield. Xavi’s former club Barcelona are another one of But the veteran German coach the favourites to lift the big-eared trophy, with the dismissed suggestions Vidal will 37-year-old particularly impressed by Borussia leave in January and termed the Mönchengladbach youth product, Marc-Andre ter media reports as ‘pure Stegen, who now keeps goal for the Catalan giants. speculation’. “At the moment he’s one of the best goalkeepers “There is no contact between in the world,” Xavi said. “He’s playing at a really high Chelsea and Bayern - we will not level, he’s a good man and is very professional. When sell Vidal or any other player for Vidal at Juventus and is well aware on the final day of the training I saw him on his first day at Barcelona, I was really that matter during the winter of his quality. camp and also drew positives from surprised by how good his football ability was. He’s break,” Heynckes said at a press Bayern, who lead the Bundes- the fact that players such as Jerome a very, very good goalkeeper ... I think he’s more or conference in Doha where the Bun- liga by 11 points from Schalke 04, Boateng, David Alaba, Thomas less on the same level (as Manuel Neuer).” desliga leaders are on a winter arrived in World Cup 2022 host There is no contact Müller and Franck Ribery, who had The Spain international is confident the France training camp. Qatar on January 2. between Chelsea and struggled with injuries in the first international would enjoy life in Qatar and wants to “It’s just speculation. Arturo Bayern resume Bundesliga Bayern - we will not half of the season, were able to take play alongside him at Al Sadd Vidal is very motivated, he’s a top duties on January 12, when they full part in the programme in Doha. Ribery has been encouraged to move to Qatar player and we need him at his very play away to fourth-placed Bayer sell Arturo Vidal or “It’s logical that the players and join Al Sadd by legendary midfielder Xavi, who best if Bayern is to play well.” Leverkusen. Heynckes, 72, is in his any other player for have to reach their full capability insists the Bayern Munich winger would love life English champions Chelsea fourth stint at the club after Karl- that matter during the once again. That’s the point I’ve there. have already been busy in the Jan- Heinz Rummenigge and President winter break: Heynckes made to them,” the coach said. The 34-year-old’s future at Bayern Munich is uary transfer window, snapping up Uli Hoeness turned to their 2013 “In order to progress in the uncertain as his contract expires at the end of the Ross Barkley from Everton for a fee. treble-winning coach following the Champions League, all players for season and he has been limited to just nine Bundes- It had been claimed Chelsea dismissal of Carlo Ancelotti in Sep- always see that with teams. That’s the big moments have to be fit,” he liga appearances because of injury. had offered Vidal a four-year con- tember last year. why I’m not just very pleased but added. Bayern are planning “serious talks” with the tract worth £13.5m-per-season. Bayern promptly won nine of also optimistic for the coming This is the eight year the Bun- winger, according to chairman Karl-Heinz Rum- Vidal has just 18 months left on their 10 following matches. weeks,” Heynckes said. desliga giants have chosen the menigge, but Xavi, who has been with Al Sadd since the four-year deal he signed to join Coach Heynckes also said that “My players came back from state-of-the-art Aspire Academy 2015, believes he should consider making a lucra- the German champions in 2015 and his team is well and truly ready to their short holidays highly moti- as a venue for their winter train- tive switch to Qatar. Bayern have been linked with face -based Besiktas in the vated. It’s great fun to work with ing, which ended yesterday with a “It would be great for everyone here. Also for Schalke’s Leon Goretzka, who is Round 16 of the Champions League. the team and the whole support- match against QNB Stars League Ribery,” he said. available on the free transfer in the “You can see the quality the ing staff,” the veteran coach said. side Al Ahli, which the Bavarian “The quality of life here is fantastic, it’s a great summer. Conte worked alongside team has in training. You don’t Heynckes had words of praise giants won 6-0. country, good for family life. “Our daughter Asia, for example, was born in Doha. It is comfortable and everyone is happy. “Of course, the footballing level is different than in Europe, but it would be nice for him to move here. Aguero double keeps City’s hopes alive “I would like to play with him. It would be nice if he will come to us.” AFP Ribery joined Bayern from Marseille in 2007 and has since won seven Bundesliga titles as well as the LONDON: Sergio Aguero fired Champions LeagueLeaggueue andandnd ClubClluub WorldWWorld Cup. Manchester City to a 4-1 win over Burnley in the FA Cup third round, while Stoke boss Mark Hughes is fighting to save his job after the Premier League strugglers suffered an embarrassing 2-1 defeat at minnows Coventry yesterday. City boss Pep Guardiola named a strong team including Aguero, Leroy Sane and Raheem Sterling Xavi Hernandez at Eastlands, but the runaway Pre- mier League leaders fell behind in the 25th minute. Ashley Barnes blasted into the top corner after City defender John Stones sliced his attempted clearance. However, Burnley hadn’t won at City since 1973 and Argentina Manchester City’s Sergio Aguero scores their second goal as Burnley’s Nick Pope attempts to save during striker Aguero ensured that run their FA Cup Third Round match yesterday. continued. City, who last tasted defeat in Coutinho to join domestic competition in their FA Tottenham and now reside in Northern Ireland forward Will for the first time in 21 games in Cup semi-final against Arsenal in League Two -- their first time at Grigg gave Wigan a fourth minute all competitions, a 2-0 win at April, were level in the 56th minute that level since the 1950s -- after lead from close-range and there fourth tier Exeter giving boss Barca: Reports when Aguero fired home from a spell having to play their home was worse to come for Howe in Alan Pardew his first victory Ilkay Gundogan’s pass. matches in Northampton due to a the 29th minute when Emerson since replacing the sacked Tony REUTERS France forward Ousmane Aguero then finished off a stadium row. Hyndman’s own goal doubled the Pulis. Dembele in August. superb backheeled pass from Gun- Jordan Willis put the under- visitors’ lead. Salomon Rondon’s long- BARCELONA: Liverpool’s It would also see dogan in the 58th minute. dogs ahead in the 24th minute Yet Lys Mousset reduced the range drive put Albion ahead in Brazil midfielder Philippe Coutinho become the sec- Sane prodded home to put the with his first goal in a year. deficit for Bournemouth in the the second minute and Jay Rod- Coutinho is on the verge of ond most expensive result beyond doubt in the 71st Willis conceded a 52nd minute 55th minute and League One lead- riguez added the second goal in signing for La Liga leaders footballer ever behind minute and Bernardo Silva made penalty with a foul on Ramadan ers Wigan, who won the FA Cup the 25th minute. Barcelona in a club-record compatriot Neymar, who it four in the 82nd minute. Sobhi and Charlie Adam stepped in 2013, were denied a surprise Watford avoided more cup deal, according to Spanish moved from Barcelona to At the Ricoh Arena, Hughes up to equalise. win by Steve Cook’s goal two min- misery against giant-killers Bris- media reports yesterday. Paris St Germain for 222m could face the sack after fourth tier But Coventry right-back Jack utes into stoppage-time. tol City with a 3-0 win at Vicarage Barcelona-based daily euros in August. Coventry rolled back the years Grimmer weaved his way through Newcastle had been tipped as Road. Sport said the two clubs The AS newspaper said with a memorable cup result. Stoke’s defence and side-footed potential upset victims, but they Second tier Bristol face Man- had struck an ‘agreement Coutinho, 25, was expected With Stoke in the relegation past Jack Butland in the 67th swept away fourth tier leaders chester City in the League Cup in principle’ for the trans- to watch the La Liga leaders zone, it was reported this week minute. Luton with a 3-1 win at St James’ semi-finals next week after stun- fer of Coutinho worth play Levante today in the that the club’s hierarchy had con- At Dean Court, Bournemouth Park. ning Manchester United in the last 120m euros ($144.34m) presidential box at the Nou sidered dismissing Hughes and manager Eddie Howe made eight Rafael Benitez’s side ran riot eight. plus 40m euros in add-ons Camp, with a deal being whether he can survive any longer changes as he prioritised Premier in the first half as Ayoze Perez net- Southampton won 1-0 at Ful- that would see the player made official next week. must now be in doubt. League survival and it needed a ted in the 30th and 36th minutes ham, Huddersfield beat Bolton 2-1, sign a five-year contract. Daily Mundo Deportivo Coventry have fallen on hard second half revival from his before Jonjo Shelvey struck after Swansea drew 0-0 at Wolves and That fee would eclipse also reported that Coutin- times since winning the FA Cup in understudies to rescue a 2-2 draw 39 minutes. Leicester were held to a 0-0 draw the 105m euros Barca paid ho’s transfer to the Catalan a classic 1987 final against against Wigan. West Bromwich Albion won at third tier Fleetwood. Borussia Dortmund for club was imminent. SPORT Sunday 7 January 2018

PAGE | 21 PAGE | 22 PAGE | 23 World’sW top athletes Khawaja smashes Xavi tips Bayern asas oneone to join Farah at 171 as Australia of favourites to winin Doha Marathon build lead Champions Leagueue Monfils champion in Doha

ARMSTRONG VAS Qatar ExxonMobil Open 2018 champion THE PENINSULA Gaël Monfils celebrates with the trophy at the Khalifa International Tennis and DOHA: Frenchman Gael Monfils Squash Complex in Doha yesterday. rode a dominant serving display Pictures by Kammutty VP / The Peninsula and dogged defence to easily overcome the challenge of Russian youngster Andrey Rublev to win the Qatar Exxon- Mobil Open in Doha yesterday. Former world number six Monfils, who last triumphed at the Citi Open in 2016, cruised to a 6-2, 6-3 victory in one hour after dominating from the start to win his seventh career title and his first in Qatar. The 31-year-old, who arrived in Qatar after a four-month break due to a knee injury, was successful in his fourth final, having finished runner-up in Doha three times. Monfils lost his first final in 2006 as a 20-year-old to Roger Federer, and thereafter finished on the losing side to Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in 2012 and four years later to Rafa Nadal. The World No. 46 ranked Monfils became only the second wildcard to win the Qatar tour- nament emulating 2004 winner and compatriot Nicolas Escude. The right hander collected the winner’s prize of $ 218, 180 while the Russian took home the cheque of 114,900. “I’m very happy. I like this tournament so much, you know. I always come back. And I was very close and finally get it. So I’m just very happy and very proud,” Monfils said after the final. Monfils who was dogged by injuries last year and pulled out of six Masters tournaments is PAST CHAMPIONS happy to start the new year on a IN QATAR winning note. “Very happy. It’s been a while 2017 Novak Djokovic -- it’s been a year and I was wait- I’m very happy. I like 2016 Novak Djokovic ing for this moment to get back this tournament so 2015 David Ferrer in shape. It was in 2016, I was much, you know. I 2014 Rafael Nadal almost on my top and I had a 2013 Richard Gasquet very good year, finishing 6, and always come back. couldn’t really defend my And I was very close 2012 Jo-Wilfried Tsonga chances in 2017. Definitely, I and finally get it. So 2011 Roger Federer haven’t played so much in ‘17, 2010 Nikolay Davydenko I’m just very happy 100 percent. And I had a long rest 2009 Andy Murray and come back strong in 2018 and very proud: 2008 Andy Murray was a goal. I wouldn’t say I was expecting to win the first tour- Gael Monfils 2007 Ivan Ljubičić nament, but I’m more than happy 2006 Roger Federer that I did,” added. 2005 Roger Federer The Australian Open will be where I will be. I know I can have 2004 Nicolas Escudé a completely different challenge a very tough first round. So I just 2003 Stefan Koubek said the winner. expect a tough first round. I will “Australia is definitely some- be well prepared to have a great 2002 Younes El Aynaoui thing else, completely different. tournament there,” said 2001 Marcelo Ríos It’s a Slam. I know it’s going to Monfils. 2000 Fabrice Santoro be tough because I won’t be seed. Despite the loss, Rublev is 1999 Rainer Schüttler It’s been a while since I played projected to rise to a career-high without being seeded. It’s always No. 32 in the ATP Rankings. The 1998 Petr Korda an advantage in a Slam. It’s going Russian was disappointed with 1997 Jim Courier to be interesting to see the draw, the loss in Doha. 1996 Petr Korda “I think I was completely 1995 Stefan Edberg tired today. I mean, you can see 1994 Stefan Edberg that even my shots were not the same energy like previous 1993 Boris Becker matches. I was doing a lot of I’m disappointed. mistakes, a lot of wrong shots. It’s always tough to lose, espe- only one week like this,” added. set when he won a 24-shot rally finish line. A service winner It’s always tough You can see even I was really cially in the finals. Sometimes Yesterday a determined to get the break in the fourth would secure the victory after to lose, especially slow today on the court,” said it’s even tougher to recover Monfils was a man on a mission game, to take an grip over the one hour and one minute. Rublev. when you lose in the final then in Qatar. He opened the match proceedings. In all Monfils, fired a total of in the finals. “You can see that today I when you lose some semifinals with an ace and never looked It was an impeccable brand 29 winners while striking only Sometimes it’s even was really had no energy, no or first rounds,” said Rublev. back, breaking Rublev on three of tennis from Monfils and he 10 unforced errors to put an end tougher to recover power in the legs and the speed “It was great week for me. occasions. He executed his game took just 23 minutes to win the to his miserable injury ridden of the ball was not even close It’s a great start for me. I didn’t plan brilliantly. first set 6-2. 2017 which saw his ATP Rank- when you lose in the like it was in previous matches,” expect that I’m going to be in Rublev threw everything at Another early break in the ings slip down as he struggled final then when you he added. the finals, which is great. I’m of Monfils, but the Frenchman rel- second set would prove to be with his fitness. lose some semifinals Rublev said he aims to take course I’m happy to be in the ishing the approach, hunt down decisive for Monfils, as he forced He was forced to withdraw many positives from his per- final. I’m happy with my result balls and carved out improbable a forehand error from Rublev. from six tournaments with var- or first rounds: formance in the first tournament this week. And I hope and I winners. The Russian was unable to cap- ious ailments and concluded his Rublev of the year. wish I can be more consistent, The Mikael Tillstrom pupil italise on two break points, as season after the US Open, citing “Of course I’m disappointed. and I hope it’s not going to be got an early advantage in the first Monfils held his nerve to the a right knee injury.