SUNDAY 28 JANUARY 2018 SPORT 21 I’m just so happy to have the trophy. As athletes we 4:30pm 9:00am don’t enjoy the moments Caroline Wozniacki, FOOTBALL CRICKET The tennis star from Chesea vs Newcastle New Zealand vs Pakistan very long and I want to Denmark celebrates winning Live on enjoy this one. the Australian Open title United, FA Cup clash T20 at Mount Maunganui TUBE Live on beIN HD2 Live on Starsports Wozniacki edges Halep to win first Grand Slam title at Australian Open

AFP and tightened visibly serving for this one at 5-3. Halep aggres- Denmark’s Caroline Wozniacki celebrates with MELBOURNE: Caroline Wozni- sively took advantage and moved the championship trophy during the awards acki finally lifted her first Grand to three break points at 0-40. ceremony after her victory against Romania’s Slam title at the 43rd attempt as A big second serve and a first Simona Halep in the women’s singles final on she beat Simona Halep 7-6 (7/2), ace saved two of them but the 3-6, 6-4 to win the Australian relentless Halep forced Wozni- day 13 of the Australian Open. Open yestersday. acki long with a sliced forehand The Dane, who will take over and the title clash was back on as world number one, burst into serve. tears as she secured the title In the tiebreak the Dane against the battling Romanian went 4-1 up before a second top seed on her first match point mini-break and two solid serves of a gruelling, epic encounter. gave her the tiebreak 7-2. Both players needed med- Wozniacki was growing in ical attention on court before the confidence and Halep needed to Dane prevailed in 2hr 49min in save four break points at 1-1 in energy-sapping hot and humid the second set in a brutal game conditions on Rod Laver Arena. that lasted 11 minutes. Wozniacki, 27, has long car- Soon after Halep signalled to ried the unwanted moniker of her coach Darren Cahill in the best player never to win a major, player’s box that she wasn’t having reached the US Open final feeling well. in 2009 and 2014, and first And there were worrying becoming number one in 2010. scenes as the Romanian had her Both of them were in their blood pressure taken and an ice third major final -- their first in towel applied in the next Australia -- and both had saved changeover. match points in earlier rounds to Halep re-emerged with her get there. energy drained and needed the Wozniacki started the luckiest of net cords to hold for stronger and broke Halep’s 4-3. opening service game with the Cramping and almost before levelling on her third set 2-0 as the match clock hit the struggled to find any rhythm 4-4. Finally, having not held early evening temperature still limping, she decided to stand and point. The tournament’s extreme two-hour mark. until Halep held for 3-3. since the first game of the third above 30 Celsius (86 deliver in the next game, keeping heat policy was invoked meaning Halep dug deep and got it Wozniacki’s weaker fore- set Wozniacki managed it again Farenheit). the points short. the players took a 10-minute back to 2-1 on her sixth break hand let her down twice from and crucially led 5-4 with Halep The Dane sped into a 3-0 Incredibly the tactic paid off break before the start of the third point of a gruelling game when deuce and Halep led for the first having to serve to stay in the lead behind a consistent first as she broke Wozniacki with a set. Wozniacki double-faulted after time in the match at 4-3. match. serve. ripping drive up the line and When they resumed Wozni- almost 12 minutes. Now it was the turn of the The Romanian couldn’t Wozniacki had not won a set served at 5-3 to level the match. acki held before wearing Halep Both players were feeling the Dane to call the physio. With her manage it and a backhand into in either of her previous two Wozniacki forced two break down with a series of long ral- heat and two more breaks of left knee freshly strapped she the net brought an end to her Grand Slam final appearances back points which Halep saved, lies and securing the break for serve were exchanged as they broke Halep yet again to level at brave challenge.

Beaten Halep says her time will come after body gives up

AFP

MELBOURNE: Battle weary Simona Halep says her time will come after failing for the third time to win a Grand Slam final, admitting her body simply gave up after a draining Australian Open. Her 7-6 (7/2), 3-6, 6-4 defeat yesterday to Caroline Wozniacki was a double blow for the Roma- nian, who will also lose her number one world status to the Dane when the new rankings come out next week. Cilic aiming to turn up heat on The courageous Halep, 26, admitted that she cried after the crushing loss, but was philosoph- ical afterwards, saying “It is just Federer in Melbourne clash a tennis match in the end” and that “life goes on”. “But, yeah, I’m really sad I couldn’t win it. I was REUTERS Open, it gave him great belief,” Federer close again, but the gas was over HEAD-TO-HEAD (Federer 8 - Cilic 1) said. “I like his attitude. He’s very profes- in the end. She was better. She MELBOURNE: Even by Roger Federer’s 2017 - Federer d Cilic 6-7(5) 6-4 6-1 (ATP Finals, hard) sional. On the court, he’s a winner. He’s was fresher. She had actually standards his path to a 30th Grand Slam 2017 - Federer d Cilic 6-3 6-1 6-4 (Wimbledon, grass) there to win and not just to be there. more energy in the end.” final has been a breeze but things are 2016 - Federer d Cilic 6-7(4) 4-6 6-3 7-6(9) 6-3 (Wimbledon, grass) Sometimes you see other players you feel Despite losing, she vowed to about to hot up as Croatian Marin Cilic 2014 - Cilic d Federer 6-3 6-4 6-4 (U.S. Open, hard) like they’re happy to have made the quar- bounce back and planned to get prepares to try to stop the Swiss claiming 2014 - Federer d Cilic 7-6(5) 6-7(3) 6-4 (Toronto, hard) ters. I think he strives for more.” back to work after having a break a sixth Australian Open title today. 2012 - Federer d Cilic 6-3 6-4 (Shanghai, hard) Cilic, whose powerful serve and tree- and giving her aching body time Federer has only been extended past 2011 - Federer d Cilic 6-3 4-6 6-4 6-2 (U.S. Open, hard) chopping forehand will be the key to his to heal. the two-hour mark twice in reaching his 2011 - Federer d Cilic 6-4 6-3 (Monaco, clay) chances, says today’s showdown is not a “I will fight and hopefully I seventh final in Melbourne and even those 2008 - Federer d Cilic 6-3 6-4 (Paris, hard) chance of revenge for what happened at will face another challenge like I two matches this week against unseeded Wimbledon. did today,” she said. I’m sad that Marton Fucsovics and Tomas Berdych dashed when Nadal retired hurt in the fifth against Federer but his sole victory came “I think I played great tournament so I couldn’t make it the third time, were relatively straightforward straight- set of his quarter-final with Cilic on in the US Open semi-final in 2014 when far with my level of tennis,” the 29-year- but maybe the fourth time will be sets wins. Tuesday, although nothing should be the six-foot-six powerhouse went on to old, bidding to become the first Croatian with luck.” “I can’t believe how fast now the week taken away from the Croatian sixth seed, claim his maiden Grand Slam title against with multiple grand slam titles, said. The long hours on court took has turned out to be,” the 36-year-old said who crunched a mind-boggling 83 win- Japan’s Kei Nishikori. He also led by two “I think everything is in good, solid their toll in the final, which was after his semi-final opponent Chung ners. A top-10 regular, Cilic will bring an sets at Wimbledon two years ago and had spot. I’m really excited about the final.” played in hot and humid condi- Hyeon retired after 62 minutes of an old- arsenal of heavy artillery to Rod Laver match points, although 12 months later in He will start as the underdog though tions on Rod Laver Arena, with fashioned schooling with foot blisters. Arena today when temperatures in Mel- the final he suffered a painful straight sets as the apparently ageless Federer chases ice-towels used at the changeo- One local bookmaker says it has bourne are expected to be in the high 30s Centre Court loss to Federer when blis- yet more records. Should Federer win he vers. “For sure. I was really tired. already paid out A$500,000 to punters Celsius with high humidity -- the most ters reduced him to tears. would join Novak Djokovic and Roy I had so many problems with my who backed world number two Federer extreme conditions Federer has faced To have the chance to banish that Emerson with the most Australian Open feet, pain everywhere,” she said. to retain the title he won in a thriller during two weeks in which he played only memory so soon in another Grand Slam titles and would equal Rod Laver’s record But, you know, I think I did pretty against Rafael Nadal last year. one day match. final will make Cilic dangerous today. of claiming four Grand Slams after turning well with all the things that were Hopes of a repeat of that epic were Cilic has a 1-8 head-to-head record “I definitely think him winning the US 30. going on.” 22 SPORT SUNDAY 28 JANUARY 2018 India earn win after SA collapse

AFP SCOREBOARD his bat to Ajinkya Rahane at India (I Innings) ...... 187 gully. The same two bowlers JOHANNESBURG: Ishant South Africa (I Innings) ...... 194 struck again immediately after Sharma and Jasprit Bumrah India (II Innings) ...... 247 tea. South African captain Faf sparked a dramatic collapse as South Africa (II Innings) du Plessis was bowled by a ball India beat South Africa by 63 A Markram c Patel b Mohammed Shami ...... 4 from Sharma which cut back runs on the fourth day of the D Elgar (not out) ...... 86 and kept low and the out-of- H Amla c Pandya b Sharma ...... 52 third and final Test at the A de Villiers c Rahane b Bumrah ...... 6 form Quinton de Kock was Wanderers Stadium yesterday. F du Plessis b Sharma ...... 2 trapped leg before wicket first Dean Elgar and Hashim Q de Kock lbw b Bumrah ...... 0 ball by Bumrah. Amla shared a century second- V Philander b Mohammed Shami ...... 10 Vernon Philander batted wicket partnership which took A Phehlukwayo b Mohammed Shami ...... 0 brightly to make 10 before he South Africa more than halfway K Rabada c Pujara b Kumar ...... 0 pulled a ball from Shami onto towards their target of 241 M Morkel b Mohammed Shami ...... 0 his stumps, to be followed in L Ngidi c sub (Karthik) b Mohammed Shami ...... 4 before Amla’s dismissal for 52 quick succession by Phehluk- Extras (B7, W6) ...... 13 Sri Lankan players celebrate after beating Bangladesh in the final yesterday. started a collapse in which nine Total (73.3 overs) ...... 177 wayo, Kagiso Rabada and Morne wickets fell for 53 runs. Fall of wickets: 1-5, 2-124, 3-131, 4-144, 5-145, 6-157, Morkel, all without scoring. Sharma and Bumrah 7-157, 8-160, 9-161 Phehlukwayo was bowled claimed two wickets each to Bowling: Kumar 18-4-39-1, Mohammed Shami 12.3-2- by Shami, Rabada was caught start the slide before Moham- 28-5, Bumrah 21-3-57-2 (1w), Sharma 16-3-31-2, Pandya at first slip by Bhuvneshwar Madushanka’s hat-trick 6-1-15-0 (1w) med Shami ripped through the Result: India won by 63 runs Kumar and Morkel was bowled lower order, taking five for 28. Series: South Africa won the three-match series 2-1 by Shami. Elgar was left to fight alone, Elgar, having batted with on debut seals title for SL carrying his bat for 86 off 240 unflappable concentration for balls. The win ensured India wickets of Amla and AB de Vil- more than five hours, tried to AFP SCOREBOARD stayed comfortably on top of the liers in quick succession shortly play some shots and keep the Sri Lanka Bangladesh International Cricket Council before tea. strike after being joined by last DHAKA: Shehan Madushanka Danushka Gunathilaka c Tamim Iqbal b Mehedi Hasan 6 Tamim Iqbal c A Dananjaya b D Chameera ...... 3 Test rankings despite losing the Amla fell with the total on man Lungi Ngidi. He hit a six off became the fourth bowler in Upul Tharanga b Mustafizur Rahman ...... 56 Mohammad Mithun Run Out Thisara Perera ...... 10 series 2-1. 124 when he clipped Sharma Kumar before Ngidi was caught history to claim a hat-trick on Kusal Mendis c Mahmudullah b Mashrafe Mortaza.....28 Sabbir Rahman c Asela Gunaratne b D Chameera ...... 2 South Africa would have firmly towards midwicket and behind off Shami. debut as Sri Lanka crushed N Dickwella c Sabbir Rahman b M Saifuddin ...... 42 Mushfiqur Rahim c U Tharanga b Akila Dananjaya .....22 drawn level on points if they had Hardik Pandya dived to his right Conditions remained diffi- Bangladesh by 79 runs to win Dinesh Chandimal b Rubel Hossain ...... 45 Mahmudullah c Upul Tharanga b S Madushanka ...... 76 completed a clean sweep. to hold a good catch. Amla had cult for batting but there were the tri-nation one-day interna- Thisara Perera c Tamim Iqbal b Rubel Hossain ...... 2 Mehedi Hasan c&b Akila Dananjaya ...... 5 The hosts were looking faced 140 balls in making his none of the extreme bounces tional tournament in Dhaka Asela Gunaratne lbw Rubel Hossain ...... 6 Mohammad Saifuddin Run Out Asela Gunaratne ...... 8 Akila Dananjaya c M Mithun b Mustafizur Rahman...... 17 Mashrafe Mortaza c Kusal Mendis b S Madushanka ...... 5 comfortable as Elgar and Amla second half-century of the and deviations that prompted yesterday. Shehan Madushanka b Rubel Hossain ...... 7 Rubel Hossain b Shehan Madushanka ...... 0 compiled a partnership of 119, match. the umpires to halt play shortly The 22-year-old pacer Suranga Lakmal Run Out Mushfiqur Rahim ...... 2 Mustafizur Rahman (not out) ...... 0 although it took four hours and De Villiers started confi- before the scheduled close on claimed Bangladesh’s last three Dushmantha Chameera (not out) ...... 1 Extras 1b 4lb 0nb 0pen 6w ...... 11 50.4 overs of hard work on a dif- dently with a boundary off Friday. wickets before finishing with Extras 0b 5lb 2nb 0pen 2w ...... 9 Total (41.1 overs) ...... 142 ficult pitch. It was only the third Sharma but was out for six when But once the Elgar-Amla 3-26 as Sri Lanka defended their Total (50.0 overs) ...... 221 Fall of Wickets: 1-11 Iqbal, 2-17 Ali, 3-22 Rahman, century partnership of the he was squared up by a lifting partnership was broken new modest score of 221 runs by Fall of Wickets: 1-8, 2-42, 3-113, 4-158, 5-163, 6-182, 4-80 Rahim, 5-90 Miraz, 6-127 Saifuddin, 7-141 Mortaza, series. delivery from Jasprit Bumrah batsmen were unable to play bowling out Bangladesh for 142 7-209, 8-217, 9-219, 10-221 8-141 Hossain, 9-142 Mahmudullah Bowling: Mehedi Hasan 10-0-53-1; Mashrafe Mortaza Bowling: Suranga Lakmal 9-2-29-0; Dushmantha But India hit back with the which flew off the shoulder of with any confidence. in 41.1 overs. 7-0-35-1 1w; Mustafizur Rahman 10-0-29-2 1w 1nb; Chameera 8-1-17-2 1w; Thisara Perera 7-0-31-0; Shehan Madushanka took the wick- Mahmudullah 4-0-18-0; Mohammad Saifuddin 4-0-15-1; Madushanka 6.1-1-26-3 2w; Akila Dananjaya 9-0-30-2 ets of Rubel Hossain and Shakib Al Hasan 5-0-20-0; Rubel Hossain 10-0-46-4 1nb 2w; Danushka Gunathilaka 2-1-4-0 1w Mashrafe Mortaza in the last two balls of his sixth over before he at the Sher-e-Bangla National final. Shakib hurt the base of the removed Mahmudullah Riyad Stadium. little finger of his left hand dur- in the next over to complete his Hossain, who returned fig- ing the 42nd over of Sri Lanka’s hat-trick. ures of 4-46, was ably supported innings in the final. He joined South Africa’s by fellow paceman Mustafizur Bangladesh Cricket Board Kagiso Rabada, Bangladesh’s Rahman (2-29) as the hosts senior physician Debashish Taijul Islam and team-mate made regular strikes after the Chowdhury said an X-ray did Wanidu Hasaranga who have visitors elected to bat first. not find any fracture but the also achieved the rare feat. Upul Tharanga top-scored injury required stitches. Mahmudullah staged a val- with 56 off 99 balls while skip- “He has been assessed by a iant fight for Bangladesh with per Dinesh Chandimal added 45. cosmetic surgeon and necessary 76 off 92 balls but he lacked sup- Wicketkeeper-batsman Niro- repairs have been done,” Chow- port from the Bangladesh side, shan Dickwella made 42. dhury said in a statement. which missed the batting of all- Sri Lanka will now play two Shakib was expected to Indian players rounder Shakib Al Hasan due to Test matches against Bangla- begin his second stint as a Test celebrate after a finger injury he suffered in the desh with the first Test captain at the series starting on sealing win game. Medium pacer Dushman- beginning in the port city of January 31 after he was named yesterday. tha Chameera and spinner Akila Chittagong on January 31. the skipper in December, Dananjaya claimed two wick- Meanwhile, Bangladesh replacing Mushfiqur Rahim. ets each for Sri Lanka. Test captain Shakib Al Hasan Rahim was axed after Bang- Earlier, fast bowler Rubel was ruled out of the first Test ladesh was resoundingly claimed four wickets to help against Sri Lanka after suffer- thumped in both Test matches Bangladesh dismiss Sri Lanka ing a finger injury during the against South Africa in for 221 runs on a sluggish pitch tri-nation one-day international October.

BCCI to Stokes tops early sales at IPL auction announce AFP cash prize for England’s Ben Stokes bowling BANGALORE: England all- blind team during a practice session in this rounder Ben Stokes attracted the IANS highest price of $1.96m in the file photo. England’s Test captain early sales at the Indian Premier Joe Root, entering KOLKATA: Close on the heels League (IPL) auction yesterday, the IPL auction for of India clinching the Blind despite uncertainty over his Cricket World Cup, Commit- availability. the first time, failed tee of Administrators (COA) The Rajasthan Royals’ win- to attract any bids. chief Vinod Rai yesterday said ning bid was $200,000 less than West Indian Chris the BCCI would soon the record price Rising Pune Gayle, one of the IPL’s announce a cash prize for the Supergiant paid for him last players, adding they are also season. star performers over trying to get them jobs. It still topped the early bids, the past decade, also “Day before yesterday the even though it is not certain went unsold in the general secretary of the Blind Stokes will be able to play in the first round. Cricketers’ Association had a lucrative tournament after he meeting. He had approached was charged with affray follow- me. I fixed a meeting with ing a fight outside a nightclub in Punjab also wanted Indian BCCI and the CEO (Rahul Bristol last year. opener Shikhar Dhawan and Johri). The 26-year-old is due to South Africa skipper Faf du Ples- “They are going to make appear in court on February 13 sis, but lost both to rival an announcement about a after being charged over the inci- bidders. certain amount which has dent. The IPL will run from April Sunrisers Hyderabad got been set aside, very soon. For 7 to May 27. Dhawan for $818,000 and Chen- the encouragement of this One of the best performers nai Super Kings claimed du team. And two, to develop last season, Stokes attracted bids Plessis for $250,000. blind cricket. It’s being done,” from several franchises in the First held in 2008, the IPL is Rai told reporters on the side- eight-team Twenty20 league Root, entering the IPL auction for on the second and final day of The left-arm paceman the world’s richest cricket lines of an event here. before the gavel finally came the first time, failed to attract any the auction. missed the 2016 edition because competition. India defeated Pakistan down on Rajasthan. The Royals bids. West Indian Chris Gayle, Australian fast bowler Mitch- of injury, and opted out of the A total of 578 players are up by two wickets. After Paki- are returning to the competition one of the IPL’s star performers ell Starc was snapped up by the last season. for auction this season, hoping stan posted 308/8 in 40 after a two-year ban for over the past decade, also went Kolkata Knight Riders for Indian spinner Ravichandran for lucrative deals after the IPL overs, India reached home match-fixing. unsold in the first round. $1.47m, the second-highest price Ashwin went for $1.19m to Kings recently signed a new $2.5bn losing eight wickets in 38.2 England’s Test captain Joe Both players can be recalled in the early sales. XI Punjab. media deal. overs. SUNDAY 28 JANUARY 2018 SPORT 23

The podium winners at the Qatar Open Amateur Golf Championship celebrate on the podium at the Doha Golf Club yesterday. Right: Amateur winner Ahmed Baig of Pakistan kisses the trophy. Joshua White of England won the professional title. Qatar Golf Association (QGA) Executive Director Mohammed Faisal Al Naim, QGA Board Member, Mohammed Al Mohannadi, Royal Air Maroc Country Manager Adil Khalloufi, General Manager of Doha Golf Club, Gary McGlinchey, FEGA President Zahid P Arbab along with other officials were present duringhe t award presentation ceremony. Pictures: Kammutty VP/The Peninsula

Dream Diabate debut double helps debut for Sanchez at Leicester into FA Cup last 16 Man United AFP AFP LONDON: Fousseni Diabate scored twice on his Leicester City LONDON: Jose Mourinho debut as the Foxes cruised to a hailed new signing Alexis 5-1 win at Peterborough United Sanchez after he delivered a in the fourth round of the FA Cup man-of-the-match perform- yesterday. ance to fire Manchester Any hopes third-tier Peter- United into the fifth round of borough might create an upset the FA Cup with a 4-0 win lasted all of nine minutes, with against lowly Yeovil Town on Diabate’s opening goal followed Friday. by two more from Kelechi Ihea- Sanchez was named in the nacho that gave the Foxes a 3-0 starting line-up just days after lead at half-time. he signed for United from Peterborough’s Andrew Arsenal and was involved in Hughes pulled one back in the the build-up to the first two 58th minute but it was no more goals, scored by Marcus Rash- than a consolation. Wigan Athletic’s Will Grigg scores their second goal from a penalty during the FA Cup Fourth Round match at DW Stadium, Wigan, ford and Ander Herrera. Diabate, who arrived at the Britain, yesterday. Substitutes Jesse Lingard King Power Stadium from and Romelu Lukaku added French Ligue 2 club Gazelec performance,” Iheanacho told Leicester’s second and made it the tournament. They include Southampton and Watford late gloss to the scoreline as Ajaccio earlier this month, BT Sport. 3-0 when he volleyed home a fourth-tier Newport County, who meeting at St Mary’s. United ran out comfortable scored his second and Leices- “I have been waiting for an Christian Fuchs cross. will hope the ‘Magic of the FA Chelsea face Newcastle in winners against their fourth- ter’s fourth in the 87th minute opportunity to take my chance Hughes scored from a cor- Cup’ comes to Rodney Parade another all-Premier League tier opponents. before Wilfred Ndidi made it 5-1 and this was it.” ner as Leicester conceded their when they welcome eight-times clash today when league lead- “Alexis Sanchez is a fan- in stoppage-time. Iheanacho and Diabate first goal of 2018 but that was winners Tottenham Hotspur to ers Manchester City continue tastic addition, everyone is But for the debutant’s star combined to break the deadlock, merely a blip, Diabate making it south Wales. their bid for an unprecedented happy that he comes,” said a showing, Nigeria international the former’s pass allowing the 4-1 before Ndidi scored with the Meanwhile Liverpool will ‘quadruple’ of major trophies delighted Mourinho.”Good Iheanacho would have taken the 22-year-old to run into the box last kick of the match. look to reach the last 16 at the (Premier League, FA Cup, players want good players. headlines. before finishing with his left foot. Peterborough may have expense of West Bromwich League Cup and Champions The question is always “It’s a lovely competition to Former Manchester City bowed out, but several lower Albion in an all-Premier League League) away to second-tier which one is going to be left play in. It was a good team striker Iheanacho curled in league clubs remain involved in clash at Anfield with Cardiff. out, it is not about that for us. Uzbekistan crush Vietnam’s Kashiwa Reysol in dreams in U-23 AFC final AFP Al Kass semi-finals HANOI: Millions of red-clad Vietnam fans saw their hopes of THE PENINSULA a fairytale ending dashed yester- day as Uzbekistan snatched a DOHA: Kashiwa Reysol deliv- last-minute victory in the final ered an outstanding display of of the Under-23 Asian Cup fortitude and tactical brilliance championship. to overcome strong favourites The normally low-profile Real Madrid and advance to the event has been followed with Al Kass 2018 semi-finals. the fervour of a World Cup final Repeating a pattern estab- in the Southeast Asian nation lished in their previous games, following the meteoric rise of Reysol defended stoutly the young squad who have throughout and sought to hit united a country with few tastes their opponents on the counter- of sporting glory on the world attack, while absorbing Action from stage. continual pressure from a highly the Al Kass Cup The under-23 team was the accomplished Madrid side who match between first Southeast Asian side to created enough chances to win Kashiwa Reysol reach the final of the Asian Foot- Uzbekistan’s Tursunov Dostonbek (right) competes for the ball several matches. and Real Madrid ball Confederation (AFC) U23 with Vietnam’s Nguyen Cong Phuong during their AFC Under- The Madridistas were in at Aspire Academy Championship, blowing past 23 Championship final in Changzhou, in China’s eastern Jiangsu command from the first whis- yesterday. regional heavyweights like Iraq province yesterday. tle and, just three minutes in, and Qatar. were almost in front when The streets were flooded chanting “Vietnam the “More than 90 million Viet- Alvaro De Frias collected the with a sea of red and gold as champion!” namese people are behind you, ball in a central area just outside up the formbook, with Mao Sohki Tamura got on the ball flag-waving fans, many also “We were proud of our cheering and following your the box and curled a delicious Hosoya capitalising on a goal- midway inside Real’s half, dash- wearing red headbands that said footballers. They really are our every step,” Prime Minister left-footed strike that looked mouth scramble to fire the ing forward before feeding “Vietnam Wins”, filled parks and champions,” office worker Nguyen Xuan Phuc told the team destined for the top corner, only Japanese into an unexpected Hosoya, who made no mistake public squares to watch the final Nguyen Nhat Hoang said, add- before the match. for Reysol keeper Leo Kokubo lead. from six yards out. on big screens. ing that he would name his After the match football com- to make an athletic save, diving It was a lead they held for Kashiwa will now play the Uzbekistan struck in extra soon-to-be born son Dung after mentator Dang Gia Man praised to tip the ball over the bar. just one minute because, with highly fancied Benfica on Mon- time to end their hopes of glory the team’s goalkeeper. the team for their performance The chance was indicative the very next attack, Real were day evening in a clash that with a 2-1 victory over Vietnam Throughout the match a throughout the tournament -- of Madrid’s early dominance, level. seems certain to enthral the on a snowy pitch in Changzhou, cacophony of sounds bellowed and for bringing the nation with De Frias – playing ‘in the Jorge Camunas picked the Aspire crowd. China. through the streets as fans drew together like no other sporting hole’ behind strike partner Juan ball up midway inside Reysol’s And, based on their track Despite the loss, the huge on everything from children’s event has in recent history. “We Latasa – pulling the strings. half, and advanced unchal- record, the formidable Japanese crowd of fans were bursting trumpets to metal pans to cheer are proud of the team,” he told But on eight minutes, Kash- lenged before shooting hard and side will firmly believe they are with national pride as they on the “national heroes” from said. “They did a good job in unit- iwa – as they have done so often low past Kokubo from the edge capable of delivering yet streamed home, some still afar. ing our countrymen.” in the past at Al Kass – ripped of the area. another upset. SPORT Sunday 28 January 2018

PAGE | 21 PAGE | 22 PAGE | 23 Wozniacki beats England’s Stokes tops Sanchez stars on Halep, wins early sales at debut for Man first major IPL auction United Madson shines for Al Khor; Al Duhail held

THE PENINSULA Abderrazzaq Hamdallah (centre) scores the third goal for Al Rayyan during DOHA: Striker Madson yester- day played a stellar role as Al their QNB Stars League Khor beat Al Kharaitiyat 2-0. match against Al Duhail Ariel Thiery (11) and Madson at Al Duhail Stadium (15) scored the two early goals yesterday. Pictures by Abdul Basit/ as Al Khor picked up three The Peninsula points on home soil. Cameroonian striker Thierry opened the scoring in the 11th minute following a near-perfect Al Rayyan players cross from Madson. celebrate after The attacking Brazilian mid- fielder picked up a cross from scoring against Al the centre and then quickly Duhail during their charged down the left flank with QNB Stars League the ball before swooping into the match against Al Al Kharaitiyat box. Duhai at Al Duhail Once inside the box, Mad- Stadium yesterday. son spotted fellow striker The thrilling Thierry on the other side of the encounter ended shooting range and slipped in a in a three-all draw. neat cross. Kharaitiyat box hit the outside QNB STARS LEAGUE Thierry in one motion of the net. Yesterday’s Results flicked the ball past Al Kharaiti- Madson’s brilliant run drew Umm Salal 1-1 Al Ahli yat goalkeeper who could do applause form the team mates Al Khor 2-0 Al Kharaitiyat little to stop the ball in the 11th on the bench, such was his fast- Al Duhail 3-3 Al Rayyan minute. paced run. In the 15th minute, Madson Both teams could not score once again impressed with his a goal in the second half as the struck twice in 27th and 43rd quick pace. home side notched their fourth minutes to make it 3-2 in favour Madson picked up a cross win of the season. of the visitors. from the centre of the field and At Al Duhail Stadium, However, Nam Tae-Hee charged towards the Al Kharaiti- Abderrazzaq Hamdallah scored denied victory for Al Rayyan yat goal. Just a few feet from the twice as leaders Al Duhail were when he scored the equaliser in Al Kharaitiyat box, Madson held in a thrilling encounter. The the 63rd minute. noticed the goalkeeper had final scores read 3-3 after the Earlier, Al Ahli fought back charged out of his position. home side led 2-1. to hold Umm Salal to a 1-1 draw Madson launched a curling Al Duhail’s Karim Boudiaf at Al Gharafa Stadium, where shot that sailed above the ‘keep- opened up the scoring for Al the latter play their home er’s head and smashed into the Duhail in the third minute. Their matches. net in what was a spectacular advantage was doubled when Ivorian striker Yannick strike for Al Khor’s tireless Dami Terawari added one in the Sagbo gave Umm Salal the attacking midfielder. 15th minute before Sebastian advantage in the 25th minute Three minutes from the Soria scored the first goal for Al that was neutralised by Tuni- first-half whistile, Madson pro- Rayyan 10 minutes later. sian attacking midfielder duced another tearing run but Then, Al Rayyan’s star Yassine Chikhaoui in the his shot from inside the Al striker Abderrazzaq Hamdallah 88th. Hathab Series: Al Ajeil guides Blanca to top prize CHINTHANA WASALA Beyonce, ridden by Rashid Hathab Equestrian Tour 2017/2018: Stage 7 Results THE PENINSULA Towaim Al Marri, and Siec Cos- mos Wijngaardhoeve Z, with Comp. (5) Medium Tour - Table A, One Round Against The Clock With DOHA: Qatar Equestrian Feder- Mubarak Yousuf Al Rumaihi in Jump Off, Art. 238.2.2, 120/130 cm, Prize Money QR20.000 ation-owned Blanca, with the saddle, wrapped up the top Rank Horse Rider Time Faults Prize Abdullah Ali Al Ajeil in the five. Al Marri and Al Rumaihi 1 Viking D Mubarak Yousuf Al Rumaihi 40.24 secs. 0 QR5,000 saddle, completed a flawless were awarded prize cheques 2 Jessico 4 Saeed Nasser Al Qadi 40.91 secs. 0 QR4,000 routine to top the field as the worth QR3,000 and QR2,100 3 Davidoff Du Bois Mohammed Khalifa Albaker 50.06 secs. 0 QR3,000 seventh leg of the hugely popu- respectively. 4 Jazly Hamad Nasser Al Qadi 50.90 secs. 0 QR2,000 lar Hathab Equestrian Tour Earlier, in the Medium Tour, 5 Bolandro Mubarak Yousuf Al Rumaihi 57.27 secs. 2 QR1,400 concluded at the Al Shaqab popular rider Mubarak Yousuf Arena yesterday. Al Rumaihi continued his stun- Comp. (6) Big Tour - Competition with winning round, Art 276.2.1, The 12-year-old mare ning form astride Viking D and 130/140 cm, Prize Money QR30.000 clocked a time of 45.48 seconds grabbed his second win at the 1 Blanca Abdullah Ali Al Ajeil 45.48 secs. 0 QR7,500 as Al Ajeil secured the top prize seventh leg of the popular 2 Ulano Faleh Suwayed Al Ajami 51.76 secs. 1 QR6,000 of the day worth QR7,500 in the series. 3 Cassander Van Het Bremhof Awad Alqahtani 42.46 secs. 4 QR4,500 Big Tour, Table A, Special two In the Art. 238.2. event, Al 4 Beyonce Rashid Towaim Al Marri 42.81 secs. 4 QR3,000 phases Art. 274.5.6, 130/140 cm Rumaihi’s his nine-year-old 5 Siec Cosmos Wijngaardhoeve Z Mubarak Yousuf Al Rumaihi 43.41 secs. 4 QR2,100 event. gelding made no mistakes as the “The thrill of competing duo clocked a time of 40.24 sec- increases with every tour in the onds to win the top prize of Hathab Series. It’s becoming QR5,000. more challenging,” Abdullah Al Abdullah Ali Al Ajeil, winner of the Big Tour of the seventh leg of Jessico 4, with Saeed Nasser Ajil, the Big Tour winner, said Hathab Equestrian Tour, poses for a photograph after receiving Al Qadi in the saddle, spent yesterday. his trophy at Al Shaqab Arena yesterday. 40.91 seconds to complete the “Regarding the riders’ level, same task and finished second it’s really impressive and we proceeding my training for the Ulano, ridden by Faleh behind Al Rumaihi. Al Qadi got have already seen some rider next Tour. I would like to thank Suwayed Al Ajami, completed richer by QR4,000. Mohammed compete internationally and QOC Chairman Sheikh Joaan bin the same task in 51.76 seconds Khalifa Albaker who guided represent Qatar in so many Hamad Al Thani for giving this to finish second and he got Davidoff Du Bois to complete international competitions competition to Qatar’s young richer by QR6,000. the routine in50.06 seconds was worldwide. riders and for his support. I am Popular rider Awad Al placed third and bagged “About my win today, I was happy that I am getting to par- Qahtani guided his favourite QR3,000 in prize money. prepared but still I wasn’t ticipate in this series,” the stallion Cassander Van Het Jazly, ridden by Hamad expecting to win this Tour as I winner said. Bremhof to complete the rou- Nasser Al Qadi, finished fourth was competing against strong “For future riders and tine in 42.46 seconds. However, ahead of Bolandro, guided by Al riders and powerful horses,” he beginners, we offer all our sup- the duo made four mistakes as Rumaihi who had his name added. port and guidance to them in they had to satisfy with the recorded twice among the top “For the next Tour, I will showjumping as they need to third position on the podium five. keep up the training with my be patient. I would like to invite despite being the fastest in the The eighth leg of the Hathab The podium winners of the Medium Tour, Mubarak Yousuf Al Rumaihi, coach. Now I will give myself the fans to attend our events and competition. Al Qahtani won Tour will take place on Febru- Saeed Nasser Al Qadi and Mohammed Khalifa Albaker pose for a two days of rest before support us,” Ajil said. QR4,500 in prize money. ary 9 and 10. photograph with officials following the presentation ceremony.