SPORT

Sunday 25 December 2016 PAGE | 25 PAGE | 27 Murray, Kerber Troubled seize power and eye Crystal Palace domination in 2017 hire Allardyce Al Khorafi produces dramatic win with Cheril

Rizwan Rehmat The Peninsula Victorious Ali Al Khorafi, astride Cheril, receives his trophy. opular Kuwaiti rider Ali Al Khorafi yester- day produced a flawless routine with 'reliable' mare Cheril Pto win the QR 120,000 Mini- Grand Prix on day three of the Qatar International Show Jump- ing Championship. Cheril, yesterday clocked a winning time of 44.95 seconds. Al Khorafi, who rides under the FEI flag, won QR 30,525. Al Khorafi, who finished with a win in one of the compe- titions on Friday, claimed his win ahead of Jordanian rider Ibrahim Hani Bisharat, astride Brown Sugar and Russia's Vladimir Tuganov, who rode Confident Of Victory. Brown Sugar clocked a time of 46.02 seconds to secure the second spot while Confident Of Victory finished in a time of richer by QR 18,315. Rakan Al Equestrian Federation (QEF). Rayyan Show Jumping Cham- 48.64 seconds for the third spot Hasawi (FEI, Dennis, 49.22 sec- Al Khorafi, 27, was thrilled pionship)," he said with a smile. among 10 horses which quali- onds) and Saudi rider Abdullah with his 'dramatic win'. Earlier yesterday, in com- fied for the final round. Al Rajhi (Cornelexs, 52.86 sec- "It's a pleasure to win this petition seven, Qatar's Saeed Second-placed Bisharat won onds) completed the top-five at event since it is our first show Nasser Al Qadi, astride Jessico, QR 24,420 while Tuganov got the Main Arena of the Qatar of the season," Al Khorafi said. topped the field in the "A lot of strong riders here. Most 130/135cm class. Jessico clocked QATAR INTERNATIONAL SHOW JUMPING CHAMPIONSHIP of the competitors here are a time of 59.91 seconds as Al Olympic riders. The competi- Qadi won QR 10,000. tion standard is very high. I had Rashid Al Marri, another (Comp. 6) Table A, One round against the clock Art. 238.2.1 - 145 cm - to take the risk since I was the Qatari rider, finished in second Prize: QR 270,000 last jumper. My mare has been spot with Beyonce, who ended Rank Horse Rider/NF Time Prize money doing really well. It did a great with a best time of 61.08 sec- 1 Garlic VH Kapelhof Ramzy Hamad Al Duhami 63.70 QR 67,500 job on the first two days. I said onds. Al Marri got richer by QR 2 Narazo De Nyze Z Derin Demirsoy 65.70 QR 54,000 'I will try and take the risk," Al 8,000. 3 Cos I Can Reed Kessler 65.72 QR 40,500 Khorafi said. FEI rider Noora Al Qoud 4 Confident Of Victory Vladimir Tuganov 67.17 QR 27,000 "Unfortunately we are not (Beoniek), was third in a time of 5 Carolina 31 Sheikh Ali Bin Khalid Al Thani 69.66 QR 18,900 riding under the Kuwaiti flag. 61.70 seconds. Al Qoud won QR Hopefully they will fix the prob- 6,000. (Comp. 7) Table A, One round against the clock Art. 238.2.1 - 130/135 lem and we can ride (under the Qatar's Faisal Abdulhadi Al

cm - Prize: QR 40,000 flag) in the next show," he said. Marri (Le Premier K, 63.15 sec- Kuwaiti rider Ali Al Khorafi, astride Cheril, receives his trophy 1 Jessico 4 Saeed Nasser Al Qadi 59.91 QR 10,000 "This is my second year with onds, QR 4,000) and Saudi rider 2 Beyonce Rashid Al Marri 61.08 QR 8,000 this horse. She's young. She has Abdulaziz Mufhid Alhamazani after winning the QR 120,000 Mini-Grand Prix on day three of 3 Beoniek Noora Al Qaoud 61.70 QR 6,000 done well. Hopefully I will take (Classic Girl 22, 65.12 seconds, the Qatar International Show Jumping Championship at the 4 Le Premier K Faisal Abdulhadi Al Marri 63.15 QR 4,000 her to a higher level," he said. QR 2,800) completed the top Main Arena of the Qatar Equestrian Federation (QEF) yesterday. 5 Classic Girl 22 Abdulaziz Mufhid Alhamazani 65.12 QR 2,800 "Every year I come to Qatar. five out of 55 riders. The Qatar Equestrian Federation Earlier, on Friday night, Duhami got richer by QR time of 65.72 seconds. Kessler (Comp. 8) One Round + Winning Round, Art. 276.2.1, 2.3 - 145cm - always welcomes us and they are Saudi rider Ramzy Hamad Al 67,500. Turkey's Derin Demir- won QR 40,500. Prize: QR 122,100 kind. The event is getting better. Duhami clinched his second soy, astride Narazo De NYZE Z, Russia's Vladimir Tuganov 1 Cheril Ali Al Khorafi 44.95 QR 30,525 Even the technical side is getting major trophy at the three-day finished in second spot in a time (Confident Of Victory, 67.17 sec- 2 Brown Sugar Ibrahim Hani Bisharat 46.02 QR 24,420 better,"Al Khorafi said. event by guiding Garlic VH of 65.70 seconds. Demirsoy won onds, QR 27,000) and Qatar's 3 Confident Of Victory Vladimir Tuganov 48.64 QR 18,315 "I have won here (on Friday) Kapelhof to a convincing win in QR 54,000. Sheikh Ali bin Khalid Al Thani 4 Dennis Rakan Al Hasawi 49.22 QR 12,210 and finished second (on day the 145cm class. American rider Reed Kes- (Carolina 31, 69.6 seconds, QR 5 Cornelexs Abdullah Alrajhi 52.86 QR 8,547 one). Hopefully we will do a Garlic VH Kapelhof clocked sler was in the saddle as Cos I 18,900) completed the great job next week (at the Al a time of 63.70 seconds as Al Can secured the third spot in a top-five.

ICSS hosts Turkish delegation and sport officials FIFA looking at

The Peninsula player behaviour,

he International Centre for Sport Security says Van Basten (ICSS) welcomed a high-level delegation of TTurkish officials this week to its international London headquarters in Qatar. AFP As part of the ICSS’s ongoing outreach to inter- national partners and in line with its objectives to IFA is thinking about introducing new share its knowledge and expertise to help safe- measures to improve player behaviour guard sport, the Turkish delegation met with ICSS Ftowards match officials, chief officer for President, Mohammed Hanzab, who presented the technical development Marco van Basten work and achievements of the ICSS in the field of revealed yesterday. sport safety, security and integrity since the organ- The former Netherlands striker and man- isation was established in 2010. ager says football's world governing body could The visiting delegation from Turkey was led follow the lead of rugby union, in which only by Bilal Erdogan, President of World Ethnosport team captains are allowed to speak to refe- Confederation and also included Ahmet Demirok, rees. "There are a lot of players now who are Turkish Ambassador to Qatar, Ramil Hasanov, Sec- complaining during a game," Van Basten has retary General of the Turkic Council and Fikret said. "I am sure the behaviour of the players can Orman, President of Besiktas). be better. We are thinking about putting it back Members of the visiting Turkish delegation, Bilal Erdogan, President of World Ethnosport The two parties discussed areas of mutual coop- in the right direction. There's a lot of emotion in eration - including various global initiatives - as Confederation, Ahmet Demirok, Turkish Ambassador to Qatar, Ramil Hasanov, Secretary-General the game and that's what's good, but we have to well as exchanging appreciation and pledging to of the Turkic Council and Fikret Orman, President of Besiktas pose for a photograph with the control it also. continue to cooperate in future projects. International Centre for Sport Security (ICSS) President, Mohammed Hanzab and ICSS officials. SPORT SUNDAY 25 DECEMBER 2016 25 Murray, Kerber seize power and eye domination in 2017

London became Germany's first It opened the door for Best in 2016 Reuters major winner since Steffi Graf Murray and when Milos in 1999. Raonic outlasted Federer in With the so-called big four in udacious coups by Both Murray and Kerber the semi-final it meant the men's tennis crumbling, the Andy Murray and ended 2016 as world number Briton would start his ninth 29-year-old Andy Murray ones. Yet back in January final as emerged to seize power, have transformed Djokovic and Williams looked favourite. winning the Wimbledon title. the tennis land- immovable. Raonic, the first Canadian scapeA and they will begin Djokovic trounced Mur- man to reach a major final, 2017 eyeing the kind of dom- ray in three sets to win the brought his huge power game Angelique Kerber loosened ination that few would have Australian Open -- emulat- to Centre Court but Murray ' grip on the thought possible at the start ing Roy Emerson's six titles shrugged him off with a women's game, reaching three of a seismic year. in the process. classy straight sets victory. Grand Slam finals and winning With the so-called big "I feel like I've been here Afterwards Murray spoke two of them. four in men's tennis crum- before," Murray quipped after of his aim to dethrone Djok- bling, the 29-year-old Murray a fourth defeat in a Mel- ovic in the rankings emerged to seize power, win- bourne final to Djokovic. -- something that had Back in January this year, ning the Wimbledon title and Djokovic downed Murray seemed nigh on impossible Djokovic and Williams looked the Olympic gold medal again to win a rain-lashed when he trailed by 8,000 immovable, but both Murray before a relentless late-sea- in June, taking points in the Spring. and Kerber ended 2016 as son charge toppled Novak his haul of majors to 12 and After becoming the first world number ones. Djokovic from his pedestal. meaning he held all the player to win consecutive Kerber loosened Serena sport's crown jewels Olympic titles, edging out a Williams' grip on the wom- simultaneously. revitalised and fit-again Juan Serb to win the ATP Tour en's game, reaching three What is more, with Roger Martin del Potro in the Rio Finals. Andy Murray and Angelique Kerber both battled to the top of tennis Grand Slam finals and win- Federer and final, Murray's tank looked With Djokovic beclamed, rankings in a season that has seen six different Grand Slam champions ning two of them, beginning nursing injuries and Murray empty. Federer now in his mid 30s against Williams at the Aus- seemingly under his spell A weary defeat by Japan's and out of the top 10 and Australian Open Roland Garros tralian Open when she Djokovic's path to the first followed in the Nadal's chances of a 15th SRB Novak Djokovic SRB cacalendar-yearlendar-year GrandGrand SlamSlam U.S.U.S. OpenOpen quarter-finalsquarter-finals andand GrandGra Slam title receding, Angelique Kerber GER Garbine Muguruza ESP since RoRodd Laver in 1969 Djokovic,Djokovic, wwhoho wept aafterfter llos-os- Murray'sMur challenges may looked inviting.inviting. inging to Del Potro in the first comecom from new directions in BButut thethe wheelswheels fellfell rroundound of the OlOlympics,ympics, 2017201 with the likes of Raonic offoff at Wimbledon.Wimbledon. seemedseemed to hhaveave rrecoveredecovered hihiss andand Nishikori joined by young Big-servingBig-serving AAmeri-meri- mojo.mojo. gunsgun Alex Zverev and Nick can SSamam QQuerreyuerrey But Djokovic ran into an KyrgiosKyr as major ambushed Djok- inspired in a contenders.con ovicovic inin thethe raucousraucous fifinalnal thatthat sawsaw thethe Kerber burst from the thirdthird rroundound -- Swiss repeat the savagery he packpack chasing Williams to stun snapping his inflictedinflicted on him to win the the American in a thrilling Wimbledon U.S. Open runrun of 30 2015 French Open.Open. AustralianAus Open final, depriv- Andy Murray GBR Stan Wawrinka SUI consecutiveconsecutive Murray, back in harness ing the American of the 22nd Serena Williams USA Angelique Kerber GER winswins in with coach Ivan Lendl,Lendl, majormaj that would have tied Slams.Slams. steamed through herher with Graf. thethe rest ooff tthehe Williams fell short again year,year, reelinreelingg in whenwhe she lost to Spain's Gar- Djokovic with binebine Muguruza in the French titles in Beijing,Beijing, OpenOpe final but finally Shanghai, matchedmat Graf when she beat VViennaienna and KerberKer to win a seventh Paris before WimbledonWim crown. Men YEAR-END RANKINGS 2016 Women crowningcrowning his Her hopes of a 23rd were 1 Andy Murray Great Britain 1 Angelique Kerber Germany numbernumber oonene dasheddas at the U.S. Open 2 Novak Djokovic Serbia 2 Serena Williams United States status by wherewhe she sufferered a semi- 3 Canada 3 Agnieszka Radwanska Poland thrash-thrash- finalfina defeat by Karolina 4 4 inging the PliskovaPlis and she was to end Stan Wawrinka Switzerland Romania her year early. 5 Kei Nishikori Japan 5 Dominika Cibulkova Slovakia That defeat sealed Ker- 6 Marin Cilic Croatia 6 Karolina Pliskova Czech Rep. ber'sber' rise to number one in the 7 Gael Monfils France 7 Garbine Muguruza Spain rankingsran and the 28-year-old 8 Austria 8 United States German rubber-stamped 9 Rafael Nadal Spain 9 Russia Angelique her status with victory 10 Tomas Berdych Czech Rep. 10 Great Britain Kerber over Czech Pliskova in the final. Sources: ATP, WTA Pictures: Getty Images © GRAPHIC NEWS Westbrook's triple-double powers Thunder over Celtics

Russell Westbrook of the Los Angeles to 6-6 at home but said his team Anthony Tolliver added 17 shots that would have forged a Oklahoma City Thunder (top) AFP "can't hang our heads" over this for Sacramento, which trailed tie, but Karl-Anthony Towns takes a shot during their NBA loss. by six with 10 minutes to play, missed both. game against Boston Celtics at ussell Westbrook tallied As far as the guard duel, but kept hitting from long range He finished with 20 points TD Garden in Boston on Friday. 45 points, including Okla- Thomas said, "I take every chal- to overtake the Wolves. 13 rebounds for his 10th con- Rhoma City's final 15 in the lenge personal. Every guard It was the sixth time this secutive double-double. fourth quarter, to lead the that steps in my way, it's always season the Kings have shot 50 "I think we're playing pretty Thunder to a 117-112 win over personal, and I'm a percent or better from the field. well offensively," said Kings the Boston Celtics on Friday. competitor." "We're all dialing in," said coach Dave Joerger. Westbrook scored 12 of his Westbrook started slowly Cousins, who had 30 or more In Detroit, Durant scored 32 points in the final 96 seconds, but scored 14 points in the sec- for the third time in the last four points and the Golden State including consecutive three ond quarter to give him 16 at games. Warriors overcame a season- pointers as he went head-to- halftime. He then scored 29 of "We're starting to realize high 23 turnovers to down the head with Celtics star guard his team's 59 points in the sec- what it takes to win games. Detroit Pistons 119-113 at The Isaiah Thomas. ond half and had 20 in the We're doing a great job of Palace. "Isaiah was playing well, fourth quarter. playing together, moving the but I don't need fuel from Thomas scored 18 in the ball, getting everybody NBA RESULTS nobody, from any other player, fourth and is averaging 31 involved. Guys are having fun Dallas ...... 90 LA Clippers ...... 88 to get me going," said West- points per game in the last five. right now." brook, who also had 11 assists "Russell's a tough matchup Minnesota was done in by San Antonio ...... 110 Portland ...... 90 and 11 rebounds in his third for everybody, but their length another fourth quarter Atlanta ...... 109 Denver ...... 108 straight 40-point game. and athleticism was certainly a stumble. Toronto ...... 104 Utah ...... 98 Westbrook also recorded factor in a lot of ways," Celtics Zach LaVine finished with Phoenix ...... 123 Philadelphia ...... 116 his 14th triple-double as he is coach Brad Stevens. a career-best 40 points, includ- Milwaukee ...... 123 Washington ...... 96 adjusting nicely to life this NBA "We did a lot of good things. ing seven three pointers. Memphis ...... 115 Houston ...... 109 season without Kevin Durant. They did more good things and "Every time we lose, it's dis- New Orleans ...... 91 Miami ...... 87 Former league MVP Durant left they won the game." couraging for us because we've Sacramento ...... 109 Minnesota ...... 105 the Thunder in the off-season Elsewhere, DeMarcus Cous- had a chance to win almost to join the Golden State ins paced the attack with 32 every game," said LaVine. "It's Cleveland ...... 119 Brooklyn ...... 99 Warriors. points as the Sacramento Kings annoying, but you just have to Oklahoma City ....117 Boston ...... 112 Thomas had 34 points and won for the fourth time in the have thick skin and move onto Golden State ...... 119 Detroit ...... 113

10 assists in 34:17 of playing past five games by coming from the next one." Charlotte ...... 103 Chicago ...... 91 time. Afterward, he was frus- behind to beat the Minnesota Trailing by three in the final Orlando ...... 109 LA Lakers ...... 90 trated over his team dropping Timberwolves 109-105. 30 seconds, the Wolves had two 26 SPORT SUNDAY 25 DECEMBER 2016 Pakistan look forward to Criticism of team, Smith just red ball and hard MCG pitch 'bizarre': Warner Melbourne Reuters Melbourne AP ustralia vice-captain David Warner has found Yasir Shah it "bizarre" that pundits and fans continue to akistan batting coach A criticise the team despite winning their last two Grant Flower says his test matches after a run of five losses. side is looking forward beat Pakistan by 39 runs in a thrilling fin- to a return of the red ball ish in the first test in Brisbane last week. and a hard Melbourne Misbah-ul-Haq's side were dismissed for 450 on P Ground pitch for the sec- the final day at the Gabba, chasing a victory target of ond test against Australia beginning 490, having counter-attacked late on the fourth tomorrow. evening of the day-night test. The visitors lost the day-night They were within sight of the world's largest suc- first test at the Gabba by 39 runs, cessful run chase when Mitchell Starc ended a 71-run having made a bold bid at a come- ninth stand between Asad Shafiq and Yasir Shah from-behind victory. that effectively ended the game. Pakistan batting coach Grant Former Zimbabwe star Flower Critics, however, suggested that Australia captain believes the Melbourne conditions Flower was not ruthless enough when he failed will give his side a better chance of to impose the follow on when Pakistan were skittled taking early and exposing Spin-friendly pitch for 142 in their first innings, 287 runs short of Austral- Australia's middle-order with ia's total. reverse swing. Grant Flower expects His cautious field settings on day five, with Paki- "(The pitch) looks good. It looks the MCG pitch to benefit stan still needing 108 runs for victory with only two hard. It's going to have good carry," Yasir Shah, who was wickets in hand, were queried by former captains he said this week. "It's going to be criticised by former Michael Clarke and Mark Taylor and slammed as "ridic- hard work for the bowlers, but if legspin great Shane ulous" by ex-England skipper Michael Vaughan. we can get into them early and if Warne for bowling too "It's bizarre people are mentioning things about the ball starts reversing then I'm defensively in Brisbane. the way he went about the game with his field place- sure we've got a good chance of ments, his bowling changes, the way he used Gazza making some things happen." (Nathan Lyon)," Warner told reporters ahead of the Flower also expects the MCG nearly chasing down 490 runs. second test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. "At the pitch to benefit legspinner Yasir "I don't think that matters — it's end of the day we did win the game. There would be Shah, who was criticized by com- a different ground, different con- a lot more talk if we didn't." mentator and former legspin great ditions, and you can't really The victory was the second for a revamped side Shane Warne for bowling too measure momentum, can you? I'm after selectors swung the axe following a run of five defensively in Brisbane. not sure if it exists," Khawaja said. successive test losses and Warner dismissed any notion "Hopefully towards the end of "There are always things we can the visitors' fifth-day performance had given them the the match, Yasir can come into it do better, no matter what game, momentum heading into the test. a bit more," Flower said. "I'm sure but ... we still won." "Pakistan played very well," Warner said. "They if the ball is turning a bit more, Security has been increased at backed themselves and played their shots. They got there will be more attacking lines the MCG, where a crowd of 60,000 into a fantastic position to win the game. But we know bowled." is expected tomorrow, following that test match cricket comes down to that last day, Australian batsman Usman the arrest of seven people over a that last hour ... and that from Starcy was right Khawaja doubts that Pakistan has terror-related plot in the city. on the money. the momentum after its fourth- Those charged Friday were alleg- "But if they can take confidence out of losing I don't inning performance in Brisbane, edly planning to attack Melbourne's know. We won the game." Flinders Street train station, nearby Warner did not give any hints as to the make-up Squads Federation Square and St. Paul's of the side, with suggestions that all-rounder Hilton Cathedral on Christmas Day. Cartwright could come into the team for batsman Nic Australia: Steve Smith (captain), David Chief police commissioner Maddinson. Warner, Matt Renshaw, Usman Khawaja, Graham Ashton said while they are Cartwright could take some of the workload off Peter Handscomb, Nic Maddinson, Matthew confident the terror plot had been the team's pace trio of Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Starc Wade, Mitch Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Nathan contained, extra police will be However we're just making sure other cricket matches being held and Jackson Bird bowled 113 overs in Pakistan's sec- Lyon, Jackson Bird, Chadd Sayers deployed at major events. we're taking those extra around the country," Cricket Aus- ond innings. "We know there's lot of events precautions." tralia chief executive James Warner, however, was not concerned with their Pakistan Squad: Misbah-ul-Haq (captain), on over the next several days right Victoria Police and Cricket Sutherland said in a statement. In a workload. Azhar Ali, Sami Aslam, Sharjeel Khan, Younis across our state, including the Box- Australia were liaising over the security-related move in 2015, the "All the monitoring and workload is left to the Khan, Asad Shafiq, Babar Azam, Sarfraz ing Day test, Christmas carols, appropriate security level. MCG erected a new perimeter experts and you have to respect their decision, they're Ahmed, Mohammad Rizwan, Yasir Shah, Mo- other events that are on," he said. "Our security team is in contact fence about 20 to 25 meters away analysing all the data," Warner added. hammad Nawaz, Mohammad Amir, Wahab "There is no intelligence to sug- with the relevant authorities to from the stadium where specta- "If they think someone is going to break down then Riaz, , , Imran Khan. gest there is any threat whatsoever ensure we have the appropriate level tors queue to pass through security it's up to them." in relation to any of those events. of security at the Boxing Day test and before entering the ground. South Africa favourites New Zealand weigh against visiting Sri Lanka workload worries Christchurch, New Zealand With sidelined following Cape Town AFP eye surgery, and Test gloveman BJ Reuters Watling not performing as expected in ew Zealand's desire for a confi- Australia, the selectors are looking to the outh Africa will look to produce dence-boosting limited overs experienced 33-year-old Broom and a dominant series display against Nseries against Bangladesh, start- Ronchi, 35, to shore up the side. S Sri Lanka, starting with the first ing tomorrow, has been tempered by the It is nearly seven years since Broom test in Port Elizabeth tomorrow, to need to ease the workloads of Tim last played an ODI for New Zealand, but build on last month's triumph in Southee and . at domestic level "he has an impressive Australia. From the high of winning a Test series strike-rate and obviously fills the number Even without leading trio AB de against Pakistan in November the switch four role with Ross out injured", Larsen Villiers, and Morne Mor- to the shorter game brought the New Zea- said. kel, the hosts are expected to defeat landers sharply back to earth early this Ronchi, who did play in the 2015 their island opponents who have lost month when hammered 3-0 by World Cup, is recalled after a string of eight of their 10 previous tests in South Australia. low scores saw him dropped from the Africa. The three ODIs against Bangladesh, recent Australia series. A 2-1 series victory in Australia which begin in Christchurch on Boxing Bangladesh, at seven in the ODI rank- in November boosted morale for Faf Day, offer a shot at redemption but coach ings and three places below New Zealand, du Plessis' side, who were badly Mike Hesson is wary about the possibil- lost their rain-affected warm up game to beaten in India 13 months ago and ity of burnout with home series against a New Zealand XI by three wickets, but then lost a home series to England Australia and South Africa to follow. did find inspiration in the performance during which captain "It's always a balancing act with guys of 21-year-old pace bowler Mustafizur stepped down. that play all three forms, especially the Rahman. De Villiers took over but missed bowlers," Hesson said Saturday, confirm- Mustafizur took two wickets in his the home series win over New Zea- ing Boult will sit out the last ODI, Southee first competitive match in five months land in August and the trip to Australia South African bowler Kagiso Rabada (centre) is embraced by team- will miss the three T20s that follow, and following shoulder surgery while all- with an elbow injury, giving way to other players may also be rested. rounder Shakib Al Hasan chimed in with mates after taking his fifth wicket on day five of the first Test match Du Plessis. Following the Australia drubbing, 3-41. "People expect us to beat Sri in Perth, Australia in this file photo. New Zealand resisted the urge for whole- Test captain Mushfiqur Rahim also Lanka but that's not certain," Du Ples- sale changes but did recall veterans Neil showed himself in form with the bat, sis told reporters in the build-up to warmed up with a series win in Zim- and bowled superbly in the 3-0 white- Broom and . scoring 45 off 41 deliveries while Sou- the first test. babwe last month. wash of Australia in July and August. Only six players remain from the mya Sarkar added 40 to Bangladesh's "They have played really good Captain Angelo Matthews and "I don't think I will have much help squad of 15 who took New Zealand to the 245-8 off 43 overs. cricket over time. They have also lost deputy Dinesh Chandimal return for in South Africa from the wickets," said World Cup final last year and although Following the first ODI in Christch- some key players...but they are a qual- the tour in South Africa. Herath. "It will be much better for the the side is rebuilding, selector Gavin urch on Monday, the second and third ity cricket team, they've got Flatter tracks are likely to dilute seamers." Larsen said "it's very important that we matches will be played in Nelson on exceptional spin bowlers." Rangana Herath's impact. The spin- The second test is in Cape Town do see improvements during the home December 29 and 31 with three T20s and An injury-hit Sri Lanka team ner is especially dangerous at home and the last match in Johannesburg. summer". two Tests to follow. SUNDAY 25 DECEMBER 2016 SPORT 27 Man United have lost traditions: Moyes Qatar close 2016 at 87th in London had traditions with the way they Manchester United. The other one AFP spent. They didn't try to compete was Cesc Fabregas, who we FIFA rankings with all the others clubs. thought we would get right up until ormer Manchester United "They tried to do what they the last minute. The Peninsula manager David Moyes says thought was the right thing to do "I remember when I first met Fthe club have abandoned and spend in the right way. Sir Alex and he always said there atar, coached by Jorge their traditions ahead of his return "I could say that's gone, so I was a chance (Cristiano) Ronaldo Fossati for the last three to Old Trafford with Sunderland think there have been a few might come back. Q months, have closed on Boxing Day. changes at United, but that's the "So that was the level we were the 2016 season at 87th spot Moyes, 53, lasted just 10 way they have chosen to go." targeting. I was not going out to in FIFA rankings. months as United manager after Moyes repeated a claim that he bring in seven, eight players, According to latest details succeeding his Scottish compatriot was "definitely unfairly treated" because we had a squad which had released by the world body, Alex Ferguson at the helm in May by United and revealed he had just won the league. Qatar have improved a notch 2013. missed out on a string of high-pro- "Toni Kroos was agreed to come to 87 having stayed at 88 last His two successors, Louis van file transfer targets. in the summer. I had agreed it with month. Gaal and current manager Jose "When I first went in my real Toni himself and his agent. Some- Qatar, hosts of the 2022 Mourinho, have invested heavily target was Gareth Bale," said times you don't get deals done. FIFA World Cup, have accu- on new players and Moyes believes Moyes. "I felt all along that Gareth "But I think that, given time mulated 417 points. the present-day United are a dif- Bale was a Manchester United and having got to this period, I Armenia is at 86 with ferent club to the one he joined. player. would have hoped I would be Zambia at 88. "Manchester United was a club "I fought right until the last working with a successful team Iran are the top side in with great traditions that they minute. We actually offered a big- now." Asia following by South Korea tended to pick British managers. ger deal than Real Madrid. United are sixth in the Premier and Japan. Manchester United manager David Moyes talks to his That tradition has now gone," "But Gareth had his mind made League table ahead of today's game Saudi Arabia, Uzbekistan, players during their English Premier League (EPL) match Moyes said, in comments published up on going to Real Madrid." and chasing a fourth successive the UAE< China, Syria and Jor- against Everton at Goodison Park in Liverpool, England, by British media yesterday. "That was, in my mind, the league win, with Sunderland in the dan complete the top-10 in in this file photo of April 21, 2014. "They are a football club who player I really wanted to bring to relegation zone. Asia. Argentina are the top- ranked side in the world, followed by Brazil, Germany, Chile and Belgium. Troubled Palace hire Allardyce FIFA RANKINGS RANK TEAM POINTS 1 Argentina 1634 2 Brazil 1544 Crystal Palace 3 Germany 1433 4 Chile 1404 5 Belgium 1368 67 days 6 Colombia 1345 7 France 1305 Allardyce was available to Palace 8 Portugal 1229 9 Uruguay 1187 after his short reign as England 10 Spain 1166 manager ended after just 67 days. 11 Switzerland 1129 12 Wales 1121 13 England 1114 14 Croatia 1103 1 win 15 Poland 1087 16 Italy 1083 Palace have been in the top flight 17 Costa Rica 1041 since 2013 but only one win in their 18 Mexico 1012 last 11 league matches has seen 19 Peru 965 20 Ecuador 890 them slide into the bottom of the 21 Iceland 889 table. 22 Netherlands 887 23 Republic of Ireland 858 24 Turkey 851 London 25 Slovakia 837 Reuters 26 Hungary 826 27 Bosnia and Herzegovina 825 28 USA 822 lugging the leaks in Crystal Pal- 29 Iran 814 ace's porous defence will be the 30 Ukraine 804 first priority for the south Lon- 31 Austria 773 don club's new manager Sam 32 Northern Ireland 767 Allardyce's as he looks ahead 33 Senegal 755 P to a hectic Christmas period. 34 Cote d'Ivoire 746 Former England boss Allardyce 35 Tunisia 738 replaced the sacked Alan Pardew on Fri- 36 Egypt 719 37 Korea Republic 699 day with Palace just above the relegation 38 Algeria 692 zone with the third-worst defensive 39 Romania 690 record in the Premier League. 40 Paraguay 684 "We have a very important job of stop- 41 Sweden 675 ping the goals going in at the other end," 42 Greece 674 Allardyce, said in a video on Palace's 43 Czech Republic 671 website. 44 Serbia 647 "Attacking players when you are in 45 Japan 644 The former Sunderland manager Sam Allardyce (left) and the sacked Crystal Palace manager Alan Pardew during their 46 Denmark 643 possession are fantastic this season. The Premier League match at the Stadium of Light in Sunderland, England in this file photo of January, 3 2016. 47 Australia 641 strengthening in that area by the club and 48 Congo DR 638 by Alan has brought a lot of flair to the 49 Albania 618 team and I think that has brought quite a managers in the English football when it Allardyce is hoping to bolster the Palace have been in the top flight since 50 Burkina Faso 617

lot more goals. comes to surviving a relegation scrap. squad by signing some players in the Jan- 2013 but only one win in their last 11 "But the other side is that when we The experienced 62-year-old was avail- uary transfer window. league matches has seen them slide into 87 QATAR 411 are not in possession we have got to stop able to Palace after his short reign as "We are certainly trying to make the danger near the foot of the table. conceding and make sure that those goals England manager ended after just 67 days squad a bit bigger with more strength in They are fourth from bottom, one we score win us games. It sounds simple in September following comments he made depth," he said. "The players here are good point above Allardyce's former club Sun- but it's not that easy." in a newspaper sting about "getting around" enough but if we can add to that let's try derland, ahead of tomorrow's match at Allardyce is seen as one of the best FA rules on player transfers. and do it." Watford. West Brom keeper Foster Tevez set to leave Argentina signs new deal London in big-money move to China Reuters est Bromwich Albi- Buenos Aires "With the figures that are the Argentine club on a high. on's former Reuters being handled, it's impossible he Having helped them win the W England goal- won't go," Boca president Daniel league title last year, he starred keeper Ben Foster has signed uch-travelled striker Car- Angelici was quoted as saying at in a 4-2 win over arch-rivals a new 2-1/2 year deal through los Tevez is set to leave the wedding. River Plate in the 'superclasico' to 2019, the Premier League M Boca Juniors for Shang- Earlier on Friday, English two weeks ago, a victory that club announced yesterday. hai Shenhua in the New Year, Premier League leaders Chel- lifted Boca into first place in the The 33-year-old Foster, Argentine media reports said on sea announced that Brazil championship. who recently made his 150th Friday. midfielder Oscar would be join- Tevez leaves just as the team league appearance for Albion, Earlier this month it was ing Shanghai SIPG in the New are gelling again. They have hit has been ever-present this reported that the Chinese club Year. 12 goals in three successive wins season, helping Tony Pulis' had offered a transfer fee of No financial details were but fear that Boca's Argentina side to eighth place in the €84m($87.79m) for Tevez. released but media reports said midfielder Fernando Gago may table. The 32-year-old, who on the club would be paying €60m take the same path after media Former Manchester Thursday married the mother of for Oscar. reports also linked him with a United keeper Foster joined his three children Vanesa Man- Tevez, who played for West move to China. Albion on loan from Birming- silla, is expected to announce next Ham United, Manchester United, "We're talking with (Gago's) ham City in 2011 before week that he will sign a two-year Manchester City and Juventus dur- agent. There's an offer from China Carlos Tevez making the move permanent contract with Shenhua who are ing a decade in Europe after leaving and if it's big we won't be able to 12 months later. He has made coached by former Uruguay mid- Boca for Brazil's Corinthians in compete," Angelici told Radio La 161 appearances in all com- fielder Gus Poyet. 2005, will end his second spell with Red on Friday. petitions, with 41 clean sheets.