TTENNISENNIS | Page 2 NNBABA | Page 5 Rublev Leonard tries to leads charge block out as Clippers hot streak cool off Heat

Sunday, January 26, 2020 CRICKET Jumada II 1, 1441 AH Wood, Broad shine GULF TIMES as England take command over SA SPORT Page 3

TENNIS SPOTLIGHT Federer says ‘epics’ keep him motivated

AFP Melbourne Kyrgios sets oger Federer lives to win titles, but fi ve-set thrillers like his epic against John Millman at the Aus- tralian Open are also a key reason Rwhy he is still playing aged 38. The Swiss master looked out for the count at 4-8 down in a nailbiting fi fth-set super tiebreaker against the gutsy Australian, but up clash somehow found a way back to clinch the third-round clash 4-6, 7-6 (7/2), 6-4, 4-6, 7-6 (10/8). Federer admitted it was “extremely diffi - cult” and he went through the full gamut of emotions. But that is how he likes it. He said the electric atmosphere on Rod Roger Federer hits a return against Laver Arena and the thrill of a match that Australia’s John Millman on Friday. with Nadal stretched for more than four hours was part of why he continues to play. ‘This is just epic man, I don’t even know what’s “Yeah, no doubt,” said the 20-time Grand Slam winner. going on. My legs feel about 40 kilos each’ “I mean, in the moment itself, it’s very gruelling and, at times, very disappointing AFP when you are in situations where you get Melbourne broken in the fi fth or you’re down in the su- “But also being in epic matches like this,” match the intensity of the battle on Friday per breaker and lose the fi rst set. he added. evening. “That’s when you really start wondering, “It doesn’t always have to be finals. As Millman is one of the fi ttest players on ome favourite Nick why couldn’t I close this match earlier and long as the crowds are into it, you have a tour and memorably beat Federer over four Kyrgios went fi ve sets all these things? great battle with an opponent who you tight sets in the round of 16 at the US Open to ensure an Australian “Then all of a sudden you turn the whole really admire and respect, it’s a good in 2018. Open showdown with thing around within, like, two minutes and feeling. “That’s why I mumbled something to RafaelH Nadal yesterday as a series it was so worthwhile, everything that I have “I’m happy I had that match. I hope I him at the net just saying, ‘I have so much of shocks caused carnage in the gone through.” would feel the same way also if I would have respect for you, and it’s such a pity, I’m so women’s draw. After 22 years of Grand Slam tennis, he said lost, to be honest.” sorry, but well played’,” said the Swiss star. Kyrgios survived the longest his motivation remained strong “because of Federer had played 53 fi ve-setters in his Federer next faces unseeded Hungarian match of his career to beat Rus- Australia’s Nick winning titles, trying to win as many matches storied career before meeting Millman, Marton Fucsovics as he guns for a place in sia’s Karen Khachanov 6-2, 7-6 Kyrgios hits a return as possible, enjoy myself out on court”. winning 30 and losing 23, but few could his 15th Australian Open quarter-fi nal. (7/5), 6-7 (6/8), 6-7 (7/9), 7-6 against Russia’s Karen (10/8), collapsing on his back af- Khachanov during their ter the fi fth-set tie-breaker. third round match at “That was insane — I’ve got the Australian Open no words to how I’m feeling right yesterday. now,” he said, after the 4hr 26min Qatar to take on South Korea in final marathon marked by his trade- mark tweeners and exchanges with the umpire. “This is just epic man, I don’t even know what’s going on. My legs feel about 40 kilos each.” The outspoken Aussie now heads into a last-16 clash with Nadal, with whom he has history after calling him “super salty” following criticism from the Spaniard last year. “Whatever happens between us, he’s an amazing player, he’s all went fast my way,” said Mugu- over Kazakhstan’s Yulia Putint- arguably the greatest of all time,” ruza, who raced through the fi rst seva. “I’m sure that for you guys said Kyrgios. set in just 23 minutes. (media) it’s a little bit of shock Top seed Nadal had a compara- Croatian 19th seed Donna when the top-10 players are los- tively easy ride against his Davis Vekic also crumbled to lower- ing,” said Halep, shrugging off the Cup team-mate Pablo Carreno ranked opposition when she lost exodus of top seeds. Busta, racing through 6-1, 6-2, 7-5, 6-3 to Poland’s Iga Swiatek, “But it’s life and we cannot be 6-4 in what he called his “best who is returning from a stress 100% every day.” match of the tournament so far”. fracture in her foot. The Romanian fourth seed While the men’s Big Three of However, Wimbledon cham- will now play Belgium’s Elise Nadal, Roger Federer and Novak pion Simona Halep stayed on Mertens, who won in three sets Djokovic are all still alive, it’s a course with a 6-1, 6-4 victory against CiCi Bellis — ending the diff erent story in the women’s American’s Grand Slam return competition where six of the top from long-term injury. 10 seeds crashed out in the third Angelique Kerber, the 2016 round. After Serena Williams and champion, beat Camila Giorgi title-holder Naomi Osaka fell by 6-2, 6-7 (4/7), 6-3 to set up a The Qatar handball team pose with off icials after beating Bahrain 28-24 in their semi-final match of the Asian Handball Championship in the wayside on Friday, second meeting with Pavlyuchenkova, Kuwait yesterday. Qatar, the defending champions, led from the start to post a clinical win and will take on South Korea in tomorrow’s seed Karolina Pliskova bombed the Russian 30th seed. final. South Korea defeated Japan 34-32 in the other semi-final. Pictures at bottom show glimpses of action from the match. on Saturday with a 7-6 (7/4), 7-6 Elsewhere, Germany’s Alexan- (7/3) defeat to Anastasia Pavly- der Zverev dismissed Fernando uchenkova. Verdasco 6-2, 6-2, 6-4 to set Switzerland’s Belinda Ben- up a last-16 clash with Russia’s cic, the sixth seed, won only one Andrey Rublev, who remained game against Estonia’s Anett unbeaten this year with his 2-6, Kontaveit, the world number 31, 7-6 (7/3), 6-4, 7-6 (7/4) win over as she went down 6-0, 6-1. David Goffi n. And a resurgent Garbine Mu- Austrian fi fth seed Dominic guruza, a two-time Major-win- Thiem came through 6-2, 6-4, ner, thrashed fi fth seed Elina 6-7 (5/7), 6-4 against Taylor Svitolina 6-1, 6-2. Tenth seed Fritz, Gael Monfi ls beat Ernests Madison Keys lost to Maria Gulbis 7-6 (7/2), 6-4, 6-3 and Sakkari on Friday. Spain’s Rafael Nadal Stanislas Wawrinka, the 2014 “I was very concentrated and celebrates after beating champion, progressed when John focused on what I wanted to do, it Spain’s Pablo Carreno Busta. Isner retired in the second set.

RESULTS CHECK

Men’s singles 3rd rd Fritz (USA x29) 6-2, 6-4, 6-7 (5/7), 6-4 (CRO x19) 7-5, 6-3 Nick Kyrgios (AUS x23) bt Karen Stanislas Wawrinka (SUI x15) bt John Elise Mertens (BEL x16) bt Catherine Khachanov (RUS x16) 6-2, 7-6 (7/5), Isner (USA x19) 6-4, 4-1 ret Bellis (USA) 6-1, 6-7 (5/7), 6-0 6-7 (6/8), 6-7 (7/9), 7-6 (10/8) Andrey Rublev (RUS x17) bt David Simona Halep (ROU x4) bt Yulia Alexander Zverev (GER x7) bt Fern- Goff in (BEL x11) 2-6, 7-6 (7/3), 6-4, Putintseva (KAZ) 6-1, 6-4 ando Verdasco (ESP) 6-2, 6-2, 6-4 7-6 (7/4) Garbine Muguruza (ESP) bt Elina Daniil Medvedev (RUS x4) bt Alexei Svitolina (UKR x5) 6-1, 6-2 Popyrin (AUS) 6-4, 6-3, 6-2 Women’s singles 3rd rd Angelique Kerber (GER x17) bt Camila Rafael Nadal (ESP x1) bt Pablo Car- Kiki Bertens (NED x9) bt Zarina Diyas Giorgi (ITA) 6-2, 6-7 (4/7), 6-3 reno Busta (ESP x27) 6-1, 6-2, 6-4 (KAZ) 6-2, 7-6 (7/3) Gael Monfils (FRA x10) bt Ernests Anett Kontaveit (EST x28) bt Belinda Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova (RUS x30) Gulbis (LAT) 7-6 (7/2), 6-4, 6-3 Bencic (SUI x6) 6-0, 6-1 bt Karolina Pliskova (CZE x2) 7-6 (7/4), Dominic Thiem (AUT x5) bt Taylor Iga Swiatek (POL) bt Donna Vekic 7-6 (7/3) Gulf Times 2 Sunday, January 26, 2020 TENNIS

TENNIS/AUSTRALIAN OPEN FOCUS Rublev tries to block out hot Serena not going streak aft er run to Melbourne last 16

AFP in the media, they start say- Melbourne ing, like, you win 10 matches,” quietly as Coco he said. “Then you start to think, ndrey Rublev’s wow, I won 10 matches. “amazing” unbeaten “Of course, it’s amazing start to the season that I win that many match- showed no signs of es in a row. But tennis is this Aslowing yesterday, with the kind of sport that every week Russian young gun rallying is only going to be one winner. makes case as heir from a set down to dump 11th Most of the times you’re going seed David Goffi n from the to lose every week.” Australian Open. Rublev came into the Aus- WILLIAMS’S LAST GRAND SLAM TITLE CAME THREE YEARS AGO IN MELBOURNE The 22-year-old extend- tralian Open on the back of ed his unbeaten streak to 11 winning in Doha and Ad- AFP “I have a lot of admiration for her, but games, beating the Belgian elaide, earning him the dis- Melbourne at the same time the (other) players are 2-6, 7-6 (7/3), 6-4, 7-6 (7/4) tinction of being the fi rst man only getting better and you wonder how to secure a place in the fourth since Dominik Hrbaty in 2004 much better she can get.” round. He will face either sev- to win two titles in the fi rst erena Williams suffered her Williams’s last Grand Slam title came enth seed Alexander Zverev fortnight of a season. earliest exit from the Austral- three years ago in Melbourne, when she or veteran Spaniard Fernando “Everything is great with ian Open since 2006 but the 23- was pregnant with daughter Olympia. Verdasco next in a bid to make the confi dence,” he said. time Grand Slam champion is not The American great has since reached his fi rst quarter-fi nal at Mel- “Sometimes it’s not about Sready to hand over the baton to heir ap- four Slam finals but failed to win a set in bourne Park. confi dence. When you feel the parent Coco Gauff just yet. any of them and her last defeat, in the US The 17th seed said he was ball well, okay, it’s amazing. The 38-year-old Williams was down- Open final, was at the hands of 19-year- trying hard not to think about But you cannot control this. cast but quietly defiant in the aftermath old Canadian Bianca Andreescu. how many times he had won, “Maybe one day you play of her shock third-round loss to Wang If Williams is on the way down, albeit but kept getting reminded really good, then second day Qiang on Friday, the 27th-seeded Chi- reluctantly, Gauff is very much on the about by the media. you’re not playing that good. nese winning 6-4, 6-7 (2/7), 7-5. way up. “To be honest, I was not Then is more about become Five hours later, the 15-year-old Gauff The question now is high and how fast even thinking about it, how mentality. The mental side is pulled off an upset of her own, defeating the teenager — the youngest player in many matches I win, how the most important thing in reigning champion Naomi Osaka 6-3, the draw at the Australian Open — can many matches I lose. It’s more tennis.” 6-4 in 67 minutes. go. Gauff is the youngest player to beat a Gauff and her idol Williams spent defending champion at the Australian time on and off court in pre-season and Open in the Open era, which began in Williams said in Melbourne that she had 1968. been “nowhere near” Gauff’s level when Williams had already won six Grand the same tender age. Slams when Gauff was born in 2004 and Gauff, who faces American 14th seed there heavily symbolism in the older Sofia Kenin in the last 16, watched Wil- American passing the younger one on liams lose while she was waiting for her her way out the Melbourne exit door. clash with Japan’s two-time Grand Slam But Williams signalled that she will champion Osaka. not go quietly in her quest to equal or “I still get nervous when that hap- perhaps surpass the record 24 Grand pens,” Gauff said. Slams won by Australia’s Margaret The fast-emerging American beat Court. Serena’s older sister Venus, a seven- “I feel like I’m on the way up, so we’ll time Major champion, in her Grand Slam see,” Williams said, asked if she will be debut at Wimbledon last year. back at Melbourne Park 12 months from She then repeated the feat in her Mel- now. bourne opener, before dumping out Ro- “I don’t know. I’m not even thinking mania’s Sorana Cirstea after being a set about anything about not being here.” and 3-0 down. And in a show of the commitment that Gauff was left in tears in the third has made her one of the greatest players round at the US Open after a 6-3, 6-0 of all time, Williams said: “I’m definite- mauling to then-world number one and ly going to be training tomorrow. title-holder Osaka. She admitted she “That’s first and foremost, to make was overawed by the occasion. sure I don’t do this again.” But the tables were turned in Mel- But Chris Evert, an 18-time Grand bourne and it was the Japanese who Slam champion, cast doubt on whether wilted under the spotlight of a show- Williams will ever win another Major. down billed as a glimpse into the future “Her best shot now has to be Wim- of women’s tennis. bledon because she’s won that so many “Definitely a difference in the mental- times (seven) and her game is, I think, ity entering into the match,” Gauff said. better suited to that surface than any “I was a lot more calm. This match other,” the retired former number one was hyped up, too, but also US Open was told Australian media. hyped up. “But I’m just amazed that she’s still “I think now coming into this, I’m just Russia’s Andrey Rublev celebrates winning his match against playing at a high level now at 38 years of going to have fun, play my best tennis Belgium’s David Goff in yesterday. age. and see what happens.” Brazil’s Souza gets life SPOTLIGHT ban for match-fixing Rio de Janeiro: Brazilian Joao sport,” TIU said in a statement. Souza has been banned from Souza, who had been pro- Stress-free Zverev cruises past Verdasco into 4th rd tennis for life after being con- visionally suspended since victed of multiple match-fixing March 2019 pending comple- Reuters get past the quarter-fi nals at the majors. and other corruption off ences, tion of the investigation, was Melbourne “It’s so far been a good week for me... the Tennis Integrity Unit (TIU) also fined $200,000 follow- Alexander Zverev It has been getting better. Today was the said yesterday. ing a disciplinary hearing in signs autographs after best match I think I’ve played so far,” A TIU investigation found that London on Jan 14. eventh seed Alexander Zverev his match against Zverev said. the 31-year-old had commit- The TIU said Souza had not credited a stress-free life off court Fernando Verdasco on He did have three double faults against ted several anti-corruption reported corrupt approaches, for his strong run at the Austral- day six of the Verdasco at the Margaret Court Arena but breaches between 2015 and had failed to co-operate with Sian Open after marching into the Australian Open in also served 15 aces while hitting 34 win- 2019 including fixing matches their investigation, including fourth round with a 6-2 6-2 6-4 win over Melbourne yesterday. ners in the match. at ATP Challenger and ITF destroying evidence, and “so- Spanish veteran Fernando Verdasco yes- Zverev broke the 36-year-old Verdasco, Futures tournaments in Brazil, licited other players to not use terday. a former top-10 player who is currently Mexico, the United States and best eff orts” in matches. Zverev arrived in Melbourne lacking ranked 51, twice in each of the fi rst two Czech Republic. Souza reached a career-high confi dence after losing all three of his sin- sets. Verdasco refused to give up and broke “The player is permanently singles ranking of 69 in 2015 gles matches at the inaugural ATP Cup to his opponent in the third to go up 4-2 but ineligible to compete in or and is currently ranked 742. As Australia’s Alex de Minaur, Greek Stefanos Zverev got the set back on serve in the next attend any sanctioned event a doubles player, he achieved Tsitsipas and Canada’s Denis Shapovalov. game and then broke the Spaniard again in organised or recognised by his highest ranking of 70 in His serve has always been one of his the ninth game before serving out to com- the governing bodies of the January 2013. biggest weapons but it looked in complete plete his victory. disarray as the German totalled 31 double- Zverev will meet Russian Andrey Ru- faults during the three defeats. blev, who extended his winning streak to Barty named Young But the 22-year-old has bounced back 11-0 for the season with a 2-6 7-6(3) 6-4 Australian of the Year splendidly at the year’s fi rst Grand Slam, 7-6(4) win over 11th seed David Goffi n where he has not lost a set as he advanced earlier yesterday, for a place in the quar- Melbourne: Ash Barty was to the fourth round for the second straight ter-fi nals. named Young Australian of time. Zverev said he had been friends with the Year yesterday in recogni- “Generally I’m happy outside the court, Rublev since they were 10-year-olds. tion of her rise to number one happy on the court, happy in life,” he said. form your best. I have a pretty calm life Rafa Nadal and Roger Federer who have “He’s one of the most hard-hitting in the world and Grand Slam “Then I think you play your best. right now, which is nice for me.” shared the last 12 majors between them. players on tour. Out of every position, he triumph at last year’s French “When you have stress outside, when Zverev was once considered one of the But the German, who beat Federer and can hit a winner,” he said. “He’s somebody Open. you have stress that I had last year with leading ‘Next Gen’ contenders to break the Djokovic on his way to the 2018 ATP Fi- that is very young still but always is work- Barty was her country’s first all sorts of things, you’re not going to per- Grand Slam hegemony of Novak Djokovic, nals title, fell off the radar as he failed to ing and always is improving.” number one women’s ten- nis player since her fellow indigenous Australian Evonne Goolagong Cawley in 1976 when she first reached the top Monfi ls perplexed by PlayStation injury story spot in June last year. “Ash Barty is the world’s Melbourne: Great entertainer resulted from him hitting the up a good story like that. Now moment,” said Monfils. alone. number one tennis player, Gael Monfils charged into the bedboard in frustration while on you know.” The Frenchman will “So I just have to be myself, try The 26-year-old’s name comes a champion athlete and an for a place in the quarter-finals fourth round of the Australian his PlayStation. face fifth seed Dominic Thiem in to figure out with my coach a up frequently on lists of younger extraordinary young woman as she continues her quest Open yesterday before rounding “I say this in a funny way but it’s the last 16 as he looks to reach good way to beat him. I feel fine players who could make a Grand doing our nation proud,” said to give her country a first on the media for a “made up” a disgrace to be honest with you the quarter-finals at Melbourne physically, so that will help.” Slam breakthrough this year, but Danielle Roche, who chaired homegrown champion at the story about him injuring his because I’m fine,” the 33-year-old Park for the second time after Thiem reached the fourth round Monfils said winning one of the the National Australia Day tournament since 1978. hand while playing video games. told reporters. 2016. Monfils has never beaten on Saturday with a 6-2 6-4 6-7(5) sport’s four major prizes was still Council. The award, handed out on The 10th seed ousted Ernests “I’m in second week, playing the twice Roland Garros finalist 6-4 win over American Taylor a realistic goal for him too. “Her achievements are inspir- the eve of the Australia Day Gulbis 7-6(2) 6-4 6-3 on Mel- great tennis. I never said I was in five attempts. Fritz that was more diff icult that “I love the game. I love waking ing young Australians to national holiday, was also bourne Arena showing no signs hurt. Playing PlayStation, this? “He’s always tricky and has the scoreline suggested, with up every morning with the goal follow their dreams.” won by Lleyton Hewitt in of a hand injury French media Come on? And it’s easy, because improved a lot on hard court. I the Austrian having to save six to win a slam for the first time,” Barty is in Melbourne for the 2003 — the year after he won reports last weekend had said I think I’m a good name to make think he’s playing great at the break points in the second set he said. Australian Open and will play his second Grand Slam title at American Alison Riske today Wimbledon. Gulf Times Sunday, January 26, 2020 3 CRICKET

TWENTY20 Pakistan thump sloppy Bangladesh for series win AFP played a lot of youngsters, the six in his 11th T20 fi fty as the Lahore idea was to increase our talent two added 131 for the unbroken pool to give us more options go- second wickets stand. Earlier, ing into the World Cup.” Bangladesh failed to better their kipper Babar Azam and Bangladesh captain Mah- unimpressive total of 141-5 on senior batsman Mo- mudullah said defeats were Friday as they found Pakistan hamed Hafeez stroked disappointing.“Defi nitely, dis- bowling led by paceman Mo- masterful half-centuries appointed to lose,” said the Bang- hamed Hasnain’s 2-20 hard to toS steer Pakistan to a convincing ladesh skipper. “We didn’t apply get off .Opener Mohamed Naim nine-wicket win over a hapless ourselves with the bat, except for fell off the very fi rst ball he faced, Bangladesh in the second Twen- Tamim. Should’ve scored 150- caught behind by wicketkeeper ty20 international in Lahore 160. Intent was there, credit to Mohamed Rizwan off lanky left- yesterday. Pakistan’s bowlers. “We didn’t arm paceman Shaheen Shah Af- Babar scored a 44-ball 66 not fi nish off well. Not sure yet how ridi who fi nished with 1-22. out for his 13th half-century we’ll go for the last game, maybe It could have been worse had and Hafeez made an undefeated we’ll try to play some reserves, Rizwan hang on to an inside edge 49-ball 67 to guide Pakistan to but we need to come hard at off Iqbal’s bat off a luckless Ha- a modest 137-run target in 16.4 them and win the game.” snan when the batsman was 16. overs at Gaddafi stadium, tak- Pakistan won the fi rst match, Iqbal took full advantage of ing an unbeatable 2-0 lead in the also in Lahore on Friday, by fi ve the lapse, hitting seven bounda- three-match series. wickets. The fi nal match is at the ries and a six during his labori- Bangladesh again failed to put same venue tomorrow. Pakistan ous knock. Bangladesh’s highest up a challenging total despite were never in trouble despite partnership was 31 for the fourth opener Tamim Iqbal’s 53-ball 65, losing opener Ahsan Ali in the wicket as Afi f Hossain knocked a managing 136-6 in their 20 overs second over, caught by Mah- six and a boundary in his 20-ball after winning the toss and batting mudullah Riyad off paceman 21 before he holed out off Hasnain. for a second consecutive match. Shafi ul Islam in the second over. Skipper Mahmudullah scored Pakistan skipper Babar put the World number one Twenty20 run-a-ball 12 as Bangladesh man- victory down to “team work”. batsman Babar, who was out aged 48 in the last fi ve overs. “Credit for my captaincy goes without scoring on Friday, was to the players,” said Babar, who in a punishing mood right from now has two wins in fi ve matches the outset, hitting seven bound- BRIEF SCORES as captain. aries and a six in his knock. Pakistan 137 for 1 (Hafeez 67*, “The seniors and bowlers Hafeez, recalled after 14 Babar 66*) beat Bangladesh 136 make it easy for me. The se- months in the Twenty20 side, for 6 (Tamim 65, Hasnain 2-20) Pakistan’s cricket team captain Babar Azam and Mohamed Hafeez (second right) greet Bangladesh players after winning the second T20 ries win was much-needed, we stroked nine boundaries and a by nine wickets. international at the Gaddafi Cricket Stadium in Lahore yesterday. (AFP)

REPORT PREVIEW India aim for another stellar show against Wood stars as New Zealand

IANS high-scoring games with short Auckland boundaries. Indian pace spear- head Jasprit Bumrah had twisted his ankle in his fi nal over on Fri- fter securing a thump- day and received on-fi eld treat- England dominate ing six-wicket victory ment immediately. in the fi rst T20I, Team However, he was able to bowl India will look to con- out the remaining four deliveries, England scored 400 in first tinueA with their winning run and which are positive signs for the extend the lead when they take visitors and they would hope that innings and then reduced on New Zealand in the second he bowls with his full throttle to match of the ongoing fi ve-match cause discomfort for the hosts. the hosts to 88 for six series at the Eden Park today. The Men in Blue are expected to South Africa Virat Kohli’s men have won retain the same XI unless they are seven out of their last eight forced to make a change. AFP wicket between captain Joe Root T20Is, and four on the trot. And Black Caps, on the other Johannesburg and Ollie Pope, were compiled another win in Auckland would hand, might look to make in by recognised batsmen. present them a great chance some changes, especially to their The last wicket stand prob- to win the series – something bowling department which ap- ark Wood starred ably hurt South Africa the most. which they haven’t been able to peared to lack potency in the as England took a Wood and Stuart Broad, batting achieve in their previous two at- fi rst game. Their batters, Colin huge stride towards at numbers 10 and 11, hit seven tempts in New Zealand. Munro, Kane Williamson, Ross securing a series sixes between them and put on India claimed the opening Taylor all scored runs which is a Mwin when they dominated the 82 off only 50 balls. fi xture, thanks to a solid bat- good sign for the hosts. second day of the fourth and fi - The Wood-Broad stand was ting performance while chasing However, it their bowling unit nal Test against South Africa at devastating for South Africa as a stiff 204-run target. KL Rahul, which has to step up and pick the Wanderers Stadium yester- England turned a respectable Virat Kohli and Shreyas Iyer were wickets at crucial junctures of day. total into one which by the end all among the runs, as the visitors the game, something which Wil- England posted a fi rst innings of the day looked too big for the went across the line with an over liamson himself pointed out af- total of 400 before reducing hosts, who have yet to make 300 to spare. Iyer, in particular, was ter the fi rst game. South Africa to 88 for six by the in an innings in the series. in excellent touch, slamming an In the absence of the injured close. South Africa’s bowling, with unbeaten 58 with a strike rate of duo of Trent Boult and Lockie Two century partnerships and the exception of Nortje, was 200 and bagged his fi rst Player of Ferguson, the spotlight will be on a boisterous last-wicket stand of largely toothless. Nortje bowled the Match award. Tim Southee, who wasn’t quite 82 took England to a total which tirelessly at high pace and took In fact, batsmen from both the at his best as he went wicketless almost certainly put the match fi ve for 110, his fi rst fi ve-wicket sides had a great game on Fri- in his four-over spell and con- beyond the reach of South Af- haul in Test cricket. day. As many as fi ve fi fties were ceded 48 runs. All in all, another rica, who need a win to level the Nortje dismissed both Pope scored in the match and thus high-scoring game will be up for series. for 56 and Root for 59 after the on Sunday, it’ll be the bowl- cards on Sunday with bowlers Then it was the turn of the pair had dominated the fi rst ers who’ll play a decisive role expected to make the diff erence bowlers, led by Wood, as Eng- hour of play, adding 66 runs to at a venue which has produced between the two sides. land pushed for a third succes- England’s overnight total of 192 sive win in a series which they for four. lead 2-1. Thanks largely to Nortje, ICC UNDER-19 WORLD CUP South Africa fi nished the day England were reduced to 318 for England’s Mark Wood celebrates with teammates after taking the wicket of South Africa’s Anrich Nortje still 312 runs behind, with Quin- nine. Then came 41 minutes of yesterday. (Reuters) ton de Kock their only consistent mayhem as Wood and Broad in- batsman during the series, seek- dulged themselves against some Scorecard S. Africa book Super ing to give the innings some re- mediocre bowling when Nortje spectability today. was out of the attack. ENGLAND 1st innings (overnight S. Broad c Malan b Paterson 43 H. van der Dussen c Stokes b Wood made the fi rst break- Captain Faf du Plessis resort- 192-4) Extras (lb9, nb3, w4) 16 Curran 0 League quarter spot through when he had Pieter Ma- ed to placing most of his fi elders Z. Crawley c Van der Dussen b F. du Plessis lbw b Woakes 3 lan caught behind for 15. on the boundary but Wood (35 Total (98.2 overs) 400 Arab Emirates 112 for 3 in 23.5 Philander 66 Q. de Kock not out 32 Agencies He followed up with the not out) and Broad (43) either hit Fall of wickets: 1-107 (Sibley), Bloemfontein, South Africa overs (Figy 36*, Aravind 31) by wicket of the recalled Temba Ba- over them or found the gaps. D. Sibley c De Kock b Hendricks 44 2-116 (Crawley), 3-150 (Denly), T. Bavuma c Stokes b Wood 6 23 runs (DLS method). vuma, then fi nished the day on a In contrast, South African J. Denly c Van der Dussen b Pater- 4-157 (Stokes), 5-258 (Pope), A. Nortje c Denly b Wood 6 high when nightwatchman An- openers Dean Elgar and Malan son 27 6-269 (Root), 7-269 (Curran), nother dominant dis- FIRST WIN FOR ENGLAND Extras 0 rich Nortje was caught at gully in could only score 11 runs in 12 J. Root c De Kock b Nortje 59 8-309 (Buttler), 9-318 (Woakes) play with the bat from England notched up an eight- the last over of the day. overs before tea as they made a Total (6 wkts, 41.5 overs) 88 Bryce Parsons and wicket victory over Nigeria for B. Stokes c Van der Dussen b Nortje 2 Bowlers: Philander 20-2-50-2 He had fi gures of three for cautious start to their innings. (2nb), Hendricks 23-3-111-1 (2w), Fall of wickets: 1-29 (Malan), 2-37 good support from their fi rst win in the fi nal Group 21. Sam Curran, Ben Stokes and They lifted the tempo after the O. Pope b Nortje 56 LukeA Beaufort were the catalysts D game. All-rounder George Nortje 24-1-110-5 (1nb, 2w), (Van der Dussen), 3-43 (Elgar), Chris Woakes picked up a wicket interval but Wood’s pace undid J. Buttler c Elgar b Philander 20 Paterson 20.2-3-86-2, Pretorius 4-60 (Du Plessis), 5-74 (Bavuma), as the South Africa qualifi ed for Hill, playing his fi rst game of the each. Malan to end an opening stand the ICC Under-19 Cricket World tournament, fi nished with fi g- S. Curran c De Kock b Nortje 0 11-3-34-0 6-88 (Nortje) England’s total was built of 29. Cup Super League quarter-fi nals ures of 4 for 12 to help England Bowling: Broad 9-3-13-0, Curran around three big partnerships. It proved to be South Africa’s C. Woakes c Du Plessis b Nortje 32 SOUTH AFRICA 1st innings yesterday. bowl Nigeria out for only 58 in 7-3-11-1, Woakes 10-5-16-1, Wood The fi rst two, 107 for the fi rst biggest partnership of a miser- D. Elgar c Woakes b Stokes 26 South Africa were triumphant 27.5 overs. M. Wood not out 35 8.5-1-21-3, Stokes 7-1-27-1. wicket between Zak Crawley and able day, while England left the P. Malan c Buttler b Wood 15 over the United Arab Emir- England chased down the Dom Sibley and 101 for the fi fth fi eld in high spirits. ates (UAE) by 23 runs on the target with opener Sam Young Duckworth-Lewis-Stern (DLS) fi nishing the game off with a method after the match was six, racing to 64 for two in just abandoned with only 23.5 overs 11 overs. Nigeria had opted to Stokes fi ned by ICC aft er foul language rant at spectator bowled in the second innings. bat fi rst, but the England seam- They will now face Bangladesh ers reduced them to 19 for three England all-rounder Ben Stokes was fined and given a for England Men’s Cricket said other England personnel not the only one to suff er abuse and made a request for in the next round on January 30 early before bowling them out demerit point by the International Cricket Council (ICC) had been abused and issued a strong condemnation. “I the stadium to beef up security around the England team. in Potchefstroom. Parsons and cheaply. Off -spinner Hamidul- on Saturday after a foul-mouthed row with a spectator on wish to apologise for my language that was heard on the “In addition to this incident, members of our support staff Beaufort recorded fi ne half- lah Qadri also took four wickets. Friday in the Test against South Africa. Stokes was shown live broadcast today after my dismissal. I should not have were subjected to personal abuse during and after the centuries during their 152-run In a Group A game at Potchef- on television exchanging insults with a spectator as he reacted in that way,” said Stokes. day’s play,” he said. “We have requested to the venue to partnership to help the South stroom, Japan slumped to 43 all walked off the field after being caught cheaply for two “As I was leaving the playing area, I was subjected to ensure that security and stewarding are enhanced for the Africa post 299-8 before three out against Sri Lanka. runs in England’s first innings on the opening day of the repeated abuse from the crowd. I admit that my reac- remainder of the match so that players and staff members wickets from the home side in In a match reduced to 22 overs fourth test at The Wanderers, known as ‘the bullring’ for its tion was unprofessional and I sincerely apologise for can go about their duties without provocation,” Giles UAE’s innings and two rain de- a side, Sri Lanka chose to bowl, often hostile atmosphere. He was fined 15 percent of his the language I used, especially to the many young fans added. Stokes is the latest in a long list of players to have lays restricted the visitors to 112- and needed only 18.3 overs to run match fee and given a demerit point after being charged watching the live telecast around the world. spats with spectators at The Wanderers, where there is a 3 before the match was called off . through Japan’s line-up, and 8.3 by the ICC with a level one off ence of “use of an audible “Throughout the Tests so far, the support from both sets long walk from the dressing rooms to the pitch, alongside overs to complete their chase. obscenity”. Stokes admitted the off ence and accepted of fans (England and South Africa) has been brilliant. One a grassy bank often filled with boozy spectators. Televi- BRIEF SCORES Zimbabwe beat Scotland by the sanction, the ICC said. He apologised several hours incident will not ruin such a competitive series, which we sion pictures did not show Stokes being insulted but did South Africa 299 for 8 (Beaufort eight wickets in a Group C en- after the incident, while Ashley Giles, Managing Director are determined to win,” he added. Giles said Stokes was show him swearing in response to obvious provocation. 85, Parsons 84, Bird 43, Lakra counter which was reduced to 42 3-48, Sanchit 3-57) beat United overs a side due to rain. Gulf Times 4 Sunday, January 26, 2020 SPORT

GOLF MOTORSPORT Ott Tanak says ‘everything fi ne’ Palmer surges into aft er crash, targets Sweden leg

AFP cidents happen,” the Estonian Gap, France said. lead, Tiger battles “It was a high speed acci- dent but it’s okay, all okay.” tt Tanak said he was He added that in his recon- eager to get back naissance notes he had put behind the wheel that the stretch of road where for the next leg of he lost control should be taken theO championship as he was “almost” fl at out. “We spent released from hospital yester- the night in the hospital just as back at Torrey Pines day following his spectacular a precaution. Boring.” Monte Carlo Rally crash. The second leg of the World “Everything is fi ne, all the RallY Championship is sched- Palmer fires 11 birdies for two stroke lead; Fowler, Mickelson and Schauff ele miss the cut tests at the hospital are good so uled for February 13-16 in Swe- there’s no worries,” the world den. It is traditionally the only champion said in the French rally in the series held on snow, Alpine town of Gap. but is in doubt because there “The safety devices really has been no snow. Tanak said did their job.” he hoped the rally took place. On Friday, Tanak and co- “I would defi nitively love driver Martin Jarveoja fl ew off going to Sweden,” he said. “It’s the icy road at over 180 kilo- one of my favourite rallies.” metres an hour. Their Hyundai Meanwhile Welsh driver El- spun through the air and rolled fyn Evans took over the Monte several times before coming to Carlo Rally lead from Toyota a standstill, badly damaged, on teammate Sebastien Ogier a road 100m below. yesterday, putting himself in The crash put the car out of pole position to strike an early the race and both men were season blow over the six-time kept in hospital for 24 hours world champion. for observation. Tanak did not The Rally of Monte Carlo explain the crash. concludes with four stages “It was an accident and ac- today.

This video grab taken from handout footage released by WRC, shows the wreckage of the vehicle of Estonian driver Ott Tanak and his co-driver Martin Jarveoja after they left the course during the Monte-Carlo Rally’s 7th special stage between Saint Clément- sur-Durance and Freissinière on Friday. (AFP)

BADMINTON Ryan Palmer plays a shot during the second round of the Farmers Insurance Tiger Woods chips out of the bunker on the fourth hole during the second round of the Farmers Insur- Open at Torrey Pines North in San Diego. (Getty Images./AFP) ance Open at Torrey Pines South. (Getty Images./AFP) Japan’s Yamaguchi, Reuters LEADING SCORES Four players were tired for San Diego third including J B Holmes and 134-Ryan Palmer 72-62 139-Cameron Champ 71-68, don Wu 68-72, Mark Anderson Jhonattan Vegas, who have each Nishimoto in fi nals 136-Brandt Snedeker 69-67 Patrick Rodgers 70-69, Stewart 74-66, Richy Werenski 72-68, Joel won multiple PGA Tour events, yan Palmer’s birdie blitz 137-JB Holmes 68-69, Jhonattan Cink 68-71, Collin Morikawa 70-69, Dahmen 67-73, Scott Stallings with the dangerous Patrick Reed AFP cal favourite after star Thai vaulted him into a two- Vegas (VEN) 69-68, Sebastian Jon Rahm (ESP) 68-71 71-69, Billy Horschel 68-72, Tony lurking among the group tied for Bangkok women’s shuttler Ratchanok stroke lead while Tiger Cappelen (DEN) 66-71, Matthew 140-JJ Spaun 73-67, Im Sung-jae Finau 70-70, Rory McIlroy 67-73, seventh. Rory McIlroy, who can Intanon was knocked out of Woods recovered from a NeSmith 67-70 (KOR) 67-73, Marc Leishman Hideki Matsuyama become world number one for competition at Bangkok’s In- terribleR start in the second round 138- the fi rst time since 2015 with a op seed and world door Stadium Huamark on Beau Hossler 72-66, Keegan (AUS) 68-72, Kang Sung (KOR) (JPN) 73-67, Chris Baker 72-68, of the Farmers Insurance Open Bradley 66-72, Zac Blair 72-66, 69-71, Bubba Watson 67-73, Jason Tiger Woods 69-71, Tyler Mc- win today, had a solid start but number three Akane Friday. at Torrey Pines on Friday. Patrick Reed 69-69, Harry Higgs Day (AUS) 73-67, Jordan Spieth Cumber 72-68, Ben Taylor (ENG) struggled toward the fi nish with Yamaguchi fought her But home advantage was The sizzling Palmer had 11 70-68 70-70, Lucas Glover 73-67, Bran- 71-69. three bogeys on the back nine way into the women’s not enough to stop Nishimoto, birdies with his only blemish for a round of one-over par. Like Tsingles fi nals of the Thailand who ended Kunlavut’s tour- being a bogey on his fi nal hole Woods, the Northern Irishman is Masters yesterday after a gru- nament run in two sets 21-18, to shoot a 10-under par 62 on Tour victory. “If I keep driving an expletive under his breath af- IT’S A MARATHON four-under for the tournament. elling three-set victory over 21-13. a sunny day at the ocean-side the ball the way I have been, I’ll ter a rare four putt. Woods said his trouble on Friday Defending champion Justin Spain’s Carolina Marin. Today Nishimoto is up course. After shooting an even have some chances. It’s awesome But the 15-time major cham- had nothing to do with any add- Rose, world number 25 Rickie The Japanese shuttler against the number three seed opening round, the 43-year-old to shoot a low round like that but pion, gunning for a record- ed pressure he feels about break- Fowler, veteran Phil Mickelson dropped the fi rst set but from Hong Kong Angus Ng Ka came alive on the North Course it’s always tough to follow it up. breaking 83rd PGA Tour victory ing Sam Snead’s longstanding and San Diego native Xander launched a fi erce comeback to Long, who beat China’s Shi Yu to sit on 134 at the halfway point. But it’s exciting and I love where this week, then settled down, record. “Shot by shot got me to Schauff ele were among the play- squeeze by Marin 14-21, 23-21, Qi in the other semi-fi nals 21- Palmer said remaining accu- my game is at.” mixing fi ve birdies with two bo- 82,” he said. ers who missed the cut at Torrey 21-18, setting up a champion- 18, 21-19. rate off the tee would be crucial Palmer leads fellow American geys the rest of the way to sit six “It’s one of those things where Pines, which is perched on the ship match against Korea’s An The Thailand Masters is when play is limited to the more Brandt Snedeker, who is eight- strokes off the lead heading into it’s just a process, it’s a mara- cliff s over the Pacifi c Ocean. Se-young. the second competition this challenging South Course over under after two rounds. Woods the weekend. thon, it’s four days, it’s a long Torrey Pines is also located Compatriot Kenta Nishi- month to not feature men’s the weekend. had a disastrous start with a “Not exactly the best of starts haul. Just trying to be there at near Naval Base San Diego and moto also earned a fi nals berth world number one Kento Mo- “The rough is thick enough to double bogey on the par-four but I fi gured it out and turned it the end and you never know fi ghter jets frequently roar over- in the men’s singles after stop- mota after the Japanese su- where you have to hit the driver fi rst on the South Course due to around,” Woods said. “Unfortu- what happens at the end,” added head during the tournament ping Thailand’s hometown perstar was injured in a car good and fortunately we’re do- some uncharacteristically care- nately made a mistake at 17 that Woods, who is an eight-time while thrill seekers can be seen hope, 18-year-old Kunlavut crash that killed his driver and ing that,” said Palmer, who is less putting. The 44-year-old cost me a shot. Good birdie at 18 winner at Torrey Pines including parasailing off the picturesque Vitidsarn. left him with minor injuries in aiming for his fi fth career PGA American grimaced and uttered though.” the 2008 U.S. Open. coast. Kunlavut was the lo- Kuala Lumpur.

FOCUS China’s Wu takes slender lead into fi nal round Reuters LEADING AND SELECTED SCORES Dubai 205-Wu Ashun (CHN) 69-69-67 76-70-66, Jack Singh-Brar 71-71-70, Michaël Lorenzo- 206-Victor Perez (FRA) 73-66-67 Vera (FRA) 74-71-67 hina’s Wu Ashun eagled 207- Bryson DeChambeau (USA) 70-67-70, Kurt 213-Benjamin Hébert (FRA) 72-73-68, Mikko Korho- his opening hole and Kitayama (USA) 69-70-68, Tom Lewis 73-69-65 nen (FIN) 74-71-68, Kalle Samooja (FIN) 69-74-70, rode the momentum as 208-Eddie Pepperell 69-67-72 Sebastian Heisele (GER) 70-69-74, Thomas Pieters he took a one-shot lead 209-Tommy Fleetwood 75-65-69, Dean Burmester (BEL) 67-77-69, Sergio Garcia (ESP) 71-72-70, Jordan afterC the third round at the Dubai (RSA) 69-68-72, Ignacio Elvira (ESP) 73-70-66 Smith 72-70-71 Desert Classic yesterday. 210-Soren Kjeldsen (DEN) 69-76-65, Shane Lowry SELECTED Wu added four birdies and a 72-69-69, Grant Forrest 73-68-69 215-Ian Poulter (ENG) 71-73-71 single bogey on his way to a fi ve- 211-Robert MacIntyre 74-70-67, Romain Langasque 216-Louis Oosthuizen (RSA) 71-72-73, Martin under-par 67 at the Emirates (FRA) 69-69-73, Jeff Winther (DEN) 76-70-65, Adrià Kaymer (GER) 72-71-73 Golf Club as he chases his fi rst Arnaus (ESP) 72-68-71, Lucas Herbert (AUS) 69-71-71, 218-Danny Willett 76-70-72 European Tour title since win- Christiaan Bezuidenhout (RSA) 73-66-72 219-Padraig Harrington 71-75-73, Lee Westwood ning the 2018 KLM Open in the 212-Viktor Hovland (NOR) 71-70-71, Ryan Fox (NZL) 78-68-73 Netherlands. He moved to 11 under par overall, one shot clear of French- cup for an eagle at the par-four DeChambeau, fellow American geys in a round of 70. “I’m (feel- man Victor Perez, who racked up opening hole. Kurt Kitayama and Englishman ing) worse today. I couldn’t hear six birdies on the back nine to “Today my short game was Tom Lewis fi nished two shots off anything out of my right ear un- match Wu’s 67. great, just great. I got a feeling the lead, with overnight leader til number 13 it fi nally popped,” On the day his country wel- just good chips and good with Eddie Pepperell a shot further he said. comed the Lunar New Year, Wu the putter. back. “That was helpful a little bit, was relaxed about his chances “I’m very comfortable and Lewis carding the best round but, boy, was it a struggle out heading into today’s fi nal round. very relaxed for the weekend of the day with a 65, there for me on the greens to- “That’s my ‘Happy Chinese and playing the fi nal round. I’m DeChambeau, who has been day.” New Year Shot’,” he said of his always happy to play the fi nal feeling under the weather this Overnight leader Eddie Pep- second shot that hit the front round in the fi nal group.” weekend, enjoyed a birdie-birdie perell signed for a par 72 to be of the green and rolled into the Defending champion Bryson fi nish but also carded four bo- placed sixth, eight under. Wu Ashun of China reacts after a shot during the third day of Omega Dubai Desert Classic yesterday. (AFP) Gulf Times Sunday, January 26, 2020 5 SPORT

NBA Barzal edges out McDavid as NHL’s fastest skater

New York Islanders rising star Mathew Barzal dethroned Connor McDavid, Leonard leads ending the fellow Canadian’s three- year run as the NHL’s fastest skater during the 2020 NHL all-star skills competition on Friday in St. Louis. charge as Clippers Barzal edged out McDavid skating a lap in 13.17 seconds, compared to Mc- David’s 13.21. Also, Shea Weber ham- mered a 106.5 mph slapshot to claim the hardest shot title, his fourth straight victory when he’s participated in the event. The cool off Heat St. Louis Blues netminder Jordan Binnington, won the goaltender competition in which goalies attempt to make the most saves Leonard, who scored 17 points in third, now has seven straight 30-point-plus games in a row while facing penalty-shot attempts. Also, Ann-Renee Desbiens made 15 saves for Canada in a 2-1 win over the USA in AFP the Elite Women’s 3-on-3 game. Los Angeles, United States Kings hire paralysed hockey awhi Leonard recorded his fi rst career triple double with player as content co-ordinator 33 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists as the Los Angeles Clip- Jack Jablonski’s dream of joining an NHL organisation was Kpers handed the Miami Heat a rare home realised on Friday, when the Los Angeles Kings had him sign a loss with a 122-117 victory on Friday. contract this week, eight-plus years after he was paralysed in Leonard, who scored 17 points in the a high school hockey game in Minnesota. The recent Southern critical third quarter, was named an NBA California graduate will use his communications degree as a all-star game starter for the fourth time content co-ordinator, while also being involved in podcasting, on Thursday. He now has seven straight radio and television. Jablonski was playing in a game on Dec. 30-point-plus games. 20, 2011 for Benilde-St. Margaret’s of St. Louis Park, Minnesota, Clippers guard Landry Shamet had 22 when he was hit from behind and sent head-first into the boards. points as Los Angeles went from down The subsequent spinal-cord injury left him paralysed. His Twitter six points to up 15 in the game-changing bio states that he is a paralysed hockey player who “won’t be third quarter. forever,” and that he is striving to prove doctors wrong. The Clippers had trailed by 15 at one point in the fi rst period. Jimmy Butler had a team high 20 points Gretzky: Ovechkin has ‘chance’ for the Heat, who entered the game with the NBA’s best home record at 20-1. to break goals record He also tallied eight rebounds and sev- en assists before going out with a right- Wayne Gretzky said he believes Alex Ovechkin has “a real ankle injury in the fourth quarter. legitimate chance” to skate past him for the NHL record in goals. The Heat’s only home losses this sea- What’s more, “The Great One” said he wants a front-row seat to son have come against Los Angeles teams watch “The Great Eight” should it happen. While Ovechkin (692 — they lost to the Lakers on December 13. goals) still has a ways to go to catch Gretzky (894), the latter told Elsewhere, Nikola Jokic had 27 points NHL.com on Friday that he has no issues with his goal-scoring and 12 rebounds as the Denver Nuggets record being broken. “I’m a big believer that records are made beat the New Orleans Pelicans 113-106, to be broken,” Gretzky said. “What I accomplished, I’m very nullifying a second-straight strong per- proud of... But there’s no question in my mind that he has a real formance by No 1 draft pick Zion Wil- legitimate chance of doing it.” Ovechkin, 34, has showed no liamson. signs of slowing down this season, as the Washington Capitals Williamson had 15 points and six re- captain has recorded a hat trick in each of his last two games to bounds in 21 playing minutes two nights boost his goal total to a team-best 34 on the season. The three- after scoring 22 points in his long-await- time Hart Trophy recipient resides ninth all-time in goals scored, ed NBA debut. Williamson shot seven of LA Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard (second from right) shoots the ball during the second half of the NBA game at American Airlines although he is just two shy of tying Hall of Famer Mark Messier nine from the fi eld against the Nuggets. Arena in Miami, United States, on Friday. (USA TODAY Sports) for eighth place. “There’s nothing wrong with what we’re doing,” said Pelicans coach Alvin the win in front of a crowd of 16,300 at for arguing a foul call against Grant. Gentry on Williamson’s limited playing Smoothie King Center arena. Elsewhere, Russell Westbrook deliv- RESULTS Florida Panthers to host 2021 time. Porter had 15 points and 10 rebounds ered a season-high 45 points to power the Milwaukee 116-103 Charlotte “I hear every night that I’m the dumb- and Craig had 15 points and 10 rebounds Houston Rockets to a 131-124 win over All-Star Game LA Clippers 122-117 Miami est coach in the world. ‘Why would I take for the Nuggets, who had a 56-45 re- the Minnesota Timberwolves in Minne- the guy out in the last fi ve minutes?’ bounding advantage. apolis. Indiana 129-118 Golden State The Florida Panthers will host the 2021 NHL All-Star Game, com- “I’ll live with that knowing we’re doing Jerami Grant added 14 points, Will Bar- Westbrook scored 27 second-half Phoenix 103-99 San Antonio missioner Gary Bettman announced on Friday. Florida hosted the right thing.” ton had 13 and Monte Morris and Malik points and dominated down the stretch Toronto 118-112 New York once previously, in 2003. That was the first time a shootout The Pelicans dropped to 0-2 since the Beasley scored 10 each. to help the Rockets fend off the Timber- decided an NHL outcome, won by the Western Conference 6-5. NBA’s future star was activated for the JJ Redick led the Pelicans with 18 wolves, who attempted to rally behind Sacramento 98-81 Chicago The league adopted the shootout as the regular-season tiebreak- fi rst time this season on Wednesday. points, Josh Hart added 15, Brandon Karl-Anthony Towns’ 30 points. Houston 131-124 Minnesota ing procedure at the start of 2005-06. “We are in discussions “I am out here doing everything I can Ingram scored 13, Jrue Holiday 12 and Andrew Wiggins fi nished with 28 Houston 131-106 New Orleans with the Players Association about giving a distinct international to help my team win,” said Williamson. “I E’Twaun Moore 10. points as Minnesota lost their eighth flavor to next year’s All-Star Game, but more detail will come at a am not going to sugar coat nothing. They straight game. Oklahoma City 140-111 Atlanta later date,” Bettman said. NHL All-Star Weekend at BB&T Center outrebounded us.” COACH EJECTED Houston’s James Harden missed all six Memphis 125-112 Detroit in Sunrise, Fla., will include the NHL All-Star Skills on Jan. 29, Jokic, Michael Porter and Torrey Craig Nuggets coach Michael Malone was of his three point attempts and scored a Boston 109-98 Orlando 2021, and the NHL All-Star Game on Jan 30, 2021. all fi nished with double-doubles in ejected from the game in the third quarter season low 12 points.

SPOTLIGHT LeBron James has big fan in Michael Jordan

By Tania Ganguli to make an impact on a fran- more years to do some damage, Los Angeles Times (tca/dpa) chise, I used it as motivation,” is what makes it so impressive,” James said of Bryant. “He helped Lakers wing Danny Green said. me before he even knew of me “He’s still at the top of his game. he instinct is powerful in because of what he was able to It’s year 17 he’s still got at least many sports discussions. do. So, just to be able to, at this three more years to play some If a player from one point of my career, to share the good quality basketball.” era faced a player from same jersey that he wore. Be with When Green was asked if he Tanother, who would win? Does this historical franchise and just knew how close James was to record-setting and record- represent the purple and gold, passing Bryant on the all-time breaking mean a consistent it’s very humbling and it’s dope.” scoring list, he smiled. upward trend in sports? Can Bryant scored 33,643 points “I’ve heard,” he said. an athlete’s transcendence be in his career — 60 of them in his The anticipation for the feat measured by how many points fi nal game. He won fi ve champi- has been building for the last they have accounted for during onships with the Lakers and was week as the Lakers make their their career? called the greatest Laker ever by annual Grammy trip. That’s the question that Magic Johnson. Bryant attended He was 81 points shy when the naturally follows milestones, only one Lakers game in the Lakers faced the Boston Celtics and one that surfaced on Friday 2018-19 season and has been less — what a tribute that would have in Paris when Michael Jordan, scarce this season, bringing his been. He was 66 points shy when whose Charlotte Hornets played daughter to sit courtside. they played the New York Knicks the Milwaukee Bucks there, was He played 20 seasons for only — to score that many points and asked about LeBron James. one franchise, and his fi nal three pass Bryant at Madison Square “I know it’s a natural tendency seasons came in the aftermath of a Garden, his favourite arena, would to compare eras to eras, and it’s career-altering torn Achilles ten- surely have meant a great deal going to continue to happen,” don. It was one of many injuries to James. He was 45 points shy Jordan said. “I’m a fan of his. I love with which Bryant dealt, and that Thursday as the Lakers prepared watching him play.... I think he’s might have slowed his progress to play the Nets — James has had made his mark. He will continue toward more scoring accolades. games of more than 45 points at to do so over a period of time, but Bryant, after all, was primarily a least once in 10 of his 17 seasons. when you start the comparisons, I scorer. That is the biggest diff er- But James hasn’t played like a think it is what it is.” ence between him and James. man chasing the number. The urge to compare eras has “We were just two totally “Things have happened resurfaced this week when James diff erent players,” James said. organically because I just go approached one of the more “His willingness to do whatever about my business,” James said. signifi cant milestones in his it takes to win is something that “I don’t think about it going career. He is poised to pass Kobe you admired and love his drive to into it saying, ‘OK, this is what Bryant for third on the NBA’s all- get better and better every year, In this April 28, 2014, picture, Michael Jordan (second from left), owner of the team that was then called Charlotte Bobcats, shakes hands with the I got to do. This is how many time scoring list, needing only 18 but as far as his game, we’re dif- then Miami Heat forward LeBron James after Game 4 of the NBA Eastern Conference quarter-finals in Charlotte, United States. (TNS) points I need, this is how many points to do so. In their journeys, ferent players.” assists I need.’ When it happens, just as in James’ and Jordan’s James passed Jordan last give himself a moment alone in Anthony Davis and a cast of wily torn left groin, but it was not a up the all-time scoring list, but it happens. If it happens. And, journeys, there are similarities, season in a home game, where the arena. veterans. He’s received Bryant’s career-altering injury. James is his durability has quickened it. so, I don’t know how I’m going but more diff erences. There is his feat was barely acknowledged This season, things are diff er- blessing as he prepares to eclipse now averaging 25.2 points and “The way he’s been doing it, to feel when it happens. But it’s also admiration. amid a spiralling season. James ent for James. His team is poised the retired Lakers star. a career-high 10.8 assists per the level he’s doing it for so many a pretty cool thing, you’re just “Seeing a kid, 17 years old put a towel over his head during to compete for a championship, Last season James had the game. His inclination to pass the years without the bumps in the linked with one of the greatest of come into the NBA and trying a timeout shortly thereafter to having added All-Star forward fi rst major injury of his career, a ball has perhaps delayed his rise road, it still looks like he has a lot all time.” Gulf Times 6 Sunday, January 26, 2020 SPORT

NFL RUGBY New Zealand, Fiji, Through 16 seasons, England command sevens attention

AFP is against Scotland whose sole Hamilton, New Zealand win was a narrow 24-19 victory over Wales. Reigning series champions Manning says he did ew Zealand, Fiji and Fiji, whose best placing this sea- England emerged as the son is a fourth in Cape Town, unbeaten sides in the secured pole position in Pool D Four-time Pro Bowler played 236 new cut-throat version with a hard-earned 19-12 victory Nof the World Rugby Sevens series over Australia which put them games during his tenure, the most of in Hamilton yesterday. on track for a likely semi-fi nal Under the format, intro- showdown with New Zealand. it ‘my way’ any player in NY Giants team history duced for the New Zealand Pool C will boil down to who round and for Australia next performs best when Canada play weekend, quarter-fi nals have Spain and France face Ireland in been scrapped, pool winners their fi nal matches before the progress direct to the semi-fi nals play-off s. and there is no longer a second Canada produced a surprise chance for teams who slip up in 26-21 win over Ireland and then pool play. battled to a 12-12 draw with France South Africa, who went into who had fi nished third in the Cape the tournament as co-leaders in Town tournament six weeks ago. the series with New Zealand, did In the women’s competition, slip up when they missed a con- New Zealand emerged as the version with seconds remaining only unbeaten side in Pool A af- against England and lost 21-19. ter China upset a six-woman Fiji It meant England kept their 17-12 with Yang Feifei scoring the unblemished record after they match decider right on full-time. also beat Kenya 24-19 and have New Zealand, who face Fiji to- only Japan to play in their fi nal day, were untroubled on day one Pool B match today while South as they thrashed China 40-7 be- Africa, who beat Japan 31-5, will fore producing an equally com- play Kenya. prehensive 40-7 victory over New Zealand, who opened England. their campaign with a 47-0 There are two unbeaten teams romp against Wales, fi nished the in the two other women’s pools day with a 26-5 victory over the who are destined to meet today highly rated USA side in Pool A. to determine who go through to Co-captain Tim Mikkelson the play-off s. said that with no quarter-fi nal In Pool B the showdown is safety net they knew they could between Australia and the USA not aff ord to take the USA lightly. who are second and third in the “We circled this one. We said standings after three rounds of if we lose the game we won’t be the women’s world series, while playing tomorrow, so a massive the match between France and eff ort from the boys,” he said. Canada will decide who goes New Zealand’s fi nal pool game through from Pool C.

NY Giants quarterback Eli Manning announces retirement next to the two Vince Lombardi trophies he won with the team during a press conference on Friday. (USA TODAY Sports)

Reuters knew what they got was pure, 366 touchdowns. that enjoyed a perfect 16-0 reg- unbreakable bond with team- East Rutherford, United States unadulterated Eli.” Team co-owner John Mara ular season record. mates,” Manning said. “When A subdued fi gure on the fi eld told reporters the draft-day Four years later, Manning you see them, you give them a and in the locker room, the four- trade for Manning “probably the proved the win was no fl uke, hug and hold it just a little bit ot one for fl ash or time Pro Bowler carved out his best trade in franchise history,” toppling the Patriots yet again longer.” grandstanding, New role as an omnipresent fi gure in before announcing the retire- 21-17. Manning also holds some York Giants quarter- one of New York sports’ most ment of Manning’s number 10 His old foe, Brady, marked less-than stellar distinctions, back Eli Manning an- storied institutions, playing 236 jersey. the occasion on Twitter, writ- including a franchise record 244 Nnounced his retirement from the games during his tenure, the most “We’re also able to witness ing: “Congratulations on your career interceptions and de- NFL on Friday quoting the time- of any player in team history. one of the greatest players in retirement, and a great career clining performance in the fi nal worn wisdom of Frank Sinatra, Remarkably, the 39-year-old franchise history be able to leave Eli! Not going to lie though, I three seasons of his career that another New York icon who never missed a single game due the game on his own terms, hav- wish you hadn’t won any Super ultimately cost him the starting sang: “I did it my way.” to injury, an accomplishment ing played his whole career as a Bowls.” quarterback job after the second Call him plain-spoken or even almost unheard of in the bone- Giant, something that doesn’t In the early years of his career, week of the 2019 season. low-energy, Manning has heard crunching modern era of foot- always happen in this business,” Manning played in the shadow Standing in his team’s train- it all in his 16 seasons with the ball. said Mara. of his older brother Peyton’s ing facility for perhaps the last Giants, along the way picking up The number-one pick in the For Manning there was no ac- megawatt star power, with the time as a member of the Giants, two Super Bowl championships 2004 draft, Manning landed in colade that could rank above his pair following in the footsteps though, Manning said he was while never trying to match the New York through a draft-day two Super Bowl victories over of their father Archie, an NFL only focused on the positives. big personalities of the big city swap with the then-San Di- the New England Patriots, as he quarterback himself who played “Why harp on the not-so- he would come to represent. ego Chargers for Philip Rivers, twice earned the MVP title and in the league for 13 seasons. proud moments? Where is the “Undoubtedly, I would have telling reporters at the time: “I becoming one of a handful of Standing next to his two value in that? If there are going made the fans, the media, even think things will work out here.” players to claim the distinction Lombardi Trophies, Manning to be endless echoes, choose the the front offi ce more comfort- The remark would become an more than once. couldn’t help but concede he good ones,” said Manning. able if I was a more ‘rah-rah guy’, almost laughable understate- The fi rst win at Super Bowl wished he had won more cham- “For now, I’ll focus on the but that’s not me,” Manning told ment, as the lanky kid from XLII was one of the most shock- pionships, but praised the bond touchdowns, the wins, celebra- reporters on Friday. Ole Miss set about breaking a ing upsets in all of sports, with he formed with his title-win- tions with teammates, family “Ultimately, I truly believed laundry list of Giants franchise the Giants entering the contest ning teammates. and friends and sharing a cold New Zealand’s Tim Mikkelson dives over for a try in the tackle during my teammates and the fans records including 57,023 passing as the overwhelming underdogs “When you win champi- beer in the back of a bus after a the men’s sevens rugby match against the US in Hamilton, New learned to appreciate that. They yards, 4,895 completions and against a Tom Brady-led team onships, you have a special, big game.” Zealand, yesterday. (AFP)

ALPINE SKIING Mayer gives Austria home win in Kitzbuehel downhill classic

AFP fi nish area, cheering for you.” SLIDING BODIES Kitzbuhel, Austria Mayer, 29, insisted he had not Sliding bodies, fl ailing skis and been thinking about his time. helicopter evacuations have “I was just focused on my ski- become a regular feature and ustrian Matthias Mayer ing: trying to ski well every turn quickly silence the crowd. delighted home fans and and ski fast. I wasn’t sure at the There were four crashes on achieved “every skier’s end because I wasn’t thinking Saturday, American Ryan Co- dream” by streaking to whether I could win or not. chran-Siegle, Austrian Otmar aA classy victory in yesterday’s fa- “Then I saw the green light! I Striedinger, Italian Peter Fill bled downhill in Kitzbuehel, the was so happy and very satisfi ed and German Manuel Schmid most prestigious and testing on with the feeling.” all bombing out, but seemingly the World Cup circuit. It was perhaps telling that the without serious injury. Mayer, gold medallist in deafening music played over the At each fall, the packed trib- downhill at the 2014 Sochi Ol- tannoy for Mayer’s run was AC/ une quickly hushes, the music ympics and in the super-G in DC’s ‘Highway to Hell’, given and big screen images cut for an 2018, clocked 1min 56.59sec the exigencies of a course with odd silence to fall over the well- down the thigh-trembling a gradient of 85% in parts and lubricated spectators. 3.3km-long Streif course on the where racers hit an eye-watering Striedinger’s slide into the safe- Hahnenkamm mountain, making 100kph (60mph) within fi ve sec- ty netting left onlooking Mayer the most of the absence through onds of leaving the startgate. clutching his head and puffi ng out injury of three-time downhill The Austrian laid down a his cheeks in sympathy. champion Dominik Paris of Italy. near-perfect line to master a A raised pole in recognition Mayer’s teammate Vincent course that falls, snakes and rolls, from a felled skier untangling Kriechmayr and Switzerland’s sending competitors barrelling himself from the nets and ginger- Beat Feuz, winner of the Wengen through a wide variety of ter- ly refi nding his feet is then greet- downhill last weekend and al- rain, in parts propelling them 60 ed by applause followed by roars ready three times second-placed metres in the air, only for them to for the next competitor’s breath- in the Austrian resort, tied for quickly re-align for icy traverses taking descent in what becomes a second, at 0.22sec. that severely test technical abil- gladiatorial insight into the draw Norway’s reigning world ity and mastery of well-honed of the ultimate alpine skiing test: downhill champion Kjetil Jan- equipment. its inherent danger. srud, winner of Friday’s super-G Arnold Schwarzenegger, the (in which Mayer was third) and a GOOD RISK MANAGEMENT Austrian bodybuilder/actor- downhill champion here in 2015, In a race often dubbed alpine ski- cum-California governor was was sixth behind the French duo ing’s equivalent to the Monaco one of those cheering, as was of Johan Clarey and Maxence Grand Prix, Mayer demonstrated American actor Patrick Demp- Muzaton. a perfectly weighted “risk man- sey, who has moved into compet- “It’s not even a dream of every agement” reminiscent of a suc- ing in pro-am auto racing events Austrian but of every skier in the cessful Formula One driver’s: go Austria’s Matthias Mayer reacts after his run in the men’s downhill event of the FIS Ski World Cup in Kitzbuehel, Austria, yesterday. (Reuters) such as the Le Mans and Daytona world to win the race here,” said full tilt into a chicane and you’re endurance races. Mayer. asking for trouble. to change direction into the fi nal the same slope back in 2017. clapping in unison amid fl ares, There have, needless to say, “I always wanted to be a ski “It was amazing, especially Streaking through the line, descent, Mayer looked upwards, Australian heavy rock was re- fl ags and fi ery alcohol, baying been several gruesome crashes racer,” the former ‘Grey’s Anato- here in front of the home crowd. having battled creeping exhaus- hands raised, confi dent of victory placed by an Austrian marching “Mayer” in response to the em- in the white-knuckled downhill my’ heart-throb said. “I’m really There were so many people in the tion and a 3.5G centrifugal force to add to his super-G triumph on song, the 50,000-strong crowd cee’s “Matthias?”. over the years. excited to be here.” Gulf Times Sunday, January 26, 2020 7 SPORT

BUNDESLIGA FOCUS West Ham suff er FA Cup misery, Spurs Leipzig suff er fi rst held at Southampton

AFP in the previous round and they London will have to go the distance again after this limp display. Burnley and Norwich made est Ham crashed a combined total of 12 changes loss since October out of the FA Cup as at Turf Moor, with the Canaries their former man- running out 2-1 winners. Grant ager Slaven Bilic led Hanley’s 53rd minute goal and a Leaders slump to a shock 2-0 defeat by mid-table Eintracht Frankfurt WWest Bromwich Albion to a sur- 57th minute strike from Josip Dr- prise 1-0 win, while Tottenham mic put Norwich in control before AFP were held to a 1-1 draw by South- Erik Pieters reduced the defi cit Berlin ampton in yesterday’s fourth in the 74th minute. Cardiff fans round action. were warned not to sing “racist Albion boss Bilic, sacked by or homophobic songs” after two undesliga leaders RB Leipzig the Hammers in 2017, made incidents were reported during suff ered their fi rst defeat since eight changes as he prioritised their 1-1 draw at fellow Cham- October as second-half goals by the Championship leaders’ push pionship side Reading. Sheffi eld right-back Almamy Toure and to return to the Premier League. United won 2-0 at second tier wingerB Filip Kostic gave Eintracht Frank- But Albion took a shock lead at Millwall through Muhamed Be- furt a 2-0 home win yesterday. the London Stadium when Conor sic’s 62nd minute goal and Oliver Leipzig’s stumble in Frankfurt opens Townsend drilled in his fi rst goal Norwood’s 84th minute strike. the door for defending champions Bayern for the club after nine minutes. Kelechi Iheanacho’s early goal Munich, who are third, but can cut the West Ham, struggling in the sealed a 1-0 win for Leicester at gap at the top to just a point if they beat top-fl ight under new boss David Championship side Brentford. fi fth-placed Schalke later last night at the Moyes and now without a win in Brendan Rodgers’ team are chas- Allianz Arena. It was Leipzig’s fi rst defeat four games, were given a lifeline ing a trip to Wembley on two in 14 games in all competitions since los- when West Brom’s Semi Ajayi fronts and they took the next ing 2-1 to Freiburg at the end of October was sent off in the 72nd minute step in the FA Cup after surviving and they are now just two points clear of after his push earned a second a hard-fought fourth round clash second-placed Moenchengladbach. yellow card. Sebastien Haller in west London. After squandering 12 clear chances, should have equalised with a In the League Cup, they are with Germany striker Timo Werner the headed chance and Manuel Lan- through to the semi-fi nals and main culprit, Leipzig were punished for zini then dragged his shot wide, head to Aston Villa in the second their lack of fi nishing. Frankfurt took but Albion held on. West Ham leg on Tuesday after being held the lead against the run of play through were jeered off by their furious to a 1-1 draw in the fi rst match Toure’s stunning eff ort just after the fans, while Croatian Bilic, who home. Despite Jamie Vardy’s ab- break as he converted only his team’s sec- also played for the east London- sence with a glute injury, it took ond clear chance. A throw on from the left ers, celebrated a sweet success. Leicester just four minutes to was fl icked onto Toure, whose half-volley At St Mary’s, Christian Erik- go ahead when Iheanacho met fl ew into the top corner on 48 minutes sen was left out amid reports in James Justin’s cross with a clini- with Leipzig goalkeeper Peter Gulacsi at Italy suggesting the Tottenham cal close-range fi nish. Chelsea full stretch. Leipzig coach Julian Nagels- midfi elder has agreed a move to were travelling to second tier mann reacted by boosting the attack, Inter Milan, while Gedson Fern- Hull in last night’s late game. taking off midfi elders Konrad Laimer and andes made his full debut for Tyler Adams and bringing on striker Yus- Jose Mourinho’s men. Totten- FA CUP FOURTH ROUND suf Poulsen and ex-Everton winger Ad- ham’s last visit to Southampton RESULTS emola Lookman. Leipzig grew ever more was a painful one, with Harry Brentford 0 Leicester 1 (Ihea- desperate in their eff orts to equalise and Kane suff ering a torn hamstring nacho 4); Burnley 1 (Pieters 74) with space opening up, Kostic, who hit in a Premier League defeat on Norwich 2 (Hanley 53, Drmic 57); the crossbar twice in last weekend’s 2-1 New Year’s Day, a clash that saw Coventry 0 Birmingham 0; Mill- win over Hoff enheim, tucked home their Mourinho embroiled in a touch- wall 0 Sheff ield United 2 (Besic second goal in the 94th minute to delight line row with a member of the 62, Norwood 84); Newcastle 0 the Frankfurt crowd. Eintracht Frankfurt’s Almamy Toure (centre) celebrates after scoring against RB Leipzig in the Bundesliga yesterday. (AFP) Saints’ coaching staff . Oxford 0; Portsmouth 4 (Close Elsewhere in the title race, Mourinho’s side struck in the 37, Marquis 45+1, Curtis 62, Bur- Moenchengladbach came from behind table with a 2-0 win at Freiburg, thanks to With his team 3-1 up, Haaland came BUNDESLIGA RESULTS 58th minute on their return to gess 76) Barnsley 2 (Woodrow at home to poach a 3-1 win at Mainz to goals by winger Christopher Antwi-Adjei on for his fi rst home appearance with an Borussia Moenchengladbach 3 (Plea 24, the south-coast. South Korea leap-frog Bayern into second in the ta- and a penalty by midfi elder Abdelhamid hour gone and 11 minutes later was on the 74, Neuhaus 88) Mainz 1 (Quaison 12); forward Son Heung-min fi red 60, Chaplin 90+1); Reading 1 ble. After Sweden forward Robin Quai- Sabiri. However, the visitors fi nished scoresheet, slamming home the rebound VfL Wolfsburg 1 (Mehmedi 68) Hertha home from Erik Lamela’s pass (Meite 8) Cardiff 1 (Paterson 5); Southampton 1 (Boufal 87) Tot- son gave Mainz an early lead, Gladbach’s with 10 men when left-back Jamilu Col- of a saved Julian Brandt shot. He then Berlin 2 (Torunarigha 74, Lukebakio 90); for his 12th goal of the season. tenham 1 (Son 58); West Ham 0 French striker Plea banged in two goals lins was sent off with half an hour to go showed his speed to beat Cologne goal- Eintracht Frankfurt 2 (Toure 48, Kostic But Southampton hit back to West Brom 1 (Townsend 9) either side of half-time before midfi eld for a second yellow card. keeper Timo Horn, tucking the ball into 90+4) RB Leipzig 0; Freiburg 0 Pader- equalise through Sofi ane Boufal’s replacement Florian Neuhaus grabbed a Union Berlin bounced back from their an empty net on 87 minutes. born 2 (Antwi-Adjei 48, Sabiri 85-pen); powerful strike from Danny Ings’ Playing today (all times GMT): late third to rescue the three points. defeat at Leipzig with a 2-0 home win Dortmund coach Lucien Favre ex- Union Berlin 2 (Ingvartsen 62, Subotic cross in the 87th minute. Man City v Fulham (1300), Jurgen Klinsmann’s Hertha Berlin over Augsburg thanks to goals by defend- plained why Haaland was again only a 47) Augsburg 0 Newcastle had to settle for Tranmere v Man Utd (1500), bounced back from their 4-0 thump- er Neven Subotic and attacking midfi eld- second-half replacement. “He didn’t an embarrassing 0-0 draw with Shrewsbury v Liverpool (1700) Playing Today (all times 1430 GMT ing at home to Bayern last Sunday which er Marcus Ingvartsen. train in December due to injury, therefore third tier Oxford at St James’ unless stated): Werder Bremen v Tomorrow: Bournemouth v left them hovering just above the relega- Dortmund are fourth in the table after we have to be careful with him,” said the Park as their wretched FA Cup Arsenal (2000) tion places with a 2-1 win at Wolfsburg routing Cologne 5-1 on Friday with Nor- Swiss. “He’s not ready to play from the Hoff enheim (1430), Bayer Leverkusen form haunted them again. Steve thanks to goals by replacement forward wegian wunderkind Erling Braut Haaland start, we have a plan for him.” v Fortuna Duesseldorf (1700) Bruce’s side are looking to make Played Friday: Northampton Dodi Lukebakio and defender Jordan To- scoring twice off the bench to give him The result leaves Dortmund level on 36 Played Friday: Borussia Dortmund 5 the fi fth round for the fi rst time 0 Derby 0; QPR 1 (Wells 90+3) runarigha. with fi ve goals in just two games after a points with defending champions Bayern (Guerreiro 1, Reus 29, Sancho 48, Haa- since 2006, but they needed a Sheff Wed 2 (Fox 43, Winnall Paderborn moved off the bottom of the hat-trick on his debut last weekend. Munich and four behind Leipzig. land 77, 87) Cologne 1 (Uth 65) replay to beat minnows Rochdale 90+1)

SPOTLIGHT SERIE A Double delight for al-Qubaisi in QSTK600 Rebic fi res resurgent AC Milan into Europa League places

AFP Milan

latan Ibrahimovic set up Ante Rebic to score the only goal as AC Milan beat Brescia 1-0 to claim Za third consecutive Serie A win for the fi rst time this season on Friday. Ibrahimovic missed a chance in front of goal before the break but provided the cross after 71 minutes that allowed substitute Rebic to fi nish off his From left: QMMF General Secretary Abdulrazak al-Kuwari, LCSC Vice President and General Manager Khalid al-Remaihi and QMMF third goal in two games. President Abdulrahman al-Mannai with runner-up Mishal al-Naimi, winner Abdulla al-Qubaisi and third-placed Saeed al-Sulaiti after the Milan have taken ten points in third round of the Qatar Superstock 600 at the Losail International Circuit yesterday. four games since Ibrhimovic’s return to the club this month. By Sports Reporter was very good for me. We pushed egory – QSTK300 Supersport, Stefano Pioli’s side move up to Doha a lot but Abdulla deserves both where a total of eight riders from sixth position into the Europa the wins. I want to congratulate 13 to 16-year-old taking part in League berths and seven points all the riders for their perform- this round. The 14-year-old Qa- adrift of the Champions League bdulla al-Qubaisi made ance as they are improving their tari rider Hamad al-Sahouti, Qa- places. “It wasn’t a beautiful a clean sweep winning lap timings. The bike was perfect tar Motorsports Academy rider, Milan, but a winner,” said Pioli. both races during the all the weekend, no problem at all won the seven-lap race. “We can play better, but we had Ibrahimovic missed a chance coach Maurizio Sarri returns to third round of the Qa- with the tyres and hope I can do “It was an amazing race and a great attitude, now we know fi ve minutes before the break former club Napoli for the fi rst tarA Superstock 600 at the Losail better in the next round.” I am very happy with my re- how to suff er. We must contin- sending a Theo Hernandez time since being sacked in 2018, International Circuit yesterday. Al-Sulaiti said: “In the fi rst sult. I started second in the grid ue like this.” cross wide on front of goal. But as Lazio and Roma prepare for a The young Qatar rider now leads one, I really had a good rhythm but I pushed hard in the fi rst lap Milan are on a run of four the 38-year-old controlled a fi ery derby clash. the championship. In the fi rst and was ready to fi ght for the win and came fi rst. Many thanks to consecutive wins including the Hakan Calhanoglu pass sending Champions Juventus are race, al-Qubaisi, who started until the last two laps, where Ab- Losail Circuit Sports Club and Italian Cup, and next play Tori- through at an angle with Rebic, four-points ahead of Inter Mi- from pole, led until the sev- dulla overtook me in the straight QMMF for their support,” said no on Tuesday for a place in the who came on 13 minutes ear- lan who host Cagliari. Last sea- enth lap before Saeed al-Sulaiti line and was not possible to pass al-Sahouti. Yousef al-Darwish, semi-fi nals. “We’re recover- lier, pouncing to fi nish off amid son’s runner-up Napoli are in overtook him. Al-Sulaiti man- him in the last sector. In the sec- also from Qatar, fi nished in sec- ing,” continued Pioli. “We’re a confusion in front of goal. 11th position, 27 points behind aged to control the second part ond race, the start was good but ond place and the French rider completely diff erent team now The Croatian forward had al- the leaders. of the race but with two laps to in the beginning I made a mistake Alexian Macary completed the both on the pitch and in at- ready scored his fi rst two goals go, al-Qubaisi passed him in the in the corner, where I almost lost podium. The polesitter man of titude. Ibra is an added value, for Milan last weekend against ITALIAN SERIE A RESULTS straight line and took the victory the front and went wider, so I lost the race, Saad al-Harqan didn’t both on and off the fi eld. But Udinese. Samu Castillejo had a SPAL 1 (Petagna 23-pen) Bolo- by a 0.397 seconds. Mishal al- Hamad al-Sahouti of Qatar time. Overall it was not bad but have a good start in the race and the whole team has been good goal ruled out with seven min- gna 3 (Vicari 24-og, Barrow 59, crashed in the fi rst lap. Naimi, who started second from Motorsports Academy won the sad to lose the leading champi- at turning things around after utes to go because of Ibrahi- Poli 63) the grid, fi nished in third place. QSTK 300 Supersport race. onship but still two more rounds Trophies were presented by the violent fall in Bergamo (5-0 movic’s off side position in the In the second race, al-Qubaisi to go.” Abdulrahman al-Mannai (QMMF defeat to Atalanta).” build-up with Hernandez clip- Playing today (all times GMT): led the race during the twelve round I had some problems and In the QSTK Trophy, the fi rst President), Khalid al-Remahi Italy forward Mario Balotelli ping the crossbar. Inter Milan v Cagliari (1130), laps and crossed the chequered I fi nished third, losing some place was for Jeremy Parola fol- (LCSC Vice President and Gen- was suspended for hosts Brescia Donnarumma dived to deny Hellas Verona v Lecce, Parma v fl ag only 0.027 seconds in front points. So for this round my lowed by Rayad al-Emadi and Al- eral Manager) and Abdulrazak al- against his former club. Brescia Emanuele Ndoj an equaliser as Udinese, Sampdoria v Sassuolo of al-Naimi. Al-Sulaiti had to be strategy was to win both races, to exander Qabazard from Kuwait, Kuwari (QMMF General Secre- had their chances with Sandro Brescia piled forward in search (1400), Roma v Lazio (1700), content with third place. get some points and create a gap respectively, in both races. tary). The fourth round of Qatar Tonali and Ernesto Torregrossa of the equaliser but they re- Napoli v Juventus (1945) Al-Qubaisi said: “I am re- in the championship.” The third round of the cham- Superstock Championship will threatening Gianluigi Don- main second from bottom of Played Friday: Brescia 0 AC ally happy with this round. Last Al-Naimi said: “This weekend pionship also saw a new cat- be held on February 7 and 8. narumma in the Milan goal. the league. Today, Juventus Milan 1 (Rebic 71) Sunday, January 26, 2020 GULF TIMES FOOTBALL

QNB STARS LEAGUE Akaichi brace in vain as Sadd come back to beat Shahania By Sports Reporter tion, their performance and the result,” Doha the Spaniard said. AL-MAWAS STRIKE GIVES l Sadd registered a 4-2 win UMM SALAL VICTORY over Al Shahania in their QNB Meanwhile in another match yester- Stars League Round 13 clash at day, Umm Salal edged past Al Khor at the Jassim bin Hamad Stadi- the Al Gharafa Stadium. Syrian striker umA yesterday. The result sees reigning Mahmoud al-Mawas scored the only champions Sadd remain in third place goal for The Orange Fortress in the in the league standings with 27 points. sixth minute. Umm Salal moved on to Ahmed Akaichi gave Shahania the eight points with only their second vic- lead early on, sending in a powerful tory, whereas Al Khor remained on nine shot from the edge of the box in the points with their eighth defeat. fourth minute. Sadd’s reply came in the The victory was a great relief for ninth minute, as Hassan al-Haydous Umm Salal, who stayed at the rock bot- connected with Akram Afi f’s aerial ball tom of the QNB Stars League. It was into the box, to convert past the Shaha- also a sweet revenge for Umm Salal, nia keeper and equalise. who had lost by a similar margin to Al That fi rst half ended with the teams Khor in the fi rst leg, in Week 2 of the locked at 1-1, but Sadd went ahead three QNB Stars League. Umm Salal had lost minutes into the second half. Ali Asad 0-4 to Al Rayyan in Week 12 before the did well to dribble into the box before QNB Stars League took a break. attempting a cross, which defl ected Even a change at the helm, Moroc- off defender Saleh al-Yahri and looped can Aziz Ben Askar replacing Spaniard over the keeper and into the goal. Raul Caneda, could not help Umm Salal Afi f then made it 3-1 to Sadd in the make a turnaround in their fortunes. 57th minute from a penalty, which was There was great anticipation prior awarded for Alvaro Mejia’s handball in to the match as both teams went head- the box. Shahania then pulled a goal to-head for vital points. A thoroughly- back in the 65th minute, with Akaichi entertaining encounter started in dra- striking again in a similar manner to his matic fashion when Umm Salal’s Walid fi rst eff ort. Mesloub’s corner nearly found its way Sadd added a fourth goal deep into the goal by a dramatically scorpi- into stoppage time, with Baghdad on-kick fi nish by Al Mawas. Bounedjah dispatching a spot-kick, Al Khor had defeated Al Sailiya 2-1 which had been awarded for a foul on in Week 12, but they went down 1-2 to Afi f in the box. reigning champions Al Sadd last Tues- Sadd coach Xavi Hernandez ex- day in a QNB Stars League match de- pressed his happiness after the win. “It ferred from Week 7 due to The Wolves’ match was a very diffi cult match. Yes, AFC Champions League commitment. we made many defensive mistakes, due Thus, The Knights’ woes continued as to which we received an early goal. But they are in the danger zone alongside Al I am very happy with my players’ reac- Shahania and Umm Salal. Action from the Al Sadd vs Al Shahania in the QNB Stars League at the Jassim bin Hamad Stadium yesterday. PICTURE:Shemeer Rasheed

LA LIGA FOCUS Real coach Zidane Barcelona beaten defends Bale aft er latest injury set-back

AFP he wants is to be available, to be Madrid with the team.” Bale’s recovery could coincide by Valencia in early with a return for Hazard, who eal Madrid coach Zin- has also endured an injury-in- edine Zidane defended terrupted season since his move Gareth Bale yesterday from Chelsea last summer. The after the Welshman Belgian sustained a fracture in pickingR up another injury and his foot in November but has be- also said Eden Hazard is close to gun light training, meaning he blow for Setien a return. Bale will miss Madrid’s could feature in the derby against La Liga game against Real Val- Atletico Madrid on February 1. ladolid today after he sprained “I cannot say when he will be Real Madrid can move three points clear at the top if they beat Real Valladolid today his ankle during Madrid’s Copa back but he has started to touch del Rey win over Unionistas de the ball again,” Zidane said. “His AFP through or create a single clear chance. Salamanca on Wednesday. progress is good, he no longer Valencia, Spain And when Valencia did intervene, they Bale had opened the scoring in feels pain. Starting Monday, he were more dangerous too. With their fi rst a 3-1 victory. It is his third injury will start working individually attack they won a penalty as Jose Gaya this season. Bale spent just over with more ballwork.” uique Setien’s honeymoon pe- slipped past Gerard Pique and would a month out before Christmas Hazard missed almost a month riod lasted less than a fortnight surely have scored from eight yards be- with calf and thigh problems. at the start of the season with a as he tasted his fi rst Barcelona fore being brought down. He missed Real Madrid’s Span- hamstring strain before injuring defeat yesterday in his second Pique was booked and, with Parejo ish Super Cup triumph in Saudi his foot on November 26 against LaQ Liga game in charge after a 2-0 loss absent, Gomez stepped up, only for his Arabia through illness earlier this Paris Saint-Germain. Real Ma- to Valencia. A Jordi Alba own goal and driven shot to be well saved by Marc-An- month and the game against Un- drid are unbeaten in 18 games Maxi Gomez’s strike at Mestalla raise dre ter Stegen, albeit with the help of half ionistas was his fi rst match back. and sit second in La Liga, behind early doubts about Setien’s appointment a yard’s headstart off his line. Barca were “When he is available, which Barcelona on goal diff erence. and give Real Madrid the chance to move riding their luck. Sergi Roberto’s header is the most important thing, he three points clear at the top of the table cannoned off Pique but fell just close is fi ne,” Zidane said. “The pity when they visit Real Valladolid today. enough for Ter Stegen, who parried a is that the other day he hurt his Barcelona had most of the ball but Gomez shot onto the crossbar and almost ankle and he is now unavailable. their opponents had the best chances as spilled another to Kevin Gameiro. Referee He is as unhappy about it as any- Gomez missed a penalty and also hit the Gil Manzano puts his hands together as if one, he would like to be with us, crossbar in the fi rst half. Gabriel Paulista to apologise after failing to play advan- to train and play, but it’s a small saw a third goal ruled out late on. While tage when Ferran Torres was clear but the thing. I hope to see him back with performances under previous coach Er- frustration of Valencia’s fans turned to us on Monday.” nesto Valverde were stodgy and familiar ecstasy shortly after half-time. Bale’s relationship with Zi- failings went unresolved, he left a side in Pique’s fl icked header landed at the dane has been tense in the past fi rst place. feet of Gomez, whose driven eff ort took a and he came close to leaving Real Setien promised a new style but few cruel defl ection off Alba and fl ew in. Set- Madrid last summer, before a will cheer a team that loses. Despite ien traded the patience of Arthur Melo for move to China fell through. The dominating possession, Barcelona did the physicality of Arturo Vidal and Rod- 30-year-old is not expected to be little with it and as Valencia grew in con- rigo came on to a rousing reception. sold mid-season but a departure fi dence, they ceded control too. “There Barcelona exerted some pressure and could suit everyone in the sum- are things they have not understood or Lionel Messi led the way, hauled to the mer. maybe we have not have explained our- ground by Francis Coquelin and then Asked if he was tired of de- selves well,” Setien said afterwards. “In denied by a brilliant Gabriel tackle. He fending Bale, Zidane said: “The the fi rst half, quite frankly, we were bad.” fi red past the post, headed wide and saw other day he scored. I will always The question is whether Setien is trying a curling free-kick saved. Yet just as a defend my players. They are my to impose too much too soon and perhaps Barcelona equaliser began to feel in- players, they train every day, they whether this group are even well-suited evitable, Valencia struck again. A quick fi ght for each other. There is a his ideas. “The players have to adapt to throw caught Alba out of position and good dynamic, all the players are the coaching staff to understand,” said Torres did well to cut inside and switch desperate to wear the badge of Sergio Busquets. “There were some good to Gomez. He took a touch and curled Real Madrid. They all have their things but we have to improve.” Valencia’s defender Gabriel Paulista (right) and goalkeeper Jaume Domenech into the corner. Gabriel thought he had a own history but I don’t see that Valencia climb to fi fth and continue celebrate after their win over Barcelona in the La Liga yesterday. (AFP) third after volleying in from a corner but as a bad thing. It is true Gareth to improve under Albert Celades. This VAR persuaded Manzano there had been has had some injuries and you success came without their captain Dani with a January move to Barcelona. as they urged a more aggressive approach. a push. When Messi ballooned a late free- can’t do anything about that. Parejo and, largely, without star striker The hosts hardly touched the ball for But the plan was to sit and absorb and it kick and threw his arms up in despair, Va- You can think what you want Rodrigo Moreno, who has been linked the fi rst six minutes, their fans whistling worked, with Barcelona unable to cut lencia knew their win was secure. but when I am with him, what

MARSEILLE’S SLIM LIGUE 1 TITLE HOPES HIT BY ANGERS STALEMATE

Paris: Andre Villas-Boas’ Marseille Nemanja Radonjic fired narrowly wide LENNON HAILS ‘OUTSTANDING’ bitter rivals Rangers. as the Italian club struggle to complete a fee for Eriksen and he could head to laboured to a tame 0-0 draw at home for Marseille on the stroke of half-time, EDOUARD AFTER DOUBLE STRIKE Rangers have two games in hand their protracted move for Christian Italy early next week for a medical. against Angers yesterday, handing while the away side almost snatched French striker Odsonne Edouard and can move back to just two points Eriksen. Mourinho left Eriksen out of But Mourinho is not happy at how Paris Saint-Germain the chance to a 90th-minute winner when Antonin received glowing praise from Celtic off the leaders if they beat bottom side his matchday squad for yesterday’s he has been left with an unsettled move 10 points clear at the top of Ligue Bobichon’s eff ort flew over. manager Neil Lennon after he came Hearts today. Lennon, though, could 1-1 draw at Southampton in the FA player for several weeks when the deal 1. Second-placed Marseille are seven But Angers failed to muster a single off the bench to score a second-half not praise Edouard highly enough after Cup fourth round, even though the could have been done by now. “You points adrift of reigning champions shot on target, with their opponents double in the champions’ 3-0 win over the French Under-21 striker took his Denmark midfielder had travelled to St can read what you want to read, I don’t PSG, who visit last year’s runners-up managing just two. Marseille sit five Ross County. The 22-year-old had been tally for the season to 20. Mary’s. Inter have been chasing Eriksen want to say anything. I just want to say Lille today. points clear of Rennes in the race for on the bench due to a toe problem but for most of the January transfer win- that this situation shouldn’t happen on The hosts rarely threatened against automatic qualification for next sea- he was sent on for the ineff ective Leigh MOURINHO UNHAPPY OVER dow, while there has been speculation the 25th of January,” Mourinho said. a solid Angers outfit at the Stade Velo- son’s Champions League group stage, Griff iths and his brace — both coming ERIKSEN TRANSFER SAGA about his future ever since he said he “And it is not Tottenham’s fault that drome, but did extend their unbeaten after the third-placed side were held to in three minutes of each other — en- Tottenham manager Jose Mourinho wanted to leave Spurs last year. It is be- on the 25th of January we are in the run in all competitions to 12 matches. a 1-1 draw at Nice on Friday. sured Celtic moved five points clear of appeared to take a swipe at Inter Milan lieved Tottenham are close to agreeing situation.”