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Home , Centurion Park, Duanne Olivier, Dushmantha Chameera, Scott Sinclair, Shaheen Afridi, Tim Southee

CCRICKETRICKET | Page 2 Pujara and Kohli dig in aft er Agarwal’s 76 on debut

Thursday, December 27, 2018 FOOTBALL Rabia II 20, 1440 AH Ronaldo rescues GULF TIMES point for 10-man Juve vs Atalanta SPORT Page 6 SPOTLIGHT Southee shines for but Lakmal keeps on top

AFP Christchurch

uranga Lakmal and Tim Southee vied for early honours as 14 Sfell on day one of the deciding second Test between New Zealand and Sri Lanka in Christchurch yesterday. Lakmal produced a career- best fi ve for 54 as New Zealand crumbled to be all out for 178 in 50 overs on the green at Hagley Oval. Southee, the number eight batsman who top scored for New Zealand with 68, then removed three of the Sri Lankan top order New Zealand’s Tim Southee as the tourists reached stumps at plays a shot at Hagley Park 88 for four. Oval in Christchurch yesterday. was 27 with Roshen Silva on 15 while wicket spree after lunch as New Southee had three for 29. Zealand’s fortunes continued to In a marathon opening ses- disintegrate. sion, Lakmal bowled unchanged Taylor was unfortunate to be for 16 overs as he tore New Zea- removed when Kumara’s at- land apart with fi gures at one tempt to stop a straight drive stage of four for 11. from Watling saw the ball crash He returned late in the innings through his fi ngers and on to the to remove to eclipse stumps with Taylor backing up ’s celebrates trapping Asad Shafiq leg before wicket at the SuperSport Park stadium in Centurion yesterday. his previous best of fi ve for 63 out of his crease. against South Africa two years could ago. not contain himself when Ku- CRICKET/FIRST TEST Southee and B J Watling (46) mara off ered a short ball wide of off ered spirited resistance for the off stump. New Zealand with a 108-run But his attempt to hook it over stand for the seventh wicket the leg-side boundary was skied while (27) was the to Dushmantha Chameera at only other home batsman to mid-wicket. score more than 10. Southee had better success After the drawn fi rst Test in with his unorthodox shot selec- Wellington, New Zealand need tion and took 14 off one Lakmal fi ght back to win in Christchurch to secure over to force the Sri Lankan out a fourth consecutive series win of the attack for the fi rst time. for the fi rst time. He brought up the New Zea- Sri Lanka are pushing to end land hundred with a thunderous a run of six consecutive Tests stroke which Silva managed to against New Zealand without get a hand to but both ball and a win. They drew fi rst blood by fi elder ended up over the rope. winning the toss and predictably But his gallant knock was end- aft er Olivier’s 6-37 bowled fi rst on a green wicket ed by a brilliant catch by a leap- with grey skies. ing Danushka Gunathilaka when Olivier steals the limelight on a day when Steyn Lakmal, so used to play- Southee attempted to belt Dil- ing second fi ddle to spinners in ruwan Perara to the mid-wicket became South Africa’s highest wicket-taker in Tests the sub-continent, relished the boundary. seam-friendly conditions and With New Zealand having AFP the dismissals highlighted his fewer than 200 to defend, South- Centurion SCOREBOARD repertoire. ee made early inroads with the There were with catches by wickets of the keeper, second slip and mid- (seven), (six) akistan fought back af- PAKISTAN 1ST INNINGS SOUTH AFRICA 1ST INNINGS off as well as a bowled as he sent and Gunathilaka (eight). ter being bowled out for Imam-ul-Haq lbw b Rabada 0 A. Markram lbw b 12 Jeet Raval (six), It took him to 235 Test wickets 181 as bowlers dominat- (10), (two) and to become the third most suc- ed on the fi rst day of the F Zaman c Elgar b Steyn 12 D. Elgar c Azhar Ali b Shaheen Henry Nicholls back to the pa- cessful New Zealand bowler be- fiP rst Test against South Africa at Shan Masood b Olivier 19 22 vilion in his opening spell. hind (431) and SuperSport Park yesterday. A Ali c De Bruyn b Olivier 36 H. Amla c b Lahiru Kumara joined the (361). Duanne Olivier took six for 37 Mohamed Amir 8 Asad Shafiq lbw b Olivier 7 as the hosts subjected Pakistan T. de Bruyn c Sarfraz Ahmed b to an onslaught of aggressive, B Azam c Du Plessis b Rabada 71 Mohamed Amir 29 SCOREBOARD short-pitched . Sarfraz Ahmed b Olivier 0 South Africa struggled in re- F. du Plessis c Babar Azam b NEW ZEALAND 1ST INNINGS Bowling: Lakmal 19-5-54-5, Ku- Mohamed Amir b Olivier 1 Shaheen Afridi 0 ply, reaching 127 for fi ve at the J. Raval c Chandimal b Lakmal 6 mara 14-4-49-3 (1nb), Mathews close, with left-armers Mo- Yasir Shah lbw b Rabada 4 T. Bavuma not out 38 4-1-6-0, Chameera 8-1-43-0, T. Latham c Mendis b Lakmal 10 Perera 5-1-13-1 hamed Amir and Shaheen Shah Hasan Ali not out 21 D. Steyn not out 13 Afridi both taking two wickets. K. Williamson c Dickwella b S Afridi c De Kock b Olivier 0 Extras (lb2, nb1, w2) 5 Lakmal 2 Teenager Afridi struck with SRI LANKA FIRST INNINGS successive deliveries, dismissing Extras (b7, lb2, w1) 10 Total (5 wkts, 36 overs) 127 Pakistan’s Mohamed Amir celebrates getting the wicket of South R. Taylor run out (Kumara) 27 D.Karunaratne c Williamson b Dean Elgar and Faf du Total (47 overs) 181 To bat: Q. de Kock, K. Maharaj, Africa’s (unseen) at the SuperSport Park cricket H.Nicholls b Lakmal 1 Plessis as South Africa lost three stadium in Centurion yesterday. Southee 7 Fall of wickets: 1-1 (Imam), 2-17 K. Rabada, D Olivier wickets without scoring a run to B.Watling c Perera b Kumara 4 6 D.Gunathilaka c Raval b Southee 8 (Zaman), 3-54 (Masood), 4-62 Fall of wickets: 1-19 (Markram), sink to 43 for four. Theunis de 67, easily the best of the innings. Hasan Ali, but Elgar and Hashim C.de Grandhomme c Chameera (Shafiq), 5-86 (Azhar), 6-86 2-43 (Amla), 3-43 (Elgar), 4-43 D Chandimal c Watling b Bruyn (29) and Temba Bavuma Olivier’s fi rst victim was Shan saw off some tight bowling by b Kumara 1 (Sarfraz), 7-96 (Amir), 8-111 (Du Plessis), 5-112 (De Bruyn) Southee 6 (38 not out) seemed to be regain- Masood, who was playing in Hasan and Mohamed Amir. T.Southee c Gunathilaka b (Yasir), 9-178 (Azam) Bowling: Mohamed Amir K.Mendis c Watling b de ing the ascendancy for South Af- place of , who suf- The advantage seemed to be Perera 68 rica as they added 69 for the fi fth Bowling: Steyn 13-1-66-1, 11-5-26-2 (1nb), Hasan Ali fered a knee injury during the shifting when Elgar hit three Grandhomme 15 wicket but De Bruyn was caught Rabada 17-4-59-3 (1w), Olivier 10-3-39-1 (1w), Shaheen Afridi pre-match warm-up. boundaries off successive balls N.Wagner c Mendis b Lakmal 0 A.Mathews not out 27 behind off Amir late in the day to 14-3-37-6, Maharaj 3-1-10-0 Masood looked competent as from Hasan. Amir returned to 11-1-36-2, Yasir Shah 4-0-24-0 A.Patel c Lakmal b Kumara 2 R.Silva not out 15 leave the match evenly poised. he and Azhar Ali put on 37 for the the attack after a short break T.Boult not out 1 Olivier, eff ectively South Af- third wicket before a lifting de- and had Amla caught at gully for Extras: (b 5, lb 5) 10 rica’s fi fth-choice fast bowler, South Africa on a day when Dale in four overs in his third spell of livery defl ected off his thigh pad eight, the latest in a string of low Extras: (b6, lb7, nb1) 14 Total: (for 4 wickets; 32 overs) 88 gained his sixth Test cap follow- Steyn became South Africa’s the day as Babar Azam went on onto the stumps. scores by the veteran batsman. Total: (all out, 50 overs) 178 Fall of wickets: 1-10 (Karu- ing injuries to Vernon Philander leading all-time wicket-taker. the attack while batting with the Olivier followed up by trap- Tall left-armer Afridi, 18, Fall of wickets: 1-16 (Raval), 2-17 naratne), 2-20 (Chandimal), 3-21 and Lungi Ngidi. Steyn took the second wicket tail. Azam hit 10 of his 15 fours off ping Asad Shafi q leg before playing in his second Test, fol- (Latham), 3-22 (Williamson), (Gunathilaka), 4-51 (Mendis) He was consistently hos- of the match, having Fakhar Za- Steyn, who fi nished with one for wicket before he took the wick- lowed up in the next over when 4-36 (Nicholls), 5-57 (Taylor), tile, especially in a seven-over man caught at second slip, to 66. Azam made a defi ant 71 off ets of Azhar Ali, captain Sarfraz Elgar was caught at fi rst slip, Bowling: Boult 10-5-20-0, 6-64 (de Grandhomme), 7-172 spell after lunch when he ripped claim the South African record 79 balls on a pitch already show- Ahmed and Mohamed Amir af- trying to withdraw his bat, and Southee 11-3-29-3, de Grand- (Southee), 8-175 (Wagner), 9-177 through Pakistan’s middle order, with 422 Test scalps but had no ing signs of uneven bounce. ter the break. Du Plessis was greeted by a ball homme 6-0-19-1, Wagner (Watling), 10-178 (Patel) taking three for 17. further success. Hasan Ali (21) supported South Africa lost Aiden which reared off a good length 5-0-10-0 Olivier stole the limelight for He was punished for 40 runs Azam in a ninth wicket stand of Markram early, leg before to and he was caught at gully. Gulf Times 2 Thursday, December 27, 2018 CRICKET

MELBOURNE TEST SPOTLIGHT I had to Pujara and Kohli dig in keep my emotions in check: aft er Agarwal’s debut 76 Agarwal IANS After two lively pitches in Adelaide and Perth produced results, the track in Melbourne was not Melbourne bowler-friendly and skipper Paine brought on spinner in only the seventh over well-crafted 76 on a long-awaited debut made Mayank Agarwal’s day and the batsman said heA was overwhelmed but had to India opener Mayank Agarwal (L) walks back to keep emotions in check in order to the pavilion as Australia’s paceman Pat Cummins focus on the job. celebrates his dismissal during day one of the third “It was a tremendous feeling to Test match in Melbourne yesterday. get the India Test cap. I had a lot of emotions when I got the cap. I will cherish it for the rest of my life. The fi rst thought was 295 (his India cap number),” Agarwal said after his impressive knock at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) in the ongoing third Test against Australia here. Agarwal had scored tons of runs in fi rst class cricket but had to wait in the wings for a long time before making the India debut. “It wasn’t easy to get hold of those emotions and focus there, but it needed to be done. I just stuck to my plans and just kept telling myself, there is a plan that I have to go through and I am just going to stick to that. Even though it was overwhelming, it was good and I am happy with the way I started,” Agarwal added. Agarwal felt good that the sen- iors came up and egged him to leave a mark on his debut. “It’s a big stage, and a big op- portunity, and I had the seniors walk up to me, telling that bigger the day, bigger the opportunity to leave a mark,” said Agarwal. Agarwal became only the sev- enth Indian opener to score a half- century on Test debut and also registered the highest score for a debutant Indian batsman on Aus- tralian soil. “I am happy but obviously I would have liked more (runs). I would defi nitely take 76 rather than take something less than that. That said I would have liked to go on, and score more runs and stay not out at the end of the day,” Agar- wal seemed content. AFP to a huge roar from the large mentum can change and I don’t catch in the slips and he was Agarwal said he never got bogged Melbourne SCOREBOARD Indian contingent at the MCG, think we’re far away,” he added. gone for eight. down as he was constantly playing and he set about building an Agarwal, who has been in fi ne All-rounder Mitch Marsh matches domestic and A tours, INDIA 1ST INNINGS 19-6-40-2, Lyon 21-4-59-0, Marsh unbroken 92-run partnership domestic form, scored his fi rst was then brought into the at- which kept him in good stead. owerhouse Indian pair M. Agarwal c Paine b Cummins 76 15-3-23-0 with the ever-reliable Pujara. Test runs with a three through tack only to be met with boos “Well, I was very happy when I got Cheteshwar Pujara and “I’m happy, I would defi nitely the covers off Josh Hazlewood from a section of the crowd, picked against West Indies. It was Virat Kohli built on H. Vihari c Finch b Cummins 8 take a 76 rather than something and had plundered 17 before having been recalled in place of a big moment for me. From then an impressive 76 from C. Pujara not out 68 AUSTRALIA XI: Marcus Harris, less than that. Saying that, I the more cagey Hanuma Vihari, local boy Peter Handscomb. on, it wasn’t in my hands. Deciding Pdebutant Mayank Agarwal to Aaron Finch, Usman would have liked to have gone promoted to open from number But Agarwal was unfl appable whether I am going to play or not, V. kohli not out 47 pile pain on Australia in the Khawaja, Shaun Marsh, Travis on and be there at the end of the six in Perth, troubled the scor- and glided to his maiden Test or getting picked or not is not in my crunch third Test yesterday. Extras (lb6, b10) 16 Head, Mitchell Marsh, Tim Paine, day,” said Agarwal. ers. 50 off 95 balls by eff ortlessly hands,” the opener said. On a docile, batsman-friend- Total (2 wickets, 89 overs) 215 Josh Hazlewood, Pat Cummins, “Honestly, I thought they After two lively pitches in drilling a Lyon past the “But the good thing was that Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Starc ly Melbourne Cricket Ground To bat: Ajinkya Rahane, Rohit bowled extremely well and Adelaide and Perth produced non-striker for four. there was a lot of domestic cricket, wicket, India ground their way Sharma, Rishabh Pant, Ravindra Toss: India didn’t give us many loose balls.” results, the track in Melbourne At the other end, the pa- and a lot of India A games. So, you to 215 for two at stumps on day Jadeja, Mohammed Shami, Umpires: The four-Test series is tied was not bowler-friendly and tient Pujara deployed his usual make sure you go out there and give skipper Paine brought on spin- blocking technique, picking off one with the rock-like Pujara , Jasprit Bumrah (RSA), Ian Gould (ENG) 1-1 after India won the opening your best. Once you keep playing, not out 68 and superstar Kohli clash in Adelaide by 31 runs and ner Nathan Lyon in only the runs from loose balls. you know those things don’t keep unbeaten on 47 as the bowlers Fall of wickets: 1-40 (Vihari), TV umpire: Richard Australia drew level with a 146- seventh over to see if he could He rarely looked threatened coming to your mind because you toiled in hot conditions for little 2-123 (Agarwal) Kettleborough (ENG) run victory in Perth, making weave some magic. although he got an inside edge are focusing on that game and try- reward. Bowling: Starc 16-6-32-0, Match referee: Paul Wilson Melbourne a crunch encounter. But it was Cummins who got on 33 that just failed to carry ing to win that game for the side,” Pat Cummins was the pick of Hazlewood 18-6-45-0, Cummins (AUS) Australia’s Travis Head said the breakthrough. to Usman Khawaja at gully be- Agarwal explained his mindset the attack, taking two for 40. today morning would be criti- Vihari had already taken a fore bringing up his 21st Test 50 during the period. India came into the Boxing Day cal. “It was a tough day at the nasty blow on the helmet in the from 152 balls. “You do think about it (selec- clash with a new pair of inexpe- rose to the challenge in front est score by an Indian on debut offi ce, grinding . 12th over, with the physio need- Kohli quickly got into a tion) but then you are profes- rienced openers after the mis- of 73,500 fans after India won in Australia — and was looking They batted well and we created ed to check he was okay. rhythm when he arrived at the sional and you tell yourself that’s fi ring Murali Vijay and KL Rahul an important toss and opted to impregnable before Cummins pressure,” he said. “We need to The right-hander continued crease, accelerating the run something you cannot control. So were axed, suggesting a hint of bat on a pitch that is expected to had him caught behind by Tim make sure we come back to- but when he tried to avoid an- rate as he rattled off a string of you move ahead, move on and see panic as Kohli’s men look to win deteriorate as the match wears Paine as he gloved the last ball morrow morning and bowl the other brutal Cummins bouncer boundaries, with the signs omi- what’s next for you, prepare for their fi rst-ever series in Aus- on. before tea down the legside. way we did today.” the ball pinged off his glove. nous for Australia going into that and once you are in, give your tralia. But the exciting Agarwal He stroked 76 — the high- It brought Kohli to the crease “Things can change, mo- Aaron Finch took an easy day two. best,” he asserted.

BOTTOMLINE South Africa’s is congratulated by teammates after dismissing on the Steyn hailed as S Africa’s first day of the first Test yesterday. greatest fast bowler Reuters only seven Tests in the last three years. career‚ the ability to swing the ball at high “I must admit that when I was stand- speed upfront‚ reverse swing the ball with ing at the top of my mark (after taking devastating effect, bowl with great con- the wicket) I almost pushed a tear. There trol and within himself as well as being ale Steyn, long considered South was a lump in my throat because I didn’t able to crank it up with high speed hostile Africa’s greatest fast bowler, think it would happen,” Steyn told South bowling on very flat surfaces at times — confirmed his status statistical- Africa’s SuperSport. have all been his hallmarks.” ly when he became the country’s “There have been a lot of test match- Former Test team mate AB de Villiers Dleading Test wicket-taker yesterday. es and, hopefully, there is a lot more to took to Twitter to send his congratula- Steyn, plagued by injury for the last come.” Pollock was among the first to tions. “Dale Steyn, we salute you! What three years, had Pakistan opener Fakhar congratulate Steyn, having been on air a man, what a player. Fitting that ‘Simply Zaman (12) caught at second slip by Dean commentating when Zaman’s wicket fell the best’ is playing at SuperSport Park, Elgar to move to 422 Test wickets, taking at , later sending a per- where everything started! Congrats leg- outright top spot on South Africa’s all- sonal message. end.” Former South Africa all-rounder time list from . “A heartfelt congratulations to Dale‚ Jacques Kallis also paid tribute to his It has taken Steyn 89 Tests to reach that he’s been a fantastic bowler for South Af- former team mate. mark, 19 fewer than his former teammate, rica for so long. His performances both “Well done Dale Steyn. Well deserved. and his of a wicket every 42.1 home and away have been remarkable in The work you put in behind closed doors balls is only bettered among current play- so many ways‚“ Pollock said. pays off. This is a perfect example. Hope- ers by compatriot (39.2). “The fact that he is the best test fast fully, many more wickets still lie ahead.” Steyn is arguably the greatest Test bowler that South Africa has produced‚ Steyn (1-66) helped South Africa dis- seamer of his generation, and would doesn’t require my endorsement as his miss Pakistan for 181 in the first innings of probably have past 500 wickets by now stats and record tell you that. the opening test, but the home side were were it not for serious shoulder, foot and “I have enjoyed so many attributes of struggling on 127 for five in reply at the groin injuries that have restricted him to Dale’s bowling through his international close. Gulf Times Thursday, December 27, 2018 3 SPORT

YACHTING HORSE RACING Clan Des Obeaux wins thrilling King Early retirements as George VI Chase

AFP Patiently suff ered a terrible London stroke of luck when brought down by the falling Bristol De Mai, whose Triple Crown lan Des Obeaux pow- hopes went up in smoke after supermaxis battle for ered to a surprise his impressive second straight victory in the King Betfair Chase triumph last George VI Chase yes- month. Cterday under Harry Cobden af- “I am gutted. He was going ter a dramatic race at Kempton well but he was just brought to to give trainer Paul Nicholls a standstill,” said Waiting Pa- his 10th win in the Boxing Day tiently’s rider Brian Hughes. showpiece. Last year’s champion Might Sydney-Hobart lead The six-year-old, partly Bite led the betting at 3-1 but, owned by legendary former much like at Haydock in the ‘I think the leaderboard is going to change a lot through the course of this race’ Manchester United manager Betfair, Nicky Henderson’s Alex Ferguson, defi ed odds charge faded badly after trav- of 12/1 to beat 2016 winner elling strongly for much of the Thistlecrack into second place, race. with Cheltenham Gold Cup Native River stayed on in his hero Native River in third. trademark game fashion for “I’m speechless. Absolutely third ahead of Politologue, but brilliant. I knew I was on the never looked a serious threat to right one, everyone was tell- the fi rst two home. ing me I was riding the wrong Earlier on Wednesday, two- horse at the start of the week,” time Champion Hurdle winner gushed Cobden. Buveur d’Air suff ered a shock “He could be a serious Gold defeat by stablemate Verdana Cup contender looking at Blue in the Christmas Hurdle. that.” Henderson’s star went off as The three miles were run at a 2-9 odds-on favourite, but a fast pace thanks to 2015 Gold although the gelding survived Cup winner Coneygree at the a bad mistake at the third-last front, but Clan Des Obeaux fl ight to power into the lead, he eased through the fi eld, was chased down by Verdana cruising alongside 15-2 shot Blue (11-2) to lose by a short Thistlecrack before storming nose in a photo fi nish. clear up the home straight. “She’s a very good mare, as It was an ultimately com- you’ve seen all autumn. It’s a fortable one-and-a-half- bit of a surprise,” said Hend- length victory, giving Nicholls erson. his fi rst success in the race La Bague Au Roi edged out since Silviniaco Conti’s second Topofthegame in the Kauto win in 2014. Star Novices’ Chase to win at Second-favourite Waiting odds of 8-1.

RUGBY Back surgery took a long time to recover from, says Read

Australia’s Wild Oats X with all-female professional crew on board sails at the start of the Sydney to Hobart yacht race yesterday. (AFP)

AFP had lined Sydney Harbour and conditions. Crews said they were and if you do that for a couple of and RP51 Primitive Cool were Sydney watched on boats as the yachts expecting a tactically challeng- hours it is a big diff erence.” also faring well in the conditions. sped away earlier Wednesday ing contest as they try to avoid Also in the hunt is 66-footer under clear blue summer skies windless holes. TRICKY CONDITIONS Wild Oats X – the sister yacht to ight-time line honours and aided by 10-15 knot north- This means Comanche’s race The tricky conditions also mean Wild Oats XI – which is carrying winner Wild Oats XI easterly winds. record of one day, nine hours, 15 the race to grab the handicap the race’s fi rst all-female profes- was leading the gruel- Black Jack was the fi rst super- minutes and 24 seconds, set last honours – which goes to the ves- sional crew, and Winning Appli- ling Sydney to Hobart maxi to sail past Sydney Heads, year for the bluewater classic, sel that performs best according ances with father-son team John oceanE race down Australia’s east before defending line honours should remain intact. to size – is wide open, said own- Winning and John Winning Jr. coast yesterday, as a key rival champion Comanche, skippered “The real issue is linking all er-skipper Matt Allen of yacht The Winnings are dedicating withdrew from the contest with by owner Jim Cooney, hit the the bits of wind up,” strategist Ichi Ban. Allen’s TP52 was last their journey to the six sailors damage. front, travelling at 30 knots. Iain Murray said yesterday of year’s overall handicap winner, who lost their lives in a devastat- The 100-footer Wild Oats XI Comanche forged ahead as Wild Oats XI ahead of the race. and he is bidding to claim back- ing deep depression in the Tas- is among four supermaxis vying medium north-easterly winds His boat was fi rst to Hobart in to-back victories in one of the man Sea two decades ago, which to be the fi rst yacht to cross the pushed the fl eet down the 2017 but was stripped of the win world’s toughest yacht races. was one of Australia’s worst fi nish line in Hobart, after Hong coast, but slipped to fourth as after being handed a one-hour “I think the leaderboard is go- sporting disasters. Winning Sr.’s Kong’s Scallywag withdrew from Wild Oats XI took the lead in penalty over a near-collision. ing to change a lot through the cousin Richard Winning was the the race with a broken bowsprit. the evening closely followed by “There will be light spots and course of this race,” he said yes- skipper of the yacht Winston TP52 yacht Zen also retired Infotrack, another supermaxi, spots where there is not much terday. “So any plans we’ve got Churchill, which lost three sail- with damaged rigging, leaving and Black Jack. Conditions were wind. now are going to change through ors and sank in that storm. 83 yachts left in the often brutal forecast to weaken on Thursday, “I think the boats that keep the course of the race. It’s a real Today, the crews will mark 628-nautical mile (1,163-kilo- with the notoriously wild Bass continuously moving fast (will tactician’s strategy race.” the 20th anniversary of the 1998 metre) race, including 10 inter- Strait between Tasmania and benefi t)... the diff erence be- While Ichi Ban remains the tragedy with a moment of si- national entries. the Australian mainland in par- tween going fast is going fi ve handicap favourite, smaller lence and the reading out of a Thousands of spectators ticular tipped to serve up erratic knots, or 10 knots or 12 knots boats like 40-footer Chutzpah commemoration message.

CRICKET All Blacks captain Kieran Read

Reuters time and eff ort. “It’s been 12 Wellington months since the surgery and it probably wasn’t until basi- cally the end of the year where Ponting inducted into Hall of Fame ll Blacks captain Ki- I started feeling somewhat de- IANS ing the cap. “I have lots of great eran Read has re- cent physically.” Melbourne memories with Glenn. I went to minded commenta- Read added that his fi tness the cricket academy with Glenn in tors and pundits who and health issues were a good about 1990, so I have known Glenn feltA he was past his best that he sign heading into his fi nal year ormer Australia captain for a long time. It’s a really cool only fully recovered from back in New Zealand rugby, having Ricky Ponting was for- thing that they do to have a fellow surgery towards the end of the already decided to seek a con- mally inducted into the inductee actually hand over your 2018 season. tract overseas following the All ICC Cricket Hall of Fame cap and induct you in, so to have The 33-year-old Read un- Blacks Rugby World Cup cam- yesterday.F someone like Glenn do it, with derwent surgery to his back paign in Japan. To mark the occasion, Ponting whom I’m working with now and late last year and was out of ac- “”Where I was at this point received his commemorative cap have played with for 10 or 12 years, tion until late June for the Can- last year, the pain I was in, it from compatriot ICC Cricket Hall makes the whole thing a little bit terbury Crusaders. He did not (surgery) was needed.,” he said. of Famer Glenn McGrath during better, he added. play a test until the southern “It’s been a fairly fast re- the tea break on the opening day “It’s great recognition. I thank hemisphere’s Rugby Champi- covery in some respects. I’ve of the third Test against India here. the ICC for what they have done onship in August. worked pretty hard at it and Ponting was named in the ICC in making this possible. To be here The number eight was not I’m in good shape now. Cricket Hall of Fame along with in the MCG with 75,000 people, it at his rampaging best when he “So it bodes well to head into former India captain Rahul Dravid makes it an awesome day.” returned and several northern this off season and pre-season and England woman wicketkeep- Ponting, a three-time ICC hemisphere commentators feeling in really good shape.” er-batter Claire Taylor during the Cricket World Cup winner includ- have said in summing up the Read has not said where he ICC Annual Conference in Dublin ing two times as captain, is the 2018 season that he appeared will play rugby after the 2019 in July, which Ponting could not 25th Australia cricketer to be for- to be a shadow of the player World Cup, but felt going off - attend. mally inducted into the ICC Crick- who won the 2013 World Player shore would provide the per- “It’s an incredible feeling, I think et Hall of Fame. of the Year award. fect chance to give his young for it to happen here at the MCG is The 44-year-old retired from Read, however, said on family a new experience. what makes the whole thing a little international cricket in 2012 after Wednesday that it had taken “As a family it will be a good bit more special. I found out today scoring 13,378 runs in 168 Tests him until the All Blacks’ end- opportunity,” Read said. I am one of 25 Australians to be in- with 41 centuries, 13,704 runs in of-season tour in Europe to feel “My wife and kids have made ducted. When you play one Test 375 ODIs with 30 centuries and like he was getting back to full a lot of sacrifi ces over the years for Australia, you join a very elite 401 runs in 17 T20Is with two half- fi tness. I’ve been playing. It’s probably group of players but now to be part centuries. Ponting was named the “Getting over back surgery the hardest thing. You appreci- of the ICC Hall of Fame, you join ICC Player of the Year in 2006 was probably the biggest thing ate that and know how much it an even more elite group of crick- and 2007 while also being named for myself,” he told New Zea- takes out of them. eters, so it’s a pretty special day the ICC Test Player of the Year in land radio station Newstalk ZB “Spending more time with today,” Ponting said after receiv- 2006. Former Australia captain Ricky Ponting. on Wednesday. “It took a lot of them would be cool.” Gulf Times 4 Thursday, December 27, 2018 SPORT

NBA SPOTLIGHT Magic believe they can get back on LeBron suff ers groin track, but time is running out

By Chris Hayes injury as Lakers rout Orlando Sentinel erhaps the Orlando Magic should have T-shirts printed with the theme for the fi nal 50 games of the season that reads: We Believe. It’s come to this. This is where the Magic are at Pthe initial stage of their rebuilding project under the direc- tion of fi rst-year head coach Steve Cliff ord. champions Mired in a three-game losing streak that has them sitting four games under .500 at 14-18, the Magic are grasping for ‘Without LeBron, the group as a whole did a good job of fighting back’ some sort of inspiration. They are in jeopardy of falling into the same rut that has haunted them during each of the past AFP six losing seasons. The December swoon has often been re- Los Angeles ferred to in recent weeks, and the Magic desperately want to avoid what has become commonplace as the new year approaches. Asked how they do so several times after Sun- eBron James left with a groin in- day’s blowout loss to the rival Miami Heat, and the answer jury but the Los Angeles Lakers re- was the same almost right down the line. grouped for a 127-101 blowout win The word “believe” was used quite often. The Magic over two-time defending champion have to believe in the process, believe in their coach and his LGolden State that snapped an 11-game los- philosophies and, most importantly, believe in each other. ing streak on the Warriors’ home court. “We knew at some point this season we were going to hit “That was our most complete game of a wall. It happens to every team every year,” Magic forward the season,” said Lakers coach Luke Walton. Evan Fournier said. “We knew they were going to go on a run “It’s really how you respond, how you fi ght, and the most and a lot of the time we rely on LeBron or important thing right now is to stay together and not start our veteran leaders to keep us in it.” pointing fi ngers and making excuses and just fi ght, stay to- “Without LeBron, the group as a whole gether and keep believing in what we do every day.” did a good job of fi ghting back.” Teammate Nikola Vucevic, the leading scorer who has James was injured halfway through the been in a bit of a slump lately, said the team needs to get third quarter when he reached for a loose back to playing together. “We need to play more for each ball. He grimaced and grabbed his left groin other. We’re not doing that the way we were,” Vucevic said. before heading to the sidelines where he “It can turn around really quick. We just have to do it. We tried to stretch it out. He was moving gin- have to fi nd out rhythm back. ... We just have to fi nd it. gerly when he left the court for good and “We talk about it a lot, but at the end of the day we just headed to the team’s locker room. have to go out there and do it.” “Hopefully it is not a long thing I can get Cliff ord also mentioned that while it might seem the ef- back on the fl oor as soon as possible,” said fort has been lacking from the Magic players, what fans are James, who fi nished with 17 points and 13 really witnessing is poor execution of plays. “There’s a lot rebounds. that goes into winning and losing ... and it’s not that they don’t care and not that they’re not trying hard. ... That’s not the case. I’ve been around teams that don’t care and RESULTS these guys care,” Cliff ord said. Utah 117-96 Portland They seem to truly believe this can be done, but it cer- tainly will be taxing. The schedule does not get easier. Boston 121-114 Philadelphia Phoenix, Toronto and Detroit visit for a three-game home- Golden State 101-127 Lakers stretch at Amway Center, a building in which, for whatever Houston 113-109 Oklahoma reason, the Magic have had trouble winning this season. They have won just eight of 18 home games, and while New York 95-109 Milwaukee it seems this is a perfect chance to regroup and set things Walton said team doctors would examine on the right path, it won’t be simple. The Magic need some James on Wednesday. “He will get an MRI momentum off this home stretch headed into a six-game tomorrow and we will have a better under- road trip, their longest of the season that spans 10 days. standing of what he has got going on,” Wal- The next fi ve days could be critical. ton said. Kyle Kuzma contributed 19 points, “I think we have guys that want to win, and we may not Croatian Ivica Zubac had 18 points and 11 being overpowering and we may not have a lot of room for rebounds and Rajon Rondo 15 points and 10 error, but we’ve also proven that we can go into some tough assists as the Lakers won on the Warriors’ buildings and pay against the better teams,” Cliff ord said. home fl oor for the fi rst time in six years. “I think we have to fi nd a way to right this ship and get back They also ended a seven-game losing to having a mentality where we know it’s important to get streak overall in the series with their fi rst better every day and then we’ll play with better organiza- win in the California rivalry since 2016. tion and we’ll get better results.” “We just want to continue to get bet- And that begins, Cliff ord said, not just in games, but also ter,” James said. “It is always the next man in fi lm and practice sessions. “In most games played in our up. You have to be able to take punches and league, I would say that at the end of the game the biggest punch back and we were able to do that.” factor, or one of the biggest factors, is which team put more Kevin Durant had 21 points, seven re- into it - and I’m not just talking about for that 48 minutes,” bounds and seven assists. Andre Iguodala Cliff ord said. came off the bench scored a season-high “I’m talking about that day, from the shoot-around to 23 points in the contest - one of fi ve NBA the coverages. That’s where we’re not as good right now. games on Christmas Day. “We had a stretch there where our defense was getting Golden State struggled mightily from better and better, as was our off ense, because the carryover three-point range, shooting just nine for from what we were doing in the mornings to the game was 36 overall, with Stephen Curry going two of terrifi c, and right now it’s not.” eight and Durant three for eight. Elsewhere, James Harden scored 41 points as the Houston Rockets recorded their seventh win in their last eight games with a 113-109 victory over the Oklahoma LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers leaps in the air to pass the ball between Kevon Looney and Andre Iguodala (right) of the Golden City Thunder. Harden has scored 35 points State Warriors during the first-half of their NBA game at ORACLE Arena in Oakland, California. (Getty Images/AFP) or more in his last fi ve contests, which is the longest such streak since Carmelo Anthony rant had 44 for the Thunder eight years ago. scoring Milwaukee Bucks took their frus- 134 loss in overtime to the Knicks, the last did it over a six-game stretch in April 2013. Russell Westbrook sank one of two free trations out on the New York Knicks with a time the two teams met on December 1 at “Our record isn’t where we want it to be, throws to cut the Rockets’ lead to just three 109-95 win. Brook Lopez scored 20 points Madison Square Garden. “This is one of the but it’s getting there,” Harden said. “And points with 15 seconds left, but Houston’s in the Bucks’ victory. Milwaukee leads the highest stages,” said Antetokounmpo of the we’ve got to continue to work hard every Austin Rivers made a free throw with seven league in scoring but they were coming off Bucks, who were playing on Christmas for The Orlando Magic’s Evan Fournier (left), Nikola Vucevic day, continue to get better and grow.” seconds left to secure the victory. an embarrassing loss to the Miami Heat on the fi rst time since 1977. “Special teams play and Aaron Gordon (right) celebrate during their 116-109 Harden became the fi rst player to score In New York, Giannis Antetokounmpo tal- Saturday in which they scored just 87 points. Christmas Day, and... it’s an opportunity for win against the Miami Heat at the Amway Center in 40 or more points on Christmas since Du- lied 30 points and 14 rebounds as the high- The Bucks also wanted to avenge a 136- us and we’re really happy.” Orlando, October 18, 2017. (AFP)

FOCUS Fultz could be with Sixers beyond Christmas By Sarah Todd Brown said. “In relation to what recruited,” James told ESPN’s “But we got to win, and at the The Philadelphia Inquirer and that means as far as getting back to Rachel Nichols in an interview end of the day, it’s all about win- Daily News playing basketball, I do not know.” that will air at halftime of the ning. You know, and that’s what Brown added that he’s not sure Lakers’ Christmas Day game I’m trying to do right now, is to what Fultz’s schedule is going for- against the Golden State Warri- show prospects and free agents - he 76ers knew that Mar- ward. When asked if Fultz could ors on ABC. and at the same time, show these kelle Fultz would be join- be with the team for more of its “I’ve been trying to get guys guys that I got right now - that ing the team in Boston to fi ve-game road trip that started in to come play with me since, like, we can win now, and let’s not celebrate Christmas, but Boston, Brown said the team and 2007. I’ve got rejected a lot. But I worry about the future.” Tthe team wasn’t expecting him the medical staff are currently in also have not got rejected a lot.” Meanwhile Lakers center JaV- on Christmas Eve. discussions about that. James’ eff orts as a pitchman ale McGee hoped to pick up his “He surprised us on the plane Fultz has been in Los Angeles came under scrutiny last week second championship ring when yesterday,” T.J. McConnell said doing physical therapy to ad- when he said it would be “amaz- Los Angeles met Golden State before the Sixers took on the dress thoracic outlet syndrome. ing” and “incredible” if the in a Christmas Day showdown Celtics on Tuesday. He has not played since Nov. 21. Lakers could acquire fi ve-time at Oakland, Calif., but he stayed “It was amazing to see him Fultz’s agent Raymond Broth- All-Star Anthony Davis, who home to recover from pneumonia. back and in good spirits. Though, ers said Fultz is progressing well is under contract with the New McGee, who played two years I’ve never really seen him have a in his rehabilitation and expects Orleans Pelicans. for the Warriors and helped bad day, that’s just how he is.” his client to return to play this James said recruiting talent in them win back-to-back cham- The Sixers boarded a plane with season, according to ESPN. Los Angeles will be easier than it pionships, was scheduled to get Futlz, Zhaire Smith and family was in Cleveland. his 2018 ring prior to the start of members of players and the coach- ‘I HAVE ‘ALWAYS “A lot of people didn’t want Tuesday’s game and told Yahoo! ing staff on Monday evening. They RECRUITED’ TOP TALENT’ to come to Cleveland, let me just Sports that playing on Christ- came together Tuesday morning LeBron James hasn’t always been throw that out there,” he said. mas was a priority. McGee, who for a small brunch celebration at successful at recruiting other “It wasn’t hard getting guys in has not played since December the Ritz Carlton in Boston before marquee NBA players to join Miami, I’ll tell you that. So now 15, missed his fi fth game in a row. heading to TD Garden. his teams, but the Los Angeles that I think being in L.A., I don’t In 29 games this season, he is av- “It’s great to have (Fultz and Lakers star says that won’t keep think it would be that hard to get eraging 11.8 points, 6.7 rebounds Smith) on the trip,” coach Brett him from trying. “I’ve always guys here. and 2.6 blocks per game. Markelle Fultz of Philadelphia 76ers. Gulf Times Thursday, December 27, 2018 5 SPORT

NFL SPOTLIGHT Cardinals claim Swearinger from Chargers made a Redskins

Reuters it too easy on backup New York quarterback Blaine Gabbert. Redskins head coach Jay Gruden told reporters Sun- J Swearinger is day he was disappointed in case for the defence heading back to Swearinger’s comments - after Arizona after being the two had talked previously ‘We’ve seen them already, so that should help, but right now, we’re now focused on Denver’ claimed off waiv- about keeping team issues in- ersD from the Washington house - and planned to meet By Mike DiGiovanna Redskins, the Cardinals an- with the safety on Monday to Los Angeles Times nounced on Tuesday. discuss punishment. Swearinger broke the news Swearinger revealed Monday earlier Monday on social me- on 106.7 The Fan that Gruden ifting through the wreck- dia, posting a photo on Insta- called him into his offi ce and age of Saturday night’s gram of himself in a Cardinals informed him of his release. disappointing 22-10 loss uniform from when he played “I’m peaceful about it,” to the Baltimore Ravens for the team in 2015 and 2016. Swearinger told the radio sta- atS StubHub Center, the Los An- He added a caption refer- tion. “I don’t regret nothing, geles Chargers found one item encing his split with Washing- because I know I gave 100 per- to salvage, one element of their ton, reading, in part: “I Gave cent from my heart.” performance they can build on: That Organization My Heart Swearinger has played for defence. And Soul And They Spit In four NFL teams in six ca- While the Ravens’ top- My Face For Giving My Opin- reer seasons despite earning ranked, blitz-happy defence ion Only To Better The Team!! a starting role in fi ve of those smothered the Chargers’ of- Right Wrong Or Indiff erent I’ve campaigns. Known for his out- fence, the Chargers’ defence Found My Peace And Learned spokenness, he off ered more actually played well against the From It And I Am So Excited To veiled criticism of Manusky at Ravens’ unorthodox, run-ori- Go Back To The Sunny Desert times earlier this season. ented off ence. That should give Arizona Like I Never Left!! I’m Swearinger had four inter- the Chargers a modicum of con- Baaaaacckkkk!!!!” ceptions and 10 passes de- fi dence and comfort should the Swearinger, 27, had three fensed for the Redskins this teams meet again in Baltimore interceptions, nine passes de- season, both team highs, while in the fi rst round of the playoff s fensed and 73 tackles in 20 starting all 15 games. He also in early January, a scenario that games (13 starts) over parts of forced three fumbles. With Gi- appears likely as the Chargers two seasons with the Cardi- ants Pro Bowl safety Landon prepare for Sunday’s regular- nals. He left as a free agent in Collins injured, Swearinger season fi nale at Denver. March 2017, signing a three- could wind up being named to The Chargers allowed only year, $13.5 million deal with the Pro Bowl as a replacement. one Ravens off ensive touchdown Washington. Arizona owes To make room on the roster and held Baltimore to 159 yards Swearinger - a Pro Bowl alter- for Swearinger, the Cardinals rushing in 35 attempts, the fi rst nate in the midst of a career placed rookie tackle Korey time in six games with speedy season - less than $200,000 Cunningham (foot) on injured and elusive rookie quarterback for the rest of this year’s salary reserve. Lamar Jackson that the Ravens and has him under contract for Cunningham, a seventh- were held to less than 190 rush- $4.25 million in 2019. round pick, started six games ing yards. With the NFL’s worst record at left tackle for Arizona before Jackson, the 2016 Heisman (3-12), the Cardinals have the going down late on Sunday Trophy winner from Louisville, league’s top waiver priority. It against the Los Angeles Rams. averaged 85 yards rushing in his was unclear if other teams also He drew praise during the fi rst fi ve games as the Ravens put in a claim on the safety. season from head coach Steve starter; the Chargers held him Washington released Wilks for his play, as he held to 39 yards in 13 carries, with 27 Swearinger on Monday, two up well after being thrust in for of those yards coming on a fi rst- days after he bashed defensive injured starter D.J. Humphries. quarter run. Of Jackson’s 204 coordinator Greg Manusky Cunningham is the seventh yards passing, 68 came on an following the team’s loss to off ensive lineman the Cardi- early third-quarter touchdown the Tennessee Titans. Among nals have placed on injured strike to tight end Mark An- Los Angeles Chargers linebacker Nick Dzubnar prevents a touchback on a 38-yard punt, pinning the Baltimore Ravens off ense at the 2-yard other things, Swearinger called reserve this season. Four of drews. Of running back Gus Ed- line late in the game at StubHub Center in Carson, California, on Saturday. (AFP) one of Manusky’s play-calling Arizona’s projected starters wards’ 92 yards on the ground, “horrible” and said the team wound up on IR, while the fi fth 43 came on his fi rst carry. “But when you’re playing a half, compared to the Chargers’ end this season. “There was no one-yard loss on third down. should have been more aggres- (right tackle Andre Smith) was The Chargers mounted a goal- team that plays this style of foot- 10:06. Cornerback Michael Dav- breakdown - that was just a good King’s 24-yard punt return sive, adding Manusky made released in November. line stand early in the second ball, fi eld goals are like touch- is broke up a fade pass intended play on their part,” Addae said. gave the Chargers the ball on the quarter, limiting Edwards and downs. Every point matters be- for Crabtree in the back corner of “Good ball, good catch, good fi n- Baltimore 39 with three minutes Kenneth Dixon to three yards on cause they like to keep it close the end zone on a third-and-goal ish. (Jackson) is a Heisman win- left, positioning the Chargers, a pair of carries from the fi ve- and make it physical and control play from the six, forcing Balti- ner. It’s not like we were playing who trailed 16-10, for another yard line and pressuring Jackson the clock and win at the end, and more to settle for a fi eld goal with Joe Blow. He has fi ve wins in this late-game comeback. to overthrow Michael Crabtree that’s what they did.” 12:43 left in the fi rst quarter. league after starting six games, But tight end Antonio Gates in the end zone on a fourth-and- The read-option off ence is Defensive lineman Darius so he’s very capable of doing fumbled after an 11-yard gain, goal play from the two. diffi cult to defend because it is Philon forced a Dixon fum- what he’s done.” and Tavon Young’s 62-yard True to their bend-but- so rare in the NFL. Virtually no ble that Chargers teammate The Chargers bottled up Jack- fumble-return touchdown don’t-break form, the Chargers other NFL team uses its quar- Melvin Ingram recovered deep son and the Ravens from that sealed the win for the Ravens. gave up 223 yards but only two terback as a primary running in Ravens territory, setting up a point on. A third-down pass “We didn’t play that bad, but fi eld goals during a fi rst half in weapon. The Chargers’ famili- touchdown that gave the Charg- breakup by cornerback Casey there are still small things that which Baltimore started one arity with the scheme should ers a brief 10-6 lead early in the Hayward forced Baltimore to set- we have to go back to the draw- drive at its own 48-yard line and benefi t them in a rematch with third quarter. Two plays later, tle for Justin Tucker’s 56-yard ing board and correct,” Ad- one at the Chargers’ 48. Baltimore. Andrews broke free on a diago- fi eld goal with 5:36 left in the dae said. “Playing an off ense like The Chargers allowed only “Obviously, seeing somebody nal route, and Jackson, after a third quarter. A third-down pass that, which is so versatile ... we 138 second-half yards, including for a second time, like a divi- play-action fake, lofted a long breakup by safety Derwin James made some plays, but we have to Andrews’ long scoring catch. Of sion game, makes it like a com- pass into the arms of Andrews in late in the third quarter and slot make more. We have to make the Baltimore’s 159 rushing yards, 89 mon opponent,” Chargers safety stride for a 68-yard score and a cornerback Desmond King’s abil- ones that count. came on three carries; their other Jahleel Addae said. “We’ve seen 13-10 Baltimore lead. ity to chase down Jackson from “Every play counts. The long 32 attempts netted 70 yards. them already, so that should Andrews beat defensive back behind on a third-down blitz ear- pass, the quarterback scramble, “I thought our defense help, but right now, we’re now Adrian Phillips on the route and ly in the fourth forced punts. those plays can be changing fac- stepped up in the second half focused on Denver.” slipped by Addae just before The Ravens went three and out tors in the game, you know? We and got some critical stops when The defence kept the Chargers making the catch. According to from inside their 10-yard line pride ourselves on determining we needed them, and they had in the game Saturday despite the ESPN, it was only the third re- late in the fourth quarter, with the outcome of a game. That’s that goal-line stand,” Chargers Ravens possessing the ball for 19 ception of 25 yards or more the Philon and Ingram smothering when you know you’ve arrived as coach Anthony Lynn said. minutes 54 seconds of the fi rst Chargers have allowed to a tight Jackson on a roll-out play for a a defense, and we didn’t do that.”

FOCUS It’s time for Ross to try a diff erent approach By Omar Kelly but a mediocre quarterback. their unwavering commitment they must inherit (Gase). Orlando Sentinel Ross stuck with former general to quarterback Ryan Tannehill is And fi nally, it would be ideal if manager Jeff Ireland a year or irresponsible. the put someone at the two longer than he should have. The bottom line is the Dol- top of the organisation who has a ame old Miami Dolphins. And Ross’ loyalty to Joe phins are wasting time if they background of playing or coach- That is what we got Philbin, the fi rst coach he hired, stay with the status quo. ing in the NFL. this season, whether this led to a wasted season in 2015 But more importantly, the In my opinion, those individu- year’s team fi nishes at because Dolphins players didn’t second part of this equation is a als see things in teams and play- 7-9S or gets to 8-8 by beating the want to play for a coach who had critical one. ers others don’t and should be Bills (5-10) in Buff alo on Sunday. the personality of a librarian, and If Ross’ decision is to remove given an opportunity to run the And that’s honestly what quit on him four games into that Tannenbaum, the next per- show just like Baltimore Ravens South Florida and all displaced 6-10 season. son he hires to fi ll that position executive Ozzie Newsome was. die-hard Dolphins fans around The status quo won’t work in shouldn’t be forced to inherit Those are the types of execu- the world can expect next season 2019. anyone. tives that help a team pivot to the and possibly the next decade un- The most important question In the past, that has led to Ross next level instead of being forced less Steve Ross does three things Ross needs to ask himself in the sticking with Philbin and former to rebuild, and that’s Miami’s he’s never done in his decade- coming days is whether or not general manager Dennis Hickey main issue. plus as owner. he believes that this leadership in prior shakeups. No one in the current regime Want diff erent results for this group and these coaches will put It’s time for Ross to hire some- has helped this franchise pivot seemingly forever .500 fran- him in position to raise the Lom- one with a vision he believes in properly. chise? Tired of this two-decade bardi Trophy before his time on and then get out of the way. Let Pivot from a quarterback who ride on the mediocrity merry- earth expires. the new person clean house if consistently struggles under go-round? Ross turns 79 in May. He de- that’s their desire. pressure. Pivot from a defence Well, then it is time to stray serves to fi nally enjoy owning an There are dozens of great peo- that has some talent but clearly from the norm. NFL franchise, and this season ple on the football side of this needs to be rebuilt. The one mistake Ross has was probably his most painful organisation, but none of them And pivot from a coaching consistently made during his according to individuals close to have broken the pattern of me- staff that consistently delivers a tenure as owner is stick with a him. diocrity. bottom-tier off ence. leadership group or a head coach It was painful because deep Miami Dolphins owner Steve Ross. Let a Louis Riddick, George Until the Dolphins fi gure out a season too long. down, Ross didn’t believe in Paton, Eliot Wolfe, Jerry Reese, how to take that next step, we’ll Ross did it with the late Tony their plan, and you could sense what vice president of football then stop wasting time and pull ally become a good head coach, Nick Caserio or Alonzo High- be dealing with the same old dis- Sparano, despite a failed court- that at the owners meeting last operations Mike Tannenbaum, the plug. in time. Grier is a respected tal- smith build the infrastructure appointing Decembers and a de- ship of Jim Harbaugh. He did it spring. general manager Chris Grier All three are good men and ent evaluator. But their vision is they want and hire the coach jected fan base that can no longer with Chad Henne, whose track If you don’t believe in their and coach Adam Gase have ac- did a decent job in their elevated off , the decisions they’ve made they covet, and don’t shackle recognise what a healthy football record proved he was nothing vision and aren’t pleased with complished in these three years, roles. I believe Gase will eventu- have been baffl ing at times, and them with restrictions or people franchise looks like. Gulf Times 6 Thursday, December 27, 2018 FOOTBALL

SERIE A Ronaldo rescues point for 10-man Juventus at Atalanta Juventus are unbeaten in Serie A, ahead of the final game before the winter break against Sampdoria on Saturday

AFP goalless stalemates in the process. Milan “To reach our objective of Champi- ons League qualifi cation we can’t play the way we did in the fi rst half,” Gattuso ristiano Ronaldo came off the said. “I’m the captain of this ship, so it’s bench to score a late equaliser only right that I take all the responsibil- as 10-man Juventus salvaged a ity. It’s important for me to understand 2-2 draw at Atalanta yesterday how to make my players play their best, toC move nine points clear of Napoli at because right now they’re performing the top of Serie A. below their ability. There’s no calm- ’s Napoli were visit- ness and they look nervous, that’s what ing third-placed Inter Milan late last I need to think about. As for the rest, night, though, with the chance to cut anything can happen.” the gap to the reigning champions. Ju- Milan slipped to sixth, behind ventus coach Massimiliano Allegri de- fourth-placed Lazio by three points in cided to rest Ronaldo as the former Real the race for Champions League quali- Madrid man did not start a league game fi cation. Capital club Lazio won 2-0 at for the fi rst time since moving to Italy, Bologna, while Sampdoria leapfrogged but the 33-year-old was needed to level Milan into fi fth by seeing off rock-bot- in the 78th minute after Duvan Zapata’s tom Chievo 2-0. double had put the hosts in front fol- Milan have said they will appeal to lowing Berat Djimsiti’s own goal. the Court of Arbitration for Sport af- Ronaldo’s eff orts keep Juventus un- ter UEFA threatened to ban them from beaten in Serie A, ahead of the fi nal European competition for a season if game before the winter break against they do not break even by June 2021. Sampdoria on Saturday. “It’s a shame The club won a previous appeal to CAS because we still wanted to win, but the earlier this year, following a Europa team did well,” said Allegri. League ban for breaching Financial Fair Everything appeared to be going to Play regulations. But their eff orts to se- plan for Juve when they grabbed the cure European football for next season lead in only the second minute when suff ered a setback against a resolute Atalanta centre-back Djimsiti com- Frosinone outfi t who almost snatched pletely miskicked Alex Sandro’s de- a dramatic 93rd-minute winner when fl ected cross into his own net. Camillo Ciano was denied by visiting But Zapata put a spanner in the Juve goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma. works with a fantastic individual goal Ciano had already seen a goal ruled midway through the fi rst half, spinning out by VAR for a foul eight minutes centre-back Leonardo Bonucci with before half-time. Frosinone remain ease before drilling a left-footed strike second-bottom above only winless into the far corner. Chievo, having managed just one vic- Douglas Costa fi red wide just af- tory all season. ter the half-hour mark as the visi- tors looked to restore their advantage, ITALIAN SERIE A RESULTS but the Turin giants were reduced to 10 men eight minutes after half-time Frosinone 0 AC Milan 0; Atalanta 2 when Rodrigo Bentancur was shown a Juventus’ Cristiano Ronaldo (centre) vies for the ball with Atalanta players during the during the Italian Serie A match in Bergamo yesterday. (AFP) (Zapata 24, 56) Juventus 2 (Djimsiti 2-og, second yellow card for a poor tackle on Ronaldo 78); Bologna 0 Lazio 2 (Luiz 30, Timothy Castagne. put Atalanta ahead and score his ninth Gosens wasted a golden opportunity Earlier yesterday, AC Milan’s push Frosinone. The seven-time European Lulic 90); Cagliari 1 (Farias 45+3) Genoa Colombian striker Zapata wasted lit- league goal of the season. Allegri sent to seal victory for Atalanta, the Portu- for a top-four fi nish in Serie A took a hit champions have now failed to score in 0; Fiorentina 0 Parma 1 (Inglese 45+2); tle time in making Bentancur pay, bun- on Ronaldo with 25 minutes remaining, guese star pounced to nod home from as Gennaro Gattuso’s side were held to four consecutive league games for the Sampdoria 2 (Quagliarella 47, Ramirez dling in from almost on the goalline to and less than 60 seconds after Robin close range. an uneventful 0-0 draw at struggling fi rst time since 1984, managing three 59) Chievo 0

SPOTLIGHT Modric adds Croatian sportsman of the year to his 2018 collection Zagreb: Luka Modric added to Aussies land in the UAE ready his collection of awards after a successful 2018 when he was named Croatian sportsman to defend Asian Cup crown of the year. Sandra Perkovic, five times European champion The AFC.com erly, that there are no easy games, that you need to in discus, won the women’s Abu Dhabi be mentally switched on for every game, and that award. The football squad, you need to adapt to the conditions to the style of runners-up in the World Cup, game that you play,” he added. were named Croatian team of efending champions, Australia, touched Since his last stint, Arnold has enjoyed success- the year after a vote by 322 down in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) ful spells with Central Coast Mariners and Sydney journalists. Modric led his coun- yesterday and immediately had a train- FC, winning three A-League Premiership titles and try to the final in Russia in July ing session as they prepare to defend their results on the international arena following his re- and played a key role as Real covetedD crown against Asia’s elite in the biggest- turn has been impressive with early and convinc- Madrid won a third straight ever AFC Asian Cup, which will take place from ing victories against Lebanon and Kuwait enroute Champions League title in May. January 5 to February 1, 2019. to the UAE. “In our preparations, we have played The midfielder was rewarded The Socceroos have witnessed a period of transi- against Kuwait and Lebanon who are very similar to with the Golden Ball for best tion over the last four years after the retirement of the three nations that we have drawn in the group,” player at the World Cup, the arguably one of the country’s greatest-ever players added the Socceroos coach, who have been drawn in Best Men’s Player award by in Tim Cahill and have since appointed a new coach Group B alongside Jordan, Palestine and Syria. FIFA in September, and the in Graham Arnold. Despite taking over the reins af- “The good part of that is that we are playing three Ballon d’Or as the world’s best ter the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia, Arnold is no teams that play a very similar style. We will do our player at the start of December. stranger to the hot seat or the AFC Asian Cup, hav- preparation and our analysis as well, but it is all He ended a decade of domi- Croatian sportsman of the year Luka Modric (right) poses with discus thrower Sandra Perkovic, ing been at helm during Australia’s fi rst-ever foray about us. It is about our attitude being right, us be- nation by Cristiano Ronaldo who the won the women’s award. in the Continental showpiece at the 2007 edition. ing ready for those games, preparing properly, and and Lionel Messi in the world “In 2007, I was the interim coach and I probably going out and expecting to win every game.” player of the year awards. his 20th birthday just five days nament’s Best Young Player 1959. Originally, only French didn’t deserve to be in that job and that role at that Australia will kickoff their campaign against Jor- ago, finished atop in the vote award himself. On club level, players playing in France were time, but I have gone away and worked hard in club dan on January 6, at the Hazza Bin Zayed Stadium in MBAPPE NAMED FRENCH ahead of Raphael Varane and Mbappe became the winner of eligible, before French play- land and I feel that I deserve the role this time. So, I Al Ain before travelling to Rashid Stadium in Dubai PLAYER OF THE YEAR Antoine Griezmann. Ligue 1, French Cup and French ers playing abroad were also am really looking forward to the challenges ahead,” to face Palestine on January 11. The Socceroos will French football talent Kylian The latest laurel was an- League Cup with Paris Saint- taken into consideration for the said Arnold who is clearly relishing the prospect of then reignite their epic contest against Syria, which Mbappe has been named other recognition for Mbappe’s Germain. He scored 34 goals in award, whose jury is currently returning to the pinnacle stage. caught the attention of football fans around the French Player of the Year, the breakthrough year of 2018. He all competitions in 2018. composed of former winners “It was our fi rst time in Asia and it was our fi rst globe during the FIFA World Cup Russia 2018 Play- France Football magazine has helped France claim its second The French Player of the Year and magazine editors. Last time in a major tournament in Asia, so we learnt a off , in their last Group B match on January 15, at the announced. The World Cup FIFA World Cup title this sum- is presented annually by the year’s winner of the award was lot from it. We learnt that you need to prepare prop- Khalifa Bin Zayed Stadium in Al Ain. winner Mbappe, who had spent mer in Russia, winning the tour- France Football magazine since Chelsea midfielder N’Golo Kante.

SCOTTISH PREMIERSHIP Sinclair hat-trick sees Celtic edge seven-goal thriller at Aberdeen AFP er with Leigh Griffi ths taking an extended deft fi nish into the top corner three minutes Glasgow break for personal reasons and Odsonne later. Then he skipped past two Aberdeen Edouard only fi t enough for a place on the challenges before squaring for Sinclair to bench. The 20-year-old Frenchman was tap in for the hat-trick. There was still more cott Sinclair scored a hat-trick as introduced 20 minutes from time and made drama to come, though, as Lewis Ferguson Celtic struck twice in the fi nal four a huge impact to hand the champions a vital reduced Aberdeen’s defi cit to one and with minutes to beat Aberdeen 4-3 in a victory. Edouard freed James Forrest down the fi nal kick of the game James Wilson vol- Boxing Day thriller and ensure they the right to tee up Sinclair to turn home his leyed over the chance to snatch a point. goS into Saturday’s Old Firm derby against second of the afternoon from close range Rangers top of the . on 74 minutes. There was little doubt over SCOTTISH PREMIERSHIP RESULTS Sinclair opened the scoring after just six Aberdeen’s fi rst spot-kick when Emilio Iza- Aberdeen 3 (May 24-pen, Cosgrove 83-pen, minutes but Celtic were soon pegged back guirre chopped down May, but the visitors Ferguson 90) Celtic 4 (Sinclair 6, 76, 88, by Stevie May’s penalty and it stayed 1-1 were furious when referee Willie Collum Edouard 86); Dundee 0 Livingston 0; Hearts until a frantic fi nal 14 minutes produced fi ve pointed to the spot again six minutes from goals. Victory took ’s men time when Graeme Shinnie went down un- 2 (Naismith 18, Djoum 20) Hamilton 0; Moth- three points clear of Rangers, who drew 1-1 der pressure from and Sam erwell 0 Kilmarnock 1 (Jones 40); Rangers 1 with Hibernian. Cosgrove converted. (Morelos 25) Hibernian 1 (McGregor 86); St Australia will kickoff their Asian Cup campaign against Jordan on January 6. (AFC) Celtic had started without a natural strik- Edouard won the game by fi rst chipping a Mirren 0 St Johnstone 1 (Watt 89) Gulf Times Thursday, December 27, 2018 7 SPORT

PREMIER LEAGUE SPOTLIGHT Leeds win thriller, Solskjaer hails impact Norwich fi ghtback AFP each half for the improving Bag- London gies. Fourth-placed Sheffi eld United also boosted their pro- motion hopes with a 3-1 home hampionship leaders win over Derby. The Blades went Leeds snatched a re- in front fi ve minutes before half- of ‘happy boy’ Pogba markable 3-2 win over time through Billy Sharp. Blackburn thanks to two On-loan Liverpool winger Clate goals, while promotion rivals Harry Wilson equalised early in Norwich escaped with a dramat- the second half with a fi ne free- ‘Paul loves playing for this club. He’s a Man United boy through and through’ ic 3-3 draw against Nottingham kick before David McGoldrick Forest yesterday. put the home side back in front At Elland Road, Leeds took the again in the 64th minute. Sub- lead through Blackburn defender stitute Leon Clarke headed a late Derrick Williams’ fi rst half own third for Sheffi eld United, who goal. Blackburn equalised at the moved up from sixth. start of the second half from Middlesbrough slipped to a ’s penalty. Mul- 1-0 home defeat by managerless grew looked to have won it with Sheffi eld Wednesday following a Manchester United’s Paul Pogba a free-kick in the 89th minute, goal from midfi elder Adam Reach scores during the but Kemar Roofe equalised in against his old club. Birmingham match against Huddersfield Town in stoppage time. And Roofe struck kept up their push for the top six Manchester yesterday. (Reuters) again in the fourth minute of ad- with a 2-0 home win over Stoke. ditional time to send Elland Road Bottom club Ipswich lost wild as Leeds moved three points 3-0 at QPR, while Bolton beat clear at the top. Second placed Rotherham 2-1. Millwall got their Norwich are Leeds’ nearest chal- fi rst win since the end of Octo- lengers in the race for promotion ber with a 1-0 home victory over to the Premier League. Reading, who fi nished with nine The Canaries needed a stun- men in a fi rst game for new boss ning fi ghtback to stay in touch Jose Gomes. with Marcelo Bielsa’s team and Brentford came from behind extend their unbeaten run to 12 to draw 1-1 at Bristol City and matches. Matty Cash put For- Hull won 2-1 at Preston. Aston est ahead against the run of play Villa won 1-0 at Swansea, where in fi rst-half stoppage time and substitute Wilfried Bony saw a Jack Robinson made it 2-0 on 64 stoppage-time penalty saved for minutes at Carrow Road. When the hosts after Conor Hourihane Cash added another 10 minutes scored in the 65th minute. later, there seemed no way back for Daniel Farke’s side. Yet Mario CHAMPIONSHIP RESULTS Vrancic reduced the defi cit on 77 Birmingham 2 Stoke 0; Bolton minutes, before substitute Onel 2 Rotherham 1; Bristol City 1 Hernandez struck twice in eight Brentford 1; Leeds 3 Blackburn minutes of stoppage time to se- cure an unforgettable recovery. 2; Middlesbrough 0 Sheff ield West Bromwich Albion are Wednesday 1; Millwall 1 Reading 0; third, three points behind Nor- Norwich 3 Nottingham Forest 3; wich, after their 2-0 home win Preston 1 Hull 2; QPR 3 Ipswich 0; over Wigan. Sheff ield Utd 3 Derby 1; Swansea 0 Jay Rodriguez scored a goal in Aston Villa 1; West Brom 2 Wigan 0

Pellegrini to rotate West Ham AFP before the midfi elder left for Juventus stunning save to keep out an eff ort “It was extra special of course,” said squad for Southampton trip Manchester, United Kingdom and United had to pay a then world record from Laurent Depoitre moments before Solskjaer of his return as manager to Old £89mn to bring him back in 2016. “That’s Pogba’s fi rst and United’s second goal. Traff ord. “But I was surprisingly calm, London: West Ham United man- games during December and the Paul I know,” said Solskjaer. “The Paul “Dave’s save was the defi ning moment. the boys settled me down really quickly. ager Manuel Pellegrini intends after that six more in January,” le Gunnar Solskjaer believes I’ve known since he was in the reserves One of the best saves I’ve seen,” said Sol- It’s special to walk out there, hearing the to rotate his squad to cope with Pellegrini said. “Unfortunately Manchester United are now and youth team with me. He has always skjaer. crowd again singing my song — normally a growing injury list and get for us we have eight players seeing the Paul Pogba he knows been a happy boy, he’s always had a big United swiftly went down the other they started after I scored a goal, not be- back to winning ways in the Pre- who are not an option to return. from his time in charge of smile on his face.” end and Juan Mata and Ander Herrera fore the game after I walked out! mier League at Southampton Maybe Marko Arnautovic can theO club’s reserve team after the French Pogba cut a less than happy fi gure for teed up Pogba to convert an accurate fi n- “But it’s humbling and made me really tonight. Pellegrini’s side claimed return soon, I don’t know about World Cup winner scored twice in a 3-1 much of this season as he clashed with ish from 16 yards. Pogba had only scored proud. Hopefully, my family are proud four straight league victories Southampton. We need to see win over Huddersfi eld on Boxing Day. Mourinho and was left on the bench for twice in a Premier League game once — in and my family back home in Norway before a 2-0 defeat by Watford now about the injuries to Chi- Solskjaer’s reign as caretaker manager the Portuguese’s fi nal three league games the derby victory at Manchester City in watching on telly. It was a great day, I will put them back in the bottom charito (Javier Hernandez) and began with a 5-1 win at Cardiff on Satur- in charge. “When you score a goal, or April that ranked as one of the highlights never ever forget, I’ll never forget these half of the table. The east Lon- Fabian (Balbuena). That’s a big day, and his dream start continued with a two, of course you are happy,” Solskjaer of Mourinho’s time in charge. two games.” don side are set to be without problem but we need to trust resounding welcome by the Old Traff ord said. “But when you play football for Man But he would repeat the trick in Solsk- Huddersfi eld claimed a late consola- eight first-team players as they the squad and make a good faithful. Nemanja Matic scored the opener, United you should be happy. Of course jaer’s second game in charge, exchanging tion as substitute Steve Mounie out- look to round out their first half rotation of the players.” but it was Pogba’s second half display and it’s a responsibility, but it’s an honour passes with Jesse Lingard, before beating jumped Pogba to head on an 88th minute of the league season against a After losing their first four the Frenchman’s two goals that spoke vol- and a privilege. Paul loves playing for this Jonas Lossl with a spectacular right-foot Alex Pritchard free-kick, setting up rejuvenated Southampton, who league games of the campaign, umes about the change in mood at the club club. He’s a Man United boy through and fi nish from 25 yards after 77 minutes. Mathias Zanka who slotted in from close have won their last two matches West Ham have slowly adapted in the week since Jose Mourinho was sacked through, a kid who knows what it means Solskjaer has had a whirlwind week after range. “We have seen again today that under new manager Ralph to Pellegrini’s attacking philoso- as manager and replaced, until the end of to play for Man United.” temporarily leaving his role in charge of they play with freedom,” said Hudders- Hasenhuttl. phy to collect 24 points in 18 the season, by the popular Norwegian. The outcome could have been very Molde to help out the club where he spent fi eld manager David Wagner of Solsk- “We need to play seven games. Solskjaer coached Pogba as a youngster diff erent, though, but for David de Gea’s 11 seasons as a player. jaer’s new-look United.

LA LIGA Aduriz off ers a one-step solution to Bilbao’s season of gloom By Sid Lowe penalties than Aduriz since he arrived Athletic will not change what most re- The Guardian at Athletic in 2012. “It’s a special mo- fer to as their Basque-only policy – al- ment,” he said, matter-of-factly, “you though the return of Fernando Llorente have to surprise the goalkeeper, which looks likely. They need something. t was just a penalty, some might is what I tried, and it worked well.” This season, their top scorers are Iker say, but it wasn’t. It was two, for The rest of it, on the other hand, has Muniain and Williams with four goals a start. And two like that in a mo- not. Indeed 2018 has been the worst each. Athletic have appeared more sol- ment like this. year in Athletic’s history, a year in id under Garitano and are unbeaten in IYour club – and it is your club – is in which they have won just seven times. three games, but that run has seen a win the bottom three, the abyss opening: a They have collected 38 points from 38 and two draws, secured with just two fi rst ever relegation, an end that feels games, fi gures that tilt a team towards goals – both from Aduriz, both penal- like it really could be The End, changing the second division, where they have ties. Perfectly executed penalties. Huge everything for everyone. A club unlike never been before. penalties, too. any other, they’ve sacked their man- The crisis is real and if relegation Yet not, as huge as they might have ager mid-season for the fi rst time in comes, the consequences will be felt been. The fi rst secured a win Athletic over a decade, an interim board apply- well beyond Bilbao. No club’s depar- needed desperately; the second put ing the clause that allows them to act ture would mean so much, a defeat for them 1-0 up over Valladolid, on course only when “indispensable”, so bad have something much bigger than a team. for three massive points on Josu Urru- things become. The new man, Gaizka The sense of loss would not be theirs tia’s fi nal game as president. Aduriz’s Garitano, on a rescue mission like his alone. penalty carried Athletic to 17th, three father before him, has taken charge but It is a real possibility, too. Last sea- points ahead of Villarreal. time is running out. In the fi nal second son was Athletic’s second-worst league It was set to give them two wins and of his fi rst game in charge there’s a pen- fi nish ever and they have since lost Ay- a draw in three games under Garitano. alty, which there shouldn’t have been, meric Laporte and Kepa. They released There was hope at last. and it’s all down to you now. coach Cuco Ziganda, and won just But then, in the last minute, the fear Standing alone, you’re approaching once under Eduardo Berizzo. They are gripping them once more, it was taken your 38th birthday, you haven’t scored lacking goals, too. Athletic have three away. Athletic conceded, Dani García all season, you haven’t won since the strikers: Aduriz, whose age is perhaps trying to clear with a backheel, falling opening day four months ago, it’s the fi nally catching him; Raúl García, who off the pitch, playing the entire Val- last kick of the game, and you’re des- Athletic Bilbao’s Aritz Aduriz celebrates after scoring against Valladolid last Saturday. (AFP) plays on despite a chronic knee injury; ladolid team onside and watching help- perate. You can see it in the faces, hear it and Iñaki Williams, who is quick and lessly as Óscar Plano smashed in the in the silence. The manager insists you record improved after his 30th birthday more still compared it to Beppe Si- San Mamés, there was a moment’s exciting but not a centre-forward, and equaliser. The scenario had changed; can’t live in fear, but no one can help it. – and he didn’t do this the way anyone gnori, but this was diff erent. It was not stunned stillness before surprise gave who hasn’t scored at San Mamés for suddenly, it was only Villarreal behind Everyone looks at you, pleading. Some else has done, either. You’ve got to ad- just that Aduriz didn’t take a run-up, way to celebration, a sense that they two years. them, and only by a point. Leganés pray. The man before you was a team- mire his balls. Scorer of the Panenka it was that he hadn’t even set himself; had just witnessed something unique. There are few obvious solutions – drew with Sevilla the next day. Survival mate for 10 years and has saved every- penalty that gave Athletic a vital last- it wasn’t so much a single step as not AS described him as “eternal”. “Art” El Athletic will not change what most re- slipped further from sight. “They end thing. So, what do you do? You dink in a kick 1-0 victory over Girona the day the really a step at all. He appeared to be Correo called it, “original, perfect, and fer to as their Basque-only policy – al- 2018 with a knife plunged into their Panenka, of course. former Eibar and Athletic B team coach marking out his run-up, on the fi rst minimalist.” He’d displayed the kind of though the return of Fernando Llorente hearts,” said El Correo. Twelve days later, you fi nd yourself Garitano took over, on Sunday night of a set of paces backwards, still half- cold blood that even Luca Brasi couldn’t looks likely. They need something. “It all looks black now, but the sun on the same spot, still in the relegation Aduriz scored the penalty that put his leaning, bent forwards from placing the match, they said. El País likened him This season, their top scorers are Iker will be out tomorrow,” Garitano said. zone, still scared, the score 0-0 again. team 1-0 up against Real Valladolid, ball, when he suddenly, unexpectedly to Humphrey Bogart: unmoved, cool, Muniain and Williams with four goals He might be right but all the same, This time you don’t even take a run up: lifting them out of the relegation zone. swung his right leg forwards. Like the barely a fl icker on his face. As everyone each. Athletic have appeared more sol- this hurt. All around San Mamés, they you just sidefoot it in like it was noth- “I’ve never seen anything like it,” said player who curls in a free-kick while went wild, he didn’t run or scream; he id under Garitano and are unbeaten in slumped, scared. On the pitch, the man ing, a fi ve-a-side with your friends. the former Athletic defender Rafael the keeper is still positioning his wall, just stood with arms out. three games, but that run has seen a win who had stood serene in the middle of it You do if you’re Aritz Aduriz, anyway. Alkorta. “What Adu just did will go he caught Jordi Masip unaware. And then off it went, the footage for- and two draws, secured with just two all, the man who patented his own pen- And within seconds, it is everywhere. around the world.” It might also be- Masip hadn’t been ready; no one warded to a thousand phones. All over goals – both from Aduriz, both penal- alty, broke. “This can’t be happening,” The Athletic Club striker hasn’t al- come the title of a new type of penalty: had. Teammates had seen Aduriz do it the place, people watched, amazed. ties. Perfectly executed penalties. Huge he muttered, shaking his head. And ways done things the way others do Panenka, Cruyff -Olsen, Aduriz. at Lezama, but none of them had ex- But this was not just for fun – there’s penalties, too. then Aritz Aduriz looked to the sky and – this is the man whose goalscoring Some likened it to Socrates in 1986, pected him to do it in a game. Around a reason no Spaniard has scored more There are few obvious solutions – shouted. “But why?!”

Thursday, December 27, 2018 GULF TIMES SPORT

PREMIER LEAGUE Liverpool open up six-point lead as Man City lose again Tottenham into second after thrashing Bournemouth 5-0, while Pogba scores twice in United’s win over Huddersfield

AFP and Lucas Moura put Tottenham 3-0 London up before half-time at Wembley. Kane then got his goal just after the hour mark before Son recorded his second iverpool moved six points clear double in as many games. at the top of the Premier League Pogba was again to the fore as Solsk- as the leaders eased past New- jaer’s dream start continued unabated castle 4-0 at Anfi eld and Man- in his fi rst outing in charge at Old Traf- Lchester City were beaten for the second ford. Nemanja Matic tapped home from time in fi ve days, 2-1 at Leicester yes- close range to give the hosts a half-time terday. Tottenham leapfrog City into advantage. second after thrashing Bournemouth Pogba provided three assists on 5-0, while Manchester United’s per- his return to the starting line-up in a fect start under caretaker manager Ole 5-1 win at Cardiff at the weekend af- Gunnar Solskjaer continued with Paul ter being benched towards the end of Pogba scoring twice in a 3-1 win over Jose Mourinho’s reign. And the French Huddersfi eld. World Cup winner showed the goals- Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has coring threat he also poses from mid- tried in recent days to stress that it is fi eld by striking twice in 14 minutes as still far too early for his side to be talk- United moved back to within fi ve points ing of ending a near three-decade wait of the top four. “This is Manchester to win the title in December. However, United. When you score a fi rst, you another routine win and a 12th clean want a second. When you score a sec- sheet in 19 Premier League games will ond, you want a third,” said Solskjaer, do little to dampen expectations ahead who wants United to take advantage of of a huge week for Liverpool with Arse- upcoming games with Bournemouth nal visiting Anfi eld on Saturday before and Newcastle. “You need momentum. a visit to City on January 3. The next two games will be massive for “We play City soon — if I was them us. Coming into those games with con- I would think there is only four points fi dence is great.” because we still have to play them, then Everton bounced back from their we play Arsenal before then as well,” Tottenham thrashing by infl icting said Klopp. “The only thing that mat- similar punishment on Burnley with a ters to us is the performance and keep- 5-1 victory at Turf Moor. At the bottom ing that level of performance. It’s good Cardiff moved three points clear of the but that’s all. Tottenham are fl ying — relegation zone by holding out for a 0-0 they had a diffi cult summer but they are draw at Crystal Palace. doing brilliant.” But Fulham remain rooted in the After a slow start Liverpool went in bottom three as Wolves struck late to front through an unlikely source when secure a share of the points in a 1-1 draw Dejan Lovren volleyed home after 12 at Craven Cottage. minutes. It was a far more familiar marksman who made the game safe PREMIER LEAGUE RESULTS when Mohamed Salah scored from the Burnley 1 (Gibson 37) Everton 5 (Mina penalty spot two minutes into the sec- 2, Digne 13, 71, Sigurdsson 22-pen, Rich- ond half to briefl y move into a three- arlison 90); Crystal Palace 0 Cardiff 0; way lead as the league’s top scorer Fulham 1 (Sessegnon 74) Wolves 1 (Saiss with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Harry Kane. Xherdan Shaqiri and Fab- 85); Leicester 2 (Albrighton 19, Pereira inho’s fi rst Liverpool goal rounded off Leicester City’s Ricardo Pereira (left) and Manchester City’s Leroy Sane battle for the ball during the Premier League match yesterday. (Reuters) 81) Manchester City 1 (B.Silva 14); Liver- the scoring. pool 4 (Lovren 11, Salah 47-pen, Shaqiri City boss Pep Guardiola made three get immediately one good result and get on Saturday they were hit by another afternoon for City was compounded cautious Pochettino. “It is one thing to 79, Fabinho 85) Newcastle 0; Manches- changes from the side that lost 3-2 to our confi dence back,” said Guardiola. wonder strike when Ricardo Pereira late on by a red card for Fabian Delph. be a point above them, but Manchester ter United 3 (Matic 28, Pogba 64, 78) Crystal Palace on Saturday with Sergio Aguero set up Bernardo Silva to fi red home nine minutes from time. As City fl ounder, Spurs are fi ring City are the reigning champions and Huddersfield 1 (Jorgensen 88); Tot- Aguero and Kevin De Bruyne returning, give the champions a perfect start, “It was another fantastic goal against back into the title race as Mauricio Po- Liverpool are doing fantastic. We are tenham 5 (Eriksen 16, Son 23, 70, Moura but even they couldn’t prevent a third but Marc Albrighton levelled just fi ve us. There are games when your op- chettino’s men have now scored 11 goals between them and there is still a lot of 35, Kane 61) Bournemouth 0; Brighton 1 defeat in four Premier League games. minutes later. City dominated pos- ponents have clear chances and don’t in four days. “We are in a very good po- work to do.” (Locadia 35) Arsenal 1 (Aubameyang 7) “We have to accept it, we have to realise session throughout, but after Andros score and games when they score goals sition, but Liverpool and Manchester Fresh from a 6-2 hammering of Ever- Playing today: Southampton v West that we have to work harder and try to Townsend’s incredible volley for Palace like this,” added Guardiola. A terrible City are the real contenders,” insisted a ton, Christian Eriksen, Son Heung-min Ham (1945 GMT)

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Santo Domingo: The State ExxonMobil Open terday and arrest a run of three and fell to Jurgen Locadia who had sprinted Unai Emery’s side climbed into the top of Qatar and the Dominican Bstraight defeats. Their poor run looked up the fi eld and did well to poke it past Ar- four, albeit briefl y as fi fth placed Chelsea, Republic signed a memo- oredoo will continue 2019 Grand Slam events such like continuing as Arsenal took the lead senal goalkeeper Bernd Leno. behind by only one point, were taking on randum of understanding its support for the Qa- as the Australian Open, on the after seven minutes, Pierre-Emerick Au- Brighton midfi elder Davy Propper head- Watford late last night. (MoU) for co-operation in the tar ExxonMobil Open calendar two weeks later in Mel- field of sports. Acting Charge at the 2019 event as bourne, Australia. D’Aff aires at the embassy aO Silver Sponsor. The ATP 250 Manar Khalifa al-Muraikhi, BASKETBALL of the State of Qatar in the tournament, a popular fi xture Director PR and Corporate Com- Dominican Republic Khalid on the tour, is set to be held at munications at Ooredoo, said of Mohammed al-Sharshani and the Khalifa International Ten- the support: “We’re delighted to Dominican Minister of Sports nis and Squash Complex in Doha be partnering with the ATP Tour and Recreation Danilo Diaz from 31 December 2018 until 5 again this year, as we place great Qatar Sports Club beat Gharafa signed the MoU. The MoU January 2019. World No 1 Novak emphasis on supporting sport- aims to enhance co-operation Djokovic has confi rmed he will ing events that raise awareness in the field of sports. kick-start his season at the tour- of health and fi tness within our nament, and he is set to be joined communities. This is a key part in OT, Wakrah ease past Rayyan by other stellar players includ- of our CSR strategy of promot- ing World No 8 Dominic Thiem, ing a broad range of sports and By Sports Reporter chance points as against their FOCUS Nikolov Basilashvili, David Gof- healthy living initiatives that Doha rivals’ nine and seven. The close- fi n, Karen Khachanov and this encourage us all to get fi t, and we ness of the match in regulation year’s French Open semi-fi nalist look forward to another exciting could be gauged from the fact Marco Cecchinato. event with lots of great tennis atar Sports Club pow- that the lead changed hands 15 Bayern’s 2019 will be the 27th year of being played.” ered their way past Al times, while the scores were tied the Qatar ExxonMobile Open Tickets for the 2019 Qatar Gharafa in fi rst over- on 10 occasions. For Al Gharafa and the tournament serves as ExxonMobil Open will be on sale time for a 95-87 vic- Nicholas Stover excelled with 27 camp in the opener for the tennis sea- online at qatartennis.org and via toryQ in the Qatar Men’s League points, while Franklin Session son, off ering players the chance ExxonMobil booths at City Cen- here yesterday. scored 22 and Nedin Muslic 21. to warm up and prepare for the tre, Landmark, and Villaggio. After trailing Al Gharafa for In the second match of the day, Qatar the fi rst three quarters, al- Al Wakrah eased past Al Rayyan beit only marginally, the teams 89-74 with Joshua Caldwell Doha: Bayern Munich are set fought a neck-and-neck fourth scoring a game-high 30 points. to start their winter training period, when Nemanja Besovic’s Caldwell scored 12 from three- camp in Doha on Jan 4, part of two-point layup with fi ve sec- pointers and he was given superb the preparations for the second onds on the clock tied the scores support by Darrius Oldham and part of the football season of the at 74-all. Justin King, who scored 21 and 17, Bundesliga. For the ninth time, That took the game into over- respectively. Bayern Munich will hold their time, but QSC were quick to as- Al Wakrah led 32-20 at the training camp in Doha, which sert their domination to come up halfway point but a third quarter will run till Jan10. Bayern Mu- with a whopping 21 points in fi ve eff ort of 24 points helped them nich will restart their Bundesliga minutes to clinch the match. grab a 56-45 cushion with 10 campaign against Hoff enheim in Jeff rey Newberry top-scored minutes remaining. Jan 18. are for Qatar Sports Club with 29 But all hopes of a Rayyan on top of the standings. It is no points while Mohamed Yousuf fi ghtback were thwarted when Al surprise that over the past few and Aaron Rountree chipped in Wakrah produced a whopping 33 years, top international clubs with 22 and 21 respectively. points to seal a comfortable win. have come to Doha, especially Newberry also produced nine For Al Rayyan, Geron Johnson from Europe, during the winter assists, while Rountree had eight. scored 29 points, while Alioune Al Wakrah’s Erfan Ali Saeed (left) shoots even as Al Rayyan’s break to enjoy the unique climate Czech Republic’s Tomas Berdych is received at the airport Qatar Sports Club had 21 Ndoye and Jarett Croff scored 16 Abdulaziz al-Naimy attempts to block during the Qatar that Qatar has to off er at such a by tournament director Karim Alami (right) yesterday. fast break points and 18 second and 13, respectively. Men’s League yesterday. time of year at Aspire Zone.