NNBABA | Page 5 TTENNISENNIS | Page 7 Warriors Federer hold off says he is Raptors to too old to win on road be favourite

Monday, January 15, 2018 FOOTBALL Rabia II 28, 1439 AH Liverpool hand GULF TIMES Manchester City first defeat of the season SPORT Page 2 ASIAN U23 CHAMPIONSHIP Confi dent Qatar take on China in crunch clash today ‘I believe that in a long competition like this, confidence is important, because over the course of 90 minutes you can be the first or the last team’

course of their two games, even SPOTLIGHT during their defeat to Uzbekistan, that they have talented players and are very well organised. “We will approach the game as Striker Almoez if it was a fi nal.” Massimiliano Maddaloni, meanwhile, is adamant that Chi- upbeat as Qatar na will not be adversely aff ected by their defeat to Uzbekistan on Matchday Two, saying: “As far target three points as we are concerned, we need to refl ect on the result of the game against Uzbekistan in a positive manner. “We need to have confi - dence because we are growing up as a team. “We need to face our next opponents, who are Qatar, in a positive frame of mind.” Elsewhere, Uzbekistan head into their decisive fi xture against Oman at the Jiangyin Sports Center knowing that a win would also see them through to the competition’s knockout phase. Following their impressive win over China, a victory that reignited the Central Asian side’s hopes in the wake of an opening day defeat to Qatar, head coach Ravshan Khaydarov is grateful to at least be in with a chance of progressing to the last eight. “The next game against Oman is very important for us,” he ex- plained. “The win against China AFC With plenty still to play for, was very important because of Changzhou Almoez believes Qatar have what the situation we found ourselves it takes to get the job done and go in following the game against through, in spite of the passionate Qatar. ivewire Qatar striker home support that is sure to await “I think that every team in Almoez Ali has declared them. this group will now face a battle that his side are primed and “We are doing very well in this to qualify, as all four teams still ready to go ahead of today’s tournament so far and we already have a real chance to reach the crucialL AFC U23 Championship have six points,” said the Al Duhail Qatar coach Felix Sanchez and star forward Akram Afif, who will be a key player in today’s match against China. quarter-fi nals.” Group A encounter with China at forward who has a goal and an as- AFC securing a spot in the quarter- “To qualify for the next round our next game (in the quarter- With his team yet to gain a the Changzhou Olympic Sports sist to his name thus far. Changzhou fi nals thanks to solid 1-0 wins would be a good achievement, fi nals).” point following back-to-back Center. “We have a very important game over Uzbekistan and then China, but I think fi nishing fi rst gives Despite seeing China beaten by at the hands of China and Qatar, Needing only a point to guaran- against China coming up and we results that see them currently you confi dence because you will Uzbekistan in their second game Hamad al-Azani is looking for tee their progress to the quarter- are preparing ourselves well. The ead coach Felix occupying fi rst place ahead have fi nished top of a very tough of the competition, Sanchez is Oman to shine brightly in what fi nals, the Qataris will go into the team is ready for the match. Sanchez believes Qa- of the group’s fi nal round of group,” said the Spaniard. not about to take the East Asian could potentially be their fi nal game as group leaders and favour- “At the AFC U-19 Champi- tar can strike a sig- matches. “I believe that in a long com- powerhouse lightly ahead of the game at the tournament. ites to reach the knockout phase onship in Myanmar in 2014, we Hnifi cant psychologi- With today’s crunch clash petition like this, confi dence key encounter. “I was disappointed with the thanks to successive victories over played against Myanmar and there cal blow by fi nishing top of an against host nation China is important, because over the “We know that China are a last result (against Qatar), and Uzbekistan and Oman. were nearly 30,000 spectators intriguing Group A at the AFC looming large on the horizon, course of 90 minutes you can be very strong team and we will plan for sure we will try our very best By way of contrast, host nation there. U23 Championship 2018. Sanchez feels his side could gain the fi rst or the last team. well for the match, just as we did to qualify. China, following Friday’s defeat “I think the team will face the Qatar, who were fourth at the a signifi cant boost if things go “If we can now get a result for the other two teams in the “It would be a great pity to go to Uzbekistan, realistically need same sort of challenge against tournament’s 2016 edition, have their way at the Changzhou Ol- against China, it would give us group.” he explained. out of the competition without all three points to keep alive their China as the stadium will be full. put themselves on the verge of ympic Sports Center. even more confi dence going into “China have shown over the having won any points.” hopes of reaching the last eight. Nevertheless, we are ready.”

DAKAR RALLY Peterhansel wins stage eight, al-Attiyah third Agencies behind the Peugeot duo and did enough won the eighth special stage between Tupiza, Bolivia to hold off Peterhansel in the battle Uyuni and Tupiza but his compatriot for second place in the general clas- Adrien van Beveren retained the motor- sifi cation. The Qatari was top of the cycle overall lead. eigning Dakar Rally champion timesheets at the fi rst two waypoints, Meo, riding a KTM, won for the sec- Stephane Peterhansel beat but ended up two minutes adrift – with ond time in the race taking the 498-kil- Peugeot teammate Cyril De- another seven still separating him and ometre stage in 5hr 24min 1sec. Rspres to top the eighth stage of Peterhansel in the overall standings. American Ricky Brabec was second the marathon’s 2018 edition. Al-Attiyah’s teammates Bernhard on a Honda 1min 8sec back and another Peterhansel was lower than usual in ten Brinke and Giniel de Villiers traded KTM rider, Australian Toby Price was the starting order, having lost his overall places in the general classifi cation, the third. lead on Saturday when he spent over an latter dropping down to fi fth after los- Van Beveren, who rides a Yamaha, hour and a half at a standstill with sus- ing over 20 minutes on the day. lost 8min 44sec but remains 22 seconds pension damage. Having inherited a sizeable lead on ahead of Argentine Kevin Benavides in Yesterday, he recovered a small chunk Saturday, Peugeot driver Carlos Sainz the overall standings. of the lost time, recording his second paced himself through the stage as he Organsiers have cancelled today’s stage win of this year’s Dakar in the opened the road, fi nishing seven min- scheduled ninth stage from Tupiza to 498km timed special between Bolivian utes down on his stage-topping team- Salta in Argentina due to poor weather. cities Uyuni and Tupiza. mate. “The stage is cancelled because Despres, 45 hours down in the general With today’s test called off due to in- there’s a lot of water in the bivouac to- classifi cation after opening-week tra- clement weather, the Spaniard will head day, and tomorrow we’re expecting vails, challenged Peterhansel through- into the closing fi ve-day stretch of the some storms as well. These are not the out the day but had to do with runner- marathon with a lead of one hour and best conditions to hold the stage,” the up, 49 seconds off the pace. seven minutes. rally’s sporting director Marc Coma told Toyota’s Nasser al-Attiyah was third Argentinian biker Diego Martin Duplessis in action in the Dakar rally yesterday. Meanwhile, Frenchman Antoine Meo AFP. Gulf Times 2 Monday, January 15, 2018 FOOTBALL

BOTTOMLINE W Cup adds to pressure on players: Hassan

By Sports Reporter like challenges, and I’m ready to fi ght U-23 team at the U-23 Asian Football Doha for my dreams.” Confederation (AFC) Championships KAS Eupen coach Claude Makelele in China. stressed that staying positive in the Speaking about the performance tar defender Abdelkarim Has- wake of challenges was key to a team’s of his Qatari players, Makelele add- san has admitted Qatari teams success. ed: “They’ve been doing really well. are under additional pressure Under his supervision, the team has There’s still more to be done to help to win competitions because enjoyed a recent run of positive results them grow as players and play their theS country is hosting the FIFA World but is battling hard to avoid relegation. part in the Qatar national football team. Cup in 2022. He praised 23-year-old Japanese strik- But I think their experience with KAS Hassan, who is on loan from Al Sadd er Yuta Toyokawa who transferred from Eupen will help them develop the right at Qatar-owned Belgian top fl ight team Leeds United to KAS Eupen on loan. outlook and attitude.” KAS Eupen, was speaking to journalists “He is a good player, always willing Meanwhile Belgian goalkeeper, Hen- at a press conference on the sidelines of to listen and learn. I expect good things drik Van Combrugge, who returns to the team’s winter training camp at As- from him. Playing in the Belgian Pro Aspire Academy this year for the fi fth pire Academy. League will be excellent experience for time, said: “One of the key benefi ts of “As Qatari players, we experience him against bigger, more experienced this winter training camp is that it gives pressure during major tournaments players.” With a squad of 24 players, us time to recover mentally and physi- because there is an expectation on us to Qatar defender Abdelkarim Hassan (L) and KAS Eupen coach Claude Makelele speaking to journalists yesterday. including Qatari international Ab- cally by taking some time out from Bel- achieve good results,” Hassan said. dulkarim Hassan, KAS Eupen features gium and our daily routine. “Especially since we’ll soon be rep- Hassan however stressed that Qatar portunities to join and train with Speaking about his experience at a number of Aspire Academy graduates “The time we spend here is perfect resenting Qatar at the 2022 FIFA World gives plenty of opportunities to play- international clubs like KAS Eupen. KAS Eupen, Abdulkarim said: “It’s def- including Abdullah Ali Saei and Ahmed for us as players as we benefi t from ses- Cup Qatar. The pressure will always be ers to develop their skills thus helping Our Olympic football team is currently initely a diff erent set up to that which Homam Elamin. Their fellow Qatari sions with the coaches where we re- there. All we can do is give our all in them cope with fans’ expectations. performing really well at the AFC U-23 we had at Al Sadd SC. But it’ll be a good teammates at the club Akram Afi f, Ab- ally get to have some quality time with order to achieve the best possible re- “Thankfully, organisations like As- championship and I wish them the best learning experience that’ll help im- dulrasheed Ibrahim, Youssef Ayman them. “Since we arrived, we’ve had sult we can, and hope for the best,” he pire Academy support our develop- of luck in their match against China on prove my game in the future, and which Farhat and Assim Madibo, are current- training sessions two or three times added. ment by, for example, giving us op- Monday.” in turn will benefi t the national team. I ly on international duty with Qatar’s each day.”

EPL SPOTLIGHT Chelsea running on Reds stun City as empty, admits Conte Sanchez nears exit City fall just short in their desperate bid to keep their unbeaten run going

AFP London

iverpool condemned Manchester City to their fi rst Premier League defeat of the season yesterday as Arsenal’s defeat was marked by Lthe missing Alexis Sanchez, who looks set to leave the club imminently. Jurgen Klopp sent out an attack- minded line-up and was rewarded with a scintillating 4-3 win at a jubilant Anfi eld, where the emotions were in sharp con- Conte reacts during Chelsea's match against Leicester on Saturday. trast to Wenger’s misery after a 2-1 loss at struggling Bournemouth. AFP At Anfi eld, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain’s London For the fi rst time in the early strike was cancelled out by Leroy club’s history, Chelsea have Sane’s goal shortly before half-time but endured three successive three goals in nine scintillating minutes ntonio Conte believes goalless draws aft er an FA stunned Pep Guardiola’s men. Chelsea’s gruelling Cup stalemate at Norwich Two late goals gave City hope but they schedule and a lack and a League Cup blank fell just short in their desperate bid to of squad depth are to against Arsenal keep their unbeaten run going. blameA for the champions’ recent The result means that City remain struggles. es,” he said. 15 points clear of second-placed Man- Conte’s side lacked energy and “To face all competitions is chester United at the top of the Premier drive as they were forced to set- not simple. You must have a big League table ahead of United’s match at tle for a dour 0-0 draw against squad to do this, otherwise you home to struggling Stoke today. Liver- 10-man Leicester at Stamford take risks to lose against teams pool leapfrog Chelsea into third spot. Bridge on Saturday. like Leicester.” Klopp’s side, in their fi rst match since For the fi rst time in the club’s Regardless of Chelsea’s fi t- Philippe Coutinho left to join Barcelona, history, Chelsea have endured ness problems, Conte’s hopes of showed they still have enviable depth three successive goalless draws a strong start to 2018 have also after an FA Cup stalemate at been hampered by their lack of Liverpool’s Senegalese midfielder Sadio Mane (L) celebrates scoring their third goal to extend their lead 3-1 with Liverpool’s Norwich and a League Cup blank cutting edge. STANDINGS Scottish defender Andrew Robertson (R) during the English Premier League football match against Manchester City at Anfield against Arsenal. Four successive draws in yesterday. Even the 68th minute dis- all competitions have fea- P W D L GF GA Pts missal of Leicester defender tured Chelsea missing a host of Man City 23 20 2 1 67 17 62 in attack, taking the lead in the ninth City scored late through Bernardo City remained favourites to sign the Ben Chilwell for two bookings chances to kill off opponents, Man Utd 22 14 5 3 45 16 47 minute when Oxlade-Chamberlain ma- Silva and Ilkay Gundogan but ran out of Chile international this month until in quick succession couldn’t with Spain striker Alvaro Morata Liverpool 23 13 8 2 54 28 47 rauded forward and thundered a shot time in their search for a dramatic equal- Manchester United expressed their in- lift lethargic Chelsea, who were completely out of form. Chelsea 23 14 5 4 41 16 47 past City stopper Ederson. iser. terest last week. out-played in the fi rst half and After scoring regularly at the Tottenham 23 13 5 5 46 21 44 The home side held onto their lead un- Earlier, Arsene Wenger left Chile in- The Old Traff ord club’s willingness couldn’t make their numerical start of his fi rst season in Eng- Arsenal 23 11 6 6 41 30 39 til fi ve minutes before half-time, when ternational Sanchez out of his squad to meet Arsenal’s £35mn valuation of advantage count at the end of the land, Morata has netted only Burnley 23 9 7 7 19 20 34 Leroy Sane gathered a raking cross-fi eld to travel to Bournemouth as transfer Sanchez, who can leave as a free agent at second period. three times in 14 appearances, Leicester 23 8 7 8 34 32 31 ball from Kyle Walker and beat Loris speculation swirls over a potential the end of the campaign, together with With an FA Cup replay against with no goals in his last fi ve Everton 23 7 6 10 25 38 27 Karius at his near post with a rasping move to Manchester City or Manches- the possibility of off ering one-time Ar- Norwich looming in midweek, matches. Watford 23 7 5 11 33 42 26 left-foot shot that the Liverpool keeper ter United. senal target Henrikh Mkhitaryan as part Blues boss Conte is concerned But Conte is adamant Morata West Ham 23 6 7 10 29 41 25 should have saved. “Alexis would have played,” said of any deal, has increased the chance by the signs of fatigue following isn’t the only one to blame for Guardiola’s team looked in control af- Wenger, after Arsenal leaked two goals in of the forward joining Jose Mourinho’s the draining Christmas and New Chelsea’s profl igacy. Crystal Palace 23 6 7 10 21 33 25 ter the break before Liverpool’s goal glut. four second-half minutes to slip to de- squad. Arsenal have lost their past three Year fi xture pile-up. “The problem is for the team, Bournemouth 23 6 6 11 24 35 24 Roberto Firmino dinked a clever shot feat. Premier League games in which Sanchez “We played with tiredness. We not only for Morata,” he said. Huddersfield 23 6 6 11 19 39 24 in off the post following a through-ball “Alexis would have played, but it’s a has not played any part, showing how suff ered a lot in the fi rst half and “Compared to last season we Newcastle 23 6 5 12 21 31 23 by Oxlade-Chamberlain and just two diffi cult period for him. He’s always been much they will miss the forward when he at the start of the second half,” are conceding less, we are show- Brighton 23 5 8 10 17 29 23 minutes later Sadio Mane smashed a shot committed until now but he could have leaves the club. Conte said. ing great solidity defensively. At Southampton 23 4 9 10 23 34 21 into the top corner to make it 3-1. gone yesterday and he could go in the On Saturday, 10-man Leicester held “We played a lot of eff ort the same time we’re showing not Stoke 22 5 5 12 23 47 20 With City rocking, Mohamed Salah next 48 hours.” Chelsea to a 0-0 draw at Stamford Bridge against Arsenal on Wednesday, great quality in our fi nishing. West Bromwich 23 3 10 10 18 30 19 scored Liverpool’s fourth with a left- Wenger, who said Sanchez had not re- while Tottenham put Everton to the then to play a really good team in “We have to improve if we Swansea 23 4 5 14 14 35 17 footed shot from more than 35 yards out fused to play, added that he would be re- sword, with Harry Kane scoring twice in good physical form like Leicester want to score and we want to after Ederson had misplaced a clearance. placed if he left. a 4-0 rout. was diffi cult. win. If you don’t score, you’re “We played with almost the lucky the game fi nishes 0-0.” same players as against Arsenal. With no end to the fi xture I saw a lot of players very tired. I crunch in sight, Conte must hope saw Eden (Hazard) was very tired the hamstring injury suff ered by Guardiola delighted by renaissance of attacking style so he came off . Gary Cahill is not severe. “When I decided to put fresh “Cahill was a muscular prob- Manchester, AFP: Pep Guardiola believes his style of Having faced suggestions his style could not work in on target. And you see that and say: Wow.” energy on with Willian and lem, but not a serious problem,” play is gaining traction across English football after he England, Guardiola is delighted to have proved his critics Guardiola includes Liverpool in the list of high-quality Pedro, the game changed. We Conte said. experienced a tough first season with Manchester City. wrong, adding he loves to see other teams playing his attacking teams in the Premier League. created chances to score but at Meanwhile, Leicester man- Guardiola is pleased to see the high-possession, high- way. “I think Liverpool are playing like Liverpool were in the the end the result was fair.” ager Claude Puel remains confi - pressing and high-intensity approach he espouses has “I like that, because more than a manager, I’m a fan. past, with all their history,” Guardiola said. Conte hinted Chelsea’s energy dent Riyad Mahrez’s fi ne display found popularity elsewhere in the Premier League, When I have to choose, those are the type of teams I like “The fans are demanding attacking football. Liverpool levels are aff ecting results be- won’t be one of his last in a Foxes complimenting both Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur to watch,” he said. have to defend their whole history. cause he doesn’t have the qual- shirt. on the way they play. “Barcelona, I love to watch, first because I am a fan of the “In the 1980s, they dominated the world and European ity players in reserve to keep his The Algeria winger has been The former Barcelona and Bayern Munich boss saw his club, I grew up there, and especially because we are in a football. I think they are trying to respect that. team fresh and performing at a linked with Arsenal and Liver- style questioned as he struggled to make an early im- unmissable period in terms of seeing their great players, “Some teams try to sit back against us. Liverpool played high level. pool, but Puel said: “We can see pact at the Etihad Stadium, suff ering the first trophyless especially one (Lionel Messi). well against us. They tried. We want to do something The Italian has spent much he is enjoying his football, he is season of his coaching career last term as City finished “I am happy that in Italy, Napoli are playing in a quite quite similar. We want to try to be the best.” of the season grumbling about happy in playing, in training, he third in the table. similar way. I identify quite well with how they play and The Spaniard added: “If we start to go down, and lose the lack of signings made by is happy with us and his team- The transformation this season has been remarkable, how they want to do things. confidence, and don’t play well regularly, then we will the club’s hierarchy since he led mates. with City having dropped just four points in 22 league “It’s the same with Tottenham. Tottenham can drop see. “Maybe that is going to happen, and I am going to Chelsea to the title last season. “There is a lot of speculation matches as they remain in contention for an unprec- points, but always I see the games and think: ‘They shake the hand of my opponents and congratulate them “I’m doing rotations. Against about the players, but of course edented trophy quadruple. played well’. You always see they have 20, 25, 27 shots for being champions." Norwich I made nine changes, we are happy with him, and we against Arsenal I made 10 chang- want to keep our best player.” Gulf Times Monday, January 15, 2018 3 FOOTBALL

REACTION Zidane and Real Madrid under fi re FOCUS aft er defeat

AFP In Barcelona, the Catalan Asian communities Madrid press seized the chance to stick the knife in. “In crisis”, headlined Mun- he Spanish press did do Deportivo below a picture not hold back in their of Cristiano Ronaldo, on the criticism of a “shat- ground with his head in his tered” Real Madrid, a hands. tourney opens with Tteam “in crisis” after their 1-0 Sport focused on the trou- home defeat at the hands of bles in front of goal of Ron- Villarreal in La Liga. aldo, who missed numerous “Inexplicable” was the chances at the Santiago Bern- front-page headline on Ma- abeu before Pablo Fornals’ drid sports daily Marca yes- magnifi cent late winner for terday, which remarked that Villarreal, their fi rst ever vic- spectacular show the reigning Spanish and tory there. European champions “don’t Ronaldo has just four league Filipino, Indonesian, and Malaysian out of fans at the know what is happening to goals this season, while Ga- communities who displayed spectacu- opening ceremony them” in La Liga. reth Bale is struggling for fi t- lar dance performances. The show was this weekend which Just days after Zinedine Zi- ness and form and Karim Ben- followed by the twelve teams lining up demonstrates their dane signed a new contract zema has been injured. The on the pitch for the Qatar national an- passion for foot- until 2020, serious questions previously feared ‘BBC’ no them, and represented their countries ball and support for are being asked of the French- longer carries the same aura. by carrying their country’s fl ag. their community man’s ability to turn things “The white collapse is basi- An open-air bazaar in the fanzone teams. The ACFT around after two trophy-lad- cally the collapse of Cristiano area was also organised whereby dif- demonstrates QFA’s en years in charge. and, by extension, that of the ferent restaurants in Qatar set up their objective which is to Real have picked up just whole ‘BBC’, a trident that stalls and sold food from their part of organise a tourna- one point from their last three died months ago now without the world to visitors. ment that acts as an league games and have won anyone having realised,” wrote The 12-team tournament began on eff ective tool to help only once in fi ve, form that Sport editor Ernest Folch. January 11 and will conclude on March support integration Sri Lankan community flag bearers take part in the ceremony. leaves them fourth in the ta- Relano added: “Madrid 30, with matches to be played at Al and positive com- ble, 16 points behind leaders started to fall behind because Gharafa Stadium, Al Markhiya SC, and munity engagement Barcelona, who go to Real So- Cristiano was missing; then, Doha Stadium. Matches will be played amongst the vari- ciedad today. because when he came back Thursdays and Fridays at 8pm and ous communities in “No goals, no luck and no the goals were not going in; in 9:20pm. Qatar through foot- explanation,” said sports daily the end, because the gap at the The fi rst day of matches took place on ball.” AS on their front page. top provoked a disenchant- Thursday, January 11, which saw Malay- He added: “It also “Everything is going ment that shows.” sia win 1-0 against the Philippines and provides a unique wrong,” wrote editor Alfredo Zidane is “an elegant coach Action from the match between India Japan win 3-0 against Singapore. opportunity for Relano in his column. “This but has no answers on the and Jordan (in red). Friday’s matches witnessed Jordan’s community teams result sinks Madrid further blackboard,” according to 2-1 victory over India, with Ammar to display their tal- into the sombre mood that has Folch. By Sports Reporter Abwiny and Ahmed al-Noaimat scor- ents at an organised invaded everyone, including There is a danger that his Doha ing for the eventual winners. Abwiny football tournament Zidane.” position could become unten- was adjudged best player of the match. offi ciated by QFA If they had already all but able if Madrid — the two-time The second match of the night saw referees.” given up on any hope of re- defending European cham- he Qatar Football Association Lebanon beat Indonesia 9-0, with The ACFT is taining the league title even pions — lose to Paris Saint- (QFA) kicked off the 6th Asian Lebanon’s Mohamed al-Sagheer im- sponsored by the before Saturday’s game, there Germain in the Champions Communities Football Tour- pressing in the match. Supreme Commit- Indian fans enjoy the action. are now even concerns that League last 16, the fi rst leg of nament (ACFT) this weekend The tournament this year will follow tee for Delivery & they could miss out on a top- which will be played at the Twith a thrilling opening ceremony at Al the traditional format of twelve teams Legacy as the offi cial strategic partner, four spot altogether. Bernabeu on February 14. Gharafa Stadium that was attended by split into two groups where they will Nike as the offi cial supplier, and Al Kass Real are eight points behind Frederic Hermel, Madrid- many fans, families, and children. play group stage matches, followed Sports Channels as the offi cial broad- third-placed Valencia, who based correspondent for Friday’s opening ceremony was at- with the top four teams of each group caster. were 2-1 winners at Depor- French sports daily L’Equipe, tended by Indian ambassador P Kuma- qualifying for the knockout stage. The ACFT was launched in sports tivo on Saturday. They are also noted that Zidane “still doesn’t ran, Indonesian ambassador Mohamed The teams participating this year season 2012-2013 and saw the participa- only one point clear of Villar- appear prepared to make any Basri Sidehabi, Singaporean ambassa- include Jordan, India, Philippines, tion of six teams. In its’ fi rst edition, the real in fi fth — not since 2004 changes to his team, despite dor Jai Sohan Singh, Bangladeshi am- Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Korea Republic, tournament saw huge success and as a have they fi nished outside the another defeat... (that) leaves a bassador Ashud Ahmed, Amjad Mu- Singapore, Japan, Lebanon, Indonesia, result, the following editions witnessed top three in La Liga. feeling of powerlessness.” baideen, Chargé D’aff aires of Jordan to Bangladesh, and Nepal. an increase in the number of partici- Qatar. Hilal al-Mohannadi, Chairman of the pating teams as more communities ex- The opening ceremony featured a Sub-Leagues Committee at the QFA pressed huge interest in being part of this cultural show performed by the Indian, said:” We are very happy with the turn- exciting community tournament.

Malaysian community members perform during the Indonesian performers put up a show during the opening Filipino community members perform opening ceremony. ceremony for the Asian Communities Football Tournament. during the opening ceremony.

QNB STARS LEAGUE Six who made the diff erence in week 12 he QNB Stars League’s yat. The tall player, signed for one- the third place as they lagged be- Week 12 fi xtures, held over and-a-half seasons from Club Afri- hind in goal diff erence. Thursday, Friday and Sat- cain, had a remarkable career with urday, saw fi erce competi- his native side Esperance. The win AHMED FATHI (Al Arabi) Ttion among the teams in order to helped The Orange Fortress close Ahmed Fathi had an outstanding make a headway at the start of tour- the gap with fourth-placed Al Saili- game in Al Arabi’s 1-1 draw with nament’s second phase. And there ya to one point. fourth-placed Al Sailiya. He or- were many outstanding individual chestrated their moves in the mid- performances. QSL Online high- AHMED ALAELDIN (Al Gharafa) fi eld and showed a great level de- lights some of the stars. Ahmed Alaeldin netted Al Gharafa’s spite missing many team training both goals in their come-from- sessions during the month-long YOUSSEF EL ARABI (Al Duhail) behind victory over Al Ahli. The break in the QNB Stars League as he Moroccan striker Youssef El Arabi youngster stole the show in the did duty for Qatar at the Gulf Cup yet again showed his brilliance by match that was special for many in Kuwait. The result enabled Al netting a hat-trick in Al Duhail’s reasons, especially because Dutch Arabi to move up one position in the 6-0 win over Qatar SC. In the proc- star Wesley Sneijder made his debut standings to eighth. ess, he took his tally to 19 goals on in Qatar with Al Gharafa. Ahmed top of the scorers’ chart. At this yet again proved that he is a bundle BILAL MOHAMED (Al rate, he is all set to emulate his last of talent and energy as he upstaged Markhiya) season’s top-scorer record of 24 his more illustrious team-mates. Al Markhiya captain Bilal Moham- goals sooner rather than later. His ed led from the front and played a captain Youssef Msakni scored two RODRIGO TABATA (Al Rayyan) prominent role as they held for- goals and Mohammed Mousa the Playmaker Rodrigo Tabata came up midable side and 13-time league other. with a two-goal eff ort, including champions Al Sadd to a goalless a penalty, in Al Rayyan’s 3-0 win draw. The much-experienced play- OUSSAMA DARRAGI (Umm Salal) against Al Khor. Mohsine Mouta- er held the Al Markhiya defence Tunisian attacking midfi elder Ous- ouali scored the opening goal. As together against an Al Sadd attack sama Darragi straightaway im- always, Tabata was the livewire that included many lethal players pressed on his debut in Qatar when among The Kings ranks. the result and succeeded in not conceding a he contributed a brace to Umm saw Al Rayyan move level with Al single goal. The Oryxes moved up Salal’s 3-1 victory over Al Kharaiti- Sadd on 28 points, but still stood in from bottom by one place too. Al Duhail’s Youssef El Arabi (second from left) scored a hat-trick in the win against Qatar SC on Saturday. Gulf Times 4 Monday, January 15, 2018 FOOTBALL

BUNDESLIGA SPOTLIGHT FIFA condemns Spartak Moscow’s Dortmund draw discriminatory tweet

Reuters down on racism as the country Moscow faces increased scrutiny ahead of this year’s World Cup. FIFA added that it was up to a blank without IFA has condemned a the Russian Football Union to racially-charged tweet deal with the incident. by Russian champions “As to the handling of this Spartak Moscow which matter, this falls under the re- againF spotlighted concerns about sponsibility of the relevant na- racism in this year’s World Cup tional body,” said FIFA. host nation. FIFA added that its decision- “FIFA condemns the mes- making Council emphasised last Aubameyang sage published on the Twitter May that “member associations account of Spartak Moscow,” and referees should be ready to said the global soccer body in an adopt a strict policy to deal with ‘We missed his goals today, that was obvious, and we hope that we won’t be e-mailed statement to Reuters. incidents of a racist nature.” “As said many times, any form of Spartak Moscow have been without him again for more games after another dumb mistake’ discrimination on or outside the fi ned on several occasions for fi eld is unacceptable and has no their fans’ racist behaviour. AFP place in football.” European soccer’s governing Berlin In a short video published on body UEFA opened disciplinary their Twitter account on Sat- proceedings against Spartak urday, the club showed three youth player Leonid Mironov orussia Dortmund missed the black players, including Brazilian last month after he allegedly ra- chance to go second in the Bun- striker Luiz Adriano, doing drills cially abused Liverpool’s Rhian desliga yesterday after a 0-0 at a training camp in Dubai. Brewster. home draw with Wolfsburg “Look at how the chocolates The World Cup will be held withoutB the dropped Pierre-Emerick Au- are melting under the sun,” the from June 14 to July 15 across 12 bameyang. video’s caption said. venues in 11 cities including Mos- Before kick-off , Dortmund coach Pe- Russia has pledged to crack cow, St Petersburg and Sochi. ter Stoeger revealed he took a dim view of Aubameyang missing a team meeting on Saturday and threw the top-scorer out of FOCUS the squad. Dortmund’s attack struggled to fi nish in his absence, testing visiting goalkeeper Koen Casteel’s with only one of 19 at- Celta’s Aspas denies tempts on goal. “There are rules which apply to every player, regardless of how many goals racially abusing they score, and it was a logical step,” said Dortmund keeper Roman Burki. “We missed his goals today, that was Levante’s Lerma obvious, and we hope that we won’t be without him again for more games after another dumb mistake.” Reuters referee, Lerma said: “Yes but the It is the third time Aubameyang has Madrid referee told me he was fed up of been disciplined by the club after an un- so much complaining, but I think authorised video shoot at Dortmund’s that they will have to look at vid- training ground last November and a evante midfi elder Jeff er- eos (of the incident) and we will trip to Milan shortly before a Champions son Lerma accused Celta see what happens.” League game last season. Vigo forward Iago Aspas Spanish international and In Aubameyang’s absence, 18-year-old of racially insulting him former Liverpool player Aspas Swedish striker Alexander Isak made only Lduring the Spanish league match responded by saying: “What is his third Bundesliga appearance up front between the sides yesterday. said on the pitch, stays on the having previously played just 13 minutes Aspas later denied making the pitch, so I will not repeat what he in the top fl ight. comment in a statement pub- said to me. In any case, I did not Isak clipped the post with a fi rst-half lished on Celta Vigo’s website say what he says I did.” shot while winger Andriy Yarmolenko (www.rccelta.es). Celta Vigo highlighted their howled in rage after fi ring wide. Lerma said he had reported “fi rm defence of fair play and re- Dortmund kept up the pressure after the alleged comment to referee spect between rivals on and off the break when England Under-19 star Borussia Dortmund’s Mahmoud Dahoud (left) and Wolfsburg’s Josuha Guilavogui argue during the Bundesliga match in Dortmund, Alfonso Alvarez Izquierdo but the pitch” in the statement. Jadon Sancho, 17, — who also made only Germany, yesterday. (AFP) was told to stop complaining and Levante wrote in a tweet: “Le- his third appearance in the Bundesliga — play on. vante want to show their fi rm hit the post early in the second half. victories in a row, having gone winless for when he headed home a free-kick by Serbia second in the table with a 3-1 win over “I want to make an announce- backing of the player and rejec- At the other end, Daniel Didavi fi red their fi rst 16 games of the campaign. midfi elder Milos Jojic on 34 minutes. Schalke after Liverpool-bound Naby Kei- ment, these acts of racism can- tion of any display of racism in at Burki in the fi rst half while new sign- Cologne remain eight points from Cologne goalkeeper Timo Horn some- ta scored their opening goal. not happen,” Lerma told Gol TV football.” ing Renato Steff en, recruited from Basel, safety even after Terrode, who was mak- how managed to keep Gladbach’s attack The Guinea midfi elder has a contract to after his side’s 1-0 home defeat The incident was not included was also denied after coming on with 25 ing his club debut after signing from at bay as the visitors attacked in waves, join Liverpool next season, but on Sunday by Celta. in the referee’s report but may be minutes left. Stuttgart in December, reacted quickest with Germany midfi elder Christoph Leipzig put out a statement insisting he Asked if he had spoken to the investigated by La Liga. The result leaves Dortmund in the in the box by fi ring home a loose ball with Kramer and Belgian forward Thorgan will not be moving to Anfi eld this month, fourth and fi nal Champions League time almost up. Hazard both going close. despite speculation he could make an spot, but only one point clear of Bayer The victory comes after the club’s new The pressure paid off when the visitors early departure. Leverkusen and Borussia Moenchenglad- CEO Armin Veh told German daily Bild drew level as Raff ael pounced on a Horn Bundesliga leaders Bayern Munich are Lyon held at home by 10-man Angers bach, who had earlier fallen to a shock 2-1 “no one believes that we’ll manage it”, in save and fi red home off the underside of 13 points clear in the table after their 3-1 defeat at bottom club Cologne. terms of Cologne’s survival chances. the crossbar in the 69th minute, only for win at Bayer Leverkusen on Friday, with New signing Simon Terodde hit a 95th- Danish defender Frederik Sorensen gave Terrode to strike with his last-gasp eff ort. Franck Ribery, James Rodriguez and Javi minute winner as Cologne made it two Cologne the lead against the run of play On Saturday, RB Leipzig climbed to Martinez scoring the goals.

BOTTOMLINE First domestic defeat of season is ‘normal’, says Guardiola

Reuters London Manager Pep Guardiola (right) talks with Manchester City’s Lyon failed to take second spot in Ligue 1 after being held to a 1-1 Fernandinho on the touchline home draw by Angers yesterday, despite a goal from Nabil Fekir. fter 22 games unbeaten, Man- during the EPL match against Monaco’s goalless draw at Montpellier yesterday handed Lyon chester City’s fi rst domestic Liverpool yesterday. (AFP) the chance to leapfrog the principality club. Karl Toko Ekambi defeat of the season was “ab- gave the lowly visitors a shock 14-minute lead from the penalty solutely normal”, manager Pep spot, but the in-form Fekir dragged the hosts level shortly after GuardiolaA said after a 4-3 loss at Liver- half-time with his 14th league goal of the season. The 24-year-old pool yesterday ended their hopes of com- finished off a sweeping move he had started with a deft nutmeg pleting only the second unbeaten Premier on the right wing. Angers midfielder Flavien Tait was sent off League campaign. after picking up a second booking with six minutes to play, but In sweeping all before them with 20 the away side held on for their 10th draw in 20 Ligue 1 games this league victories and two draws, many term to frustrate Lyon. Bruno Genesio’s men remain third, behind were comparing City to Arsenal’s “invin- reigning champions Monaco on goal diff erence and eight points cibles” team of 2003-04. adrift of leaders Paris Saint-Germain who were scheduled to visit But under the fl oodlights at Anfi eld Nantes later yesterday. Earlier, Saint-Etienne ended a 10-match City’s unbeaten Premier League run fi - winless streak with a 2-0 win over Toulouse thanks to goals from nally ended after 30 games, 82 points and Robert Beric and Assane Diousse. 281 days. “I’ve won a lot of titles and always I’ve Sevilla suff er loss at Alaves dropped points and lost games. It’s nor- mal,” a measured Guardiola told the BBC. Sevilla missed the chance to draw level on points with crisis club “Every team fi ghts for the Champions Real Madrid in the race for Champions League qualification after League, to win the league or to stay up. going down 1-0 at lowly Alaves in la Liga yesterday. Manu Garcia’s We have a lot of games and hopefully we 52nd minute strike pulled Alaves out of the relegation zone and can stay fi t in the schedule of games every left Sevilla sixth on 29 points, three behind fourth-placed Real. three days. But to lose a game is absolute- Real coach Zinedine Zidane has come under renewed fire just ly normal.” days after he signed a new contract until 2020 thanks to Satur- The City manager had consistently minutes to infl ict City’s fi rst league defeat be Champions and will try for the next fi red Liverpool into a commanding 4-1 lead. day’s 1-0 home defeat to Villarreal. That loss, Villarreal’s first ever said the likelihood of an unbeaten season since April. game against Newcastle. Late goals from substitute Bernardo Silva win at the Bernabeu, left the La Liga champions 16 points behind was “ridiculous” but, as the weeks and “Our fi rst defeat. The bad news is we “We have to learn. We’ve won a lot of and Ilkay Gundogan almost set up the most league leaders Barcelona ahead of the Catalans’ scheduled trip months ticked by and City were yet to be lost so congratulations to Liverpool for games in the last minute but to concede unlikely escape but the revival came too to Real Sociedad later yesterday. The defeat for Sevilla extends bested, many suggested they could join their performance,” Guardiola added. four goals is not good. You have to live late. “We are disappointed to lose a game, it Vincenzo Montella’s losing start in La Liga, with the Italian guid- Arsene Wenger’s unbeaten champions. “We tried and now we recover. People this type of situation during a season.” is a long time since we won here at Anfi eld,” ing them to two straight league losses since replacing cancer- Yesterday, however, City were blown asked if everything was over and done be- After Leroy Sane cancelled out Alex Sane said. “But at the end of the season, stricken Eduardo Berizzo, following last week’s 5-3 home Seville away by Juergen Klopp’s Liverpool who fore Christmas and now it’s January and Oxlade-Chamberlain’s opener, Roberto when we win the Premier League, nobody derby defeat to Betis. scored three goals in nine second-half it’s not. We have a lot of games to win to Firmino, Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah cares if we lost a game.” Gulf Times Monday, January 15, 2018 5 SPORT

NBA NHL Wild capture fi rst win of season over Jets Warriors hold off team’s second goal. By Sarah McLellan Star Tribune (Minneapolis) Not long after his backhand attempt after he got behind the Jets defense was blocked he margin of vic- by Hellebuyck, Zucker buried tory could have been a bounce off the end boards at much wider in the 5:40 for his fi rst goal in eight early stages, a gap that games. charging Raptors reflT ected the mismatch that With an assist on the play, played out on the ice. Granlund notched his fi fth in But not until the waning his last three games and 13th minutes did the score fi nally in his past nine. He also tallied catch up with the feel of the his 50th multi-point eff ort in game, as the Wild pulled away the NHL and fi fth in his last late for a 4-1 win over the Jets nine games. on Saturday in front of 19,207 After a sluggish start, the to win on road at Xcel Energy Centre that Jets got better – as expected. locked up two crucial points The Central Division lead- ‘Being out there it felt like we played five on eight. Some of those calls was terrible, period’ against a Central Division rival ers put 17 shots on net in the that had swept the previous second and came close on a AFP three meetings and improved couple tries. The team’s best Los Angeles the Wild to 12-1-2 at home look of the period was a short- since November 14. handed breakaway by winger In his 200th game with the Joel Armia, but Dubnyk poke- lay Thompson de- Wild, goalie Devan Dubnyk – checked the puck away from livered 26 points and who’s awaiting the arrival of Armia before he could get a Kevin Durant tallied his third son any day now – shot off . 25 as the reigning NBA made 32 saves to stymie the The Jets began the third pe- Kchampion Golden State Warri- Jets, while defenseman Matt riod with 1:50 of power-play ors held on to defeat the Raptors Dumba added two third-peri- time, and that helped them 127-125 in Toronto on Saturday. od insurance goals. fi nally solve Dubnyk. The Warriors recorded their Winnipeg looked like a team Captain Blake Wheeler set- league-best 19th road win of the that skated the night before, up winger Mathieu Perreault season as they won the battle falling 2-1 to the Blackhawks for a can’t-miss redirect in against a Raptors team lying sec- in Chicago, although goalie front just 47 seconds into the ond in the Eastern Conference. Connor Hellebuyck didn’t period. Winnipeg ended up They didn’t make it easy, appear weary at all despite going 1 for 2 with the man ad- however, blowing a 27-point suiting up for back-to-back vantage. halftime lead before hanging on games. In fact, he was easily At 6:23, Dumba delivered a for the victory. the Jets’ best player, stopping much-needed insurance goal DeMar DeRozan helped spark 37 shots. The Wild tied a sea- with a blistering shot over Toronto’s rally with a 42-point son-high with 41 shots. Hellebuyck’s glove after ac- performance for the Raptors, Twenty-two of Hellebuy- cepting a no-look drop pass by who lost to Golden State for an ck’s saves came in the fi rst winger Marcus Foligno. eighth straight time. period – Hellebuyck turned The goal cooled off the Jets’ Two-time league MVP aside 25 shots in total Friday rally, but the Wild kept push- Stephen Curry scored 24 points – but the Wild converted only ing – with Dumba recording for the Warriors after missing once despite spending a chunk his second of the game with the last two games with an ankle of the period in the Jets’ end. 6:28 to go. injury. On the team’s fi rst power- Foligno and center Charlie Durant came up with some play chance, winger Mikael Coyle also tallied two-point clutch baskets down the stretch Granlund redirected a Ryan nights, as they assisted on to secure the win. Suter shot past Hellebuyck 8 both of Dumba’s goals. DeRozan’s layup moved To- minutes, 47 seconds into the ronto to within 121-119 with just period for just the Wild’s third RESULTS over two minutes left, but Du- goal with the man advantage NY Islanders.....7 NY Rangers ...2 rant countered to give the War- in its past 20 opportunities. Pittsburgh ...... 4 Detroit ...... 1 riors a four-point lead. DeRozan Later in the period, the Wild Minnesota ...... 4 Winnipeg ...... 1 responded, cutting the Raptors’ had 1:17 of 5-on-3 power-play Boston ...... 4 Montreal 3 (SO) defi cit to 123-122 with 63 sec- time but couldn’t capitalise. Philadelphia .....5 New Jersey ....3 onds remaining. Overall, the team fi nished 1 for Colorado ...... 4 Dallas ...... 1 After Curry surprisingly 4. The Wild continued to press Edmonton ...... 3 Las Vegas 2 (OT) missed two free throws with 45 in the second, with winger Ja- Anaheim ...... 4 Los Angeles ..2 seconds left, Durant’s basket son Zucker fi nally fi nding the San Jose ...... 6 Arizona .5 (OT) with 21 seconds remaining made it 125-122. Curry then made amends by making two free throws with two seconds left. Toronto’s Fred VanVleet nailed a three-pointer at the buzzer to round out the scoring. Golden State Warriors guard Klay Thompson (left) dribbles around Toronto Raptors forward Pascal Siakam during the first half of their NBA After the game, Curry praised game at the Air Canada Centre. PICTURE: USA TODAY Sports the Raptors for the way they fought back. like all three officials were it?’ ‘No I didn’t see it.’ ‘Wasn’t last 20 games. being swept by the Nets in the “They played amazing in the against them. my call.’ I have got to have an In Washington, John Wall season series. second half. You knew in this “Being out there it felt like we explanation.” scored 23 points and added 16 building they would make a run. played fi ve on eight,” he said. Elsewhere, Zach LaVine assists as the Washington Wiz- RESULTS I didn’t think it would be that “Some of those calls was terri- scored 14 points in his fi rst ards beat the Brooklyn Nets 119- San Antonio ...... 112 Denver ...... 80 big,” said Curry. ble, period.” game in 11 months, rookie Lauri 113 in overtime. Toronto ...... 125 Golden State .....127 All the Raptors coaching Raptors coach Dwane Ca- Markkanen added 19 points and Bradley Beal added 24 points Chicago ...... 107 Detroit ...... 105 staff and players wanted to talk sey added: “There were some the host Chicago Bulls edged the and Marcin Gortat had 16 points Washington ...... 119 Brooklyn ....113 (OT) about after the game was per- tough calls in the second half. Detroit Pistons 107-105. and 13 rebounds for the Wizards, Charlotte ...... 91 Oklahoma City 101 Minnesota Wild forward Jason Zucker (No 16) scores in the second ceived poor officiating. A frus- It is mind boggling when you Chicago made 17 three-point- who needed their fi rst overtime Dallas ...... 101 LA Lakers 107 (OT) period against the Winnipeg Jets goalie Connor Hellebuyck at Xcel trated DeRozan said it seemed ask the officials, ‘Did you see ers to win for the 13th time in its victory of the season to avoid LA Clippers ...... 126 Sacramento ...... 105 Energy Centre. PICTURE: USA TODAY Sports

NFL Patriots roll past Titans, Eagles clip Falcons AFP downs and Chris Hogan and Rob wouldn’t have mattered unless we Los Angeles Gronkowski scored one apiece while had won, which we did. We earned the Patriots defense sacked Titans our respect.” quarterback Marcus Mariota eight Expectations for the Eagles dipped he Super Bowl champion times. when quarterback Carson Wentz suf- New England Patriots beat The Patriots had been riled in the fered a season ending knee injury on the Tennessee Titans 35-14 run-up to the contest by a bombshell December 10. Saturday to move within one ESPN report that painted a picture Nick Foles – who has struggled to Twin of a return to the NFL’s champi- of internal strife and a rift between convince since replacing Wentz – onship showcase. Brady, coach Bill Belichick and bil- fi nished the game with 246 passing But the Atlanta Falcons, the team lionaire owner Robert Kraft. yards, making 23 of 30 attempts. the Patriots stunned in last season’s But Brady insisted that didn’t al- Foles overcame a slow start to Super Bowl, won’t get a shot at re- ter his approach – or his satisfaction set up a touchdown for LeGarrette demption after falling 15-10 to the in the win. “I just try to be consist- Blount from one yard on a brave Philadelphia Eagles. ent, show up and do the best I can do fourth down play in the second quar- Another milestone night for su- every week for the team, regardless of ter to give the Eagles a 6-3 lead. perstar quarterback Tom Brady saw whether I’m the worst quarterback in Rookie kicker Jake Elliott booted the Patriots roll past the Titans and the league or the best quarterback in three fi eld goals as the Eagles ad- into their seventh straight American the league or somewhere in between,” vanced to a meeting with either the Football Conference title game. he said. Minnesota Vikings or the New Or- They will face either the Jackson- “My job is to do the best I can do leans Saints in the National Football ville Jaguars or Pittsburgh Steelers for us every week. It was a good team Conference championship game next for a berth in the February 4 Super win today – and we’re going to need weekend in Philadelphia. Bowl. In frigid temperatures at the another one next week.” The Falcons, desperate for a shot at Patriots’ Gillette Stadium in Foxbor- redemption after squandering a 28-3 ough, Massachusetts, the Titans Eagles thrive as underdogs lead in their Super Bowl loss to the seized a 7-0 lead. In Philadelphia, the Eagles didn’t Pats last season, had a late chance to But the Patriots responded with a mind admitting they were motivated take the lead. vengeance, with three second-quarter by pundits who branded them un- But quarterback Matt Ryan’s pass touchdowns giving them a 21-7 half- derdogs against the Falcons despite to receiver Julio Jones fell incomplete time lead that they stretched to 35-7 Philadelphia’s number one seed in in the end zone on fourth and goal before the Titans tacked on another the National Football Conference. from the two-yard line with 58 sec- touchdown in the fourth quarter. “Keep calling us underdogs, man, onds left to play. Brady completed 35 of 53 passes for keep doing it,” defensive end Chris “We had chances to make plays 337 yards and three touchdowns as he Long crowed. “We love it! Keep it up! and we didn’t make them,” Ryan said. set an NFL record with his 10th ca- We stink!” reer post-season game with three TD Defensive tackle Fletcher Cox was RESULTS passes. Danny Amendola posted his more refl ective. “I think negativity At Philadelphia fi rst career 100-yard receiving game, by so many can certainly fuel you in a Atlanta Falcons ...... 10 Philadelphia Eagles ...... 15 catching 11 passes for 112 yards. positive way and we felt it,” Cox said. At Foxborough, Massachusetts New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (No 12) celebrates throwing a touchdown pass against the Tennessee Titans during James White scored two touch- “We felt disrespected, sure, but it Titans ...... 14 N England Patriots ...... 35 the third quarter of the AFC Divisional playoff game at Gillette Stadium. PICTURE: USA TODAY Sports Gulf Times 6 Monday, January 15, 2018 SPORT

SPOTLIGHT Paisley hails caddie wife aft er SA Open win AFP fi rst time she ever caddied. I just cannot advantage to three shots and never looked The European Tour moves to the Middle Johannesburg thank Keri enough,” said the native of like faltering on the back nine in stamina- East next week for the Abu Dhabi HSBC Hexham, a market town in northeastern sapping heat. Championship and returns to South Af- England. He did fi nd a bunker at 15, but got down rica in March when Pretoria hosts the hris Paisley of England defi ed “I still cannot believe I have won the SA in two, eff ectively closing the door on any Tshwane Open. the odds near Johannesburg yes- Open. Going head to head with Branden chance Grace had of halting a great Eng- terday to win the South African this afternoon was tough. lish run in the South African Open. Leading scores Open, his maiden European Tour “Honestly, I did not think I was capable Andy Sullivan won the event in 2015 267-Chris Paisley (ENG) 66-65-70-66 triumph,C then hailed his wife for her star- of playing that well and fi nishing top of and Graeme Storm triumphed last year, 27 0-Branden Grace 65-71-66-68 ring role as his caddie. the leaderboard.” leaving Paisley to make it three victories 272-JC Ritchie 72-70-65-65 The 31-year-old carded a six-birdie Grace trailed Paisley by one shot enter- in four editions for English Golfers. 274-Jacques Blaauw 68-70-66-70, fi nal-round 66 at sun-drenched Glen- ing the fi nal round, but was expected to Paisley, who narrowly avoided being Jacques Kruyswijk 68-67-71-68, Scott dower Golf Club for a total of 267 and a triumph given his far higher world ranking relegated to the Challenge Tour for this Vincent (ZIM) 70-66-71-67 three-stroke victory over Branden Grace of 30, much greater experience and huge year, was ultra steady all week, picking up 275-Darren Fichardt 70-71-64-70, Chase of South Africa, who closed with a 68. home support. 24 birdies and conceding only three bo- Koepka (USA) 65-71-68-71, Renato Para- It was the fi rst tournament in which Within two holes, eight-time Euro- geys. tore (ITA) 71-67-69-68, Adrien Saddier Paisley had his bag carried by wife Keri, pean Tour champion Grace nudged ahead Highlights of his play included an abil- (FRA) 68-63-73-71 and he praised her during the prize-giving thanks to an eagle three, and many in the ity to reach greens in regulation and also 276-Charlie Ford (ENG) 71-72-67-76 ceremony. gallery believed Paisley would quickly to get down in two on the odd occasion he 277-Jorge Campillo (ESP) 70-70-67-70, “Unbelievable! I just cannot say enough crack under the pressure. But the Eng- did not achieve that feat. Marcus Kinhult (SWE) 70-72-66-69, Hen- about how good a job she did this week,” lishman ranked 289 in the world held his Seeking a fi rst SA Open title, Grace nie Otto 71-72-70-64 said the Golfer whose only previous pro- nerve and moved into a two-shot lead af- could not match the last-round consist- 278-Kyle McClatchie 68-71-68-71, Ryan fessional win was in the second-tier Eu- ter the sixth, which the 29-year-old South ency of Paisley, claiming two eagles and Evans (ENG) 74-67-68-69, Trevor Fisher ropean Challenge six years ago. African double-bogeyed. three birdies, but a double-bogey and a jnr 69-70-67-72, Neil Schietekat 70-72-69- Chris Paisley of England and his wife Keri pose with the Chris Paisley “She never put a foot wrong. It is the By the turn, Paisley had stretched his bogey stained his card. 67, Charl Schwartzel 69-70-69-70 of England trophy.

GOLF BOXING Joshua faces Parker in heavyweight Europe dominate unifi cation bout

AFP all know what happened last London time I was in a unifi cation heav- yweight championship fi ght - it was gruelling, it was interesting eavyweight boxing and we both left the ring with singles to defend moved closer to having masses of respect,” the 28-year- an undisputed world old added. champion after it was “These fi ghts aren’t easy be- announcedH yesterday that Brit- cause there is a lot on the line, so ain’s Anthony Joshua and New respect to team Parker for taking Zealand’s Joseph Parker will the challenge. I am looking for- meet for a multiple title bout in ward to it, training camp is un- Cardiff on March 31. der way and before you know it EurAsia Cup title Joshua will put his World Box- March 31 will be upon us.” ing Association and Interna- Joshua, the London 2012 ‘I’m delighted the way these 12 came out today. They have been fantastic all week’ tional Boxing Federation belts on Olympic super-heavyweight the line against Parker, the World champion, unifi ed the WBA and Reuters Boxing Organisation champion. IBF titles with a dramatic and Kuala Lumpur Matchroom Boxing, Joshua’s hard-fought win over Wladimir promoters, said the bout would Klitschko at Wembley in April take place at the 74,500 capac- before retaining both belts dominant Europe won ity Principality Stadium, best against Carlos Takam in a late- eight of the 12 singles known for staging Wales rugby stoppage win in Cardiff in Oc- matches against Asia union internationals. tober. yesterday to rally from “I would like to announce the Parker, 26, became the WBO behindA and successfully defend offi cial news that myself and champion in December 2016. their EurAsia Cup title with a Joseph Parker will be fi ghting on He made his British debut last 14-10 victory in Malaysia. March 31 at Principality Stadium year with a majority points win Arjun Atwal’s Asia had led in Cardiff ,” said Joshua. over challenger Hughie Fury, a the third edition of the biennial “It is a unifi cation heavy- cousin of former world heavy- matchplay contest following weight championship fi ght. We weight champion Tyson Fury. the opening two days of four- balls and foursomes but were swept aside when the play- QATAR BASKETBALL LEAGUE ers were sent out alone at the Glenmarie Golf and Country Club. Thomas Bjorn’s visitors be- Al Gharafa and gan Sunday with a 6 1/2-5 1/2 defi cit but turned the score- board blue in eight of the fi rst Rayyan post wins nine matches to secure their title defence when Belgium’s By Sports Reporter fi rst quarter and although Al Thomas Pieters scored the win- Doha Wakrah showed great fi ght, they ning point. didn’t have the resources to pull The victory will act as a wel- off an upset. come boost for Bjorn, who will itle-contenders Al Marcus Johnson top-scored also captain Europe at the Ryder Gharafa edged Al Wak- with 23 points with Adamu Cup in France this September, rah 90-84, while Al Saaka close behind on 22 for Al with the hosts looking to regain Rayyan handed Al Arabi Wakrah who suff ered their fifth the trophy they lost to the Unit- Ta 75-66 defeat in the Qatar Bas- loss of the tournament. ed States at Hazeltine in 2016. ketball League at Al Gharafa Al Rayyan, meanwhile, “I’m delighted the way these Sports Club yesterday. clinched only their seventh win 12 came out today. They have Despite only six points prov- in 14 matches, with Stephen been fantastic all week. We ing the diff erence, Al Gharafa Hurt scoring 20 and Sherwood had a really good group and we were in front for more than 38 Brown and Tanguy Ngombo worked hard,” Bjorn said after minutes of the match before chipping in with 15 each. Pieters beat An Byeong-un of Team Europe poses with the trophy after winning the 2018 Eurasia Cup Golf tournament at the Glenmarie Golf and Country Club in Shah Alam, eventually notching up their 12th In a see-saw battle during South Korea 1-up to seal Eu- near Kuala Lumpur, yesterday. (AFP) win in 13 games. which the lead changed 16 times, rope’s triumph. James Justice and Sammy Al Rayyan handled the pressure “It was mostly up to them team would retain the trophy. Rafa Cabrera Bello then beat with his 2 and 1 win over Hideto dia’s Anirban Lahiri for his third Monroe were the stars for Al better to eventually emerge win- last night and they wanted to go “It’s always nice to get the win- Gavin Green 4 and 3 to put the Tanihara. point of the week, before South Gharafa with 25 and 20 points, ners. out and show what they are re- ning point,” he said. defending champions ahead Bernd Wiesberger and Alex Korean Kang Sung-hoon denied respectively, while Abdulrah- Nicholas Stover excelled for Al ally about and they certainly did “I got off to a good start, then before 2017 Race to Dubai win- Levy recorded respective vic- Matthew Fitzpatrick victory man Saad added 18 and Mychal Arabi with 21 points while Khalid that today.” played pretty poorly during the ner Tommy Fleetwood gave Eu- tories over Thailand’s Phachara with two late birdies in their Ammons 13. Suliman Abdi had 12 and Wil- Belgian Pieters raced to a middle, then made a couple of rope their third point in a row Khongwatmai and Kiradech halved match. Al Gharafa led 20-17 after the liam Byrd 10. 4-up lead against An but the very good birdies.” with a 2 and 1 victory against Aphibarnrat to put Europe on Atwal’s side won the fi nal two South Korean fought back to Alex Noren started Europe’s S.S.P Chawrasia of India. the cusp of victory before Pi- matches to add some respecta- level the match. Pieters then charge in the fi rst game when he Poom Saksansin cut the defi - eters gave Europe an unassail- bility to the scoreline with Chi- holed a seven-foot putt at the erased Asia’s slender advantage cit when he beat Paul Casey able lead. Englishman Tyrrell na’s Li Haotong and Yuta Ikeda 15th to regain the lead and then with a 4 and 2 win over Malay- 1-up but Henrik Stenson re-es- Hatton continued his strong of Japan beating Paul Dunne won the next hole to ensure his sian Nicholas Fung. tablished a two-point cushion form with a 2 and 1 win over In- and Ross Fisher.

Hoge seizes Sony Open lead aft er missile mistake rocks PGA Golfers om Hoge seized the third-round lead at not be real.” greenside bunker at the par-five 18th. tion. He added birdies at 14 and 16 to seize the Sony Open on Saturday as US PGA In a separate tweet after confirmation While he has yet to win on the PGA Tour, a share of the lead heading to 18, where Tour Golfers shook off the panic caused that the alert was sent in error, Peter- Hoge said some solid performances early he salvaged a birdie despite driving into by mistaken missile alert and got down son wrote: “Man. How do you press the in the 2017-18 season had given him con- a hospitality area. Defending champion to business in Hawaii. “For sure, to get wrong button like that. COME ON MAN.” fidence. “I’ve been close a few times,” he Justin Thomas, who fired a first-round that missile threat on your phone, you But Hoge, a 28-year-old graduate of the said. “I played well in those situations and 59 en route to victory last year, carded don’t know what’s going to happen,” developmental Web.com Tour who is I’ve just got to go out and play another a four-under 66 that left him six shots Hoge said of the early morning scare, in seeking a first US PGA Tour title, showed solid round. off the pace on 200. Like Hoge, he said which an alert was sent to cellphones no sign of any residual nerves as he put “That’s kind of been my focus – to get the the morning missile scare made for a warning of “BALLISTIC MISSILE THREAT together a bogey-free round of six-under ball in the fairway and I’ve been pretty diff erent perspective on the day’s round. INBOUND TO HAWAII”. par 64 at Waialae in Honolulu. good with irons and wedges.” “I was really scared there for probably Recipients were urged to seek shelter, His 16-under total of 194 put him one Harman started the day with a three-shot three or four minutes,” said Thomas, who and it was more than half an hour before stroke in front of overnight leader Brian lead. He managed birdies at the fifth was reassured by the fact that television authorities confirmed the alert was sent Harman, who carded a 68, and Patton and 10th to keep his pursuers at bay, but news channels weren’t reporting any mis- in error. Journeyman John Peterson, who Kizzire, who climbed up the leaderboard bogeyed the 11th. He was tied for the lead sile strike. “I actually just put music on, was tied for second after Friday’s second with a 64 for 195. American Kyle Stanley after a birdie at 16, but he settled for a watched TV and opened the sliding door. round, wrote on Twitter that he had taken was alone in fourth after a 65 for 196 and par at the last after finding the rough off I was like, if it’s my time it’s my time.” On evasive action after the warning. compatriot Chris Kirk fired a 67 for 197. the tee. Kizzire opened with an inauspi- the course, world number four Thomas “Under mattresses in the bathtub with Hoge’s six birdies included a 40-foot cious double-bogey at the first, but reeled holed out for eagle from the fairway at my wife, baby and in laws,” Peterson bomb at the 17th. He seized sole pos- off five straight birdies from the sixth the second hole and had five birdies but wrote. “Please lord let this bomb threat session of the lead with a birdie from a through the 10th to power into conten- also had three bogeys. Al Gharafa (in blue and yellow) and Al Wakrah players in action during their Qatar Basketball League match yesterday. Gulf Times Monday, January 15, 2018 7 AUSTRALIAN OPEN

SPOTLIGHT FOCUS Venus to battle Bencic in a much-anticipated Federer says he’s too clash of generations

Reuters champion Angelique Kerber at Melbourne the leadup Sydney International. But the veteran has never lost a set to Bencic in their four match- he Australian Open gets es, their last clash in the third old to be favourite underway with a bang round of the 2015 US Open. today, with last year’s Williams will look to blow ‘With age, I feel like I play down my chances just because I don’t think a 36-year-old fi nalist Venus Williams Bencic away quickly with her ag- takingT on resurgent Swiss talent gressive game, while her oppo- should be a favourite of a tournament, it should not be the case’ Belinda Bencic in a much-an- nent will be keen to drag the vet- ticipated clash of generations on eran American into long rallies Reuters Rod Laver Arena’s centre court. and fi nd moments to unleash her Melbourne In a sign of Williams’s aston- fi erce backhand down the line. ishing longevity, 20-year-old The 2009 men’s champion Rafa Bencic was just a toddler when Nadal, who was beaten in a classic oger Federer says a the American won the fi rst of her fi ve-set fi nal by long-time rival 36-year-old should not seven grand slam titles at Wim- Roger Federer last year, headlines really be considered a bledon in 2000. the evening session at Rod Laver favourite for the Aus- Williams continued her late- Arena with a fi rst round match tralianR Open, although when the career fl ourish at Melbourne against Dominican journeyman man in question is himself, no Park last year, reaching her fi rst Victor Estrella Burgos. one was taking him seriously. grand slam fi nal in eight years Nadal, bidding for a 17th grand The Swiss breezed through before being stopped by her slam title, has had very limited his media duties yesterday with champion sister Serena. preparation since a knee injury the same swagger he will take With new mum Serena absent forced him to pull out of the sea- on court against Slovenia’s Al- this year and the women’s tour- son-ending ATP Tour fi nals but jaz Bedene on Tuesday, when he nament wide open, Venus may declared himself “more or less” kicks off the defence of the title be as good a chance as any of her happy with his game on Satur- he won against great rival Rafa rivals to win her fi rst grand slam day. Nadal last year. since Wimbledon in 2008. Danger lurks for a couple of That unforgettable triumph But she will fi rst need to get last year’s grand slam champi- ended a fi ve-year hiatus in past the highly rated Bencic, who ons in the women’s draw, with Federer’s grand slam collec- stormed into the top 10 as an French Open winner and seventh tion and a few months later, he 18-year-old before being side- seed Jelena Ostapenko taking on took his tally to a record-extend- lined for much of 2017 after wrist the seasoned Francesca Schi- ing 19 by winning Wimbledon. surgery. avone, also a winner at Roland Few would bet against him be- The injury saw Bencic tum- Garros, in the opening match at coming only the fourth tennis ble out of the top 300 but she Rod Laver Arena. player to reach 20 in two weeks has quietly marched back up to US Open champion Sloane time, although Federer was reluc- 78 since returning to action in Stephens, seeded 13th, faces a tant to accept the favourite’s tag. September. Like her 37-year-old test against China’s Zhang Shuai “With age, I feel like I play opponent, Bencic packed a lot in the early match on Margaret down my chances just because I into her teenage years, reaching Court Arena, the second show- don’t think a 36-year-old should the 2014 US Open quarter-fi nals court. be a favourite of a tournament, it Roger Federer of Switzerland smiles as he serves during a practice session in Melbourne yesterday. (Reuters) when just 17 before claiming her Fans hoping for a shakeup should not be the case,” he told fi rst WTA title at Eastbourne the of the men’s game will keenly reporters. in the draw, you give yourself a following year. watch the progress of third seed “That’s why I see things more chance. “That’s what happened Zverev determined to end Grand Slam jinx She has also been in sound Grigor Dimitrov, who plays Aus- relaxed, you know, at a later stage for me last year. All ended up way Giant German Alexander Zverev has been widely Zverev was one of just four men to beat his idol form in the leadup, teaming up trian qualifi er Dennis Novak, on of my career.” better than I thought it would. tipped for greatness but has so far failed to go Roger Federer in 2017 when he defeated him with Roger Federer to win the Rod Laver Arena. Federer says the likes of six- Having no expectations was so beyond a Grand Slam fourth round - something in the Montreal final. The Swiss great has said Hopman Cup for Switzerland in Local hope Nick Kyrgios, times champion Novak Djokovic nice after all these years always he plans to fix at the Australian Open. the German has the “full package” and Zverev Perth. Williams has played only seeded 17th, is certain to gener- and Stan Wawrinka, both return- having expectations.” The 20-year-old heads into the year’s first Grand is determined to demonstrate his range of skills one match since being beaten ate a raucous atmosphere at his ing after lengthy injury breaks, Despite being a year older Fed- Slam ranked fourth in the world, courtesy of five at the opening Grand Slam of the year. “I’ve in the WTA Finals decider by favourite Hisense Arena when he could benefi t from the same mind- erer has higher expectations this titles last year. His progress has marked him out showed on multiple occasions over the year Caroline Wozniacki in October, takes on Brazil’s Rogerio Dutra set he arrived with in Melbourne year and says his build-up has as the most likely of the current crop of young- that I can play and beat the best guys in the a loss to 2016 Australian Open Silva in the late match. last year, when he was just back been ‘perfect’. sters to translate his talent into major titles. world. I mean, I’m number four in the world for a from a six-month hiatus. He won all his four singles While he made the fourth round at Wimbledon reason,” he said. “I’m not trying to sound cocky “This year I hope to win the matches as he and Belinda Bencic last year, he is yet to push on further. or anything, but I’ve always said that I’ve always fi rst few rounds and get rolling, helped Switzerland lift the Hop- “I think improving the Grand Slam performanc- been working hard physically, I’m always trying whereas last year it was more of man Cup in Perth. “It was a great es,” he said when asked what his key goal was to improve the performance at the Grand Slams. a ‘let’s see what happens’ kind preparation last year. I think it’s for the year. “I mean, the furthest I’ve got was to “Hopefully I can do so this week.” of tournament,” Federer, who going to be helpful again for me the fourth round of Wimbledon. A lot of times At stake is the opportunity to become the young- is seeded second behind world this year because the court plays not because I played bad, but because I played est Grand Slam men’s singles champion in a dec- number one Nadal, said. exactly the same in Perth and very good opponents. I lost to Nadal here. I lost ade - a record currently held by Novak Djokovic “Maybe similar to what No- here in Melbourne,” he said. Fe- to Raonic in Wimbledon. Every time in five sets. who was 20 years and 250 days when he won the vak or Stan or others are going derer is bidding to win succes- That’s nothing to worry about too much. But Australian Open in 2008. “Hopefully we can get through this year. It’s like, let’s sive Australian Opens for the fi rst obviously that’s one goal for me this year.” there. It will be an interesting day,” said Zverev. just see what happens. If you’re time since 2006-07.

OPINION

Venus Williams of the US reacts during a practice session in Melbourne ‘Kyrgios can become global superstar’ yesterday. (Reuters) ORDER OF PLAY ON DAY ONE AFP mark about his discipline,” Becker, com- “He is very much the guy all 22-year- Melbourne mentating for Eurosport, told Reuters. olds want to be. I just hope he concen- (Play begins at 0000 GMT, prefix number denotes seeding) “But he’s getting it together now. It trates a little more on his tennis because ROD LAVER ARENA would be wonderful to see him get to the it would be wonderful for the sport.” 7-Jelena Ostapenko (Latvia) v Francesca Schiavone (Italy) ustralian maverick Nick Kyr- quarters or semi-fi nals. He has a huge Kyrgios plays Brazil’s Rogerio Dutra 5-Venus Williams (US) v Belinda Bencic (Switzerland) gios is ready to win over his following and is slowly getting it togeth- Silva in the fi rst round but faces a tough 3-Grigor Dimitrov (Bulgaria) v Dennis Novak (Austria) doubters and can become an er. It’s great. I am a huge fan of Nick.” path to make a deep run. Not before 0800GMT ‘international sporting super- Kyrgios’s antics and unruly behaviour French former runner-up Jo-Wilfried 1-Rafa Nadal (Spain) v Victor Estrella Burgos (Dominican Republic) star’A according to former world number have rightly attracted scorn. Tsonga could be waiting in round three 23-Daria Gavrilova (Australia) v Irina Falconi (US) one Boris Becker. He was accused of ‘tanking’ a match with world number three Grigor Dim- MARGARET COURT ARENA No home player has won the Austral- against Richard Gasquet at Wimbledon itrov, who he beat on the way to the Bris- 13-Sloane Stephens (US) v Zhang Shuai (China) ian men’s title since Mark Edmondson in in 2015 and was booed by his own fans bane title, a possible opponent in the last Matthew Ebden (Australia) v 16-John Isner (US) 1976 but hopes are soaring that Kyrgios last year when he suff ered a meltdown 16. Samantha Stosur (Australia) v Monica Puig (Puerto Rico) could end that long wait after his spec- to lose to Andreas Seppi in fi ve sets in the Three-times Australian Open win- Not before 0800GMT tacular start to the year. second round at Melbourne. ner Mats Wilander believes Kyrgios has Mihaela Buzarnescu (Romania) v 2-Caroline Wozniacki (Denmark) The 22-year-old, ranked 17th in the He has also said that some days he does times,” the German said. “But he must shown a huge improvement in his atti- Kevin King (US) v 15-Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (France) world, won the Brisbane title in the not even like playing tennis, although love tennis otherwise he couldn’t do the tude but has concerns over his durability Hisense Arena build-up to his home slam and Becker Becker says that could be a smokescreen things he’s doing. after a spate of hip niggles. Sofia Kenin (US) v 12-Julia Goerges (Germany) says the man who divides opinion like no for dealing with the inevitable spotlight “He’s not as clean cut as some Austral- “I think he seems to be mentally in the Timea Babos (Hungary) v 10-CoCo Vandeweghe (US) other in Australia is fi nally beginning to that came his way after he stunned Rafael ians would like to see. But he could be an right place and he showed that in Bris- Vasek Pospisil (Canada) v 6-Marin Cilic (Croatia) look like the real deal. Nadal at Wimbledon in 2014. international superstar in sport, with his bane,” the Swede told Reuters. “Is he Not before 0745GMT “There has never been a question mark “He has a very interesting personality multi-ethnic background, his style, the ready physically to play seven matches 17-Nick Kyrgios (Australia) v Rogerio Dutra Silva (Brazil) over his talent but there was a question and doesn’t make it easy for himself at ear rings. in two weeks? I’m not 100 percent sure.”

Aches, pains and illness ahead of Australian Open An unusually long list of injuries and illnesses was bundled out by a wildcard. “all good”. could take its toll on the Australian Open, Nick Kyrgios: Leg was strapped at the Johanna Konta: A semi-finalist in Melbourne which has already seen withdrawals by Brisbane event which he said related to fluid two years ago, the Briton’s Brisbane cam- Serena Williams and Andy Murray. AFP Sport on the back of his left knee. It didn’t seem paign ended early when she retired with a gives the rundown of who has been strug- to trouble Australia’s big hope, who won the right hip injury. Was bundled out of the Syd- gling in the lead-up to the first Grand Slam of tournament. ney International in the first round but said the year which starts today: Jack Sock: The American retired from a this week “so far, so good” on the injury. Novak Djokovic: Six-time Melbourne cham- match at the Hopman Cup with an injured hip, Caroline Garcia: The rising French star pion has been sidelined since Wimbledon in but returned two days later when he lost to retired in tears from Brisbane with a back July with a right elbow injury. Admits it is still Roger Federer. injury in the opening round, saying she could not 100 percent, but at a level where he can Dominic Thiem: The Austrian world number barely move. play. Appeared at the Kooyong exhibition five pulled out of the warm-up Qatar Open just Petra Kvitova: The two-time Wimbledon tournament last week. hours before his semi-final with flu and a fever. champion pulled out of Brisbane with a viral Rafael Nadal: A knee injury forced the Span- The same issue forced him out of a scheduled illness and was knocked out of Sydney in ish world number one out of the warm-up match at the Kooyong Classic last week. round two. She missed last year’s Australian Brisbane International, but he said Saturday Jo-Wilfried Tsonga: The 2008 Australian Open after being attacked with a knife near he “feels good” after intensive practice ses- Open runner-up withdrew from the Qatar her Czech home. sions in Melbourne. Open before it started with a wrist injury. Julia Goerges: The German, ranked 12, Stan Wawrinka: The 2014 champion and his Garbine Muguruza: World number three withdrew from the Sydney International just team only made the decision to play the Aus- retired from Brisbane after collapsing with hours after beating Caroline Wozniacki to win tralian Open on Saturday as he returns from severe leg cramps. Also pulled out of the Syd- the warm-up Auckland Classic, citing a right two operations on a knee cartilage injury. ney International last week with a thigh injury, knee injury. Said the knee was holding up well but he was but said it had responded well to treatment. Eugenie Bouchard: The Canadian lost all still feeling pain. Sloane Stephens: The US Open champion three matches at the Hopman Cup and was Milos Raonic: Calf and wrist problems kept withdrew from Brisbane to rest a trouble- eliminated in the first round at Hobart, but the tall Canadian out of action since last Oc- some knee and was knocked out of Sydney said a buttock injury suff ered in Perth was Garbine Muguruza (left) and Petra Kvitova arrive for an off icial players’ event for the Australian Open in tober. Played the Brisbane International, but in the first round. Insisted the knee was now now fine. Melbourne yesterday. (Reuters)

Monday, January 15, 2018 GULF TIMES CRICKET

SA VS IND, DAY 2, 2ND TEST AUS VS ENG, 1ST ODI Roy smashes Ngidi takes fi rst 180 as England win by fi ve Test wicket but wickets at MCG Reuters Finch, who hit 10 fours and Melbourne three sixes in his 107, and all- rounder Mitchell Marsh then gave Australia a platform to build Kohli holds fi rm pener Jason Roy on with a stand of 118. smashed England’s Finch and Marsh, who made highest individual 50, fell in quick succession and India trail South Africa by 152 runs having bowled their hosts out for 335 score in one-day in- it was left to Marcus Stoinis and ternationalsO to guide his side to a Tim Paine to provide Australia’s Reuters comfortable fi ve-wicket victory late assault and give them a de- Pretoria against Australia in the opening fendable total. match of the series at the Mel- Stoinis smashed 60 in 40 balls bourne Cricket Ground yester- while Paine contributed a useful oung South African seamer Lun- day. 27 as the pair added 80 for the gi Ngidi took his fi rst Test wicket The 27-year-old hit 180 and sixth wicket to help the hosts get but India captain Virat Kohli led combined in a third-wicket past the 300-run mark. the resistance for the tourists stand of 221 with Test skipper Brisbane will host the second asY they reached 183 for fi ve at the close Joe Root, who made an unbeaten match of the series on Friday. of day two of the second Test in Pretoria 91, to make the seemingly steep yesterday. 305-run chase look easy and help SCORECARD India trail South Africa by 152 runs England to their fi rst win on the AUSTRALIA having bowled their hosts out for 335 just tour. A. Finch c Bairstow b Ali 107 before lunch on a slow wicket that has Roy surpassed teammate Alex D. Warner c Root b Wood 2 bounce, but little lateral movement. Hales’s previous ODI best of 171 S. Smith c Buttler b Rashid 23 Kohli will resume his innings on 85 not during his 151-ball knock as Eng- T. Head b Plunkett 5 out along with all-rounder Hardik Pan- land cruised home with seven M. Marsh b Rashid 50 dya (11 not out) as the pair seek to eke out balls to spare in a morale-boost- M. Stoinis c Root b Woakes 60 a fi rst innings lead in the knowledge that ing victory, after a demoralising T. Paine c Ali b Plunkett 27 batting last on a wicket already showing 4-0 loss in the Ashes Tests. P. Cummins c Roy b Plunkett 12 variable bounce will be a challenge. After being put in to bat in the M. Starc not out 0 India have tried to be positive with the opening ODI of the fi ve-match A. Tye not out 4 bat, but have lost wickets at regular in- series, Australia opener Aaron Extras (lb7, w7) 14 tervals, with the top seven so far failing to Finch compiled his ninth hun- Total (for 8 wkts, 50 overs) 304 provide support for Kohli. dred in the 50-over format to Fall of wickets: 1-10 (Warner), The openers took the score to 28 before help the hosts to a total of 304 for 2-58 (Smith), 3-78 (Head), 4-196 losing their fi rst wicket when Lokesh Ra- eight. (Finch), 5-205 (Marsh), 6-285 hul (10) was caught and bowled by Morne Yet the target proved insuffi - (Stoinis), 7-296 (Paine), 8-300 Morkel, misjudging a delivery that held cient as Roy hit 16 fours and fi ve (Cummins) up on the surface. sixes in a belligerent knock, his Bowling: Woakes 10-0-65-1 (1w), They lost another wicket on the next fourth ODI hundred. Wood 10-0-49-1, Plunkett 10-0-71- ball when new batsman Cheteshwar Pu- Roy, who celebrated his century 3 (3w), Rashid 10-0-73-2 (2w), Ali jara took on the arm of Ngidi at mid-on with a leap in the air, reached fi fty 10-0-39-1 and lost, run out by a direct hit. in 32 balls and gave England a rol- Murali Vijay (46) added 79 for the third licking start in their chase with an ENGLAND wicket with his captain before he edged opening stand of 53 with Jonny J. Roy c sub (Richardson) b Starc 180 spinner Keshav Maharaj (1-53) to wicket- Bairstow in under fi ve overs. J. Bairstow c Paine b Starc 14 keeper Quinton de Kock. England stuttered a bit after D. Hales c Stoinis b Cummins 4 Rohit Sharma (10) was trapped leg be- India’s captain Virat Kohli plays a shot during the second day of the second Test against South Africa at Supersport cricket ground in fast bowler Mitchell Starc dis- J. Root not out 91 fore wicket by the world’s leading Test Centurion, South Africa, yesterday. (AFP) missed Roy, with the touring side E. Morgan c Smith b Cummins 1 bowler Kagiso Rabada (1-33), before Ngidi also losing captain Eoin Morgan J. Buttler c Starc b Stoinis 4 (1-26) delighted the home crowd with his South Africa lead the three-Test series 7-282 (Maharaj), 8-324 (Rabada), 9-333 (Du and Jos Buttler soon after. Root, M. Ali not out 5 fi rst test wicket — Parthiv Patel (19) edg- 1-0 after a 72-run victory in Cape Town Plessis) however, remained unbeaten to Extras (lb5, w4) 9 ing to De Kock. in the opening fi xture. Bowling: Bumrah 22-6-60-0 (1nb), Shami take them home. Total (for 5 wkts, 48.5 overs) 308 Kohli has played a superb innings in 15-2-58-1, I. Sharma 22-4-46-3, Pandya 16- Australia had earlier lost Dav- Fall of wickets: 1-53 (Bairstow), trying to hold the India eff ort together, SCORECARD 4-50-0, Ashwin 38.5-10-113-4 id Warner for two to a fast and 2-60 (Hales), 3-281 (Roy), 4-288 scoring at a brisk pace as well with his 85 SOUTH AFRICA 1st inn (o/n 269-6) sharply-rising delivery from (Morgan), 5-302 (Buttler) coming off 130 deliveries. D. Elgar c Vijay b Ashwin 31 INDIA 1st inn paceman Mark Wood while in- Bowling: Starc 10-0-71-2 (2w), India had earlier taken the fi nal four A. Markram c Patel b Ashwin 94 M. Vijay c De Kock b Maharaj 46 form skipper Steve Smith (23) Cummins 10-0-63-2 (1w), Tye South African wickets in their innings for H. Amla run out (Pandya) 82 L. Rahul c and b Morkel 10 and Travis Head also fell cheaply 10-0-43-0, Stoinis 6-0-33-1, Zampa 66 runs in the morning session. A. de Villiers b I. Sharma 20 C. Pujara run out (Ngidi) 0 as the hosts were reduced to 78-3 10-0-72-0 (1w), Marsh 2-0-15-0, Home captain Faf du Plessis struck a F. du Plessis b I. Sharma 63 V. Kohli not out 85 in the 14th over. Head 0.5-0-6-0 well-compiled 63 before he was bowled by Q. de Kock c Kohli b Ashwin 0 R. Sharma lbw b Rabada 10 Ishant Sharma (3-46), but the pick of the V. Philander run out (Patel) 0 P. Patel c De Kock b Ngidi 19 tourists’ attack was spinner Ravichandran K. Maharaj c Patel b Shami 18 H. Pandya not out 11 Ashwin, who claimed 4-113 and also had K. Rabada c Pandya b I. Sharma 11 Extras (lb1, w1) 2 three catches dropped off his bowling. M. Morkel c Vijay b Ashwin 6 Total (5 wkts, 61 overs) 183 Mohamed Shami became the seventh L. Ngidi not out 1 Fall of wickets: 1-28 (Rahul), 2-28 (Pujara), Indian fast bowler to 100 Test wickets Extras (lb8, nb1) 9 3-107 (Vijay), 4-132 (R. Sharma), 5-164 when he had Maharaj caught by Patel, the Total (113.5 overs) 335 (Patel) third quickest to reach that mark in his Fall of wickets: 1-85 (Elgar), 2-148 Bowling: Maharaj 16-1-53-1, Morkel 15-3- 29th Test after Kapil Dev (25 Tests) and (Markram), 3-199 (De Villiers), 4-246 47-1, Philander 9-3-23-0, Rabada 12-0-33-1, South Africa’s Lungi Ngidi celebrates the Irfan Pathan (28). (Amla), 5-250 (De Kock), 6-251 (Philander), Ngidi 9-2-26-1 (1w) wicket of India’s Parthiv Patel.

ICC U19 WORLD CUP Shaw, Kalra script easy win for India over Australia

Hathurusingha savours new challenge with Sri Lanka

AFP Bangladesh two days later. Dhaka It is familiar ground for Hathurusingha, who quit as Bangladesh head coach in the handika Hathurusingha middle of their disastrous tour yesterday welcomed the of South Africa to return to his Cchallenge of coaching native Sri Lanka. a deflated Sri Lanka back to The islanders are licking form after their worst year in their wounds after their worst international cricket, marked performance since 1987. by humiliating defeats and few Sri Lanka won just five of wins. their 29 ODIs, with injury and The freshly-appointed head scandals also plaguing the side coach took the bruised national on and off the field. side to Bangladesh over the Angelo Mathews stood Shivam Mavi (centre) of India celebrates a wicket with teammates during the ICC U19 weekend ahead of their first down as captain in July amid World Cup match against Australia in Tauranga, New Zealand. (ICC/Getty Images) South Africa’s Raynard van Tonder celebrates his century against Kenya. international series of the year. the turmoil but just six months Hathurusingha said Sri later was reappointed skipper ICC a gutsy 73. Lakshan later said he had not been Group B: India 328-7 in 50 overs (Prithvi Lanka “have a lot to improve” for limited-overs cricket ahead Auckland India captain Prithvi Shaw said he was bothered by the fall of early wickets and Shaw 94, Manjot Kalra 86, Shubman Gill but he was optimistic they of the 2019 World Cup. happy with the emphatic win early on. praised his captain, Mendis. 63; Jack Edwards 4-65) beat Australia could turn the corner after a Sri Lanka were the final team “I think it was a good start for us and “I’m very happy that I got a hundred 228 all out in 42.5 overs (Jack Edwards dismal year of losses, leader- to qualify for the tournament magnifi cent 180-run opening- a positive one for us in the tournament. today. I got a lot of support from our cap- 73; Kamlesh Nagarkoti 3-29, Shivam Mavi ship changes, injuries and they won in 1996. wicket stand between captain Our mind was clear – just wait for the tain. When he walked in, our fi rst target 3-45) by 100 runs at Bay Oval, Tauranga. scandal for the former World Hathurusingha resigned as Prithvi Shaw and Manjot Kalra loose balls. Really disappointed (at los- was to make sure we got close to the op- Player of the match: Prithvi Shaw (India) Cup winners. Bangladesh coach in October was the cornerstone of India’s ing a chance to get a century), for Manjot position total. We set small targets and Group D: Ireland 207-8 for 48 overs “I am excited to take up the after a largely successful stint thumpingA 100 runs victory over Australia as well, we have learnt something from achieved it.” (Jamie Grassi 75; Kamindu Mendis 3-35) challenge. I am excited with the helping the side claim several in a battle of former champions on the this innings and will better in the next in- lost to Sri Lanka 208-3 for 37.3 overs talent and skills available with high-profile wins and reach second day of the ICC U19 Cricket World nings,” he said. BRIEF SCORES (Dhananjaya Lakshan 101 not out, Kamin- my team now,” Hathurusingha, seventh in the ODI rankings. Cup 2018 at the Bay Oval, Tauranga. Elsewhere, South Africa’s Raynard Group A: South Africa 341-7 in 50 Overs du Mendis 74 not out; Aaron Cawley 2-26) 49, told reporters yesterday. He ruled out being “emotion- In front of broadcast cameras, Shaw van Tonder hit a punishing 121-ball 143 (Raynard van Tonder 143, Jiveshan Pillay by seven wickets. Player of the Match: A tri-nation one-day inter- ally attached” to his former scored a fi ne 94 and Kalra contributed to bat his side to an easy 189-run victory 62; Jasraj Kundi 2-49, Jayant Mepani Dhananjaya Lakshan (Sri Lanka) national tournament starts side, but wished Bangladesh 86 as India rattled up an imposing 328 over Kenya, while a brilliant century by 2-60) beat Kenya 172-7 in 50 Overs (Jasraj today with a contest between well in the tri-nation series. for seven in 50 overs. Kamlesh Nagarkoti Dhananjaya Lakshan (101 not out) and Kundi 41, Ankit Hirani 35 not out; Akhona TODAY’S FIXTURES Zimbabwe and Bangladesh. “I worked with them closely and Shivam Mavi then equally shared six an impressive all-round performance Mnyaka 2-9, Kenan Smith 2-36) by 189 Bangladesh v Canada, Bert Sutcliff e Sri Lanka’s first match of and got to know them really wickets between them as Australia were by Kamindu Mendis (three for 35 and 74 runs at Lincoln No. 3, Christchurch. Player Oval, Christchurch (Group C) the event is against Zimbabwe well. At the same time, I want bowled out for 228 in 42.5 overs with Jack not out) guided Sri Lanka to a convincing of the Match: Raynard van Tonder (South England v Namibia, John Davis Oval, Wednesday, before they face Sri Lanka to do well,” he said. Edwards following up his four for 65 with seven-wicket victory over Ireland. Africa) Queenstown (Group C)