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Thursday, November 30, 2017 GOLF Rabia I 12, 1439 AH Woods back for GULF TIMES perhaps last shot at a comeback SPORT Page 6 FOCUS Qatar’s teenage star Fares raising the bar Young weightlifter will be competing against the world’s best weightlifters on Sunday at 2017 World Championships

By Sports Reporter even more,” he said. disappointed to win a bronze at the 2016 America next week for his fi rst senior “will still be proud that I have lifted ing requires sacrifi cing many things. I Doha Fares’ pathway to success has been World Junior Championships. “I wasn’t World Championships. these weights at my age”. spend most of my time in training and carefully carved in close partnership that happy. Afterwards, I started to put As many as 600 male and female It is not just immense physical everything I do at home is for the sake with his father, who is also his coach more eff ort into my training and I didn’t competitors from 100 countries will strength that creates a world-class of training,” he said. ares Ibrahim is one of Qa- and his inspiration. take any vacations until the 2017 World compete across 15 weight categories, weightlifter but huge inner mental “Food and weight play a huge role tar’s brightest young sporting “My father always pushes me and Junior Championships.” with Fares moving up to the 94kg cat- strength is of equal, if not greater im- in weightlifting, especially in champi- stars. Still only 19, the teenage gives me confi dence. He often says, Fares changed many things in his egory for the fi rst time in his career. portance. onships because if you compete in the weightlifter earlier this year ‘Fares, you can achieve whatever you programme including how he focused Once again, he will be the youngest “Sometimes an athlete might be 94kg and your weight is 94.1kg, you wonF the World Junior Championships, want as long as you believe in yourself’. in training, his sleep, and his diet. athlete in the competition and, whilst physically ready to raise the bar but won’t be able to compete.” adding to his 2016 Asian Champion- He understands everything about me The changes and hard work paid off he is aware that he will be up against mentally he cannot. The athlete needs The intensity of his training, however, ship title and seventh placing at the – I don’t have to explain to him when and Fares won an incredible two gold very strong competitors, he is con- support from the coach and the psy- also means he needs to eat a lot. “I might Rio 2016 Olympic Games. I’m tired, he just knows what I need and one silver medal at the same event fi dent with his preparations and his chologist to help him mentally prepare consume a whole lamb in just 10 days! I Fares will be competing against the and we understand each other.” one year later, which “felt amazing be- sights are set high. and get rid of his fears. It contributes burn a lot of calories in my training ses- world’s best senior stars on Sunday The father/coach relationship cause I could see the results of my hard “We have been working very hard 50 percent to the whole preparation,” sions so I need to make them up through when he looks to stamp his mark in works because, “he can play diff erent work”. and I have had a strong, focussed Fares said. a certain diet that includes vegetables, Qatari history books once again at the characters with me. He is my coach at Also in 2016, Fares, then only 18, training programme which has devel- However, when it comes to the ac- protein, carbohydrates, bread, meat, 2017 World Championships in Ana- the gym, my father at home and my was the youngest athlete to participate oped my performance greatly. My am- tual moment of lifting in a competi- chicken and milk, as well as the neces- heim, USA. friend outside the house”. in the Rio 2016 Olympic weightlifting bitions are very high and I am aiming tion, Fares completely empties his sary vitamins and minerals.” For Fares, weightlifting has always Fares’ fi rst major achievement came fi nals, fi nishing an impressive seventh. to win a medal. If I succeed when I am mind. “All I think of on the stage is to But probe him further, and it all been a family aff air. His father and in 2014 when, at just 16, he won the “It was a good chance for me to see still only 19, it will be amazing.” raise the bar no matter how heavy it is. seems worth it. “It feels amazing when brothers were all weightlifters and he Qatar Cup and broke the world youth how the big athletes train, how they He knows that winning a medal I concentrate on maintaining my self- I win fi rst place, wear the medal and tagged along to their training sessions. record in the process, which gave him focus and how they avoid stress. It was will require him to break his personal confi dence and convince myself that I make my country proud.” However, he didn’t take it seriously an early taste of international suc- a great experience and I was so happy bests and his goals are to lift 170kg in will succeed.” The focus will shift to the Tokyo 2020 until he won gold in the fi rst competi- cess and motivated him “to break that I was representing Qatar at the the snatch and 220kg in the clean and Like most professional sports, a Olympics after the World Champion- tion he ever competed in. new records and to work hard to win a Olympics,” he said. jerk. However, if achieving these goals weightlifter needs to completely dedi- ships. Between now and then, his goal is “It felt amazing and I was so excited medal in the Olympics”. Rio experience is sure to prove in- doesn’t win him a medal, he will be cate their lives to their sport. simple: “to win the gold medal in every to continue and work harder to achieve Having tasted victory before, he was valuable as Fares takes to the stage in content with his achievements and “To reach a high level in weightlift- competition that I compete in”.

WTCC RACE OF QATAR Pressure on leader Bjork to win title: Michelisz By Sports Reporter riences give me strength for the last race,” added very well. They are very strong drivers and it will hope to leave the people with the best message, Doha the Hungarian. be interesting,” he added. a podium fi nish.” Despite the fact he stands in his way of win- Last year’s visit to Qatar was memorable one ning the WTCC crown, Michelisz is full of ad- for Bennani in more ways than one after he orbert Michelisz believes the pressure miration of Bjork. “He is a really strong driver I WILL DO MY BEST FOR ARABIC FANS: BEN- scored his fi rst Pole Position Award and Main is on Thed Bjork to win the FIA World with a really strong overall package. I really rate NANI Race victory. Touring Car Championship at the Lo- him as one of the best touring car drivers in the Meanwhile, Mehdi Bennani says he will do all he The entrance to the Paddock and Grandstand sail International Circuit in Qatar to- world,” the Honda driver said can to give local fans a reason to cheer. As the fi rst is free for the spectators both today and tomor- morrow.N Tiago Monteiro has backed his teammate Arabic driver to win an FIA world championship row. Factory Volvo Polestar racer Bjork is 6.5 points Michelisz to land the title. Monteiro will be motor race in 2014, Bennani lists WTCC Race ahead of his Honda driver Michelisz, with two making his fi rst visit to the WTCC paddock of Qatar as his second home event following the TRACK ESSENTIALS night races at the Losail International Circuit since mid-July after a high-speed testing crash season-opening WTCC Race of Morocco. Name: Losail International Circuit left to run. in September wrecked his title bid and left him With two races left and 60 points up for grabs, Length: 5.380 kilometres While Bjork said last week that he was ‘re- nursing serious injuries. Bennani can still win the overall title although Opening Race distance: 10 laps (53.800km) laxed’ ahead of the trip to Qatar, Michelisz reck- With his recovering ongoing, Monteiro will he’ll fi rst have to overcome a defi cit of 39.5 Main Race distance: 12 laps (64.560km) ons playing catch-up with the leader puts him in be supporting Michelisz from the sidelines at points to title leader Bjork. Lap record (qualifying): Mehdi Bennani (Cit- a better position than the Swede. the Losail International Circuit and believes the However, it’s much closer in the battle to win roën C-Elysée), 2m00.456s (160.7kph), 25/11/16 “I don’t want to be too aggressive on Thed but Hungarian has what it takes to cancel out Björk’s the WTCC Trophy for independent racers: Ben- Lap record (race): José María López (Citroën from my point of view it’s him having the pres- points advantage and win the Championship. nani is a mere half point behind Sebastien Loeb C-Elysée), 2m01.628s (159.2kph), 27/11/15 sure,” said Michelisz. “He’s leading. I always “He can do it, it’s a matter of keeping cool,” Title contenders Norbert Michelisz (left) of Hon- Racing teammate Tom Chilton in his bid to de- WTCC appearances: 2 had to catch up in terms of points and in the end said Monteiro. “It’s obviously very stressful but da and Thed Bjork of Volvo strike a pose at the St fend the crown he secured in 2016. there is almost nothing to lose from my side. I’ve the pressure will be the enemy of both drivers. Regis Doha yesterday. “I want to do my best for the Arabic sup- PREVIOUS WINNERS had diffi cult times with a big points gap but all It’s a world championship and it will be very porters and bring a trophy back to Morocco,” 2016: Opening Race: Gabriele Tarquini (LADA); the bad memories from the Hungaroring, for hard on pressure, he’ll feel it, no doubt and so “But Norbi is very strong at managing it. He said Bennani, who heads to Qatar on a high af- Main Race: Mehdi Bennani (Citroen C-Elysee) example, and the disqualifi cation in China has will Thed because nobody is ironman here, they might seem from the outside that he’s nervous, ter winning the Opening Race at WTCC Race 2015: Race 1: Jose Maria Lopez (Citroen C- made me really stronger and maybe these expe- all have feelings. sick and struggling but in the car he performs of Macau. “We will push at the maximum and I Elysee); Race 2: Yvan Muller (Citroen C-Elysee) Gulf Times 2 Thursday, November 30, 2017 FOOTBALL

SPOTLIGHT FOCUS Sampdoria Surprises in store, but no advance as Cagliari, SPAL exit conspiracies, at WC draw Italian Cup

Former FIFA president Joseph Blatter claimed last year that European draws had been fixed AFP Milan DPA Moscow ampdoria advanced to the last 16 of the Italian onspiracy theories around the Cup on Tuesday as Se- World Cup draw were scotched rie A rivals Cagliari and yesterday before any talk arises SPALS both fell to lower league of warm or cold plastic balls in sides. Cagliari were shocked Moscow.C Tomorrow’s draw at the State 2-1 in Sardinia by Serie C side Kremlin Palace will be a purely random Pordenone, while SPAL lost 2-0 aff air, a FIFA competition offi cial insist- at home to Serie B outfi t Citta- ed, when asked about the possibilities della in fourth round action. of tournament draws being fi xed. Pordenone, from near Venice, Past football tournament draws have take on big-hitters Inter Milan in attracted their fair share of specula- the last 16 on December 13 while tion about the use of warmer or colder Cittadella, a team from a medie- plastic balls placed in the various pots val walled city near Padua, travel used for seeded teams and groups. Af- down to Rome to play Lazio. ter the draw in Brazil four years ago, re- Sampdoria were three goals up ports emerged in Argentina which said within half against Serie B side reporters were told in advance which Pescara with David Kownacki group the team would be in. opening after two minutes fol- But FIFA director of competitions lowed by goals from Gaston Chris Unger said in Moscow he could Ramirez and Gianluca Caprari. assure everyone all the balls were exact- Pole Kownacki scored his sec- ly the same. “There is no truth in that... ond came on 74 minutes with it is entirely random,” said Unger, who Libyan midfi elder Ahmad Benali has been involved in two previous com- pulling one back from Adriatic petition draws. Coast side Pescara. Genoa outfi t “I can invite you up to the stage and Sampdoria — sitting sixth in Se- you can convince yourself that there are rie A — next travel to Fiorentina balls with diff erent colours (hosts Rus- for their last 16 tie. sia will have a red ball) but there is no diff erence otherwise. They are the same ITALIAN CUP RESULTS size and temperature.” Cagliari 1 (Dessena 18) Pordenone 2 Former FIFA president Joseph Blatter, (Sainz-Maza 8, Bassoli 62) now serving a football ban, claimed last SPAL 0 Citadella 2 (Konate 13-og, year that European draws had been fi xed Schenetti 87) with hot and cold balls. Asked about Sampdoria 4 (Kownacki 2, 74, the easy-looking group Argentina were Ramirez 9, Caprari 31) Pescara 1 drawn in during the last World Cup, The statue of Zabivaka, the off icial (Benali 53) Blatter said all the draws he had been mascot for the 2018 FIFA World Cup, involved in were “clean to the last de- at Manezhnaya square in downtown tail” but he knew of other draws which Moscow. (AFP) had been fi xed. “Of course, you can put a signal in the balls, warming them or cooling them,” emony tomorrow, hosts Russia were ised some surprises tomorrow, and Paul did reveal her dress would be green. is expected to attend the draw he said. “It didn’t exist at FIFA, but I chosen with Peru in Group A. As hosts, Redman, head of FIFA fi lms said “one But she was, she said, enjoying be- Neither the doping scandals which was a witness at draws, at a European Russia are seeded in Group A and will of the biggest shows in town” would ing on stage with the “very easy going” have made Russia something of a pariah level, where that happened. But never at play the opening match on June 14. be televised in more than 200 territo- former England striker Lineker during in world sport nor the FIFA corruption FIFA. It certainly can be done, but in my Twelve pots will be used in the draw: ries around the world. Russian sports rehearsals, and was one of his 6.777mn saga are likely to be a welcome subject time it never happened. Never.” four featuring the seeded teams and journalist Maria Komandnaya, who will Twitter followers. “I thanked him for for football VIPs’ small talk at the or- During yesterday’s explanation of eight for Groups A to H. host the draw with Gary Lineker, gave not making too many jokes today,” she nate 6,000-capacity concert hall in David Kownacki scored two how the draw would work in the cer- Organisers of the ceremony prom- little away, but — a little reluctantly — said. Russian President Vladimir Putin Moscow. goals for Sampdoria.

COPA DEL REY ROUND-UP Returning Bale rides to Coach Berizzo’s cancer surgery rescue of woeful Real ‘successful’, say Sevilla evilla’s Argentinian coach Eduardo Berizzo underwent ‘successful’ surgery for a malignant prostate cancer yesterday, the club said with- outS putting a date on his return to work. “The period of recuperation...will depend on the post-operative developments over the next few days,” the club said in a brief statement, adding that his return to the bench “would be as rapid as possible.” The deputy coach, Ernesto Marcucci, has taken over the team until Berizzo returns, and last night was be in charge as Sevilla attempted to reach the last 16 of the Copa del Rey. They lead third-division Cartagena 3-0. Berizzo “left everything programmed for today, we spoke before training and the contact is permanent,” Marcucci said was later replaced by a 252,000 euro fi ne. the coach of Chinese side Shanghai SIPG. adding that Berizzo’s “mental strength is an They have no fi xtures in January after their example for all of us around him.” SUSPENDED BIELSA IGNORES season fi nished this month. SUMMONS FROM LILLE MODRIC LATEST MADRID STAR Marcelo Bielsa did not attend an “inter- UEFA PRESIDENT JOINS PLAYERS ACCUSED OF TAX FRAUD view prior to a possible dismissal” at his IN SALARY PLEDGE CHARITY Real Madrid midfi elder Luka Modric club Lille yesterday and will instead await UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin joined Gareth Bale (centre) ended two-month injury lay-off with 28-minute cameo against minnows Fuenlabrada. became the latest football star in Spain a hearing by the French League (LFP), his several players in pledging one % of his accused by prosecutors of committing tax lawyer told AFP. Lille suspended the Argen- salary to Juan Mata’s Common Goal project AFP Spain in 2013. Bale has com- was inches away from bringing fraud on revenue from his image rights, a tine coach, known as “El Loco”, on Novem- yesterday. Spain and Manchester United Madrid pleted 90 minutes with Real just Fuenlabrada level in the tie with a court fi ling revealed yesterday. Prosecutors ber 22 and announced on Tuesday that they midfi elder Mata launched the programme four times since injuring ankle header that struck the bar. believe the Croatian, whose wife Vadja is had summoned him to an interview. in August alongside streetfootballworld, a ligaments against Sporting Lis- In desperate circumstances, also cited in the accusation, evaded 870,728 “He had no reason to go,” said the lawyer group of 120 charities from 80 countries, uch-criticised for his bon in November 2016. A series fans at the Santiago Bernabeu euros ($1.03mn) in 2013 and 2014 via a shell Carlo Brusa, adding that Bielsa was never- with the donated wages helping to fund the inconsistent form of calf problems followed, which rose to acclaim Bale as a return- company set up in Luxembourg. theless represented yesterday. “The legal football charities. and long injury ab- meant he had to settle for a place ing hero when he made his en- However, that fi gure could rise once commission of the LFP has precedence.” Ceferin, 50, who took over from the sences, Gareth Bale on the bench on his homecom- trance 28 minutes from time. details of fi nancial holdings belonging to Brusa said that his client “had confi dence disgraced Michel Platini as the boss of Mwas for a change declared Real ing to Cardiff for the Champions Virtually his fi rst touch, a sump- the player in the Isle of Man are revealed to in sporting justice” but said that it was pos- European football’s governing body last Madrid’s hero on Tuesday night League fi nal when Real thrashed tuous cross with the outside of Spanish authorities. Modric, 32, joined Ma- sible that Bielsa and Lille could reach a deal year, followed more than 30 players by after saving a young side from an Juventus 4-1 in June. his left foot, gave Mayoral an easy drid from Tottenham Hotspur for a reported before the LFP hearing on December 12. supporting the initiative. The project has embarrassing Copa del Rey loss. However, his ability to score task to settle Real’s nerves. fee of £30mn ($40mn) in 2012. Lille have invested heavily in players since been well-backed in recent weeks, with Real had a two goal advantage and create has been missed in the “Bale returned in style because He is just the latest in a series of star a change of ownership in January, but have Bayern Munich’s Mats Hummels, Italy over third-tier Fuenlabrada en- early part of this season as Ma- with that cross I just needed to players based in Spain to be accused of tax made a disastrous start to the season and defender Giorgio Chiellini, US women’s star tering the second leg, but a young drid have fallen eight points be- put my head on it,” said Mayoral. fraud on income related to image rights in sat 19th in the 20-team fi rst division. Alex Morgan and Hoff enheim coach Julian side had fallen behind at home hind Barcelona in La Liga and are Bale could have sealed the per- the past few years. On Tuesday, Madrid Nagelsmann all announcing their support. when the Welshman came off the doomed to fi nish second to Bale’s fect return when he bore down left-back Marcelo admitted to a 490,917 PORTUGUESE SOCCER MANAGER bench. “Bale prevents a disaster,” old club Tottenham Hotspur in on goal moments later. His eff ort euro tax fraud via his image rights in 2013. VILLAS-BOAS TO TACKLE DAKAR ARSENAL’S CAZORLA SUFFERS read Madrid sports daily Marca’s Champions League Group H. was parried by Pol Freixanet, but As part of Marcelo’s agreement with the Former Chelsea, Tottenham Hotspur FRESH INJURY SETBACK front page after Bale, in his fi rst “Really enjoyed being back Mayoral mopped up the rebound authorities, the Brazilian is expected to be and Zenit St Petersburg soccer manager Arsenal midfi elder Santi Cazorla has been appearance for two months, out there, and even better to get for his second of the night. handed a four-month suspended sentence Andre Villas-Boas is set to achieve a long- forced to have another operation on his helped tee up a double for Borja through to the next round,” Bale “People talk a lot about the fact and a fi ne worth 40% of the defrauded standing dream and compete in the Dakar Achilles, prolonging his long injury night- Mayoral in the fi nal 27 minutes. tweeted after the match. His he is injured, but he is a very im- amount. Real Madrid’s all-time leading Rally next January. Organisers said that the mare and delaying his return to action. Ca- Despite a late goal that earned presence was more necessary portant player for us,” said Zidane scorer Cristiano Ronaldo appeared in court Portuguese, whose uncle Pedro entered the zorla has not played for the Gunners since the visitors a 2-2 draw, Real had than Real boss Zinedine Zidane afterwards. However, Real didn’t in July over accusations he evaded 14.7mn event in 1982 when it was held in Africa last October and said earlier this month he done enough to win 4-2 on ag- could have imagined when, with escape unharmed as Alvaro Por- euros worth of tax between 2011 and 2014. rather than South America, will drive a almost lost his foot due to a serious infec- gregate and seal a place in the a 2-0 fi rst leg lead as a cushion, tilla earned Fuenlabrada a de- Barcelona duo Lionel Messi and Javier Toyota Hilux with compatriot Ruben Faria. tion. Arsene Wenger had expressed hope last 16 of the Cup. It has been a he named an inexperienced side served draw on the night late on. Mascherano received 21-month and one- Faria fi nished runner-up in the motorcy- Cazorla might recover in time to feature testing year for Bale, the world’s However, Luis Milla put the “What should have been a cruise year suspended sentences respectively after cle category in 2013. The Dakar starts in the again in January but the 32-year-old has most expensive player when Real visitors in front thanks to a for Madrid...turned into a new being found guilty of tax fraud over their Peruvian capital Lima on Jan. 6 and ends in suff ered a fresh setback. “Due to some splashed out just over 100mn blunder from Real goalkeeper start for Bale after a atrocious image rights in 2016. However, fi ve-time Cordoba, Argentina, on Jan 20 after passing discomfort in the tendon the last few days, I euros ($119mn) to bring him to Keylor Navas before Cata Diaz fi rst-half,” concluded Marca. World Player of the Year Messi’s sentence through Bolivia. Villas-Boas is currently have had to undergo surgery,” he tweeted. Gulf Times Thursday, November 30, 2017 3 FOOTBALL

PREMIER LEAGUE Young sparkles as United close gap, Spurs’ title bid in tatters West Bromwich Albion blew a two-goal lead as Newcastle rescued a 2-2 draw at the Hawthorns

AFP Algeria winger drilled an unstoppable shot into London the top corner. Tottenham winger Erik Lamela came on for his fi rst appearance in 13 months and made an immediate impact as his pass teed anchester United cut Manchester up Harry Kane to blast in his 16th club goal of City’s lead at the top of the Pre- the season in the 79th minute. mier League to fi ve points as Ashley But Mauricio Pochettino’s fi fth-placed team Young inspired a 4-2 win against couldn’t muster an equaliser and last season’s MWatford, while Tottenham’s fading title hopes runners-up remain 13 points behind City. “The were extinguished by a 2-1 defeat at Leicester on fi rst half was a poor performance and it was Tuesday night. diffi cult to get back into the game,” Pochettino Young’s fi rst United goals since May 2016 said. “We feel very disappointed. We started the were followed by an Anthony Martial strike as game not in the right way. We need to improve United produced a scintillating fi rst half at Vic- the way we start.” arage Road. United’s third consecutive league Crystal Palace missed a chance to move off win was only secured after a late wobble as Troy the bottom of the table as Roy Hodgson’s side Deeney and Abdoulaye Doucoure struck for settled for a 0-0 draw at rivals Brighton. Palace Watford before Jesse Lingard settled the visi- would have climbed to 18th place with a win, tors’ nerves with a fi ne solo eff ort. but they were unable to break down Brighton in “It was an easy match to win comfortably, but the fi rst Premier League meeting between clubs at 3-2 the game is in the balance,” United man- who have a fi erce rivalry despite being separated ager Jose Mourinho said. “We should be smok- by 45 miles. In their fi rst meeting for over four ing cigars but then we were in trouble before years, south Londoners Palace picked up their Jesse Lingard had the initiative to kill the game.” fi rst away league point this season, while south Although United have closed the gap on City, coast-based Brighton are now without a win in Pep Guardiola’s side, looking to make it 12 suc- their last three league games. West Bromwich cessive league victories, can reestablish their Albion blew a two-goal lead as Newcastle res- eight-point lead as they were hosting South- cued a 2-2 draw at the Hawthorns to leave the ampton late last night. Having provoked the relegation-threatened hosts without a win in 12 Lewis Dunk own goal that clinched United’s win league games. over Brighton on Saturday, Young opened the West Brom forward Hal Robson-Kanu broke scoring against his old club in the 19th minute. the deadlock in fi rst half stoppage-time when he Picked out on the edge of the Watford penalty nodded in his fi rst goal since August. Sam Field area by Lingard’s pass, Young smashed his shot got the second in the 56th minute, fi nishing off into the bottom corner. Young wasn’t fi nished Matt Phillips’ cross for his fi rst Albion goal. But yet and the wing-back doubled United’s lead Ciaran Clark’s header reduced the defi cit three with another sumptuous strike six minutes later minutes later and Newcastle avoided a fi fth as his 25-yard free-kick fl ashed past Watford consecutive defeat thanks to a Jonny Evans own goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes. goal from Matt Ritchie’s 83rd-minute free-kick. Martial netted United’s third in the 32nd minute with a cool fi nish from Romelu Lukaku’s ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE RESULTS pass for his eighth goal of the season. Deeney’s Brighton 0 Crystal Palace 0 77th-minute penalty, awarded for Marcos Ro- Manchester United’s Ashley Young (right) vies for the ball with Watford’s Kiko Femenia during the Premier League match on Tuesday night. (Reuters) Leicester 2 (Vardy 13, Mahrez 45) Tottenham 1 (Kane jo’s foul on Roberto Pereyra, was followed by 79) Doucoure’s strike in the 84th minute, but Lin- with just one win in their last fi ve league games. But Rose’s presence did little for Tottenham, with a superb volleyed fi nish from Marc Al- Watford 2 (Deeney 77-pen, Doucoure 84) Manches- gard notched United’s fourth two minutes later. England left-back Danny Rose was back in the who fell behind in the 13th minute when Jamie brighton’s pass. ter United 4 (Young 19, 25, Martial 32, Lingard 86) At the King Power Stadium, Tottenham suc- Tottenham team after being dropped for their Vardy bagged his 100th career league goal. The Riyad Mahrez made it two majestic strikes for West Brom 2 (Robson-Kanu 45+1, Field 56) cumbed to a damaging defeat that leaves them previous two league games. Leicester striker’s milestone moment arrived Leicester in fi rst half stoppage-time when the Newcastle 2 (Clark 59, Evans 83-og)

FOCUS SPOTLIGHT Pardew is new West Brom boss; Syria's Khrbin named Asia's player of the year AFP Yet is was an inspiring sporting journey Everton to appoint Allardyce Bangkok for the team — and their top scorer — against the backdrop of Syria’s grinding six-year AFP civil war. Khrbin showed a knack for scoring London yrian striker Omar Khrbin was key goals, both in his country’s qualifi cation awarded the Asian Football Con- campaign and in Al Hilal’s run to the AFC federation’s 2017 Player of the Year Champions League Final. ew West Bromwich Albion boss Alan yesterday, after starring both for his He plundered fi ve over two legs as the Pardew yesterday set his sights on win- clubS and for his war-ravaged country whose Saudi giants swept by Iran’s Persepolis to ning silverware after fi rst addressing the attempt to make the World Cup captured make the fi nal against Japans’ Urawa Red immediate priority of pulling the Chi- the hearts of the sporting world. Diamonds. Khrbin then scored the equal- Nnese-owned club away from the Premier League Khrbin was selected ahead of last year’s iser for Al Hilal in the home leg which fi n- danger zone. The former West Ham United, New- winner Omar Abdulrahman — Asia’s hot- ished 1-1, before they went down by a single castle United and Crystal Palace manager has test rising star — and Wu Lei, the skilful goal in Japan. In receiving the award, the agreed a two-and-a-half-year contract at the Mid- Chinese winger. The AFC individual award, 23-year-old thanked God and members of lands club, languishing just two points above the at a glittering ceremony in Bangkok, goes the national team. “We apologise to all the relegation places before the latest round of fi xtures. some way to compensate for the collective fans because we did not achieve the great- As the season nears its halfway stage, fellow Pre- disappointment over the weekend when his est results but we promise them to keep mier League strugglers Everton were set to appoint Al Hilal side narrowly lost 1-2 on aggregate trying our best,” he said. It was a Japanese former England coach Sam Allardyce as their new to Japan’s Uwara Red Diamonds in the AFC double for the Coach of the Year award with boss. West Brom sacked Tony Pulis last week after Champions League fi nal. Takafumi Hori of AFC Champions League they went 10 Premier League games without a win Australia’s Samantha Kerr claimed the winners Urawa Red Diamonds scooping — the fi fth managerial casualty in the English top women’s Player of the Year title in Bangkok, the men’s accolade, while Asako Takakura, fl ight this season. after tearing through defences for US-based the coach of Japan’s women’s national team Pardew, who took Crystal Palace to the FA Cup Sky Blue FC and her national side. The Syri- took the women’s version. The AFC award fi nal in May 2016, has not managed since being an national football team failed to qualify for for the best international player — an Asian AFC Women’s Player of the Year Samantha sacked by the Selhurst Park club just seven months the 2018 World Cup after losing last month based outside the region — went to South Kerr (letf) of Australia, and Men’s Player of later but he returned in bullish mood. “My best in agonising fashion by a single goal over two Korean Son Heung-min, who has become a the Year Omar Khrbin of Syria pose after teams play on the front foot and try and put teams legs to Australia. fans’ favourite at Tottenham Hotspur. receiving their awards in Bangkok. (AFP) under pressure,” said Pardew. “Sometimes they get a bloody nose doing that and that’s what I’ll deliver here at West Brom. The BOTTOMLINE immediate concern is to halt this run, get some points on the board and get ourselves in a position where we can try to attack the top 10 if possible.” The 56-year-old, who is adding his former as- Chapecoense pays tribute to crash victims sistant at Newcastle, John Carver, to his backroom Pardew faces former club Crystal Palace in his staff at The Hawthorns, had widely been expected fi rst match in charge on Saturday, with tough fi x- Reuters to be named Albion’s new manager and he takes tures looming later in December against Liver- Sao Paulo over with the club winless in their past 12 Premier pool and Manchester United. Everton yesterday League games. announced they would “fi nalise terms” with Al- Pardew said his immediate concern was to halt lardyce, ending a long hunt since they sacked Ron- rieving fans of Chapecoense foot- the club’s wretched run but ultimately he is aiming ald Koeman last month. ball club held a candlelit vigil at higher than mere Premier League survival. “I think “Sam Allardyce will be at... Finch Farm (training their stadium in southern Brazil the most important thing is, and it’s so diffi cult in ground) this afternoon to fi nalise terms on becom- yesterday, exactly one year after the Premier League, to have ambitions to win the ing the new manager of Everton Football Club,” the Gthe team’s plane crashed into a hillside in league, to win trophies, because you have six or club said in a statement. Allardyce ruled himself Colombia, killing most of the players on seven clubs whose fi nances are way above the level out of the running earlier this month, saying he did board. Hundreds of supporters in Chapeco that we’re working at.” not feel the Toff ees were convinced he was the right prayed together before walking to the city’s “It’s very diffi cult to break,” he added. “We al- man. But after Everton’s pursuit of Watford boss cathedral, where the bells tolled at 1:15am, most did it of course with Palace in the FA Cup so Marco Silva was met with a fi rm rebuttal from Vic- the exact moment the accident occurred on you have to have those ambitions to try and win a arage Road, the club returned to Allardyce. Nov 29 last year. trophy, as diffi cult as it is.” This will be the 10th English club managerial po- The plane crashed as it approached Chairman John Williams said Albion’s board had sition of the 63-year-old’s career, with Allardyce Medellin, killing 71 of the 77 people on board, reached a unanimous decision to appoint Pardew most recently having guided Crystal Palace to safe- including all bar three of the Chapecoense following a thorough recruitment process. Pardew, ty last season. squad. The club were on their way to the People attend a ceremony in honour of the victims on the first anniversary of the plane the Premier League manager of the year in 2012, has When he left Selhurst Park in May, Allardyce said biggest game in their history, a Copa Suda- crash in Colombia that kipped Brazilian club Chapecoense footballers. (AFP) a history of explosive touchline bustups. he had no ambitions to take another managerial job mericana fi nal against Atletico Nacional. In 2014, when Newcastle boss, he was fi ned and but the chance to turn around the fortunes of the The match was cancelled and South photos of players and special moments from down the table. They fl irted with the relega- given a formal warning for headbutting an opposi- Merseyside club has apparently lured him back. American football’s governing body award- the side’s history. It also created a special tion zone and used three diff erent coaches tion player and he had a furious row with Arsenal Everton are 17th in the table, two points ahead of ed the title to the Brazilian club. The team, website, an online condolence book, where over the course of the year but a 2-1 victory boss Arsene Wenger during his time at West Ham. West Ham United in the third relegation spot. David now known around the world as “Chape”, fans can leave messages of support. over Vitoria on Nov 17 ensured they will re- Pulis was sacked after a miserable run of form Unsworth has been in temporary charge since Koe- eschewed any major events on the anniver- Chapecoense survived the diffi cult year tain their top-fl ight status. The club turned even though he boasted a proud record of never man was sacked on October 23 and the under-23s sary, telling fans they were opting to spend by signing a whole new squad of players, down the chance of immunity from relega- having been relegated as a manager. Former West boss had made clear his desire to take on the job the day “refl ecting and seeking peace.” most of them experienced journeymen. tion and a win in Sunday’s fi nal Serie A game Brom manager Gary Megson, who acted as Albion’s permanently. But during his seven-game tenure In one of the few events planned, the club They won the Santa Catarina state champi- could even take them into next year’s Copa caretaker boss following the sacking of Pulis, has Everton have lost fi ve matches and won just one, was to open the stadium to let fans see a new onship in May and briefl y led the Brazilian Libertadores, the South American version of left the club. conceding 20 goals. tunnel decorated with 48 two-meter high fi rst division a few weeks later before falling the Champions League. Gulf Times 4 Thursday, November 30, 2017 CRICKET

ASHES Lyon challenges England’s batsmen to go aft er him Reuters “I think with the pink ball, it’s Aussie ‘adults’ don’t need curfew: Lehmann Melbourne going to suit their bowlers,” said Lyon. “We know they’re going to Australian coach Darren Lehmann says he can’t drinking culture in his team, but he imposed a mid- come back bigger and better and envisage ever slapping a curfew on his players, night curfew on the five-Test Ashes tour regardless. ustralia spinner Nathan stronger. who were “grown men”, after England opted to ban In laying down the law after the Bairstow incident, Lyon threw down the “It’s not going to be a walk in their team being out after midnight. he said his players “need to be smarter”. gauntlet to England’s the park... We need to make sure The England decision followed Jonny Bairstow’s “That’s the reality, they are adults, intelligent batsmen yesterday, that we respect them.” headbutt on Australian opener Cameron Bancroft adults, and at times they are not using that intel- challengingA them to hit him out Born in rural New South in a Perth bar late last month, which only came to ligence in the right way,” he said. of the attack at Adelaide Oval in Wales, Lyon was famously a light over the weekend. “It is a distraction to the team and none of us want the second Ashes Test. groundsman at Adelaide Oval It came with sensitivity within the England camp that distraction.” The 30-year-old has returned before being fast-tracked into about off -field behaviour after the controversy sur- Despite the Stokes controversy and the Bairstow to his former home ground in top the test team, so he knows the rounding suspended star all-rounder Ben Stokes, incident, Strauss insisted the team were “good, form ahead of the test, which venue well. who is facing a police inquiry into a fight outside a honest, hardworking cricketers”. starts on Saturday, after taking Drop-in wickets are now used Bristol nightclub in September “They’ve done some great things in an England fi ve wickets in Australia’s easy at the ground since a major re- Lehmann said it was not something he would shirt and I will back them on that to the hilt be- win at the Gabba. furbishment from 2012-13 and consider. cause I know them,” he said. Lyon took on a big workload the pitch for Saturday is likely “We wouldn’t have curfews but that’s our decision in the series-opener but bowled to feature a layer of grass to slow and that (having them) is theirs,” he told reporters with impressive economy, con- the wear of the pink ball. in Adelaide late Tuesday ahead of the second Test ceding less than 2.5 runs an over Australia’s Nathan Lyon (right) shakes hands with England’s Jonny Lyon, however, was relishing starting Saturday. to stifl e the tourists’ scoring. Bairstow after the first Ashes Test in Brisbane. (Reuters) the prospect of more turn and “We have faith in the blokes to do the right thing. With none of England’s bats- bounce in Adelaide after ex- They’re grown men, they’re adults.” men taking the attack to the me out of the attack. ing he hoped Australia could end tracting plenty from the surpris- Former Australian captain and selector Greg Chap- off spinner at the Gabba, Lyon “But it’s a part of the game... careers during the Ashes series, ingly slow and spongy Gabba pell suggested curfews were ineff ective. invited them to go on the off en- No doubt England will come including that of his former club pitch. “If someone is determined to get out and do silly sive at Adelaide Oval, where he prepared and they’ll have a dif- team mate and England captain “Damian Hough in my book things they’re probably going to do it whether helped bowl Australia to victory ferent plan for me compared to Joe Root. is probably one of the best cura- there’s a curfew or not,” he told Melbourne radio against South Africa a year ago. what they had in the fi rst test. The plain spoken off spin- tors in the world. So, I had a look station SEN. “I think if they did do that, But it is what it is. ner was more generous yester- briefl y at it then. It looks pretty “Curfews are pretty useless really. If you treat peo- it does defi nitely play into my “It’s about adapting, it’s about day, saying Root’s team were a exciting,” he said. ple like adults, most of them will behave like adults. hands,” Lyon told reporters at enjoying the challenge and em- “classy” side and that the York- “I’ve never seen a bad one here Those who don’t probably don’t last very long.” the stadium. bracing the game of cricket.” shireman’s bowlers would be fa- if I’m being brutally honest. It’ll England cricket chief Andrew Strauss was cited by Australia’s head coach Darren Lehmann watches “I like it when opposition guys Lyon was criticised in the voured by the conditions in the spin and bounce, (that’s) always cricket.com.au on Tuesday as saying there was no the final day’s play of the first Ashes Test. (AFP) try to attack me and try to whack leadup to the Gabba test for say- fi rst day-night Ashes test. good.”

SPOTLIGHT PREVIEW West Indies target Williamson, Taylor to New Zealand trip end 22-year drought

AFP Being patient Wellington Unlike the West Indies, who have had a recent diet of Test cricket, New Zealand are fresh he West Indies harbour from a limited overs series in Stokes suspicion hopes of their fi rst India and have not worn their away win over New whites since the 1-0 series loss Zealand in 22 years as to South Africa in March. Tthe loss of Tim Southee and Openers Jeet Raval and BJ Watling put pressure on the Tom Latham did play for New Blacks Caps ahead of tomor- Zealand A in the West Indies row’s fi rst Test in Wellington. warm-up match with Raval’s Without strike bowler unbeaten 32 in the second in- in Australia Southee, and a lack of experi- nings their best score. ence among the New Zealand Ferguson, who could replace Stokes declines to comment on cricket, all-rounder’s trip viewed dimly in Australia middle order batsmen, West Southee, used his pace to wor- Indies captain Jason Holder ry the West Indies with fi gures Reuters sees the key to success as the of fi ve for 67 and two for 24. Wellington swift removal of senior bats- The tourists dominated the men Kane Williamson and fi rst two days of that match, Ross Taylor. posting 451 for nine declared en Stokes’s arrival in New Zealand are return- when they batted fi rst, with New Zealand on a “pri- ing to the Test arena after an Shai Hope posting 110 while vate” trip has been eight-month break while the Sunil Ambris, pushing for his viewed with suspicion battle-hardened West Indies fi rst Test selection, made 157. inB neighbouring Australia, where are coming off a 2-1 series loss But in their second innings pundits smelled a plot to recall to England, including a dra- they were rolled for 186 with the exiled cricketer to England’s matic victory at Headingley, Kraigg Braithwaite’s unbeaten Ashes squad. and a 1-0 win over Zimbabwe. 88 the only score of note. New Zealand-born Stokes was “We’ve been on the road to- With Watling out of con- omitted from England’s tour- gether for a while (and) we’re tention and a middle order of ing party following his arrest on doing some good things but we Henry Nicholls, Mitchell Sant- suspicion of causing actual bod- need to be pushing the con- ner, Colin de Grandhomme and ily harm in an incident outside a sistency button more to keep Blundell having only 35 Tests Bristol nightclub in September. heading in that upward direc- and 48 innings among them, He remains suspended by the tion,” Holder said. the West Indies quicks will be England and Wales cricket board New Zealand have delayed keen to make early inroads. (ECB), pending the result of a making a decision on whether Holder said they will be for- police investigation. Lockie Ferguson, with his ex- mulating plans to remove Wil- Stokes greeted his parents af- treme pace, or the consistent liamson and Taylor cheaply. ter touching down at Christch- Matt Henry will replace the 57- “We know the calibre player urch airport yesterday but bat- Test new-ball bowler Southee, both of them are. It’s just a mat- ted away questions from a media who will miss the Test due ter of us being patient and stick- throng about his hopes of a quick to the impending birth of his ing to our plans. Over the next Ashes recall. second child. Tom Blundell few days, we’ll sit down and He also stayed silent on a pos- has already been confi rmed have some discussion around sible plan to play for Canterbury to make his debut as wicket- those two players,” he said. after the provincial side revealed keeper with Watling failing to “I think they’re their main on Tuesday it had been in talks recover from a thigh injury. players, but you can’t rule out with him about a possible short- New Zealand coach Mike a guy like Tom Latham. He’s term deal. “Working on my golf Hesson expects whoever wins done well in the past for New swing,” Stokes quipped, when the toss at the Basin Reserve Zealand and he’s carrying asked by a reporter about bring- to bowl. some current form as well.” ing cricket gear with him. England all-rounder Ben Stokes. “Same as always,” he said The West Indies have not “Just looking forward to see- when viewing a wicket that tasted a Test victory in New ing mum and dad,” he said. “Just “If you’re allowing him to play Police pass Ben Stokes fi le to prosecutors was greenish on Wednesday Zealand since February 1995 catch up with everyone I haven’t cricket, you’re allowing him to but expected to brown off be- when they won by an innings seen in a long time.” play cricket. They have the pow- British detectives investigating an incident outside The fiery allrounder was tight-lipped after touching fore the Test begins. and 322 runs at the Basin Re- Australia hold a 1-0 lead in er and obviously it tells us the a nightclub involving cricketer Ben Stokes have down in Christchurch, where he hopes to play “Everyone gets a bit excited serve on the back of a 660 the fi ve-Test Ashes after beating stance they’re taking with him.” passed a file to the Crown Prosecution Service for first-class cricket for Canterbury in New Zealand’s about that. I always think it’s for fi ve declared fi rst innings England in the opener in Bris- a decision on charging. The 26-year-old Durham domestic one-day competition. a bowl fi rst up here anyway headed by Brian Lara (147) and bane on Monday. The second Test WORLD CLASS CRICKETER all-rounder – who is suspended from playing for His stint with the New Zealand side is widely seen but it’s always a good cricket Jimmy Adams (151). starts in Adelaide on Saturday. The news of Stokes’s arrival England by the ECB – is currently in New Zealand as an attempt to stay match-fit if Stokes receives wicket.” England distanced itself from Down Under was encouraging to after flying to Christchurch to see his extended the call to travel to Australia and bolster an Eng- Stokes’s return to the country of his fellow England all-rounder family. land side reeling from a 10-wicket defeat in the first his birth, with the ECB saying on Chris Woakes, however. “Ben’s “We are now in a position to provide an update on Ashes Test. Sri Lanka makes Perera one-day captain Tuesday that it was a “private” a world class cricketer and he’d our investigation into a disorder in Bristol which Britain’s Telegraph newspaper reported that trip to see his parents and organ- make any team in the world bet- happened during the early hours of Monday England had contingency plans to fast-track Stokes Sri Lanka yesterday ousted Upul Tharanga as one-day captain ised outside of its auspices. ter so it’d be silly of us to not September 25,” Avon and Somerset Police said in a back into the Ashes squad within 48 hours if police and brought in Thisara Perera to lead the team for an upcoming However, British media re- open it up for him to come into statement. “A 27-year-old man suff ered a fractured decide not to charge him over the fracas. That ODI and T20 series in India. The move comes after a series of ported that the ECB had given the squad,” he told BBC radio. eye socket in the incident on Queens Road, Clifton. could see him play in the Third Test in Perth start- defeats while Tharanga and senior Sri Lankan players refused to Stokes a “no objection certifi - Canterbury coach Gary Stead “A 26-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of ing December 14. Stokes was born in New Zealand play a 20-over international against Pakistan in Lahore. cate” as early as last week to al- told Australian radio the prov- causing actual bodily harm and was later released but moved to England as a child when his father “We have appointed Thisara the ODI and T20 captain,” a top Sri low him to play in New Zealand. ince’s board would meet to dis- under investigation. Three other men, aged 26, Gerard, a former rugby league international, took a Lanka Cricket off icial told AFP ahead of a formal announcement ECB director of cricket An- cuss Stokes yesterday but there 27 and 28, have all voluntarily attended police coaching role. Both his parents have since moved later yesterday. Batsman Tharanga, 32, was captain when Sri drew Strauss off ered no update was no guarantee the 26-year- stations for interview. “Today we have passed a back to Christchurch. The ECB has emphasised Lanka lost series to India, South Africa and Pakistan this year on Stokes during a media briefi ng old would play. file to the Crown Prosecution Service and are now that Stokes is on a private trip that had not been without winning a game. Having led Sri Lanka against Pakistan on Monday, prompting accusa- “Ultimately, if our board says seeking charging advice.” set up by the organisation. when they played in the United Arab Emirates, Tharanga and tions of a cover-up from former ‘no’, it won’t happen,” he told other senior team members refused to travel to Lahore for Australia opener Michael Slater. RSN927. “From my point of view the Pakistan leg of the T20 series. Perera was brought in as Sri “Of course (Strauss) knew that I think if you get someone like “From a cricket point of But former New Zealand charge during a pre-season trip. Lanka became the first country to play in Pakistan since the Sri Ben Stokes was going to Canter- that then let’s do it.” view he’s a world class player cricketer and Canterbury stal- You’ve obviously got someone Lankan team bus was attacked in March 2009. Pakistan had bury to play,” the Channel Nine New Zealand coach Mike Hes- and would add a lot of talent to wart Peter Fulton struck a note else, a young Canterbury player, since been a security no-go area for international cricket teams. pundit told Sky Sports Radio. son, who has been preparing his the competition,” he told local of dissent, comparing Stokes’s who’s been dealing with some- The three one-day games against India are on December 10 in “Of course he knew because team for the home series against media. situation with Ken McClure, thing similar,” Fulton told local Dharamsala, December 13 in Chandigarh and December 17 in he was going to give a tick. He West Indies, also welcomed the “If it improves the standard of a local player who voluntar- media. “It’s not anything Can- Visakhapatnam. The T20 internationals are on December 20, might as well come and join the prospect of Stokes turning out the competition, which I’m sure ily stood down last week after terbury would ideally like to be December 22 and December 24 in Cuttack, Indore and Mumbai. England squad now. for Canterbury. it will, then great.” pleading guilty to an assault associated with.” Gulf Times Thursday, November 30, 2017 5 SPORT

NFL Giants bench QB Manning aft er 210 straight starts AFP time Super Bowl Most Valuable New York Player. “My feeling is that if you are going to play the other guys, play li Manning’s run of 210 them,” Manning said. straight regular-season “Starting just to keep the starts for the New York streak going and knowing you Giants will end Sunday won’t fi nish the game and have whenE the struggling NFL team a chance to win it is pointless to starts Geno Smith at quarterback me, and it tarnishes the streak. against the Oakland Raiders. Like I always have, I will be ready “Geno will start this week,” to play if and when I am needed. Giants coach Ben McAdoo said I will help Geno and Davis repare Tuesday, adding that over the to play as well as they possibly fi nal fi ve games of the season can.” the team would also give rookie The Giants started the season quarterback Davis Webb a try. with a fi ve-game losing streak “It’s hard, hard day to handle and head into December at 2-9. this,” the 36-year-old Manning “This is not a statement about admitted in comments to re- anything other than we are 2-9, porters. and we have to do what is best His 210 straight starts date for the organisation moving for- back to 2004, when he was trad- ward, and that means evaluating ed to the Giants after his selec- every position,” Giants general tion as the top overall pick by the manager Jerry Reese said. San Diego Chargers. “I told Eli (Tuesday) morning Manning said he never con- that an organisation could not sidered an abbreviated start just ask for any more in a franchise to keep the streak going. quarterback. He has been that “Coach McAdoo told me I and more. Nobody knows what could continue to start while the future holds, but right now, Geno and Davis are given an op- this is what we think is best for portunity to play,” said the two- the franchise.”

NBA NHL Dallas Stars blank Golden Knights 3-0 Streaking Cavaliers fi rst goal (sixth of the season) By Mike Heika The Dallas Morning News was set up on a pass from de- fenseman Dan Hamhuis, who found him open in the slot at adek Faksa tallied the the 12:55 mark of the second fi rst hat trick of his period. His second came when career Tuesday, and Gemel Smith moved it to him the Dallas Stars be- on the doorstep. survive James’ fi rst cameR just the second oppo- Vegas felt Smith interfered nent to win at T-Mobile Cen- with Subban and challenged tre, beating Vegas 3-0. the play, but offi cials said the Faksa tallied a natural hat fact Subban’s stick got caught trick in the second period, in Smith’s skate was inciden- breaking up a goalie showdown tal. That set up the play of the between Malcolm Subban game. and Ben Bishop, who fi nished Dallas took the faceoff at career ejection with 34 saves to register his center ice with 26.2 seconds 21st career shutout. Both had left in the period and the trio ‘I got fouled. I showed my frustration to the ref and he sent me to the locker room’ been spectacular in keeping of Faksa, Antoine Roussel and the game scoreless, but Dal- Tyler Pitlick moved quickly up las played a patient game and ice. Roussel slipped the puck waited for the cracks to appear. to Faksa, who fl ipped in his In doing so, the Stars moved eighth goal of the season with to 13-10-1 (27 points) and 4-8- 17.6 seconds left on the clock. 1 on the road. Dallas broke a That was the play the Stars four-game road winless streak needed to fi nally make a strong and also stopped a fi ve-game statement on the road. The winning streak for the Golden Stars have their fathers with Knights. Vegas is now 15-7-1, them on the annual Dad’s trip, 9-2-0 at home. so it’s interesting to note that “A lot of it has to do with our the last time a player scored mindset. We need to play like three goals in one period for we do at home,” centre Tyler Dallas was Feb. 11, 2016,when Seguin said before the game. Patrick Eaves accomplished “On the road, when we get the task in Chicago ... on a uncomfortable, we kind of shy Dad’s trip. away. When we’re at home we “Anytime you can look for a are always comfortable, and cause, or anytime you can look that’s why we play the way we for something like that to play do. When we get uncomforta- for, that’s an advantage,” Stars ble on the road, we need to raise coach Ken Hitchcock said of our level more, compete more.” having the dads on the road. The Stars did just that, as “There’s a lot of games in the Bishop bailed his teammates season, and if you can fi nd out in the fi rst 10 minutes of special situations where you the game. Dallas then tilted the can take advantage of it emo- ice, and started getting the bet- tionally, then you ought to do ter chances on Subban. Seguin that, because otherwise all the had a backhand on an odd- game start to run together.” man rush, and Jason Spezza Tuesday’s game will defi - followed with a rebound shot nitely be one that is remem- that was stopped by Subban. bered Then, the young goalie made the stop of the game, as a pass RESULTS slipped through the crease and Detroit ...... 1 Los Angeles ....4 right onto the stick of Devin Las Vegas ...... 0 Dallas ...... 3 Shore, who was battling on the Calgary ...... 1 Toronto ...... 4 doorstep. Shore made a nice Edmonton ...... 3 Arizona ...2 (OT) shot, but Subban stuck his pad Nashville ...... 3 Chicago ...... 2 out and made the stop. Buff alo ...... 0 Tampa Bay ...... 2 That seemed like a sure NY Islanders...5 Vancouver ...... 2 sign the Stars were going to NY Rangers ...4 Florida ...... 5 buckle on the road again, but Philadelphia ....1 San Jose ...... 3 then Faksa came up big. His Columbus ...... 3 Carolina .2 (SO) LeBron James of the Cleveland Cavaliers is ejected in the second-half by referee Kane Fitzgerald during NBA game against Miami Heat in Cleveland, Ohio. (AFP)

AFP James, who had stripped the “We got the win and that’s the and they felt like a diff erent level 11. A close fi rst half in Salt Lake Czechs back Russia’s 2018 Olympics case Los Angeles ball from Miami’s James John- most important.” than us tonight,” Spoelstra said. City saw Utah and the Denver son at the other end, said he was The Cavs were leading 93-70 Nuggets trade the lead 13 times The Czech Ice Hockey Association (CSLH) said yesterday several “fouled all the way up the court, at the time, and the absence of Wizards find a way before the Jazz pulled away in the national federations had sent letters to the sport’s top inter- eBron James’s fi rst career from the time that I stripped him James for the fi nal period didn’t In Minneapolis, Otto Porter second half for a 106-77 victory. national body backing Russia’s bid to play at the 2018 Winter ejection was just a blip in all the way ‘til I got to the rim. stop the Eastern Conference Jr. scored 22 points, including In Sacramento, Milwaukee’s Gi- Olympics. They want the International Ice Hockey Federation his Cleveland Cavaliers’ “I said what I had to say and champions from notching a the go-ahead jump shot with 25 annis Antetokounmpo scored 19 (IIHF) to persuade the International Olympic Committee (IOC) ninth straight NBA vic- I was moving on,” added James, ninth victory in a row. seconds left to play as the Wash- of his game-high 32 points in the to let Russia play despite the country’s doping scandals from Ltory on Tuesday – a 108-97 tri- who thought Fitzgerald had as- Love’s 38 points were a sea- ington Wizards rallied for a 92- third quarter to lead the Bucks to the 2014 Games it hosted. The IOC meets next week to decide umph over the Miami Heat. sessed a second technical foul son-high and Dwyane Wade 89 victory over the Minnesota a 112-87 victory over the Kings. on Russia’s participation at the PyeongChang Games in south Kevin Love was red-hot, scor- when in fact the ref had handed added 17 off the bench against Timberwolves. Eric Bledsoe added 21 points Korea. “We want the best hockey players to take part in the 2018 ing 38 points to lead the Cavs him a straight ejection after the his former team. Porter scored 17 points in for Milwaukee, who have won Olympics,” CSLH spokesman Zdenek Zikmund told AFP. as James lost his cool and was single technical. The game marked the fi rst the second half as Washington three straight against Sacra- “We want to play for the medals against the best, and Russia tossed for the fi rst time in 1,082 Fitzgerald, in his ninth NBA time that Heat coach Erik Spoel- erased a 13-point second-half mento by an average of 21 points is definitely one of the best,” he added. Zikmund said other ice regular-season games. season, told a pool reporter the stra went up against his former defi cit to win for the second time per game. hockey powerhouses including Finland and Sweden had sent James, convinced he was decision was “a culmination of a Miami stars James and Wade in six games. The Wizards were For the Kings it was a disap- similar letters to the IIHF to give its head Rene Fasel ammu- fouled on a drive to the basket, couple diff erent acts. at the same time. He coached without point guard John Wall pointing follow-up to their 110- nition for talks with the IOC. The IIHF itself said on Tuesday made a beeline for referee Kane “Immediately after the no- Heat teams led by the two to four for a second straight game as he 106 upset of the reigning cham- that “all clean athletes, including those from Russia, must be Fitzgerald, shouting angrily. call, he turned and threw an air straight NBA Finals appearances battles knee infl ammation that pion Golden State Warriors in permitted to represent their country in the 2018 Olympic Winter Fitzgerald quickly whistled the punch directly at me and then he from 2011-2014, winning titles is expected to sideline him for Oakland on Monday. Games in PyeongChang. We oppose the use of collective punish- superstar for a technical foul and aggressively charged at me and in 2012 and 2013. two weeks. ment in the case of Russian athletes,” the IIHF said at its Council then pointed to the exit with 1:59 then he used vulgarity in my ear Miami were never in this one “One of our best players is RESULTS meeting in Zurich, Switzerland. Hit hard by the NHL’s decision to remaining in the third quarter. a few times,” Fitzgerald said. as Cleveland took control with out,” Porter said. “The whole Utah ...... 106 Denver ...... 77 continue throughout the PyeongChang Games, which eff ectively “I got fouled,” James said. “I “It is what it is,” said James, 75 fi rst-half points – 32 of them team has to step up and do more.” Sacramento ...87 Milwaukee ...... 112 prevents NHL players from taking part, Olympic hockey fans are showed my frustration to the who scored 21 points with 12 from Love. The Wizards reserves em- Chicago ...... 99 Phoenix ...... 104 now looking up to the Russian Kontinental Hockey League (KHL) ref and he sent me to the locker rebounds, six assists and fi ve “It started right from the be- braced that philosophy, out- Minnesota ...... 89 Washington ....92 where most top non-NHL players ply their trade. room.” steals. ginning, we were on our heels scoring Minnesota’s bench 49- Cleveland ...... 108 Miami ...... 97 Gulf Times 6 Thursday, November 30, 2017 SPORT

CYCLING Froome confi rms he will race 2018 Giro d’Italia Reuters considered carefully and we’ve “It’s really exciting to be able to ever used. Milan talked about a lot,” the 32-year-old take on a new challenge, to do some- Stage one will be a 10.1 km in- Froome said in a statement. thing that perhaps people wouldn’t dividual time trial in Jerusalem on “We know that it would be a sig- expect and to mix it up. It’s a whole May 4, followed by road stages be- ritain’s Chris Froome will nifi cant feat in the modern era to win new motivation for me to see if I can tween Haifa and Tel Aviv (167 km) attempt to become the both the Giro and the Tour in the pull off something special next year.” and Beersheba and Eilat (226 km). fi rst rider to claim the Giro same season, but the way we man- Team Principal Dave Brailsford The race will then head back to d’Italia/Tour de France aged things this year gives me con- said he was excited about Froome’s southern Italy with stage six featur- doubleB for 20 years after confi rming fi dence that I can successfully target chances. ing a climb of Mount Etna in Sicily yesterday he would tackle both races both races.” “We’ll be taking Chris to the Giro on May 10. in 2018. Froome, who has not ridden the with the aim of winning three con- “The climb towards Etna from Italian great Marco Pantani was Giro since 2010 and is yet to claim secutive Grand Tours, and then go- this side is unprecedented even for the last man to achieve the feat in the Maglia Rosa, could benefi t from ing on to France with the goal of me,” Italy’s twice Giro winner Vin- 1998, since when several greats have an extra week between the two races winning the Tour,” Brailsford said. cenzo Nibali, who will be one of the tried and failed. next year, owing to a slightly later “Some of the very best riders have favourites next year, said at the route Team Sky’s Froome won the Tour Tour start due to the clash with the attempted to win the Giro d’Italia ceremony. de France for a fourth time in fi ve soccer World Cup in Russia. and Tour de France in the same sea- Eight summit fi nishes await years in July before going on to be- The Giro, which will feature eight son but very few have been success- Froome and the rest of the 2018 pelo- come the fi rst Briton to claim victory summit fi nishes and brutal climbing ful, it’s a challenge we have enor- ton, including two huge days in the in the Vuelta. If he wins the Giro he days in the fi nal week, promises a mous respect for.” mountains in the fi nal week which would be only the third rider to hold fi erce battle for the general classifi - Next year’s Giro d’Italia promises could prove decisive in the battle for all three Grand Tour titles at once. cation with Froome up against twice a volcanic opening week with Mount the Maglia Rosa, which promises to With the three-week 3546.2km former winner Vincenzo Nibali and Etna confi rmed yetserday as the fi rst be one of the fi ercest ever. Giro beginning in Jerusalem on May 2017 champion Tom Dumoulin. summit fi nish in the 101st edition of Stage 14 ends with the 22 per- 4 and the Tour starting two months “It’s a unique situation for me, the race. cent gradients of Monte Zoncolan later Froome is taking on a daunting having won the Tour and Vuelta and And for the fi rst time one of Cy- while stage 19 to the ski resort of task, but he is confi dent he will be in now having the opportunity to go to cling’s three Grand Tours will ven- Bardonecchia features the winding optimum shape to rule in Rome and the Giro and attempt to win a third ture outside Europe, with the three- gravel roads of the Colle delle Fines- Paris. consecutive Grand Tour,” Froome week race beginning in Jerusalem, tre and a brutal 7.25km climb to the Britain’s pro cyclist Christopher Froome is seen on a video screen during the presentation “It’s something the team have said. the most southerly starting point Jaff erau ski station. of the 2018 Tour of Italy (101st Giro d’Italia) cycling race in Milan yesterday. (AFP)

GOLF MOTORSPORT Alfa Romeo make F1 return aft er 30 years Woods back for “Alfa Romeo has a long his- AFP Paris tory of success in Grand Prix racing, and we are very proud that this internationally re- lfa Romeo are re- nowned company has chosen turning to Formula to work with us for its return One after a 30 year to the pinnacle of motorsport.” absence as backers Alfa Romeo won the inau- perhaps last shot ofA Sauber next year, the iconic gural F1 championship with Italian marque announced Nino Farina in 1950, and fol- yesterday. lowed up with legendary Ar- The Ferrari-powered team gentinian Juan Manuel Fangio will be known as Alfa Romeo winning the 1951 title. Sauber. Ferrari chairman Ser- They then served as engine gio Marchionne, CEO of the supplier for several teams Milan-based manufacturer’s from 1961 until 1979, before at a comeback company Fiat Chrysler Auto- returning with a works team mobiles, said in a statement from 1979 to 1985, when they ‘He’s not too old, far from it. If he gets fixed, when he comes back to hitting and feels no that Alfa was “determined to pulled out of F1. begin writing an exciting new Sauber have yet to fi nalise pain, he’s going to be so happy, that he may be more dangerous than he was before’ chapter in its unique, legen- their drivers line-up for next dary sporting history”. season, with Ferrari’s junior Pascal Picci, Chairman of drivers Charles Leclerc and Swiss-based Sauber Hold- Antonio Giovinazzi believed ing AG, added: “We are very to be in the frame to replace pleased to welcome Alfa Marcus Ericsson and Pascal Romeo to the Sauber F1 Team. Wehrlein.

Serena uncertain of playing Australian Open Former world number one Serena Williams has yet to make a decision about her participation at the Australian Open, while world number 12 Svetlana Kuznetsova is also a doubt for the first grand slam of 2018 after undergoing wrist surgery. Williams was around two months pregnant when she captured her 23rd grand slam singles title in Melbourne earlier this year and was hoping to defend her crown next January following the birth of her daughter in September. “Serena is getting ready for 2018,” the 36-year-old American’s coach Patrick Mouratoglou told CNN. “She is practising and get- ting back in shape. I will be joining her soon in Florida. “We will see how her body is reacting and how her tennis level is and we will take a decision regarding Australia.” Russian Kuznetsova told local media that she was recovering from wrist surgery conducted earlier this month after separate injuries to the area and said there was no specific time frame for her return. “I had two injuries in my wrist, so I had to do the operation,” the 32-year-old double major winner said.

DOPING ISSUE ‘Russian athletes will not return medals’

AFP qualifi ed, said Tuesday she Jordan Spieth (left) shakes hands with Tiger Woods on the driving range during a practice round of the Hero World Challenge golf tournament at Albany. PICTURE: USA TODAY Sports Moscow would rather “throw (her) medal in the bin than give it Reuters surgery followed in April, this “I’ve seen no evidence that back to the IOC”. Nassau, Bahamas time a spinal fusion procedure. he’s over it.” But Chamblee nev- Woods ‘loving life’ after wrestling with pain ussian athletes Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Numerous videos have since ertheless has been impressed stripped of their titles Peskov decried the “base- been posted on social media of with Woods’ swing during pre- Tiger Woods, who launches his latest comeback this week, said from the 2014 So- less decisions” of the IOC and iger Woods will once Woods apparently swinging well tournament practice rounds this Tuesday he was “loving life” now that he’s free of the pain he was chi Winter Olympics promised to “defend our ath- again steal the spot- but precious little has been heard weeks, and said he would not be overR doping will not return letes actively and with energy”. trying to conquer with multiple medications. The 41-year-old 14-time light at the Hero World since an initial upbeat statement surprised if he posts a top-10 fi n- major champion is due to tee up today in the Hero World Challenge their medals until an appeal Russia has been stripped Challenge in the Baha- from surgeon Richard Guyer af- ish in the 18-man fi eld this week. at Albany Golf Club in the Bahamas, where he’ll be competing for has been heard, the country’s of 11 of its 33 medals from the Tmas today, despite the elite fi eld ter the procedure, while details Others are more bullish long sports ministry said yesterday. event, meaning the coun- the first time since withdrawing form the Dubai Desert Classic in containing eight of the world’s from the Woods camp have been term but one thing most agree February. He had surgery in April to fuse vertebrae in his lower The International Olympic try has lost its position at the top-10 golfers, as he embarks on vague and generalised. on is that this is likely the last- back. His fourth back operation was followed by a driving under Committee (IOC) said yet- top of the table to Norway. what could be his fi nal shot at a “If he is healthy and pain free chance for Woods, already at an the influence charge on May 29 - when he was found asleep at the serday it had banned for life The IOC is due to decide next comeback. then what’s possible complete- age at which most injury-free wheel of his running car and toxicology tests revealed an array of three Russian bobsledders - week whether Russia will be The 14-times major champion, ly changes, but everything is golfers are past their prime. prescription medications in his bloodstream. Aleksandr Kasyanov, Aleksei allowed to participate at the who is now ranked 1199, has not speculation at this point,” Golf “My prediction, he’ll come “I was trying to go away from the pain and I was trying to sleep, Pushkarev and Ilvir Khuzin - Pyeongchang Games in Feb- played since back spasms aborted Channel analyst Frank Nobilo back in a blaze of glory,” six- which I hadn’t done in a very long time because of the things I’ve over doping allegations related ruary. his latest comeback 10 months told Reuters. Nobilo’s fellow Golf times major champion Lee been dealing with,” Woods said of the events that led to the inci- to the 2014 Sochi Olympics. An explosive 2016 report ago and while various reports Channel analyst Brandel Cham- Trevino, who endured back is- dent. “The Russian Bobsleigh commissioned by the World suggest he is swinging freely, no- blee is not bullish on Woods. sues throughout his career, told “I’ve come out the other side and I feel fantastic. I didn’t realise how Federation and the Cross Anti-Doping Agency alleged one will know how he is until he “A bad back by a 41-year-old, Golf World. “He’s not too old, far bad my back was. Now that I’m feeling the way I’m feeling, it’s just Country Ski Federation of state-sponsored doping in has undergone several rounds in four back surgeries in the last from it. If he gets fi xed, when he hard to imagine that I was living the way I was living, with my foot Russia are ready to appeal at Russia and saw the country the heat of competition. three or four years, followed by comes back to hitting and feels not working, my leg not working, and then the hours of not being the Court for Arbitration for shut out of the agency. Woods experienced a similar the emotional stress of the scan- no pain, he’s going to be so hap- able to sleep at all because of the pain. Sport (CAS),” the ministry The investigation said the false dawn at the same tourna- dal and the controversies that py, that he may be more danger- “So as my back improved, I’ve been able to start sleeping again said in a statement quoted by cheating peaked at the 2014 ment last year after a 16-month have followed him around and ous than he was before.” because I don’t have the nerve pain going down my leg, I don’t have the Interfax press agency. Winter Olympics in the Black hiatus for previous back surger- likely some addictions, followed Trevino, however, added that my leg twitching all over the place. So yeah, I’m loving life now.” Athletes “have no intention Sea resort of Sochi, where ies and the initial reports were by the chipping yips, which vari- it was all still supposition. Woods, who last won a major title in 2008, said his most recent of turning in their medals” be- Russian secret agents engi- upbeat after he completed four ous people have texted me, all “Hey, if they couldn’t fi x him, surgery was “about quality of life” even more than it was about golf. fore the appeal, the statement neered an elaborate system of rounds. Yet two months later he caps, exclamation points, that then it is over,” he said. “I’ve been in bed for about two years and hadn’t been able to do added. state-backed doping. Russia succumbed to the reality of how he is over,” Chamblee told Golf. “You can only chase a rainbow much,” he said. Russian biathlete Yana Ro- has consistently denied run- bad his back was and further Com. so many times.” manova, who has been dis- ning a doping programme. Gulf Times Thursday, November 30, 2017 7 SPORT

MOTORSPORT FOOTBALL QTCC drivers gear Texas A&M, QU reach up for exciting University season ahead League fi nal ‘The information I got during the off icial practice was very positive’

By Sports Reporter Doha

he second season of Qatar Touring Car Championship (QTCC), organised by the Lo- sail Circuit Sports Club and TQatar Motor Motorcycle Federation, will kick off today together with the WTCC Race of Qatar. The opening round of QTCC is ex- pected to witness a strong compe- tition between all the participants. Apart from the drivers that took part in the fi rst season, there are new drivers – Nasser al-Kuwari, Mohammed al- Buainan and Ibrahim al-Abdulghani – that will make the championship more challenging. Defending champion Abdullah al- Khelaifi said he is ready for the new season and hoped to retain the title. “I Qatar University team pose for a group photo ahead of the semi-final against am very happy to be back and compete Defending champion Abdullah al-Khelaifi said he is ready for the new season and hoped to retain the title. Carnegie Mellon University. in Qatar Touring Car Championship. I hope to be stronger this season as the during the WTCC Race of Qatar,” he time in this championship, I hope to will be very exciting as racing together By Sports Reporter players have developed greatly. I wish all competition will be more challenging added, give my best and respect all the driv- with the WTCC gives a great incentive Doha the teams best of luck this Thursday and I with the new drivers,” said al-Khelaifi . Another Qatari driver Nasser al-Ku- ers,” said al-Kuwari. to all of us,” he added. look forward to witnessing great sports- “The information I got during the wari was excited to be part of QTCC. “I “The competition will be very tough Today, the free practice is sched- manship on the fi eld.” offi cial practice was very positive and have experience of participating in the with strong contenders for the title. I uled at 4:45pm, followed by qualifying exas A&M University at Qatar Nine colleges and universities par- I will try to make use of it as much as rallies and now I am looking forward want to thank my father for his great practice from 7:45 to 8:45pm. The fi rst (Tamuq) is set to play defend- ticipated in this year’s league. The uni- possible. For all of us, it is very moti- to compete in the road racing champi- support to take part in this champi- race will be held tomorrow at 4:35pm ing champions Qatar Univer- versities were divided into two groups vating that the fi rst round takes place onship. Although this will be my fi rst onship. The ambience this weekend and the second race is at 19:30. sity (QU) in the fi nal of the fi fth in the draw which took place in Octo- TUniversity League today. The match ber, with fi ve teams in Group A and four will kick off at 8pm at Qatar Founda- teams in Group B. Defending champi- FOCUS tion’s (QF’s) Recreation Center, Pitch 1. ons QU were in group B with College In addition, the third-place playoff of North Atlantic – Qatar, Hamad Bin will be played before the fi nal at 7pm, Khalifa University, and QAC, while and will see Qatar Aeronautical Col- group A featured Tamuq, Georgetown lege (QAC), who lost to Tamuq 3-1 in University in Qatar, Academic Bridge Muller comes out of retirement to the semi-fi nals last weekend, take on Program, Weill Cornell Medicine-Qa- Carnegie Mellon University (CMU-Q), tar, and CMU-Q. who lost to QU 1-0 in the other semi. The competition is sponsored by the This was the fi rst time that Tamuq Supreme Committee for Delivery & made it to the fi nal of the University Legacy as the offi cial strategic partner, help Volvo’s WTCC title bid in Qatar League, which was launched in 2013. Ooredoo as the offi cial telecommuni- QU, on the other hand, has reached and cation partner, Qatar National Bank as By Sports Reporter highlights for the popular and highly won all four previous fi nals. the exclusive fi nancial partner, Nike as Doha capable Argentine, a double champion Hilal al-Mohannadi, chairman of the the offi cial supplier, and Al Kass Sports in his homeland. No longer in the ti- Sub-Leagues Committee, Qatar Football Channels as the offi cial broadcaster. tle fi ght and focused on development Association (QFA), said: “We are very The University League, a joint ini- he most successful driver in work ahead of 2018, Girolami will be happy to see a diff erent kind of nalfi this tiative launched in 2013 by the QFA and the history of the FIA World replaced for the season closer. year considering that the last three edi- QF, aims to spread a love for football Touring Car Championship “I have accepted to give my place tions have featured Qatar University and at the youth level and raise awareness (WTCC) will be back on track to Yvan,” said Girolami. “He is a leg- Qatar Aeronautical College. Seeing Texas about the importance of community- Twhen the 2017 season reaches its endary driver with more experience A&M University at Qatar qualify for the based sports initiatives and the positive winner-takes-all climax in Qatar this of the circuit in Qatar than me, which fi nal for the very fi rst time shows that the impact they have on the community. week. will be vital in the very close season Yvan Muller, who has more titles fi nale. I look forward to continue our (four), more wins (48), more poles (29), work ahead of 2018 and will follow the more fastest laps (38) and more laps led season fi nale closely.” (571) than any other driver, will switch Alexander Murdzevski Schedvin, from advising Polestar Cyan Racing’s Head of Motorsport at Polestar, said: drivers to contesting WTCC Race of “Nestor has done a great job this season Qatar in a factory Volvo S60. and we are very grateful for his eff orts. A He will replace Nestor Girolami, key part of optimising our strategy for who has agreed to stand down from the season fi nale is to bring in the most driving duties for the desert duel, as experienced and successful WTCC Volvo Polestar goes all out to land a Yvan Muller had called time on his career at the end of the 2016 campaign after driver possible – Yvan Muller. His in- WTCC title double. 11 seasons in the premier category, in which he won title in 2008, ’10, ’11 and ’13. put this year has been invaluable and we With two races remaining at the Lo- look forward to seeing him behind the sail International Circuit on tomorrow team during this season to get us in a world championship. It is going to be wheel, off ering Polestar Cyan Racing night, Thed Bjork heads the Drivers’ double points lead ahead of the fi nal tough, but I have no doubt that we the best possible chance of claiming a championship by 6.5 points with Vol- race weekend,” said Frenchman Mull- have what it takes to accomplish that double world title.” vo Polestar 12.5 points ahead of Honda er, who retired from full-time driving in Qatar,” he added. WTCC Race of Qatar, which is tak- in the battle to win the FIA WTCC at the corresponding fi xture in 2016. Girolami has been fast but frequent- ing place for the third time, begins Manufacturers title. “My objective is to help Thed be- ly out of luck in his fi rst full season in with Free Practice 1 and 2 today, fol- “I am glad to be back racing again come world champion and support the WTCC with a podium in Morocco lowed by Qualifying, the Opening after working hard together with the Polestar Cyan Racing to deliver the and a pole-to-fl ag victory in Japan the Race and Main Race tomorrow. Action from the University League semi-final between Texas A&M University at Qatar (left) and Qatar Aeronautical College. International rifle and pistol referees course concludes SPOTLIGHT beIN to provide live coverage of 2018 FIFA World Cup draw

By Sports Reporter teams in the world along with host na- Doha tion Russia. Pot 2 will feature the next best eight teams, and so on. A team will then be drawn from each pot, making eIN will provide the coverage of up eight groups. the 2018 FIFA World Cup draw beIN’s live coverage will run in three from Moscow tomorrow. diff erent languages. On beIN SPORTS The coverage of the draw will HD11, Jan Aage Fjortoft, David Platt bbe live from the State Kremlin Palace in and Trevor Francis will join presenter the heart of the country’s capital as the Angus Scott in the English studio. Ara- build up to the world’s biggest sporting bic coverage will be on beIN SPORTS event continues. HD1 with French on HD14. This edition of the draw will be a On digital platforms, beIN’s Insta- historic one with the inclusion of four gram will upload a story that takes you Arab countries — Egypt, Morocco, Tu- through every step of the journey from nisia and Saudi Arabia. It is for the fi rst start to fi nish. time that four Arab countries will be beIN will also provide an exclusive part of the draw in the 88-year history behind-the-scenes look. Updates can Qatar Shooting and Archery Association president Ali Mohamed al-Kuwari, Qatar’s international referee Abdullah Ali al-Mutawa al-Hammadi and other off icials of the tournament. also be found on beIN’s other social pose with the participants of the International Rifle and Pistol Referees Course (Class B) at the Losail Ranges yesterday. The six-day course, which concluded A total of 32 teams will be placed in media platforms including Facebook yesterday, saw participation of as many as 25 shooters and referees. four pots based on their world rank- and Twitter, as well as on the main ings. Pot 1 will include the seven best website and mobile application.

Thursday, November 30, 2017 GULF TIMES SPORT

HORSE RACING Karraar wins feature; Bentley shines with four victories With victory in the penultimate race of the day, Rassan stayed unbeaten, having won the Owners Cup three weeks ago

Mohanad al-Yaqout (left) receives the owner’s trophy from Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club (QREC) deputy chief steward Abdullah Rashid al-Kubaisi after Karraar won the Al Khor Cup at the QREC yesterday. PICTURES: Juhaim

RESULTS Stud. Trainer: Mohamed Jassim Ghazali. Race 1: 1. Ghalaad (Harry Bentley), 2. Race 5: 1. Pearl Bridge (Marvin Suerland), Aziz’nafs (Marvin Suerland), 3. Sayyaaf (JP 2. Generalship (Harry Bentley), 3. Emaad Guillambert), 4. Elwan (Faleh Bughanaim). (Pier Convertino), 4. First To Post (Eduardo Won by: 2 1/2, 3 1/4, 3/4. Owner: Khalifa bin Pedroza). Won by: 1 3/4, 5. Nk. Owner: Al Sheail al-Kuwari. Trainer: Mohamed Jassim Murqab Stud. Trainer: Zuhair Mohsen. Jockey Alberto Sanna (left) rides Karraar to victory ahead of Third Dimension, ridden by Harry Bentley, in the Al Khor Cup at the QREC yesterday. Ghazali. Race 6: 1. Messine De Sinuhe (Harry Race 2: 1. Al Ajdal (Darren Williams), 2. Bentley), 2. Al Majh’Hoor (Carlo Fiocchi), 3. By Sports Reporter day under Faleh Bughanaim in the six- an Conditions event over 1700m, while opening race of the day. Saar (Gerald Avranche), 3. Musaiter Bu Tefkir (Pier Convertino), 4. She’ris (Alberto Doha furlong Purebred Arabian Graduation Injaaz Stud’s Messine De Sinuhe pick- With the victory in the penultimate Thaila (Almotasem al-Balushi), 4. Tasleya Sanna). Won by: 1, 1 1/4, 2. Owner: Injaaz Plate event. ing up his second victory this season race of the day, Rassan stayed unbeat- (Pier Convertino). Won by: 4, 3/4, 2. Owner: Stud. Trainer: Jassim Mohamed Ghazali. The two top-rated horses in the race, in the nine furlong Purebred Arabian en, having won the Owners Cup three Saeed bin Mubarak Saeed al-Jafali al- Race 7: 1. Rassan (Harry Bentley), 2. adi Nasser al-Ramzani’s ward Karraar and Third Dimension (both Conditions event. weeks ago. Naimi. Trainer: Majed Seifeddine. Nomaas (Marvin Suerland), 3. Al Marboush Karraar topped the Al Khor rated 105) locked out the top two spots, Bentley rode both these winners, be- In the Class 3 Thoroughbred Handi- Race 3: 1. MJ Lattam (Faleh Bughanaim), 2. (Pier Convertino), 4. AJS Al Rayyan Cup, yesterday’s feature at as Alberto Sanna-ridden gelding edged sides two others trained by Ghazali’s cap event for horses rated 75-95, Zu- Al Yem (Almotasem Al Balushi), 3. Khor Al (Alberto Sanna). Won by: 1 1/4, 2 1/4, 1 1/4. the Qatar Racing and Eques- out Champion Trainer Jassim Ghazali’s son Mohamed. hair Mohsen-trained Pearl Bridge beat Adaid (Tomas Lukasek), 4. Bahia Du Bar- Owner: Jassim bin Ali al-Attiyah. Trainer: Htrian Club, even as Champion Jockey ward Third Dimension by only a neck as Injaaz Stud-owned Ventura Shadow Ghazali Senior’s duo, Generalship and thas (Pier Convertino). Won by: 1 1/2, Hd, Jassim Mohamed Ghazali. Harry Bentley starred with four victo- Bentley narrowly missed out on his fi fth beat Abdullah Mohammed al-Kuwari Emaad, with a ride from Marvin Suer- 1 1/2. Owner: Mohanad Jassim al-Yaqout. Race 8: 1. Karraar (Alberto Sanna), 2. Third ries on the day. Karraar’s victory in the victory. Sons-owned River Goddess by a length land in the colours of Al Murqab Stud. Trainer: Mohamed Nasser al-Naimi. Dimension (Harry Bentley), 3. Elkhart 1900m Thoroughbred conditions event Ghazali, however, had two winners in the Class 5 Thoroughbred Handicap Earlier in the day, Majed Seifeddine’s Race 4: 1. Ventura Shadow (Harry Bentley), (Gerald Avranche), 4. Hall of Mirrors (Faleh was second on the day for owner Mo- on the day with Jassim bin Ali al-Atti- event for horses rated 75 and below, af- Al Ajdal shed his maiden status win- 2. River Goddess (Pier Convertino), 3. Tau- Bughanaim). Won by: Nk, 1, 7. Owner: hanad al-Yaqout, who had MJ Lattam yah’s Rassan winning the penultimate ter Khalifa bin Sheail al-Kuwari-owned ning the Local Thoroughbred Maiden tira (Carlo Fiocchi), 4. Juventas (Saleem Mohanad Jassim al-Yaqout. Trainer: Hadi in the winner’s enclosure earlier in the race of the day, a Local Purebred Arabi- Ghalaad shed his maiden status in the Plate event. Golam). Won by: 1, 3 1/2, 1 1/2. Owner: Injaaz Nasser al-Ramzani.

QNB STARS LEAGUE SPOTLIGHT Struggling teams Al Gharafa We can’t aff ord to miss more points: Al Arabi captain Jemal and Al Arabi face off today l Arabi fans have been expressing concerns We’re trying to rectify them under Bonacic. over the team’s performance this sea- By Sports Reporter son in the QNB Stars League. They have Do you think the draw against Markhiya would Doha been proved right as The Dream Team are help Al Arabi relaunch their league campaign? strugglingA in the 10th position with only six points. We always seek wins. However, the results de- They have so far been able to register just one win. pend on the circumstances. We were close to vic- l Gharafa take on Al Arabi today in Even promoted side Al Markhiya have the same tory against Al Markhiya. Anyway, the one point the QNB Stars League, with both number of points. Supporters still believe Al Arabi will be a motivation for us while we face Al Gharafa. teams eager to garner some points have the potential to do far better and that the play- as they are lying ninth and 10th in ers, both professionals and nationals, are not bring- This is your fi rst season in the QNB Stars theA standings with only seven and six points ing out their best. League. How do you see the competition? respectively. In an Interview ahead of their forthcoming, The competition is strong. That demands more Al Gharafa had put up a strong fi ght much-awaited today’s match against Al Gharafa, Al eff orts and hard work from the teams. against Al Duhail despite going down 2-3 Arabi’s captain and defender Ammar Jemal spoke while Al Arabi had to settle for a one-all about the team’s performance, his fi rst season with What’re your aspirations and ambitions with draw with freshers Al Markhiya in Week 9. the Qatari club, his ambitions and also their fans. Al Arabi? The return from injury of infl uential Excerpts I wish to win one title with Al Arabi and dedicate midfi elder Vladimir Weiss should delight it to our fans. Al Gharafa coach Jean Fernandez. The Slo- How’re the preparations for the Al Gharafa vak had come off the bench after the hour match going? Are you confi dent of achieving it? mark and scored their second goal in the last Al Gharafa coach Jean Fernandez speaks ahead of his team’s QNB Stars League match We’re preparing hard for this match and have as- Indeed. With patience and dedication, we can round. against Al Arabi today. Below: Arabi coach Luka Bonacic. sessed their strengths and weaknesses. We’re ready achieve anything. Frenchman Fernandez would hope the for a tough game. likes of Weiss, Almahdi Ali, Diego Amado What’s your message to fans? and Othman al-Yahri come good against Al How do you foresee the result will go? We look forward to seeing them at the stadium to Arabi. It’ll be a tough game and we’ll try to gain an upper support and motivate us. I’ve heard a lot about the Fernandez predicted a tough game for his hand by scoring early. passion of Al Arabi fans from news feed and social side. “It’s going to be a diffi cult game for us. media. Not much diff erentiates the teams in the Where do you see the team to be in the coming standings. It’s a game between ninth and weeks? 10th-placed sides which are struggling as We’re truly determined to achieve positive re- the fi rst phase is nearing its end,” he said. sults in the remaining two fi rst-phase games as “We both are almost at the same level. we’re aware we can’t aff ord to miss more points. We’ll try to get three points. We’ve prepared well especially after our last game against Al Is new coach Luka Bonacic capable of guiding Rayyan. We played well, but lost narrowly. the team in right direction? That has happened many times. When you Of course, Luka is an experienced coach and he’s perform well and you lose, that makes it dif- Arabi coach Luka Bonacic said: “Our main the trio of Abderrazaq Hamdallah (eight), helping us improve our game. Hopefully, the results fi cult to stay motivated. When we analysed problem is the lack of quality of some play- Sebastian Soria (seven) and Rodrigo Tabata will follow. our game, we’ve found out that some small ers. I’ve found quality in only six or seven (six) contributing 21 of their 26 goals scored details have to be attended to. Our defence players. Then, injuries and suspensions also so far. Can you defeat Al Gharafa? has to be strong. We conceded two goals in played their parts. The Lions (24 points) will also be keen to We badly need three points. Yes, Al Gharafa are our last two games. That makes it diffi cult “When you’ve only 16 players and fi ve or keep pace with Al Duhail as just one point a very good team, but we’re keen to win this game. when you’re looking for a victory,” he added six of them are injured, what can you do? separates them. The Dream Team, who entrusted Croat It is not easy to change players. sometimes, However, Al Rayyan will miss the services Who’s the best player in Al Gharafa ranks? Luka Bonacic with the charge of coach- I’m confused as to what to do? If you put of Sultan al-Kuwari, who has been ruled out Well, Al Gharafa have a number of good players. ing the side after dismissing Tunisian Qais a bad driver in a good car and vice-versa, for a month with a leg injury he sustained I can’t point out one. We should be wary of them. Yaakoubi at the end of Week 7, will be all the things won’t move smoothly.” during their 3-2 win over Al Gharafa in Week more hungrier for a victory and move away In today’s another match, Al Rayyan will 9. Umm Salal will be relieved that Maher Who’re the favourites to win this match? from the relegation zone. target nothing less than a win when they Youssef and Adel Alawi will be back from I wish Al Arabi win as we can improve our posi- They have players like Diego Jardel and face Umm Salal, who morale is low at the their suspensions against Al Rayyan. Also, tion in the league and stay away from the relegation Khalfan Ibrahim (returning from a two- moment, having lost two of their last three Juad Ahnash and Mohammed Sayed have re- zone. match injury layoff ) to bank on. They will matches. The other one was drawn. They covered from their injuries and that should sorely miss Mardik Mardikian through in- also went down from the top four in the strengthen Egyptian coach Mahmoud Jab- What’re the team’s main areas for improvement? jury and Hamad Ismail through suspension. process. They have a lethal attack line, with er’s side, which is fi fth on 14 points. Lack of concentration and repetition of mistakes.