NNBABA | Page 5 TTENNISENNIS | Page 7 Irving honours Djoko to defend Kobe with Melbourne Park 54-point scoring fortress against explosion Thiem

Sunday, February 2, 2020 FOOTBALL Jumada II 8, 1441 AH Liverpool move 22 GULF TIMES points clear, Chelsea draw at Leicester SPORT Page 3

HORSE RACING / HE SHEIKH JOAAN BIN HAMAD AL THANI TROPHY DAY Thrilling feature wins for The Blue Eye, Tayf, Minstrel Treble for trainer Alban de Mieulle; jockeys Soufiane Saadi, Ryan Curatolo and Tomas Lukasek ride two winners each

QOC President HE Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad al-Thani with The Blue Eye trainer Jassim Mohamed Ghazali QOC President HE Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad al-Thani presents Alban de QOC President HE Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad al-Thani presented (left) after the eight-year-old won the HE Sheikh Joaan Bin Hamad Al Thani Trophy for four-year-old and Mieulle (left) with the trainer’s trophy after Umm Qarn’s Tayf won the the trophy to Hassan Ali al-Abdulmalik (left) after Minstrel won the older Thoroughbreds at Al Rayyan Park yesterday. HE Sheikh Joaan Bin Hamad Al Thani Trophy (Group 3 PA) yesterday. HE Sheikh Joaan Bin Hamad Al Thani Trophy for four-year-old Arabians.

By Mikhil Bhat Maniezzi), 2. Connery (Ivan Doha Rossi), 3. Take A Nap (Marco Casamento), 4. Receding Waves (JP Guillambert). Won by: No, 1 ½, halifa bin Sheail al- 1. Time: 1:12.79. Owner: Abdulhadi Kuwari’s The Blue Eye Mana al-Hajri.Trainer: Stefano served a spectacular Ibido. climax to the HE Sheikh Race 4: 1. Think Big (Tomas KJoaan Bin Hamad Al Thani Tro- Lukasek), 2. Sir Arthur Dayne phy Day at the Qatar Racing and (Marco Casamento), 3. Happy Equestrian Club’s (QREC) Al Bere (Ronan Thomas), 4. Taxiwala Rayyan Park yesterday, winning (Faleh Bughanaim). Won by: 3 ½, the USD 100,000 Thoroughbreds 1 ½, ½. Time: 1:24.70. Owner: Al feature, even as Umm Qarn’s Tayf Wasmiyah Farm. Trainer: Georges added yet another Group level Mikhalides. victory to his CV. Race 5: 1. Al Lusail (Ronan In the 2200m fi nale, Al Wasmi- Thomas), 2. Surra Man Raa (Anas yah Farm’s Noor Al Hawa was all al-Seyabi), 3. Abu Samrah (Theo set to complete a hat-trick of vic- Bachelot), 4. Shaman Bu Thaila tories when Theo Bachelot-ridden (Eduardo Pedroza). Won by: 1 ¼, 1, The Blue Eye, saddled by champion ¼. Time: 1:48.05. Owner: Al Jeryan trainer Jassim Mohamed Ghazali, Stud. Trainer: Mohamed Nasser darted past the Ronan Thomas- al-Naimi. ridden colt in the fi nal 50m to win Race 6: 1. Arabic Channel (Tomas by a quarter-of-a-length. Lukasek), 2. Venedegar (Alex- For the connections, it was ander Reznikov), 3. Pettifogger heartening moment with the (Luca Maniezzi), 4. On The Front eight-year-old proving his cre- Line (Maikon De Souza). Won by: dentials twice in a row, having Theo Bachelot (right) rides The Blue Eye to victory yesterday. Soufiane Saadi celebrates after he guides Tayf to victory. PICTURE: Juhaim ½, ¾, Hd. Time: 1:25.20. Owner: Al missed out on a few wins this Jeryan Stud. Trainer: Mohamed season. de Mieulle. The grey son of Amer, the mile-long race for four-year- far from the front under Bugha- nal furlong. And the two were off longs out and easing their victory Nasser al-Naimi. “We waited for the last mo- who has now won fi ve Group old Purebred Arabians. naim, the Qatari Jockey of the in no time to pick up a fi ne win in in the seven-furlong run. Race 7: 1. Al Naama (Faleh Bugha- ment. We did an excellent job. races out of his six wins, had lit- Despite a decent advantage, Year Award winner. the 1750m race for four-year-old Earlier in the day, Umm Qarn’s naim), 2. AJS Moaddie (Tomas We waited for a long time for this tle trouble to take the lead under Minstrel was threatened by As the action came off the far and older local Thoroughbreds. Ashoura made a winning debut Lukasek), 3. Daloob (Ronan race, after the race that The Blue Soufi ane Saadi with Bin General, Bachelot-ridden Shamayel in the bend on to the home straight, Arabic Channel made it two- under Soufi ane Saadi to shed her Thomas), 4. Prince Amer (Theo Eye came second in. Many had ridden by Thomas, holding his fi nal 50m after the Mohamed Jas- there was a scrap for space in in-two for the Al Jeryan Stud col- maiden status in the race for local Bachelot). Won by: 2 ¼, 1 ¾, 1 ½. said that he is become old, and own in the 2200m race despite sim Ghazali-saddled horse put the fi eld but Bughanaim and his ours with the four-year-old top- Arabians for trainer De Mieulle, Time: 1:43.58. Owner: Al Shaqab that’s that. But this is just the be- setting the pace for the bulk of his turn of foot on display. The mount soon surged forward and ping the seven-furlong race for before Osama Omer al-Dafea’s Racing. Trainer: Alban de Mieulle. ginning. We are looking forward the run, to fi nish second. latter, however, ran out of real stayed ahead, fi nishing a little four-year-old and older Thor- Tahar edged out the favourite, Race 8: 1. Minstrel (Ryan Curatolo), to facing all these great horses Al Shaqab Racing’s Gtnah too estate, as Minstrel won by a head. more than two lengths ahead of oughbreds. Julian Smart-trained Murihk, 2. Shamayel (Theo Bachelot), 3. and international horses during hit the paddock with a close third “Made a move very very early, Al Jeryan Stud’s AJS Moaddie, In the process, Tomas Lu- under Ryan Curatolo by a short Good Des Vialettes (Pier Converti- the big race meeting,” al-Kuwari under Faleh Bughanaim. around the bend,” Mountain told even as another Al Shaqab horse, kasek’s mount also led a one- head in a novice race. no), 4. Ginkeau (Anas al-Seyabi). told Gulf Times yesterday. “I am pleased for (His High- Gulf Times after the win. “He Daloob, completed the top three. two for trainer al-Naimi, whose Won by: Hd, 2 ¾, 3 ¼. Time: 1:43.90. Ghazali added: “The race was a ness) Sheikh Abdullah (bin Khalifa (Curatolo) said there was a little Al Jeryan Stud’s Al Lusail con- Venedegar, ridden by Alexander RESULTS Owner: Hassan Ali al-Abdulmalik. very tough one for me. Alhumdu- al-Thani). I think all three of them bit of trouble with another horse tinued with his fantastic run Reznikov in the colours of Mo- Race 1: 1. Ashoura (Soufiane Trainer: Deborah Mountain. lillah, he won last time out, but to- will go for HH The Amir’s Sword. on the rail. So we had to make the around Al Rayyan Park as the hamed bin Hamad Khalifa al-At- Saadi), 2. Zalzeleehom (Theo Race 9: 1. Tayf (Soufiane Saadi), day was a great win because some Tayf is coming back well. Also very move, and it was nailbiting along Mohamed Nasser al-Naimi- tiyah, fi nished runner-up. Bachelot), 3. Rannanah (Maikon 2. Bin General (Ronan Thomas), 3. really good horses were in the fi eld. happy for the fi lly Gtnah, she did the straight. Otherwise he (Min- schooled versatile colt raced to Luca Maniezzi guided Abdul- De Souza), 4. Maitha (Ivan Rossi). Gtnah (Faleh Bughanaim), 4. Maxr He was up against some new hors- well and should go for the Amir’s strel) put his head out, he tried his 10th career win out of 21 out- hadi Mana al-Hajri’s Dark Pursuit Won by: 4 ¾, 10 ½, 2 ½. Time: (Tomas Lukasek). Won by: 2 ½, es too, mostly horses that will run Sword,” de Mieulle said. really hard and he won nicely. I ings yesterday. to victory in a thrilling fi nish to the 1:34.86. Owner: Umm Qarn. ¾, 1. Time: 2:30.50. Owner: Umm in the Amir’s Sword meeting. He is In a thrilling fi nish, Deborah mean at the end of the day he won Ronan Thomas had the six- race for three-year-old and older Trainer: Alban de Mieulle. Qarn. Trainer: Alban de Mieulle. eight years old, and he has run for Mountain-saddled Minstrel en- the race.” year-old stay within striking dis- Thoroughbreds, edging out Ivan Race 2: 1. Tahar (Ryan Curatolo), Race 10: 1. The Blue Eye (Theo six years here. He has won every- tered the winner’s circle at the Al Al Shaqab Racing’s Al Naama tance of early leader Surra Man Rossi-ridden Connery by a nose. 2. Murihk (Tomas Lukasek), 3. Bachelot), 2. Noor Al Hawa thing and has given me everything Rayyan Park for the fi rst time since completed a hat-trick racing to Raa, ridden by Anas al-Seyabi, However, Al Wasmiyah Farm’s Rodina (JP Guillambert), 4. AJS Al (Ronan Thomas), 3. Full Moon that I hoped for.” his arrival in Qatar from France last her third straight victory around and others. Thomas and Al Lu- Think Big bagged a contrast- Uraiq (Leo Salles). Won by: Shd, (Pier Convertino), 4. Otwo (Tomas In the penultimate race of the year. With Ryan Curatolo in the the turf at Al Rayyan Park yester- sail, however, hit traffi c problems ing victory in the race for three- 3 ¼, Hd. Time: 1:34.62. Owner: Lukasek). Won by: ¼, 1 ½, ¼. day, a Group 3 run for four-year- saddle, the Hassan Ali al-Abdul- day. In the race for Purebred Ara- on the home straight, and the year-old Thoroughbreds when Osama Omer al-Dafea. Trainer: Time: 2:21.05. Owner: Khalifa bin old and older Arabians, Tayf led a malik-owned colt grabbed the ad- bians, the six-year-old ward of jockey had his mount step out for Lukasek had his mount take the Osama Omer al-Dafea. Sheail al-Kuwari. Trainer: Jassim paddock sweep for trainer Alban vantage coming off the far bend in Alban de Mieulle stayed not too a clear run to the fi nish in the fi - advantage one-and-a-half fur- Race 3: 1. Dark Pursuit (Luca Mohamed Ghazali. Gulf Times 2 Sunday, February 2, 2020 SPORT

SHEIKH JOAAN HONOURS WINNERS

Qatar Olympic Committee President HE Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad al-Thani, Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club (QREC) chairman Issa al-Mohannadi (second from right) and QREC CEO Nasser Sherida al-Kaabi (right) with the winner of Al Sabiq races yesterday. Picture on right shows QOC President HE Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad al-Thani presenting Deborah Mountain (left) with the trainer’s trophy in the presence of QREC chairman Issa al-Mohannadi (right) after Minstrel won the HE Sheikh Joaan Bin Hamad Al Thani Trophy for four-year-old Arabians.

QNB STARS LEAGUE Rayyan hand Duhail fi rst League defeat of season Akram Afif shines with hat-trick as Al Sadd beat Al Sailiya to stay on course for the title

By Sports Reporter Doha Akram Afif of Al Sadd reacts l Duhail’s new coach after scoring Walid Regragui found against Al Sailiya. out that football can be Aa cruel game when his side suff ered their rstfi defeat in the QNB Stars League yesterday. Making his debut with Al Duhail after the resignation of Portuguese Rui Fara, Regragui could only watch helplessly as Al Yohan Boli of Al Rayyan’s new recruit Yohan Boli Rayyan celebrates struck the only goal of the match scoring against in the 64th minute Al Duhail in the However, despite the defeat QNB Stars League Al Rayyan stayed on top of the yesterday. table with 33 points, whereas Al Rayyan are second on 31 points, one more than third-placed Al Sadd, who powered to a 3-0 win over Al Sailiya yesterday, thanks to an Akram Afi f hat-trick. The fi rst half of the high-volt- age clash between Al Duhail and Al Rayyan was even in terms of possession and the chances cre- Soon, Al Duhail replaced Man- miny of losing to Al Sadd by a 1-4 Al Duhail and Al Rayyan had ated. dzukic with Mohamed Muntari margin in the semifi nal of 2020 played out a 1-1 draw in the season-opening Sheikh Jassim to Tajikistan’s Shahr Khodro on sari to show in the fi rst half. Al Duhail resorted to long to bolster their attack. They also Qatar Cup, crashed to their fi rst fi rst leg of 2019-20 QNB Stars Cup (Super Cup), recently added penalties. It was Al Sadd almost all the passes initially, perhaps aimed brought in Ali Afi f in place of loss in the 2019-20 QNB Stars League. the 2020 Qatar Cup to their tro- Akram started the scoring way against an Al Sailiya side mainly at the good reach of tall Sultan al-Breik. League, going down 2-4 to Al Meanwhile, Akram Afi f led the phy cabinet by defeating Al Du- spree by slotting home a rebound which found the going more striker Mario Mandzukic. Al Rayyan made one change in Gharafa. charge with a hat-trick as reign- hail 4-0 in the fi nal. And they are from Al Sailiya goalkeeper Kha- tough in the second half. Al Duhail enjoyed more ball their ranks as Sultan al-Kuwari They then lost 0-5 to Iran’s Es- ing champions Al Sadd put it now on course towards retaining lifa Aboobacker, whose block off Akram converted from the possession than Al Rayyan in the came off the bench for Rodrigo teghlal in the 2020 AFC Champi- across Al Sailiya. Akram scored the title. a Baghdad Bounedjah cross from spot his and team’s second goal fi rst half even though there were Tabata. ons League play-off . in the third, 48th (penalty) and Meanwhile, Al Sailiya, who the left came Akram’s way. after the penalty was awarded no serious attempts at the goal by However, the status quo re- Al Duhail, on the other hand, 54th minutes. had lost 1-3 to Al Sadd in the Al Sadd were on the ascend- by referee Salman Falahi for Mo- either side. mained and Al Rayyan cruised to are having a roller-coaster ride. Al Sadd moved on to 30 points fi rst leg of 2019-20 QNB Stars ancy, with Bounedjah, Nam Tae- hamed Mdather of Al Sailiya. Al Rayyan took the lead when a famous victory which, in fact, They had lost 0-4 to Al Sadd in with their 10th victory, while Al League, saw their woes being Hee, Abdulkarim Hassan and Ali Akram placed home the ball Boli connected a defence-split- was a lifeline for them having the 2020 Qatar Cup fi nal, but Sailiya stood on 17 points after compounded following their exit Asad all making forays. from the acutest of angles with ting through pass from Yacine gone through tough times. recovered to beat Al Arabi 3-1 in crashing to their sixth defeat. from the 2020 AFC Champions Al Sailiya mainly had attempts help from Bounedjah as he Brahimi. Al Rayyan, who had the igno- Week 13 of the QNB Stars League. The Wolves, who had lifted the League play-off , where they lost by Maher Yousef and Karim An- rounded off the tally.

HORSE RACING Flawless al-Rumaihi romps to Big Tour win

By Sports Reporter (Fiji) 32.94 & 38.38, QR7,000 Doha 3 Ghanim Nasser al-Qadi (Syd- ney) 34.57 & 39.56, QR5,250

ubarak Yousuf al- Open Class | Power and Skill Rumaihi clinched (Six Bar) Comp. , Art. 262.3 the Big Tour ti- | 110/115 cm | Prize Money Mtle during the 7th QR15,000 1. Abdullah Ali al-Ajeil round of the Longines Qatar (La Corona 10) Prize money: Equestrian Tour Hathab yester- QR3,750 day. At the Longines Arena at 2 Mohamed Nasser al-Qadi (Fer- Al Shaqab, al-Rumaihi put in a rari PH) QR3,000 fl awless ride astride his 12-year- 3. Sheikha Fatima Jabor al-Thani old gelding Casal Des Forets as (Eddie) QR2,250 the duo negotiated the 145 cm class with ease. Future riders class | Optimum While they were not the fast- Time | 70/85 cm est on the day, they did not com- 1. Ahmed Jassim al-Suwaidi mit any faults, coming home in (Kantje’s Estefana) Time: 64.74 35.81 and 44.02 seconds in the Off icials pose with the top three finishers of the Open Class at the seconds two rounds. Al-Rumaihi walked Longines Arena at Al Shaqab yesterday. 2. Haya Khalid al-Hitmi (Sita) away with QR8,750 for his vic- 64.43 secs tory the timesheet with Zenit 35 in by Haya Khalid al-Hitmi (Sita) 3. Jassim Adel al-Saegh (Joly’s Khalid Mohamed al-Emadi 64.85 secs. Hamyan Khalifa al- and Jassim Adel al-Saegh (Joly’s Arno) 64.05 secs. came second with his 10-year- Kowari was second with Outline Arno). old gelding Fiji. The pair gal- De Beaufour in 65.35 secs, while Results Future riders class | Optimum loped around the course com- Lolwa Ali Atat and Animo’s Boy Big Tour | Table A, Special two Time | 85/100 cm fortably and looked set for Mubarak Yousuf al-Rumaihi astride Casal Des Forets in action during the 7th round of the Longines Van De Dennehoeve timed 64.5 phases, Art. 274.2.5 | 130/145 cm 1. Hussain Ibrahim Shamiyeh victory but a penalty of four Qatar Equestrian Tour Hathab at the Longines Arena at Al Shaqab yesterday. secs for third place. The Future | Prize Money QAR 35,000 (Zenit 35) Time: 64.85 secs seconds for a fault in the second Riders 85 cm class title went 1. Mubarak Yousuf al-Rumaihi 2. Hamyan Khalifa al-Kuwari round forced them to settle for Sydney, with the duo also pe- victorious with nine-year-old Sheikha Fatima Jabor al-Thani, to Ahmed Jassim al-Suwaidi (Casal Des Forets) Time: 35.81 (Outline De Beaufour) 65.35 second place. Ghanim Nasser nalised four seconds for a fault. mare La Corona 10. Mohamed who was astride Eddie. In the and Kantje’s Estefana, with the & 44.02 secs. Prize money: secs al-Qadi took the last podium Meanwhile in the Open Class, Nasser al-Qadi fi nished second Future Riders 100 cm class, Hus- pair registering a fastest time of QR8,750 3. Lolwa Ali Atat (Animo’s Boy spot with 10-year-old gelding Abdullah Ali al-Ajeil emerged with Ferrari PH, followed by sain Ibrahim Shamiyeh topped 64.74 secs. They were followed 2. Khalid Mohamed al-Emadi Van De Dennehoeve) 64.5 secs Gulf Times Sunday, February 2, 2020 3 FOOTBALL

SPOTLIGHT Qatar Airways becomes Premium Partner of Paris Saint-Germain atar Airways announced Marketing and Corporate Communica- “We are delighted to welcome Qatar en’s football teams until 2022. yesterday that it is the new tions, Salam al-Shawa, said: “We are Airways into the Paris Saint-Germain Qatar Airways has developed a wide Premium Partner and Offi - thrilled to welcome the famous French family as the Offi cial Airline Partner range of global sports sponsorships, cial Airline Partner of Paris club to our extensive sport sponsorship of the club. This is another example of supporting top-level sporting events Saint-Germain,Q France’s most suc- portfolio, and look forward to having our strong desire to develop innovative and some of the world’s biggest football cessful football club, for the next three them on board. partnerships with leading global brands clubs. seasons. “In Paris Saint-Germain we have and Qatar Airways is a natural choice As offi cial FIFA partner, Qatar Air- Paris Saint-Germain joins the exclu- found a partner that shares our passion for us as it shares our commitment to ways recently sponsored the FIFA Club sive group of top global football clubs for innovation and we will work togeth- creating powerful connections with World Cup Qatar 2019 and will sponsor supported by the world’s number one er to develop many exciting activities to fans all over the world.” the FIFA Club World Cup 2020 edition airline, including Italy’s AS Roma, Boca engage with supporters and our global The Paris Saint-Germain part- ahead of the FIFA World Cup Qatar Juniors in Argentina and German club audience.” nership will also see Qatar Airways 2022. Qatar Airways is also partner of FC Bayern Munich. Paris Saint-Germain Chief Partner- become Official Partner of the Paris CONMEBOL, the governing body for Qatar Airways Senior Vice President ships Offi cer, Marc Armstrong, added: Saint-Germain handball and wom- football in South America.

PREMIER LEAGUE LIGUE 1 Neymar helps PSG Liverpool move 22 to fi ve-goal romp AFP on a loose ball to curl home a Paris fi ne opener from 22 yards in the eighth minute for his 10th goal of the season. Andy Delort then eymar shook off an in- missed a chance to equalise for jury scare and raged Montpellier, and their hopes of with the match of- getting back into the game were points clear, Wolves fi cials while helping as good as over when Bertaud NParis Saint-Germain romp to a was sent off in the 17th minute. 5-0 win over Montpellier that Only playing because usual stretched their lead at the top of fi rst choice Geronimo Rulli was Ligue 1 yesterday. Pablo Sarabia, suspended, Bertaud raced out Angel Di Maria, Kylian Mbappe of his box to stop Mbappe bear- and Layvin Kurzawa all scored ing down on goal, only to block hold Man United along with a Daniel Congre own the ball with his arm and receive goal, with the outcome never in a straight red. On came young doubt after Montpellier goal- debutant Matis Carvalho in goal Salah scored twice as the champions-elect register 20th straight home win at Anfield keeper Dimitry Bertaud was sent for the visitors and he had to pick off early on. the ball out of his net twice be- AFP Montpellier fi nished the game fore the interval. London with nine men, and the result Di Maria exchanged passes means PSG start February by with Sarabia before lifting the making it 19 games unbeaten and ball over Carvalho to make it 2-0 iverpool surged 22 points clear are now 13 points ahead of near- in the 41st minute, and shortly at the top of the Premier League est rivals Marseille. But it was afterwards Teji Savanier’s at- with a 4-0 win over Southamp- Neymar, his hair dyed shock- tempt to clear a Di Maria corner ton, while Bruno Fernandes made ing pink for the occasion, who rebounded off the face of de- Lhis Manchester United debut in a goalless predictably caught the eye. The fender Congre and in. draw against Wolves yesterday. Mohamed Brazilian warmed up with a shirt After Neymar had cooled Salah scored twice as the champions- bearing the name of Kobe Bryant down at the break, he set up elect equalled a Premier League record and the number 24 of the basket- Mbappe for one shot that hit with a 20th straight home win at Anfi eld. ball star who was killed in a heli- the outside of the post, and then Southampton believed they should copter crash last weekend. PSG played in the France World Cup have had a penalty early in the second also held a minute’s applause for winner to round Carvalho and half when Danny Ings went down in the Bryant ahead of kick-off . score his 14th league goal of the box against his old club, but no spot-kick Neymar didn’t score, having season. was given. Liverpool went straight up the to settle just for one assist, but Kurzawa drilled in the fi fth other end to take the lead through Alex he produced his usual tricks, in the 65th minute, and Cav- Oxlade-Chamberlain. provoked the opposition, and re- ani came on before having a late “The game would have been going in a quired lengthy treatment at the header disallowed for off side. diff erent direction,” admitted Liverpool end of the fi rst half after appear- By that point the visitors were boss Jurgen Klopp. “We had to change in ing to hurt his ribs as he grappled playing with nine men after sub- the second half. That helped massively for the ball with Montpellier’s stitute Joris Chotard saw two and when we are rolling it’s diffi cult to Arnaud Souquet. quick yellow cards. Marseille go stop.” Unhappy with the some of to Bordeaux today looking for a Jordan Henderson doubled the Euro- the treatment reserved for him, fi rst win there in 43 years, while pean champions’ lead with a smart fi nish Neymar was then caught by tel- Rennes strengthened their grip on the hour mark. Salah then produced evision cameras angrily remon- on third by scoring twice in in- two cool fi nishes in the fi nal 20 minutes strating in Portuguese with the jury time to claim a 3-2 win over as Klopp’s men took their tally of points fourth offi cial in the tunnel at local rivals Nantes on Friday. to a remarkable 100 from the last pos- half-time. Despite the knock, the sible 102. Having completed his move world’s most expensive player — French Ligue 1 results from Sporting Lisbon on Thursday in a who today is set to host a lavish Paris Saint-Germain 5 (Sarabia deal worth an initial £47mn ($61.2mn), party for his 28th birthday at a 8, Di Maria 41, Congre 44- Fernandes went straight into the starting Parisian nightclub — lasted the og, Mbappe 57, Kurzawa 65) line-up at Old Traff ord. The 25-year-old 90 minutes. PSG coach Thomas Montpellier 0 midfi elder delivered a composed display Tuchel had opted to leave Mauro full of neat passing as he lined up behind Icardi on the bench at kick-off Playing today (all times GMT): United striker Anthony Martial and took alongside Edinson Cavani, who Nice v Lyon (1400), Metz v the role of chief creator. remains in the French capital Saint-Etienne (1600), Bordeaux v He kept Rui Patricio on his toes with a after a January move to Atletico Marseille (2000) series of long-range drives, one of which Madrid never materialised. Played Friday: Rennes 3 the Wolves goalkeeper nearly spilled into Instead Sarabia started with (Raphinha 71, 90+7, Bourigeaud his own net. There was also a booking for Mbappe up front, and the former 90+5) Nantes 2 (Da Silva-og 48, Fernandes for pulling back Raul Jimenez Real Madrid player pounced Simon 80) in the second half of a tame clash that Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah (right) celebrates with teammate Roberto Firmino after scoring against Southampton in the English left sixth-placed United without a win in Premier League match at Anfield in Liverpool, Britain, yesterday. (Reuters) their last three league games. ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE RESULTS Leicester and Chelsea consolidated fore two goals in 10 minutes from Harvey Watford failed to even collect a point their places in the top four in a 2-2 draw Barnes and Ben Chilwell turned the game after going 2-0 up on Everton through Bournemouth 2 (Billing 37, Ake 44) Aston at the King Power Stadium. around for Leicester. A brilliant leap from Adam Masina and Roberto Pereyra. The Villa 1 (Samatta 70); Crystal Palace 0 Fourth-placed Chelsea sit fi ve points Rudiger 19 minutes from time denied the Hornets switched off from two set-pieces Sheff ield United 1 (Guaita 58-og); clear of fi fth-placed Sheffi eld United and Foxes all three points, but Brendan Rodg- in fi rst half stoppage time to allow Yerry Leicester 2 (Barnes 54, Chilwell 64) six ahead of United and Wolves. ers’ men maintain an eight-point lead Mina’s double to bring Carlo Ancelotti’s Chelsea 2 (Rudiger 46, 71); Liverpool 4 Frank Lampard’s men have won just over Chelsea in third. men level. (Oxlade-Chamberlain 47, Henderson 60, four of their last 13 league games and Sheffi eld United are Chelsea’s closest Everton then went down to 10 men Salah 72, 90) Southampton 0; needed two goals from centre-back An- challengers as Chris Wilder’s men earned when Fabian Delph was sent off but Manchester United 0 Wolves 0; New- tonio Rudiger just to claim a point. “Not a 1-0 win at Crystal Palace thanks to a snatched all three points through Theo castle 0 Norwich 0; Watford 2 (Masina many people gave us the top-four slot calamitous own goal from Eagles goal- Walcott. Aston Villa’s celebrations at 10, Pereyra 42) Everton 3 (Mina 45, and I understand why, and it’s probably keeper Vicente Guaita. A double for Rob- reaching the League Cup fi nal in midweek 45+4, Walcott 90); West Ham 3 (Diop 30, the same now,” said Lampard. “We’ve ert Snodgrass after Issa Diop’s opener put were short-lived as 10-man Bourne- Snodgrass 45, 57) Brighton 3 (Ogbonna come to Leicester, who everyone’s rav- West Ham 3-1 up against Brighton at the mouth held on for a 2-1 win that lifted 47-og, Gross 75, Murray 79) ing about, quite rightly, and we’ve got a London Stadium, but the Seagulls fought them up to 16th. Norwich are seven point.” back through Pascal Gross and Glenn points adrift of safety at the bottom of Playing today: Burnley v Arsenal (1400 All the goals came in the second half Murray for a point that keeps them two the table as they again paid for not taking GMT), Tottenham v Manchester City as Rudiger nodded Chelsea in front be- points above the drop zone. their chances in a 0-0 draw at Newcastle. (1630 GMT) Paris St Germain’s Kylian Mbappe (right) celebrates with Neymar after scoring against Montpellier in Paris yesterday. (Reuters)

BUNDESLIGA Bayern Munich beat Mainz to go top, Dortmund’s Haaland scores again Haaland 18, 76, Reus 68-pen, Witsel Reuters and Mainz, who cut the defi cit on the later. Dortmund scored twice more 70) Union Berlin 0; Hoff enheim Berlin stroke of halftime through Jeremiah after the break through Marco Reus St Juste, rarely threatened although and Axel Witsel before Haaland 2 (Kramaric 23, Skov 65) Bayer Leandro Barreiro hit the post. The drilled in his second for the Ruhr val- Leverkusen 1 (Diaby 11); Fortuna ayern Munich scored three Bavarians also set a club record with ley club’s third straight league win Duesseldorf 1 (Ayhan 78) Eintracht goals in the opening 26 58 goals in their 20 league games in a this year. Frankfurt 1 (Chandler 90+3); Mainz minutes to defeat Mainz 05 boost for interim coach Hansi Flick, Leipzig had to come from two 1 (St Juste 45) Bayern Munich 3-1 away yesterday and go a whose future at the club is still un- goals behind to salvage a point 3 (Lewandowski 8, Mueller 14, pointB clear at the top of the Bundes- clear. against Gladbach thanks to Christo- Alcantara 26); Augsburg 2 (Var- liga with their sixth straight win. Borussia Dortmund enjoyed an pher Nkunku’s 89th minute equal- gas 82, Niederlechner 67) Werder Top scorer Robert Lewandowski even more dominant afternoon, de- iser. Gladbach, down to 10 men on Bremen 1 (Jedvaj 23-og); RB Leipzig headed in his 22nd league goal in molishing Union Berlin 5-0 with two the hour, had taken a 2-0 lead in the 2 (Schick 50, Nkunku 89) Borus- the eighth minute and Thomas Mu- goals from Norwegian sensation Er- fi rst half but a Patrik Schick goal in sia Moenchengladbach 2 (Plea 24, eller and Thiago Alcantara added ling Haaland, the fi rst player in Bun- the 50th and Nkunku’s shot rescued Hofmann 35) two more to lift the Bavarians to desliga history to score seven goals in a point for the hosts. Playing today (GMT): Cologne v 42 points, one ahead of RB Leipzig his fi rst three matches. Freiburg (1430, Paderborn v Wolfs- who drew 2-2 at home to Borussia Jadon Sancho opened their ac- BUNDESLIGA RESULTS burg (1700) Erling Haaland made it seven goals in three games for Borussia Dortmund after scoring a Moenchengladbach. Bayern’s fast count in the 13th and teenager Haa- Borussia Dortmund 5 (Sancho 13, double in 5-0 thrashing of Union Berlin in the Bundesliga yesterday. (AFP) start was enough to kill off the game land added another fi ve minutes On Friday: Hertha Berlin 0 Schalke 0 Gulf Times 4 Sunday, February 2, 2020 FOOTBALL

LA LIGA FOCUS Rangers falter again in Aberdeen Zidane inspires Real to stalemate

AFP Glasgow

angers’ Scottish Pre- derby win over Atletico miership title challenge suff ered a fresh blow as they were held 0-0 Benzema scores the winner at Santiago Bernabeu after Zidane’s intervention turned the contest atR home by Aberdeen yesterday to only close within four points AFP of Celtic. Steven Gerrard’s side Madrid paid for another below-par dis- play after losing at Hearts last weekend. Aberdeen goalkeeper inedine Zidane’s double substi- Joe Lewis was equal to every- tution at half-time transformed thing Rangers could muster as the Madrid derby yesterday as they created precious few clear- Real Madrid edged past Atletico cut chances and dropped points Z1-0 to move six points clear at the top at home for the fi rst time since of La Liga. Karim Benzema scored the September. “I’m frustrated with winner at the Santiago Bernabeu after the result, obviously it’s two Zidane’s decisive intervention turned points dropped,” Gerrard said. a contest that Atletico had dominated “The reality is my big players, my into another comfortable Real Madrid creative players in the fi nal third victory. didn’t cut it today. Our form Vinicius Junior, one of the substi- since we have come back (from tutes, was a key to the goal. Second- the winter break) in the league place Barcelona can cut the gap back to has not been good enough.” three points by beating Levante at home Indeed, the Dons could eas- today but Atletico now trail the lead- ily have claimed all three points ers by 13 points. While Diego Simeone’s as Sam Cosgrove’s touch let him side were excellent in the fi rst half, they down when clean through in the were yet again blunt in front of goal and fi rst half and Allan McGregor then failed to respond when their oppo- produced an excellent stop from nents found a diff erent gear. Ash Taylor in the fi nal quarter. This is Atletico’s fi fth game without a Celtic can now move seven win. The worry is that on this form, they points clear when they travel should worry not about the title race to Hamilton today. At the other but about missing out on Champions end of the table, Hearts moved League qualifi cation. It is a far cry from off the bottom, ahead of Ham- pre-season when Atletico thrashed Real ilton on goal diff erence, thanks 7-3 and many were tipping them as se- to Sean Clare’s stoppage-time rious challengers. strike to secure a 3-3 draw at St Zidane was under pressure then, but Johnstone. his team are on a relentless run, now St Mirren remain three points 21 games unbeaten, the latest due in clear of the relegation places af- large part to his changes. The decision ter blowing a 2-0 lead to draw to ditch a failing system and revert to 2-2 at Hibernian. Livingston 4-3-3, with Vinicuis Junior and Lucas closed the gap on third-placed Vazquez coming on for Isco and Toni Motherwell to seven points as Kroos, was both brave and eff ective. their good run continued with a Real’s form is impressive and they 1-0 win at Almondvale. Kilmar- have Eden Hazard, out since Novem- nock ended a seven-game losing ber, on the brink of a return, perhaps on streak by coming from behind to Thursday in the Copa del Rey quarter- Atletico Madrid’s coach Diego Simeone (left) and his Real Madrid counterpart Zinedine Zidane gesture during the La Liga match at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium. (AFP) beat Ross County 3-1. fi nals against Real Sociedad. Gareth Bale’s absence was not related to fi tness. taken one of a handful of decent chanc- mous in his more advanced role. Zi- ened shortly before when Alvaro Mora- approval greeted the fi nal whistle. RESULTS The Welshman was left out of the squad es as Vitolo hit Thibaut Courtois, Saul dane’s double change was a recognition ta, perhaps the best player on the pitch St. Johnstone 3 (May 17, 62-pen, despite training for most of the week af- Niguez fl ashed wide and Angel Correa of Atletico’s superiority as he reverted in the fi rst 45 minutes, went off with an LA LIGA RESULTS McCann 52) Hearts 3 (Boyce 26, ter an ankle injury. poked past the post after going through to the more familiar 4-3-3 with Modric injury. He was replaced by Thomas Le- Granada 2 (Machis 38, Fernandez Luna Naismith 31, Clare 90+1); Rang- Atletico were without the injured Ki- one-on-one, even if he probably would deeper in midfi eld. The balance shifted mar, whom Simeone expected to be sold 46) Espanyol 1 (De Tomas 27-pen); Real ers 0 Aberdeen 0; Livingston eran Trippier, meaning Sime Vrsaljko have been called off side. immediately. in the January transfer window. Madrid 1 (Benzema 56) Atletico Madrid 0 1 (Sinclair 67) Motherwell 0; came in a right-back. Real Madrid’s cluster of central mid- Real dominated the start of the sec- Real retreated a little, perhaps waiting Kilmarnock 3 (Brophy 54, 57-pen, January signing Yannick Carrasco fi elders looked unsure of their 4-3-2-1 ond half. In the 56th minute, Vinicius for an Atletico push that never came. Playing Today (times GMT): Leganes v Real Sociedad (1100), Eibar v Real Betis Kabamba 82) Ross County 1 was named on the bench, after rejoining shape. Fede Valverde looked particu- cut in from the left and slipped in the Valverde enjoyed a spontaneous stand- (Vigurs 25); Hibernian 2 (Allan 25, from Dalian Yifang the day before. larly uncomfortable as he spent much overlapping Ferland Mendy, whose ing ovation for a burst forward, an ap- (1300), Bilbao v Getafe (1500), Villar- real v Osasuna (1730), Sevilla v Alaves Doidge 43) St. Mirren 2 (McCa- Simeone’s side were signifi cantly of the fi rst half as a right winger. cross to the back post gave Benzema a preciation too perhaps for his brilliant rthy 14, Andreu 18) better in the fi rst half and should have Luka Modric was virtually anony- simple fi nish. Atletico had been weak- breakthrough season. Another roar of (1730), Barcelona v Levante (2000)

TRANSFER West Brom back on top as Leeds stumble

London: West Brom climbed back to 3-0 ahead and apparently out of sight Parma say they did paperwork for the top of the English Championship as by the 31st minute but Emile Smith Rowe Callum Robinson inspired a 2-0 win over and Steve Mounie made it 3-2 before the Luton, while Leeds crashed to a shock interval. home defeat against struggling Wigan The visitors gave them an almighty Gervinho’s move to Qatar champs Sadd yesterday. scare and could have grabbed a point by Slaven Bilic’s Albion ended their seven- the final whistle but Scott Parker’s men AFP match winless run thanks to an influential held on to claim their 10th home win of Milan display from Robinson, who signed on the season and close the gap on Leeds to loan from Sheff ield United for the rest of just three points in the race for automatic the season this week. Robinson set up promotion. erie A club Parma said yes- Albion’s 14th-minute opener, an own goal Said Benrahma’s hat-trick helped Brent- terday they remained hope- by former West Brom player Donervon ford get their promotion push back on ful of pushing through Ivo- Daniels, and was a constant threat on his track with a 5-1 victory at Hull. Benrahma rian forward Gervinho’s debut. scored after 12 minutes and just eight transferS to Qatar league champions Semi Ajayi’s 70th-minute header sealed minutes later the visitors netted again Al Sadd despite missing the trans- the first league win since December 14 for through Reece Burke’s own goal. fer deadline. The Italian club deliv- the Baggies as bottom-of-the-table Luton Brentford goalkeeper David Raya inex- ered all the documents, including suff ered an 11th successive away league plicably allowed Ryan Tafazolli’s misguid- the player’s signature just before defeat. Leeds dropped to second place, ed pass from the halfway line to squirm the deadline on Friday, but Al Sadd one point behind West Brom, after Pablo through his legs. But Raya’s error proved coach Xavi said his club had not re- Hernandez’s unlucky 59th-minute own immaterial as Benrahma went on to bag ceived them. goal proved the diff erence between the his treble, as Ollie Watkins also scored to “I heard from the club’s manage- two sides at Elland Road. inflict an embarrassing defeat on Hull. ment that it is diffi cult to register A victory or a draw would have seen Goals in either half from Scott Hogan Gervinho in the squad as the trans- Federation to formalise the transfer 11 goals in his fi rst season, helping and only signed the paperwork after Leeds stay top, but Hernandez’s deflection and Kristian Pedersen gave Birmingham fer window was closed yesterday,” of Gervinho,” he said. the promoted side stay in the top Gervinho refused to train for three past his own keeper from a Joe Williams a 2-1 victory over promotion-chasing said Sadd head coach Xavi. “If he is “It is clear that (Roberto) Inglese’s fl ight. But despite signing a contract days. Gervinho played for Arsenal corner inflicted a surprise seventh loss Nottingham Forest. Hogan, who joined registered, he will only register for injury and this choice by Gervinho extension until 2022, the 32-year- from 2011-2013 scoring 11 goals, fol- of the season. Fulham climbed up to on loan from local rivals Aston Villa the next season. He is an excellent have slightly thrown us in the fi nal old has been pushing for a move to lowed by three seasons with Roma, third place with their third victory in four earlier this week, marked his debut with a player.” days of the market. They are two Qatar on an 18-month deal worth where he scored 26 goals, before matches after surviving a scare to beat first-half strike to cancel out Tiago Silva’s Parma director Alessandro Lu- players who made the diff erence.” a reported 5.5mn euros ($6.1mn) to heading to China. Huddersfield 3-2. opener. Then a 74th-minute finish from carelli insisted the Italian club had Gervinho joined Parma in 2018 Parma and 6mn euros to the player, He has scored four this campaign Bobby Decordova-Reid, Tom Cairney Pedersen gave Pep Clotet’s men a much- “done everything we had to do”. after two season’s with Chinese club with an option for a further season. for Parma, who are pushing for Eu- and Aleksandar Mitrovic had put Fulham needed first home win since October. “We are waiting for the Qatari Hebei China Fortuna. He scored Parma were reluctant to let him go ropa League football next season.

SPOTLIGHT FIFA president Infantino wants Africa Cup of Nations every four years Reuters Infantino’s remarks came less than are not making progress. Today must rica,” he said. champions plus runners-up from the Rabat, Morocco one month after the Confederation be the day we turn that page. The (AF- FIFA said in a statement that the per- bigger leagues, and the CAF Confed- of African Football decided to move CON) generates twenty times less than manent member clubs would be urged eration Cup for lower-ranked teams. next year’s AFCON tournament in the Euros (European championship). to provide an investment of $20mn an- Infantino also unveiled a plan to in- IFA president Gianni Infan- Cameroon from June-July back to its Having a CAN every two years, is that nually over fi ve years and would also vest $1bn to build “at least one top sta- tino has proposed that the Af- traditional January slot, prompting good at the commercial level? Has this have to meet other participation cri- dium” in each of Africa’s 54 FIFA mem- rica Cup of Nations (AFCON) criticism from clubs who would have developed the infrastructure? Think teria such as investment in youth and ber associations. Where good stadiums be held every four years instead to release players at a key point in the about spending it every four years.” women’s football. already existed, the investment would ofF every two and wants to create a pan- season. Infantino then gave details of his pro- FIFA added the competition would be used on other infrastructure. African Super League with 20 perma- However, playing in June-July would posal for a pan-African league which he have the potential to generate a rev- He also planned to set up a nent member clubs. have meant following on from FIFA’s said had been developed in conjunc- enue of $3bn over a fi ve-year cycle — group of 20 referees who would be The FIFA president, speaking at a revamped Club World Cup in China. tion with CAF. “I want to create a real and would also create the conditions professionalised.”Referees have to be seminar in Rabat on the development “We have been talking about the de- pan-African league that would feature for African football to be able to retain above and beyond doubt and to do that of African football, complained that velopment of African football for many 20-24 clubs with a maximum of maybe some of most talented players on the we have to protect them,” he said. “We football in the region had not pro- years,” said Infantino. two clubs per country that would still continent. will take 20 of the best African FIFA gressed as expected and that he wanted “Pele once said that an African team play in their national leagues but that CAF currently organises two con- referees, professionalise them, and give to “project African football to the top of would win the FIFA World Cup, but would play during the year so we can tinental competitions for clubs — the them permanent, professional con- the world.” this hasn’t happened and it seems we really crown the club champions of Af- CAF Champions League, for domestic tracts.” Gulf Times Sunday, February 2, 2020 5 SPORT

NBA NFL New era beckons as Chiefs, 49ers Irving honours clash in Super Bowl

AFP the 49ers blew away their op- Miami ponents with a fearsome ground game which saw running back Raheem Mostert rush for four he Kansas City Chiefs touchdowns and more than 200 Kobe with 54-point chase their fi rst Super yards. The 49ers are also bound Bowl title in 50 years to- to have a few off ensive tricks up day when they face the their sleeve as they prepare un- TSan Francisco 49ers in a cham- der the guidance of head coach pionship clash poised to usher in Kyle Shanahan, one of the most a new era for the NFL. innovative minds in the NFL. Around 100 million Ameri- cans are expected to tune in FATHER-SON DOUBLE scoring explosion for the biggest event on the US A win today would see the 49ers sporting calendar, which kicks coach emulate his father Mike ‘The Kobe mentality, and Mamba mentality, keep going, keep going. It felt good’ off at Miami’s Hard Rock Stadi- Shanahan, who won back- um at 6.30pm (2330 GMT). to-back Super Bowls with the AFP The eagerly anticipated show- Denver Broncos in 1998 and New York down could mark a changing of 1999. But Shanahan’s coaching the guard for the NFL’s quar- wizardry may prove moot if the terback hierarchy as the curtain 49ers defense is unable to con- yrie Irving channeled his inner comes down on the league’s tain Mahomes and a Chiefs of- ‘Mamba mentality’ by torching 100th season. fense bristling with pace in the Chicago for 54 points on Friday With Tom Brady and the New form of receiver Tyreek Hill and as the Brooklyn Nets crushed England Patriots failing to reach power in the shape of tight end Kthe Bulls 133-118 at Barclays Center. the Super Bowl for the fi rst time Travis Kelce. Irving’s electrifying performance saw since 2016, the stage is set for The Chiefs have averaged 43 him shoot 19 of 23 from the fi eld as he the Chiefs’ Patrick Mahomes to points per game in two playoff made his fi rst 10 shots of the game before crown his emergence as the best games, and during the regu- fi nishing it off with a dominating stretch quarterback in the league. lar season averaged just over 28 in the fourth. The gifted 24-year-old Tex- points per game. “I hit a few shots in fi rst half, so I just an could become the second Kansas City’s ability to pro- kept it going,” Irving said. “The Kobe youngest quarterback to win a duce devastating bursts of scor- mentality, and Mamba mentality, keep Super Bowl if he leads the Chiefs ing was showcased in their play- going, keep going. It felt good.” to victory in only his second full off game against Houston last Irving also tied a season-high by mak- season as a starter. month, when they came back ing seven three-pointers on nine at- Mahomes, who became only from a 24-0 defi cit to win 51-31. tempts for the Nets, who beat Chicago the second quarterback in histo- They also started slowly in for the ninth time in the last 11 meetings. ry to amass 5,000 passing yards the AFC Championship game and 50 touchdowns in a season against the Tennessee Titans, in 2018, has cut a relaxed fi gure going 17-7 down before eventu- RESULTS during this week’s build-up. ally running out 35-24 winners. Denver 127-115 Milwaukee The Chiefs are all too aware that HAVING FUN conceding an early lead against Portland 127-119 Lakers “I’m going to go out there and the 49ers and their stingy de- Brooklyn 133-118 Chicago try and have fun and play the fense could well be fatal. Oklahoma City 111-107 Phoenix way I’ve played all season long,” “We obviously want our guys Mahomes said. to go out there and have a faster New Orleans 139-111 Memphis “It’s early in my career and I’m start,” said Chiefs off ensive co- Toronto 105-92 Detroit excited to go out there with my ordinator Eric Bieniemy. “You Houston 128-121 Dallas brothers and try to win.” certainly never ever want to spot Attempting to frustrate Ma- a team 24 points.” A victory for homes and the Chiefs, who start Kansas City, meanwhile, would “I am just happy to be back playing the as narrow favorites according be the crowning glory of Chiefs game I love. The most beautiful sound to Las Vegas bookmakers, are a head coach Andy Reid’s distin- is just hearing these fans and having my 49ers team chasing a record- guished career. family here,” he said. equalling sixth Super Bowl. A popular fi gure known aff ec- Irving produced his second 50-point Led by the 28-year-old quar- tionately among his players as game this season and fourth of his ca- Chicago Bulls guard Ryan Arcidiacono and guard Zach LaVine (right) defend against Brooklyn Nets guard Kyrie Irving (left) during terback Jimmy Garoppolo -who “Big Red”, the 61-year-old Reid reer. He reached 50 points with a three- the second-half of their NBA game at Barclays Center. PICTURE: USA TODAY Sports won two Super Bowl rings during is the most successful coach pointer that pushed the lead to 123-106 his stint as a back-up to Brady in never to win a Super Bowl, hav- with 5:33 remaining. He closed out his New England - the 49ers boast a ing just missed out when his night with 2:43 remaining to a standing James vows to carry on Bryant legacy fearsome defense which will at- Philadelphia Eagles lost to New ovation. LeBron James vowed Friday that he and could be. “Tonight we celebrate the kid “But when I kind of looked at the note- tempt to knock Mahomes out of England in 2005. It was the third-highest point total his Los Angeles Lakers teammates would who came here at 18 years of age, retired cards I had or that was kind of being his stride. “He’s had an amazing career,” for Irving, and the eighth 50-point game continue the legacy of club icon Kobe at 38 and became the best dad we’ve insisted on – and some of it was what I Garoppolo has an array of Mahomes said of Reid. “Obvi- in Nets’ history. His career high was 57 Bryant, who died Sunday in a helicopter seen over the last three years. wanted to talk about – I decided for me weapons at his disposal. ously, we want to win this game, points in 2015 with Cleveland. The Nets crash. “The fact that I’m here now means so personally just letting the words flow Against the Green Bay Packers the big one, to put that on his led 107-99 when Irving came back into James, his voice fraught with emotion, much to me,” James said. “I’m going to right from the heart and whatever comes in the NFC Championship game, resume.” the game with 9:14 left in the fourth addressed the Staples Center crowd continue with my teammates to continue out they’re pure – there’s truth to it.” One quarter. He scored 10 straight Brooklyn before the Lakers returned to NBA action his legacy not only for this year but as truth he’d come to realise, James said, points to expand the lead to 117-103 with for the first time since Bryant’s death. long as we can continue to play the game was that the ruthlessly competitive Bry- 7:43 to go. Flinging away his prepared notes, James of basketball that we love, because that’s ant had blossomed since retiring in 2016 Elsewhere, Nikola Jokic fl irted with a said to cheers he would speak from the what Kobe Bryant would want.” After the as he focused on creative pursuits and triple double and Will Barton scored 24 heart, calling on all present to celebrate game, James said he decided to deviate life with his wife, Vanessa, and their four points as the Denver Nuggets snapped Bryant’s life and a career that included from his notes “pretty much when I daughters. the Milwaukee Bucks nine-game win five NBA titles in 20 years with the Lakers. went up there. “I wanted to make sure “Seeing Kobe play the game of basketball streak with a 127-115 victory. Jokic fi n- “I know at some point we will have a I acknowledged all the lives that were 20 years for the Lakers since he was 18 ished with 15 points, 10 rebounds and memorial for Kobe,” he said. lost Sunday morning and I didn’t want to 38, and I was like you know it’s crazy, nine assists for the Nuggets, who spread “But I look at this as a celebration tonight. to mess that up so I looked at the names these last three years, out of all the suc- the scoring around as all nine players “This is a celebration of the 20 years on a paper,” James said. He movingly cess he had, five rings, multiple MVPs, All- who got into the contest scored in double of the blood, the sweat, the tears, the pronounced the names of all nine people Star Game MVP, first-league everything, fi gures. Michael Porter had 15 points and broken down body, the getting up, sitting who died in the crash, a sombre list that all-life, all-world all-basketball – it felt like 11 rebounds before leaving in the fourth down to everything, the countless hours, included Bryant’s 13-year-old daughter these last three years was the happiest quarter with an ankle injury. the determination to be as great as he Gianna. I’ve ever seen him,” James said. Malik Beasley added 16 points and Monte Morris had 14 for Denver, who made a season-best 22 three-pointers their winning streak to 10 games by Norman Powell led Toronto’s reserves an NBA coach and now, in his second sea- but missed another 24. cruising past the struggling Detroit Pis- with 12 points, seven rebounds and three son, he’ll be coaching one of the teams in Giannis Antetokounmpo had 31 points, tons 105-92. steals, and Chris Boucher chipped in the All-Star Game on February 16. 16 rebounds and nine assists, Khris Mid- Serge Ibaka scored 21 points, and Fred eight points, seven rebounds in the win. The Raptors’ win assured them of the dleton added 24 points and Eric Bledsoe VanVleet tallied 16 points, eight re- Toronto center Marc Gasol missed the best record in the Eastern Conference scored 15 in the loss. bounds and nine assists for the Raptors, game with a hamstring injury. among teams whose coaches are eligible General view of Hard Rock Stadium prior to Super Bowl LIV between Also, Pascal Siakam had 30 points, and who made 51 percent of their shot at- Also, Nick Nurse led the Toronto Rap- to get the honor, giving the coaching nod the San Francisco 49ers and the Kansas City Chiefs in Miami Gardens, the visiting Toronto Raptors stretched tempts. tors to the NBA title in his fi rst season as to Nurse. He will coach Team Giannis. Florida. (Reuters)

NFL Ovechkin surpasses Messier as Caps beat Senators Reuters Kuznetsov put the Capi- Ottawa RESULTS tals up 2-0 with 8:38 left in the opening period by Capitals 5-3 Senators working the puck barely lex Ovechkin scored Penguins 4-2 Flyers past Hogberg for his fi rst twice to reach 695 Golden Knights 4-3 Hurricanes goal in 10 games. goals for his career and Washington outshot the move into eighth on Lightning 4-3 Ducks Senators 16-5 in the fi rst. theA NHL’s all-time list, as the Bruins 2-1 Jets However, Ottawa made 2-1 visiting Washington Capitals Oilers 4-2 Blues at 7:15 into the second while beat the Ottawa Senators for an short-handed. eighth consecutive time 5-3 on Rangers 4-2 Red Wings Tierney took advantage Friday night. of a Capitals turnover, and Ovechkin drew even with The Capitals have outscored slapped in a cross-crease pass Mark Messier for eighth place Ottawa 38-16 during that eight- from Dylan DeMelo for the Sena- via a three-on-one with 9:33 left winning streak amid a 15-1-1 tors’ league-leading 12th short- in the second period to give the stretch in this series. Chris Tier- handed goal. NHL-leading Capitals a 3-1 lead. ney, Thomas Chabot and Artem The Capitals looked to be in He took sole possession of Anisimov scored for the Sena- control when Ovechkin scored in the eighth spot with his 37th of tors, who entered on a 2-0-1 the second. the season and 11th goal in fi ve stretch. However, 1:04 later, Chabot games with a late empty-netter. Marcus Hogberg stopped 32 blasted a shot from the middle TJ Oshie, Evgeny Kuznetsov shots as Ottawa fell to 2-4-5 at of the zone and by a seemingly and Carl Hagelin also scored as home since Dec. 21. stunned Samsonov to make it Ilya Samsonov made 25 saves to It was 4:10 into the game that 3-2. Washington, went up 4-2 win his 10th straight start – and Washington opened the scoring. with a short-handed goal of its 11th consecutive decision – for A slap-pass by star defenseman own 3:07 into the third. Off a Lars Alex Ovechkin (second left) of the Washington Capitals celebrates his third period empty-net goal, moving him past Mark Messier into 8th Washington, which is 8-3-0 in John Carlson was defl ected in by Eller interception, Hagelin beat on the all-time NHL goals list, with teammates TJ Oshie (left), John Carlson and Dmitry Orlov (right) in a game against the Ottawa Senators at 2020. Oshie for his 19th. Hogberg on a mini breakaway. Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa, Ontario. (Getty Images/AFP) Gulf Times 6 Sunday, February 2, 2020 SPORT

RUGBY Adams hat-trick sees Wales launch Pivac era with Italy rout ‘Getting five points is really important but also we defended well. We’ve got plenty to work on. It was far from the perfect performance’ SPOTLIGHT Ireland begin Farrell era with scrappy Scotland victory

Reuters ahead. Farrell, defence coach crossed over with a looping run. Dublin under the previous Irish regime, But by looking to move the made just two changes from ball as much as possible, Ireland the team that started against were also prone to errors and reland handed Andy Farrell an Scotland in the World Cup, a they may not have been 10-6 unconvincing victory in his 27-3 win that was Ireland’s sole ahead at halftime against a more fi rst game in charge yester- bright spot. accurate side than the Scots, day as they struggled to put One of those, 21-year-old much changed from the last time Ianother poor World Cup behind backrow Caelan Doris, lasted the sides met in September. them with a 19-12 win over Scot- just three minutes before a knock Sexton nudged Ireland further land on their return to the home to the head brought his debut to a in front with an early second half comforts of the Six Nations. premature end as Adam Hastings penalty but the errors continued Ireland, winners of three of kicked Scotland into a 3-0 lead. for both sides, the most incredi- the last six Six Nations tour- Despite enormous suc- ble from Scotland captain Stuart naments, including one Grand cess under previous coach Joe Hogg who somehow let the ball Slam, once more failed to Schmidt that included a stint as go when placing it down in the progress past the quarter-fi nals the world’s top ranked side, Ire- corner unopposed. at last year’s World Cup where, land became too predictable in The outhalves traded more like Scotland, they were hum- Japan and there were early signs penalties but Ireland proceeded bled by hosts Japan. that they would seek to run the to give up possession any time New captain Johnny Sexton ball a lot more under Farrell. they got within striking dis- scored all 19 points in a largely Sexton’s opening try began tance of putting the game away, dreary game to begin the Far- with the fl yhalf opting for the anathema to the Schmidt years. rell era with a win – but not the corner instead of a shot at goal Instead it was the Scots who kind of performance that will and he was assisted by a famil- were camped on the host’s line leave their rivals in any way con- iar battering of their opposing in search of a draw as a bruised cerned, with far tougher tests eight by the Irish pack before he Ireland were forced to hang on.

Wales’ Josh Adams scores their first try against Italy during the Six Nations Championship in Cardiff yesterday. (Reuters)

AFP 1969. Cardiff Blues wing Adams lead with two close-range pen- Italy pressed for a try in the Cardiff , United Kingdom has now scored 10 tries in his last alties before a 40-metre eff ort second half as they declined eight Tests. made it 9-0. kickable penalties but rarely “Getting fi ve points is really Italy tried to spread the play but looked like penetrating the osh Adams scored a hat- important but also we defended Wales, with Aaron Wainwright Welsh defence. trick of tries as Grand well,” Pivac told the BBC. carrying on from where he left On the hour, replacement for- Slam champions Wales “We’ve got plenty to work on. off at the World Cup and fellow ward Cory Hill made a break and began their Six Nations It was far from the perfect per- fl anker Justin Tipuric impressive debutant replacement back Nick titleJ defence by thrashing Italy formance,” added former Scar- in defence, kept them at bay. Tompkins, coming off a ruck, 42-0 in Cardiff yesterday in lets boss Pivac, who took over as World Cup semi-fi nalists sprinted clear from some 40 Wayne Pivac’s fi rst Test as coach. Wales coach from Warren Gat- Wales’ fi rst try arrived in the metres. North thought he had Wales were a commanding land after his fellow New Zea- 18th minute when fullback Leigh scored a bonus point try but a 21-0 ahead at half-time under lander’s successful 12-year reign Halfpenny sent Adams in at the Tompkins knock-on saw his ef- the closed roof of the Principal- ended at the World Cup. corner for an unconverted score. fort disallowed. ity Stadium following a double For Italy, themselves under Adams, the leading try-scorer But George North, playing at from Adams, the leading try- a new coach in caretaker boss at Japan 2019 with seven, went centre rather than on the wing scorer at last year’s World Cup Franco Smith, this reverse ex- over again on the half-hour. following Jonathan Davies’ in Japan. tended their Six Nations losing Following a maul near Italy’s tournament-ending knee in- He grabbed his third in stop- streak to 23 matches. line and quick ball from scrum- jury, did power over from close page time at the end of the game, “We knew it was going to be a half Tomos Williams, Biggar, range for a bonus-point try – with Wales scoring fi ve tries in tough game,” said Italy captain with his back to Adams, man- his 40th for Wales – four min- total. Luca Bigi. “Our set-piece didn’t aged to fi nd the fl yer with an utes from time. Adams too then It was the fi rst hat-trick at go well. We have to be focussed outrageous pass between his forced his way over in similar home by a Wales player in a Five on every line-out, every scrum legs. fashion. or Six Nations match since Mau- to create ball for our backs.” Biggar landed a tough con- Wales are away to Ireland next rice Richards grabbed four tries Wales fl y-half Dan Biggar version from the touchline and weekend, when Italy travel to Ireland’s Jonathan Sexton (centre) in action with Scotland’s Stuart McInally during their Six Nations match against England in Cardiff in kicked the hosts into an early Wales led 21-0. France. in Dublin, Ireland, yesterday. (Reuters)

GOLF FOCUS McDowell takes one-shot lead American Holmes holds Reuters because I think the back nine has shooting the same score in the 68-65-70, Victor Perez (FRA) halfway lead at Phoenix Open Riyadh played diffi cult. fi nal round of the World Golf 65-65-73 “I’m going to have to putt well Championships-FedEx St. Jude 204-Brooks Koepka (USA) AFP to have a chance tomorrow.” Invitational in July. 70-69-65, Thomas Detry (BEL) Los Angeles raeme McDowell bird- “I keep an eye out for Victor, It was a huge stride forward 73-66-65, Phil Mickelson (USA) ied his fi nal hole to take and it’s nice to see him up there for the four-times major cham- 66-70-68 a one-shot lead after on the leaderboard.” pion, who is playing only his 205-Ian Poulter (ENG) 72-68-65, B Holmes shot a blister- the third round at the Dubuisson carded a bogey- second tournament since re- Grant Forrest (SCO) 73-66-66, ing six-under 65 on Fri- GSaudi International in King Ab- free 65, with gains on the fi rst covering from a knee injury sus- day to seize a one-shot Jordan Smith (ENG) 71-67-67, Wu dullah Economic City yesterday. three holes before adding two tained in October. Ashun (CHN) 71-66-68, Henrik lead over fi rst-round After a diffi cult front nine, more on the back nine. Koepka sits six shots off the leaderJ Wyndham Clark at the Stenson (SWE) 65-70-70, Ross McDowell rolled in three straight Overnight leader Gavin Green lead in seventh spot alongside Fisher (ENG) 66-68-71 halfway stage of the USPGA birdies on the 12th, 13th and 14th lost momentum after drop- fellow American Phil Mickel- 206-Adri Arnaus (ESP) 65-74-67, Tour’s Phoenix Open. before fi nishing in style with an- ping strokes on 14th and 15th son and Belgium’s Thomas De- Abraham Ancer (MEX) 69-70-67, Holmes posted six birdies, other on the par-four 18th. but remained in contention for try. (Reporting by Hardik Vyas Matthieu Pavon (FRA) 68-71-67, one eagle and two bogeys to The Northern Irishman, who a maiden European Tour title at in Bengaluru; Editing by Hugh Thomas Pieters (BEL) 70-67-69, emerge with a 13-under to- last won on the European Tour nine-under. Lawson) Shane Lowry (IRL) 69-67-70 tal 129 at the TPC Scottsdale in 2014, signed for a four-under- Defending champion Dustin 207-Matthias Schwab (AUT) Stadium course in the Arizona par 66 to take him to 12-under Johnson is tied fourth on seven- THIRD-ROUND SCORES 69-72-66, Benjamin Hebert desert. “Hit it really good in the overall, one shot clear of France’s under after a second consecutive 198-Graeme McDowell (NIR) (FRA) 71-69-67, Dean Burmester middle of the round,” said Hol- Victor Dubuisson. round of 68, which included fi ve 64-68-66 (RSA) 71-68-68, Sergio Garcia mes, who won at Scottsdale in “The putter has been ice cold birdies and three bogeys. 199-Victor Dubuisson (FRA) (ESP) 69-68-70, Jhonattan 2006 and 2008 for the fi rst two JB Holmes plays a shot from a bunker on the ninth hole during the over the last couple of days but it World number one Brooks 69-65-65 Vegas (VEN) 65-71-71, Francesco of his fi ve Tour titles. “Didn’t second round of the Waste Management Phoenix Open at TPC heated up a bit on the back nine,” Koepka fi red a 65 at Royal Greens 201-Gavin Green (MAL) 64-67-70 Laporta (ITA) 67-68-72 hit it quite as good toward the Scottsdale in Scottsdale, Arizona. (Getty Images/AFP) McDowell said. “It was really Golf and Country Club for his 203-Dustin Johnson (USA) Selected end, but putted really well and pleasing to get a few birdies there best competitive round since 67-68-68, Renato Paratore (ITA) 211-Ernie Els (RSA) 72-69-70 was able to make some birdies.” hit it about right and hopefully Byeong-hun (KOR) 65-66 Holmes is still looking for his it would hit into that bank or 132-Scott Piercy 67-65 fi rst win since his fi nal-round bounce just up and it did.” 133-Hudson Swaff ord 66-67, China Masters badminton postponed over virus outbreak collapse at the British Open Holmes, who suff ers from Nate Lashley 66-67 six months ago when he closed vertigo, underwent two brain 134-Adam Long 66-68, China’s virus outbreak has forced ment at this time, said a state- than 50 million people in Wuhan events to be delayed or called with an 87. His last win came surgeries in 2011 before return- Branden Grace (RSA) 67-67, the country’s first badminton ment from the Badminton World and surrounding Hubei province. off in the wake of the epidemic. at the 2019 Genesis Open last ing to the Tour the next year. He Xander Schauff ele 67-67, Webb tournament of the 2020 world Federation. Several players had Wuhan is scheduled to host the The LPGA on Thursday cancelled February. Holmes teed off on enjoys the raucous atmosphere Simpson 71-63 tour season to be postponed, already withdrawn from the region’s flagship badminton tour its 2020 Blue Bay tournament the 10th and it wasn’t long be- in the Phoenix event and says 135-Bubba Watson 69-66, Tony organisers said yesterday. The competition, the BWF added. event, the Asia Championships, slated for next month in Hainan, fore he got his putter going. He he is in a good frame of mind. Finau 69-66, Jon Rahm (ESP) six-day China Masters was due to The virus that first appeared in in April. The BWF said it was too citing health concerns and birdied three holes in a four hole “There’s going to be a lot of 67-68, Keith Mitchell 68-67, C.T. start on February 25 at Lingshui, the central Chinese city of Wu- early to “make any final conclu- growing travel restrictions imple- stretch beginning at No. 13 then people. It’s going to be really Pan (TPE) 69-66 in China’s southern Hainan han has resulted in 259 deaths sions” about whether to proceed mented to slow the infection’s eagled the par-four 17 with a loud,” Holmes said. 136-Brandon Hagy 67-69, island. and spread to more than two with the event, which is one of spread. And World Snooker on nice approach and a six foot Patrick Rodgers 67-69, James But organisers “considered all dozen other countries. Beijing the last chances for badminton Friday also postponed this year’s putt to grab a share of the lead. LEADING SECOND-ROUND Hahn 69-67, Tom Hoge 65-71, necessary health, safety and has taken extreme steps to stop athletes to qualify for the Tokyo edition of its China Open, which “I was just worried about it SCORES Adam Hadwin (CAN) 69-67, logistical risks and... believe it is the spread of the virus, including Olympics. The China Masters was due to start in Beijing on maybe going too far left,” Hol- 129 -JB Holmes 64-65 Collin Morikawa 69-67, Justin sensible to postpone the tourna- eff ectively quarantining more joins a growing list of sporting March 30. mes said of his approach on 17. 130-Wyndham Clark 61-69 Thomas 68-68, Doc Redman “But when I hit it, I thought I 131-Billy Horschel 63-68, An 69-67 Gulf Times Sunday, February 2, 2020 7 SPORT

TENNIS/AUSTRALIAN OPEN Djoko to defend Melbourne Park fortress against Thiem Djokovic will bid for a record-extending eighth title having surprised no-one with his business-like march through the draw Reuters Early arrival in Australia, confi dence Melbourne helping Thiem: coach

n Australian Open that Dominic Thiem is reaping the Dominic was motivated to has seen the men’s es- benefits of arriving in Australia come early to prepare,” coach tablishment shaken by extra early, his coach said yes- Nicolas Massu said. young talent comes to a terday, building the Austrian’s “It’s a big motivation to beat fiA tting close today when defend- confidence for his Australian players like Nadal, No. 1 in the ing champion Novak Djokovic Open title clash against Novak world, in the center court in takes on Dominic Thiem in an Djokovic on Sunday. Djokovic a slam. Always make you so intergenerational decider. comprehensively beat Rafa happy because you work for The raging pre-tournament Nadal in last year’s final at this. favourite, Djokovic will bid for Melbourne Park to lift the Aus- “Everyone knows that is diff icult a record-extending eighth title tralian Open trophy for a record to play against Nole (Djokovic) at Melbourne Park, having sur- seventh time and has been in because he’s unbelievable prised no-one with his business- prime form this year. player. But if Dominic is in the like march through the draw. Djokovic arrived at the year’s final (it) is because he deserves What has raised eyebrows is first Grand Slam having won it.” the profi le of his opponent, a all six of his singles matches An acclaimed clay-court player quite diff erent proposition from in Serbia’s title run at the inau- and a two-time runner-up at the men Djokovic has faced be- gural ATP Cup. The 32-year-old Roland Garros, Thiem won fore in the title match. then lost only one set in his six three of his five titles in 2019 on In seven unbeaten fi nals, the matches at the Australian Open, hard court and also picked up Serb has met only three men, in his opening round outing his first hard court win against defeating Rafael Nadal (2012, against German Jan-Lennard the Serb at the ATP Finals. 2019) twice, Andrew Murray Struff . “For me the most important four times (2011, 2013, 2015-16) But it is Thiem, 26, who will thing is that Dominic plays his and a lone victory over Jo-Wil- step on to the Rod Laver Arena game. I think he’s playing really fried Tsonga in 2008, his maiden on Sunday having won four of well,” said Chilean Massu, who Grand Slam title. the pair’s past five clashes. The won gold medals in the 2004 In fi fth seed Thiem, Djokovic fifth-seeded player took down Athens Olympics in both men’s meets an opponent he has never world number one Rafa Nadal singles and doubles. faced at Melbourne Park and in the quarter-final before his “I believe since I started work- suff ered recent defeats to - on win against German Alexander ing with him that he can play hardcourt at the season-ending Zverev in the semi-final on every surface. He’s also a very ATP Tour Finals and on clay dur- Friday. complete player. ing the French Open semi-fi nals. Thiem also played in the ATP “For me the most important Compared to Nadal and Mur- Cup in Melbourne at the start thing is confidence. You are ray, who have racked up years of of January, but opted to head alone in this sport. You have beatdowns by Djokovic at the Down Under even earlier, arriv- to take decisions. Sometimes hardcourt Grand Slams, Thiem ing before Christmas, to begin small details make big diff er- comes into the match relatively preparations. ence. But I think it’s confidence, free of scar tissue. “We are here in Australia one that makes you believe you The 26-year-old Austrian is month and a half, practising, can play same tennis on both also playing the tennis of his life. focusing on this tournament. surfaces.” Once dismissed as merely a threat on clay, he torpedoed any remaining doubts about his hardcourt bona fi des with a quite brilliant four-set defeat of Nadal in the quarter-fi nals. It was a match that not only showcased his extraordinary power and endurance but also Serbia’s Novak Djokovic (left) greets Australia’s Dylan Alcott on his victory in the men’s quad wheelchair singles final against Britains’s Andy his composure under pres- Lapthorne on day thirteen of the Australian Open in Melbourne yesterday. (AFP) sure and courage to convert his chances when they came. very few men capable of giving may be the most exhilarating would be winners against other The last of the old guard Runnerup to Nadal at the last 16-times Grand Slam champion shot in tennis but few players players. While there are few standing in Melbourne, the two French Opens, Thiem may Djokovic sleepless nights. have the courage or control to doubts about Thiem’s stamina, 32-year-old Serb will look to ex- lack the major trophies and aura Wawrinka, who toppled Djok- use it on clutch points. he will head into the match after tend the Big Three’s Grand Slam of Djokovic’s ‘Big Three’ rivals ovic on the way to his 2014 Aus- Thiem let it rip against Nadal eight hours of slog against Nadal stranglehold to a 13th major title Nadal and Federer. tralian Open triumph and twice and young gun Alex Zverev in the and Zverev. in succession. It would be a re- But what he does have is a more in the French and U.S. semi-fi nals. Djokovic will be fresh, hav- markable feat from any perspec- ferocious one-handed back- Open fi nals, put his backhand He may need to be similarly ing had an extra day’s rest after tive, but ultimately might only hand and the blue collar grit of to devastating use against the fearless to beat the Serb, whose a three-set stroll in the semi-fi - buy a few months’ relief from Austria’s Dominic Thiem hits a return against Germany’s Alexander three-times Grand Slam cham- Serb. peerless court speed and de- nal against an injury-hampered the eventual revolution from Zverev during their semi-final at the Australian Open. (Reuters) pion Stan Wawrinka, one of the The backhand down the line fence tend to repel the shots that Roger Federer on Thursday. Thiem’s generation.

CRICKET COMMENT Miller hails ‘refreshing’ Pakistan recall all-rounder Ashraf, South Africa squad

Reuters ing, it’s a new start. The guys Cape Town that have come in must learn as quickly as possible. We are here spinner Bilal for Bangladesh Test to win, not to just see how things ard-hitting bats- go. It’s an exciting time to be in AFP man David Miller has South African cricket. The guys Lahore Bangladesh axe Mustafizur backed the new-look have got a lot of energy and are for first Pakistan Test South Africa One-Day willing to learn.” InternationalH squad to banish Miller has also welcomed the akistan yesterday recalled all-rounder Bangladesh yesterday dropped Saif Hasan and Tamim. We have the memories of a disastrous appointment of De Kock, who Faheem Ashraf and off -spinner Bilal pace bowler Mustafizur picked Soumya in the squad World Cup campaign last year, takes over from Faf du Plessis, Asif for the fi rst Test against Bangladesh Rahman and recalled Rubel if coach makes plan to play ahead of a three-match home the latter having been rested for starting in Rawalpindi next week. Hossain for the first Test of him at seven as an all-rounder series with England starting at the series along with fast bowler PAshraf, 26, showed a lot of promise in his debut Newlands on Tuesday. Kagiso Rabada. “Quinny and the two-match series against as they (Pakistan) have good Test against Ireland in 2018 when he scored 83 Pakistan which begins in number of quality fast bowl- South Africa won only three of I have come a long way. He is but then faced injury problems and was discarded Rawalpindi next week. Mustafi- ers,” said Minhajul. Bangladesh their nine matches at the global an unbelievable performer and after the South Africa tour in January last year. zur was in the two-Test series are due to depart for Pakistan fi nals last year as England went thinks about things very simply. Bilal, 34, played the last of his fi ve Tests against against India in November but on Tuesday for the first Test on to be crowned world champi- “But I genuinely believe as he New Zealand in December 2018 and was not se- was not picked for any of the scheduled for February 7-11. ons on home soil, and at the start has got older, he has got a great lected last year. Senior batsman Azhar Ali will matches due to his poor form The second Test will be played of a new cycle ahead of the 2023 feel on the ground during the lead the team. Head coach and chief selector Mis- and fitness. April 5-9 in Karachi, after a fi nals have refreshed their squad. game. A great understanding of bah-ul-Haq said Ashraf did well in the domestic “Mustafiz was dropped for his one-day international on April Batsmen Janneman Malan what is going on and what to do.” tournament fi nal two months ago. poor performance. He is in and 3. Bangladesh visited Pakistan and JJ Smuts, wicketkeeper Kyle Miller hopes the selectors will “We have this option of playing a pace bowling out of the team for quite some earlier in January amid tight Verreynne, spinning all-rounder back the squad that has been cho- allrounder against Bangladesh and Ashraf took time and doesn’t play longer- security for a three-match Bjorn Fortuin and seam bowler sen beyond this series and give the fi ve wickets in the Quaid-e-Azam trophy fi nal so format matches regularly. His Twenty20 international series Lutho Sipamla are all fresh faces players a fair run. we have selected him,” said Misbah. white-ball performances are in Lahore, which they lost 2-0. that will be led for the fi rst time “It is about trying to fi nd the The fi rst Test starts in Rawalpindi from Febru- not satisfactory,” said chief Bangladesh Cricket Board presi- by captain Quinton de Kock. best combination as early as pos- ary 7. Bangladesh had agreed to tour Pakistan in selector Minhajul Abedin. dent Nazmul Hassan last week “It’s exciting,” Miller told re- sible and sticking with that. It is three phases and after playing three Twenty20 Opening batsmen Imrul Kayes, expressed his satisfaction over porters. “It is not the normal about doing the business on the internationals returned home earlier this week. Shadman Islam and off -spinner the security provided to the squad everyone is used to seeing. park. It is about putting scores They will play the fi rst Test and then return Mehidy Hasan were also left visitors during the Twenty20 From my side that is refresh- together as a batting unit.” again for the sole one-day international (April 3) All-rounder Faheem Ashraf. out for injury while wicketkeep- series adding that “there was no and second Test (April 7-11) - both in Karachi. er-batsman Mushfiqur Rahim reason not to go again for the Misbah said Pakistan would have to play at with 360 points followed by Australia (296), Eng- opted out due to security Test series.” India’s Pandya ruled out of New Zealand Tests their best despite beating Bangladesh 2-0 in the land (146) and Pakistan (80). concerns. Opening batsman three-match Twenty20 series, with one match The top two teams in the table will play the Tamim Iqbal returned to the SQUAD: Mominul Haque India all-rounder Hardik Pandya year and had hoped he could rained off . June 2021 fi nal in England. Test side after skipping the (Capt), Tamim Iqbal, Saif Hasan, has been ruled out of the two- return to the Indian squad for “There is no guarantee that if a team doesn’t do India series for family reason Najmul Hossain, Mahmudul- match Test series against New the New Zealand series. well in one format then it will not do better in the SQUAD: Azhar Ali (captain), Abid Ali, Asad while Bangladesh also recalled lah Riyad, Mohamed Mithun, Zealand as he recovers from a The 26-year-old, however, failed other format as well,” said Misbah. “They are a Shafiq, Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf, Bilal Asif, batsmen Najmul Hossain and Liton Das, Taijul Islam, Nayeem back injury, the Indian Cricket to achieve full fitness and will gritty team and will be under no pressure.” Fawad Alam, Haris Sohail, Imam-ul-Haq, Imran Soumya Sarkar. “Soumya has Hasan, Ebadat Hossain, Abu board (BCCI) said yesterday. continue his rehabilitation at Both the Tests are part of the ongoing World Khan, Mohamed Abbas, Mohamd Rizwan, Na- been picked as a backup player. Jayed, Al-Amin Hossain, Rubel Pandya underwent surgery on the National Cricket Academy Test championship contested by the top nine seem Shah, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shan Masood, Our first choice openers are Hossain, Soumya Sarkar. his lower back in October last (NCA) in Bengaluru. teams. India currently lead the championship Yasir Shah. Sunday, February 2, 2020 GULF TIMES TENNIS

SPOTLIGHT FOCUS ‘She cannot watch’ — Kenin calls USA’s Kenin stuns mother to break news of Slam win

AFP mom cannot watch me,” said Melbourne Moscow-born Kenin, a proud Muguruza for fi rst American who will now usurp Serena Williams as the top- ofia Kenin had to call ranked player from the United her superstitious moth- States. er to break the news “She doesn’t like watching, she’d won the Austral- it’s fine.” Sian Open yesterday because she Kenin, who dumped top refuses to watch on TV, fearing seed and home hope Ashleigh Grand Slam crown it will bring bad luck. Barty out in the semi-finals, The 21-year-old’s father is said repeatedly that her mental ‘IT’S JUST SUCH AN HONOUR TO HAVE MY NAME ON THAT BEAUTIFUL TROPHY’ her coach but the rest of the strength was key to the biggest family was back in the United title of her tennis life. States as Kenin announced her- She also put her hand over self to the sporting world with her mouth on several occasions, her first Grand Slam title. almost disbelieving at what she The 14th seed showed all her had achieved, and later said she trademark battling qualities was “on cloud nine”. to stun two-time Grand Slam Kenin pinpointed the fifth champion Garbine Muguruza game of the deciding set, when 4-6, 6-2, 6-2 in Melbourne. she was down 0-40 on her “I called her right after the serve before reeling off five match just to tell her that eve- clean winners in a row to go up rything’s fine, I won, she can 3-2, as the moment the match just relax now,” a beaming swung in her favour. Kenin told reporters, glass of “I can remember that game champagne in hand, referring very well, that’s the game I feel to mother Lena. changed things,” said Kenin, “She’s been really stressed at who was born in Moscow but home, very superstitious. moved with her family to the “I told her I’m not going to be United States as a baby in able to talk to you for hours, but search of a better life. at least you know that I won. “I knew I needed to come “I’m coming home, you can up with the best shot, five best give me the biggest hug of your shots of my life.” life.” “It got me to win a Grand At least Lena did not suffer Slam,” she added, smiling alone and was accompanied broadly once more. “I had to by Kenin’s grandmother, sis- play some of my best tennis. I ter and the family dogs back in did. After that, I was on fire. Florida. “I was ready to take the “They don’t watch, my beautiful trophy.”

Krejcikova, Mektic claim mixed doubles title at Australian Open

Sofia Kenin of the US kisses the Daphne Akhurst Croatia’s Nikola Memorial Cup after her win Mektic (R) and Czech over Spain’s Garbine Republic’s Barbora Muguruza in the women’s Krejcikova celebrate final of the Australian Open winning the mixed in Melbourne yesterday. doubles title. Below: Muguruza reacts during the match.

AFP grabbing the fi rst-set lead her serve failed rienced opponent in the fourth game and Melbourne her spectacularly. easily holding to sprint into a 4-1 lead. She totted up eight double-faults in Kenin, who won their only previ- all, three of them in the fi nal game — in- ous encounter in three sets, grabbed the merica’s Sofi a Kenin stunned cluding one on the second championship second set in an emphatic 32 minutes. A Melbourne: Fifth seeds the first Andorran to capture a two-time Major champion point, handing the title to her younger rattled Muguruza was seen briefl y by a Barbora Krejcikova and Nikola title at a Grand Slam when she Garbine Muguruza to win the opponent. physio for what appeared to be a lower- Mektic completed a remarkable won the Australian Open girls’ AAustralian Open yesterday, Muguruza drew fi rst blood at Rod Laver back problem. comeback win over American tournament yesterday. completing a surprise run where she Arena, where the roof was closed for rain Into the deciding set and the gutsy Bethanie Mattek-Sands and Jimenez Kasintseva, who was came from nowhere to lift her fi rst Grand in Melbourne, getting the fi rst break of Kenin saved three game points in a pivotal Briton Jamie Murray to clinch the youngest player in the draw Slam title. serve. fi fth game, tossing the ball back over her the mixed doubles title at the and was making her Grand Despite making her debut in a Major Kenin, who ended the fairytale run of head by way of a defi ant celebration. Australian Open yesterday. Slam debut, beat 17-year-old fi nal Kenin, 21, showed all her trademark 15-year-old Coco Gauff on her way to the Kenin adds by far the biggest title of Krejcikova and Mektic proved Pole Weronika Baszak 5-7, 6-2, aggression as she fought back from a set fi nal, bounced her American stars-and- her fast-burgeoning career to the three too strong for the reigning 6-2 in 2hrs 4mins. down to win 4-6, 6-2, 6-2 in 2hrs 3mins stripes racquet on the hardcourt in anger. WTA crowns she won last year. US Open champions in the “It was a very tough tourna- against the shellshocked Spaniard. born Kenin. The 2016 French Open and 2017 Wim- “The past two weeks have been the tiebreak, winning eight straight ment, I actually didn’t think that The 14th seed, who will now jump to “Of course it’s an exciting moment for bledon winner Muguruza took the fi rst best of my life,” she told Rod Laver Arena, points on their way to a 5-7 I would win,” said Kasintseva, seventh in the world and usurp Serena me and for my family, I get to share this. set in 52 minutes when the young Ameri- as her father — who left the Soviet Union 6-4 (10-1) victory on Rod Laver who divides her time between Williams as America’s number one, was “Obviously things are going to change can planted her forehand out. in 1987 to give the family a better life — Arena. the tiny European state — in tears at the end and headed straight for for me, but we’re just going to move for- Kenin, not one to hide her feelings on fi lmed her victory speech on his phone. Czech Krejcikova successfully sandwiched between Spain her father Alexander, who is her coach. ward, get ready for next tournaments. court, said that she had struggled to rein “I love you guys from the bottom of my defended her title after winning and France — and Barcelona, It was the fi nal twist in a tournament of “Right now we got to fi gure out how to in her emotions at that point. heart, thank you so much,” she told the the event with American Rajeev where her father has a tennis upsets, after Williams crashed out in the celebrate.” “I was obviously devastated, I knew I crowd. Ram last year, while Croatia’s academy. third round and Kenin beat Australia’s Former world number one Muguruza didn’t take my chances,” she said. “I knew At 21 years and 80 days, Kenin is 22 Mektic captured his maiden “I guess I fought a lot for it. world number one Ashleigh Barty in the was unseeded for the fi rst time at a Slam I needed to somehow forget what hap- days younger than Japan’s Naomi Osaka Grand Slam trophy. I was about to lose in some semi-fi nals. since 2014, having suff ered a marked loss pened, just move forward and just keep when she won the title last year. Meanwhile, 14-year-old Victoria matches, and I just kept fight- “It’s just such an honour to have my of form in the last 18 months. believing in myself.” Kenin is the youngest Australian Open Jimenez Kasintseva became ing. I guess that’s how I won.” name on that beautiful trophy, it’s some- The 26-year-old was resurgent in Mel- The aggressive Kenin upped the ante in champion since Maria Sharapova — her thing I’ve dreamed about,” said Moscow- bourne over the past fortnight, but after the second set, breaking her more expe- idol — won aged 20 in 2008.

BOTTOMLINE Mountaineer Muguruza falls short of summit

Reuters Having re-set after a “life- “Yeah, it was a very important “I try to have a good perspec- Melbourne changing” climb of Mount Kili- moment of the match,” Muguruza tive and not be too dramatic,” she manjaro, the tall Spaniard tore told reporters. said. through the Melbourne draw, “I think she found very, very good “OK, you lost the match, it was an arbine Muguruza battled knocking out three top 10 seeds, shots during the match. Especially important one. But, hey, I’m here. I to the top of Africa’s high- including a rousing win over Wim- in the important moments, I think gave myself a chance to be in a fi nal.” est mountain during the bledon champion Simona Halep in she came out with winners and just She stopped short of declaring her- off season but fell just short the semi-finals. hitting the ball very good.” self “back”, however, saying that she Gduring her fi nal push to the summit Muguruza also brought the fi re After Kenin’s brilliant hold, Mu- had never left the tour. of the Australian Open yesterday. in the fi rst set against Kenin, over- guruza promptly dropped serve She said the media had been Instead, it was American 14th powering the 21-year-old with with a double-fault and watched tough on her during her prolonged seed Sofi a Kenin, a rank outsider in brute force. the match slip away. period in the Grand Slam wilder- the scheme of things, who muscled But it all fell apart as the 26-year- The stats sheet made for ugly ness following her run to the semi- past the twice Grand Slam cham- old’s serve disintegrated in the sec- reading for Muguruza, showing fi nals of the 2018 French Open, pion to hoist the Daphne Akhurst ond. She still had her chances early she converted only two of 12 break leaving her feeling somewhat jaded Memorial Trophy after a comeback in the deciding set when she had points — compared with Kenin’s about the coverage she received. 4-6 6-2 6-2 win in the fi nal. Kenin down 0-40 on serve at 2-2. fi ve out of six — and racked up eight “I don’t read a lot of things, but I Two and a half years after her But the daughter of Russian im- double-faults, with three in the really felt that people... Today peo- Spain’s Garbine Muguruza (R) second major title at the 2017 Wim- migrants launched a blitz of four fi nal game and the last on match ple will say very good things about holds up the runner-up trophy. bledon championships, Muguruza winners and an ace to claim the next point. Still, she leaves Melbourne me, and the next week bad things if had appeared set for a long-expect- fi ve points and hold serve, leav- Park with proof that she still has a you lose. ed third after breaking out of a deep ing Muguruza fl ummoxed and ex- game that can upset the best, hav- “I kind of found myself less ex- slump in form under the guidance of hausted after being thrown around ing arrived unseeded and with low cited, less excited with how things Conchita Martinez. the court. expectations. work.”