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Sunday, January 7, 2018 FOOTBALL Rabia II 20, 1439 AH Mourinho hits back GULF TIMES at Conte, raises match-fi xing SPORT Page 7 TENNIS/ QATAR EXXONMOBIL OPEN Monfi ls fi nally a champ in Qatar Monfils came to Qatar as a wildcard after missing out on the action for several months in 2017 with injury problems

By Anil John Doha

ver the years the centre court at the Khalifa International Tennis and Squash Complex has proven a fi eld of dreams Ofor some of the fi nest players in the his- tory of the game. But for one man the very mention of it would evoke painful memories – of heartbreak and despair, of broken promises and shattered confi dence. Not any more. Gael Monfi ls has had enough. He is a champion at last. The opening week of the 2018 tennis couldn’t have concluded in better fash- ion. Monfi ls, the runner-up in 2006, 2012 and 2014, fi nally broke his title jinx at the Qatar ExxonMobil Open with a clinical 6-2, 6-3 demolition of Russia’s 20-year-old sensation Andrey Rublev. It was an anti-climactic aff air, no doubt, but not many who watched the Gael Monfils receives the winner’s cheque from Qatar Tennis Federation President Nasser Ghanem al-Kheleifi as ExxonMobil match would have complained. Sen- Qatar President and General Manager Alistair Routledge (left), legendary tennis coach Nick Bollettieri (fourth from left) and timental favourite Monfi ls deserved it the tournament director Karim Alami (right) look on. thoroughly, even though the proceed- ings ended in 61 minutes fl at. sian’s undoing. He lost the fi rst set in just the way it is. I just pray every day “I’m very happy. I like this tourna- under half hour after being broken in that He gives me strength for all the RESULT ment so much, you know. I always come the fourth and eighth games. It doesn’t year, and then I see what He gives me.” Singles Final: [WC] Gael Monfils back. And I was very close and fi nally help when you commit as many as eight Rublev admitted he was a bit off col- (FRA) d Andrey Rublev (RUS) 6-2, 6-3 get it. So I’m just very happy and very errors on your forehand alone. It was a our yesterday. proud,” said the 31-year-old Frenchman. sign that the match was for Monfi ls to “I think I was completely tired today. for me. He was reminded that when he lost lose. I mean, you can see that even my shots “You can see that he was much in 2006 to Roger Federer he was only 19 He didn’t. He stayed back most of were not the same energy like previous fresher. He was moving much better years old, while his opponent yesterday the time in the second set and allowed matches. I was doing a lot of mistakes, than me. He was missing less. You can was himself barely 20. Rublev to self-destruct, securing his a lot of wrong shots. You can see even see that it was, I think, diff erent men- “I think he’s young. He’s coming. fi rst break in the fourth game after the I was really slow today on the court,” tally and energy for both of us. He was He’s going to be very strong. He had Russian fi red a forehand wide and put said the runner-up. more ready to compete and I was a lit- very solid end of the year last year. We another one long. “Every time he moved me to one side tle low.” could see already that he could beat the Monfi ls was 3-1 up, and although he and most of the time it was almost over, But he was clearly disappointed and top players for sure,” added Monfi ls. retained his serve in the fi fth game af- or if I could catch one point then he was made no eff ort to hide it. “I mean, for sure he’s going to be def- ter a few wobbles of his own, it was not always killing me with the second. “Of course I’m disappointed. It’s initely in another fi nal and maybe win long before he wrapped up the match. “You can see that today I was really always tough to lose, especially in the it. I have no doubt about it.” He was asked if his style of play – he had no energy, no power in the legs and fi nals. Sometimes it’s even tougher to Monfi ls came to Qatar as a wildcard Gael Monfils of France pose with the trophy after winning the Qatar ExxonMobil is always stretching and diving to re- the speed of the ball was not even close recover when you lose in the fi nal then after missing out on the action for sev- Open at the Khalifa International Tennis and Squash Complex in Doha yesterday. trieve seemingly impossible balls – in like it was in previous matches. I mean, when you lose some semi-fi nals or fi rst eral months in 2017 with injury prob- PICTURES: Jayan Orma any way contributes to his injuries. previous matches was much faster and rounds. Congrats to Gael because he lems. He grabbed the chance with both “Not really. You know, I think I get all this stuff and really tough for me.” was not missing, I think he was serving hands, fought his way through, had his Rublev learnt the valuable lesson to pull through in three sets after saving injured because I’m unlucky about Rublev added nevertheless that really great today. It was really tough to share of luck when his semifi nal op- that when one overplays his strong a match point. Yesterday, against a bet- stuff . I think I’m just working the way the experience would help him in the return. During the rallies he was mak- ponent and top seed Dominic Thiem point it could sometimes lead to fatal ter and seasoned opponent, he simply I am. future. “I mean, all the fi nals it’s ex- ing all the balls. He was not missing.” withdrew with illness, and then let his consequences. In his semifi nal against couldn’t. “I mean, God gave me such great perience. I mean, but here is tough. I Monfi ls won US dollars 218,180 and racquet do all the talking in the decider, Argentinian Guido Pella on Friday, Ru- Banking almost exclusively on his abilities and sometime that’s a strength mean, we play only one hour. I guess 250 ATP ranking points while Rublev serving and returning brilliantly. blev risked that but somehow managed sensational forehand proved the Rus- and sometime it’s not a strength. So it’s the match was almost without chances earned dollars 114,900 and 150 points.

SPOTLIGHT Qatar’s al-Attiyah claims opening stage of Dakar Agencies sive throughout the stage. Pro- Lima, Peru portionally, we lost a lot of time to Nasser. Two minutes in 30 kilo- metres is a lot, but we need to ease into the race, it’ll work out,” said atari ace driver Nasser the Peugeot driver. al-Attiyah started his Nine-time world rally champion 14th Dakar Rally cam- Sebastien Loeb had a day to for- paign in style, win- get after the brakes on his Peugeot ningQ the opening stage in Lima failed just 3 kilometres into the yesterday. special. The driver from Alsace lost The two-time winner, in 2011 over fi ve minutes to al-Attiyah. and 2015, racing for Toyota Gazoo The 40th edition of the clas- team was the fastest in the 31km sic endurance event, the tenth to stage, ahead of title rivals Nani be held in South America since it Roma and defending champion was shifted from terror-hit sub- Stephane Peterhansel of Peugeot. Sahara Africa will end in Argen- Al-Attiyah relied on his French tina’s second city of Cordoba on co-driver Mathieu Baumel as the January 20. pair excelled on the fast stage. Meanwhile, Britain’s Sam Sun- “I do not want to do strategy, derland got the defence of his because I have complete confi - Dakar motorcycling title off to dence in my co-driver Matthieu. a winning start yesterday when Tomorrow’s stage I know will be he won the opening stage of the diffi cult. But I am especially happy 9,000km race from Lima to Pisco. with our victory today; tomorrow Sunderland, on a KTM, fi nished it could be something else. But we ahead of France’s Adrien Van will do our best,” said al-Attiyah. Beveren, on a Yamaha, and Pablo The defending champion Peter- Quintanilla of Chile on a Husq- hansel started the Dakar outside varna. The British rider fi nished top 10 and wasn’t happy with his the 31km desert sprint in 20 min performance. 56 sec with his rivals 32 sec and 55 “I didn’t feel comfortable with sec further back. the headlights so high. I wasn’t The second stage of the two- very confi dent, so I drove like a week event takes place in and Toyota Gazoo team driver Nasser al-Attiyah of Qatar (right) and co-driver Matthieu Baumel of France on the podium during the departure ceremony of Dakar Rally 2018 in Lima, granny and stayed on the defen- around the town of Pisco today. Peru, yesterday. (Reuters) Gulf Times 2 Sunday, January 7, 2018 TENNIS

BRISBANE INTERNATIONAL Brilliant Kyrgios proves too good for Dimitrov AFP just 30 minutes to level the match. Kyr- when in a match against Stan Wawrin- Svitolina crushes Sasnovich in Brisbane fi nal Brisbane gios served superbly in the second and ka, Kyrgios told the Swiss star that fel- third sets, winning over 80 percent of low Australian Thanasi Kokkinakis had Ukraine’s Elina Svitolina laid down strokes from the back of the court. points on his fi rst serve and facing just slept with his girlfriend. her marker as a serious contender Sasnovich was playing in her first fi- ontroversial Australian Nick one break point. Dimitrov, on the other A week later Harrison and Kokkinakis for the Australian Open when she nal on the WTA tour and her nerves Kyrgios produced two sets of hand, has struggled with his serve all had to be separated by offi cials during demolished Belarusian qualifier showed in the early stages as superb tennis to see off top week and Kyrgios was able to take full a fi ery match, with Harrison report- Aliaksandra Sasnovich 6-2, 6-1 in Svitolina broke her early and raced seed Grigor Dimitrov yester- advantage, with his returns keeping the edly saying “Wawrinka should’ve decked the Brisbane International final away to a 3-1 lead. dayC and reach the fi nal of the Brisbane Bulgarian under constant pressure. Kyrgios and I should deck that kid.” yesterday. The Belarusian steadied the ship International. He cracked at 3-3 in the third set and But Kyrgios downplayed any ten- Svitolina won five titles on the WTA but she was always under pressure Kyrgios came back from losing the was broken, and the way Kyrgios was sion between the two. “(Our) matches tour last year, more than any other and serving at 2-5, she cracked. fi rst set to win 3-6, 6-1, 6-4 and set up serving, the match was as good as over. haven’t been very close, so I don’t re- woman. Svitolina pounced, breaking her a decider against American Ryan Har- “I hadn’t beaten him before (so) go- ally know why there’s much history She ended the year ranked sixth in again and wrapping up the set in 31 rison. Harrison had earlier ended the ing into today, I knew that I was going there,” he said. the world, but will climb two places minutes. fairytale run of 18-year-old wildcard to do something a little diff erent,” Kyr- De Minaur had looked like becom- when the new rankings are re- Sasnovich was also playing her Alex de Minaur 4-6, 7-6 (7/5), 6-4 in gios said. The Australian said he want- ing an unlikely fi nalist when he took leased on Monday and will go into eighth match in nine days and her two hours and 37 minutes. ed to disrupt Dimitrov’s rhythm and be the fi rst set against Harrison, the world the year’s first Grand Slam as the movement around the court ap- Kyrgios admitted after his quarter- aggressive. “He played a pretty solid number 47, and led 5-3 in the second fourth seed. The 23-year-old had a peared slightly slower than in her fi nal win over Alexandr Dolgopolov fi rst set, I played a pretty loose game to set tiebreak. tough path to the decider, having previous outings. that he sometimes turns his talent on get broken,” Kyrgios said. However, Harrison stepped up the to overcome two top-10 players, Jo- Svitolina was even more dominant and off “like a tap”. “From then on, I felt pretty in control pressure and reeled off the next four hanna Konta and Karolina Pliskova, in the second set, racing to a 5-0 And as he has done all week, he start- of the match.” points to take the set and level the along the way. lead before Sasnovich even got on ed slowly against defending champion Kyrgios will be the overwhelming fa- match. Harrison then broke de Min- She was far too strong for Sas- the board. Ukraine’s Elina Svitolina kisses the trophy Dimitrov, losing the fi rst set to a single vourite to win his fourth title when he aur twice at the start of the decider and novich, who struggled to cope However, it was a minor reprieve as after winning the final against Aliaksandra break of serve. takes on Harrison. although the Australian got one break both with the Ukrainian’s serve and Svitolina held serve to love to claim Sasnovich of Belarus in Brisbane yesterday. But he came out fi ring in the second The two players have some his- back he was unable to complete the her relentless barrage of ground- her 10th title in just 65 minutes. (Reuters) set, breaking Dimitrov twice and taking tory between them, going back to 2015 comeback.

FOCUS SPOTLGIHT Halep fi res Australian Open warning Federer lauds with Shenzhen title

AFP she made use of the severe rain Shenzhen, China delay by exchanging a few shots with a young boy who had been plucked from the sodden crowd. orld number one To applause and cheers, Halep Hingis infl uence Simona Halep fi red shook the boy’s hand afterwards a warning to her and planted a kiss on his cheek. Australian Open ri- When the fi nal against sixth- Wvals yesterday, beating Katerina seeded Siniakova fi nally got un- Siniakova in three sets to win the der way, Halep was not nearly so Shenzhen Open. generous, powering through the The Romanian saw off the fi rst set in less than 30 minutes. reigning champion from the But big-serving Siniakova, aft er Hopman win Czech Republic 6-1, 2-6, 6-0 in who dumped out former world 72 rollercoaster minutes in rain- number one Maria Sharapova in ‘It made me also believe with hard work and dedication you get really far, because hit southern China. the semi-fi nals, roared back to The 26-year-old Halep is take the second set and force a I didn’t believe it that much at that point when I was younger, I thought it was guaranteed top seeding for the decider. Australian Open, the season’s Halep regained her composure more all talent. Definitely she helped me to become the player I am today’ fi rst Grand Slam, which begins and stepped up a gear in the third in Melbourne on January 15. This set to take the Shenzhen title was her 16th WTA title but the for a second time and under- fi rst since reaching the top of the line her good form heading into world rankings in October. Melbourne. The match was delayed by fi ve hours because of rain in Shen- zhen and had to be moved in- doors before play could begin. “It’s been a great week for me as I’ve been playing very well. It was a diffi cult match and (Sini- akova) played very well,” said Halep. “I was a little bit less nervous and just tried to enjoy the mo- ment, even if we are playing in- doors,” she added. “It’s not easy but we did our job and I’m happy that I could win the fi rst title of the year.” Simona Halep celebrates with Halep had earlier provided a the trophy after winning the heart-warming moment when Shenzhen Open yesterday. (AFP)

REPORT Wozniacki survives scare to face Goerges in Auckland fi nal

AFP Agnieszka Radwanska, were Auckland both beaten in the quarter but their victors, Taiwan’s Hsieh Su- wei and Vickery progressed no op seed Caroline Woz- further. niacki survived an early Wozniacki started her semi- scare to join Julia Goerg- fi nal against Vickery with two es in the WTA Auckland aces then raced to a 5-1 lead be- TClassic fi nal after an exhausting fore twice dropping her serve. yesterday involving the quarter The Dane recovered to win the and semi-fi nals. opening set but needed nearly 11 While second-seed Goerges minutes to win her second serv- Roger Federer (left) and Belinda Bencic of Switzerland celebrate after winning the Hopman Cup in Perth yesterday. (AFP) progressed comfortably, win- ice game en route to beating the ning both her matches in straight American qualifi er. AFP For the 36-year-old Federer, so mentally strong and so con- (4/7), 6-0, 6-2. Zverev’s serve, and resolve, sets, Wozniacki found herself Goerges, who defeated Polona Perth it was a second title in Perth, sistent at such a young age,” the Zverev beat Federer at the was broken in the third game a set down in her quarter-fi nal Hercog 6-4, 6-4 then Hsieh 6-1, having also been part of Swit- Swiss star recalled. Hopman Cup last year and came of the third set and fi ttingly it against 19-year-old American 6-4, is through to her second zerland’s previous victory back “It made me also believe out all guns blazing on Satur- was a Federer drop shot which Sofi a Kenin. Auckland fi nal after fi nishing oger Federer paid trib- in 2001, when he teamed with with hard work and dedica- day in a high-intensity fi rst set sealed the win. But she regrouped to beat runner-up two years ago. ute to the infl uence of Hingis. tion you get really far, because where both players produced Kerber, who is ranked 21st af- Kenin 4-6, 6-2, 6-4 then over- “When you are in a fi nal you countrywoman and At that time, Federer was I didn’t believe it that much at moments of brilliance and each ter starting last year at number came another patchy start to want to win it and it would mean former Hopman Cup just 19 and was yet to win at that point when I was younger, holding multiple break points. one, then maintained her per- beat Sachia Vickery 6-4, 6-4 a lot to me,” she said. teammateR Martina Hingis on an ATP event. He said the time I thought it was more all talent,” Federer’s frustration was ob- fect singles record during the in the semis. “I’m exhausted,” “Since I have been coming his career after guiding Swit- spent with Hingis in Perth had he added. vious as the set slipped away, event to beat Bencic 6-4, 6-1 to the 27-year-old Wozniacki said nine times already so maybe it’s zerland to their third success in a profound eff ect on his career, “Defi nitely she helped me to dropping his racquet after level the tie. after spending a total of nearly time for it.” the mixed teams tournament in which now includes 19 Grand become the player I am today.” missing an easy volley and then Bencic, who was ranked sev- fi ve hours on court. “It’s a tough The world number 14 from Perth on yesterday. Slam singles titles. Federer was thrilled to add a launching a ball towards the enth in the world before inju- start to the season coming out Germany said it had been men- Federer looked primed for his Hingis was the youngest second Hopman Cup to his glit- roof. ries stalled her progress, started here and playing three sets this tally tough to play two matches Australian Open title defence ever Grand Slam champion and tering resume and said it was a However, he turned the brightly but Kerber soon took morning and then two tough sets in a day but she was in good when he came from a set down world number one, spending very diff erent feeling to the first. match around by approaching control and raced through the now. I’m not 17 any more, I can physical condition. to beat world number four Al- 209 weeks at the top of wom- “It is totally diff erent to when the net more often and using second set with breaks in the feel that for sure.” “In doubles you have someone exander Zverev in the men’s en’s tennis and winning fi ve I won it with Martina because I drop shots to catch Zverev nap- fourth and sixth games. The incessant rain that to talk to and here you have just singles, before Angelique Ker- Grand Slam singles titles. was the apprentice and she was ping. That set the scene for the washed out play on the previous yourself,” she said. ber accounted for Belinda Ben- Federer visited Perth with the master,” he said. The frustration changed mixed doubles, where Bencic two days abated to occasional “I don’t know if it’s some- cic in straight sets to level the tie Hingis twice, once as a hitting Unbeaten in his three sin- sides of the net as the German produced some stunning re- showers that left enough time to times so nice to talk to yourself. against Germany. partner and then in 2001 as her gles matches in the tourna- copped a code violation for an turns on the Zverev serve and allow the two rounds to be com- In general, I’m feeling good.” The Swiss duo then claimed team-mate, and said it shaped ment prior to the fi nal, Federer audible obscenity after disput- teamed superbly with Federer pleted. Today’s fi nal will be the 10th the tournament with a straight- his career. dropped the fi rst set against the ing the chair umpire’s decision to claim the title with an em- The third seed, Barbora Stry- meeting between Goerges and sets win in the deciding mixed “I could look up to her and 20-year-old Zverev, but recov- to replay one of his serves dur- phatic 4-3 (5/3), 4-2 win under cova from the Czech Republic, Wozniacki with the German doubles. think, wow, how is she being ered to win in three sets, 6-7 ing the second set. the Fast4 format. and the fourth seed, Poland’s holding a 5-4 lead. Gulf Times Sunday, January 7, 2018 3 CRICKET

CAPE TOWN TEST South Africa on top despite Pandya heroics AFP a fourth spell in what was his long- South Africa made a good start Cape Town est and most intensive bowling eff ort to their second innings, with Aiden since his shoulder injury. Markram and Dean Elgar putting on Pandya struggled against Steyn 52 for the fi rst wicket before Pandya ardik Pandya went on a early in his innings. He survived on a dismissed both openers in successive thrilling counter-attack but review after being given out caught overs. could not prevent South behind off the fast bowler on fi ve and Africa from fi nishing on top was dropped by Dean Elgar at gully off SCOREBOARD Hon the second day of the fi rst Test at Steyn when he had 15. South Africa first innings ...... 286 Newlands yesterday. Pandya, 24, confi rmed the repu- India first innings (overnight 28-3) Pandya scored a swashbuckling 93, tation he earned as a dashing stroke M. Vijay c Elgar b Philander ...... 1 then took two wickets, but South Af- player, fi rst in limited overs cricket S. Dhawan c and b Steyn ...... 16 rica built on a fi rst innings lead of 77 and more recently when he scored C. Pujara c Du Plessis b Philander ....26 and were 65 for two at the close, an 178 runs off 168 balls in three Test in- V. Kohli c De Kock b Morkel ...... 5 overall lead of 142 on a pitch which has nings in Sri Lanka last year, including R. Sharma lbw b Rabada ...... 11 helped fast bowlers. 108 off 96 deliveries in the third Test R. Ashwin c De Kock b Philander ...... 12 India had slumped to 92 for seven in Kandy. H. Pandya c De Kock b Rabada ...... 93 in reply to South Africa’s fi rst innings He hit 14 fours yesterday as well W. Saha lbw b Steyn ...... 0 total of 286 when Pandya found a de- as a six off left-arm spinner Keshav B. Kumar c De Kock b Morkel ...... 25 termined ally in Bhuvneshwar Kumar. Maharaj’s second ball of the match. Mohamed Shami not out ...... 4 While 24-year-old Pandya went for He charged out to the next ball and J. Bumrah c Elgar b Rabada ...... 2 his shots, Kumar took 34 balls to score should have been stumped with his Extras (b1, lb13) ...... 14 his fi rst run but then played some fi ne score on 71. Kumar was caught behind Total (73.4 overs) ...... 209 strokes of his own, scoring 25 in an off Morne Morkel when Pandya was Fall of wickets: 1-16 (Vijay), 2-18 (Dha- eighth wicket partnership of 99 which on 85. wan), 3-27 (Kohli), 4-57 (Sharma), 5-76 more than doubled their team’s total. If anything, Pandya stepped up his (Pujara), 6-81 (Ashwin), 7-92 (Saha), The partnership frustrated the aggressive attitude after the dismissal 8-191 (Kumar), 9-199 (Pandya), 10-209 South African bowlers and kept them of Kumar, swinging at a succession of (Bumrah) in the fi eld long enough for Dale Steyn short-pitched deliveries from Morkel Bowling: Philander 14.3-8-33-3, Steyn to give South Africa another injury and Kagiso Rabada. His luck ran out 17.3-6-51-2, Morkel 19-6-57-2, Rabada scare. when he fl ashed at a lifting ball from 16.4-4-34-3, Maharaj 6-0-20-0 Steyn, in his fi rst Test match since Rabada and was caught behind. South Africa second innings suff ering a fractured shoulder in Aus- Rabada fi nished with three for 34, A. Markram c Kumar b Pandya ...... 34 tralia in November 2014, had taken while Vernon Philander took three for D. Elgar c Saha b Pandya ...... 25 two for 51 when he pulled up with a 33. Morkel and Steyn shared the other K. Rabada not out ...... 2 bruised heel and left the fi eld three four wickets. H. Amla not out ...... 4 balls into his 18th over. Pandya’s innings was in contrast Extras 0 After treatment in the dressing to the struggles of most of the other Total (2 wkts, 20 overs) 65 room he was sent for a scan. Indian batsmen who were kept under Fall of wickets: 1-52 (Markram), 2-59 Steyn would have hoped to end pressure by South Africa’s barrage of (Elgar) Pandya’s innings – and hasten the four fast bowlers. Chetashwar Pujara Bowling: Kumar 6-3-16-0, Bumrah 4-0- demise of the Indian batting eff ort – laboured to 26 off 92 balls, while Rohit 14-0, Mohamed Shami 5-1-15-0, Pandya India’s Hardik Pandya celebrates his half century during the second day of the first Test against South Africa at Newlands cricket long before he was called upon to bowl Sharma took 59 balls to score 11. 4-0-17-2, Ashwin 1-0-3-0. ground in Cape Town yesterday. (AFP)

ASHES ONE-DAY INTERNATIONAL Williamson century sinks Pakistan in Khawaja hits 171 Wellington downpour

AFP is in Nelson on Tuesday. Wellington Scoreboard New Zealand ane Williamson scored M. Guptill c Shoaib Malik b as Australia build a century and Tim Fakhar Zaman ...... 48 Southee captured three C. Munro c Sarfraz Ahmed b wickets in a devastat- Hasan Ali ...... 58 King spell to guide New Zealand to K. Williamson c Hasan Ali b Rum- victory over Pakistan in a rain- man Raees ...... 115 shortened One-Day Interna- R. Taylor b Hasan Ali ...... 12 tional yesterday. T. Latham c Babar Azam b New Zealand won the match Faheem Ashraf ...... 3 lead in Sydney by 61 runs under the Duck- H. Nicholls c Ahmed b Hasan Ali worth-Lewis system to take a ...... 50 ‘You don’t get to celebrate Test centuries too much unless you’re Steve Smith’ 1-0 lead in the fi ve-game series M. Santner c Rumman Raees b while ending Pakistan’s nine- Mohamed Amir ...... 7 match winning streak in ODIs. T. Southee not out ...... 12 Scorecard With Williamson top scoring T. Astle not out 0 with 115 off 117 balls, New Zea- Extras: (lb3, w7) ...... 10 land posted a daunting total of Total: (for 7 wickets; 50 overs) 315 for seven on a wet and windy ...... 315 day at the Basin Reserve. Fall of wickets: 1-83 (Munro), Pakistan were struggling at 2-156 (Guptill), 3-192 (Taylor), 161-6 in the 31st over when rain 4-198 (Latham), 5-288 (William- forced the players from the fi eld, son), 6-297 (Nicholls), 7-311 (Sant- before play was eventually called ner) off . Pakistan opener Fakhar Za- Bowling: Mohamed Amir 9-2-57- man fi nished unbeaten on 82 but 1 (1w), Rumman Raees 10-0-68-1 received little support from his (2w), Hasan Ali 10-0-61-3, Shadab teammates, who had arrived in Khan 9-0-49-0 (1w), Faheem New Zealand on a roll after win- Ashraf 9-0-58-1 (2w), Fakhar Za- ning last year’s Champions Tro- man 3-0-19-1 phy tournament. Pakistan Southee rocked the tourists Azhar Ali lbw b Southee ...... 6 from the outset of their innings Fakhar Zaman not out ...... 82 England first innings 346 (J. Root 83, D. Malan 62; P. Cum- when he dismissed Azhar Ali Babar Azam lbw b Southee ...... 0 mins 4-80) and Babar Azam, both leg before Mohamed Hafeez c Southee b Australia first innings (overnight 193-2) wicket, in successive deliveries Boult ...... 1 C. Bancroft b Broad ...... 0 in the fi rst over. Shoaib Malik c Latham b D. Warner c Bairstow b Anderson ...... 56 Southee missed out a hat-trick Southee ...... 13 U. Khawaja st Bairstow b Crane ...... 171 but dismissed Shoaib Malik, Sarfraz Ahmed lbw b Astle ...... 8 S. Smith c and b Ali ...... 83 caught behind for 13, after Mo- Shadab Khan c Latham b Boult . S. Marsh not out ...... 98 hammad Hafeez fell to a Trent ...... 28 M. Marsh not out ...... 63 Boult bouncer for one, leaving Faheem Ashraf not out ...... 17 Extras (b2, lb3, w1, nb2) ...... 8 Pakistan in deep trouble at 37-4 Extras: (lb1, w10) ...... 11 Total (4 wickets; 157 overs) ...... 479 long before the rain set in. Total: (for six wickets; 30.1 Fall of wickets: 1-1 (Bancroft), 2-86 (Warner), 3-274 (Smith), After winning the toss and overs) ...... 166 4-375 (Khawaja) opting to bowl fi rst, Pakistan Fall of wickets: 1-6 (Azhar Ali), Bowling: Anderson 30-11-52-1, Broad 23-2-70-1, Ali 37-9-125-1, also had the worst of the weather 2-7 (Babar Azam), 3-13 (Moham- Australia’s batsman Usman Khawaja celebrates his century against England on the third day of the fifth Curran 20-2-71-0 (1w), Crane 39-3-135-1 (2nb), Root 8-3-21-0. while in the fi eld. For more than mad Hafeez), 4-37 (Shoaib Ma- Ashes Test at the SCG in Sydney yesterday. (AFP) 20 overs the umpires kept the lik), 5-54 (Sarfraz Ahmed), 6-132 bails off after they tired of re- (Shadab Khan) Reuters The Marsh brothers com- to enjoy them when they come.” ing off the nine runs he needed victim, beating the bat to leave peatedly replacing them after Bowling: Southee 6.1-0-22-3 Sydney bined for 104 in the fi nal session Smith had already scored to secure his maiden hundred Khawaja stranded and Jonny they were blown away. (2w), Boult 6-1-35-2 (2w), Fergu- and punished England with a three centuries, two of them against England at the start of Bairstow with a simple stump- But the wind did not appear to son 7-0-40-0 (3w), Santner 6-1- fl urry of boundaries in the last unbeaten and one a double, in the day, cutting Moeen for two ing. bother Williamson, who struck 39-0 (3w), Astle 5-0-29-1. sman Khawaja hit a hour as the bowlers tired af- the series and although denied before soaking up the ovation Crane, 20, attracted the ire eight fours and one six in reach- mammoth 171 and ter a long day’s slog in bright a fourth, walked off his home from a crowd largely clad in pink of the crowd with his habit of ing his 10th ODI century after Shaun Marsh was ap- sunshine at the Sydney Cricket ground having amassed 687 in support of Glenn McGrath’s pulling out of his run-up but he was given a life on 26 when proaching his sixth test Ground. runs at an average of 137.4 over cancer charity. kept his head up despite fi nish- dropped by wicketkeeper Sarfraz Ucentury as Australia eased 133 It was Khawaja’s sure hand, the fi ve tests. Spinner Moeen was again ing with fi gures of 1-125. It was Ahmed. runs ahead of England on 479 though, that guided Australia Khawaja had an lbw scare bowling when he reached the a very good day on the decision After sharing a 90-run part- for four after the third day of the past England’s tally of 346 after in the following over but was 150-run mark, two consecutive review system for Australia with nership off 80 balls with Henry fi fth Ashes clash yesterday. Mooen Ali (1-125) had stunned reprieved when TV pictures fours to get over the mark a rare Mitchell Marsh also revers- Nicholls, the end for Williamson Khawaja shared a stand of a packed house by moving the showed Mason Crane had fl ourish in a 381-ball innings ing a late lbw decision after the came in the 48th over when he 188 with captain Steve Smith, apparently unmoveable when bowled a no ball and he other- that contained 18 of them along snicko revealed an inside edge. steered a Rumman Raees deliv- who was dismissed just before he dismissed Smith caught and wise looked assured as he calm- with a solitary six. “It was pretty tough,” said ery to the safe hands of Hasan lunch, and another of 101 with bowled for 83. ly totted up the runs in the face England captain Joe Root Bairstow. “We’re 150 overs into Ali who was central in most of Marsh, who just missed out on “It’s awesome,” Khawaja said of some tight English bowling. came closest to a breakthrough the innings so there’s going the key New Zealand wickets. his second hundred of the series of his innings. “The SCG was A fi ne stroke-player but con- in the second session when to be a few tired bodies but I Colin Munroe (58) and Henry in the over before stumps. where I grew up playing cricket sidered suspect against spin Shaun Marsh, on 22, was given thought the way the guys toiled Nicholls (50) were both caught Marsh will resume on 98 for New South Wales and an bowling, Khawaja has had a out caught behind only for the out there and worked hard was behind off Hasan who also on day four with his brother Ashes century is something I stop-start career in the baggy decision to be reversed when really impressive.” bowled Ross Taylor for 12 to fi n- Mitchell, who was 63 not out, have wanted for a long time and green since making his debut at TV pictures showed a big gap Australia won back the Ashes ish with three for 61. as they look to bat the tourists I haven’t been able to achieve, the SCG in the corresponding between ball and bat. with victories in the fi rst three Martin Guptill, who put on 83 out of the match and set up an so it was very satisfying. Ashes clash eight years ago. It was debutant leg-spinner matches in Brisbane, Adelaide with Munro for the fi rst wicket, New Zealand’s Kane Williamson opportunity for their bowlers “You don’t get to celebrate Crane who fi nally ended the and Perth with the fourth test in was out for 48 to give Fakhar his bats during the first ODI against to secure a win that would give Test centuries too much unless OVATION 31-year-old’s time out in the Melbourne fi nishing in a draw fi rst ODI wicket. Pakistan at the Basin Reserve in Australia a 4-0 series triumph. you’re Steve Smith. You’ve got He wasted no time in knock- middle to claim his fi rst test last week. The second match in the series Wellington yesteday. (AFP) Gulf Times 4 Sunday, January 7, 2018 SPORT

GOLF Al Ahli, Al Gharafa win Leishman, Harman lead at Kapalua Johnson was behind leaders after carding seven birdies in a five-under 68

AFP Los Angeles

arc Leishman and Brian Har- man both birdied the 18th hole on Friday to grab a one- shot second-round lead over Mworld number one Dustin Johnson in the PGA Tour Tournament of Champions in Hawaii. Australia’s Leishman, who held a one-stroke overnight lead, had four bird- ies without a bogey in his four-under 69 Al Ahli beat Al Khor 65-57 in the Qatar Basketball League at the on the Plantation Course at Kapalua. Al Gharafa Indoor Hall yesterday. Below: In another match, He was joined on 10-under par 136 by Al Gharafa cruised past Al Rayyan 80-72. Today, Arabi will take America’s Harman, who had seven bird- on Qatar SC, while Al Shamal face Al Wakrah. ies in a fi ve-under par 68. The leading duo pulled out of a tie with Johnson, who shook off back-to-back bogeys at the third and fourth holes to card seven bird- ies in a fi ve-under 68 that left him on 137. “I got off to a rough start, bogeyed three and four from the middle of the fairway,” Johnson said. “I was hitting some good shots, just didn’t score very well. Birdies at six, eight and nine “got me back in the Brian Harman of the US plays a shot rhythm, and i played a really solid back during the Sentry Tournament of nine,” he added. Champions in Lahaina, Hawaii. (AFP) On another breezy day, Leishman notched the only bogey-free round of the day. He rolled in a 15-foot birdie putt it off ... but a lot of golf to play.” from an opening 75 to seize a share of 13th 137 - Dustin Johnson 69-68 at the par-three second and drained an Harman’s seven birdies included a place, fi ve strokes off the lead. 138 - Pat Perez 72-66, Chris Stroud 72-66, eight-footer at the par-three eighth. He chip-in at the 15th -- which came after Defending champion Justin Thomas Jhonattan Vegas (VEN) 68-70 rolled in another eight-footer for a birdie his fi rst chip failed to reach the green, carded a disappointing two-over 75 that 139 - Jason Dufner 71-68 at the par-four 14th, and at the par-fi ve rolling back toward him. He closed his left him at even par in the 34-man tour- 140 - Hideki Matsuyama (JPN) 70-70, Kevin 18th he missed a 31-footer for eagle by round with a birdie putt from within four nament featuring last season’s tourna- Kisner 70-70, Patrick Cantlay 70-70, Rickie inches and came up with the birdie. feet at the last. Americans Pat Perez and ment winners. Fowler 69-71, Kim Si-Woo (KOR) 69-71 “It was tough,” Leishman said of the Chris Stroud fi red seven-under par 66s LEADING SECOND-ROUND SCORES 141 - Jordan Spieth 75-66, Jon Rahm (ESP) windy conditions. “(I’m) really happy to join Venezuela’s Jhonattan Vegas (70) (USA unless noted, par-73): 71-70, Billy Horschel 70-71 with four birdies, no bogeys. I feel like on 138. Three-time major winner Jordan 136 - Marc Leishman (AUS) 67-69, Brian Har- 143 - Russell Henley 74-69, Daniel Berger when I’m in this position I need to fi nish Spieth also carded a 66, bouncing back man 68-68 73-70

AL-MARRI CLINCHES LUSAIL ENDURANCE CUP

ROUND-UP Qatar beach volleyball team win opener QATAR BEAT ALGERIA IN atar Beach volleyball HANDBALL FRIENDLY team booked their Qatar’s national handball team spot in the second started its campaign in the Qatar Qround of the Nether- International handball friendly lands International Beach vol- tournament on high note, leyball Open (World Tour –four defeating Algeria counterparts stars), following its convincing 20-10 in the opening match held victory over Norway on Friday. at Duhail Arena on Friday. Team Qatar comprising Sher- The home side will play Iran iff Younis and Ahmed Tejan beat in the second match on Tuesday. Norway Oman is the other team in the 13-15. Friday’s victory raised competition. The tournament is Qatar’s points tally to 4 to sit at being held as the national team the top of group eight. prepares for the Asian men’s The prestigious event is Handball Championship to be bringing together 32 teams from held from 18-28 January in South Netherlands, France Latvia, Korea. The Asian Championship Germany, Poland, Switzerland, acts as a qualifying tournament Italy, Finland, USA, Russia, Bra- for the prestigious 2019 IHF zil, Australia, Slovenia, Belgium, Handball World Champion- Winners of the Lusail Endurance Cup pose with the trophies and off icials. Abdullah Salem al-Marri won event with horse AR Veinte. The trophies were given away by Qatar Canada, Austria, Argentina, ship, which will take place in Endurance Committee general manager Amer Mohamed al-Humaidi. Czech Republic and Norway. Germany and Denmark.

FOCUS Workers Cricket Festival a grand success as Q-Con triumph By Sports Reporter Doha

-Con Qatar defeated Sea- shore by eight wickets to win the Qatar Cricket Association organised Workers Cricket FestivalQ at Al Khor Barwa Workers Community Complex on Friday. Twen- ty teams applied to play the tournament but only 12 could be accommodated as the event had to be wound up the same day. Matches were fi ve-overs-a-side and played on a knockout basis. Qatar Rugby, Hockey and Cricket Federation (QRHCF) President Yousef Jeham al-Kuwari inaugurated the event early morning in the presence of other offi cials and hundreds of spectators, mostly workers engaged in diff erent projects related to the 2022 FIFA World Cup. Many of the participants were workers engaged in the construction of the Al Khor World Cup Stadium. Winners Q-Con Qatar pose with their medals on Friday. Manzoor Ahmed, operations manager for cricket at the Qatar Rugby, “We are holding the tournament to Hockey and Cricket Federation is also seen in the picture. acknowledge the tremendous contri- bution of the workers to the develop- eff ort to make the workers involved large numbers of expatriates, especially more cricketing infrastructure, in- ment of Qatar, especially their eff orts in football projects feel welcome and from India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and cluding a proper academy,” al-Kuwari Qatar Rugby, Hockey and Cricket Federation President Yousef Jeham al-Kuwari in helping with the infrastructure for wanted,” he added. Al-Kuwari admit- Bangladesh playing the game wherever added. He said developing the national inaugurating the Workers Cricket Festival at Al Khor on Friday. the FIFA World Cup,” al-Kuwari told ted that in terms of sheer numbers they can fi nd open spaces.” team was also a priority. “As you are Gulf Times. “It is part of our Corporate cricket was the number one sport in He said his association was serious aware Qatar qualifi ed for the ICC World In the fi nal of Friday’s event Seashore eas of Qatar to honour the workers. The Social Responsibility to recognise their Qatar. “Undoubtedly, when it comes to about introducing the game to Qataris. Cricket League Division Five. We want scored 55 runs in their fi ve overs, which winners and runners-up received med- eff orts and reward them. Even though the public participation nothing beats “That is defi nitely on our agenda. We to improve our standing even further Q-Con Qatar easily overcame with als and cash prizes. Prizes were given our federation is not connected with cricket in Qatar and also in the region. would like to involve them in the game. and we are continuously making eff orts eight wickets to spare. Al-Kuwari said away by Manzoor Ahmed, operations football we decided to make a humble It is pretty evident when you see the Towards that end we plan to develop to achieve that goal.” similar events will be held in other ar- manager of the federation. Gulf Times Sunday, January 7, 2018 5 SPORT

NHL Jarry posts shutout as Penguins beat Islanders

Reuters Meanwhile, Reilly Smith scored a falo in Winnipeg, Manitoba. ing goal on the power play with 11:57 Pittsburgh breakaway goal with 6:05 remaining Dustin Byfuglien and Bryan Little remaining in the third period, leading to give the Vegas Golden Knights a 5-4 each added a goal for the Jets, who im- Detroit past visiting Florida. victory over the Chicago Blackhawks proved to 4-0-1 in the past fi ve games. The Red Wings extended their he Pittsburgh Penguins scored on Friday in Chicago. Buff alo’s Marco Scandella got his season-best winning streak to four three goals in the second pe- Jonathan Marchessault, William fi rst goal of the season, and Johan games. The Panthers lost their sec- riod Friday night and went on Karlsson, Alex Tuch and Cody Eakin Larsson and Scott Wilson each posted ond in a row after a fi ve-game winning to beat the reeling New York also scored goals for the Pacifi c Divi- a goal. The Sabres’ Jason Pominville streak ended against the Minnesota TIslanders at Barclays Center, 4-0. sion-leading Golden Knights. Smith and Evan Rodrigues had two assists Wild on Tuesday. Daniel Sprong opened the scoring added two assists as Vegas rebound- apiece. Detroit also got goals from Andreas in the second and added an insurance ed from its fi rst loss in 35 days in St Matt Duchene scored seven seconds Athanaiou, Tomas Tatar and Gustav goal in the third. Evgeni Malkin and Louis on Thursday night, a setback into overtime, giving Ottawa a come- Nyqvist. Michael Matheson and Ale- Sidney Crosby scored later in the sec- that stopped an eight-game winning from-behind, 6-5 victory over visiting ksander Barkov scored for Florida. ond for the Penguins (21-19-3), whose streak. San Jose. Visiting Pittsburgh scored three fi fth win in the last 13 games pulled Vegas’ Malcolm Subban stopped 28 Duchene won the overtime’s open- goals in the second period and went on them within a point of the idle Caro- shots for his seventh consecutive win. ing faceoff , then scored at the end of to beat reeling New York. lina Hurricanes for the second Eastern Vinnie Hinostroza, Patrick Sharp, a two-on-one with Mike Hoff man. Daniel Sprong opened the scoring Conference wild card spot. Nick Schmaltz and Jonathan Toews Duchene fi nished with two goals and in the second and added an insurance Crosby had assists on the Penguins’ scored for Chicago, which rallied from one assist. Hoff man added one goal goal in the third. Evgeni Malkin and other three goals, and goalie Tristan 2-0 and 3-1 defi cits to take a 4-3 lead and three assists, while Mark Stone Sidney Crosby scored later in the sec- Jarry stopped all 31 shots he faced in early in the third period on Toews’ goal had a goal plus two helpers for Ottawa. ond for the Penguins, who earned their recording his second career shutout. Tristan Jarry stopped all 31 shots he faced in recording his second career shutout. before the Golden Knights rallied to Tomas Hertl scored two goals for the fi fth win in the past 13 games. The Islanders (20-18-4) have lost a pull it out. Sharks, who led 4-1 and then seemed Crosby had assists on the Penguins’ season-high fi ve straight games, dur- even bigger loss in the second period second star honours in December. Jacob Trouba and Blake Wheeler to be in control with a 5-2 edge head- other three goals, and goalie Tristan ing which they’ve been outscored 25- when star centre Josh Bailey left with a Islanders goalie Jaroslav Halak re- both fi nished with a goal and an assist ing into the third period. Jarry stopped all 31 shots he faced in 8. New York may have absorbed an lower body injury. Bailey earned NHL corded 34 saves. as Winnipeg scored a victory over Buf- Anthony Mantha scored a tiebreak- recording his second career shutout.

NBA SPOTLIGHT LaVar Ball predicts all three sons will be Celtics stumble on Lakers in 2020

Reuters Los Angeles

ark it on your cal- past Timberwolves endars: All three Ball brothers will be playing for the Marcus Smart had 18 points off the bench to pace the Celtics MLos Angeles Lakers in 2020. So says LaVar Ball. Agencies past visiting Phoenix. The Spurs While making yet another New York topped the Suns for the third time media appearance in Lithua- in three meetings this season. nia, where sons LiAngelo and A 17-8 Spurs run over the fi rst LaMelo are playing profes- he Celtics and Timber- six minutes of the fourth quarter sionally, the outspoken Ball wolves both hovered expanded an eight-point lead to father was asked by a reporter under 40% shooting for 97-78 and turned a game that had when his sons would join old- most of the night before been very competitive through 36 est brother Lonzo on the Lak- TBoston pulled away in the fourth minutes into a runaway. ers. quarter to capture a 91-84 vic- Bryn Forbes added 16 points for But because LaVar Ball isn’t good. Most notably, son Li- tory over visiting Minnesota. San Antonio. Devin Booker paced just any basketball dad, the Angelo in November was ar- Marcus Smart had 18 points the Suns with 21 points. proclamation went beyond rested with two UCLA team- off the bench to pace the Celt- simply calling out a year. In- mates in China for allegedly ics. Kyrie Irving fi nished with 16 Bulls 127, Mavericks 124 stead, LaVar signed a Lakers shoplifting. A couple weeks points (on 6-of-16 shooting) and Kris Dunn had a career-high 32 hat the reporter was wearing later, the Lakers implemented eight assists and Aron Baynes points and Justin Holiday added 23 (he was also wearing a Lakers the “LaVar Ball rule,” changing doubled up with 11 points and 10 points and made fi ve 3-pointers as shirt) with the inscription of the rules for how media con- rebounds. Chicago beat visiting Dallas. 2020. duct interviews because of the Boston (32-10) followed up its Lauri Markkanen had 16 points That is the year LaMelo, large crowds the Ball patriarch 102-88 thumping of the defend- and David Nwaba had 13 for the now 16, would be eligible for attracts at games. ing Eastern Conference champion Bulls, who held on despite a late the NBA draft. LiAngelo is But all three Ball Bros. on Cleveland Cavaliers at home on scare to break a three-game los- draft-eligible this year and, as the same court? Just how good Wednesday with its fi fth straight ing streak. They have won 11 of LaVar told the reporter, “’Gelo could they be? As LaVar told victory. The Celtics won despite their past 16 games. Wesley Mat- will be this year.” the Lithuanian media after shooting 40.4 %. thews had 24 points and made fi ve Of course, LaVar Ball is no signing the hat: Karl-Anthony Towns had 25 3-pointers and Harrison Barnes stranger to making headlines. “All my boys are good. Two points and 23 rebounds, Jimmy had 23 points for the Mavericks, But the founder of Big Baller of them together? Awesome. Butler scored 14 and Jamal Craw- who have lost their past two after a Brand and his kids have been Three of them together? Un- ford had 13 off the bench for the four-game winning streak. making headlines off the court beatable.” Timberwolves. Minnesota, which recently, and not all of them Good luck, NBA. shot 36.8 %, lost its 12th consecu- TRAIL BLAZERS 110, HAWKS tive game in Boston. 89 Using balanced scoring and sol- NFL WIZARDS 102, GRIZZLIES 100 id defense, Portland pulled away John Wall and Bradley Beal took from the visiting Atlanta in the turns torching Memphis, com- second half. bining for 59 points as Washing- CJ McCollum led seven double- Gruden to coach ton won at Memphis, Tenn. fi gure scorers for the Blazers with Beal tallied 34 points on just 20 points, adding six assists and 18 shot attempts, hitting the four rebounds. Raiders in record 30-point mark for the seventh Dennis Schroder scored 14 time this year. He also chipped in points but made just 5 of 14 fi eld- fi ve assists. Wall needed only 16 goal tries for Atlanta, while Taure- $100mn deal shot attempts to score 25 points, an Price added 11 points and eight and he added nine assists. rebounds. Tyreke Evans scored 26 points AFP and dished out seven assists to 76ERS 114, PISTONS 78 San Francisco pace the Grizzlies. Marc Gasol Joel Embiid scored 23 points and contributed 17 points, 11 re- collected nine rebounds, JJ Redick bounds, fi ve blocks and fi ve as- added 21 points, and Philadelphia on Gruden will leave sists. routed visiting Detroit. the ESPN commentary Ben Simmons contributed 19 booth and return to the Heat 107, Knicks 103 (OT) points and nine assists, Timo- NFL coaching ranks for Josh Richardson hit two free the Luwawu-Cabarrot scored theJ longest and largest con- throws with 25.7 seconds left in 13 points while Dario Saric and tract for any coach in league overtime, and James Johnson Robert Covington had 11 each for history, according to multiple added two more with 7.2 remain- the 76ers, who won their fourth reports Friday. ing to give Miami a victory over straight game. ESPN and the NFL Network visiting New York. Wayne Elling- The Pistons played without reported that former Oak- ton led six Miami players in dou- guard Reggie Jackson (sprained land Raiders head coach Gru- ble fi gures with a game-high 24 right ankle), and it was obvious den will return to the Raiders points, including a 3-pointer that how much they missed him. To- with a 10-year contract worth gave the Heat a 100-99 lead in bias Harris led Detroit with 14 $100mn. capped a disappointing 6-10 overtime. The win was the Heat’s points. Raiders owner Mark Davis campaign. third in a row and put Miami four is also expected to sign four- In 11 NFL seasons as a head games over.500 for the fi rst time HORNETS 108, LAKERS 94 year deals with top assistants, coach, Gruden is 95-81. He in two years. Kemba Walker had 19 points, according to the reports, that served as an assistant coach Courtney Lee scored 24 points seven assists and four steals as one will keep them in place as the for the Green Bay Packers be- to lead the Knicks, who lost for the of six Hornets to score in double club prepares for a move to Las fore taking command of the seventh time in eight games. They digits, helping Charlotte roll past Vegas after the 2018 season. Raiders in 1998. fell to 3-14 on the road. Former Minnesota Timberwolves forward Nemanja Bjelica (8) shoots over Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum host Los Angeles. The Raiders will reportedly After going 40-28 in four Heat draft pick Michael Beasley during the first half at TD Garden. PICTURE: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports Jeremy Lamb scored 17 points introduce Gruden at a Tuesday seasons at Oakland, Gruden added 20 points, 11 of them in the and Marvin Williams added 16 news conference. replaced the fi red Tony Dungy fourth quarter. minutes off the bench. He added ing a two-point halftime lead into for the Hornets, who went 3-1 on Gruden, 54, is the brother of as coach of the Tampa Bay seven rebounds. Denver’s Jamal RAPTORS 129, BUCKS 110 a comfortable, 26-point cushion a four-game road swing through Jay Gruden, who coaches the Buccaneers in 2002 as part of a NUGGETS 99, JAZZ 91 Murray also scored 26 points while Serge Ibaka scored 21 points heading into the fourth. Milwau- California. Dwight Howard re- NFL Washington Redskins. trade deal that saw the Raiders Denver took control of a back- hitting 6 of 7 3-point attempts. while DeMar DeRozan and Jo- kee’s Giannis Antetokounmpo had corded 15 points and 10 rebounds Jon Gruden was hired in 2009 receive two fi rst-round NFL and-forth aff air against visiting Derrick Favors fi nished with nas Valanciunas fi nished with 20 17 of his team-leading 24 in the for his 21st double-double of the to serve as a commentator on Draft picks, two second-round Utah in the third quarter. The 14 points, 10 rebounds and three points each as Toronto extended fi rst half. Malcolm Brogdon added season. Lakers rookie Lonzo Ball ESPN’s “Monday Night Foot- choices and $8mn. game featured seven ties and 13 blocks for Utah. Rookie Dono- its winning streak to four games 19 off the bench, and Eric Bledsoe returned from a six-game ab- ball.” Gruden guided the Bucca- lead changes prior to the Nuggets van Mitchell, who was initially with a rout of host Milwaukee. fi nished with 17 for Bucks. sence caused by a left shoulder in- Gruden, who began his neers to the 2003 Super Bowl outscoring the Jazz 38-16 in the drafted by the Nuggets before DeRozan was held to fi ve points jury but couldn’t prevent his team coaching career with the Raid- title, defeating Oakland 48-21 third. his rights were traded to the Jazz, on 1-of-5 shooting in the opening SPURS 103, SUNS 89 from taking its ninth consecutive ers in 1998, will replace Jack in the championship contest. Facing his former team, Trey had 15 points, seven rebounds and half but exploded for 14 in the third Manu Ginobili scored a season- loss. Ball had 11 points, fi ve assists, Del Rio, who was fi red follow- He spent seven seasons with Lyles sparked the Nuggets with fi ve assists, and Ricky Rubio also quarter. The Raptors outscored high 21 points and Kawhi Leonard four rebounds and just one turno- ing a season-ending loss to Tampa Bay before being fi red a career-high 26 points in 28 scored 15 points. the Bucks 43-19 in the third, turn- also hit for 21 as San Antonio blew ver in 27 minutes. the Los Angeles Chargers that in January 2009. Gulf Times 6 Sunday, January 7, 2018 SPORT

NFL SPOTLIGHT N Korea ‘likely’ to join Winter Games, Saints look to beat says IOC offi cial Panthers for third time this season Panthers coach Ron Rivera says controlling the clock is the key to the game

AFP in 1953. Beijing Seoul and organisers are keen for the North to take part in the Games to help ease worsening orth Korea’s Olym- tensions on the Korean penin- pic representative said sula stemming from Kim’s con- yesterday the reclu- frontation with the world over sive nation was “likely his country’s nuclear and missile Nto participate” in next month’s programmes. Winter Games in South Korea, In recent months, North Korea Kyodo news agency reported, in has held multiple missile launch- the latest sign of a thaw in Ko- es and its sixth and most power- rean tensions. ful nuclear test — purportedly The comments by Chang Ung, of a hydrogen bomb — in viola- Pyongyang’s representative to tion of UN resolutions banning the International Olympic Com- such activity by the reclusive mittee (IOC), come a day after nation. the North and South agreed to The region has been further hold rare talks next week and rattled by tit-for-tat threats hours after Seoul and Washing- and insults between Kim and US ton announced they would post- President Donald Trump. pone joint military exercises that But the new year has wit- rile North Korea. nessed a marked softening of The Japanese news agency said tone on both sides. Chang made the brief comment Seoul has reacted warmly to to reporters during a stopover at Kim’s Olympic overture and the Beijing’s international airport. two Koreas this past week re- Kyodo said Chang was be- stored a cross-border hotline lieved to be travelling to Switzer- that had been shut down since land, where the IOC is based. 2016 and agreed to hold high- It quoted unnamed sources level talks next week — the fi rst saying the trip may be aimed since 2015. at meeting with the IOC to Those talks are expected to discuss the North’s potential focus on matters including the participation in the Games at North’s Olympic participation. Pyeongchang. Also in recent days, the United North Korean leader Kim States and South Korea agreed Jong-un said in a new year to delay their joint military ex- speech that his country wished ercises until after the Olympics, success for the Olympics, to be apparently to ease the situation held from February 9-25, and with Pyongyang. would consider sending a del- The regular joint drills have The New Orleans Saints and Carolina Panthers egation. been criticised by some as add- both have a chance to win the NFC South. The two Koreas have been sep- ing to regional tensions, particu- Photo: Reuters/Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY arated by the world’s most heav- larly by Beijing and Moscow who Sports ily militarised border since the have both called for them to be Korean War ended in a stalemate suspended.

Reuters every level of the fi eld on any given play. running game back inside to Davis and taking him down in some respects. Charlotte The Saints rushed for 297 yards in their Kuechly, while helping heat up the pocket “You try to fi nd a way to limit him,” FIGURE SKATING two victories over the Panthers this sea- to avoid letting Brees play pitch and catch Kuechly said. “It’s diffi cult. He’s Drew son and in their 11 victories, averaged with wide receiver Michael Thomas. Brees for a reason. But if you can get guys or the third time this season, the 151.3 rushing yards. In its fi ve losses, New “They thrive on a lot of diff erent looks,” up in front of him, it helps you a little bit.” New Orleans Saints and Caro- Orleans averaged 81.2 yards. Brees said. Quarterback Cam Newton guided the Tennell wins US lina Panthers today take the fi eld “They’re putting both guys on the fi eld The Saints aren’t rich in playoff expe- Panthers to a win at New England back against one another. Only this at the same time now,” Rivera said of In- rience, but Brees kept the message con- in Week 4, but against the Saints he was time,F it will be the fi rst-ever all-NFC gram and Kamara. “So they can pretty stant for his younger teammates. not consistent. He did, however, cor- title as Nagasu South playoff game. much do anything with those running “I prepare like every game could be our rectly predict after the loss Dec. 4 to the The Saints swept the regular-season backs.” last, or it’s a playoff game or I have some- Saints that the Panthers would “see that series, including a dominant 21-point Panthers linebacker Luke Kuechly said thing to prove — that I’ve got an edge,” team again.” fi nds redemption win in September, and went on to win the the pressure falls on the second level of Brees said. “It’s not like, ‘Oh, the playoff s This time he’ll have tight end Greg only division sending three teams to the the Carolina defense to stop plays for are here, let’s ramp it up.’ Things are a Olsen, who missed the fi rst two match- postseason (Atlanta Falcons). minimal gains when the opportunity little more important. It’s always impor- ups with a broken foot. But he also must Panthers coach Ron Rivera bluntly arises. In their 31-21 Week 13 loss to the tant. So for me the preparation is no dif- shake off any remnants from one of the summed up the key to the game in three Saints, the Panthers had 12 missed tack- ferent.” worst games of his career last week. New- words: “Control the clock.” les. Defensive tackles Kawann Short and ton, who is 3-3 in his postseason career, The concept is easier to describe than “This week, we’ve got to make sure Star Lotuleilei don’t have the 11 sacks posted a 31.5 passer rating in a 22-10 loss execute, especially against the Saints. that we’re really, really good about set- Peppers does this season, but collapsing to the Falcons. Still capable of quick-strike off ense with ting our feet, and making solid tackles,” the improved Saints’ off ensive line is a big “This is when the real football starts,” Drew Brees behind center, the Saints are linebacker Thomas Davis said. part of their responsibility. Short has two Newton said. “This is where you’re made also one of the best off enses in the NFL at Davis is playing in his 11th playoff sacks in 10 career games against Brees, or you’re broke — and I look forward to meticulously picking apart a defense with game, and defensive end Julius Peppers — who is completing 72 % of his passes this these moments because it brings out the methodical, clock-chewing drives. who also went to the postseason with the season. New Orleans allowed only 20 best in the individual because there is so Running backs Alvin Kamara and Mark Bears and Packers — will make his NFC- sacks in 16 games. much pressure. And we all know pressure Ingram each surpassed 1,500 yards from high 19th postseason appearance. It falls But Rivera and Short both stressed does one of two things. We’re hoping to scrimmage, giving Brees outlets at almost to the 37-year-old Peppers to funnel the “moving” Brees is more important than shine like diamonds on Sunday.”

RALLYING

Reuters tion for the 2014 team was con- San Jose troversial, again fi nished fourth but is unlikely to be selected Giants interview Patriots DC again this year after a poor sea- radie Tennell almost son. certainly qualifi ed for Wagner had been given the next month’s Winter third spot in the US team in Olympics when she won 2014, despite fi nishing fourth at Patricia for head-coaching job theB US fi gure skating champion- the nationals, which had almost ships title on Friday as Mirai Na- forced Nagasu to quit the sport. Reuters candidates later in the process. tal. Patricia’s 2016 defense finished as gasu achieved redemption four The 24-year-old Nagasu, New York The Giants kicked off the interviews the No. 1 scoring defense in the NFL by years after her Olympic dream however, ignited the crowd on on Wednesday by sitting down with in- allowing only 15.6 points per game. was shattered. Friday with her athletic per- terim head coach Steve Spagnuolo, who Patricia originally joined the Patri- Tennell performed a near formance and burst into tears of he New York Giants interviewed replaced a fired Ben McAdoo on Dec. 4. ots in 2004 as a coaching assistant and fl awless routine in the free skate relief on completing a routine New England Patriots defen- Patricia, 43, has been a member of the the next season he served as assistant in San Jose, California to in- that started with a triple Axel sive co-ordinator Matt Patricia New England coaching staff since 2004 offensive line coach. In 2006, Patricia crease her margin after starting before she received an ovation on Friday for their vacant head- and the team’s defensive coordinator for shifted to the Patriots’ defensive staff, in front following Wednesday’s that lasted more than a minute Tcoaching job. the last six seasons. spending five seasons as the linebackers short programme. and embraced coach Tom Zakra- Patricia met with Giants president Patricia has been with the Patriots for coach and one year coaching the safe- She scored 145.72 points to jsek as she left the ice. and co-owner John Mara, new general three of their five Super Bowl victories, ties. fi nish on 219.51. Nagasu was sec- “Being left off the team (in manager Dave Gettleman and assist- as well as their losses to the Giants in The Giants were scheduled to in- ond on 213.84. The 18-year-old 2014) has pushed me to become ant general manager Kevin Abrams in Super Bowls XLII and XLVI. terview recently fired Denver Broncos Karen Chen fi nished a distant a stronger skater,” she had said Foxborough, Mass., as the Patriots have This season, the Patriots’ defense running backs coach Eric Studesville on third on 198.59 to likely claim the beforehand. “It was a very hard a first-round playoff bye that allows ranked 29th in the NFL in yards allowed Thursday, but a snowstorm forced the third spot on the American team thing to accept.” their coaching staff to be interviewed (366.0), but a much more impressive team to postpone the meeting. He will for the Pyeongchang Games. The championships contin- this week. fifth in scoring defense (18.5 points a meet with the Giants next week. “I think the sky’s the limit for ue on Saturday as 18-year-old The Giants’ executives also are ex- game). Only one of the Patriots’ final 12 The Giants also plan to interview me,” said 19-year-old Tennell. Nathan Chen takes a big lead pected to interview Patriots offensive opponents scored more than 24 points. Minnesota Vikings offensive coordi- “I’d been doing clean programs into the men’s free skate, while coordinator Josh McDaniels later Friday. For the second season in a row, New nator Pat Shurmur and Philadelphia all season so I had a really good the husband-and-wife team of The Giants said team chairman and England allowed just six rushing touch- Eagles defensive co-ordinator Jim base.” Chris and Alexa Knierim lead co-owner Steve Tisch will meet the downs, the league’s second-lowest to- Schwartz this weekend. Ashley Wagner, whose selec- heading into the pairs free skate. Gulf Times Sunday, January 7, 2018 7 FOOTBALL

SERIE A Mourinho hits back at Conte, raises Napoli stay top, Lazio’s match-fi xing Manchester, United Kingdom: obviously a strong answer and Jose Mourinho intensified his I don’t blame.” war of words with Chelsea The United boss — no manager Antonio Conte in stranger to controversy — then Immobile hits four bizarre fashion after his team’s changed tack and referenced FA Cup victory over Derby on match-fixing. “What has never Friday night, apparently refer- happened to me and will never encing a match-fixing scandal happen is to be suspended for Both Napoli goals came in the second half against dogged Verona in Italy. The Manchester United match-fixing. That never hap- manager was responding to pened to me and it will never AFP comments made by Conte happen.” Milan earlier in the day in which he The surprising reference to appeared to make disparaging “match-fixing” drew a follow-up statements about Mourinho. question as to whether it was apoli cemented their position The Italian was even directly aimed at Conte. The as Serie A leaders and kept the interpreted as suggesting Chelsea boss was acquitted of pressure on champions Juven- that the United manager may sporting fraud charges in 2016. tus with a 2-0 win over Ve- be suff ering from “dementia” Prosecutors had requested a Nrona yesterday as Ciro Immobile scored after Mourinho had made a six-month suspended sentence four for Lazio in a 5-2 thriller at strug- reference, 24 hours earlier, to following accusations he failed gling SPAL. Bottom club Benevento won his own behaviour and the fact to report episodes of match- just their second Serie A game by beat- that he no longer acts “like a fixing while in charge at Serie B ing Sampdoria 3-2 while AC Milan and clown”. side Siena in 2011. Genoa also had welcome wins in the fi nal Initially, Mourinho appeared The former Italy manager round of games before Italy’s two-week to be backing Conte following — who has always denied any winter break. the furore caused by his words wrongdoing — served a four- Both Napoli goals came in the second on Thursday — only then to month ban in relation to the af- half against dogged Verona, with Kalidou make the reference to match- fair in 2012. But when mention Koulibaly breaking the deadlock after 65 fixing. “I was asked about my was made of the accusations minutes in Naples and Jose Callejon seal- passion and, you know, I was against Conte, Mourinho said: ing the win 13 minutes later. speaking about myself and “Did he? Not me.” Napoli have 51 points from 20 games — then the question to the Chel- Mourinho’s reference to that four clear of Juventus who were playing at sea manager was that I said controversy was just the latest Cagliari late last night — with Inter Mi- he behaved like a clown,” said twist in a verbal spat between lan a distant third, nine points behind the Mourinho. the managers that seemed to leaders after a 1-1 in Fiorentina on Friday. “Probably the journalist have reached a climax earlier AS Roma could have joined Luciano wanted to say that but didn’t in the day when Conte was Spalletti’s Inter on 42 points but lost to have the courage so he said quizzed by reporters. The most Atalanta 1-2in Rome, but they still have a ‘Mourinho said you behaved contentious of Conte’s com- game in hand. like a clown’. I don’t blame the ments came when he used an Lazio — also with a game in hand — are Chelsea manager at all and I Italian expression, “demenza just two points behind Inter in fourth af- understand his reaction. I was senile” — senile dementia. ter their seven-goal spectacular in Fer- speaking about myself, saying “I think he (Mourinho) has to rara. Immobile is having another great I don’t need to behave like a see himself in the past, maybe season at Lazio after scoring 23 times last clown to show passion.” he was speaking about himself campaign, and fi red in four to move two Mourinho referred to his in the past, yeah?” said Conte. ahead of Inter’s Mauro Icardi at the top of Napoli’s Jose Callejon (right) is fouled by Verona’s Mohamed Fares during the Serie A match yesterday. (Reuters) managerial antics earlier in “Maybe sometimes, someone the Serie A scorers charts, with 20 goals his career and said he had not forgets what they said or his in 19 games. started better,” said the Italy defender of Torino just their second win in their last ITALIAN SERIE A RESULTS lost his passion. “I celebrated behaviour and sometimes I Spaniard Luis Alberto opened for Lazio Milan who are on 28 points in eleventh nine matches. Torino 3 (De Silvestri 38, Niang 53, Falque 85) goals running 50 metres, I think there is, I don’t know the after just fi ve minutes with Immobile position. The derby improved our confi - Torino are tenth, level on points with Bologna 0 celebrated goals sliding on my name, ‘demenza senile’, when bagging a brace in either half. Mirco An- dence, our self-belief, and you could see Milan, with Bologna three places below Napoli 2 (Koulibaly 65, Callejón 78) Verona 0 knees, celebrations jumping in you are a bit...” tenucci had pulled SPAL level twice, the that by how we took risks.” after their fourth defeat in their last fi ve Benevento 3 (Coda 69, 84, Brignola 90+1) the crowd. I’m not free of that, Conte tapped his temple fi rst from the spot on eight minutes and Benevento’s win was their second in a games. Mazzarri’s predecessor Sinisa Sampdoria 2 (Caprari 45+1, Kownacki 90+4) especially if we score a winning as he spoke, and was asked the second after half an hour. “It’s a mag- row after beating Chievo last week, with Mihajlovic was sacked after a 2-0 Italian Genoa 1 (Galabinov 80) Sassuolo 0 goal in a specific moment I am to clarify his comment. “It is ic time for us,” said Immobile. “My goals Massimo Coda’s brace giving them a 3-2 Cup defeat to Juventus midweek. SPAL 2 (Antenucci 8-pen, 30) Lazio 5 (Al- not free to have an out-of- like amnesia, when you can’t come thanks to everyone’s work, there win over 10-man Sampdoria, while An- “If I came back to Italy it’s because I berto 5, Immobile 19, 26, 41, 50) control reaction. What I was remember things,” he said. were perfect assists on the fi rst three. drey Galabinov scored late to move Genoa felt fi re in my belly again,” said the former AC Milan 1 (Bonucci 54) Crotone 0 trying to say that I behave bad Chelsea later tried to distance We can now enjoy the holidays after this away from the relegation zone with a 1-0 Inter Milan and Napoli coach, who man- AS Roma 1 (Dzeko 56) Atalanta 2 (Cornelius a few times and this moment I Conte from claims he had sug- win.” at Sassuolo. aged English Premier League club Wat- 14, Marten de Roon 19) control myself better. It doesn’t gested his rival has demen- Captain Leonardo Bonucci headed in Earlier former Watford boss Walter ford last season. “In the last two days it Played Friday mean my passion is not the tia, saying he simply meant his fi rst AC Milan goal to see off Crotone Mazzarri got off to a winning start as new was full immersion, I did not sleep. I’m Chievo 1 (Radovanovic 9) Udinese 1 (To- same. So wrong question and amnesia. 1-0 win at San Siro, further boosting the Torino coach with a 3-0 home win over happy, it’s clear, anyone who knows me movic 41-og) struggling side after their Italian Cup win Bologna. Lorenzo De Silvestri, M’Baye well will know that between winning and Fiorentina 1 (Simeone 90+1) Inter Milan 1 over Inter. “The new year could not have Niang and Iago Falque all scored to give losing really changes my mood.” (Icardi 55)

LA LIGA Costa sent off aft er scoring Atletico winner

AFP ness. He frightens opponents too,” said Madrid Atletico Coach Diego Simeone after the game. “The referee was unable to con- sider the emotional aspect (of Costa’s be- tletico Madrid unleashed Di- haviour), the rules are the rules,” he said. ego Costa in La Liga yesterday Simeone’s side looked as hard to beat and the controversial centre- as ever — with just eight goals conceded forward scored the winner be- and one defeat in 18 league games — but foreA being sent off in a 2-0 home win over they have scored only 27 with Griezmann regional rivals Getafe. Atletico’s transfer struggling to fi nd the net, hitting just fi ve ban ended last week and Costa was play- league goals so far. ing his fi rst league game since rejoining Atletico haven’t won La Liga since the Spanish club from Chelsea. Costa left for London, where he won two The 2-0 win, in which France star An- Premier League titles in three years af- toine Griezmann set up the opener for ter rifl ing the Madrid club to their tenth Angel Correa on 18 minutes, lifts Atletico league championship with 27 goals. into second, six points behind Barcelona who play Levante today. Atletico stay two RESULTS points clear of third-placed Valencia, Atletico Madrid 2 (Correa 18, Costa 67) who are on 37 points after coming back Atletico Madrid’s Diego Costa (left) gestures beside teammate Diego Godin (centre) Getafe 0; Valencia 2 (Ramalho 27-og, Parejo from an early defi cit to beat Girona 2-1 after being shown a red card for celebrating a goal with supporters during the match 48-pen) Girona 1 (Portu 8) thanks to a fi rst-half Janos Ramalho own against Getafe CF at the Wanda Metropolitano stadium in Madrid. (AFP) Playing today goal and Daniel Parejo’s penalty three Leganes v Real Sociedad (1100); Barcelona minutes after the break. low cross to put his side 2-0 up and im- perplexed by the decision but his border- v Levante (1515); Villarreal v Deportivo La Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho (left) has continued Costa had been lively the whole match mediately earned a second yellow for line style of play may inject some much Coruna (1730); Athletic Bilbao v Alaves his feud with Chelsea boss Antonio Conte by saying he will never and received a yellow card for a foul in the leaping into the stands to celebrate with needed bite to the Atletico forward line. Celta Vigo v Real Madrid (1945) be "suspended for match-fixing". (AFP) 62nd minute. Five minutes later he met a fans.The brooding striker looked totally “His presence gives us speed and direct- Playing Monday: Malaga v Espanyol (2000)

ROUND-UP Tevez leaves China, signs for Boca Juniors for third time ormer Manchester United and Juventus euros) on Friday. The forward, who has scored problem during the pre-match warmup before striker Carlos Tevez agreed a move back 41 goals in 96 Turkish Super Lig games since Ajax played German club Werder Bremen, in to boyhood club Boca Juniors on Friday the start of the 2014-15 season, said boss Sam Austria. Questions remain over when cardiac after 12 months in Chinese football Allardyce was a key factor in his decision to resuscitation was fi rst administered. withF Shanghai Shenhua, the Argentine team move to the Premier League. Television images suggest that it was “cer- announced. “Tevez is coming home! He joined Allardyce is excited to have landed the tainly not for at least the fi rst fi ve minutes” the team today and is already training with Besiktas player, who will boost his options up after the arrival of the club doctor on the scene. his teammates,” Boca said on its various social front, where they have been short since Romelu Nouri was hospitalised in intensive care in media accounts alongside a photo of the player Lukaku left the club in the summer to join Innsbruck, Austria, before being transferred to working out in a gym. It will be the 33-year- Manchester United. Tosun, 26, has scored eight a hospital in Amsterdam. He left intensive care old’s third spell at Boca Juniors. goals for Turkey in 25 appearances. at the end of July but remains in a “very low He was pictured in the gym wearing a Boca state of consciousness.” . team shirt although the club did not reveal the NOURI’S FAMILY PRESS AJAX value of the transfer. Tevez had already negoti- OVER BRAIN DAMAGE BRAZILIAN WENDEL SIGNS ated what jersey he will wear at the Buenos The family of Ajax midfi elder Abdelhak Nouri, FOR SPORTING LISBON Aires club — number 32. who suff ered lasting brain damage after col- Midfi eld prodigy Marcus Wendel joined Sport- Tevez joined Shenhua in January last year lapsing before a friendly in July, wants the club ing Lisbon from Brazilian club Fluminense on an estimated 730,000 euros a week salary, to clarify the level of support it will provide, yesterday despite having been widely linked making him one of the world’s highest-paid Carlos Tevez trains with teammates after joining Boca Juniors in Buenos Aires on Friday. (AFP) Dutch media reported yesterday. At the request with Paris Saint-Germain. players. Tevez scored only four goals in the of the young footballer’s relatives, lawyer John The 20-year-old’s agent had said in Decem- Chinese championship during an injury- in Shanghai a year ago to a hero’s welcome and EVERTON SIGN TURKEY Beer is investigating the circumstances of the ber his client had agreed terms to join PSG, marred season in which he missed the Chinese was touted as a symbol of football’s fast rise in STRIKER CENK TOSUN incident. He said that he hopes “very soon” to either immediately or after a season’s loan to a Cup Final which his team won. Tevez, who has the country. But he soon fell out of favour with Everton announced the signing of Turkey be able to share “defi nitive fi ndings”. Portuguese club. However, Sporting said yes- often found it diffi cult to settle anywhere, saw Shenhua fans who questioned his fi tness and striker Cenk Tosun on a four-and-a-half-year The 20-year-old midfi elder, nicknamed terday Wendel had signed a fi ve-year deal with his time in China unravel quickly. He arrived commitment. deal worth a reported £27 mn ($37 mn, 30 mn “Appie”, collapsed suddenly because of a heart a buyout clause of 60mn euros.

Sunday, January 7, 2018 GULF TIMES FOOTBALL

SPOTLIGHT Barcelona sign Coutinho from Liverpool in £160mn deal

AFP that he was set to leave the Premier League club. Barcelona Coutinho’s age is also highly attractive to Barca, whose three main stars, Lionel Messi, Luis Sua- rez and Andres Iniesta are all in their thirties. arcelona yesterday announced that Iniesta, at 33, has shown signs of fatigue this they had agreed to sign Brazilian star season. Philippe Coutinho from Liverpool in a Reported said yesterday that Liverpool were deal reported to be worth up to 160mn lining up Leicester’s Riyad Mahrez to replace eurosB ($192mn). “Barcelona and Liverpool Coutinho, although another report in UK said have reached an agreement for the transfer of the Anfi eld club had contacted Leicester to in- Philippe Coutinho. The player will sign a con- form them that the reports were pure specula- tract for the rest of the season and fi ve more tion. Liverpool have also been strongly linked years with a release clause of 400mn euros,” said with Monaco forward Thomas Lemar, who Ar- a Barcelona statement. senal tried to sign before the season. The deal for the 25-year-old attacking mid- Coutinho played no role in Liverpool’s 2-1 fi elder will be the third richest in history after victory over city rivals Everton in the FA Cup on the 222mn euros that Paris Saint-Germain paid Friday night. Barcelona for Brazilian star Neymar last year Liverpool’s winning goal was scored by Virgil and the 120mn euros that Kylian Mbappe will Van Dijk, the Dutch defender signed last week cost PSG from Monaco once the French player’s from Southampton for £75mn, loan period with the Ligue 1 champions is com- pleted. “It is with great reluctance that we — as WORLD’S FOOTBALL BIGGEST TRANSFERS a team and club — prepare to say farewell to a Neymar, Barcelona to Paris Saint-Germain, 2017, good friend, a wonderful person and a fantastic £200.6mn; 222mn euros player in Philippe Coutinho,” Liverpool manager Kylian Mbappe, Monaco to PSG, £160mn; 180mn Jurgen Klopp said. “It is no secret that Philippe euros (Note: to be completed in June, after current has wanted this move to happen since July, loan spell ends) when Barcelona fi rst made their interest known. Philippe Coutinho, Liverpool to Barcelona, 2018, Philippe was insistent with me, the owners and £106.4mn; 120mn euros (+ 40mn bonus) even his teammates this was a move he was des- Ousmane Dembele, Borussia Dortmund to Barce- perate to make happen.” lona, 2017, £96.8mn; 105mn euros (+42mn bonus) Klopp said that he had fought to keep Coutin- Paul Pogba, Juventus to Manchester United, 2016, ho on Merseyside last summer, when Liverpool £89mn; 105mn euros (+5 bonus) reportedly turned down a £138mn deadline-day Gareth Bale, Tottenham to Real Madrid, 2013, bid from Barca, but that the lure of the runaway £85.3mn; 101mn euros La Liga leaders was too much for the attacker Philippe Coutinho will sign a five-and-half year deal at Barcelona and will have a buyout clause of 400mn euros (£355mn). Cristiano Ronaldo, Manchester United to Real to resists. “We managed to keep the player here Madrid, 2009, £80mn; 94mn euros beyond the summer window, hoping that we da Gama and then a year at Barcelona-based tract the interest of the world’s biggest clubs. places. Capturing Coutinho allows Barcelona to Gonzalo Higuain, Napoli to Juventus, 2016, £75.3mn; would be able to persuade him to stay and be club Espanyol after failing to impress in Italy. Coutinho’s departure now is a blow to Liver- move on from the bitter experience of losing his 90mn euros part of what we are looking to do,” added Klopp. He fl ourished under Klopp following the Ger- pool as the playmaker has just returned to top Brazil teammate Neymar last summer. Romelu Lukaku, Everton to Manchester United, Coutinho came to Liverpool following a poor man’s arrival from Borussia Dortmund in 2015, form after an injury-hit start to the season. He Coutinho had stayed in Liverpool yester- 2017, £75mn; 84mn euros fi ve years as an Inter player that included an ini- and while he didn’t win any trophies in his time scored six goals in the last seven games of 2017 day while his teammates jetted off to Dubai for Virgil van Dijk, Southampton to Liverpool, 2018, tial two-year loan spell at hometown team Vasco at Liverpool, he made enough of a splash to at- to put his side fi rmly in the Champions League warm-weather training, fuelling speculation £75mn; 84mn euros

FOCUS HIA’s Bayern social media contest winners ‘Smart move to host 2022 WC in winter’

By Sports Reporter Winners of HIA’s FC Bayern Munich social media contest are photographed here with the off icial team mascot, Berni, and FC Bayern Doha ‘super fan’ Michael ‘Buschmann’ Zeman. The winners also got an opportunity to see the players in action during the friendly match between the Bundesliga champions and the QNB Stars League side Al Ahli football club at Aspire Zone yesterday. Hamad International Airport has been the off icial platinum sponsor of Bayern since January 2016. Earlier this year, this partnership ayern Munich’s coach was enhanced with the HIA logo being featured on the players’ jersey sleeves. Jupp Heynckes said yes- terday that Qatar host- ing 2022 FIFA World Cup wasB a ‘smart move’. The veteran FA CUP manager was speaking at a press conference at the Aspire Zone in Doha where the Bundesliga lead- ers are on a winter training camp. He described the weather con- Aguero lift s City, Stoke knocked out ditions in Qatar at this time of the year as ideal and said his players AFP will return to Germany energised London and motivated. Heynckes praised the training camp in Aspire Zone, highlighting how his players have ergio Aguero fi red Manchester City access to world class facilities to a 4-1 win over Burnley in the FA and all their needs catered to. Cup, while Mark Hughes is fi ghting Heynckes said there had been to remain Stoke boss after a 2-1 loss no contact between Bayern Mu- atS minnows Coventry yesterday. While City nich and Chelsea over Arturo strolled into the fourth round, Chelsea face Vidal and the Chilean interna- an unwanted replay after being held to a 0-0 tional would not be sold during draw at Championship side Norwich. the January transfer window. He City boss Pep Guardiola named a strong was responding to media reports team including Aguero, Leroy Sane and Ra- over a possible transfer of the heem Sterling at Eastlands, but the runaway midfi elder, which Heynckes dis- Premier League leaders fell behind in the missed as ‘pure speculation’. 25th minute. Ashley Barnes blasted into the “Certainly, there’s been no top corner after City defender John Stones contact between the clubs,” Hey- sliced his attempted clearance. nckes said. “It’s just speculation. However, Burnley hadn’t won at City Arturo Vidal is very motivated, Coach Jupp Heynckes overlooks Bayern Munich’s training session since 1973 and Argentina striker Aguero Manchester City’s Sergio Aguero scores against Burnley in the FA Cup match. (Reuters) he’s a top player and we need him during their winter training camp at the Aspire Academy. (AFP) ensured that run continued. City, who last at his very best if Bayern is to play tasted defeat in domestic competition in Chelsea manager Antonio Conte made THIRD ROUND RESULTS well. We won’t sell any players in their 2013 treble-winning coach in particular was the focal point their FA Cup semi-fi nal against Arsenal in nine changes at Carrow Road, with Eden Aston Villa 1 (Davis 8) Peterborough 3 (Marriott the (transfer) window,” he added. following the dismissal of Carlo and in fact powered a header April, were level in the 56th minute when Hazard rested and Alvaro Morata only used 75, 90+3, Tafazolli 83); Birmingham 1 (Gallagher Media reports in Britain and Ancelotti in September last year. against the frame of the goal Aguero fi red home from Ilkay Gundogan’s as a substitute for last season’s FA Cup run- 56) Burton 0; Blackburn 0 Hull 1 (Aina 58); South America had linked the Bayern promptly won nine of within the fi rst minute. He was pass. Aguero then fi nished off a superb ners-up. The result was a disjointed display Bolton 1 (Derik 64) Huddersfield 2 (Van La Parra 30-year-old with a move to their ten following matches. then foiled on three occasions by backheeled pass from Gundogan in the 58th from the Blues, who now face an extra match 51, Williams 52); Bournemouth 2 (Mousset 55, London in order to reunite with Al Ahli goalkeeper Yazan Naim. minute. Sane prodded home to put the result that will add to Conte’s frustration after his Cook 90+2) Wigan 2 (Grigg 4, Hyndman-og 29); Chelsea coach Antonio Conte, BAYERN BEAT AL AHLI 6-0 An eff ort from James Rodriguez beyond doubt in the 71st minute and Ber- recent complaints about the draining eff ects Brentford 0 Notts County 1 (Stead 65); Cardiff who he played under at Juventus. In the friendly match against Al was also cleared off the line with nardo Silva made it four in the 82nd minute. of fi xture congestion. 0 Mansfield 0; Carlisle 0 Sheff ield Wednesday But Heynckes ruled out any such Ahli last night, Sandro Wagner 15 minutes on the clock. Hughes could face the sack after fourth The only fl ash-point in a tame tie saw 0; Coventry 2 (Willis 24, Grimmer 68) Stoke move. English champions Chel- celebrated his return to Bayern Wagner fi nally broke through tier Coventry rolled back the years with a Chelsea’s Antonio Rudiger square up to a 1 (Adam-pen 54); Doncaster 0 Rochdale 1 sea have already been busy in the with a goal as German champi- after a dozen FCB eff orts when he memorable cup result at their Ricoh Arena. fan after the supporter threw away the ball (Andrew 18); Exeter 0 West Brom 2 (Rondon January transfer window, snap- ons cruised into a 6-0 win. The headed past Naim on 38 minutes. With Stoke in the relegation zone, it was when the defender tried to retrieve it. 2, Rodriguez 25); Fleetwood Town 0 Leicester ping up Ross Barkley from Ever- striker opened the scoring and There were further chances for reported this week that the club’s hierar- At the Vitality Stadium, Bournemouth 0; Fulham 0 Southampton 1 (Ward-Prowse ton for a fee, reported to be in the further second half goals came James and Thomas Müller to ex- chy had considered dismissing Hughes and manager Eddie Howe made eight changes as 29); Ipswich 0 Sheff ield United 1 (Thomas 25); region of £15mn. from Corentin Tolisso, Arjen tend the lead before the break but whether he can survive any longer must now he prioritised Premier League survival and it Manchester City 4 (Aguero 56, 58, Sane 71, B. Bayern, who lead the Bundes- Robben, Kingsley Coman, Niklas it remained a one-goal diff erence be in doubt. Coventry have fallen on hard needed a second half revival from his under- Silva 82) Burnley 1 (Barnes 25); Middlesbrough liga by 11 points from Schalke 04, Dorsch and Niklas Süle. at half-time. times since winning the FA Cup in a classic studies to rescue a 2-2 draw against Wigan. 2 (Gestede 10, Braithwaite 42) Sunderland arrived in World Cup 2022 host Heynckes used two diff erent Tolisso doubled the lead with 1987 fi nal against Tottenham and now reside Newcastle swept away fourth tier leaders 0; Millwall 4 (O’Brien 35, 56, Thompson 47, Qatar on January 2. They will teams in each half in the friendly. yet another header seven min- in League Two — their fi rst time at that level Luton with a 3-1 win at St James’ Park. West Onyedinma 61) Barnsley 1 (Potts 11); Newcastle played a friendly against Qatari Only Tolisso completed the 90 utes after the restart. The Reds since the 1950s — after a spell having to play Bromwich Albion won for the fi rst time in 21 3 (Perez 30, 36 Shelvey 39) Luton 1 (Hylton 49); league side Al-Ahli, which they minutes, playing in the unaccus- then turned the screw with a their home matches in Northampton due to games in all competitions, 2-0 at fourth tier Norwich 0 Chelsea 0; Queens Park Rangers 0 won 6-0 yesterday, before re- tomed centre-forward position well-placed eff ort from outside a stadium row. Exeter giving boss Alan Pardew his fi rst vic- MK Dons 1 (Cisse 60); Stevenage 0 Reading 0; turning to Germany today. in the second half. The only play- the box by Robben, a volley from Jordan Willis put the underdogs ahead in tory since replacing the sacked Tony Pulis. Watford 3 (Carrillo 37, Deeney 57, Capoue 85) Bayern resume Bundesliga ers not to feature were Robert Coman and a rifl ed eff ort from the 24th minute with his fi rst goal in a year. Watford avoided more cup misery against Bristol City 0; Wolverhampton 0 Swansea 0; duties on January 12, when they Lewandowski and Mats Hum- Dorsch. A header from Süle at Willis conceded a 52nd minute penalty with giant-killers Bristol City with a 3-0 win Wycombe 1 (O’Nien 45+1) Preston 5 (Harrop play away to fourth-placed Bayer mels (recovering from injuries) a corner did round off the game a foul on Ramadan Sobhi and Charlie Adam at Vicarage Road. Southampton won 1-0 2, 85, Browne 38, 78-pen, Horgan 50); Yeovil 2 Leverkusen. Heynckes, 72, is in and Joshua Kimmich (ill). in the dying minutes to make it stepped up to equalise. But Coventry right- at Fulham, Huddersfi eld beat Bolton 2-1, (Barnes 61, Green 76) Bradford 0 his fourth stint at the club after Bayern quickly created chanc- 6-0 to the German champions in back Jack Grimmer weaved his way through Swansea drew 0-0 at Wolves and Leicester Played Friday: Liverpool 2 (Milner 35-pen, Van Karl-Heinz Rummenigge and es against the team sitting sixth their only match at their training Stoke’s defence and side-footed past Jack were held to a 0-0 draw at third tier Fleet- Dijk 84) Everton 1 (Sigurdsson 67); Manchester president Uli Hoeness turned to in the QNB Stars League. Wagner camp in Doha. Butland in the 67th minute. wood. United 2 (Lingard 84, Lukaku 90) Derby 0