SPORT Wednesday 7 February 2018

PAGE | 30 PAGE | 31 PAGE | 32-33 Injured Mathews Pyeongchang ready PSG pay 12 of ruled out of to battle cold snap, highest Ligue 1 Bangladesh tour norovirus: Lee salaries Sanchez confident Al Annabi will be ready for Qatar 2022

REUTERS and experience to face this with the level in the first division in Belgium right mood to play in this or the second division in Spain. HONG KONG: Qatar will take a competition.” They’re both very good levels. huge stride into the unknown Qatar have gone close twice to “It gives them the opportu- when they host the World Cup in qualify for World Cup, with their It (playing in Europe) gives nity to grow as players and so 2022 but coach Felix Sanchez is most recent near-miss coming them the opportunity to far we are trying different confident the players will gain ahead of the 1998 finals when a grow as players and so players there and all the enough experience in the lead-up narrow defeat at the hands of Saudi far we are trying different experiences have been to the showpiece event to not get Arabia cost the nation a place in players there and all the very positive and that’s the overawed at their first finals France. experiences have been most important thing.” appearance. Qatar were awarded the host- Sanchez is hoping Qatar missed out on qualify- ing rights for the 2022 tournament very positive and that’s the experience will ing for Russia this summer, in December 2010, prompting the most important thing: begin to pay off when ensuring they will make their debut authorities to improve an already Sanchez he leads the senior appearance at the tournament burgeoning development set-up. team to the finals of when they host the competition in Before the successful hosting that the development work was the 2019 Asian Cup in just under five years’ time. bid, Qatar, with help from the bearing fruit. the United Arab Emir- But with a multifaceted plan in Aspire Academy, had the infra- Further moves to improve the ates as the final drive place to prepare their players structure to produce a team country’s chances of success saw towards the 2022 World between now and when the finals capable of challenging at the top Qatar’s sporting authorities pur- Cup commences. kick off in November 2022, Span- levels in Asia. chase Belgian first division side “We have to push the ish coach Sanchez believes the Just two years after Aspire’s Eupen and Cultural Leonesa in players to get better and bet- players will be ready. inauguration, Qatar won the gold Spain’s second division, with sev- ter,” he said. “We know from history that it’s medal at the 2006 eral World Cup hopefuls already “In one year there is the difficult to qualify for the World under-23 football tournament on sent to gain experience. Asian Cup in the Emirates, in Cup,” said Sanchez, who serves as home soil in , showing signs “We know that in Europe the 2019, and this is another good head coach of the country’s senior of a bright future. quality of football is very high and test to see our players, not the national team and under-23 side. The country won the Asian professional,” said Sanchez. youth but the national team. “To play in Russia would have Under-19 Championship in 2014 “In our country we have a very “We hope the players are been a good experience ahead of and reached the semi-finals of the good plan and a good league, but going to keep working hard and the next one, but I’m pretty sure Asian Under-23 Championship in it’s good to send these young play- this will be a big motivation for they will have enough knowledge both 2016 and 2018, underlining ers to Europe, to feel what is the them to continue their work. Qatar Football Coach Felix Sanchez

THE PENINSULA Sport Committee will hold its activities at its premises in Al DOHA: The Qatar Olympic Team Qatar Sport Village ready to Waab. Committee (QOC) will join forces NSD was established in 2012 with a number of its National with the aim of uniting the Federations to offer the public a nation in a shared celebration wide programme of sporting add colour to National Sport Day of sport and inspiring people to activity in celebration of National lead active and healthy life- Sport Day (NSD) on Tuesday 13th styles. Qatar is one of the only February, including a unique who puts their hand up to give a federations to form the Team NSD in a bid to inspire more consecutive year to participate countries in the world to dedi- Team Qatar Sport Village. sport a go,” he said. Qatar Sport Village will include young people to get excited and in and enjoy sport. cate a public holiday to sport The seventh edition of the has been one of Gymnastics, Athletics, Weight- inspired by the sport. Team Other National federations and the number of people that special day, which has been the main venues for the NSD lifting, Basketball, Judo, Qatar’s Ahmed Nabil will be on are also holding their activities turned up to join in activities in emulated across the region since since the initiative started. It has Taekwondo, Hockey, Tennis, hand to meet the public and across Qatar on NSD. The pub- the past years show how it con- its introduction by Qatar in 2012, held numerous public, private Sailing, Fencing, Boxing, Wres- share his experiences for a lic are able to try out shooting tinues to be a huge success. will see exciting sporting activi- entities and international events tling, Golf, Table Tennis, chance to educate and spread at an open day at Lusail Shoot- The public can keep up to ties offered for all ages and since its conception. In partner- Volleyball and School Sports. All the sport of gymnastics. ing Range, golf activities will be date with latest information abilities at the stunning Aspire ship, Aspire is providing the federations will be organising Further Team Qatar Olym- taking place at Katara, together regarding the NSD on the Team Park, with the public encouraged needed space for the National taster sessions and demonstra- pic heroes will be joining in with handball, equestrian, row- Qatar social media channels, as to try new sports or pick up old Federations to exhibit their tions, providing an opportunity the Aspire Park NSD celebra- ing, cycling, triathlon, air sports, well as by signing up to the ones. activities on NSD, which is inte- for the public to be active and tions to share their karate and rugby activities. A Team Qatar Club on www.olym- Sports on offer will include gral to the smooth running of discover hidden talents. experiences and advice with swimming open day will also be pic.qa/en/teamqatarclub where activities ranging from basket- the day. The Gymnastics Federation everyone, as the nation come taking place in Hamad Aquatic exclusive content, offers and ball, gymnastics and athletics to The 14 National sporting will be focal to all activations on together for a seventh Centre, while Qatar Women’s competitions are available. taekwondo and weightlifting with the public simply needing A Qatari gymnast demonstrates his skills to schoolchildren to turn up at Aspire Park between during last year’s National Sport Day in this file photo. 8.30am and 4.00pm on the day INSET: Young boxers show off their skills during the 2017 to get involved. National Sport Day. Speaking about NSD, QOC Secretary General Jassim Al Buenain said: “We can’t wait for National Sport Day! This year promises to be bigger and better than ever with 12 federations organising activities that will give everyone the opportunity to have a go at sport. When we say eve- ryone we really do mean it! This is a day for all ages, all abilities and all our people to come together and enjoy the thrill of being active.” “Whilst festivities like this are rooted in a desire to provide a fun and informal environment for all those who want to take part, they are also extremely important if we are to nurture our next generation of super- stars. That’s why this year we will also be joined by Team Qatar’s very best athletes who will show the way and support everyone 30 SPORT WEDNESDAY 7 FEBRUARY 2018 Mathews ruled out of Bangladesh tour

AFP

COLOMBO: Sri Lanka’s limited- overs skipper Angelo Mathews has been ruled out of the rest of Thisara Perera is the Bangladesh tour due to a likely to stand in hamstring injury, the country’s cricket board said yesterday. as captain for the Mathews, who sustained the two T20 games injury during the tri-nation ODI in Bangladesh on tournament that Sri Lanka won February 15 and 18. Top stars to take in Bangladesh last month, will miss the second and final Test against the hosts as well as the adding strength to their batting part at Qatar two subsequent T20 matches. by bringing in Sabbir Rahman. Mathews, 30, was recently Veteran left-arm spinner named as Sri Lanka’s captain in Abdur Razzaq is also expected Open Shotgun the shorter format until the 2019 to make the starting XI in Dhaka. World Cup. Bangladesh have been a THE PENINSULA But he has been beset by dominant side at home after reg- injuries and now faces a race istering memorable Test wins DOHA: Losail Shooting Range will host several former World against time to be fit for a T20 against England and Australia in and Olympic champions at the 2018 Qatar Open Shotgun tri-nation tournament at home the 2016-17 season. Championship which kicks off from February 14. involving Bangladesh and India. Their only Test win against The ten-day championship, hosted by Qatar Shooting The tri-series will be played Sri Lanka came in their land- and Archery Association (QSAA), will end on February 23. at Colombo’s R Premadasa Sta- mark 100th Test in Colombo, Besides the top-ranked shooters a number of Qatar dium from March 8. when the visitors drew the two- players will be vying for top honours including local hero Mathews has suffered “a match series 1-1. Former captain and Olympic bronze medallist Nasser Saleh Al Attiyah (pic- right hamstring tightness (and) Mushfiqur Rahim, who scored tured above). will not take part in the two T20 92 in the first Test in Chittagong, Many promising Qatari players, who have been under- matches”, Sri Lanka Cricket said said the team had “every chance going training on a regular basis under the coaches of QSAA in a statement. to win the series 1-0”. will also be seeking to hit the bulls eye at the “His participation in the “In the last Test, bowlers did championship. Nidahas Trophy 2018 will be not get the purchase from the Shooters will compete in trap, double trap and skeet decided after an assessment of wicket, that’s why they could not categories at the event which serves as an ideal prepara- his medical conditions.” be effective,” the senior batsman tion for some of the top ranked players for the new Thisara Perera is likely to In this file photo taken on January 17, 2018 Sri Lankan captain said yesterday. season. stand in as captain for the two Angelo Mathews plays a shot during the second ODI of the Tri- “Hopefully the Mirpur The competition will feature both men and women shoot- T20 games in Bangladesh on Nations Series against Zimbabwe in Dhaka. wicket will be different. I have ers. There will be a separate category for the juniors and February 15 and 18. full faith in our bowling depart- will serve as an ideal platform for the age group players to Mathews’ absence from the first game in Chittagong. Mendis to post a mammoth ment. We have good memories rub shoulders with some of the established stars. deciding Test starting Thursday Sri Lanka’s top-order fired 713-9 declared. here as we beat both England The event will kick off with trap event, followed by Dou- is unlikely to trouble Sri Lankan in their only innings, with three Bangladesh have already and Australia in Dhaka, so obvi- ble trap and the championship will culminated with the plans given their dominant bat- of their batsmen hitting centu- indicated a change in strategy ously the team will be Skeet category. ting performance in the drawn ries including a fine 196 by Kusal for the deciding game after confident.” ICC criticises Bangladesh Butt to ‘Sad’ Halep to feature at Test pitch after run spree Bangladesh miss Fed Cup tie AFP not deteriorate as expected over the course of the Test. league AFP DHAKA: The International That resulted “in a pitch that AFP Cricket Council yesterday penal- too heavily favoured the bats- BUCHAREST: World ised the “below average” pitch ICC gave one men across the five days,” Boon DHAKA: The disgraced number two Simona in Chittagong after batsmen said in an ICC statement issued former Pakistan captain Halep (pictured) said plundered more than 1,500 runs demerit point to the yesterday. Salman Butt has arrived in yesterday that she will during last week’s Test Chittagong pitch, Cricket’s governing body Bangladesh to play his first miss Romania’s Fed Cup between hosts Bangladesh and rating it “below gave one demerit point to the full-fledged competition tie with Canada this Sri Lanka. average”. Any ground Chittagong pitch, rating it outside his homeland since weekend after an injury Five centuries and six half- “below average”. serving a five-year ban for picked up at a gruelling centuries were smashed over that receives five Any ground that receives spot fixing, an official said Australian Open failed to five days at the Zahur Ahmed demerits from the five demerits from the ICC over yesterday. heal. Chowdhury Stadium before the ICC over five years five years is suspended from He was cleared by the “After spending the teams accepted a draw in the is suspended from hosting international cricket for Pakistan Cricket Board to play last week resting and opening Test of the two-match a year. in the latest edition of the rehabbing my injury from series. hosting international Chittagong is the second Dhaka Premier League, a the Australian Open, Sri Lanka -- who declared cricket for a year. Bangladeshi venue to be popular Bangladesh club unfortunately it has not at a colossal 713 for nine in their rebuked in just half a year. franchise which runs until recovered quickly first and only innings -- criti- In September, the game’s March 20. enough,” the 26-year-old cised the pitch after the match. also lacked carry and bounce governing body rated the out- Butt has committed to a said on Facebook. ICC match referee David throughout the match.” field of Dhaka’s Sher-e-Bangla full season for local giants “I’m sad as playing for Boon said the pitch “provided He added that the pitch pro- National Stadium “poor” after Mohammedan Sporting Club, Romania is very impor- no seam movement to the fast vided “occasional slow turn for the hosts defeated Australia by a club captained by Bangla- tant to me but I look bowlers with the new ball and the spinners early on” but did 20 runs in a Test match. desh all-rounder Shakib Al forward to seeing every- Hasan. one in Cluj as I will travel to support my teammates in this very The former Pakistan skip- important tie. Good luck Romania!” per is expected to make his Halep had a tough time in Melbourne last month, turning her debut against Brothers Union ankle and battling her way through several marathon matches to today. a hot and humid final, only to lose to Denmark’s Caroline Mohammedan official Wozniacki. Wasim Khan said the club She later admitted crying after the loss, the third time she has was looking for a left-handed been runner-up in a Grand Slam final, but said that “life goes on” opener and Butt “easily fit” and vowed to bounce back once her body healed. the profile, adding they were not concerned about his past. “It happened long, long SOFIA OPEN RESULTS ago. He already served out his ban,” he said. Results from the first day of the ATP Sofia Open on Monday. “We don’t think it should First Round be an issue now. We have Joao Sousa (POR x7) bt Dimitar Kuzmanov (BUL) 7-6 (8/6), 6-1

seen him scoring runs and Lukas Lacko (SVK) bt Evgeny Donskoy (RUS x8) 6-4, 6-4 that is important to us,” he added. Butt was allowed to play two matches in a Twenty20 MONTPELLIER ATP RESULTS competition in the United Arab Emirates in January -- Results from the first day of the ATP tournament in Montpellier one controversial match in on Monday: that event is under investiga- First Round tion by the ICC

Anti-Corruption Unit -- Andrey Rublev (RUS x6) bt Guillermo Garcia-Lopez (ESP) 6-4, 6-4

Players from Bangladesh and Sri Lanka congratulate one another at the end of the fifth and final before being cleared to play Benoit Paire (FRA) bt Mischa Zverev (GER) 6-4, 6-4 day of the first cricket Test on Sunday. in Bangladesh. WEDNESDAY 7 FEBRUARY 2018 SPORT 31

Russian Pyeongchang ready to battle athletes ‘disappointed’ over Games cold snap, norovirus, says Lee AFP

REUTERS disinfected. They (organisers) MOSCOW: Russia’s Olympic Pyeongchang Olympic will be extremely diligent to san- Athletes Commission on volunteers pose for PYEONGCHANG, SOUTH itise anything that came into Tuesday expressed “huge KOREA: The Pyeongchang a photo next to the contact with the persons. Very disappointment” over the Winter Olympics are on track Olympics rings ahead stringent measures are in place International Olympic though organisers are battling of the Pyeongchang when it comes to food and Committee decision not to the spread of a virus among staff 2018 Winter beverage.” invite to Pyeongchang 15 and preparing to deal with the Olympic Games Lee said this would have no Russian athletes and staff cold snap at Friday’s opening in Pyeongchang effect on security arrangements whose life bans for doping ceremony, Games chief Lee Hee- yesterday, at the Games, held about 80 kil- were lifted. beom said yesterday. ometres south of the border to The IOC ruled on Mon- Lee said preparations for the North Korea, with whom South day that 13 Russian athletes first winter Olympics in Asia out- Korea is still technically at war and two ex-athletes now side Japan were complete with since 1953. working as support staff will athletes arriving in the South The cold weather, however, not be invited to the Korean town. could be an issue for organisers Pyeongchang Winter Games “We are fully operational with the opening ceremony in despite having their life bans with many of our athletes and the open-air for doping removed last week officials here and settling into expected to be freezing. by the Court of Arbitration for their life in the villages and train- Temperatures are currently Sport (CAS). ing is underway at all venues,” below freezing throughout the The IOC has barred Rus- Lee told a news conference. day, dropping to as low as minus sia from the Pyeongchang But he said some 1,200 pri- 21 degrees Celsius at night. Olympics, which open on Fri- vate security staff have been Lee said some fans will not day, over a widespread sidelined as fear of a norovirus attend the opening ceremony doping conspiracy. But 169 among some of them has forced despite having bought tickets, Russians who have passed organisers to replace them with while some competitions could strict anti-doping protocols military personnel pending med- be affected. will compete under a neutral ical tests. “Some have cancelled their flag as Olympic Athletes from The virus is highly conta- ticket for the opening cere- Russia. gious and causes vomiting and mony,” Lee said. “With a huge disap- stomach cramps among other “Regarding the potential of pointment, the members of symptoms. spread through one hotel. agencies here are now discussing distributed. the delay due to the weather, the ROC’s Athletes’ Commission Athletes from several coun- “As a president of POCOG countermeasures and will come “That is the first thing but International Olympic Commit- have found out about deci- tries were taken ill and some (organising committee), I would up with proper measures and will you will have also hand sanitis- tee and the international sion of IOC’s Invitation were forced to miss competitions like to apologise for this,” Lee be announced soon.” ers,” Olympic Games Executive federation have strict rules, for Review Panel not to invite at last year’s world athletics said. The IOC said leaflets about Director Christophe Dubi told example, ski jumping can not 13 Russian athletes and 2 championship in London when “Our disease control centre the virus with instructions on reporters. take place if there’s a strong coaches fully acquitted by the virus was found to have other related government what to do were being “All areas are getting wind. (the CAS) to 2018 Winter Olympics,” the commission statement said. “It’s surprising that IOC Commission makes its deci- Pound lashes IOC response to Russia doping sions on the basis of some additional, suspicious, and AFP athletes but has made it possible brought the scandal to light. anonymous information and for cheating athletes to prevail “They’ve been left out there, accounts of one single fraud- GANGNEUNG, SOUTH KOREA: against the clean athletes,” said hanging alone, with no protection ster”, the commission said, Former world anti-doping chief Pound. whatsoever from the Olympic referring to whistleblower Dick Pound (pictured) slammed “We talk more than we walk. movement,” said Pound, add- Grigory Rodchenkov, who is the Olympic response to the “The athletes and the pub- ing: “I would say more attention the source of revelations on Russian doping scandal yester- lic at large in my view no longer has been paid to getting Russian Moscow’s state-sponsored day, warning “we talk more than have confidence that their inter- athletes into the Pyeongchang doping. we walk” and saying that the ests are being protected. Our Games than dealing with the The Russian athletes’ Games’ credibility had taken a commitment to both is in serious Russian conduct.” statement said that they have serious hit. doubt and with respect I don’t “I’m sorry, but that is not an supported the IOC statement Pound was speaking at an think we can talk our way out appropriate response by the IOC “that it’s necessary to respect International Olympic Commit- of this problem.” to a flagrant attack on the Olym- rights of clean athletes”. tee (IOC) session in Gangneung, However, it appeared to be an pic Games and on clean athletes However, the commis- South Korea, three days before unpopular opinion from Pound, by Russia,” he said. sion said that the “massive the Pyeongchang Winter Games, who along with Britain’s Adam Pound, the ex-president of denial for clean Russian ath- which have been engulfed in Pengilly was the only delegate the World Anti-Doping Agency, letes violates the principle of complications from Russia’s to abstain from an otherwise also criticised the “perverse” equality and contests effi- drugs conspiracy. unanimous vote of confidence judgments of the Court of Arbi- ciency of justice.” Pound’s tough comments allowed 168 “clean” athletes to where tainted samples were in the IOC’s handling of the Rus- tration for Sport, which last “Dreams of athletes prompted a complaint from the take part under a neutral flag and switched through a hole in the sian suspension. week reversed life Olympic willing to participate in floor that he talks too much to the may still allow the Russian flag anti-doping laboratory’s wall. Pound said Russia’s ban could bans on 28 Russian athletes Olympics who have fairly press, a jibe which in turn trig- at the closing ceremony. “I believe that in the collec- be lifted without it acknowledging and staff. won the right for it are being gered a furious response from Russia’s suspension follows tive mind in a significant portion its conduct or even committing After 15 of the Rusians applied destroyed, and irreparable the Canadian. a highly orchestrated plot cul- of the world and among the ath- to stopping it. to take part in Pyeongchang, damage is being caused to The IOC has formally banned minating during its hosting of letes of the world, that the IOC has He said the IOC had also failed the IOC refused to give them basic ideals, values of Olym- Russia from Pyeongchang but has the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics, not only failed to protect clean to protect the whistleblowers who invitations. pism,” it said. ‘Not here to win a medal’ - North        / 0 12 11 13 14 15 16 17 18 1/ 10 32 31 33 34 35 36 Korean skaters take to Olympic ice  ! "!#!! N" AFP pair trained with in N%! Montreal last year. &! The Canadian, &!  GANGNEUNG, SOUTH KOREA: North who is acting as con- ' (#!! Korean figure skaters Ryom Tae-Ok and sultant to the Kim Ju-Sik appeared oblivious to all the Pyongyang-born duo ! excitement surrounding them at the at these Games, was )! #! Winter Olympics as they performed a impressed by what he )(#!! N! slick training session to a Beatles clas- saw. N*"!" sic yesterday. “I’ve come here to Scores of cameras snapped the give them my support. N+  moment the pair, looking cool calm and When they came to N"( collected, and dressed in black, set foot train with me in the N#!  on the South Korean ice at the Gangne- summer we created a #( ung Arena. strong bond and I just ,  Ryom, who turned 19 last week, and ahead of the Games. But despite the hope they have the skate Kim, 25, were among a group of North high stakes, they smiled their way of their lives,” he said. “They have !  ! Korean athletes to arrive in this east through a series of flips and jumps to improved since qualifying, this after- %#"#! coast port on a rare direct flight between Jeff Beck’s version of The Beatles’ “A Day noon they looked really good.” # the peninsula neighbours, who are still In The Life”. That said, and despite the likely #!- "! technically at war last week. Once completed, a round of enormous public support, Marcotte sug- The couple’s presence at the 2018 applause rippled around the rink. gests any talk of them claiming a medal .N&! ! Games was only confirmed following a Then, after exchanging words with is wishful thinking. N  sudden rapprochement between the their coach, waiting reporters were left “They’re not here to win a medal, N*"!" two Koreas after tensions reached fever empty-handed as they sailed through let’s be honest, they’re ranked 15th in N! pitch as Pyongyang carried out a series the mixed zone at a rate of knots, a the world. It’s a really strong field,” he N"( of weapons tests. group of officials following in their said. As the only North Koreans who met wake. “They were 15th at the world cham- "#! the Olympic qualifying standards, much One highly interested observer was pionships in Helsinki, if they come top     '   attention has focused on Ryom and Kim Bruno Marcotte, the skating coach the 12 we’d be ecstatic. 32 SPORT WEDNESDAY 7 FEBRUARY 2018 WEDNESDAY 7 FEBRUARY 2018 SPORT 33 New-look Arsenal just Unconcerned the tonic for Wenger PSGPSG paypa 12 of highest Conte puts ball in AFP Chelsea’s court LONDON: Just days after Arsenal were lurch- ing towards another crisis, Arsene Wenger can Ligue 1 salaries AFP “To play football in a big club it suddenly look to a brighter future thanks to a Your main target is just to get means you must have personality. It revitalised attack spearheaded by Pierre-Emer- the players to enjoy the game AFPA Neymar makes €3.07m ($3.8m) LONDON: Chelsea manager Antonio is simple to play when there is the ick Aubameyang and Henrikh Mkhitaryan. they play, to share it with the gross a month Conte said he will lose no sleep over confidence. An error-strewn 3-1 defeat at struggling PARIS:PA Paris Saint-Germain pay 12 of the 13 larg- the threat he could be sacked less “In this type of moment you can Barcelona’s Gerard Pique celebrates after scoring their first Swansea last Tuesday was the latest low-point fans, so when you have that Behind Neymar, PSG players occupy than a year after winning the see who is (made) for a great club, to goal against Espanyol at the RCDE Stadium in Barcelona, positive experience it’s great for estes player salaries in the French league, led by of a troubled season for Arsenal. NNeymar, who makes €3.07m ($3.8m) gross a the next seven places in the French Premier League following a 4-1 play with personality to risk Spain on Sunday. Coming just days after Alexis Sanchez finally thrashing at Watford on Monday. something.” you: Arsene Wenger month, more than twice as much as the next high- League. got his wish to leave Arsenal in a blockbuster The champions have now con- Chelsea’s task wasn’t made any est earner, sports daily L’Equipe reported move to Manchester United, Wenger was once ceded seven goals in their last two easier when Tiemoue Bakayoko was yesterday. Uruguayan Edinson Cavani makes again under fire from angry fans frustrated by as well,” said Wenger, who now faces the €1.54m a month, French teenager outings after also going down 3-0 sent-off after just half an hour for two Pique could the club’s failure to win the Premier League conundrum of how to use previous record sign- Behind Neymar, PSG players occupy the at home to Bournemouth last week quickfire bookable offences. since 2004. ing Alexandre Lacazette. next seven places: Uruguayan Edinson Cav- Kylian Mbappe earns €1.5m and to put their chances of Champions Troy Deeney’s penalty put the But a week is a long time in the frenzied “Overall, I think as well we have a game ani makes €1.54m a month, French teenager Brazilian defender Thiago Silva League qualification for next sea- hosts in front just before the break, face punishment world of English football and by the final whis- based on team spirit so that kind of acceptance Kylian Mbappe earns €1.5m and Brazilian makes €1.33m. son in serious peril. but Chelsea were offered a lifeline tle at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday, the is very important and when they show on a foot- defender Thiago Silva makes €1.33m. “Tomorrow is another day. I can eight minutes from time by a brilliant Arsenal manager was all smiles as he reflected ball field that they accept our game, they are Then come Argentine midfielder Angel Di former West Ham player Dimitri Payet and Brazil- be the Chelsea coach or not, what 25-yard strike from Eden Hazard. on the speed at which perceptions can change. even easier to integrate into the team. Maria and Brazilian defender Marquinhos, both ian Luiz Gustavo. is the problem?” said Conte. “I go to And Conte was particularly for Espanyol It was little wonder Wenger was in such an “Your main target is just to get the players onon €1.12m, Italian midfielder Thiago Motta At the other end of the Ligue 1 salary table are sleep without a problem. annoyed with his side’s reaction in upbeat mood as he had just watched Gabon to enjoy the game they play, to share it with the (€875,000)(€8 and Argentine Javier Pastore (€770,000). Amiens, where the average monthly salary is “I try to do everything and, if this the closing stages as they conceded striker Aubameyang, a £56m ($78m) club-record fans, so when you have that positive experience The first non-Parisian on the list is Radamel Fal- €15,000, including three players on just €2,800. is enough ok, otherwise the club three times in the final six minutes to celebration: Tebas signing from Borussia Dortmund, and Armenia it’s great for you.” cao,cao the Colombian striker who earns €750,000 a Since the sacking of the Marcelo Bielsa, who take a different decision. The life Daryl Janmaat, Gerard Deulofeu and midfielder Mkhitaryan produce superb first Aubameyang’s impact was even more monthmo and, because he is in Monaco, pays no taxes. was making €560,000 a month to coach Lille before goes on.” Roberto Pereyra. REUTERS appearances at their new club’s stadium in a impressive given he had only two 45-minute The top ten is rounded out by Dani Alves, he stormed out, PSG’s Unai Emery has become the Defeat leaves Chelsea still lag- “In the second-half I saw great 5-1 demolition of Everton. training sessions and was battling an illness anotheran Brazilian defender at PSG, who makes highest earning manager on €450,000 a month. ging in fourth and just a point ahead will and desire, but a lot of confusion. BARCELONA: Barcelona defender Gerard Pique’s goal celebra- Aubameyang’s pace and movement tor- ahead of his debut. €700,000.€7 Next come three more PSG stars - Ger- Next comes another man working tax-free in of fifth-placed Tottenham Hotspur We were able to draw and I think in tion against Espanyol in their 1-1 draw at the weekend will be mented the Everton defence as he netted with But it was Mkhitaryan, so assured in pos- in the battle for the top four. that moment we must be good to examined to see if he was provoking the fans at the RCDE Stadium manma striker Julian Draxler and Italian playmaker Monaco, Leonardo Jardim, on 350,000 closely fol- a composed first-half finish, while Mkhitary- session, who caught Wenger’s eye, drawing Conte has repeatedly com- manage the situation, to understand in Cornella, La Liga president Javier Tebas said on Monday. MarcoMa Verratti both make €600,000. lowed by Claudio Ranieri, who won the English an’s range of passing provided three assists as comparisons with Santi Cazorla, whose metro- plained throughout the campaign the moment. If the Spanish football federation’s competition committee he linked up with fellow playmaker Mesut Ozil nomic passing was such a key for Arsenal before PSG’s French striker Hatem Ben Arfa is tied on Premier League with Leicester in 2016 and makes at his lack of input towards the “A great team must do this, deems Pique’s actions punishable, the Spanish international could to devastating effect. his injury problems took hold. PSG’s Qatari President Nasser Al Khelaifi €500,000€5 a month with two Marseille players, the 340,000 a month in Nantes. club’s recruitment strategy. instead in 10 minutes we concede face a suspension of up to three games. A blur of one-touch passing, with Ozil, Mkhi- “There are similarities there. Santi was an Once more the Italian lined up three goals.” Pique put his finger to his lips to shush the crowd after head- taryan and Alex Iwobi switching positions exceptional football player. But he for sure has without a recognised striker at Vic- Conte also refused to accept inju- ing home an 82nd minute equaliser against their local rivals, with behind Aubameyang, Arsenal’s effervescent per- the technical level to play in our team,” Wenger arage Road with Alvaro Morata ries and fatigue are the reason for the home fans reacting furiously. formance was by far their most encouraging of said. sidelined by injury and new-sign- stark difference in Chelsea’s perform- “The committee will rule if the gesture is punishable, but we a season that sees them engaged in a draining “I met Mkhitaryan before, before he came ing Olivier Giroud deemed fit ances in results from his first season will take it to them so they can make a decision,” Tebas told report- battle to qualify for the Champions League. here, because I always liked his game but he’s enough only for a place on the where they didn’t have the distrac- ers. “The regulations mean that certain ways of celebrating goals Before kick-off in north London even that a player completely focused on football, dedi- bench. tion of European football. can be considered provocation.” target seemed further away than ever. cated totally to the game. However, Conte also delivered “For sure it is a difficult moment Pique has a frayed relationship with Espanyol fans and has Not only was Arsenal’s malaise a cause for “He looks happy to play football because he some stinging criticism to his play- and if we want to find excuses or ali- often riled them with provocative comments, recently mocking concern, but there were also doubts over just loves it.” ers, who he said “played with fear”. bis always we can find everything,” the club for being based in Cornella, a town 10 km south-west of Wenger’s moves for formerer DortmundDortmund team-team- “I try to continue to work to try added Conte. Barcelona. mates Aubameyang and MMkhitaryan.khitaryan. to improveppy different aspects of my “This is not myyy way to face the Following the game, Pique said his celebration was the least After a disappointing spellpell at United, Mkhi-Mkhi- players,players, but todaytoday I think our situationsituation to solve the he could do after some of the insults Espanyol fans have aimed taryan was dismissed in some quartequartersrs as a performanceperformance wawass very poor,” problem.problem. at his family, although Tebas disagreed. fading force and nothing mormoree than a makemake-- added Conte.C onteonte. “TheThe wiwinner nner “We have to highlight the fact Espanyol worked well and until weight in the deal that sentent SancSanchezhez to OOldld “ForFor sure sureIhare I havehave to finds a solution,solutionon, that moment, Pique’s goal, there was not a single insult aimed at Trafford. taketake tthehe responsibilityresponsibility the loserloser findsfinds Pique’s family, which is something we were worried about at La Aubameyang’s goal recordcord with Dortmund becausebecause maybemaybe I made excuses.excuses. InIn mymy Liga. was exemplary but there wwereere questions aaboutbout thethe wrongwrong decisiondecision lifelife I likelike to bebe “His provocative gesture made the fans react and come out his volatile personality. Evenen hehe describeddescribed him-him- forfor the startingstarting XI. a winner and I with insults, which are intolerable. self as a “crazy kid” - a traitit that led him to him aamm a winner.” “(The shushing celebration) has been done before but on few clashing with his Bundesligaliga clubclub on severalseveral occasions has it generated widespread irritation. We should avoid occasions. celebrations that irritate people.” Those issues may yet resurface,esurface, but for now Wenger is keen to accentuateate the popositivessitives aafterfter the eye-catching elan withh which Mkhitaryan, making his first Arsenal start,rt, and Aubameyang,Aubameyang, on his debut, stole the showw aagainstgainst Premier League may Everton. “When you have new plplay-ay- ers it gives always a llittleittle introduce ‘winter positive swing, and it wakesakes everybody up as well, becauseause there’s suddenly competitionion break’ before 2022 Arsenal manager Chelsea manager so they have to live with thathat Paris Saint-Germain’s Brazilian forward Neymar Jr. Arsene Wenger Antonio Conte LONDON

REUTERS: The Premier League said yesterday that it is open to introducing a mid-season break, with British media reporting that it could be implemented before 2022 as part of the next TV rights Watford’s Dutch defender Daryl Janmaat (second left) scores past Chelsea’s Belgian goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois deal. during their English Premier League football match played at Vicarage Road Stadium in Watford, north of London Brazilian clubs Talks have been ongoing between the Football Association Watford crush on Monday. (FA) and the English Football League (EFL) regarding the proposal as they explore the possibility of bringing the English fixture sched- reject VAR for ules in line with the top leagues in Germany, France, Italy and Spain. 10-man Chelsea According to reports, the prospect of a European winter break is referenced in the tender documents that have been sent to poten- first division REUTERS Chelsea goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois brought tial broadcast partners. down on-loan Barcelona winger Gerard The next domestic TV rights deal will cover 2019 to 2022, the REUTERS LONDON: Ten-man Chelsea suffered Deulofeu. results of which are due to be announced next week. another setback in their stumbling season as By that stage, Chelsea were down to 10 In response to media speculation, the Premier League released RIO DE JANEIRO: Brazil’s first division clubs voted against they lost 4-1 at Watford on Monday after men after their France midfielder Bakayoko a statement on Tuesday saying it was examining ways to ease fix- adopting the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) on Monday, five conceding three late goals to go down to their was booked twice for challenges in the space ture congestion, including a winter break. months after the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) said second straight Premier League defeat. of a few minutes before the half-hour mark. “The Premier League has been in discussions with the FA and they would introduce the review system in the top flight tour- Daryl Janmaat, Gerard Deulofeu and Rob- Watford reacted quickly to Hazard’s EFL for several months regarding the challenges of the increas- nament. erto Pereyra all scored late on in response equaliser as defender Janmaat exchanged ingly congested English football calendar, and ways in which we The CBF did not explain why the clubs voted against adopt- to Eden Hazard dragging Chelsea back into passes with Pereyra before shooting low past can work together to ease fixture congestion while also giving ing the system but multiple media reports said the 12-7 vote the game with a curler in the 82nd minute Courtois. Deulofeu sealed the win in the 88th players a mid-season break,” the statement said. to reject VAR was mainly down to cost. after Tiemoue Bakayoko was sent off for a with his first goal for the club before Pereyra It is reported that the break would take place in January and Installing VAR would cost each club around 1 million reais second booking on the half-hour. got the fourth in added time. would not impact the traditional English festive fixture (£219,440), according to Brazilian website globoesporte.globo. Chelsea cruised to the title in coach Anto- Monday’s loss has added to the pressure schedule. com. Instead, the CBF will pay to install the system for use in nio Conte’s first campaign in England last on Conte, who faces more questions about A winter break has long been mooted in the Premier League, some Brazilian Cup matches. season but they are 19 points behind runa- his future after a poor start to 2018 which not least by overseas coaches who have argued that the existing “The use of video referees was addressed and the clubs way leaders Manchester City and are focused has seen Chelsea knocked out of the League schedule is too taxing on players. decided it will not be implemented in the 2018 Brasileirao (the on finishing in the top four Champions Cup by Arsenal before they lost 3-0 at home Louis van Gaal described playing through the English winter first division championship),” the body said in a statement. League qualification spots. to Bournemouth last week in the league. as “evil” during his tenure as Manchester United manager. His The CBF had promised the system would be used in some Chelsea sit in fourth spot, a point behind “My position? It is the same. I stay here, successor, Jose Mourinho, said in November that it hampers Eng- league matches last September after Corinthians beat Vasco third-placed Liverpool and one ahead of Tot- try to work and put all myself in the work,” lish clubs’ chances in the knockout stages of European da Gama 1-0 thanks to a goal scored by Jo, who bundled the tenham Hotspur in fifth. Conte told Sky Sports. “The pressure? What competitions. ball into the goal with his arm. At Monday’s meeting in Rio, “I tried to warn everyone about the dif- is the pressure? I work - if this is enough it There have also been suggestions that the lack of a break the clubs voted to allow synthetic pitches to be used in the ficulty of our path in the league and is, OK. Otherwise the club has to take another leaves Premier League players tired for international compe- top division and they also permitted each team to play up to Champions League,” said Chelsea coach decision.” titions and in particular has been part of the reason behind the five ‘home’ games in states other than their own. Antonio Conte. “We performed very bad but It was a different story for new Watford England national team’s poor tournament record in recent Brazilian teams often play home games in distant cities, maybe I made the mistakes with the start- manager Javi Gracia who modestly described years. where they can make more money from gate receipts. How- ing XI today. My choice was very poor I the victory in his first home match in charge England manager Gareth Southgate, however, expressed ever, the CBF stipulated that the option would not be permitted think.” as a “good beginning” for his side, who sit in doubt in December about whether a break would significantly in the last five games of the season. Mid-table Watford had taken the lead in 11th place but are still only six points clear of enhance the team’s prospects of winning a first major trophy the 43rd with a Troy Deeney penalty after the relegation zone. since 1966. 34 SPORT WEDNESDAY 7 FEBRUARY 2018 NBA: Teamwork helps Wizards top Pacers; Pistons beat Blazers AFP NBA RESULTS LOS ANGELES: The Washing- LA Clippers 104 Dallas 101 ton Wizards are playing like Miami 109 Orlando 111 contenders again as they took advantage of an out-of-sync Sacramento 104 Chicago 98 Indiana Pacers team to pull off Denver 121 Charlotte 104 a 111-102 win as eight players New Orleans 109 Utah 133 scored in double figures. Detroit 111 Portland 91

All-star guard Bradley Beal scored 21 points and Kelly Oubre Indiana 102 Washington 111 had 15 for the Wizards, who earned their season-best fifth valuable piece to our team,” Beal consecutive victory on said. Monday. “He draws so much attention “I thought everybody at what he brings to both ends of chipped in and played well,” the floor, that’s kind of Washington coach Scott Brooks irreplaceable. said. “It’s definitely a huge hit to The Wizards are on a roll and us having him out, but we’ve they are beating good teams been having some success. We’ve without all-star guard John Wall. figured it out a little bit.” Since Wall went down with Besides having eight players an injured left knee, Washing- in double figures, three Wizards ton has won all their games. The grabbed at least seven rebounds. latest victory also gave the Wiz- Tomas Satoransky and Tim ards their fourth in a row over Frazier each finished with six the Pacers. assists for Washington, who out- “John is such a key and scored Indiana 30-11 in transition

Washington Wizards centre Ian Mahinmi (left) takes a shot against Indiana Pacers forward Domantas Sabonis during their NBA game on Monday. and had a 43-35 rebounding going to be tough without both. Philadelphia for the final play- points and CJ McCollum added edge. “They play heavy minutes. off spot in the Eastern 14 for the Blazers, who were While the Wizards were fly- We got two less players in the Conference. Griffin finished with defeated again after losing a ing high, the Pacers weren’t rotation. I think they didn’t win 21 points and nine rebounds. He heartbreaker at the buzzer to the themselves as they had their six- this game. We lost this game with shot well from beyond the arc Boston Celtics on Sunday. game home winning streak too many turnovers and too too, making a trio of three-point- “They had one action -- halted. many easy points.” ers. Anthony Tolliver added 15 dribble handoff out of the corner With all-star guard Victor Elsewhere, Andre Drum- points for Detroit and Reggie -- and they kept getting down to Oladipo out with an illness and mond had 17 points and 17 Bullock and Langston Galloway the centre of our defence,” Port- point guard Darren Collison out rebounds, and the Detroit Pis- added 13 points each. land’s Lillard said. with a bad left knee, the Pacers tons earned their fourth straight “I didn’t really think we “Once guys get confident and never mustered a serious win with a 111-91 victory over the moved the ball that much at the get to making shots, it’s hard to challenge. Portland Trail Blazers. start of the game, but then we stop.” Bojan Bogdanovic scored a Detroit has won three in a really got it going,” said coach In Miami, Mario Hezonja fin- season-high 29 points for the row since trading for Blake Grif- Stan Van Gundy. ished with 20 points and Pacers as he tried to spur a fin last week. Griffin led Detroit “The best part is that you Jonathan Simmons made a key fourth-quarter rally. Joe Young in scoring on Monday, but he had look at how many guys got dunk with 91 seconds left in the added 17. ample help on offence. involved. Once you start moving fourth as the Orlando Magic “Vic is our go-to guy,” said The victory moved the Pis- the ball, it gets contagious.” defeated the Miami Heat Andre Drummond (left) scored 17 points in victory for Detroit Pistons. Bogdanovic. “We knew it was tons back to .500 and even with Damian Lillard scored 20 111-109.

Groenewegen McDavid scores four goals as clinches Tour Oilers trounce Lightning 6-2 stage one AFP

AGENCIES games and has earned points in eight DUBAI: Dutch cyclist Dylan of its past 11 outings. Groenewegen (LottonL-Jumbo) won TORONTO: Connor McDavid scored Hanzal’s deciding goal came as he the first stage of the Dubai Tour four goals and collected five points to set a screen in front of the net and redi- yesterday, edging out Dane Magnus lead the Edmonton Oilers to a 6-2 rected a shot from the point by Julius Cort Nielsen and Italian Elia Viviani thumping of the NHL-leading Tampa Honka past New York goaltender Hen- to don the blue leader’s jersey. Bay Lightning on Monday night in rik Lundqvist. Esa Lindell also got an Groenewegen pulled away from Edmonton, Alberta. assist on the play. Cort Nielsen (Astana Pro) and Vivi- While Cam Talbot made 32 saves It was the only score on the power ani (Quickstep-Floors) in the final for the Oilers, who are on a 5-1-1 run play in eight combined man-advantage sprint of stage one of the fifth Dubai while keeping their flickering playoff chances for the two teams, five of them Tour, a 167 kilometre (103.8 mile) ride hopes alive, McDavid was at his domi- for Dallas. The Stars forged a 41-32 across the Gulf city that ended on the nating best at Rogers Place. advantage in shots on goal, while New manmade islands of Palm The Oilers captain opened the scor- York had more hits than Dallas (30-26) Jumeirah. ing with a power-play goal -- his team’s and more blocks (28-13). The Rangers The second stage of the Dubai first in nine games -- less than two min- have lost five of their past six games. Tour starts today, on 190 kilometres utes into the affair when he deflected Dallas outshot the Rangers 21-9 in (118 miles) of flat road between Dubai Ryan Strome’s shot to beat Tampa Bay the first period, but New York had the and the neighbouring emirate of Ras goalie Andrei Vasilevskiy. one shot that counted the most. al-Khaimah, a route that again will Alex Killorn drew the Lightning even David Desharnais deflected a shot favour sprinters. before the midway point of the open- on goal, scooped up his own rebound ing frame, but the Oilers broke open the and tucked the puck in behind Dallas RESULTS game. goaltender Ben Bishop for a 1-0 Rang- Leon Draisaitl put the hosts ahead ers lead at the 17:55 mark. Vinni Lettieri 1. Dylan Groenewegen (NED/TLJ), 3hr to stay with another man-advantage and JT Miller were given assists in the 51min 25sec, 2. Magnus Cort Nielsen marker late in the opening frame, and goal. McDavid netted his second of the game The Stars tied the game on a goal by (DAN/AST) s.t., 3. Elia Viviani (ITA/QST) with a highlight-reel goal early in the Tyler Seguin with 5:16 to play in the sec- s.t., 4. Alexander Kristoff (NOR/UAD) second period. Iiro Pakarinen’s first goal ond period. Seguin’s slap shot from the of the season pushed the lead to 4-1. Action from the NHL game between Tampa Bay Lightning and Edmonton Oilers top of the circle bounced off the post s.t., 5. Nacer Bouhanni (FRA/CDF) s.t. McDavid completed the hat trick on at Rogers Place on Monday. and New York goalie Henrik Lundqvist’s a third-period breakaway and scored blocker. his fourth during a scramble, giving him two helpers to give him five assists in a Kucherov, he was held off the Jason Spezza and Alexander Radu- Overall standings six goals and nine points in the past two three-game stretch. scoresheet and now has gone 11 games lov assisted on the tally, which was games. He scored only four goals in 23 Tampa Bay rookie Yanni Gourde without a goal. Seguin’s 26th of the season, tied for sev- 1. Dylan Groenewegen (NED/TLJ) 3hr games during December and January. collected his 19th goal of the season in Meanwhile, Martin Hanzal’s power- enth best in the NHL. 51min 25sec. 2. Magnus Cort Nielsen Going into the night’s action, a two-point outing. play goal 4:05 into the third period Lundqvist made 39 saves, while McDavid was tied for 13th in the league’s Vasilevskiy, who stopped 22 of 26 proved to be the game-winner as the Bishop stopped 31 shots in the win. (DAN/AST) at 0:04, 3. Elia Viviani (ITA/ scoring race. His performance moved shots in two periods, gave way to Louis host Dallas Stars came from behind to Dallas returns to the ice today in QST) 0:06, 4. Nathan Van Hooydonck him into a tie for third, five points back Domingue for the third period. beat the reeling New York Rangers 2-1 Chicago while the Rangers head back

of Tampa Bay’s Nikita Kucherov. Domingue made seven saves for the on Monday at the American Airlines to the Big Apple for games Wednesday (BEL/BMC) 0:07, 5. Alexander Kristoff Draisaitl also collected two assists Lightning, who completed a 5-3-0 road Center. and Friday against Boston and (NOR/UAD) 0:10. in a three-point game. Strome added trip. Dallas has won three consecutive Calgary WEDNESDAY 7 FEBRUARY 2018 SPORT 35 QOC honours Qatar heroes

THE PENINSULA

DOHA: Qatar Olympic Commit- tee (QOC) Secretary General Jassim Al Buenain met with a host of Qatar’s sporting heroes on Monday to celebrate their recent incredible sporting success on the international stage. In a celebratory session at the QOC’s headquarters, Al Buenain congratulated Qatar’s handball team, which last month became Asian Handball champions for the 3rd consecutive time and Dakar Rally runner-up Nasser Al Atti- yah. He thanked the heroes for their hardwork, persistent effort and sporting excellence - saying that they had made the nation proud. Commenting on Team Qatar’s success, the Secretary General: “It is with great pleasure that I con- gratulate our sport stars Nasser Saleh Al Attiyah and the handball team for their outstanding achievements. I would also like to thank them for raising the flag high for Qatar around the world. “We are extremely proud of them and excited for what the future will bring. We hope that their success will inspire young athletes around Qatar to follow in their footsteps,” he added. Qatari athletes during a celebratory Adding to their runner-up session at QOC headquarters. accomplishment at the 2015 RIGHT: Qatar Olympic Committee World Men’s Handball Champi- Secretary General Jassim Al It is with great onship and historic qualification Buenain congratulating Nasser pleasure that I to the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, Saleh Al Attiyah. congratulate our Qatar’s handball team won the sport stars Nasser 2018 Asian Handball Champion- ship, after beating Bahrain 33-31 forward to get ready for the Asian Saleh Al Attiyah and in their final match in Seoul, Games and the World Cup later the handball team for South Korea. this year”. their outstanding Reserving their place at the Talented shooter and legen- achievements. I 2019 World Men’s Handball dary rally driver Nasser Al Championship in Denmark and Attiyah claimed second place at would also like to Germany in the process. the 40th Dakar Rally held in thank them for raising Qatar’s handball captain Peru, Bolivia and Argentina last the flag high for Qatar Abdulrazzaq Murad commented month. on the occasion: “Happy for our The Olympic bronze medal- around the world: third consecutive Asian win! I am list in skeet shooting, Al Attiyah QOC Secretary very thankful to our federation is the only Middle Eastern athlete General Jassim Al and the QOC’s efforts during our to ever win the Dakar Rally twice Buenain competitions in Korea. Looking (2011, 2015). Gatland backs Jones to take announce charge of next Lions tour unchanged team for England clash REUTERS REUTERS really going to test us. England LONDON: Warren Gatland is have been in great form the last backing Eddie Jones to succeed LONDON: Wales will field an couple of years so we know the him as the next British and Irish unchanged team against challenge we face but we have Lions coach and expects he England in the Six Nations at had a good couple of weeks in would bring back a clean sweep Twickenham on Saturday after camp and we are looking for- from their three test tour of kicking off their campaign with ward to going up to South Africa in 2021. a convincing home win over Twickenham.” “He’d do a great job as Lions Scotland. Wales go into the match coach. 3-0 would be expected. Only winger George North, with a starting line-up featur- It’s probably the easiest of the who was left out because of ing 10 players from in-form three tours isn’t it?” Gatland said injury doubts but proved his fit- Pro14 side , aiming for at a news conference yesterday ness with a try for his club a first success at Twickenham after naming his Wales side to Northampton Saints at the since the 2015 Rugby World face Jones’ England in the Six weekend, comes onto the Cup. Nations on Saturday. bench, displacing Owen They began this year’s Six Gatland coached the last two Watkin. Nations with a bonus point win Lions tours to Australia in 2013 There is no place for Brit- over Scotland 34-7 in Cardiff and his native New Zealand last ish and Irish Lion Liam last Saturday. year but says Australian Jones is Williams, who returned to Meanwhile, Scotland wing the best man to handle the next training with the squad on Byron McGuigan has been ruled one. Monday after an abdominal out of this Sunday’s Six Nations “I’m learning from him. He’s muscle injury but Cory Hill has clash against France at Murray- doing a great job so I’m watch- come through concussion field with a hamstring injury, ing him pretty closely,” Gatland protocols. Scottish rugby has said in a added. “It’s great to name an statement yesterday. “I’m just intrigued by watch- unchanged starting 15, the play- Scotland also confirmed ing him, the way he coaches his ers deserve that for a very good lock Richie Gray (calf) and cen- England manager Eddie Jones (left) and captain Dylan Hartley pose team. You learn as much as you performance on the opening tre Duncan Taylor (head) have for photographers next to the Six Nations Trophy during the 2018 possibly can from everyone. weekend,” coach Warren Gat- not recovered sufficiently to That’s part of the game. The Six Nations Rugby Tournament in London on Sunday. land said in a statement. join the squad ahead of the game changes and you try to He’d do a great job as “We know how tough it is clash against the French. learn as much as you can.” going to be against that huge They could play later in the The pair will meet having “confidence and self belief”. “It’s England and Wales has always Lions coach. I’m English forward pack. They are championship. overseen a winning start to their about being prepared to play at been close. It’s the rugby that learning from him. respective campaigns with a high intensity. Play with com- brings the two nations together. He’s doing a great job WALES SQUAD injury-hit Wales doing better posure and patience and that’s I think that’s what makes the than expected in brushing aside the key. Not being intimidated relationship special. I think so I’m watching him 15-, 14-Josh Adams, 13-Scott Williams, 12-Hadleigh Parkes, Scotland 34-7 in Cardiff, while by the Twickenham factor at all. there’s been a lot of respect pretty closely: Warren 11-Steff Evans, 10-, 9-Gareth Davies, 8-Ross Moriarty, 7-Josh Na- England finished strongly to beat There are a lot of guys in this between the two nations over Gatland vidi, 6-, 5-Alun (captain), 4-Cory Hill, 3-, Italy 46-15 in Rome. squad who will go there with a the years.” 2-, 1- Gatland said the key to win- lot of confidence,” he said. Wales named an Thursday but will be without Replacements: 16-Elliot Dee, 17-Wyn Jones, 18-Thomas Francis, 19-Bradley

ning at Twickenham, where “Everyone talks about how unchanged starting 15 for Sat- Ben Youngs after the scrum Davies, 20-Justin Tipuric, 21-Aled Davies, 22-Gareth Anscombe, 23-George Wales last had success in the much they dislike the English but urday’s game. Jones will half damaged his knee liga- North. 2015 Rugby World Cup, is I think the relationship between announce his England team on ments in the win over Italy. WEDNESDAY 7 FEBRUARY 2018 36

I would like to thank SPORT FIFA and those involved in organising this FOOTBALL CRICKET seminar in Doha, which Hani Balan, Tottenham Hotspur India vs I am convinced will be Chairman of the Qatar vs Newport County South Africa extremely valuable for you. Referees Committee. FA Cup Third ODI FIFA official praises Qatar’s world-class infrastructure

A total of 48 officials, who are likely to officiate at the FIFA World Cup in Russia in June this year, attending the FIFA World Cup 2018 Referees Workshop hosted by the Qatar Football Association.

ARMSTRONG VAS the FIFA 2002 World Cup final THE PENINSULA between Brazil and Germany said. DOHA: FIFA Referees Following the workshop, the I would like to thank Committee Chairman Pierluigi confirmed list of selected refe- Qatar and QFA for Collina hailed the outstanding rees is set to be announced by facilities provided by Qatar to FIFA. their support and host the FIFA World Cup 2018 “The target of this seminar providing the best Referees Workshop, which is is not something new for old ref- facilities in the currently held in Doha with the erees here, but this is a very world to this 2018 participation of 48 referees from important week because after different continents. the seminar we will make the FIFA World Cup During his welcome speech, final decision regarding which Russia Seminar. It’s a the Italian thanked Mansoor Al referees will be selected for the pleasure to welcome Ansari, General Secretary of World Cup 2018 next summer,” the best referees of Qatar Football Association (QFA) he said. and said: “I would like to thank The workshop which kicked the world here in Qatar and QFA for their support off Monday in Doha continue Doha. We are grateful and providing the best facilities until Friday. The Russia Refe- for the support in the world to this 2018 FIFA rees Seminar is the second of the World Cup Russia Seminar. It’s four workshops hosted by QFA received so far from a pleasure to welcome the best this February. Last week the first the QFA. referees of the world here in workshop held was the FIFA Doha. We are grateful for the Technical Experts’ Workshop support received so far from the and next week the FIFA Wom- refereeing world. The seminar QFA.” en’s World Cup France 2019 will Former Italian referee Pierluigi Collina (right) presents a souvenir to Hani Balan, Chairman of the Qatar will also provide training on “We are using very good be held from February 12 to 16, Referees Committee and Vice-Chairman of the FIFA Referees Committee on Monday. Video Assistant Referees (VAR), facilities and pitches that are 10 followed by the FIFA Master taking into consideration FIFA’s minutes away and are easily FUTURO Workshop which will intention to apply the technology accessible,” said Collina, who will be held from February 19-23. the Referees Committee, will also prominent event in the world, tests, as well as theoretical and at the 2018 FIFA World Cup supervise the five-day The 57-year-old Italian will be part of the seminars. the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia. practical analysis in preparation Russia,” Ballan added. workshop. be supervised by Executive “It brings me great pleasure I would like to thank FIFA and for the World Cup,” he added. Hosting the Seminar for 2018 “I would also like to extend Director of the FIFA Referee to welcome you all to the those involved in organising this “Throughout the week, 48 FIFA World Cup Referees dem- a special thanks to Al Kass Sports Department Massimo Busacca. opening ceremony of the sem- seminar here in Doha, which I referees and VAR assistants from onstrates FIFA and QFA’s com- Channel for providing us with Hani Balan, Chairman of the inar for 2018 FIFA World Cup am convinced will be extremely all confederations will benefit mitment to play an important their state of the art studios, staff Qatar Referees Committee and Russia Referees, which witnesses valuable for you,” Balan said. from both theoretical and prac- role in the region and the world and their latest technology and Vice-Chairman of the FIFA Ref- the referees gathered from all “We are pleased to host you tical sessions, while having the in contributing directly and pos- equipment to us for this sem- erees Committee, and Naji over the world who will be offi- here during the next few days to opportunity to discuss new itively to the development of inar,” the Italian, who officiated Juwaini, Executive Director of ciating the matches of the most conduct your medical and fitness trends and programs in the football and its’ referees. Qatar getting ready to host World Schools Handball Championship

THE PENINSULA Qatar team players have School Sports Association Abdul- been undergoing training ahead rahman Al Muftah said that the DOHA: More than 20 countries of the championship while the organizing committee is working will be participating in the 2018 organisers have taken on board to ensure a high level of readi- Handball World Schools Cham- the technical expertise of Qatar ness before the launch of this pionships which will be held Handball Association in hosting event, which is going to held for from February 22 to 28 in Doha the championship and preparing the first time in Qatar, adding and preparations to host the the team for the event. that the confidence given by the event have been going as a The International School ISF encouraged the committee smooth pace, organisers of the Sport Federation (ISF) has to ensure a successful organiza- event said here yesterday. approved the organization of the tion of the event and to highlight “The championship kicks tournament, which will be held Qatar’s capabilities in organizing from February 22 and will be for the first time in Doha, to take such large tournaments. held in both boys and girls sec- advantage of Qatar’s great Dr Salah Salem, technical tion and at three venues. The potential for organizing such expert of the School Sports Asso- event will end on February 28,” tournaments, following the great ciation, said that much have been informed Ali Al Hitmi, Secretary- success achieved when Qatar done one month before the start. General of Qatar School Sports organized the World Tennis The level of readiness at the two Association (QSSA), while School Championship two years halls in Al Sadd club and Aspire addressing a press conference ago. makes us confident that the tour- here yesterday. Last month an organizing nament will run according to the Preparations to host the committee delegation toured the schedule set in light of the great event has been gathering pace facilities where the Champion- participation by many countries, and everything is going ships will be played in order to he added. Ali Al Hitmi (left), Secretary-General of Qatar School Sports Association speaking in Doha yesterday. according to the plan,” he added. inspect the latest preparations A draw ceremony of the “The boy’s matches will be and ensure that all the ISF Handball World Schools Cham- held at Ali bin Hamad Al Attiyah requirements are met after pionships held in Doha places and Belgium are in Group C. France Denmark, France, Croatia, while Group B consists of Hun- Hall at Al Sadd Club while the another visit by the ISF delega- Qatar in Group A in the boys is placed with Croatia, Serbia, Iran Belgium and Georgia are placed gary, Austria, Serbia, Czech girls event will be stage at Qatar tion to inspect the readiness of event along Denmark, Austria, and Bulgaria in Group B while Ger- in Group D of the girls’ tourna- Republic and India. Slovenia, Women’s Sports Committee Hall the facilities of the tournament. Poland and Morocco. many, Czech Republic, Romania ment. Group A has Turkey, Ger- Brazil, Sweden and Greece com- and at Aspire Dome,” he added. Executive Director of the Turkey, Brazil, Greece, India and Georgia are in Group D. many, Romania and Bulgaria plete Group C.