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Thursday, December 22, 2016 CRICKET Rabia I 23, 1438 AH Captaincy question GULF TIMES hangs over Cook with England stagnating SPORT Page 10 SUPERCOPPA 2016 ‘Qatar capable of hosting great World Cup’ Juventus centre-back Giorgio Chiellini was speaking ahead of his team’s Italian Cup showdown against AC Milan, which takes place tomorrow

By Sahan Bidappa “It is my second time in Qatar and Madrid and Barcelona greats Raul “Historically Milan is a strong team Doha the atmosphere now is very good for Gonzalez and Xavi Hernandez to play and it will be a good match. We ex- players and the weather is wonderful professional football in Qatar. pect a high level competition between for football. Aspire is something won- In the absence of fellow key defend- the two teams. This season they are in nlike his fearsome personality derful, the facilities are just fi rst class,” ers Leonardo bonucci and Dani Alves, the top level of the league; we expect a on the football pitch, Giorgio Chiellini said. Chiellini will have to play an even big- highly competitive match and we have Chiellini is soft-spoken off With Qatar hosting the World Cup ger role tomorrow against Milan and full respect for them because they are the fi eld. The Juventus and in 2022, Chiellini said he won’t hang the left-back expects a tough test from contenders for the championship this UItaly centre-back has a well-earned around playing football till then but San Siro side. season,” Chiellini said. reputation as a football bully, brute and expected the tournament to be a huge brawler but there is a huge discrepancy success. “I hope we can have a very Milan set for Doha Super Cup aft er 24hr delay between his on and off -pitch personas. good World Cup in 2022. We feel the The 32-year-old will be a key fi gure passion for football among the locals AC Milan have flown to Doha It was even suggested that Milan for Juventus in the Italian Super Cup fi - here. Qatar is capable of hosting a great yesterday for the Italian Super Cup would forego the final if they failed to nal against AC Milan at Al Sadd stadium World Cup,” the defender, who has final against league and Cup winners fly out yesterday. tomorrow night. And one can expect played 90 times for Italy, said. Juventus after a 24-hour delay due to But a statement by the club said: “A Chiellini to get back to his brutal best. Chiellini whose Juventus contract technical problems, the club said. few hours from our departure for But yesterday, the Italian at the As- will come to end next year, ruled out any CEO Adriano Galliani was fuming on Doha, the squad has been training at pire Zone was all smiles as he blended move to Chinese Super League, current- Tuesday after Milan, the beaten Cup (their training complex of) Milanello.” in, posed for selfi es with the local fans ly world football’s most lucrative market. finalists last season, were prevented Galliani had complained late on while also taking part in a training ses- “I cannot talk about my future now. from flying to Qatar when their plane Tuesday: “Juventus are already relax- sion with his Juventus teammates. It is impossible to talk about China, was stranded in London. ing in the heat, they’ll be training in It’s the Italian’s second time in Doha Australia, Qatar and the MLS. I wish Juventus defender Giorgio Chiellini (second left) during training yesterday. He said the delay would give Juven- temperatures 20 degrees higher than and he enjoys coming to the Qatar the best for the players who decide to tus an “unfair advantage” because at Milanello. capital, especially with weather this play in China,” is all he would say. fer radar, with the 32-year-old having the Italy national side. they have been training in the searing “We’ll arrive at night-time and only time of the year here far less cold than Earlier this year Chiellini was among previously worked with Blues’ man- Chiellini also said he would not fol- heat of Doha since Tuesday. have one day to prepare.” in Turin. those said to be on the Chelsea’s trans- ager Antonio Conte in Turin and with low in the footsteps of former Real Gulf Times 2 Thursday, December 22, 2016 SPORT

SPOTLIGHT Juve’s Marchisio looking to end 2016 on a high ‘2016 was bittersweet, but I look at the positives. I won two major trophies and now I can take a third, the first of the season’

By Sahan Bidappa Doha

or Claudio Marchisio, 2016 has been a year to forget. The Ju- ventus midfi elder was laid low most of the year by injuries, withF a ruptured anterior cruciate liga- ment forcing him to miss the Euro 2016 and the start of the Serie A season. The Italian, who got himself injured while playing for Juventus in April, only made a comeback in the last week of October. While Juventus have con- tinued to dominate the Italian football, Marchisio underwent a painful recov- ery process for six months and is yet to regain his best form. “This year I missed a lot of things because the injury came at the end of the season,” Marchisio said yesterday in Doha. “It wasn’t easy to recover. I was working in the morning and after- noon. It wasn’t easy, and I’m still not at 100 per cent,” he added. However, the 30-year-old is look- ing at the future and wants to end 2016 on a high by winning the Italian Super Cup in Doha tomorrow. The Bianconeri face AC Milan at the Al Sadd stadium, aiming to win the trophy for the fourth time in fi ve seasons. And it’s a perfect opportunity for Marchisio to banish the personal trou- bles, while winning his third title of the year with Old Lady of Turin. “I’m a guy who doesn’t deal with it well when I’m out, I wanted to be strong and on the pitch. My 2016 was bittersweet, but I look at the positives. I won two major trophies and now I can take a third, the fi rst of the season,” he said. Marchisio, who has 263 caps with Juventus, is wary of Milan and believes they will be desperate to make amends for last year’s Coppa Italia fi nal defeat at the hands of Juventus. “It won’t be an easy match against Milan, who have already beaten us in Juventus midfielder Claudio Marchisio (R) during a training session at the Aspire Arena yesterday. Juventus will play AC Milan in the 2016 Super Coppa tomorrow. PIC: Noushad Thekkayil the league,” Marchisio said. “We will have to be very careful because they Cup will be played outside Italy, and “We will have to be very careful movement. They are only two points delayed by 24 hours due to technical come down to the smallest details. are a team with a lot youngsters, who Milan only qualifi ed for the match as because they are a team with a behind second-place Roma. Juventus, problems. “Our league defeat to Milan taught will want to show what they can do and Italian Cup runner-up after Juventus lot youngsters, who will want to however, is seemingly on an unstoppa- Marchisio believes that the prepara- us that we must not underestimate an- want to confi rm what they are doing. won both the league title and cup last show what they can do and want ble march to a record sixth Serie A title. tion will be key ahead of Friday’s en- yone. If you are not at your best against We want to end this year as we started season. to confi rm what they are doing. Juventus held their training session counter. “Our focus at the moment is any side at this level, you always risk it though, and make it perfect,” the But Milan has turned things around We want to end this year as we at Aspire yesterday, with Milan only on preparing ourselves as best we can by losing, not least in a game like this midfi elder added. this season under new coach Vincen- started it though, and make it making their way to Doha last night getting used to the playing surface and where one mistake can cost you the It is the ninth time the Italian Super zo Montella, fully embracing a youth perfect,” the midfi elder added. after their fl ight from London was the climate here in Doha. Finals always trophy,” the Italian noted.

HELLO QATAR, SAYS JUVENTUS

(L to R) Juventus’ Italian midfielder Claudio Marchisio, Argentinian forward Paulo Dybala, French defender Patrice Evra and Argentinian forward Gonzalo Higuain.

Juventus players during their training session at the Aspire Zone yesterday. PICS: Noushad Thekkayil

Juventus’ Patrice Evra (R) greets Al Sadd’s Xavi Hernandez (L) yesterday. Evra then got adventurous... Gulf Times Thursday, December 22, 2016 3 FOOTBALL

QATAR STARS LEAGUE Lekhwiya thrash Shahania 10-0 to create QSL record Yusef El Arabi notched up a treble while Moez Ali and Yusef Msakni grabbed a double each as Djamel Belmadi’s boys destroyed hapless Shahania

Lekhwiya coach Djamel Belmadi looked a happy man.

Lekhwiya’s Yusef El Arabi scored a hat-trick yesterday during his team’s demolition of Shahania. PICTURES: Noushad Thekkayil

By Sports Reporter able to head into the back of the net for space to thump Lekhwiya’s fourth fi rst game, tapping in from close range from Doha the Spaniard’s fi rst goal of the season. half goal. a Yusef El Arabi cross. Twenty minutes later Lekhwiya Al Shahania tried to steady the ship Two goals of quality in two min- doubled their advantage thanks to in the second half, but the goals still utes further cemented Lekhwiya’s our-time QSL champions Yusef El Arabi, who notched his fi f- came for Lekhwiya. In the 64th minute dominance. The goal of the tie came Lekhwiya taught Al Shahania teenth goal of the season. Moez Ali Shahania keeper Khalifa al-Dossari in the 78th minute after a slick passing a footballing lesson yester- squared the ball to the Moroccan was caught with the ball which was move between Msakni and Nam Tae day, notching a QSL record striker who swept the ball into the back promptly passed to Yusef El Arabi who Hee ended up with the South Korean inF the process when they defeated of the net. Four minutes later and Le- grabbed his sixteenth and possibly eas- smashing in from close range follow- the newly promoted side 10-0. Four khwiya had a third through Yusef Msa- iest goal of the season. ing a neat back heel from Msakni. Then goals in the first half followed by six kni who registered his fourth goal of substitute Ali Afi f produced a bicycle in the second, saw the Red Knights the season. A Nam Tae Hee corner was ONE-WAY TRAFFIC kick to notch his side’s ninth goal of the make light work of Jose Fernando’s not dealt with properly by the Al Sha- It was one-way traffi c and in the 70th game moments later. Oryxes. Lekhwiya ran rampant in the hania defence and Msakni pounced to minute Lekhiwya scored a sixth, with With grim inevitability, Lekhwiya game which saw Yusef El Arabi grab register his side’s third goal in just un- Yusef Msakni grabbing his second of notched a tenth of the tie, and a QSL a hat-trick while Moez Ali and Yusef der thirty minutes. the night. A fl ighted cross from Karim record in the process. Yusef El Arabi Msakni grabbed a double each. Lekhiwya were at their free fl owing Boudiaf found Msakni along with three hit a shot from outside the box which Barely two minutes had passed and best and youngster Moez Ali added other unmarked Lekwiya players at the fl ashed past Khalifa al-Dossari with Djamel Belmadi’s team registered their to Al Shahania’s misery picking up back post and the Tunisian interna- 83 minutes on the clock. Mercifully fi rst goal of the game. South Korean the fourth goal for his side in the 38th tional slid in for yet another goal. Moez Lekhwiya didn’t add any more to their star Nam Tae Hee curled in a fi ne free- minute. Al Shahania’s defence gave the Ali grabbed his brace moments later as haul and the referee’s whistle fi nally kick which defender Chico Flores was Qatar international plenty of time and Lekhwiya notched their seventh of the put an end to the misery for Shahania. Lekwiya striker Yousef Msakni (third right) scored a brace yesterday.

BOTTOMLINE PREVIEW Jaish ready for Wakrah hammer Sailiya 5-1 goal-machine Sadd By Sports Reporter an were looking for their third Results Doha straight league win in order to keep the pressure on the top Lekhwiya 10 - 0 Al Shahaniya By Sports Reporter best attack also the best defence. teams after a poor start to the Al Khor 2 – 1 Al Rayyan Doha We must play to our advantage l Wakrah scored fi ve season but instead left empty Al Wakrah 5 – 1 Al Sailiya and try to not give them a lot of past Sailiya who could handed after conceding two late space and a lot of chances. They only answer with one of goals from Al Khor who were in l Jaish take on Al Sadd have a lot of quality in the back, Atheir own. The resound- desperate need for three points the bottom left hand corner of in round thirteen of the in the middle and in attack and ing victory came at the Al Wakrah to avoid a relegation fi ght. Al Khor’s goal. Al Khor’s goal- QSL. The match of the they score many goals so tomor- stadium yesterday with Maher Al Rayyan came out looking keeper, Baba Djibril, was quick week will take place at row we will try to limit them.” Yousef grabbing a hat-trick. the livelier team and kept the to spot the danger when the theE Al Sadd stadium today. As for Al Sadd, they coming Al Wakrah started their scor- ball in Al Khor’s own half for the ball was played and able come El Jaish, after losing their last into their top of the table match ing spree in the second minute fi rst for the fi rst ten minutes of out and get down quickly once game against Al Gharafa are third up on fi ne form in the league, and after a penalty was awarded to the game. Al Khor began playing Tabata let rip, defl ecting the in the table with twenty-eight went top for the fi rst time this them. Sailiya defender, Dragos some decent counter attacking shot past his post with an out- points. The Soldiers will be look- season after their 3-1 win over Al Gregory’s hand touched the ball football and managed to carve stretched left leg. ing to get the three points against Wakrah. Wolves coach Jesualdo after a header from a cross. Moh- out a number of chances but it Al Khor began to overturn the league leaders as they bid for Ferreira spoke to the local media sine Moutouali stepped up for the was Al Rayyan that found the the possession and take control their fi rst ever QSL title. ahead of the game. penalty and slotted it to the left to back of the net fi rst thanks for of the game in the hunt for the Sabri Lamouchi, the head Opening up the press confer- give Al Wakrah the early lead. a goal from Uruguyan defender, equaliser. The pressure paid off coach of El Jaish was full of praise ence Ferreira was full of praise In the tenth minute Mahir Gonzalo Viera. and their equaliser came on the about his opponents, “Tomor- for El Jaish. “We will be facing a Yousef scored a spectacular free Al Rayyan’s captain, Rodrigo 82nd minute thanks to a scrap- row is the last game before the great team in El Jaish, who have kick to double the Blue Wave’s Tabata, glided in a lovely cross py goal from Musab Majid who break. It’s a tough game against led the league for many weeks, lead. His curving free kick from from a free kick on the left wing slotted the ball home from six a diffi cult team. Maybe the best they will be hungry to get back about twenty fi ve yards went into that was expertly controlled yards out after the goalkeeper team in the league, maybe this to the top and we must be careful the right top corner to make it 2-0. Wakrah’s Maher Yousef (third left) scored a treble yesterday. in the 18 yard box by their big failed to keep hold of a hard season’s champions and maybe against this side.” Just fi ve minutes later Al Wak- number 23, Sebastian Soria. Af- header from Saleh al-Yazidi who the best club in the country. The Portuguese coach was rah striker, Pablo Zeballos drib- Sailiya headed the ball towards Wakrah to no reply. ter some fancy footwork in the found space and leapt well to However, we will try our best as tight lipped on any injuries for bled his way into the box and the goal and Sultan al-Brake In the sixtieth minute, Sailiya box, Soria was able to evade his connect with a fi erce cross. we know the importance of this his side, but stressed that his fi red past Sailiya keeper Gregory cleared it off the line. won themselves a penalty. The marker and drill a low, hard cross The equaliser spurred Al Khor match.” side have a deep enough squad Gomis to make it 3-0 for his side. Five minutes later Alo’o Efoulou ever dependable Faouzi Aaish into the six yard box where Viera on and just six minutes later, they “We lost two games, one to match the quality of El Jaish. Maher Yousef scored his sec- of Sailiya had two chances from converted the spot-kick. But it was lurking and able to stab the got the winner and snatched a against Lekhwiya and the other “I will not tell you about the in- ond of the night in the twentieth close range but Al Wakrah Keeper, was too little too late for the Per- ball home from just two yards vital three points thanks to a sub- against Gharafa. My players nev- juries we have at the moment, all minute. The Qatari cut past a Hassan Idris saved the fi rst try and egrines who suff ered their sec- out to give The Lions the lead. lime solo goal from Babou Sidiki. er deserved to lose these games. I I can say is that the replacements defender and then sent a curving Sultan al-Brake cleared it off the ond straight defeat. The second half started much Picking the ball up on the right cannot complain about my play- are more than ready to help our shot past the keeper to the left to line in the second. like the fi rst did, with Al Rayy- wing 22 yards out, Sidiki ran at ers as they did a great job from side in this important game.” make it 4-0. Maher Yousef then got him- Khor upset current champions an dominating possession. Al two backtracking Al Rayyan de- the start until now. We don’t Ferreira concluded that his Sailiya tried to get back into self a hat-trick just minutes be- Rayyan 2-1 Rayyan’s fi rst clear cut chance of fenders only to cut inside and un- need to be disappointed as we side must take a game by game the game but their eff ort was fore the half-time in the forty- League strugglers Al Khor beat the second half came on the 59th leash a lightening shot from the were fi rst for a long time but now mentality. “This is the last game blocked thanks to some vigilant second minute. Ahmed Koheyl current QSL champions Al minute when Tabata latched edge of the 18 yard box, leaving we are third,” added the French of the year and to be top going defending from Sultan al-Brake. sent in a cross to his team mate Rayyan 2-1 to claim an unlikely onto a lovely through ball when the goalkeeper with little chance tactician. into 2017 will be our motivation. In the thirty-second minute of and Maher Yousef made a div- three points at Al Khor Stadium. running into the 18 yard box and as it smashed onto the post before Speaking about his opponents, We must take our time and focus the fi rst half, Mustafa Hafeth of ing header to make it fi ve for Al Reigning champions Al Rayy- hit a low, hard shot aiming for hitting the net. Lamouchi added, “They have the on each game as it comes.” Gulf Times 4 Thursday, December 22, 2016 SPORT

SPOTLIGHT SHAME British football abuse victims as Beckenbauer young as four: police

AFP come from British police forces. London Ninety-eight percent of the identifi ed victims are male and the NPCC confi rmed other sports have been cited. denies bribes paid hildren as young as four There had been 639 refer- may have been molested rals, 98 clubs implicated and 83 as part of the deepen- suspects at the time of the last ing sexual abuse scandal NPCC update on December 9. Cthat has shaken British football, The NPCC is still urging vic- police revealed yesterday. tims of child sexual abuse in In an update on the scandal, British football to come forward. Britain’s National Police Chiefs’ Four former players abused for 2006 WCup Council (NPCC) said there have by youth coaches — Ian Ackley, been signifi cant rises in the Derek Bell, Paul Stewart and “The award of the World Cup to Germany was not bought to the best of my numbers of clubs implicated, David White — met FA chair- suspects and potential victims. man Greg Clarke at Wembley on knowledge. We did not want to bribe anyone and we did not bribe anyone” A probe of child sexual abuse Tuesday. in Britain, Operation Hydrant, White, formerly of Manches- is looking at 148 clubs, 155 po- ter City, wrote on Twitter that tential suspects and 429 victims the FA was now “showing a true aged from four to 20 at the time duty of care to victims and to the of the alleged off ences. Most of current and future safeguarding it happened more than 20 years of kids”. SurvivorsUK, Britain’s ago. biggest male rape and sexual Several ex-professional play- abuse charity, has urged the FA ers have come forward to al- and individual clubs to make lege abuse at the hands of youth counselling available to victims. coaches after Andy Woodward “The least that the clubs can revealed last month he was now do is to make arrangements abused by a convicted child mo- with specialist organisations lester at Crewe Alexandra. to provide that counselling and The latest NPCC fi gures, support to those who will fi nd which cover football from the if helpful,” Keith Best, the char- popular Premier League down ity’s chief executive, said in a to grass-roots level, follow 819 statement. referrals to Operation Hydrant. “This is an investment not Three-quarters of the refer- only in those to whom a duty of rals have come from a dedicated care was owed, but also in soci- helpline set up by England’s ety. Football Association and charity “The cost of a failure to react the National Society for the Pre- positively to the individuals and vention of Cruelty to Children to society as a whole is enor- (NSPCC). mous, disproportionately more The remaining referrals have than a course of therapy.”

Toure keen to help Man City become ‘bigger’ than United

Reuters, Manchester: City made a flying start under Midfielder Yaya Toure (centre, manager Pep Guardiola, top) is determined to realise winning their first 10 games, his dream of helping Man- but have won just six of 17 chester City eclipse arch rivals matches since, a run which Manchester United. has left them third in the The side have a long way to Premier League, seven points go to overhaul England’s most behind leaders Chelsea after 17 DPA the aff air “before the German and Swiss senior DFB offi cials in connection with of that length would usually be imposed successful club but backed games. Toure, however, is cer- Berlin authorities, with whom I am cooperating the payment. for a more serious misdemeanour than by the wealthy City Football tain Guardiola will not buckle of course, have fi nished their investiga- However, Beckenbauer was not a sub- the off ences for which he was sanctioned. Group, Toure felt huge strides under pressure to tweak the tions.” ject of the investigation, a prosecution Niersbach was ruled to have “failed had been made since he joined tactics that have served the erman football great Franz Swiss prosecutors said at the beginning spokeswoman said at the time. Becken- to report fi ndings about possible mis- from Barcelona in 2010. manager well during trophy- Beckenbauer has again re- of September they had opened criminal bauer underwent heart bypass surgery at conduct concerning the awarding of the “I have already won two laden spells at Barcelona and jected allegations of bribes paid proceedings on November 6 last year the beginning of September. 2006 World Cup” and a confl ict of in- Premier League titles and I Bayern Munich. in connection with the 2006 against Beckenbauer and former senior “Today, thanks to the skill of the doc- terest. “In my case it is about late infor- want more than that, another “You always have to do what GWorld Cup in Germany. German football federation (DFB) offi - tors, I am doing well, I would even say mation to FIFA’s ethics committee and new story,” Toure told British you know. I don’t think he’s Breaking a long silence on the aff air, cials Wolfgang Niersbach, Theo Zwan- really, really good,” he said. “I’ve got my a confl ict of interest, and I also have not media. (Guardiola) going to change Beckenbauer wrote in Germany’s Bild ziger and Horst R Schmidt. The pro- rehab behind me, I’ve changed my life a enriched myself,” Niersbach was quoted “What we are seeing is the Pre- many things,” Toure said. newspaper: “The award of the World Cup ceedings relate to allegations of fraud, little and am doing a lot of sport again.” by Sport Bild as saying. mier League is so tough, this “I think he’s seen how diff icult to Germany was not bought to the best of criminal mismanagement, money laun- He said he was ending his work for FIFA’s appeals committee on Friday year it’s going to be tougher this league is physically, but my knowledge. We did not want to bribe dering and misappropriation. Bild after 34 years because he wanted to dismissed an appeal by Niersbach against than any other years. When I he’s a very intelligent guy, anyone and we did not bribe anyone.” Investigations have focused on a pay- spend more time with his family. He lives the one-year ban. Niersbach, 66, con- signed for City, I came to this he understands football very Beckenbauer, 71, then head of the Ger- ment to football world governing body in Salzburg with his third wife, Heidi and fi rmed he would not appeal to the Court club to make history. well. He always has to win, man World Cup organising committee, FIFA of 6.7mn euros (around 7mn dollars) his two children. of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), and that “I want this club to change, to conquer a league, but he’s is a central fi gure in investigations into for a World Cup gala event which never Former DFB president Niersbach has he would hand back his FIFA council I want this club to be bigger seen that in England it’s com- unclear payments in connection with took place. German prosecuting authori- meanwhile again expressed disappointed mandate. His term as UEFA executive than United. I know it’s going plicated.” the World Cup. Saying it would be his ties in November 2015 separately opened at his one-year ban from football im- committee member meanwhile ends in to be a lot of work, but that’s City travel to face last-placed last column for Bild, Beckenbauer said an investigation on “suspicion of tax eva- posed by FIFA’s ethics committee. He spring 2017 before the expiration of the my dream.” Hull City on Monday. he could not comment in detail about sion in a particularly severe case” into told Sport Bild published yesterday a ban ban.

BASKETBALL Comfortable victories for Gharafa and Jaish

By Sports Reporter Doha Action from the Qatar Men’s League basketball tournament at the Al Gharafa Sports Club yesterday. ammy Monroe top-scored with 29 points as Al Gharafa romped to an 86-64 win over Al Ahli in Sthe Qatar Men’s League at the Al Gharafa Sports Club yesterday. There was precious little to choose between the two teams initially as Al Gharafa just about managed to edge Al Ahli 21-19 in the fi rst quarter, but there- after the tide turned completely against the latter who were left chasing shadows. Bravo scored 26 baskets from fi eld goals and was ably supported by Al- exander Arnold who chipped in with an equally signifi cant 24 points. Essad Muslic with 11 also made a useful con- tribution. Al Gharafa stretched their lead to 13 Ahli cut into the lead with six consecu- victory over Al Sadd, winning 85-64. points at the end of the second quarter, tive points. For Al Ahli, Branko Eremi- James Davon led the El Jaish charge fi nally emerging winners by a comfort- nov scored 22, while Seydou Ndoye had with 22 points with a couple of three- able 22-point margin. 14 and Nemanja Mijkovic 11. pointers while Leon Macklin had 20. In the fi nal stages, Al Gharafa led by In the second match of the day, El None of the other El Jaish players could a whopping 28 points (86-58) before Al Jaish notched up a similarly one-sided reach double fi gures. Gulf Times Thursday, December 22, 2016 5 FORMULA 1

A LOOK BACK F1 faces more change aft er

Sensational performances, change of ownership, a Rosberg exit thrilling finale, retirements... the year gone by saw it all

Reuters Damon Hill as only the second son Dutch teenager Max Verstappen Next year, with new rules bring- London of a champion to take the crown. provided another as the sport’s ing wider tyres and faster cars If that success was a shock to youngest race winner at 18. with more aggressive handling, those who expected him to fi nish The ‘Verstappen show’, as Mer- promises even more excitement. ormula One goes into the runner-up again, as might have cedes team boss Toto Wolff dubbed More signifi cant change has New Year braced for change been the case without Hamilton’s the driver’s sensational drive in already started off the track with on and off the track, even if blown engine in Malaysia and a wet Brazil, came of age after his Liberty Media, led by US cable Lewis Hamilton will again other issues, it was nothing to move from Toro Rosso to Red Bull mogul John Malone, taking con- startF as top dog at Mercedes and what followed next. Racing in May. trol of the sport in a deal valued at fi rm favourite to take his fourth “I have climbed my mountain, I The teenager won on his de- $8bn. world championship. am on the peak, so this feels right,” but for the senior team, helped by The deal is due to be completed After winning 19 of a record 21 Rosberg said after telling stunned Hamilton and Rosberg colliding by the fi rst quarter of 2017 and races in 2016, starting all but one team bosses that he was calling it on the fi rst lap, in Spain as Red Liberty are talking already about on pole and retaining both titles a day. Bull eclipsed Ferrari to emerge as a new era in the longer-term, in- for the third year in a row, there is Mercedes will not name a re- Mercedes’ closest rivals. cluding measures to give more just a chance that Mercedes will be placement until January at least, Australian teammate Daniel back to the fans while limiting the less dominant. with Finn Valtteri Bottas favour- Ricciardo also stood on top of the amounts teams spend. They will be without newly- ite to move from Williams into the podium, and brought with him the That could also make for some crowned champion Nico Rosberg hot seat. Lewis Hamilton finished runner-up Max Verstappen’s sensational drive in dubious delight of the ‘Shoey’ — lively headlines as Formula One’s for starters, after the retirement Rosberg was not the only one despite 10 wins in the season. Brazil saw him finish third. champagne poured into his boot 86-year-old commercial supremo bombshell that dropped jaws heading for the exit, with Ron for others on the podium to share. Bernie Ecclestone, who has no in- around the world only days after Dennis ousted as McLaren boss Rosberg’s reign if Williams coax 10 victories in a season and not Other novelties in the longest of tention of moving aside, and he won his fi rst title. and 2009 champion Jenson But- the Brazilian back in Bottas’s the title, had a roller-coaster year seasons were the US-owned Haas new chairman The German came good as nev- ton making way at the team for place. with a bizarre ‘meltdown’ with the team scoring on their debut, Re- Chase Carey fi g- er before this year, winning the Belgian Stoff el Vandoorne. Hamilton, who won more races media in Japan. nault’s low-key return as a manu- ure out a way opening four races and nine in to- Felipe Massa also retired but with more poles than any other While Rosberg made the biggest facturer team and the fi rst grand forward. tal on his way to joining Britain’s that could be as short-lived as driver and became the fi rst to take breakthrough of 2016, Red Bull’s prix in Azerbaijan.

BOTTOMLINE SPOTLIGHT Ricciardo rules himself Bottas closer to Mercedes out for Mercedes move amid Williams shake-up

Reuters London

ormula One’s post-season shake-up took another spin on Tuesday with Williams announcing the departure of technicalF head Pat Symonds while Valtteri Bottas moved closer to Mer- cedes and Felipe Massa’s retirement looked to be coming to an end. Williams said Symonds, 63, would be leaving them on December 31, the news coming amid speculation that Paddy Lowe is set to join them from dominant world champions Mercedes to take up a similar role. Symonds, who worked with the late Brazilian great Ayrton Senna at Tole- man in the 1980s and seven times champion Michael Schumacher at Benetton in the 1990s, joined Wil- liams in 2013. AFP seat, and you don’t blame them. “Pat’s appointment was the start of Perth, Australia “I just hope whoever gets it appre- a major restructuring exercise, and he ciates it. It’s a damn good one. But for has been pivotal in reshaping Williams me, you’ll see me at Albert Park (Mel- into what is a much stronger racing ustralia’s Daniel Ricciardo bourne) in a Red Bull.” team today,” deputy principal Claire yesterday ruled out joining Mercedes communications chief Williams said. Mercedes next year to replace Bradley Lord said last week there would “We now look to the future and world champion Nico Ros- be no announcement until next year, will be announcing details regarding berg,A saying he is happy at Red Bull. following Rosberg’s shock retirement the team’s technical leadership in due the former world champions, who fi n- is also involved in the Finn’s manage- mediately available and neither Wil- Mercedes are yet to name who they this month. course.” ished fi fth this year, will start the year ment. liams nor Mercedes have confi rmed want as Lewis Hamilton’s new partner, His comments came as French media Symonds left Formula One in 2009 with several new faces. If Bottas leaves, Brazilian veteran anything. although reports say they are chasing reported Felipe Massa was in talks with when his then employers Renault were Canadian Lance Stroll, still just 18, Massa is tipped to come back out of Williams use Mercedes engines Valtteri Bottas from Williams. Williams about reversing his decision embroiled in a race-fi xing scandal af- will be making his race debut but his the retirement he started — somewhat and a discount on them, coupled with Ricciardo, who fi nished third in the to retire, which would free up 27-year- ter it emerged that they had ordered team mate remains uncertain follow- reluctantly when it became evident Lowe possibly being allowed to join 2016 drivers’ championship behind old Bottas to switch to Mercedes. Brazilian Nelson Piquet to crash de- ing the surprise retirement of Mer- there was nowhere else for him to go — the team earlier than scheduled, is Rosberg and Hamilton, said he wasn’t Massa, 35, retired from Formula One liberately at the 2008 Singapore Grand cedes’ newly-crowned world cham- at the end of November. likely to sweeten any deal for Bottas. about to jump ship. at the end of the season, but French Prix. pion Nico Rosberg. Media reports indicated Massa, 35, Mercedes, who are believed to have “I’ve got two more years at Red Bull. sports daily L’Equipe has said he is in The Briton returned as a consult- Bottas, who has been at Williams had agreed the terms for a return to former Ferrari technical head James That’s where I’m going to be,” he told talks for another year with Williams. ant in 2011 with Virgin Racing, now since 2013, is the favourite to replace Williams should Bottas go. Allison lined up, have said there will reporters in Perth. One of the two seats at Williams has Manor. Rosberg as Lewis Hamilton’s team Massa is currently on holiday, his be no announcement on their driver “There’s a lot of people that are already been taken by rookie Lance His departure from Williams means mate. Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff manager Nicolas Todt was not im- line-up until the New Year. tempted to jump into that (Mercedes) Stroll, 18. Gulf Times 6 Thursday, December 22, 2016 SPORT

NBA From humble beginnings, hoops celebrates 125th birthday A game drawn up to occupy some bored boys as winter ap- proached at a Massachusetts gymnasium celebrates its 125th anniversary yesterday and bas- James carries Cavs to ketball’s status as the world’s second most popular sport. Basketball began on Decem- ber 21, 1891 at the Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA) gym in Springfield with rules made up by Canadian physical education instructor James OT victory over Bucks Naismith. Last year more than one billion people watched James makes a 33-foot 3-pointer with 24 seconds left and Parker misses two free throws with 19.1 remaining National Basketball Associa- tion programming, said NBA Deputy Commissioner Mark By Marla Ridenour Tatum, who helps preside over Akron Beacon Journal the world’s preeminent ‘hoops’ league. Yesterday, Springfield’s Naismith Memorial Basket- he second time around, ball Hall of Fame marks the the circumstances anniversary with celebrations couldn’t have been including a Birthday of Bas- more diff erent. ketball college doubleheader TWhen the Cavaliers visited featuring Auburn, Boston Col- Milwaukee on November 29, lege, Fairfield and Oklahoma the Bucks outscored them by at Mohegan Sun Arena in Con- 34 points in the paint and out- necticut. Naismith recalled the rebounded them by eight. Gian- sport’s primitive beginnings nis Antetokoumpo was virtually in a New York radio interview unstoppable as a scorer, equal- in 1939. “I called the boys to ling his career-high. the gym, divided them up into The Cavs looked old and slow, teams of nine and gave them a the Bucks young and energetic. little soccer ball,” he said. The result was an embarrass- “I showed them two peach ing 17-point Cavs loss against a baskets I’d nailed up at each young Eastern Conference team end of the gym (about 10 feet on the rise. above the floor), and I told On Tuesday night at the BMO them the idea was to throw Harris Bradley Center, the dis- the ball into the opposing parity wasn’t as striking, the team’s peach basket. “I blew pace wasn’t so frenetic, the the whistle, and the first game Bucks’ path to the basket not of basketball began.” Running nearly as clear, even with the with the ball was not allowed, Cavs down two starters as they only passing or directing it eked out a 114-108 overtime with the hand toward a team victory. mate or the basket. Dribbling Antetokoumpo didn’t score and other developments until 6:07 remained in the sec- came over time. The new ond quarter. Even with Kevin game quickly caught on after Love back in Cleveland with a Naismith’s 13 initial rules were stiff knee, the Cavs jumped out spread by the YMCA’s newslet- to an 18-point second quar- ter. By 1894 basketball was ter lead. Kyrie Irving came out being played in France, China, strong with 10 points and fi ve India and more than a dozen assists in the fi rst quarter. other countries. It became a But in what could be the dawn favourite in schools, college of a new rivalry, the Bucks again campuses and playgrounds, proved to be a tough matchup and at the Olympics and in for the Cavs, taking them to professional leagues across overtime before the Cavs pre- the globe. The NBA includes vailed. international players from 41 LeBron James made a 33-foot countries and territories — a 3-pointer with 24 seconds left contingent making up more and Jabari Parker missed two than 25 % of the league. “Bas- free throws with 19.1 remaining, ketball is appealing because giving the Cavs a 110-108 edge it can be played by both and the ball with 18 seconds boys and girls, indoors and left. Irving and James added outdoors, in rural communi- two free throws apiece, and the Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (C) grabs a rebound with help from forward Richard Jeff erson (R) against Milwaukee Bucks guard Tony Snell in overtime at BMO ties and cities, and without a Bucks went scoreless the rest of Harris Bradley Center. James scored 34 points to help the Cavaliers beat the Bucks 114-108. PICTURE: USA TODAY Sports lot of built-in infrastructure,” the way. said NBA Deputy Commis- Had they not escaped with and seven assists, Irving added will complete the same with up trying to go inside and were tion worsened when J.R. Smith we’ve got to get back in time, sioner Mark Tatum. Tatum the victory, the Cavs would have 28 points and fi ve assists and the Cavs on Wednesday night in hurt by poor shot selection. was forced to sit out the second build a wall and make them play said technology and social been kicking themselves on the Channing Frye came off the Cleveland. Injured in a collision with half with what the Cavs said was against our half-court defense.” media had helped boost the fl ight home after blowing a 100- bench to contribute 15 points. James moved into eighth the Los Angeles Lakers’ Larry a right thumb injury. DeAndre massive growth of the sport. 93 lead with 2:32 remaining in Parker led the Bucks with 30 place on the NBA’s all-time Nance Jr. on Saturday, Love is Liggins started the second half “NBA games and program- regulation. Greg Monroe’s lay- points and nine rebounds An- scoring list with a put-back of averaging 22.3 points and 10.7 for Smith, who contributed six RESULTS ming can be seen in 215 up and Tony Snell’s 3-pointer tetokoumpo added 27 points, his off ensive rebound with 9:11 rebounds. He has scored at least points in the fi rst half. Images of LA Clippers 119 Denver 102 countries and territories in 49 drew the Bucks within two, then 14 rebounds, two steals and left in the fi rst quarter, pass- 20 points in his past six games, Smith’s thumb were inconclu- Golden State 104 Utah 74 languages, and last year more Parker tied the game on a driv- three blocked shots. A 6-foot- ing Moses Malone, who totalled his longest streak with the Cavs. sive after the game. Sacramento 126 Portland 121 than 1 bn people watched NBA ing layup off an Matthew Del- 11 forward in his third season, 27,409 points. The Cavs were also thin on What concerned Lue most Cleveland 114 Milwaukee 108 (OT) programming,” he said. Old lavedova assist. Antetokoumpo pitched in nine Starting Richard Jeff erson big men without Love and Chris from the last matchup was tran- Boston 112 Memphis 109 (OT) fashioned technology showed Irving’s 3-pointer with one points in the fourth quarter and for Love, the Cavs missed Love “Birdman” Andersen, who tore sition and the Cavs did improve San Antonio 1 02 Houston 100 its value when an alumnus of second remaining in regula- six more in overtime before foul- most in a lackluster second the ACL in his right knee in in that area. “When Giannis and Toronto 1 16 Brooklyn 104 the University of Kansas paid tion fell short, as did Antetok- ing out with 28.1 seconds left. quarter in which they managed practice Friday. Then Tristan Jabari get it off the glass, we have NY Knicks 118 Indiana 111 $4.3mn at auction for the two oumpo’s last-gasp heave off The Bucks were coming off just 22 points on 7-of-18 shoot- Thompson picked up his fourth to get back,” Lue said at shoota- Orlando 136 Miami 130 (OT) pages of typewritten rules that the inbounds. James fi nished two victories in a back-to-back ing. A stretch during which they foul with 7:55 left in the third round. “We can’t complain New Orleans108 Philadelphia93 launched the sport. with 34 points, 12 rebounds against the Chicago Bulls and were stuck on 49, the Cavs gave quarter. The personnel situa- about calls or missed shots, Charlotte 117 LA Lakers 113

NFL ‘Not so sure Rams need off ense-minded coach’

By Sam Farmer coaches of all time, and the ma- heard.” But unless I have person- of say in it. Los Angeles Times jority of them have been defen- ally worked with somebody, I As far as hiring a coach from sive coaches. But they’ve got can’t tell you how he is. ... I don’t college football, that’s a com- their hand in the off ense and want some stranger calling me pletely diff erent world. If a col- hat should the Los they’ve had some outstand- and saying, “Hey, can you rec- lege coach hasn’t had some pro Angeles Rams keep ing off ensive assistants. I don’t ommend me for a job?” experience, I would be leery of in mind when hiring think it’s a given that the Rams I’m going to tell him, “You hiring him. In my last four or fi ve their next coach? are going to hire an off ensive seem like a nice guy and I’ve en- years in college football, I visited WNFL legend Jimmy Johnson coach. joyed visiting with you, but un- pro camps and spent a lot of time weighs in with his fi rst-person How you classify a coach can less I’ve actually worked with with pro people, preparing for perspective on fi nding a coach be a little misleading, anyway. you, it’s going to be hard for me pro football. who best fi ts a franchise. You could say Bill Belichick is a to recommend you.” College is a diff erent game, it’s Jimmy Johnson is in an elite defensive coach, but how long If I’m assessing a coaching a diff erent world, it’s a diff erent club of football coaches. He was ago was that? He’s a close friend opening, I want to know: Do they length of season. There are dif- the fi rst of three to win a col- of mine, and I know he has a have the right quarterback? Do ferent demands. If it’s a college lege football national champi- hand in everything. they have some talent? Do I have coach who hasn’t had any expo- onship and a Super Bowl. After The main thing is getting the a situation where I can go and sure to pro football, you’re prob- him came Barry Switzer and Pete right head coach, and the Rams get talent? As far as the new- ably in for a rude awakening. Carroll. don’t need to be in a hurry to do ness of the Rams being back in A lot of coaches in college can Johnson, a former University it. Some coaches are really good Los Angeles, the stadium they’re get away with mistakes because of Miami coach, won two Su- in interviews, but that doesn’t building and all that stuff , those their players are so much more per Bowls as coach of the Dallas necessarily mean they’re the things don’t mean a whole lot. talented than their opponents. Cowboys from 1989-93, then right guy. S I think the jury is still out with If you’re at one of the top 10 replaced the legendary Don o many of these people mak- Jared Goff . I’ve seen some good schools in college, you’re going Shula as Miami Dolphins coach ing these types of decisions things, but by the same token to win eight or nine games just from 1996-99. Johnson is now around the league are truly not I’ve seen some things I wasn’t by showing up. The No. 1 thing a studio co-host on “Fox NFL football people. Some of these real impressed with. for college coaches is recruiting. Sunday.” owners want to get involved, and As a coach, you need to know Get good players. There’s been a lot of talk pub- some of these owners have no what kind of working situation For the Rams, the biggest licly about the Rams getting an clue about football. you have with your personnel thing is getting the right guy to off ensive coach, and obviously The No. 1 thing is to make sure department. win games. It doesn’t have to be they need to get that off ense that football people are mak- Being a GM and handing tal- a celebrity coach. You don’t have straightened out. But the main ing these decisions, and getting ent all those years, I wouldn’t to get a star, because if you get a thing is to get the right head the right advice from the right go into a situation unless I was star and he goes 4-12, he’s not a coach. The right head coach can people. picking the talent. star anymore. always hire an outstanding of- A lot of people will ask me Some coaches might not want If you get a no-name and he fensive coordinator. about a certain coach, and I’ll to mess with that, but every goes 12-4, all of a sudden he be- You look at some of the top say, “I can only tell you what I’ve coach is going to want some kind comes a star. NFL legend Jimmy Johnson. Gulf Times Thursday, December 22, 2016 7 SPORT

NHL SPOTLIGHT Penguins sharp in 7-2 rout of Rangers Donskoi leads Sharks By Jason Mackey third period, Schultz and Rust Pittsburgh Post-Gazette responded with goals 2:01 apart. Schultz banked a shot of he Penguins’ high- Ryan McDonagh, who was powered off ense has engaged by Patric Hornqvist, returned. and Rust stuck his stick out At the perfect time, to defl ect a hard shot from over Calgary Flames Ttoo. Crosby. The Penguins kicked off a Patric Hornqvist got his fi ve-game run of Metropoli- fi rst goal in nine games later in Marleau and Martin also score in the second period as Jones finishes with 20 saves tan Division games with a 7-2 the period once the outcome victory over the New York was long decided. Rangers on Tuesday at PPG The seven goals were Paints Arena. the Penguins’ most since Seven diff erent players putting up seven eight days scored goals, as the Penguins ago against Arizona. It’s the (21-7-5) snapped a two-game 10th time in the last 14 games losing streak. they’ve scored four or more. They had scored 39 goals Malkin and Kessel scored in in seven games before last the middle period to give the Friday. In two games over Penguins a 3-1 lead after two. the weekend, the Penguins Malkin’s came at even- amassed just one goal. strength when he blasted a Tuesday’s result came af- pass from Chris Kunitz in the ter coach Mike Sullivan shuf- high slot at 4:43. Kessel shot fl ed his top six, putting Bryan off balance and beat Antti Rust with Sidney Crosby Raanta low, the puck crossing and Conor Sheary and Patric the goal line by a hair at 8:53. Hornqvist with Chris Kunitz Crosby gave the Penguins and Evgeni Malkin. an early lead with his 22nd Crosby, Rust, Malkin and goal of the season at 5:45 of Hornqvist scored along with the fi rst period when he redi- Phil Kessel, Nick Bonino and rected an Ian Cole point shot Justin Schultz. from the slot. Malkin was fl ying for much The power-play goal of the night and led all scor- snapped a three-game goal ers with three points after also drought for Crosby, his long- recording a pair of primary est of the season thus far. assists. Matt Puempel answered Matt Murray stopped 25 of with a fl uky goal at 16:59 of 27 shots to improve to 11-0-2 the fi rst. Murray couldn’t cor- in his last 13 starts at home, ral Puempel’s shot from the 6-0-1 in his last seven starts top of the left circle, and the overall. puck trickled in for one Mur- Dating back to 2015-16, the ray would like to have back. Penguins are 25-8-1 in their The Penguins dominated last 34 games against Metro- possession for much of the politan Division clubs. opening period. They had 33 After Michael Grabner fi - shot attempts to just 17 for the nally capitalized on several Rangers and held a 22-9 edge scoring chances throughout in shots on goal. Crosby had the game and beat Mur- fi ve shots on goal in the fi rst ray blocker side at 1:52 of the period alone.

Joonas Donskoi (R) of the San Jose Sharks scores his second goal against the Calgary Flames at SAP Center in San Jose, California. (Getty Images/AFP)

By Curtis Pashelka before they fl ew back to San Jose. This and found an open Donskoi, who scored Melker Karlsson, Ward fi nished with 13:38 The Mercury News week, the Sharks stayed in frigid Chicago his third of the season with 5:37 to go in of ice time and was around the net for at on Sunday night before they returned to the second. Just 1:56 later, Donskoi in- least a couple of chances but didn’t have the Bay Area on Monday morning. tercepted a clearing attempt from Mikael a shot on goal. he San Jose Sharks provided a bit They did the same thing in October, Backlund and beat Johnson for the fi rst “I thought he did a good job. I saw some more evidence on Tuesday that staying in Detroit one more night at the two-goal game of his career. good things,” DeBoer said of Ward, who they’ve eradicated one of their end of a fi ve-game trip before getting on The Sharks on Tuesday began a stretch has two goals and nine points in 31 games bigger issues from the 2015-16 a plane. The fi rst game back turned into a where the Sharks play fi ve of six games this season. “We talked to him about that. Tseason. 2-1 win over Anaheim on Oct. 25. against Pacifi c Division teams. Defi nitely a step in the right direction.” The Sharks scored four goals in a 10:44 They had all kinds of energy Tuesday. The Sharks play Edmonton on Friday _Defenseman David Schlemko was also span in the second period - including The Sharks outshot the Flames 25-16 before starting a three-day Christmas out of the lineup for the Sharks as Dylan two from Joonas Donskoi in less than two through two periods, and scored two goals break. They then play Anaheim on Dec. DeMelo will be with Brenden Dillon on minutes - in a 4-1 pasting of the Calgary on their fi rst seven shots of the second 27 and start a home-and-home series the Sharks’ third defense pair. It was the Flames in their fi rst game back at SAP period. A shot by Marc-Edouard Vlasic against Los Angeles at Staples Center fi rst time this season Schlemko was be a Center after a four-game road trip. from just inside the Flames’ blue line hit on Dec. 31. The Sharks host the Kings on healthy scratch. “We’ve got a lot of bodies Patrick Marleau and Paul Martin also a body in front and bounced right to Mar- Jan. 3 in their fi rst game of 2017. By the here, a lot of options so some tough deci- scored in the second, and Martin Jones leau, who stickhandled to the side and time Tuesday’s game started, the Sharks, sions to make,” DeBoer said. fi nished with 20 saves as the Sharks im- fi red a backhand behind Flames goalie Ducks and Oilers were tied for fi rst place proved to 11-4 at home and moved back Chad Johnson for his ninth of the season in the Pacifi c with 39 points, the Flames RESULTS into sole possession of fi rst place in the and 490th of his career. The goal tied him had 36 points and the Kings had 35. Islanders 4 Bruins 2 Pacifi c Division. Joe Thornton, playing in with Norm Ullman for 47th on the NHL’s “It’s a key time of year,” Sharks coach Penguins 7 Rangers 2 his 1,400th career game, and Joe Pavelski all-time scoring list. Pete DeBoer said. “You have to limit the Predators 5 Devils 1 each had two assists. Martin then scored in a similar fash- distractions, you have to take care of busi- Blue Jackets 3 Kings 2 (shootout) The Sharks needed to try something dif- ion, as his shot from about the same spot ness. You want to enjoy this break and you Lightning 4 Red Wings 1 ferent this year after they owned an abys- as Vlasic’s went off Michael Frolik’s stick want to enjoy it at the top of the division.” Canadiens 4 Ducks 1 mal 1-8-1 record last season in their fi rst and bounced past Johnson for his second _Forward Joel Ward was scratched for Wild 2 Avalanche 0 game back at home after a multi-game of the season. Donskoi then scored the the second time in three games. Ward Panthers 4 Sabres 3 (shootout) road trip, the biggest reason why they fi n- fi rst of his two goals, breaking a 22-game sat out Friday’s game in Montreal but Senators 4 Blackhawks 3 New York Rangers left wing JT Miller (R) and Pittsburgh Pen- ished 18-20-3 in their own building. scoring drought in the process. was in the lineup for Sunday’s 4-1 loss Blues 3 Stars 2 (overtime) guins defenseman Brian Dumoulin battle for the puck during One thing they did was start to stay Tommy Wingels got the puck behind to the Chicago Blackhawks. Playing on Canucks 4 Jets 1 the third period at the PPG PAINTS Arena. The Penguins won overnight in the last city of their road trips the net, knocked it away from Johnson the fourth line with Tommy Wingels and Sharks 4, Flames 1 7-2. PICTURE: USA TODAY Sports

BASEBALL Phillies trade for right-hander Buchholz

By Matt Gelb roster without blocking young depth.” of them starts. He has a career The Philadelphia Inquirer players and resisting the shackles Klentak said the murky health 3.96 ERA. His best season was in of a long-term fi nancial commit- of both Nola and Efl in, who are 2010, a 2.33 ERA in 28 starts. He ment. expected to have no restraints has twice been an all-star but has ver since last July, when The Phillies did that earlier this in spring training, did not factor pitched more than 180 innings the Phillies fi rst contact- off season with the acquisitions of into the decision to add Buchholz. just once in his 10-year career. ed the Red Sox about a Howie Kendrick, Joaquin Benoit, Nonetheless, it will be fascinating Tobias, 24, was a 10th-round potential Clay Buchholz and Pat Neshek. But the presence to see how the organization fi nds pick in 2015 and reached single- trade,E the veteran right-hander of Buchholz is a little diff erent in innings in both the majors and A Clearwater by the end of 2016. was a person of interest. The re- that it will directly aff ect a young- triple A for all those pitchers. He is a career .301 hitter with an building Phillies saw him then er arm; one will be pushed out of Buchholz, 32, was a source of .801 OPS in the minors, but there as a low-risk addition, someone the rotation. Assume Buchholz, consternation in Boston. Paid like are doubts about whether he can who could benefi t from fl eeing Jeremy Hellickson, Jerad Eick- a front-line starter, he fl oated last stick at second base. The Phillies the cauldron of negativity that hoff , and Vince Velasquez are in season between the rotation and tried him some in left fi eld last formed around him in Boston. the rotation. That leaves Aaron bullpen with mixed results. His season. He was not considered There was no match. Then Nola, Zach Efl in, Jake Thompson, contractual status fi ts the Phil- one of the team’s best prospects. Buchholz fi nished strong, the Ben Lively, Nick Pivetta, Mark lies’ parameters for additions this The Phillies now have 15 start- Red Sox acquired ace Chris Sale, Appel, Alec Asher, Adam Mor- winter. If Buchholz returns to ing pitchers on the 40-man roster, and the Phillies maintained talks gan and others to compete for the form, the Phillies could trade him which could lead to some becom- about a deal that was consum- fi fth spot. again in July to a contender. ing relievers or yet another trade. mated Tuesday. Klentak said that did not both- One scout who saw Buchholz Earlier this month, Klentak said “This wasn’t necessarily a po- er him because three-fi fths of the at the end of the season said the teams had called him with inter- sition that we were targeting to rotation will be fi lled by young pitcher showed progress because est in some of the Phillies’ young fi ll,” Phillies general manager pitchers. Some will be injured. he altered his mechanics to in- pitchers. Rival teams, Klentak Matt Klentak said, “but we felt Others will become relievers. A clude a higher arm slot and less said, are aware of his abundance that the opportunity was right.” few will not succeed in the ma- of a windup. Buchholz had a 3.14 of starting pitching. Whether that So the Phillies were happy to jors. ERA with 21 strikeouts and 10 leads to a trade of an arm for a bat spend $13.5 million and a minor “If everybody in the organiza- walks in 282/3 innings upon his remains to be seen. league player, Josh Tobias, to bol- tion is healthy and pitching well, return to Boston’s rotation last “Right now we’re happy with ster a crowded starting rotation. then it’s possible that, yes, it September. the starting pitching depth that It was a trade that fi t everything may block somebody’s growth,” But his whole season was a we’ve gathered,” Klentak said, the Phillies have attempted to Klentak said. “Realistically, going disappointment. Buchholz had “and we would anticipate head- do this winter: Improve the 2017 into spring training, we value the a 4.78 ERA in 37 games, with 21 ing into camp with all of it.” Clay Buchholz. Gulf Times 8 Thursday, December 22, 2016 SPORT

RUGBY CRICKET Qatar Airways and QCA extend Northampton spared sponsorship deal

By Sports Reporter ing its backing to the National Doha Cricket League. “We are extremely grateful to Qatar Airways and its group atar Airways, which chief executive Akbar al-Bakar over North injury has been supporting for the support to our prestig- cricket in the coun- ious National Cricket League try for a long time, once again. ‘Northampton Saints medical team has accepted that North may have lost willQ sponsor the prestigious “Both Qatar Airways and National Cricket League once the Qatar Cricket Association consciousness and therefore should not have returned to play’ again, extending its relation- have been working together ship with the Qatar Cricket for many years for the cause Association (QCA). of the development of sport in AFP The QCA and Qatar Air- Qatar. This had helped us im- London ways offi cials held a meeting mensely in shaping the game recently and inked the spon- to the level what it is today. sorship. On behalf of Qatar The fi nal match of premier orthampton should not Airways, the meeting was at- league will be played in the have allowed George tended by Manager Ticketing Asian town cricket stadium. North to continue Operations, Qatar, Ali Akbar “Once again, we appreci- playing after he sus- Farabi, QCA General Secretary ate the great gesture shown by Ntained a head injury but they will Manzoor Ahmad and other Qatar Airways and we hope to not be punished, a concussion re- QCA offi cials. continue this ‘long innings’ view panel announced yesterday. The popular league, which for many more years to come,” The Wales wing, 24, was in- is also known as the Qatar Air- Shahid said. jured during an English Pre- ways Cricket League, features The QCA general secretary miership game against Leicester over 60 teams in three divi- Manzoor Ahmad also praised on December 3, but although he sions. The highest category is Qatar Airways for showing its appeared to have been knocked premier, which is played by top social commitment through out, Saints’ medical staff al- teams of Qatar. The other divi- the League sponsorship. lowed him to play on. sions are A, B and C. “Qatar Airways is one of A Concussion Management Speaking on the occasion the most prestigious airlines Review Group (CMRG) was set Ali Akbar Farabi said: “We are of the world. It cares a great up to investigate the incident, delighted to be a part of the deal for not only its business the fi rst such review since new National Cricket League once interests but also for its social concussion rules came into force again. Every year, the League responsibilities. at the beginning of the season. is a new experience as it is “Qatar Airways has been a It found that while there had boosting the game and players driving force behind the devel- been “suffi cient evidence” to to a large extent. opment of the game in Qatar. We take North out of the game, the “It is an honour to be in- are fortunate to have the back- club did not “intentionally ig- volved in such a communi- ing of such a committed organi- nore the player’s best interests”. ty-building activity. Cricket sation. Without the assistance “Northampton Saints medi- unites a number of communi- of Qatar Airways, we would have cal team has accepted that North ties in Qatar and we, at not been able to achieve many of may have lost consciousness and Qatar Airways, are privi- our achievements. therefore should not have re- leged to contribute to it,” Fara- “Together with Qatar Air- turned to play,” the CMRG said bi said. The QCA president MA ways, we hope sincerely that in a press release. Shahid expressed his gratitude we will keep taking cricket to “The CMRG considered the to Qatar Airways for continu- new heights,” Ahmad said. welfare of North was always at the centre of Northampton’s ac- tions, and does not consider that the medical team (or the club) failed to complete the HIA (Head Injury Assessment) protocol nor intentionally ignored the play- er’s best interests. “In addition and although not a determining factor, the CMRG is aware that the player appears to have had no residual eff ects in the short term. “For the above reasons the CMRG will not be imposing any sanction against the club or any of its individuals as a result of this incident.” Northampton accepted the panel’s fi ndings. Qatar Airways and Qatar Cricket Association off icials pose after “Northampton accepts the signing the sponsorship agreement for National Cricket League. conclusion that George should not have been allowed to return to the fi eld of play,” the club said in a statement. Hartley let England down: Jones “But we are pleased that the CMRG has refl ected our con- Rugby, made nine recommen- England captain Dylan Hartley let down himself, his club cerns about the current tech- dations. They include a call for Boudjellal decides not to sell Toulon Northampton and his country after being sent off against Lein- nologies and processes available the full 13 minutes set aside for Colourful comics publisher Mourad Boudjellal with taking “hits every week”. But now he claims ster, according to national head coach Eddie Jones. to medical teams when assessing Head Injury Assessments to be announced on Wednesday that he has decided not to be as committed as ever to the club of his heart. Hartley, 30, was red-carded for swinging an arm at Sean concussion. used unless there is clear reason to sell French Top 14 outfit Toulon. The outspoken “I will try to continue this adventure, the project O’Brien just six minutes after coming on in Northampton’s “The club believes that this to shorten it. 56-year-old had said in September he was looking is closed and I hope to be vindicated by people European Champions Cup loss to Leinster on December 9. is now an opportunity for the The CMRG also wants team at selling the three-time European champions. of Toulon,” said Boudjellal, who thanked former He was subsequently banned for six weeks — meaning he will whole rugby community to re- doctors to review video footage “I’ve decided not to continue with the project to coach Bernard Laporte, now the French federation be available in time for the Six Nations — but Jones says the fl ect on the CMRG’s recommen- for permanent removal criteria sell Toulon,” Boudjellal told reporters. “I took the president, and Toulon mayor Hubert Falco for their New Zealand-born hooker is not on his “last chance”. dations to ensure the highest before and after the assessment decision to stay last weekend.” In October, film pro- help and encouragement. Boudjellal also vowed “He has let down himself, he has let down his club and he has levels of player safety and well- process. ducer Gerard Barba and lawyer Lucien Simon had to give some of his shares to fans and sponsors let down his country,” Jones said in a Daily Telegraph interview being.” North, who has a history of been in advanced talks over a possible $10.4mn in a move that is common in Spanish sports clubs published. “Dylan will be more disappointed than anyone Rather than instigate dis- head injuries, has since returned acquisition. When announcing his desire to sell aimed at encouraging supporter involvement in about what has happened and he has got to cop the penalty, ciplinary proceedings against to training and Saints director the club in September, Boudjellal had complained the club. “I’ll give away my shares to members and because the World Rugby directive on protecting the head is Northampton, the CMRG, set of rugby Jim Mallinder said ear- about heavy criticism of his tenure. He said he partners, I’m not going to raise funds. I’m not here 100% right.” Hartley’s ban means he has been suspended for up in partnership by the Rugby lier this week that he will play wanted “another life” and wondered why he put up to mount a financial operation,” added Boudjellal. 60 weeks over the course of his career. Football Union and Premiership against Sale on Friday.

Claes, Nada emerge triumphant in QGA Cup

Claes Byberg won the men’s title in the QGA Cup golf tournament organised by Qatar Golf Association (QGA) under the presidency of Hassan Naser al-Naimi recently. Mikkel Mathiesen finished second. In the women’s event, QGA’s players Nada Mir claimed the first place and Beth San Jose took the second place. The QGA executive director Mohamed Faisal al-Naimi crowned the top winners in a festive victory ceremony. Gulf Times Thursday, December 22, 2016 9 SPORT

EQUESTRIAN Qatar International Show Jumping from today

Hamad bin Abdulrahman al-Attiyah (second right) poses with members of the body after being re-elected as the president of the Qatar The vet check was conducted yesterday for the horses participating in the Qatar International Show Equestrian Federation for another term of four years till the next Olympic Games. Jumping Championship at the Qatar Equestrian Federation outdoor arena.

By Sports Reporter QR30,000, while Table A 135cm has QR35,000 in prize mon- elected as the president of the Qatar Equestrian Federation Hamad al-Thani and His Highness the Father Emir Sheikh Doha ey. The big event of the night, Two Phases 145cm competition (QEF) for another term of four years till the next Olympic Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani and His Excellency Sheikh Joaan is worth QR122,100. The fi nal event on Saturday is World Cup Games. The General Assembly Meeting of the QEF took place bin Hamad al-Thani, President of the Qatar Olympic Com- 2 Rounds 160cm carries a rich haul of QR650,000. The Qatar at its headquarter in New Al Rayyan on Monday evening. mittee. He said their backing has enabled the Qatar eques- he Qatar International Show Jumping Champion- Show Jumping Championship will be followed by Al Rayyan Other elected members of the body are: Secretary-Gen- trian sport to acquire a prominent place at international level ship will be held at the Qatar Equestrian Federation International Championship from December 26th to 31st. eral: Saeed bin Mohammed al-Shafi . Members: Sheikh Mo- over the past few years. outdoor arena from today till Saturday. The vet check Both the events will present an opportunity for Qatari riders hammed bin Nasser al-Thani, Ali bin Youssef al-Rumaihi, Attiyah also praised the services rendered by the outgoing was conducted yesterday for the horses participating to improve their World tour ranking. Amer bin Mohammed al-Hamidi. QEF board members, especially by Khalid bin Safar al-Hajri. Tas the Qatar Equestrian Federation’s geared up for its new The General Assembly Meeting began with a statement de- He also thanked Qatar riders for their notable success at the season. Today, three events will be held in CSI* category. ATTIYAH RE-ELECTED AS QEF PRESIDENT livered by al-Attiyah in which he praised the unlimited sup- Olympic Games in Rio in August, which has consolidated The Two Phases 120cm competition will carry a cash prize of Meanwhile, Hamad bin Abdulrahman al-Attiyah was re- port received from His Highness the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Qatar in the international equestrian arena.

SPOTLIGHT TENNIS Kvitova to miss Five sports scandals six months aft er knife attack to watch in 2017 AFP was like before”. The 26-year-old Prague suff ered an injury to all fi ve fi n- gers as well as two nerves in her More than 110 Russians were banned from the Rio Olympics in August by the IOC left hand, her racket hand, after wo-time Wimbledon defending herself against the in- champion Petra Kvi- truder. tova will need at least six “She suff ered the injuries after months’ rest after her grabbing the knife of the attack- Tleft hand was badly cut in a home er. The operation lasted as long invasion, the doctor who carried because the wounds were intri- out her operation said yesterday. cate and one had to go slowly, “If we’re talking about re- with lots of care, to avoid causing turning to playing sport, it will any more damage,” the doctor be about six months,” surgeon explained. Radek Kebrle told reporters, a “She’s young, in good health day after performing a four-hour and has long, skinny fi ngers,” operation on the Czech star’s in- said Kebrle, adding that the sur- jured left hand. gery “went very well, with no A spokesperson for Kvitova complications” before providing estimated that the world number an optimistic outlook for Kvi- 11 would not even be able to grip tova’s recovery. a racket for at least three months The former world number while she recovered after fi ght- two, who helped her country ing off a knife-wielding burglar win a fi fth Fed Cup in six years at her home in the eastern Czech last month, will miss January’s town of Prostejov. Australian Open in addition to “Petra will be on bed rest for the French Open from May 22- 14 days, she will begin slow re- June 11, while her participation habilitation at around 6-8 weeks at Wimbledon in July remains post operation,” read a statement uncertain. Local police spokes- from her management. man Frantisek Korinek said the “The best-case scenario is attack had occurred before 0730 that Petra will be able to re- GMT on Tuesday near the town turn to the tennis court after six centre and that the burglar was months. It is too soon to specify still at large. Just hours before the when precisely she can return to attack, Kvitova had pulled out of competition, but Petra is ready the Hopman Cup in Perth start- to do everything she can to get ing on January 1 due to a stress back competing at the highest fracture in her foot. level,” it added. “It’s a serious She said she hoped to start injury, a quite big one, and we next year at Sydney on January The International Association of Athletics Federations has already extended its suspension of Russian competitors until at least February. must approach it from this point 8 to warm up for the Austral- of view,” warned Kebrle, adding ian Open — a plan that she will AFP from the Rio Olympics in August, the In- CYCLING POWER CHEATS abuse and that an accused youth coach that he and his colleagues would have to drop following doctors’ Paris ternational Olympic Committee opened In April 2016, Femke Van den Driess- at Crewe had also worked at Manchester do their best “so that everything orders. two investigations into Russian sport, che, a former European youth cyclocross City. Southampton have also been drawn including one on doping at the Sochi and champion from Belgium, became the fi rst into the scandal, which English FA chair- oping, fi nancial and sexual London Olympics. Russian weightlifting person to be banned for using a hidden man Greg Clarke has called the “biggest” abuse scandals have increasing- has also been badly hit and Russia has lost electric motor. crisis he can recall in football. ly shamed sport in the past 12 the world bobsled championships be- She may not be the last. Thomas months. Here are fi ve scandals cause of the scandal. Voeckler, a former holder of the Tour de WEIGHTLIFTING’S DOPING toD look out for in 2017: France leader’s yellow jersey, said he was STRAIN FOOTBALL CORRUPTION “convinced” that the motors have been Weightlifting, one of the most popular RUSSIA DOPING Football’s world governing body has had used by professionals but added that it Olympics spectacles, accounted for 48 Barely a week goes by without new cases a mass clearout since Swiss investiga- should be easier to detect than doping. of the 104 positive tests detected in new of doping in Russian sport even as the tors detained seven FIFA offi cials at their Infrared cameras were used on this year’s analyses on samples from the 2008 Bei- country battles to get back into interna- Zurich hotel in May 2015. US prosecutors Tour. American former champion Greg jing Games and London 2012. The sham- tional athletics in time for the 2017 world have not given up their campaign however LeMond has said that all doubts must be ing of Kazakhstan’s Ilya Ilyin, who won championships in London. and eight key fi gures in the case will faces ended and suspicions have been cast in a gold medal at each Games, highlighted The International Association of Ath- trials in New York on November 6, unless the direction of several teams. the crisis facing the sport which WADA letics Federations has already extended talks about possible guilty pleas succeed. diplomatically considers “high risk”. its suspension of Russian competitors Former FIFA vice president Jeff rey Webb, FOOTBALL ABUSE Even the International Weightlift- until at least February. who has pleaded guilty to racketeering British police are investigating hundreds ing Federation said that Russia’s and World Anti-Doping Agency chief Craig conspiracy, wire fraud and money laun- of historical cases of sexual abuse of Bulgaria’s multiple doping failures were Reedie told AFP in November that Russia dering could be sentenced in May. young footballers by coaches and some “shocking” before banning them from is “quite a long way off ” being compliant Two other former FIFA vice presidents, top clubs have been implicated. the Rio Olympics in August. with international doping statutes. Rus- Jack Warner and Nicolas Leoz, could be London police said they have more IWF president Tamas Ajan said in Rio sia has passed a new law making doping extradited to the United States in 2017. than 100 allegations of abuse at 30 that Russia, Kazakhstan and Belarus a criminal off ence, but it has strongly de- Forty-one individuals and companies clubs including four now in the Premier would be banned for a year because of nied accusations in the McLaren report of have been charged by US authorities over League. Scottish police added 109 cases. their high number of doping failures. No state-run doping. more than $200mn in bribes. Former Crewe Alexandra player Andy offi cial announcement has been made yet International experts say the country Separately, US and Swiss prosecutors Woodward opened the fl oodgates by tell- however. China could also be at risk from is in denial, that they are still not getting are looking into the award of the 2018 ing about abuse he suff ered at the club’s a motion passed by the IWF this year enough cooperation and that cities closed and 2022 World Cups to Russia and Qa- academy 25 years ago. calling for a ban for any country that has Petra Kvitova suff ered an injury to all five fingers as well as two to foreigners are a doping black hole. Af- tar respectively as well as the activities of Since then it has been revealed that three or more failures from the new tests nerves in her left hand, her racket hand, after defending herself ter more than 110 Russians were banned former FIFA boss Sepp Blatter. Chelsea paid a player to stay silent about on London and Beijing samples. against the intruder. (Reuters) Gulf Times 10 Thursday, December 22, 2016 CRICKET

FOCUS Bleak future beckons England’s weak tweakers

Reuters themselves to 54 wickets. 400 and 477 in Mumbai and Chennai, Mumbai By comparison, England’s main but England barely threatened with the The 34-year-old James spinners Adil Rashid and Moeen Ali ball and lost both matches by more than Anderson, England’s most combined for 33 wickets, and the other an innings. prolific wicket-taker, was ngland’s humiliating series de- four slow bowlers used on the tour — The captain accepted their current a huge letdown. feat in India painfully exposed Zafar Ansari, Liam Dawson, Gareth resources were lacking and pleaded for an alarming paucity in the Batty and part-timer Joe Root — only a full-time spin bowling coach for a side’s slow bowling options and claimed seven more between them. side who only had former Pakistan off - droveE home the fact they will continue “I think everyone can see we are suit- spinner Saqlain Mushtaq with them as a to struggle in South Asia until they un- ed to playing in seaming conditions,” consultant until the third Test in Mohali. earth some world-class spinners. Cook said. “There’s no point hiding James Anderson, England’s most Retired off -spinner Graeme Swann behind that fact. These conditions have prolifi c wicket-taker, had taken 12 had bemoaned England’s indiff erent tested us to our limits and I really don’t wickets in the four Tests in 2012, approach towards slow bowling before want to be disrespectful to Mo and Adil prompting then India skipper Mahen- the fi ve-match series started and his but they are not as good as Ashwin and dra Singh Dhoni to dub the seamer as fears were confi rmed after the touring Jadeja yet. They haven’t quite got the the diff erence between the sides. side were handed a 4-0 drubbing. control and consistency, certainly in However, the injury-hampered The alarm bells would have been the fi rst innings when there’s not much 34-year-old went wicketless in Mohali ringing when England’s spinners were happening.” and Mumbai and was a huge letdown out-bowled in Bangladesh in October, On their last trip to India in 2012, for the England attack. where the side lost their fi rst ever Test Swann and his left-arm spin colleague The tourists were also let down by against the hosts in a series regarded by Monty Panesar took more wickets some bizarre selection choices dur- many as an appetiser for the Indian leg than the hosts’ two leading spinners ing the series. England picked Batty as of the trip. of Pragyan Ojha and Ashwin and that an extra slow bowler on a Mohali strip That 1-1 drawn series did little to translated into a 2-1 series victory for known to be one of the country’s least prepare England’s batsmen for the main England. spin-friendly wickets, while the tour- course as India’s spin duo of Ravichan- Cook would have hoped his spinners ists opted for an extra seamer in Mum- dran Ashwin, the world’s top-ranked could turn the screw on India after the bai, where Indian spinners bagged 19 Test bowler, and Ravindra Jadeja helped touring side made fi rst innings totals of out of their 20 wickets.

OPINION Farbrace says he expects Cook to stay in charge for the Ashes Captaincy question By Ali Martin in Chennai theguardian.com

aul Farbrace, the England assistant coach, is confident Alastair Cook Pwill base his upcoming decision over the Test captaincy on what is best hangs over Cook with for the team but expects him still to be in charge for next winter’s Ashes series. Cook, who turns 32 on Christmas Day, has requested time to think after ending the tour understandably shattered by the result, not least the final day col- lapse in Chennai when England were bowled out for 207 despite the captain England stagnating and fledging opener Keaton Jennings putting on 103 for the first wicket. “We’ve planned, and have been plan- ning, for Cooky to be captain going to There is no rush to hand over the leader’s baton but an early decision would allow the Ashes in Australia next winter,” said Farbrace. “Personally, I hope that contin- Joe Root to bed down in time for the Ashes series next winter, writes Ali Martin ues. We know he still has the support of the team, and he’s a very popular bloke and very popular captain. “He’s got that decision to make — and as he said before the series started, he and Straussy will sit down in the new year and have a conversation about the way forward. The most important thing is that Cooky will make the decision based on what’s right for England crick- et, not what’s right for Alastair Cook.” Cook’s future was a talking point throughout the tour of India following an interview with the Cricketer magazine in which he was quoted as saying, “Deep down I don’t know how much longer I am going to carry on. It could be two months, it could be a year.” Farbace, however, has played down any suggestions this caused confusion in the ranks. “There’s no uncertainty within our team. He’s captain, everybody knows where they stand with him — so there’s absolutely no uncertainty what- soever. The uncertainty is outside of our team. When you lose a series 4-0, of course people will talk about the leader- ship. We all know that. “We would all, at the end of this series, be having a think about what we can do better, what have we learned from this series and what do we need to do to make this team win. Ultimately, that’s what we’re here for. But there’s nobody looking round the dressing room think- ing ‘ooh, I wonder who’s in charge?’ It’s very clear who’s in charge, and that hasn’t changed. “So when Straussy and Cooky sit down and have that chat, if it’s decided that Cooky isn’t the man to lead the team going forward, then there is still plenty of time before the first series in the summer (against South Africa in July).”

By Ali Martin in Chennai cipients were probably pondering how However damaging the thrashings sors Strauss and Michael Vaughan to and South Africa, must also consider The Guardian best to baste him before popping him in Mumbai and Chennai, reasons for pack it all in at once, may be the best whether he has the captain to match in the oven. the 4-0 defeat in India do not fall sole- gift the 31-year-old can pass on before his head coach in Test cricket and that Cook, for all the barbs thrown ly at his door and it is not, in itself, rea- his eventual retirement. Root, for all his inexperience, may well ronting up to the media af- around during the Kevin Pietersen af- son to step aside. Virat Kohli’s world There is no rush for a decision on be a better fi t given his rise up the age ter a Test defeat is something fair (and which his employers at the No. 1s are streets ahead of any other Cook’s part, given England’s next Test groups with the next generation. Alastair Cook has now done time off ered little to quell the fl ames at home, possessing an ocean-deep match is not until July, although some Trevor Bayliss, who has overseen Fmore than any other England but petrol), is a decent man and soak- batting lineup, an unrivalled phalanx early clarity may allow his expected huge white ball progress, is beginning captain and after the fi nal-day col- ing up pressure has been the hallmark of spin bowlers and seamers that can successor, Joe Root, the time he needs to come under increased scrutiny him- lapse in Chennai he turned to the room of his record-breaking feats with the squeeze life out of pitches that off er get his head around the job. And fears self and within the squad there are al- of assembled journalists that had just bat, running through his 58 Tests and lateral movement sparingly. over the eff ects on his batting feel dis- ready grumbles that his stock response grilled him in the bowels of the sta- four years as England captain like the Cook has led a team in the toughest tinctly English in themselves and one to defeats of “you will still wake up dium to wish them a merry Christmas words in a stick of rock. conditions without world-class spin glance at the top of the batting rank- tomorrow breathing” is turning a re- and a safe fl ight home. But as he spends the festive period of its own, while rich subcontinental ings should allay them. laxed environment into a soft one. His If reporting this farewell sounds back home with his young family star- experience with the bat — bar his own Not leading England into the Ashes repeated message of positivity should unctuous then consider the circum- ing at the fork in the road at which nine centuries in Asia — is lacking. Re- tour next winter would naturally be a not be confl ated with the ill-judged stances: the self-destructive tendency a talented but stagnating team cur- verse swing meanwhile, the one power disappointment to Cook given the 5-0 shots during the fi nal day in Chennai, of his batsmen, on a pitch that just 24 rently fi nds itself, before meeting An- his quicks can in theory marshal out last time. But with a resurgent South however, for it counts in defence also. hours had seen his bowlers ship a tor- drew Strauss, his director of cricket, in here, has not been forthcoming from Africa fi rst up before that (before a Bayliss too, despite all his public turous 759 for seven, made them the January to review the tour, this ability the SG ball and the catching continues less threatening West Indies), plough- distance on the subject, may well be fi rst team in successive Tests to score to ride out a storm must not come into to frustrate. ing on would see him one series defeat craving some fresh senior voices in the 400-plus fi rst up only to lose by an in- the equation. But having gone further than any away from plunging the Test team back group that are consistent with his ap- nings, in what was a record-equalling Instead, he must draw on strength of England captain before him in terms in the same territory that saw plans for proach. Unlike the one-day set-up, he eighth England defeat in the year. a diff erent kind and consider that the of matches overseen — and now sur- the 2015 World Cup ripped up on the will feel no urgency to move on James And yet, having watched this unfold best path forward — the one that frees passed Mike Atherton’s 21 defeats in eve of the tournament. Anderson and Stuart Broad but if they and fi elded rounds of questions on his him up to continue as England’s best the job — there is a growing sense that And it should not be his choice alone and Cook focus on what they do best future as captain for the umpteenth blunter of the new ball and empowers extending his own life as a batsman, either. Strauss, who shored up Cook’s for a few more years, while the likes of time at the fag end of a gruelling win- the 20-somethings to breathe new life and not allowing it to be swallowed up position in May last year upon start- Root and Ben Stokes run the dressing ter tour, he moved to off er these words into the dressing room — may be to let by the relentless additional duties of ing his own position, before being room, it may yet jolt things out of their despite knowing a number of the re- go of the position he has so cherished. leadership that prompted predeces- rewarded with victories in the Ashes year-long torpor. (theguardian.com) Gulf Times Thursday, December 22, 2016 11 CRICKET

LOOKING BACK Afridi slams ‘shameful’ Brathwaite’s T20 arrest of Indian cricket fan heroics light up year

AFP Pakistan put the sport above Karachi the often-fraught relations between their countries and admired each others’ players. akistan all-rounder Shahid “You cannot stop fans of master batsmen Afridi yesterday slammed from supporting a player by Pthe arrest of an Indian arresting them,” he added. student for wearing a shirt bear- “Sports and politics should be Cricket has been in decline in the West Indies but if ever there was to be a shot in the ing his name as “shameful”, but kept apart and such incidents would not deter the subconti- go against the principles of arm then their extraordinary victory over England in the Twenty-20 World Cup final was it nent’s cricket-mad fans from sportsmanship.” supporting rival players. Afridi himself landed in hot Ripon Chowdhury, 21, was ar- water with home fans for say- rested on Sunday in Hailakandi, ing he got “more love” in India a small town in the north- than he did in Pakistan, ahead eastern state of Assam, while of a crucial clash in the World watching a local cricket tourna- Twenty20 in March. ment after his shirt angered a In January, a Pakistani fan Hindu nationalist group. was arrested for waving the “A complaint was lodged flag of India after his idol Virat against him by a local right- Kohli struck a match-winning wing outfit. We arrested him knock against Australia. Umar based on the complaint but Daraz, 22, was charged with gave him bail immediately,” sedition and faced up to a a source said on condition of decade in prison, but was later anonymity, refusing to confirm quietly released by off icials in media reports that Chowd- the central town of Okara. hury had been charged with Relations between the two obscenity in a public place. nations have plummeted since a Afridi, whose mighty sixes deadly attack on an Indian army and all-or-nothing approach base in Kashmir in Septem- to batting earned him a huge ber, which New Delhi blamed following across the cricketing on Pakistan-based militants. world, slammed the move. “It Cricketing ties have also been was shameful to arrest a fan for on hold since Pakistan made a wearing my shirt,” the 36-year- short tour in 2012, though the old said. “Such incidents don’t two teams do play against each suit civilised people.” other in tournaments involving He said fans in both India and other countries.

BALL-TAMPERING CONVICTION Du Plessis’s appeal rejected by ICC

Reuters International Cricket Dubai Council (ICC) chief executive offi cer Dave Richardson wel- comed the decision. outh Africa captain Faf “It is the duty of the ICC to du Plessis has lost his ensure fair play on the cricket appeal against a ball- fi eld,” he said in a statement tampering conviction, yesterday. butS will be free to play in the “Although it was not picked Reuters Stokes’s fi rst four balls to complete a truly as a player of rare class and has enjoyed his forward. There’s equal amount of respect fi rst Test against Sri Lanka up by the umpires at the time, New Delhi incredible victory in front of a disbelieving most productive year in Test cricket. between all of us, David included. starting on Boxing Day. when the incident came to our crowd at Kolkata’s Eden Gardens Stadium. Smith’s 1,154 runs is the second highest “I think it’s a healthy competition which Du Plessis was found guilty attention subsequently, we felt The victory came hours after West Indies in one-dayers this year, behind only com- people love to talk about and it should go on by match referee Andy Pycroft it was our responsibility to lay he prolifi c Virat Kohli, Joe Root, had claimed the women’s title at the same patriot David Warner, while the Austral- for a few years.” of changing the condition of a charge in this case because Steve Smith and Kane William- venue and less than two months after their ian captain became the sixth quickest to 16 Kohli’s form has been key to India’s rise the ball after appearing to use the ICC can’t let such an ob- son all enhanced their burgeoning Under-19 World Cup victory in Bangladesh. Test centuries last week. to number one in Test rankings, following saliva tainted by a mint in his vious breach of this Law pass reputations in 2016 but, aided by The rise and rise of T20 cricket remains New Zealand’s Williamson has played series victories in West Indies and home mouth to shine it during the without taking any action. Tthe screams of commentator Ian Bishop to a matter of contention within the game but fewer matches than the other three domi- wins over New Zealand and England. second Test against Australia “We are pleased that both “remember the name”, the year will forever with even India failing to muster any sort nant batsmen but has still done enough to Arch-rivals Pakistan briefl y enjoyed the in Hobart last month. the match referee and Mr Be- belong to Carlos Brathwaite. of crowds for their home Test series, there be among the top fi ve both in Test and one- top Test ranking for the fi rst time before South Africa won the Test loff QC have agreed with our Cricket has been in decline in the West is no arguing with how the fans are voting day rankings. Misbah-ul-Haq’s men surrendered the tag and the series 2-1, but the vic- interpretation of the Laws Indies for a long time but if ever there was with their feet. to India. Bangladesh registered their fi rst tory was overshadowed by and hope that this serves as a to be a shot in the arm then their extraor- They still worship Kohli, however, and Four Musketeers ever Test victory against England in Dhaka what Du Plessis felt was an un- deterrent to all players not to dinary victory over England in the Twen- he showed his ability to perform in all for- to claim a 1-1 share of a memorable series. just targeting of him. The skip- engage in this sort of unfair ty-20 World Cup fi nal was it. mats of the game in a bumper year in which Kohli welcomes discussion about the com- In a year when most top teams won at per was fi ned his entire match practice in the future.” Needing 27 from the last two overs with he scored three Test double centuries. parative merit of the ‘Four Musketeers’ but home and struggled abroad, South Africa fee and had three demerit Du Plessis, 32, was last week six wickets down, West Indies were up Kohli is one of a new generation of play- says Australian Warner, who scored seven ODI bucked the trend with a 2-1 win in Austral- points added to his record. confi rmed as South Africa’s against it and their hopes appeared to be ers who have moved to the forefront of the centuries this year, should be among them. ia. That series included a day-night match If a player accumulates new permanent captain after fi nished when they entered the fi nal over sport by adding the creative and aggressive “I’ve seen people enjoying the debate in Adelaide and day-night Tests were also four-to-seven demerit points AB de Villiers resigned having still needing 19. style developed in T20 into longer forms of and they mention it to me as well,” Kohli played in Dubai and Brisbane as cricket within a two-year period they missed three Test series in a Brathwaite, however, proceeded to the game. said. “You feel good that you are in a bunch continues to embrace innovations to main- are converted into two suspen- row due to an elbow injury. smash four successive sixes off seamer Ben England’s Root is establishing himself of batsmen who are taking world cricket tain the sport’s global appeal. sion points, which brings a ban Du Plessis had said last for one Test or two one-day month that the original sanc- internationals or Twenty20s. tion risked opening “a can of Du Plessis appealed against worms” and accused the ICC of his punishment, questioning “using (him) as a scapegoat”. He Five things we learnt from India-England series whether his actions changed received backing from leading the condition of the ball at all. cricket fi gures, including Aus- King Kohli reigns supreme that could change when he meets his While Kohli’s form has been outstanding, The Chair of the ICC’s Code tralia captain Steve Smith. predecessor and now England director of he also has the luxury of knowing that on of Conduct Commission, “I feel like I’ve done nothing There’s no stopping Virat Kohli the bats- cricket Andrew Strauss in January. After the rare occasion he does fail, others will Michael Beloff , deemed that wrong,” Du Plessis had told re- man... or Virat Kohli the skipper. The 28-year- England’s abject batting collapse to lose the stand up. Kohli made just 15 in Chennai the “original sanction” by Py- porters in Adelaide last month. old achieved new highs in 2016 with five final Test in Chennai on Tuesday, Cook may and as he departed he passed Karun Nair croft “was appropriate” and “It’s not like I was trying to successive series wins as captain and three decide to fall on his sword before then. (pic), playing in just his third Test, who dismissed Du Plessis’s appeal, cheat or anything. For me (ball- double centuries, making him the undisput- was on his way to join Lokesh Rahul in but stopped short of increasing tampering) is picking the ball, ed superstar of world cricket. Dubbed ‘King the middle. Nair smashed an astonishing the sanction to an automatic scratching the ball. Shining the Kohli’, he hit a majestic 235 in the fourth Test Runs no problem for India unbeaten 303 while Rahul fell just one one-match ban which would ball, I think all cricketers would in Mumbai to pass 1,000 runs in Test cricket short of a double century as India piled have been within his remit. say, is not in the same place.” for the year and take his career total past up their highest Test score of 759-7 — the 4,000. It followed 167 in the second Test in most Test runs conceded in an innings by Visakhapatnam and he finished as the series England. The contribution of India’s lower number three. Root, whether captain or not, top-scorer with 655 runs. “He is having one order throughout the series was also re- would then play in his preferred number of those years you dream of as a player markable. Ravichandran Ashwin averaged four slot giving England a better balance to and as a captain... clearly one of the great 43.71 batting at seven, while Ravindra their batting order as Moeen Ali could drop batsmen of our generation,” said England Jadeja made 90 in Mohali and Jayant back down to seven or eight. captain Alastair Cook. Yadav bludgeoned 104 in Mumbai as part of a Indian-record 241 eighth-wicket partnership with Kohli. More heat over DRS Captain Cook nears exit The Decision Review System (DRS) umpir- Alastair Cook fuelled doubts about his ing technology made its India debut after future as England captain before the first England’s young hopes the home side had resisted its use for years. Test when he said he was finding it hard Amidst the carnage England did discover However, it was far from perfect with the to be away from his family. Nevertheless promising new batting talent for the top of technology used in India lacking a crucial he scored a trademark 130 in the draw in the order in the shape of 19-year-old Haseeb component seen elsewhere. While India Rajkot, but things quickly deteriorated and Hameed and South African-born Keaton had an audio tool to detect the sound of the his tactics were criticised following defeats Jennings. Both impressed, with Hameed ball grazing bat or glove, and ball-tracking in the next two Tests. When England relin- making 31 and 82 on debut and 24-year-old technology, the use of thermal imaging quished the series with an innings and 36- Jennings 112 in his maiden Test knock after was conspicuous by its absence. The ‘Hot run defeat in Mumbai, the clamour grew for replacing the injured teenager. If Hameed, Spot’ technology is widely used by other him to step aside and let vice-captain Joe who has been compared to English batting Test-playing nations, but was unavailable Root take charge. Cook did little to dampen great Geoff rey Boycott, becomes Cook’s in India due to logistical issues. So while the speculation by stating Root was “ready” regular opening partner for England’s next Kohli gave the technology a big thumbs-up, for the job. He heads back to England still home series against South Africa and the observers said that DRS still needs to be ap- in charge after four years in the job, though West Indies, then Jennings could slot in at plied uniformly across the game’s arenas.

Thursday, December 22, 2016 GULF TIMES SPORT

FOCUS HORSE RACING Chess stars Carlsen and Anand in The Blue Eye’s streak Doha next week in Qatar continues Khalifa bin Sheail al-Kuwari’s colt wins feature; jockey De Vries guides three winners

Norway’s Magnus Carlsen (left) and India’s Viswanathan Anand.

By Sports Reporter The 47-year-old Anand has Doha won the World Chess Cham- pionship in 2000, 2007, 2008, 2010 and 2012. hess lovers in Qatar will Anand recently fi nished fourth have an opportunity in the Grand Chess Tour, which to witness two greats means that he doesn’t have a of the game — current direct qualifi cation for the 2017 QREC vice-chief steward Abdullah Rashid al-Kubaisi (right) presents the trophy to worldC champion Magnus Carlsen edition. He also doesn’t have a Stefano Ibido after Nayef Dancer won the Jaafer Thoroughbred Handicap yesterday. and fi ve-time world champion spot in the next Candidates Event Viswanathan Anand — next that will determine the challeng- week. er to 26-year-old Carlsen. The two superstars of the The Championship, organised board game will participate in by Qatar Chess Association and the FIDE World Chess Rapid and the Qatar Olympic Committee, is Qatar Equestrian Federation president Hamad Abdulrahman al-Attiyah (right) presents Blitz Championships, which will expected to host over 200 players the trophy to trainer Jassim Ghazali after The Blue Eye won the HH Sheikh Moham- run between December 26 and from 75 countries. med Bin Khalifa Al Thani Trophy (Gr2) at the Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club (QREC) 30 at Ali Bin Hamad Al Attiyah Apart from Carlsen and yesterday. PICTURES: Juhaim Arena. Anand, Russian GM Sergey Kar- Carlsen, who won Qatar Mas- jakin, whom Carlsen defeated By Sports Reporter having won the Qatar Gold Trophy in ters last year in Doha, had defeat- to win his third world title in a Doha April this year and HH The Emir’s Trophy ed Anand to become the World dramatic tie-break this month in in February, was ridden to a close victory Champion in November 2013 at New York, will also make the trip by Champion Jockey Harry Bentley for the World Chess Championship to Doha. he Blue Eye picked up right from Champion Trainer Jassim Ghazali. in Chennai. The Norwegian re- where he had left last season Bentley, riding in the silks of Leading peated the feat against the Indian SCHEDULE winning the HH Sheikh Moham- Owner Khalifa bin Sheail al-Kuwari, kept in 2014 to defend his title. 26 Dec: Day 1 - Rapid med Bin Khalifa Al Thani Trophy his ride in the midfi eld even as stablemate In May 2014, he reached his T(Gr2), yesterday’s feature at the Qatar Itorio and Ahmed Kobeissi’s Fort Moville 27 Dec: Day 2 - Rapid peak rating of 2882, which is the 28 Dec: Day 3 - Rapid Racing and Equestrian Club (QREC). took the early lead. highest in the history of world 29 Dec: Day 1 - Blitz The Dubawi colt, who was the leading By the time action reached the home Pier Convertino rides Al Murabitoon to victory in the Assy Local Purebred Arabian Cup. chess. 30 Dec: Day 2 - Blitz four-year-old Thoroughbred last season, stretch, The Blue Eye was tracking the leaders, with Umm Qarn’s fi rst day of his Qatar campaign yesterday Maiden Plate events respectively. Migwar in pursuit. As the winning thrice. former started pulling away, Two of those three wins were with RESULTS Jean Baptiste Hamel, riding trainer Stefano Ibido’s horses, owned by Race 1: 1. Melk (Harry Bentley), 2. Chanson Migwar, got his ride to move Abdulhadi Mana al-Hajri. Du Soleil (Gerald Avranche), 3. Qaiser too, with the race eventually In the Class 3 Jaafer Thoroughbred (Jean Baptiste Hamel), 4. El Nahab (Pier turning into a duel. A duel that Handicap race for horses rated between Convertino). Won by: 3 1/2, 2 1/2, 1 1/2. The Blue Eye won by holding 81 and 95, De Vries guided Nayef Dancer Owner: Khalifa bin Sheail al-Kuwari. on just enough. to a thrilling win over a packed fi eld. Trainer: Jassim Ghazali. Another Umm Qarn horse, Staying midfi eld on the inside for the Race 2: 1. Al Eshrah (Adrie De Vries), 2. Duke of Dundee was third. bulk of the race, with Emaad and Baitha Tahri Baha (Darren Williams), 3. Wisam The win meant that The Alga setting the pace up front, De Vries (Gaetan Faucon), 4. Adham (Jean Baptiste Blue Eye stayed unbeaten in and his partner had to deal with heavy Hamel). Won by: 1 1/2, 1 1/4, 2. Owner: Qatar in 2016. His only loss traffi c coming on to the home stretch. Zakhir Stud. Trainer: Mohammed Salama was in Meydan in March. However, De Vries had a willing part- Ashour. Half-brothers trained by ner and the gelding picked up pace at Race 3: 1. Al Mutanabi (Darren Wil- son-father duo Mohammed the right moment edging out Zuhair liams), 2. Poet’s Song (Tomas Lukasek), and Jassim Ghazali topped the Mohsen-schooled Cameraman, ridden 3. Kraftwork (Harry Bentley), 4. Atlantic Assy Local Purebred Arabian by Gerald Avranche, at the post, while Ib- Sea (Gerald Avranche). Won by: 1 3/4, Nk, Cup event with Al Murabitoon rahim al-Malki’s Crafted was third under 3/4. Owner: Abdulla bin Mubarak al-Jafali winning the seven-furlong Eduardo Pedroza’s ride. al-Naimi. Trainer: Majed Seifeddine. event ahead of Istibdad. Last year’s Qatar Oaks winner Tanja Bu Race 4: 1. Tanja Bu Thaila (Adrie de Vries), Ridden by Pier Converti- Thaila had hit a winless patch after her 2. Muraqabah (Harry Bentley), 3. Ammon no, Al Murabitoon, who last memorable December 2015 victory, with (Xavier Ziani), 4. Qhudoua (JP Guillam- won the HH The Emir’s Silver her last run throwing up a tenth place fi n- bert). Won by: Nk, 1/2, 1. Owner: Abdulhadi Sword almost two years ago, ish. Mana al-Hajri. Trainer: Stefano Ibido. moved up on the outside as the Yesterday, De Vries guided the fi lly to Race 5: 1. Nayef Dancer (Adrie de Vries), 2. fi nal stretch approached, be- a thrilling victory in the Mared Al Sahra Cameraman (Gerald Avranche), 3. Crafted fore picking up the pace 200m Local Thoroughbred Classifi ed Stakes for (Eduardo Pedroza), 4. Erroneous (Harry from the post. horse rated 85 and below. Bentley). Won by: Nk, Hd, Nk. Owner: Another Af Albahar progeny Jassim Ghazali-schooled Muraqabah Abdulhadi Mana al-Hajri. Trainer: Stefano Istibdad, who had two straight registered her second second-place fi n- Ibido. wins this season coming into ish this season, while Xavier Ziani guided Race 6: 1. Al Murabitoon (Pier Con- yesterday’s race, too picked up Ammon to third. vertino), 2. Istibdad (Harry Bentley), 3. pace under Bentley but it was The win was De Vries’ second on the Meqdam Al Zaidy (Eduardo Pedroza), a bit too late as Al Murabitoon day, having earlier guided Al Eshrah to 4. Maazouz (Stephan Ladjadj). Won by: crossed the fi nish line almost her maiden win in the Asraa Min Albarq 1 3/4, Nk, 1 1/2. Owner: Khalifa bin Sheail two lengths ahead. Local Purebred Arabian Maiden Plate for al-Kuwari. Trainer: Mohammed Jassim Meqdam Al Zaidy, trained trainer Mohamed Salama Ashour. Ghazali. by Ibrahim al-Malki, posted Earlier in the day, Qatar debutants Melk, Race 7: 1. The Blue Eye (Harry Bentley), 2. yet another top-three fi nish ridden by Bentley for Ghazali, and Dar- Migwar (Jean Baptiste Hamel), 3. Duke of this season under Eduardo ren Williams-ridden Al Mutanabi, saddled Dundee (Gaetan Faucon), 4. Ningara (Pier Pedroza. by Majed Seifeddine, registered their fi rst Convertino). Won by: Nk, 1 1/4, Hd. Owner: Jockey Adrie de Vries made career wins in the Djendel Purebred Ara- Khalifa bin Sheail al-Kuwari. Trainer: Jas- the most of his fi ve rides on the bian Maiden Plate and Aziz Thoroughbred sim Ghazali.

SPOTLIGHT Quality international entries for Qatar Derby he 2016 Qatar International The stand out race for Thorough- that has attracted three French- Derby, which will take place on breds on Wednesday, December 28, trained entries. Thomas Fourcy, train- December 28-29, has attracted is the US$100,000 Al Rayyan Stakes er of Champion Arabian Al Mourtajez, a host of international runners. for two-year-old thoroughbred colts, has entered Zikreet and Ateej in the 7f TOn Thursday, December 29, the geldings and fi llies, run over 7 fur- contest. From Oman, Ibn Azazi, Petit feature race is the US$500,000 Qatar longs. This race was won last year by Monsieur, Dowy Du Croate and Mai- Derby for Thoroughbreds, which is for British trainer, Brian Meehan, with soor have all been entered to complete three-year-old colts, geldings and fi l- his 2-year-old Perkunas. This year’s the international line up. lies, and will be run over a mile and two running sees a number of interna- Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club furlongs (2,000m). Dual Group 3 win- tional entries; Mark Johnston (UK) general manager Nasser Sherida al- ner Noor Al Hawa has been entered by has entered multiple winner, Masham Kaabi said, “We are delighted to attract Melbourne Cup winning trainer An- Star, and Hofer has Hyper Hyper en- plenty of international runners for this dreas Wohler (Germany) and there are tered in the valuable 1,400m contest. year’s Qatar International Derby. This two British entries with Richard Han- The Norwegian-trained Trouble Of event has really developed internation- non’s Listed Stakes winner, Steel of Course, who has won three of his four ally and following wins in the 2015 fea- Madrid, and Eve Johnson Houghton’s, starts in Scandinavia, is also entered ture races for British, South African and Scarlet Dragon. Last year’s Qatar Derby by Niels Petersen. German trainers, we are excited to see winning trainer Mario Hofer (Germany) There is also a Pure Arabian Derby how the international challengers fare has entered Noble House. on Wednesday worth US$100,000 at the end of December.”