SUNDAY 4 FEBRUARY 2018 SPORT 25 With great team work, great dreams work. Davis Cup World Group: First round Congratulations to our France vs Netherlands Kazakhstan vs Switzerland world champions, you after ’s Under-19 Japan vs Italy Croatia vs Canada cricketers won a record Spain vs Great Britain Serbia vs USA have made us proud. fourth World Cup yesterday. Australia vs Germany Hungary vs Belgium TENNIS Ton-up Kalra seals U-19 World Cup for India

AFP SCOREBOARD MOUNT MAUNGANUI, NEW Australia U-19 ZEALAND: Opener Manjot Kalra J Edwards c Nagarkoti b Porel ...... 28 smacked an unbeaten 101 in even M Bryant c Abhishek Sharma b Porel ...... 14 JJS Sangha (c) c Desai b Nagarkoti ...... 13 time as India easily disposed of J Merlo c Shiva Singh b Roy ...... 76 Australia at Mount Maunganui to P Uppal c & b Roy ...... 34 win the Under-19 World Cup for NA McSweeney c & b Shiva Singh...... 23 a fourth time. W Sutherland c Desai b Shiva Singh ...... 5 With Kalra scoring freely, BJ Holt run out (Shiva Singh/ Desai) ...... 13 India won by eight as they Z Evans b Nagarkoti ...... 1 chased down Australia’s 216 all R Hadley c Desai b ...... 1 out with more than 11 overs to L Pope () ...... 0 spare. Extras (LB 1, W 7) ...... 8 Total (all out) ...... 216 The opener’s Fall of wickets: 1-32, 2-52, 3-59, 4-134, 5-183, included eight fours and three 6-191, 7-212, 8-214, 9-216, 10-216 sixes, and he was well supported : Shivam Mavi 8.2-1-46; IC Porel 7-1-30- by wicketkeeper Harvik Desai, 2; Shiva Singh 10-0-36-2; KL Nagarkoti 9-0-41-2; who was 47 not out when he fin- Abhishek Sharma 6-0-30-0; AS Roy 7-0-32-2 ished the match with a India U-19 boundary. PP Shaw (c) b Sutherland ...... 29 The pair put on 89 for the Manjot Kalra (not out) ...... 101 Shubman Gill b Uppal ...... 31 third , while Prithvi Shaw Indian players celebrate after winning the U-19 World Cup final against Australia at Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui yesterday. HM Desai (not out) ...... 47 scored 29 at the top of the innings Extras (LB 1, NB 1, W 10)...... 12 and Shubman Gill added 31. Total (2 wkts) ...... 220 “I really can’t express what (have) been excellent throughout wicket, it was flat and good to bat Bryant (14) batted at a run a ball more than 17 overs, and there was Did not bat: R Parag, Abhishek Sharma, AS Roy, KL I’m feeling now,” said the tournament.” on,” he said. through the first five overs. But little resistance from the following Nagarkoti, Shivam Mavi, Shiva Singh, IC Porel Shaw. Man of the match Kalra, not Australia’s innings, all over in once both were dismissed by batsmen. Porel finished with two Fall of wickets: 1-71 (PP Shaw, 11.4 ov), 2-131 “It was the final, a very cru- surprisingly, felt the wicket was the 48th over, was held together Ishan Porel, the steam went out for 30 while left-arm spinner (Shubman Gill, 21.2 ov) cial hundred from Manjot. Gill ideal for . by ’s 76 after it fell of the Australian innings. Merlo Shiva Singh was instrumental in Bowling: R Hadley 7-0-37-0; Z Evans-5-1-30; W Sutherland 6.5-0-36; J Edwards 1-0-15-0; Pope-5- was batting really well. And the “I enjoyed it a lot. The condi- apart despite a promising start. and Param Uppal (34) put on 75 slowing the Australian run rate 0-42-0; J Merlo-4-0-21-0; P Uppal 10-0-38-1 two pacers, Mavi and Kamlesh, tions were good. Not a difficult Jack Edwards (28) and Max for the fourth wicket but it took with two for 36. struggle after Australia beat New Zealand in post huge lead tri-series opener

AFP AFP SCOREBOARD New Zealand , BANGLADESH: SYDNEY: Power hitters Chris M Guptill b Stanlake ...... 5 Sri Lanka spinners led by Lynn and C Munro c Carey b Stanlake ...... 3 took three propelled Australia to a K Williamson c Warner b Tye ...... 8 crucial wickets late in day four to convincing seven-wicket victory T Bruce c Richardson b Stanlake ...... 3 R Taylor c Carey b Agar ...... 24 leave Bangladesh with an uphill over New Zealand in the first tri- T Blundell c Richardson b Zampa ...... 14 task of saving the opening Test series match at the C de Grandhomme (not out) ...... 38 in Chittagong yesterday. Sydney Cricket Ground M Santner c Warner b Tye ...... 1 Bangladesh reached 81-3 at yesterday. T Southee c Stoinis b Tye ...... 9 stumps, still needing 119 to make Lynn (44 runs from 33 balls) I Sodhi b Tye ...... 0 Sri Lanka bat again. The visitors and Maxwell (40 not out from Extras: (B2, LB4, W6) ...... 12 Total (9 wkts) ...... 117 declared their first innings at 24 balls) shared in a scorching Fall of wickets: 1-11, 2-11, 3-16, 4-34, 5-60, 6-90, 713-9 in the final session. 77-run stand from just 53 balls 7-92, 8-114, 9-117 Off-spinner Dilruwan Perera to steer Australia to the rain- Bowling: Richardson 4-0-28-0 (2w), Stanlake 4-0-15- dismissed for 19 reduced total of 95 from 15 overs 3, Agar 4-0-22-1 (1w), Tye 4-0-23-4 (2w), Zampa 3-0- before left-arm unorthodox with 21 balls to spare. 21-1 (1w), Stoinis 1-0-2-0 bowler Lakshan Sandakan got Despite a top-order wobble, Australia D Warner c Bruce b Boult ...... 6 caught behind for in which captain David Warner D Short c Taylor b Southee ...... 4 41. Herath then removed Mush- and the debutant D’Arcy Short C Lynn c Sodhi b Boult ...... 44 fiqur Rahim for two with his left- fell inside the first three overs, G Maxwell (not out) ...... 40 Sri Lankan wicketkeeper Niroshan Dickwella (right) and team- arm spin in the last over of the Lankan progress. Debutant left- the belligerent power of Lynn A Carey (not out) ...... 0 mates appeal for the of Bangladeshi cricketer Tamim day. -- 18 not out arm spinner Sunzamul Islam got and Maxwell swamped the Kiwi Extras (W2) ...... 2 -- was at the crease when the his maiden Test wicket, trapping Iqbal (left) during the fourth day of the first cricket Test yesterday. bowling attack. Total (3 wickets; 11.3 overs) ...... 96 Fall of wickets: 1-10, 2-10, 3-87 players walked back after Dilruwan Perera leg-before for Australia’s victory was ear- Bowling: Boult 3-0-14-2, Southee 2.3-0-27-1 (2w), another run-filled day. 32. joined the run SCOREBOARD lier set up by towering paceman Santner 2-0-20-0, Sodhi 3-0-24-0, De Grandhomme Sri Lanka declared their fest in the morning session to post Bangladesh (I innings) ...... 513 Did not bat: L Sandakan whose fierce pace 1-0-11-0 innings in the third over into the his maiden Test century after Sri Sri Lanka (I innings) Bowling: Mustafizur 32-6-113-1, Sunzamul 45-2-153-1, justified Warner’s decision to final session with a lead of 200 Lanka resumed on 504-3. D Karunaratne c Kayes b Mehedi ...... 0 Mehedi 49-4-174-3, Taijul 67.3-13-219-4, Mosaddek 3-0- bowl first after winning the toss, his hat-trick as Tom Bruce runs in response to Bangladesh’s He made 109 off 230 balls K Mendis c Mushfiqur b Taijul ...... 196 24-0, Mominul Haque 2-0-6-0, 1-0-7-0 as he wrecked New Zealand’s clipped an attempted yorker first innings total of 513. before becoming the first D De Silva c Liton b Mustafizur ...... 173 Bangladesh (II innings): top order with three wickets in through the leg side for three. R Silva c Liton b Mehedi ...... 109 Tamim Iqbal c Dickwella b Sandakan ...... 41 Left-arm spinner Taijul batsman dismissed on the day. D Chandimal b Taijul ...... l 87 Imrul Kayes c Chandimal b Perera ...... 19 the space of his first eight balls. Andrew Tye claimed four Islam, who returned figures of Silva was Sri Lanka’s third N Dickwella c Liton b Mehedi ...... 62 Mominul Haque not out ...... 18 Stanlake startled Colin wickets as Australia restricted 4-219, took two wickets off his century maker of the innings D Perera lbw b Sunzamul ...... 32 c Mendis b Herath ...... 2 Munro with his high bounce for New Zealand to a below-par 117 successive overs to wrap up the after and Dhanan- R Herath lbw b Taijul ...... 24 Extras (NB1) ...... 1 debutant wicketkeeper Alex for nine off their 20 overs. Sri Lankan innings. jaya de Silva, who made 196 and S Lakmal b Taijul ...... 9 Total (3 wkts) ...... 81 Carey to race out to point to Tye mopped up the Kiwi tail Taijul got the all-important 173 runs respectively. L Kumara (not out)...... 2 Fall of wickets: 1-52, 2-76, 3-81 complete the catch. Martin Gup- to finish with four wickets for wicket of skipper Dinesh Chan- Mehedi ended Silva’s impres- Extras (B11, LB6, W 2) ...... 19 To bat: Mahmudullah, Liton Das, Mosaddek Hossain, Mehedi till was then flummoxed next 23, while towering paceman Total (9 wkts decl.) ...... 713 Hasan, , Sunzamul Islam, dimal for 87 before off-spinner sive innings when the right- Fall of wickets: 1-0, 2-308, 3-415, 4-550, 5-613, Bowling: Herath 6.5-0-22-1, Lakmal 4-0-16-0, de Silva ball by a perfect-length seamer Stanlake claimed three wickets Mehedi Hasan removed Dick- hander edged a low to 6-663, 7-687, 8-706, 9-713 6-0-20-0, Perera 7-1-20-1, Sandakan 3-1-3-1 that flicked the top of off stump. inside the powerplay to dis- wella for 62 to slow down the Sri wicketkeeper Liton Das. Stanlake narrowly missed mantle the Kiwis’ top order. Germany grab Davis Cup lead after five-set victory

AFP their doubles team, bringing in Struff forehand constantly causing the Aus- but we know it’s not all over,” Kohlmann “Being 2-1 up might change the for Peter Gojowcyzk. tralians trouble. said. mental game and the mental game right BRISBANE: Tim Puetz and Jan-Lennard Struff played alongside Puetz in the “He’s in their team for a reason -- “I think that if Nick is on, if he’s now is pretty big.” Struff won a thrilling doubles clash to World Group playoffs against Portugal they’re a world class team and we know feeling it, he’s tough to play for eve- If Kyrgios can level the tie, the give Germany a 2-1 lead after the last year, when they also won in five sets. to expect the best from them,” Ebden said. ryone, not just Sascha (Zverev). decider will likely be between Struff, the second day of their World Group Davis He also made the semi-finals of the German captain Michael Kohlmann “If he’s serving like he did on Friday world number 58, and 18-year-old Alex Cup tie against Australia in Brisbane Australian Open in doubles last month. said he had had a good feeling about the (when he blasted 21 aces past Struff) he’s de Minaur, ranked 81 places below the yesterday. But it was the lesser known Puetz match once he knew Australia hadn’t a tough opponent for everyone. German. The German duo silenced the big who shone on a gloomy Brisbane decided to bring Nick Kyrgios in for “I guess that Nick is not orthodox, De Minaur pushed Zverev for almost crowd at Pat Rafter Arena as they over- afternoon. Ebden. not a rhythm player. That makes it dif- four hours in Friday’s first singles match came John Peers and Matthew Ebden The 30-year-old, who is ranked 140 The tie will now hinge on today’s ficult for Sascha. but Australian captain Lleyton Hewitt 6-4, 6-7 (1/7), 6-2, 6-7 (4/7), 6-4 in just in the world in doubles and 293 in sin- first reverse singles between Kyrgios and “But tomorrow is a different circum- said he had no intention of replacing him over three-and-a-quarter hours. gles, was the more solid of the German world number five Alexander Zverev. stance -- Sascha doesn’t have the pres- with Brisbane’s John Millman, who The Germans made a late switch to pairing, his beautifully disguised “We are in a good position, 2-1 up, sure to deliver at 1-2. always plays well on his home court. 26 SPORT SUNDAY 4 FEBRUARY 2018 Mayweather drops another hint at MMA fight

AFP UFC cage. “Billion Dollar Man,” May- the second time this week superstar weather said in the tweet. Mayweather has teased his fans with LOS ANGELES: MMA fighter Conor Mayweather and McGregor’s cross- the idea. Floyd Mayweather McGregor switched to the boxing ring combat fight in August failed to live up Earlier this week he posted video to make one of the richest professional to the hype in the ring as veteran May- on Twitter and Instagram of himself fights in history possible and now Floyd weather easily out punched the shadow boxing in a cage. Mayweather hints he might return the inexperienced McGregor, but it did well He said “Come at the king, you best favour. at the box office. not miss...” Mayweather, who hasn’t fought The contest generated 4.3 million Mayweather’s August fight with the since knocking out McGregor in that pay-per-view buys in North America, Irishman was supposed to be his last boxing match last year, teased fans on trailing only Mayweather’s 2015 world as it secured his perfect 50-0 record. Friday night by posting a picture on his title boxing match with Filipino Manny But the American has retired several Twitter page of himself wearing mixed Pacquiao that generated 4.6 million times only to negotiate “comeback” martial arts gloves and standing in an buys and earned $600m. It is fights for bigger paydays.

Sharks beat Blue Raptors rebound from loss Jackets to end skid with three-point explosion AGENCIES AFP fourth to clinch the victory for TORONTO: Kevin Labanc the Bucks, who have now won scored the go-ahead goal that LOS ANGELES: DeMar DeRo- five of six. ended up being the game- zan delivered 35 points and “It was emotional,” said winner and added an assist nailed a career-high matching Parker. “It was the same place I to pace the San Jose Sharks six three pointers as the Toronto hurt myself. I just tried to keep to a 3-1 win over the Colum- Raptors rebounded from Thurs- the same mindset I had during bus Blue Jackets on Friday day’s loss with an emphatic rehab, take it step-by-step and night at Nationwide Arena in 130-105 demolition of the Port- play-by-play.” Columbus. land Trail Blazers. Parker hadn’t played since Labanc, given a promo- The Raptors’ statement win tearing his left ACL in February tion in ice time with Joe on Friday night was not only 2017 during a game against Thornton sidelined due to a their sixth consecutive over Port- Miami. knee injury, broke a 1-1 dead- land but it came less than 24 Elsewhere, Anthony Davis lock midway through the hours after a disappointing 122- scored 43 points to help the New affair when he one-timed a 119 loss to the Washington Orleans Pelicans beat the Okla- shot from the slot on a 5-on-3 Wizards. homa City Thunder 114-100. power play. It’s San Jose’s first “When you come off a loss Davis made 17 of 34 shots victory in four tries since like that you just can’t wait to get and had 10 rebounds, and Thornton was hurt on Janu- back on the court and redeem E’Twaun Moore added 26 points ary 23. yourself,” DeRozan said of the for the Pelicans. Goalie Martin Jones made Raptors, who have the best win- Oklahoma City’s Russell 28 saves for the Sharks, who ning record (20-4) in the league Westbrook had 16 points, 14 snapped a four-game losing at home. assists and 10 rebounds for his skid and sit second in the “That’s what tonight was. 16th triple-double of the season. Pacific Division. We came back to our comfort Steven Adams had 23 points and The Sharks had some zone on our home floor and we 12 rebounds for the Thunder, tense moments in the third tried to have that energy that we who lost their third straight game period when Logan Couture didn’t have last night.” after an eight-game winning left the game after a puck hit Fred VanVleet scored 16 streak. him in the mouth, but he points, Kyle Lowry had 15 and Portland Trail Blazers centre Jusuf Nurkic (left) and Toronto Raptors guard DeMar DeRozan (10) go Westbrook approached a tri- returned to action in the final Pascal Siakam 13 for the Raptors, after a loose ball during their NBA game at the Air Canada Centre on Friday. ple-double in the first half with minutes. who made a season high 19 from nine points, nine assists and Wild 5. Golden Knights 2 beyond the arc. DeRozan made 11 of 22 shots performance against Toronto. seconds left in the first quarter, seven rebounds to help the Eric Staal scored two and matched his career-high for The Blazers have lost five of their then passed it with a three Thunder take a 58-54 lead at goals and Devan Dubnyk NBA RESULTS three-pointers. He finished six past seven on the road and they pointer at 9:06 of the second. halftime. stopped 22 shots to lead Min- for 10 from long range. had a four-game win streak The Raptors’ season-long The Pelicans seized the nesota over Vegas at the Xcel Charlotte 133 Indiana 126 “So many options opened up halted. four-game homestand contin- momentum early in the third Energy Center in Saint Paul, Boston 119 Atlanta 110 I just tried to exploit them,” he CJ McCollum scored 21 points ues Sunday against Memphis. quarter as they managed to con- Minn. LA Lakers 102 Brooklyn 99 said. and Jusuf Nurkic had 20 as the Parker makes season debut tain Westbrook for the rest of the Charlie Coyle, Tyler Ennis Toronto 130 Portland 105 Toronto shot 19 for 40 from Blazers opened their February In Milwaukee, Jabari Parker game. and Jared Spurgeon also Philadelphia 103 Miami 97 behind the arc, with nine play- schedule on a losing note after scored 12 points in his season American sports broadcaster scored goals for Minnesota, Milwaukee 92 New York 90 ers making at least one winning a league high 11 games debut after a 51-week injury ESPN reported earlier Friday that which improved to 10-3-2 in three-pointer. in the month of January. absence as the Milwaukee Bucks Westbrook would not face dis- its last 15 games and has won New Orleans 114 Oklahoma City 100 Portland’s Damian Lillard Lillard headed into the con- beat the New York Knicks 92-90. ciplinary action from the league

both meetings with the West- Utah 129 Phoenix 97 became the fastest player in club test just 12 points away from Giannis Antetokounmpo for shoving a Denver supporter ern Conference leading Golden State 119 Sacramento 104 history to reach 10,000 career 10,000. He reached the mile- made the game-winning layup who left his seat and walked Golden Knights, both in Saint points with a 32-point stone on a driving layup with 45 with two seconds left in the onto the playing court. Paul. The two teams meet one more time in the regular sea- son on March 16 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Wings 4, Hurricanes 1 Darren Helm had a goal and two assists, Petr Mrazek Fowler flying at Open, shares made 36 saves and Detroit topped Carolina in Raleigh, NC. lead with DeChambeau Helm was playing in just his second game since miss- REUTERS He had shot a two-under 69 into the weekend. This is a place ing six straight with a on Thursday. we know we can continue to play lower-body injury. The Red NEW YORK: Rickie Fowler took a Two years ago, Matsuyama well. I’m comfortable on this Wings won their second step towards Phoenix Open beat Fowler in a playoff after the course. straight after dropping six of redemption when he earned a American plonked his tee shot DeChambeau, a physics major eight and also collected their share of the halfway lead with into a water hazard at the fourth who applies his understanding of third consecutive road fellow American Bryson DeCham- extra hole.Despite his status as a the science to his swing, rifled his victory. beau in Arizona on Friday. fan favourite, and a healthy world approach shot to inside a foot to Penguins 7, Capitals 4 Fowler and DeChambeau both ranking of seventh, Fowler knows birdie the last and join Fowler at Evgeni Malkin finished carded five-under 66s at TPC he has let too many tournaments the top of the leaderboard. with two goals and two assists Scottsdale for 10-under-par 132 slip away, with 12 career runner- American Robert Garrigus hit while Phil Kessel added two totals, one stroke clear of compa- up finishes on the PGA Tour to go the shot of the day at the drive- goals and one assist as Pitts- triots Daniel Berger and Chez with his four official victories. able par-four 17th, almost making burgh scored four times in the Reavie. He looked set to claim the solo a rare albatross. His tee shot third period in a rout of Eighteen players are bunched lead on Friday until he over- landed short of the green and the Washington. within three shots of the leaders, cooked his chip shot at the ball bounded forward and clat- The third period began in including Phil Mickelson and Jon par-four 17th for a soft bogey. tered against the pin, but a 3-3 tie before Malkin and Rickie Fowler in Rahm, who are both on “Was in good position to somehow did not drop in, settling Alex Ovechkin exchanged action at Phoenix seven-under. make birdie there, a little unfor- a couple of inches way. He set- goals 49 seconds apart in the Open on Friday However, Hideki Matsuyama’s tunate to make bogey, (but) other tled for an eagle and finished the second minute. in Scottsdale, hopes of winning the tournament than that solid day, kept moving day eight strokes behind. Bryan Rust then scored Arizona. for a third consecutive year evap- in the right direction,” Fowler told World number three Jordan the go-ahead goal at 6:08 of orated when the Japanese world the Golf Channel after his 11th Spieth missed the cut by one shot, the period, with Kessel mak- number five pulled out before hit- consecutive round of 70 or bet- the American finishing on even- ing it 6-4 thanks to his score ting a shot, citing a left thumb and ter at the venue. par 142 to suffer his first weekend at 7:59. Malkin and Carl Hage- wrist injury. “We’re in a good spot going off since last May. lin assisted on the goal, Kessel’s second of the game. SUNDAY 4 FEBRUARY 2018 SPORT 27

Sanchez Al Naimi and Al Sulaiti share breaks duck AFP

LONDON: Alexis Sanchez QSTK second round honours scored his first goal for Manchester United as Jose THE PENINSULA Mourinho’s men took advan- tage of a rare slip-up from DOHA: Saeed Al Sulaiti and Mishal Al Manchester City to close to Naimi shared the honours in the second within 13 points of the league round of Qatar Superstock600 Champi- leaders with a 2-0 win over onship (QSTK) at Losail International Huddersfield Town. Circuit. United manager Mour- In the thrilling contest, Al Naimi and inho conceded his side were Al Sulaiti shared one victory each from playing for second place after the second round. falling 15 points behind City The first race was stopped just after with defeat at Tottenham the start due to some oil in the track so Hotspur on Wednesday, and the race was re-scheduled at 10 laps showed his displeasure at that instead of 12 laps. performance by dropping star The poleman of the weekend, Al midfielder Paul Pogba to the Sulaiti, managed to lead the race during bench among four changes. the first half of the session. A minute’s silence pre- Al Sulaiti was very strong during the ceded kick-off at Old Trafford start of the race and pushed to create a as United paid tribute to the gap with Al Naimi that was riding behind victims of the Munich disas- him. Unfortunately, Al Sulaiti crashed in ter 60 years on from the the fifth lap at turn 16, he lost the front but tragedy that killed eight of the luckily he managed to rejoin the race and great United Busby Babes. end in sixth position. Mourinho had called on At the moment of Saeed crash, Al his players to mark the occa- Naimi was behind him and pushed to keep sion by bouncing back in the lead until the end and win the race. style, but the hosts had to wait The podium winners of the Qatar Superstock Championship (QSTK) are seen with officials of Qatar Motor and Motorcycle The second position in the podium until 10 minutes into the sec- Federation at Losail International Circuit. went to Al Malki, who finished 2.850 ond half to make the behind Al Naimi. Young rider Abdullah Al breakthrough when Lukaku Qubaisi finished in third position. “For race one I started very well. happy to come back in the podium in race The third round of Qatar Superstock got across his marker to vol- In the second race of the day, Saeed Unfortunately, I made a mistake in the 2 and retake the lead of the champion- Championship will be held on February ley home Juan Mata’s cross also started the race pushing from the last corner, I pushed too hard and I lose ship again. Round 3 is coming soon, only 16 and 17. from the left for his 19th goal beginning and this time he took lead all the front. It was a stupid mistake specially in 2 weeks so we need to work hard with In the QSTK Trophy category, Essa Al of the season. the way until the checkered flag. This time, as I was leading with a bit of gap but luck- this new suspension and wish all the best Mutawa won both the races, in the first Sanchez was then given Al Sulaiti didn’t have any mistake and fin- ily, I was able to pick up the bike and to everyone,” he added. race Soud Al Thani and Khalid Al Mal fin- the chance to cap his home ish in front of Al Naimi by 4.877. The third continue the race and finish in sixth place, Trophies were presented by Qatar ished second and third respectively, debut 21 minutes from time place went to Nasser Al Malki. it was very important for the champion- Motor and Motorcycle Federation (QMMF) Mutawa also won the second race. when he was brought down At the end of the day, Saeed Al Sulaiti ship,” said Al Sulaiti. President, Abdulrahmam Al Mannai and Al Thani finished again second and this just inside the area Michael was very happy with his result despite the “By race 2, I focused to just do the best QMMF General Secretary Abdulrazak Al time the third place was for Jassim Al Hefele. crash. and win the race in a safe way. I am very Kuwari. Thani. nd much to the Chilean’s relief, he tapped home the rebound after Jonas Lossl had saved his initial effort from Celtic slump the penalty spot to open his United account after joining to league Gudmundsson makes Man from Arsenal on reportedly the biggest ever contract in defeat at Premier League history. Leicester City missed the Kilmarnock City pay for Sterling miss magic of star man Riyad Mah- rez as they failed to beat Swansea City at home in a 1-1 AFP AFP draw. The Algerian hasn’t GLASGOW: Celtic slumped BURNLEY: An extraordinary trained since Leicester priced to their second league defeat miss by Raheem Sterling proved Manchester City out of a of the season as Youssouf the turning point as Burnley move for Mahrez on transfer Mulumbu’s strike secured recovered to snatch a draw deadline day on Kilmarnock a shock 1-0 win against runaway Premier League Wednesday. over the Scottish champions leaders Manchester City 1-1 at Jamie Vardy smashed the at Rugby Park yesterday. Turf Moor yesterday. hosts in front, but Swansea’s The Congolese midfielder Pep Guardiola’s team, lead- rise under Carlos Carvalhal struck in the 70th minute to ing from Danilo’s first half goal, continued as they extended help the home side end a looked well in control but Ster- their unbeaten run to seven 16-game winless run against ling’s blunder 20 minutes from games thanks to Federico the Glasgow giants, whose time offered a lifeline and Fernandez’s equaliser to edge only previous domestic defeat renewed belief to the home side. out of the bottom three on under Brendan Rodgers came And eight minutes from time, goal difference. in December against Hearts. Matt Lowton’s deep cross from In a big day in the battle The Hoops enjoyed the the right allowed Johann Berg to beat the drop at the bottom lion’s share of possession but Gudmundsson to ghost past the Burnley players celebrate after midfielder Johann Berg Gudmundsson scores the equaliser of the table, Southampton failed to register a shot on tar- City backline and score with a in the 1-1 draw during the English Premier League match against Manchester City at Turf recorded their first win since get until the final minute, with left-foot volley from six yards. Moor in Burnley, north west England yesterday. November, 3-2 at West Brom, their gameplan disrupted by “Of course we are frustrated to move out of the relegation first-half injuries to defenders in terms of the result but the per- Premier League this season, but and in the end it was a fantastic curling an unstoppable 20-yard, zone and up to 14th. Dedryck Boyata and Kristoffer formance was outstanding they still enjoy a commanding ball and a fantastic goal,” said right-foot shot into the far Regis, who died at the Ajer. It is Kilmarnock’s first win against a Burnley side who are 16-point lead over Manchester Dyche. corner. age of 59 last month, before over the Hoops since October the most British of teams in United, who host Huddersfield Burnley were made to pay The lead was just about mer- kick-off and got off to a fly- 2012 and comes just a month terms of long balls and the way later on Saturday. for switching off midway ited for a City side that came to ing start through Ahmed after they recorded a 2-1 win they play,” said Guardiola. A draw extends Burnley’s through the first-half when a Turf Moor without seven injured Hegazi’s header. over Celtic’s Old Firm rivals “But football is about goals. winless run to nine league quickly-taken Kevin De Bruyne first team players and with However, three quickfire Rangers at the same venue. The We needed to score the second, games, but the Clarets boss Sean corner found Bernardo Silva Guardiola naming just six goals from Mario Lemina, Jack Hoops were 27 points clear at third and fourth when we had Dyche was delighted with his who, in turn, moved the ball on substitutes. Stephens and James Ward- this stage last season but Aber- the chance. When you arrive in side’s reaction. to Danilo, who had been left in The City manager claimed Prowse either side of half-time deen could reduce their the last 15 minutes at Burnley “We had to dig in and do the far too much space outside the he had not wanted to deny put Southampton in charge 11-point lead at the top of the 1-0, this is what can happen.” ugly stuff. Then the confidence Burnley area. youngsters playing in a Friday before Salomon Rondon’s con- table if they avoid defeat to It is just the fourth time City started to build. We started The full-back carried the ball night elite development squad solation for West Brom, who Hamilton at Pittodrie. have dropped points in the putting quality into their box, to the edge of the area before fixture. remain bottom.

Champions League need unites Liverpool and Tottenham AFP marginal advantage as they sit However, while Premier for £142m. Likewise, in spite of England. The need to keep and winning the Premier third, two points ahead of Spurs, League clubs splashed out a Lucas Moura’s late capture on moving forward makes quali- League, but Liverpool have got LONDON: Liverpool and who are fifth, as the race to fin- record £430m in the January deadline day from Paris Saint- fying for the Champions League to get back to being a Champi- Tottenham Hotspur will be ish in the three places behind transfer window, Liverpool and Germain, Spurs remain in the a minimum goal. ons League club. separated by just two points, but runaway leaders Manchester Tottenham were more discern- bottom half of the Premier “With Jurgen Klopp I think Liverpool have been in the united in one ambition when City intensifies with Manches- ing than their rivals for the top League table when it comes to there will be pressure this time Champions League twice in 10 they meet at Anfield today with ter United, Chelsea and Arsenal four. net spend on transfers this sea- next year depending on where years.”The similarities don’t stop a top-four finish imperative for also in contention. Despite making Virgil van son. That relative lack of Liverpool are,” former Liverpool there as both sides have played both. “The situation in the table, Dijk the most expensive financial muscle, in particular captain Jamie Carragher said on some outstanding football, but Failing to earn a Champi- our targets, what we want to do defender in football history compared to the two Manches- Sky Sports. been plagued by ons League place could stall the and where we want to finish the through a £75m move from ter clubs, explains why Klopp “But if he gets Champions inconsistency. steady progress overseen by Jur- season, it’s clear it is a very Southampton, Liverpool still and Pochettino have been League football this season I Liverpool inflicted City’s gen Klopp and Mauricio important game,” Klopp said on closed the window with a huge widely lauded for the jobs they think it’s a very good season for only Premier League defeat of Pochettino. Friday, “These are these kind of profit following the sale of have done despite so far failing Liverpool. the season in thrilling fashion Klopp’s men hold a six-point games.” Philippe Coutinho to Barcelona to win any silverware in “You can talk about trophies 4-3 two weeks ago. SPORT Sunday 4 February 2018

PAGE | 25 PAGE | 26 PAGE | 27 BangladeshBa struggle Mayweather drops QSTK 600: Al NaimiNaimi after Sri Lanka’s another hint at and Al Sulaiti massive lead MMA fight share honours

Al Sadd’s Xavi Hernandez shoots to score against Qatar SC during the QNB Stars League match yesterday. Rich haul for Qatar at Asian Picture by: Mohammed Faraj Indoor Championships

FAWAD HUSSAIN THE PENINSULA

DOHA: Qatar culminated their outstanding run at the 8th Asian Indoor Athletics Championships, bagging two more medals including a gold and a silver medal on the final day of the event at Aftab-e Enqelab Sports Complex in Tehran, Iran yesterday. According to information made available here, team Qatar claimed medals in men’s 4x400 relay and men’s Al Sadd down Qatar 1500m race to end the three- day competition on a high note. SC; Sneijder scores The final gold of the championships for Qatar in Al Gharafa win came from the men’s 4x400 relay team which defeated a THE PENINSULA strong line-up to win the competition. They finished DOHA: Al Sadd continued to breathe down Al Duhail’s the distance in 3:10.08, over- neck in the QNB Stars League (QSL) title race with a 3-1 coming Kazakhstan (3:11.68) Qatari runner Yaser Saleem Bagharab (centre) in action win over hosts Qatar SC yesterday. and hosts Iran (3:11.74) who during the men’s 1,500m event yesterday. Bagharab won Xavi Hernandez (24th), Hassan Ahmed (43rd) and finished in second and third the silver medal with a time of 3:53.92. Hamed Ismail (45+2) scored Al Sadd’s goals. Qatar SC had positions respectively. surged ahead as early as the third minute through Omar Yaser Saleem Bagharab Al Emadi. won the silver medal after podium finisher for Qatar Dr Thani al Kuwari, Pres- Omar found the mark taking advantage of confusion finishing the men’s 1,500m was Mohammed Nasser, who ident of the Qatar Athletics among the Al Sadd defenders, who had not even settled race in 3:53.92, just fractions won the bronze in 400m. Federation, congratulated the down. Xavi equalised for Al Sadd with a well-taken free- of second behind Iran’s Amir Qatari superstar, Mutaz medal winners for the coun- kick that left goalkeeper Jassim Al Hail and defender Moradi who won gold medal Essa Barshim laid the foun- try and praised their Ibrahim Gamal rooted on the goalline. The execution with a time of 3:53.78. Mos- dation for his team’s fine run dedication. reflected Xavi’s experience and expertise. lem Niadoost of Iran won the with a gold medal on the He stressed that the Qatar SC fought a spirited battle in the first half even bronze medal after clocking opening day, setting a new achievements of the promis- though Al Sadd enjoyed more possession. The Kings missed 3:53.99. championship record of ing young generation of injured Brazilian striker Patrick Fabiano and Ali Jassemi Qatar won as many as 11 2.38m and world leading athletes were the fruit of the and, understandably, their attack lacked teeth. medals including five gold mark in his season opener. It support of Qatar’s wise lead- Chilean midfielder Luis Jimenez, making his debut for medals during the three-day was Barshim’s fifth consec- ership who spare no effort to Qatar SC after captaining Al Gharafa in the first phase of championships which saw utive Asian Indoor title at the provide all the support for league campaign, came close to scoring after 39 minutes top athletes from several venue where he had won his their success. just before Hassan Al Haydous’ shot was collected by Al Asian nations. first title in 2010. Mohammed al Fadala, Hail. Qatar SC defence fell flat close to half-time when Has- On Friday – the second “It’s the second time I’m Secretary-General of the san Ahmed gave a nice finish to Abdelkarim Hassan’s day of the championship – in Iran and Iran is a good Qatar Athletics Federation, dipping cross from the left. the Qatari athletes won three place. I’m happy to win the said the Qatar athletes’ par- They conceded for one more time in the first half as medals taking the country’s gold medal, it’s a very good ticipation in the tournament Hamed’s lob from far right landed in the goal over the head medals tally to nine. The stars feeling,” Barshim said in an is part of Qatar’s plans to of Al Hail. Qatari athlete Abdalelah Haroun gestures as of the day were Abubaker interview to Athletics Feder- prepare for the upcoming Earlier, Al Gharafa got back to winning ways with a 2-1 he crosses the finish line to win the men’s 400 Haydar Abdalla and Abdale- ation of Iran. events, most notably the victory over hosts Al Khor. metres event during the 8th Asian Indoor Athletics lah Haroun who pocketed “I hope in the future I set Muller Grand Prix in Bir- Wesley Sneijder (23rd) and Muad Hassan (33rd) scored Championships held in Tehran, Iran on Friday. gold medals in the 800m and higher records, God willing,” mingham, England in for Al Gharafa. Al Khor’s reply came through Madson in 400m races. The third he added. August. the 83rd.

QFA completes preparations for National Sports Day

Young football players take part in National THE PENINSULA employees of the three enti- the ‘Sports Industry Award’ and Communications at QFA, Sports Day activities ties take part in promoting for Best CSR Initiative in 2014 Khalid Al Kuwari, said: “Our in this file photo DOHA: The Qatar Football sports and healthy living and 2016, the ‘CSR Award participation in the country’s Association (QFA) has through playing football. Qatar’ for Best CSR Impact national sports day instills completed its’ preparations The QFA and Qatar Shell Initiative in 2015, the ‘Dar Al and promotes the idea of for this year’s National Sports are also going to celebrate Sharq Corporate Social leading a healthy lifestyle Day this year by organising this year’s National Sport Day Responsibility Award’ for the through organising a variety several events and activities at Katara with their award- Best Sports Initiative in 2014, of football events and activ- in partnership with different winning corporate social the ‘AFC Dream of Asia ities for both the QFA local entities and organisa- responsibility programme Award’ in 2014, 2016 & 2017 employees and the commu- tions. “Koora Time”. in the area of social respon- nity. Organising and taking The Qatar football fam- The all-day event will sibility, and the ‘QFA Awards’ part in several events this ily, which includes the QFA, offer visitors a variety of for Best CSR Programme in year further strengthens the the Supreme Committee for football activities, including 2017. role of QFA within the Delivery & Legacy (SC) and a ‘head-to-head’ dribbling QFA will also organise a community.” the Qatar Stars League (QSL), challenge, a ‘Dive and Save’ school-related event organ- The national sports day are collaborating once again goalkeeping competition, a ised by Jerusalem Model which falls on February 13, to organise a staff football virtual reality goal keeper School, which will see the is part of the Qatar National tournament at Aspire and game, open play football, all participation of school stu- Vision 2030 initiative and is will see teams from the foot- day aerobics classes. dents and promote the in line with QFA’s 2021 vision ball family compete for the In recognition for its pos- positive values of sports in which aims to encourage title in a fun and non-com- itive impact on the health of general and football in par- everyone – particularly stu- petitive environment. youth, Koora Time has been ticular. The event will take dents - to play more football The collaboration is an the recipient of numerous place tomorrow. and make it an essential part annual tradition in which the recognition awards including Director of Marketing of their daily lives.