Qatar Gear up for World Championship

SPORT Thursday 20 December 2018 PAGE | 07 PAGE | 11 Hamilton Pochettino deserves more refuses to rule out recognition, Manchester says Wolff United move Handball: Qatar gear up for World Championship

FAWAD HUSSAIN QATAR PROBABLES THE PENINSULA Anadin Sulakovic, Rashid Youssef, Rafael Kabuti, Daniel Serch, Ahmed Eyeing positive results, Asian Meddi, Firas Al Shayeb, Bilal Lipinka, powerhouse Qatar resume their We are focusing to Alaeddin Balrachid, Amin Zakkar, extensive preparation for next get best advantage Wajdi Ibrahim, Anis Al Zawaawi, month’s IHF Men’s World Cham- from the remaining Mustafa Amir and Nidal Issa Marwan pionship, with the team Sassi, Petrand Rooney, Kamal Malash, management announcing four days so our team go Mahmoud Zaki, Jovan Gesais, Franks international friendlies before in the mega event Carroll, Yousuf Ben Ali, Hamdi Ayyad the national side’s departure for fully prepared: and Govo Damjanovic. the biennial competition to be co-hosted by Germany and Coach Valero Rivera QATAR’S GROUP D FIXTURES Denmark. Qatar vs Angola January 11 Qatar, the Asian Games gold Qatar vs Egypt January 13, medallists, will play two matches Russia, Germany, Serbia, Brazil Qatar vs Hungary January 14 each against Belarus and Bosnia in and South Korea. Group B com- Qatar vs Sweden January 16 the final phase of preparatory prises Spain, Croatia, Macedonia, Qatar vs Argentina January 17 camp, which begins in Doha today, Iceland, Bahrain and Japan while before leaving for Denmark on co-hosts Denmark spearhead January 8 to appear in the prelim- Group C that also has Norway, achieved our targets (in Spain). We inary stage of the World Austria, Tunisia, Chile and Saudi are focusing to get best advantage Championship. Arabia. from the remaining days so our Qatar will play Belarus on Qatar will start their cam- team go in the mega event fully December 26 and 28 while their paign against Angola on January prepared,” added Rivera. President of the Qatar Olympic Committee, H E Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani celebrates with friendlies against Bosnia are 11 and will play against Egypt, two Following the four friendlies, the Qatari handball team after they won the gold medal, defeating Bahrain 32-27 in the ﬁnal scheduled on January 3 and 4. days later. Al Anabi’s next two the Qatar coach will announce the France, who have won the matches are scheduled on during the 2018 Asian Games in Jakarta, in this August 31 ﬁle photo. final squad from 22 probables he 2015 (Doha) and 2017 (Paris) January 14 and 16 against announced earlier. World Championship editions will Hungary and Sweden respec- preliminary round, competing for the team,” Rivera said. “The two-week training camp in Spain, Al Anabi’s best performance be once again the hot favourites tively. Qatar will play their last the finals. upcoming four practice games which concluded earlier this in the IHF Men’s World Cham- in the event that will run from preliminary round match Rivera said the team man- will be helpful for the team. These week. pionship came at home in 2015 January 10 to 27, 2019. against Argentina on January agement was leaving no stone games will give us good oppor- “It was a constructive tour of when they stunned many top Qatar, the 2015 silver medal- 17. upturned to prepare team for the tunity to plan our final strategy,” Spain where team underwent ranked teams on it’s way to the lists, are in Group D along with The first target for the coach tough challenge. the coach said refereeing to preparations in various aspects final where they went down Angola, Egypt, Hungary, Sweden Valero Rivera’s side will be to “It is one of the toughest matches against Belarus and including fitness and skills,” said fighting against France. Qatar and Argentina. qualify for the main rounds, events where the world’s best Bosnia. the Qatar coach. won gold medal in Asian Games World champions France are which will see top three teams come teams come to compete and Qatar, in the first phase of “I am confident with our after defeating Bahrain in in Group A which also includes from each group after we are doing our best to prepare preparations, also held a team’s preparations. We have Jakarta. 08 SPORT THURSDAY 20 DECEMBER 2018

India’s captain Virat Kohli (centre) and Australia’s captain Tim Paine react after Paine ran a single during play on day four of the second Test match between Australia and India at Perth Stadium in Perth, Australia, in this December 17, 2018, collage. CENTRE: Umpire Chris Gaffaney (left) talks to Kohli as Paine looks on. RIGHT: Kohli walks away after the incident. Kohli gets away with more than most cricketers ‘Disrespectful, silly’ Kohli simply because he is Virat Kohli and he gets placed on a pedestal but this blasted at home and abroad Test left the Indian captain looking silly. AFP other in the eyes, shake hands tour of South Africa at the start Retired Australian NEW DELHI and say ‘great contest’,” he of the year, picking the wrong wrote in a column for Fox players “has lost matches which fast bowler Mitchell Indian captain Virat Kohli faced Sports. could’ve been won.” Johnson stiff criticism both Down Under “Virat Kohli could not do If India fail to win the next and at home yesterday after his that with Tim Paine, shaking the two matches, “the selectors side’s crushing loss to Australia Australian captain’s hand but need to think whether we are in the second Test. barely making eye contact with getting any benefit from this lot The selectors need Former Australian paceman him. To me, that is -- the captain, coach and to think whether Mitchell Johnson called Kohli disrespectful. support staff,” Gavaskar told Aaj “disrespectful” and “silly” over “Kohli gets away with more Tak TV news network. we are getting any his heated exchanges with than most cricketers simply The Indian Express said that beneﬁt from this lot fellow skipper Tim Paine during because he is Virat Kohli and he the biggest bone of contention -- the captain, coach the Perth Test. gets placed on a pedestal but in Perth was not selection but Former India great Sunil this Test left the Indian captain that Kohli “has little confidence and support staff. Gavaskar meanwhile hit out looking silly,” he added. in some of his team mates”. Retired Indian at “selection blunders” and the After the game both Paine “It’s a viciously self-fulfilling batting star Indian Express daily slammed and Kohli played down their on- prophecy: the more you think Kohli’s “explicit lack of con- field sledging, which was picked they can’t do it, they won’t be Sunil Gavaskar fidence” in some of his up by stump microphones. able to do it,” the paper said in players. Kohli described it as simply its report yesterday. Kohli and Paine exchanged banter that was part and parcel It cited the non-selection of Kohli quite rightly barbs, at one point prompting of Test cricket. Ravindra Jadeja, and Kohli intervention from the umpire, “As long as there is no saying that fellow spinner Rav- rates (Australian during the game that Australia swearing the line doesn’t get India’s captain Virat Kohli (left) sits on the players bench at the ichandran Ashwin would spinner Nathan) won by 146 runs on Tuesday crossed. And no personal end of second Test in Perth. probably not have played even Lyon highly, but to level the four-match series attacks,” he said. if he had been fit. 1-1. He added that the remarks “Kohli quite rightly rates one wonders how It was reported that Kohli in Perth were nothing compared “What we saw this Test says Johnson threw the ball that hit (Australian spinner Nathan) Lyon Ashwin and Jadeja belittled Paine as just “a stand- to their Australian tour in 2014, otherwise,” he said. Kohli in the back when highly, but one wonders how would feel about in captain” -- a claim angrily when he claimed to have been “From my experiences with attempting a run out, sparking Ashwin and Jadeja would feel denied by India’s team called a “spoilt brat”. him and what I am seeing as an a heated debate. about their captain’s assessment their captain’s management. But Johnson said Kohli’s observer now, not much has Gavaskar said that the roles of them,” the paper added. Lyon assessment of them. The retired Johnson said the behaviour made a mockery of changed. It was disappointing of Kohli and coach Ravi Shastri was the Man of the Match. The Indian Express on famously combative Kohli’s his pre-series claims that he and that is not the only area need to be assessed if India fail “India can still win this antics were unnecessary. was a changed man and didn’t where he let himself down.” to perform in the final two Tests series, but for that to happen, the decision not to “At the end of the match, plan to initiate any Johnson and Kohli have in Melbourne and Sydney. Kohli will have to backk his play a spinner you should be able to look each confrontations. history. In 2014 at Melbourne, He said that since India’s players.” Opening woes continue to blight India in Test series Down Under

REUTERS low-scoring contest and they raised Opening partner Vijay NEW DELHI 59 in the second to help set India a has not covered himself in target which the tourists could not glory either on his return to Captain Virat Kohli has thrown his achieve. the squad after he and weight behind India’s struggling Rahul, who has managed 48 in fellow opener Shikhar openers but the tourists’ defeat in four innings, has looked like a Dhawan were dropped fol- Perth showed they have yet to find sitting duck, with batting great lowing modest returns in a solution to their top order woes. Sunil Gavaskar demanding the England. Lokesh Rahul and Murali Vijay 26-year-old be sent home to work Vijay has managed 49 have managed only one double- on his game. runs from four innings but digit stand midway through the “I think he should come back may still continue as four-Test series in Australia, hardly and play Ranji Trophy for Kar- opener purely because India the starts that would help bring nataka,” the former India captain have lost the exciting Prithvi India a first test series win Down told Aaj Tak TV channel. Shaw to an ankle injury for Under. “It is not just that he is out of the entire series. Their struggles have intensified form, he is just not there and you “I’m sure those guys have pressure on the middle order of a can see that.” figured out what’s gone team with a lengthy tail, and Rahul has not managed a fifty wrong in this game espe- number three Cheteshwar Pujara in his last seven test outings and cially and they’re very has had to walk out to bat inside equally worrying has been the keen to correct it them- Lokesh four overs on three of the four manner of his dismissals, with the selves,” Kohli said in Perth Rahul occasions. right hander either bowled or of his misfiring openers. after Opening stands made telling trapped LBW in 11 of his last 14 The tourists have flown in being difference in Perth, where Australia innings. Mayank Agarwal as dismissed prevailed by 146 runs to square the India batting coach Sanjay replacement, rewarding the during four-Test series. Bangar lamented last month that uncapped opener for his con- day four The 112-run first innings stand the opener was “finding new ways sistency in domestic cricket. The of the India’s opener Murali Vijay is bowled by Australia’s Mitchell between Marcus Harris and Aaron to get out” and many believe Rahul series shifts to the traditional second Starc on day two of the second Test at Perth Stadium in Perth, Finch laid the platform for Aus- needs to work out the flaws with Boxing Day Test in Melbourne fol- Test in Australia, in this December 15, 2018, ﬁle photo. tralia’s 300-plus total in a his technique. lowed by the finale in Sydney. Perth. THURSDAY 20 DECEMBER 2018 SPORT 09

Qatar National Day celebrated at cricket match involving Qatar Stars vs All Stars

Qatar Stars after beating Asian Stars in a friendly T20 match played at Asian Town Stadium in Doha. The match was staged by the Qatar Cricket Association (QCA) with cooperation from the Ministry of Interior to celebrate the Qatar National Day. QCA President Yousef Jeham Al Kuwari was present at the prize distribution ceremony. India’s Bangladesh’s Rain and epic stand save Shakib fined Shaw ruled for shouting out of Test at umpire in series SL in New Zealand Test first T20 tie AFP AFP WELLINGTON SCOREBOARD Sri Lanka’s Kusal AFP PERTH Mendis (left) and DHAKA SRI LANKA, 1st innings 282 Sri Lanka battled to a rain- team mate NEW ZEALAND, 1st innings 578 Angelo Mathews Young Indian batting phe- affected draw in the first Test SRI LANKA, 2nd innings (overnight 259-3) Bangladesh captain Shakib Al nomenon Prithvi Shaw has against New Zealand yesterday M. Gunathilaka lbw Boult ...... 3 walk from the Hasan was fined 15 percent been ruled out for the final after the Black Caps were unable F. Karunaratne c Boult b Southee ...... 10 field as rain of his match fee for shouting two Tests against Australia to break an epic stand by Kusal D. de Silva b Southee ...... 0 starts to fall at the umpire during Mon- after failing to recover from Mendis and Angelo Mathews. K. Mendis not out ...... 141 during day five day’s opening Twenty20 an ankle injury picked up The tourists were 287 for A. Mathews not out ...... 120 of the first Test international against West Extras (lb2, nb3, w8) ...... 13 during a warm-up game three in their second innings -- against New Indies, the International Total (for 3 wkts, 115 overs) ...... 287 Zealand at the before the series began. still nine runs away from an Fall of wickets: 1-5 (Gunathilaka), 2-10 (de Cricket Council said. Team management had innings defeat -- when the Silva), 3-13 (Karunaratne) Basin Reserve Shakib was also handed previously suggested the umpires called time with only 13 Did not bat: D. Chandimal, N. Dickwella, D. in Wellington one demerit point, his second 19-year-old, who scored a overs bowled on the final day. Perera, S. Lakmal, K. Rajitha, L. Kumara yesterday. such penalty since the intro- sparkling debut century Mendis was unbeaten on 141 Bowling: Southee 25-8-52-2, Boult 25-4-62- duction of the system in Sep- against the West Indies in and Mathews 120 not out at 1, Wagner 23-4-100-0 (4w, 2nb), de Grand- tember 2016, for the offence October and has been com- stumps after a stubborn 274-run homme 13-4-24-0 (1nb), Patel 28-10-46-0, during hosts’ eight-wicket Raval 1-0-1-0 pared to Sachin Tendulkar, stand that, along with the Result: Match drawn defeat. could be fit for the Boxing Day weather, allowed Sri Lanka to Series: 0-0 Shakib now has two Test in Melbourne. salvage a draw. demerit points, having been But they have now New Zealand captain Kane handed one for an offence decided to send him home Williamson was left to rue during a Twenty20 against Sri with Mayank Agarwal called missed opportunities after con- Lanka in March this year. up as his replacement. trolling the match for three days Shakib showed dissent “Opening batsman Prithvi then failing to land a killer blow. innings, but Mathews and Sri Lankan record against the The second and final Test while batting after the umpire Shaw, who had suffered a left “Obviously it’s a shame to Mendis responded with a mas- Black Caps. begins on December 26 in did not call a wide in the 14th ankle injury while attempting have the weather around today terclass of their own. The draw snaps Sri Lanka’s Christchurch, where the over of the Bangladesh a catch in the practice game because we felt if we could pick The pair came together late four-Test losing streak against tourists have not won in three innings. against CA XI, has been com- up a wicket and get into their on day three with Sri Lanka the Black Caps on New Zealand attempts. “He first shouted at the pletely ruled out of the lower order, there was still very reeling at 13 for three in their soil. Williamson did not expect umpire and then got involved ongoing Test series against much a chance of a result,” he second dig, trailing New Zea- It will give the world’s sixth- the Christchurch pitch to flatten in a prolonged discussion,” Australia,” governing body, said. land’s first inning total by 296. ranked team confidence after out as it did in Wellington, said an ICC statement issued the BCCI, said in a statement New Zealand’s early domi- They batted through the they arrived in New Zealand offering more for his seamers. late Tuesday. late on Tuesday. nance was built on a mammoth whole of day four, fending off a smarting from a 3-0 Test Chandimal said his team “After the end of the India squad for Mel- 578 in the first innings, featuring barrage of bouncers from the whitewash against England last had benefitted from a hit-out in match, Shakib admitted the bourne and Sydney: Virat an unbeaten 264 from Tom New Zealanders. month. New Zealand conditions but offence and accepted the Kohli (capt), Murali Vijay, KL Latham. “Both boys out there showed They have also had to needed to improve on the slow sanction,” it said, adding no Rahul, Cheteshwar Pujara, The left-hander’s career- a lot of character,” said skipper contend with disarray in their starts they made in Wellington. formal hearing was required. Ajinkya Rahane, Hanuma best effort overhauled former Dinesh Chandimal. “They fought coaching and selection ranks. “When we were batting we Shakib scored 61 off 43 Vihari, Rohit Sharma, Rishabh England captain Alastair Cook’s hard when the situations came.” The fourth-ranked Black lost three early wickets in both balls in the game in Sylhet but Pant,, Parthiv Patel, Ravi- 244 as the highest score by an It was the only time in New Caps entered the two-match innings and when we were could not prevent a humili- chandran Ashwin, Ravindra opener carrying their bat in Test Zealand that a full day’s play has contest buoyed by their first bowling we couldn’t get early ating loss for his side. Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, history. been completed without a Test away Test series win over wickets,” he said. West Indies bowled out Mohammed Shami, Ishant The emphatic performance wicket falling, and the first time Pakistan in 49 years. “So that’s an area we’ll have Bangladesh for 129 and Sharma, Umesh Yadav, Jasprit should have given the New anywhere since South Africa They are looking for a fourth to improve as a team... we’ve got knocked off the target with Bumrah, Bhuvneshwar Zealand bowlers two full days achieved the feat against Bang- straight Test series win after also a lot of youngsters in our side, 55 balls in hand to take 1-0 Kumar, Hardik Pandya, to attack a Sri Lanka line-up that ladesh in Chittagong in 2008. defeating England and the West so I’m sure they will learn and lead in the three-match Mayank Agarwal showed little fight in the first The partnership was also a Indies in the past 12 months. execute their plans.” series. Australia ‘grit’ hailed after ‘best win’ for decades

AFP been challenging. “I’m relieved newspaper’s chief cricket writer PERTH Australia’s players personally,” he said after his Peter Lalor. celebrate the dismissal maiden win as skipper eased the “Paine’s men may not have of India’s Murali Vijay Nine months on from the biggest pressure. gone as long without success and (fourth left) on day two of scandal to hit Australian cricket, Test great Shane Warne they haven’t even won the series, the second Test match in the embattled team have come summed it up in a tweet after the but rarely has an outfit suffered this December 15, 2018, out the other side with a victory victory, saying: “This was the as much as this one in the past ﬁle photo taken in Perth. that yesterday was hailed as their best Test win for Australia in a nine months.” Australia won by 146 runs. most important in decades. long time. Tim Paine take a bow The Sydney Morning Herald In beating India by 146 runs - we now have a Test captain.” said that “after nine months, Aus- in Perth, Tim Paine’s men pulled Former England skipper tralia are reborn and rebaptised” off their first Test win since the Michael Vaughan was also while the Sydney Daily Telegraph ball-tampering saga exploded in impressed by the way Paine has trumpeted that the nation again South Africa in March. handled himself. had “a cricket team it can cheer The cheating row saw coach “Quality performance from for without feeling mixed Darren Lehmann quit, captain Australia this week... Tim Paine emotions”. Steve Smith and vice-captain is a very very good leader who “Tim Paine’s men are not the David Warner banned, and deserves all the credit,” he finished product,” added the Tel- Cricket Australia dump a swathe tweeted. egraph. “They have soft spots and of top executives. Importantly, the win in Perth will lose plenty of Tests but in a The unassuming Paine was to level the four-Test series 1-1 strange sort of way this makes installed as skipper and Justin was also warmly embraced by their victory over India all the Langer as coach, vowing to the country’s sometimes- more meritorious.” change their win-at-all-costs scathing media, with The Aus- While Australia’s bowling culture and rebuild a team that tralian hailing “the grit of a new attack is world class, of had been rocked to its core. Australia cricket era”. concern will be the failure of It has taken time and Paine, “The triumph over India in middle-order Peter Ground cauldron for the cricket without courting too to build on that now. “There’s no who has proven to be an excep- Perth might be the most Handscomb and continued Boxing Day Test with the same much controversy. doubt with one win a bit of belief tional wicketkeeper and a savvy important Test win by an Aus- frailty at the top of the order. squad. “Just not relax,” Ponting told comes but they can’t just rock up captain, admitted that winning tralian side since Allan Border With a win under their belt and Former skipper Ricky cricket.com.au. “They’ve set a bit in Melbourne and expect India are back faith and respect from fans led his side out of the wilderness the series level, Australia now Ponting said they needed to keep of blueprint this week with the going to play like they did here (in and the media has in the 1989 Ashes,” said the head to the Melbourne Cricket playing hard, uncompromising way they’ve played. They just have Perth),” Ponting added. 10 SPORT THURSDAY 20 DECEMBER 2018 Upbeat Fares eyes gold at Qatar Cup

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Qatari weightlifting star Fares Ibrahim Hassouna prepares for a lift in this ﬁle photo.

Sacked Mourinho positive PSG through to about future without United quarter-finals REUTERS MANCHESTER AP by PSG staff in the 58th after hurting PARIS his ankle. Jose Mourinho (pictured) said yesterday In the French league Tuesday, that he still had a future in football Until I get back to football French League Cup holder Paris midfielder Faycal Fajr converted a following his sacking as Manchester Saint-Germain scraped through to penalty nine minutes into injury United manager, but he would not talk I have my right to live my the quarterfinals of the competition time to give Caen a 2-1 win over about his departure out of the “deepest normal life. That’s what I with a late goal in a 2-1 win at fellow struggler Toulouse and lifting respect” for his former colleagues. second division Orleans on the team provisionally out of the United sacked Mourinho on Tuesday want to do. United is the Tuesday. relegation zone. after suffering their worst start to a season past: Jose Mourinho Four minutes after coming off Fajr and Saif-Eddine Khaoui for 28 years and replaced him with former the bench, midfielder Moussa Diaby both scored for the second straight striker Ole Gunnar Solskjaer until the end dribbled his way through the match to help Caen move up to of the current Premier League would retain positive memories of his time penalty area to score an 81st- 16th place, one point behind campaign. at Old Trafford and not focus on what minute winner. Toulouse. “Manchester United has a future went wrong. PSG, which won the domestic Khaoui scored with a rasping without me and I have a future without “I keep the good things and I don’t treble last season, took the lead in shot from outside the penalty area United,” Mourinho told Sky Sports. “Why speak about anything that happened in the 41st when striker Edinson to put Caen 1-0 up after 18 minutes. should I be sharing more now, even with the club. We could speak about so many Cavani latched on to Angel Di Forward Max-Alain Gradel the supporters, any of my feelings? It’s good things, not as good, but that’s not Maria’s quick pass and lobbed the underlined his worth to Toulouse over. That’s the way I’ve always been. me. It’s finished.” goalkeeper from the edge of the with a penalty just before the break. “I’ve been critical of managers that Mourinho later added in a statement penalty area. Toulouse has mustered only 15 leave clubs and speak about what’s hap- issued to British media that he had the A mix-up in PSG’s defense league goals and Gradel has scored pened and who’s to blame. That’s not me. “deepest respect” for his former colleagues resulted in midfielder Joseph Lopy six while providing four assists. I just want to finish like it happened yes- after 2-1/2 years in charge of United. getting the ball some 20 meters out The match was initially terday and I’d like to say it’s game over. I “I have been immensely proud to and striking a low shot past goalie scheduled for last weekend but hope you media respect this way for me wear the badge of Manchester United Gianluigi Buffon in the 70th. Buffon moved at the request of authorities, to be. since the first day I arrived, and I believe came on at halftime after Alphonse with police resources stretched “Until I get back to football I have my all United supporters recognise this,” he Areola appeared to hurt his back. around the country amid a wave of right to live my normal life. That’s what I said. Di Maria was helped off the pitch anti-government protests. want to do. United is the past.” “I know that you’re all aware of my Mourinho, who replaced Dutchman professional principles. Each time a Louis van Gaal in May 2016, won the including the breakdown of his rela- chapter is closed I show my deepest CLUB WORLD CUP RESULTS Europa League and League Cup in his first tionship with record signing Paul Pogba, respect and I don’t make any comments season. before United pulled the plug with the about my former colleagues. 5th Place (Tuesday) He then guided United to second place team sitting sixth in the league. “I have worked with some wonderful ES Tunis 1 -1 Guadalajara: ES Tunis won 6-5 on penalties in the Premier League and the FA Cup Mourinho’s final game in charge was people and I believe that some will be my Semi-ﬁnals final, where they were beaten by Chelsea, a 3-1 defeat at bitter rivals Liverpool on friends for life.” River Plate 2 - 2 Al Ain: Al Ain won 5-4 on penalties in his second. Sunday. United’s next game is at Cardiff City Kashima Antlers 1 - 3 Real Madrid Yet his third season was riddled with However, the former Porto, Chelsea, on Saturday, where Solskjaer was problems both on and off the pitch, Inter Milan and Real Madrid boss said he manager for nine months in 2014. India’s Chhetri wants to set example for team-mates at Asian Cup

REUTERS unveiling yesterday. “It’s more important these six-seven players are the NEW DELHI to lead by action than by speaking stuff. reasons we’ve qualified for Asian So I try to be a good example...I just hope Cup.” Sunil Chhetri (pictured) has been the everyone follows and we can keep My job is relatively easier because India will kick off their Group A face of Indian soccer in recent times pushing each other,” said Chhetri who campaign against Thailand on Jan. 6 and the forward promised to lead by led India in the qualifiers. they do all the hard work and before taking on hosts UAE and example in their return to the AFC Chhetri’s tally of 65 goals from 103 I capitalise on it and hog the Bahrain. Asian Cup in the United Arab Emirates international matches since his 2005 limelight. They’ve been in great “We’re going to prepare as well after an eight-year hiatus. debut makes him India’s most prolific form over the last two years and as possible for our first game which Chhetri is the lone surviving striker, earning him a high profile even is against a difficult side. That’s why member of the 2011 team who lost all in a cricket-mad country. Chhetri dis- probably these six-seven players we’re trying to make sure we get three group games in Qatar but the missed suggestions that he was the only are the reasons we’ve qualiﬁed for maximum points from that game. 34-year-old is determined to make a household name in Indian soccer and Asian Cup: Sunil Chhetri That’s what we as players are mark in what is potentially his final said stellar performance by team mates thinking right now,” Chhetri said. appearance in the continent’s biggest like defender Sadesh Jhingan, goalkeeper “I was there for the draw, and was tournament next month. Gurpreet Singh and fellow striker Jeje “My job is relatively easier trying to think what would be a good “There were quite a few senior Lalpekhlua made his job easier. because they do all the hard work draw for me. When I looked at other players in that team and whatever I learnt “I don’t feel any burden when I hit and I capitalise on it and hog the teams, I knew no matter who we get, from them, I now try to do the same the ground. The burden is more on limelight. They’ve been in great form it’s going to be difficult...There are three thing,” Chhetri told reporters at a kit them,” he said. over the last two years and probably difficult games but we’re prepared.” THURSDAY 20 DECEMBER 2018 SPORT 11 Solskjaer takes temporary charge at Manchester United

AFP Mourinho was axed on LONDON Tuesday after just two- Solskjaer: Super-sub to hot seat and-half years in charge Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was yes- at Old Trafford, with the terday named as Manchester AFP manager has been handed the chance to add another 20-time English champions United’s caretaker manager LONDON chapter to his Old Trafford story, given the task of until the end of the season fol- turning around the club’s season after a disastrous languishing in sixth place lowing the sacking of Jose Ole Gunnar Solskjaer etched himself into Manchester spell under departed boss Jose Mourinho. in the Premier League, Mourinho. United folklore in the manic closing seconds of their Many of Solskjaer’s goals came from the substi- 19 points behind leaders Pochettino The former United striker Champions League win against Bayern Munich in tutes’ bench, including four in 12 astonishing minutes Liverpool. will take charge of the first team 1999. against Nottingham Forest in an 8-1 win in February refuses to with immediate effect and will Alex Ferguson’s team had wrapped up the 1999. remain in place while the club Premier League title and won the FA Cup but their Ferguson described Solskjaer, who won six The former United striker, rule out looks for a new full-time dreams of a unique treble appeared to be over as Premier League titles at Old Trafford, as one of the Solskjaer, 45, will be joined manager. they trailed 1-0 at the Camp Nou going into added best finishers he had worked with and praised his by Mike Phelan as first-team Mourinho was axed on time. patience in sharing striking duties at United with a coach, working alongside United move Tuesday after just two-and-half What happened next defied belief. First, fellow string of other top forwards. Michael Carrick and Kieran substitute Teddy Sheringham grabbed an equaliser Solskjaer lost his battle with persistent knee AFP years in charge at Old Trafford, McKenna. with the 20-time English cham- and then Solskjaer poked home the winner following problems in 2007 before becoming the club’s LONDON pions languishing in sixth place a flick-on from Sheringham, sparking scenes of reserve-team manager. in the Premier League, 19 points pandemonium. He moved back to his native Norway to become Tottenham manager behind leaders Liverpool. The striker joined United from Norwegian club manager of Molde for the 2011 season, winning the will be Saturday’s trip to former Mauricio Pochettino has Solskjaer, 45, will be joined Molde in 1996 for a bargain £1.5m ($1.9m) and league for the first time in the club’s history the same club Cardiff. refused to rule out replacing by Mike Phelan as first-team played a key role in one of the most successful year and repeating the feat in 2012, also lifting the Solskjaer managed the Jose Mourinho at coach, working alongside spells in the club’s history, scoring 126 goals in 366 Norwegian Football Cup in 2013. Bluebirds between January 2014 Manchester United. Michael Carrick and Kieran games. He was announced as manager of Cardiff City in and September 2014, failing to Pochettino is believed McKenna. On the pitch, the Norwegian, nicknamed January 2014 but failed to save the club from stop them being relegated from to be United’s top choice to “Manchester United is in my the “Baby-faced Assassin”, became an relegation from the Premier League, the Premier League, returning succeed Mourinho following heart and it’s brilliant to be embodiment of United’s never-say-die leaving in September of that year. to Molde in 2015. his sacking on Tuesday. coming back in this role,” said spirit, often scoring late goals when He returned to Molde in Speaking moments before The Argentine signed a the Norwegian. points or trophies looked to have October 2015 and his team fin- Solskjaer’s appointment was new five-year contract with “I’m really looking forward been lost. ished as runners-up in the made official, former United Tottenham in May and has to working with the very tal- Now the new interim United league in 2017 and 2018. first-team coach Rene Meulen- spoken at length about ented squad we have, the staff steen warned it would be a huge wanting to stay with the club and everyone at the club,” job for the Norwegian. as they prepare to move into Executive vice chairman Ed “It would be a good choice their new stadium. Woodward said: “Ole is a club in terms of the fact that they But reports following legend with huge experience, want to bring back some of the Mourinho’s exit suggested both on the pitch and in spirit that was at United in the Pochettino is privately open coaching roles. time of Sir Alex Ferguson, and to the possibility of moving “His history at Manchester Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was a big to Old Trafford. United means he lives and part of that,” he told Sky Sports The 46-year-old is breathes the culture here and News. understood to have been everyone at the club is delighted “In that respect I can under- frustrated by the lack of to have him and Mike Phelan stand they were looking for a backing he has received in back. We are confident they will candidate who can live up to the transfer market -- with unite the players and the fans as those expectations. Tottenham unable to make we head into the second half of “If they do decide for Ole a single close-season signing the season.” and Ole decides to accept then this year. United appeared to acci- again it is a big ask for eve- Pochettino is also vexed dently announce the rybody. But I think in the short by Tottenham’s tight wage appointment on their website term it would be a good choice structure and the failure of on Tuesday, with a video posted to make.” chairman Daniel Levy to sell on the club’s official website cel- Molde have confirmed that players he no longer wants. ebrating Solskjaer. Solskjaer will return to the club Perhaps aware he may A video of him scoring the in May, with chief executive have to deal with financial winner for United in their 1999 officer Oystein Neerland saying restrictions at Tottenham for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer Champions League final they are happy to “lend” their several more years because triumph against Bayern Munich coach to United. of their expensive and was accompanied with the Yesterday, she tweeted: and was part of Alex Fergu- 1996 and 2007 and in 2008 he Tottenham manager Mau- delayed stadium move, headline ‘The most famous night “FINALLY CONFIRMED! Great son’s team that won the treble became the club’s reserve-team ricio Pochettino and former Pochettino left the door of Ole’s career’. day for Norwegian football. of the Champions League, manager, before taking the Real Madrid boss Zinedine open for United when he Norwegian Prime Minister Good luck keeping control of the Premier League and FA Cup in managerial role at Molde in Zidane are among the book- admitted he could not Erna Solberg also appeared to Red Devils, @olegs26_ole.” 1998/99. Norway. makers’ favourites to take the predict what might happen confirm Solskjaer’s appointment Solskjaer joined United as He scored 126 goals in 366 The Norwegian’s first game United job on a full-time basis at the end of the season. on Twitter. a player from Molde in 1996 appearances for United between in charge of Manchester United at the end of the season. “What is going to happen in the summer? What is going to happen tomorrow? No one knows. The most important is to Man City survive shoot-out to reach League Cup semis enjoy the journey. I’m so happy here,” he told AFP Despite all the switches, City had pass that picked out Albrighton’s run reporters on Tuesday. LONDON 87 percent of the possession in the behind Oleksandr Zinchenko and the “What is going to early stages and their pressure was substitute slammed a fierce strike happen is not in our hands, Manchester City survived a penalty rewarded in the 14th minute. into the far corner. I mean the decision in shoot-out to reach the League Cup De Bruyne took control on the Guardiola’s men had beaten another club, we don’t know. semi-finals as young keeper Arijanit left edge of the Leicester area, Leicester on penalties at the same “That is not my business Muric starred in the dramatic finale cleverly shifted the ball onto his right stage of the League Cup last season. and then I will not waste to the holders’ win over Leicester on foot before unleashing a low drive Leicester had more recent spot- time or energy because my Tuesday. that zipped through the legs of kick success after beating Wolves and focus and energy is in Pep Guardiola’s side took the lead Hamza Choudhury and past goal- Southampton on penalties in the pre- Tottenham.” when Kevin De Bruyne marked his keeper Danny Ward. vious two rounds, but it was City who Pochettino emphasised return from injury with a fine finish It was a cathartic moment for De prevailed again. he is happy at Tottenham, in the first half at the King Power Bruyne in only his seventh Leicester’s Christian Fuchs and where he has earned a rep- Stadium. appearance of a frustrating season City’s Raheem Sterling both shot utation as one of the Marc Albrighton cancelled out De ravaged by two knee injuries. over. brightest young coaches in Bruyne’s first goal since April with a The Belgium midfielder was Muric seized the moment with the world. Tottenham are late equaliser to set up the 3-1 shoot- making his first start since being saves to deny James Maddison and third in the Premier League, out win. injured in City’s League Cup win over Caglar Soyuncu before Zinchenko while United are languishing Muric, making his second City Fulham on November 1. drilled in the winner. in sixth place. appearance in place of the rested Riyad Mahrez was making his Third tier Burton are into the “It is not my business if Ederson, stole the spotlight as the first return to Leicester following his semi-final for the first time in their something happens in 20-year-old Kosovo international move to City in the close-season. history after a shock 1-0 win at another club, like in many, made two penalty saves to clinch his The Algeria winger almost Championship promotion chasers many clubs around the team’s last four berth. doubled City’s lead when he pounced Middlesbrough. world,” he said. Just hours after Guardiola’s old on Brahim Diaz’s shot and smashed Sixth in the second tier, Middles- “I am happy here in Tot- rival Jose Mourinho was sacked by a volley just over. brough made a host of changes and tenham and I have four-and- Manchester United after their worst Muric kept his side’s lead intact were punished by their lowly a-half years left on my con- start for 28 years, City could afford when he sprawled to the left to repel opponents. tract. There are a lot of to make eight changes and still went a long-range drive from Demarai Burton, 15th in League One, are rumours but, look, I am Manchester City’s through as they chase the third Gray that appeared destined for the the first team from the third tier or happy here trying to give my Oleksandr Zinchenko trophy of the Guardiola era. bottom corner. Sergio Aguero, back lower to reach the semi-finals since best to the club.” celebrates after scoring No wonder City fans cheekily from an injury that sidelined him for Sheffield United in 2014-15. “It’s not in my hands the winning penalty chanted “bring back Mourinho”. three weeks, should have put City Jake Hesketh put Nigel Clough’s how to manage all of these during the shoot-out in the Both managers prioritised their two up moments after half-time. side into the lead in the 48th minute, rumours,” said Pochettino, English Football League forthcoming Premier League However, the Argentine forward the on-loan Southampton midfielder who has also been linked with Cup quarter-final against matches, with Guardiola making shot too close to Ward after running firing home from the edge of the area. a move to Real Madrid when Leicester City in Leicester, eight changes and Claude Puel seven, onto Mahrez’s pass. Clough won the League Cup they hire a permanent coach Britain on Tuesday. including resting star striker Jamie Leicester drew level in the 73rd twice as a player with Nottingham at the end of the season. Vardy. minute when Wilfred Ndidi lofted a Forest in 1989 and 1990. THURSDAY 20 DECEMBER 2018 SPORT 07 Angelo Mathews and Kusal Mendis New Zealand captain have done a really good job and they Kane Williamson pays CRICKET CRICKET put up a really good partnership. At tribute to Sri Lanka the same time they played for the pair’s after first Test Bangladesh vs West BBL: Melbourne Renegades team. ended in a draw. Indies T20I in Mirpur vs Perth Scorchers ACTION TODAY’S Hamilton deserves more recognition: Wolff

REUTERS INTERVIEW driver at the peak of his abilities,” stays true to himself and his values LONDON said Wolff. and that is the most important “In the US you are very much thing.” Hamilton admits Lewis Hamilton may be the greatest inspired by success. In Europe it Mercedes have won both titles Formula One driver of all time but triggers much more envy and for the past five years, something ‘negativity and envy’ are denying negativity. only Ferrari had ever done previ- ‘mistake’ with him the recognition he deserves, “I am certainly biased because ously, and the German manufacturer according to his Mercedes team boss I have an emotional attachment to has enjoyed the best year of its mot- slum comments Toto Wolff. Lewis, for me the greatest sports orsport history. Comparing the five-time world person that is in his career in Their British driver George champion to retired Ferrari great Britain.” Russell won the Formula Two title, REUTERS Nobody is perfect Michael Schumacher, Wolff sug- Wolff said Hamilton was fully Schumacher’s son Mick was LONDON and I definitely make gested people might not appreciate motivated to chase his sixth title next European Formula Three champion mistakes quite often, the 33-year-old Briton’s achieve- season and that the Briton, who in a Mercedes-powered car and Five-time Formula particularly when you ments until he too had left the scene. leads a jet-setting celebrity lifestyle Mercedes also won the DTM One world “Not everybody recognises a with interests in fashion and music (German Touring Car) champion Lewis are up in front of a great career, a great sportsman or away from the racetrack, would also championship. Hamilton has apol- crowd trying to find the Toto Wolff greatness overall while it’s hap- not be the champion he was without “I think we have achieved ogised to residents right words to express pening. There is a lot of negativity dividing opinion. records this year which I think the of his boyhood the long journey you’ve and envy whilst it happens,” Wolff records on his way to his fifth title “Everybody wants to be recog- sport has not seen,” said Wolff. home town had in life: Formula One said in an interview. this season, and could go on to nised, particularly in their own “We have exciting new chal- Stevenage for World Champion Lewis “It’s only being recognized once match Schumacher’s seven cham- country and in order to achieve the lenges ahead with Formula E that suggesting he grew a career has ended as having been pionships and 91 wins. success he has, you need to be sen- we are going to embark on in season up in a slum. Hamilton really great and I don’t know why The BritonBriton,, now on 73 victorievictories,s, sitive,”sitive,” he said. six (2019-20),(2019-20), replacing DTM,DTM, and The Briton, his that is. We are extremely privileged has wonn 5511 ooff thethe 100100 GGrandsrands PrixPrix “He“He is that exceexceptionalptional ssportsports inin the same waywaay FormulaFoF rmula One pro-pro- country’s most suc- in following a career of maybe the in the V66 turboturbo era thatthat startedstarted inin personalitypersonality aalsolso becausebecause hehe videsvides its own cchallengeshallenges aaboutbout cessful racing driver, said on national television at greatest racing driver of all time. 2014 andnd ffourour ooff tthehe llastast ffiveive polarises.polarises. AndAnd I tthinkhink at thethe staying relevant.relevant. Sunday’s BBC Sports-Personality-of-the-Year “Obviously Michael has set the championships.onships. endend ofof thethe day,day, he’she’s “I“I hhaveave no ddoubtoubt awards that it had been a dream for him and his records and was unbelievable but Hamiltonmilton alsoalso hashas a recordrecord 83 thinkingthinking thatthat he’dhe’d thatthat FerrariFerrari andand RedRed family “to get out of the slums”. Lewis is on a similar trajectory,” he pole positionssitions and is only the thithirdrd ratherrather polarisepolarise than BullBull in FFormulaormula OOnene “Well, not the slums, but to get out of some- added. driver everver to win ffiveive tittitlesles or moremore.. bebe just in tthehe are goinggoing to ccon-ono - where and do something,” the Mercedes driver, “Also with Michael, it was only Last SunSunday,day, hehe was runner-urunner-upp middlemiddle andand tinuetinue to puspushh tthehe who is now a multi-millionaire with homes in recognised after he retired and even in the BBC’sBC’ss SSports-Personality-ofports-Personality-of boring.boring. organizationorganization too. Monaco and the United States, added immediately more when tragedy struck. And I the-Yearr awards -- a ppublicublic vote ---- “He“ H e RRemainingemaining on top after. The comment drew condemnation from think it’s a pity.” to Tour de FranceFrance winnerwinner aandnd settinsettingg bencbench-h- offended civic authorities and on social media. Schumacher, who turns 50 in Geraint ThThomas.omas. marks is an excitinexcitingg Hamilton, who speaks often about his journey January, has not been seen in public He was concon-- objective.”objective.” from an underprivileged background to the pin- since the German suffered severe demnedd on socialsocial nacle of motor racing, said in an Instagram post on head injuries in a skiing accident five media foror ‘s‘slum’lum’ Tuesday that he had made a mistake. years ago. commentsnts about The 33-year-old, only the third driver to win Hamilton has set a string of his boyhoodoyhood five championships, said he was “super proud” to town Stevenage,venage, come from the commuter town some 40km north words he laterlater Lewis Hamilton of London where he was born and raised. clarified,d, anandd “Nobody is perfect and I definitely make mis- has beenn cricriti-ti- takes quite often, particularly when you are up In the US you are very cised forr moving in front of a crowd trying to find the right words to the taxx hhavenaven ooff to express the long journey you’ve had in life,” he much inspired by Monacoo wwherehere said. success. In Europe it many otheroth er “I chose the wrong words. I didn’t mean any- triggers much more envy Formulaa OneOne driversdrivers thing by it and those of you who know me, know and negativity: Toto reside. that I always mean love.” “We are livelive spec-spec- Hamilton finished second in the awards, behind Wolff tators, liveve witnesses Tour de France winner Geraint Thomas. of a greatreat rracingacing Lightning earn feisty NBA: Sweet revenge for Russell victory over Canucks as Brooklyn Nets sink LA Lakers REUTERS without a point in five consec- VANCOUVER utive games. Steven Stamkos AFP and Ondrej Palat, with an LOS ANGELES D’Angelo Russell of the Cedric Paquette, Adam Erne empty-netter in the final Brooklyn Nets reacts and Nikita Kucherov each minute, also scored for the D’Angelo Russell produced a recorded a goal and an assist as Lightning. double-double to lead the during the final minutes the visiting Tampa Bay Lightning rookie Danick Brooklyn Nets to victory against of the fourth quarter Lightning beat the Vancouver Martel recorded the first point his former club with a 115-110 of the game against Canucks 5-2 in a penalty-filled of his NHL career, notching an win over LeBron James and the the Los Angeles Lakers game Tuesday night. assist in his second game of the Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday. at Barclays Center on The clubs combined for 58 season and his sixth game Russell was selected by the Tuesday. penalty minutes -- 36 for overall. Martel also was at the Lakers with the second overall Tampa Bay. Surprisingly, all the center of controversy due to his pick in the 2015 draft, but was goals came at even strength as blindside hit on Canucks traded only two years later after the each team was blanked on defenseman Troy Stecher, who an unhappy start to his NBA five power plays. was sidelined for the rest of the career. The Lightning improved to night. Tyler Motte and Chris However the 22-year-old 9-0-1 in their past 10 games, Tanev tallied for the Canucks. point guard reminded the Lakers while the Canucks slipped to Tampa Bay goaltender of his talents with a decisive con- 5-1-1 in their past seven games. Andrei Vasilevskiy blocked 36 tribution to lead the Nets to Tampa Bay avenged a 4-1 home of 38 shots, while Vancouver victory at Brooklyn’s Barclays loss to Vancouver in October. netminder Anders Nilsson Center. Erne excelled after going stopped 32 of 36. Russell finished with 22 points, 13 assists and four going.” Russell’s points tally looked to James to keep them in eighth win of a miserable season rebounds as the Nets improved included a clutch three-pointer the contest. after Larry Nance Jr. tipped in a to 14-18 in the Eastern Con- down the stretch which put the James finished with 36 game-winner at the buzzer to ference standings. Nets six points clear with 22 points but was unable to drag the give the Cavaliers an upset 92-91 Russell was one of six seconds remaining. Lakers over the line, despite a win over the Indiana Pacers. Brooklyn players to finish in “He hurt us,” Lakers head spirited rally late in the fourth The Pacers, third in the double digits as the home side coach Luke Walton said of quarter when they ran up 10 Eastern Conference, struggled completed a sixth straight Russell. unanswered points to get within to get going with Bojan victory. “He’s a talented player and three of Brooklyn. Bogdanovic their top-scoring “You look at the scoreboard we know that. Give him credit. James also had a double- starter with 14 points. - it took the whole team to get it “He had a big time game double with 13 rebounds and Domantas Sabonis had 17 done tonight,” Russell said tonight but that’s why this team’s eight assists in the losing effort. points off the bench for Indiana. afterwards. won six in a row now -- they’ve Lonzo Ball finished with 23 Rodney Hood led the scoring “Defensively we came in and got a lot of different guys that points and Kyle Kuzma had 22 with 17 points for the Cavs, last did our job. I couldn’t be more can hurt you.” points. season’s beaten NBA Finalists proud of our guys.” Jared Dudley weighed in The Lakers dropped to 18-13 who have struggled to adapt to Russell said the Nets were with an important 13-point after the loss and remain in life after LeBron James. determined to extend their cameo off the bench to keep fourth spot in the Western In Atlanta, 20 points from Tampa Bay Lightning’s players celebrate a goal against the winning run. “One game at a Brooklyn in front during a nail- Conference. John Collins helped the Hawks Vancouver Canucks during their NHL game in Vancouver on time,” Russell said. “We’re not biting finale. Elsewhere on Tuesday, to a 118-110 win over the Wash- Tuesday. satisifed. We want to keep it The Lakers meanwhile Cleveland bagged only their ington Wizards.