CRICKET | Page 3 FORMULA 1 | Page 4 Zimbabwe Hamilton yet to victory push open contract frustrated by negotiations rain with Mercedes

Friday, January 31, 2020 FOOTBALL Jumada II 6, 1441 AH ‘Sloppy’ Man City must GULF TIMES learn despite reaching League Cup fi nal SPORT Page 7

TENNIS / AUSTRALIAN OPEN Imperious Djokovic downs Federer to reach fi nal Serbian on course for record-extending eighth title at Melbourne Park with straight sets win over injury-hampered Swiss

Reuters MEDICAL ATTENTION Melbourne, Australia But the count of his errors also started creeping up as Djokovic 2-Novak Djokovic (SRB) bt 3-Roger Federer (SUI) regained control to get the con- ovak Djokovic once test back on serve and then took Score: 7-6 (1), 6-4, 6-3 Time: 2hrs 18mins again beat great ri- the set with an imperious display 11 Aces 15 val Roger Federer at a in tiebreak. Grand Slam yesterday “It could have defi nitely gone 1 Double Faults 3 Nwith a 7-6 (1), 6-4, 6-3 win to a diff erent way if he used those 31 Winners 46 reach the Australian Open fi - break points,” Djokovic, who beat 18 Unforced Errors 35 nal and remain on course for a Rafael Nadal in last year’s fi nal to record-extending eighth title at grab his seventh Australian Open 4/11 Break Point Conversions 2/7 Melbourne Park. title, said. 67 Total Points Won 42 It was the 50th act of one of the “He started off really well, I greatest rivalries of the sport and was pretty nervous at the begin- the odds were heavily stacked ning. Respect to Roger for com- against Federer as the Swiss had ing out tonight, he was obviously not beaten the Serb at a major hurt and wasn’t at his best or since their 2012 meeting on the even close to his best in terms of grass courts of Wimbledon. his movement.” Federer’s journey on the blue Both players received medical courts of Melbourne Park had attention at the end of the fi rst also been far from smooth as set, with Djokovic calling the he was two points from los- trainer to get his knee massaged. ing against John Millman in the That appeared to have the third round and then saved seven desired eff ect for the second- match points to get past Ameri- seeded Serb as he raised his game can Tennys Sandgren in Tues- up a notch to convert his fourth day’s quarter-fi nal — when he breakpoint chance with a fore- also struggled with a groin strain. hand winner at the net to grab the In contrast, Djokovic had won second set. his last four matches at a canter. Djokovic kept up the pressure He lost his only set of the on the 38-year-old Swiss in the Australian Open in the opening third set and the crucial break match against German Jan-Len- came for him in the sixth game nard Struff . with a forehand groundstroke But it was the 20-time Grand winner for a 4-2 lead. Slam winner who got out of the The 32-year-old, winner of 16 blocks briskly on a hot evening to Grand Slam titles, sealed his 27th wrest early initiative as Djokovic win over Federer with his fi rst struggled with his service games. match point when the Swiss found Federer was up 4-1 and 40-0 the net with a backhand for his on Djokovic’s serve but the Serb 35th unforced error of the night. managed to save all three break- While Federer totalled 46 win- points to win his fi rst service ners in the match compared with game as his opponent made an the Serb’s 31, he had 17 more un- array of unforced errors. forced errors. The Swiss, who had to take a In Sunday’s fi nal, Djokovic will lengthy medical timeout against meet the winner of the other semi- Sandgren for a groin problem, fi nal between Alexander Zverev of was not keen on engaging Djoko- Germany and Austrian Dominic vic in rallies and hit an incredible Thiem, who beat world number 26 winners in the fi rst set. one Nadal in the quarter-fi nals. Serbia’s Novak Djokovic celebrates winning a point against Switzerland’s Roger Federer (not pictured) during their Australian Open semi-final in Melbourne yesterday. (AFP)

SPOTLIGHT Kenin breaks Australian hearts, topples Barty to reach fi nal primed to level the match and Reuters 14-Sofi a Kenin (USA) bt 1-Ashleigh Barty (AUS) Melbourne, Australia force a decider but even holding Score: 7-6 (6), 7-5 Time: 1hr 45mins two set points she could not get across the line, Kenin battling to ofi a Kenin sent world 2 Aces 8get the break and bringing the set number one Ashleigh 1 Double Faults 1back on serve. Barty spinning out of the 16 Winners 33 The American then held before Melbourne Park semi- converting her second match fiS nals 7-6 (6), 7-5 yesterday to 25 Unforced Errors 36 point on Barty’s serve to book reach her maiden Grand Slam fi - 2/4 Break Point Conversions 1/4 her place in the fi nal against ei- nal, crushing Australian hopes of 81 Total Points Won 78 ther Romanian Simona Halep or a fi rst home-grown champion in Garbine Muguruza of Spain, who 42 years. are meeting in Thursday’s second American 21-year-old Kenin, in 1980 and looked the more at times, throwing her racquet semi-fi nal. seeded 14th at the year’s fi rst likely winner but Kenin hung on court, but managed to save Barty, who hit 33 winners to Grand Slam, had a breakthrough tough, saving set points in both three break points to hold for Kenin’s 16, said she enjoyed the 2019 season when she won all frames. 3-3 in the opening set and even- experience of playing a Grand three of her singles titles to reach “She’s such a tough player, tually force a tiebreaker. Slam semi-final in front of a a career-high ranking of 12, the she’s playing really amazing and I Despite temperatures soaring home crowd but was disap- United States’ number two be- knew I really needed to fi nd a way to 38 degrees Celsius (100F), the pointed she failed to take her hind Serena Williams. to win,” Kenin said. “This really American kept her cool to win chances. But Barty, 23, came into yes- wasn’t an easy one. I’m just so four straight points in the tie- “I think a match where I didn’t terday’s match with a 4-1 record speechless. breaker, saved two set points and feel super comfortable,” she said. against her and had the Ameri- “I can’t believe this, I have converted her fi rst to stun the “I felt like my fi rst plan wasn’t can pinned on the back foot with dreamt about this moment since crowd into silence. working. I couldn’t execute the a combination of big forehands I was fi ve-years-old. I’ve worked But the fans soon found their way that I wanted. I tried to go to and backhand slices. so hard to get here. voice again, belting out chants B and C. Barty was bidding to be- “I needed to fi ght out there. of, “Let’s go Barty, let’s go,” as the “I think I had to dig and fi nd come the first local woman to There’s a reason why she’s world home favourite broke Kenin early a way. I’m two points away from Sofia Kenin (right) of the US celebrates her win over Australia’s Ashleigh Barty (not pictured) in the Australian progress to an Australian Open number one.” in the second set to go up 2-1. winning that in straight sets, Open semi-final in Melbourne yesterday. (AFP) final since Wendy Turnbull Kenin showed her frustration Serving at 5-4, Barty was which is disappointing.” Gulf Times 2 Friday, January 31, 2020 TENNIS

COMMENT SPOTLIGHT Baby-cradling ‘Can still win Slams’ Barty puts loss into perspective

Reuters Barty gave credit where credit — Federer has no Melbourne, Australia was due, praising the perform- ance of the 14th seeded Ameri- can, and acknowledged she had shleigh Barty’s dream not played the big points well. of ending her nation’s But the occasion had not got to 42-year wait for a her, she said. homegrown Austral- “Not at all. I’ve been in a Grand ianA Open champion lay in tatters Slam semi-fi nal before. Yes, it’s plans to retire yesterday after the world number diff erent at home,” she said. one crumbled on the big points in “I enjoyed the experience. I a straight-sets semi-fi nal defeat love being out there. I’ve loved Swiss reached last year’s Roland Garros semis and lost Wimbledon final to Djokovic to Sofi a Kenin. every minute of playing in Aus- The 23-year-old Queens- tralia over the last month. lander beat a hasty retreat from “I could have had an oppor- Rod Laver Arena after losing her tunity to go one more match, fi rst Melbourne semi-fi nal 7-6 but we didn’t quite get that to- (6), 7-5, shaking her head rue- day.” fully as she walked down the player’s tunnel. LESSONS INTO PRACTICE While it was Kenin left to Barty is hardly the fi rst home fa- march on to the fi nal, much of the vourite to suff er disappointment one hour, 45-minute clash had at Melbourne Park. been on Barty’s terms, her artful Since Chris O’Neil claimed the backhand slice carving open the women’s tournament in 1978, American time and time again. world number ones and Grand But just as Barty looked poised Slam champions alike have gone to claim the fi rst set, leading 6-4 close but fallen short. in the tiebreak, she faltered, los- Twice Grand Slam winner ing four points in a row to gift Lleyton Hewitt’s trip to the 2005 Kenin the lead. fi nal, where he was beaten by Barty had another two chances Marat Safi n, remains the nearest to level when on serve at 5-4 in miss in the modern era. the second set but again could Barty, still early in her career, not convert. She failed to land should have plenty more chances six fi rst serves in a row, allowing to break the drought and said she Kenin to break back, hold serve to had already learned plenty about love and then break again to seal being world number one at a an unlikely win. home Grand Slam. As French Open champion “I won’t wait a year to put and world number one, home those (lessons) into practice,” she fans had inevitably hoped for said. “I’ll put those into practice more from Barty but she made next week. The next time I walk no apologies as she came into her out on court, the next time I wake post-match media conference up in the morning, every experi- cradling Olivia, her baby niece. ence you need to learn from. I’ve The three-month-old, occa- done that. sionally gurgling and fi dgeting, “I can’t wait to get started for was a reminder that life goes on, the rest of the year. I feel like it’s yet there was a touch of defen- going to happen pretty quickly siveness about Barty as she looked and we’re going to be back sitting up at a room full of reporters and at this table with an Australian muttered: “Righto, here we go.” summer next year.”

Switzerland’s Roger Federer hits a return against Serbia’s Novak Djokovic (not pictured) during their Australian Open semi-final in Melbourne yesterday. (AFP)

AFP “Yes, I do believe that,” the block. No plans to retire. after the Sandgren match and mentally very tough.” Melbourne, Australia world number three said, when “From that standpoint, we’ll barely warmed up for Djokovic, Federer said the injury did not asked he if he was confi dent see how the year goes, how eve- but felt he was in good enough appear to be serious. about adding to his 20 Grand rything is with the family. We’ll shape to at least give the Serb a “I’m very happy that I don’t feel njury-hit Roger Federer said Slam titles. go from there. Of course, I hope run for his money. any worse than when I started. yesterday he had no plans “I think by having the year to be back.” “Today was horrible, to go That’s super-encouraging. So I to retire and insisted he was that I had last year, also with Federer was seen around Mel- through what I did. Nice en- think we’ll go from there and we’ll still in good enough shape what I have in my game, how I’m bourne Park before the match trance, nice sendoff , and in be- see if I need to do another scan or Ito win Grand Slams after crash- playing, I do feel that, yeah.” with tape on his upper right leg tween is one to forget because not,” said the tennis legend. ing out of the Australian Open Federer, who reached last and there were even rumours you know you have a three per- Djokovic said he had “huge semi-fi nals to Novak Djokovic. year’s Roland Garros semi-fi nals that he might pull out of the cent chance to win,” he said. respect” for the resilient Feder- The 38-year-old fell to the and lost a fi ve-set Wimbledon Djokovic showdown. “It’s frustrating. (But) I don’t er’s record of never retiring from Serb 7-6 (1), 6-4, 6-3, admitting fi nal to Djokovic, said he hopes But that is not in the 38-year- think I would have gone on court a match. he only had “a three percent” to return to Melbourne in 2021 old’s nature — he has only ever if I felt like I had no chance to “I did have retirements chance as he nursed a groin injury for a crack at a seventh title. given up walkovers four times in win. We saw I was still being throughout my career. I know picked up in his quarter-fi nal epic “You never know what the his long career, and never retired able to make a match out of it. how it feels when you’re hurt on against Tennys Sandgren, where future holds. Especially my age, from any of his more than 1,500 “Who knows maybe how he the court,” he said. he saved seven match points. you don’t know,” he said. matches over two decades. feels as well. He’s a great, great “It’s an amazing fact that he Despite the disappointment, “I’m confi dent. I’m happy player. We know that. He makes has never retired his match, not the Swiss great believes he is still how I’m feeling, to be honest. I ‘TODAY WAS HORRIBLE’ you hit balls. He serves well, he a single match, throughout his Australia’s Ashleigh Barty with her niece, Olivia, during a post-match a force to be reckoned with. got through a good, nice training Federer said he took a day off returns well, he moves well. He’s career. Huge respect for that.” press conference at Australian Open yesterday. (Twitter/WTA)

PREVIEW ‘No secrets’ — Thiem and Zverev battle for fi rst Aussie fi nal AFP Open semi-fi nals to this one. Go- Russian Andrey Rublev en route Melbourne, Australia ing to be a close match again.” to his clash with Thiem. “Same if two top-10 players Regardless of what happens on play each other (in the) semis of a Rod Laver Arena on Friday, he is ominic Thiem says Slam. The deciding moments are content with his tennis, and his there are “no secrets” very small, small margins. I’m life. between him and Al- looking forward to it,” he added. “Do you have to prove a point exander Zverev as they Thiem is better known as a to anybody in this world? Maybe prepareD for a battle of “small clay-court specialist and has ex- to your parents, out of respect or margins” to make an Australian perience of the big time, making something like that,” he said. Open fi nal for the fi rst time. the French Open fi nal over the “But anybody else, this is your The fi fth seed faces his good past two years, beaten each time life. You do with it what you feel friend today after stunning world by Nadal. is right. All I’m going to say, I’m number one Rafael Nadal in the But this is the furthest he has always going to try my best. last eight, with a crack at seven- got on hardcourts at the Majors “I am always going to do time champion Novak Djokovic and knows he is on the cusp of a everything I can to win tennis in the decider at stake. crack at shattering the strangle- matches, to at least do the best Thiem and Zverev have played hold Djokovic and Federer have thing I can on the tennis court each other eight times, with the had on the tournament, sharing when I’m playing in front of peo- Austrian holding a 6-2 advan- 12 of the last 14 titles. ple, just to have respect in front tage, including their last two en- “One of us is going to be in the of the crowd.” counters. They have never been fi nals. But it’s still a very long way Zverev has already gone a long forced into a fi ve-setter. to go,” he said. way to winning over Australian “We have no secrets from each Seventh seed Zverev has long fans, donating $10,000 for each other. I mean, we played so many been tipped for great things, but Austria’s Dominic Thiem will play Germany’s Alexander Zverev (right) in the Australian Open semi-final today. (Reuters) match he has won to the coun- times, also on very special occa- until now the 22-year-old has try’s bushfi re relief fund. sions already, at the ATP Finals, failed to deliver at the Majors. make his mark. Grand Slams. You know what I the World Tour Finals. The Grand lutely no expectations.” If he claims a maiden Grand semis, French Open quarters,” He is into his fi rst Grand Slam mean?” he said. Slams maybe meant too much for Taking the pressure off has Slam in Melbourne on Sunday, he said the 26-year-old. semi-fi nal after taking a more re- BUSHFIRE PLEDGE “I was just playing better ten- me. worked wonders, with Zverev has vowed to also hand over his “It’s a nice rivalry we have. It’s laxed approach, admitting that in “In a way, I was maybe paying nis at the other tournaments. At “This year I actually came into battling past former champion Aus$4.12mn ($2.78mn) winner’s great that we add an Australian the past he was trying too hard to attention to it too much, to the Madrid, Rome, other Masters, the Australian Open with abso- Stan Wawrinka and dangerous cheque to the same cause. Gulf Times Friday, January 31, 2020 3 CRICKET

PREVIEW India look to keep up ante against New Zealand IANS Williamson waged a lone battle and Playing XI might get a go in the last Wellington almost took the game away from two games. For the home team, it India with nine runs needed off six was heartbreaking as to how they balls before Shami removed him threw away the game which was on heir tails up after a thrilling and Ross Taylor to take the match a plate for them at one stage. Be- Super Over win over hosts to the Super Over. It was a rare off sides Williamson, the batters need New Zealand, India would day for India’s premier bowler Jas- to up their game especially all- be looking to surge further prit Bumrah but the team’s strength rounder Colin de Grandhhome. Tahead in their quest for perfection was underlined by Shami stepping Scott Kuggeleijn played in place and go 4-0 up in the series when up and winning the match for the of Blair Tickner in the last game and they play the fourth T20I today. Men in Blue, as acknowledged by kept things tight with the ball and Hitman Rohit Sharma hit a bril- Rohit after the game. he should be persisted with. New liant unbeaten 15 (including two Vice-captain Rohit also said the Zealand now have only pride to play sixes) in the Super Over as India fact that someone or the other was for in the last two matches of the chased down New Zealand’s score doing the job for India was a good series, but as Williamson said on of 17 to win the third T20I at Seddon sign leading into the T20 World Cup Wednesday night, they would have Park and take an unassailable 3-0 in Australia. An area, which skipper to move on as a team and get better lead in the fi ve-match T20I series on Virat Kohli and coach Ravi Shas- with the World Cup on the horizon. Wednesday. tri would look to address though, New Zealand skipper Kane Wil- would be India’s ground fi elding. SQUADS liamson followed up his excellent The Indians were below par in the India : Virat Kohli (capt), Rohit Shar- 95 with an unbeaten 11 in the Super fi eld in Hamilton contrary to the ma, K.L. Rahul (wk), Manish Pandey, Over, but it just wasn’t enough as Black Caps who were excellent. Rishabh Pant, Sanju Samson, Shre- Rohit and K.L. Rahul (5*) took Tim Bumrah, going by his lofty yas Iyer, Shivam Dube, Ravindra Southee to the cleaners to underline standard, would be eager to come- Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Yuzvendra their strength as a unit ahead of the back with a bang while the likes Chahal, Mohamed Shami, Jasprit T20 World Cup at the end of the year. of Ravindra Jadeja and Yuzvendra Bumrah, Shardul Thakur, Navdeep This after the T20I was tied as Chahal would look to continue the Saini, Washington Sundar India pacer Mohammed Shami good form. New Zealand: Kane Williamson came up with a classic last over Shivam Dube would look to im- (capt), Martin Guptill, Ross Taylor, just when it looked like Williamson prove and make a more telling con- Scott Kuggeleijn, Colin Munro, would take the Kiwis home with a tribution as it remains to be seen Colin de Grandhomme, Tom Bruce, batting master-class. whether Kohli and Shastri give the Daryl Mitchell, Mitchell Santner, Rohit was at his sublime best as bench-warmers a go. Kohli did re- Tim Seifert (wk), Hamish Ben- he hit a well composed 65 to take veal after the third game that those nett, Ish Sodhi, Tim Southee, Blair India’s Virat Kohli (centre) and teammates react as their third twenty20 match against New Zealand goes into a super over at the Seddon India to 179/5. But Kiwi skipper yet to get an opportunity in the Tickner. Park in Hamilton on Wednesday. (AFP)

REPORT ANNOUNCEMENT New Zealand injured pace trio ruled out Zimbabwe victory of India one-dayers

AFP Test against Australia, has been Wellington cleared to resume playing. The series will be the fi rst ODIs for New Zealand since truggling New Zealand they beat India in the World Cup push in second Test will have their bowl- semi-fi nals last year then lost to ing stocks further tested England in the fi nal, and coach after their three leading Gary Stead said they were un- seamersS were ruled out from the der no illusions about the task squad named yesterday for the ahead. one-day series against India. “We’ve seen from the Twen- New Zealand’s fortunes have ty20 series (India) are clearly as plummeted since making the strong as ever,” he said. frustrated by rain World Cup fi nal last year, losing “Tim Southee has an impor- three Tests against Australia and tant job leading our new look Brendan Taylor struck a fluent half-century as Zimbabwe moved into a strong position three Twenty20s against India. pace attack, which has a huge Pace bowlers Trent Boult (bro- opportunity against some of the AFP ken hand), Lockie Ferguson (calf very best batsmen in the world. Harare strain) and Matt Henry (broken “While the bowling line-up thumb), who were all injured in has a fresh look, the batting is Australia, have not recovered in very settled and we’ll likely have eavy rain and bad light time for the three ODIs against the same top eight batsmen from in the afternoon frus- India which start next week after the World Cup fi nals.” trated Zimbabwe’s the fi nal two Twenty20 fi xtures. push to build a match- Kyle Jamieson has been called New Zealand squad: Kane Wil- Hwinning position on the fourth into the squad for the fi rst time liamson (capt), Hamish Bennett, day of the second Test against while Scott Kuggeleijn and Tom Blundell, Colin de Grand- Sri Lanka in Harare yesterday. Hamish Bennett are recalled af- homme, Martin Guptill, Kyle A downpour mid-afternoon ter last playing ODIs in Ireland Jamieson, Scott Kuggeleijn, Tom forced the players off the field in 2017. Latham, Jimmy Neesham, Henry and, although they returned Tom Latham, who broke a fi n- Nicholls, Mitchell Santner, Ish briefl y after tea, only 54 overs ger on his right hand in the third Sodhi, Tim Southee, Ross Taylor. were bowled in the day, restrict- ing Zimbabwe to 241 for seven at the close, an overall lead of 354. UNDER-19 WORLD CUP The Zimbabwe captain Sean Williams, who made a century in the fi rst innings, was 47 not out when bad light forced the Bangladesh beat SA players off and must now decide whether to declare overnight to give his bowlers a full day to try by 104 runs to and win the match and square the two-Test series. Brendan Taylor set the tone enter semi-fi nals for the home side during the morning session when he made Agencies fours and one six to propel the his second half-century of the Potchefstroom subcontinent outfi t to a compet- match. The 33-year-old struck itive total. In their chase, the SA a rapid 67 as the hosts added U19s got off to a decent start be- 117 during an extended morning fi ne bowling display fore losing three crucial wickets session. from Rakibul Hasan within the 16th over, including Lasith Embuldeniya was Zimbabwe’s Brendan Taylor (right) plays a shot as Sri Lanka’s Niroshan Dickwella looks on during the fourth day of the second Test at the helped Bangladesh Jonathan Bird, who looked good again the pick of the Sri Lanka Harare Sports Club yesterday. (AFP) register a convincing during his 35 off 39 balls, and the bowlers, striking in the third 104-runA win over South Africa tournament’s top runs scorer over of the day when Regis stitute’ for Kevin Kasuza who from 75 balls. His innings, Fernando that appeared to pitch BRIEF SCORES to advance to the ICC Under-19 and captain, Bryce Parsons (7). Chakabva edged to Dhananjaya was stretchered off on Wednes- which included eight fours and outside leg stump. Zimbabwe 406 and 241-7 (B. Taylor Cricket World Cup Super League The home side failed to recov- de Silva at slip having added just day after being hit on the head at a six, ended when he was on the In the brief 26-ball passage of 67, S. Williams 47 not out, P. Mas- semifi nal in Potchefstroom er from that early setback and a single to his overnight 14. short leg, scratched around for wrong end of an lbw shout from play in the evening session Ti- vaure 35, S. Raza 34; V. Fernando yesterday. despite a valiant half-century Taylor joined Prince Mas- 14 balls before being stumped Lahru Kumara, the ball look- notenda Mutombodzi stepped 2-43, L. Embuldeniya 2-81) Hasan claimed leading fi g- from Luke Beaufort (60 off 91 vaure who was run out for 35 off Embuldeniya for a duck. ing certain to slide down the too far away to off to give him- Sri Lanka 293 (A. Mathews 64, D. ures of 5-19 as the young Tigers balls; six fours), R Hasan contin- after a needless mix-up over a At the other end Taylor had leg side. Sikander Raza added self room and lost his leg stump Karunaratne 44, O. Fernando 44; S. dismissed the junior Proteas for ued to chip away with wickets in second run and in spite of a dra- picked up quickly from his 70 with Williams for the sixth to Suranga Lakmal. Raza 7-113) 157 all out after they posted a regular intervals as they skittled matic dive for safety. run-a-ball 62 in the fi rst in- wicket before also departing Williams played serenely for Match situation: Zimbabwe lead competitive 261 for fi ve thanks out the home side with 7.3 overs Timycen Maruma, who was nings, passing 2,000 runs in leg before, this time to a ball his 47 which came off 76 balls by 354 runs with three wickets to half-centuries from Tanzid to spare.“We approached this drafted in as a ‘concussion sub- Test cricket on his way to 67 from left-arm seamer Vishwa and included six fours. remaining. Hasan (80), Shahadat Hossain match today as per normal, we (74) and Tawhid Hridoy (51). played a few series before this South Africa won the toss un- World Cup and in the dressing Eager to play for India in white-ball cricket: Umesh der sunny skies at the JB Marks room we discussed that we have Oval and elected to put Bang- a good strategy and just have to India pacer Umesh Yadav is eager to make a come- being included in India’s World Cup squad last year. ladesh to bat. That plan didn’t apply our plans on the fi eld,” the back in the limited-overs squad and has said he is “I got the chance in the 2015 World Cup. I was happy work for the home side, as Parvez Player of the Match, R. Hasan working hard to become a regular in the team in to perform well for my country. I was disappointed Emon (17) and T Hasan put on commented. white-ball cricket. when I was not included in the 2019 World Cup team,” 60 runs for the opening stand, “We played with an ex- Umesh, who played only one limited-overs match for Umesh pointed. Umesh was left out of the ODI and with the latter going on to reach tra spinner and we had a good India since last February – in Visakhapatnam – said he T20Is squads for the series against New Zealand but his half-ton (80 off 84 balls, 12 day with our spin and the plan is desperate to make a comeback. feels he will make his presence felt in the two-match fours) despite losing Emon and worked during the middle pe- “Who wants to sit outside the ground? I am also hu- Test series against the Kiwis. Mahmudul Joy (3) in quick suc- riod and wrist spinners bowled man. I am working really hard and am very eager to “Honestly, I am looking forward to this (playing Tests cession. With an in-form batter well along with the main bowlers play white-ball cricket again,” Umesh told Timesofin- in New Zealand). I am eager to play red-ball cricket in at the crease, Hridoy walked in and that’s why we did well in this dia.com. New Zealand. I have performed well in recent times and played the anchoring role in game,” he added. “I am thankful to the selectors who gave me the op- and I’m in good touch too. My series against Bang- two 50-run partnerships with T portunity to play for the country. They are the best ladesh was good too. I am pretty positive about my Hasan and Hossain, respectively, BRIEF SCORES judge. I am trying my best to make a comeback to selection for New Zealand Test series. on his way to a measured 73-ball Bangladesh 261 for 5 (Tanzid 80, white-ball cricket. For this, whatever I have to do, I “If I am selected, I am going to give my 100 per cent. I 51 (two fours). Shahadat 74, Hridoy 51, Molet- will,” he added. have worked a lot on my line and length. I am hoping While at the other end, Hos- sane 2-41) beat South Africa 157 Umesh also said that he was disappointed after not for the best,” he signed off . sain blasted an unbeaten 74 off (Beaufort 60, Rakibul 5-19) by 76 deliveries, including seven 104 runs. Gulf Times 4 Friday, January 31, 2020 SPORT

MOTORSPORT GOLF McDowell, Green set early pace Hamilton yet to open Reuters ished a shot clear of Swedish Riyadh duo Henrik Stenson and Se- bastian Soderberg, Spaniard Adri Arnaus, Frenchman Vic- raeme McDowell tor Perez and Venezuela’s Jho- birdied his fi nal three nattan Vegas. holes in diffi cult con- ditions to grab a share ‘PHIL THE THRILL’ contract negotiations Gof the lead alongside Gavin After making the turn at two- Green after the opening round over, Phil Mickelson surged of the Saudi International in up the leaderboard with seven King Abdullah Economic City birdies and a bogey on the back yesterday. nine as he got to four-under Malaysia’s Green teed off in alongside New Zealand’s Ryan the fi rst group of the day and Fox, and English quartet Ross he took advantage of perfect Fisher, Tom Lewis, Aaron Rai with Mercedes scoring conditions, turning in and Andy Sullivan. 30 with fi ve birdies. Nicknamed ‘Phil the Thrill’, ‘I just kept delaying it. I had a contract in place so I didn’t feel like I had to rush’ Green fi nished with six-un- Mickelson raised his game up a der-par 64 and for a long time notch with the shot of the day Reuters it looked like his score would on the par-three 11th as his tee London not be matched, with the wind shot clipped the fl agstick be- whipping up in the after- fore settling a couple of feet noon at Royal Greens Golf and away for a birdie. ix times Formula One Country Club. Yet McDowell “It was certainly evident world champion Lewis displayed his ability to grind early in the round where I Hamilton says he is yet to out scores as he recovered from made a couple of shots that start talks with Mercedes a double bogey on the 11th with weren’t that hard that I made toS extend his contract beyond four birdies on the back nine. diffi cult,” fi ve-times major this year, despite media reports “It was nice to get out of winner Mickelson said. “But they had stalled already over there with six-under because the back nine, things really wage demands. I felt like I played great today,” started to come together.” The 35-year-old Briton denied he said. “It would have been a Defending champion Dustin the speculation in a post, subse- horrible round to let get away Johnson and Lucas Herbert, quently deleted, on Instagram. but to fi nish birdie-birdie- who won the Dubai Desert “FYI (Team principal) Toto birdie was nice. Classic last weekend, were (Wolff ) and I have not even spo- “Playing well in these con- in the group three shots off ken about contract yet,” he said. ditions is really just about the lead. World number one “Nothing is being negotiated trying to stay patient. Hang Brooks Koepka birdied the currently, papers making up sto- tough, hit fairways, hit greens par-fi ve 18th to card a level- ries.” and obviously being a good par 70, while Open champion Reports in Italy had suggested putter helps as well - be able Shane Lowry bogeyed the Hamilton was seeking $60 mil- to clean up any mistakes you same hole to fi nish fi ve shots lion a year. Red Bull’s motorsport make.” off the off the pace on one- head Helmut Marko was then McDowell and Green fi n- under. quoted by Autobild as saying only Ferrari would be willing to pay such an amount for a driver. Ferrari said last year that chairman John Elkann had met Hamilton socially, fuelling spec- ulation about a future move to the Italian team. Hamilton’s last contract talks turned into something of a pad- dock saga, with the eventual announcement of a two-year extension in 2018 following months of speculation. “I just kept delaying it. I had a contract in place so I didn’t feel like I had to rush,” the champion, who conducted his own negotia- Graeme McDowell (left) in action during the opening round of tions, said at the time. the Saudi International yesterday. (European Tour) Hamilton’s future is already in the spotlight after Ferrari last FIRST-ROUND SCORE month committed long-term to Monegasque youngster Charles 64-Gavin Green (MAL), Graeme Bland (ENG), Connor Syme Leclerc and Red Bull made sure McDowell (NIR) (SCO), Sergio Garcia (ESP), Ra- Max Verstappen was locked in 65-Henrik Stenson (SWE), fael Cabrera-Bello (ESP), Shane for four more years. Sebastian Soderberg (SWE), Lowry (IRL), Richard McEvoy The pair are both considered Adri Arnaus (ESP), Victor Perez (ENG), James Morrison (ENG), Hamilton’s heirs apparent, and (FRA), Jhonattan Vegas (VEN) Nicolas Colsaerts (BEL) their contract extensions mark 66-Phil Mickelson (USA), Tom 70-Chris Paisley (ENG), Raphael them out as the future of their Lewis (ENG), Andy Sullivan Jacquelin (FRA), Rasmus respective teams, making a Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton celebrates with a trophy after winning the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix at the Yas Marina Circuit, on December 1, 2019. (ENG), Ross Fisher (ENG), Aaron Hojgaard (DEN), Maximillian Hamilton move from Mercedes Rai (ENG), Ryan Fox (NZL) Kieff er (GER), Guido Migliozzi less likely. not be an easy decision. Mer- it has dominated for the past six matter would be discussed at the tralia on March 15 with Ham- 67-Dustin Johnson (USA), Se- (ITA), Thomas Pieters (BEL), The Briton, who joined Mer- cedes want the Briton to stay but years. Ole Kaellenius, chief ex- next board meeting. ilton chasing several Formula bastian Garcia Rodriguez (ESP), Matt Wallace (ENG), Sam cedes from McLaren at the end the situation has been clouded ecutive of parent Daimler, said Mercedes launch their new car One records, including Ferrari Lucas Herbert (AUS), Francesco Horsfield (ENG), Stephen of 2012, gets on well with Finn- by uncertainty over Wolff ’s own on Wednesday that Mercedes on Feb. 14, with testing in Barce- great and Mercedes predecessor Laporta (ITA), Joost Luiten Gallacher (SCO), Lee Westwood ish team mate Valtteri Bottas and future and the German manu- were not preparing to leave For- lona starting fi ve days later. Michael Schumacher’s 91 wins (NED), Soren Kjeldsen (DEN), (ENG), Jack Singh Brar (ENG), Li has said going elsewhere would facturer’s commitment to a sport mula One, after reports that the The season opens in Aus- and seven titles. Marcus Kinhult (SWE) Haotong (PRC), Richie Ramsay 68-Alexander Bjork (SWE), (SCO), Brooks Koepka (USA), Matthieu Pavon (FRA), Adrian Maverick Antcliff (AUS), Sebas- Meronk (POL), David Howell tian Heisele (GER) Russian federation rejects call to expel it over doping off ences (ENG), Christiaan Bezuidenhout SELECTED (RSA), Fabrizio Zanotti (PAR), 71-Dean Burmester (RSA), Russia’s suspended athletics federation about its leadership’s involvement in the Board because they are unfounded and sioned by the World Anti-Doping Agency Sean Crocker (USA), Scott Robert Rock (ENG) said it would continue to battle to prove cover-up of a violation by high jumper unproven,” the federation said in a state- (WADA) found evidence of mass doping Hend (AUS), Justin Harding 72-Ernie Els (RSA), Ian Poulter its innocence after the Athletics Integrity Danil Lysenko. ment. in the sport and had since been trudging (RSA), Jazz Janewattananond (ENG), Robert MacIntyre (SCO), Unit Board accused it of showing a “total The federation’s president and six others “The Russian federation intends to toward reinstatement. (THA), Shubhankar Sharma Akshay Bhatia (USA) lack of contrition” in its response to anti- were provisionally suspended in Novem- maintain its innocence and is consider- World Athletics, the sport’s global govern- (IND), Renato Paratore (ITA) 73-Thomas Detry (BEL), doping violations. ber last year for having provided forged ing all possible legal means to protect its ing body, halted Russia’s reinstatement 69-Victor Dubuisson (FRA), Thomas Bjorn (DEN), Martin The AIU recommended on Wednesday documents and false explanations to jus- position and the interests of (its) athletes,” process and stopped clearing some Alexander Levy (FRA), Matthias Kaymer (GER), Patrick Reed that the Russian federation be expelled tify three missed doping tests by Lysenko. it said late on Wednesday. Russians to compete internationally as Schwab (BEL), Abraham Ancer (USA) from global athletics after examining “The Russian federation does not agree Russia’s athletics federation was initially neutrals in response to the charges facing (MEX), Pablo Larrazabal (ESP), 74-Mike Lorenzo Vera (FRA) explanations provided by the federation with the allegations made by the AIU suspended in 2015 after a report commis- the federation’s leadership. Jeff Winther (DEN), Richard 75-Bernd Wiesberger (AUT)

RUGBY France’s Bouthier, Haouas to debut against England AFP them to continue to work and Charles Ollivon captains the side Nice, France develop the potential in our following Guilhem Guirado’s team,” the 50-year-old added. retirement. South-African born Loose-head prop Jeff erson lock Paul Willemse and winger ew France head coach Poirot drops to the bench, one of Teddy Thomas return to the side Fabien Galthie yester- three further survivors from the after missing the competition in day named nine sur- World Cup along with Baptiste Japan. vivors from the Rugby Serin and Vincent Rattez. NWorld Cup quarter-fi nal defeat Galthie handed Test debuts TEAM by Wales in the starting XV for to tight-head prop Mohamed Anthony Bouthier; Teddy the weekend’s Six Nations open- Haouas and full-back Anthony Thomas, Virimi Vakatawa, Gael er against England. Bouthier who replace the expe- Fickou, Damian Penaud; Romain Former Les Bleus captain rienced Rabah Slimani and Max- Ntamack, Antoine Dupont; Galthie, who took over from ime Medard, neither of whom Gregory Alldritt, Charles Ollivon Jacques Brunel after the tourna- were considered for selection. (capt), Francois Cros; Paul Wille- ment last year, kept faith with “At the position of tight-head mse, Bernard Le Roux; Moham- half-backs Romain Ntamack and prop we lacked certainty. We ed Haouas, Julien Marchand, Antoine Dupont as well as the had to make a choice between Cyril Baille centre pairing of Virimi Vakata- two players (Haouas and Dem- Replacements: Peato Mauvaka, wa and Gael Fickou. ba Bamba) who have very little Jeff erson Poirot, Demba Bamba, “It was the partnership for experience,” Galthie said. “We Boris Palu, Cameron Woki, the World Cup, and one can say asked ourselves (the coaching Baptiste Serin, Mathieu Jalibert, during the World Cup, the 9-10 staff ) questions. We’ll have the Vincent Rattez axis, as well as with the centres answer on Sunday,” he added. and the wingers were fully satis- There are a further pair of in- factory,” Galthie said. ternational rookies on the bench France’s coach Fabien Galthie “We need continuity as we in lock Boris Palu and back- with his team during a training build this team. We count on rower Cameron Woki. Flanker session in Nice. (AFP) Gulf Times Friday, January 31, 2020 5 SPORT

NBA NHL Weber’s 1st of season lift s Preds over Capitals Lillard notches fi rst Reuters 693, is now one goal shy of Los Angeles Mark Messier for eighth in the NHL’s all-time career goal- scoring list. He broke a tie annick Weber scored for ninth with Steve Yzerman his fi rst goal of the (692). Then things fell apart season to give the vis- for the Predators in the second iting Nashville Preda- period. triple-double as torsY a 5-4 win over the Wash- Just six minutes in, Nash- ington Capitals on Wednesday ville’s Nick Bonino went for a night. breakout pass from behind the The struggling Predators, Predators’ net. He snapped the who got two assists from Filip puck up the middle, but it hit Forsberg, had to come back Saros’ stick and defl ected past from a 4-3 defi cit with two the goal line. The own goal was unanswered goals in the third credited to Panik, his second Blazers beat Rockets period. Nashville had gone of the game. 4-7-1 in its previous Lillard made six 3-pointers to tie the NBA record of 33 over a four-game stretch 12 games. The Capitals start- RESULTS ed off a fi rst-period Toronto 5-3 Dallas goal-fest when Ri- Nashville 5-4 Washington chard Panik stepped across the blue line Anaheim 4-2 Arizona and lobbed a lazy Calgary 4-3 Edmonton knuckler that fooled Tampa Bay 4-2 Los Angeles Predators goalie Ju- use Saros at 9:28. Vancouver 5-2 San Jose The Predators re- sponded less than a minute About fi ve minutes later later as Jarred Tinordi wired with the Capitals on the power a hard one from the top of the play, Nashville’s Calle Jarnk- faceoff circle. It was Tinordi’s rok tried to clear the puck out fi rst NHL goal in his eighth ap- of the Predators’ end and put it pearance of the season and the right on the stick of Tom Wil- 61st game of his career. son. The Washington winger Mikael Granlund and Roc- drilled it past Saros to give the co Grimaldi then each got Capitals a 4-3 lead. a goal to give the Predators The Capitals took their turn what should have been some with a wonky play early in the healthy breathing room at 3-1 third, though. With Wash- with just under four minutes ington on the man advantage, left in the opening period. Capitals goalie Braden Holtby The Capitals snuck to with- made a lead pass up the ice, in one before the period was but Ryan Johansen intercepted over. Alexander Ovechkin, it and then snapped it past the back from sitting out one game bewildered goalie for a short- on suspension for skipping handed goal to tie game 4-4 last weekend’s All-Star Game, at 3:00. Weber’s shot from the scooped up a loose puck mis- point with 4:37 to go slipped played by Saros and put it into past Holtby, who couldn’t see a vacated net just 24 seconds past a screen set up by Gran- after Grimaldi’s tally. lund. The goal stood as the Oveckin, at career goal No. game-winner.

Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard (left) and Houston Rockets forward P.J. Tucker reach for a loose ball during the first quarter at the Moda Center. PICTURE: USA TODAY Sports

Reuters RESULTS ing, but Portland held off the charge. Portland’s advantage grew to 88-69 Los Angeles Lillard scored 25 fi rst-half points, and on Ariza’s 3-pointer with four minutes San Antonio 127-120 Utah the Trail Blazers held a 71-60 lead at the left in the third quarter. The lead was 97- Brooklyn 125-115 Detroit break. 82 entering the fi nal stanza. amian Lillard recorded 36 points, The Trail Blazers used a 17-2 run dur- McCollum’s basket pushed the ad- 11 assists and 10 rebounds for his Memphis 127-106 New York ing the second quarter to open up a 63-51 vantage to 20 for the fi rst time at 105-85 fi rst career triple-double to lead Portland 125-112 Houston lead with 2:15 left in the half. with 9:09 remaining. the Portland Trail Blazers to a Oklahoma 120-100 Sacramento 125-112D victory over the visiting Houston Rockets on Wednesday night. Indiana 115-106 Chicago Nets fans chant ‘Kobe’ as team pays tribute to Kobe Lillard made six 3-pointers to tie more points. James Harden had 18 points the NBA record of 33 over a four-game but shot just 5 of 18. He has made only The tears continued to flow and the “Kobe, Kobe, Kobe”. stretch. The mark was originally set by 69 of 210 shots (32.9%) over his past 10 tributes kept pouring in on Wednesday, Bryant and his 13-year-old daughter Stephen Curry of the Golden State War- appearances. Ben McLemore and fel- three days after five-time NBA champion died when the Sikorsky S-76 helicopter riors from Feb. 22-27, 2016. low reserve Austin Rivers had 17 points Kobe Bryant was killed in a devastating they were riding in slammed into a CJ McCollum added 22 points and apiece as the Rockets lost for the sixth helicopter crash. rugged hillside in thick fog in Calabasas, Trevor Ariza tallied 21 as Portland won time in the past nine games. Houston In New York, the Nets and their fans paid northwest of Los Angeles. The crash also for the third time in the past four games. shot 42.6%, including 17 of 47 from be- tribute to Bryant before their home game killed seven others. Carmelo Anthony collected a season- hind the arc. against Detroit with a video montage and Spencer Dinwiddie scored 10 of his 28 best 13 rebounds as the Trail Blazers held The red-hot Lillard is averaging 48.5 an eight second moment of silence. points in the fourth quarter as Brooklyn a 50-39 advantage on the boards. points over the past four games. He There were also two empty chairs at pulled away for a 125-115 victory over the Hassan Whiteside recorded 15 points, scored a franchise-record 61 points courtside at Barclays Center, each Pistons. Elsewhere, Victor Oladipo wasted 10 rebounds and fi ve blocked shots, and against the Golden State Warriors on decorated with a bouquet of flowers. no time channelling his inner Kobe in his Gary Trent Jr. and Nassir Little had 10 Jan. 20 and has followed with eff orts of Bryant and his daughter Gigi sat in those return by draining a clutch three pointer points apiece for the Trail Blazers, who 47, 50 and 36 points. seats for a December 21 game against as Indiana beat the Bulls 115-106. shot 51.7 % from the fi eld and 13 of 36 Lillard knocked down 3-pointer No. 33 Atlanta. Oladipo wiped away tears as he described from 3-point range. over the four-game span to give the Trail In the warm-up, the players wore red his clutch shot which came in his first NBA Houston’s Russell Westbrook scored Blazers a 114-95 lead with 6:11 left. Lunar New Year shirts with Bryant’s name contest in more than a year after sitting Yannick Weber of the Nashville Predators celebrates the 39 points, the eighth time in his past Houston later pulled within 118-107 on on the back. Nets fans then chanted out with an injury. AFP game-winning goal against the Washington Capitals during the third nine appearances he has recorded 30 or a 3-pointer by Rivers with 2:40 remain- period at Capital One Arena in Washington, DC on Wednesday. (AFP)

NFL We need to change Rooney Rule, says Goodell Reuters He said the NFL is “doing everything to help” while an investigation is ongoing. Los Angeles wide receiver Antonio Brown, whose latest off - The NFL and NFL Players Association con- fi eld drama saw him turn himself in last week on tinue to discuss the potential of adding a 17th charges of burglary with battery (a felony), bur- game to the regular season, but Goodell pledged t his annual State of the NFL address to glary of an unoccupied conveyance and criminal that player safety and a desire to “get it right” will media members in Miami on Wednes- mischief after an alleged incident with the driver dictate the likelihood of a 17th game, rather than day, commissioner Roger Goodell ad- of moving truck in Florida. simply rushing to add the game. mitted it is time for the league to re- “In Antonio’s situation, I think the fi rst thing “So we believe we have made the game safer, evaluateA the Rooney Rule. is, for all of us, to think about the well-being of we’ve made it better, and we believe we can re- The rule, which requires teams to interview at Antonio,” Goodell said. “To understand what structure the season in a way that will be smart least one minority candidate for openings such as Antonio’s going through.... We want to help get for the future of the game. If those discussions head coach and general manager, has come under him on the right track, and get him in a position are in the context of our labour negotiations, fi re in recent years as being ineff ective. This year, where he is in a zone where he thinks he can be they’re in the context of working with our medi- Ron Rivera was the lone minority candidate hired successful in life. And we are confi dent that can cal people, and we’ve shared all that. We contin- to be a head coach, and the Browns’ hiring of happen. We want to work to do that, and from ue to have that kind of dialogue with our players, Andrew Berry as their new general manager this our standpoint, that’s the fi rst step. The fi rst step and we’ll continue to have that.” week brought the total of minority GMs to two. is making sure that we’re doing everything to Mexico City will host NFL regular-season “Clearly, we are not where we want to be on help Antonio.” games for at least the next two seasons. As for this level,” Goodell said. “We have a lot of work The wide receiver played in just one game the potential of a franchise moving to Europe and that’s gone into not only the Rooney Rule but our this season after being cut by two teams, most calling London home, Goodell said the driving policies overall. It’s clear we need to change and recently the New England Patriots. Following forces behind any decisions about that remain do something diff erent. a trade to the Oakland Raiders last off season, whether such a move could be done “in a com- “There’s no reason to expect we’re going to Brown was released toward the end of training petitive fashion” and whether a team could thrive have a diff erent outcome next year without those camp after continued confl ict with the organisa- in the market. kinds of changes, and we’ve already begun en- tion that started when his helmet was considered Goodell wants to choose the location of the NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell speaks gaging in those changes.” to no longer be in compliance with NFL safety next available Super Bowl (LIX in 2025) by the during a press conference ahead of Super Earlier this month, Steelers president Art rules. end of 2020, and while Las Vegas is not out of Bowl LIV at the Hilton Downtown in Rooney II — whose father, Dan, helped craft the Brown was released by the Patriots after sexual consideration, how the city does hosting the NFL Miami on Wednesday. (TNS) Rooney Rule — said the league would indeed re- and personal misconduct accusations were made draft later this year will play a role in whether view the rule this off season. against him. He remains on the commissioner’s the league thinks the city could be a viable Super Among the other topics discussed by Goodell: exempt list, which prohibits him from playing Bowl host. Gulf Times 6 Friday, January 31, 2020 SPORT

FOCUS SPOTLIGHT Grieving Lakers return to training Zolghadri moves to aft er Kobe’s death Bulgaria to pursue Olympic dream ‘I WOULD SAY THIS IS THE MOST IMPORTANT DECISION I’VE EVER MADE’ Los Angeles Lakers’ head coach Frank Vogel (centre) walks out after his team practised at Los Angeles Lakers Training Facility on Wednesday. PICTURE: USA TODAY Sports

AFP in the NBA with your teams, Los Angeles but this group in particular has really grown to love each other very rapidly and we under- he Los Angeles Lakers, stand the importance and the reeling from the death opportunity we have this year,” of team icon Kobe Bry- Vogel said of a squad that takes ant, “want to repre- a Western Conference-leading Tsent what Kobe was about” as record of 36-10 into the game they press ahead with the NBA against Portland. season, coach Frank Vogel said “This has just brought us Wednesday. closer together.” “We want to represent what Ticket prices for today’s Kobe was about more than game, where the Lakers are anything,” Vogel said. “We’ve expected to honour Bryant’s always wanted to make him memory, have skyrocketed proud, and that’s not going to on re-sale site StubHub.com, be any diff erent here.” with seats priced hundreds — Vogel, 46, spoke to reporters and in some cases thousands at the team’s practice facility, — of dollars above their face where star players including value. LeBron James and Anthony Meanwhile, Vanessa Bryant Davis turned out but did not broke her silence on Wednes- meet with the media. day, saying she is “devastat- Vogel said the club had a ed” and struggling to imagine simple directive for play- life without her husband and ers still coming to terms with daughter. “We are completely Bryant’s death in a helicopter devastated by the sudden loss crash on Sunday: “You guys of my adoring husband, Kobe can speak when you’re ready, — the amazing father of our and not before.” children; and my beautiful, But the timetable for re- sweet Gianna,” she wrote in an turning to NBA action is set, Instagram post. She said they with the Lakers to host the are fi ghting to keep going and Portland Trail Blazers at Sta- take comfort in the memories ples Center arena today. of the life they had together. That is less than a week Also, federal investigators since Bryant, his 13-year-old completed their inspection of daughter Gianna and seven the crash site and handed it other people were killed when over to local authorities. the Sikorsky S-76 helicopter Police on horseback and all- slammed into a rugged hill- terrain vehicles were brought side in thick fog in Calabasas, in to secure the area, which Iranian taekwondo competitor Farzad Zolghadri practices with Bulgarian national taekwondo team coach Teodor Georgiev during a training session in Sofia, Bulgaria, yesterday. (Reuters) northwest of Los Angeles. was becoming a pilgrimage The chopper was headed to point for fans. The Los Angeles Reuters 27, told Reuters after a training session with soon, probably within two weeks and we garia has nothing to do with politics. I’m Bryant’s Mamba Sports Acad- County Coroner said Wednes- Sofia the Bulgarian national taekwondo team in really hope he’ll qualify for the Olympics,” just a sportsman and came here because I emy in Thousand Oaks, where day that all nine of the crash Sofi a. “But the competition there is tough Binev said. “I think he could even win a want to be successful. I would say this is the his daughter was set to play victims have been offi cially and I’ll have much better chances to fulfi l medal for Bulgaria. most important decision I’ve ever made. I a basketball game. When the identifi ed through fi ngerprints ranian taekwondo competitor Farzad my dreams competing for Bulgaria.” “He’s not only a top-class competitor did it because taekwondo is my life.” team convened on Tuesday, and DNA and that the cause of Zolghadri said yesterday he intends to “Taekwondo is hugely popular in Iran, who will make our team stronger. He’s a Asked why he chose Bulgaria, he said he Vogel said, they “did some death was “blunt trauma”. represent Bulgaria at this summer’s there are one mn taekwondo competi- great man and a very disciplined athlete and had visited many countries in Europe but things that we thought would On Tuesday, Bryant, pilot Tokyo Olympics, adding his move has tors there and it’s really diffi cult,” added this will raise the level of the trainings.” Bulgaria seemed perfect for him. be therapeutically benefi cial. Ara Zobayan, baseball coach Inothing to do with politics and is motivated Zolghadri, who won a silver medal at the The Iranian Taekwondo Federation was Taekwondo, loosely translated as “way of “We got in the gym for some John Altobelli and Sarah Ches- purely by improving his chances of success. 2015 World Cup in Mexico and a bronze not available for comment. the fi st and foot”, enjoyed a surge in popu- team shooting work, no real ter were identifi ed using fi n- Zolghadri’s switch of allegiance to the medal at the Asian Championship in 2009. Zolghadri, who competes in the 80kg larity after being exhibited as a demonstra- practice working on anything gerprints. A preliminary, fact- Balkan country follows a decision by fel- His move has caused some surprise in category, will take part in tournaments in tion sport at the Seoul Olympics in 1988 and in particular. I wanted our guys based report on the accident is low taekwondo competitor Kimia Alizadeh, Iran, as Zolghadri’s father worked for the Slovenia, Germany, Bulgaria and Belgium quickly rose to become one of the world’s to come in mentally free but to expected in 10 days, according Iran’s only female Olympic medallist, who Iranian taekwondo federation for nearly 30 as part of his preparation for the Olympic’s most practised martial arts. get a sweat, touch the ball and to Jennifer Homendy of the won bronze at the Rio 2016 Olympics, to years, and was the head coach of the Iranian European qualifi cation event in Milan in In Tokyo, 128 taekwondo fi ghters will be around each other. National Transportation Safe- move to Germany last week. team for more than a decade before coming April. compete in eight weight categories — four “Then we had a lunch where ty Board (NTSB). Alizadeh said she had had enough of be- a technical director. Zolghadri said he had Zolghadri said he respects Alizadeh’s de- for men, and four for women. Alizadeh is we all just spent time together But a fi nal report on the ing used by Iranian authorities as a propa- the support of his family who remained in cision to leave her homeland but added he one of several prominent Iranians to clash and grieved together.” probable cause of the accident, ganda tool. Iran. had no idea about her motives. with the authorities in recent months. That lunch reportedly in- described as a “high energy Zolghadri, 27, stressed his chances of get- Slavi Binev, the head of the Bulgarian fed- “It’s her choice,” he said. “I don’t know In December, Iran’s top-rated chess cluded sharing tales of Bry- impact crash,” won’t be issued ting to the Olympics are higher with Bul- eration, said that he had reached an agree- why she decided to leave. She was very champion decided not to play for his coun- ant, but Vogel found himself for 12-18 months. garia than with Iran due to less competition, ment with the Iranian federation about popular in Iran and the Iranian government try in an apparent reaction to Tehran’s in- unable to off er any such remi- The helicopter was not which is why he made the move. Zolghadri’s move. supported her. formal ban on competing against Israeli niscences on Wednesday. “It’s equipped with a cockpit voice “I like Iran, this is my country,” Zolghadri, “He will obtain Bulgarian citizenship “I would like to say that my move to Bul- players. something that you talk about recorder or fl ight data recorder.

COMMENT Mahomes must savour precious Super Bowl shot: Marino Reuters arm strength and an ability to beat opponents terback to ever start a Super Bowl, said Ma- Toronto on the ground when his receivers are covered. homes would be well served if he can remain During the AFC Championship, Mahomes laser focused and not get caught up in the broke from the pocket and went off on a 27- massive spectacle surrounding the one-game, ansas City Chiefs quarterback yard tightrope-run along the left sideline that winner-take-all showdown. Patrick Mahomes may one day write ended with a sprawl into the end zone for a “Just go out and remember how you got his own chapter in the NFL record touchdown run that will undoubtedly live for- there, how you played each game, the things book but should make the most of his ever in Chiefs lore. you did in those games to be successful and Kfi rst Super Bowl appearance in case he never In the Chiefs’ previous game, with the don’t let it get away from you,” said Marino returns, according to Pro Football Hall of Fam- team’s season hanging in the balance, Maho- in an interview organised by global sports er Dan Marino. mes led Kansas City on an improbable rally streaming service DAZN. Mahomes, in his third NFL season and sec- from 24-0 with fi ve touchdown passes in a “When I played in my (Super Bowl) I felt like ond as a full-time starter, is 24 years old and 51-31 victory that is one of the most emphatic I wanted to play it again the next day because will become the fi fth-youngest quarterback comebacks in league history. it just happened so fast and it was over and we to start a Super Bowl when his Chiefs face the In his fi rst year as the starter, Mahomes lost the game and I was like I wish it could be a San Francisco 49ers on Sunday in Miami. eclipsed 5,000 yards passing and led the NFL three-game series or something.” His quick arrival on the NFL’s biggest stage with 50 touchdown passes. While a championship eluded Marino, he is not unlike that of former Miami Dolphins “That used to be me way back when, so I established himself as one of the game’s most quarterback Marino, who fell short in the only could appreciate what he’s been doing,” said prolifi c passers. By the time he retired fol- Super Bowl appearance he made in the second Marino. lowing the 1999 season, he had rewritten the year of a 17-year career many felt would lead “Just the way his style of play is, he can passing section of the NFL’s record book. to multiple championships. throw from all arm angles, he can make all the Marino, now 58, is widely considered the “Take advantage of your opportunities be- throws, he’s competitive really that’s the one best quarterback to never win a Super Bowl cause you don’t know what the future holds,” thing. Coming back in the playoff s from 24 championship but despite all the other awards Marino, whose Dolphins team was beaten by down is amazing.” and accomplishments he still thinks about the 49ers in 1985, told Reuters in Toronto this that missed opportunity from 35 years ago. week. MASSIVE SPECTACLE “I look at it as if that’s the only thing that I “I thought for sure that I would be in at least But playing in a Super Bowl is a diff erent didn’t achieve in football,” said Marino. “Just two or three more Super Bowls, especially beast, especially for those making their fi rst that feeling on the last Sunday of the year when you are 23 years old the fi rst time and appearance, given the challenge of managing walking off as a winner. you end up playing for a long time.” distractions and staying focused during the “Do I think about it? Yeah, sure I think Mahomes has shown as much grit as fl ash build-up to the most-watched American TV about it. I wish it was something I was able to since getting the starting job and has proven event of year. feel, that feeling of being a Super Bowl cham- Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes speaks during a press conference at JW Marriott Turn- to be a walking highlight reel with incredible Marino, who remains the youngest quar- pion.” berry on Wednesday. PICTURE: USA TODAY Sports Gulf Times Friday, January 31, 2020 7 SPORT

SEVENTH ROUND OF LONGINES HATHAB TOUR AT AL SHAQAB FROM TODAY

The seventh round of Longines Hathab Equestrian Tour will be held today and tomorrow at the Longines Arena at Al Shaqab. The 12-leg national series is jointly conducted by Qatar Equestrian Federation and Modern pentathlon and Al Shaqab. The mandatory veterinary check for all participating horses was con- ducted yesterday. Today action will kick off with the Small Tour at 2pm, followed by the Medium Tour for individuals and teams at 5.30pm.

SPOTLIGHT TRANSFER Dortmund confi rms Alcacer exit, Can Man City must learn poised to join

AFP Berlin despite reaching aco Alcacer yesterday became the victim of Erling Braut Haaland’s spectacular start at BorussiaP Dortmund as the Spain striker left to join Villarreal, the German club confi rmed. The League Cup fi nal 26-year-old Alcacer report- edly cost the Spanish league side 30mn euros ($33mn), including ‘In 180 minutes we were better than United. We created chances to score a lot of bonus payments, after signing a deal until 2025 to return to Spain goals and didn’t convert. We need to learn to be more clinical’ after only 18 months in Germany. The injury-prone striker closing today, Dortmund are try- AFP joined Dortmund on loan from ing to bolster their midfi eld by Manchester Barcelona in August 2018 and signing the Germany midfi elder made a fl ying start with seven as cover for injured Danish en- goals in his fi rst four games. His forcer Thomas Delaney. ep Guardiola called on Manches- transfer was made permanent Earlier, head coach Lucien ter City to learn the lessons of a last February when the German Favre was cautious as “no fi - 1-0 home defeat to Manchester club paid 23mn euros for him, nal decision has been taken” United on Wednesday despite but his form has since dipped for 26-year-old defensive mid- Pprogressing to a third successive League sharply and he has been blighted fi elder Can, who has made 25 ap- Cup fi nal 3-2 on aggregate. The holders by injury. pearances for Germany. German enjoyed the vast majority of the chances His prospects of holding down magazine Kicker predicts Can’s but could not fi nd a way past the inspired a starting place nose-dived after transfer would be worth around David de Gea and went behind to United’s Norwegian wunderkind Haa- 23mn euro to Juventus. Dort- fi rst attempt on goal 10 minutes before land, 19, scored fi ve goals in his mund host mid-table Union Ber- half-time when Nemanja Matic fi red fi rst two games since joining last lin tomorrow looking to avenge home. United’s hopes of completing a month from Salzburg for 20mn “the bad memory”, as Favre miraculous comeback were extinguished euros. Alcacer’s transfer means called it, of their shock 3-1 defeat when Matic was then sent-off 15 minutes money is immediately available in the capital when the clubs met from time and City held on to face As- to sign Emre Can from Juventus. for the fi rst time in Germany’s ton Villa at Wembley on March 1. “In 180 With the transfer window top fl ight last August. minutes we were better than United,” said Guardiola. “We created chances to score a lot of goals and didn’t convert. We need FOCUS to learn to be more clinical.” City started like they did in racing into a 3-0 lead within 38 minutes of the fi rst leg at Old Traff ord as they swarmed all Top Russian and over the visitors, who had De Gea to thank for keeping them in the tie. “I can’t really comprehend how we lost this game,” said Serbian clubs to City midfi elder Kevin de Bruyne. “I think we got sloppy. For me Manchester United didn’t have one chance today.” clash at Aspire in Sergio Aguero was fi rst to threaten with a diving header that the Spaniard par- ried to safety before using his legs to re- Match Premier Cup pel Riyad Mahrez’s eff ort. Bernardo Silva fl ashed a shot across goal before more De he ‘Match Premier Cup’ for this moment that we will give Gea acrobatics denied Aguero again at his returns to Aspire Acad- a lot of guys the chance to show near post. United had not even mustered emy after a successful themselves,” he said a shot in anger for the fi rst 35 minutes, but debut last year. The 2020 Domenico Tedesco was not in suddenly the tie was back in the balance Tedition features three top Rus- charge last year when Spartak Manchester City’s Raheem Sterling (right) leaps over the challenge of Manchester United’s Victor Lindelof during the League Cup when Matic connected sweetly from the second leg semi-final at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester on Wednesday. (Reuters) sian Premier League clubs Spar- Moscow won the tournament in edge of the box after City failed to clear a tak Moscow, Lokomotiv Moscow Doha last year. Spartak Moscow free-kick into the box. line to beat. to go here and score a goal with 11, nev- City now twice at their place. They’ve and Rostov who will be joined by will include the likes of Andre The hosts did have the ball in the net Guardiola then could not believe his ermind 10,” said United boss Ole Gunnar given us everything.” top Serbian club Partizan Bel- Schurrle, Artyom Rebov, Jordan before half-time when Raheem Sterling eyes when David Silva tried to tee up Il- Solskjaer. “It’s never a sending off for me United executive vice-chairman Ed grade to complete the quartet. Larsson and Gus Til among the fi nished off a fl owing team move, but the kay Gundogan rather than shoot with just — it’s a joke.” Woodward has not been present at recent The tournament will run from players in Doha. The tournament England international was denied his fi rst De Gea to beat after Harry Maguire was Aguero fi nally beat De Gea with a deft games as animosity towards his part in February 1 to 9 at Aspire Acad- falls during the winter break for ever goal against United by an off side fl ag. caught in possession. The tension among fi nish only to also be fl agged off side in the the club’s declining fortunes on the fi eld emy grounds and is organised most European leagues and clubs Sterling contrived to miss another glori- the home support was eased when Matic closing stages as United salvaged some has grown. However, Woodward was in by TV channel Match Premier. use the opportunity to fi ne tune ous chance to kill the tie off just before fi nally paid for persistent fouling when pride, if not their chances of a fi rst trophy attendance at the Etihad just a day after The Tournament matches will for the resumption phase. the hour mark as he rounded De Gea but he chopped down Ilkay Gundogan to cut since 2017. “I’m so proud of these play- a hooded mob attacked his home with be broadcast on Match TV and The tournament structure will blasted over with just defenders on the short a City counter-attack. “It’s hard ers,” added Solskjaer. “They’ve beaten fl ares and graffi ti. Match Premier, as well as cov- be the same as previous editions: ered on their social networks and Each team will play three games websites: matchtv.ru, matchpre- and in the case of a draw, there mier.ru and sportbox.ru will be a penalty shootout. Teams AMATEURS EPINAL TOPPLE LILLE, PSG BEAT PAU IN FRENCH CUP The fi rst team to arrive in will get three points for a win in Qatar for the tournament were regular time, two points for a win Paris: Fourth division Epinal Loic Remy put Lille into an early spellbound by the magic of the record 12 times, two more than And Marseille’s fans had Spartak Moscow whose man- on penalties, and one point for sprang a French Cup shock on lead against the minnows who Cup at third division Pau. Ney- Marseille who also progressed a nervy wait before the final ager, Domenico Tedesco praised losing on penalties. Wednesday, the amateurs from had ended Reunion islanders’ mar stayed in Paris and Kylian by beating Strasbourg 3-1. A verdict of the Velodrome drama the tournament and highlighted If teams are tied at the end of the Vosges mountains knocking JS Saint-Pierroise’s dreams of Mbappe remained on the bench group of around 600 Marseille played out before them was its importance. “The facilities the games, goal diff erence will out top-flight Lille 2-1 to join Par- becoming the first team from but the services of the world’s lawyers dressed in courtroom certain. Dimitri Payet’s penalty and conditions are very good be used to separate them. If they is Saint-Germain, 2-0 winners at a French overseas territory to two most expensive football- robes demonstrated against the gave the hosts a half-time lead here at Aspire Academy and the are still tied at that point, fi nal Pau, in the quarter-finals. reach the last 16. ers weren’t required as captain government’s pension reforms, but with Benjamin Corgnet environment is great and we are standings will be based on the The come-from-behind upset And they continued their Leandro Paredes and Pablo brandishing banners before putting Strasbourg back in really looking forward to playing head-to-head results. Spartak matched fellow fourth-tier adventure by hitting back hard Sarabia scored in either half for kick-off and after Bouna Sarr’s business on 59 minutes Andre our fi rst match. The tournament Moscow won the fi rst Match Pre- amateur outfit Belfort’s shock in the second half with a double a drama-free 2-0 win. 32nd minute opener from the Villas-Boas’s side could only is an important part of our prep- mier tournament in January 2019 defeat of Ligue 1 Montpellier from Jean-Philippe Krasso. PSG, beaten in last season’s fi- stands proclaiming “Marseille breathe easy after Boubacar aration. When we go on the pitch in Qatar and the summer edition on penalties 24 hours earlier. PSG ensured they did not get nal, have won the competition a lawyers are going to win”. Kamara’s goal in injury time. we want to win, that’s for sure. held in Austria in July 2019 was But on the other side it’s normal won by Krasnodar. Friday, January 31, 2020 GULF TIMES FOOTBALL

QNB STARS LEAGUE PREMIER LEAGUE Klopp doesn’t care Oscar’s late strike about records as Liverpool cruise AFP chilly night in east London will London be just a footnote when the full story of their likely title triumph is written, but they still managed urgen Klopp insisted Liv- to record another small piece of helps Umm Salal erpool are not motivated history. They have now beaten by making history after all 19 of the other teams in the the runaway leaders took league at least once this season anotherJ step towards the Premier — the fi rst time the club have League title with a 2-0 win at achieved that feat in the top- West Ham on Wednesday night. fl ight. Klopp’s side have turned the title Told of the milestone, Klopp race into a procession and they maintained his only motivation hold Al Arabi moved 19 points clear at the top was to get the best from his team with their 23rd victory from 24 in each match, but he did stop to league games this season. briefl y salute the achievement. It was yet another setback for Al Arabi in their bid to get back to the top-four bracket Mohamed Salah opened the “This game, it was not a bril- scoring with a fi rst half penalty liant performance. The diffi culty By Sports Reporter at the London Stadium and Alex tonight was to get rhythm, keep Doha Oxlade-Chamberlain wrapped rhythm and stay concentrated. up Liverpool’s 15th successive Their biggest chances came be- league win after the interval. cause we gave them away,” he n 86th minute strike by Umm Second placed Manchester City said. Salal’s Raul Oscar denied Al are now so far behind Liverpool “I trust these boys 100% with Arabi a victory in the QNB that the question is not if but my kids, but they still made these Stars League yesterday. Pierre- when the Reds clinch their fi rst ridiculous mistakes. It’s com- MichelleA Lasogga had given hosts Al English league title since 1990. pletely normal that you don’t Arabi the lead in the 64th minute, but The Reds have won 31 of their always perform at the highest Oscar’s goal in the closing stages meant past 32 league fi xtures, only level. It is not a motivational the match ended in a 1-1 draw. dropping points in a 1-1 draw at problem for us. We are Liverpool, Al Arabi remained in fi fth spot with 19, Manchester United in October. we have a proper history and while Umm Salal still have lot to do after With 14 games left, Liverpool’s everyone knows what we have to staying in 11th place with nine points. incredible run has given historic do to reach that. Al Arabi, coming from back-to-back overtones to their impending ti- “If it was easy to get this defeats (1-6 against Al Sadd in their de- tle coronation. number of points other teams ferred match from Week 5 and 1-3 against But Klopp is only concerned would have done it. It’s just really Al Duhail last week), thus suff ered their about getting Liverpool over the incredibly diffi cult. If we reach sixth defeat in this season’s league com- fi nish line, with any landmarks any records we will take that petition. set on the way merely the ic- when it happens.” Meanwhile, the hard-earned point ing on the cake. “In a season you West Ham manager David was a huge sigh of relief for Umm Salal, have to dig in, you don’t breathe Moyes admitted Liverpool de- who are struggling in the danger zone pretty much, then after 38 games serve their place among the along with Al Shahania and Al Khor. you come out of the water and Premier League’s all-time great Umm Salal, who had overhauled the see how you did,” Klopp said. teams. But, as a former boss of squad by recruiting a few players in the “I’m not too much concerned Liverpool’s two greatest rivals, winter transfer window, reaped the ben- about records. We had a record he unsurprisingly stopped short efi t as new recruit Raul earned them the at Dortmund and Bayern beat it of anointing them the best Eng- equaliser late into the game by heading the next season. I don’t want to lish football has ever seen. in a cross from the right by Mahmoud al- be boring. We just don’t feel like “They are as good as there has Mawas, the livewire among The Orange that.” been at this moment in time. Fortress’ ranks. The European and World It’s very diffi cult when you have It was yet another setback for Al Arabi champions are now 41 games un- been the manager of Everton and in their bid to get back to the top-four beaten in the league — just eight Manchester United to say that!” bracket. Al Arabi had beaten Umm Salal away from the 49-match English Moyes said. “They are an excel- 5-1 in the fi rst leg. The game was evenly top-fl ight record set by Arse- lent side. They have so many fought. The Al Arabi goal had a narrow nal’s ‘Invincibles’ across 2003 strings to their bow. But when escape early in the match as Al Mawas’ and 2004. Matching that Arsenal you think of some of the great header off a corner kick was palmed away team’s achievement in going an Manchester United and Arsenal by goalkeeper Gregory Gomis. entire league season without de- teams of the past, it’s diffi cult Aron Gunnarsson controlled Al Arabi’s Umm Salal’s Raul Oscar (left) tussles for the ball with Al Arabi’s March Muniesa during the QNB Stars League match at the Al Arabi feat is within Liverpool’s reach, to judge them (as the best ever). game from the midfi eld, while their top stadium yesterday. PICTURE: Noushad Thekkayil as is Manchester City’s Premier Two years ago everyone was scorer Hamdi Harbaoui made forays into League record of 100 points. saying it was impossible to beat the rival goal. Not long after the second their bid to improve their results, had Liverpool’s latest success on a Manchester City.” session started, Al Arabi’s Abdulla Marafy offl oaded Brazilian Wagner Ferreira and saw his shot go over the bar narrowly and recruited his compatriot Lucca Borges, Raul sent his shot wide of the target. who represented Al Rayyan in the 2018- Lasogga then volleyed home a rebound 19 season, in the winter transfer window. off the horizontal after Yousef Abdulrisag And the move paid off for them. hit his rising shot against it. Al-Mawas Meanwhile, Al Ahli are also doing well had come closer to scoring before Raul under new coach Nebojsa Jovovic, who struck the equaliser. replaced Ruben de la Barrera. The Briga- diers had beaten Al Sailiya 1-0 in the BORGES DOUBLE RESCUES AL previous round. Coming into the match, KHOR A POINT possession was invariably even for both In another match, Al Khor snatched teams. Al Khor made more use of the their second equaliser right at the death wing play, while Al Ahli preferred to at- to hold Al Ahli to a 2-2 draw at the Al Ahli tack through the middle. Stadium. New recruit Lucca Borges was Abdelrahman took Al Ahli ahead with a Al Khor’s star as he scored a double (23rd shot from outside the box. Lucca helped minute and 90+5). Al Khor draw parity halfway through the Abdelrahman Moustafa (11th minute) fi rst half with a free-kick. and substitute Nabil El Zhar (49th A minute into the second half, cap- minute) were Al Ahli’s scorers. Al Ahli tain Nabil came off the bench in place of now have 17 points and Al Khor 10. Al Ahli Mohsen Hassan and immediately earned had beaten Al Khor 3-2. a penalty when Musab Abdulmajid fouled Moreover, it was a consolation and a him. Nabil placed home the rebound after valuable point for Al Khor, who are strug- goalkeeper Baba Djibril blocked the shot. gling to stay afl oat. The Knights had suf- As Al Ahli cruised to their second succes- fered a 0-1 defeat at the hands of Umm sive win came Lucca’s goal, which result- Liverpool’s Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain celebrates with Roberto Salal in the previous round. Al Khor, in ed from a free-kick from inside the box. Action from the match between Al Khor and Al Ahli. Firmino after scoring against West Ham in London. (Reuters)

CHINA POSTPONES 2020 FOOTBALL SPOTLIGHT SEASON OVER VIRUS FEARS Jokanovic expects tough test against Qatar SC Beijing: China announced Thursday the hill and super-G races were scheduled for suspension of all domestic football and February 15 and February 16 in Yanqing, 70 By Sports Reporer Al Rayyan in the previous round. us. It was a lesson for us and we have postponed indefinitely the top-flight kilometres (45 miles) northwest of Beijing. Doha All players appeared at a good level, benefi ted a lot from it,” he said. Chinese Super League (CSL) season in In Australia, the China’s women’s especially new striker Kodjia who “I am waiting for my players’ re- response to the deadly viral outbreak football team has been quarantined in scored three goals, which may not action against Al Gharafa. I consider sweeping the country. a Brisbane hotel after arriving for an l Gharafa coach Slavisa be repeated in every game, I expect this match as a special challenge for The CSL 2020 campaign had been Olympic qualifying competition which had Jokanovic feels it won’t him to increase his focus to provide them. As is the case with all match- due to kick off on February 22, but was been originally due to take place in Wuhan. be an easy home match the same not only at the level of es, we consider it as a big mission for shelved along with “all types of football The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) on against Qatar SC today scoring, but also in other aspects. us. We did not think we needed to despiteA latter’s ninth position in the We played some games without change the side in the winter trans- matches” in order to “carry out prevention Wednesday ordered all four Chinese clubs’ and control of the pneumonia epidemic,” first three fixtures in the continent’s Cham- QNB Stars League. Gharafa are on some professional players, but once fer window on the front of overseas said a Chinese Football Association state- pions League’s group stage in February a high following their 4-2 win over they all are available, we will pro- professionals. But I spoke to the ment. The announcement comes just a and March to be played away from home. second-placed Al Rayyan last week, vide a better level and return to vic- team management about recruiting few hours after the World Indoor Athletics The AFC said the decision was a “pre- with the Cheetahs thus putting be- tories,” said Jokanovic. two Qatari players, who would be Championships, scheduled to take place in cautionary measure to ensure the safety hind their shock 1-2 loss to Al Sha- Meanwhile, Qatar SC are on 15 good additions,” added Rizik. the Chinese city of Nanjing in March, were and well-being of all participating players hania in the previous round. points. The Kings’ performance has In another match today, Al Wak- postponed until 2021 after advice from the and teams”. The CFA said any decision Gharafa are in the fourth posi- improved considerably after former rah face Al Shahania at home. Wak- World Health Organisation. on postponing or moving international tion with 23 points and they will be Qatar international Wesam Rizik rah are in eighth position with 16 Football is fanatically followed in the fixtures would be made at a later date. keen to stay in the top-four bracket, replaced Spaniard Carlos Alos Fer- points. Wakrah, coached by Span- world’s most populous nation with cash- China is due to host the Maldives in a which will give them a chance in rer at their helm. They held Al Wak- iard Marquez Lopez, have had a rich clubs importing expensive foreign World Cup qualifying match on March 26 next year’s AFC Champions League. rah goalless last week before hold- good run ever since the start of sec- signings such as Brazilians Hulk and Oscar, and travel to Guam for another qualifier on But Jokanovic cautioned his players ing strong contenders Al Duhail to a ond leg of QNB Stars League as they and Argentina’s Carlos Tevez in recent March 31. “The CFA will continue to main- not to take the game against Qatar goalless draw in Week 12. Qatar SC held Qatar SC to a goalless draw af- years. It becomes the latest sport to be hit tain close communication with national SC lightly. boast of players like Brazilian Kayke ter shocking reigning champions Al by the virus which by yesterday had seen authorities, and decide each event’s timing “Qatar SC are one of the much- Rodriguez, Uzbek Sardor Rashidov, Sadd 2-1. more than 7,700 cases confirmed in China separately based on the actual develop- improved teams this season. They Al Gharafa coach Slavisa Jokanovic. Abdenasser El Khayati and Ahmed Shahania too started off the sec- with at least 170 fatalities. ment of the epidemic situation in each did not suff er any defeat in recent Moein. Al Gharafa had beaten Qatar ond leg well by beating Al Gharafa The virus has spread from the epicentre locality,” the statement said. matches and achieved important Gharafa will mainly depend on SC 3-1 in the fi rst leg. by a 2-1 margin, but they lost 2-4 to of Wuhan to more that 15 countries, with Earlier this month the International victories, especially against Al players such as new recruit Jonath- Rizik said: “We will face Al Al Sadd last week. Marquez’s com- about 60 cases in Asia, Europe, North Tennis Federation moved next week’s Fed Sadd,” Jokanovic said yesterday. an Kodjia, who hit a hat-trick Gharafa with full force and we have patriot Jose Murcia’s men have only America and, most recently, the Middle Cup’s Asia/Oceania Group I event from “They have good players who are against Al Rayyan on his debut in to be careful. God willing, we will eight points (one victory, fi ve draws East. On Wednesday, World Cup skiing Dongguan, southern China, to Kazakhstan able to quickly switch from defence Qatar, the Algerian duo of Sofi anne perform well. I am convinced that and seven defeats), so they need to races, the first test events for the 2022 on February 4-8. The Asian indoor athletics to attack, which may be dangerous Hanni, Adlene Guedioura, Ahmed any team should have a bad match, pull up their socks sooner if they Beijing Winter Olympics, were cancelled championships planned for February 12-13 to us, but our target is to win despite Alaaeldin, Amro Seraj, Othman al- which happened against Al Wakrah. are to stay away from the relegation because of the outbreak. The men’s down- in Hangzhou have also been cancelled. the diffi culty of the game,” added Yahri and Muad Hassan. Everyone admitted that the per- zone. Al Wakrah had beaten Al Sha- Jokanovic “We played a good match against formance was not enough to satisfy hania 2-0 in the fi rst leg.