SPORT Tuesday 28 November 2017

PAGE | 30 PAGE | 31 PAGE | 32-33 Mourinho lauds Neymar puts Australia crush striker Lukaku’s PSG on cloud England in work rate nine at Monaco 1st Ashes Test

Al Shaqab’s Wadee adjudged world champion

Qatar Olympic Committee President H E Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani poses with Al Shaqab’s Wadee, who was adjudged the world champion at the Le Salon du Cheval de Paris in the French capital on Sunday. The event which is regarded as the world’s leading event for the best purebred Arabian horses showcases more than 100 horses representing 20 countries every year.

Both our riders have Qatari duo looks to impress worked hard to prepare for the top class event and we are confident that they will show a at Aquabike World Cup good performance Fawad Hussain in the competition: The Peninsula Sheikh Jassim op Qatari pilot Waleed Mahmoud Al Sharshani will be targetting the top spot when he lines up against the world’s Tbest competitors at next month’s Jet Ski Aquabike World Cup 2017 to be held in Pattaya, Thailand. Riders from as many as 35 It’s a top class event countries will compete at Jomt- and the competition ien Beach in the showpiece event will also be very of aquabike sport to be held from December 7 to 10. tough. I am in good Qatar will be represented by form and very much two riders with Ali Al Mannai confident of being the other member of the achieving a good squad along with Al Sharshani. “It’s a top class event and the result in the competition will also be very upcoming challenge: tough,” Al Sharshani told a press FROM LEFT: Qatari Aquabike pilots Waleed Mahmoud Al Sharshani and Ali Mohammad Al Naimai pose for a photograph Al Sharshani conference at Doha Marine Sports with Sheikh Jassim bin Nasser Al Thani, Chairman Speed Marine, Saleh Ibrahim Al Mannai, Vice Chairman Doha Marine Club yesterday. Sports Club and Hossam Khatib, General Manager, Speed Marine during a press conference held at Doha Marine Sports Club “The competition will see top yesterday. Picture: Abdul Basit / The Peninsula riders who will come with a lot of preparations. I have also trained hard for this competition The next month’s event will be “I’ve been doing well in this doing well, barring any technical Vice Chairman Doha Marine “We wish the best of luck to and have so far competed in five fourth appearance for Al Sharshani event and the US event was my problem,” said the top Qatari Sports Club and Al Naimai. team Qatar. Both our riders have races this season. in the World Cup. He competes in best performance. I have gained rider. Speed Marine are the spon- worked hard to prepare for the “I am in good form and very the Pro Runabout Grand Prix and a lot of experience of competing Also present in the press con- sors for the Qatari team which top class event and we are con- much confident of achieving a his best result so far was the top at the top level and I am hoping ference were Sheikh Jassim bin will also include six officials who fident that they will show a good good result in the upcoming chal- spot, which he earned in the US in to repeat that show in Thailand. Nasser Al Thani, Chairman Speed will accompany the riders in performance in the competition,” lenge,” said the top Qatari rider. January 2016 edition. I think I have a good chance of Marine, Saleh Ibrahim Al Mannai, Thailand. Sheikh Jassim said.

Iran earn first win of qualifiers U-19 Football League: Third round kicks off on Friday The Peninsula Doha Shahaniya 1-0, while Al points with goal difference ran defeated Qatar QNA Gharafa routed Al Khor 7-0 separating them. THIRD ROUND to record their first and Al Sadd registered the Qatar SC and Al Khor are FIXTURES: Iwin of the FIBA he third round of the round’s biggest win in a 9-0 11th and 12th, while the Al World Cup Asian U-19 football league thumping of Al Kharaitiyat. Ahli and Mesaimeer are lAl Sadd vs Al Sailiya qualifiers in Tehran Tkicks off on Friday and The results mean Al without points in 13th and lAl Wakrah vs Al yesterday. The hosts eight matches will take Gharafa are top of the league 14th, having played one Rayyan won the match with a Action from place. on six points, the same toll game. Al Sailiya, Al Shamal lMuaither vs Al Khor margin of 65-39, to yesterday’s FIBA The second round of the that Al Sadd, Al Rayyan and and Al Kharaitiyat are the lMesaimeer vs Al bounce back from a league concluded on Sun- Al Arabi have but Al Gharafa top three sides, also without World Cup Asian Markhiya Day-two loss. day and saw Al Wakrah beat are on top thanks to the goal points. qualifier between lAl Shahaniya vs Al Arsalan Kazemi Al Sailiya 2-0, Muaither difference. Al Gharafa’s Ali Al Iran and Qatar. Shamal ruled the boards with www.fiba.basketball beat Al Shamal 2-1, Al Al Shahaniya are fifth on Omari is the league’s top 17 rebounds to prop Rayyan overcome Qatar SC four points ahead of Al scorer on 14 strikes ahead of lAl Arabi vs Umm up Iran’s cause, while 3-0, and Al Markhiya defeat Markhiya on goal Qatar SC’s Rashid Al Barash- Salal the scoring cudgels fell on the shoul- Qatari players could not find any Al Ahli 1-0. difference. idi on 11, while Muaither’s lAl Ahli vs Al Duhail ders of Meisam Mirzaei, Sajjad rhythm in yesterdat’s game, and they In addition, Al Arabi Al Duhail, Umm Salal, Al Ibrahim Al Sadiq and Al lAl Gharafa vs Mashayekhi and Vahid Dalirzahan, absorbed their second loss in Group D. beat Al Duhail 3-0, Umm Wakrah and Muaither are Sadd’s Rami Suhail follow Qatar SC who put up 14, 13 and 10 points Abdulrahman Saad was the top con- Salal narrowly beat Al seventh to 10th on three with eight goals. respectively. tributor for Al Annabi with 18 points. 30 SPORT TUESDAY 28 NOVEMBER 2017 Manchester City go for the kill London AFP

anchester City will bid to hammer home their advantage at the Mourinho lauds top of the Premier striker Lukaku’s MLeague against Southampton, while Manchester United head to Watford hoping to cling onto work rate the leaders’ coat-tails in a cru- cial midweek programme. London City underlined their deter- AFP mination to win the title with a gutsy 2-1 victory at Huddersfield ose Mourinho has hailed on Sunday as Pep Guardiola’s the prodigious work rate of side reestablished an eight-point Jstriker Romelu Lukaku lead over second placed United. (pictured) despite the strik- Their Manchester rivals had er’s struggles in front of goal closed the gap to five points with following an electric start to a 1-0 win against Brighton on his Manchester United career. Saturday and, with City trailing The 24-year-old endured to a Nicolas Otamendi own goal another frustrating afternoon at half-time against Hudders- on Saturday when United’s field, Jose Mourinho’s men were eked out a 1-0 win against dreaming of a title lifeline. promoted Brighton as Ashley But City crushed those hopes Young’s strike looped in off in gritty fashion as Sergio Ague- Lewis Dunk. ro’s penalty two minutes after Lukaku has mustered just the interval eased any nerves one goal in his past 10 from the leaders, who piled on matches for United following the pressure and were rewarded an impressive start to life at with six minutes left when Old Trafford but Mourinho Raheem Sterling netted the refuses to criticise the striker. winner. “In the last minute he was City have now won their last Manchester City’s English midfielder Raheem Sterling celebrates after scoring their second goal during the English Premier fighting and running back like 11 Premier League matches and League football match against Huddersfield Town at the John Smith’s Stadium in Huddersfield, northern England on Sunday. he was in the first minute, so 18 in all competitions. I think it is also a mentality United can again move to Today was so close - it’s going to last season’s shock 3-1 win over Brighton at Old Trafford until Wednesday to have any chance question,” Mourinho said of within five points of their hated happen. Mourinho’s team. Lewis Dunk’s own goal from an of catching the leaders. Lukaku. neighbours if they win at Wat- “When you play every few While Watford impressed in Ashley Young effort sealed their Key to their title defence is “The way Romelu wins ford today, before City return to days, when you see the sched- a 3-0 win at Newcastle on Sat- second successive league win. Eden Hazard’s ability to main- the corner for the goal, the action at home to Southampton uling - December, January - we urday, United laboured to see off United defender Victor Lin- tain the fine form he showed in way Romelu ends the game 24 hours later. go to Donetsk to play in the delof hopes his side can continue Saturday’s 1-1 draw at making tackles in the left- Guardiola admits City’s scin- Champions League. It’s to grind out the wins while they Liverpool. back position, that is the tillating run will end eventually, impossible. ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE search for their peak form. Afer an injury-hit start to the mentality I want,” he added. but he believes the way his team “The 18 games in a row is Fixtures (1945 GMT unless stated) “We tried to do our best out season, the Belgian excelled “And, unfortunately, not saw off fired-up Huddersfield amazing and we have 11 in the Today there, we tried to play our game against Liverpool in the number every player is the same. should serve as a warning to Premier League in a row so that’s Brighton vs Crystal Palace, Leicester v Totten- but it didn’t work out so good,” 10 role behind Alvaro Morata. Players are men, men are dif- their rivals that they are fully good. We have a good moment ham, Watford vs Manchester United (2000 he said. “The start of this season was ferent. Men are unique cases. focused on the title. and with the spirit we can go GMT), West Brom vs Newcastle (2000 GMT) “We got the three points and full of trouble with Eden because “Some guys are capable “If you want to win the title further. that is the most important thing. he had an injury with the to go into the limits of their Tomorrow you can not expect easy games, “I am pleased because I We didn’t play our best game but national team and we started the efforts and some other guys so we have to live these kinds of know our fans are so happy Arsenal vs Huddersfield, Bournemouth vs we got the win and that shows season without him,” Chelsea even with a lot of talent, they situations and we spoke about because they see their players Burnley, Chelsea vs Swansea, Everton vs West strength.” manager said. don’t manage to do that. at half-time how we are going fighting until the end.” Ham (2000 GMT), Manchester City vs South- Champions Chelsea are lag- “Now I think Eden is in really “So Romelu, for me, fan-

to react in that situation,” he said. United have no margin for ampton (2000 GMT), Stoke vs Liverpool (2000 ging 11 points behind City in third good form and I think he likes to tastic. Didn’t score, I don’t “We are going to lose. That error at Vicarage Road, where GMT) place and must beat lowly Swan- play as a striker. There is a good care.” is going to happen - definitely. Watford will aim for a repeat of sea at Stamford Bridge on link with Alvaro.” Mourinho has publicly questioned the mentality of some players during his time at United, but his frustrations have not been restricted to players. China club taps Ajax to build The Portuguese has recently taken United fans to task, unhappy with their sup- port of Lukaku against Tottenham and some general the ‘best football academy’ impatience in the stands. “Honestly, it is quite a Shanghai China, as the Asian superpower improve the quality of their to the Dutch club too. “Youth is surprise for me but I think the AFP -- under football fan President homegrown players. the core asset of our club and we supporters were fantastic,” Xi Jinping -- throws money at Ajax are world-renowned are delighted that we can lever- Mourinho said after the utch football giants Ajax developing football in the for their youth system, and age our knowledge with an Brighton game. “We had announced a five-year country. Guangzhou R&F want to tap into international partner like R&F,” matches at home where we Dpartnership with Chinese China wants to eventually that expertise, launching the new he said in a statement. played really, really well and Super League side Guangzhou host -- and maybe even win -- programme with a group of “It is well known that for a they were a bit soft. R&F yesterday that will attempt the World Cup. coaches from the Amsterdam club like Ajax, it is hard to grow “And today they were to build the best youth academy The Chinese Football Asso- club. Edwin van der Sar (pic- in the current European football behind the team. The team in China. ciation (CFA) and Chinese teams tuerd), the former Manchester industry. With initiatives like was not playing well, the The multi-million-euro deal have been forging ties with clubs United, Ajax and Juventus star ACA (Ajax Coaching Academy), team was 0-0, they support is the latest in a series of football and federations across the globe, and now Ajax chief executive, we create opportunities to make the team, they support the link-ups between Europe and particularly in Europe, to said the link-up will be a boon alternative steps forward.” players.” Following the ‘Moneyball’ model to unearth talent Paris the sports that took notice. English clubs have led the or progression of a player,” services, which the Gunners researcher for Football Manager AFP “Once upon a time statisti- way in the use of stats in foot- Francesco Vallone, head of were already using, to other in France. cal analysis was used primarily ball, with Manchester City and scouting at club Roma, clubs. In charge of Ligue 1 and 2, n the 2011 film “Moneyball”, on your own team perform- Liverpool each having a dozen said. Some clubs are even turn- his job is to “assess a player’s Brad Pitt plays Oakland Ath- ances and how to improve “technical scouts” who comb “These systems allow eve- ing to Football Manager, the potential”, determining their Iletics general manager Billy them,” says Thomas Schmider, through data banks while the ryone to watch everyone, best-selling video game, with a margin for improvement. Beane, who, as the head of a founder of statistics provider traditional scouts criss-cross anywhere in the world. This spokesman for developer SI “We learn as much as we struggling baseball team, turns Prozone. the globe watching players increases the competition and Games saying that “several of can, following matches on TV, to data analysis of recruitment “Then statistics were used live. that is why we must have the the world’s top clubs use our talking with a network of cor- and training methods. to help analyse the opponent. Liverpool’s former sporting best organisation if we want to database as part of their scout- respondents as well as Beane was a trailblazer with Now we are in a third phase director Damien Comolli, cur- win.” ing operations”. consulting fan forums and the his unconventional data met- which has started to involve rently working as a pundit for Schmider, whose company The football management press,” says Ludovic, who fol- rics that flew in the face of recruitment.” French TV and radio, says hav- was bought in 2015 by Ameri- simulator database of more than lows France’s regional leagues baseball wisdom, and sparked Without analysis of his ing a scientific approach to can business Stats, says that 350,000 footballers, each with for Football Manager. a trend for in-depth statistical defensive statistics, N’Golo recruitment “helps to reduce the there is an arms race “to ana- their strengths and weaknesses, Both men do this in their and data analysis. Kante might not have been spot- percentage of failures”. lyse more leagues, more is “one of the largest in the spare time, on a voluntary basis. That wave began to expand ted by Leicester City while the “Beyond the qualitative matches, more stats”. world,” says SI. It is built through “The more reliable the data- beyond American sport after the France international was still analysis of each player we also According to the New York a “network of more than 1,300 base, the more fun the game,” publication in 2003 of the Mon- playing for Caen, and without have a statistical and quantita- Times, Arsenal spent $4 m on scouts”. says Benjamin. eyball book, by Michael Lewis, him the Foxes may never have tive analysis that very often acquiring data company “No one claims to have the And this research benefits drew attention to Beane’s won their historic English Pre- enables better understanding of StatDNA in 2012, to stop the US- perfect database, we are all the clubs as much as the video approach. Football was one of mier League title in 2016. t h e c h a r a c t e r i s t i c s based outfit from selling its human,” says Benjamin, head gamers. TUESDAY 28 NOVEMBER 2017 SPORT 31 AC Milan turn to Gattuso to bring back glory days Milan Champions League glory on two Montella released Palermo and Pisa in Italy and at AFP occasions. Greek minnows OFI Crete. Gattuso was such an integral The seven-time With Juventus now the main allen Italian giants AC Milan part of ’s line-up European champions force in Italian football and Bar- made combative former when Italy clinched the 2006 released Montella celona and Real Madrid Fplayer World Cup in Germany that he after a goalless draw dominating Europe in recent their new boss yesterday after was named in FIFA’s team of the against Torino on years, Gattuso faces a huge task sacking fol- tournament. Sunday which left to restore Milan to their former lowing a disappointing start to them seventh in Serie heights. the season. AC Milan have not finished A, 18 points behind He was a key cog in the team The seven-time European higher than sixth in any of the leaders Napoli. featuring Paolo Maldini, Andrea champions released Montella last four seasons in Serie A but Pirlo and Filippo Inzaghi which after a goalless draw against new Chinese owner Li Yonghong won the 2003 Champions Torino on Sunday left them sev- funded a 230-million-euro a controversial edge -- he once League by beating Juventus on enth in Serie A, 18 points behind ($270 million) signing spree in slapped the then Ajax striker Zla- penalties. leaders Napoli. the summer. tan Ibrahimovic with the back He was on the losing side in In 39-year-old Gattuso, the of his hand. the dramatic 2005 final in Istan- Chinese-owned club have Leonardo Bonucci arrived On another occasion that his bul when AC Milan blew a 3-0 turned to a member of one of from Juventus for 38 million temper spilled over, he infa- lead to draw 3-3 with Liverpool their most successful sides, but euros in an eye-catching move, mously grabbed Tottenham and then lost in the penalty he has little coaching pedigree. while Portuguese player Andre assistant coach Joe Jordan -- shootout, but he got his revenge Milan thanked Montella for Silva came for a similar sum greying and 26 years Gattuso’s two years later when Milan beat his efforts and said in a state- from FC Porto and Hakan Calh- senior -- by the throat before Liverpool in Athens. ment: “Management of the first anoglu was signed from Bayer head-butting him, picking up a He made 72 international team is entrusted to Gennaro Leverkusen. heavy UEFA ban. appearances for Italy. Gattuso.” But even with those rein- Gattuso spent a season at Milan also face a fight to Gattuso made a total of 468 forcements, Montella failed to Walter Smith’s Rangers before convince UEFA that they com- The seven-time European appearances for AC Milan put the club that was once the joining AC Milan and won the ply with financial fairplay champions released between 1999 and 2012, winning jewel in former Italian prime Scottish double alongside Eng- regulations designed to prevent Montella after a goalless a reputation as a rugged defen- minister Silvio Berlusconi’s busi- lish midfielder Paul Gascoigne. clubs from overspending. draw against Torino on sive midfielder and earning the ness empire in contention for a Since retiring as a player he In order to meet the criteria, Sunday which left them nickname “Rino”, on account of Champions League place. He has been working within the AC Milan are gambling on making seventh in Serie A, 18 points his verbal raging and rampag- leaves after 17 months at the San Milan structure as youth team a sharp increase in profits in behind leaders Napoli. ing playing style. Siro. coach after a stuttering coach- China. For that, they need to He won the Serie A title There will be heavy pressure ing career elsewhere, with short qualify for the Champions twice and helped Milan to on Gattuso, who has always had stints at Sion in Switzerland, at League. Alaves sack coach again Neymar puts PSG on after just seven games cloud nine at Monaco Madrid Paris LIGUE 1 RESULTS but Leonardo Jardim’s men AFP AFP French Ligue 1 results on Sunday: rallied. Monaco 1 (Moutinho 81) Paris Saint-Germain 2 Radamel Falcao, with 13 rigger happy La Liga dinson Cavani and Neymar (Cavani 19, Neymar 52-pen) goals from ten Ligue 1 starts strugglers Alaves have were both on target as Nice 0 Lyon 5 (Depay 5, 38, Cornet 20, Mariano 27, ahead of this game, managed a Tsacked their coach for EParis Saint-Germain edged Maolida 79) fine header when surrounded the second time this season champions Monaco 2-1 to climb Marseille 1 (Thauvin 31) Guingamp 0 by four PSG defenders and also as Italian was nine points clear atop France’s Played on Saturday fired a free-kick narrowly over. dismissed after just seven Ligue 1 on Sunday. Rennes 2 (Khazri 51, 88) Nantes 1 (Sala 73-pen) Veteran Portuguese mid- games in charge yesterday. But it was a frustrating night Dijon 3 (Kwon 42, Xeka 57, Said 64) Toulouse 1 fielder Joao Moutinho pegged De Biasi oversaw Alaves’ in the principality for the world’s (Delort 71); Metz 0 Amiens 2 (Moussa Konate 29, Paris back with a free-kick nine only two La Liga victories most expensive teenager, as Zungu 65); Montpellier 3 (Roussillon 5, Sio 26, Nin- minutes from time that struck

this season against Levante Kylian Mbappe missed a raft of ga 31) Lille 0; Troyes 3 (Khaoui 12, Hyun Jun Suk Mbappe’s head on the way into and Espanyol, but defeats to chances on his return to the club 45+3, Thomas 84-og) Angers 0; Caen 1 (Santini 23) the corner, but Monaco could Real Sociedad, Real Betis, who will bank 180 million euros Bordeaux 0 not find an equaliser. “It’s diffi- Valencia, Getafe and Eibar ($214.8 million) when his switch cult against this team with so have left the Basques rooted to PSG becomes permanent at top corner. Neymar had rattled much quality in it,” Monaco to the bottom of the table, the end of the season. the post and Monaco nerves midfielder Fabinho said. six points off safety. PSG now have 38 points swiftly after the restart before “It’s working very well in “The club has decided to from 14 games and are winning a penalty as Almamy midfield with Marco (Verratti) terminate the contract of unbeaten, nine points clear of Toure ran into him. and (Julian) Draxler,” PSG mid- Gianni de Biasi after the lat- Lyon and Monaco, with Mar- Cavani had promised fielder Adrien Rabiot said, after est results obtained in La seille one further adrift. reporters Neymar would take all three were impressive. Liga,” Alaves said in a “We’ve won at the champi- PSG’s next spot-kick and so it Earlier on Sunday, Memphis statement. ons, that’s good,” said PSG coach was. The Brazilian, who had Depay starred with a double as Javier Cabello, who took Unai Emery. “Now we have to inspired a 7-1 Champions Lyon thumped Nice 5-0 on Sun- charge for defeats to Depor- continue the work and improve League thrashing of Celtic in day to move into second behind tivo la Coruna and Real further.” midweek, coolly sent Monaco Paris. France forward Florian Madrid earlier in the season Cavani struck the opener, ‘keeper Danijel Subasic the Thauvin scored a first-half win- after Luis Zubeldia’s sacking, his 16th league goal this season wrong way with a confidently- ner as Marseille stretched their has once again be put in tem- and 22nd in all competitions, struck penalty on 52 minutes. unbeaten run to nine games and porary charge. Monaco’s Brazilian defender Jemerson (left) and Paris Saint- when he met a cute cutback The home side may have stayed just a point off the Cham- Under Southampton Germain’s Brazilian forward Neymar hugh at the end of the from Julian Draxler on 19 min- sold several of their title-win- pions League places with a 1-0 manager Mauricio Pellegrino, French L1 match at the Louis II Stadium, in Monaco, on Sunday utes and toe-poked it into the ning stars in the close season, home win over Guingamp. Alaves reached the Copa del Rey final last season and fin- ished ninth in La Liga on their return to the top flight after a decade. Valencia hold Barca amid Messi goal controversy However, following the departure of Pellegrino and Valencia, Spain out Alba eight minutes from time moments like this happening,” these situations still arise,” said down the left and his low cross the likes of Real Madrid pair AFP to ensure both sides remain added Alba. Gerard Pique’s Valencia assistant boss Ruben was turned home by Rodrigo. Marcos Llorente and Theo unbeaten in La Liga. absence at the heart of the Barca Uria, who took control from the Messi finally put pen to paper Hernandez, a number of new ordi Alba’s late equaliser However, just a second slip defence through suspension sidelines with Marcelino Garcia on a lucrative new deal on Sat- recruits, including former maintained Barcelona’s four- up from Barca this season does meant a first La Liga start for Tho- Toral serving a touchline ban. urday, tying him to Barca till Barcelona forward Bojan Jpoint lead over Valencia at the allow Real Madrid and Atletico mas Vermaelen in nearly two “We are in favour of technol- 2021, and the Catalans’ depend- Krkic and Zinedine Zidane’s top of La Liga in a 1-1 draw at Madrid to close to within eight years. ogy and this time it has fallen in ence on the Argentine to produce eldest son Enzo Zidane, have Mestalla on Sunday overshad- points of the leaders. However, Valencia failed to our favour.” Handed a huge let a spark in the final third was failed to make the desired owed by the league’s lack of goal “It was a monumental error expose any fragility in the visi- off, Valencia regrouped at the clear as they chased the game in impact. line technology. by the referee,” Alba told tors’ backline in the first 45 break and posed a far greater the final half-hour. Alaves face Getafe once Lionel Messi’s first-half effort Movistar. minutes as Barca dominated the threat in the second period. However, it was an off-col- more in the second leg of clearly crossed the line, but “Even I could see it was in ball without creating too many Simone Zaza dragged a shot our Luis Suarez who had Barca’s their Copa del Rey last 32 tie wasn’t allowed to stand as, from the middle of the pitch. We clear-cut chances. just wide and Goncalo Guedes first attempt to get back on level on Thursday, leading 1-0 unlike other major European saw the replay at half-time and Indeed, the first half left only finally tested Marc-Andre ter terms as Neto parried away the from the first leg. leagues, La Liga has refused to it’s clear.” one clear talking point when Stegen for the first time from a Uruguayan’s volleyed effort from In Milan, Struggling Serie introduce the technology on cost La Liga does, though, intend Messi’s low shot slipped through narrow angle 58 minutes in. the edge of the area. Inevitably, A team Sassuolo have grounds. to introduce video assistant ref- Valencia ‘keeper Neto’s legs and Valencia had to wait just two Messi was at the heart of Barca’s announced Giuseppe Iachini Rodrigo’s opener on the hour ereeing (VAR) for controversial over the line, only for referee minutes more to break the dead- equaliser, though, as he picked as their new manager yester- mark rubbed salt into Barca’s decisions next season. Ignacio Iglesias Villanueva to lock with Paris Saint-Germain out Alba with a sumptuous lofted day after sacking Cristian wounds, but the visitors “VAR is something which will wave play on. loanee Guedes again heavily pass for the former Valencia left- Bucchi earlier. responded when Messi picked help football and will stop “It is a shame that involved as he freed Jose Gaya back to volley home. 32 SPORT TUESDAY 28 NOVEMBER 2017 TUESDAY 28 NOVEMBER 2017 SPORT 33

Indian cricketers celebrate after taking the of Sri Lankan batsman Dimuth Bairstow, Bancroft Karunaratne on the fourth day of the second Test match at the Vidarbha explain odd greeting Australia crush England in 1st Ashes Test Association Stadium in Nagpur yesterday. Brisbane timing of the revelations may Brisbane SCOREBOARD the (Ashes) Urn Home’ in the AP have been a plot to unsettle his AFP sparsely-populated Gabba team. England (I innings): ...... 302 ground. Australia (I innings): ...... 328 onny Bairstow’s unorthodox Bancroft made his debut for ustralia cruised to a It was an attritional battle Keep backing England (II innings):...... 195 method of greeting Cameron Australia in Brisbane, and the crushing 10-wicket Australia (II innings): between the traditional rivals JBancroft in a pub last month first questions he faced post- win over England to D Warner () ...... 87 over the first three days of the overshadowed questions of game were not about cricket. go one-up in the C Bancroft (not out) ...... 82 Test, raising England’s hopes of yourselves, Root cricket at the news conferences “I got into a very amicable Ashes series in the Extras (LB2, NB1, W1) ...... 4 a first win at the ground in just following Australia’s win over conversation with Jonny and he opening Test at the Gabba yes- Total ...... 173 over three decades. A Bowling: Anderson 11-2-27-0 (1nb), Broad 10-2-

England in the Ashes series just greeted me with a head butt, terday, with captain Steve Smith But skipper Smith’s match- 20-0, Ali 4-0-23-0, Woakes 11-1-46-0, Ball 8-1-

opener. kind of thing,” Bancroft praising his team’s character. defining unbeaten 141 over tells England 38-0 (1w), Root 6-1-17-0 Speculation about a head- explained of the night in ques- Openers David Warner and Result: Australia won by 10 eight-and-a-half hours to give butting incident emerged when tion. “I was expecting a Cameron Bancroft added to Eng- Australia a 26-run innings lead Brisbane some Australian fielders made a handshake. It wasn’t the greet- land’s agony by peeling off the “It’s frustrating. We have to and Josh Hazlewood’s two late AFP reference to it — picked up on an ing of choice that I was required runs without the loss of move on quickly and make sure wickets on Saturday swung the on-field microphone — in a bid expecting. a wicket before lunch on the final we don’t make the same mis- momentum firmly Australia’s aptain Joe Root has urged his players to keep back- to unsettle England wicketkeeper “There was certainly no mal- day. takes in Adelaide.” way. ing themselves as Ashes holders England head into Bairstow while he was ice in his action and we continued Warner finished unbeaten on It was Warner’s 25th Test England were knocked over Ca crucial second Test after their demoralising loss on Sunday. on, having very good conversa- 87 off 119 balls with newcomer fifty and ninth in the Ashes, while for 195 off 71.4 overs, losing their to Australia at the Gabba. The England Cricket Board tion for the rest of the evening,” Bancroft hitting the winning runs debutant Bancroft posted his first last six wickets for 82, to set Aus- The Australians romped to an emphatic 10-wicket vic- confirmed overnight it had asked Bancroft added. “Obviously at the to remain 82 not out off 182 balls tralia an unthreatening tory early on the fifth day in Brisbane after breaking free Bairstow for an explanation. Both time, he said sorry. For me per- in Australia’s 173 without loss. of an attritional opening three days, leaving questions sides agreed there was nothing sonally it was just really weird In the process, they broke an for the tourists over the remaining four Tests. malicious in the incident, and — it was so random and I cer- 87-year-old Test record for the England’s inability to capitalise on a strong start there’s unlikely to be any disci- tainly didn’t expect it coming.” all-time highest unbeaten open- in the first innings -- where they crashed from 246 plinary action. Bancroft said he’d have pre- ing partnership in a successful for four to 302 all out -- and a below-par 195 in the Ashwin breaks record as Not long after Bancroft scored ferred a handshake or a hug, but Test chase. second innings cost them any winning chance in the winning runs for Australia wasn’t knocked over and wasn’t “We had to show some really half-century in only Brisbane. yesterday, remaining unbeaten particularly upset by the good character throughout. his second Test innings. “We’ve got to keep believing and trusting the on 82, he and Bairstow fronted greeting. Obviously losing the toss, and the “It was good fun, to work we’ve been doing, and backing ourselves and India waltz to victory separate news conferences to “He says hello to people very wicket was a lot slower than we share a good partnership backing each other as a group,” said Root, on whom outline what happened at the differently to most others,” he anticipated it would be. We had was nice. To get the win in much depends with the bat and team strategy. Nagpur SCOREBOARD Avenue bar four weeks ago. said. “I let it go and moved on to work really hard,” said Aus- the end was good,” said “For three days we played some excellent AFP Bairstow went first, offering from it. It was fine.” tralian captain Steve Smith. Bancroft, who was allegedly cricket. Unfortunately, when we got into good Sri Lanka (I innings):...... 205 Ashwin a statement without taking The Perth incident happened “I’m pleased with the way we headbutted by England wicket- positions, we didn’t quite capitalise on it.” pin wizard Ravichandran India (I innings):...... 610-6 decl. questions. in the wake of a separate episode have played. Bowling first at The keeper Jonny Bairstow in a The series now heads to the Adelaide Oval Ashwin played down com- Sri Lanka (II innings): S Samarawickrama b Sharma ...... 0 “It’s been blown completely in September outside a club in Gabba, it’s hard. The bowlers had late-night altercation in Perth for the first-ever day-night Ashes Test, starting parisons with Dennis Lillee eyes 600 S D Karunaratne c Vijay b Jadeja...... 18 out of proportion,” he said. Bristol that has resulted in all- to be on. The way we pulled it earlier in the tour. on Saturday, where England cannot afford to after his record-breaking feat yes- L Thirimanne c Jadeja b Yadav ...... 23 “There was no intent, nor mal- rounder Ben Stokes missing the back to win from the position we An England and Wales lose again. terday helped India crush Sri A Mathews c Rohit b Jadeja ...... 10 mark ice about anything during the start of the Ashes tour. Stokes has were in it’s extremely pleasing. Cricket Board statement con- target to chase Root defended his elaborate fielding place- Lanka by an innings and 239 runs D Chandimal c Ashwin b Yadav...... 61 evening. remained in England pending a I’m proud of the way the boys firmed team management have down in the remaining four ses- ments at the Gabba for Australia’s master batsman in the second Test. N Dickwella c Kohli b Ishant ...... 4 Nagpur “As you could see out there police investigation. fought.” asked Bairstow about the alleged sions of play. Steve Smith, who turned the Test with a painstaking Ashwin became the fastest D Shanaka c Rahul b Ashwin...... 17 AFP today there was no animosity Bayliss said there’d be no dis- The Australians only needed incident. Australia stretched their unbeaten 141 over eight-and-a-half hours to give his side bowler to reach 300 Test wickets, D Perera lbw b Ashwin ...... 0 R Herath c Rahane b Ashwin ...... 0 between myself, Cameron and ciplinary action against Bairstow, 56 runs on the final morning go Warner said it was great to unbeaten record at their Gabba a narrow but crucial innings lead. taking 54 matches to reach the S Lakmal (not out) ...... 31 ndian spin king Ravi- any other of the Australia play- but added that the player group one up after England imploded get the win without losing a fortress to 29 years since their His field strategy for Smith was likened to Bodyline, a mark -- two fewer than Aussie L Gamage b Ashwin ...... 0 chandran Ashwin said ers and hopefully now we can would likely agree to change pol- on Sunday’s fourth day. wicket. last defeat to Viv Richards’ West notorious leg theory bowling tactic devised by England on pace legend Lillee who terrorised Extras (LB2) ...... 2 IMonday he wanted to swipe this underneath the table.” icies to ensure there’s no risk of England captain Joe Root “That’s what we cherish, Indies team in 1988. their 1932-33 tour of Australia to counter the great Don batsmen in the 1970s and early Total (all out) ...... 166 double his tally of 300 England coach Trevor Bayl- off-field behavior that puts exter- said the result did not tell the full coming out being disciplined to England have not won in Bradman. 1980s. Fall of wickets: 1-0, 2-34, 3-48, 4-68, 5-75, 6-102, Test wickets after becom- iss said there was no aggression nal pressure on the team. story. try and get the job done as best Brisbane in 31 years, a stretch of The England skipper placed six fielders on the leg-side The off-spinner was all humil- 7-107, 8-107, 9-165, 10-166 ing the fastest bowler to

in Bairstow’s actions, and said “Well, that’s what I thought “For three days we were as possible,” he said. eight Ashes Tests. with three in the deep and no one in front of the bat on the ity when asked to comment on the Bowling: Sharma 12-4-43-2, Ashwin 17.3-4-63-4, the mark against Sri Australia’s Cameron Bancroft (right) hugs team mate David Warner Jadeja 11-5-28-2, Yadav 9-2-30-2 he wouldn’t even define it as a after Bristol as well, they would excellent. Bar Steve’s knock we England’s doleful defeat was The five-Test series heads to off-side as his pacemen ripped in short-pitched deliver- enviable record, saying any com- Result: India won by an innings and 239 runs Lanka. head butt. England captain Joe be extra dumb and stupid if it were right in it,” he said, refer- played to the background sounds Adelaide Oval for the first-ever after hitting the winning runs to win the first Test match of the ies to Smith for a time. parison with the greats would be Ashwin surpassed Root described the episode as didn’t (change), for sure,” Bayl- ring to Smith’s battling first of the travelling Barmy Army Ashes day-night Test, starting on Ashes series at the GABBA Ground in Brisbane, Australia yesterday. “We made him (Smith) work extremely hard for his unfair. Australia’s pace legend boyish behaviour, and said the iss said. innings century. supporters singing ‘We’ll Take Saturday. runs. Credit to him, he played extremely well,” Root said. “We are a bit more blessed Pujara made 143, Rohit Dennis Lillee, achieving “Sometimes you’ve got to say well played to the than the other greats. We have Sharma 102 not out and opener the milestone in his 54th opposition.” technology to help. We have help Vijay 128 in a brutal statement of Test. Lillee took 56 Root, ranked the world’s second-best Test batsman, with our fitness. So we shouldn’t intent from India which was later matches to reach the was out leg before wicket in both innings at the Gabba for compare,” he said after the top- emphasised by the bowlers. same mark. 15 and 51, but is confident of making big scores in the rest ranked hosts wrapped up the win “It’s all about creating pressure “I really hope I can go of the series. inside four days to stamp their and that’s what we did... All out on to double these 300 Smith warns of more Aussie aggression “I feel like I’ve got a good understanding of how I play class. four bowlers looked like getting a wickets. I’ve only played and I’ll make sure that I prepare very well in terms of “I really hope I can go on to wicket any time,” Rohit Sharma 50 Tests,” said the Brisbane Openers David Warner and Bancroft at a bar in Perth in the cross. I don’t think it makes any real getting ready,” Root said. double these 300 wickets. I’ve told reporters. 31-year-old off-spinner Reuters Cameron Bancroft then mowed leadup, an incident both teams difference,” he said. England coach Trevor only played 50-odd Tests,” said “For me personally it was very after India crushed Sri down 170 for victory before lunch played down. Adelaide Oval will offer a differ- Bayliss said he was con- the 31-year-old, who finished with important because it’s been nearly Lanka by an innings and ngland can look forward to fur- on day five to give Australia a 1-0 Smith revealed his team had ent challenge for both teams, with fident the tourists will a match haul of 8-130. 500 days since I played my last 238 runs on the fourth ther “aggressive” cricket in the lead in the five-match series. used the incident as ammunition to the pink ball likely to move far more bounce back. The victory equalled India’s Test match. day of the second Test in Esecond Test in Adelaide, Aus- “Really pleased with the way we throw Bairstow off his game when in the first day-night Ashes Test than “Adelaide? I biggest Test win, achieved against “I am glad that I could put Nagpur. tralia captain Steve Smith (pictured) played this Test match. It’s great to he was batting on the field and at the Gabba. don’t think there Bangladesh in Dhaka 10 years ago. some runs on the board for myself “It’s not easy bowling said, after his team found their mean go up 1-0 in this Ashes series,” said believed the tactic had worked when England’s veteran pacemen Stu- will be any prob- Sri Lanka, who started the day and the team,” added Rohit spin, it looks like you’re streak to rout the tourists by 10 wick- man-of-the-match Smith. the wicketkeeper was dismissed art Broad and James Anderson may lem at all,” Bayliss on 21-1 after conceding a 405-run Sharma, who was included in the just ambling up. But ets at the Gabba yesterday. “We’re going to continue to play softly for 42 when he hit straight to be best placed to exploit the condi- said. first innings lead, crashed to 166 team in place of paceman Bhuv- there’s a lot (that goes) Australia were matched by Eng- the same way we have, nice and third man. tions but Smith was also excited “Unfortunately, all out, giving the hosts a 1-0 lead neshwar Kumar. behind it.” land for three days, with the aggressively. The incident had proved to be a what his pacemen might do under we’ve been in this in the three-match series with the Sri Lanka squandered the The mercurial spin- unusually slow Gabba pitch blunt- “We’ve played some really good distraction to the England camp, lights. situation before first game having ended in a draw. advantage of winning the toss and ner, ranked fourth among ing their bowlers’ pace and their cricket we had to fight after the first with their coach Trevor Bayliss say- “The Adelaide wicket might bring over the last few Skipper Dinesh Chandimal put batting first as they were skittled top the top 10 bowlers, batsmen struggling in the first couple of days to get the result we’re ing staff would meet with players to some of their bowlers into the game years where we’ve up some resistance with 61 but the out for 205 on the opening day. dismissed number eleven innings barring a magnificent, after. potentially discuss tighter curfews. a little bit but having said that, it’s put in a bad rest of the batsmen fell by the “It was a good toss to win. batsman Lahiru Gamage unbeaten 141 by the skipper. “No doubt there will continue to Smith shrugged when asked probably one of the quickest wick- perform- wayside without showing much Unfortunately we were outplayed for nought to return The hosts hit back on day four, be some good, hard, aggressive whether Australia’s exploitation of ets in the country at night,” he said. ance but we application. from the first day. Our batting let impressive match figures however, as their pacemen grabbed cricket throughout the series.” the incident might fuel animosity “We saw how effective our bowl- were able Left-arm spinner Jadeja and us down again. When you’re play- of 8-130. seven wickets in a furious short- A small media storm was gener- between the teams. ers could be wen this wicket to come fast bowlers Umesh Yadav and ing against India, Ashwin, who made pitched assault to skittle England for ated by England wicketkeeper Jonny “It’s always played hard out on quickened up a little bit. so it’s back from Ishant Sharma took two wickets you’ve got to his debut against the West 195. Bairstow’s “headbutt” greeting of the field. There’s a line you’re not to exciting.” it.” each to underline India’s all-round score 350- Indies in 2011, is India’s Joe Root dominance. plus,” said premier spin bowler and Jadeja struck early in the Chandimal. has often achieved top morning session when he had he third positions in the Interna- opener Dimuth Karunaratne and final tional Cricket Council at short leg for 18. Test starts in rankings. The left-handed Karunaratne, Delhi on He had also surpassed who resumed the day on 11, got an December Lillee in the race to 250 India to rest Kohli before South Africa tour Pothas slams Sri Lanka over Test collapse inside edge on a tossed-up deliv- 2. wickets in his 45th ery from Jadeja and Murali Vijay Test against Bang- New Delhi international cricket in 2017 than Kohli rests and prepares for the Nagpur runs, wickets and catches. You can do all ’s abrupt exit this year, high- took a sharp close catch. ladesh early this AFP any other Indian player -- nine SouthINDIA Africa SQUAD tour. FOR THIRD TEST AGAINST SRI AFP you like but if you are not producing them, lighted the Indian squad’s depth in bowling Karunaratne’s overnight part- year. Tests, 26 one-day internationals LANKA: obviously there will be repercussions. and batting. ner Lahiru Thirimanne played a A s h w i n ndia’s captain and star batsman and 10 T20s. Virat Kohli (capt), Murali Vijay, Lokesh Rahul, Shikhar ri Lanka coach Nic Pothas (pic- That’s the world of professional sport.” “If you are going to be successful at the careless shot way outside off also has 150 Virat Kohli (pictured) will be The squad for India’s tour of Dhawan, Cheteshwar Pujara, Ajinkya Rahane, Rohit tured) warned his players there S r i Lanka’s previous worst Test top of any sport your bench is important stump to hand a simple catch to o n e - d a y Irested for the one-day matches South Africa is expected to be Sharma, Wriddhiman Saha, Ravichandran Ashwin, Swould be “repercussions” after the defeat was an innings and and India has a very strong bench,” he Jadeja off Yadav for 23. wickets against Sri Lanka after the ongoing named later this week. Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Shami, country’s worst-ever Test defeat, at the 229-run loss to South added. Indian skipper Virat Kohli hit in 111 Test series ends, selectors said India will go into the third and Umesh Yadav, Ishant Sharma, Vijay Shankar hands of India yesterday. Africa in 2001. Sri Lanka lost all nine Tests, one-day a majestic double century on Sun- matches Monday. final Test against Sri Lanka in New INDIA SQUAD FOR ONE DAY SERIES The South African could barely con- Sri Lanka won the and T20 games at home to India in a recent day before India declared their and 52 Kohli has stepped up calls in Delhi on Saturday with Kohli lead- AGAINST SRI LANKA: tain his anger after Sri Lanka lost the toss and chose to bat series but followed that up by winning two first innings on 610-6 wick- recent weeks for a break from ing the squad that hammered the Rohit Sharma (capt), Shikhar Dhawan, Ajinkya second Test by an innings and 239 runs against India in Tests against Pakistan in the United Arab to take a firm grip on ets in cricket because of a packed calen- visitors in the second Test. Rahane, Shreyas Iyer, Manish Pan- in four days in Nagpur. Nagpur but were Emirates. the match. 46 T20 dar. India, the world’s top Test The return of batsman Shikhar dey, Kedar Jadhav, Dinesh Karthik, “It’s embarrassing, players should be skittled out for “Cricket is a game of chess. When you Kohli made 213 games. nation, start a demanding tour of Dhawan is the only change. MS Dhoni, Hardik Pandya, Axar embarrassed in their own performances. 205 on the opening play a team like India, if one team makes from 267 balls for his South Africa in January. Kohli will be replaced as cap- Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Yuzven- Practising in the nets means nothing if day. a move you better have a counter move, fifth double century in 62 “I’m not a robot, you can slice tain by batsman Rohit Sharma for dra Chahal, Jasprit Bumrah, you do not go out and put runs on the They crashed out for if you don’t you will fall off that bus. Tests and won the man of the my skin and check if I still bleed,” the three-match one day series Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Siddarth board,” Pothas said. 166 in the second innings as “At the moment we have got a few in match award. Indian bowler Ravichandran Ashwin celebrates after taking Kohli said before the Sri Lanka after the Tests. Kaul “As a player your India wrapped up victory in our changing room who keep making the His innings featured big part- the wicket of Sri Lankan batsman Dilruwan Perera during the series started. Sharma is expected to remain currency is four days. same move and losing pieces off the chess nerships with Cheteshwar Pujara fourth day of the second Test match at the Vidarbha Cricket He has played more captain for the T20 games too, as Pothas, who took over as coach after board.” and Rohit Sharma which pulver- ised the opposition. Association Stadium in Nagpur yesterday. 34 SPORT TUESDAY 28 NOVEMBER 2017 TUESDAY 28 NOVEMBER 2017 SPORT 35

NFL: Steelers, Carroll leads Nets to victory Brown hold Memphis off Packers AP Brooklyn Nets guard Joe Harris (12) Pittsburgh he misery remains for handles the ball AP the Memphis Grizzlies, against Memphis and friction seems to Grizzlies forward hris Boswell kicked a be building in the career-long 53-yard Dillon Brooks (24) locker room. field goal as time during the first half C TMemphis dropped its eighth expired to give the Pittsburgh straight on Sunday in a 98-88 of their NBA game Steelers a 31-28 victory over loss to the Brooklyn Nets. The at FedExForum on the Green Bay Packers on Grizzlies made a fourth-quarter Sunday. Sunday night. dent in a Nets lead that stretched The Steelers (9-2) won to 19, all while center Marc Gasol their sixth straight thanks in was in a warmup on the bench. large part to wide receiver Despite matching Tyreke Evans Antonio Brown. Brown for the team lead with 18 points, caught 10 passes for 169 yards Gasol, who leads the team in and two scores and also made scoring, rebounds and assists, a pair of catches on the decid- wasn’t called on to play in the ing drive, including a 23-yard final period. grab on the sideline that put And he wasn’t pleased. the Steelers into Green Bay “I do not know the why,” territory. Gasol said of not playing down Brown added a 14-yard the stretch, later adding: “It’s a reception on the next play. first for me, trust me, and I don’t Two snaps, later Boswell like it one bit. I’m more (ticked) drilled the winner and his than I can show and teammates mobbed him at frustrated.” midfield. Speaking before Gasol, Ben Roethliberger threw Memphis coach David Fizdale for 351 yards with four touch- said his decision was based on downs and two interceptions. the reserves playing well and Le’Veon Bell ran for 95 yards cutting into the Brooklyn lead. and added another 88 yards He said not much has worked for receiving. the team during the skid, partic- Brett Hundley completed ularly Sunday, when the Grizzlies 17 of 26 for 245 yards and gave up the lead in a poor third stretch, Fizdale said: “We’ll DeMarre Carroll scored a offense than in the opening half. turned.” Memphis was able to get three touchdowns for Green quarter. address it if it needs to be season-high 24 points and Brooklyn connected on nine of back in the game to open the Bay (5-6) in his best start Asked about Gasol’s reaction addressed, but it was a pretty Trevor Booker added 16 points its first 15 shots to build the lead, final period, composing a 12-3 since taking over for injured about not playing down the simple decision what I did. It’s and 11 rebounds. Joe Harris fin- outscoring the Grizzlies 32-18. run. Memphis got the deficit to Aaron Rodgers. Jamaal Wil- nothing against him. I’m trying ished with 13 points for the Nets, “We came out in the second five points, but the Brooklyn lead liam ran for 66 yards, NBA RESULTS to win a game. I’m desperate.” who used a third-quarter spurt half and got two big stops, was too much to overcome. including a 4-yard leap into While the Grizzlies were to put away the Grizzlies. scored,” Brooklyn coach Kenny “We wanted to get out in the end zone with 2:02 that Brooklyn 98 Memphis 88 grousing, the Nets were celebrat- The teams were tied at 47 at Atkinson said. “We picked up our transition and make them run,” tied it at 28.

Miami 100 Chicago 93 ing, at least for one night, after the break, but the Nets opened energy in the second half. The Harris said, “and I thought we The teams traded punts Minnesota 119 Phoenix 108 snapping a three-game losing the second half with a 22-6 run, first part of the third quarter, did better at that in the second before Pittsburgh took over streak. looking much more fluid on that’s where I thought the game half.” at its 30 with 17 seconds to go. It was just enough time for Roethlisberger and Brown to push the Steelers within the fringe of Boswell’s range as Pittsburgh kept pace with Vesey lifts Rangers past New England for the AFC’s best record. The Steelers have repeat- edly stressed the importance Canucks in shoot-out of staying focused on the work directly in front of them New York Jesper Fast and Michael Grabner also instead of peeking down the AP scored for New York. Loui Eriksson, Jake road to a showdown with the Virtanen and Sam Gagner scored for Van- Patriots month. immy Vesey scored the tying goal early couver, and Jacob Markstrom stopped 17 Yet for the second time in in the third period and added the win- shots. Grabner tied it 19 seconds into the three weeks, Pittsburgh Jner in the seventh round of a shoot-out third with his 10th goal of the season, beat- seemed caught off guard as to give the New York Rangers a 4-3 victory ing Markstrom with a wrist shot. Gagner overwhelming favorites over the Vancouver Canucks on Sunday. put the Canucks back in front 41 second against an injury marred Henrik Lundqvist made 29 saves to help later. Tomas Vanek forced a turnover team starting a backup quar- the Rangers extend their winning streak to behind the net and fed Gagner in the slot. terback. Pittsburgh struggled four games. Meanwhile in Boston. Ryan Strome against Jacoby Brissett and Vesey tied it at 5:05 of the third with a broke a tie early in the third period and Indianapolis on Nov. 12, sur- Edmonton Oilers left wing Milan Lucic (27) controls the puck while Boston nifty forehand-backhand combination for Cam Talbot made 23 saves in the Edmon- rendering a pair of long Bruins defenceman Brandon Carlo (25) defends during the second period his fifth goal of the season. Rick Nash set ton Oilers’ 4-2 victory over the Boston touchdown passes before ral- of their NHL Game at TD Garden on Sunday. up the goal with a spinning pass. Bruins on Sunday night. lying to win on the final snap. Wesley secure fifth consecutive Lions Touch Sevens crown The Peninsula SRI LANKA SCHOOLS esley College emerged TOUCH SEVENS as Lions Sri Lanka The final days results: WSchools Touch Sevens Cup: Wesley College 3 - St. Sylvester’s Col- champions for the fifth consec- lege 1 utive year when they defeated Plate: Isispathana College 1 – Trinity College St Sylvester’s College in the final 0 played at Doha Rugby Football Bowl: St. Peter’s College 2 – Royal College 1 Centre on Friday. Sheild: Dharmaraja College 1 (extra time) –

For Wesleyites, Lahiru Mahanama College 0 Prasad scored tries in each half Invitational: Sherbourne 3 – Warriors 0 while Sajith Ariyawansha scored one. For the boys from Kandy, performance all day. Everybody Sashi Kanth crossed over for did their job,” he said. their only touchdown. Pathirage said that playing Wesley College captain in the most prestigious touch Shivan Pathirage, after having event in Qatar and for the first won the fifth Lions Touch tour- time at the Doha Rugby Club was Action from the final match between Wesley College and nament crown for the fifth year, something special. St Sylvester’s College played at Doha Rugby Football Centre said: “With half our players out “Full credit to Qatar Touch on Friday. Right: Wesley College players pose for a picture. to other commitments our train- who with the Lions Committee ing was mainly focused on was able to deliver a Touch fes- However, the chance to play the rugby”. Well-On Restaurant”. For his to the Federation of International winning our group division”. tival atmosphere we haven’t final at DRFC with a huge crowd “The competition was fierce part Qatar Touch official Sam- Touch”. Rico continued: “Going “After that we were aiming experienced before”. was something to remember. We with the standard of Touch ele- uel Rico told the media: “Qatar on the number of participants, at taking it match by match. The Sylvestrians’ try scorer Kanth are still absorbing the atmos- vated to heights we haven’t seen touch has been producing and standard of Touch and supporter fact that we could win five titles said: “The Lions Touch is a big phere” Kanth said. before”. Amit was full of praise presenting Touch events since satisfaction, the marathon tour- was not part of our strategy. We prize for us and we wait all year Following the ceremonial for the event partners saying: “I 2010 however, today Touch nament was the most successful played as if were our first title as for the event in hope to win the presentation Lions RFC and would like to express our sincere reached a new dimension”. to date”. we had a lot of pressure coming cup. It painstaking to make the Committee President Nimo gratitude to all our partners and “The 16 participating teams The marathon Touch festiv- into the tournament,” Pathirage final and lose to silly mistakes” Amit said: “We thank God for a sponsors in particular Qatar demonstrated game awareness ities were played over 10 hours, said. “We applied the basics much blessed day. Everything went Touch, Sports Corner, Oil Exec, with extreme capability and skill. with 16 teams, across 41 matches “I am very thankful for the better than Wesley but we just according to plan and it was a Vodafone, SriLakan Airlines, This is in line with Qatar Touch’s and a strong crowd in boys who gave a solid couldn’t match their speed. great day for the sport of touch DRFC, Sampath Bank, and development strategy presented attendance. 36 SPORT TUESDAY 28 NOVEMBER 2017

Noah ends ‘losing culture’ as France bag Cup glory

Lille “Over the past 16 years AP everybody got used to defeat,” Noah said. “I had hen he was re- never felt that before and it appointed France’s destroyed me. I fully real- WDavis Cup captain ized it during the semifinals. two years ago, Yannick Noah It was tough.” said he had a “clear plan.” France had a relatively The former French Open easy path to the title this winner put it into practice, year, while Noah’s prede- and brought back the Davis cessor Arnaud Clement had Cup trophy to France for the to deal with the likes of first time in 16 years on Roger Federer and Stan Sunday. Wawrinka in France’s pre- Noah, a charismatic fig- vious final against ure in France who became a Switzerland in 2014. successful singer, led France In victories over Japan, to its 10th title in the team Britain and Serbia this year, FROM LEFT: France’s Gilles Simon, Jeremy Chardy, Julien Benneteau, Yannick Noah, Richard Gasquet, Nicolas Mahut, Jo-Wilfried event with a 3-2 win over Bel- Noah’s players gained from Tsonga Pierre-Hugues Herbert and Lucas Pouille pose with the trophy after winning the Davis Cup World Group final tennis gium in the final. the absence of Kei Nishikori, match between France and Belgium at The Pierre Mauroy Stadium in Villeneuve d’Ascq near Lille on Sunday. Noah, who captained the Andy Murray and Novak team to his third victory after Djokovic, respectively. And winning the Davis Cup title in in the final, apart from David 1991 and 1996, said the key to Goffin, Belgium players were success was to end the “los- not up to the task. ing culture” that had taken Back in 1991, Noah helped Tennis: Pouille powers hold of the French team. France create one of the big- gest upsets in Davis Cup history when it captured its first title in 59 years by beat- ing defending champion France to Davis Cup glory United States. In contrast Sunday, any- Lille “To have four different players win the backhand return in the tie-break. Tsonga, who thing other than a win would AFP three points is great,” an emotional Noah told brought France level in Friday’s second sin- have been regarded as a BeIN Sports. gles with a crushing win over Darcis, then failure. ucas Pouille throttled Belgium’s Steve “Everyone wanted this, we favoured the surrendered his serve in the second set with “Now we are going Darcis 6-3, 6-1, 6-0 in Sunday’s spirit of the group above individuals... I’m so a costly double fault as Goffin surged 4-2 to surf that successful decisive fifth rubber to clinch a 10th happy.” ahead before seizing a two-set lead. wave,” said Noah, Davis Cup title for France in front of Pouille broke Darcis, who had sent Bel- Goffin stormed to a double-break lead whose future at the a passionate Lille crowd cheering gium through to the final by winning the in the third set as Tsonga’s resistance crum- helm of the squad Lthe home side. deciding rubber against Australia in Septem- bled, and closed out the match with minimal remains unclear. Belgian ace David Goffin levelled the final ber’s semi-final, at the first attempt to lay the fuss, but Darcis was unable to reproduce pre- On the indoor at two points apiece after beating Jo-Wilfried foundation for a memorable triumph. vious heroics against an inspired Pouille. hard court of the Tsonga in straight sets in Sunday’s opening That proved enough to wrap up the first France drew level with Britain after Pierre Mauroy reverse singles, but a revitalised Pouille pro- set, with three further breaks in the second securing a 10th title -- a tally only sur- stadium, it was pelled France to a first victory since 2001. firing Pouille and France to the brink of the passed by the US, the record 32-time t h e 1 8 t h - Pouille was beaten convincingly by Gof- title. champions, and Australia, on 28 ranked Lucas fin in Friday’s first singles tie, but the world Darcis, the world number 76, was pow- titles. Pouille who number 18 shook off that defeat to swat Dar- erless to stop a rampant Pouille as the France had appeared in three ended the cis aside in one hour and 34 minutes. 23-year-old dismantled the Belgian in the finals since last lifting the trophy drought for “There’s nothing better than winning as third set -- winning 25 of 34 points -- to end -- in 2002, 2010 and 2014 -- with France, winning a team, with my mates, in front of the fans, my France’s run of three straight finals defeats. both Tsonga and Gasquet part of the the decisive family and my friends,” Pouille told French Belgium’s hopes of claiming a first title in team beaten three years ago by a match for the television. the venerable competition rested with their Switzerland featuring Roger Federer hosts. “We’re going to celebrate and make the in-form number one Goffin, who downed and Stan Wawrinka. Pouille’s lopsided most of it. I’m proud of my team.” Tsonga 7-6 (7/5), 6-3, 6-2 after withstanding “It’s great for me to be finally able 6-3, 6-1, 6-0 win over It was a third victory as captain for Yan- sustained early pressure. to win it, I’ve been chasing after it for Steve Darcis in the sec- nick Noah, who returned for a third stint in Goffin saved a set point while serving at 10 years,” Tsonga added. “I put other ond reverse singles ended charge in 2015 after two spells in the 1990s. 5-6, as Tsonga was left to rue his inability to things to one sides to be able to play a run of three losses in finals. Noah, the last Frenchman to win a Grand capitalise on any of six break points in a mar- and win this competition. I’m really so Slam tournament at the 1983 French Open, athon first set. happy.” was vindicated in his selection after surpris- World number seven Goffin, the runner- Belgium were appearing in just a France’s captain Yannick ingly picking Richard Gasquet to partner up to Grigor Dimitrov at the season-ending third Davis Cup final -- after 1904, and Noah holds the trophy after Pierre-Hugues Herbert for Saturday’s crucial ATP Finals in London last weekend, snatched 2015 when they lost to Andy Murray’s his team won the Davis Cup. doubles victory. a 75-minute opening set with a blistering Britain in Ghent. F1: Retiring Massa makes his point right to the very end Abu Dhabi Reuters Williams’ Brazilian driver Felipe Massa takes a picture elipe Massa bowed out of Formula One of his helmet during the in Abu Dhabi on Sunday with his head first practice session at the Fheld high and one last point in a career Abu Dhabi F1 Grand Prix that brought him 11 wins and almost a world at the Yas Marina Circuit in championship with Ferrari. this November 24, 2017, file The 36-year-old Brazilian said he was photo. ready for the next step, whatever that might be. Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas after the “For sure, I will miss many things -- rac- race at Yas Marina Circuit, Abu Dhabi, UAE, on Sunday. ing against amazing drivers and competing in the best car and the best category in the world,” he said after finishing 10th for Wil- Massa’s farewell quotes liams under the Yas Marina floodlights. The farewell was one of several for “I am sure they need to have a good driver to replace me Massa, who also retired last year before being otherwise it will not be very great. If the team cannot see that brought back hurriedly by Williams in Jan- what can I do… sometimes the talent doesn’t count compared uary as a replacement for Valtteri Bottas to some other things. That is the way it is sometimes. Unfortu- when the Finn went to Mercedes. nately, it can be a shame in Formula 1.” He had also said goodbye to his home fans in Brazil two weeks ago. “I’m so happy with what I achieved. It’s a good way to But there was still plenty of emotion as “It will be weird coming to a Grand Prix from a third place finish in Azerbaijan and retire. You finish with good lap times, good races, taking the the sport saluted a man who lost out to Lewis and not having him there,” he told Sky Sports sixth in Mexico, Massa has been a more con- best out. I’m happy that I’m finished with my head up and Hamilton in the 2008 championship by a television. sistent scorer with 13 top 10 finishes in 20 competitive.” single point and then endured life-threat- “We’re mates so we’ll see lots of each races compared to the Canadian’s seven. ening head injuries in Hungary in 2009 when other. That won’t change. He’ll carry on rac- “He’s been unlucky, he hasn’t got all the “It was really a great pleasure to be here for 16 years. I am hit by a bouncing spring in qualifying. ing because it’s in his blood. I think this is points he should have done, he should have so lucky to pass through all this racing in many great teams, “You wouldn’t meet a more universally- now definitely, undoubtedly, the right time won in Azerbaijan,” said Smedley. fighting the best drivers in the world. Thank you for following liked driver, I think,” said long-time friend to retire from Formula One.” “But weekend in and weekend out we me and supporting me all this time. I am very lucky to have this and colleague Rob Smedley, now head of Massa ends the season 11th overall, with rely on him and to have a driver like that in my life. I will miss many things.” performance engineering at Williams after 43 points compared to his teenage rookie who is loved by the team, loved by the pad- a stint at Ferrari as the Brazilian’s race Canadian team mate Lance Stroll on 40. dock and is still performing at the top of his engineer. But while the bulk of Stroll’s points came game, there’s no better way to go out.”