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Wednesday, January 25, 2017 FOOTBALL Rabia II 27, 1438 AH Injury-hit GULF TIMES Real wait on Ronaldo for comeback SPORT Page 4

FOCUS SPOTLIGHT Wood hopes Offi cials celebrate to repeat his landmark 20th 2013 title feat edition of CBQM Now broadcast to an audience of 400 million and attracting 25,000 spectators each year, the Commercial Bank Masters has developed beyond recognition since its inauguration in 1998, when it helped form a two-leg Desert Swing on the European Tour

By Yash Mudgal contention. You know, one shot, Doha one putt missed here or there can make all the diff erence…” “It’s hard to explain until hris Wood has set his you’ve been in that position, sights on reclaiming but it really is the reason that the Mother of Pearl we play; the pressure that you trophy in the 20th edi- put yourself under trying to tionC of the Commercial Bank win a tournament, trying to . fi nish a tournament off . It’s like “Every year I come back here, something I’ve never experi- I sort of feel like I’m going to give enced week-in and week-out, (From left) Qatar Association Executive Director Mohamed Faisal al-Naimi, Nick Tarratt (Director of International Off ice, European Tour), QGA General Secretary Fahad Nasser myself a chance, just because of really,” Wood added. al-Naimi, Commercial Bank CEO Joseph Abraham and Gary McGlinchey (Tournament Manager) at the pre-event press conference at the Doha Golf Club yesterday. PICTURES: Jayaram the memories that I have here. After winning further Eu- I always love coming back,” the ropean Tour titles at the 2015 By Sports Reporter went from one to two events in 1998 with 29-year-old Wood, who won Lyoness Open in and Doha the Qatar Masters. However, it was a very his fi rst European Tour title at last year’s BMW PGA Champi- diff erent Qatar Masters and a very diff erent the 2013 Qatar Masters in bril- onship in , Wood fi n- Doha in those days,” said Tarratt, who has liant fashion with a last-hole ished fourth on the Ryder Cup eading offi cials involved in the been working in the region for over 27 years eagle, said yesterday. European points list last year Commercial Bank Qatar Masters and with the European Tour for eight years. His victory was followed by a to secure a fi rst appearance in gathered yesterday to honour the “In 2006, it became a three-event tie for 43rd in 2014 and a missed the biennial team competition Lhistoric 20th edition of the long- ‘Desert Swing’ with Abu Dhabi, and Qatar cut last January. He skipped the against Team USA. standing European Tour event. now fi ts nicely in the middle of the series. 2015 event due to injury. “It will feel good to compete Now broadcast to an audience of 400mn The Qatar Masters has always stood out for The 25-year-old from Bris- here in my fi rst full season after and attracting 25,000 spectators each year, its quality fi eld, quality golf course, quality tol rates his fi rst title in 2013 playing at the Ryder Cup be- the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters has de- facilities, good weather and Qatari hospi- as perhaps the best moment of cause I would like to keep play- veloped beyond recognition since its inau- tality. The players are always well looked his glittering career. “My win ing well enough to make the guration in 1998, when it helped form a two- after,” he added. at the 2013 Qatar Masters is 2018 team,” he said. leg Desert Swing on the European Tour. It McGlinchey added: “I also think the still one of the highlights of my Discussing the success of now sits at the heart of a three-stop stretch, Commercial Bank Qatar Masters is really a career. It was pretty emotional big hitters in Doha, he said: “I fl anked by events in Abu Dhabi and Dubai. great opportunity for junior golfers to get to fi nally win my fi rst European wouldn’t consider myself one Major winners Ernie Els, Henrik Sten- close and see the best golfers in the world Tour title after what felt like of the very longest but I’m long son, , Retief Goosen and Paul in action, and understand they can become many years,” Wood, the only enough. So yeah, clearly it’s Lawrie, and Ryder Cup stalwarts Sergio professionals as a career path. Englishman to lift the Mother suited to my game. I think I can Garcia and Thomas Bjørn are among the “Clarke Lutton was the Doha Golf Club of Pearl trophy, said. reach all the par 5s here, apart stars to have lifted the historic Mother of junior champion and club champion, and He also got nostalgic talking from the ninth, which maybe Pearl trophy at Doha Golf Club, the tour- now he’s playing in the Commercial Bank about his fi st title win: “Yeah, only one or two guys can reach nament’s sole host venue. Qatar Masters, so having the Qatar Masters this is the scene of my fi rst win in two. But you know, clearly Els won on his tournament debut in 2005 gives children a career path. We have three on the European Tour in 2013 I’ve won here before, so there’s and a year later Commercial Bank began Qatari golfers playing this week. In 1998, here. I don’t know where time every chance again this week,” its title sponsorship of an event that has these guys were young kids.” goes, four years ago now… But the 6-foot-6 inch golfer said. grown to become one of the most popular “I think that’s the beauty of having the every year I come back here, I al- The Englishman missed the on the European Tour. Qatar Masters here in Doha, because peo- ways sort of remember the shots cut last week in Abu Dhabi Joseph Abraham, Chief Executive Of- ple can get so close to the players. I know we I hit and the fi nish in particular. despite a solid second-round fi cer of Commercial Bank, said: “This year have 25,000 people here all week watching Eagling the last to beat one of my 68. “I was probably mentally marks Commercial Bank’s 12th year as ti- it, but in the same kind of event in the US or sort of childhood heroes, Sergio quite rusty on the fi rst day. Let tle sponsor and we are proud to be a long- in Europe, you can’t get close to the play- Garcia, is pretty special. three or four shots go, which standing supporter of this outstanding ers because there are some 100,000 people “It was massive, really. And I wouldn’t necessarily have tournament. It has become a big commu- we welcome to Doha Golf Club each year. (General Secretary) and Mohamed Faisal there. It’s pretty unique in that respect and I think I showed it in my sort of done if it was sort of midway nity event for Qatar.” “We are extremely proud of the growth al-Naimi (Executive Director), and two I think it’s great for the community,” Mc- celebration. I sort of gave eve- through the season. “The Commercial Bank Qatar Masters is that this tournament has experienced over more offi cials who were involved in the fi rst Glinchey observed. rything to a fi st pump I could, “But then the second day, I one of the most important events in Qatar’s its two decades, and we have our fellow Qatar Masters in 1998. Els, Lawrie and fellow major winners really, when I holed that eagle felt I was right back on it, and sporting calendar and, most importantly, partners to thank for their support. Gary McGlinchey, Tournament Manager, and Graeme McDowell are putt! Yeah, I think obviously I’ve it was an easy 68 for me, really. part of the national vision of Qatar to be- “The Commercial Bank Qatar Masters Doha Golf Club, was the club’s head pro in among the players who have returned to come on as a player since then. So even though I missed the cut come an educational sports and cultural would not be what it is without the support 1998 when he competed on an invitation, Qatar to compete in this week’s landmark “Four years is quite a long I came away with a little bit of centre for the Gulf region,” Abraham added. of the Qatar Golf Association, Qatar Olym- while Nick Tarratt, Director of International showdown, which tees off tomorrow. Ry- time. I’ve put myself in conten- confi dence because I’ve never “Now in its landmark 20th edition, the pic Association and Doha Golf Club, which Offi ce, Dubai, European Tour, was then der Cup rookies Rafa Cabrera Bello, Chris tion to win more events since, really done well there. But I Commercial Bank Qatar Masters has become as always will provide a magnifi cent facility General Manager of the UAE Golf Associa- Wood and Andy Sullivan, red-hot Bernd and I have done that. There’s showed enough to feel like my much more than an international golfi ng this week.” tion and helped support ‘behind the ropes’. Wiesberger and 2016 European Tour Rook- nothing like feeling the impor- game is in pretty good shape tournament to everyone involved and most Abraham was joined by Qatar Golf As- “I was involved in running the Dubai ie of the Year Wang Jeunghun also feature tance of every single shot over coming into this week,” the importantly to the thousands of spectators sociation offi cials Fahad Nasser al-Naimi Desert Classic and the ‘Desert Swing’ then in a strong fi eld. the last few holes when you’re in gentle giant concluded. Gulf Times 2 Wednesday, January 25, 2017 GOLF

SPOTLIGHT Noren highest ranked player in CBQM fi eld By Sports Reporter strengths, and I can strategi- Doha cally work my way around them,” Noren said. “I just know my game Bjorn praises Qatar’s orld No. 10 Alex better, so I’m not going for Noren starts this low-percentage shots. I don’t Wweek’s Commercial really hit bad shots as often Bank Qatar Masters as the as I did before and overall field’s highest-ranked player, the bad shots are a lot better but the quiet Swede says than before, so that’s an- his approach to the game other key. It’s more relaxing has changed little since first to play when you don’t have growth as champions competing in Doha on an those really errant shots.” invitation in 2007. Noren’s best finishes at Noren, 34, won four the Commercial Bank Qatar European Tour titles in the Masters were fourth in 2013 second half of last year and ninth in 2015, and he to soar up to World No. 9 believes his increasingly and this week will play the low-risk approach suits the first two rounds at Doha Doha Golf Club layout and return for 20th CBQM Golf Club in a high-profile its conditions. group with four-time major “Since it’s so windy, it’s winner Ernie Els and Ryder important to hit the greens. ‘You come to Qatar now and it’s just amazing. It’s an amazing development Cup rookie sensation Rafa If you hit even a nine-iron Cabrera Bello. to 30 feet, it’s not that in such a short space of time. As a tournament, the weather’s so good, the Noren, however, doesn’t bad. When it’s really tough appear aff ected at all by his conditions, it’s even more rapid rise into golf’s top ranks important to be nice to your- facilities are nice, and everything here has just grown, grown and grown’ and hasn’t let his new top-10 self and don’t put too much status change his outlook. pressure on going for every “I really enjoy this tourna- pin,” he said. Former Commercial Bank Qatar Masters ment and I feel being the “So maybe, that’s why I champions Thomas Bjorn, Paul Lawrie, highest-ranked player is a have been successful in the , Robert Karlsson, Alvaro Quiros positive. It gives me a lot past to strategically work and Darren Fichardt pose for a special pho- of satisfaction, especially my way around this course. to call honouring the tournament’s 20th because I came here in 2007 You have a lot of birdie op- edition, at the Doha Golf Club yesterday. on a wildcard. I got an invite portunities and try to avoid and shot millions (77-74), so making bogeys. In windy it feels better coming here conditions, I think that’s this time,” joked Noren, who even more important,” the won the first of his eight Eu- Swede added. ropean Tour titles in 2009. Tommy Fleetwood leads “However, my expecta- the Race to Dubai Rankings tions are not dramatically after winning in Abu Dhabi diff erent from the last few last week and the English- years. I’m trying to just man will play the first two work on a daily basis with rounds with compatriot my caddie and my coach Graeme Storm, victorious and improve, and not try to in two weeks build up expectations. ago, and German star Martin “I just want to be realistic Kaymer, a two-time major about my game, instead champion and 11-time - of thinking I’m 10th in the pean Tour winner. world. One of my strengths Fleetwood, 26, tied sev- last year was that I don’t enth in Doha last year and put too much pressure on could build on that after six myself,” he added. top-10 finishes in his last 11 Noren finished third in the European Tour events, in- 2016 Race to Dubai Rank- cluding a tie for third at last ings after a sensational run month’s . of results starting with last “Winning in Abu Dhabi was July’s victory, a great way to start the year, but says the improvement very cool,” Fleetwood said. in his results was due more “I played well here last year. to a greater understanding I actually feel like this course of his game than any drastic suits me more than last changes. week. This one kind of fits “I don’t think I’m such a dif- my eye a little bit more. My ferent player. The skill level game shouldn’t have gone has not increased dramati- off too much, so we’ll just cally, but I’m more aware see how we go and hope- of my weaknesses and fully we’ll carry on.” By Sports Reporter a few years, so it was an interesting time to cause this run of events attracts a lot of top- Last week Bjørn tied for 23rd at the Abu Doha come,” said Bjørn, who won his fi rst Europe- class players and they just want to get their Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship and said an Tour title in 1996 and captured the Dubai season started. Top players look toward the he’s still maintaining his focus on his own Desert Classic in 2001. Masters and their preparation starts now. game, despite the increased time taken up yder Cup Thomas Bjørn “You come to Qatar now and it’s just When you have a venue like this, it’s such off the course by his Ryder Cup role. praised the growth of the Com- amazing. It’s an amazing development in a good asset for a tournament, because it’s “At the moment, I’m still focused on my mercial Bank Qatar Masters in its such a short space of time. As a tournament, such a good golf course. It asks a lot of ques- own golf. There are obviously a lot of things fi rst two decades after the big Dane the weather’s so good, the facilities are nice, tions and top players will always look at that. behind the scenes that need to be in place for joinedR a star-studded cast of former cham- and everything here has just grown, grown That’s why it sits well with top players and the Ryder Cup, but now the players need to pions for a special photo call honouring the and grown. has great champions.” go and play,” said Bjørn, who has been a Ry- tournament’s 20th edition. “This golf tournament now just sits so Bjørn believes the Commercial Bank Qatar der Cup vice-captain four times — in 2004, Bjørn, 45, competed in the fi rst Commer- well with the golf players and this whole Masters has played a huge role in Qatar be- 2010, 2012 and 2016. cial Bank Qatar Masters in 1998 and won the three-week Desert Swing blends together so coming a sporting hub for the region and a “At the moment, I don’t have any idea tournament in 2011, one of his 15 European well,” he added. proven organiser of world-class events. which 12 players are going to be anywhere Tour titles in his illustrious career that has Bjørn admitted he was delighted to fi nally “When you look back at the 20 years, it near that team, so I just want them to go and been further boosted by his appointment as win the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters in has been amazing. When we fi rst came here, play and try to win golf tournaments. the continent’s Ryder Cup Captain in 2018. 2011 — 13 years after his tournament debut — we would never have imagined that it would I know the 30 best players well enough Bjørn was joined at the photo call by two- and join an increasingly impressive roll call be hosting a FIFA World Cup in the future,” to know what they’re capable of and there time winner Paul Lawrie — who also com- of champions. Bjørn said. are obviously a few youngsters that you peted in 1998 — Chris Wood (2013), Robert Other winners include two-time winners “When we fi rst came here, we thought it keep a look out for, but I’m not getting into Karlsson (2010), Alvaro Quiros (2009) and Adam Scott and , major win- was so diff erent, but you could see the attrac- details yet. I’m focusing on my own game Darren Fichardt (2003), while four-time ma- ners and Retief Goosen, and tion and the potential, and we’ve watched and letting the other players enjoy their jor winner Ernie Els is another former winner Ryder Cup stalwart Sergio Garcia. how Qatar has put itself on the world map. golf. There’s a long way to go before 2018,” who has returned to compete this week. “It was great to fi nally win here. I always When they put events on, they do it so well. he added. “I remember the early editions of it in felt like this golf course should suit me really “It’s important for Qatar that they keep Ryder Cup veterans Martin Kaymer and the sense of coming here. Obviously it was well. I was working hard towards doing well producing these world-class events, putting Graeme McDowell are among the players so new and we didn’t know what to expect. here and I knew I could do well, but I never themselves on the map and showing how who have returned to Qatar to compete in Golf in the whole region was in its infancy as quite got it done until 2011,” Bjørn said. well they do them, especially in the lead-up this week’s Commercial Bank Qatar Masters, you’d only had the for “You have a great list of champions be- to the World Cup.” which tees off tomorrow.

FOCUS Woods hopes to shake off rust with busy calendar

AFP Palm Beach Gardens (February 23-26). just never played it well,” Woods said. “I of the best of all-time. “I am very ex- Los Angeles The Farmers Open will be Woods’ played here as a junior, an amateur and cited about getting the season started. fi rst full fi eld tournament since under- a professional. It is special place.” I miss playing and competing,” said going back surgery in 2015. Asked if he Last month, Tiger Woods played Woods, whose 14 major titles is second iger Woods said yesterday he is physically up to the task with all the golf with then-President-elect Don- to only Jack Nicklaus’ record of 18. is confi dent that his battered injuries he has endured the past several ald Trump at Trump International 41-year-old body can withstand years, Woods said: “That is a concern Golf Club in Florida. Woods described the rigours of playing in four golf but I am looking forward to it. I feel I am Trump as a big hitter and said the Injured McIlroy pulls out tournamentsT over the next fi ve weeks. strong enough to handle the workload. I 70-year-old was able to walk the entire of Dubai Desert Classic The 14-time major winner, who re- sat out long enough. I have been on the 18 holes with him. turned to golf in December at the Hero sidelines so long.” “For a person who is 70 he hits it Rory McIlroy has pulled out of next World Challenge following a 15-month Woods admitted that he once doubt- hard,” said Woods. “He keeps himself week’s Dubai Desert Classic with a rib injury layoff , has committed to a hectic ed whether he would ever return to golf. in pretty good shape. We walked all 18 injury, the event’s promoter said yes- schedule which will see him open his “There was a time when I didn’t know if holes and had a great time.” terday. “Obviously, we are disappoint- 2017 season at this week’s Farmers In- I could ever swing a golf club again and Asked if Trump could shoot a score ed, but we fully understand the situ- surance Open in San Diego. play with my kids,” he said. of under 80 at the Riviera course, ation. Our greatest concern is Rory’s “I have played one time in the last 18 The former world number one Woods paused, smiled and said, “Not health,” said Mohamed Juma Buamaim, months,” American Woods said during Woods may be far from his top form, today. It is too wet out there.” vice-chairman and CEO of ‘Golf in a news conference at the Riviera Coun- but he says he still has his sights set on In addition to fi nding his form, Woods Dubai’. The twice event champion suf- try Club in Los Angeles. “I just need to competing in the majors and his fi rst will be facing in 2017 a new crop of rising fered the injury earlier this month dur- get in some tournament golf. I am look- order of business is the Masters in April. young stars such as top ranked Aussie ing the fi rst round of the South African ing forward to it.” “I am hoping to get everything right so I , Japanese ace Hideki Mat- Open. Although the Northern Irishman After the Farmers at the Torrey Pines can play,” he said. “I am thinking about suyama, four-time major winner Rory completed that tournament, fi nishing course, Woods will fl y off to United it (Masters) now.” to pro golf there.” His last PGA title was at the 2013 WGC McIlroy, eight-time PGA Tour winner second, a subsequent scan revealed a Arab Emirates for the Dubai Desert Woods has won the PGA Tour’s Tor- Woods last won a major title at the event in Akron, Ohio. Jordan Spieth and the hottest player on rib stress fracture and he missed last Classic from February 2-5, followed by rey Pines tournament seven times in 2008 US Open at Torrey Pines by beat- When he tees it up at historic Riviera the Tour Justin Thomas, who has won week’s Abu Dhabi Championship. The the Genesis Open at Riviera on Febru- 1999, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, ing Rocco Mediate in an epic 19-hole in just over three weeks it will be his fi rst three tournaments so far this season. Dubai event, which begins on Feb 2, will ary 16-19. He then travels home to Flor- 2013. “It was the fi rst PGA tournament I playoff despite playing with a gimpy appearance in the event in 11 years. “I Woods says he hasn’t lost the fi re and feature Tiger Woods as the American ida to take part in the Honda Classic in went to,” Woods said. “So I got exposed left knee that later required surgery. have always loved playing this course. I passion for the game that made him one continues his comeback from injury. Gulf Times Wednesday, January 25, 2017 3 FOOTBALL

LEAGUE CUP INJURY Mason making ‘excellent progress’ Reds seek home aft er skull fracture, says Hull City

AFP with our medical team to assess London his progress.” comfort in semis Hull said they would only re- lease more information when ull City midfi elder Ryan there are changes to Mason’s Mason is making “ex- condition, adding: “We also ask cellent progress” after that people respect Ryan and fracturing his skull but his family’s privacy whilst he re- Hwill remain under close obser- mains in hospital.” vation in hospital, the Premier Hull announced Monday that clash against Saints League club said yesterday. Mason was conscious and able to The 25-year-old suff ered seri- speak following a visit by captain ous injury when he accidentally Michael Dawson and club offi cials. ‘We are not happy about the last results. They are not good enough. That’s defending clashed heads with Chelsea’s Chelsea representatives — in- Gary Cahill in the 14th minute cluding Cahill and Blues captain I’m talking about. Everybody’s responsible for everything. We really have to do better’ of the 2-0 loss at the Premier John Terry — visited him hours League leaders on Sunday. after Sunday’s match. AFP Mason was rushed to the near- Following the collision be- Liverpool by St Mary’s Hospital in west tween Cahill and Mason, medi- London and underwent surgery. cal staff from both clubs sprinted “The club can confi rm that out to attend to the two players, iverpool’s formidable home Ryan Mason continues to make with referee Neil Swarbrick halt- record was meant to provide the excellent progress after sustain- ing play for close to 10 minutes platform for a tilt at three tro- ing a skull fracture in Sunday’s as they each received on-fi eld phies this season — but Satur- game against Chelsea,” said a treatment. Lday’s surprise 3-2 defeat Hull statement. Central defender Cahill re- by Swansea spoiled that idea. “He will continue to be closely turned to his feet and scored If Jurgen Klopp’s team are to overcome monitored by staff at St Mary’s Chelsea’s second goal, a header, Southampton at Anfi eld in the second Hospital over the next few days, but Mason left the fi eld on a leg of a League Cup semi-fi nal today and whilst also remaining in contact stretcher while receiving oxygen. reach Wembley, their defending will have to improve signifi cantly. The shock of suff ering their fi rst de- SECOND CHANCE feat at Anfi eld in almost 12 months is still being felt by the club’s supporters, with a run of just two points won from the last nine available damaging Liverpool’s Coach Bilic predicts chances of landing a fi rst English league title since 1990. But for the next few days the Mersey- bright future for siders’ focus will be on cup football. The visit of Premier League rivals Southampton — who lead 1-0 from the fi t-again Carroll fi rst leg courtesy of Nathan Redmond’s goal — will be followed by a home match Reuters best football now. against second-tier Wolves in the FA Cup London “He is 100 percent fi t now. He fourth round on Saturday. has been training for a couple of Klopp expects success in both ties; he months, and there is no reason also expects much better defending from est Ham United to think the best period of his a team who have conceded six goals in striker Andy Car- career won’t come now.” their last three league matches. roll is poised to en- Carroll, who has been in un- “We are not happy about the last re- ter the best stretch stoppable form in recent weeks, sults,” said the Liverpool manager. “They Wof his career if he can stay fi t, ac- scored twice in Saturday’s 3-1 are obviously not good enough. cording to manager Slaven Bilic. league win at Middlesbrough, “But I understand football in a dif- Carroll’s career has been and Bilic praised the striker’s ferent way. The fi nal mistake in a game, plagued by injury problems and ability to dominate defences sometimes it’s the goalkeeper, some- the 28-year-old missed more with his aerial prowess. times it’s the defender, sometimes it’s than four months of the cur- “When I was playing at centre somebody else, but most of the time, rent season, from mid-August back I always felt it was up to me there are seven or eight players involved,” to December, with West Ham rather than down to the centre the German boss added. winning just three of 12 league forward when the ball comes in,” “That’s the defending I’m talking File picture of games in that period. added the manager, whose own about. Everybody’s responsible for eve- Liverpool manager Since his return to the team on playing career included spells at rything. We really have to do better.” Jurgen Klopp Dec. 3, West Ham have won fi ve West Ham and Everton. Centre-back Joel Matip, a late substi- of 10 in the league and drawn “With Andy it’s diff erent, tute against Swansea, is in line for a start one, with Carroll’s contribution whoever plays centre back it’s since December 11. four straight league defeats with a 3-0 said Southampton manager Puel. Mason, who accidentally clashed of fi ve goals helping them move more up to Andy. It’s unbeliev- An ankle injury was followed by an win over champions Leicester City last “It’s not serious, but I don’t know if he heads with Chelsea defender Gary Cahill, away from the relegation zone able. extraordinary eligibility row with FIFA weekend. can participate in this game,” the French- was subsequently operated on in hospital and up to 10th in the table. “Now he looks fi t, he’s train- as the world governing body pondered “It’s obviously a massive game for the man added. “We will see in the next days but Hull said Monday he had talked to “He is at a great age, he is ing. Of course we are managing whether he should be barred from play- club and we have to make sure that we’re before the game.” visitors following his surgery. happy, he’s smiling, he’s settled him, but we are not nursing him ing for his club during the Africa Cup ready,” said Southampton midfi elder Liverpool’s bitter rivals Manchester down,” Bilic told West Ham’s like maybe before. He is training of Nations after refusing to appear for James Ward-Prowse. “We all spoke about United appear to have one foot in the fi - LEAGUE CUP SEMI-FINAL website (www.whufc.com). as much as possible, without go- Cameroon at the tournament, which how we want to play at Wembley and en- nal already. 2ND LEG FIXTURES “He’s happy with us and ing over the line. runs until February 5. joy that, so we’ve got to make sure that United travel to Hull’s KCOM Stadium Today there’s no reason why he For me it’s the only way to stay With FIFA ruling Matip can play for we get there now.” on Thursday with a 2-0 lead after Juan At Anfield (2000 GMT) shouldn’t enter fi ve years of his fi t, by training.” Liverpool, losing fi nalists in last season’s Southampton’s preparations haven’t Mata and Marouane Fellaini scored in the Liverpool (0) v Southampton (1) (Red- League Cup fi nal after being beaten in a been helped by an injury to Virgil Van fi rst leg at Old Traff ord. mond 20) penalty shoot-out by Manchester City, Dijk, the centre-back installed as team Relegation-threatened Hull saw their OPINION he can now compete for a starting spot captain following the departure of Jose preparations overshadowed by the frac- Tomorrow with Dejan Lovren and Ragnar Klavan. Fonte to West Ham. tured skull suff ered by midfi elder Ryan At the KCOM Stadium (1945 GMT) Southampton head to Anfi eld with re- “Van Dijk is having a scan and I am Mason in a 2-0 loss to Premier League Hull (0) v Manchester United (2) (Mata 56, newed confi dence, having ended a run of waiting for the results at the moment,” leaders Chelsea on Sunday. Fellaini 87) City’s Toure criticises

BOTTOMLINE footballers who swap top leagues Southampton, United hope to for cash Reuters “Do you play football London because you love football or do you play because you want to make money? Me, capitalise on lead advantage Manchester City midfi elder I just want to play football Yaya Toure has criticised fellow because I enjoy it,” he told DPA in his pre-match news confer- Hull Daily Mail. footballers who have traded Eu- British media London ence. “We have to ease ourselves rope for China, saying he would “It’s not serious, but I don’t into the game and take our prefer to follow Manchester ic. He’s 35 and he’s going to play for know if he can participate in this chances when they come along. United forward Zlatan Ibrahi- maybe three more years? He’s got outhampton and Man- game. We will see in the next At 2-1, you never know. But the movic’s example and stay in a the same mentality as me. He’s a chester United have the days before the game.” onus is on us to cause Manches- competitive league. big player, a champion who loves upper hand going into Record eight-time winners ter United problems.” Chinese Super League clubs football. It’s football fi rst. Any- the second legs of this Liverpool will be counting on Hull must also overcome the have made a number of high- thing after that is a bonus.” week’sS League Cup semi-fi nals. home support as they try to set- shock loss of midfi elder Ryan profi le recent signings recently, Toure, who is out of contract Southampton take a slim 1-0 tle a wobble. Mason, who is conscious and with Shanghai SIPG buying Bra- in June, was frozen out of City’s lead into their match at Liver- The Reds have won just once alert in a London hospital af- zil midfi elder Oscar from Chel- squad earlier this season follow- pool today while United travel to of their past fi ve matches over- ter fracturing his skull against sea for 60 million ($64.46 ing a spat between the manager Hull City tomorrow up 2-0. all including a 3-2 league loss to Chelsea on Sunday. million). Pep Guardiola and the player’s Southampton are 90 minutes Swansea on Saturday. United, meanwhile, are un- Their rivals Shanghai Shenhua agent, but returned to the team away from their fi rst fi nal in “We are responsible for our beaten in 17 overall. signed Argentine striker Carlos in November after making a pub- the tournament since 1979 and situation,” manager Juergen And after becoming the club’s Tevez for a reported 84 million lic apology. James Ward-Prowse knows they Klopp said. record goal scorer on the week- euros, but Toure said money was He has featured regularly ever must do all they can to fi nish the “It’s our job to bring every- end, captain is not everything to him. since, but there is no offi cial job and get to . body back on track. now eyeing their fi rst trip to the “Do you play football because word yet on whether he will be “It’s going to be a great night,” “I expect again, because it’s a fi nal in seven years. you love football or do you play off ered a new contract at City. he said on Southampton’s web- night game at Anfi eld, an out- “I think the next thing is the because you want to make mon- His agent revealed last week site. “It’s obviously a massive standing performance from the League Cup, we want to win ey? Me, I just want to play foot- that he had turned down a game for the club and we have to crowd would be an unbelievable it,” Rooney, who broke Bobby ball because I enjoy it,” he told 520,000 pounds ($648,900) a make sure that we’re ready. File picture of Southampton’s James Ward-Prowse celebrating after help.” Charlton’s goals mark on Satur- British media. week off er to play in China. “We all spoke about how we scoring against Leicester City during their EPL match. Hull face the daunting task of day, said on United’s homepage. “Some people have the men- “I want to play in Europe, es- want to play at Wembley and overturning a two-goal defi cit to “Every trophy is great to win tality that they want to do that pecially in England. I want to enjoy that, so we’ve got to make Crystal Palace, Sunderland and defence in Virgil van Dijk, who reach their fi rst fi nal in the com- in football and it’s obviously the (go to China) – to try something continue doing that for a few sure that we get there now.” Arsenal. suff ered an ankle injury at the petition. next one we can win so that’s the different. But for me, my feel- years yet. I always say that if I The Saints are looking to take They’ve yet to concede in the weekend. “Whether it was 0-0 [or not], focus, certainly on Thursday.” ing is that I want to play more went to China I would end up out their fourth straight Premier competition but could be with- “It was a good kick on his an- this would still be a tough game,” The League Cup fi nal will be football. feeling angry there,” the 33-year- League opponent after defeating out a key component of their kle,” manager said defender told the played on February 26. “Look at my friend Ibrahimov- old added. Gulf Times 4 Wednesday, January 25, 2017 FOOTBALL

SPOTLIGHT ANALYSIS Impatient Chinese owners chase glory Injury-hit Real at all costs

AFP football when his 5,000-1 shots Beijing won the Premier League last year. According to Peter Kenyon, former chief executive of Man- uropean clubs Inter Mi- chester United and Chelsea, wait on Ronaldo lan, Aston Villa and So- “The smart people understand chaux have had a high it’s not about acquisition, it’s... turnover of managers what you do with it (afterwards). sinceE Chinese takeovers, spark- “I think we are going to see ing fears that their trigger-happy good purchasers and bad pur- new owners have little patience chasers but the ones that I’ve and no strategy. been involved with are long- “Many buyouts are irrational term, they’ve got a strategy,” said for Cup comeback and defy the laws of the market,” Kenyon, who now advises on Zhou Jiming, a football analyst football business deals. and director at the offi cial China Some Chinese owners have ‘It is something that has bothered him until now, but he is fine. It is just a knock’ Sports Journal, told AFP. proven to be patient: West Brom- “The majority of investors lack wich Albion, bought in Septem- patience,” he said. ber by entrepreneur Guochuan That certainly appears to be Lai, retained its manager, as did the case with Aston Villa, cur- French side Auxerre, currently rently under their third manager, one place off the foot of French after a takeover by Chinese busi- second division, following a nessman Tony Xia last June. takeover by China’s ORG Pack- Xia spent 38 million euros aging in October. ($40 million) to hire Roberto Di “The smart ones... want to Matteo as manager, hoping the have a say, but understand it’s 2012 Champions League winner not about them picking the would be able to lift Villa’s fl ag- team. It’s a serious investment”, ging fortunes. said Kenyon, who has worked But Di Matteo was sacked just on some Chinese acquisitions, 11 games later and replaced by including the Wanda Group’s . purchase of a 20 percent stake in Meanwhile Inter Milan, who Atletico Madrid in 2015. are owned by Chinese electron- That level of seriousness has ics retailer Suning, in November been the case with Chinese fund named Stefano Pioli as their third IDG Capital Partners which ac- manager in just four months, in quired a 20 percent stake in the a desperate bid to restore their French club Olympique Lyonnais reputation. (OL) as part of a “long-term” in- Their struggles prompted Chie- vestment, according to the fi rm. vo president Luca Campedelli to question Suning’s commitment to GLOBAL GOAL football, mocking the Chinese ac- OL president Jean-Michel Aulas cent and saying it was “not enough said IDG carried out “a real in- just to pay wages”. vestigation” before arriving at a Even as China’s willingness decision and has since put “no to splash out on foreign tal- pressure” on the club’s recruit- ent has drawn top managers ment of Chinese players. such as Manuel Pellegrini (He- “We have never imagined con- bei Fortune), Andre Villas-Boas trolling Lyon. We are not good, (Shanghai SIPG) and Sven Goran not competent to manage a foot- Eriksson (Shenzhen FC) to the ball club,” said Li Jianguang, who country, many have not made it led the operation at IDG. past a few months. Chinese President Xi Jinping, Eriksson was ousted from a football fan, wants the coun- Shanghai SIPG despite leading try to host and win a World Cup, them to a third-place fi nish in a target which has prompted a the 2016 Chinese Super League, fl ood of money into top-fl ight Fabio Cannavaro was dismissed teams as well as heavy invest- from Guangzhou Evergrande ment and promotion of the sport just six months into the job while nationally. Jean Tigana fared even worse at Chinese Super League clubs, Shanghai Shenhua, sacked after encouraged by the government’s only fi ve games in charge in 2012. vision of turning China into a File picture of Real Madrid’s football superpower by 2050, Cristiano Ronaldo LEICESTER LESSON have broken the Asian transfer Chinese investors in football record fi ve times in less than a would do well to look at Vi- year, with Shanghai SIPG pay- chai Srivaddhanaprabha, the ing 60 million euros to lure Oscar AFP After a glorious 2016 for club and “Throughout the season players will into their second leg at the Camp Nou to- Thai president of Leicester City, from Chelsea. Madrid country, Ronaldo has endured a frustrat- get injured and now we have to continue morrow. reigning English Premier League The push to buy European ing start to the new year. with those that are ready. The Catalans have also been affl icted champion, for pointers, said an- clubs is part of a larger drive to The Portuguese has scored just once “It is a diffi cult, but great game to play. by injury with Sergio Busquets set to miss alyst Zhou. secure China’s place in the glo- eal Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane from open play and was even jeered by Now and again we also like to come from the next few weeks due to ankle ligament “He has done a lot of substan- bal football arena, a quest with hopes Cristiano Ronaldo will sections of the Santiago Bernabeu crowd behind in these types of games.” damage. tive, solid basic work, and the heavy political overtones. shrug off a foot problem in time on Saturday. In contrast to Madrid’s ailing squad, Andres Iniesta and Rafi nha are also success has been there. Chinese “Sport gives you huge visibil- to lead the European champi- “We all want the same thing, which is to Celta should be well rested to spring an- doubtful, but Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez investors lack this kind of in- ity, so if it’s successful it refl ects ons’R bid to overcome a Copa del Rey defi - do our best to win things,” added Zidane. other surprise after coach Eduardo Ber- and Neymar are expected to start again volvement,” he said. well on them, and well on the cit at Celta Vigo today. “Whistles have always been heard in izzo made eight changes from the side up front after all three scored in Sunday’s The shopping magnate bought country,” Kenyon said. Zidane’s squad, down 2-1 from the this stadium and others, and that isn’t that won at the Bernabeu last week for 4-0 rout at Eibar. the club in 2010, overseeing the “If it’s not successful it refl ects quarter-fi nal fi rst leg at home, has been going to change. The only thing I will say Sunday’s 1-0 defeat to Real Sociedad. Sociedad may also have their La Liga greatest rags to riches story in really badly.” hit by a series of injuries with Marcelo is that we need the fans on our side.” “The game on Wednesday has a real visit to the Bernabeu on Sunday in mind and Luka Modric joining , Zidane admitted his annoyance at the importance,” said Berizzo. as they chase Champions League foot- James Rodriguez, Dani Carvajal and Pepe crowd’s reaction and the number of inju- “It is a game of life or death and to pre- ball. IN SUPPORT on the sidelines after limping off in Sat- ries that have blighted Madrid through- pare for that game it is necessary to hand Atletico Madrid have the healthiest urday’s 2-1 win over Malaga. out the season, despite tasting defeat for a rest to those that have accumulated lead of all as they carry a 3-0 advantage Ronaldo also suff ered a blow to his the fi rst time in the campaign just nine many matches.” into their second leg at Eibar today. right foot at the weekend, but Zidane ex- days ago at Sevilla. coach opens pects the World Player of the Year to fea- However, the Frenchman challenged BARCA IN COMMAND FIXTURES (ALL TIMES GMT) ture as Real aim to keep their quest for a the less heralded members of the Ma- The other three quarter-fi nal ties to be Today fi rst ever treble on course in Galicia. drid squad to take their chance to shine at completed this week look far more pre- Eibar v Atletico Madrid (1815), Celta Vigo door to Balotelli return “It is something that has bothered Celta Vigo. dictable. v Real Madrid (2015) him until now, but he is fi ne. It is just a “It does annoy me that some players Barcelona ended a 10-year wait for a AFP knock,” said Zidane yesterday. are out, but we can’t do anything about victory away at Sociedad thanks to Ney- Tomorrow Milan “He will be with us tomorrow.” it,” he said. mar’s penalty last week to carry a 1-0 lead Barcelona v Real Sociedad (2015)

taly coach Gian Piero Ventu- LA LIGA ra plans talks with Mario Ba- lotelli, paving the way for the striker to put his troubled Ipast behind him and rejoin the squad for World Cup qualifying. The 26-year-old Balotelli has not played for Italy since the ill- ‘Sevilla title challenge a reality’ fated 2014 World Cup campaign Reuters coach said he was deadly serious European soccer last year to in , where the four-time File picture of Nice’s Italian Barcelona about the title tilt. succeed Emery, who had been champions exited at the fi rst forward Mario Balotelli. “We’re not being deluded, it’s head-hunted by Paris St Ger- hurdle for the second successive a reality, we’re going to fi ght for main after leading Sevilla to an edition. chants at the Corsicans’ ground evilla have serious aspi- the title. We may not have the unprecedented three Europa But following his disastrous last week. rations to win La Liga for strength in the end and we may League triumphs in a row. stint at Liverpool and an inef- Born in Palermo to Ghanaian the fi rst time since 1946 not be capable of doing it but “He told us that winning three fective loan spell at AC Milan, immigrants before being adopted after gate-crashing the we’re going to fi ght for it,” Sam- Europa Leagues was good but Balotelli has revived his fl agging by the Balotelli family, the for- usualS two-horse race between paoli told radio station Onda Cero. we had to aspire for more and he career at French side Nice, hit- ward’s career has been blighted Real Madrid and Barcelona, “Our hope is to take an extra wanted to do even better than ting eight league goals. by controversy. their coach Jorge Sampaoli said step forward. We have managed that here,” club President Jose “I think no one doubts Balo- But he has also suff ered racist yesterday. to instill an idea of play which Castro said. telli the player, his qualities are abuse and in April 2015 British Sevilla are second in the the players like and enjoy, the “He gave us a real sense of indisputable. He was sidelined anti-discrimination body Kick standings, one point ahead of idea of playing the same way hope, he told us we had to aspire due to other, behavioural fac- It Out said he had received more champions Barca and one be- against every team, always tak- for the top spots in the league tors,” Ventura told the Tiki Taka than 4,000 racist messages via hind Real Madrid, who they beat ing the initiative, and our aim is and said we had all the tools to television programme. social media during the 2014-15 this month to become the fi rst to be even stronger in the second achieve that. And that’s what’s “He has to resolve these prob- season. team to topple Zinedine Zidane’s half of the season.” happening right now.” lems by himself. Sometime in the Italy are tied with at side since last April. Sampaoli had no playing ca- Atletico Madrid were the last future I will be going to watch a the top of their 2018 World Cup Real have a game in hand on reer and earned his reputation team to break Real Madrid and couple of Mario’s games and I qualifying group after winning both their title rivals. as a coach in Peru, Ecuador and Barcelona’s stranglehold on La will speak with him. three and drawing one of their Argentine Sampaoli has Sevilla’s players celebrate after their team’s scoring the third goal Chile before taking charge of Liga when they won the title in “Not to fi x his problems, but to fi rst four games. proved a roaring success at Se- during the Spanish league match against CA Osasuna. the Chile national team in 2012, 2014. discuss them with him.” They host Albania on March 24 villa since taking over from tri- leading them to the Copa Amer- The last team before them to Balotelli is currently em- and are expected to fi ght for top ple Europa League winner Unai his team’s title hopes. fi rst half of a season following ica, their fi rst major trophy, in win the league outside Spain’s broiled in a dispute with Ligue spot, which off ers direct qualifi - Emery last year although up to But after securing their big- Sunday’s 3-2 win at Osasuna, a 2015. two most successful clubs were 1 club Bastia after claiming to cation for Russia, when they play now he has been cautious about gest ever points total in the fi fth straight league victory, the He took his fi rst foray into Valencia in 2004. have been subjected to monkey Spain away on September 2. Gulf Times Wednesday, January 25, 2017 5 FOOTBALL

AFRICA CUP OF NATIONS CONSEQUENCE Algeria coach quits aft er Nations Cup exit Tunisia advance Reuters tournament favourites but were Port Gentil, Gabon held in their opening game by outsiders Zimbabwe and lost to neighbours Tunisia. lgeria’s George Leekens It was the second spell in became the fi rst coach- charge of the Algerian team for ing casualty of the Af- the 67-year-old who has also rican Nations Cup, re- coached the national sides of as favoured signingA yesterday after his team Belgium and Tunisia. were eliminated less than three He took the job on Oct. 27, days months after taking the job. after being fi red by Belgian club “Given the pressure exerted on Lokeren. the federation and the national Leekens’ availability coincided team, I prefer to stop my con- with Algeria’s search for a coach tract. For the good of all, I pre- after axing Milovan Rajevac. fer to leave even if I do it with a The Serbian had been in the Algeria bow out sore heart while wishing all the job for 113 days before being fi red success in the world to the na- after Algeria began their World tional team,” said a statement on Cup qualifying campaign with a Tunisia trounced Zimbabwe 4-2 in Gabon to reach the Africa Cup of Nations the Algerian Football Federation home draw against Cameroon. website (www.faf.dz). The North African country quarter-finals as star-stacked Algeria were eliminated after the first round Algeria failed to win a game in have now been through four Group A, fi nishing with a 2-2 draw coaches since they reached the against Senegal in Franceville on knockout phase of the last World Monday for only a second point Cup in Brazil in 2014. from three matches. Algeria do not have a competi- They had been among the pre- tive match until June.

SCOTTISH PERMIERSHIP Celtic on verge of creating history

AFP Glasgow

eltic stand on the verge of reaching a historic mile- stone when they return to league action today. CThe runaway league leaders have been in cold storage for the past three weeks as the Scot- tish Premiership took a winter break but took a step closer to a domestic treble on Sunday with a 3-0 defeat of Albion Rovers in the Scottish Cup. personal landmark with the That result means the Hoops midfi elder set to make his 400th could now equal a club record appearance for the Hoops. run of 26 domestic games un- Brown joined Celtic from Hibs beaten at the start of a season in 2007 and Rodgers was full of with a draw or a win against St praise for the 31-year-old’s con- Johnstone today. tribution to the club. That record was set by the “It’s a remarkable achieve- legendary Lisbon Lions side ment by a top-class profes- managed by Jock Stein, who be- sional,” he said. “I didn’t know came the fi rst British club to lift that’s what it was but to play the European Cup in 1967, and that number of games at a club present day manager Brendan this size, your professionalism, Algeria’s defender Aissa Mandi (R) heads the ball with Senegal’s forward Moussa Sow (2nd-R) during the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations group B match. Rodgers admitted it was a hon- enthusiasm, energy for the game our for the current crop to be and commitment to being a top AFP of the Year Riyad Mahrez, Slimani and six countries in contention. Tunisia scored four goals in a Cup of mentioned alongside them. professional has to be there. Libreville Yacine Brahimi. All the Group C teams — Democratic Nations match for the fourth time as they “To be talked of in the same “I’ve said it on many occas- Pre-tournament fears about the de- Republic of Congo, , defending ripped the Zimbabwe defence to shreds breath as guys who created the sions since I’ve walked in the fence proved well founded, however, as champions Ivory Coast and Togo — can during a fi rst-half goal fest which ended legend of this club would obvi- door here. My impressions of unisia trounced Zimbabwe 4-2 in they conceded two goals in each group advance to the knockout phase. with the winners 4-1 ahead. ously be a huge privilege,” Rodg- him were very positive. He’s a Gabon Monday to reach the Af- game. In Group D, either record seven-time The tempo inevitably slowed after ers said. remarkable leader. rica Cup of Nations quarter-fi - Senegal, breaking a pre-match prom- champions or Mali will accompany half-time with both teams playing for the “I haven’t really thought on it, “They take a great lead from nals as star-stacked Algeria were ise of coach Aliou Cisse that he would Ghana to the quarter-fi nals. third time in nine days and Ndoro scored to be honest, I just try to look to him, the players in the changing Teliminated after the fi rst round. fi eld a full-strength side, equalised fi rst Henryk Kasperczak coached Tunisia to the lone second-half goal. win our games, irrespective of room. He’s at the very front from Naim Sliti, , Taha Yas- through Papa Diop and Moussa Sow. the 1996 fi nal during a previous spell in Algeria coach took what the consequences of that the fi rst steps we make on to the sine Khenessi and scored Assured of fi nishing fi rst before the last charge and was thrilled with the victory some consolation from the early exit as means. training fi eld. in Libreville as the Tunisian Carthage mini-league matches, Senegal topped over Zimbabwe. Algeria continued to underperform at the “But, of course, anywhere “The warm-up, right from the became the fi rst side at the 2017 fi nals to the Group B standings with seven points “We regained possession well during Cup of Nations since a lone title when you’re mentioned in that same start he sets an incredible exam- score four goals in a match. followed by Tunisia (six), Algeria (two) the fi rst half and created scoring chanc- 1990 hosts. breath as those guys, it gives a ple in his performance level and I Algeria drew 2-2 with a virtual Senegal and Zimbabwe (one). es,” said the Poland-born handler. “I had warned that Senegal were one of great privilege but we have a lot think he’ll go on and make a raft ‘B’ side in Franceville at the same time Senegal stay in southeastern Gabon to “It was a satisfactory performance and the big favourites and we showed that we of hard work to do and St John- of more appearances. with star striker Islam Slimani fi nally face Cameroon Saturday three hours af- I congratulate my players. Now we face could respond in diffi cult circumstances, stone will be a tough test for us. “He shows a great example to fi nding form to bag a brace. ter Burkina Faso and Tunisia meet in the Burkina Faso, a quality team with good which is important for the future,” he said. “They’ve done very well with the players and he’s been playing This was the second 2-2 draw for the fi rst quarter-fi nal in Libreville. technique and attacking combinations.” “Overall it is a disappointment, but we Tommy and particularly away at the top of his game this sea- Algerian Desert Foxes after a similar re- Cameroon beat Senegal on penalties in Zimbabwe coach Callisto Pasuwa said: need to use this to grow in the future,” he from home they’ve done well, son, so 400 will be great for him sult against Zimbabwe, and a 2-1 loss to the 2002 fi nal in Mali and hosts Burkina “We lost the match in the early stages due added as Algeria are left to focus on trying so we know it will be a good test but I feel there’s more to come as neighbours Tunisia in between proved Faso also won on penalties when they to a lack of concentration. to qualify for the 2018 World Cup in Russia. of our qualities but it’s another well.” costly. met Tunisia in a 1998 quarter-fi nal. “I think we have potential, but must “I am still sure of what I have to do. It game we’re looking forward to.” Many pundits had placed Algeria Ghana are also through to the last eight prepare better. A lesson from this tour- was not a gift for me to come here but we The match against St John- TODAY’S FIXTURES among the title favourites given the pres- and the other three quarter-fi nalists will nament is that players have to remain fo- will make it to Russia. I think my players stone should also see club cap- (1945 GMT) ence of stars like new African Footballer be decided Tuesday and Wednesday with cused throughout a game.” showed they could react.” tain Scott Brown reach his own Celtic v St Johnstone

BOTTOMLINE ‘Give Egyptians something to celebrate’

AFP tells AFP, just after a tropical downpour “Now modern football is always like “Everything is back again, foot- Port-Gentil, Gabon soaked Port-Gentil. attacking football, the full-backs al- ball is back again and it helps the “Not too many players have won it ways high, but he is a bit diff erent, a bit national team of course. before but we have some experience in old-school, but it helps us, suits us as a “To win the Cup again would be hmed Elmohamady knows this group that can help the team to go team,” Elmohamady says. very good for the country, for the what it takes to win the Africa through and win the Cup.” people who are waiting for some- Cup of Nations and the Hull The game in Egypt suff ered enor- PREMIER LEAGUE HOPES thing to celebrate in Egypt” City man is quietly confi dent mously after the 2011 uprising that Cuper’s record is sound and built thatA Egypt can go all the way again on toppled longtime ruler Hosni Mubarak around a miserly defence. think this time it is not that diffi cult to their long-awaited return to the tour- and as a result of the deadly Port Said Egypt have suff ered just three defeats win it so we have to just focus and con- nament. stadium disaster of 2012, after which since his appointment in March 2015. centrate on our games and enjoy the Elmohamady is only 29 but the fl ying domestic football was suspended. For Elmohamady, that improvement competition.” wing-back is a comparative veteran in a “The whole thing aff ected us, but it’s has been at his expense. Elmohamady is fully settled in Eng- young Egypt squad taken to Gabon by all gone now,” he says. A young fringe player in the 2008 land, where he arrived at Sunderland the wily Hector Cuper. “Everything is back again, football Cup of Nations win and a key element from side ENPPI in 2010, but left He is also one of only four survivors is back again and it helps the national of the 2010 side, he has not yet played Hull to join up with Egypt just when from the side that won a third consecu- team of course. in Gabon. Mike Phelan was sacked as manager. tive Cup of Nations in 2010 along with “To win the Cup again would be very Nevertheless, he is eager to help the Marco Silva has since come in and , Mohamed Abdel-Shafi good for the country, for the people country with their twin objective of Elmohamady is following events there and veteran goalkeeper . who are waiting for something to cel- impressing in Gabon and qualifying for from afar -- his meeting with AFP That was the last time they made it to ebrate in Egypt.” next year’s World Cup, something they came just before Hull’s Premier League Africa’s biggest stage. Egypt have failed to light up the have not done since 1990. clash with Chelsea on Sunday. But Egypt’s name alone garners re- tournament in their fi rst two games “All the fans in Egypt, their only one Hull lost 2-0 at the league leaders but spect in Africa and the presence of such but a 0-0 draw with Mali and a 1-0 win dream is to go to the World Cup,” Elmo- showed the kind of spirit they will need a quartet, he says, can help propel the against Uganda have them on the brink hamady says. to avoid relegation. team to a record eighth Cup of Nations. of the quarter-fi nals. “That is the main target but at the “Of course every time when the “The manager always says the one A draw in their last Group D game same point we are in the Africa Cup of manager gets sacked or leaves the club target is to win the Cup. Because in Af- against Ghana on Wednesday will see Nations now. it is disappointing for the players, but rica everyone knows how good Egypt them qualify and justify the cautious “I remember from being here in 2008 hopefully Marco Silva can settle quick is, how good we were before when we approach taken by veteran Argentine and 2010 — it was very, very hard be- and we can stay in the Premier League,” were winning the Cup,” Elmohamady Egypt’s takes part in a training session. coach Cuper. fore. Some big, big teams played and I he says. Gulf Times 6 Wednesday, January 25, 2017 SPORT

SPOTLIGHT Hot shot Warner Reborn Mills’ T20 happy to rest for tough test

AFP ready for those conditions. It’s vision a glimpse not the it’s not the oppo- Sydney sition, the conditions. You’ve got the heat. Players that have been ustralia’s player of the in India know how hard it is just year David Warner has to overcome that let alone the welcomed a rest be- cricket itself. You’ve got to ac- fore touring India next climatise.” into modern cricket monthA saying it’s tough prepar- Warner smashed consecu- ing for sub-continental condi- tive hundreds against Pakistan tions. Warner, who won back- in Melbourne and Sydney where After an injury scare made a T20 career the perfect move, fast bowler Tymal Mills to-back Allan Border medals on he also blasted the fastest Aus- Monday night, has been excused tralian Test half-century off just is back in the England setup via Asia, and plenty in between from the three one-day games in 23 balls. Top-ranked India play New Zealand starting next week the fi rst Test against Australia at By Barney Ronay in Kanpur, India after a hectic southern summer. Pune from February 23. The Guardian “We’re running ragged in the outfi eld we’re giving everything NEW ZEALAND WANT we can, and I’ve run as hard as I RUN-OUT REVIEW AFTER week ago Tymal Mills was in can for every ball,” the 30-year- ODD DISMISSAL Melbourne with the Heat bowl- old said after the medal ceremo- New Zealand coach Mike Hesson ing to . Three ny. “So that does take its toll,” the has called for a review of run- weeks ago he was in Auckland opening batsman added. out rules following the bizarre withA the Aces trying to sneak one past Warner said he would fl y out dismissal of Neil Wagner in the Mahela Jayawardene. Two months ago he on February 5, “So I’ve got a bit of second Test against Bangladesh. was in Chittagong with the Vikings pin- time at home which is great. I’m Wagner grounded his bat be- ning Kumar Sangakkara in front. Yester- grateful that you know Cricket fore the ball hit the but day morning he was in Kanpur with Eng- Australia allowing me to get over was given out because he had no land at the Green Park stadium some little niggles and having a part of his body nor bat on the some hostile stuff in a sporty-looking net little bit of rest at home to get me ground when the bails came off . to , Jos Buttler and Sam Billings ready for India and there’s no ex- In the fraction of a second it took before the fi rst international cuses there.” for the bails to be dislodged he against India tomorrow. Australia has won Test and was mid-stride with both feet in Mills is the most defi nitively modern one-day series against Pakistan the air and had lifted the bat off English international cricketer to have after losses to South Africa and the ground. “It seems a little bit emerged. He is essentially a freelancer a tough tour of Sri Lanka and unfair,” Hesson said yesterday, who has been sharpened to a fi ne point Warner admitted to feeling the although the decision did not by a career, and indeed health, threaten- strain. impact on the outcome of the ing injury, from which he has rebuilt his “I felt probably the fi rst two game as New Zealand went on to game and his life. Retired from fi rst-class especially one-dayers this series win by nine wickets. cricket aged 22, the quickest bowler in with Pakistan, I’ve felt quite, not The New Zealand argument England has dedicated himself instead lazy, but my feet weren’t mov- was that if the bat touching the to surfi ng the currents of the global ing,” he said. “Sometimes they ground behind the line completes T20 franchise circuit, a very charming, don’t move at all, but they were a single if the batsmen turn for watchable, hugely talented gun for hire. just quite fatigued.” another run, then it should also It is less than two years since Mills Australia face Pakistan in Ad- complete the single if it is the end was diagnosed with a rare spinal condi- elaide in their fi nal one-dayer to- of the scoring movement. tion that restricted his ability to bowl, but morrow having already wrapped “When your bat bounces over which with constant work allows him to up the series 3-1. With a need the line, once you’ve made your send down a four-over spell. In extreme to get on the front foot batting ground, that’s not really what pain after his last fi rst-class game for in India, Warner said he could the run-out’s all about,” Hesson Sussex against Worcestershire in April look forward to training after said. “I personally think it (the 2015 Mills had feared even worse, taking the break. “We are going to be rule) needs a bit of tinkering.” tests for a whole range of genuinely se- working our backsides off physi- The second Test win in rious conditions. Instead he has simply cally and mentally as well before Christchurch completed a tour reimagined what he might be able to do, we even think about playing the sweep of Bangladesh with New dedicating himself to the shortest form game of cricket (in India),” the Zealand claiming both Tests as and making a career as a kind of white- vice-captain said. “That’s what well as the three one-day inter- ball adventurer. Two days after the T20 gets you mentally tough and nationals and three . series ends in Bangalore, Mills will be for sale in the IPL auction, to which his name has just been added. “Hopefully this series will go well and I’ll get picked up,” he said. “I’m available for the whole tourna- England’s Tymal Mills bowls in a T20 international against Sri Lanka in Southampton last year. (AFP) ment whereas I know some guys are not. This series will either help or hinder my so hopefully that gives me an edge or at ing to come in hard. That’s why I’ve been mously clattered Chris Gayle’s stumps reputation.” least accelerates my development.” selected. I’ve got a point of diff erence be- with a 93mph yorker in a televised T20 All being well he seems likely to take Mills was quick to staunch any sugges- ing left-arm and being able to bowl fast.” match at Hove. A month after that he the white ball for England in Kanpur, not tion he might be available as a point of It is a refreshingly fearless attitude played for England for the fi rst time in a least with David Willey out of the fi rst high-speed variation in the 50-over team, from a man whose speed comes from an T20 International against Sri Lanka at the match. It is a chance to display the full pointing out that this simply wouldn’t explosive and the sheer power of Rose Bowl. range of extreme pace and hard-honed work given his inability to bowl a full set a wonderfully muscular frame. But then Like the rest of his colleagues here Mills skills – one slower-ball bouncer seemed of overs, not to mention the trials of fi eld- Mills has already had to deal with a lit- may get some familiarly brutal treatment to totally fl ummox Buttler in practice – ing at such intensity for so long. For now tle more than simply worrying about his on this short T20 tour. he has been able to work on as a purely he is simply focused on bowling as fast as run-up or his wrist position. The groundsman in Kanpur has prom- T20 player. he can whenever the chance comes. Three days after being told he had that ised a run feast and the boundaries are on “Everything I do is geared towards be- “I feel good at the moment, I think I rare congenital problem with his ver- the short side. Either way England’s most ing the best T20 player I can be whereas clocked 150kph a few times while I was tebrae he was picked to play for Sussex excitingly peripatetic cricketer is unlikely it’s tough for the other guys preparing for in the Big Bash, which was good,” Mills against Gloucestershire in a T20 Blast to be dissuaded from pressing his case on Test cricket and that’s completely diff er- said. “I’m always going to try and bowl match and ran in to bowl in what sounds a tour of India that could still end with a ent. Every ball I bowl is with the white quick. If I open the bowling and take the like something of a daze, unsure of how life-changing extended stay. ball. That’s where my attention is focused new ball in the powerplay I’m always go- his body would react. A year later he fa- Australian swashbuckling opener David Warner.

PACQUIAO SAYS ‘NOTHING ROUND-UP FINAL’ ON NEXT FIGHT Brignone wins Kronplatz giant slalom

Manila: WBO welterweight world champion AFP Manny Pacquiao said yesterday the details of Milan his next fight have yet to be determined, despite widespread reports he will face Australian Jeff Horn. Asked in an interview with ABS-CBN televi- taly’s Federica Brignone claimed her sion about a Horn fight, Pacquiao, said “not yet third World Cup win with victory in the done, the negotiation is not yet done”. Kronplatz giant slalom yesterday as she “We are still negotiating about that. Nothing is roared into form in front of her home Icountry crowd. The 26-year-old from Mi- really final, the date, who is the opponent. There are a lot of off ers from other countries.” lan clocked 2min 10.05sec over two legs on Pacquiao’s promoter, Bob Arum, has been arguably the toughest grand slalom course widely quoted in international media as saying of the World Cup circuit to fi nish 0.55sec that the 38-year-old Filipino dubbed “Pac-Man” ahead of Tessa Worley of , with Marta will get into the ring with Horn in April, possibly in Bassino of Italy third at 0.57sec. Switzer- Australia, but Pacquiao himself has not confirmed land’s Lara Gut and America’s Mikaela Shif- this. The Philippine boxing hero, who parlayed frin were fourth and fi fth at 0.76 and 1:09. his sporting fame into election to the influential Brignone, the 2011 World Championships Senate last year, also reiterated his willingness to silver medallist in the speciality, broke a se- fight mixed martial arts star Conor McGregor if his ries of poor performances with her fi rst win potential superfight with Floyd Mayweather fails of the season. She crashed out in three of her to materialise. last four World Cup races. “It could be possible if there is an intention to In the overall World Cup standings Shif- negotiate (for) the fight but definitely in boxing, frin leads by 130 points from Gut, the title not in an MMA fight,” he said. But the 1.69 metre holder, with Worley third. In giant slalom Sofia Goggia of Italy competes in the women’s Giant Slalom competition during the (5ft 6in)-tall Pacquiao also said he was not giving ranking, Worley leads from Shiff rin and Gut. FIS Alpine Skiing World Cup in Kronplatz (Plan de Corones), Italy, yesterday. (AFP) up his position as a playing coach in the Philip- pines’ highly-competitive professional basketball RUSSIA COULD MISS 2018 WINTER house in order, but IPC president Philip sian athletes from the Rio Games, the IPC league, despite criticism of his hardcourt perform- into singing and acting. The Filipino south- GAMES, SAYS IPC CHIEF Craven said he cannot guarantee the coun- opted for a blanket ban. Russian athletes ance and Senate duties. paw briefly retired from the ring after beating Russian athletes could remain banned try will be allowed to compete in South Ko- will be absent from this week’s IPC Para Al- Pacquiao, who plays for the Mahindra Flood- American Tim Bradley in Las Vegas in April but for next year’s Winter Paralympics in rea. “I don’t know and I don’t think many pine World Championships in, Italy, where buster team but who has missed practice because soon made a comeback, saying he still felt like a Pyeongchang, the president of the Inter- people do,” he told the BBC, in comments Craven was speaking, but he hopes they will of his other roles, said he was not giving up youngster. national Paralympic Committee (IPC) has published yesterday, when asked if Russian return to the fold before long. his place on the squad. “I just make sure that In his last fight in November, Pacquiao re- revealed. After a World Anti-doping Agency competitors would be allowed to return. “Russia is a great sporting nation and whatever I do outside does not aff ect my work in claimed the World Boxing Organization welter- (WADA) report unearthed evidence of state- “I’m not looking for someone to say sorry, without them being here, they are missed Senate,” he said. weight title for the third time with a unanimous- sponsored doping in Russian sport, the IPC but let’s get it fi xed.” in a sporting sense,” he said. “But we can’t Pacquiao has previously used his fame to earn decision victory over former champion Jessie banned the country from competing at last Whereas the International Olympic Com- have nations competing when their per- a fortune as a TV host and has even made forays Vargas in Las Vegas. year’s Paralympic Games in Rio de Janeiro. mittee allowed individual sports federations formances have been tarnished by what’s Russia has since made eff orts to get its to decide whether or not to suspend Rus- gone on before.” Gulf Times Wednesday, January 25, 2017 7 FORMULA ONE

SPOTLIGHT ‘Circus master’ Ecclestone’s exit marks end of an era for F1 For decades, Ecclestone has called the shots and made the deals that has transformed the sport into a $1bn enterprise

Reuters London Bernie Ecclestone, 86, had signalled the end of Bernie exit sets his near 40-year reign as ernie Ecclestone used to joke that head of Formula One in retirement would come on the comments to a German F1 on a new course day of his funeral but in the end it magazine earlier on was an American businessman in Monday. “I was dismissed London: Bernie Ecclestone’s streams. “Less than 1% of rev- aB suit who quietly ushered Formula One’s today,” Ecclestone told ousting as Formula One enues are from digital,” Maff ei 86-year-old ringmaster towards the exit. the magazine. “I no longer supremo will take the sport said in September after Liberty Formula One’s new US-based owner run the company. My in a diff erent, digital direction agreed to acquire the commer- Liberty Media on Monday completed its position has been taken under new American owners cial rights from CVC Capital takeover of the sport’s commercial rights by Chase Carey,” he said. Liberty Media but there is Parthers. “They really have no and with it ended one of the longest, most He said his new chairman much work to be done in the organised digital eff ort. I think colourful and controversial reigns in glo- emeritus role was “a kind months and years ahead. there’s a lot of things that can bal sport. of honourary president” “F1 has huge potential with be done around gaming, VR Chase Carey, the man with the twirly position, but added: “I multiple untapped opportuni- (virtual reality) and AR (aug- moustache who had been appointed have this title without ties,” said new chief executive mented reality). chairman in September, took the Briton’s knowing what it means.” Chase Carey after ending “There’s an enormous place as chief executive overseeing a new 86-year-old Ecclestone’s 40- amount of video feed and data management team that includes former year reign on Monday. “We will about the races that we are team principal Ross Brawn. On a land- work...to enhance the racing already capturing that we are mark day for fans and teams alike, some experience and add new di- not in any way processing in- of whom had come almost to believe that mensions to the sport and we crementally for the dedicated Ecclestone might defy the very laws of na- look forward to sharing these fan,” he added. ture and hang on forever after 40 years in plans over time.” Where Ecclestone was often charge, the news still came as a shock. Carey, appointed Formula at odds with the teams, adopt- Ecclestone was handed the title of One chairman in September af- ing a divide and rule approach, ‘Chairman Emeritus’, a newly-created po- ter serving as vice-chairman of Carey has sounded more col- sition that recognised the Briton’s historic Rupert Murdoch’s 21st Century legiate and inclusive with talk contribution while removing him from the Fox, and Liberty Media’s chief of cost controls and ensuring a day-to-day running of the sport. “The executive Greg Maff ei have fairer share of the spoils. sport is what it is today because of him... both said there is a lot they That will be easier said than and he will always be part of the F1 family,” want to do diff erently. done, with the likes of glamour said Carey in a statement. Maff ei has spoken of more team Ferrari in particular hand- For decades, Ecclestone has called the races in Latin America, Asia somely rewarded for historic shots and made the deals that transformed and the United States while performances while smaller a once deadly and disjointed sport into a Carey has indicated that teams struggle to survive. $1bn enterprise with races from Azerbai- Liberty wants to safeguard The appointment of Ross jan to Australia, Brazil to Bahrain. He has the sport’s historic venues in Brawn in a management been a controlling presence, a billionaire Europe, ramp up marketing role overseeing motorsport who enriched himself and the teams while eff orts and engage the fans activities has also raised hopes missing no opportunity to drive a wedge more. There has been talk of among fans and participants between them when it suited his commer- treating every race like a Super preparing for the first race in cial interests. Bowl, creating a buzz that ex- Australia in two months’ time. “He was the circus master. He was in tends far beyond the racetrack, Brawn worked closely at Fer- charge and sometimes you need a sport but without ‘Americanising’ the rari with Jean Todt, now the to be run like that,” former racer Martin sport’s fundamentals or alien- head of the governing FIA, and Brundle told Sky Sports television. “It much infl uence on building a global sport ing TV market and expansion into emerg- endless quest for a few dollars more. The ating the purists. Liberty Media was also a principal at Honda was his way or the highway. He might not as he has,” he added, hailing Ecclestone as ing regions. More famous than many of the money rolled in, multiplied by amazing has plenty of experience and before leading his own team be very tall but he was certainly feared in a “visionary entrepreneur”. drivers who have come and gone over the deals that saw him sell Formula One sev- resources, with interests in the and then Mercedes. the paddock and we all did extremely well “Bernie will be a very hard act to follow, years, he has become known to millions eral times over while retaining a tight grip Atlanta Braves baseball team, Zak Brown, the newly- hanging on to his shirt-tails.” but he’s created a fantastic springboard of fans as Bernie or Mr E. If the end of his on the top job. By his own admission he satellite radio service Sirius appointed American executive If some breathed a sigh of relief that a from which Chase Carey and his Liberty reign was often foretold, time and again was reluctant to delegate, preferring to act XM, entertainment group Live director of McLaren, backed long-awaited shake-up could now bring Media colleagues will be able to take For- he confounded his critics — a classic ex- as a dictator — a man who did a deal on a Nation and minority interests Carey and his team to do the sport into the digital age, there was mula One forward and make it even bigger ample being the bribery trial in handshake and had an aversion to emails. in Time Warner and Viacom. what was needed. “Over the also gratitude. “Formula One wouldn’t be and even better.” that ended in 2014 after he agreed to pay An avowed admirer of Russian President Where Ecclestone’s business next decade I expect the the international sporting power-house Ecclestone has been immersed in mo- $100mn as a settlement. Vladimir Putin and US President Don- model was based on television way Formula One is run will that it is today without the truly enor- tor racing since the 1950s when he entered His mobile phone ringtone hinted also ald Trump, Ecclestone was clear about rights and ever-increasing become both freer and more mous contribution made over the past a few grands prix as a driver but failed to at his sense of humour, resonating to the where he stood. “I don’t think democracy hosting fees that have left fan-friendly,” said Brown. “Fan half-century by Bernie Ecclestone,” com- make the grade. He was much more suc- tune of The Good, the Bad and the Ugly is the way to run anything,” he once said. circuits with little chance of engagement is where it’s at mented McLaren executive director Zak cessful off the track, gaining control of the — a classic 1960s Italian Spaghetti West- “Whether it’s a company or anything, you making a profit, Liberty have these days, and it’s clear that Brown. “Indeed, I can’t think of a single commercial rights to the sport from the ern that was just right for Formula One’s need someone who is going to turn the emphasised a shift towards the Liberty Media guys get other person who has had anything like as 1970s onwards and profi ting from a grow- stone-faced “Little Big Man” and his lights on and off .” sustainability and new revenue that.”

FOCUS F1 needs fresh start aft er ‘dictator’ Ecclestone, says CEO Carey

AFP London

ernie Ecclestone’s four-decade reign as a ‘dictator’ of Formula One had to end if the sport is to have the fresh start it needs, new chairman Band chief executive Chase Carey says. Ecclestone’s time as the colourful ring- master of the Grand Prix circuit was eff ec- tively fi nished on Monday when US-based Liberty Media completed its takeover of motorsport’s most prestigious brand in a deal valued at about $8bn. While the 86-year-old Ecclestone, a former car salesman, was widely cred- ited with transforming Formula One into Philippe Bianchi (left), the father of Jules Bianchi, poses with Christian Estrosi, President of the Provence a multibillion global business, there have Alpes Cote d’Azur (PACA) region, near a plaque with the drawing of his son during its unveiling in Nice, been growing complaints in recent years France on Monday. Bianchi died on July 17, 2015 after an accident during the Japanese GP. (Reuters) that the sport has failed to modernise under the Englishman’s no-nonsense leadership. Colorado-based Liberty confirmed that American Chase Carey had been appointed TRIBUTE There has also been the view inside and chairman and chief executive of Formula One. (AFP) outside the sport — and a concern shared by Carey — that it is wrong for one man to ate, has a proven record in expansive sport- a simplistic sense, the sport said ‘no’ too wield as much power as Ecclestone did in media growth and expertise in the value and much and we have to start saying ‘yes’ — not Nice names a street aft er Formula One. Despite sidelining Ecclestone exploitation of sports rights, notably in the gimmick it up but fi nd ways to do new and to an advisory role as “chairman emeritus” US market, where Formula One has strug- exciting things to have the sport continue to Carey stressed to the BBC that he had “tre- gled to gain a foothold. grow and interest and excite people.” mendous respect” for Ecclestone and will “Bernie is a one-man team. It was not As part of the new management late French driver Bianchi value his input. But he said that F1 “needs right in today’s world,” added Carey. “The structure, American Carey will have highly to be run diff erently than for the last four or decision-making is not as eff ective as it respected former Mercedes F1 team boss Reuters crash in October 2014 that left him with severe head fi ve years”. needs to be. Clearly it has to be improved. Ross Brawn and Sean Bratches, once a sales Nice, France injuries. Tipped as a future Ferrari driver and race “He has run this sport for his entire adult One of the benefi ts we bring is a fresh start.” executive with North American sports tel- winner, Bianchi had been competing for the Brit- life and I respect completely that this is a Carey added that Formula One had not evision channel ESPN, running the sport- ish-based Marussia team that is now Manor and diffi cult change,” Carey said. “We have tried grown as much as it needed to and that Lib- ing and commercial sides of F1 respectively he late French Formula One driver Jules Bi- facing an uncertain future after going into admin- to deal with him with the respect he’s due, erty could exploit new technologies to do under him. anchi now has a street named after him fol- istration this month. which is why we off ered him the chairman just that. But he stressed the new owners Murray Walker, the Formula One com- lowing a ceremony in his home city of Nice The street near the city’s Allianz Riviera stadium emeritus title. I have been sincere in saying would protect historic races, insisting there mentator long considered the voice of the on Monday. links up with the Rue Camille Muff at, named after I value his help and advice as we go forward. would still be a British Grand Prix amid sport in Britain, said that F1 owed Eccle- TCompatriot and former racing rival Jean-Eric the Nice-born 2012 Olympic swimming champion He calls himself a dictator. He has run it as speculation the Silverstone course — which stone “an immeasurable debt”. Vergne posted a photograph on Instagram of the who died in a helicopter crash in Argentina in March a one-man dictator for a long time. I think has had several run-ins with Ecclestone “He is a very tough businessman but if street sign at the Rue Jules Bianchi, with the dates 2015 at the age of 25. the sport needs a fresh perspective. But he over staging fees — would be stripped of the he shakes your hand you don’t need a con- 1989-2015 and the words ‘Pilote de Formule 1.’ “Jules loved football. We are delighted with the has a lot to continue to off er and he will al- event in 2019. tract. He’s as good as his word,” Walker told “Merci Nice...we miss you Jules,” he added. position, in such a dynamic zone, so full of prom- ways be part of the F1 family.” “We needed a sport that while respecting the BBC. “The most important thing under Bianchi, 25, died in hospital in Nice after nine ise,” local media quoted Bianchi’s father Philippe as The American Carey, a vice-chairman what made it great has a sense of energy and Bernie’s rule was the safety aspect. Formula months in a coma following a Japanese Grand Prix saying. of the 21st Century Fox media conglomer- innovation,” Carey said. “In many ways, in 1 has been absolutely transformed.” Gulf Times 8 Wednesday, January 25, 2017 SPORT

NBA SPOTLIGHT Short-handed Spurs slowly Warriors stunned by leave Nets in dust

By Greg Logan Miami Heat, Cavaliers Newsday he Nets thought they had it rough when it was announced Monday they will be without injured starting point guard Jeremy Lin another three to fi ve Tweeks. But the Spurs’ manpower situation was far more dire with center Pau Gasol and point tumble to Pelicans guard Tony Parker out with injuries plus star forward Kawhi Leonard resting a sore hand and Manu Ginobili resting because, well, he’s ‘We did not lose this game in the last three or four minutes — we were soft tonight’ approaching his 40th birthday. The Spurs’ personnel losses didn’t mat- ter, though, as they tacked another loss onto AFP the Nets’ NBA-worst 9-35 record via a 112-86 Los Angeles whipping Monday night at Barclays Center. Considering the Spurs’ injury situation, this was worse than the 29-point beatdown the ion Waiters scored a last- Nets suff ered December 10 in San Antonio. gasp three-pointer as Even though they knew the Spurs were the Miami Heat stunned gimpy coming into the game, the Nets knew the Golden State Warri- better than to take anything for granted. As orsD 105-102 on Monday to snap the guard Spencer Dinwiddie said, “The Spurs NBA pace-setters’ seven-game win are the Spurs regardless of who’s hurt. I guess streak. they’re the Patriots of the NBA. They’re a well- Waiters led the scoring with oiled machine, and they keep on going. No 33 points as Miami notched their matter who they plug in, they’re a great team.” fourth consecutive victory in a dra- To be fair, the Nets were missing more than matic fi nale at the American Airlines just Lin. Joe Harris (foot) was inactive, and Arena. rookie Caris Levert, who is coming off foot It was the second straight game surgery in February, was rested for the fi rst that Waiters had scored a career- time in his 23-game career. “He’s played a lot high 33 points. of games in a short period of time,” coach Ken- “These are the moments you want ny Atkinson said. to live for, especially against a great “I think with his total development and team like that,” Waiters said. “I’m in physical development, we have to be smart, a zone right now,” and that’s what we’re doing with him. He’ll Heat coach Erik Spoelstra agreed be back for Miami (Wednesday night) ready to with Waiters assessment of his per- roll.” formance. The two short-handed teams played a tight “He’s not scared,” Spoelstra said. game for the better part of two quarters, but “He wants those moments as much just before the end of the fi rst half, the Spurs as anybody. He’s been pestering me (35-9) put together a 13-4 run, including 10 on those kind of deals, wanting those points from Patty Mills, to take a 52-42 lead opportunities in the fourth quarter. at the break. When former Knick David Lee He and I go at it all the time.” opened the third quarter with two quick bas- The Heat were made to sweat kets, the Spurs just took over, leading by as for the victory, and came within a much as 25 points in the period. whisker of surrendering the initia- Mills led the Spurs with 20 points off their tive after the Warriors put together thin bench, and they got 16 from LaMarcus a 12-3 scoring run to go within one Aldridge, 15 from Lee, 14 from Kyle Anderson point with just over 21 seconds left. and 11 apiece from Davis Bertans and Jona- The Heat improved to 15-30 with thon Simmons. The Nets were paced by Isaiah the win while the Warriors fell to Whitehead with 19 points, Sean Kilpatrick had 38-7. 17 and 10 rebounds, Spencer Dinwiddie added Kevin Durant led the scoring for 13, and they got 12 from Brook Lopez, but they Golden State with 27 points while made only fi ve of 25 3-pointers compared to nine Klay Thompson fi nished with 22 and of 22 by the Spurs. Veteran Randy Foye started Stephen Curry 21. at two-guard but had only one point and four “We did not lose this game in the assists. last three or four minutes — we were Meanwhile Things are looking up for Los soft tonight,” Warriors coach Steve Angeles, which won for the fi rst time since los- Kerr said. ing Chris Paul to thumb surgery and is on the “We did not execute defensively... verge of getting Blake Griffi n back. they were the smarter and tougher Austin Rivers scored 27 points and Jamal team tonight.” Crawford helped hold off a comeback bid by In New Orleans meanwhile, LeB- Miami Heat guard Dion Waiters (R) drives to the basket as Golden State Warriors guard Klay Thompson defends during the first half at American Airlines Atlanta in the fourth quarter as the Clippers ron James posted a triple double and Arena. PICTURE: USA TODAY Sports defeated the Hawks 115-105 on Monday night. Kyrie Irving exploded for 49 points Crawford, who had been in a slump, hit a yet the Cleveland Cavaliers duo still their past 10 games, and left them on Westbrook triple stage they were going to make a run,” Utah’s six-game winning streak and 3-pointer after Atlanta had pulled within 102- fi nished on the losing side against an 30-13. The Pelicans improved to 18- “It’s not about how many min- Gentry said of Monday’s win. saw Oklahoma City improve to 26- 98 with three minutes left and followed with inspired Pelicans who ran out 124- 27 with the win. utes I’m playing right now or being Elsewhere Monday, Russell West- 19. Utah are 29-17 for the season. two more late baskets as he scored 14 of his 19 122 winners. “We’ve got to fi gure it out. It’s fresh down the stretch. We’ve got brook delivered a jumper with 1.4 points in the second half. New Orleans had gone into the been a crappy 2017 so far,” said to be good right now, and we’re not seconds left on the clock — and his RESULTS A late 11-0 run helped Milwaukee hold off game missing injured star Anthony James, who fi nished with 26 points, winning.” incredible 22nd triple-double of Heat 105 Warriors 102 Houston and a snap a fi ve-game losing streak Davis. 10 rebounds and 12 assists. Pelicans coach Alvin Gentry the season — as the Oklahoma City Clippers 115 Hawks 105 with a victory at the Bradley Center. But Terrence Jones proved a more “I’m not complaining, but right meanwhile was happy at how his Thunder shaded the Utah Jazz 97-95 Kings 109 Pistons 104 Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 31 points than able deputy, pouring in a ca- now we’re just trying to get out of a team had bounced back after a 143- in Salt Lake City. Spurs 112 Nets 86 and Jabari Parker had 28 to lead the Bucks, who reer-high 36 points while Jrue Holi- hole,” James added. 114 drubbing on Friday by the Brook- Westbrook fi nished with 38 Wizards 109 Hornets 99 shot 58.2 percent from the fl oor and made 11 of day produced 33 points and 10 as- “Coach’ll fi gure it out, and we’ve lyn Nets, the worst team in the NBA. points, 10 assists and 10 rebounds. Bucks 127 Rockets 114 23 3-point attempts. Houston shot 50.6 per- sists to seal victory despite a dogged got to fi gure it out as far as minutes, “I just thought it was a game that we Victor Oladipo scored 18 points Thunder 97 Jazz 95 cent, making 39 of 76 shots, 14 of 35 3-point Cleveland fi ghtback. too. We’ve just got to be better as a competed like crazy and played hard while Enes Kanter added 14 off the Knicks 109 Pacers 103 tries. Patrick Beverley (18 points) knocked The defeat was the Cavs’ sixth in team.” and then got a lead, knowing at some bench. The Thunder win ended Pelicans 124 Cavaliers 122 down four from long distance.

NFL Tom Brady’s success is food for thought

By David Whitley Super Bowl LI, try the Brady plant-based diet has the power beet greens,” Campbell said. Orlando Sentinel Diet. to reverse and prevent disease,” Somewhere, Ken Stabler Let me warn you, it won’t be Campbell said. weeps. easy. For one thing, you probably Sounds good so far. Then he When Brady’s eating regimen verybody wants to be like don’t have a personal chef to got into specifi cs. came out, it caused a bit of back- Tom Brady, and who can prepare meals or a supermodel The Brady Diet is 80 percent lash in the nutrition commu- blame them? wife to serve them. vegetables and whole grains. All nity. Experts said any diet low in I don’t think I’m over- For another, the average NFL organic, of course. sugar and high in vegetables and Estating things when I say he’s fan prefers the Chris Christie The rest is lean meats, like lean protein is good. the most beautiful and talented Diet. An altruistic soul like Brady chicken, wild salmon, grass-fed But some said Brady’s aver- person on Earth. And now he’s wants to help, so he produced organic steak and the occasional sion to fruit and nightshades is a 3-point favorite to win the Su- the TB12 Nutritional Manual. duck. wacky. One expert wrote how per Bowl and become even more His website describes it as a No white sugar or white fl our. “tomatoes are the richest source beautiful, if that’s possible. “living document about our core No salt unless it’s Himalayan of lycopene, a powerful anti- There’s only one problem with TB12 nutritional philosophies.” pink salt. And no “nightshades.” oxidant,” and pointed to a study the envy of New England’s quar- I didn’t know a nightshade published in “Molecular Nutri- terback. So if you really want to be from a lampshade, but it basi- tion & Food Research.” To be like Tom Brady you an All-Pro quarterback cally means no potatoes, toma- You probably missed that have to eat like Tom Brady. That into your 40s, you have to toes, mushrooms, peppers. No study and are bit confused. All means giving up the basic neces- ask whether it’s worth the wonder Papa John’s went with I know is Brady must be doing sities of life. sacrifi ce Peyton Manning. something right. You know, stuff like food. And forget an apple a day At age 39, he continued his It’s not that Brady doesn’t One philosophy I have is a re- keeping the pass rush away. MVP-caliber year with 384 eat. It’s that he’d rather vacation fusal to pay $200 for a cookbook, Brady doesn’t eat fruit. yards passing and three TDs in with Roger Goodell than touch living or not. So I can’t really tell He says he’s never even tasted Sunday’s blowout of Pittsburgh. a cheeseburger, bagel, pizza, you about the 90 or so recipes. a strawberry. He runs from caf- It looks as if he has another Frosted Flakes, Coke or beer. Fortunately, Brady’s chef feine, coff ee and dairy products. six or seven Super Bowls in him. So if you really want to be an shared some of the basics with So what’s that leave? Then there’s that whole Giselle All-Pro quarterback into your the Boston Globe. Campbell described a typical thing. 40s, you have to ask whether it’s Just reading Allen Campbell’s meal in the Brady house. It’s a So give the Brady Diet a test worth the sacrifi ce. menu options made me want to quinoa dish with wilted greens, run. Maybe you can be like One way to fi nd out is to take run to Five Guys, but you judge with garlic toasted in coconut Brady, a guy who has everything the Tom Challenge. For the next for yourself. oil. a person could ever want. Tom Brady of the New England Patriots reacts against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the third quarter in couple of weeks leading up to “My philosophy is that a “I use kale or Swiss chard or Except a cheeseburger. the AFC Championship Game at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, Massachusetts on Sunday. (Getty Images/AFP) Gulf Times Wednesday, January 25, 2017 9 SPORT

NHL SPOTLIGHT British cyclist Cooke questions Team Sky’s Lundqvist on top of drug-free credentials

ReutersLondon Brailsford told the commit- tee the bag contained Flui- mucil, a legal decongestant, ormer British cyclist although no written evidence Nicole Cooke ques- has been provided to back this his game again as tioned Team Sky’s up. Cope said he did not know drug-free credentials what he was transporting. andF said she was “sceptical” “I do fi nd it very surprising of Bradley Wiggins’ use of that Simon Cope transported Therapeutic Use Exemptions something internationally (TUEs) in powerful evidence without knowing what was in delivered to a British Parlia- it,” she told MPs. mentary committee yesterday. “I fi nd that astonishing Rangers defeat Kings The 33-year-old former and the fact that when Brit- Olympic and world champion ish cycling were asked for the launched a fi erce attack on records they weren’t able to ‘In my opinion, he’s the best goalie in the world and he showed that tonight’ measures in place to combat fi nd the documentation, I fi nd doping which she described that surprising.” as “the wrong people fi ghting Cooke supplied written ev- By Steve Zipay the wrong war, in the wrong idence followed by an hour’s Newsday way, with the wrong tools”. testimony via video link from Painting a damning picture Paris. She revealed that she of how “a sport run by men for had obtained four TUEs dur- n the NHL, shots don’t men” is governed, Cooke was ing her career, three for a knee count, goals and saves do. the latest prominent fi gure to injury and one for asthma, us- And the Rangers are for- appear before parliament’s ing the same drug as Wiggins tunate that those are the Culture, Media and Sport although, unlike him, she did Irules. Committee which is investi- not race immediately after her On Monday, the Rangers man- gating doping in sport. injections. aged only nine shots through the Team Sky chief Dave “I was aware that this was fi rst two periods on Kings goal- Brailsford and British cy- performance-enhancing and tender Jeff Zatkoff , but scored cling’s former technical di- I had a signifi cant discussion twice. Meanwhile Henrik Lun- rector Shane Sutton, whose about that with the medical dqvist was kicking out almost evidence Cooke said did not team and the coaching team everything. “ring true”, also gave evidence before we agreed it should be And on their 13th shot at 6:40 to the committee. administered. It was a case of of the third, Mats Zuccarello Cycling has been rocked by injection or surgery,” she said. netted the Blueshirts’ third goal revelations that a mysterious In her earlier written evi- of the evening, after taking J.T. jiff y bag containing medica- dence, Cooke was critical of Miller’s backhand pass from the tion was transported to France the way the whole process is right boards. by British cycling women’s overseen. “If the TUE process It turned out to be the water- team manager Simon Cope for were to be reliably control- shed goal, and the 3-2 decision Wiggins and Team Sky at the led, then an athlete would not was the Rangers’ third consecu- 2011 Criterium race. be able to abuse its use out of tive victory. It has also been revealed competition to prepare for a The credit all goes to Lun- that Wiggins, who suff ers big event...It would not be dqvist, who is struggling no from asthma, applied for lost on many of the unscru- more, and has allowed only four three TUEs for the substance pulous that a TUE was a very goals in his last three games. triamcinolone acetonide be- convenient way of masking a Acrobatic and quick, Lun- tween 2011 and 2013. doping programme,” she said. dqvist fended off 36 of 38 Kings “Taking TUEs just before Cooke also hit out at what shots, making three stellar stops major events, it raises ques- she said was sexism at the on Jeff Carter, and the Rang- tions for me,” Cooke said. “It heart of British cycling, ers left Madison Square Garden makes me sceptical of what pointing out that Cope, whose with a sweep of the back-to- they have done. I fi nd the salary as women’s coach came back series with Detroit and Los stance of being the cleanest from the public purse, should Angeles. team, yet Dave Brailsford not have been concentrating on “Especially in this town, you being able to say what a rider his own job rather than deliv- have to take a step back some- took, defi nitely makes it hard ering the package to Wiggins. times, you have a couple tough to back up that claim.” games and right away, you have a lot of people asking questions,” said Lundqvist, who was beaten New York Rangers goaltender Henrik Lundqvist defends his net against the Los Angeles Kings during the third period at Madison Square on Jordan Nolan’s rebound late Garden. PICTURE: USA TODAY Sports Phones away for England stars in the second and Kyle Cliff ord’s England’s players will have their access to mobile phones lim- shot with 0.8 to play. Hank. In my opinion, he’s the with Brayden McNabb at 17:18 injury suff ered against the Red down at 18:01, but the Rangers ited in the build-up to the 2019 World Cup after hiring a visual “You just try to stay cool and best goalie in the world and he and landed the most blows. Wings. “I thought I could’ve survived the 40 minutes with a awareness coach. Dr Sherylle Calder has joined head coach Ed- confi dent and keep doing the showed that tonight.” “Big moment for our team,” been better tonight in the defen- 2-1 lead. “We didn’t panic, even die Jones’s back-room staff as a consultant in a bid to give them same things you’ve always been For two periods, the Kings, Derek Stepan said. “It’s some- sive zone,” Miller added, “I was a though they had the puck more,” an edge in preparations for the tournament in Japan. doing and you know it’s going to who have lost four in a row, kept thing I know Kevin doesn’t love little rusty, puck-watching a lit- Lundqvist said. She believes the use of mobile phones and tablets inhibits turn around.” using their size, grinding away, to do, but he understands it’s a tle too much.” “We have the skill that we mental awareness and has imposed a crackdown on the use of “It’s nice to get a goal so you fi nishing their checks and play- big part of the game.” In the second, Matt Puempel don’t need that many chances to electronic devices, beginning yesterday. guys can stop talking about it,” ing chippy. That spark grew into a fl ame settled the puck down on Stepan’s score, we just need the right type “In the modern world the ability of players to have good aware- said Zuccarello, who had been Brandon Pirri gave the Rang- fanned by Lundqvist, who made two-on-one pass and zipped the of chances ... and right now, you ness is deteriorating by the nature of mobile phones,” Calder blanked for 15 games, although ers a 1-0 lead at 11:31 of the fi rst 14 saves in the fi rst 20 minutes. puck past Zatkoff for his sixth want to feel good about yourself, said in comments published by British newspapers. “When you had piled up assists. “We played period. He scored unassisted “Hank was making big saves of the year. Dan Girardi’s stretch so every save matters to me.” look at your phone you are losing awareness because you’re in a good team and we were not up after a pass bounced off Nick and sometimes we need that to pass set up the goal at 13:28 for the screen all the time. There are no eye movements happen- to our standards, but it’s real im- Shore’s skate to him in the Kings wake up the group a little and Puempel, who had missed the RESULTS ing – everything is pretty static. “I’m not going to give too many portant to get a win when you’re zone and he beat Zatkoff stick we found a way to win a greasy previous eight games because of San Jose 5 Colorado 2 secrets away because we want to share it with the English not playing your best. Hank was side. The goal came on the Rang- game,” said Miller, who has 10 concussion symptoms. Arizona 3 Florida 2 (OT) players, but there are definitely principles that we want them amazing. He’s our most im- ers’ second shot of the period. points in 11 games. After a three-save fl urry from Anaheim 3 Winnipeg 2 to follow.” Calder has joined England’s pre-Six Nations training portant player and we didn’t After some uncalled, not-so- Miller took over at center for Lundqvist, including one minus Toronto 4 Calgary 0 camp in Vilamoura, , and will initially spend time work- give him good enough help for a subtle whacks on Zuccarello, Kevin Hayes, who will miss two his stick, Jordan Nolan cashed NY Rangers 3 Los Angeles 2 ing with the wings and full-backs. stretch. We have no worries for Kevin Klein dropped the gloves to three weeks with a left leg in a rebound on the next trip Washington 6 Carolina 1

RUGBY ‘Italy forget Boks win as Wales, Irish approach’

Yet with renewed optimism doctor joins O’Shea’s manage- AFP No Six Nations pressure, says France coach Milan surrounding the Azzurri since ment staff in a deal that runs un- former Harlequins boss O’Shea til the 2019 World Cup in Japan. France coach Guy Noves insist- we’re going to try get closer to succeeded Jacques Brunel last “I played and worked with ed yesterday his team go into the fantastic players the English aptain Sergio Parisse July, the Azzurri can’t wait to get Brendan at London Irish and I next month’s Six Nations under are,” said Noves, with France said Italy won’t be re- their tournament started. think this is the best possible little pressure, but hoping for a defeated 31-21 by England in lying on the memories Even if it means kicking off deal for us and for him,” said much-improved performance Paris last March. A military- of their historic vic- against two tournament heavy- O’Shea. after last year’s fifth-place finish. style training camp will ready toryC over South Africa when weights in Wales (February Venter’s expertise has already France finished second bottom the players for the challenges they host Wales then Ireland in 5) then Ireland six days later proved benefi cial to Italy as he in 2016 – only above winless ahead, but Noves claimed he tough openers to this year’s Six (February 11). worked alongside O’Shea on Italy – after sliding to three felt “absolutely no pressure for Nations. “Conor has said it, and we all an ad hoc basis for the autumn successive defeats to round out results in the Six Nations, the Hopes that Italy can go on to agree: we can’t wait for the Six Tests, leading to their historic their campaign in Noves’ first trip to England and the years compete for honours were raised Nations to start,” added Parisse. defeat of South Africa. season at the helm. “What we’ve to come”. He added: “The only when Conor O’Shea’s men beat “That doesn’t make it any easier. “Brendan has had a great im- all been lacking is the cherry pressure is that which I apply the Springboks 20-18 in Flor- The tournament is always hard. pact on the group and in the (on the cake): winning,” Noves along with my staff . That’s ence last November. “We’re starting with two home way we defended (against South acknowledged, after his side enough.” After losing Wesley But a 19-17 defeat to Tonga games and that’s quite signifi - Africa) and we are excited to be defeated Samoa but were nar- Fofana to a ruptured Achil- the following week, missed by cant. Every time we play at the working with him for years to rowly beaten by Australia and les, and and Parisse due to a three-match Olimpico, in front of our fans, it come,” said O’Shea. New Zealand in the November , Noves then suspension, brought the Ital- gives us that extra boost. Hope- Parisse, who will earn his internationals. “It’s very impor- saw Camille Chat and Raphael ians back to earth with a bump. fully, we can pay them back.” 122nd Italy cap if he plays against tant to keep moving forward” Lakafia withdraw from France’s Parisse, preparing for his 14th Six Wales have won 22 of the Wales, said how Italy manage in terms of playing style, said preparations through injury. Nations campaign and his 10th sides’ 24 matches, one of which time and potential injuries be- the long-time former Toulouse hooker Chat, like as captain, believes defeat to the was a draw, and Parisse said: tween both Six Nations openers coach, adding that his ultimate Ben Arous and Chavancy, was south Pacifi c islanders probably “Playing Wales straight away is a will be crucial. goal was “to reach the target injured at the weekend in his did the Azzurri a favour. tough assignment.” “With two games in six days of winning matches as quickly side’s loss to Munster – the trio “The game we lost to Tonga In 26 games against Ireland, we have to make sure we manage as possible”. France face a all featuring despite the French still hurts, especially after our Italy have prevailed four times the period in between the games daunting first fixture with a trip club already being eliminated historic victory over South Afri- although in last year’s tourna- correctly,” he added. to Twickenham to play Grand from the European Champions ca the week before,” Parisse said ment the Azzurri were handed a “Myself and the rest of the Slam winners England on Febru- Cup. “When we put players yesterday. chastening 58-15 defeat in Dub- squad have full confi dence in the ary 4. Eddie Jones’ men have on the pitch in a match where “But in some ways it was a lin. In a bid to boost their de- coaching team. They will work won 14 straight games, all but there’s nothing at stake and positive defeat: it means we will fensive game, the Italians hired out how to make sure we’re still one of those coming since the they get hurt, and despite these head into the tournament not former South Africa interna- fresh and have energy, especially Australian took charge in 2015. injuries we keep them on the thinking too much about our tional Brendan Venter as their in terms of mentality, before We have lots of ambition, desire field, it’s a shame to lose them win over the Springboks in Flor- defence coach on Monday. taking on the Irish.” and a bit of character. Therefore from the team,” rued Noves. ence.” The 47-year-old qualifi ed Gulf Times 10 Wednesday, January 25, 2017 SPORT

AL KASS INTERNATIONAL CUP FOCUS Ooredoo dump Vintage Al Ahli’s spirited in PIBAQ Senior’s league

By Sports Reporter display downs PSG Doha By Sports Reporter Doha t was the sweet shooting spree of Ooredoo’s frontliners that nailed AA-Tailoring Vintage to a 20-point advantage, 77-57, to improve their audi Arabia’s Al Ahli pro- standings in second spot in the ongoing elimi- duced a spirited display in Ination rounds of the Senior Division of Ooredoo the opening game of Day Men’s Basketball Cup 2017 at Al Gharafa Training Four at the under-17 Al Kass Gym. InternationalS Cup to overcome the Big man centre Jojo Longalong was unstoppable highly-fancied Paris Saint-Ger- when he controlled the board and top-scored for his main by two goals to one. team with 20 points plus denying any attempts of PSG came into the match as clear a basket from his opponents with a monster seven favourites, having infl icted a 2-1 blocks. defeat on Real Madrid the previous Adding woes to AA-Tailoring Vintage were the evening. Meanwhile, the Spaniards scoring spree of Willy Layag and Randy Acabado had strolled to a 6-1 victory over Al who were consistent even in the rainbow connec- Ahli earlier in the week. tion. Layag was perfect in 3 of 3 in the trey and so So it came as a considerable shock was Acabado who connected with 2 of 2. when the Saudis went ahead inside The tandem of Longalong and Layag with their the fi rst minute, courtesy of the fancy moves and swift ball movement, thanks to quickest goal of the tournament so their clear communication in the hardcourt, made far. Following a loose ball out from the diff erence. keeper Garlsonne Innocent, left Other top scorers for Ooredoo were Acabado and winger Faris Alkhoraim dispos- Owen Picache with 10 points apiece and Layag with sessed Abdourahmane Barry and nine points. Only James Quintana scored in double fed Ahmed Albassas, whose low, digits with 15 points for AA-Tailoring Vintage. fi rst time shot beat the PSG stopper In the other game, Junalvin whipped Khalifa Boys all ends up. 85-76. It was a sensational opening, and Junalvin maintained their spotless record of 4 set the tone for a hugely entertain- wins followed by Ooredoo with three wins and ing fi rst half. a loss. Luck Seven LS7 have two wins and two With his side having played less losses, while AA-Tailoring Vintage notched up a than 24 hours earlier, PSG coach win and suffered two losses. GAC Motors have 1 Luarent Huard made six changes to win and three losses while Khalifa Boyz, with 3 the starting line-up. straight losses, are yet to find their way into the Timothy Weah, who had come win column. off the bench to create the decisive The 22nd Men’s Basketball League 2017 has been goal against Madrid, took up a po- brought by Qatar Basketball Federation in coop- sition on the left of a front three, eration with the Philippine Embassy in Qatar and with Virgiliu Postolachi spear- United Filipino Organization in Qatar. Ooredoo heading the French attack and Ya- serves as the main league sponsor while Philippine cine Adli operating on the right, Airlines, Alicafe, Diana Jewellery, Filipino Commu- having previously been deployed nity Center and Shutter Bugz Photography Club are in central midfield. co-sponsors. Despite having been at least par- tially responsible for the mistake which led to the opening goal, PSG keeper Innocent continued to take risks, putting his defence under unnecessary pressure on a couple of occasions with short passes out, Al Ahli’s Haitham Asiri (second from left) celebrates the match-winning goal with teammates during their under-17 Al Kass International Cup match against when a long punt would have done Paris Saint-Germain at Aspire Zone yesterday. PICTURES: Jayaram the job. However, in the opening minutes Ibrahim leading by example from his Reysol to record a narrow victory. it was Al Ahli, with a stiff wind at right back berth. And, as half time Reysol had made their mark on their backs and buoyed by the early approached, the Saudis had a decent the tournament by disposing of the goal, who made most of the run- claim for a penalty turned down when highly-fancied Bayern Munich. ning. Khaled Alhazmi was blocked off by However, the Austrians repre- Overcoming these early chal- Moussa Sissako as he advanced into sented a diff erent proposition, and lenges, PSG belatedly rose from the area from the right wing. had Reysol hemmed in from the their slumber, as Al Ahli struggled The second half got underway outset, with their physical domi- to clear their lines at the back. In the and the game settled into a familiar nance allowing them to win aerial 11th minute, Adli won a free kick to pattern, with much of the play con- battles and mount attacks from goal the right of the Al Ahli area. Weah centrated in midfi eld. kicks. got on the end of a high cross and With 15 minutes remaining, Al Ahli Just as a goalless draw seemed headed back across goal to Postola- regained their lead. Skipper Ibrahim inevitable, Red Bull broke the dead- chi, only for the ball to cannon off advanced through the middle and lock in the 84th minute when a his thigh and against the post before unleashed a stinging low shot that Nikola Stosic free kick was fl oated bouncing clear. Innocent could only parry into the high into the area, but nobody con- In the 18th minute, Weah popped path of Haitham Asiri, who forced the nected with the cross and the ball up at the left-hand post to tap home ball home from close range. It was no also eluded the helpless Chiwata to a low cross from Adli and level the more than the courageous Saudis de- nestle in the far corner. scores. served, having held their nerve under The fi nal whistle confi rmed that Bolstered by the equaliser, PSG sustained Parisian pressure earlier in Red Bull’s 100 percent record re- began to dominate proceedings, re- the game. mained intact. taining possession and probing pa- Ooredoo’s Jojo longalong (right) is guarded by tiently for openings. SALZBURG EDGE OUT REYSOL Action from the match between James Quintana of AA-Tailoring Vintage during However, Al Ahli kept their shape In the last game on Monday night, Aspire Academy (in blue) and PSV their elimination round match in the Senior Division and also produced the occasional Red Bull Salzburg broke down the Eindhoven (in white, red and black) of Ooredoo Men’s Basketball Cup 2017 at Al Gharafa promising attack, with captain Yasser stubborn resistance of Kashiwa yesterday. Aspire Academy won 1-0. Training Gym. PICTURE: Ronnie Castro

Khor, Rayyan post contrasting wins

Al Khor’s Rickey Demarkeo Young (right) in action against Al Sadd during their Qatar Basketball Federation Men’s League match at Al Gharafa Sports Club yesterday. Young scored 26 points in his team’s 68-62 win. PICTURES: Othman Iraqi

Right: Al Rayyan’s Marcus Bell (right) in action against Al Ahli during their match yesterday. Bell and teammate Mohamed Hassan Mohamed scored 26 points each in their team’s 94-67 win. Gulf Times Wednesday, January 25, 2017 11 TENNIS

AUSTRALIAN OPEN SPOTLIGHT Sania vs Bopanna Venus ‘living the in mixed doubles quarter-fi nals dream’ as in-form IANS played in the opening set as Peya-Zheng Melbourne began the proceedings aggressively. But the second-seeded Sania-Dodig ‘I’d like to be a used all their experience to turn the tide ania Mirza set up a face-off with and broke their opponents at a crucial champion, in Rohan Bopanna in the mixed time in the second set to win it 7-5. doubles quarter-fi nals after she In the deciding third set tie-break, particular this year’ and Ivan Dodig defeated Alex- Sania-Dodig imposed themselves on Coco awaits anderS Peya and Zheng Saisai 2-6, 6-3, the match, hit several winners, includ- 10-6 here yesterday. ing backhand and forehand volleys, to AFP Earlier in the day, Rohan Bopanna snuff out the opposition in an hour and Melbourne and Canada’s Gabriela Dabrowski four minutes. mounted a great fi ght back to win Second seeded Sania and Croatian against Poland’s Lukasz Kubot and Tai- Dodig entered the second round after ge-defying Venus Wil- wan’s Chan Yung-jan to win 6-4, 5-7, beating Germany’s Laura Siegemund liams says she is living the 10-3. and Croatian Mate Pavic 7-5, 6-4. dream after making yet an- The quarter-fi nal pits the two In- The unseeded duo of Bopanna and other Grand Slam semi-fi nal dians who represented the country in Dabrowski clinched the fi rst set with- yesterday,A setting up an all-Amer- mixed doubles at the 2016 Olympics. out much fuss but went down in the ican clash against a rampant Coco At the Rio Games, Sania-Bopanna lost second before bouncing back in the Vandeweghe. the bronze medal play-off tie. third set tie-breaker in a match that The 36-year-old powered past Rus- The Indo-Croatian pair were out- lasted one hour and 16 minutes. sia’s Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova 6-4, 7-6 (3) and into her third Australian Open semi, while Vandeweghe stunned FOCUS French Open champion Garbine Mugu- ruza 6-4, 6-0 in a blitz of big hitting. “What can I say. Just trying to live the dream,” Williams said of her lon- Italian junior in tears gevity, after becoming the oldest woman since a 37-year-old Martina Navratilova at Wimbledon 1994 to aft er controversial DQ make a Slam semi. “I have no exact answer, except I do know how to play tennis, so that’s AFP I was crying so much. I know, and all helpful. If you can get the ball in, it’s Melbourne the people who know me, they know I even more helpful.” did nothing wrong. It is a remarkable feat for Williams, “I’m OK with myself because I know who made her professional debut in n Italian junior was in fl oods I did nothing. This helped make me a 1994 and is enjoying a late-career ren- of tears after she was disqual- little bit better.” aissance following a long battle with a ifi ed at the Australian Open Fans on social media rallied round rare autoimmune disorder. for swiping away a loose ball the girl, pointing out that senior play- She made the same round at Wim- whichA hit a ball boy, a report said yes- ers had gone unpunished for similar Venus Williams of the US celebrates her victory over Russia’s Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova in their singles quarter-final match bledon last year but had not got this at the Australian Open in Melbourne yesterday. Williams will face Coco Vandeweghe (below) in semifinal. (AFP) terday. incidents. far at Melbourne Park since 2003, Maria Vittoria Viviani insisted she In the men’s singles fi rst round, 2014 when she beat Justine Henin only to old, whose mother was an Olympic had done nothing wrong in the inci- champion Stan Wawrinka hit a vol- lose to sister Serena in the fi nal. swimmer and whose grandfather dent, which appeared to be accidental ley straight at Martin Klizan, who was Henin is long retired but Serena is played basketball for the New York and for which she immediately apolo- standing motionless near the net, hit- still going strong and plays her quar- Knicks. gised. ting him in the groin area. ter-fi nal, against Johanna Konta, to- “But I kept the pressure on and Video footage shows the 17-year-old “I was enjoying the game. The kid day, with an all-Williams title match she fi nally cracked. Once I got rolling patting a ball away after a point during was moving and I hit him. I said sorry still on the cards. in the second set it was like a freight her match with China’s Wang Xinyu, immediately because I saw him but he Venus Williams also made the last train, you couldn’t stop it.” before immediately raising her arm in was OK. He was standing with the balls four at Melbourne in 2001, losing It is now Vandeweghe’s best per- apology to the ball boy. in his hands waiting for the match to to then world number one Martina formance at a major, bettering her “I’m still shocked. Yesterday was a start again,” Viviani said. Hingis, another veteran who is playing quarter-fi nal appearance at Wimble- very, very bad day for me because no “The thing that makes me angry is doubles at this year’s Australian Open. don in 2015. one can feel good about this situation,” that I did a three-month pre-season for Despite surprise-package The right-hander, ranked 35, has a Viviani said, according to Fairfax Me- this tournament. We come from Italy — Vandeweghe showing imperious form, reputation for inconsistency and she dia. it’s so far away. We did 24 hours fl ight. Williams is brimming with confi dence lost seven of her last 10 matches at the “It was hard for me. I was crying af- It’s not just a game, it’s a job. That’s the and believes she can go on to win her end of 2016. But she has in brilliant ter for one hour-and-a-half non-stop. thing that hurts me more.” fi rst Grand Slam since Wimbledon in form so far this year. 2008. She has a booming serve and phe- “Why shouldn’t I? I try to believe. nomenal groundstrokes, with a game Should I look across the net and be- suited to the fast and hard courts of Murray left out of Britain’s Davis Cup team lieve the person across the net de- the Australian Open. serves it more?” she said. Williams though has no intention of Andy Murray was left out of Great Britain’s initial four-man “This mentality is not how champi- Elina Svitolina and Svetlana Kuznet- tallest women on the circuit at 6ft 1ins being intimidated, particularly with team for next week’s Davis Cup World Group first-round ons are made. I’d like to be a champion, sova, seeded eight, on her way to the (1.85 metres), she is supremely confi - the prospect of meeting sister Serena meeting with Canada, which was announced yesterday. in particular this year. The mentality I quarter-fi nals. dent and in fi ne touch, having stunned once again in a major fi nal. Captain Leon Smith says Murray needs rest following his walk on court with is: I deserve this.” But Vandeweghe will be a diff erent world number one Angelique Kerber “To me, the semi-fi nals is a step- shock Australian Open fourth-round defeat at the hands of The seven-time Grand Slam winner proposition. before upsetting Muguruza. ping stone, just like the other rounds. Germany’s Mischa Zverev. But he has not ruled out drafting is yet to drop a set in Melbourne and “I really wasn’t feeling great out It’s an opportunity to advance,” she the world number one into the team if he changes his mind was composed against Pavlyuchenk- ‘IT’S NOT OVER’ there. I was nervous... I was second- said. “The tournament is by no means about competing in the Ottawa match, which begins on ova, who had knocked out 11th seed Vandeweghe, like Williams one of the guessing myself,” said the 25-year- over.” February 3. “We will continue to speak with Andy in the coming days regarding his potential involvement and if he decides he would like to be part of the team, then we can of course change BOTTOMLINE the nominations as necessary,” said Smith. In Murray’s expected absence, Dan Evans, Kyle Edmund, Jamie Murray and Dominic Inglot are due to line up for Britain at the TD Place Arena. The winners of the tie will play either France or Japan in the quarter-finals in April, with the losers facing a relegation play- off after the US Open in September. Murray’s next tournament is scheduled to be the Dubai Duty Free Championships at the end of February. He inspired Britain to glory in the 2015 Davis Cup — their first triumph in the tournament Scrap ‘nonsense’ doubles since 1936 — but they fell to eventual champions Argentina in last year’s semi-finals. No Monfi ls for France format, says Jamie Murray French Davis Cup captain Yannick Noah left Gael Monfils out of his team yesterday then drew a parallel between the Reuters like to have an opportunity where it French number one and scandal-tainted footballer Karim Melbourne doesn’t feel so out of your control and Benzema. “Benzema also is out of the national side,” said that would be with a scoring system Noah, justifying his decision to sideline Monfils for the that allows a bit of time to breathe as February 3-5 tie against Japan in Tokyo. Real Madrid striker op men’s doubles player Jamie the old system was.” Benzema has been excluded from the French football team Murray has called for an end Klaasen added that the singles for- following his implication in a sex-tape and blackmail case to the ATP Tour’s scoring sys- mat could be next in the fi ring line. which is before the French courts. There was no sugges- tem in the format and says “I think down the line, singles will tion of impropriety on the part of Monfils, but the player is Tthere is widespread support for it to be have the same issue,” he said. “We need known to have upset Noah because of alleged lack of commitment to rep- changed. to predict the match is not going to be resenting his country. Noah complained that last year Monfils, enjoying his While the grand slams have stuck fi ve hours, so it’s more likely that the best season, barely showed up for the national side in the Davis Cup. “In the to the best-of-three sets system, the singles start talking about that than that quarters he didn’t even play but won a tournament the following week while men’s tour uses a sudden-death point doubles goes to a longer version.” for the semis he didn’t play because he was in the US Open semis the week at deuce and has a tiebreak in place of Soares said he believed all the top before and couldn’t play the week after,” said Noah, who named Richard Gas- a fi nal set. doubles players would vote to change quet, Gilles Simon, Pierre-Hugues Herbert and Nicolas Mahut to face Japan. The system was introduced in 2006 it back to the same format used at the to help broadcast rights holders better slams or to two full sets with normal Kyrgios but no Tomic for Australia Davis Cup plan their schedules. scoring and a tiebreak, while former Murray, whose Australian Open ti- No. 1 Nenad Zimonjic said fairness Controversial star Nick Kyrgios will play but Bernard Tomic tle defence was ended in round one was the main gripe. was unavailable for the Australia team named yesterday when he and Brazilian Bruno Soares “Just the fact that you could be for next week’s Davis Cup World Group tie with the Czech lost to Americans Sam Querrey and playing much better for say 80 % of Republic. Captain Lleyton Hewitt named world number Donald Young, said the players did not In this August 11, 2014, picture, Britain’s Jamie Murray (left) and Australia’s John the match and then last fi ve minutes 13 Kyrgios along with Sam Groth, Jordan Thompson and think much of the change. Peers participate in a doubles exhibition in Cincinnati, Ohio. (AFP) you play bad and you end up losing, doubles specialist John Peers for the February 3-5 opening “It’s nonsense, I think,” said Mur- I don’t think it’s really fair,” said the round clash on hardcourt at Kooyong in Melbourne. Kyrgios ray, who reached the world number “The changes to the format in 2006 amazing showcase.” Serbian. was picked despite being slapped with US$5,500 in fines one doubles ranking last year. “When were made... ultimately with the aim Murray has a good ally on the ATP for swearing and throwing his racquet after his extraordi- we come to grand slams we always feel of off ering a fast-paced and innovative SINGLES NEXT? Player Council — his brother Andy, the nary second round defeat at the Australian Open last week. like the best team wins. product which is easier to schedule Other leading doubles players believed top men’s singles player. However, he He committed the off ences during the third set of his second-round match “They’re not putting matches on on show courts, as well as facilitating the format allowed too much room for did not see change on the horizon against Italian Andreas Seppi, before slumping to a five-set loss. Thompson, centre court or on TV (in regular participation for singles players,” he luck. “I think they could change it,” he 22, will make his debut after the 27th-ranked Tomic made himself unavail- events), so just put us on the outside said by email. “The diffi culty is that the match can said. “They won’t, but they could.” able, reportedly citing scheduling issues. Hewitt and Tennis Australia made courts and let us play normal scoring.” “Looking back, I think you could be decided on 10 good minutes from Kermode said nothing was set in no mention of Tomic when the team was announced. “The team are hungry Chris Kermode, the executive argue that those changes have worked. your opponent,” said Raven Klaasen, stone. “The scoring format is a popu- and eager to get Australia off to a good start in the World Group next week, chairman and president of the ATP Doubles has come to play an inte- the South African who was runner-up lar topic of debate, not only in doubles and are looking forward to the match against the ,” Hewitt Tour, said doubles was “a very impor- gral part in the overall success of our at the ATP fi nals in London last No- but also in singles, and we’ll continue said. “To be at home on hardcourt at Kooyong will give us every opportunity tant part” of the Tour and that the for- season-ending tournament, as well as vember. to listen to our player members on any to secure a win.” mat change had been a success. providing our doubles players with an “I think all doubles players would discussions moving forward,” he said.

Wednesday, January 25, 2017 GULF TIMES SPORT

FOCUS 2022 will be ‘spectacular’ for Arab world: Trezeguet

avid Trezeguet has scored “We already have a preview for what to create football growth, and they will some important goals for the World Cup will look like with the be an example for young players and the France, perhaps most no- young players in the Al Kass Under 17s next generation.” tably the golden goal that tournament here in Doha. The impor- He added: “It is an interesting de- handedD his country the extra-time win tant thing for Qatar will be to showcase velopment, and time will tell how well over Italy in the fi nal of Euro 2000. He Qatari talents who will be able to dem- they achieve this objective. Indian was also part of the golden generation onstrate their footballing qualities. football in relation to others is still be- of French players that lifted the FIFA “The Aspire Academy is showing hind, and football is not yet the most World Cup on home soil two years ear- that they’re up to any football chal- popular sport in India. But they have a lier. Now the former Juventus and Mo- lenge. This tournament has welcomed big margin of growth. China is mobilis- naco striker believes it is time for a new teams of a great level for many years, ing in a great way in football, and I think football region to step up and take the and this helps Qatari football grow as the future in India can be in the same spotlight. well. They are doing extraordinary work direction.” “The organisation I’ve seen in Qatar at the Aspire Academy, but there is still After a Juventus career in which he has been excellent, and it will be some- room for improvement as the country’s became the fourth leading goal-scorer thing spectacular here in 2022, not just football continues to develop.” in the club’s history with 171 goals, for Qatar but for the whole Arab world,” Having also taken part in the 2006 Trezeguet believes now is the time for Trezeguet said on a visit to the offi ces of FIFA World Cup Germany, Trezeguet the Old Lady to return to the top of Eu- the Supreme Committee for Delivery & said he’s looking forward to a tourna- ropean football with Argentine striker Legacy (SC) in Doha. ment beginning in Qatar on 21 Novem- Gonzalo Higuaín leading the line. He continued: “The projects under ber 2022: “Players will be fresher in the “Juventus have been the top team in way here in a country under constant middle of the season, and the football Italy for fi ve years,” he explained. “They development are something extraor- will be more spectacular as a result. We have shown that they are the most im- dinary. That’s why it is important for also have to remember that the World portant team, and are working hard to me to be here and give my support to a Cup brings together teams from around make the club a top European side with project which will be unique.” the world, and the edition in Qatar will titles to accompany this. The Les Bleus legend has already seen be a new concept that will be an impor- “Higuain has been added to the team some of the world’s best youngsters in tant change for the world.” to give it a new level of quality, and he action this week at the Al Kass Interna- Trezeguet, who retired in 2015 after is doing this very well. Juventus has tional Cup; a tournament that features spending the fi nal season of his career made big buys, to get national and in- some of the top Under 17s teams from at Indian side FC Pune City, added that ternational titles, and the Champions across the world, and pointed out that Asian football will continue to grow League is the biggest trophy in Europe. Aspire Academy was creating a pool over the next six years. He said: “Asian Italian football needs these titles, and of talented Qatari players to compete football is the future of football. In Chi- I think Juventus is showing that it is a against the best in the world. na they are investing a lot in big players step above the rest.” (SC.qa)

TENNIS / AUSTRALIAN OPEN Back to the future as Federer storms into Melbourne semis Four-time champion beats Zverev in clinical fashion to set up all-Swiss semi-final with Stan Wawrinka

Reuters Melbourne From the sidelines our-times champion Roger Fe- Vote of thanks derer continued to roll back the years as he took apart Mischa Jo-Wilfried Tsonga was delighted Zverev 6-1 7-5 6-2 with a clini- to receive a letter from a ball girl calF display of all-court tennis to reach he helped from the court at last his 13th Australian Open semi-fi nal in year’s Australian Open, after she 92 minutes yesterday. had been dazed by being struck Chasing an 18th grand slam title, and in the face with a ball. “Dear Mr. fi rst since 2012, the 35-year-old Fed- Jo-Wilfried Tsonga,” the letter read. erer neutered his left-handed German “I wanted to take the opportunity opponent’s serve-volley game to set up to say thank you for helping me a last-four meeting with fellow Swiss out on court during your round Stan Wawrinka. 2 match. I’m not sure if you remem- “I think it defi nitely went as good as ber me but I was the ball girl you it possibly could have gone,” Federer escorted off court.” Tsonga com- told reporters. mented: “It was nice to have this “I had to adapt my style. It was a nice letter. I didn’t do something really match. I think I played great.” special, to be honest. I just saw her Looking in form as imperious as in his last year. She was struggling. I saw heyday of a decade ago despite missing that she needs some help. The only the back half of last season after knee thing I did is I took her and I bring surgery, Federer is now one match away her to outside of the court, and from a potential fi nal against his old ri- that’s it. I didn’t save the world at val Rafael Nadal. all. But it was really kind to receive Wawrinka, the 2014 champion, will something after that.” want to have a say about that as will Nadal’s quarter-fi nal opponent, Milos Standards on the slide Raonic. But with both Williams sisters also The Age newspaper reported some unusual goings-on regarding media at still standing in the women’s draw, it the Australian Open. One European journalist was found sleeping rough would be easy to imagine it was 2007 under a bridge and moved on by security, the paper said. It added that a Chi- not 2017 at Melbourne Park. nese journalist brought his five-year-old along, and left the child unattended Zverev’s serve-and-volley game is at the tournament’s play area while he carried on with his work. “When he a throwback to an even earlier era and returned at 7:00pm — 10 hours later — to pick up the child, he was greeted by the world number 50 contributed fully police who sternly reminded the gentleman that the playground was not a to an entertaining, if brief, contest with day-care centre,” the report said. his fi ne volleying and net play. The unorthodox game helped the A wildcard — for my girlfriend left-hander beat world number one Andy Murray on Sunday, one of two ’s Roger Federer hits a return against Germany’s Mischa Zverev during their quarter-final singles match at the Rafael Nadal looked distinctly flustered when he was pulled up for describ- stunning upsets along with the early Australian Open in Melbourne yesterday. Federer will face compatriot Stan Wawrinka (below) in the semi-final. (AFP) ing his girlfriend as a “wildcard” entry for the tournament. Nadal’s long-term exit of Novak Djokovic which have girlfriend Xisca Perello is rarely seen courtside, but she has finally made an opened up the draw for Federer and appearance in Melbourne, where Nadal has competed 11 times, reaching Nadal. three finals and lifting the trophy in 2009. “After 10 years, finally my girlfriend Against Federer, though, it took gets a wildcard to come here,” Nadal told on-court interviewer Jim Courier, Zverev 15 minutes to hold serve and get as Perello looked on. “A wildcard? I’m speechless. That’s a wildcard? She’s not on the scoreboard and by that stage he a main draw player? She needs a special entry?” Courier said. An embar- was already 5-0 down in the opening rassed Nadal replied awkwardly: “Better we stop here.” set. “I think he did not really let me play,” said Zverev. “He just has so many more options, how he can, like, outplay me or pass me. It was diff erent, defi nitely dif- ferent.”

LEAPING BACKHAND The Swiss needed four more minutes to wrap up the set with a leaping back- hand at the net but Zverev gradually found his touch and broke for 3-1 in the second set. Federer broke again straight away but Zverev, who admitted after beating Murray that he had no Plan B, contin- ued to charge to the net to greater and greater eff ect. The Swiss bided his time, though, and a couple of brilliant backhand 65th of the match, sent him into a 41st best. Stan and I practised so much to- day and lost a Melbourne semi-fi nal to passes gave him another break before grand slam semi-fi nal. gether. Yeah, I guess those two guys Federer a decade ago, off ered some wel- he served out the set with less than an “I’m happy, I never thought I was know me very well.” come perspective. hour on the clock. going to be this good,” Federer said. Federer has been such an extraordi- “Everyone here is going to talk about A third set studded with deft shot- “And here I am, still standing, in a semi nary player that he has all but lost the it in every story they write for the rest Maria Francisca Perello, girlfriend of Spain’s Rafael Nadal, looks on after making went with serve until another against Stan, it couldn’t be cooler for ability to shock with his feats on court. of this tournament, and I still don’t he won his singles fourth round match against France’s Gael Monfils at the Federer backhand gave him a break for the both of us. Andy Roddick, who was inducted know if that’s enough,” the American Australian Open in Melbourne on Monday. (Reuters) 5-2 and a rasping crosscourt winner, his “I think him and Rafa know my game into the tennis Hall of Fame on Tues- told reporters. “It’s pretty amazing.”