FFOOTBALLOOTBALL | Page 2 RRUGBYUGBY | Page 6 Pique’s late Watson, equaliser Simmonds star keeps Barca as England win unbeaten in Rome

Monday, February 5, 2018 CRICKET Jumada I 19, 1439 AH Chahal claims five as GULF TIMES India beat South Africa in second ODI SPORT Page 4 FOOTBALL Kane rescues Tottenham Spurs striker misses a penalty before scoring a controversial in Liverpool thriller one in stoppage to force draw

AFP RESULTS London Crystal Palace 1 (Milivojevic 55-pen) arry Kane scored a last-gasp Newcastle 1 (Diame 22) penalty equaliser just min- Liverpool 2 (Salah 3, 90+1) Totten- utes after missing another ham 2 (Wanyama 80, Kane 90+5-pen) Hspot-kick in Tottenham’s breathtaking 2-2 draw at Liverpool, STANDINGS while Newcastle remain mired in the battle for survival after a 1-1 draw at P W D L F A Pts Crystal Palace yesterday. 1. Man City 26 22 3 1 74 19 69 After falling behind when Mo- hamed Salah punished a mistake from 2. Man United 26 17 5 4 51 18 56 Eric Dier in the third minute at An- 3. Liverpool 26 14 9 3 59 31 51 field, Tottenham hit back to equal- ise through Kenya midfielder Victor 4. Chelsea 25 15 5 5 45 19 50 Wanyama’s blistering 20-yard drive 5. Tottenham 26 14 7 5 51 24 49 with 10 minutes left. Tottenham wasted a chance to take 6. Arsenal 26 13 6 7 51 35 45 the lead when Kane saw his 85th- 7. Burnley 26 9 9 8 21 23 36 minute penalty saved by Loris Karius, who had been penalised for bringing 8. Leicester 26 9 8 9 38 35 35 down the England striker. 9. Bournemouth 26 8 7 11 30 37 31 Salah looked set to make Kane pay for that mistake in the fi rst minute of stop- 10. Everton 26 8 7 11 29 45 31 page time as the Egypt winger danced 11. Watford 25 7 6 12 33 44 27 his way through the Tottenham defence to slot in a sublime goal. 12. West Ham 26 6 9 11 32 46 27 But in the fi nal seconds, Liverpool 13. Brighton & Hove 26 6 9 11 21 35 27 defender Virgil van Dijk conceded a controversial penalty with a soft chal- 14. Crystal Palace 26 6 9 11 24 39 27 lenge on Erik Lamela. 15. Southampton 26 5 11 10 28 38 26 This time, Kane held his nerve to net his 100th Premier League goal as he Tottenham’s Harry Kane 16. Newcastle 26 6 7 13 24 36 25 stroked his spot-kick past Karius to cap scores their second goal 17. Swansea 26 6 6 14 19 37 24 an incredible fi nale. from a penalty during their Reds boss Jurgen Klopp was furious English Premier League 18. Stoke City 26 6 6 14 26 52 24 with the second penalty decision and match against Liverpool at 19. Huddersfield 26 6 6 14 19 46 24 confronted referee Jon Moss on the Anfield in Liverpool, Eng- pitch after the fi nal whistle. land, yesterday. (Reuters) 20. West Brom 26 3 11 12 21 37 20 “The result was massively influ- enced by decisions. The first (pen- alty) was clear offside, unbelievable,” “Both were a penalty and nothing to fourth-placed Chelsea, who face Wat- to settle for a point. Kenedy swung a low delivery into reach Wilfried Zaha’s cross. Klopp said. say, it is not controversial — it is noth- ford on Monday, as the battle hots up The Magpies are only one point the penalty area that Milivojevic Serbian midfielder Milivojevic sent “For the second, Virgil van Dijk ing,” he said. to qualify for next season’s Champions above the relegation zone in 16th place missed and when Martin Kelly failed his spot-kick towards the bottom touches him, but we all know Lamela “Sometimes people complain about League via a top-four fi nish. after failing to win for a fourth consec- to track Diame’s run, the Senegal corner and although Karl Darlow got a wants the touch. A situation in the last the referee, but when they are right it is utive league match. midfielder was free to finish from hand to the ball, he was unable to pre- minute like that? Wow. He (the offi cial) good to tell everyone.” PALACE HIT BACK Palace, without a win in their last close range. vent it reaching the back of the net. wanted to be middle of interest and he Liverpool remain in third place, At Selhurst Park, Rafael Benitez’s side three league games, are two points But Newcastle defender Ciaran Newcastle’s Jonjo Shelvey was for- is.” while Tottenham stay two points be- took a fi rst-half lead through Mohamed ahead of Newcastle. Clark conceded a 55th-minute pen- tunate not to concede another penalty Tottenham manager Mauricio Po- hind Klopp’s side in fi fth. Diame, but a Luka Milivojevic penalty The visitors had gone in front in the alty when he bundled over Christian for a blatant tug on James McArthur’s chettino inevitably saw it diff erently. Tottenham are one point behind soon after the interval forced Newcastle 22nd minute. Benteke after the striker leaped to shirt as the Magpies held on.

QATAR TOURING CAR CHAMPIONSHIP Unstoppable al-Khelaifi clinches another double

By Sports Reporter dulla had a really good gap, I tried in the Doha last two laps to catch them but I needed more than two laps to challenge them. But I am happy that I got good results bdulla al-Khelaifi completed this weekend.” yet another perfect round in El Dib, who had a problem with the his Qatar Touring Car Cham- gearbox in the previous round, man- pionship title defence, win- aged to be on the podium for the fi rst Aning both the races of the third round at race, but was sixth in the second. “I had the Losail International Circuit. to change the gearbox but I managed In the fi rst race, pole-sitter al- to do some adjustments and it worked. Khelaifi never relinquished his lead Happy to be back on podium again,” he through to the checkered fl ag, and beat said. Mansoor al-Hajri by 1.516 seconds. The Al-Asam was very happy to get his third place in the podium was for Ad- fi rst podium of the season in the second ham El Dib. race of the day. “I was hoping to fi ght in In the second race, with a reverse the beginning of the season but the car grid, al-Khelaifi started from the last was not in good shape. For this round, position and had to fi ght for positions we had a gap of 3 weeks, so I worked a with al-Hajri and Hamad al-Asam, but lot on the set up and it was risky as I eventually took the win, crossing the changed a lot of things but the car was line 1.241 seconds ahead of al-Asam. perfect,” he said. Al-Hajri was again on the podium, this After the third round, al-Khelaifi time in third. Race-winner Abdulla al-Khelaifi (second from right) on the podium for Race 1 of third round of Qatar Touring Car Championship, with second-placed Mansoor al-Hajri leads the standings with 116 points, “In the fi rst race, my start was good. (centre) and third-placed Adham El Dib. Also seen are QMMF president Abdulrahman al-Mannai (second from left), QMMF general-secretary Abdulrazak al-Kuwari (left). while El Dib is second with 69 points Hamad had a problem at the start, so I and al-Hajri third with 66 points. secured the fi rst corner and from there as I started in the last position. I had a ing more competitive in the coming issues with my car. I was fi nally able to on the set-up again and be more com- Trophies were presented by QMMF on I built a gap. The weather is very big fi ght with Mansoor at the begin- rounds. “Finally, after two rounds of fi x it and now I am back on the podium. petitive and have fun with the guys in president Abdulrahman al-Mannai, hot for the tyres and it was very dif- ning and then with Hamad. Hamad was struggle I am back on the podium. I My lap time proved that I can be com- the front,” al-Hajri said. QMMF general-secretary Abdulrazak fi cult, so at the end of the race we all hard to pass as he has advantage on the wasn’t really prepared for this champi- petitive and I can stay with the leader, “The Race 2 with the reverse grid is al-Kuwari. slowed down to cool down the tyres,” straights. So I tried out-braking him in onship this season. I wasn’t sure I was with Abdulla, who is fl ying. I need to very diffi cult. Adham was very fast and The next round of Qatar Touring Car al-Khelaifi said. the corners and then built the gap.” going to participate this year,” he said. do a lot of work though. I have fi xed the he was blocking very well but I man- Championship will be held on February “The second race was more exciting Al-Hajri was looking back to be- “In the fi rst two rounds, I had a lot of mechanical part now but I need to work aged to pass him. Then Hamad and Ab- 16-17, 2018. Gulf Times 2 Monday, February 5, 2018 FOOTBALL

LA LIGA SPOTLIGHT Rodgers blames lack of creativity for Pique’s late equaliser rare Celtic defeat

AFP man refused to use it or early Kilmarnock, United Kingdom injuries to defenders Dedryck Boyata and Kristoff er Ajer as ex- cuses for his side’s loss. eltic manager Brendan “It doesn’t help, certainly, keeps Barca unbeaten Rodgers bemoaned his when you lose two of your back side’s lack of creativity three so early in the game,” ‘Even though it was raining, we thought that the pitch would hold, but then we saw after they slipped to a Rodgers said. shockC 1-0 defeat by Kilmarnock “Of course it means you’ve that the grass was not going to hold up and that the pitch was becoming dangerous’ at Rugby Park on Saturday. got to change and alter people’s The Hoops enjoyed the lion’s positioning and obviously diff er share of possession but failed your plans. to register a shot on target until “But I felt we could’ve played the fi nal minute after Congolese here until midnight and not midfi elder Youssouf Mulumbu’s scored. We weren’t really threat- 70th-minute strike secured Kil- ening. lie’s fi rst win over the Scottish “We can blame injuries, we champions since October 2012. can look at the pitch and all sorts It is just the second domestic where it’s very diffi cult to play defeat Rodgers has suff ered since but the bottom line is we weren’t arriving at Celtic Park in May 2016 so good today.” having previously led the Glas- For Kilmarnock it was a fi fth gow giants on a record-breaking home win in a row as they con- 69-match unbeaten run. tinue their resurgence under Rivals Rangers’ recent revival Steve Clarke. was ended by a 2-1 defeat at The former West Bromwich Ibrox by Hibernian but Aber- Albion manager, who led his side deen’s 3-0 defeat of Hamilton to a 2-1 win over Rangers in De- cut the Hoops’ lead at the top of cember, has claimed four of six the Scottish Premiership to eight points against the Hoops since points. joining Killie in October last “They deserved to win,” ad- year. mitted Rodgers. “We weren’t “It was a great performance creative enough with the ball. It from the team. Everybody made was a disappointing day for us their contribution,” said Clarke, and we’ve not had too many of who has guided his side away those in my time up here. from the relegation zone to a “Defensively, we were a bit place in the top six. passive at times and I didn’t “I said we would have to play think we were aggressive almost a perfect game and I think enough. we managed to achieve that. “I thought overall we had a lot “It’s down to hard work and of the ball but there was no real application from the players. I’m penetration or creativity to our probably a manager and a coach game. who demands a lot out of them. “There was a lot of talent on I’ve always been the same. the fi eld but not enough quality “I like the players to work hard from them.” in training. If you work hard in Rodgers has been an outspo- training normally that perform- ken critic of the artifi cial surface ance transfers to the weekend used at Rugby Park in the past. matches and that’s been the case However, the Northern Irish- since I got here.”

Barcelona’s Gerard Pique (centre) celebrates with Sergio Busquets (left) and Luis Suarez after scoring against Espanyol in Barcelona yesterday. (Reuters)

AFP The match was played in pour- for a La Liga, Copa del Rey and Madrid ing rain and Valverde slammed Champions League treble. the “dangerous” pitch. “We are still up there (top of “Even though it was raining, the table). The conditions for erard Pique scored a we thought that the pitch would them and for us were not the late header to salvage hold, but then we saw that the best, but it was an entertaining a 1-1 draw for runaway grass was not going to hold up game,” Barca captain Andres La Liga leaders Bar- and that the pitch was becom- Iniesta told BeIn Sports. Gcelona at city rivals Espanyol ing dangerous,” the Barcelona They were far from at their yesterday, keeping their bid for coach said. fl uent best against a stubborn an unbeaten campaign on track. “On our passes from defence Espanyol whose point drags Ernesto Valverde’s men were the ball could get stuck in a them eight clear of the rel- in danger of falling to their puddle and that’s why things egation zone, although Philippe fi rst league defeat of the sea- got diffi cult.” Coutinho came close to scoring son when Gerard Moreno nod- “We give a lot of value to this his fi rst goal since joining from ded the hosts ahead midway draw, because it was hard to get Liverpool last month when he through the second half, but because of this scenario and be- struck the crossbar in the fi rst centre-back Pique met a Lionel cause it’s a derby and we didn’t half. Messi corner in the 82nd minute want to lose.” Faltering champions Real to snatch a point. The fi ve-time European Madrid are 19 points adrift of Barcelona are now 12 points champions also set a new club arch rivals Barca in fourth, after clear at the top of the table from record of 22 matches unbeaten throwing away two points in a Atletico Madrid, who host third- to start a league season on Sun- 2-2 draw at Levante on Espanyol’s Gerard Moreno celebrates with Sergi Darder after scoring placed Valencia later on Sunday. day, and are still in the hunt Saturday. a goal against Barcelona yesterday. (Reuters) Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers.

FOCUS REACTION Cassano laughs off Zidane fuming as leaky defence China move

AFP ready earned enough money.” Milan Cassano spent his youth at his hometown club Bari before mak- costs Real Madrid once more ing headlines as a 17-year-old Reuters Carvajal and Raphael Varane to score on ormer Italy internation- when he scored a stunning last- Madrid his debut after Isco had restored Ma- al Antonio Cassano gasp winner to sink Inter Milan drid’s advantage. yesterday dismissed in 1999. “I’m disgusted with the result, it’s as “stupid” talk of him He became the most expen- eal Madrid’s season has hard to take,” Zidane told reporters. “Af- Fjoining a club in China. sive teenager in football history lurched from one disappoint- ter our second goal we had to control the The 35-year-old, who has at the time when he earned a 30 ment to another over the last ball, nothing else, and defensively we hesitated over retirement since million euro move to Roma in few months and the mood at were not good.” leaving Verona last summer, was 2001. theR club was further soured by a 2-2 La “The truth is the game was under capped 39 times by Italy in his Despite a career overshad- Liga draw at Levante on Saturday, a re- control and we had done the hard part, career and played for Roma, Real owed by his hot-headed reputa- sult that left embattled coach Zinedine which is scoring. We scored the second, Madrid and both Milan clubs. tion and a UEFA fi ne for making Zidne “disgusted”. 2-1, but we made two errors and they Despite interest from China, homophobic comments, he be- Zidane’s side twice threw away the scored two goals against us.” the forward whose career was lieves he still has what it takes to lead with Giampaolo Pazzini’s 89th Madrid have now conceded in each of packed with controversy, told play. minute equaliser earning Levante a point their last six league games and shipped Corriere della Sera anyone who “The things I did wrong I paid and leaving the defending champions a total of 25 goals, more than twice as goes to China does so purely for for (in my career), that’s how it fourth in the standings, 18 points behind many as Barcelona (10) and second- fi nancial reasons. should be,” said Cassano. arch rivals and leaders Barcelona. placed Atletico Madrid (9). “Going to China? Stupid. For “I train every day, using the Madrid started the year poorly but With Madrid eliminated from the me everyone is free to do what regime of my former coach, consecutive league wins over Deportivo King’s Cup by local rivals Leganes, the they want,” he said. (Agostino) Tibaudi. And I play La Coruna and Valencia had given Zi- only trophy they can realistically win is “But whoever goes to play in tennis three times a week with dane hope that his team might be turn- the Champions League, in which they China should admit they are do- my accountant. ing a corner, until they slipped up again have a tricky last 16 tie against Paris St ing it for the money. “He always wins, for now, but against a hard-working Levante. The Germain to negotiate. “I don’t even remember the I was born to play football.” coach was furious that his team made Midfi elder Casemiro is adamant that name of the team who want to two defensive errors which led to both Madrid cannot continue to defend so sign me.” Levante goals, the fi rst converted by poorly if they wish to defend their Euro- He added he was open to play- Emmanuel Boateng before Pazzini’s late pean crown. ing anywhere else but only with intervention. “We made two errors and we let in two a club where he has the total Madrid captain Sergio Ramos broke goals, that’s football,” Casemiro said. support of the management. the deadlock but then played Jose Luis “We have to think game-by-game, but “I want to know whether I can Morales onside in the build up to Levan- it’s clear we can’t make those mistakes still make it. It needs a president te’s fi rst equaliser three minutes before against PSG.” and a coach who have 100 per- halftime. Madrid host PSG at the Santiago cent belief in me. Otherwise, I Then, 33-year-old forward Pazzini, a Bernabeu on February 14 in the fi rst leg will leave it be. deadline day loan signing from Verona, of their Champions League showdown, Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane gestures during the La Liga match against Levante “However, if I do fi nd it, I’ll be was allowed to charge between Dani with the return in Paris on March 6. at the Ciutat de Valencia stadium in Valencia on Saturday. (AFP) ready. I’ll sign for free, I have al- Gulf Times Monday, February 5, 2018 3 FOOTBALL

BUNDESLIGA Frankfurt miss chance to go second with Augsburg loss AFP Luka Jovic hitting the post just Berlin minutes later, but it was Augs- burg who had the better of the fi rst half, as good chances came oung forward Marco and went for Caiuby and Gre- Richter scored his fi rst goritsch. Bundesliga goal as Marcel Heller forced a smart Augsburg beat Eintracht save from Lukas Hradecky just FrankfurtY 3-0 yesterday. after the break, as Augsburg The win saw Augsburg move continued to dominate. up to seventh, while Frankfurt With 15 minutes to go, the missed an opportunity to go home side fi nally doubled the second in the table and remain lead, Gregoritsch hooking the sixth, one point adrift of fourth- ball out of the air and prodding it placed Borussia Dortmund in in from close range. the race for Champions League With just minutes to go, the qualifi cation. 20-year-old Richter broke into “We were aggressive from the the box, and fi red the ball into very fi rst minute today,” Augs- the bottom corner to pick up a burg goalscorer Michael Gre- fi rst goal in just his second senior goritsch told Sky. appearance for Augsburg. “I think that the win was a fair result.” After Kevin Danso had missed a sitter early in the game, Augs- Augsburg’s German forward burg took the lead on 19 minutes, Marco Richter scores a goal Koo Ja-cheol holding the ball up against Eintracht Frankfurt well in the penalty area before during their Bundesliga match squeezing it into the far corner. in Augsburg, southern Germany, Frankfurt responded brightly, yesterday. (AFP)

SERIE A SPOTLIGHT Deschamps World Cup warning sparked Higuain’s hat-trick Giroud switch

AFP ent in France, and the target man Paris has scored 29 goals in 69 France appearances. “You know how attached I am livier Giroud re- to the national team and I want in Juventus’ 7-goal vealed yesterday his to play at a World Cup in Rus- move from Arsenal to sia, which will surely be my last, Chelsea was motivated so I have to give myself the best byO a World Cup warning from possible chance,” he said, adding France coach Didier Deschamps. that he “needed a new challenge, Having dropped down the a new club”. pecking order with Arsene The man who spearheaded Wenger’s Gunners, Giroud knew Montpellier’s astonishing Ligue win over Sassuolo he would need to be playing 1 title winning campaign in 2012 more regularly if he is to con- said the lure of working with ‘We cannot aff ord any slip-ups with Napoli having an extraordinary championship. It vince Deschamps to take him to Chelsea manager Antonio Conte Russia in June. determined his destination. was important to win today so we could definitively break away from the chasing pack’ “I called Didier Deschamps “Dortmund were interested a week before the end of the but for a loan deal, Sevilla too, AFP transfer window as I needed his my agent even got a call from Milan opinion,” the 31-year-old striker Roma,” Giroud revealed. “But told TF1. “He encouraged me to the choice was clear and obvious change clubs,” added Giroud, once I knew that Antonio Conte onzalo Higuain hit a who signed an 18-month deal wanted to work with me.” rapid hat-trick and with the English Premier League With fi rst-choice striker Al- Sami Khedira two champions. varo Morata sidelined by a back in three minutes as Giroud has been a consistent injury, Conte had been in the Gchampions Juventus piled the part of Deschamps’s plans de- market for a player with Giroud’s pressure on Napoli in the Serie spite a plethora of attacking tal- physical presence. A title chase with a 7-0 win over Sassuolo yesterday. Juventus were 4-0 up by half- time after Alex Sandro opened the scoring on nine minutes in Turin with a quick-fi re Khedira brace and a Miralem Pjanic goal burying an overwhelmed Sas- suolo. Argentine ace Higuain domi- nated the second half with a hat-trick in a 20-minute spell to bring his league tally to 13 as Juventus went top of the ta- ble two-points ahead of Napoli who play at bottom side Ben- evento later Sunday. Sassuolo are rooted in 15th position. “We cannot aff ord any slip- ups with Napoli having an ex- traordinary championship. It was important to win today so we could defi nitively break EPL away from the chasing pack, who are now 14 points away,” said Juventus coach Massimil- iano Allegri. Moyes refuses to “Many players are beginning to reach their peak.” Blaise Ma- tuidi went off with a muscular blame off -fi eld injury and Allegri said he ex- pected the French international would be out of the Champions incidents for defeat League clash against Tottenham on February 13. Reuters move on, and we have to. It’s “Blaise Matuidi seems to London always the manager’s job but I have a muscular issue, but we don’t think the events would do have players like Claudio Mar- that.” chisio and Paulo Dybala who are est Ham United Henry’s sacking followed de- getting closer to fi tness,” added manager David fender Arthur Masuaku’s six- the Juventus coach. Moyes said that re- match ban for spitting at an op- Earlier Roma got back to win- cent off -fi eld prob- ponent during West Ham’s FA ning ways to move closer to the Wlems at the club had nothing to Cup defeat at Wigan Athletic Champions League places with do with Saturday’s 3-1 Premier last weekend. Turkish winger Cengiz Under League defeat at Brighton and “Maybe that’s just West Ham, scoring the only goal within the Hove Albion. I don’t know,” Moyes added. “In fi rst minute in Verona. The London club sacked di- management no day is ever dull. Roma had not won since De- rector of player recruitment The job brings up some diffi cult cember 16 but 20-year-old Un- Juventus’ Gonzalo Higuain celebrates with Federico Bernardeschi after scoring a goal against Sassuolo durign their Serie A match . (Reuters) Tony Henry on Friday following situations and some strange der got them off the mark early allegations of racial discrimina- ones.” on taking the hosts by surprise Roma coach Eusebio Di Franc- places being held 1-1 at Udinese lowed, then given after view- months. Verona stay second tion. Defeat at Brighton left West to slot in his fi rst Serie A goal. esco. Verona’s Brazilian goal- with Davide Calabria sent off on ing the video assistant referee from bottom with just 16 points According to a report in the Ham in 12th on 27 points but just The visitors held on despite keeper Nicolas did well to twice 68 minutes. (VAR). from 23 games. Daily Mail newspaper, Henry three points above the relegation Lorenzo Pellegrini being sent block Edin Dzeko during a fi rst Suso opened with a stunning On Saturday, Inter Milan Midtable Fiorentina won 2-1 said the club wanted to limit the zone in a congested bottom half off after 51 minutes for tackling half dominated by Roma. shot from a distance within the were jeered off the pitch at the at Bologna with Federico Chie- number of African players in of the table. Ryder Matos from behind. Dzeko, Radja Nainggolan and fi rst minute. But Milan’s Ca- San Siro after extending their sa getting the winner after 71 their squad as “they have a bad “When I took over we were in Roma stay fi fth but move to Kevin Strootman had further labria was sent off for a second winless run to eight games in minutes with Jordan Veretout’s attitude” and “cause mayhem” the bottom three so to be where within a point of Inter Milan chances as Roma held on for yellow card and Udinese drew Serie A with a 1-1 draw against opener cancelled out by Erick when they are not in the team. we are now I’d have said ‘thanks who occupy the fi nal Champi- three points to move to within a level eight minutes later when minnows Crotone. Pulgar. Asked if the incident had a very much’. We are still in a bat- ons League spot after being held point of Inter in fourth. goalie Gianluigi Donnarumma Brazilian Eder headed in for Cagliari earned a 2-0 win bearing on the result, Moyes tle to stay up but it’s the same for 1-1 by Crotone on Saturday. defl ected into his own net. the hosts after 23 minutes only over relegation rivals SPAL in said: “It had no eff ect whatso- other teams.” “We deservedly won. We Suso stunner Atalanta beat Chievo 1-0 for Andrea Barberis to level 15 Sardinia, with goals from Luca ever. West Ham host Watford in went down to 10 men and still AC Milan missed the chance with Gianluca Mancini’s win- minutes into the second half to Cigarini and substitute Marco “The club have done what their next league game on Feb- didn’t allow a shot on goal,” said to move into the Europa League ner on 72 minutes at fi rst disal- leave Inter without a win in two Sau. they think they have to do and ruary 10. Gulf Times 4 Monday, February 5, 2018 SPORT

CRICKET SPOTLIGHT IOC threatens to Chahal claims expel boxing over ‘The way our match-fi xing

spinners are AFP said. Pyeongchang, South Korea IOC president Thomas Bach bowling I am said AIBA had been asked to provide more information about pretty confident he International Olym- accusations of fi xing at the Rio fi ve as India pic Committee threat- Olympics, where a group of of- we can continue ened to axe boxing from fi cials were sent home following the Tokyo 2020 Games a number of controversial deci- (with) the same Ton Sunday as it opened an inves- sions. tigation into the sport’s contro- “We are still looking into this momentum’ versial governing body and said issue... we want them to (give) concerns lingered over possible a satisfying explanation,” Bach match-fi xing at Rio 2016. said, adding: “We are extremely thrash S Africa The IOC’s executive board also worried about the governance of froze contacts with and fi nancial AIBA.” payments to the International AIBA’s interim president, Amateur Boxing Association Gafur Rakhimov, has been de- (AIBA), whose interim president scribed as “one of Uzbekistan’s has been named as a leading leading criminals” by the US SCORECARD criminal by the US Treasury De- Treasury Department, which has partment. frozen his assets in the country South Africa The board said it was “not and claims he has links to the H. Amla c Dhoni b Kumar ...... 23 satisfi ed” with a report by AIBA heroin trade. Q. de Kock c Pandya b Chahal ...... 20 about its governance, refereeing Rakhimov, 66, came to power A. Markram c Kumar b Kuldeep Yadav ...... 8 and anti-doping issues, and de- last month following the abrupt J. Duminy lbw b Chahal ...... 25 manded a further report by April resignation of Italy’s Franco Fal- D. Miller c Rahane b Kuldeep Yadav ...... 0 30. cinelli, who was briefl y interim K. Zondo c Pandya b Chahal ...... 25 “The IOC reserves the right to president after Taiwan’s Wu C. Morris c Kumar b Chahal ...... 14 review the inclusion of boxing on Ching-Kuo stepped down in No- K. Rabada lbw b Kuldeep Yadav ...... 1 the programme of the Youth Ol- vember. M. Morkel lbw b Chahal ...... 1 ympic Games Buenos Aires 2018 “Our message to the IOC and Imran Tahir b Bumrah ...... 0 and the Olympic Games Tokyo to the world of boxing is that T. Shamsi not out ...... 0 2020,” a statement said. AIBA is turning over a new leaf Extras (w1) ...... 1 AIBA responded later on Sun- and we intend to demonstrate Total: (32.2 overs) ...... 118 day with a statement that in- our responsibility to all national Fall of wickets: 1-39 (Amla), 2-51 (De Kock), 3-51 (Markram), 4-51 sisted it had fulfi lled “the IOC’s federations and our commitment (Miller), 5-99 (Zondo), 6-107 (Duminy), 7-110 (Rabada), 8-117 (Morkel), request to submit a Progress Re- to the sport we all love,” Rakhi- 9-118 (Tahir) port”. mov said in an AIBA statement Bowling: Kumar 5-1-19-1, Bumrah 5-1-12-1, Pandya 5-0-34-0, Chahal “This decision is extremely last week. 8.2-1-22-5, Kuldeep Yadav 6-0-20-3 (1w), Jadhav 3-0-11-0 disappointing for AIBA as it Boxing, one of the core Olym- hoped the IOC Executive Board pic sports, has been contested at India would have understood that the every edition of the Games apart R. Sharma c Morkel b Rabada ...... 15 processes necessary to imple- from Stockholm in 1912, because S. Dhawan not out ...... 51 ment even more measures re- it was banned in Sweden at the V. Kohli not out ...... 46 quire more time,” the statement time. Extras: (lb1, w6) ...... 7 Total: (1 wkt, 20.3 overs) ...... 119 Fall of wicket: 1-26 (Sharma) T20 Bowling: Morkel 4-0-30-0 (3w), Rabada 5-0-24-1 (1w), Morris 3-0-16-0 (1w), Imran Tahir 5.3-0-30-0 (1w), Shamsi 3-1-18-0 Did not bat: A. Rahane, M. Dhoni, K. Jadhav, H. Pandya, B. Kumar, Kuldeep Yadav, J. Bumrah, Y. Chahal Weatherald hits Result: India won by nine wickets Series: India lead the six-match series 2-0 Toss: India ton as Strikers Umpires: Aleem Dar (PAK), Adrian Holdstock (RSA) Indian bowler Yuzvendra Chahal TV umpire: Ian Gould (ENG) celebrates the dismissal of South Match referee: Andy Pycroft (ZIM) African batsman Chris Morris win Big Bash title (not in picture) during the second One Day International cricket AFP 'It was cool to get a match between South Africa and Adelaide century in front of my India at Centurion cricket ground parents and play in front of in Centurion yesterday. such a crowd. Luckily ake Weatherald plundered it came off today' 115 runs off 70 balls as the Adelaide Strikers beat the er-hitting Hurricanes lineup to Hobart Hurricanes by 25 secure victory. I am pretty confi dent we can continue “The spinners were outstanding. They Most of a capacity crowd left the runsJ to win their fi rst-ever Big “I obviously dream of this, but AFP Centurion, South Africa (with) the same momentum.” were getting bounce and pace off the ground before Kohli scored the winning Bash League Twenty20 title in never imagined this,” Weatherald Both Indian spinners extracted a sur- wicket, which worked in our favour.” runs. Adelaide yesterday. said. prising amount of turn on a dry pitch With star players Faf du Plessis and After South Africa’s mini collapse with Weatherald’s century — the “It was cool to get a century in ndian captain Virat Kohli said after a which man of the match Chahal admitted AB de Villiers both missing because of the total on 51, JP Duminy and new cap fi rst in a BBL fi nal — came from front of my parents and play in crushing win in the second one-day was helpful. “We also play in these condi- injury, it was a chastening introduction Khaya Zondo both scored 25 and shared a 58 balls and he slammed eight front of such a crowd. Luckily it international at SuperSport Park tions in India,” he said. to the South African captaincy for Aiden fi fth wicket partnership of 48 before the sixes and nine fours as the Strikers came off today. yesterday that he wanted his match- Kohli said it had been a complete bowl- Markram. last six wickets tumbled for 19 runs. reached 202 for two to set Hobart “You just get that luck. A cou- Iwinning wrist spinners to continue to put ing performance, with new ball bowlers The 23-year-old was appointed for the India started aggressively, with Rohit a daunting run chase. ple just cleared the boundary line, pressure on South Africa’s batsmen. Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Jasprit Bumrah rest of the series after Du Plessis broke Sharma pulling Morne Morkel for six in Travis Head added 44 from 29 that’s cricket.” Yuzvendra Chahal and Kuldeep Yadav setting the tone. his right index fi nger in the fi rst match in the fi rst over of their innings. while a quick-fi re cameo from Weatherald didn’t pass 20 in set up a nine-wicket win which gave In- “They didn’t let South Africa get away Durban on Thursday. Sharma fell for 15, caught by Morkel at Colin Ingram pushed Adelaide his fi rst seven innings in the glitzy dia a 2-0 lead in the six-match series. with scoring too many runs,” he said. “We are going to have to be really hon- fi ne leg off Kagiso Rabada, but Shikhar beyond 200. T20 tournament, which yielded a Leg-spinner Chahal picked up a ca- South Africa made a reasonable start, est with ourselves,” said Markram. “Every Dhawan and Kohli put on an unbeaten 91 The Hurricanes were 177 for total of 87 runs before something reer-best fi ve for 22 and left-armer Yadav with Hashim Amla and Quinton de Kock person will have to see how we can get for the second wicket to secure an easy fi ve off their 20 overs with D’Arcy clicked. He came into the fi nal this took three for 20 as South Africa were putting on 39 for the fi rst wicket before better.” win. Dhawan fi nished with 51 not out and Short top-scoring with 68 off 44 season with three fi fties in his past bowled out for 118, the lowest total in Amla was caught behind off Kumar. De India came within two runs of winning Kohli made 46 not out. balls and George Bailey chipping four innings. one-day internationals at the ground. Kock fell to Chahal, one of three batsmen before lunch when the umpires stuck to in with 46 from 33 balls. Weatherald again delivered a “We know that their middle order is to fall with the total on 51 as the spinners the letter of the regulations and insisted Remaining matches: Veteran paceman Peter Siddle’s clutch performance when it mat- inexperienced and we want to cash in on took control. on a break after allowing an extra four February 7, Cape Town three wickets and a containing tered most, having made 66 and that in the future games and put some real “We knew if we got those two at the overs or 15 minutes to achieve a result. In- February 10, Johannesburg performance from spinner Liam 96 in his fi rst domestic Sheffi eld pressure on them,” said Kohli. top, their middle order is inexperienced dia had been 93 for one at the scheduled February 13, Port Elizabeth O’Connor (0-27 off four overs) Shield fi nal in 2016. He also made “The way our spinners are bowling and a bit shaky,” said Kohli. interval. February 16, Centurion tightened the screws on the pow- 60 in last season’s Shield fi nal.

BOTTOMLINE Mominul’s second ton of match guides Bangladesh to draw against Sri Lanka

AFP It was Dhananjaya de Silva who broke mid-off to take a fi ne catch off Herath Bangladesh second innings (over- Chittagong their partnership, dismissing Mominul as Liton departed after hitting 11 fours night 81-3): shortly after the left-hander scored his during his 182-ball stay. Tamim Iqbal c Dickwella b Sandakan ...41 second century of the game with a sin- A short ball from Lahiru Kumara struck Imrul Kayes c Chandimal b Perera...... 19 ominul Haque became the gle off Lakshan Sandakan. Mominul on the helmet but he appeared Mominul Haque c Karunaratne b de fi rst player from Bangla- Dimuth Karunaratne took the catch unfazed and scored a single off the next Silva ...... 105 desh to score a century in at slip to bring the curtains down on a ball, becoming the highest run scorer for Mushfiqur Rahim c Mendis b Herath ...... 2 both innings of a Test as he Mominul Haque plays fi ne innings, featuring fi ve fours and Bangladesh in a single Test. Liton Das c Perera b Herath ...... 94 Msteered his side to a draw in the opening two sixes. Mominul, who reached 56 with the Mahmudullah not out ...... 28 a shot during the fifth match against Sri Lanka yesterday. and final day of the first Karunaratne, who was out for a duck single, overtook Tamim Iqbal’s ag- Mosaddek Hossain not out ...... 8 Mominul, who made 176 in the fi rst Test against Sri Lanka at in Sri Lanka’s fi rst innings, criticised gregate of 231 runs against Pakistan in Extras (b3, lb2, w1, nb 4) ...... 10 innings, hit 105 off 174 balls to help Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury the batsman-friendly pitch. Khulna in 2015. Total (five wkts; 100 overs) ...... 307 Bangladesh reach 307-5 before the Stadium in Chittagong “I don’t think this is a good wicket Herath fi nished with 2-80 for Sri Fall of wickets: 1-52 (Kayes), 2-76 teams accepted the draw with an hour’s yesterday. for Test cricket because already 1,500 Lanka. (Tamim), 3-81 (Mushfiqur), 4-261(Mo- play left on the fi fth and fi nal day in runs have been scored,” he said. The second and fi nal Test will start in minul), 5-279 (Liton) Chittagong. “I think there needs to be something Dhaka on February 8. Did not bat: Mehedi Hasan, Taijul Islam, Skipper Mahmudullah was at the for the bowlers as well. I am hopeful we Sunzamul Islam, Mustafizur Rahman crease on 28 not out alongside Mosad- will get a 50-50 wicket in the next Test.” SCOREBOARD Bowling: Herath 28-6-80-2, Lakmal dek Hossain (8 not out) when the Man of the match Mominul had Bangladesh first innings: 513 9-1-25-0 (nb1), de Silva 12-0-41-1, Perera stumps were drawn at the Zahur Ahmed nicked a delivery from Herath on 89 (Mominul Haque 176, Mushfiqur Rahim 26-5-74-1 (nb2), Sandakan 18-2-64-1 (nb1), Chowdhury Stadium. “We have been in this situation be- the fourth day. but wicketkeeper Niroshan Dickwella 92, Mahmudullah Riyad 83 not out; S. Kumara 6-0-16-0 (w1), Mendis 1-0-2-0 Sri Lanka held a 200-run fi rst innings fore. You have to be mentally strong But Mominul, 18 not out over- failed to grab a low catch. Lakmal 3-68, R. Herath 3-150) Result: Draw lead after declaring on a mammoth 713- and believe in yourself.” night, and Liton Das, who fell just six Liton also looked confi dent on the Sri Lanka first innings: 713-9 dec Toss: Bangladesh 9 in reply to Bangladesh’s 513. The visitors fancied their chances for runs short of his maiden Test century, other side but his lavish attempt for a (K. Mendis 196, D. De Silva 173, R. Umpires: Rod Tucker (AUS), Marais “I would put my second century a victory when veteran spinner Ranga- shared a crucial 180-run stand for six to complete his century brought his Silva 109, D. Chandimal 87, N. Dick- Erasmus (SA) ahead of the fi rst one because it helped na Herath picked up the crucial wicket the fourth wicket to frustrate the Sri downfall. wella 62, Taijul Islam 4-219, Mehedi TV Umpire: Joel Wilson (WI) us save the game,” Mominul said. of Mushfi qur Rahim off the last ball on Lankan bowlers. Dilruwan Perera ran backward from Hasan 3-174) Match Referee: David Boon (AUS) Gulf Times Monday, February 5, 2018 5 SPORT

FOCUS NBA Rockets hammer Cavs, Nuggets rally Vonn tunes up for past Golden State

AFP RESULTS Los Angeles LA CLIPPERS..113 Chicago ...... 103 DETROIT ...... 111 Miami ...... 107 hris Paul fi nished with INDIANA ...... 100 Philadelphia ...... 92 Olympics with 81st 22 points and 11 assists Washington .....115 ORLANDO ...... 98 as the Houston Rock- Houston ...... 120 CLEVELAND .....88 ets became the latest MINNESOTA ....118 New Orleans ...107 teamC to pummel LeBron James’ Uta ...... 120 SAN ANTONIO ..111 struggling Cleveland Cavaliers DENVER ...... 115 Golden State ...108 with a 120-88 win yesterday. The Rockets did it without a big night from James Harden split the four games with Golden World Cup victory who fi nished with 16 points, State this season. while on the other side James Kevin Durant scored 31 points had just 11 points and didn’t play and Stephen Curry had 24 for The Winter Olympics open on Thursday where Vonn will be gunning at all in the fourth quarter with Golden State. the game out of reach. “They hit some shots to- for gold in South Korea after missing the 2014 Sochi Games with injury Harden has been averaging 31 night,” Durant said. “We made points a game this season for the plays but down the stretch we AFP Rockets, who won their fourth couldn’t get it done.” Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany consecutive game and their 11th In Detroit, Andre Drummond in their last 13. Ryan Anderson had 23 points and 20 rebounds stepped in with 21 points. and Ish Smith tallied a season- S ski queen Lindsey Vonn says Since losing at Golden State high 25, including a clutch tri- things ‘couldn’t be better’ ahead on Christmas Day, Cleveland ple in the fi nal minute, as the of the Olympics after claiming have been humiliated in several Detroit Pistons beat the Miami her 81st World Cup win yes- matchups against top level NBA Heat 111-107. Uterday to complete the downhill double clubs. They lost by 28 at Minne- Blake Griffi n helped off set a at Garmisch-Partenkirchen in the fi nal sota, 34 in Toronto, 24 at home poor shooting night by making races before the Winter Games. to Oklahoma City and now by 32 a key three pointer with 44 sec- Vonn clocked one minute, 37.92 sec- to the Rockets. onds remaining in the fourth. onds with Italy’s Sofi a Goggia, the cur- The Cavaliers looked nothing The 28-year-old Griffin, rent overall downhill leader, just behind like the team that has made it to who spent all eight NBA sea- in second at 0.11 secs back. the last three NBA fi nals. sons with the Los Angeles Clip- Tina Weirather of Lichtenstein was “I’m lost for words,” James pers before being traded to the third at 0.12 secs. said. Pistons on Monday, missed his Vonn also pipped Goggia in Saturday’s The defending Eastern Con- first five shots from beyond the downhill in Garmisch to give her the per- ference champs played their arc before making one in the fect warm-up before the PyeongChang second game without injured final minute. He finished six- Games. all-star forward Kevin Love, of-19 from the field with 16 to- She has won the last three downhill who suff ered a broken left hand tal points. races on the World Cup circuit after also earlier this week and could be The Pistons won their third claiming victory in Cortina d’Ampezzo a out for two months. straight game since the trade fortnight ago. Isaiah Thomas scored 12 for and are 2-0 with Griffi n in uni- “Two wins here is as good as it gets,” Cleveland, who have lost 12 of 18 form as they pulled within a beamed Vonn. and don’t seem to have any an- game of.500 with a 25-26 record “It has been a perfect weekend, with swers on the fl oor for what ails on the season. Goran Dragic the timing of Cortina as well. them. scored 33 points for the Heat, “This is the exact preparation I was “They should take us off who have lost three in a row. Mi- hoping for going into South Korea. every nationally televised game ami was missing centre Hassan “I feel really good mentally and physi- for the rest of the season,” said Whiteside, who was sidelined cally. James. “We haven’t played good with an illness. “My equipment is working well, my at all and we get our butts kicked With the Pistons ahead by preparation is perfect — things couldn’t “I am happy with two solid races and “It’s not easy to win, especially with She always enjoys vocal support racing every time we play on national four and 44 seconds to play, be better going into the Olympics.” two good times, especially after I crashed people like Tina and Sofi a skiing so well. here, partly due to the town’s US Army television, so I’m at a loss for Griffi n hit a triple to give Detroit The Winter Olympics open on Thurs- in Cortina a fortnight ago.” “I know I can continue to win, I just base, and often spent Christmas here words.” a 108-101 lead.Dragic respond- day where Vonn will be gunning for gold The women’s Olympic alpine pro- don’t know for how long.” with retired ex-world champion Maria In Denver, Nikola Jokic scored ed with a four-point play, mak- in South Korea after missing the 2014 So- gramme starts with the giant slalom on In total, the 33-year-old has now won Hoefl -Riesch. 19 points and added nine re- ing a three-pointer while being chi Games with injury. February 12 while the downhill — the the downhill at Garmisch fi ve times with Despite her impressive record in Gar- bounds as the Nuggets came fouled with 32 seconds left. Vonn will race in the downhill, super- blue-riband event — is on February 21. her 2018 double following wins in 2012, misch, Vonn insists the twisting, icy Kan- from behind to beat the Golden Detroit ran the clock down G and combined as she chases her fi rst Vonn says it will be “all or nothing” on 2016 and 2017. dahar does her few favours. State Warriors 115-108. and on the next possession Grif- Olympic medals since downhill gold and the Jeongseon course. Despite Vonn’s double success here, “This course doesn’t actually suit my Denver rallied from a 12-point fi n found a wide-open Smith super-G bronze at the 2010 Vancouver Vonn’s 81st win edges her closer to the Kandahar course claimed three US technique, but despite that, I know where defi cit in the second half to hand who sank his only three-point Games. Inge Stenmark’s all-time alpine record of racers this weekend. I can pick up speed and I always try to fi nd the Warriors their second loss in attempt of the game with 14 However, Goggia does not plan to let 86 World Cup victories, but retirement is Stacey Cook crashed on Sunday after the right line,” she admitted. three games. seconds left to restore the lead Vonn have her own way after two narrow clearly on her mind. double falls on Saturday when Laurenne “But it’s one of the hardest courses on “For us to come and get the to six points. downhill defeats this weekend behind the “You get a little greedy when you keep Ross fell fall and Jacqueline Wiles suf- the circuit for me. defending world champs was Elsewhere, Tobias Harris American. winning, you want to win more,” she fered a double broken leg and torn knee “It’s a very bumpy course, with lots of huge,” said Denver’s Gary Har- scored 24 points in his Clippers’ “I hope it won’t be like that after the added. ligaments. right turns, which doesn’t help my bad ris, who tallied 16 points. debut, leading Los Angeles to a Olympics downhill,” said Goggia, who is “For sure, I will ski another season Vonn has now won nine times in Gar- right knee,” which she injured in 2014. Will Barton had 25 points and 113-103 victory over the Chicago now just 23 points ahead of Vonn in the and then I will see how high I can get the misch, eight of which came on the Kan- “It’s very fl at at the top and I don’t glide Harris 16 for the Nuggets, who Bulls. overall downhill rankings. number. dahar course. well, but I know where I can gain speed.”

Brady becomes NHL oldest MVP in Calgary Flames rally for OT NFL history win over Chicago Blackhawks

Reuters Minneapolis Houston Rockets guard Chris Paul (left) shoots over the defense of ew England Patriots quarterback Tom Cleveland Cavaliers forward Jae Crowder during the first half of their Brady became the oldest player to win game on Saturday. PICTURE: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports the Most Valuable Player award on Sat- Nurday, doing so at the age of 40. Calgary Flames center Sean Brady claimed 40 of the 50 votes from a na- Monahan (left) celebrates his SPOTLIGHT tional panel of media, with the Los Angeles Rams’ game-winning goal in overtime Todd Gurley garnering eight votes and Philadel- over the Chicago Blackhawks phia’s Carson Wentz getting two. on Saturday: Injured Patriots teammate Julian Edelman ac- PICTURE: Candice Shazier walking as cepted the award on Brady’s behalf at the NFL Ward-USA TODAY Sports Honors ceremony in Minneapolis. The award is Brady’s third MVP honor, tying him rehab progresses with Jim Brown, Johnny Unitas and Brett Favre for Agencies The Flames won the fi rst meet- Glass at 5:56 of the middle period. second most all-time. Peyton Manning holds the New York ing of the season 4-3 in overtime Less than seven minutes later, ittsburgh Steelers line- three days later. One month af- record with five. Brady thanked his team mates in on New Year’s Eve. The winner at Johnny Gaudreau netted his fi rst backer Ryan Shazier ter the injury and with Shazier an acceptance video posted to the Patriots’ Twit- 59 seconds of overtime capped an goal in eight games. He found space has regained movement still hospitalised, his father said ter account after he received the honor. ean Monahan scored the entertaining see-saw clash at the among a collection of defenders as Pin his legs and is engag- his son was improving and had “I’m very humbled and honored to accept this overtime winner, and the Scotiabank Saddledome. he one-timed a shot from the circle ing in a regular walking routine regained feeling in his legs. award tonight,” Brady said. “In a team sport like Calgary Flames twice Chicago’s Nick Schmaltz net- for a 2-2 tie. as his recovery from a severe Despite not playing most of football, you certainly can’t achieve anything as Serased defi cits to beat the ted the lone goal of the opening Anthony Duclair scored on a spine injury continues, ESPN’s the final month of the season, an individual without incredible teammates and visiting Chicago Blackhawks 4-3 frame when he ripped a shot past breakaway to again put Chicago Adam Schefter reported yester- Shazier was voted to his second incredible coaches who have really committed so Saturday night, snapping a season- Flames goalie Mike Smith, set up ahead at 14:13 of the second period, day. Pro Bowl in four NFL seasons much to our team this year.” worst, six-game losing streak. by Patrick Kane at 7:40. but Michael Frolik knotted the af- Shazier was discharged from after recording 68 tackles, three It was the 10th time in the past 11 seasons that a Monahan scored the 10th over- Vinnie Hinostroza doubled the fair with 10:10 minutes remaining the University of Pittsburgh interceptions and a career-best quarterback won the award, a streak broken only time goal of his career — which lead early in the second period with in regulation. Medical Center on Thursday. 10 passes defended. by Adrian Peterson in 2012. A diff erent QB has won ties Washington’s Alex Ovechkin a power-play tally. It was another Smith stopped 25 shots for the “He’s making incredible The fourth-year veteran was it in each of the past five seasons. Brady previously for the most in the NHL since the beautiful setup by Kane, who col- Flames, who were mired in a 0-2-4 progress,” one source familiar still a presence at the Pro Bowl won it in 2007 and 2010. start of the 2013-14 season, Mon- lected his 499th career assist. slump that followed a seven-game with Shazier’s recovery told last weekend, as other Steelers The 18-year veteran led the NFL in passing at- ahan’s rookie campaign. It also To their credit, the Flames winning streak. Schefter. players honoured their injured tempts (581), yards (4,577) and yards per game was his eighth game-winning goal didn’t pack it in despite their re- Glass made 35 saves for the Shazier suffered a serious teammate with the linebacker (286.1) this season while throwing for 32 scores of the season, which is tops in the cent woes and the defi cit. Matt Blackhawks, who are on a 2-4-2 spinal injury during a “Monday pictured on their cleats dur- and eight interceptions. Only Alex Smith (104.7) league. Stajan put the hosts on the board slide. Night Football” game on a rou- ing the game. Steelers players and Drew Brees (103.9) finished with a better pas- The clubs will meet again to- by converting on a breakaway with With his two helpers, Kane has tine tackle against the Cincin- in the game also wore T-shirts ser rating than Brady’s 102.8. morrow in Chicago in the second a shot that went just inside the far 19 goals and 43 points in 36 career nati Bengals on Dec. 4 and had underneath their jerseys to pay half of a home-and-home series. post behind Chicago goalie Jeff games against the Flames. spinal stabilisation surgery tribute to Shazier. Gulf Times 6 Monday, February 5, 2018 RUGBY

SIX NATIONS FOCUS Uruguay down Watson, Simmonds Canada to qualify for World Cup star as England win roaring back and caught Canada AFP Montevideo napping with a quick tap penalty which allowed lock forward Igna- Victory meant England have won all 24 of their Tests against Italy cio Dotti to barrel through fl imsy ruguay came from be- Canadian tackling for a try. AFP hind to defeat Canada France-based fl y-half Felipe Rome 32-31 here Saturday and Berchesi added the conversion qualify for next year’s before drilling a penalty to put UWorld Cup in Japan. Uruguay right back in it at 15-10. nthony Watson and Sam Sim- The Uruguayans, who had Staller added a penalty just be- monds both scored two tries as beaten Canada 38-29 in last fore half-time to give Canada an England launched their bid for week’s fi rst leg to build a nine- 18-10 lead at the break but Uru- an unprecedented third out- point cushion, fought back from guay reduced the defi cit to fi ve rightA Six Nations title with a 46-15 win 15-0 down in the fi rst half to points when centre Juan Manuel away to Italy at Rome’s Stadio Olimpico book their fourth appearance in Cat wriggled over from close yesterday. rugby’s biggest tournament. range for a score early in the sec- Watson crossed for two unconverted Two opportunistic second- ond half. tries early on but Italy recovered to be 17- half tries from Uruguay centre Staller hit back with a penalty 10 down at the break only for England, Andres Vilaseca sealed a de- to make it 21-15 to Canada before who scored seven tries in total, to pull served win for the South Ameri- Berchesi responded immediately away in the second half. Victory meant cans and sent Canada into a re- after the visitors were pinged for England have won all 24 of their Tests pechage later this year. Uruguay a high tackle. As the game en- against Italy, with the Azzurri’s losing will now enter Pool D alongside tered its decisive phase, Canada streak in the Six Nations extended to 13 Australia, Wales, Georgia and wilted visibly, and when a sloppy matches. Fiji. Canada, who have never pass went to ground near half- An injury-hit England took just three failed to qualify for the World way, Vilaseca pounced and raced minutes to open the scoring with a well- Cup, made a dream start with over from 40 metres to put Uru- worked try for Watson. The visitors won a fullback Brock Staller kicking guay 23-21 ahead. scrum penalty which Owen Farrell kicked a penalty for a 3-0 lead before Berchesi added the conversion deep into Italy territory to give England Newcastle wing D.T.H. Van der to make it 25-21. Replacement an attacking line-out. They won quick Merwe rounded off a flowing Djustice Sears-Duru drove over ball off the top and recalled centre Ben move for the game’s opening try. to put Canada 26-25 ahead with Te’o ran hard at the Italian midfi eld. Canada then drove over from 10 minutes left, but another Ca- Te’o also showed good handling skills a lineout for another converted nadian blunder allowed Vilaseca to link with George Ford on the loop and score, Taylor Paris dotting down, to scamper clear to score once Jonny May made the extra man by coming to put the visitors ahead on ag- again to eff ectively seal qualifi ca- across from the left wing before sending gregate and on course for a tick- tion. Van der Merwe scored a late in right wing Watson on the overlap. et to Japan. But Uruguay came consolation try for Canada. Farrell’s diffi cult conversion from the right touchline hit the post and stayed out. England suff ered a setback, however, SEVENS SERIES 10 minutes into the match when scrum- half Ben Youngs went off injured. But Watson soon had his second try. With fl y-half Ford again involved in a loop move, and May once more cut- Fiji cruise past ting across, Watson sprinted clear and, with little room to play with, athletically grounded the ball despite opposing wing Tommaso Benvenuti’s attempt to illegally South Africa shove him into touch. AFP was yellow carded and during his Farrell was again off target with the Hamilton absence Kwagga Smith scored conversion, although this time the ball the opening try for South Africa. sailed past the far post. Nevertheless, an Naduva replied with is fi rst try Italy side where seven players were mak- fl ying Alasio Sovita before Kyle Brown and Branco du ing their tournament debuts, while vet- Naduva bagged three Preez crossed to give South Af- eran Alessandro Zanni was winning his tries as Fiji came from rica a substantial lead. 100th cap, hit back with a 20th-minute behind for a shock win The second half, however, was try. overA South Africa in the fi nal of all Fiji with two further tries to Italy’s fly-half Matteo Minozzi (left) attempts to evade England’s wing Anthony Watsons’ tackle during the Six Nations rugby union Outside centre Tommaso Boni and match at the Olympic Stadium in Rome yesterday. (AFP) the World Rugby Sevens Series Naduva and one from Eroni Sau wing Mattia Bellini made good ground in Hamilton yesterday. It was to reverse last year’s result when down the left before the ball was worked ing through another gap in the Italian de- Watson squandered a hat-trick chance through yet more poor tackling. the fi rst time Fiji have made a fi - they lost the fi nal to South Af- across fi eld, where fl y-half Tommaso Al- fence for a try under the posts. This time when he lost possession in the act of Farrell converted but Italy, to their nal this season and the win lifted rica in New Zealand. South Af- lan’s excellent cut-out pass sent Benve- the centre made no mistake with the con- grounding the ball, although Farrell did credit, hit back when Bellini squeezed in them from fi fth to third on the rica had been the form team of nuti in at the right corner. version and England led 17-7. nudge England further ahead with a pen- at the corner after holding off England table as they became the fourth the tournament as they cruised Allan made light of a diffi cult conver- Late in the fi rst half, Italy tried to catch alty. fullback Mike Brown. Allan missed the diff erent winner in four legs. through pool play without be- sion and Italy were just 10-7 down. But England out by running a close-range Italy thought they had hit back with a conversion and England led 27-15 head- Pacifi c islanders overhauled a ing extended and then moved minutes later England were 10 points penalty. England’s defence held fi rm, al- try from Boni but his score was ruled out ing into the fi nal quarter. 12-point defi cit at half-time with through the quarter and semi- up again. Props Mako Vunipola and Dan beit at the cost of another penalty which on video review for a forward pass by Al- England put the result beyond all doubt three tries in the second half. fi nals beating Scotland 22-0 and Cole both made ground in a series of rapid Allan kicked to cut the visitors advantage lan. England then capitalised when No.8 when Farrell and Ford, friends since their South Africa ahead 17-5 at the Australia 24-5. Australia beat breakdown plays. at the break to 17-10. Simmonds, only starting because of inju- schooldays, linked well for a 68th-minute midway stage he urged his side New Zealand 8-7 in the play-off Farrell then went onto the blindside But the question now was would Italy, ries to Billy Vunipola and Nathan Hugh- try by the fl y-half. And there was still not to give up. Fiji were on the for third with the winning points and took a well-timed pass from replace- as so often in the past, fade badly in the es, marked his Six Nations debut with a time for Simmonds and replacement Jack back foot 30 seconds into the coming from a penalty by Jim ment scrum-half Danny Care before eas- second half? Early in the second period, try when, following a line-out, he burst Nowell to cross against a tiring Italy. game when Josua Vakurunabili Stannard on full-time.

INJURIES SPOTLIGHT Season over for Dupont, Sexton’s masterclass for Ireland Jalibert out for month highlights French defi ciencies

AFP Paris

ohnny Sexton’s last gasp winning drop goal in the Six Nations in Paris high- lighted the glaring gap in France’s fal- tering team. With the clock ticking into theJ third minute of red beyond the scheduled 80 minutes, Ireland calmly and clinically AFP Gourdon will be out for up to a at champions Clermont last marched up the fi eld, orchestrated by the un- Paris month after twisting his ankle week. Brunel, who made his fl appable Sexton and gained the fi eld position against Ireland, meaning he debut as France coach against he needed to send a 40-metre drop goal slic- will certainly miss next week’s Ireland, already faces the task ing between the uprights. It was a stunning alented young France trip to Scotland and possibly of rebuilding his team, which moment that broke French hearts and left scrum-half Antoine also the clash with Italy in has now gone seven Tests their players slumped on the turf in despair. Dupont’s season is Marseille on February 23. without a victory, before next Just 10 minutes earlier, a converted try over due to a knee in- Centre Henry Chavancy has week’s trip to Murrayfi eld. from Teddy Thomas, whose arcing run and Tjury suff ered against Ireland, been passed fi t, though, after “It’s a slight hammer blow, injection of raw pace had carried him over national team coach Jacques a suspicion of an ankle injury but the competition contin- the line for the only try of an otherwise tur- Brunel said yesterday. Mean- and fractured eyebrow. ues,” Brunel said of the last- gid aff air, looked set to give the hosts a most Ireland’s Jonathan Sexton (centre) celebrates after scoring a drop goal against France. (AFP) while, teenage fl y-half Mat- The injuries mean there gasp Ireland defeat. “You have unlikely victory. France even had the chance thieu Jalibert, who made his could be a return to the France to get up, revive the spirits a to extend their lead to four points with two That was crucial because when France gave But overall, the teenager’s debut was a largely debut in Saturday’s dramatic squad for experienced Toulon bit and start tomorrow. “The minutes to go — which would ave left Ireland away penalties, it was in a dangerous area anonymous aff air as France spent much time 15-13 Six Nations defeat, will fl y-half Francois Trinh-Duc, tournament does not allow us needing a try to win. But where Sexton was to presenting Sexton with easy kicks at goal that defending. Belleau, when he entered the fray, likely miss the rest of the who was surprisingly left out to dwell on the past. We must show pinpoint accuracy, replacement French allowed the visitors to exert scoreline pres- was starved of possession and fl uff ed his lines tournament, likewise due to a by Brunel. try to move forward quickly.” fy-half Anthony Belleau wavered and sent his sure. The Irish led 12-3 at one point and had in one of only two kicks at goal — a miss that knee injury. Dupont, 20, suf- Dupont’s most likely re- Brunel also admitted that it penalty wide of the uprights. a chance for a 15-6 lead, but Sexton screwed proved crucial. That allowed Ireland one last fered a ruptured cruciate liga- placements will be either may have been a mistake to let If only France had a playmaker of Sexton’s that kick wide in the only blip of an otherwise possession but only after they had won back ment during a nine-minute Lyon’s Baptiste Couilloud or replacement fl y-half Anthony calibre — something they’ve lacked since faultless performance. Sexton’s 22 drop out. From there, they strug- cameo on Saturday, while the Alexi Bales of La Rochelle. Belleau, who looks in line to the days of Frederic Michalak in his pomp It was his tactical kicking, in a match in gled to get out of their own half until a per- 19-year-old Jalibert has a par- Gourdon’s injury could start against Scotland, take a — things could have been so diff erent. The which line breaks were at a premium and fectly weighted Sexton cross-kick was gath- tially torn knee ligament. “He see Louis Picamoles recalled crucial late penalty that could 21-year-old Belleau had been thrust into the defences dominated, that allowed Ireland to ered by a leaping Keith Earls. will be out for a minimum of to the squad after poor re- have handed France victory. action earlier than he would otherwise have occupy vital territory. By contrast, Jalibert Now up to the France 10-metre line, Ire- one month, perhaps two,” said cent form saw him left out of Maxime Machenaud had expected after teenage debutant Matthieu seemed to be forcing the issue from less ball land were within penalty striking distance, Brunel of Jalibert. Brunel’s original group. started the match as kicker Jalibert — a shock selection by new coach in hand in worse positions, with one chip over forcing France to be less aggressive at the The Bordeaux-Begles No.10 Former Toulouse and and was back on the fi eld after Jacques Brunel — went off after just half an Ireland’s high defensive line poorly executed breakdown, meaning the visitors easily held could be fi t again for France’s Northampton No.8 Picamoles Dupont’s injury, but Belleau, hour with a knee injury. But it was the dif- and coughing up possession cheaply. the ball through more than 40 phases. fi nal two tournament matches, responded to his France snub who had taken over kicking ference between the opposing fl y-halves’ Jalibert helped create France’s one half- With France’s defence holding fi rm, it fell at home to England on March with an impressive perform- duties once the scrum-half game management that proved decisive and chance in the fi rst period but his sideways on Sexton to try his luck with a long-range 10 and away to Wales a week ance in French Top 14 lead- was substituted, took the shot a glance at the offi cial statistics speaks vol- running squeezed wing Virimi Vakatawa into drop goal. Cometh the hour, cometh the man. later. Back-row forward Kevin ers Montpellier’s 30-29 win at goal instead — and missed. umes. Ireland enjoyed twice as much posses- a tight spot, forcing him to attempt a chip When Ireland needed him most, Sexton sion and territorial advantage as their hosts. and chase, which he sent straight out of play. displayed his talent to its fullest. Gulf Times Monday, February 5, 2018 7 SPORT

TENNIS / DAVIS CUP TENNIS Kvitova outplays Mladenovic to lift MannarinoMannarinoMannarino earnsearnsearns title in St Petersburg

Reuters fi ght to make the fi nal. It is not Bengaluru easy at the beginning of the year. I had to focus hard for the win.” The Czech left-hander gave injury-hitinjury-hitinjury-hit FranceFranceFrance ouble Wimbledon win- few opportunities on her serve ner Petra Kvitova to Mladenovic, fi ring nine aces captured the St Pe- and saving all three break points tersburg Ladies Trophy faced in front of a buoyant Sibur yesterdayD for her fi rst title of the Arena crowd. year, beating defending champi- “Coming into this week, there on Kristina Mladenovic 6-1, 6-2 was a lot of pressure and I don’t quartersquartersquarters spotspotspot in the fi nal. think many people expected Kvitova, who entered the tour- me to show up in the fi nals,” the nament as a wild card, was dom- 24-year-old Mladenovic said in inant in the opening exchanges her runner-up speech. and hit 16 winners in taking the “I fought very hard every sin- fi rst set. gle match to make it back here The 27-year-old broke her but Petra had an amazing week.” French opponent’s serve twice The victory meant Kvitova more in the second set to seal the maintained her streak of win- match in just over an hour. ning at least one WTA title since “This was a special tourna- 2011 and now moves back up to ment for me,” Kvitova said in her world number 21, while German on-court interview. semi-fi nalist Julia Goerges will “All week, I played unbeliev- make her top-10 debut in today’s able matches and I really had to rankings.

France’s Adrian Mannarino celebrates after winning his singles rubber against the Netherlands’ Robin Haase during the Davis Cup World Group first round match in Albertville, France, yesterday. (AFP) France were joined in the last eight by Spain after they beat Britain 3-1 in Marbella Taiwan Open gives Babos third Reuters Paris Zverev beats Kyrgios as Germany win against Australia WTA singles title

AFP He also returned well, getting many of to surrender the opening set in just 23 Hungary’s Timea Babos Open in Budapest last year. olders France qualifi ed for the Brisbane, Australia Kyrgios’s thunderbolts back in play and minutes. triumphed over Kateryna Kozlova was making her debut quarter-fi nals of the Davis Cup then winning the battle from the back of Kyrgios appeared troubled by an elbow Kozlova of Ukraine to win at a WTA final. She stayed close when stand-in player Adrian the court. problem in the first set and it became the Taiwan Open yesterday, in the first set but conceded an Mannarino earned them a 3-1 erman number one Alexander “It’s awesome, it’s an amazing feeling more noticeable in the second, the her second title of 2018 after easy victory in the second. Hunassailable lead against the Netherlands Zverev beat Nick Kyrgios in and without my teammates it wouldn’t Australian often shaking his right arm claiming the doubles trophy in The Ukrainian, ranked 85th in yesterday despite Les Bleus being without Gstraight sets to give his country a have been possible,” Zverev said. between points. Melbourne last month. the world, had beaten Babos in their two best players because of injuries. 3-1 win over Australia in their Davis Cup “Obviously we’re happy but hopefully He served better in the second set, firing The Hungarian fourth seed their last encounter at the 2015 Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and Lucas Pouille World Group tie in Brisbane yesterday. this is just the beginning for us.” down eight aces, but at 4-3 he had a medi- carried over the momentum Qatar Total Open in Doha. both withdrew injured and France were Zverev produced some superb tennis Kyrgios went into the match full of ex- cal timeout for treatment on his arm. from the Australian Open to She had earlier knocked out trailing 1-0 after the opening singles on to down Kyrgios 6-2, 7-6 (3), 6-2 in one pectation after an impressive win over The Australian continued to serve well win in straight sets, 7-5, 6-1. fifth seed Yulia Putintseva of Friday when Mannarino, who was called hour, 48 minutes and put Germany into Jan-Lennard Struff in Friday’s opening and had two set points on Zverev’s It was her third WTA singles Kazakhstan and former Wim- up at the last minute, lost to Thiemo De a quarter-final against either Spain or singles. serve at 6-5, but the German saved both title after winning the Abierto bledon finalist Sabine Lisicki Bakker in Albertville. Great Britain. Zverev, on the other hand, had looked then played a superb tiebreak to take a GNP Seguros in Monterrey in of Germany in the semifinal However Richard Gasquet levelled “(To win) against a very strong Austral- out of touch on Friday and was pushed stranglehold on the rubber. 2012 and the Hungarian Ladies before facing Babos. with a commanding win against Robin ian team makes us very confident for almost four hours before seeing off Once Zverev broke to go ahead 3-1 the Haase before Nicolas Mahut and Pierre- for the next round, for the upcoming 18-year-old Alex de Minaur in five sets. result was never really in doubt and at Hughes Herbert won Saturday’s doubles. years,” German captain Michael Kohl- But following the Germans’ win in the 2-5, Kyrgios was broken again to give Mannarino came back from a set mann said. doubles on Saturday to give them a 2-1 Germany the tie. GOLF down against Haase to clinch the de- “We showed we have a lot of good play- lead, all the pressure was on Kyrgios, Kyrgios said he felt a problem with his cisive point with a 4-6, 7-6 (6), 7-5, ers, a lot of strong players. who had to win to keep the tie alive. elbow after Friday’s match. 6-7 (2), 7-5 victory yesterday to set up “We showed that we are able to go The mercurial Australian opened bril- “It obviously aff ected me a lot,” a down- a last-eight tie with Italy, victors over further than this.” liantly, holding his serve to love much to cast Kyrgios said. India’s Sharma wins Japan in Morioka. Zverev served beautifully throughout, the delight of the boisterous home crowd. “My serve is my biggest strength – I France were joined in the last eight by only facing two break points in the But that was almost as good as it got mean I thought he played great today Spain after they beat Britain 3-1 in Mar- match, both at the end of the second set for the Australian team, as Kyrgios lost – but my serve was not really there and Malaysia title aft er bella despite Cameron Norrie’s best ef- and both of which he saved. two of his next three service games that aff ects the rest of my game.” forts against Albert Ramos-Vinas in a 7-6 (4), 2-6, 7-6 (4), 6-2 defeat for the world stunning fi nal round number 114. who defeated Australia 3-1, in April. another high-quality player. He pushed injured Novak Djokovic, were knocked Norrie had beaten world number 23 “I can’t speak highly enough of what him really close and I’m really proud of out by the United States. Roberto Bautista-Agut in the opening Cam has done all weekend,” Britain’s him.” Kazakhstan will now face Croatia and singles on Friday but Spain were a cut captain Leon Smith said. Without Roger Federer and Stan the US will take on Belgium, who beat above their opponents as they set up a “People might have thought Friday Wawrinka, Switzerland were eliminated Hungary with David Goffi n winning both quarter-fi nal meeting with Germany, was a one-off but he did it again against by Kazakhstan while Serbia, missing the his singles matches in Liege.

GOLF / PHOENIX OPEN Strong fi nish lift s Fowler to one-stroke lead

AFP “It’s going to take a lot of birdies,” Los Angeles Rahm said of what will be required to win on Sunday. He said he’d try to shut out thoughts of ickie Fowler birdied his last the number one ranking, which he admit- three holes to seize a one-stroke ted got to him in a disappointing fi nish at lead over world number two Jon Torrey Pines last week. “I’m trying to fo- Rahm and two others Saturday cus on right here, right now, more than Reuters to the top of the Race to Dubai atR the US PGA Tour Phoenix Open. focusing on the win,” he said. Rankings, said after the win. Bengaluru Fowler, who shared the overnight lead “I kept pushing the whole day. with Bryson DeChambeau rolled a nine- FEELING THE ENERGY I knew I had to make a lot birdies foot birdie putt into the heart of the cup Mickelson, who also played college golf ndia’s Shubhankar Shar- to catch the leaders. I made a lot at the 18th hole of TPC Scottsdale to in Arizona and is a three-time Phoenix ma roared back from a of birdies on the front nine and move atop the jammed leaderboard, fi ring Open winner, is another fan favourite at four-stroke defi cit to claim just continued on the back.” a four-under 67 for 14-under 199. the always raucous tournament. a remarkable two-shot win Campillo went two clear at the Rahm, chasing Dustin Johnson’s world The 47-year-old is seeking his 43rd Iat the Maybank Championship top with an eagle in the fi rst hole number one ranking, carded a six-under PGA Tour title, and his fi rst title since the in Malaysia for his second Euro- but Sharma got within touching par 65 and was joined on 200 by De- 2013 British Open. pean Tour title yesterday. distance of the Spaniard with Chambeau, who signed for a 68 and Chez “To have a crowd like this behind you, The 21-year-old shot 10 bird- four straight birdies from the Reavie, who carded a 67. you really feel that energy,” said Mickel- ies in a sizzling closing round of fourth. Five-time major winner Phil Mickel- son, who said he’s also benefi ting from 10-under-par 62 to aggregate The relentless Indian, who son carded a 66 to head a group on 201. off -season work with the driver. 21-under for the tournament, captured his maiden title at the He was tied with reigning Rookie of the “For me to not give away shots off the fi nishing ahead of joint overnight Joburg Open in December, shot Year Xander Schauff ele (66) and Daniel tee the way I have in the past has been leader Jorge Campillo who card- fi ve birdies on the back nine to Berger (68). Rickie Fowler hits his tee shot on the 10th hole during the third round of the Phoenix very benefi cial,” said Mickelson, who had ed a 68. edge ahead of Campillo and hung Six more players were just three off the Open in Scottsdale, Arizona, on Saturday. (USA TODAY Sports) fi ve birdies without a bogey, fi nishing Spain’s Campillo, who missed on for the victory. pace on 202. birdie-birdie. the opportunity to capture his “The last two months have World number seven Fowler, whose the eighth — where he was in a fairway victory, was 14-under after three straight Justin Thomas, the 2017 PGA Tour maiden title on the European changed my life,” Sharma add- history of strong showings in Phoenix bunker. birdies at 13, 14, and 15, but he gave a Player of the Year, got off to a dream start Tour in his 196th event, was a ed. “I’ve been a member on the include a runner-up fi nish in 2010 and a “Just a little off in certain areas, (I) just stroke back at 17 where he was in the wa- with six birdies to open his round. shot ahead of New Zealand’s Asian Tour for a while and I will playoff loss to Hideki Matsuyama in 2016, tried to kind of piece things together,” ter off the tee. But it devolved into a nightmare that Ryan Fox who was tied third continue to be a member on the was rewarded for his patience with a siz- Fowler said. “We took advantage of the Rahm, seeking a fi fth worldwide title included three bogeys, a triple-bogey and alongside Pablo Larrazabal at the Asian Tour. zling fi nish to the day. last few holes, but that is the biggest in the last year and his second US tour a double-bogey and his even par 71 left Saujana Golf and Country Club. “I’ve always dreamt of win- “It was a grind,” said Fowler, who was scoring opportunity on the golf course.” victory in three weeks, was two-under him eight strokes adrift. “I played pretty solid and ning and now I’m a two-time one-over for the day after a bogey at the Not everyone could capitalise. through nine and responded to a bogey at “Shocked. Speechless,” Thomas said. it wasn’t easy because it was winner on the Asian Tour and fourth before his fi rst birdie of the day at DeChambeau, seeking his second tour the 10th with birdies at 11, 13, 15 and 16. “That pretty much sums it up.” windy,” Sharma, who jumped European Tour.”

Monday, February 5, 2018 GULF TIMES SPORT

QNB STARS LEAGUE Qatar Clasico: Rayyan, Sadd gear up for high stakes clash The clash between the second and third-placed teams in the QNB Stars League will have all the ingredients of a thriller

By Sports Reporter tors on the edge of their seats. had recently strengthened the Doha Al Sadd, also called the Wolves, side with Akram Afi f, on loan are second with 37 points, two from Villarreal, Spain, till the end behind Al Duhail and two more of this season. He had represent- he mouth-watering Qa- than Al Rayyan. While Al Sadd ed Qatar at the recent Asian Un- tar Clasico is back as defeated Qatar SC 3-1, The Lions der-23 Championship in China. fi erce rivals Al Rayyan prevailed over Al Markhiya by the They also recruited Ali Fari- and Al Sadd face-off in same margin in the last round. doun, Sami Subait, Hamed Is- Tthe QNB Stars League on Thurs- Al Sadd coach Jesualdo Ferrei- mail and Abdelkarim Hassan in day. Arguably the most intrigu- ra and his Al Rayyan counterpart the winter transfer period. ing clash over the years, the Michael Laudrup are both master Meanwhile, Al Rayyan roped Week 16’s highlight match will tacticians and have produced ex- in Ahmed Yasser on loan from kick-off at 6:50pm at the Al Sadd cellent results. And that makes Al Duhail. He joined them from Stadium. the Qatar Classico a battle for Spanish club Cultural Leonesa Qatar Clasico is the much- technical supremacy as well. till the end of this season. Al anticipated and is the highest- On the players’ front, Al Sadd Rayyan also got Abdulrahman al- profi le event, both on and off the boast of the high-profi le status Harazi after his loan period to Al fi eld, in the country’s club foot- of Algerian attacking midfi elder Sailiya and Hossam Kamal from ball scene. Much is at stake for Jugurtha Hamroun and Qatar in- his loan move to Al Arabi. coaches, players, offi cials, ad- ternational Hassan al-Haydous Both Al Sadd and Al Rayyan ministrators and fans alike. besides Spanish World Cup and will throw their everything into It will also pit two of Qatar’s European Championship winner the game. Whatever be the re- best teams against each other in Xavi Hernandez. Al Rayyan will sult, the Qatar Clasico, as always, terms of reputation and strength. mainly rely on Abderrazaq Ham- will be fought keenly. Al Sadd And the clash between the sec- dallah, Rodrigo Tabata, Sebastian will also be keen to avenge their ond and third-placed teams in Soria and Mohsen Moutaouli. 1-2 loss in the fi rst-phase match. the QNB Stars League stand- Al Sadd, who will miss the Sadd got down to business ahead ings will have all ingredients of a services of injured Algerian the high-profi le game, as they Al Sadd are second in the table with 37 points. thriller that will keep the specta- spearhead Baghdad Bounedjah, trained yesterday. Al Rayyan are in third place, two points behind Al Sadd,

CYCLING ROUND-UP Velostar rider McCool triumphs Al-Khulaifi wins bronze in the 5th leg of RAM league at Greek swimming meet

By Sports Reporter atari swimmer Yousuf Diving Cup will be held in April. last chance for riders to secure Doha al-Khulaifi yesterday their positions on the Champi- won bronze medal in DOHA TO HOST GLOBAL onship ranking, as well as earn the 50m backstroke at CHAMPIONS TOUR FINALE a place in the all-important ergal McCool of Velostar clinched theQ Greek international swim- Doha will host Global Cham- GC Playoff s. With the top 16 the men’s category A title during the ming championship in Ath- pions Tour fi nale at Al Shaqab GCL teams qualifying for the fi fth stage of the Royal Air Maroc cy- ens. Al-Khulaifi clocked 33.31 on November 8-10. The Global fi nal weekend of the season, the cling league on Friday. seconds to fi nish in the podium. Champions Tour organisers magical city of Prague, Czech FAt Al Ruwais, the race was decided in a On Saturday, al-Khulaifi had set announced the 2018 calender, Republic, will see a high-stakes sprint of small group where McCool booked a new record in the 50m freestyle which will include 17 rounds. showdown. On top of edge-of- his fi rst victory of the season in front of Fred when he timed 29.79 seconds. The fi rst round will kick off in the-seat team competition, the Watson and Szymon Wasiak. After the fi fth Meanwhile, the two-day Qatar Mexico City from March 22-25, winners of each LGCT Grand stage, the scarlet league leader jersey was Water Sports Championships before heading to Miami Beach Prix event from the 2018 season still with Chris Murrin. will kick off today at the Hamad On April 5-7. will be invited to compete in the Starting from Al Shamal Sports Club, Aquatic Centre. The Qatar shield The grand fi nale of the regular Longines Global Champions more than 100 participants had to tackle swimming championship is the season will unfold once more at Super Grand Prix; the ultimate strong north winds, which made the fl at race fi rst diving tournament for the Doha, where Al Shaqab will play individual showdown for the seem like a high mountain race. The 35km 2017/2018 season, and the Qatar host to nail-biting action, the world’s best horses and riders. race travelled to Al Ghariya and concluded at Al Ruwais. In Men’s B category (two laps), Bilal al-Saadi of Qatari national junior team PORSCHE GT3 CUP CHALLENGE MIDDLE EAST managed to hang on to late attack and won by margin of 12 seconds. Christian Haneke of Velostar was second, while Andrew Tangonan of Pinoy Roadies fi nished third. Tangonan is leading in RAM league. Qatar-based Frijns fi nishes In Men C’s category (two laps), Qatar na- tional team riders Hamza al-Kassem won Riders compete during the fifth stage of the Royal Air Maroc cycling league between Al the race ahead of teammate Zaid Hamza and Ruwais and Al Ghariya on Friday. Saeed al-Kuwari. Hamza also leads in RAM on a high in round 4 league for this category. league. Ladies B category was won by Kath- gives her a healthy lead in the competition. The women’s race ‘A’ category had only erine Gomez (Tri Club Doha) with Dorothy The league is organised by Qatar Cycling atar-based driver two competitors, who started together with Weymouth (AMPR) and Shawna Garrett (Tri Federation in association with Qatar Chain Charlie Frijns, showed Men B race. Julie Melville of ABPR managed Club Doha) taking second and third place reaction and is sponsored by Royal Air Ma- why he shouldn’t to out sprint Isora Sosa Caballero of Tri Club respectively. With half of the races in the roc, Rayyan water and Go Sport. The next be written off in the Doha. Julie extended her lead in the RAM league completed, Gomez’s latest victory leg of the league will be held on Feb 16th. championshipQ title chase just yet, driving a strong and com- posed race to fi nish in third place overall in the fourth round of the Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Middle East at Yas Marina Cir- cuit in Abu Dhabi. Speaking after the race, Frijns said: “After a strong qualifying session, I was well placed go- ing into the second race of the weekend. I got a better start in the race and made the most of it going into the fi rst turn. Myself Charlie Frijns in action during the fourth round of the Porsche GT3 and al-Faisal had a good battle Cup Challenge Middle East in Abu Dhabi. going into the second corner, and unfortunately there was con- victory extends Oliphant’s lead the Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge tact and al-Faisal span out. “I’m in the championship to 19 points Middle East enters the all-im- happy with the third position and with only four races remain- portant fi nal two rounds, both to it’s also good for the champion- ing in season nine, after nearest be staged at the Bahrain Interna- ship. I will be looking forward to challenger al-Faisal Al Zabair of tional Circuit. The penultimate building on this result in Bahrain Oman could only manage sev- Round 5 will take place on the and hoping to make the fi nal two enth. Dylan Pereira of Luxem- 16th & 17th March before the se- rounds very interesting.” bourg was second ries comes to a thrilling conclu- Britain’s Tom Oliphant boost- Drivers and fans now have sion as an offi cial support race ed his chances of a fi rst series win slightly over a month to wait for the 2018 Formula 1 Bahrain by winning the second race. The before returning to action as Grand Prix.