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Monday, January 11, 2021 JUDO Jumada I 27, 1442 AH Judokas vie for GULF TIMES Olympic spots, glory at Doha Masters SPORT Page 6 Sheikh Joaan takes Covid-19 vaccine Peterhansel extends lead but al-Attiyah in hunt Qatari star is second overall, seven minutes 53 seconds off lead

HE Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad al-Thani, President of Qatar Olympic Committee, took the first dose of the Covid-19 vaccine yesterday. He shared an image on Instagram, saying: “I took my first dose of the Covid-19 vaccine today... Thanks to the Ministry of Health. Thank you for the White Army. We wish all citizens and residents safety and wellness.”

TENNIS Zhang upsets ninth seed Donskoy on Day 1 of Australian Open qualifi ers By Sports Reporter Doha Qatar’s Nasser Saleh al-Attiyah and his co-driver Matthieu Baumel of France in action during stage seven of the Dakar Rally between Saudi Arabia’s northern cities of Hail and Sakaka yesterday. (AFP) he qualifying rounds of the men’s event of the AFP He added that the race is very In the motorbike category, Baumel (QAT/FRA/Toyota) +2:48 2021 Australian Open Sakaka, Saudi Arabia tight despite Peterhansel’s lead. champion took the 5. Jakub Przygonski/Timo began at the Khalifa In- “There’s a long way to go still seventh stage win in a time of Gottschalk (POL/GER/Toyota) ternationalT Tennis & Squash yes- in the rally. It’s a tight race, but 4hr 37mins 44sec. +12:00 terday with the event recording atar’s Nasser Saleh al- we will see,” said the Qatari ace, The American, winner of the 6. Yasir Seaidan/Alexey Kuzmich its fi rst upset. Attiyah maintained who also praised his main rival prologue, came in 2mins 07sec (KSA/RUS/Century) +14:43 In one of the most exciting his overall second Peterhansel. clear of Honda’s Chilean rider 7. /Michael Horn matches of the day, Russian ninth position in the Dakar “It’s very diffi cult to beat Jose Ignacio Cornejo, the new (FRA/SUI/Peugeot) +17:06 seed Evgeny Donskoy crashed to RallyQ as Toyota’s Saudi driver Stephane but we will do our overall leader. 8. Mathieu Serradori/Fabian Lur- a shocking straight sets 7-5, 6-3 Yazeed al-Rajhi took the mara- best.” But only by one second from quin (FRA/BEL/Century) +17:53 defeat at the hands of Chinese thon seventh stage honours Peterhansel, 55, fi rst com- (KTM) with Sam 9. Vladimir Vasilyev/Dmitro World No. 169 Zhizhen Zhang. yesterday, the home hope deny- peted in the Dakar in 1988, the Sunderland, the British 2017 Tsyro (RUS/UKR/Mini) +20:59 Meeting for the fi rst time at ing Stephane Peterhansel, who year leader ’s Peu- champion, in third at 2min 10. /Alexandre any tournament, the 30-year- Viktor Troicki of Serbia in action during the first round of the Australian nevertheless stretched his lead in geot 405 was infamously stolen 11sec. Winocq (ESP/FRA/Brx) +22:53. old Donskoy, ranked 122, was no Open Men’s qualifiers against Jurij Rodionov (not pictured) of Austria pursuit of his record-extending in Bamako, with a ransom for its Overnight leader Xavier de Overall standings (top 3) match for the 24-year-old Zhang at the Khalifa International Tennis and Squash Complex yesterday. 14th title. return demanded. It turned up Soultrait slipped to fourth, 2min 1. Stephane Peterhansel/Ed- who fi red six aces and six winners (Tennis Australia) Mini driver Peterhansel was eventually, but too late for Va- 34sec off the pace. ouard Boulanger (FRA/FRA/ to Donskoy’s two respectively as on target to cross the line fi rst tanen. Brabec is up to eighth, but Mini) 26:36:50 (1min pen) he raced to victory in less than an against Switzerland’s Marc-An- at the end of the arduous 453km Since then Peterhansel has still almost 15mins behind. 2. Nasser al-Attiyah/Matthieu hour on Court 1. drea Huesler, the 27th-seed, who timed special featuring sand made motorsport’s tough- “There’s fi ve days left and Baumel (QAT/FRA/Toyota) +7:53 In another surprising result earlier posted a 6-3, 3-6, 6-3 win mountains between Ha’il and est test an annual pilgrimage, we’re gonna try just to fi nish in 3. /Lucas Cruz (ESP/ of the day, India’s Ramkumar against wild-card entrant Akira Sakaka. and with 13 wins on both two the top 7 every day and see if we ESP/Mini) +41:06 Ramanathan, the World No. Santillan of Australia. But al-Rajhi had other ideas, and four wheels he has rightly can make up a little bit of time,” 188, dispatched 10th-seed and Ulises Blanch of the US ac- and with the benefi t of his ex- earned his nickname ‘Monsieur he said. Bikes (top 10) 125-ranked Facundo Bagnis of counted Russia’s Andrey perienced co-driver Dirk Von Dakar’. Botswanan Ross Branch suf- 1. Ricky Brabec (USA/Honda) Argentina 7-6 (6), 7-5 to set up a Kuznetsov in straight sets (6-4, Zitzewitz, an 18-Dakar vet- He now has six podium fi n- fered a spectacular spill from his 4:37:44 penultimate round clash against 6-1) while Serbia’s Viktor Troicki eran, he took command around ishes in seven stages in 2021 Yamaha early in the stage but 2. Jose Ignacio Cornejo Florimo Chinese Taipei’s Tung-Lin Wu, won 2-6, 6-2, 6-1 against 23rd- 100km out. and will be hoping to get his thankfully escaped uninjured. (CHI/Honda) +2:07 ranked 247, who defeated United seeded Jurij Rodionov of Austria. He secured his fi rst stage win fi rst win of 2021 on the board The seventh stage was com- 3. Skyler Howes (USA/Ktm) +2:19 Kingdom’s Jay Clarke in straight The four-day tournament, in the event since 2015 and his on Monday’s eighth stage which ing to a close as the death was 4. (GBR/Ktm) sets 6-2, 6-4. which ends on January 13, fea- Dakar debut with 48sec to spare sees the Dakar travelling circus announced of Hubert Auriol, +2:52 This was the second encounter tures 128 players fi ghting for the over Peterhansel, with Carlos heading west from Sakaka to the the fi rst man to win on both mo- 5. Daniel Sanders (AUS/Ktm) between the 26-year-old Ram- 16 slots available for the qualifi - Sainz third at 1min 15sec. Red Sea resort of Neom. torbikes and cars. +3:14 anathan and the Rosario-born Zhizhen Zhang of China returns ers of the season-opening Grand “We did our best, although He was left ruing not being Auriol, 68, who died after a 6. Xavier De Soultrait (FRA/ Argentine. The last time they to Evgeny Donskoy (not pictured) Slam scheduled for February we suff ered two punctures. We able to infl ict further damage on long battle with heart disease, Husqvarna) +3:57 met at the semi-fi nal stage of the of Russia yesterday. 8-21 in Melbourne. still managed to push hard,” said his closest pursuers for the 2021 went on to manage the Dakar 7. Toby Price (AUS/Ktm) +5:05 2015 US Open qualifi ers, luck was The ticket-free tournament is al-Rajhi. crown. from 1995 to 2004. 8. Luciano Benavides (ARG/ on the side of the 30-year-old 6-4, 6-4 exit of Argentine Marco open to all, and spectators will In fourth came Qatari Nasser “I hit a rock with 40km to go Husqvarna) +5:49 Bagnis as he defeated his younger Trungelliti on Court 6 earlier be allowed in on a fi rst-come, al-Attiyah, who is now 7min and broke a rim,” Peterhansel STAGE 7 RESULTS 9. Joaquim Rodrigues (POR/ opponent in the tie-breaker. yesterday. fi rst-served basis as only 30 per- 53sec behind Peterhansel in the reported. Cars (top 10) Hero) +5:55 Playing on Court 1, tourna- With the win, the 27-year-old cent stadium capacity is allowed overall standings with last year’s “We spent a long time chang- 1. Yazeed al-Rajhi/Dirk Von Zitze- 10. Franco Caimi (ARG/Yamaha) ment’s fi fth seed, Taro Daniel of Florida-resident Daniel, who ex- in line with the essential health champion Sainz over 40 min- ing the wheel, it was quite hard. witz (KSA/GER/Toyota) 4:21:59 +6:46 Japan, staged a comeback to beat ited in the second rounds of last protocols and guidelines occa- utes adrift in third. It’s a pity because we were going 2. Stephane Peterhansel/Ed- Overall standings (top 3) Dominican Republic’s Roberto year’s Australian Open, extended sioned by the prevailing global “We had a fl at tyre that af- quite fast at the intermediate time ouard Boulanger (FRA/FRA/ 1. Jose Ignacio Cornejo Florimo Cid Subervi 4-6, 6-2, 6-1. Dan- his win-loss stat to 50-79. Covid-19 pandemic. The tourna- fected our chances in the stage checks and we could have put Mini) +00:48 (CHI/Honda) 28:51:31 iel advance to the second round Meanwhile, Elias Ymer of Swe- ment is being overseen by 64 line but we took good care of the care more time into our rivals today, 3. Carlos Sainz/Lucas Cruz (ESP/ 2. Toby Price (AUS/Ktm) +1sec where he is scheduled to meet den, ranked 204, got the better of umpires, 18 chair umpires and and ensured it didn’t suff er any but we let the opportunity slip ESP/Mini) +1:15 3. Sam Sunderland (GBR/Ktm) Germany’s Maximilian Marterer. Australia’s Blake Mott in straight fi ve management offi cials drawn damage,” said al-Attiyah. away.” 4. Nasser al-Attiyah/Matthieu +2:11 Marterer accounted for the 4-6, sets to book a Round 2 match from across the world. Gulf Times 2 Monday, January 11, 2021 FOOTBALL

FOCUS Final class of Youth Panel graduates honoured by the SC By Sports Reporter world. In addition, they visited Ahmed said the programme is “In the fi ve years that we ran Doha Qatar 2022 stadiums and volun- FIFA World Cup Qatar helping to empower Qatar’s next the Youth Panel programme, we teered at SC-organised events. 2022 venue Education generation. provided local youngsters with This is the fi nal Youth Panel City Stadium. “It’s shedding a lot of light the opportunity to become en- he Supreme Commit- class, with the SC now planning on the fact that youth and the gaged in the process of the SC’s tee for & Legacy to organise alumni events be- younger generation have a huge eff orts to prepare and host the (SC) recently graduated tween now and the start of the impact on the future of Qatar, next FIFA World Cup,” said Lana members of its 2018 Youth tournament. Since its launch in not just in the sense of 2022, but Kayed, the SC’s Community & TPanel – an ambassadorial pro- 2015, the Youth Panel has given economically and media-wise.” Cultural Programme Manager. gramme launched to help young more than 180 students from 20 Another member, Ali Darwish, “With the Youth Panel alumni people contribute to Qatar’s host- nationalities the opportunity to said the programme provided programme, graduates will have ing of the FIFA World Cup. learn more about Qatar 2022 and unique insight into the SC’s a pathway to the next level of en- This year’s Youth Panel com- develop skills which complement planning for Qatar 2022. gagement with the SC and be able prised 54 young people aged 14-21 their academic learning. “The Youth Panel experience to harness the new skills and in- from schools across Qatar. Over Due to Covid-19, the SC was has been interesting, especially formation they have gained dur- two years, the graduates took part unable to hold a graduation cer- as we have been able to go behind ing their time on the panel. As the in workshops with SC staff and emony, opting instead to distrib- the scenes for the preparations next generation of young leaders Qatar 2022 stakeholders, with ute graduation packages to pan- for the World Cup.” in Qatar, we are excited to see each focusing on a diff erent as- ellists, including an appreciation In future, the SC will involve these youngsters’ contributions pect of the fi rst World Cup to be certifi cate and a Fitbit. A member of SC’s Youth Panel Youth Panel alumni in various in delivering a memorable world- held in the Middle East and Arab Youth Panel graduate Asila attends a workshop. Qatar 2022 events. class event in 2022.”

FA CUP SERIE A Late Mancini Leeds stunned by equaliser stalls Inter Milan in Rome

AFP provided some impetus for the Milan, Italy Roma midfi eld. Conter made two substitu- tion in the last 10 minute with Crawley, as Chelsea, ianluca Mancini headed midfi elder Arturo Vidal replaced in a late equaliser as by Roberto Gagliardini and Ale- Roma stalled Serie A ksandar Kolarov coming on for title rivals Inter Milan Hakimi. Gwith a 2-2 draw in Rome yester- “Vidal was injured and asked day. for a substitution,” said Conte. Antonio Conte’s second- “Hakimi also ran a lot and was placed Inter lost further points losing important shots and balls. Man City advance “There are substitutions and after their eight-match winning streak ended midweek at Samp- Inter have an important squad, Vinicius scores a hattrick as Mourinho’s Tottenham hammer Marine 5-0 doria. so I don’t see why we shouldn’t The northerners drop three take off the bench.” AFP fi ca, was on target again after 30 points behind leaders AC Mi- But the visitors were unable to London, United Kingdom minutes. lan who got back to winning resist the Roman pressure with Lucas Moura struck with a ways in Saturday’s 2-0 defeat of goalkeeper Samir Handanovic fi ne free-kick in the 32nd minute Torino after Juventus ended their saving Inter several times, deny- eeds suff ered a humiliat- and Vinicius completed his tre- 27-match unbeaten league run ing Mancini from close range be- ing FA Cup exit against ble fi ve minutes later during the week. fore being beaten by the defender Crawley as the League Alfi e Devine enjoyed a debut Defender Mancini got his after the following corner. Two side swept to a to remember when the sub- head to a Gonzalo Villar cross “We had a good fi rst half but Lstunning 3-0 win, while eighth stitute fi red home in the 60th four minutes from time to keep for 20 minutes of the second half tier Marine’s hopes of causing minute, making him Totten- Roma three points behind Inter we weren’t the same team,” said the competition’s greatest shock ham’s youngest ever scorer at 16 in third. Roma coach Paulo Fonseca af- were crushed in a 5-0 defeat years and 163 days. “I think it was a good match, ter a sixth consecutive draw be- against Tottenham. “The boys were professionals played well in the fi rst half too, tween the two sides. After the spiking coronavirus and didn’t stop until the game against Roma which have the “We had 15-20 minutes in the pandemic wreaked havoc with was over. The attitude means a same objectives as we have and second half which were fatal. matches across the third round lot for me and also for the com- are only three points behind,” Then when Inter scored the sec- on Friday and Saturday, the FA petition and to Marine’s guys, said Conte. ond goal we went back to being Cup was back on more familiar because they felt we played seri- “Then at the end of the match, the same team. ground yesterday as Leeds be- ously,” Mourinho said. sometimes there is a certain fear “It’s not a physical question came the competition’s latest Chelsea, FA Cup runners-up in the face of an important result with the way we fi nished the big name to be knocked out by a last season, thrashed League which prompts you to drop off .” game.” feisty underdog. Two team Morecambe 4-0. Conte’s side had fought back While Marine’s romantic ad- Mason Mount marked his after Lorenzo Pellegrini gave RESULTS venture was cut short by Carlos 22nd birthday with a 25-yard Roma the lead just after quarter Roma 2 (Pellegrini 17, Mancini Vinicius’s hat-trick and Chelsea strike and, after 12 games with- of an hour in the Stadio Olimpico. 86) Inter Milan 2 (Skriniar 56, and Manchester City progressed out a goal, Timo Werner fi nally Milan Skriniar headed in Hakimi 63) to the fourth round with ease, got on the scoresheet in the 44th the equaliser 11 minutes after Udinese 1 (Lasagna 27) Na- Crawley’s unexpected suc- minute. the break with Achraf Hakimi poli 2 (Insigne 15-pen, Bakayoko cess encapsulated the FA Cup’s Callum Hudson-Odoi and Kai putting Inter ahead seven min- 90) unique charm at a time when Havertz netted in the second utes later with a superb long Hellas Verona 2 (N. Kalinic 16, football is badly in need of some half. range shot that clipped off the Dimarco 25) Crotone 1 (Messias positive news. Manchester City cruised to a crossbar into the net. 55) Numerous clubs have been 3-0 win against second tier Bir- Bryan Cristante came off the Parma 0 Lazio 2 (Alberto 55, hit by Covid-19 problems as mingham at the Etihad Stadium, bench after 79 minutes and F. Caicedo 67) the new variant sweeps across Tottenham Hotspur’s Carlos Vinicius (right) scores their second goal during the FA Cup match against with two goals from Bernardo Britain, forcing Aston Villa and Marine AFC at Rossett Park in Crosby, United Kingdom, yesterday. (Reuters) Silva and one from Phil Foden. Derby to fi eld teams of youth players for third round defeats Ashley Nadesan’s low shot “It’s not a question of sur- Jose Mourinho’s stars. RESULTS against Liverpool and non- crept under Kiko Casilla to dou- prise. We knew the characteris- Appropriately for a match Barnsley 2 (Helik 59, league Chorley respectively. ble Crawley’s lead two minutes tics of their players. We had the against a team named after a lo- Woodrow 90-pen) Tranmere 0 Despite calls for the English later and Jordan Tunnicliff e ball for a long period of time but cal pub, virus restrictions meant Bristol City 2 (Diedhiou 19, season to be halted, the FA Cup wrapped up the victory after 70 we couldn’t do much with it,” Tottenham had to change in a Martin 83) Portsmouth 1 (John- goes on for now and Crawley minutes. Bielsa said. stadium function room with a son 45) relished their chance to the “These players have got a lot bar. Chelsea 4 (Mount 18, Werner spotlight. to prove to the clubs who have VIBRANT VINICIUS Marine’s ground is lined on 44, Hudson-Odoi 49, Havertz 85) Leeds sit 12th in the Premier released them and we’ve showed Marine, of the Northern Pre- one side by houses, so a few Morecambe 0 League after a fi ne fi rst season what we can do against a really mier League Division One North lucky locals were able to watch Cheltenham 2 (May 73, Boyle back in the top-fl ight, but boss good side,” Crawley boss John West, were trying to bridge the for free as Neil Kengni almost 110) Mansfield 1 (McLaughlin 3) Marcelo Bielsa paid the price for Yems said. biggest gap — 161 places — be- gave Marine the lead when his aet making seven changes at The Rubbing salt into Leeds’ tween opponents in FA Cup his- 30-yard drive cannoned off the Crawley 3 (Tsaroulla 51, People’s Pension Stadium in wounds, Crawley handed a debut tory. bar. Nadesan 53, Tunnicliff e 70) leafy Sussex. to former reality television star Marine’s squad is comprised Tottenham, without Harry Leeds 0 On a fairytale day for Crawley, Mark Wright as a late substitute. of teachers, NHS staff, bin men Kane and Son Heung-min, took Manchester City 3 (Silva 8, it was fi tting that Nick Tsaroulla How much Bielsa knew about and factory workers, with their control in the 24th minute when 15, Foden 33) Birmingham 0 Roma’s Gianluca Mancini (left) celebrates after scoring against Inter should open the scoring with Wright is in doubt, but he insist- tiny stadium in the Mersey- Vinicius fi nished off Dele Alli’s Marine 0 Tottenham 5 Milan at the Olympic stadium in Rome, Italy, yesterday. (AFP) his fi rst career goal in the 51st ed he wasn’t surprised by Craw- side town of Crosby providing pass. (Vinicius 24, 30, 37, Moura 32, minute. ley’s display. a surreal setting for the visit of Vinicius, on loan from Ben- Devine 60) Ibrahimovic returns as AC Milan extend Serie A lead with Torino win Aguero self-isolating days as a precaution. and he was in tears. He was in a lot of Four-goal Kirby fi res due to close Covid-19 pain and we’re going to have to see how Chelsea to WSL win Reuters Arsenal forward he is. It didn’t look good. I imagine that Milan, Italy contact we’re not going to have good news with amid Covid chaos Martinelli set for ankle him.” Manchester City striker Sergio Aguero scan Fran Kirby scored four goals as Chelsea C Milan went four points is self-isolating after coming into close Dortmund’s Witsel out crushed Reading 5-0 yesterday in the clear at the top of Serie contact with someone who tested Arsenal forward Gabriel Martinelli was Women’s Super League table to move AA with a comfortable positive for Covid-19, manager Pep in tears after injuring his ankle in the for months with torn second in the table with the weekend’s 2-0 home win over Torino on Guardiola said. Aguero was expected warm-up ahead of Saturday’s 2-0 vic- Achilles other five games cancelled due to Cov- Saturday as Swedish striker to start in their FA Cup third-round tie tory against Newcastle United in the id-19 infections and injuries. Kirby opened Zlatan Ibrahimovic made his against second-tier Birmingham City FA Cup and is set to undergo a scan, Borussia Dortmund midfielder Axel Wit- the scoring when she ran in unmarked comeback from injury. yesterday but did not feature in the manager Mikel Arteta said. The 19-year- sel will be sidelined for several months to snap up Sam Kerr’s flick-on before The league leaders’ 27-match was the return of top scorer matchday squad as Guardiola’s side old Brazilian was named in Arsenal’s after tearing his Achilles tendon in their cutting across keeper Grace Moloney and unbeaten run was ended by Ibrahimovic, who came on as a sealed a 3-0 win following two goals starting lineup for the third-round tie 3-1 victory over RB Leipzig, the club said chipping the ball home right-footed in the Juventus on Wednesday, but substitute for the final five min- from Bernardo Silva and one from Phil at Emirates Stadium but was replaced yesterday. The Belgium international 16th minute, and she added a second with they showed little sign of dwell- utes to make his first appear- Foden. “Unfortunately he was in contact by Reiss Nelson minutes before kickoff . was taken off after 30 minutes of the her left foot seven minutes later. She com- ing on the result as a Rafael ance since suff ering an injury more than usual with one person who is Martinelli returned to action in Decem- match on Saturday after falling to the pleted her hat-trick in first-half stoppage Leao strike and Franck Kessie against Napoli on Nov. 22. positive. He must isolate for a few days,” ber after a prolonged absence due to a ground without any other player near time with a deft headed finish before penalty gave the hosts a com- The result leaves Milan on 40 Guardiola said of Aguero, who has knee problem but is now set for another him. “He tore his Achilles tendon,” Dort- adding another header eight minutes into manding lead by halftime. points, four ahead of rivals played nine games in all competitions spell on the sidelines. “I am gutted. I was mund said in a statement. Dortmund, the second half as Reading’s rearguard Ricardo Rodriguez summoned Inter Milan, who travel to third- this season. City have recently battled in my off ice before the game and one of who face Sevilla in the Champions crumbled. A late goal from substitute Ji the visitors’ best eff ort when he placed AS Roma on Sunday. a Covid-19 outbreak, with six players the coaches came in and told me that League round of 16 next month, are So-yun completed the rout to put Chelsea crashed a free kick off the bar, Torino, whose four-match un- testing positive. Their Premier League Gabi had hurt himself, that he’d twisted fourth in the Bundesliga, five points be- second on 23 points from nine games but they struggled to threaten beaten run came to an end, re- match at Everton was postponed and his ankle,” Arteta told reporters after hind leaders Bayern Munich and three with a match in hand on leaders Man- in open play. main in 19th place on 12 points, their training ground closed for two the game. “I went to the medical room adrift of second-placed RB Leipzig. chester United, who have 26 points. A further boost for Milan two adrift of the safety zone. Gulf Times Monday, January 11, 2021 3 FOOTBALL

LIGUE 1 Qatar ambassador to Mexico meets Pochettino Tigres football club gets fi rst win Lyon recover from 0-2 down to draw with with PSG Rennes and stay top AFP Paris, France

auricio Pochet- tino celebrated his fi rst victory as Paris Saint-Germain Mcoach on his home debut on Saturday as Moise Kean set the reigning champions on their way to a 3-0 win over Brest, but Lyon remain top of Ligue 1 after drawing at Rennes. Substitutes Mauro Icardi and Pablo Sarabia added late goals for PSG who would have gone top on goal diff erence had Lyon not recovered from 2-0 down to earn a point in Rennes and extend their unbeaten run to 16 games. PSG are second at the sea- son’s halfway stage, a point be- hind the leaders and ahead on Qatari Ambassador to Mexico Mohamed al-Kuwari (left) met with CONCACAF Champions League goal diff erence of third-placed winners Tigres UANL of Mexico at their Estadio Universitario home ahead of next month’s FIFA Club Lille, who triumphed 1-0 at World Cup, which will be held in Qatar. The ambassador expressed appreciation and support for the Nimes. Brest’s Romain Faivre (second from left) fights for the ball with Paris Saint-Germain’s Moise Kean (centre) football relationship between Qatar and Mexico. With Neymar still missing, it during the Ligue 1 match at the Parc des Princes in Paris, France, on Saturday. (AFP) was not a vintage performance from PSG on a freezing Paris- news of his positive coronavirus themselves two goals down in ian night in an empty stadium – test fell shortly before kick-off Rennes, with Clement Grenier LA LIGA supporters are still barred from against Brest. and Benjamin Bourigeaud scor- games in France with a night- Pochettino again started ing for the home side. time curfew in place nationwide playmaker Marco Verratti in However, Memphis Depay as part of the fi ght against coro- an advanced role behind cen- pulled one back with his 11th Real held up by travel chaos, navirus. tral striker Kean, with the latter goal of the season on 79 minutes That meant it was never going opening the scoring in the 16th and Jason Denayer equalised to be the return to the Parc des minute. shortly after. slam league for Osasuna game Princes that Pochettino – who Captain Marquinhos headed “Our fi rst half of the season was a popular player for PSG Angel Di Maria’s corner against has been of a really high stand- Reuters two decades ago – would have the post and Kean was on hand ard,” said Lyon coach Rudi Gar- Pamplona, Spain liked. to nod in the from cia. Nevertheless the Argentine barely a metre out. It was his “We need to keep it going. will be relieved to have his fi rst 11th goal, and his ninth in Ligue Our objective is to at least pull eal Madrid are to spend win in charge after his fi rst game 1, since signing on loan from away from fourth place and then a third night in Pamplo- ended in a 1-1 draw at Saint- Everton in October. we will see where we are come na following Saturday’s Etienne in midweek. Paris Saint-Germain coach the run-in.” 0-0 draw at Osasuna “We have still only had a few Mauricio Pochettino. (Reuters) LYON PRESERVE UNBEATEN Lille bounced back from a dueR to continued disruption in days working together and we RUN shock midweek home defeat by the Spanish capital caused by a have had two very diffi cult, very club and in this magnifi cent city Brest, who sit in mid-table and Angers to win at Nimes thanks snowstorm, a club spokesman competitive games,” Pochettino since arriving.” are one of the best sides to watch to a fi rst-half goal by veteran said. said. Pochettino could now get his in France, could have scored Turkish striker Burak Yilmaz. Real’s trip to the city in Nav- “I am really satisfi ed with the fi rst piece of silverware when before that but Keylor Navas The draw for Rennes, and a arre, northern Spain, was heav- eff ort put in by the players. It PSG play Marseille on Wednes- clawed away Romain Faivre’s goalless draw for Marseille at ily delayed after their plane was was an improved performance day in the Champions Trophy, early eff ort for the visitors. Dijon, allowed Monaco to move made to wait for four hours on and an important victory.” the French equivalent of a Super It was only in the fi nal 10 up to fourth spot as they beat the icy runway at Barajas airport Of his fi rst game back at the Cup that in normal times is the minutes that PSG ran away with Angers 3-0 with German inter- on Friday before taking off . Parc des Princes, he added: “It curtain-raiser to the season. the game, as Kylian Mbappe set national Kevin Volland grabbing The squad eventually landed in was very emotional. This sta- It remains to be seen if Ney- up Icardi – on in place of Kean – his ninth Ligue 1 goal in between Pamplona at midnight. dium has one of the best atmos- mar, after four weeks on the to get the second before Sarabia eff orts from Guillermo Maripan After a frustrating draw against pheres in football and we missed sidelines, will be fi t for that fi red in to make it 3-0. and Stevan Jovetic. the league’s second-bottom side, having the fans here, but I have game, while defender Thilo Lyon’s long unbeaten streak There were also wins for Bor- they were unable to return to the had a superb welcome at this Kehrer will be sidelined after looked set to end as they found deaux, Reims and Strasbourg. Spanish capital after the game as scheduled or on Sunday. The spokesman added they will now head straight to Malaga on Monday for their next game Rangers move 22 points clear aft er Morelos double against Athletic Bilbao in the Spanish Super Cup on Thursday. AFP at his prolific best this term but Champions Celtic can reduce Morelos and with his confi- Real goalkeeper Thibaut Cour- Glasgow, Scotland he produced two lethal finishes the gap to 19 points if they dence surging the 24-year-old tois and coach Zinedine Zidane to kill off the Dons at Pittodrie. beat Hibernian today. drilled home his 10th goal of had fi ercely criticised organis- Rangers captain James Rangers should have taken the season. ing body La Liga for allowing the Real Madrid’s Sergio Ramos (left) challenges Osasuna’s Jonathan angers moved 22 points Tavernier should have fired the lead when Tavernier’s run Aberdeen were allowed to grab game to go ahead. Calleri during the match in Pamplona, Spain, on Saturday. (AFP) clear at the top of the the runaway leaders ahead of flawless spot-kicks came to a lifeline after 67 minutes as “We arrived at the stadium RScottish Premiership as when Ryan Hedges was sent an end. the Rangers defence switched with the roads full of snow. We ences, also vented his anger. sponsible for their own travel Alfredo Morelos struck twice off in the 26th minute for foul- But Tavernier played a key part off and unmarked substitute have to prioritise people’s safe- “The game shouldn’t have schedule and all clubs had been in a 2-1 win against 10-man ing Morelos, but he missed a as Rangers did grab the lead Kennedy slotted home. ty,” Courtois said. been played. What we saw out warned about the storm since Aberdeen yesterday. penalty for the first time since five minutes later. Despite that scare, Rangers “We do what we are asked. We there was not a football match,” last Monday. Steven Gerrard’s side are October 2019. Ryan Kent collected Tavernier’s held on for a 15th successive knew that if we didn’t come here he said. The snowstorm, which para- marching inexorably towards Although Matty Kennedy low ball into the box before victory. we could lose the points but all But midfi elder Toni Kroos said lysed parts of Spain, led to the title and Morelos ensured pulled one back with 23 min- feeding Morelos and he pro- In the day’s other top-flight you need to do is take a look and the adverse weather conditions Atletico Madrid’s home match they remain firmly on course utes remaining, Rangers still duced a clinical finish. match, Livingston beat Ross the roads. We also have families aff ected Real and Osasuna equal- with Athletic Bilbao being called to end Celtic’s run of nine suc- recorded their first pair of wins Rangers netted again early in County 3-1 thanks to goals and we’re not puppets who have ly, adding his side should not off on the day of the game while cessive Premiership crowns. at Aberdeen in a single season the second half when another from Scott Robinson, Alan For- to play all the time.” make excuses for failing to win. Elche’s home game against The Colombian has not been since 2011. deft flick from Kent found rest and Jack Hamilton. Zidane, who usually avoids A La Liga spokesman said Getafe was moved from Sunday outbursts during news confer- clubs, not the league, were re- to Monday.

BUNDESLIGA Matarazzo at a loss to explain Stuttgart’s latest away win AFP “The win does us good, to get back on Augsburg pulled a goal back almost Berlin, Germany the right path after two games without a immediately after the break when mid- point,” he added as his outfi t picked up fi elder Marco Richter fi red home from their fi rst win since last month’s away close range after Swiss winger Ruben tuttgart coach Pellegrino Ma- thrashing of Borussia Dortmund. Vargas prised open the defence. tarazzo said he was unable to ex- Raised in New York to Italian par- Stuttgart captain Gonzalez Castro plain his side’s impressive away ents, Matarazzo earned a maths degree fi red his side 3-1 up on the hour mark form after yesterday’s 4-1 win at at Colombia University before moving when he banged home a long pass to the AugsburgS made them the Bundesliga’s to Europe, eventually becoming Julian far post. joint-strongest team on the road. Nagelsmann’s assistant coach at Hof- Soon after, Richter received his sec- Alongside Bayer Leverkusen, who fenheim before taking charge of Stutt- ond booking inside three minutes and have also won fi ve times and lost once gart in 2019. was shown a red card after accidentally away this season, Matarazzo’s men have The visitors took the lead on Sun- kicking the Achilles tendon of Walde- a better record than Bayern Munich, day through Argentine striker Nicolas mar Anton. who remain top despite losing 3-2 at Gonzalez’s early penalty after Augs- The Stuttgart defender had the last Borussia Moenchengladbach on Friday. burg’s West Ham loanee Reece Oxford laugh when his cross to the far post was “The only diff erence is that we stay in fouled Mateo Klimowicz in the area. tapped home by substitute Daniel Di- a hotel,” the 43-year-old Italian-Amer- The visitors were 2-0 up at half-time davi three minutes before the whistle. ican said. after Congolese winger Silas Waman- After two defeats and a draw in their “Perhaps we should consider an gituka fi nished a counter-attack with previous three league games, the vic- overnight stay before our home games his fi rst goal since netting twice in the tory lifts Stuttgart above Augsburg into Stuttgart’s Silla Wamangituka (second from right) celebrates with teammates after scoring a goal during the Bundesliga too,” he quipped. 5-1 win at Dortmund. 10th. match against Augsburg in Augsburg, Germany, yesterday. (AFP) Gulf Times 4 Monday, January 11, 2021 SPORT

NFL Brady leads Bucs to wild-card Bills end postseason skid with wild-card win over Colts, win over Washington Rams down Seahawks

AFP Los Angeles

ix-time Super Bowl champ Tom Brady pad- ded his postseason resume as both the Tam- paS Bay Buccaneers and the Buf- falo Bills snapped long playoff win droughts with a pair of NFL wild-card victories on Saturday. Brady completed 22 of 40 passes for 381 yards and two touchdowns as the Buccaneers won their fi rst playoff contest in 18 years with a 31-23 victory over Washington. The Bills’ Josh Allen threw for two touchdowns and rushed for another as the Bills bagged their fi rst playoff victory in a quarter- century with a nail-biting 27-24 wild-card defeat of the Indi- anapolis Colts. “If you could win 100-0, it’s going to be the same result in the end,” Brady said. “It’s good to win and advance.” Brady showed why the fi fth- seeded Buccaneers brought him to Tampa as he got his new team to the playoff s for the fi rst time since 2007 and their fi rst win since the 2002 season Super Bowl. Brady, whose nine Super Bowl starts are the most by any player in history, earned his NFL all-time leading 31st playoff victory. “He is a fi ghter. He plays hard and studies hard and he is the man for the job,” said Buccaneers back Leonard Fournette, who had 19 carries for 93 yards. Fournette added 39 receiving yards and a three-yard touch- down run. “It has been trying times for me this season. I got cut and now I am back in the playoff s,” Fournette said. Washington’s emergency quarterback Taylor Heinicke performed admirably in his fi rst Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady throws a touchdown pass against the Washington team during the first half at FedExField in Landover, Maryland, USA. (USA TODAY Sports) career playoff start. He threw for 306 yards with a touchdown and afterwards. Veteran Colts quar- the game’s opening touchdown, added an eight-yard scoring run terback Rivers, who turned 39 Darious Williams picking off while starting in place of injured last month, was uncertain over Wilson’s pass for Metcalf for a ‘None at all’: Controversial views not a factor in Giants’ decision to trade Coonrod Alex Smith. Tampa Bay’s next whether he would extend his ca- 42-yard pick six and a 13-3 lead. opponent will be determined by reer into an 18th season. The Seahawks responded im- The traded crite” to kneel “before anything political opinions. “It was really Zaidi said the Giants also expect the winner of Sunday’s New Or- “If it’s God’s will that I’m in mediately when Wilson hit Met- reliever Sam Coonrod to the but God, Jesus Christ.” a trade we made for to have right-hander Reyes leans and Chicago game. Indy with the Colts next year, calf for a 51-yard touchdown but Philadelphia Phillies on Saturday, “I’m a Christian,” Coonrod said reasons,” Zaidi reiterated. Moronta ready to compete for a In Buff alo, Allen fi nished with then I’ll be here,” said Rivers, the Rams restored their 10-point but president of baseball opera- at the time. “I can’t get on board After the Giants’ bullpen posted job during spring training after 324 yards from 26 of 35 attempts who made 27-of-46 for 309 cushion with a touchdown from tions Farhan Zaidi said Coon- on a couple of things I’ve read the third-best ERA in the majors the potential closer missed the to send the Bills into next week’s yards and two touchdowns. running back Cam Akers that rod’s controversial opinions on about Black Lives Matter, how during the month of September, entire 2020 season following a AFC divisional round while the “If not, I’ll be on the side- made it 20-10 at half-time. the Black Lives Matter move- they lean toward Marxism and Zaidi is confident the club has 2019 shoulder surgery. Manager Colts were left ruing a decision line with a ballcap on my head, The Seahawks were always ment did not play a role in the said some negative things about added quality reinforcements indicated Moronta not to kick an easy fi rst-half fi eld coaching football.” chasing the game from that team’s decision to cut ties. the nuclear family.” that have improved the group’s was in the mix to secure a goal that ultimately proved the The Bills’ victory was one of point as Wilson was bottled up “None at all,” Zaidi told reporters. Coonrod debuted with the overall depth. The Giants have bullpen job toward the end of diff erence. three games on Saturday in an by the rampant Rams defense. In exchange for Coonrod, a Giants in 2019 and made 51 acquired added six right-handed the 60-game season, but the It was the second-seeded expanded wild card round. The knockout blow came 28-year-old right-hander who appearances with the club over relief candidates to the 40-man hard-throwing righty had not Bills’ fi rst win in the postseason In the day’s second game, the in the fourth quarter, Samson regularly topped 100 miles per two seasons, but struggled to roster this off season including regained the high-90s fastball since December 1995, ending a Los Angeles Rams powered to Ebukam forcing a fumble from a hour last season, the Giants re- live up to the expectations that free-agent signees Matt Wisler velocity he showed prior to his run of fi ve straight playoff losses. a 30-20 road victory over the D.J. Reed punt return to give the ceived pitching prospect Carson come with a fastball that hits and and Rule 5 injury. At times during his Giants The Colts, meanwhile, ral- Seattle Seahawks in a bruis- Rams possession at the Seattle Ragsdale, the Phillies’ fourth- triple digits. In his final two ap- Draft pick Dedniel Nunez. The tenure, Coonrod demonstrated lied from a 14-point defi cit in the ing battle between the two NFC 36-yard line. round draft pick in 2020. pearances of the 2020 season, club also protected three right- the potential to pitch at the back fourth quarter to come within a West rivals. Defenses dominat- On the following drive, Goff Prior to the Giants’ opening Coonrod allowed five runs and handed pitching prospects to end of a major league bullpen, fi eld goal of tying the game with ed throughout, with the Rams picked out a wide-open Rob- night matchup with the Los An- blew a pair of saves includ- the roster in Gregory Santos, but finished the 2020 season two minutes remaining, only stifl ing the threat of Seahawks ert Woods for a 15-yard score geles Dodgers on July 23, 2020, ing one against the San Diego Kervin Castro and . with a 9.82 ERA in 18 appearanc- to come up agonisingly short. quarterback Russell Wilson and with the extra-point making it Coonrod was the only member Padres in which outfielder Trent Of the six righties the Giants es as he consistently struggled The Colts had one last chance to receiver D.K. Metcalf. 30-13. The Seahawks made it of either club to remain standing Grisham hit a three-run, walk-off have added to their bullpen mix, with command issues. mount a game-winning drive, but The Seahawks defense a 10-point game when Wilson during a “moment of unity” home run at Oracle Park. it’s possible only Wisler will be By trading Coonrod, the Giants the game ended when a desperate was similarly aggressive, and picked out Metcalf with 2min intended to support the Black Zaidi pointed to the Giants’ in the Opening Day bullpen as have opened up a 40-man Hail Mary attempt from quar- knocked Rams quarterback John 28sec remaining. Lives Matter movement. willingness to trust Coonrod in Brebbia is still recovering from a roster spot that could be used to terback Philip Rivers was batted Wolford – chosen to start ahead But it was too little too late, Coonrod cited his faith as a high-leverage situations late June Tommy John surgery while acquire another starting pitcher away by Bills safety Micah Hyde. of Jared Goff – out of the game and the Rams defense eff ectively Christian as his rationale to in the season as an example Nunez, Santos, Castro and Doval or a left-handed hitter with po- “It doesn’t matter how it with a brutal hit by Jamal Adams sealed victory by sacking Wilson remain standing, explaining he of how the team’s view of the have never appeared above A- sitional flexibility prior to spring looks, it’s the playoff s, it’s win early in the fi rst quarter. for the fi fth time on the Sea- believed he would be a “hypo- reliever wasn’t influenced by his ball in the minor leagues. training. The Mercury News or go home,” a relieved Allen said The Rams defense engineered hawks’ fi nal possession.

MOTORSPORT Aitken hopes to put South Korea back on F1 map Reuters “Interest in motorsport is still Seoul young. We do have a lot of Ko- Chinese GP seeks postponement rean fans getting in touch and many who follow the races be- Organisers of the Chinese Grand end of the season with Bahrain ritish-Korean driver cause of my heritage. I’ve had Prix say they have asked Formula replacing it as the opening race Jack Aitken, over- a lot of questions asking about One management to move the in March due to the Covid-19 whelmed by the re- how to get involved.” Shanghai race from April to later pandemic. The sport saw many sponse he received from Formula One has long ex- in the 2021 calendar, motorsport. races cancelled last year due fansB in South Korea after his For- panded from its European ori- com has reported. “We have been to the pandemic with the race mula One debut last year, hopes gins, with Japan added as the in contact (with F1) via confer- calendar eventually reduced from to use his newfound support to fi rst Asian venue in 1976, fol- ence call almost every week,” 22 rounds to 17 across Europe catch the eye of teams looking to lowed by Malaysia, which later Yibin Yang, the general manager and the Middle East and some tap into the East Asian market. departed. China joined the list of race promoter Juss Event, was circuits including Bahrain hosting Aitken made his F1 debut for in 2004, Singapore in 2008, and quoted as saying by the website. two Grands Prix. ,Formula One Williams at the Sakhir Grand there are now also races in the “Despite the calendar being in announced a 2021 calendar in Prix as a replacement for George Middle East. South Korea host- place as usual, I think it’s hugely November featuring a record 23 Russell, who stood in for Lewis ed four races between 2010 and uncertain the F1 race would take rounds with 21 races the highest Hamilton at Mercedes after he 2013. Aitken said his focus would place in the first half of the year, in a single season till date. China, tested positive for Covid-19. be to help increase motorsport’s in April. which is the host of the 2022 Win- Aitken, born in London to a popularity in the region. “We aim to swap it to the second ter Olympics, has either cancelled Scottish father and Korean “It’s well documented that half of the year, and we have for- or rescheduled all global sporting mother, said he had made waves motorsport is not cheap and you mally submitted the request that events since the start of the pan- in Korea despite a 16th-place need to be able to be marketable,” we hope to move it to the second demic. “To move it to the second fi nish in Bahrain. he said. “Markets in the East are half of the year.” half of the year, it depends on “There was a big response – very attractive and Korea is defi - Aston Martin team owner the plan of the city government,” more than I expected – which nitely high up on that list. Lawrence Stroll said this week Yang added in Shanghai. “If we was amazing because tradition- “If they (manufacturers) can that agreement had already put all international events to the ally Formula One hasn’t been as utilise me to make themselves been reached to postpone the second half of the year, it will be popular in Korea,” he told the more marketable, that’s a real Australian Grand Prix to the back over the capacity for the city.” South China Morning Post. plus.” Gulf Times Monday, January 11, 2021 5 SPORT

NBA FOCUS Matthews making right adjustments Nuggets beat 76ers in Lakers bench role

By Broderick Turner that gives you comfort. When Los Angeles Times you know when you’re coming in, when you’re coming out, you can start usually preparing is career was built as yourself and you can get ready as coronavirus a starter, but the Los and then you can start watch- Angeles Lakers have ing the game a little bit diff er- asked venerable vet- ently. He’s a great communi- eranH Wesley Matthews to be- cator so far with me and that come a key role player off the really helps my curve here.” bench. Matthews will have his Without pause, Matthews hands full when the Lakers has accepted his new respon- take on the Rockets on Sunday depletes rosters sibility. and Tuesday in Houston, par- Matthews started his fi rst ticularly defending the dan- game as a Laker on Friday gerous James Harden. ‘Covid created this but the concern is not Covid now. The concern is injuries’ night against the Chicago Harden can be even more Bulls, but that was because diffi cult to defend because he AFP guard Kentavious Caldwell- not only scores 27 points per Washington Pope was out with a sprained game, ranking seventh in the left ankle that has him listed NBA, he also is a willing pas- as questionable for Sunday’s ser, his 11.3 assists leading the he were rout- game at Houston. Anthony league. ed 115-103 by the visiting Den- Davis (right adductor strain) He’s third in the NBA in ver Nuggets on Saturday, with and LeBron James (left ankle three-point attempts (9.7) the team so badly depleted by sprain) also are questionable. and seventh in three-pointers TCovid-19 protocols and injuries that they Over his fi rst 11 seasons, made (3.7), making them at a were forced to dress an injured player. Matthews started 730 of 800 37.9% clip. The short-handed Sixers were down to games, including all 67 he “It’s the same approach for just seven healthy players, pushing coach played last season with the anybody. You want to make Doc Rivers to activate Mike Scott, who Milwaukee Bucks. everybody uncomfortable,” had a left knee injury, just so they could He said it “absolutely” has Matthews said. “As far as the meet the league requirement to have a been an adjustment coming off schemes and all that kind of minimum of eight players. Scott sat on the the bench for the Lakers. stuff , yeah, that varies de- team bench but didn’t play. “If you’ve been doing some- pending on the team, depend- “Covid created this but the concern is thing one way for a decade, ing on time, score, situations not Covid now,” Rivers said. “The concern you kinda get used to that, you and all that kind of stuff . But is injuries.” kinda develop habits, you de- he’s a great scorer. He’s one of The Sixers were missing a number of velop routines,” Matthews said the best scorers that this game starters, including Seth Curry, who tested in a videoconference after Fri- will ever see and so you just positive for the coronavirus on Thursday. day night‘s 117-115 victory over got to make things tough. Got Because of contact tracing, Covid-19 the Chicago Bulls. “I just kinda to make him think a little bit health protocols and injuries several oth- take it all in stride. This year more, stop letting the game er stars were also missing including Ben has been (an) unconventional come so naturally.” Simmons, Joel Embiid and Tobias Harris. year all across the board. Lately, Matthews has added “So if there was a time to more off ence to his defensive come off the bench, I think it abilities. He started the season RESULTS would be now, where every- missing his fi rst eight three- thing is an adjustment. Daily pointers, but he has recovered Dallas 112-98 Orlando life is an adjustment. It kinda to the point where he is shoot- Portland 125-99 Sacramento just fi ts with the mold of how ing 41% on his triples. Milwaukee 100-90 Cleveland everything is going right now. He’s a career 38.1% three- San Antonio 125-122 Minnesota You gotta get comfortable be- point shooter, so it’s no sur- ing uncomfortable. And this prise to Vogel that Matthews is Charlotte 113-105 Atlanta is just only going to make me making them. Phoenix 125-117 Indiana better. I’m ready for whenever “Well, he’s a good shooter,” Miami 128-124 Washington my name is called with what- Vogel said on Friday night af- ever role it is.” ter Matthews made four long- Denver 115-103 Philadelphia Constant conversations range shots in a row during the with Frank Vogel helped ease third quarter. Before the game, Rivers said he felt it Matthews’ mind regarding his “I always believe the ball’s should have been postponed. role on a Lakers team that won going in when Wes shoots it. “I don’t think we should (play) but it’s the NBA championship last He didn’t start hot out of the not for me to express that,” Rivers said. “I season. Matthews said Vogel gates, but it was never any- do worry about our player health.” was “probably the best com- thing I worried about. I think Also missing were Matisse Thybulle, Nikola Jokic of the Denver Nuggets looks for a teammate over Danny Green of the Philadelphia 76ers during the second quarter of municator as a coach that I’ve if we continue to work on shot Shake Milton and Vincent Poirier. their NBA game at Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Getty Images/AFP) had on this early season.” quality, he’s going to knock “I trust the league and I trust the doc- “He communicates very down threes. He’s shown that tors as far as health-wise,” Rivers said. ning streak snapped. nets beat the Atlanta Hawks 113-105. The 21 season, the team said on Saturday. well about whatever is going throughout his career. So it “I’m more concerned with health on Cameroonian star centre Embiid was 19-year-old Ball is 177 days younger than Lin spent the 2019-20 season with the on in his lineup, whatever he’s was just a matter of him get- the fl oor.” sidelined with back tightness while Aus- Markelle Fultz when he set the triple double Chinese Basketball Association’s Beijing thinking,” Matthews said. “So, ting quality shots.” Saturday’s game had a chance to be tralian guard Simmons was out with knee record. Ball shot nine-of-13 from the fl oor Ducks and guided them to the semi-fi nals the season’s second coronavirus-related stiff ness. “With the minutes we would as the Hornets handed the struggling before they lost to eventual champions game postponement. The Houston Rock- have to ask (from Embiid), it would be in- Hawks their fourth straight defeat. Ball Guangdong Southern Tigers. He left the ets had their season opener against the sane to play him,” Rivers said. was the third overall pick in the 2020 en- team in September. Oklahoma City Thunder postponed be- The Sixers started veterans Dwight try draft. The 32-year-old began his NBA career cause of a combination of positive tests Howard and Danny Green alongside rook- Tim Hardaway also scored 36 points with the Warriors in 2010 before joining and contact tracing for Houston. ie guards Isaiah Joe, Tyrese Maxey and and Trey Burke added a season-high 29 to the New York Knicks, where his strong Nikola Jokic had 15 points and 12 assists Dakota Mathias. lead the to a 112-98 vic- performance in the 2011-12 season gave and Gary Harris scored 21 points to lead The Nuggets were without Michael tory over the visiting Orlando Magic. rise to the term “Linsanity”. the Nuggets. Jamal Murray and Will Bar- Porter, who is in quarantine due to Cov- The Mavericks were without forward Lin also had spells with the Houston ton had 14 points apiece for the Nuggets, id-19 safety protocols. “They deemed it Dorian Finney-Smith and guards Josh Ri- Rockets, Los Angeles Lakers, Charlotte who broke open a close game after halft- safe enough to play,” Nuggets coach Mike chardson and Jalen Brunson due to Cov- Hornets, Brooklyn Nets and Atlanta ime. JaMychal Green and Monte Morris Malone said. id-19 health and safety protocols. Hawks and in 2019 became the fi rst Asian- added 12 points apiece. “To be honest, I think we’re going to Hardaway made eight of 13 three-point American to win an NBA Championship, Rookie Tyrese Maxey tallied a career- start seeing more of this.” attempts as the Mavericks defeated Magic doing so with the Toronto Raptors. high 39 points on 18-of-33 shooting, Isai- Elsewhere, LaMelo Ball became the for the 14th time in the past 18 meetings. The G League will begin its season in ah Joe added 13 and Dakota Mathias had 12 youngest player in NBA history to record a Meanwhile Jeremy Lin has signed for February in the ESPN Wide World of Los Angeles Lakers guard Wesley Matthews dribbles the ball for Philadelphia, who lost their second in triple-double with 22 points, 12 rebounds Golden State Warriors’ G League affi liate, Sports Complex at Disney World near Or- during pregame warmups at Staples Center on January 7, 2021. a row and had their 20-game home win- and 11 assists, and the Charlotte Hor- Santa Cruz Warriors, ahead of the 2020- lando. (USA TODAY Sports)

SPOTLIGHT Crowder remains an unsettling Heat departure By Ira Winderman thereafter by Giannis Antetok- Suns less than three weeks after Instead, it was Crowder who South Florida Sun Sentinel ounmpo removing himself from he and the Heat came within two solidifi ed the Heat’s playoff run as the 2021 free-agent market with victories of a championship. the starting power forward. an extension of his own. “Fourteen teams called. Four- The irony is that he wound up t is, of course, way too sim- Crowder, in his comments to teen teams threw a contract and I with more than fi ve months to ac- plistic to suggest that the Phoenix media at the start of just had to sit back and absorb it climate with the Heat, due to the reason the Miami Heat are camp, said he thought that was all in. pandemic shutdown. With the struggling to fi nd their way how it was going to play out with “And once I got a phone call Suns, he has been part of the or- Iin the Eastern Conference and Adebayo. from Chris and Devin, those guys ganisation for all of seven weeks. the reason the Phoenix Suns fi nd “I expected that,” Crowder made a strong pitch.” That, he said, is the advantage themselves fl ourishing in the said, “to be honest, sooner than While hardly a mercenary, of a career that has included stops West is because of Jae Crowder. when it happened.” considering he has been traded with seven teams. And yet the linkage is there, Which is why, as the Heat have six times and has signed as a free “I knew it was going to be cha- Crowder leaving the Heat in the cycled through Moe Harkless, agent only twice over his nine otic,” he said of this Suns transi- abbreviated off season for the Meyers Leonard, Andre Iguodala seasons, he said he viewed the tion. security of a multiyear contract and Kelly Olynyk in the power Suns as an opportunity to help “That was a blessing in dis- with the Suns. rotation in a bid for put together something fl ourish. guise. I’m very thankful for other So as the Heat’s wheel of line- their fi rst winning streak of the “Once I got that phone from teams even giving me the op- ups has spun, the Suns have season, it stands all the more per- those guys, I had to dwindle it portunity, because one day that found themselves with the very plexing why more wasn’t done to down to a get a team, and I was phone call is not going to come, type of frontcourt stability the retain Crowder. just able to make the decision that phone is not going to ring as Heat discovered in last season’s That’s not to say that Crowder solely off of me envisioning my- much. So I’m very thankful to be playoff s with Crowder. is an ultimate diff erence-maker, self wanting to help an organiza- in this position, just to be a hot The irony: At the time Crowder but rather that he appreciates tion getting to play playoff bas- commodity and be wanted. I felt took the Suns’ three-year, $29.2 such is not his mandate. With the ketball again,” he said. like I was able to make the best million contract, the expectation Heat, it was to support Adebayo When the Heat acquired Crow- decision for myself.” was the Heat would hold off on and Jimmy Butler. With the Suns, der in last February’s trade along As for the Heat, a bit less chaos an extension to Bam Adebayo in to complement Chris Paul, Devin with Andre Iguodala and Solo- when it came to the timing ele- order to maximize their 2021 cap Booker, Deandre Ayton. mon Hill from the Memphis Griz- ments with Adebayo and An- space. Thus the large, one-year But it also is not as if it came zlies for Justise Winslow, Dion tetokounmpo and this season’s off er to Crowder. down solely to a choice of Heat or Waiters and James Johnson, the wheel of power forwards never Then Adebayo wound up get- Suns. focus was on how Iguodala could would have been set in motion ting his fi ve-year, $163 mil- “The process was chaotic,” add his playoff pedigree to Erik — with the Heat’s loss the Suns’ lion extension, followed shortly Crowder said, signing with the Spoelstra’s mix. gain. Gulf Times 6 Monday, January 11, 2021 SPORT

SPOTLIGHT Judokas vie for Olympic spots, glory at Doha Masters ‘Our goal is to develop judo in order to make it an educational tool for our youth, so that they are ready to live in a fulfilling way’

Olympic champion Teddy Riner.

Online draw ceremony for the 2021 Doha Masters was held yesterday. (Below) International Judo Federation president Marius Vizer with other Qatari off icials.

By Sports Reporter Games gold medallist. Other Doha stars on the list include Clar- isse Agbegnenou of France, the day, is set to be held with strict Qatar Taekwondo, Judo and 2016 Olympic silver medallist health protocols in place. Karate Federation President he stage is all set for the and four-time world champion “I would like to thank His Khalid Hamad al-Attiyah said: 2021 Doha Masters judo in the -63kg female category; Highness the Amir of Qatar “We are very happy to welcome tournament which will and Egypt’s Ramadan Darwish, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al- you to our country. After the or- kickstart at the Lusail a six-time African champion in Thani, the National Olympic ganisation of the IJF Refereeing TMultipurpose Hall today. -100kg and a bronze medallist at Committee, the Asian Judo Un- and Coaching Seminar last year The event, featuring 399 ju- the 2009 World Championship ion, the Qatari Judo Federation, and with the 2023 World Cham- dokas — 215 males, 184 females in Rotterdam. the sponsors and the media, as pionships on the horizon, our — from 69 countries, is being Tunisia’s Nihel Cheikh well as all the participants of the goal is to develop judo in order organised by the International Rouhou, the gold medallist in World Judo Masters, for having to make it an educational tool for Judo Federation (IJF) and will be the women’s +78kg event at the done everything in their power our youth, so that they are ready held in 14 weight categories — 2019 African Games held in Ra- to make this major event possi- to live in a fulfi lling way. The seven each for men and women. bat, Morocco, is also set to par- ble,” IJF president Marius Vizer World Judo Masters will con- Olympic champion Teddy ticipate in the tournament. said on the occasion. tribute greatly to this.” Riner headlines the competition Two Qatari judokas Morad “We are now opening the The competition will start on which will be held behind closed Zamouri and Khalil Rabahi will sports season in Qatar and we Day 1 at 10am, on Day 2 at 11am doors due to the Covid-19 pan- also compete in the event. will soon also meet for the Grand and on Day 3 at 10am. The fi nals demic. With winners set to be award- Slams of Tel Aviv, Tashkent, Tbi- will be held at 5pm each day. The 31-year-old, who also has ed 1,800 world ranking points, lisi and Paris, ahead of the World 10 world titles to his name, tri- the three-day event in the Qatari Championships in Budapest in SCHEDULE umphed at London 2012 and Rio capital will act as a qualifi ca- June,” he said. Today (10am start) 2016. He also stitched together tion tournament for this year’s Speaking on the occasion, Women: -48kg, -52kg, -57kg an unbeaten run of 154 victories Olympics. Under the revised Judo Union of Asia President Men: -60kg, -66kg that lasted nearly a decade, be- process for the postponed To- Obaid al-Anzi said, “I would like Tomorrow (11am start) fore the Frenchman was beaten kyo Games, athletes have until to thank the authorities of Qatar Women: -63kg, -70kg by Japan’s Kokoro Kageura at the the 2012 Olympic gold medal- division and four-time World 2019 European gold medallist in June 28 to earn the qualifi cation and the Judo Federation for the Men: -73kg, -81kg Paris Grand Slam last year. list in the +78kg female catego- Championships gold medal- the 48kg division; and Belgium’s points. work they have done. It is a great Wednesday (10am start) Also featuring in the compe- ry; Japan’s Soichi Hashimoto, list; Ukraine’s Daria Bilodid, the Matthias Casse, the World No.1 Competition, whose online honour for Asia to host such a Women: -78kg, +78kg tition are Idalys Ortiz of Cuba, world No.1 in the lightweight 2019 World champion and the in -81kg and the 2019 European draw ceremony was held yester- competition.” Men: -90kg, -100kg, +100kg

TENNIS FOCUS Kenin escapes Abu Dhabi shock Olympics support AFP Harrison, ranked 789th in world hits new low in Japan Abu Dhabi tennis, stunned top seed Cris- tian Garin of Chile 7-6(3) 6-2 AFP The month-long emer- on Saturday at the Delray Beach Tokyo gency in the capital and sur- op seed Sofi a Kenin ad- Open in Florida to book a maiden rounding regions is less strict mitted “being a Grand quarter-fi nal spot in his injury- than harsh lockdowns seen Slam champion” proved plagued career. upport for holding the elsewhere in the world and crucial as she saved a The 26-year-old reached a coronavirus-post- primarily targets restaurants Tmatch point to reach the quar- ranking of 162 in 2013 but has poned Tokyo Olympics and bars, which have been ter-fi nals of the season-opening seen his career fl ag due to eight this summer has hit a asked to close early. Abu Dhabi WTA tournament surgeries. newS low in Japan, a poll found Prime Minister Yoshihide yesterday. His win against world number yesterday as the country bat- Suga said this week that Ja- The defending Australian 22 Garin made him the second- tles a third wave of infections. pan is committed to holding Open champion defeated 13th- lowest ranked quarter-fi nalist in Just over 80 percent of a “safe and secure” Olympics. seeded Yulia Putintseva of Kaza- the tournament’s history, after those asked by Kyodo news He said he believed the khstan 3-6, 7-6 (7/5), 6-4. 2009 US Open champion Juan agency said the huge global public mood will change when However, Kenin, who was Martin del Potro, who reached event should be cancelled or the country begins vaccina- also last year’s Roland Garros the same stage as 1,042nd in postponed again – a jump tions, currently scheduled for runner-up, had to save a match 2016. from around 60 percent in late February. point in the 12th game of the sec- “I just love the sport, I love a December 6 survey by the But senior International ond set to stay alive. what I’m doing,” Harrison told same outlet. Olympic Committee offi cial She will now face ninth-seed- reporters. “I just can’t wait to Kyodo said the survey asked Dick Pound told the BBC he ed Maria Sakkari of Greece for a keep playing and hopefully have 1,041 participants nationwide, could not “be certain” the semi-fi nal spot. a good, healthy next couple of who were selected by random Games will go ahead, because Sakkari defeated fi fth-seeded years.” dialling. “the ongoing elephant in the Garbine Muguruza, the former It was Harrison’s fi rst victory Tokyo 2020 organisers have room would be the surges in Wimbledon and Roland Garros against a top 50 player and he said another delay is out of the the virus”. winner, 7-5, 6-4. would next meet Italian Gianlu- question and are insisting the Public sentiment towards “I practice with her (Putint- ca Mager, who beat sixth-seeded Games will go ahead despite the Olympics in Japan has seva) quite a bit, and I know her Ukraine second seed Elina er Russian, Veronika Kuderme- Today’s other quarter-fi nals Sam Querrey 7-6(8) 6-1. a state of emergency declared been less than optimistic for game well, and she knows my Svitolina came from 3-5 down tova who saw off Spain’s Paula see fourth seed Aryna Sabalenka “He played well. He played in the greater Tokyo area this months. game pretty well,” Kenin said in the fi nal set and saved two Badosa 6-4, 4-6, 6-1. face Elena Rybakina, the sixth very good, of course. He’s won week over a surge in Covid-19 Two polls in July showed during her post-match press match points during the fi nal- “She was striking the ball re- seed, and Marta Kostyuk of four matches this week” includ- cases. the majority thought the conference. set tiebreak to beat 17th-seeded ally well,” Svitolina said. Ukraine tackle fellow unseeded ing qualifying, Garin said of his In Sunday’s national tel- event should be postponed “I guess it helps being a Grand Ekaterina Alexandrova of Russia, “It was really tricky for me to player Sara Sorribes Tormo of opponent. ephone poll, around 35 percent again or cancelled, while a Slam champion, knowing kind 6-2, 6-7 (7/5), 7-6 (10/8). come back from being 3-5 down. Spain. “These conditions are good of people told Kyodo they fa- survey released in December of what to do on those tough Alexandrova fi red 40 winners I was just trying to be focused for him. He played really fl at, re- voured outright cancellation, by national broadcaster NHK points, those tough moments, although they were outweighed on every point and not let this QUALIFIER HARRISON STUNS ally fast. The ball helps his game while some 45 percent said the found that only 27 percent of and I was able to fi nd my rhythm by 57 unforced errors. match take away the good tennis TOP SEED GARIN a lot, and I hope he can play like event should be postponed a respondents supported hold- by the end of the third set.” Svitolina will next face anoth- that I played in the fi rst set.” American qualifi er Christian this the rest of the year.” second time. ing the Games in 2021. Gulf Times Monday, January 11, 2021 7 SPORT

CRICKET PUNISHMENT Sydney crowd the Australia captain worst in Australia, Paine fi ned says India’s Ashwin ‘PERSONALLY, I THINK ADELAIDE AND MELBOURNE WERE NOT AS BAD...’

Reuters ruled not out. Sydney Paine reviewed the call but TV Bruce Oxenford could not see any evidence on Snicko ustralia captain Tim or HotSpot to suggest Pujara Paine has been fi ned had hit the ball with his bat, and 15% of his match fee asked Wilson to stick with his for showing dissent at call. theA umpire’s decision following The decision did not go down a failed review during the third well with Paine, with the stump day of the third test against In- mic picking up his expletive- dia in Sydney, the International laden rant about inconsistency Cricket Council (ICC) said yes- in decision-making. terday “Paine admitted the of- Paine was found to have fence and accepted the sanc- breached article 2.8 of the ICC tion proposed by David Boon of Code of Conduct — which re- the Emirates ICC Elite Panel of lates to showing dissent during Match Referees and ratifi ed by an international match — and the ICC Cricket Operations de- one demerit point was added to partment as per the Covid-19 his disciplinary record. interim playing regulations,” the The incident occurred in the ICC said in a statement. 56th over of India’s fi rst innings “There was no need for a for- on Saturday when Paine was mal hearing.” Policemen speak to the spectators as the game was halted after racist remarks were made on the fourth day of the third Test match between Australia and India at the Sydney confi dent Cheteshwar Pujara India face a daunting task to Cricket Ground (SCG) yesterday. edged a Nathan Lyon delivery avoid defeat after closing day to Matthew Wade at short leg, four on 98 for two, requiring a IANS riences even in the past. I think iron-fi st and we must make sure had to be dealt with. Yes, dis- get abused. There are like other but on-fi eld umpire Paul Wilson further 309 runs to win. Sydney one or two times in the past even it doesn’t happen again.” appointing is a very, very mild set of people who laugh along the players have reacted and got It was only after Moham- word for it,” said Ashwin. with these things happen- into trouble in the past (referring med Siraj brought the matter to “Personally, I think Adelaide ing. I had no idea what this was Sunil Narine feels T10 format is more exciting ndia off -spinner Ravichan- to Virat Kohli showing middle- the attention of the umpires on and Melbourne were not as bad about...whenever you stood at dran Ashwin has termed fi nger at SCG in 2012 and get- Sunday that the security evicted but like I said this has been a the boundary line, you wanted New Delhi: West Indies spinner well and hopefully, maybe T10 Sydney crowd as the “most ting fi ned 50 per cent match fee six spectators from the stands. continual thing at Sydney. I per- to stand in another 10 yards to Sunil Narine has expressed that could be a part of the Olym- abusive” in Australia, say- for it). subsequently sonally experienced it as well. evade all these things,” said Ash- the T10 cricket format is more pics,” he added. The off -spinner Iing that he has witnessed fans “It is not because of the play- issued a statement mentioning They do tend to get nasty, I don’t win. exciting than the T20 format. from Trinidad & Tobago will on the lower tier stands at the ers, it has been the way the its zero-tolerance policy to- know why or for what reason. “But as things have strolled “The T10 format is more excit- play as the icon player for the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) crowd has been speaking es- wards racism. Unless it is really dealt with, on and we have learnt more and ing than the T20 format. In Gladiators in the tournament indulge in rude behaviour every pecially people on lower tier of Ashwin felt that the authori- people don’t fi nd the necessity more things on tours, this is T20s, the batters take a few scheduled to be played at the time he has come to play here. the stand, they have been quite ties should have been proac- to look at it in a diff erent way,” defi nitely not acceptable. Even overs before starting their Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium The ongoing tour is Ashwin’s nasty hurling abuses as well,” tive and been on guard from the he added. yesterday when Siraj brought it attacking skills, however, in in Abu Dhabi from January 28 fourth of Australia and he is said Ashwin while speaking to onset and not waited for Siraj to The off -spinner said that the out, Ajinkya, Rohit and myself T10 the batters probably look to February 6. playing his third Test at the SCG. reporters after the end of the bring it to attention. current generation of Indian we were all together with the for only one or two balls,” said Narine, who has taken 390 Ashwin said he was surprised fourth day’s play. “The umpires mentioned cricketers doesn’t take things umpire and reported it. Nowa- Narine who is all set to turn up in T20s, further said that the authorities at the SCG “This time they have gone that we must bring it to their lying down and even a debutant days the boys are much better for the Deccan Gladiators in the he looking forward to play allowed fans to continue with one step ahead and used ra- notice as it happens on the like Siraj is aware of what he has equipped. Even with Siraj, who upcoming season of the Abu alongside Kieron Pollard for the racial abuse even on Day Four of cial abuses and like we already field, then they will be able to to do. has come in new, he does know Dhabi T10. Deccan Gladiators in the Abu the ongoing Test despite the fact mentioned we lodged an offi cial take an action...In fact, I was “If I take myself back to the that this is a line he cannot over- “There’s always a possibility Dhabi T10. that the Indian team had lodged complaint yesterday. It is defi - quite surprised that some sec- fi rst tour I came here in 2011- step, even if it is at the bound- to attract new fans through a “I have played under Pollard so a complaint at the end of the nitely not acceptable in this day tions of the crowd continu- 12, I had no clue what racial ary line. It is a wonderful thing. shorter format of cricket and many times and he is a good third day’s play. and age where we have evolved ously did it and they did not abuse was or how you can be It must be met the way it was more exciting cricket. It will and strong leader. He goes “This is my fourth tour to as a society. Sometimes I feel it make (security) surround them made to feel small in front of so met. We are happy that those be an exciting thing if cricket about his business in the right Australia. Especially here in roots back to the upbringing. to pull them up for it. That is many people. And people ac- people were evicted,” added the is included in the Olympics as way.” Sydney we have had a few expe- It defi nitely must be dealt with quite surprising. It definitely tually laugh at you when you 34-year-old.

BASKETBALL LEAGUE

Al Arabi’s Kevin Murphy attempts to get past the Al Ahli defence during their Qatar Men’s League match at Al Gharafa Sports Club yesterday. Murphy scored a match-high 37 points as Al Arabi beat Al Ahli 99-77. At right, Al Ahli’s Jonathan Lee drives to the basket. Lee top-scored for his team with 32 points.

Monday, January 11, 2021 GULF TIMES CRICKET

SPOTLIGHT Aussie board apologises to India aft er SCG racial abuse ICC launches investigation after Siraj complains of abuse following which six spectators were ejected from the crowd at SCG

Reuters fee in 2012 for responding to barrack- Sydney ing from the SCG crowd by gesturing at them with his middle fi nger. Kohli, who returned home after ricket Australia apologised playing in the fi rst Test to attend the to the Indian team yesterday birth of his fi rst child, said racial abuse and launched a probe into al- was completely unacceptable. legations visiting players were “Having gone through many inci- subjectedC to racial abuse by part of the dents of really pathetic things said on crowd during the third Test at Sydney the boundary lines, this is the absolute Cricket Ground. peak of rowdy behaviour,” Kohli said on The Indian team lodged an offi cial Twitter. “It’s sad to see this happen on complaint after play on Saturday after the fi eld. bowlers Jasprit Bumrah and Moham- “The incident needs to be looked at med Siraj complained of hearing racist with absolute urgency and seriousness slurs while fi elding near the boundary and strict action against the off enders rope. should set things straight for once.” Yesterday, Siraj approached the um- Australia coach Justin Langer joined pire pointing towards the stands and the condemnation. the action was paused as police ejected “I hated it as a player and I hate it as six fans from the ground. a coach. It’s really sad to see it happen CA launched a parallel investigation in Australia,” he said. with New South Wales Police, promis- The International Cricket Coun- ing to take the “strongest measures” cil said the Indian team had informed against anyone found guilty of vilifi ca- match referee David Boon of the al- tion. leged racial abuse on Saturday and the “It is most regrettable that an oth- governing body was “incredibly dis- erwise excellent Test match contested appointed” with the incidents at the in tremendous spirit by two friendly SCG. Under the ICC’s anti-discrimi- rivals has been tarnished by the ac- nation policy, it falls to CA to investi- tions of a small number of spectators gate the incident and submit a report to over the past two days,” Head of Integ- the Dubai-headquartered body within rity and Security Sean Carroll said in a two weeks. statement. “We will provide Cricket Australia “As hosts, we once again apologise and the relevant authorities with our to the Indian team.” full support in any ensuing investiga- Venues New South Wales, which tion as we will not tolerate any rac- operates the stadium, said CCTV foot- ism in our sport,” ICC Chief Executive age was being reviewed to the India’s captain Ajinkya Rahane (2R) and his teammate Mohammed Siraj (3R) speak to the umpire as the game was halted after some racist remarks were made by the Manu Sawhney said in a statement. investigation and any fans identifi ed spectators on the fourth day of the third cricket Test match between Australia and India at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG). A man was banned from attend- as engaging in racial abuse would be ing cricket matches in New Zealand banned from the SCG and other major the team had been insulted by Sydney going match, which is being played in “It is defi nitely not acceptable in make sure it doesn’t happen again,” for two years after being found guilty stadiums in Sydney. spectators in the past but the racial front of a reduced crowd of less than this day and age. This must defi nitely the bowler said. India’s regular captain of abusing England fast bowler Jofra India’s Ravichandran Ashwin said abuse had crossed a line during the on- 10,000. be dealt with iron-fi st and we must Virat Kohli was fi ned half of his match Archer during a 2019 tour.

FOCUS COMMENT Langer says SCG India in grim battle to save Test incident ‘sickening’ Reuters Sydney IANS Sydney ndia were 98 for two in their desper- ate rearguard action at the close of ustralia coach Justin play on the fourth day of the third Test Langer has called on Sunday, still 308 runs behind Aus- the racial abuse inci- Itralia and a full day’s away from dent in the ongoing saving the match. thirdA Test “sickening” and “a Openers Shubman Gill (31) and Ro- shame”. He also acknowledged hit Sharma (52) were winkled out by the the proactive step that team Australian pace attack in the fi nal ses- captain Tim Paine took to talk sion, leaving Cheteshwar Pujara, who had and off er support to the Indian scored nine not out, and skipper Ajinkya team. Rahane, who was unbeaten on four, to When play was stalled for continue the fi ght. a while on the fourth day of With no rain forecast today, the tourists the third Test between India face a long day batting on a deteriorating and Australia at the Sydney if they are to avoid going 2-1 down Cricket Ground after Moham- in the series before they head to Brisbane med Siraj complained of racial for the fi nal Test. abuse, Paine walked to the In- Australia had declared at tea on 312 for dian team huddle and off ered it is one my greatest pet hates six on the back of a maiden Test half cen- support. in my life that people who can tury from all-rounder Cameron Green Later at tea, the Aussie team think that they can come to (84) along with useful contributions from sat in their dressing room and sporting events whether it is Marnus Labuschagne and Steve Smith. condemned the incident. cricket or any code and pay That left India needing 407 runs to win “We talked a bit at tea about their money and abuse and the match, a highly improbable target giv- what was going on. As hosts, say whatever they like. I have en the highest successful fourth-innings we don’t want to see our visi- hated it as a player, as a coach, run chase at Sydney Cricket Ground was tors get treated poorly. There we have seen in diff erent parts the 288-2 Australia scored to beat South are diff erent levels of that. We of the world and it is really sad Africa in 2005-6. went to England last year and to see it happen in Australia,” India were missing Ravindra Jadeja’s some of our guys felt it before said Langer. left-arm spin and Rishabh Pant (referring to Steve Smith and “It has been incredible behind the stumps after they sustained a David Warner being called cricket, been brilliant to watch dislocated thumb and an elbow injury re- cheats). There’s nothing pleas- on the fi eld, great spirit be- spectively on Saturday. ant about it. I guess it (Paine tween the two teams. It is a Paceman Jasprit Bumrah was again the walking to them) was show of shame to see it getting marred pick of the Indian bowlers and would have India’s Rohit Sharma plays a shot on way support that we don’t condone by incidents we have been dismissed Labuschagne off the second to his half-century in Sydney yesterday. really, really bad behaviour,” hearing today and last night,” delivery of the day had Hanuma Vihari said Langer after the end of the he added. held onto the catch at square leg. fourth day’s play. The Australian coach, who Sharma later helped Tim Paine avoid a “It was great to watch, nice is a former Test opener, said duck when he dropped a catch of Bumrah to have Tim out there when that he and the team have been in the slips, the Australia skipper going on that incident happened. He educating themselves about to make 39 not out. is a class act as you know,” he the issue over the past few The rest of Australian runs came from added. years. the usual suspects with Labuschagne The Aussie team, which was “We had a brief talk a few making the most of his reprieve to notch notorious for sledging, has months ago. The personal up his 10th half century in 17 tests with been trying an image makeo- journey has been huge. I have an innings of 73. ver after the ball-tampering just read books and watched Smith, who scored 131 in the fi rst in- SYDNEY SCOREBOARD scandal that rocked them in Adam Goodes’s documentary nings, looked to be heading for another South Africa in 2018. Also, on racism. We are exploring century when Ravichandran Ashwin Australia first innings 338 (S.Smith 131, Total (six wickets dec, 87 overs) 312 Total (two wickets, 34 overs) ...... 98 with the issue of racism gain- and learning and getting edu- referred an lbw decision to DRS and the M. Labuschagne 91, W. Pucovski 62; R. Did not bat: Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, To bat: Hanuma Vihari, Rishabh Pant, ing ground this year following cated. The more educated you batsman was sent on his way for 81, the Jadeja 4-62) Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood Ravindra Jadeja, Ravi Ashwin, Jasprit the Black Lives Matter move- get, the more you learn, the third time in the series he has fallen to the India first innings 244 (S. Gill 50, C. Fall of wickets: 1-16 (Pucovski), 2-35 Bumrah, Mohammad Siraj, Navdeep ment, the cricket fi eld has also more sickening when you hear spinner. Pujara 50; P Cummins 4-29) (Warner), 3-138 (Labuschagne), 4-148 Saini witnessed many steps. of racial discrimination as has Green was caution itself before reach- Australia second innings (overnight 103 (Wade), 5-208 (Smith), 6-312 (Green) Fall of wickets: 1-71 (Shubman), 2-92 West Indies and England been alleged today. ing the half century mark but then ac- for two) Bowling: Bumrah 21-4-68-1, Siraj 25-5- (Sharma) ‘took a knee’ while the Aus- “It makes you feel very sad celerated with the declaration in sight, D. Warner lbw b Ashwin ...... 13 90-1 (1nb), Saini 16-2-54-2 (2nb), Ashwin Bowling: Starc 6-0-27-0, Hazlewood tralians themselves made a that people are subjected to plundering four big sixes before getting a W. Pucovski c sub (Saha) b Siraj ...... 10 25-1-95-2 8-3-11-1, Cummins 9-1-25-1 (1nb), Lyon 9-3- barefoot circle ahead of the that. And when you start get- faint edge to a Bumrah delivery. M. Labuschagne c sub (Saha) b Saini ...73 India second innings 22-0, Green 2-0-12-0 fi rst Test to recognise the ting educated about what has A group of fans in the socially-dis- S. Smith lbw b Ashwin ...... 81 R. Sharma c Starc b Cummins...... 52 Toss: Australia atrocities done to aborigines happened in the history of tanced crowd of 7,225 were removed from M. Wade c sub (Saha) b Saini ...... 4 S. Gill c Paine b Hazlewood ...... 31 Umpires: (AUS), Bruce by the white settlers in the Australia as the path I have their seats by police just before tea after C. Green c sub (Saha) b Bumrah ...... 84 C. Pujara not out ...... 9 Oxenford (AUS) country. been on personally and a bowler Mohammed Siraj complained to T. Paine not out ...... 39 A. Rahane not out ...... 4 TV umpire: (AUS) “It is upsetting and disap- number of the players are, you the umpire. Extras (b1, lb4, nb3)...... 8 Extras (lb1, nb1) ...... 2 Match referee: David Boon (AUS) pointing. Anyone who knows can understand why it is so me, I have said for years that hurtful.”