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Wednesday, December 25, 2019 CRICKET Rabia II 28, 1441 AH Warner fi t for GULF TIMES second Test against New Zealand SPORT Page 3 QATAR TRAINING Qatar is a great example to follow: Zanetti

By Sports Reporter how to create a support net- Doha work to manage the demands of professional sport while maximising professional op- osoor Institute recently portunities. Attendees were collaborated with the Qa- exposed to skills that ranged tar Stars League (QSL) to from understanding and Jpresent a bespoke work- managing the media, spon- shop for players and coaches sors, agents and financial in- Qatar U-23 players train under the watchful eyes of coach Felix Sanchez in Doha. Qatar are gearing up for the AFC U-23 Championship to be held in Thailand in January. titled “Managing a Successful vestments to long term career Career”. The programme was planning and professional de- designed to develop attendees’ velopment. FOOTBALL understanding of the business of Afraa al-Noaimi, Executive sport while laying the founda- Director of Josoor Institute, tions for them to develop skills said: “With sport and football for better dealing with stress off booming in Qatar and across the the pitch. region, more and more young Delegates heard from Ar- people will have the opportunity gentina legend Javier Zanetti, to play sport professionally. At a UEFA Champions League Josoor Institute, we recognise winner who made a record 858 that the demands of profession- Reds look to stay appearances for Inter Milan. al sport are increasing, and in Zanetti, who now works as order for athletes to stay focused Vice-President of Inter and is on the pitch, they can benefi t a member of the FIFA Organis- from such workshops and gain ing Committee, shared details the skills required to manage life of his experiences and out- off it.” lined lessons learned for both Delegates had an opportunity educational and professional to socialise and network at the clear in packed growth off the pitch. end of the fi rst day as they at- “For a player, there are tended the Qatar versus United many distractions that can Arab Emirates match during the reduce commitment and Arabian Gulf Cup. focus,” Zanetti explained. Lawrence Anas Mubarak, a “Practice is important but football player and participant, also mentality – to be resil- said: “This experience is very ient, respect all the stake- important for us as players. I festive season holders and be focused on myself am not at an early stage in performance.” In terms of his my career but still I need some- This is the fourth year Liverpool have topped the Premier League table at own career growth, he added: one with experience to guide me “When I finished my career as on how to navigate my future Christmas and each time, they have failed to go on to win the title a football player, I started an path. executive programme and I “Josoor Institute did an excel- vantage. But much of the attention away have an executive coach who lent job in organising this work- Liverpool players from the top of the table clash will be the guides me in the development shop and I am very glad to have pose with Club World performances of Arsenal and Everton, of business skills. I am learn- participated. Not everyone has Cup trophy after with both sides having newly-installed ing a lot.” the privilege to meet and learn beating Brazil’s managers. Arsenal, who named Mikel Zanetti, who won 143 caps from such an exemplary player Flamengo in the final Arteta as their new manager this week, for Argentina and played in two as Javier Zanetti, who has been a in Doha on Saturday. travel to Bournemouth on Boxing Day and FIFA World Cups, added: “Qa- role model for all of us. Although then host Chelsea on Dec 29. tar is a great example for other I play in a diff erent position to Former Arsenal captain Arteta wants to countries to follow, with mod- his, he is one of the best and his instil the same kind of attitude he showed ern infrastructure and profes- career has several lessons for as a player. sional people that can go far. I athletes like us.” “That’s commitment, accountability, think that many players could Jasser Yahya, another play- aggression and passion to play this sport start studying even while they er who participated, said: “I and to represent this football club,” he are playing. It is also important was very glad to learn from a said. to have the right entourage that great player like Javier Zan- “From there we can start to build things can support their intellectual etti. I think that the most and improve all the things, obviously, that growth. important takeaway from the have to be done as quickly as possible, but Facilitated by Professor session was that if you are on if we don’t have this in the right manner, I Dino Ruta, Scientific Direc- the right track, you just need think it will be diffi cult.” tor of the FIFA Master pro- to persist and keep pushing Carlo Ancelotti takes charge of Everton gramme at SDA Bocconi and eventually success will for the fi rst time after arriving at Goodi- School of Management and come to you. Such workshops son this week, starting with a home clash Academic Director of Di- are very important because against Burnley and then a trip to New- ploma Programmes at Josoor they show us that with the DPA But unbeaten in 34 league games and This is the fi fth time the two sides have castle. Institute, the two-day work- right guidance, it is possible London with 16 wins out of 17 this season, Liver- met on Boxing Day, with Liverpool win- The vastly-experienced Italian had al- shop included sessions on to succeed.” pool are high on confi dence, having added ning three of the previous four, though ready targeted the Champions League as the Club World Cup to their trophy cabi- Leicester did win at Anfi eld in 1984. a long-term goal but said putting a smile fter six months in which they net last week. Liverpool will be without Alex Oxlade- on the fans’ faces will be his fi rst ambi- have won three trophies, in- Klopp, though, refuses to be drawn on Chamberlain as he recovers from an ankle tion. cluding the Champions League title talk and is focused instead on the ligament injury, but Georginio Wijnal- “I want to start and I want to try my and the FIFA Club World Cup task of beating a Leicester side who have dum should be fi t to return in midfi eld. best to help the team to be better and help inA Qatar,, leaders Liverpool travel to sec- enjoyed a superb fi rst half of the season “To come through a season you need to the club to be competitive and give hap- ond-placed Leicester on Boxing Day for a under former Liverpool manager Brendan be lucky in these moments,” Klopp said. piness to the supporters, because there’s match which could prove vital in their bid Rodgers. “You need luck in these moments...so been a lot of time that this club didn’t win for a fi rst top-fl ight title since 1990. “Brendan’s done an excellent job and far we were able to fi nd a solution.” (a trophy),” he said. Juergen Klopp’s side sit 10 points clear they are an excellent, top-class team,” Should Liverpool come through their “It will not be overnight but we have of Leicester at the top of the Premier Klopp told reporters. trip to Leicester unscathed, they will be to be patient, with a clear idea and a clear League and 11 ahead of champions Man- “Jamie Vardy is a massive threat, he’s confi dent of overcoming Wolves three focus, and I am sure we are going to im- chester City, with a game in hand over an exceptional striker, always scoring, days later in the traditional, crowded prove quickly.”Among other fi xtures, both teams. diffi cult to defend, always on the shoul- Christmas fi xture list. fourth-placed Chelsea host Southampton This is the fourth year Liverpool have der, running behind. If there are any slip-ups, though, on Boxing Day while bottom side Watford topped the Premier League table at The only thing is you can avoid is too champions Manchester City, away to will try to build on their win over Man- Christmas and each time, they have failed many passes to him. But it’s not only Wolves on Boxing Day and then home to chester United by winning at sixth-placed Javier Zanetti, (third from right) poses with off icials during a to go on to win the title. him.” Sheffi eld United, will be ready to take ad- Sheffi eld United. workshop conducted by Josoor Institute and Qatar Stars League. Gulf Times 2 Wednesday, December 25, 2019 CRICKET

FOCUS Pakistan thank Sri Lanka for bringing Test home AFP tralia at Melbourne in 2009. Karachi Azhar said the occasion and win brought happiness to all his players, who had never taken part in a Test match at akistan thanked Sri Lankan Mon- home. day for helping them bring Test “It’s a great occasion for happiness for cricket back to the country for the all of us that we won the series. It car- fi rst time since the 2009 attack ried great importance and was very sig- Pon the same visitors led to international nifi cant because we were playing our fi rst matches being suspended. home Test,” said Azhar. Pakistan’s players went to the Sri Lanka dressing room to thank them soon after TIGHT SECURITY the home team posted a convincing 263- Pakistan became off -limits for visiting run win in the second Test of the their sides after Islamic militants attacked the fi rst home series in a decade. Sri Lankan team bus in Lahore in March The victory gave Pakistan a 1-0 series 2009. win following the rain-ravaged draw in Since then they have been forced to the fi rst Test in Rawalpindi. play their home matches at neutral ven- Pakistan captain Azhar Ali said his ues in the United Arab Emirates. country owed a big thank you to Sri Lan- Pakistan hosted Sri Lanka for three ka. one-day internationals and Twenty20 “They have given us immense happi- matches in September-October that ness by playing in Pakistan,” said Azhar paved way for this Test series. Sri Lankan after his team wrapped up victory in just skipper Dimuth Karunaratne said his 14 minutes of play on the fi fth day. team had felt safe in Pakistan. Sri Lanka — set 476 to win — were “Security was 200%,” said Karu- bowled out for 212, with teenaged Paki- naratne, one of ten players who withdrew stan paceman Naseem Shah taking fi ve from the limited over tour over security for 31. fears. At 16 years and 307 days old, Naseem “Security people were like fathers to became the second youngest bowler us. They kept talking to us and they were overall and youngest quickie to claim fi ve right behind us every time. When we wickets in a Test innings. were going out to eat or shopping, they Left-arm Pakistani spinner Nasim- were there.” Karunaratne urged other ul-Ghani was four days younger when he teams to consider touring Pakistan, but took fi ve wickets against the West Indies admitted they would need convincing. at Georgetown in 1958. “They have seen us playing here and Fast bowler Mohamed Amir — also enjoying here. They will have something from Pakistan — was aged 17 years and in their minds and they will decide (for 257 days when he took fi ve against Aus- themselves),” he said. Pakistan players celebrate after winning the second Test against Sri Lanka at the National Cricket Stadium in Karachi on Monday. (AFP)

FAREWELL SPOTLIGHT Australia pacer Siddle treated for Retiring Philander bushfi re smoke inhalation

AFP that an air quality meter could Sydney be introduced. The Australian a key member of Cricketers Association has it is working with Cricket Aus- ustralia Test bowler tralia to develop guidelines for Peter Siddle was when smoke aff ects matches treated for smoke and the International Cricket inhalation after a Council is developing an “air BigA Bash League match in quality policy.” Canberra was abandoned at Pollution has also been a golden generation the weekend because of toxic problem on the Indian sub- bushfi re haze. continent. In 2017 play was Organisers decided to press stopped during a Test be- IT TOOK ONLY 19 TESTS FOR PHILANDER TO COMPLETE HIS 100 WICKETS ahead with Saturday’s Syd- tween India and Sri Lanka in ney Thunder clash Twenty20 New Delhi. clash against the Adelaide At the moment it is up to Strikers, but players were umpires to decide whether forced off with the Thunder conditions are safe, without 40-1 after four overs chasing any formal framework for 162 to win when the fi eld was that decision. enveloped in a thick soup of Leading doctors have de- smoke. clared the bushfi re smoke cri- “It was pretty unsafe out sis a “public health emergen- there” said Strikers captain cy” and authorities reported Alex Carey. the number of people going “We had a couple of cases to emergency rooms with res- after, the doctor had to come piratory problems has nearly in an assess him (Siddle), we doubled compared to the fi ve- have a few asthmatics in the year average. team as well, luckily they did Last weekend New South not stay out there too long.” Wales Cricket told clubs to “’Sids’ is back to Mel- “consider cancelling match- bourne and joining the Aus- es... if there are any concerns tralian squad,” for the Boxing about welfare.” Day Test against New Zea- “Associations are to evalu- land. ate air quality and take action “There are bushfi res as necessary to delay, post- around the country and as pone or cancel matches where players, there is a bigger pic- required.” ture than just cricket,” said Many kids’ games were Carey, entertaining the idea called off or postponed.

In this file photo taken on July 12, 2018, Vernon Philander appeals for an LBW against Sri Lanka’s Dimuth Karunaratne during the first day of their opening Test in Galle, Sri Lanka. (AFP)

AFP There is nothing particularly glamor- Regarded primarily as a consistently average of 22.16 in 60 Tests makes him Johannesburg ous about the way Philander plays his successful domestic journeyman, Philan- one of the fi nest bowlers of his type in the cricket. der was a slightly surprising Test choice history of the game. A sequence of small steps leads into a when Gary Kirsten took over as South Af- As recently as March 2018 he had ernon Philander may not always workmanlike run-up which culminates in rican coach in 2011. career-best figures of six for 21 in Jo- have attracted the headlines of a delivery which by Test standards could be hannesburg as South Africa completed some of his more heralded team- described as nothing more than brisk me- DISMANTLED a crushing series victory over Australia mates but he was a key member dium pace, at around the 130kmh mark. He made an immediate impact, taking in the “sandpaper-gate” series which ofV what has been described as a golden Compared to the bewildering pace and fi ve for 15 as Australia were bowled out for ended with three of the touring play- generation of South African cricketers. swing of Steyn or the menace and steep 47 in a Test at Newlands. ers being banned for tampering with the Philander, 34, announced on Mon- bounce of Morkel, it was easy to think of A year later he took fi ve for nine as ball. day that he will retire from international Philander as being the support player in New Zealand were dismantled even more He has taken fi ve wickets in an in- cricket after the four-match World Test a formidable pace attack which helped spectacularly at the same venue, being nings on 13 occasions and ten wickets in a Championship series against England, take South Africa to the top of the Inter- skittled for 45. match twice. He has also become a useful which starts at SuperSport Park tomor- national Cricket Council Test rankings in He played a less spectacular support- lower-order batsmen with 1619 runs at row. 2012. ing role when Pakistan were bowled out an average of 24.16, including eight half- Philander’s impending retirement fol- Yet it was Philander who was at the for 49 in Johannesburg in 2013/14, tak- centuries. lows those in recent years of South Afri- heart of some of South Africa’s most dev- ing two for 16 while Steyn grabbed six for In a statement issued by Cricket South can legends like Graeme Smith, Jacques astating bowling performances. eight. Africa, Philander said: “I feel that it is an Kallis, AB de Villiers, Hashim Amla, Dale Although bowling at some way short It only took Philander seven matches appropriate time to conclude what has File photo of Australia’s Steyn and Morne Morkel and will leave of express pace, Philander’s accuracy and to take his fi rst 50 Test wickets and he been an amazing journey.” Peter Siddle. (Twitter) captain Faf du Plessis and Dean Elgar as ability to move the ball both ways off the notched up his 100th in his 19th Test. He added, “My entire focus and energy the longest-serving members of the Test seam confounded some of the world’s Since then his strike rate has slowed at this time is is to help the Proteas beat side. best batsmen. but his career record of 216 wickets at an England.” Gulf Times Wednesday, December 25, 2019 3 CRICKET

SPOTLIGHT FOCUS Warner fi t for 2nd Test against New Proteas eye happy Zealand, says coach

Reuters in almost four years for the Melbourne injured Josh Hazlewood, who sustained a hamstring injury in the 296-run fi rst Test vic- ustralia’s open- tory in Perth. end to miserable ing batsman David “I’ve said it all week, he Warner has been (Pattinson) was the 12th man declared fi t for the the last game, we try to be as Ateam’s second Test against consistent as possible,” Lang- New Zealand that starts to- er said. morrow despite being hit on “We’ve got some great the hand while batting in the depth of talent there, we’ve nets on Monday. got Michael Neser here, we’ve year against England Warner had to have medi- got Peter Siddle, James Pat- cal checks after he was struck tinson so I think at this stage, South Africa have been hit hard by the retirement of some of the all-time great players on the thumb. He returned Patto will probably get one of to training with his hand the nods.” AFP strapped. While the 29-year-old Centurion “I’ve got absolutely no was likely to partner Mitch- worries that he’ll be raring ell Starc and Pat Cummins to go,” Australia coach Justin for his fi rst Test in Australia outh Africa will seek a Langer told reporters yester- since January 2016, Langer happy end to what has day. “There was a little con- said they were still working been a miserable year cern for about two seconds, through their fi nal playing se- for the country’s cricket but then he saw the doctor lections. Steam when they play England in and he’s hitting balls again. Langer mooted last week the fi rst match of a World Test “We know how well he’s selecting fi ve specialist Championship series, starting playing at the moment, we bowlers with the Melbourne at SuperSport Park tomorrow. know how much all the boys Cricket Ground (MCG) pitch They will be playing at a love playing Test cricket and favouring batsmen in the pre- ground which has been a for- Boxing Day cricket... so he’ll vious two years, but said on tress for the hosts, where they be ready to go.” Tuesday fi nalising the start- have won 19 of 24 Tests. Warner faced about 45 ing eleven could be a match- England, though, have bucked minutes of throw-downs yes- day decision. the trend, being involved in four terday, according to local me- “We’ll work out what the of the fi ve matches at the ground dia reports, although he did set-up of our team is going to which have not ended in victory appear at times to be in pain be, whether we play... an extra for South Africa — a win, albeit and took his hand off the bat. bowler or not,” he said. in contrived circumstances, and Langer added that fast “We’ll have a look at the three draws. bowler James Pattinson would wicket. The wicket looks Only once have South Africa almost certainly make his fi rst pretty good at the moment come out on top against their Test appearance in Australia two days out.” oldest foes at Centurion, on England’s previous tour four years when Kagiso Rabada, then aged 20, had match fi gures of 13 for 144 in what was a dead rub- ber game, with England having already won the series. It is not only at Centurion where England have enjoyed success in South Africa. Cheered on by large groups of travelling supporters, they won series in 2004/05 and 2015/16 and shared the honours in 2009/10. South Africa have not van- quished England at home since 1999/2000, when they had al- ready secured the series before Hansie Cronje persuaded Nasser Hussain to seek a one-innings result after three full days had been lost to rain. It was later revealed that Cronje, who was South Africa’s Quinton de Kock (left), Faf du Plessis (second right) and Vernon Philander (right) during a team training session at the eventually banned after a cor- Supersport Park Cricket Stadium in Centurion, on Friday. (AFP) ruption scandal, had been in contact with a bookmaker. Since then, former captain England also look vulner- Liverpool’s Klopp turns Du Plessis into fan South African cricket has Graeme Smith has been made able in their top-order batting, been in upheaval after a tur- interim director of cricket and where three of their likely top South African captain Faf du 10 days earlier and came across bulent year during which the Mark Boucher was named head six have yet to establish them- Plessis said yesterday that a to congratulate him. “Did he Proteas lost a home Test series coach. Boucher quickly brought selves fully as Test players, while chance meeting with Liver- recognise you?” asked a journal- against Sri Lanka — the fi rst in Jacques Kallis, South Africa’s the illness of front-line bowlers pool manager Jurgen Klopp ist at Du Plessis’ press confer- team other than England and most-capped player, as batting Stuart Broad, Jofra Archer and had turned him into a fan. Du ence yesterday. “No,” admitted Australia to win in South Africa consultant and a mood of opti- Jack Leach has disrupted their Plessis was having dinner with the cricket captain to laughter. — before enduring a miserable mism has emerged in the South preparations. Springboks rugby captain Siya “But he said he watches cricket. Cricket World Cup in England African camp. James Anderson, on his Kolisi in a Cape Town restaurant The Liverpool guys watched and Wales and being trounced The reality, though, is that the fourth Test tour of South Af- in November when Klopp, on the Cricket World Cup and saw 3-0 in their World Test Champi- South African team has been hit rica, is set to become only the a private visit to South Africa, how well England did.” Du Ples- onship debut in India. hard by the retirement of some second England player after walked in. Kolisi has been a sis said he had never become It has emerged that the World of the country’s all-time great Alastair Cook to appear in 150 long-time Liverpool fan and Du a close follower of football Cup campaign was undermined players, including AB de Villiers, Test matches. Plessis posted a picture on both but said meeting Klopp had by interference from offi cials, Hashim Amla, Dale Steyn and Having recovered from a calf Instagram and Twitter showing changed that. “For someone to while a long-running feud be- Morne Morkel. injury sustained at the start of the two captains and Klopp, be that famous, he is a great guy tween Cricket South Africa and The team is short on experience, the Ashes series against Aus- commenting that Kolisi had a and that’s what I believe real the South African Cricketers’ especially in the batting, while the tralia in August, he will look to “man-crush moment”. Klopp leadership is about. It’s about Association culminated in calls, bowling stocks have been hit by improve on a modest Test record recognised Kolisi after watching connecting with people, having as yet unheeded, for the board injuries and the decision of several in South Africa of 25 wickets the Springboks win the Rugby great relationships with people, to resign and the suspension of capable players to take up Kolpak in eight Tests at an average of World Cup final in Japan some so I became a massive fan.” chief executive Thabang Moroe. contracts in England. 39.92.

COMMENT CENTURION TEST Kohli eyes ICC trophy aft er ‘beautiful’ year Stokes, Woakes Reuters that this team deserves, it’s something add to England Mumbai that I feel should be an accumulation of all the hard work we’ve done in the last few years, and we’ll keep chasing uncertainties ndia will keep pursuing success it. on cricket’s global stage, captain “We’ll have that vision in place, but AFP Virat Kohli has said after his team I think apart from that, the way we’ve Centurion capped “a beautiful year” with played, the brand of cricket, it’s been Ia one-day international series win wonderful to be a part of it.” against the West Indies at Cuttack on After taking over as the chief of the ngland will have to make Sunday. country’s cricket board in October, “a very late call” on their India retained their position at the former captain Sourav Ganguly also playing XI for the fi rst top of the International Cricket Coun- underlined the need for India to stamp Test against South Af- cil’s rankings for test cricket while their authority on global tournaments. Erica, starting at Centurion to- they fi nished second behind World India will get their next opportunity morrow, captain Joe Root said Champions England in the 50-over to end the wait at the Twenty20 World yesterday. said was a “serious illness”. format. Cup in Australia next year. With all-rounder Ben Stokes Fellow all-rounder Woakes But India have not tasted triumph Kohli’s limited-overs deputy, Rohit at the bedside of his critically did not train yesterday because in a global tournament since lifting Sharma, will be a vital cog in the wheel ill father and Chris Woakes of illness, but Root said the re- the 2013 Champions Trophy under for that campaign after fi nishing 2019 the latest victim of illness that covering Stuart Broad, Jofra Mahendra Singh Dhoni and exited with 2,442 runs across formats, the has swept through the tour- Archer and Jack Leach were this year’s 50-overs World Cup with a most by an opening batsman in a cal- ing squad, Root admitted that making good progress. “We will semi-fi nal defeat to New Zealand de- endar year. the build-up to the four-match have to keep them monitored spite topping the group stage. The right-handed batsman, who World Test Championship se- over the next couple of days and “Well, it’s been one of the best scored seven ODI centuries in 2019 ries had been “frustrating”. see how things go.” Root did years for Indian cricket, to be honest, including fi ve during the World Cup But Root said he was confi - not speculate on the chances of apart from playing the cricket that we in England, was adjudged the player of dent that England could fi eld “a Stokes being able to play. played for half an hour in the World the series against West Indies. very competitive team” even if “It puts things in perspec- Cup,” Kohli said at the presentation “I should be grateful of the year some leading players were not tive,” he said. “We need to play ceremony on Sunday after India’s se- I’ve had. A World Cup victory there available. good hard cricket and win this ries win against West Indies. would’ve been nice,” Rohit said. “But Stokes’ father Ged was ad- series but most important for “I think apart from that it’s been a as a team, we played some good cricket mitted to hospital in nearby Jo- us as a squad is we need to make beautiful year for us. We’ll keep chas- throughout the year whether in red- hannesburg on Monday with sure that Ben and his family get ing that ICC trophy, it’s something ball cricket or white ball cricket.” Virat Kohli looks on during the third ODI against West Indies in Cuttack on Sunday. (AFP) what an England statement all the support they need. Gulf Times 4 Wednesday, December 25, 2019 SPORT

SPOTLIGHT FOCUS All Blacks player Williams tweets in support of Uighurs Russia

Reuters yesterday that greater pressure of Muslims in response. Wellington should be placed by countries The posts led to China’s state plans to on China for its treatment of the broadcaster CCTV refusing to Uighurs. televise Arsenal’s match with ugby league star and “Its a sad time when we Manchester City, while the compete former All Blacks back choose economic benefi ts over former Germany international Sonny Bill Williams humanity #Uyghurs,” Williams midfi elder was removed from a has followed the lead wrote on Twitter, using an al- Chinese video game. in Tokyo ofR Arsenal soccer player Mesut ternative spelling. The tweet China’s foreign ministry Ozil and issued a message of included an image depicting said Ozil was “deceived by fake support for China’s ethnic mi- Chinese oppression against the news” as social media platforms under nority Uighur Muslim commu- group. The post had received in the country such as Weibo nity. more than 9,000 likes and al- were fl ooded with angry mes- The 34-year-old Williams, most 6,000 retweets by Mon- sages. national who left New Zealand rugby af- day evening. The United Nations and hu- ter the World Cup in Japan and Ozil created a fi restorm of man rights groups estimate that to join Canadian-based Brit- controversy last week when he between 1mn and 2mn people, fl ag ish Super League club Toronto made a series of posts on his so- mostly ethnic Uighur Muslims, Wolfpack last month, converted cial media accounts condemn- have been detained in harsh Reuters to Islam in 2009. ing the treatment of Uighurs. conditions in Xinjiang as part Moscow He has used social media in Ozil’s posts called Uighurs of what Beijing calls an anti- the past to speak out on several “warriors who resist persecu- terrorism campaign. social issues, including racism tion” and criticised both Chi- China has repeatedly denied he Russian Olympic and equality, and suggested na’s crackdown and the silence any mistreatment of Uighurs. Committee said yes- terday it expected that Russian athletes would Ttake part in the 2020 Tokyo Ol- TENNIS ympics Games under the na- tional flag despite a four-year doping ban. “The Russian Olympic Com- mittee is a rightful member of the Olympic movement,” its president Stanislav Pozdnya- kov told reporters after a meet- Australian Open prize ing. “Therefore we have every reason to believe that we will put together a team for Tokyo and do everything in our power for this team to perform under the Russian tricolour.” The World Anti-Dop- pool jumps to $49mn ing Agency on December 10 banned Russia for four years from major global events, in- Players losing in the first round of qualifying at the Grand Slam will take home A$20,000 cluding the 2020 Tokyo Olym- pics and the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, over manipulated dop- Reuters being corrupted because of the dif- ing data. Melbourne ficulty of making a living, with only WADA accused Moscow of 250-350 players earning enough mon- falsifying data from a doping ey to break even. testing laboratory that was he prize pool for the 2020 The International Tennis Federa- handed over to investigators Australian Open has been tion last week announced a series of earlier this year. boosted by 14% to A$71mn measures as part of its fight against Russia has said it would con- ($49.1mn), organisers said corruption in the sport’s lower levels. test the ban, with President Tyesterday, with the biggest gains for Meanwhile, US Open champion Vladimir Putin slamming the players exiting in the early rounds. Bianca Andreescu yesterday pulled sanctions as politically moti- Players losing in the first round of out of her Australian Open warm-up vated. qualifying at the year’s first Grand tournament, the Auckland WTA Clas- Speaking yesterday, Pozd- Slam will take home A$20,000, up by sic, as she continues to be plagued by nyakov confirmed that the a third from last year, while singles a knee injury. The Canadian 19-year- Russian Olympic Committee players who exit in the first round of old sensation, who rocketed through would support the decision of the main draw will earn A$90,000, a the rankings from 152 to number five its supervisory board to defy jump of 20%. in the world this year and referred to the WADA ban. Before the start of the 2018 Aus- 2019 as her “Cinderella story”, was Last week RUSADA anti- tralian Open, Serb champion Novak billed as the top-seed in Auckland. doping agency said it had Djokovic had to distance himself from But she has been forced out by “on- “made a decision not to agree” media reports that he had pushed for a going knee issues”, tournament or- with the four-year ban by the revolt over the way revenues from the ganisers said in a brief statement with World Anti-Doping Agency’s four Grand Slams were distributed to no mention on whether her start in the decision. help reward a larger group of players. Australian Open was also in jeopardy. The decision will have to “We have long been committed to Andreescu won three prestigious ti- be communicated to WADA improving the pay and conditions for Canada’s Bianca tles this year — Indian Wells, Toronto before the end of the month, a deeper pool of international tennis Andreescu has pulled and at the US Open — before her sea- triggering the appeal process players,” tournament director Craig out of the Auckland son was cut short by injury. in the Lausanne-based Court Tiley said in a statement, noting that Classic. She spent nearly seven weeks off of Arbitration for Sport. overall prize money has more than tri- the court after her knee gave way dur- Under the sanctions, Rus- pled since 2007. ing the WTA Finals in Shenzhen in sian sportsmen and women “This year... we pushed to reward early November, but told reporters will still be allowed to compete players competing early in the tour- earlier this month she did not need at the Olympics next year and nament in both singles and doubles.” surgery and was “just trying to rehab the 2022 Beijing Winter Olym- The 2020 women’s and men’s sin- Players can usually secure a main ing women’s singles champion at In a report published last year, an as much as possible and stay as posi- pics, but only as neutrals and if gles champions will receive smaller draw appearance in the tournament, the Australian Open while Djokovic International Review Panel commis- tive as I can.” they can demonstrate that they increases in prize money, with both which starts on Jan. 20, by having a claimed a record seventh title by de- sioned to address betting-related and Serena Williams will now become were not part of what WADA winners taking home A$4.12mn, up ranking in the top 100. feating great rival Rafa Nadal in the other integrity issues said that players the top seed in the Auckland tourna- believes was a state-sponsored $20,000. Naomi Osaka of Japan is the reign- 2019 final. in the lowest tiers were susceptible to ment which starts on January 6. system of doping.

BOTTOMLINE Dallaglio using rugby to save lost children

AFP rugby club Wasps. scheme have an 88 % success rate in London “It was not because I wanted to play fi nding a job compared with 50 % na- rugby, I know it sounds odd,” he said. tionally. “I joined the rugby club because I According to RugbyWorks fi gures, awrence Dallaglio’s towering needed a sense of belonging, camara- each year on average 2,720 young peo- rugby career originated through derie, I needed someone, a family. ple between the ages of 14-16 are ex- a sense of wanting to belong “The lovely thing about rugby, bi- cluded from mainstream education in after a family tragedy and he is zarrely, is it welcomes everyone. Britain. A Lnow using that experience to help give “They (his parents) came to watch “It is about opening their eyes and hope to children excluded from main- me and they felt something very strong giving them a diff erent perspective,” stream education. and it brought a smile back to their face. said Dallaglio, prior to a session of Dallaglio — a pivotal fi gure when “That was the reason why in so many touch rugby for one of the schools in England won the 2003 Rugby World ways I owe rugby an enormous amount the project at the Crystal Palace Na- Cup — said his family was “blown because it brought my family back to- tional Sports Centre in south London. apart” when his only sibling, 19-year- gether.” “It is about putting your arms old Francesca, was one of 51 people who Dallaglio, who drily remarks that around them, building long-term care drowned after the pleasure boat Mar- rugby owes him a few teeth in a career and trust and teaching them about not chioness sank in the Thames in August that also saw him undergo 14 opera- only respect to other people, but for 1989. tions, drew on that experience and set themselves as well.” The 85-times capped former back- up Dallaglio RugbyWorks six years ago. Dallaglio — whose late mother liked row forward was just 16 at the time and He is justifi ably proud it is now part to refer to him as an emerald and Franc- admits he had a couple of years where, of the curriculum at 83 schools nation- esca as a diamond — says he wonders deeply aff ected by his sister’s loss and wide — schools that act as a safety net whether headmasters in mainstream the impact it had on his parents, he was for pupils excluded from mainstream schools are too quick to expel students. File photo of “defi nitely errant”. education. “Just because a young person comes Lawrence Dallaglio. “You know, if you lose a member of His foundation is currently help- to this country and can’t speak English your family it blows your family apart,” ing over 650 children aged 14-17 and doesn’t mean you exclude them,” he Dallaglio told AFP. the cost is considerable — a three-year said. “I had a couple of years where I was programme costs Dallaglio Rugby- “You have to look and ask head really struggling. Works up to £20,000 ($26,000) per teachers what they are driven by. “It was not just me and my mom and school per year. “Are they driven by academic success my dad, the families of every other vic- “The fun part for them is playing or are they driven by wanting to look tim of the Marchioness were as well, I rugby,” he says, but then they get them after and care about every young per- “There’s two things guaranteed in deserves a second chance, but actually has felt the benefi ts of his foundation. would imagine. into the classroom and work on “things son that they come into contact with? life. You arrive with nothing and you a lot of these young kids deserve the “The old comments, all the bad stuff “I then saw my parents (Vincenzo like CV writing, interview workshops, “I’d say some are and some aren’t.” leave with nothing,” he said. fi rst chance. that people (at her old school) would and Eileen) and they were really strug- just general confi dence”. Ultimately, though, Dallaglio is mo- “You know, there’s a massive imbal- “I inherently believe that no young say about you don’t mean nothing to gling, as you’d imagine, when you bury The aim, or as Dallaglio puts it the tivated by giving back to those who ance in society between those who have people are born bad.” me when I have people cheering you one of your own children.” “fl ag in the sand”, is helping them into have no-one to pick up a phone and and those who don’t really. And we all Due to the age gap, Dallaglio’s name on,” she told AFP. He was put back on the right path full-time employment. He claims use their contacts like he can for his need to do a little bit to change that. may mean little to the majority of the “You feel great about yourself. This when he joined the then London-based children that have passed through the friends’ children to give them a leg up. “Because we often say that everyone children but 14-year-old Kimberley has rebuilt my confi dence.” Gulf Times Wednesday, December 25, 2019 5 SPORT

NBA NHL Maple Leafs score four late goals, top Holiday shines as Hurricanes 8-6

Reuters handed to put the Hurricanes on Toronto the board at 13:49 of the open- ing period. Warren Foegele was serving a holding penalty. itch Marner had two Carolina scored on a power Pacers edge Raptors goals and three as- play when Necas picked up his sists, and the To- seventh of the season on a tip-in ronto Maple Leafs at 19:35 of the fi rst. Jake Muzzin ‘It’s a big win for us. It’s fun Mscored twice in six seconds to was off for tripping, and the goal take the lead during the third pe- closed the fi rst period with the playing with emotion, riod on the way to defeating the Hurricanes down 3-2. visiting Carolina Hurricanes 8-6 The Hurricanes took the lead especially in big games’ on Monday afternoon. with a three-goal fl urry in a in overtime John Tavares added a goal and 64-second span in the second two assists for Toronto. Auston period. Necas scored his eighth Matthews, Tyson Barrie and Ja- at 15:09, Haula scored at 15:29 son Spezza each had a goal and and Svechnikov got his 16th at an assist, and William Nylander 16:13. and Pierre Engvall each had a goal. Zach Hyman had three RESULTS assists for the Maple Leafs, Toronto 8-6 Carolina who have won fi ve straight. Martin Necas had two Minnesota 3-0 Calgary goals and two assists for Boston 7-3 Washington the Hurricanes, and Erik Columbus 3-2 Islanders Haula added two goals and an assist. Brock McGinn Philadelphia 5-1 Rangers and Andrei Svechnikov Tampa Bay 6-1 Florida also scored goals while Lu- Ottawa 3-1 Buff alo cas Wallmark and Ryan Dz- Nashville 3-2 Arizona ingel each had two assists. Frederik Andersen made Montreal 6-2 Winnipeg 34 saves for Toronto. New Jersey 7-1 Chicago Carolina goaltender St. Louis 4-1 Los Angeles James Reimer allowed three goals on seven shots Vancouver 4-2 Edmonton in the fi rst 5:10 of the game Colorado 7-3 Las Vegas and was replaced by Petr Mrazek, who allowed four goals on 31 shots. Matthews notched his 24th of Spezza scored his fi fth goal of this season at 2:35 of the third the season 30 seconds into the period to close the Carolina lead game. to 5-4. Nylander scored his 14th of Haula scored his 10th goal at the season at 3:40 of the fi rst 5:58 of the third to give the Hur- from the slot with Brett Pesce ricanes a two-goal lead again, serving a double minor for high but it wasn’t enough. Toronto sticking. came back when Marner scored Tavares notched his 14th from twice and Barrie added his the right circle at 5:10, with the fourth of the season in a 59-sec- power play ongoing, prompting ond span to give Toronto a 7-6 Mrazek to replace Reimer. lead. McGinn scored his fourth Engvall scored his third goal goal of the season on a two-on- into an empty net at 18:20 to give one break with Carolina short- Toronto the 8-6 victory.

Indiana Pacers guard Aaron Holiday dribbles against Toronto Raptors guard Fred Van Vleet (left) during the first quarter of their NBA game at the Bankers Life Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. PICTURE: USA TODAY Sports

AFP 12 points. Lamb missed the two previous Siakam (groin), Marc Gasol (hamstring) Los Angeles RESULTS games with a groin problem. and Norman Powell (shoulder). Serge Ibaka had 23 points and nine Elsewhere, Ben Simmons notched Golden State 113-104 Minnesota rebounds, Fred VanVleet contributed 21 a triple-double, and the Philadelphia aron Holiday fi nished with 19 Miami 107-104 Utah points and 11 assists, and OG Anunoby 76ers handed the host Detroit Pistons points and made two clutch New Orleans 102-94 Portland scored 15 points and 12 rebounds for To- their fi fth straight loss 125-109. three-pointers in overtime as ronto. Tobias Harris made 14 of 21 fi eld goal the Indiana Pacers snapped Houston 113-104 Sacramento The Pacers got three-pointers from attempts, including four three-pointers theA Toronto Raptors fi ve-game winning Denver 113-111 Phoenix Holiday and Warren to lead by two with and fi nished with 35 points. Simmons streak with a 120-115 win on Monday. San Antonio 145-115 Memphis 41 seconds remaining in regulation. tallied 16 points, 13 rebounds and 17 as- Myles Turner and TJ Warren also had Lowry’s layup tied it 107-107 with 34 sists in the win. Furkan Korkmaz came Cleveland 121-118 Atlanta 24 points each, and Holiday added 10 as- seconds left. Lowry then took the fi nal off the bench to score 21 points, and Joel sists in the win over the injury-deplet- Philadelphia 125-109 Detroit long shot of regulation but missed badly. Embiid had 20 points and eight rebounds ed Raptors who were coming off their Indiana 120-115 Toronto Holiday’s three-pointer gave Indiana a for the Sixers, who shot 54 percent from biggest comeback win in franchise his- three-point lead with just over two min- the fi eld. Washington 121-115 New York tory. utes left in overtime. He made another Pistons star Andre Drummond was not “It’s a big win for us,” said Holiday, Orlando 103-95 Chicago three-point dagger with 54 seconds left in the starting lineup. But he came off the who fi nished with 19 points in getting the to increase the lead to four. This was the bench and scored a team-high 27 points start at point guard for the injured Mal- fortunately, we came up short.” fi rst meeting between the teams this sea- with nine rebounds and three assists. colm Brogdon. But the Raptors, who were missing son after Toronto won two of three from Blake Griffi n shot two-for-14 from the “It’s fun playing with emotion, espe- several starters, ran out of gas on Monday Indiana last season. fi eld and scored just eight points in the cially in big games.” in front of the crowd of 17,100 at Bank- The Pacers beat the visiting Raptors loss as the Pistons trailed 60-52 at half- Kyle Lowry had 30 points and nine as- ers Life Fieldhouse arena in Indianapolis. 110-106 on January 23 in the fi nal meet- time. sists for Toronto, who defeated the Dallas This time, Toronto was forced to come ing, which saw Indiana star Victor Oladi- Also, LaMarcus Aldridge scored 28 Mavericks on Sunday after trailing by 30 back from a 15-point defi cit but couldn’t po suff er a serious knee injury in the sec- of his season-high 40 points in the fi rst points in the third quarter. pull out the victory. ond quarter. Oladipo has yet to play this half, and DeMar DeRozan added 26 “We gutted it out, we played our butts Domantas Sabonis scored 12 points season as he is still rehabbing that injury. points and 10 assists as the visiting San Toronto Maple Leafs forward Auston Matthews (right) congratulates off and gave ourselves a chance to win at and grabbed 17 rebounds for Indiana. The Raptors are playing without Antonio Spurs breezed to a 145-115 vic- teammate Mitchell Marner on his first goal against the Carolina the end,” Lowry said of the Raptors. “Un- Jeremy Lamb and TJ McConnell both had key injured players, comprising Pascal tory over the Memphis Grizzlies. Hurricanes at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto. PICTURE: USA TODAY Sports

NFL Packers shut down Vikings, clinch NFC North title Reuters of Green Bay’s fi ve sacks. The 32 seconds. The Packers took Minnesota Packers limited the Vikings to their fi rst lead with 2:03 remain- 139 total yards and seven fi rst ing in the third quarter when downs while fi nishing off a two- Jones raced around left end for a aron Jones rushed for a game season sweep of Minne- 12-yard score. Rodgers followed career-high 154 yards sota. with a two-point conversion and scored two touch- Vikings quarterback Kirk pass to Geronimo Allison to give downs as the Green Bay Cousins struggled, completing Green Bay a 17-10 lead. Kevin PackersA clinched the NFC North just 16 of 31 passes for 122 yards King’s interception and 39-yard title with a 23-10 victory over with one touchdown and one in- return set up the points. the Minnesota Vikings on Mon- terception. Cousins is 0-9 in his Jones added the knockout day night in Minneapolis. career when starting on Monday blow about 11 minutes later when Jones ran for the go-ahead Night Football. he started to the left side and re- touchdown late in the third The Vikings (10-5) clinched a ceived multiple good blocks and quarter and later broke loose wild-card spot Saturday when then cruised down the sideline for a 56-yard touchdown run the Los Angeles Rams lost to the to give Green Bay a 13-point with 5:51 remaining. Jones has San Francisco 49ers. Minnesota lead with 5:51 remaining. Mason 16 rushing touchdowns, second will be the No 6 seed in the NFC. Crosby missed the extra point. most in a single-season in Green Vikings standout linebacker Minnesota led 10-9 at halft- Bay history behind Hall of Famer Eric Kendricks recovered two ime despite being outgained 221- Jim Taylor’s 19 in 1962. fi rst-half fumbles before leaving 68. The Packers hurt themselves Aaron Rodgers completed 26 in the second quarter with a left with three turnovers. of 40 passes for 216 yards and quadriceps injury. Minnesota The teams traded fi eld goal in one interception for the Packers also played without star running the fi rst quarter before Cous- (12-3). Davante Adams caught 13 back Dalvin Cook (shoulder, ins threw a 21-yard touchdown passes for 116 yards, his recep- chest) and his backup, Alexander pass to Stefon Diggs with 13:33 tion total falling one shy of Hall Mattison (ankle). left in the half. Crosby booted of Famer Don Hutson’s franchise Green Bay had 383 total yards fi eld goals of 33 and 19 later in single-game mark, set in 1942. and 22 fi rst downs while con- the quarter to pull the Packers Green Bay Packers running back Aaron Jones rushes for a touchdown in the third quarter against Minnesota Vikings at US Bank Stadium in Za’Darius Smith recorded 3.5 trolling the ball for 37 minutes, within one. Minnesota. PICTURE: USA TODAY Sports Gulf Times 6 Wednesday, December 25, 2019 SPORT

SPOTLIGHT NFL Wings embrace Seahawks are broken. changing culture Do they have time as NHL tries to to fi x it? wipe out abuse

File photo of Seattle Seahawks running back Nick Bellore (44) spiking the ball after scoring a touchdown against the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday.

By Larry Stone change.” The key question, The Seattle Times of course, is if Seattle’s spirit has been broken as well. That would be out of character for a or the Seahawks, this Seahawks team that has shown has been a season of a propensity over the years for great accomplishment bouncing back from tough de- Fbuilt on a foundation feats under Pete Carroll. of great fragility. So many im- Linebacker Bobby Wagner probably close wins, so little reminded everyone of what margin of error. It’s not fair to happened in 2013 in the next- call it smoke and mirrors, but to-last week of the season – there has been a distinct ele- also against Arizona at home, ment of sleight of hand. a 17-10 loss. “Me, K.J. (Wright) Ten of their 11 victories are and Russ, we’ve been in a lot by a one-possession margin, of situations, good and bad, at two of them in overtime, with the end of the season,” Wagner an undeniable litany of favour- said. able breaks along the way. And “In 2013, there was a simi- now, in the wake of a demoral- lar situation and it turned out ising 27-13 defeat to what had really well for us. We lost to been a subpar Arizona team – Arizona right before the end of an outcome that was actually the season and we won the Su- the least of their worries on a per Bowl.” Of course, that team soul-crushing Sunday – it is was teeming with young su- proper to wonder: Is their joy perstars that had been steam- ride chugging to a halt? rolling most opponents, not As they head into their most eking out wins. Robby Fabbri (14) of the Detroit Red important game of the sea- The degree of diffi culty is Wings skates with the puck against the son, a showdown with the San greater now, especially with Toronto Maple Leafs during an NHL game in Francisco 49ers for the NFC such a depleted roster. All eyes Toronto on December 21. West title, the Seahawks are a now turn toward general man- broken team. They are broken ager John Schneider to see how physically, having received the he and Carroll will address By Ted Kulfan Attempts by The Detroit News to reach shakes his head. president Kim Davis. Discipline, deter- devastating news that, on top their dire situation at running The Detroit News Babcock were not successful, and Bab- “There was a lot of certain instances mined on a case-by-case basis, will be of all the other injuries, run- back. cock has not commented on the allega- where in today’s day and age, I look at it “severe and appropriate.” ning back Chris Carson is out “There’s so much to fi gure tions in any way since they’ve been made and that would never even come close (to – The NHL will develop a mandatory for the season after suff ering a out,” Wilson said in the wake here is changing culture in the public. happening),” Perlini said. “But back then, annual counselling programme that all hip injury. of the defeat. “ ... I don’t think NHL, and it started with one Earlier this month, former Red Wings it was normal.” league coaches, assistant coaches, minor- So is his backup, C.J. Pro- there’s anybody better than us tweet. star Brendan Shanahan, president of the Perlini says it’s vital for the NHL to league coaches, general managers and as- sise, and so already was to be able to fi gure out how to T Former NHL player Akim Aliu Maple Leafs, said Babcock’s coaching tac- make progress toward eliminating all sistant general managers must attend. emerging second-year back answer back.” Throughout the tweeted Nov. 25 about verbal abuse di- tics were not “appropriate or acceptable.” forms of abuse. “Inclusion and diversity are not simply Rashaad Penny. Off ensive- locker room after the game, rected at him by then-coach Bill Peters Chicago Blackhawks assistant coach “It’s a unique thing, and defi nitely kind buzzwords. They are foundational prin- line anchor Duane Brown will players vowed to be ready for – a former Red Wings assistant and NHL Marc Crawford was placed on leave af- of sprung up on everyone,” Perlini said. ciples of the NHL,” Bettman said. “Our be undergoing surgery. The the 49ers. But the loss put coach for two teams – when the two were ter reports surfaced of Crawford kicking “I have never had, off the top of my head, message is unequivocal: We will not toler- defense is sprinkled with key them in a much more precari- in the minor leagues in 2009. players in 2006-07, when he was head anything similar to those situations. You ate abusive behaviour of any kind. players fi ghting desperately ous situation with regard to “Dropped the N bomb several times coach of the Los Angeles Kings. Crawford think back to certain (times), how you’ve “Professionalism and respect have been to get back on the fi eld. Many seeding. Rather than being towards me in the dressing room in my apologised and will return to the Chicago been treated, and I can’t compare it. important to this league but it is now a didn’t make it on Sunday, in- assured of at least a No. 2 seed rookie year because he didn’t like my bench in January. “I can’t imagine that would be a fun particularly important time to discuss it cluding Jadeveon Clowney, and a fi rst-round bye with a choice of music,” Aliu tweeted. No current Red Wings have reported thing to go through and holding it in over because everyone is entitled to a respect- Shaquill Griffi n and Quandre win on Sunday, now they can That has proven to be a watershed mo- issues or abusive conduct from coaches the years – you give those guys a lot of ful workplace.” Diggs, three stalwarts. That beat the 49ers and still be the ment in the NHL, with the standard of at the NHL level. Red Wings defense- credit.” Changes in society, Red Wings coach was certainly a factor in the No. 3 seed, requiring them to what is and isn’t appropriate coaching be- man Trevor Daley was involved in a junior Abdelkader was a teammate of Fran- Jeff Blashill said, have spurred changes concurrent reality their execu- play in the fi rst round. haviour analysed, debated and, the NHL hockey incident in 2003, when then Sault zen’s earlier this decade, but said he never in the coach-player relationship over the tion and production was bro- And there are scenarios hopes, corrected. Ste. Marie coach John Vanbiesbrouck re- witnessed any sort of abuse. years. ken on Sunday, too. where a loss could drop them The players have been heard. signed as the team’s coach and general “So I can’t speak to those,” said Ab- But Blashill says the importance of re- After a nearly fl awless drive all the way to No. 6. The lower “It’s defi nitely a new age with social manager after using a racial slur to de- delkader, adding that if the recent allega- spect has not changed, and that’s what on their fi rst possession, the the seed, of course, the more media and with how people are able to scribe Daley, who was the team’s captain. tions are accurate, “you don’t want those he has worked to achieve throughout his Seahawks sputtered and fal- the Seahawks stand to be on voice their opinions,” said forward Justin Daley has not commented on the situa- things in our game, for sure.” career. tered on off ense the rest of the the road in the playoff s. Their Abdelkader, a Red Wings alternate captain tion since it occurred. In the wake of the allegations, NHL “What will always hold true is respect, way. Russell Wilson struggled three Super Bowl appearances and 13-year NHL veteran. “Things are dif- Red Wings forward Brendan Perlini has commissioner Gary Bettman recently an- and it’s something that has always been to get a rhythm going behind have come in years where they ferent that way and people are held more heard stories from his father, Fred, who nounced a code of conduct for organisa- important for me,” Blashill said. “I never a makeshift off ensive line had home-fi eld advantage accountable.” played professionally in North America tions. get personal with players, never attack the (“stagnant” was the word he throughout. Since Aliu’s statement, there have been and England during the 1980s, about – Teams will be required to immediate- person, because I want to earn their re- used to describe their attack), Of course, it’s fair to wonder a rash of headline-grabbing revelations hard-driving, tough-minded coaches. ly report any incidents of inappropriate spect and in turn, give respect. with the running game re- if the vaunted CenturyLink that have rocked the NHL. The young Red Wings’ forward thinks behaviour by club personnel. “I also think, certainly, discipline mat- duced to rookie Travis Homer. edge is waning slightly. The After Aliu came out with his allegations, about those stories, the examples of play- – A disciplinary counsel will be run un- ters and getting the most out of people, And the defense, after an ini- Seahawks are 4-3 at home this former Carolina defenseman Michal Jor- er-coach relationships back then, and just der the direction of NHL executive vice sometimes it requires you to be hard on tial three-and-out start, was season (compared with 7-1 on dan contributed examples on social me- them and push them to greater heights, gashed for an 80-yard touch- the road) and have absorbed dia of Peters physically assaulting Jordan and that’ll never change, either, so there’s down run by Kenyan Drake nine home defeats in the last during the 2015-16 season, when Peters a line between those things.” that turned the game. three years. Those are just coached the Hurricanes. Blashill noted he’s appreciated coaches At key junctures of the sec- numbers, however. The big- Peters apologised in a letter made pub- throughout his own playing career who ond half, the Seahawks were ger worry is what everyone’s lic by Calgary management, but ultimate- pushed and motivated him. unable to get the Cardinals off eyes saw on the fi eld Sunday at ly resigned as Flames coach on Nov. 29. “I know there’s a lot of coaches who the fi eld, even when quarter- CenturyLink. In Toronto, Mike Babcock, the former made huge impacts on my life because back Kyler Murray left with And the players they didn’t Red Wings coach, was fi red as coach of they pushed me beyond what I thought I an injury. Wilson, harassed all see. “Boy, nothing worked out the Maple Leafs in November after the could get to,” Blashill said. “So that part day by the Cardinals pass rush the way we wanted it to,” Car- team started 9-10-4. In the days after the never changes, either.” and battered in particular by roll said. “There were so many fi ring, a slew of accusations against Bab- Aliu met with Bettman and deputy the extraordinary Chandler things that weren’t right for us cock emerged, most of them concerning commissioner Bill Daly and was encour- Jones, knows perceptions can today.” Can they fi x it by Sun- verbal abuse. aged by the discussion, and the willing- turn on a dime in the NFL. day? Former Red Wings defenseman Chris ness of the NHL to embrace change. And he knows the Sea- Veteran Bradley McDougald Chelios said Babcock “verbally assaulted” But Aliu also indicated there will be hawks’ bandwagon is about to saw an opportunity amid all Johan Franzen during the 2012 Stanley much work ahead. thin out – even if they bring in the injuries. “That’s when you Cup playoff s, and that as a result Franzen “Now the hard work begins of focusing Marshawn Lynch to boost the show who a true team is,” he had a “nervous breakdown.” on specifi cs and implementing policy that running-back corps and shake said. “That’s how you can tell Franzen confi rmed the incident, telling make this part more diverse, safer and ac- up the room. a true championship team.” a Swedish newspaper, “I get shivers when countable,” Aliu tweeted on Dec. 9. “We “Before this game, every- The Seahawks still have those I think about it. ... It was coarse, nasty and have to ensure that future generations of body was talking about how we aspirations, but Sunday’s per- shocking. But that was just one out of a hockey players do not face the barriers were one of the best teams in formance – and aftermath – hundred things he did. The tip of the ice- and racism that I have throughout my ca- the NFC,” Wilson said. “Now showed just how daunting that berg.” Akim Aliu (L) had accused Bill Peters of racially abusing him. reer.” things are probably going to path will be. Gulf Times Wednesday, December 25, 2019 7 FOOTBALL

COMMENT ANNOUNCEMENT Fiorentina name Iachini as coach to CL is not ‘mission replace Montella

Reuters Serie A with Chievo in 2008, Milan Brescia in 2010, Sampdoria in 2012 and Palermo in 2014 and has also coached Venezia, Cese- truggling Serie A side na, Vicenza, Piacenza, Siena, impossible’ for Fiorentina named Udinese and Sassuolo. Giuseppe Iachini, a sea- He has also experienced the soned professional well- downside of Italian football and knownS on the Italian coaching suff ered several sackings, most circuit, as their new manager recently by Empoli in March af- on Monday to replace Vincenzo ter four months in charge. He Montella, who was fi red at the was fi red twice in four months weekend. by Palermo in the 2015-16 sea- Everton-Ancelotti The 55-year-old old has led son, the second time after three four diff erent clubs out of Serie weeks. ‘It’s true I managed top clubs. At PSG the project was good. I think here it’s the same’ B into the top fl ight, although he Fiorentina, who narrowly es- has never coached any of Italy’s caped relegation on the fi nal day Reuters biggest clubs or won a major ti- of last season, began this term London tle. with new hope after Commisso Montella, who was in charge bought the club from the Della for eight months, was sacked on Valle family in June in a deal re- ew Everton manager Saturday after a 4-1 home de- ported by Reuters to be valued at Carlo Ancelotti said feat by AS Roma which extended 160 million euros ($177.47 mil- getting the Mersey- Fiorentina’s winless run to seven lion). side club to compete matches and left them 15th in The new owners immediately Nin the Champions League was Serie A with 17 points, three strengthened the squad, sign- his long-term goal, a project clear of the relegation zone. ing Brazilian forward Pedro, similar to his successful stint “The current situation in the Chilean midfi elder Erick Pulgar, at Paris St Germain eight years table forced us to change the Liverpool teenager Bobby Dun- ago. coach,” said Rocco Commisso, can plus veteran French winger Ancelotti, one of Europe’s the club’s billionaire US-born Franck Ribery and managed most successful coaches, left owner. “We chose Iachini be- to hold onto forward Federico Napoli this month and replaced cause he is a great man, linked Chiesa. Marco Silva who was sacked to Florence and Fiorentina. Now The Della Valle family had re- by Everton after a 5-2 Premier we have to stick together and get established the club after it was League defeat by Liverpool. back on the right track as soon as declared bankrupt in 2002 but The 60-year-old had tro- possible”. fans felt it had begun to stagnate phy-laden spells at AC Milan, Iachini won promotion to after a series of top-half fi nishes. Chelsea, PSG, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich. But he faces a diff erent challenge in revitalis- ing Everton, who are 15th in the league and need to fi nish in the top four to guarantee a spot in the pan-European competition. “The Champions League is the long-term objective. Noth- ing is impossible,” Ancelotti told reporters on Monday. “It’s true I managed top clubs. At PSG the project was good. I think here it’s the same.” Ancelotti guided PSG to a fi rst league title in 19 years in the 2012-13 season and the Cham- pions League quarter-fi nals. The Italian said he was impressed Giuseppe Iachini. by Everton’s ambition after the club submitted a planning ap- plication for their proposed new 52,000-seater Bramley-Moore Eritrean players go missing Dock stadium. “The fact the club in Uganda again wants to build a stadium means they have a clear idea of how they Everton’s Italian head coach Carlo Ancelotti (right) chats to Everton’s English chairman Bill Kenwright at the English Premier League match Seven players from Eritrea’s for the regional soccer associa- want success,” Ancelotti said. between Everton and Arsenal at Goodison Park in Liverpool on December 21. (AFP) national soccer team have tion CECAFA that was running “Revenue in football is im- gone missing after playing at the tournament. portant. Everton want the new the new stadium will be open.” joining Everton. “Zlatan is a him at PSG. “I have to call him. in the past.” a tournament in Uganda, an There was no immediate com- stadium so they can improve... Ancelotti said he was open to good friend but I don’t know “I don’t know if some players Ancelotti’s fi rst game in off icial said, the second time in ment from the Eritrean govern- be more competitive. For me, it the possibility of 38-year-old what his idea is,” Ancelotti said want to come here because I am charge is against Burnley to- two months its footballers have ment. The rest of the team could be good to be here when free agent Zlatan Ibrahimovic of the Swede, who worked with here. It’s happened sometimes morrow. disappeared while touring the returned home after losing 3-0 country. to Uganda in the final of the There were no more details CECAFA Senior Challenge Cup. on where they had gone. But In October, five Eritrean players Bahrain’s Baqer gets 10-game ban for racist gesture dozens of Eritrean athletes disappeared from their hotel have refused to return home or during another CECAFA tourna- FIFA has banned Bahrain defender Sayed Baqer for 10 racist behaviour to 10 games. ter Milan’s Romelu Lukaku and Brescia’s Mario Balotelli disappeared while competing ment in Uganda. matches for ‘discriminatory behaviour’ in a World Cup A number of high-profile racist incidents have marred being targeted by rival fans during Serie A matches. abroad over the past decade, In 2012, 14 members of the Eri- qualifier against Hong Kong, soccer’s world governing the game this season. In a separate ruling, FIFA ordered Indonesia to play often in a bid to claim asylum. trea soccer squad disappeared, body has said. The most recent involved the arrest of a Chelsea fan for one match behind closed doors without fans and fined Thousands of Eritreans flee again while playing in a CECAFA Baqer, 25, was captured on video making a slant-eyed allegedly racially abusing Tottenham Hotspur’s South the country’s soccer association 200,000 Swiss francs their small Horn of Africa coun- tournament in Uganda. gesture in the direction of Hong Kong supporters after Korean forward Son Heung-min in a Premier League over security failings during a World Cup qualifier with try every year, citing political Eritrea has been ruled by a goalless draw in the city on Nov. 14. match in London on Sunday. Malaysia last month. repression and lengthy military President Isaias Afwerki since FIFA opened disciplinary proceedings against Baqer Chelsea defender Antonio Rudiger also alleged he was Malaysia were fined 50,000 Swiss francs for the behav- conscription. its independence from Ethiopia last month and announced that the player had also racially abused in the same game, prompting the Pro- iour of their fans. The seven players appeared to in 1993. Its population is around been fined 30,000 Swiss francs ($30,549.90) and fessional Footballers’ Association to call for a govern- Sierra Leone have also been told to play one game be- have got round tight security at five million, and the United Na- warned over his conduct. ment inquiry into the proliferation of racist incidents in hind closed doors and were fined 50,000 Swiss francs the hotel where they were stay- tions estimated in late 2018 that The suspension follows the governing body’s July an- English soccer. for a lack of order during a qualifier against Liberia in ing on Monday evening, said a further 500,000 Eritreans nouncement that it had doubled the minimum ban for Italy has also been front and centre this season with In- September. Rogers Mulindwa, spokesman were refugees.

FOCUS ‘Mourinho’s criticism of Rudiger is disappointing’ Reuters row’s game against Southamp- London ton. “What I heard on the com- mentary and post-match refl ec- helsea manager Frank tion is that the Son incident was Lampard spoke up for a red card... It wasn’t a brutal red Antonio Rudiger yester- card but it was an instinctive one day after the defender that warrants a red card in the wasC criticised by Tottenham modern day. Hotspur boss Jose Mourinho “I wouldn’t question Toni’s for his part in the sending off of integrity on that.” Son Heung-min in Sunday’s 2-0 British media reported yester- derby win. day that Spurs had failed in their Son kicked out in retaliation appeal to the Football Associa- at Chelsea defender Antonio tion to get Son’s ban overturned Rudiger as they challenged and the forward will miss the for the ball, and referee Antho- next three games against Bright- ny Taylor produced a straight on & Hove Albion, Norwich City red after a VAR review, leaving and Southampton. Spurs with 10 men for the last Rudiger had urged Tottenham half hour. on Twitter to fi nd and punish the Mourinho had taken a dig at individuals who allegedly direct- Rudiger, who was also allegedly ed racist abuse at him during the racially abused after the inci- match, and the club confi rmed dent, for going down too eas- they were investigating the in- ily, telling him to “stand up and cident with the help of CCTV play”, but Lampard said the red footage. card was the correct decision. “I saw Toni’s social media “With Toni and this incident, post, I thought it was well put, when he’s having to post after from the heart and something the game about something that he obviously feels very strongly we know is a huge deal, I think about,” Lampard added. to question his integrity in that “I would like to think that the time is disappointing,” Lampard players know I’m with them on told reporters ahead of tomor- anything like this.” Tottenham Hotspur’s Son Heung-min reacts after clashing with Chelsea’s Antonio Rudiger during their Premier League match in London. (Reuters)

Wednesday, December 25, 2019 GULF TIMES SPORT

MOTORSPORT FOCUS Qatar’s Nawaf takes 2nd place in Orange Entries open for Bowl International Tennis Championship

By Sports Reporter Manateq Qatar Doha atar’s Rashed Nawaf claimed the second place at the 57th edi- tion of Junior Orange BowlQ International Tennis Championship held in Miami Cross-Country Rally from December 14-23. The Annual Junior Orange Souq Waqif in downtown Doha to host ceremonial start and prize giving ceremony Bowl International Tennis Championship is one of the By Sports Reporter most important and pres- Qatar tigious junior tennis tourna- ments in the world. It is one Qatar’s Rashed Nawaf. of fi ve tournaments that are ntries are now open rated by the ITF as ‘Grade A’. tional Teams Committee board for the Manateq Qatar This globally recognised event member Khalid al-Khelaifi has Cross-Country Rally brings together over 1,500 of praised Naswaf’s achievement. (MQCCR), the open- the top ranked male and female “The federation is proud of ingE round of the 2020 FIA World 12-and-under and 14-and-un- Nawaf’s achievement as he is Cup for Cross-Country Rallies, der junior players representing the fi rst Qatari player to take which takes place from Febru- more than 76 countries. the second place in Junior Or- ary 22 to 27. Historic Souq Waqif In the fi nal match, Nawaf ange Bowl International Tennis in downtown Doha will host the suff ered a 6-4, 6-3 defeat at Championship,” he said. ceremonial start and prize giving the hands of the USA’s Nishesh “Nawaf proves year after ceremony. Basavareddy. year that he is a promising The Qatar Motor and Motorcy- “I’m proud of taking the sec- player who can go the extra cle Federation (QMMF) has con- ond place in prestigious tour- mile for the Qatari tennis in the fi rmed that the event will host nament as it was really an ex- near future,” he said. the opening round of the FIM citing week for me,” said Nawaf. Nawaf won the title of Qatar Cross-Country Bajas World Cup “I think the semi-fi nals Asian Junior Championship for the fi rst time. The Manateq which lasted for more than four last month in Doha. Baja Qatar will take place over hours had its toll on me during Andre Agassi, Arthur Ashe, three competitive stages (two on the fi nal match,” he said. Boris Becker, Bjorn Borg, leg one and one on leg two) and In his route to the fi nal, the Jimmy Connors, Jim Courier, off er a total length of around 600 Qatari player edged past Rod- Stefan Edberg, Chris Evert, competitive kilometres in a route rigo Mendez in the semi-fi nals, Roger Federer, Steffi Graf, Jus- of 920km. Lennon Jones in the quarter- tine Henin, Ivan Lendl, Hana Riders will pass administra- fi nals, Nikita Filin in last 16 Mandlikova, Andy Roddick, tion and technical checks before round and Benjamin Kreynes Gabriela Sabatini, Monica Se- a briefi ng on February 25th and Manateq Baja Qatar confirmed as opening round of FIM Cross-Country Bajas World Cup. in the last 32 round. Qatar Ten- les, Guillermo Vilas and Mats then tackle their opening leg on nis, Squash and Badminton Wilander have also competed February 26, which will be simi- velopment goals of the Qatar Na- Federation and Head of Na- at the Orange Bowl. lar to the fourth day of the Man- tional Vision 2030, through pro- ateq Qatar Cross-Country Rally. viding premium infrastructure Action concludes with FIM reg- within strategic economic zones FOOTBALL istered riders tackling the fi fth to promote the logistics and in- stage of the MQCCR on February dustrial sectors in Qatar. 27. The event’s Competitors Rela- GPS navigation will be provid- tions Offi cer (CRO) Davy Patter- Croat Mandzukic ed by rally organisers and there son is also available for consul- will be no road books issued. Re- tation on Tel: +44 7980 613944 fuelling points will be positioned and E-mail: davypatterson777@ quits Juventus for every 125km. Further details will googlemail.com. be available soon in the supple- mentary regulations. FULL DETAILS OF THE PRIZE Qatar’s Al Duhail The opening round of the FIA FUND ARE AS FOLLOWS: World Cup for Cross-Country T1 final classification AFP Rallies will run over fi ve days 1st: 2 trophies and $10,000 USD Paris (February 23 to 27) and around 2nd: $7,000 USD 1,430 competitive kilometres in 3rd: $6,000 USD a route of 2,200km across the 4th: $5,000 USD roat striker Mario length and breadth of the State 5th: $4,000 USD Mandzukic has quit of Qatar. T2 final classification Juventus to join Al Administration checks, scru- 1st: 2 trophies and $8,000 USD Duhail, the Qatari club tineering and the ceremonial announcedC yesterday. Accord- 2nd: $5,000 USD start will take place on February 3rd: $4,000 USD ing to local media, Mandzukic 22. 4th: $3,000 USD signed up on a two-and-a-half Supplementary regulations The ship will depart from round of the FIA World Cup for try Rally has also been fi nalised. 5th: $2,000 USD year contract. No transfer de- that lost the 2017 Champions and entry forms are now avail- Genoa on January 22 and arrive in Cross-Country Rallies. This will be awarded in groups T3 final classification tails were given. League fi nal. able for download from www. Qatar on February 12. Teams need Teams will also be eligible for that have a minimum of fi ve en- 1st: 2 trophies and $6,000 USD The 33-year-old forward He previously played for qatarcrosscountry.com. Entries to ensure their equipment arrives 600 litres of petrol (motorcycle trants. The winner of the pres- 2nd: $4,000 USD has not played for Juve since Dinamo Zagreb (2007-10), close at reduced rates on Tues- at Impeco/BFG, c/o Warehouse riders will receive 250 litres of tigious T1 category, for example, 3rd: $3,000 USD Mauricio Sarri took over as Wolfsburg (2010-12), Bayern day, January 21st and at full rates Distripark/Gruppo Spinelli, fuel), in addition to free Wi-Fi, will receive two trophies and SSV final classification coach in June. Al Duhail are Munich (2012-14) and Atletico on Sunday, February 9, 2020. GENOVA SECH on January 16 preparation and warehousing $10,000 USD with $7000 USD 1st: 2 trophies and $10,000 USD currently top of the Qatari Madrid (2014-15). The QMMF has also fi nalised to 17 from 08.00hrs to 17.00hrs. facilities, electricity within the for second place, and $6,000 for 2nd: $7,000 USD league and count Mandzukic’s With Bayern, Mandzukic shipping details for vehicles and Further information is available service park at the Losail Sports third overall. 3rd: $6,000 USD former Juve teammate Mehdi won two Bundesliga titles as equipment travelling from Eu- from Patrick Impeco: Tel: + 31 Arena, a car washing area, free Manateq – Economic Zones 4th: $5,000 USD Benatia in their squad. well as the 2013 Champions rope. Organisers will cover re- 622 470212, E-mail: Patrick@ drinking water, a sleeping area Company is the title sponsor for 5th: $4,000 USD In his time with Juventus, League. Internationally, he turn shipping costs for a 20-foot impeco.nl. and a range of entertainment ac- the third successive season. Es- T4 final classification where Mandzukic arrived in scored 33 goals in 89 appear- container from Genoa to Qatar Free shipping will also be tivities. tablished in 2011, the company is 1st: 2 trophies and $10,000 USD 2015, he won four league titles, ances for Croatia, making the using the CMA direct service to available for all Dakar competi- The substantial prize fund for positioned as a vital component 2nd: $7,000 USD three Italian cups, a Supercup fi nal of the 2018 World Cup Hamad. tors keen to tackle the opening the Manateq Qatar Cross-Coun- in achieving the economic de- 3rd: $6,000 USD. and was also part of the team won by France.

SPOTLIGHT Fares adjudged best at Qatar International Weightlift ing Cup QNA Doha

atar’s Fares Ibrahim Hassouna and India’s Mirabai Chanu were selected as the best ath- letes at Qatar International WeightliftingQ Cup concluded in Doha on Monday. Hassouna claimed gold in men’s 96kg category and secured his spot in To- kyo 2020 Olympics while former world champion weightlifter Mirabai Chanu took gold in the women’s 49kg category. Hassouna cleared a total of 404kg in the 96kg category. Kianoush Rostam took the silver with 403kg while the bronze medal went to Ali Miri who lifted 371kg in total. Chanu won gold with an eff ort of 194kg in the Olympic qualifying event. She lift- ed 83kg in snatch and 111kg in clean and jerk to fi nish on top of the podium. International Weightlifting Federation president Tamas Ajan presided over the prize distribution. IWF Vice-President Mohamed Yousef al-Mana, who is also the Asian, Arab and Qatar weightlifting chief, was also present on the occasion. This year’s championship, hosted by the Qatar Weightlifting Federation (QWF) under the auspices of the Interna- tional Weightlifting Federation, featured the participation of more than 150 lifters representing 42 countries. Qatar’s Fares Ibrahim Hassouna (third right) poses with the best lifter trophy and IWF vice-president Mohamed Yousef al-Mana (second right) at the closing ceremony of the Qatar International Weightlifting Cup.