BOTTOMLINE | Page 4 NBA | Page 5 Dallaglio Holiday using rugby shines as to save lost Pacers edge children Raptors 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 Ain 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.