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Established 1961 Sport THURSDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2018 Hart and Gordon win debuts as Rain, epic stand save Sri Solskjaer handed caretaker 25Flyers edge Detroit Red Wings 26 Lanka in New Zealand Test 27 manager role by Man Utd Bale fires Real into Club WCup final Hat-trick hero Gareth now has 10 goals in 21 games ABU DHABI: Real Madrid's Welsh forward Gareth Bale (L) shoots to score during the semi final football match of the FIFA Club World Cup 2018 tournament between Japan's Kashima Antlers and Spain's Real Madrid at the Zayed Sports City Stadium in Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates, yesterday. — AFP ABU DHABI: Gareth Bale hit an 11-minute they face hosts Al Ain in the final. they were clearly second best. Bale now has They soon found their rhythm, however, in as many minutes as first, he capitalised hat-trick yesterday as Real Madrid strolled Bale had missed the 1-0 victory over 10 goals in 21 games for Real Madrid this with Karim Benzema twice shooting on a poor backpass from Shuto Yamamoto into the Club World Cup final by beating Rayo Vallecano last weekend with an ankle season while victory will also come as a straight at the goalkeeper while Bale had an and then drove into the far corner after Kashima Antlers 3-1 in Abu Dhabi. Bale problem but he was in irresistible form, relief to coach Santiago Solari. A handful of effort blocked after nipping between the Marcelo had, again, tied him up. scored in the 44th, 53rd and 55th minutes at albeit against limited opposition. The underwhelming performances had been Antlers central defenders. Three clear, Madrid were home and dry, the Zayed Sports City Stadium to put Welshman joins Lionel Messi and Cristiano badly timed given the sacking of Jose Madrid’s front two were tying Antlers in and Bale departed on the hour, replaced by Madrid within touching distance of a Ronaldo as the only player to score in three Mourinho by Manchester United, with knots and two minutes before half-time, Marco Asensio while Casemiro, recovered record fourth success in this competition, separate Club World Cup tournaments while speculation linking the Portuguese with a Bale struck. A neat one-two with Marcelo from an ankle injury, came on to make his and their third triumph in a row. his treble, coming either side of half-time, is return to the club never far away. on the edge of the area set him in behind first appearance since November 12. Real are currently tied with their La Liga the fastest in the history of the competition. Madrid were still sleeping during the and Bale guided the bouncing ball into the Antlers pulled one goal back with 13 rivals Barcelona, having each won it three Kashima Antlers, from Japan’s J1 League, opening 10 minutes and Antlers should have far corner. minutes left as Doi drove in after Yasushi times before, but it would be a major sur- qualified after winning the Asian Champions led, as Serginho’s shot was tipped wide by Benzema had a shot cleared off the line Endo headed down. Initially ruled offside, prise if the European champions were not League last month but, despite a lively start Thibaut Courtois before Gen Shoji failed to at the start of the second half but Madrid VAR showed Endo was level but a come- hoisting the trophy again on Saturday, when and a late consolation from Shoma Doi, connect with a free header three yards out. did not have long to wait. Bale scored twice back never looked likely. —AFP contributed 22 points and 11 rebounds as the stay atop the Western Conference standings. Nets overcome Lakers lost for the third time in four games. Trey Lyles and Monte Morris scored 16 points each off the bench for the Nuggets. CAVALIERS 92, PACERS 91 Denver has won 11 of its past 13, and its 21-9 James, Lakers Larry Nance Jr. tipped in a missed shot by record ties the best start in franchise history. Rodney Hood at the buzzer as Cleveland Harrison Barnes tied a season high with 30 NEW YORK: D’Angelo Russell collected 22 defeated Indiana in Indianapolis. Indiana had points, and rookie sensation Luka Doncic had points and a career-high-tying 13 assists as a chance to ice the game, but Victor Oladipo 23 points and 12 assists for the Mavericks, the Brooklyn Nets overcame 36 points from missed three consecutive free throws to give who have lost three straight. LeBron James on Tuesday night and held on Cleveland the opportunity to win only its for a 115-110 victory over the Los Angeles eighth game of the season. The Pacers had HAWKS 118, WIZARDS 110 Lakers in New York. Facing his former team their seven-game win streak snapped, while Jeremy Lin scored 10 of his 16 points dur- for the third time since being acquired by the Cavaliers ended a two-game skid. Nance, ing a 22-9 fourth-quarter spurt that allowed Brooklyn on draft night in 2017, Russell post- starting in place of the injured Tristan host Atlanta to defeat Washington and end a ed his second double-double of the season, Thompson, finished with 15 points and 16 three-game losing streak. Lin was one of sev- hitting 9 of 21 shots, including a clutch 3- rebounds. Hood scored 17. Domantas Sabonis en players who scored in double figures for pointer from the top of the key over Kyle scored 17 points to lead six Indiana players in Atlanta. He shot 6-for-12 from the field with Kuzma with 22 seconds left to put Brooklyn double figures. Oladipo struggled to score 12 four assists and three rebounds. John Collins ahead 113-107. points on 4-of-15 shooting from the field. had a double-double for the seventh time in Joe Harris added 19 points, reserve eight games with 20 points and 13 rebounds. Spencer Dinwiddie contributed 18 and Hollis- NUGGETS 126, MAVERICKS 118 Trae Young scored 19 points and handed out Jefferson finished with 17 as the Nets extend- Jamal Murray had 22 points, including a four assists. The Wizards, who have lost five ed their winning streak to six games. James big 3-pointer late, and also added a career- of their past sixm got 29 points from Bradley nearly posted his third triple-double as a high 15 assists as host Denver turned back Beal, who was 11-for-17 from the floor and Laker, finishing with 13 rebounds to go along Dallas. Nikola Jokic scored a game-high 32 added 10 rebounds. Trevor Ariza had 19 with eight assists. Lonzo Ball hit five 3-point- points and also had 16 rebounds to help points and eight rebounds in his Washington NEW YORK: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers shoots the ball against the Brooklyn ers and contributed 23 points. Kyle Kuzma Denver sweep a four-game homestand and debut. — Reuters Nets on December 18, 2018 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn . — AFP.