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TENNIS / QATAR EXXONMOBIL OPEN SPOTLIGHT 2015 in the past, Top seed Djokovic Nadal is focussed breezes past Brown on the new year By Sahan Bidappa “It is obvious that I feel more confi - dent this year but anything can happen. This is sport. Last year I played a great set here in the fi rst round and I lost. But afael Nadal was not in his best I was playing good, no?,” Nadal said of mood yesterday. He had lost his last year’s fi rst round exit in Doha. in season-opener his fi rst match of the new sea- “And then not having an easy year, I son at the Qatar ExxonMobil managed it well because I fi nished in a Open,R albeit in doubles, and the con- very high position in the rankings. And Unseeded De La Nava ousts Spanish fifth seed Feliciano Lopez stant questioning of his 2015 season especially I fi nished it playing well, made it even worse. no? This year is another year. It’s true The 14-time Grand Slam champion I’m not coming back from injuries, and just won three ATP titles last year, I feel that I worked a lot to be ready to struggling to fi nd his feet after return- begin this one, and I feel I am. I played ing from injury. For the fi rst time since well in Abu Dhabi last week. I am prac- 2004, when he was just 18, the Span- tising well. We start these two days iard failed to reach semifi nals of a major with that wind, but I feel myself ready or the fi nal of a Masters event. He also for this season. The expectations are dropped out of the top fi ve for the fi rst the normal ones, positive ones, because time since 2005. I feel that I fi nished the past season So it’s obvious, Nadal is looking for- playing well and I feel that I am playing ward to 2016 for resurgence. But the well again. We’ll see,” he explained. question is will the Mallorcan get back So is there any one goal for the new to his best, even as he turns 30 this year? “You never will hear from me June. In the past, he has always fol- talking about one particular goal, be- lowed a slide with a strong comeback cause at the end of the day in tennis, and that has seen him get back to No 1. we have tournaments every week, and But 2015 was diff erent, where he everybody knows what they want to struggled with confi dence and his fe- achieve and everybody knows what rocious forehand, failed to hold up af- are the things that I want to do. But my ter a wrist injury that forced him out of motivation is Doha now and then it’s action in 2014. He even lost a two-set going to be Melbourne. That’s it. I can- lead at a major for the fi rst time at the not think farther than that,” Nadal said. US Open. Players tend to evolve as they get So it’s quite understandable, Nadal older and spend lot of time playing a wants to move on from those not-so- sport. The World No 5 said he too was fond memories of 2015. “Seriously, working on mental and physical as- I’m a little bit tired of talking every day pects of the game during off season. about 2015. We are in 2016 already, no? “All my life I worked with the highest We talked enough about 2015, and I intensity possible, but we worked a lit- talked enough about all the things that tle bit diff erently (this time). We tried happened,” Nadal snapped back to re- to fi nd diff erent positions on court, to porters in Doha, having given enough play more on the inside and worked a explanation of his downturn. lot on the return too,” Nadal went on. “I have been very honest in all the “The way that I approach the game press conferences, without lying or not is what I worked on too, things that saying things that really happened to me. are needed to be a better player. That’s I have been very open about talking all the only thing. We analysed what hap- the things that were going on during the pened last year a little bit, and in tennis year. But we are in 2016, and 2015 is past. the mental part is another story. But in In 2014 when I was here, after winning a terms of tennis we analysed what we lot in 2013, I was not talking a lot about need to do to be very competitive this 2013. The real thing is all the victories in year,” Nadal said. the past we are not talking about (them) Nadal is a 2008 Olympic tennis gold Novak Djokovic serves during his Qatar ExxonMobil Open first round match against Dustin Brown at Khalifa Tennis Complex yesterday. PICTURE: Noushad Thekkayil and we are not talking about all the de- medallist, but missed the London 2012 feats of last year, because that’s past. Olympics for health reasons. Despite By Sahan Bidappa latter has been in recent times. body in the right shape, and I think it nering countryman Verdasco, the What really is important is what’s going the Rio Olympics being played this Doha Playing his third game in as many was a very good start,” he added. Spaniards lost to Russia’s Teymuraz to happen tomorrow. That is I am playing year, Nadal said he wouldn’t approach days, having had to come through The World No. 1, who had lost to Ivo Gabashvili and Albert Ramos-Vinolas my fi rst (singles) match of the year, and I the year any diff erently. qualifying, Brown struggled in chilly Karlovic in the quarter-fi nals last year of Spain 6-7 (4), 6-4, 11-9 on the cen- am motivated for that,” the Spaniard hit “The fact this is an Olympic year re- here was a moment in the sec- conditions. Djokovic raced to a 5-0 on his fi rst visit to Doha, was happy tre court. back. ally doesn’t change anything. When ond set when Novak Djokovic lead breaking the German twice, be- with the smooth start to the season. Nadal is seeded second in Doha, Nadal sees things improving for the Olympics arrive, we are going to slipped while stretching for a fore Brown held on to his serve in the “Honestly, the match went very quick, having won here in 2014. He opens him this season. He had saved his best be ready for it. The motivation to play forehand. There was a collec- sixth game. In the next game, Brown so we didn’t have many exchanges, the 2016 season today with a match for last in 2015, when he reached two Olympics will be amazing, but for the Ttive sigh from the crowd, which had broke Djokovic’s serve to show signs many rallies. I thought what I have against fellow Spaniard Pablo Carreno semi-fi nals and fi nals after the third moment, I am focused on Qatar now,” poured in to watch the World No 1 in of a comeback but the top seed closed done well was staying in the match Busta, whom he has beaten in the only round exit from the US open and his said Nadal, who will open his singles action at the Qatar ExxonMobil Open out the set duly by breaking back, as each point, not really allowing my- time they have faced each other. contemporaries expect him to bounce campaign against countryman Pablo yesterday. the German double-faulted twice. self to get distracted or to allow him “Well, I have been winning here back strongly. Carreno Busta today. Djokovic paused for a bit, held his In the second set at 2-2, Djokovic to start manoeuvring and playing the a lot of years in doubles. Hopefully knee and got up gingerly. His op- broke in the fourth game to end the way he wants. that’s the good news that I lost this ponent Dustin Brown too was con- contest without much sweat even as “I was getting a lot of returns back time in doubles, so I hope to be ready cerned. However, Djokovic got back to Brown committed his fourth double in play. I thought return was well. for singles. In today’s match we had a his feet and dominated the game as he fault to hand the match to the Serbian. Serve was very effi cient. And of course lot of chances but it was not our day to had done all evening and the whole of “It’s been six weeks since I played the there were a few shots that I missed, win,” the World No 5 said. last year. last match, so I was very excited to go but all in all, it was a straight-sets win, The opening night also saw a shock The 10-time Grand Slam champion back to the court and compete and see a comfortable win,” said Djokovic, result, when unseeded Daniel Munoz needed just 51 minutes at the Khalifa how I go,” said Djokovic after the victory. who will face the winner of the match De La Nava of Spain ousted fi fth seed Complex to get past Brown in straight “Obviously you never know how between Spain’s Fernando Verdasco and countryman Feliciano Lopez 3-6, sets 6-2, 6-2 and open his 2016 cam- you’re going to start from the blocks. and Tunisia’s Malek Jaziri. 7-6 (4), 7-5. Qatar’s hope also came to paign on a rousing note. The 82nd- You can do your best to prepare your- Meanwhile, Rafael Nadal had a for- an end with wild card Mubarak Shan- ranked Brown was never going to trou- self well, which I did. I think I used the gettable start to the season as he lost nan Zayid beaten easily by seventh ble Djokovic, with the kind of form the off season very well to train to get my his fi rst round doubles match. Part- seed Jeremy Chardy 1-6, 1-6.

Results Verdasco 6-7 (4), 6-4, 11-9; Jeremy Chardy F Verdasco (ESP) vs [WC] M Jaziri vs [WC] M Zayed (QAT) / M Zayid SINGLES (ROUND I) / Paul-Henri Mathieu bt Jabor Moham- (TUN) (QAT) (1) Novak Djokovic bt Dustin Brown med Ali Mutawa / Malek Jaziri 6-2, 6-2; A Ramos-Vinolas (ESP) vs P Mathieu 6-2, 6-2; (7) Jeremy Chardy bt Mu- David Marrero / Andreas Seppi bt Pablo COURT 1 (3:30pm START) (FRA) barak Shannan Zayid 6-1, 6-1; Damir Andujar / Leonardo Mayer 7-6 (4), 6-3 T Gabashvili (RUS) vs S Bolelli (ITA) [6] A Seppi (ITA) vs R Berankis (LTU) Dzumhur bt Marco Cecchinato 6-4, [Q] B Becker (GER) vs [8] L Mayer 6-2; Kyle Edmund bt Martin Klizan Today’s Order of play (ARG) COURT 3 (3:30pm START) 6-2, 6-3; Robin Haase bt Aslan Karat- CENTRE COURT (3:30pm START) S Bolelli (ITA) / S Stakhovsky (UKR) vs P Andujar (ESP) vs P Lorenzi (ITA) sev 5-7, 6-1, 7-5; D Munoz De La Nava [3] T Berdych (CZE) vs S Stakhovsky J Knowle (AUT) / A Sa (BRA) W Koolhof (NED) / M Middelkoop bt (5) F Lopez 3-6, 7-6, 7-5. (UKR) [1] J Rojer (NED) / H Tecau (ROU) vs J (NED) vs [3] F Lopez (ESP) / M Lopez I Marchenko (UKR) vs [4] D Ferrer Erlich (ISR) / C Fleming (GBR) (ESP) DOUBLES (ROUND I) (ESP) R Albot (MDA) / M Klizan (SVK) Teymuraz Gabashvili / Albert Ramos- P Carreno Busta (ESP) vs [2] R Nadal COURT 2 (3:30pm START) vs [2] J Murray (GBR) / B Soares Spanish pair of Rafael Nadal (left) and Fernando Verdasco lost their first Vinolas bt Rafael Nadal / Fernando (ESP) [4] P Petzschner (GER) / A Peya (AUT) (BRA) round doubles match against Russia’s Teymuraz Gabashvili and Spain’s Albert Ramos-Vinolas yesterday. PICTURE: Noushad Thekkayil Gulf Times 2 Tuesday, January 5, 2016 TENNIS

QATAR EXXONMOBIL OPEN Slam-less Berdych hopes to continue his stay in top ten ‘There will be new, younger guys coming up trying to steal that position’

By Sahan Bidappa coming up trying to steal that position. So Doha that’s going to be a good. Last year I managed to get on the fourth spot in the world, but, fin- ished the year in the sixth place. It would be omas Berdych has been one of those great to change that number at the end of the perennial bridesmaids in men’s ten- season,” he added. nis. The Czech has been a constant in Berdych said trying to solve the top-four rid- the top-10 in the last fi ve years, but has dle would be one of his aims, but added that the Tbeen unable to penetrate past the ‘big four’ of new players can also pose a threat. “I think every Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal opponent and every player stands in their po- and Andy Murray. sition, and really, no matter what number is in He also holds the dubious reputation of being front of your name, it’s just your opponent for the Best Active Player Never to Win a Slam. Yet the day and you just have to be focused on that it’s not that he hasn’t been closer to winning one one. And once you pass him, the same thing of the four Grand Slams. In fact, he’s the only again. player outside the Big 4 to reach the semi-fi nals “If you’re looking too far ahead, you might at all four majors. Still he has played the second lose some things which are right around you. So fi ddle all along, unable to raise his game when it I have been used to do that throughout my career matters. and I think it has worked pretty well till now. I’m Now 30, time is running out for Berdych and just going to try to stick with that, try to work on he enters one more season trying to hold on to my things and just keep going, working hard and his top-10 ranking, if not win a Slam. He is cur- hoping that one day I can move myself and just rently No.6 in the world, but that was after he get higher in the ranking,” Berdych said. had started 2015 with a bang beating Nadal and He has also set his sights on Olympics and rising to 4th, before he had his usual mid-sea- winning the Davis Cup for Czech Republic. son slump. “This season is going to be really packed, espe- Berdych’s combined record against Djokovic, cially, it’s the Olympic year. For me there is one Nadal and Roger Federer is 12–55, which is why more thing, I have to play the fi rst round of the he has won only 12 titles in his 13-year profes- Davis Cup to get my qualifi cation for the Olym- sional career. pics,” Berdych said. Berdych is once again back in Doha for the Qa- “It’s going be a little bit diff erent than the tar ExxonMobil Open, where he reached the fi nal last year. I think last year I just tried to use all last year before losing to David Ferrer and this time the time for myself and just for my direction of the Czech hopes he won’t have to be entrenched Czech Republic’s Tomas Berdych speaks during a press conference at the Khalifa International Tennis and Squash Complex yesterday. the career. But this year I will have to look also by the marquee names. Today, Berdych will on Davis Cup, and representing the country kick-start his new season with a fi rst round clash “I’m expecting a long, tough season. First of then you are able to compete with all the guys “Of course, it’s been a while since I put my- is always on the high priority of my goals and against Ukraine’s Sergiy Stakhovsky, to whom he all, staying healthy is going to be the main thing. when you are strong and fi t,” Berdych said yes- self into the top 10 and would want to hold on achievements, so I’m going to defi nitely include has never lost in six meetings. Then you are able to play the whole season, and terday. to that place. There will be new, younger guys that.” Sights from Qatar ExxonMobil Open — Noushad Thekkayil

Qatar’s M Zayid in action yesterday.

Boris Becker, Novak Djokovic’s coach watches the match between the Serbian and Germany’s Dustin Brown yesterday.

Germany’s Dustin Brown Gulf Times Tuesday, January 5, 2016 3 CRICKET

SPOTLIGHT Panel suggests legalise betting, revamp BCCI

AFP It also suggests legalising bet- In July it suspended the Rajas- offi cials as well as anyone over term them radical, but the Lodha ting after a popular Twenty20 than Royals and Chennai Super 70 from holding offi ce and im- committee has basically recom- RAJENDRA MAL LODHA tournament run by the BCCI, Kings (CSK) teams, triggering pose a three-year maximum mended good corporate prac- the Indian Premier League (IPL), the resignation of former BCCI term for holding offi ce. tices,” Cricinfo editor Sambit panel appointed by In- was rocked by allegations of chief Narayanaswami Srinivas- The panel also suggests a sep- Bal tweeted, calling them “well dia’s Supreme Court corruption, match-fi xing and an. He was found guilty of a con- arate executive body for the IPL thought out and wide-ranging”. yesterday proposed crooked umpires. fl ict of interest for being at the as well as the appointment of an The BCCI enjoys a pre-em- sweeping changes to “As far as betting alone is con- helm of Indian Cements which independent ombudsman, and inent position in world cricket theA country’s scandal-hit cricket cerned... it would serve both the owns CSK. ethics and electoral offi cers to and eff ectively runs the Inter- board and said gambling should game and economy if it were The panel exonerated IPL address grievances and confl icts national Cricket Council with its be made legal. legalised,” the report suggests, chief operating offi cer Sundar of interest. allies Australia and England. The panel headed by former with several riders. Raman, citing lack of evidence, The BCCI, which generates The top court will now rule on chief justice Rajendra Mal Lodha Gambling is mostly illegal after it was tasked to investigate huge revenues due to its vast tel- whether the recommendations was appointed after a string of in India, but betting on cricket match-fi xing allegations against evision audiences, should also should be legally binding. corruption scandals at the Board matches thrives through net- him. be brought under India’s Right Former lawyer Shashank of Control for Cricket in India works of underground bookies. “I have heard that I have been to Information Act to ensure ac- Manohar took charge of the (BCCI). Lodha’s panel was formed in given a clean chit and I appreci- countability, the panel added. BCCI in October, vowing a new Its report, seen by AFP, rec- January last year to recommend ate it,” Raman, who resigned in Commentators welcomed the era of clean governance. ommends barring politicians changes after the top court November, told the Press Trust recommendations, saying they The cash-rich but faction- from the sport’s governing body found two IPL franchise owners of India news agency. would help restore the BCCI’s ridden body has usually been run and introducing time limits on guilty of betting on the outcome Lodha said the BCCI should credibility and bring transpar- by politicians or industrialists holding offi ce. of matches in 2013. bar ministers and government ency. “It might be tempting to with confl icting interests.

REPORT FOCUS Uncapped quicks in Australia ODI Brathwaite cameo squad for India

AFP picture for one-day cricket, Melbourne and of course with the (World) T20 coming up it’s probably ideal for him to go back and ustralia yesterday in- play some of those games,” a bright spot in cluded uncapped fast Hohns told reporters. bowlers Scott Boland “We’re playing the fi rst few and Joel Paris and left games in Brisbane and Perth leadingA spinner Nathan Lyon where normally you play with out of a 13-man squad for the your faster bowlers. fi rst three one-day interna- “Glenn Maxwell has done a tionals against India. pretty good job in the spinning Boland has been on the pe- role when we’re only playing Sydney washout riphery of the Test team for the that one type of spinner-cum- current series against the West all-rounder, plus the quicks.” Indies, while Western Austral- Hohns said selectors would ‘I was upset that once again I got a start and couldn’t carry on’ ia’s Paris has been brought in probably consider two spin- to the national ODI squad for ners for the T20 World Cup in the fi rst time for this month’s India in March because of the Reuters series. playing conditions on the sub- Sydney There was no place for Lyon continent. with all-rounder Glenn Max- Shane Watson, Usman well to be used as the spinning Khawaja and Joe Burns were arlos Brathwaite shone option. “Scott has continued among other notable players briefl y for West Indies to impress the selection panel, left out of the squad. but the rain was the only having bowled very well for his It will be the fi rst time top- real winner yesterday state Victoria this year,” chair- ranked Australia have faced asC wet weather washed away all man of selectors Rod Marsh India since beating them in the but 11.2 overs of play on the sec- said. World Cup semi-fi nal at Syd- ond day of the third Test against “He certainly deserves this ney last March. Australia. chance at the top level. Australia subsequently beat West Indies were 248 for “Joel is an exciting young New Zealand in the fi nal to win seven in their fi rst innings when left-arm bowler who swings their fi fth World Cup the rain interrupted play for the ball well. India will play fi ve ODIs the third and fi nal time half an “He has had very good fi g- against India starting in Perth hour after lunch in the wake of ures in short-form cricket and on January 12, followed by Brathwaite’s dismissal for 69. we really want him to make the Brisbane on January 15, Mel- Play was offi cially abandoned most of this opportunity.” bourne on January 17, Canber- at 4:35pm (0535 GMT) as the South Australia paceman ra pn January 20 and Sydney rain continued to cascade down Kane Richardson returns to on January 23. on Sydney Cricket Ground with the side having last played for Australia - Steve Smith (capt), the 14,266 optimistic souls who Australia against South Africa David Warner, George Bailey, came through the gates despite in Canberra in 2014. Scott Boland, Josh Hazlewood, the gloomy forecast off ered a full “Kane has had a taste of James Faulkner, Aaron Finch, refund. cricket at the international Mitchell Marsh, Shaun Marsh, That meant that the fl ur- level and although that has Glenn Maxwell, Kane Richard- ry of boundaries with which been interrupted on occasions son, Joel Paris, Matthew Wade. Brathwaite lit up the few overs through injury we think he is of action was ultimately a free ready to perform consistently show and the 27-year-old was for Australia,” Marsh said. warmly applauded for it by an Boland and Paris have been appreciative crowd. included following injuries to Resuming on 35 with his team front-line fast bowlers, in- on 207 for six, the tall, muscular cluding Mitchell Starc, Nathan Bajan showed why he has been Coulter-Nile and Peter Siddle. one of the few bright spots for Selector Trevor Hohns said West Indies on what has other- Lyon, Australia’s leading all- wise been a miserable tour. time Test off -spin wicket- Playing his second Test af- taker, was still in the panel’s ter scoring 59 on debut in Mel- thoughts for future ODIs. bourne last week, Brathwaite “Nathan is not far out of the Scott Boland smashed four sixes and seven fours in his 71-ball innings. One of the two sixes he hit in one over off Australia paceman Australia fl oats Ashes James Pattinson was a spectac- ular heave over the covers and day-night Test prospect deep into the crowd. England’s next Ashes series in Australia may have a day-night A fuming Pattinson had his Test match, Cricket Australia chief James Sutherland said revenge, however, when he yesterday. found his range and took out Sutherland said his organisation was negotiating with Pakistan Brathwaite’s off stump with and South Africa about the possibility of staging day-night what the batsman described as a Tests on their touring schedules later this year. “good nut”. He also floated the prospect of hosting an Ashes day-night “I was upset that once again Test in 2017-18 amid high interest in the concept following I got a start and couldn’t carry November’s first pink-ball Test between Australia and New on. One of the main mantras Zealand in Adelaide. in cricket is that when things “It is certainly on the radar. We haven’t had any formal con- are going good you maximize,” versations with the ECB (England and Wales Cricket Board),” Brathwaite said. Sutherland told ABC Radio during the third Australia-West “Then reaching halfway off Indies Test in Sydney. and hearing the applause—I “With the success of the Adelaide Test match this year, the even saw some people stand- anticipation is that we will have at least one day-night Test (in ing—I just took a step back and 2016). said ‘you know what, just enjoy West Indies batsman Carlos Brathwaite (R) drives a ball on the second day of the third Test in Sydney yesterday. (AFP) “It seems like it would be a natural progression for there to be the feeling’. I raised my bat and an Ashes day-night Test match in 2017-18.” looked around and it was a very, Australia racked up convincing The historic Adelaide match attracted a total attendance of very good feeling ...” victories in the fi rst two tests. SCOREBOARD 123,736 fans over three lively days. The opening day gate of Denesh Ramdin will resume Australian spinner Stephen 47,441 was the biggest at the Adelaide Test since the famous on 30 not out for West Indies O’Keefe said he thought there WEST INDIES 1st innings K. Roach not out ...... 0 1932-33 ‘bodyline’ series. alongside Kemar Roach, who has was still time for the hosts to (Overnight: 207-6) Extras (b-5 lb-1 nb-1) ...... 7 Sutherland said there will be further meetings with Pakistan yet to score, on day three. force a result. “There’s still a hell K. Brathwaite c Smith b Lyon ...... 85 Total (for 7 wickets, 86.2 overs) ...... 248 and South Africa representatives later this month. Only three balls were bowled of a lot of cricket to go,” he said. S. Hope c Nevill b Hazlewood ...... 9 Fall of wickets: 1-13 S. Hope, 2-104 Da. Bravo, “We’ll have meetings in Dubai (in January) with a lot of the in the fi rst two hours of sched- “If you can get three days in then Da. Bravo c Khawaja b Pattinson ...... 33 3-115 M. Samuels, 4-131 J. Blackwood, 5-158 K. chief executives and certainly will be talking to counterparts uled play and another 21 before that’s close to 300 overs. M. Samuels run out (Hazlewood-Nevill) ...... 4 Brathwaite, 6-159 J. Holder, 7-246 C. Brathwaite at Pakistan and South Africa,” Sutherland said. lunch after the action resumed “Hopefully if the skipper sees J. Blackwood b Lyon ...... 10 To bat: J. Taylor, J. Warrican “They definitely know it (day-night Tests) will be on the briefl y at noon. that spin will play a big role D. Ramdin not out ...... 30 Bowling: J. Hazlewood 15.2-5-37-1, J. Pattinson 16- agenda. Nearly three hours of play then we might get more overs J. Holder c Burns b O’Keefe ...... 1 3-67-2(nb-1), N. Lyon 35-12-78-2, M. Marsh 4-1-15-0, “The right place, right time and right conditions—we’re going were lost to rain on day one of in towards the back end of the C. Brathwaite b Pattinson ...... 69 S. O’Keefe 16-5-45-1. to see more Test cricket played in the evening.” the match, a dead rubber after match.” Gulf Times 4 Tuesday, January 5, 2016 CRICKET

REPORT SPOTLIGHT Pak Coach Waqar supports return of Determined Amla tainted players

AFP of England in 2010. The scandal Karachi also involved Butt and fellow bowler Asif, who are now un- dergoing rehabilitation and will akistan head coach feature in a national one-day returns to form Waqar Younis yesterday tournament starting from Janu- said corruption-tainted ary 10. Salman Butt and Mo- “I don’t know how long they Phamed Asif and any other player will take to prove themselves who has completed a ban should fi t and ready to go, one year or be allowed another chance to six months, whenever they are play for the national team. ready they should be given an- The comments came days af- other opportunity,” said Younis. as England toil ter paceman Mohammad Amir Amir, once regarded as the looked set to return to the Paki- hottest property in international stan team after being selected for cricket, remains a polarising fi g- Captain Amla 157 not out, De Villiers 88, England take only one wicket in the day an upcoming series in New Zea- ure for Pakistan’s cricket-mad land, months after completing a public and even some team- fi ve-year spot-fi xing ban. mates. Amir’s return to the Reuters “I will welcome not only Amir squad was opposed by one-day Cape Town South Africa’s Hashim Amla plays a shot during but whosoever has completed a captain Azhar Ali and former the second Test against England in Cape Town, sentence,” Younis told AFP. Twenty20 captain and current South Africa, yesterday. (Reuters) “If they (Butt and Asif) have player Mohammad Hafeez. aptain Hashim Amla emerged from a (completed their sentences) and Last week Mohammad Ha- year of poor form with a dogged cen- are eligible then, of course, se- feez and Azhar Ali left a train- tury to lead a South Africa fi ghtback lectors should keep an eye on ing camp Amir was attending in in the second Test against England them,” he said. protest at his prospective selec- yesterday.C Amir’s inclusion in the Twen- tion. They were later forced to Amla scored an unbeaten 157 as the hosts ty20 and one-day international return after being threatened closed the third day on 353-3, still 276 runs squads remains contingent on with disciplinary action. behind but with a foothold in the match after him being issued a visa by Wel- Ali also tendered his resigna- England had piled up a massive 629 for six de- lington—a potential hurdle given tion Monday in protest, but it clared. Amir’s criminal conviction for was rejected by Pakistan Cricket Amla, whose captaincy has been criticised his role in arranging deliberate Board. Pakistan fl y to New Zea- after a year of poor results for the top-ranked no-balls during Pakistan’s tour land on January 10. test nation, scored his fi rst hundred in 13 months and batted through a day on which England took only one wicket, AB de Villiers for 88. Pakistan to appeal Yasir Faf du Plessis was 51 not out at the close, his fi rst half-century in 12 innings. Shah’s failed dope test Monday’s play had none of the fi reworks of the previous day when Ben Stokes and Jonny Pakistan will appeal against wife to treat hypertension. Bairstow shared a stroke-laden record-break- the decision to suspend Yasir PCB chairman Shaharyar Khan ing partnership of 399 for England, who lead Shah over a failed dope test, said the board’s medical panel the series 1-0. authorities said yesterday , had met on Monday after South Africa forced the touring side to toil as sources said the spin star receiving more details from in hot conditions and will seek to keep them told a panel last week he had the ICC on Shah’s case, and in the fi eld again for much longer to try to save taken medication for hyper- had decided not to request a the match. tension. second urine sample. De Villiers reached 8,000 test runs before The 29-year-old leg-spinner “We have decided not to go for he pulled a short ball from Steven Finn to was provisionally suspended the ‘B’ sample test, and instead James Anderson at mid-wicket just before tea. by the International Cricket will appeal with the ICC,” he The South Africans batted with much cir- Council (ICC) on December told AFP. cumspection and were grindingly pedestrian 27 after testing positive for Under the ICC rules Shah has at times but did off er chances. chlorthalidone, a diuretic used until Sunday to challenge the Amla was twice dropped—by Joe Root on to treat hypertension that suspension or plead guilty. 76 and Nick Compton on 120 -- and De Vil- is listed on the World Anti- If his appeal is rejected, he liers survived an lbw appeal after asking for a Doping Agency’s banned list of faces a possible ban of up to review, which showed he got a slight nick to a masking agents. four years. Ben Stokes delivery. Shah, whose test was conduct- Shah emerged as a match-win- De Villiers became the third South African ed on November 13 during the ner for Pakistan in Test cricket batsman to pass 8,000 runs when he reached one-day series against England after he replaced ace spinner his half-century while Amla, who last made a in the United Arab Emirates, Saeed Ajmal, who struggled signifi cant contribution with 208 runs against has recently emerged as a with a remodelled bowling the West Indies in December 2014, moved match-winner in Test cricket action after it was reported in past 7,000 runs when he went to 100 in the and is the world’s highest-rank- 2014. fi rst over after lunch. ing spinner in the format. Shah took 24 wickets in The 31-year-old De Villiers trails only Sources within the Pakistan Pakistan’s 2-1 series win in Sri Jacques Kallis (13,206) and Graeme Smith Cricket Board (PCB) said Shah Lanka in July and another 15 in (9,253) on the list of South Africa’s all-time told the medical panel last week a 2-0 Test win over England in highest run-scorers. England bowled good he had taken a tablet from his November. lines and with spells of aggression on a pitch that off ered little assistance and in searing temperatures of over 30 degrees Celsius with more energy-sapping heat forecast for Tues- day. SCOREBOARD ENGLAND 1st innings 629 for 6 decl SOUTH AFRICA 1st innings (Overnight: 353-3) D. Elgar c Compton b Stokes ...... 44 S. van Zyl run out (Compton-Bairstow) ...... 4 H. Amla not out ...... 157 A. de Villiers c Anderson b Finn ...... 88 F. du Plessis not out ...... 51 Extras (lb-3 w-6) ...... 9 Total (for 3 wickets, 130 overs) ...... 353 Fall of wickets: 1-7, S. van Zyl, 2-85 D. Elgar, 3-268 A. de Villiers Bowling: J. Anderson 24-8-53-0, S. Broad 20-4-54-0, M. Ali 31-9-80-0, S. Finn 26-3-82- 1(w-2), J. Root 5-2-12-0, B. Stokes 21-3-67-1(w- 4), A. Hales 3-1-2-0.

FOCUS Rony, Nurul earn call in Bangladesh’s T20 squad Bangladesh have selected young pacer Abu Hider Rony and wicket- keeper-batsman Nurul Hasan for their forthcoming Twenty20 Inter- ‘India have potential to do well in U-19 World Cup’ national series against Zimbabwe. Shuvagata Hom Chowdhury, who is yet to play a T20I match, will be in the team too. Nasir Hossain and Litton Kumar Das will sit out the first two matches of the four-match IANS Jharkhand wicketkeeper-batsman series, a Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) source told bdnews24. Mumbai Ishan Kishan will lead India’s 15- RAHUL DRAVID com. The selectors delivered the squad for the first two matches man squad. Kishan had recently to BCB on Sunday. The team will be off icially announced following led India colts to a series win in a the approval of the BCB president as per the rules. The inclusion of ndia Under-19 cricket team tri-nation tournament also in- left-arm seamer Rony, who put up some fine performances in the coach Rahul Dravid believes volving Sri Lanka and England. Bangladesh Premier League (BPL), was somewhat certain but the his side has the potential and Two weeks before that, India had addition of Nurul to the fold came as a surprise. talent to do well in the U-19 won another tri-nation tourna- Bangladesh have been in search of a batsman to play at No.7 in IWorld Cup, starting in Bangladesh ment involving Bangladesh and T20Is for some time. The team management is likely to thrust Nurul on January 27. Afghanistan in Kolkata. into the role with the World T20 a couple of months later. India will face rivals Australia in “For me coaching and mentor- Although chief selector Faruque Ahmed was unwilling to disclose their opening match to be held at ing at the U-19 level is really help- the details of the team, he hinted at the possible changes. “Keep- the Sher-e-Bangla National Sta- ing young people on their journey ing the World T20 in sight, we want to play some new cricketers. dium in Mirpur on January 28. The which I had experienced myself The Zimbabwe series will give us that chance. I don’t want to say three-time winners (2000, 2008, when I was at that age. It gives me anything before the team is announced but you can expect some 2012), India have been clubbed in a platform to share my experienc- new faces.” The BCB source said Shuvagata was selected in place of Group D alongside another three- es, some of the learning I had over Nasir mainly for the latter’s ability to deal with spin and play shots time champions Australia, New 20 years in sport,” the legendary early in his innings. Nasir, however, was still very much in contention Zealand and Nepal. batsman said. for a spot in the 15-man squad for World T20. Opener Imrul Kayes “They have potential and good “To be able to help lot of young has retained his spot after doing well in BPL. Injured pacer Rubel young talent to perform well. cricketers and fulfi lling their Hossain might make way for Taskin Ahmed. Although the series is Hopefully, they will grow as play- dreams and making their jour- yet to be off icially announced, it is all but finalised. Elton Chigum- ers and people and not just look ney possibly a little bit easier, it is bura and his men are scheduled to reach Bangladesh on January 11 at results. I hope they go on play- sometimes a diffi cult, competi- after the conclusion of their series against Afghanistan in the United ing and represent the senior team tive, tough environment. It is re- Arab Emirates. The matches are supposed to be played on January and bring laurels for the coun- ally a fun part to coach a cricket 14, 16, 18 and 21. Sylhet will host all the games. try,” Dravid said here yesterday. team after I have retired.” Gulf Times Tuesday, January 5, 2016 5 SPORT

RUGBY UNION FOCUS Online fl ak forces review of Asian Toulouse beaten Games mascot

AFP “The 2018 mas- cot is a rooster,” lamented Vikry Pristian on the microblogging service, while other users said ndonesia said yesterday it the mascot could be mistaken for as Nonu’s Toulon was reviewing a recently un- a penguin or even a dolphin. veiled mascot for the 2018 Sports ministry spokesman Asian Games after netizens Gatot Dewa Broto told AFP a re- Iderided what was supposed to be view had been launched follow- an exotic, jungle-dwelling bird ing the outcry. for resembling a chicken. “Unfortunately there has been The country’s sports ministry such a response from netizens last week revealed a grinning bird and on social media to the mas- edge Smith’s Pau of paradise named Drawa as the cot,” he said. mascot for the games, which In- Dewa Broto said the mas- donesia will host. cot would not be completely ‘We’ll remember the win but we’re certainly not happy with parts of our performance’ But the creation quickly changed from a bird of paradise, sparked an online fl ak, with but added that alterations may critics saying it was impossible be made to the design. to distinguish from a common The mascot kerfuffl e is the lat- farmyard fowl, particularly as est problem to hit Indonesia’s much of its distinctive, colourful Asian Games preparations after plumage was covered by a sports the last outfi t. month raised concerns about Birds of paradise are found slow progress, particularly with in the jungles of remote east- the construction of the athletes’ ern Indonesia, as well as Papua village. New Guinea and Australia, and Indonesia is racing against are considered some of the most time to get ready for the games— beautiful birds on earth. the world’s biggest multi-sport “Chicken is the mascot of the event after the Olympics—as it Asian Games? Chicken is not an was awarded to them later than iconic animal of Indonesia,” said usual after original host Vietnam Devi Eko Wibowo on Twitter. withdrew.

Japan to bid for 2026 Asian Games

Undeterred by ’s chaotic preparations to stage the 2020 Ol- ympic Games, ’s will bid to stage the 2026 Asian Games, the region’s governor said yesterday. Aichi will submit an application to the Japanese Olympic Com- mittee to host the event, Kyodo News reported Hideaki Omura as saying yesterday. “As it is a big event, we should clarify the situation at first,” Omura told reporters in , which is expected to host the bulk of events at the quadrennial multi-sport games. Japan have hosted the Asian Games, which features both winter and summer Olympic sports plus a number of events selected by the hosts, twice before with Tokyo staging in 1958 and in 1994. But Japan’s reputation as hosts has been hit by problematic preparations for the 2020 Olympic Games, where costs have massively escalated, stadium designs scrapped and construction delay amid public outcry. Japan’s first-ever staging of the 2019 Rugby World Cup has also caused concerns with construction delays forcing a change in venue for the tournament final. The Olympic Council of Asia will decide upon the hosts of the 2026 Asian Games in 2018. Jakarta will host the next edition in 2018 and , China four years later.

RC Toulon’s centre Ma’a Nonu (second from right) in action during the French Top 14 rugby union match against Pau in Toulon, France, on Sunday. (AFP) CAS ends Irish hopes of Rio Olympics

AFP Palisson as early as the fourth minute. home tie with Wasps, to come later this Taylor increased the home side’s lead Cian O’Connor expressed his disappointment yesterday as Ireland Paris Sebastien Bezy scored four penalties in month, it was a welcome win that pushed with another penalty after Julien Jacquot learned they will miss the Olympic team show jumping event all for the visitors but Jules Plisson’s two Toulon back up to fourth as Pau claimed a was sin-binned, but Toulon also went after the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) rejected their appeal penalties and a conversion helped secure losing bonus point. down to 14 just before the break as Coop- over an incident at the European championships in August. hampions Stade Francais scored an unlikely victory for Stade, who have “We’re going to try to be positive and er was yellow-carded. O’Connor, 36, had been on course for a clear round but was been a dramatic late try in an 18-17 win struggled to repeat the form that saw remember the win but we’re certainly not O’Connor had a hand in Toulon’s sec- distracted by a member of the ground staff during the event in over Toulouse in France’s Top 14 them win the Top 14 last season. happy with parts of our performance,” ond try on 50 minutes as his offl oad al- Aachen which acted as an Olympic qualifier, and knocked down on Sunday after Ma’a Nonu’s “I would be lying if I said I wasn’t relieved said Toulon head coach Bernard Laporte. lowed Mikautadze to touch down, before the following fence. The incident cost Ireland a place at the Rio ToulonC had beaten Conrad Smith’s Pau and extremely satisfi ed to win that match,” “Two years ago that’s a game we would the Australian added another try fi ve Games as they finished 0.380 behind Spain and out of the Olym- earlier in the day. said Stade manager Gonzalo Quesada. have lost. We won and that’s the most minutes later, only for Taylor to again pic qualifying spots. If O’Connor had gone clear, they would have The defeat denied Toulouse a chance to Title contenders Toulon recovered important thing. We have an important miss the conversion. finished ahead of Spain. go clear at the summit of the Top 14, al- from last week’s chastening defeat at month of January, starting next Sunday But Smith gave Pau hope as the centre “Disappointing News- Court Of Arbitration for Sport have upheld though they left Paris with a losing bonus Toulouse with a nervy 21-17 victory at against Bath. It’s up to us to deliver.” evaded three Toulon players, including the decision of the FEI appeal committee from Aachen which point that leaves them locked in a three- home to Pau. Toulon, routed 31-8 at Toulouse last time long-time All Black team-mate Nonu, to means Team Ireland do not get a place for the Rio Olympics,” way tie on 38 points at the top of the table Wallaby wing James O’Connor scored out, fell behind early as fl y-half Slade sent score his fi rst try for his new club, with O’Connor posted on his Facebook page. with Racing 92 and Clermont. tries in both halves with Georgian lock over a third-minute penalty for Pau, who Slade converting. “I have no regrets. I tried everything possible and left no stone Stade Francais’ New Zealand-born Konstantin Mikautadze also crossing for entered the weekend in 11th place and drop Smith and Nonu played 62 games to- unturned in trying to seek fairness for what I feel was an unsport- fullback Paul Williams was the man Toulon, while full-back Tom Taylor add- below Stade Francais to 12th. gether for New Zealand before moving ing decision made by the ground jury in Aachen. It’s time to move of the moment after touching down in ed a pair of penalties. But Taylor, another ex-New Zealand to France after their 2015 World Cup tri- on and refocus on the sport rather than getting caught up further the 78th minute in what was a stunning However, the three-time reigning Eu- international, responded moments later umph, so this was their fi rst head-to- in bureaucracy and even more angry with off icialdom.” turnaround. ropean champions were forced to stave with a penalty of his own to level at 3-3. head in the Top 14. O’Connor, a bronze medallist at the 2012 London Games, will Hugo Bonneval had brought the Paris- off a late Pau comeback inspired by World Toulon struggled initially to make The visitors ensured it was a nerve- nevertheless attempt to qualify individually for Rio. ians back into the running with a fi ne try Cup-winning All Blacks pair Smith and much of an impact against a dogged Pau wracking fi nal few minutes as they were in the 63rd minute on a blustery night in Colin Slade as the visitors scored 14 un- defence, but the hosts broke through on awarded a penalty try when Toulon, the capital. answered points only to fall just short. 25 minutes as Australian fl y-half Quade forced to see out the fi nal 10 minutes a But Toulouse will be kicking them- With three pivotal European Champi- Cooper released O’Connor out wide to go man down with Anthony Etrillard in the SPOTLIGHT selves after going ahead through Alexis ons Cup games, two against Bath and a over for the opening try. sin bin, collapsed the scrum.

CHANGE Former S. Korean champion suspended Springbok star Burger joins Saracens for assault ing player

AFP at home in the number six jersey. London South Africa built their gameplan AFP committee meeting Monday that around him at last autumn’s World Cup, unanimously voted to suspend repeatedly using him at fi rst receiver Sa for 10 years, a KWF spokes- outh Africa fl anker Schalk Burger where he would either carry, clear out man said. signed a two-year contract with a ruck or feed the ball to his fl y-half or outh Korea’s weightlift- “The decision was made English Premiership champions wing. ing federation yesterday quickly as it was such a grave in- Saracens yesterday. He has been troubled by neck and knee suspended a former Ol- cident and created a big stir,” he SBurger, a World Cup winner in 2007, is injuries in the past, but his darkest hour ympic champion for 10 said. scheduled to arrive at Allianz Park next came in 2013 when surgery to relieve yearsS for allegedly assaulting and The decade-long suspension season after he fi nishes spells at Japanese pressure on a nerve resulted in him con- badly injuring another player. is expected to eff ectively put an club Suntory Sungoliath and Super Rug- tracting a hospital bug that led to bacte- Sa Jae-Hyouk, gold medal- end to Sa’s career. by province Stormers. rial meningitis. list in the men’s 77kg class at the He suff ered an arm injury dur- The 32-year-old back row, who was a A four-day spell in isolation in inten- 2008 Olympics, is being ing his title defence at the 2012 key player for South Africa during their sive care led to fears for his life, but he re- probed by police for punching a London Olympics and has been run to the semi-fi nals of last year’s World covered and was able to play again by the fellow weightlifter last Thursday. training since then to compete Cup in England, has been capped 86 end of the season. The victim, Hwang Woo-Man, in the 2016 Summer Olympics in times and was named world player of the Director of rugby Mark McCall insists 21, is being treated in hospital for Rio de Janeiro. year in 2004. Saracens, the only unbeaten team in Eu- an injury to his face, requiring six South Korean sports from “I’m delighted to be joining Saracens. rope this season, have signed one of the weeks to recover. basketball to volleyball have for I’m extremely excited to have the oppor- sport’s outstanding players. Photos of Hwang’s badly decades been marred by scandals tunity to play in both the Premiership and “Schalk is a Springbok legend and will bruised face were posted on over physical assaults on athletes European Cup - two of the leading com- add a huge amount of experience and the Internet over the weekend, by coaches or older, more experi- petitions in world rugby - for such a spe- In this July 25, 2015, picture, Schalk Burger (left) is tackled by New Zealand’s Richie quality to our young English forwards,” sparking a storm of criticism of enced players. cial club,” Burger told Saracens’ website. McCaw during their championship match in Johannesburg. (AFP) McCall said. Sa. Last October, short track “It’s an exciting challenge for me and “We have always talked about having Sa, 31, reportedly admitted the speed skater Sin Da-Woon re- my family and hopefully I can add a lot the Premiership leaders, who have been Burger holds the record for the most the right blend of experience and youth charge during police investiga- ceived a fi ve-month suspension of value on and off the fi eld to an already looking to strengthen due to this season’s caps accumulated and most tries scored in our squad, so to be able to add one of tion. for beating up a junior player successful group of players and coaches.” departure of Ernst Joubert and Jacques by a Springbok fl anker and can play the world’s fi nest players to the group is The Korea Weightlifting Fed- who had clashed with him during Recruiting Burger is a major coup for Burger. across the back row, although he is most extremely exciting news.” eration (KWF) held a disciplinary training. Gulf Times 6 Tuesday, January 5, 2016 SPORT

NBA NHL Ageless wonder Jagr scores twice to Butler betters a lead Panthers to 2-1 win over Wild By Harvey Fialkov RESULTS Sun Sentinel Jordan mark as Florida ...... 2 Minnesota ...... 1 Anaheim ...... 4 Winnipeg ...... 1 ollowing Saturday’s 3-0 Chicago ...... 3 Ottawa...... 0 victory over the Rangers, NY Islanders 6 Dallas ...... 5 future Hall of Fame forward Jaromir Jagr was clearly disgustedF with his performance. His torrid top line had no points and he had no shots on net. So after Bulls beat Raptors the maintenance crew cleared the ice of dozens of rubber rats and the reporters were typing their stories in the upper-level pressbox, there was No 68, a solitary fi gure skating by himself in an empty building. ‘We tried everybody and everything but couldn’t get him stopped’ Jagr’s legend continued to grow Sunday evening when he scored twice to propel the somewhat fl at Panthers to a 2-1 victory over the Minnesota Wild to extend their franchise-record winning streak to DPA RESULTS nine games and complete a franchise-best 6-0 homestand. Los Angeles The nine-game streak matches the longest in the NHL this season, Denver ...... 106 Portland ...... 112 tying the Canadiens (Oct 7-24), Capitals (Dec 12-30) and Rangers (Oct LA Lakers ...... 97 Phoenix ...... 77 25-Nov 15). The high-fl ying Panthers have won 15 of 18 to pad their immy Butler took the Washington .75 Miami ...... 97 fi rst-place lead in the Atlantic Division to three points over the idle hit and responded in a New York ...... 111 Atlanta...... 97 Canadiens. record-setting way. Toronto ...... 113 Chicago ...... 115 The numbers are getting silly as the Panthers also extended their Butler fi red in 40 of his team record with their seventh consecutive victory at home where J42 points in the second half, in- they haven’t lost since Dec. 8 to Ottawa or at all since Dec 12 at Boston. cluding the tie-breaking triple only after DeMar DeRozan’s Whether it’s Roberto Luongo or Al Montoya minding the net, the with 30.6 seconds left Sunday, potential game-winning triple Panthers’ defense has been stellar during the streak as they have out- rallying the Chicago Bulls to a rimmed out at the buzzer, as the scored opponents 30-11. Montoya, off to the best start of his career, dramatic 115-113 road victory 19,800 fans quietly fi led out of is 6-1-1 and has allowed one goal in each of his last fi ve starts as he over the Toronto Raptors. Air Canada Centre. notched his career-tying fourth victory in a row after recording 38 Butler caught fi re and broke DeRozan scored 24 points saves. Michael Jordan’s 1988 fran- while Lowry and Argentine Luis After a light practice scheduled for yesterday, the Panthers embark chise scoring record for a half Scola netted 22 apiece for the on a season-long six-game road trip that begins with the slumping after needing a stitch to close Raptors (21-14), who lost their Sabres today and ends with the surprisingly mediocre Lightning on a gash in his upper lip follow- seventh straight meeting in the Jan. 17. Remember, these Panthers have won seven of their last nine ing a second-quarter elbow to series, courtesy Butler. on the road so. the mouth while defending De- “It was amazing, he got hot Back to Jagr. Tied at 1-1 after two, three Wild players got caught up Marre Carroll. and scored 40 points in the half ice to lead to a 3-on-2 breakout. Panthers defenseman Dmitry Kulik- “I was mad,” Butler said. “We and we couldn’t contain him.” ov fed Brandon Pirri who gave it to Jagr in the neutral zone where he went back to the locker room DeRozan said. weaved his way in before unleashing a sweeping wrist shot from the at halftime and I told my guys I “We have to do a better job centre of the high slot past Devan Dubnyk at 8:52 for his third game- was going to be aggressive.” of getting the ball out his hands winning goal this season and NHL-record 132nd of his career. Once the All-Star guard got and making someone else beat Jagr notched goal Nos 11 and 12 to take over the team lead and now going, he was unstoppable, us.” has 735 career goals to move within six of tying Brett Hull for third on shooting 14-of-19 from the fi eld Elsewhere the all-time list behind Gordie Howe and Wayne Gretzky. in the fi nal 24 minutes. •New York Knicks 111, At- Before the fans could get dry from an early-evening downpour, Ku- “We tried everybody and eve- lanta Hawks 97: Arron Affl alo likov skated through the neutral zone and gave Jagr a sweet backhand rything but couldn’t get him scored a season-high 38 points pass on his blade where he then backhanded it through the wickets of stopped,” Raptors coach Dwane on 14-of-17 shooting, includ- Dubnyk for a 1-0 lead just 27 seconds in. Casey said. “He got everything ing seven triples, and the Knicks Jagr’s goal was the fastest of the season for the Panthers, eclipsing he wanted. He had one of those beat the visiting Hawks. his goal against the Capitals on Dec. 10 that came at 51 seconds. Kulik- nights, mostly in the second Robin Lopez had 16 points ov assisted on both of Jagr’s goals and linemate Jonathan Huberdeau half.” and 11 rebounds for New York added his team-leading 22nd assist (tied for 14th in NHL). Spaniard Pau Gasol had 19 (16-19) which moved within a So the Panthers led 1-0 after one and continued another streak in points with 13 rebounds, and win of matching last season’s which they haven’t trailed after the fi rst 20 minutes during the nine- Montenegrin Nikola Mirotic entire victory total. Paul Mill- game winning streak. However, the Panthers inability to score on netted 17 for Chicago (20-12) sap had 19 points for the Hawks three fi rst-period power plays (0-for-5 overall) against a Wild team which matched a season-high (21-14) who will host Tuesday’s that is the least shorthanded in the NHL was troublesome. fourth straight win. rematch. The Wild (20-11-7), who had won both meetings last season, “It’s not just that he scored •Miami Heat 97, Washington stormed out of intermission and scored just 48 seconds in on Jason a lot of points,” Gasol said. “He Wizards 75: Chris Bosh tossed Zucker’s rebound goal in front to forge a 1-1 tie that stood after two did it in a very effi cient way that in 23 points, Slovenian Goran periods. Minnesota had clearly outplayed the Panthers on both ends was critical for us to win the Dragic added 18, and the Heat of the ice by dominating the faceoff circle (31-13) and shots (26-16) af- ballgame.” (20-13) outscored the Wizards ter two. Both teams played Saturday and the Wild went to a shootout Bulls starting point guard (15-17) 25-7 in the pivotal sec- before losing to Tampa, so fatigue shouldn’t have been a factor. Derrick Rose missed his third ond quarter en route to the run- straight game because of right away road win. hamstring tendinitis. The •Portland Trail Blazers 112, former league MVP is scheduled Denver Nuggets 106: CJ Mc- to undergo an MRI on Monday. Collum scored 25 points, Ger- Trailing 60-48 at halftime ald Henderson added 19 off and by 15 midway through the the bench, and the visiting third quarter, Butler went off for Trail Blazers (15-21) handed the 21 points on an array of drives stumbling Nuggets (12-23) a and pull-up jumpers to draw the sixth straight loss. Bulls within 87-81. Italy’s Danilo Gallinari wast- The one-man show contin- ed a game-high 29 for Denver ued, as Butler dropped in 19 (12-23) which made just 31-of- more in the fi nal frame. After 46 free throws. missing a rare jumper, E’twaun •LA Lakers 97, Phoenix Suns Moore’s put-back squared the 77: Lou Williams hit seven tri- contest at 109-apiece with 58 ples en route to a season-high seconds left. 30 points, Larry Nance Jr had 15 A turnaround jumper by Kyle with 14 rebounds, and the Lak- Lowry with 40.8 seconds gave ers (8-27) sent the struggling the Raptors their least lead at Suns to a ninth straight loss. 111-109. Butler, then, buried The Lakers ran their season- the go-ahead off -balance triple high winning streak to three from the right corner for a 112- without Kobe Bryant who sat 111 lead but missed the ensuing out his second straight contest free throw after drawing a foul with a sore right shoulder. on Carroll. Brandon Knight scored 25 for A dunk by Jonas Valanciu- the visiting Suns (12-25) who nas pulled Toronto within 114- trailed 43-22 at halftime and by Florida Panthers right wing Jaromir Jagr (R) scores the game 113 but Butler split 1-of-2 free as many as 38 in the third quar- winning goal in the third period as Minnesota Wild defenseman throws with 4.6 ticks left. ter before making the fi nal re- Jimmy Butler (No 21) of the Chicago Bulls drives to the basket as Terrance Ross and Kyle Lowry of the Marco Scandella looks on at BB&T Center. The Panthers won 2-1. The Bulls were able to exhale sult respectable. Toronto Raptors defend during an NBA game at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto. (Getty Images/AFP PICTURE: USA TODAY Sports

SPOTLIGHT Worthy players left out in cold for Cavs

By Jason Lloyd the veterans handle the bench- front offi ce made it clear to him games comes true. Williams can “It’s more situational than cide on either J.R. Smith or Jef- That could leave Jeff erson with- Akron Beacon Journal ings/drastically reduced min- last summer the day may come be a sensitive, emotional player. anything else,” Blatt said. “And ferson for one rotation spot, one out a home. utes will go a long way in deter- when he’s not part of the rota- He came back here to play, but he those guys could (be) playing to- source with knowledge of the Jeff erson is versatile enough mining whether this uneventful tion. Williams’ off ense is a lux- also came back to win. He may gether.” team’s thinking said recently. to play anywhere from guard to nce the music stops Cavs season continues whistling ury when this team is whole, but do the second without doing Indeed, part of Williams’ ap- Blatt trusts Smith and has spo- power forward, similar to Shawn and David Blatt settles anonymously toward April. his defense remains a liability. To much of the fi rst. peal to the Cavs was his ability to ken highly of him for a year now. Marion last season. Jeff erson has on a rotation, some “Guys gotta understand and his credit, he has acknowledged play off the ball. Dellavedova has It’s hard to envision him leaving more left in his legs than Mar- Cavaliers veterans will I’ve told them this, only so many that all season. Williams’ off ense is a luxury also started games at shooting Smith out of any rotations. ion did, however, which makes beO stuck facing a painful truth: guys can play,” Blatt said. “That’s Williams received his fi rst guard and even Irving is adept at Smith remains a starter for benching him more painful. But when this team is whole, There will no longer be a chair just the reality of the limitations DNP-CD (Did Not Play-Coach’s but his defense remains a playing off the ball after LeBron now, but it’s likely he and Iman it’s clear Blatt is still fi guring out for them in the lineup. of the game. Some guys may fi nd Decision) in a win last week in liability. To his credit, he James handled it for large chunks Shumpert switch places once how to use him. A healthy roster is a wonderful themselves for no other reason Phoenix, which followed less has acknowledged that all of last season. Irving’s minutes are back up Entering Saturday’s game luxury and the Cavs are enjoying other than that not playing many than fi ve minutes in the loss at season Jeff erson is in a similar cat- to normal. That could be soon. against the Orlando Magic, Jef- it for the fi rst time in more than minutes or not playing at all. Not Golden State and 10 minutes in egory. His DNP-CD against the Blatt said Friday that Irving ferson’s minutes in the Cavs’ a year. The downside, however, is because they’re not good enough the bad loss in Portland. Wil- Blatt sidestepped multiple Warriors did not sit well with a won’t suddenly start playing 40 past fi ve games have been 4, 0, cutting the minutes of guys wor- or they’re not doing their job, it’s liams went 0-for-7 in his com- questions this weekend about number of the veterans in the minutes, but the days of having 26, 19 and 13. It’s that type of thy of being on the court. the reality of how many guys you bined 15 minutes, and if he isn’t his point-guard depth and re- locker room, according to mul- to keep him around 25 are essen- inconsistency that frustrates Anderson Varejao has been can play and what the situation scoring he isn’t going to fi nd a fused to designate a depth chart, tiple team sources. Things that tially over. Shumpert’s defen- veterans, but the frustrations are dealing with it all year. Now it’s is on the fl oor.” place on the fl oor. even though it’s clear at this get overlooked in wins aren’t so sive tenacity matches well with easier to handle after wins than Mo Williams’ turn. Richard Jef- Williams returned to Cleve- There are more DNP-CDs in point Irving is the starter and easily dismissed in losses. This is Irving’s scoring, while Smith’s losses. Survive and advance. It ferson could be next. The Cavs land to be the starter while Kyrie his future, particularly if Irving’s Matthew Dellavedova is the pri- Exhibit A. range fi ts well on the second unit applies to more than just the simply can’t play them all. How Irving was mending, but the wish he doesn’t miss any more mary backup. Blatt might soon have to de- alongside Dellavedova’s defense. playoff s. Gulf Times Tuesday, January 5, 2016 7 SPORT

NFL Jets beaten by Ryan’s Bills, squander playoff berth ‘I got a lot of friends over there and I want them to be successful. But not at my expense’

Agencies New York Buff alo Bills defensive tackle Marcell Dareus (No 99) tries to knock down a pass by New York Jets quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick (No 14) during ex Ryan’s Buff alo Bills the second half at Ralph Wilson Stadium. Bills made sure the New York beat the Jets 22 to 17. PICTURE: USA TODAY Sports Jets would not make the playoff s without him. RThe Bills built an early lead and thwarted the Jets’ come- back eff ort with three fourth- quarter interceptions to win 22-17 on Sunday at Ralph Wil- son Stadium. The loss snapped a fi ve-game winning streak for the Jets (10-6). Combined with the Pittsburgh Steelers’ win in Cleveland, it prevented New York from making the playoff s for the fi rst time since 2010, the second of Ryan’s six seasons coaching the Jets. “I got a lot of friends over there and I want them to be suc- cessful,” Ryan said. “But not at my expense.” Quarterback Tyrod Taylor completed 18 of 28 passes and led the Bills in rushing with 52 yards and a touchdown. Rookie running back Kar- los Williams also rushed for a touchdown, and kicker Dan Carpenter made all three of his fi eld-goal attempts as the Bills won their second straight game since being eliminated from playoff contention. Wide receiver Sammy Wat- kins eluded Jets’ cornerback Darrelle Revis to make a career- high 11 receptions for 136 yards. Buff alo dominated time of possession with a season-high 39:13 to the Jets’ season-low 20:47. The Bills were 9-for-20 on third downs and converted two fourth downs against a Jets defense that entered the game ranked third in the NFL in third- down defense. Meanwhile, the Jets were 3-for-11 on third down. “We knew this was going to be a fi ght and they were going to give us their best shot,” Jets quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick said. “We weren’t going to be able to walk on the fi eld and have them bow down to us.” last season under coach Doug criticism.” Fitzpatrick had his hardest and most diffi cult end to had an opportunity in the end to tions at that moment,” Wood Cincinnati ...... 24 Baltimore ...... 16 Said linebacker Calvin Pace: Marrone. This is the fi rst time worst performance of the sea- a season I have ever had,” Fitz- win the game. “We weren’t able said. “He’s one of my best Pittsburgh ...... 28 Cleveland...... 12 “We just picked a bad time to the Bills have had consecutive son in his fi rst game in Buff alo patrick said. “It’s not because of to pull it off and my heart hurts friends. I want success for Fitz. Houston...... 30 Jacksonville....6 have a bad game. It’s not gonna seasons at .500 or better during since he was the Bills’ starter in where it was, but because of what bad right now for all those guys in I don’t want it at the expense of Indianapolis ...... 30 Tennessee ....24 feel good sitting at home with 10 their 16-season playoff drought. 2012. Fitzpatrick completed 16 was at stake. “All you can ask for the locker room.” Bills centre Eric the Buff alo Bills in our stadium.” Washington ...... 34 Dallas ...... 23 wins.” “There’s a lot of teams that’ll of 37 passes for 181 yards and two in this game is an opportunity Wood tried to console his former RESULTS Philadelphia .....35 NY Giants...... 30 The Bills fi nished 8-8 in Ry- mail it in,” Ryan said. “But this touchdowns, but was intercepted and as poorly as we played in the quarterback on the fi eld after the Buff alo...... 22 NY Jets ...... 17 Detroit ...... 24 Chicago ...... 20 an’s fi rst season, with two wins team certainly wasn’t one of on all three of the Jets’ fourth fi rst quarter, as slow as we were game. Miami ...... 20 New England 10 Seattle ...... 36 Arizona ...... 6 over the Jets. They were 9-7 them, despite all the negative quarter possessions. “It’s the going there, we picked it up and “It’s such a mixture of emo- New Orleans ...20 Atlanta ...... 17 Kansas City ...... 23 Oakland ...... 17

BASEBALL/HALL OF FAME Will tightening voting requirements aff ect selections?

By Paul Sullivan At the very least, it should put Chicago Tribune BARRY BONDS (L) AND ROGER CLEMENS. Bonds and Clemens in better po- sition for future elections. The stigma of being a PED s the years go by, the user appears to be fading, as debate over who be- evidenced by Mark McGwire longs in the Baseball and Bonds serving as hitting Hall of Fame often is coaches and Manny Ramirez lessA heated than the argument becoming the Cubs’ hitting con- over who deserves to elect them. sultant. The most recent PED It’s a fair question, though scandal, known as Biogenesis, you shouldn’t expect things to netted Alex Rodriguez and Nel- change any time soon. son Cruz, both of whom served The membership of the Base- suspensions. ball Writers Association of But Rodriguez was part of Fox America has been the sole “de- Sports’ postseason telecasts, ciders” since the fi rst election while Cruz was invited on an for the class of 1936. MLB trip to Cuba last month. All The rules for membership is forgiven, apparently. are more liberal than they once With the elimination of were, but basically you either many voters, we also may find have to cover baseball, be a gen- out if it means the end of the eral sports columnist or serve as “vanity” vote, where writers the sports editor at a newspaper, cast votes for players for rea- or cover baseball for a website sons only they know, even if the the BBWAA has approved. This player obviously does not have month, the BBWAA voted to al- the credentials to make it past low writers from MLB.com web- one year on the ballot, let alone sites to join their organisation, be elected. which has seen recent member- Players who received at least ship drops because of the decline one vote over the last fi ve years of newspapers. include Aaron Boone, Tom Gor- The votes have been cast for don, J.T., Snow, Shawn Green the 2016 election, and the an- decreased the number of eligible writer for at least 10 years before cept of contraction, knowing were in eff ect then, the man who way is their association with per- and Brad Radke (two apiece), nouncement will be made to- BBWAA voters last year. the date of the election in which some members far removed created the save rule eventually formance enhancing drugs. Darin Erstad, Kenny Rogers, morrow. Then everyone can Until this election, if you had they are voting. from the job probably don’t pay would have lost his vote. Older BBWAA voters suppos- Jacque Jones, Armando Beni- criticise the voting, a traditional 10 consecutive years of BBWAA Those who retired longer than as much attention to the game as Either way, the fi rst election edly are more adamant about tez, Aaron Sele, Javy Lopez, Eric unlike any other. membership, you earned the a decade ago or moved on to an- a Hall of Fame vote merits. under the new BBWAA voter eli- voting against PED users than Young, B.J. Surhoff , Benito San- Some believe broadcasters right to vote for the Hall till other writing position either Still, there should be excep- gibility rules should provide some the younger ones, so if a suffi - tiago and Bret Boone. who cover teams on a daily basis death do you part. But last year didn’t apply or were rejected tions for those who retire as interesting fodder, especially if cient number of their votes are Some of them may belong in and Hall of Famers themselves the Hall of Fame changed the by the Hall last summer. Some baseball writers after spending Barry Bonds and Roger Clemens eliminated, Bonds and Clemens the Nice Guys Hall of Fame, but should be granted votes, which eligibility requirements to weed friends and colleagues were years on the job. Jerome Holtz- make signifi cant jumps in their should benefi t. There were 549 none deserves a Hall of Fame does make sense. But there has out members who no longer tossed aside, and some did not man, the late Hall of Fame writer fourth year on the ballot. Obvi- ballots cast last year, and we vote. When those kind of players been no groundswell to open up cover the sport and have not for go quietly into the night. for the Tribune and Sun-Times, ously Bonds and Clemens are two soon will see if the elimination show up in the fi nal tally, it’s easy the voting to outside members, many years. Now voters must be I understood their pain, but spent the fi nal years of his life of the best players ever, and the of a few dozen voters makes a big to see why some want to change and the Hall of Fame actually or have been an active baseball generally agreed with the con- as MLB historian. If these rules only obstacle standing in their diff erence. the process. Gulf Times 8 Tuesday, January 5, 2016 TENNIS

HOPMAN CUP BRISBANE INTERNATIONAL Practice not Azarenka sets up perfect as Murray Halep clash in Brisbane

Reuters The 31-year-old has frequently leads Britain to win Brisbane failed to hit the heights on home turf having never won a tour- nament or progressed past the ‘I never play my best tennis in practice, but it’s better to have it that way’ wice Australian Open fourth round at the Australian champion Victoria Aza- Open. renka breezed past Rus- The world number 27 looked sian Elena Vesnina 6-2 set for another disappointment 6-0T in the Brisbane International before a spirited eff ort saw off the yesterday to set up a second- world number 147 and set up a round showdown against top seed second-round clash with Spain’s Simona Halep. Carla Suarez Navarro. The former world number one “I am really pleased to walk has been plagued by injuries in away with a win, especially being the last two years which have sent down in that third set and then her down to 22nd in the world fi nd that ability to come back and rankings but showed little signs play well and win it when you are of rust against qualifi er Vesnina. down, to turn things around,” Playing for the fi rst time since Stosur said. retiring from the WTA event in Italy’s Roberto Vinci, who Wuhan, China in September, ended Serena Williams’s bid for Azarenka broke Vesnina six times a calendar grand slam in the U.S. to wrap up victory. Open semi-fi nals last year, beat She will have a much sterner former world number one Jelena test against former French Open Jankovic 3-6 6-2 6-4. fi nalist Halep, who had a fi rst- Russian Maria Sharapova is round bye. the tournament draw card and Australian Sam Stosur had a she will kick off her campaign on much diffi cult match and nar- Tuesday against compatriot Eka- rowly avoided disappointment terina Makarova. On the men’s on home turf by battling through side, 17-times grand slam cham- a wrist injury to claim an opening pion Roger Federer will play Ger- victory. many’s Tobias Kamke. The former US Open champion Bulgarian Grigor Dimitrov, recovered from 0-3 down in the who has slumped from eighth to fi nal set to beat Slovakian quali- 28th in the rankings, started the fi er Jana Cepelova 6-4 3-6 6-4 to year with a 6-3 7-6(10) win over start her year. fi fth seed Gilles Simon of France.

Andy Murray of Britain hits a return against Kenny de Schepper of France during their men’s singles match on day two of the Hopman Cup tennis tournament in Perth yesterday.

DPA Andy ready to put family fi rst played an offi cial match since September Perth at the US Open, was replaced by substitute Perth: Scottish world number two Andy able to play the final. Vicky Duval, who lost 6-4, 6-1 to Elina Murray said on Monday he is prepared “But I’d be way more disappointed win- Svitolina. somewhat rusty Andy Mur- to put family duties ahead of Grand Slam ning the Australian Open and not being Alexandr Dolgopolov then put the fi n- ray produced wins in singles glory. at the birth of the child. ishing touches on the rout as he hammered and mixed doubles to start his Speaking at the mixed teams Hopman “Hopefully it doesn’t come to that.” Jack Sock 6-4, 6-2. 2016 season by helping partner Cup in Perth, where he is represent- Murray said he was looking forward to Williams, 34, owner of two titles at the HeatherA Watson to a 2-1 win over France at mixed-team event, gave her notice with an ing Great Britain, the dual Grand Slam becoming a father. the Hopman Cup yesterday. winner said he would choose being at “It’s going to be a big change but I am hour to go before her intended match start. The world number two carried momen- the birth of his child over playing in the very excited about it,” he said. “Serena was warmed up and hoping to tum from November’s historic Davis Cup Australian Open final. “I have got a few weeks of tennis here play but had infl ammation in her knee,” title into the start of the latest campaign. Murray’s wife, Kim Sears, is due to give and then I’ll take February off to spend said tournament director Paul Kilderry, The Scot put Britain into the day’s lead birth next month. time with Kim.” adding: “She said her knee felt lot better as he beat Kenny de Schepper 6-2, 6-2. “I’m going to fly home I think,” he said Murray is very close to his family, having than Sunday. France’s Caroline Garcia responded by de- when asked what he’d choose if that teamed up with brother Jamie in Great “She wanted to give every chance to play feating Watson 6-3, 5-7, 6-3 in two and a scenario unfolded. Britain’s drought-breaking Davis Cup win but didn’t feel up to it today.” quarter hours to throw the tie into the de- “We spoke about it and chatted and last year. Williams held out hope of competing ciding mixed doubles. obviously it’d be disappointing if I His mother, Great Britain Fed Cup coach today when the US face the Australia Gold In the team competition, Murray and was to get in that position and not be Judy, is also in Perth this week. team; her coach tweeted the same message. Watson did not disappoint, combining Svitolina, ranked 19th with three career well to claim the evening victory. The Brits trophies, said she was taken aback by the led 3-1 in the second set but had to win in a late change of opponent at the Perth arena. third-set match tiebreak. But he made up for any lapses on the to fi nish a lot of the points up at the net. “It was surprising for me, I had been “We started very well but in the second match court with ease. “It’s quite a quick surface here so if preparing for her game for weeks. That’s we missed two balls and it all changed,” “I’ve not been playing well in training, you can get the fi rst strike in in the rallies probably why I didn’t play so well. said 55th-ranked Watson. “But the tie- I’ve been really struggling, I don’t know it’s quite easy to sort of stay on top of the “I found out an hour before the match break was exciting, I’m glad we won.” why,” he said. point.” Ukraine thrashed the US 2-0 as and it aff ected me in the fi rst set. Your en- Murray admitted that his training had “I never play my best tennis in practice, Serena Williams pulled out from her match ergy goes down a bit. Vicky made it a bit been less than stellar ever since arriving in but it’s better to have it that way. Every- at the last minute with knee pain. tough for me. She has a good game, but I Victoria Azarenka in action against Elena Vesnina in the Brisbane Perth a week ago. thing was working pretty good. I was able The world number one who has not was serving well.” International yesterday.

BOTTOMLINE Cancer survivor Duval delights in leading role

Reuters The gutsy American, who reached a achieving her most important victory—beating Perth career high 87th in the rankings in 2014, cancer. somehow overcame the distressing “This illness is behind me now. I’m just grate- news to make the second round of the ful I went through it really well,” she said of her aving battled and overcome cancer, grass court championships in London fi ght against cancer. American Vicky Duval is just happy before achieving her most important “I have a whole new outlook on life. I really ap- to grab any time on court she can. victory—beating cancer. preciate the time I have out on the court. The 20-year-old Haiti-born world “Every opportunity I have I embrace it on a Hnumber 656 gratefully accepted one unlikely op- I was fi lling in big shoes. But I had a really fun whole new level. portunity on Monday at the mixed team Hopman time today,” Duval said. “I’m just really grateful to be back and do what Cup in Perth when world number one Serena The American is expected to revert back to the I love. And I’m going to keep pushing until I get Williams was struck down with infl ammation of sidelines for her country’s next tie on Tuesday the results I want.” the knee. night against Australia Gold with Williams’s knee Duval was told she would be playing on Mon- As fi rst reserve, Duval was delighted to fi ll in expected to be up to the task. day only an hour before the match but she for her revered compatriot, even if she struggled Duval, previously tutored by legendary coach showed glimpses of her talent, impressing with a to a 6-4 6-1 loss to world number 19 Elina Svi- Nick Bollettieri, has no problem with the role, her double-handed backhand. tolina of Ukraine. perspective on life completely diff erent after she She will be hopeful of more opportunities The Eastern Europeans won the tie after Al- was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma ahead ahead of the year’s fi rst grand slam, the Austral- exandr Dolgopolov beat Jack Sock 6-4 6-2 but a of Wimbledon in 2014. ian Open in Melbourne which begins later this beaming Duval recovered to score a rare win by The gutsy American, who reached a career high month. teaming up with Sock to take the doubles 6-2 6-3 87th in the rankings in 2014, somehow overcame “The fi rst set today I thought how I look for- and said the experience had been a good one. the distressing news to make the second round of ward to playing and realised that my level is really “It was amazing. I was kind of nervous because the grass court championships in London before good... it’s really encouraging,” she said. Gulf Times Tuesday, January 5, 2016 9 FEATURES

SPOTLIGHT Ben Stokes: I’ll probably never play like this again Stokes shared a world-record sixth-wicket partnership of 399 with Jonny Bairstow, who himself made his maiden Test ton

By Ali Martin Bairstow, who himself made his maid- in yet but sure will in a couple of days cause I’d be a little bit annoyed if I took 18th anniversary of the death of his fa- has worked really hard on how to play The Guardian en Test century in scoring an unbeaten time.” the more selfi sh route of getting there. ther, the former Yorkshire and England quick bowling. I’m buzzing for him.” 150, and claimed a wicket with the Stokes certainly fl ew out of the traps “He who dares is probably the best wicketkeeper David Bairstow. Stokes, who was eventually run out ball as the hosts reached 141 for two at fi rst thing, resuming on 74 not out, way to describe it. When I looked at the He said: “It’s probably the best day by a direct hit from AB de Villiers, re- en Stokes admitted he will stumps in a total state of shock. with England 317 for fi ve, and needing board, we had a lot runs and I thought of my life, I reckon. My mum was up covering from his own drop at mid-on, probably never bat like that “I will probably never play like this just 12 deliveries to reach his third Test we were in a good position anyway. So there in one of the boxes, my sister as was also pleased to bring some cheer again in his life after the Eng- ever again in my life,” said Stokes. hundred in a fl urry of boundaries. I just tried to chance my arm because I well, it’s a special day for all family - to those aff ected in his home town of land all-rounder’s astonishing “But I’ve done it once, so at least I can His total of 130 runs in the fi rst ses- thought me slogging one up in the air both here and up there. Cockermouth in Cumbria following 258B lit up a historic, record-breaking say that. I was trying to hit as many sion was also the most scored by a Test wouldn’t hurt too much.” “There were a lot of things build- the recent fl ooding in the area. day of Test cricket in Cape Town. boundaries as I could because it was batsman before lunch in a Test match - After lunch, the pair ploughed on to ing up through the last couple of years, He added: “Cockermouth has been The 24-year-old simply brutalised too hot to run. surpassing Les Ames’ 123 against South the fastest ever 300-run partnership in my grandpa passing away last year and through this three or four times now. I South Africa’s bowling attack, strik- “I wasn’t thinking of any landmarks Africa in 1935 - as he and Bairstow added 46.4 overs, with Stokes’s 250 - brought Dad, it’s the anniversary of [his death] grew up there as a kid, I went to school, ing 30 fours and 11 sixes — the latter as I went along. It’s a cliche but I would 196 in the space of 25 overs before the in- up with his penultimate six pulled over that coming up as well, so I’m abso- spent a lot of time there and still got the most by an English batsman — as rather be involved in a winning team terval, an England record. deep square leg - also the quickest of lutely delighted to score it in this New really good mates there. They are going Alastair Cook’s side posted 629 for six than have good fi gures. It hasn’t really Stokes said: “Cook told me to get all time, coming from 196 balls. Year’s Test match at such an iconic through a really big rebuilding stage declared on the second day of the sec- sunk in yet. Out there emotions were myself in at the start of the day but I Bairstow was more measured at the venue.” around the whole town so it’s nice to ond Test . running high and there was quite a lot just thought there were enough balls to other end, bringing up his fi rst Test Stokes added: “People won’t speak know I’ve been able to put a few smiles Stokes shared a world-record sixth- of adrenaline but at this moment in throw my hands through. I didn’t want hundred from 161 balls for an emotion- of Jonny’s knock, but the way he played on some faces who have probably had a wicket partnership of 399 with Jonny time I’m pretty tired. It hasn’t all sunk to hang around and nudge to 100, be- al celebration two days out from the his natural game was amazing. Jonny tougher time than what I am out here.”

BOTTOMLINE Chelsea play for their futures but probably too late to stop purge the ball still rising as it zinged past Wayne Hen- with only two goals in six games since the start of last autumn, then the real question from here out in a parallel world, the non-Mourinho time- Blues made football look nessey. Three minutes later, with the champions of December. is what degree of structural work this slightly line in which Pep Guardiola might have been simple again in win at swaggering about the squelchy turf , zipping the Cesc Fàbregas has been trundling about like muddled squad is going to need once the current lured to West London or where perhaps that ball between a revolving front four, Diego Costa a three-wheeled shopping trolley for the last six holding pattern ends. charming, cavalier team of the immediate pre- Crystal Palace but it’s tapped home the third to seal a fl uent, energetic, months. Here he played like man slowly waking It is a question that goes to the heart of what Roman years, the Chelsea of Zola-Gullit-Vialli, hard to avoid conclusion largely pointless victory. up. All over the pitch Chelsea players were mak- exactly the hierarchy and ultimately the owner, were upgraded and re-geared rather than fl ushed It isn’t hard to see how those with a pro-or anti- ing runs and fi nding space where in recent months Roman Abramovich, wants to do with the club out by the new effi ciencies. they need cleaning out José Mourinho agenda will interpret the evidence the works of this champion team have seemed to be from here. There has been an admirable con- Either way it is hard to avoid the conclusion by a manager like Diego of Chelsea’s best away win of the season. Take your gummed with fl uff . Costa’s extra work on his con- stancy about Chelsea’s fans through the re- what Chelsea need now is a proper purge, a man- pick. Either the players have fi nally thrown off their ditioning seems to be paying off . Willian was irre- cent bumps in the road. Support for Mourinho ager with the guts, spleen, balls and unblinking Simeone mental chains, lanced the José-fl avoured boil and pressible again. Mikel Jon Obi passed sideways and scarcely wavered to the end and it isn’t hard to stare to winkle out the remaining parts of that under sensitive, grown-up Guus can fi nally ex- stuck a foot in on a day when passing sideways and see why. The new-age Chelsea has eff ectively enduring spine. The links with Diego Simeone By Barney Ronay press those trapped creative urges. sticking a foot in were exactly what was needed. been a Mourinho joint from the start of the title- make sense. Atlético Madrid’s manager looks an The Guardian Or, on the other hand, sometimes freedom’s Chelsea worked hard in every position. Football winning era to the current hiatus. Even in the in- obvious tonic, not just the best youngish man- just another word for nothing left to lose . Having looked like a simple game again. terregnum years the spine, guts and brain of the ager in Europe but one who carries with him a killed their own league season and rid themselves Welcome to the new era! At the fi nal whistle team that became champions of Europe was at prominent set of knuckle-dusters. helsea’s second goal on an afternoon of an overbearing manager Chelsea’s players are the champions were 7-1 with the bookies to fi n- bottom a Mourinho-fl avoured entity. It will, though, take more than a little dead- when the sky seemed to have been now free to fi ght for their own futures. The title ish in the top four, a feat that would require them At times you wonder if Abramovich, spurred rubber urgency against an ailing Palace team gouged open, dumping an entire ocean defence was dead before the autumn was out. to make up 13 points on Tottenham Hotspur - or into buying a football club by the intoxicating to convince such an unforgiving presence this of January rain on Selhurst Park, was The rest is simply divvying up the corpse. 17 on Leicester City - in the course of 18 league spectacle of Real Madrid’s galácticos, doesn’t group of players has the warrior-like sense of aC rare moment of beauty. Scott Dann blocked a The truth, as ever, is probably somewhere in fi xtures. If this seems unlikely, even on an af- sometimes rub his eyes and wonder if this was unity Simeone demands. Chelsea’s league sea- forward surge by Oscar, a ferrety infl uence at between. Chelsea were excellent here against a ternoon when the travelling support thoroughly really what he wanted all along. Lolling in his ex- son may eff ectively be over. But the season with- No10 all afternoon. The ball broke to Willian who stodgy Palace team deprived of the craft and ur- enjoyed fi nally catching a glimpse of the team ecutive box all those years he must now and then in the season, the battle to be a part of the future, spanked it without hesitation into the top corner, gency of Yohan Cabaye and Yannick Bolasie, and behind the team, that fl uent title-bound Chelsea have wondered how things might have turned may have just got underway. Gulf Times 10 Tuesday, January 5, 2016 FOOTBALL

SPOTLIGHT FOCUS Real Madrid deserve credit not critics, Neville’s Valencia claims coach Benitez fi ght back to deny 10-man Madrid ‘What I am more interested in is playing like that all the time. We need to turn those Real Madrid coach Rafael Benitez. performances into results starting with Granada on Wednesday (Copa del Rey)’ AFP “The question (about my Madrid future) only looks at the result, but the eff ort shown by the team deserves more nder fi re Real Madrid praise than anything else,” boss Rafael Benitez said Benitez claimed his side de- served more credit after “I absolutely hope I am here holdingU on for a 2-2 draw with 10 beyond six months, but I know men away to Valencia on Sunday. I have to prove myself and that Benitez was badly in need of tonight isn’t proving myself. It’s a win on his return to Valencia, a small step. where he won two La Liga titles “I’m more interested in Gra- in three years, to ease the con- nada (in the Copa del Rey on stant speculation surrounding Wednesday) and Real Sociedad his future. next weekend. “The question (about my fu- “I want performance after ture) only looks at the result, but performance, I want to get fi tter the eff ort shown by the team de- and stronger in every single game serves more praise than anything and what I have seen tonight is a else,” said Benitez. really high level.” A point leaves Real still four It could have been even better points adrift of leaders Atletico for Neville’s men if Alvaro Ne- Madrid and two behind Barcelona gredo has converted when clean having also played a game more through on goal in stoppage time. than the European champions. Villarreal’s 2-1 win at Depor- Benitez has been publicly tivo la Coruna earlier on Sunday backed by Madrid president means Valencia are now 13 points Florentino Perez, but media re- off their pre-season target of a ports in recent weeks have sug- place in the top four. gested French legend and the Yet, Neville insisted a surge in club’s reserve team coach Zin- the second half of the campaign edine Zidane could be promoted to make a return to the Champi- to the top job at the Bernabeu if ons League next season isn’t be- results don’t improve. yond his side. “I can’t avoid other people “One moment doesn’t defi ne speculating. All I can do is ensure a season. There is natural disap- the team works like it did today,” pointment because at times I felt Real Madrid’s Welsh forward Gareth Bale lies on the pitch after a failed attempt on goal during the Spanish league match between Valencia and Real Madrid in Valencia. said Benitez. we could win the game,” he added. “The players put in a huge ef- “I don’t believe if Negredo AFP media reports in recent weeks have sug- Standings Madrid had been awarded three con- fort and unfortunately it wasn’t scores that means we would get Madrid gested French legend and the club’s re- troversial penalties in their last two enough for the three points.” into the Champions League. serve team coach Zinedine Zidane could Teams P W D L F A Pts matches, but were left feeling hard A draw also left Gary Neville “What will get us towards the be promoted to the top job at the Berna- 1 Atletico Madrid 18 13 2 3 25 8 41 done by just before the break when Bale still without a win after four La Champions League is sustained eal Madrid coach Rafael Benitez beu if results don’t improve. 2 Barcelona 17 12 3 2 40 15 39 thought he had been chopped down in- Liga games in charge of Valencia. performances and results over a endured an unhappy return to “I can’t avoid other people speculat- 3 Real Madrid 18 11 4 3 47 18 37 side the area. However, the England coach long period of time. Mestalla as Gary Neville’s Va- ing. All I can do is ensure the team works 4 Villarreal 18 11 3 4 24 16 36 Valencia immediately broke up the believes his side are moving in “I’m seeing far better level of lencia twice came from behind like it did today,” said Benitez. 5 Celta Vigo 18 9 4 5 28 25 31 other end and were awarded a spot-kick the right direction and stated his performance and fi tness in the toR salvage a point in a pulsating 2-2 draw “They players put in a huge eff ort and when Pepe dived in on Andre Gomes and desire to stay on at the club be- last game-and-a-half and I’m 6 Athletic Bilbao 18 8 4 6 27 20 28 on Sunday. unfortunately it wasn’t enough for the 7 Deportivo 18 6 9 3 26 18 27 former Madrid midfi elder Parejo con- yond his current deal until the confi dent we will win games if we Benitez needed a win amid doubts three points.” 8 Eibar 18 7 6 5 25 19 27 verted the resulting penalty. end of the season. play like we did tonight.” about his future at the club and Madrid Neville, meanwhile, recognised his 9 Sevilla 18 7 5 6 24 21 26 Madrid were left with a mountain to had got off to a fl ying start thanks to a side need to start winning soon to have 10 Valencia 18 5 8 5 23 17 23 climb 20 minutes from time when Ko- brilliant team goal fi nished off by Karim any chance of making the Champions 11 Malaga 18 6 5 7 13 14 23 vacic recklessly took out Cancelo and SERIE A Benzema. League next season. 12 Espanyol 18 6 3 9 16 28 21 was shown a straight red card. However, Valencia levelled through “It was the best performance we have 13 Real Betis 18 5 5 8 13 27 20 Despite their numerical disadvantage Dani Parejo’s penalty just before half- had and it still doesn’t feel like enough,” 14 Real Sociedad 18 4 5 9 20 27 17 Bale’s brilliant looping header from Toni time and the visitors were left to play the he said. 15 Getafe 17 4 5 8 18 26 17 Kroos’s free-kick put the visitors back in Leaders Inter Milan fi nal 20 minutes with 10 men as Mateo “What I am more interested in is play- 16 Las Palmas 18 4 5 9 18 26 17 the driving seat. Kovacic was shown a straight red card. ing like that all the time. We need to turn 17 Granada 18 4 5 9 20 32 17 Yet, they again couldn’t defend a lead Gareth Bale’s brilliant header restored those performances into results starting 18 Sporting Gijon 16 4 3 9 15 25 15 as 60 seconds later Alcacer headed home open year with tough Madrid’s lead for barely a minute before with Granada on Wednesday (in the Copa 19 Rayo Vallecano 18 4 3 11 20 41 15 from Rodrigo’s knockdown to preserve Paco Alcacer rescued a point for Valencia del Rey).” 20 Levante 18 2 5 11 12 31 11 Valencia’s unbeaten home record in La eight minutes from time. Colombian star James Rodriguez was Liga stretching back to November 2014. visit to Empoli A draw leaves Neville still looking for dropped to the bench by Benitez days And it should have been even better his fi rst La Liga win in four games since after he was pursued by the police to the better start as Benzema was fed by a love- for Valencia as Alvaro Negredo failed to DPA taking charge of Valencia last month. club’s training ground accused of speed- ly interchange of passes between Bale beat Navas when clean through on goal in Rome Madrid, meanwhile, are now four ing at up to 200 kilometres per hour. and Cristiano Ronaldo to slot home his stoppage time. points adrift of leaders Atletico Madrid But in contrast to his recent receptions at 16th goal in 17 appearances this season. Neville’s men are now 13 points off the and two behind Barcelona having also the Santiago Bernabeu, Benitez was given a However, in keeping with many games top four, though, as Villarreal strength- erie A leaders Inter Milan played a game more than the European hero’s welcome on his return to the Mestal- this season, Benitez’s men failed to main- ened their grip on the fi nal Champi- are back in action tomor- champions. la after guiding Valencia to two La Liga ti- tain their early intensity and allowed Va- ons League place when Bruno Soriano’s row at in-form Empoli Benitez has been publicly backed by tles in three years over a decade ago. lencia to take control as the fi rst half pro- penalty deep into stoppage time handed after closing 2015 with a Madrid president Florentino Perez, but And Benitez couldn’t have wished for a gressed. them a 2-1 win at Deportivo la Coruna. homeS defeat to Lazio. The Nerazzurri lost 2-1 to the Rome side on December BOTTOMLINE 20, staying on 36 points from 17 games to go into a two-week break one point clear of Fioren- tina and Napoli. Inter coach Roberto Mancini. As the squad trained for part of the break in Qatar’s capital Doha, poor start to the season and seek coach Roberto Mancini main- an eighth consecutive win as PSG advance in French Cup tained his low profi le saying that they host bottom side Verona. “our aim is to get back into the “It was a diffi cult start for the AFP coach Bruno Genesio as Max- eventually prevailing 4-3 in a Champions League. team and also for me because Paris well Cornet and Rachid Ghezzal shootout against their fi fth-tier “It’s exciting at the moment I was new here,” German mid- scored twice apiece with Clau- opponents. with fi ve teams bunched togeth- fi elder Sami Khedira said. “Then dio Beauvue, Sergi Darder and Bordeaux came from behind er by four points. We’re up there I got injured, which kept me out olders Paris Saint- Corentin Tolisso also on target to beat third-tier Frejus Saint- for now and if we can stay there for two months. Germain laboured to a in a 7-0 hammering of fi fth-di- Raphael 3-2 with Diego Rolan until the last three or four games “Results were not going well 1-0 win at fourth-tier vision Limoges. grabbing a stunning 90th- then we’ll be able to talk about in Serie A. We are now in a much Wasquehal on Sunday Monaco hit double digits with minute winner for the visitors (the title). stronger situation than in the Hto reach the last 32 of the French a crushing 10-2 defeat of sev- after Cheick Diabate had twice “There’s still a long way to go summer. Cup, while Lyon and Monaco re- enth-tier Saint-Jean-Beaulieu levelled for Willy Sagnol’s side. and we need to knuckle down “The most important thing corded thumping victories over in a local derby as Lacina Traore Montpellier, who saw Pascal and focus on the fi rst game back now is that the team keeps push- amateur sides. scored four fi rst-half goals be- Baills and Bruno Martini take after the break. ing on to win more matches. As Zlatan Ibrahimovic headed fore he was sent off for a half- joint control of the fi rst team “All the lads have given their we have seen in recent games home a Marco Verratti cross on time altercation. after the resignation of Rolland all so far and if we’re up where in the league, we are all play- the hour in far northern France In an all top-fl ight tie, Mar- Courbis last month, edged past we are it’s thanks to the entire ing with more confi dence, we’re as the runaway Ligue 1 leaders seille won 3-1 on penalties away fi fth-division Epernay 1-0 cour- squad. It’s an honour for me to set up better tactically, we score maintained their unbeaten do- to Caen after a tie that remained tesy of a second-half goal from be at Inter and hopefully we can more goals and concede less.” mestic run this season. goalless through 90 minutes and Mustapha Yatabare. have a really good 2016 because The mood is not as bright at PSG coach Laurent Blanc rest- extra time in Normandy. Benjamin Jeannot scored an Inter can’t not be playing in the fi fth-placed Roma, who won ed several key players including Marseille, who have won the extra-time winner for Lorient Champions League.” their last outing against Genoa Angel di Maria, Edinson Cavani competition a record 10 times as they overcame Ligue 2 outfi t The Tuscany underdogs Em- after only getting three points and Thiago Silva, but still fi eld- but not since 1989, survived Tours 3-2, while Lille scraped poli, meanwhile, are buoyant from four games. ed a strong team with the likes Paris Saint-Germain’s Swedish forward Zlatan Ibrahimovic (C) is having Dutch defender Karim past Amiens AC 1-0 with Guin- after closing the year on a run of The Giallorossi visit Chievo as of Ibrahimovic, Verratti, Blaise congratulated by his teammates after scoring a goal. Rekik sent off in the second half gamp comfortable 4-0 winners four straight wins to sit eighth. Lazio welcome struggling new- Matuidi and Thiago Motta. to progress as goalkeeper Steve at Chantilly. Fiorentina, the other Tuscan comers Carpi. “Getting back into competi- winter break, during which they but we weren’t capable of doing Mandanda saved three kicks in The draw for the next round side, are away to lowly Palermo, A city derby between Genoa tion is always the hardest part, travelled to Qatar for a training that this afternoon. the shoot-out. will take place on Monday while Napoli welcome Torino and Sampdoria opens the round even more so with the tricky camp. “The most important thing is Saint-Etienne were given a evening before the fi nal last-64 to close the 18th round in a late Tuesday as AC Milan v Bologna, weather conditions,” said Blanc “We would have liked to have to move on and we’ve done that.” scare by Raon-l’Etape as the tie, an all Ligue 1 aff air between game. Sassuolo v Frosinone and Udi- after PSG’s fi rst competitive played better to wrap things up Elsewhere, Lyon made a Ligue 1 side were taken to pen- Nice and Rennes on the Cote Champions Juventus are nese v Atalanta complete the game following France’s short earlier and make things easier promising start under new alties following a 1-1 draw, d’Azur. fourth having forgotten their Wednesday programme. Gulf Times Tuesday, January 5, 2016 11 FOOTBALL

SPOTLIGHT FOCUS Arsenal have right vibe for title: Wenger Lovren rallies Reuters London

rsenal’s victory over Newcastle United has left manager Arsene Wenger confi dent that Liverpool for Ahis team’s mental strength will help them mount a strong chal- lenge for the Premier League title this season. The Gunners beat Newcas- tle 1-0 on Saturday to move two Arsenal coach Arsene Wenger. points clear at the top of the Premier League table and the can sense in this job if you feel it League Cup semi Frenchman viewed the victory as or not. proof that his team have acquired “I must say (you see) another a resilience they perhaps lacked aspect of your team in a game like ‘We definitely need to change our mentality and we need to keep a better run of in the past. (against Newcastle). It is more Arsenal last won the league the mental aspect—you fi ght, games and to fight more. It was two easy goals conceded, I would say’ in 2004, two years before shift- don’t panic and wait for your ing from Highbury to the Emir- chance.” ates Stadium, and Wenger says In Per Mertesacker, Mesut the current crop have a charisma Ozil, Alexis Sanchez, Petr Cech that sets them apart from his and Olivier Giroud, Wenger has teams of the intervening decade. an experienced core of senior “I think we are more experi- players who have won titles at enced than the teams I had when their former clubs, which should I moved into the stadium here,” stand Arsenal in good stead as the Frenchman told the club’s the season builds to its climax. website (www.arsenal.com). Giroud, Arsenal’s top scorer “On our day we could play with 10 league goals so far, says everybody off the park and when that experience will play a key you had to dig deep you experi- part in whether the Gunners will enced it was a bit more diffi cult. win the league. It was diff erent. “To be a champion, I know “We were more questioned (what it takes) because I was a on that aspect than the way we champion with Montpellier,” he played football. Now, (in terms said. “You need a bit of luck and of) the experience, the quality of sometimes you cannot play a fan- their attitude, the team always tastic game (but you need to win). has the charisma. “We have a good mixture of “If you look at the team as a experienced players and young unit, it is like a person. If you look players and the older ones bring at your team like a person and the confi dence to the youngest and vibes that are coming out—you lead them.”

ADVICE Man City must stop falling behind in games, says Sagna

Reuters Manchester

File picture of Liverpool’s German manager Jurgen Klopp applauding fans on the pitch after an English Premier League match. (Below) Liverpool centre-back Dejan Lovren. anchester City de- fender Bacary Sa- AFP League Cup Fixtures They are thinking, ‘Next game.’ To say gna has warned his Liverpool January is decisive? We will see.” team mates they Today: Stoke will also be seeking to bounce Mmust start seizing the initiative Stoke City vs Liverpool back after league disappointment at the in matches instead of relying ejan Lovren has urged Liver- Tomorrow: start of 2016, in their case a 2-1 defeat at on Yaya Toure to get them out City defender Bacary Sagna. pool to show a stronger mental Everton vs Manchester City West Bromwich Albion, which followed of trouble if they are to win the streak as they seek to recover successive wins over Manchester United Premier League. “You have to take the game from their latest disappoint- and Everton. City scored twice in the last and create more chances before mentD in today’s League Cup semi-fi nal City on Friday, but Klopp is adamant that “We’ll check everyone and more often eight minutes to record a 2-1 win you concede.” fi rst leg at Stoke City. a busy January schedule holds no fears for than not when we do disappoint, which over Watford on Saturday and Toure’s goal against Watford Manager Jurgen Klopp’s hopes of end- him. we did on Saturday, we bounce back looked to be on the verge of los- was the Ivorian’s fi fth in the ing his fi rst season in English football “I’ve never been worried about a foot- quickly,” said manager Mark Hughes. ing ground in the title race until league this season and Sagna with a top-four Premier League fi nish ball game,” Klopp said. “I’m the fi rst to be “The Premier League is a tough league Toure volleyed home in the 82nd said the team could not keep re- and a place in next season’s Champions excited when you have a chance to reach and you need everyone hitting good lev- minute before Sergio Aguero lying on the 32-year-old to bail League suff ered a blow when Liverpool we don’t have time to think about it now, something big. els or you can’t win games. sealed the victory. them out of trouble. started the new year with a 2-0 defeat at because we have the game with Stoke on “Of course we see this. But I can’t say “Whatever the circumstance of the Manuel Pellegrini’s men are “He is a very important player West Ham United on Saturday. Tuesday. I’ve been waiting all my life for Liverpool vs game are, we had too many at not quite third in the table, three points for us. He is our captain while The German was angered by his team’s “We defi nitely need to change our Manchester United or Liverpool vs Arse- where they needed to be. You can’t carry behind leaders Arsenal, and Sa- (Vincent) Kompany is away and display, but his debut season at Anfi eld mentality and we need to keep a better nal. We must wait for the single game. anyone. gna said the team needed to take he scored a great goal and he could yet end with silverware as Liver- run of games and to fi ght more. It was “The good thing in this moment is we “If we are going to progress as a team, control of games from the outset scored against Sunderland and pool stand just two games from a Wem- two easy goals conceded, I would say. have played diff erent styles and adapted we need to fi nd a way to do it against the rather than being forced to react Arsenal,” Sagna said. bley meeting with either Manchester “We have a game in the cup against against special opponents. That is the top teams and those in and around them. after falling behind. “He can’t be on top and score City or neighbours Everton. Stoke and it’s a big chance for us to get to next step. “It’s a challenge for us. We’re not the “We felt confi dent because in every game. But he did it at Lovren acknowledged that his man- the fi nal. “It is not what we always want to do, fi nished article. We do good things and this is not the fi rst time this has Watford and has been doing that ager had every right to vent his anger fol- “So we need to stay calm and say to- but at a time like this football is not easy. at other times we let ourselves down. happened, that we have come in the last few. lowing the West Ham game, the Croatian morrow is a new day and we’ll start to But all clubs have their targets. Some are It’s about minimising those things which back from being 1-0 down to win “Yaya has been very impor- centre-back saying: “We are disappointed. prepare for the Stoke game and try to be under pressure, some have confi dence or disappoint us.” the game and score at the end,” tant to us as a team, and we all It wasn’t the best performance from us and in the fi nal.” lack of confi dence. Beaten FA Cup fi nalists in 2011, Stoke the defender told British media. trust him. He is also one of the we need to be angry with ourselves. Liverpool, whose last major honour “After the Sunderland game (which have reached the League Cup last four for “But we have to be more care- leaders. “I don’t know the reasons why, but we was the 2012 League Cup, also get their Liverpool won 1-0) the players were re- the fi rst time since they won the tourna- ful, because that won’t happen “But we all have to be leaders, need to step up quickly from this because FA Cup campaign under way at Exeter ally intensive, rather than celebrating. ment in 1972. every time. and step up on the pitch.”

BOTTOMLINE Prolifi c Vardy can reach the top, says Elliott

Reuters “He’s something exceptional with game goal drought in which Leicester two points behind Arsenal, but Elli- London the natural footballing ability have failed to win, ott, an uncompromising centre back he’s got. Intelligence in a football The speedy forward may have to un- who lifted the League Cup in 2000 sense... he’s just got god given dergo minor surgery, British media re- after scoring twice in the fi nal in a 2-1 amie Vardy is “something excep- talent that not many possess. ported, but he is certain to be a target win over Tranmere Rovers, said Ranieri tional” who can play at any level He’ll go on and have an amazing in the January transfer window having needed to bolster his squad to stay in and Leicester City have yet to career” been linked with a big-money move to the mix for a top-four fi nish. see the best of the prolifi c striker Manchester City. “In my mind there are one or two ar- Jwho will have an “amazing career”, ac- who has deployed the 28-year-old in a eas to strengthen and if they did that it cording to former Foxes captain Matt more central role with a license to roam. GOLDEN ERA would really show their intent,” he said. Elliott. “He’s got the quality to pretty much Elliott, who played nearly 300 games “Jamie Vardy needs support around Vardy, playing minor league football play at any level with the ability he’s for Leicester between 1997 and 2005 the attacking areas, a little bit of extra three years ago, has taken the Premier got,” Elliott told Reuters. and was part of the club’s golden era quality there, and perhaps in the central League by storm with his goals turning “We’re yet to see the best of him and under now Ireland manager Martin defensive area as well... just back up.” Leicester, in their second season back in I don’t think even Leicester city uti- O’Neill, does not believe they need to Should they make one or two addi- the top-fl ight after a 10-year absence, lise him enough. I don’t think he gets sell their top striker. tions Elliott, who won 18 international into unlikely title contenders. enough of the ball,” he added. “I don’t think Leicester need to sell, caps for Scotland, is confi dent Leices- Thai-owned Leicester have been the “He’s something exceptional with in terms of fi nancial value, because ter can push on, although landing their surprise of the season, carrying on the the natural footballing ability he’s got. what’s it going to cost to replace Jamie fi rst ever English top-fl ight league title momentum from last year when they Intelligence in a football sense... he’s Vardy?,” he said. will be hard. pulled away from relegation danger by just got god given talent that not many “It’s a pointless exercise for me. If “They can achieve what many people winning seven of their fi nal nine games. possess. He’ll go on and have an amaz- their hand gets forced and he puts the consider to be nigh on the impossible,” They surprisingly axed manager Ni- ing career.” squeeze on and he goes then ok. They he said. gel Pearson, replacing him with Clau- Last month Vardy became the fi rst need to have some reinforcements lined “I think they can stay in the top re- dio Ranieri, and England international player to score in 11 successive Premier up.” gion. Winning it is a long shot. Cham- Vardy has fl ourished under the Italian File picture of Leicester striker Jamie Vardy. League matches and despite a three- Leicester sit second after 20 games, pions League is a possibility.”

Tuesday, January 5, 2016 GULF TIMES SPORT

SPOTLIGHT FOCUS ‘Angry’ players breathing easy aft er Hiddink demands win, says van Gaal more from dogged Chelsea aft er win ‘The very talented players, they start working also, to invest in the dirty work and not Manchester United’s Dutch manager Louis van Gaal. just the beautiful game they can play, because this league is very demanding’ Reuters “It is because they are very Manchester angry that we have lost so many games in a row. They are also not used to that, I’m anchester United’s not used to that, losing four 2-1 Premier League matches in a row” win over relegation- threatened Swansea games in a row. They are also not MCity on Saturday has eased the used to that, I’m not used to that, pressure on their “angry” players, losing four matches in a row.” manager Louis van Gaal has said. United are currently fi fth in Saturday’s win ended United’s the league after 20 games, but eight-game winless run in all fi nd themselves nine points be- competitions, which has seen hind leaders Arsenal and de- them being knocked out of the fender Chris Smalling said they group stages in the Champi- cannot aff ord to drop anymore ons League and slip out of the points in their bid to win title for league’s top-four. the fi rst time since 2013. “I shall think that now the pres- “December was a poor month sure is lowering, the performance and it’s a great feeling to get shall be better every week. But that that win. I think, especially in it also dependable on whether or the last couple of games, we’ve not we score goals,” Van Gaal told fought hard and we need to kick British media. on like we did today,” Smalling “And when we score goals and told the club website (www. we create always chances, then manutd.com). it is a big diff erence because a “As players, we knew we had to lot of journalists are saying the stop that run and get on the front second-half was better. I can say foot. It was a good start to the year that it was not better. and we can’t aff ord any more slip- “It is because they are very ups now, so we need to make sure angry that we have lost so many we keep playing like this.”

Judge rejects Benzema request for Valbuena sex-tape showdown Karim Benzema’s request The charges carry a prison for a showdown with fellow sentence of at least five years. France international Mathieu He was also banned from Valbuena over an alleged meeting 31-year-old Valbuena, blackmail case in which Ben- a midfielder for French club File picture of Chelsea manager Guus Hiddink (C) reacting during his team’s Barclays Premier League match against Crystal Palace. zema has been charged has Lyon where Benzema began been rejected, judicial sources his career. AFP ing revive their appetite for the game and Standings using him just a handful of times this confirmed on Monday. Benzema was last month London convince them to raise their work rate. term, but Hiddink has bigger plans for “The request for a confronta- indefinitely suspended from The result was clear to see as Chelsea Teams P W D L F A Pts him. tion was turned down on De- the France national team over brushed aside a Palace team that de- 1 Arsenal 20 13 3 4 34 18 42 “He’s the ideal player in my option to cember 22,” the prosecutor’s the case. uus Hiddink believes Chelsea’s feated them earlier this season to extend 2 Leicester City 20 11 7 2 37 25 40 bring balance to the team,” Hiddink said. off ice in Versailles, outside French Football Federation 3-0 victory at Crystal Palace their unbeaten run to four matches since 3 Man City 20 12 3 5 39 21 39 “If the team is not willing to defend Paris, told AFP. (FFF) president Noel Le Graet proves his players have started Mourinho departed. 4 Tottenham 19 9 8 2 33 15 35 well, or hasn’t got the right balance, then Real Madrid striker Benzema, said the suspension would to heed his demands to put in “We’ve started working and if the team 5 Man United 20 9 6 5 24 17 33 you’ll concede a lot of goals. 28, was charged on November include the 2016 European Gthe hard work needed to restore their tar- is not doing well through a long period “I think John Obi can be one of the key 6 West Ham 20 8 8 4 30 23 32 5 with complicity to blackmail Championship, which starts nished reputation. then you have to look for security, and 7 Crystal Palace 20 9 4 7 23 19 31 fi gures in bringing back that balance. and conspiring to commit a on June 10, unless the case is After a pair of draws in his opening two that’s why we emphasised on good, hard 8 Liverpool 20 8 6 6 22 24 30 “On this podium very talented players criminal act involving a sex settled beforehand. Now to matches since taking over as Chelsea in- work, tactically and a defensive way,” 9 Watford 20 8 5 7 25 22 29 can explore their qualities. tape featuring Valbuena. see what happens. terim manager, Hiddink at last secured Hiddink said. 10 Stoke City 20 8 5 7 21 21 29 “He can recover his radar, he reads his fi rst win thanks to goals from Oscar, “We don’t need to add a lot of qual- 11 Everton 19 6 8 5 35 28 26 the game very well, he knows where the Willian and Diego Costa at rain-lashed ity of players: they are blessed by nature 12 West Brom 20 7 5 8 20 25 26 strength of the opponent is and knows Guinea cleared to host matches after Selhurst Park on Sunday. with big quality. 13 Southampton 20 6 6 8 26 24 24 how to combat that. being declared Ebola-free The confi dent and composed way “But they have to know when things 14 Chelsea 20 6 5 9 26 29 23 “He has very good sense, he doesn’t do Chelsea subdued a tricky opponent in aren’t going as wished that we have to 15 Norwich City 20 6 5 9 23 32 23 it in a brutal way, he’s very elegant. Guinea has been cleared to transmission on Tuesday after diffi cult conditions was a rare highlight look for causes, and that’s why we started 16 Bournemouth 20 5 6 9 22 34 21 “Someone who can defend so smooth- host international soccer more than 2,500 people died in a torrid season for the troubled Pre- working. 17 Swansea City 20 4 7 9 17 26 19 ly is very beautiful.” matches after being declared from the virus there, leaving mier League champions, who moved six “The very talented players, they start 18 Newcastle 20 4 5 11 19 35 17 Hiddink was also encouraged that the free of Ebola transmission, the Liberia as the only country still points clear of the relegation zone after working also, to invest in the dirty work 19 Sunderland 20 4 3 13 22 39 15 temperamental Costa kept his cool de- African Football Confedera- counting down the days until their biggest league win of the campaign. and not just the beautiful game they can 20 Aston Villa 20 1 5 14 16 37 8 spite being on the receiving end of some tion (CAF) said on Monday. the end of the epidemic. Hiddink faced a diffi cult task when he play, because this league is very demand- bruising challenges. Last year’s African Nations “CAF ...confirms lifting the ban arrived at Stamford Bridge last month as ing. Palace boss Alan Pardew had no com- Cup quarter-finalists, ranked on the organization of conti- a short-term replacement for the sacked “And if you think you can do it just on ible but no less signifi cant contribution plaints about his side’s fi rst defeat in sev- 50th in the world by global nental matches in Guinea, and Jose Mourinho. your quality, what’s more given by tal- of Nigerian midfi elder John Obi Mikel en matches. federation FIFA, had been for all competitions organised Confi dence was low among a squad ent than nature, then this league will kill that caught Hiddink’s eye. “Chelsea weathered a bit of a storm banned from staging games by CAF,” its general secretary who had grown so unhappy with Mour- you.” Shielding his defence with a com- and they deserved to win,” he said. since August 2014 and was Hicham El Amrani said. inho that they were no longer putting in manding display in the holding midfi eld “When they got the goal you could see playing its home matches in Guinea’s next scheduled home the eff ort required to maintain their posi- COMMANDING role, Mikel gave Chelsea the physical their spirit lift and ours diminish. Casablanca, Morocco. game is an African Nations tion as one of the league’s superpowers. While Willian’s stunning 20-yard strike presence they have lacked for much of “There you see the story of the game. The West African nation Cup qualifier against Malawi But the upbeat Hiddink has quickly was the pick of Chelsea’s goals and eff ec- the season as Nemanja Matic struggled. We went away from our game plan and was declared free of Ebola on March 23. won over his players, his presence help- tively killed off Palace, it was the less vis- Mourinho had lost faith with Mikel, started forcing things.”

QATAR STARS LEAGUE Al Arabi stumble again as other top teams maintain their position in the QSL standings

By Sports Reporter at the double header at Al Gharafa Sta- share points at Al Ahli Stadium. Al Sadd Wakrah Stadium, said before the match Doha dium. A late strike by Yasser Abu Baker are currently sitting in fourth pace with that the Cheetahs would be making a in the 83rd minute lifted the gloom in a tally of 28 points from 15 rounds. By fresh start. El Jaish camp. El Jaish, one of the most virtue of Sunday’s draw, Umm Salal has “We are not worried about the past. he top four in Qatar Stars consistent sides in Qatar in the last few jumped ahead of Al Arabi in the points We start a new cycle now. And the best League (QSL) retained their years, are in second spot with 32 points table to sit at fi fth slot in the QSL title possible way will be to start with get- positions at the end of round from 15 matches. race. ting three points,”Caixinha said at his 15 on Sunday but Gianfranco Djamel Belmadi’s boys at Lekhwiya Al Arabi, however, endured another maiden press conference on Thursday. TZola’s side Al Arabi endured another produced another resolute eff ort, beat- round of pain when they went down to Two days later striker Dioko fi red a tough defeat to lose ground on rivals. ing a committed Qatar Sports Club 2-1 hosts Al Khor on Saturday. Al Khor won brace as the former champions picked Leaders Al Rayyan adhered to coach in their round of 15 clash. It was Le- 2-1 to leave Al Arabi in sixth spot. It was up three points. Jorge Fossati’s plans of picking up three khwiya’s seventh successive win this third successive loss for Zola’s side. On Sunday, Al Ahli beat Al Wakrah points by beating Al Kharaitiyat 2-1 in season, putting the defending cham- Losing nine points from three games 2-1 in a game in which the former were their clash against at Al Gharafa Sta- pions in third place with a tally of 31 could cost Al Arabi their dream of play- trailing at one point. The Brigadeers dium. Al Rayyan’s experienced pair of points. ing in the AFC Champions League this have summer signing Firmin Mubele to Sergio Garcia and Rodrigo Tabata came Former champions Al Sadd, how- year. thank as he scored with ten minutes to to the rescue for the Lions as Fossati’s ever, lost a bit of momentum with a 1-1 There was some cheerful news in the go, to deny Wakrah a share of the spoils. men pushed their tally to 42 points af- draw against Umm Salal on Sunday. Al Al Gharafa camp when they beat bot- Round 16 kicks off on January 27th as ter 15 games. Sadd, now coached by Jesualdo Ferrei- tom-placed Mesaimeer 2-0 under new the teams now enjoy a three week break Sabri Lamouchi’s El Jaish also battled ra, scored fi rst through Khalfan Ibrahim coach Pedro Caixinha. The new coach, during the AFC U23 Championships, hard to pick up points against Al Sailiya Al Arabi coach Gianfranco Zola will not be happy with his team’s recent results. but conceded a fi rst-half equaliser to who was managing his fi rst game at Al which are being held in Doha, Qatar.