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Monday, February 1, 2016 FOOTBALL Rabia II 22, 1437 AH Big time Suarez GULF TIMES delivers again for Barcelona SPORT Page 4 SPOTLIGHT Djokovic equals record with sixth Australian Open title ‘There’s no doubt I’m playing the best tennis of my life over the last 15 months. I do feel that I’m at the peak of my abilities and my career. I don’t think about limiting my ambitions or what I might be able to achieve’

Reuters Melbourne Beaten Murray in a rush for the exit door With another Australian Open title ovak Djokovic vanquished having slipped through his fingers af- Andy Murray for the fourth ter a tournament plagued by off -court time in an Australian Open fi - dramas, Andy Murray could not wait nal yesterday to win a record- to see the back of Melbourne Park Nequalling sixth title and serve notice to after losing his fifth final yesterday. his rivals that he could surpass even his Murray suff ered a deflating 6-1 7-5 stellar 2015 this year. 7-6(3) defeat to Novak Djokovic, the The Serbian’s fi fth crown in six years man who had beaten him in three on his favourite court not only allowed previous finals in 2011, 2013 and again him to match Roy Emerson’s record last year. Australian Open tally but also brought He became only the second man him level with Rod Laver and Bjorn since tennis went professional to lose felt the diff erence this year was in the Borg on 11 grand slam titles. five finals at the same grand slam but unforced error count. He has won four of the last fi ve the other, Ivan Lendl, sandwiched his He had 24 more than the 11-times slams, 38 of his last 39 matches, and five losses at the U.S. Open with a hat- grand slam champion Djokovic, who at this rate Roger Federer’s record 17 is trick of wins from 1985-87. won exactly 24 more points than within range of the 28-year-old. Also runner-up to Roger Federer in Murray. “I didn’t hit my forehand par- Although world number two Murray 2010, Murray battled hard in the sec- ticularly well at the beginning of the battled hard after losing the opening ond and third sets against Djokovic match. I started to hit it better in the fi ve games in the blink of an eye, the but the loss will do little to convince third set,” he told reporters. dominant manner of Sunday’s 6-1 7-5 fans that the Scot can one day break “But, you know, I’m proud of the way 7-6(3) victory vindicated Djokovic’s his hoodoo against the Serb. I fought and managed to get myself opinion that he was at the zenith of his By any measure, Murray had a taxing back into the match and create powers. two weeks and was constantly wor- chances for myself. “There’s no doubt I’m playing the ried about his heavily pregnant wife “But, yeah, obviously didn’t start best tennis of my life over the last 15 back in Britain. particularly well.” months,” the 28-year-old, who topped He was rocked midway through the Murray spoke of a “tough few weeks” the ATP rankings for the whole of 2015, tournament by a medical emergency away from the court during the said. involving her father Nigel Sears, who trophy presentation and his voice “I do feel that I’m at the peak of my collapsed in the terraces at Rod Laver cracked as he paid tribute to his abilities and my career. I don’t think Arena when coaching Ana Ivanovic wife for her support under trying about limiting my ambitions or what I and was rushed to hospital. circumstances. “To my wife Kim, might be able to achieve.” For all that, Murray could not help but who I’m sure is watching back home For Murray, distracted on his 11th Serbia’s Novak Djokovic celebrates with the men’s singles trophy at the Australian Open yesterday. see the lighter side as he accepted now. You have been a legend for the visit to Melbourne Park by the illness the runners-up trophy for a fifth time. last two weeks and thank you for all of his father-in-law and the impend- slam champion Murray, who was game to his opponent, but the depth down in the third, but his resistance “I feel like I’ve been here before,” the your support. I’ll be on the next flight ing arrival of his fi rst child, a dispirit- catching the fi rst fl ight home, told re- and accuracy of Djokovic’s ground- snapped in the tiebreak and Djokovic Briton joked with his opening words home,” he said. ing night ended up with a record of the porters. strokes had the Scot chasing shadows fi red down his seventh ace to secure during his runner-up speech. “I’m proud that I got into this position, wrong sort. “I started the last couple of matches on the Rod Laver Arena. victory. Long accustomed to the bugbear of you know,” said the Scot. “Just quite The Briton’s defeat was his fi fth in quite slowly, understandable in some To his credit Murray, who beat Djok- “Every grand slam title is very sig- being runner-up at the post-match looking forward to getting home fi ve fi nals at the Australian Open. Only respects. ovic to win the US Open and Wimble- nifi cant in its own way,” Djokovic said. media conference, Murray said he now.” his former coach Ivan Lendl has lost as “Obviously it’s not good to begin don titles and probably would have “Here, I managed to make history to- many at one grand slam and he at least matches like that against someone claimed several more but for the Serb, night and equal Roy Emerson’s six wedged three US Open titles in be- like Novak. But I’m proud of the way I rose to the challenge. Australian Open titles. four majors last year and already has a match the feat and make more history. tween the defeats. fought and managed to get myself back He had chances too. He was 5-5 “I’m honoured to be mentioned 12-0 record this season, having thrashed He said he thought he was getting Murray gave it everything he had into the match. 40-0 ahead in the second set with alongside legends of our sport.” the other members of the “Big Four”— closer to winning the French Open ti- in the two-hour, 53-minute baseline “Now I just want to get home.” Djokovic under pressure before he While Emerson’s triumphs came in Rafa Nadal, Federer and Murray—to win tle every time he played the claycourt battle that was compelling viewing Djokovic reprised the two sets of came off second best in a spell- the pre-professional era of the 1960s in Doha and Melbourne. grand slam but had learned not to think throughout an engrossing and pivotal fl awless tennis he played in his semi- binding 36-stroke rally as Djokovic when few players from the rest of the Only Australian Laver, who was on too far ahead. 80-minute second set. fi nal against Roger Federer to race to a roared back to break before clinch- world made the long journey Down the court named after him watching the “(I’m) very hungry (for Paris),” he He was only able to delay the inevi- 5-0 lead in just 19 minutes. ing a two-set lead despite two dou- Under, Djokovic’s dominance is inter- fi nal, has managed to win all four grand concluded. “But the wolf needs to eat table though. Murray contributed to his downfall, ble faults. national. slams in one year and Djokovic would a lot of diff erent meals to get to Paris. “A lot’s been going on,” twice grand a double-fault handed his fi rst service Murray even fought back from 2-0 He won 11 titles including three of the have to break his Roland Garros duck to Paris is a dessert.”

BOTTOMLINE 2022 World Cup is a source of pride for the Arab world, says Saudi actor Omar Hussein

By Sports Reporter worked as a journalist, writer, actor Hussein also praised the steps taken “If you started selling tickets for Doha and a stand-up comedian, and he is the by the SC to make the 2022 FIFA World the 2022 World Cup now, they’d most viewed Saudi media personality Cup one with a legacy for the people sell out in a matter of hours. on social media, with 20 million page of the entire region: “Previously, for There’s tremendous enthusiasm uring his recent visit to Qa- visits in one year. He is also ranked the us the World Cup was just a series of for the World Cup” tar, the famous Saudi actor tenth most infl uential media personal- matches we’d watch on television. But and journalist Omar Hussein ity in the Arab World. after our dream of hosting a World Cup long as we have the opportunity to train made a stopover at the head- Speaking to www.sc.qa, Hussein said in the region became reality, we will our teams to international standards. quartersD of the Supreme Committee preparations for the tournament made now see matches in Doha. Any fan who We can get real results by training early for Delivery & Legacy (SC) and put into him optimistic about the future. “This so wishes can see more than one match and systematically. Nothing is impos- words exactly what it means for the work shows how serious and ambitious every day. Fans from the Gulf and the sible in the world of football.” Arab world to have the 2022 FIFA World the Qatari leadership is. The same se- rest of the Arab World will get to meet Hussein concluded by talking about Cup Qatar within such close proximity. riousness and ambition was the rea- international stars.” Saudi football and the country’s chanc- When asked about the excitement about the passion for the World Cup son why Qatar won the rights to host The Saudi comedian also said that es of participating in the 2022 FIFA felt in Saudi Arabia for the world’s big- in the Arab World, saying: “There’s the World Cup in 2022, becoming the teams from the region could put on a World Cup: “I think Saudi Arabia will gest football tournament, Hussein said: tremendous enthusiasm for the World fi rst country in the Gulf region and the strong showing in Doha: “We’ve man- qualify for 2022. The fans won’t for- “If you started selling tickets for the Cup.” Middle East to do so. This is a source aged to bring the World Cup to the re- give the team if they don’t qualify for 2022 World Cup now, they’d sell out in Omar Hussein, famous Saudi actor and One of the leading media person- of pride for everyone in the region,” he gion and by that same logic we can win. a World Cup hosted in their second a matter of hours.” Hussein also spoke journalist. paid a visit to Doha recently. alities in Saudi Arabia, Hussein has added. No one is better than anyone else so homeland – Qatar.” Gulf Times 2 Monday, February 1, 2016 TENNIS

SPOTLIGHT FOCUS Aussie upset Kerber dives into motivates Serena murky unknown full of confi dence Angelique Kerber (L) looks back towards Serena Williams as she ‘You must be relaxed and you must really believe in yourself. This is actually the celebrates after victory in her Australian Open women’s singles final. biggest thing what I learned in these two weeks, to go for it’ AFP embrace the 28-year-old and of- Melbourne fer congratulations. Kerber called the gesture the sign of a great champion. erena Williams said her “She told me after that she’s upset in the Australian really happy for me and that I Open fi nal was a wake- really deserved it,” said the Ger- up call for the rest of the man. “So, yeah, you saw that she yearS if she wants to add to her 21 is really, really a great person. She Grand Slam titles. is inspiring a lot of people.” The shock halted Williams’ bid Williams joked, “I should to match Steffi Graf’s Open-era get into acting!” when told she record of 22 Grand Slam titles, looked almost as happy as her which will now have to wait at least opponent. until the French Open in June. She added: “No, I was actually Williams was gracious in de- really happy for her. She’s been feat, praising Kerber generously, around a really long time. We’ve and she said she would learn had a number of matches. I’ve from her mistakes—of which beaten her a lot. there were many in an unchar- “She played so well. She had acteristically error-strewn per- an attitude that I think a lot of formance. people can learn from: just to al- “For sure, I think it’s good to ways stay positive and to never know that if I want to win some give up. tournaments, I have to play bet- “I was really inspired by that. ter,” she said. So, honestly, she’s a really good “I was missing a lot off the girl. If I couldn’t win, I’m happy ground, coming to the net. She she did.” kept hitting some great shots ac- She reiterated that she tually every time I came in. planned to be back at Melbourne “I think I kept picking the Park again next year, while not- wrong shots coming into it. But, ing that her loss meant Kerber honestly, it’s something to learn would move behind her at world from, just to try to get better.” number two when the new rank- Kerber, seeded seven, made ings are released on Monday. the most of the litany of un- “I mean, she’s had a great forced errors, but she also played month. She got to the fi nals in some quality tennis, dominating Brisbane. She won here. So, yeah. points from the baseline while I was surprised and really happy landing some crucial drop shots. for her,” she said. Afterwards Williams seemed “I’m like, whoa, number two. almost as happy as Kerber, cross- What’s after two is one, so I ing to the other side of the net to guess I better be careful.”

Germany’s Angelique Kerber poses with the Australian Open women’s singles trophy yesterday at the Government House in Melbourne, Australia. An insight into Angelique Kerber’s career Born in Bremen, Germany on first in May 2007. Made her Reuters prompting congratulations from sports- power hitters and the German is among into the third set (and) I told myself actu- January 18, 1988. first grand slam main draw at Melbourne people and the country’s President An- them. ally, ‘okay, you can do it’.” GRAND SLAM CAREER Roland Garros. gela Merkel. However, by producing superb defence That mental toughness has been a (best performances): Enters top 50 for the first time Kerber’s victory also painted a large along the baseline chasing down Wil- long time in the making, stemming from Australian Open - Champion in July 2010. ngelique Kerber leapt into target on her back by proving that Wil- liams’ blistering groundstrokes and forc- a poor run in 2011 when she suff ered 11 (2016); French Open - Quarter- Has a breakthrough in 2011 murky surroundings yesterday, liams was not invincible, though she was ing the American to play one extra shot, successive fi rst-round losses. final (2012); Wimbledon with her first grand slam just hours after she became the quick to acknowledge the American’s she proved the 21-times grand slam win- A surprise run to her fi rst grand slam - Semi-final (2012); U.S. Open semi-final appearance at the fi rst German since 1999 to win a powers were not on the wane. ner was fallible. fi nal at the U.S. Open in 2011 while - Semi-final (2011) U.S. Open, losing to eventual grandA slam tennis title by defeating world “I think against Serena it’s not so easy That resulted in unforced errors, ranked 92nd in the world had helped turn champion Sam Stosur. number one Serena Williams at the Aus- to win. You must play really your best something Williams had not been forced it around. Since 2012, when she clinched EARLY LIFE Despite continuing to remain tralian Open. tennis to beat her,” Kerber told reporters. to do through her run to a seventh Aus- her fi rst WTA title, she has been ranked Began playing tennis aged in the top-10 she endures a The 28-year-old’s plunge into the Yarra “I think it’s still tough to beat Serena. tralian Open fi nal. inside the top-10. three and grew up idolising frustrating 2014, where she River yesterday, as a result of a bet with Eu- “But of course I think that a lot of new Williams produced 23 unforced errors Winning also breeds confi dence, she Steff i Graf. makes four finals and loses rosport journalist Matthias Stach, was an and good players are coming. They will in the fi rst set of the fi nal, which gave added. “Here it’s changed everything,” Turned professional in 2003 them all. apt metaphor for what her life now holds. challenge Serena. They will challenge Kerber all of the momentum she needed, she said. aged 15 and spent four years Crashes out in first round of Today she is expected to rise to a ca- me. They will challenge all the good play- knowing that battling back from a set “You must be relaxed and you must re- building the consistency 2015 Australian Open. reer-high number two on the WTA Tour ers. down would be tough against one of the ally believe in yourself. This is actually needed to qualify for regular Almost repeats her first round rankings. “Let’s see what happens in the next game’s best closers. the biggest thing what I learned in these tour events exit of 2015 in 2016 when she She can also expect a warm reception few months.” “I was happy that I won the fi rst set be- two weeks, to go for it. is forced to save a match-point from her home country after she became Kerber’s victory would undoubtedly cause it was better to win against her the “Of course you will have some losses in PROFESSIONAL CAREER against Japan’s Misaki Doi. the fi rst German since her childhood not force a seismic shift in the women’s fi rst set than the second set,” she added. your career and also tough moments still. Cracked the top-100 for the The rest is history! idol Steffi Graf to clinch a grand slam, game. Many of the world’s top women are “I was actually more confi dent going But you must believe that you can do it.”

BOTTOMLINE Invincible Novak Djokovic is making the impossible seem possible again

The Grand Slam eluded Federer list of grand slam champions with 11. I’m going for the Grand Slam. I certain- every match that I play.” and Nadal because of the That puts him fi fth equal, with just ly almost saw it last year, except for the In reaching 17 straight fi nals, across demands of modern tennis but Roy Emerson, whose record of six Aus- French. I would have thought it would the regular Tour and grand slams, Djok- Djokovic’s utter domination puts tralian Opens he matched, on 12, Pete have been a perfect situation for him. ovic has compiled a 92-5 record, equal- history within his grasp Sampras and Rafael Nadal on 14 and He had three legs in at that stage. ling Federer’s record in 2006, the year Federer still out on his own at 17. “I think it’s good for the sport if he dominated the Tour like no other. Simon Cambers, The Guardian Though he won his fi rst grand slam someone does win a Grand Slam. This Federer’s attempts to win the Grand Melbourne title in 2008, in Australia, it took Djok- is not a club that I’m a member of, it’s Slam were always denied by Nadal at ovic three more years to win his second, an open course. the French Open, the only one of the again in Melbourne. Since then, he’s “I think someone like Novak is well slams Djokovic has still to conquer. On t used to be a running joke when won nine of the past 20 grand slams, on his way trying to accomplish that. this form, it is going to take something players won the fi rst grand slam as dominant as anyone has been in the He’s going to have a lot of competition, special to stop him and at this rate, Fe- event of the year that they would game’s history. He has won four of the there are a lot of players in there that derer must be wondering if Djokovic be asked, at some stage in their past fi ve grand slams, his only disap- are just starting to come into their own. could overtake his record of 17 slam ti- Ipost-match press conference, whether pointment coming at the French Open I think that will show up through this tles. they thought they might be able to win last summer, where he lost in the fi nal year. But Novak certainly has a chance Djokovic knows he is playing the the calendar year Grand Slam. When it to Stan Wawrinka. to pull off a Grand Slam.” tennis of his life and he doesn’t want comes to Novak Djokovic, though, it is a It still takes an awful lot to achieve In Australia, on a surface he loves, he to do anything to jinx it, including dis- serious question. the grand slam. Not only does it require seems unbeatable. Against Murray he cuss how many more slams he believes No man has managed to win all four staying fi t and healthy, avoiding injury, ran through the fi rst set and then, when he can win. “I don’t take anything for majors, the Australian Open, French it also needs a bit of luck and for no one Murray upped the ante on his ground- granted, even though I won the last four Open, Wimbledon and the US Open, in else to have a hot streak, as Wawrinka strokes in the second and third sets, he out of fi ve grand slams and played fi ve the same year since Rod Laver did it for did in Paris. At 28, Djokovic is still im- used his incredible athleticism to nul- fi nals out of the last fi ve grand slams a second time in 1969. Roger Federer, proving and Laver, who knows what it lify the threat. that I played,” he said. Rafael Nadal and Djokovic himself have really takes, believes if anyone can do it, No one returns as well or as deep as “I don’t want to allow myself to be in all managed three in one year but all it’s the Serb. he does, no one puts their opponents that frame of mind. If I do, the person found the complete set one step too far. Serbia’s Novak Djokovic celebrates with his Australian Open trophy. “I remember when Roy Emerson and under such pressure from the fi rst ball. becomes too arrogant and thinks that The demands of the modern game, ex- I were competitors back in our era,” He can attack or defend, whatever it he’s a higher being or better than eve- perts said, make the Grand Slam almost Novak, it seems possible once more. there to see Djokovic move alongside Laver told reporters. “After one of us takes. As he told Channel 7: “It’s fair for rybody else. You can get a big slap from impossible but suddenly, in the era of It was fi tting that Laver should be him and Bjorn Borg in the all-time won the Australian, you’d say, I guess me to think confi dently that I can win karma very soon. I don’t want that.” Gulf Times Monday, February 1, 2016 3 TENNIS

SPOTLIGHT FOCUS This is my bread and butter, says the Jamie Murray set older Murray to beat Andy to world No1 spot

‘It’s quite astonishing, particularly from the one family to be in that situation, from the Jamie Murray (L) and Bruno Soares with the men’s doubles trophy. one town. It’s an incredible story, it has always been an incredible story...’ DPA ed to really pick up in the last Melbourne year or so.” AUSSIES PAIR DOUBT amie Murray and his new THE LAVER CUP WILL FLY 2016 Brazilian partner The Laver Cup event to be run by Bruno Soares beat Cana- Roger Federer’s management com- dian Daniel Nestor and pany has drawn doubts from a pair CzechJ Radek Stepanek 2-6, 6-4, of Australian players, with former 7-5 to lift the doubles trophy, Wimbledon winner Pat Cash and marking a second honour for young gun Nick Kyrgios both ques- Murray, who also won Wim- tioning its chances of success. bledon 2007 mixed with Jelena The Europe versus the Rest of Jankovic. the World concept so familiar to “This is my bread and butter. A Ryder Cup golf is the basis of the grand slam men’s double is going competition, which is due to be to be the pinnacle of my career held in September, 2017, at ven- other than Davis Cup obviously. ues each year to be decided. This is what I’m working towards But for Cash, the Laver event every day, every time I step on is just another exhibition in a the court. crowded tennis calendar. “I like “It’s an amazing feeling to the concept but I don’t know have realised it with Bruno. We if players will take it seriously,” played a great tournament, and Cash told the BBC. “The con- did a lot of great things on the cept is a great idea, but it’s after court together. We’re really, re- the US Open and the Davis Cup ally happy with our work the last (semi-fi nals). couple of weeks. “It’s stuck in the middle of a “It’s exciting to know where tournament. With the Davis Cup we can go from here.” struggling in some places in the The senior Murray, aged 29 to world, I’m not sure we need an- his brother’s 28, said that he felt other tournament to squeeze in.” his career is starting a new and The Laver event format will productive phase. pit the best six European players “When you get up there, and against six from the rest of the realise what you’ve done, you world. want to thank everyone that’s Kyrgios tweeted his approval been with you along in the jour- of Cash’s sentiments: “Like the ney. It hasn’t always been rosy idea of this #LaverCup but agree for me, a lot of ups and downs in with @TheRealPatCash how can my career. we fi t it in between USopen & “Thankfully things have start- DavisCup #Doubtful.”

File picture of Britain’s Andy Murray (L) walking past his brother Jamie Murray during a practice session at the Australian Open tournament. Coff ee-fuelled Soares doubles up at Australian Open The Guardian rackets a few years ago as the grind of the employed Smith as an apprentice, teach- “They were so young. It’s amazing Melbourne Tour began to take its toll. With the help ing him the ropes as they travelled up and – you never take it for granted – that Brazil’s Bruno Soares, fuelled sent Vesnina a text message of a good partner, in the Australian John down the country in a van. Smith has journey they’ve been on, the way by numerous cups of coff ee, at 0430 saying he was ‘ready Peers, and a reunion with his old coach, the odd fl ashback when he witnesses the that Judy infl uenced them all, me produced a doubles double to go’. hen Jamie Murray lands in Louis Cayer, he dug himself out of the brothers’ success. as well, the whole programme yesterday when he and Rus- “Been living on coff ee ever London tomorrow he will do hole. Last year, he and Peers reached the “I think we always kind of talk to each in Scotland. But it’s good to keep sian partner Elena Vesnina since. So I had 22 coff ees so with a grand slam doubles Wimbledon and US Open fi nals before other about it,” said Smith, who led Brit- reminding yourself about that as won the Australian Open already today. But now it’s all trophy to accompany his parting ways as Murray joined forces ain to their fi rst Davis Cup title since 1936 well” mixed doubles title on Rod worth it,” Soares told report- Wbags. He will also be the world No 2 and with Soares, and on Saturday night the in November. “We talked about it a lot in Laver Arena. ers. at some stage in the very near future, it is newly-formed pair won their fi rst dou- Davis Cup, laughing, saying it was actu- nadian who is regarded as the best doubles Soares, who won the men’s “It feels amazing. It was long likely he could become the world’s top- bles title together. ally quite funny that we’re walking out coach in the world and who always believed doubles title with Britain’s days, tough days. Last night I ranked doubles player. “I just think it’s amazing that you’ve there in GB tracksuits and you think back the Scot had the talent to reach the top even Jamie Murray that finished finished really late. It’s tough. Murray was back in Rod Laver Arena got the two brothers sitting at No2 in to what it was like 15, 16 years ago. if it took Murray time to buy into it. early on Sunday, clinched A lot of adrenaline going on. to watch his brother Andy take on Novak the world,” the GB Davis Cup captain, “They were so young. It’s amazing “All the work we’ve done together has his second title in a little Tough to sleep. Djokovic in the singles fi nal, just as Andy Leon Smith, said. “It’s quite astonish- – you never take it for granted – that always been in a process with a view to over 16 hours when he and “But I knew I had another im- had been there at the end to celebrate ing, particularly from the one family to journey they’ve been on, the way that getting to No1,” Murray said. “Whether Vesnina beat American Coco portant day. You don’t get the Jamie’s triumph in the doubles, when be in that situation, from the one town. Judy infl uenced them all, me as well, the I believed I could do it, I don’t know, but Vandeweghe and her Roma- chance to play many grand he and Brazil’s Bruno Soares beat Daniel It’s an incredible story, it has always been whole programme in Scotland. But it’s he did. I just did what he told me. Almost nian partner Horia Tecau 6-4, slam finals. I think you got to Nestor and Radek Stepanek to win the an incredible story, it just gets even more good to keep reminding yourself about there. Getting closer.” 4-6, 10-5. make the most of it. Australian Open. incredible when things like that happen. I that as well.” Smith said Murray deserves every suc- The Brazilian said after they “To get the chance to play Beating Andy, who has been in nine just think it’s astonishing.” In his victory speech, Murray recog- cess. “The speech Jamie did was really clinched the trophy in the one and win one, it’s already grand slam fi nals, to be the fi rst member nised the role his family have played, in nice,” he said. “I think that showed a man super tie-break that he had extremely special. I mean, I of their family to be a world No1 is some- STARTLING PROGRESS particular that of his wife Alejandra, who that’s put his heart and soul into trying to not slept well after he finished got two in the same day, so... thing the 29-year-old probably never For Smith, the progress of Andy and has enjoyed the highs but also had to put get to that point, he’s suff ered some dis- his off icial duties at 0400 it’s special,” signed off the considered possible, especially not when Jamie must be even more startling. When up with the lows. appointments along the way, it was nice local time (1700 GMT) and had Brazilian. he was considering throwing away his Andy was 10 and Jamie 11, Judy Murray Murray also singled out Cayer, the Ca- to see him get there.”

BOTTOMLINE Gordon Reid overwhelmed by the ‘crazy’ reaction to his Australian Open triumph

Since winning the wheelchair disease, Transverse Myelitis, when he that’s the way it should be. I’ve no- “It’s been incredible. It’s fantastic singles, the Scot’s phone ‘has run was 12. ticed a big diff erence here. I got my two and the number of messages I’ve out of battery about three times Having also played in the doubles fi - doubles titles last year but in terms of had from back home, including because everyone keeps sending nal here – he and the world No1, Shingo media interest, I’ve had way more here. me alongside Jamie and Andy, is me so many messages’ Kunieda, lost 7-5 in the fi nal set, despite It’s brilliant for us and brilliant for the kind of surreal” leading 5-0 and holding two match sport. Hopefully we can continue to Simon Cambers, The Guardian points – an exhausted Reid was pepped raise the profi le.” With the Australian Open title in the Melbourne up by a wave of support from home. As he relaxed in the players’ restau- bag, Reid said his main goals for the He said: “It’s been overwhelming. rant, enjoying some rare peace after a year would be the Rio Olympics and It’s been crazy. My phone’s run out of hectic 24 hours, Reid said his achieve- Wimbledon, which is to hold wheel- or Gordon Reid, the fact wheel- battery about three times since the fi - ment in winning the singles title was chairs singles competitions for the fi rst chair tennis is even being dis- nal because everyone keeps sending me beginning to hit home. “When I woke time in 2016. cussed in the media while Andy so many messages. It’s amazing to have up it sunk in a little bit and I just kind He said: “I’ve been building towards Murray and Jamie Murray were all that support. of realised what happened. It’s a pretty Rio ever since London. It’s been a long chasingF titles at the Australian Open “It’s been incredible. It’s fantastic good feeling. It means a lot. Obviously, journey but it is right around the corner shows how far he and the sport have and the number of messages I’ve had that’s why we do what we do, why we now. I’m just excited, looking forward come. from back home, including me along- train and commit basically our lives to to getting out there and playing for GB. The 24-year-old Scot won his fi rst side Jamie and Andy, is kind of sur- training and working hard, and dedi- “And it would be pretty special to grand slam singles title on Saturday, real. It’s an honour for me to be named cating ourselves to the sport.” take the first singles title for a wheel- beating the Belgian Joachim Gérard alongside those guys anyway, it’s great For all the success of the Paralym- chair event at Wimbledon. We’re all 7-6, 6-4 in the fi nal, adding the trophy for wheelchair tennis and disabil- pics at London 2012, disability sport looking forward to playing singles. to the two grand slam doubles titles al- ity sport, everyone’s putting us next to continues to fi ght a battle for funding, It’s extra special for all us British ready in his possession. each other, we’re on the same level, column inches and media attention, players to play singles at the home It was an impressive performance everyone’s tweeting and messaging, and victories such as Reid’s can have a slam for the first time. It’s really ex- from Reid, who was a promising jun- newspaper articles about three Scots huge impact, showing players they can citing and I just need to sharpen up ior player before contracting the spinal Gordon Reid kisses his Australian Open singles trophy. in the fi nals, it’s everyone equal – and make a living. my grass-court game.” Gulf Times 4 Monday, February 1, 2016 FOOTBALL

SERIE A FRENCH LIGUE 1 Nice miss chance Higuain hits 22nd goal as to go second Napoli reclaim top spot AFP Paris

Napoli now sit top on 50 points, two ahead of Juventus and eight in front of Fiorentina aen continued their fi ne season by beating AFP Nice 2-0 at their Stade Milan Michel d’Ornano yes- terdayC as the visitors failed in their bid to move second in Ligue onzalo Higuain hit his 22nd 1 behind runaway leaders Paris goal in as many Serie A games Saint-Germain. The hosts took to keep his record-chasing the lead when Julien Feret teed quest intact yesterday as Na- up Rony Rodelin to drive in his Gpoli reclaimed top spot with a 5-1 drub- sixth league goal of the season. bing of Empoli. Champions Juventus Andy Delort doubled the lead had earlier gone top with a 4-0 rout of from the penalty spot before Chievo in Verona where Alvaro Morata half-time to leave Nice in disar- hit a brace to claim his fourth goal in a ray. They never fully recovered week after netting twice in a 3-0 Cup despite some pressure in the semi-fi nal win over Inter Milan. second period and stay fourth in But Napoli, bidding for their fi rst the Ligue 1 table, above their op- league crown since Diego Maradona’s ponents on goal diff erence. heyday at the club in 1990, restored Patrice Garande’s men ended their two-point advantage to further a four-match losing streak when underline their ‘scudetto’ credentials. they came from behind to win at Napoli now sit top on 50 points, two Montpellier last week, and they ahead of Juventus and eight in front of started the brighter against Nice Fiorentina after La Viola failed to break who are targetting a fi rst-ever down Genoa in a scoreless stalemate at slot in the Champions League. the Luigi Ferraris. Rodelin, on loan from Lille this It means Inter Milan, one point be- season, continued his good run hind Paulo Sousa’s men in fourth, can of form by scoring for the third move up to third place with a win away game on the bounce just 12 min- to AC Milan in the city derby at the San utes in. The 20-year-old Dorian Siro in late fi xture last night. Caddy was making just his sec- “We started well, but it wasn’t easy ond senior appearance for Nice to come back from their opener because and he was denied an equalising from their last seven away games Em- goal by a wonderful reaction stop poli have won four times,” Napoli coach from Remy Vercoutre. Maurizio Sarri said. “We went on to fi x Saidi Ntibazonkiza, mak- things in the end because the lads had ing his full debut for Caen, was the right attitude. When we play Lazio, pushed to the ground by Nam- and hopefully we’ll get it right again.” palys Mendy in the 40th minute As Napoli target a fi rst title in 26 and Delort stepped up to dis- years, Higuain is chasing Serie A’s all- patch the resulting spot-kick for time record of 35 goals scored in a sin- his ninth goal this term. gle, 20-team league season, set by AC Nice piled on the pressure in the second half as both Vercou- tre and defender Dennis Ap- piah blocked eff orts in one fran- POINTS TABLE tic goalmouth scramble. Nice Read as: played, won, drawn, lost, goals though struggled to create many for, goals against, points chances after Puel surprisingly Napoli 22 15 5 2 50 19 50 substituted both Hatem Ben Arfa Juventus 22 15 3 4 42 15 48 and Valere Germain, and Caen Fiorentina 22 13 3 6 39 21 42 Napoli’s Gonzalo Higuain (centre) is tackled by Empoli’s Michele Camporese, Vincent Laurini (right) and Lorenzo Tonelli (second left). (Reuters) held on with relative ease to beat Inter Milan 21 12 5 4 26 14 41 their visitors for the fi rst time in Roma 22 10 8 4 40 25 38 Milan forward Gunnar Nordahl in 1950. Paredes’s free kick took a wicked de- were unstoppable after the interval, past Skorupski at his back post seven seven attempts. AC Milan 21 9 6 6 29 25 33 With 16 games remaining, the Ar- fl ection to leave Reina wrong-footed in Jose Callejon playing a role in all three minutes from time. With two minutes Sassuolo 22 8 9 5 26 24 33 gentinian international is not slowing the Napoli net. The goal served only to goals on his way to a personal double. on the clock, Callejon struck his second RESULTS Lazio 22 9 5 8 29 30 32 down although he was replaced halfway spur Napoli into life and when Insigne Napoli stretched their lead to 3-1 when the ball fell kindly and his angled Caen 2 (Rodelin 12, Delort 41-pen) Empoli 22 9 5 8 28 31 32 during the second half when he received burst down the left minutes later, the seven minutes after the restart when strike sneaked inside the near post. Nice 0 Bologna 22 9 2 11 27 29 29 treatment after landing heavily from a diminutive playmaker had time to pick Michele Camporese defl ected Calle- Bordeaux 4 (Diabate 29, 51, Rolan Torino 22 7 6 9 27 28 27 mid-air clash. Higuain came close to an out Higuain, who nodded past Skorup- jon’s delivery past Skorupski at the RESULTS 67, Toure 90+2) Rennes 0 Chievo 22 7 6 9 27 30 27 early opener but Lukasz Skorupski was ski from close range. keeper’s near post. The two-goal cush- Chievo 0 Juventus 4 (Morata 6, 40, Sandro Played Saturday Atalanta 22 7 6 9 22 25 27 alert to the danger when he unleashed Napoli won a free kick four minutes ion was enough for Sarri, who spent 61, Pogba 67) Angers 3 (Ndoye 19, 43, Yattara 55) Palermo 22 7 4 11 24 35 25 his fi rst timer from Insigne’s clever cut- later and Insigne stepped up to curl the two years at Empoli prior to succeeding Bologna 3 (Mounier 12, Donsah 24, Destro Monaco 0 Troyes 0 Nantes 1 (Gillet Udinese 22 7 4 11 19 35 25 back. Napoli coach Maurizio Sarri had ball past Skorupski to give the hosts a Rafael Benitez at Napoli, to replace Hi- 88-pen) Sampdoria 2 (Muriel 54, Correa 80) 40) Genoa 22 6 6 10 24 27 24 signalled the danger of Massimo Mac- 37th minute lead, taking his own per- guain with Manolo Gabbiadini 20 min- Genoa 0 Fiorentina 0 Lorient 2 (Toure 15, 51) Reims 0 Sampdoria 22 6 5 11 33 39 23 carone, and the veteran striker had Pepe sonal tally in the league to 10. utes from the end, with Dries Mertens Napoli 5 (Higuain 33, Insigne 37, Cam- Toulouse 1 (Ben Yedder 64-pen) Gu- Carpi 22 4 7 11 21 37 19 Reina stretching soon after as he drove The half ended on a sour note after replacing Insigne three minutes later. porese 52-og, Callejon 83, 88) Empoli 1 ingamp 2 (Sankhare 12, Briand 72) Frosinone 22 4 4 14 23 48 16 across the goalmouth. Elseid Hysaj and Allan were both cau- It proved a judicious move, Mertens (Paredes 28) Gazelec Ajaccio 0 Montpellier 4 Verona 22 0 11 11 14 33 11 Minutes later, the San Paolo was tioned for fouls, ruling them out of the turning provider with a great curling Torino 0 Verona 0 (Yatabare 14, Martin 41-pen, Dabo stunned into silence when Leandro midweek clash with Lazio. But Napoli delivery for Callejon to poke the ball Udinese 0 Lazio 0 52, 57)

SPOTLIGHT LA LIGA Big time Suarez delivers again for Barca Sporting Gijon pile AFP misery on Valencia Barcelona Since his controversial signing for Barca after biting an opponent for the third time in his career at the World Cup 18 months ago - which led to a four-month ban - Suarez has consistently been the AFP the last half hour and were des- lways the man for the big oc- man to turn the big games in the Catalans’ favour. (AFP) Madrid perately unfortunate not to take casion, Luis Suarez was Bar- at least a point. Negredo pow- celona’s match-winner once ered a header off the post just more as the European champi- ary Neville’s terrible La before the hour mark. onsA took fi rm control of the La Liga title Liga run since taking However, the former Man- race by defeating closest rivals Atletico charge of Valencia con- chester City striker had no ex- Madrid 2-1. tinued as Los Che lost cuse for not equalising when he Barca were far from their best on Sat- G1-0 to Sporting Gijon yester- twice failed to hit the target with urday, outplayed for the fi rst half hour, day, the team’s fi rst home defeat the goal at his mercy in the fi nal they fell behind early on. Yet, even Atleti- since November 2014. 15 minutes. Valencia now face co’s rock solid defence was powerless to Antonio Sanabria’s penalty the daunting challenge of travel- stop a two-goal burst in eight minutes fi ve minutes into the second- ling to face European champions just before half-time from Lionel Messi half handed Sporting their fi rst Barcelona in the fi rst-leg of their and Suarez. away win since October as Va- Cup semi-fi nal on Wednesday. Victory moves Luis Enrique’s men lencia paid for missing a host of Elsewhere, Sevilla maintained three points clear of Atletico - having clear-cut chances, most notably their chase of Villarreal for the also played a game less - and seven ahead through captain Alvaro Negredo. fourth Champions League place of third-placed Real Madrid. Suarez’s Neville has now not won in eight with their 11th consecutive win winning goal was strikingly reminiscent league games since taking charge at home in all competitions, 3-1 of his strike that beat Real Madrid 2-1 at last month. over bottom side Levante. the height of last season’s battle for the Win moves Sporting out of the Kevin Gameiro’s fi rst minute Liga title. relegation zone up to 16th with opener and Vicente Iborra’s goal Using his body strength to hold off Jose Valencia now six points off drop just after half-time put Sevilla Maria Gimenez, he controlled a long ball zone in 12th. Boosted by their on course for a comfortable three from Dani Alves before fi ring into the progression to the semi-fi nals points. corner with his second touch. Since his of the Copa del Rey in midweek, RESULTS controversial signing for Barca after bit- Valencia had started brightly as Sevilla 3 (Gameiro 1, Iborra 47, ing an opponent for the third time in his Sofi ane Feghouli blasted over Konoplyanka 76) Levante 1 (Rossi career at the World Cup 18 months ago - from a good position before An- 55) which led to a four-month ban - Suarez of the Champions League and winning He is strong, a typical number nine in the was out injured for two months earlier in dre Gomes’s powerful drive was Valencia 0 Sporting Gijon 1 (Sanab- has consistently been the man to turn the the Liga title in a fi nal day showdown at area, he is a very complete player and he this season. parried by Ivan Cuellar. ria 50-pen) big games in the Catalans’ favour. the Camp Nou. Since then, Saturday’s has enriched Barcelona.” “I think he was already a very complete However, they were made Played Saturday He scored the decisive second goal in win takes Barca’s winning streak against Partly due to his previous indiscre- player at Liverpool and here he has been to pay for one moment of rash Barcelona 2 (Messi 30, Suarez 38) the Champions League fi nal as Juventus Los Rojiblancos to six, including return- tions, Suarez has had to watch his strike even better,” said Barca boss Luis En- indiscipline as Danilo clipped Atletico Madrid 1 (Koke 10) were downed 3-1 and twice more against ing the favour by winning the title at the partners Messi and Neymar be paraded rique. “Luis gives us a lot of things and all Jony as he broke into the box and Eibar 1 (Baston 90) Malaga 2 Real Madrid in a 4-0 humiliation of Los Vicente Calderon last season. whilst he was sidelined during the re- of them are positive.” Sanabria converted the resulting (Juanpi 44, Santa Cruz 90) Blancos earlier this season. “He is such an important player, he cent individual awards season. Yet, it is Since both Luis’ arrived at Barcelona, penalty for his 10th goal of the Getafe 0 Athletic Bilbao 1 (Williams Moreover, his presence has completely makes the diff erence. Without doubt he who has scored more goals this season they’ve won fi ve of a possible six tro- season. Australian international 25) changed the trajectory of the Barca- his arrival has given Barcelona more than anyone else in Europe with 31 in 32 phies. With a comfortable La Liga lead, a Matt Ryan then made a fi ne save Villarreal 1 (Bruno 55) Granada 0 Atletico rivalry. The season before his penetration than they already had,” said games. Copa del Rey semi-fi nal and Champions from Jony’s free-kick to keep Va- Real Sociedad 2 (Prieto 18, Martinez arrival, Atletico went six games unbeaten Atletico boss Diego Simeone. Suarez even took on the goalscoring League knockout stages to come, the tro- lencia in the game. Berridi 33) Real Betis 1 (Ruben against the Catalans, knocking them out “He has diff erent qualities to the rest. mantle to keep Barca on top when Messi phy haul looks set to continue. Yet, Neville’s men dominated Castro 51) Gulf Times Monday, February 1, 2016 5 FOOTBALL

BUNDESLIGA Lewandowski nets twice as Bayern down Hoff enheim There was bad news for Bayern coach Pep Guardiola before kick-off as Javi Martinez dropped out with a knee injury

AFP Munich Bayern Munich’s Robert Lewandowski (left) scores during the German first division Bundesliga match against Hoff enheim in Munich. (Reuters) obert Lewandowski netted both goals as leaders Bayern Munich earned a 2-0 win over Hoff enheim yesterday to stay eight points clear in the Bundesliga. AfterR the league’s top scorer Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang had scored twice for Borussia Dortmund to reach 20 league goals on Saturday, Lewandowski is now just behind with 19. The Poland striker gave Bayern the lead at Munich’s Allianz Arena after blasting home Douglas Costa’s low cross on 32 minutes. He doubled his tally with some clinical fi nishing after a superb through ball from Bayern captain Philipp Lahm on 64 minutes. It could have been three as Chile midfi elder Arturo Vidal hit the post. Hoff enheim remain second from bottom as they failed to secure their maiden win over Bayern at the 16th attempt. There was bad news for Bayern coach Pep Guardiola before kick-off as Javi Martinez dropped out with a knee injury. It forced Guar- diola into playing a three-man defence leaving Holger Badstuber as their only fi t centre-back with Jerome Boateng and Medhi Benatia cur- rently sidelined. Their Champions League last 16, fi rst-leg clash at Juventus is just three weeks away with the return leg in Munich on March 16. Meanwhile, Wolfsburg remain winless in their four games since beating Manchester United in the Champions League after being held to a 1-1 draw at home to Cologne. Wolfsburg face Bel- gian side Gent in the away leg of their last-16 tie in Europe on February 17. But Dieter Hecking’s side have now lost two and drawn two in their last four games since knocking United out of the Champions League with a 3-2 win last December. The hosts went ahead when right-winger Vieirinha fired in a cross, which found Julian Draxler unmarked

POINTS TABLE Read as: played, won, drawn, lost, goals for, goals against, points Bayern Munich 19 17 1 1 50 9 52 Dortmund 19 14 2 3 52 24 44 for the Germany international to fire home on goals in ten second-half minutes to claim a Blues fi fth in the table. furt fought out a goalless draw in Bavaria. Hertha Berlin 19 10 4 5 29 21 34 67 minutes. Cologne equalised eight minutes point in a 3-3 draw. Schalke and Leverkusen’s wins meant Borus- Strugglers Stuttgart are two points clear of Leverkusen 19 9 4 6 29 21 31 later when Anthony Modeste curled his shot Ivory Coast veteran Salomon Kalou struck sia Moenchengladbach slid from fourth to sixth the relegation places after their dramatic 2-1 Schalke 04 19 9 3 7 26 26 30 around Wolves ‘keeper Diego Benaglio. The Berlin’s third goal to leave Hertha 3-1 up in after Friday’s 1-0 defeat to mid-table Mainz. win at home to mid-table Hamburg thanks to a M’gladbach 19 9 2 8 35 34 29 result left Wolfsburg seventh—outside the Bremen with 20 minutes left. Then Bremen vet- Mid-table sides Augsburg and Eintracht Frank- late goal from new signing Artem Kravets. VfL Wolfsburg 19 7 6 6 29 25 27 European places for next season—and Co- eran Claudio Pizarro netted a penalty before de- Mainz 05 19 8 3 8 24 24 27 logne ninth. fender Santiago Garcia fi red in a shot which was Cologne 19 6 7 6 20 25 25 On Saturday, Dortmund enjoyed a 2-0 win later credited to Pizarro, who nudged the ball RESULTS Ingolstadt 04 19 6 5 8 12 20 23 over Ingolstadt to go ten points clear of third- over the line to level the scores. Hamburg 19 6 4 9 21 27 22 placed Hertha Berlin. Dortmund could consider Bayer Leverkusen climbed to fourth with a Wolfsburg 1 (Draxler 67) Cologne 1 (Modeste 75) Augsburg 0 Eintracht Frankfurt 0 Augsburg 19 5 6 8 21 26 21 themselves fortunate though as captain Mats 3-0 win at Hanover 96, who dropped to the bot- Bayern Munich 2 (Lewandowski 32, 64) Hoff en- Werder Bremen 3 (Bartels 67, Pizarro 75-pen, 77) E Frankfurt 19 5 6 8 24 30 21 Hummels escaped a red card for a foul in the tom, with Javier Hernandez scoring twice in the heim 0 Hertha Berlin 3 (Darida 29, Plattenhardt 42, Kalou Darmstadt 19 5 6 8 19 29 21 area. romp. ‘Chicharito’ converted a penalty, then Played Saturday 71) VfB Stuttgart 19 6 3 10 27 39 21 He then scored a second-half own-goal, drilled home his 13th league goal in 16 matches. Borussia Dortmund 2 (Aubameyang 77, 86) Darmstadt 0 Schalke 04 2 (Meyer 43, Sane 53) Werder Bremen 19 5 4 10 23 36 19 which the referee refused to award to Ingolstadt Schalke had youth to thank for their 2-0 Ingolstadt 0 VfB Stuttgart 2 (Didavi 66, Kravets 88) Hamburg 1 Hoff enheim 19 2 8 9 18 28 14 after a foul in the build-up, before Aubameyang win at Darmstadt as dynamic midfi elders Max Bayer Leverkusen 3 (Kiessling 44, Hernandez 62- (Rudnevs 75) Hanover 96 19 4 2 13 19 34 14 struck twice. Hertha threw away a 2-0 lead as Meyer and Leroy Sane, who are both 20, scored pen, 87) Hanover 96 0 hosts Werder Bremen roared back with three either side of half-time. The win left the Royal

FA CUP FOCUS Oscar scores hat-trick as Chelsea cruise Chelsea Another chance quickly came Os- to face AFP London car’s way and this time the Brazilian made no mistake with a well-placed fi nish in the 32nd minute. Man City fi rst-half Oscar hat-trick to- The playmaker, operating on the gether with Eden Hazard’s right on this occasion with Loftus- AFP fi rst goal of the season gave Cheek fi lling the central role, complet- London Chelsea a comfortable 5-1 ed his hat-trick when he cut in from victoryA at Milton Keynes Dons in the the left and found the corner of the goal FA Cup yesterday. Chelsea remain un- with a well-placed right-foot shot. helsea will tackle fellow defeated in eight games under interim The home side had off ered little re- Premier League heavy- manager Guus Hiddink and this im- sistance and the pattern of the game weights Manchester pressive fourth-round display con- was maintained after the break when City in the stand-out fi rmed the progress that they have Hazard was tripped by Potter in the tieC of the FA Cup fi fth round, made under the Dutchman. 55th minute. the draw for which was made The win ensures that Chelsea remain Chelsea skipper John Terry inter- yesterday. Chelsea booked their in contention to repeat the FA Cup suc- vened to ensure Hazard took the penal- place in the last 16 with a 5-1 win cess they enjoyed when Hiddink was ty and the Belgium rolled the ball home at Milton Keynes Dons and were last in interim charge of the club in to his obvious relief. immediately dealt a home game 2009. And the manager had every rea- Substitute Traore then completed against City, who won 4-0 at As- son to be satisfi ed with the way his side a routine victory for the visitors when ton Villa on Saturday. Third-tier eased their way to victory at Stadium he fi nished with a fi rst-time shot af- Shrewsbury Town, who shocked MK, albeit against second-tier opposi- ter Hazard had chased Cesc Fabregas’s Championship side Sheffi eld tion. Oscar’s goals grabbed the atten- pass out to the byline before setting up Wednesday 3-2 in round four, tion, but Hazard’s penalty, his fi rst goal the Burkina Faso youngster. were rewarded with a glamour in 30 appearances for his club, came as In the day’s other tie, Everton got tie at home to Manchester Unit- a huge relief. over their mid-week League Cup ed. Meanwhile, Arsenal, seek- Burkinabe international Bertrand elimination against Manchester City ing a third consecutive FA Cup Traore was also on target with his fi rst by winning 3-0 at fourth-tier Carlisle success, were handed a home tie Chelsea goal. Hiddink signalled his United courtesy of goals from Arouna against second-tier Hull City, intentions by fi elding a strong side, Kone, Aaron Lennon and Ross Bar- who they defeated in the 2014 although he did take the opportunity kley. fi nal. Tottenham Hotspur will to hand rare starts to left-back Baba But the match was marred by rac- host London rivals Crystal Pal- Rahman and young midfi elder Ruben ist abuse directed at Everton’s players ace. Loftus-Cheek. With loan signing Al- after Kone’s second-minute opener, FIFTH-ROUND DRAW exandre Pato not eligible to play and which prompted referee Lee Mason to Ties to be played on both Loic Remy and Radamel Falcao ask for a warning message to be read February 20-21) injured, Diego Costa led the line and his out over the public address system. Chelsea v Manchester City; Read- work alongside Oscar quickly nixed any Chelsea’s midfielder Oscar shoots to score his third goal during the English FA Cup fourth round match against MK Dons in “I thought it was dealt with in a very ing v West Bromwich Albion or chance of an upset. Milton Keynes, central England, yesterday. (AFP) good manner,” Everton manager Rob- Peterborough United; Watford v After a dominant start, Chelsea took erto Martinez told BT Sport. Leeds United; Shrewsbury Town a 15th-minute lead courtesy of a defen- into an empty net. It was to MK Dons’ leaping Thibaut Courtois. before Chelsea asserted their superiority, “We agreed to make an announce- v Manchester United; Blackburn sive mistake. An underhit back-pass credit that they responded positively although goalkeeper David Martin did his ment. I thought the referee was very Rovers v Liverpool or West Ham by Kyle McFadzean allowed Costa to and drew level six minutes later when RACISM MARS EVERTON WIN best to hold them at bay, saving well from good in how he dealt with that. It was United; Tottenham Hotspur v advance on goal and the striker unself- Darren Potter’s shot took a defl ection However, the gulf in quality between the Hazard before Costa nicked the ball off just a reaction, something that we Crystal Palace; Arsenal v Hull City ishly squared the ball for Oscar to fi nish off Nemanja Matic and looped over the teams meant it was only a matter of time the toe of Oscar in front of goal. don’t want to see.” Bournemouth v Everton Gulf Times 6 Monday, February 1, 2016 FOOTBALL

SPOTLIGHT Sheikh Salman says FIFA race is duel with Infantino ‘I am confident and optimistic and I can see that things are improving day by day’ FOCUS

AFP Doha Will not ‘run away’

IFA presidential frontrunner Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim al- Khalifah told AFP yesterday that from race: Sexwale only he or Europe’s Gianni Infan- AFP icism of the campaign by Sex- tinoF can win the race to become leader of wale, one of fi ve rivals bidding Johannesburg world football. The Asian Football Con- for the leadership of scandal- federation president also said any can- tainted FIFA. didate who does not have “a minimum frica’s FIFA presiden- “We are in the dark and we do number” of votes should not stay in the tial contender Tokyo not know as neighbours what his contest for the February 26 vote, piling Sexwale said yester- strategies are. Maybe they do not pressure on the other three campaign day he would not “run need our vote,” Namibia’s Foot- contenders. away”A after South African news- ball Association president Frans South African media are already spec- paper reports claimed he may be Mbidi told the Sunday Times. ulating that the only African candidate asked to pull out. Zimbabwe Football Associa- Tokyo Sexwale could withdraw this week, Two newspapers said Sexwale tion’s president Phillip Chiya- though he denied this to AFP. Asked who risked losing the continent’s ngwa was quoted by the Sunday how many candidates had a chance of backing ahead of a meeting on Times as saying: “South Africa winning the presidency of the scandal- Friday of the 53-member Con- and their candidate are not do- tainted FIFA, the Bahrain sheikh said: federation of African Football ing good enough to enlist our “Realistically for the fi ve, I think two.” (CAF) in Kigali to decide which support”. Pressed on who they are, he added: candidate to support. Last week Sexwale said the “I think Gianni has the support of the Speaking in Doha on the next FIFA leader must come (UEFA) confederation and I think Asia sidelines of the Asian under-23 from Africa or Asia and that he has its candidate. From what I hear, championships, Sexwale said he was ready to form an alliance to from what I feel, I think its between me would not withdraw. stop a European candidate. and him.” Infantino is the UEFA general “I am still running and not “I am focused on making sure secretary. The other three candidates running away. I am still in the that the president of FIFA comes are Sexwale from South Africa, Jordan’s FIFA race,” he told AFP. from either Africa or Asia, not Prince Ali bin al-Hussein, a former FIFA He added that barring an Europe,” Sexwale told South Af- vice president, and Jerome Champagne “earth-shattering occurrence” rica’s Metro radio on Thursday. from France, a former FIFA offi cial. he would remain in the election A Roman Catholic, Sexwale he Speaking in English and Arabic, Sheikh race until the vote in Switzerland told AFP yesterday that the FIFA Salman said he was increasingly confi - on February 26. aEarlier, an un- leader should not always come dent of victory. “When I took the decision named South African Football from the same geographical re- to run in the election, I thought I had a Association (SAFA) executive gion and pointed to the success good chance. And now we are approach- member was quoted by the lo- of Pope Francis, an Argentine, ing the election date and after all the last cal Sunday Times weekly saying after the Vatican selected a non- contacts with the confederations and the that “we have been told that he is European pontiff . national federations, I am confi dent and not taking the African continent “I think you can keep on optimistic and I can see that things are seriously”. changing popes without moving improving day by day.” “And just about everybody the Vatican,” he said. He added: “From my point of view on the continent says he must Sexwale, an anti-apartheid things are more than good.” All 209 FIFA withdraw from the presidential prisoner with Nelson Mandela member associations will vote at a spe- race,” said the offi cial. who became a businessman and cial congress in Zurich for a successor The City Press, another South politician, also raised the possi- for Sepp Blatter, who stepped down and African Sunday paper, cited an bility of some candidates joining was subsequently banned from FIFA, fol- unnamed SAFA offi cial say- forces. “The time for alliances lowing corruption allegations engulfi ng ing the business tycoon may be is... coming, and it’s healthy, football’s governing body. dropped if he did not get CAF’s it’s democratic and it’s good,” he The sheikh and Infantino are seen as backing on February 5. said. “Now we are talking... we the frontrunners and he hinted that a deal Sexwale though received the are brothers, we are colleagues.” between the two could be possible ahead Asian Football Confederation president and FIFA presidential candidate, Bahraini Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim al-Khalifah answers backing of SAFA, which rejected He did not name his allies, but of the vote. “You have to leave the door journalists’ questions in Doha yesterday. (AFP) suggestions that the football the Asian Football Confedera- always open, you cannot shut the door on body was unhappy with Sexwale. tion (AFC) this month signed a any candidate.” number (of votes), I don’t think he should who accuse him of involvement in the ing into the attribution of the 2018 and Dennis Mumble, SAFA’s pres- cooperation accord with the He was speaking in Doha after at- continue.” oppression of pro-democratic demon- 2022 World Cups to Russia and Qatar re- ident said in a statement that a CAF. The other candidates in the tending the fi nals of the AFC Under 23 In his election manifesto, he has argued strations in 2011 in Bahrain and the use of spectively. meeting the association called race are AFC president Sheikh championship, which fi nished on Sat- for more than 32 national sides to play at torture, claims which he denies. The rival Blatter is separately under formal in- with Sexwale last week was Salman bin Ebrahim al-Khal- urday. Infantino was also in Qatar over each World Cup and said yesterday that candidates have been on a globetrotting vestigation in Switzerland for criminal “merely to receive an update on ifah of Bahrain, UEFA’s Swiss- the weekend, as well as Sexwale. Sheikh no more than 40 teams should contest campaign seeking support for their bids mismanagement over a “disloyal” $2 mil- the next steps of his campaign ... Italian general secretary Gianni Salman added that anyone who had no the tournament. He also reiterated his to take over FIFA. lion payment made to UEFA president and not to convey a decision ... Infantino, Jordan’s Prince Ali chance of winning should now consider support for Qatar hosting the tourna- The world football body is reeling from Michel Platini. Blatter and Platini were on the viability or otherwise of bin al-Hussein, a former FIFA dropping out of the race. “Well, I think ment in 2022. US corruption charges against 39 football banned from all football activity for eight Mr Sexwale’s candidacy, as some vice president, and French that, you know, any candidate who feels During his campaign the sheikh has offi cials, marketing executives and two years by FIFA’s ethics tribunal in Decem- media reports indicate”. former FIFA offi cial Jerome that he cannot bring, let’s say, a minimum been criticised by human rights groups companies. Swiss investigators are look- ber. There has, however, been crit- Champagne.

AFC U23 CHAMPIONSHIP OLYMPIC FOOTBALL QUALIFICATION Comeback was always on the RARE BRIGHT SPOT FOR IRAQIS Baghdad: Iraqis set off fire- works and took to the streets to celebrate their football team cards, says jubilant Japan coach qualifying for the Olympics, a rare unifying bright spot for a AFC achieved this objective. country plagued by violence Doha “My plan was to win the game and division. Iraq defeated in the second half and for it to end Qatar 2-1 in the Asian Football 2-0 since both teams have been Confederation’s U23 Champion- apan coach Makoto Te- playing a lot. Of course there was ship to secure a spot in the 2016 guramori never doubted the thought that anything could Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, the his team’s ability to fi ght happen, but I thought our oppo- fifth time the Iraqi team has back and claim the AFC nents would slow down and that qualified. For Iraqis, that victory U23J Championship title, even would be when we would dictate was an escape, however brief, when Korea Republic led by two the game. from the many problems they goals with less than 30 minutes “We conceded in the fi rst half face. “Nothing brings joy to Iraq remaining. and in the fi rst minutes of the except the athletes,” said Yasir Fans in Baghdad celebrate after Iraq qualified for the Olympics, by Two goals from substitute second half so they were two al-Saff ar, who owns a small shop finishing third at the AFC U23 Championship in Doha. (Reuters) Takuma Asano either side of a goals ahead of us and I was sur- in Baghdad. “Thank you for the Shinya Yajima header inside the prised because I hadn’t thought joy you have brought to us all,” ings in Baghdad and elsewhere computer repairs. fi nal 23 minutes saw the Japa- about that. However, we have Saff ar said of the football team, are common, the Islamic State “The young athletes nese overturn a two-goal defi cit tried to control the game in the adding that it is “the opposite of group still holds significant united the nation, and the old after Kwon Chang-hoon and Jin second half and it was a success the politicians, who bring worry territory, and areas recaptured politicians divided the nation,” Seon-guk had given the South and I’m relieved that we were and sadness”. from the jihadists have been Samarrai said. The Iraqi football Koreans the advantage. able to overcome the Koreans After Iraq’s win over Qatar devastated by the fighting. team has made four previous Japan will now go to the Ol- with the three goals.” with a header in extra time on There are also sharp divisions appearances at the Olympics: ympic Games in Rio de Janeiro Teguramori is now looking Friday, Saff ar “went out to dance between various religious Moscow in 1980, Los Angeles in later this year as Asian champi- forward to his team’s participa- and celebrate with the people in and ethnic communities that 1984, Seoul in 1988 and Athens ons, where they will represent tion in Brazil, when the Japanese the streets”, he said. He joined frequently lead to bloodshed, in 2004. But the 2007 Asian Cup Asia alongside Korea Republic will look to build on their semi- thousands of other Iraqis who and many Iraqis have lost faith was perhaps the best example and third-place fi nishers Iraq. Japan coach Makoto Teguramori fi nal appearance in London four honked horns, waved flags out in their country. Their outlook is of the unifying power of football “I never thought we were years ago. of car windows and sent fire- not helped by politicians, who in Iraq. That year, at the height completely defeated because I much of the fi rst half, with Kwon The goals gave the Japanese a “In order to participate at the works shooting into the sky for often seem more concerned of brutal Sunni-Shiite sectarian knew if we could control the ball putting the South Koreans in signifi cant boost and, with just Olympic games, we need to im- several hours in the Iraqi capital. with political squabbling and violence, Iraqis came together we could endure and still man- front in the 27th minute while, nine minutes to go, Asano en- prove every aspect of our team,” The Iraqi team returned self-enrichment. to cheer on the national side age the game,” said the former two minutes after the restart, sured the trophy went back to he said. “I’m aware that both of- home on Saturday to a raucous As a result, Iraqis need and turned out to celebrate Vegalta Sendai coach. Shin Tae-yong’s side doubled Tokyo when he slotted past Ko- fensively and in defence, we have welcome of cheering, drums, something positive to rally their team’s victory in the “I missed the opportunity to their advantage via Jin. rea Republic keeper Kim Dong- to improve. There’s more to do to horns, whistling and waving of around, something that serves tournament. “The Iraqi Olympic get our two forward players into Asano’s introduction in the jun. improve this team. flags at Baghdad airport. The as a source of national pride. team put a big smile on the the game, but on the other hand, 60th minute, however, swung “It was a really dramatic game “Throughout this tournament national football team’s success That something is football. faces of tired Iraqis,” journal- I was feeling that we were dictat- the game in Japan’s favour, with and it’s great we won the Asian I have been living with the play- is a cause for celebration in a “That night, we forgot all the ist Ziad al-Shammari wrote ing the game in the second half the Sanfrecce Hiroshima man title,” continued Teguramori. ers and I could feel they were country that has had long years corruption and politics and on Facebook after the victory and I knew that we had enough halving the defi cit seven minutes “I told the players today that willing to improve and I’m aware with little to celebrate. suff ering. It was a great night in over Qatar. “Their governments key players who could move us later before Yajima levelled the we should show everyone our that they have the ability to im- Millions of Iraqis have been every sense of the word,” said haven’t done that in 12 years,” forward. So I was pretty calm.” scores with a header into the top bravery and move the Japanese prove. This is why were able to displaced by violence, bomb- Ali al-Samarrai, who works in Shammari said. Japan were second best for corner just a minute later. fans. I’m really glad that we have win today.” Gulf Times Monday, February 1, 2016 7 SPORT

NBA National Football League roundup

reen Bay Packers quarterback Aaron GRodgers (pictured) underwent knee Raptors hold off Pistons surgery several days after the playoff loss to the Arizona Cardinals. Rodgers confirmed to ESPN.com on Fri- day night that he had the surgery follow- ing the 26-20 divisional-round overtime loss on Jan. 16. This injury prompted Rodgers to pull out for 11th straight win of Sunday’s Pro Bowl. An ESPN source described the surgery as a minor scope and a “cleanup of an old ‘This was positive, the whole thing, taking care of business at home’ injury.” Rodgers told ESPN that he is “do- ing well” and “recovering on schedule.” Agencies New York

eMar DeRozan scored 29 points as the Toronto Raptors held off a late charge by the Detroit Pistons to improve their franchise-record winning streak to 11 gamesD with a 111-107 home victory on Saturday. The Raptors (32-15) concluded a seven-game home stand with the triumph over a Pistons team coming off a loss to the Cleveland Cava- liers on Friday to move further clear of their previous best winning streak of nine set in 2002. “This was positive, the whole thing, taking care of business at home,” Raptors coach Dwane Casey told reporters. “That’s very important. As much as the win- ning streak or anything like that, we have to make sure we treat our fans to quality basket- ball, but that last quarter wasn’t quality.” Guard Kyle Lowry added 18 points for To- ronto and guard Cory Joseph provided 16 points off the bench. Raptors reserve center Bismack Biyombo scored 12 points and grabbed 13 rebounds and - - - blocked three shots, forward James Johnson exas police questioned embattled added 11 points and forward Luis Scola had 10. TCleveland Browns quarterback “We took advantage of (the homestand),” Johnny Manziel early Saturday morning guard DeRozan said. in connection with another domestic “Now it’s time to go on the road and do what incident involving his former girlfriend. we have to do there. We dropped a couple of Fort Worth police said in a statement home games early in the season and the coach- Saturday that off icers were called to an ing staff stressed that we have to be more con- apartment building around 2am about a scious of taking advantage of home court.” possible assault. Police said Manziel was not arrested. NEVER LED “The preliminary investigation de- Guard Brandon Jennings scored a season-best termined that a possible assault had 22 points off the bench to lead Detroit (25-23). occurred in that jurisdiction or multiple Guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope added 15 jurisdictions,” the police statement said. points, forward Marcus Morris and guard Reg- “The complainant was uncooperative gie Jackson each contributed 13 points, while with off icers on scene, and they were reserve forward Stanley Johnson scored 12 and unable to locate a crime scene within forward-center Aron Baynes had 11. Toronto Raptors guard DeMar DeRozan (right) makes a move as he is guarded by Detroit Pistons guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope at Air Canada Centre the Fort Worth jurisdiction, however, our Pistons center Andre Drummond scored 11 in Toronto, Canada. (USA TODAY Sports ) off icers prepared a report nonetheless, points and nabbed 12 rebounds before fouling and that information was forwarded to out of the game with 6:37 left in the fourth. It to 43-4, matching the 1966-67 76ers for best fourth quarter as Cleveland powered to the win. a layup for him.” detectives for further investigation.” was his league-leading 39th double-double. 47-game start in NBA history while the current “We’re just pushing the pace, pushing it eve- Guard Klay Thompson led the Warriors with The police report stated that the woman The Pistons, who are only the fourth team in Sixers fell to 7-41. ry single night,” said James, whose Cavs have 32 points. Curry fi nished with 23 points, while was concerned about the well-being a playoff position the Raptors have played on While Philadelphia’s feisty fi ght-back fell scored at least 114 points in four straight games. Green contributed 10 points, 13 rebounds and of Manziel, which launched an eff ort to their winning streak, never led but did get as short, it lent drama to a night on which the mar- “Coach Lue is getting on us every single day nine assists—and shouldered the blame for the locate him that involved the police’s heli- close as two points during the second and third quee match-up between Cleveland and the San to keep the tempo going and we’ve been able near-upset saying he got carried away “chasing copter unit. Police later determined that quarters. Antonio Spurs belonged entirely to the Cavaliers. to do that and not turn the ball over. So that’s a triple-double”. Manziel was safe and not in danger. The Raptors opened a 20-point lead in the resulting in us playing some really good basket- Fort Worth police said they are working fourth quarter before the Pistons cut it to six on a CAVS DOMINATE SPURS ball so far.” PELICANS SWOOP LATE with Dallas police to determine if any three-pointer by Jennings with 8.9 seconds left. LeBron James scored 29 points and the Cavs Uptempo off ense has been the Warriors’ call- Pelicans guard Jrue Holiday drained a three- criminal off enses occurred. Swingman Darrun Hilliard trimmed the lead dominated San Antonio 117-103 to consolidate ing card. But their inability to take care of the pointer from the left wing with 9.3 seconds The Browns said they would have no to four after a steal but DeRozan hit two free their spot atop the Eastern Conference with 34 ball on Saturday almost cost them against the remaining, then made a game-winning 15-foot comment at this time. NFL spokesman throws with 5.5 seconds remaining to seal the victories in 46 games. 76ers. jump shot with 1.3 seconds left to lift New Or- Greg Aiello told ESPN the league was victory. They have now won four straight since drop- “We probably should have lost,” Warriors leans to a 105-103 home win over the Brooklyn aware of the incident and “looking into “It’s defi nitely frustrating, a couple of calls ping their fi rst game under new head coach Ty- coach Steve Kerr said after his team coughed up Nets. it.” didn’t go our way,” Jennings said. “We fought.” ronn Lue, who took over a week ago after the 23 turnovers. The Pelicans notched their seventh win in In October, Manziel and his then- Jennings had eight points in the fourth quar- surprise dismissal of David Blatt. “If the gods delivered what should have hap- nine games. girlfriend were questioned by police ter, in which he made two of his fi ve three- Going into the game, Cleveland were 0-3 pened, we probably should have lost, because In Indianapolis it went to overtime, with in Northeast Ohio following an argu- pointers. against the top two teams in the West, having that’s what happens when you mess around Pacers guard Monta Ellis scoring a season-high ment that started on the highway and “The toughest thing is coming off the bench,” fallen at San Antonio earlier this month and lost with the game and the ball.” 32 points in a 109-105 overtime triumph over extended near Manziel’s suburban home. Jennings added. “I’ve got to try and fi nd that twice to Golden State. As it was, Kerr added, “Harrison bailed us the Denver Nuggets. The NFL investigated the incident and rhythm. Usually in those fi rst two minutes, I’m But they took full advantage of the absence out.” The Pacers led 106-105 when Ellis drove for a announced in November that Manziel kind of passive but I was trying to be more ag- of Spurs star Tim Duncan and the fact that San A 20-5 late 76ers scoring run included seven layup with 20.4 seconds left, drawing a foul and would not be disciplined. gressive.” Antonio forward LaMarcus Aldridge was in foul points from guard Ish Smith. making the free throw to complete the three- - - - Golden State’s Harrison Barnes drained a trouble much of the night. Smith’s steal and breakaway dunk with 22.3 point play that sealed the win. ormer NFL wide receiver Keyshawn three-pointer with two-tenths of a second left With their new-look off ense fi ring, the Cava- seconds left knotted the score at 105-105. FJohnson reportedly will not be return- to lift the Warriors to a 108-105 victory over the liers shot 64 percent in the second quarter and On the fi nal Warriors’ possession, guard RESULTS ing to ESPN’s “Sunday NFL Countdown” 76ers in a duel of the NBA’s best and worst in led 66-49 at halftime. Stephen Curry fi red a pass from the right wing Golden State 108, Philadelphia 105 pregame show after nine years with the Philadelphia. San Antonio opened the third with an to forward Draymond Green at the top of the Toronto 111, Detroit 107 network. Up by 24 midway through the third period 8-0 scoring run, but their rally was quickly circle. Indiana 109, Denver 105 (OT) According to SI.com, ESPN opted not to and by 15 with 5:42 remaining, the reigning squelched by the Cavs, who had 21 points apiece He found Barnes in the right corner for the New Orleans 105, Brooklyn 103 renew Johnson’s contract following the champion Warriors appeared headed for a pre- from Kevin Love and Kyrie Irving. winning three-pointer. Washington 123, Houston 122 conclusion of his contract, which ends at dictable win over the lowly 76ers. Irving and backup point guard Matthew Del- “He always shoots a tremendous percentage Memphis 121, Sacramento 117 the end of this NFL season. But they had to fi ght to the wire to improve lavedova combined for the fi rst 18 points of the from the corner,” Green said of Barnes. “It’s like Cleveland 117, San Antonio 103

NHL FOCUS Larkin sets new ‘fastest skater’ record Los Angeles named site for 2017 AFP Weber just missed Zdeno Nashville, Tennessee Chara’s four-year old record of 108.8 mph with a blast of 108.1 All-Star Game mph. etroit Red Wings rookie “The crowd was really into it,” center Dylan Larkin Weber said. “Sure, I was slightly captured the Fastest disappointed that I didn’t break Skater title, breaking the record. We’re very competi- theD 20-year old mark set by Mike tive out there.” Gartner during the NHL all-star Pacifi c Division captain John skills competition on Saturday Scott drew the loudest cheer of night. any non-Nashville player in pre- The 19-year-old American event introductions. Scott, who Larkin zipped around the Bridge- won a fan vote to claim his spot stone Arena ice surface in 13.172 on the team and was then traded seconds, just 0.02 seconds ahead by the Arizona Coyotes to the of Gartner’s former record of Montreal Canadiens on January 13.386. Larkin would have had 15, was sent down to the lower an even faster time if he hadn’t level American Hockey League by AFP of the NHL’s 62nd mid-season stumbled around the last turn. Montreal, which the NHL said in- Los Angeles showcase of elite talent. “I was just happy I didn’t fall. validated the fan vote. Next year’s NHL All-Star Game It is pretty cool—the crowd was But Scott’s spot was restored will be the third to be played in Los pretty nuts,” Larkin said of his after complaints about the way he os Angeles was named Angeles, having been previously blazing lap around the rink. was treated. Wearing a jersey that Saturday as the host city hosted by the Kings in 1981 at the Larkin’s skate, in front of a sold said NHL across the front, Scott for the 2017 National Forum and 2002 at Staples Center, out crowd of 17,006, highlighted defi antly took part in the Hardest Hockey League All-Star where a team of World All-Stars the All-Star Weekend festivities Shot and Shootout competitions. LGame, with two days of events beat North America 8-5. ahead of Sunday’s mid-season “It was really neat that it hap- set to be staged at the Staples The announcement came on showcase game which is being pened,” said Scott, who has 542 Center next January. the eve of this year’s NHL All- hosted by the Nashville Preda- penalty minutes in 285 games The home arena of the Los Star Game in Nashville, Tennes- tors. with six NHL teams. Angeles Kings, winners of the see. It features a new tournament Predators superstar Shea Weber “Very emotional. My heart was Stanley Cup twice in the past format of three 3-on-3 games defended his title by winning the going boom-boom-boom. It was Dylan Larkin (right) of the Detroit Red Wings is interviewed after posting a record-breaking time of four years, will host a skills con- among teams representing each popular Hardest Shot competition. very touching.” 13.172 seconds at the Bridgestone NHL Fastest Skater in Nashville, Tennessee, on Saturday. (AFP) test on January 28 on the eve of the league’s four divisions. Gulf Times 8 Monday, February 1, 2016 SPORT

BOXING FOCUS Aspire Zone fi nalises its NSD Russia’s Kovalev preparations camp

By Sports Reporter destroys challenger Doha eams of staff and vol- unteers at Aspire Zone Foundation (AZF) are this week putting the fi nish- ingT touches to preparations for the fi fth edition of the National Sports Pascal in rematch Day (NSD), which takes place on Tuesday, February 9. Thousands of people from the local com- ‘I wanted to fight more rounds and punish him more. Give him more pain’ munity are expected to visit As- pire Zone to celebrate the day and make the most of its world-class facilities and venues. AZF Marketing director Nasser Commenting on the prepara- Abdullah al-Hajri tions, AZF Marketing director and member of the NSD organis- the Qatar Basketball Federation. ing committee Nasser Abdullah Visitors to the Aspire Dome al-Hajri said: “AZF has made a will have the opportunity to take major contribution to the suc- part in a number of fi tness activ- cess of National Sports Day these ities including sprinting, throw- past few years through organis- ing, vertical jumping, 200m bike ing innovative and creative pro- racing and more. A number of grammes of activity. The Foun- family-focused activities are also dation’s world-class venues and being organised for participants facilities have made it a natural of various ages, designed to help choice for people looking to cel- build up endurance and mus- ebrate this signifi cant occasion cle mass, and enhance fl exibil- and helped to increase participa- ity. The Aspire Academy Football tion and involvement in the day Performance & Science Depart- more broadly.” ment is also organising a number He added: “During each of the of activities that will test partici- last four editions of NSD, AZF has pants’ football skills including introduced a hugely diverse range shooting, passing, dribbling and of activities designed to make the more. most of the advanced facilities on One of the highlights in this off er. These take place all across year’s programme of activities is Aspire Park, which covers more the 5,000-steps journey, which than 2km of green fi elds, lakes and will start at 9AM in Aspire Park sports venues. AZF has also pro- next to the Burgeri restaurant. vided companies and organisa- Visitors to Aspire can also enjoy tions with the opportunity to hold wall climbing which takes place their own activities in its precinct, at a station behind the Grand enabling many of the country’s Heritage Hotel under the su- most important organisations to pervision of specialised train- celebrate this special day and in- ers. Aspire Zone will also host volve the widest number of par- the Fun Run, which is open to ticipants possible.” all members of the community AZF and its member organi- whatever their age is. sations Aspire Academy, Asp- Families visiting Aspire Zone etar and Aspire Logistics have on National Sports Day will also been busy preparing for the big be able to partake in the Family day to ensure a mix of activities Bike Ride in Aspire Park. And for that both exceed the public’s ex- children, one of the more unu- pectations and which refl ect the sual activities available is Judo importance of the largest sports instruction, which takes place festival in the country. In partic- under the careful supervision of ular, the Foundation has focused expert trainers. on ensuring a programme that is Besides organising its own suitable for people of all ages and programme, Aspire Zone will levels of fi tness to appeal to all also be hosting National Sports Sergey Kovalev (left) of Russia lands a jab on Jean Pascal of Canada during the WBO, WBA, and IBF light heavyweight world championship match in Montreal on Saturday. (AFP) members of the community. Day celebrations arranged by 24 The programme focus aligns diff erent public and private sec- AFP Kovalev retained his World Boxing By the third round Kovalev was land- underdog. He dropped to 30-4-1 with 17 with AZF’s objective of promoting tor organisations. Each will be Montreal Association, International Boxing Fed- ing rights and lefts at will against Pascal, knockouts. healthy lifestyles in support of the laying on its own programme of eration and World Boxing Organization whose only hope was to go for a round- Kovalev notched his eighth title de- Qatar National Vision 2030. fun and exciting activities with titles as he improved to 29-0-1 with 26 house knockout punch. fense since winning his fi rst belt with a AZF will organise a number as many as 14 open to the public. ight heavyweight world cham- knockouts. Pascal’s legs were already going and he fourth-round knockout of Nathan Clev- of football competitions during People interested in visiting pion Sergey “Krusher” Kovalev The two became bitter rivals in the looked wobbly as he tried in vain to get erly in 2013. NSD, including the Aspire Acad- Aspire Zone on National Sports successfully defended his three build up to the rematch with Pascal, who away from Kovalev’s stinging combina- After destroying Pascal, Kovalev now emy Football League for play- Day can fi nd full details of all titles, demolishing challenger is black, accusing the Russian of being tions. plans to fi ght either former super mid- ers born between 2004 – 2005. the activities on off er on the day LJean Pascal in a rematch of their March racist and Kovalev questioning Pascal’s Roach warned Pascal, 33, at the end of dleweight champ Andre Ward or WBC Around 220 players from Qatar through the Life in Aspire mobile fi ght on Saturday. character. the fi fth and sixth rounds that he was go- light heavy champ Adonis Stevenson. Football Federation clubs are application, the Life in Aspire The 32-year-old Russian dominated Kovalev told the crowd of 9,866 at the ing to step in and stop the fi ght but Pascal expected to participate in this website – www.lifeinaspire.qa – every round, masterfully cutting off the Bell Centre arena, immediately following talked him out of it. ‘ADONIS CHICKENSON’ league. Young visitors to Aspire or any of the Aspire Zone Foun- ring and landing left jabs at will before the fi ght, that he purposely extended it to Roach even asked the referee to watch He even said so in the ring Saturday night will also be able to take part in dation’s various social media Pascal’s trainer Freddie Roach put a stop make Pascal suff er more. his fi ghter closely before the start of the using a schoolyard taunt to describe a number of exciting football channels. to the slaughter before the start of round “He doesn’t respect anybody,” Kovalev seventh round because he was worried Stevenson. “I would like to fi ght Adonis matches on Aspire Zone’s out- Aspire Zone Foundation in- eight—giving Kovalev a seventh-round said. “I don’t respect him and I never will. about his fi ghter’s health. Chickenson.” door football pitches. Another vites all members of the local technical knockout. “I wanted to fi ght more rounds and “It just wasn’t your night,” Roach fi - Stevenson, who watched the fi ght from exciting event taking place this community to the Aspire Zone This was the Canadian’s fi rst fi ght with punish him more. Give him more pain.” nally told Pascal as the fi ghter sat on his ringside, had already climbed through year is the beach soccer compe- precinct this year to celebrate six-time trainer of the year Roach, but Kovalev knocked Pascal down in the stool with a vacant look in his eyes. the ropes and was jawing at Kovalev but tition, which will see eight teams National Sports Day and partake the outcome was virtually the same as his fi rst round with a straight left jab but the Pascal, who struggled to win a keeping his distance. Kovalev then gave take part. A number of 3 on 3 in the programme of activities March fi ght against Kovalev, which ended referee ruled it a slip. Knockdown or not 10-round decision over Yunieski Gonzal- Stevenson the middle fi nger before being basketball competitions will also for a day of unparalleled fun and with an eight-round TKO for the Russian. it was a sign of things to come. ez in his last fi ght, came in as the heavy pushed away by several of his handlers. be organised in partnership with enjoyment.

RUGBY Wanderers Hockey Club celebrates Indian Republic Day Mixed sevens bow for Williams in New Zealand triumph

Reuters Wellington

onny Bill Williams (pictured) made a cou- ple of howling errors in the fi nal but still ended Sup celebrating a victorious sev- ens debut as New Zealand won the Wellington leg of the World Series tournament yesterday. Williams’s bow was eagerly awaited as the All Blacks’ World Cup winner, who has also shone with his fi rst touch on Saturday, taking it as a massive learning ex- as one of the world’s fi nest rugby made two glaring mistakes in perience and I’m just grateful to be league players and New Zealand’s Sunday’s fi nal, dropping the ball playing in such a talented side.” champion heavyweight boxer, from the kickoff and delivering New Zealand coach Gordon now targets a place in the inau- an errant offl oad to help South Tightens was also impressed. “I’m gural Olympics sevens. Africa forge into a 21-7 lead. really pleased with Sonny,” he said. Yet the multi-talented Wil- Yet New Zealand made a re- “He’s disappointed in a couple liams produced errors along with markable fi ght back, with Joe of things that he did but the good the odd moment of offl oading Webber clinching the winning thing about Sonny is that he can magic in a mixed display over try after the fi nal siren. put that behind him and just look the weekend before New Zealand “I’m really pleased with how I to the next job. That’s why he’s so managed to eke out a 24-21 win went this weekend to tell you the good. He’s a perfectionist and he’ll over South Africa in the fi nal. truth,” Williams told reporters. get it right.” Still, though, the 30-year-old “The pleasing thing is being able Williams is seeking selection was left satisfi ed with his win- to be in an environment where, for the Olympics sevens in Rio de Qatar-based hockey club Wanderers celebrated India’s 67th Republic Day with a three-a-side quickfire tournament at their club house ning start, telling reporters: “I even though I’m a rookie, every- Janeiro along with his sister Nail, in Wakrah. The teams were aptly named Saff ron, White, Orange and Green. Prizes were distributed by the club’s senior members Cyril know that I will get better.” one wants to help you out. who hopes to be picked for the Fernandes and Fabian Faleiro. The event was sponsored by Gulf Agency Qatar. Williams, who had scored a try “I’ve come into this weekend New Zealand women’s squad. Gulf Times Monday, February 1, 2016 9 SPORT

BASKETBALL LEAGUE GOLF Gharafa, Sadd Spieth, Song set for tense post victories fi nish in Al Gharafa led from the start but the match was still competitive Singapore

AFP performance, shooting fi ve bird- Singapore ies against a bogey before head- ing into the fi nal hole to shave Song’s lead. thunderstorm halted “My game really started to the fi nal round of the come together on the back nine,” SMBC Singapore Open said the world number one. yesterday just as world “I was putting some pressure Anumber one Jordan Spieth was on the leader. Assuming I make attempting to go a stroke behind that putt on 18 that is going to leader Song Young Han on the put some pressure on him.” 18th hole. Song put on a blistering eight- This left the competition in a under-par 63 performance on cliff hanger as the South Korean Friday that equalled the course had two more holes to play and record, but only managed two was lining up a 10-foot par on and one under in the next two the 16th. days before play was suspended. The $1.0 million tournament “I am really tired, it has been a will now be decided when play long wait. Coming back tomor- resumes today morning at the row is okay for me as the course Sentosa Golf Club’s Serapong should be in a better condition Course. (less wet),” said the 24-year-old. The South Korean is looking “Tomorrow I will just play to secure his fi rst career title af- shot by shot and hope I can get ter taking six-runners-up places the win. I have had a lot of sec- in Japan and South Korea during ond place fi nishes and it is time the past three years. for a victory.” Inclement weather and fading Q South Korean Jang Ha-na light have dogged the competi- made history with an albatross, tion since Thursday, suspending as Swede Anna Nordqvist and play that had to be resumed the English teenager Charley Hull following day. earned a share of the third- A total of 15 players had to round lead at the Pure Silk Baha- complete round three this mas LPGA Classic on Saturday. morning, with Spieth playing Jang hit a three-wood at the two holes and Song fi ve. 218-yard eighth hole, and her The session ended with the ball bounced in front of the Texan trailing the South Korean green before rolling into the cup by fi ve strokes. for the fi rst albatross on a par- Plagued by erratic form in the four in recorded LPGA history. last three days, Spieth conceded Jang, 23, said she did not see he was rushing his game, trying the ball go into the hole, but re- to do too much and making the alised something good had hap- wrong decisions. pened when her father standing Heading into the fi nal round, near the green thrust his arms the 22-year-old resolved to into the air. change his approach to narrow As Jang approached the hole, the gap. she dropped to her knees and “I have got to hit as many kissed the ground at the Ocean greens in regulation as possible, Club course on Paradise Island. I just have not done that,” said “Oh my God, it was so unbe- the American. lievable,” she told Golf Channel. “All it takes is a little bit of a “Right now, my heartbeat is a spark, a little confi dence with little fast.” my ball striking to make sure Despite her excitement, Jang I have got that distance con- was disappointed a car was not trol down and the putting will on off er for an ace at the hole. come.” “A new car, please, a car, Spieth lived up to his expecta- please,” she pleaded. “I need a tions and put on a commanding car.”

SPOTLIGHT UCI chief Cookson Action from yesterday’s matches in the Qatar Basketball League at the Al Gharafa Indoor Hall.

By Sports Reporter A 20-14 lead in the fi rst period for Al Mohamed Saad was the second-highest Al Sadd led 21-18 after the fi rst quar- confi rms motor Doha Gharafa was just the platform they need- scorer for Al Gharafa with 16 points, while ter but upped their tempo in the second ed, and they capitalized on their advantage Dwayne Galloway had 13 and Osaro Adako to increase their advantage by 11 points to post a 53-41 cushion by the end of the 10. (46-35).They then went on to stay com- found on bike in assino Ndoye was the top scorer third quarter. For Al Wakrah, Adamu Saaka had 16 fortably ahead after that to win with a bit for either side with 21 points as When the fi nal period began, it was Al points, while Harold Boney Watson had 15 to spare. Al Gharafa scored a 67-56 win Gharafa who were once again the domi- and Souleye Ndour 11. El Jaish’s Leon Macklin was the highest new cycling storm over Al Wakrah in the Qatar Bas- nating side as they pulled further clear. In In the second match of the day, leaders scorer of the match with 27 points, while Hketball League last evening. fact, Gharafa went on to lead by 22 points Al Sadd edged El Jaish 78-70 with An- Yousuf Mohamed had 19 and Sammy Al Gharafa led from the start but the match at one stage (63-41) before Al Wakrah thony Raff a top-scoring with 24. Abdul- Monroe nine. Reuters own but belonged to her friend was still competitive as Al Wakrah also pro- pulled up their socks to produce a purple rahman Saad was the second best with 13 On Tuesday, Al Khor meet Al Rayyan Paris and that a team mechanic had duced a few sparks of brilliance and didn’t patch, although it was too little too late for while Suliman Abdi and Deba Kone con- at 5.30pm, while Al Shamal play Qatar given it her by mistake before hand go down without putting up a fi ght. them by then. tributed 12 each. Sports Club. the race. ycling was being forced The bike was taken for inspec- to confront fresh con- tion along with others after she troversy yesterday after had pulled out on the last lap of the sport’s head con- Saturday’s race with a ‘mechani- NATIONAL SHOW JUMPING Cfi rmed the fi rst top-level case cal problem’ and had to walk to of “technological fraud” with a the fi nish. hidden motor being found on a “It wasn’t my bike, it was my Belgian cyclist’s bike. friend’s and was identical to The electric motor was dis- mine,” Van den Driessche told covered inside the frame of the Belgian TV channel Sporza. machine being used by teenag- “This friend went around the er Femke Van den Driessche at course Saturday before dropping the world cyclo-cross champi- off the bike in the truck. A me- onship in Belgium, Brian Cook- chanic, thinking it was my bike, son, president of the Interna- cleaned it and prepared it for my tional Cycling Union (UCI), race.” said. Van den Driessche said she “It’s absolutely clear that feared her career could now there was technological fraud. be over but she still hoped for There was a concealed motor. I a second chance and was not don’t think there are any secrets afraid of any investiagtions into about that,” Cookson told a news the case. conference. “I’m aware I have a big prob- The man elected to fi ght the lem. I have done nothing wrong,” long-standing scourge of doping she said. in his sport also insisted there In a sport that has long bat- would be “no place to hide” for tled doping problems, sugges- anyone attempting to cheat with tions and rumours of ‘motorised motorised help. doping’ have fl oated around too Yet the 19-year-old Van den but nothing has been uncovered Driessche denied suggestions in major competitions until this she had deliberately cheated in case. the women’s under-23 race and UCI regulations on ‘techno- was in tears as she told Belgian logical doping’ were introduced TV channel Sporza: “The bike last year with guilty riders liable Bader Mohamed Alfard riding Bijou Van De Vijfheide emerged triumphant in the Class 3 - Table A, One round with joker – 120/125cm event at the 7th National Show was not mine. I would never to a minimum suspension of six Jumping Championship at the Qatar Equestrian Federation. The second place went to Hamad Nasser al-Qadi (S I E C Lonnie), while the third place was grabbed by Shiekh cheat.” months and a fi ne of between Khalifa al-Thani (Dolce Vita M) Van den Driessche said the 20,000 and 200,000 Swiss bike looked identical to her Francs. Gulf Times 10 Monday, February 1, 2016 CRICKET

3RD ODI/ NEW ZEALAND vs PAKISTAN Australia coach Lehmann says he hopes to join Guptill, Williamson team in NZ before opening Test

ustralia cricket coach Darren Lehmann (pic) said yesterday he was hopeful he set up Kiwi victory Awould be given medical clearance to join his team’s Test tour of New Zealand as he recovers from deep vein thrombosis. New Zealand duo hit brisk fifties and combine in a record stand of 159 to power the Lehmann was replaced by batting coach Michael Di Venuto for Australia’s three-match hosts to a thrilling series-clinching 3-wicket win against Pakistan in the final one-dayer Twenty20 series against India that ended yesterday, as well as the team’s one-day inter- national tour of New Zealand, with matches taking place on February 3, 6 and 8. The Test matches will be played in New Zea- land on February 12 and 20. “Obviously (I’m) still recovering from the DVT, but for me it’s just about hopefully getting medical clearance later on in the week and see where we go from there and join the New Zea- land group,” Lehmann told reporters in Sydney. He added that he hoped to join the squad “on the weekend”. “But until medical clear- ance comes through to fly, I’ll have to wait and see. But I’m feeling a lot better. I’ve had some good care and it’s been a nice relaxing week, although watching us not play so well (in the T20s against India) hasn’t been that relaxing.” Lehmann said one of the diff iculties the T20 squad faced was that the players did not play together often. “We’ve only played four games in the last 18 months, and we’ve lost three of them,” he said. “They don’t play that often together, schedul- ing is always a tough one for us, we’re obvi- ously getting prepared for New Zealand which is an important tour as well. “The World T20 is just around the corner, so you’ve got to find the best solution some- where, so we’re got some guys in New Zea- land, some guys here, we’re rewarding good performances in the BBL and having a look at some young guys. “So it’s a tough one, but we’re really confi- dent where we are going with the World T20, although obviously the two results don’t help.” India won the first T20 match on Tuesday in Adelaide by 37 runs and the second match in Melbourne on Friday by 27 runs, giving the tourists an unbeatable 2-0 lead in the three- game series, before winning the final game in Sydney yesterday by seven wickets.

New Zealand players celebrate their 2-0 ODI series win over Pakistan, following their three-wicket win in the third and final match in Auckland yesterday. (AFP)

AFP While Babar Azam and Mohamed Ha- to get New Zealand home. Shoaib Malik c Ronchi b Boult ...... 32 Auckland feez were together it looked like they would Earlier, Pakistan, who needed to win to Sarfraz Ahmed c Ronchi b Milne ...... 41 threaten the Eden Park ODI innings record tie the series, were all out for 290 with 15 Mohamed Rizwan (run out) ...... 16 of 340. Even with Hafeez back in the pavil- balls remaining with Babar contributing a Wahab Riaz c Guptill b Anderson ...... 11 record partnership by Martin Gup- ion, Pakistan were 207-3 with 20 overs re- career-best 83 and Hafeez 76. Mohamed Amir c Ronchi b Milne...... 1 till and Kane Williamson gave New maining. But they were soon to run out of The tourists were 20-2 in the sixth over Rahat Ali c Ronchi b Milne ...... 0 Zealand victory with two balls to steam with their last six wickets falling for when the pair embarked on a 134-run part- Mohamed Irfan (not out) ...... 0 spare in a tense third one-dayer 63 runs and they were all out for 290 with 15 nership for the third wicket, in which they Extras (w14, nb1) ...... 15 againstA Pakistan in Auckland yesterday. balls remaining. lifted the run rate to 6.81 by the time Hafeez Total (all out, 47.3 overs) ...... 290 The three-wicket win in the rain- McCullum’s comeback was very brief af- was dismissed with 27 overs remaining. Fall of wickets: 1-16 (Shehzad), 2-20 (Azhar abridged match also wrapped up the series ter being sidelined for fi ve weeks by a back Shoaib Malik joined Babar and the run Ali), 3-154 (Hafeez), 4-215 (Malik), 5-227 for New Zealand 2-0. complaint. rate continued to rise to 6.90, but when New (Babar), 6-256 (Rizwan), 7-279 (Riaz), 8-284 Initially set a target of 291 to win, New The fi rst ball he faced from Mohamed Zealand’s leading strike bowlers Trent Boult (Amir), 9-284 (Rahat Ali), 10-290 (Ahmed) Zealand made a disastrous start with Bren- Amir was hooked to long leg where Moham- and Matt Henry combined to remove Malik Bowling: Boult 9-0-60-2 (w3, nb1), Henry 10- don McCullum out for a fi rst-ball duck. ed Irfan took a smart catch on the run. and Babar, Pakistan’s lack of depth was ex- 0-44-2 (w3), Anderson 4-0-26-1 (w1), Santner But Guptill and Williamson restored or- Enter Williamson to partner Guptill in a posed. Their last six wickets fell for 63 runs. 5-0-56-1 (w1), Milne 9.3-0-49-3 (w2), Elliott der with a 159-run stand, a New Zealand record stand, two better than the previous Guptill, who was in doubt on the eve of 10-0-55-0 ODI record for the second wicket, to set the best 157 which Guptill had set with McCul- the match because of a twisted ankle, was New Zealand side up before a lengthy rain delay short- lum four years ago against Zimbabwe. instrumental in the fi rst two wickets that Martin Guptill c Hafeez b Azhar ...... 82 ened the match by seven overs. Azhar removed the pair in the space of fell. Fielding at short midwicket, he took Brendon McCullum c Irfan b Amir ...... 0 When play resumed, New Zealand were eight deliveries. a smart catch low down to give Boult the Kane Williamson st Sarfraz b Azhar ...... 84 set a revised target of 53 off 45 balls, which Guptill was fi rst to go for 82 caught wicket of Ahmed Shehzad for 12. Henry Nicholls lbw Amir ...... 5 they reached with two balls to spare and at point by Hafeez, and Williamson was Two balls later, fi elding at slip to Henry, Grant Elliott c Babar b Malik ...... 10 with the help of a contentious umpire’s call. stumped for 84. he caught Azhar Ali for three and Pakistan Corey Anderson c Babar b Irfan ...... 35 With 27 balls remaining and New Zealand Azhar may consider himself a part-time were quickly two down after winning the Luke Ronchi b Riaz ...... 20 still 38 runs short of their target, Corey An- bowler but showed all the guile of a career toss and electing to bat. Mitchell Santner (not out) ...... 10 derson appeared to have been caught behind leg-spinner when he outwitted Williamson For New Zealand, Milne took three for 49 Adam Milne (not out) ...... 0 but was given not out and Pakistan had used charging down the wicket by getting the ball while Boult and Henry fi nished with two Extras (lb5, w14) ...... 19 up their review. through to wicketkeeper Sarfraz Ahmed. wickets apiece. Total (7 wickets, 42.4 overs) ...... 265 The ODI series win added to New Zea- Henry Nicholls, who set up the fi rst ODI Fall of wickets: 1-6 (McCullum), 2-165 (Gup- land’s golden summer after they also beat win, and Grant Elliott both fell cheaply as Scoreboard till), 3-180 (Williamson), 4-188 (Nicholls), 5-210 Pakistan 2-1 in the Twenty20s and beat Sri New Zealand slipped from 165-1 to 210-5. Pakistan (Elliott), 6-253 (Ronchi), 7-256 (Anderson) Lanka in Tests, ODIs and Twenty20s. Lusty hitting from Anderson with 35 Azhar Ali c Guptill b Henry ...... 3 Bowling: Irfan 8-0-60-1 (w5), Amir 9-0-39-2 In the decider against Pakistan, Azhar Ali off 29 narrowed the gap and with six re- Ahmed Shehzad c Guptill b Boult ...... 12 (w2), Rahat Ali 7-0-54-0 (w2), Wahab Riaz won the toss and opted to bat fi rst which quired off the last over, Mitchell Santner hit Mohamed Hafeez c Milne b Santner ...... 76 8.4-0-51-1 (w3), Shoaib Malik 3-0-19-1, Azhar initially proved productive. boundaries off the fi rst and fourth deliveries Babar Azam c Guptill b Henry ...... 83 Ali 7-0-37-2 (w2)

U-19 WORLD CUP Namibia stun reigning champs SA, make quarters England rout Zimbabwe by fi nishes second in Group A will take on young Proteas added a further 76 runs. responded to the challenge. to bat against Zimbabwe. wards the end and that is something 129 runs, West Indies beat Fiji the winner of Group D on February 6. Defending a modest 136 for nine “It is unbelievable and a great feel- Durham’s Jack Burnham hit an un- we missed in the last game. by 262 runs, hosts Bangladesh Elsewhere, England brushed aside in 50 overs, South Africa claimed a ing,” he said. “I always believed in the beaten 106, his second hundred in “These are the kind of wickets where thrash Scotland by 114 runs in Zimbabwe by 129 runs in Chittagong wicket off the fi rst ball and contin- guys and I am proud that they delivered three matches, opener Dan Lawrence you have to dig in and try to play as long to top Group C with a third successive ued to dismiss batsmen regularly, but today. We did not expect that we will made 59 and Max Holden hit 51. as possible. Nazmul Hossain showed other games of the day win. England will meet the second- Lohan Louwrens stood in the way as restrict South Africa to 136, but I think Zimbabwe were dismissed for 159 de- us how it is done. It was a splendid placed team from Group B in the quar- he steered Namibia home with an un- we struck to our plan and that was the spite a heroic 91 from Jeremy Ives as Sa- knock under pressure.” Agencies ter-fi nals in Mirpur on February 7. beaten 58. The memorable win means key. I always knew that our bowling qib Mahmood claimed four wickets for Shamar Springer became the third Dhaka The West Indies romped to a 262- Namibia, who fi nished 14th in the same was very solid and we had shown that 39 runs and Callum Taylor took three century-maker of the day, scoring 106 run win over Fiji in another Group C event in the United Arab Emirates two in the qualifi ers as well.” for 14. “We can only go up from here, to lift the West Indies to 340 for seven match in Chittagong and face Zimba- years ago, will improve upon their best South African captain Tony de hopefully there are more wins to come,” against fi rst-timers Fiji, who were dis- ualifi ers Namibia upset de- bwe tomorrow to determine the second fi nish of 11th in Malaysia in 2008. Zorzi said his side had let the nation said Burnham, whose 104-ball knock missed for a paltry 78 in reply. fending champions South qualifi er from the group. The winner Namibia captain Zane Green said he down, but vowed to do well in the Plate contained six sixes and fi ve boundaries. Gidron Pope (76) and Jyd Goolie (66) Africa by two wickets in a of this match will meet the Group B was delighted with the win, while add- Championships. Nazmul Hossain delighted home were the other principal scorers for the thrilling chase to join hosts champions in Fatullah on February 8. ing that he was not surprised that his “Our top-order failed badly,” he said. fans with an unbeaten 113 and skip- West Indies. Pope then grabbed four BangladeshQ in the quarterfi nals from But what's the biggest stunner of the team had made the knockout rounds. “If the boys are honest with them- per Mehidy Miraz hit 51 as Bangladesh wickets for 24 runs with his off -spin to Group A of the ICC Under-19 World tournament so far, Namibia’s unher- “We were positive from the start of selves, they will realize they played scored 256 for six and then bowled complete a fi ne all-round display. Cup in Dhaka yesterday. alded cricketers, who had beaten Scot- the tournament because we knew we some loose shots. We should have got Scotland out for 142. Azeem Dar top- Bangladesh beat Scotland by 114 land in their fi rst match, kept their cool had the team to go far,” said Green. more than 136 for sure. scored for Scotland with 50 as Mo- Results runs for their second win and next amid mounting tension to knock South “Our aim was to take it one game at a “We have let our country down by hamed Saifuddin and Saleh Ahmed Bangladesh U19 256/6 beat Scotland clash with Namibia in their last league Africa out. time and that is what we will contin- not qualifying for the quarter-fi nals, grabbed three wickets each. U19 142 in 47.2 overs by 114 runs match tomorrow to decide the Group South Africa, batting fi rst, were re- ue to do. We want to take the positive but we will defi nitely try to fi nish ninth Bangladesh head coach Mizanur England U19 288/4 beat Zimbabwe U19 A winners. The winner of the Bang- duced to 60 for eight by the half-way energy from this game into our next .... that’s the best we can do.” Rahman said his team was improving 159 in 43.4 overs by 129 runs ladesh-Namibia match will feature in stage following a four-wicket haul by match against Bangladesh. And then England, who had scored 371 for with each game. “The start was dis- West Indies U19 340/7 beat Fiji U19 78 the fi rst quarter-fi nal against Group Michael van Lingen. But Willem Lu- take it from there.” three against Fiji in the fi rst match, appointing, but I was happy with the in 27.3 overs by 262 runs D runners-up (India or Nepal) in Mir- dick hit 42 in a ninth-wicket stand Namibian coach Norbert Manyande once again showed their batting prow- way we fi nished both in batting and South Africa U19 136/9 lost to Namibia pur on February 5, while the side that of 55 runs with Lutho Sipamla as the said he was proud of the way his boys ess to pile up 288 for four after electing bowling,” he said. “We accelerated to- U19 137/8 in 39.4 overs by 2 wickets Gulf Times Monday, February 1, 2016 11 CRICKET

FOCUS Clarke comes out of retirement, eyes T20 format

AFP “All I know is, I’ll never say never “As far as I know and I spoke to him Sydney to anything. I’ll start with Western this morning, it’s just about playing Suburbs and we will see where it takes that fi rst grade game in February and me. For now, my focus is defi nitely the see where it takes him from there.” ormer Test captain Michael shorter format of the game.” Clarke had long battled back prob- “I still believe Clarke yesterday said he was The batsman, who became Austral- lems but said his “body feels unbe- I have some returning to cricket six months ian Test captain in 2011, last year pulled lievable”. “I’ve been training since after he retired, telling Austral- out of his Big Bash League deal with the walking away from cricket. But my unfinished ianF media he had “unfi nished busi- Melbourne Stars but said he was inter- back’s had time to settle,” he told business in ness” in the shorter form of the game. ested in returning to Australia’s do- Channel Nine. the Twenty20 The 34-year-old, who bowed out mestic Twenty20 league. “The stress and pressure of playing department of in August after the disastrous Ashes “I still believe I have some unfi n- at high level, you’re pushing your body cricket. When I series in England, said his fi rst game ished business in the Twenty20 de- to the max 24/7. To be able to walk would be with his grade club Western partment of cricket. away from that for fi ve months now was playing for Suburbs against Randwick-Petersham “We’ve got BBL, IPL, a number of has helped my body.” Australia I was in Sydney on February 20-21. tournaments around the world that al- “It was a really big concern for him focused on Test “To step away from cricket for four low you the opportunity to go and play over the past couple of years. He’s re- and one-day months has been great, I have found that,” he told commercial broadcaster ally fi t, he’ll be good to go.” cricket. I walked my body has enjoyed it and my mind Channel Nine. Former Test cricket Michael Hussey, has really enjoyed it too,” Clarke told “When I was playing for Australia I who recently retired from BBL team away from that, News Corp newspapers. was focused on Test and one-day crick- Sydney Thunder, said his side would be now I have the “At the same time I’ve realised the et. I walked away from that, now I have interested in accommodating Clarke. opportunity game of cricket is in my blood. I’ve the opportunity to focus on the shorter “Would we be interested? I reckon,” to focus on the been looking for an outlet to replace form of the game if I enjoy this game,” Hussey told Sydney’s Daily Telegraph shorter form of the what I’ve chosen to walk away from.” he added. Australia’s coach Darren Le- of recently crowded BBL champions One of the outstanding batsmen of hmann welcomed Clarke’s return. Thunder. game if I enjoy this his generation, Clarke said he “missed “He’s a pretty good player, his record “He’s an experienced player, top or- game” the game” and would “never say never speaks for that,” Lehmann told report- der player—that’s exactly what we’re to anything”. ers in Sydney. looking for.”

3RD T20/ AUSTRALIA vs INDIA Australia score consolation win in fi nal T20 game Watson ton in vain as as India women clinch series 2-1

IANS Sydney

India win fi nal game ustralia women clinched the third and final Twenty20 International Aby 15 runs but the visiting Indian women’s team lifted the trophy with a 2-1 series victory at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) yesterday, ahead of the men’s game which India won by seven wickets. Put in to bat, Australia posted a total of for T20 series sweep 136/5 in 20 overs before halting the visiting team at 121/8. The Indian women cricketers created Aussie all-rounder’s unbeaten hundred fails to prevent Australia from falling to 7-wicket defeat history at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) on Friday where their 10-wicket to India in the final Twenty20 match as Raina hits four on the last ball to complete 3-0 sweep win resulted in their first bilateral series victory over Australia, the defending World Twenty20 champions who are eyeing their IANS ries, showed why he is still a force fourth successive world title in March, in Sydney to reckon with as he kept punishing any format. Suresh Raina of India hits a the Indian bowlers. He played a cru- The home team got a big jolt on the boundary during the third and cial role in a 50-run partnership with first ball of the match when opener Alyssa ndia’s top batting order put final Twenty20 international Shaun Marsh, who could score only Healy, fiance of fast bowler Mitchell Starc, Shane Watson’s unbeaten 86- against Australia in Sydney nine before getting bowled by off - was caught off pacer Jhulan Goswami, later ball 124 in the shade as they yesterday. (AFP) spinner Ravichandran Ashwin when declared Player of the Series. clinched the third and fi nal he went for a mistimed slog sweep. Opening batswoman Beth Mooney (34), matchI of their Twenty20 Interna- Marsh’s wicket, with Australia skipper Meg Lannig (26) and Ellyse Perry tional (T20I) series by seven wickets now 69 for two in 7.4 overs, brought (55 not out) consolidated the innings for to blank Australia 3-0 at the Sydney ‘Big Show’ Glenn Maxwell (6) but he Australia thereon, striking significant part- Cricket Ground here yesterday. was soon holed out at short cover to nerships. Watson’s superb maiden T20 cen- Suresh Raina off Yuvraj’s bowling. Perry’s knock, which included four tury powered Australia, batting fi rst, Travis Head then joined Watson in boundaries and three sixes, was instrumen- to a handsome 197 for fi ve. In reply, the middle and provided the muscle. tal in Australia reaching the respectable India rode on blistering batting from He despatched Yuvraj for a six and total, which eventually they were able to their top four batsmen—Shikhar a four to boost his captain’s faith defend comprehensively. Dhawan (26 off nine deliveries), Ro- as the partnership fl ourished, with Slow left-arm orthodox bowler hit Sharma (52 off 38), Virat Kohli (50 Watson on song. Rajeshwari Gayakwad was the pick of the off 36) and Suresh Raina (49 not out Watson also benefi tted from In- Indian bowlers, clinching 2/36 from her four in 38 balls)—to overtake the target in dia’s generosity. He was batting overs while Goswami and debutant Deepti the fi nal over. on 56 and on the second ball of the Sharma scalped a wicket each. With India needing 17 in the fi nal 12th over, he mishit a wide ball from In reply, India got off to a decent start over, Yuvraj Singh hit pacer Andrew Hardik Pandya towards Virat Kohli, with openers Mithali Raj (12) and Vel- Tye for a six and then a four off the who spilled the catch at deep cover. laswamy Vanitha (28) hitting a 33-run fi rst two deliveries to pave the way In the 14th over, skipper Dhoni failed partnership. Veda Krishnamurthy (21) and for the last-ball heroics by Raina. to collect a throw from Pandya, fail- Harmanpreet Kaur (24) also chipped in Chasing the 198-run target, India ing to run Watson out as the batsman but the touring team kept losing wickets got off to a fl ying start. They raced tried to complete a second run. at regular intervals. Australia did not allow to 62 in the fi rst fi ve overs, thanks to Watson made India pay as he hit India to strike partnerships, which is crucial a quickfi re 26 off nine deliveries by two sixes off left-arm spinner Jadeja in any format of the game. Shikhar Dhawan. The left-handed and one off Ashwin before complet- India in the end fell short by 15 runs as opener plundered four fours and a ing his maiden hundred in 58 balls. Player of the Match Perry picked up four six during his blinder. After the hundred, he again hit wickets, giving away only 12 runs in her Watson got rid of Dhawan who Jadeja for a six and one off Nehra as four overs. Rene Farrel also picked up two edged to debuting wicket-keeper his team mustered a total of 197 for wickets. Cameron Bancroft. fi ve but it was not enough in the end. However, the wicket didn’t bring Kohli was adjudged the man-of- Brief scores relief for the hosts as the in-form Vi- the-series for scoring 199 runs in Australia 136/5 in 20 overs (Ellyse Perry rat Kohli joined Rohit Sharma in the three matches. 55 not out, Beth Mooney 34, Meg Lanning middle and the duo scored almost at Scoreboard 26; Rajeshwari Gayakwad 2/36) beat India will. They forged a 78-run stand for 121/8 in 20 overs (Vellaswamy Vanitha 28, the second wicket when Rohit got Australia Harmanpreet Kaur 24; Ellyse Perry 4/12, Rene out after scoring 52 off 38 balls. U Khawaja c Dhoni b Nehra ...... 14 Farrel 2/18) by 15 runs The Mumbai right-hander was S Watson (not out) ...... 124 caught by Watson at midwicket S Marsh b Ashwin...... 9 off Cameron Boyce, but not before G Maxwell c Raina b Singh ...... 3 putting India strongly on track at T Head b Jadeja ...... 26 124-2 in 12.3 overs. C Lynn c Jadeja b Bumrah ...... 13 Later, Kohli completed his 12th C Bancroft (not out) ...... 0 T20I fi fty, and his third in the se- Extras (lb2, w4, nb2) ...... 8 ries, but soon lost his wicket being Total (5 wickets, 20 overs) ...... 197 bowled by Boyce with India needing Fall of wickets: 1-16 (Khawaja), 2-69 51 runs in 5.1 overs. (Marsh), 3-75 (Maxwell), 4-168 (Head), Thereafter, Raina kept India going 5-193 (Lynn) with two back-to-back crucial fours Bowling: Nehra 4-0-32-1; Bumrah in the 18th over, after which India 4-0-43-1 (2nb); Ashwin 4-0-36-1 (1w); were short of 22 runs in two overs. Jadeja 4-0-41-1; Singh 2-0-19-1; Pan- In the penultimate over, Watson dya 2-0-24-0 (3w) bowled brilliantly and gave away India only fi ve runs with Yuvraj struggling R Sharma c Watson b Boyce ...... 52 to hit big. S Dhawan c Bancroft b Watson ....26 The veteran southpaw, however, V Kohli b Boyce ...... 50 made amends in the fi nal over, col- S Raina (not out) ...... 49 lecting 10 runs off the fi rst two de- match Watson gave away 30 runs for It was also the fi rst time that India they were being rested for the forth- Y Singh (not out) ...... 15 liveries bowled by Tye. A bye off the a single wicket. gave away a hundred to an opposi- coming series against New Zealand. Extras (b1, w7) ...... 8 third ball was followed by two con- Earlier, Watson, making his debut tion batsman in the shortest format. The hosts didn’t get a good start Total (3 wickets, 20 overs)...... 200 secutive doubles from Raina, who as captain in T20I, milked six sixes— Trailing 0-2 in the series, Austral- as in-form Khawaja was dismissed Fall of wickets: 1-46 (Dhawan), 2-124 then hit a boundary as against the three off Ravindra Jadeja and two off ia came up with the scratch opening for 14 with the right-hander edging a (Sharma), 3-147 (Kohli) required two runs for the win. Ashish Nehra—and 10 fours during pair of Watson and Usman Khawaja Nehra delivery to wicket-keeper Ma- Bowling: Tait 4-0-46-0 (4w); Boland India’s Jhulan Goswami was Player of the For Australia, leg-spinner Boyce his maiden ton in the shortest for- as regular batsmen David Warner, hendra Singh Dhoni in the third over. 3-0-34-0 (2w); Watson 4-0-30-1 (1w); Series in the three-match T-20 series against impressed with fi gures of 2/28 in mat as the Indian bowlers conceded Aaron Finch and Steve Smith did not However, the experienced Tye 4-0-51-0; Boyce 4-0-28-2; Max- Australia which concluded yesterday. four overs, while man-of-the- 117 runs in the fi nal 10 overs. play either due to injury or because Watson, dropped from the ODI se- well 1-0-10-0

Monday, February 1, 2016 GULF TIMES SPORT

QATAR INTERNATIONAL RALLY QATAR INTERNATIONAL ENDUROCROSS Jaff ar, al-Balooshi Al-Attiyah eyes a take E1, E2; good start to MERC Al-Musallam with Qatar rally win wins Quads title ‘I will do my best to achieve the win. That will be a good start to the MERC season’

By Sports Reporter Doha

efending Middle East rally champion Nasser Saleh al-Attiyah will be looking to start the series withD a morale-boosting win when the Qatar International Rally 2016 kicks off the season February 4-6. “First of all, I would like to wel- come all the participants and wish Emirati Rider Mohamed al-Balooshi won the E2 category despite them a good stay in Qatar,” said strong competition from Ben Menzies and Wade Den. al-Attiyah, who will be compet- ing in a Skoda Fabia R5 along with By Sports Reporter Issa, Kuwaiti Fahad al-Musal- his French co-driver Matthieu Doha lam, and Briton Paul Holmes for Baumel. “As far as my participa- the top 3 places. Holmes bagged tion in the Qatar Rally is con- the victory in the fi rst race close- cerned, I will do my best to achieve uwaiti rider Mohamed ly followed by al-Musallam in the win. That will be a good start to Jaff ar fi nished second second and Abu Issa in third. the Middle East Rally Champion- in the fi rst race and fi rst The second race was fi ercely ship season. I have good memories in the second race at the contested and with a thrilling from this rally from last year and I K6.27km track at Golden Beach fi nish Abu Issa came in fi rst. De- am hoping for a repeat this year.” Sealine for the fourth and fi nal spite Abu Issa’s Dakar participa- Al-Attiyah, who won four round of the QMMF Qatar Inter- tion meaning he missed round 3 championships last year includ- national Endurocross. and the possibility of securing ing his 11th MERC title, is fresh of Those two podium victories vital points for his champion- a second-place fi nish in the gruel- allowed Jaff ar to attain a further ship bid he still managed to at- ling Dakar Rally. 47 points; enough to put him on tain third in the Championship. Talking about the challenges top of the overall championship However, it was Kuwaiti al-Mus- that the Qatar International Rally series scoring a total of 191 points allam who took the title. poses to the competitors, al-Atti- and be crowned the E1 (250cc) In the over 40-year-old cat- yah said, “Each round has its own champion of Qatar International egory, Finnish rider Tomi Sa- geographical conditions; they Endurocross 2015 – 2016 season. rivaara became the 2015-2016 should be handled according to a In the E2 (450cc) category, Veteran champion. well-thought out plan, which is despite strong competition QMMF president Nasser Kha- not strange for us. The geographi- from Ben Menzies of the UK and lifa al-Attiyah was delighted with cal diversity is the most impor- Wade Den of South Africa, Emi- the participation throughout the tant feature of this championship rati Rider Mohamed al-Balooshi championship, the level of com- which attracts a large number of managed to retain the title for petition and the riding skills on participants from Europe.” another season. After fi nish- display. “It is important to focus A win in the Qatar rally will ing second in the fi rst race and on the young riders in our coun- mean that al-Attiyah breaks Mo- winning third in the second race try and region, and provide a safe hamed bin Sulayem’s 60 MERC al-Balooshi was able to maintain arena where our riders can battle win record. enough points to assure him of against each other and develop Qatar International Rally 2016 the Championship. their techniques. The level is will also see participation from In the Quad Category, there improving year on year and this Europe, which is a positive indica- was an intense battle between shows the strength of our cham- tor of the level of rally. Qatari rider Mohammed Abu pionship.” The Super Special Stage of the rally with 15 competitors will be- gin at 2pm on February 4, with the offi cial competition running February 5-6 before concluding at QMMF headquarters. Nasser Saleh al-Attiyah (also inset) in action during the 2015 Oman International Rally in November. European competitors look forward to a diff erent challenge

Italian co-driver Roberto Mometti will be our participation in many local and career as a race driver and as an admin- and for my team, as we haven’t raced on participating in the Qatar International regional races in Europe. I can confirm istrator. I would like to thank him and the desert land before,” said Sweden-based Rally along with compatriot Stefano my readiness for the rally. The event, federation for facilitating our participa- Koivio. “It’s something totally new for Marrini in Mitsubishi – Group N and said however, will not be easy with the pres- tion. We would also like to thank the me as it’s also the first time in a rally that he is ready for the challenge. ence of a world champion called Nasser technical and administrative teams outside Europe for me. So it will be a The 53-year-old said, “It’s good to be Saleh al-Attiyah.” responsible for the organisation of Qatar new experience and a challenge for our among the competitors of Qatar Interna- Talking about the QMMF, he said, International Rally.” small team as well.” tional Rally 2016. We have heard much “QMMF, headed by Mr. Nasser Khalifa Another European duo participating in the Koivio added he aims to participate in about this rally, and we are so glad to be al-Attiyah, is considered as one of the Qatar rally are Finland’s Kim Koivio and his the other rounds of the championship in it for the first time. It’s a desert rally eff ective federations, not only in the co-driver and father-in-law Petri Savela. as well but it depends on the availability and we will drive in this rally depending Middle East but all over the world. He “My participation in Qatar International of sponsors given the small size and on our experiences gained throughout has many notable achievements in his Rally 2016 is an important thing for me limited resources of the outfit. Kuwaiti Fahad al-Musallam won the Quads category, while Qatar’s Mohamed Abu Issa was third.

PORSCHE GT3 CUP CHALLENGE MIDDLE EAST Frijns claims second in Race 2 at Dubai Autodrome

Agencies fi fth place fi nish in the second race at the Dubai Dubai Autodrome. Speaking after Race 2 of Round 4 Charlie Fri- jns said: “I was very happy with my qualifying atar-based racing driver Charlie Frijns today which enabled me to start in poll position swept to the podium to secure second on the grid. I had a very good start but unfortu- place in the second and fi nal race of nately couldn’t extend my lead after the fi rst lap. Round 4 Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge I made one small mistake and Jeff ery took the MiddleQ East at the Dubai Autodrome. lead. I managed to keep my second position, my After fi nishing third in Race 1 of Round 4 the fi rst second position of the year and hopefully previous day, Frijns managed to climb one place next round here I can get one position higher.” higher to complete an outstanding weekend of The result came as welcome relief for Schmidt racing for the Doha resident. Frijns was joined and Al Nabooda Racing following Race 1 where on the podium by eventual race winner Jeff rey he was forced to retire after a collision with Schmidt of Al Nabooda Racing, who leads the team-mate Zaid Ashkanani. Victory in Race 2 championship. The fi nal step on the podium was all but essential for the UAE resident. Start- was fi lled by Ireland’s Ryan Cullen who claimed ing from second on the grid, Schmidt was quick third. to redeem himself and take ownership of pole For the second time this season Frijns showed position as he continues his hunt for the Season his driving quality and pace by setting the 7 championship title in what is his debut season. quickest time in qualifying to start the race from After entering Round 4 with a 26-point lead, pole position ahead of rival Schmidt. However Schmidt had his advantage cut to just 1 point by his slim advantage was relinquished as early as Cullen after the fi rst race, but with win in the turn one of the second lap as Schmidt took the second, the lead has increased to fi ve. lead and control of the race. The region’s leading drivers will line-up in the For the remaining laps Frijns racing for Team Porsche 911 GT3 as the star attractions at Dubai Frijns Structural Steel Middle East alongside Autodrome on February 19 for Round 5. his teammate and father Rob Frijns, piled the pressure onto Schmidt but in the end had to be Championship Standings (top 5) satisfi ed with a second position. As a result of 1. Jeff rey Schmidt (Al Nabooda Racing) 175 his best fi nish of the season so far Frijns has im- 2. Ryan Cullen (Cullen Motorsport) 170 proved to fi fth in the overall driver’s standings 3. Zaid Ashkanani (Al Nabooda Racing) 161 and reduced the gap to only 3 points behind Ab- 4. Abdulaziz al-Faisal (AlFaisal Racing) 138 Charlie Frijns (left) finished second behind Jeff rey Schmidt (centre), while Ryan Cullen was third in the Race 2 of Round 4 in the Porsche GT3 Cup dulaziz al-Faisal. Al-Faisal could only manage a 5. Charlie Frijns (Frijns Structural Steel ME) 135 Challenge Middle East at the Dubai Autodrome.