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Saturday, January 28, 2017 FOOTBALL Rabia Il 30, 1438 AH Barcelona rout GULF TIMES Real Sociedad to reach King’s Cup semi-fi nals SPORT Page 6

COMMERCIAL BANK QATAR MASTERS Frantic Sunday looms as nine tie for lead aft er Rd 2 IN 1997, THERE WAS A NINE-WAY TIE FOR THE FIRST-ROUND LEAD AT THE CELTIC MANOR WALES OPEN BUT NEVERNEVER BEFOREBEFORE ININ EUROPEANEUROPEAN TOUR’STOURS HISTORYHISTORY HAVEHAVE NINENINE PLAYERSPLAYERS SHAREDSHARED THETHE LEADLEAD AFTERAFTER 3636 HOLESHOLES

By Satya Rath South African Jaco Van Zyl (69) had Doha earlier matched the clubhouse lead posted by six players who teed off early Paisley wins $150,000 for in the morning. t got crowded at the top after another Dredge, seeking his fi rst European Four-time major calm day saw dozens of players notch Tour title, shot an even-par (72) yester- winner and 2005 hole-in-one on the 17th, but up sub-par scores at the Commercial day after his opening round 64. “Unfor- CBQM champion Bank Qatar Masters yesterday. tunately it didn’t really go my way. I just Ernie Els was two he won’t be spending it! IAfter two rounds at the Doha Golf didn’t play as well today. I was strug- shots behind the Club, the 20th edition of the European gling. Yesterday I didn’t hit as many leaders going into hat’s better than a hole-in- in control of how to spend it, adding his Tour event looks set for a frantic week- fairways as I would have liked. Today weekend rounds. one? A hole-in-one when you wife would be deciding how best to put end with as many as nine players moving also I didn’t get as many as I would Wdesperately needed one. the money to use. into a tie for the lead—a record in itself. have liked but also didn’t putt as well. Chris Paisley arrived at Doha Golf Club “I don’t think it’s going to be me who is In 1997, there was a nine-way tie for Overall, just not quite as good,” said the yesterday in need of some luck, having going to spend it. My wife’s here this week, the fi rst-round lead at The Celtic Man- 43-year-old Welshman, who fi nished failed to make a birdie in his opening so I think she’ll probably take care of that,” or Wales Open but never before in Eu- in a tie for fourth at last year’s CBQM. round. His wishes came true at the quipped Paisley, whose best finishes on ropean Tour’s history have nine players “When we started off , it was pretty 135-yard 17th-hole when he watched his the European Tour are a tie for third at last shared the lead after 36 holes. benign, pretty calm, but the wind got nine-iron bounce next to the pin and year’s Italian Open and third at the 2015 The crowded top includes two play- up and certainly made things a bit more spin into the hole for an ace. BMW International in Germany. “This is my ers from Spain, two South Africans, diffi cult. I just need to try and improve “I was in between a wedge and a first hole-in-one on the European Tour. I and one each from England, Finland, on what I’m doing, and try and get my nine-iron, and decided to go with a little think that’s five in total in my life, but this is South Korea, Thailand and Wales—all eye in on the greens like I did the fi rst nine-iron. I just hit it perfectly and when it definitely the most memorable.” at eight-under-par 136. day and hopefully stay in contention,” landed, I said, ‘go in’, and it did, so I’m just Paisley had opened with a two-over 74 The congested leaderboard also fea- Dredge added. delighted,” said Paisley, who also birdied on Thursday and after a bogey on hole tures seven players tied at seven-under England’s Sullivan, who won three Eu- the 18th for a tournament-changing 67. three yesterday morning, he went on to and 10 more at six-under, including ropean Tour titles in 2015, shot a second The 30-year-old is teeing up this season make the turn at three-over and looked four-time major winner Ernie Els and straight 68, but left it late to make a move on the back of the best year of his career in likely to miss the cut. However, his World No. 10 Alex Noren. after opening with 10 straight pars from 2016 where he made the cut in 15 events, fortunes changed on the back nine as First-round leader Bradley Dredge of the 10th tee. He bagged his fi rst birdie of finishing in the top 25 seven times. The ace he birdied the 10th, 11th and 16th before Wales managed to stay among the lead- the day on the second and added more on is Paisley’s first on the European Tour and approaching the short 17th. ers despite failing make further gains on the fourth, seventh and eighth. he joins an elite list of 10 players who have “It was a great feeling, but strange, as I his overnight eight-under total. He was “I feel good. I felt like I’ve prepared hit the perfect shot in the 20 editions of the went 27 holes this week without making a joined at the top by South Africans Tho- really well for the start of the season and Qatar Masters. He is the first to do so on the birdie and was three-over-par, struggling mas Aiken and Jaco Van Zyl, Thai Kira- it’s nice to fi nally see some numbers that 17th hole since Warren Bennett 12 years ago. to make the cut. All of a sudden I made dech Aphibarnrat, Spanish duo Jorge you would be quite happy with. The last Paisley won $150,000 for the ace from a couple of birdies and had a hole-in-one Campillo and Nacho Elvira, Finn Mikko couple of weeks have been a bit frustrat- Qatar Duty Free, the tournament’s Hole- and I was inside the cut mark. I suppose it Korhonen, Englishman Andy Sullivan ing and I felt like it was only a matter of in-One Sponsor, but said he wouldn’t be shows you never give up!” and South Korean Jeunghun Wang. time before I started to play well again, Dane Lucas Bjerregaard, Ireland’s and it’s come this week,” said Sullivan, English golfer Chris Paul Dunne, Englishmen Simon Dy- who played his fi rst two rounds with Paisley (left) with son, Chris Hanson, Jordan Smith and 2013 champion Chris Wood and 2010 Darren Oster, Qatar Anthony Wall, and American Daniel Im champion Robert Karlsson. Duty Free’s Senior were a shot back at seven-under, with The scores saw the cut being applied Manager, Business 31 players separated by just three shots at one-under, with 56 players miss- Development and at the top of the leaderboard. ing the weekend action—among them Marketing. Paisley Young Korean Wang Jeunghun had a two-time Qatar Masters champion won $150,000 for golden chance to take the outright lead Paul Lawrie of Scotland, who shot a 73 late on with a 12-foot birdie putt on the yesterday to add to his fi rst-round 70. sinking an ace on 18th. However, the 2016 European Tour The other notable names to miss the the par-3 17th hole Rookie of the Year narrowly missed and cut were Thongchai Jaidee of Thailand during yesterday's carded a fi ve-under-par 67 to remain (69, 74), last week’s Abu Dhabi cham- 2nd round of CBQM eight-under and level with playing pion Tommy Fleetwood of England (73, at Doha Golf Club. partner Aphibarnrat (70). 73), and India’s SSP Chawrasia (70, 79). Nadal battles past Dimitrov to set up dream Federer fi nal

Reuters fi nal, did his best to keep the twentysome- and fast in the third set, Nadal converting his Melbourne thing standard fl ying into the weekend. third and Dimitrov his fourth to keep the set There were no signs of the mental frailties on serve. After a short break while a specta- that have prevented Dimitrov from fulfi lling tor received medical attention, Nadal held afa Nadal had to be at his battling the potential promised by his nickname ‘Ba- for 6-6 and the set went into a tiebreaker. best to outlast Grigor Dimitrov 6-3, byFed’ as he went blow-for-blow with the Nadal missed a large part of the 2016 5-7, 7-6(5), 6-7(4), 6-4 at the Aus- powerful left-hander. season because of a wrist injury but proved tralian Open yesterday and set up “It’s never easy to lose a match like that,” there was nothing wrong with his fi tness as aR mouth-watering ninth Grand Slam fi nal said Dimitrov, who hit 79 winners. “But it he scrapped to go 2-1 up, sealing the deal meeting with his great rival Roger Federer. also shows me that I’m on the right path. with a blistering forehand which Dimitrov The Spaniard looked every inch a 14-times At least one thing I can say is I left it all out parried into the net. Grand Slam champion as he slugged it out there on court.” Another tiebreaker looked inevitable with his 25-year-old opponent over nearly Ninth seed Nadal was forced to save two when the break points dried up in the fourth fi ve hours on Rod Laver Arena to reach his break points in the opening game alone, set, and Dimitrov quickly took control be- fi rst major fi nal since the 2014 French Open setting the tone for a frenetic evening. The fore serving up a 195kph bomb to send the and 21st overall. 2009 champion soon hit his stride, though, contest into a decider. “Grigor was playing unbelievable, it was a and a booming pass that the world number There were chances for both men in the great match,” the 30-year-old said. “I think 15 was unable to get back gave Nadal a break fi fth but, with midnight long past, Nadal both of us deserve to be in that fi nal, it was a for 3-1 and he wrapped up the opening set in came to the net to punch a backhand into the great fi ght. Finally it was me, I feel lucky and 35 minutes. back court, break for 5-4 and earn the right I am very happy for that.” The Bulgarian refused to buckle, though, to serve for the match. With 35-year-old Serena Williams fac- and pounced to break to love for a 3-1 lead in Still Dimitrov would not lie down, though, ing her 36-year-old sister Venus in today’s the second set, Nadal perhaps distracted by and Nadal needed three match points to win women’s fi nal and a rested Federer, 35, wait- a time violation warning. From there, the set his 12th straight Grand Slam semi-fi nal and ing for Nadal tomorrow, it is the fi rst time in descended into chaos with both players bro- reach his fourth Australian Open fi nal. “It’s the Open era that all four Grand Slam fi nal- ken twice and Nadal forced to save four set special to play Roger again in the fi nal of a ists have been over 30. points before Dimitrov evened up the con- Grand Slam, I cannot lie,” Nadal added. “I Dimitrov, riding high on a 10-match win- test on the fi fth. need to go back to the hotel, to rest well, and ning streak and seeking his fi rst Grand Slam The break points continued to come thick to recover.” Gulf Times 2 Saturday, January 28, 2017 GOLF

COMMERCIAL BANK QATAR MASTERS FOCUS Wang, Kiradech Tiger struggles at Torrey Pines, lead Asian charge Rose sets pace

‘It’s a great honour to be among the Asian players at the top with Wang’ Reuters bad tee shots, made a bad three-putt St. Augustine, Florida there on 13... just kept compounding By Sports Reporter problems and mistakes out there.” Doha Watched by huge galleries, Woods iger Woods produced the good, made a faltering start with an opening the bad and the ugly in his fi rst bogey after setting off in the company orean Wang Jeunghun joined PGA Tour start in 17 months of world number one Jason Day and Thailand’s Kiradech Aphib- on Thursday while Olympic third-ranked Dustin Johnson. arnrat in saying that 2017 Tchampion Justin Rose set the early pace After fi nding the right rough off the could be the year the Com- in the opening round of the Farmers In- tee at the par-four fi rst, he missed the Kmercial Bank Qatar Masters crowns its surance Open. green to the right with his approach fi rst Asian champion. Back in the familiar surroundings of and failed to get up and down in two. Wang, 21, carded a fi ve-under-par Torrey Pines outside San Diego where Though he fl ared several iron shots 67 at Doha Golf Club to join playing he has won eight tournaments as a pro- to the right on the outward nine, partner Kiradech and seven others in fessional, Woods scrambled well on his Woods used his renowned scrambling a share of the lead at eight-under. The front nine and made two early birdies abilities to save pars from several un- nine-way tie matched the European after the turn before badly losing steam promising positions to reach the turn Tour record for most players tied for a on the way to a four-over 76 on the in one-over 37. lead, set in the fi rst round of the 2007 South Course. He gave fans something to celebrate Wales Open. While Rose eagled two of the four with birdies at the 10th and 11th but Despite narrowly missing a birdie par-fi ves on the easier North layout to his round unravelled over the next four putt on 18, Wang – the youngest play- move one ahead of the fi eld with a spar- holes. Wayward tee shots led to bogeys er in last year’s Olympic Men’s Golf kling seven-under 65, Woods dropped at the 12th, 13th and 14th and Woods Tournament – was in an upbeat mood six shots in six holes from the 12th to ran up a double at the 15th after hook- as the 2016 European Tour Rookie of end the day 11 strokes off the pace. ing his drive into a hazard. the Year shone on his tournament de- It was the 41-year-old’s highest He missed a fi ve-foot putt to bogey but. opening round to begin a PGA Tour the par-four 17th before signing off “I’ve never seen nine players tied for season since he turned professional in with a nine-footer to birdie the last. the lead – and I really tried to make a 1996. Woods, who was sidelined by back birdie on the last,” laughed Wang, who “I was one under through 11 and I pain and a series of surgeries, had not broke through on the European Tour was in a good spot to really shoot a good competed in a regular PGA Tour event with back-to-back wins in Morocco round... but it went the other way,” since August 2015 and is also adjusting and Mauritius last May. Woods told Golf Channel. “I hit some to his new TaylorMade clubs. “I was close to holing the putt, but I still have the third and fi nal round to go so I feel okay. I feel confi dent. This is a big chance to win. I like the course and the wind conditions, and I think I have a really good chance right now.” Wang is paired with South African Jaco Van Zyl for the third round after playing two rounds with Kiradech and Australian Scott Hend, the 2016 Asian Tour Order of Merit winner. “I was so happy to play with my friends. I think it helped me to shoot eight-under over the fi rst two days,” said Wang, who’s not worried about the possibility of the wind blowing up at the weekend. “Actually, I hope it’s going to be windier. I don’t know why I’m good in the wind, but I think my distance con- trol in the wind is good so I think I have a good chance to win.” Kiradech, a three-time European Tour winner, opened with a 66 but fell back yesterday after bogeys at one and six before the burly 27-year-old bounced back on the back nine with birdies at 10, 12, 16 and 17. “I had a lot of birdie chances on the front nine, but I just couldn’t make it, so the key was to make the fi rst birdie Thailand’s Kiradech Aphibarnrat reacts to a tee shot during the second round of the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters at on 10. For some reason, the ball just Doha Golf Club yesterday. PICTURE: Jayaram wasn’t going in and I was two-over, then the birdie on 10 changed the mo- We had a lot of fun today and talked a ball well, rolling the putts and re- way lead with South Africans Van Zyl mentum,” said Kiradech, who’s in a lot. He’s a good friend, a nice guy and covering well, so I just need to keep and Thomas Aiken, Spaniards Jorge rich vein of form after a tie for fourth a great player. It was so nice for both of doing what I’m doing. Who knows, Campillo and Nacho Elvira, Eng- in Abu Dhabi last week. us to fi nish well. on Sunday, at the end of the day, it land’s Andy Sullivan, Finland’s Mikko Tiger Woods lines up a putt on the 1st green during the first round of the Farmers “It’s a great honour to be among the “I’m confident going into the might be my day.” Korhonen and Welshman Bradley Insurance Open at Torrey Pines Municipal Golf Course in La Jolla, California, on Asian players at the top with Wang. weekend as I’ve been striking the Wang and Kiradech shared the half- Dredge, the fi rst-round leader. Thursday. (USA TODAY Sports)

BOTTOMLINE LPGA BAHAMAS CLASSIC Al-Kaabi builds confi dence at Lincicome leaps into two-shot lead

AFP keep going for three more days?” the par-5 fourth and seventh holes and Commercial Bank Qatar Masters The 31-year-old Floridian seeks her added another at eight. Miami fi rst victory since capturing her sec- “I have a lot of confi dence right now,” By Sports Reporter ond major crown in 2015 at Rancho she said. “I hit the ball solid. And (I’m) Doha merican Brittany Lincicome Mirage and only her second win overall putting well.” fi red a tournament record since 2011. She has six career LPGA tri- Lewis, twice a Bahamas runner-up, nine-under par 64 Thursday umphs, including a prior major win at began her day with a bogey at the 10th, aleh al-Kaabi shot a second to grab a two-stroke lead after Rancho Mirage in 2009. then birdied 13 and 15 before a run of consecutive four-over-par 76 roundA one of the LPGA Pure Silk Ba- Thailand’s PK Kongkraphan and fi ve birdies in six holes starting with the at the 20th Commercial Bank hamas Classic, the tour’s 2017 season Americans Stacy Lewis and Megan par-3 17th and par-5 18th and fi nishing Qatar Masters, but left en- opener. Khang shared second on 66 with Chi- with three in a row ending at the par-5 couragedS by his performance at Doha Lincicome made seven birdies and na’s Feng Simin, France’s Celine Herbin fi fth. Another at seven gave the world Golf Club despite missing the cut. eagled the par-5 seventh hole in a bo- and American Gerina Piller on 67. number 14 a share of second. Making his fi fth straight appear- gey-free tour of the Ocean Club course World number 45 Lincicome bird- “Bit of a slow start, a little bit of ance in the European Tour event, Qa- on Paradise Island, her lowest round ied the second hole and began a run of nerves I guess, not trusting what I was tar’s top amateur birdied his opening since a 64 at the 2011 ShopRite Clas- three consecutive birdies at the par-5 doing to start,” Lewis said. hole at the 10th yesterday before run- sic and one shot below the old mark she fourth before her eagle at seven. She “But really got the putter rolling ning up a triple bogey at 14. He carded matched in the 2016 last round on her birdied the par-5 11th and 15th holes middle of the round and birdied the bogeys on holes one and six on his way to sharing eighth. around another birdie at 14 then closed par-5 s, which is what you have to do on second nine. “I was making everything — with three pars to equal the course this course.” Al-Kaabi, 22, was more upbeat than 30-footers, 10-footers, fi ve-footers record as well as set a new event mark. US teen Khang, another back nine on Thursday, as yesterday afternoon’s — it was a pretty easy day,” Lincicome PK, seventh at the event in 2014, had starter, birdied the par-5 11th and 13th round was played in much windier said. “I was driving it well, hitting it seven birdies in a bogey-free round as then began a run of three birdies in a conditions. well, putting, making everything. well, but hers began on the back nine, row at the par-5 18th. Birdies at the “I hit it well. I made the same score “It was one of those where it’s like, where she birdied the same three holes par-5 fourth and par-4 eighth boosted as yesterday, but today was much wow, is it too good to be true for it to as Lincicome. She then birdied the fi rst, her in a bogey-free start. tougher conditions. It was really windy and there are not too many really low scores,” said al-Kaabi, whose best score in four previous appearances in the Miyazato makes it another perfect day at Myanmar Open Commercial Bank Qatar Masters was a second-round 70 in 2014. AFP co-sanctioned event at Pun Hlaing Golfers from 30 diff erent nations are “I started well with a birdie on 10 Yangon Golf Club in Yangon. vying for a share of the $750,000 pot and then had all pars until 14 when I He is yet to drop a shot. in Myanmar’s richest tournament. had a triple bogey. I sliced the drive Saudi Arabia and fi nishing runner-up sically the same. Only the short game “I’ve had a perfect two days. It is Since emerging from decades of behind a rock, so had to chip sideways. at this month’s Qatar Open Amateur is diff erent. I can learn more about apan’s Yusaku Miyazato hit a unbelievable... I’m really enjoying my isolating military rule, Myanmar has It should have been a bogey or double, at Doha Golf Club. the short game and that changes the perfect seven-under-par 64 to time here in Myanmar,” the Japanese witnessed a nascent golfing scene but I also missed a short putt. I had He also believes he’s coming closer score,” al-Kaabi said. Jstorm into the lead at the Myan- golfer said, according to an Asian Tour both for amateurs and professionals. just two bad holes, but it was a good each year to his quest of becoming “I still believe I can make the cut mar Open yesterday, three shots clear statement. Golf remains the preserve of the elite experience to play this tournament.” the fi rst Qatari to make the cut at the here. I’m just going to keep knocking of experienced South African Keith “My putting was also really good. I in a nation which was until last year Al-Kaabi entered the tournament Commercial Bank Qatar Masters. on the door.” Horne. really managed my round really well ruled by a kleptocratic junta. But high on confi dence after fi nishing “I know that I’m competing, espe- Al-Kaabi was one of two Qa- Miyazato’s hot putter saw him gobble the last two days. I need to stay sharp some of Myanmar’s best golfers are third at November’s King Hamad Tro- cially this year. I can see there’s not a tari amateurs in the fi eld along with up seven birdies on his way to 11-un- with my irons and putter during the from modest backgrounds, learning phy in Bahrain, winning December’s really big diff erence between my shots 29-year-old debutant Abdulrahman der 131 total after two days play in the weekend.” the skill as caddies to the rich. SGF Open amateur tournament in and the pros’. All the long shots are ba- al-Shahrani (84-86). Gulf Times Saturday, January 28, 2017 3 TENNIS

AUSTRALIAN OPEN SPOTLIGHT Williams sisters add Long lay-off put Federer quest another chapter to back on track

AFP one,” he said. Melbourne “So I will leave it all out here in Aus- great sibling rivalry tralia and (even) if I cannot walk for another fi ve months, I will give it all I esurgent Roger Federer said have.” Serena will bid for a record 23rd Grand Slam, Venus will strive for her eighth a long period of rest when he took six months out with in- ‘JUST RELAX, MAN’ jury had fuelled his incredible Federer, a staunch tennis traditionalist, shotR at more Grand Slam glory at the said it meant a great deal to be linked Australian Open. with a record set by Rosewall, an eight- The 35-year-old Swiss veteran is time Grand Slam-winner, by reaching wowing the tennis world with his the fi nal. wholly unexpected run through to “We don’t speak about him enough. Sunday’s fi nal, raising the prospect of I think he’s a wonderful man,” he said. an unprecedented 18th major title. “He wrote me a letter again this Federer, whose ranking has dipped week to wish me well again. He does to 17 after a knee problem ended last it every year at the Australian Open. season following Wimbledon, has de- Still haven’t seen him, unfortunately. I fi ed the doubters by reaching his 28th know he’s around. Grand Slam title match. “I love that generation of players After a fi ghting, fi ve-set semi-fi nal with Tony Roche, Rod Laver, Ken Rose- win over fellow Swiss Stan Wawrinka, wall, Roy Emerson. he became the oldest man to reach a “I know he’s a few years older, but I major fi nal since Australia’s Ken Rose- know he had a tremendous career. So wall (39 years 310 days) at the 1974 US to be in the same breath like these guys, Open. it’s a great feeling. Federer said much of his rejuvena- “I love these guys. It means a lot to tion stemmed from his injury break, me to have equalled something like this the longest of his career, which fol- since a long time.” lowed surgery on his knee earlier in the Federer said his charge through the season. top half of the men’s draw, aided by the “It was a good thing to do. You can shock exit of world number one Andy only ever do so much treatment to feel Murray, had surprised even him. decent,” said Federer, whose 19-year All the same, he needed to give him- playing career has been largely injury- self a talking-to before completing free. Thursday’s three-hour, 7-5, 6-3, 1-6, “What I’ve come to realize is when 4-6, 6-3 win over Wawrinka. you don’t feel well, you have too many “It’s gone much better than I thought problems going on, you just won’t beat it would. That’s what I was telling my- top-10 players. self in the fi fth set,” he said. “All the time all you’re doing is “I was saying like, just relax, man. fi ghting the fi re. From that standpoint, The comeback is so great already. Let yeah, the six months defi nitely gave me it fl y off your racquet and just see what something in return.” happens. The Swiss marvel has spent a total of “I think that’s the mindset I got to 13 hours 40 minutes on court in his six have, as well, in the fi nals. Sort of a matches to get to his sixth Australian nothing-to-lose mentality. In this combination of pictures, Venus Williams (left) and Serena Williams (right) hit a return against Coco Vandeweghe and Mirjana Lucic-Baroni during their fi nal, but he says he feels in good shape. “It’s been nice these last six matches Australian Open semi-final matches respectively. (AFP) “I just wanted to get healthy again. to have that mentality. It worked very I’m happy this week has been a good well so I’ll keep that up.” Reuters when, as top seed, she was upset in the fi rst since Wimbledon in 2009, where 14 years after her only other fi nal at Melbourne US Open semi-fi nals by Czech Karo- Serena won in two sets. Melbourne Park ended in a three-set lina Pliskova. loss to her sister. Serena no longer cares to talk about RIVALRY SHAPED GAME Serena, who holds a 16-11 winning n Australian Open electrifi ed the record and stiff ened when asked As tempting as it may be, to see the record over Venus over their careers by the revivals of seasoned about it after her semi-fi nal victory Melbourne Park decider as a last and leads 6-2 in the grand slam fi nals, champions will bathe in the over Mirjana Lucic-Baroni, as if the fl ickering of a rivalry that shaped the is favourite to win but knows bet- warm glow of nostalgia today weight of such an achievement might women’s game for a decade may be ter than to underestimate her sister’s whenA the Williams sisters contest the prove too heavy. premature. competitive spirit. women’s fi nal at Rod Laver Arena. But a seventh title at Melbourne Eras have come and gone but Serena “She’s my toughest opponent — Melbourne Park was where Venus Park would add further credit to Ser- has never left the stage, winning nine nobody has ever beaten me as much as and Serena Williams fi rst clashed in a ena’s claim as the greatest of all time, grand slam titles since turning 30. Venus has,” she said. tour match in 1998 and nearly 20 years despite being one short of Australia’s Venus spent four years in the wil- “This is a story. on, the Americans will add another Margaret Court, whose 24 major titles derness from 2011-14, a period in “This is something that I couldn’t chapter to tennis’s greatest sibling ri- were split between the amateur and which she was unable to surpass a write a better ending. This is a great valry. professional eras. fourth round at any of the majors. opportunity for us to start our new In 1998, they were teenagers with For 13th seed Venus, her fi rst grand But since a drought-breaking quar- beginning.” cornrows and coloured beads in their slam fi nal in eight years is already a ter-fi nal at the 2015 Australian Open, hair sharing in an awkward second stunning victory of perseverance in Venus has risen again. HEAD-TO-HEAD round encounter that 17-year-old Ve- the face of her struggles to manage It took her sister to end her run at Serena Total Venus nus won in two sets. Sjogren’s syndrome, an auto-immune Wimbledon in the fourth round that 16 27 11 Venus hugged her sister, younger disease that causes fatigue and joint year and again at the US Open in the by a year, at the net and apologised for pain. quarter-fi nals a few months later. THE SIBLING SLAMS Switzerland’s Roger Federer signs autographs after winning his singles semi-final having to “take (her) out”. Both players stormed into the semi- Her semi-fi nal run at Wimbledon Serena leads 6-2 in grand slam finals match against compatriot Stan Wawrinka at the Australian Open in Melbourne on Today, 35-year-old Serena will bid fi nals without a set dropped. last year was further evidence that Ve- Tournament Winner Score Thursday. (Reuters) for a record 23rd grand slam title in However, where Serena romped into nus still has the hunger and the game 2001 US Venus 6-2 6-4 the professional era while Venus will the fi nal with a 50-minute demoli- to trouble the best. 2002 French Serena 7-5 6-3 strive for her eighth, and fi rst in al- tion of Lucic-Baroni, Venus needed “I think people realise this is an 2002 Wimbledon Serena 7-6(4) 6-3 most nine years. to summon her peerless experience to amazing job, so it’s best to keep it,” she 2002 US Serena 6-4 6-3 From the sidelines Serena drew level with Germany’s fend off feisty fellow American Coco said of her longevity. 2003 Australian Serena 7-6(4) 3-6 6-4 Steffi Graff on 22 when she claimed her Vandeweghe in three sets. Whether she can still beat the best 2003 Wimbledon Serena 4-6 6-4 6-2 seventh Wimbledon title last year but Today’s fi nal will be the Williams will be decided today, where she will 2008 Wimbledon Venus 7-5 6-4 In the pink her crowning moment was delayed sisters ninth at a grand slam and their bid for her fi rst Australian Open title, 2009 Wimbledon Serena 7-6(3) 6-2

Safarova, Mattek-Sands dance to doubles title AFP Melbourne

econd seeds Bethanie Mattek-Sands and SLucie Safarova took out the Australian Open women’s doubles title yes- terday to be crowned Grand Roger Federer’s wife, Mirka, set tongues wagging with her eye-catching Slam champions for a fourth hot pink jumper during her husband’s semi-final against Stan Wawrinka. time. Much of the commentary wasn’t complimentary but it turns out that the The American-Czech pairing garish item, with bright green collar and cuff s and emblazoned with a battled past 12th-seeded picture of a tiger, has cachet: it’s a Gucci design, with a price tag of about Andrea Hlavackova, also $1,500. That’s a lot for a jumper but it probably won’t concern Federer, who from the Czech Republic, has earned about $1.4 million by reaching Sunday’s final. and China’s Peng Shuai 6-7 (4), 6-3, 6-3 on Rod Laver Name that grunt Arena. Mattek-Sands and Safarova The Australian Open has been blessedly quiet this year as champion got the decisive break in the grunter Maria Sharapova is serving a drugs ban and the equally shriek- fourth game of the deciding prone Victoria Azarenka is taking time off after the birth of her first child. set to go 3-1 up after Hla- Grunting has previously been so loud that it was audible from outside Mel- vackova sent down a double bourne Park and TV viewers have phoned in to complain. But for anyone fault. who’s missing the screaming, one betting company has launched a ‘Guess There was no looking back, the Grunt’ game on its website. with Mattek-Sands clinching the title with a volley as they Name-dropping jumped for joy and then celebrated with a dance rou- Australian legend Evonne Goolagong-Cawley accidentally let slip who will tine in front of the trophy. be presenting the trophy to the winner of the women’s singles final, the It was their fourth major title Herald Sun reported. As Goolagong-Cawley delivered the Daphne Akhurst together, and ninth overall, Memorial Cup to an on-court ceremony, she told the crowd: “I’m looking after winning at Melbourne forward to handing it over to Hana.” An hour later, two-time Australian and Roland Garros in 2015 Open winner Hana Mandlikova was formally revealed as the woman who and at the US Open last year. will present the trophy today. Gulf Times 4 Saturday, January 28, 2017 SPORT

SPOTLIGHT PORSCHE GT3 CUP CHALLENGE ME Qatar-based Frijns Ponting predicts qualifi es third Australia will struggle in India Charlie Frijns during qualifying. By Our Correspondent of the driver standings alongside Dubai Ireland’s Ryan Cullen. But a re- ‘Every team that goes there struggles. It’s become harder and harder for visiting freshed and eager looking Frijns was ready to prove he had lost teams to go to India. They probably make wickets to suit them more than ever before’ hampionship leader none of his speed over the winter Charlie Frijns of Qatar break as he managed to secure Reuters was back in action today impressive lap times ahead of the Melbourne for the third round of fi rst race in 2017. Cthe Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Speaking after qualifying Fri- Middle East and has qualifi ed in jns said: “I’m a lot more com- ustralia will struggle on their third position for the opening of fortable on the track than I am tour of India where they will two races over the weekend. sitting on the lead and waiting to play four tests against the Doha-resident Frijns featured race again. I’d a good break win- world’s top-ranked side in in qualifying as part of a strong ter break and it gave me a chance spin-friendlyA conditions, former captain grid of 16 international drivers to recharge and refocus so I’m Ricky Ponting has predicted. who all returned to the Dubai pleased to be back but disap- Steve Smith’s men will travel to India Autodrome with clear minds and pointed to miss out on the front next month having been beaten 4-0 four strong intentions for the remain- row for the fi rst race. Since I’ve years ago. der of Season 8 following a six- never won the championship be- They were also whitewashed 3-0 in Sri week layoff . fore and I’m having the best sea- Lanka last August in similar conditions It’s been a long and anxious son of my career, the way I look at prompting Ponting to issue a grim out- wait for Frijns who sits at the top it, I’ve nothing to lose.” look for the team. “I think they’ll struggle,” the 42-year- old, who played 168 tests for Australia GONE told Sky Sports Radio. “Every team that goes there struggles. “It’s become harder and harder for vis- iting teams to go to India. They probably Manor failure leaves make wickets to suit them more than ever before.” The last time India lost a test at home F1 with 10 teams was against England at the end of 2012 and Virat Kohli’s side have won their last Reuters month of January.” fi ve series to climb to the top of the test London FRP said it and the team’s rankings. senior management had been South Africa, New Zealand and Eng- unable to secure new investment land have all lost series in India in the last he Manor Formula One within the time available. 15 months and Australia’s last success in team has folded after Administrators had sounded the country was in 2004 when they won going into administra- more hopeful earlier in the week, a four-test series 2-1. tion and failing to fi nd amid speculation about a possi- “I went there for a lot of tours and we Ta buyer, leaving the sport with ble Indonesian takeover, saying obviously played in some tough condi- 10 teams two months before the talks with interested parties had tions,” added Ponting. “But the wickets start of the season in Australia. intensifi ed. were good for the fi rst couple of days of Administrators FRP Advisory Manor had needed at least the game and then they started to turn. File picture of Australian coach Darren Lehmann (L) talking with captain Steve Smith (R) during a practice session in Melbourne. said that, while a separate entity half a million pounds ($622,000) “But now, even looking at what hap- that holds the right to enter the to pay salaries, prepare the cars pened in Sri Lanka, whenever the Aus- world championship remained and go testing at the end of Feb- tralian team tours anywhere on the sub- Wicketkeeper Wade replaces injured Smith as NZ tour skipper active, the team’s operating ruary before the season starts on continent you can guarantee the wicket is company Just Racing Services March 26. going to turn, and turn quite a bit, from Australian wicketkeeper field for the remainder of the “With Steve Smith and David teams from Australia, South Ltd (JRSL) had ceased to trade. The team, who used Mercedes day one of the game.” Matthew Wade has assumed match,” sports science and Warner absent it’s an op- Africa and India in Towns- All but a handful of the 212 engines in 2016, are owned by Following the 3-0 drubbing in Sri captaincy duties for the sports medicine manager portunity for me to captain ville and Mackay during this staff , who were sent home yes- Stephen Fitzpatrick who runs Lanka, Australia’s test team plunged into upcoming New Zealand tour Alex Kountouris said in a the side for three matches,” past winter.” terday, will be made redundant independent British energy sup- a crisis with successive home defeats to after injury ruled out Steve statement. Wade said. Smith’s setback came less next week. plier Ovo. South Africa. Smith, with youngster Sam “Following further assess- “But I’m not about to change than a month before the The British-based team, last They were rescued from ad- After a national outcry forced whole- Heazlett called up as his re- ment this morning we be- too much and it’s a case of tough India tour. in the 2016 championship, went ministration at the 11th hour sale changes, they recovered by winning placement, Cricket Australia lieve Steve has sustained a trying to continue the disci- “We’ve got a lot coming up into administration on Jan. 6. in 2015 when they competed as the fi nal test against South Africa in Ad- said yesterday. medial ligament injury to his plines that have earned us so they think it’s an opportu- The news came only days after Marussia – having started out in elaide before beating Pakistan 3-0. Smith’s deputy David Warner ankle. He will return to Syd- success in the recent past.” nity to rest it and be right for the sport changed hands, with 2010 as Virgin Racing. “The challenges are going to be there was already due to be rested ney today to undergo scans Heazlett, 21, is a left-handed India,” Smith told reporters U.S.-based Liberty Media com- Last year’s drivers, Germany’s for the Aussie team,” Ponting said. “Un- for the three one-day games to confirm the diagnosis. batsman who has played for in Adelaide. pleting a takeover and replacing Pascal Wehrlein and France’s like what happened in Sri Lanka, as long in New Zealand starting “Early indications suggest Brisbane Heat in this season’s “It’s a bit of a shock. I just the sport’s 86-year-old com- Esteban Ocon, have secured as they can fi nd a way to be competitive Monday. this will likely take seven to Twenty20 Big Bash League. landed really awkwardly on mercial supremo Bernie Eccle- seats with Sauber and Force In- in the test series. Smith was fielding in the 10 days to recover, mean- “Sam showed last summer my foot and I felt something stone with Chase Carey. dia respectively. “Even if we don’t win, I don’t think it’d fifth one-day international ing Steve will be unable to what a talented player he is straight away. “It is deeply regrettable that The team lost 10th place in the be that big of a deal. against Pakistan at the (participate) in the Qantas by averaging over 40 in his “I’m confident I’ll be fine to the team has had to cease trading championship last year when “It’s a real learning curve for our guys Adelaide Oval on Thursday Tour of New Zealand.” debut season at first-class train in Dubai after that and and close its doors,” said joint Sauber overtook them at the pe- now to fi nd a balance between playing the when he injured his left Wade said he was surprised level,” CA interim selector for the first Test in India.” administrator Geoff Rowley in a nultimate race in Brazil. Australian way but (also) adapting that to ankle, CA said. but “very excited” to be Trevor Hohns said. The first Test against top- statement. “We shall on Tues- That meant Manor missed out Indian conditions.” “He came off the field and chosen as Australia’s 24th “He impressed again when ranked India begins in Pune day make staff redundant, all of on tens of millions in prize mon- The fi rst test starts in Pune on Feb. 23 had his ankle strapped and ODI captain by the national playing for the National Per- on February 23. It’s all set to whom have been paid for the full ey to fund the team. and is followed by matches in Bangalore, was able to return to the selection panel. formance Squad against A be an exciting clash. Ranchi and Dharamsala. WORLD HANDBALL CHAMPIONSHIP BOTTOMLINE Champions France into seventh fi nal Chanderpaul joins Lancashire starting for the fi rst time at the AFP AFP I thoroughly enjoyed playing Both South Africa and several Paris tournament, made 16 saves from London for the club in 2010,” said Chan- Caribbean nations have such 39 shots faced on Thursday and derpaul in a club statement. trading agreements. was named man of the match. “I’m looking forward to passing The ruling originally related to efending champions “They gave us lots of prob- est Indies great on some of my experience to the Slovakian handball player Maros France defeated Slov- lems, we didn’t win this match Shivnarine Chan- younger players in the squad.” Kolpak who was released from enia 31-25 on Thursday easily,” said Remili. derpaul is to re- Lancashire coach Glen Chap- his German club because of a to reach the fi nal of the “We knew that we would have Wturn to Lancashire ple added: “We’re thrilled to be quota on non-EU players. Dworld handball championships to take the lead early and hold it at the age of 42, the English able to bring Shivnarine back to He claimed it was unfair and and get to within touching dis- until the end. That was very im- county announced yesterday. Lancashire. He knows what it the court ruled in his favour. tance of a sixth major interna- portant.” The Manchester-based club takes to be successful and there A player becomes eligible for a tional title. The Paris-based player said have signed both Chanderpaul is no doubt that he will have a Kolpak deal when he gives up the Leading 15-12 at half-time, he had no preference over who and South Africa wicket-keeper/ positive eff ect on our squad.” right to play for his country, and six-time fi nalists France France face in Sunday’s title batsman Dane Vilas in a bid to Vilas, 31, played the last of is not classed as an overseas- stretched their advantage after match. bolster their top order during the his six Tests against England in player signing. the interval and booked a seat in “Croatia and Norway are two upcoming 2017 English season. January 2016. With Britain set to leave the the Sunday fi nal. very good teams who play very Only Brian Lara has scored But the emergence of Quinton European Union, Kolpak deals France, world champions in good handball. It’s of little im- more Test runs for the West In- de Kock has limited his interna- for cricketers may not be on of- 1995, 2001, 2009, 2011 and 2015, portance who wins Friday, we dies than Guyana star Chander- tional opportunities. fer for much longer and Vilas is will start as favourites for the ti- do not have a preference. We will paul who scored 11,867 runs and “Signing a player of Dane’s the latest South Africa interna- tle having seen Olympic cham- concentrate on ourselves just 30 centuries in 164 matches. undoubted calibre and experi- tional to sign such a contract for pions Denmark and European as we have done throughout the He has agreed a one-year con- ence is a great boost,” said Chap- the 2017 season. champions Germany knocked tournament,” added Remili. tract, while 31-year-old Vilas ple. “He has an excellent record The low value of the Rand and out in the last 16. Croatia should start as favour- has signed a two-year deal with File picture of West Indies great Shivnarine Chanderpaul. in fi rst-class cricket and is a very South Africa’s transformation The French, who beat Sweden ites against Norway although Lancashire. good wicket-keeper.” targets, which eff ectively mean 33-30 in the quarter-fi nals, have their last world title came back in Both players have joined Lan- Division of England’s fi rst-class cember for attempting to cover- that a maximum of fi ve white already beaten Norway by 31-28 in 2003 while they were also Olym- cashire as non-overseas players County Championship last term, up a match-fi xing scandal. SA’S KOLPAK EXODUS players can appear in a team, the pool stages and have lost just pic gold medallists in 1996 and on ‘Kolpak’ contracts, a move will look to their new duo to help Gritty left-hander Chan- The Kolpak ruling came into have also been cited as reasons once to Croatia in fi ve meetings 2004. which eff ectively ends Vilas’s fi ll the gap left by the departure derpaul previously played for force in 2003 when the Europe- for the talent drain. since the 2008 Beijing Olympics. Croatia edged 2013 world hopes of playing for South Af- from Old Traff ord in recent sea- Lancashire in 2010, scoring two an Court of Justice ruled anyone South Africa pace bowler Kyle Right-back Nedim Remili fi n- champions Spain 30-29 in the rica again in the immediate fu- sons of South Africa’s Ashwell hundreds and fi ve fi fties in eight with a work permit from a coun- Abbott and batsman Rilee Rous- ished top scorer for the home quarter-fi nals thanks to nine ture, with Chanderpaul having Prince and Alviro Petersen. fi rst-class matches for the Red try which has an associate trad- sow will both play for Hamp- side on Thursday with six goals goals from left-back Marko already retired from interna- Prince retired in 2015 while Pe- Rose county. ing agreement with the Europe- shire in 2017, while Sussex have while Daniel Narcisse found the Mamic, as Norway booked their tional duty. tersen was given a two-year ban “I can’t wait to return back to an Union had the same rights as signed Proteas all-rounders target four times. fi rst semi-fi nal at the worlds Lancashire, seventh in the First by Cricket South Africa in De- Lancashire this summer. a European worker. David Wiese and Stiaan van Zyl. Goalkeeper Vincent Gerard, with a 31-28 win over Hungary. Gulf Times Saturday, January 28, 2017 5 SPORT

NBA BOXING Joshua-Klitschko title Thunder top Mavs, bout attracts record Wembley crowd

AFP 2012 Olympic champion Joshua, 27, London and Klitschko, who will be 41 by the the frustrated Kanter time the clash takes place. “I can’t wait to see the fi ght of the ritain’s heavyweight world year here in London and it’s fantastic champion Anthony Joshua’s that a post-war record crowd will get mouthwatering bout with leg- to watch it at a world-class venue like ‘He’s a strong man and he endary Ukrainian Wladimir Wembley,” said Khan, who in a rare mo- KlitschkoB for the IBF and WBA crowns ment of good news for the opposition will be back better’ will be attended by 90,000 spectators Labour Party since the 2015 General breaks arm equalling the record for a British fi ght. Election beat Conservative candidate AFP The London showdown will break Zach Goldsmith in the mayoral race. Los Angeles the post-war British record for attend- Promoter Eddie Hearn said he was ance at a boxing match for the rematch delighted to have delivered to Khan between British pugilist Carl Froch and what he had asked for last year. he Oklahoma City Thunder American challenger George Groves for “At the boxing writers’ dinner last beat the Dallas Mavericks the former’s WBA and IBF super-mid- year, Sadiq urged me to bring the big- 109-98 late Thursday, but dleweight titles at Wembley in 2014 gest fi ghts possible to the city and I’m the victory proved costly as which attracted a crowd of 80,000. delighted to have the biggest fi ght in TThunder forward Enes Kanter broke That record for Wembley has been British boxing history,” said Hearn. his right arm after losing his cool. broken because London Mayor Sadiq Joshua has said if he beats Klitschko Kanter, Oklahoma City’s third- Khan responded to demand from the it would elevate him to legend status. leading scorer and top candidate boxing world and enlarged the capacity “This is a fi ght that can change one for the NBA’s Sixth Man of the Year permitted to attend to 90,000. It equals from champion to legend overnight,” Award, fractured his right forearm the British record of 90,000 when Len Joshua opined at the remarkably cor- while punching a chair during a time- Harvey fought Jock McAvoy for the world dial and respectful joint press confer- out in the second quarter. light heavyweight title at White City in ence in December. Russell Westbrook scored 45 points, London in 1939 which the former won. Despite his age Klitschko said he Victor Oladipo scored 17 points while Khan, who has been at pains since stayed in the sport since losing his Steven Adams added 15 points and the United Kingdom voted to leave the WBA, IBF and WBO belts in a surprise seven rebounds for the Thunder. European Union last year to say Lon- defeat by troubled British pugilist Ty- “We were a little more physical,” don is open for business, said he was son Fury in November 2015 expressly to Westbrook said. “We came out in the counting the days to the bout between regain his titles. second half more aggressive on both sides of the ball.” Harrison Barnes paced the short- SPOTLIGHT handed Mavericks with 31 points on 13-of-26 shooting. Justin Anderson came off the bench to post 17 points for Dallas, who played without four India’s Devi looks to of their top six players including Dirk Nowitzki, Deron Williams and Wesley Matthews. banish tears in pro debut Point guard Devin Harris said the Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (foreground) drives to the basket during the NBA game against Dallas Mavericks learned from this loss. Mavericks in Oklahoma City on Thursday. (USA TODAY Sports) AFP “I think we are understanding how New Delhi we need to play to be successful to playing time against the Mavericks. of the season. Zach LaVine scored 23. miserable season with a 96-88 win. win,” Harris said. “Experience helps. In Denver, Nikola Jokic had 29 George Hill added 12 points and Expectations are growing.” ‘FRUSTRATING TIMES’ points and 14 rebounds before exiting Rudy Gobert fi nished with nine he caused a storm when she re- Kanter went for X-rays at halftime “He hit the seat, but the seat was a lit- the contest in the fourth quarter with points, 13 rebounds and a season-high fused to accept a medal at the and following the game coach Billy tle up,” center Adams said. an injury as the Denver Nuggets top- six blocked shots for the Jazz. Utah Asian Games. Now Laishram Donovan confi rmed the fracture. “He didn’t mean to do it, obviously. pled the Phoenix Suns 127-120. improved to 30-18 on the season and Sarita Devi is aiming to be the Kanter tried to take out his frustra- It’s just one of those really frustrating Danilo Gallinari scored 23 points snapped a two-game losing streak. continent’sS undisputed champion as tions on a folding chair on the Thun- times. I feel bad for him.” and Will Barton scored 16 off the They also swept the four-game season India’s fi rst professional woman boxer. der bench. Elsewhere, Paul George scored 32 bench for Denver, which won its fi fth series with the hapless Lakers. Devi was slated when she tearfully “It’s tough man,” Westbrook said, points and Myles Turner added 23 as straight at home. Jokic limped off the Los Angeles dropped to 16-34 and rejected her bronze medal at the 2014 “especially doing it the way he did the Indiana Pacers snapped a three court with 1:47 left after a hard fall. lost for the eighth time in the past nine games in Incheon and accused judges it. I think it’s unfortunate, but he’s a game losing skid with a 109-103 win Eric Bledsoe had 28 points and games. Lou Williams led their off ense of pandering to locals by declaring strong man and he will be back better.” over the Minnesota Timberwolves. Devin Booker scored 22 for the Suns. with 20 points. South Korea’s Park Ji-Na the winner on The Thunder did not indicate when George, who added fi ve rebounds and T.J. Warren added 21 but Phoenix points in their semi-fi nal. Speaking in a pre-fi ght press con- he would be able to return. four assists, was 12 of 22 from the fl oor couldn’t keep pace in the fi nal quarter. RESULTS But she also garnered sympathy back ference, Devi said she was confi dent of The 6-foot-11 center entered the and three for four from beyond the arc. In Salt Lake City, Gordon Hayward Utah 96 LA Lakers 88 in India’s northeastern region of Ma- silencing her opponent after the Hun- game averaging 14.6 points and 6.8 re- Karl-Anthony Towns led the Timber- tallied 24 points in his fi rst game since Denver 127 Phoenix 120 nipur which is both her home state and garian threatened to leave her in tears bounds this season. He had four points wolves with a game-high 33 points and being picked an all-star, as the Utah Oklahoma City 109 Dallas 98 the venue of her fi rst professional bout once more. and four rebounds in nine minutes of 10 rebounds for his 35th double-double Jazz added to the Los Angeles Lakers Indiana 109 Minnesota 103 on Sunday night against the Hungarian “Zsofi a has experience but she too Zsofi a Bedo. has suff ered defeats in the ring. Joe has “I have been boxing for the last 16 made me sweat so hard that if there will years winning medals, bringing lau- be blood in the ring, I am confi dent who rels to the country in amateur boxing, is going to bleed,” she added. Ladd scores pair as Islanders down Canadiens but as a boxer, it has always been on “There have been days when I have my mind to try in professional boxing,” sparred against two opponents. I Agencies to climb out of last place in the Jose, snapped the Sharks’ season- as Los Angeles defeated Carolina 3-0. Devi said in an interview with The New promise, I will not let my city, my state New York Eastern Conference and into the high six-game winning streak. San RESULTS Indian Express ahead of the lightweight and my country down.” wild-card race. Shea Weber scored in Jose and Edmonton enter the break Edmonton 4 San Jose 1 bout. Bedo, who has won 19 of her 59 pro the second period for the Canadiens, with a division-leading 64 points Arizona 3 Vancouver 0 “My immediate target is to win the fi ghts, was equally bullish about her ndrew Ladd scored a pair of who were trying to extend their apiece with the Sharks playing one Winnipeg 5 Chicago 3 Asian title, then fi ght for the world ti- prospects. goals Thursday night, includ- points streak to four games. Carey fewer game. Dallas 4 Buff alo 3 tle.” “When you search (on the Internet) Aing the go-ahead tally less Price recorded 39 saves. Rookie Drake Caggiula scored at 11:31 Nashville 4 Columbus 3 The 31-year-old decided to turn pro for boxer Sarita, you fi nd pictures of than eight minutes into the third Elsewhere, Edmonton shrugged off of the third period to break open a Minnesota 5 St. Louis 1 after more than a decade as an amateur, a lady in tears. I am going to add more period, as the New York Islanders fatigue and playing on the road to one-goal game. The Oilers’ Connor Calgary 3 Ottawa 2 (OT) a period in which she won gold at the such images to the Internet — trust continued surging into the All-Star grind out a 4-1 victory over San Jose McDavid added an empty-net goal — Florida 2 Tampa Bay 1 (OT) 2006 World Championships and silver me,” Bedo told reporters, according to Break with a 3-1 win over the Mon- to move into a virtual first-place tie his 17th — at 18:08. Boston 4 Pittsburgh 3 in the 2014 Commonwealth Games. the Press Trust of India. treal Canadiens at Barclays Center. with the Sharks. Marian Gaborik and Trevor Lewis Washington 5 New Jersey 2 In preparation for the bout against “Professional boxing is a diff erent Josh Bailey also scored and Thomas The Oilers, 7-0-1 in their last eight scored 38 seconds apart late in the NY Islanders 3 Montreal 1 Bedo, Devi has been working with the world altogether. Here it’s going to be Greiss made 21 saves for the Island- games after road wins on consecu- third period, and Peter Budaj re- Philadelphia 2 Toronto 1 American trainer Joe Clough who has a fi ght to fi nish — 12 minutes and four ers, who have won five of six (5-0-1) tive nights over Anaheim and San corded his fifth shutout of the season Los Angeles 3 Carolina 0 previously teamed up with the likes of rounds are going to be a lifetime for former heavyweight world champion that lady and I don’t see her lasting that Evander Holyfi eld. long.”

NFL Russia withdraws appeal against weightlift ing ban: report Falcons have more in common Russia’s weightlifting federation (RWF) has withdrawn its appeal against a one-year ban from the sport, the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) said yesterday. Russia was banned last July for breaching an International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) ruling that any country with three or more with Pats than meets the eye positive tests in re-analysis of samples from the 2008 and 2012 Olympics would be banned. The RWF had taken its case against the IWL to CAS, which Reuters one of the things that really got my at- said that the hearing scheduled for Thursday was cancelled after the case New York tention,” Dimitroff said. was withdrawn. The specialist website Inside The Games said the withdrawal “When I started to watch Matt of the appeal followed a meeting between Russian weightlifting chief Maxim Ryan, it was a major similarity they Agapitov and IWF head Tamas Ajan. CAS said it was hearing appeals from t fi rst blush, perennial pow- have. They can create and ad-lib in Belarus and Kazakhstan against similar bans from the sport yesterday. erhouse New England Patri- the pocket before they throw... the ots seem in stark contrast to similarities sunk in for me on several the upstart Atlanta Falcons levels.” Carter likely to appeal doping ruling teamA they will face in the February 5 Hiring Seattle defensive co-ordina- Jamaican Olympic off icials are likely to appeal the doping sanction of relay Super Bowl in Houston. tor Dan Quinn as coach in 2015 helped runner Nesta Carter that has cost Usain Bolt one of his nine Olympic gold But the Falcons, seeking their fi rst him build the roster the right way, medals. Carter failed a drugs test in a retest of a sample from the 2008 Bei- NFL title, have more in common with identifying the right players for his jing Games, testing positive for the banned substance Methylhexaneamine. the seasoned AFC champions than system, Dimitroff said about what has The International Olympic Committee (IOC) announced on Wednesday that meets the eye, from the front offi ce to been a tenet of the Patriots’ approach. it had stripped Jamaica of the 4x100m relay gold won in Beijing. Jamaica their leadership under center. In this November 28, 2010, picture, Atlanta quarterback Matt Ryan and general “When Dan came in, he was crystal Olympic Association (JOA) president Michael Fennell and an attorney repre- Atlanta general manager Thomas manager Thomas Dimitroff celebrate the Falcons’ 20-17 victory over the Green clear about what he wanted and each senting Carter indicated there will be an appeal, most likely to the Court of Dimitroff and his assistant Scott Pioli Bay Packers at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta. Dimitroff ’s key decision with the of his assistant coaches were crystal Arbitration for Sports (CAS). An appeal must be filed by February 15, 21 days worked six seasons together with New Falcons may have come at the start when he selected quarterback Ryan third clear on what they wanted, each posi- after Wednesday’s announcement of the decision by the IOC. England during the remarkable reign overall in 2008. (TNS) tion what to look for,” Pioli said. of coach Bill Belichick and quarter- Ryan and Brady, eight years older at back Tom Brady, who will be playing in Falcons football team.” Ryan third overall in 2008. 39, have even struck up a connection. No evidence of fi xing in Olympic bouts: AIBA their seventh Super Bowl together. Dimitroff served as the Patriots’ Dimitroff said being around Brady “I’m always sending him texts over “Unprofessional relationships” within AIBA created an atmosphere of collusion Lessons learned have helped build a national scout and director of college underlined for him the importance of the course of the season and vice ver- between senior management and judges that undermined boxing at last year’s contender in Atlanta. scouting from 2002 to 2007 before leadership and work ethic in quarter- sa,” Brady said. “I like him a lot as a Rio de Janeiro Olympics, the governing body said in a statement yesterday. It “I go back a long way with Tom taking the Falcons job in 2008. backs, and Ryan had those, he said, in person, as a player, as a leader.” added, however, that an investigation committee had found no evidence of ac- (Dimitroff ) when his dad was a scout Three years ago, former Pats’ per- addition to physical similarities, the Ryan, who in college studied game tive interference in the results after carrying out 50 interviews over a four-month for me with the (Cleveland) Browns sonnel chief Pioli joined him in Atlanta Monday Morning Quarterback web- tapes of Brady, has even taken to work period. “Whilst there is no evidence that this had a direct influence on results in and Tom was working in the organisa- after a stint as general manager for the site (mmqb.com) reported. out with the same quarterback guru, Rio, if best practice is not followed 100 percent of the time by our off icials and tion when he was coming out of high Kansas City Chiefs. “Having had the opportunity to be Adam Dedeaux, used by the veteran. R&Js (referees and judges), that is unacceptable,” AIBA president Ching-kuo Wu school and into college,” Belichick said Dimitroff ’s key decision with the around Tom, watching him, and mar- “He’s set the bar for longevity, age- said. AIBA said the 36 Rio referees and judges, who were sidelined pending the in a conference call this week. Falcons may have come at the start velling at him and how he handled ing well and playing at a really high investigation, would now be reintegrated on a case-by-case basis. “He’s done a very good job with the when he selected quarterback Matt himself, ad-libbing in the pocket was level for a really long time,” Ryan said. Gulf Times 6 Saturday, January 28, 2017 FOOTBALL

PREVIEW Bundesliga turnover tops 3bn euros Klopp hopes

DPA from 2.62bn euros in the previous cam- “It is not presumptuous to say: we of their cash. “We have a balanced busi- Frankfurt paign. It is the fi rst time the 3bn euro bar- expect even more growth in the future,” ness model which is built on several pil- FA Cup revives rier has been broken. DFL chief executive Christian Seifert lars,” Seifert said. “That speaks for the The 36 clubs in the Bundesliga and said. “But we can already be very satis- Bundesliga. But you don’t have to be a op-fl ight Bundesliga clubs in- second division generated a record 3.85bn fi ed with this result.” But unlike major prophet to say that the share of media spluttering Reds creased their turnover for a 12th euros, up 23.2 per cent, from 3.13bn. And competing leagues in England and Spain, revenue in the total will increase, even if straight year to 3.24bn euros the positive trend is unlikely to be at an German clubs have relatively balanced modestly.” AFP T(3.47bn dollars) in the 2015- end with an already-agreed mega televi- income. Only 28.77 per cent of revenue A post-tax combined profi t of 206.2mn Liverpool 16 season, the German Football League sion deal coming into eff ect at the start of comes from the media with 23.81 per cent euros for the 18 top-fl ight clubs was more (DFL) said. next season. from advertising and around 16 per cent than the combined profi t made over the The DFL said at the presentation of its That agreement means more than a bil- in both transfer fees and ticket sales. last four years, the DFL said. Only two urgen Klopp insists Liv- annual Bundesliga Report in Frankfurt lion euros in media income will be shared In contrast clubs in England and Spain members of the fi rst division did not erpool will recover from a that this was an increase of 23.71 per cent between the top 36 clubs each year. rely on media money for 60-70 per cent make a profi t. nightmare run at the start of 2017 when they face ChampionshipJ club Wolves in the FA Cup fourth round at An- KING'S CUP fi eld today. A gruelling schedule of 10 fi xtures, starting with the New Year’s Eve victory over Man- chester City, has seen Liverpool collect only one other win, in the third round FA Cup replay at League Two Plymouth Argyle. The latest setback, defeat Barcelona thrash in the League Cup semi-fi - nal against Southampton on “Two sides made a big state- Wednesday, removed one poten- ment, the club and Phil,” said tial trophy from Klopp’s sights Klopp of the new contract. but the German insisted there “Obviously, everybody in the would be no hangover from the world would like to have him in two-legged defeat when they their team. But he wants to stay take on Wolves. here. Real Sociedad 5-2 “No. Absolutely not,” said “For us, that’s unbelievably Klopp. “If we doubt the way important. He’s not the only we are after the little problems player we want to keep, but you Messi, Luis Suarez and Denis Suarez on target for the Spanish giants we’ve had now, it would be a re- write more about it than we ally strange thing. could say about it, that every- Reuters “We don’t have the points we body wanted him and whatever. Barcelona want. We don’t have the results “That’s obviously true because we want. That’s not a problem. nobody in football is that blind That’s how it is. that they cannot see what his ionel Messi and Luis “But we know what we have to qualities are. Suarez were on target do. We know what we want to do. “We will carry on in this way as holders Barcelona We know about the football we with the players that we want to thrashed Real Socie- want to play, so that’s all good.” keep and all that stuff .” dadL 5-2 to reach the King’s Cup Liverpool have won English Four-time FA Cup winners semi-fi nals for the seventh suc- football’s most prestigious cup Wolves already have a Premier cessive year with a 6-2 aggregate competition seven times, but the League scalp on their record hav- victory on Thursday. last success came 11 years ago, ing beaten Stoke in round three Former Manchester City and Klopp is likely to persist with and manager Paul Lambert says trainee Denis Suarez gave Barca his strategy of rotating his squad they can play without pressure at a commanding lead in the tie fol- for cup fi xtures. Anfi eld. lowing last week’s 1-0 win in the A number of young, emerging “We’ve got nothing to lose fi rst leg by scoring the opener players are in contention, along- and everything to gain. We go in the 17th minute, while Messi side fringe veterans such as Bra- up against a great team and a practically ended the contest by zilian Lucas Leiva. great club, with the history and converting a penalty early in the Klopp must also weigh up everything attached to it. But in second half after Neymar had whether to use Brazilian star one given game, you can win,” been fouled. Philippe Coutinho, who started said Lambert, who is considering Luis Suarez restored Barce- in the Plymouth replay, in the several changes to his team. lona’s two-goal lead on the night week that the forward signed a “Whatever XI I put on the a minute after Juanmi had net- new fi ve-year deal that makes pitch...we’ll be ready. We’ll be ted for Real Sociedad in the 62nd him the highest-paid player in competitive and we’ll be trying minute. Willian Jose scored a Liverpool history. to win." second for the visitors before substitute Arda Turan put Bar- celona 4-2 ahead in the 80th Fabregas has chance to prove point minute. Two minutes later Denis Sua- London: Cesc Fabregas is to switch to three centrebacks rez capped a brilliant individual not happy at his lack of game after a defeat by Arsenal has performance by netting his sec- time under Chelsea manager transformed the club’s fortunes, ond with a sweeping run and fi n- Antonio Conte and today he is likely to rest his leading ish. can make a case for more op- striker Diego Costa with Michy Barca were without key mid- portunities in the FA Cup fourth- Batshuayi set to be handed a fi elders Sergio Busquets and round clash with Brentford. rare starting spot. Andres Iniesta through injury so The 29-year-old former Arsenal Conte, who arrived at Chelsea Javier Mascherano reassumed and Barcelona midfielder — a after guiding Italy to a penalty the holding midfi eld role he plays member of the Spain side that shootout defeat by Germany for Argentina and Denis Suarez won the 2010 World Cup — has at the Euro 2016 quarter-finals, fi lled in for the absent captain. made just five Premier League has done an excellent job The Galician-born midfi elder starts this season and admits he of managing his squad this had scored the opener in Sun- has found it diff icult to adjust to season. day’s 4-0 league win at Eibar and life on the sidelines. He fielded a number of young broke the deadlock again with an “I play football to win and players in the third-round arrowed fi nish into the far bot- enjoy,” said Fabregas, who victory over third-tier Peterbor- tom corner following clever in- came on and impressed in last ough United. terplay between Messi and Luis weekend’s 2-0 win over strug- The 47-year-old Italian is again Suarez. Barcelona’s Lionel Messi celebrates with Neymar after scoring their second goal of the match. gling Hull that kept Chelsea expected to shuff le his pack, Barca looked in control for the eight points clear at the top of handing a start to midfielders remainder of the half, but were mediately and Neymar terrorised kick-taking duties to Messi, who they left themselves exposed, Suarez told reporters after a fi fth the Premier League. Nathaniel Chalobah and Ruben inches away from conceding an the visiting defence, winning sent the ball beyond the reach of and Barca took full advantage. consecutive win in all competi- “When I don’t play I’m sad and I Loftus-Cheek while defender equaliser shortly after the break a deserved penalty as he was compatriot Geronimo Rulli. “We started the game by dom- tions for the Catalans. don’t enjoy it but I’m happy the Kurt Zouma is likely to continue when Willian Jose burst into the tripped by Inigo Martinez. Real Sociedad needed three inating and once it was 1-0 they “We weren’t nervous at all, team is doing well. Football is his recovery from a long-term box but fi red straight at reserve The Brazilian had won and goals at this point to cause an un- left us plenty of space and every- we just wanted to dominate the my life, it’s everything to me.” knee injury with a starting ap- goalkeeper Jasper Cillessen. scored the decisive penalty in likely upset. They managed two, thing is easier when you have the game and continue on this great Conte, whose inspired decision pearance. Barca went on the attack im- the fi rst leg but surrendered spot but every time they went forward three forwards we have,” Denis run that we’re on.”

BOTTOMLINE Senegal coach Cisse has ‘unfi nished business’ AFP In 2002, we were 25, 26 years old and we Franceville, Gabon Renard closes on unique Nations Cup legacy said to ourselves: ‘No worries, in 2004 we will win it’. “And we still haven’t won it. It is a regret.” enegal coach Aliou Cisse still the 2015 Nations Cup. ascent to the top of the game that is Now 40, Cisse skippered Senegal dur- looks back at the 2002 Africa Libreville: Herve Renard already “There are people who told me that most remarkable. ing that all too brief golden generation as Cup of Nations with a sense of enjoys lofty status in African football I was unworthy to coach. Then three A lower league professional in France they also made it to the quarter-fi nals of unfi nished business, so today’s after winning two of the last three weeks later, the same people were who ran an off ice cleaning business the 2002 World Cup in Japan and South quarter-fiS nal against Cameroon off ers a Korea. It was a year Cisse will never for- African Nations Cups, but if he takes dancing on the tables. You change after retiring, he decided to become chance, partly, to settle an old score. a third title next week he will write him- your coat every time,” he added. a coach and landed a chance to be get for multiple reasons — in the Sep- The Lions of Teranga have never won self a special place in soccer history. Not shy of confrontation, Renard is Claude Le Roy’s assistant. tember he lost a dozen members of his the continental trophy, but they came Victory with Zambia in 2012 and Ivory an angry presence as he patrols the That was ahead of the tournament in own family in a ferry disaster. mighty close 15 years ago in Mali when Coast two years ago is an unique touchline during games, barking Ghana in 2008. Less than a decade He needed remarkable strength of they reached the fi nal for the fi rst time. achievement and a third title with orders and chastising players. But off later he is the leading coach in African character to come through that and con- The other Lions, the Indomitable ones, Morocco at the in Gabon would make the field he radiates charm as he tries football and just three wins away from tinue his career at the top level. stood in their way that day in Bamako him the first man to win a continental to keep a lid on expectations. a legacy-making achievement. After a playing career that saw him and it was the Cameroon of Samuel Eto’o championship with three diff erent “I think that when you win as we did win 35 caps and also turn out for the and Marc-Vivien Foe who came out on countries. against the Ivorians, you must always likes of Paris Saint-Germain, Montpel- top in a penalty shoot-out following a Morocco take on Egypt in Port Gentil remain realistic,” he told reporters. lier, Portsmouth and Birmingham, Cisse Senegal coach goalless 120 minutes. in the quarter-finals tomorrow after “The knockout stages are a new went into coaching and was put in charge Aliou Cisse Cisse, the midfi elder and captain, eliminating holders Ivory Coast in competition altogether where you of his country in March 2015. missed Senegal’s last penalty that day their last group game on Tuesday in need a winning mindset. There are Senegal had just suff ered a disap- other one to have made the last eight. and both he and the country are still a match that brought the 48-year-old better teams than us in this Cup, but pointing group-stage exit from the Cup “Former internationals have two waiting to lift the Cup of Nations. much satisfaction. we have a chance to prove ourselves of Nations in Equatorial Guinea and choices: there is the choice to die with “A sense of unfi nished business, a job “I’ve been waiting for this moment to when we are confronted with them,” French coach Alain Giresse departed as your knowledge, and there is the choice not yet accomplished,” Cisse told AFP in prove what I can do,” he told report- Renard said. a result. to come and pass on our experience,” Franceville when asked for his memories ers, aiming a dig at the Ivorian press Renard’s film star good looks, lucky It was a rare chance for an African says Cisse. of 2002. who had declared him initially unfit to white shirt and booming voice pick coach to take charge of one of the conti- “I chose the latter. Senegal gave me the “It is true that every day we say to the coach their team two years ago but him out from the crowd of coaches at nent’s leading sides. opportunity and I am happy to do it. players: ‘Don’t make the error that we then celebrated him when they won the tournament but it is the pace of his Cisse is one of only four to have come “We have a proverb that says: ‘Only a made’. “When you have the possibility to this year’s tournament in Gabon, and son of the country can build that coun- to write history, it’s now, not tomorrow. Florent Ibenge of DR Congo is the only try.’ And I believe it." Gulf Times Saturday, January 28, 2017 7 SPORT

SPOTLIGHT PREVIEW Wenger wants revenge over Saints United edge past AFP Southampton

rsene Wenger says Arse- nal travel to a confi dent Southampton in the FA Cup fourth round to- Hull 2-1 to reach Aday determined to avenge their League Cup exit. Claude Puel’s underdogs won 2-0 at the Emirates Stadium in November in the League Cup and on Wednesday clinched their place in that competition’s fi nal by beating Liverpool. League Cup fi nal Arsenal lifted the FA Cup in 2014 and 2015 and Wenger is keen for a Wembley return, meaning he In this file photo taken on It was Mourinho’s 54th birthday, but the Portuguese did not seem in celebratory will resist the temptation to make January 22, 2017 Arsenal’s wholesale changes. French manager Arsene Wenger mood as he cut short his post-match television interview after one question, having Theo Walcott returns to the (R) is sent to the stands by Arsenal squad following injury, English referee Jonathan Moss seemed visibly annoyed on the touchline with a number of refereeing decisions as do Per Mertesacker and Math- (L) during the English Premier ieu Debuchy, but Granit Xhaka is League football match between suspended. Arsenal and Burnley at the Emir- “Southampton produced a fan- ates Stadium in London. tastic performance at Liverpool so overall that makes the game they went down to League One, even more interesting and more but came up and since they’ve diffi cult as well,” Wenger said. produced consistent results and “They are not short of con- quality games. fi dence at the moment and will “I think it is a club where you certainly have a big support, but can say ‘really well done’ because it’s an FA Cup game and we want what they’ve done is remarkable.” to qualify. Southampton received good “We’ll put out a team with news off the pitch with Chinese fi rst-team experience. Maybe company Lander Sports Devel- there will be one or two younger opment set to become a signifi - players, but no more.” cant investor in the club. Wenger praised Southampton The Shenzhen stock exchange for their ability to bring through has been informed that a deal talented youngsters in the past 10 to buy a stake in Southampton’s years, with Arsenal duo Walcott parent company has been struck. and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain Current owner Katharina Lie- starting out at St Mary’s, as did bherr, who inherited the club Real Madrid star Gareth Bale. from her father Markus after his Southampton keep selling death in 2010, said: “The Premier their best players, with Adam League is increasingly competi- Lallana and Sadio Mane joining tive, we need to keep moving for- Liverpool and Tottenham buying ward and look to new markets for Victor Wanyama, yet somehow commercial growth, innovation always manage to remain com- and to share our journey. petitive. “Together we have had many “They are certainly a football years of progression and success club in England who have done and ensuring this continues is the one of the best jobs on produc- main focus of any possible part- ing young players and on keeping nership.” the quality high despite losing big Puel gave game time to young- players,” Wenger said. sters and fringe players in the “Overall, I think they’ve done a FA Cup third round, which saw remarkable job because they were Championship side Norwich City punished quite harshly because beaten in a replay.

Chinese clubs more than double spending Zurich: Chinese soccer clubs compared to $168.3mn in 2015 spent over $450mn on inter- and was a seven-fold increase national transfers last year, on 2013, the report said. It was around 2-1/2 times more than also around 344% more than Manchester United’s English striker Wayne Rooney (L) greets Hull City’s English defender Harry Maguire after the EFL (English Football League) Cup semi-final second-leg the year before, according to a the rest of Asia combined, it football match at the KCOM Stadium in Kingston upon Hull, north east England on Thursday. FIFA subsidiary report released said. yesterday. China is now fifth in terms Reuters United to claw their way back into the “I don’t want to say anything else. It is ground before Huddlestone rifl ed the spot The spending spree, which of spending on international London match after the break when Paul Pogba enough, I am calm, I behaved on the bench kick into the bottom corner. has seen a series of big-money transfers behind England, stabbed in an equaliser. so no more words,” added the Portuguese, It was not until the second half that moves involving high profile Germany, Spain and Italy and Niasse steered home a David Meyler who has been given two touchline bans United showed true signs of life and they players such as Chelsea and has moved ahead of France, anchester United reached the cross from close range but Jose Mourin- this season. had their own penalty appeal waved away Brazil attacking midfielder Portugal and Russia, the report League Cup fi nal but were ho’s side held on to set up a clash against Hull faced a daunting prospect to drag when Chris Smalling tumbled to the Oscar and Argentina’s Carlos added. made to sweat as Hull City Southampton in the fi nal at Wembley on themselves back into the tie and made ground after contact with Huddlestone, Tevez, has raised eyebrows “The rapid nature of this won the second leg of their Feb. 26 after the Saints upset Liverpool on seven changes to their starting lineup in sparking an angry touchline reaction from around the world and created growth is unprecedented,” it last-fourM encounter 2-1 on Thursday to Wednesday at Anfi eld. a sign that manager Marco Silva had per- Mourinho. unease. said adding that the spending come within one goal of forcing extra It was Mourinho’s 54th birthday, but haps already decided a Wembley fi nal was His mood mellowed, however, with 25 It has also led to fierce criticism was “almost exclusively” on time. the Portuguese did not seem in celebra- beyond them. minutes remaining when Pogba pounced from off icials and local media, players coming from European Hull’s Oumar Niasse scored in the 85th tory mood as he cut short his post-match The encounter had the feel of a fore- on a misplaced ball from Huddlestone in prompting China to tighten clubs. minute to reduce the aggregate defi cit to television interview after one question, gone conclusion too as both sets of players his own area to stab United level on the rules over the number of over- Overall, the report said that a 3-2, but there was to be no fairytale come- having seemed visibly annoyed on the seemed to be going through the motions in night and restore their two-goal aggregate seas players able to appear in total of $4.79bn was spent on back for the Premier League relegation touchline with a number of referee Jon a dour opening when neither side created cushion. domestic games. international transfers around strugglers who were spirited in their ef- Moss’s decisions. a chance before the deadlock was broken Rojo and Niasse rattled the crossbar The report by Transfer Match- the world last year, an increase forts to overturn their 2-0 fi rst-leg defeat. “I just want to say congratulations to after 35 minutes following a penalty deci- with headers at either end before the lat- ing System (TMS) said Chinese of 14.3% over the year before. Tom Huddlestone had put the hosts my players. It was a diffi cult road to be in sion that caused initial confusion. ter set up a nervy fi nale for United, who clubs signed 159 players in The number of international ahead after 35 minutes from the pen- the fi nal and we are in the fi nal,” Mourinho Replays showed that United defender will bid for a fi fth League Cup triumph international transfers in 2016. transfers completed was 14,591, alty spot, but they were unable to turn told Sky Sports after his side’s 17-game Marcos Rojo had barely tugged the shirt of and fi rst since 2010 when they face South- The total of $451.3mn spent compared to 13,601 in 2015. the screw and allowed a much-improved unbeaten run came to an end. Hull’s Harry Maguire, who tumbled to the ampton next month.

BOTTOMLINE FA CUP Asian champions Man City, Palace weigh priorities Jeonbuk appeal to

AFP Bolton Wanderers is the only Schlupp is a minor doubt after CAS over ban London game they have won since he cramping up in the latter stages succeeded Alan Pardew as man- of the defeat against Everton, Reuters ipate in the competition,” CAS ager in December. while midfi elder Jordon Mutch Seoul said in a statement, adding that anchester City sup- But they were unfortunate is carrying a knock. it intends to issue a decision by porters must once to lose 1-0 at home to Everton Goalkeeper Steve Mandanda Feb. 3. again wait to see last weekend, Seamus Coleman (knee), left-back Pape Souare sian club champions Jeonbuk, who fi nished second Mwhich version of netting an 87th-minute win- (broken leg) and striker Connor Jeonbuk Motors of in last season’s K League Classic, Pep Guardiola’s team shows up ner despite Palace debutant Jeff Wickham (knee) are all long- South Korea have ap- were crowned Asian champions in today’s FA Cup fourth-round Schlupp being down injured and term absentees. pealed to the Court in November after sealing a 3-2 game at Premier League rivals a hint of off side. Guardiola named a strong ofA Arbitration for Sport (CAS) aggregate victory over Al Ain of Crystal Palace. Allardyce took his team’s per- team for City’s trip to West Ham against their ban from the 2017 the United Arab Emirates. City have won by four goals or formance as a good omen. in the previous round, but with Asian Champions League, CAS In May, prosecutors charged more on fi ve separate occasions, “Everton beat Manchester Wednesday’s return to London said yesterday. two referees in South Korea’s top but have also fallen to two 4-0 City 4-0 last week and were Stadium in the league loom- The Asian Football Confed- league with accepting bribes to- defeats — at Barcelona and more lucky to beat us, so we have to ing, he too is likely to shuffl e his eration said last week that Jeon- talling 5mn won (about $4,250) recently Everton — and been take positives out of that,” said pack. buk from the continent’s pre- from a Jeonbuk Motors club beaten fi ve times in the league. the former England manager. It could be an opportunity mier club competition over their scout, with three payments of January has been every bit as Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola Palace reached the FA Cup for captain Vincent Kompany to involvement in a 2013 bribery 1mn won each made to one offi - see-saw, with City winning 5-0 fi nal last season, narrowly los- make his return to the starting scandal. cial and two to the other. at West Ham United in the FA “We must keep working hard, options, get the goals.” ing 2-1 to Manchester United, XI following a two-month lay- Jeonbuk were docked nine The scout was sentenced to a Cup, losing 4-0 at Everton and keep believing in what we’re do- City won 2-1 on their last trip but with relegation a very real off that began when he injured points and fi ned $91,000 by the six-month suspended jail term then going 2-0 up against Tot- ing. It’s the only recipe. to Selhurst Park in November, prospect, Allardyce has made it his knee in November’s game at K League’s disciplinary commit- for bribery by the Busan District tenham Hotspur on their last “It’s not a good feeling looking but it took an 83rd-minute goal clear the competition is not a top Palace. tee in September for payments Court. outing, only to draw 2-2. at how things developed (against by Yaya Toure, which completed priority. John Stones is a candidate to a club scout made to referees in The AFC said Korea’s Jeju Faced with the team’s wildly Tottenham). a personal brace, for the visitors With a trip to Bournemouth in partner him in central defence, 2013. United FC will take Jeonbuk’s oscillating form, under-pres- “We had everything to win the to prevail. the league on Tuesday to follow, having paid for another shaky “Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors place in Group H while Ulsan sure goalkeeper Claudio Bravo game, but it’s the same old story: Sam Allardyce is yet to make he is likely to rotate his starting display at his old club Everton by seeks an order staying the ex- Hyundai will replace Jeju in the has told his teammates: “We we had trouble creating chances his mark at Palace, whose 2-1 XI, as he did against his former being demoted to the bench for ecution of the challenged deci- playoff s for the 2017 AFC Cham- must be mentally strong. and the other team, with less third-round replay win over club Bolton in round three. the draw with Spurs. sion in order to be able to partic- pions League. Saturday, January 28, 2017 GULF TIMES FOOTBALL

QATAR STARS LEAGUE QSL PREVIEW Rayyan look to Sadd thrash continue winning run Gharafa 3-0, climb

Rayyan coach Michael Laudrup (L) and Kharaitiyat coach Ahmad to top of the table al-Ajlani during the pre-match press conferences. In the other matches yesterday Al Ahli, thanks to a first-half goal from Younes Ali beat By Sports Reporter into their Saturday evening Doha match against Al Kharaitiyat on a high following a comprehen- Al Khor and Umm Salal were able to hold title-challengers El Jaish to a 1-1 draw sive 4-1 win over El Jaish. Danish l Kharaitiyat take on coach Michael Laudrup spoke to reigning QSL champi- the media ahead of the match ons Al Rayyan in what Opening up the press confer- Apromises to be a tough ence Laudrup noted that his side test for The Thunders today. does not have time to savour the Kharaitiyat’s Tunisian coach Jaish victory. “We are in a busy Ahmad al-Ajlani said that this moment. We don’t have one team was aiming to get a point day to enjoy the win against El from this tough game. “Al Rayy- Jaish and then we have to focus an are doing well in the league. straight away on the win.” We have lost our last two games Rayyan will be without the and we need a reaction, each likes of Sergio Garcia and Ro- point is important at the end of drigo Tabata for the game, and the season and we will be aim- Laudrup admitted that he is ing to get at least a point from the looking at a number of tactical game,” he said. tweaks for the team. “We have Al Kharaitiyat’s coach also some key players out this week, called for more fi ghting spirit so it will be a challenge for my from his side when refl ecting on side against Al Kharaitiyat. I am his sides 2-0 defeat to Al Khor. always thinking about options “Against Al Khor we lacked pos- for us. We will have to see from session, lack of pressure and a the players that we have available real lack of overall fi ghting spirit. for this game, but we could set up We must give our best in every in a number of diff erent ways.” game even if we lose so it was “The players who are not play- disappointing not to see that ing regularly have stepped up for when we played Al Khor.” in recent weeks and this has been Al-Ajlani ended the press con- important for us, and as a coach it ference noting that hard work is good to see that the players have is the only way his side can get played their part when it mat- out of the relegation zone. “Al tered,” noted the Danish coach. Rayyan are the current champi- ons they have to be respected but TODAY’S FIXTURES they does not stop us working 4:30pm hard and testing them. If we play Al Rayyan vs Al Kharaitiyat to our strengths I am convinced Al Wakrah vs Muaither we can trouble them.” 6:40pm Third placed Al Rayyan head Al Arabi vs Lekhwiya

Qatar’s military football team qualifies for World Cup final Al Sadd players celebrate after scoring a goal against Al Gharafa during their QSL tie yesterday. Sadd’s Hamza Sanhaji (left) scored a brace. PICTURE: Shemeer Rasheed

By Sports Reporter challenge Lekhwiya for the title. Adam’s men came out victorious thanks by the return of key strikers Yannick Sag- Doha In the fi rst half, Sadd attack seemed to to a fi rst half strike from Younes Ali, giv- bo and Mahmoud al-Mawas while Jaish lacked bite. But all of that changed in the ing them their third straight win in the were still struggling for players after suf- second half. Just after minute after the league. fering a raft of injuries and suspensions l Sadd produced another domi- restart, Xavi, who had recently signed In the second half, Jean Fernandez’s in recent weeks. nant performance to further a one-year contract extension, gave his men upped the pressure and were try- Umm Salal looked quite happy to play enhance their Qatar Stars team the deserved lead. ing to get a goal back. Madison had a the counter attacking game, a tactic that ALeague title credentials when The game stood on the edge till San- chance to level the score in the fi fty-third paid off on the 36th minute when they they defeated Al Gharafa 3-0 yesterday. haji, who had come on as a substitute in minute, however his powerful shot went found the back of the net thanks to Hilal Substitute Hamza Sanhaji scored a brace the 41st minute, increased Sadd’s advan- just wide of the goal post. Mohammed. while skipper Xavi Hernandez provided tage in the 68th minute. The two-goal Al Ahli held on to their slender advan- Both teams came out quickly in the the opening goal as Sadd registered con- advantage allowed Sadd to play more at- tage and added three points to their tally. second half but it was Jaish who struck secutive wins. This win also helped Sadd tacking and in the 88th minute, Sanhaji The Brigadiers now have twenty-three fi rst to draw the game at 1-1 follow- leapfrog Lekhwiya and top the table. Le- scored his second of the match. points from eighteen games while Al ing a controversial equaliser on the 61st khwiya will now have to defeat Kharaiti- With just eight matches to go, this win Khor remains at nineteen points. minute. Umm Salal attempted to stop yat today to regain the position. will help Sadd take the challenge to Le- play after they thought Jaish’s Moham- Sadd had gone into this match on the khwiya. As for Gharafa, they are in fi fth UMM SALAL AND EL JAISH DRAW 1-1 med al-Yazidi fouled Abdel Alawiin in back of a confi dence-boosting 6-1 win place in the standings and will have to Umm Salal and El Jaish walked away with midfi eld with what looked like a nasty over Muaither. But Gharafa too had de- fi gure out a way to play against a team a point each after their QSL clash at Qatar two-footed challenge. Despite Alawiin feated Al Shahaniya 3-0 in their previous with the attacking prowess of Sadd. Sports Club Stadium as the out of form writhing around in pain, Jaish played Qatari military football team The Qatari team will face their encounter. Sadd has been having a great teams drew 1-1 in a heated match. on and Abdulgadir Ilyas found himself qualified for the World Cup fi- Omani counterpart in the final season so far. In fact, their loss to Lekhi- AHLI EDGE OUT AL KHOR 1-0 Both sides came into the game desper- on the end of a cross and able to poke it nal being held in Muscat, after of the tournament today, while wya three matches ago was their fi rst this Al Khor went head to head against Al Ahli ate for a morale boosting win to reignite home from two yards out to make it 1-1. defeating Syrian counterpart the Egyptian team will take on season. They bounced back emphati- in round eighteen of the QSL at the AL the second half of their season after fail- via a penalty-shootout (4-2) their Syrian counterparts for cally in their next match but they had to Khor stadium yesterday. Only a single ing to win in their last two games in 2017. RESULTS: Al Khor 0 – 1 Al Ahli; Umm Salal after the match ended 2-2. the third-place match. continue their winning run if they had to goal separated the two sides as Yousef Umm Salal headed into the game boosted 1 – 1 El Jaish; Al Sadd 3 – 0 Al Gharafa

AL KASS U17 CUP Aminu performance helps Red Bull defeat PSG

By Sports Reporter utes Salzburg were almost ahead when was eventually cleared off the line. ing, PSG secured a lifeline when Pos- Doha Ousmanne Diakite’s accurate header Red Bull picked up the pieces and tolachi rose unmarked to meet a corner from a corner forced keeper Ouvry into were soon two goals to the good. There from the right and fi nish emphatically, a smart save. seemed to be little immediate danger to make the score 3-2. ed Bull Salzburg waltzed into The chance was indicative of Red when Moussa Sissako failed to clear At the end, Red Bull were hanging on the semi-fi nals of Al Kass 2017 Bull’s dominance in the opening stages, his defensive lines properly. However, for dear life, and their relief was palpa- courtesy of a virtuoso per- with Ouvry once again called into ac- Aminu pounced and blasted a com- ble when the fi nal whistle sounded. On formance from striker Aminu tion on 11 minutes following a goal- panion piece to his fi rst goal into the another day, PSG may have prevailed, Mohamed,R whose two extraordinary mouth scramble. But moments later top left corner, from all of 25 yards out. but thanks to the sheer brilliance of goals will be talked about for years to he was powerless to intervene when The half-volleyed cracker had onlook- Aminu Mohamed, the Austrians fi nd come by those lucky enough to have Aminu Mohamed slammed home a ers at Aspire Zone out of their seats and themselves just two steps away from Al witnessed them. The result was a little half volley from 30 yards out to put cheering wildly, as the striker celebrat- Kass greatness. cruel on a gallant PSG side, who con- Salzburg in front. In terms of technical ed yet another audacious eff ort. tributed massively to an absorbing con- execution, it was arguably the strike of The Parisians looked understandably REAL DEFEAT KASHIWA REYSOL test, but ultimately the Austrians were the tournament, and one that instantly defl ated, but emerged for the second In the second match yesterday, Real good value for their 3-2 victory. entered Al Kass International Cup’s all- period with renewed energy and, on 52 Madrid defeated Kashiwa Reysol 4-2 French coach Laurent Huard had time Hall of Fame. minutes, they had reduced the defi cit. on penalties after the match had ended selected star striker Timothy Weah as The opening goal was the signal for Dangerman Weah won the ball in the 2-2 after regulation time. A brace from centre forward for this quarter fi nal, PSG to step up a level, and they began centre circle and played it short to Adli, Miguel Baeza Pérez had seen Real Madrid after he had started the previous game to trouble the Red Bull backline with fi ve yards ahead of him, before running sit on a comfortable two-goal cushion – a 2-1 defeat to Al Ahli – wide on the a series of testing crosses from the onto the return pass and planting a low but Kashiwa Reysol reduced the defi cit left. Meanwhile, playmaker Yacine Adli fl anks. On the half hour, Paris should shot beyond Ouvry from just inside the through Kaito Mori in the 63rd minute. reverted to his preferred role in central have equalised when Weah met a cor- penalty area. And then Mori scored the vital equaliser midfi eld, having occasionally struggled ner from the right inside the six yard With a quarter of an hour remaining for his team in injury time. This goal took for pace on the right wing in the pre- Red Bull Salzburg striker Aminu Mohamed (L) celebrates a goal yesterday. box, but he could not make a clean con- Red Bull looked to have sealed the tie the tie to penalties but the Japanese team vious game. Meanwhile, Pierre Ouvry nection as keeper Daniel Antosch, at courtesy of Aidin Ovanovic, who had couldn’t convert their shots and ended was restored in goal ahead of Garlssone serve their 100 percent record at Al given what was to follow. full stretch, produced a great save. Yet, chased a low ball down the left and gone up on the losing side. Innocent, who had been guilty of some Kass 2017. Florian Schindl made way The Austrians soon settled into a within moments, he went from hero to toe-to-toe with Ourvy, only for the ball “It was a diffi cult match” said Real erratic distribution against the Saudis. for Dominic Szoboszlai in midfi eld, groove, with their muscular approach villain after mis-hitting a clearance and to ricochet off the tenacious forward’s Madrid coach Alvaro Benito Villar after Red Bull made two changes to their while Nemanja Zikic was replaced by and pacey pressing tactics asking ques- coming off second best to Weah while shin and into the net. their victory. Real will now face Eintra- starting line-up as they looked to pre- Aminu – a highly signifi cant decision, tions of the Parisians. On seven min- attempting to win back the ball, which But then, with eight minutes remain- cht Frankfurt in the semi-fi nal.