WEDNESDAY 9 JANUARY 2019 SPORT 05

It’s something that I clearly Serena Williams on her bid to FOOTBALL want but I have to be able to FOOTBALL claim a record-equalling 24th get there and beat a lot of EFL Cup semi-final: Asian Cup, Grand Slam by winning the good players to get it. Manchester City vs Group E: Qatar vs Lebanon upcoming Australian Open. ACTION Group F: Uzbekistan vs Oman

Burton Albion TODAY’S

NBA RESULTS Dallas 97, LA Lakers 107 IPL 2019 to Boston 116, Brooklyn 95 NZ sweep Sri Lanka series be held in Houston 125, Denver 113 Milwaukee 114, Utah 102 India despite New Orleans 114, Memphis 95

Detroit 107, San Antonio 119 after Taylor, Nicholls tons election clash

Portland 111, New York 101 Sacramento 111, Orlando 95 AFP NELSON, NEW ZEALAND AFP NEW DELHI Veteran and rising Popovich ties star Henry Nicholls both The Indian Premier smashed centuries as New League will be held in for third on Zealand thrashed Sri Lanka by India, the board 115 runs in the third One Day said yesterday, quelling victories list International in Nelson speculation that the yesterday to complete a 3-0 Twenty20 extravaganza REUTERS series whitewash. could be held elsewhere DETROIT Taylor top-scored with 137, owing to a clash with a and Nicholls was unbeaten on general election. DeMar DeRozan had 26 124 off just 80 balls, lifting the The money-spinning points, nine assists and seven hosts to 364 for four after they contest that lasts 2 rebounds and Gregg Popovich lost the toss and were sent in to months would be held continued his climb up the bat. from March 23 with a NBA’s career wins list as the It was a record ODI score at detailed schedule yet to visiting San Antonio Spurs Nelson’s Saxton Oval, where the be announced, the Board defeated the Detroit Pistons average is just 275, and Sri Lanka of Control for Cricket in 119-107 on Monday. never looked like reaching the India (BCCI) said. Popovich earned the mammoth total. The announcement 1,221st victory of his career, They were all out for 249 in comes amid widespread tying him with Jerry Sloan for the 42nd over, throwing away New Zealand’s players pose for a photo after winning the reports that the IPL could third on the NBA’s all-time list their final four without ODI series against Sri Lanka in Nelson, yesterday. be moved out of the among coaches. The 23rd- scoring a run as the series ended country due to security year Spurs coach trails only with a whimper. two but combined with skipper space of two balls. Worse was to and to all depart concerns as India is to Don Nelson (1,335) and Lenny , who scored for a 116-run come after Perera fell to a spec- without furthering the score. hold general elections by Wilkens (1,332). a blistering 140 in the second partnership to steady the tacular one-handed catch from Sri Lanka, who lost a two- May. San Antonio dominated ODI, was again the tourists’ . Guptill, triggering a tail-end Test series against New Zealand “Based on prelim- the last three quarters after standout performer, racing to 80 When Williamson departed collapse. 1-0, wrap up their tour with a inary discussions with falling behind early. Just as in 63 balls. on 55, Taylor and Nicholls plun- Dushmantha Chameera went one-off Twenty20 match against the appropriate central they did against the Utah Jazz With the series already dered the Sri Lanka attack with with Sri Lanka on 249, only for the Black Caps in Auckland on and state authorities, it on Saturday, the Pistons got decided, Nicholls and Taylor an aggressive 154-run stand. Danushka Gunathilaka, Malinga Friday. was decided that the 12th off to a good start, jumping used the dead rubber to send a Sri Lanka Lasith edition of the world’s out to a 21-9 lead with 4:55 message to New Zealand Malinga had ousted openers SCOREBOARD most popular and com- remaining in the first quarter. selectors ahead of this year’s Martin Guptill and Colin Munro New Zealand D. Shanaka lbw Sodhi ...... 2 petitive T20 tournament LaMarcus Aldridge scored World Cup. cheaply but was expensive in the M. Guptill c Mendis b Malinga ...... 2 T. Perera c Guptill b Ferguson ...... 80 will be played in India,” 25 points on 9-of-12 shooting It was Nicholls’ maiden ODI long run, leaking 93 runs from C. Munro b Malinga ...... 21 M. Gunathilaka b Ferguson ...... 31 BCCI said in a statement. for the Spurs, who have won ton and the 27-year-old will his 10 overs. K. Williamson c de Silva b Sandakan ...... 55 P. Chameera c Southee b Ferguson ...... 1 In 2014 when the R. Taylor c de Silva b Malinga ...... 137 L. Malinga (Seifert/Sodhi) ...... 0 five straight and six of their hope his strong Test form is Sri Lanka’s senior bowlers H. Nicholls ...... 124 L. Sandakan not out ...... 0 country last held national last seven. Blake Griffin had finally transferring to the limited were all wayward, particularly J. Neesham not out ...... 12 N. Pradeep b Sodhi ...... 0 polls, the UAE hosted the 34 points and eight assists, overs format. Taylor’s 20th ODI at the death, as the tourists con- Extras: (b1, lb5, nb1, w6) ...... 13 Extras: (lb4, w7) ...... 10 first two weeks of the IPL. and Andre Drummond had 19 century tightened the 34-year- ceded 57 runs in the final three Total: (for 4 wickets; 50 overs) ...... 364 Total: (all out; 41.4 overs) ...... 249 The entire 2009 edition points and 14 rebounds in old’s grip on the New Zealand overs. Fall of wickets: 1-16 (Guptill), 2-31 (Munro), Fall of wickets: 1-66 (de Silva), 2-107 (Dickwel- took place in South Africa, defeat for the Pistons, who record he already holds for Sri Lanka made a bright start 3-147 (Williamson), 4-301 (Taylor) la), 3-107 (K. Mendis), 4-117 (Shanaka), 5-143 (M. again to avoid a clash with have lost five of six. one-day centuries. to the run chase, scoring freely : Malinga 10-1-93-3 (1w), Chameera Perera), 6-244 (T. Perera), 7-249 (Chameera), elections. State govern- In other match, James “I’m getting old and hope- before Tim Southee trapped 8-0-55-0, Pradeep 9-1-77-0 (5w, 1nb), Perera 8-249 (Gunathilaka), 9-249 (Malinga), 10-249 ments say providing 2-0-8-0, Sandakan 10-0-54-1, Shanaka 6-0-36- (Pradeep) Harden produced another fully I’ve got a few more left in Dhananjaya de Silva lbw on 36. 0, de Silva 5-0-35-0 Bowling: Southee 7-0-46-1 (4w), Henry 8-0- security for the IPL is a sparkling double-double but me,” he said. The run rate then slowed to Sri Lanka 62-0 (2w), Ferguson 8-0-40-0 (1w), Neesham challenge at a time when this time received plenty of In his last 11 ODI innings a crawl when the tourists lost N. Dickwella c Ferguson b Neesham ...... 46 5-0-34-1, Williamson 5-0-24-0, Sodhi 8.4-0-40- they are preoccupied help as Houston extended its Taylor has scored three centuries three wickets for 10 runs to D. de Silva lbw Southee ...... 36 3 with election duty in the home-court winning streak and six half centuries. slump to 117 for four, with K. Perera c Seifert b Ferguson ...... 43 Result: New Zealand win by 115 runs country of 1.25 billion to 10 games with a victory He came to the crease with Niroshan Dickwella and Kusal K. Mendis run out (Williamson/Seifert) ...... 0 Series: New Zealand 3-0 people. over Western Conference- New Zealand struggling at 31 for Mendis departing within the leading Denver. Harden paired 32 points with 14 assists. The Rockets India’s captain also received a career-high 31 kisses the Border-Gavaskar points from centre Clint India rest Bumrah for Capela (plus nine rebounds) Trophy. and 21 points apiece from PJ Tucker and Gerald Green. The Australia ODIs, NZ tour Rockets bounced back after having their six-game win streak end on Saturday REUTERS four-match series, which the INDIAN SQUADS against the Trail Blazers. NEW DELHI tourists won 2-1. Bumrah sent Elsewhere, Marcus Smart down 157.1 overs in hot and India squad for the ODIs against Australia drained 3-pointers on consec- India paceman Jasprit Bumrah demanding conditions, the most and New Zealand utive possessions in the first will be rested for the one-day by a fast bowler in the series and Virat Kohli (capt), Rohit Sharma, Lokesh Ra- quarter to begin a game- series in Australia and subse- second only to spinner Lyon’s hul, Shikhar Dhawan, Ambati Rayudu, Di- changing run by host Boston, quent tour of New Zealand after 242.1. nesh Karthik, Kedar Jadhav, Mahendra Singh which went on to beat playing a key role in their break- “Keeping in mind the Dhoni, Hardik Pandya, Kuldeep Yadav, Yuz- Brooklyn. through Test series win Down workload of the bowler, it was vendra Chahal, , Bhuv- The Celtics have won three Under, the Indian cricket board best felt to give him adequate neshwar Kumar, Mohammed Siraj, Khaleel straight and four of five. The (BCCI) said yesterday. rest ahead of the home series Ahmed, Mohammed Shami. Nets, who were trying to The 25-year-old with an against Australia,” BCCI acting India squad for T20I series against New reach.500 beyond the midway unorthodox sling-arm action secretary Amitabh Choudhary Zealand point of the season for the first Cash bonuses for Indian was joint highest -taker said in a statement. Virat Kohli (capt), Rohit Sharma, Lokesh Ra- time since the 2013-14 cam- along with Australia’s Nathan “Mohammed Siraj will hul, Shikhar Dhawan, Rishabh Pant, Dinesh paign, had a three-game Lyon with 21 from the replace Bumrah in the squad for Karthik, Kedar Jadhav, Mahendra Singh winning streak snapped and heroes after series win Dhoni, Hardik Pandya, Krunal Pandya, Kul- lost for just the fourth time in the last 16 games. AFP deep Yadav, Yuzvendra Chahal, Bhuv-

NEW DELHI BCCI awarded neshwar Kumar, Siddarth Kaul, Khaleel cash bonuses of up to Ahmed. India yesterday awarded cash $85,000 for Virat Kohli bonuses of up to $85,000 for Virat and his players who the Australia and New Zealand Kohli and his players who secured a secured a historic first tour.” Popovich earned historic first Test series triumph in Test series triumph in Led by Bumrah, the Indians the 1,221st victory Australia. easily out bowled Australia in of his career, tying India clinched the four-match Australia. the Test series, prompting home him with Jerry series 2-1 in Sydney on Monday, captain Tim Paine to call it sparking national celebrations. “potentially the best pace attack Sloan for third on The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) congratulated in the world”. the NBA’s all-time the team and announced a bonus of $21,400 per match for each Beginning on Saturday, list among coaches. player while the reserves will get $10,700 per match. India will play three one-dayers The 23rd-year Spurs That means that Kohli and others who took part in all four Tests in Australia before moving to will get more than $85,000, doubling their match fees. New Zealand to play five ODIs coach trails only Coach Ravi Shastri and his assistants will get $35,650 each. and three Twenty20 Interna- Don Nelson (1,335) The BCCI routinely gives bonuses for multi-nation tournaments tionals. Paceman Siddarth Kaul Jasprit Bumrah (centre) will be rested for the ODI series like the World Cup or Champions Trophy but extra payments for a has also been drafted into the and Lenny Wilkens in Australia and subsequent tour of New Zealand. (1,332). bilateral series is rare. squad for the Twenty20 series against New Zealand. 06 SPORT WEDNESDAY 9 JANUARY 2019 Stephens avoids shock Serena chases Slam to advance in Sydney

history Down Under AFP SYDNEY AFP Williams won her 23rd and intended to “move on to exhausted she cannot raise her MELBOURNE title and seventh at bigger and better things”. arms above her head. World number five Sloane Melbourne Park while Bookmakers in Australia have Wozniacki proved she can still Stephens battled back from Serena Williams is back in eight weeks pregnant installed Williams as a short-priced compete by winning in Beijing in the brink of a shock defeat to Melbourne as hot favourite to two years ago, and favourite for the title with her US October but whether she can cope a qualifier yesterday to join repeat her 2017 Australian Open Open conqueror Osaka -- the first with the gruelling two-week slog now attempts to match two-time Wimbledon Tomic warms win and claim a record-equalling Japanese player to win a Grand of a Grand Slam remains to be champion Petra Kvitova in 24th Grand Slam with rivals, Margaret Court’s mark of Slam -- next in the betting. seen, and she was bundled out of round two of the Sydney up for Kyrgios including defending champion 24 singles majors on the The 21-year-old Osaka backed the Auckland Classic last week in International. Caroline Wozniacki, battling health Australian’s home soil. up her US Open win by riding a round two. Less than a week before clash, Grand issues and poor form. wave of fanatical home support World number one Simona the Australian Open -- the Williams won her 23rd title to reach the final of the Pan- Halep of Romania comes into the season’s first Grand Slam -- Slam with victory and seventh at Melbourne Park Open that she was taking nothing Pacific Open in Tokyo without tournament under a fitness cloud the American was twice two while eight weeks pregnant two for granted. dropping a set. after a nagging back injury cur- points away from losing to AFP years ago, and now attempts to “It’s something that I clearly She warmed up for Melbourne tailed her 2018 season. 72nd-ranked Ekaterina Alex- MELBOURNE match Margaret Court’s mark of want but I have to be able to get by making the semi-finals of the Second-ranked Angelique androva, who had the former 24 singles majors on the Austral- there and beat a lot of good Brisbane International last week, Kerber has already indicated her US Open champion on the Bernard Tomic (pictured ian’s home soil. players to get it,” the American where she blamed a poor attitude priority for 2019 will be the French ropes. above) won his first compet- The 37-year-old enters the said. for losing to Lesia Tsurenko. Open, the only Slam to elude the Alexandrova won the first itive outing of the season tournament ranked 16 in the world Regarding the controversial “I feel like last year I did a lot 30-year-old German in her career. set to love and was serving for yesterday, beating American but has proved in the past that final against Osaka at Flushing of that,” she said. “I’m trying to Maria Sharapova has failed the match and two points Jack Sock in a pre-Australian such numbers mean little to her, Meadows -- when she raged change it more, and I think I have.” to impress since returning from away from victory in the Open tune-up that will also despite fresh memories of her against umpire Carlos Ramos who While she is the leading light a doping ban and, now ranked second set. But Stephens see him take on fellow meltdown in losing the US Open imposed three code vio- for the next generation, the world 30, is looking some way from the somehow rallied to win 0-6, livewire Australian Nick final to Naomi Osaka in lations, the final one number four’s status as second player who won five Grand 7-6 (7/3), 7-6 (7/3). Kyrgios. September. resulting in the favourite points to a lack of serious Slams. Earlier, Kvitova avenged In the opening match of Her 2017 triumph Down Under loss of a game - rivals for Williams among the more Two-time major champion and her US Open defeat to the Kooyong Classic in Mel- gave Williams the outright open Williams said established players. former number one Garbine in-form Aryna Sabalenka. bourne, 83rd-ranked Tomic era record for singles majors she had put Wozniacki, ranked three, Muguruza was another who The Czech, who slumped -- who bounced back after ahead of Steffi Graf’s 22, leaving it put started last season by winning her had an injury-blighted to 29 in the world after being on-and-off court issues to only Court’s tally of 24 titles -- 13 behind first Grand Slam in Melbourne and 2018 which saw her drop attacked in her home by a win his first ATP title since of which were earned in the her returning to world number one, out of the top 10. knife-wielding man in 2016, 2015 at Chengdu in Sep- amateur era before 1968 -- for but ended it in October with the But the 20-year-old Aryna has battled back to number tember -- overcame Sock in Williams to chase. bombshell announcement that she Sabalenka from Belarus has eight and was encouraged by three tight sets. Williams missed her first had been diagnosed with rheu- zoomed up the rankings from 73rd her 6-1, 7-5 win over the After winning 5-7, 6-4, chance to match Court when matoid arthritis. at the start of 2018 to number 11 Belarusian. 10-6, Tomic is looking ahead losing last year’s Wimbledon The 28-year-old Dane insists on the back of tournament wins in Sabalenka is a form to his clash on Wednesday final to Angelique Kerber, she can manage the debilitating New Haven and Wuhan, and is a player, racing to number 11 in against Kyrgios, who has also and said ahead of auto-immune condition, which dark horse to emulate Osaka and the world after a stellar 2018 been struggling with form and the Australian sometimes leaves her so achieve a maiden Grand Slam. and starting the year by motivation. The pair have winning the Shenzhen Open. never played on the ATP Kvitova belted 28 winners Tour. to Sabalenka’s 11 and won an “Nick and I have played incredible 85 percent of her many many times in practice, first-serve points during the we’re good friends. This will 79-minute contest. be our last opportunity to She is aiming for her practise because in five days second Sydney title after it’s the Australian Open,” lifting the trophy in 2015. Tomic said after putting in There was no such joy for what he termed a decent per- 2017 French Open winner formance against the 106th- Jelena Ostapenko, whose ranked Sock. poor form continued in a 6-3, The formerly troubled 6-3 defeat to Australia’s Ash Tomic, who failed to qualify Barty, who is rewarded with a year ago for the Open when a second-round clash against he was ranked 142nd and world number one Simona apparently fed up with tennis, Serena Williams of the US in action during Halep. now seems to have settled the Hopman Cup tennis tournament in After picking up a thigh down. Perth in this January 3 file photo. injury at the Hopman Cup, The same may not apply Garbine Muguruza -- another to Kyrgios, who finished his major winner -- safely nego- season in October through an tiated her first-round elbow injury. encounter with fellow He has spent recent Bencic survives scare in Hobart opener Spaniard Carla Suarez months at home in Canberra, Navarro 6-3, 6-4. playing basketball and doing AP southern island state. The third and I’m even more emotional. I “She was a top 5 player, so I Last year Muguruza was charity work while speaking HOBART, AUSTRALIA set contained nine service feel like ‘Ah, this wind is against knew I had to play my best to the top seed and world No.2, with mental health profes- breaks, including seven straight, me,’ but I have to remember it win. I tried to not act like I was but 12 months on she is sionals in hopes of regaining Belinda Bencic has followed up as blustery conditions made it is for both players.” nervous, even though I was,” unseeded and down to 18. the competitive spirit which her title at the Hopman Cup with difficult for both players. Bencic Buzarnescu, a finalist last Kenin said. In the men’s draw Aus- once took him to 13th in the a 4-6, 6-3, 7-5 win over second- had two match points in the 10th year at Hobart, was one of the Seventh-seeded Kirsten tralian teenager Alex De world. seeded Mihaela Buzarnescu in game of the third set but dropped four highest-seeded players to Flipkens beat Dalila Jakupovic Minaur, a finalist last year, On Monday, he played in the first round of the Hobart serve before winning the last lose yesterday. 6-4, 7-5, 2016 Hobart champion continued his preparations a Fast4 exhibition event in International. two games to seal her spot in the Sofia Kenin beat top-seeded Alize Cornet opened with a 6-4, for the Australian Open with Sydney along with Rafael Bencic, who combined with second round. Caroline Garcia 6-3, 6-2, third- 6-2 win over Alison Bai, eighth- a 6-4 6-3 win over Dusan Nadal. Sock, who was ranked Roger Federer to win the inter- “It was an incredibly up- seeded Zhang Shuai lost to seeded Alison Van Uytvanck Lajovic. eighth in the world last national mixed teams event in and-down match - very hard Russian qualifier Anna Blinkova had a 7-6 (5), 7-5 win over Towering Americans Sam January prior to a collapse in Perth, Western Australia, on the work,” said Bencic. 6-2, 0-6, 6-2 and No. 4 Maria Madison Brengle and Viktoria Querrey and Reilly Opelka form, lost to Tomic on a drop weekend, kept up her successful “I’m a really emotional Sakkari was beaten 3-6, 6-2, 6-4 Kuzmova beat Timea Babos 6-3, are also through to the next shot gone wrong. start to the season in Australia’s player and then the wind comes by Magda Linette. 6-3. round. Harrington named Europe QEF conducts 1st phase of National Officials Certification Course captain for 2020 Ryder Cup

AFP receiving high profile support LONDON for his nomination from the likes of Rory McIlroy. While his main Padraig Harrington has been rival Lee Westwood had handed the task of defending expressed his desire to try and Europe’s Ryder Cup title in the qualify as a player. United States in 2020 after being “You could look at this as named team captain yesterday. being a natural progression from The three-time major player to vice-captain to captain winner succeeds Dane Thomas but it’s not something I take on Bjorn and becomes the just the without a certain amount of second golfer from the Republic trepidation,” he added. of Ireland to take the reins for Four-time Ryder Cup the tournament after Paul winner Harrington, who is not McGinley, who was victorious able to play at the moment in 2014. having broken his wrist falling “I’m thrilled to be named as down the stairs at Christmas, Ryder Cup captain for 2020, it’s acknowledged the size of the The participants who successfully completed the first phase of National Officials Certification Course (NOCC), pose for a photograph not something I went into task he faced in winning at with the officials of the Qatar Equestrian Federation (QEF), in Doha, yesterday. Show jumping judges, stewards and course designers lightly,” he said to reporters after Whistling Straits, a course he his nomination. knows well having competed took part in the four-day course which was conducted by FEI certified course designer John Vallance and FEI Level three judges Ahmed Harrington was clear three times there in the PGA Bedoui and Gerald Kuh. favourite for the role after Championship. WEDNESDAY 9 JANUARY 2019 SPORT 07 Bayern Munich ’s defender Ali Adnan (unseen) kicks a free kick and scores a goal as Vietnam’s goalkeeper Van Lam Dang (bottom) dives during the 2019 AFC Asian Cup Group D match at Zayed Sports City Stadium in Abu Dhabi, yesterday. will bounce back to the top: Thiago

ARMSTRONG VAS facilities at the Aspire Academy. THE PENINSULA “I think there are three things here (in Doha). First of Bayern Munich midfielder all, you have all the facilities Thiago Alcantara sounded a here and the fields. Then the stern warning to Bundesliga weather, which is awesome and leaders that then the people. They warmed they will stiff competition from us from the first moment and the Bavarians club in the second we are very happy with.. and half of the season. the other teams are also happy “They had some awesome with everything.” moments and we were not that Commenting on the 2022 good. But we have won the World Cup he said: “Here it’s Bundesliga six times in a row awesome as you can see, with and we want to make that all the facilities Qatar has the seven. So we are fighting till the stadiums and pitches. We were end,” said the 27-year-old. training in one of the best Bayern, the 28-time pitches we have ever trained..I German champions, are trailing think Qatar is ready,” said Dortmund by six points after an Thiago. indifferent first half of the The Spaniard said players season, but Thiago that the like him love challenges and Bavarians would be coming facing high-flying Liverpool right after them in the second in the last 16 of the Champions half of the season. League is once such instance, The Spaniard was talking to he said. the media in Doha where “We are excited because all Bayern are having their annual the big players want to play big Late free kick goal hands winter training camp for the matches. But first of all, we ninth successive season. must prepare for the start of the Iraq win over Vietnam The midfielder praised the Bundesliga,” he added. AFP three points.” Vietnam’s Golden horrific defending from the Viet- their run to the Asian Cup semi- ABU DHABI Dragons took a shock lead after namese, who by that point finals in Australia four years ago, 24 minutes in the Group D clash looked to be running out of despite losing several of their top Ali Adnan swept home a brilliant, in Abu Dhabi, defender steam. players to retirement. last-minute free kick as former panicking under pressure from A lazy foul on the edge of the “If we want to go deep into champions Iraq twice hit back Nguyen Cong Phuong and penalty area subsequently pre- the tournament we will have to beat Vietnam 3-2 in the Asian clumsily backheeling the ball sented Adnan with the chance to improve,” shrugged Cup yesterday. past goalkeeper Jalal Hassan to take all three points and he Katanec. It was a heart-breaking way Hachim. did not disappoint, curling a left- “But I have a clearer picture for Vietnam to lose in Abu Dhabi, Iraq, who defied the odds to foot shot into the top corner, now of our overall condition and but no more than Iraq deserved win an emotional Asian Cup title prompting several Vietnamese we will grow into the for going for the jugular after in 2007, levelled 10 minutes later players to slump to the turf in tournament.” Humam Tareq had hauled them through striker , despair. Vietnam coach Park Hang- level on the hour mark. who profited from a defensive Iraq join Iran on three points seo, who steered his side to the “The first half was horrible,” error to rifle home from the edge after their bitter rivals thrashed southeast Asian title last said Iraq coach Srecko Katanec. of the box. Yemen 5-0 on Monday. December, insisted he had no “We showed nothing that we Cong Phuong restored Viet- Iraq’s circumstances have regrets. Three-time winners did in training -- no power, no nam’s lead three minutes before scarcely improved since thir Saudi Arabia laid down a marker personality at all. Maybe it was the break, stabbing in from close fairytale success 12 years ago, as they ruthlessly dismissed first-game emotions, the players range after Nguyen Trong with security concerns impacting 10-man North Korea at the Asian felt the pressure a little bit.” “I Huang’s shot had been parried their preparations for Cup yesterday. knew it would be a tough game,” by Hachim. tournaments. The Saudis tore North Korea Bayern Munich midfielder Thiago Alcantara (left) takes part in added the Slovenian. “But the But Tareq lashed home a But the Lions of Mesopo- apart 4-0 in their opening Group a training session during their winter training camp in Doha most important thing was the second equaliser following more tamia will hope to at least match E game. yesterday. Yoshida wants Japan to fight Asian Cup pressure

AFP Samurai’s opening Group F game their record four Asian Cups in will expect to easily advance previous Japan teams have done B clash. The Socceroos, who won ABU DHABI against Turkmenistan in Abu 2011, but coach from a group also including and fight with pride to add a new the 2015 tile on home soil, face Dhabi. has brought a new-look team to Uzbekistan and Oman, but the chapter in our history. It’s a big Palestine on Friday in Dubai and Japan captain has “After the World Cup last this year’s tournament, leaving Asian Cup has already thrown tournament for us.” Meulensteen said their oppo- called on his side to cope with year expectation is really high,” out the likes of Dortmund play- up its share of upsets, with Meanwhile, Australia must nents were likely to set up the pressure to perform at the Asian he added, pointing to Japan’s sur- maker and holders Australia stunned 1-0 by adapt to the defensive style of same way as Jordan. Cup as they look to make up for prise run to the last 16 in Russia, Leicester striker Shinji Okazaki. Jordan in their opening game. their Asian Cup opponents as “We can expect the same their flop four years ago. where only a remarkable Unbeaten in five matches “Australia got beaten, they prepare for a Palestine side thing from Palestine,” said the The Southampton defender comeback by Belgium from two under Moriyasu, the Japanese Thailand lost to India and South who could prove as troubling as Dutchman. admitted yesterday that several goals down prevented them will rely instead on the mercurial Korea struggled to win their first Jordan were in their opener, Soc- “It’ll be a very defensive of the Japan team were still reaching the quarter-finals. Takumi Minamino and Ritsu game so the first game is hugely ceroos assistant coach Rene setup. This is a team that sets smarting from their shock “But unlike the World Cup Doan. important for us,” said Yoshida. Meulensteen has said. themselves up with everyone penalty shootout loss to United the expectation on Japan is dif- “We’ve brought in some fresh “The first order of business Defending champions Aus- behind the ball. Arab Emirates in the quarter- ferent at an Asian Cup, where we blood since the World Cup but will be to make sure we get out tralia suffered a surprising 1-0 “We will have a lot of the ball finals last time out in Australia. are expected to win. That brings we have a nice mix of youth and of our group. We have to grow loss to Jordan in their opening and the most important thing for “That was a huge disap- its own pressure obviously and experience,” insisted Moriyasu. into the tournament step by match in Al Ain on Sunday, dom- us is to use it well, to be patient, pointment but this is a new team we need to be able to cope with “It’s a chance for the young step. inating for long spells but unable to keep the quality, to keep the with a new manager,” Yoshida that and not freeze up.” players to forge their own paths “The new players have a to cancel out Anas Bani Yaseen’s speed of play and eventually told reporters before the Blue Japan captured the last of as Japan internationals.” apan responsibility to build on what 26th minute header in the Group open them up.

National Shooting and Archery Team Cup at Losail Shooting Range

The podium winners at the National Shooting and Archery Team Cup in 10m Air Pistol pose for a picture with officials of Qatar Shooting and Archery Association at Losail Shooting Range yesterday. The first event of the year will serve as a preparation for the national shooters and archers for the upcoming international competitions, including the qualifiers for the 2020 Olympic Games. The Team Cup will conclude on January 12 with Trap finals, 25m Pistol Stage 2 and 50m Rifle 3 Positions. SPORT Wednesday 9 January 2019 PAGE | 05 PAGE | 06 Cash bonuses Serena chases for Indian Grand Slam heroes after history series win Down Under ‘Youthful’ Qatar look to draw first blood

THE PENINSULA AL AIN

Qatar coach Felix Sanchez is confident his young squad can match the best in the continent as they kick off their AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 campaign against Lebanon in Group E at the Hazza bin Zayed Stadium in Al Ain, UAE today. Sanchez’s squad is one of the most youthful among the 24 nations represented at the tournament, with seven of the players who have trav- elled to the United Arab Emirates having graduated from the side that won the 2014 AFC U19 Championship in Myanmar. And with the country continuing to build towards their hosting of the FIFA World Cup in 2022, Sanchez believes the AFC Asian Cup will be the perfect proving ground for his players. “There is a group of players that played in (AFC U-19 Championship) some years ago and had a good achievement,” said the Spaniard, who coached the U-19 team and also Qatari players in action during a practice session on the eve of their opening match of the AFC Asian Cup against Lebanon in Al Ain, UAE, today. worked with the country’s U-23 squad before taking over the helm of the senior side. hard game and we’re only focused Qatar have twice reached expect from such a level but I’m sure “Now they’re in the first team on that. the quarter-finals of the AFC my players will have the possibility and it’s a group of - in my point of “We’re going to try to show that Asian Cup – in 2000 and on and the quality to make a per- view - very talented players with the we’re able to compete against all the formance and we are ready for qualities to compete and play in Asia, Asian teams we’re going to face in home soil in 2011. tomorrow’s game. and of course we want to be here to the competition, to compete and “Qatar is really a very good team, try to compete against everyone. compete well and get results. Sanchez’s squad is one of I made a good analysis of them. They “But we’re going to focus and we “How far we will reach is difficult have built a team for the World Cup, can’t look further than the game to say, but I’m quite sure that this the most youthful among the they have very good balance in the against Lebanon because this com- group of players are able to compete 24 nations represented at team, they have the best player of petition is a few games and you need against all teams in Asia and it is time the tournament, with seven Asia in the team and the Spanish to be OK in all of them.” to show they have the quality and coach is with the players for a long Qatar have twice reached the ability to do well.” of the players who have time. quarter-finals of the AFC Asian Cup Lebanon will be appearing at the travelled to the UAE having “But also we are together almost – in 2000 and on home soil in 2011 AFC Asian Cup for the first time since graduated from the side that four years and we built a good team. – but Sanchez refused to be drawn hosting the tournament in 2000 and, We have our system and we have on his side’s expectations at this while coach Miodrag Radulovic is won the 2014 tactical discipline and I’m optimistic year’s tournament as he declared his delighted to be leading the country AFC U19 Championship. about tomorrow’s game.” squad fully fit for the Finals. to the Finals, he stressed his team The match will kick off at 7.00pm “Everyone is fine and ready to would not be overawed by the today. play,” he said. occasion or the Qataris. each point and each goal. Our focus Also Today, Japan will meet “We know Lebanon. We saw “We’re in a strong group, but my is on the first game. It’s a very Turkmenistan in their Group F clash Qatar’s coach Felix Sanchez speaks during a pre- them playing, we know their players are ready to give a good per- important game. Not decisive, but while Uzbekistan take on Oman in match press conference, held in Al Ain, UAE, yesterday. strengths and we know it will be a formance and we will be fighting for important. I know very well what to the remaining fixture of the day. Loeb wins Dakar 2nd stage QMMF announces route details for AFP Marcona in Peru to win by eight seconds. Manateq Qatar Cross-Country Rally SAN JUAN DE MARCONA, PERU Dutchman Bernhard ten Brinke, driving a Toyota, was third at 1min Frenchman Sebastien Loeb claimed 20sec, while South African Giniel de Vil- victory in the second stage of the Dakar liers finished fourth to take over as race THE PENINSULA of the rally on February 26. In a pro- must be done online on the FIA Rally raced across challenging desert leader. DOHA visional route of 2,059km, compet- website. All competitors must com- dunes yesterday, as main rivals Stephane Frenchman Peterhansel, who has itors will tackle 1,367km of timed plete the online entry form at https:// Peterhansel and Qatar’s Nasser Al Attiyah won the Dakar six times on the motorbike Officials at the Qatar Motor and competition. The finishers will then registrations.fia.com to be eligible to had days to forget. and seven times in a car, paid the price Motorcycle Federation (QMMF) have be convoyed to the Pearl for the prize score points in the World Cup and Nine-time world rally champion after running his Mini aground in the announced further details of the chal- giving ceremony. associated competitions. Loeb, driving a private Peugeot entry dunes, eventually finishing 15 minutes lenging route that competitors will Rally officials have also Further information about the after the French car manufacturer’s behind Loeb. face at the Manateq Qatar Cross- announced a generous prize fund for rally can be obtained by contacting decision to withdraw from the race, held Peterhansel’s team-mate Al Attiyah, Country Rally (QCCR), the opening winners in all categories. The top five QMMF, Losail Sports Arena, Al off the Mini of Nani Roma over the last a double Dakar winner in 2011 and 2015, round of the FIA World Cup for in the T1 category will receive gen- Wusail, North Relief Road, PO Box few kilometres of the second of ten saw his overnight lead disappear as he Cross-Country Rallies. erous cash awards, with $10,000 for 8708, Doha, Tel: +974 443 79885, Fax: stages between Pisco and San Juan de could only finish 11th, 7:37 off the pace. The event gets underway with a the winner, down to $4,000 for fifth + 974 443 79732, E-mail: info@qmmf. ceremonial start on the Pearl on Feb- place. com.qa and davypatterson777@ ruary 21. Timed action fires into life The winner of the T2 category for gmail.com or the QMMF’s official web on February 22 with a short desert series production site, www.qmmf.com stage of 102km and this will define cross-country the starting order for the first of the vehicles will longer selective sections. receive The following two days of com- $8,000 - petition across the length and breadth with prize of the deserts of Qatar will run for money paid 313km and 338km, respectively, with down to fifth final stage distances subject to forth- place - and coming route checks. the T3 winner The fourth stage on February 24 will earn $6,000 will offer almost 350km of timed down to a prize of competition but this will be divided $3,000 for third into two stages by a road liaison place. section of 56km. The FIA recom- Entries close on Feb- Toyota’s Qatari driver Nasser Al Attiyah of Qatar and mends that the last timed test is ruary 5 and at reduced rates on his co-driver Matthieu Baumel of France compete shorter than the rest and the QMMF January 22. during the second stage of the Dakar 2019 between have duly arranged 270 kilometres Entries for rounds of the 2019 FIA Pisco and San Juan de Marcona, Peru, yesterday. of competition to decide the outcome World Cup for Cross-Country Rallies