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GOLF/ QATAR LADIES OPEN Madsen joins leader Hall; Aditi, Annabel close behind ‘I have been having a few bad rounds the last couple of months and I don’t really know why. The game just hasn’t been what I want it to be. I’ve done a lot of hard work with my new putter. When you’re tired of something it’s good to try something new’

By Satya Rath Doha

nother now-sunny now- cloudy day, another day of near-perfect conditions, and Ait was again a day of high scores at the Qatar Ladies Open, the Ladies European Tour event at the Doha Golf Club here. At the halfway mark of the inaugu- ral edition, it was a two-way tie for the lead with Nanna Koerstz Madsen of Denmark joining overnight leader Lydia Hall of Wales with nine-under totals. A stroke behind, on tied-second, were Indian teenager Aditi Ashok and Annabel Dimmock of England, followed by Alexandra Vilatte Farret of France a further stroke back. Madsen, only in her second year on the professional tour, shot a six-under- par 66 to add to her 69 on the opening day to seize a share of the lead along- side Hall. She sunk seven birdies, but for a lone bogie, on the par-four 15th – she also stumbled on the same hole in Wednesday’s fi rst round – that stopped her from going on top. “My driving was good and the putting was better than the last couple of months,” said Madsen, who has had a relatively quiet stretch since winning the Tipsport Golf Masters in the Czech Republic in June, with just one top-10 fi nish, in the Spanish Open, since then. “I’ve been having a few bad rounds the last couple of months and I don’t really know why. The game just hasn’t been what I want it to be. I’ve done a lot of hard work with my new putter. When you’re tired of something it’s good to try something new. I think it’s working,” added the 23-year-old Dane. Co-leader Hall too has a fresh driver in her bag this week and a new caddie Nanna Koerstz Madsen of Denmark's second-round 66 in tour professional Paul Doherty. “He’s helped her join overnight leader Lydia Hall of Wales atop experienced, he’s been playing on the the leaderboard going into the weekend action of the Challenge Tour and Mena Tour, he’s a Qatar Ladies Open at the Doha Golf Club yesterday. good player, so he knows what it’s like to be in certain positions and how to go about it when under pressure. It’s ing error-free – I’ve only had one bogey myself enough chances yesterday so Dimmock, who returned a 67, said: great to have someone who knows how over two days. It’s been quite plain sail- I did that today and I feel it was really “My long game was really good but I I’m feeling and he’s keeping me in the ing really,” she added. good,” said Aditi. “I’m feeling confi dent still left a few short putts short. I’m re- present,” said Hall. Aditi, fresh from her title win in the in my game and today was a great day. I ally pleased.” The 2012 Ladies British Masters Hero Women’s Indian Open champion hope I can keep the momentum going. I Swedish trio Linda Wessberg, Caro- champion had fi ve birdies and one bo- last week, hit six birdies in a bogey-free putted really well and four of my birdie line Hedwall and Johanna Gustavsson gey in her second-round 67. “I’ve been round of 66 – which was the best score putts were outside eight feet, so those were tied for fourth along with over- playing fairly solidly from tee to green of the day till it was matched by Madsen were good. I made a 15-footer for par as night co-leader Noora Tamminen of India's Aditi Ashok hit a fine 66 for and hopefully I can get the putts going later in the day. well on the 14th, and I hit the ball well. It Finland, all at six-under, while seven a two-day total of eight-under 136. tomorrow. The best part is I have play- “Today was really good. I didn’t give was a satisfying day.” players were on fi ve-under-par. Barcelona-Al-Ahli Saudi FC tickets for sale on QFA website he countdown has begun for the two football giants. In October 2014, the na- highly anticipated Qatar Airways Match tional carrier of the State of Qatar announced a Tof Champions between FC Barcelona and sponsorship agreement for three seasons with Al-Ahli Saudi FC, which will be held in Doha on Saudi Arabian side Al-Ahli. Earlier this year, Qatar December 13th at the Thani Bin Jassim Stadium Airways extended its FC Barcelona sponsorship (Al Gharafa Stadium). for another season, with the deal running until As the date of this unique friendly match ap- June 2017. proaches, the Local Organising Committee (LOC) Through Qatar Airways Holidays (www.qatarai- have now placed the first batch of tickets for sale rways.com/cup) or accredited travel agents in the on the website (www.qfa.qa) of the Qatar Football Arabian Gulf, fans of the two teams can get many Association (QFA). off ers and promotions, including flight tickets, Every supporter can buy up to a total of four hotel accommodation, and match tickets. tickets, on one or both of the following catego- In the 2015/2016 season, Al-Ahli won the Saudi ries: Category 1 (QR200), Category 2 (QR100). Professional League. The club also won the Saudi The LOC, which comprises representatives of Super Cup and the Kings Cup. the Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy, FC Barcelona won their 23rd La Liga title this QFA, and Qatar Stars League (QSL), said it was year, the Copa del Rey and are the reigning delighted to announce the launch of ticket sales champions of the FIFA Club World Cup. The club and to support the event between two of the won the treble during the 2014/2015 season com- most popular teams in the world. second batch of tickets on the QFA website which available in a number of locations including local month, via the QFA’s social media channels. prising of the La Liga, Copa del Rey and UEFA The LOC has also confirmed plans to release a also will include the VIP tickets. Tickets will also be malls. Further details will be announced early next Qatar Airways is the off icial sponsor of the Champions League titles. Gulf Times 2 Friday, November 25, 2016 FOOTBALL

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE SPOTLIGHT Arsenal have lost momentum, admits Barcelona, Man frustrated Wenger City into last 16 as PSG control fate The Argentine star returned from illness to score both goals at Celtic Park — the second from the penalty spot — to send the five-time European champions through as winners of Group C Arsene Wenger (C) watches from the touchline during the UEFA Champions League group A football match between Arsenal and Paris Saint-Germain in London on Wednesday.

Barcelona’s Lionel Messi (C) celebrates scoring his first AFP tie in the knock-out stages. goal against Celtic in their Group C Champions League London “It’s not over, but we have a match on Wednesday. 90% chance to fi nish second,” rsene Wenger admits Wenger said. “We wanted to fi n- Arsenal have lost mo- ish fi rst. We haven’t lost a game mentum and look des- in this group so we have done Atined for a frustrating well, but we haven’t fi nished the second-placed fi nish in their job. Champions League group after “We dropped off after it was being held to a 2-2 draw against 2-1. We didn’t maintain the Paris Saint-Germain. pressure and paid for that. It’s Wenger’s side were on course frustrating.We were a bit passive to wrap up top spot in Group A on the corner for their second when they led 2-1 late in the sec- goal.” ond half at the Emirates Stadi- Arsenal know only too well um on Wednesday. But Lucas’s how damaging it can be to fi nish 77th minute header was defl ect- second as a series of tough draws ed into his own net by Gunners have led to six consecutive last- winger Alex Iwobi and Arsenal 16 exits. were unable to fi nd a winner. But Wenger tried to remain That leaves the north Lon- upbeat and insisted the quality doners level on points with PSG of some of the teams fi nishing but behind them on a head-to- second meant even group win- head record, meaning the French ners couldn’t be guaranteed an team will take fi rst place if they easy draw. win their last group match, “Will it be bad for us? We have against minnows Ludogorets on to wait and see,” he said. December 6. “If you fi nish fi rst you play the Arsenal travel to Basel on the second game at home, but you same night and Wenger con- look at the groups and it’s diffi - ceded it doesn’t look likely they cult to tell what is better. will take pole position follow- “For me it’s more frustrating ing their third successive draw not to win the game but they are in all competitions, meaning a team with top technical qual- they will probably get a tougher ity.”

REACTION Guardiola happy to avoid Bayern AFP Results of half-time as Alexis Sanchez was defeat in Rostov and could face a daunt- Paris brought down by Grzegorz Krychowiak ing draw in the next round after Atletico Group A and Olivier Giroud rolled home the re- Madrid’s 2-0 victory over PSV Eindhov- Arsenal (ENG) 2 (Giroud 45+1-pen, Ver- sulting spot-kick. en guaranteed Diego Simeone’s men fi rst ionel Messi fi red Barcelona into ratti 59-og) Paris Saint-Germain (FRA) 2 Arsenal looked to be in pole position to place in Group D. the last 16 of the Champions (Cavani 18, Lucas 77) fi nish top of the group when an attempt- Douglas Costa rifl ed Bayern ahead on League on Wednesday after a 2-0 Ludogorets (BUL) 0 Basel (SUI) 0 ed clearance from Marquinhos rico- 35 minutes in Russia, but Rostov equal- win at Celtic as they were joined Group B cheted off an unfortunate Marco Verratti ised through Sardar Azmoun on the Lin the knockout rounds by Pep Guardio- and squirmed past Alphonse Areola for a stroke of half-time before going ahead Besiktas 3 (Tosun 58, Quaresma 83-pen, la’s Manchester City. Aboubakar 89) Benfica 3 (Guedes 10, fl uke own goal. courtesy of a Dmitri Poloz penalty. The Argentine star returned from ill- Semedo 25, Fejsa 31) But Lucas ensured Unai Emery’s side Juan Bernat swiftly levelled for the ness to score both goals at Celtic Park Napoli (ITA) 0 Dynamo Kiev (UKR) 0 departed with a point as his header from Germans, but Ecuador international — the second from the penalty spot — to Group C Hatem Ben Arfa’s corner fl icked off Alex Christian Noboa fi red competition deb- send the fi ve-time European champions Celtic (SCO) 0 Barcelona (ESP) 2 (Messi Iwobi and fl ashed past David Ospina 13 utants Rostov to a fi rst group stage vic- through as winners of Group C. 24, 56-pen) minutes from the end. tory with the winner on 67 minutes. City recovered from a goal down in Borussia Moenchengladbach (GER) 1 “We had good spells in the game but In Madrid, French duo Kevin Gameiro Germany to earn a 1-1 draw at Borussia (Raff ael 23) Manchester City (ENG) 1 we could not dominate. and Antoine Griezmann netted second- Moenchengladbach as both sides fi n- (Silva 45+1) Tonight my concern is that we were half goals as Atletico — runners-up ished with 10 men. Group D 2-1 up and allowed them to come back twice in the past three seasons — regis- Raff ael grabbed the opening goal for Rostov (RUS) 3 (Azmoun 44, Poloz 50, at us. tered their fi fth win in as many matches Gladbach on 23 minutes, but David Silva Noboa 67) Bayern Munich (GER) 2 It’s diffi cult to understand how easy in the Champions League. Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola (L) and Moenchengladbach poked in Kevin De Bruyne’s cross just (Costa 35, Bernat 52) we gave away a goal at a corner,” said Ar- Besiktas launched a remarkable sec- coach André Schubert gesture during their Champions League prior to the break before Lars Stindl and Atletico Madrid (ESP) 2 (Gameiro 55, senal coach Arsene Wenger. ond-half recovery as they fought back football match in Moenchengladbach on Wednesday. Fernandinho saw red in the second half. Griezmann 66) PSV Eindhoven (NED) 0 Both PSG and Arsenal have 11 points from three goals down against Benfi ca to “We controlled the game but it wasn’t with one match to play, but the French draw 3-3 in Istanbul. AFP I’m glad we won’t play them.” enough to win. We’re just happy that outfi t own the head-to-head edge on Benfi ca, champions of Europe in 1961 Monchengladbach, Germany Raff ael’s goal for Moencheng- we’re through to the last 16,” said Belgian senal. Edinson Cavani turned in Blaise away goals after the reverse fi xture at the and 1962, appeared to be sailing through ladbach midway through the fi rst international De Bruyne. Matuidi’s cross at the far post to hand Parc des Princes in September fi nished to the last 16 after cruising 3-0 ahead half was cancelled out by City’s French champions Paris Saint-Ger- PSG an 18th-minute lead at the Emirates 1-1. inside barely half an hour through goals ep Guardiola admits he is David Silva on the stroke of half- main seized control of their own destiny Stadium. Bayern stunned in Russia from Goncalo Guedes, Nelson Semedo glad his Manchester City time at Borussia Park. in Group A with a 2-2 draw away to Ar- But the Gunners hit back on the stroke Bayern Munich crashed to a shock 3-2 and Ljubomir Fejsa. will avoid his ex-club Gladbach then had captain Bayern Munich in the Lars Stindl sent off on 50 minutes drawP for the last 16 of the Cham- for a second yellow card and sub- BOTTOMLINE pions League. sequent red. City booked their place in the But both sides were left with knock-out phase on Wednesday ten men for the fi nal half an hour with a sluggish 1-1 draw at Borus- when City had Fernandinho dis- sia Moenchengladbach as both missed for his second yellow after teams fi nished with ten men.The pulling back Raff ael. FIFA faces lawsuit over rules point confi rms City will fi nish This was not a convincing second in their group with one display from City, who looked game left to play. a shadow of the side which Gladbach are confi rmed in stunned Barcelona 3-1 in Man- third — which means the last 32 chester three weeks ago. banning transfer of minors of the Europa League — after bot- They looked vulnerable in de- tom side Celtic lost 2-0 at home fence in the fi rst half and have Reuters player, who had represented his where the minimum age is 16. allowed for unrestricted free tional Jean-Claude Mbvou- to Barcelona, who win Group C. now conceded nine goals on the Zurich country at youth level, was una- In those cases, clubs must still movement of students and em- min, who has set up the Culture Bayern will join City in the same road, failing to win any of their ble to move to a club in the Euro- ensure that the player continues ployees. Foot Solidaire group to fi ght pot when the draw for the last 16 three away matches in Europe. pean Union because of the rules. his education and studies for FIFA could not immediately the traffi cking of minors, says is made on Monday December 12 For all their possession in the IFA is facing a lawsuit “Thereby, he and his family an alternative career, as well as be reached for comment but has that young African players are in Nyon. second half, their star-studded in a Zurich court over miss the probably unique chance making sure he has a high living argued in the past that the rules still brought to Europe by false The German giants will also attack failed to convert their regulations that ban the of a professional and social ad- standard. go back to an agreement signed agents. He told Reuters last year fi nish second in their group after chances. But City are in last 16 transfer of players under vancement,” said the statement “FIFA implemented these in 2001 between FIFA, UEFA and that families sometimes hand their shock 3-2 defeat at Rostov for the fourth straight year and theF age of 18. issued yesterday. regulations on the pretext that the European Commission and over their life savings to the with Atletico Madrid progressing Guardiola was delighted to have The case was been fi led at FIFA bans the international young football players such as these had been further devel- agents hoping to secure a move as winners. Guardiola says he is progressed. “I know how hard the Zurich Commercial Court transfers of players under the the claimant must be protected,” oped over the years. to a top club, only for their sons delighted to have steered City to it is to win away from home, we on Wednesday on behalf of a age of 18 unless their parents said the statement. Spanish clubs Real Madrid to be abandoned on the streets the last 16, even more so to have have to be so, so happy because 17-year-old African player and have emigrated for reasons not “In reality, however, these and Atletico Madrid have been of Europe. avoided Bayern, who he took to some big teams will not be in the his parents, who say that the connected to football or both the regulations lead to a discrimi- banned from signing players for FIFA is also facing a legal com- the semi-fi nals in each of the last second round,” said Guardiola. rules make FIFA’s transfer regu- player and club are based within nation of football players from two transfer windows by FIFA plaint at the European Com- three seasons. “Hopefully we can do well and lations unlawful. 50 kilometres of a national bor- third countries outside the Eu- for breaching the rules while mission from the world players’ “In the last 16, all the teams qualify for the quarter-fi nals. A spokesman for Zurich law der. ropean Union.” This, it said, Barcelona have completed a union FIFPro, which says that will be tough,” said Guardiola. “Four years ago, the second fi rm Nater Dallafi or Rechtsan- The only other exception is for made them unlawful. similar ban. All three clubs de- the current transfer regulations “Bayern Munich, for example, stage was a bit easier, but now all waelte, which has brought the transfers within either the EU or The statement said the rules nied wrongdoing. have led to a lack of competition are also second. The team who the teams are so strong and any- case, said in a statement that the European Economic Area (EEA), also infringed EU law, which Former Cameroon interna- in the sport. gets them is going to suff er and thing can happen.” Gulf Times Friday, November 25, 2016 3 FOOTBALL

SPOTLIGHT REDEMPTION Bayern welcome back beloved Liverpool great ex-con Hoeness

AFP ment skills played a key role in Berlin making them Germany’s top club in the past 30 years. While a return to power in Gerrard calls li Hoeness will com- nearly any other walk of life plete his redemption would be unthinkable, Hoeness today when re-elected is set for a hero’s welcome when Upresident of Bayern FC Bayern Munich’s members Munich having served out his tax vote for a new president during evasion jail term earlier this year. today’s annual general meeting. The 64-year-old who in his The 64-year-old – as the playing days won three Euro- only candidate – is set to be re- time on career pean Cups with Bayern plus the elected 987 days after resigning World Cup and European Cham- when he boldly declared “it’s His finest hour came in Istanbul in May 2005, when he inspired Liverpool to come from pionships with West Germany not over!” His predecessor, Karl was released in February from Hopfner, who replaced him in victory over AC Milan in the Champions League final to win the club’s fifth European Cup Landsberg prison, where Adolf 2014, has refused to run again, Hitler wrote Mein Kampf. paving the way for Hoeness. He had served half of the three “For Uli, there was never any and a half year sentence he re- other thought than coming back, ceived in March 2014 on seven FC Bayern is for him like the air counts of tax evasion totalling to breathe,” said Jupp Heynckes, 28mn euros ($29.7mn). Hoeness’ old friend who coached Despite his criminal record, Bayern to the 2013 triple of Bun- Bayern are ready to welcome desliga, German Cup and Cham- back the man whose manage- pions League titles.

Malaysian’s joy at world goal of year shortlist

AFP, Kuala Lumpur: Malay- and were chosen from thousands sian midfielder Mohamed Faiz of goals scored around the world Subri said yesterday that he was between September 2015 and surprised and happy after being September 2016. shortlisted for FIFA’s goal of the “I thank god for being selected year following an extraordinary by FIFA. Being in the top 10 along swerving free-kick. with Messi and Neymar for FIFA’s Faiz’s goal for Penang state in the goal of the year award by itself is Malaysian Super League in Febru- a victory for me,” he told AFP. ary was reminiscent of Roberto “If I don’t win, its OK. If it happens Carlos’s swerving thunderbolt for it is a bonus,” Faiz said. The final Brazil against France in 1997. three will be announced by FIFA Footage of the 29-year-old scor- on December 3. ing a viciously swerving free-kick Lim Guan Eng, Penang Chief from 35 metres out have gone Minister, described Faiz’s goal as viral and made him a sensation in “best in the world.” football-crazy Malaysia. “Definitely the best Malaysia The 10 FIFA Puskas Award 2016 free-kick goal ever and best in the finalists include Barcelona super- world so far for 2016,” he said on stars Neymar and Lionel Messi Twitter.

EPL

This file photo taken on May 16, 2015 shows Liverpool’s English midfielder Steven Gerrard is seen holding his daughter Lourdes while waving a ‘Golden Samba’ presented to Spurs back in derby him by a young fan in the crowd as he says farewell at the end of the English Premier League football match between Liverpool and Crystal Palace.

AFP Cup, the UEFA Super Cup and the Com- to bring major honours back to Anfi eld, “I am excited about the future and feel mode at Chelsea London munity Shield. none more so than that famous night in I still have a lot to off er the game, in what- His fi nest hour came in Istanbul in May Istanbul. ever capacity that may be,” he said. 2005, when he inspired Liverpool to come “At an international level, I feel privi- “I am currently taking my time to con- aft er Euro exit ormer Liverpool and England cap- from 3-0 down against AC Milan at half- leged to have won 114 England caps and sider a number of options and will make tain Steven Gerrard announced time of the Champions League fi nal to win to have had the honour of captaining my an announcement with regards to the next Reuters are likely to start with defenders his retirement from professional the club’s fi fth European Cup in a penalty country. I will always look back with great stage of my career very soon.” London Kyle Walker and Jan Vertonghen, Ffootball yesterday at the age of 36, shootout. pride at every time I pulled on the England Born in Whiston, Merseyside, Gerrard who were surprisingly rested calling time on an emblematic career. In total he made 710 appearances for shirt.” joined Liverpool’s academy at the age of by Mauricio Pochettino against Gerrard spent 17 years at his home-town Liverpool, the third-highest total behind Gerrard has been linked with a coach- nine and made his fi rst-team debut aged ottenham Hotspur may Monaco, but they must do with- club Liverpool, 12 as captain, and won nine Ian Callaghan and former teammate Jamie ing role at Liverpool, as well as Celtic and 18 as a substitute against Blackburn Rov- be licking their wounds out the suspended Danny Rose honours including the 2005 Champions Carragher, scoring 186 goals. Newcastle United, where former Liverpool ers in November 1998. after crashing out of and injured Toby Aiderweireld. League before fi nishing his career with an Gerrard made 114 appearances for Eng- managers Brendan Rodgers and Rafael Be- After quickly establishing himself as a Tthe Champions League Chelsea have no injury prob- 18-month stint at LA Galaxy. land, a tally bettered only by Peter Shilton, nitez respectively work. dominant force in Liverpool’s midfi eld, he but they must quickly refocus as lems after a week of recupera- “Following recent media speculation Wayne Rooney and David Beckham, and Liverpool’s current manager, Jurgen made his England debut against Ukraine in they return to Premier League tion and have Premier League surrounding my future, I can confi rm scored 21 international goals. Klopp, said the club would welcome him May 2000. action tomorrow at leaders Chel- top scorer Diego Costa showing my retirement from playing professional He appeared at six major tournaments, back with open arms. He got his fi rst taste of silverware under sea in their third straight London his best form since arriving in football,” Gerrard said in a statement. captaining England at the 2010 World “If he wants to return, it’s an open Gerard Houllier in the 2000-01 season, derby. England with 10 goals and three “I have had an incredible career and am Cup, Euro 2012 and the 2014 World Cup. door,” the German told a press conference. when Liverpool won a treble of FA Cup, Spurs were eliminated from assists. thankful for each and every moment of my “I feel lucky to have experienced so “We want to help him.” League Cup and UEFA Cup honours. Europe’s premier competition Tomorrow’s game and their time at Liverpool, England and LA Gal- many wonderful highlights over the Gerrard, who is reported to have turned He launched Liverpool’s fi ghtback at the group stage after a sloppy next fi xture at Manchester City axy.” course of my career,” Gerrard said. “I am down an approach from English third-tier against Istanbul with a glancing header display in a 2-1 defeat at Monaco should provide the perfect test of Although the Premier League title fa- proud to have played over 700 games for side Milton Keynes Dons, said he would and scored a 35-yard thunderbolt the fol- on Tuesday but remain the only their title aspirations. mously eluded him, Gerrard did win two Liverpool, many of which as captain, and take his time before announcing his next lowing season to inspire his side to victory unbeaten Premier League side. City, a point off the pace in FA Cups, three League Cups, the UEFA to have played my part in helping the club move. over West Ham United in the FA Cup fi nal. That record almost went last third and fresh from qualifying weekend when they trailed West for the last 16 of the Champions Ham United in the fi nal minutes League with a 1-1 draw at Borus- BOTTOMLINE before Harry Kane scored twice, sia Moenchengladbach, make the including a late penalty, to snatch short trip to Burnley. a remarkable 3-2 win. Fourth-placed Arsenal, two Now they move across London points further back, entertain a Steven Gerrard, heroism and heartbreak to face Antonio Conte’s resurgent Bournemouth side missing on- Chelsea, who are seeking a sev- loan Jack Wilshere, who cannot enth successive league victory. play against his parent club. “It’s probably been the worst three voted the greatest player in Liverpool’s Kane began a scoring run of With their 2-2 draw against AFP FACTFILE London months of my life,” he admitted after- history by fans in a 2013 poll. four goals in three games with a Paris St Germain on Wednesday, wards. No less a judge than Zinedine Zidane penalty in a 1-1 draw against Ar- the Gunners stretched their un- Name: Steven George Gerrard observed in 2009: “Is he the best in the Age: 36 He finished his career with a sun- senal at the start of the month beaten record to 18 matches in all teven Gerrard, who retired from Born: May 30, 1980 kissed 18-month stint in California, world? He might not get the attention and will again spearhead a Tot- competitions. professional football yesterday, Birthplace: Whiston, Merseyside, England following in the footsteps of former of Messi and Ronaldo, but yes, I think tenham side seeking to banish Second-placed Liverpool, also will be remembered almost as Club career: England colleague David Beckham by he might be.” the memories of their last visit to a point off the top, face resurgent much for his agonising near- Liverpool (1998-2015) signing for the LA Galaxy. He left Anfield as Liverpool’s third- Stamford Bridge in May. Sunderland at Anfi eld, a ground S Appearances: 710 misses as for his extraordinary achieve- Goals: 186 Stateside silverware would elude highest appearance-maker, behind On that occasion, they blew a where the visitors have not won ments. LA Galaxy (2015-2016) him, however, and he admitted to find- only Ian Callaghan and Jamie Carragh- two-goal lead to draw 2-2, a re- since 1983. The 36-year-old captained home- Appearances: 38 ing the amount of travel involved dif- er, and with a claim to the title of the sult that eff ectively ended their With Adam Lallana again in- town club Liverpool for 12 years fa- Goals: 5 ficult. club’s greatest-ever player that only hopes of winning a fi rst top- jured, Liverpool manager Juergen International career: mously lifting the Champions League England (2000-2014) Gerrard endured more than his fair Kenny Dalglish can contest. fl ight title since 1961 when they Klopp must decide whether to trophy in 2005 after an unforgettable Debut: May 31, 2000 v Ukraine share of disappointment after inspiring “Because of what he has done for the won the league and FA Cup dou- recall Daniel Sturridge who is be- comeback against AC Milan. Appearances: 114 Liverpool to glory in the 2006 FA Cup, club, I believe he is the best,” Carragher, ble. ing linked with a move in January, But coveted successes elsewhere es- Goals: 21 with the 2012 League Cup the only ma- Gerrard’s fellow Scouser and former Tomorrow, fi fth-placed Spurs possibly to Southampton. caped him. Club honours jor honour he won subsequently. team-mate, told the Daily Telegraph in FA Cup (2): 2000-01, 2005-06 Although he also won two FA Cups, League Cup (3): 2000-01, 2002-03, 2011-12 Playing for England, which he did on 2012. three League Cups and the UEFA Cup, FA Community Shield (1): 2006 114 occasions, captaining the team at “Dalglish, (Graeme) Souness and Ian Eto’o on massive tax fraud charges he never laid his hands on the Premier UEFA Champions League (1): 2004-05 three major tournaments, scarcely of- Rush all played together in a great team, League trophy and met with nothing UEFA Cup (1): 2000-01 fered respite. but because football is a team game, it’s AFP, Madrid: Spanish to some 3.9mn euros. UEFA Super Cup (1): 2001 but heartbreak in his 14-year England Individual honours But taken as a whole, in his club ca- been harder for Stevie because he’s not prosecutors have asked that “The footballer pretended he career. Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA) reer – which began when he walked always played in great teams. Cameroonian football great had ceded his rights to two He left Liverpool in 2015 after a Players’ Player of the Year (1): 2006 through the doors of Liverpool’s acade- “People will not fully realise how Samuel Eto’o be handed a other companies in Hungary 12-month period that reflected the PFA Young Player of the Year (1): 2001 my at the age of eight – he scaled nearly good he has been until he stops playing.” 10-year jail sentence and pay a and Spain so as to fraudulently Football Writers’ Association (FWA) Foot- Unlike Beckham, Gerrard shied away latter years of his career in microcosm baller of the Year (1): 2009 every summit. 14.3-million-euro ($15mn) fine avoid paying taxes,” they – glorious opportunity, followed by UEFA Club Footballer of the Year (1): 2005 From the header that sparked the from the celebrity lifestyle, but at his for alleged tax fraud, a court added in accusations seen crushing disappointment. comeback to end all comebacks against peak he hogged England’s football lime- filing revealed yesterday. by AFP calling for Eto’o to be Gerrard was poised to capture his Milan in Istanbul to the jaw-dropping light like few before him. They allege that Eto’o – now tried. first Premier League crown in 2014, but which his 10-year-old cousin, Jon-Paul 35-yard thunderbolt against West Ham “You are always going to have incred- at Antalyaspor in Turkey – set Prosecutors estimate the his cruel slip during a loss to Chelsea Gilhooley, was the youngest of the 96 United that took the 2006 FA Cup fi- ible moments and you are also going to up front companies to avoid footballer, a four-time former at an expectant Anfield tilted the mo- Liverpool fans who died. nal to extra time, Gerrard swaggered have some cruel lows as well,” he has paying taxes from 2006 to African Player of the Year, mentum in the title race in Manchester Weeks later, Gerrard went to Brazil through his Anfield career with the au- said. 2009, when he was a striker at should reimburse the alleged City’s favour. hoping to salve his wounds at the World dacity of a comic-book hero. “Nobody’s journey ever goes Barcelona before leaving for fraud to tax authorities plus in- The pain was all the keener for Ger- Cup, only for England to crash out after A turbo-charged midfield dynamo smoothly – mine certainly hasn’t – but Inter Milan. terest, and pay a 14.3-million- rard as it coincided with the 25th anni- two matches in what would prove his in his pomp, he came third in the vot- I am certainly proud of it and I wouldn’t The fraud, they say, amounts euro fine. versary of the Hillsborough disaster, in final international tournament. ing for the Ballon d’Or in 2005 and was change it for anything.” Gulf Times 4 Friday, November 25, 2016 CRICKET

HAMILTON TEST Kiwis suff er Boult blow, Taylor cleared to play AFP Pakistan, who have not lost a se- distracting mentally “when you play worry about ‘what if.’” Ross Taylor Hamilton ries to New Zealand for 31 years, have and miss the fi rst couple of balls”. Taylor said he had some problems fond memories of their last appear- After consulting a range of optom- with his vision during the fi rst Test ance in Hamilton nearly six years ago. etrists and specialists, he was con- against Pakistan — he scored 11 in his ew Zealand suff ered a blow They beat New Zealand by 10 wickets fi dent an operation would clear up only innings — but after visiting spe- on the eve of the second and Asad Shafi q, who scored 83 in his the issue. “In any operation there’s a cialists and receiving medication he Test against Pakistan when sole innings then, said they need to chance things won’t go as well as pos- felt that it was more mental. bowling spearhead Trent repeat that “aggressive” approach. sible but the surgeon I talked to last “When you play and miss your NBoult was ruled out with a knee in- “I remember that innings. I played night was pretty confi dent,” he said. fi rst couple of balls after seeing an jury. Matt Henry is expected to be el- good positive cricket and it really Taylor revealed the growth had optometrist, there’s some interesting evated to share the new ball in Hamil- feels good to come back to the same been present for more than fi ve years things that go through your mind,” he ton with Tim Southee, although New ground,” he said yesterday. “It seems but had worsened in the past year. said. “My eyesight is still pretty good Zealand delayed naming their side a bit bowler-friendly wicket, some “In all the Tests I still had very good but there’s a medical reason it needs until the toss. grass on it, but... we’re used to play- vision, it’s just I guess the growth to be done and hopefully the recovery New Zealand coach Mike Hesson ing on these wickets in our domestic has come across,” he said. “The only is as short as possible. I hope I can get said Boult had been troubled by “mi- cricket. It’s a good challenge for us. thing you can really do is wear sun- them sorted and come back and get nor discomfort” in his left knee since We have to play positive and we have glasses and put eyedrops in.” back to the form that I was (in) a few the recent India tour and irritated it to play aggressive on this wicket.” Taylor would be sidelined for up years ago.” further in the fi rst Test against Paki- Senior New Zealand batsman Ross to six weeks after the surgery. New Taylor added that he had had the stan which New Zealand won by eight Taylor, who had innings of six and Zealand play a one-day series in Aus- pterygium for about fi ve years but it wickets. eight in the January 2011 encounter, tralia in early December before host- really only fl ared up during New Zea- “We were optimistic he would be meanwhile confi rmed he will un- ing Bangladesh for a full tour after land’s tour of Australia last year. It ready for Hamilton, but during train- dergo surgery next Wednesday, im- Christmas. had deteriorated since then. ing on Wednesday he felt further pain mediately after the Test, to remove a “I’m sure that will probably be “It gets irritated when it’s windy. and has subsequently been ruled out growth in his left eye. the case if that happens... I can’t I go down to breakfast, the eye’s a bit of the Test,” Hesson said. The 77-Test veteran, who was worry about it,” Taylor said when red and the team think you’ve been With the Seddon Park wicket ex- confi rmed to play after consulting an asked about the decision to play in out all night,” Taylor said. “The only pected to produce more swing that eye specialist, has been in poor form, the Hamilton Test despite the condi- thing you can do is wear sunglasses Hagley Oval did for the fi rst Test in amassing only 103 runs in his past tion worsening. “I’m going out there and put eyedrops in. I’m looking Christchurch, Doug Bracewell has 10 innings. Taylor said although the to bat and give my best with the bat forward to this Test... I can’t say I’m Trent Boult been added to the New Zealand squad. growth did not aff ect his sight it was and in the slip cordon — I can’t really looking forward to the operation.” ADELAIDE TEST England call on Buttler Du Plessis hits defi ant service for ton to silence the boos Mohali Test ‘I was extremely motivated today. I was really driven to make a big performance. To be really honest when I got to 100 I wasn’t expecting to still get booed, so that was pretty disappointing’

Reuters Adelaide Du Plessis catches Aussies unawares with AFP outh Africa skipper Faf du Plessis surprise declaration Mohali silenced the boos of the Adelaide crowd with a defi ant century before declaring af du Plessis, motivated by the events on 259-9 and giving his bowlers a crack of his controversial ball-tampering ngland are likely to recall Jos Buttler atS Australia in the fi nal hour of the opening day Fcase, ranked his unbeaten century in as they look to keep alive hopes of a of the day-night third Test yesterday. South Africa’s pink-ball Test with Australia as second consecutive Test series win Australia got through the fi nal 12 overs without the best of his career. The Proteas skipper in India when the third Test begins in loss but the declaration prevented Dave Warner hit an unbeaten 118 and then caught the Aus- MohaliE tomorrow. from opening the batting as he was off the eldfi tralians off -guard with a surprise declaration The tourists trail 1-0 following a thumping towards the end of the South African innings. at 259 for nine to have the tourists in a good 246-run defeat in Visakhapatnam and need Matt Renshaw, one of three new caps in the position at the end of the opening day of the to claim at least a draw to retain a chance of Australia side, and Usman Khawaja faced the third Adelaide Test. winning the five-match series. new pink ball instead but they were only able It had been a tumultuous few days for du Alastair Cook’s side can take inspiration to put 14 runs on the board and will resume on Plessis, who was found guilty of ball-tamper- from their heroics four years ago when they eight and three respectively. ing by the International Cricket Council (ICC) turned round a 1-0 deficit to clinch the four- Du Plessis’s timely declaration capped what after he was caught on camera sucking a Test series 2-1. must have been an extremely satisfying fi rst day mint and rubbing saliva into the ball during Middle-order batsman Buttler, who also for the South African, who came to the crease to last week’s second Test against Australia in keeps wicket in the shorter forms, is expected catcalls with his side tottering at 44-3 but de- Hobart. Given all the drama from his much- to play his first Test for a year in place of the parted to an ovation after hitting 118 not out. publicised appearance at the hearing it was struggling Ben Duckett, who has managed just Two days after being fi ned for ball-tampering a remarkable eff ort of concentration and 18 runs in the opening two matches. during the second Test victory that sealed the se- will for du Plessis to conquer the Australian Buttler averages exactly 30 in his 15 Tests ries with a match to spare, du Plessis showed just bowlers and post his sixth Test century, one to date but England coach Trevor Bayliss is the sort of grit and determination that Australia he rates as his best. confident he can bring his aggressive short- have been looking for from their batsmen. “My best. Everything. What was required form batting style to the five-day game. The hosts have far fewer concerns about their to get to this point now ... in the context of “I think he’s coming to terms with the fact pace attack and Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Starc everything else, (it was) the best,” he said. that the best way for him is to play like he and the recalled Jackson Bird earlier showed why But du Plessis, who was booed by the does in one-day cricket,” Bayliss said of the with a fi ne display of fast bowling that had the home crowd as he came out to bat with his 26-year-old Buttler, who has a strike rate of fi rst seven batsmen caught behind the wickets. team wobbling at 44 for three, was dismayed 120.29 runs per 100 balls in his 81 ODIs, with Hazlewood took 4-68, while Starc and Bird by yet more booing when he reached his four centuries and 12 fifties. pitched in with two wickets each as the Aus- courageous century off 147 balls. “He’s showing a lot of confidence in the tralian quicks bowled disciplined lines with the “I was expecting a little bit of hostility, but nets, which spin just as much as the centre pink ball on the Adelaide track. not to that extent,” he admitted. does, and he’s certainly hitting the ball as well Du Plessis had won the toss and decided to bat Du Plessis also revealed how he had caught as anyone,” Bayliss added. fi rst but the fi rst session went decisively to the the Australians napping with his daring dec- England’s batting has ebbed and flowed hosts. Dean Elgar, Hashim Amla and JP Duminy laration late in the day, leaving the home side with only Cook and Ben Stokes showing were despatched for fi ve runs apiece after opener to negotiate the remaining 12 overs without real consistency, however there have been Stephen Cook had earned a reprieve when Starc their most experienced player David Warner. flashes of brilliance from Joe Root, Moeen Ali trapped him lbw only for the TV replay to show Warner had just returned to the field after and 19-year-old Haseeb Hameed. the left-armer had overstepped the mark. seeking treatment off the field on an injured England are likely to pick four seamers for Cook was unable to add to his series-best shoulder. Under cricket’s rules, a player must the grassy pitch at Mohali with Chris Woakes tally of 40 after the tea break before edging be on the field for the same time they spent off expected to replace Stuart Broad, who has Starc to Steve Smith in the cordon and when it before being able to bowl or bat again — in a foot injury. Pace bowlers Steven Finn and Temba Bavuma (8) got an outside edge to a Bird Warner’s case, he was caught short. Jake Ball are also in contention after left-arm delivery, the tourists were 117-5. “I listened to the conversation he had with spinner Zafar Ansari suff ered from sickness As on his Test debut at the same ground in the umpires — one ear talking to the batter, one and back spasms during his wicketless per- 2013, when he hit a defi ant 376-ball unbeaten ear listening to him,” du Plessis said. “And then formance in Visakhapatnam. knock of 110 to help South Africa bat out four- I heard he had six minutes left before he could India’s 246-run victory in Visakhapatnam and-a-half sessions for a draw, it was left to du bat again so I thought ‘let’s have a crack’.” was their second biggest against England in Plessis to frustrate the Australians. Du Plessis showed his captaincy smarts terms of runs. Virat Kohli’s brilliance with the He put on 32 with Quinton de Kock for the by upsetting the Australian team’s plans as bat combined with spinner Jayant Yadav’s sixth wicket before Hazlewood served up an- they had to reshuff le their opening pair with impressive showing on his debut means India other peach of a delivery to send the wicket- Usman Khawaja having to join Test debutant are full of confidence but their talismanic keeper back for 24, with Vernon Philander (4) Matt Renshaw at a testing period to stumps. captain is wary of complacency. following soon afterwards. “It was just for me to take them a little bit out “We can’t aff ord to play loose cricket with It was just after the end of his 54-run part- of their comfort zone and put someone else this England team at any stage and we need nership with Kyle Abbott (17) that he secured to open the batting,” he said. to tighten the screws if we get a chance,” his sixth Test hundred with two runs to fi ne leg Kohli said. off the 147th ball he faced. Wicketkeeper Parthiv Patel, who has been As South Africa entered unfamiliar terri- making him stand out in contrast to the prob- July and August. They are also on the brink of their T Shamsi (not out) ...... 18 recalled from eight years in the Test wilder- tory in their fi rst night session in Test cricket, lems experienced by his teammates. “My best fi rst-ever home Test series whitewash. Extras (b3, lb8, w2, nb1) ...... 14 ness after Wriddhiman Saha suff ered a thigh du Plessis put on another 39 runs with debutant (Test hundred). Surprisingly, technically, I was Total (9 wickets declared, 76 overs) ...... 259 strain in the second Test, is likely to be the left-arm fi nger spinner Tabraiz Shamsi (18 not the best this whole series. I felt really good, but Fall of wickets: 1-12 (Elgar), 2-36 (Amla), 3-44 only change. out) before bringing an end to the innings. in the context of everything else, (it was) the Scoreboard (Duminy), 4-95 (Cook), 5-117 (Bavuma), 6-149 (de Du Plessis scampered through for two off best,” du Plessis said. South Africa (1st innings) Kock), 7-161 (Philander), 8-215 (Abbott), 9-220 Teams Hazlewood to bring up his sixth Test century, Dashing wicketkeeper Quinton de Kock, who S Cook c Smith b Starc ...... 40 (Rabada) India: Virat Kohli (capt), Murali Vijay, Lokesh prompting a smattering of boos amid the ap- has scores of 84, 64 and 104 in the series, had D Elgar c Khawaja b Starc ...... 5 Bowling: Starc 23-5-78-2 (1nb), Hazlewood 22-5- Rahul, Cheteshwar Pujara, Ajinkya Rahane, plause of the 32,255 crowd. a rare failure by comparison, managing just 24 H Amla c Renshaw b Hazlewood...... 5 68-4, Bird 16-3-57-2, Lyon 15-1-45-1 Ravichandran Ashwin, Parthiv Patel, Ravindra “I was extremely motivated today. I was re- off 33 balls. JP Duminy c Wade b Hazlewood...... 5 Australia (1st innings) Jadeja, Jayant Yadav, Mohamed Shami, ally driven to make a big performance and score Australian wicket-keeper Matthew Wade, F du Plessis (not out) ...... 118 U Khawaja (batting) ...... 3 Umesh Yadav a hundred,” du Plessis said. “To be really honest recalled to the national side for dumped glove- T Bavuma c Wade b Bird ...... 8 M Renshaw (batting) ...... 8 England: Alastair Cook (capt), Haseeb when I got to 100 I wasn’t expecting to still get man Peter Nevill, had fi ve dismissals, four Q de Kock c Wade b Hazlewood ...... 24 Extras (lb2, nb1) ...... 3 Hameed, Joe Root, Jos Buttler, Moeen Ali, booed, so that was pretty disappointing.” catches and a stumping. V Philander c Wade b Hazlewood ...... 4 Total (no wicket, 12 overs) ...... 14 Ben Stokes, Jonny Bairstow, Adil Rashid, Chris It was a tribute to his focus and concentra- The hosts are fi ghting off the threat of their sixth K Abbott lbw Bird ...... 17 Bowling: Philander 4-2-10-0 (1nb), Abbott 3-3-0- Woakes, Steven Finn, James Anderson tion as du Plessis played a chanceless innings, straight Test defeat, after losing 3-0 in Sri Lanka in K Rabada st Wade b Lyon ...... 1 0, Rabada 3-2-1-0, Shamsi 2-1-1-0 Gulf Times Friday, November 25, 2016 5 SPORT

BADMINTON/ HONG KONG OPEN Sindhu, Saina, Jayaram and Verma advance

IANS yesterday. lead steadily before winning the Prannoy did not have to wait Hong Kong Prannoy started off on a prom- game to level the scores. long, taking the very next point ising note at the Hong Kong Col- The third game was a closely to win the opening game. iseum before going down 21-15, contested aff air with both shut- The second game was a hard ndians enjoyed a good out- 11-21, 15-21 over 58 minutes in tlers fi ghting hard for the points. fought aff air in the early stages ing at the ongoing Hong the second round encounter. Saina took a 7-1 lead in the before the Hong Kong shuttler Kong Open badminton tour- Sindhu, who had won the Chi- early stages but Sato did well won fi ve back to back points to nament with PV Sindhu, na Open a few days ago, was off to pull level at 8-8. The lead open up a formidable 14-7 ISaina Nehwal, Ajay Jayaram and to a poor start with Ching taking changed hands at regular inter- lead. Sameer Verma winning their an early 4-1 lead. But the Olym- vals but Saina managed a three- Another streak, this time of respective singles matches here pic bronze medallist soon recov- point lead 18-15 before clinching four points, saw him increase yesterday. ered to level the scores before the issue. the advantage to 18-9. Although In the women’s singles, Sind- winning fi ve consecutive points The day had however, started Prannoy won a couple of points hu defeated Hsu Ya Ching of Tai- to lead 9-5. on a disappointing note for the more, it was not enough to stop wan 21-10, 21-14 in 36 minutes The Hyderabad shuttler con- Indian contingent with Prannoy Chong from taking the game and while Saina faced a much more tinued to push home her domi- going down to Chong. restoring parity. diffi cult task against Sayaka Sato nance, building on the advantage Prannoy wrested the ad- Chong stamped his authority of Japan before prevailing 21-18, with another fi ve-point streak vantage early in the fi rst game, right at the start of the third and 9-21, 21-16 in 51 minutes. before clinching the fi rst game opening up a 9-7 lead. Chong decisive set by taking a 6-0 lead. In the men’s singles, Jayaram with four back to back points. fought back to restore parity be- Not to be outdone, Prannoy beat China’s Huang Yuxiang 21- The Taiwan shuttler produced fore the Indian won four consec- fought back to level the scores 18, 21-19 while Verma won 19-21, more of a fi ght in the second PV Sindhu. utive points to lead at 13-9. at 8-8. 21-15, 21-11 over Kazumasa Sakai game, going neck and neck with Prannoy never looked back The game was a tense, neck of Japan in 53 minutes. Sindhu till 12-12 before the Indi- another rampaging run of fi ve it out till 12-12 in the opening advantage till the end. The Japa- from there and another four- and neck aff air till 14-14, when However, HS Prannoy crashed an opened up a three-point lead points to clinch the game and the game. But the London Olym- nese came back strongly in the point streak enabled him to force Chong won four consecutive out of the men’s singles compe- at 15-12. match. pics bronze medallist dominated second game, opening up a 7-1 game point at 20-14. points to lead 18-14. He never tition after going down fi ghting Although Ching tried to stage Saina faced a strong challenge the game from thereon, taking lead early on. With Saina strug- Although his opponent man- looked back from there, going on to Chong Wei Feng of Malaysia a comeback, Sindhu went on from Sato, with the duo fi ghting a 17-12 lead and maintained the gling to score, Sato increased her aged to hold off one game point, to win the game and the match.

NBA NHL Cammalleri’s return keys Devils’ 5-4 Love sets record as SO win over Leafs

By Andrew Gross in his debut in the Maple Leafs’ The Record (Hackensack, N.J.) season opener but who brought a 13-game goal less streak into Wednesday’s game, who domi- he defi cit was three goals nated the fi rst period, open- Cavs beat Portland after 20 minutes, Ma- ing the scoring at 10:33 as he ple Leafs rookie Auston knocked in a backhander at the Matthews was dominat- crease after Zach Hyman set him ‘I had a good rhythm, made my first couple shots. And it was on from there’ Ting the game and the Devils, on up from behind the net. tired legs a day after fl ying cross Matthews then set up Nazem country from California, were Kadri’s power-play goal at 13:31 AFP in danger of losing their fourth as he and William Nylander Los Angeles straight. hounded Andy Greene into giv- But there was no fi re-and- ing up the puck behind the Dev- brimstone speech during the ils’ crease. Matthews, free at the evin Love scored 34 fi rst intermission, no tables left post, then lifted a shot over fi rst-quarter points, overturned in anger. Just a re- Schneider to make it 3-0 at 18:52. the second-most in minder to trust the way they “He’s a tremendous player,” any quarter in NBA could play. But none of that Cammalleri said. “I heard ru- Khistory, on his way to a season- would have mattered had not mors all day about him being in high 40 points Wednesday as Michael Cammalleri, back in the a scoring slump and that’s a car- the Cleveland Cavaliers beat lineup after missing six games to dinal sin. It was like, ‘Uh-oh, we Portland 137-125. attend to his 5-year-old daugh- know how this movie ends.’ “ The 28-year-old power for- ter, Chloe, as she was hospital- Matthews just missed a hat ward made eight 3-point shots ised with pneumonia and re- trick when he knocked a power- in the opening quarter, join- quired surgery, taken over. play shot off the near post from ing his fi rst-quarter point total Cammalleri had a goal and the left circle at 6:51 of the sec- as a club record, and he hit his three assists for his fi rst four- ond period. fi rst seven shots, six of them point game since Feb. 13, 2013 But Cammalleri took over in 3-pointers. and the Devils rallied with three the second period and the Devils “I had a good rhythm, made goals in the opening 5:30 of the needed just 5:30 to tie the game. my fi rst couple shots,” Love second period and went on to a First, Cammalleri, in the left said. “And it was on from there.” 5-4 shootout win on Wednesday circle, found Travis Zajac cutting The NBA record for points night at Prudential Centre. to the right post to make it 3-1 in any quarter remains the 37 The Devils (10-6-3) were just 32 seconds into the second. points by Golden State’s Klay coming off a 1-3-0 Western Cammalleri then helped set up Thompson in the third period Conference road trip that ended Beau Bennett at the left post for against Sacramento two seasons with a thud in Monday’s 4-0 loss a power-play goal at 3:10, mark- ago. to the Sharks. “It was one of the ing Bennett’s fi rst goal as a Devil LeBron James contributed best games I’ve seen him play in and snapping the team’s 0-for- 31 points, 13 assists and 10 re- a little while,” said Devils goalie 29 power play slump over their bounds for his 44th career triple Cory Schneider, who made 27 past nine games. Cammalleri double as Cleveland improved saves and recovered from a rough then tied the game off a rebound to 11-2. fi rst period to stop all 10 shots he at the left post at 5:30. The reigning NBA champion faced in the third period, all fi ve However, Toronto regained Cavaliers set NBA records for in overtime and all three in the the lead at 9:26 as ex-Islander 3-pointers in a half with 16 in shootout. Matt Martin scored his fi rst goal the fi rst half and matched club Cammalleri tied a career as a Maple Leaf, knocking in his records for points in a quar- high with nine shots on goal. own rebound at the right post. ter with 46 and 3-pointers in a The only thing that could have Yohann Auvitu tied the game at regular-season contest with 21. been more perfect about his 4 with a shot through Lappin’s Love could have matched emotional return to the lineup screen at 6:50 of the third period. Thompson for the quarter- would have been to clinch the scoring mark but clanked a win with his shootout attempt Results 3-point shot off the rim with 75 after Jacob Josefson had already Minnesota 3 Winnipeg 1 seconds remaining in the open- scored on the Devils’ second at- Detroit 2 Buff alo 1 (SO) ing period. tempt. Jhonas Enroth (26 saves) New Jersey 5 Toronto 4 (SO) “I kept trying to go to him. I stopped Cammalleri but Sch- Pittsburgh 6 NY Rangers 1 wanted him to continue to touch neider stopped Nikita Soshnikov Washington 4 St. Louis 3 it,” Cavaliers coach Tyronn Lue to clinch the victory over the Calgary 2 Columbus 0 said. “I thought we did a good Maple Leafs (8-8-4) after deny- Tampa Bay 4 Philadelphia 2 job trying to fi nd him. I knew ing Matthews and fellow rookie Nashville 5 Dallas 2 the record was 37. We kept look- Mitch Marner on the fi rst two Edmonton 6 Colorado 3 ing for Kevin and he kept mak- shootout attempts. Vancouver 4 Arizona 1 ing shots, but we weren’t able to But it was Matthews, who set San Jose 2 Chicago 1 get him to 37.” an NHL record with four goals Los Angeles 4 NY Islanders 2 Love hit 8 of 10 shots from beyond the arc in the fi rst quar- ter and 11 of 14 overall. He broke the prior Cavaliers one-quarter record of 24 points set by James but fell short of his one-game career-high 51 points. James assisted on seven of Cleveland Cavaliers forward Kevin Love shoots against Portland Trail Blazers forward Meyers Leonard in the third quarter at Quicken Loans Love’s eight 3-pointers. Arena. PICTURE: USA TODAY Sports “I’ve always loved seeing my teammates catch one of those 21 points in the fi rst quarter and all and 8-0 on the road. the visiting Los Angeles Lakers Hill and Gordon Hayward each moments right there and just try fi nished with a game-high 45 Dwight Howard had 23 points 149-106 while DeMarcus Cous- scored 22 points to spark Utah to keep him in that zone as much points and 10 rebounds to lift and 20 rebounds while Paul ins scored 36 points to lead Sac- over Denver 108-83. as possible,” James said. “I went the Pelicans to their fourth con- Millsap added 18 points and 11 ramento over Oklahoma City over and told him, ‘Whatever secutive victory, a 117-96 tri- rebounds as Atlanta downed In- 116-101. RESULTS you’re doing, wherever you’re at umph over visiting Minnesota. diana 96-85. Isaiah Thomas scored 23 Cavaliers 137 Trail Blazers 125 right now, just stay right there. Austin Rivers scored a team- Marc Gasol scored 27 points points and Avery Bradley added Clippers 124 Mavericks 104 Stay even keel. Whatever you’re high 22 points and the Los An- and Mike Conley added 25 22 as the Boston Celtics downed Spurs 119 Hornets 114 thinking about right there, just geles Clippers, off to their best points, nine rebounds and nine host Brooklyn 111-92, while Hawks 96 Pacers 85 stay there because we’re going start in club history at 14-2, assists as Memphis defeated Kentavious Caldwell-Pope Celtics 111 Nets 92 to keep coming to you.’” began a six-game road trip by Philadelphia 104-99 in double scored 22 points and Andre Pistons 107 Heat 84 Damian Lillard had 40 points, routing Dallas 124-104 as the overtime while Phoenix downed Drummond added 18 points, 15 Raptors 115 Rockets 102 11 assists and seven rebounds to Mavericks fell to a league-worst Orlando 92-87. rebounds, four blocks and four Jazz 108 Nuggets 83 lead Portland. 2-12. steals for Detroit in a 107-84 Grizzlies 104 76ers 99 (2 OT) Kawhi Leonard scored 30 Curry, Durant spark victory victory over visiting Miami. Suns 92 Magic 87 Davis scores 45 in win points and the San Antonio Stephen Curry scored 31 DeMar DeRozan scored 24 Pelicans 117 Timberwolves 96 Toronto Maple Leafs center Zach Hyman slides into New Jersey Devils New Orleans forward Antho- Spurs ripped host Charlotte points while Kevin Durant add- points to lead Toronto over Warriors 149 Lakers 106 goalie Cory Schneider as left wing Michael Cammalleri (R) stops during ny Davis scored a club-record 119-114, improving to 12-3 over- ed 28 to lead Golden State over Houston 115-102 while George Kings 116 Thunder 101 the first period at Prudential Center. PICTURE: USA TODAY Sports Gulf Times 6 Friday, November 25, 2016 SPORT

FORMULA ONE RUGBY Best brings up century Hamilton rejects idea against Australia

AFP of backing up Rosberg Dublin reland captain Rory Best will win his 100th ‘I am just fully focused on winning this race and that is all’ cap when he leads the team out tomorrow to play Australia in their rugby union Test match at Lansdowne Road. IThe 34-year-old hooker – who took over the AFP Abu Dhabi captaincy permanently after iconic lock Paul O’Connell retired after the 2015 World Cup – will skipper a side showing four changes from the ewis Hamilton made starting XV for last Saturday’s bruising 21-9 de- clear yesterday that he feat by world champions New Zealand. has no intention of try- Centre Robbie Henshaw has concussion – af- ing to ‘back up’ his Mer- ter being clattered early in the fi rst-half by Sam Lcedes teammate Nico Rosberg if Cane – and fl y-half Jonathan Sexton has not re- he is leading this weekend’s title covered from a hamstring problem that also saw showdown Abu Dhabi Grand him depart the game inside the fi rst 30 minutes. Prix. The Leinster duo, both pivotal players in the The defending three-time historic 40-29 victory over the All Blacks in Chi- world champion, who is seek- cago three weeks ago, have been replaced by an- ing a fourth consecutive Grand other young centre Garry Ringrose and the more Prix victory to keep alive his slim experienced Ulster fl y-half Paddy Jackson. hope of overhauling Rosberg’s Whilst Ireland coach Joe Schmidt had re- 12-points lead, said instead that marked that Ireland lost a bit of their shape and he will try to win the race by as cohesion with the loss of Sexton and Henshaw in big a margin as possible. the All Blacks game he believes the extra week to- “Nico has been on pole here gether will not see the same problem repeat itself for the last two years,” Hamilton tomorrow. “So what we’re hoping is that they’ve told a pre-race news conference had a bit of game time together last week, and at the Yas Marina circuit yes- we’ve had training since, and hopefully those terday. “Here, he has been very guys can get a bit of confi dence from that,” quick. This has been a relatively Schmidt told a press conference. strong circuit for me, but I’ve Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team’s German driver Nico Rosberg (L) and British driver Lewis Hamilton attend the drivers press conference ahead of the Abu “And hopefully that confi dence can be refl ect- not been delivering the last two Dhabi Formula One Grand Prix at the Yas Marina circuit yesterday. (AFP) ed in the performance we put together on Satur- years, so my sole goal is to do so. day,” added the 51-year-old New Zealander. “In terms of tactics in the race, The other two personnel changes for the game that has to come on Sunday, but with the World Cup fi nalists, who have won all that (backing up) has never been Button says Abu Dhabi will be his last race three of their Tests so far on the northern hemi- in my thought process. If I am sphere tour, see Iain Henderson come into the ahead, I want to be as far ahead as second row for Donnacha Ryan, who is not in the possible. When you have an 18- matchday 23, and Keith Earls replaces Munster 30 seconds’ lead, that is as pain- teammate Simon Zebo on the wing. ful a blow as you can give to the Ireland coach Joe Schmidt’s selection head- guy you are fi ghting. ache eased slightly with both Rob Kearney and “If you look at the last race (in CJ Stander passing Head Injury Assessment tests Brazil), with no red fl ag I would after both took high hits during the All Black be 30 seconds ahead.... That is match. Ireland will be seeking to make it a win more of an achievement than over each of the southern Hemisphere giants this backing up your teammate. year - they beat South Africa in the close sea- “While here it sounds like it son tour – whilst Australia are looking to ease to makes sense, it is not very prac- within one win of emulating the legenday 1984 tical to do. You have two long Wallabies side’s whitewash of the four Home DRS zones, it wouldn’t be easy Nations. They end their tour today week against or wise to do so.” Six Nation Grand Slam holders England, who It had been widely thought recorded a historic 3-0 series win Down Under that Hamilton would choose to earlier this year. ‘back up’ the fi eld behind him, if he was leading, to enhance the Team (15-1, kick-off 1730GMT) prospects for the Red Bull driv- Rob Kearney; Andrew Trimble, Jared Payne, ers to pass Rosberg. Garry Ringrose, Keith Earls; Paddy Jackson, Hamilton can only win the Conor Murray; Jamie Heaslip, CJ Stander, Sean title if he wins the race and Ros- O’Brien; Devin Toner, Iain Henderson; Tadhg berg does not fi nish on the po- Furlong, Rory Best (capt), Jack McGrath dium — while Rosberg will claim Replacements (16-23): Sean Cronin, Cian Healy, his maiden title if he fi nishes in Finlay Bealham, Ultan Dillane, Josh Van der Flier, the top three. Kieran Marmion, Joey Carbery, Simon Zebo. Rosberg reiterated his recent and successful mantra that he is treating this race — the fi rst This file photo taken on October 9, 2016 shows McLaren Honda’s British driver Jenson Button waving as he rides in a classic Honda convertible during the Bennett to start for Scotland in which he has started as the drivers’ parade before the start of the Formula One Japanese Grand Prix in Suzuka. (AFP) world championship favourite against Georgia — like any other. “I am just fully Jenson Button says he has no plans Stoff el Vandoorne next season don’t want to be racing in 2018. He won the title with Brawn, the Mark Bennett will make his first Scotland focused on winning this race and to race again in Formula One after but the team have presented the “The whole idea about having a team that emerged from the embers appearance since starring for Great Britain’s that is all,” he said. Sunday’s season-ending Abu Dhabi veteran’s departure as a year’s sab- contract was that in three months’ of Honda and became Mercedes. silver medal-winning Olympic sevens team Hamilton paid a moving trib- Grand Prix, even though McLaren batical. That was seen by many as time, when I’ve eaten myself stupid Formula One has been his life’s focus in Saturday’s clash with Georgia, head coach ute yesterday to Aki Hintsa, the are keeping the door open for a pos- more of an insurance policy in case and am thinking of things to do in since he started out in karting. Vern Cotter announced yesterday. The Glas- McLaren team doctor and fi tness sible return in 2018. Spaniard Fernando Alonso decided the future and maybe feel I need “It has been a long journey,” he gow centre comes back in for the encounter expert who played a key role in “I go into this weekend thinking it to walk away at the end of 2017, as Formula One back in my life... said. at Kilmarnock’s rugby Park after missing convincing the former champi- is going to be my last race. I think well as strengthening McLaren’s “But at this moment in time that isn’t “You get to Formula One with many Scotland’s narrow 23-22 loss to Australia and ons to give him a Formula One that is the best way to be,” the 2009 hand in contract negotiations. the case. So this is my last race and dreams and you aspire to be some- last-gasp 19-16 win over Argentina. Cotter has debut in 2007. world champion told reporters Asked what had changed since Sep- that’s the way I think about it at the thing. You hope to leave the sport made five changes from last weekend’s win “Whilst I have that fi ghting yesterday. tember, when the announcement moment. But who knows? That could with memories and that is some- over Argentina, with Bennett, hooker Ross spirit in my heart from the last “At this moment in time I do not want was made, Button said there was change in six months, eight months, thing I definitely do have. Ford, lock Richie Gray and back-row pair Rob races I’ve done, I come here with to be racing in Formula One past this nothing in particular. one year.” “I raced with two of the teams I Harley and Ryan Wilson coming into the team. almost double the power in the race. I think of this as my last race “I don’t want to go into this race and Button is the most experienced dreamt of racing for as a kid, Wil- “We’ve learned a lot from our previous Tests sense that I feel I want to win this and hopefully everybody else does think it’s not my last. And it is my Formula One driver on the grid, and liams and McLaren, and when I did against Australia and Argentina and that’s race more so for him,” the Briton as well.” last,” he said. Sunday’s race will be the 305th start win the championship it was with a what these games are about - learning what told reporters. The 36-year-old Briton will be re- “It is true that I have a contract for of a career that started with Williams privateer team which I think is also worked and what didn’t and making sure we Hintsa died of cancer last placed at McLaren by Belgian rookie 2018 but at this moment in time I in 2000. pretty special.” improve with every game,” said Cotter. week at the age of 58.

TENNIS Cilic and Del Potro set to light up Davis Cup fi nal Reuters and Karlovic is scheduled to face defeat of France, heaped praise Zagreb Delbonis in Sunday’s reverse on Del Potro and said the host singles. nation banked on fervent crowd Croatia, winners in 2005, are support while welcoming the ormer US Open winners bidding for their second title expected arrival of Argentina’s Marin Cilic of Croatia while Argentina are looking for former World Cup winner Diego and Argentine Juan Mar- their fi rst. The South American Maradona. Ftin del Potro are set to nation is the only country to “Del Potro and I have known take centre stage when the two have lost four fi nals without lift- each other for a very long time,” nations meet in a mouth-water- ing the trophy. he said. ing Davis Cup fi nal this weekend “I think Croatia are the fa- “He is a great player and a very in the imposing Zagreb Arena. vourites to win the tie,” Del Potro nice person, We always get along World number six Cilic, who told a news conference, sitting in very well on the ATP tour and he won the 2014 title at Flushing front of the giant and elusive sil- is a very positive character for Meadows, takes on Federico Del- verware on display. world tennis. bonis in Friday’s opening sin- “They are at home and have “It will be nice to have Mara- gles, followed by a clash between a very strong team, but we are dona here but it makes no diff er- 2009 champion Del Potro and looking forward to a great week- ence to us that he will be cheer- big-serving Ivo Karlovic, who end and we are also very proud to ing on his compatriots. returns to Croatia’s Davis Cup be in another fi nal. “There is little or nothing be- squad after a four-year absence. “I’ll have to be focused against tween the two teams and hence Yesterday’s draw in the iconic Karlovic because one break of our passionate fans can make all Vatroslav Lisinski concert hall serve could cost me the match. the diff erence.” also pitted Croatia’s Franko It is great to be in the fi nal at this Argentina have a 3-0 Davis Skugor and Ivan Dodig against point of my career after so many Cup record against Croatia, Leonardo Mayer and Guido Pella injuries.” winning quarter-fi nals in 2002 in tomorrow’s doubles. Cilic, who carried the and 2012 in Buenos Aires and Croatia’s Marin Cilic (L) and Argentina’s Juan Martin del Potro pose for a picture after the off icial draw for their Davis Cup finals in Zagreb Cilic will take on Del Potro Croatians in a 3-2 semi-fi nal 2006 in Zagreb. yesterday. (Reuters) Gulf Times Friday, November 25, 2016 7 SPORT

HORSE RACING Zman Awal survives scare to clinch Al Wakra Cup ‘The first time when I brought this filly and she ran here in Qatar, I realised that I was dealing with a superstar’

By Mikhil Bhat ond career victory, also handing trainer Doha Pierre Deymonaz a win in his fi rst race of the season. Ridden by Pier Convertino, the man Awal won a blockbuster Sheikh Khalifa bin Mohamed bin Kha- race yesterday, when despite a lifa al-Thani-owned colt stayed be- scare by Oaks winner Bronze hind Rassan on the outside, alongside Maquette at the post, she won Ibrahim al-Malki’s charge Meqdam Zthe Al Wakra Cup, a Class 2 race for Al Zaidy, even as Umm Qarn’s Safwan Thoroughbreds (Fillies and Mares), at took the lead. Coming on to the fi nal the Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club. stretch, Safwan seemed spent as Jassim This was the second straight time Ghazali-schooled Rassan moved ahead that Hamad Adel al-Muslimani-owned with Meqdam Al Zaidy, Barrelaman and Bronze Maquette had fi nished runner- the other Umm Qarn horse Muhjah in up to Mohannad al-Yaqout-schooled pursuit. In the fi nal 50 metres, there Dubawi mare. was little to choose between the quar- As the seven-furlong race moved to tet, but Barrelaman found that lunge the business end, in front of the grand- that sent him on top of the timesheets stand, early leader Queen Anne was left for the run. behind as Zman Awal, ridden by Ger- The shortest race of the day was also ald Avranche, and Bronze Maquette, one of the most crowded with a full helmed by Tadgh O’Shea, turned the house of 16 competitors. And Red Con- 12-strong fi eld into a duel. nect, making way through heavy traffi c With the naked eye indecisive at the under Adnan Hawa, registered his sec- fi nish, it took the stewards some time ond career victory in the Thoroughbred to call the winner and when the loud- Handicap event. With the victory Class speaker system did call Zman Awal, an 4 win over six furlongs, the Mohamed ecstatic al-Yaqout let out a huge win- Nasser al-Ramzani-owned gelding, ning cry. “To be honest, the fi rst time also bounced back from a forgettable when I brought this fi lly and she ran campaign-opening result from three here in Qatar, I realised that I was deal- weeks ago when he fi nished 11th. ing with a superstar,” al-Yaqout told Earlier in the day, Umm Qarn’s Gulf Times. “So I just took it easy with Hadeer and Ibrahim al-Malki’s Media her, taking baby steps, and today, I have Book shed their maiden status with the ended up with the best fi lly in Qatar. So fi llies winning the Local Thoroughbred it’s no surprise to me to see her winning and Thoroughbred Maiden Plate events today.” respectively. Asked if he felt his charge was pushed Among the Arabians, Julian Smart- Gerald Avranche (foreground, in blue) rides Zman Awal to victory in the Al Wakra Cup ahead of Bronze Maquette, ridden by Tadgh O'Shea (background, in grey), at the a bit too much for comfort yesterday, he trained Ebraz registered a dominant QREC yesterday. PICTURES: Juhaim said, “She was pushed quite a bit today, six-length win in the Purebred Arabian and that is not normal because she is Maiden Plate event. Ridden by Rich- known to win with ease if you have seen ard Mullen in the colours of HH Sheikh her previous two runs. We have moved Mohamed bin Khalifa al-Thani, Ebraaz her training grounds from the QREC to brushed aside a slow start and moved the farm, and the environment is much up the fi eld, eventually pulling away on better at QREC. But thank God that to- the home stretch for a comfortable vic- day, on her fi rst run in the season, she tory on his Qatar debut. reiterated her status as the best fi lly in Qatar.” RESULTS Rashid al-Jehani-trained Cour- Race 1: 1. Hadeer (Gaetan Faucon), 2. tofversailles continued with his un- Shawk (Adnan Hawa), 3. Al Ayyar (Darren beaten run in Qatar when the Khalid Williams), 4. Al Jazeera (Saleem Golam). Rashid al-Mohannadi-owned colt won Won by: Nk, ½, Shd. Time: 1:41.44. Owner: the Thoroughbred Classifi ed Stakes Umm Qarn. Trainer: Alban de Mieulle. event yesterday. Marvin Suerland had Race 2: 1. Media Book (Eduardo Pedroza), Courtofversailles run on the outside 2. Almasah (Gaetan Faucon), 3. Al Hazam behind the leading duo of Emaad, rid- (Alberto Sanna), 4. Freddie Freeloader den by JP Guillambert, and Qatar Lega- (Saleem Golam). Won by: 1 ¼, ½, 1 ¾. Time: cy, with Adnan Hawa astride. 1:38.57. Owner: Ibrahim Saeed al-Malki. In the fi nal 400m, Qatar Legacy fell Trainer: Ibrahim al-Malki. behind even as Courtofversailles came Race 3: 1. Ebraz (Richard Mullen), 2. Maji- up alongside Emaad before moving dah (Gaetan Faucon), 3. Chanson Du Soleil further up even as Erroneous, a Jassim (Gerald Avranche), 4. Verracruz (Harry Ghazali ward like Emaad, mounted an Bentley). Won by: 6, Nk, ¾. Time: 2:06.56. attack on the inside under Harry Bent- Owner: HH Sheikh Mohamed bin Khalifa Salman Abdullah al-Abdulghani (fourth from right) and Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club (QREC) general manager Nasser Sherida al-Kaabi (third from right) pose with ley. At the post, Courtofversailles fi n- al-Thani. Trainer: Julian Smart. the winners of the Al Wakra Cup after Sheail bin Hamad Khalifa al-Attiyah-owned Zman Awal won the seven furlong race at the QREC yesterday. ished a length ahead, while Erroneous Race 4: 1. Red Connect (Adnan Hawa), did enough to edge out Emaad for the 2. Adham (Eduardo Pedroza), 3. Ancient Race 5: 1. Barrelaman (Pier Convertino), Mohamed bin Khalifa al-Thani. Trainer: (Alberto Sanna). Won by: 1, 1/2, Hd. Time: Sharona (Richard Mullen), 4. Captain Cleo second spot. Trade (Richard Mullen), 4. Alsefra (Alberto 2. Meqdam Al Zaidy (Eduardo Pedroza), 3. Pierre Deymonaz. 2:04.07. Owner: Khalid Rashid al-Mohana- (Almotasem al-Balushi). Won by: Shd, 1 Barrelaman won a thrilling four-way Sanna). Won by: Nk, ¾, 1. Time: 1:11.38. Muhjah (Jean Baptiste Hamel), 4. Rassan Race 6: 1. Courtofversailles (Marvin di. Trainer: Rashid al-Jehani. 1/4, Shd. Time: 1:22.53. Owner: Sheail bin fi nish in the Local Purebred Arabian Owner: Mohamed Nasser al-Ramzani. (Harry Bentley). Won by: Shd, Hd, Shd. Suerland), 2. Erroneous (Harry Bentley), 3. Race 7: 1. Zman Awal (Gerald Avranche), Hamad Khalifa al-Attiyah. Trainer: Mohan- Conditions event to pick up his sec- Trainer: Hadi al-Ramzani. Time: 1:45.98. Owner: Sheikh Khalifa bin Emaad (JP Guillambert), 4. Nayef Dancer 2. Bronze Maquette (Tadgh O’Shea), 3. My nad al-Yaqout.

SPOTLIGHT Ali, Khamis win at World Snooker Championships

By Sports Reporter Defending champion Pankaj Advani of India has Doha won all his matches comfortably to cruise into the knockouts, which begins today. Advani, the 15-time world champion, in both Snooker and Billiards, won atari cueists had a forgettable day at the this title last year in Egypt. IBSF World Snooker Championships at In fact, the 31-year-old is yet to lose a frame in the Al Sadd Indoor Hall yesterday. the tournament, while winning 16 frames so far in Only Ali Alobaidli and Khamis Alobaid- his convincing victories. Advani is most likely to ac- Qli registered victories while other three – Mhanaa quire the top-seed slot for the knockouts. Alobaidli, Bashar Abdulmajeed and Abdullah Alsu- Over 250 players from 55 countries are competing waidi failed to get going. To start with, Ali Alobaidli in the IBSF World Snooker championship, which is began the day on a promising note as he outplayed being held concurrently for men, women and mas- Hesham Alsaqer of Bahrain 4-0. Then, Khamis ters. The 10-day tournament will end on November Alobaidli beat Mozambique’s Ibrahim Ahamed 4-2. 29. A total of $16,000 is up for grabs in the men’s But the rest of local players were completely out- event of the championship, being hosted for the fi rst played by their opponents. Australia’s Ryan Thom- time in the GCC. This is the second World Champi- erson scored an easy 4-1 win over Mhanaa Alobaidli, onship the QBSF is hosting in three months, after while England’s Oliver Brown beat Bashar Abdul- the 9-Ball Pool event in August. majeed 4-1. Later’s Ireland Michael Judge cruised The women’s event carries a $6,000 purse while past against Abdullah Alsuwaidi Qatar 4-0. $8,000 is at stake for the master players.

Qatar’s Mhanaa Alobaidli in action during the IBSF World Snooker Championships at the Al Sadd Indoor Hall yesterday. Chitra Magimairajan of India. Friday, November 25, 2016 GULF TIMES SPORT

SPOTLIGHT Lopez fastest in FP1 WTCC season fi nale: José María López has begun his final FIA World Touring Car Championship appear- ance for now with the fastest time in first practice at WTCC DHL Race of Qatar. The three-time world champion – who hopes of goodbyes and glory to return to WTCC action again in the future – posted a best lap of 2m02.182s in his Citroën around the The all-conquering Citroen will no longer be a part of the WTCC bandwagon from next season 5.380-kilometre Losail International Circuit. That By Joe Koraith was 0.621 seconds faster Doha Citroen driver Jose Maria Lopez than second-quickest Hugo in action during the Free Valente, whose Lada came Practice 1 session yesterday at to a halt on track at the end he 2016 season of the World Touring Cars the Losail International Circuit. of the session. Volvo driv- Championship will conclude this weekend ers Thed Björk and Robert at the Losail International Circuit. Cham- Dahlgren led the way early Tpionships will be celebrated, losses pon- on and finished up third and dered over and then it will be time for everyone to fourth respectively. go back to their families and enjoy a break from this Rob Huff was the top frenetic city-hopping circus. Honda in fifth in front of That’s the norm every season. But this round in Lada duo Gabriele Tarquini Qatar brings more of an end to the end. Jose Maria and Nicky Catsburg. On his Lopez of Argentina has already grabbed the cham- final WTCC appearance, pionship but this will be his fi nal weekend in WTCC. Yvan Muller was eighth with The all-conquering Citroen will no longer be a Tiago Monteiro and Mehdi part of the WTCC bandwagon from next season on- Bennani completing the top wards. Lopez is switching to Formula E and a stint in 10. Daniel Nagy spun off into the World Endurance Championship is being talked a gravel trap early in the about for the three-time WTCC champion. session, and although he “I’m going to look back and see these as my best was able to get his Honda three years in motorsport. Becoming a three-time moving again, the session world champion, winning at almost every track – I was halted while the track really enjoyed my time with this exceptional team. was swept. This team was like a family to me,” said Lopez yes- After FP1, there was the terday. “I’m sad that this is coming to an end but I’ll event press conference with always look back and smile when I think about this Mehdi Bennani, José María experience, because it has been a really good time for López, Robert Dahlgren, me and the team,” he added. Tiago Monteiro and Gabriele The Argentine driver will be looking to produce a Tarquini. winning performance in his fi nal WTCC weekend to further cement his legacy. It will be also the last weekend in WTCC for Lopez’s teammate, Yvan Muller. The four-time champion will end his 11-year WTCC career this weekend in Qatar. The 47-year-old will look to go out on a bang by securing the second place in the championship. Muller currently leads Tiago Mon- teiro by 35 points, and with 55 points up for grabs in the fi nal two races of the season, the Frenchman is well-placed to end his WTCC career with a fl ourish. “I realise that it’s a special race and there might be some emotions. It’s also more than a race because I want to be second for my team,” Muller had said ear- lier in the week. Lopez was all-praise for his teammate for the last two races ever. “Being a teammate of Yvan has been a privilege for sure,” said López. “He was always a good guy with me, a very good teammate. I respect him and I will miss him.” World Touring Cars Championship drivers during the press conference at the Losail International Circuit yesterday, ahead of the final race of the season. The other major departure is that of Lada. The Russian manufacturer too, like Citroen, will not re- Sébastien Loeb Racing has won the independent turn to the grid next season. This means that three teams’ title. Citroen driver Mehdi Bennani has won of their drivers – Gabriele Tarquini, Nicky Catsburg the independent drivers’ title. and Hugo Valente will be without a ride next season. Moroccan Bennani had missed out on the inde- And veteran Tarquini, despite being unsure of pendent title by a whisker last season in Qatar and his future, wants to do his best to give Lada a good having won the title this season, he is keen to put in a send-off from the sport. “I want to give Lada the strong performance this weekend. best possible result because it’s their last race but I “I want to do well in front of my Arabic friends. hope it won’t be my last race. I want to drive a World Those that won the Independent drivers’ title have Touring Car again, I love the category and I love the gone on to get factory seats so I will be hoping to do WTCC,” the Italian had said earlier. well this weekend and bag a seat next season,” said There is a lot of uncertainty on the grid because Bennani yesterday. Citroen driver Mehdi Bennani in of the departure of two manufacturers but what’s Lots of goodbyes. Lots of drivers wanting to give it action during Free Practice 1. certain is that most of the key titles have already their best shot to grab seats next season. Lots of rea- been wrapped up. Lopez is the champion. Citroen sons to aim for glory. This WTCC weekend in Qatar has authoritatively taken the manufacturers’ title. will be a super exciting one.

Shahania snatch draw from Wakrah QSL PREVIEW Lekhwiya aim to make lost ground against Umm Salal

By Sports Reporter celebrated so much. This result shows our Doha fi ghting spirit and our aim is still to win the championship.” Meanwhile, sixth placed Umm Salal are ekhwiya will be aiming to make lost looking for their third win of the season but ground when they take on Umm head coach Bulent Uygun had no illusions Salal in the Qatar Stars League today. about the huge task on hand. The four-time champions are “Lekhwiya are one of the best sides in Qa- Lthird in the standings, four points adrift of tar, always fi ghting for titles. They are like table-toppers El Jaish, and cannot aff ord to Real Madrid in many ways. This will be a slip up further if they are to challenge for tough test for my side,” he said. their fi fth QSL title since becoming part of Uygun also revealed that his side will be the top fl ight in 2010. without two key players in defence for the Although Djamel Belmadi’s men are still match at Qatar SC stadium. “Both Jawad unbeaten this season they have conceded Ahnash and Anderson Martins will be una- three draws allowing El Jaish to power ahead vailable for this game. It is a major blow for and stake their claim as genuine title con- us not having these players. However, we tenders. “After the last two draws we want have a big squad and I believe someone will the three points. We had a good perform- step up for us in this game.” ance the last game (against Al Rayyan) but Al Rayyan, meanwhile, face a resurgent could only draw the match. Now we look for Muaither who have created a sensation of a positive result against Umm Salal,” Belma- sorts by winning their last three games. di said at his pre-match press conference. “We are playing the QSL champions and “There are no easy games this season I our aim is to not lose heavily like we did think, and Umm Salal will be a real challenge against Lekhwiya and Al Sadd,” Muaither for us. They have extra motivation to get a coach Phillipe Birol said. result from Lekhwiya. They have troubled “We try step by step to do better. We us over the years. At least three teams will spoke with the players and we started the be relegated this season and every team will league badly, but we have grown in confi - be fi ghting for the points so no game will be dence and we have improved and focused easy,” the Frenchman added. on our weak points. We have plenty of con- Al Shahania scored an equalizer at the death to force a draw against Al Wakrah in the eighth round Belmadi also refl ected on his side’s last fi dence and I am happy with the spirit in the of Qatar Stars League yesterday. Wakrah was close to securing their first win of the season, but for a game against Al Rayyan and stressed that club. We have many good players who are 90-minute goal from Mohamed Tiaiba. the dropped points won’t aff ect his team’s Lekhwiya coach Djamel Belmadi happy to work for the side.” Wakra had opened the scoring in the 18th minute through Hamood al-Yazidi. They added a second confi dence. Rayyan coach Michael Laurdup is also in the 40th minute from the spot kick through Mohsen Metwaly. Abdullah al-Yazidi was the one who “Of course we wanted to win against Al and refl ected on his celebrations after Le- wary of Muaither. “We will play one of the started Al Shahania's comeback, scoring in the 47th minute, before Tiaiba’s goal stunned Wakrah. Rayyan. We played well as a team in this khwiya scored the equaliser against Rayyan form teams in the QSL, who are full of plen- In another match, Al Gharafa beat Al Khor 2-1. Johnson Kendrick (17th minute) and Mohamed Razaq game but the draw won’t aff ect our confi - last week. ty of confi dence at the moment. They have (88) scored for the winners, while M. Iajour found the net for Al Khor. dence going into the game.” “I believe the players played well and de- showed that they have a very good side and He expressed confi dence in his players served to score an equaliser. That is why I three wins in the league underlines this.”