NBANBA| Page 6 George ignores boo boys as Thunder sink Lakers 107-100

Friday, January 4, 2019 CRICKET Rabia II 28, 1440 AH Pujara torments GULF TIMES Australia with third ton of series SPORT Page 3 TENNIS/ QATAR EXXONMOBIL OPEN FOOTBALL Bayern Munich have all on board for Djokovic in semis Qatar training camp

DPA Bayern are in Doha until Jan- Munich uary 10 before the Bundesliga resumes with a visit to Hof- fenheim on January 18. Unlike ayern Munich’s injured previous years in Doha, Bayern aft er another midfielders Corentin have not scheduled a friendly Tolisso and James Ro- match after what has been a B driguez are travelling relatively short winter break. with the squad for a training “We want to fine tune a lot camp in Qatar from today. of things in Doha, including Both are to work in Doha on fitness and technical-tactical their comebacks after serious elements,” coach Niko Kovac injury setbacks this season. said. comeback victory France midfielder Tolisso “And we have to begin pre- has been missing since mid- paring for our first opponent so ‘I knew that he’s playing probably the tennis of his life in the past 10 September with a cruciate we can get off to a good start at ligament tear while Colombian Hoffenheim.” months, and he’s definitely one of the greatest hitters in the game’ James suffered a partial knee Bayern are starting a second ligament tear in November. half of the season not at the top Winter newcomer, 18-year- of the league for the first time old Canadian winger Alphonso in eight years. Davies, is also with a 29-man The record German cham- party which includes the full pions are in second place, six first-team squad and several points behind leaders Borussia junior players. Dortmund.

Abdulrahman al-Mannai elected chairman of QMMF

Top seed and World No. 1 Novak Djokovic exults after beating Georgian Nikoloz Basilashvili in the quarter-finals of the Qatar ExxonMobil Open yesterday. PICTURE: Noushad Thekkayil

he General Assem- quorum with the presence of bly of Qatar Motor & representatives of clubs and Motorcycle Federa- sports bodies with membership Ttion (QMMF) elected of the QMMF, as well as a repre- Abdulrahman Abdullatif al- sentative from the Ministry of Mannai as the chairman of Culture and Sports. By Sahan Bidappa He also had the crowd root- and never looked back to pocket the Board of Directors of the The QMMF Board of Directors Doha ing for him throughout, even the opening set. The second set federation for four years. The included Hassan Abdulrah- as unforced errors crept into too played out similar way as he QMMF fi rst General Assembly man al-Ibrahim, Abdulrazzaq Basilashvili’s game. The all-im- sealed his win in one hour and was held at its headquarters in Khalaf al-Kuwari, Khalid Has- or the second succes- portant break for Djokovic came 45 minutes. Lusail on Wednesday. san al-Rumaihi, Salem Saeed sive day, Novak Djoko- in the fi fth game for a decisive “I think Stan is a really good The meeting of the first general al-Mohannadi and Mohamed vic was down a set as 3-2 lead, as Basilashvili cracked player. He is really a tough op- assembly to elect the board Ghanim al-Kubaisi. Fthe centre court crowd under pressure. He then sealed ponent to beat and we knew of directors of the QMMF was The General Assembly was anticipated an upset at the Qa- the deal with three winners in each other very well and we in accordance with the recent held based on amendments tar ExxonMobil Open. But once the tenth game to come out on used to practice a lot during the amendments to its statutes. proposed for new statutes of again, the Serb, with his back top of another slug fest, which tournaments. Today I was very It was held after having a full the QMMF. against the wall, found the mo- lasted one hour and 56 minutes. consistent and played with a tivation to scrape out of trouble. It was the sixth straight lot of rhythm. I think I played a The Khalifa international semi-fi nal for the Serbian, very complete match,” said the Tennis and Squash Complex ex- who capped 2018 as the oldest Spaniard, who lifted the big- HANDBALL ploded in joy as the biggest draw year-end No. 1 in ATP history. gest title of his career at the ATP of the tournament, World No. 1 Djokovic celebrated his surge 500-level tournament in Dubai. Djokovic, eked out a comeback orchestrating a whistling con- In another quarter-fi nal, wild 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 win over spirited test among fans. card Tomas Berdych cruised Qatar beat Bosnia in fi fth-seeded Georgian Nikoloz Djokovic has now won 13 past Frenchman Pierre-Hughes Basilashvili. consecutive matches in Doha, Herbert 6-2, 6-4. The Czech Djokovic, bidding for his Roberto Bautista Agut of Spain (L) shakes hands with Stan and is 15-1 overall at the tourna- is playing his fi rst tournament friendly match third Qatar Open title, will face Wawrinka of Switzerland after defeating him in the quarter-finals. ment. The World No. 1, owner of since June last year and showed seventh seed Spaniard Roberto 72 tour-level titles, is attempt- some impressive form in Doha. Doha: Qatar’s handball in Group A which also includes Bautista Agut for a place in to- a tough match against in-form his wont, was never the one to ing to lift a trophy for the 14th He was awaiting the winner beat Bosnia 30-22 in a friendly Russia, Germany, Serbia, Brazil morrow’s fi nal. Bautista Agut Basilashvili, a strong baseliner give up easily. The 31-year-old consecutive season. It is also of the match between fourth- match at Duhail Sports Arena and South Korea. Group B com- had earlier knocked out three- who gives the ball a mighty showed why he is the owner of the fi rst time Djokovic has won seeded Italian Marco Cecchina- yesterday. prises Spain, Croatia, Mac- time Grand Slam champion thwack and had who won his 14 Grand Slam titles, bouncing back-to-back matches from a to and Dusan Lajovic of Serbia, The game was part of Qatar’s edonia, Iceland, Bahrain and Stan Wawrinka 6-4, 6-4 to en- fi rst two ATP Tour titles in 2018, back in the second set. set down since Cincinnati in who were playing a late match preparations for the upcoming Japan while co-hosts Denmark ter the semi-fi nals. both at ATP 500 events. He raced to a 3-0 lead, while August last year, a tournament last night. IHF 2019 World Men’s Hand- spearhead Group C that also “I thought Basilashvili was World No. 21 Basilashvili was Basilashvili threatened to re- he went on to win ball Championship scheduled has Norway, Austria, Tunisia, playing terrifi c from the begin- the enforcer from the word go, group, Djokovic closed out the Earlier, Bautista Agut put on Results from January 10-27 in Germany Chile and Saudi Arabia. ning. I expected him to,” said breaking Djokovic in the very set to take the match into the a consistent performance to Singles (Quarter-finals) and Denmark. Qatar will start their cam- a relieved Djokovic after the fi rst game. The aggressive Geor- decider. knock out Wawrinka. The two 1-Novak Djokovic (SRB) bt 5-Nikoloz The Qatar handball team also paign against Angola on Janu- match. “I knew that he’s play- gian applied relentless pressure In the third set, the two play- know each other’s game well, Basilashvili (Geo) 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 played two matches against ary 11 and will play against ing probably the tennis of his on the top seed for another ers traded breaks in the fi rst two having practised together for 7-Roberto Bautista Agut (ESP) bt Belarus. In the first one, Qatar Egypt, two days later. life in the past 10 months, and break in the fi fth game for a 4-1 games. Astonishingly, Djokovic years. And Agut put that to good Stanislas Wawrinka (SUI) 6-4, 6-4 drew 26-26, while they scored a Al Anabi’s next two matches he’s defi nitely one of the great- lead. While Djokovic did pull a showed higher physical ener- use yesterday. WC-Tomas Berdych (CZE) bt Pierre- 27-19 win in the second. are scheduled on January 14 est hitters in the game.” game back from Basilashvili’s gy than his opponent, despite The 24th ranked Bautista Hughes Herbert (FRA) 6-2, 6-4 Qatar are in Group D along and 16 against Hungary and As against Hungary’s Mar- serve, the Serb had no answer to playing his fi fth match of the Agut played mostly from the Doubles (Semi-final) with Angola, Egypt, Hungary, Sweden respectively. Qatar ton Fucsovics on Wednesday, the latter’s aggressive ground- tournament – after having en- baseline and controlled the Robin Haase & Matwe Middelkoop Sweden and Argentina in the will play their last preliminary Djokovic was slow to get off the strokes. tered the doubles semis with his match throughout. He broke (NED) bt Santiago Gonzalez (MEX) & world championship. round match against Argentina blocks. The Serb had predicted But Djokovic, as has been younger brother Marko. Wawrinka in the very fi rst game Aisam-Ul-Haq Qureshi (Pak) 6-4, 6-1. World champions France are on January 17. (QNA) Gulf Times 2 Friday, January 4, 2019 TENNIS

BRISBANE INTERNATIONAL FOCUS Nishikori back Osaka says US Open to best in victory win has over Dimitrov given her Japanese ace says his goal is to get back into the top 5 after an injury-hit 2018 belief AFP back to win the second with the Brisbane loss of just fi ve points. Osaka then broke Sevastova’s serve to start the deciding set apanese star Naomi Osa- and was able to hold the advan- ka said her US Open vic- tage, sealing victory with her tory in September had 11th ace of the match. given her the self-belief The 21-year-old has enor- toJ be able to come from behind mous power but said she was and win tight matches. tested by Sevastova, who fa- Osaka was speaking after re- vours angles and deception over covering from losing the fi rst brute force, and who defeated set of her Brisbane Interna- her twice last year. tional quarter-fi nal to Latvia’s “I just really wanted to play Anastasija Sevastova yesterday. this match knowing that I would The world number fi ve over- have long rallies and knowing hauled Sevastova to win 3-6, that she would be hitting tricky 6-0, 6-4 and reach the semi- shots,” Osaka said. fi nals of the season-opening “So for me, this match was tournament. really important because I think “I feel like right now I’m real- that I can handle power play- ly confi dent in myself, and I feel ers pretty well, but for me it like the off -season training that is always harder to hit against I’ve been doing is really paying people like her, because I don’t off ,” she said. really know what’s coming next. “And I’m not sure if I would “So I think that this match have had the same feeling six was a good confi dence booster.” months ago. Six months ago I Osaka will now play Lesia hadn’t won the US Open.” Tsurenko in the semi-fi nals af- Osaka’s stunning victory ter the Ukranian beat Estonia’s over Serena Williams at New Anett Kontaveit 7-5, 6-3. York’s Flushing Meadows in With the shock loss of de- September sent her profi le into fending champion Elina Svitoli- the stratosphere, although her na on Wednesday, Osaka is now breakthrough win was partially the fi rm favourite for the title. overshadowed by Williams’ fu- “My main goal is to show rious tirade against the umpire. consistency and I’m really hap- Osaka dropped her opening py with this tournament so far,” service game in Brisbane yes- she said. terday, and that was enough to “I (made) the semis or higher surrender the fi rst set to Sevas- in my last four tournaments, so tova. I think that’s something that But Osaka came storming I’m going to keep trying to do.”

Japan’s Kei Nishikori hits a return against Bulgarian’s Grigor Dimitrov during their men’s singles match at the Brisbane International tennis tournament yesterday.

AFP I was playing great tennis and I think I’m over qualifi er Yasutaka Uchiyama. round but when the Spaniard withdrew Brisbane doing that now, this week.” Uchiyama, 26, had only won one match with a thigh strain, Daniel came in as a The match was a replay of the 2017 fi - on the main ATP Tour before this week replacement. nal, won by Dimitrov in three sets. and pulled off a massive upset when he Tsonga saw off the Japanese challenge ei Nishikori showed he was back But Nishikori turned the tables this beat third seed Kyle Edmund in the sec- to win 7-6 (7/5), 6-3 and record his fi rst to his best form as he downed year by returning the Bulgarian’s serve ond round. Chardy was not as sharp as he back-to-back victories since last Febru- Bulgaria’s Grigor Dimitrov 7-5, superbly throughout, putting Dimitrov was during his win over Nick Kyrgios on ary. 7-5 to reach the semi-fi nals of under pressure at key moments and Wednesday and was forced to battle for “It was, of course, one of my goals to Kthe Brisbane International yesterday. showing fi ght to come back from 1-4 over two hours before beating Uchiyama be able to play two matches in a row,” he Nishikori proved too consistent for the down in the second set. 6-4, 3-6, 7-6 (7/4). said. Bulgarian in a high-quality match, se- “I was expecting to go to a third set — Jo-Wilfried Tsonga took advantage of “Now the new goal is going to be to win curing crucial breaks at 5-5 in both sets. he started playing better and I was down Rafael Nadal’s withdrawal with a straight three matches in a row and be able to stay Afterwards, the 29-year-old said his 4-1,” Nishikori said. sets win over Japanese lucky loser Taro healthy. goal was to get back into the top fi ve after “But I think the last couple of games I Daniel. “That’s the most important for me. Of seeing his ranking plummet to 39 in April played very solid and I’m very happy.” The Frenchman underwent knee sur- course, I’m really happy for the win, but last year due to persistent injuries. He will now play Frenchman Jeremy gery in April 2018 and missed seven also really happy to be able to play the “I’m trying to go top fi ve, that’s my Chardy for a place in Sunday’s fi nal and months of tennis, slipping to a world next match, too.” next goal,” Nishikori said. will go into the match as a fi rm favourite ranking of 239 at the year’s end. He will play rising Australian star Alex Japan’s Naomi Osaka in action during her match against Latvia’s “The last couple of months of last year following Chardy’s three-set struggle He was due to face Nadal in the second de Minaur in the quarter-fi nals. Anastasija Sevastova yesterday.

BOTTOMLINE UPSET Federer takes Switzerland to Hopman Cup fi nal Canadian teen

DPA the United States. Sydney Though Williams won her knocks Wozniacki singles match against Boulter, Norrie defeated Tiafoe 7-6 (7-4), oger Federer triumphed 6-0. In the mixed doubles fi nale, out of Auckland over rising star Stefanos Britain came from a set down to Tsitsipas in straight win 3-4 (2-5), 4-3 (5-4), 4-1. The AFP “I’ve dreamt of playing on this sets yesterday to book a British pair were jubilant to de- Auckland stage against hard players and placeR in the fi nal of the Hopman feat a team that included one of now I’m here I played against one Cup for defending champions the sport’s greatest ever players. of the best and I won so really, I Switzerland. The 20-year-old “She [Williams] is a champion op seed Caroline Wozni- don’t know what to say. Greek pushed Federer to a tie- so to actually share the court acki was bundled out of “I managed to pull through. break in both sets at Perth’s RAC with her is such a privilege and the WTA Auckland Clas- I’ve no idea how. I just fought to Arena but ultimately succumbed of course we’re really happy to sic in the second round the end.” to the 37-year-old veteran 7-6 get the win,” said 22-year-old Tyesterday, beaten in straight sets Andreescu played herself to (7-5), 7-6 (7-4). Boulter, who only broke into the by 18-year-old Canadian Bianca a standstill, keeping rallies alive Asked in a post-match inter- top 100 last year. In the second Andreescu. with a mix of well-angled strokes view how he felt about playing match of the day, Williams beat It was a blow for Wozniacki from the baseline and delicate the next generation of tennis Boulter 6-1, 7-6 (7-2), taking the who was looking for as much drop shots until Wozniacki made stars, Federer said: “I enjoy play- fi rst set easily though the Brit put court time as she could get in mistakes. ing against the young guys to be up more of a fi ght in the second. Auckland on her way to defending Wozniacki did produce glimpses honest; they bring something Williams, who has won all of her Australian Open crown. of her best and determinedly lev- diff erent, something I’ve never her singles matches at the tour- She was beaten 6-4, 6-4 by the elled at 4-4 in the fi rst set when seen before and that was the case nament though not as comfort- Canadian teenager who is ranked she took Andreescu’s serve in a today.” ably as she may have hoped, said 152nd in the world and had to play 12-minute, seven-deuce game. Switzerland only needed to she was pleased to have had the her way through the qualifying But the Canadian teen imme- win one match in the Group B match practice ahead of the Aus- tournament to make the main draw. diately broke again and held serve session to go through to tomor- tralian Open which begins on “Honestly, I can’t believe it,” for the set before breaking Woz- row’s fi nal, having already beaten January 14. said Andreescu who was near niacki twice in the second set. Britain 3-0 and the United States “It [the sun] was actually per- speechless at having beaten Woz- The result would have sur- 2-1. Following the Federer-Tsit- Roger Federer of Switzerland serves against Stefanos Tsitsipas of Greece in Perth yesterday. fect because it’s just like that niacki to set up a quarter-fi nal prised Williams who had ear- sipas match-up, Greece’s Maria in Melbourne and it’s the ex- against Venus Williams who pro- lier spoken of how she expected Sakkari defeated Switzerland’s played well, it was a high-level vourites to win the tournament Group A against Australia’s Ash act same sun and it gives me so gressed to the fi nal eight with a to meet Wozniacki in the quarter- Belinda Bencic comfortably 6-3, match.” are Germany’s Angelique Kerber Barty and Matt Ebden today. many problems,” said the 23- 6-4, 6-3 win over fellow Ameri- fi nals. 6-4. Eight countries are competing and Alexander Zverev, who lost Earlier yesterday British new- time grand slam champion. “The can Lauren Davis. “That’ll be a great match up. “It didn’t really count for in two groups in the round-rob- out in last year’s fi nal to Federer comers Cameron Norrie and problem is after you serve you’re “First I have to swallow this Finals worthy but it’s the quarter- us but I wanted to go out there in, mixed team tournament, with and Bencic. Katie Boulter pulled off a well- blind for the next two balls so one and then I’ll think about to- fi nals and we’ll battle it out,” Wil- and give everything I have,” the winners of each group facing They are scheduled to play deserved 2-1 victory over Serena you’re just kind of hitting blind- morrow. But I’m honestly really liams had said as she looked ahead the 23-year-old said. “I think I off in the fi nal tomorrow. Fa- their fi nal round-robin match in Williams and Frances Tiafoe of ly.” excited just being here. after beating Davis. Gulf Times Friday, January 4, 2019 3 CRICKET

FOURTH TEST FIRST ODI Guptill, Neesham show six appeal as Pujara torments New Zealand beat ‘We would have liked to be three Sri Lanka down but 300 AFP Australia with Tauranga, New Zealand for four after immy Neesham made a choosing to bat, dream return to interna- tional cricket yesterday, I think we’re in a crushing Sri Lanka with batJ and ball as New Zealand won great position’ the opening one-day interna- third century tional by 45 runs in Tauranga. Neesham, recalled after 18 Reuters months in the wilderness as New Sydney Zealand look to trial all-rounder options before the World Cup, fl ayed the Sri Lankan bowling heteshwar Pujara put with an unbeaten 47 off just 13 Australia to the sword deliveries. with an unbeaten 130 He then took three for 38 to in India’s 303 for four share the spotlight with man- onC the opening day of the fourth of-the-match Martin Guptill Test yesterday, keeping the who set the New Zealand innings New Zealand’s tourists fi rmly on track for a alight with 138 off 139 deliveries. Martin Guptill historic breakthrough with his On a placid wicket favouring third century of the series. the batsman and on a ground the deep for 11. The hosts, desperately scrap- with short boundaries, Kusal Trent Boult eventually dis- ping to avoid being the fi rst Perera also reached three fi g- missed the stubborn Perera as Sri Australia team to lose a series ures with 102 for Sri Lanka while Lanka’s last fi ve wickets fell for to India on home soil, had their Niroshan Dickwella added 76. 53 runs. successes and managed to dis- But in reply to New Zealand’s New Zealand had elected to lodge Mayank Agarwal after a 371 for seven, Sri Lanka were all bat fi rst and after the early loss of bright 77, Virat Kohli for 23 and out for 326 with six balls remain- Colin Munro, Guptill and Kane Ajinkya Rahane for 18. ing. Williamson put on 163 for the Pujara, however, would just Free-scoring Sri Lankan open- second wicket. not budge and eked out his in- ers Dickwella and Danushka Gu- Guptill cracked fi ve sixes and nings at a rate of little more than nathilaka had been on track to 11 fours to celebrate his return a run every other ball to take chase down the target when they to the New Zealand side with his his series tally to 458 and add reached 119 off 17 overs. 14th ODI century in his 160th another century to those that But when Neesham came into match, becoming the ninth- helped India to wins in Adelaide the attack he had Gunathilaka fastest player to pass 6,000 runs and Melbourne. caught behind for 43 and Dick- in the format. Those victories to Australia’s wella bowled in the space of four After Williamson was bowled one win in Perth means In- deliveries. by Nuwan Pradeep for 76, Ross dia need only to avoid defeat in Kusal Mendis and Perera Taylor added a quick 54 off 37 the fi nal Test at Sydney Cricket smacked 52 off 50 deliveries un- balls before Neesham’s closing Ground to secure their maiden til an Ish Sodhi googly removed salvo. Test series triumph Down Un- Mendis for 18. On a day not made for bowlers, der. Neesham returned for his Pradeep returned the best fi gures Again India’s rock, Pujara put second spell to dismiss Dinesh for Sri Lanka with two for 72. together partnerships of 116 India’s Cheteshwar Pujara plays a shot on the first day of the fourth Test against Australia in Sydney yesterday. (Reuters) Chandimal for 10, before more The second match in the with Agarwal, 54 with Kohli, 48 success for spinner Sodhi who three-match series is in Tauran- with Rahane and fi nished the three — but more importantly was nothing wrong with the an- had Asela Gunaratne caught in ga tomorrow. day with an unbroken stand of the tourists had the opportunity Scorecard gled bouncer that accounted for 75 with Hanuma Vihari, who to bat the Australians out of the Rahane, who also gloved behind will resume on day two on 39 game as they did in Melbourne. INDIA 1st inn Extras (lb2, w5) 7 to Paine. Scorecard not out. Josh Hazlewood struck early Pujara, meanwhile, had no M. Agarwal c Starc b Lyon 77 Total (four wickets, 90 overs) 303 “It’s great to watch him from on a wicket with a greenish tinge time for too many expansive NEW ZEALAND D. Gunathilaka c Seifert b Neesham the other end, the way he grinds to remove KL Rahul for nine but K.L. Rahul c S.Marsh b Hazlewood Fall of wickets: 1-10 (Rahul), strokes and it summed up his M. Guptill c Sandakan b Perera 138 43 the bowlers,” Agarwal said. that only brought Pujara to the 9 2-126 (Agarwal), 3-180 (Kohli), innings that his 18th Test cen- C. Munro c Sandakan b Malinga 13 K. Perera c Siefert b Boult 102 “We’re very happy. We would crease to join Agarwal, the sen- C. Pujara not out 130 4-228 (Rahane) tury came up when he swatted K. Williamson b Pradeep 76 K. Mendis c Seifert b Sodhi 18 have liked to be probably three ior man initially happy to let the V. Kohli c Paine b Hazlewood 23 Bowling: Starc 18-0-75-1, the 199th ball he faced to fi ne- down but 300 for four on the opener take the scoring load. Hazlewood 20-7-51-2, Cum- leg and it just about reached the R. Taylor c Prasanna b Perera 54 D. Chandimal c Taylor b Neesham 10 A. Rahane c Paine b Starc 18 fi rst day after choosing to bat, I mins 19-3-62-0, Lyon 29-5-88-1, boundary rope for his 13th four. H. Nicholls run out (Perera) 15 D. Gunaratne c Ferguson b Sodhi 11 think we’re in a great position.” HOSTILE BOWLING H. Vihari not out 39 Labuschagne 4-0-25-0 “He was classy, wasn’t he? T. Perera c Munro b Ferguson 4 Australia’s bowlers laboured Agarwal faced some hostile His time, his patience, he was T. Seifert c Perera b Malinga 11 manfully on a hot day but it was short bowling from the Aus- just very good,” said Australia J. Neesham not out 47 S. Prasanna c Seifert b Ferguson 16 hard to avoid the conclusion tralian pacemen, brushing off old opened up with a couple of straight after tea when a Hazle- batsman Marnus Labuschagne, M. Henry c Perera b Pradeep 6 L. Malinga b Henry 11 that they were fi rmly behind blows to his elbow and helmet sixes off Nathan Lyon only to wood delivery down the leg side whose part-time spin bowling L. Sandakan b Boult 6 the eight-ball from the moment as Mitchell Starc, in particular, hole out to Starc at long-on go- caught his glove and fl ew to took a bit of a battering from I. Sodhi not out 0 Tim Paine lost the toss. gave him a thorough going over. ing for a third. Paine behind the stumps. Pujara. Extras (lb 2, wd 5, nb 4) 11 N. Pradeep not out 6 India have never lost a Test After adding a second half Kohli announced his arrival at Left-armer Starc has come “That’s what we’re going to Total (for 7 wickets, 50 overs) 371 Extras (b 1, lb 10, wd 11, nb 1) 23 match when Kohli has won the century to add to his fi rst on de- the crease with a four punched under some criticism for his have to do and put a big score on Fall of wickets: 1-23 (Munro), Total (all out; 49 overs) 326 toss — winning 18 and drawing but in Melbourne, the 27-year- through extra cover but fell bowling in this series but there the board.” 2-186 (Williamson), 3-274 Fall of wickets: 1-119 (Gunathi- (Guptill), 4-294 (Taylor), 5-316 laka), 2-126 (Dickwella), 3-178 (Nicholls), 6-317 (Seifert), 7-363 (Mendis), 4-211 (Chandimal), SECOND TEST (Henry) 5-267 (Gunaratne), 6-273 Bowling: Malinga 10-0-78-2 (4w, (T.Perera), 7-298 (K. Per- 2nb), Pradeep 8-0-72-2 (1nb), Per- era), 8-303 (Prasanna), 9-310 era 10-0-80-2 (1w, 1nb), Prasanna (Sandakan), 10-326 (Malinga) SA on top aft er Pakistan bowled out easily 10-0-60-0, Sandakan 10-0-64-0, Bowling: Boult 10-0-65-2 (3w), Gunaratne 1-0-5-0, Gunathilaka Henry 10-0-87-1 (1nb), Ferguson 1-0-10-0 10-0-65-2 (1w), Sodhi 10-0-53-2 Reuters Scorecard (4w), Neesham 8-0-38-3 (3w), Cape Town Munro 1-0-7-0 SRI LANKA PAKISTAN 1st inn RESULT: New Zealand won by pener Aiden Markram N. Dickwella b Neesham 76 Imam-ul-Haq lbw b Philander 8 45 runs made a return to form as he scored 78 to help F. Zaman c Bavuma b Steyn 1 South Africa into a S. Masood c De Kock b Rabada strongO position on the opening 44 SPOTLIGHT day of the second Test against A. Ali c Amla b Olivier 2 Pakistan at Newlands yesterday. Markram’s contribution put A. Shafiq c Elgar b Rabada 20 South Africa on 123 for two B. Azam c Du Plessis b Olivier 2 Tendulkar honours wickets at close, 54 runs be- S. Ahmed c De Kock b Olivier 56 hind after bowling out Pakistan for 177 at tea. South Africa, who M. Amir not out 22 boyhood coach won the fi rst of the three-Test Y. Shah c Du Plessis b Olivier 5 series by six wickets in Pretoria M. Abbas c De Kock b Steyn 0 AFP making us a part of your life and last week, will be confi dent of New Delhi enriching us with your coach- building a substantial fi rst-in- S. Afridi c De Kock b Steyn 3 ing manual. Well played Sir and nings lead after their four-man Extras (b8, lb2, nb1, w3) 14 may you coach many more,” the seam attack ripped through the Total (51.1 overs) 177 ndian cricket legend Sachin 45-year-old Tendulkar added. Pakistan batting line-up. Tendulkar paid a glowing Tendulkar, who holds many The 24-year-old Markram, Fall of wickets: 1-9 (Zaman), tribute yesterday to Ram- batting records in his illustrious who struggled on tour in Sri 2-13 (Imam), 3-19 (Ali), 4-51 akant Achrekar, his child- career including 100 centuries Lanka in July and in the Boxing (Shafiq), 5-54 (Azam), 6-114 Ihood coach and lifelong mentor in Test and ODIs, retired in 2013 Day Test against Pakistan, was (Masood), 7-156 (Ahmed), 8-162 who has died aged 87. after scoring more than 34,000 bowled on the last ball of the day (Shah), 9-163 (Abbas) Achrekar, a club-level coach, international runs. by Shan Masood. Bowling: Steyn 15.1-3-48-3 (1w), discovered a 12-year-old Ten- He attended Achrekar’s funer- Hashim Amla, who is 24 not Philander 11-3-36-1, Rabada dulkar’s extraordinary talents in al yesterday. out, will resume today with cap- 10-2-35-2 (1nb), Olivier 15-3-48-4 Mumbai and nurtured him on his Besides Tendulkar, the top tain Faf du Plessis, who went out (2w) way to becoming cricket’s most coach also trained other promi- for a pair in the fi rst Test. prolifi c run-scorer of all time. nent Indian players including “We have to start well again Achrekar died at his home in Vinod Kambli, Pravin Amre and and build those partnerships,” SOUTH AFRICA 1st inn Mumbai on Wednesday. Balwinder Singh Sandhu. said veteran bowler Dale Steyn A. Markram b Masood 78 “Cricket in heaven will be The Board of Control for after the close. D. Elgar c Ahmed b Amir 20 enriched by the presence of Cricket in India expressed its The solid home batting per- Achrekar Sir. Like many of his “deepest sympathy”. formance contrasted with Paki- South Africa’s Aiden Markram (right) in action on Day One of the second Test against Pakistan at H. Amla not out 24 students I learnt the ABCD of “Not only did he produce great stan’s opening innings as they Newlands in Cape Town, South Africa, yesterday. (Reuters) Extras (lb1) 1 cricket under Sir’s guidance,” cricketers, but also trained them were fl ayed with a constant bar- Total (2 wkts) 123 Tendulkar said in a statement. to be fi ne human beings. His rage of pace. the run rate, hopefully building quick wicket, was vindicated. back looked on the cards. “His contribution to my life contribution to Indian Cricket “South Africa were pretty un- pressure and get wickets.” Pakistan were teetering at Masood made 44 with Olivi- Fall of wickets: 1-56 (Elgar), cannot be captured in words. He has been immense,” the BCCI relenting with all their quicks Duanne Olivier added to his 75-5 at lunch and lost fi ve more er’s fi gures of 4-48 bookended 2-123 (Markram) built the foundation that I stand wrote on Twitter. (pace bowlers),” Pakistan coach 11 wickets in the fi rst Test with wickets before tea despite 56 by Steyn, who took the fi rst Bowling: Amir 8-2-25-1, Abbas on. The Indian cricket team wore Mickey Arthur said. “We have four more as Du Plessis’ deci- from captain Sarfraz Ahmed, wicket of the day and the last 9-0-45-0, Afridi 9-1-34-0, Shah “Achrekar Sir taught us the black armbands yesterday dur- no option but to come in to- sion to put Pakistan into bat, and who went out to an injudicious two of the Pakistan innings for 3-0-14-0, Masood 1-0-4-1 virtues of playing straight and ing the Test against Australia in morrow and fi rst look to control go with a seam-only attack on a uppercut shot just when a fi ght- 3-48. living straight. Thank you for Sydney to pay their respects. Gulf Times 4 Friday, January 4, 2019 FOOTBALL

PREVIEW COMMENT Eriksen has right to consider future Romance rationed as away from Spurs, says Pochettino

AFP big clubs reluctantly London ottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino says mid- fi elder Christian Eriksen has the right to ponder a future away from the club even though he wants him to sign a new long-term deal. TEriksen, 26, has been one of the star players for Spurs over the past few years as they have challenged at the top embrace FA Cup end of the Premier League but he is reported to be stalling on a new deal. Premier League and Championship clubs join the lower league survivors over four days of action The Denmark international is out of contract in the sum- mer of 2020 but if he does not sign a new deal by the end Reuters of this season, Spurs might be forced to listen to off ers in London order to get true value for him. “I’m not a person that suff ers too much in this type of situation because football is dynamic,” a relaxed Pochet- ne of the traditional tino said ahead of Friday’s FA Cup third-round clash at highlights of the Brit- Tranmere. ish sporting year takes “Football is about interests that as managers or head place this weekend coaches we sometimes cannot manage. It depends on whenO the big clubs join the FA Cup many things in this business – diff erent parties that have in the third round but, with every interests.” passing season, its famed “ro- “It will be fantastic if Christian Eriksen is going to be mance” appears the preserve of committed with the club for a long term, and if not it’s his die-hard traditionalists. right to do what he wants to do,” he added. Premier League and Champi- The futures of several other players are likely to come onship clubs join the lower league under the microscope this month as a host of exits are ex- survivors over four days of action, pected. starting with Tranmere Rovers Outcasts Fernando Llorente, Vincent Janssen and against Tottenham Hotspur today. Georges-Kevin Nkoudou are likely to leave the club but es- For most managers and owners, tablished midfi elder Mousa Dembele could also be on his if not players and fans, the oldest way out. football competition in the world The Belgium midfi elder has only six months left on his has become little more than a dis- current deal and with no new one on the horizon, Spurs traction from their league aspira- could listen to off ers in the January transfer window to get tions and it is now routine to see a fee for him, rather than lose him for free in the summer. reserve teams take to the fi eld. “There is still no news,” Pochettino said. “No news, again Southampton’s triumph as a like Christian Eriksen, a diff erent situation, it is not only in second division club in 1976 when our hands.” they toppled Manchester United at Wembley remains the greatest day in the club’s history. Yet, battling against possi- Boca appoint Alfaro as new coach ble relegation from the Premier Argentine giants Boca Juniors named Gustavo Alfaro as League, new coach Ralph Hasen- their new coach on Wednesday, just hours after former huettl would probably consider it boss Guillermo Barros Schelotto joined LA Galaxy. a blessing if they were to lose Barros Schelotto left the Buenos Aires club last month at Championship side Derby after their historic Copa Libertadores final defeat to arch County. rivals River Plate. Boca president Daniel Angelici, who had Crystal Palace against Grimsby tried and failed to have River kicked out of the Libertado- has the look of a classic giant- res final after the second leg was postponed following an killing but if the League Two side attack on Boca’s team bus by their rivals’ fans, said Alfaro were to pull it off , Palace’s owners had the “ability and professionalism to take charge of” the and coach Roy Hodgson would no club known as the “Dung Shovellers.” doubt get over the embarrassment Alfaro, 56, who leaves another Buenos Aires outfit, quite quickly and be grateful that Huracan, said he felt a “mixture of pride and challenge. It they could focus all their energies wasn’t an easy decision because I was torn inside. on staying up. “But I feel that I’m delivering on a promise to my old man: The same rationale applies to I promised him I’d arrive at the biggest (club) in Argentine half the sides in the Champion- football.” Boca had been linked with former Brazil and ship, where the promised land of Chelsea coach Luiz Felipe Scolari, as well as former Argen- the Premier League remains tan- tina and Colombia boss Jose Pekerman. Barros Schelotto, talisingly close and where a run 45, left the club despite having led them to back-to-back of Cup games, with potential re- titles in his first two seasons before the disappointment of plays, is absolutely the last thing losing to River in South America’s premier club competi- they want in an already-gruelling Tottenham’s Son Heung-min with manager Mauricio Pochettino (left) during their Premier League match against Cardiff City at the Cardiff City tion, the final second leg of which was switched to Madrid campaign. Stadium on Tuesday. (Reuters) - and won 3-1 by River - due to the fan violence. Spare a thought too for Bright- on and Bournemouth, clubs who ticularly want to win. the mood around Goodison Park shoulder high - by the Albion fans. meant that they and Arsenal had BOLIVIA HIRE ESCOBAR AS COACH have spent most of their existence For some clubs, however, the – something that may yet be des- Would it feel the same if they beat featured in a remarkable 17 of the Bolivian Football team The Strongest have hired Pablo in the lower leagues highlighted FA Cup already looks like not only perately needed should Liverpool a predominantly reserve Watford last 26 fi nals. Escobar as their coach, the new boss revealed yesterday. with memorable Cup moments. their only chance of silverware but go on to win the Premier League team this week? In that time, they have won the Despite sharing a name with the infamous Colombian their only real focus to a drifting – but it would still be a surprise Paradoxically though, despite trophy 15 times between them, drug kingpin gunned down by a special operations DRIFTING SEASON season. if coach Marco Silva put out his its diminishing appeal since the with Arsenal winning eight ti- police unit in 1993, Escobar’s appointment is unlikely to With both teams desperate to stay Everton, who ended a 14-year strongest side against League Two establishment of the Premier tles while Chelsea emerged vic- raise any eyebrows at his club. The Paraguayan-born in the Premier League, they face barren spell by winning the Cup in leaders Lincoln City. League and Champions League, torious on seven occasions. With 40-year-old, who was a Bolivian international after re- each other in the FA Cup tomor- 1984, are secure in the upper-mid Minor League Woking pulled the Cup has become even more United, Liverpool, Everton and ceiving nationality in 2008, spent most of his club career row. table and look destined to stay off one of the all-time shocks dominated by the big clubs than Manchester City also successful, over two spells at The Strongest. Escobar, who retired While neither manager will admit there, neither pushing the top six when they beat West Bromwich when it was something they threw the only “outsider” triumphs in from playing last year, said this move into coaching had to wanting to lose the game, they but equally in no danger of relega- Albion 4-2 away in 1991 when everything at. the Premier League era have been been “planed six months ago” and that he would “work will almost certainly pick a team tion. their hat-trick hero Tim Buzaglo When Chelsea beat Manches- Portsmouth in 2008 and Wigan in 24 hours” a day to ensure he’s a success. that will show they do not par- A good Cup run could really lift was famously carried off the pitch ter United at Wembley last May it 2013.

FOCUS Tough draw for Banks and Financial Institutions League By Sports Reporter the fi rst time as part of its’ on- This is in accordance with the work environment and allows Doha going eff orts in co-operating directives received by the Presi- them to learn about the impor- with government entities in the dent of the QFA, Sheikh Hamad tance of exercise.” country and its’ 2021 vision to bin Khalifa bin Ahmed al-Thani, he draw of the 4th Banks organise various football activi- who sees social responsibility THE DRAW RESULTS and Financial Institutions ties for the diff erent segments of programmes and activities as ex- Group A League was held yester- the community. QFA’s involve- tremely important.” 1. Al Khaleej Takaful Group day at Rotana City Center ment in the league highlights Salah Salman al-Mohanna- 2. Al Ahli Bank THotel and revealed strong compe- the infl uential role of the bank- di, Qatar Central Bank’s (QCB) 3. Al Rayyan Bank tition in the upcoming league. ing and fi nancial sector in the Head of Training and Develop- 4. Lulu Exchange Company The draw took place in the country and demonstrates QFA’s ment, and Tournament Director, 5. First Finance Company presence of Khalid Mubarak al- objective to encourage greater said: “We thank the Qatar Foot- 6. Al Mana Exchange Kuwari, Qatar Football Associa- community participation in ball Association for coming on Group B tion’s (QFA) Director of Market- football. board to organise the league and 1. Qatar National Bank (QNB) ing and Communications, Salah The league, which will be held for all their eff orts in ensuring 2. Al Khaleej Exchange Salman al-Mohannadi, Qatar on the training fi eld of Al Ghara- the success of the competition. 3. Al Madina Exchange Central Bank’s (QCB) Head of fa Sports Club, will feature the This year we have allocated cash 4. Al Zaman Exchange Training and Development, participation of 24 teams and prizes for the fi rst, second, third 5. Travelex and Tournament Director, Ali kick off on February 2 as part of and fourth place teams as well as 6. International Bank of Qatar al-Ethba, Qatar Central Bank’s QFA’s activities for the National cash prizes for the best player, (IBQ) Head of Government Relations. Sports Day. top scorer, best goalkeeper and Group C The draw was also attended The 7-a-side league will start best coach.” 1. Qatar Central Bank by representatives of the par- with group stage matches in He added: “We have started 2. Al Mirqab Exchange Company ticipating teams from the bank- which the fi rst and second place the fi rst edition with 14 teams, 3. Aldar For exchange Works ing and fi nancial sector and a teams of each of the four groups and this year we have reached 24 4. Unimoni Exchange LLC number of media outlets. will qualify to the quarter-fi nals Off icials during the 4th Banks and Financial Institutions Football League draw ceremony yesterday. teams representing banks, fi nan- 5. HSBC Bank Middle East Lim- The draw was conducted which will be held on 16th Feb- cial institutions and exchange ited – Qatar Branch by Hussein al-Sharshani, the ruary. The semi-fi nals will take and Salah Salman al-Mohanna- Director of Marketing and for the fi rst time is the beginning companies in the country. 6. Al Fardan Exchange league’s general supervisor and place on February 18 while the di, Qatar Central Bank’s (QCB) Communications at the Qatar of a fruitful co-operation with a The increase in the number Group D Ahmed al-Rumaihi, representa- fi nal and third place match will Head of Training and Develop- Football Association said: “We leading institution such as the of teams demonstrates the huge 1. Doha Bank tive of the QFA’s Competitions be held on 20th February. ment, and Tournament Director value the relationship and co- Qatar Central Bank.” development and success of the 2. Qatar Development Bank and Players Aff airs Department, A press conference was held in which they discussed the rules operation we have with the Qa- He added: “This league dem- tournament, and the demand (QDB) with the participation of former following the draw and was at- and regulations of the league in tar Central Bank to organise this onstrates our commitment to and keenness of the banking 3. Qatar General Insurance and Qatari football stars Khalid Sal- tended by Khalid Mubarak addition to the objectives both tournament, which illustrates support community programs in and fi nancial sector to partici- Reinsurance Company man and Adel Khamis. al-Kuwari, Qatar Football As- organisations wish to achieve QFA’s keenness in supporting the country by spreading football pate in a tournament which of- 4. Doha Insurance Group The QFA is organising the sociation’s (QFA) Director of through organising the league. football activities organised in amongst all sectors of the com- fers a great opportunity for the 5. Islamic Exchange Company fourth edition of the league for Marketing and Communications Khalid Mubarak al-Kuwari, the State. Organising this edition munity and government entities. employees to gather outside the 6. General Takaful Company. Gulf Times Friday, January 4, 2019 5 FOOTBALL

EPL LA LIGA Atletico must shake dismal away form to Solskjaer matches maintain title push

Reuters enjoyed vital away victories Madrid at Real Madrid, Valencia and Athletic Bilbao. However, this season Sime- hen Atletico Ma- one’s side have dropped points Busby as reborn drid left their at struggling teams such as beloved Vicente Villarreal and Leganes and lost Calderon in 2017, at Celta Vigo. Wtheir biggest fear was whether With Diego Costa constantly they would be able to repli- battling injury problems – the cate the fi erce atmosphere for striker is currently recovering which their fans are renowned from knee surgery – Atletico at their new stadium, the Wan- have been lacking some ag- United march on da Metropolitano. gression and steel in attack. They needn’t have wor- “We know that to stay in the Chelsea slip up in the race with Southampton draw, Huddersfield lose record 8th straight game ried, as they have earned the fi ght for the title we need to best home record in La Liga at win games away from home, their shiny new ground, but we need to be strong at home their title ambitions are being and pick up points away,” held back by their dismal away said captain Diego Godin last form. month after snapping a three- In eight away visits this sea- month wait for an away win by son, Diego Simeone’s side have beating Real Valladolid 3-2. only managed to win twice, Hopes of a successive away a tally which, if they are to victory on Sunday in Seville lie stay in touch with league lead- in Croatian forward Nikola Ka- ers Barcelona, they need to linic continuing to improve his improve when they travel to form in front of goal, having fellow title chasers Sevilla on scored twice in his last three Sunday. appearances after a slow start Second-placed Atletico are to his fi rst season in Spain. three points behind Barca, World Cup winning striker while Sevilla are third, fi ve Antoine Griezmann, mean- points off the pace, making while, should be feeling fresher Sunday’s game equally impor- after the winter break follow- tant to the Andalusians if they ing a gruelling 2018 which he want to maintain their own ti- conceded had taken its toll on tle tilt. his performances. Barca meanwhile are in ac- Atletico will certainly need tion away to Getafe, with Real to summon all of their energy Madrid hosting Real Sociedad. against an exciting Sevilla side Atletico’s memorable title who thrashed Real Madrid 3-0 triumph in 2013-14 was built earlier this season, as anything from a galvanising 3-1 win at less than victory will make Sevilla on the opening day of their New Year’s resolution of the season, while they also overhauling Barca even harder.

Australia add striker Giannou to Asian Cup squad Australia named striker Apostolos Giannou as a replacement for injured winger Martin Boyle, with the Cyprus-based 28-year- old joining Graham Arnold’s Asian Cup squad on Thursday. Boyle was ruled out of the tournament after suff ering a left knee injury in Sunday’s 5-0 friendly win over Oman and re- Manchester United’s English striker Marcus Rashford (centre) celebrates scoring his team’s second goal with striker Alexis Sanchez (left) and midfielder Paul Pogba (right) during turned to club side Hibernian to continue his recovery. the English Premier League match against Newcastle United in Newcastle. (AFP) Giannou’s registration was completed by the Asian Football Confederation on Wednesday, allowing the AEK Larnaca player Reuters and when Marcus Rashford slot- were celebrating the start of Sarri. “We have to play every – four adrift of 19th-placed Ful- to link up with the team in Al Ain ahead of their opening clash London ted home the second, it meant what promises to be a rather three days so I cannot think of ham – while Burnley burst out against Jordan on Jan. 6. United have now scored 14 goals happier new year, Chelsea suf- next year, I have to think about the bottom three into 16th on 18 “Apostolos has been playing regularly in Cyprus with his club, and earned maximum points fered a frustrating start to 2019, the next match,” he shrugged. points. Wolverhampton Wan- as well as in the UEFA Europa League throughout 2018. He has le Gunnar Solskjaer’s from their four matches under being held to a goalless draw at Unbeaten Liverpool will face derers’ hopes of soaring as high arrived with the determination to impress and make the most dream start as Man- Solskjaer. home by Southampton. champions Manchester City in as seventh plummeted at Mo- of the opportunity,” Arnold said in a statement. chester United’s inter- “You’d be happy with four Chelsea had hoped to cap what has all the feel of a pivotal lineux as Crystal Palace won 2-0 “Our group has welcomed ‘Apo’ back into the Socceroos family im boss continued at wins from four – and fi nally we off a big day having earlier an- top-of-the-table clash. with two late goals from Jordan and having been with us in Turkey, the United Arab Emirates, StO James’ Park on Wednesday as kept a clean sheet too,” said a de- nounced the signing of Christian At the other end of the table, Ayew – his fi rst for the club – and Kuwait earlier this year, Apo has a clear picture of how we a 2-0 victory at Newcastle Unit- lighted Solskjaer, who reiterated Pulisic, who will join them next there was more misery for bottom and Luka Milivojevic. work and the principles of play.” ed saw him emulate an achieve- his desire to turn his temporary season from Borussia Dortmund club Huddersfi eld Town, who On a night full of fl at New Year Champions Australia were already without midfielders Daniel ment set by the club’s most leg- appointment into a full-time for 64 million euros ($73.2 mil- after taking the lead at home to performances, it was all rather Arzani and Aaron Mooy before Boyle’s injury but Arnold said endary fi gure. job. “We were slow in the fi rst lion), making him the most ex- Burnley through Steve Mounie’s diff erent at the aptly-named Vi- that Giannou had the necessary qualities to make up for the Matt Busby was the only other half but we controlled the game pensive U.S. player of all-time. fi rst goal since April tumbled to a tality Stadium as Bournemouth loss of the Scotland-born winger. United manager to win his fi rst well, we concentrated and over- Instead, the Blues were held by 2-1 defeat with 10 men. It meant drew 3-3 with Watford, with all “Apo off ers us something a little bit diff erent in attack -- he is four games in charge, way back all it was a very professional per- Ralph Hasenhuettl’s stubborn a club record of eight successive six goals coming in the fi rst half, a hard-working player who can press and has a sharp eye for in 1946, but the Norwegian, formance.” Saints and could only move on defeats as Christopher Schin- including fi ve in the space of 13 goal,” Arnold said. Giannou, who scored his first goal for Aus- who has breathed fresh life into Manchester United were 11 44 points in fourth place, three dler got sent off just before half- mad minutes. West Ham United tralia in a 4-0 win over Kuwait in October, completed a medical the team since Jose Mourin- points off the fourth Champions behind Manchester City, four time and Burnley, who equalised had Marko Arnautovic’s three- with the team ahead of his first major international tournament. ho’s sacking, demonstrated his League spot when Solskjaer took behind Tottenham Hotspur and through Chris Wood, came from minute double in the second half “I’ll be doing everything I can to impress in training and per- fresh-faced Midas touch again. over a fortnight ago but their gap now 10 behind leaders Liverpool. behind to win with a second-half to thank for them coming from form in matches here in the UAE. We have a great squad with a His second-half introduction behind Chelsea is now already “We did not move the ball very Ashley Barnes goal. 2-0 down at the London Stadi- great culture and together I believe we will achieve our goals,” of Romelu Lukaku saw the big down to six points. well and we need to improve,” The loss left the Terriers eight um to secure a 2-2 draw against he said. Belgian score within 38 seconds While sixth-placed United said Chelsea manager Maurizio points from safety on 10 points Brighton & Hove Albion.

SPOTLIGHT 100 percent Solskjaer wants more than caretaker role Reuters said Solskjaer. “I’m just thinking had been spilled, he shrugged ford did the damage in a 2-0 London about the next game because if that it had not. “No, I just felt it win at embattled Newcastle on you win four, you can win an- was time to put Rom and Alexis Wednesday, enabling United to le Gunnar Solskjaer other four at this club. That’s the (Sanchez) on (as substitutes) and cut the gap to Chelsea in fourth reiterated how he challenge and that’s the standard of course it was a great hit by place to just six points. wants to be more than that we’re known for. Marcus and Romelu does his job United were 11 points off the a caretaker manager at “The gaff er (Ferguson) used as a striker to be following in on pace when Mourinho was fi red ManchesterO United after match- to challenge us on them and of the rebound.” but Herrera is not allowing his ing a venerable feat only ever course when we’ve won four, you Once again, he enthused mind to wander too far ahead. performed at the club by its most can go onto the next four and about how much he was enjoy- “When I saw we were maybe revered patriarch – the late, think about them.” ing his role and said there would 12 points behind, I decided not great Matt Busby. There has been much media be space in his United revolution to think about it, go game-by- “Of course I won’t, I don’t speculation that United want for both the rejuvenated Rash- game and that’s what we did,” want to,” said the ever-smiling Mourinho’s permanent replace- ford, who scored the second, and the Spaniard told Britain’s Press Norwegian on Wednesday, when ment next season to be Juven- Lukaku to shine. Association. asked after United’s 2-0 win at tus’s Massimiliano Allegri but if “It’s such a great bunch of “That’s what I did at least, and Newcastle United whether he he carries on in his current vein, players, a fantastic atmosphere, things are going well, so I don’t would want to leave Old Traff ord Solskjaer could make life very but it’s ‘the next game, it’s the want to change. I am not going to in May at the end of his planned awkward for the club hierarchy. next game, it’s the next game’ think about that. interim spell. For, with United looking rein- and I’m doing my job as long as “If we continue this run, we And after a startling open- vigorated and Solskjaer repris- I’m here,” he said. will be closer to the top four but ing to his reign following Jose ing the old Midas touch that fa- If he is to make it fi ve league it’s not something that kills my Mourinho’s sacking continued mously saw him come off wins on the trot, like Busby man- mind right now.” with a fourth successive win – the bench against Bayern aged back in 1946, Solskjaer’s United’s next match against something only Busby, in 1946, Munich to win the Champions fi rst major test will come when Spurs at Wembley looks tough could boast among United man- League for United in 1999, he United face Tottenham Hotspur but United will head there on agers – he is making a compel- must still know the impossible’s at Wembley on January 13. January 13 buoyed by just their ling application for the full-time possible. third clean sheet of the Premier role. On Wednesday, the one-time HERRERA NOT THINKING League campaign. Sounding uncannily like his ‘super sub’ even showed he still ABOUT TOP FOUR DESPITE “Very important for (goal- old insatiable United men- had the knack of recognising ex- MAN UTD CHARGE keeper) David (de Gea),” said tor Alex Ferguson, the former actly the time to strike when he Ander Herrera said he is not Herrera. striker reckoned he had already brought on Romelu Lukaku at thinking about a top-four fi nish “We wanted to make David consigned to history the idea 0-0 and saw the Belgian score even after Manchester United happy because he was a little of having emulated Busby, who with his fi rst touch within 38 racked up a fourth straight win bit disappointed the last games. went on to win a fi fth consecu- seconds. in the Premier League to edge I had to cope with him after the tive game at the infancy of his Asked if it gave him particu- closer to the Champions League game, killing my mind, telling epic reign. lar pleasure that Lukaku should qualifi cation spots. me that he wanted a clean sheet “That will be in the books, but strike, gobbling up the rebound Substitute Romelu Lukaku and I’m happy for him as well Manchester United’s Norwegian caretaker manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer celebrates following their win it’s nothing that I’m thinking of,” after Marcus Rashford’s free kick and the sparkling Marcus Rash- because he got a clean sheet.” over Newcastle United at St James’ Park. (AFP) Gulf Times 6 Friday, January 4, 2019 SPORT

NBA NFL Texans focus on pressuring George ignores boo Colts’ Luck

Reuters Houston

aking into consideration all the Houston Texans boys as Thunder accomplished while becoming just the second NFL team to win its division following an 0-3 start, their seemingly tenuous status as favourites tomorrow Tin the fi rst wild-card game of the postseason off ers a refl ec- tion of their opponent. The Indianapolis Colts (10-6), who will face the Texans (11-5) at NRG Stadium, are a familiar foe whose strengths have overcome their weaknesses. sink Lakers 107-100 Indianapolis’ Andrew Luck fully reclaimed his standing as one of the pre-eminent quarterback in the NFL by fi n- ‘He’s feeling better day by day, and hasn’t had any setbacks recently which is positive’ ishing fi fth in passing yards (4,593) and second in passing touchdowns (39) while making 16 starts for the fi rst time AFP since the 2014 campaign, the last season in which he guided Los Angeles Indianapolis to the playoff s. Luck sat out the entire 2017 season due to a shoulder in- jury. Protected by an off ensive line that allowed the fewest aul George shrugged off a chorus sacks (18) in the NFL, Luck performed brilliantly as the of boos to score 37 points and lead Colts recovered from a 1-5 start to win nine of their last 10 Oklahoma City Thunder to a 107- games. In that stretch, he completed 69.5 percent of his at- 100 victory over the Los Angeles tempts while tossing 23 touchdowns against seven inter- LakersP at the Staples Center on Wednesday. ceptions and passing for 2,801 yards. George angered Lakers fans last year af- In two matchups against the AFC South champion Tex- ter ignoring the franchise in favour of a deal ans this season, Luck passed for 863 yards and six touch- with Oklahoma City, a snub which came downs with one interception. He was sacked six times as after long-running speculation he would the teams split the meetings. move to Los Angeles. “I mean, (Luck) does a good job,” said Texans defensive On Wednesday, the Lakers fans unloaded end JJ Watt, who recorded 16 sacks this season. “Obviously, on George at every opportunity, booing (their) off ensive line does a good job. I think as the years and whistling throughout whenever the went on, especially, they’ve done a great job getting the ball 28-year-old touched the ball. out of his hands quick. He makes quick reads, he’s a smart George, however, wound up having the guy, he knows where he’s going with the ball, tries not to last laugh, leading the scoring as OKC’s put himself in too much danger. He does a great job, and all-round off ense proved too much for the like I said, those guys up front for him do a good job.” Lakers, who were once again without the The Texans must generate enough pressure on Luck as injured LeBron James. to prevent him from having an opportunity to pick apart George was one of six Thunder players their 28th-ranked pass defense. That Luck benefi ted from to make double fi gures, with Russell West- the lowest sack rate (2.74 percent) of any quarterback in the brook adding 14 points in a triple double league makes that particular task especially diffi cult. display which also included 16 rebounds “You have to mix it up. You don’t want to get in one and 10 assists. New Zealander Steven Ad- mode,” Colts coach Frank Reich said of protecting Luck. ams also had 14 points while starter Jerami “Great players like (Watt and Texans linebacker Jadeveon Grant had 13 points. Clowney) you have to attack in multiple ways. You’ve got Kentavious Caldwell-Pope had 25 points to be able to run the football, you don’t want to get in just a for the Lakers off the bench, while Brandon pass mode. You’ve got to be able to chip some, you’ve got to Ingram fi nished with 17 points. be able to use play-action. You’ve got to be able to change Oklahoma City improved to 24-13 with some things up formationally to present diff erent looks.” the win to remain third in the Western Con- The Texans sit on the opposite end of the spectrum af- ference, with the Lakers in eighth spot at ter surrendering an NFL-high 62 sacks of quarterback De- 21-17. shaun Watson. Additionally, Houston struggled running the ball down the stretch, losing twice during a three-game LEVEL 42 FOR EMBIID span in which it totalled 198 yards on 61 rush attempts. In Phoenix, Cameroon international Joel Watson accounted for 110 of those yards while the running Embiid led the way for the Philadelphia backs averaged 2.0 yards per carry. 76ers with a 42-point display in a high- Indianapolis sacked Watson 12 times during the two reg- scoring 132-127 victory over the Suns. ular-season meetings. The Texans understand that provid- Embiid exploded for 30 points in the fi rst ing Watson a clean pocket via pass protection plus an eff ec- half alone before eventually fi nishing with tive ground game is the best course of action for securing a 18 rebounds and two assists. win and an appearance in the divisional playoff round. Ben Simmons had 29 points while JJ “Just everyone get on the same page,” Watson said of Redick weighed in with 27 points as the the Texans lowering the sack total. “Get the ball out a little Sixers were made to work hard for the win quicker, make quicker decisions, throw the ball away and down the stretch after a determined Phoe- Paul George (left) of the Oklahoma City Thunder reacts to his alley-oop dunk during a 107-100 win over the Los Angeles Lakers at Staples try to protect myself as much as I can.” nix fi ghtback. Center in Los Angeles, California. (Getty Images/AFP) Devin Booker led the Suns scoring with 37 points but Phoenix remain fi rmly rooted Davis’s haul of rebounds beat his own pre- 102 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves to the foot of the Western Conference with vious single-game record of 22 from Janu- RESULTS at the TD Garden. a 9-30 record. ary 2017, and was more than the rest of Dallas 122-84 Charlotte Hayward, who returned to fi tness this Elsewhere Wednesday, Anthony Davis the Pelicans managed together (15). Davis season after missing most of the 2017-2018 fi nished with 34 points and 26 rebounds but brushed off discussion about his personal Miami 117-92 Cleveland campaign following a horrifi c leg injury, was unable to prevent New Orleans slipping display following the defeat. “It doesn’t Washington 114-98 Atlanta tormented Minnesota with a superb display to a 126-121 defeat against the Brooklyn matter about numbers. I was only worried Brooklyn 126-121 New Orleans of shooting in the second quarter and down Nets. about the win. We didn’t get that tonight, so the stretch to lead Boston to victory. Davis, who missed the Pelicans’ fi nal my numbers don’t matter. We’ve got to do Boston 115-102 Minnesota “He got back in the gym this morning, game of 2018 after falling ill on Monday, a better job on the defensive end,” he said. Orlando 112-84 Chicago you could tell he was going to play very well,” produced a dazzling display to launch the The loss was New Orleans’ eighth defeat Detroit 101-94 Memphis Celtics coach Brad Stevens said of Hayward. New Year, but ultimately could not drag in 11 games and comes as Davis’s future with “He’s feeling better day by day, and hasn’t New Orleans over the line at the Barclays the franchise is the subject of renewed spec- Philadelphia 132-127 Phoenix had any setbacks recently which is positive.” Center. ulation. The 25-year-old power forward has Oklahoma 107-100 Lakers The Celtics, who were once again without The Pelicans fell to 17-22 after the de- been strongly linked with a move to the Los Kyrie Irving (eye injury), also had big con- feat and are one place off the bottom of the Angeles Lakers, where LeBron James has re- Elsewhere Wednesday, Gordon Hayward tributions from Terry Rozier, who fi nished Western Conference standings. cently spoken of his enthusiasm for forging delivered a season-high 35-point haul from with 16 points, Al Horford (15) and Marcus ‘NUMBERS DON’T MATTER’ a partnership with the Pelicans ace. the bench to give the Boston Celtics a 115- Morris (12). Indianapolis Colts’ Andrew Luck.

NHL Pettersson’s 3 goals do the trick as Canucks beat Sens And Mike McKenna sported Canucks game winning streak snapped. Henrik Lun- Reuters RESULTS Ottawa colors as he sat on their bench after walk- dqvist took the loss after giving up six goals Vancouver 4-3 Ottawa ing over from the Senators dressing room on just 18 shots before he was chased in the earlier in the day while carrying a garbage third period. Calgary 5-3 Detroit lias Pettersson scored three goals, bag with his belongings. Alexandar Georgiev stopped six of sev- including the overtime winner, as Pittsburgh 7-2 Rangers McKenna, a 35-year-old St. Louis na- en shots in relief. The two teams played a the visiting Vancouver Canucks Dallas 5-4 New Jersey tive, has logged just 34 NHL career games. scoreless fi rst before the Penguins unload- edged the Ottawa Senators 4-3 on San Jose 5-4 Colorado However, he has now donned the jerseys of ed in the second. WednesdayE night. 21 diff erent pro teams in three leagues. Aston-Reese opened the scoring by tak- Pettersson completed his fi rst career Edmonton 3-1 Arizona ing a no-look pass from Matt Cullen, who hat trick at 1:38 of the extra session as he Duchene created a 1-1 tie less than four PENGUINS STREAK PAST RANGERS, was stationed behind the net, and fi ring a converted a pass from Brock Boeser. A minutes later, putting in Bobby Ryan’s re- WIN 7TH STRAIGHT shot past Rangers defenseman Kevin Shat- 20-year-old Swedish rookie, Pettersson bound as the Senators converted on a power Zach Aston-Reese, Jake Guentzel and tenkirk and under Lundqvist’s arm 6:29 now has 11 multi-point games. play. Pettersson gave the Canucks a 2-1 lead Kris Letang scored within a span of less into the period. The Canucks posted their ninth win in at 15:26 of the middle frame as he put in a than six minutes in the second period Guentzel doubled the lead with 8:49 13 games, while the struggling Senators wrist shot to culminate a three-way scoring on Wednesday night for the Pittsburgh left in the period, when his shot from just suff ered their sixth straight loss (0-5-1). play that involved Boeser and Edler. Penguins, who continued surging beyond the faceoff circle sailed past Lun- Sven Baertschi recorded a goal and an Pettersson’s second goal on a one-timer with a 7-2 win over the host New York dqvist as the Rangers goalie tried closing assist, while Alex Edler collected three as- off a pass from Edler came during a power Rangers. his arms around the puck. sists, and Boeser provided a pair. play, putting the Canucks ahead 3-1 fi ve Dominik Simon, Evge- Letang swiped the puck deep in the Matt Duchene, Christian Wolanin and minutes into the third period. ni Malkin, Tanner Pearson Rangers’ zone and went in untouched for Mark Stone tallied for the Senators, who However, the Senators pulled back and Sidney Crosby also scored an unassisted goal to give the Penguins a were outshot 45-33 but rallied from a 3-1, within a goal on Wolanin’s unassisted for the Penguins, who have won sev- 3-0 lead just 69 seconds later. third-period defi cit. power-play marker at 10:51 of the fi nal en straight to move into second place The Rangers momentarily stemmed Vancouver goaltender Jacob Markstrom frame. in the Metropolitan Division, a point the tide when Strome redirected a shot by made 30 saves as he posted his ninth win Then Stone forced overtime as he con- ahead of the Columbus Blue Jackets Brady Skjei a mere 22 second later. in 10 games. verted a pass from Ryan Dzingel with 50 and a point behind the Washington But the Penguins again extended the Ottawa rookie netminder Marcus Hog- seconds left in regulation and Hogberg Capitals. lead to three goals when Malkin hit a berg recorded 41 saves in only his third pulled in favor of an extra attacker. Matt Murray earned his sixth victory of streaking Simon in stride before Simon NHL game. Ironically, Vancouver’s and Ottawa’s the Penguins’ winning streak by recording beat Lundqvist from point-blank range The Canucks scored on two of fi ve pow- backup goaltenders switched teams earlier 28 saves. with 4:15 left in the period. er plays while the Senators were good on 1 in the day as they were included in a multi- Murray is unbeaten since returning to The teams traded goals within a 19-second of 3. player trade involving fringe players. action Dec. 15 following a month-long span early in the third, when Malkin and Buch- Baertschi opened the scoring on a power As a result, Anders Nilsson sat on the stint on the shelf due to a lower-body in- nevich scored at 1:03 and 1:22, respectively. play at 8:48 of the second period as he put Ottawa bench after playing in Vancouver’s jury. Pearson ended Lundqvist’s night by Vancouver Canucks’ Sven Baertschi celebrates a goal scored by in a rebound after defl ecting Edler’s slap previous game, a 4-0 loss in New Jersey, Ryan Strome and Pavel Buchnevich scoring at 4:40. Crosby added an unas- center Elias Pettersson (right) in the third period against the Ottawa shot into Hogberg. on Monday. scored for the Rangers, who had a two- sisted insurance goal with 6:04 left. Senator at the Canadian Tire Centre. PICTURE: USA TODAY Sports Gulf Times Friday, January 4, 2019 7 SPORT

SPOTLIGHT Formula One pays tribute to Schumacher at 50 Schumacher now lives a sheltered existence at the family’s mansion by the shores of Lake Geneva in the town of Gland doing everything humanly possible to help him,” the family said in a rare statement on Wednesday that also announced the launch of a Michael Schumacher app.

TREMENDOUS IMPACT Yesterday’s focus was on celebrat- ing a champion who holds the records for most titles and wins (91), even if Britain’s fi ve-time champion Lewis Hamilton is closing in. The Formula One website declared ‘Schumacher Week’, with stories and interviews looking back on the career of a man who retired in 2012 after a three-year comeback with Mercedes. “Michael has had a tremendous im- pact on Formula One,” said Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff in a statement. “Not only did he set an incred- ible record — a record that is yet to be beaten — but he also shaped and changed the sport forever,” added the Austrian of a driver whose Formula One debut with Jordan at Spa in 1991 was funded by Mercedes. “As a driver, Michael took Formula One to a whole new level with his at- tention to detail and his technical knowledge. File photo of Mercedes Formula One driver Michael Schumacher of Germany “He did everything with great de- gesturing during a photo call before the Brazilian F1 Grand Prix at Interlagos termination, from his engineering circuit in Sao Paulo November 25, 2012. debriefs to his physical training, and was always searching for new ways to always created a great impression and mind-management and ability to gel a File photo of Ferrari Formula One driver Michael Schumacher of Germany lifting the trophy after winning the Italian Grand improve his on-track performance.” a great loyalty.” team around him set him apart. Prix at the Monza race track in northern Italy on September 10, 2006. Formula One’s managing direc- Schumacher spent 18 seasons, over He was also a family man, fi ercely tor for motorsport Ross Brawn, a key a 21-year period, in Formula One and guarding his privacy away from the Reuters in public since he suff ered severe brain president of the sport’s governing body player in Schumacher’s career at Ben- took at least one win in 15 successive track. London injuries in a recreational skiing acci- the International Automobile Federa- etton and Ferrari and also as Mercedes campaigns (1992-2006). Hamilton Son Mick, 19, is now set to debut in dent in the French Alps fi ve years ago. tion (FIA), on Twitter. boss before Wolff , spoke from the has so far done that for 12 in a row. Formula Two, the rung below Formula “Our champ turns 50 today. We’re Schumacher now lives a sheltered heart. The German’s career was also One, this year after winning the Euro- even-time world champion all with you Michael #KeepFighting,” existence at the family’s mansion by “I think one of the things I’d say clouded by controversy, his achieve- pean F3 title while 21-year-old daugh- Michael Schumacher turned said Ferrari, celebrating a driver who the shores of Lake Geneva in the town about Michael from throughout his ments countered by the feeling that ter Gina-Marie is a rising equestrian 50 yesterday with Formula One won fi ve titles in a row for the Italian of Gland, Switzerland, with his wife career is that people who worked with he benefi ted from the best car and a talent. and his fans paying tribute to team between 2000 and 2004. Corinna and children highly protec- him never had a bad word to say about subservient teammate throughout his “Happy Birthday to the best dad,” theS sport’s most successful driver with “Michael, you’ve always been a tive of his privacy. him,” the Briton said in a Formula One Ferrari years. she said in an Instagram post accom- a mixture of celebration and sorrow. fi ghter and you always will be,” said “You can be sure that he is in the podcast. But his talent was indisputable, panying old photographs of her smiling The German great has not been seen former Ferrari boss Jean Todt, the very best of hands and that we are “Within the teams he worked in, he particularly in wet conditions, and his father in racing overalls.

BOTTOMLINE GOLF New rules to be Down Syndrome competitor to tournament make Dakar Rally history tested in Hawaii

Justin Thomas plays a shot during a practice round prior to the Sen- try Tournament of Champions at Kapalua Golf Club Plantation in Lahaina, Hawaii.

Reuters pared for the tournament. Maui, Hawaii “That’s the only time I would pull the fl ag out. Any time I’ve got a putt over 10 feet I’ll prob- new year kicks off on ably be leaving it in, especially if the PGA Tour in Hawaii it’s uphill.” at a tournament where Fellow American Justin Tho- the rules might get as mas, however, said he would not muchA attention as the leader- be putting with the fl agstick in. board. “If I’ve got an eight-footer to Peruvian co-driver Lucas Barron, 25, poses for a picture at a mechanics workshop in Lima, where his car is being prepared to take part in the upcoming Rally Dakar. A raft of changes came into win, I can’t take myself seriously eff ect on Jan. 1 in the biggest if I have the pin in,” the 2017 AFP He says he’s “ready and able to overcome the desert eration licence to participate in the Dakar,” Barron told rewrite of the regulations in PGA Championship winner told Lima dunes.” AFP. He said his son is afraid of nothing and knows what decades and will get their fi rst reporters. A fan of both rock and hip hop music, Barron says he to do if there is a problem. professional test at the Kapalua While the option of removing will provide important mechanical assistance to his fa- “He knows how to look at the temperature of the belt, Plantation course on the island the pin is easy to understand, ucas Barron will make history on Sunday when ther. the oil and tyre pressure,” said Barron, who has compet- of Maui. other rule changes are more he lines up on the Dakar 2019 starting line in “I’m going to help him look at the engine, the road and ed in the Dakar fi ve times. Perhaps the most noticeable complicated, and Thomas said Peru, becoming the fi rst person with Down Syn- the tyres,” said Barron. He is familiar with the Peruvian “Lucas’s eyes will be the cars’ eyes to avoid crashing change is that players can now he expected players would err on drome to take part in the gruelling race. terrain that will host the entirety of the Dakar rally this into another car or any object. leave the pin in while putting, the side of caution at fi rst. LThe 25-year-old, who will be co-pilot for his father year after Argentina, Chile, Paraguay and Bolivia de- “People with Down Syndrome can develop certain something that previously was “I think you’ll see it across the Jacques, will tackle the world’s most demanding rally: a clined the opportunity due to austerity measures. abilities: Lucas can play any sport.” not allowed. fi eld especially these fi rst couple 5,000 kilometre (3,000 mile), 10-day marathon, 70% of In September, he was co-pilot alongside his father in The Dakar will be run from January 6-17, starting in Bryson DeChambeau, who (of) months, everybody’s going which will be raced over sand. the Desafi o Inca race that acted as preparation for the Peru’s capital Lima and traversing the southern regions majored in physics at univer- to be calling a rules offi cial in as “Our aim is to fi nish the race and achieve our goal,” a main event and took on the dunes of Ica, in the south of of Ica, Arequipa, Moquegua and down to Tacna on the sity, turned some heads last year much possible,” he said. beaming Barron told AFP. Peru. border with Chile. when he said his analysis had “But I’ve tried to study up... “This race is brilliant for me. It will be easy because The “Barron x 2” team fi nished seventh. The longest, and toughest stage will cover 370 kilo- determined it was generally ad- you would hate to get penal- we know the route.” While Down Syndrome can cause lifelong intellectual metres from Arequipa to Tacna on January 10. vantageous to leave the pin in. ised just for making a mistake Barron, who has been training for a year and a half disability and development delays, those with the con- The Barron team’s main aim is simply to fi nish the The world number fi ve has not for something you’ve done your alongside his father, will ride on one of 500 vehicles tak- dition can still lead fulfi lling lives. race. changed his mind in the ensu- whole life, so it will be diff erent.” ing part in the race. He will compete in the UTV category Jacques Barron, a 55-year-old engineer, told AFP that Lucas Barron has the support of one of his idols, fi ve- ing few months, though he said The 34-man fi eld in Hawaii is for off -road four-wheel drive buggies, a class that was Dakar organisers had no problem with his son taking time motorbike winner Cyril Despres of France, a friend there would be one exception. restricted to 2018 winners on the added for the fi rst time in 2017. part. The requirements were the same as for any other of his father’s. “It gets tricky when the fl ag’s PGA Tour. Three players — Tiger Born in Lima, Barron has always been a keen sports- competitor: passing all the medical exams and supply- “Despres wrote to me on Facebook congratulating waving back and forth and I’ve Woods, Phil Mickelson and Jus- man despite his disability, taking part in swimming, ing the necessary documentation. me,” he said, adding that the Frenchman gave him a got a fi ve-footer and shadows,” tin Rose — qualifi ed but are not football, cycling, surfi ng and water-skiing. “Lucas already has the International Automobile Fed- signed shirt in 2017 — a treasured possession. he told Golf Channel as he pre- playing.

Friday, January 4, 2019 GULF TIMES SPORT

SPOTLIGHT We will compete fi ercely, says Qatar star Akram

wenty-two-year-old Akram ence, improve our physical fi tness and team. What are your personal ally, I don’t fear pressure, and if there’s was a new lesson. I was then loaned to Afi f is among the most talented understanding, and test a lot of tactical ambitions? pressure I’ll turn it into a positive. Sporting Gijon, and I had a chance to players Qatar has produced in plans. I believe we’re ready to translate I’m defi nitely excited about wearing If I fi nd myself under man-to-man feature in games. I was then loaned to recent times. He is the fi rst Qa- all that on to the pitch. the Qatar shirt and experiencing this pressure, that won’t be a big deal as Eupen again last season and after that, tariT to have appeared in Spain’s La Liga. great honour. From day one, I dreamed I’m not the only player in the team. My I received an off er from Al Sadd. I’m He also helped Qatar clinch the Asian You have been drawn in Group about taking part in tournaments like teammates are capable of compensat- happy with what I’m doing here this U-19 title in 2014 and book their place at E with Lebanon, Korea DPR and this. I remember being a supporter ing for that in their own positions. We season. I hope I’ll be able to help the the FIFA U-20 World Cup the following Saudi Arabia. How do you expect of the team during the 2011 fi nals in know the coach has eff ective solutions club regain the league title and other year. More recently, Afi f turned heads those games to unfold? Qatar. Eight years later, my dream is to all these tactical issues. I’m fully trophies, especially after we missed with Al Sadd in the AFC Champions A: None of those are easy teams since coming true. I hope I can meet the convinced that no single player in the out on the Champions League title. I’m League last term and has impressed in they’ve all made it to the fi nals. Our expectations of the fans and give them world can do the job of a whole team. still a Villarreal player, and I’ll see how the domestic league this season. In this fi rst game will be against Lebanon and the happiness they deserve. I’m not Football is a game of teamwork. things develop at the end of the season. chat with FIFA.com, Afi f talks about his usually the opening matches are tough interested in personal accolades. I’m hopes and aspirations. as each side is trying to avoid defeat. completely focused on serving my You made history when you be- The national team is preparing for But we’ll insist on going for all three team so we can all achieve our ultimate came the fi rst Qatari to play in La the 2022 World Cup. How do you The 2019 AFC Asian Cup is almost points because that’s the key to further goal of raising Qatar’s football profi le. Liga. How would you describe that see the next stage developing? ready for kick-off . How do you rate progress. In the second game, we’ll be experience? We’re all very enthusiastic, and every- Qatar’s chances in the competi- up against Korea DPR, a team with an You have impressed this season After the U-20 World Cup in 2015, one wants to have the honour of playing tion? east-Asian football style and we have with both the national team and I received an off er from Eupen in in this historic World Cup for the Qataris Akram Afi f: Everyone knows how an idea about how to play against them. Al Sadd. Do you feel any personal Belgium. I had the ambition of playing and every Arab. We know that the Qatari diffi cult these tournaments are. Every The third game will be against Saudi pressure and do you expect the in Europe because that’s the normal Football Association will organise a team will try to win the title. We’re Arabia, who featured at the World Cup other teams to single you out? route for development. I think I did series of training camps and interna- not short of enthusiasm and the last summer and acquired consider- I’ve reached this level thanks to well there, scoring eight goals in 26 tional games over the next four years to desire to compete fi ercely. We want able experience. comes and play the 90 hard work and perseverance with appearances. The following season, raise our level so that we’ll be fully ready. to go as far as possible. Our prepara- minutes of every match with a view to both club and national team. But the I received an off er from Villarreal in In the summer, we’ll participate in the tions have been more than excellent. qualifying. Then we’ll see what we do in credit mainly goes to the support of my Spain. I couldn’t have turned down 2019 Copa America. That’ll certainly be We’ve played a number of impressive the subsequent rounds. teammates and how we’ve implement- that opportunity. I moved there and an exciting experience. Playing against games against teams with various ed the coach’s instructions, as well as started a new experience in my career. historic teams and on Brazilian pitches playing styles in the past few months. This will be your fi rst major tour- our teamwork and belief that the team Everyone knows what La Liga means. will give us global experience, and from That’s helped us build our experi- nament with the senior national must always come fi rst. So, person- For me, every training session there that point we’ll build for the future.

HORSE RACING CRICKET Ban helped Samjida runs me ‘grow’, away with Dukhan allowed Champion trainer Jassim more family Mohamed Ghazali saddles Cup victory three winners on the day time: Warner

By Sports Reporter AFP then captain of the Australia team, Doha Dhaka were sent home in disgrace. The scandal also cost Warner his lucrative contract in the In- ohamed Jassim ustralian cricketer dian Premier League (IPL) last Ghazali-trained David Warner said April, when he was expected to Samjida was an im- yesterday that his one- lead the Sunrisers Hyderabad pressive winner in year suspension for franchise. Mthe Dukhan Cup, a 1700m race ball-tamperingA allowed him to Warner returned to franchise- on dirt for Purebred Arabian “grow as a human being” and based cricket in June last year fi llies and mares, at the Qatar spend more time with family. when he played in the inaugural Racing and Equestrian Club’s “Life has been good for me. I Global T20 tournament in Can- (QREC) Al Rayyan Park yester- have been spending time with ada before travelling to the West day. the family. I wouldn’t be able to Indies to play in the Caribbean The feature race saw JP Guil- do that if I wasn’t sitting in the Premier League. lambert guide the eight-year- sidelines,” Warner told reporters During this period he also old out of Gate 1 and on the rails, in Dhaka after he was unveiled as played grade cricket, where he holding a slight advantage going captain of the Bangladesh Pre- sometimes received a hostile re- on to the back straight. mier League (BPL) franchise Syl- ception from opponents. The Khalifa bin Sheail al-Ku- het Sixers. In addition to the BPL, Warner wari-owned mare pulled away “It is about getting the best is also expected to participate in going into the fi nal bend and the out of myself and growing as a this year’s IPL and said he hoped gap was too much for the rest of human being. My most impor- his performance would encour- the fi eld to cover as Guillambert tant thing was being a father and age his selection in the national eased his mount to a comfort- husband at home. side for the 50-over World Cup able victory with a little less “Now it is down to playing in England this year. than three lengths to spare at cricket again and making sure “It is up to the selectors the post. I get Sylhet Sixers on top of the whether or not they want to pick A chase by Umm Qarn’s Da- table.” me,” he said. baab put her in second spot Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club (QREC) Racing manager Abdulla Rashid al-Kubaisi (third from right) with the winners of the Dukhan Cup The former Test vice-captain “At the end of the day, all I can under Mathieu Pelletan while after Samjida won the race for Purebred Arabians at the Al Rayyan Park yesterday. PICTURES: Juhaim of Australia is currently serving a do is score runs in this tourna- Jassim, the winning trainer’s fa- 12-month ban from international ment and the IPL, keep putting ther, had to settle for third with 4. Diego Des Vialettes (Gerald and state cricket for his role in a my hand up and making sure that Celeste De Ghazal crossing the Avranche). Won by: Nk, ¾, ½. ball-tampering scandal during I am the best person I can be,” he post with Harry Bentley in the Time: 2:00.41. Owner: Injaaz the third Test in South Africa in added. saddle. Stud. Trainer: Mohamed Jassim March last year. The BPL, which was hit by al- The victory was second on Ghazali. He was blamed as the instiga- legations of match-fi xing in its the day for the younger Ghazali, Race 5: 1. Comrade In Arms tor of an incident in which fi elder early years, will run from January whose ward, Saa’d, topped the (Saleem Golam), 2. Suprematism Cameron Bancroft attempted to 5 to February 8. Purebred Arabian Maiden Plate (Tomas Lukasek), 3. Tuff Rock alter the ball with a piece of yel- The 50-over World Cup will be event earlier in the day, and also (Theo Bachelot), 4. Ras Mlaejy low sandpaper. played in England from May 30- for Guillambert. (Jean Baptiste Hamel). Won Warner and Steve Smith, the July 14. The older Ghazali completed by: 4 ¾, ¼, 2 ¾. Time: 2:03.42. a treble when al-Kuwari’s Ast- Owner: Hassan Ali al-Abdulmalik. ley Hall topped the fi ve-furlong Trainer: Ahmed Kobeissi. Class 2 Thoroughbreds sprint, Race 6: 1. Woodkid (Theo Bach- the penultimate race of the day. elot), 2. Alizoom (Ryan Curatolo), Guillambert was astride the six- 3. Take A Nap (JP Guillambert), 4. year-old gelding for the victory. Crisscrossed (Stephan Ladjadj). Champion trainer Ghazali Won by: 2, Shd, 1 ½. Time: 1:49.29. and jockey Marco Casamento Owner: His Highness Sheikh combined for two victories on Mohamed bin Khalifa al-Thani. the day — fi rst with High Horse Trainer: Julian Smart. shedding his maiden status ear- Race 7: 1. AJS Wathanan (Marco lier in the day, and then with Casamento), 2. Baker De Saularie AJS Wathanan racing to an im- (Stephan Ladjadj), 3. Diese pressive four-length victory in (Ronan Thomas), 4. Bsheer the 1900m Purebred Arabian (Faleh Bughanaim). Won by: 4, Handicap for horses rated 90 2 1/4, 2 1/2. Time: 2:14.69. Owner: and below. Al Ghazali Stud. Trainer: Jassim Julian Smart-schooled Mohamed Ghazali. Woodkid registered his third Race 8: 1. Astley Hall (JP Guil- career victory when Theo lambert), 2. Cristofano Allori Bachelot, riding in the silks (Stephan Ladjadj), 3. My Sharona of His Highness Sheikh Mo- JP Guillambert rides Samjida to a victory in the Dukhan Cup at the Al Rayyan Park yesterday. (Ryan Curatolo), 4. Adham (Rash- hamed bin Khalifa al-Thani, id Ali al-Marri). Won by: 2 1/2, 1/2, helmed the five-year-old colt rade In Arms, won a Thorough- Mugheerat Stud. Trainer: Wasim Race 3: 1. High Horse (Marco 2. Time: 00:58.14. Owner: Khalifa to a comfortable two-length bred novice plate event for his al-Sahn. Casamento), 2. Hitchslap (Rashid bin Sheail al-Kuwari. Trainer: Jas- victory in the Thoroughbred fi rst victory in Qatar. Race 2: 1. La Perla (Jimmy Ali al-Marri), 3. Al Hasnaa (JP sim Mohamed Ghazali. Handicap for horses rated 85 Quinn), 2. Nayer Bu Thaila Guillambert), 4. Hadeer (Meteb Race 9: 1. Samjida (JP Guil- and below. RESULTS (Eduardo Pedroza), 3. Charles De Ali al-Marri). Won by: 5 ½, ¼, lambert), 2. Dabaab (Mathieu Wasim al-Sahn-trained Al Race 1: 1. Al Asaa (Rashid Ali Gaulle (Theo Bachelot), 4. Black 2. Time: 1:12.15. Owner: Injaaz Pelletan), 3. Celeste De Ghazal Asaa and Ibrahim al-Malki- al-Marri), 2. Sharhan Azzam Forest (Adnan Hawa). Won by: Stud. Trainer: Jassim Mohamed (Harry Bentley), 4. Ellianka (To- schooled La Perla were among (Tomas Lukasek), 3. Sereen (JP 1 ¼, 1 ½, 1. Time: 1:15.26. Owner: Ghazali. mas Lukasek). Won by: 2 3/4, 7 the Thoroughbreds, who shed Guillambert), 4. Adaam Bu Thaila Sheikh Ahmed bin Jassim bin Race 4: 1. Saa’d (Harry Bentley), 3/4, 13. Time: 1:58.10. Owner: Kha- their maiden status yesterday. (Gerald Avranche). Won by: Nk, Thani al-Thani. Trainer: Ibrahim 2. Ennab (Ryan Curatolo), 3. lifa bin Sheail al-Kuwari. Trainer: Ahmed Kobeissi’s ward, Com- ¾, 2, Time: 1:15.56. Owner: Al al-Malki. Alanoud (Jean Baptiste Hamel), Mohamed Jassim Ghazali.