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Monday, December 19, 2016 NBA Rabia I 20, 1438 AH LeBron helps GULF TIMES rested Cavaliers down Lakers 119-108 SPORT Page 5 CLUB WORLD CUP Real survive scare to win Cup

Reuters saki changed the story by levelling one Kashima continued to give as good Tokyo minute before halftime. as they got and had three good chances Kashima were the fi rst Asian team to in the fi nal minutes of normal time. reach the fi nal although they qualifi ed Fabricio’s goalbound drive was eal Madrid suff ered an al- for the tournament as champions of tipped over by Navas and the Costa mighty fright before a Cris- host nation Japan. Rican goalkeeper came to the rescue tiano Ronaldo hat-trick Asian champions Jeonbuk Motors again one minute later by blocking Mu hauled them back from 2-1 had lost in the quarter-fi nals. Kanazaki’s shot after he got free of the Rdown and gave them a 4-2 win over “We knew it was not going to be an Real defence. rank outsiders in the easy one. They were very aggressive,” could have won it Club World Cup fi nal yesterday. Real coach Zinedine Zidane told re- with the last kick but fi red wide at the Two goals from Gaku Shibasaki porters. far post while Sergio Ramos was lucky stunned the European champions as the Real went ahead when Luka Modric’s to escape a second yellow card for a Japanese hosts took a 2-1 lead early in volley was parried by Hitoshi Sogahata push on an opponent, a decision which the second half before a Ronaldo penalty and Benzema tapped in the rebound. Kashima coach Masatada Ishii said brought Real level on the hour. Kashima refused to be overawed, “lacked courage”. The 11-times European champions continued playing their neat football Ronaldo ended Kashima’s dream then survived several more scares and and snatched a shock equaliser just when he collected Benzema’s sliderule a possible sending-off for captain Ser- before the break. pass and fi red past Sogahata eight min- gio Ramos before Ronaldo scored twice Shoma Doi’s cross found Shibasaki, utes into extra-time, then settled the more in the fi rst period of extra-time. whose fi rst touch was poor but he was match six minutes later with an emphat- Real, who won the tournament for gifted a second attempt when Raphael Real Madrid players celebrate with their trophy after winning the Club World Cup football final match against Kashima ic fi nish into the roof of the net. the second time in three years and Varane failed to clear and he smashed Antlers of Japan in Yokohama yesterday. “We gave Real Madrid problems,” were crowned champions for a fi fth the ball into the net. said Ishii. “That’s what we were able time overall, appeared set for an easy Shibasaki struck again six minutes three opponents and fi red a low shot since they lost to VfL Wolfsburg in by Shuto Yamamoto and Ronaldo con- to do. But we made small mistakes in victory when Karim Benzema gave after the break when he collected a past Keylor Navas from 25 metres. April, a run of 36 competitive games, verted the resulting penalty on the positioning and judgment so it’s frus- them a ninth-minute lead but Shiba- poor Real clearance, got away from Real were facing their fi rst defeat until Lucas Vazquez was bundled over hour. trating.” Gulf Times 2 Monday, December 19, 2016 FOOTBALL

SPOTLIGHT AIM Klopp eyes festive City sink Arsenal derby spoils to revive title bid,

Spurs battle back Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp. AFP the ’s top scorers, Liverpool with 40 goals from 16 matches. Guardiola’s side recovered from Walcott’s early opener as second half goals from Considering the fi tness prob- lems of Daniel Sturridge and Sane and Sterling delivered the knockout blows in a heavyweight clash at Eastlands iverpool cannot lead Philippe Coutinho, it is of great the Premier League on encouragement to Klopp. Christmas Day, so the Striker Sturridge may be able best present their fans to play some part at Goodison Lcan wish for is victory at neigh- Park after missing the last fi ve bours Everton in today’s 227th matches with a calf injury. . But Brazilian playmaker Jurgen Klopp’s side were top Coutinho’s ankle injury, sus- of the table briefl y last month, tained against Sunderland last but seem to have overcome the month, will keep him out until at stumble since then that caused least the visit of Manchester City them to lose signifi cant ground on New Year’s Eve. on current leaders Chelsea. Emre Can could return to the Klopp made a big call by drop- midfi eld after a two-game absence ping goalkeeper Loris Karius with a minor knee problem. after uncertain performances Centre-back Joel Matip contin- against Bournemouth and West ues to struggle with ankle trouble, Ham United. meaning Klopp is likely to stick He was rewarded at Middles- with Ragnar Klavan alongside De- brough on Wednesday as Simon jan Lovren at the back. Mignolet kept a clean sheet in a “It will just be time,” Klopp said 3-0 victory that moved Liver- of Matip. “There will be no surgery, pool back up to second place. there is not even a risk of it. It is only Adam Lallana was also a sig- about resting the injury or not. Try it nifi cant factor in that victory, every day or give it a few days. That scoring twice to take his goal to- is what we already did. tal to three in two matches since “Against West Ham it was his return to the starting line-up possible to play, but then against following a groin problem. Middlesbrough it was not.” Lallana has established himself Injury troubles aside, Liver- as one of the English top division’s pool have good reason for op- most threatening attacking play- timism going into the derby, ers, with six assists to go with his having not lost any of their last six Premier League goals. 12 meetings with Everton in all That is a signifi cant improve- competitions. ment for a player who managed Ronald Koeman’s side have at only four league goals and six as- least managed to halt their slide sists over the whole of last season. down the table, winning for only Liverpool have found ways to the second time in 11 matches as share the goals around. they came from a goal down to They went into the weekend as beat Arsenal 2-1 on Tuesday.

APPRECIATION Manchester City’s English midfielder Raheem Sterling (R) celebrates scoring his team’s second goal during the English Premier League football match against Arsenal yesterday. Mourinho hails AFP suddenly becomes a distant memory. minute when England forward Sterling forward Jay Rodriguez bagged a brace to London Guardiola’s latest stab at fi nding the beat Cech at his near post. inspire his side’s 3-1 win against local ri- right formula in City’s creaky defence vals Bournemouth. Ibrahimovic impact saw the Spaniard again leave out John LETHAL FINISH Rodriguez hadn’t scored in the league anchester City breathed Stones and deploy full-back Aleksandar While Arsenal stumbled, their north since August but he ended that barren fresh life into their Premier Kolarov alongside Nicolas Otamendi. London rivals Tottenham battled back to stretch with a second half double in the League title challenge as they But it took Arsenal only fi ve minutes to defeat Burnley at White Hart Lane. south coast derby at Dean Court. came from behind to secure a expose City’s soft centre as Alexis Sanchez Burnley stole the lead against the run Claude Puel’s team had fallen behind to Mcrucial 2-1 win over Arsenal, while Tot- caressed a fi ne pass behind Otamendi to of play in the 21st minute when George Nathan Ake’s early opener, but Ryan Ber- tenham beat Burnley 2-1 to close the gap Walcott, who dispatched a cool fi nish past Boyd’s cross came off Moussa Dembele trand levelled soon after to set the stage on the top four yesterday. Claudio Bravo from close-range. and Ashley Barnes was alert to convert for one of the better days in recent mem- Pep Guardiola’s side recovered from Showing impressive composure, Guar- his side’s fi rst away league goal in open ory for the injury plagued Rodriguez. Theo Walcott’s early opener as second diola’s team monopolised possession af- play this season. ’s second win in their last half goals from Leroy Sane and Raheem ter that and Sterling almost equalised But Mauricio Pochettino’s men were nine away league matches lifted them Sterling delivered the knockout blows in when he headed just wide from Kevin de level fi ve minutes later through England into seventh place, while Bournemouth a heavyweight clash at Eastlands. Bruyne’s cross. midfi elder Dele Alli, who made a well- remain in mid-table. City’s second win in fi ve days lifted City’s territorial dominance was re- timed run to meet Kyle Walker’s cross Now to see what happens next week. them into second place and closed the warded in the 47th minute when David with a lethal fi nish. gap on leaders Chelsea to seven points Silva’s pass picked out Leroy Sane and Tottenham’s winner arrived in the 71st RESULTS ahead of the busy Christmas period. the German winger beat the off side trap minute when Moussa Sissoko’s found Bournemouth 1 (Ake 6) Southampton 3 Just days after squandering the lead in to slot home. Rose in space and the England left-back (Bertrand 14, Rodriguez 48, 85) a late loss at Everton, Arsenal’s second Unable to stem the tide, Arsenal need- smashed home at the near post to move Manchester City 2 (Sane 47, Sterling 71) File picture of Manchester United’s Zlatan Ibrahimovic. successive defeat leaves the fourth placed ed a series of saves from Petr Cech to his fi fth placed team within one point of Arsenal 1 (Walcott 5) Gunners languishing nine points behind keep them level, but the Gunners defence the top four. Tottenham 2 (Alli 27, Rose 71) Burnley 1 AFP nifi cent in their attitude,” Mour- Chelsea as their 14-match unbeaten run was fi nally breached again in the 71st Elsewhere on Sunday, Southampton (Barnes 21) West Bromwich inho added. “But he is not just a normal player, he’s in a position where BOTTOMLINE ose Mourinho hailed Zla- you cannot hide and just play with tan Ibrahimovic after the experience. Amazing central de- veteran striker scored fenders can play until they are re- twice to secure Manches- ally older but as a striker you can- terJ United a fourth consecutive not hide and he’s doing very well. victory with a 2-0 win at West “We communicate, we ex- Bromwich Albion. change ideas at his situation and Chelsea’s best yet to come: Conte The United manager sang the his feeling and up until now he is praises of the evergreen Ibrahi- feeling great.” AFP to do something important this will miss the next match against movic after he struck early in each Meanwhile, the Portuguese London season.” Bournemouth after collecting a half as United moved alongside played down an altercation be- fi fth yellow card of the season. fi fth-placed Tottenham on 30 tween Salomon Rondon and Mar- BLISTERING STREAK Chelsea midfi elder N’Golo points the Premier League table. cos Rojo, which saw the Venezue- ntonio Conte insists While Chelsea’s blistering streak Kante will also be suspended for “He is doing amazingly well, lan striker appear to slap United’s there is more to come makes them fi rm favourites to that game and Conte admitted even in the period when he was Argentina international. from Chelsea after a win the title two years after they the loss of two important players not scoring goals,” said Mourinho. “I was happy with the deci- 1-0 victory at Crystal were last crowned champions, came as a blow. “He is important to us for sion, it was correct,” he said. PalaceA gave the leaders a club Conte isn’t getting carried away “I must be honest, I hoped many more reasons than the “The referee did fi ne.” record-equalling 11th successive just yet. for Diego to arrive at the game goals but in the last two matches Mourinho was clearly in a fes- league win. “We still have two games before against Stoke without the yel- he has scored three goals and got tive mood and ordered his play- Saturday’s success at Selhurst the end of the fi rst half of the sea- low card. It didn’t happen. It’s a us six points in two away match- ers to throw their shirts to visit- Park underlined the dramatic son and then 19 games before we pity,” he said. es which is very important. ing supporters following the fi nal improvement overseen by Blues fi nish the season,” he said. “It’s a pity because he’s in a “I was expecting him to have whistle. boss Conte since he switched “Anything can happen. It’s good moment of form. He didn’t the impact he has had this sea- “I told them to do that,” he Chelsea’s formation to 3-4-3 important we continue to work deserve the yellow card today, son because I knew the reasons said. “It’s Christmas time and a during a defeat at Arsenal. in this way and see the will to I must be honest, but against he was coming here. He was not shirt for a fan coming direct from Since that loss, Chelsea have improve. Bournemouth we have eight coming for the money or the the game, with sweat means a been unstoppable, but while “We can improve though. You days to fi nd a diff erent solution. prestige, he was just coming to lot. For them it’s just one more Conte accepts it is down to the Chelsea manager Antonio Conte. can always improve in diff erent “For me, this can be an oppor- enjoy his football and to play in shirt. It is a pity that not every- manager to shape his players, aspects. I am pleased with this tunity to see other solutions or the best league in the world.” one can get one but for the ones he insists he would not be able very quickly the characteristics to try and improve. But I must level we have reached and with other ideas. But, if you ask me if The 35-year-old Ibrahimovic that get it, it is great.” to successfully implement a of my players. I needed a bit of be honest: you can bring your work we can improve. I’m disappointed to lose him and has now scored 16 times since However, Albion manager change in tactics without having time. idea of football but if you don’t “We are working very well and Kante, yes I’m disappointed.” joining the Old Traff ord club last Tony Pulis suggested that Ibra- the right players at his disposal. “I tried a diff erent solution be- have players who follow you, it are in a good position. We must Palace’s defeat extended the summer and is fl ourishing despite himovic should have been sent “I think, starting this season, fore changing the formation, but I doesn’t matter. not look at the table and con- club’s dismal run during 2016 and being in the twilight of his career. off for fl attening Dawson with the manager must be a tailor and think the most important thing is “I’m pleased for my play- tinue. We must not look at our manager Alan Pardew said: “We “I was very lucky in my ca- a crude aerial challenge. When try and fi nd the right fi t for the the mentality, our strong mental- ers. They deserve this because, rivals and continue work hard came so close in the FA Cup fi nal reer because I had a lot of players asked, Pulis remain tight-lipped, team,” he said. ity. Also the hard work we do on every day, I see their commit- ourselves.” but the back end of last season with enthusiasm and players in stating: “Ask the 28,000 sup- “For sure, for me, it wasn’t tactics, fi tness and other things. ment, their work-rate during Diego Costa’s goal secured gave us signs we needed to ad- the last phase of their career, 35, porters what they thought. I’m easy to arrive and understand “We touched diff erent aspects the training session, their will the win but the Spain striker dress. We needed to score goals.” 36, 37 and they were still mag- not commenting on it.” Gulf Times Monday, December 19, 2016 3 FOOTBALL

SERIE A Hart no match for Mertens as Napoli thrash Torino

AFP 29-year-old completed his hat-trick, troversial fashion only minutes later fano Pioli his fi rst away victory since he Milan including one from the spot, by the when Pepe Reina spilled the ball fol- replaced Dutchman Frank De Boer. 22nd minute as Napoli laid the founda- lowing a free kick by Adem Ljajic to of- Inter’s second win in succession tions for a win that moved them up to fer up a gift yards from goal. following a chastening 3-0 defeat ries Mertens (photo) put third place, eight points behind leaders Although Reina’s hands were cover- to Napoli a fortnight ago moves the four goals past England’s Joe Juventus, at the expense of stuttering ing the ball, Luca Rossettini stepped in Nerazzurri up to seventh place 15 points Hart as rampant Napoli com- AC Milan. to kick it away from the Spanish ‘keeper off top spot. pleted a memorable 5-3 win Hart was unlucky not to make con- and into the net. Hart did well to deny Juventus, bidding for a record sixth overD Torino to move up to third place in tact when Mertens struck a fi rst-time Marek Hamsik before a goalline clear- consecutive league title, moved seven Serie A yesterday. shot from just outside the box on 13 ance kept the Napoli tide at bay. points clear of Roma atop Serie A with Mertens has been pushed into the minutes following a well-worked cor- But Mertens kept his best for last, a 1-0 win over the capital side on Satur- main striker’s role by coach Maurizio ner by the hosts. But the Belgian’s shot the Belgian losing his marker in the day thanks to a sumptuous 14th minute Sarri to fi ll in for missing centre-for- was virtually unstoppable and he was area before sending a cheeky lob over a strike from Higuain. ward Arkaduisz Milik, who is scheduled soon on his way to a second after being rooted Hart and into the net from a dif- to return from a knee ligament injury in hauled down from behind in the area. fi cult angle. Results January. Mertens promptly stepped up to beat Mertens has now scored eight goals Sassuolo 0 Inter Milan 1 (Candreva The diminutive Belgium forward has Hart from the spot to double Napoli’s in his past three league games for Na- 47); Chievo 2 (Meggiorini 9, Pellissier seized the day in astonishing fashion lead fi ve minutes later. poli, scoring three times in a 5-0 rout 42-pen) Sampdoria 1 (Schick 90+4); for the southerners, who continue to Napoli were rampant and after Hart of Cagliari last week and once in a 2-1 Napoli 5 (Mertens 13, 18-pen, 22, 80, thrive following the departure of 36- saved twice, including a spectacular Champions League win at Benfi ca. He Chiriches 70) Torino 3 (Belotti 58, goal hero Gonzalo Higuain to Juventus one-handed eff ort at his near post, the has 10 league goals so far this season, Rossettini 76, Falque 84-pen); Pescara last summer. Mertens hit three goals in ‘keeper, racing to get back into position, two fewer than league-leading Edin 0 Bologna 3 (Masina 7, Dzemaili 41, a 5-0 rout of Cagliari last week to add to could only look on as Mertens picked up Dzeko (Roma) and Mauro Icardi (Inter). Krejci 57-pen); Udinese 2 (Thereau 43, a goal he scored against Benfi ca in a 2-1 the rebound from a defender’s leg to fi re thanks to Andrea Belotti’s strike on the home from Jose Callejon’s delivery on Elsewhere, Antonio Candreva struck 61) Crotone 0; Empoli 2 (Mchedlidze 8, Champions League win a fortnight ago. into the roof of the net. hour, Napoli restored their three-goal 70 minutes. a second-half winner as Inter Milan 72) Cagliari 0; AC Milan 0 Atalanta 0; At the San Paolo yesterday, the Although Torino came fi ghting back advantage when Vlad Chiriches tapped Toro hit their second, in some con- edged Sassuolo 1-0 to hand coach Ste- Juventus 1 (Higuain 14) Roma 0

BUNDESLIGA LIGUE 1 Balotelli double Costa’s 30m strike keeps Nice on top AFP Ruefl i in the Nice area. Paris Cape Verde international Tavares swept home to level and revive Dijon’s hopes of snapping ario Balotelli scored a seven-game winless run that twice on his return has seen them sucked into the to the starting line- relegation places. rescues Bayern up as Ligue 1 leaders But former Dijon defender MNice stretched their advantage Souquet atoned for his earlier at the top to four points with foul with a low strike across goal a 2-1 victory at home to Dijon that Balotelli poked in as the yesterday. fl ag stayed down despite replays The Italy striker made his showing the Italian was in an fi rst league start in six weeks off side position. after recovering from a calf in- Plea then struck the bar late against Darmstadt jury and converted a fi rst-half on as Nice sought to close out penalty to fi re Nice ahead at the the game, while Dijon fi nished Allianz Riviera. Julio Tavares re- with 10 men as captain Cedric ‘We are relieved, they were three important points, it would have been hard to plied with a spot-kick for Dijon Varrault picked up a second yel- fi ve minutes later, but Balotelli low card. have played Leipzig without them. But the way we played — that wasn’t FC Bayern’ turned home the winner early in On Saturday, Unai Emery’s the second half to send Nice sev- PSG slumped to a second defeat en points clear of reigning cham- in three matches after losing 2-1 AFP pions Paris Saint-Germain. at Guingamp. Berlin Second-place Monaco could Yannis Salibur and Nill de trim the gap back to just a single Pauw both found the target to point when they host Lyon. give Guingamp a two-goal lead ouglas Costa’s long-range strike Balotelli played a full 90 with Edinson Cavani’s 17th rescued Bayern Munich in their minutes and scored a late con- league goal of the season unable 1-0 victory at bottom side Darm- solation in Wednesday’s 3-2 to prevent the visitors sliding to stadt yesterday to reinstate his defeat against Bordeaux in the a fourth loss already this term. sideD as Bundesliga leaders before their French League Cup, with his showdown with RB Leipzig. return providing a timely boost Results Bayern host second-placed Leipzig for Lucien Favre’s men. Caen 3 (Karamoh 20, Santini 61, at the Allianz Arena on Wednesday in a Wylan Cyprien stung the Sane 90+3) Metz 0; Nice 2 (Balo- mouth-watering clash. Both teams are on palms of Baptiste Reynet with telli 32-pen, 50) Dijon 1 (Tavares 36 points, but the Bavarians lead on goal a free-kick midway through 37-pen); Guingamp 2 (Salibur 66, diff erence. Costa’s ferocious dipping shot the opening period and Nice De Pauw 70) PSG 1 (Cavani 80); from 30 metres out on 71 minutes was the grabbed the lead on 32 minutes Rennes 1 (Sio 71) Bastia 2 (Crivel- bright highlight of a lacklustre Bayern dis- after Alessane Plea was fouled li 59, Danic 63); Toulouse 1 (Jul- play as Darmstadt battled their illustri- by Yunis Abdelhamid. lien 84) Nancy 1 (Ait Bennasser ous opponents, running seven kilometres Balotelli converted from the 33); Lorient 2 (Philippoteaux 39, more as a team. spot for his fi rst league goal Cabot 90 Saint-Etienne 1 (Pajot Carlo Ancelotti’s Bayern had been tem- since October 30, although their 90+2); Montpellier 4 (Lasne 13, porarily usurped from top spot in Germany advantage was short-lived with Sessegnon 20, Mounie 84, Sylla for 24 hours by Leipzig’s impressive 2-0 Arnaud Souquet harshly penal- 90+2) Bordeaux 0; Angers 0 win at home to Hertha Berlin on Saturday. ised for a challenge on Vincent Nantes 2 (Gillet 19, Harit 48) However, this was a below-par display from Bayern, especially in the fi rst half, against a limited Darmstadt team who suf- fered their seventh straight league defeat. “We are relieved, they were three im- portant points, it would have been hard to have played Leipzig without them,” said Bayern goalkeeper Manuel Neuer. “But the way we played — that wasn’t FC Bayern.” With Jerome Boateng already out after Bayern Munich’s Brazilian midfielder Douglas Costa (right) celebrates after scoring against bottom side Darmstadt yesterday. (AFP) needing a shoulder operation, Bayern cap- tain Philipp Lahm withdrew just before Without Arjen Robben or Ribery on the stadt’s caretaker coach Ramon Berndro- hand corner. kick-off after pulling a thigh muscle in the fl anks, Bayern lacked a creative spark and th admitted he “idolised Ancelotti as a Darmstadt’s best chance came when warm-up and was replaced at right-back Costa made little inroads into the Darm- youngster”, but his side showed little re- midfi elder Peter Niemeyer headed straight by Rafi nha. With an eye on Leipzig, An- stadt defence, until his thunderbolt of a spect, created a few half chances and never at Neuer from a free-kick on 77 minutes. celotti rotated with both Germany mid- shot settled the result. allowed Munich’s stars time on the ball. Bayern defender Mats Hummels admit- fi elder Joshua Kimmich and Franck Ribery Bayern’s hot-shot striker Robert Ribery came on for the ineff ective Ar- ted his side must improve before the Leip- starting on the bench. Lewandowski was harassed by Darmstadt turo Vidal for the fi nal 20 minutes just zig showdown. The Italian coach had demanded a per- defenders whenever he got the ball. before Costa’s superb winner. Thomas “The respect is huge and it’s going to be formance with “maximum intensity”, but Ancelotti resorted to his prefered 4-3- Mueller pulled defenders away from the a demanding test. We will have to put in a Bayern did exactly the opposite, failing 3 formation, even though some of Mu- middle and with a clear view of goal, Costa top performance, a standard one isn’t go- to create a clear chance in the opening 25 nich’s biggest wins this season have been unleashed a fi erce shot from well outside ing to be good enough against a team like Nice’s Italian forward Mario Balotelli, wearing a Santa Claus bonnet, minutes at the Boellenfalltor stadium. achieved with a 4-2-3-1 line-up. Darm- the area which dipped inside the top left- that,” said the centre-back. walks on the pitch at the end of French L1 match against Dijon. (AFP) Atletico de down Kerala Blasters for second ISL title in three years IANS and Rafique scored while Elhadji Ndoye blasted over from 18 yards and Cedric Hengbart’s shot was acrobatically saved by ATK goalkeeper Debjit Majumder. tletico de Kolkata claimed their second (ISL) football title Blasters fined Rs 6 lakh for misconduct Ain three years, bettering Kerala Blasters Kerala Blasters were yesterday fined Rs 6 lakh in 4-3 (1-1 regulation time) via penalty shootout in two separate cases, for “team misconduct” and an excruciating final yesterday. “liability for spectator conduct”, in their league The match was tied 1-1 at the break and after game against NorthEast United on December 90 minutes of regulation time. Mohamed Rafi 4. The All India Football Federation’s (AIFF) dis- put the hosts ahead in the 37th minute and ciplinary committee sanctioned the fine under Henrique Sereno Fonseca equalised seven min- article 53A and 68, respectively, a release said. utes later at the Jawaharlal Nehru International Five Kerala players were sanctioned by the Stadium in Kochi. match referee during the match held at the Jewel Raja turned out to be the jewel in ATK’s Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Kochi, for which crown after calmly dispatching the last penalty the committee fined the home club Rs 2 lakh. after Sameehg Doutie, Borja Fernandez and Kerala Blasters were also held responsible for Javi Lara all converted their spot kicks. Only the home fans’ misconduct and damage to the Iain Hume’s shot was blocked by Kerala custo- stadium property and fined Rs 4 lakh. dian Graham Stack. The match ended 1-0 in favour of Kerala, The home team took first strike in the helping them reach the semi-finals and knock- shootout. Antonio German, Kervens Belfort ing NorthEast out in the process. Gulf Times 4 Monday, December 19, 2016 SPORT

BOXING DATE SET Middleweight great Golovkin to face Jacobs on Hopkins knocked out March 18 of ring in career fi nale ‘I hit him with four or five clean shots and they were good shots on the button’

AFP Los Angeles

ernard Hopkins’s bid to add a last chapter to a storied ring career ended Saturday with the 51-year-old former world championB spent sprawling out of the ring by Joe Smith. In a fi ght that Hopkins vowed would be his last the 27-year-old Smith — who wasn’t born when Hopkins launched his career in 1988 — ended proceedings with a series of blows that included one of his punishing right hands. Hopkins, who sagged against the ropes and then through them as Smith landed a fi nal left, fell backwards, hit- ting his head and twisting an ankle. When Hopkins was unable to make Gennady Golovkin is the IBF, WBC and WBA world title-holder. it back into the ring within the man- datory 20 seconds referee Jack Reiss AFP Golovkin, with a record of 36-0 that called a halt, making it a technical Los Angeles includes 33 knockouts, is one of the knockout for Smith at 53 seconds of most feared boxers fi ghting today. He the eighth round. has won 23 straight inside the distance “The fi ghter got hit with a legal azakhstan’s Gennady — most recently his brutal stoppage of punch, went out of the ring and was Golovkin will take on Ameri- Kell Brook in Britain in September. injured. It’s over,” Reiss said. can Daniel Jacobs to unify the Brook stepped up two weight divi- The result was booed by some of the World Boxing Association, sions to face Golovkin, whose rival 6,513 at the Forum in Los Angeles, and KInternational Boxing Federation and world middleweight champions had Hopkins insisted he was pushed, not World Boxing Council middleweight refused to fi ght him. punched out of the ring. titles in New York on March 18. Jacobs, 29, won his last outing, a “I’m really still in shock,” said Hop- The highly anticipated unifi cation rematch with Sergio Mora, by techni- kins, whose resume includes some of bout has been in the works for some cal knockout in September. He holds the biggest names of his generation and time, and both fi ghters tweeted Satur- the WBA’s secondary title behind “su- an astonishing 20 straight middleweight day that a deal had been done and the per world champion” Golovkin and is title defences beginning in 1994. fi ght set for Madison Square Garden. mandatory challenger at middleweight Hopkins became the oldest boxer in “It’s offi cial, I’m fi ghting Danny and boasts a record of 32-1, with 29 history to win a major title when de- Jacobs on March 18 at MSG,” Golovkin, knockouts. feated Tavoris Cloud in 2013. In 2014 the IBF, WBC and WBA world title- His lone defeat was a knockout loss he beat Beibut Shumenov by split de- holder tweeted. to Dmitry Pirog in 2010. cision to become the oldest to unify world titles. After a two-year layoff , Hopkins looked all of his 51 years in the early going, but he said he believed he was on his way to turning the tide. “I know if I hadn’t made a mess and gotten knocked out of the ring, I would’ve come back like I’m known for and would’ve had my chin,” Hop- kins said after the result saw his record slip to 55-8-2 with 32 knockouts. Bernard Hopkins (right, also below) is knocked out of the ring by Joe Smith Jr. in the seventh round of their light heavy- “I had seen him fall, and I kept hit- weight boxing fight at The Forum in Los Angeles on Saturday. (USA TODAY Sports) ting him until I saw him go out, and I landed that left hook to fi nish the job,” fans know for a fact I went out as a Smith said. “I hit him with four or fi ve soldier, fi ghting the toughest, baddest clean shots and they were good shots opponents. on the button.” “Joe was a tough, heavy-hitting Although it wasn’t the ending he fi ghter,” Hopkins added of his hand- wanted, “The Executioner” said he picked opponent, who improved to wouldn’t change his mind about retir- 23-1 with 19 knockouts. ing for good. The sometime construction worker “I promised I wouldn’t,” he said of from New York said he knew it wasn’t returning. “You come to that point in the result many came to see. life where it is fi nal and I’m happy with “I came here to do my job,” Smith Daniel my life in retirement. said. “This is my coming out party, Jacobs “I believe that the crowd and the too. I had to fi nish him.”

BOTTOMLINE Power struggle seen at the heart of Kuwait sports saga

AFP crisis in the emirate that has a population of tional sports charters,” al-Qanai, vice president of Kuwait City 4.4mn, only around 30 percent of whom are na- International Press Sports Association, told AFP. tionals. Besides holding high-profi le positions in the On one side stand Sheikh Ahmad Fahad al- world of sports, including membership of the lingering sports crisis in Kuwait that Sabah, one of the most powerful men in world IOC executive committee and FIFA ruling coun- triggered international sanctions is sport, his younger brother Talal, other broth- cil, Sheikh Ahmad, 53, is a senior member of the seen as part of a power struggle in ers and supporters who control most of Kuwaiti ruling family. the Gulf state involving ruling family sports clubs and federations. He is among dozens of ruling family members membersA and politicians, analysts say. Opposing them are the government, some who qualify to ascend to the top post of emir in Over a year ago, world sports bodies led by the other members of the ruling Al-Sabah family, the future. International Olympic Committee and world Marzouk al-Ghanem — a senior member of a A nephew of the current emir, Sheikh Ahmad football’s FIFA suspended Kuwait over alleged wealthy merchant family and speaker of parlia- held several ministerial posts between 2001 and government interference in sports for the sec- ment — and other supporters. 2011 when he quit. ond time since 2010. A neutral group appears to have emerged in Local media reported that was the result of According to world sports organisations, the the new parliament pushing for an end to the a power struggle with the then prime minister, suspension was due to legislation issued in 2014 suspension. Sheikh Nasser Mohammad al-Ahmad al-Sabah, and 2015 allowing the government to interfere in “The problem of sports in Kuwait is that it is Sheikh Fahad’s cousin, who also resigned fi ve local sports federations and undermine the in- being used as a tool in the power struggle,” po- months later. dependence of the sports movement. litical analyst Nasser al-Abdali told AFP. “The main objective was to remove Sheikh As a result, the wealthy emirate was barred “Groups within the ruling family are using Ahmad from the government and from the rul- from taking part in the Rio 2016 Olympic Games sports in their internal disputes,” said Abdali, ing hierarchy because he is powerful and highly and qualifi cation for the 2018 World Cup. who heads the Kuwait Society for the Promotion competent,” said Qanai, who is a close associate Shooter Fehaid al-Deehani, who won a gold of Democracy. of Sheikh Ahmad’s family. medal, the fi rst ever by a Kuwaiti athlete at the Huge public funds pumped into sports could Olympics, had to compete as an independent also be a factor, according to Abdali. NEW PARLIAMENT, and was not allowed to carry his country’s fl ag The sports authority said last year that the DIFFERENT VIEW due to the ban. government spent 400mn dinars ($1.3bn) on Leading Kuwaiti sports critic Mutlaq Nassar However, that could change after Kuwait’s sports in the past fi ve years. however argues that the new laws do not con- new parliament — elected last month with op- tradict international sports charters. position MPs taking nearly half the seats — FAMILY FEUDS “Legislation was introduced to reduce the in- called on the government “to do what is neces- Sheikh Salman had directly accused “Kuwaitis In this September 21, 2014, picture, Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) president Sheikh Ahmad al-Fahad fl uence of corrupt forces and reform the sports sary to lift the suspension on sport”. in international sports” of causing the suspen- al-Sabah speaks during a press conference at 17th 2014 Asian Games in Incheon. (AFP) movement which was being misused for per- In a possible sign of progress, Information sion through complaints they sent to world sonal gains,” Nassar told AFP. and Youth Minister Sheikh Salman Humoud al- sports bodies. The old parliament passed legislation in June “The problem is that some (former) MPs and Nassar said that people like Sheikh Ahmad Sabah told MPs last week that the government Members of the previous pro-government boosting the government’s infl uence in sports the government have passed legislation de- exploited their infl uence in world bodies to sus- was ready to sit down “with FIFA or any other parliament, dissolved in October, explicitly ac- which was used by the government to dissolve signed to bring down Sheikh Ahmad and his pend Kuwaiti sports. side provided that does not breach Kuwait’s cused Sheikh Ahmad and his brothers of engi- the country’s Olympic committee, the football brothers from local sports,” leading Kuwaiti Qanai however said that “all Kuwait needs to sovereignty or constitution”. neering the suspensions. They have repeatedly federation and several other federations, both sports journalist Faisal al-Qanai said. do is to amend the violating laws and the sus- Two rival groups appear at the heart of the denied the allegations. headed by Sheikh Talal. “Those laws are personal and violate interna- pension will be lifted within 24 hours”. Gulf Times Monday, December 19, 2016 5 SPORT

NBA NHL Blackhawks outlast St Louis Blues 6-4 Cavs down Lakers, By Jeremy Rutherford the season Saturday. St. Louis Post-Dispatch The Blues won the season opener in Chicago, 5-2, but the Blackhawks responded n two weeks, the Blues with a 2-1 overtime win in and Blackhawks will play St. Louis. The pace was brisk outdoors at Busch Sta- from the start Saturday, and dium in the NHL’s Winter the Blues needed only 41 sec- Warriors beat Blazers IClassic. onds to pick up the game’s On Saturday, they were in- fi rst goal from Berglund, his doors, but it was a game that third of the season. ‘We had a pretty off night overall, but we made shots when it counted and stayed with it’ is often referred to as “pond” Blues defenseman Joel Ed- hockey. mundson sprung Berglund The scoring was back and with a stretch pass, and the AFP forth. There were breakaways, Swedish center released a Los Angeles wicked slap shots, and even a rocket of a shot at Chicago goal that went in off a broken goalie Scott Darling. Dar- stick. The teams combined for ling, subbing for starter Co- little rest did a world of good 10 goals, and though the Blues rey Crawford who is out after for the reigning NBA cham- led the entire way through the appendectomy surgery, got a pion Cleveland Cavaliers, who fi rst seven, the Blackhawks large chunk of the puck, but showed spring in their step in a scored three in the third for a it wound up trickling past the 119-108A victory over the Los Angeles Lak- 6-4 victory. netminder for a 1-0 lead. ers on Saturday. Vince Hinostroza’s back- The Blues nearly took the LeBron James scored 26 points, includ- hander with 4 minutes, 25 lead into the locker room, ing 16 in the fourth quarter. Kyrie Irving seconds left in regulation was but with 25 seconds left, the had 21 points and matched his career high the game-winner for Chicago, Blackhawks’ Dennis Rasmus- with 12 assists and Kevin Love scored 27 after Niklas Hjalmarsson tied sen punched in a rebound for points and pulled down 17 rebounds a night the game just one minute into a 1-1 score. Defenseman Kevin after Cavs coach Tyronn Lue rested the star the fi nal period. Shattenkirk was standing trio. Irving was back after a week off , hav- The Blues pulled goalie Jake nearby, but couldn’t outmus- ing told Lue he had tired legs in last Satur- Allen and threatened to tie the cle Rasmussen. day’s victory over the Charlotte Hornets. score late, but with an extra But Berglund got some of- “It was warranted,” Irving said. “How I attacker, defenseman Colton fensive help Saturday from felt, knowing the importance of what was Parayko couldn’t corral a puck Alex Pietrangelo and Kyle coming up in the season, I think it was a near the blueline, allowing Brodziak. great group decision in terms of the rest Artemi Panarin to run away In the second period, that was needed.” for an easy empty-netter. Brodziak made a bid for his The trend of resting star players who A crowd of 19,197 at Scot- fourth goal of the season on aren’t injured has sparked debate — in trade Center, which was the a partial breakaway. Darling part as to whether it’s fair to fans — but sixth sellout of the season, turned that aside, but 17 sec- Lue said Saturday he would consider rest- erupted because there was a onds later, Brodziak got No. 4 ing Irving again. large contingent of Blackhawks in bizarre fashion. “There will probably come another fans in attendance Saturday. A broken stick belongs to time where he’s going to need a little rest The loss snapped the Blues’ teammate Scottie Upshall also,” Lue said. “Right now, he’s feeling stretch at 14 games with at lay in the off ensive zone, and good and that’s the biggest thing for me.” least one point at Scottrade Brodziak’s shot hit a piece of The Lakers, who snapped an eight game Center, and was Allen’s fi rst it and redirected past Darling losing streak on Friday at Philadelphia, led regulation loss at home (11-1- for a 2-1 lead less than three by as many as eight late in the fi rst quar- 2), following an eight-game minutes into the period. ter and maintained the lead into the sec- winning streak. It also pushed ond period. But the Cavs had edged ahead the Blackhawks eight ahead of Results 62-59 at halftime and didn’t trail after the the Blues (46-38) in the West- Edmonton 3 Tampa Bay 2 interval, although the Lakers cut the gap ern Conference standings. (SO) to 108-105 late in the fourth quarter after In the chase after Chicago, Chicago 6 St. Louis 4 two three-pointers from Nick Young. the Blues have fi ve more games NY Rangers 2 Nashville 1 (SO) “They hit some tough shots,” said to play before facing the Black- Toronto 2 Pittsburgh 1 (OT) James, whose three-pointer with 2:32 re- hawks in the Winter Classic Ottawa 3 New Jersey 1 maining stretched the Cavs’ lead to 113- on January 2. On Friday, both Detroit 6 Anaheim 4 105. It was up to us to get a couple timely teams admitted to thinking Montreal 2 Washington 1 stops like we usually do in the fourth ahead to the upcoming outdoor Carolina 2 Buff alo 1 (SO) quarter and make a couple timely shots game, but stressed the impor- Dallas 3 Philadelphia 1 like we do — and we did that.” tance of their third meeting of Minnesota 4 Arizona 1

Warriors crush Trail Blazers Western Conference powers Golden State improved their league-leading record to 24-4 with an emphatic 135-90 triumph over the Portland Trail Blazers in Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (R) drives to the basket against Los Angeles Lakers forward Brandon Ingram during the Oakland, California. Kevin Durant scored second half at Quicken Loans Arena. The Cavs won 119-108. PICTURE: USA TODAY Sports 13 of his 34 points in the fi rst quarter as the Warriors jumped to an early lead. erased a 13-point fourth-quarter defi cit. the Knicks’ game in Denver a “must win” miliar spark off the bench with 20 as the Reserve Ian Clark added 23 points, “We had a pretty off night overall, but but his 29 points weren’t enough for the Rockets stretched their December win- Stephen Curry chipped in 19 and Klay we made shots when it counted and stayed visitors in a 127-114 loss to the Nuggets. ning streak. Thompson scored 16 as Draymond Green with it,” Anderson said. Kenneth Faried had a season-high 25 points Anderson’s eff ort included seven three- contributed a double-double of 13 assists and three blocked shots and Emmanuel pointers as the Rockets followed up their and 12 rebounds. The 45-point margin of Westbrook triple-double Mudiay scored 22 for the Nuggets, who had record-setting 24 three-pointers in a win victory was the Warriors’ biggest of the Oklahoma City star Russell Westbrook seven players score in double fi gures. at New Orleans on Friday with 17 from be- season, surpassing their 149-106 drub- was in familiar territory, notching the 50th yond the arc against the Timberwolves. bing of the Lakers on November 23. triple-double of his career — and 13th this Soaring Rockets rally to shock But the hosts, led by Karl-Anthony A day after connecting on a record 24 season — in the Thunder’s 114-101 victory Timberwolves in OT Towns’ double-double of 41 points and 15 three-pointers in a win at New Orleans, over the Phoenix Suns. James Harden scored 10 of his 28 points rebounds, appeared to be in control, lead- the Houston Rockets rallied to notch their Days after Westbrook said he was in overtime as the Houston Rockets ral- ing 91-78 with 2:59 to play. 10th straight victory, 111-109 in overtime tired of the talk about his streak of seven lied from a 13-point fourth-quarter defi - over the Minnesota Timberwolves. straight triple-doubles — which ended cit Saturday to notch a 10th-straight NBA Results James Harden scored 10 of his 28 points last weekend — he was at it again, pour- triumph, 111-109 over the Minnesota Golden State 135 Portland 90 in the extra period, handing out 13 assists ing in 26 points with a career-high 22 Timberwolves in Minneapolis. Denver 127 NY Knicks 114 with nine rebounds that left him one shy of assists and 11 rebounds. It’s just the fi fth Harden handed out 13 assists with nine Houston 111 Minnesota 109 (OT) a second triple-double in as many nights. time since 1983 that a player posted a tri- rebounds that left him one shy of a triple- Charlotte 107 Atlanta 99 Forward Ryan Anderson scored 28 points ple double that included at least 20 points double. Cleveland 119 LA Lakers 108 Chicago Blackhawks goaltender Scott Darling reaches for the and Eric Gordon provided his familiar and 20 assists. Forward Ryan Anderson scored 28 Indiana 105 Detroit 90 puck in the third period against the St. Louis Blues at the spark off the bench with 20 as the Rockets New York star Carmelo Anthony called points and Eric Gordon provided his fa- Oklahoma City 114 Phoenix 101 Scottrade Center in St. Louis. (St. Louis Post-Dispatch/TNS)

NFL Dolphins stay in playoff hunt with 34-13 rout of Jets

The Sports Xchange Miami blew the game open by Miami scoring three touchdowns in a span of 4:04 in the third quar- ter, when Walt Aikens returned a att Moore, mak- blocked punt 11 yards for a touch- ing his fi rst start in down before Moore connected almost fi ve years, for touchdown passes with Sims threw a career-high (1 yard) and Jarvis Landry (66 Mfour touchdown passes Satur- yards). Moore, who last started day night as the Miami Dolphins Jan. 1, 2012, before becoming ensured they would keep pace in Ryan Tannehill’s backup when the the AFC wild-card race with a Dolphins selected Tannehill in the 34-13 rout of the New York Jets fi rst round of the 2012 draft, fi n- in East Rutherford, New Jersey. ished 12 of 18 for 236 yards. The Dolphins (9-5) won for Called up to replace the in- the eighth time in nine games jured Tannehill, Moore is the to clinch their fi rst winning fi rst quarterback to go more than season since 2008 and at least four years between starts since momentarily move into the fi - Chris Redman, who went fi ve nal wild-card spot in the AFC, years and almost two months a half-game ahead of the Den- between starts for the Baltimore ver Broncos. The Broncos, who Ravens and Atlanta Falcons, re- play the New England Patriots spectively, in 2002 and 2007. on Sunday, hold the strength of Jets quarterback Bryce Petty victory tiebreaker over Miami. was 20 of 36 for 235 yards with The Jets (4-10) have lost fi ve one touchdown — a 40-yard of six. Moore, who previously strike to Robby Anderson in the threw three touchdowns in a fi rst quarter — and two inter- game fi ve times, tossed a 1-yard ceptions before he exited after a touchdown pass to Dion Sims hard hit from Dolphins defensive and a 52-yard touchdown pass end Cameron Wake and defen- to Kenny Stills to stake the Dol- sive tackle Ndamukong Suh in phins to a 13-10 lead at the half. the fourth quarter. Miami Dolphins tight end Dion Sims reaches for the goal line against the New York Jets in the third quarter at MetLife Stadium. PICTURE: USA TODAY Sports Gulf Times 6 Monday, December 19, 2016 SPORT

SPOTLIGHT BASEBALL Padres agree to one-year India clinch second deal with Chacin

By Dennis Lin Hockey Junior WC The San Diego Union-Tribune he Padres have agreed to a one-year ‘It is a great victory. We stuck together as a group despite the diff iculties and it has helped us’ contract with right-hander Jhoulys Chacin, sources said Saturday. Finan- cial terms of the deal, which is pending Ta physical, were not immediately disclosed. Chacin, 29 next month, will soon become the Padres’ fi rst major league signing of the off season, as well as the most experienced member of their rotation. Currently, the club counts left-hander Christian Friedrich, who returned to a starting role in 2016, and former Rule 5 draftee Luis Perdomo as its top options. Chacin is well-acquainted with the Padres, having pitched parts of six seasons for the di- vision-rival Colorado Rockies. He went 14-10 with a 3.47 ERA in 2013, but shoulder problems led to his release two years later. He worked on minor league deals each of the last two seasons. In 2016, Chacin made fi ve starts for the At- lanta Braves before a May trade to the Los An- geles Angels. He fi nished with a combined 34 appearances, including 22 starts, posting a 4.81 ERA over 144 innings. Over his eight-year career, Chacin is 46- 57 with a 3.94 ERA. He has averaged seven strikeouts and 3.7 walks per nine innings. Chacin is pitching for Leones del Caracas in the Venezuelan winter league. His deal with the Padres is expected to be announced early next week. The Padres would still like to add at least two more veteran starters on short-term deals. They remain interested in re-signing left- hander Clayton Richard, who was eff ective over nine starts for San Diego last season.

Indian players celebrate after winning the Hockey Junior World Cup in Lucknow, India yesterday. (IANS)

IANS on the podium, have won six titles. link-man Santa Singh caught short the tempo of the game. ey Junior World Cup boils down to Lucknow With both the teams coming into an opposition counter-attack few Gurjant had the chance to make it their long and arduous preparation the match unbeaten, the contest was metres ahead of the half-line before 3-0 when he won a battle with Mar- they did for the last couple of years. expected to be an enticing competi- making a cross-fi eld pass to his left. tin Lambeau just fi ve metres ahead Home favourites India produced ndia produced a clinical per- tion between two bands of talented Nilakanta Sharma fed Simranjeet at of the Belgian circle. Gurjant faced a clinical performance to outclass Female jockey killed in racing fall formance here yesterday to youngsters. And it were the hosts the top of the circle and the latter a one-on-one situation against maiden fi nalists Belgium 2-1 and Wellington: A New Zealand female jockey outclass maiden fi nalists Bel- who looked to be the better side from delivered a clinical fi nish, giving no goalkeeper van Doren but the latter clinched their second Under-21 died in a racing accident yesterday with gium 2-1 and clinch their second the very beginning. Urged on by a vo- chance to van Doren, to make it 2-0. managed to keep the Indian at bay. World Cup title after a 15-year-gap. two of her children reported to be at the IHockey Junior World Cup title after ciferous crowd in good attendance, Towards the end of the fi rst half, Later, India got two penalty cor- India remained unbeaten in the meeting to watch her ride. The 39-year- a 15-year-gap. India got off to an emphatic start. Belgium had their moments but ners to put an end to Belgium’s tournament playing “simple hock- old mother of three was flung to the track Gurjant Singh (eighth minute) and Varun Kumar’s long aerial ball couldn’t make their chances count challenge in the match but pen- ey” as their head coach Harendra when her horse, Point Proven, stumbled Simranjeet Singh (22nd) scored the in the Belgian circle forced Belgian as India defended as a team. The alty corner exponents Varun Kumar Singh advocates. Centre-half Har- and fell at a race meeting in the southern two goals for India, who had won goalkeeper Loic van Doren to come Belgians even earned a penalty cor- and Harmanpreet Singh couldn’t jeet said after the match: “It is a town of Gore. their previous Under-21 world title out but he couldn’t fully palm the ner but they couldn’t trouble Indian make them count. Belgium, in their great victory and we deserved it. We A trailing horse, Misscattlecreek, also in 2001 in Hobart, Australia. ball away with Gurjant lurking near custodian Vikas Dahiya. pursuit of pulling one back, kept had been preparing for the tourna- fell and appeared to land on the woman, Belgium scored their goal at the him. The Indian took the ball to the Trailing 0-2, Belgium tried their fi ghting and eventually it came, ment very dedicatedly since the last the New Zealand Herald said. “The fall death via Fabrice van Bockrijck at left, dodging past van Doren before best to turn things around in the with barely 22 seconds left on the couple of years. We have improved a happened during race 8, which two of her the Major Dhyan Chand Stadium employing a ripping back-hand second half but India’s superiority in clock. With the hooter already be- lot tournament-by-tournament. children were at, at the Tapanui Racing here. The goal didn’t matter much strike from a very tight angle that hit one-on-one duels helped them keep ing blown, the penalty corner was “We stuck together as a group Club meeting,” the newspaper said. Police for India as it was the fi nal action of the top corner of the far post, giving things under control and hold their the last shot of the game and van despite the diffi culties and it has confirmed there had been a fatality but the match. the hosts the early advantage. India’s 2-0 lead. Bockrijck was successful in his job. helped us. We played good hockey released no other details. With this win, India became only midfi eld, led by Harjeet Singh, did a Moreover, India’s balancing act in But they couldn’t celebrate the goal, throughout the tournament and we The woman’s name has not been off icially the second nation after Germany to fi ne job of restricting and breaking defending the two-goal advantage as the match ended, triggering huge got good support from the Lucknow released but local news media identified win the Under-21 title more than the fl ow of the Belgian game. and pushing for the third goal was celebrationd in the Indian camp. crowd who supported us in good her as Rebecca Black, who reportedly rode once. Germany, who overpowered One such fi ne example turned just perfect and captain Harjeet de- A delighted India captain Harjeet numbers here,” the senior Indian in- 108 winners in a 1,264-race career. Australia 3-0 to secure the third spot into the second goal for India as served all the credit for controlling Singh said their success in the Hock- ternational said.

BADMINTON Axelsen, Tai win titles at BWF Superseries Finals

IANS Dubai

enmark’s Viktor Axelsen and Tai Tzu Ying of Chinese Taipei claimed the men’s singles and women’s singles titles, respectively, in the BadmintonD World Federation’s (BWF) Dubai World Superseries Finals here yesterday. Axelsen, bronze medallist at the Rio Ol- ympic Games, defeated China’s Tian Houwei in three games 21-14, 6-21, 21-17 in the men’s singles fi nal, while 2014 edition champion Tai regained her title after moving past Sung Ji Hyun of South Korea 21-14, 21-13. “I feel really good. I have been in the fi nal so many times so it makes me really happy,” said Axelsen who fi nished runner-up in 2015. In the men’s doubles fi nal, Malaysian pair of V. Shem Goh and Wee Kiong Tan got the better of Japan’s Takeshi Kamura and Keigo Sonoda 21-14, 21-19. The women’s doubles summit clash saw Chinese shuttlers Chen Qingchen and Jia Yifan upset Japan’s 2016 Rio Olympic gold medallists Misaki Matsutomo and Ayaka Takahashi in three tough games 21-15, 13-21, 21-17 in Dubai’s Hamdan Sports Complex, reports Xinhua. “We still cannot believe this moment, we feel very excited,” said a happy Qingchen holding the trophies with her partner Jia in their hands. Qingchen also held aloft the mixed dou- bles trophy as she partnered Zheng Siwei to Viktor Axelsen of Denmark poses with his trophy after winning his men’s singles final Chen Qingchen and Jia Yifan of China pose with their trophies after winning their women’s doubles final beat British couple Chris and Gabrielle Ad- against Tian Houwei of China in the BWF Dubai World Superseries Finalsat the Hamdan match against Misaki Matsutomo and Ayaka Takahashi of Japan in the BWF Dubai World Superseries Finals at cock 21-12, 21-12 in barely 30 minutes. Sports Complex in Dubai. (AFP) the Hamdan Sports Complex in Dubai. (AFP) Gulf Times Monday, December 19, 2016 7 CRICKET

SPOTLIGHT Rahul’s epic knock powers India in fi ft h England Test Opener Rahul fell one short of a first Test double-century deep into the evening session, sinking to his knees in regret

AFP Chennai

okesh Rahul said yesterday that the Chennai pitch might break and make life diffi cult for bats- men after his career-best 199 Lsteered India’s strong reply against England on day three of the fi fth Test. Rahul shared a crucial fourth-wick- et 161-run stand with Karun Nair (71 not out) to make the England bowlers toil on a seemingly fl at deck at Chen- nai’s MA Chidambaram Stadium. India were 391 for four at stumps with Nair and Murali Vijay (17) at the crease. The hosts still trail by 86 runs in response to England’s 477, but they still have six wickets remaining in their fi rst innings. “Hopefully by the end of tomorrow or the fi fth day the wicket might break, there are footmarks there,” Rahul, who looked visibly upset after missing out on 200, told reporters after the third day’s play. “We did see that (Liam) Dawson and Moeen Ali were trying to bowl in the rough. Few balls did turn and bounce so its important for us to get back tomorrow and get some runs,” the opener from Bangalore said. Rahul, who recorded his fourth Test century, was the ninth batsman in the history to get out on 199 after falling to leg-spinner Adil Rashid in the fi nal moments of the day. The 24-year-old batsman chased Rashid’s widish deliv- ery on the off -side to give away a catch to point as he crumpled into a heap with hands on head. “I’ve never been somebody who has chased landmarks but getting a 200 will always be a proud moment for a batsman and I’m gutted that I missed out,” he said. Earlier Rahul, whose 12-match ca- reer has been hampered by injuries, had surpassed his previous best of 158 as he entertained a raucous home crowd with a couple of reverse sweeps. He struck 16 fours and 3 sixes during his mara- thon knock, prompting England skip- per Alastair Cook to rotate his bowling options. The tourists took the second new ball in the 85th over of the innings but Rahul and Nair made sure that India contin- ued to mount the runs. Nair recorded his maiden Test fi fty in just his third match to play the perfect sheet anchor Indian batsman Lokesh Rahul drops to his knees in disappointment after getting out for 199 even as England’s bowler Adil Rashid (centre) celebrates with Keaton Jennings in Chennai yesterday. (Reuters) role as Rahul piloted the Indian innings till his departure. Once I came here, this pitch was good, (16) and skipper Virat Kohli (15) in the It was India’s fi rst century open- morrow to try and restrict them and C. Pujara c Cook b Stokes 16 “Look it’s very important for us, if we and I didn’t want to waste the opportu- afternoon session. It was the fi rst time ing stand in 32 innings and their best not try and let them get too far ahead. V. Kohli c Jennings b Broad 15 have to make a match out of this, to get nity,” said Rahul. in the series that Kohli, who leads the at home against England even though We want to walk away with a win and K. Nair not out 71 a good lead. And the wicket is kind of “Missed out on the whole New Zea- batting chart with 655 runs, had been wicketkeeper Patel was fi lling in for go away with our heads held high,” said M. Vijay not out 17 playing really good so far,” he said. land series. I thought I was in good out for less than 40. He chipped a drive regular opener Vijay, who got treated Stokes. India hold an unassailable 3-0 Extras (lb 2) 2 Rahul said injuries prevented him form. Went back home, worked on my off Broad to extra cover, where Keaton for a bruised shoulder before com- lead in the fi ve-Test series. Total (4 wickets; 108 overs) 391 from becoming a permanent feature fi tness. Played one Ranji game, that was Jennings accepted the catch gleefully . ing into bat. “I think we tried a lot but Fall of wicket: 1-152 (Patel), 2-181 (Pujara), in the team and he was determined to good to get my fl ow. I was killing my- Overnight batsmen Parthiv Patel sometimes you got to hold your hands SCOREBOARD 3-211 (Kohli), 4-372 (Rahul) make the most of the opportunities he self... I missed out in Wankhede (third and Rahul made England’s bowlers toil up and say the partnership that they ENGLAND I INNINGS 477 Bowling: Broad 18-4-46-1, Ball 15-1-50-0, Ali got in his stop-start career so far. “I Test), the wicket was very good.” earlier in the day with a 152-run open- had throughout the day they played re- INDIA I INNINGS 24-1-96-1, Stokes 9-1-37-1, Rashid 17-0-76-1, haven’t played a lot in the last couple England pacemen Ben Stokes and ing stand, before Moeen Ali’s off -spin ally well,” said all-rounder Stokes who (overnight 60-0; L. Rahul 30, P. Patel 28) Dawson 23-3-72-0, Root 2-0-12-0 of months. Going in and out isn’t easy. Stuart Broad worked hard to claim two prised out Patel — the only wicket of got the wicket of Pujara. L. Rahul c Buttler b Rashid 199 To bat: R. Ashwin, R. Jadeja, A. Mishra, Spending time in Bombay was good. crucial wickets of Cheteshwar Pujara the morning session. “So yes that’s probably our aim to- P. Patel c Buttler b Ali 71 I. Sharma, U. Yadav

FOCUS ‘Everyone I trust backed my decision to pull out’

By Ali Martin “It was a diffi cult decision to make and The Guardian I don’t think a lot of people would have made it, but I am certainly happy with the decision that I have made” oin Morgan has no regrets over his deci- sion to miss the tour of Bangladesh on afraid to make the decision if everybody else was security grounds and will return to lead going, or felt unnecessary pressure.” England’s one-day side in India after Morgan’s own view was shaped by two past ChristmasE confi dent that his authority as cap- experiences on the subcontinent – a bomb blast tain remains undiminished. during his time in the Indian Premier League in Speaking publicly on the subject for the fi rst 2010 and a period of political unrest when play- time since he and Alex Hales pulled out of the ing domestic cricket in Bangladesh three years October trip, Morgan remained entirely content later – but having played in both countries since with his decision after watching from home as then, these reasons have been queried in some his vice-captain, Jos Buttler, led the side to a 2-1 quarters. victory in the one-day series as a part of a fi ve- While trying to address this, Morgan also week tour that passed without incident. highlighted that England were the fi rst touring “It was a diffi cult decision to make and I don’t side since the terrorist attack in the capital of think a lot of people would have made it, but I Dhaka on 1 July, as well as Australia postponing am certainly happy with the decision that I have their visit the previous year. He said: “If there is made,” said Morgan, who, like Hales, took up the ever a doubt in my mind about travelling some- option to miss the tour sanctioned by the Eng- where I have to consider my options. One thing land and Wales Cricket Board without recrimi- that had changed from 2010 in India was that nation. other teams had travelled there and security had In eschewing safety assurances given by the increased. Also, since then there had been no team’s head of security, Reg Dickason, Morgan terrorist attacks or threats to either a tourna- was criticised by two of his predecessors, with ment or team.” Nasser Hussain stating it would undermine If Morgan is now hoping the issue of his with- his captaincy and Michael Vaughan similarly drawal has been put to bed, then pressure re- claiming that he would be left unable to “look mains in his need for runs. Ben Duckett, who players in the eye”. made two half-centuries in Bangladesh, was left The 30-year-old, who is currently playing in out of the squad to accommodate the returning Australia’s Big Bash League before the limited- captain, who has scored two half-centuries in overs series in India, said the response from the Eoin Morgan (right) returns to captain the England one-day and T20 sides in the series against India in January and February. his past 13 innings. team at the time was a demonstration of their Andrew Strauss, the director of England unity, however, and cares little for the opinions ual was his own decision and whatever was right drawal was confi rmed, Morgan said: “I think his anybody in the wrong way. cricket, would be reluctant to make a change of those outside of his allies within the sport. for him,” he said. “Everyone within the game doubts were similar to mine, but I didn’t speak “If I’d have toured and gone against my gut leading into the Champions Trophy in the sum- “We’re a tightly-knit group who back each oth- that I trust has supported me, including players to him directly. It was a completely individual because I thought there was some need to cap- mer with the one-day side’s impressive per- er’s decisions no matter what and in particular past and current who I lean on for big decisions.” decision, and part of me making it and going tain the side out there, then it might have infl u- formances since the 2015 World Cup in part in this case where every decision for the individ- Asked if he spoke to Hales before their with- with what I felt was right was not to infl uence enced somebody like him. He might have been credited to Morgan’s leadership.

Monday, December 19, 2016 GULF TIMES CRICKET

AUS VS PAK, DAY 4, 1ST TEST Fighting Pakistan resist Australia’s victory drive Shafiq leads the way with unbeaten century, as Pakistan trail home side by 107 runs with two wickets in hand

Pakistan’s batsman Misbah-ul-Haq (left) walks back as Australia’s paceman Jackson Bird (right) celebrates taking the wicket with teammates on Day Four of the first Test in Brisbane yesterday. (AFP)

Amir’s previous best was 39 not out session needing fi ve wickets for victory fi rst innings, took 20 balls to get off the against England at The Oval in August, and removed the fi rst-innings top- mark with a streaky shot through the but he fell late in the session for 48 off scorer Sarfraz Ahmed for 24. slips cordon to the boundary. 63 balls with fi ve fours. Starc scattered his stumps with an The Australian bowlers endured a inswinger in the 88th over, his third SCORECARD long grind, with a three-hour fi nal ses- wicket, and Jackson Bird had Amir AUSTRALIA 1st innings 429 all out sion ending only at 10:09 pm, after a caught behind in the 107th over. PAKISTAN 1st innings 142 all out Pakistan’s batsman Asad Shafiq celebrates after reaching his century on the fourth day of the first Test against Australia in fi erce storm lashed the ground just be- But number nine Wahab Riaz hit a AUSTRALIA 2nd innings 202-5 dec. Brisbane yesterday. (AFP) fore tea. blazing 30 off 56 balls with two fours PAKISTAN 2nd innings (o/n: 70 for 2) The bowlers, who decimated Paki- and two sixes. S. Aslam c Renshaw b Starc 15 AFP Misbah-ul-Haq. dropping a clear two-handed chance at stan by taking seven wickets for 24 in Younis Khan had earlier also kept the A. Ali c Wade b Starc 71 Brisbane, Australia At the close on a storm-hit day, with second slip off Mitchell Starc’s bowling the fi rst innings, were frustrated by a bowlers at bay but was out to a rash shot B. Azam c Smith b Lyon 14 Shafi q leading the way, Pakistan had when three regulation overs were left in lack of assistance from the pink ball 30 minutes before the dinner break. Y. Khan c Smith b Lyon 65 just two wickets left and were 382 for the day. under lights in the second. The 112-Test campaigner fell to an M. ul-Haq c Wade b Bird 5 sad Shafi q scored a thrilling eight — the highest fourth innings in a Play was extended by an extra half- “It probably didn’t go to plan. No ill-judged reverse sweep off spinner A. Shafiq not out 100 century as Pakistan put up a Test at the Gabba. hour to try to secure a result but the doubt we wanted to fi nish off the game Nathan Lyon, the ball ballooning off the S. Ahmed b Starc 24 spirited resistance to Austral- They trail the home side by 107 head- tourists held fi rm. today. Hats off to Pakistan, they batted back of his bat for Smith to take an easy M. Amir c Wade b Bird 48 ia yesterday, frustrating the ing into today’s fi nal day. Shafi q took the game to Australia particularly well,” said Australia bowl- catch. W. Riaz c Smith b Bird 30 hosts’A attempts to wrap up the fi rst Test “Asad Shafi q was struggling and he and led the resistance with a belliger- ing coach David Saker. Starc persisted with a short-pitched Y. Shah not out 4 with a day to spare. came back with a bang,” Azhar said. ent knock including 10 fours and a six, “We’re still in a very good strong po- plan after a 90-minute storm delay at Extras (lb4, w2) 6 Shafi q dashed for three runs off a cut “We really enjoyed his innings and spiced with some lively running be- sition. I’d prefer to be in our position tea. Total (8 wickets, 123 overs) 382 shot in the fi nal over of the fourth day to the way he batted, it was a really spe- tween wickets. than theirs. We’ve got to come back and It fi nally paid off when Azhar Ali Fall of wickets: 1-31 (Aslam), 2-54 reach his 10th Test century off 140 balls cial knock, and also special how Mo- Mohamed Amir, in the fi rst year of get two quick wickets tomorrow.” tried to fl ick a rising ball down to fi ne (Azam), 3-145 (Azhar), 4-165 (Misbah), in the day-night match at the Gabba. hamed Amir and Wahab Riaz batted his return to international cricket fol- Australia are defending an unbeaten leg, only to edge to Matthew Wade. 5-173 (Younis), 6-220 (Ahmed), 7-312 The tourists, who have lost their as well. lowing a fi ve-year ban for spot-fi xing, run of 27 Tests at the Gabba. Their last Azhar faced 179 balls for his 71 and (Amir), 8-378 (Wahab) last nine Tests in Australia, refused to “It will help to grow more confi - hit his highest Test score in a stubborn defeat here was in 1988 to the West In- put on 91 for the third wicket with Bowling: Starc 30-8-97-3 (1w), Hazle- buckle despite the loss of key batsmen dence, going through the series.” 92-run seventh-wicket partnership dies. Younis. wood 35-11-78-0, Bird 29-6-94-3 (1w), Younis Khan, Azhar Ali and skipper Steve Smith gave Shafi q a life on 72, with Shafi q. The hosts went into the fi nal night Younis, out for a fi rst-ball duck in the Lyon 26-3-100-2, Maddinson 3-0-9-0

NEW START Sreesanth inaugurates Nation Cup Cricket tourney

By Sports Reporter Doha

t’s cricket season in Qatar. After last week’s World Stars vs Qatar Stars match, another cricket tour- nament began yesterday. IFor the third year in a row, the Na- tion Cup Cricket championship is be- ing held for expatriates living in Qatar. The tournament is an initiative of Siraj Virani, the managing director of QAD NET QATAR, and is open to all nation- alities. Popular Indian cricketer S Sreesanth inaugurated the tournament at the Old Ideal Indian School premises, where the matches will be held under lights. Virani, a cricket afi cionado, said the aim of conducting such a tournament is in the Scotland Cricket League next fi ve days of cricket in a week in Scot- to let every community living in Qatar year and is waiting for Indian board’s land. The off er is to play in the first enjoy the game of cricket. approval. “In the new year, cricket is division league. It’s a team called Glen- Eight teams have been divided into calling me again. I have got good off ers rothes CC, they got promoted last year. two pools, with top two teams after the from a couple of Scottish clubs to play I hope BCCI gives me permission, be- league stage qualifying for the semifi - there. But it depends on whether BCCI cause Scotland board needs BCCI’s nod nals. The fi nal will be played on Decem- Indian cricketer S Sreesanth (third left) and Siraj Virani (centre), the Managing Director of QAD NET QATAR at the launch of gives me permission or not. As far as for me to play there,” he added. ber 22 at 8pm. the third edition of the Nation Cup Cricket tournament, which began yesterday at the Old Ideal Indian School grounds. I remember the ban for me was not to Sreesanth is also trying his luck at Sreesanth, who has played 27 Tests, play in the BCCI tournaments and not Malayalam movies, with his debut 53 ODIs and 10 T20s, said he was de- skills. I am sure the tournament will be fast bowler is serving a ban from all es against him for lack of evidence, In- to represent BCCI. Maybe I will get an fl ick called ‘Team 5’ to be released next lighted to see tournaments such as these a successful one,” he said. forms of cricket after his involvement dian cricket board’s disciplinary com- opportunity to play there,” the 33-year- month. “If cricket does not happen, being held in Qatar. “I have played a lot Sreesanth, who last played for India in the spot-fi xing scandal in the Indian mittee found him guilty of spot-fi xing old said. then I have to keep moving on. There with tennis ball in my younger days. It in 2011, hopes to make a comeback to Premier League in 2013. and banned him for life. “I want to keep myself fi t, which is are lots of movies lined-up for me as gives you a nice platform to hone your competitive cricket soon. The talented Though the court has dropped charg- Sreesanth said he has off ers to play very important because there will be well,” he said.