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Thursday, December 21, 2017 Rabia II 3, 1439 AH Chahal claims four GULF TIMES as see off Lanka in 1st T20 SPORT Page 2

FOOTBALL SPOTLIGHT PSG to arrive in Qatar head to Kuwait Qatar today for with aim of retaining winter camp Gulf Cup title

Senior pros Hassan al-Haidous (L) and . Below, coach Sanchez.

By Sports Reporter

efending champions Qatar will leave for Kuwait today to take part in the 23rd Gulf DCup football tournament be- PSG players training ginning tomorrow. in Qatar during Qatar, who have won the event three their visit last year. times since it began in 1970, will open their campaign with a match against Yemen on Saturday before meeting Iraq on December 26. They play their last Group B match against Bahrain on December 29, hop- ing to qualify for the semi-fi nals where Promising youngsters like Akram tough opposition awaits in the form of Afi f, Ahmed Moein and Mohamed either hosts Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, the Muntari also form part of the squad, All Paris Saint-Germain’s players will be participating in the tour, UAE or Oman. coached by Felix Sanchez. With most of the teams focusing on Sanchez has also added Al Shamal which marks a fantastic beginning to the winter football season youth, Qatar have a really good chance forward Ali Fereydoun, while Montari of retaining the trophy with coach Felix is making a comeback to the squad af- Sanchez announcing a balanced side. ter almost a year out due to injury. By Sports Reporter Hassan al-Haidous, Abdelkarim Doha Neymar (R) and Kylian Mbappe, Hassan, and goalkeeper Qatar squad the new additions to PSG, will also Saad al-Sheeb are some of the experi- Saad al-Sheeb, Youssef Hassan, make their first visit to Qatar. enced players in the team. They have Mohamed al-Bakari, Pedro Miguel, aris Saint-Germain players played plenty of international matches , , Hassan and staff will arrive in Doha over the past three years as part of Qa- al-Haidous, , Ahmed Yasser, today for their annual mid- tar’s qualifying campaign for the Asian Mohamed Muntari, Hamed al-Abidi, season Qatar Winter Tour Cup and next year’s World Cup in Rus- Ahmed Fathi, Abdelkarim Salem al-Ali, Ptraining camp. sia. Mehdi Ali, Bassam Hisham, Abdullah All Paris Saint-Germain’s play- Although Qatar didn’t make the cut al-Ahrak, Ahmed Moein, Othman al- ers will be participating in the tour, for Russia, the experience of those Yahri, Karim Boudiaf, Ismael Moham- which marks a fantastic beginning to matches will certainly help them tackle ed, Musab Kadir, Abdelkarim Hassan, the winter football season. The Qatar their Gulf rivals. Ali Fereydoun Winter Tour is a great opportunity for Qatari fans to meet and greet the Paris Saint-Germain’s players and for Qa- GULF CUP SCHEDULE tar to promote the country as a global tourism destination. As well as training at the world- class Aspire Zone facilities, several of French club’s players will be able to try spearfi shing which is a popular local sport, enjoy a tour of Msheireb Mu- seums, as well as go on a desert safari to Qatar’s magnifi cent Inland Sea; all man at QTA added, “We are delighted A further aspect of this partnership AZF, said: “This is Paris Saint-Germain organised by Qatar Tourism Authority to be hosting the Paris Saint-Germain aff ords QTA the continuous presence at FC’s fi fth annual winter training at As- (QTA). squad in Qatar once again. We hope the Paris Saint-Germain’s home stadium in pire Zone Foundation, which is a testa- Nasser al-Khelaifi , Chairman and players will enjoy exploring what our Paris where thousands of football fans ment to Aspire Zone’s capabilities to CEO of Paris Saint-Germain, said: “We country has to off er, from state-of-the experience a fl avour of Qatari culture attract and impress elite international are excited to return to Qatar for this art sport facilities to authentic tourist and hospitality through interaction teams year after year. new winter tour, and to benefi t from experiences.” with Qatari cultural and heritage off er- “We provide world-class services training in the country’s warm winter Since 2012, QTA and Paris Saint- ings. and facilities that match, and some- weather, and its remarkable facilities Germain have worked on a strategic “Our partnership with Paris Saint- times even exceed, their expectations. in Aspire Zone. Our team always enjoys partnership to promote Qatar’s sport Germain has been invaluable to our Aspire Zone’s state-of-the-art facili- visiting Qatar, experiencing fi rst hand and leisure tourism off erings. QTA has promotion eff orts, helping us spread ties give it its unique ‘all-in-one-place’ the culture, visiting various sites and hosted several tours for PSG teams, in- understanding of Qatar and its off erings approach, with the training pitches, witnessing the developments in its in- cluding the Qatar Handball Tour 2014 in France and even beyond our tradi- medical facilities, youth development frastructure and off erings since our last and 2015, the Qatar Ladies Tour 2015 tional markets,” continued al-Ibrahim. and hospitality services being found visit.” and the Qatar Winter Tour in 2013 and Meanwhile, Ibrahim al-Hilal, Head under the umbrella of one organisa- Hassan al-Ibrahim, Acting Chair- 2015. of Federations and National Teams at tion.” Gulf Times 2 Thursday, December 21, 2017 CRICKET

IND VS SL, 1ST T20 INTERNATIONAL COMMENT Four-day Tests a Sharma hails wrist boost for smaller nations: Streak Reuters spinners aft er India’s Cape Town imbabwe coach Heath Streak is unsure if four- day matches are the fu- ture of , but Zsays they will help to level the biggest T20 victory playing fi eld between the so- called bigger nations and the minnows. host Zimbabwe Chahal returns figures of 4-23, Yadav chips in with two wickets in 93-run win in the fi rst offi cial four-day Test at St George’s Park in Port Eliza- AFP beth on Boxing Day, a fi xture that Cuttack, India will also be played as a day-night “When the two teams aren’t game. ranked that close together, There will be 98 overs in a the game will move that much kipper Rohit Sharma yesterday day, eight more than in fi ve-day quicker, it will be good to watch,” lauded the wrist spinners for their matches, and the follow-on tar- he said. -taking abilities after Yuz- get has been reduced from 200 “What a lot of the so-called vendra Chahal powered India to to 150. bigger teams do (in fi ve-day theirS biggest win, as the hosts Streak believes the playing matches) is bat the other team outplayed by 93 runs in the fi rst conditions will force teams to right out of the game because match on Wednesday. take more risks to engineer a re- they know they have the bowlers Chahal returned impressive fi gures of sult, playing into the hands of the to bowl them out twice. 4-23 with his leg-spin to help dismiss underdogs. “So now what I think the big- Sri Lanka for 87, in 16 overs, while chas- “In terms of higher and lower ger teams will do is probably try ing 181 as the hosts took a 1-0 lead in the ranked (teams), it is much harder and score a bit quicker, and give three-match series. to bat a team out (of the game) the lesser team a lot more oppor- Left-arm unorthodox bowler Kuldeep because in doing so you might tunity to get wickets.” Yadav also chipped in with two wickets make it harder to win the Test,” The four-day format has not while paceman Hardik Pandya claimed Streak told reporters. been met with the same enthu- three to fl atten the Sri Lankan in “It is a challenge, though the siasm by South Africa Faf Cuttack. 98 overs in a day does make it a du Plessis. India’s previous biggest T20 triumph four-and-a-half day Test. It will “I believe some of the great in terms of runs was their 90-run win be interesting and exciting to be Test matches have gone to the over England in the 2012 World Cup part of, hopefully it is something last over on day fi ve and that is group match in . that does work out for the future what is so special about fi ve-day “Those two guys (Chahal and Kul- of Test cricket.” cricket,” he told reporters re- deep), if you look at their careers over the It is a point backed up by Zim- cently. last few months, they have always been babwe captain Graeme Cremer, “Four-day or fi rst-class crick- a wicket-taking option in the middle,” who feels his side will be in with et does feel a bit easier, whereas Sharma said of the spin duo. a better chance of winning Tests for fi ve days bowlers have to bowl “It’s important to understand what the as it will force opponents to be a lot more and batters have to team expects of them and they’ve deliv- more daring. construct much bigger innings.” ered. They don’t fail to impress us.” Earlier opener Lokesh Rahul smashed 61 off 48 balls as India posted a chal- lenging 180-3 after being invited to bat Hathurusingha sees opportunity first. But it was Dhoni (39) and Manish Pan- for struggling Sri Lanka dey (32) who set up India’s big win with their unbeaten 68-run stand for the Chandika Hathurusingha said home at the hands of world fourth wicket that lifted the team from yesterday he scents opportu- number one India. 112-3 to put up a challenging total. nity as the new head coach of During their continuing tour of Dhoni hit 4 fours and a six during his India’s Yuzvendra Chahal (third from right) and others congratulate teammate Kuldeep Yadav (fourth from right) after he took the Sri Lanka despite a string of India, Sri Lanka lost a three- 22-ball blitz while Pandey also hit the wicket of Sri Lanka’s (second from left) during the first T20 international in Cuttack, India, yesterday. (AFP) humiliating defeats. match Test series 1-0 and the bowlers to all parts of the ground during “It will not be pressure but subsequent one-dayers 2-1. his 18-ball stay. ing skipper to rotate his do the job in the next match.” U. Tharanga c Dhoni b Chahal 23 an opportunity,” the 49-year- Yesterday, they lost the first of Rahul, who replaced Shikhar Dhawan options. The second match is scheduled for to- K. Perera c Dhoni b Yadav 19 old former Test batsman told their three-match Twenty20 in the XI, put on a crucial 63-run stand The ploy worked as Sri Lanka took two morrow in Indore. A. Mathews c & b Chahal 1 reporters after being named to series with India. with Shreyas Iyer, who made 24, after In- quick wickets including that of Rahul and A. Gunaratne st Dhoni b Chahal 4 the post on December 8. They travel next to dia a lost an early wicket. also managed to stem the fl ow of runs. SCORECARD D. Shanaka c Pandya b Yadav 1 “I am proud to take this oppor- for a tri-series also involving “I think KL Rahul at the top was a great Perera bowled Rahul on a well-disguised INDIA T. Perera st Dhoni b Chahal 3 tunity to coach my own coun- Zimbabwe, followed by a two- move. He wasn’t a part of the ODI squad slower . R. Sharma c Chameera b Mathews 17 A. Dananjaya c & b Pandya 7 try to maximise the potential Test rubber with the hosts. but he came and showed that he belongs But Dhoni and Pandey fi nished off the L. Rahul b Perera 61 D. Chameera c Rahul b Pandya 12 that we see from outside.” Hathurusingha resigned as here,” said Sharma. innings with a fl urry of fours and sixes as S. Iyer c Dickwella b Pradeep 24 V. Fernando c Unadkat b Pandya 2 Hathurusingha also said he Bangladesh’s coach in October “He (Rahul) batted magnifi cently and India got 66 runs in the last fi ve overs. M.S. Dhoni 39 N. Pradeep not out 0 would streamline the selection after guiding the national team we felt that he was hitting the ball well. In reply, the Sri Lankan batting fell like M. Pandey not out 32 Extras (w2) 2 process which he believed through their most success- And great fi nish to the batting innings by a pack of cards against the Indian wrist Extras (b1, lb1, nb1, w4) 7 Total (all out, 16 overs) 87 could revive the sagging ful period in his three years in MS and Manish,” he added. spinners as opening batsman Upul Tha- Total (3 wickets, 20 overs) 180 Fall of wickets: 1-15 (Dickwella), 2-39 (Tha- fortunes of the team. Sri Lanka charge, masterminding Test got skipper Sharma ranga top-scored with 23. Bowling: Fernando 2-0-16-0, Danan- ranga), 3-46 (Mathews), 4-55 (K. Perera), this year have turned in their wins over England and Australia. caught at mid-on for 17 to check India’s “Our batting line-up didn’t click. Re- jaya 4-0-30-0, Chameera 3-0-38-0 (w2), 5-58 (Shanaka), 6-62 (T. Perera), 7-70 (K. worst performance since 1987. The Sri Lanka post had been va- surge after the openers gave the team a ally disappointed. We are working hard Mathews 3-0-19-1, Perera 4-0-37-1, Pradeep Perera), 8-76 (Dananjaya), 9-85 (Cha- Out of a total of 29 ODIs they cant since South African Graham brisk start. at practice, to handle the wristspinners,” 4-0-38-1 (w2, nb1) meera), 10-87 (Fernando) won only five while losing 23. Ford quit in June. , the Rahul, who hit 7 fours and a six, carried said Perera. Bowling: Pandya 4-0-29-3 (w1), Unadkat In Tests, they lost eight match- fielding coach, was asked to fill on with his attacking play as he reached “These are the best 15 (players) we have SRI LANKA (target 181) 2-0-7-1, Chahal 4-0-23-4 (w1), Bumrah 2-0- es including a 3-0 pasting at the position in the interim. his second T20 fi fty in 34 balls, prompt- (in the squad) so we have to stand up and N. Dickwella c Rahul b Unadkat 13 10-0, Yadav 4-0-18-2

NZ VS WI, 1ST ODI Windies rue poor batting as New Zealand win fi rst ODI

AFP named man of the match after celebrat- SCORECARD Whangarei, New Zealand ing the end of a 15-month exile from the WEST INDIES national team by claiming four wickets C. Gayle c Latham b Bracewell 22 for 55. E. Lewis lbw b Astle 76 ew Zealand cruised to a fi ve- Bracewell had fallen out of favour S. Hope c Latham b Bracewell 0 wicket win over the West In- with after a string S. Hetmyer c Ferguson b Astle 29 dies in the fi rst one-day in- of off -fi eld incidents, including a drink- J. Mohammed b Ferguson 9 ternational yesterday as the driving conviction earlier this year. J. Holder c Taylor b Bracewell 8 Ntourists’ batting line-up failed to per- The 27-year-old was called up as a R. Powell c Williamson b Bracewell 59 form. last-minute replacement for Colin de A. Nurse lbw b Astle 2 The return of Chris Gayle could not Grandhomme after the all-rounder R. Beaton c Latham b Ferguson 3 spark the West Indies, with the short- ruled himself out of the series following K. Williams not out 16 form master managing only 22 as his his father’s death. S. Gabriel not out 0 team struggled to 248-9 after losing the “For him to come back and perform Extras (lb6, w18) 24 toss and being sent in to bat. the way he did, taking some big scalps Total (9 wickets, 50 overs) 248 The Black Caps always looked com- for us, was outstanding,” said captain Fall of wickets: 1-40 (Gayle), 2-41 fortable chasing the modest total, over- Kane Williamson. (Hope), 3-103 (Hetmyer), 4-117 (Moham- hauling it with four overs remaining at Spinner Todd Astle also contributed med), 5-134 (Holder), 6-177 (Lewis), 7-182 Whangarei’s Cobham Oval. three for 33 in his ODI debut as the Black (Nurse), 8-201 (Beaton), 9-246 (Powell) West Indies skipper Jason Holder said Caps attack maintained constant pres- Bowling: Southee 10-2-49-0 (3w), Boult his side needed to be “a lot better with sure with the ball. 10-2-48-0 (4w), Ferguson 10-0-49-2 (3w), the bat” as they chase their fi rst ODI se- New Zealand opening batsmen Bracewell 8-0-55-4 (1w), Astle 10-1-33-3 ries win in New Zealand since 1995. George Worker and Colin Munro laid (1w), Munro 2-0-8-0 “It was tough, I didn’t think we had the foundation for the hosts’ chase with enough runs,” he said. a 108-run partnership. NEW ZEALAND (target 249) “We kept losing wickets at crucial Worker fi nished on 57 and Munro 49 G. Worker b Nurse 57 stages of the game and never really as New Zealand’s top order all made C. Munro c Nurse b Williams 49 gathered momentum. starts, with Williamson contributing 38 K. Williamson b Holder 38 “That obviously hampered us today and unbeaten on 49. R. Taylor not out 49 and we’ve just got to correct it.” The loss leaves the West Indies yet to T. Latham lbw b Nurse 17 There were some bright spots for register a win on their New Zealand tour H. Nicholls c Hope b Holder 17 the Windies, with opener Evin Lewis after a 2-0 whitewash in the Test series. T. Astle not out 15 notching a classy 76 and They are in a form slump that has Extras (lb2, w5) 7 staging a pugnacious rearguard action seen them win only three of 17 ODIs Total (5 wickets, 46.0 overs) 249 to score 59 off 50 balls. contested in 2017. Fall of wickets: 1-108 (Munro), 2-118 Gayle — fresh from notching a record The next fi xture in the three-match (Worker), 3-175 (Williamson), 4-201 18 sixes in the Bangladesh Premier ODI series is in Christchurch on Satur- (Latham), 5-230 (Nicholls) League T20 fi nal — had an uncharacter- day. Bowling: Gabriel 10-0-57-0 (1w), Beaton istically subdued innings. Williamson and paceman Tim South- 9-1-42-0 (2w), Holder 9-1-52-2, Williams He fell victim to resurgent New Zea- ee will be rested for the second and third 5-0-18-1, Nurse 10-0-55-2 (1w), Moham- Chris Gayle (right) of the West Indies walks back after being dismissed by New Zealand’s (third from left) land paceman Doug Bracewell, who was matches. med 2-0-13-0, Powell 1-0-10-0 (1w) during the first ODI at Cobham Oval in Whangarei, New Zealand, yesterday. (AFP) Gulf Times Thursday, December 21, 2017 3 CRICKET

COMMENT UPDATE Starc cleared Broad not up to it, Cook of serious foot injury

AFP has ‘scars’: Johnson Sydney ustralian pace spearhead Mitchell Starc has been cleared of a major foot With England having given back the urn, Johnson said selectors should make hard decisions injury, but remains in doubt for the Boxing Day Test, reports said yesterday. AScans confi rmed he only has a bruised heel Reuters Perth after he was seen hobbling on crutches as he left Perth after Australia claimed by beat- ing England by an innings and 41 runs in the third athan Lyon’s wish to see Test this week. the end of some England The injury was assessed in Sydney yesterday careers after another Ash- and the paceman was “cleared of serious injury”, es whitewash could easily cricket.com.au said, adding that he would link up Ncome true if the tourists’ struggling with Australia’s 13-man squad later this week in senior players fail to lift quickly, . former Australia paceman Mitchell But local reports said Starc still remained a Johnson has said. doubt to play, with Jackson Bird likely to replace Johnson captured 37 wickets in him should he fail to recover. the 5-0 sweep of ’s “We’d love to win 5-0 and have the big three England in 2013/14 which sparked (Starc, Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood) going the exits of a number of senior play- all the time,” skipper Steve Smith said after the ers and staff . Perth win. England spinner Graeme Swann “But we’ve also got an important tour to South promptly retired after the third Test Africa after this series, which we’d love to have of that ill-fated series, while bats- him (Starc) available for.” men Michael Carberry and Kevin Meanwhile, the BBC said seamer Craig Over- Pietersen were never seen again in ton was also a doubt for Melbourne, where Eng- Test whites. land will be desperate to salvage some pride. With ’s team having given Overton, who made his debut in the second back the urn and 3-0 down head- match of the series in Adelaide, is still struggling ing to the fourth Test in Melbourne, after being hit in the ribs by a Cummins bouncer. Johnson said selectors should make “We’re going to assess it over the next couple hard decisions now rather than wait of days,” he told the broadcaster. until the end of the series. “Melbourne might be a push, but it’s still an “Going to the next Test I think option to play at the minute.” England will have to think about changes,” the 36-year-old told Reu- ters after training with Big Bash side at the WACA. “I’m not sure if (paceman) Stu- art Broad is up to it at the moment. There will be some question marks around him, (as) a senior player. “(Opener) Alastair Cook is some- one who I think has been thinking about retirement. “I just wonder now with the scoreline being 3-0 whether that will take a bit of pressure off him and Australia’s Josh Hazlewood (third from right) celebrates with teammates after dismissing England’s Alastair Cook (right) on Day Four of the third Ashes Test he’ll just go out there and score runs. at WACA in Perth, Australia, on Sunday. (Below) Former Australia bowler . (Reuters) I’m not sure. “I think the scars are there from bourne or Sydney without a genuine The left-armer recalled his own erous in his praise of the home side the last series.” quick, and urged selectors to recall wayward bowling during the 2009 and their captain, with Steve Smith Cook, who will be 33 when the Box- Durham seamer Mark Wood. Ashes in England when tabloids leading brilliantly with a double- ing Day Test starts, scored 766 runs in “I look forward to him playing if were awash with reports of a rift in Perth and 426 runs for England’s 2010/11 triumph Down Un- he gets the opportunity, they should with his mother. the series. der but struggled with the bat as - pick him even if he’s slightly un- He felt England’s boozy indiscre- The Ashes had been disappoint- tain during the 2013/14 series. derdone,” Johnson said of 10-Test tions during the current tour had ing from a “fan’s point of view” but He has managed only 83 runs in Wood, who recovered from an ankle probably taken a similar toll on their that was of little concern to Johnson, the current campaign at a paltry av- injury to bowl in the tour match in skipper’s on-fi eld performance. who enjoyed a number of fi ery on- erage of 13.83. Perth. “For me ‘09 was a struggle when fi eld exchanges with England players Broad has only fi ve wickets from “From a pace point of view, some- you have off -fi eld things happening, during his international days. the three matches at 61.80 runs one bowling over 140-145 (km/hour) personal things that have happened “As an ex-player, I’d love to see a apiece and came off his worst ever can defi nitely change the game.” and they’re out in the public,” he said. 5-0 (whitewash), I’m not really that Test fi gures in the third match at the Root, meanwhile, was a “great” “Because it’s the Ashes you’re fussed on what happens out in the WACA. player that had failed to stand up defi nitely under the microscope a lot middle. With England’s lack of pace ex- for his team with the bat while be- more. He’ll learn and he’ll defi nitely “I don’t like seeing close games posed on Australian wickets, John- ing saddled with a series of off -fi eld get better.” when it’s against England, I just son doubted they could win in Mel- distractions, said Johnson. Johnson was naturally more gen- want to see them get thumped.”

FROM THE VAULT Melbourne miracle of 1998 shows dead-rubber fourth Ashes Tests do matter

By Rob Smyth fi rst Ashes hundred - they were behind the wicketkeeper’s catch felt like the best catch in trick, Headley picked up eight in the match, and The Guardian game going into the fourth day, thanks mainly the world,” says Hegg, “because it meant we England might have drawn the series 2-2 but to an irksome ninth-wicket partnership of 88 had another Australia wicket.” for a questionable third-umpiring decision that between Steve Waugh and Stuart MacGill. Waugh took a single off the fi rst ball of the reprieved Michael Slater. Instead they lost 3-1. he most frustrating thing about Eng- Waugh had already given Hegg a harsh intro- next over, putting MacGill on strike against “Gough was an absolute star against Aus- land in the 1990s was not how bad they duction to Test cricket. “I remember going out Gough. “There was no better man to have in tralia,” said Hussain in his autobiography. “I often were, it was how good they could to bat in the fi rst innings and I was feeling on that situation,” says Hegg. “In Goughie’s mind won’t have a bad word said against him because be when the handbrake came off . Vic- top of the world,” he says. “I walked past Steve every ball was a wicket-taking delivery.” The he was a fantastic, whole-hearted cricketer who Ttories were often achieved in spectacular style, Waugh, who was at square leg, and he said: trajectory of Gough’s fi rst delivery to MacGill loved playing against Australia.” Gough and especially against Australia. Although England ‘You’re an absolute embarrassment. You’re in could not have been better had he drawn it on Headley shared 53 wickets in the fi ve Tests they lost every Ashes series in that decade, they were your thirties and you’re just making your debut. a graphic. It was a perfect reverse-swinging played together, all against the best team in the never whitewashed and usually had a victory to You should be embarrassed.’ yorker that thudded into the stumps. Two world. “He epitomised, to me, what you need cherish. Those wins were particularly precious balls later he nailed McGrath lbw with another to do as a bowler,” said Headley. “Yes, things at the end of a long, draining tour. The glori- England started the last day on 65 for yorker. Australia had lost their last seven wick- might not go your way but you never, ever give ous turnarounds at Adelaide in 1995 and Mel- two, a defi cit of fi ve. They lost wickets took seven wickets in the match, ets for 32 and England won by 12 runs. It meant up on anything.” bourne in 1998, both in the fourth Test after the steadily despite half-centuries from while teammate Dean Headley (not in picture) six. Mullally, the kind of tailender who was too high Headley could have been talking about Ashes had been retained by Australia, are usu- Stewart, his vice-captain, Nasser in the order at No 11, had eff ectively won an himself. “When you looked Deano in the eye, he ally referred to as “dead-rubber victories”. It’s a Hussain, and a fl uent , who being panned round the ground by our No11.” Ashes Test with the bat. always wanted to bowl more,” said Hussain. “So slightly unfair label that belittles the Herculean thumped 60 from 82 balls. He was the Mullally’s innings left Australia needing 175 There’s nothing quite like victory to make many people are not like that.” task of winning any Test in Australia. ninth man out, with the lead 151, at which to win. They had a strange problem with small you lose it, and Gough convulsed with a mix- Waugh, who scored 152 runs at the MCG with- The yakka was never harder than in Mel- point Alan Mullally, one of the worst targets, which Stewart highlighted in the Eng- ture of anger and joy. “I have never made such a out being dismissed, was blamed for Australia’s bourne on 29 December 1998. It was Test crick- batsmen in Test cricket, started slogging land dressing-room, but were cruising at 103 spectacle of myself as I did at that moment,” he defeat. His regular policy of trusting tailenders et’s longest day, with the fi nal session lasting a an apoplectic Glenn McGrath for two when took a stagger- said in his autobiography. “I gave it a real King – so successful in the fi rst innings – backfi red record four hours and three minutes. England’s ing diving catch at square leg to dismiss Justin of the Castle pose, very Tarzan, very defi ant, in the second. Waugh’s despondency at the end Darren Gough and Dean Headley bowled them- England started the last day on 65 for two, Langer. The catch – and Ramprakash’s angry, stump in hand. After all the stick we’d had to delighted Stewart – not out of spite or schaden- selves into the ground and into Ashes folklore. a defi cit of fi ve. They lost wickets steadily strutting celebration – injected a fl agging take, I was in no mood to be modest ... Sky took freude but because it showed how worthy Eng- “I’d never experienced pressure like it,” says the despite half-centuries from Stewart, his vice- England with the maximum available dosage of great delight in replaying my less than diplo- land’s win was. “I don’t think there’s ever a dead former wicketkeeper Warren Hegg, who was captain, , and a fl uent Graeme energy and belief. matic mutterings.” game against Australia,” says Hegg. “They don’t making his Test debut at the age of 30. “There Hick, who thumped 60 from 82 balls. He was The entire Australia innings took place in the give you an inch, especially someone like Steve was an incredible mix of emotion: exhaustion, the ninth man out, with the lead 151, at which marathon evening session. Headley had already The trajectory of Gough’s fi rst delivery to Waugh. The jubilation afterwards in the dressing- jubilation, excitement, nervousness. To win at point Alan Mullally, one of the worst batsmen bowled a seven-over spell when he returned to MacGill could not have been better had room was incredible. There was such a sense of that ground in those circumstances was one of in Test cricket, started slogging an apoplectic the attack. With the ball starting to reverse, he he drawn it on a graphic. It was a perfect achievement, to win the historic Boxing Day Test the greatest experiences I’ve ever had.” Glenn McGrath. “I didn’t take myself seriously and Gough – both fast, skiddy and relentless – reverse-swinging yorker that thudded against such a good team.” England started the match in the kind of dis- with the bat,” said Mullally. “Of course I was were an even greater threat. Headley rampaged into the stumps. Two balls later he nailed When the adrenaline wore off the England array that makes Joe Root’s team seem strong s***. But I loved it.” Mullally, who had scored through the middle order, taking four wickets McGrath lbw with another yorker. team were spent but they forced down a few and stable by comparison. They were 2-0 down four runs in six innings all series, biff ed 16 off for four runs in 13 balls, and Australia slipped Australia had lost their last seven 4.5% ABV energy drinks at the team hotel with after three Tests and had just been humiliated 15 balls. McGrath off ered some observations from 130 for three to 140 for seven. wickets for 32 and England won by 12 runs their families and the Barmy Army. The players in Hobart, where Australia A chased a target of regarding the imperfections in Mullally’s tech- Waugh, who for England fans stood alongside took turns to stand on a table and sing Oasis 376 in just 55.2 overs. “English cricket,” wrote nique; Mullally off ered to meet him in a private death and taxes, was still at the crease. He and They took greater delight in replaying the songs. “We partied long into the night, I know John Woodcock in the Cricketer, “can never space for a full and frank exchange of views. the debutant Matthew Nicholson inched Aus- wickets that secured a feelgood triumph of the that,” says Hegg. “They are brilliant, brilliant have been in lower water than when Alec Stew- “That was a bit of light relief, because they’d tralia towards the target; they needed 14 when human spirit. Gough and Headley bowled 15.4 memories.” It’s also a brilliant precedent for the art and his team arrived in Melbourne.” been all over us,” says Hegg. “It gave the Barmy Waugh claimed the extra half-hour. Headley, and 17 overs respectively to fi nish with two for current team – proving that, no matter how bad The fi rst day of the Test was washed out, and Army something to cheer as well. Mullally was whose second spell had been going almost two 54 and six for 60. Headley’s second spell was an things are on an Ashes tour, there is always the though England had their moments on days the life and soul of that tour. There’s nothing hours, went to the well one last time to have epic: 10-3-26-5. They performed just as well chance to take a shortcut from rock bottom to two and three – Stewart punched a memorable better than seeing the best bowler in the world Nicholson caught behind. “A straightforward in the next match at Sydney: Gough took a hat- cloud nine. Gulf Times 4 Thursday, December 21, 2017 SPORT

BOXING FOCUS Russia Paralympic ban remains, Pyeongchang India’s Mary Kom decision in January

Reuters and much to our growing disappoint- London ment and frustration, there is a lack of progress regarding an offi cial response from the Russian authorities specifi - he International Paralympic cally and adequately addressing the driven by Ali in Committee (IPC) said yester- McLaren fi ndings and evidence,” Par- day it was maintaining its sus- sons said. pension of the Russian Paral- A report for the World Anti-Doping Tympic Committee but had yet to make Agency by lawyer Richard McLaren a fi nal decision on whether its athletes in 2016 found more than 1,000 Rus- could compete at the 2018 Winter sian competitors in over 30 sports had Games in South Korea. been involved in a conspiracy to con- In a strongly worded statement, the ceal positive drug tests over a fi ve-year bid for more gold IPC accused the Russian Ministry of period. Sport of being “evasive and unhelpful” “Added to this is the complete lack ‘I am really inspired by Muhammad Ali, who was a legend across the world. and said there was “a very strong likeli- of information provided to us by the hood” that the suspension will remain Russian Ministry of Sport regarding He is my mentor and my only inspiration (is) his achievements’ in place beyond the Games start date its own investigations into the matter, next March. despite several requests from the IPC But the IPC has kept in place an in- Taskforce,” said Parsons. terim measure for Russian athletes to “There is now a very strong like- compete as neutrals in qualifi cation lihood that this unhelpful and eva- events across four winter sports: alpine sive approach will lead to the RPC not skiing, biathlon, cross-country skiing meeting the reinstatement criteria in and snowboard. time for the PyeongChang 2018 Paral- A fi nal decision on whether Russian ympic Winter Games.” athletes can compete at the Games in Russia said it was “disappointed” by Pyeongchang will be made in late Janu- the decision. “We are disappointed that ary, little more than a month before the suspension imposed on the Russian they open on March 9. Paralympic Committee (RPC) was left The IPC imposed a blanket ban on in force,” the TASS news agency cited Russia for the Rio Paralympics last year Russian Sports Minister Pavel Kolob- after revelations of a systematic dop- kov as saying. ing culture in the country – a tougher “The RPC made good on all its ob- stance than that taken by the Inter- ligations. And I consider it unjusti- national Olympic Committee (IOC) fi ed that the IPC stipulated lifting the which elected not to ban Russia from suspension by the work of the inves- the Summer Games in Brazil. tigation and the recognition of the “Although the IPC Governing Board McLaren fi ndings.” continues to be impressed at the level “The positive moment is that all the of co-operation and progress made so athletes who qualifi ed continue to take far by the RPC, it is united in its deci- part in events,” Kolobkov added. sion to maintain the suspension as the “The IPC has put off its decision, but reinstatement criteria have not yet it will be taken in January. In our opin- been met in full,” new IPC president ion, this is a purely technical decision. Andrew Parsons said yesterday. It is clear that the RPC will discuss with Last September the taskforce high- us all issues regarding its participation lighted that seven key measures still (in the Olympics).” needed to be met before it was able to The IOC recently issued a ban on recommend the reinstatement of the Russia for the Winter Olympics, which RPC. Yesterday it said fi ve areas of con- take place in South Korea from Feb. cern remained. 9-25, although it will allow “innocent” “The RPC is making headway with athletes who can prove they do not the IPC on three of the fi ve remaining have a doping history to compete as reinstatement criteria, however sadly, neutrals.

Coetzee must go but should not shoulder This file photo taken on October 01, 2014, shows gold medallist India’s Mary Kom celebrating during the victory ceremony after winning the women’s flyweight (48-51kg) Bok blame alone: Stransky boxing final match against Kazakhstan’s Shekerbekova Zhaina during the 2014 Asian Games at the Seonhak Gymnasium in Incheon. (AFP) Springbok coach Allister Coetzee is “But I also don’t think we can look at AFP world. He is my mentor and my only trying my best to improve day-by-day.” to get my own gloves, it was diffi cult likely to be given the axe by South Allister in isolation. There are too many Bangalore inspiration (is) his achievements,” she Kom said the Indian government to even buy one glove and my family African Rugby in the New Year but the provincial unions with South African told AFP. and much-criticised Boxing Fed- did not support me in the beginning,” blame for the poor performances of Rugby and the local coaching struc- “And he was such a great boxer – eration of India (BFI) were providing Kom said. the side in the last two years do not lie tures are poor. The system has failed he is a fi ve-time world cham- that is why I am still able to do this.” “good facilities” so she has no excuses “They were worried that if I got in- squarely on his shoulders, according Allister and while we probably do need pion, mother of three and The Asian title in November was her for not being ready. jured, who will take the responsibility? to former World Cup winner Joel Stran- to make a change in terms of the cur- member of parliament, but fi rst gold at international level since “Everything moves with money sky. The Boks have been victorious in rent coaching team, we also need to SIndian boxer Mary Kom be- winning the Asian Games in 2014. Early struggle only. If we want something to eat or just 11 of their 25 tests under Coetzee, put in place long-term measures too. lieves that at 35 there is plenty more But Kom has long rejected the It is a far cry from recent years. In- to buy clothes or do anything, with- a win ratio of 44 percent that is well “We have too many professional glory in the ring to come. doubts of those who have highlighted fi ghting in the Indian federation led out money you can’t do anything,” she below the 65 percent the country has players and the money is spread too Dubbed “Magnifi cent Mary” for a her age and questioned her ability to to Kom failing to make the 2016 Rio said with a laugh. maintained in their 126-year history of thin. We should be able to pay better glittering career that has already in- combine boxing with being a mother Olympics. No Indian boxers took part Blessed with three sons, Kom is now playing international rugby. salaries to keep our best players in spired a Bollywood biopic, veteran and an MP in India’s upper house. in qualifying. “It was very unfortunate happy juggling roles as a mother, law- The team also set a number of un- South Africa. Everybody is pointing a Kom last month defi ed critics who “I am still fi t. Some people talk because the reason was there was no maker and gym owner. But she insists wanted records, including a humiliat- finger at poor Allister, but for me the wrote her off by winning a record fifth about the X-factor and say ‘she cannot federation, they were fi ghting each that boxing remains her top priority. ing 57-0 loss to New Zealand and a first system is more at fault.” Asian women’s championships title in perform’. That is always the mindset. other to hold power, be president,” “That is obviously very diffi cult. ever defeat to struggling Italy. Robbie Kempson, who won 37 caps Vietnam. “So I say there is no X-factor... I said Kom. But businessman Ajay People might also say how can she Local media have reported that for the Boks at prop and is now a TV Driven on by the legacy of three- have more experience and I am get- Singh’s election as BFI president last maintain all these things? How can Coetzee is a ‘Dead Man Walking’ and pundit, agrees a change is necessary time world heavyweight champion ting better and better,” added Kom. In year has ended the turmoil. she keep performing? It is a question his exit now a matter of process, with and adds the team would benefit from Muhammad Ali, she has now set her her bid for gold, she has dropped back Like her hero Ali, Kom had her own of will and mindset,” she said. newly appointed director of rugby a coach from outside of the South Af- sights on the Commonwealth Games down to the 48kg category she fought struggles growing up, with her rise “Whether I am going to a parlia- Rassie Erasmus set to head an interim rican game. “There is not a shadow of in April, and even the Tokyo Olympics in when she fi rst grabbed headlines at from an impoverished family in the ment session or programme or my coaching team. “I don’t think Allister doubt they (SA Rugby) should be look- in 2020 where she hopes to improve on the 2001 world championships. remote northeastern state of Manipur own personal programme, that is sec- has blazed himself in glory and results ing at other options,” Kempson told the bronze medal she won in London. “The Games will soon be here,” she being made into a 2014 Bollywood ondary. The fi rst priority is training, have been poor,” Stransky told Reuters Reuters. “It’s unfortunate for Allister, “I am really inspired by Muham- said referring to the Commonwealth movie starring Priyanka Chopra. the rest comes second and that is why in a telephone interview yesterday. but it’s time for him to move on.” mad Ali, who was a legend across the event in Australia’s Gold Coast. “I am “In the beginning it was diffi cult I am still performing.”

SPOTLIGHT Save the Dream and Qatar Airways fl y high at Pisa Marathon By Sports Reporter Qatar Airways senior vice president mar- Doha/Rome keting and corporate communications, Salam al-Shawa, said: “It is truly inspiring to see so many people joining together to take part and ave the Dream – the global non-profi t support the 19th Pisa Marathon and Save the movement that aims to promote and Dream. It has become a fi rm sporting fi xture protect the values and integrity of on the Italian calendar and every year grows sport in young people – and Qatar in popularity. AirwaysS joined forces at the 19th Pisa Mara- “Sport is such a powerful unifying force thon this week to engage and inspire young for good, so we are delighted to promote this people around Italy through the positive amazing endeavour and support the aspira- values of sport. tions of athletes of all abilities with Save the Building on previous joint activities in Italy Dream. Qatar Airways will continue to be a – including Save the Dream Week 2017 – and proud supporter of sports that bring people internationally, Save the Dream and Qatar together.” Airways united once again to conduct a range Massimiliano Montanari, Executive Di- of activities that promoted the positive role rector – Save the Dream said: “Building on that sport can play in educating and inspir- the activities that took place in Italy during ing young people, as well as how the posi- Save the Dream Week 2017, we are delighted tive values of sport can empower society and to land at the Pisa Marathon to complete our encourage inclusivity and integration within campaign in Italy and help empower and give local communities. more children with mental and physical im- With over 4,000 runners from Italy and pairments better access to sport. over 60 other foreign countries taking part, “Sport provides joy and educational op- the Pisa Marathon provided a platform for a portunities to all children regardless their diverse range of children and sportspeople to physical or social condition. This was the vi- come together under the banner of Save the sion that inspired our campaign, which was Dream. implemented jointly with Qatar Airways and In particular, through its activities at this Save the Dream Ambassador and Paralympic year’s Pisa Marathon, Save the Dream will athlete, Giusy Versace. support the eff orts of local organisations in “As part of our participation in the Pisa favour of both able-bodied and para-ath- Marathon, Save the Dream is delighted to letes by bringing young people of all ages and help raise funds to support a number of lo- abilities and giving them the opportunity to cal children’s charities and to enable and train, compete and achieve their Olympic and empower them to support more children and Paralympic dreams together. disabled young people to play sport.” Gulf Times Thursday, December 21, 2017 5 SPORT

NHL NBA Antetokounmpo Capitals knock powers Bucks over Cavaliers off Stars 4-3 in OT Australian guard Matthew Dellave- AFP Washington dova returned to Milwaukee’s starting ‘It’s about wins and losses, and we need to find a way to win’ lineup after missing 15 games with left knee tendinitis. By Mike Heika reece’s Giannis Antetok- Sacramento forward Zach Randolph The Dallas Morning News (TNS) ounmpo capped a 27-point took advantage of the absence of Phila- performance on a three-point delphia scoring and rebound leader Joel play with 5.9 seconds remain- Embiid to produce 27 points as the vis- en Hitchcock sang the Ging Tuesday to spark the Milwaukee iting Kings rallied to defeat the 76ers praises of his team’s even- Bucks over visiting Cleveland 119-116 101-96. strength play on Tuesday in an NBA thriller. The Sixers fell to 14-16 and 1-6 with- morning and then watched The Cavaliers were led by 39 points out Embiid, who is struggling with a Kthem live or die on special teams on from LeBron James as Cleveland made sore lower back. Tuesday night. a furious fourth-quarter rally only to Sacramento’s Buddy Hield scored 10 Dallas couldn’t capitalise on a fall short at Milwaukee’s Bradley Cent- of his 24 points in the fourth quarter for third-period power play and then lost er. the Kings, who erased a 16-point third- in the three-on-three overtime 4-3 to The Bucks (16-13) snapped a three- quarter defi cit to end a two-game los- the Washington Capitals on Tuesday game losing streak overall and had ing streak. night. dropped their past fi ve meetings with Robert Covington scored 17 points to This hockey thing is a lot more Cleveland, which used a 24-2 run to lead the Sixers, who lost their third in complicated than it looks. battle back. Dwyane Wade had 14 a row and seventh in eight games. Jer- “We’ve really improved our fi ve- points and Jeff Green 13 but each had ryd Bayless added 15 points for Phila- on-fi ve play,” Hitchcock said before nine in the fourth quarter. delphia while Australian Ben Simmons the game. “We relied on our special Eric Bledsoe added 16 points for had 13 points, 12 rebounds and nine as- teams at the beginning of the year Milwaukee, which trailed 113-112 after sists. to gather us points, and as a coach, James scored six points in a row late in Bradley Beal scored 26 points and that’s a slippery slope. It’s one of those the fourth quarter. Mike Scott added 24 to power the things where if one or the other gets Milwaukee’s Tony Snell followed Washington Wizards over visiting New cold it’s hard to win.” with a 3-pointer and Antetokounmpo Orleans 116-106. John Wall added 18 Dallas actually played pretty good added a 3-point play to help deliver the points and 10 assists for the Wizards in all phases of the game. It dominated victory. while Anthony Davis led the Pelicans even-strength play, scored a power- “You’ve got to play to the last minute. with a game-high 37 points. play goal and held the Capitals off the I got the ball in my hands and I was able board on three penalty kills. to do it,” the Green standout said. “We RESULTS But the Capitals simply found a wanted to play tough defensively and Sacramento 101 Philadelphia 95 way to hang in. They received strong move the ball off ensively. That’s what Washington 116 New Orleans 106 goaltending from Braden Holtby, who we did and that’s why we got the win.” Milwaukee 119 Cleveland 116 had been terrible in four previous ap- Andre Burakovsky of the Washington Capitals celebrates a goal in the first period of the NHL game against the Dallas Stars pearances against the Stars, and they at American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas, on Tuesday. (AFP) looked good on the counter-attack. The fi rst goal came when Brett Con- And that’s another part of this puz- fi nally broke through at 15:53 when And quite frankly, they believe they nolly made a perfect cross-ice feed zle the Stars are trying to solve. Alexander Radulov walked up the slot need more than that. to Andre Burakovsky for the open- “When we’re on top of our game, we in transition and snapped in what ap- “We just have to fi nd a way to get it ing goal of the game, and the second don’t give you much of a breath. We’re peared to be the game-winning goal. done,” said captain Jamie Benn. “It’s came when defenseman Dmitry Orlov getting better and better at hemming It was sweet redemption for the vet- about wins and losses, and we need to made one of the sweetest rushes up ice teams in,” Hitchcock said. “If you look at eran, who was called out for taking two fi nd a way to win.” in the NHL this season. Orlov turned the analytics right now, we’re up signifi - late penalties in the Philadelphia. It Stars defenseman John Klingberg like cantly in off ensive zone time, and that’s was a statement that Dallas could win RESULTS a top, scooted around him and then got allowing us to play better defense.” if it kept the game at even strength. Montreal 7 Vancouver 5 Ben Bishop to lay out on the ice before Yet the Stars still can’t fi nish the job But less than a minute later, Con- Las Vegas 4 Tampa Bay 3 lifting the puck over the scrambling on a consistent basis. nolly slipped a puck between the Florida 3 Arizona 2 goaltender. They lost in overtime at Phila- pads of Bishop, and the game went to Washington 4 Dallas 3 (OT) That tied the score at 2-2 in the sec- delphia. They unravelled when they overtime. There, Burakovsky lifted Winnipeg 6 Nashville 4 ond period, despite the fact Dallas was couldn’t take advantage of scoring the game-winner over Bishop to push Boston 3 Buff alo 0 dominating play. The Stars had a 25- chances in New Jersey. On Tuesday, Washington to 22-12-1 (45 points). The Detroit 6 NY Islanders 3 14 advantage in shots on goal after 40 they were better than the Capitals, and Stars, who are now 10-0-3 in their last NY Rangers 4 Anaheim 1 minutes, but it wasn’t refl ected on the even hung in and didn’t panic. With 13 games with the Capitals, move to Minnesota 6 Ottawa 4 scoreboard. the score tied 2-2, Dallas fought and 18-14-3 (39 points) on the season. Toronto 8 Carolina 1

Japanese free agent ace Packers end Rodgers’ season Curry will miss Christmas Darvish meets with Cubs aft er playoff bid foiled clash with Cavs: Warriors Japanese free agent pitcher Yu Darvish says he Aaron Rodgers was placed on injured reserve for Two-time NBA Most Valuable Player Stephen Curry has met with the Chicago Cubs about a Major the remainder of the NFL season Tuesday by the will miss Monday’s Christmas Day NBA showdown League Baseball deal while a new report has the Green Bay Packers a day after they were elimi- against Cleveland because of a nagging right ankle Houston Astros interested also. The 31-year-old nated from the playoff hunt. Rodgers returned sprain, the defending champion Golden State War- right-hander posted on social media that he met from an eight-week absence with a broken right riors said on Tuesday. Curry has helped spark the on Monday with Cubs representatives. The four- collarbone last Sunday in a 31-24 loss to Carolina, Warriors to titles over Cleveland in two of the past time All-Star confirmed reports Cubs president being struck seven times and sacked three times. three NBA Finals and lost a third to the Cavaliers of baseball operations Theo Epstein and general Packers coach Mike McCarthy said Rodgers was last year in seven games. Averaging 26.3 points, 6.6 manager Jed Hoyer were in Dallas to speak with sore after the defeat and “was hit too many times” assists, 5.1 rebounds and 1.7 steals a game, Curry Darvish. In addition, a Tuesday website report at despite completing 26 of 45 passes for 290 yards suff ered the injury December 4 at New Orleans FanRag Sports had Darvish set to meet with the with three touchdowns but also three intercep- and was re-evaluated on Tuesday by Golden State’s World Series champion Houston Astros, the same tions. The Packers (7-7) were eliminated from medical staff and found to be healing well and club that twice hammered him in the best-of- playoff contention when Atlanta edged Tampa Bay making good overall progress, according to a team seven major league championship final when he 24-21 on Monday night. Joe Callahan, a 24-year-old statement. But while the Warriors advanced Curry Cleveland Cavaliers guard Dwyane Wade (left) defends against Milwaukee Bucks pitched for the Los Angeles Dodgers. Also said to quarterback who spent most of the season on the to modified on-court workouts in the coming days, forward Giannis Antetokounmpo during the fourth quarter of their NBA game in be interested in Darvish were the Minnesota Twins. practice squad, was brought onto the main roster the team also said the 29-year-old guard would Milwaukee, Wisconcin, on Tuesday. (USA TODAY Sports) Darvish went 10-12 with a 3.86 earned-run average to replace Rodgers, a two-time NFL Most Valuable be re-evaluated next Tuesday with more certainty in 31 combined starts last season for the Dodgers Player. Rodgers, 34, threw for 1,675 yards, 16 touch- expected then on a timetable for his NBA game and Texas Rangers, striking out 209 batters over downs and six interceptions over seven games this return. Golden State (24-6) has won nine games in a SPOTLIGHT 186 2/3 innings. season, his 13th NFL campaign. row, five of them without Curry. Panthers linebacker NFL Davis has suspension Eight Steelers selected for January Pro Bowl cut to one game

Reuters ed to his 13th Pro Bowl and was joined Reuters That didn’t prevent Adams from New York by star tight end Rob Gronkowski on New York speaking out on Twitter, however. New England’s four-man contingent. “I’ll never understand it,” Adams The Los Angeles Rams featured wrote. “Game is already dangerous he Pittsburgh Steelers lost a the fourth-most selections with fi ve, arolina Panthers linebacker enough and we got Pro Bowl players showdown to the New Eng- with defensive lineman Aaron Donald Thomas Davis had his two- out here head hunting and saying they land Patriots for AFC suprem- earning his fourth selection and run- game suspension reduced to ‘didn’t mean to harm me.’ acy on Sunday night, but they ning back Todd Gurley receiving his one game after an appeal, the “Somebody please explain to me Twere atop the pack when it came to second honour. NFLC announced on Tuesday. Appeals what I wasnt trying to hurt him means fi lling out the Pro Bowl roster. Rams quarterback Jared Goff is a offi cer James Thrash, a former NFL when we nowhere near the play and u Led by off ensive standouts Antonio fi rst alternate on the squad and a like- wide receiver, heard Davis’ appeal. lead with ya head and ear hole a de- Brown and Le’Veon Bell, the respec- ly replacement for Wentz. Goff and Davis will not play Sunday in Caroli- fenseless player.... tive NFL leaders in receiving and rush- Wentz were the top two picks in the na’s home game against the Tampa Bay “Look it’s football but no room for ing, the Steelers had a league-high 2016 NFL Draft. Buccaneers, but he can return to the (expletive) like that. We supposed to be eight selections for the 2018 Pro Bowl, Rounding out the rookies were Kan- active roster on Dec 26. The Panthers in this together n look out for one an- which were announced on Tuesday. sas City Chiefs running back Kareem conclude the regular season at Atlanta other not mess with a mans livelihood Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, Hunt, Saints cornerback Marshon on Dec 31. and hand out unnecessary concus- injured linebacker Ryan Shazier, kick- Lattimore and Arizona Cardinals spe- Davis was suspended for his blind- sions. We all got mouths to feed what if er Chris Boswell and off ensive linemen cial teamer Budda Baker. side hit Sunday that resulted in a con- I did that to him and his kids can’t eat. Alejandro Villanueva, guard David Other notable selections were Car- cussion for Green Bay Packers wide “Not the type to rant but when u go DeCastro and center Maurkice Pounc- dinals wideout Larry Fitzgerald, who receiver Davante Adams. through this (expletive) twice in a year ey fi lled out the roster for Pittsburgh, matched Brees with his 11th Pro Bowl The 34-year-old Panther apologized it takes a lil toll on u so excuse me.” which is tied with the Patriots for the berth, and Los Angeles Chargers quar- to Adams over social media for the hit Adams’ words prompted an apology AFC’s best record at 11-3. terback Philip Rivers and Baltimore that followed an interception during from Davis over social media. The Philadelphia Eagles, who own Ravens Terrell Suggs, who each earned the third quarter at Bank of America “I understand your frustration and I the league’s best record at 12-2, shared their seventh honour. Stadium. Davis was penalized but re- do apologize for the hit!” Davis wrote. top honours in the NFC with the New Three other players were selected to mained in the game, which Carolina “In no way was I trying to hurt you. Orleans Saints, each getting six Pro Le’Veon Bell (left) leads Steelers on Pro Bowl roster. (USA TODAY Sports) their seventh Pro Bowls — Cardinals won 31-24. My fi rst instinct was turn and make a Bowl selections. cornerback Patrick Peterson, Cincin- Adams was left with a concussion block. In all sincerity I do apologize. I Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz, Cox, strong safety Malcolm Jenkins Brees earned his 11th Pro Bowl selec- nati Bengals wide receiver A.J. Green and couldn’t talk with reporters fol- truly respect you as a player and I made who leads the NFL with 33 touchdown and off ensive linemen Lane Johnson tion and was joined by running backs and Patriots special teams standout lowing the contest because players in a mistake!” passes but is done for the season due and Brandon Brooks among Philadel- Mark Ingram and Alvin Kamara, the Matthew Slater. The Pro Bowl will be concussion protocol are barred from The concussion sustained by Adams to a torn ACL, was joined by tight end phia’s contingent. latter one of four rookies on the squad. played on Jan. 28 — one week before speaking to the media until they have was his second of the season and the Zach Ertz, defensive lineman Fletcher New Orleans quarterback Drew Quarterback Tom Brady was select- Super Bowl LII — in Orlando, Florida. been cleared. third of his NFL career. Gulf Times 6 Thursday, December 21, 2017 FOOTBALL

FOCUS Politically divided Spain united by El Clasico rivalry AFP Five other matches where political infl uence has hung over El Clasico pro-independence campaigners Madrid like former Barca president Joan Barca’s record defeat signing of star Argentine forward Alfredo comeback were on course as they led December 28, 1975. Carles Rexach, who Laporta have called for Barca to In June of 1943 Barca travelled to Madrid di Stefano, who ended up at Madrid after 1-0 on the night until Basque referee Jose would go onto be remembered as the man remain in La Liga. ften symbolised as pit- holding a 3-0 first leg lead in the semi-finals a bureaucratic tug of war between Barca Emilio Guruceta Muro awarded a penalty who signed Lionel Messi for Barca, scored “No one at Barcelona wants to ting the pride of Cata- of the General’s Cup, a precursor to today’s and Real. to Madrid for a challenge that didn’t appear the winning goal in the 89th minute for a 2-1 lose this game even though that lonia against Spain’s Copa del Rey. Barca didn’t just not make Di Stefano had been playing for Colombian to be a foul and occurred well outside the victory that was accompanied by a wash of potentially contradicts their po- capital, the ‘El Clasico’ the final, they were smashed 11-1 in a record side Millonarios but had walked out on penalty area. Catalan flags. Barca’s own website describes litical or social position,” added betweenO Barcelona and Real Ma- Lowe. El Clasico defeat that remains to this day. River Plate to join them so both clubs had Amancio Amaro converted the spot-kick the game as “the most wanted, dreamed of drid is a match laced with politi- As the name of the trophy suggests, it was to be compensated, whilst at one point the provoking Barca captain Eladio to confront and applauded victory.” The most-watched football cal and social as much as sporting in the early years of General Francisco Spanish federation even decided Di Stefano Guruceta for which he was sent-off . As the match in the world will attract tension. Franco’s dictatorship after Spain’s brutal civil should be shared by Barca and Madrid on bad blood spilled over towards the end of Independence cries in the Camp Nou a potential TV audience of 650 Even more so this week when war (1936-1939). Years later, a season-by-season basis. Barca eventually the match, fans invaded the pitch and with In October 2012, Messi and Cristiano Ron- million people who will tune in the sides face off in Madrid on Barca players complained of not only being withdrew from the deal and counted the police unable to stem the tide, Guruceta aldo shared four goals as the match ended to see fi ve-time Ballon d’Or win- Saturday lunchtime just over 36 struck by missiles thrown from the crowd cost just weeks later as Di Stefano scored suspended the game five minutes from 2-2, but a spectacle also unfolded off the ners Cristiano Ronaldo of Real hours after polls will close in lo- by being intimidated by the police and twice in a 5-0 thrashing in October 1953 as the end. field that has continued to this day. A month and Barcelona’s Lionel Messi. cal elections in Catalonia that referee. Real went onto win the league for the first Days later Barca were handed the maxi- after 1.5 million people took the streets to “It paralyses normal life in were called over the crisis caused time in 21 years. mum 90,000 peseta ($1,285) fine. However, support Catalonia’s drive for independence, Spain,” added Simon. by the region’s drive for inde- Di Stefano’s debut Guruceta was also banned from referee- according to local police forces, chants in “That’s why we always recom- pendence. Whilst Barca’s Camp Nou became a haven The Guruceta scandal ing for six months. In the years to come favour of independence rang around the mend to go to the theatre or the “They have a very strong ide- for Catalan expression that was banned In 1970, Madrid were in the rare situation of fans would chant “Guruceta” at referees to Camp Nou in the 17th minute of each half cinema at that time because they ological connection,” political during Franco’s dictatorship (1939-1975), needing to win the General’s Cup to qualify express their anger at bad decisions. to mark the fall of Catalonia in the Spanish will be empty.” scientist Pablo Simon told AFP. Real Madrid enjoyed a golden age on the for Europe after finishing fourth in La Liga. War of Succession in 1714. Yet, the fact that what could “On the one side are Real Ma- pitch including winning the first five Euro- In the semi-finals they took a 2-0 lead into Freed from Franco That tradition has continued for the past happen to Barca, and by exten- drid, who normally can be said pean Cups. the second leg against Barca at the Camp Barca rode a wave of emotion to win the five years and is even more vociferous for sion El Clasico, has played such a to have a more conservative and Much of that success was down to the Nou. The Catalans chances of a famous first Clasico following Franco’s death on every visit by Madrid. big role in the independence de- nationalist fan base.” bate is a sign of the match’s deep- By contrast, Simon cites Bar- ly-rooted importance to Spanish ca’s ‘more than a club’ motto as mark the fall of Catalonia in the ences, El Clasico and particularly ence.” aligned to his own political be- Spanish newspaper El Espanol. society as something more than being rooted in a sense of Catalan Spanish War of Succession in the fear of losing the matchup No Clasico not contemplated liefs. Bartomeu’s board has tried just a sporting event. identity. The sights and sounds 1714. should Catalonia gain independ- La Liga president Javier Te- “I want to tell all members that to tread a fi ne line by defending “On the face of it the fact we of their Camp Nou and Santiago At the Bernabeu, Spain fl ags ence, unites both sets of fans. bas has repeatedly warned Barca the intention of the club is to Catalonia’s institutions follow- are concerned about the impact Bernabeu stadiums refl ect that are splattered across the stadi- “It is the derby of Spain and would not be allowed to continue continue playing in La Liga. ing the Spanish government’s for football from Catalan inde- diff erence. um, while cries of “Viva Espana” it feels like it is impossible to be playing in the Spanish league if :Right now our participation is application of home rule, but also pendence is absurd because there In Barcelona, Catalan fl ags, rang around on October 1 in the neutral,” Sid Lowe, a Spanish the drive for independence is fol- guaranteed,” Barcelona president not coming out in favour of inde- are so many other things to be including the independence- hours following a violent crack- football journalist and author of lowed through. Josep Maria Bartomeu told the pendence. worked through,” added Lowe. supporting Estelada, are com- down by Spanish police forces the book Fear and Loathing in La However, that is a scenario club’s AGM in October. Barca played Las Palmas be- “Yet, it is the one that has oc- monly fl own, while the crowd at on a referendum on independ- Liga on the rivalry, told AFP. both clubs refuse to envisage “I can’t contemplate a Spain hind closed doors on October 1 cupied people the most. Will Europe’s biggest stadium chant ence called by separatists in “It is a unifying event. No-one with many believing threats from without Catalonia, nor La Liga in protest at the violence at the Barcelona still be in the league? in favour of independence in the Catalonia. wants to lose this game, even in Tebas, who attended a national- without Barca,” Real Madrid polling stations. Will there still be a Clasico? And 17th minute of each match to However, for all their diff er- the event of Catalan independ- ist march earlier in the year, are president Florentino Perez told However, even outspoken no one wants that to be lost.”

SPOTLIGHT EPL Moyes questions Lanzini ban Ronaldo trailing in decision. “It sounds as if, I’m Reuters London not sure even in this room that everybody would be unani- mous and that was what was est Ham United said it had to be.” manager David Lanzini, 24, missed the away Moyes has ques- defeat to Arsenal in the League tioned the Football Cup quarter-fi nals and is also Messi’s wake aft er WAssociation’s decision to hand ruled out of West Ham’s home midfi elder Manuel Lanzini a league game against New- two-game ban for simulation, castle United. Moyes lauded saying there is a lack of consist- his team’s performance at the ency regarding incidents that Emirates but felt experienced warrant a suspension. midfi elders must be recruited Lanzini was banned for in the January transfer window “successful deception of a after 18-year-olds Domingos mocking celebration match offi cial” during last Quina and Declan Rice were Saturday’s 3-0 Premier League fi elded for a much-changed ‘There is not a more complete player than me and I believe I am the best player win at Stoke City, with an in- West Ham side on Tuesday. dependent regulatory panel “I think we have been mak- in the history of football, in the good and the bad moments’ agreeing that the Argentine ing progress and winning had dived to win the penalty games and we’ve been well that led to the opening goal. organised and hard to play The FA rejected West Ham’s against. We showed that again appeal of the ban on Tuesday, tonight,” Moyes added. making Lanzini the second player to be retrospectively banned for simulation after Everton’s Oumar Niasse. “I’m disappointed because I don’t see much consisten- cy,” Moyes told reporters after West Ham’s 1-0 League Cup defeat by Arsenal. “There’s another incident which was turned down. I wonder how they could get to that conclusion where eve- ryone was unanimous on the

Sterling attacker jailed A man who racially assaulted Manchester City forward Raheem Sterling was jailed for 16 weeks after pleading guilty to the of- fence at Manchester and Salford Magistrates’ Court yesterday. Karl Anderson, 29, smiled as he was sentenced for kicking and shouting racial abuse at Sterling outside City’s training ground ahead of Saturday’s Premier League game against Tottenham Hotspur. The court was shown CCTV of Anderson, who has a his- tory of football-related violence, driving his van alongside Ster- ling’s vehicle as the player waited to enter the training ground. Both men then got out of their vehicles and Anderson walked towards Sterling. Carl Miles, prosecuting, said Anderson, who had been in the vehicle with his partner, began shouting racial abuse at Sterling. Miles said: “He sets out kicking Mr Sterling to the legs on four occasions.” The court heard Sterling’s left hamstring was sore after the at- tack but he did not suff er serious injuries and went on to score two goals in city’s 4-1 win over Spurs. In a victim personal state- ment, which was read to the court, the 23-year-old footballer said Ronaldo (left) has scored four in the season, his worst campaign so far in nine years in Spain. Twenty one players have scored more than the usually prolific Portuguese in Spain’s he had been “completely shocked” by the incident. He said: “I top flight this season, with Messi (right) leading the way with 14 goals. didn’t think this type of behaviour still happened in this country in this day and age.” Reuters the title of being the best player in Messi was already on a remark- campaign so far in nine years in “There is not a more complete Sentencing, chairman of the bench Diana Webb-Hobson said: Barcelona the world, replicated Messi’s cel- able nine goals, while Madrid Spain. Twenty one players have player than me and I believe I am “This was an entirely unprovoked attack. You stopped your car ebration four months later when were seven points adrift of Barca scored more than the usually the best player in the history of and you got out. The personal statement was very moving, we he scored for Real against Barca at that stage. prolifi c Portuguese in Spain’s top football, in the good and the bad find injury was sustained. he defi ning image of the in the Nou Camp in the Spanish The champions host their bit- fl ight this season, with Messi moments,” Ronaldo told France “Your previous record was appalling, you don’t seem to learn previous ‘Clasico’ in the Super Cup, but his actions had ter rivals on Saturday sitting leading the way with 14 goals. Football this month after winning anything, do you?” league last April was the unintended consequences. fourth in the Liga standings, 11 the Ballon d’Or and tying Messi in The court heard Anderson had 25 previous convictions for 37 sight of Lionel Messi de- Ronaldo incurred an automatic points behind Barca, although HIGH STANDARDS being named world player of the off ences, including throwing a flare at a police off icer during a Tfi antly showing the back of his booking for removing his shirt to they have a game in hand. No side Ronaldo has compensated year a record fi fth time. football match. Miles said he was subject to a football-related shirt to the baying Real Madrid celebrate the goal in Real’s 3-1 has ever won the Liga after falling for his poor domestic form by With fi ve goals in his last four violence banning order which prevented him from attending crowd after burying the winning win and two minutes later was eight points behind the leaders. maintaining his usual high games in all competitions, Ro- certain matches. He said: “He is now finding alternative ways to goal to settle a thrilling contest sent off for a second yellow card, Not helped by his lack of match standards in international com- naldo heads into the ‘Clasico’ in express violence and aggression, all relating to football.” 3-2 for Barcelona. this time for diving. Incredulous practice, Ronaldo did not open petitions. He is the top scorer in prolifi c form, and it would be no John Black, defending, said Anderson, of Woodward Street in The goal, also the Argentine’s at the decision, he pushed referee his account in the league until this season’s Champions League big surprise if he inspired Madrid Ancoats, Manchester, had lost his temper with Sterling after his 500th strike for his club, proved Ricardo De Burgos Bengoetxea his fourth league game, striking with nine goals and last weekend to victory over Barca. girlfriend asked him to ask him for an autograph. futile in Barca’s pursuit of Ma- and was subsequently slapped the winner against Getafe, while struck the only goal in the Club But even if he does, Real will He said: “He apologises through me to Mr Sterling for his ac- drid, who still won a fi rst La Liga with a fi ve-game ban, missing his second goal did not come un- World Cup fi nal against Gremio still face a huge task in chasing tions.” He said the defendant could not explain his actions and crown in fi ve years, but has had a Real’s opening four Liga games. til his ninth appearance, against to help Real sign off 2017 with a down the Catalans, who marched “bitterly” regretted them. Sterling has been one of the stars of surprising knock on eff ect on the By the time Ronaldo made his Malaga. club record fi ve trophies. into an early lead while Ronaldo City’s record-breaking season, scoring 15 goals in all competi- current campaign. fi rst league appearance of the His two goals in the last league His fl oundering league dis- was shackled by his ban, partly tions as Pep Guardiola’s side have romped clear at the top of the Cristiano Ronaldo, locked in a season in an eventual 1-0 defeat outing against Sevilla took him plays have not aff ected his self- due to mimicking Messi’s iconic Premier League and racked up 16 straight league wins. compelling battle with Messi for by Real Betis on September 20, to four for the season, his worst confi dence, either. celebration. Gulf Times Thursday, December 21, 2017 7 FOOTBALL

FOCUS Oxlade-Chamberlain cranks up pressure on Arsenal

Reuters and reduced to 10 men at Manches- business”. City on penalties in midweek, but that London ter City, Oxlade-Chamberlain has now More immediately, Wenger’s concern drum-beat will continue the longer they made 20 appearances, starting four of will be coping without Olivier Giroud, continue their unbeaten domestic run the past seven league games. Last time his Plan B striker who has scored 10 this season. rsenal’s transfer market policy Liverpool and Arsenal met, at Anfi eld in goals in the fi nal 10 minutes of games in Second-placed United travel to will come under fresh scrutiny August, Oxlade-Chamberlain was still 2017 but who now faces weeks out with a Leicester, who are much improved of when Alex Oxlade-Chamber- playing wing back under Wenger when hamstring injury. late, while Chelsea also have a tricky lain returns to his former club the Frenchman failed to come up with a The injury could open the way for away trip at Everton, who are unbeaten withA Liverpool in the Premier League strategy to stem the Reds’ free-fl owing Danny Welbeck, whose Arsenal career under new manager Sam Allardyce. tomorrow. attack in the 4-0 defeat. has been frustrated by injury but who Everton are one of three clubs, along- Arsene Wenger reluctantly sold the Now, Oxlade-Chamberlain forms an- scored in the midweek 1-0 League Cup side West Ham and Crystal Palace, 24-year-old for 35 million pounds other dimension of the same problem for win over West Ham United. whose form has markedly improved ($46.9 million) earlier this season after Wenger, with his return also disruptive since switching managers, while a Oxlade-Chamberlain refused two off ers on another front. SQUAD ROTATION fourth, West Bromwich Albion, still of a new contract. Mesut Ozil and Alexis Sanchez are Tomorrow’s game kick-starts the await a ‘new boss bounce’ under Alan While not all Arsenal supporters were both following their former teammate’s hectic Christmas period with all teams Pardew. unhappy to see the player leave after example by ticking down their contracts required to play four games in 12 days, a West Brom travel to Stoke City, whose struggles with fi tness and form, his re- after declining new deals. So, the Eng- stiff test of every clubs’ rotation policy. own manager Mark Hughes is under casting by Liverpool manager Juergen land midfi elder’s fi rst trip back to the Manchester City are better placed than severe pressure after fi ve defeats in six Klopp as a tenacious midfi elder primed Emirates Stadium where he played for most, if only because their 11-point lead games. Another setback would put them to spring forward at every opportunity six years provides Wenger with what at the top of the Premier League repre- in the relegation zone and heighten calls has shown his potential and added fuel could be an uncomfortable glimpse of sents a comfortable buff er. for change to safely negotiate a 10th Pre- to the argument that Arsenal do not of- the future as former players return to On paper, their opening festive game mier League campaign. fer their top talent suffi cient incentives haunt him. against Bournemouth on Saturday looks Newcastle United, who play West to stay. British media are consistently linking straightforward, although on their last Ham on Saturday, are another team in “He’s like a wonderful package,” said Ozil with a move to Manchester United visit to Manchester Eddie Howe’s side desperate need of an uplift while Burnley Klopp of Oxlade-Chamberlain. “It’s and Sanchez with an exit to either Paris gave United a stern test before eventu- will be overtaken by Tottenham Hotspur only just the beginning and I really like St Germain or Manchester City. Former ally going down 1-0 earlier this month. if they lose to Mauricio Pochettino’s side it,” he told the Liverpool website (www. Arsenal striker Ian Wright added to the Pep Guardiola was quick to stamp on at Turf Moor on Saturday. Liverpoolfc.com). pressure on Arsenal’s management this talk of City bagging a clean sweep of four Elsewhere, Southampton play Hud- After a diffi cult start, in which he week by suggesting that to let such play- trophies after reaching the semi-fi nals dersfi eld Town and Brighton and Hove Liverpool’s Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain reacts after his shot hit the post during made his debut with Liverpool 2-0 down ers depart would represent “disgusting of the League Cup by beating Leicester Albion face Watford. their EPL match against AFC Bournemouth. (Reuters)

SPOTLIGHT GERMAN CUP Schalke into quarters; Stuttgart out aft er City join Arsenal in another penalty miss

DPA 53rd, after Chadrac Akolo had Berlin also failed from the spot Sat- urday against Bayern Munich. Mainz levelled from substi- chalke beat ailing Co- tute Emil Berggreen’s header League Cup semis logne 1-0 on Tuesday off a corner kick in the 62nd, to reach the German Abdou Diallo – whose hand- Cup quarter-fi nals ball had led to the penalty – whileS VfB Stuttgart went out smashed home for 2-1 eight 3-1 at Mainz after failing again minutes later, and Suat Serdar to convert a penalty. wrapped up matters in stop- Wolfsburg needed extra- page time. time to prevail 2-0 at sec- “We are super happy,” aft er penalty drama ond-division Nuremberg, Mainz sports director Rouven and third-division Paderborn Schroeder said, while Stutt- ‘I’m so happy. What I liked the most is how we reacted and overcame that situation’ made the last eight for the gart defender Andreas Beck fi rst time, 1-0 over Ingolstadt. lamented a host of chances for Schalke broke the deadlock his team apart from the pen- against injury-plagued Bun- alty: “I am lost for words. We desliga bottom side Cologne simply had to win this game.” when diminutive Max Meyer Wolfsburg had Mario seemingly aimed to head on a Gomez and Dicock Origi de- corner-kick but the ball sailed nied by the post in regulation over goalkeeper Timo Horn but Marcel Tisserand also had into the far left corner in the to clear an eff ort from Nurem- 63rd. berg’s Hanno Behrens on the Horn saved well from Mat- goalline. ija Nastasic shortly before the The top fl ight side fi nally goal and from Breel Embolo went ahead in the 96th when with 10 minutes left in the Felix Uduokhai poked home in last-16 game but his team- a goalmouth scramble. Daniel mates were unable to get an Didavi wrapped up matters equaliser at the other end. with a low shot in the 118th. “Things are going very very Paderborn meanwhile well. We have a great team,” claimed their third second- said Meyer as Schalke had division scalp in a row from another reason to cheer after Ben Zolinski’s 56th-minute hibernating in second place in strike into the roof of the net the Bundesliga. against disappointing Ingol- Stuttgart led from captain stadt. The other four games Christian Gentner’s low shot are Wednesday, including the in off the far left post in the big match between Bayern 41st. But Dennis Aogo missed and holders Borussia Dort- a second when his penalty was mund. The quarter-fi nals are saved by Robin Zentner in the February 6 and 7.

Manchester City’s Chilean goalkeeper Claudio Bravo celebrates after saving the final Leicester penalty to win the penalty shoot out after extra time during the English League Cup quarter-final at King Power Stadium in Leicester.(AFP)

Reuters their reserve goalkeeper Claudio a City victory that utterly de- Phil Foden, the teenager voted ing. London Bravo. lighted Guardiola. the Under-17 World Cup’s best Arsenal manager Arsene The visitors looked to have “I’m so happy,” the Span- player in England’s triumph, yet Wenger, who replaced all 11 booked a semi-fi nal place with iard told Sky Sports after he had it was two of his big name re- of his starters from the week- anchester City’s a fi rst-half Bernardo Silva goal bounced on to the King Power cruits who dovetailed to put City end Premier League home win stellar season gath- until Leicester were awarded a Stadium pitch to congratulate ahead. over Newcastle United, still had ered yet more mo- soft looking penalty seven min- his mixed bag of promising star- Ilkay Gundogan sliced through plenty of international pedigree mentum as the utes into stoppage time which lets and international heavy- Leicester’s midfi eld in the 26th as England’s Danny Welbeck got Mrunaway Premier League leaders Jamie Vardy converted. weights. minute before putting in Portu- the winner three minutes before reached the League Cup semi- But after extra time produced “A lot of young players played guese international Silva, who halftime. fi nals with a penalty shootout no further goals, Bravo, their for us. They played real good,” he toe-poked home confi dently. Welbeck’s persistence in bun- victory at Leicester City after a hero with two saves in a penalty said. “The way we had to react The Foxes, who had also kept dling home from close range 1-1 draw following extra time on shootout win over Wolverhamp- was not easy (after Leicester’s their luminaries on the bench, was one of the few highlights, a Tuesday. ton Wanderers in the previous penalty). unleashed Vardy and Mahrez solitary shot on target, in a dull Arsenal, one of the sides trying round, again delivered. “We were tired, we had a lot of and started to look a match for derby but David Moyes’s side vainly to catch City in the league, With City leading 4-3 in the young players, and it’s not easy City. never threatened Arsenal, with also battled into the last four by shootout, Leicester’s two big because Jamie Vardy and Riyad However, Guardiola was left a wayward Aaron Cresswell free beating London rivals West Ham guns, second-half substitutes Mahrez were there. complaining of an “unfair” fi nale kick proving their best eff ort. United 1-0 with a Danny Wel- Vardy and Riyad Mahrez, who “What I liked the most is how when, with eight minutes added With Arsenal and City pro- beck goal at The Emirates. both helped change the game’s we reacted and overcame that on, Demarai Gray tumbled in the gressing, there is the prospect Pep Guardiola’s City, even momentum, surprisingly mis- situation. It’s a good indication box having barely been touched of two mouthwatering last-four with a second-string team, fi red. for the future.” by fullback Kyle Walker. clashes because on Wednesday maintained their 21-match Vardy’s spot kick clipped the Vardy put away the penalty holders Manchester United visit (L-R) Schalke’s French midfielder Amine Harit, Schalke’s German unbeaten record in domestic outside of the right-hand post YOUNG BLOOD with aplomb but when asked to high-fl ying Championship side midfielder Max Meyer and Schalke’s Brazilian defender Naldo matches this season, thanks before Mahrez’s poor eff ort was Guardiola had brought in do the same in the shootout both Bristol City and Chelsea host celebrate after winning the German Cup match against FC once again in this competition to saved by Chilean Bravo to clinch some young blood, including he and Mahrez were found want- struggling Bournemouth. Cologne in Gelsenkirchen. (AFP)

Thursday, December 21, 2017 GULF TIMES SPORT

HORSE RACING FOOTBALL Karraar edges out Fernandez basks in the Third Dimension glory of QSL Cup triumph

By Sports Reporter QSL Cup. My players just did what for feature win they were expected to do and the Doha was a memorable victory. The win was Lukasek’s second on the day, having ridden Owaida Salem I’m delighted with the way they arely does Al Gharafa performed when it mattered the Mohamed al-Hajri-trained Tijan to victory in the Class 5 Thoroughbred coach Jean Fernandez ex- most,” said Fernandez. press his emotions. Win Meanwhile, Al Rayyan players, Handicap event for horses rated 70 and below earlier in the day or lose, his face is as im- technical and administrative staff passiveR on the pitch as it is at the as well as fans were crestfallen af- pre-match or post-match press ter. conferences. Al Rayyan Football head Ali Sa- However, on Tuesday, as his lem Afi fa admitted they were not wards lifted the QSL Cup to end at their best in the fi nal and that their long title drought that dat- undermined the good eff orts they ed back to 2012 when they won made throughout the tournament. the Emir’s Cup, the Frenchman In fact, Al Rayyan were the fi rst couldn’t hide his happiness, ac- team to qualify for the semi-fi - knowledging the cheers from well- nals with an unbeaten record and wishers. fi nal-round match to spare. They Fernandez very well knew that made the cut as Group B winners they had brought the smile back with 13 points (four wins and one on the faces of passionate Al draw). The Lions were convincing Gharafa fans whose morale was at during their 2-0 semi-fi nal vic- a low ebb having gone through a tory over Al Kharaitiyat too. long phase without a trophy. “Unfortunately, our players dis- In the process, Al Gharafa be- appointed us in the fi nal. The rath- came the fi rst team in the history er slow pace of our game may have of six editions of QSL Cup to win been due to the lack of physical fi t- it for a second time. They had ness of some players. triumphed at the inaugural tour- “When you lose in the fi nal of nament by defeating Al Ahli 5-0 a championship, that’ll adversely in the fi nal on the back of strong aff ect your performance in the displays from Younis Mahmoud, following few matches. We must Clemerson Soares and Juninho. avoid that,” he said. “Ours is a good unit which can He stressed that Al Rayyan did fi ght till the very end. Our de- not perform to their potential and fence was good. So was our of- the team management would seek fence. (Luis) Jimenez played the reasons for the defeat. captain’s role to perfection and “It’s good that we’ve a break we were on top of our opponents before the QNB Stars League in every stage of the fi nal,” said resumes, so we can identify and Fernandez. rectify the errors. He refl ected on their victory. “Before we talk about strength- “Al Rayyan are a big side. ening the side or changing some There’s a huge diff erence between players, they’ve to play to their po- us in the QNB Stars League stand- tential. I would be the fi rst to praise ings. I had said that we fully de- the players if they fare well and still served to reach the fi nal. We had lose. That didn’t happen here,” he Group: Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club deputy chief steward Abdulla Rashid al-Kubaisi (third from right) with the winners of the Wathnan Cup after Mohanad Jassim beaten formidable opponents added. Asked whether the penalty al-Yaqout-owned Karraar won the 1900m race at the QREC yesterday. Below, Lukasek rides Karraar to victory in the Wathnan Cup. PICTURES: Juhaim in our group and overcame the missed by captain Rodrigo Tabata challenge from Umm Salal in the resulted in Al Rayyan’s loss, Ali By Sports Reporter History (Marc Lerner), 3. Ras Mlaejy (Marvin semi-fi nal. Salem said, “Any player may miss Doha Suerland), 4. Alhathrah (Jean Baptiste “We reached the last-four stage penalty and that’s natural in foot- Hamel). Won by: 5 14, 7, 5. Owner: Sheail bin by topping our group. I would say ball. But the main reason was that Khalifa al-Kuwari. Trainer: Mohammed Jassim we’re the deserving winners of the we were far from our usual self.” slow start did no harm at the Ghazali. end of it all as Mohanad Jas- Race 2: 1. Tijan (Tomas Lukasek), 2. Truancy sim al-Yaqout-owned Kar- (Kelly Harrison), 3. King of Doha (Gerald raar registered his second Avranche), 4. Substantiate (JP Guillambert). straightA victory, this time topping the Won by: 3 1/4, 1 1/4, 1 1/4. Owner: Nasser Wathnan Cup, yesterday’s feature at Owaida Salem al-Hajri. Trainer: Owaida Salem the Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club Mohamed al-Hajri. (QREC) yesterday. Race 3: 1. Town Crier (Harry Bentley), 2. China The Hadi Nasser al-Ramzani- Club (Tomas Lukasek), 3. Shaqran (Gerald schooled six-year-old beat Jassim Avranche), 4. Al Fouz (JP Guillambert). Won Mohamed Ghazali-saddled Third Di- by: 1/4, 1 1/2, 1/2. Owner: Injaaz Stud. Trainer: mension for the second straight time, Mohamed Jassim Ghazali. however, by a bigger margin this time, Race 4: 1. Shabah (Theo Bachelot), 2. Haddaj having beaten the Khalifa bin Sheail al- Dukhan (Darren Williams), 3. Khattab (Marvin Kuwari-owned gelding by a neck the Suerland), 4. Udai Al Wajba (JP Guillambert). last time. Won by: 3/4, 9, 1 3/4. Owner: Al Shahania Stud. Yesterday, Tomas Lukasek had Kar- Trainer: Julian Smart. raar at the back of the pack after a slow while, combined with Ghazali’s son, Bachelot’s ride in the Local Thoroug- Race 5: 1. Shabbab (Saleem Golam), 2. Third start in the 1900m race on dirt even as Mohamed, and the two had two win- bred Handicap event for horses rated Order (JP Guillambert), 3. Technicolour (Faleh Opera Baron and Pearl Bridge set the ners on the day, including Sheail bin 70-90. Bughanaim), 4. Poet’s Song (Tomas Lukasek). pace up front. The Czech jockey stead- Khalifa al-Kuwari’s Akdaar, who shed Jakom beat stablemate Absher, Won by: 6 1/2, 1 1/4, 3. Owner: Hassan Ali ily moved his ride further staying on his maiden status in the opening race, helmed by Marc Lerner, by a length for Abdulmalik. Trainer: Deborah Mountain. the outside, and picking up pace com- and Injaaz Stud’s Town Crier. the victory. Race 6: 1. Jakom (Theo Bachelot), 2. Absher ing off the final bend. Bentley-ridden Town Crier beat Lu- Bachelot too had a double on the (Marc Lerner), 3. Mutawassal (Jean Baptiste Harry Bentley had Third Dimension kasek’s ride China Club by a quarter of day, riding Al Shahania Stud’s Shabah, Hamel), 4. Al Ajdal (Faleh Bughanaim). Won in pursuit on the home stretch but Kar- a length to win Thoroughbred Handi- trained by Julian Smart, in the Pure- by: 1, 1 1/2, 2 1/4. Owner: Dhafi Rashid al-Marri. raar had a healthy advantage as it went cap for horses rated 75 and below. bred Arabian Handicap event, edging Trainer: Mohamed Hussain. past the post a little over two lengths Besides, Bentley also guided anoth- out Haddaj Dukhan, with Darren Wil- Race 7: 1. Wayside Flower (Harry Bentley), 2. Coach Fernandez and his staff pose with the QSL Cup. ahead of the competition. er Injaaz Stud horse, Wayside Flower, liams astride, by three-quarters-of- Midaawi (JP Guillambert), 3. Shaka Zulu (Sal- Ibrahim al-Malki-trained First To trained by Ghazali Sr., in the penul- a-length. eem Golam), 4. Hope Cove (Pier Convertino). Post was third under Eduardo Pedroza. timate race of the day. Ghazali led a Deborah Mountain-trained Won by: 1/2, 1/2, 2 1/4. Owner: Injaaz Stud. SPOTLIGHT The win was Lukasek’s second on one-two in the race with another In- Shabbab registered his second straight Trainer: Jassim Mohamed Ghazali. the day, having ridden Owaida Salem jaaz horse, Midaawi, fi nishing half-a- victory when Saleem Golam rode the Race 8: 1. Karraar (Tomas Lukasek), 2. Third Mohamed al-Hajri-trained Tijan to length behind under JP Guillambert. four-year-old gelding to a victory in Dimension (Harry Bentley), 3. First To Post victory in the Class 5 Thoroughbred Another trainer who registered a the Thoroughbred Handicap for hors- (Eduardo Pedroza), 4. Opera Baron (Pier QNB Stars League’s phase Handicap event for horses rated 70 and one-two on the day was Mohamed es rated 85 and below. Convertino). Won by: 2 1/4, 6 1/4, 1 1/4. Owner: below earlier in the day. Hussain, whose ward, Jakom, picked RESULTS Mohanad Jassim al-Yaqout. Trainer: Hadi Champion Jockey Bentley, mean- up a comfortable victory under Theo Race 1: 1. Akdaar (Harry Bentley), 2. Rich Nasser Rashid al-Ramzani. II schedule outleased

QNA taken into consideration. LOCAL BASKETBALL Doha The QSLM held a meeting with team coaches. It was decided to schedule the games on three days he Qatar Stars League Man- (Thursday, Friday, Saturday) when- agement (QSLM) released ever possible with more focus on the QNB Stars League’s Fridays and Saturdays as that will second-phase schedule help the sponsors and partners to Abdi and Monroe excel as yesterday.T According to it, the tour- promote their brands more. nament will resume on January 11, At the same time, it is not pos- 2018, after the conclusion of Gulf sible to organise matches on three Cup in Kuwait (22nd December to days in some weeks, such as Rounds 5th January). 20, 21 and 22, due to AFC Champi- Arabi, Gharafa post wins The announcement was made af- ons League games as well as nation- ter close co-ordination and careful al team fi xtures in March. By Sports Reporter seven straight points – as they posted a Thirty-fi ve of Al Arabi’s points came Al Gharafa had to dig deep for their vic- consultations with all stakehold- It was also decided to schedule Dpha fl uent victory, chiefl y due to Qatar inter- from the bench, highlighting the depth in tory after both teams were tied 79-all at ers such as the Ministry of Culture crucial rounds, that may determine national Abdi’s eff orts. the team. On the other hand, Al Wakrah regulation forcing overtime. and Sports, Facilities and Security the top positions and relegation Abdi scored 10 times off 11 field goal only had 14 in that department. Strangely however, Al Rayyan, who Departments, Qatar Football Asso- spots, either on two days or one day halid Suliman Abdi poured in attempts, giving him an amazing accu- For Al Wakrah, Adamu Saaka scored 23 had put up a gallant fi ght throughout im- ciation and National Teams Depart- after weighing the situation that 27 points as Al Arabi thrashed racy of 90.9%, while William Byrd with points, while Earnest lee had 15 and Sr- ploded in extra time during which they ment to choose the most suitable prevails then so as not to give undue Al Wakrah 89-77 in the Qa- 18 and Talla Momar with 14 made signifi - fan Ali Saeed 14. Meanwhile, Al Gharafa only managed to score 10 points, while Al days for league matches and avoid advantage to any team. tar Basketball League at the Al cant contributions. handed a 99-89 defeat to Al Rayyan with Gharafa had 20, giving the latter a con- a situation where the players’ club Convenient kick-off times for KGharafa Sports Club yesterday. Al Arabi were 25-17 up at the end of the Sammy Monroe tallying 24 and Mychal vincing win. and country duties clash. spectators at the stadiums as well Al Arabi led throughout, hardly al- fi rst quarter and they more or less main- Ammons and James Justice contributing For Al Rayyan, Tanguy Ngombo scored The AFC Champions League en- as telecast purposes and sunset lowing their rivals to break free – except tained the same tempo throughout before 20 and 19, respectively. 25 points, while Stephen Hurt had 18 and gagements of Al Duhail, Al Sadd, prayer timings were also taken into in the fi nal quarter when Wakrah scored closing out the match. However, in contrast to the fi rst match, Sherwood Brown 17. Al Rayyan and Al Gharafa were also account.