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Saturday, January 7, 2017 CRICKET Rabia Il 9, 1438 AH Younis keen GULF TIMES to carry on as milestone beckons SPORT Page 7

QATAR EXXONMOBIL OPEN/ FINAL TODAY AT 6PM Djokovic weathers Verdasco storm, to meet Murray in fi nal World No. 1 and topp seed Andyy Murrayy advances to the title match byy beatingg third seed Tomas Berdychy 6-3,, 6-4

By Joe Koraith thing. I have played good tennis the whole week. I Doha Doha resident Verdasco gave it all to try to make the best tournament here Serbia’s Novak Djokovic thanks crowd for support as possible in Doha,” he said. acknowledges the crowd after “It was a great week to start the year. I beat two beating Fernando Verdasco of hen you get an opportunity to defeat Fernando Verdasco won a lot of hearts yes- top 20s, and I had the world No. 2, well No. 1 al- Spain in the semi-finals of the Novak Djokovic, you have to take it. terday with his brave performance against most for the last four years — just one point away Qatar ExxonMobil Open Fernando Verdasco got fi ve of them Novak Djokovic in the semi-finals of the Qatar from a win and I had that fi ve times. I’m happy yesterday. PICS: Jayan Orma but still failed to close out the match. ExxonMobil Open. He lost the match but he got with the way I played and how I have started the WThe Spaniard was having a belter of a match year. Hopefully it’s going to help me turn 2017 a lot of support from a packed crowd. Verdasco yesterday but at those crucial moments, he fal- shifted residence to Doha last year and one of into a good year and have good results from many tered and it was Djokovic who made it to the fi nal the main reasons, he says, is the support that tournaments,” he added. of the Qatar ExxonMobil Open with a 4-6, 7-6(7), received from various people. “Having friends by Djokovic was indeed a relieved man. “I feel con- 6-3 victory. my side is very important because they support tent that I managed to turn the match around... it Djokvic will face Andy Murray in a perfectly me. I think it’s really good for me. I feel like home looked very much in the hands of Fernando to- scripted fi nal. The Brit defeated Tomas Berdych in here. They make me feel like home here,” said night. He was clearly a better player for two sets,” straight sets 6-3, 6-4 in the evening’s other last Verdasco after the match yesterday. he said after the dramatic win. four clash. “I have made good relationships here and have “It’s not because I’ve done something right. It’s It started off well for Djokovic, with a comfort- some very good friends here. I’m a good friend of just that it happened that way. Only thing I could able 4-2 lead in the fi rst set. But then the stinging the Emir. And I’m also good friends with Nasser do is fi ght and get myself in a position to win the forehands of Verdasco began to fi nd their mark (al-Khelaifi, QTF president), Karim Alami (tourna- match. That’s what I’ve done,” he added. and the Spaniard won a remarkable six consecu- ment director) and many other people that are The second semi-fi nal of the day was a fairly tive games and took the fi rst set. working in diff erent capacities here,” he added. straightforward aff air. Murray got the early breaks In the second Verdasco started well, was up Verdasco first came to Qatar almost a decade in the both the sets and Berdych, who had to 2-0 but then got broken. With the score at 4-4, ago and has seen the changes that this place has take an injury time-out for his ankle, had a few the Spaniard had a great chance to take a 5-4 lead. undergone. “I know Qatar very well since 2005. I moments but it wasn’t enough. The world No. He had three breakpoints but Djokovic saved all came here for the first time then and I can say that 1 wrapped up the match in an hour and 18 min- three and managed to hold serve. That game last- it was pretty diff erent from what it is right now.” utes. This means that Murray has entered the fi nal ed more than 10 minutes and included one rally The world No. 42 also spoke about his other links without dropping a set while Djokovic dropped which had 26 shots. In the tie breaker, Verdasco in Qatar. “Not just the Qatar Tennis Federation, I’m his fi rst set yesterday. raced to a 6-2 lead and it looked like Djokovic also associated with beiN Sports and Smash Tennis Murray will be the fresher of the two going into would not get a great start to 2017 but the defend- Academy. I think it’s a great place for me to be a today’s fi nal. “Playing Djokovic in the fi nal here ing champion won the next four points to bring part of,” he said. “So that’s why I decided last year to will be the perfect preparation for the Australian back parity. This battle included a 30-shot rally come to Doha and have my residence here.” Open,” said Murray after his match. when the score was 6-5. The Brit also became the only player to have Verdasco had one more match point but that too said Verdasco. reached four fi nals here in Doha. “This tourna- couldn’t get converted and Djokovic fi nally won But the Spaniard, who will get $59,810 for his ment has seen quite a few big names including the set. In the third set, the wind was knocked out eff orts, said that he was happy with his run in the Djokovic so it’s a good statistic to have,” he added. of Verdasco’s sails and he surrendered meekly. tournament. “I would say that I’m more sad than All in all, a cracking fi nal is expected in front of “It’s tough to lose against someone so impor- disappointed because I think that I tried every- the packed stands today.y tant like Novak with the match having been so close,” said Verdasco after the match. JeremyJJeremy ChardyChharddy anandd The Spaniard put on a great show and he be- Fabrice Martin lieved that he didn’t play bad during the crucial celebrate with their points. “When I think about the breakpoints and Qatar ExxonMobil the matchpoints that I had during this match, Open doubles I honestly don’t think that I really played that trophies. The French bad. In fact, I didn’t think I played bad at all. The points just didn’t come my way,” he added. pair dismissed the Regarding the third set, he said the mammoth Colombian-Czech second set tie-break battle had broken him men- pairing of Vasek tally. “It’s just that sometimes things don’t go Pospisil and Radek your way. It’s tough afterwards to recover from Stepanek 6-4, 7-6(3) it because then you have lost that set and every- in the final at the thing is very tough mentally from then on.” Khalifa Tennis With that set lost, Djokovic regained his con- Complex yesterday. fi dence and didn’t let up at all. “Novak got a lot It was the duo's of confi dence towards the end. And in such a sce- mamaideniden ddoublesoubles ttitle.itle. nario, it is not easy to be on top of the game again,” ATF PRESIDENT ANIL KHANNA PRAISES QATAR EXXONMOBIL OPEN

(LEFT) Qatar Tennis Federation president Nasser al-Khelaifi presents a memento to Asian Tennis Federation chief Anil Khanna. Khanna, who is in Doha to attend the ATF Board meeting, was lavish in his praise for the Qatar ExxonMobil Open, saying it had set an example for other tennis competitions in the region to follow. Gulf Times 2 Saturday, January 7, 2017 TENNIS

HOPMAN CUP Swiss lose to France despite Federer brilliance Reuters 16th—his lowest placing since 2001— In the women’s singles, Mladenovic Federer won the trophy at the eight- Perth but in brushing aside Gasquet showed played her best match of the week to nation mixed team event in 2001 with he was again ready to be a serious con- level the tie by beating the in-form Martina Hingis and returned to play a year tender at the Australian Open, starting Bencic 6-4, 2-6, 6-3. later, his last appearance in West Australia. singles masterclass from a week from Monday. France has won the Hopman Cup Germany earlier beat Britain 2-1, Swiss champion Roger The 17-time Grand Slam champion once, while the United States has with Alexander Zverev and Andrea Federer (picture) wasn’t barely missed a groundstroke, getting claimed the title six times. Petkovic taking a valuable week’s worth enough to stop the French his fi rst break of serve in the fourth The Hopman Cup is the 35-year- of matches into the Australian Open. pairingA of Richard Gasquet and Kristi- game of the match and dominating old Federer’s fi rst tournament since a Heather Watson, playing for a third na Mladenovic winning through to the proceedings from that point on. He also six-month layoff due to knee and back edition, started by defeating Petkovic Hopman Cup fi nal yesterday. sent down 11 aces in nine service games, injuries. He entered 2017 ranked 16th— 6-2, 7-6 (7-3). Young gun Zverev, who Federer’s comeback from injury winning 6-1, 6-4 in 56 minutes. his lowest placing since 2001—but in had beaten Federer earlier in the week, gained momentum when he produced Gasquet had been in good touch brushing aside Gasquet he showed he levelled 1-1 as he stopped Dan Evans a fl awless performance to beat Gas- heading into the match, beating Zverev was ready to be a serious contender at 6-4, 6-3. The tie came down to the hy- quet in the men’s singles, but it was the and Dan Evans, both in straight sets. the Australian Open. brid FAST4 mixed doubles, with Petko- French who won the tie 2-1. Even Federer was a little stunned by “It’s only the beginning, hopefully vic leading her teenaged teammate to Mladenovic squared the tie with a his own form. many more matches to come. I’m just the 4-2, 4-2 win which clinched it. three-set win over Belinda Bencic, be- “It was completely diff erent from very pleased to be on a centre court. I “My singles today was a totally dif- fore the French claimed the deciding the previous two,” he said. “Today was did enjoy the last six months out, I en- ferent match from when I played Fed- mixed doubles. The French will face great, I started to feel the ball better joyed the last 18 years playing, so I’ll erer,” Zverev said. “Today I got the win the United States team of Jack Sock and and better and just moving around the stay around for a little bit long, if I can,” and I’m very happy with that.” Coco Vandeweghe on Saturday. court better. I am surprised how well I the Swiss ace said. The Germans admitted they still have After being beaten by young gun Al- am playing already. I couldn’t be more The 17-time Grand Slam champion to work to do if they are ever to get used exander Zverev in his previous singles happy right now.” barely missed a groundstroke, getting to the experimental mixed format, which match, Federer bounced back to thrash Three matches into his comeback, his fi rst break of serve in the fourth speeds up play considerably by eliminat- the 18th-ranked Gasquet in straight Federer said his body was feeling great. game of the match and dominating ing adds, lets and tiebreaks as the fi rst to sets in under an hour. “Today is the best I have felt since I have proceedings from that point on. He also four points wins a set. “In the fi rst two The Hopman Cup is Federer’s fi rst arrived and that is super encouraging.” sent down 11 aces in nine service games. mixed rubbers we were not shining at tournament since a six-month layoff Gasquet admitted Federer was sim- Gasquet had been in good touch all, it was all going so fast,” Petkovic said. due to knee and back injuries. ply too good. “He played unbelievable,” heading into the match, beating Zverev “We were forgetting the lets.” Zverev The 35-year-old entered 2017 ranked Gasquet said. and Dan Evans, both in straight sets. added: “It’s all so new to me.”

BRISBANE INTERNATIONAL Match-fi xing charge against Australian Open junior champ

AFP “Everyone makes mistakes.” Sydney Fourteen-time Grand Slam champion Rafael Nadal said the latest police case showed the Aggressive Raonic match-fixing charge in fight against match-fixing was Australia has underlined working. “You get tired about A concerns about corrup- this kind of stuff , but the most tion in tennis ahead of the year’s important thing is (to) fight opening Grand Slam, with top against these kind of things,” players frustrated at another he told reporters in Brisbane. scandal hitting the sport. And he is young. That’s even the Police said yesterday an worst part.” ousts Nadal, in semis 18-year-old had been charged On the eve of the Austral- with match-fixing at a tourna- ian Open last year, there were ment in Victoria last October and bombshell media allegations ‘I had 10 minutes that were very hard, and playing against a player like him, would appear in court in March. that match-fixing was rife in ten- Australian media named him as nis and the authorities had done that’s terrible. He played aggressive, he played great, his returns on my serve Oliver Anderson, an emerging little to counter corruption. star who is the reigning Austral- They included claims that during those games were very, very aggressive, and the serve was huge’ ian Open boys champion. players who had reached the The claim, just days before the top 50 had been repeatedly world’s leading players assemble suspected of fixing matches AFP in Melbourne for the first Grand but had never faced action. It Brisbane Slam of the season, related to a sparked an independent review first-round match at the second- headed by Adam Lewis QC, a tier Traralgon Challenger event. London-based expert on sports more aggressive Milos Raonic World number one Andy Mur- law, aimed at shaking up ten- moved into the semi-fi nals of ray, playing in the Qatar Open in nis’s under-fire anti-corruption the Brisbane International when Doha, said he had read about the body, the Tennis Integrity Unit. he beat Spaniard Rafael Nadal in case and that although he did not Anderson, 18, is one of the aA high quality quarter-fi nal yesterday. want to comment on the specif- brightest young talents in tennis. Raonic, the defending champion, ics, corruption must be tackled. A family statement said the teen- came back from losing the fi rst set to “It’s disappointing for the ager from Brisbane was co-oper- overhaul Nadal 4-6, 6-3, 6-4, disap- game any time something like ating fully with authorities. Local pointing the sell-out crowd who were that comes out,” said Murray. media reported that the charge almost all cheering for a Spanish victory. “However, if people are caught relates to a first-round match He will now play Bulgaria’s seventh seed and charged, I see that as being in a Challenger tournament, a Grigor Dimitrov following his 6-3, 4-6, a positive thing. If it’s going lower-level event on the ATP Tour, 6-3 winner over fourth-ranked Dominic on and nothing is happening when Anderson was allegedly Thiem of Austria. about it that’s much worse for approached to ‘throw’ the first Raonic beat Roger Federer to win the the future of the sport. So, if it’s set against another Australian, 2016 title, the start of a successful year happening, there should be the Harrison Lombe. Anderson lost that saw him rise to three in the world. But most severe punishments for the first set 4-6 before winning in the fi rst set his serve was slightly off and whoever is involved in it.” the next two 6-0, 6-2. He then lost Nadal took advantage, breaking in the fi fth He was backed by rival Novak his second round match. game to take the early lead. Nadal had the Djokovic, also in Doha, who said Anderson, coached by former chance to break again in the fi fth game of he was saddened by the news. professional Wayne Arthurs, is the second set, but Raonic served his way “Very disappointing to hear, regarded as a promising pros- out of trouble, saving the game with one of especially considering the fact pect within the sport. his 23 aces then breaking the Spaniard in that he’s young and won the jun- A spokesman for Anderson’s the eighth game to level proceedings. ior Grand Slam,” said Djokovic. family was reported by the The Canadian then seized on a poor “You know, obviously the quality Melbourne Age newspaper as Nadal service game at the start of the is there and the potential is there. saying: “Oliver is co-operating third set to break him to love and when he I don’t understand why he has fully with authorities. He now fought off a break point of his own to go done it,” he said, before adding: awaits the legal process.” ahead 3-1, the momentum had swung to the defending champion. Raonic, who lost to Nadal in the semi- A file photo fi nals of an exhibition tournament in Abu of Australia’s Dhabi last week, said he knew he had to Oliver Milos Raonic reacts Cornet to play Pliskova in women’s Anderson be more aggressive if he wanted to win. after his win over “He is always going to defend better than with his trophy Rafael Nadal (above) final as ‘tired’ Muguruza pulls out after winning me, so I don’t want to play him on those yesterday. (AFP) terms,” Raonic said. know a little bit of luck never killed the Junior Boys’ AFP final against Nadal said a poor 10-minute spell had Brisbane anybody,” she laughed. “I’m just go- changed the match. “I had 10 minutes ing to take it. I really enjoy the fact Uzbekistan’s that were very hard, and playing against that I’m in the fi nal. It’s a big day Djurabeck a player like him, that’s terrible,” he said. lize Cornet reached her big- for me. I just learned that I’m going Karimov at “He played aggressive, he played great, gest fi nal in over two years to be seeded at the Australian Open the Australian his returns on my serve during those after an “exhausted” Gar- because of this match. So it’s two Open last year. A (Reuters) games were very, very aggressive, and the bine Muguruza withdrew from their bits of good news at the same time.” serve was huge.” semi-fi nal of the Brisbane Interna- Cornet went into the tourna- Stan Wawrinka and Kei Nishikori will tional yesterday. ment ranked 41st in the world, but meet in the second semi-fi nal following The unseeded Frenchwoman was will now climb to 31. She could go as Konjuh to meet Davis in Auckland final contrasting wins. Second seed Wawrinka leading her Spanish opponent 4-1 in high as 26 if she wins today’s fi nal. battled for over two-and-a-half hours be- the fi rst set when Muguruza decided The 26-year-old said earlier in roatian teenager Ana Kon- Another scalp for fore seeing off rising British player Kyle Ed- she couldn’t continue. Although the the week she wanted to be more juh outlasted Julia Goerges Siniakova in Shenzhen mund 6-7 (2/7), 6-4, 6-4, before Nishikori, offi cial reason was a right thigh inju- consistent this year and enjoy her Cin a two-hour battle to the third seed, demolished young Austral- ry, the fourth-seeded Spaniard, who tennis. After winning her semi-fi - set up a final against diminutive nseeded Czech tennis player ian Jordan Thompson 6-1, 6-1. had spent over seven hours on court nal she signed “Vive la Vie” on the American Lauren Davis in the UKaterina Siniakova defeated Wawrinka, the reigning US Open in her fi rst three rounds, conceded television as a dedication to former WTA Auckland Classic yesterday. Britain’s world No. 10 Johanna champion, looked out of sorts against an later that she was physically spent. French Fed Cup physio Patrick Konjuh, 19, a former Australian Konta to secure a place in the inspired Edmund, who dominated the “I just felt, like, a little bit ex- Bordier, who died of a heart attack and US Open junior champion, WTA Shenzhen Open final. match for long periods and deservingly hausted on the court, and I have while working at the Rio Olympics. surprised herself with the way Siniakova eliminated second won the fi rst set. been dealing, you know, with tired- “There is no translation in Eng- she rallied to beat 28-year-old seed Simona Halep earlier in But the 31-year-old Swiss scram- ness and issues with all these hard lish. It’s like ‘enjoy life’,” she said. Goerges, last year’s runner-up, the $750,000 tournament but an- bled well and was able to break Edmund matches I have been playing, and “(He) was always saying this sen- 6-3, 4-6, 6-3. other upset looked unlikely when once in the second set to level the match. today I was far from 100%,” she said. tence, just to put a smile on our fac- In the other semi-final, the 1.57 Konta raced into a 5-0 first set Wawrinka then went up to breaks in the Cornet will now play third- es, like, okay, ‘vive la vie. Enjoy. You metre (5ft 2in) Davis was leading lead and took it minutes later. decider to serve for the match and 5-2 and seeded Czech Karolina Pliskova in have a beautiful life, you’re young, Jelena Ostapenko 4-6, 6-4, 4-1 But the world number 52 re- although Edmund got one break back he the fi nal, the fi rst time the 26-year- just enjoy’. I think of him some- when the Latvian, who was covered to level the match. Third couldn’t complete the comeback. old from Nice has reached the de- times on the court.” suff ering from a viral illness, seed Konta again took the lead Nishikori was in complete control cider of a Premier Level tournament Pliskova, who was runner-up at pulled out. in the decider, but Siniakova won against Thompson from the outset. He since she lost to Venus Williams in the 2016 US Open, reached the fi nal The seventh seed had started the last four games to triumph dominated from the baseline and gave the Dubai in 2014, after having beaten in impressive style when she beat strongly, breaking Davis twice to 1-6, 6-4, 6-4. Australian no chance, winning in just 61 Serena in the semi-fi nals. Elina Svitolina of Ukraine 6-2, 6-4 go 5-1 up before taking the set Siniakova will face American minutes. “I think I played one of my best A delighted Cornet said Muguru- in the second semi. The tall Czech 6-4. But as she began to wilt she Alison Riske in the final, whose matches so far, really dominating from the za’s withdrawal had been the perfect used her booming serve and power- dropped the second set 4-6 and winning streak in China contin- baseline and serving good today,” Nishiko- result. “When she decided to stop ful groundstrokes to great eff ect in looked drained as play pro- ued as she defeated Italy’s Camila ri said. “Everything was working well.” I was a little bit surprised, but you the 64-minute victory. gressed in the third. Giorgi in straight sets, 6-3, 6-3. Gulf Times Saturday, January 7, 2017 3 FOOTBALL

SPOTLIGHT BACK IN ACTION Rooney to return to United starting Expansion of WC line-up against almost a certainty Reading in FA Cup The 37-member FIFA Council will on Tuesday decide whether to increase the tournament from the current 32 teams to either 40 or 48, starting in 2026

Reuters Zurich

IFA is set to ignore the old adage about not messing with a winning formula by approving president Gianni Infantino’s plans to expand the World Cup. FThe 37-member FIFA Council, which makes strategic decisions for soccer’s governing body, will on Tuesday decide whether to increase the tournament from the current 32 teams to either 40 or 48, starting in 2026. Infantino, elected last February to replace the dis- graced Sepp Blatter, pledged during his campaign to en- Reuters the same, both of them I will large the tournament — a promise designed especially to Manchester allow to leave — if the right of- appeal to the bulk of FIFA’s 211 member associations that fer comes. Until this moment, rarely or never qualify for World Cups. no. Is this a good situation? No,” Infantino now says he has “overwhelming support” aptain Wayne Roon- Mourinho said. for his plans. ey will return to Man- “Why not? Because I don’t The Council’s nine European representatives seem chester United’s start- think about them as options in least likely to support the change. Cing line-up for today’s this moment. In normal condi- A spokesman for the European governing body UEFA FA Cup third-round game tions they would probably be se- off ered little enthusiasm, saying it was “currently gath- against Championship Read- lected for the match tomorrow. ering feedback from its national associations — which ing as the defending champions “But they aren’t because we are the ones directly impacted by any change”. begin their bid to win the trophy are waiting for something that a The association representing Europe’s most powerful for a record 13th time. couple of weeks ago looked like clubs, already struggling to nurse players through long The 31-year-old striker last 100% and at the moment looks domestic seasons, last month wrote to Infantino to say played three weeks ago, missing like zero % because we don’t that that “politics and commerce should not be the ex- the festive fi xtures due to a mus- have any off er that is close to the clusive priority in football”. cle problem. quality for the players we have.” But even if the Europeans oppose the expansion, In- Rooney is one goal short of German midfi elder Bastian fantino’s comment suggests they will be in a minority. equalling Bobby Charlton’s club Schweinsteiger, deemed surplus Critics say it would be wrong to change a 32-team for- record of 249 and manager Jose to requirements earlier in the mat that, in 2014 in Brazil, produced a tournament of ex- Mourinho said he would start season, is now in contention for hilarating football, unpredictable results and few mean- against Reading at Old Traff ord a place in the side. ingless or hopelessly one-sided matches. on Saturday along with second- “He can start, he can be on German football boss Reinhard Grindel said on Thurs- Ambitious: FIFA choice goalkeeper Sergio Rome- the bench, he is an option for us. day that FIFA should stick to its “tried and tested formu- chief Gianni Infantino ro as United bid for their eighth For many months he wasn’t an la”, and that all of the possible alternatives had “consid- win in a row. option. We made that decision erable weaknesses”. The futures of Morgan Sch- when we brought him back. He’s Infantino has said his preferred option is for a 48-team neiderlin and Memphis Depay ready to play,” Mourinho said. tournament that would start with 16 groups of three teams, remain unresolved. “My approach is that if a where the top two would qualify for a knock-out round of 32. West Bromwich Albion have player is not playing I cannot “For this alternative, the draw would probably have made a bid for Schneiderlin who stop a player leaving if the of- to be abolished to avoid tactical behaviour in fi nal group has also been linked with a move fer is right. Bastian played some matches,” said Grindel. to Everton while Depay has at- minutes against West Ham and “But having extra-time and penalties in the group for half of the participating teams, and considerably in- number of matches where teams would be just playing tracted interest from Italian club no more than that. He wants to stage is itself problematic, adding organisational diffi - crease the burden on the players,” Grindel warned. for pride”, and the latter could leave some second-placed AS Roma. stay, he is staying because he is culties to an already higher number of matches.” There are also two proposals for a 40-team World Cup teams waiting for up to four days to fi nd out whether “Their situation is exactly an option.” Infantino has also proposed a preliminary round of 16 — the fi rst featuring eight groups of fi ve teams in the fi rst they had qualifi ed. knockout ties, with the winners joining 16 seeded teams round; and the second with 10 teams of four, where the “Past World Cups have always been tournaments that in a 32-team group phase. group winners and six best runners-up would progress. have enthused players, spectators and sponsors alike,” he PREVIEW “This would lengthen the tournament by one week Grindel said the fi rst choice would lead to “a large said. “So why change it?” FA Cup ‘big priority Mourinho gives backing to Infantino move for Arsenal’s Wenger

Reuters, London: Jose Mourinho believes an ex- “But they would do so having improved and gained AFP panded World Cup tournament would develop the sport experience on the pitch, which would be added to the Preston in areas lacking strong soccer foundations without prov- economic rewards of appearing at the finals — including ing to be a burden for both clubs or players in major further investment in their footballing infrastructure.” leagues. Opponents of the expansion plans fear that a format rsene Wenger says the FIFA President Gianni Infantino wants to increase the change would lead to a drop in the quality on display at FA Cup remains “a big quadrennial tournament to 48 nations from 2026 but the finals but Mourinho felt that notion was unrealistic. priority” for Arsenal Europe’s leading clubs remain opposed to plans to “The expansion means that the World Cup will be even despite his side already wagingA two-pronged assaults on expand the World Cup beyond its current allocation of more of an incredible social event. More countries, more 32 teams. The FIFA Council is expected to reach a deci- investment in diff erent countries in infrastructure, in youth the Premier League and Cham- sion this month on whether to add more teams to the football,” he added. “Football is developed in the clubs, so pions League. tournament format. we can’t expect football to explode in terms of quality at a The FA Cup has been good to “I’m totally in favour. As a club manager, if the expansion World Cup.”Mourinho also said that scepticism should not the Gunners in recent years and meant more games, less holidays and less pre-season stand in the way of evolution after Real Madrid manager Wenger’s side travel to Champi- for players, I would say no,” the Manchester United Zinedine Zidane and midfielder Luka Modric were critical onship side Preston on Saturday manager told FIFA’s website (www.fifa.com) when asked of the video technology that was tested at last month’s seeking to lift the trophy for a about expansion plans. Club World Cup. “We all need it (video technology). Profes- third time in four years. and teams go to Wembley, it’s “It’s important for critics to analyse and understand that sionals can’t lose or win matches and titles because of a Their 2014 triumph ended something special. expansion doesn’t mean more matches. Players are refusal of this evolution,” the 53-year-old added. Arsenal’s nine-year wait for “It’s a special occasion, a spe- protected and clubs are protected in this way. Teams “Also, referees especially need and deserve protection. silverware and a repeat suc- cial trophy and in every single with less potential and experience will probably play They need the technology to help them, protect them cess 12 months later suggested country, everybody dies to win two matches and go home. and to support them.” Wenger’s side were acquiring a the cup.” winning mentality. Arsenal go into the tie having But their failure last season to recovered after trailing 3-0 to BOTTOMLINE really challenge Leicester in the claim a point at Bournemouth, Premier League title race and although the relief of avoiding their current standing in fi fth defeat was tempered by the loss place, eight points adrift of lead- of two points in the title race. ers Chelsea, suggest the north Wenger is likely to make London side still have work to changes and could include Dan- do if they are to become league ny Welbeck for the fi rst time Schneiderlin, Depay frozen out champions for the fi rst time since the forward picked up a since 2004. knee injury against Manchester Wenger knows he must once City last May. again at a minimum deliver a “He wants to play,” Wenger place in next season’s Champi- said. “But Danny is as well con- as exit from Man United looms ons League, but is adamant that scious of taking his time. He AFP while United face a massive fi xture list in The veteran appeared to be in the same four matches, he’s waiting for his oppor- does not mean he will view the came back after a long injury Manchester the short-term that includes interest in situation as Schneiderlin and Depay but tunity to play and I think January is a good FA Cup, and the potential fi xture and had a setback so he suff ered four competitions, the United manager made a four-minute substitute appear- month for that with so many matches.” pile-up that comes with it, as a a lot.” will not consider them. ance in the League Cup tie against West Meanwhile, Mourinho has paid tribute distraction. Preston manager Simon Gray- ose Mourinho has told midfi elders “Their situation is exactly the same, Ham at the end of November and is now to goalkeeper David de Gea but admits “It is a big priority for us,” son has inspired a team to an FA Morgan Schneiderlin and Memphis both of them I will allow them to leave the in Mourinho’s plans as he wrestles with that, after the Spaniard was named the Wenger said. “We have shown Cup upset before, having been in Depay they will not be considered club,” said Mourinho. “I will allow them fi xture congestion. club’s player of the year in each of the historically that we care about it charge of Leeds, then a third-tier Jfor selection while they wait to leave to leave if the right off er comes. Until this “He’s selected again so he can start, past three seasons, he is relieved that the and it is a massive competition side, when they defeated Man- Manchester United during the January moment, no. he can be on the bench,” said Mourinho. team’s improved fortunes means he is not for everybody. chester United at Old Traff ord in transfer window. “Is this a good situation? No. Why not? “He’s an option for us, I think that’s the in contention for that honour again. “To win the FA Cup is always a the third round seven years ago. West Brom and Everton have both had Because I don’t think about them as op- best way to describe it. “I think when a goalkeeper is a player target each year. We know as well Despite having one of the low- bids of under £20mn ($24.7mn, 23.4mn tions in this moment. “For many months he wasn’t an op- of the season, it’s because something is that after a congested Christmas est budgets in the Champion- euros) rejected for France international “In normal conditions they would tion, when we brought him back in the wrong,” said Mourinho. period that the third round is al- ship, Grayson has guided Preston Schneiderlin as United look to recoup probably be selected for the match to- fi rst couple of weeks he was not an op- “Of course I would love goalkeepers ways a tricky game. to 11th place and they defeated most of the £25mn former manager Louis morrow and they aren’t because we are tion, not ready to compete but since then to be recognised, to win the golden ball, “That is why I believe it is a Premier League opposition in van Gaal paid Southampton for him 18 waiting for something that a couple of he’s been working very well, never an in- to be player of the season in the Premier mental challenge for the Premier September by knocking Bourne- months ago. weeks ago looked like 100 per cent and at jury. “Again, my approach because I think League because goalkeepers are lonely League teams to prepare well mouth out of the League Cup. And Depay remains a target, for Ever- the moment looks like zero per cent be- it’s the right one from the human point guys with a diff erent shirt to everybody and not have a bad surprise, es- His side are on a decent run at ton and European clubs including Roma cause we don’t have any off er that is close of view, if a player is not playing I cannot else. When they play phenomenal people pecially when you go to a Cham- present, having lost just one of and Nice, although the only interest to the quality for the players we have.” stop a player to leave if the off er is right. forget, when they make a mistake, every- pionship team, as it is always their last six matches, although in the Dutch winger is for loan deals at However, the situation is vastly diff er- “Bastian, he played with us some min- one remembers. diffi cult. that single defeat, 4-1 at home present. ent for another midfi eld player who once utes against West Ham, no more. He “That’s why I hugged David at the end “It’s a debate every year about to Leeds on Boxing Day, proved The fact that Mourinho will only let seemed certain to leave the club in the wants to stay, he is staying, he is an op- of the West Ham game because no save, how special the FA Cup is. I per- costly, with striker Jermaine the pair leave if United receive acceptable current window, German international tion because he’s an option he’s selected (and a Michail) Antonio goal, no three sonally have no special solution Beckford collecting a second red off ers leaves the duo in limbo because, Bastian Schweinsteiger. for tomorrow. “He was selected for three, points. but when April and May comes card in consecutive appearances. Gulf Times 4 Saturday, January 7, 2017 FOOTBALL Zidane plans to limit Ronaldo’s minutes HONOUR Mahrez named AFP and a 3-0 Copa del Rey romp over Se- be in good condition throughout the Despite his absence against Depor- Madrid villa on Wednesday. season. Having 20 games in 60 days, tivo and Sevilla, Ronaldo was still at Zidane confi rmed in midweek that sometimes he will have to rest. the Bernabeu to support his team- African Footballer Ronaldo will return for lowly Gra- “There is no problem. He always mates. And Zidane hailed the leader- eal Madrid boss Zinedine Zi- nada’s visit to the Santiago Bernabeu wants to play, but talking is how you ship role the now 31-year-old Ron- dane insists he will continue today. However, with Real potentially achieve things.” aldo has adopted. of the Year to periodically leave out four- facing a marathon streak of 20 games Zidane admitted towards the end “He is a leader on and off the eld.fi time world player of the year across three competitions in the next of last season that he wished he had He is here before and after the game, AFP CristianoR Ronaldo to keep the Por- three months, Zidane said Ronaldo taken better care of Ronaldo as the he is completely involved even when Abuja tuguese fresh for the business end of will have to accept being left on the former Manchester United man he doesn’t play,” added Zidane. the season. sidelines from time to time. missed key matches in April, includ- “Possibly you (the media) have no- Ronaldo has sat out Real’s last two “Cristiano is a very intelligent ing a Champions League semi-fi nal ticed it less, but he has a tremendous lgeria forward Riyad home games — missing the visit of player,” said Zidane yesterday. at Manchester City, due to muscle fa- energy and he transmits that to the Mahrez was Thursday Deportivo la Coruna in December “My idea is that I want Cristiano to tigue injuries. rest. He is a real leader.” voted African Foot- baller of the Year after heA inspired Leicester City to the English Premier League title last COPA DEL REY season. Mahrez, 25, beat Gabon skip- per Pierre-Emerick Aubam- eyang, who scooped the pres- tigious accolade last year, into second place, with Senegal star Sadio Mane, who features for Liverpool, taking third place. The France-born forward said Barca start 2017 it was an honour to be named the best African player for the past year. “It’s a huge honour, I am happy and pleased. I thank all my team- mates at Leicester and Algeria,” Mahrez said as he received the award.“I dedicate this to my with Bilbao defeat family and all those who support me every day.” Leicester caused a major shock Lionel Messi’s fine free-kick halved Barca’s arrears after the break when as 5,000-1 outsiders they went on to win the Premier AFP he will return to training in the next League last season. Algerian and Leicester forward Madrid few weeks after undergoing success- Mahrez, a slightly-built, Riyad Mahrez speaks while hold- ful surgery. right-sided forward who started ing trophy after being crowned “I think in the fi rst-half we were out with hometown club AAS African Footballer of the Year in thletic Bilbao held out with much better than them,” Williams Sarcelles in 2004, played a key Abuja. nine men to secure a fi rst told GolTV. role in the Foxes’ stunning run win over Barcelona in four “The referee left us with nine men, with 17 goals, 10 assists in 37 ap- of the Year Based in Africa award years and carry a 2-1 lead but that is football and we have to pearances. ahead of Mamelodi Sundowns intoA the second leg of their Copa del suff er. We will go to the Camp Nou He played in all but of Leices- teammate Khama Billiat and Rey last 16 tie on January 11. and do our best to reach the next ter’s games. Zambia’s Rainford Kalaba. Two goals in three fi rst-half min- round.” He was the fi rst Algerian to Onyango was outstanding utes from Aritz Aduriz and Inaki The match was then dogged by win a Premier League champi- when seven-time South African Williams put the hosts in command. refereeing controversy as Aduriz es- ons medal and sparked a massive champions Sundowns won an Lionel Messi’s fi ne free-kick caped unpunished for an elbow on following back home in Alge- historic CAF Champions League halved Barca’s arrears after the break. Samuel Umtiti. ria for the club, who he had fi rst and also when Uganda qualifi ed And the fi ve-time World Player Barca were even more incensed in thought was a rugby team when for this year’s Africa Cup of Na- of the Year was inches away from a fi rst-half stoppage time when David he was contacted to join them tions after a long absence. precious second away goal when he Fernandez Borbalan somehow failed four years ago. Nigeria’s Asisat Oshoala hit the post with the fi nal kick of the to point to the spot when Neymar Mahrez’s win ended a 19-year grabbed her second African game after Raul Garcia and Ander was chopped down by Borja Etxeita. absence on the podium for a Women’s Player of the Year Iturraspe had been sent-off . Andres Iniesta, Sergio Busquets player from north Africa since award on the back of her goals as “We struggled at the start,” admit- and Jordi Alba were all booked for Morocco’s Mustapha Hadji in Nigeria retained their continen- ted Barca boss Luis Enrique. taking their protests too far, whilst 1998. tal crown in Cameroon. “They used two counter-attacks Messi also had to be restrained from Other Algerians to have won The Arsenal Ladies star won to put together two good moves and confronting Borbalan as the players the award were Rabah Madjer in her fi rst when she also helped the get ahead. left the fi eld for half-time. 1987 and Lakhdar Belloumi in Super Falcons emerge African “In the second-half we concen- “The fi rst-half ended in the worst 1981. champions in 2014. trated more on what we could con- way with a lot of cards on our part All three players who made Nigeria youngsters Kelechi trol, our play, and I think we did and the players upset at what we saw the shortlist for the African Iheanacho and Alex Iwobi won enough to deserve more, even taking on the fi eld,” added Enrique. Footballer of the Year were also the Most Promising Talent and into account Athletic’s numerical Borbalan did come to Barca’s aid picked in CAF XI that also fea- Youth Player of the Year awards, disadvantage.” just after the break, though, when tures Ivory Coast defender Eric respectively. Enrique started all three of his star he adjudged Messi’s free-kick to Bailly from Manchester United. Gambian referee Bakary Papa strike force of Messi, Luis Suarez and have crossed the line despite Gorka Goalkeeper Denis Onyango Gassama won the Best Referee Neymar despite handing them an Iraizoz’s best eff orts in the Athletic was picked for the African Player Award for the third straight year. extended winter break which meant goal. they only returned to training on Iraizoz tipped over a dangerously Monday after two weeks off . dipping eff ort from Neymar as the This is the sixth time Barca and pressure from the visitors built and Brazil crash team to play Athletic have been paired together the home side were reduced to nine friendly January 21 in the Cup in nine seasons, including men in their eff orts to halt the Brazil- three fi nals. ian. Sao Paulo: Brazilian football tournament. Barca have emerged victorious in Garcia and then Iturraspe had few team Chapecoense said Thurs- Chapecoense’s new president all fi ve previous occasions, but Ath- complaints after seeing second yel- day they will play in a friendly Plinio David De Nes Filho told letic looked well on their way to re- low cards for late challenges on Ney- match on January 21, their first a news conference the friendly versing that run with two excellent mar. More Messi magic nearly pre- fixture since the squad was fixture was a gesture “of solidar- goals midway through the fi rst-half. vented Barca starting the year with wiped out in a plane crash. ity and greatness by our brother Firstly, Aduriz stooped unmarked defeat as he danced past two defend- Rebuilding the team after the club, Palmeiras, which has to head home Garcia’s cross and ers before a desperate saving chal- tragedy which cut short their sought to accompany us at this round off a fi ne team move on 25 lenge from Mikel San Jose prevented fairytale rise, the side will host time of sadness and reconstruc- minutes.Then, in the midst of a hom- the Argentine getting a shot off . Brazilian league opponents tion.” age to Athletic defender Yeray Alva- And in the dying seconds Messi Palmeiras for the friendly. Chapecoense on Wednesday rez who was recently diagnosed with smashed a loose ball inside the area Barcelona’s defender Jordi Alba (R) vies Nineteen Chapecoense players presented the first three of 20 testicular cancer, the hosts struck off the inside of the post. with Athletic Bilbao’s midfielder Javier Eraso and 24 other club members died new players it plans to sign to again when Williams smashed home No side other than Real Madrid has during their Spanish Copa del Rey (King’s when the plane crashed in the rebuild its squad. a volley from Aduriz’s neat back- eliminated Barca from the Cup since Cup) round of 16 first leg match at the San Colombian mountains as they Its first competitive match since heeled layoff . 2008 and the holders will remain Mames stadium in Bilbao on Thursday. flew to compete in the finals of the disaster will be at home Alvarez was in the crowd and the confi dent of turning the tie around the Copa Sudamericana regional against Joinville on January 26. club announced earlier on Thursday on home soil on Wednesday.

BOTTOMLINE Chinese cheer curbs on ‘ridiculous’ spending AFP nese market a “danger for all teams in China Sports Insider. Shanghai the world”. But Dreyer said the government had Mikel leaves Chelsea for China But many Chinese fans have also been to speak out against a looming “bubble” uncomfortable with the clubs’ high that was also beginning to aff ect Chinese hinese football fans yesterday AFP, London: Nigeria captain John Shield,” he said. spending, and Thursday’s announce- player salaries. cheered a government move to Mikel Obi announced yesterday he is “I say goodbye as a champion of Eng- ment triggered a fl ood of support on so- “If you look at the numbers, they are curb the huge sums being lav- leaving English Premier League lead- land, a champion of Europe and proud cial media. clearly ridiculous. It’s not sustainable ished on foreign players after ers Chelsea to join Chinese side Tianjin captain of my national team.” “The irrational competition in the from any business perspective and not aC string of record-breaking deals, even football market has borne evil fruit: helping Chinese football,” he said. TEDA. Mikel gave no details about the con- though details of the clampdown re- He is the latest star to head to the tract he has signed. higher and higher salaries for big-name Brazilian international Oscar moved mained hazy. Chinese Super League, after the high- He joined Chelsea from Norwegian foreign players, worsening league match to Shanghai SIPG from Chelsea in a A state sports spokesman on Thurs- profile signings of Chelsea team-mate side Lyon in 2006 following a legal levels, and a worsening football environ- 60-million-euro ($63mn) deal that day vowed action to put the brakes on Oscar by Shanghai SIPG and Carlos wrangle with Manchester United, ment,” said one representative posting smashed the Asian transfer record. “irrational investment” after Chinese Tevez by Shanghai Shenhua in recent who had previously announced his on China’s Twitter-like Weibo. Ex-Manchester United striker Tevez teams reportedly made Oscar and Carlos weeks. Midfielder Mikel has not fea- signature. “The market economy does not mean heads to Shanghai Shenhua, where he Tevez the world’s best-paid players. tured at all for Chelsea under manager The elegant holding midfielder picked you can do whatever you want. Govern- will reportedly outstrip Oscar as the China will seek to rein in high-priced Antonio Conte, who took over in July. up 11 pieces of silverware during his ment intervention is absolutely neces- world’s best paid player with a two-year transfers and keep player salaries “rea- “After 10 years, 374 appearances and time at Stamford Bridge, including two sary.” The GAS announcement omitted contract of 38 mn euros per season. sonable”, a General Administration of 11 trophies, it is time for me to say Premier League titles, four FA Cups any fi gures when it referred to “limits” The GAS, which controls sports in Sport (GAS) spokesman warned. goodbye,” Mikel said in a letter posted and the 2012 Champions League. on salaries and transfer fees, and it was China, said fees to support youth-de- Chinese Super League clubs, encour- on his Twitter account. But he has not played a single minute an open question how eff ective it would velopment programmes may be levied aged by President Xi Jinping’s drive to “I haven’t featured as much this season of first-team football since the arrival be as teams gear up for the coming Chi- on clubs that spend excessively, while turn China into a football power, have as I would have liked, and at 29 I still “I look forward to helping Tianjin TEDA of Conte, with N’Golo Kante, Nemanja nese season. insolvent teams could be kicked out of broken the Asian transfer record fi ve have many years in the game ahead of FC continue to grow both on and off Matic and Cesc Fabregas all ahead of President Xi has declared his hopes the Chinese Super League. times in less than a year. me. With this in mind, I feel now is the the pitch in the next few years.” him in the midfield pecking order. of China one day hosting and winning Many fans on social media agreed that In a sign of the impact on transfer time to seek a new challenge. In his farewell letter, Mikel reflected on Mikel has been capped 78 times by a World Cup, comments widely seen as the millions of dollars in fees and wages markets, Cristiano Ronaldo’s agent said “I’m delighted to be joining Tianjin his career at the Blues. Nigeria, scoring five goals, and was a helping fuel the spending spree as club would be better spent developing home- the Ballon D’Or winner had turned down TEDA FC in China, at a time that the “I joined Chelsea as a 19-year-old kid member of the team that triumphed at owners seek to win political favour. grown talent. China’s national team is a world-record £257million (300m eu- Chinese Super League is really taking from the Norwegian Premier League, the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations in South “It’s hard to predict what will happen. currently ranked 82nd in the world — ros, $317m) bid from China. off . making my debut in the Community Africa. China is like a supertanker. Once some- just below the Caribbean island nation Antonio Conte, manager of Oscar’s thing like this (big spending) gets going, of St Kitts and Nevis, population less former club Chelsea, has called the Chi- it’s hard to stop it,” said Mark Dreyer of than 60,000. Gulf Times Saturday, January 7, 2017 5 SPORT

NBA Nene nails game-winning free-throws for Rockets ‘They (the Thunder) did a good job (setting up defensively) on the first play so we called for a timeout. I just got open and I saw two defenders guarding me, made the simple play to Nene and he knocked down two free-throws’

AFP Raptors coach Dwane Casey said LeBron James ranks a distant third with Los Angeles Lowry outworks his opponents. “I’ll tell three this season. you what, if it’s a loose ball down there, The most recent for Westbrook came he’s like a little pit bull,” Casey said. December 31 when he fi nished with razil’s Nene drained two clutch “That’s why he is who he is. He’s been 17 points, 14 assists and 12 rebounds. free throws with 0.7 seconds that way since high school and it’s not But he reached a triple-double in only left on the clock to lift the Hou- going to change. He took over the game 19 minutes, just off the fastest triple- ston Rockets to a 118-116 vic- down the stretch.” double ever record in NBA history, Jim toryB over the Oklahoma City Thunder Shelvin Mack led Utah with 17 points Tucker’s 17-minute eff ort in 1955. yesterday. while starting his third straight game Westbrook is averaging 30.9 points, James Harden nearly had a triple- for injured George Hill. Gordon Hay- 10.5 rebounds and 10.5 assists a game in double for the Rockets with 26 points, ward added 16 and Rudy Gobert fi n- a bid to become only the second player eight rebounds and 12 assists as Nene ished with 15 points and 16 rebounds. in NBA history with a triple-double added a season-high 18 points. All In Portland, Damian Lillard returned season average. Hall of Fame legend fi ve Rockets starters scored in double from an ankle injury to spark the Trail Oscar Robertson averaged 30.8 points, fi gures and Eric Gordon came off the Blazers to a 115-109 victory over the 12.5 rebounds and 11.4 assists a game in bench to score 22. lowly Los Angeles Lakers. the 1961-62 campaign for the Cincin- The game-deciding drama started CJ McCollum had 27 points and nati Royals, now the Sacramento Kings. with an inbounds play with three sec- seven assists and Lillard chipped in 21 Harden ranks fourth among NBA onds left. Nene set a screen for Harden points and 10 assists as the Trail Blaz- scorers with 28.4 points a game but has and drove to the basket. Harden passed ers won for the fourth time in their last a league-best 11.9 assists and 8.2 re- out of the double team, hitting Nene 16 outings. bounds a game. in stride and forcing Thunder forward Evan Turner scored a season-high Westbrook is on pace for 36 triple- Jerami Grant to commit the foul. 20 points off the bench and Mason doubles, which would fall short of the “They (the Thunder) did a good job Plumlee contributed 15 points, seven single-season record of 41 achieved by (setting up defensively) on the fi rst play rebounds and fi ve assists for Portland. Robertson in 1961-62. Wilt Chamber- so we called a timeout,” Harden said. D’Angelo Russell scored 22 points, lain is second with 31 in the 1967-68 “I just got open and I saw two defend- Jordan Clarkson added 21 and Julius season. ers guarding me, made the simple play Randle had 17 points for the Lakers, who Only two more triple-doubles this to Nene and he knocked down two free lost for the 16th time in 19 contests. season would allow Westbrook to throws.” The Blazers used a late 13-1 run to match his total from last season of 18, The Rockets win spoiled a dynamic erase a four-point defi cit and provide level eighth in NBA history. His 53 ca- performance from Russell Westbrook the cushion needed to get the win. reer triple-doubles rank sixth in NBA who made a career-high eight three In New Orleans, Dennis Schroder history and top all active players. pointers en route to a 49-point night. scored 22 points and hit the go-ahead Westbrook’s Thunder are 21-15 Westbrook shot 16 of 34 as Oklahoma three-pointer with 1:13 remaining to lift this season with 46 games remaining, City nearly overcame an 18-point defi cit Atlanta to a 99-94 win over New Orle- sixth in the Western Conference, while after blowing an early 14-point lead. ans. Harden’s Rockets are 27-9 and third Victor Oladipo nailed a shot from be- Meanwhile, NBA scoring leader Rus- overall in the West. yond the arc for a 116-114 lead with 1:55 sell Westbrook of Oklahoma City and Harden, who has 18 career triple- remaining. The Thunder dominated the assists leader James Harden of Hou- doubles, and Westbrook have each Rockets on the boards in the fourth pe- ston are leading the league on a record- scored 50 points this season in a tri- riod, getting 13 rebounds in total from shattering pace for triple-doubles in a ple-double eff ort, a feat that had not Enes Kanter, who also had 15 points. season. been done since Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Elsewhere, a determined Kyle Lowry So far this season, there have been 42 achieved it in 1975. led the charge by scoring 33 points as triple-doubles — double-digit produc- the Toronto Raptors returned home tion in three statistical categories in a Results (Home team in CAPS) from a road trip and knocked off the single game. That’s on pace for 97 for PORTLAND 118 ...... LA Lakers 109 Utah Jazz 101-93. the full season, well ahead of the NBA San Antonio 127 ...... DENVER 99 DeMar DeRozan gave Toronto its fi rst record of 78 set in the 1988-89 cam- Phoenix 102 ...... DALLAS 95 lead with 3:08 remaining and contrib- paign and last season’s second-best Atlanta 99 ...... NEW ORLEANS 94 uted 23 points and seven rebounds. Jo- total of 75. HOUSTON 118 ...... Oklahoma City 116 nas Valanciunas added 18 points and 13 Westbrook leads the NBA this season TORONTO 101 ...... Utah 93 rebounds for Toronto, which just com- with 16 triple-doubles while Harden DETROIT 115 ...... Charlotte 114 pleted a six-game road trip. is second with nine and Cleveland star INDIANA 121 ...... Brooklyn 109

Patrick Beverley of the Houston Rockets celebrates a three-point shot in the third quarter of their NBA game against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Toyota Center in Houston, Texas, yesterday. The Rockets won 118-116. (AFP)

NHL Blue Jackets’ win streak ends at 16 games AFP go in the room, win or lose. All year long Washington I haven’t been in there. But I’d be remiss if I didn’t,” Tortorella said. “That is one hell of a run by a hockey team. They he Columbus Blue Jackets had should feel really good about it.” their winning streak halted at 16 “We played well, we couldn’t fi nd a games yesterday after they failed way on Holtby. Made some great saves to score a single goal and were at key times and then we kind of lost routedT 5-0 by the Washington Capitals. ourselves,” the Columbus coach added. Braden Holtby stopped 29 shots for “I’m proud of the team. We’re a good his fourth shutout of the season and the hockey team. They’ll get a day off to- Capitals got goals from fi ve diff erent morrow and we’ll get whackin’ at it players as Columbus fell short of trying again against New York (Rangers) the to match the NHL record of 17 straight next day.” victories, set in 1993 by the Pittsburgh Holtby, last year’s Vezina trophy Penguins. winner as the NHL’s best netminder, “That was one hell of a run by a hockey saved all 29 shots he faced for his fourth team. They should feel really good about shutout of the season. it,” head coach John Tortorella said. “It took a performance like Holtby’s The Blue Jackets’ success this season to knock us off ,” Columbus captain Nick is surprising because they fi nished last Foligno told reporters. “We had chanc- in the Metropolitan Division last season es, glorious chances that we seemed to and then Tortorella proved to be a bust shoot into him. Or even shots that were as the US coach in September at the through screens and he just swallowed World Cup of Hockey. The Americans them up. Credit to him, he played out- failed to win a game, fi nishing seventh standing tonight.” out of eight teams and many thought The Blue Jackets slipped to 27-6-4, Tortorella might be fi nished as an NHL but can take pride in rocketing to the coach. best record in the league during their hot But one month after the World Cup streak. Washington improved to 24-9-5. debacle, the Blue Jackets decided to “That’s very impressive, the streak,” said take a chance on Tortorella, who was Columbus Blue Jackets players leave the ice Capitals coach Barry Trotz. “In this day suspended by the NHL for 15 games in after their 5-0 loss to Washington Capitals and age that is very impressive.” 2014 after attempting to confront an- yesterday. (Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports) After a pair of goals in each of the other coach outside the dressing rooms. fi rst two periods at the Verizon Center The Blue Jackets improved to 27-6-4 liams said. “Who wouldn’t want to son and Nate Schmidt. Daniel Winnik, power-play unit was 0 for 5. the streaking Carlson’s skate and past in Washington, Justin Williams capped on the season and hadn’t lost since No- stop a streak? I’m lying if I said I wasn’t Andre Burakovsky and Justin Williams Columbus, which won the fi rst two Bobrovsky. the scoring at 5:36 of the third when he vember 26, when the Florida Panthers thinking about it.” also scored, and Evgeny Kuznetsov had meetings between the clubs this sea- It was the fi rst time Columbus trailed fi red over Columbus goalie Sergei Bo- beat them in a shootout. The Capitals got goals from fi ve dif- two assists. son before the streak began, outshot by two goals during the winning streak. brovsky’s shoulder from a tough angle. “Quite honestly I thought the fi rst 30 ferent players, scoring two in the fi rst Williams made it 5-0 at 5:36 of the Washington 11-6 in the fi rst period, but The Capitals made it 3-0 at 7:28 of the “I wanted to stop the streak,” Wil- minutes we were a good hockey club,” period, another pair in the second and third when he fi red over Columbus goal- couldn’t get one past Holtby. second period. Bobrovsky made the ini- liams said. “Who wouldn’t want to Tortorella said. “We played well. We one more in the third as they preserved ie Sergei Bobrovsky’s shoulder from a The Caps broke on top at 5:06 of the tial save on Schmidt’s shot from the top stop a streak? I’m lying if I said I wasn’t couldn’t fi nd a way on Holtby, he made the record of 17 in a row set in 1993 by tough angle for his 11th goal. Bobrovsky, period when Bobrovsky made a save on of the right circle, but Schmidt scored thinking about it.” some great saves at key times, and then the Pittsburgh Penguins. who allowed fi ve goals on 23 shots while Jay Beagle in front, but Winnik came in on the rebound. It was his fi rst goal since we kind of lost ourselves.” The Blue Jackets (27-6-4) had not looking to extend his personal winning to Bobrovsky’s left and banged the loose Jan. 7, 2016 — a span of 67 games. Results (Home team in CAPS) Washington took a 1-0 lead just over lost since November 26, when they streak to 15 games, was then lifted in fa- puck high into the net for his sixth of Burakovsky made it 4-0 with 3:33 Detroit 4 ...... LOS ANGELES 0 fi ve minutes in and never looked back, were defeated in a shootout by the Flor- vor of Curtis McElhinney. the season. left in the second when his shot, off a Minnesota 5 ...... SAN JOSE 4 getting a goal and an assist apiece from ida Panthers. Holtby bounced back from being Washington made it 2-0 midway pass from Carlson, defl ected off Bo- CHICAGO 4 ...... Buff alo 3 defencemen John Carlson and Nate Washington (24-9-5) took a 1-0 pulled after allowing three goals on through the period. Kuznetsov skated brovsky and in. Carolina 4 ...... ST. LOUIS 2 Schmidt. Daniel Winnik, Andre Burako- lead just over fi ve minutes in and never eight shots against Toronto on Tuesday down the left side and dropped the Despite the defeat, coach Tortorella Nashville 6 ...... TAMPA BAY 1 vsky and Justin Williams also scored goals. looked back, getting a goal and an as- to pick up his 27th career shutout. puck back to Marcus Johansson, who was understandably proud of his club. “I Edmonton 4 ...... BOSTON 3 “I wanted to stop the streak,” Wil- sist apiece from defensemen John Carl- The Blue Jackets’ league-leading fi red a centering pass that caromed off just addressed the team. I usually don’t WASHINGTON 5 ...... Columbus 0 Gulf Times 6 Saturday, January 7, 2017 SPORT

GOLF / SBS TOURNAMENT OF CHAMPIONS MOTORSPORT Sunderland leads Walker leads by Dakar aft er moto two aft er opening stage shortened round in Hawaii Walker rolls in six birdies and an eagle for a two-shot lead

AFP Kapalua, United States

eigning PGA Championship winner Jimmy Walker fi red a bogey-free 65 Thursday to take the lead after the fi rst roundR of the Tournament of Champi- ons, the inaugural USPGA Tour event of 2017. AFP sition overall, 41 minutes behind Quin- The 37-year-old Walker rolled in six Oruro, Bolivia tanilla. birdies and an eagle for a two-shot lead Three other Honda riders — France’s over fellow Americans Ryan Moore, Michael Metge, American Ricky Brabec Jim Herman and Justin Thomas at the ad weather in Bolivia forced and Portugal’s Paulo Goncalves — were Plantation Course at Kapalua Resort. organisers to shorten the fi fth also slapped with the same penalty for World number one Jason Day of stage of the Dakar Rally yes- illegal refuelling during Thursday’s Australia is fi ve shots off the pace and terday, leaving Englishman fourth stage. tied for 12th while defending tourna- SamB Sunderland as leader of the mo- The penalties are a blow for the Jap- ment champion and world No. 2 Jor- torcycle event. anese team’s bid to take the title from dan Spieth is tied for 22nd at 72 after Sunderland benefi ted as the stage Austrian rivals KTM, unbeaten in the two bogeys and three birdies. was curtailed to just 219km rather than Dakar since 2002. Walker shot eight under and his the scheduled 692km linking Tupiza KTM had already lost defending eagle came at the par-fi ve, 532-yard with the old mining city of Oruro, fa- champion Toby Price of Australia, who number fi ve hole after placing his 226- mous for its carnival. was forced to retire on Thursday after yard approach shot 12 feet off the cup. KTM rider Sunderland was the fast- breaking his left leg in a fall. “(The putt) had about 12 feet of break est over the fi rst part of the stage which Former champion Carlos Sainz of on it,” said the six-time Tour winner. could be raced as he landed his second Spain was forced out overnight after The Tournament of Champions is stage success go top of the pile. his Peugeot was badly damaged in an the third start of the 2016-17 season An hour into the car’s stage, French- accident. for Walker, who missed the cut at the man Sebastien Loeb of Peugeot was Sainz, the 2010 winner, is the second Shriners Hospitals for Children Open leading stablemate Stephane Peter- top auto competitor to quit the race af- and tied for 77th at the World Golf hansel. ter former two-time winner Nasser al- Championships-HSBC Champions. Jimmy Walker of the United States reacts to his third shot on the 18th hole during the first round of the SBS Tournament of Organisers said they had no choice Attiyah in a Toyota. He also plays very well in Hawaii, Champions at the Plantation Course at Kapalua Golf Club in Lahaina, Hawaii, on Thursday. (AFP) but to curtail the day’s action after The Spaniard lost control of his ve- winning the Sony Open in 2014 and racing on the tough terrain “became hicle which rolled over just fi ve kilo- 2015 and fi nishing runner-up in the No. 5 and the par-four No. 3. alright,” said Day, who signed an en- Dufner (USA) impractical owing to the poor weather metres from the fi nish of Thursday’s 2015 Tournament of Champions. Daniel Berger and Jason Dufner are dorsement deal with Nike last week. 69 — Cody Gribble (USA), Rod Pam- conditions on the road to Oruro.” gruelling fourth stage. “I enjoy being here. I love the scen- tied for fi fth at 68. World No. 3 Dustin “Just didn’t putt that great.” pling (AUS), Pat Perez (USA), Hideki Earlier, Spanish Honda rider Joan “I’m obviously very disappointed ery. I’m a very visual person, so I enjoy Johnson headlines a fi ve-way tie for Matsuyama (JPN), Dustin Johnson Barreda had lost the lead in the motor- by this withdrawal,” said Sainz, also a looking out and watching the whales seventh with Cody Gribble, Pat Perez, LEADING FIRST ROUND SCORES (USA) cycle category after picking up an hour two-time world rally champion in 1990 when I’m walking around.” Japan’s Hideki Matsuyama and Aus- 65 — Jimmy Walker (USA) 70 — Aaron Baddeley (AUS), Tony penalty for refuelling in an unauthorised and 1992. “I regret not being able to to Herman, Thomas and Moore carded tralia’s Rod Pampling at 69. 67 — Jim Herman (USA), Justin Tho- Finau (USA), Fabian Gomez (ARG), area, allowing Chilean Pablo Quintanilla challenge.” 67s, with all three playing bogey free Day had three bogeys to go with mas (USA), Ryan Moore (USA) William McGirt (USA), Brandt Snedeker of Husqvarna to take the lead. Sainz had been provisionally third and Moore picking up two eagles at six birdies. “(My play) was actually 68 — Daniel Berger (USA), Jason (USA), Patrick Reed, Jason Day (AUS) Barreda, who dominated the third in the standings when misfortune stage from San Miguel de Tucuman to hit more than seven minutes behind San Salvador de Jujuy in the north of French race leader and Peugeot team- Argentina, was demoted to seventh po- mate Cyril Despres. Love breaks collarbone in three places snowboarding: report RUGBY

Reuters four years for Love, who previously Cary, North Carolina had back and hip surgeries. In October, Love was widely lauded Lions tour will improve for guiding the US team to Ryder hree months after captaining Cup victory over the Europe, after the United States to Ryder presiding over a losing eff ort four England’s strength in TCup glory, Davis Love crashed years before. back to earth, literally, breaking The 52-year-old American has won his collarbone in three places, Golf 21 PGA Tour events, including one depth, says Jones Channel reported on Thursday. major — the 1997 PGA Champion- Love incurred the injury in a ship. snowboarding accident in Idaho, Love was scheduled to play next Golf Channel said, and underwent week’s Sony Open in Honolulu, but surgery on Thursday. is now expected to be out of action It was the third major procedure in for about three months.

QATAR OPEN AMATEUR GOLF CHAMPIONSHIP Verlaar Jr in lead as Sweden’s Rahm swoops for a 67

By Sports Reporter he hadn’t picked up a shot before he Doha scorched the course with a sensa- tional birdie-eagle-par-eagle eff ort to gain fi ve shots over the last four he Netherlands’ Pierre Ver- holes. laar Jr shot up the leader- Defending champion Thomas has Reuters “But speaking to a number of play- board with a second round a huge task on hand if he is to bag London ers who have been on Lions tours, they 70 as the Qatar Open Ama- his second straight title in Qatar and found those November matches to be Tteur Golf Championship headed to- a chance to play the Qatar Masters the hardest — so I think we have to be wards a thrilling fi nish at the Doha later this month after a 71 gave him ngland coach Eddie Jones is smart about it. I look on 2017 as a mas- Golf Club yesterday. an aggregate of 144. planning to use the loss of sev- sive opportunity to increase the depth Verlaar Jr, who agonisingly lost Thomas, the leading amateur in eral key players to the British of the squad.” to Dubai-based Indian teen Rayhan the UAE, now trails leader Verlaar Jr and Irish Lions’ squad in New Australian Jones has extended Eng- Thomas in a play-off last year, was by four shots and will be hoping for ZealandE this year as an opportunity to land’s run to 14 successive victories, the only golfer who shot sub-par some luck when the third and fi nal build strength in depth ahead of the four short of the record the All Blacks scores in both rounds, his aggre- round is played today. 2019 World Cup. set last year before losing to Ireland. gate of four-under 140 giving him a Meanwhile, Qatar’s Saleh al-Kaa- With a number England players like- “If we can sit down in the last week of one-stroke advantage over overnight bi, who was in third place after the ly to be included in the Lions squad bid- November and say we have got 45 guys leader Markus Maukner. fi rst round, fell to the sixth position ding to beat the All Blacks for the fi rst who can play test rugby at the level that Maukner had set the pace in the after a four-over par 75. time since 1971, Jones will be forced to will be required at the 2019 World Cup, fi rst round with a 68 but failed to Al-Kaabi was hoping to become make changes during the November then this year will have been an enor- consolidate on it, shooting a 73 for the fi rst Qatari to win the tourna- internationals to avoid burnout. mous year for us,” Jones added. an aggregate of 141, while Sweden’s ment in its 31st edition, but will now “The only part of 2017 I can really “And if we lose a few battles on the Christofer Rahm was a further shot need to play out of his skin to achieve control is the Six Nations, all our focus way, it will help us win the war. We had behind in third place with 142. the feat. is on that. Post Six Nations we are go- a camp back in August when we inter- The Dubai-based Rahm had a However, his dream of playing the ing to lose 10 to 15 of our players to the viewed all the players about their am- seemingly disastrous fi rst round Qatar Masters is still alive. Organ- Lions,” Jones told the Daily Mail. bitions for 2017 and out of the 45 play- score of three-over 75, but more than isers have announced that the two “Maybe those players won’t play for ers attending, only one player spoke made amends with a storming fi nish best fi nishing Qataris among the six us in the November (internationals) about the Lions. which fetched him a fi ve-under 67, featured in the Qatar Amateur Open because they will have played prob- “Most of the players want to play for the best score of the event so far. will get to test their skills with some ably twice the number of post-season England fi rst but they realise that a con- His feat was all the more amaz- of the best pros in the European Tour Qatar’s Saleh al-Kaabi, who was in third place after the first round, fell to the sixth games they will normally have played. sequence of playing well for England is ing because up until the 14th hole event. position after a four-over par 75 yesterday. PICTURE: Jayaram We don’t have to rest them. that they might get to tour for the Lions.” Gulf Times Saturday, January 7, 2017 7 SPORT

CRICKET / AUS VS PAK, DAY 2, 3RD TEST FOCUS Proud Younis keen Aussies call for concussion subs to carry on as as Renshaw forced out milestone beckons That’s for the ICC and the politicians AFP Sydney to sort out really. I’m more concerned He is 36 shy of becoming first Pakistani batsman to score 10,000 Test runs with looking after Matthew.” Brukner said he had not been pres- Reuters ustralia urged the Interna- sured by the Australian team to allow Sydney tional Cricket Council to fol- Renshaw to play on in the Sydney Test low their lead and introduce despite his blows to the head. concussion substitutes after “At this point I have to say the coach ounis Khan’s disappointment openerA Matthew Renshaw was ruled and the captain have been absolutely at Pakistan’s perilous posi- out of the third Test against Pakistan supportive,” he said. tion in the third Test has been following a blow to the head. “They’ve said to me all along, ‘It’s mitigated by his fi rst century The 20-year-old rookie was feeling your decision, doc’. I’ve had no pressure inY Australia and proximity to the ex- unwell and suff ering headaches after at all to keep Matthew in the game.” clusive 10,000-run club, the 39-year- being hit on the helmet for the second Renshaw was struck on the helmet old said yesterday. time in three days during the Sydney while fi elding close to the bat on Thurs- The right-hander bucked a run of Test. day. He was also caught by a bouncer poor recent form to grit out a mag- Cricket Australia have new rules in while batting on Tuesday. nifi cent 175 in Pakistan’s fi rst in- place for concussion subs in domestic Brukner said Renshaw had com- nings, walking off the Sydney Cricket games following recommendations from plained of suff ering headaches after the Ground pitch unbeaten after running an independent investigation into the latest blow. out of partners. death of Phillip Hughes, who died after “He rested in the dressing room and While his century gave him a full being struck by a bouncer during a Shef- then, when we returned to the hotel, set of hundreds in Test-playing na- fi eld Shield match in November 2014. we performed concussion tests and his tions, the lack of support from his Team doctor Peter Brukner called on cognitive, balance, coordination and teammates left him 36 shy of becom- the ICC to consider similar rules for in- reaction times were all within normal ing the fi rst Pakistani batsman to score ternational matches. limits,” he said. 10,000 Test runs. “The more experience we have with “However, on Friday morning he was But even if Pakistan fi nished day four this, the more common it is, there will still symptomatic and so we have taken of the Test staring a 3-0 series sweep in be pressure on the ICC to do something the decision to withdraw him from the the face with one wicket down and 410 about a concussion sub,” Brukner told match as he is suff ering from concus- runs from an unlikely victory, it was not reporters in Sydney. sion.” about to spoil his pleasure. “The concern we have is there is a The Yorkshire-born player scored “I love to perform for my country, for tendency for the player, and the coach- 184 in the fi rst innings for a maiden my team and whenever my team needs es and so on, to want to continue, be- century in his fourth Test. me, it’s a little bit late this time, but I cause they don’t want to let the team Brukner said wicketkeeper Matthew am a proud Pakistani and at least I have down, they don’t want to be a player Wade would play Friday after recov- made a hundred in Australia,” he said. short. ering from a stomach illness, which “The previous time I was out for 87 in “So it would be helpful in that regard forced him from the fi eld on Thursday. the 2004 Boxing Day Test so it was my Pakistan’s batsman Younis Khan grit out a magnificent 175 in Pakistan’s first innings in Sydney. (AFP) if we had a sub that would make it easi- Peter Handscomb took over wicket- wish that I have one or two centuries er to pull players out with a concussion. keeping duties in Wade’s absence. and certainly my wish has come true run milestone. they want me. I’ll keep in touch with Abbas is there. There are a lot of great and I am a happy man at the moment.” “It all depends on my team and what them as they tell me what they need players there. Inzamam (ul-Haq) is With his 42-year-old captain Mis- they want. That’s the main thing for from me.” also there,” he said. bah-ul-Haq expected to call time on me. It’s not about that I’m near 10,000 Only 12 players, every one a great “I don’t feel I will be the greatest his career this year, some have sug- runs which will be a big achievement of the game, have previously scored batsman ever for Pakistan. gested this tour might mark the end of as a Pakistani,” he said. 10,000 runs over a career but Younis “But when I leave the fi eld and ulti- an era with Younis following suit. “If you see that list there is no Paki- does not think becoming the 13th mately retire this is my wish. They all Younis, though, said he would want stani who has achieved 10,000 runs so would make him the greatest Pakistani remember me like ‘he is a fi ghter and to carry on playing Test cricket even if it all depends on my team and depends batsman. he played hardest for his country and he was not quite so close to the 10,000 on the PCB (Pakistan board) and how “Javed Miandad is there, Zaheer his team mates’.”

BANGLADESH’S TOUR OF NEW ZEALAND Munro ton clinches Twenty20 series Reuters Wellington

olin Munro became the third New Zealand player to score a Twenty20 international century as his side secured a 47-runC victory and wrapped up their three-match series against Bangla- desh with a game to spare yesterday. Munro blasted 101, joining former captain Brendon McCullum and Mar- tin Guptill as New Zealand’s other Twenty20 centurions, as the hosts scored 195 for seven in their 20 overs England paceman Mills replaces at Bay Oval in Mt Maunganui. The 29-year-old old also com- injured Badree in BBL bined with Tom Bruce (59 not out) in English Twenty20 international pace bowler Tymal Mills has replaced a 123-run partnership in 11.1 overs to injured West Indian leg-spinner Samuel Badree in the Brisbane Heat squad threaten a total in excess of 200 before for Australia’s Big Bash League, the club said yesterday. Mills, 24, will make Bangladesh’s bowlers pulled the run his BBL debut on Wednesday at the Gabba against the Perth Scorchers and rate back towards the end of the in- will play again against the Melbourne Stars on January 17. The Sussex left- nings. armer replaces Badree, who injured his hamstring in the Heat’s loss to the The visitors were well placed at Sydney Sixers this week. Mills made his English T20 debut last year and will 104-3 in the 11th over of their reply but use his stint with the Heat to build momentum for England’s T20 series in once Soumya Sarkar (39) and Sabbir India at the end of the month. Rahman (48) were dismissed, the mo- mentum was sucked out of their run chase and they were bowled out for Australian Voges returns for fourth 148 in 18.1 overs. Colin Munro of New Zealand attempts a reverse sweep during the international Twenty20 against Bangladesh at Bay Oval stint at Middlesex New Zealand, who already had in Mount Maunganui yesterday. (AFP) Guptill (hamstring) and Neil Broom (broken fi nger) out injured, also lost Blundell replacing him in the squad. Mortaza for a single on his 52nd deliv- on the fi nal delivery of his third over, wicketkeeper Luke Ronchi to a groin Munro raced to 50 from 31 balls ery, having hit seven boundaries and the 17th, and Jimmy Neesham on the strain when he pulled up chasing a but fl icked the switch in the 13th over seven sixes, but was dismissed shortly fi rst ball of his fourth, the 20th. ball in the eighth over, leaving Bruce to when he belted off -spinner Mah- after when he nicked behind off Rubel take over behind the stumps. mudullah for 28 runs to move from 64 Hossain. BRIEF SCORES: New Zealand 195 for Ronchi was later ruled out of the fi nal to 92. Rubel fi nished with fi gures of 3-37 7 (Munro 101, Bruce 59 not out; Rubel game of the series on Sunday with un- He brought up his century when he and was on a hat-trick at one stage, 3-37) beat Bangladesh 148 (Sabbir 48; capped Wellington wicketkeeper Tom pushed the ball back past Mashrafe having bowled Colin De Grandhomme Sodhi 3-36, Williamson 2-16) by 47 runs Bangladesh rest Mustafi zur for fi rst NZ Test

AFP included in the squad. Bangladesh are yet to win a match Dhaka Mustafizur has featured in the limited on the New Zeland tour having lost overs matches in New Zealand, the one-day international series making his comeback to competitive 3-0 and trail 2-0 in three-match angladesh omitted fast bowler action after undergoing shoulder Twenty20 international series. Mustafizur Rahman yester- surgery in August. They will wrap up the visit with two Veteran Australian batsman Adam Voges will return to English county Bday from a 15-man squad for But Habibul Bashar, one of the selec- Tests, with the first beginning at Wel- champions Middlesex for the 2017 season after the club announced he the first Test against New Zealand, tors, said the 21-year-old left-arm lington on January 12. would be re-joining them for a third time. The 37-year-old — a latecomer to with selectors keen not to overbur- bowler needed to be handled with The second Test will be held in Test cricket having only made his debut in 2015 — averaged over 60 in the den him after a lengthy absence care. Christchurch from January 20-24. 14 County Championship matches he played for Middlesex in three previous through injury. “He has just returned from injury. We spells (2013, 2015 and 2016). Voges, who has also played 31 one day interna- Wicketkeeper-batsman Mushfiqur don’t want to burden him with Test SQUAD: Mushfiqur Rahim (Capt), tionals, will be available for 13 of Middlesex’s County Championship matches Rahim returned as captain after cricket just yet, said Bashar. Tamim Iqbal, Imrul Kayes, Mominul and all eight One-Day Cup group games. “Inviting Adam back was a simple recovering from a hamstring injury “We have a good bunch of fast bowl- Haque, Sabbir Rahman, Mahmudu- decision,” said Middlesex’s director of cricket Angus Fraser. “On each of the that he picked up during the first ers in the team. Taskin (Ahmed) was lah, Shakib Al Hasan, Mehedi Hasan, occasions he has been with Middlesex he has been outstanding in every way one-day international in Christchurch cleared by the physio to play Test for Taijul Islam, Rubel Hossain, Kamrul and he is just the sort of character I want playing for our club. In the past two on December 26. member of the limited-overs side but the first time while Rubel (Hossain) Islam, Soumya Sarkar, Taskin Ahmed, seasons selection for Australia has reduced the amount of time he has spent Paceman Taskin Ahmed, a regular who was yet to play a Test, was also has also returned.” Nurul Hasan, Subashis Roy. with us but this season we expect to see far more of him.”

Saturday, January 7, 2017 GULF TIMES SPORT

FOCUS CRICKET / AUS VS PAK, DAY 4, 3RD TEST ‘King Kohli’ Aussies push for series clean sweep crowned India over Pakistan AFP Sydney

ODI, T20 skipper ustralia were nine wickets away from a series clean sweep and ‘This is the best possible team we have. It’s a fantastic team’ Pakistan an improb- ableA 410 runs from victory with AFP one day left in the third Test in New Delhi Sydney yesterday. Spinner Nathan Lyon grabbed the wicket of debutant electors appointed Virat opener Sharjeel Khan for 40, Kohli as India’s limited caught at mid-wicket, nearing overs skipper yesterday stumps to have Pakistan at 55 as the number one ranked for one. TestS side sets its sights on win- At the close, Pakistan’s lead- ning back its title as one-day ing series scorer Azhar Ali was cricket’s world champions. not out 11 with nightwatchman Australia’s David Warner hits a six on Day Four of the third Test Two days after India’s most Yasir Shah on three. against Pakistan in Sydney yesterday. (Reuters) successful ever captain Mahen- Skipper Steve Smith called dra Singh Dhoni stood down a halt to Australia’s second in- bah-ul-Haq’s 21 balls against A. Ali run out (Starc) 71 from the helm of both the Twen- nings at 241 for two with 16 Australia in Abu Dhabi in 2014. S. Khan c Renshaw b Hazlewood ty20 and 50 overs sides, Kohli overs left on the fourth day and But Warner perished when he 4 was confi rmed as skipper in all the tourists facing the herculean missed in a lusty swing and was B. Azam lbw b Hazlewood 0 three of the game’s formats. task of scoring 465 for victory. bowled by Wahab Riaz for 55 off Y. Khan not out 175 The swashbuckling bats- Usman Khawaja was left un- 27 balls. M. ul-Haq c sub (Bird) b Lyon 18 man, who has presided over an beaten on 79 off 98 balls and Younis Khan was left un- A. Shafiq c Smith b O’Keefe 4 18-match unbeaten run as Test Peter Handscomb was on 40 off conquered on 175 as Pakistan S. Ahmed c sub (Bird) b Starc 18 captain, will fi rst lead India in 25 balls. Handscomb fi nished lost their last two wickets in M. Amir c Warner b Lyon 4 three one-day internationals with a series average of 114.66. an hour’s play post-lunch after W. Riaz b Lyon 8 starting from January 15 before “I think the position we’re rain washed out the fi rst ses- Y. Shah c Smith b Hazlewood 10 the sides play three Twenty20 in is pretty good, the way the sion. I. Khan b Hazlewood 0 matches. guys batted today, especially Younis was dropped on 141 by Extras (b3) 3 His fi rst major assignment will Davy Warner, to get those runs wicketkeeper Matthew Wade, Total (all out, 110.3 overs) 315 come in June when he will lead as quickly as possible and do who got his right glove to the FoW: 1-6 (Sharjeel), 2-6 (Babar), India’s defence of the Champions some pretty unselfish bat- chance but could not cling on, 3-152 (Azhar), 4-178 (Misbah), Trophy and his appointment also Two days after Mahendra Singh Dhoni (left) stood down as captain of both the Twenty20 and 50 overs ting,” paceman Josh Hazle- much to bowler Mitchell Starc’s 5-197 (Shafiq), 6-239 (Sarfraz), means he should captain India sides, Virat Kohli (right) was confirmed as skipper in all three format of the game. (AFP) wood said. annoyance. 7-244 (Amir), 8-264 (Riaz), 9-315 in the 50 over World Cup fi nal in “The wicket’s still pretty Wade was forced off during (Yasir), 10-315 (Imran) England in 2019. Since taking over from Dhoni lost to the West Indies in the “I think he is the best guy to good, but I think there’s enough Thursday’s play with a stomach Bowling: Starc 26-7-77-1, Hazle- Dhoni, who led India to victory as Test skipper in early 2015, semi-fi nals of last year’s World look after the youngsters. We there to create nine more illness but returned to the game wood 27.3-7-55-4, O’Keefe 20-3- in the 2011 World Cup as well as Kohli has been in scintillating Twenty20, despite being over- know what Mahi (Dhoni) is all chances, if it’s reverse swing or on Friday. 50-1, Lyon 33-3-115-3, Cartwright the 2007 World Twenty20, kept form, leading India to fi ve suc- whelming favourites as hosts of about,” Prasad said. spin.” Yasir gave Smith his ninth 4-0-15-0 his place in both 15-men squads, cessive series victories and scor- the tournament. “It’s not just about whether he Smith was out in a review catch of the series when he was the Indian board’s chief selector ing three double centuries in the India also went out of the 2015 has stepped down or anything. after ‘Hot Spot’ detected a picked up in the slips off Josh AUSTRALIA 2nd inns MSK Prasad announced in a tel- last six months. World Cup at the semi-fi nal He is a captain by nature who faint edge off his glove and was Hazlewood for 10 before Imran D. Warner b Riaz 55 evised press conference. He was also the player of the stage to the eventual winners leads from the front.” caught behind off Yasir for 59 Khan was bowled two balls later U. Khawaja not out 79 Prasad told reporters that tournament in last year’s World Australia. off 43 balls to fi nish the series for a duck. S. Smith c Sarfraz b Yasir 59 Kohli took part in the selection T20 and smashed the record for Kohli has nevertheless re- ODI SQUAD: Virat Kohli (capt), with 441 runs at 110.25. Younis remained unbeaten P. Handscomb not out 40 meeting which also decided on most runs in the last edition of mained steadfastly loyal to Dhoni Mahendra Singh Dhoni, Lokesh David Warner smashed the off 334 balls with 17 fours and Extras (b3, lb3, w1, nb1) 8 a surprise recall for the veteran the Indian Premier League (IPL). who was his captain when he was Rahul, Shikhar Dhawan, Manish second fastest 50 in Test history three sixes, and was given a big Total (2 wkts dec, 32 overs) 241 batsman Yuvraj Singh. After making his debut in part of the Indian team which Pandey, Yuvraj Singh, Ajinkya to give Australia a fl ying start in ovation from the SCG crowd as FoW: 1-71 (Warner), 2-174 (Smith) “Virat was with us on Skype” 2008, Kohli has scored 7,570 runs won the 2011 World Cup on home Rahane, Hardik Pandya, Kedar their chase for runs and a dec- he left the ground after his 34th Bowling: Imran 6-2-43-0, Yasir for the selection meeting in in 176 ODIs, including 26 hun- soil. Jadhav, Ravichandran Ashwin, laration. Test century. 14-0-124-1, Riaz 7-0-28-1 (1nb 1w), Mumbai, said Prasad. dreds and 38 half-centuries, at Writing on Twitter shortly be- Amit Mishra, Ravindra Jadeja, The explosive Warner The tourists on 315 fi nished Azhar 5-0-40-0 “After discussing with him, an average of 52.94. He also aver- fore yesterday’s announcement, Jasprit Bhumrah, Bhuvneshwar smashed leg-spinner Yasir for 223 runs in arrears, but skip- this is the best possible team we ages over 57 in T20 internation- Kohli said: “Thanks for always Kumar, Umesh Yadav. six, six, four, four in the fourth per Smith did not enforce the PAKISTAN 2nd inns have. It’s a fantastic team.” als. being the leader a youngster T20 squad: Virat Kohli (capt), over of the innings, and then follow-on. A. Ali not out 11 While India have built up a wants to have around him. You’ll Mahendra Singh Dhoni, Lokesh clouted Imran Khan for four Hazlewood fi nished with S. Khan c Warner b Lyon 40 RED-HOT FORM big lead over their rivals at the always be my captain @msdhoni Rahul, Suresh Raina, Rishabh consecutive boundaries in the four wickets for 55 and spinner Y. Shah not out 3 The new 28-year-old skipper, top of the Test rankings, they Bhai.” Pant, Manish Pandey, Yuvraj seventh over. Nathan Lyon captured three for Extras (nb1) 1 whose nickname is ‘King Kohli’, is are second in the table in ODI Prasad said that Dhoni had Singh, Hardik Pandya, Ravichan- His breathless half-century 115. Total (1 wicket, 16 overs) 55 the world’s number one-ranked cricket and third in the T20 for- agreed to captain an India A side dran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, came off 23 balls with seven FoW: 1-51 (Sharjeel) batsman in T20 cricket and is mat. which would play a warm-up Jasprit Bumrah, Bhuvneshwar fours and three sixes and was SCORECARD Bowling: Starc 4-0-18-0 (1nb), also second in the rankings for Dhoni’s position as skipper match against England on Janu- Kumar, Ashish Nehra, Yuzvendra the second fastest in Test his- AUSTRALIA 1st inns 538-8 dec. Hazlewood 5-1-8-0, Lyon 5-0-27- the 50 over and fi ve-day formats. came under threat after India ary 10 in Mumbai. Chahal, Mandeep Singh. tory after Pakistan skipper Mis- PAKISTAN 1st inns (o/n 271-8) 1, O’Keefe 2-1-2-0

HORSE RACING Khadija, Kelly get going again aft er long breaks Qatar’s Khadija Abdulwahed returned to racing It was time to do some more, says this season aft er three years out to injury Harrison aft er coming out of retirement

By Mikhil Bhat By Mikhil Bhat Doha Doha

young boy walks up to jockey here was some kind of an Khadija Abdulwahed on Thurs- urgency. day, after her run on Qimmat Al Kelly Harrison was com- Majd in the Local Purebred Ara- ing out her retirement after bianA Maiden Plate at the Qatar Racing and Talmost four years, and she didn’t Equestrian Club (QREC). want to leave winning for another “Assalamu alaikum,” he greets her. A day. smiling Khadija reciprocates the greeting, She had Bustawi Ismail-trained and speaks to the animated and eager boy Al Gomry go into the lead, despite on her walk back to the jockey’s enclosure. a stumble on jumping, in the six Then there are a few others who speak furlong Thoroughbred Handicap to her, encourage her, before she speaks to run on Wednesday and the two held trainer Ali al-Marri, giving him the low- off well in the end to emerge with a down on the fi lly’s run. win. “The trainer was happy with the run, A fi st pump on the cool off run because it was just the second time that and the British jockey had celebrat- the fi lly had hit the fl at races, and she ed her fi rst win on her fi rst outing in needs more experience. She was a lit- Qatar. tle afraid to move left and right with all “It’s been nearly four years, I Kelly Harrison (left) rides Al Gomry to victory on Wednesday. the other horses around but, God willing Jockey Khadija Abdulwahed in action on Thursday. PICTURES: Juhaim used to ride in the UK,” the 32-year- she will be much better next time,” the old told Gulf Times after adding two to do some more,” she said about “It (actually) happens a lot. 23-year-old tells Gulf Times after Qim- racing resulted in a head injury. After those trainer and the owner guide the routine,” more runs on Thursday. her time in Qatar. Me, personally, I think I probably mat Al Majd fi nishes ninth in the race. tough times, “I have come back to the fl at she says. “I rode for about 12 years there. Kelly worked as the Racing sec- stopped a little soon, and felt that I “It feels good,” Khadija says when asked races and hope to do well.” Also riding the same race on Thurs- Racing is harder in England, there retary at the Club offi ce before she had some unfi nished business,” she about the response she has been getting. She has already raced four times this day for al-Marri was another lady rider, is lot of travelling involved,” said quit the job to get back to racing. laughed. After all, she belongs to that rare group season, with a fourth place fi nish on Britain’s Kelly Harrison. “We haven’t had Kelly, who was based in Newmar- “As long as I am involved with Kelly plans to stay in Qatar, of women who have taken up jockey- Sheail bin Khalifa al-Kuwari-owned the chance to talk to each other at length, ket, the largest racehorse training the horses I don’t mind any kind of where her partner JP Guillambert, ing for fl at racing. And more so in Qatar, Shingle, who is trained by Mohamed Jas- even though I have seen her on track and centre in Britain. a job. Being involved with racing is also a jockey, rides frequently. where she is one of a kind. sim Ghazali, last month her best so far. during training,” Khadija says. Kelly notched up 123 wins in the all that matters. I have quit QREC “In Qatar, I do jumping at the Khadija took to riding fl ats in 2007. The fourth place also happens to be the Though one jockey she does hope to UK, before quitting in May 2013. In now and I am back riding now. And Federation, I have done endurance, “Until now, I have had quite a few winners gelding’s best performance in Qatar so far. meet and race against is Ahmed Ajtebi. her fi nal race then, she guided Wil- I have very good association with now racing and I have also done a and many second and third positions,” she So how has the return been? While get- Nine years ago, the Emirati rider, who liam Haggas-trained Princess Rose everyone here,” she said. bit of showing,” she said. says. ting the basics right, she says, has not been rode many winners for Godolphin, became to fi fth place at Thirsk in North “I exercise ride for (Champion Asked about how she feel about One of her most famous wins was rid- diffi cult, but the obvious diff erence be- the fi rst Arab to gain professional jockey Yorkshire, the same track where she Trainer) Jassim Ghazali and his the coming weeks and rides in the ing Alban de Mieulle-trained Shaima to tween training and racing is crucial. status. raced for the fi rst time in 2002. son Mohamed. Mohamed was very new year, she said, “I do feel good victory in a Fegentri race at QREC in Feb- “Training is very diff erent from the ac- “I have always looked up to him. I do “I have been coming here for the keen to have me ride again. And it about the coming races. The idea is ruary 2010. tual racing. Training is very easy as com- hope to get an opportunity to race against last four years, and then I got asso- was a good start,” she added. to slowly progress, and hopefully But she had to stop around three years pared to the racing; jockey has to do all the him. I haven’t met him yet but let’s see, ciated with the Racing and Eques- How does it feel to come out of get some nice rides in the coming ago, when an incident during endurance work in a race, unlike in training when the maybe in the future,” she says. trian Club, and I just felt it was time retirement? months.”