| Page 6 FOOTBALL | Page 3 Opener Klopp pins To Advertise here Warner hopes on Call: 444 11 300, 444 66 621 wins Allan all-Merseyside Border medal fi nal

Thursday, January 28, 2016 Rabia II 18, 1437 AH All eyes on Federer GULF TIMES and Djokovic at SPORT Page 9

SPOTLIGHT Korea already targeting a medal in Rio

AFC goal from Ahmed Alaeddin looked set Doha to take the game into extra-time, only for Kwon and Moon to strike in the 89th and 95th minutes respectively outh Korea coach Shin Tae- to seal qualifi cation for both the fi nal yong celebrated securing his and Rio de Janeiro. nation’s qualifi cation for the “When we allowed the equaliser it fi nals of the Olympic Games was a very risky moment because the footballS tournament with victory over atmosphere changed,” said Shin. Qatar on Tuesday by setting his sights “All of a sudden Qatar had the on a medal in Rio de Janeiro in August. chance, but they missed it and that Shin’s team scored two late goals gave us the opportunity to score. But through Kwon Chang-hoon and it was a risky moment.” Moon Chang-jin to also claim a place South Korea’s successful qualifi ca- in the fi nal of the AFC U23 Champi- tion for the Olympic Games extends onship, where they will meet Japan the nation’s record of consecutive ap- at Abdullah Bin Khalifa Stadium on pearances at the Olympiad to eight – Saturday. the most ever by an Asian nation. “The fi rst goal of the tournament “I didn’t think about the eight con- was to get a ticket to Brazil and our secutive qualifi cations and I didn’t team has accomplished the fi rst goal, think about the bronze medal Korea but the fi nal goal is to win the cham- won in London in 2012,” said Shin, pionship so in that context it will be who previously steered Seongnam Il- a complicated game,” said Shin of the hwa Chunma to the AFC Champions fi nal. League title in 2010. “I had hoped our fi nal game would “I was just thinking about this tour- be against Japan and the fans in Japan nament and that we wanted to go to South Korea’s Kwon Chang-hoon scores against Qatar in the AFC U23 Championship on Tuesday. and Korea are expecting this match. Brazil. I didn’t think about the previ- I think both countries can represent ous record, but the media created an FOOTBALL the continent and the East Asian atmosphere around me and increased Football Federation and we will play the pressure. in the manner of fair play. “But I felt that if I fell down, my team “But I just want to enjoy this mo- would fall down too, so I tried to keep ment and I will think about this game my concentration and we are now go- tomorrow.” ing to Brazil. So now can start to think Ryu Seung-woo gave Korea the lead about the colour of the medal we can Qatar coach in the 48th minute but a 79th minute get in Brazil.” hopes to lift players’ morale After losing to South Korea in the semi-finals, Qatar will now take on Iraq with the aim of qualifying for the Olympics later this year in Rio de Janeiro

AFC Doha Qatar coach Felix Sanchez

elix Sanchez aims to lift the mood of his de- South Korean fans cheering their team on Tuesday. jected Qatar players as they aim to keep their Olympic Games dream alive after two late Korea Republic goals eliminated the hosts Euro deputies hit out at FIFA hopefuls fromF the AFC U23 Championship. While Qatar’s chances of claiming the continental AFP, Brussels: European parliament ence held by Champagne. title evaporated thanks to goals from Kwon Chang- deputies yesterday hit out at rival “We have been deeply disappointed hoon and Moon Chang-jin in the fi nal six minutes, candidates for the FIFA leadership by the others not turning up today Sanchez and his team will meet Iraq tomorrow in a for not taking part in a debate on the to this platform, an open, democratic battle for the continent’s third and fi nal berth at the future of football’s world body. platform.” Rio de Janeiro Games in August. With the FIFA vote less than a month The debate was proposed by the New “We knew the possible scenarios before the away, all but French former FIFA of- FIFA Now activist group led by Dam- game,” said the Spanish coach. “Everyone is sad ficial Jerome Champagne backed out ian Collins, a member of the British just now but we will have to prepare (for the match of a debate planned Wednesday at parliament. Champagne wanted to against Iraq). front in the 84th minute, but goals from Kwon and nity and sometimes this can happen. We just have the European parliament. be a candidate in the 2015 election “They need to recover fast because we have an- Moon in the dying minutes secured South Korea’s to accept what happened and prepare for the next Deputies behind the debate strongly won by Sepp Blatter, who is now other important game. We have to try to get a good place in the fi nal and at the Olympic Games. game.” criticised Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim banned for eight years. But he failed result, to keep the good things we did and avoid the “I think it was a very equal game,” added Sanchez. And Sanchez is confi dent the unity shown by his al-Khalifa, head of the Asian confeder- to get the required backing of five things that were not good enough. “In the fi rst half we were very well organised and it players throughout the competition so far can play ation, UEFA general secretary Gianni FIFA national associations to stand. “We know we’re going to face another fi nal and was a very close game. a major role in lifting them up after the loss. Infantino, Tokyo Sexwale of South He said the “the situation is severe” at Iraq had the same scenario as us, they lost in the last “In the second half we started a little sleepy and “I think in all the games the players showed this Africa and Prince Ali bin al Hussein, FIFA, which has been rocked by cor- minutes so we are in the same situation. We’re go- they scored, and it took some minutes to come team spirit,” he said. “It’s very important to play in a former FIFA vice president from ruption scandals and an investigation ing to recover fast and we will try to perform well. back. Then we scored but when it looked like we these kind of competitions and in the next games Jordan, for rejecting the debate. into the attribution of the 2018 and “We know Iraq is a top team in Asia and we will would score a second they scored and we sent some they will try their best to perform well and have a “It is a really a bad signal,” said Bel- 2022 World Cups to Russia and Qatar. try to do well and have a good result.” players forward, because it was the same to lose 2-1 good result. gian Euro MP Ivo Belet. “It shows the “If there is no governance people will Qatar looked to have done enough to take the or 3-1. “I can just congratulate the players for all the ef- old FIFA.” steal the game.” The BBC became semi-fi nal into extra-time when Ahmed Alaeddin “The players tried hard. Now we have to prepare fort they put in against Korea Republic, who are a “It’s an own goal for each and every the latest television channel to call off levelled the scores 11 minutes from time after Ryu for the next one, but it’s going to be tough. very good team. We are proud of them and we just one who did not turn up today and plans to hold a televised debate with Seung-woo had given Korea Republic the lead in the “I think after we scored the goal we were push- need to raise them up and put them in the picture it’s an own goal for FIFA,” added the candidates before the February 48th minute. ing harder and we had the best chances, but this is that we have another important game and we have Emma McClarkin at a press confer- 26 election in Zurich. Ali Asad went close to putting the host nation in football. They scored when they had the opportu- to go again on Friday.” Gulf Times 2 Thursday, January 28, 2016 QATAR STARS LEAGUE

SPOTLIGHT Madson strike helps Khor shock Jaish as QSL restarts aft er three-week break In other matches, Dioko strike helps Gharafa defeat Ahli while an al-Harazi brace Sailiya victory over Mesaimeer

Al Khor striker Madson Cardade (C) in action during his team’s match against El Jaish yesterday. (Right and Bottom) Action from the match between Sailiya and Mesaimeer. PICS: Naser TK and Mamdouh

By Sports Reporter half. His fi rst eff ort crashed against half Ahli came out with renewed vigour ball from Hazem Khaled deep in Me- Doha the post; he had a shot from 16 yards and replaced striker Ndombe Mubele saimeer’s half, played a neat one-two, blocked, and then smashed a chance with new signing Danilo Carando. It and set up Al Harazi for the fi nish af- wide from the edge of the area. In the didn’t take long for the Argentine to ter the number nine found himself in l Khor followed up their im- end Khor held on to make it four games carve out his fi rst chance for the Briga- plenty of space in the penalty area. Al pressive December form with unbeaten and jump to ninth in the table deers, with a swivel and shot bringing Harazi doubled his and Sailiya’s tally a 1-0 victory over high-fl y- ahead today’s matches. a good save from Gharafa stopper Bur- in the 48th minute. Bakur was the cre- ing El Jaish. Brazilian striker Jaish, meanwhile, look set to lose more han Quassim. ator yet again with a strong run down MadsonA scored the only goal of the ground on runaway leaders Al Rayyan. Gharafa were resolute in the second the right. game in the 40th minute at Al Khor half, shutting out Ahli time again. Di- Results The El Jaish loan man found Al Stadium. He latched on to a ball over Solitary Dioko strike enough oko could have doubled his tally, but Al Ahli 0 – 1 Al Gharafa Harazi in space and the forward the top, shrugged off the attention of for Gharafa the Congolese international snatched Al Khor 1 – 0 El Jaish slotted home without being pres- Ali Sanad and calmly slotted the ball Al Gharafa maintained their unbeaten at an eff ort in the 84th minute. Ahli Al Sailiya 3 - 1 Al Mesaimeer sured by the Mesaimeer defence. home. The goal came against the run of streak under new coach Pedro Caixina did carve out one fi nal chance in stop- The game appeared to be as good play at the end of a quiet fi rst half. with a tight 1-0 victory over Al Ahli at page time, but the lively Carando was as over but Mesaimeer pulled a goal The Soldiers’ only chance of note Al Arabi Stadium yesterday evening. unable to latch on to a Mershal Abdulla back in the 60th minute through came on the half-hour mark when Sar- Former Ahli striker Alain Dioko cross. Caixina will have been happy Wajdi Bouazzi. dor Rashidov hit a left-footed eff ort scored in the fi rst half to pile the mis- with his side’s performance, particu- Sailiya goalkeeper Gregory Go- over the bar. Jaish were more lively in ery on his former side. Gharafa started larly defensively. mis rushed off his line to clear but his the second half but Khor went close to the match on the front foot and quick- Ahli meanwhile will be looking for defence got in a tangle and Bouazzi doubling their lead in the 55th minute. ly showed their dominance. Attacker signs of improvement when they face passed the ball into an empty net from Madson broke from midfi eld and Adel Ahmed’s powerful run and accu- Al Sadd in round 17. well outside the area. showed great strength before picking rate cross found the feet of Dioko who Despite a few nervous moments, out Julio Cesar with a pinpoint cross. bundled the ball in from close range to Al-Harazi’s double sees Sailiya made the game safe in the 82nd Unfortunately for Khor, Cesar’s vol- score his fi fth goal of the season. off Mesaimeer minute when Bakur grabbed a deserved ley failed to hit the target. Jaish striker The fi rst half lacked any other key Al Sailiya closed the gap on the top six It was a welcome return to form for man al-Harazi put Sailiya in front in goal. He lashed the ball home after Abderrazak Hamdallah wasted a trio of chances of note and the Cheetahs went after a 3-1 victory over bottom side Me- the Peregrines, who were too strong the 13th minute at Al Arabi Stadium. Mostafa Abdulhafi dh’s header had chances midway through the second in 1-0 up at the break. In the second saimeer. for their lowly opponents. Abdurah- Abdulgadir Ilyas Bakur robbed the been cleared off the line.

BOTTOMLINE Hamad International Airport becomes the platinum sponsor for Bayern Munich

QNA Team and the German National Wom- mains one of the most technologically Doha en’s Team. advanced airports in the world. Located Al-Baker commented: “We designed conveniently within six hours of 80 HIA-Qatar to be the most advanced, percent of the world’s population, HIA- amad International Airport- most effi cient and most comfortable Qatar is rapidly becoming a preferred Qatar (HIA-Qatar) yesterday global aviation gateway, and a facility global transfer hub. announced that it will be the able to handle up to 50 million of our The partnership will lead to vari- offi cial platinum sponsor of own passengers every year, as well as the ous joint ventures between HIA-Qatar Hthe legendary German football club, millions of fans that will visit Doha for and FC Bayern Munich over the com- FC Bayern Munich. This is another key the 2022 FIFA World Cup. ing years which will give the passengers step towards the national vision of es- “This is perfectly aligned with our na- of HIA and the people of Qatar an op- tablishing a global leadership in sports, tional strategy to establish global lead- portunity to engage with the world re- as the State of Qatar prepares to host ership in sports, by hosting world-class nowned team. FIFA World Cup 2022. events such as the recent ATP Qatar FC Bayern Munich is the most suc- Group Chief Executive of Hamad ExxonMobil Open and the International cessful club in German football history International Airport-Qatar, Akbar Paralympic Committee World Cham- and one of the most successful Europe- al-Baker, was joined by Engr. Badr Mo- pionships. To further align the Group to an clubs internationally with a reported hammed Al Meer, Chief Operating Of- this national strategy, we took a creative Akbar Al Baker, Group Chief Executive of Hamad International Airport (centre) with Bayern Munich star player Franck Ribery 300 million fans worldwide. fi cer of HIA-Qatar and Karl-Heinz approach by seeking opportunities for (third left) and other off icials during the signing ceremony yesterday. PICTURE: Thajudheen Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, CEO of FC Rummenigge, Chairman and Member of HIA-Qatar to partner with the best of the Bayern Munich AG, said: “As CEO of FC the Executive Board at FC Bayern Mu- best, and very happily we have created a way was commemorated at an airside fi rst sponsorship of its kind for HIA- fans’ lives, and together, we aim to con- Bayern Munich, I am delighted to wel- nich, to announce during a press con- Platinum Sponsorship relationship with press conference and signing ceremony Qatar, and we could not have asked for tinue inspiring our fans, our passengers come the Hamad International Airport- ference held at the Hamad International Germany’s most-winning team, FC Bay- in front of the iconic airport Lamp Ted- better partners in FC Bayern Munich. and the public to reach higher and go Qatar as a new member of the team of Airport on Wednesday the sponsorship, ern Munich. We welcome the opportuni- dy Bear statue, designed by Urs Fischer, We at HIA-Qatar see ourselves as play- places together. HIA-Qatar looks for- our partners. The new Doha Airport, alongside a special surprise appear- ties this relationship gives HIA-Qatar.” with the partnership commencing for ing an important role in facilitating our ward to building a relationship with fans that opened in 2014 with a capacity of ance by FC Bayern Munich team mem- The signifi cant partnership between the 2016/17 football season. passengers’ journeys and helping them of the club, especially on their global 30 million passengers per year, is im- ber Franck Ribery together with Lena the most successful club in German his- Badr al-Meer, Chief Operating Of- create lifelong memories. FC Bayern travels.” pressive. Its architecture and its comfort Lotzen of FC Bayern Munich Women’s tory and the world’s newest global gate- fi cer at HIA-Qatar said: “This is the Munich also fi gures signifi cantly in their HIA-Qatar opened in 2014, and re- set standards in my view.” Gulf Times Thursday, January 28, 2016 3 FOOTBALL

SPOTLIGHT FOCUS Record returns, but Bundesliga boss Klopp pins hopes wants more

AFP “It’s convenient, but not suf- Munich fi cient. “We have to broaden our ho- rizons internationally and must he Bundesliga has post- look at all avenues of revenue.” on all-Merseyside ed record sales for the At present, media sales ac- 11th season running, count for nearly 28 percent of the but its boss wants rev- Bundesliga’s revenue, just ahead enueT to double over the next 10 of their advertising sales. years to rival England’s Premier Seifert said Germany’s second League. tier—the second Bundesliga— Football in Germany’s top has broken the half million euros fl ight generated 2.62 billion eu- mark, making 504.6m, mean- League Cup fi nal ros ($2.855b) for the 2014/15 sea- ing Germany’s top two tiers of son, but needs to grow interna- 36 clubs made 3.13bn in 2014/15 tionally to compete with the top -- passing the three billion euros ‘Man City being a goal down, it is possible. We take what it is. For sure it is a north of leagues in England, Spain, Italy mark for the fi rst time. and France, says CEO Christian It’s sales means Germany’s sec- England final and if everything comes together in a good way, it is a derby at Wembley’ Seifert. ond division is the seventh big- “If the Bundesliga wants to gest league in Europe, bigger than belong in the top three leagues, the Swiss, Austrian and Scottish the revenue for the years be- national leagues combined. tween 2025 and 2030 must be Meanwhile, Seifert says Euro- between fi ve and six billion per pean football’s governing body year,” insisted Seifert when the UEFA should be wary of the pro- Bundesliga presented its annual posal by Bayern Munich chair- report yesterday in Cologne man Karl-Heinz Rummenigge Seifert, boss of the German for a European Super League of Football League (DFL), wants 20 clubs, which he outlined this to see the Bundesliga close the month in Milan. fi nancial gap behind England’s “If I were in UEFA, I would take Premier League, Europe’s top it seriously,” said Seifert, with earner, which generates 4.34 bil- the proposal involving the top lion euros (£3.3bn) by compari- clubs from England, Italy, Ger- son. many, Spain and France playing The gap is set to widen next in an elite league over the course year due to an extra 3.2 billion of a season. euros of cash the Premier League “It is more directed as com- will receive due to a new televi- petition towards the Champions sion deal. League as against the national The DFL boss hopes the Bun- leagues.” desliga’s television revenue, paid Rummenigge is also president by broadcaster Sky Deutschland, of the European Club Associa- of 817 million euros for the cur- tion (ECA), an independent body rent season, and 835 million eu- which represents clubs at Euro- ros for 2016/17, will jump to “be- pean level. tween 1.1 and 1.5 billion euros” The German’s idea has already for 2017/18. received the backing of Juven- “But it’s not enough to say, tus president Andrea Agnelli, ‘now Sky will have to pay a bit himself an ECA member, who more, which should ensure that claimed the fi nancial benefi ts of the British didn’t run away from the Champions League were in- us’,” added Seifert. suffi cient.

NO GO BBC abandons plans to hold FIFA Liverpool manager Juergen Klopp celebrates with Lucas Leiva after winning the penalty shootout during Capital One Cup Semi Final Second Leg against Stoke City at Anfield.

AFP “I cannot have any infl uence. We will ‘CREDIT WE DESERVE’ “Hopefully we will get the credit we presidential debate Liverpool watch the game tomorrow and Man City Both sides hit the post thereafter—Rob- deserve,” said the former Manchester being a goal down, it is possible. erto Firmino for Liverpool, substitute United, Barcelona and Chelsea striker. Reuters um, move the goalposts,” she said. “We take what it is. For sure it is a Marco van Ginkel for Stoke—before Mig- “We came here behind in the tie and Zurich Five candidates are bidding iverpool manager Jurgen Klopp north of England fi nal and if everything nolet’s saves in the shoot-out, which it was a case of being really positive and to replace Blatter: Prince Ali Bin said that he was crossing his fi n- comes together in a good way, it is a derby Klopp said he had been too nervous to having a game-plan. I am proud of what Al-Hussein of Jordan, South gers for an all-Merseyside League at Wembley. watch. the players produced. To a man I can’t ritain’s BBC has aban- African politician and business- Cup fi nal after his team overcame “That will be great for the whole city. Mignolet has been criticised after fault any of them. doned plans to stage a man Tokyo Sexwale, UEFA gen- LStoke City on penalties in the last-four. This city will have deserved it because it some unconvincing recent displays, “In general play we got the goal, which televised debate with eral secretary Gianni Infantino, Stoke won Tuesday’s semi-fi nal sec- is a great place for football and how Blues but he thwarted fi rst Liverpool old boy won us the game but not the tie. I think the fi ve candidates vy- Sheikh Salman Bin Ibrahim Al- ond leg 1-0, leaving the tie 1-1 on ag- and Reds live together in a normal life is Crouch and then Muniesa—Emre Can it was off side, marginally, but it was the Bving for the presidency of soc- Khalifa of Bahrain and French- gregate following extra time, but after how football should be. sending his penalty against the post in least we deserved. cer’s scandal-plagued governing man Jerome Champagne. Liverpool goalkeeper Simon Mignolet “But if you meet each other, you should between—before Allen settled proceed- “We just couldn’t get that second goal body FIFA after one declined to They could not immediately had saved from Peter Crouch and Marc want to beat each other. In a derby, do ings by planting his spot-kick into the and I think Liverpool would be honest to take part and others imposed be reached for comment apart Muniesa, substitute Joe Allen netted the everything that you can do to beat them. top-right corner. say they were grateful to get to penalties. conditions. from Champagne, who said he decisive spot-kick in a 6-5 shootout win. “If the whole of Liverpool goes there Stoke manager Mark Hughes, bidding You know when you get to a shootout, The broadcaster had hoped had been told that the debate Liverpool’s cross-town rivals Everton it will be good, but then we should look to guide his club to a fi rst League Cup there is a danger you may go out. to stage the debate in London in had been cancelled. take a 2-1 lead to Manchester City as the at our houses—there will be an empty fi nal since they won the tournament in “I thought we were more likely to mid-February, two weeks before Plans for another planned second semi-fi nal concludes on Wednes- city!” 1972, felt that his team had been “domi- score, but unfortunately we are not the election in Zurich on Feb. 26, televised debate, due to be held day and if Roberto Martinez’s men man- Leading 1-0 courtesy of Jordon Ibe’s nant” and were unfortunate to fi nish up ones going to Wembley.” but confi rmed in a statement to at the European parliament in age to preserve their advantage, Wembley fi rst-leg winner at the Britannia Stadi- empty-handed. Stoke, currently ninth in the Premier Reuters that it would no longer Brussels on Wednesday and will stage the fi rst all-Merseyside fi nal in um, Liverpool saw their advantage wiped The 1-0 fi nal score on the night repre- League, visit Crystal Palace in the FA Cup go ahead. broadcast by U.S. sports net- 27 years on February 28. out in fi rst-half stoppage time at Anfi eld sented Stoke’s fi rst win at Anfi eld since fourth round on Saturday and Hughes It was the second time in three work ESPN, collapsed after “I heard about it being the biggest thing, when Marko Arnautovic swept home a March 1959 and Hughes paid a warm joked: “The FA Cup is a bigger competi- days that plans to bring the can- Prince Ali and Sexwale with- but only if you beat them,” Klopp told re- cross from Bojan Krkic despite appearing tribute to his players, who had eliminated tion anyway!” didates together and publicly drew at 48 hours’ notice. porters at Anfi eld after Tuesday’s match. to be in an off side position. holders Chelsea in the fourth round. Now to see what happens. discuss their plans for the sport’s That left Champagne as the future had been scuppered. only candidate present. The BBC highlighted a com- No televised debate has ever BOTTOMLINE ment on Twitter by presenter been held in a FIFA presidential Victoria Derbyshire, who said the election. decision was made after one can- British broadcasters BBC and didate had declined to take part. Sky made a similar proposal be- “We’ve pulled our live head- fore the vote in May last year but to-head TV debate w(ith) FIFA Blatter, who won that election Presidential hopefuls. After one against Prince Ali, turned down Balotelli strikes as Milan dent declined, some others wanted to, the invitation.

Alessandria Cup hopes Ex-England defender Ashley Cole signs with LA Galaxy AFP a Mattia De Sciglio cross at the a 3-2 win at Udinese on Septem- Ashley Cole, a long-time 2001 through 2014, making Milan near post early on then was let ber 22. England international and him the most capped fullback down by his fi rst touch when Milan dominated the second standout leftback at Premier in English history, and ap- clear through the middle. half but it was far from impres- League side Chelsea and Arse- peared in three World Cups. ario Balotelli scored Milan came close again just sive stuff and coach Sinisa Mi- nal, signed with Major League He played on Premier League his fi rst goal for AC after the half hour when And- hajlovic was openly frustrated Soccer’s Los Angeles Galaxy championship sides for Arse- Milan in over four rea Pioli, who saw a goal chalked on the touchlines. yesterday. nal in 2001-02 and 2003-04, months as the Ros- off for off side late in the second Balotelli did well to snatch Following in the MLS footsteps the latter in an undefeated Msoneri put a dent in third divi- half, forced Alessandria ‘keeper possession on the left fl ank to of former England midfielder title run, and for Chelsea in sion Alessandria’s Italian Cup Gianmarco Vannucchi to parry set up Honda with an inviting David Beckham, the 35-year- 2009-10 and was a member of hopes with a 1-0 win in Turin on with his legs. cutback but the Japanese mid- old will join the US side after seven FA Cup winning sides, Tuesday. Balotelli spurned another fi elder’s fi rst-timer came off the two seasons with Roma of the three with the Gunners and Balotelli only returned to chance to open his account, head of a defender. Italian League. four more after moving to competition two weeks ago hav- springing the off side trap to run Third-choice Milan ‘keeper “He has got a burning desire Stamford Bridge. ing been sidelined with a hernia on to Keisuke Honda’s perfect Cristian Abbiati was forced out to get back on the field and Cole has played in every problem since September. ball but despite rounding Van- to clear the danger as Adriano prove he can still play,” Galaxy Champions League campaign Alessandria borrowed Tori- nucchi the striker hit wide. Mezavilla rose to meet a cross coach and general manager since 2001, taking the title no’s Olympic Stadium for the When Luca Antonelli was but the hosts rarely threatened. Bruce Arena said. with Chelsea in 2012. He made fi rst leg of the Cup semi but brought down by Alessandria Balotelli was replaced by “He wants this opportunity 228 appearances with Arsenal Angelo Gregucci’s men were a Santiago Morero as he M’Baye Niang on 70 minutes but in his career to show he’s a and 229 with Chelsea. pale shadow of the side that had AC Milan’s forward from Italy Mario Balotelli. ran in to the box, the referee before the Frenchman hit the far player of quality. Ashley has a “Ashley is one of the world’s eliminated Palermo, Genoa and pointed to the spot. post in the closing minutes he strong desire to excel.” most successful defenders Spezia in previous rounds and pool, started up front alongside should have put the visitors Balotelli stepped up to send was notably off side when Pio- Cole, whose Roma deal was and has played at the highest will be hoping to do better at the Brazilian Luiz Adriano, making ahead before his 43rd minute 20-year-old Vannucchi the li’s defl ected shot sneaked past terminated last week, earned level of competition through- San Siro in a week’s time. his fi rst debut since an aborted strike from the spot. wrong way and score his fi rst Vannucchi at his near post in the 107 caps for England from out his career,” Balotelli, on loan from Liver- move to China last week, and Balotelli scuff ed a volley on goal since hitting the opener in closing minutes. Gulf Times 4 Thursday, January 28, 2016 FOOTBALL

SPOTLIGHT FOCUS Network failure prompts Charlton Coach Hiddink has fans to rebel

Reuters Reuters in an interview at the London stadium. “I recognise there is a huge gap but we all love this club and I’m sure we can fi nd com- t might have seemed an at- mon ground.” calmed Chelsea tractive idea to own a net- To that end, ‘Target 20K’, an work of clubs all over Europe, organisation with supporters’ moving players and coaches representatives, has been set up Ibetween them, while cutting out with the aim of restoring attend- fees for transfers and agents, but ances to the 20,000 and more Charlton Athletic fans are rebel- who regularly attended home ling against the whole concept. games until Charlton dropped In January 2014, Belgian en- out of the Premier League after crisis: Zhirkov trepreneur Roland Duchatelet, seven years in 2007. 69, added the English second tier side to a stable that already POSITIVE MESSAGE ‘I know Hiddink and I have no doubt that once he took over, the atmosphere at included teams in Hungary Failure to put over a positive (Ujpest), Germany (Carl Zeiss message, she believes, means Chelsea became so much better and more relaxed than it had been before’ Jena), Spain (AD Alcorcon) and fans do not realise that Ducha- Belgium (Standard Liege and telet has invested an extra 20 St Truiden, both subsequently million pounds ($28.69 million) sold). since buying the club, on top of The attraction of Charlton to 12 million spent on the academy. Duchatelet was clear—they were “I don’t think that has hap- a former Premier League club pened in the past with any pre- based in London with a fi ne sta- vious (Charlton) owner,” Meire dium at The Valley, crowds of said. 15,000 and obvious potential. On the pitch, however, things Yet the south London club are looking increasingly bleak. have fallen into decline. They are Having dispensed with fi ve heading towards the third tier of managers in two years, Duchate- English football, prompting a re- let recently recalled one of them, bellion by some supporters like compatriot Jose Riga, for a sec- the one that forced Duchatelet ond spell. out of Standard. Two years ago, Riga saved Fans have been gathering out- Charlton from relegation in the side the club’s offi ces following fi nal week of the season. every home game to demonstrate Taking over a team that has against Duchatelet, accusing sunk almost to the bottom of the him of poor managerial appoint- Championship after losing their ments, bringing in sub-standard last two away games 5-0 and players from the network clubs 6-0, he knows how hard a repeat and refusing to talk to potential will be. investors. “I prefer to think it’s the most Reported not to have attended diffi cult challenge of my career a home game for some 15 months, because I want to put the most the owner has not witnessed energy I can into it,” he said. these scenes. Charlton fought in vain Yet Katrien Meire, 31, the Bel- against what Meire calls a “ridic- gian he installed as chief execu- ulous” relaxation of the Football tive, could hardly avoid them and League’s fi nancial fair play rules. has been a target of personal This allowed Championship abuse too. clubs to make losses of up to 30 Admitting that communica- million pounds a year and en- tion with supporters has been couraged them, she believes, to a problem, she has hired a new spend beyond their means in the PR advisor and is desperate to madcap dash for Premier League build bridges with a fan base that money—estimated to be worth won widespread acclaim for its 100 million pounds to the team successful campaign to return fi nishing bottom next season. Charlton to The Valley after sev- One such club, Bolton Wan- en years in exile from 1985-92 -- derers, last year reported debts even forming a political party to of 172.9 million pounds. File picture of Chelsea’s Dutch manager Guus Hiddink gesturing on the touchline during the English Premier League match between Arsenal and Chelsea. infl uence the local council. As Duchatelet struggles to win Last week, two local members over Charlton followers with his Reuters team table with 28 points -- 19 behind A place in next season’s Europa League club when I was there. They are still key of parliament met her at their network concept, it is little con- Moscow leaders Leicester City. The West London- was a possibility, said the Russian, who footballers and are able to show leader- request to discuss supporters’ solation that Bolton sit below ers were hovering just one point above won the old UEFA Cup with CSKA Mos- ship qualities during crucial moments of concerns. them in the Championship table the relegation zone when Mourinho left. cow in 2005. a match.” he said. “I know they (fans) are the because they are the only team ormer Chelsea defender Yuri “The reason for the recent poor run is “However, they possibly could have a “I am still in touch with Ivanovic as he lifeblood of the club,” Meire told who do. Zhirkov believes Guus Hiddink psychological,” said Zhirkov, who scored break from Europe for one season. I think knows Russian. I was on holiday recent- has calmed the ‘psychological’ one goal in 48 appearances in all compe- with Guus, Chelsea will ride out the crisis ly in Dubai and I bumped into (former crisis at Stamford Bridge and the titions for Chelsea. and next season will be back at the top of Chelsea midfi elder) Deco. We had a really FUTURE PERFECT LondonersF will be battling for the Pre- “A year ago, Chelsea won the champi- the table.” good chat and remembered old times,” mier League title again next season. onship and this has had a bearing on the Chelsea are still in Champions League Zhirkov recalled. “I know Hiddink and I have no doubt next season,” added the 32-year-old de- contention, facing French champions The Russian had good memories from that once he took over, the atmosphere at fender, who played under Hiddink when Paris St Germain for a place in the last his time in England and spoke warmly of Chelsea’s Cahill Chelsea became so much better and more the Dutchman was Russia coach from eight. Chelsea’s billionaire owner and compa- relaxed than it had been before,” Russia 2006 to 2010. “It’s 50-50,” said Zhirkov of Chelsea’s triot Roman Abramovich. international Zhirkov told Reuters in a “When you win the title, it is also dif- chances. “Both teams have wonder- “He is a really nice and simple person. wants move to save telephone interview. fi cult to defend it and to play at the high- ful balanced squads. I will be hoping my Abramovich is able to get on well with Under Hiddink, who replaced the est level.” former side will win.” everyone and he often comes to the train- sacked ‘Special One’ Jose Mourinho The Dynamo Moscow defender, who Zhirkov believes that current captain ing ground and even played table tennis England career as head coach on Dec. 19, the reigning on Tuesday signed a contract to join Zen- John Terry and vice-captain Branislav with us,” he said. champions remain unbeaten, winning it St. Petersburg when he becomes a free Ivanovic, who recently signed a one-year “Of course it was diffi cult when I was Reuters four matches and drawing two in the Pre- agent in July, felt Chelsea were getting extension to the end of the 2016/17 sea- not playing, but on the whole, I was hap- London mier League. stronger and stronger with every week son, are the club’s natural leaders. py with that period. I won a champion- Chelsea are currently 13th in the 20 that passed. “Both defenders were playing for the ship medal—that says it all.” ngland centre back Gary Cahill is so frustrated BOTTOMLINE by a lack of fi rst-team football at Chelsea that heE wants to leave the club in an attempt to safeguard his inter- national place at the European Championship in the summer. The England vice captain has Lille punish Bordeaux 5-1 to played more than 170 games for the Premier League champions but has made only 12 league ap- was genuinely concerned about pearances this season as Kurt his chances of playing for his Zouma and John Terry have be- country in the European Cham- make fi rst League Cup fi nal come the preferred starters. pionships in France if he is not Cahill fears he might miss out playing regularly for his club. AFP Bordeaux drew back level ten fourth near the hour mark with on the Euros this summer if he While Cahill has been in and Paris minutes later after Lille defender Soufi ane Boufal putting the fi n- is still not playing regularly, a out of the Chelsea side, he has Bakary Soumaoro lost posses- ishing touches to a memorable source close to the player told been a mainstay in England’s sion, with Clement Chantome night for the hosts in the third Reuters. successful march to the Euros, ille eased past an error- arriving quickly on the scene to minute of injury time. While it could be too late to playing in eight of their quali- strewn Bordeaux 5-1 on fi re between the legs of Vincent Antonetti said: “This win is make the move before the cur- fi ers as they won all 10 to sweep Tuesday to secure their Enyeama. down to team spirit, to generos- rent transfer window closes on into the fi nals. fi rst ever appearance in a Bordeaux were without in- ity, to desire. Football’s a team Monday, Cahill is resigned to The defender captained his LFrench League Cup fi nal. jured fi rst choice keeper goal- sport and tonight everyone was leaving the champions to ensure country for the fi rst time in Oc- Their opponents in the April keeper Cedric Carrasso, but playing for his teammates.” regular top-fl ight football. tober’s European Championship 23 fi nal at the Stade de France back-up stopper Prior per- On Wednesday, PSG continue The highly regarded defend- Qualifying victory over Estonia will be the winner of Wednes- formed wonders to deny Rony their quest for a domestic tre- er, who cost Chelsea around £7 at Wembley. day’s semi-fi nal between Paris Lopes’s left-footed shot on 36 ble when they meet Toulouse million ($10.02 million) when he He won his 40th in the Saint-Germain and Toulouse. minutes. for the third time in just eleven joined from Bolton Wanderers in 2-0 friendly win over France in Three-time winners Bordeaux Lille, who had fallen at this days. January 2012, says he may be at November but the emergence were the form side going into stage in 2013 to Saint-Etienne Having already knocked Do- the “crossroads of his career”. of Everton’s John Stones—a the last four tie at Lille’s Stade and last season to PSG, wrapped minique Arribage’s men out of The 30-year-old made 10 Chelsea target in the summer— Pierre-Mauroy. up the tie as half-time ap- the French Cup and beaten them starts at the beginning of the and Manchester United’s Chris Willy Sagnol’s team arrived Lille’s French defender Adama Soumaoro is congratulated by proached. in the league in the last fortnight, season before Jose Mourin- Smalling means he will have to unbeaten in 11 matches in all teammates after scoring a goal during the French League Cup First Bordeaux defender Lu- PSG will be looking to complete ho was sacked after 16 league fi ght for his place in the Euros. competitions after a late show football match between Lille and Bordeaux. dovic Lamine Sane inadvertently a quick-fi re hat-trick of wins in games. Cahill in May last year became rescued an unlikely point against put them back in front when he their League Cup semi-fi nal at He has played only twice since the fastest player in Premier Nantes at the weekend. of becoming the fi rst team to lose ised on a collision between Diego lobbed helpless Prior shortly after the Parc des Princes. Guus Hiddink took temporary League history to win all fi ve In contrast Lille had seen their to Troyes in the league this term. Contento and goalkeeper Jerome replacing Andre Biyogo Poko. Laurent Blanc’s side are go- charge on Dec. 19 -- and one of possible major club trophies. recent resurgence under new But it was Lille who raced into Prior to score from six yards. Then Soumoaro connected ing for a third successive League those was in the FA Cup against It took him a little over three coach Frederic Antonetti stutter. a seventh minute lead when after On 23 minutes, Lille had the with Renato Civelli’s header fol- Cup success and with the league third-tier Scunthorpe United. years to clinch winners’ med- They were dumped out of the good work by Florent Balmont ball in the back of the net again lowing a free kick to send Lille title all but sealed already, they The source said Cahill—who als for the FA Cup, Champions French Cup by fourth-tier Trel- on the left Djibril Sidibe crossed only for Sidibe’s eff ort to be heading for the fi nal. can aff ord to focus on the three was appointed England vice- League, Europa League, League issac and suff ered the ignominy to Yassine Benzia who capital- ruled off side. Eric Bautheac added the cup competitions. captain in September 2014 -- Cup and Premier League. Gulf Times Thursday, January 28, 2016 5 SPORT

NBA QATAR BASKETBALL LEAGUE Al Sadd score a Paul leads Clippers narrow victory over Al Wakrah

By Sports Reporter bined eff ectively for Sadd. Suli- to win over Pacers man scored most of his points Doha through two-pointer, while Anthony converted two three- Paul scored 26 points, including game-winner with 33.7 seconds remaining n a nerve-wracking encoun- pointers. ter, Al Sadd held their nerves For Wakrah, Watson Boney DPA to register a narrow 80-79 Harold was the top-scorer with Los Angeles win over Al Wakrah at the 20 points, while Mame Souleye IQatar Basketball League yester- Ndour also netted 16 points. day. In the day’s fi rst match, Al he Los Angeles Clippers turned a At the Al Gharafa Indoor Hall, Gharafa outplayed Al Shamal 95- bad day into a good night with a Abdi Khalid Suliman and Raff a 75. Gharafa took a seven-point big game from their leader. Chris Anthony scored 22 and 20 points lead after the fi rst quarter and Paul scored 26 points, including respectively to lead Sadd to close never looked back and cruised to Twhat turned out to be the game-winner victory. The contest was closely- an easy win. with 33.7 seconds remaining, as the un- fought right from the beginning. For the victors, Mohamed Ab- dermanned Clippers overcame a late At the end of fi rst two quar- dulrahman Saad and Emmanuel scare for a 91-89 road win over the Indi- ters, Wakrah had managed a Osaro Adako scored a whopping ana Pacers on Tuesday. slender one-point lead over 29 and 28 points respectively. Victory came after Clippers All-Star Sadd. Wakrah increased the gap Mildon Ambres was Shamal’s forward Blake Griffi n was sent home to to six points by the end of third, top-scorer, netting 20 points Los Angeles earlier in the day after break- but Sadd rallied back in the last while Abdulqadir Kosar made 17. ing his right hand Sunday in an alterca- quarter and not only closed the Saturday’s matches tion with an assistant equipment man- lead but won the encounter. 5:30 pm: Al Rayyan vs Al Arabi ager and longtime friend Matias Testi Suliman and Anthony com- 7:30 pm: Qatar SC vs Al Ahli during an argument in a Toronto restau- rant. Out since Christmas because of a par- tially torn left quadriceps, Grff fi n un- derwent hand surgery Tuesday and is expected to be sidelined for at least four weeks. “All the stuff the last 48 hours. They always say it’s the game that brings your team back and you can feel that tonight. That was a good win for our team,” Clip- pers coach Doc Rivers said. Paul said: “It’s tough and I don’t know much about it. But for me I have to lead this team. We’ve got to win games.” Griffi n used his twitter account to issue an apology for his actions. “A situation among friends escalated and I regret the way I handled myself towards someone I care about. I want to apologize to the Clippers organization, my teammates Al Wakrah Mujkic Emir (3) attempts a shot against Al Sadd during the and the fans for creating distractions,” Qatar Basketball League yesterday. PICTURES: Othman Iraqi he said. “I am working with the team on a resolution and getting back in the game Los Angeles Clippers guard Chris Paul (right) takes a shot against Indiana Pacers guard Monta Ellis at Bankers Life Fieldhouse in as soon as possible.” Indianapolis. Clippers beat Pacers 91-89. (USA TODAY Sports) JJ Redick netted 19 points, Wesley Johnson had 15 while DeAndre Jordan OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER 128, ry. An X-ray on Lowry’s wrist came back PORTLAND TRAIL BLAZERS 112, grabbed 19 rebounds for the Clippers NEW YORK KNICKS 122 (OT) negative, the Raptors tweeted. SACRAMENTO KINGS 97 (29-16), who improved to 2-2 on their Kevin Durant poured in a seven of his John Wall had 18 points with 14 as- CJ McCollum tallied 18 points, and Dam- fi ve-game road trip. The Clippers trailed season-high 44 points in overtime to go sists for the Wizards (20-23) who have ian Lillard added 15 with 12 assists as the 72-68 late in the third quarter before go- along with 14 rebounds, Russell West- dropped four of fi ve. hosting Trail Blazers (21-26) cooled off ing on a 13-0 blitz to take an 81-72 advan- brook had 30 points, 10 assists and eight red-hot DeMarcus Cousins and beat the tage with 7:17 left to play. boards, leading the visiting Thunder (34- DALLAS MAVERICKS 92, Kings. Coming off Monday’s NBA sea- The Pacers regrouped and closed to 13) to an eighth win in nine games after LA LAKERS 90 son-high 56-point eff ort, Cousins led the within 89-86 on a George Hill three- knocking off the short-handed Knicks on German Dirk Nowitzki hit the tiebreak- Kings (20-25) with just 17 points. pointer. Paul splashed a 19-foot jumper Tuesday. ing jumper with 2.1 seconds remaining from the right wing for some breathing Langston Galloway netted 21 points, to cap a quiet 13-point night, and the PHILADELPHIA 76ERS 113, room but Paul George nailed a triple out and Derrick Williams had 19 with 10 re- visiting Mavericks (26-21) got their 10th PHOENIX SUNS 103 of a timeout to bring Indiana within two. bounds for New York (22-25), who were consecutive victory over the lowly Lak- Ish Smith had 20 points, Robert Coving- The Pacers had chance to win or tie in playing without top scorer Carmelo An- ers (9-38) who were without sore-shoul- ton added 19, and the league-worst Sixers the fi nal 2.1 seconds but failed to get a thony because of right knee soreness. dered Kobe Bryant. (7-39) shaded the visiting Suns (14-32) shot off as time expired. despite Archie Goodwin’s game-high 26 “We just wanted to make it tough on TORONTO RAPTORS 106, MILWAUKEE BUCKS 107, ORLANDO points. them,” Paul said. “We just wanted to get WASHINGTON WIZARDS 89 MAGIC 100 a stop and defend.” All-Star guard Kyle Lowry scored 29 Giannis Antetokounmpo and Kris Mid- MIAMI HEAT 102, George had 31 points and 11 rebounds points before leaving with a left wrist dleton tossed in 25 points apiece, and the BROOKLYN NETS 98 while Myles Turner netted 16 for Indiana injury late in the game, and the Raptors hosting Bucks (20-27) handed the sliding Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh scored 27 (23-22) who lost for the sixth time in the (30-15) routed the visiting Wizards for a Magic (20-24) an 11th loss in the last 12 points apiece, and the visiting Heat (25- last seven outings. franchise-tying best ninth straight victo- games. 21) clipped the Nets (12-34). Al Gharafa’s Emmanuel Osaro scores against Al Shamal

NHL FOCUS Fleury stars in Penguins’ Devils win Red Bull Car Reuters made 26 saves for the shutout. Park Drift in Pittsburgh JETS 5, COYOTES 2 Nikolaj Ehlers scored a hat-trick and idney Crosby and Phil Kessel Dustin Byfuglien notched two goals of scored goals, Marc-Andre Fleury his own as the Winnipeg Jets dispatched Doha tomorrow made a succession of strong saves the Arizona Coyotes 5-2 at MTS Centre. during his 42nd career shutout Ehlers scored two goals 6:58 apart in By Sports Reporter ing speed and smoking tires. A andS the Pittsburgh Penguins moved into the fi rst period and another in the sec- panel of experts in motorsports Doha the NHL All Star break with a 2-0 win ond, while Byfuglien scored twice in will judge the competition and over the New Jersey Devils in Tuesday’s the second period as the Jets (22-24-3) reward points for the loud- National Hockey League game. snapped a three-game skid. ed Bull Car Park Drift is est engine, the hottest cars, the The Penguins won their third in a row gearing up to take over smokiest tires, and the best skill and fourth in fi ve games—and improved BLUE JACKETS 5, CANADIENS 2 the Doha Corniche to- in manoeuvring inside the box. to 9-3-4 in their last 16 games—while Brandon Dubinsky scored a goal and add- morrow as the yearly They will also be gauging the au- halting the Devils’ attempt to win fi ve ed an assist as the Columbus Blue Jackets awaitedR Middle East champion- dience’s roars of excitement for consecutive games for the fi rst time in swept a back-to-back, home-and-home ship’s fi rst round will be hosted each performer. nearly three years. set against the Montreal Canadiens with in Qatar. Organised under the The winner will clinch the a 5-2 win at Bell Centre. patronage of Qatar Motor & Mo- title of “King of Drift” and will DUCKS 6, BRUINS 2 Boone Jenner, Scott Hartnell, Brandon torcycle Federation (QMMF) and have the honour of competing The Anaheim Ducks spotted Boston a Saad and Cam Atkinson also scored for in partnership with Qatar Mo- against other winners from the goal in the fi rst minute before scoring Columbus (19-27-5). tor Show (QMS), the event will Middle East and Africa in the Fi- four straight against two goaltenders en showcase the drifting skills of nal to be held in Oman. route to a 6-2 victory over the Bruins. PREDATORS 2, CANUCKS 1 the best amateur drivers in the Red Bull Car Park Drift Qa- Boston netminder Jonas Gustavsson James Neal scored with 4:44 left in the country at the Corniche- Dal- tar qualifi er will be the main left the game after the fi rst period be- third period to snap a 1-1 tie and give the lah Parking Lot from 7:00pm highlight of Qatar Motor Show, cause of illness and the team said he had Nashville Predators a 2-1 win over the to 10:00pm under the supervi- which opened yesterday In been taken to Massachusetts General Vancouver Canucks. sion of Lebanese drifting legend, Doha, which will be featuring Hospital for observation. The Predators took advantage of a bad Abdo Feghali. The event is open leading international carmak- line change by the Canucks. Neal took a to the public with free entrance. ers, exhibiting the top sports, PANTHERS 5, MAPLE LEAFS 1 pass from defenseman Barret Jackman, Around 20 amateur drifters luxury and mid-range automo- Aleksander Barkov signed a $35.4 million Pittsburgh Penguins goalie Marc-Andre Fleury (29) makes a save against skated into the Vancouver zone, and beat will prove their unique skills on tive models and branded lifestyle contract extension and scored a power- New Jersey Devils right wing Bobby Farnham (23) as Penguins defenseman Canucks goaltender Ryan Miller with a the track in a showcase of excit- goods. play goal all on the same day, leading the Kris Letang (58) defends during the third period at the CONSOL Energy Center high shot from the faceoff circle for his Florida Panthers to a 5-1 win over the To- on Tuesday. The Penguins won 2-0. (USA TODAY Sports) 18th goal of the season. ronto Maple Leafs at the BB&T Center. The 20-year-old, who got a six-year three-game losing streak with a 3-2 vic- HURRICANES 5, BLACKHAWKS 0 SHARKS 6, AVALANCHE 1 deal, scored his 13th goal of the season, tory over the Ottawa Senators at Cana- Riley Nash scored twice as the Carolina San Jose’s Joe Thornton became the 33rd tying the score 1-1. As it turned out, it dian Tire Centre. Hurricanes blanked the Chicago Black- player in NHL history to achieve 1,300 was the fi rst of fi ve consecutive goals for The win marked a triumphant return hawks 5-0 at PNC Arena. The Hurri- career points as his two assists helped the Florida. to Ottawa for Sabres goalie Robin Lehner, canes put up fi ve goals for the second Sharks dispatch the Colorado Avalanche who spent fi ve seasons with the Senators game in a row, winning for the third time 6-1 at SAP Center. SABRES 3, SENATORS 2 before being traded to Buff alo. Lehner in four prior to the All Star break. The Sharks closed the pre-All Star Rookie Sabres center Jack Eichel scored stopped 34 shots while Senators goalie Jeff Skinner, John-Michael Liles and break portion of their schedule by ex- two goals, including the winner at 1:08 Craig Anderson made 19 saves. Joakim Nordstrom also scored for Caro- tending their streak to 10 straight games of the third period, to help Buff alo snap a lina (23-20-8), while goalie Eddie Lack with at least a point (8-0-2). Gulf Times 6 Thursday, January 28, 2016 SPORT

SPOTLIGHT Warner wins medal ; Maxwell ODI award Ellysse Perry won her first Award for Australia’s best female player FOCUS

Agencies Controversy over

avid Warner yesterday became just the eleventh player to re- ceive Australian cricket’s great- captain Smith’s est individual honour when he with the Allan wasD named the Allan Border Medallist Border Medal in Melbourne. for 2016. And the 29 year-old from New South Wales, who was elevated to the India T20 live chat Test and One-Day International vice- captaincy during the voting period, also AFP message to was collected Test Player of the Year honours. Adelaide pretty clear there. This is a was named One-Day cricket game not a television in- International (ODI) Player of the Year, terview. Thanks, Channel 9.” while all-rounder won her he use of on-fi eld mi- Batsman David Warner played fi rst Belinda Clark Award for the coun- crophones by players down the controversy, saying it try’s best-performed female player. in matches was not in the interests of Chan- Western Australia and came under fi re yester- nel Nine to disrupt the players. captain secured the award dayT after star Australian bats- “I’ve been doing it all the time for the Domestic Player of the Year while man Steve Smith lost his and I feel no added pressure,” South Australian and while commentating during a Warner told reporters in Mel- batsman was named Bradman game against India. bourne ahead of tomorrow’s T20 Young Cricketer of the Year. Smith was answering ques- against India. “It’s great that I Jeff Thomson and Wally Grout were tions from broadcaster Channel can actually give people at home also formally inducted into the Australian Nine’s commentators while he an indication of what we’re try- Cricket Hall of Fame to complete cricket’s was in the middle with Aaron ing to achieve while we’re out night of nights at Crown in Melbourne. Finch as Australia attempted to there in diff erent situations. It’s Warner polled a total of 240 votes in chase down India’s 188 runs dur- about entertainment,” he added. the Allan Border Medal count to fi nish ing Tuesday’s match at Adelaide T20, a quick-fi re, high-octane ahead of Australia captain and last year’s Oval. Shortly after speaking, format, was designed to draw Allan Border Medallist Steve Smith, who Smith chipped Ravindra Jadeja crowds to tournaments amid collected 219 votes during the same pe- and was caught at mid-off by fears that spectators were tiring riod. (183) fi nished third in Virat Kohli for 21, with the star of longer formats such as fi ve- the count, despite missing a large portion Indian batsman making a “chat- day Tests. Sports writer Robert of the 2015-16 summer with injury. terbox” hand gesture at the Test Craddock said Smith’s dismissal Warner registered six centuries and captain. Australia went on to raised the question of whether nine half-centuries at a blistering strike- lose the match. the T20 short-form structure rate of 90.91 during the voting period that Australian fans slammed was meant to be a carnival or a started with the ODI against England at Channel Nine on Twitter, blam- contest. the on 16 Janu- ing the commercial station for “Did it cost Australia the ary 2015 and ran through to the third Test distracting Smith, while others game? Possibly. If it happened in against the West Indies that wrapped up said Kohli’s gesture was a criti- a Test match I would be punch- on 7 January this year. cism of live chat during a game. ing a hole in my keyboard pro- In total he scored 1990 runs for Aus- “Whilst we try to bring the testing at the farce of it all,” he tralia across the three formats of Tests, viewer into the contest. We wrote in Brisbane’s Courier Mail. ODIs and Twenty20 Internationals can’t forget it is a contest. Smith “But it was T20 international (T20Is) at 56.86, including a highest score (18 votes). Refl ecting on his two awards, edged out Mitchell Starc (25 votes) and year saw her claim the Belinda Clark wasn’t comfortable and Kohli and like the rest of the world, I of 253 in the second Test against New the left-hander said: “I was really nerv- (23 votes) for player-of- Award. Perry dominated the Women’s knew it,” one Twitter user wrote. am still trying to work out what Zealand at the WACA Ground in Perth. ous and can’t believe I have got across the the-year honours. Throughout the voting Ashes with both bat and ball. Not only did Another tweeted: “Kohli’s these games actually mean.” His eff orts in the Test arena saw him line (to win both the Test Player of the period, the Victorian averaged 46 with it see her win player-of-the-series hon- register 30 votes for the period, ahead of Year Award and the Allan Border Medal). the bat at a strike rate of 135.86 from 19 ours in the UK, but it also saw her poll 33 Steve Smith (24 votes) and Mitchell Starc I think I am going to have to sit down over matches. During that time, he registered votes for the Belinda Clark Award to edge the next couple of weeks and let it all sink his maiden ODI hundred off just 51 balls out captain and dual Belinda Clark Award in. against Sri Lanka at the Sydney Cricket winner (20 votes) and Rene Award winners “I have had to turn myself around and Ground during the ICC Cricket World Farrell (15 votes). my wife Candice has been a huge part of Cup. In her 10 matches, the 25-year-old was Allan Border Medal – David Warner that. I have wanted to be a big part of the The 27 year-old said: “It is pretty ex- Australia’s leading run scorer (375 runs) Belinda Clark Award – Ellyse Perry Australian team and she has always told citing to win this award and it is pretty and wicket-taker (17). During that time Test Player of the Year – David Warner me to set myself goals and to keep believ- exciting to think about how much success she claimed career-best fi gures of 6-32 One-Day International Player of the ing in myself. we have had over the past 12 months. The in the one-off Ashes Test at Canterbury, Year – Glenn Maxwell “I set my goals as going out there and (ICC Cricket) World Cup was something the best fi gures for the Southern Domestic Player of the Year – Adam Vo- doing what I can for the team, and try- else, and to win this award in a year when Stars since ’s 6-28 in 1948. ges (Western Australia/Perth Scorchers) ing to score hundreds is my goal – and big we won a Cricket World Cup in our home Commenting on the award, Perry said: Bradman Young Cricketer of the Year hundreds. I have been lucky enough to be country is an absolute honour. It is pretty “It is a tremendous honour for me to win – Alex Ross (South Australia/Adelaide playing cricket with my mates and I am special.” this award, especially as it is named after Strikers) passionate about that.” Ellyse Perry’s Ashes-winning per- Belinda Clark, one of the greatest female In ODIs, Glenn Maxwell (28 votes) formances in the United Kingdom last players ever to play the game.” Australia’s Steven Smith attempts a catch during a T20 match.

ICC U-19 WORLD CUP Pakistani Kohli fan facing jail for waving India fl ag

Bangladesh stun Lahore: A Pakistani cricket fan is facing up to a decade in jail IANS 20-odd runs,” said Nazmul. after he was charged yesterday Chittagong “We can’t aff ord to relax or lose focus. for jubilantly waving the flag We have just put one game away but we of longtime foe India when his must concentrate on the next match and idol Virat Kohli (right) made a osts Bangladesh were off to a then the next. In a tournament like this match-winning knock. fl ying start in the Under-19 there is no room for comfort.” Police said Umar Daraz, 22, cricket World Cup tournament In their next matches in Cox’s Bazar on went “against the ideology of with a 43-run victory over de- Sunday, Bangladesh will take on Scotland Pakistan” when he waved the Hfending champions South Africa in the while South Africa will face Namibia. flag at his house in Okara town opening Group A match here yesterday. Meanwhile, England piled up 371/3 in Punjab province Tuesday Elsewhere in a Group C fi xture at the against Fiji with Lawrence smashing 174 during the match against Aus- M.A. Aziz Stadium here, Dan Lawrence off 150 balls with 25 boundaries and a six, tralia in Adelaide. and Jack Burnham hit centuries as title and Burnham making 148 off 137 balls Daraz was celebrating Kohli’s contenders England brushed aside Fiji by with 19 fours and four sixes. The pair put amazing knock of 90 , 299 runs. on 303 for the second wicket after opener which set up India’s 37-run win Bangladesh, who elected to bat on a Max Holden had been dismissed in the in the first of three Twenty20 slow pitch at the Zahur Ahmed Chow- third over. internationals against Australia. dhury Stadium here, lost just England bowled Fiji out for 72 in only His conviviality and subse- when the batsmen appeared to have set- 27.3 overs. Peni Vuniwaqa was the lone quent arrest came Tuesday, tled down and were restricted to 240/7 batsman to off er any resistance with as Pakistan’s arch-rival India in 50 overs. Nazmul Hossain hit 73 off 82 36 as four batsmen failed to score and marked its national Republic balls to boost the total after useful con- fi ve others did not reach double fi gures. Day. Nuclear-armed neigh- tributions from Pinak Ghosh (43) and Seamer Saqib Mahmood grabbed 3/2 in bours Pakistan and India have Joyraz Sheik (46). The target proved too his fi ve overs and his new-ball partner a long history of animosity dat- tough for South Africa, who were bowled Sam Curran took 3/22. ing back to independence from out for 197 in the penultimate over de- England next play the West Indies to- Britain in 1947, and have fought spite a defi ant 100 from opener Liam morrow and Fiji take on Zimbabwe the three wars. and there were big posters Smith. Smith batted till the 45th over same day. Regional Police off icer Faisal pasted on the walls of his before being the seventh batsman out, BRIEF SCORES Rana said Daraz was charged house,” the off icer said. caught superbly in the covers by Bangla- Group A: Bangladesh 240/7 in 50 overs under Pakistan’s penal code India stalled cricket matches desh captain Mehidy Hasan. (Nazmul Hossin 73, Joyraz Sheik 46, Pinak with acting against Pakistan’s against Pakistan in the wake of Mehidy, leading his nation in the sec- Ghosh 43; Wiaan Mulder 3/42) beat South sovereignty. He could face up a 2008 militant attack in the ond successive U-19 World Cup, picked Africa 197 all out in 48.4 overs (Liam Smith to 10 years in prison and a fine. commercial hub Mumbai that up 3/37 with his off -spin. Seamer Mo- 100; Mohammad Saifuddin 3/30, Mehidy “Daraz initially told us that left 166 people dead and was hammad Saifuddin took 3/30. It was Hasan 3/37). he is a true Pakistani but likes blamed on extremists based Bangladesh’s fi rst win over South Africa Group C: England 371/3 in 50 overs (Dan Kohli and never knew that was across the border. in the tournament following four previ- South Afrtica's Liam Smith struck a , but it went in vain against Bangladesh in Lawrence 174, Jack Burnham 148) beat Fiji a crime,” Rana told media. Last month, India refused ous defeats, but yesterday’s victory was the Under-19 World Cup in Chittagong. (ICC) 72 all out in 27.3 overs (Peni Vuniwaqa 36; “His act is against our coun- to play a planned series with their 12th in 15 matches against the same Saqib Mahmood 3/2, Sam Curran 3/22). try’s sovereignty and is against Pakistan after agreeing to stage opponents over the past two years. sible quarter-fi nal clash against Rahul “The ball was not coming on to the Today’s matches: the ideology of Pakistan.” the matches in the neutral With Scotland and Namibia the other Dravid-coached India. bat, so we thought it was a good total. I Group D - India v Ireland, Mirpur Rana said Daraz’s home was venues of Sri Lanka. The foes sides in the group, the home team’s vic- Nazmul Hossain, named man-of-the- just wanted to bat as long as possible and Group D - New Zealand v Nepal, Fatullah also full of Kohli pictures. last played a full bilateral series tory makes them the favourites to secure match, said the slow wicket made their hold one end up. But I was still a bit dis- Group B - Pakistan v Afghanistan, Sylhet “He is a diehard fan of Kohli in 2007. top place from Group A and avoid a pos- total challenging. appointed that we could not get another Group B - Sri Lanka v Canada, Sylhet Gulf Times Thursday, January 28, 2016 7 CRICKET

SPOTLIGHT ROUND-UP Asia Cup T20: India England, South Africa to face Pakistan on have work ahead February 27 Agencies England stayed in fifth place on the rankings, while South Africa dropped from first to third Mumbai

ndia and Pakistan will face off twice in 2 months in Twenty20 Internationals, fi rst in Asia Cup and next in IWorld T20 2016. With Asia Cup being played in T20 format for the fi rst time this year, India and Pakistan are scheduled to meet in Dhaka on February 27. After this clash, the neigh- bours will lock horns again, in ICC World T20, on March 19 in Dharamsala. The two 2 sides are in Group 2 in Super 10 stage. Asia Cup will be held in Bangladesh with 5 teams in action. The tournament starts on February 24 and concludes on March 6. According to the Board of Control for Cricket in India’s (BCCI) website, Asia Cup opens with India and hosts Bangladesh playing on February 24. Besides the four major na- tions, Afghanistan, Oman, Hong Kong and UAE will be playing a qualifying tournament that starts on February 19. Each team will play three matches and the one that fi nishes on top will ad- vance to the main event. In case two teams fi nish with the same points, their net run rates will be used as tiebreaker.

NEW ZEALAND APOLOGISE OVER CASH-TILL SOUND EFFECT FOR AMIR New Zealand Cricket has apolo- gised to the touring Pakistan team after a cash-till sound ef- England players sign autographs on their way back to the dressing room, after losing the fourth Test to South Africa in Centurion on Tuesday. England, though, won the series 2-1. fect was played in an apparent attempt to taunt the paceman AFP Root scored heavily and averaged over day series in South Africa as well as in they had recovered from injuries. perienced specialist opening batsman following his Centurion 50 but the only other batsman to aver- county matches before England’s next South Africa looked in disarray early in Stephen Cook, 33, and Cook looked return from a spot-fi xing ban. age 30 was Nick Compton, whose form Test series against Sri Lanka in May. in the series, when it seemed they were the part with a calm century on his de- New Zealand’s investiga- fell away after he scored a crucial 85 in While Bairstow batted well, Cook still suff ering a hangover from a 3-0 but. He looks set for an extended run in tion centred on what happened oth England and South Africa the fi rst Test in . noted that he had “a huge amount of defeat in India. But they improved and the team to partner the gritty Dean El- when Amir came on to bowl in a have work ahead if they are to Handed the problematical number work to do” on his wicketkeeping, al- fi nished the series strongly. gar, who averaged 47.33. played climb the Test rankings follow- three role, Compton seemed stung by though he drew a comparison with Matt De Villiers took over the captaincy While experienced players such as De in Wellington last Friday. ing the series in South Africa comments by England coach Trevor Prior, who started his Test career shak- from Hashim Amla and made it clear Villiers, Faf du Plessis and JP Duminy The NZC chief executive wonB 2-1 by England. Bayliss favouring positive stroke play at ily before becoming one of England’s he wanted to put his personal stamp on performed modestly, the diminutive David White said: “I think it was England stayed in fi fth place on the the top of the order. leading wicketkeepers. the job. A shake-up in the back-up staff Temba Bavuma stepped confi dently inappropriate and disrespectful rankings, although South African cap- After showing immense patience and Stokes, the man of the series, scored seems likely, with head coach Russell into the middle order. He made a thrill- and has the eff ect of trivialising tain AB de Villiers said he believed the discipline in Durban, Compton fell to runs at a rapid rate and took 12 wick- Domingo agreeing with the new captain ing century in Cape Town but batted one of the biggest issues fac- tourists could soon be “the team to some loose strokes later in the series ets to show himself as a genuine Test that a coach is a priority. even more impressively in scoring 78 ing cricket at the moment. “I’ve beat”, while South Africa dropped from and fi nished with 245 runs at 30.62. all-rounder. England batted deep, with The return to batting form of Amla, not out in diffi cult conditions in the contacted the Pakistan team fi rst to third after their second succes- If Compton did not make certain of a spin bowling all-rounder. who scored 470 runs at an average of second in Centurion. management to apologise, and to sive series loss. a long-term place, was un- Stuart Broad was the match-winner 67.14, and the emergence of 20-year- Quinton de Kock’s maiden Test cen- assure them there will be no re- England’s two wins were convinc- convincing as Cook’s opening partner. in the third Test in Johannesburg. Eng- old Kagiso Rabada as an outstanding tury in Centurion was confi rmation of peat.” Amir is making his come- ing but South Africa’s 280-run win in His only innings of substance was 60 land’s bowling was less eff ective in the fast bowler were highlights for South his potential as a wicketkeeper-bats- back in international cricket af- the fi nal Test in Centurion left “unan- in Cape Town where both teams topped fi nal match when the impressive Steven Africa. Rabada, who might not have man. Rabada dominated the South Af- ter serving a fi ve-year ban for his swered questions” in the words of cap- 600 in the fi rst innings. Finn was missing because of injury. played had long-time stalwarts Dale rican bowling averages. part in the scandal that emerged tain . The series averages Cook said that while he believed play- But Cook said England had depth in Steyn and Vernon Philander been fi t, Morne Morkel (15 wickets at 29.73) during Pakistan’s 2010 tour of point to the strengths and weaknesses ers should be given too many chances pace bowling, with not took 22 wickets at 21.90, including a and Dane Piedt (10 at 45.50) were the England. He was handed a six- of the England performances. rather than too few, he also hoped Hales used in the series and Finn and Mark sensational 13 for 144 in the fi nal Test. only other bowlers to take a signifi cant month jail sentence as well as his , and Joe would do well in the upcoming one- Wood likely to press for places when The selectors fi nally opted for an ex- number of wickets. cricket punishment.

OPINION FOCUS Coach Bayliss suggests English Somerset confi rm Gayle batting places up for grabs will return for T20 Blast The Guardian London

omerset have confi rmed that the West Indies opener Chris Gayle (right) will return to the county to play in this sum- mer’s T20 Blast. Gayle, who played for SomersetS in last year’s competition, has signed a six-match contract despite sparking controversy after a match for the in the England coach Big Bash League earlier this month when he used Trevor Bayliss an interview to ask out a TV news reporter live on air. “I really enjoyed my time at Somerset last year,” Gayle said. “It’s a great club and the supporters were ab- solutely incredible. I’m looking forward to see- ing the fans again and to scoring some more runs. Hopefully I can help the club make it through to the later stages of the NatWest T20 Blast.” The director of cricket Matthew Maynard add- ed: “We are absolutely delighted to have secured the services of Chris Gayle once again. He is a genuinely world-class player and was absolutely phenomenal for us last year. “He is probably the biggest name in the sport at the moment and his performances in the Big Reuters and James Taylor need to produce more con- 10 and the fi rst test against Sri Lanka is at Bash recently have only underlined his status as all need to move on and take a reasonable per- Pretoria sistent performances to cement their places. Headingley in Leeds on May 19. one of the most explosive players that cricket has spective,” Lavender added. “We’re by no means the fi nished article. England fi nished the series on a low note ever seen. Taunton was absolutely rocking when Last week, Somerset announced that the There is some very good talent in the team, when South Africa bowled them out for just he was out in the middle last year and Somer- former Australia opener will suc- oach Trevor Bayliss has said batsmen but there are a few rough edges to knock off as 101 to clinch a consolation victory by 280 set fans can look forward to more of the same in ceed as captain in the Coun- who impress in the early matches well and that will take some time,” said Bay- runs. Bayliss called England’s success in 2016.” ty Championship, while Jim Allenby will lead the in the English county season could liss, an Australian who took charge last year. South Africa a collective eff ort despite some The 36-year-old was fi ned $10,000 and side in limited-overs cricket. Rogers, who was force their way into the team for “I think that is a sign to everyone else in stunning individual performances. subsequently apologised but described his at- once a team-mate of Gayle’s at , theC home series against Sri Lanka starting county cricket that, ‘If I come out and score Those included an unforgettable innings tempt to fl irt with the Network Ten reporter Mel was outspoken in his criticism of Gayle at the in May. England beat former world number runs early in the season, there are possibili- from all-rounder Ben Stokes in Cape Town McLaughlin live on air as a “simple joke”. time of the controversy. “This is a pattern of be- one South Africa 2-1 in a four-test series that ties there’. when he scored the fastest double century After the incident, Somerset said they re- haviour. If you know the guy, you see it over and ended on Tuesday but their top order batting “There are four or fi ve rounds of county by an English batsman in test history. Stuart mained interested in signing Gayle despite chief over,” he said. remained fragile. matches before that fi rst test against Sri Lan- Broad produced another of his match-win- executive Guy Lavender describing his comments But any concerns that the two players could Alex Hales is the latest opener to fail con- ka. Those matches will be very important for ning performances when he took six wickets as “completely inappropriate”. cross paths in Taunton are understood to have vince as England seek a reliable partner for some of those players,” Bayliss told reporters. in the second innings of the third test at the “He has apologised and been punished for been allayed with Rogers only contracted to play captain Alastair Cook, while Nick Compton The county season starts on Sunday, April Wanderers. them, and once that process has taken place we in the longer form of the game. Gulf Times 8 Thursday, January 28, 2016 AUSTRALIAN OPEN

REPORT Rule Britannia in Melbourne as Murray, Konta through Murray beats Ferrer, Konta first British woman in semis since 1983, Raonic becomes first Canadian semi-finalist

Britain’s Andy Murray celebrates his victory over Spain’s David Ferrer at the Australian Open in Melbourne yesterday. (AFP) Britain’s Johanna Konta celebrates after defeating China’s Zhang Shuai at the Australian Open. (Reuters)

Reuters twice former champion Victoria turned thoroughly British as three fi nalists at the same tour- Melbourne Azarenka 6-3 7-5 in the opening rain clouds gathered, and after a nament. match at Rod Laver Arena. break in play, Murray ended the Kerber poses a formidable The fall-out from match- match under a closed roof. roadblock to Konta, the German ritish hearts swelled fi xing allegations that rocked “I like playing indoors,” Mur- having fl oored former world with pride at Melbourne the tournament’s opening day ray, who has lost four fi nals in number one Azarenka in their Park yesterday as Andy continued to rumble. Offi cials Melbourne, said courtside. quarter-fi nal. Murray battled into the launched an independent review “I grew up in Scotland and the The 28-year-old faced three AustralianB Open semi-fi nals af- into the Tennis Integrity Unit weather is not as good as here set points when trailing 5-2 in ter compatriot Johanna Konta after accusations the watchdog so I grew up playing most of my the second set, and another two swept into the last four of the had failed to adequately inves- tennis indoors.” at 5-4, but stormed home to women’s tournament. tigate suspicious matches in the Australians woke groggily a book her maiden semi-fi nal at Murray won a typically at- past. Former players angrily de- day after celebrating their na- Melbourne Park. tritional slog against Spaniard manded proof of wrongdoing. tional public holiday, and Syd- Nearly 17 years have passed David Ferrer 6-3 6-7(5) 6-2 6-3, “There is no evidence. We are ney-born Konta reminded locals since Steffi Graf won Germany’s while Konta eased past Chinese talking about algorithms and of what they had lost. last grand slam title, and Kerber qualifi er Zhang Shuai 6-4 6-1 to mathematics and some compu- The 24-year-old closed out said she had sought inspiration become the fi rst British woman ter spits your name out like a se- the fi rst set after an epic game at from the 46-year-old in Las Ve- in more than 30 years to reach a rial killer and everyone is chasing 5-3 and ran away with the match gas last year. grand slam semi-fi nal. you,” fumed former Wimbledon to end Zhang’s own fairytale run Former Wimbledon semi- The pair gave Britain two play- champion Goran Ivanisevic. as a 133rd-ranked qualifi er. fi nalist Raonic also enjoyed ers in a grand slam semi-fi nals There was nothing suspect Konta is the fi rst British wom- playing Monfi ls under a closed for the fi rst time since 1977 but about the commitment of the an to reach a grand slam semi- roof, having been raised on in- they will need to muster more combatants in the third singles fi nal since Jo Durie at the 1983 door tennis during the Toronto bulldog spirit to reach the fi nal. match, however, as Ferrer and U.S. Open and just the third to winters. Second seed Murray, who Murray engaged in a taxing three- reach the last four in Australia The clinical Canadian needed booked his sixth semi-fi nal hour and 20-minute dog-fi ght. in the professional era after 1972 only two hours and 17 minutes in Melbourne, will face Milos A classic baseline hustler, Fer- champion Virginia Wade and to crush the Frenchman’s fl air Raonic with the Canadian 13th rer stunned all with a rare dash Sue Barker. and set up the semi-fi nal with seed in the form of his life. to the net and a volleyed winner “I’m just so happy that I’m Murray, an opponent with whom Raonic’s 6-3 3-6 6-3 6-4 win that conjured a set point during enjoying what I’m doing. That is he shares a 3-3 head-to-head over Frenchman Gael Monfi ls the second set tiebreak. me living my dream,” said Konta. record. “A great challenge ahead made him Canada’s fi rst male Murray surrendered the set With Murray’s brother Jamie of me. A challenge I believe I semi-fi nalist at Melbourne Park. with an unforced error but also reaching the last four of the have within myself to fi nd a so- Konta will face seventh seed from there the match turned in men’s doubles with Brazilian lution to,” the 25-year-old said Angelique Kerber, who stunned the Scot’s favour. The weather Bruno Soares, Britain could have courtside. Canada’s Milos Raonic (R) defeated France’s Gael Monfils (L) in the quarter-final yesterday. (AFP)

SPOTLIGHT No split loyalties for tri-citizen Konta ‘Idol’ Graf teaches Kerber to believe With not one, or two but three passports in her possession, Britain’s Johanna Konta could have been forgiven for suff ering an identity crisis. But the woman who could have shown her allegiance to the country AFP of her birth, Australia, or the country where her parents hailed from, Melbourne Hungary, was eager to prove that she was no triple agent. “I’m pretty much the female version of Jason Bourne,” Konta said laughing after she reached her maiden grand slam semi-final at ngelique Kerber yesterday credited German great the Australian Open with a 6-4 6-1 win over Chinese qualifier Zhang Steffi Graf with giving her the belief that she can Shuai. win big matches after upsetting Victoria Azarenka to “I am a tri-citizen... but I definitely belong to Great Britain.” reach the Australian Open’s semi-fi nals. Like the fictional CIA assassin of the Bourne Identity films, Konta killed AThe seventh seed stunned the two-time champion 6-3, 7-5 the hopes of seven-times grand slam champion Venus Williams and to make the last four of a Grand Slam for only the second time 2015 Melbourne Park semi-finalist Ekaterina Makarova on the way to after the US Open in 2012. becoming the first British woman to reach the last four of a major in 33 The 28-year-old Kerber had a stellar 2015, winning four years. tournaments, second only to Serena Williams’ fi ve, and she When Andy Murray joined her in the last four, Britain had two players said fellow German Graf’s words of wisdom had been instru- in the last four of a grand slam for the first time since 1977. mental. But rather than getting carried away with the possibility of becoming “Steffi is a champion. She taught me to believe in myself. the first British woman to lift a grand slam trophy since Virginia Wade She was and still is my idol,” Kerber said of Graf, who won 22 at Wimbledon 39 years ago, Konta played down her unexpected run. Grand Slam titles—an Open-era record that Serena Williams “If you live and die with your wins and losses, it’s an incredibly tough is gunning to match in Melbourne. lifestyle to live,” said the 24-year-old, who failed to make the main draw “She won everything, she’s a great person, as well. a year ago while ranked 147th in the world. “I was able to practice with her for a few days just before Looking ahead to her last-four showdown with German seventh seed Indian Wells last year. But she taught me actually that I’m on a Angelique Kerber, she added: “I’m going to go out there, really enjoy it good way and to try to believe in myself. and enjoy the battle. “I was trying to do it in the last few months. “It’s very important to take your positivity from things that you have “I was going out there today with a lot of confi dence and control over. Otherwise you come into the danger of having very highs trying to believe really in myself and just going for my shots, and lows, which is not a nice place to be. Middle ground is nice.” trying to play good tennis. Her grounded expectations have served her well over the past six “I’m happy about my game, how I’m playing today.” months. She reached the fourth round of last year’s U.S. Open, beating Kerber is the fi rst German into the last four at the Australian Wimbledon runner-up Garbine Muguruza en route, and arrived in Open since Anke Huber in 1998. Australia ranked 47th in the world. Germany’s six-time Grand Slam winner Boris Becker, who She now wants to show that her parents’ decision to relocate from Aus- won the Australian Open in 1991 and 1996, praised Kerber for tralia to Britain so that their daughter could chase her tennis dreams her fi ghting spirit. was not in vain. “Angie is a fi ghter. She has managed to get her nerves under “When I left Australia I started training in Barcelona. I was at the control and to believe in herself,” the 48-year-old Becker, who Sanchez Academy. While I was there, my parents felt that at 13, 14 years coaches Novak Djokovic, told SID, an AFP subsidiary. old they didn’t really want to be on the other side of the world,” she Graf, now married to Andre Agassi, was one of the greatest said. players of all time. She won 107 singles titles, including the “And because we are Hungarian...European...passport holders, they Australian Open in 1988, 1989, 1990 and 1994, before retiring Germany’s Angelique Kerber (L) defeated Belarus’ Victoria Azarenka (R) in the quarter-final at the Australian decided to base themselves in Britain. It was their sacrifice for me.” in 1999. Open yesterday. (Reuters) Gulf Times Thursday, January 28, 2016 9 AUSTRALIAN OPEN

PREVIEW SPOTLIGHT Tennis to review corruption fi ght All eyes on Djokovic aft er fi xing claims

AFP match-fi xing approaches in- Melbourne cluding world number one No- vak Djokovic. It comes after the BBC and ennis authorities on BuzzFeed report, citing leaked and Federer at Wednesday announced fi les, said players who had an independent review reached the top 50 had been into their fi ght against repeatedly suspected of fi xing corruptionT after a bombshell re- matches but had never faced ac- port alleging widespread match- tion. On Sunday, two players were fi xing sent shockwaves through questioned by the Tennis Integ- the sport. rity Unit after a report of an unu- In an announcement at the sual betting pattern surrounding a Melbourne Park Australian Open, the ATP, WTA, mixed doubles match in the Aus- ITF and the heads of all four tralian Open’s fi rst round. Grand Slams said the review was Kermode, head of the Asso- ‘My best is what is going to be necessary to win against him’ aimed at shaking up tennis’s un- ciation of Tennis Professionals der-fi re anti-corruption body, (ATP), said tennis was keen to and called for governments address the problem and not go worldwide to make match-fi xing down the route of “other sports” ROGER FEDERER a criminal off ence. which have become mired in Tennis has been left reeling controversy. after last week’s BBC and Buz- Athletics’ world governing zFeed report sparked a succes- body, the IAAF, has been hit by sion of corruption revelations, claims of a doping cover-up and putting the sport under the mi- football’s FIFA has been rocked croscope after scandals also en- by a succession of bribery and gulfed football and athletics. corruption scandals. The report “was widely writ- “In light of what’s happened ten about and has caused dam- over the past year with other age to our sport. It is vital that sports governing bodies, we we repair this damage and that don’t want to be another sports we do so quickly,” Tennis In- administrator doing that. Let’s tegrity Board and Wimbledon get someone independent in and chairman Philip Brook told re- we’ll take it from there,” Ker- porters in Melbourne. mode said. ATP head Chris Kermode said: But Kermode also criticised “We’re in a toxic environment the naming of players in relation for sport at the moment in terms to unusual betting patterns, es- of it’s an easy target for people to pecially after the bizarre citing have a go with recent allegations of Australia’s Lleyton Hewitt, a at other governing bodies. former world number one and “We want to be as open and two-time Grand Slam cham- transparent as possible to dem- pion. onstrate that we will look at this The naming of Hewitt “speaks thoroughly.” volumes”, he said. “I’m not sure The main priority of the re- he’d give his mother one point NOVAK DJOKOVIC view, headed by Adam Lewis while he was playing,” added QC, a London-based leading Kermode. Brook said govern- expert on sports law, is to look ments also needed to help in at the structure of the Tennis the fi ght against match-fi xing, Integrity Unit, including how to which can take place at tour- make it more transparent and naments around the world, by Reuters down number seven seed Kei better resourced. Tennis au- making it a punishable off ence. Melbourne Nishikori 6-3 6-2 6-4 in the thorities pledged to make the “It’s a criminal off ence in cer- quarter-fi nals. Five of the best between Djoko, FedEx review’s outcomes public and to tain parts of the world and not in The 44 matches between “implement and fund all the ac- others... This is not just a tennis eigning champion Djokovic and Federer is the sec- Five of the best between Djokovic, Federer vic reeled off five straight games for a two-set tions recommended”. There is no issue,” Brook said. Novak Djokovic and ond highest tally in the Open Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer resume lead. Federer rallied from an early break in the deadline for the review and its Chris Eaton, director of in- number three seed era, beaten only by the 47 be- their long rivalry in their 45th meeting in the third set, but Djokovic won the final two games funding is also open-ended. tegrity at the International Cen- Roger Federer will tween Djokovic and Rafael Nad- Australian Open semi-final today. from 4-4 to claim a 7-6 (7/3), 7-5, 6-4 victory. tre for Sport Security, told AFP squareR off in a modern tennis al, and the Serb credits his two ‘Not just a tennis issue’ last week that betting analysis classic when they take to centre biggest rivals for his dominance 2007 US Open final 2011 semi-final Tennis has poured US$14 mil- showed that signs of match ma- court in the fi rst men’s semi- of recent years. zDjokovic was making his first appearance in zSuper-confident Djokovic went into the lion into its anti-corruption nipulation were “heavy and reg- fi nal at the Australian Open “These two guys made me the a Grand Slam final and had beaten Federer in tournament on the back of a 43-match winning body, which was set up in 2008 ularly occurring” in the sport’s yesterday. player I am today. I think these the Montreal Masters just weeks before. The run. Federer rolled back the years and won and has secured 18 convictions lower levels. At stake is a shot at history. rivalries have allowed me to Swiss legend was too strong for the 20-year- an exceptional 70-minute opening set in a tie- including six life bans, mainly Brook said the review would Both are bidding to equal Aus- grow ...and understand what it old Serb, winning in straight sets 7-6 (7/4), 7-6 break and then claimed the second set before involving obscure and low- also look at the practice of let- tralian Roy Emerson’s record of takes to be on the level that they (7/2), 6-4, but Djokovic led 6-5 in both the first the Serb took the third set and was serving for ranking players. The corruption ting betting companies sponsor six titles, set in the pre-Open are on,” he said. two sets and held five set points in the opening the fourth. The Swiss great fought back to take issue has consumed the Aus- tournaments, after the Austral- era, and their head-to-head “Roger always makes you set. Federer became the first man to win four the match in a tiebreak closing out in four sets tralian Open, the season’s fi rst ian Open caused controversy by count is tied at 22 wins apiece. play your best. My best is what successive US Opens since Bill Tilden 80 years 7-6 (7/5), 6-3, 3-6, 7-6 (7/5) with his 18th ace at Grand Slam tournament, with making a leading bookmaker its Federer, who has not won a is going to be necessary to win earlier, but it was a warning for the Swiss. 9:37 pm local time. some players revealing previous offi cial “wagering partner”. grand slam title since 2012 and against him.” lost fi ve of his eight matches Women’s champion Serena 2010 US Open semi-final 2014 Wimbledon final against Djokovic last year, is in Williams, bidding for her 22nd zFederer held two match points in the fifth zThe first Wimbledon final played between TODAY’S ORDER OF PLAY arguably the better form, drop- grand slam title, will have to set but couldn’t convert them. The Serb held, the two developed into an epic three-hour, ping just one set in fi ve matches overcome number four seed Ag- broke Federer’s serve, and then served it out to 56-minute dogfight. They split two tie-breaks ROD LAVER ARENA en route to his mouth-watering nieszka Radwanska in the fi rst win 5-7, 6-1, 5-7, 6-2, 7-5. Djokovic denied Feder- in the opening three sets before the Serb Men’s doubles semi-finals clash with the Serb. singles semi-fi nal at the Rod er what would have been a seventh successive opened a 5-2 lead in the fourth set. Federer Adrian Mannarino (France)/ Lucas Pouille (France) v 7-Jamie Murray Undisputed world number Laver Arena. final appearance at Flushing Meadows. saved championship point as Djokovic dropped (Britain)/ 7-Bruno Soares (Brazil) one Djokovic has dropped a set The number one seed has five straight games and the Swiss saved three Not before 0230 GMT more than the Swiss but has buried fears about her form and 2011 Australian Open semi-final break points at 3-4 but finally cracked in his Women’s singles semi-finals never lost in the semi-fi nals of fi tness beneath a run of domi- zThe match lasted three hours even though it next service game, as Djokovic won the title 1-Serena Williams (U.S.) v 4-Agnieszka Radwanska (Poland) the tournament. nating performances. She has comprised only three sets. Djokovic took the for a second time 6-7 (7/9), 6-4, 7-6 (7/4), 5-7, 7-Angelique Kerber (Germany) v Johanna Konta (Britain) Djokovic came back strongly not lost a set so far and barely first set in a tight tiebreaker. Federer raised his 6-4 to regain the world number one spot. He Not before 0830 GMT after making 100 unforced er- broke a sweat while vanquishing level to establish a 5-2 lead in the second set also prevented Federer from moving past Pete Men’s singles semi-finals rors against Frenchman Gilles number fi ve seed Maria Shara- but was unable to serve out the set and Djoko- Sampras with a record eighth Wimbledon title. 1-Novak Djokovic (Serbia) v 3-Roger Federer (Switzerland) Simon in the fourth round to pova in the quarter-fi nals.

FOCUS Agnieszka facing huge Serena hurdle

AFP “Nothing’s guaranteed in towards the end of the year, and charted territory for both play- Melbourne sports. I still have to win two already this year she’s been very ers. matches against potentially two consistent. She presents a com- Kerber upset two-time cham- extremely tough opponents,” she pletely diff erent game, an ex- pion Victoria Azarenka to make erena Williams has never said. Despite the overwhelming tremely exciting game. the last four and the renowned lost a semi-fi nal at the odds in Williams’ favour, fourth “So I think it will be a long fi ghter will be a handful for Kon- Australian Open and has seed Radwanska is upbeat af- match and it will be a good match ta, the fi rst British woman in a emerged a winner each ter a 13-match winning streak, to see where I am.” Grand Slam semi for 33 years. timeS she has faced Agnieszka including lifting the Shenzhen The two are friends off court The German’s confi dence is Radwanska, in worrying signs Open trophy this month. and the American said if Rad- high after encouragement from for the Pole ahead of their clash “I think it’s good, especially wanska won, she would wish her compatriot Steffi Graf to believe today. that I did semi-fi nals here and I well. in herself as she looks to reach a The pair face-off on Rod Laver won the tournament (Shenzhen) “I know Aga really well. She’s major fi nal for the fi rst time. Arena for a place in the fi nal of before,” she said of her form. a really nice girl. We always get “I’ll be going out there to win the year’s opening Grand Slam, “Couldn’t be better so far.” along,” she said. the match, to be aggressive, take with either Germany’s Angel- But the popular 26-year-old, “Whoever wins, we both de- my fi rst chances I can get,” she ique Kerber or British surprise who rarely shows emotion on serve to be in the fi nal. If she said. package Johanna Konta awaiting court, added: “Hopefully I can wins, I’ll be very happy for her. Kerber is yet to play Konta, whoever wins. play my best tennis or I’ll be in I’m sure she’ll feel the same the British world number 47 who The imposing American top trouble.” way.” failed to get through qualifying seed appears invincible after Williams has played Rad- The Pole said the experience last year but has since risen 100 crushing long-time rival Maria wanska played eight times since she gained from making the places in the rankings. Sharapova in the quarter-fi nals 2008, with the 34-year-old Wimbledon fi nal in 2012, along “She’s an amazing competi- as she steps up her quest to world number one winning the with three other major semis, tor. She’s showed time and time match Steffi Graf’s Open-era lot. Another ominous fact fac- would be crucial. again over the last numerous Grand Slam record of 22 titles. ing the Pole is that every time “Experience is very important years,” Konta said of Kerber, Her three major wins last year, Williams has got past the quar- in tennis. I’m happy to have that as she prepares for the biggest at the Australian and French ter-fi nals in Melbourne, she has and I’ll be ready for the semi,” match of her career. Opens and Wimbledon, left her gone on to win the tournament. she said. “I’m going to go out there, re- only one short on 21. But Wil- “It will be a good match,” said ally enjoy it and enjoy the bat- liams, a six-time winner at Mel- Williams, the defending cham- Uncharted territory tle and hopefully, play a good bourne Park, is not getting ahead pion. The winner will face Kerber or level and give the crowd a good of herself. “She’s been playing really well Konta in Saturday’s fi nal—un- match.” Poland’s Agnieszka Radwanska poses during Australia Day in Melbourne. (AFP) Gulf Times 10 Thursday, January 28, 2016 SPORT

HORSE RACING Ghazali charge My Sharona claims Umm Al Houl Cup

By Sports Reporter Doha

njaaz Stud’s My Sharona won her second straight fea- ture race this month when JP Guillambert rode the Jas- Isim Ghazali charge to victory in the Umm Al Houl Cup, a Class 1 Conditions race for Thor- oughbreds, at the Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club here yester- day. Three weeks ago, the six-year- old mare had beaten a similar fi eld over a kilometre-long Al Mafi ar Cup – Thoroughbred Sprint, to open the season with a victory. Yesterday, Ibrahim al-Malki’s Victory Laurel edged out Debbie Mountain-schooled Chilworth Icon to fi nish second behind My Sharona. Khalifa bin Sheail al-Kuwari’s Sandbetweenourtoes, who had fi nished second three weeks ago, was ridden to a fourth-place fi n- ish by Harry Bentley. The victory was Ghazali’s third of the day. Al Majd Stud’s Cappuccino Delight gave Ghazali his fi rst win of the day when the Suave fi lly picked up her second Thor- oughbred Handicap win this sea- son. Champion jockey Bentley was at the helm of the chestnut fi lly when she edged out Majed Seifeddine’s charge Front Run and Abdulaziz Jassim al-Boe- nain’s fi lly Farendole. Bentley-Ghazali combine picked up their second win in the Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club general manager Nasser Sherida al-Kaabi (right) with the winners of the Umm Al Houl Cup at the QREC yesterday. PICTURES: Juhaim seven-race card when The Smart One, owned by Jassim bin Ali al- schooled by Mohsen. RESULTS Ghazali. Attiyah, won the Class 4 Thor- In the fi rst race of the day, Race 5: 1. The Smart One (Harry oughbred Handicap event ahead Dhafi al-Marri’s Al Aayar shed Race 1: 1. Al Aayar (Marco Bentley), 2. Alsefra (Darren of Mountain-schooled Alsefra his maiden status on his sixth Monteriso), 2. Meqdam Al Zaidy Williams), 3. New Pearl (Adrie and Zuhair Mohsen’s charge New attempt when he won the Local (Evert Pheiff er), 3. Hijran (Dilshad de Vries), 4. Go For Broke (Yanis Pearl. Purebred Arabian Maiden Plate Alam), 4. Assil Al Shajaa (Yanis Aouabed). Won by: Nk, 0.75. 0.5. HH Sheikh Mohamed bin Kha- event. Aouabed). Won by: 2.5, 2.5, 5. Time: 1:04.32. Owner: Jassim lifa al-Thani’s Ba’sil also raced Jockey Marco Monteriso rode Time: 1:34.11. Owner: Dhafi al-Ardi bin Ali al-Attiyah. Trainer: Jassim to his second victory this month four-year-old colt to a two-and- al-Marri. Trainer: Dhafi al-Marri. Mohamed Ghazali. when the Julian Smart-trained a-half length victory ahead of Race 2: 1. Pipe Bomb (Adrie de Race 6: 1. Ba’sil (Harry Bentley), Amer colt beat Zakhir Stud’s Sheikh Faisal bin Hamad bin Jas- Vries), 2. Izghawa (Cedric 2. Zameer (Pier Convertino), 3. Zameer for a win in the Pure- sim al-Thani’s Meqdam Al Zaidy al-Boenain. Trainer: Zuhair AJS Qahir (Gerald Avranche), 4. bred Arabian Conditions event. and Umm Qarn’s Hijran. Mohsen. Maksab (JP Guillambert). Won Al Jeryan Stud’s AJS Qahir was Also winning on his sixth out- Race 3: 1. Vit’Al Fauquey (Cedric by: Hd, 1.5, 3.5. Time: 1:18.73. third. ing in Doha was Pipe Bomb, a bay Segeon), 2. Kaydoum (Faleh Owner: HH Sheikh Mohamed bin Cedric Segeon rode Vit’Al Fau- colt owned by Abdulaziz Jassim Bughanaim), 3. Khattab (Darren Khalifa al-Thani. Trainer: Julian quey to her fi rst win since Janu- al-Boenain. Williams), 4. Fiteen (Pier Con- Smart. ary 2013, when the Osama Omar The Zuhair Mohsen-trained vertino). Won by: 4, 1, 1.75. Time: Race 7: 1. My Sharona (JP Guil- al-Dhafa’s mare emerged vic- colt fi nished half a length ahead 2:07.31. Owner: Osama Omar lambert), 2. Victory Laurel (Adrie torious in the Purebred Arabian of another Sheikh Faisal-owned al-Dhafea. Trainer: O. al-Dhafea. de Vries), 3. Chilworth Icon (Dar- Handicap event. horse, Izghawa, a three-year-old Race 4: 1. Cappuccino Delight, ren Williams), 4. Sandbetwee- Amer progeny Kaydoum, fi lly trained by Ibrahim al-Malki. 2. Front Run, 3. Farendole, 4. nouttoes (Harry Bentley). Won trained by H al-Jehani, fi nished Ahmed Hassan al-Malki al- Makinson Lane. Won by: Hd, 1, by: 2.5, Hd, 0.75. Time: 1:10.99. second in the 1800m dirt event Jehani’s Dubawi Coast fi nished 1.5. Time: 1:56.66. Owner: Al Majd Owner: Injaaz Stud. Trainer: Jockey JP Guillambert rides Injaaz Stud’s My Sharona to victory in the Umm Al Houl Cup at the Qatar Racing ahead of half-brother Khattab, third. Stud. Trainer: Jassim Mohamed Jassim Ghazali. and Equestrian Club yesterday.

CYCLING PSG football stars in international promotional campaign for Aspetar A number of players from French club Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) have been given starring roles in a recently recorded promotional video that shines a spotlight on the unique care and medical serv- Tour of Qatar in professional ices provided by Aspetar, the world’s leading specialised orthopae- dic and sports medicine hospital. The video was produced during Paris Saint-Germain’s winter train- ing camp, recently held in Doha, and was launched on January 12 on Aspetar’s off icial website, www.aspetar.com, its YouTube channel live coverage by beIN SPORTS and across all its social media platforms. To date, the campaign has received more than 14 million views in the 10 days in Middle East, By Sports Reporter Africa and Europe. Doha The promotional video features Paris Saint-Germain players including Lucas Moura, Serge Aurier, Thiago Motta, Maxwell and Jean-Kévin Augustin. It provides an overview of the remarkable eIN SPORTS channels are gear- range of medical services provided to the club through Aspetar’s ing up to cover the 8th edition of three-year-partnership with Paris Saint-Germain which runs to the Tour of Qatar for women which end of the 2016/2017 season. Two of those players featured in the will be held from February 2 to 5 film – the Brazilian right winger Lucas Moura and Ivorian right back andb the 15th for men which will be held Serge Aurier – have recently benefited directly from these medical from the February 8 to 12. services after receiving treatment for injuries sustained during the beIN SPORTS will cover the unique 2015 football season. In the film, the players experience the care of event providing live coverage in both lan- Aspetar’s international experts in terms of medical check-ups and guages English and Arabic commentary comprehensive screening. In addition, they highlight the benefits seeking to off er the best for its viewers and of access to Aspetar’s world-class facilities and praise the hospital’s special coverage will feature a daily sum- eff orts to provide comprehensive health care services designed to mary that reviews the most important support the players’ development. stages and sheds the light on participating The hospital provides its medical and scientific capabilities to enable teams and the leaders in addition to exclu- athletes to train and compete at their maximum potential, and has sive interviews with the sports stars. become an ideal destination for the provision of medical services Tour of Qatar this year consists of to international sports events, athletes and clubs from around the four women’s stages while the men’s has world. been reduced to be fi ve only instead of six stages and 15 teams will participate in the Women’s Tour while 18 teams will in the men’s. The fi nal day of the men’s Tour which will be on the February 12, beIN SPORTS will dedicate an analytic studio that reviews the race course and discusses deeply all the details related to the participating teams and the crowned champions. beIN SPORTS network promises to provide unique digital coverage via in- watch this event on smartphones, be- is just the beginning of a series of an im- the international federation, stating the ternet and social media. Where the dig- sides to following up all the news mo- portant coverage of the sport, in which importance of enrolling Tour of Qatar ital coverage provided by the network ment by moment on beIN SPORTS social the ‘Qatar Cycling Federation’ shall be in the International Federation calendar on its offi cial website and pages, fi nds media pages and accounts; Facebook, organizing the world championship later and to be part of Pro Tour, which shall be high turnout by those who can’t watch twitter and Instagram. this year. As well as, ‘Qatar Cycling Fed- taking eff ect from next year 2017 instead the Tour on Television; as they can now The coverage of Tour of Qatar this year eration’ has applied an offi cial request to of the current Tour . Gulf Times Thursday, January 28, 2016 11 GOLF

FOCUS SPOTLIGHT Former DGC DeChambeau member shines on shoots for the skies European Tour debut

By Sports Reporter with Qatari duo Doha ormer Doha Golf Club member Clarke Lutton (pictured) enjoyed a stunning start ‘I talked a bit about my game and experience, and they gave me some tips about the course’ to his European Tour debut yesterday by shooting a four-under-par 68 in the fi rst Fround of the US$2.5 million Commercial Bank Qa- tar Masters. Lutton, who hails from Aberdeen in Scotland, was 13 when his family moved to Qatar and joined Doha Golf Club, where the teenager fi rst picked up the game. In 2008, he won the club championship and af- ter a decade living in Doha, he moved to Dubai. Last October, Lutton won his fi rst MENA Golf Tour title with a wire-to-wire win at the Golf Citi- zen Classic at The Els Club, Dubai, where he’s cur- rently a member. Lutton, 27, was later off ered a sponsor’s invite to the 19th Commercial Bank Qatar Masters and again made the most of his local knowledge by fi nishing the day level with the likes of four-time Major win- ner Ernie Els. “I grew up here, fi rst swung a golf club here and watched this tournament for years. It has been my favourite tournament to watch, so it’s good to fi nal- ly play it,” said Lutton, who has previously shot a 65 at Doha Golf Club. “I only felt at ease on my second shot, because the fi rst shot was a bit nerve racking, if I’m hon- est. After that, it was a good, steady round. I played pretty consistently out there and had lots of fun.” Lutton, who also plays on the Asian Development Tour, carded birdies on one, four, nine, 10 and 16, recording his only bogey at 14. He’s now hoping he can maintain his momentum on day two. “The wind can fairly blow around here so I was quite happy to get a good, solid round in. Hopefully it doesn’t blow too hard tomorrow, but it’s forecast to get stronger and stronger. We’ll see how it goes,” he said. “The dream is to be playing on the Euro- pean Tour week in, week out.”

Reigning US Amateur Championship winner Bryson DeChambeau (left) met Qatari amateurs Ali al-Shahrani and Saleh al-Kaabi at The St. Regis Doha yesterday.

By Sports Reporter Last year, DeChambeau made history when ling trajectories and ball fl ight. If you’re able tar coach Mike Elliot. Doha he became only the fi fth player to win the US to do that and gauge how much the wind is Al-Shahrani fi rst played in the Commer- Amateur and NCAA Division I individual ti- aff ecting it based it on the height of the ball, cial Bank Qatar Masters in 2012 when he was tle in one season, a feat previously achieved you’ll be fi ne, so that’s what I’m going to try only 17. After further appearances in 2014 and eigning US Amateur Championship by only Jack Nicklaus (1961), Phil Mickelson and do. last year, he’s looking forward to again test- winner Bryson DeChambeau gave (1990), Tiger Woods (1996) and Ryan Moore “I like numbers and understanding how ing himself against The European Tour’s fi n- leading Qatari amateurs Ali al-Shah- (2004). things happen and work, so hopefully if I get est, but will miss Elliot, who left on Monday rani and Saleh al-Kaabi an insight “It was fun to talk to Bryson as we know out there and I can fi gure it out pretty quickly, night to compete in the European Seniors Tour intoR top-fl ight golf in a lively exchange on the about his big wins in the USA and that he’s I’ll be fi ne.” qualifying school in Portugal. beachfront of The St. Regis Doha ahead of this now travelling the world to play in pro events. DeChambeau’s scientifi c mind and desire to “I’m feeling good about my form. I’ve been week’s Commercial Bank Qatar Masters. He’s an interesting guy and we learned a lot. understand the essentials of the golf swing led practising a lot the last couple of months, The talkative DeChambeau, 22, is mak- We also told him about golf in Qatar and Doha him to conclude that he could develop a more playing quite a bit, so I’m ready,” al-Shahrani ing his tournament debut in the US$2.5 mil- Golf Club, our home course, and some of the consistent golf swing if his irons were all the said. “I’m not really worried about anything lion European Tour event, while Shahrani and best ways to play holes when it gets windy,” same length, a rare sight in professional golf because this is my home course, so I know Kaabi, both 21, are each competing for the al-Kaabi said. and of interest to both Qatari golfers. everything about it. I just hope I play really fourth time as they continue to try to forge a DeChambeau’s US Amateur victory earned “Back in 2011, I was reading this book called well and I make the cut, although for sure, I’m new path for Qatari golf. him starts in this year’s fi rst three Majors-- The Golfi ng Machine and I was swinging on going to miss my coach,” he added with a big DeChambeau, arguably the world’s most the Masters Tournament, US Open and The a certain plane, called the zero-shifting mo- smile. famous amateur golfer, met the Qatari duo at Open Championship. tion. That led me to understand that it would Fans at the Commercial Bank Qatar Mas- The St. Regis Doha’s private beach, where the However, after grabbing the fi rst-round be too diffi cult to hit it with a wedge and also a ters can also watch Jin Cheng, China’s top trio chatted, watched each other swing and lead in Abu Dhabi last Thursday with an three-iron, and that I’d be swinging my body amateur, make his Doha debut less than three even had a discussion about the American’s eight-under-par 64, he’s currently focused on in essentially 14 diff erent ways with 14 diff er- months before he competes in the Masters at unusual set of irons, which are all the same conquering the Doha Golf Club in the second ent clubs,” DeChambeau said. Augusta National. The teenager earned his length. event of The European Tour’s ‘desert swing’. “So I decided to cut those numbers down spot at the year’s fi rst Major by winning the “I looked at the entry list for the Commer- “The course at Doha Golf Club is incredible and try to make it so I only have three or four seventh Asia-Pacifi c Amateur Championship cial Bank Qatar Masters before I arrived and I and in great shape, so I’m looking forward to swings, and really try to get it where there’s in Hong Kong last October. saw that there were only fi ve. I saw the names it. The greens are great and the fairways are only one swing, so we made my irons all the Indian Rayhan Thomas, 16, is also among of the two Qatari players, so it’s great to meet awesome. The rough isn’t up as much as it was same length and lie angle, and it’s worked out the fi ve amateurs in the fi eld. The Dubai- Ali and Saleh today. I talked a bit about my last week, so it’s going to be a bit more play- so far.” based teen earning his place by winning this game and experience, and they gave me some able, but the wind is going to toss us in for a Despite their tender years, al-Shahrani and month’s Qatar Open at Doha Golf Club, where tips about the course, which was very useful!” little bit of a loop,” DeChambeau said. al-Kaabi have fl own the fl ag for Qatari golf in al-Kaabi and al-Shahrani fi nished seventh DeChambeau said. “When the wind gets up, it’s about control- recent years, under the guidance of Team Qa- and 11th respectively.

BOTTOMLINE Fift y One East continues partnership with Qatar Masters

By Sports Reporter Masters reaffi rms the company’s continued support of Darwish Doha commitment towards the coun- Holding entities all of whom con- try’s sports events, and one of the tribute towards making this tourna- most prestigious tournaments that ment experience unique. Our long- ifty One East, Darwish attracts golf fans from across the standing Qatari partners are what Holding’s signature retail region. Darwish Holding and Fifty help set this event apart from the brand, has confi rmed its One East consistently strive to sup- rest. The Commercial Bank Qatar continued partnership with port activities that have a positive Masters has become an internation- theF Commercial Bank Qatar Mas- impact on the environment, society ally recognised tournament attract- ters, Qatar’s fl agship golf event. The and nation.” ing golf fans to Qatar,” said Abdulla 2016 Commercial Bank Qatar Mas- Ricoh’s involvement with golf Saleh al-Raisi, CEO of tournament ters sees Fifty One East return as extends to several tournaments title sponsor Commercial Bank. the Offi cial Retailer of the four-day around the world including the Since 1998, the prestigious Qatar European Tour event, which is cur- Commercial Bank Qatar Masters Masters golf tournament has been rently being held at Doha Golf Club for the second year running. At the hosted by Doha Golf Club, held at and will conclude on January 30. event, the renowned brand has in- the beginning of each year as part Fifty One East has been sup- stalled its top of the range products of The European Tour. The annual porting the Qatar Masters since the to provide the tournament with tournament is organised by the Qa- inaugural edition in 1998 and will its impressive printing solutions. tar Golf Association, Qatar Olympic continue to partner with the tour- FNAC is present in the Public Vil- Committee and Commercial Bank. nament as the Offi cial Retailer until lage throughout the tournament The 2016 Commercial Bank Qatar 2018 alongside Technology Partner and will be running competitions Masters will again feature a fi eld Ricoh and ticketing partner FNAC. and providing fans and visitors with full of established champions and Darwish Holding chairman and many exclusive and attractive of- up-and-comers, with a total prize managing director Bader al-Dar- fers. FNAC store is located at the money of USD 2.5 million up for wish said: “Our extended sponsor- Lagoona Mall. grabs along with valuable ranking ship of the Commercial Bank Qatar “It is our pleasure to have the points.

Thursday, January 28, 2016 GULF TIMES GOLF

COMMERCIAL BANK QATAR MASTERS FOCUS Oosthuizen gets Lawrie stays in hunt for off to a quick start Qatar treble

By Satya Rath you’re guaranteed to do well if it’s Doha blowing, it’s not like that. It’s still pretty tough out there and there are a lot of good players in the n the 18-year history of the fi eld, many of whom enjoy play- Commercial Bank Qatar ing in windy conditions like me. for joint lead Masters, only two men have But I always feel kind of pretty won the annual European comfortable when it’s blowing a ITour event twice—Adam Scott wee bit.” Larrazabal also returns with a bogey-free 65 to join the South African at the top and Paul Lawrie. The Scot’s victory at the 1999 While Australian Scott won Open Championship is part of in 2002 and 2008, Scotland’s golfi ng folklore, as he resurged Lawrie fi rst won it in 1999 and from 10 strokes behind with a then most recently in 2012. fi nal round 67 to book a place in Yesterday, after the fi rst round the four-hole play-off , and then of the 2016 CBQM at the Doha birdied the fi nal two holes to beat Golf Club here, Lawrie put him- Frenchman Jean Van de Velde self in a comfortable position to and 1997 Open Champion Justin go for a third title in Qatar with a Leonard to take the Claret Jug. fi ve-under 67. It was a fi ne recov- The following years were a mix ery by the 47-year-old Scot after of highs and lows for Lawrie. His he opened his round with a hor- next win came two years later, rendous bogie. in 2001 at the inaugural Alfred Lawrie, who rates the DGC Dunhill Links Championship at course among his most favourite St Andrews. After a long winless ones, believes his game is per- stretch, he enjoyed something of fectly suited to windy conditions a renaissance in 2011 and 2012, that are normally a norm at this winning three times to claim a time of the year. The Scot sits place in the 2012 European Ryder just two shots off the lead held by Cup team. Louis Oosthuizen and Pablo Lar- He is now actively involved in razabal, who both shot 65s. promoting the game at the grass Lawrie, who won the Open roots through the Paul Lawrie Championship on a wild Foundation. Last year he hosted Carnoustie in 1999, the same his own European Tour event, the year he won his fi rst Qatar Mas- Saltire Energy Paul Lawrie Match ters title, believes he has the at- Play at Murcar Links. tributes to conquer the elements With just three top-10 fi nishes in Doha. since 2012, Lawrie is looking to “I am happy knocking it regain his form and the way the down,” he said. “I am happy hit- 47-year-old played his Qatar ting fi ve-iron 160 yards into kind Masters campaign yesterday, it of a strong breeze. I’ve always looks like he’s on the right track. been able to do it, stick the ball a “I always enjoy playing here. bit further back in the stance and I’ve had a lot of good rounds take a bit of speed off it. here, a lot of success, won twice, “It’s not rocket science,” he and had quite a few good weeks added, “So I kind of quite enjoy here over the years. The best doing that. I quite enjoy ma- thing about this course is, it has noeuvring the ball and kind of not changed much over the years. shaping the ball. So when it’s like It has always been windy, and the this, sometimes, I kind of get a scoring has always been pretty bit out of it. You’ve got to shape good despite the tough condi- the ball around here. The pins tions because the course is al- are sometimes quite tight. The ways in great condition,” he said. greens are pretty fi rm. “I feel really good after my “You’ve got to be able to con- round today. It was good recovery trol the fl ight of your ball really after a bad start and I think I’m not South Africa’s Louis Oosthuizen tees off from the tenth hole during the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters first round at Doha Golf Club yesterday. well around here, which I’ve al- far away from a good result. Hope- ways been able to do. It’s not fully this will be a good week for By Satya Rath managed to stay bogey-free. There were a after breaking his ankle while surfi ng last LEADING ROUND I SCORES something that I’ve ever really me,” Lawrie, currently ranked a Doha couple of occasions where it looked like I year, aggregates an impressive 42-under 65: Pablo Larrazábal (ESP), Louis Oosthui- worked on. I’m not saying that distant 316 in the world, added. was going to make bogeys, but I managed stat in Doha, having come close to win- zen (RSA) to recover. Overall, I think I played pretty ning the title the last three years before 66: Bjorn Akesson (SWE), Nicolas Col- ouis Oosthuizen carries an envia- solid today,” he said after the day’s play. fading away in the fi nal round. He im- saerts (BEL), Andrew Johnston (ENG) ble reputation on the professional He added that he enjoys playing in the proved that aggregate to 47 yesterday 67: Tommy Fleetwood (ENG), Ricardo tour. Wherever he plays his fi rst wind. “I like playing in windy conditions, with a 67. Two bogeys spoiled what could Gouveia (POR), Paul Lawrie (SCO), Rafael event of the year, the 33-year-old and I think there was a fair bit of it on the have been a great day for the South Afri- Cabrera (ESP), Thorbjorn Olesen (DEN), Linvariably goes on to win that tourna- course today. But there’s forecast of even can, who hit seven birdies. Grégory Bourdy (FRA), Kristoff er Broberg ment. This has happened on four occa- stronger winds for the weekend rounds, “I’ve always enjoyed playing on this (SWE), George Coetzee (RSA) sions in the last fi ve seasons. and then it can get really diffi cult.” course. It feels nice to come here after 68: Trevor Immelman (RSA), Ernie Els The 2016 Commercial Bank Qatar Oosthuizen also likes the DGC course, a long holiday and post a good number. (RSA), Lucas Bjerregaard (DEN), Bernd Masters is, incidentally, the world No. which he says suits his style of play. “In Hopefully it will be a good week. Just Wiesberger (AUT), Brett Rumford (AUS), 18’s fi rst event of the year, and true to his fact, I like playing in the desert. I always those couple of loose shots out there, Clarke Lutton (SCO), Thongchai Jaidee reputation he was sitting pretty at the play well around here, and I particularly but otherwise I am happy with my play. (THA), Callum Shinkwin (ENG), Robert top after the fi rst round, thanks to an un- like this course. I like hitting long, and I actually feel like I’m playing better Rock (ENG), Michael Hoey (NIR) blemished 65 on a windy Doha Golf Club this course gives you plenty of opportu- than I did before. I did make some minor 69: Ben Evans (ENG), Lee Slattery (ENG), course yesterday. nity thanks to its long and wide fairways.” changes to my swing just before the ankle Kiradech Aphibarnrat (THA), Rhys Davies Sharing the top spot with the South There were no bogeys on Larrazabal’s injury, and I think it is working fi ne,” said (WAL), Marcus Fraser (AUS), Jorge Campillo African was another 33-year-old, Pablo card either. The Spaniard too opened with Coetzee. (ESP), Thomas Bjorn (DEN), Roope Kakko Larrazabal of Spain, the world No. 136 too back-to-back birdies and, after a run of Lawrie, a two-time champion in Doha, (FIN), Marcel Siem (GER), Maximilian Kieff er returning a fl awless 65. fi ve straight pars, made two more on the opened with a bogey but recovered well, (GER), Johan Carlsson (SWE), Alexander A shot off the lead, at six-under, sit eighth and ninth to turn in at 32. He made sinking six birdies on the sixth, seventh Norén (SWE), Jens Fahrbring (SWE) Belgian Nicolas Colsaerts, Bjorn Akesson it three in a row on the 10th and further and ninth, and on the 10th, 16th and 17th 70: Pelle Edberg (SWE), Branden Grace of Sweden and England’s Andrew John- birdies on the 12th and 16th ensured he on the return. “Overall happy,” said the (RSA), Joost Luiten (NED), Soren Kjeldsen ston. Eight players—Spain’s Rafa Cabre- stays on track for what could be second 47-year-old Scot, who won here in 1999 (DEN), Álvaro Quirós (ESP), Sergio García ra-Bello, George Coetzee of South Af- win in the Gulf following his 2014 victory and 2012. “I think I recovered well af- (ESP), Wade Ormsby (AUS), Nathan Hol- rica, Portugal’s Ricardo Gouveia, Swede at the Abu Dhabi Championship. ter that bogey start. I missed a couple of man (AUS), James Morrison (ENG) Kristoff er Broberg, Tommy Fleetwood of “Yeah, feel happy with my round today. putts, but otherwise it was a good day.” 71: Daniel Brooks (ENG), Tyrrell Hatton England, Denmark’s Thorbjorn Olesen, I think I hit really well. Barring one, on the England’s 23-year-old Callum Shink- (ENG), Bradley Dredge (WAL), Peter Gregory Bourdy of France and two-time 13th, I hit 17 greens in regulation, which is win, playing just his 10th European Tour Uihlein (USA), David Lipsky (USA), Richie Qatar Masters champion Paul Lawrie of great under these conditions. I put myself event, set the early pace in the morning Ramsay (SCO), David Drysdale (SCO), Ig- Scotland—were a further shot back at in a lot of birdie chances and that was the as he turned in 30 thanks to a run of four nacio Elvira (ESP), Joachim Hansen (DEN), fi ve-under. key today. This course is always challeng- birdies from the 15th, before a double bo- Mikko Ilonen (FIN), Benjamin Hébert Oosthuizen, who narrowly missed out ing, but today I think the wind wasn’t that gey on the second slowed his progress. He (FRA), Grégory Havret (FRA), Edouard on the title here in 2009, kept his ‘fast bad. Let’s hope I manage to play this way recovered by picking a shot back up on Espana (FRA), Niclas Fasth (SWE), Haydn starter’ reputation intact with a sizzling over the next three days,” said Larrazabal, the fourth before bogeying the ninth to Porteous (RSA), Magnus Carlsson (SWE) round. He opened with back-to-back who won his fourth European Tour title sit at four-under. Playing partner Rob- 72: Joakim Lagergren (SWE), Trevor Fish- birdies after starting from the 10th, and last year at the BMW International Open ert Rock was also four-under alongside er (RSA), Brandon Stone (RSA), Hennie had further gains on the 16th and 18th. in Germany. Dubai-based Scot Clarke Lutton. Otto (RSA), Paul McGinley (IRL), Michaël The trend continued on the return with The big-hitting Colsaerts, one of the Thai veteran Thongchai Jaidee and Lorenzo-Vera (FRA), Julien Quesne (FRA), birdies on the fi rst, sixth and ninth cap- heroes of Europe’s victory at the 2012 2005 champion Ernie Els of South Africa, Raphaël Jacquelin (FRA), Mikko Korho- ping a good day at the offi ce for him. Ryder Cup, added to his birdies on the who hit 18 greens in regulation, played nen (FIN), Jin Cheng (CHN), Eduardo De Oosthuizen, playing his fi rst event of par-fi ve fi rst, ninth, 10th and 18th with alongside Oosthuizen and they both also La Riva (ESP), Borja Virto (ESP), Andrew the season after an eight-week break, further gains on the sixth and 14th for a signed for 68s along with Els’ compatriot Dodt (AUS), Scott Hend (AUS), Stephen said he could not have asked for a better six-under 66. Trevor Immelman and Michael Hoey of Gallacher (SCO), Prom Meesawat (THA), opening-day start. “The best thing is I Coetzee, who is on a comeback trail Northern Ireland. Richard Bland (ENG), Oliver Wilson (ENG) Paul Lawrie in action yesterday. PICTURE: Jayaram

TEE TIME PLAYERS TEE TIME PLAYERS TEE TIME PLAYERS 1 06:30 Borja Virto Astudillo, Tyrrell Hatton, Scott Jamieson 10 07:00 Paul Lawrie, Robert karlsson, John Daly 1 11:50 Ernie Els, Louis Oosthuizen, Thongchai jaidee 1 06:40 James Morrison, Mikko Ilonen, Grégory Bourdy 10 07:10 Thomas Bjorn, Brandon Stone, Lucas Bjerregaard 1 12:00 David Howell, Marcel Siem, Nathan Holman 1 06:50 Roope Kakko, Brett Rumford, Richie Ramsay 10 07:20 Bernd Wiesberger, Haydn Porteous, Thomas Pieters 1 12:10 Magnus A Carlsson, Maximilian Kieff er, Trevor Fisher Jnr 1 07:00 Thorbjørn Olesen, Fabrizio Zanotti, Marc Warren 10 07:30 Matthew Fitzpatrick, Branden Grace, Sergio Garcia 1 12:20 Michael Hoey, Ben Evans, Daniel Brooks 1 07:10 Graeme Storm, Raphaël Jacquelin, Gary Stal 10 07:40 Peter Hanson, Alejandro Canizares, Joost Luiten 10 10:50 Mike Lorenzo-Vera, Matthew Baldwin, Joachim B. Hansen 1 07:20 Scott Hend, Paul McGinley, Robert Dinwiddie 10 07:50 Bradley Dredge, Eddie Pepperell, Mike Weir 10 11:00 Sebastien Gros, Clarke Lutton, Andrew McArthur 1 07:30 Jin Jeong, Oliver Wilson, Matteo Manassero 10 08:00 Ali Saleh al-Kaabi (AM), James Busby 10 11:10 Pablo Larrazabal, Ashun Wu, Stephen Gallacher 1 07:40 Morten Ørum Madsen, Jamie McLeary, David Drysdale 10 08:10 Oliver Fisher, Romain Wattel, Pelle Edberg 10 11:20 Dominic Foos, Wade Ormsby, Johan Carlsson 1 07:50 Jens Fahrbring, Renato Paratore, Andrew Johnston 1 10:50 Callum Shinkwin, Robert Rock, Ulrich Van Den Berg 10 11:30 Simon Dyson, Jorge Campillo, John Parry 1 08:00 Hennie Otto, Joakim Lagergren, Nacho Elvira 1 11:00 Peter Uihlein, Alexander Levy, Simon Khan 10 11:40 Seve Benson, Ricardo Gouveia, Benjamin Hebert 1 08:10 Björn Akesson, Edouard Espana, Ali al-Shahrani (AM) 1 11:10 Eduardo De La Riva, Gary Boyd, Bryson DeChambeau (AM) 10 11:50 George Coetzee, Steve Webster, Andrew Dodt 10 06:30 Alex Noren, Julien Quesne, Chris Paisley 1 11:20 Darren Fichardt, Trevor Immelman, Alvaro Quiros 10 12:00 Rhys Davies, Nicolas Colsaerts, Grégory Havret

Round 2 tee times Round 10 06:40 Lee Slattery, David Lipsky, Cheng Jin (AM) 1 11:30 Kristoff er Broberg, Rafa Cabrera-Bello, Tommy Fleetwood 10 12:10 Craig Lee, Niclas Fasth, Felipe Aguilar 10 06:50 Marcus fraser, Prom Meesawat, Richard Bland 1 11:40 Soren Kjeldsen, Kiradech Aphibarnrat, Chris Wood 10 12:20 Mikko Korhonen, Thomas Linard, Rayhan Thomas (AM)