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Wednesday, January 9, 2019 FOOTBALL Jumada I 3, 1440 AH stun Vietnam GULF TIMES with late Adnan free kick SPORT Page 2 FOOTBALL / AFC ASIAN CUP QATAR VS LEBANON, 7PM DAKAR RALLY Loeb wins Sanchez backs second stage, De Villiers leads Reuters I’m getting a good feeling back, young Qatar squad Lima, Peru because I’ve only done about 100km of testing since the Dakar last year. ine times world cham- “I’m not quite at the same level pion Sebastien Loeb as last year, but it’s working well won the second stage of for the moment”. the Dakar Rally in the Qatar’s overnight leader Nass- NPeruvian desert yesterday, with er Al-Attiyah, who is driving a ahead of opener South African Giniel De Villiers Toyota, opened the road for the taking the overall lead for his rest and dropped back to eighth Toyota team. place, nearly three and a half Qatar will open their AFC Asian Cup campaign against Lebanon today De Villiers, the 2009 Dakar minutes adrift of De Villiers. champion, leads teammate Spaniard Carlos Sainz, the Bernhard ten Brinke by 28 sec- defending champion, was sixth onds with Spaniard Nani Roma overall and lost time with two third in a Mini, 42 seconds off punctures. the pace after the 342km timed Argentine driver Orlando Ter- stage from Pisco to San Juan de ranova, driving a Mini 4x4, retired Marcona. after crashing out halfway through Loeb had started the day 13th the stage. The former stage winner and ended it in fi fth place, one was taken to hospital for checks minute and 56 seconds off the after suff ering back pain. lead but with his 11th career stage Stephane Peterhansel, a record win on the Dakar — even if he 13 times Dakar winner, lost some was almost reeled in by Roma at 15 minutes after a lengthy stop in the fi nish. the dunes during the stage before “In the end, it was a good Mini teammate Cyril Despres strategy, because it was advan- came to the rescue. tageous for us to start behind “We started with some elec- the leaders, even if we were a bit trical problems inside the car: no further back than we would have microphones, no air-condition- liked,” said the Frenchman. ing, no wipers, nothing was OK. I “It was a good special (stage) lost my concentration a little bit, with no major mistakes. I and after I got stuck in a really thought the pace was good. bad place,” said the Frenchman.

Peugeot driver Sebastien Loeb and co-driver Daniel Elena in action during the ongoing Dakar Rally 2019. (AFP)

Nasser al-Attiyah is ‘clear favourite’ for 2019 Dakar: Sainz Qatar players take part in a training session in Al Ain on the eve of their AFC Asian Cup match against Lebanon yesterday. PICTURES: Fadi al-Assaad Autosport AFC ment in 2000 and, while coach Lima Al Ain, “Now they’re in Miodrag Radulovic is delighted the fi rst team to be leading the country to and it’s a group the Finals, he stressed his team arlos Sainz says early atar coach Felix of – in my point would not be overawed by the Dakar leader Nasser Sanchez is confi dent of view – very occasion or the Qataris. Cal-Attiyah has emerged his young squad can talented players “Everybody in Lebanese foot- as a “clear favourite” from the match the best in the with the qualities ball is dreaming about this com- first 84 competitive kilometres continentQ as they kick off their petition for 20 years and we’re to compete and of this year’s event. AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 cam- play in Asia, and proud that we’re in this com- Al-Attiyah made light work of paign against Lebanon in Group of course we want pany,” he said. “We’re living the the opening stage of the 2019 E in Al Ain’s Hazza bin Zayed to be here to try to dreams of the players and the Dakar, running second through “Although it is true that last Stadium today. compete against football fans of Lebanon. the dunes behind Sainz before year he made a couple of Sanchez’s squad is one of the everyone,” “We’re in a strong group, but catching the Spaniard’s Mini mistakes and showed that he is most youthful among the 24 na- Qatar coach Felix my players are ready to give a Buggy with around 15 kilome- not infallible in this terrain.” tions represented at the tourna- Sanchez said. good performance and we will tres to go. The Qatari driver claimed that ment, with seven of the players be fi ghting for each point and The Toyota driver will take a he too wasn’t pushing 100% who have travelled to the United each goal. Our focus is on the 1m59s lead into the second on his way to the first stage Arab Emirates having graduated fi rst game. It’s a very important stage. win, with his focus on his own from the side that won the 2014 game. Not decisive, but impor- While admitting that he’s hap- pace rather than Sainz and the AFC U19 Championship in My- tant. I know very well what to pier running behind al-Attiyah, chasing pack. anmar. expect from such a level but I’m Sainz says the first day of run- “Today was a good day. We And with the country contin- sure my players will have the ning proved just how diff icult won the stage [but] we didn’t uing to build towards their host- possibility and the quality to both the experienced dune really push,” he said. ing of the FIFA World Cup in make a performance and we are racer and the Toyota HiLux will “I’m happy with the car and 2022, Sanchez believes the AFC ready for tomorrow’s game. be to beat on outright pace. the BF Goodrich tyre, it’s a new Asian Cup will be the perfect “Qatar is really a very good “The section has been similar tyre for this Dakar. It looks like proving ground for his players. and play in Asia, and of course be drawn on his side’s expecta- going to face in the competition, team, I made a good analysis of to the area we did last year at it’s going really well. “There is a group of players we want to be here to try to com- tions at this year’s tournament to compete and compete well them. They have built a team this stage, so we knew what we “I caught Carlos in the last 15 that played in (AFC U-19 Cham- pete against everyone. as he declared his squad fully fi t and get results. for the world championship, were going to find,” said Sainz. kilometres, but I stayed behind pionship) some years ago and “But we’re going to focus and for the Finals. “How far we will reach is they have very good balance “We have been calm, since him. had a good achievement,” said we can’t look further than the “Everyone is fi ne and ready to diffi cult to say, but I’m quite in the team, they have the best we did not want to open [the “I just needed to keep my the Spaniard, who coached the game against Lebanon because play,” he said. “We know Leba- sure that this group of players player of Asia in the team and second stage]. speed, because it doesn’t U-19 team and also worked with this competition is a few games non. We saw them playing, we are able to compete against all the Spanish coach is a long time “[Tuesday] is already a day to change, one minute or 10 the country’s U-23 squad before and you need to be OK in all of know their strengths and we teams in Asia and it is time to with the players. But also we are push. But the truth is that I see seconds, it’s the same. taking over the senior side. them.” know it will be a hard game and show they have the quality and together almost four years and the Toyotas quite strong. “The plan was to just make “Now they’re in the fi rst team Qatar have twice reached the we’re only focused on that. ability to do well.” we built a good team. We have “Al-Attiyah is the clear favour- good speed. I saw I won the and it’s a group of – in my point quarter-fi nals of the AFC Asian “We’re going to try to show Lebanon will be appearing at our system and we have tacti- ite, he is in the courtyard of his stage with a good time, and I’m of view – very talented players Cup – in 2000 and on home soil that we’re able to compete the AFC Asian Cup for the fi rst cal discipline and I’m optimistic house. happy.” with the qualities to compete in 2011 – but Sanchez refused to against all the Asian teams we’re time since hosting the tourna- about tomorrow’s game.” Gulf Times 2 Wednesday, January 9, 2019 FOOTBALL

AFC ASIAN CUP SPOTLIGHT Lippi says Iraq stun Vietnam facing striker crisis AFP chances for a late equaliser. Al Ain, United Arab Emirates The news did not improve for China as the infl uential Wu, re- portedly linked with Premier arcello Lippi said an League outfi t Wolverhampton infl ux of foreign for- Wanderers last year, was left in wards had decimat- doubt for Friday’s second Group with late Adnan ed China’s striking C clash against the Philippines. Mstocks and could damage their “I really hope not,” said Lippi, Asian Cup campaign after an when asked if the injury was se- ‘If I am honest, we also need to be even unconvincing start in the United rious. “I hope he’ll be available Arab Emirates. (against the Philippines) but it’s better than we were in the second half, China’s threadbare options not certain.” up front were underlined when Alexandre Pato, Hulk and Os- which was obviously better than the first’ makeshift forward Yu Dabao car are among the well-paid for- free kick grabbed the winner in Mon- eign attacking players in China, day’s 2-1 win over debutants where football authorities have Kyrgyzstan, which also left key tried to clamp down on expen- attacker Wu Lei nursing a sus- sive new arrivals by imposing a pected collarbone injury. heavy tax on transfer fees and a Yu played as a defender last salary cap. season for Beijing Guoan and However, Lippi was also a bene- Lippi said the overseas forwards fi ciary of the trend during his time fl ooding the cashed-up Chinese at Evergrande, when Super League have squeezed out the likes of Dario Conca, Elkeson Chinese players. and Muriqui inspired the club to “This shows our situation in four CSL titles and the 2013 Asian China. In China, nearly all the Champions League crown. foreign players are forwards,” Goal-shy China scored just said Lippi, who led his native fi ve goals in their six friendlies Italy to the 2006 World Cup title. since September and Lippi re- “It means for our attack, I have vealed he gave his players a half- to pick a player who spent the time rocket after a typically slow season in central defence.” start against Kyrgyzstan. China’s attacking play was far “It’s not the fi rst time. In the from convincing against Kyr- two-and-a-half years I’ve been gyzstan, who led at half-time the national team coach, it’s hap- and should have grabbed at least pened many times that we’ve a draw if not for a bungling own played a negative fi rst half,” he goal by their goalkeeper. said. But Lippi’s team had prob- “I start to get angry and push lems in defence too as they were my players, and then I get the re- continually picked apart by action that I wanted from the fi rst an inventive Kyrgyzstan, who minute. It seems like it’s a charac- dominated the fi rst half and had teristic of Chinese players.”

Iraq’s Ali Adnan (third from right) celebrates with teammates after scoring a goal during the 2019 AFC Asian Cup group D match against Vietnam in yesterday. (AFP)

Reuters levelled for Iraq India players use fi nes to support Al Ain, United Arab Emirates 11 minutes later when he dispos- blind footballers Saudi pick up win over 10-man North Korea sessed Que Ngoc Hai 25 metres AFP Korea apart 4-0 in their open- North Korea already had a from goal before driving into the India players are using money collected in team fines to support raq’s Ali Adnan scored with ing Group E game. mountain to climb but their penalty area and slotting past blind footballers, the country’s federation said yesterday during a curling free kick in the fi - The Green Falcons attacked re- plight worsened just before Van Lam. the Asian Cup. “The footballs which the blind footballers use cost nal minute as the former lentlessly in the opening stages half-time, when Han Kwang Vietnam reclaimed the lead 50 dollars each,” manager Stephen Constantine said in a state- champions were twice hree-time winners and Hatan Bahbri put them in Song received his second three minutes before the break ment. “So we are helping them buy some balls. We collectively Iforced to come from behind to when Nguyen Trong Hoang’s Saudi Arabia laid down a front in the 28th minute, turn- yellow card for bringing down agreed among everybody within the national team — the players, beat Vietnam 3-2 in the Asian Tmarker as they beat 10- ing defender Ri Il Jin inside-out Almoqahwi. low shot was parried by Has- and the staff — that any money collected from fines or any misde- Cup yesterday. man North Korea at the Asian and firing into the far corner. Salem al-Dawsari made it 3-0 san and Nguyen Cong Phuong meanours will be donated for a good cause. It’s just a very small Italy-based winger Adnan Cup yesterday. They were 2-0 up nine minutes with a smart finish on 69 min- tapped in the rebound. gesture, but it shows that we can.” A sum of 50,000 rupees (712 placed his strike high and to the The Saudis, humbled at last later, when Hussain Almoqah- utes before Fahad al-Muwallad Iraq, however, were level dollars) was donated to the Indian Blind Football Federation. India left of Vietnam goalkeeper Dang year’s World Cup in Russia, wi’s free-kick glanced off the bagged a soft fourth goal again on the hour mark when opened their Asian Cup Group A campaign with a 4-1 win over Van Lam to give 2007 winners looked far more at home in outstretched boot of Moham- against an exhausted Korean Humam Tariq slid home from Thailand on Sunday, their first victory in the competition since Iraq a barely-deserved victory in neighbouring United Arab med al-Fatil and past Ri Myong defence three minutes from close range, making the most of 1964. They next play the hosting United Arab Emirates tomorrow their opening Group D encoun- Emirates as they tore North Guk in the North Korean goal. time. Vietnam’s inability to clear the in Abu Dhabi. ter in Abu Dhabi. ball following Ali’s downward “It is very important to get header. Australia’s Rogic to be assessed aft er three points in the group stage competition goes on. If I am “I saw today who can and sive errors, Vietnam took the The teams looked destined to of this tournament,” said Iraq honest, we also need to be even cannot play going forward, who lead in the 24th minute when Ali share the points, only for Adnan hand injury coach Srecko Katanec. better than we were in the sec- is in a good condition and who Faez back-heeled the ball into to give Van Lam no chance with “It was tough at times, but I ond half which was obviously is not.” his own goal after a mix-up with his curling eff ort into the top Australia midfielder Tom Rogic is a doubt for the Socceroos’ am sure we will develop as the better than the fi rst. In a game strewn with defen- goalkeeper . corner. second Asian Cup group game against Palestine on Friday due to a hand injury, assistant coach Rene Meulensteen has said. Australian media reported that Rogic broke a bone in his hand BOTTOMLINE during the defending champions’ shock 1-0 defeat by Jordan in their Group B opener on Sunday but the country’s football federa- tion (FFA) has yet to confirm the extent of the injury. “We’ll have to get the full scale of what we’ve got to do with that one... when he’s got the ultimate results of whether he can keep playing or Yoshida wants Japan to fi ght pressure not,” Meulensteen said. Australia are already missing several key players, including midfielders Daniel Arzani and Aaron Mooy, due to injury. AFP in their opening game. Abu Dhabi “Australia got beaten, Thai- land lost to India and South Ko- rea struggled to win their fi rst SELECTION apan Maya Yosh- game so the fi rst game is hugely ida has called on his side important for us,” said Yoshida. to cope with pressure to “The fi rst order of business perform at the Asian Cup will be to make sure we get out of Egypt to host 2019 asJ they look to make up for their our group. We have to grow into fl op four years ago. the tournament step by step. The Southampton defender “The new players have a re- Africa Cup of Nations admitted on Tuesday that sev- sponsibility to build on what eral of the Japan team were still previous Japan teams have done AFP would not bid to do so. smarting from their shock pen- and fi ght with pride to add a new Dakar Morocco were the hot media alty shootout loss to United Arab chapter in our history. It’s a big favourites to replace Cameroon Emirates in the quarter-fi nals tournament for us.” as hosts and Egypt said they “did last time out in Australia. , who will be gypt will host the 2019 not want to compete against a “That was a huge disappoint- boosted by the arrival of Totten- Africa Cup of Nations fellow Arab nation”. ment but this is a new team with ham forward Son Heung-min between June 15 and July Egypt boast many interna- a new manager,” Yoshida told after their second game, and 13, Confederation of Af- tional-standard venues with reporters before the Blue Samu- Iran — 5-0 winners over Yemen ricanE Football (CAF) president the Cairo International Stadium rai’s opening Group F game on Monday — are the favourites Ahmad Ahmad announced in (72,000) and Borg El Arab Stadi- against Turkmenistan in Abu to lift Asian football’s most cov- Dakar yesterday. um in Alexandria (87,000) boast- Dhabi. eted trophy. The CAF executive committee ing the largest capacities. “After the World Cup last year “Every opponent will be preferred Egypt to South Africa The choice of Egypt will im- expectation is really high,” he tough and deserve our utmost as replacements for original hosts mediately make them favourites added, pointing to Japan’s sur- respect,” said Moriyasu. “We Cameroon, who were dropped due to win a record-extending eighth prise run to the last 16 in Russia, Japan captain Maya Yoshida (centre) attends a training session on the eve of their AFC Asian Cup match need to be fi ring at 100 % if we to delays in preparations and con- Cup of Nations this year. where only a remarkable come- against Turkmenistan in Abu Dhabi yesterday. (AFP) want to progress.” cerns over security. They won three of the four back by Belgium from two goals Turkmenistan coach Yazguly It will be the fi fth time Egypt previous tournaments they host- down prevented them reaching Japan captured the last of der Moriyasu, the Japanese will as Japan internationals.” Hojageldiyew promised Japan stage the biennial showpiece of ed, failing only in 1974 when they the quarter-fi nals. their record four Asian Cups in rely instead on the mercurial Ta- would not have it all their own African football after 1959, when were beaten by Zaire (now the “But unlike the World Cup the 2011, but coach Hajime Moriya- kumi Minamino and Ritsu Doan. ‘WE’LL PUSH JAPAN’ way. the country was called the Unit- Democratic Republic of Congo) expectation on Japan is diff erent su has brought a new-look team “We’ve brought in some fresh Japan will expect to easily ad- “We know how good Japan ed Arab Republic, 1974, 1986 and in the semi-fi nals. at an Asian Cup, where we are to this year’s tournament, leav- blood since the World Cup but vance from a group also including are,” he said. “We watched them 2006. The star of the current team, expected to win. That brings its ing out the likes of Dortmund we have a nice mix of youth and Uzbekistan and Oman, but the at the World Cup but we are Egypt only entered the run- Liverpool attacker Mohamed own pressure obviously and we playmaker Shinji Kagawa and experience,” insisted Moriyasu. Asian Cup has already thrown up more than motivated to do well ning to host the Cup of Nations Salah, was favourite to retain the need to be able to cope with that Leicester striker Shinji Okazaki. “It’s a chance for the young its share of upsets, with holders and I trust my players to give Ja- when fellow north African coun- African Player of the Year award and not freeze up.” Unbeaten in fi ve matches un- players to forge their own paths Australia stunned 1-0 by Jordan pan a close game.” try Morocco announced they in Dakar later yesterday. Gulf Times Wednesday, January 9, 2019 3 FOOTBALL

Barca snap up budding FA CUP SPOTLIGHT French defender Todibo

Barcelona will sign promising French centre-back Jean-Clair Todibo on a free Pep defends transfer from French top flight outfit Toulouse this summer, the Spanish club announced yesterday. The 19-year-old who models himself on Paris Saint-Ger- Liverpool Man City’s youth main’s Brazilian centre-half Thiago Silva will move to Barca on July 1. He only made his first-team debut in August and has played 10 times in Ligue 1 this record following season. Born in French Guyana Todibo has also played for the French under-20 side twice. Todibo joins fellow French defenders Samuel Umtiti and Clement knocked out Diaz departure Lenglet at Barcelona. Central defence, however, has proven a problem area Reuters came what he is right now, before for the club this season, with Umtiti and London he came us. Some have patience, Thomas Vermaelen both out injured. some trust what the club want to According to Barcelona’s statement, do, and some don’t.” Todibo is “a tall, right-footed defender, anchester City England under-21 playmaker who can play at centre back and also in coach Pep Guar- Phil Foden committed his long- the centre of the midfield.” by Wolves diola has defended term future to City last month, his side’s youth having received a public back- Mdevelopment record after acad- ing from Guardiola this season. Nigeria coach seeks Victor ‘I am very pleased, the team performed very well...’ emy graduate Brahim Diaz left “Like I said many times, I Moses return for Real Madrid, saying he only don’t want people that don’t Reuters wants to work with players who want to stay here,” the Spanish Victor Moses would London are committed to the club. coach added. be welcomed back The 19-year-old Diaz com- “We did with Brahim every- into Nigeria national pleted a move to the Spanish thing we have done with Phil team, especially if he remier League leaders Liverpool capital on Monday, following in (Foden) and with Jadon — im- played more regular paid the price for fi elding a weak- the footsteps of English winger portant players and we did ab- club football, coach ened side as they were knocked Jadon Sancho, who left City in solutely everything. The only Gernot Rohr said yes- out in the third round of the FA 2017 for Borussia Dortmund to one who decides to stay is Phil.” terday. The 28-year- PCup following a 2-1 defeat by Wolver- make a huge impact in the Ger- Foden is set to feature against old was a crucial part hampton Wanderers on Monday. man Bundesliga. Burton with Guardiola having of Chelsea’s 2017 The Merseysiders fell behind to a Raul City failed to keep both play- almost his full squad available Premier League- Jimenez goal on the break in the 38th ers at the Etihad Stadium due to to cope with the demands of the winning side and in 2013 won both the minute, the Mexican fi ring home con- a lack of fi rst-team opportuni- Premier League and domestic Europa League for his club and the fi dently after Diogo Jota robbed James ties but Guardiola said young- cup competitions this month. Africa Cup of Nations for his homeland. Milner. sters must be patient if they are Guardiola said French full But the winger quit the Super Eagles Belgian forward Divock Origi brought to make a breakthrough at any back Benjamin Mendy, who is aged just 27 after the Russia-hosted Liverpool, seven-times FA Cup winners, of the Europe’s elite clubs. on the sidelines with a knee in- World Cup where defeats by Croatia level in the 51st minute with a well-placed “They win the opportunity jury, could return to fi rst-team and Argentina dumped Nigeria out in eff ort from the edge of the area. (to play) on the fi eld but you action in two-to-three weeks. the first round. Moses said he wished But Wolves grabbed the winner four have to take a look at all the “He’s training alone,” Guar- to concentrate on his club career and minutes later when Ruben Neves struck a big clubs in Europe how many diola added. “Two weeks, three his young family. Rohr said Moses had superb low drive from 30 yards out. young players are in the fi rst weeks maybe (until he returns). always acquitted himself well for his Liverpool manager Juergen Klopp team,” Guardiola told a news Everybody else is fi t.” country and had announced his retire- fi elded a much-changed line-up, includ- conference ahead of City’s City will return to league ac- ment too early. “We have to respect ing two teenage debutants in midfi elder League Cup semi-fi nal fi rst-leg tion against Wolverhampton his decision. If he changes his mind we Curtis Jones and full-back Rafael Cama- against Burton Albion today. Wanderers on Monday as they will welcome him back,” said Rohr. “But cho. “The young players need time. continue to chase Liverpool, he has to find that motivation within The line-up was further weakened David Silva, for example, was who are four points clear at the himself to come back and be ready to in the sixth minute when central de- loaned to others before he be- top of the table. give his 100 percent at all times, as we fender Dejan Lovren had to go off with know he can.” a hamstring injury and was replaced by 16-year-old Dutchman Ki-Jana Hoever. Clearly disappointed with Lovren’s Manchester United to injury, especially given he has two other open ‘experience centres’ central defenders Joe Gomez and Joel in China Matip currently sidelined, Klopp said: “I am not sure what you all would have said Manchester United announced yes- if immediately from the beginning if our terday they are opening a series of centre-half situation was Fabinho and “entertainment and experience centres” Ki-Jana; then probably a few very smart Wolverhampton Wanderers’ Ruben Neves celebrates after scoring the winner against in China as they seek to capitalise on people would tell me that I don’t respect Liverpool during their FA Cup match in Wolverhampton on Monday. (Reuters) a huge fanbase in the world’s most the competition or whatever.” populous country. The first centres, Xherdan Shaqiri went close to an erto Firmino and Mohamed Salah but Wolves’s Portuguese manager Nuno developed in partnership with Chinese equaliser for Liverpool in the 69th minute Wolves were able to hold fi rm and main- Espirito Santo was delighted with the way property developer Harves, are sched- but his curling free-kick was pushed on to tain their lead. his team, ninth in the Premier League, had uled to open in Beijing,Shanghai and the post superbly by Wolves keeper John The reward for Wolves is a fourth round handled Liverpool. “I am very pleased, by the end of 2020. Arsenal Ruddy. tie against the winner of the replay be- the team performed very well in a tough last year opened a club-themed sports A minute later Klopp brought on Rob- tween Shrewsbury Town and Stoke City. game. We took our chances,” he said. bar and restaurant in Shanghai and French side Paris Saint-Germain also have a hub in the same city, equipped Arsenal to face Man United in FA Cup fourth round with indoor football pitches and a bar. Each venue at the Manchester United Reuters and United with 12 are the of League Two (fourth tier), and Stoke City. centres will feature “interactive and im- London most successful clubs in who beat Leicester City in Everton face a tricky test at mersive experiences” and will include the world’s oldest knockout the third round, face a trip to Championship (second tier) restaurants and a club store, the Pre- competition. second-tier Middlesbrough, side Millwall, while Crystal mier League club said in a statement. anchester United Premier League champi- managed by Newport-born Palace will host Tottenham United said last year they had more will visit Arsenal in ons Manchester City are at Tony Pulis. Hotspur in an all-London than 107mn followers in China, describ- Mthe fourth round of home to top-flight strug- Wolverhampton Wanderers, face-off . ing the country as one of the club’s the FA Cup at The Emirates glers Burnley, while holders who knocked out Premier Non-league Barnet — the most important markets. The 20-time Stadium after Monday’s Chelsea will take on Sheff ield League leaders Liverpool lowest-ranked club left in English champions built an enormous draw pitted the two Premier Wednesday or Luton Town at on Monday, will be away to the competition — welcome global fanbase during the 1990s and League giants together. Stamford Bridge. the winners of the replay Championship side Brent- 2000s, a period in which they domi- Arsenal with 13 FA Cup wins Giant killers Newport County between Shrewsbury Town ford. In this November 1, 2018, picture, Manchester City manager Pep nated the Premier League. Guardiola (left) with Brahim Diaz in Manchester, England. (Reuters) Portuguese defender Pepe FOCUS BOTTOMLINE returns to Porto Veteran Portugal defender Pepe has returned to Porto after signing a two- Pochettino wants and-a-half year deal, the Portuguese Senior German FA delegation champions said yesterday. Pepe, 35, spent three seasons at Porto from to be at Spurs for 2004-07, winning two league titles before a 30 million-euros ($34.3mn) ‘20 years’ discuss co-operation with AZF move to Real Madrid, where he spent the next decade, winning three La Reuters By Sports Reporter eral for International Medical Af- Liga crowns and lifting the Champions London fairs. League trophy three times. The rugged The delegation also had the defender, who will be reunited at Porto opportunity to visit the various with former Real Madrid teammate ottenham Hotspur manager Mauricio spire Zone Foundation departments of Aspetar, the ac- Iker Casillas, joined Besiktas in 2017 but Pochettino has said he wants to stay at (AZF) welcomed a senior credited FIFA Medical Centre rescinded his contract with the Turkish the Premier League club for 20 years and delegation from the Ger- of Excellence, including Sports club last month. Porto are six points maybe fi nish his career in north London, man Football Association Medicine, Sports Science, Ortho- clear at the top of the Portuguese top Tthe BBC has reported. (DFB)A yesterday to discuss areas of paedic Surgery, Medical Imaging, flight. Since joining from Southampton in 2014 the co-operation between the two gi- Rehabilitation and Dentistry de- 46-year-old Argentine, touted as a future Real ant sporting organisations. partments. Madrid or Manchester United boss by Spanish The visiting delegation com- Their third stop was a visit to FA opens investigation and British media, has made Spurs a top-four side prised various senior members of Aspire Academy and Professor into Hennessey’s alleged who regularly compete in the Champions League. the DFB including Oliver Bierhoff , Valter Di Salvo, Director of Foot- Nazi salute “I hope, or I wish, to be here 20 years and de- General Manager of Germany’s ball Performance and Science, cide to leave or to fi nish my career here,” Pochet- national team and member of the who gave the delegation a sneak The English Football Association (FA) tino was quoted as saying. “I am so focused here, Presidential Board of DFB; Nicklas peek at the Academy’s new Foot- is looking into an alleged Nazi salute and want to help the club to achieve what the club Dietrich, Fitness Coach of Ger- ball Performance Centre that cen- made by Crystal Palace keeper Wayne want to be in history.” many’s national team; Thomas tralises football performance, sci- Hennessey in a group photo with team- He added: “It would be fantastic. I am so happy Beheshti, Head of Team Manage- ence and training methodology to mates. Wales international Hennessey to be here. I am so happy to work in that pressure. ment; and Carl Monteiro, Head of support the development of elite was pictured with his right arm in the Why not?” Sales and Digital Marketing. football in Qatar. The benefi ciar- air in a photo posted on Instagram by Pochettino hopes to emulate the longevity of Ahead of the DFB establishing a ies of the centre include athletes at Palace’s German midfielder Max Meyer. former Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger, who new sports academy in Frankfurt, Aspire Academy, as well as those The 31-year-old has denied making such was in charge at Tottenham’s London rivals for 22 they visited Qatar to explore co- playing in the a salute, claiming on Twitter that he years before leaving at the end of last season. operation opportunities with AZF, Abdullah al-Khater (right), Director of Events and Venues at AZF, gives and the Qatar National Team. was calling out the person taking the “But I don’t know because I need to ask which has established itself in the Oliver Bierhoff , General Manager of Germany’s national team, a tour of The delegation ended the tour photograph. “It’s been brought to my (Wenger) one day, if I have the possibility, if he past decade as one of the reference Khalifa International Stadium. by visiting Khalifa International attention that frozen in a moment by is so happy in the way that he fi nished,” he said. organisations in sports worldwide. Stadium, the fi rst 2022 FIFA World the camera this looks like I am making “What I saw from my point of view, it was so un- The senior sports delegation fi cer at AZF; and representatives The guests also received a de- Cup Qatar ready venue. Abdul- a completely inappropriate type of fair how the people treated him.” commenced their visit with an of AZF’s Business Development tailed briefi ng at Aspetar, the or- lah Aman al-Khater, Director of salute,” Hennessey said. “I can assure Pochettino has yet to win a trophy at Spurs but introductory meeting with senior Department. thopaedic and sports medicine Events and Venues at AZF, gave everyone I would never ever do that they are still in four competitions this season hav- AZF offi cials including Abdulla The German and Qatari parties hospital. They were then given a the visitors an overview of the in- and any resemblance to that kind of ing reached the Champions League last 16, the Nasser al-Naemi Director Gener- also discussed steps to further de- guided tour by Dr Abdulaziz al- novative and advanced systems gesture is absolutely coincidental. Love League Cup semi-fi nals — where they host Chel- al, Aspire Logistics – Member AZF velop their co-operation and will Kuwari, Acting Chief Executive and technologies being imple- and peace Wayne.” The FA said it is sea on Tuesday — and the FA Cup fourth round. Organisation; Mohamed Mubarak hold another round of meetings Offi cer of Aspetar; and Dr Hakim mented there to ensure an amaz- aware of the incident and is now mak- They are in third place in the league. al-Kuwari, Chief Marketing Of- today. Chalabi, Assistant Director Gen- ing tournament in 2022. ing enquiries. Gulf Times 4 Wednesday, January 9, 2019 TENNIS

FOCUS Kerber through as Stephens avoids shock loss AFP exandrova winning the fi rst set to love formance here in the fi rst round.” Sydney and serving for the match in the second Kvitova, who is aiming for her sec- set. ond Sydney title after lifting the trophy But Stephens somehow rallied to in 2015, belted 28 winners to Sabalen- efending champion Angel- win 0-6, 7-6 (7/3), 7-6 (7/3). ka’s 11 and won an incredible 85 % of ique Kerber cruised into the “I was, like, it’s not going to get any her fi rst-serve points. Sydney International third worse than this,” Stephens said of the There was no such joy for 2017 round yesterday as she tar- fi rst set. “So it was like I might as well French Open winner Jelena Ostapenko, getsD back-to-back titles, while world just play. whose poor form continued in a 6-3, number fi ve Sloane Stephens narrowly “Obviously she was playing well. 6-3 defeat to Australia’s Ash Barty, avoided a shock loss. Sometimes when you play a player who is rewarded with a second-round The second seeded German was that’s just playing like that, there is not clash against world number one Si- made to work hard in the opening set much you can do.” mona Halep. against Italy’s Camila Giorgi, but took Earlier, two-time Wimbledon After picking up a thigh injury at the control in the second to ease through champion Petra Kvitova avenged her Hopman Cup, Garbine Muguruza — 7-6 (7/3), 6-2. US Open defeat to in-form Aryna another major winner — safely nego- “It’s always tough to play Camila, Sabalenka. tiated her fi rst-round encounter with the way she is hitting the ball. Her sec- The Czech, who slumped to 29 in the fellow Spaniard Carla Suarez Navarro ond serve is like her fi rst serve,” said world after being attacked in her home 6-3, 6-4. world number two Kerber, who had a by a knife-wielding man in 2016, has She later pulled out of the tourna- fi rst round bye and is now into the third battled back to number eight and was ment, citing an unspecifi ed illness, round. encouraged by her 6-1, 7-5 win over giving her next opponent Kiki Bertens “It’s never easy to play your fi rst the Belarusian. a walkover into the third round. tournament match but I am happy to Sabalenka is a form player, racing to Last year Muguruza was the top seed be through. Hopefully I can go back- number 11 in the world after a stellar and world number two, but 12 months to-back, but there’s still a long way to 2018 and starting the year by winning on she is unseeded and down to 18. go.” the Shenzhen Open. In the men’s draw Australian teen- America’s Stephens battled back “She was defi nitely (fi nishing ager Alex De Minaur, a fi nalist last from the brink of a defeat to beat 72nd- strongly). She came from Shenzhen year, continued his preparations for ranked qualifi er Ekaterina Alexandrova (last week) where she won the tour- the Australian Open with a 6-4 6-3 in their fi rst round clash. nament so I knew it would be a tough win over Dusan Lajovic. Less than a week before the Austral- match,” said Kvitova. Towering Americans Sam Querrey ian Open — the season’s fi rst Grand “Unfortunately I lost (to her) at the and Reilly Opelka are also through to Angelique Kerber from Germany plays a shot to Camila Giorgi from Italy during their second round match at the Sydney Slam — she was on the ropes with Al- US Open but I’m happy with my per- the next round. International tennis tournament in Sydney yesterday. (AFP)

AUSTRALIAN OPEN SPOTLIGHT Nadal says ‘no pain’ The greatest? Serena aft er Sydney tie

AFP can end Court argument Sydney ‘It’s a little bit sad that amateur tennis of those years is a little bit underestimated’ njury-plagued world number two Rafael Nadal insists he is healthy AFP and in no pain after coming through Melbourne an exhibition game in Sydney, just Idays after pulling out of the Brisbane International. erena Williams hopes to match The Spaniard teamed up with Ca- Margaret Court’s record of 24 nadian Milos Raonic to defeat Austral- singles majors at next week’s ians Nick Kyrgios and John Millman in Australian Open but many the FAST4 Showdown on Monday alreadyS regard her as the greatest wom- evening — a shortened, quicker for- en’s player of all time — though Court mat of the game often described as herself is not necessarily among them. the tennis equivalent of Twenty20 Over the years, Court has expressed cricket. admiration for Serena’s achievements Nadal said that he was “feeling bet- but the Australian also bristles when ter” after withdrawing from Brisbane, her own record is dismissed as large- when an MRI revealed a slight strain ly irrelevant in the world of modern of his left thigh, casting doubts over tennis. The 76-year-old won 13 of her his fi tness for next week’s Australian 24 Grand Slams before 1968, when the Open. women’s game entered the Open era “I did not feel the pain here,” the 17- and became fully professional. time Grand Slam champion said. Court won 24 singles Grand Slams “I think it was a good start for me, a from 1960-73 — 11 Australian Opens, good comeback to the action in front of fi ve French Opens, three Wimble- a fantastic crowd in Sydney. dons and fi ve US Opens. Serena’s tally “I really enjoyed playing here. I’m stands at 23 since 1998 — seven Aus- happy to be back on court and happy tralian Opens, three French Opens, that I’m healthy again.” seven Wimbledons and six US Opens. Nadal has not played a main tour Chris Evert, who won 18 singles event since a knee problem forced him Slams, believes the standard of today’s to retire during his US Open semi- game is so far above previous eras that fi nal against Juan Martin del Potro in comparisons are meaningless. September. “Of course Serena is the best ever,” The 32-year-old had surgery on his she told CBS last year. ankle in November to remove a loose “A case can be made (for others), but intra-articular body and only resumed it’s really ridiculous. We were the best Serena Williams of the US (right) leaves after a training session with her coach Patrick Mouratoglou in Melbourne yesterday. (AFP) training a month ago. in our era. Serena is the best in her era.” He played the opening round at an For former Wimbledon champion era. The Dutchman pointed out that 11 when we were playing,” she told the This century’s Australian exhibition event in Abu Dhabi to start Richard Krajicek, Court isn’t even in of Court’s titles were earned in Aus- BBC. “We had wooden rackets, we his season, where he lost to South the conversation when it comes to the tralia at a time when the journey Down had to travel 10 months of the year, we Open women’s champs African Kevin Anderson, and had a greatest of all time. Under involved an arduous boat trip played every week, we couldn’t take 2018—Caroline Wozniacki (DEN) fi rst round bye in Brisbane before He regards Steffi Graf, with 22 that many top players declined to family with us, we couldn’t take any 2017—Serena Williams (USA) withdrawing ahead of the second Open-era singles majors, as Serena’s make. Other detractors point out that masseurs, we didn’t know any of that, 2016—Angelique Kerber (GER) round. only serious rival, pointing out that in some of the Slams Court won involved we played with injuries.” 2015—Serena Williams (USA) Asked by reporters if he considered 1988 the German won all four Slams only 32 competitors, rather than the Court’s haul of 24 titles has been in 2014—Li Na (CHN) himself a genuine title contender in and Olympic gold in a calendar year. 128-player draws Serena has faced Serena’s sights since the American’s 2013—Victoria Azarenka (BLR) Melbourne despite his injury problems, “Not to take anything away from throughout her career. Court vigor- last victory at Melbourne Park in 2017 2012—Victoria Azarenka (BLR) he replied: “Why not?” Margaret Court, but Steffi Graf was ously defends her record, disputing the — when she was eight weeks preg- 2011—Kim Clijsters (BEL) “You can’t predict that. Of course it the big record she beat... In amounts argument that the best players never nant — and it appears inevitable the 2010—Serena Williams (USA) would be better if I had the chance to Serena is better, but in that one special came to Australia and pointing out her 37-year-old will reach the milestone 2009—Serena Williams (USA) play a full tournament in Abu Dhabi year Graf has something maybe more career extended well into the Open era. at some point.Court says she doesn’t 2008—Maria Sharapova (RUS) and a full tournament in Brisbane, but special, but both are great champions,” “It’s a little bit sad that amateur ten- worry about the prospect and can al- 2007—Serena Williams (USA) the big importance is I am feeling good he said. “Margaret Court is nice but for nis of those years is a little bit underes- Margaret Court ways take comfort from the fact that 2006—Amelie Mauresmo (FRA) with the ball,” he said. me... it’s Steffi . I don’t know who’s one timated,” she said. “They can’t forget she has 40 Grand Slam doubles titles 2005—Serena Williams (USA) “The only thing is that I didn’t play or two, but those two are the two big that I won 11 Slam titles in the Open era. na’s serve would not have been as pow- to go with her singles crowns. 2004—Justine Henin (BEL) matches since a long time ago.” legends for me.” “I see that there are many awards for erful using the wooden rackets of her “I think that no player will be able to 2003—Serena Williams (USA) Nadal will now head to Melbourne, Court won all four Grand Slams Rod Laver and Ken Rosewall, while for era, saying the American can look beat my record of 64 Grand Slam titles 2002—Jennifer Capriati (USA) where he was the champion in 2009, to in a calendar year in 1970 but it was the women’s tennis they want to speak “a little wobbly” without her major in total,” she said. “But if someone will 2001—Jennifer Capriati (USA) get in as much practice as possible be- still not enough for Krajicek to rank only about the players who played in the weapon. “It’s not easy to win Grand win more than 24 in singles, well, she’ll 2000—Lindsay Davenport (USA) fore the opening Grand Slam of the year her alongside the greats of the modern Open era.” She also contends that Sere- Slams, it’s probably easier today than deserve it.” begins on Monday.

Tomic warms up for Kyrgios clash, Slam with season-opening win

Bernard Tomic won his first After beating Sock 5-7, 6-4, 10-6, the 106th-ranked Sock. regaining the competitive spirit a collapse in form, lost to Tomic competitive outing of the Tomic is looking ahead to his The formerly troubled Tomic, which once took him to 13th in on a drop shot gone wrong. season yesterday, beating clash today against Kyrgios, who failed to qualify a year the world. On Monday, he played “I landed 24 hours ago so I didn’t American Jack Sock in a pre- who has also been struggling ago for the Open when he was in a Fast4 exhibition event in have a lot of expectations,” he Australian Open tune-up that with form and motivation. The ranked 142nd and apparently Sydney along with Rafael Nadal. said. “It’s the first outdoor match will also see him take on fellow pair have never played on the fed up with tennis, now seems “I’m looking forward to playing for me in a long time. livewire Australian Nick Kyrgios. ATP Tour. to have settled down. The same Nick, for practice it’s unbeliev- “Off -season I was indoors. Last In the opening match of the “Nick and I have played many may not apply to Kyrgios, who able. I’ve had some stuff I’ve season’s singles was absolutely Kooyong Classic in Melbourne, many times in practice, we’re finished his season in October had to work on during the last terrible, in doubles I had some 83rd-ranked Tomic — who good friends. This will be our through an elbow injury. couple of weeks,” Tomic said. fun. “But that’s 2018, it’s 2019 bounced back after on-and-off last opportunity to practise He has spent recent months at “Tomorrow’s my last chance to now. I’m not stressing about court issues to win his first ATP because in five days it’s the home in Canberra, playing bas- do that — hopefully Nick will it a lot. I know how well I can title since 2015 at Chengdu in Australian Open,” Tomic said ketball and doing charity work take it (match) seriously.” play and what I can get back September — overcame Sock in after putting in what he termed while speaking with mental Sock, who was ranked eighth in to. I don’t care what (ranking) three tight sets. a decent performance against health professionals in hopes of the world last January prior to number is in front of my name.” Gulf Times Wednesday, January 9, 2019 5 SPORT

NBA SPOTLIGHT Wolves guard Rose sorry aft er ‘kill Late surge lift s yourself’ remark

AFP ing on a career-high 46.2 per- New York cent of his 3-point shots. The Timberwolves are 19- 21, 11th in the Western Confer- ormer NBA Most Valu- ence and two games behind the Lakers over Mavs, able Player Derrick Los Angeles Lakers for the fi nal Rose apologised on West playoff berth. Monday for telling an- yoneF who doubted his ability to ROCKETS TRADE “kill yourself” for thinking he CARTER-WILLIAMS TO BULLS wouldn’t keep playing well for The Houston Rockets have the Minnesota Timberwolves. traded former NBA Rookie of The 30-year-old guard, who the Year Michael Carter-Wil- Bucks down Jazz took the 2011 MVP award while liams and cash to the Chicago with Chicago, was answering a Bulls in a salary cap manoeu- ‘I was actually very pleased with our competitive spirit. I thought guys were giving it their all’ question about how he would vre, ESPN reported on Mon- fare in the wake of the team fi r- day. League sources told ESPN AFP ing coach and president Tom that the Bulls are expected to Los Angeles Thibodeau on Sunday. waive the 27-year-old point “I have a lot of confi dence in guard, who signed as a free myself,” Rose said. “Thibs was agent with the Rockets in July. oung stars Brandon Ingram and just the coach that believed in His contract would have be- Lonzo Ball answered Los Angeles me. I mean, he jump-started come guaranteed on Monday coach Luke Walton’s call for more my career again and for that I’ll afternoon. fi re on Monday, leading the Lak- always be thankful. The deal reportedly saves ersY to a 107-97 NBA victory over the Mav- “But everybody that thinks Houston $2.6 million in luxury ericks in Dallas. that it’s going to stop, kill your- tax payments, reducing the Ingram scored 29 points, Ball added 21 self. It’s just not.” team’s bill from $16.3 million to and the Lakers erased a 13-point halftime Rose later tweeted an apol- $13.7 million. defi cit to halt a three-game skid and post ogy, insisting he didn’t truly Carter-Williams appeared just their second victory in seven games suggest suicide or having peo- in 16 games (one start) for the since superstar LeBron James suff ered ple harm themselves. Rockets this season, averaging a groin injury in a Christmas Day vic- “I messed up by using the 4.3 points and 1.3 assists in 9.1 tory over two-time defending champions slang term ‘kill yourself’ today minutes per game. Golden State. in response to a question about The No. 11 overall pick in the Walton had called out Ingram and Ball whether I can continue to per- 2013 NBA Draft by Philadel- after a disappointing 108-86 loss to the form without coach Thibs,” phia, Carter-Williams aver- Minnesota Timberwolves on Sunday. Al- Rose tweeted. “I did not mean aged 16.7 points, 6.3 assists, though the Lakers again found themselves it literally and regret using it so 6.2 rebounds and 1.9 steals as in an early hole in Dallas, Walton said he I apologize.” the league’s 2013-14 Rookie of saw more energy from the opening tip off , Rose, who played under Thi- the Year. and when his team played smarter in the bodeau with Chicago as well He has also played for Mil- second half they were able to turn things as the T-Wolves, was a three- waukee, Chicago and Charlotte around. time All-Star with the Bulls and has career averages of 11.1 “I was actually very pleased with our but multiple knee surgeries points, 4.7 assists and 4.5 re- competitive spirit in that fi rst half,” Wal- dimmed his glow before a re- bounds in 303 games. ton said. “I thought guys were giving it turn to form this season. ESPN reported the Bulls also their all.” Rose has averaged 18.9 plan to waive guard MarShon Walton said he urged his players to points and 4.8 assists a game Brooks, acquired in a deal last “mentally turn it up” in the second half, for Minnesota while connect- week with Memphis. and they responded by outscoring the Mavericks 32-13 in the third quarter. “We knew that was our mistakes,” Josh Hart said of the halftime defi cit. “We had a couple of off ensive rebounds that we gave up that should have had, a couple of miscommunications in the fi rst half that we cleaned up in the second half. It was a good mental game for us.” In Milwaukee, the Bucks rallied from a 62-58 halftime defi cit to beat the Utah Dallas Mavericks forward Dwight Powell (left) and Los Angeles Lakers forward Brandon Ingram (right) fight for the rebound during Jazz 114-102. the second quarter of their NBA game at the American Airlines Center. PICTURE: USA TODAY Sports Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 30 points, Malcolm Brogdon added 21 and lead and they wouldn’t trail again. DeMar DeRozan scored 26 points with the Bucks clamped down defensively in RESULTS nine assists and seven rebounds as the the second half to bounce back from a loss IRVING RETURNS WITH WIN Spurs notched a fi fth straight win and to the Toronto Raptors on Saturday. Kyrie Irving returned from injury to lead Lakers 107-97 Dallas their 13th in 16 games. “The big thing that stands out to me the Boston Celtics with 17 points in a 116- Boston 116-95 Brooklyn Popovich now has 1,221 coaching victo- is after (allowing) 62 points in the fi rst 95 victory over the Brooklyn Nets. ries, tied with Sloan and trailing only Don Houston 125-113 Denver half to hold them to 40 in the second,” Irving, who missed two games with Nelson and Lenny Wilkens. Bucks coach Mike Budenholzer said. “We an eye injury, led eight Celtics players in Milwaukee 114-102 Utah In New Orleans, Anthony Davis scored weren’t very happy at halftime with our double fi gures with Jayson Tatum adding New Orleans 114-95 Memphis 36 points, grabbed 13 rebounds and defense. 16 points and Al Horford, Gordon Hay- San Antonio 119-107 Detroit blocked three shots as the New Orleans “the way we improved and got better in ward, Marcus Morris and Marcus Smart Pelicans downed the struggling Memphis the second half gave us a chance to fi nd a all chipping in 12 as Boston notched a third Portland 111-101 New York Grizzlies 114-95. way off ensively in the fourth quarter.” straight win. Sacramento 111-95 Orlando It was another big night from reigning Thon Maker scored a season-high 15 Boston’s top scorer Irving hadn’t played NBA Most Valuable Player James Harden, points off the bench for the Bucks, who since both of his eyes were injured in a “Thirty-seven assists tonight, it’s fun who scored 32 points and dished out 14 trailed by three going into the fourth clash with Marco Belinelli in a New Year’s when we play like that,” Hayward said. assists in the Houston Rockets’ 125-113 quarter. Eve game against San Antonio. San Antonio’s longtime coach Gregg victory over Western Conference leaders Maker’s dunk knotted the score at Up by 11 at halftime, the Celtics saw Popovich tied Jerry Sloan for third place Denver. 92-92 with 8:51 left to play. Antetok- that lead dwindle to fi ve points early in on the NBA’s all-time coaching wins list Clint Capela added a career-high 31 ounmpo’s driving layup and ensuing the third, but they regained their off ensive with the Spurs’ 119-107 victory over the points for the Rockets, who stretched foul shot gave Milwaukee a three-point rhythm to rebuild the advantage. Pistons in Detroit. their home winning streak to 10 games. Former NBA Most Valuable Player Derrick Ros.

FOCUS As records fall, has 3-point shooting reached its peak? DPA three-pointers with 14 - in un- pointers per game than the Washington der three quarters - surpassing league-high 26.6 the Rockets at- Curry and his 13 threes in No- tempted just six years ago. vember 2016. On December 19 “It’s fun - it’s really fun,” as the NBA’s pace- against Washington, the Hou- Thompson said. “The three ball and-space era reached ston Rockets broke the team looks great when you’re shoot- its peak? record for three-pointers with ing it well.” On Saturday, the 26. The previous mark had been But not everyone is excited by HGolden State Warriors and Sac- 25 by Cleveland against Atlanta the three-point explosion. ramento Kings combined for in March 2017. “I’d rather play inside the a record 41 three-pointers in “It’s right there for you to see, three-point line, but you have to a 127-123 road win by the de- right? Everybody’s shooting adapt,” said Warriors superstar fending champions. Warriors threes,” Kerr said. forward Kevin Durant, who at- superstar Stephen Curry was Many attribute the league- tempts fi ve three-pointers per 10-of-20 from the arc, outduel- wide increase to the infl uence game. “I think a lot of players ling Kings guard Buddy Hield of of Curry, the greatest distance have adapted their games and Jamaica, who was 8-of-13. shooter in league history. But the changed how they play.” Overall, the teams combined explosion can be more directly Durant’s not the only one. to shoot 41-of-83 (.494) from tied to Rockets general manager Earlier this season, San Anto- outside the arc and 52-of-107 Daryl Morey and coach Mike nio Spurs coach Gregg Popovich (.486) inside it as they recalled D’Antoni. said, “There’s no beauty in it. It’s the old American Basketball As- Since the 2012-13 campaign, pretty boring.” sociation, which spawned the Houston has led the NBA in three- Ironically, the Spurs are last in three-pointer. All that was miss- pointers made and attempted in the NBA with 24.4 three-point ing was a red, white and blue ball. every season but one. And since attempts - and fi rst in three- “That’s a heck of a basketball Morey hired D’Antoni as coach point percentage at .398. game,” Kings coach Dave Joerger three years ago, those numbers Durant believes the trend has said. “I hope it was fun to watch; have grown exponentially. reached a critical mass. it was fun to play.” In the 2015-16 season, Gold- “I don’t see this lasting too “Just an incredible off ensive en State led the NBA with 31.6 much longer,” he said. “The vol- display by both teams,” Warriors three-point attempts. Over the ume of threes, the way the game coach Steve Kerr said. last three seasons, Houston has is played - pick-up style - it will The previous mark was 40, averaged 40.3, 42.3 and 42.7 seize here in a second. I think a set less than a year ago by Min- three-point attempts, setting lot of guys are adjusting their nesota and Cleveland. When it records each year. game to the times. comes to three-pointers, records The entire league now com- “It’s fun for the fans and fun are being broken every couple prehends the analytic value of for us sometimes, but it’s also of months. On October 29 at a shot worth 50 percent more tough to watch and tough to Chicago, Warriors guard Klay than other shots. This season, 26 play against. But that’s what we Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (right) reacts after making a three point basket against the Sacramento Kings in the third quarter Thompson broke the record for teams are shooting more three- signed up for.” of their NBA game at Golden 1 Center. PICTURE: USA TODAY Sports Gulf Times 6 Wednesday, January 9, 2019 SPORT

NFL SPOTLIGHT Pittsburgh Steelers fi re running backs Broncos interview coach Saxon

Reuters injury, is also out of the posts- New York eason all-star contest for ap- parently the same reason. The Steelers announced that team- hat does coach- mate JuJu Smith-Schuster will Bears’ Fangio, their ing two diff erent replace Brown on the roster for Pro Bowl players the game, set for January 27 in in back-to-back Orlando, Fla. Wseasons, the latter while your Smith-Schuster was voted best player engages in a sea- as the Steelers’ Most Valuable son-long holdout, get you? Player by his teammates after Fired. making 111 catches for 1,426 That’s the case for Pitts- yards and seven touchdowns fi nal HC candidate burgh Steelers running backs this season. He ranked fi fth in coach James Saxon, who is out the AFC and 12th in the NFL ‘If he wants to be a head coach one day, we want him to take a job to be a head coach’ after fi ve seasons on the job. with 1,439 yards from scrim- Steelers head coach Mike mage. AFP Tomlin announced the move Brown was out with a knee New York Monday via a brief statement injury for the Steelers’ Week on the team’s website: “I have 17 game against the Cincinnati made the decision to not renew Bengals, per the injury report. he Denver Broncos more the contract for running backs However, it was later revealed than likely closed out coach James Saxon. We would that Brown missed the fi nal their interviews with like to thank James for his ef- walkthrough and was benched head coaching candi- forts over the past fi ve years, by head coach Mike Tomlin Tdates after reportedly meeting and we wish him the best in his for missing other meetings with Chicago Bears defensive co- future coaching endeavors.” and practices leading up to the ordinator Vic Fangio on Monday. In Saxon’s time with the game. General manager John Elway team, Le’Veon Bell made the While the Steelers beat the brought in Fangio the day after Pro Bowl in 2014, ‘16 and ‘17. Bengals 16-13 to fi nish 9-6- the Bears were eliminated from And with Bell engaged in a 1, they were knocked out of the NFL playoff s by the Phila- holdout that lasted the entire playoff contention when the delphia Eagles in a hard-fought season in 2018, backup James Baltimore Ravens held off the 16-15 game in which kicker Cody Conner fi nished with 973 yards Cleveland Browns. Last week, Parkey’s 43-yard fi eld goal at- rushing, 497 yards receiving, NFL Network reported team- tempt hit the upright and the 13 total touchdowns ... and a mates doubted Brown’s knee crossbar before falling short in Pro Bowl berth. injury claims. the closing seconds. The one year a Steelers run- Tomlin, who admitted there Fangio met with Elway and ning back did not make the Pro was no MRI or X-ray on the other Broncos offi cials in the Bowl with Saxon in charge of knee, said he had no reason to morning but, according to the the position, 2015, then-32- doubt the wide receiver was Chicago Sun-Times, he was back year-old DeAngelo Williams hurt. He followed that up with at Halas Hall at the Bears com- ran for 907 yards and led the a completely diff erent feel- plex by lunchtime. However, he league with 11 rushing touch- ing, saying at an end-of-year was scheduled to return to the downs as Bell played in only six news conference, “We’re talk- Mile High City for dinner with games. ing about our darkest hour. Elway on Monday night, accord- Saxon played eight seasons The guy not communicating is ing to 9News in Denver. in the NFL with Kansas City, a very real element of discus- After Sunday’s loss, Bears’ Miami and Philadelphia from sion.” All-Pro outside linebacker Khalil 1988-95. A sixth-round pick Tomlin denied Brown re- Mack gave high marks to Fangio. by the Chiefs out of San Jose quested a trade, as CBS Sports “Not speaking too soon - it State in 1988, Saxon ran for reported last week. was an honor for me,” Mack said. 533 yards on 145 career carries, “I talked to him prior to the “Understand where he’s been catching another 69 balls for game on Sunday,” Tomlin said. and how long he’s been coaching 515 yards. He scored fi ve career “I have not talked to him since and the guys he’s coached. Just touchdowns. then. ... I’m not going to frame seeing the things that he was able According to his Steelers any expectation or conversa- to do with the group of guys we bio, Saxon-coached running tion. I’m having conversations had was very impressive. What- backs reached the Pro Bowl 14 with a lot of people in terms ever happens, kudos to him.” times. The list includes Adrian of assessing what transpired. I The 60-year-old Fangio, the Peterson (Minnesota), Ron- will certainly talk to him.” oldest of the fi ve candidates on nie Brown (Miami), and Priest Brown led the NFL with 15 Elway’s short list, just complet- Holmes and Larry Johnson touchdown catches this sea- ed his 32nd season on an NFL (Kansas City). son, and had 104 receptions for sideline and his 34th in profes- 1,297 yards. sional football. He has never Smith-Schuster replacing Other Steelers scheduled been a head coach. Chicago Bears defensive co-ordinator Vic Fangio. Brown as Pro Bowl WR to play in the Pro Bowl are He previously interviewed for Now the Pro Bowl knows what running back James Conner, jobs as head coach with three the NFL’s best this season, a unit Hicks, cornerback Kyle Fuller search, the Green Bay Packers off s this season after fi nishing the Pittsburgh Steelers feel defensive lineman Cameron other NFL teams - the then-San solidifi ed following the Sep- and safety Eddie Jackson. Mack, will name Tennessee Titans of- 9-7, and were ranked No 25 in to- like.Wide receiver Antonio Heyward and off ensive line- Diego Chargers in 1997, the San tember acquisition of Mack in a Fuller and Jackson were also fensive coordinator Matt LaF- tal off ense, No 27 in scoring and Brown, who missed Pitts- men Maurkice Pouncey, David Francisco 49ers in 2015 and the trade with the Oakland Raiders. fi rst-team All-Pro selections. leur as their next head coach, ac- 29th in passing with quarterback burgh’s regular-season fi nale DeCastro and Alejandro Vil- Bears last year. The Miami Dol- The Bears led the league “I say this positively: just cording to reports from multiple Marcus Mariota, but seventh in for what was listed as a knee lanueva. phins were interested this year in takeaways (36), intercep- knowing that he’s not getting outlets. the league in rushing. but never scheduled an interview, tions (27), lowest passer rat- younger - with him, if he aspires He will become the 15th head LaFleur, who is from Mount according to the NFL Network. ing (72.9), three-and-out per- to be a head coach, I would say coach for Green Bay’s storied Pleasant, Mich., made his start “If he wants to be a head coach centage (26.8), fewest rushing that his time is now,” corner- franchise after being interviewed in the NFL coaching ranks in one day, we want him to take a touchdowns (fi ve), fewest rush- back Prince Amukamara said of on Sunday. According to ESPN’s 2008 with the Houston Texans, job to be a head coach,” Bears ing yards per game (80.0) and Fangio. “And he’s worked hard Adam Schefter, the Packers connecting with Kyle Shanahan, safety Adrian Amos told report- scoring (17.7 points per game). to put himself in a position to be started notifying other candi- now the San Francisco 49ers ers Monday. “Everybody just Besides Mack, Fangio’s unit in- sought after, as he is. dates who were interviewed to head coach. He joined Mike and wishes him well.” cluded a lot of young talent. “Of course, as a defensive tell them they were out of the Kyle Shanahan with the Wash- Looking for his fourth head “He’s an evil genius,” Mack group and I’m sure everyone in running. ington Redskins, then worked in coach in six years after fi ring told NFL.com in November. “The this organization would love for The 39-year-old LaFleur, who Atlanta under Kyle Shanahan. Vance Joseph a week ago, Elway guy knows the game in and out him to stay and not go and get just completed his fi rst season as LaFleur will replace Mike Mc- also has reportedly interviewed and he knows his players, and ul- interviews. But we do under- off ensive coordinator of the Ti- Carthy, who was fi red by Packers former Indianapolis Colts coach timately, he wants the best for us stand that this could be some- tans under fi rst-year head coach president/CEO Mark Murphy on Chuck Pagano and Pittsburgh out there on the fi eld, so he puts thing, a goal that he’s aspired to Mike Vrabel, spent 2017 as the December 2 after Green Bay was Steelers off ensive line coach us in positions to make plays.” achieve. Me personally, I support Los Angeles Rams wide receivers stunned by the Arizona Cardi- Mike Munchak (both 58), New Mack fi nished with 12 1/2 him. But also, selfi shly, I would coach (the Rams fi nished eighth nals. England Patriots defensive sacks, 47 total tackles and a love for him to stay.” in the league in rushing, 10th in Green Bay interviewed at least play-caller Brian Flores (37) and career-high six forced fumbles passing), and was quarterbacks 11 candidates, many of whom Los Angeles Rams quarterbacks with the Bears, who also have PACKERS TO HIRE TITANS coach for the Atlanta Falcons had off ensive backgrounds and coach Zac Taylor (35). Fangio three other Pro Bowl selections OC LAFLEUR AS HC from 2015-16. previous experience as head turned the Bears’ defense into on their defense: lineman Akiem After almost a month-long The Titans missed the play- coaches. James Saxon

FOCUS Gruden has ‘fi nal say’ on personnel: Raiders GM Reuters little screaming, a little fi ghting The Raiders fi nished the 2018 Los Angeles for what players you believe in,” season with a 4-12 record, col- Mayock continued. lecting a cadre of draft picks “But at the end of the day, I along the way. or anyone who feared the guarantee you, Jon Gruden and I Oakland had a 39-70 record, Oakland Raiders’ hir- are going to know what a Raider including a playoff loss, under ing of Mike Mayock to be looks like and smells like. I don’t McKenzie. He helped orchestrate the general manager think we’re going to have any is- trades that shipped out former wouldF create some sort of power sues.” fi rst-round picks and Pro Bowl struggle between the new guy performers Khalil Mack (Bears) and head coach Jon Gruden, In addition to the fran- and Amari Cooper (Cowboys) Mayock is doing his best to alle- chise’s own fi rst-round pick, during Gruden’s fi rst season back viate that fear. the Raiders will have on the sidelines since his “Mon- When push comes to shove, fi rst-round picks from day Night Football” run. the GM is deferring to the coach. Chicago and Dallas In addition to the franchise’s “In all honesty, Jon’s got fi nal own fi rst-round pick, the Raiders say, if it ever comes to that, and After a brief playing career in will have fi rst-round picks from I’ve got zero problems with that,” the early 1980s, Mayock shifted Chicago and Dallas. Mayock told ESPN’s Steve Levy his focus to the media. The order of those selections on Monday afternoon at Levi’s He has never held any sort of will be determined by playoff re- Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif. NFL management or coaching sults. Mayock was attending the position, and he has worked as an The Raiders are slated to begin College Football Playoff cham- analyst and draft expert for the playing in Las Vegas in 2020, but pionship game, scouting peren- NFL Network since 2004. with their lease at the Oakland nial NFL pipelines Alabama and After shadowing Gruden for Coliseum up following the 2018 Clemson. parts of the off season, Mayock season and their new stadium “Now, having said that, I think was named the replacement for in Sin City not ready until 2020, we’re going to come to a consen- the fi red Reggie McKenzie on their home for the 2019 season sus and I like a little yelling, a New Year’s Eve. remains uncertain. Oakland Raiders’coach Jon Gruden. Gulf Times Wednesday, January 9, 2019 7 SPORT

GOLF/RYDER CUP SPOTLIGHT WADA team returns to Moscow for Harrington takes laboratory info today

AFP president Craig Reedie said. Montreal “This week’s mission to Moscow is not only about us following due process and three-person World precedent. If the mission is captaincy with some Anti-Doping Agency successful in acquiring the team will arrive in data, it will break a long im- ‘Having won three majors, I’ve done a lot Moscow on Wednes- passe and will potentially lead dayA to obtain laboratory dop- to many cases being actioned.” in my own personal career, but I know ing test data after Russian au- In September, WADA con- thorities missed a deadline to ditionally lifted a ban on the taking on the Ryder Cup captaincy is a provide the information. Russian Anti-Doping Agency The mission announced (RUSADA), paving the way for trepidation diff erent thing and a diff erent level’ Monday comes after WADA’s Russian athletes to return to athletes committee last week competition across all sports. demanded Russia suff er new But one of the conditions was sanctions for missing a Decem- data access by the end of 2018. ber 31 deadline to provide data A fi ve-person WADA team from its drug-tainted Moscow went to Russia from December lab. WADA will consider its 17-21 but left empty handed next step in the long-running after Russian authorities raised saga at a January 14-15 meeting issues with the certifi cation of of its compliance committee, WADA equipment under Rus- but the athletes want Russia sian law. “That issue has since found in non-compliance. been resolved by the Russian “Anything less will be con- authorities,” a WADA state- sidered a failure by WADA to ment said. act on behalf of clean athletes,” Compliance review com- a statement from the commit- mittee chair Jonathan Taylor tee said. After a recommenda- said a non-compliance decla- tion from the meeting, WADA’s ration is considered a “last re- executive committee will meet sort” and the committee “reg- by conference call “in the fol- ularly receives late information lowing days” to decide Rus- from signatories ahead of its sia’s athletic fate, according to meetings, which may or may a WADA statement. not demonstrate compliance Should WADA executives with the outstanding require- fi nd Russia non-compliant and ments.” the Russians want to dispute WADA’s leadership has been the ruling, RUSADA would strongly criticised over its de- have 21 days to notify WADA cision to lift Russia’s suspen- and the matter would go be- sion before obtaining access to fore the Court of Arbitration the Moscow lab information. for Sport. “It’s time for WADA to stop WADA says analysis of data being played by the Russians from the Moscow lab is crucial and immediately declare them to building strong cases against non-compliant for failing yet dope cheats and potentially again to meet the deadline,” exonerating other athletes sus- US Anti-Doping Agency chief pected of being part of a sys- Travis Tygart said. temic state-sponsored doping The IAAF, world governing operation in Russia. body for athletics, said it would “We are continuing to act on maintain Russia’s ban. Russian the basis of the 31 December athletics teams were barred deadline having been missed, from the 2016 Rio Olympics with all the consequences that and 2017 World Champion- failure could bring,” WADA ships in London.

Padraig Harrington poses with the Ryder Cup and his wife Caroline after being appointed as the European Ryder Cup Captain for The 2020 Ryder Cup, (Reuters) EQUESTRIAN COURSE AFP having generally worked as a vice-cap- London Past European Ryder Cup captains tain, often for more than one event - an approach that contrasts to that of the 1979-John Jacobs (ENG) - lost 1997-Seve Ballesteros (ESP) - won Americans who often seem to be starting reland’s Padraig Harrington will cap- 1981-John Jacobs (ENG) - lost 1999-Mark James (ENG) - lost their planning afresh each time. tain Europe at the 2020 Ryder Cup with 1983-Tony Jacklin (ENG) - lost 2002-Sam Torrance (SCO) - won Harrington did not pretend that his ap- pride and some trepidation after being 1985-Tony Jacklin (ENG) - won 2004-Bernhard Langer (GER) - won pointment had come as a surprise, given appointed yesterday, less than four 1987-Tony Jacklin (ENG) - won 2006-Ian Woosnam (WAL) - won that he is an experienced hand on the Imonths after helping the team to a crush- Wisconsin course, which hosts the Cup 1989-Tony Jacklin (ENG) - halved 2008-Nick Faldo (ENG) - lost ing victory over the United States in Paris. (Europe retain trophy as defending 2010-Colin Montgomerie (SCO) - won from Sept 25-27 next year. He played the The three-times major winner had champions) 2012-Jose Maria Olazabal (ESP) - won PGA Championships there in 2004, 2010 been the clear favourite to succeed Den- 1991-Bernard Gallacher (SCO) - lost 2014-Paul McGinley (IRL) - won and 2015 and Chicago, with a sizeable mark’s Thomas Bjorn for the defence at 1993-Bernard Gallacher (SCO) - lost 2016-Darren Clarke (NIR) - lost Irish population, is within easy reach. Whistling Straits, Wisconsin, after hav- 1995-Bernard Gallacher (SCO) - won 2018-Thomas Bjorn (DEN) - won “I’m the right man for the job at this ing served as vice-captain at the last three time,” he said. Ryder Cups. “Having won three majors, I’ve done a EUROPEAN CONTINUITY “But just because it seems to be my Harrington, who won back-to-back lot in my own personal career, but I know Paul McGinley successfully captained Eu- turn, it’s not something I just walked British Opens in 2007 and 2008 before taking on the Ryder Cup captaincy is a dif- rope at Gleneagles in 2012, while Darren into... It’s something I did think long and going on to win his third major at that ferent thing and a diff erent level. I’m re- Clarke lost out on American soil at Ha- hard about,” he added. year’s PGA Championship, also played in ally conscious that I have to fi nd that edge zeltine in 2014. McGinley and Clarke were “You are putting it on the line when you six successive Ryder Cups from 1999 to and add to it.” among those in a fi ve-man committee to become the Ryder Cup captain. It is a dif- 2010, helping Europe to four victories. Harrington, the third Irish captain of select the captain for Whistling Straits. ferent element to your career. We know “You could look at this as being a natu- the Europe team in the last four stagings The Irishman became the favourite af- a successful captain is great and a losing ral progression - you move on from player of the match, said he had a busy 18 months ter England’s former world number one captain, it’s his fault.” to vice-captain to captain - but it’s not ahead and intended to make his captaincy Lee Westwood, one of the fi ve European The 47-year-old has not won a Euro- something I take on without a certain a mix of all those he had served under. vice-captains in 2018, indicated a pref- pean Tour title since his Portugal Masters amount of trepidation,” the Irishman told “I’ve learned from all of them,” he said. erence to do the job in Italy in 2022 when triumph in 2016 but came close at the a news conference at the European Tour’s “I’ve actually learned a lot more as vice- Rome hosts the event. Czech Masters last August, fi nishing sec- headquarters. captain than you do as a player. As a player Management continuity is widely seen ond in what was his best performance of “We’re going to a new venue, it’s an you are very one-dimensional about do- as one of the factors in Europe’s recent the season. Bjorn’s side put on a ruthless away match, and we’re going to have on ing your thing and getting on with per- success, the team winning nine of the last display while outplaying the United States average three more rookies coming into forming. I will defi nitely take bits from all 12 biennial contests. in a 17.5-10.5 victory at Le Golf National in the team,” he added. of them.” Each new captain is appointed after September last year.

HANDBALL WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS Joint Korean team in latest reconciliation step DPA up against the Germans, Serbia, Seoul/Berlin Russia, Brazil and mighty France in the fi rst group stage from which the top three of the four hursday’s opening groups advance. match of the Handball Cho has pledged that at least World Championships one North Korean player will see in Berlin will see the lat- action in every game. Test Korean reconciliation eff ort. “We had only two weeks Co-hosts Germany face a but that was enough to see the joint team from North and South strengths and weaknesses of Korea, almost a year after the each player,” the coach said. two nations which are techni- Captain Jung Su Young has cally still at war formed a joint vowed “we will do our best” but women’s ice hockey team at the above all still towers the message Pyeongchang Olympics and also of reconciliation between the marched together at the opening two nations which has also seen ceremony there. summits between South Koream A joint table tennis team fol- President Moon Jae In and the lowed at last year’s worlds along Players of the Korean handball team and of Oranienburger SC pose for a picture after a test match in North’s leader Kim Jong Un. with joint teams in several sports Oranienburg near Berlin, northeastern Germany on January 7, 2019. (AFP) “Our ultimate goal is not the at the Asian Games in Jakarta, results on court, but to show our and now it is the Handballers in 1997 but they failed to qualify then in a city “itself no stranger start. Coach Cho Young Shin unique team spirit to the whole turn. Acting upon an initiative for the last two editions 2015 and to the process of unifi cation,” said: “We became closer with world,” said John Yoon, head of from the ruling body IHF, the 2017. Players from the North are according to the IHF. every evening, every training, international aff airs at South Koreas have formed a team of 16 at the big stage for the fi rst time “More than sport, history in every meal, and now we have a Korea’s federation. players from the South and four and little is known about the the making,” the IHF said. friendly connection.” “Our success will be to touch from the North - four more than sport in the country. The atmosphere in the team Reaching the second group all Handball fans and allow A four-day National Off icials Certification Course–Phase 1 for the the regular 16-player squads of The players only met for the is “very good” by now, South stage at the tournament in Ger- Handball to show the world the showjumping off icials and course designers was organised by the other teams. South Korea’s fi rst time on December 22 in Ber- Korean Handball offi cial Yun Jin many and Denmark would be peaceful message from the Korea Qatar Equestrian Federation from January 5–8. PICTURES: Lotfi Garsi best result at the worlds is eighth lin and have been training since Eom has said after an awkward a success for the team which is peninsula.”

Wednesday, January 9, 2019 GULF TIMES CRICKET

DEBATE FOCUS Tons for Taylor, Nicholls as Black India asks ‘Is Caps sweep Lanka

AFP SCORECARD Nelson

New Zealand eteran Ross Taylor and M. Guptill c Mendis b Malinga 2 King Kohli better rising star Henry Ni- C. Munro b Malinga 21 cholls both smashed K. Williamson c de Silva b centuries as New Zea- Sandakan 55 Vland beat Sri Lanka by 115 runs in R. Taylor c de Silva b Malinga 137 the third one-day international H. Nicholls not out 124 in Nelson yesterday to complete J. Neesham not out 12 a 3-0 series whitewash. Extras: (b1, lb5, nb1, w6) 13 Taylor top-scored with 137, Total: (for 4 ; 50 overs) 364 than Tendulkar?’ and Nicholls was unbeaten on Fall of wickets: 1-16 (Guptill), 2-31 124 off just 80 balls, lifting the (Munro), 3-147 (Williamson), 4-301 Kohli last year became the fastest to reach 10,000 runs in ODIS — beating Tendulkar’s record hosts to 364 for four after they (Taylor) lost the toss and were sent in to : Malinga 10-1-93-3 (1w), bat. Chameera 8-0-55-0, Pradeep It was a record ODI score at 9-1-77-0 (5w, 1nb), Perera 2-0-8-0, Nelson’s Saxton Oval, where the Sandakan 10-0-54-1, Shanaka 6-0- average is just 275, and Sri Lanka 36-0, de Silva 5-0-35-0 never looked like reaching the Sri Lanka mammoth total. N. Dickwella c Ferguson b They were all out for 249 in the Neesham 46 42nd over, throwing away their D. de Silva lbw Southee 36 fi nal four wickets without scor- K. Perera c Seifert b Ferguson 43 ing a run as the series ended with K. Mendis run out (Williamson/ a whimper. Seifert) 0 Thisara Perera, who scored a D. Shanaka lbw Sodhi 2 blistering 140 in the second ODI, T. Perera c Guptill b Ferguson 80 was again the tourists’ stand- M. Gunathilaka b Ferguson 31 out performer, racing to 80 in 63 P. Chameera c Southee b balls. Ferguson 1 With the series already decid- L. Malinga (Seifert/So- ed, Nicholls and Taylor used the dhi) 0 dead rubber to send a message to L. Sandakan not out 0 New Zealand selectors ahead of N. Pradeep b Sodhi 0 this year’s World Cup. Extras: (lb4, w7) 10 It was Nicholls’ maiden ODI Total: (all out; 41.4 overs) 249 ton and the 27-year-old will Fall of wickets: 1-66 (de Silva), hope his strong Test form is fi - 2-107 (Dickwella), 3-107 (K. Mendis), nally transferring to the limited 4-117 (Shanaka), 5-143 (M. Perera), overs format. 6-244 (T. Perera), 7-249 (Cha- Taylor’s 20th ODI century meera), 8-249 (Gunathilaka), 9-249 tightened the 34-year-old’s grip (Malinga), 10-249 (Pradeep) on the New Zealand record he Bowling: Southee 7-0-46-1 (4w), already holds for one-day cen- Henry 8-0-62-0 (2w), Ferguson turies. 8-0-40-0 (1w), Neesham 5-0-34-1, “I’m getting old and hopefully Williamson 5-0-24-0, Sodhi 8.4- I’ve got a few more left in me,” he 0-40-3 said. Toss: Sri Lanka In his last 11 ODI Tay- Result: New Zealand win by 115 lor has scored three centuries runs and six half centuries. Series: New Zealand 3-0 He came to the crease with Umpires: Paul Wilson (AUS), New Zealand struggling at 31 for Wayne Knights (NZL) two but combined with skipper TV Umpire: Richard Illingworth for a 116-run (ENG) partnership to steady the in- Match Referee: Richie Richard- nings. son (WIS) When Williamson departed on 55, Taylor and Nicholls plun- lost three wickets for 10 runs dered the Sri Lanka attack with to slump to 117 for four, with an aggressive 154-run stand. Niroshan Dickwella and Kusal Sri Lanka captain Lasith Mal- Mendis departing within the inga had ousted openers Martin space of two balls. Guptill and Colin Munro cheap- Worse was to come after Per- ly but was expensive in the long era fell to a spectacular one- In this file photo taken on November 9, 2012 Sachin Tendulkar speaks with teammate during a training session at the Cricket Club of India (CCI) in Mumbai. run, leaking 93 runs from his 10 handed catch from Guptill, trig- overs. gering a tail-end collapse. AFP on Indian social media after be a comparison between play- in their off-the-cuff com- make India invincible”, head- Sri Lanka’s senior bowlers Dushmantha Chameera went New Delhi saying on a TV chat show that ers of different generations, ments on Indian television lining the opinion of their col- were all wayward, particularly with Sri Lanka on 249, only for Kohli was a better batsman but hailed Kohli’s achieve- aired Sunday. umnist Ian Chappell. at the death, as the tourists con- Danushka Gunathilaka, Malinga than Tendulkar. ments. Tendulkar had been named Even Pakistan’s Prime Min- ceded 57 runs in the fi nal three and Nuwan Pradeep to all depart hile Virat Kohli’s The pair were blasted for “As a captain he sets an ex- as the best batsmen by a string ister Imran Khan congratulated overs. without furthering the score. historic success in being “pathetic” and “cringe- ample with his fitness, his bat- of luminaries including Don India on their historic achieve- Sri Lanka made a bright start Sri Lanka, who lost a two-Test Australia has been worthy” by Twitter users in a ting and his leadership,” Loka- Bradman, Viv Richards and Su- ment. to the run chase, scoring freely series against New Zealand 1-0, greeted with jubila- mass tirade. While Tendulkar pally told AFP. nil Gavaskar, one Twitter user “Congratulations to Virat before Tim Southee trapped wrap up their tour with a one- Wtion in India, it has also sparked has maintained a god-like sta- “His batting is absolutely noted in response. “Every true Kohli and the Indian cricket Dhananjaya de Silva lbw on 36. off Twenty20 match against the a feverish debate: is he even bet- tus in the Indian public’s eye top class. He doesn’t need a cricket fan knows who is best!” team for the first ever win by The run rate then slowed Black Caps in Auckland on Fri- ter than the nation’s cricket god since his retirement in 2013, he certificate from anyone. And Few doubt however that a subcontinent team in a test to a crawl when the tourists day. Sachin Tendulkar? never managed to guide India there is no better person to lead Kohli has given the world’s series in Australia,” the former Kohli, the world’s top- to a Test series win in Australia. the Indian team in any format.” number one Test nation an cricketer wrote on his party’s ranked batsman in all three Kohli, 30, was born a year He added: “As far as com- even stronger dominance by Twitter account. formats of the game, on Mon- before Tendulkar made his In- parisons go, I think it’s unfair to completing the 2-1 series win India coach Ravi Shastri said day led India to their first-ever dia debut in 1989. He is the disregard the efforts of former in Australia. Kohli’s leadership skills had Test series win in Australia, af- run machine of modern cricket players like Vijay Hazare or Su- World Cup-winning Kohli “made all the difference” but ter seven decades of trying. with more 19,000 runs in Test, nil Gavaskar and compare eras. rated the triumph his “best sought to shoot down all refer- Already known as “King one-day and T20 games. He “Gavaskar was a star of his achievement” so far, and In- ences to deities. Kohli” before the tour, there last year became the fastest to times, Tendulkar ruled his era dian papers hailed the captain “This is not a team of gods are those who say the Indian reach 10,000 runs in 50-over and Kohli is the new generation for his “Thunder Down Under”. and demigods, seniors or jun- captain deserves promotion. internationals — beating Ten- star. So they are all champions The Times of India newspa- iors. This is an Indian cricket But his Test teammates dulkar’s record. in their own place.” per headlined its report “The team that will readily jump off Hardik Pandya and Lokesh Kohli’s biographer Vijay Pandya and Rahul set off Reign Men”, while the Hindus- a cliff to win a match for the Rahul were mercilessly trolled Lokapally said there should not hostilities with Tendulkar fans tan Times said “This win will country,” said Shastri.

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New Zealand captain Kane Williamson is presented with a trophy India hails ‘Wizards of Oz’ aft er breakthrough win by NZ Cricket director Diane Puketapu at Saxton Field in Nelson yesterday.

Reuters stranglehold to the number one New Delhi ranking”. While celebrating the “Sweet India rest pace spearhead Bumrah Taste of History”, the daily also irat Kohli and his team pointed out that India had yet to for Australia ODIs, NZ tour adorned the front pag- win a Test series in South Africa New Delhi: India paceman Jas- of the home series against Aus- es of the leading local and said it was “the next frontier”. prit Bumrah will be rested for tralia,” BCCI acting secretary newspapers yesterday Prime Minister Narendra Modi the one-day series in Australia Amitabh Choudhary said in a Vas cricket-mad India celebrated also congratulated the team, hail- and subsequent tour of New statement. the end of an agonising 71-year ing their “historic cricketing ac- Zealand after playing a key “Mohamed Siraj will replace wait for a fi rst Test series victory complishment”. role in their breakthrough Test Bumrah in the squad for the in Australia. “Congratulations to the Indian series win Down Under, the Australia and New Zealand Frequently dubbed ‘poor Cricket Team for the hard-fought Indian cricket board (BCCI) said tour.” travellers’ due to their struggles and richly deserved series vic- yesterday. Led by Bumrah, the Indians eas- abroad in contrast to their strong tory,” he said on Twitter. The 25-year-old with an unor- ily outbowled Australia in the home form, India’s 2-1 victory Batting great Sachin Tendulkar thodox sling-arm action was Test series, prompting home not only lent legitimacy to their also praised the team for their re- joint highest -taker along captain Tim Paine to call it “po- standing atop the Test rank- silience and hailed the perform- with Australia’s Nathan Lyon tentially the best pace attack in ings but also made them the fi rst ances of wicketkeeper Rishabh with 21 from the four-match se- the world”. Asian team to win a Test series in Pant and left-arm spinner Kul- ries, which the tourists won 2-1. Beginning on Saturday, India Australia. deep Yadav. Bumrah sent down 157.1 overs will play three one-dayers in The Times of India saluted the “Has been a wonderful series in hot and demanding condi- Australia before moving to New “Wizards of Oz” on its front page where the younger and senior tions, the most by a fast bowler Zealand to play five ODIs and and said on its sports page: “Fit- Laxman, who also enjoyed a great runs from seven innings. well as the number of hours he players shared responsibilities in the series and second only to three Twenty20 Internationals. tingly, the historic moment came deal of success against Australia “In Pujara’s ability to make a spent at the crease, was the dif- to achieve something special. @ spinner Lyon’s 242.1. Paceman Siddarth Kaul has also in Sydney where Virat Kohli took in his playing days, said man- good thing count and tire out the ference between the two teams.” Rishabpant777, who has gone “Keeping in mind the workload been drafted into the squad for over as Indian skipper three years of-the-series Cheteshwar Pujara opposition bowling is a massive In the Hindustan Times, former from strength to strength and @ of the bowler, it was best felt to the Twenty20 series against ago.” was the diff erence between the lesson for youngsters,” he wrote. Australia captain Ian Chappell imkuldeep18 are defi nitely ones give him adequate rest ahead New Zealand. Writing in the newspaper, VVS two sides after putting up 521 “The volume of his runs, as predicted India would “apply a to watch out for,” he Tweeted.