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Monday, January 2, 2017 CRICKET Rabia II 4, 1438 AH Aussies double up GULF TIMES on spin as Misbah ponders retirement SPORT Page 4

TENNIS ‘ the right venue to start season’ Top duo Djokovic and Murray relishing prospect of launching their preparations in Qatar

By Joe Koraith ternational crowd. They already know ORDER OF PLAY Doha tennis. They’re knowledgeable about the sport. It’s defi nitely a lot of fun and CENTRE COURT (start 3:30pm) a joy to perform in front of such crowd,” D. Marrero (ESP) / N. Zimonjic (SRB) vs M. t’s the start of the tennis season and said Djokovic who will be seen in ac- Fyrstenberg (POL) / A. Murray (GBR) players are picking the best route tion today against German Jan-Lennard Not Before 5:30pm to get themselves ready for the fi rst Struff . J. Struff (GER) vs [2] N. Djokovic (SRB) IGrand Slam of the year. Roger Fed- This is the 25th anniversary of the R. Haase (NED) vs [4] D. Goff in (BEL) erer has gone to Perth to restart his career. tournament and Djokovic said that the [Q] V. Pospisil (CAN) vs F. Verdasco (ESP) Rafael Nadal has gone to Brisbane. But the tournament has showcased the tradi- COURT 1 (start 3:30pm) top two players of the world have picked tion of sport in Qatar. [WC] A. Yuksel (TUR) vs J. Vesely (CZE) Qatar ExxonMobil Open, believing that “This tournament was organized for P. Lorenzi (ITA) vs N. Almagro (ESP) this is the perfect launch pad for the new the fi rst time in 1993 and so it has already [8] M. Baghdatis (CYP) vs [Q] R. Stepanek season. Tennis stars Tomas Berdych, Andy Murray and Novak Djokovic adorn a poster at the Khalifa International Tennis and Squash a long culture and tradition of tennis. (CZE) “Every single year, you get at least a Complex where the 25th edition of the Qatar ExxonMobil Open will begin today. Qatar as a country has already nurtured COURT 2 (start 3:30pm) couple of players among the top-5 in the the passion, understanding and love for F. Bagnis (ARG) vs D. Brown (GER) world. You have at least 4-5 players from starting my season in Qatar. I am really that record. “This has worked well for a “The organisers have been really try- this sport,” said the 29-year-old. H. Zeballos (ARG) vs F. Mayer (GER) the top-10. That says enough about what pleased to start off the year in this tour- lot of the guys in the past and they have ing to make sure that every player feels The defending champion also praised [WC] A. De Greef (BEL) vs [Q] M. Safwat I personally, and we all as players, feel nament that has now traditionally for gone on to do well in the Australia Open. at home. The facilities are great. The the high-class facilities in Qatar. “The (EGY) about this tournament. It’s a great way some time been voted the best in its cat- You can obviously fl y direct pretty much hotel is of very high-quality. You also stadium is fantastic. We have Aspire and COURT 3 (start 3:30pm) to start off the season and have kind of a egory,” he added. to Melbourne from here. It’s very con- have the beach.” Aspetar facilities if they are needed. It’s [4] D. Inglot (GBR) / F. Mergea (ROU) vs K. lead-up to Australian Open,” said Novak World No. 1 Andy Murray has also venient, I think especially for the players The defending champion was also all one of the best sports medical facilities Khachanov (RUS) / A. Kuznetsov (RUS) Djokovic during his press conference yes- opted to start with Qatar and with past from Europe,” said Murray yesterday. praise for the crowd that turned up to I’ve seen in my life,” said Djokovic. [WC] M. Jaziri (TUN) / M. Zayid (QAT) vs J. terday. winners doing well in the Australian “I played here in the past and I liked it watch the stars in action. “The people The battleground has been chosen. Let Chardy (FRA) / F. Martin (FRA) “Now it’s the third year in a row I’m Open, the Brit wants to benefi t from and played well,’ he added. that come to the stands — it’s very in- the action begin. Gulf Times 2 Monday, January 2, 2017 TENNIS

SPOTLIGHT THE YEAR AHEAD... It’s going to be tough to stay The last six months of 2016 as world number one: Murray taught me a lot: Djokovic

World number one Andy Murray insists that Novak Djokovic (right) will remain his biggest threat in 2017, as the pair pre- pare for a potential first clash of the season at the Qatar Open in Doha this week. PICTURES: Noushad Thekkayil

etting to the top is diffi cult but staying there is out his career, so it will be obviously new for him coming f one rewinds back to 2016, at the same point in time, On the ‘short’ off -season & family time even more so. That’s one of the often used adages back from this injury. He loves the game. He’s obviously a Novak Djokovic was being considered unbeatable. The We have had 5-6 weeks of off -season. Not rest, because in in sport and Andy Murray is going to fi nd out soon very gifted athlete. So I would imagine after a few matches Serbian was playing at a level that nobody could seem to the 5-6 weeks you have to mix in the rest along with prepa- enough. — maybe it doesn’t happen the fi rst month of the year — but touch and it was almost a certainty that he would win all ration. Ideally for the amount of time that we spend on the GThe Scot fi nished 2016 as world number one but he knows if he stays fi t and healthy that couple of months into the Ifour Grand Slams in 2016. Such was his dominance coming tour, I would personally like to have a bit longer, an extended that Novak Djokovic is hot on his heels. They will face off in year, he’ll be back to playing some great tennis again. into the New Year. off -season. Doha to see who gets off the blocks quicker and then head Rafa last year was a bit unlucky. He was starting to play And he did start off in grand style – winning the Qatar But it is as it is. Sometimes I’ve had even shorter off -sea- towards the Australian Open, the year’s fi rst . really well again during the clay court season before he got ExxonMobil Open and going on to win the Australian Open sons. But nevertheless, I did take some time off with family. Talking in Doha yesterday, Murray outlined his plans for his wrist injury. It will be interesting to see how he comes and an elusive title. I didn’t travel much. I wanted to stay home and stay in one the season and how he plans to tackle the hurdle that is the back. There are a lot of talented young guys. A lot of them But come June, the sixth month of the year, and the well- place where I can recharge my batteries. Australian Open where he has fi nished second best a frus- are big guys as well — with very powerful games. So they’re oiled machine that was Djokovic, started stuttering. With the lifestyle of a tennis player and all the traveling, trating fi ve times since 2010. very dangerous. They will be improving as they get more ex- He was knocked out of Wimbledon in the third round and sometimes you lose coordinates. You are all over the place. perience. A tough few years are coming up. lost the US Open fi nal to an inspired Stanislas Wawrinka. So it’s great to actually be in one place for certain amount of Q. Who’s your biggest threat at the Australian Open to And then lost to Andy Murray in the ATP Tour fi nals and weeks. That allows you to unpack your things and mentally your No. 1 spot? Q. The Australian Open is a big goal for you. As com- conceded the world number one spot. just relax and stay put. I would say Novak. Obviously his record in Australia has pared to the French Open, which one would you say is a But now he’s recharged and ready to take on 2017. Here been incredible. He’s won it six times. He’s had an amaz- bigger motivation? in Qatar for the third time, Djokovic is looking forward to On a less-packed start to 2017 ing record there over the years and won a number of fi nals I don’t know really. I have played very well in Australia matching his own high expectations in 2017. Here’s how he In terms of scheduling, you know, I haven’t changed my against me, too. So I would expect him to play very well before. Just hadn’t quite got there in the fi nals. So it’s a tour- plans to do it… schedule much. I did not commit to the week before Indian there. In terms of the No. 1 ranking too it would be Novak nament that I would’ve loved to have won. Wells, which is usually Dubai that I played, because I did not who would be the biggest threat for me. I had a great 4-5 Whereas the French Open is the one that I never — un- On the stuttering end to 2016 know how I’m going to feel after Doha, Australia, you know, months at the end of last year and I still only got to No. 1 by til the last couple years — saw myself winning. I think that It has been a great 2016 for me. First six months of the and potentially . one match. So I know it will be very tough to stay there. would be a greater accomplishment for me to win that event, year, results-wise, were really good. The second six months I don’t know how this is going to go, how that’s going to just because it’s a surface that doesn’t come naturally to me. were up and down and I was not meeting the standard of the aff ect me physically, emotionally or mentally. So depending Q. You played a couple of matches in Abu Dhabi (ex- I’ve struggled on it for large parts of my career, not just results that I kind of set for myself in the last couple of years. on that period, I will decide whether or not I will play that hibition tournament) before coming here. How do you with the tactical/technical side but physically as well, with I was aware of that, but, again, when I look back on the last week. That is the only week that was left out of the let’s say rate your performance? Do you feel ready to compete on my back giving me a lot of problems a few years ago. six months of the year, I’m happy that I’ve been through that unusual schedule that I’ve had in last fi ve, six years. the tour? So I think it would be a greater accomplishment to win experience because it has defi nitely served as a great incen- I do think it’s always tough to judge, because the quality the French Open because it’s just a surface that I never felt tive for what’s coming up. Valuable experience learnt from losing of the tennis is good but there isn’t the pressure of the deci- comfortable on when I was younger. It has allowed me to refl ect on all the years that I’ve had I felt like the second six months of the year were very valu- sions you make on court. Sometimes your shot selection in previously. I was crowned of course with the Roland Garros able, because I always believe that you can learn a lot more those matches isn’t quite as good. Guys tend to take a little Q. Can you tell us what the most important reason you title that was so much anticipated and probably took a lot from your lost matches. Then you can really sit down, dig bit more risks. But in terms of like my ball striking and stuff , play Davis Cup is and how important is a personal out of me emotionally as much as it gave me. deep, and fi gure out what are the things that you can do bet- I was hitting the ball pretty clean. I was happy with that. I record in a team situation, team sport? I don’t see the second half of 2016 as a failure or anything ter. So that’s how I felt. That’s what I’ve been through in the think I could still move a little bit better. That’s obviously For me the best thing about the Davis Cup is the home like that. It’s not in my mind-set, in my philosophy of life to last fi ve, six months of the year, of 2016. You know, I defi - quite a big part of my game. Normally the more matches I and away aspect and the atmosphere that you play in. The look at things in this way. I just feel like every experience is a nitely don’t see it as an unsuccessful year. I don’t see it as a play the better that feels. fi nal of the Davis Cup, I didn’t see loads of it, but what I did blessing one way or another. Of course, I personally, as eve- crisis. I don’t see it as any of that. So that’s obviously what I’m hoping to get here, hoping to see, the atmosphere was incredible in Croatia. I’ve played in rybody else, would like to win every tennis match that I play I actually see it as a great, I would say incentive, challenge, get through some matches, feel better as the week goes on. some great atmospheres at home and away throughout my on. Without a doubt when I’m on the court there is no other experience that has helped me to rise and hopefully get even You know, I’m happy with the way I was hitting the ball for career. You don’t get that everywhere else. When you play thing than to win that tennis match. stronger, get even better, and keep going. the fi rst few matches of the year there in Abu Dhabi. in tournaments on the tour, it’s not necessarily that every But, you know, sport is as it is and you can’t always win. crowd is neutral, but sort of equal. They want to see great You can’t always expect yourself to be victorious. On staying hungry Q. Could you talk a little bit about the competition? tennis. Whereas when they go to Davis Cup they want to see In the end of the day, it’s my choice to play this sport. It’s Rafael Nadal is back, Roger Federer is back, the young their country win. It’s a very diff erent atmosphere. On Murray becoming world no. 1 my choice to be out there. I really want to push more, but guys are also looking good and wanting to break Personal or individual records in Davis Cup are extremely I would like to congratulate Andy for reaching No. 1, hungry in a way to really see and to feel and to understand through and the in-between generation is probably is important, because there are not too many matches you can crowning his season again, because he has played some tre- how far I can go, what are my capabilities. Because I don’t getting impatient. infl uence — well, two of the fi ve points with obviously your mendous tennis, especially in the last 3-4 months. He defi - believe in limits in life. I like to keep pushing forward as long Yeah, I think obviously be interesting with Roger and singles, and in the doubles, if you play that as well, you can nitely deserves to be there. as I have the drive, which of course comes from the love and Rafa. Roger has never really had any major injuries through- have a say in winning or losing the entire match. passion for this sport. That I guess is the whole point of it.

Most singles titles: 3 YEAR CHAMPION RUNNER-UP SCORE Roger Federer (2005, 2006, 2011) QATAR EXXONMOBIL OPEN FACTBOX 2016 Novak Djokovic Rafael Nadal 6–1, 6–2 2015 David Ferrer Tomáš Berdych 6–4, 7–5 Most consecutive singles titles: 2 In this 2011 pic, 2014 Rafael Nadal Gaël Monfils 6–1, 6–7(5), 6–2 (1994–1995) Roger Federer 2013 Richard Gasquet Nikolay Davydenko 3–6, 7–6(4), 6–3 Roger Federer (2005–2006) (right) of 2012 Jo-Wilfried Tsonga Gaël Monfils 7–5, 6–3 Andy Murray (2008–2009) Switzerland 2011 Roger Federer Nikolay Davydenko 6–3, 6–4 holds the Qatar 2010 Nikolay Davydenko Rafael Nadal 0–6, 7–6(8), 6–4 Most singles finals: 3 Open trophy 2009 Andy Murray 6–4, 6–2 Ivan Ljubicic (2004, 2005, 2007) after defeating 2008 Andy Murray Stanislas Wawrinka 6–4, 4–6, 6–2 Roger Federer (2005, 2006, 2011) Nikolay 2007 Ivan Ljubičić Andy Murray 6–4, 6–4 Andy Murray (2007, 2008, 2009) Davydenko of 2006 Roger Federer Gaël Monfils 6–3, 7–6(5) Nikolay Davydenko (2010, 2011, 2013) Russia in the 2005 Roger Federer Ivan Ljubičić 6–3, 6–1 Rafael Nadal (2010, 2014, 2016) final. Federer 2004 Nicolas Escudé Ivan Ljubičić 6–3, 7–6(4) won three times 2003 Jan-Michael Gambill 6–4, 6–4 Most consecutive singles finals: 3 in Qatar, the 2002 Younes El Aynaoui Félix Mantilla 4–6, 6–2, 6–2 Andy Murray (2007–2009) most by any 2001 Marcelo Ríos Bohdan Ulihrach 6–3, 2–6, 6–3 player, in 2005, 2000 Rainer Schüttler 3–6, 7–5, 3–0 ret. Most doubles titles: 4 06 and 11. 1999 Rainer Schüttler Tim Henman 6–4, 5–7, 6–1 Rafael Nadal (2005, 2009, 2011, 2015) Current world 1998 Fabrice Santoro 6–0, 6–3 No. 1 Andy 1997 Jim Courier Tim Henman 7–5, 6–7(5), 6–2 Most doubles finals: 4 Murray has 1996 Petr Korda Younes El Aynaoui 7–6(5), 2–6, 7–6(5) Mark Knowles (1996, 2000, 2001, 2003) triumphed twice 1995 Stefan Edberg Magnus Larsson 7–6(7–4), 6–1 Daniel Nestor (1996, 2001, 2003, 2009) in Doha in 2009 1994 Stefan Edberg Paul Haarhuis 6–3, 6–2 Rafael Nadal (2005, 2009, 2011, 2015) and 08. 1993 Boris Becker Goran Ivanišević 7–6(7–4), 4–6, 7–5 Gulf Times Monday, January 2, 2017 3 TENNIS

BRISBANE OPEN SPOTLIGHT United States Battling Cornet ousts thrash Czechs in Hopman Cup seventh seed Vesnina AFP hours, 7-5, 3-6, 6-3. Perth Sock, who at Rio 2016 became the fi rst player to win two tennis Bouchard bundled out by Rogers 6-2, 2-6, 6-1 in the first round medals at the same Olympics, he United States opened conceded it was a rusty perform- their Hopman Cup cam- ance to start his year. “It’s never paign in style with a 3-0 easy after a decently long off sea- win over the Czech Re- son,” he said. Tpublic in Perth yesterday. In the opening match of The American pair of Jack the tournament, the wom- Sock and Coco Vandeweghe won en’s singles, world number 36 both their singles matches to Vandeweghe was far too good for clinch the tie, and then made it Hradecka, winning in straight a clean sweep with victory in the sets in just over an hour. mixed doubles. Vandeweghe admitted it was After Vanderweghe beat Lucie tough to be fi rst on court after on Hradecka 6-4, 6-2 to open the New Year’s Day. “No one wants tie, Sock then edged past Adam to be here at 10am after a new Pavlasek in three sets. The dead year,” she admitted. “I’m 1-0 in mixed doubles rubber was a re- 2017.” laxed aff air played under the RESULT novel Fast Four format and the Spain bt Australia 2-1 US came from a set down to win Men’s singles: Nick Kyrgios (AUS) 2-4, 4-2, 4-1. Sock, who is just bt Feliciano Lopez (ESP) 6-3, 6-4 one place in the rankings below Women’s singles: Lara Arruabar- last year’s career-high of world rena (ESP) bt Daria Gavrilova (AUS) number 22, traded winners with 7-5, 6-1 the inexperienced Pavlasek in the Mixed doubles: Arruabarrena/ fi rst set. A break in the 11th game Lopez (ESP) bt Gavrilova/Kyrgios of gave Sock the advantage and (AUS) 4-0, 4-2 (fast four) the 24-year-old served out to clinch the set. USA bt Czech Republic 3-0 However, the 75th-ranked Women’s singles: Coco Pavlasek broke in the second Vandeweghe (USA) bt Lucie Hra- game of the second set and decka (CZE) 6-4, 6-2 fought back to level the tie. An Men’s singles: Jack Sock (USA) bt early break in the third set had Adam Pavlasek (CZE) 7-5, 3-6, 6-3 Sock back on the right foot Mixed doubles: Vandeweghe/Sock and he overcame some serving (USA) bt Hradecka/Pavlasek (CZE) problems to win in just over two 2-4, 4-2, 4-1 (fast four)

FOCUS Alize Cornet of France plays a forehand return during her win over Elena Vesnina of Russia in the first round of the Brisbane International tennis tournament, yesterday. (AFP)

AFP of turning her form slump around were haven’t won a match in a while. All those Doi of Japan was too good for Russia’s Ooredoo offi cial Brisbane, Australia dashed when she was bundled out by thoughts kind of go into your head a little Ekaterina Makarova 7-6 (7/1), 6-4. In the US player Shelby Rogers 6-2, 2-6, 6-1. bit when you’re on the court.” only men’s fi rst round match, Australian Bouchard reached a career-high world Bouchard said although she had re- Jordan Thompson downed Swede Elias sponsor of Qatar renchwoman Alize Cornet bat- ranking of fi ve in October 2014 but has quested the heat break, she wasn’t blam- Ymer 6-3, 6-2. tled back from losing the fi rst set slumped to 46 after a run of disappointing ing the loss on the conditions. “I felt like RESULTS to overcome seventh seeded Rus- results in 2016. She said earlier this week I was okay with the heat today — I wasn’t (X denotes seed): ExxonMobil Open sian Elena Vesnina in the open- she wanted to use the Brisbane tourna- dying or anything,” she said. Men: First Round: Jordan Thompson (AUS) ingF round of the Brisbane International ment to relaunch her career but she found “Since I have been here, the practice bt Elias Ymer (SWE) 6-3, 6-2 yesterday. Playing in ferocious heat on the big-hitting Rogers too tough on Pat courts are outdoors. It’s actually been Women: First Round oredoo has yesterday an outside court where the on-court Rafter Arena. Rogers stormed through tougher in practice, and I felt like I was Christina McHale (USA) bt Sara Errani (ITA) been named an Offi cial temperature climbed above 40 degrees the fi rst set before Bouchard recovered to surviving. It’s just the mental aspect of 6-3, 6-3; Shelby Rogers (USA) bt Eugenie Sponsor of the Qa- Celsius, the tenacious Cornet wore down level the match. getting back to playing matches and all Bouchard (CAN) 6-2, 2-6, 6-1; Alize Cornet tar ExxonMobil Open Vesnina 3-6, 6-4, 7-6 (7/5) in two hours, However, after a 10-minute break be- that sort of stuff .” 2017,O which will be held from to- (FRA) bt Elena Vesnina (RUS X7) 3-6, 6-4, 37 minutes. She will now play Chris- cause of the heat, which Bouchard asked Third seeded Czech Karolina Pliskova 7-6 (7/5); Karolina Pliskova (CZE X3) bt Yulia day until 7 January 2017. tina McHale in the second round after for, Rogers dominated the third set to win was in superb touch as she downed Yulia Putintseva (KAZ) 6-3, 6-1; Daria Kasatkina The 2017 is set to be a spe- the American beat Italian Sara Errani in in one hour, 53 minutes. “I defi nitely feel Putintseva of Kazakhstan 6-3, 6-1. Rus- (RUS) bt Irina-Camelia Begu (ROU) 6-3, 6-3; cial year for the tournament as straight games 6-3, 6-3. kind of rusty, out of it,” Bouchard said. sia’s Daria Kasatkina beat Irina-Camelia Misaki Doi (JPN) bt Ekaterina Makarova it is the fi fth year that Ooredoo Canadian Eugenie Bouchard’s hopes “I haven’t played in a match in a while. I Begu of Romania 6-3, 6-3, while Misaki (RUS) 7-6 (7/1), 6-4. has supported the world-class sporting event and the 25 anni- versary of the Qatar ExxonMo- bil Open contest. This year Star players featuring at the tourna- KERBER ENJOYING NO 1 PRESSURE ment include world No. 1 Andy Murray, the defending champion Brisbane: Germany’s Angelique was that I have so many things to start of my journey in 2016, here in and world No. 2 Novak Djoko- Kerber said yesterday she was do,” she said. “It was a really big thing Australia, because then I played every vic, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, the 2012 Yousuf Abdulla al-Kubaisi, Chief enjoying the pressure of being the here, and in Germany, and every- single round better and better. champion and Tomas Berdych Operating Off icer of Ooredoo. world’s top-ranked tennis player as where, so that surprised me a lot. I’m “And then, of course, the final among many others. she prepares to get her 2017 season actually just trying to enjoy it — I’m [which she lost] against Vika (Aza- The Qatar ExxonMobil Open doo Qatar, said: “Tennis is an underway. Speaking ahead of the Bris- still enjoying it.” renka) here was not bad and I went to tournament is the fi rst of the important sport for Qatar and bane International, Kerber conceded Kerber had a breakthrough 2016, Melbourne with a lot of confidence.” season and gives players a chance one that is loved by communities she would be under more pressure winning two Grand Slams on her Kerber went on to beat Serena to warm up and prepare for the across the county. For twenty in 2017 as the world number one but way to becoming number one. But Williams at the Australian Open to 2017 grand-slams including the fi ve years the Qatar ExxonMobil was not letting it get to her. “I think asked when her run to the top began, win her maiden Grand Slam, lost to Australian Open, held two weeks Open has been delighting tennis it will be a completely diff erent year Kerber pointed to the first round in the American in the Wimbledon final, later in Melbourne, Australia. fans across the region and world than 2016,” she said. Brisbane last year, when she rallied before downing her again to win the Ooredoo will be the telecom- and we are proud to be support- “There are a lot of challenges that from a set down to beat Italy’s Camila US Open and become the first Ger- munications partner for the ing an event that has helped put I have now, and I think I’m ready. Of Giorgi 5-7, 6-3, 6-0. man world number one since Steff i event, providing media areas and Qatar on the sporting map.” course the pressure is there but it’s a “Starting here with my first round Graf in 1996. offi ces with world-class global Ooredoo sponsors a broad diff erent pressure now.” where I played on court one, I think, Kerber has been given a bye into connectivity, and supporting range of sports and healthy liv- Kerber said she was initially and I lost the first set,” she said. the second round, where she will play visitors and fans with incredible ing initiatives throughout the surprised at the attention she had “Then we had a rain delay and I either Australian wildcard Ashleigh 3G, 4G and 4G+ broadband serv- year, and is set to host the fi fth received since reaching number one came back after losing the first set Barty or Serbian qualifier Aleksandra ices on the Ooredoo Supernet. Ooredoo Marathon on 13 January last September. “The biggest thing and I won that match. So this was the Krunic. Yousuf Abdulla al-Kubaisi, 2017, as the company encourages Chief Operating Offi cer of Oore- people to get fi t.

BOTTOMLINE ExxonMobil announces entertainment line-up at Qatar Open xxonMobil Qatar is once again welcom- eral lucky spectators the chance to catch tennis ing thousands of Qatar ExxonMobil The Qatar Open is balls served randomly into the crowds by tennis Open attendees to its stand in the Public now in its 25th year. stars. Village. As the title sponsor of the es- Those who are successful can visit the Exx- teemedE tournament, ExxonMobil Qatar organ- onMobil Qatar stand for an exciting prize – and ises a number of exciting, hands-on activities they may even spot one of the tennis stars who for people of all ages to enjoy. stop by. Tennis players visit the stand every day “It gives us great pride to celebrate the 25th of the tournament to spend time with the fans anniversary of the Qatar ExxonMobil Open and sign tennis balls as souvenirs. with our partner the Qatar Tennis Federation. The Public Village is a consistent attraction at Since the beginning, we’ve focused on provid- the Qatar ExxonMobil Open, off ering live mu- ing the best experience possible for our visitors, sic, entertainment and a traditional Qatari Souq and that includes the ExxonMobil Qatar stand that includes local cuisine and handicrafts. in the Public Village,” said Alistair Routledge, “Over the years, the Qatar Exxon Mobil Open President and General Manager for ExxonMobil has developed to be one of the most sorts after Qatar. tennis tournament in the region. We are very “As in previous years, we’ve organized a mul- happy to welcome the world once again to Doha titude of activities at the stand in an eff ort to for the silver anniversary edition of this pres- attract every visitor, young and old. Actively tigious tournament. Once again, lovers of ten- engaging the community is a pillar of our na- nis will have the opportunity of watching their tional outreach programs in Qatar, and we hope stars, including the recently crowned world that you will join us for some fun, for a thrilling No.1 Andy Murray, play live and direct in Doha. racing car simulator experience, and for a once- This year’s event promises to be greater than the in-a-lifetime opportunity to meet tennis stars,” previous and the fans will defi nitely have a swell he added. time.” Tournament Director Karim Alami said. The racing car simulator has been a long-time on a full-size specifi cation racing car. that allow drivers to experience the unique with a full-sensory experience. ExxonMobil Qatar has been the title sponsor favourite of those visiting the ExxonMobil Qatar It has an authentic, padded cockpit headrest, movement of the car under realistic accelera- ExxonMobil Qatar is also bringing back the of the Qatar ExxonMobil Open for 23 years, and stand. The model provides visitors with an in- four-point racing harness, gear lever paddles, tion, braking and cornering conditions. A built- popular “ExxonMobil Minute” competition. a partner of the Qatar Tennis Federation for 25 teractive and realistic racing experience based and a quick release carbon fi bre steering wheel, in 5.1 surround sound system also provides users After each match, ExxonMobil Qatar gives sev- years. Gulf Times 4 Monday, January 2, 2017 CRICKET

PREVIEW SPOTLIGHT Former captain Ponting joins Australia double Australia’s interim coaching team

Reuters up on spin as Sydney ormer captain Ricky Ponting has become the third ex-international to take on an interim coachingF role with the Australian Twenty20 team next month. Misbah ponders Ponting will join fellow as- sistant Jason Gillespie and Jus- Pakistan could be forced to look for a new leader with 42-year-old Misbah admitting he tin Langer (head coach) for the Twenty20 series against Sri was thinking about retirement, possibly even before the series concludes in Sydney. Lanka. All three have been appointed AFP because regular head coach Dar- Sydney ren Lehmann and his assist- one of the best batsmen of all ant David Saker will be in India time, retired from international preparing the test squad for the cricket in 2012 having scored ustralia have one eye on India four-match series. 13,378 test runs at 51.81 and and Pakistan could be contem- “I always said when I retired 13,704 ODI runs at 42.03 in a 17- plating life without their most that I wanted to get back involved year career. successful captain Misbah-ul- and what better way to do it than “It’s exciting that Ricky will be HaqA when the fi nal ‘dead’ Test begins to- alongside a couple of my best involved alongside Jason and my- morrow in Sydney. mates in cricket, Justin Langer self during the Sri Lanka series as Steve Smith’s Australians wrapped and Jason Gillespie,” Ponting said he was the one man I really want- up the three-match series with a Test in a statement yesterday. ed alongside us,” Langer said. to spare in a dramatic second innings “We have some incredible “His knowledge of the game demolition of Pakistan in two sessions in Twenty20 talent in this country and the way he reads it, coupled Melbourne on Friday to open up new se- and I cant wait to work with JL, with his invaluable experience as lection possibilities for Sydney. Dizzy and those selected to have a coach with the Mumbai Indi- Shattered Pakistan could be forced to a real crack at doing (something) ans means he knows the format look for a new leader with 42-year-old special for Australia’s Twenty20 inside-out. Misbah admitting he was thinking about international ambitions.” “I can’t wait to work alongside retirement, possibly even before the se- Ponting, who was considered my ex-captain and friend again.” ries concludes in Sydney. “I always believed that if I couldn’t contribute to the team then it’s no point RANJI TROPHY staying there. I haven’t decided (about Sydney) but let’s see,” Misbah said af- ter the tourists lost by an innings and 18 Pakistan skipper Misbah-ul-Haq believes runs. there is no point in continuing if he TN in trouble While the end looms for the man who cannot contribute to the team’s cause. has guided his country to more victories than any other Pakistan captain — 24 in against Mumbai 52 Tests — Australia have other consid- erations. IANS him in the pavillion soon, edging Spinners Steve O’Keefe and Ashton Rajkot behind to Tare off Sandhu. Agar have been included in a 13-man At 68-2, Kaushik (50) and In- squad for a Sydney Cricket Ground wick- drajit (64) joined hands and put et that is expected to turn. efending champions them at a good position with a Coach Darren Lehmann raised the Mumbai reduced Tamil 110-run stand for the third wick- prospect of playing two of his three spin Nadu to 261 for six in et. options — the other is Australia’s most- their fi rst innings on While Kaushik registered his successful off -spinner Nathan Lyon — Dthe fi rst day of the Ranji Tro- third fi fty, Indrajit recorded his at the expense of paceman Jackson Bird phy semi-fi nal at the Saurash- 10th fi fty in fi rst-class cricket. with an all-rounder coming in. tra Cricket Association Stadium Mumbai hit back with three Australia go to India for four Tests in here yesterday. quick wickets within a space 24 February and March on likely turning Mumbai got wickets at crucial runs between 63rd and 69th over. pitches, putting the onus of O’Keefe and moments as opening batsman Indrajit was the fi rst to go, get- Agar to put in a good audition and stake a (38), Kaushik ting caught by Tare off Thakur. claim for a place on tour. Gandhi (50) and Baba Indra- Kaushik too failed to keep his “It’s more than likely that we’re going jit (64) were not able to convert concentration going as he was to play two of those three spinners which their innings into a big one. caught by Praful Waghela off a means we’ll also have to look to fi t in an Vijay Shankar (41 not out) and delivery from Nayar. all-rounder,” Lehmann said. Aswin Crist (9 not out) were (16) too per- “It might end up that someone like playing at the end of the fi rst day, ished as Thakur got a LBW de- Jackson Bird could be the unlucky one which failed to make cision as Tamil Nadu reeled at who misses out, but that will depend on their own. 202-5. the condition of the SCG pitch. Medium pacers Shardul Gohil too came into the act, “If it looks like it’s going to provide Thakur (2-64), Abhishek Nayar taking out Baba Aparajit (9) as more assistance for the seamers, then we (2-56) and Balwinder Sandhu Tamil Nadu reached 231-6. still have the option of playing all three (1-46) made deep impact for Afterwards, Shankar and Crist specialist quicks and just the one spin- Mumbai, while left-arm spinner ensured that they don’t lose any ner.” Bridge batting at number 11. “After scoring 443 you should not be in Josh Hazlewood, Usman Khawaja, Nath- Vijay Gohil also bagged a wicket more wickets till the end of day. The all-rounder option could rest Agar has subsequently scored two that position to lose a Test match on the an Lyon, Stephen O’Keefe, Matt Renshaw, towards the end. Shankar was not out on 41, fea- between Zimbabwe-born Hilton Cart- fi rst-class hundreds and eight fi fties. last day,” Misbah said. Mitchell Starc, Matthew Wade. Tamil Nadu got off to a decent turing eight fours, while Crist wright or Agar, who Lehmann puts in the Pakistan are facing their 12th straight “I think we should take the blame as a Pakistan (from): Azhar Ali, Sami Aslam, start, losing their fi rst wicket on was on 9 when the umpires called versatile category, saying “he’s certainly defeat since their last Test win in Aus- batting unit because the pitch was very Babar Azam, Younis Khan, Misbah-ul-Haq 46 as opening batsman Ganga it a day. got the talent to be a batting all-rounder tralia in Sydney 22 years ago. good on the last day.” (capt), Asad Shafiq, Mohamed Nawaz, Sridhar Raju (19) off ered a catch or a spinning all-rounder”. Misbah was disconsolate following the Sarfraz Ahmed, Wahab Riaz, Yasir Shah, to Aditya Tare off a Nayar deliv- Brief scores: Tamil Nadu 261-6 Left-arm spinner Agar, 23, is on track Melbourne second-innings debacle on Teams: Mohamed Amir, Mohamed Asghar, ery. (Baba Indrajit 64, Kaushik Gandhi to play for the fi rst time since his only two good batting surface that had seen the Australia (from): Steve Smith (capt), Sohail Khan. His fellow opening partner, 50; Abhishek Nayar 2-56, Shardul Tests on the 2013 Ashes tour of England, teams score a total of 1,067 fi rst-innings David Warner, Ashton Agar, Jackson Bird, Umpires: Sundaram Ravi (IND) and Rich- left-hander Mukund (38) joined Thakur 2-64) where he scored 98 on debut at Trent runs. Hilton Cartwright, Peter Handscomb, ard Illingworth (ENG)

FOCUS BOTTOMLINE Panchal unbeaten Newlands’ seam-friendly 144 for Gujarat IANS who in the quarter-fi nal re- Nagpur corded a mighty 359 not out, fell to left-arm pacer Vikash Singh. Panchal then joined hands wicket favours South Africa pener Priyank Ki- with Merai and the duo man- Reuters New Zealand and Australia and rit Panchal cracked aged to stitch a 65-run stand Cape Town set their target on a much im- an unbeaten 144 to which gave Gujarat a strong South Africa captain proved 2017 in which they will Opropel Gujarat to 283 position. Merai was caught by Faf du Plessis go to England and then host for three in their fi rst innings wicket-keeper Ishan Kishan off nother seam-friendly Bangladesh and India. against Jharkhand on the fi rst a delivery from Vikash. wicket stacks the odds “It’s important for this team day of the Ranji Trophy semi- Panchal was then joined overwhelmingly in fa- that even though we are playing fi nal here yesterday. by India Test wicket-keeper vour of hosts South Af- really well, we must make sure Gujarat batted around the Parthiv, who kept the positivity ricaA when they take on Sri Lanka that we look at areas, especially 26-year-old, who registered going, keeping the pressure on in the second test at Newlands, when we are winning, where we his 11th century in First-Class Jharkhand bowlers with regular starting today. can improve,” said du Plessis. cricket and fi fth of this Ranji fours. The left-right combina- The middle contest in a three- Sri Lanka are likely to make season. tion forged a 139-run stand for match series comes just two changes to strengthen their bat- Prior to this match, he had the third wicket to put their side days after South Africa com- ting line-up with Upul Tharanga amassed 1,120 runs and yes- on the top. pleted a 206-run victory at St expected to replace Kusal Perera terday’s fl uent knock stemmed Left-hander Parthiv record- George’s Park in Port Elizabeth at number three. from a player who batted with ed his 55th fi fty in First-Class in the Boxing Day Test. Defeat in Port Elizabeth ended high confi dence. cricket as he and Panchal kept That surface was supposedly a run of fi ve successive test vic- His well-paced unbeaten the maiden semi-fi nalists at the closest Sri Lanka would get tories for Sri Lanka, whose last knock studded with 21 fours at bay. on their tour to conditions that home series was a convincing the Vidarbha Cricket Associa- Right-arm medium pacer would allow spin spearhead whitewash of Australia in mid- tion (VCA) Ground. Kaushal Singh brought an end Rangana Herath to make an im- of Kyle Abbott, Vernon Philan- “The seam attack has proven breaking 258 from 198 balls as year but they remain uncon- Right-hander Panchal shared to the partnership when he got pact. der and Kagiso Rabada will again we can do it with three,” he said they lost a home series to Eng- vincing on the road. three crucial partnerships – a LBW decision against Parthiv, Even then, it proved a contest be looking to dominate the bats- after the fi rst Test success.”The land and their place as the top They have lost nine of 11 pre- with Samit Gohel (18), Bhargav who hit six fours and a six. where the home side were in fi rm men, with captain Faf du Plessis key is obviously not to have any- test side in the International vious tests in South Africa. Merai (39) and captain Parthiv control, though the visitors did insisting three seamers would be one breaking down.” Cricket Council rankings. Sri Lanka were beaten by an Patel (62). Brief scores: Gujarat 283-3 provide some dogged resistance enough, even if it does put their Last year’s New Year’s Test But, even without talismanic innings and 229 runs and by 10 The opening partnership be- (Priyank Kirit Panchal 144 not at times. stamina to the test with just two at Newlands saw South Africa AB de Villiers and Dale Steyn, wickets in their two previous tween Gohel lasted for 62 runs out, Parthiv Patel 62; Vikash At Newlands, the bowling trio free days between matches. battered by Ben Stokes’ record- South Africa have since beaten Tests at Newlands. – a strong foundation. Gohel, Singh 2-48) Gulf Times Monday, January 2, 2017 5 SPORT

NBA FOCUS European broadcaster believes in Oly gold Westbrook, Thunder AFP let the BBC keep showing the Paris Games in Britain until 2024. National companies from Be- larus to Czech Republic have he cost of Olympic also signed up. But German television rights may state companies ARD/ZDF look hair-raising but said the price was too high. Eurosport is confi - Now Eurosport will show overpower Clippers Tdent it will get back the 1.3bn the Olympics in Germany on euros ($1.4bn) it laid out to get its own channels. That will European rights, according to add to the massive project it ‘My job is to keep the pace high and keeping reading the game’ its chief executive. has taken on to produce Ol- Counting down to the ympic programmes for diverse Pyeongchang 2018 Winter tastes across Scandinavia and Games, the company, owned other European nations. by US media giant Discovery Germany, said Hutton, Communications, can from will be “a massive challenge” January 1 use the Olympic rings and that Eurosport had not on screens under its surprise expected the collapse of the deal with the International Ol- talks. But it has not dimmed ympic Committee (IOC). the company’s confi dence. But it faces a key 2017 with “You look at the sub licens- sub-rights accords in France, ing terms, you look at the ad- Italy and Spain to be sealed that vertising income, you look at could decide how successful its your digital income, then you gamble for gold will be. break it down by country and “I think sports rights po- then it is not quite as scary.” tentially are bets,” Eurosport “We have a few more deals chief executive Peter Hutton to go. Spain is still out there, told AFP in an interview. But Italy is still out there. France in the case of the European for the second cycle (after rights, he added, “I think it is 2020) is still out there, Turkey a pretty safe bet and on that is still out there,” said Hutton. basis I think a really important France could be particularly move for us.” important as it is a leading Television rights contrib- contender with Los Angeles uted about three quarters of and Budapest to host the 2024 the IOC’s $5.6bn revenues Olympics. for 2013-2016 and the price is But Hutton said Eurosport continually going up. Discov- was “ahead of schedule” on the ery’s June 2015 deal with the deals and must now grip view- IOC, covering 50 countries for ers and adapt to the way they the rights from 2018 to 2024, want to watch the Olympics. shocked the European broad- It has hired Olympic leg- casting industry. ends such as Tina Maze in “The price they paid was skiing, Peter Forsberg in ice high. But they have taken hockey and Sven Hannawald a tough line with national and Martin Schmitt in ski broadcasters while build- jumping to win over national ing up their own brand,” one audiences. national television executive “There is going to have to who has negotiated with Eu- be a lot of elbow room in the rosport told AFP. dressing room. It is important “It could still go wrong but that you invest in the talent Russell Westbrook exults after scoring his 16th triple-double. it is looking less of a risk and that gives you the credibility, this kind of development is gives you relevance.” The Sports Xchange “At the end the day, we have to get a real challenge to national Bracing for the public Los Angeles through this, learn something. Learn broadcasters,” added the ex- switch from traditional tel- something about each other.” ecutive, who spoke on condi- evision to other media is also The Thunder wasted no time in jumping tion of anonymity. taxing sports rights hold- ussell Westbrook collected his on the undermanned Clippers as Oladipo The European rights went ers who have to build muscle 16th triple-double of the season led the charge in the fi rst quarter, show- for more than twice what across social media, digital to lead the Oklahoma City Thun- ing no signs of rust after a nine-game China’s state-run CCTV is services, free and paid broad- der to a 114-88 victory over the absence, as he knocked in a quick nine believed to have paid for na- casting. LosR Angeles Clippers on Saturday. points as Oklahoma City took a 33-12 ad- tional rights over the next “It is not as simple as one Westbrook posted 17 points, 12 re- vantage. “I was running fast, trying to get four Olympics. But it is still product, one channel any bounds and 14 assists. He achieved the out on the break,” Oladipo said. “I felt good, dwarfed by the more than more,” said Hutton, who pre- triple-double mark in less than 20 min- man. I just have to continue to build on it.” $12bn that NBC is paying to dicted that between now utes in the fi rst half. He is now two triple- But it was the Thunder defense that set show the Olympics to a US and Tokyo 2020 targeted live doubles away from matching his total the tone. The 12 points they allowed in the audience from 2012 to 2032. streaming will increase, there from last season. “It’s a blessing man,” fi rst quarter was their lowest surrendered will be more hours of live Westbrook said. “My teammates do a in any quarter this season.Playing without ‘Massive challenge’ broadcasts and more channels great job of making it easy for me. Chris Paul and Blake Griffi n, the Clippers Eurosport has agreed to dedicated to Olympic coverage. “My job is to keep the pace high and were missing their two leading scorers and keeping reading the game. The game will it showed. Austin Rivers and J.J. Redick tell you what to do and that’s what I do.” had a combined zero points in the fi rst 20 Enes Kanter came off the bench to lead minutes of the game. They fi nished with a the Thunder in scoring with 23 points, total of 19 points between them. while Victor Oladipo added 15 points and Oklahoma City held a 69-40 halftime Alex Abrines added 12 points before being lead. The only drama in the second half Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) drives to the basket while New York Knicks leaving the game late in the third quarter took place when Westbrook picked up a centre Joakim Noah (13) defends during the second quarter at Toyota Centre. with concussion like symptoms. technical foul while sitting on the bench Brandon Bass had 18 points and Mar- in the fourth quarter. It was his 11th of 53 points, 16 rebounds and a career- to seize control for good, capped by a reese Speights added 18 off the bench for the season and third in two games. A 16th high-tying 17 assists to carry the Rock- Trevor Ariza layup. Los Angeles. Austin Rivers was the only technical foul will result in an automatic ets through another lackadaisical de- starter to reach double fi gures with 14 as one game suspension. fensive eff ort. Anderson added 25 points RESULTS they lost their sixth successive game. Meanwhile James Harden recorded a and six rebounds for the Rockets, who Houston 129 NY Knicks 122 “You can lose your spirit in this and we 50-point triple-double while Ryan An- led by as many as 19 points yet were Utah 91 Phoenix 86 haven’t done that,” Clippers coach Doc derson played a capable second fi ddle as in a battle down the stretch when the Oklahoma City 114 LA Clippers 88 Rivers said. “My job is to get us through the Houston Rockets outlasted the New Knicks cut the defi cit to three points Milwaukee 116 Chicago 96 this. This is a heavy hit for us. We’re losing York Knicks. multiple times in the fourth quarter. Cleveland 121 Charlotte 109 games, we’re dropping placings. Harden fi nished with a career-high Houston, however, reeled off a 7-0 spurt Memphis 112 Sacramento 98

SPOTLIGHT Dealing Dragic later rather than sooner makes sense

By Ira Winderman into the future. But I think you $98 million contract Whiteside end of the line. “You’re kind of Sun Sentinel can get a fi rst and a second. You signed in July. And then the scout making a case for keeping him,” certainly could get, at minimum, mentioned Pat Riley, and the re- the scout said of Dragic. a fi rst.” cent, well-publicized comments The point being that for every t started as a given, this con- The skepticism of the Eastern from the Heat president about argument, especially the loud- versation with a long-time Conference scout was not about a rapid rebuild, something un- est ones being off ered at the NBA pro-personnel scout, Dragic, even with the Heat’s los- likely with a drafted point guard, moment, about trading Dragic, the notion that Goran Dragic ing record, but the perception particularly one with only one there are counters for waiting, Iwould be gone from the Miami that has received so much na- season of collegiate experience. at least to see what shakes out of Heat by the Feb. 23 NBA trading tional discourse, of the need for So what if the Heat instead the draft lottery and the lottery deadline. And yet, as the con- the Heat to move on. moved in the draft for a scoring itself. versation evolved, the reasoning “They have two players on that wing, someone like Kansas’ Josh With the Heat playing Tues- went full circle, to how Dragic team, and he’s one of them,” the Jackson? And what if the Riley day in Phoenix, and with the making it through the season scout said of Hassan Whiteside magic still was enough to land an Heat owing a top-seven-pro- made sense, as well. and Dragic. “I mean, starting A-list free agent, perhaps if the tected 2018 fi rst-round pick and The initial reasoning for the point guard, this is the hardest Los Angeles Clippers again crash then a 2021 unprotected pick to phone call was to gauge what, in position to fi ll. On some teams, he and burn in the postseason and a the Suns because of the Feb. 19, the eyes of a veteran of decades might be the diff erence maker.” Blake Griffi n were to potentially 2015 trade for Dragic, the talk of NBA transactions and salary- With Dragic to turn 31 before shake free? fi gures to increase about the cap machinations, Dragic could next season, the scout appreci- Such eventualities could leave Heat recouping their losses. But fetch on the trade market. ated the dialogue about the Heat the Heat (and, remember, we the worst trades are the ones “They could get a great draft turning toward youth, mention- were just spit-balling amid the that aren’t forward-thinking. pick,” the scout, who required ing how the Heat’s own expected outside conjecture) with a lineup Dealing Dragic by the trad- anonymity as he spoke about an- lottery pick could turn into a re- of Whiteside at center, Grif- ing deadline only makes sense if other’s team’s player under con- placement at point guard with fi n at power forward, Jackson at a perspective suitor simply has tract, said. “I think you can get UCLA’s Lonzo Ball or Washing- small forward, Justise Winslow to have a starting-quality point a fi rst and, I don’t know when, ton’s Markelle Fultz. at shooting guard and Dragic at guard for the balance of the sea- something else in the draft. Are But the scout said that unless Miami Heat’s guard Goran Dragic. point guard, with Tyler Johnson son, willing to pay a premium you going to get the fi fth pick in the Heat double-down on tank- and Josh Richardson in reserve, for the timing of such a move. the draft? No. ing, there is no guarantee of se- then where are you, but looking 2017-18 probably wouldn’t be how Dragic still is young enough as well as a signifi cant portion Otherwise, patience to further “I’m not sure about multi- curing either of that duo, who for a point guard?” he said. enough to acquire an equivalent to off er a reliable complement to of leftover salary-cap cash for at assess the draft’s possibilities ple fi rsts. I think the second one currently are projected to go at The discussion included how replacement talent in free agen- Whiteside over the remaining least a B-level free agent. appears to make the most sense would have to be stretched long the very top of the draft. “And Dragic’s $17 million salary for cy, if one even was available, and three seasons on the four-year, There was a pause on the other for the Heat. Gulf Times 6 Monday, Janaury 2, 2017 SPORT

NHL BASKETBALL El Jaish, Gharafa post wins in Qatar Blue Jackets win Men’s League

By Sports Reporter half comfortably 53-39 ahead. Doha However, Al Shamal mount- ed a fi ghtback with 23 points in the third quarter and then l Jaish overcame a spir- scored 26 in the fi nal 10 min- 15th in row, end ited late resistance utes to make a fi ght out of it, from Al Shamal before eventually losing by just nine posting a 97-88 vic- points. toryE in the Qatar Men’s League Mohamed Harat excelled at the Al Gharafa Sports Club for Al Shamal with 31 points, yesterday. while Kevin Johnson and Ab- Although El Jaish managed dul Qadird Kosar had 21 and 16, to keep their nose ahead for respectively. Wild’s victory run most part of the match, they In the second match of the had to fi ght it out in the late day, Al Gharafa upstaged de- stages with Al Shamal threat- fending champions Al Rayyan ‘I’m proud of our team and the way they’ve handled themselves through all this’ ening to get uncomfortably 88-75 with Sammy Monroe close. scoring a match-high 28 for Leon Macklin and James the winners. Davon were the top scorers for Abdulrahman Saad and Al- El Jaish with 35 and 31 points exander Arnold chipped in respectively, while Mohamed with 19 and 18 respectively Yousuf with 10 was the only as Al Gharafa dominated the other player in the team who match from the start, opening managed a double digit score. up a 43-29 lead at the halfway Macklin had a 70.59 fi eld stage. goal conversion rate in his Al Rayyan came up with a match-high 35, yet he remark- commendable display in the ably didn’t attempt even a third and fourth quarters but single three-pointer. Davon’s couldn’t get close to the Al 31 points only had one three- Gharafa score. pointer. Marcel Anderson was the El Jaish led 27-23 after the top scorer for Al Rayyan with fi rst quarter but stepped up 25 points, while March Bell their game to fi nish the fi rst registered 19.

Columbus Blue Jackets goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky makes a diving save during the third period against the Minnesota Wild at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, Minnesota. The Blue Jackets won, 4-2. PICTURE: Minneapolis Star Tribune/TNS

AFP said. “I’m proud of our team and tests ahead of us in our home with a power-play goal 5:58 into ture, what Columbus is doing is Washington the way they’ve handled them- building, but this is defi nitely the second period but Seth Jones really amazing. But what we did selves through all this.” fun.” answered for the Blue Jackets was pretty good too.” It was the fi rst time two NHL If they beat Edmonton at with 2:25 remaining in the pe- Columbus, which has had am Atkinson netted two teams on double-digit win home on Tuesday, the Blue Jack- riod. only two winning seasons and goals and the Columbus streaks had faced each other and ets could equal the record win Jason Zucker scored on a has never won a playoff series, Blue Jackets matched the fi rst time two clubs had such streak Thursday at Washington backhand shot 24 seconds into has the NHL’s best record with the second-longest long streaks concurrently. Both and break the mark next Sat- the third period to pull the Wild 26 wins, fi ve regulation losses winC streak in National Hockey joined the NHL in 2000 as ex- urday at home against the New within the fi nal margin. and four over-time defeats for League history Saturday with pansion teams. York Rangers. Russian goal- Columbus boasts the NHL’s 56 points. their 15th consecutive victory, a Columbus matched the 15- tender Sergei Bobrovsky made best attack with 3.44 goals a 4-2 triumph at Minnesota. game win streaks of the 1981-82 30 saves for his 13th consecutive game while the Wild owned the Results Atkinson, a 27-year-old US New York Islanders and 2012- Blue Jackets victory. toughest defensive unit, allow- Los Angeles 3 San Jose 2 right wing who tops Colum- 13 Pittsburgh Penguins, all two Atkinson opened the scor- ing only two goals a game. Calgary 4 Arizona 2 bus scorers, struck for his 16th wins shy of the record 17-game ing midway into the fi rst period The Blue Jackets last lost in a Vancouver 3 Edmonton 2 (SO) and 17th goals of the season as run belonging to the Penguins and the Blue Jackets seized a 3-0 shootout at Florida on Novem- NY Rangers 6 Colorado 2 the league-leading Blue Jack- from March and April of 1993. edge 3:44 into the second period ber 26. Minnesota had not lost Florida 3 Dallas 1 ets stretched their streak to two “It’s pretty hard to fathom,” when Atkinson netted his sec- since December 2 in overtime NY Islanders 6 Winnipeg 2 wins shy of the league record by Columbus standout Brandon ond goal only 15 seconds after against Calgary. Tampa Bay 3 Carolina 1 snapping Minnesota’s 12-game Saad said. “We all know where teammate Jack Johnson scored “We are all ticked off and Pittsburgh 4 Montreal 3 (OT) victory run. we’re at and we want to take his second of the season. everything,” Wild coach Bruce Columbus 4 Minnesota 2 “I’m happy for the guys,” Blue over. We’re continuing one game Minnesota’s Mikael Granlund Boudreau said. “But if we sit Boston 3 Buff alo 1 El Jaish’s James Davon scores against the Al Shamal during their Jackets coach John Tortorella at a time. We’ve got some tough put the Wild on the scoreboard back and look at the whole pic- Washington 6 New Jersey 2 Qatar Men’s League match yesterday. PICTURE: Anees Khalid

CDC CRICKET TOURNAMENT QVC defeat CDC by 8 wickets in inaugural match

By Sports Reporter Doha

VC defeated CDC by eight wickets in the inaugural match of the 28th CDC Cricket Tournament 2017 at West Bay Cricket Complex. Batting fi rst CDC batsmen were all out for 124 runs inQ their 20 overs. Prakash scored 21 and Ashraf scored 26 runs. Fowzan also chipped in with 15 runs. For QVC, Kazi claimed three wickets for 14 runs and Sanjay claimed three wickets for nine runs. Jamil, Sultan and Zahir also clinched one wicket each. In reply, QVC’s Rifas and Sultan scored 22 and 15 runs. Liyaqat scored 12 and Zahir and Bangeera contributed 20 and 17 runs, respectively. Fowzan claimed two wickets for fi ve runs and Fazlan claimed one. Sanjay of QVC was declared man of the match. In the other matches, LAMA XII defeated Wellon Cricket Club by six wickets, while QALCO defeated Al Sanabil by 125 runs. The tournament was inaugurated by Business Development Manager of CDC Sanjiv Jain.

Brief Scores QVC 129 runs for three in 15.1 overs (Rifas 22, Zahir 20, Bangeera 17, Sultan 15 runs. Fowzan two for 5). CDC 124 runs all out in 20 overs (Prakash 21, Ashraf 26. Kazi and Sanjay three wickets each. Man of the match: Sanjay of QVC.

QALCO all out for 226 runs in 20 overs (Muzammil 58, Taraka 29, Ruwan 23. Farhan three for 32, Rahil two for 35) bt Al Sanabil 101 runs all out in 18.3 overs (Amir three for six, Taraka two for 10). Man of the match: Muzammil of Qalco.

Wellon 109 runs all out in 18.5 overs (Raja 25, Sanjaya 21. Inshad two for three, Arshad two for five) lost to LAMA XII 112 runs for five wickets in 15.5 overs (Milhan 50 runs.): Man of the match: Milhan. CDC business development manager Sanjiv Jain inaugurates the CDC Cricket Tournament. Gulf Times Monday, January 2, 2017 7 FOOTBALL

FOCUS Mourinho salutes Old Traff ord faithful for win AFP What was on the pitch was too much for And Mourinho believes the French Manchester a very good team. I feel for my brother player’s agent Philippe Lamboley is a (Karanka) but not just him, I feel for problem amid reports he is “studying” their players because they gave it eve- an option for Martial to move to Se- anchester United manager rything. But my players deserved it be- villa. “Anthony has to listen to me and Jose Mourinho saluted the cause they gave it everything.” not listen to his agent,” said the former Old Traff ord crowd and said United should have been out of sight Chelsea boss. they swept his side to a dra- by half-time after dominating the fi rst “Martial played, he created, he Mmatic 2-1 victory over Middlesbrough 45 minutes. They hit the post twice, scored. He fought. He was very posi- on Saturday. courtesy of Pogba and Martial, and Zla- tive. I know he is a top talent. He is a Grant Leadbitter’s goal after 67 min- tan Ibrahimovic also had a goal contro- player with amazing conditions to be a utes gave Aitor Karanka’s unfancied versially ruled out. top player. visitors a surprise advantage until An- If Ibrahimovic’s goal had been al- “He has to listen to me in training thony Martial swept home on 85 min- lowed to stand he would have matched every day, every feedback I give to try utes and Paul Pogba won it 87 seconds Lionel Messi’s 2016 tally of 51 strikes in and improve players.” later with a fi ne header. the calendar year and Mourinho was up- The Portuguese coach said Martial The late turnaround — reminiscent set that the 35-year-old was denied the should follow the example of Armenian of the glory years of the watching Alex chance of equalling that record. “That formance we had, that is a great tribute,” understandably, could not hide his ‘Martial should listen Henrikh Mkhitaryan who struggled for Ferguson on his 75th birthday — sealed stopped such an amazing player from Mourinho said. “I think the fans love the disappointment at failing to hang on for game time in the early part of Mour- United’s fi fth consecutive Premier being top scorer with Messi in 2016. It way we try and play football and they what would have been a truly spectacu- to me, not his agent’ inho’s reign before fi nding form with League victory and they are now un- was quite frustrating and it was another love the players’ attitude. It was a big lar end to 2016. three goals in his past four games. beaten in 12 matches in all competitions. big test for us and the players,” he said. victory for us, a big three points. It’s a “The reaction is one you can imagine,” Mourinho also warned Martial that “With the Mkhitaryan process, A delighted Mourinho believes the After the break United remained in very good match to fi nish the year.” Karanka said. “I don’t like to lose but I he must listen to him rather than his I was having almost every day his atmosphere inside the ‘Theatre of complete control but Middlesbrough’s Karanka was Mourinho’s assist- told them that apart from the result, the agent if he wants to be a success at agent calling me and saying ‘Mkhi- Dreams’ eventually made all the dif- resilience was superb as they repelled ant for three years from 2010 at Real performance once again against a top Old Traff ord. Martial was United’s top taryan with you will be a better player’,” ference. “We managed to do something constant United attacks, until Martial Madrid and the United manager spoke team was really good. Again we compet- scorer last season with 17 goals, but his added Mourinho. that is amazing, which is to bring the and Pogba produced the goods in an end in his pre-match programme notes of ed against a top team. We will win games equaliser in Saturday’s 2-1 home win “With Martial every day I read the fans onto the pitch,” he said. “I think that was extremely cruel on the visitors. his genuine aff ection for his Middles- against teams around us. Once again we over Middlesbrough was just his second newspaper and Martial is going to Se- we did that in the last 15 and 20 min- “If the fans remember Sir Alex, not brough counterpart. showed we are a consistent team and we Premier League goal of the season and villa, Martial goes on loan, Martial is utes. We played with 70,000 or 80,000. just for his birthday but for the per- Karanka feels the same back but, had chances to score.” fi fth in all competitions. not happy. Martial has to listen to me.” SPOTLIGHT Liverpool send signal of intent to Chelsea

Reuters Estonian Ragnar Klavan Liverpool impressing alongside Dejan Lovren, no longer looks like Guardiola primes the weak link in Klopp’s side iverpool’s 1-0 win over and added steel has not been Manchester City at at the cost of creativity. LAnfield on Saturday On the wing, Adam Lallana may not have been the classic is brimming with confidence, high-scoring encounter many his perfect cross for Georgino had expected but it certainly Wijnaldum’s eighth-minute sent a clear signal about which goal being the best moment City for top-4 scrap team Premier League leaders of a sparkling display. Chelsea need to fear most. In the absence of Brazilian City are now 10 points adrift Philippe Coutinho there was ‘There are many, many things to fight (for): the Premier League, the Champions League, of Antonio Conte’s side and not quite the same edge to the are hardly playing with the Liverpool attack but there are the FA Cup, the Champions League next season. When it’s all finished, we’re going to style or confidence of serious no shortage of options in that title challengers. area for a team with England see what is our position and in that moment we’re going to decide what our target is’ Juergen Klopp’s Liverpool, striker Daniel Sturridge and in contrast, are exuding con- exciting Belgian Divock Origi fidence, energy and purpose on the bench. and as the German himself City are supposed to be on Liverpool manager Juergen noted, it is no mean achieve- a journey towards the nirvana Klopp (left) and his Manchester ment to be within six points of Guardiola’s possession City counterpart Pep Guardiola of a team who have won 13 football that won him so many react during their Premier games in a row. admirers — and trophies — in League clash on Saturday. Saturday’s game showed his homeland. Liverpool won 1-0. (Reuters) clearly why the Merseyside But the Manchester side are club are staying closest to not comparable to Barcelona Chelsea’s coat-tails and why at this stage and it is hard Pep Guardiola finds himself in to view them as even being the unusual position of being on the road to that style of locked out of the top two after football. They have quality years of dominance with his throughout their squad but previous clubs, Barcelona and perhaps not enough to play Bayern Munich. the kind of short-passing ‘keep- Klopp has successfully ball’ that Guardiola loves. moulded Liverpool into a In the absence of that style, team who play with high City are struggling for consist- energy and positive intent and ency and identity and on has shown the tactical flexibil- Saturday were unable to feed ity to adjust his high-pressing lone striker Sergio Aguero approach when needed. with the kind of service he can Although he noted that thrive on. City’s precision in the final As Guardiola himself noted, third was often lacking, he was Klopp, who moved to Anfield particularly pleased to see his in October 2015, has had defence keep a clean sheet time to shape his team and against one of the league’s the Spaniard is just half-way most dangerous attacks. through his first season. “We were not as confident Time will tell if the ‘Pep as we could have been in our Experiment’ will deliver the possession, sometimes we lost leap in quality at the level that the ball too easily,” Klopp said. City’s owners crave. “I know everyone talks about But for the moment, merely our defence but the defending keeping pace with their do- AFP ties to the Champions League and the FA welcome Burnley to the Etihad Stadium, Liverpool struck from their fi rst in- today was really good.” mestic rivals seems to be a big Liverpool Cup if a title tilt appears beyond them. while Liverpool will go in search of a fi fth cursion into City territory, Adam Lal- Indeed, the back line, with enough challenge. “They’ve won 12 or 13 games in a row so successive league victory at third-bottom lana crossing from the left and Wijnaldum it’s true that dropping points is not easy,” Sunderland. meeting the ball with a thumping header anchester City manager Pep Guardiola said. “But we start the second Liverpool’s win took them back to within that ripped past Claudio Bravo. Guardiola acknowledged his leg (of the season), so with all due respect six points of Chelsea and manager Jurgen City, who recalled Sergio Aguero after team faces a battle just to secure for the other teams, we have to focus on Klopp’s words suggested his side are relish- suspension, upped their game in the sec- a top-four Premier League fi n- ourselves and try to do what we have to do ing their role as leaders of the chasing pack. ond period after David Silva was moved ishM following their 1-0 defeat at Liverpool. to win the games. “We cannot have a look at Chelsea,” he into a central position, but failed to create The New Year’s Eve loss at Anfi eld, “When you are 10 points behind, you said. “Obviously they are unbelievably a single clear-cut chance. The hosts lost decided by Georginio Wijnaldum’s early have to be focused on just the next game. strong. They’re on an outstanding run. captain Jordan Henderson to a heel prob- header, left City 10 points adrift of leaders We cannot talk about this kind of goal. You They won now 13 games already. Not bad! lem midway through the second period, Chelsea in third place. Asked if City face just focus on the next game, which starts “But can you imagine how annoying it is with Divock Origi taking his place. a battle to hold onto their place in the top the day after tomorrow, the second leg. when you win 13 games in a row and there’s Klopp said the injury did not aff ect the four, Guardiola replied: “Defi nitely. It will “There are many, many things to fi ght still one team only six points behind? But same heel that caused Henderson problems be very diffi cult for all the teams.” (for): the Premier League, the Champions I’m sure they don’t think about this, so why last season, but his assessment of the issue With Chelsea registering a record- League, the FA Cup, the Champions next should we? was downbeat. “In this moment there’s a equalling 13th successive victory against season. When it’s fi nished, with one month “It is completely not important, what little bit of pain in the heel,” Klopp said. “If Stoke City, Guardiola conceded it was dif- or two months left, we’re going to see what happens in this moment, apart from that Hendo is limping there’s probably a little fi cult to envisage his side reeling the west is our position and in that moment we’re we win games. That’s the only thing we are bit more pain (than there would be for an- London club in. He even went as far as to going to decide what our target is.” really interested in and it’s so diffi cult in other player). We have to see. I don’t know suggest that City could switch their priori- City are next in action today, when they this league. It’s unbelievably diffi cult.” exactly in this moment.” WE KEPT OUR NERVE, SAYS RODGERS AFTER CELTIC’S COME-FROM-BEHIND WIN

AFP Scott Sinclair then scored a second- looked a real threat every time we with a game in hand and extends their League Cup. It’s been a huge achieve- His Ranger counterpart Mark War- Glasgow half winner to fire Celtic to their 15th went forward. We looked like we could unbeaten run to 24 domestic matches ment for them in this opening period of burton, who watched his side lose to league victory in a row and end Rang- score, we created opportunities and since the start of the season as they games especially this month. They’ve Celtic for the third time this season, ers’ 15 month unbeaten record at Ibrox. I’m disappointed probably just to have close in on the 26 game unbeaten start won eight and drawn away at Manches- said he wasn’t overly concerned by the eltic manager Brendan Rodgers “I thought our quality, intensity of two goals. made by the European Cup winning ter City in the Champions League so I massive gap that separates them from praised his players for remain- our game and our fitness really came “We talked beforehand about dealing Celtic side of 1966/67 season. think everyone would commend them their Glasgow rivals. Cing calm under pressure as they through in the second half but we still with pressure and finding solutions for The Scottish Premiership will now for what a great eff ort it’s been.” Rangers hold a two-point advantage came from behind to defeat Rangers have to find solutions in every game that if we went behind in the game. I take a three-week winter break and “Now we’ve got to go away and over Aberdeen, who beat Hearts 1-0 on 2-1 in the Old Firm derby at Ibrox on no matter who we play,” said Rodg- think this team are finding solutions all Rodgers hailed his players for their we’ve got to rest for a week. Then we’ll Friday. “I’m not worried about that,” said Saturday. ers, whose side thrashed Rangers the time and showed immense charac- outstanding first half of the season. come back together again and we’ll Warburton. “My intention is to take this Celtic fell behind for just the third time 5-1 in their opening meeting back in ter today to come here — where a team “If you’re never beaten you’ve got to work really hard for a couple of weeks football club as far as I possibly can and this season to an early Kenny Miller goal September. is confident playing at home — and to go right to the end and I thanked them on making things better in the team. get European football and then kick on before French striker Moussa Dembele “We stayed very calm and once we perform like that.” for that, irrespective of what the result Hopefully in the second part of the again. We have to be together as team grabbed the equaliser with his fifth goal got the goal I thought we played our The win moves them 19 points clear had been today,” said the former Liver- season we’ll be even stronger,” added and that was a big learning curve for us in three games against Rangers. way back into the game again. We of their bitter rivals in second place pool boss, whose side have also lifted the the 43-year-old Northern Irishman. today. We’ve got to be better than that.” Monday, January 2, 2017 GULF TIMES SPORT UpUp forfor thethe challchallengeenge The 2017 Dakar Rally begins today with Qatar’s Nasser al-Attiyah attempting to create history by winning a third title in a third diff erent vehicle

By Joe Koraith With such formidable opponents, al-Attiyah and 2002 to develop my shooting. The QMMF Doha knows that he will have his hands full. asked me to return in February 2003 and then “Peugeot did a really good job with their came the Dakar in 2004,” he recalled. buggy last year and I must congratulate them The Toyota Hilux has brought success to al- een there, done that! It’s a commonly for that. We know that their team is very Attiyah, winning him the FIA World Cup, with used phrase in life. But when that strong. There are slight rule changes (as com- the latest victory coming in the Rally of Moroc- comes from certain individuals, it as- pared to last year) but the high altitude will co in October last year, where he comfortably Bsumes mammoth proportions. make a diff erence to the power of the engine. won the title defeating the Peugeot of Carlos Take Qatar’s Nasser Saleh al-Attiyah for And this is where the turbocharged Peugeots, Sainz. “Now I have a great car with Toyota. We example. Many stellar names in the world of with their four formidable drivers, must be won the FIA World Cup with it. We beat Peuge- motorsport have been unsuccessful in their considered favourites,” said the Qatari. ot in Spain (Baja 2016) and (2016), but pursuit of the elusive Dakar Rally crown. But With fi ve days of high-altitude stages in that does not mean we will win the Dakar. We al-Attiyah has not only won it twice, but has Bolivia, the 46-year-old has ensured that he’s must take altitude into account, but I am look- won it with two diff erent manufacturers. well-prepared to handle the rigours of racing at ing forward to this new challenge,” he added. This time, the Qatari heads back to the that level. Toyota, through South African Giniel de Vil- world’s toughest rally, which begins today, “Racing at such high altitudes is always a liers, have managed two second-place fi nishes, with Toyota Gazoo Racing, looking to enter the problem—for the car, for the drivers and for the two thirds and a fourth—in the last fi ve years in annals of history by winning a third Dakar title support staff . In 2015, I got really sick because the Dakar. Having come so close, they will be with a third diff erent manufacturer. of the altitude but we did end up winning the hoping to climb on the top step of the podium “The Toyota Hilux is a car that has never won title. In 2016, I didn’t have any such issues. with al-Attiyah behind the wheel. the Dakar and this is the challenge that inter- “Qatar has very good centres that replicate “I have won the Dakar two times and this ests me. If I win, my name will remain a part high-altitude conditions. I have also trained team has not been able to win the Dakar. That’s of the history. The car works well and with hard to get physically fi t. Altitude does pose why we made an agreement with Toyota. We Matthieu (Baumel) we have done an enormous problems but if you prepare well, you shouldn’t have a good driver, a good co-driver, a good amount of work,” al-Attiyah told redbull.com. have an issue,” said al-Attiyah. team and we have lots of support from Red Bull The biggest challenge for the two-time The Qatari recalls how he started out as a co- and, more importantly, the nation of Qatar is champion will come from last edition’s run- pilot, hated it and then went behind the wheel behind me,” said al-Attiyah away winners Peugeot. Stephane Peterhansel and went on to create history. “The feeling within the team is that we are ready has showcased the power of the Peugeot buggy “I still remember my fi rst race. It was 1989 to win Dakar,” signed off the confi dent Qatari. with a dominating performance. The D-ream and I was a co-pilot and I did not like it at all. A third win with a third manufacturer? Team, as they call themselves, also features The following year I put myself at the wheel Hopefully on January 14th al-Attiyah will be big names like Carlos Sainz, Cyril Despres and and I started with some races in Qatar. able to prove the adage right: Been there, done WRC legend Sebastian Loeb. “Then I stopped completely between 1995 that. Again!

FOOTBALL Giroud nets wonder goal as Arsenal, Spurs climb AFP He pounced on Younes Kaboul’s London PREMIER LEAGUE TABLE mishit clearance to roll a shot into the bottom-right corner and then, after Teams P W D L Pts the change of ends, slipped the ball past livier Giroud scored a stupen- Chelsea 19 16 1 2 49 Gomes from Kane’s right-wing cross. dous “scorpion kick” volley Liverpool 19 13 4 2 43 Kaboul reduced the arrears in stop- as Arsenal climbed to third Arsenal 19 12 4 3 40 page time, forcing the ball over the line place in the Premier League Tottenham 19 11 6 2 39 from a free-kick, but the hosts did not tableO with a 2-0 New Year’s Day victory Man City 19 12 3 4 39 celebrate. “We played very good, to a over Crystal Palace. Man Utd 19 10 6 3 36 very high standard,” said Spurs man- Giroud netted with a breath-taking Everton 19 7 6 6 27 ager Mauricio Pochettino, whose side improvised strike reminiscent of Hen- West Brom 19 7 5 7 26 host leaders Chelsea on Wednesday. rikh Mkhitaryan’s recent goal for Man- Southampton 19 6 6 7 24 “The fi rst half was one of the best we’ve chester United and Alex Iwobi was also Bournemouth 19 7 3 9 24 played this season. I’m very happy be- on target at the Emirates Stadium. Burnley 19 7 2 10 23 cause it was a diffi cult game and the It left Arsenal nine points below West Ham 19 6 4 9 22 team responded. We know that Chel- leaders Chelsea and they were joined Watford 19 6 4 9 22 sea’s performance is very high. They are in the top four by Tottenham Hotspur, Stoke 19 5 6 8 21 a very good team with high confi dence, who replaced Manchester City in the Leicester 19 5 5 9 20 but we will try to challenge them to take Champions League places after win- Middlesbrough 19 4 6 9 18 the three points.” ning 4-1 at Watford. Crystal Palace 19 4 4 11 16 Arsenal, who were without the ill Sunderland 19 4 2 13 14 Swansea to hire Clement as coach Mesut Ozil, fi nish the weekend three Hull 19 3 4 12 13 Premier League strugglers Swansea points below second-place Liverpool, Swansea 19 3 3 13 12 City are set to appoint Bayern Munich with north London rivals Spurs a point assistant Paul Clement as their new back, above City on goal diff erence. Arsenal’s French striker Olivier Giroud manager, according to British media re- Armenian midfi elder Mkhitaryan celebrates after scoring their first goal ports. Former Derby boss Clement has advanced a strong claim to the Goal of against Crystal Palace yesterday. (Reuters) been in talks with Swansea over the last the Season award in United’s 3-1 win 24 hours to become the troubled Welsh over Sunderland on Boxing Day, only in to cut out a square pass from Palace’s sending it sailing over Wayne Hennes- lardyce would not be spared from a de- pier made the most of the opportunity club’s third manager of a diffi cult sea- for Giroud to better his strike just six ex-Arsenal midfi elder Mathieu Flamini. sey, off the bar and into the net. feat that kept his side one place above by setting up Kane for Spurs’ fi rst two son at the Liberty Stadium. days later. Hector Bellerin played the ball for- Nigerian forward Iwobi doubled Ar- the bottom three. goals at Vicarage Road. It is reported the deal could be fi - The France striker squandered a ward to Giroud and his clever back-heel senal’s lead in the 56th minute, heading Earlier, Tottenham beat Watford in His clever pass freed Kane to beat nalised over the next 48 hours before golden early chance when he miscued found Granit Xhaka, who helped the in after Scott Dann’s attempt to block their second successive 4-1 win, hav- Heurelho Gomes at his near post in the Swansea, who head into 2017 rock bot- from Nacho Monreal’s volleyed cross, ball on to Iwobi, who slipped it wide to Monreal’s cross sent the ball spinning ing prevailed by the same scoreline at 27th minute and six minutes later the tom of the Premier League, visit Crystal but he atoned in memorable fashion in Alexis Sanchez on the left. into the air. Southampton in mid-week, to rack up a former Burnley player’s cross was vol- Palace tomorrow. the 17th minute. Sanchez’s cross was slightly behind Palace rallied, obliging Petr Cech to fourth consecutive league victory. leyed home by Kane at the back post. Alli Clement will succeed Bob Bradley, He was involved twice in a sweeping Giroud, but he adjusted brilliantly to save from Yohan Cabaye and Andros Deputising for the suspended Kyle had earlier hit the bar and he got on the who was sacked this week after a miser- move that began when Lucas Perez slid hook the ball forward with his left heel, Townsend, but new manager Sam Al- Walker at right-back, Kieran Trip- score-sheet either side of half-time. able 85-day reign.