SPORT Tuesday 23 January 2018

PAGE | 28-29 PAGE | 30 PAGE | 31 Federer and Al Rayyan look to Infantino, Coe Halep storm into cut Al Duhail lead in face IOC snub: quarter-finals crunch tie Source AFC U-23 semi-final: Qatar raring to go against Vietnam

RIZWAN REHMAT Khaydarov’s team crushed THE PENINSULA Japan in the quarter-finals to Skipper Moein underline their intentions. CHANGZHOU: Unbeaten “We don’t have any prob- expects better Qatar are hoping their lems in the squad,” Khaydarov winning form and aggressive said yesterday. “All the play- football tactics seen in the last ers are ready for tomorrow’s show from four matches will be enough match. Physically, tactically stop Vietnam in the AFC U-23 and mentally we are ready team-mates Asian Cup semi-final at and I hope tomorrow we will Changzhou Sports Centre show our best football in the THE PENINSULA today. game,” he added. Also today, Uzbekistan “Uzbekistan and Korea CHANGZHOU: Captain Ahmed Moein will take on Korea Republic have already played four has given his team-mates a rallying call in the second semi-final of the games in this tournament and ahead of today’s AFC U-23 Asian Cup region’s premier continental we have the same condition semi-final against Vietnam, saying his tournament for Olympic because after four games ‘team must do better than 2016’. teams. Qatar coach Felix Sanchez shakes hands with Vietnam some players are tired or have Two years ago, hosts Qatar reached Qatar coach Felix Sanchez, some problems, but our staff finished in fourth spot at the same event coach Park Hang-seo during a pre-match press who has guided his team to are working on it now. We after easily reaching the semi-finals. conference held in Changzhou, China yesterday. wins over Uzbekistan, Oman, have the same condition at the Coached by China and Palestine in their moment,” he added. Felix Sanchez, four matches, yesterday said enough not to allow Vietnam (group stage) game against “Both myself and my play- The Koreans, who beat Qatar today take his team has covered all bases. to play to their strengths,” the Korea Republic, we immedi- ers must be at our very best Malaysia in the quarter-finals on Vietnam in the “We have watched all the Spaniard added. ately felt the pressure,” Park what is a vital game against a stage, know Uzbekistan are a first semi-final of We are very games in the competition and Vietnam’s head coach said yesterday but quickly quality side such as Qatar,” formidable unit. the 16-team tour- motivated we know how Vietnam have Park Hang-seo yesterday admitted rivals Qatar posed Park said. “Thanks to our players we nament. In the for this game been playing,” Sanchez said admitted his team was under considerable threat. Park said Vietnam play- have been able to reach the second semi-final (against during a pre-match press con- pressure to deliver. Vietnam “We know Qatar are a ers have done well in terms of semi-finals,” Korea coach Kim today, Uzbekistan Vietnam), and ference yesterday. finished second in Group D very strong team and that fitness and form. Bong-gil said yesterday. face Korea we hope to “They are an organised unlike Qatar who topped Tuesday’s match is obviously “I think that physically we “From what I have seen, Republic. keep doing team and they have very tal- Group A with three wins. key to reaching the final. will be fine,” the 61-year-old, Uzbekistan have a good bal- “At the last as well as we ented players. But we are In the quarter-finals, Viet- Because of that, the game has who hails from Korea Repub- ance between attack and AFC U-23 Cham- have already going to try to play in our way nam held their equal importance for both lic, said at the pre-match news defence and they are a very pionship we done in the and stop themhem dodoinging whwhatat nnerveerve to beatbeat tteams,eams, and thethe pressurepressure is as conference.conference. “T“Theyhey hahaveve made goodgood team.team. finished fourth, four games we they usuallyy do so wwell,”ell,” he IraIraqq oonn mmuchuch on us aass it is on QQatar.atar. a lotlot of eeffort,ffort, but mmyy plaplayersyers “We“We hahaveve ssome minor and we are in the have played so added. penalties.penalties. havehave a terrificterrific spiritspirit andand wewe iinjuriesnjuries and tthehe players are semi-finals again,” far: Moein “In this typetype of (knockout)(knockout) “After“After ourour willwill use thathatt spiritspirit to over-over- tiredtired bubutt wwe’lle’ll do our best and Moein said game, the smsmallall detadetailsils araree opopeningene ini g come any physicalphysical issuesissues wewe showshow oourur oownwn sstyle.ty We have yesterday. going to bee veveryry iimportantmpm ortant maymam y have iinn the gagameme aagainstgainst hadhad one day lelessss rest than the “This time we have to do better and that youou ccanann ppayay a bbigig Qatar,”QaQ tar,,” he ssaid.aid. oppositionopposition tteam,eam and that’s than we did then, and qualify for the price for smallmall mistakes,”mistakese ,”” Inn tthehe ssecondece ond sessemi-final,emi-final, notnot goodgood fforor us, but we will final and hopefully become Sanchez, wwhohoo gguideduided d UzbekistanUzbekistan faceface KoreaKorea Repub-Repub-b focusfof cuus on ooururr sstrengtht and champions. Qatar to tthehe liclic today.tot day.y covercover ourour weaknesseswew akn and in “We are very motivated for this 2014 AFCC RavshanRavshaan Khaydarov,Khhaydad rov,v ourour teteamam mmeetingeeti we will game (against Vietnam), and we hope U-19 Cham-- thethe UzUzbekistanbeekists ann workwow rkk oonn ththat.ata . to keep doing as well as we have pionship, coach,coach,h saidsaia d hishis “We“We jujuststt hhaveava e some minor already done in the four games we have said. teamteeamm ccouldouldd injuriesinjuj riiese aandndn wwee wwill check for played so far,” the 22-year-old mid- “Hopefully,ullly, wew ccanann bbee barelybareely wwaitait fofforor thethhe finalfinal startingstarting list and we fielder said. effective in allall thethe thingsthiingn s thatthat thethhe ststarttara t of tthehe willwill ppreparereparee ffororor ttheh game,” he “We know that we have a very dif- we know thathat wewe havehave toto dod semi-final.seemim -final. said.saaid. ficult game ahead of us, but we are well and be oorganisedrgganissed ready for it,” Moein said. “We know that Vietnam are a very good team, and that (the quarter-final) would be tough for Iraq, and Vietnam Qatari players in did it, they beat Iraq. It will not be easy action during a for us. training session “I think our experience will help, on the eve of but at the same time, Vietnam have also their AFC U-23 been together for quite some time,” the Asian Cup match captain said. against Vietnam in Qatar have posted wins over Changzhou, china Uzbekistan, Oman, China and Pales- yesterday. tine in their four matches so far.

Handball: Qatar extend winning run with Japan rout

CHINTHANA WASALA three goals each for the losing main round following an impres- THE PENINSULA side. sive run in the first round where The victory also extended they topped Group D. Al Annabi SUWON, SOUTH KOREA: Qatar’s unbeaten run to four defeated Saudi Arabia, China and Defending champions Qatar games in South Korea. New Zealand to storm into the snatched an early lead in Group Elsewhere, in the second main round with flying colours. 2 of the main draw of Asian match of the same group, Bah- Al Annabi will meet Bahrain Handball Championship when rain outplayed United Arab in their next match of the main they thrashed Japan by a margin Emirates 28-22 yesterday. group today, followed by the third of 40-23 yesterday. At the Suwon The wins have earned both and final match against United Gymnasium in Suwon, South Qatar and Bahrain two points Arab Emirates tomorrow. A Qatari player Korea, Qatar led 19-9 at half each, but Al Annabi are at the top The top two teams in the prepares to shoot time. of the group depending on the group will qualify for the semi- at the goal during Frankis Marzo and Houssem goal difference. finals of the tournament which the Asian Handball Romane were the top contribu- In Group 1, Saudi Arabia and will conclude on next Sunday. Championship tors for Qatar, adding five goals hosts South Korea recorded wins The top four teams will make match against each. in their Group 1 matches against it to the Handball World Cup Japan yesterday. Adam Yuki Baig, Shinnosuke Iran and Oman respectively. which will take place in Denmark Tokuda and Hiroki Shida scored Qatar booked their place in the and Germany in 2019. 26 SPORT TUESDAY 23 JANUARY 2018

Spain’s Rahm Qatar Open: Tough task awaits rises to world number two defending champion Verlaar AFP PARIS: Spaniard Jon Rahm ARMSTRONG VAS Mohamed Al Naimi said the jumped to a career-high THE PENINSULA competition is growing in stat- ranking of world number two ure over the eyars. yesterday after securing his DOHA: Nine Qatari players will “The event is getting better second PGA Tour title at the be seen in action at the three- all the time,” said Al Naimi while CareerBuilder Challenge. day WAGR-2018 Qatar Open addressing a pre-event press The 23-year-old, who Amateur Golf Championship to conference. only turned professional less be held at the Doha Golf Club Qatar Golf Association signed than two years ago, leap- from January 25 to 27. a deal with a new sponsor Royal frogged three-time major Pierre Verlaar of the Neth- Air Maroc. winner Jordan Spieth in the erlands, won the championship “I would like to thank our rankings, but Dustin Johnson last year, and will be here in sponsors for making this event maintained his substantial Doha to defend his title at the a grand success over the years. lead as world number one. 32nd edition of the prestigious And also, I would like to wish all Rahm continued his event, to be held in individual players the very best,” Al Naimi meteoric rise after clinching stroke play format, organisers added. victory over Andrew Landry informed yesterday. Qatar Golf Association Board in California on a fourth sud- A tough challenge is on Member Mohammed Al Muha- den-death playoff hole. hand for the contenders as the nadi, Saeed Al Hajri, Adil England’s Tommy Fleet- field of 100 golfers from 40 From left: A representative from InterContinental Doha, General Manager of Doha Golf Club (DGC), Gary Khaloufi (both Royal Air Maroc) wood moved to his best countries also includes 11 McGlinchey, Board Member of Qatar Golf Association (QGA), Mohammed Al Mohannadi, Royal Air Maroc and representatives of InterCon- ranking of 12th thanks to his professionals. Saeed Al Hajri, QGA Executive Director Mohammed Faisal Al Naimi, Royal Air Maroc Country Manager tinental Doha Hotel and Al impressive defence of the Abu Four players will book a Adil Khalloufi, and General Manager of Al Muftah Rent A Car, Ziad Usman, at a press conference and Muftah Rent a Car were present Dhabi Championship. ticket for the Commercial Bank signing ceremony of the Qatar Open Amateur Golf Championship held at DGC yesterday. at the event. Reigning Masters cham- Qatar Masters 2018, an European PIC: KAMMUTTY VP/THE PENINSULA The list of sponsors and sup- pion Sergio Garcia also rose Tour event, to be held from Feb- porters include Royal Air Maroc, a spot to ninth after easing to ruary 22 to 25 at the Doha Golf place finisher in the newly intro- February event. This year the and Abdulrahman Al Shahran. InterContinental Doha Hotel, Al victory in Singapore on his Club, based on the three-day duced Professional Division organisers have added a Profes- At the end of the second day, Muftah Rent a Car, Alkalive first start of the season. event. along with two top Qatari play- sional Division – with the winner the top-50 players will advance water, Doha Golf Club, Qatar Besides the winner, the top ers will get a berth at the collecting a cash prize of to the final round.Qatar Golf Olympic Committee and Qatar GOLF RANKINGS QR7000, while the second and Association Executive Director Golf Association. World’s top 20 third place players will be richer 1. Dustin Johnson (USA) 10.93 points by QR5000 and QR3000 2. Jon Rahm (ESP) 9.59 (+1) respectively. 3. Jordan Spieth (USA) 8.77 (-1) Besides the prize money for professionals, the top-10 ama- 4. Justin Thomas (USA) 8.14 teur players will get gift vouchers 5. Hideki Matsuyama (JPN) 7.60 from the organisers . 6. Justin Rose (ENG) 7.48 A total of 11 professionals are 7. Rickie Fowler (USA) 6.76 in the field including Anwar Ali, 8. Brooks Koepka (USA) 6.09 Michele Cea, Carlos Del Moral, 9. Sergio Garcia (ESP) 5.85 (+1) Sean Einhaus, Michael Robert 10. Henrik Stenson (SWE) 5.59 (-1) Elliott, Jean Michel Hall, Simon 11. Rory McIlroy (NIR) 5.53 Khan, Paul Maisey, Jordan Mas- 12. Tommy Fleetwood (ENG) 5.37 (+6) sey, Langasque Romain, QGA Executive Michaell-James Steyn. 13. Marc Leishman (AUS) 5.11 (-1) Director Mohammed Qatar will have nine players 14. Jason Day (AUS) 4.76 (-1) vying for honours including Faisal Al Naimi 15. Paul Casey (ENG) 4.67 (-1) Abdul Aziz Al Boainin, Adel Al (left) exchange 16. Matt Kuchar (USA) 4.53 (-1) Last year’s documents with Hamad, Jeham Al Kuwari, 17. Pat Perez (USA) 4.53 (-1) winner Pierre Royal Air Maroc Mohammed Fahad Al Naimi, Ali 18. Tyrrell Hatton (ENG) 4.50 (-1)

Verlaar of the Al Shahrani, Mohammed Al Country Manager

Netherlands. Adil Khalloufi. 19. Alex Noren (SWE) 4.25 Suwaidi, Saleh Ali Musbah Al 20. Brian Harman (USA) 3.88 Kaabi, Abdulaziz Al Muhanedi Rahm outlasts Landry Don’t expect miracles from to win CareerBuilder Woods in 2018: Experts

AFP Jon Rahm REUTERS Chamblee expects Woods’s celebrates with long game to be fine at Torrey LOS ANGELES: Spain’s Jon the trophy MIAMI: As anticipation builds Pines, but suggests keeping a Rahm birdied the fourth play- after the final over Tiger Woods’ (pictured) close eye on his work around the off hole to beat Andrew Landry round of the official comeback after nearly a greens. and capture his second US PGA CareerBuilder year rehabilitating from a spinal “It’s not a matter of reps,” Tour title at the CareerBuilder Challenge golf fusion, two former profession- Chamblee said, disagreeing with Challenge in California. tournament at als have offered a tempered a suggestion that Woods is likely Rahm, projected to rise one PGA West TPC view of what to expect from the to improve his short game once spot to number two in the world Stadium Course 14-time major champion in 2018 he gets multiple tournaments when the world rankings are on Sunday. and beyond. under his belt. updated on Monday, had five Woods completed 72 holes “The yips start with bad birdies in his bogey-free five- for the first time in three years technique and then it becomes under 67 on the Stadium Course when he finished equal ninth of a mental issue. Combination of in La Quinta to seize the club- 18 players at the Hero World the two is devastating. house lead on 22-under par 266. Challenge in the Bahamas in “You’re alone in the jungle But Landry, seeking a first December -- an unofficial event and there’s no path out. Nobody PGA Tour title, rolled in an added Rahm, who defends his ball-striking, Rahm missed on the PGA Tour. physically, even though golf is has ever overcome the chipping 11-foot birdie putt at the 72nd first PGA Tour title at the Farm- opportunities to give himself That was an appetizer not football, it still has huge yips. Before every single chip hole to cap a four-under 68 and ers Insurance Open at Torrey more of a cushion. before he continues his return physical demands to do it with- he’s going to hit this year he’s force the playoff. Pines starting on Thursday. At the par-five 16th he fol- at this week’s Farmers Insurance out pain.” going to have to chisel his way Both players parred the first “I never thought I was going lowed up an impressive tee shot Open at Torrey Pines in south- Chamblee says it would be through a wall of doubt.” three playoff holes -- although to be at this point in my life right with a second shot that left him ern California. a Herculean achievement for Chamblee said that Woods’s each had birdie chances to win. now,” he said, adding that it was short of the green. His third shot Woods, however, faces at Woods, who has won 79 times chipping had been the worst of Rahm finally broke through “hard to believe” that he would gave him seven feet for a birdie least one immovable obstruc- on the PGA Tour, to surpass Sam anyone in the field at the Hero when they returned to the 18th move past three-time major but he missed that -- unable to tion, based on historical Snead’s record 82 victories. in December, and counted seven for the third time in the playoff. winner Jordan Spieth into sec- pick up strokes at any of the Sta- precedent, according to Bran- “Looking at a 42-year-old, times that he needed two chips After finding the fairway at each ond place in the world rankings dium Course’s three par-fives. del Chamblee and Bill Mallon. all things being equal, if Tiger to get the ball onto the green. of the first three playoff holes led by American Dustin In the meantime, Landry Chamblee, now a forthright was to win once it would be Even before that, his chipping he was in the right rough, but Johnson. was putting together a round Golf Channel analyst, says extraordinary, twice would be had been mediocre, he added. still reached the green in two. Rahm, the highest ranked that included five birdies and a Woods appears to have solved mind blowing. If he wins four Yet if Woods somehow rep- After he rolled in his birdie player in the field, opened the bogey. While Cook’s bid for a his body and swing issues, but times it would be one of the licated the greatness of his putt, Landry missed his from a week in impressive style with a second PGA Tour title was “chipping yips” and age make it greatest things ever done in halcyon years, Chamblee does similar distance on the other 10-under par 62. doomed by a pair of double- nearly impossible to imagine golf,” he said. not think that today’s top play- side of the hole. He couldn’t maintain that bogeys, a string of other players him recapturing his old magic. Chamblee pointed out that ers would be able to compete. “It’s an amazing feeling ... to pace, and after a third-round 70 threatened the lead. Mallon agrees: “He was so behind Snead and Woods, the “Tiger was the best of all play the way I did and give was two strokes behind rookie John Huh carded a six-under good once I think it would be next 10 most prolific winners on time, by a mile,” Chamblee said. myself a chance,” said the Austin Cook heading into the par 66 to head a group sharing hard to dismiss him, but com- tour -- a list that includes Jack “Tiger (at his best) would 23-year-old Rahm, who has four final round. third on 268 that also included ing back after four back Nicklaus, Ben Hogan and Arnold annihilate all the best players. If victories worldwide in the past He was tied for the lead at Canadian Adam Hadwin (68) surgeries and multiple left knee Palmer -- claimed only 14 vic- Tiger played the same golf he year. 20-under after rolling in an and American Martin Piller (70). surgeries -- I’m sure he’s got tories between them after played in 2013 (when he won “Obviously props to Andrew. 18-foot putt for his third birdie Kevin Chappell’s 67 included arthritis -- I think it will be turning 40. five times) he’d still beat them To birdie 18 from the right of the day at the 10th, and kept four birdies in a row from the tough,” the golf and Olympic And those players did not all. “If he played the same golf rough, having to birdie it, that’s the chasing pack at bay with ninth through the 12th and put historian said in a telephone have the chipping yips, some- as 2007, every one of them a heck of an accomplishment. back-to-back birdies at 13 and him on 269, tied with fellow interview. thing that Chamblee believes has would spend hundreds of thou- “Either one of us would have 14 that moved him to 22-under. American Scott Piercy who “At that level, the slightest afflicted Woods for three years sands of dollars on sports been a deserving champion,” Despite his impressive carded a 70. incremental deterioration and will continue to do so. psychologists. TUESDAY 23 JANUARY 2018 SPORT 27 Black Caps crush Pakistan again

AFP New Zealand’s Glenn Phillips attempts to WELLINGTON: Colin Munro catch Pakistan’s ensured New Zealand continued a stellar home summer yester- Umar Amin during day when they thrashed Pakistan the first Twenty20 by seven wickets with 25 balls to international match spare in the opening Twenty20 against Pakistan at match in Wellington. Westpac Stadium in Munro was left unbeaten on Wellington. 49 when a wide by Hasan Ali in the 16th over gave New Zealand victory as they chased down Pakistan’s 105 in the clash of the world’s top two ranked Twenty20 sides. It extended New Zealand’s winning streak to 13 across all three formats in the past two months including five one-day- ers against Pakistan and a series of Tests, ODIs and Twenty20s against the West Indies. For Tim Southee, the stand- in captain after a late decision to rest Kane Williamson who has a minor injury, everything went according to plan. innings and was able to hammer we didn’t keep wickets in hand. wicket. After cautiously lifting sixes and he was left a frustrat- By the 15th over, Pakistan “Obviously winning the toss it home towards the end.” They bowled very well with the the score to 34 for two after eight ing one-run short of being only were seven for 53 and in danger on that wicket and then coming Pakistan captain Sarfraz new ball,” he said. overs, they took 23 off the next the third player behind Brendon of falling short of their current out and taking early wickets was Ahmed again had to defend a “If we had a score of 140-150 12 balls to reduce the target to McCullum and Chris Gayle to lowest score of 74 against Aus- the plan and we were able to do woeful performance by his top it could have been a good under six an over and they score four consecutive half cen- tralia six years ago, when Babar that. We bowled exceptionally order batsmen, which also match.” coasted from there. turies in Twenty20 cricket. Khan (41) and Hasan Ali (23) well,” said Southee who also paid plagued them in the ODI series, After a wobbly start in which Following Bruce’s dismissal, Pakistan were in immediate boosted the total with a 30-run tribute to Munro’s role with the and believed they were well Martin Guptill went for two and Ross Taylor partnered Munro trouble after being sent into bat partnership. bat. short of a competitive total. Glenn Phillips was bowled for through to the end with a rapid and were four for 22 in the sixth Southee finished with the “It was a great knock from “We’re not batting well three, Munro and Tom Bruce (26) 22 off 13 deliveries. over as Southee led a disman- best New Zealand figures of three Colin. He likes to get on with it enough up the order. The new set up the New Zealand victory Munro’s 43-ball innings tling of the Pakistan top order for 13 while Seth Rance took and I think he played a mature ball was swinging and bouncing, with a 49-run stand for the third included three fours and two with ease. three for 26. SCOREBOARD World Cup champions Pakistan Fakhar Zaman c Kitchen b Southee 3 Umar Amin c Kitchen b Rance 0 Australia to review Mohammad Nawaz c Munro b Southee 7 Haris Sohail c Bruce b Kitchen 9 Babar Azam c Bruce b Munro 41 woeful one-day form Sarfraz Ahmed st Phillips b Santner 9 Shadab Khan c Phillips b Santner 0 REUTERS Faheem Ashraf c Bruce b Southee 7 Hasan Ali c Southee b Rance 23 Mohammad Amir c Southee b Rance 3 SYDNEY: Australia’s world champion one-day team could face Rumman Raees not out 0 a major overhaul after they slumped to a 10th loss in 11 games, Extras: (W3) 3 according to chairman of selectors Trevor Hohns. Total: (for 10 wickets; 19.4 overs) 105 Steve Smith’s side were beaten by 16 runs by England in Syd- Fall of wickets: 1-4, 2-4, 3-15, 4-22, 5-38, 6-38, 7-53, ney on Sunday to give the tourists an unassailable 3-0 lead in the 8-83, 9-90, 10-105 five-match series. Bowling: Rance 4-0-26-3 (1w), Southee 4-0-13-3 (1w), de Grandhomme 2-0-11-0, Kitchen 1-0-3-1, Sodhi 4-0-25- It is the first home series loss for Australia since 2010 and they 0 (1w), Santner 4-0-15-2, Munro 0.4-0-12-1 have won just 26 of their 50 completed matches since they beat New Zealand New Zealand at the Melbourne Cricket Ground by seven wickets M Guptill c Nawaz b Rumman 2 in 2015 to clinch their fifth global title. C Munro (not out) 49 “With what’s happened recently we are reviewing how we’re G Phillips b Rumman 3 actually playing the game and type of player that’s required in the T Bruce c Fakhar b Shadab 26 one-day format,” Hohns told reporters in Sydney yesterday. New Zealand’s Tom Bruce is hit by the ball during the first Twenty20 international cricket match R Taylor (not out) 22 “We haven’t played well in this series, we don’t seem to have against Pakistan at Westpac Stadium in Wellington yesterday. New Zealand won by seven wickets. Extras: (LB1, W3) 4 Total: (for 3 wkts) 106 been able to put it all together on the one day, there has been Fall of wickets: 1-3, 2-8, 3-57 something lacking.” Bowling: Amir 3-0-13-0 (1w), Rumman 4-0-24-2 (1w), Australia’s struggles in the 50-over format has not gone un- Shadab 4-0-18-1, Hasan 2.5-0-28-0 (1w), Faheem 1-0-8- noticed in the cricketing world, with the New Zealand Herald 0, Nawaz 1-0-14-0 newspaper asking if the side were “the worst world Holland, Richardson Result: New Zealand won by seven wickets champions?”. A statistical breakdown of previous world champions’ win- ning percentages, showed that only the 1983 Indian team had a Smith rejects worse success rate between tournaments. get Australia call-up India won 44 percent of their games between 1983 and 1987. ball-tampering Smith’s side have also been far from settled. AFP Australia squads for Four of the 2015 World Cup winners -- captain Michael Clarke, suggestions wicketkeeper Brad Haddin, pace bowler Mitchell Johnson and all- MELBOURNE: Spinner Jon Holland and paceman South Africa tour rounder Shane Watson -- have retired from international cricket. Jhye Richardson are the surprise selections in a after ODI loss Since that victory, selectors have also given 18 players debuts in 15-man Australia squad named yesterday for the MELBOURNE: The Australia squads for the tour to one-day international cricket. tour to South Africa next month. South Africa in March and the Twenty20 interna- AFP In an era when run rates are pushed consistently past six an Victorian left-arm spinner Holland, 30, played tional series in February named yesterday: over, Australia have also only scored more than 300 on 13 occa- two Tests for Australia against Sri Lanka in mid- SYDNEY: Australian captain sions in 50 completed matches since the World Cup. They lost 2016, but was passed over in the recent 4-0 Ashes AUSTRALIA SQUAD FOR SOUTH AFRICA: Steve Smith has shot down three of those games. Test series win over England. Steve Smith (capt), David Warner, Cameron suggestions of ball-tampering Hohns said the selectors may need to look at a different type Richardson, 21, is one of five pace bowlers in Bancroft, Jackson Bird, Pat Cummins, Peter Hands- after video of him using saliva of player for their side, with a focus on hard-hitting middle order the Australian touring party for the four-Test series comb, Josh Hazlewood, Jon Holland, Usman from the corner of his mouth players and specialist limited-overs bowlers as they look ahead and the No.2 ranked South Africans. Khawaja, Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Marsh, Shaun Marsh, during Sunday’s one-day loss to to the 2019 World Cup in England. Holland was the outstanding spinner in the Tim Paine, Jhye Richardson, Mitchell Starc. England raised eyebrows. “With the World Cup in 2019 there is a lot of one-day cricket Sheffield Shield last season and was named man Smith laughed off the reac- to be played between now and then,” he said yesterday. of the match as Victoria claimed their third straight T20 INTERNATIONAL TRI-SERIES SQUAD: tion, after watching a replay of “We will be trying very soon to get together the main nucleus title. David Warner (capt), Aaron Finch, Ashton Agar, the video, saying it was his of our squad so they can play together for some time,” Hohns “Jon was the second leading wicket taker in Alex Carey, Ben Dwarshuis, Travis Head, Chris Lynn, standard technique for helping added. the Sheffield Shield last season and has performed Glenn Maxwell, Kane Richardson, D’Arcy Short, Billy shine the white ball with no well in the games he has played for Victoria this Stanlake, Marcus Stoinis, Andrew Tye, Adam Zampa. assistance from any foreign season,” chief selector Trevor Hohns said. substance. “We envisage the wickets we will see in South “It was all spit. People said Africa will not warrant the need to play two “I’ve only played five games under my belt. something about lip balm. If you spinners. But having said that, I’m going in with full look at my lips they are pretty “But should Nathan Lyon not be able to play confidence. dry. I certainly didn’t have any at any stage, we wanted to have the best special- “I’m learning so quickly, especially being of that on,” he told reporters ist spinner available to us and based on current around these guys, seeing how they go about their Sunday. “It is just the way I get red ball form Jon warrants that spot.” business and I’m certainly developing as a per- the spit into the side of my mouth Hohns said Richardson warranted his inclu- son and a player extremely quickly.” and get some spit onto the ball. sion in the Test squad for the first time. Opener Cameron Bancroft held his place in There was nothing in it.” “Jhye is a talented right-armer who bowls with the Australia team despite an indifferent Ashes England last month blasted very good pace through the air,” he said. series against England where he scored 179 runs ball-tampering allegations “He impressed in his first one-day interna- at 25.57. against them as a “beat-up” after tional and has bowled well in the Sheffield Shield Peter Handscomb, dropped after the second footage of England bowler James this season. Test in the series after scoring just 62 runs, is Anderson working the ball with “He is an exciting young prospect who will retained as a back-up batsman. his thumbnail drew suspicions Australia cricket captain Steve Smith watches the men’s singles benefit immensely from his time with this squad.” Cricket Australia said all members of the Test during their Ashes Test match in fourth-round match between South Korea’s Hyeon Chung and “I haven’t really expected to play for Australia, squad will head to South Africa on February 15, Melbourne. just having the amount of experience I’ve had in with the exception of David Warner, who will cap- Australia currently trail 3-0 Serbia’s Novak Djokovic on day eight of the Australian Open in Shield cricket,” Richardson said. tain the Australian T20 International side. in the ODI series. Melbourne yesterday. 28 SPORT TUESDAY 23 JANUARY 2018 TUESDAY 23 JANUARY 2018 SPORT 29 Nadal braces for Young gun Chung shocks Djokovic Sandgren tough Cilic test in AFP opening round of the Australian Open, playing four rounds in his first tour- given his battle-weary condition as but the South Korean spectacularly nament back after six months out Chung continued to pull ahead. topples Thiem MELBOURNE: South Korean star reversed the result with three hard- since Wimbledon with elbow Fast-improving Chung won the Hyeon Chung dumped six-time cham- fought sets against the wounded Serb trouble. Next Gen ATP Finals last November Melbourne pion Novak Djokovic out of the in the fourth round. Djokovic, who He made a horror start to the which featured fellow young guns I didn’t know if I Australian Open yesterday in a sensa- sought treatment for his troublesome match with two double faults in each Andrey Rublev, Karen Khachanov and was going to win Down Under tional fourth round upset. right elbow and an apparent hip injury of his two opening service games for Denis Shapovalov. this match tonight, REUTERS The 21-year-old beat the battle- when stretching for a ball, battled a double break. The six-time Mel- He dropped serve to start the third AFP weary Serb, who was clearly in pain through in great discomfort, as Chung bourne winner clawed back to 5-5, set but Djokovic gave the serve but I was just MELBOURNE: Rafa Nadal as he stretched for balls, 7-6 (7/4), 7-5, stayed composed and mentally tough but he called for the trainer to treat straight back and the South Korean honoured to play MELBOURNE: Unher- knows his path to a 17th Grand All the matches 7-6 (7/3) in 3hr 21 min in a night match to claim his biggest win. his right elbow early in the second got another break to go ahead 3-1. with Novak again. alded American Tennys Slam title will only get tougher on Rod Laver Arena. “I didn’t know if I was going to win set. But Djokovic bravely dug in and Hyeon Chung of South Sandgren upset Austria’s after a relatively routine run are tough, and Chung, the first South Korean man this match tonight, but I was just hon- It got worse for the Serb former again broke back and took the set to When I was young Korea celebrates his win fifth seed Dominic Thiem of opponents since his French if you are in the to reach the round of 16 at the Aus- oured to play with Novak again. When world No.1 as he screamed in agony a tiebreaker where Chung won some I was trying to against Novak Djokovic of over five sets to advance Open triumph last June when quarter-finals of tralian Open, will face American bolter I was young I was trying to copy stretching for a point, but he gingerly outstanding points to hold three match copy Novak Serbia during the fourth to the quarter-finals of he lines up against Marin Cilic Tennys Sandgren in the quarter-finals Novak because he’s my idol. I can’t carried on with the signs of wear and points. round of the Australian the Australian Open in today’s Australian Open a Grand Slam, you tomorrow. believe this, dream’s come true tear plainly visible. Djokovic’s resistance was because he’s my Open in Melbourne, yesterday. quarter-final. can’t expect an Two years ago Djokovic out- tonight.” Djokovic attempted to shorten the finally over when he sent a back- idol: Chung Hyeon Australia yesterday. The 97th-ranked The 31-year-old Spaniard easy match: Nadal classed Chung in straight sets in the Djokovic showed the effects of points and avoid long tiring rallies hand wide. Sandgren won 6-2, 4-6, dropped his first set of the 7-6 (7/4), 6-7 (7/9), 6-3 in tournament on Sunday before just under four hours to prevailing in a slugfest against continue his extraordi- Argentina’s Diego Schwartz- Nadal will take heart from Djokovic nary run and will face man, the first true test of his 5-1 head-to-head record either Novak Djokovic or Nadal’s famed grit after three against the Croatian 29-year- Chung Hyeon in the last straightforward wins in old, who won their first eight. Melbourne. meeting in 2009 but has since Federer, Halep storm into quarters to reassess Sandgren becomes The victory set up a quar- struggled against the power- just the second man in ter-final clash with world ful left-hander. the last 20 years since number six and former US Cilic, however, would like AFP Berdych, who is on his match, but she bounced options over Frenchman Nicolas Open champion Cilic, Nadal’s to believe he is better way back from back prob- AUSTRALIAN OPEN RESULTS back to win 4-6, 7-5, 6-2. Escude to make the quar- Tennys first top-10 opponent in his equipped to take on top play- MELBOURNE: Ice-cool lems, lost to the five-time “Credit to her, she ter-finals on his Sandgren of last 16 Grand Slam matches. ers like Nadal following his Roger Federer roared into Australian champion in MEN’S SINGLES played unbelievable. I was elbow injury Australian Open debut. the United States in “All the matches are tough, 2014 US Open triumph and an Australian Open quar- the third round last year Fourth Round running everywhere,” said Amazingly, the and if you are in the quarter- run to last year’s Wimbledon ter-final with Tomas and the odds are heavily Kerber, who had a poor REUTERS 26-year-old missed out action against Tomas Berdych (CZE x19) bt Fabio Fognini (ITA x25) 6-1, 6-4, 6-4 finals of a Grand Slam, you final. Berdych Monday as world stacked again him. 2017 after starting the year on qualifying in the last Dominic Thiem can’t expect an easy match,” “Throughout my career, I Roger Federer (SUI x2) bt Marton Fucsovics (HUN) 6-4, 7-6 (7/3), MELBOURNE: Novak Djokovic said he would four years to reach the of Austria number one Simona Halep Of the 13 quarter- as world number one. yesterday. Nadal said after suppressing knew that if I’m playing well, and former champion finals Federer has 6-2 “I was just trying to have to reassess the way forward for his injured main draw in Schwartzman in seven min- if I’m top of my game, that I elbow after it flared up again during his shock Melbourne. Angelique Kerber stayed contested in Melbourne, Tennys Sandgren (USA) bt Dominic Thiem (AUT x5) 6-2, 4-6, 7-6 focus in every point.” utes under four hours. can challenge most of the defeat by Hyeon Chung at the Australian Open Sandgren beat former he has won the lot. (7/4), 6-7 (7/9), 6-3 Hsieh, ranked 88, was “Against Marin will be a guys on the tour,” he said. on course for a potential yesterday. winner Stan Wawrinka in the second round and this time eliminated Hyeon Chung (KOR) bt Novak Djokovic (SRB x14) 7-6 (7/4), 7-5, tough one, but at the same “With the win at the US Open last-four clash. “I have no choice to always going to be a threat The 30-year-old Serb wore a compression the world No.5. time, is a beautiful match to that, you know, I believe it The Swiss defending choose the opponent and 7-6 (7/3) after knocking out world sleeve on his playing arm throughout the tour- “I don’t know if this is a dream or not,” Sandgren said on court. play against a great player. We just became stronger. champion swatted aside may the better man win,” number three Garbine nament, his first for six months, but after three “He played some really great tennis, especially in that fourth set know each other. We played “I believe in my own one-time training partner said Berdych, seeded 19. WOMEN’S SINGLES Muguruza and the danger- relatively straightforward wins it was clear all tiebreaker. a couple of times already.” game, I believe in what I’m Marton Fucsovics 6-4, 7-6 “I am going to get Fourth Round ous Agnieszka Radwanska was not well as he lost 7-6(4) 7-5 7-6(3) to “I knew I had to take my chances. I knew that behind the court doing. I think I’m moving the (7/3), 6-2 on Rod Laver myself ready, it’s all I can Madison Keys (USA x17) by Caroline Garcia (FRA x8) 6-3, 6-2 en route to the fourth Chung. he could probably outlast me and out-grind me, he’s a heck of a right direction. You You know, know, i it’s Arena to make the last do, and prepare the best I round. He was shaking his arm during the first set player. Angelique Kerber (GER x21) bt Hsieh Su-wei (TPE) 4-6, 7-5, 6-2 obviouslyobviously a bibigg challenchallenge eight for an incredible 14th can.” The win set Kerber up and grimaced at times when serving using a re- “So I knew I had to come out and play aggressive and take my Simona Halep (ROM x1) bt Naomi Osaka (JPN) 6-3, 6-2 plaplayingying them, but ththat’sa time. Romania’s Halep with a clash against Amer- modelled action. chances and serve well and thankfully it worked out in the end.” whatwhat wwee aalsolso wworkork f foror on The Swiss maestro, 36, eased through 6-3, 6-2 Karolina Pliskova (CZE x6) bt Barbora Strycova (CZE x20) 6-7 ican Keys, a semi-finalist “It’s not great. Unfortunately, it’s not great,” Sandgren said he had the advantage of being an unknown player the training.” has made the quarters over unseeded Naomi (5/7), 6-3, 6-2 in 2015 who has found a the six-times Grand Slam champion told report- in the field. ThirdThird seeseedd GriGrigorg every year since 2004, bar Osaka of Japan in just 81 new lease of life under the ers. “Kind of end of the first set it started hurting “Maybe guys aren’t sure what to expect and they don’t know that Dimitrov,Dimitrov, survivosurvivorr of a hiccup in 2015. minutes, delighted to be guidance of former great more. I’m serving well and what spots I like, or how I’m going about play- a ffourth-roundourth-roun “So, yeah, I had to deal with it till the end of ing the points, and I’m using that to my advantage. He will now play fel- off court early after an sixth seed Karolina Plisk- After crushing Maria Lindsay Davenport. thriller aagainstgainst ho homem the match. A tremendous backhand winner down the line from Thiem saved favourite Nick Kyr-Ky low veteran Berdych, a epic and gruelling three- ova or fellow Czech Sharapova in the last Seeded 17, she flat- “It’s frustrating, of course, when you have a match point and then he went on to force a fifth set, but Sandgren gios,gios, will also be in semi-finalist in 2014 and setter in the previous Barbora Strycova, seeded round, she came up tened French eighth seed that much time and you don’t heal properly. But finished strongly to take the match. action againstagainst tthe 2015 at his most success- round. 20, for a semi-final spot. against gritty Taiwanese Caroline Garcia 6-3, 6-2 it is what it is.” The American, who hadn’t won a match at a Grand Slam until sole survivingsurviving Brit Briton,o ful major, who demolished While the win was Germany’s Kerber is veteran Hsieh Su-wei who in just 68 impressive Djokovic needed treatment at the end of the this tournament after being beaten in the first round at last year’s KyleKyle Edmund. Italy’s Fabio Fognini 6-1, easy, she continues to the only Grand Slam stunned the 21st seed by minutes. first set but said the pain had been French and US Opens, hit 63 winners, 20 aces and made four serv- Women’s fourthfour 6-4, 6-4. nurse a troublesome ankle champion left among the taking the first set on Rod “I feel like I’m playing manageable. ice breaks. Switzerland’s seedseed Elina SvitoliSvitolina “We have had some that she rolled early in the women, and she was given Laver Arena. just solid, consistent ten- “I felt the level of pain was not that high that Roger Federer hits ofof UUkrainekraine will seseek good ones over the years tournament. a big fright as she chases At one point Kerber nis,” said Keys, a US Open a return against I need to stop the match, even though it was to mmaintainaintain hherer sesea- going back all the way to “The injury is still her second Melbourne was serving to stay in the finalist last year. “I think Marton Fucsovics obviously compromising my serve,” he said. son-openingson-opening winniwinning the Olympic Games in there. I feel it but I’m try- Park crown after beating today was a good exam- of Hungary during “That is a big shot, especially against Chung, AUSTRALIAN OPEN WOMEN’S QUARTER-FINALS streak against EliseEli Athens in 2004,” the ing not to think about it Serena Williams in 2016. ple of that. I think I served their men’s singles who returns well, gets a lot of balls back.” Mertens in the Belgian’sBelgian Asked whether he would need another lay- 19-time Grand Slam and give it everything,” well. I think I returned fourth round match Caroline Wozniacki (DEN x2) vs Carla Suarez Navarro (ESP) first Grand Slam quartquarter-e champion said of the said Halep, who has never well.” on day eight of off, Djokovic said he would sit down with his final appearance.appearance. coaching team. Elina Svitolina (UKR x4) vs Elise Mertens (BEL) Czech. gone beyond the quarters The 22-year-old the Australian “I really don’t know. I have to reassess eve- Madison Keys (USA x17) vs Angelique Kerber (GER x21) “Yeah, I’m looking for- before. added: “Right now I’m Open in Melbourne rything with my team, medical team, coaches ward to play against him. She will play either definitely really enjoying yesterday. Simona Halep (ROM x1) vs Karolina Pliskova (CZE x6) Spain’s Rafael and everybody, scan it, see what the situation He seems in good shape.” my job.” Nadal is like,” he said. “Last couple weeks I played a lot of tennis. Let’s see what’s happening inside.” Djokovic did not want his condition to detract from the brilliance of Chung who produced a display reminiscent of the Serb at his best. Pliskova battles “Amazing. Amazing performance,” he said. “He was a better player on the court tonight. He deserved to win. back to advance REUTERS

MELBOURNE: Sixth seed Karolina Pliskova reached her second Australian Open Wozniacki and Svitolina eye semi-final showdown quarter-final by outlasting Barbora Strycova 6-7(5), 6-3, AFP Svitolina, who won the Bris- of the gritty 29-year-old Suarez Slam quarter-final after a fighting 6-2 in an all-Czech battle bane International to kick off her Navarro who possesses one of the 4-6, 6-4, 8-6 win over Anett Kon- that stretched into the early MELBOURNE: In-form duo Caro- season, is on a nine-match win few one-handed backhands in the taveit in the fourth round. hours of today. line Wozniacki and Elina Svitolina streak this year and also faces an women’s game and models it on But she has never got further Taking to the court just step up their quest for a first Grand unseeded opponent in Belgium’s former great Justine Henin. than the last eight in 36 previous before 11 p.m. local time, the Slam title aiming to avoid poten- Elise Mertens. The Dane has been in 10 pre- majors. pair slugged it out for two tial banana skins in the Australian The world number 37 has sim- vious Australian Opens but has Mertens said it was “amazing” hours and 41 minutes in the Open quarter-finals today. ilarly enjoyed an unbeaten start to rarely lived up to the hype, only on her Australian Open debut to late match at Rod Laver Second seed Wozniacki reached 2018, winning the warm-up Hobart reaching the semi-final once in become the first Belgian to reach Arena before former US eight finals in 2017, winning twice, International, and Svitolina is not 2011. the quarter-finals since Kim Cli- Open finalist Pliskova finally while fourth-ranked Svitolina won surprised to meet her in the last Wozniacki is clearly a fan of the jsters in 2012 after her put down her compatriot. five WTA titles. They are on colli- eight. diminutive 29-year-old Spaniard, fourth-round straight-sets win Strycova saved one sion course for an expected “She was playing great tennis, the shortest player left in the draw over unseeded Croat Petra match point with an auda- semi-final showdown at Melbourne and, you know, she can produce at just 5ft 4in (1.62m). Martic. cious serve-volley and a Park. Wozniacki routed 19th seed really good and high-level tennis,” “She’s really a great person, one In-form Mertens trains at the second with an overhead Magdalena Rybarikova 6-3, 6-0 in said the world number four after of those girls you like to see Clijsters academy in her home smash before the 20th seed round four and faces a familiar foe storming past qualifier Denisa around,” said the Dane. “She’s also country with coach Robbe Ceys- surrendered by clubbing a in Carla Suarez Navarro, whose two Allertova 6-3, 6-0 in 57 minutes in a great player. It’s a very good sens and sometimes gets to hit with backhand over the wins in seven career meetings with the last round. combination.” the four-time Grand Slam cham- baseline. Czech Republic’s Karolina Pliskova the Dane have both been on the “You know, she’s been playing Suarez Navarro, who is cur- pion who won at Melbourne Park Pliskova will meet top signs autographs after winning her Spaniard’s favoured clay. well, definitely. I didn’t see so many rently without a coach after in 2011. seed Simona Halep for a match against Barbora Strycova. “Obviously hard courts are a of her matches here, but if she’s in splitting with long-time mentor She lost in straight sets to Svi- place in the semi-finals. little different,” said Wozniacki. quarter-finals, definitely she Xavier Budo last July, ended 2017 tolina last year in their only career “I think the first set was “But we’ve had a lot of tough deserves to be there. There is no ranked 40, the first year she has meeting, on clay in the final at very close but I needed to step up and be more aggressive,” the tall encounters on hard courts as well. easy ways to get into a finished outside the top 20 since Istanbul. 25-year-old said in the on-court interview. Elina Svitolina Caroline Wozniacki Three-set gruelling matches. I’m quarter-final.” 2012. The final two women’s quar- “I was playing fine the other two sets. On this surface I have a expecting a tough fight.” Wozniacki is wary of the guile She will be in her sixth Grand ter-finals are tomorrow. chance (against Halep).” 30 SPORT TUESDAY 23 JANUARY 2018 Al Rayyan look to cut Al Duhail lead in crunch tie FAWAD HUSSAIN THE PENINSULA

DOHA: Former champions Al Rayyan will be desperate to cut Khalifa Abubakr Al Duhail lead when the two QNB Stars League (QSL) giants square Goalkeeper off in Round 14 which offers intriguing battles this weekend at various venues. Khalifa joins Among the key upcoming fixtures is a clash between Xavi- Al Khor led Al Sadd and Al Gharafa, which has found a new spark fol- THE PENINSULA lowing the signing of Dutch star Wesley Sneijder. DOHA: QNB Stars League Al Duhail are sitting on top side Al Khor yesterday of points standings with a lead announced the signing of of four points over 2015-16 sea- goalkeeper Khalifa Abubakr son champions Al Rayyan and on loan from Al Duhail till the Al Sadd who have 31 points each. end of this season. Although Al Duhail will con- The swap deal followed tinue to lead the standings if they goalkeeper Amin Lecomte’s lose, a victory will be a huge recent return to Al Duhail boost for Michael Laudrup’s side after his loan term ended with in their bid for the title. Al Duhail Al Khor. will be hosting the The Red Khalifa is one of the top Knights on Saturday. goalkeepers in the QNB Stars The match between Al Sadd League and had served Al Duhail well. He is to soon join Al Khor training as they pre- pare to face Al Kharaitiyat in Al Rayyan striker Rodrigo Week 14 on January 27. Tabata (right) looks to shine Al Khor, who drew 2-2 Among the key against Al Duhail on Saturday. with Al Ahli in Week 13, are upcoming fixtures placed eighth 11 points. is a clash between Meanwhile, Ghanaian Xavi-led Al Sadd and striker Kwame Karikari and Al Gharafa on Thursday will Sadd fired six past fourth-placed slip-ups if they are to stay in the the most from Week 13 as they joined Al Arabi from Al Al Gharafa, which has also be a must-watch game, not Al Sailiya without any response, top four as Umm Salal are just jumped from last to ninth with Markhiya till the end of this found a new spark just because of the presence of while ‘The Cheetahs’ suddenly behind them with one point less. 11 points in the QNB Stars League season ahead of their QNB following the signing global stars in Xavi and Sneijder look an all-new side with back- Al Markhiya are likely to debut standings and The Kings will be Stars League Week 14 away of Dutch star Wesley but top form of both the sides to-back victories, against Al Ahli their new signing, Brazilian keen to build on that when they clash with Qatar SC January also makes the tie a fascinating and Umm Salal in presence of attacking midfielder Eric de face Al Arabi, who too badly 26. Sneijder. game. Sneijder. The Dutchman, a UEFA Oliveira. They are the side to have need some points as they lan- The move came as part of In the previous round, Al Champions League winner and scored the least number of goals guish at the 10th position with the Al Arabi team manage- FIFA World Cup runner-up, (eight) in the QNB Stars League. 10 points. ment’s bid to strengthen the QNB STARS LEAGUE STANDINGS scored his first goal in Qatar last The Oryxes lost the services of Al Khor and Al Kharaitiyat squad in the current winter POSITION/CLUB MATCHES WINS LOSSES DRAWS GF GA GD POINTS week. Ghanaian striker Kwame Karikari will fight it out as both sides stare transfer period. Iranian striker Mehdi who has just joined Al Arabi. at relegation. 1: Al Duhail 13 11 0 2 47 16 31 35 The Dream Team had Taremi, who has completed a The Brazilian attacking mid- 2: Al Sadd 13 10 2 1 36 15 21 31 recently bolstered their four-month FIFA suspension fielder has vast experience defence by recruiting Croat 3: Al Rayyan 13 10 2 1 34 19 15 31 over a contract dispute with playing in the leagues of Ukraine, QSL ROUND 14 FIXTURES 4: Al Sailiya 13 6 5 2 26 24 2 20 Ivan Foster, in place of Tuni- Turkish club Caykur Rizespor, is Japan, Romania and Saudi Ara- Thursday sian Ammar Jemal, and 5: Umm Salal 13 5 4 4 22 21 1 19 expected to make his debut bia. He last represented Al Gharafa vs Al Sadd at Al Gharafa Stadium, 18:40 Hamad Al Harbi. 6: Al Gharafa 13 4 4 5 22 20 2 17 against Al Sadd. Romanian side Viitorul Friday Karikari started training 7: Al Ahli 13 4 6 3 16 21 -5 15 Meanwhile, Al Sailiya stayed Constanta. Al Sailiya vs Al Markhiya at Al Ahli Stadium, 16:30, along with his new team- 8: Al Khor 13 3 8 2 14 26 -12 11 fourth despite suffering setbacks Umm Salal will look to get Qatar SC vs Al Arabi at Qatar SC Stadium, 18:40 mates — with the exception 9: Qatar SC 13 3 8 2 13 30 -17 11 continuously in the last five back to the winning path and Saturday of Foster, Talal Al Balooshi 10: Al Arabi 13 2 7 4 16 26 -10 10 rounds, where they went win- break into the top four when Umm Salal vs Al Ahli at Al Gharafa Stadium, 16:30

and Ahmed Khalfan — under 11: Al Kharaitiyat 13 2 8 3 17 33 -16 9 less. The Peregrines (20 points) they take on Al Ahli, who are Al Khor vs Al Kharaitiyat at Al Khor Stadium, 16:30 the watchful eyes of Croatian 12: Al Markhiya 13 1 7 5 8 20 -12 8 face bottom side Al Markhiya struggling ever since the second Al Duhail vs Al Rayyan at Al Duhail Stadium, 18:40 coach Luka Bonacic. and cannot afford any more phase started. Qatar SC gained

Kylian Mbappe of Paris Saint Germain receives Star Sanchez and medical treatment on Sunday. Mkhitaryan on brink of swap deal

AFP Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger and United manager LONDON: Alexis Sanchez is Jose Mourinho both said they reportedly set to become a expected the two-way deal Manchester United player between the Premier League yesterday after a leaked image rivals to go through. apparently showed the Chile Wenger said Sanchez was international on the Old Traf- absent from the Arsenal squad ford pitch in the club’s famous on Saturday because he was red shirt. close to completing a deal that PSG hopeful Mbappe’s The Arsenal forward was has been in the making since pictured on Sunday arriving at United out-bid Manchester City United’s Carrington training for the former Barcelona star. complex ahead of his widely “I expect soon or never,” injury not serious anticipated move, which will Mourinho said after his side’s see midfielder Henrikh Mkhi- 1-0 win against Burnley. taryan heading in the “I think it is so close, so AFP challenge from Lyon goalkeeper for the game in Lyon, the world’s most opposition direction. close, so close that if it doesn’t Anthony Lopes. expensive player missing the trip due Earlier on Sunday, Sanchez happen it’s not going to PARIS: Paris Saint-Germain said initial He had already been in the wars, to an apparent thigh injury. posted a video on Instagram happen.” tests carried out on Kylian Mbappe needing treatment for a bloody head Unai Emery’s team looked set to showing him walking across an Former England captain were “reassuring” after their young star wound suffered in a clash with escape with a point from the encoun- airstrip towards a private jet. Alan Shearer said City could rue was stretchered off in the first half of Houssem Aouar. ter after Layvin Kurzawa cancelled out A picture that was posted missing out on Sanchez. Sunday’s 2-1 defeat at Lyon. “Just a message to say that I am Nabil Fekir’s second-minute opener for on social media on Sunday “City seem very blase about “The check-up at the end of the alright, it was a more of a scare than the hosts. evening appeared to show him it,” he said in his column in Brit- match was reassuring and allowed anything else despite the impressive But Dani Alves was sent off in the taking a selfie in a United shirt ain’s Sun newspaper. Kylian Mbappe to return to Paris,” the collision,” Mbappe tweeted. second half and the 10 men could not with his name and No. 7 on the “And given the 12-point club said in a statement. “No hard feelings A.Lopes,” he hold on, substitute Memphis Depay back -- the shirt worn by club cushion they have at the top of “Further tests will be carried out at added. scoring a marvellous last-gasp winner legends George Best, Eric Can- the Premier League why the start of the week.” The France international forward for Lyon. tona and Cristiano Ronaldo. shouldn’t they be? Mbappe, who turned 19 last month, must nevertheless be a doubt for PSG are still eight points clear of Sanchez, 29, is set to “Yes, it would have been had to be carried off the field at the Wednesday’s French Cup tie at home Lyon at the top of the table after what become United’s best-paid difficult to find a regular place Groupama Stadium late in the first half to Guingamp. was just their second league loss of player, with his wages esti- for him in the team given the after being flattened by a full-blooded PSG were already without Neymar the season. mated at more than £500,000 players at Pep Guardiola’s dis- ($695,000, 567,000 euros) a posal. But the deal is a big boost week. for their closest rivals.” TUESDAY 23 JANUARY 2018 SPORT 31 Infantino, Coe face IOC snub: Source

REUTERS federations - among the Olym- membership. Infantino was IOC when the IAAF blocked Rus- pics’ most popular sports - have elected head of FIFA in Febru- sian track and field athletes from ZURICH: The presidents of been left out in the cold as they ary 2016 to succeed competing at the Rio de Janeiro world soccer and world athlet- struggled with widespread cor- scandal-plagued Sepp Blatter Olympics over the doping affair. ics are set to be snubbed by the ruption and doping scandals and lead the federation out of its The IAAF banned the Russian International Olympic Commit- which tarnished their images. biggest graft crisis. athletics federation team, with tee (IOC) next month when the “My understanding is they Former double Olympic only one athlete, who lived, body is likely to again overlook will not be recommended,” a champion Coe took over the trained and was tested in the them for membership, a source source with knowledge of the IAAF in August 2015 against a united States allowed to compete said yesterday. membership procedure ahead backdrop of doping and corrup- in Rio. The IOC, however, left it Neither FIFA chief Gianni of the IOC session in tion among the organisation’s to individual federations to clear Infantino nor IAAF counterpart Pyeongchang, South Korea next most senior officials, severely Russians to compete in their Sebastian Coe are expected to be month, told Reuters on condi- damaging the organisation’s sports at the Games. proposed for IOC membership tion of anonymity. credibility. Both Blatter and Diack were despite taking up their posts two The IOC elects new members Coe’s predecessor Lamine IOC members until 2015. Blat- and three years ago respectively, at its annual session with the list Gianni Infantino Sebastian Coe Diack is currently facing a brib- ter’s predecessor at FIFA, Joao the source said. For years, mem- of proposed names being pub- decades before their current The source said the IOC had ery and embezzlement Havelange, was an IOC member bership of the IOC for the heads lished a few days before the vote leadership, will do little to mend discussed the matter of Infan- investigation in France while his from 1963 to 2011. Diack’s pred- of soccer and athletics was seen Now, another snub of two of ties that have been strained by tino and Coe, and a final decision son, Papa Massata Diack is ecessor, Primo Nebiolo, also as almost automatic. the world’s biggest sports feder- the ongoing corruption and dop- had yet to be taken but they were banned for life from the sport. became an IOC member shortly But the two international ations who held IOC seats for ing investigations. “unlikely” to be proposed for Coe triggered the ire of the after his election in 1999. Magic stun Celtics; Pacers stop Spurs AFP NBA RESULTS The Magic’s upset bid “We did a great job just get- appeared to be coming unstuck ting stops and moving the ball,” WASHINGTON: The Orlando Orlando 103 Boston 95 as they made just one of their Oladipo said. “They’re a tough Magic parlayed a big third quar- LA Lakers 127 New York 107 first 16 shot attempts of the team to play against. Well- ter into a 103-95 upset of the Brooklyn 101 Detroit 100 fourth quarter. coached team, great players over

Boston Celtics on Sunday, their The Celtics trimmed the def- there, it was a tough-fought Indiana 94 San Antonio 86 third win in 20 games coming icit to seven points on Al team win. We’ve just got to build against the NBA’s Eastern Horford’s hook shot with 1:13 on it.” Conference leaders. injury. Jaylen Brown scored 17 remaining. Pau Gasol had 14 points to Elfrid Payton scored 22 points and Marcus Morris fin- A free-throw from Payton lead the Spurs who were minus points for the Magic, who had ished with 12 to score in double and Fournier’s floater in the final Manu Ginobili, Rudy Gay and lost their last 14 games in Bos- figures for the fourth consecu- minute stretched Orlando’s lead Kawhi Leonard because of ton in a skid stretching back to tive game for the Celtics. back to 10. injuries. February 2010. “We haven’t played consist- Elsewhere, Victor Oladipo Tony Parker came off the “It feels good to get a win, ently on both ends for a while delivered 19 points as the Indi- bench to record 12 points and especially after playing well,” now,” Celtics coach Brad Stevens ana Pacers ended the San five assists. It marked just the Payton said. “We felt we played said. “I felt like they were shoot- Antonio Spurs 14-game winning 14th time in 1,165 games that well against the Cavaliers and ing layups for the most part streak at home with a 94-86 Parker has come into the game didn’t come out with the victory. tonight.” victory. off the bench. So to get the win today feels Evan Fournier scored 19 Darren Collison tallied 15 In Los Angeles, Jordan good.” points and Aaron Gordon pro- points for the Pacers, who halted Clarkson had 29 points and Orlando spoiled the return duced a double-double of 11 a three-game losing streak in 10 assists, Julius Randle added from injury of Boston point points and 12 rebounds for the San Antonio. 27 points and 12 rebounds, guard Kyrie Irving, whose 40 Magic, who started the day in a The Spurs lost at home for and the Los Angeles Lakers points couldn’t prevent the Celt- three-way tie for the worst the third time this season and the beat the New York Knicks ics from dropping a third straight record in the league. first since November 10 against 127-107. game for the first time this Orlando trailed 59-58 at Milwaukee. Kyle Kuzma added 15 points Tobias Harris (34) of the Detroit Pistons takes a shot over season. halftime, but out-scored the The Pacers became the first for the Lakers, who have won Quincy Acy (13) of the Brooklyn Nets during the second Irving had missed Thurs- Celtics 32-12 in the third quar- Eastern Conference team in their six of their last eight games half of their NBA game at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, day’s loss to the Philadelphia ter to take a 90-71 lead into the three years to sweep a season and the last two without injured Michigan on Sunday. Brooklyn won the game 101-100. 76ers with a nagging shoulder final frame. series from the Spurs. rookie Lonzo Ball.

Patriots and Eagles ready Hellebuyck, Jets shut out Canucks REUTERS Winnipeg’s fourth in the past in the dying seconds. game, and Marc-Edouard Vla- for Super Bowl four games. However, Helle- NHL RESULTS Laine had an excellent sic, Joe Thornton and Melker NEW YORK: Connor Hellebuyck buyck picked up his second win Philadelphia 2 Washington 1 chance to pot his second goal of Karlsson each had a goal and an showdown made 29 saves as the Winnipeg in two nights as both clubs were Las Vegas 5 Carolina 1 the game early in the third assist as the San Jose Sharks Jets blanked the Vancouver playing the second of back-to- Winnipeg 1 Vancouver 0 period, but he hit the post after skated to a convincing 6-2 win REUTERS Canucks 1-0 on Sunday at Bell back games after coming off beating Nilsson with a deke. over the Anaheim Ducks on Sun-

San Jose 6 Anaheim 2 MTS Place in Winnipeg, Mani- their league-mandated five-day With just over six minutes day night in Anaheim, Calif.

Los Angeles 4 NY Rangers 2 NEW YORK: The New toba. break. gone in the final frame, Helle- Goalie Aaron Dell made 33 England Patriots and Phila- Hellebuyck posted his fourth Vancouver goaltender buyck came way out of his net saves for the Sharks at the Honda delphia Eagles have set up a shutout of the season, matching Anders Nilsson bore the loss to foil Markus Granlund on a Center. San Jose has won five of second Super Bowl show- his total for all of 2016-17, as the despite stopping 35 of 36 shots. him the puck from the corner. breakaway, and Brandon Sutter its past six outings to maintain down after both teams won Jets earned their second consec- The Canucks, who were outshot Kyle Connor also was credited than rang the rebound off the its hold on second place in the their respective conference utive win. 36-29, took their second loss in with an assist. post. Near the 11:30 mark, Pacific Division. championships with contrast- Patrik Laine scored the only a row. It looked as if the Jets would Wheeler hit the post and was Although the Ducks carried ing victories on Sunday. goal the Jets needed as they Laine produced the game’s increase their lead just before the denied by Nilsson on the ensu- the play in the opening frame, The reigning NFL cham- improved their dominant home only goal 11:45 into the first second intermission, but Nilsson ing rebound. the Sharks went to the first inter- pion Patriots overcame a record to 17-3-1. period, converting a shot from robbed Mathieu Perreault on a Hellebuyck suffered a cut mission with the edge on the stubborn Jacksonville Jag- The goal was only the slot after Blake Wheeler fed two-on-one with Nikolaj Ehlers near his eye with 3:39 left in the scoreboard thanks to Dell’s play uars 24-20 in the AFC title third period as the tip of team- between the pipes and Vlasic’s game, while the Eagles mate Josh Morrisey’s stick went tally. The defenseman opened crushed the Minnesota through the wires in his mask the scoring when he carried the Vikings 38-7 in the NFC while he was tangling with Van- puck into the offensive zone, and decider to set up a Feb. 4 couver winger Thomas Vanek. after a give-and-go with Tomas clash in Minneapolis. Hellebuyck was tended by a Hertl, ripped a shot from the slot New England enjoyed the trainer at the Jets’ bench and past Ducks goalie John Gibson upper hand when the two last stayed in the game. at 13:53. contested an NFL title game The Canucks received a After Kevin Lebanc scored at in 2005, winning 24-21, and power play with 1:30 left as Con- 3:38 of the second period and should the favoured Patriots nor was penalized for hooking Boedker scored at 13:56 on a repeat that triumph, they will Sutter. However, Vancouver power play, the 100th of his secure a record-tying sixth could not beat Hellebuyck even career, to make it a 3-0 edge, it Super Bowl victory. after pulling Nilsson for a sixth appeared the visitors could put The Pittsburgh Steelers attacker and a two-man it into cruise control. However, are currently the only team advantage. a tally by Rickard Rakell with 27 with more NFL champion- Center Bo Horvat returned seconds left in the second period ships than the Patriots, who to Vancouver’s lineup after being and a marker by Ryan Getzlaf at will be making their 10th sidelined since Dec. 5 with a bro- 1:47 of the third period brought appearance in the title ken foot. Meanwhile, Canucks the Ducks within one. game. defenseman Erik Gudbranson However, Thornton replied Philadelphia has never missed the game due to back on a power play exactly one Vancouver Canucks forward Brock Boeser (6) handles the puck while won a Super Bowl, the Eagles spasms. minute after Getzlaf’s goal to give being checked by Winnipeg Jets forward Bryan Little (18) in the third also losing in 1981 before that Meanwhile, Mikkel Boedker San Jose the momentum for period at Bell MTS Place in their NHL game on Sunday. Patriots defeat 13 years ago. scored twice in a three-point good. TUESDAY 23 JANUARY 2018 SPORT 32 My team is completely committed to everything Barcelona coach we do and we stick Ernesto Valverde Today’s TENNIS CRICKET after his team’s 5-0 together in the good times thrashing of Real Betis Sports Women’s quarter-finals Bangladesh play Zimbabwe in and the bad in La Liga Action at Australian Open Tri-Series tourney in Mirpur Qatar Airways enhances Formula E partnership

THE PENINSULA New 3-season landmark deal DOHA: Qatar Airways yesterday announced that it has enhanced The new 3-season its highly-successful sponsorship deal sees Qatar of the ABB FIA Formula E Cham- pionship electric street racing Airways continue series. its title sponsorship The new three-season deal, of the Paris E-Prix, announced at a press conference in Doha, sees Qatar Airways con- which takes place tinue its title sponsorship of the on April 28 as well Paris E-Prix, which takes place as now being title on April 28 after the tremen- sponsor of the New dously successful 2017 Qatar Air- ways Paris E-Prix last year, as York City E-Prix, well as now being title sponsor which takes place on of the New York City E-Prix, July 14-15. which takes place on July 14-15. The enhanced partnership The enhanced also means Qatar Airways will become the Official Airline partnership also Partner for the Rome E-Prix on means Qatar Airways April 14, and the Berlin E-Prix, will become the on May 19 this year. The enhancement of the air- Official Airline line’s Formula E partnership Partner for the Rome comes after the tremendously E-Prix on April 14, Akbar Al Baker, (left) Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive and Alejandro Agag, Chief Executive Officer of Formula-E during a press successful 2017 Qatar Airways and the Berlin E-Prix, conference in Doha yesterday. PICTURE: ABDUL BASIT/THE PENINSULA Paris E-Prix, which took place in the French capital last May, and on May 19 this year. the first-ever New York City Officer of Formula-E, Alejandro to the support of Qatar Airways its dedication to innovation, destinations in 2018, including E-Prix in July 2017, where Qatar thrilling racing events using the Agag, said: “After another in helping us go places together.” Qatar Airways proudly flies one Penang, Malaysia; Canberra, Airways was the Official Airline very latest environmentally- enthralling season last year, we Qatar Airways believes in the of the youngest fleets in the skies, Australia; and Cardiff, UK, to Partner. friendly technology, Formula E are delighted that Qatar Airways power of sport to bring people featuring the world’s most tech- name just a few. Qatar Airways Group Chief has demonstrated that this has reaffirmed its commitment together, and sponsors many top- nologically-advanced aircraft. As well as being voted Sky- Executive, Akbar Al Baker, said: incredible sport is continuing to to Formula E by extending its level sports around the world. Qatar Airways operates more trax ‘Airline of the Year’ in 2017 “As an airline which is always set the pace and win more new partnership and becoming race As well as sponsoring For- than 200 modern aircraft to a by travellers from around the ahead of the curve and driven to fans wherever their races take title partner of not only the Paris mula E, Qatar Airways is also the network of more than 150 key world, Qatar’s national flag car- innovate, it makes perfect sense place. E-Prix, but for this season, the Official Airline Partner of FIFA, business and leisure destinations rier also won a raft of other for us to expand our partnership “We are delighted to con- New York City E-Prix as well. which includes 2018 FIFA World across Europe, the Middle East, major awards at last year’s cer- for flagship events this season as tinue our support, and as an air- Our shared passion to strive for Cup Russia, the FIFA Club World Africa, Asia Pacific, North emony, including ‘Best Airline the Official Airline Partner of the line are committed to bringing excellence and innovation will Cup, the FIFA Women’s World America and South America. in the Middle East,’ ‘World’s future of motor racing, through people together through sport once again see the series make Cup and the 2022 FIFA World The airline is continuing its Best Business Class’ and Formula E.” around the world,” he added. history in the some of the world’s Cup Qatar. ambitious expansion plans, and ‘World’s Best First Class Airline “With its ability to deliver Founder and Chief Executive most recognisable cities – thanks As an airline renowned for will launch a host of exciting new Lounge. Michael O’Neill Al Kass Cup: Aspire Football turns down Dreams off to a winning start Scotland offer THE PENINSULA between the need to defend and a desire to attack, and their for- DOHA: Aspire Football Dreams ward line almost devoid of AFP yesterday got off to a winning supply lines as a result. In an start at Al Kass Cup 2018, attempt to remedy this impasse, GLASGOW: Michael O’Neill is running out 2-0 winners against Nasuh dropped back into cen- set to stay on as manager of Fenerbahce of Turkey at Aspire tral midfield and, on the hour Northern Ireland after turning Academy. mark, they managed to force a down the chance to succeed The score-line did not flatter corner on the right, only for Gordon Strachan as Scotland AFD, who controlled proceed- Cenk Alptekin’s commanding boss. ings throughout and could have header to be blocked. Fener- The 48-year-old was won by a far greater margin. bahce skipper Nasuh was with- believed to be close to taking The teams appeared evenly drawn with a quarter of the over as Scotland boss following matched in the opening game remaining, as AFD’s dom- talks last week with the Scot- exchanges, content to familiarise inance resumed. tish Football Association. themselves with the opposition Quicker to the loose ball, The former Dundee United and work patiently to fashion strong in the tackle, and accu- and Hibernian midfielder has openings. rate with their passing, it was two years left to run on his cur- Despite their 6-2 loss to Real only in front of the goal where rent deal with the Irish Football Madrid 24 hours previously, the killer instinct was lacking, as Association but has already Fenerbahce continued to show several chances went begging. been offered an extended con- Michael O’Neill plenty of determination, with As the second half wore on, tract until 2020. captain Emre Nasuh again the Fenerbahce began to enjoy a Aspire Football Dreams players celebrate their goal yesterday. He said he had “given the during a three-hour meeting,” fulcrum of the Turks’ best greater share of possession, but matter a great deal of thought he said. “While this was a pos- football. goalscoring chances remained and consideration”, according itive and cordial discussion, we But it was AFD who settled the 27th minute when Djakaria presentable chances in quick few and far between. In a rare to a BBC report. respect Michael’s decision to first, enjoying a majority of pos- Barro dragged his shot narrowly succession as Aspire Football foray forward, Birkan Aktas hit “It’s a huge honour to be remain loyal to Northern Ire- session and battling to retrieve wide. Moments later and Fener- Dreams sought to press home a powerful strike from distance offered the position,” he added. land, with whom he has the ball at every opportunity. bache could have scored, right- their advantage, but Fenerbah- on 72 minutes, but Aspire Foot- “However, I do not feel that this enjoyed great success.” They went close from a succes- winger Batuhan Ekinci unlucky ce’s defence remained resolute ball Dream keeper Appiah Kubi is the right opportunity for me O’Neill took Northern Ire- sion of early corners, and had a to see his cross-shot beat the to keep the score at 1-0 heading comfortably gathered the effort at this moment in my career,” land to the round of 16 at Euro decent penalty claim turned keeper but narrowly drift wide into half time. as his side remained in control. he said. 2016 -- their first major tour- down on 13 minutes. of the far post. However, their resistance Aspire Football Dreams Scottish FA chief executive nament in 30 years -- but they Three minutes later, they The deadlock was finally was broken soon after the showed enough in this game to Stewart Regan said the process missed out on qualification for should have gone ahead when broken with the game’s next restart, when Christian Otabil demonstrate that they have the of finding Strachan’s successor this year’s World Cup in Russia Jumai Jallow pounced on a attack, when AFD’s Sibiry Keita connected with a low cross from potential to advance far into Al was ongoing. after a play-off defeat by rebound but fired wide from expertly controlled the ball the right to double AFD’s Kass 2018. “Michael and his advisers Switzerland. close range, with only keeper inside the area and fired home advantage. They face Real Madrid next, met our delegation in Edin- Strachan left his post in Umut Tunc to beat. past a helpless Tunc. By now, Fenerbahce were however, and may need to show burgh on Thursday and dis- October after Scotland failed to AFD were now clearly on Jallow, cutting in from the struggling to escape from their their clinical side in front of goal cussed all aspects of the role qualify for Russia 2018. top, and almost went in front in right, missed a couple of own half, their midfielders torn if they are to prevail.