SPORT Thursday 8 February 2018

PAGE | 32-33 PAGE | 35 PAGE | 36 Over-analysis Maxwell century Nadal signs ‘kill‘killing’i football, says powers to on for Queen’s Pochettino T20 win over England challenge

QNB STARS LEAGUE: ROUND 16 TODAY Al Gharafa vs Al Duhail At Al Gharafa Stadium 4.40pm Al Rayyan vs Al Sadd At Al Sadd Stadium 6.50pm Al Sadd, Al Rayyan in TOMORROW Al Sailiya vs Qatar SC At Al Ahli Stadium 4.40pm Al Khor vs Umm Salal At Al Khor Stadium 6.50pm SATURDAY Al Kharaitiyat vs Al Markhiya At Al Khor Stadium 4.40pm Qatar Clasico showdown Al Arabi vs Al Ahli At Al Arabi Stadium 6.50pm

THE PENINSULA Al Sadd are second in the table with 37 “Our strength is team work points, two behind Al Duhail and as many and not individual players. Ours DOHA: The Qatari giants in the more than third-placed Al Rayyan. is a squad consisting of many star field of football, Al Rayyan and Al players. The return from injury of Sadd will be seeking honours in Baghdad Bounedjah means the QNB Stars League (QSL) Al Rayyan won the first-phase of Qatar another player would be on the standings when the two sides Clasico 2-1. bench,” said Ferreira. meet in the Qatar Clasico today. His counterpart, Laudrup said: At the Al Sadd Stadium today, “The players are excited about the stakes will be high for both teams to suspension, will be back in The Wolves will miss Boualem Qatar Clasico. There can’t be a which possess equally strong line- action. Khoukhi through an injury, but better motivation for them than ups, reputation, history, Al Rayyan are coming off their have at their disposal the services the prospects of playing in this performance, popularity and fan 3-1 win over Al Markhiya, while of Akram Afif, signed on loan from match. So far, we have 11 wins and support. Al Sadd got the better of Qatar SC Villarreal, Spain. we are still four points behind Al Sadd are second in the table by the same score. Al Sadd coach Jesualdo Fer- leaders Al Duhail. with 37 points, two behind Al Al Rayyan’s first-choice goal- reira (Portugal) and his Al Rayyan “So it’s important to win and Duhail and as many more than keeper Omar Barry is experienced counterpart Michael Laudrup gain more and more points as we third-placed Al Rayyan. enough, but will find it hard to (Denmark) are both master tac- will be playing quite often now The Wolves have the likes of contain the Al Sadd offence, ticians and have produced with the AFC Champions League Spanish great Xavi Hernandez, where Algerian ace Baghdad excellent results. And that makes coming up. We must stay focused. Jugurtha Hamroun, Morteza Bounedjah is a doubtful starter the ‘Qatar Classico’ a battle for We are happy with our perform- Mohammad and Hassan Al Haid- even though he trained with the technical supremacy as well. ance so far. ous to match The Lions’ team on Sunday. Al Rayyan won the first-phase “Al Rayyan do not have play- Abderrazaq Hamdallah, Rodrigo Al Sadd custodian Saad Al of Qatar Clasico 2-1, so Al Sadd ers in the Qatar national team due Tabata, Sebastian Soria and Dossari has also proved his met- will look to settle the score. to age factor. Our players like Mohsen Moutaouli. tle, but if Hamdallah and company Speaking during a pre-match Ahmed Abdul Maqsoud and Moroccan striker Hamdallah have their way, he will also be at press conference, Al Sadd coach Mohammed Alaaeldin have the is Al Rayyan’s top scorer with 12 the receiving end. Ferreira said: “The game is cru- potential to make it to the squad,” goals and is the third highest in the In defence, The Lions are cial and we know the importance said Laudrup. list, after Al Duhail’s Youssef El served by Gonzalo Vieira, Mousa of winning it though we still have Today’s other match will Arabi (20) and Youssef Msakni (14). Haroun, Mohammed Alaelddin seven games remaining. The play- also see two top sides taking on Al Rayyan’s playmaker Rod- and Mohammed Juma, whereas ers are aware of it. We had not each other in a crunch tie. QSL rigo Tabata has scored 11 goals Morteza Mohammad, Pedro been playing with a full squad for Table leaders Al Duhail are sure and striker Sebastian Soria nine. Miguel, Abdelkarim Hassan and a long time. However, we won to make life tough for Al Al Sadd’s top scorers are Qatar Hamed Ismail man The Wolves’ many matches. Gharafa when they face off on international Hassan Al Haydous defence. “I have great confidence in my the latter’s home turf. The Red and Algerian attacking midfielder Xavi leads the charge in Al players and we have a policy to Knights, leading the table with Jugurtha Hamroun (eight goals Sadd’s midfield, also consisting of groom youngsters. Al Duhail and 39 points, will be looking to reg- each). The Algerian attacking mid- Al Haydous and Hamroun, while Al Sadd must keep winning as Al ister their 13th victory and Al Sadd and Al Rayyan players vie for the ball possession fielder, who had netted a brace in Al Rayyan have in-form Mohsine Rayyan are close behind. I am also remain as the only unbeaten during a QNB Stars League match in this file photo. their victories in Weeks 13 and 14 Moutaouli and Daniel Goumou to happy that Akram Afif has joined side so far in this season’s and missed their last match due assist Tabata. us. league competition.

National Sport Day: Qatar ready to lock QATAR VS UGANDA FIXTURES: Today: President’s XI vs Uganda (T20) 6pm horns with Uganda in one-day, T20 series Tomorrow: Qatar vs Uganda (50-over match) 1pm February 10: FAWAD HUSSAIN Qatar vs Uganda (T20) 6pm February 11: DOHA: As the country celebrates Qatar vs Uganda (50-over) match 9am the National Sport Day, fans will February 13: enjoy international action Qatar vs Uganda (T20) 8am in the next five days with Qatar taking on Uganda national team for a couple of one-dayers and SQUADS Twenty20 each on home soil. QATAR: Inam-Ul-Haq, Mohamed Rizlan, Qatar Cricket Association Mohamed Awais, Malik Faisal, Javed Khan, Iqbal (QCA), under the Presidency of Hussain Chaudhry, Dharmang Hasmukh Patel, Yousef Jeham Al Kuwari has Qalandar Khan, Mohamed Nadeem, Kamran organised the series to celebrate Khan, Tamoor Sajjad, Zaheeruddeen Ibrahim, National Sport Day while the Mohamed Tanveer, Mohamed Imran Ashraf and series will also help the team to Khurram Shahzad prepare for the forthcoming tour UGANDA: Roger Mukasa, Hamu Kayondo of Kuwait. Bagenda, Zephania Arinaitwe, Simon Sseazi, The series between Qatar and Uganda will start tomorrow Shahzad Ukani, Lloyd Paternott, Deusdedit with a 50-over match to be Muhumuza, Brian Masaba, Frank Nsubuga, played at Asian Town Cricket Kenneth Waiswa, Fred Achelam, Irfan Stadium, which will also host all Sahibzada, Henry Senyondo, Charles Waiswa, the matches involving the tour- Trevor Bukenya, Bilal Hassun and Riazat Ali ing side. After the opening match, Shah Officials: Jackson Kavuma, Stephen Ogonji both the teams will lock horns Yousef Jeham Al Kuwari, President of Qatar Cricket Association QCA (centre) presenting a memento to Ugandan team manager Jackson Tikolo, Habiba Kulusumu Anguyo in a T20 match on Saturday, fol- in the presence of QCA and Uganda cricket officials during a press conference held in Doha yesterday.Picture: Abdul Basit/The Peninsula PRESIDENT’S XI: Ushantha (HBK), Gayan lowed by second one-day game (Galfar Al Misnad), Anoop (Tusker), Phillip on February 11 with the final T20 (CBQ), Khalid Khateeb (Royal Stars), Mujeeb-Ur to be played on National Sport Qatar Rugby, Hockey and Cricket National Sport Day,” he said. series against their African coun- shape and are ready for the Rehman (Feroz Youngsters), Shahid (Royal Day on February 13. Federation (QRHCF) Yousef The president added the terparts,” he said. series,” said QCA Operations Stars), Noman Sarvar (Feroz Youngsters), Uganda arrived in Doha on Jeham told a press conference series will help to prepare Qatar Most of the Qatar’s play- Manager Manzoor Ahmad. Mansoor Khalid (Qatar Airways), Mohamed Tuesday night and were received yesterday. for the Kuwait tour where the ers are engaged in domestic “We are hoping for good by top QCA officials. The visitors “We are looking for an excit- team will feature at Asian tournaments with their results against the side which Mirza (Police), Moiz Siddiqui (ex-under-19 will start their tour with a T20 ing series and expecting a lot of regional qualifiers for the ICC respective teams. Apart from is higher in the international player), Awais Junior (Royal Stars), Omran game against President XI today. fans to come to the venue to Twenty20 World Cup in April. that, the national team has rankings. The series will help Hussain (Qatari Diar), Mugheeb (HBK), Waleed “We welcome the Uganda watch live action. We will do our “Our team is working hard also been undergoing exten- the team to gain confidence (CBQ), Harris Butt (Al Feroz), Nafees (Qatari national team for the Bilateral best to host the series in a befit- for the future competitions and sive training sessions. for Kuwait assignment,” he Diar) and Hussain Khan (ex-under-19 player) Cricket Series,” President of ting manner on the occasion of I hope they will benefit from the “The players are in good added. 30 SPORT THURSDAY 8 FEBRUARY 2018

Russia’s Maria Sharapova sits on a motorcycle after France a ‘must-win’ defeating compatriot Vera Zvonareva in the final of the game for Scots, Qatar Open tournament in Doha in this 2008 file picture. says Maitland

AFP

EDINBURGH: Scotland wing Sean Maitland is in no doubt about the When you’re in the importance of Sunday’s team you want to Six Nations clash against have competition France, labelling the and over the last Murrayfield match a “must-win” game for few years there both sides. has always been The Scots entered the competition in tournament with high the back three hopes after a promising with me, Tommy November campaign, (Seymour), Viss only to be overwhelmed 34-7 by Wales in a lop- (Tim Visser) and sided opener in Cardiff now Byron has last weekend. come on the scene: France too were Maitland beaten first-time out, although in their case they suffered the agony our form over the last of succumbing to a last- two years has been really ditch Johnny Sexton good playing at home. drop-goal against Ireland “It’s a must-win in Paris, when it seemed game.” they would give Jacques There were many Brunel a win in his first who felt Maitland was game as boss of Les unlucky to be omitted Bleus. from Scotland coach Gre- It’s a moot point gor Townsend’s starting Final countdown begins which of the two teams XV against Wales in now feel more deflated favour of McGuigan, a Six -- Scotland for being Nations debutant, in Car- thoroughly outplayed in diff. But the Sale back’s a game where they were injury means Maitland, in for Qatar Total Open almost ‘nilled’ or France the side that beat Aus- for having victory tralia in November, is snatched from their grasp poised to regain his place THE PENINSULA Georges of Germany (10) headlining a strong at the finish. and win a 31st Scotland field from the top-ten list besides many “They (France) were cap this weekend. DOHA: With less than five days to go, the other world ranked players. very unlucky,” Maitland, “When you’re in the final countdown has begun for the Qatar Ticket sales are on and more impor- in line to replace the team you want to have Total Open 2018, the 16th edition of the tantly, the best women’s tennis players are injured Byron McGuigan, competition and over the annual WTA Premier 5 category tourna- warming up ahead of their big dash in Doha. said Wednesday. last few years there has ment. The stars are expected to be touching “If you take a spank- always been competition Already, the Khalifa International Ten- down from today with Muguruza being the ing or lose like that, I’m in the back three with nis & Squash Complex, the venue of the first to arrive in the country. Next to arrive not sure how you’d like me, Tommy (Seymour), seven-day event which will be held from will be two-time champion and a strong to lose -- those (French) Viss (Tim Visser) and now February 12-18 is wearing a new look with contender for the Diamond Ball trophy, boys looked like they Byron has come on the attractive branding reflecting the mood of Maria Sharapova of Russia. were hurting after the scene,” said Maitland. the tournament. Other players are expected in the coun- game. They’re in a simi- “He was absolutely This year’s tournament carries a total try before the commencement of the lar situation to us, both class in the Australia cash prize of $2,666,000 with singles draw tournament on February 12. picked up losses first up game and that’s what of 64 players and doubles of 32. “The expectations for this year’s tour- and we can’t afford to Gregor said, he deserved Tennis fans will have the wonderful nament are quite high considering the lose a second game.” another chance. opportunity of witnessing their favorite stars caliber of players on parade. We are The New Zealand- “It’s a shame what on parade with Australian Open champion, delighted to play host to such a strong field. born flyer, who plays his happened to Byron with Caroline Wozniacki of Denmark (World Tennis fans in the country are set for a club rugby for European his hamstring, but there’s No.1), Simona Halep of Romania (No. 2), week-long feast of great games which is champions Saracens, still a lot more competi- Elina Svitolina of Ukraine (3), Garbine something we are happy about. Ticket sales added: “We know this is tion with Lee Jones who Muguruza of Spain (4), defending cham- have been quite encouraging and we believe a really important game. played really well against pion Karolina Pliskova from Czech Republic Qatar Total Open 2018 will be the best ever,” The good thing for us is the All Blacks. You need (5), Jelena Ostapenko of Latvia (6), Angel- says Tournament Director Saad Al we’re playing at home, that to drive yourself.” ique Kerber from Germany (9) and Julia Mohannadi. World champ Bailey rips IOC, biathlon bosses over Russia doping mess

AFP Pyeongchang, Bailey was anti-Russian politics in the think there’s any other way to uncertain. situation. feel about it,” he said. “I don’t PYEONGCHANG, SOUTH “It’s my hope that’s the case,” “It’s not revisiting the Cold think you ever really get over it. KOREA: World 20km individual he said. “We have maybe the best War,” he said. “Unfortunately the It just sort of taints the way you champion Lowell Bailey was chance of it being a clean field political rhetoric is this is a clash look back at that competition. doubtful yesterday of fair and we’ve ever had.” He said IOC between the West and Russia. It’s “When you are retroactively clean biathlon events at the efforts to ban cheats had “robust not. It’s about clean sports. We awarded a higher place, no mat- Pyeongchang Winter Olympics, criteria” and added: “It’s my hope all have to abide by the WADA ter what they do, if they award hammering slow and inadequate that’s enough to create clean code.” Bailey, who backs life bans you a medal, if it’s four years or responses to the Russian doping sport.” Bailey said the probe into for doping, noted the World Cup four days later, you’ve lost that scandal. Russia’s doping schemes at Sochi events will still have moment.” Recalling a World Cup The 36-year-old American should have been expedited and Pyeongchang-banned biathletes, third that was later upgraded to called upon the International included Moscow lab data still and the IBU World Cup final second, Bailey said: “I was retro- Olympic Committee, World Anti- unseen. remains scheduled to be held in awarded the higher spot. But a Doping Agency and International “The IOC was right to take Russia. letter in the mail doesn’t make Biathlon Union for tougher pun- away Russian participation,” Bai- “We’ll be in a country respon- up for a moment lost. He served ishments in the wake of systemic ley said. “There have been some sible for the worst doping scandal his two years and was welcomed doping at Sochi 2014. startling transgressions from in the history of our sport and our back. The Russians don’t seem to “It’s clear to me our sport is Russia. It’s clear the Sochi Games federation thinks that’s fine,” Bai- have a problem with that.” not completely clean and that were compromised by their ley said. Bailey was also annoyed at doesn’t live up to the Olympic actions.” But the current system “They need to take stronger the delays in dealing with the ideal,” Bailey said. of safeguarding fair play is inad- actions, the first being we can’t scandal. “We all -- the IOC, WADA, equate, Bailey said. have a World Cup final in Russia Two days before the opening IBU -- need to work harder to “It did fail clean athletes. It this year. It sends the wrong mes- ceremony, 47 Russians barred make sure the athletes have the did not protect fair play and we’re sage. This is the first step they from the Games still have appeals fundamental right to compete on at a critical moment right now,” have to do to earn back the pending before the Court of Arbi- a level playing field.” Russia has he said. respect of athletes.” - ‘You feel tration for Sport. been banned from the “It’s up to the IOC, WADA and violated’ - Bailey said athletes are “The timing of all this is ridic- Pyeongchang Games, although the (sport governing bodies) to unhappy at sharing World Cup ulous. It should have been done some Russians will compete as take a stance. Are you coming podiums with Olympic-banned in a much more expedited way,” “Olympic Athletes from Russia” down on the side of clean sport rivals, and spoke of his own feel- he said. “If you look at the evi- under a neutral flag. and fair play, or be on the side of ings at finishing behind athletes dence out there, there’s enough But asked if the biathlon ‘it’s unclear’? It’s not unclear.” later proven cheats. proof to make judgements at that events will be clean and fair at Bailey also dismissed any idea of “You feel violated. I don’t point.” THURSDAY 8 FEBRUARY 2018 SPORT 31

Canada’s Mikael Kingsbury trainsin Freestyle Skiing for the Pyeongchang 2018 Winter Olympics at the Moguls Training in Phoenix Snow Park, Pyeongchang, South Korea, yesterday.

Athletes, organisers Competitors to watch locked in cold war for in Pyeongchang AFP beckons. REUTERS sharp when temperatures go to we’ve also been told that there’s - Kjetil Jansrud (NOR, alpine skiing) - The minus 20 degrees and the base going to be a warm area that we PYEONGCHANG, SOUTH KOREA: About 3,000 Norwegian heads up a powerful national team PYEONGCHANG: Even for cold burns,” he added. can stand in,” she said. “After it’s competitors will take part in the 2018 Winter also boasting the likes of speed king Aksel Lund weather warriors hardened by “It’s the same as lighting a over it’s about getting back on Olympics in Pyeongchang, South Korea from Svindal and slalom expert Henrik Kristoffersen. years of winter sports training, fire and burning your (ski) base the bus as quickly as possible.” February 9-25. Jansrud won super-G gold and downhill bronze the icy chill of South Korea’s because the snow crystals get ‘PYEONGCHANG COLD’ The A look at some of the big names expected to shine. in Sochi in 2014 and giant slalom silver in 2010. frigid February has come as a such sharp edges.” Health con- Korean Meteorological Admin- - Nathan Chen (USA, figure skating) - His versatility is legendary and he has history in shock to the system in the cerns too have risen to the fore. istration (KMA) may just have The 18-year-old quadruple jump prodigy has South Korea, having won the downhill on the leadup to this month’s Norway’s cross-country provided a ray of sunshine for positioned himself among the favourites for gold Olympic course in February last year. Pyeongchang Olympics. team have brought some of their organisers on Wednesday, after winning his first Grand Prix Final title. The - Chloe Kim (USA, snowboarding) - Aged Plunging to minus 20 training indoors to prevent cold however. US champion has shown he can line up five four- just 17, Chloe Kim is tipped by many to become degrees Celsius (-4 Fahrenheit) air from damaging athletes’ air- “According to our forecast rotation quad jumps in a four-and-a-half-minute the breakout star of the Winter Olympics in Korea, at night and rarely breaking ways while fears that an the temperature will not be routine. But the son of Chinese immigrants knows her parents’ homeland. Too young to compete in above freezing in the day, the outbreak of norovirus, known problematic to have the open- that the quad jump alone will not land him Olym- Sochi four years ago, she’s a halfpipe snowboard temperatures have put as the ‘winter vomiting bug’, ing ceremony,” KMA Deputy pic gold and has worked to improve his artistry specialist who has racked up some impressive Pyeongchang on track to be the would sweep through the Games Director Choi Heung-jin told and skating skills to challenge reigning Olympic performances over the past few months. She is a coldest Olympics in decades and prompted organisers to keep reporters. champion Yuzuru Hanyu. From October to four-times Winter X Games champion and was present athletes with a very dif- infected security staff away from Temperatures would range December, Chen won three Grand Prix compe- America’s flag-bearer at the 2016 Winter Youth ferent set of conditions from the work. from minus 2 to minus 5 Celsius titions and defeated Hanyu, who has been out Olympics, where she won the halfpipe and slope- sunshine and slushy snow of But it is the threat of hypo- (28.4-23 F) which would not be injured since November but is back to defend his style titles. Sochi four years ago. thermia at Friday’s opening overly concerning, he added. title at Pyeongchang. - Alina Zagitova (RUS, figure skating) - The The 1994 Winter Games in ceremony that has set organis- Yoon Hee-dong, director of - Choi Min-Jeong (KOR, short-track speed sensational 15-year-old could become a house- Lillehammer, Norway, where ers on edge, with presidents, the KMA’s forecast bureau, said skating) - In her first Olympics, 19-year-old Choi hold name at Pyeongchang. She arrived in South temperatures dipped to minus prime ministers and some spectators coming to Gangwon is South Korea’s potential golden girl and the Korea as European champion after beating two- 11 Celsius, are currently the 35,000 spectators scheduled to province should realise that it favourite over three distances in short-track speed time world and European champion Evgenia coldest Olympics on record but gather under the stars at was colder than other parts of skating -- 500m, 1,000m and 1,500m. A fourth Medvedeva in January in Moscow. Zagitova has recent Games in Turin, Vancou- Pyeongchang’s $58m open-air Korea and that they should gold is of reach on home soil if she can lutzed and axeled her way into contention for ver and Sochi have all been Olympic stadium. “bundle up” and take other pre- help the host nation win the 3,000m relay. The Olympic glory after a breathtaking debut season significantly warmer. The ceremony has been cautions to keep the cold at bay. Chinese women will hope to stand in her way. on the senior circuit. However the 18-year-old Sporting and digital equip- slimmed down to a brisk two- A hardy construction worker - Martin Fourcade (FRA, biathlon) - The Medvedeva -- unbeaten in two years until Janu- ment appears no match for the hour march from the typical at the media centre in 29-year-old brings to Pyeongchang all the cre- ary -- will still be a major obstacle. Returning biting cold either, with skis four-hour procession and Pyeongchang, layered up with dentials for achieving more success. An 11-time after time off to recover from a broken foot, she warped to such an extent organisers plan to dish out hats, only his eyes and nose exposed world champion and six-time overall World Cup was only narrowly eclipsed by her training part- coaches are tossing them out blankets and seat-warmers to to the elements, said the cold winner, Fourcade won two golds and a silver at ner and close friend Zagitova, and is keen for like “garbage” while cellphone combat the cold, though that has was “different” here. Sochi 2014 having also claimed silver in 2010. revenge in Korea. and TV camera batteries are not been enough to reassure “This is not Seoul,” he said. The French army officer has been in imperious - Mikaela Shiffrin (USA, alpine skiing) - At being rendered lifeless in some spectators as a number of “This is Pyeongchang cold.” The form this season, but so has Norwegian Johan- just 22 years old, the Colorado native has already minutes. tickets have already been current cold snap is the latest to nes Boe, the only man capable of stopping his racked up 41 wins on the World Cup circuit, Austrian Alpine skier Mar- returned. blanket the country over the golden charge. It all makes for a thrilling show- mainly in the slalom. But this year has seen Shif- cel Hirscher said athletes were Sadie Bjornsen, a cross- past few months, prompting the down in South Korea. frin add a further string to her bow as she using a different pair of skis on country skier on Team USA, told Korea Centers for Disease Con- - Yuzuru Hanyu (JPN, figure skating) - branches out into the speed disciplines. She every run as the frigid temper- Reuters they were taking the trol and Prevention to issue Reigning champion Hanyu -- the first Japanese streaked to a first downhill victory in Lake Lou- atures sharpened snow cold threat seriously. warnings about cold weather man to win Olympic figure-skating gold -- started ise and given Pyeongchang’s favourable schedule, crystals. “We’ve got these heated injuries such as hypothermia the season as favourite to become the first man Shiffrin could realistically medal in four events. “Snow crystals get really jackets from Ralph Lauren, and and frostbite. since American Dick Button in 1952 to win back- - Lindsey Vonn (pictured) (USA, alpine ski- to-back titles. However, the 23-year-old damaged ing) - The 33-year-old American has won four right ankle ligaments attempting a quadruple lutz World Cup overall championships as well as an in training in November and although he is back Olympic gold in the downhill at the 2010 Games. on the ice, his form is in doubt. Widely consid- Despite missing the 2014 Games through injury ered to be the greatest skater ever, Hanyu has the she has become one of the most recognisable complete package, combining immense techni- sportswomen in the world. She has 81 World Cup cal skill with emotional and interpretive wins to her name, closing down on Ingemar Sten- performances which have earned him world- mark’s record of 86, and is aiming for a last record marks for the short programme, free skate Olympic hurrah in South Korea. and total score. But the crown of the “Ice Prince” could slip if he isn’t in top form against Ameri- ca’s Chen. - Marcel Hirscher (AUT, alpine skiing) - The Austrian is a record six-time winner of the over- all World Cup crystal globe and looks well set to extend that after notching up a string of victories this season. The 28-year-old has 55 World Cup wins, equal to legendary compatriot Hermann Maier and bettered only by one man -- the great Ingemar Stenmark of Sweden. Hirscher has not enjoyed the same success on the Olympic stage, a slalom silver medal to his name from Sochi being his sole medal. He finished a heart-break- ing fourth twice in the giant slaloms in 2010 and 2014, and fifth in the Vancouver slalom. But now, Hirscher looks in the form of his life in Nathan Chen of the US with compatriot Adam Rippon during Figure Skating practice at the Pyeongchang, where a first individual gold Pyeongchang 2018 Winter Olympics in Gangneung Ice Arena, Gangneung, South Korea, yesterday. 32 SPORT THURSDAY 8 FEBRUARY 2018 THURSDAY 8 FEBRUARY 2018 SPORT 33 Over-analysis Conte won’t be ‘killing’ football, Di Maria hat-trick sacked for now AFP rate and commercial issues, with the says Pochettino future of the manager not on the powers PSG; LONDON: Antonio Conte won’t be agenda. AFP very intelligent person, a sacked as Chelsea manager in the Former Barcelona boss Luis very smart brain,” he said. short term at least after being Enrique is among the big names who LONDON: Tottenham boss “And now we are so granted a stay of execution by Roman have been linked with the Chelsea job, Mauricio Pochettino fears focused on minimal details. Abramovich, according to reports on but Conte is said to be refusing to con- English football’s obsession I don’t know. I am worried Tuesday. template resigning after less than two with over-analysis of deci- that in a few years, if the Marseille hit nine Conte’s future with the troubled years in charge at Stamford Bridge. sions and a fixation with sport that we love now (will champions was cast The Italian is believed to have irri- diving could kill the sport. still be) a passionate sport AFP Earlier, both Kostas Mitroglou strolled through the vacant home into doubt on Monday after a dismal tated his squad with his demanding Pochettino’s side drew that the people love to watch and Lucas Ocampos scored hat- defence to score the fifth before 4-1 defeat against Watford. training schedule and intense 2-2 at Liverpool on Sunday around the world. PARIS: Angel Di Maria scored a hat- tricks as in-form Marseille crushed half-time. Fourth-placed Chelsea are lan- personality. in a match marred by con- “If we are not pushing trick as holders Paris Saint-Germain a hapless Bourg-en-Bresse in a Argentinian Ocampos grabbed guishing 19 points behind leaders And Conte has now given Chel- tentious penalty decisions by that sport into a very rigid defeated second-tier Sochaux 4-1 heavily lopsided last 16 tie. his second early in the second half, Manchester City after a turbulent sea’s players three days off to recover referee Jon Moss. structured (one) - with the on Tuesday to reach the French Rudi Garcia’s side, who are sec- although he was made to wait to campaign marred by Conte’s squab- after the Watford defeat. Tottenham were VAR, with being focused too Cup quarter-finals, while Marseille ond in Ligue 1 after thrashing Metz complete his treble as Marseille ble with his club’s hierarchy over Having publicly complained awarded two penalties which much on the small actions demolished Ligue 2 outfit Bourg- 6-3 last week, romped into a 4-0 went a game-high 23 minutes their transfer policy. about Chelsea’s failure to land his top Absent Mahrez have been the source of fierce like this.” en-Bresse 9-0. lead inside 20 minutes at the strug- without scoring before he headed Blues owner Abramovich has transfer targets this season, Conte debate in the past two days, In what will be seen as The Argentine winger headed gling Ligue 2 side and showed no home. never been shy about wielding the risked angering Abramovich last while Spurs midfielder Dele supporting Alli’s constant PSG, who were playing without the mercy against hapless opponents. Mitroglou quickly got back in axe when his managers under-per- week when he questioned why the Alli was also booked for issue with diving, Pochettino rested Neymar, ahead inside the “We had an actual nightmare, on the act as some more awful form and it was suggested the club hadn’t given him a vote of con- set to miss Man diving. also claimed the England first minute at the Stade Bonal in the two sides were a world apart,” defending allowed him to nod in debacle at Vicarage Road, coming fidence amid speculation over his Pochettino felt all three star’s problem isn’t worth eastern France, but twice former admitted Bourg-en-Bresse coach his seventh goal for the club, before hot on the heels of a wretched home future. calls were correct, but Liver- worrying about. winners Sochaux levelled through Herve Della Maggiore. “We watched Clinton N’Jie wrapped up the scor- loss to Bournemouth, could prompt Chelsea backed their manager, pool counterpart Jurgen “To stop the game, to Florian Martin before the quarter them play.” ing with number nine from the Conte’s dismissal. who still has 18 months of his con- City match Klopp was left fuming as his punish people that... 20 years hour. Despite making six changes to penalty spot. But widespread reports in the tract to run, during the January side were pegged back in ago, 30 years ago, it was like Edinson Cavani restored the the starting XI, Marseille ended the Marseille have now won eight British media on Tuesday claimed transfer window by bringing in AFP Swansea, was absent for a fourth stoppage time when Harry all congratulate the player lead for Unai Emery’s team on 27 tie as a contest with early goals and drawn one of their last nine former Juventus and Italy manager defender Emerson Palmieri from successive training session on Kane converted the second when he tricks the referee or minutes when he turned in a Lay- from Luiz Gustavo, Dimitri Payet, matches in all competitions, scor- Conte is now expected to remain in Roma and France forward Olivier Gir- LONDON: Riyad Mahrez looks Tuesday. controversially awarded like this. If you remember the vin Kurzawa cross at the far post, Ocampos and Mitroglou. ing 30 goals in the process. charge for Monday’s game against oud from Arsenal. likely to miss this weekend’s It is understood that even if penalty. football 30 years ago,” he and Thiago Silva then rattled the Greek international striker But they fell well short of their West Bromwich Albion. Meanwhile, Chelsea defender match against Manchester City, Mahrez reports back for duty, it is Tottenham’s impressive said. crossbar with a header from a Mitroglou has struggled to nail record win -- a 19-0 French Cup Paris Saint-Germain’s Argentinian forward Angel Di Maria celebrates after While there were meetings Gary Cahill admits the squad needs with Leicester’s star player report- unlikely he will feature against performance has subse- “That is the football that corner. down a place in the team since join- victory over Stade Raphaelois in scoring a goal against Sochaux (FCSM) on Tuesday. between various Chelsea board to be held accountable for the per- edly absent from training since he Guardiola’s team on Saturday. quently been overlooked as I was in love with when I was Di Maria added a third just ing from Benfica last year, but he 1933. membersmembers on TTuesday,uesday, it isis under-under- formanceformance aagainstgainst WWatford.atford. failed to force through a move to Mahrez is unhappy that the decisions of the officials a child. Football is about try- prior to the hour with a composed stood thetheyy were non-football related, “Whatever“Whatever is decided, the plaplay-y- the Premier League leaders. Leicester were determined to are analysed with a fine- ing to trick your opponent. finish after he was released in Marseille’s Greek forward overover other corcorpo-po- ers have to taketake respresponsibility.onsibility. ThThee It would be the third consec- secure such a huge profit on a tooth comb, and Pochettino You know? Yes or no? Tactic behind the home defence by a pass Konstantinos Mitroglou manager hashas ddoneone an aabsolutelybsolutely utive league game the Algeria player they bought for a reported believesbelieves paying so mucmuchh - wwhathat does tacttacticic mmean?ean? from Italian midfielder Marco (centre) heads the ball to unbelievableunbelievable jojob,”b,” CahillCahill toldtold tthehe LoLon-n- winger has missed since Pep £350,000 from French second- attentionattention to ssuchuch ississuesues “When“When you ddoo Verratti. score against Bourg-en- dondon Evening StanStandard.dard. Guardiola’s City failed to get their division side Le Havre in 2014 and takestakes aawayway frofromm tthehe some tacticstactics iitt is to He completed his hat-trick just Bresse (FBBP) during their “This is the worst I’ve felt for man on January 31, transfer dead- who played a pivotal role in the essence ofof thethe try to trictrickk tthehe three minutes later by forcing French Cup round of 16 quitequite a wwhile.hile. PerPerformance-wise,formance-wise, line day. club’s rise from the Champion- game.game. opponent.opponent. You home a rebound from close range football match played at the I didn’t recognise us or myself.myself. Despite a second transfer ship to Premier League “Football is a say, ‘Oh‘Oh I plaplayy after Sochaux goalkeeper Law- Marcel Verchere Stadium in “It“It was abysmal. It hurts a lot request from the player in eight champions. creativecreative sport,sport, inin onon the rirightght but rence Ati Zigi parried a fierce shot Bourg-en-Bresse, central- when yyouou come off after a peper-r- months, Leicester reportedly held He was crowned players’ whichwhich youyou need I’mI’m goinggoing to fin-fin- from Cavani. eastern France on Tuesday. formancformancee like that. out for a deal worth £80m ($111m), player of the year during Leices- the talent,talent, ththatat ishish oonn tthehe lleft’.eft’. Dani Alves finished the game “We“We jjustust need to keep with even City’s cash-rich Abu ter’s remarkable title-winning grows iinn a “It’s a mix in goal for PSG after Kevin Trapp strong.strong. I’ve been here before Dhabi owners unwilling to go campaign in 2015-16, scoring 17 thatthat I aamm wworriedorried was sent off in the closing stages at tthishis clubclub - iit’st’s beyond £60m. Premier League goals, and then thatthat mamaybeybe we are for a foul outside his area on aboutabout stayingstaying The Times newspaper signed a four-year deal to help going toto killkill thethe Sochaux striker Thomas Robinet. calm.”calm.” reported on Wednesday that lead their Champions League ggame.ame. We love this “The goal today was to advance Leicester were considering ask- charge. game.”game.” beyond this round of the French ing the Professional Footballers’ Adding to Mahrez’s anger is Cup without injuries,” said Emery, Association to mediate in their dis- that other heroes of Leicester’s whose side travel to Real Madrid pute with the forward if no title-winning triumph -- N’Golo next week for the first leg of their agreement could be reached. Kante and Danny Drinkwater -- Champions League last 16 tie. It said the 26-year-old, who have been allowed to leave the “We’re very happy with (Di has missed Leicester’s past two club and join Chelsea with far less Maria),” added the Spaniard, who Antonio Conte matches, against Everton and resistance. has seen the revitalised Argentine score nine goals in 10 matches since the turn of the year. “He deserves to be in the squad, in the starting XI, like all the other players. My opinion of him hasn’t changed today, he’s an important player for us.” Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino

REVISED FA CUP Mueller plays down injury fears FIFTH ROUND DRAW Sheffield Wednesday vs Swansea City Swansea run riot West Bromwich Albion vs Southampton Chelsea vs Hull City Leicester City vs Sheffield United Huddersfield Town vs Manchester United in FA Cup replay Rochdale vs Newport County or Tottenham Hotspur Brighton & Hove Albion vs Coventry City Wigan Athletic vs Manchester City REUTERS Ties to be played Feb. 16-19 LONDON: Rampant Swansea City thrashed fourth-tier Notts County 8-1 in a replay to reach the FA Cup fifth round on Tuesday as they chalked up their biggest victory in the competition. AFP Swansea’s fellow Premier League side Huddersfield Town fought back against second-tier Birmingham City to progress BERLIN: Thomas Mueller (pictured) has played with a 4-1 extra-time replay win and will host Manchester down fears he could miss Bayern Munich’s United. home Champions League last 16 match against Third-tier Rochdale knocked out Championship club Mill- Besiktas in a fortnight after limping out of a wall 1-0 thanks to Ian Henderson’s 53rd minute goal to set up German Cup win. Bayern Munich’s Corentin Tolisso scores their fourth goal against SC Paderborn 07on Tuesday. a tie at home to Tottenham Hotspur or Newport County. Mueller, Bayern’s with Manuel Tammy Abraham, on loan from Chelsea, and Neuer currently injured, badly bruised his thigh both scored twice as Swansea, rejuvenated since the appoint- colliding with Paderborn’s goalkeeper Michael ment of manager Carlos Carvalhal at the end of December, scored Ratajczak in the build-up to Kingsley Coman’s more conservative when asked about the four times in each half against beleaguered County. opening goal in a 6-0 cup quarter-final away health of Germany’s forward. Bayern reach German Cup semis , Wayne Routledge, Tom Carroll and Daniel win on Tuesday. “We’ll have to see how things go in the James were also on target for the Swans, who drew 1-1 at Meadow Mueller played on, but came off after 32 next few days. But we hope that he will be Lane in the first game and now face Carvalhal’s old club, second- minutes raising fears he could miss Bayern’s back with us on Saturday - Thomas is a very REUTERS Kingsley Coman gave Bayern the Bayern landed a further blow 10 had given Bremen a two-goal lead Swansea City’s English tier Sheffield Wednesday who the Portuguese left on Christmas home Bundesliga match against Schalke this important man for us,” said Heynckes. lead after 19 minutes, sweeping home minutes into the second half when inside seven minutes, but Julian Brandt midfielder Wayne Routledge Eve. Saturday, plus their key home European match Mueller is the lynchpin in Bayern’s attack MUNICH: Bayern Munich dismantled from close range after Arjen Robben Corentin Tolisso headed home scored either side of halftime to drag (centre) celebrates with Birmingham took the lead through Che Adams early in the against Besiktas on February 20, with the last and in great form with three goals in his last third-tier Paderborn to sweep into the had missed his kick, and the France unmarked from a corner. Robben Leverkusen back into the match.Karim team-mates Tammy Abraham second half, but Huddersfield drew level with an own goal from 16 return in Istanbul on March 14. five Bayern games. German Cup semi-finals with a forward then teed up Robert Lewand- curled the ball home from the edge of Bellarabi and Kai Havertz then scored and Nathan Dyer after scoring Marc Roberts after Tom Ince’s shot was parried by the keeper. Mueller took to Twitter to allay fans fears. He is due a break after making an appear- thumping 6-0 win on Tuesday. owski with a delightful pass for the the area and then tapped in from close late in extra time to complete a superb “The medical staff took good care of me ance in all of Bayern’s last 11 games. their sixth goal during the Town pulled clear in extra time with Steve Mounie heading The lower league side, who suf- second. range to complete an emphatic win turnaround. after I was taken off and I will be able to play The Bavarian giants are 18 points clear in English FA Cup fourth round the visitors into the lead before Rajiv van La Parra slotted in a fered successive relegations after Bayern effectively ended Pader- late on. The semi-final lineup will be com- again soon. No worries! Thanks for all the well Germany’s top flight. playing in the Bundesliga three years born’s resistance four minutes before Bayer Leverkusen also reached the pleted on Wednesday when last year’s replay football match against rebound and Ince added a fourth with a fierce drive. wishes,” wrote Mueller on the social media Fifth-placed Schalke are in the pack look- ago, began brightly but were swiftly halftime when a beautiful long ball last four after fighting back from 2-0 runners-up Eintracht Frankfurt host Notts County at The Liberty Spurs play their fourth round replay against fourth-tier New- platform. ing to bridge the gap and hinder Bayern’s outclassed by visiting Bayern, who from Mats Hummels found Joshua down to beat Werder Bremen 4-2 after Mainz 05 and VfL Wolfsburg visit Stadium in Swansea, south port County at Wembley on Wednesday after a 1-1 draw away. Wales on Tuesday. Bayern head coach Jupp Heynckes was march to a sixth straight Bundesliga title. have won the competition a record 18 Kimmich, who beat the keeper at his extra time. Schalke 04 in the remaining quarter- times. near post with a calm finish. Max Kruse and Aron Johannsson final ties. 34 SPORT THURSDAY 8 FEBRUARY 2018 Cavs buried by Orlando ‘avalanche’ AFP Brooklyn Nets to maintain pres- sure on Golden State at the top LOS ANGELES: LeBron James of the Western Conference. and the Cleveland Cavaliers Harden finished with 36 crashed to yet another humili- points as the Rockets bagged a ating defeat against the Orlando fifth straight victory to improve Magic on Tuesday as James to 39-13, two wins back from Harden scored his 15,000th the Warriors. career point to extend Chris Paul had 25 points, Houston’s winning streak to with Clint Capela adding 18 and five games. Gerald Green contributing 16 In Orlando, James scored 25 points from the bench. points but it was not enough to Harden was bombarded prevent the Cavs from slump- with chants “M-V-P!” during ing to a 116-98 loss in a roller the game but said afterwards coaster game. he was not thinking about per- Cleveland looked to be in sonal honours. the mood for an emphatic win “Just want to win, and put after piling on a massive 43 ourselves in the best position points in the first quarter and that we can for post-season and powering to 67-51 at then we’ll take it from there,” half-time. Harden said. But Orlando dominated the In Toronto, Kyle Lowry second half, outscoring the Cavs scored 23 points as the Raptors 65-31 in the final two quarters closed to within two games of to complete a crushing win the Boston Celtics at the top of before their home fans. the Eastern Conference with a A grim night for Cleveland 111-91 victory. also saw coach Tyronn Lue Raptors ace Lowry made leave courtside midway eight rebounds with four assists through the second quarter while C.J. Miles came off the with an undisclosed illness. Lue bench to score 20 points in 15 Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) knocks the ball from Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) during the second did not reappear and report- minutes on court. half of thier NBA game at Quicken Loans Arena on Monday. edly watched the remainder of DeMar DeRozan had 15 the game from the locker room. points, with six assists and three Orlando were sparked by rebounds. Kyrie Irving had 17 34 points from Jonathon Sim- points for the Celtics on his LeBron won’t waive no-trade clause mons, on a night when all of return from injury. Orlando’s starters cracked dou- Irving later shouldered ble digits. blame for the loss. despite rocky relationship with Cavs Cavs star James pinpointed “As one of the veterans on a disastrous third quarter -- this team, I’ve got to be better when Orlando poured on 41 than that,” he said. REUTERS ing his personnel requests. in return. Per Shams Charania Oakland, Calif., Golden State’s points -- for the loss. “This one is on me. Kind of James reportedly backed of Yahoo Sports, the Cavaliers ninth ejection of the season. “They hit some big-time just taking responsibility and NEW YORK: If any teams had former Cavs general manager have been looking to buy at the The Washington Wizards, shots in the third quarter,” trying to be better going for- hopes of prying LeBron James David Griffin, but the team let deadline and have not talked Phoenix Suns, Houston Rock- James said. “The snowball ward.” The Raptors’ win puts from the Cleveland Cavaliers him go last summer. with James about the idea of ets, Toronto Raptors and New turned into an avalanche in the Toronto at 37-16, second over- before Thursday’s trade dead- Lloyd also reported that rebuilding, which would mean Orleans Pelicans share second third. A 41-point quarter is hard all in the East. Boston remain line, it seems they can disregard James didn’t want the Cavaliers trading away core players. place with three ejections. to come back from.” James said in top spot on 39-16. that possibility. to trade Kyrie Irving, believing James would be due $35.6 Green is the league Lue’s illness had also affected In New York, Knicks star James will not waive his he could patch up his relation- million in 2018-19 if he opts leader with 13 technical fouls the team. Kristaps Porzingis suffered a no-trade clause and is commit- ship with the star guard. into the final year of a three- after picking up two Tues- “Unfortunately he’s sick and season-ending knee injury as ted to seeing this season However, the team dealt Irv- year, $100 million pact signed day night. that’s all we heard,” James said. his team were downed 103-89 through with the Cavs, despite ing to the Boston Celtics last in August 2016. His first technical against “He’s the captain of our ship so by the Milwaukee Bucks. the club’s recent struggles. summer, only telling James James finished with 25 the Thunder came late in the it’s a tough blow.” The Cavs face Porzingis landed awk- “I owe it to my teammates when the swap was finalized. points, 10 rebounds and five second quarter for arguing over the Minnesota Timberwolves wardly after a dunk and twisted to finish the season out,” James Cleveland has lost 14 of its assists in the defeat against the a non-call. on Wednesday back in Cleve- his left knee. An MRI scan later said following the Cavs’ 116-98 last 21 games to slip into a tie Magic. He is averaging 26.3 The second, and automatic land, who have already beaten confirmed a torn anterior cru- loss to the Magic in Orlando on for third place in the Eastern points, 8.6 assists and 8.0 ejection, occurred with 8:13 left the Cavs this season. ciate ligament. Tuesday night. “I would never Conference with the Washing- rebounds per game across 52 in the game. Green was whis- “We’ve got a great oppor- waive my no-trade clause.” ton Wizards. The Cavs are 6 1/2 games in his 15th NBA season. tled for an offensive foul, and tunity tomorrow against a team However, that doesn’t mean all games back of the second- Meanwhile, The defending he subsequently softly tossed that beat us up pretty good NBA RESULTS is well between James and the place Toronto Raptors and 7 1/2 champion Golden State Warri- the ball in the direction of the before,” James said. Orlando 116 Cleveland 98 Cavaliers. back of the first-place Celtics. ors don’t just lead the NBA in ref who made the call. Another “We look forward to the Toronto 111 Boston 91 The Athletic’s Jason Lloyd James, 33, has the option to wins. They also are the runa- ref called the technical. challenge. We’ve got to come Atlanta 108 Memphis 82 reported Tuesday that James become a free agent this off- way leader in ejections. Green didn’t immediate out and sustain the challenge.” Houston 123 Brooklyn 113 has “no relationship” with the season, fueling speculation that Forward Draymond Green realize he was ejected. When - Harden MVP? - In New York Milwaukee 103 New York 89 team’s front office. The rift he will leave Cleveland for the got tossed from the Warriors’ he did, he dismissively waved Philadelphia 115 Washington 102 meanwhile, Rockets star reportedly stems from James’ second time in his career, with- 125-105 loss to the Oklahoma his hand at the refs and smiled Oklahoma City 125 Golden State 105

Harden brought up 15,000 view that the club is not heed- out the Cavs receiving anything City Thunder on Tuesday in while heading to the tunnel.

La Lakers 112 Phoenix 93 career points on as Houston swept to a 123-113 win over the NHL: Penguins spoil Fleury’s homecoming REUTERS games, minutes played, wins and second overtime shot for the Fly- Vancouver.Barkov scored the shutouts, picked up his 2017 ers after the Hurricanes dictated go-ahead goal for the Panthers NEW YORK: Evgeni Malkin and Stanley Cup ring from owner play for much of the extra ses- and added an empty-netter with Phil Kessel each had a goal and Mario Lemieux before the game sion. The center’s seventh goal 42 seconds remaining. Florida’s an assist during a five-goal spurt and also received a special video of the season ended his eight- Jamie McGinn was also credited to rally the Penguins to a 5-4 tribute and lengthy standing game stretch without a point. with a goal that actually went in victory over the Golden Knights ovation during the first break in Wayne Simmonds scored the off the stick of Vancouver’s on Tuesday night in Pittsburgh, the first period. Flyers’ earlier goal. Elias Lind- Christopher Tanev. spoiling the homecoming for Capitals 3, Blue Jackets 2 holm scored for the Hurricanes, Vancouver goalie Jacob Vegas goaltender Marc-Andre Nicklas Backstrom scored his who dropped to 2-2-1 on a sea- Markstrom, a former Panthers Fleury. 200th career goal with 43 sec- son-high, eight-game draft pick and player, made 37 Ryan Reaves, Ian Cole and onds left to give Washington a homestand. saves. Markus Granlund scored Jake Guentzel also scored goals victory over host Columbus. Ducks 4, Sabres 3 (OT) a short-handed goal for the and Matt Murray finished with Alex Ovechkin began the Adam Henrique scored the Canucks. 21 saves for Pittsburgh, which game-winning play by sending overtime winner for visiting Bruins 3, Red Wings 2 won its eighth straight home the puck toward the net, and T.J. Anaheim, and Ducks goalie Ryan Sean Kuraly and Danton game. Sidney Crosby added two Oshie got it in the left circle and Miller earned a victory in a Heinen each had a goal and an assists. made a blind pass to the right return to the city in which he assist as Boston edged host William Karlsson, James side. Backstrom was waiting and spent the bulk of his career. Detroit to win for the eighth time Neal, Ryan Carpenter and fired it past Columbus goalie Miller, the all-time winnin- in nine games. Jonathan Marchessault scored Sergei Bobrovsky. gest goalie in Sabres history, David Krejci scored the other goals for the Pacific Division- Backstrom, who also had an made 30 saves to help snap his goal for the Bruins. Boston goalie leading Golden Knights, who lost assist in the game, became the team’s three-game losing streak. Tuukka Rask stopped 26 shots for just the second time in 24 fifth Washington player to reach Anaheim’s Ondrej Kase and and has given up just four goals games when scoring the first the 200-goal mark. Ovechkin Buffalo’s Jack Eichel each had a over the past three games. goal of a game. added two assists. goal and an assist. Martin Frk had a power- Fleury, a key member on Flyers 2, Hurricanes 1 (OT) Panthers 3, Canucks 1 play goal and an assist for three Stanley Cup championship Jordan Weal’s goal with 3.1 sec- Rookie goalie Harri Sateri Detroit, which has lost four of teams in 13 seasons with the onds remaining in overtime gave made 26 saves to win his fourth its past six games. Frans Penguins, finished with 33 saves. Philadelphia a victory at consecutive game, and Ale- Nielsen scored the other Red Detroit Red Wings left wing Darren Helm (43) takes a shot in the The No. 1 pick of the 2003 NHL Carolina. ksander Barkov scored twice as Wings goal while Jimmy second period against the Boston Bruins during their NHL game Draft, who set team records for Weal’s goal came on only the Florida defeated visiting Howard made 28 saves. at Litttle Caesars Arena. THURSDAY 8 FEBRUARY 2018 SPORT 35 Maxwell century powers Australia to T20 victory

AFP SCOREBOARD England Tye 4-0-28-1, Stoinis 2-0-16-1 (2w), Agar 3-0-15-2, Head HOBART: Glenn Maxwell J Roy c Tye b Richardson ...... 9 1-0-14-0, Maxwell 2-0-10-3 Kohli magic slammed a last-ball six to score A Hales c&b Agar ...... 22 Australia a masterful century and lead D Malan c Tye b Maxwell ...... 50 D Warner c Hales b Willey ...... 4 Australia to a five- victory E Morgan c Warner b Maxwell ...... 22 D Short c&b Rashid ...... 30 leads India over England in the second tri- J Buttler c Maxwell b Stoinis ...... 5 C Lynn b Willey ...... 0 series S Billings c&b Agar ...... 10 G Maxwell not out ...... 103 to big win in Hobart yesterday. D Willey st Carey b Maxwell ...... 3 M Stoinis c Billings b Wood ...... 6 C Jordan not out ...... 16 T Head b Willey ...... 6 Maxwell, who earlier took A Rashid c Stoinis b Stanlake ...... 1 A Carey not out ...... 5 over SA three in two overs, was T Curran c Warner b Tye ...... 6 Extras (LB4, W3) ...... 7 man of the match with an M Wood not out ...... 5 Total (5 wkts) ...... 161 AGENCIES unbeaten 103 as the Australians Extras (LB2,W4) ...... 6 Fall of wickets: 1-4, 2-4, 3-82, 4-98), 5-127 chased down England’s 155 for Total (9 wkts) ...... 155 Did not bat: A Agar, A Tye, K Richardson, B Stanlake CAPE TOWN: India captain nine in the 19th over. Fall of wickets: 1-16, 2-60, 3-94, 4-109, 5-122, 6-126, : Willey 3-0-28-3 (1w), Wood 3.3-0-26-1, Jor- Virat Kohli (pictured above) Maxwell, who was contro- 7-126, 8-127, 9-137 dan 4-0-34-0, Curran 4-0-39-0, Rashid 4-0-30-1 (2w) continued his excellent recent Bowling: Stanlake 4-0-43-1 (2w), Richardson 4-0-27-1, Result: Australia won by 5 wickets versially dropped from form to smash a sparkling Australia’s one-day team for the unbeaten century and lead his recent series against England, Australia had a rocky start to also 22 from 14 balls. Hales was side to a comprehensive responded with a 58-ball cen- their run chase when David Wil- the first of two caught-and- 124-run victory over South tury including 10 fours and four ley dismissed David Warner and bowled wickets for Agar. When Africa in the third One-Day sixes at Bellerive Oval. Chris Lynn in the space of three Morgan went, caught by Warner International at Newlands “It was nice to get one over balls. But Maxwell rebuilt the off Maxwell, it sparked a mid- yesterday. the rope and finish the job,” Max- innings with stands with D’Arcy dle-order collapse. Kohli made 160 not out well said. Short (30), Travis Head (6) and Jos Buttler (5) fell cheaply, from 159 balls as India, who “For us to start the series the Alex Carey (5 not out) to secure caught by Maxwell off Marcus had been put into bat, posted way we have has been outstand- victory. Stoinis (1-16), while Sam Billings 303 for six in their 50 overs, ing. We haven’t had a lot of Willey finished with three (10) popped a return catch to before restricting their hosts success in T20 cricket for the last wickets for 28 off three overs. Agar. to 179 all out to take a 3-0 few years. England, troubled by Aus- Malan was caught in the lead in the series. “Missing out on the one-day tralia’s spinners, lost their last six deep by Andrew Tye for Max- South Africa’s brittle bat- squad and not playing any part wickets for 33 in registering a well’s second wicket and David ting lineup, without injured in the Ashes, it was obviously below-par total of 155. Willey (3) was dismissed next stalwarts , AB where I wanted to be this Dawid Malan cracked 50 off ball to give Alex Carey his first de Villiers and Quinton de summer. 36 balls with five fours and two international stumping. Kock, were stifled once more “I had to do a lot of work sixes but England fell away after Maxwell’s hat-trick ball was by the Indian spinners as Kul- behind the scenes and I feel I’ve reaching 94 for two in the 10th wide of the leg-stump line. deep Yadav, who took done that and got back into the over. Adil Rashid (1) got the toe career-best figures (4-23 in 9 Aussie colours.” Maxwell captured three for end of the bat on a shot off overs), and Yuzvendra Cha- Maxwell had a big moment 10 and Ashton Agar took two for paceman Billy Stanlake and hal (4-46 in 9 overs) strangled on 59 when his lofted drive 15 as Australia sent England’s was well caught by Stoinis, their innings. found the fingertips of long-off middle order tumbling. while Tom Curran (6) was well Earlier, Kohli took a rel- fielder Jason Roy. Kane Richardson (1-27) held by a back-pedalling atively sedate 119 balls to But Maxwell stood his began the damage by removing Warner after failing to pick reach his 34th one-day inter- ground and although umpire dangerous opener Jason Roy for Tye’s knuckle ball. national hundred, hitting only Gerald Abood’s soft signal was nine, before Malan hit his lively Chris Jordan hit the final ball seven fours, but added out, the television umpire half-century. He was supported for six to finish with 16 from 11 another five fours and two Australian batsman Glenn Maxwell celebrates after scoring his deemed Roy did not complete by Alex Hales with 22 from 15 balls, with Mark Wood on five sixes off 40 more balls in a century in Hobart yesterday. the catch. balls, and captain Eoin Morgan, not out. Tye finished with 1-28. blazing finish to the innings. The 29-year-old was con- tent to play the supporting role in a second-wicket stand SRI LANKAN SQUAD of 140 with Shikhar Dhawan, (captain), who pounded 12 fours in Sangakkara calls for Test pay making 76 off 63 deliveries. Upul Tharanga, Danushka Gu- The pair came together nathilaka, Kusal Janith Perera, after Rohit Sharma was caught behind off Kagiso Thisara Perera, Asela Gunaratne, minimum to stop T20 exodus Rabada in the first over with- Niroshan Dickwella, Dasun out a run scored. Shanaka, , Shehan AFP Players from poorer nations South Africa clawed their can often earn more in the way back before Kohli and Madushanka, , HONG KONG: Sri Lankan Twenty20 world than by repre- Bhuvneshwar Kumar added Akila Dananjaya, Amila Aponso, veteran Kumar Sangakkara has Kumar Sangakkara senting their countries at Test an unbeaten 67 for the sev- called for to intro- level. enth wicket in the last 7.2

Jeevan Mendis and Asitha Fern- duce a minimum match fee for The MCC world cricket com- overs of the innings. ando. all countries to stop young play- mittee last month endorsed calls South Africa, with an ers ditching the long-form for for wage reform at its annual injury-weakened lucrative Twenty20 leagues. meeting. line-up, were required to Sangakkara, the fifth-high- Fans as well as players need make the highest successful Chandimal est run scorer in the history of to be canvased on the changes run chase in ODIs at Test cricket, retired from the required to keep Test cricket as Newlands. to lead Sri first-class game last year but has the sport’s pinnacle, including The fourth match will be continued playing for domestic day-night and four-day Tests, played at the Wanderers in T20 franchises around the said Sangakkara. Johannesburg on Saturday. Lanka T20 world, including in this week’s “We need to understand Hong Kong T20 Blitz. what Test cricket means to play- SCOREBOARD squad The 40-year-old praised the ers and what it is to fans,” he India shorter format for spreading the said. R Sharma c Klaasen b Rabada ...... 0 AFP game’s popularity to new mar- “Relevance in sport is so S Dhawan c Markram b Duminy ...... 76 kets but warned that without important in terms of not just V Kohli not out ...... 160 A Rahane c Phehlukwayo b Duminy ...... 11 COLOMBO: Sri Lanka yester- change Test cricket could face a growing the sport but also sus- H Pandya c Klaasen b Morris ...... 14 day named a 15-member battle to remain relevant for taining it. M Dhoni c Ngidi b Imran Tahir ...... 10 squad captained by Dinesh young players and fans. “I think international cricket K Jadhav c Klaasen b Phehlukwayo ...... 1 Chandimal (pictured below) “T20 is the ideal format to is very strong still. For any B Kumar (not out)...... 16 for next week’s Twenty20 introduce -- you talk about the player, I think the honour of rep- Extras (LB3, W12) ...... 15 matches against Bangladesh. Americas, with China,” San- resenting their country be it in Total (6 wkts) ...... 303 , who gakkara said yesterday. Test, one-dayers or T20 cricket, Fall of wickets: 1-0, 2-140, 3-160, 4-188, 5-228, 6-236 normally captains the island- “Since its inception it’s been it’s still the pinnacle of the Bowling: Rabada 10-1-54-1 (3w), Ngidi 6-0-47-0 ers in limited-overs cricket, a huge pillar of strength for game.” (2w), Morris 9-0-45-1 (1w), Phehlukwayo 6-0-42-1 has been ruled out with a world cricket. Sangakkara, who is appear- (5w), Imran Tahir 9-0-52-1, Duminy 10-0-60-2 hamstring injury for the rest “But there are a few nega- ing for Galaxy Gladiators Lantau Did not bat: Kuldeep Yadav, J Bumrah, Y Chahal of Sri Lanka’s tour of tives ... a lot of young players in this week’s Hong Kong tour- South Africa Bangladesh. taking up T20 instead of playing nament, also praised the shorter Hashim Amla lbw Jasprit Bumrah ...... 1 The two T20 matches are international cricket. format for extending his career. Aiden Markram st MS Dhoni b Kuldeep Yadav .32 JP Duminy lbw Yuzvendra Chahal ...... 51 slated for February 15 and 18 “There are various things “T20 is definitely the easi- Heinrich Klaasen lbw Yuzvendra Chahal ...... 6 following a two-match Test that have been discussed, about est format at my age to stay David Miller c MS Dhoni b Jasprit Bumrah ...... 25 series. parity of pay, especially when it competitive in,” said San- Khaya Zondo c (Sub) b Yuzvendra Chahal ...... 17 comes to match fees for Test gakkara, who retired from the Chris Morris lbw Kuldeep Yadav ...... 14 cricket. first-class game in Andile Phehlukwayo c V Kohli b Kuldeep Yadav 3 “Shouldn’t there be a blan- from different Test nations vary Graeme Cremer pocketed just September. Kagiso Rabada (not out) ...... 12 ket minimum pay for Test wildly, with the sport’s so-called $86,000. Sangakkara went out at the Imran Tahir c Virat Kohli b Yuzvendra Chahal ..... 8 Lungi Ngidi lbw Kuldeep Yadav ...... 6 cricketers? “Big Three” -- India, England Twenty20 competitions top with a remarkable final Extras (0b 2lb 0nb 0pen 2w) ...... 4 “The top countries are being and Australia -- far ahead of the have sprung up around the flourish for Surrey in the Eng- Total (all out) ...... 179 paid a certain Test match fee -- rest. world, from Australia’s Big Bash lish county championship, Fall of Wickets: 1-1, 2-79, 3-88, 4-95, 5-129, 6-150, shouldn’t that be reflected all According to a survey last League and India’s IPL which finishing as the competition’s top 7-150, 8-158, 9-167, 10-179 throughout the Test-playing year by ESPN CricInfo, Austral- stretch out over many weeks to scorer with 1,491 runs at an aver- Bowling: Bhuvneshwar Kumar 7-0-41-0; Jasprit countries?” ia’s captain Steven Smith was smaller competitions in Hong age of 106.50. Bumrah 7-0-32-2 1w; Hardik Pandya 8-0-35-0 1w; Currently, international due to earn $1,469,000 in 2017 Kong, Bangladesh, and the UAE “I’m definitely a has-been!” Yuzvendra Chahal 9-0-46-4; Kuldeep Yadav 91 23 4 2.56 match fees paid to cricketers while Zimbabwean skipper which last just a few days. he joked. THURSDAY 8 FEBRUARY 2018 36

The top countries are being SPORT paid a certain Test match fee CRICKET CRICKET – shouldn’t that be reflected Kumar Sangakkara Today’s T20: Uganda vs President Second Test between all throughout the Test- while calling for Test pay minimum to stop T20 action XI at Asian Town Cricket Bangladesh and Sri Lanka playing countries?” exodus Stadium starts in Mirpur Olympic star Kenny ‘Excited’ Nadal signs on to be back in action

for Queen’s Club challenge AFP

AFP tournament director, said: “We LONDON: Britain’s four-time are delighted that Rafa is plan- Olympic champion Laura LONDON: World number one ning to return to The Queen’s Kenny announced yesterday Rafael Nadal has confirmed he Club in 2018. she is returning to competi- will play in the Wimbledon It is going to be the “His run ten years ago, tive cycling at this month’s warm-up event at Queen’s 10th anniversary of when he won at Roland Track Cycling World Cham- Club later this year. my victory in 2008, Garros, Queen’s and Wim- pionships just six months Nadal has missed the bledon, will never be after giving birth to her first grass-court tournament in it’s a great memory, forgotten. child. west London for the last two winning there and “To see him back at the The 25-year-old and her years after suffering a wrist three weeks later top of the world rankings a husband Jason Kenny have injury in 2016 and then prior- decade later is a testament to winning Wimbledon, both been named in Britain’s itising rest after his French his greatness and desire to squad for the event, which Open victory in 2017. says Rafael Nadal achieve even more,” the offi- begins in Apeldoorn in the But the Spaniard, who won cial said. Netherlands on February 28. the Queen’s title in 2008, Nadal was forced to Laura and Jason Kenny, intends to participate in this coming back and playing retire from his Australian a six-time Olympic gold year’s event, which begins on Queen’s again.” Open quarter-final against medallist, announced the June 18. Nadal’s best performances Marin Cilic because of a thigh arrival of their son Albert in “I am very excited to com- at Wimbledon have always injury. But he said this week August. municate that I am going to come after he has played at he could return to action at the “So there we go... I’m come to Queen’s in 2018,” Queen’s. He reached the Wim- Mexican Open in Acapulco at excited to announce that I’m Nadal said. bledon final five times the end of the month. going back to where it all “It is going to be the 10th between 2006 and 2011, win- Former Wimbledon cham- began. I have been selected anniversary of my victory in ning in 2008 and 2010, and pion Andy Murray has a con- to ride for GB at the world 2008, it’s a great memory, making the quarter-finals at tract to play Queen’s for the championships at the end of winning there and three weeks Queen’s prior to each of those rest of his career and is hoping the month!” Laura Kenny later winning Wimbledon. appearances at the All England to use the tournament to mark posted on Instagram. “It was an unforgettable Club. the start of his return from hip Jason 29, returned to year. I am very excited to be Stephen Farrow, Queen’s surgery in January. competitive action in January, while Laura, whose maiden name was Trott, has been back in training for the past Rafael Nadal in action. four months. “I’m looking forward to getting back into the Great Britain skinsuit and racing at the world championships again,” said Laura, who will ride in the team pursuit. Nastase’s ban trimmed on appeal “The last five months since Albie was born have AFP No. 1 appealed after the Interna- April 23 2020 and April 23 this He also harassed British cap- Nastase later apologised but been amazing and my life has tional Tennis Federation (ITF) year. The tribunal increased Nas- tain Anne Keothavong before the said the media had changed a lot, but Jason and PARIS: An independent tribunal suspended him from all official tase’s fine from $10,000 (8,100 tie and insulted her during it. “exaggerated.” I are loving every minute of yesterday reduced Ilie Nastase’s involvement in either the Fed euros) to $20,000. In the press conference the The organisers of Wim- being parents. suspension for racist and aggres- Cup or Davis Cup until the end On April 22 last year, Nas- day before the tie in Constanta, bledon, where Nastase appeared “I returned to training sive behaviour before and during of 2020 and from attending any tase, the captain of the Roma- Romania, he also made racist twice in the men’s singles final, about four months ago, and a 2017 Fed Cup tie between matches in either event until the nian team, insulted a journalist, remarks about Serena Williams’s and Roland Garros, where he is I’ve been really pleased and Romania and Great Britain, but end of this year. British player Johanna Konta and unborn baby asking: “Let’s see a former champion, have made I guess a bit shocked by how increased his fine. The tribunal cut both pun- the umpire and the match what colour it has. Chocolate clear he would be unwelcome in fast my form has started to The 71-year old former world ishments by eight months: to referee. with milk?” the future. come back.”

Zimbabwe hire coach Football, cricket and golf suffering De Villiers from UK climate change: Study AFP Twenty seven percent impacted by climate change HARARE: Former Springboks of England’s home than any sport aside from coach Peter De Villiers has One Day Internationals skiing”. been appointed to lead Coastal golf courses were Zimbabwe as it seek to qualify were played with suffering from storm surges and for next year’s Rugby World reduced overs since a rise in sea levels, caused by a Cup, the union boss said 2000 due to rain melt of ice from Greenland to yesterday. disruptions, the Himalayas. The Zimbabwe Rugby Montrose, for instance, has Union CEO Sifiso Made con- moved tees and fairways inland firmed De Villiers’ appoint- Extreme weather because of erosion, said Chris ment on a two-year events caused the Curnin, director at the Montrose contract. cancellation of 25 Golf Links. Dredging and nat- “As you are aware Peter ural shifts in the North Sea de Villiers was Springboks Football League explained some of the erosion, coach at both senior and fixtures during the of 70 metres in places. junior level and he is the first 2015-16 season “Climate change and rising guy to beat New Zealand,” seas are accelerating the Made said. retreat,” he said. “He brings depth, knowl- US President Donald Trump, edge and a wealth of interna- REUTERS who doubts that greenhouse gas tional experience at the emissions are the prime driver of highest level which we didn’t OSLO: Golf, cricket and football climate change, owns two courses have in our local coaches. are suffering from wetter in Scotland. The England and This is the World Cup quali- weather linked to climate Wales Cricket Board said it was fier year and we need to win change in Britain, the nation suffering from less predictable Wet outfields have been affecting cricket matches more in recent years. all the five games.” which laid down the modern weather. Twenty seven percent De Villiers who coached rules for the games, a study said The Climate Coalition, of 130 record in Britain have been and erosion meant “cancelled of England’s home One Day Inter- South Africa between 2007 yesterday. non-governmental groups in since 2000, said Piers Forster, football matches, flooded nationals were played with and 2011 takes over from More downpours meant Britain, said its report under- a professor of climate change at cricket grounds and golf courses reduced overs since 2000 due to Zimbabwean national pitches and fairways were more scored that warming threatens the University of Leeds who crumbling into the sea,” it said. rain disruptions, the study said. Cyprian Mandenge. likely to be soggy or unplayable sports beyond those dependent contributed to the study. Steve Isaac, director of golf And for soccer, extreme Zimbabwe’s Sables play while sea level rise was also on snow and ice on display at “Britain is particularly sus- course management at the R&A, weather events caused the can- Kenya, Morocco, Namibia, aggravating erosion of coastal this month’s Pyeongchang ceptible to storms coming in the governing body for golf out- cellation of 25 Football League Tunisia and Uganda in the golf courses in Scotland, such Olympics. from the North Atlantic,” he side the United States and fixtures during the 2015-16 qualifiers for the Rugby as Montrose which dates back A main problem is that six said. Mexico, said in the report that season, the study said. It did not World Cup in Japan. to 1562, it said. of the seven wettest years on Rain, extreme weather and he reckoned golf was “more give comparisons to other years.