TENNIS | Page 8 AATHLETICSTHLETICS | Page 10 Murray Track queen dominant Felix sets her To Advertise here in Dubai win sights on 2020 Call: 444 11 300, 444 66 621 over Jaziri Olympics

Wednesday, March 1, 2017 FOOTBALL Jumada II 2, 1438 AH Vardy lift s GULF TIMES Leicester to post-Ranieri win SPORT Page 2

FOOTBALL Rayyan concede late penalty as Saudi giants Hilal win 2-1

By Sports Reporter in the sixth minute of stoppage time to ants Al Ahli took top spot after down- Results from West Asia Doha hand Al Hilal a last-gasp opportunity to ing Iran’s Zobahan 2-1 for their second Michael Laudrup’s clinch their fi rst win in two matches. straight win. Group C Al Rayyan were distinctly And sure enough, Mohamed al-Shal- The two-time runners-up opened Bunyodkor (UZB) 2 (Vadim Cemirton unlucky in Riyadh. l Rayyan were left ruing con- loubh made no mistake from the spot the scoring through Abdulfattah Asiri 10, Dostonbek Khamdamov 43) Al Ain ceding a stoppage time pen- much to the joy of the home fans at the who struck from the centre of the box in (UAE) 3 (Omar Abdulrahman 8, 89, alty after Saudi giants Al Hilal Prince Faisal bin Fahad stadium in the the 29th minute. Caio 15) Aclinched a 2-1 victory in their Saudi capital. Mehdi Rajabzadeh equalised for the Zobahan (IRN) 1 (Mehdi Rajabzadeh Group D Asian Champions League Al Hilal were under severe pressure, Iranians from the spot in fi rst half stop- 45+3, pen) Al Ahli (KSA) 2 (Abdulfattah especially in the second half during page time after Motaz Hawsawi fouled match in Riyadh yesterday. Asiri 29, Omar al-Somah 86) The game appeared headed for a draw which Al Rayyan produced several scor- Jerry Bengtson and was penalised with Group D after Al Rayyan’s Rodrigo Tabata had ing chances. a red card in the process. Al Wahda (UAE) 2 (Ismaeil Matar 58, risen above the Al Hilal defence to score But luck was not on Michael Omar al-Somah put the result be- Jorge Valdivia 64 v Persepolis (IRN) 3 the equaliser in the 79th minute after Laudrup’s side, and Khidir’s handball yond doubt with a well-struck free- the hosts had gone ahead with a third compounded their misery as the hosts kick in the 86th minute as Zobahan re- (Vahid Amiri 4, Mehdi Taremi, 81, 90) minute strike from Carlos Eduardo. jumped to the top of the standings. mained winless in the tournament. Al Hilal (KSA) 2 (Carlos Eduardo 3, But Al Rayyan’s Musab Khidir was Last week, Al Rayyan had beaten the Also in Group C UAE’s Al Ain sur- Mohamed al-Shalloub 90+6, pen) Al distinctly unlucky as the ball stuck his UAE’s Al Wahda 2-1 in Doha. vived a scare from Uzbekistan’s Bunyo- Rayyan (QAT) 1 (Rodrigo Tabata 79) hand during a spell of intense action Meanwhile In Group C, Saudi gi- dkor before winning 3-2. Gulf Times 2 Wednesday, March 1, 2017 FOOTBALL

SPOTLIGHT WELCOME Everton manager Koeman open to Vardy lift s Foxes to Rooney return post-Ranieri win ‘We let them be the Leicester of last year — that’s our fault. We should get criticised. This inconsistency makes absolutely no sense’: Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp

File picture of Manchester United’s Wayne Rooney.

AFP to be interested would be wrong. London “He started his career here and if the opportunity arose that he could come back and it sat well verton manager Ronald with everyone it is something we Koeman paved the way would consider. yesterday for Wayne “He is a class apart, he sees Rooney’s return to the things, and all the things that clubE of his youth by saying he have been said about Wayne are would make the side “stronger”. true. He comes into that category Last week Rooney said he was of being one of England’s great- staying with Manchester United est ever players, so why wouldn’t following persistent speculation we be interested? he could make a lucrative move “But let’s not get ahead of our- to the Chinese Super League. selves. Wayne is contracted to But doubts still surround the Manchester United and made a long-term club future of the decision to continue to play for 31-year-old Rooney, the England them. national side’s record goal-scor- “Let’s wait and see what hap- er, and Koeman appears ready to pens in the future.” try to bring him back to Liver- Rooney, born in Liverpool, pool-based Everton. joined Everton as a nine-year- “I believe that Wayne Rooney old and made his senior debut is still playing at a high level,” aged 16 on the opening day of the Koeman told Sky Sports. 2002/03 season against Totten- “I think he made a good choice ham Hotspur. to stay at Manchester United and Six weeks later, Rooney be- in the Premier League because came Everton’s youngest scorer he has still two or three years with two goals against Wrexham in front of him to play on a high in the League Cup. level,” the former Dutch interna- Rooney catapulted to national tional added. attention when he scored his fi rst “What will happen at the end Premier League goal — a last- of the season? I don’t know but minute winner against Arsenal — in my opinion he is one of the fi ve days before his 17th birthday. players who can make Everton The 18-year-old Rooney left more stronger. Everton to join United in a £27 “It’s all about what the player million ($34 million/32 million Leicester City’s Jamie Vardy celebrates scoring their third goal during his team’s Premier League match against Liverpool at the King Power Stadium. likes, what Manchester United euros) move in 2004. needs to do, and we are not in- He has since won fi ve Premier AFP Vardy’s fi rst-half opener was Leicester’s The fi rst sign that Leicester’s players The King Power Stadium erupted and volved in that project. League titles and a Champions Leicester fi rst league goal in seven games and made might be about to wind the clock back the home fans were on their feet again in “But every player that we at League trophy with United and them the last team from Europe’s fi ve ma- came on the team sheet, where Shinji the 39th minute as Drinkwater got in on Everton think can make the team become the club’s record goal- jor championships to fi nd the net in 2017. Okazaki replaced Ahmed Musa from last the act. stronger is welcome to Everton.” scorer. Speculation about his Old amie Vardy scored twice as a revi- While the display will give Leicester’s week’s 2-1 Champions League loss away Albrighton’s cross from the left was Traff ord future has intensifi ed talised Leicester City started life fans hopes of a late-season rally under to Sevilla. headed away by James Milner and fell ‘CLASS APART’ since Rooney ceased to be a fi rst- without sacked manager Claudio Shakespeare, it leaves unanswered ques- Save for the presence of Wilfred Ndidi kindly for Drinkwater, who speared a Steve Walsh, Everton’s director team regular under manager Jose Ranieri by sinking Liverpool 3-1 tions about why things had gone so badly and the absence of the departed N’Golo sumptuous 25-yard shot into the bot- of football, endorsed Koeman’s Mourinho. onJ Monday to spark their Premier League wrong under Ranieri. Kante, it was the team that won the title tom-right corner. comments, adding: “Wayne That was heightened when he survival hopes. Asked if he wanted the job full-time, and there was energy and aggression to Leicester goalkeeper Kasper Sch- Rooney is one of the greatest was left on the bench for Sun- Ranieri, 65, was dismissed last Thurs- Shakespeare said: “My remit was get Leicester’s play from the off . meichel showed alertness to thwart players that has ever played the day’s League Cup fi nal win against day, nine months on from Leicester’s them ready for Liverpool and I have done Vardy set the tone within seconds, fl y- Coutinho and Emre Can either side of game in England and for us not Southampton at Wembley. fairytale title win, and fans honoured him that. Let’s see what happens.” ing in on Sadio Mane with a challenge Drinkwater’s strike and Coutinho tested with banners, masks and a smartphone Liverpool could have provisionally that perhaps should have earned him a him again early in the second half. light show in the 65th minute. gone third with victory, but instead they caution, and before long the visitors’ goal Vardy put the hosts 3-0 up on the hour, His former charges were unrecog- remain fi fth, 14 points below leaders was bring peppered. leaping above Can to glance a fi ne header Ranieri will fi nd new to reach the quarter-finals of nisable from recent weeks, with Danny Chelsea and a point behind fourth-place Simon Mignolet was tested three times past Mignolet from Christian Fuchs’s in- job immediately, says the Champions League after a Drinkwater also on target as they snapped Arsenal having played a game more. in the fi rst 18 minutes, fi elding a header swinging cross. Guardiola 5-3 home win against Monaco a run of fi ve straight defeats to climb out Jurgen Klopp’s side, who replied from Robert Huth, pushing Okazaki’s An ode to the popular Ranieri from last week, will be without of the relegation zone to 15th place. through Philippe Coutinho, have won fl icked header behind and parrying from the home fans had just faded away when Claudio Ranieri will not have defender Vincent Kompany “All I asked of the team was to remem- only one of their last seven league games Vardy, while Huth headed over. Coutinho netted in the 69th minute, to wait long for another job again today. ber what they were about and remember and look a shadow of the team who The breakthrough came in the 28th slotting in from Can’s pass to deny following his sacking by But Guardiola says the injury- their identity,” said Leicester caretaker looked poised to challenge for the title minute and it was lifted straight from Leicester a fi rst clean sheet in 11 matches. Leicester City, Manchester plagued Belgian is nearly fit. manager Craig Shakespeare. just weeks ago. Leicester’s 2015-16 songbook. But despite late pressure, they suc- City manager Pep Guardiola “He is much better but not Both Vardy and Drinkwater said “We let them be the Leicester of last Marc Albrighton’s slide-rule pass ceeded in holding Klopp’s men at arm’s said yesterday. tomorrow, soon,” he said. Leicester’s display had been a reaction to year — that’s our fault,” Klopp said. freed Vardy to scuttle in behind Joel Mat- length, with Schmeichel denying substi- Leicester’s decision to sack press reports implicating the players in “We should get criticised. This incon- ip and steer a shot past Mignolet for his tute Divock Origi and fumbling a Coutin- Ranieri less than 300 days Former FIFA secretary Ranieri’s exit. sistency makes absolutely no sense.” fi rst goal in eight league games. ho strike just wide of his right-hand post. after he took them to the Pre- general Valcke mier League title reverberated appeals 10-year ban around world football and BOTTOMLINE surprised Guardiola. Former FIFA secretary general “Yes of course (it was a sur- Jerome Valcke has appealed prise),” the Spaniard, whose to the Court of Arbitration for side face second-tier Hud- Sport (CAS) against his 10-year dersfield Town in an FA Cup ban from football, the tribunal fifth round replay today, told said yesterday. reporters. The Frenchman, whose job ‘I’m ready for Leicester job’ “But I think Claudio has to be was to ensure the smooth AFP “The performance you saw roots,” said the German, whose proud. He is going to find im- running of FIFA and in par- Leicester, United Kingdom tonight, I saw it against Man side welcome fourth-place Ar- mediately a new job.” ticular its flagship World Cup City (who Leicester beat 4-2 in senal to Anfi eld on Saturday. Leicester rediscovered their tournament, was right-hand December). We have done it, but “We could have done much form on Monday in their first man to now banned president eicester City caretaker not often enough.” better. We let them be the match since Ranieri’s sacking Sepp Blatter before both were manager Craig Shake- Leicester, who host second- Leicester of last year — that’s last week, outplaying Liver- embroiled in a corruption speare said he was ready bottom Hull City on Satur- our fault. pool 3-1 to climb out of the scandal which swept soccer’s Lto take on the role full- day, had lost their previous fi ve “We should get criticised. relegation zone. governing body in 2015. time after overseeing an impres- league games and were the last This inconsistency makes abso- “Yesterday I saw the game Valcke was found guilty sive 3-1 win against Liverpool in team in Europe’s fi ve major lutely no sense.” against Liverpool, it was his by FIFA ethics judge Hans- his fi rst game. leagues to fi nd the net in 2017. Liverpool have won only two legacy. The way Leicester play Joachim Eckert of miscon- Shakespeare was promoted Vardy broke an eight-game and lost six of their 12 games in was outstanding,” he said. duct over the sale of World from his role as assistant following personal goal drought. 2017 and Klopp accepted both he “In 50 years’ time people will Cup tickets, abuse of travel Claudio Ranieri’s sensational dis- Drinkwater slammed in Leices- and his players were now under talk about what Leicester expenses, attempting to sell missal last Thursday, nine months ter’s second and Vardy headed in a heavy scrutiny. achieve with this group. The TV rights below their market on from Leicester’s 5,000-1 Pre- third goal before Philippe Coutin- “We all play for our future, best legacy, the first game value and destruction of mier League title triumph. ho reduced the arrears with 21 myself included,” he said. when he left, Leicester play evidence. Leicester looked a team re- minutes remaining. “We get judged every day, es- like last season.” He was initially banned for 12 born in Monday’s game, prevail- pecially on match days and of With no Premier League game years, which was reduced to ing through Jamie Vardy’s fi rst- INCONSISTENT REDS course performances have infl u- last weekend, City enjoyed 10 by FIFA’s own appeal com- half double and a sweet Danny The weekend’s results had seen ences on these things. a short break in Abu Dhabi mittee last June. Drinkwater strike, and Shake- Leicester slip into the bottom “I don’t think they (the players) before returning to face CAS said the Frenchman speare said the experience had three, but they leapt up to 15th are not as good as I thought they promotion-chasing Hudders- “seeks to have the challenged whetted his appetite. place, two points clear of the were, but I think they need my field. decision set aside in order “Do I think I’m capable of it? relegation zone. help more to show it every week. “We just trained two days. We for the sanction imposed on Yes. Does it faze me? No,” he told Liverpool would have gone “When we lose, I feel maxi- cleared our minds. We stayed him to be lifted definitively”. reporters at the King Power Sta- Leicester City’s English interim manager Craig Shakespeare. third with victory, but they re- mum responsible because I am. I together, worked together,” In September, FIFA’s ethics dium when asked if he wanted main in fi fth place and now trail hope I use always the word ‘we’ Guardiola said. committee opened a new in- the job. Ranieri may have gone, but of his name. leaders Chelsea by 14 points. and not ‘they’ or ‘the players’ “(Huddersfield) are (near the) vestigation into Blatter, Valcke “But it’s the owners who de- Leicester’s faithful showed the Asked what Ranieri would Beaten manager Jurgen Klopp because I’m involved in this. top of the Championship and and former finance director cide and they’ll do their dili- much-loved 65-year-old Italian have made of Leicester’s dra- said his players had been told to “It’s not the moment to make sometimes teams top of the Markus Kattner for possible gence and look. I think it’ll take he will not be forgotten. matic return to form, Shake- expect an “emotional” display assessments like this, especially Championship are stronger ethics violations which in- its course. Several fans brandished ban- speare replied: “Knowing Clau- from Leicester and said there not in public. But to say the than some of the teams in the cluded bribery and corruption. “They’ll sit down and I’ll try ners thanking him and there was dio, he’ll say, ‘That’s football’. was no excuse for the passivity truth, and I try to say the truth Premier League.” That investigation, in which all and prepare the team as rightly a co-ordinated smartphone light “He said that to me on Thurs- of their display. as often as possible, bad per- City, who are third in the Pre- three deny wrongdoing, is still as I can for Hull unless told oth- show in his honour in the 65th day night and reminded me of “We knew how Leicester formances don’t help anybody, mier League and well-placed under way. erwise.” minute, accompanied by chants that on Friday morning. would play: go back to their that’s clear.” Gulf Times Wednesday, March 1, 2017 3 FOOTBALL

SPOTLIGHT AFC CHAMPIONS LEAGUE Hulk strikes as Real top because of Aussies get thrashed performances, not referees: Zidane Shanghai SIPG’s forward Hulk celebrates after scoring yesterday. AFP Results Shanghai ‘Everyone can say what they want but it is not true, we’ve got everything we have GROUP E Ulsan Hyundai (KOR) 6 (Kim achieved from what we have done on the pitch. I’m proud of my players...’ razilian forward Hulk In-sung 10, 68, Mislav Orsic was amongst the scor- 13, 34, Ivan Kovacek 55, Lee ers as Australian sides Jong-ho 90+3) Brisbane Roar were put to the sword in (AUS) 0 Bthe Asian Champions League on a day of one-side matches yes- Muang Thong United (THA) 2 terday. (Theerathon Bunmathan 12, Big-spending Shanghai SIPG Xisco Jimenez 90+4) Kashima hammered 2014 champions Antlers (JPN) 1 (Pedro Junior Western Sydney Wanderers 5-1, 47’) while the Brisbane Roar fared even worse, crashing to a 6-0 GROUP F humbling against Ulsan Hy- Urwa Red Diamonds 5 (JPN) undai. 5 (Yuki Muto 9, Tadanari Lee Hulk, who blasted a stunning 11, Takahiro Sekine 15, Tomoya goal to help his team edge out FC Ugajin 21, Yoshiaki Komai 45) Seoul 1-0 last week, yesterday FC Seoul (KOR) 2 (Park Chu- found the net with a third minute young 14, Dejan Damjanovic header off a Zhang Wei cross to 90+2) give the hosts an early advantage in their Group F clash. Shanghai SIPG (CHN) 5 (Hulk Shanghai consolidated in the 3, Oscar 17, Shi Ke 25, Elkeson 17th minute through former Chel- 27, Wu Lei 75) Western Sydney sea star Oscar, whose right-footed Wanderers (AUS) 1 (Mitch shot from the centre of the box off Nicols 20) a Hulk pass gave Sydney goalkeep- er Gerard Tyson no chance. Sydney appeared determined who scored with a stunning free- to put up a fi ght as Mitch Nicols kick for the visitors in the 14th scored off a Scott Neville pass in minute. the 20th minute, but faded away But Takahiro Sekine, Tomoya after that as Shanghai upped Ugajin and Yoshiaki Komai add- their game and totally dominated ed to Urawa’s tally as an action- their rivals. packed fi rst half ended 5-1. Defender Shi Ke gave Shang- Seoul put up a fi ght in the sec- hai a 3-1 lead with a 25th minute ond half but had to wait until strike from the centre of the box stoppage time to fi nd their sec- following a set piece, before Hulk ond goal, with substitute Dejan was in the thick of the action Damjanovic pulling one back in again two minutes later with a the 92nd minute. pass to help Elkeson fi nd the net In Group E, Kim In-sung and from close. Mislav Orsic both bagged a dou- Wu Lei then a 75th minute goal ble for Ulsan Hyundai. to complete the rout for Shang- The Roar hardly put up a hai, who trail Urawa Red Dia- fi ght as Kim opened Ulsan’s ac- File picture of Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane looking on during the Spanish League match against Villarreal CF at the El Madrigal stadium in Vila-real. monds on goal diff erence after count with a low shot in the 10th the Japanese outfi t ran riot in a minute and Croatian Orsic more Reuters Real top the standings on 55 points, one which lead to him being substituted for Instead, Las Palmas have lost all four 5-2 humbling of FC Seoul to as- or less put the outcome beyond Madrid ahead of Barcelona and with a game in Isco while Real were trailing 2-0. games to Granada, Sevilla, Malaga and sert their credentials in Group F. doubt with strikes in the 13th and hand, but Zidane said his side were leaders Real Sociedad since signing Jese to slip to Following their 4-0 thrashing 34th minutes. because of their displays on the pitch and GOOD LUCK JESE 12th and cap his miserable season for far. of Australia’s Western Sydney Ivan Kovacec, another eal Madrid coach Zinedine Zi- not favourable treatment from offi cials. Zidane meanwhile hopes Jese Rodriguez A move away from Real was supposed Wanderers last week, the Japa- Croatian in Ulsan’s ranks, struck dane launched a passionate de- “Everyone can say what they want but rediscovers the form that once made him to relaunch his career after the devastat- nese side were quick to take con- the fourth goal within 10 minutes fence of his team yesterday amid it is not true, we’ve got everything we the star of Madrid’s academy, but only ing eff ect of a cruciate knee ligament in- trol of the match with Yuki Muto of the restart before Kim and accusations the La Liga leaders have achieved from what we have done after his return to the Santiago Bernabeu jury that cut short his breakthrough sea- and Tadanari Lee fi nding the net substitute Lee Jong-ho rounded haveR benefi ted from favourable referee- on the pitch,” Zidane told a news confer- with Las Palmas today. son in 2013/14 when Zidane was Madrid’s within 11 minutes of the start. off the scoring in stoppage time ing decisions this season following their ence yesterday on the eve of Real’s game Jese left Madrid for French champions assistant coach to Carlo Ancelotti. However, the goal of the match to complete an easy outing for 3-2 win at Villarreal on Sunday. with Las Palmas. Paris Saint-Germain on a fi ve-year deal At the time Jese was one of the bright- came from Park Chu-young, the Korean side. Real were awarded a fi ercely contested “I’m proud of my players because they in August for a reported 25 million eu- est young talents in world football with penalty while trailing 2-1 at Villarreal for a always respect referees, Real Madrid has ros ($26.8 million). However, he scored goals against Barcelona, Valencia, Ath- handball by Bruno Soriano which the mid- always been professional and respectful. just twice in 14 appearances and quickly letic Bilbao and Villarreal that campaign fi elder insisted was accidental, prompt- If we have to talk, we do it on the pitch.” fell down the pecking order for PSG’s putting him on the verge of a call-up to ing a furious response from club president Real’s record signing Gareth Bale has Spanish coach Unai Emery before join- Spain’s 2014 World Cup squad. Asian body urges — were put forward to contest Fernando Roig towards the referee. recovered from an ankle knock which ing home town club Las Palmas on loan Despite going onto to make 94 ap- FIFA to rule on three FIFA Council places. Spanish sports daily Marca said the forced him off towards the end of the win in January. pearances in all for Madrid, his career Council picks Moya Dodd of Australia, referees’ committee had denounced at Villarreal and set alarm bells ringing “I like him a lot as a player and a per- at the Bernabeu never recovered as he Bangladeshi Mahfuza Akhter, Roig’s comments to the Spanish soccer after he had recently returned from al- son, and I hope that from Thursday it lived in the shadow of Cristiano Ronaldo Asia’s football body yesterday North Korea’s Han Un-Gyong federation, which could see him fi ned up most three months out following ankle goes well for him at Las Palmas,” Zidane and Gareth Bale and was also ultimately urged FIFA to rule whether and Palestinian Susan R. to 1,500 euros. surgery. said yesterday. usurped by the likes of Lucas Vazquez for its candidates can stand for A.Alshalabi have also been Barcelona defender Gerard Pique mean- Bale has been named in the squad for When the Canary Islanders pushed the fi rst team opportunities. election to the world organisa- proposed to stand for a women- while wrote on Twitter that Real had the visit of Las Palmas although midfi eld boat out to bring the 24-year-old for- “He is a high quality Spanish player tion’s top decision-making only position on the Council. earned eight extra points this campaign anchor Casemiro has been rested follow- ward back to La Liga at the end of Janu- who has always shown enormous poten- body, following a walk-out due to dubious refereeing decisions. ing a lacklustre display against Villarreal, ary, qualifying for Europe was the aim. tial,” added Zidane. over the issue last year. Asian football body The Asian Football Confedera- ditches troubled tion (AFC) said FIFA’s decision Chinese broadcaster BOTTOMLINE on the candidates was already overdue, after their names were Asia’s football body yesterday submitted early this month. said it has terminated the “The AFC had submitted names contract of cash-strapped Le- on February 3, 2017 for the FIFA Sports to broadcast its games eligibility checks which were to in China and found a new part- be completed within 21 days,” ner after reports of payment Naive not to be dependent on an AFC executive committee defaults and legal action. statement said. The AFC said it had “no alter- “However, the Executive Com- native” but to end its $100 mittee noted by today’s meet- million, four-year deal with ing FIFA had not completed China’s LeSports, which was Messi: Barca coach Enrique the integrity checks and due to run until 2020. AFP rique yesterday. a means of reaching a goal, and reiterated that clarification The incident follows rocketing Barcelona “Hopefully we can depend on the goal is winning games,” he from FIFA was needed.” prices in China’s sports sec- him for many years to come.” added. In September, an AFC extraor- tor, and a warning in off icial Victory at Atletico eased “If the opponent sits back and dinary congress in Goa was media of a “bubble” in Chinese arcelona boss Luis En- somewhat the mounting pres- allows long passages of play in scrapped after just 20 minutes football after spending topped rique insists his side’s sure on Enrique after a 4-0 possession they don’t leave you in protest at FIFA barring a $1 billion last year. reliance on Lionel Mes- thrashing at Paris Saint-Ger- spaces to fi nd gaps. candidate from elections to China Sports Media (CSM) will si is perfectly normal main two weeks ago left the “If they decide to press high the powerful FIFA Council. now replace LeSports, a sub- whenB you have “the best player Catalans on the verge of bowing and leave space then it doesn’t Members who had flown in sidiary of tech firm LeEco, and in the world” on your side. out at the last 16 of the Champi- make sense too not take advan- from all over Asia voted 42-1 broadcast games including Messi has kept Barca’s La Liga ons League for the fi rst time in tage of that and in two touches against adopting the con- the AFC Champions League, title challenge alive with late 10 years. overcome the press to score a gress’s agenda, calling a halt World Cup qualifiers and the winners in 2-1 wins over Leganes In particular, his tactical shift goal.” to the meeting when it was 2019 Asian Cup. and Atletico Madrid in their last from Barca’s traditional posses- Enrique hopes to have Javier barely under way. “CSM secured the rights for two outings to take his tally for sion based game to a more direct Mascherano and Arda Turan Various delegates told AFP the AFC competitions... after the season to 35 goals in as many style designed to get the best back from injury for the visit of that the agenda was rejected the AFC had no alternative but games. out of a superstar front three of struggling Sporting, who sit two because a senior off icial from to terminate its contract with However, Barca have still to tie Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar points off safety in 18th. Qatar, hosts of the 2022 World Le TV (LeSports), which had down Messi’s long-term future has been criticised. And with tougher tests Cup, had been blocked from been signed in August 2015,” at the Camp Nou. However, Enrique insisted against Celta Vigo and the re- standing for the FIFA Council. an AFC statement said. The fi ve-time World Player ahead of Sporting Gijon’s visit turn leg with PSG to come in the Last month four candidates “The new deal was agreed of the Year has just over a year to the Camp Nou on Wednesday, next week, Enrique is expected — China’s Zhang Jian, Chung with CSM Chairman Li Yidong to run on his contract with talks that possession is only a means to make sweeping changes from Mong-Gyu of South Korea, and means that there will be over a new deal ongoing. to an end. the side that started against powerful Kuwaiti Sheikh Ah- uninterrupted coverage of “It would be naive to think “The key to having possession Atletico with the likes of Jordi mad al-Fahad al-Sabah and the this week’s AFC Champions we wouldn’t depend on the best Barcelona’s Lionel Messi (L) celebrates a goal with teammate is not just to have it for the sake Alba, Ivan Rakitic and Andre Philippines’ Mariano Araneto Jr League fixtures in China.” player in the world,” said En- Neymar during the La Liga match against Atletico de Madrid. of it, but to have possession as Gomes also set to return. Gulf Times 4 Wednesday, March 1, 2017 FOOTBALL

SPOTLIGHT GERMAN CUP Lahm off ers Schalke tips to face Bayern Life-saving Togo AFP Berlin

hilipp Lahm has off ered Schalke tips on how to avoid being the next vic- tims of a Bayern Munich striker wins over Ppounding in today’s German Cup quarter-fi nal. Holders Bayern have reached the cup’s last eight in each of the last 10 years, which no other German club can match. They are bidding to reach the semi-fi nals for an eighth year- Czech club fans in-a-row, while Schalke have not got this far since the 2010/2011 season when they last won the STOP TELLING OUR SECRETS: ‘If you swallow your tongue you start to choke, the flow of air into the brain stops, so trophy by hammering Duisburg Fille picture of Bayern Munich 5-0 in the fi nal. coach Carlo Ancelotti. you have to act as fast as possible. If Martin is stable today, it’s largely thanks to Francis’ Bayern are in goal-scoring form after hammering Hamburg man defence has more potential 8-0 in Munich on Saturday in the to attack, especially on the coun- Bundesliga which came 10 days ter, because they have more mid- after their 5-1 demolition of Ar- fi eld players when they have won senal in the Champions League. the ball,” added Lahm. Schalke are the next team bid- Germany’s star Thomas Muel- ding to halt Munich’s goal-ma- ler, who was impressive against chine and are unbeaten in their Hamburg with two assists, agreed last seven games in all compe- with his skipper that Bayern profi t titions, dating back to their 1-1 against a four-man defence. league draw with Bayern at the “It is easier for the lines of Allianz Arena four weeks ago. running if we do not have to play The Royal Blues put in a bat- against a fi ve-chain every time,” tling second-half display to says Mueller. take a Bundesliga point on their “You can move into the gaps last visit as Naldo’s stunning better without betraying too free-kick cancelled out Robert much to your opponents.” Lewandowski’s early goal. Bayern coach Carlo Ance- Schalke use a three-man de- lotti has said Franck Ribery will fence, operating alongside two play on the left wing with Brazil wing backs who can drop back to star Douglas Costa rested, while form a back fi ve. left-back David Alaba, who is Having an extra man in de- carrying a knock, is likely to be fence could pay off against Bay- replaced by Juan Bernat. ern, according to club captain Teenage Portugal midfi elder Lahm, after his team ran riot Renato Sanches is out with ill- against Arsenal and Hamburg’s ness, but Ancelotti wants a win back four. to keep alive their hopes of the “That’s how things are at the Champions League, Bundesliga moment. It looks like it is easier and cup treble. for us against a back four,” said “We want to go to Berlin,” said Lahm as a compact defence of Ancelotti with the fi nal at the Ol- fi ve defenders allows Bayern lit- ympic Stadium on May 27. tle space to attack. Playing a back fi ve does how- TODAY’S FIXTURES (GMT) ever present disadvantages, ad- Hamburg v Borussia Moencheng- mitted Lahm. ladbach (1730), Bayern v Schalke “An opponent with a four- (1945) This picture shows Togolese striker Francis Kone (R Up) of FC Slovacko as he gives first aid to Bohemians goal keeper Martin Berkovec.

AFP keeper Slovacko striker Kone was fi rst to again, THANK YOU,” Berkovec wrote on black? A man!” ILLNESS Prague provide emergency fi rst aid as soon as he Facebook. The keeper is set to meet his Born in Bondoukou in the northeast of stood up. saviour soon. “He has invited me for din- Ivory Coast, Kone has taken advantage of “I was close because I was involved in ner,” said Kone. his mother’s nationality to play for Togo acially abused by their fans, the play,” Kone told AFP on Monday. One Bohemians fan tweeted his thanks since 2013. No short-term fi x for Togolese striker Francis Kone He managed to pull out Berkovec’s to Kone after the goalless draw: “He taught At 26, he has had a varied career, hav- has taken on hero status after tongue in the time it took Bohemians’ me something today, and not only me.” ing played for several clubs in Thailand saving a rival goalkeeper’s life in medical staff to arrive at the scene after Another fan who was in the stands on (Muangthong United FC, PTT Rayong), Goetze issue, says aR Czech top-fl ight game last weekend. waiting for the referee to wave them onto Saturday told Bohemians’ club website Oman (Al-Musannah), Portugal (Olhan- Half an hour into Saturday’s tie pitting the pitch and run some 60 metres (yards). how Kone’s quick thinking had impacted ense) and Hungary (Honved Budapest) Bohemians 1905 Prague against Kone’s “Seconds matter in a situation like on the club’s hard core fans. before joining Slovacko in 2015. Dortmund boss FC Slovacko, Bohemians keeper Martin this. If you swallow your tongue you start “Two guys were sitting next to me. “This is the fourth time it has hap- Berkovec sprinted towards the edge of to choke, the fl ow of air into the brain Racists. Their language was...(racist), pened to me — (I’ve experienced this) the box to head out a long pass. stops, so you have to act as fast as pos- monkey stuff ,” he said. once in Thailand and twice in Africa,” He crashed into his teammate, defend- sible,” said Bohemians spokesman Tomas “And then comes the shock. Endless said Kone. er Daniel Krch, who was also running af- Mutinsky. “If Martin is in a stable condi- seconds. Martin falls and doesn’t move. “No, I don’t have medical education,” ter the ball at full speed. tion today, it is largely thanks to Francis,” Kone is the fi rst to arrive. He pulls the he chuckles. The home crowd in Prague watched in he told AFP. keeper’s tongue out. A rival. A black guy.” “In this type of situation, I always horror as the impact left the 28-year-old “The entire stadium is silent, includ- make sure whether the player has not Berkovec unconscious on the pitch with a ‘ENDLESS SECONDS’ ing the two guys. I don’t give a damn swallowed his tongue.” swallowed tongue. “I would like to thank Francis Kone for about the score. Martin will be OK, At times, it’s the non-footballing stuff Swept to the ground by the tumbling his prompt help that saved my life. Once Francis Kone helped him. A rival? A that makes this game even more special.

BOTTOMLINE

File picture of Dortmund midfielder Mario Goetze.

AFP jury meant he has played just six Espanyol’s upswing is fuelled games over the 90 minutes this Berlin season, which had drawn heavy recent criticism. orussia Dortmund said Ex-Germany captain Lothar yesterday they do not Matthaeus suggested last week by youngsters, not big names expect Mario Goetze to that Goetze should “move to Reuters to sell their best players to avoid and it’s hard to fi nd the right return anytime soon as China” if he keeps failing to win fi nancial ruin. players but we have a few in our Germany’sB World Cup winner a fi rst-team place at Dortmund, Barcelona Those pressures have eased teams and little by little there battles with a unspecifi ed me- but has softened his stance since since Chinese fi rm Rastar Group will be more,” Fernandez said. tabolism disorder. illness was revealed. hinese-owned Espanyol purchased a controlling 54 per- “We’re always trying to fi nd “This will not be a short-term “The good thing is that one are pushing for a return cent stake in January 2016. exciting talent and if we can issue,” Dortmund’s CEO Hans- now knows the cause and can to European football for New president Chen Yansh- fi nd that in Chinese players then Joachim Watzke told SID. treat it,” said Matthaeus. the fi rst time in a dec- eng said he wanted to see the that’s doubly good.” Dortmund announced on “Against this background, one Cade barely a year after being tak- club qualify for Europe within Espanyol coach Quique Monday that medical tests to see has to, of course, evaluate his en over and their rise has been two years but their transfer ac- Sanchez Flores has followed why Goetze had been suff ering performances diff erently than fuelled by a new generation of tivities have so far been discreet. Maurico Pochettino in embrac- from repeated injury and a lack without this knowledge.” home-grown talent rather than Last year they recruited La ing the club’s youth system but of form had revealed ‘metabolic Goetze was outstanding in the big-money signings. Liga mainstays Jose Antonio has a way to go before he eclipses disturbances’. 2011/12 season when Dortmund When the Catalans, beaten Reyes, Diego Lopez and Pa- the 23 academy players the cur- The exact disorder has not been won the German league and cup UEFA Cup fi nalists in 2007, blo Piatti, whose experience rent Tottenham Hotspur man- revealed and the club has asked double. His performances in thrashed Osasuna 3-0 on Sunday has been supplemented by the ager brought through. for their star to have privacy as he the attacking midfi eld role then to move to within four points of youthful energy of players such Morales believes the structure struggles to regain his health. helped Dortmund reach the 2013 a Europa League spot there was as Navarro and Melendo. of Spanish football, which unlike “We wish to know, in the spe- Champions League fi nal, but he extra satisfaction as six of the 11 “He has transmitted his confi - England pits reserve teams of top- cial interest concerning Mario missed the 2-1 defeat to Bayern players on the pitch had come dence in the academy and knows fl ight clubs against professional Goetze, that the privacy of this at Wembley with injury. through the club’s academy. about its importance to the his- sides fi lled with hardened veter- young person will be respected He then endured three dif- Defenders Marc Navarro and tory of Espanyol,” Morales said ans, allows youngsters to fl ourish. and observed,” Dortmund’s press fi cult years at Bayern, failing to Aaron Martin and midfi elders of Chen. “In Segunda B and Tercera spokesman Sascha Fligge told SID. hold down a fi rst-team place and Marc Roca and Oscar Melendo Boys from the RCD Espanyol academy listen to their coach during a “It’s nice to be able to keep (Spain’s regional third and The 24-year-old became Ger- was often left on the bench by featured together for the fi rst training session at Dani Jarque training camp near Barcelona. working as we were before even fourth tiers) you get players in many’s hero when he scored in coach Pep Guardiola. time since making the leap from after he has come in and invested their 30s competing against extra-time of the 2014 World Critics questioned whether the reserve side, joining locally- Espanyol’s academy, told Reu- Roca, Martin and Navarro are the a lot of money, that’s a good sign.” 19-year-olds and that’s a huge Cup fi nal to seal a 1-0 win over he was mentally strong enough born midfi elder David Lopez and ters in an interview at the club’s latest additions to the walls of the The arrival of the new owner apprenticeship for the young Argentina and Franz Beckenbau- to cope with life at star-studded forward Gerard Moreno, who Dani Jarque training complex. academy’s offi ce which shows has also lead to an increase in players. You learn 50,000 things er once described him as ‘Ger- Bayern and said he had returned have returned since spells at Na- “We had two generations full every player to have appeared for the number of Chinese players in every game,” he said. many’s (Lionel) Messi’. to Dortmund as a shadow of the poli and Villarreal respectively. of very good footballers who the fi rst team, from Manchester emerging in the youth ranks, “We’ve seen players jump from Last July, Dortmund paid 22 player he once was. “These are players that came have just reached adulthood United defender Eric Bailly to top something youth coach David under-18 level to Segunda B and million euros ($23mn) to buy So there is some relief at Borus- through on their own merit, they and it was only a matter of time scorer Raul Tamudo. Fernandez welcomes as long as it become men within two seasons Goetze back from Bayern, having sia that an illness has been diag- didn’t come in to plug a hole before they emerged, so we’re Like many Spanish clubs, Es- does not compromise the quality as they are competing against been forced to sell him in 2013 for nosed. “We are glad that we now due to an injury, they’re going bearing the fruit of lots of hard panyol felt the knock-on eff ect of the teams. teams with diff erent weapons. 37 million euros after the Bavar- know the reasons for Mario’s to have long careers in the top work in previous years.” of the country’s deep economic “It’s diffi cult because our It means they are knocked into ians triggered a release clause. complaints,” said Dortmund’s di- fl ight,” Angel Morales, head of Framed pictures of Melendo, crisis in 2008 and were forced competitive level is very high shape very quickly.” However, poor form and in- rector of sport Michael Zorc. Gulf Times Wednesday, March 1, 2017 5 RUGBY

SPOTLIGHT ROUND-UP De Allende Calls for rugby to confront out for three months with ankle growing cocaine problem injury

Taken on Monday, the body can quickly eliminate any trace of cocaine before any checks are likely Reuters Cape Town

AFP Paris outh Africa centre Dam- ian de Allende has been ruled out for the next he arrest of rugby stars Ali Wil- three months after sus- liams and James O’Connor tainingS a serious ankle injury in outside a Paris nightclub has the Super Rugby match against cast a spotlight on rugby’s co- the Bulls, the Stormers con- Tcaine problem. “It’s only my opinion, fi rmed yesterday. but I have the impression that in certain A scan confi rmed a lengthy clubs and among many players, coke is absence for the 25-year-old, who very popular,” said Toulon president has won 22 caps for the Spring- Mourad Boudjellal as he announced the boks and is expected to be back immediate suspension of Australian before the three-test series at O’Connor. home against France in June. De Former All Black Williams has also Allende had shown good touches been suspended by Racing 92 after he as the Stormers beat the Bulls was charged with buying cocaine and 37-24 at Newlands on Saturday O’Connor with possession. They were before going off with injury. allegedly detained outside a club near the Champs Elysees in possession of 2.4 TEN ENGLISH CLUBS grams (0.08 ounces) of white powder. SELECTED FOR WOMEN’S Sporting circles have long dismissed SUPER RUGBY LAUNCH cocaine as just a party drug. But experts Ten clubs have been off ered have highlighted its role as a stimulant, places in a new women’s do- particularly valuable in a high-octane mestic competition to start in spectacle like rugby. “Cocaine boosts September, England’s Rugby performance by increasing alertness, Football Union (RFU) announced reactivity and aggressiveness,” Xavier yesterday. England’s Red Roses Bigard, scientifi c advisor to the French won the Women’s Rugby World Anti-Doping Agency (AFLD), said. Cup in 2014 and the creation of Christian Bagate, a former head of Women’s Super Rugby is aimed the French Rugby Federation medical at sustaining the rise in partici- commission, has spoken of “the Mon- pation and improving playing day-Tuesday-Wednesday corticoster- standards. oid-cocaine cocktail”. The clubs to meet the cri- The mix can help a player through teria for the new competition heavy training sessions at the start of are Bristol Ladies, Darlington the week and be ready for a match at the Mowden Park Sharks, Firwood weekend. Taken on Monday, the body Waterloo Ladies, Harlequin FC, can quickly eliminate any trace before Gloucester-Hartpury Women’s any checks are likely. RFC, Loughborough Students According to Bigard, cocaine increas- (Lightning), Richmond FC, Sa- es the heart rate but also eats into en- racens Women, Wasps FC Ladies ergy reserves. “In reality, the situations and Worcester Valkyries. where cocaine helps performance are in There will be no relegation for short burst, high-intensity eff orts like two years. “This is another sig- in a weightlifting movement.” nifi cant development for wom- In rugby it could help a sudden ex- en’s rugby in this country,” RFU plosive eff ort, a split second decision or Director of Professional Rugby to resist the crunching eff ects of tough Nigel Melville said in a state- tackling. But it is a danger. Bigard says ment. “I would like to congratu- athletes under the infl uence of cocaine late the 10 clubs on their suc- are 20 times more likely to suff er sud- cessful applications which have den death than the average consumer. It resulted in them being off ered is also addictive. a place in the new competition. “It is a very practical product, easy We now have the opportunity and cheap to buy, for taking care of to build a world-class domestic match after-eff ects and putting up with competition, with the backing the heavy workload,” said former French and funding of the RFU.” rugby international Laurent Benezech, Australian fullback James O’Connor runs with the ball during Toulon’s Top 14 match against ASM Clermont earlier this year. (AFP) The RFU will make a multi- author of a controversial 2014 book on million-pound investment in the use of drugs in rugby. the new competition over the “The barriers between the party side next three years. Ireland host the and the sporting are not solid. The fi rst TOULON SUSPEND O’CONNOR OVER PARIS COCAINE BUST next women’s World Cup in Au- contact with cocaine almost certainly Paris: Australian international James O’Connor was decision on his sanction. Racing 92 imposed an indefi- 18 and has gone on to win 44 caps. gust, which will feature 12 inter- comes in the former,” added Benezech. temporarily suspended by his club Toulon yesterday nite ban on Williams. He was infamously banned from boarding a plane national teams. South African-born former French in- after he was busted with cocaine in Paris. “Following talks, James O’Connor is temporarily in Perth shortly after his last Test, against Argentina in ternational Pieter de Villiers was at the French police on Sunday charged former All Black suspended until a next meeting which will take place 2013, later apologising for the drunken incident which centre of a doping storm when he tested Ali Williams with buying cocaine and O’Connor with within eight days,” Toulon said in a statement. Boud- also saw him removed from the airport. O’Connor de- positive for cocaine and ecstasy in 2003 possession of the drug. jellal warned on Monday that O’Connor’s case was cided to move to England where he played for London and was banned for bringing the game The pair were arrested at 3am on Saturday outside “complicated”, and it might aff ect his contract renewal Irish before joining Toulon in 2014. The 26-year-old into disrepute. a nightclub near the Champs Elysees in possession of negotiations. headed home to join Queensland Reds in a bid to The use of steroids is also widely re- 2.4 grams (0.08 ounces) of the substance. O’Connor The Australian’s deal with the French giants finishes boost his chances of being selected for the Wallabies corded in rugby around the world. Of met on Tuesday with outspoken Toulon president at the end of this season. O’Connor’s run-in with Paris for the 2015 World Cup. But he missed the cut for the 52 sportspeople on the British anti- Mourad Boudjellal, who had stressed that he would police is the latest off -field digression for an outstand- Michael Cheika’s squad and exercised an early-release doping agency’s sanctions list at the await talks with the utility back before making a final ing player who made his Wallabies debut at the age of clause that saw him head back to Toulon. end of 2015, 16 were from rugby union and 13 from rugby league. Boudjellal said that O’Connor’s case destroy him nor support him.” not alone in suff ering from a cocaine Cocaine “stimulates the nervous sys- champion wrote. was “complicated”, and it might aff ect Boudjellal said French clubs had bust. French Olympic swimming cham- tem, stops you from being hungry, being While several sports are involved, his contract renewal negotiations. “It’s to act against the spread of cocaine. pion Amaury Leveaux sparked fury with tired, helps you overcome exhaustion. Bigard said rugby players are most tough to defend him. We’ll talk about “We’ve had the alcohol stage, now his 2015 book “Sex, Drugs and Swim- It gives an athlete the feeling of being tempted. because there is no other sport it with him,” Boudjellal said.”He’s a we’re at another one. We can’t support ming” which said swimming stars often invincible, of being a superman. It is a with such “rising demands” linked to “a 26-year-old kid, I’m neither there to that. That needs to stop.” And rugby is snorted cocaine, and not just for fun. feeling you cannot resist”, the 2012 relay reduced recuperation time”. Damian de Allende

FOCUS World Rugby boss Beaumont to ‘discuss’ Italy tactics AFP action.” Beaumont, himself a former England won 36-15 to stay on course for there is an Italian in the breakdown, London England captain, told the Daily Mail: “I back-to-back Six Nations Grand Slams so it has to be called a ruck, or you run will be discussing it when I go to Dub- as they extended their winning run to 17 straight through the middle, where lin, for a catch-up with our referees’ successive Test victories. (AFP) there is a hole.” ill Beaumont, the head of World manager, Alain Rolland, at the World Clive Woodward, having praised Italy Rugby, is to “discuss” Italy’s Rugby offi ces. I spoke to Mark Egan — for their use of am “entirely legitimate” controversial ‘no-ruck’ ploy who runs our rugby committee — today tactic on Monday, admitted a day lat- at Twickenham last weekend (Monday) on a couple of matters and er that he’d changed his mind, with afterB being urged to take action by Eng- this was one of them.” England’s 2003 World Cup-winning land coach Eddie Jones. But Beaumont ruled out the prospect coach telling the Daily Mail: “It can’t England won 36-15 on Sunday to stay of signifi cant change before England’s be allowed so the law must be changed. on course for back-to-back Six Nations next match, against Scotland at Twick- Rugby must have an off side line.” Grand Slams as they extended their enham on March 11, although World Ireland fl anker Sean O’Brien insisted winning run to 17 successive Test vic- Rugby’s committee has a scheduled his side would have reacted quicker tories. But the result was overshadowed meeting before the next round of Six than England. “Yeah, absolutely, up the by the debate about Italy’s tactics. The Nations matches. “That is probably a jumpers stuff ! I certainly would have perennial underdogs remarkably led bit tight. It is less than 24 hours since known the rules around it anyway,” England 10-5 at half-time after repeat- this happened and we will review it, as he said. By contrast, England’s James edly refusing to commit anyone other we do lots of things. Is it a loophole? I Haskell was involved in a comical in- than the tackler to the breakdown, don’t know,” former lock Beaumont, cident during the match when, having meaning no ruck was formed. As a re- said. “Italy felt they were acting within asked Poite “what the exact rule is”, he sult off side became irrelevant and Italy the laws of the game, which they were. received the reply: “I can’t say, I’m the players could stand directly between I’m not criticising (Italy coach) Conor referee, I’m not a coach”. scrum-half Danny Care and fl y-half O’Shea or Italy because what they did That prompted Wales’s leading in- George Ford. was legal. Everyone was taken by sur- ternational referee Nigel Owens to tell Afterwards a frustrated Jones said: prise and it proved most of us have to said on Monday that the Frenchman deployed, with New Zealand’s Waikato Ben Ryan, who as England Sevens the Daily Telegraph: “I am surprised at “If that’s rugby, I’m going to retire. revise our knowledge of the laws!” and his colleagues had “offi ciated law Chiefs having done something similar coach pioneered the ‘no-ruck’ tactic in players not knowing this because in- That’s not rugby.” The Australian add- After Sunday’s match, Jones accused correctly”. in Super Rugby and Australia’s David 2012, accused Jones of being “rude” in ternational referees tend to go in with ed: “I’m sure Bill Beaumont watched referee Romain Poite of looking “fl us- Despite England’s outrage, this was Pocock nearly creating a try against his reaction and told The Times: “It is so their respective national squads and that game today and will take some tered”, but a World Rugby spokesman not the fi rst time the tactic had been Ireland last year with the ploy. easy (to counter). You either make sure discuss stuff like this.” Gulf Times 6 Wednesday, March 1, 2017 SPORT

NBA FOCUS Raptors’ Lowry out until playoff s with Durant back as wrist problem

AFP NBA All-Star Game on Feb- Los Angeles ruary 19, when he weighed in with 19 points and made fi ve of nine three-point attempts. oronto Raptors star Warriors overpower Kyle Lowry will miss Bogut waived by Sixers, the rest of the regular Cleveland-bound? season because of a Australian center Andrew Twrist injury, the NBA team an- Bogut was waived by the Phil- nounced. adelphia 76ers on Monday, The Raptors announced just days after he was acquired on Twitter that Lowry would by the team in a trade. undergo surgery on Tuesday Philly acquired Bogut last Philadelphia 76ers morning on his right wrist to Thursday in a deal with the remove “loose bodies.” Dallas Mavericks to capture “Aim to return for playoff s,” Nerlens Noel in exchange for ‘We just couldn’t make a shot. But we made up for it by getting to the free-throw line’ the team added in its tweet the Aussie, Justin Anderson without providing further in- and a 2017 fi rst-round draft formation. pick. Toronto are currently fourth The Cleveland Cavaliers are in the Eastern Conference tipped to snap up Bogut ac- standings and on course to cording to the Cleveland Plain reach the playoff s with a 35-24 Dealer although the Houston record. Rockets, San Antonio Spurs However, the absence of and Boston Celtics have also Lowry is a serious injury blow been linked to the towering for Toronto as they attempt to free agent. go one better than last season Cleveland, which has a when they fell to the Cleveland bumper payroll of nearly Cavaliers in the Eastern Con- $130mn would only be able ference fi nals. to off er a portion of Bogut’s “Not good. It was one of $1.55mn minimum salary. those things we didn’t know it Bogut has played in just was as serious as it was,” To- 26 games this season with 21 ronto coach Dwane Casey said starts since joining Dallas from of Lowry’s injury. the Golden State Warriors last “That’s why you get second year. opinions as he did. He decided The 32-year-old, who was to have it done now, hopefully the fi rst Australian to be the to have some time before the overall fi rst pick in the 2005 playoff s to get some games in.” NBA draft, is averaging 3.0 In his 11th season in the points, 8.3 rebounds and 22.4 NBA, Lowry is averaging a minutes per game this season. career-best 22.8 points per He has not played in a game game with 6.9 assists and 4.7 since February 15 against De- rebounds. troit, which was his fi rst match Lowry last played in the since January.

Knicks’ Noah expected to miss rest of season New York Knicks centre career, he owns averages of Joakim Noah will undergo 9.0 points and 9.4 rebounds. arthroscopic knee surgery Meanwhile, the Knicks an- and miss the remainder of the nounced Monday the signing season, according to multiple of free agent guard Chasson reports Monday. Randle to a contract. The Noah, 32, will undergo the team also waived guard Bran- procedure on his left knee don Jennings. Monday, Adrian Wojnarowski The 6-2, 185-pound Randle, Warriors forward Kevin Durant (No 35) drives against 76ers Robert Covington during the first quarter of their NBA game at Wells Fargo Centre. PICTURE: USA TODAY Sports of The Vertical reported. The 24, appeared in eight games surgery is expected to be a for the Philadelphia 76ers this AFP fi ve steals. But it was a rare off - left. But that was the cue for a who earlier revealed that rookie The 32-year-old played 40 “clean up” of the left knee, season, averaging 5.3 points Los Angeles night for Stephen Curry. The sustained scoring run by the center Joel Embiid — the team’s games, all as a starter, for the league sources told Wo- over 9.3 minutes, before be- Warriors star contributed a re- Warriors, with West making top scorer and rebounder — Mavericks this season. He aver- jnarowski. ing waived on Feb. 23. spectable 19 points but drew a three assists in quick succession faced an indefi nite layoff due to a aged 13.1 points, 6.9 assists and Noah is in the first year of a Jennings, 27, signed a one- evin Durant returned blank from three-point range, to help Golden State into a 106- knee injury. 2.6 rebounds in 29.3 minutes. four-year, $72mn free agent year, $5mn contract with the from injury with a bang missing all 11 of his attempts. 92 lead with just under six min- LeBron James had stated that contract he signed in July af- Knicks during the off season on Monday, scoring 27 It was only the third time in utes to go. Cavs debut newly-signed the Eastern Conference-leading ter playing nine seasons with to back up Derrick Rose. points as the Golden 211 games Curry has failed to “I thought we played a re- Williams in win over Bucks Cavaliers (41-17) needed to add the Chicago Bulls, who draft- The 6-1, 170-pound Jennings KState Warriors overpowered the connect with at least one three- ally good game,” Golden State The Cleveland Cavaliers another playmaker in order to ed him ninth overall in 2007. averaged 8.6 points, 4.9 as- Philadelphia 76ers 119-108. pointer. coach Steve Kerr said. “We just signed free agent Deron Wil- defend their title and he appears The 6-foot-11, 230-pound sists and 24.6 minutes in 58 Durant, who missed the War- “I forgot to adjust to the thick- couldn’t make a shot. But we liams on Monday then debuted to have got his wish. Noah has missed the last games. riors previous game with a ness of the air,” Curry joked. “It made up for it by getting to the their new guard in a 102-95 vic- “He can knock down shots seven games while dealing “Thank you to all the Knicks bruised left hand, showed no happens, but you have to fi nd free-throw line.” tory over the Milwaukee Bucks. and he can play make,” James with a lingering hamstring fans for the love all year long, sign of lingering after-eff ects other ways to impact the game.” Sixers coach Brett Brown said Williams, a three-time All told reporters of his new team injury. He hasn’t played since and thanks to my teammates to help power the Dubs to their The Warriors eventually even despite Curry’s off -night, Star, was waived by the Dal- mate. a Feb. 4 loss to the Cleveland and the organization,” Jen- fourth straight victory. pulled clear against an under- the depth of the Warriors off ense las Mavericks on Thursday and “He’s played in big games be- Cavaliers, when he had four nings tweeted. The Warriors, who are already powered Sixers team early in the had been hard to counter. cleared waivers on Saturday, fore so you know he won’t shy points and two rebounds in assured of a place in the playoff s, fourth quarter, moving into a “At times, we got lucky with making him a free agent. away from the moment. It’s go- just six minutes. improved to a league best 50-9 99-87 lead. them as a team,” Brown said. The Cavaliers signed Williams ing to help us out a lot.” Noah underwent arthroscopic after rattling up their seventh The Sixers fought back how- “They didn’t shoot it the way a to the veteran minimum salary surgery on the same knee in win in eight games. ever when Golden State’s David team would normally shoot it.” for the rest of this season, giving RESULTS May 2014, but Monday’s pro- Klay Thompson added 21 West was called for a fl agrant af- “But when you take away the Cavaliers a veteran backup Pacers 117 Rockets 108 cedure is due to a new injury, points for Golden State while ter a clash with Dario Saric. something, something else gets point guard. Raptors 92 Knicks 91 according to ESPN. Zaza Pachulia scored a season Saric drained two free throws exposed. It’s hard to guard eve- He appeared in the team’s vic- Hawks 114 Celtics 98 Noah is averaging 5.0 points best 16 points. before Nik Stauskas scored to rything.” tory over the Bucks on Monday, Cavaliers 102 Bucks 95 and 8.8 rebounds in 46 Draymond Green chipped in cut the Warriors lead to 99-91 The defeat capped a day of scoring 14 points and grabbing Warriors 119 76ers 108 games this season. For his with 14 points, 11 rebounds and with just under eight minutes disappointment for the Sixers seven rebounds. Mavericks 96 Heat 89

BASEBALL Tebow reports to Mets spring training

Reuters ess very much.” Tebow is now trying to discomfort in the knee and may require New York earn a spot on one of the Mets’ lower level arthroscopic surgery as soon as Monday, minor league teams to continue the proc- according to the Rangers. ess. Mets manager Terry Collins said he Hamilton felt sharp pain while run- ormer NFL quarterback Tim Te- was cheering for Tebow. ning recently and was given a platelet- bow reported to spring training “He’s a special person. He’s a tremen- rich plasma injection last week. But the with Major League Baseball’s dous athlete. He’s got a huge name in the knee didn’t respond to the treatment New York Mets on Monday, eager sports world. And he’s in our organiza- and Hamilton left the team to travel to toF continue his quest to make it in profes- tion trying to be a baseball player,” Col- Houston to see orthopaedic surgeon Dr sional baseball. lins said. Walt Lowe, who performed his knee re- Tebow, 29, a former Heisman Trophy “I salute him for what he’s trying to do. construction in June. There is specula- winner as the most outstanding college It’s not going to be easy.” tion that Hamilton, who turns 36 in May, football player who played in the NFL for While Tebow is considered a longshot might not play again. three years before becoming a TV broad- to ever make a big league roster, the Mets Assistant general manager Mike Daly caster, arrived in Port St. Lucie, Florida, plan to use him in Spring Training games told reporters that the Rangers and Ham- with other highly-rated prospects. once he grows comfortable in camp and ilton have not yet that had conversation. The left-handed hitting outfi elder, believe he can have a positive impact on Daly said the team would like to give who last year played organised baseball other prospects. Hamilton the chance to recover. for the fi rst time since high school, had “I know he’s a tremendous competi- “Josh has a great desire to play,” Daly a.194 batting average with three doubles tor, and I know he’s a winner and that’s said. and 20 strikeouts in 62 at-bats in the Ar- going to mean a lot in that big clubhouse “We feel good that Josh is going to izona Fall League. full of young kids over there,” said Col- play.” “Obviously I knew that it was a big lins. Tebow played three years in the NFL Hamilton signed a minor league con- challenge — imagine picking up the sport with the Denver Broncos and New York tract with the Rangers in January. He after 12 years of not playing,” Tebow told Jets before his football career stalled. missed all of last season with the knee reporters on Monday. ESPN hired him as a football analyst in injury. “Part of the challenge in it being so late 2013. Hamilton was a fi ve-time All-Star hard is part of why it’s so fun, and why Meanwhile Texas Rangers outfi elder for the Rangers and won MVP honors in it’s something I’m enjoying and loving, Josh Hamilton is facing another trip un- 2010 when he led the AL with a .359 aver- because it’s a hard game. It’s not an easy der the knife on his left knee as he at- age and had 32 homers and 100 RBIs. He thing to do. tempts a comeback from last season’s hit a career-best 43 homers in 2012 and “Hitting a baseball is one of the hard- reconstructive surgery. The former departed as a free agent to sign with the est things in sports, but I enjoy the proc- American League MVP is experiencing Angels. Mets player Tim Tebow is seen leaving on a golf cart after addressing a press conference. PICTURE: USA TODAY Sports Gulf Times Wednesday, March 1, 2017 7 SPORT

NHL NFL Giants set to use franchise tag Canadiens rally for on Pierre-Paul

By Art Stapleton against the Bears and Browns The Record (Hackensack, N.J.) before a core muscle injury that required surgery cost him the last four games of the regular he Giants informed season and the Giants’ playoff OT win over Devils Jason Pierre-Paul of loss to Green Bay. their intention to use After the season, Pierre- the franchise tag that Paul was clear that he did not ‘It’s part of the business. But, as professionals, we have to put that aside and focus on the game’ Twould keep the star defensive want to play under the fran- end under contract for the 2017 chise tag, expressing the belief season, a source confi rmed to that he earned a more signifi - By Andrew Gross The Record. cant commitment. The Record (Hackensack, N.J.) Pierre-Paul was set to be- “I’m not playing on no one- come an unrestricted free year deal,” Pierre-Paul said. agent March 9, but the two “I’ve proved it. I’ve showed it. his version of the Devils sides have been working to- There is not really another guy likely ended their time ward a long-term agreement like me out here doing it with 7 together with a second to prevent him from hitting the fi ngers still.” straight overtime heart- open market. There is plenty of motivation Tbreaker. Under the franchise tag, for the Giants to get a deal done The Devils twice could not Pierre-Paul would be paid an prior to the start of free agency hold a two-goal lead and lost, estimated $17mn for one sea- next week. A tag charge of $17 4-3, to the Canadiens on Mon- son and he would then be eligi- million for one player – even day night, the team’s fi nal game ble for free agency in 2018. one as impactful as Pierre- before the NHL trade deadline The Giants want Pierre-Paul Paul can be – would severely and general manager Ray Shero to stay, however, and their 2010 eat into their available salary likely to be a seller given the fi rst-round pick has expressed cap resources in free agency, long-shot odds of making the a similar desire to remain with where they will look to upgrade playoff s. the franchise. The expecta- the roster of a team that fi n- Alex Galchenyuk scored the tion now is that the two sides ished with 11 wins and its fi rst overtime, power-play winner at will continue to negotiate what playoff berth since Super Bowl 2:54. The Devils also could not Pierre-Paul hopes will be a lu- XLVI last year. hold a third-period lead and lost, crative pay day following an The NFL’s deadline for teams 4-3, in overtime to the Rangers emotional two seasons. to use the franchise tag is 4 pm on Saturday. Pierre-Paul, 28, has defi ed Wednesday. Travis Zajac and Kyle Palmieri long odds in his comeback to each had a goal and an assist and the NFL and recovery from the Cory Schneider made 29 saves July 2015 fi reworks accident for the Devils (25-25-12), in an that resulted in the loss of two 0-2-2 skid. fi ngers on his right hand. Al Montoya stopped 34 shots In what Giants general for the Canadiens (34-21-8), manager Jerry Reese termed who tied the game with 51.8 sec- a “miracle” return two sea- onds left in regulation on Max sons ago, Pierre-Paul played in Pacioretty’s second goal of the eight games and earned a one- game. year contract worth $10 million The trade deadline comes from the Giants. Wednesday at 3 pm and the Dev- He turned down more mon- ils don’t play again until starting ey elsewhere to stay with the a two-game trip – and a stretch Giants and fl ashed even more of fi ve of six on the road – at of the talent that made him Washington on Thursday night. one of the league’s most feared But what players would – or two-way defensive ends. He would not – be part of the group had seven sacks in 12 games, the next time the Devils played including 5.5 sacks in back-to- was not the focus on Monday. back weeks late in the season “Honestly, you realise it can be,” captain Andy Greene said of Monday being this particular Legendary Soviet centre forward Petrov dies group’s last game together. “But you don’t really think Legendary CSKA Moscow and furore in 1972 in the legendary about it. In our reality, it could Soviet international centre eight-match Super Series be any game. The group could forward Vladimir Petrov, a with a Canadian professional change every game. But with member of the all-conquering NHL all-star team — leading a hard deadline now and with Red Machine team, has died by three wins to one before where we are, who knows what’s at 69, Russia’s ice hockey eventually losing 4-3 with one going to happen.” federation reported yesterday. game tied. “It’s always diffi cult but we’re “Russia’s ice hockey federa- The trio had made its debut not looking at it that way,” Sch- (L-R) Shea Weber, Max Pacioretty and Alex Galchenyuk of the Montreal Canadiens celebrate Max Pacioretty’s game tying goal of the third tion presents its condolences at the world championships neider added. “We’re looking at period at the Prudential Centre in Newark, New Jersey. (Getty Images/AFP) to Petrov’s family and friends, — amateur at that time — in it as we trust Ray and we trust his colleagues and every- 1969 in Stockholm, where management and they’re going aside and focus on the game.” like to play. Some games we got Radulov cut it back to 3-2 just 11 for a 1-0 lead with 18.8 seconds one who knew him,” said a the Soviet Union managed to to do what’s necessary to make What the Devils’ players rewarded for it. Some we didn’t seconds later. remaining. That gave Palmieri statement on the federation’s retain its title despite two de- us a better team whether it’s now wanted to control was making but we’re playing the right Zajac’s power-play goal at four goals in a four-game point off icial website. feats to Czechoslovakia, seven or in the future.” Shero’s job diffi cult in terms of way.” 7:54, just six seconds after Radu- streak and extended Zajac’s point Two-time Olympic champion months after Soviet troops The Devils are seven points deciding to be a deadline buyer The Devils actually played lov hooked Albany (AHL) call- streak to fi ve games. Meanwhile, Petrov, who also won nine had invaded Czechoslovakia behind the Maple Leafs, who ac- or a seller. two ways on Monday: The fran- up Blake Coleman, regained a the Devils lost third-line center world championship gold to crush a pro-democratic quired ex-Ranger forward Brian But Monday’s overtime loss tic third period, which featured two-goal lead for the Devils. But, Jacob Josefson to an upper-body medals and 11 Soviet league drive. Boyle from the Lightning on completed a 4-4-3 February in four goals, and the glacial fi rst again, the Canadiens responded injury as he played three shifts titles during his career, died After hanging up his skates Monday, for the fi nal wild-card which the Devils played nine of 40 minutes. quickly as Max Pacioretty’s re- in the fi rst period and exited the from cancer after a short in 1983, Petrov presided over spot in the Eastern Conference. 11 games at The Rock. John Moore, in the lineup with bound goal cut it to 3-2 just 43 game at 7:15. illness. Russia’s ice hockey federation “Those are areas that we don’t “Obviously we could’ve made defenseman Kyle Quincey being seconds later. Petrov, together with wing- from 1992 to 1994 and worked control,” center Adam Henrique it a little harder,” Greene said. held out pending an expected The Devils capped a slow- RESULTS ers Valery Kharlamov and as a general manager at CSKA said. “It’s part of the game. It’s “We’ve been playing really well trade, gave the Devils a 2-0 lead paced fi rst period with an excit- Wild 5 Kings 4 (overtime) Boris Mikhailov, formed the Moscow, Spartak Moscow and part of the business. But, as pro- the last week to 10 days, play- with a blue-line slap shot at 2:38 ing ending as Zajac fed Palmieri, Canadiens 4 Devils 3 (OT) attacking line that caused a SKA Saint Petersburg. fessionals, we have to put that ing hard hockey, the way we of the fi rst period. But Alexander who beat Montoya from the slot Lightning 5 Senators 1

FOCUS Hurricanes on edge as NHL trade deadline nears

By Chip Alexander ers due to become unrestricted “It’s a unique market in the The News & Observer (Raleigh, free agents after the season – sense there are a lot of teams who N.C.) forwards Jay McClement, Viktor still feel they’re still in it,” Francis Stalberg and Derek Ryan. said. “They’re not sure they’re in McClement and Stalberg have it but think they’re in it. Should or the Carolina Hurri- been a big part of the league’s best they buy, should they sell?” canes, the waiting game penalty-killing units this season. Not long ago, Peters was talk- continues. McClement often has been called ing about wanting to keep “the The Canes left Mon- on for important defensive-zone group” together, maybe add to it Fday for Florida, for road games draws, and Stalberg has two for the stretch run. After the 1-3- against the Florida Panthers and short-handed goals and numer- 1 stumble at home coming off Tampa Bay Lightning. General ous short-handed chances. the Canes’ NHL bye week, that manager Ron Francis has said he Ryan also is strong in the faceoff won’t be the case. would not be making the trip but circle – he won seven of 10 draws The Hainsey trade with the would remain in Raleigh through Sunday against Calgary – and can Pens brought back forward Dan- Wednesday’s 3 pm NHL deadline be used on the power play, on dif- ny Kristo and a second-round to tend to business. ferent lines and at center or the pick in the 2017 NHL entry draft. With the Canes on their way wing. With a $600,000 salary, he That gave the Canes three sec- to missing the Stanley Cup play- also can fi t on teams squeezed by ond-round picks and 10 in all, off s for an eighth straight sea- the salary cap. providing Francis numerous op- son, Francis already has traded These are the kind of moves tions leading up to the 2017 draft veteran defenseman Ron Hain- Francis hoped he would not in June. sey to the Pittsburgh Penguins. have to consider. But after what The NHL’s new addition, the That left the Canes players won- he called a “disheartening and Vegas Golden Knights, will start dering when the next shoe would frustrating” stretch of games play in 2017-18 and will put its drop, guessing what other moves capped by a disappointing fi ve- roster together in an expansion Francis might make. game homestand that ended draft this summer. Francis and “It’s a nervous time around with Sunday’s 3-1 loss to Cal- the other NHL general manag- the league,” Canes coach Bill gary, anything could be expected ers have to keep that in mind, as Peters said Sunday. “It’s an un- Hurricanes’ Jay McClement (No 18), Viktor Stalberg (No 25), Cam Ward (No 30), Joakim Nordstrom (No 42) and Ron Hainsey (No 65) and the and justifi ed. well, in planning for the trade comfortable time for everybody Pittsburgh Penguins’ Evgeni Malkin (No 71) during their NHL game on January 20. Some big trades were made deadline. – coaches, management, eve- Sunday in the NHL – Tampa Bay “A lot of guys are trying to rybody. It’s a tough time of the families and people.” York Rangers. That was unset- Francis later traded forward Kris some of the core players and sending goalie Ben Bishop to the factor that into what they do or year. The decisions you make A year ago, the Canes parted tling for Canes center Jordan Versteeg and defenseman John- make major moves, which seems Los Angeles Kings and Arizona don’t do,” Francis said. “There impact your franchise and the ways with their captain, Eric Staal, seeing his big brother Michael Liles. unlikely, the possible Canes de- trading forward Martin Hanzal are a lot of unique factors this decisions you make can impact Staal, trading him to the New leave before the deadline, and Unless Francis decides to trade partures still remain those play- to Minnesota. year.” Gulf Times 8 Wednesday, March 1, 2017 SPORT

TENNIS FOCUS Djokovic eyes fun Murray dominant on in Acapulco aft er Aussie nightmare return but Dzumhur expected to go through those AFP Acapulco, Mexico times when you’re not playing as best as you can maybe, as best as you want to be, or maybe the op- ovak Djokovic said ponent has an amazing day. It’s Monday he is ready sport. You have to deal with it, to atone for his shock and you can always learn much dumps Wawrinka Australian Open exit as more from the losses.” In early heN prepares to return to action in round action on Monday, Ameri- Acapulco, Mexico. can eighth seed John Isner was Wawrinka was playing for the first time since suff ering a knee injury in Melbourne The 29-year-old world upset by compatriot Steve John- number two was making his bow son, going down in straight sets AFP in the tournament last night, his 6-4, 6-4. Fifth seed David Goffi n Dubai fi rst match since tumbling out in had no such diffi culty however, Melbourne last month in the sec- breezing past France’s Stephane ond round against Uzbekistand’s Robert 6-1, 6-2. orld number one Andy Mur- Denis Istomin. The Australian ray eased into the second Open defeat was the nadir of a RESULTS round of the Dubai Tennis challenging dip in form for the Men’s 1st rd: Steve Johnson (USA) Championships yesterday Serbian former world number bt John Isner (USA x8) 6-4, 6-4; Won his return to court fi ve weeks after suf- one, who has won only two titles Borna Coric (CRO) bt Lucas Gómez fering a shock Australian Open exit. since July last year. (MEX) 6-1, 6-1; Adrian Mannarino Top seed Murray, now fully fi t after a Djokovic, who is making his (FRA) bt Taylor Fritz (USA) 3-6, 7-6 bout of shingles, beat Malek Jaziri 6-4, debut in Acapulco, said he feels (7/5), 6-4; David Goff in (BEL x5) bt 6-1, avoiding the fate of second seed and in a healthier frame of mind since Stéphane Robert (FRA) 6-1, 6-2; title holder Stan Wawrinka, sensationally his travails of recent months. “All Ernesto Escobedo (USA) bt Stefan dumped out as his form collapsed follow- in all, I feel that I’m in a much Kozlov (USA) 6-1, 2-6, 6-0; Jordan ing an early 4-1 lead. better state of mind than maybe Thompson (AUS) bt Feliciano Lopez The Scot Murray, who was knocked out I was at the end of last year. So I (ESP) 2-6, 6-3, 6-3 in the fourth round in Melbourne, had to keep on going. I love this sport. Women’s 1st rd: Shelby Rogers work for 45 minutes to win the opening That’s why I’m playing it. That’s (USA) bt Louisa Chirico (USA) 6-2, set but ran away with the second against why I’m here. I’m just hoping 6-2; Pauline Parmentier (FRA) bt the outclassed Jaziri. Murray will look to that I can stay healthy and as Nicole Gibbs (USA) 7-5, 6-7 (6/8), improve in his next match after putting dedicated as best as I can be,” 6-2; Andrea Petkovic (GER x8) just 40 percent of fi rst serves into play. Djokovic said. bt Jamie Loeb (USA) 2-6, 6-1, 6-3; Jaziri was unable to capitalise on the op- Djokovic, who plays Slovakia’s Heather Watson (GBR) bt Bethanie portunity, winning just seven points on Martin Klizan in the fi rst round, Mattek-Sands (USA) 7-5, 6-3; Kris- Murray’s second serve and earning one Britain’s Andy Murray returns the ball to admitted going out in Melbourne tina Mladenovic (FRA x2) bt Varvara break chance, which he could not con- Malek Jaziri of Tunisia during the Dubai so early had come as a shock. “I Lepchenko (USA) 6-2, 6-3; Lesya vert, during the match. Championship yesterday. (AFP) haven’t experienced the fi rst- Tsurenko (UKR x7) bt Chloé Paquet In contrast, the Swiss three-time week Australian Open loss for (FRA) 6-2, 6-1; Kirsten Flipkens (BEL) Grand Slam winner Wawrinka was beaten many years,” said Djokovic. bt Renata Zarazúa (MEX) 7-5, 6-7 7-6 (7/4), 6-3 in the fi rst round by out- “But it’s kind of normal and (1/7), 6-1 sider Damir Dzumhur. Wawrinka was playing for the fi rst time since suff ering a right knee injury in Melbourne, where he reached his eighth major semi-fi nal before falling to Roger Federer. And fol- lowing defeat by the 77th-ranked jour- neyman from Bosnia-Herzegovina, he admitted that his fi tness was lacking after only a week of practice. “I started well but it was tough because I was missing a little bit of something. In practice it was starting to be OK the last few days, but today I was missing some- thing.” Dzumhur will now face Marcel Granollers of Spain. “This is a big win for me, coming on hard court against a player who likes this surface and who won the tournament last year,” the shock winner said. After taking an early lead, Wawrinka found his game slipping. By the time he got the fi rst-set tiebreak, he was playing myself. I need to practise more, to get in Donskoy beat fellow Russian Mikhail ; Fernando Verdasco (ESP) bt Andreas Seppi catch-up. The Swiss was broken twice for a better level to expect to do some good Youzhny 6-4, 6-4 to set up a match with (ITA) 6-2, 7-5; Robin Haase (BED) bt Denis Is- 5-1 in the second set before a brief rally in results,” Wawrinka said. Federer. Spain’s Fernando Verdasco de- tomin (UZB) 6-2, 6-4; Daniil Medvedev (RUS) which he broke back once. “I’m quite unhappy to lose the fi rst feated Andreas Seppi of Italy 6-2, 7-5. bt Omar Alawadhi (UAE) 6-2, 7-5; Marius Despite his exit Wawrinka said that his round. It’s tough because I played well Copil (ROM) bt Jan-Lennard Struff (GER) 6-4, knee was giving him no pain, a positive last year here. I was happy to be back. I RESULTS (X DENOTES SEEDING). 6-2; Dan Evans (GBR) bt Dustin Brown (GER) sign heading into back-to-back Masters was happy to be back on the ATP Tour af- 1st round: Damir Dzumhur (BIH) bt Stan 6-2, 6-3; Andy Murray (GBR x1) bt Malek 1000 events starting next week in Indi- ter a month.” Wawrinka (SUI x2) 7-6 (7/4), 6-3; Evgeny Don- Jaziri (TUN) 6-4, 6-1; Tomas Berdych (CZE x5) France’s Kristina Mladenovic plays a backhand during her win over an Wells and Miami. “I need to focus on Elsewhere in the fi rst round, Evgeny skoy (RUS) bt Mikhail Youzhny (RUS) 6-4, 6-4 bt Lukas Rosol (CZE) 6-3, 2-1 retired, knee Varvara Lepchenko of US at the Mexican Open, in Acapulco. (AFP)

New Formula One boss touts F1 ROUND-UP aggressive growth strategy Kimi fastest as Mercedes pile on miles

Barcelona: More teams, more sponsors and The fi rst small sign of change came on AFP didn’t trouble the top of the timesheets with a second behind Raikkonen and Hamilton. more circuits are all on the long-term wish-list for Monday when teams were told they and Barcelona only the seventh fastest lap, but did log an Formula One’s new owners, who say fans will see their drivers could post snippets of video impressive 102 laps in just a few hours. RUSSIA EXTENDS F1 GRAND changes already this season as part of an aggres- on social media channels from inside Bottas even shrugged off a minor spin to PRIX CONTRACT TO 2025 sive strategy for growth. the paddock confi nes. Bratches said the inland’s Kimi Raikkonen showed complete a full race simulation. That sort The Russian Grand Prix, scheduled for Sochi Commercial managing director Sean Bratches sport was ‘replete with opportunities to promising signs for Ferrari’s 2017 of reliability is something the beleaguered in April, will stay on the Formula One calen- says every area of the business is being looked improve at almost every turn’ Formula One season by outpacing McLaren-Honda team can only dream of as dar until 2025 after organisers agreed a new at. “There will be a point in the season where we Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton in yes- they suff ered another day dogged by reli- contract. Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry terday’sF second day of pre-season testing ability problems. Kozak said that the contract had been ex- start to eff ectuate change,” he said during the first drive television revenues, drive sponsor engage- pre-season test in Barcelona. ment and interest, create opportunities for teams in Barcelona. Radical rules changes for the Belgian rookie Stoff el Vandoorne man- tended. The original deal ran until 2020. “It’s not going to be where we just drop our and drivers.” new season mean F1 cars are wider and more aged just 40 laps to add to the limited 29 Race promoters last week announced the vision one day and that’s the vision. It’s going to Struggling Manor folded in January, leaving just powerful than their predecessors. former world champion Fernando Alonso VTB fi nancial group as new title partner for be a build and we are going to be very aggressive. 10 teams. Bratches said the aim was to put all on And that showed when Raikkonen posted completed on Monday. Vandoorne also had the race. “VTB’s involvement will only add We are going to try new things, all in the spirit of a more secure footing. “In the Premier League or a best time of 1min 20.960sec for a lap at the to have the power unit completely replaced to the continued success of the event and we better serving Formula One fans.” National Football League or Bundesliga, if a team Circuit de Catalunya circuit since 2013. Even on his MCL32. look forward to this being the start of a long The first small sign of change came on Monday goes up for sale there’s 30 individuals or entities more encouragingly for Ferrari, Raikkonen’s Only Williams suff ered a more disap- and successful relationship,” Formula One when teams were told they and their drivers could that want to buy it. When Manor goes out, that’s time came on a slower soft tyre compound to pointing day as Canadian Lance Stroll regis- chairman Chase Carey said at the time. post snippets of video on social media channels not the case today,” he said. “So we have to make the supersofts Hamilton used in posting his tered just 12 laps before a spin into the gravel Sochi hosted the fi rst Russian Grand Prix from inside the paddock confines. Bratches, a this a better business on the promoter side, on the best eff ort of 1min 20.983sec. brought a premature end to his day before in 2014, with the race winding around some former ESPN executive who reports to Formula team side. The rising tide will float all boats.” Hamilton handed over the reins of the lunch. Dutch wonder kid Max Verstappen had of the venues used for that year’s Winter One chairman Chase Carey, said the sport was Bratches said he had been “pleasantly sur- Mercedes W08 to new teammate Valtteri a quietly eff ective day for Red Bull with the Olympics. President Vladimir Putin has at- “replete with opportunities to improve at almost prised” by strong interest in hosting races from Bottas for the afternoon session. The Finn third fastest time and 89 laps, albeit well over tended all the races held there to date. every turn. I have been in the off ice every Satur- cities, states and countries who currently do not day and Sunday for the last month since I got here have one and there would “unequivocally” be and I don’t see it ending. There’s a lot to do.” new races in the United States and elsewhere. The sport changed hands in January, when “There’s a huge opportunity out there to reset the Liberty Media replaced 86-year-old former com- promoter base,” he added. mercial supremo Bernie Ecclestone with Carey. Ec- Carey has talked about treating each race like a clestone, a lifelong deal-maker, was unconvinced SuperBowl weekend, with events building to the by social media after growing the sport into a main event, and Bratches concurred. “We have 20 billion dollar business through television deals extraordinary events every single year that hap- and hosting fees from countries in increasingly pen in 20 diff erent countries. There’s a huge op- exotic locations. portunity to amplify the event and really detonate The Briton also saw no need for a spokesman the possibilities,” he said. or media department, something the new own- Liberty have talked about adding more races ers are putting in place along with a well-staff ed in North America, where the Texan capital Austin marketing operation. “We are going to pivot from currently hosts the only US round of the champi- what has been a very deal- oriented structure to onship. Bratches did not give details but Las Vegas one where we are formulating a strategic plan is a clear target. that we are going to execute on relentlessly over “We have an extraordinary iconic circuit in the mid to long-term,” said Bratches. Austin and I think that race is poised to grow “We’d love to see more teams, we’d love to see and continue its position as one of our kind of more sponsors and we’d love to see more circuits hub races,” he said. “At the same time. I actually in the right places. Places that we believe are think driving interest in the United States through growth-oriented and can improve not only from a other circuits will actually amplify the value of the fan standpoint but improve the overall economics, circuit in Austin.” Ferrari’s Kimi Raikkonen in action during yesterday’s second day of pre-season testing in Barcelona. (Reuters) Gulf Times Wednesday, March 1, 2017 9 SPORT

SPOTLIGHT Riders’ body calls for more safety tests on disc brakes

Reuters Samla desert trek London iders’ union, the Professional Cyclists Association (CPA), is threatening legal Raction against world governing body the UCI over its ongoing trial of disc brakes. Fears that the brakes, a sharp-edged exposed disc, could cause serious injuries prompted turns more arduous the CPA to call for further tests before they are allowed to be trialled in more races. In a statement, the CPA, which represents the The third edition of the race, that spans 200km and focuses on the remote and culturally main tour team riders, said it was concerned that safety features such as the rounding of the rich locations, has been scheduled from April 9 to 12 and carries a prize money of QR1.35mn profile of the discs and fitting them with protec- tive covers had not been implemented. “The CPA has sent a legal warning to the UCI to inform it that the CPA is very con- cerned about the situation that has arisen since the authorisation to use the disc brakes during the races,” the statement said. “The trial has started before appropriate tests were conducted on the risks to which the riders are exposed in the event of ac- cidental contact with the discs (for example during a group fall).” CPA president Gianni Bugno said repeated calls to safeguard riders had come to noth- ing. “Now we feel compelled to act in a stronger way to be heard,” he said. “As we have always said we are not against the disc brakes but against the non-implementation of the security measures that the majority of the riders asked for.” The UCI did not immedi- ately respond to a request for comment. Britain’s Team Sky rider Owain Doull said he was cut on the foot by a disc brake at- tached to the bike of Quick-Step rider Marcel Kittel during last week’s Abu Dhabi Tour. “It’s gone straight through my shoe into my foot. That’s lucky it is not my leg. If that had been my leg it would have cut straight to it,” Doull was quoted as saying at the time. “Unless there are covers on then you should not use them.” The World Federation of the Sporting Organising Committee CEO Azzam bin Abdelaziz al-Mannaie (2nd from left), addresses the media. Also seen are Dr Khalid bin Ibrahim al-Sulaiti, General Manager, Cultural Village Goods Industry (WFSGI) issued a statement Foundation, Katara; Essa bin Abdallah al-Hetmi, General Manager of Al Kaas TV Channels; and Mohamed Khalifa al-Suwaidi, CEO of Aspire Zone. The Samla event will be held from April 9-12. yesterday disputing whether disc brakes caused Doull’s injury, saying it was likely to By Sports Reporter challenges in fray. The ultra race and low the course markers through a will be March 16 or when the number from the organising committee. have been caused by coming into contact Doha trek spans 96 hours, and unlike last number of checkpoints. of registered competitors touch 500 Also present on the occasion were with crash barriers. year when the race was held in stag- “They also have to complete the whichever is earliest. Dr Khalid bin Ibrahim al-Sulaiti, Meanwhile, Tour de France director Christian es, this time it will be back-to-back set course, walking on foot, inspir- Al-Mannaie even warned compet- General Manager, The Cultural Vil- Prudhomme said yesterday that discussions he organisers of the elite ultra- (continuous). The cut-off time has ing their personal physical strength itors against taking any stimulant, as lage Foundation-Katara; Essa bin on reducing the number of riders per team in sporting event — the Samla been kept to 96 hours, giving free will to the fi nishing line as quickly as they not only this may have side-eff ects, Abdallah al-Hetmi, General Manager grand tours were still ongoing. In November, Desert Extreme Trek — un- to the runners to take their own time, can,” al-Mannaie added. but it will also rule them out of the of Al Kaas TV Channels; and Mo- Tour organisers ASO, who also own the Tour Tveiled the logo and the pro- but not beyond 96 hours.” Al-Mannaie further explained that competition. Further, he will be fi ned. hamed Khalifa al-Suwaidi, CEO of of Spain (Vuelta), as well as Giro d’Italia owners gramme for this year’s edition at a packed “The race consists of diff erent the race is made up of 10 main diff er- The Organising Committee CEO Aspire Zone. RCS and Tour of Flanders organisers Flanders media conference, in Katara yesterday. challenges. There is a mix between ent stages and the competitor has to stressed that the main objective of Classics, said grand tours would feature eight The third edition of the race, that walking and running on sand dunes pass on each and every stage to move the Samla Desert Extreme Trek is to Prize money distribution instead of nine riders per teams. spans 200km and focuses on the re- and on land, kayaking, shooting and to the following one. The race will be build a healthy, physically fi t and ca- Winner: QR500,000 Under the plans, put forward to improve mote and culturally rich locations, cycling. After every 10 kilometres, staged in the desert starting from the pable Qatari generation. “We also en- Runner-up: QR300,000 safety and enhance the spectacle for fans, has been scheduled from April 9 to 12. there would be camps off ering par- Sealine region and ending in Al Je- courage young people to exercise and 3rd place finisher: QR200,000 the biggest one-day classic races would be It carries a whopping prize money of ticipants replacements. Consider- mailia town. take on healthy food and whatever it 4th to 10th place finishers: held with seven instead of eight riders per QR1.35mn. ing these factors this year’s race is The Organising Committee CEO takes to enhance their endurance ca- Medal and QR75,000 team. Teams have not agreed to it, and the Speaking on the occasion, Az- defi nitely more competitive and also noted that Samla, a Qatari cul- pabilities,” he said. Other than that, each finisher beyond International Cycling Union has yet to rubber zam bin Abdelaziz al-Mannaie, CEO challenging. It also gauges the com- tural word, stands for persistence, Samla is exclusively for Qatari male 10th place will receive a consolation stamp the decision. The teams pay the cy- of the Organising Committee, said: petitors’ strong mentality, individual patience, and challenge. The number citizens above 18 years old. Participants prize of QR10,000 each. clists and having fewer competitors in major “This year the race promises to be talents, and physical strength.” of competitors already registered is have to agree on the terms and condi- More details are available at www. races means riders racing less. more exciting and arduous with new “The competitors will have to fol- 420 and the registration deadline tions before getting their fi nal approval samla.com

FOCUS NU-Q forum focuses on sports media Toyota Qatar was golden sponsor of The panel discussion was attended by NU-Q professor Craig LaMay, SC assistant secretary general Nasser al-Khater (2nd from left), Jackie Brock-Doyle from the Emir’s Sword Showjumping Ch’ship IAAF and Nigel Rushman, founder of Rushmans. By Sports Reporter characterises sports activities that combine the Doha rider and the horse. An important aspect is the role of the track designers. Most of the track designers are former bdullah Abdulghani & Bros Co, the sole famous equestrians. Working with variables and agent for Toyota in the State of Qatar, unlimited number of barriers as well as the iden- sponsored the Qatar International Show- tifi cation of distances between barriers to fi t the Ajumping Championship held at the Qatar normal steps for the horses and assess dimen- Racing and Equestrian Club from February 23-25. sions and convergence within the track and pre- HH The Emir’s Sword Showjumping Champi- pare tracks to test the skill of the jockey and his onship is considered one of the fi ve-star inter- horse requires accurate measuring skills. national equestrian tournaments and witnesses Abdullah Abdulghani & Bros Co wishes to ex- the participation of internationally classifi ed press its deep honour and pride in sponsoring equestrians. The majority of the tournament this landmark event, which has always been a competitions comprise of high altitude obsta- practice for AAB to support major events spon- cles, and the riders need to deal with sharp turns sored by the government, whether sports, social, and have the necessary speed to manoeuvre the educational, cultural or charitable. most diffi cult courses. The company has always been at the fore- These features, which are unique to the front, not only as market leader in the automo- equestrians, are similar to Toyota cars which bile sector, but also in contributing generously are manufactured with the highest quality, sta- to national and international organisations and bility and security. events. The company always strives to live up to By Sports Reporter ployed by countries hosting mega events, the in media strategies to ensure that messages Horse jumping obstacles are the best repre- its tradition as a socially responsible corporation Doha Supreme Committee’s al-Khater noted: “There reach out to as wide an audience as possible, sentation of equestrian sport. The fans are given supporting important activities in the country, are several factors and layers to successful and ensure that organising committees are as a demonstration of attractive combination of art especially aimed at the well-being of the people media strategies for such events. Crucially accessible as possible. and beauty and any other sophisticated link that and the nation. atar’s quest to be a destination for though, they must be relevant, authentic Panellist Rushman, the founder of Rush- sports media and marketing was and reflect the host country’s aspirations for mans consultancy, emphasised on the need touted at a recent Qatar Media holding the mega event in the first place. For to have an active and engaged presence on QIndustries Forum, hosted by North- example, our bid to host the 2022 FIFA World social media in order to ensure that an organi- western University in Qatar (NU-Q). Cup highlighted the role that the tournament sation or event plays a role in shaping and The panel discussion, which was moder- plays in supporting the Qatar National Vision controlling the story being told about it online. ated by NU-Q professor and sports media 2030, particularly in relation to the diversifi- In terms of the panel’s advice to local me- expert Craig LaMay, covered several areas cation of the economy.” dia on how to make the most of Qatar’s grow- in which Qatar has gained unique expertise “Communications around Qatar’s progress ing profile as a host of several international in recent years. Panellists included Nasser in hosting what will be an amazing World Cup sporting events, most notably the upcoming al-Khater, assistant secretary general, Tour- are important in raising awareness about the 2019 World Athletics Championship and the nament Aff airs, at the Supreme Committee country and the region on the global stage, 2022 World Cup, the panel noted that local for Delivery and Legacy; Jackie Brock-Doyle building our reputation as a welcoming and media could benefit by expanding their read- OBE, executive director for communications dynamic place to visit and in which to do ership potential given the global audiences at IAAF and former director of communica- business,” he added. such events attract. tions and public aff airs for London Olym- In a discussion on the diff erence between More generally, the panel also highlighted pics 2012; and Nigel Rushman, founder of proactive and reactive communication, IAAF’s the key role local media play in the social and Rushmans. Doyle said while host countries often focus economic development that go hand in hand In his opening remarks at the forum, Ev- on reacting to any negative coverage, with hosting mega events and ensuring that erette E Dennis, dean and CEO of NU-Q, said “it is also essential to proactively reach they leave a lasting and positive legacy. that the forum “brings together individuals out to your core stakeholders and anyone QMIF, which was established by NU-Q in and representatives from news organisa- in support of a mega event, as they are your 2012, is a unique forum that engages decision tions, television stations, PR firms, advertis- most important ambassadors. Any host makers in topics of critical importance to ing, and other media companies to speak country’s communication and media strategy Qatar’s emerging media and communications together in one place about the many ways should be a balancing act between listening industry. It was established as part of a wider in which the media industry in Qatar has to critiques but also reaching out to support- eff ort to provide thought leadership, educate grown and developed. This pace cannot slow ers, who are able to tell your story in a much future media and communications leaders now as it gears up to welcome even more more authentic and organic way.” in Qatar and the Middle East, and produce visitors, athletes and journalists.” The panel also emphasised the need to em- groundbreaking research on industry trends While discussing media strategies de- brace the use of emerging new technologies and media consumption in the region. Gulf Times 10 Wednesday, March 1, 2017 SPORT

ATHLETICS FOCUS Rights groups praise IOC’s revised Track queen Felix Games contract sets her sights on

Reuters become more intense. Berlin The IOC move is aimed at 2020 Olympics cities dealing with any human rights or labour issues before new contract for they are elected as hosts. ‘Yes, I think I want to do it. I am still excited about the sport’ future Olympic A Russian city and Qatar’s Games hosts that Doha are seen as potential makes the protec- early candidates for the 2028 tionA of human rights a core Summer Games. The IOC said AFP Los Angeles Allyson Felix requirement earned praise in its new contract the “the from rights groups yesterday host city... (must) protect and who say preparations of ma- respect human rights and en- S track queen Allyson Felix jor sports events lead to rights sure any violation of human said she has set her sights violations. rights is remedied in a manner on the 2020 Olympics after The International Olympic consistent with international winning a record sixth gold Committee has now made a agreements, laws and regula- Umedal at last year’s Rio games. specifi c reference to the pro- tions applicable in the host The 31-year-old 400m and 200m tection of human rights in its country”. star revealed she plans to compete revised host city contract, sent Sharan Burrow, general in at least one more Olympics after out to the 2024 summer Ol- secretary of the International being honoured as female athlete of ympic bid cities. Trade Union Confederation, the year at the Los Angeles Sports Paris and Los Angeles are which is part of the Sports and Awards. the only two candidates left in Rights Alliance (SRA) along Felix became the only female track the race, with the IOC to elect with HRW, said the move and fi eld athlete in history to win six the winner in September. could help “break the cycle of Olympic gold medals last year when “Time after time, Olympic human rights abuses, and this she added the 4x100m and 4x400m hosts have gotten away with example from the IOC should titles to the four golds she accumu- abusing workers building sta- be applied to all such events”. lated at the 2008 and 2012 Games. diums, and with crushing crit- Preparations for the Bei- The Los Angeles native stands tied ics and media who try to report jing 2008 Olympics saw with Jamaican great Merlene Ottey about abuses,” Minky Worden, forced evictions to make way as the most decorated female Olym- director of global initiatives at for venues while China’s hu- pian in track and fi eld history with a Human Rights Watch (HRW), man rights record remained a total of nine Olympic medals. said in a statement. topic throughout the seven- Felix said she planned to scale back “The right to host the Ol- year process to the start of the her commitments in order to com- ympics needs to come with the Games. pete in Tokyo — in what would be her responsibility not to abuse ba- Contractors building fi fth Olympics. sic human rights.” projects for Sochi 2014, which “Yes, I think I want to do it,” Fe- With the cost, disruption cost $51bn, were accused of lix said when asked if she planned and domestic politics deterring abusing the rights migrant to race in Japan. “I am still excited some Western cities from even workers, withholding pay and about the sport. bidding, as well as a desire by threatening them while the “The biggest thing I have learned sports bosses to leverage inter- overall budget ballooned into (in 2016) is that now I have all this est in developing countries, the the biggest in the history of experience, I know that I can train focus on rights is only likely to the Games. smarter and need to compete less.” Felix started 2016 targeting an Ol- ympic 400m-200m double but saw her season derailed by a freak gym Former Soviet gymnast Korbut accident when she stepped on | a medicine ball and injured her sells off Olympic medals ankle. She struggled to regain full fi tness Phelps frustrated by Rio doping fears Olga Korbut, the gymnastics darling of the 1972 Munich in time for the US Olympic trials, Olympics who has apparently fallen on hard times, has sold off where she booked her ticket to Rio US swimming legend cerns,” Phelps wrote in his gold medals to boost his all- her Games medals and other trophies through a US auction with a battling win in the 400m but Michael Phelps has spoken statement. time tally to 23. house. failed to qualify in the 200m. of his frustration at the possi- “In the year leading up to the The American superstar said Thirty-two lots, including two golds and a silver from the In Rio she came within a whisker bility rivals were using drugs Games there was uncertainty the suspicion that some rivals Munich Olympics, fetched $333,500 in a weekend online sale of winning gold in the 400m, taking at last year’s Rio de Janeiro and suspicion. I along with throughout his career were by Heritage Auctions for the former Soviet gymnast who silver after being beaten by Olympics. a number of other athletes cheating had consistently now lives in Arizona, auction house spokesman Chris Ivy told just 0.07sec after Shaunae Miller Phelps, in written testimony signed a petition requesting rankled him. Reuters on Monday. of the Bahamas dived for the fi nish released ahead of his ap- that all athletes be tested “Throughout my career I The top item was her team gold medal, which brought line. pearance on Tuesday at a US in the months prior to the have suspected that some $66,000 for the 61-year-old Korbut, a native Belarusian who Felix said after her injury-disrupt- congressional hearing into Games. athletes were cheating and in moved to the United States in 1991. ed 2016 she had regained fi tness as drug use in sport, said he and “Unfortunately, the uncertain- some cases those suspicions Russia’s Gazeta.ru news reported that she has had financial dif- she looks ahead to this year’s World teammates were left won- ty remained even through the were confirmed,” Phelps ficulties. “Medals saved Korbut from hunger,” said the Gazeta. Championships in London. dering whether they were Games and I watched how wrote. ru headline, the BBC reported. “I’m feeling like myself again and competing on a level playing this aff ected my teammates “Given all the testing I and At the age of 17, the 4-foot-11 (1.5 m) Korbut made a giant im- it feels good,” Felix said, adding that field in Rio. and fellow competitors. We so many others have been pression across the globe at the Munich Games with electrify- she will focus on the 200m, what she It followed a build-up to the all felt the frustration, which through I have a hard time ing routines that brought her team, balance beam and floor described as “my favourite event.” Games dogged by drugs undermines so much of the understanding this... I can’t exercise gold and a silver in the uneven bars. “I don’t think I will ever be done scandals and revelations of a belief and confidence we adequately describe how Four years later Korbut, who triggered an explosion of interest with it until the end,” she said. state-backed Russian doping work so hard to build up to frustrating it is to see another in gymnastics, added another gold and a silver at the Montreal programme across multiple prepare for the Olympics.” athlete break through per- Olympics. Felix said she planned to scale sports. Phelps, 31, retired from formance barriers in unrealis- Sale items included one of her performance leotards, her 1972 back her commitments in order “Rio was also unique because swimming after Rio, his fifth tic timeframes, knowing what BBC Sports Personality of the Year Award and various Soviet to compete in Tokyo — in what of increased doping con- Olympics, adding five more I had to go through to do it.” medals. would be her fi ft h Olympics

In South Korea, the race is on for Qatar ladies finish third at GCC Golf Championship Olympics 5G next year Tech-savvy sports enthusiasts to try to standardise norms will get their money’s worth between diff erent countries at next year’s Pyeongchang for smooth 5G use worldwide. Winter Olympics where South Manufacturers must also Korea’s KT mobile operator build infrastructure that can wants to give spectators what carry mobile phone signals it hopes will be their first 5G powerful and quick enough experience. Telecom firms to unfailingly support split- have long been racing to second activities, such as sur- develop this new, fifth gen- gical operations or automatic eration of mobile networks traff ic movement. But South that is expected to enable Korea is planning to use the lightning-quick downloads Olympic Winter Games in or driverless cars guided by February 2018 to test 5G on automatic connections to traf- the hundreds of thousands of fic systems. At the weekend spectators, providing them launch of Barcelona’s Mobile with access to very high World Congress, the world’s definition content or virtual biggest mobile expo, Spain’s reality. The current 4G stand- King Felipe VI said it would ard enables fast broadband spark a “revolution in our access via mobile smart- lives and in the economy.” phones, but government and Speaking at the high-profile manufacturers see the next expo, KT chief executive generation enabling connec- Chang-Gyu Hwang promised tion speeds up to 1,000 times that 5G would bring “dramatic faster than current ones. changes.” “Operators are looking to 5G “KT will introduce brand new as a diff erentiator, especially services that have not ever in markets where LTE (4G) been possible with the radio is ubiquitous” such as South technologies of the current Korea, says Dexter Thillien, an generations,” a spokesman analyst at BMI Research. for the South Korean firm But as companies battle to added. Commercialisation of reach the 5G Holy Grail, com- Qatar ladies team comprising Yasmian al-Sharshani and Maryam al-Sada finished third with a total score of 682 in the 3rd GCC Ladies Golf Championship held in Bahrain from 5G is still not expected to start petition is more than stiff and February 20 to 23. Qatar men’s team players Saleh al-Kaabi, Ali al-Shahrani, Abdulrahman al-Shahrani and Sami Qush came fourth with a total score of 976 in the 21st before 2020, as companies South Korea runs the risk of GCC Men’s Golf Championship. Qatar delegation was headed by QGA executive director Mohamed Faisal al-Naimi and coach Mike Elliott. and governments negotiate being pipped to the post. Gulf Times Wednesday, March 1, 2017 11 CRICKET

SPOTLIGHT FOCUS England call up Kohli will be back Curran for West Indies series bigger and stronger, Agencies Born in South Africa and ini- London tially educated in Durban, Tom Curran was spotted by former Surrey captain Ian Greig while om Curran, the Surrey playing schools cricket. He was seamer, has received his invited to play Second XI cricket fi rst senior England call- for Surrey in 2012 and qualifi ed says paceman Starc up after being added to to represent England last year. Tthe squad in the Caribbean as Meanwhile, England opener cover the injured Jake Ball. Alex Hales should play a role af- Ball was due to undergo a scan ter all in West Indies after earn- ‘He’s a class player, we all know that. He’s scored a mountain of runs this year’ on his right knee after pulling ing a call-up only a month after up lame during his third over he had been omitted because of a Agencies of England’s second warm-up right hand fracture. New Delhi match on Monday and failing to The 28-year-old Nottingham- Australia’s Mitchell Starc triggered India’s downfall run off what was originally con- shire batsman — who has 11 Tests in last week’s first Test in Pune by claiming the sidered a simple niggle. and 40 One Day Internationals itchell Starc may have won wickets of Cheteshwar Pujara and Virat Kohli in With the fi rst of three one- under his belt — suff ered the in- the opening duel against quick succession in the first innings. (AFP) day internationals against West jury during January’s disastrous Indian skipper Virat Kohli Indies starting on Friday in An- tour of India. by getting the star batsman tigua, the selectors have turned However, having been left out Mout for a duck in the fi rst Test, but the to Curran, 21, after two impres- when the original squad was an- Australian fast bowler insists the battle sive recent outings for the Lions nounced on January 27th he has has just begun. Starc triggered India’s in which he claimed 10 wickets been summoned after a scan downfall in last week’s fi rst Test in Pune during a 1-1 series draw against confi rmed he has suffi ciently by claiming the wickets of Cheteshwar Sri Lanka A. The call-up sees recovered although he will still Pujara and Kohli in quick succession in him leapfrog his younger brother have to undergo rehab when he the fi rst innings before left-arm spinner and Surrey teammate, Sam Cur- gets to the West Indies to ensure Steve O’Keefe took charge. ran, who is also part of the Lions he is fully fi t. Australia bowled out India for paltry set-up and came close to selec- Hales, who last year made totals of 105 and 107 in the two innings, tion when his fellow-left-armer, England’s highest individual ODI with O’Keefe taking a total of 12 wickets David Willey, was ruled out of score — 171 against Pakistan at as the visitors wrapped up a 333-run win the tour with injury, only for Ste- his Trent Bridge home ground inside three days. Kohli, who has been in ven Finn to be preferred. — will rejoin his international red-hot form in recent months, had a rare As a right-armer, the elder team-mates three days before failure with scores of 0 and 13 in his two Curran provides England a more the fi rst match in Antigua on outings. Guilty of chasing Starc’s wide like-for-like replacement for Ball March 3. Hales tweeted: “Anti- delivery outside the off -stump, Kohli and is the quicker of the two also. gua tomorrow. Can’t wait to get gave away a catch to Peter Handscomb at The son of former Zimbabwe all- back amongst it!” fi rst slip and the batting soon fell apart on rounder Kevin Curran, he shot to “Alex Hales arrives tomor- a sharply turning wicket. prominence in 2015 when his 76 row evening local time,” the ECB “We know (Kohli) is going to be an- wickets powered Surrey’s pro- confi rmed. “He will continue his other key wicket for the rest of the series. motion to Division One. rehab with us until the medical There’s six more times we’ve got to get “It’s all pretty surreal right and coaching teams deem he is him out to really cement this series,” Starc now,” said Curran in an England fi t enough to join the squad of- told reporters yesterday. “We know he’ll and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) fi cially.” come back bigger and stronger, but he’s statement before leaving the England are due to play a three one I’ll take over Pujara at the moment,” Lions hotel near Dambulla, Sri match ODI series against the Starc said when asked to rate the impor- Lanka yesterday. “But I’m giddy, West Indians, two games in An- tance of his twin strikes in Pune. I can’t wait to get out there.” tigua and one in Barbados. Starc and Kohli are former team-mates for the Indian Premier League (IPL) side Royal Challengers Bangalore, and the Tom Curran. Australian is well aware of how dangerous the Indian skipper can be once he gets his eye in. “He’s a class player, we all know that. He’s scored a mountain of runs al- ready this year. We’re going to have to be wary of that Virat comeback,” Starc said of Kohli, who has scored double centuries in four successive series. “We are really happy that it happened that way for us, but we know that one Test is not going to win us the series. It’s three important Test matches to go.” much need for us on that wicket.” spin as much in Bangalore, we’re going to two teams are also due to play in Ranchi Starc is also bracing for a heavier work- With the smarting hosts unlikely to have to make sure we’re using that reverse and Dharamsala. load in the second Test having hardly bro- repeat the mistake of rolling out an- swing to make up for not as much spin as Barring a last-minute intervention ken a sweat in his team’s romp in the se- other turning track at Bengaluru, Starc we’ve seen here in Pune.” from the home side, the second Test will ries opener in Pune. “It’s amazing. I think reckoned he and Hazlewood would have Starc did not hide his glee at having be played on a “sporting” pitch which it’s making up for the summer Josh and to shoulder more responsibility in the silenced those who had predicted a 4-0 will be fair to both teams, organisers in I had,” Starc said. “The spinners bowled match starting on Saturday. whitewash for his team though he refused Bengaluru have said. Pitch talk domi- really well and the pitch didn’t have much “I’m sure it will be a pretty dry wicket to get totally carried away. nated reaction in India to their series- in it for Josh and me. again, so that will probably help reverse “To shut a few people up and really opening defeat inside three days in Pune. “There was very minimal natural swing swing there and it’s something we’ll be show that this young team is here to play Many believe India’s ploy to roll out because it was so abrasive and it didn’t working hard at all the time in the nets,” has been great for the group. But it’s one a turning track backfi red on the hosts, really go too much reverse. But when Ste- said the 27-year-old. test win, it’s not a series win yet so we’ll who would do well not to ask for a similar ve’s taking that many wickets and Nath- “It’s about looking after that shine on be doing all we can,” he added. pitch as they chase a series-levelling vic- an’s bowling really well there’s not really an abrasive square. And if it’s not going to After the next Test in Bangalore, the tory in the second Test.

ROUND-UP First Test pitch in Pune ‘poor’, says match referee Broad

AFP Graeme Hick has since been appointed also announced that Vaman Viswanath New Delhi as the Australia team batting coach, Kumar and late Ramakant Desai have while the second coaching role is newly been nominated for the BCCI Special created. The pair start work next week. Award in recognition of their services atch referee Chris Broad Their fi rst assignment will be leading to Indian cricket. has rated the Pune track as Australia’s under-19 side in a home Meanwhile, it was also announced poor after the fi rst Test be- series against Sri Lanka in April, with that the fi fth MAK Pataudi Memorial tween India and Australia Elliott to coach the team and Harris his Lecture will be delivered by former In- Mended inside three days on a sharply assistant. dia wicket-keeper Farokh Engineer on turning wicket, the ICC said yester- March 8 in Bengaluru. Engineer rep- day. Australia won the Test by 333 runs GOEL, SHIVALKAR TO GET resented India in 46 Test matches and with spinner Steve O’Keefe claiming 12 LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD fi ve ODIs. The lecture will be followed wickets at Pune’s Maharashtra Cricket Former left-arm spinners Rajinder by BCCI Annual Awards 2016-17. Association Stadium, which was host- Goel and Padmakar Shivalkar have ing its fi rst-ever Test. been nominated for the CK Nayudu GUNARATNE, DICKWELLA India, the world’s number one Test Lifetime Achievement Award for 2016, NAMED IN TEST SQUAD side, were bowled out for 105 and 107 the Board of Control for Cricket in In- Batsmen Asela Gunaratne and Niro- on a pitch which took spin from day dia (BCCI) announced on Monday. shan Dickwella have been named in Sri one, sparking criticism of the quality of “The committee consisting of N. Lanka’s squad for the two-Test series the track. “Broad, in accordance with Ram, Ramachandra Guha and Diana against Bangladesh, following their Clause 3 of the ICC Pitch and Outfi eld Edulji believed that BCCI needs to rec- success in limited-overs internationals Monitoring Process, submitted his re- ognise the services rendered by Goel over the past month. port to the ICC in which he expressed and Shivalkar who were not fortunate Gunaratne hit two match-winning concern over the quality of the pitch,” enough to play for India,” a release said. fi fties in the recent T20 series in Aus- the International Cricket Council (ICC) The two left-arm spinners trauma- tralia, and had also struck a maiden said in a statement. tised the batsmen picking wickets in ODI hundred in South Africa earlier in Broad’s report has been forwarded a heap. Rajinder ended his career with the month. Dickwella, meanwhile, has to the Board of Control for Cricket in a staggering 750 fi rst-class wickets, been eff ective at the top of the order in India, which has 14 days to respond. including 637 scalps in the Ranji Tro- the shorter formats. Its response will be studied by Geoff phy, the most by any bowler in the Among those omitted from the Allardice, the ICC’s General Manager India’s captain Virat Kohli (centre) points out marks on the pitch to umpire Richard Kettleborough of England on the third tournament’s history. Shivalkar played squad include Kusal Perera, who has — Cricket, and Ranjan Madugalle, a day of the first Test against Australia in Pune last week. (AFP) 124 fi rst-class games and claimed 589 been in poor form and opener Kaushal member of the elite panel of match ref- wickets. He picked up 42 fi ve-wicket Silva. The Test series begins on March erees, before a fi nal ruling on whether EX-TEST PLAYERS TO DEVELOP other applicants to be picked as high et Australia executive general manager hauls and on 13 occasions registered a 7 in Galle. the pitch was sub-standard. YOUNG AUSSIE TALENT performance coaches at the National Pat Howard. 10-wicket haul. Sri Lanka squad: Rangana Herath (capt), Pune could escape with a warning Former Test stars Ryan Harris and Mat- Cricket Centre, entrusted with devel- “Both have come through the Cricket The BCCI also introduced the Life- Dinesh Chandimal (wk), Dimuth Karu- since it was hosting a Test for the fi rst thew Elliott were yesterday appointed oping the country’s future stars. Australia coaching pathway and have a time Achievement Award for Women naratne, Niroshan Dickwella, Upul Tha- time, or a fi ne of not more than $15,000 to nurture young Australian talent, “We have undertaken a thorough strong understanding of the challenges to “recongnize the contribution of ranga, Dhananjaya de Silva, Kusal Mendis, along with a directive to take corrective with the pair’s fi rst assignment an un- process to fi nd the best coaches to that lie ahead in developing Australian women cricketers”. Former captain Asela Gunaratne, Suranga Lakmal, Lahiru action. The second Test starts in Ban- der-19 series against Sri Lanka. mentor Australia’s emerging talent and cricketers to be ready for fi rst-class and Shanta Rangaswamy, who led India Kumara, Nuwan Pradeep, Vikum Sanjaya, galore on Saturday followed by matches Fast bowler Harris and batsman El- we are extremely excited to have both international cricket.” in 12 Test matches and in 16 ODIs, has Dilruwan Perera, Lakshan Sandakan, in Ranchi and Dharamsala. liott beat off competition from 38 Matthew and Ryan joining,” said Crick- Former high performance coach been nominated for the award. BCCI Malinda Pushpakumara. Wednesday, March 1, 2017 GULF TIMES SPORT

FOCUS QOC’s Shine athletes head back to Brazil, determined to achieve Olympic dreams ‘Olympic spirit is all about bridging sport, culture, education and diversity and this is exactly what we aimed to spread through our Shine project. We are so pleased that this training camp has been a huge success’

By Sports Reporter Doha

he Qatar Olympic Committee’s Shine training camp at the As- pire Academy has concluded following a week that com- Tbined world-class coaching with edu- cational and cultural activities. Brazil’s talented young athletes are returning home inspired and motivated for the next step on their journeys to becoming their nation’s future sporting heroes. A key highlight of the athletes’ stay in Qatar came following their week of intense training when they had the op- portunity to meet football legend Xavi, as he trained at Al Sadd football ground. Xavi spent time talking to the athletes about his own sporting experiences and providing inspirational advice about overcoming challenges. “My advice to the athletes is to not quit running after their dreams — they have to sacrifi ce and work hard and they have to love what they are doing. “They have the opportunity to shine in athletics. My beginning in football wasn’t so easy and I know that these athletes come from poor neighbour- hoods in Brazil. They’ve had a great opportunity being brought here by the QOC in order to have training sessions at the wonderful facilities of Aspire. I wish them success and luck,” Xavi said. In addition to their training sessions, the athletes were able to experience Qa- tar’s unique culture and heritage with visits that included Souq Waqif and Spanish football the Qatari desert, as well as exchanging legend and Al traditions and lifestyles with the Aspire Sadd player Academy’s own students. Many of the Xavi with Shine athletes had not left Brazil before so the athletes at the Shine project provided an opportunity Al Sadd ground. for them understand a new culture and a new part of the world. QOC secretary general Dr Thani al- Kuwari explained how he hopes the Shine athlete experience will benefi t the athletes: Sarah Morais “The Olympic spirit is all about bridg- ing sport, culture, education and diver- sity and this is exactly what we aimed to spread through our Shine project.” “We are so pleased that this train- ing camp has been a huge success and we hope that it will have provided the young athletes with new experiences, knowledge and understanding that will have a positive impact on their future lives,” he added. “These athletes are incredibly tal- ented and it has been a pleasure to host them here in Qatar in cooperation with the Qatar Athletics Federation and As- pire Academy to support their sporting dreams. We wish them the best of luck with the next steps on their athletics careers and look forward to closely fol- lowing their progress,” he added. The athletics training sessions at High-jumper Kerinde de Brites da Silva trains at the Shine camp. Shine athletes during a training session at the Aspire Academy in Doha. the state-of-the-art Aspire Academy the QOC, Aspire Academy, Qatar Ath- equipped the athletes with new tech- Qatar has given them information and the Shine athletes. camp, talented 400m runner, 21-year-old letes back home. My aim is to learn a letics Federation, Rio de Janeiro Ath- niques, expertise and personalised sci- guidance that can help take their train- “I think they will benefi t greatly from Sarah Morais, described exactly what this lot from what happened here and to do letics Federation and Futuro Olimpico, entifi c and physiological measurements ing to new levels. the training camp, especially since they opportunity meant to her: “The experi- my best to be back here in 2019 for the an NGO founded by Brazilian Olympic that they can take back to Brazil and ap- Dr Hazem Farid, Deputy Sports Di- have used the facilities at Aspire and ence in Doha was a very positive one — to World Championships.” bronze medallist, Arnaldo de Oliveira, ply to their own future sessions. rector of the Aspire Academy, explained worked with numerous coaches from dif- be training with the coaches from As- The Shine project is the QOC’s Rio who travelled to Qatar with the athletes. These are some of Brazil’s most tal- further: “The exchange of experience, ferent backgrounds. It is safe to say that pire, working in a great atmosphere with 2016 legacy project and was established The highlights, including fi lms and ented youngsters who have dreams of knowledge and expertise between the Aspire Academy has some of the best amazing facilities and training fi elds. to leave a meaningful impact on the interviews, from Shine training camp becoming future Olympic and World Shine coach and our coaches will have coaches and sport scientists in the world.” “I am going to transmit everything lives of Brazil’s talented young athletes. can be found on the QOC’s social media champions and their experience in a positive impact on the performance of Following the conclusion of the training that I have learnt here to my fellow ath- The project is a partnership between channels under the hashtag #YallaQatar.

RUGBY We want to be the top team in Asia, says QRF chief

By Mikhil Bhat nament at their hands, which includes scale is much bigger.” of good quality nationals playing in the Doha Singapore, Thailand, UAE, India, Jor- Talking about Qatar’s preparation on team, alongside some really good dan, Pakistan, Philippines, Bangladesh, the pitch, al-Kuwari said: “The team expat talent. Iran and Nepal. has been training hard for the tourna- “We have been looking at adding he Qatar Rugby Federation “Going from three teams to 11 teams ment. But so have the opposition. more Qatari names, but to start out (QRF) has been using the As- has been a challenge on its own. Ho- “This is a great opportunity for us at with three in a game of Sevens is actu- pire warm-up track in recent tel, transportation, medical, visas, the a playing and also at an organisational ally great. Frankly we have more Qatari Ttimes as a training ground and magnitude has increased, but in the end level. For all you know in the future we nationals but they haven’t made the cut a tournament venue. it is all worth with the experience,” could look at hosting some of the big- to the team yet, and we hope that they In preparation for the Asia Rugby QRF president Yousef al-Kuwari told gest rugby national teams in the world, will in the future tournaments,” he said, Sevens Trophy, the fi rst changes that Gulf Times. like Australia, England... This will be referring to wingers Rakan al-Mutawaa you see at the venue is installation of “Rugby did not have a venue earlier, great for our experience. and Abdul Kareem al-Muhannadi, and 1,200-seat temporary arrangement. and we must thank Aspire for making “We are in very good position, not forward Mubarak al-Malik. After staying dormant on the na- this possible. As many as 1,200 only in the GCC and the Arab region “These are encouraging times for tional scene for many years, post the temporary seats have been added to but also Asia. Qatar Rugby is one of the rugby in Qatar. We have sponsors’ sup- participation in Rugby Sevens at the this place. This is almost an actual sta- well-known organisations in the sport. port. One day we will have our own 2006 Asian Games, this is perhaps the dium now,” he said. We have lots of ideas, and we will make facilities and stadium. The potential is fi rst time that the sport has a semblance “We have been working on creating it an even better institution. huge for rugby here. of a home in the country. facilities. Every time we host a tourna- “We want to host bigger tourna- “We want to be the top team in Asia. The QRF last hosted a tri-na- ment, we have been able to add a new ments. Maybe we will have a tourna- That would mean our standard will be tions Asian Division III Champion- thing that we didn’t have earlier. We ment of stature like the Dubai 7s.” very high, HSBC Sevens. ship in April 2016, but starting Friday want to make it a successful gather- Qatar Rugby Federation president Yousef al-Kuwari (left) looks on as Qatar is drawn What’s also heartening for al-Kuwari “We can do it. The resources and fa- (March 3), they have a 11-nation tour- ing. We have done it in the past, but this in Pool B for the Asian Rugby Sevens Trophy, which runs from March 3-4. is that Qatar also has sizeable number cilities can make it happen.”