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Thursday, January 11, 2018 TENNIS Rabia II 24, 1439 AH Nadal begins new GULF TIMES era without uncle Toni SPORT Page 7 OOREDOO DOHA MARATHON PAIN NO PROBLEM FOR British long-distance star may have left the track behind but the 34-year-old is ‘MOBOT’ FARAH gunning for glory in marathons

(From left) Elite athletes Abdi Abirahman, Gemma Steele, , Arne Gabius and Michael Shelley at the press conference for Ooredoo Doha Marathon yesterday. PICTURE: Ram Chand

By Yash Mudgal crazy sessions,” said Farah, who is tak- fi nal. However, in his fi nal track race, Doha ing part in his fi rst event of the year at the inaugural 2017 Diamond League the Ooredoo Doha Marathon. Final in Zurich, he beat Edris for a “And there will be more crazy ses- 5,000m victory. our Olympic gold medals, six sions coming through in case of a mara- After 10 global golds over 5,000 and world titles and he is not done thon. I like to be able to work and work. 10,000m in the space of seven incred- yet. Just hearing the national anthem, it is a ible years, the 34-year-old’s track He is an athlete who personi- proud moment. It could well all depend exploits have already earned him a fiF es the adage, ‘no pain, no gain’. In fact, on whether one morning I ask myself knighthood, but he still has unfi nished he loves pain. if I want to go through all this, but that business. “I am still competing because I my body decides,” the British athlete, He is taking part in the Doha mara- loooove pain,” retired track star Mo Fa- who announced his intention to focus thon event for the fi rst time with an eye rah stretched a few syllables to amplify on the marathon in 2017, said. on the London Marathon and Tokyo what he felt, while talking ahead of his Farah completed the ‘distance dou- Olympics for a possible fi fth Olympic participation in the elite ble’ of 5,000m and 10,000m titles at title. event in the Ooredoo Doha Marathon the 2013 and 2015 World Champion- Doha race will be the 34-year-old’s yesterday. ships. He was only the second man in fi rst race of 2018 as he prepares for the “As an athlete, as a young boy I history after to win London Marathon on April 22 where he dreamt of becoming an Olympic cham- long-distance doubles at successive will take on Olympic champion Eliud pion and I remember taking part in as Olympics and World Championships, Kipchoge. many races I could. I think it was 2000 and first in history to defend both “I am really looking forward to open- Sydney Olympics, I had seen Paul Ter- distance titles in both major global ing my 2018 season in Doha. I am tak- gat and compete and competitions – a feat described as the ing the event as a chance to test myself that’s when I told myself that I want to ‘quadruple-double’. on the fast and fl at run along Doha, and win an Olympic gold medal, and since Since fi nishing second in the also to hopefully check out the city,” then I have been training hard, and go- 10,000m at the 2011 World Athletics Britain’s most successful-ever distance ing on and on. Championships, Farah had an unbro- runner said. “And it happened in 2012, and what ken streak of ten global fi nals wins (the Farah also said a fourth Olympic a way for it to happen. That carried me 5,000m in 2011, the 10,000m in 2017 Games appearance in 2020 is a distinct every day. It felt amazing, it felt beau- and the double in 2012, 2013, 2015 and possibility. “Tokyo is possible. If I’m in tiful. It’s something I enjoy. And once 2016). The streak fi nally ended in Fa- great shape and I’m good enough to get you have gone through it, you can’t just rah’s fi nal World Championship track a medal I will be there,” he said. sit after that. I defi nitely enjoy going race, when he fi nished second to Ethio- Given his incredible journey so far it Britain’s Mo Farah signs autographs during a promotional event in Doha yesterday. (Twitter/Ooredoo) for a run, pulling myself through pain, pia’s Muktar Edris in the 2017 5,000m should not be out of question.

BOTTOMLINE International fi eld, record entries for Doha Marathon

By Yash Mudgal Qatar continues to witness develop- at the Ooredoo Doha Marathon. since I’m preparing for a spring mara- 2018 Ooredoo Doha Marathon. The half THE FIELD Doha ments in its infrastructure and facili- The British trio and 17 fellow elite thon. It will be great to get a break from marathon event off ers a great course, Men’s Elite ties, it is steadily becoming a preferred men and women will compete over 13.1 training and test my fi tness against some quality competition and a fantastic Mo Farah (GBR) destination for some of the world’s miles, with a record number of 2,000 some of the best athletes in the world. location in which to train and race. The Chris Thompson (GBR) he stage is all set for the Oore- leading sports clubs and federations to amateur runners lining up in mass par- My family is here with me, so I’m even facilities are top class and the people of Abdi Abdirahman (USA) doo Doha Marathon as a stellar host training camps, all of which reso- ticipation for Doha Marathon. more excited. No doubt we will enjoy Qatar are very welcoming. The organi- Arne Gabius (GER) fi eld of international athletes is nates with Qatar’s message of welcom- Farah, the 10-time global track gold the weather and we hope to visit some sation has been great too. I shall run my Hendrik Pfeiff er (GER) ready to take part in the event ing the world.” medallist, will begin his full tenure as a of the cultural institutes, like the Mu- heart out for you,” said Steele, who has Bekir Karayel (TUR) tomorrow.T He added: “As sports tourism part- road competitor in the Qatari capital as seum of Islamic Art,” Gabius, German been training in Doha since December 30, Ryan Vail (USA) As many as 20 elite men and women ner, we would like to extend a warm he prepares for The Big Half in March marathon record holder and 18-time 2017, for the event, said. Scotty Bauhs (USA) will be joining a record number of more welcome to Sir Mo Farah and all our elite and the London Marathon in April. national champion, said. The elite half marathon has Ayad Lamdassem (ESP) than 2,000 amateur athletes who have athletes participating in the Ooredoo Among those joining Farah and The 2014 Commonwealth Games USD50,000 in prize money up for (ITA) already signed up for the mega event. Doha Marathon 2018. The Marathon Thompson, winner of the Great Scot- marathon champion Shelley is one of grabs, with equal prize funds for both Michael Shelley (AUS) These top athletes will represent Qa- takes place at the beginning of the year, tish Run in 2017, are Germany’s mar- the favourites for the event. He is using the men’s and women’s events. Ivan Fernandez (ESP) tar’s key tourism markets including allowing us to capitalise on country’s athon record holder Arne Gabius, the event, as part of his preparation to The invitational elite half is part of the USA, UK, Germany, Italy, Turkey as pleasant winter weather as we work to Turkey’s two-time Olympian Bekir Ka- defend his Commonwealth title later the Ooredoo Doha Marathon, which in- Women’s Elite well as Spain and Portugal. position the Marathon in the calendar rayel, American duo Ryan Vail and Abdi this year at the Gold Coast event. cludes a full marathon, half marathon, Gemma Steele (GBR) Commenting on their participation of international sports events.” Abdirahman, who fi nished third in the In the women’s elite race, the 10K and 5K events for adults and youth Sara Dossena (ITA) Chief Marketing and Promotion Offi cer Apart from Mo Farah, the six-time New York City Marathon in 2016, and 32-year-old Steele, who most recently as well as 3K and 1K events for children. Esma Aydemir (TUR) at Qatar Tourism Authority Rashed al- world champion and four-time Ol- Michael Shelley. won team gold at the European Cross Over the past fi ve years, the Ooredoo Allie Kieff er (USA) Qurese said, “Qatar National Tourism ympic gold medallist, British long- “I’m excited to compete at the Ood- Country Championships, will be joined Doha Marathon has steadily grown to Emma Bates (USA) Sector Strategy 2030 identifi es sports distance runners Chris Thompson and eroo Doha Marathon; this is my fi rst by USA’s Allison Kieff er, Sara Dossena become the largest mass participation Melina Wolf (GER) tourism as one of four key pillars for the Gemma Steele will also begin 2018 by time in Qatar. The half marathon race is of Italy and Turkey’s Esma Aydemir. event in Qatar attracting runners from Azucena Diaz (ESP) development of the tourism sector. As competing in the half marathon event a great fi t into my overall plans for 2018, “I am delighted to be competing in the over 50 nationalities. Monica Silva (POR) Gulf Times 2 Thursday, January 11, 2018 FOOTBALL

SPOTLIGHT QNB Stars League to kick off today aft er winter break Umm Salal travel to Al Kharaitiyat for today's match at Al Khor Stadium

By Sports Reporter a confi dent start in the second half of Doha the season. “We are excited about the start of the second phase of QNB Stars League and we are eager to make a xcitement is guaranteed when strong start as we did in the fi rst phase. fi fth-placed Umm Salal travel However, we are sad that we dropped to 10th-positioned Al Kharaiti- some points unnecessarily towards the yat in the opening match of end of it and went out of the top-four QNBE Stars League’s Week 12 action at bracket,” Jaber said. the Al Khor Stadium today. “We are also keen to close the gap Umm Salal had won 3-1 when the with the top three sides Al Duhail, Al teams met in the fi rst phase. Umm Sadd and Al Rayyan, and also displace Salal have 16 points, just three behind Al Sailiya from the fourth position. fourth-placed Al Sailiya. The Orange During the break, we gave chances to Fortress registered four victories in the some of our youngsters in the QSL Cup. fi rst phase, double the number of Al I hope my wards are now game for the Kharaitiyat, who are on nine points. challenges in the remaining part of the Umm Salal reinforced the side by re- season,” he added. cruiting Tunisian midfi elder Oussama As always, Moroccan striker Ra- Darragi for one-and-a-half seasons, chid Tiberkanine leads Al Kharaitiyat’s the fi rst signing by any Qatari club charge. Goalkeeper Ahmed Sofyan, in the winter transfer period, which Anwar Diba and Sanjar Tursunov have started on 1st January and will end on the potential to infl uence the result if 31st January. Darragi, who was unveiled they play to their true potential. by the club at a Press conference on Al Kharaitiyat, coached by Tunisian Tuesday, was signed as replacement Ahmad al-Ajlani, would be keen to put for Moroccan Youssef Sekour, who behind their back-to-back losses to parted ways with Umm Salal by mutual Qatar SC and Al Sadd just before the consent. Darragi has great credentials QNB Stars League went into the break especially with home side Esperance, in early December. A lack of consistent where he had two stints. He last repre- performance is their bane. And they Umm Salal had won 3-1 against sented Club Africain. have a porous defence that has con- Al Kharaitiyat, when the two There were rumours that Ivorian ceded the most number of goals (26) teams met in the first phase. professional Yannick Sagbo and Ismail among all teams. No wonder, they also Mahmoud would switch to Al Gharafa, have the worst goal diff erence (-12) but they are reportedly staying with along with Qatar SC. Umm Salal. Syrian Mahmoud al-Ma- Kharaitiyat coach al-Ajlani said: some mistakes in our game and also to point of view. We want to compensate missed some players in key games.” at Al Ahli Stadium; 6:30pm: Al Sailiya vs Al was, Adel Rhaili, captain Juad Ahnash “We’ve a tough game against Umm improve the overall level of our game. for the lost points in the fi rst phase.” Arabi at Al Ahli Stadium and Adel Alawi are all capable of per- Salal, who are a strong side and are in All players stayed focused during the “We also took advantage of the break FIXTURES On Saturday: 4:20pm: Al Rayyan vs Al fectly implementing Egyptian coach a good position. We are ready to give a break and we intensifi ed our prepara- to enhance the players’ physical fi tness. Today: 6:30pm: Al Kharaitiyat vs Umm Khor at Al Sadd Stadium; 6:30pm: Al Sadd Mahmoud Jaber’s strategies. good fi ght and collect full points. tions. “At this moment, we badly need We suff ered a lot because of injuries Salal at Al Khor Stadium vs Al Markhiya at Al Sadd Stadium; Qatar Jaber was hoping his team will make “We used the long break to rectify points. Nothing else matters from our in the opening half of the season. We Tomorrow: 4:20pm: Al Ahli vs Al Gharafa SC vs Al Duhail at Qatar SC Stadium

FOCUS INTERVIEW AFC delegation visits Qatar We are ready for the second phase: Al Ahli’s Qadri li Qadri is one of the most prominent young players in the QNB Stars League. The midfi elder plays a key role for Al Ahli. In an exclusive interview with QSL Online aheadA of their Week 12 game against Al Gharafa, Ali gave his view on various topics.

How do you see the match against Al Gharafa? It’s defi nitely a tough game. We do respect all teams. Al Gharafa is a big name and matches against them won’t be easy.

Is the team ready, both technically and physically, for fi rst game in the second phase? Yes, we’re ready for the second phase as well as this match. We’re looking forward to achieving positive results.

Do you think the resignation of Spanish coach Ali Qadri (left) has played a key role for Al Ahli. Joaquin Capaross will have negatively aff ect? Of course, it was very surprising to all of us. Any- There’s no doubt that every coach will do his best way, I wish him all the best. All I can say is that we’ll for the team. be totally focused under current coach (George) Jorge, who is no stranger to the team as he was in How do you feel about the return of captain Qatar Football Association President Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa bin Ahmed al-Thani with AFC Senior Vice President Praful Patel (left). charge at the end of last season. Caparros is one of Meshaal Abdullah? the most experienced coaches and indeed the team Meshaal is a big star. His presence will defi nitely he Qatar Football Association (QFA) tary, Mansoor al-Ansari, and Representative regulations. took good advantage from his presence. boost the team spirit. President Sheikh Hamad bin Kha- of the Ministry of Culture and Sports in Qa- Following the visit to Qatar, the AFC del- lifa bin Ahmed al-Thani met with a tar Abdulrahman Musalam al-Dosari. egation will visit Saudi Arabia and UAE to Your opinion of new coach Jorge and his task… Al Gharafa have signed Dutch star (Wesley) high-level Asian Football Confed- Following the AFC Executive Commit- discuss similar matters. AFC Vice Presi- He knows the team very well and also the players. Sneijder. Will his presence put your team under Teration delegation led by AFC Senior Vice tee’s meeting held in Bangkok, Thailand in dent Patel is joined on the visits by Mariano We hope to achieve positive results in the coming pressure? President Praful Patel as part of AFC’s in- late November, a selected delegation was Araneta Jr, FIFA Council and AFC Executive weeks under him. Of course, he’s a player of big reputation and has spection visit of the region. appointed to visit football offi cials in the Committee Member, Dr Tran Quoc Tuanas, achievements at the clubs he played in and also with The meeting took place yesterday at QFA’s Member Associations and Government AFC Executive Committee Member, as well Is he capable of successfully implementing his the Dutch national team. But I’m sure our coach will headquarters in Al Bidda Tower and was at- representatives in order to explain deci- as Member of the AFC Competitions Com- strategies and forming the best team formation? adopt a strategy to restrict him on the pitch. tended by AFC and QFA’s Vice President, sions taken by the AFC committees and the mittee and AFC Director of Competitions Saoud al-Mohannadi, QFA General Secre- principles of the AFC competition rules and Shin Man Gil.

ROUND-UP Arabi sign Croatian defender Foster Doha: QNB Stars League side Al Arabi have signed Croatian defender Ivan Foster till the Lukaku seeking legal advice over end of this season. He signed the agreement at the club premises on Tuesday evening in the presence of Al Arabi ‘voodoo’ claim by Everton owner Sports Club Vice President Jas- sem Mohammed al-Kuwari and omelu Lukaku is seeking legal ad- reported £140,000 ($189,000) a week. AFC U-23 Championship campaign off to a media incharge Mohammed vice over the claim by Everton’s “He said he was on a pilgrimage in meek start as they toiled to a 1-0 win over al-Mansouri. major shareholder Farhad Moshiri or somewhere and he had a voodoo and got Palestine yesterday. Foster has been signed that a voodoo message infl uenced the message that he needs to go to Chelsea,” Defender Ko Itakura notched the only as replacement for Tunisian Rhis decision to leave the club in the summer, said Moshiri, although the player was to goal of the game at the Jiangyin Stadium in defender Ammar Jemal, a representative of the Manchester United snub Chelsea ultimately and go to United the 20th minute as he strode out of defence whose contract was ended striker said yesterday for £75million. and exchanged a neat one-two with Shion recently. The Dream Team “Romelu’s decision had nothing to do Lukaku has been left seething by the Inoue, before stroking a precise 20-yard are languishing at ninth place with voodoo,” the Belgian international’s claim. His representative said the 24-year- grounder into the bottom corner. with only nine points after the representative said. “He distances himself old Manchester United striker’s decision Nonetheless, the triumph still means first phase. They had replaced from these beliefs and this statement and had nothing to do with voodoo as he was a they sit pretty of Group B level on points Tunisian coach Qais Yaakoubi will now see what judicial steps can be Roman Catholic, and that Lukaku sim- with DPR Korea, who beat Thailand by the with Croat Luka Bonacic as taken in relation to them.” ply wished to play for a club with a better same scoreline earlier in the day. they sought a turnaround in Moshiri had told Everton shareholders at chance of winning silverware. Iraq beat Malaysia 4-1 in Group C as Ab- their fortunes. Al Arabi will their AGM on Tuesday that a phone call Lu- dulghani Shahad’s side put on a command- face Al Sailiya in the QNB Stars kaku had with his mother torpedoed a new JAPAN OPEN TITLE DEFENCE ing performance to kick off their campaign, League’s Week 12 tomorrow at contract with the Toff ees that was 99.9% WITH STUTTERING WIN while Jordan drew with Saudi Arabia 2-2, the Al Ahli Stadium. done, with the club prepared to pay him a Defending champions Japan got their 2018 with the latter scoring last gap equaliser. Gulf Times Thursday, January 11, 2018 3 FOOTBALL

LEAGUE CUP Atletico, Valencia breeze Aguero rescues Man City into last 8 Madrid: Atletico Madrid booked their place in the quarter-finals of the Copa del Rey on Tuesday night after seeing off third-tier Lleida, against valiant Bristol while new signing Luciano Vietto’s hat-trick fired Valencia past Las Palmas. Playing in front of a sparse- They have shown the world we are good footballers: Bristol City manager Lee Johnson ly populated Wanda Metro- politano, it took dominant AFP Atletico until the 57th minute Manchester, to extend their 4-0 first leg lead, Yannick Carrasco meet- ing Diego Costa’s cutback and goal in stoppage time by Ser- slotting home the opener. gio Aguero saved Manches- Kevin Gameiro tapped in ter City’s blushes as it was the second 17 minutes later enough to secure a 2-1 win after a neat burst into the box overA second-tier Bristol City in their from Angel Correa, and Vitolo League Cup semi-fi nal fi rst leg clash on made it three nine minutes Tuesday night. The Argentinian’s 19th from the end, racing through goal of the season and a fi ne eff ort by and crashing home his first Belgian international Kevin De Bruyne Atletico goal to complete a cancelled out Bobby Reid’s fi rst-half 7-0 aggregate victory. penalty to give the hosts a club record- Argentine forward Vietto equalling 16th successive home win. ended a long goal drought in However Bristol City, this season’s spectacular style less than a giant-killers who have eliminated four week after arriving at Valencia Premier League sides including holders on loan from Atletico, as Las Manchester United, gave their 8,000 Palmas were dispatched 4-0. travelling fans — the highest away at- Following a 1-1 draw in the tendance at the Etihad Stadum in its 15- opening leg, Vietto put Valen- year history — much to cheer. cia ahead at the Mestalla with Manchester City manager Pep Guar- his first competitive goal since diola sportingly congratulated his Bris- December 2016. tol City counterpart Lee Johnson at the The 24-year-old, who found end. “We created a lot of chances and himself relegated down the that’s why we win in the end, but today pecking order at Atletico after we knew we are not going to fi nish our Costa’s return to the club job — that will have to happen away in from Chelsea, struck again Bristol when we travel there,” the Span- shortly after half-time before iard said. “They were really good, so we Nemanja Maksimovic added tried so hard, all the players tried and a third. Vietto sealed the rout we’re really happy,” added the 46-year- and a 5-1 aggregate win mid- old, who has lost fi ve of his last six semi- way through the second half fi nals including City’s last domestic loss with a stunning 50-yard strike to Arsenal in last season’s FA Cup. after spotting Las Palmas Johnson, who last season received goalkeeper Raul Lizoain well a death threat and had to move house off his line. as a result after Bristol City lost eight COPA DEL REY LAST 16 matches in a row, said he was proud of SECOND LEG RESULTS his players. “They can’t be disappointed Atletico Madrid 3 (Carrasco 57, as we are still in the tie,” he said. Gameiro 74, Vitolo 81) Lleida 0 “They have shown the world we are Atletico Madrid win 7-0 on ag- good footballers.” Manchester City’s Sergio Aguero (centre) jumps to score during the English League Cup semi-final first leg match against Bristol City on Tuesday night. (AFP) gregate Manchester City went close to break- Valencia 4 (Vietto 30, 48, 66, ing the deadlock on the quarter-hour ing in their fi rst major semi-fi nal in 29 cracked in the 43rd minute as the shaky Aden Flint ensured the Champion- to Sterling who laid it back to him and Maksimovic 54) Las Palmas 0 mark when a fl owing move concluded years — were more than holding their Eliaquim Mangala was dispossessed and ship side went into the break 1-0 up the Belgian rifl ed the ball into the net Valencia win 5-1 on aggregate with Bernardo Silva’s goal-bound shot own but a poor clearance saw De Bru- John Stones made a rash challenge on when he produced a superb header to to provoke a sigh of relief from players Playing today (all times GMT; taking a defl ection off a Bristol City yne force a good one-handed save from Reid to concede a penalty. Reid dusted clear over his own bar as Raheem Ster- and home fans alike. Guardiola decided first-leg scores in brackets) defender. The visitors, though, were Frank Fielding as the hosts pressed for himself off and although Bravo guessed ling’s shot looked destined to bring the to send on his only out-and-out striker Levante v Espanyol (1830) (2-1) not in the least intimidated and went the opener. The hosts turned the screw the right way and got his fi ngers to the sides level. However, there was nothing Aguero for Yaya Toure with 20 minutes Sevilla v Cadiz (1830) (2-0) close themselves immediately after- as the half progressed forcing a series of penalty, he was unable to prevent it go- the visitors could do about the equaliser remaining and the club’s record goal- Barcelona v Celta Vigo (2030) wards, Claudio Bravo saving Joe Bryan’s corners but without the end reward. ing into the net for the scorer’s 14th goal in the 55th minute. scorer did not disappoint, fi ring in the (1-1) long-range shot. Bristol City — appear- However, it was Manchester City who of the season. De Bruyne surged forward playing it winner for a barely deserved victory.

SPOTLIGHT ROUND-UP Lemar helps Monaco beat Liverpool’s ‘Flying Pig’ Lawrence dies oalkeeper Tommy Lawrence, part which resumes after a two-week break on of the fi rst great Liverpool side January 21. Roma resume their Champions Nice in League Cup quarters under Bill Shankly, has died aged League campaign with a last 16 fi rst leg trip 77, the club announced yesterday. to Shakhtar Donetsk on February 21. GLawrence, aff ectionately known as ‘The Flying Pig’ for his acrobatic saves despite KHEDIRA FEARS JUVENTUS being of portly build, was a member of SUPREMACY UNDER THREAT the side that won two league titles in 1964 German international midfi elder Sami and 1966, not missing a match in the latter Khedira believes Juventus face the biggest campaign. He also won the FA Cup in 1965. threat this season to their Serie A su- Capped three times by Scotland, Lawrence premacy. Juventus last year became the fi rst only missed four league matches from 1963 team to win six consecutive Serie A titles to 1969. He conceded only 24 goals in the and are just one point behind leaders Napoli 1968/69 season, which was a record for midway through this campaign. the lowest conceded at the time in the old “This year is diff erent from last year and First Division. However, the emergence of two years ago. At the top of Serie A there Ray Clemence in the late 1960’s heralded are a lot of strong teams and all at the same the end of his tenure as fi rst choice, and level,” the 30-year-old former Real Madrid after being dropped for an FA Cup tie in the player said. 1970/71 season he left for nearby Tranmere “Napoli but also Inter, Roma and Lazio, Rovers, managed by his former Liverpool and of course Juventus. For this reason it teammate Ron Yeats. will be even harder to win the Scudetto, we He made a total of 390 appearances for have to work harder than ever to try to take Liverpool. Lawrence fi nished his playing it home. “I think it will be more compli- career at non-league Chorley. After hang- cated to repeat this season.” ing up his boots, he returned to the same Monaco’s Thomas Lemar (left) fights factory he had worked in prior to playing for Tommy Lawrence, who made 390 WENGER’S CONSTANT GARDENER for the ball with Nice’s Jean Michael Liverpool, remaining there until he retired. appearance for Liverpool, has died aged 77. A NOVEL EXPERIENCE Seri during the French Cup match on Roy Evans, the former Liverpool coach Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger will sit Tuesday night. (AFP) and manager who was a player during Law- ished for the incident by Serie A, with a among the Chelsea fans for Wednesday’s rence’s time at the club, paid tribute to the disciplinary report on Tuesday saying that League Cup semi-fi nal fi rst-leg clash but “gentleman” dubbed one of football’s fi rst "no determination can be made with regard he will be fortunate to be sitting beside his AFP the in-form Mario Balotelli failed to regain fi tness in sweeper-keepers. to Cagliari for the deplorable expressions gardener as he did last season — although Nice, France time after suff ering with glute pain. Monaco made a of racial discrimination of which Juventus he admitted he did not recognise him. fast start and took the lead in only the third minute, THURAM BLASTS ITALIAN AUTHORI- player Blaise Matuidi reports he was the The cerebral 68-year-old Frenchman, as Lemar found space to head in Keita Balde’s cross TIES OVER MATUIDI RACISM subject". Saturday's abuse follows similar whose side will bid to bounce back after homas Lemar scored as Monaco beat Cote from close range to score his third goal of an injury- World Cup winner Lilian Thuram has blast- racist chants directed at Matuidi during crashing out of the FA Cup to second-tier d’Azur rivals Nice 2-1 at the Allianz Rivi- hit season and send out a message to potential suit- ed the handling in Italy of the racist abuse Juve's 3-1 win at Verona late last month, Nottingham Forest, is serving another era on Tuesday night to reach the French ors at Arsenal and Liverpool. directed at Juventus winger Blaise Matuidi for which Verona were fi ned 20,000 euros touchline ban just as he did last February League Cup semi-fi nals. Lemar, who has The 22-year-old drilled into the roof of the net 10 during the Italian champions' 1-0 win at ($24,000) by the Italian league. when the two sides met in the league. Tbeen heavily linked with a move to , nod- minutes later, only to be denied a second goal by the Cagliari on Saturday, asking why more Wenger is obliged to sit with the home ded Monaco into an early lead, before Alassane Plea linesman’s fl ag for off side. Nice levelled against the wasn't done to support his countryman on NAINGGOLAN BACK IN ROMA supporters at Stamford Bridge, although he equalised after a video review. run of play in the 18th minute as Plea ran onto Allan the night. "We are not tackling the issue of FOLD FOR INTER CLASH will be protected by two security guards. Monaco moved back in front before half-time Saint-Maximin’s pass and slotted past Diego Bena- racism as we should be," said Thuram, who Roma midfi elder Radja Nainggolan will However, Wenger received an unexpectedly through 21-year-old Adama Diakhaby and Leon- glio at the Monaco goalkeeper’s near post. won two Italian league titles in fi ve years at return to action against Inter Milan on warm welcome when he took his seat beside ardo Jardim’s French champions held on with the The referee checked with VAR for off side, but re- Juventus. "Why did the referee not stop the January 21 after being dropped by his Serie the corporate area in February last year aid of a terrible miss by Nice midfi elder Pierre Lees- plays showed that Plea had timed his run to perfec- match, why don't the white players leave A side as punishment for his rowdy end of and was off ered a handshake by a Gunners Melou. “This victory was deserved and it is very tion before grabbing his 10th goal of the campaign. the fi eld when Matuidi is insulted? If no- year celebrations. The 29-year-old Belgian supporter. “I said ‘Good afternoon’ and he important for our fans,” said Monaco coach Jardim The visitors continued to be the better side, though, one asks these questions, the situation will international received a hefty fi ne and sat replied, ‘I’m your gardener at your house’,” after his side’s sixth straight win. “Diakhaby is pro- and they retook the lead as forward Diakhaby sent a be the same 20 years from now." out last Saturday’s 2-1 home defeat against Wenger was quoted as saying in The Times. gressing, even if he’s not doing everything right, half-volley fl ying into the corner from another ex- Frenchman Matuidi revealed after Juve's Atalanta after posting a video of himself on “I didn’t even know him. I do have a big he’s young and we believe in him.” cellent Balde delivery. Nice threw bodies forwards win in Sardinia that he had been the subject Instagram smoking, drinking and swearing garden,” added Wenger. The Video Assistant Referee (VAR) is being used in the second half without creating many clear- of racist chanting. After hearing abuse on New Year’s Eve. That was as good as it got for Wenger for the rest of the competition as a test ahead of its cut chances, but Lees-Melou should have equal- from the stands late in the fi rst half Matuidi “There’s no problem with Nainggolan. as his side slumped to a 3-1 defeat to the expected arrival in Ligue 1 next season, having been ised when he headed wide with the goal gaping rushed to referee Giampaolo Calvarese, but Radja will be a starter against Inter,” eventual champions, leading to taunting used in the promotion/relegation play-off last year. from only three yards out. Runaway Ligue 1 leaders the offi cial ignored his pleas to intervene coach Eusebio Di Francesco confi rmed from gloating Chelsea fans sitting with him. “It’s good, we’re losing two or three minutes in the Saint-Germain, who have won four straight and Medhi Benatia and Paulo Dybala had to yesterday. Roma sorely missed the talented “I must tell you that was a bad experience,” whole game,” Jardim said. “Errors will decrease, not League Cups, were aiming to extend their incredible calm their teammate down. midfi elder as they fell behind city rivals said Wenger. “Very uncomfortable. I felt totally, but by 80%.” 34-match winning streak in domestic cup games at Cagliari apologised to the 30-year-old Lazio into fi fth place — 12 points behind awkward, yes. It was not a pleasant experi- The hosts were given a blow before kick-off as Amiens in a late last night match. the following day but then went unpun- leaders Napoli — in the Serie A title race ence.” Gulf Times 4 Thursday, January 11, 2018 SPORT

CRICKET MOTORSPORT Loeb’s Dakar Rabada set to wait dream fl ounders in the dunes

AFP can go on like this”, explained Arequipa, Peru Loeb, second last year. for opening chance He added later: “It went badly, the dunes are too soft, we did ebastien Loeb was forced not see the hole, we hit it hard... to pull out of the Dakar It’s over, Daniel is bad, but he’ll Rally after a back injury be okay. It’s so soft, without the suff ered by his co-driver (assistance) truck, we wouldn’t Sin a disastrous fi fth stage won by have got out,” Loeb told France defending champion Stephane Television. despite rapid rise Peterhansel yesterday. After his fourth stage win on Qatar’s Nasser Saleh al-Atti- Tuesday Loeb was placed seven yah fi nished fi fth in the stage to minutes second to Peterhansel in ‘I just bowl wherever the team wants me to bowl, but obviously I would like to open’ stay fourth, even as Toyota team- another Peugeot. mate Bernhard ten Brinke was France’s ‘Mr Dakar’ has won Reuters second in the stage, to move up the car title seven times with a Cape Town to third in the overall standings. further six titles on two wheels, As Peterhansel took another the fi rst coming way back in important step towards his 14th 1991. he world’s top Test bowler Kagiso Dakar title Loeb’s dream of win- The 52-year-old saw off the Rabada says it is his ambition to ning his fi rst Dakar was left in Toyotas of Ten Brinke and Gin- open the bowling for South Af- tatters after his car twice ran iel de Villiers to lead his Spanish rica, but he will likely have to into early sand trouble on the teammate Carlos Sainz by over Twait for his chance ahead of the second run from San Juan de Marcona to half an hour overall. Test against India starting in Pretoria on Arequipe in Peru. Third-placed Ten Brinke is a Saturday. The French ace’s hopes of massive 1hr 15min adrift. Rabada’s thrilling display of fast bowl- adding a Dakar to his nine world Loeb’s defection followed on ing helped South Africa to a 72-run victo- rally championship crowns at the from that of Andre Villas-Boas, ry in the fi rst Test at Newlands, and cata- third attempt had appeared en- the former Chelsea and Totten- pulted the young fi rebrand to the summit couraging after climbing to sec- ham manager who had to pull out of the International Cricket Council’s ond in the standings with suc- with a bad back, his Toyota team Test rankings. cess on Tuesday’s fourth stage. reported. He dislodged England’s Jimmy Ander- But instead he was left rebook- Honda’s Spanish rider Joan son, a man 13 years his senior, with match ing his fl ight home after his Peu- Barreda Hort won the motorbike fi gures of 5-75 that only tell half the story geot became stuck in the dunes stage with Yamaha’s Adrien van of a display brimming with pace, aggres- twice, with a truck having to help Beveren retaining the overall lead. sion and control. him out of a sand hole, costing Barreda covered the 264 kilo- “Our bowling attack is very skilled, as him almost three hours. metre timed section in three we have seen in the past and in the last Yet it was an injury suff ered by hours 19 minutes 42 seconds to game. It feels great to be playing along- co-driver Daniel Elena as they cross the line over 10mins up on side these veterans,” Rabada told report- descended a dune that forced Matthias Walkner on a KTM and ers yesterday. Loeb to bring a premature end to Kevin Benavides (Honda). “I just bowl wherever the team wants his 2018 Dakar 10 days before the France’s van Beveren took fi fth me to bowl, but obviously I would like fi nish in Cordoba, Argentina. to hold a slim one minute cush- to open. It is very tough at the moment, “He screams as soon as I go ion over Benavides with Walkner though, because there are two very good over 30km/h, I can’t see how we 1min 14sec off the pace. bowlers doing that. I just like to do what- ever the team requires me to do and set my own aspirations aside.” SPOTLIGHT Since the start of 2016 he has taken 108 Test wickets at an average of 21.34 and has a career strike-rate of 39.2 that is bet- ter than veterans Dale Steyn, Vernon Phi- Pakistan recall lander and Morne Morkel. Despite his form, Rabada was the fourth bowler used by South African Shehzad, ignore captain Faf du Plessis in the fi rst innings South Africa’s Kagiso Rabada (left) celebrates the dismissal of Indian batsman Wriddhiman Saha (not in picture) during the fourth against India, a bow to his teammates’ day of the first Test in Cape Town, on Monday. (AFP) seniority. Kamran for NZ T20 The 22-year-old has long been thought There are many who believe he can still bowling quick and when I’m not,” he added. “I need to do more, I am always striv- of as a special talent, particularly in his get quicker, adding further to his consid- The loss of Steyn to another injury set- ing for perfection, even though you will AFP T20s due to a knee injury, said homeland where the desire for role- erable weaponry. back means the burden will be greater on never reach it,” he said. “There is always Karachi chief selector Inzamam-ul-Haq. models for young black cricketers burns “I don’t know how fast I can get. Some- Rabada this season, with two more home something else you can work on and that “Wasim has yet to recover strong. But few thought he would deliver times I don’t think the speed gun is telling Tests to come against India and then four is what I have done in my career so far. from his knee injury, and was told so much, so soon. the truth to be honest. I can feel when I’m Tests against the visiting Australians. There is always a problem!” akistan yesterday re- to continue his rehabilitation at called Ahmed Shehzad the academy in Lahore. Sohaib for their three-match Maqsood was not considered for Twenty20 series against selection due to a back injury and Ex-players ask BCCI to back Irish to host giants India in T20 Root likely to be fi t for opening PNew Zealand later this month, will undergo rehabilitation,” said but selectors ignored Kamran Inzamam. Olympics push matches ODI against Akmal despite his recent form in Pakistan are currently two domestic matches. down in the fi ve-match ODI se- The MCC World Cricket committee has asked the Ireland will play 2007 World Twenty20 champions India England Test captain Joe Root is expected to be fit for The 26-year-old Shehzad was ries in New Zealand, with the third powerful Indian board to back the bid for the sport’s in two T20 internationals in Dublin in June, Cricket Ireland Sunday’s one-day series opener against Australia in dropped for the third and fi nal match in Dunedin on Saturday. Olympics inclusion, saying it would greatly benefit announced yesterday. Both games will be played in Melbourne as he continues to recover from the illness Twenty20 against Sri Lanka in Sarfraz Ahmed will lead the the game. Cricket was last played at the Olympics the Dublin suburb of Malahide, with the first encounter that saw him treated in hospital during the fifth Ashes Lahore late last November, but T20 side. The fi rst match is in in the 1900 Paris Games and the governing Inter- scheduled for Wednesday, June 27 and the second match Test. The 27-year-old returned to training yesterday his recent form and youth helped Wellington on January 22, fol- national Cricket Council (ICC) has said most of its two days later on Friday, June 29. It will be the first time after receiving treatment for gastroenteritis, which him regain his place. lowed by Auckland on January 25 members backed the inclusion of the 20-overs that the sides have met on Irish soil since they played an forced him to retire hurt on the final day in the Sydney But Kamran, 35, was not so and Mount Maunganui on Janu- format in Olympic Games. After the MCC Commit- ODI in Belfast back in 2007. The games will be the first defeat that gave Australia a 4-0 Test series triumph. lucky, despite being the highest ary 28. tee meetings this week, the panel of former players T20 internationals for Ireland head coach Graham Ford, “He’s obviously a lot better than he was on Monday,” run scorer in National Twenty20 requested the BCCI to reconsider its stance. “It’s one and the South African is relishing the prospect of pitting England wicketkeeper Jos Buttler was quoted saying with 432 runs last November. He SQUAD: Sarfraz Ahmed (captain), of those things that has frustrated me,” committee his wits against such high profile opposition. “It’s fantastic by the Australian Associated Press. “He’s up and about smashed a double century in a Fakhar Zaman, Ahmed Sheh- chairman Mike Gatting told a news conference. The news for the lads and fans alike,” said Ford, who only took so I think a few more days and his bug should have domestic One-Day Cup match zad, Babar Azam, Shoaib Malik, Indian board has not been keen on cricket’s Olympic the reins of the Irish side last month. “I’m sure the players gone. He’s a huge part of our side so we’re desperate last week. Harris Sohail, Mohamed Hafeez, inclusion partly because of apprehensions that BCCI will respond positively to the occasion with the added for him to be fit and well. I’m sure he will rest up and All-rounder Imad Wasim, who Mohamed Nawaz, Shadab Khan, might lose its autonomy and be answerable to the incentive of knowing eye-catching displays could result in try and get his energy back.” England are scheduled to missed the current one-day in- Faheem Ashraf, Aamer Yamin, country’s Olympic committee. a possible IPL contract,” said Ford. play five one-day internationals against Australia. ternational (ODI) series against Mohamed Amir, Hasan Ali, Rum- New Zealand, will also miss the man Raees, Umar Amin.

BOXING ATHLETICS Chinese marathon Former world champion Amir champ banned for eight years over doping

Khan to return to ring Separately, China’s Anti-Dop- AFP AFP 2009-12 and the IBF version in 2011. Shanghai ing Agency (CHINADA) said it London “I’m determined to win another World uncovered 77 violations last year, Championship and I’m confi dent I’ve calling it proof that the coun- got the right team behind me to help me hina’s national mara- try is stamping down on drugs ormer welterweight world cham- do so,” said Khan at a press conference in thon champion and Ol- cheats ahead of next month’s pion Amir Khan will end a near London. ympian Wang Jiali has Winter Olympics in South Korea. two year hiatus from the sport “I’ve been out of the ring for too long, been banned for eight China this week banned speed with a bout in Liverpool on April and I’m desperate to make up for lost Cyears after failing a drugs test, skater Shi Xiaoxuan for two years 21F against an unnamed opponent he an- time, starting in April.” her second violation, the Chi- for failing a drugs test, the sec- nounced yesterday. Hearn said it was great to have Khan nese Athletics Association (CAA) ond such case to hit the national The 31-year-old — whose most recent back fi ghting in England — his last fi ght said yesterday. team in quick succession. activity was spent on a reality TV pro- on home turf was beating Julio Diaz in The 31-year-old, who won CHINADA said it conducted a gramme in the jungle — made the an- 2013 — and pledged to bring him top gold at the 2017 National Games, record 17,000 tests last year and nouncement alongside British boxing names as opponents. tested positive for the banned vowed to root out drug cheats. promoter Eddie Hearn with whom he has “The plan is to box in April and then blood booster EPO during out- “In the past year we improved signed a three fi ght deal. again in August or September in prepara- of-competition testing in August a lot, including testing methods, The 2004 Olympic lightweight silver tion for a super fi ght in Winter 2018,” said and her career now appears over. test plans and management,” Chen medallist’s last outing was back in May Hearn. The CAA also fi ned Wang Zhiyu, CHINADA deputy head, 2016 when he stepped up to middle- “The target is to provide him with the 40,000 yuan ($6,000) and banned was quoted by Xinhua as saying. weight to face Mexico’s star pugilist Saul biggest fi ghts possible with a mouth-wa- her coach Lyu Qiang for life. “As the workload continues ‘Canelo’ Alvarez and was knocked out in tering list of names including the likes of Wang — who came 57th in the to grow, we have maintained a the sixth round. Manny Pacquiao, Kell Brook, Keith Thur- marathon at the 2012 London high level of accuracy in lab tests Khan said his ambition is to taste what man and Errol Spence. Olympics — was banned for two and better planning led to more it is like to be world champion again hav- “I’m excited to get started and looking years in 2013 for a previous viola- eff ective control, so we found ing been the unifi ed welterweight world forward to a huge night of boxing on April tion, the state-run Xinhua news many more positive cases last champion — holding the WBA belt from 21.” agency said. year.” Gulf Times Thursday, January 11, 2018 5 SPORT

NHL Hamilton lift s Flames past Wild in overtime By Megan Ryan and winger Johnny Gaudreau. The Wild beat Calgary, 4-2, on Star Tribune (Minneapolis) On a 3-on-2 that scrambled the the road back on Oct. 21 and man- Wild all out of position, Ferland aged a shootout victory at home just had to bundle the puck into on December 12. Calgary coach fter a 7-2 thrashing on an open net. Glen Gulutzan said pregame he the road this past Sat- That same line seemed to have actually liked how his team start- urday, the less-than- the Wild all fi gured out, as it ed in that most recent game de- stellar-on-the-road scored again with 50.1 seconds to spite the result and was expecting WildA at least had this comfort- go in the second period. This time a similarly tight contest. able home game to use as a re- Monahan netted the tap-in score “We’re bracing for that same bound. after a great pass from Ferland on type of game,” he said. That sort of worked out, as a play Gaudreau manifested. “We know there’s not going the Wild extended their streak of Winger Mikael Granlund to be a ton of chances, and so we earning a point in 13 of their past snagged a goal back for the Wild have to make good on the ones 14 games at Xcel Energy Centre at 7:16 in the third period with a we get.” with a 3-2 overtime loss to the pretty sweet shot. Defenseman Despite his team’s past suc- Calgary Flames on Tuesday in Jared Spurgeon then clanked a cess against Calgary, Wild coach front of an announced 19,011 fans. goal off the post at 12:13 to make Bruce Boudreau said before the “You look at their home it a tie game. game he knew this result wasn’t record, they have a great home But Calgary defenseman going to be a sure thing. record. If you turn the puck over, Dougie Hamilton netter the win- “They’re a tough. Look, they they’re going to capitalize,” Cal- ner at 2:39 in the extra period. beat us three times last year. We gary winger Garnet Hathaway To be fair, the Wild did have to win by one goal in overtime this said pregame. reshuffl e a bit with a lower-body year,” Boudreau said. “(It’s) about puck manage- injury to Nino Niederreiter an- “They’re a tough team, and ment. It’s about staying com- nounced pregame. when they play the best they mitted to the process and get the Its second and third lines can play, they can beat anybody puck on net. We’ll keep getting switched up, with Mikko Koivu in the league. I mean, Anahe- chances, and they’ll go in.” centering Jason Zucker and Joel im I thought was a really good Calgary (22-16-4) is now on a Eriksson Ek and Charlie Coyle team (that Calgary beat 3-2 four-game winning streak while centering Chris Stewart and this past Saturday). But they’re the Wild (22-17-4) take a bit of Granlund. But after Calgary’s healthy, and they took it to a skid into the second game of a fi rst score, last year’s scoring line them pretty good. It seems like back-to-back Wednesday at the of Zucker, Koivu and Granlund when they’re on top of their Chicago Blackhawks. reunited and had some danger- game, they win.” Entering the game, Chicago ous chances. and Calgary were a point be- Koivu, who missed Monday’s RESULTS hind the Wild in a close race for practice with the fl u, also disap- Predators 2 Oilers 1 a wild-card slot. peared from the bench for most Flames 3 Wild 2 (OT) At the 6-minute mark of the of the fi rst half of the second pe- Panthers 7 Blues 4 fi rst period, winger Michael Fer- riod. He reappeared around the Blackhawks 8 Senators 2 land scored for Calgary with as- 10-minute mark and continued Capitals 3 Canucks 1 Minnesota Wild forward Jason Zucker is hit into Calgary Flames goalie Mike Smith (41) by defenseman Travis Hamonic (24) during the third sists from center Sean Monahan to play. Jets 7 Sabres 4 period at Xcel Energy Centre. PICTURE: USA TODAY Sports

NBA NFL Gruden makes emotional return to Trail Blazers silence coaching Raiders

AFP get right again.” San Francisco Gruden, 95-81 in 11 regular seasons as an NFL coaches, re- placed Jack Del Rio, who was on Gruden was unveiled fi red following a season-ending Thunder while Heat Tuesday as the new coach loss to the Los Angeles Charg- of the Oakland Raiders, ers that capped a disappointing the same club where he 6-10 campaign. madeJ his debut as an NFL head “I want to help deliver the best coach 20 years ago. football team we can here for the Gruden was lured from the people in Oakland,” Gruden said. ESPN television commentary “How long I say here will be de- booth to return to the sidelines termined by how well we play. cool off Raptors for Oakland when Raiders own- “I love to win and I’m going er off ered a deal reportedly the to do everything I can,” Gruden ‘Guys did a great job of setting me screens and I was able to get to the middle’ richest and longest in NFL his- said. “No guarantees, no prom- tory for any coach at 10 years for ises, but I want to win.” AFP $100 million. Los Angeles Gruden said that his deal Alabama’s Saban ‘covets’ might inspire some rivals. Giants job “I know there’s a big bull’s- Former Arizona Cardinals .J. McCollum scored 27 eye on my chest certainly. If peo- coach Bruce Arians sparked points and passed off ple want to use that as incentive, Nick Saban-to-the-NFL rumors seven assists to lead the so be it,” Gruden said. “I’ve dealt when he said the legendary Ala- Portland Trail Blazers with pressure before. I really bama coach “covets” the New overC Oklahoma City 117-106 in don’t feel pressure.” York Giants coaching job. an NBA matchup on Tuesday. Gruden coached the Raiders Less than 24 hours after the Shabazz Napier added 21 from 1998 to 2001 and was then Crimson Tide came back from a points and Bosnian big man Ju- traded to the Tampa Bay Bucca- 13-point second-half defi cit to suf Nurkic had 20 for the Trail neers in a unique 2002 deal that stun Georgia 26-23 in overtime Blazers (22-18), who edged saw him replace the fi red Tony in the College Football Play- ahead of the host Thunder (22- Dungy. He went on the guide the off National Championship on 19) for fi fth place in the Western Bucs over the Raiders in the 2003 Monday night, Saban’s name has Conference. Super Bowl. “This is very emo- surfaced again for job openings Damian Lillard missed his tional for me,” said Gruden, who around the NFL Arians, who re- second game in a row with has been out of the NFL since tired after the 2017 season, told a strained right calf, Napier coaching his seventh and fi nal Colin Cowherd on FS1 that he starting in his place. “That was season with Tampa Bay in 2008. wouldn’t be surprised if Saban a big win. It was for fi fth place,” “I never wanted to leave the is interested in returning to the McCollum said. “Damian will Raiders. I never thought I’d be NFL on one condition. be coming back any day now. back, but here I am and I’m ready “It would not surprise me,” We’ve got to keep the ship afl oat to get to work.” Arians said Tuesday of Saban’s until he gets back.” Gruden went 38-26 in regu- potential NFL interest. “And McCollum sparked a Port- lar-season games as coach of the there’s a job he covets that hap- land surge in the third quarter Raiders, guiding the team to two pens to be open. But he’s got a that kept Oklahoma City at bay playoff berths. dynasty right now and another the rest of the way, Gruden admitted he has some dynamite recruiting class. Why “I just try to play at my pace, “unfi nished” business with the he would do it, I don’t know. But let the game come to me and Raiders, with his fi nal game at it would not shock me if he did.” when I have to take a big shot Oakland among the NFL’s most Arians clarifi ed the job in I’m not afraid of it,” McCol- controversial losses – the Raid- question was with the Gi- lum said. “Guys did a great job ers falling to New England on ants and he was asked why the of setting me screens and I was the infamous Tom Brady “Tuck 66-year-old Saban would leave able to get to the middle.” Rule” non-fumble call. Alabama for New York. Russell Westbrook and Paul “For my career to end on that “Because they’re the New George each had 22 points to night in New England, it still York Giants. When we grew up, lead the Thunder, with West- ticks me off ,” Gruden said. “I’m they were the thing,” Arians said. brook adding game highs of 12 so thrilled to be back here. I feel The speculation from Arians assists and nine rebounds, while a lot of loyalty and I feel a lot of was quickly shot down by mul- Carmelo Anthony contributed responsibility.... I’m going to do tiple outlets and that Saban has 19 points and New Zealand everything I can to help this team “zero interest” in the Giants job. center Steven Adams had 16 in a losing cause. In a thriller at Toronto, Mi- Oklahoma City Thunder forward Paul George (No 13) fouls Portland Trail Blazers guard Shabazz Napier during the fourth quarter at Chesa- ami’s Wayne Ellington scored peake Energy Arena. PICTURE: USA TODAY Sports inside with 0.3 of a second re- maining to give the Heat a 90- the Raptors in front again, set- altercation that began when the Orlando 114-99. dle had 22 points, 14 rebounds 89 victory. Back-to-back bas- ting up Ellington’s clutch hero- two began wrestling with each Nowitzki played in his 1,435th and six assists while Lonzo Ball kets by DeMar DeRozan gave ics. Slovenian guard Dragic led other. The Raptors fell to 28-11, NBA game, all with the Maver- added fi ve points, 11 rebounds, the host Raptors an 87-86 edge Miami with 24 points and 12 second in the Eastern Confer- icks, moving past Karl Malone 11 assists and fi ve steals as the with two minutes to play, but rebounds while Ellington had ence and three games behind into second on the all-time list host Lakers defeated Sacra- Miami’s Goran Dragic answered 15 points off the bench, Heat Boston, while Miami climbed to of most games with one club, mento 99-86. Serbian reserve on a driving layup with 19 sec- reserve Bam Adebayo added 16 23-17, matching Washington for just 69 games behind John guard Bogdan Bogdanovich led onds remaining to lift the Heat and Hassan Whiteside had 13 fourth in the East. Stockton’s record. Malone and the Kings with 19 points. ahead 88-87. points and 15 rebounds. Stockton set their marks with But DeRozan, who led the Spanish forward Serge Ibaka Nowitzki sparks Dallas win the Utah Jazz. RESULTS Raptors with 25 points, wasn’t of Toronto and Miami forward German star Dirk Nowit- Aaron Gordon came off the Miami 90 Toronto 89 fi nished yet. He answered by James Johnson were ejected zki and Dennis Smith Jnr each Magic bench to lead Orlando Portland 117 Oklahoma City 106 tipping in his own miss with for throwing punches at each scored 20 points to power the with 19 points. Dallas 114 Orlando 99 Jon Gruden is introduced as head coach at a press conference at the three seconds remaining to put other during a third-quarter Dallas Mavericks over visiting At Los Angeles, Julius Ran- Lakers 99 Sacramento 86 Oakland Raiders headquarters. PICTURE: USA TODAY Sports Gulf Times 6 Thursday, January 11, 2018 SPORT

NFL SPOTLIGHT India celebrates as Aanchal wins its Patriots ‘ignore the fi rst international skiing bronze medal

Reuters tion of India are women. Mumbai “I asked her if it was a sou- noise’ ahead of venir the organisers gave to all the participants. We never ricket-crazy India thought we would win a medal raised a toast yes- in an international competi- terday to Aanchal tion.” Thakur, a 21-year-old Thakur is part of a new gen- femaleC student, for winning eration of gritty Indian sports- the country’s fi rst international women making history on the clash with Titans skiing medal in Turkey. global stage. Her bronze medal at the Al- With bolder aspirations, ‘You’ve just got to keep ignoring the noise and just keep our focus on what we’ve been doing pine Ejder 3200 Cup grabbed women are carving out roles national headlines and trend- for themselves beyond the tra- all year and that’s preparing hard, studying our opponent, getting ready for the big game’ ed on social media all day with ditional ones of wives, moth- Prime Minister Narendra Modi ers and housekeepers. praising her “historic accom- A female wrestler, gymnast plishment” in a sport that few and badminton player cap- pursue in India. tured the public’s imagina- “I think the medal is a turn- tion in the 2016 Rio Olympics, ing point for skiing in India,” along with the rags-to-riches the young athlete told the stories of icons, like boxer Thomson Reuters Foundation Mary Kom, who have inspired by phone, before returning other women to take up sport. home today. Thakur, an arts student “I am sure more girls will from the sleepy hill station of take it up now.” Manali in northern India, said It is the fi rst time that the she started training at the age Winter Games Federation of of fi ve and was often regarded India has won a medal in more with awe for travelling alone to than 30 years of international train in foreign destinations. competitions, said Roshan “My father trained and Thakur, the federation’s secre- treated me and my brother tary general, who is also Aan- equally,” she said. chal’s father. Her father hopes the sport “She made a WhatsApp vid- will get more attention and fa- eo call to me and she was smil- cilities after Aanchal’s victory. ing and showed me the medal,” “Skiing is not really popu- said her father, who is also a lar compared to other sports. former skier, adding that less Many don’t even know how than 100 of the 700 members to pronounce it – many call it of the Winter Games Federa- sky-ing,” he said.

New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (right) with coach Bill Belichick.

Reuters tries to get us to have is just ignore denying the ESPN report. from a plot to defl ate footballs games in the Brady-Belichick New York the noise. Ignore the noise from The Patriots, who last year used in the AFC title game two era practicing the Patriot Way of the outside and I feel like that’s won their second Super Bowl ti- years prior. stressing personal accountabil- what myself, a lot of other players tle in three seasons, had a fi rst- In 2015, they blocked out the ity and a business-like approach. he New England Patriots have been doing,” tight end Rob round bye after fi nishing atop noise over ‘Defl ategate’ to beat Defensive back Devin Mc- Wales’ Lydiate out for rest of season with injury are no stranger to con- Gronkowski told reporters. the AFC and will host the Ten- the Seattle Seahawks in the Su- Courty, who has been a team troversy and on Tues- nessee Titans on Saturday in the per Bowl. In 2013 they dealt with captain since 2011, said the Pa- Wales flanker Dan Lydiate will miss the Six Nations after being day the players said they Few teams have faced divisional round of the playoff s. the arrest and subsequent mur- triots were not going to be mo- ruled out for the rest of the season due to a bicep injury, his Pro14 Twould not let a reports of inter- “The intensity has been high der conviction of tight end Aar- tivated by the report but were controversy over recent years club Ospreys have said. nal turmoil within the organi- to the extent of the Patriots, every single week all year long,” on Hernandez. fuelled by a desire to claim the The 30-year-old sustained the injury in Ospreys’ 22-9 win over zation distract them from their and none have enjoyed their said Gronkowski. “You’ve just got Six years before that, Belichick franchise’s sixth Super Bowl ti- Dragons on Dec. 31 and is set to undergo surgery this week. quest to repeat as Super Bowl level of success to keep on continuing that, keep was fi ned $500,000 and the Pa- tle. “After speaking to consultants and seeking specialist opinion, the champions. on preparing how we have been triots lost a fi rst-round draft “I mean, I don’t care about decision has been taken in Dan’s best interests to undergo sur- A report last week said there “You’ve just got to keep ig- and get ready for the big game.” pick after an investigation found it and I think a lot of guys don’t gery,” Ospreys medical performance manager Chris Towers said. was a rift between Patriots quar- noring the noise and just keep Few NFL teams have faced New England had videotaped an really care about what goes on “That process will take place this week, ruling him out of considera- terback Tom Brady, coach Bill our focus on what we’ve been controversy over recent years to opponent’s signals on the side- outside and who writes what tion for the rest of the current season.” Belichick and owner Robert Kraft doing all year and that’s prepar- the extent of the Patriots, and lines in what became known as and if we suck, if we’re great - it Wales are already without flanker Sam Warburton and centre but tight end Rob Gronkowski ing hard, studying our oppo- none have enjoyed their level of ‘Spygate.’ doesn’t matter,” said McCourty. Jonathan Davies for the Feb. 3 to March 17 Six Nations, while said he and team mates were not nent, getting ready mentally and success. Beyond all that, they have “So, I just think guys are moti- number eight Taulupe Faletau is also a doubt due to a knee injury. losing any sleep over it ahead of physically for the big game.” Just last season, the Patriots navigated through the mundane vated by Playing for each other, Warren Gatland’s side kick off their campaign against Scotland in their playoff opener on Saturday. Brady, Belichick and Kraft lat- overcame the NFL’s four-game ups-and-downs of injuries and their families more than an ESPN Cardiff on February 3 “The reputation that coach er issued a joint statement fl atly suspension of Brady stemming bad calls, reaching 11 AFC title article.”

RUGBY Zanni back while Polledri gets fi rst Italy call AFP fi rst two rounds.” Japan. Rome Italy – who took the wooden “I’ll also be doing two to three Banned Marler to miss England’s spoon for a second straight weeks with the Italian national fi rst two Six Nations matches time last year – open against team coaches over the year,” said lessandro Zanni is in defending champions England Smith. England prop was banned for six weeks on Tuesday, ruling line to earn his 100th on February 4 in the Stadio “I’ll attend a couple of camps him out of their opening two Six Nations games against Italy and cap for Italy and Jake Olimpico and then go to Ireland to have a mentoring-type role Wales next month. Polledri received his for the second round on Febru- with Conor O’Shea and Mike The Rugby Football Union (RFU) said the Harlequins player had ac- fiA rst call as coach Conor O’Shea ary 10. Catt. I have a real passion for cepted a charge of striking Sale flanker TJ Ioane with his shoulder last named his 34-man Six Nations The 34-man squad will travel Italy, its people and their Rugby, Saturday and would not be available until February 20. training squad on Tuesday. to Rome for a training camp, so my wife Trish and I are look- England’s third match of the championship is against Scotland at Mur- The 33-year-old Zanni last where they will be joined by ing forward to getting back there rayfield on February 24. played for Italy in the 2016 tour- young Benneton props Marco now and again.” An independent disciplinary panel found that contact was made with nament but injuries have since Riccioni and Cherif Traore, who Ioane’s head and it handed Marler a mid-range penalty. prevented the Benetton fl anker will train with the squad. Italy squad “The panel considered that the player’s previous record was such that from adding to his 99 caps. A fi nal 31-man squad will be Forwards (19): , it required an additional period of suspension of one week,” said panel He has been called up by named after that training camp , chairman Philip Evans. “However because of his plea, his conduct O’Shea along with Gloucester from January 21 to 24. (Benetton), (Ze- since the incident took place and other personal mitigation, the panel fl anker Polledri, with Leonardo O’Shea took over in March bre); (Benetton), Leon- allowed some reduction.” Sarto and also 2016 and his side shocked former ardo Ghiraldini (Toulouse/FRA), The suspension is the 27-year-old’s second of the season, the prop returning after being sidelined world champions South Africa in (); George having been given a three-week ban last October for use of the elbow. for the November Tests. November that year, beating the Biagi (Zebre), , Marco England centre Ben Te’o will also miss the start of the Six Nations “The exciting aspect in this Springboks 20-18 in Florence. Fuser, , Ales- after his club Worcester Warriors confirmed at a news conference on group is the number of options But the former Ireland inter- sandro Zanni (all Benetton); Tuesday that he would be out for another month with the ankle injury we are developing and the choic- national has had mixed results , Maxime he sustained in October. es we now have available,” said with Italy, winning just four of Mbanda (Zebre), Defending champions England face Italy in their Six Nations opener on Irishman O’Shea. 17 matches, including Novem- (Fiamme Oro), , February 4 before meeting Wales six days later. “We must continue to build ber Tests against Argentina and Abraham Steyn (all Benetton), Meanwhile two former New Zealand representatives are among four depth and we are aware of having South Africa. (Stade Francais), players suspended for doping off ences, the country’s Rugby authori- to improve, but we have made Meanwhile, former New Zea- (Gloucester) ties said yesterday. important progress compared to land legend Wayne Smith con- Backs (15): , Tito Zoe Berry played one Test for the Black Ferns against England in 2012, a year ago. fi rmed he will join Italy’s coach- Tebaldi, Tommaso Allan, Ian and Glen Robertson turned out for the New Zealand under-20 side in “I am aware that we will be ing setup later this year despite McKinley (Benetton), Carlo Can- 2010 and 2011 and is a former member of the New Zealand Sevens judged on the results but we all being diagnosed with prostate na, (Zebre); Mattia squad. Both were suspended for four years. know the level of play we will cancer. Bellini, , Tommaso The two others, Ben Qauqau-Dodds and Rhys Pedersen, both played face and the challenges that The 60-year-old believes the Boni, , Matteo at senior club level. await us in every game, starting surgery was a success and is Minozzi, Qauqau-Dodds is listed as the grandson of a former Fiji representative by playing the second and third already targeting a new role (Zebre); Tommaso Benvenuti, while Pedersen was voted the “best and fairest” club player in Mana- best teams in the world rankings working with Italy in the build- (Benetton); watu province last year. in the space of six days in the up to next year’s World Cup in (Glasgow/SCO) Gulf Times Thursday, January 11, 2018 7 SPORT

TENNIS SPOTLIGHTSPOTLIGHT Rublev leading the Russian advance Nadal begins new into Melbourne era without Toni ‘Moya has come with new ideas and new methods of working...’

Reuters That was his last competitive action as Barcelona he missed warm-up events in Abu Dhabi and Brisbane and only returned for the Kooyong Classic exhibition tournament afael Nadal showed that talk of on Jan 9, in which he lost in straight sets his demise had been exaggerated to Richard Gasquet. by winning the French and US Nadal was naturally rusty after his ex- ROpen titles last year although tended break but he looked free from his he faces a battle to repeat those feats notorious knee problems and is by no without his lifelong coach and uncle Toni means alone in heading to the Australian while also fi ghting familiar injury trou- Open after injury troubles. bles. Andy Murray has had to extend his six- He returns to the Australian Open, month absence by having hip surgery, where he lost a thrilling fi ve-set fi nal to while Novak Djokovic and Stan Wawrin- long-time rival Roger Federer in 2017, ka have not played competitively since after overcoming his chronic knee prob- Wimbledon in July although the pair, lems just in time and hoping to continue unlike the Briton, will be at Melbourne last year’s progress under new coach Park. Carlos Moya. Nadal’s biggest challenge, and that of Former world number one Moya will compatriot Moya, will be to beat tourna- lead the Mallorcan’s team, after spend- ment favourite and world number two Reuters ing last season with Rafael and Toni pre- Federer after losing all his four matches Melbourne Last week the 20-year-old paring for the latter’s retirement, having against the Swiss last season. began his season in style helped Nadal roar back to life after a bar- Federer took his grand slam tally to to reach the Qatar Open ren three-year spell without a grand slam 19 after extended rest breaks and Nadal, ound the alarm! The Rus- fi nal which pushed him trophy. who enters his 18th season on the ATP sians are coming” sounds to a career-high 32 in the He can take some credit for the vast tour, has also benefi ted from carefully like Cold War paranoia but rankings and a seeded improvement in Nadal’s second serve, picking tournaments to preserve his fi t- when applied to the world position at next week’s which helped the Spaniard win a 10th as a result,” Nadal said in an interview with new ideas and new methods of ness, something he will do so again this ofS men’s tennis it might be worth Australian Open Roland Garros title without dropping a with Spanish daily AS in December. working that have worked well and we year. sitting up and taking notice. set and saw him blow away Kevin An- “We’ll have to keep working on that are excited.” Nadal, 31, became the oldest “My schedule in 2017 was the correct Since Marat Safi n won the ture for Eurosport in Melbourne, derson to lift the fi nal major of the year because in my career there are two vital player to end the year as world number one, only playing the tournaments that Australian Open in 2005 no Rus- told Reuters in an interview. in New York. things, the serve and the return, where I one although the stresses and strain on were practically obligatory and the oc- sian man has reached a grand “He fi ghts so hard. I don’t “I increased my serve by several kilo- start the point and where I have to attack his body fi nally took their toll when he casional warm up event,” he told AS. “My slam fi nal and only Nikolay Dav- know whether it will be top 10 metres per hour and I think I did better so I don’t have to run more than I need to. had to pull out of the ATP World Tour Fi- plan for 2018 is similar and my aim is to ydenko and still active Mikhail or has a great slam like he did at overall with my second than fi rst, and I “It’s a new era and will be like adapt- nals in November after losing his opening miss out a few more events but it will de- Youzhny have come close. the US Open where he got to the can say I won some points almost for free ing to a diff erent routine. Moya has come round match. pend on results.” It has been a diff erent story in quarter-fi nals. That’s his mindset the women’s game during that now, winning slams, especially period with Maria Sharapova when you’ve reached a quarter- ROUND-UP and Svetlana Kuznetsova win- fi nal.” ning slams and Vera Zvonareva Rublev admitted after losing and Safi n’s sister, former world to South Korea’s Hyeon Chung in number one, Dinara Safi na reach- the NextGen fi nal that he needed ing fi nals. to beef up his physique and his Women’s bragging rights might work in the off -season with Vice- be coming to an end though. nte and Galo Blanco in Barcelona Muguruza pulls out of Sydney In young fi rebrands Andrey already looks to have paid divi- Rublev, Karen Khachanov and dends. AFP Classic yesterday to unheralded German Peter Gojowc- Daniil Medvedev, Russia has a “This time of my life, my career Sydney zyk. fearless trio of players all aged 21 is the most important as I lay the The American made a strong start with an early serv- or under who are determined to foundations for a strong future,” ice break but then folded as Gojowczyk took control to set the record straight. he said in Doha. “In working with pain’s world number three Garbine Muguruza beat the world number eight 6-3, 6-3 in just over an They all played at the ATP’s Fernando and Galo in Barcelona was forced out of the Sydney International with hour. NextGen Finals in Milan in No- during the off -season, we worked an injury following her win over Kiki Bertens Sock’s fellow American seeded players Sam Querrey vember where Rublev reached the on problems and weaknesses.” yesterday. and John Isner also exited in the second round but put fi nal. The big-hitting Khachanov SA week after retiring from the Brisbane International up more of a fi ght. Last week the 20-year-old be- also trains in Barcelona and he with cramps, leading Australian Open contender Mugu- Third-seed Querrey lost a marathon battle to Czech gan his season in style to reach the and Rublev are fi rm friends, while ruza had an early medical timeout for a thigh injury be- Jiri Vesely 6-4, 6-7 (10/12), 7-6 (7/5) while fourth-seed Qatar Open fi nal which pushed Medvedev took a diff erent path fore beating Bertens 6-3, 7-6 (8/6). Isner fell to 21-year-old Korean Chung Hyeon 7-6 (7/3), him to a career-high 32 in the having taken up the sport seri- But the win came at a cost. The Wimbledon champion 5-7, 6-2. rankings and a seeded position at ously at a later age. later announced she would be pulling out of the tourna- Defending champion Sock had a bye in the fi rst round next week’s Australian Open. Medvedev, 21, says the pres- ment, handing Australian Daria Gavrilova direct passage and dismissed his lack of form by saying he was “rusty” Khachanov is not far behind at ence of a bunch of players of the to the semi-fi nals. and claimed he had tried his best against the German de- 48 while the mercurial Medvedev, same age is a motivating factor, Muguruza’s decision comes less than a week out from spite some odd shot selections. who stunned three-times grand as is the prospect of emulating the Australian Open in Melbourne. “It’s my fi rst match of the year, I don’t know what you slam champion Stan Wawrinka the charismatic former world “I am disappointed but I have talked to the WTA doc- guys expect of me,” he said when questioned about his at Wimbledon last year, has been number one Safi n. tors and my team after the match today and following approach to the game. slightly later developing and is “It’s a big contest for us,” their recommendation, I have to withdraw from the While it was Sock’s fi rst ATP tournament of 2018, he ranked at 84. Medvedev, who has trained in tournament,” Muguruza said. did play in the Hopman Cup last week where he was nar- The pugnacious Rublev, the south of France since the age “I have felt pain in my right adductor since I started rowly beaten by Roger Federer 7-6, 7-5. coached by Fernando Vicente, of 18, told Reuters. “We want to practising here. Sock said credit also had to go to Gojowczyk who is looks the best bet for a strong climb the rankings as a group, but “Yesterday I felt better and wanted to play. However, Garbine Muguruza of Spain serves to Kiki Bertens of the ranked 65 in the world. run in Melbourne where last at the same time each one of us during the match today the pain has been there all the Netherlands in their second round match at the Sydney “I was up a break in the fi rst set, you guys act like I lost year he was taught a lesson by wants to be the fi rst in Russia. time but I wanted to compete.” International tennis tournament yesterday. 6-0 6-0,” the 25-year-old American said. Britain’s then world number one “Marat was an idol of mine, Muguruza was leading 2-1 in the opening set when she “The guy hit some unbelievable returns, he was paint- Andy Murray, gathering only fi ve especially the way he crashed the sought a medical time-out. can qualifi er Catherine Bellis 7-6 (7/4), 6-0. ing lines all over the place, slapping balls coming in... It games. His game has caught fi re rackets, and I hope that one of She showed few ill-eff ects upon her return to the Radwanska will play Italian qualifi er Camila Giorgi, was a rusty fi rst match, but you’ve got to get the cobwebs since and former world number us can make half of what he did court, reeling off six of the next eight games to take a who eliminated two-time Wimbledon champion Petra off , the ball didn’t feel as good as it has in the past.” one Mats Wilander is watching in tennis.” The Russian revolu- commanding lead against the 32nd-ranked Dutchwom- Kvitova 7-6 (9/7), 6-2. Second seed Juan Martin del Potro had no trouble dis- his progress with interest. tion spreads further too, when an. In the men’s event, Spanish top seed Albert Ramos- posing of rising Canadian Denis Shapovalov 6-2, 6-4. “I think he is going to have a considering that Germany’s ris- The Spanish top seed claimed the fi rst set before Vinolas was knocked out by Italy’s Paolo Lorenzi 6-3, Fifth seed and 2016 champion Roberto Bautista Agut breakthrough in terms of rankings ing star Alexander Zverev, now needing a tiebreaker to see off her opponent. 7-5. The Spanish world number 22 needed treatment for came from a set down to beat Steve Johnson 2-6, 6-2, because mentally he is there, he is ranked fourth in the world, has Gavrilova downed Samantha Stosur in their all-Aus- a leg problem early in the second set but continued play- 6-1, while four-time champion David Ferrer was un- consistent, even though the way Russian parentage and Cana- tralian second round night match 6-4, 6-2 and will ben- ing, without success, as Lorenzi moved into the quarter- troubled in his 6-2, 6-2 win over Joao Sousa. he plays is kind of inconsistent dian 18-year-old sensation Denis efi t from Muguruza’s setback to advance to the last four. fi nals. In the quarter-fi nals, Vesely plays Bautista Agut, Go- because he hits the ball so damn Shapovalov’s family also hail Poland’s Agnieszka Radwanska reached her fi fth Syd- Top seed Jack Sock rejected suggestions he may not jowczyk faces Robin Haase, Ferrer plays Chung and del hard,” Wilander, who will present originally from the country, mov- ney quarter-fi nal with a straight-sets win over Ameri- have been trying as he crashed out of the ATP Auckland Potro clashes with Karen Khachanov. his daily Game, Set and Mats fea- ing to Israel in the 1990s.

BOTTOMLINE Aspire Academy hosts KAS Eupen FC

By Sports Reporter 26-year-old Ivorian, Mamadou Koné, who pre- Doha viously played for Deportivo Leganés in Spain. Claude Makelele, the former Real Madrid and Chelsea midfi elder who took over from Jordi Auli he Belgian Pro League side KAS Eupen, Condom as KAS Eupen coach last November, is which is owned by Aspire Zone Foun- leading his team at Aspire Academy for the fi rst dation, is visiting Qatar for the team’s time. Under Makelele’s leadership, the team se- Tfourth consecutive winter training cured positive results before the winter break, camp at Aspire Academy, in preparation for the including a 1-0 win against KVRS Waasland- second half of the 2017-2018 season. The train- Beveren at the end of December, although the ing camp started on Monday and will last until team is currently still ranked 16th and last in the January 15. table. However, 15th position, which would see With a squad of 24 players, including the Qa- KAS Eupen avoid relegation, is just two points tari international Abdulkarim Hassan, the Bel- away and the team’s performance is steadily im- gian team features a number of Aspire Academy proving. graduates, including the Abdollah Ali Saei and The delegation accompanying the team in- toph Henkel said: “The training camp is a good Ahmed Homam Elamin. Their fellow Qatari cludes Chief Advisor of International Football opportunity to integrate the new players and we teammates at Eupen, Akram Afi f, Abdulrasheed Aff airs at Aspire Zone Foundation and KAS have already seen in the last couple of days that Ibrahim, Youssef Aymam Farahatand and Assim Eupen FC Board member Andreas Bleicher, our new joiners have good characters that fi t Madibo, are currently away with Qatar’s U-23 KAS Eupen players train Director General Christoph Henkel, Director perfectly with the rest of the team.” team at the U-23 Asian Football Confederation at Aspire. At right, coach of Finance, Legal and Administration Thomas During their time in Qatar, KAS Eupen will (AFC) Championships in China. Claude Makelele. Herbert, and Marketing and Merchandising play a friendly match on January 14 against Chi- The team features a couple new players such Manager Andre Palm. nese Super League side, Guangzhou Evergrande, as: 23-year-old Japanese striker Yuta Toyokawa, Commenting on their training camp at Aspire who are also holding their mid-season training who transferred from Leeds United on loan, and Academy, KAS Eupen-Director General Chris- camp at the Academy.

Thursday, January 11, 2018 GULF TIMES SPORT

HORSE RACING TENNIS Al Dawoodea Djokovic ‘very happy’ wins Dukhan Cup to start year for Al Shaqab with victory Champion Trainer Ghazali picks up three wins on the day, with two of those under Champion Jockey Bentley’s ride

AFP fi dent, but I’m very, very happy Melbourne with how it went today,” added the 30-year-old. “I don’t say I’m at 100 %, I can ovak Djokovic made a only say that when I get the feel resounding return yes- of a tournament. Ideally I would terday after six months have had another tournament Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club (QREC) general manager Nasser Sherida al-Kaabi (second from right) and QREC deputy chief steward Abdulla Rashid al-Kubaisi (right) with out with an elbow in- before the start of the Open, but Njury, declaring he felt “great” it was not meant to be. the winners of the Dukhan Cup after Al Shaqab Racing’s Al Dawoodea won the 1,700m race at the QREC yesterday. At bottom jockey Faleh Bughanaim rides Al Shaqab Racing’s Al Dawoodea to the winner’s enclosure after the win in the Dukhan Cup. PICTURES: Juhaim after beating world number fi ve “I’ll take whatever I can — one Dominic Thiem 6-1, 6-4 at the or two matches here will be good Kooyong Classic. preparation.” By Sports Reporter rahim al-Malki-trained Damsah and Salem Fadgam al- The Serbian 12-time Grand Thiem, who only arrived in Doha Hajri-schooled Magic Line were among the Thorough- Slam winner was in good form, Melbourne on Monday night breds to shed their respective maiden statuses. and full of optimism, after his from Doha after four days in fi rst competitive outing since bed with a virus, presented only atari jockey Faleh Bughanaim rode Al Shaqab RESULTS losing a Wimbledon quarter- a minimal challenge to the re- Racing’s Al Dawoodea to her fi rst Qatar win Race 1: 1. Saar (Marvin Suerland), 2. Musaiter Bu Thaila (Pier Con- fi nal to Tomas Berdych last July. charged Serb. when they won the Dukhan Cup, yesterday’s vertino), 3. Sharhan Azzam (Tomas Lukasek), 4. Matran (Harry Bentley). “I feel great, I was eager to “I’m free of fever and healthy feature on dirt at the Qatar Racing and Eques- Won by: 1 ½, 5 ¾, 1. Time: 1:14.73. Owner: Mohamed Abdulla al-Moadhadi. get onto the court,” he said after again,” the Austrian said. “I’m trianQ Club. Trainer: Zuhair Mohsen. playing with a fl esh-coloured still jet-lagged and was slow The 1,700m race for Purebred Arabian fi llies and mares Race 2: 1. Damsah (Eduardo Pedroza), 2. Rawdat Al Khail (Harry Bent- sleeve on his right arm. at the beginning of the match. saw Hossin Mohamed Ashour’s charge make good use of ley), 3. Reem Brooq (Jean Baptiste Hamel), 4. Queen Maouya (Rashid “I had a great opponent, it was I’ll sleep, eat and train and not the four-and-a-half-kilo advantage she had on the rest Ali al-Marri). Won by: ¾, 1 ¾, ¼. Time: 1:14.74. Owner: Mohamed Abdulla a test for me to see where I am, do too much. I’ll be fi ne for the of the fi eld, going past the post one and a half lengths Abdulmalik. Trainer: Ibrahim al-Malki. how the work we did pays off on Open.” ahead of top-rated Samjida, schooled by Jassim Mohamed Race 3: 1. Magic Line (Stephan Ladjadj), 2. Daira Bridge (JP Guil- court. It worked pretty well.” Australian Matthew Ebden, Ghazali and ridden by Harry Bentley. lambert), 3. Almasah (Theo Bachelot), 4. Reem Seattle (Jean Baptiste The former world number one, back on court after an injury- His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Khalifa al-Thani’s Hamel). Won by: ½, No, 2 ¾. Time: 1:14.00. Owner: Salem Fadgam who will be chasing a record sev- marred 2017, defeated Marin Cil- Hagwa, trained by Julian Smart, was third under Theo al-Hajri & Sons. Trainer: Salem Fadgam al-Hajri. enth Australian Open crown next ic 6-7 (3/7), 6-4, 7-5 in another Bachelot. Champion Trainer Ghazali, however, did pick Race 4: 1. Saher Elleil Al Sulaimi (JP Guillambert), 2. Dijlah Zakhir (Marc week, had pulled out of a warm- match at the exhibition tourna- up three wins on the day, with two of those under Cham- Lerner), 3. Hatem (Theo Bachelot), 4. Aziz’nafs (Gerald Avranche). Won up tournament in Abu Dhabi, ment. pion Jockey Bentley’s ride. by: 5 ½, No, ¾. Time: 2:01.35. Owner: Sheikh Jassim bin Suhaim al-Thani. raising concerns over whether World number six Cilic won Ghazali and Bentley combined well as Mansoor Ebra- Trainer: Jassim Mohamed Ghazali. he would be fi t enough to play at the opener but found his game him al-Mahmoud’s High Commander raced to a smash- Race 5: 1. High Commander (Harry Bentley), 2. King Of Doha (Tomas Melbourne Park. not quite up to competitive level ing fi ve-length victory in the Class 6 Thoroughbred Nov- Lukasek), 3. Qatar Weave (Jean Baptiste Hamel), 4. Bachelorhood “There was a doubt, especially as Ebden sneaked out the second ice Plate event. Hadi Nasser al-Ramzani-trained King (Marc Lerner). Won by: 5, 2 ½, ½. Time: 2:11.15. Owner: Mansoor Ebrahim after I pulled out of the fi rst week set and then won a tight third. Of Doha was the runner-up ahead of Umm Qarn’s Qatar al-Mahmoud. Trainer: Jassim Mohamed Ghazali. of the year,” he admitted. Cilic, last year’s losing Wim- Weave. Race 6: 1. Tamih (Jean Baptiste Hamel), 2. Hydroxide (Pier Convertino), “I personally didn’t know bledon fi nalist against Roger Fe- The two were at it again when Injaaz Stud’s My Sha- 3. Succeed and Excel (Theo Bachelot), 4. Alizoom (Faleh Bughanaim). what’s going to happen. We did derer, heads into his fi nal prac- rona topped the fi ve furlong Class 2 Thoroughbreds Won by: 5 ¾, ¾, 1 ¼. Time: 1:48.37. Owner: Al Wasmiyah Farm. Trainer: some treatment and obviously tice days for the Australian Open sprint. The only lady in the eight-horse competition beat Khalifa bin Ali bin Mohamed al-Attiyah. gave it a lot of thought,” Djokovic content with his form. Mohamed Hussain’s Risk Adjusted for the win, while Ast- Race 7: 1. Shabah (Theo Bachelot), 2. Kufoo (Jean Baptiste Hamel), said. “The most important thing ley Hall was edged out to third by a quarter of a length. 3. Khor Al Adaid (Tomas Lukasek), 4. Chanson Du Soleil (Gerald “Luckily... I’m here and so I’m is to feel the conditions, to get In the only maiden run for Arabians, Ghazali’s Saher El- Avranche). Won by: 1 ¼, 3, Hd. Time: 2:15.99. Owner: Al Shahania Stud. hoping in the next four, fi ve days comfortable,” he said. “It’s im- leil Al Sulaimi registered his fi rst career win under JP Guil- Trainer: Julian Smart. everything will go well and I’ll be portant to fi nd a good rhythm. lambert’s ride. Race 8: 1. My Sharona (Harry Bentley), 2. Risk Adjusted (Gerald ready for the Open.” “Overall, I’m quite happy with Al Shahania Stud’s Shabah stayed unbeaten with the Avranche), 3. Astley Hall (JP Guillambert), 4. Victory Laurel (Eduardo While pleased with his my level. I was feeling the ball Smart ward winning his third outing on dirt, a Purebred Pedroza). Won by: 1 ¼, ¼, 2. Time: 00:59.26. Owner: Injaaz Stud. Trainer: progress, Djokovic — who has well and hitting cleanly from Arabian Handicap event for horses rated 90 and below. Jassim Mohamed Ghazali. dropped to 14 in the world rank- both sides.” Theo Bachelot helmed the six-year-old to a fi ne victory Race 9: 1. Al Dawoodea (Faleh Bughanaim), 2. Samjida (Harry ings — admitted he still had work Former Australian Open fi nal- with Umm Qarn’s Kufoo and Essa Mohamed al-Sulaiti’s Bentley), 3. Hagwa (Theo Bachelot), 4. Zahwah (Carlo Fiocchi). Won to do ahead of the opening Grand ist Marcos Baghdatis of Cyprus Khod Al Adaid making up the top three. by: 1 ½, 1, 6 ¾. Time: 1:59.55. Owner: Al Shaqab Racing. Trainer: Hossin Slam of the year. beat US Open runner-up Kevin Earlier in the day, Zuhair Mohsen-saddled Saar, Ib- Mohamed Ashour. “I don’t want to be over-con- Anderson 6-4, 3-6, 6-3.

BASKETBALL Al Arabi, Rayyan record contrasting wins

By Sports Reporter edged ahead steadily to lead Al Rayyan scraping past Al Doha 28-21 after the fi rst quarter Wakrah 96-22. and 52-37 after the second. Al Rayyan edged the fi rst By the time the third quar- quarter 27-26 and despite a icholas Stover ter was over Al Arabi had tough fi ght put up by Al Wak- scored 27 points as taken a massive 23-point lead rah managed to keep them- Al Arabi thrashed (77-54) virtually sealing the selves slightly ahead for most Al Shamal 95-80 in outcome of the match. part of the match. Nthe Qatar Baketball League at Justin Monroe of Al Shamal By the third quarter, Al Al Gharafa Sports Club yes- had the misfortune of ending Rayyan had taken a 73-65 terday. up on the losing side despite lead and although Al Wak- William Byrd also excelled topping the score sheet with rah managed 27 points in the with 20 and Oumar Seck 28 points. Moses Ehambe fi nal quarter, they couldn’t chipped in with 18 as Al Arabi also excelled with 26, while overcome the defi cit, even- dominated for most part of Saleh ElHag chipped in with tually fi nishing four points in the match for a deserving 15. the red. win. Al Arabi had 21 fast break For Al Rayyan, Sherwood Al Shamal could only cope points, while Shamal had 15. Brown scored 23 points while with Al Arabi during the fi rst Substitutes accounted for Abdelrehman Abdelhaleem fi ve minutes of the match 12 of Al Arabi’s points, while had 18 and Stephen Hurt 17. when both teams scored nine Shamal had none in this de- Adamu Saaka scored a points. partment. match-high 30 points for Al Al Arabi’s Nicholas Stover goes for the basket against Al Shamal in the But after that it was Al The second match was Wakrah while Earnest Ross Qatar Basketball League yesterday. Arabi all the way as they more closely fought with had 27. Al Rayyan’s Sherwood Brown in action against Al Wakrah.