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Friday, January 8, 2016 CRICKET Rabia I 28, 1437 AH Warner hits quickfi re GULF TIMES century as rain-hit Sydney Test drawn SPORT Page 3

TENNIS / QATAR EXXONMOBIL OPEN Kuznetsov makes Nadal work for victory, Djoko wins easy ‘He played so crazy with amazing shots. It was so diff icult to be under control’ Doha shares best ATP 250 event award with St Petersburg

Doha, host of the Qatar ExxonMobil Open, has joined St Petersburg, Indian Wells and Queen’s as the top four tournaments on the ATP Tour in 2015. Doha and St Petersburg are the two new- comers to the 250 series list, according to a list announced by the ATP in the 2015 ATP World Tour Awards. The awards are announced in respective tournament categories. The Tournament of the Year awards, voted annually by ATP players, recognise the leading standards set across the three tournament categories on the Tour. Indian Wells repeats at the ATP World Tour Masters 1000 level, while The Queen’s Club in London wins in its first year as a 500 tournament. In the 250 category, first-time winners Doha and St. Petersburg share honours. Chris Kermode, ATP executive chairman and president, said: “Many congratulations to these four tournaments for setting the standard in their respective categories in 2015. They are each outstanding events in their own right, and this is a fitting recogni- tion, as voted by the players, for all the World number one Novak Djokovic plays a return against Leonardo Mayer of Argentina yesterday. hard work and dedication that goes into putting on these world class tournaments.” fi rst time the Russian had taken a set he played tonight was really amaz- in the semi-fi nals today. Czech Berdych For the first time since 2004 and the fourth from Nadal, having lost in their only ing. I played a great third set, because and Britain’s 21-year-old Edmund were time overall (since 1986), two events have previous match last year at the French if not, I will not be in the semi-fi nal,” locked in a late match last night. been named joint winners in the ATP World Open. he added. Earlier, the un-fancied March- Tour 250 category. It was a golden chance for Kuznet- Djokovic, who took the court after enko continued his giant-killing The Qatar ExxonMobil Open hosts its 24th sov to cause an upset but he fal- Nadal, found himself tested against act as he scored a shock 6-3, 7-6(3) edition this week, boasting a field that tered. The mental aptitude of Nadal, Mayer in the second set. But unlike win over seventh seeded Frenchman includes Top 10 players, including Novak Rafael Nadal of Spain exults after winning his Qatar ExxonMobil Open match which has been questioned in recent the Spaniard, he bailed himself out Jeremy Chardy. The 94th-ranked Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and Tomas Berdych. against Andrey Kuznetsov of Russia yesterday. PICTURES: Noushad Thekkayil times, was on test here and the 14- and saved the trouble of playing three Ukrainian was in visible discomfort The St. Petersburg Open, held in Septem- time Grand Slam champion fought sets. as he suffered from a back problem, ber, celebrated its 20th edition in 2015 as By Sahan Bidappa On the other hand, Nadal has gone through it. After wrapping up the fi rst set com- but found a way to win after calling it returned to the ATP World Tour calendar Doha 18 hard-court tournaments since He missed a break point early on fortably, Djokovic was broken early for a medical time-out twice in the following a one-year hiatus. winning a title. Last night, it looked but made use of the second chance in the second set by Mayer, with the second set. “Our aim is always to make a great event like the World No. 5 would have to as he converted the Russian’s serve Argentinean playing solid from the Marchenko qualifi ed for the third where players can feel relaxed and at f Novak Djokovic is chasing one wait for some more time when he in the ninth game. He then served baseline. However, Djokovic found semifi nal of his career, his fi rst since home, where they can perform at their streak, then Rafael Nadal is hoping came up against a determined Andrey out the match to heave a sigh of relief the groove just when it mattered as 2010, and a dream date with Nadal, on best, where they want to return year after to end one. Since his quarterfi nal Kuznetsov, the 79th-ranked Russian. and book his place in the semi-fi nals he broke back Mayer when he was 4-5 the back of powerful service game. year,” Qatar ExxonMobil Open tournament loss at the Qatar ExxonMobil Open However, Nadal, the 2014 cham- against tournament’s surprise pack- down. Mayer not only failed to serve director Karim Alami said. Ilast year, Djokovic is on a roll as the pion, held on after losing the second age Illya Marchenko of Ukraine. out the match but lost the next three RESULTS “We are always listening to the opinions World No.1 has reached the fi nal of 15 set to complete a tough 6-2, 5-7, 6-4 Nadal paid credit to Kuznetsov for games, handing the 10-time Grand Singles (quarter-finals) and feedback from the organisation and tournaments he has played thereafter. victory over Kuznetsov in two hours making it tougher for him, but was Slam champion Djokovic his ‘tough- Illya Marchenko (UKR) bt 7- Jeremy from the players and trying to learn from If he reaches the fi nal tomorrow and eight minutes. pleased to eventually come through. est’ win in Doha. Chardy 6-3, 7-6(3); 2-Rafael Nadal our mistakes and past experiences to keep here in Doha, Djokovic will inch closer Nadal had breezed past the fi rst “Well, he played amazing, I think, Djokovic was pleased that he could (ESP) bt Andrey Kuznetsov (RUS) 6-3, improving and to keep raising the bar to Roger Federer’s mark of 17 straight set in 37 minutes, but gave away in no? He played so crazy with amazing bring an early end to the match, af- 5-7, 6-4; 1-Novak Djokovic (SRB) bt 8- every year. fi nals, which the Swiss set from June the second, broken three times by shots. It was so diffi cult to be under ter being put to some test. “It was not Leonardo Mayer (ARG) 6-3, 7-5. “To achieve the recognition of the players 2005 to August 2006. The kind of Kuznetsov, despite converting a break control,” he said. easy out there. He is a tough customer. Doubles (semi-finals) for these eff orts and be selected by them form that he is in at the moment, it’s himself. “It’s true that I missed the serve I expected a tough match from him. He 4- Philipp Petzschner (GER) / Alexan- as the best ATP World Tour 250 tourna- most likely that Djokovic will do that, Kuznetsov’s powerful forehands more times than I wanted. But I plays very well from the baseline and al- der Peya (AUT) bt 1-Jean-Julien Rojer ment for the year 2015 makes us all very as the top-seed Serb beat eighth seed were on fi re on the centre court, as he played a real bad game only with my ways makes you play that extra shot. So (NED) / Horia Tecau (ROU) 7-6 (5), 6-2. proud and gives us the strength and moti- Leonardo Mayer of Argentina 6-3, 7-5 belted some solid winners down the serve at 4-3 in the second set. The it was hard for me tonight,” said Djoko- 3-Feliciano Lopez (ESP) / Marc Lopez vation to continue improving and making to enter the semi-fi nals here at the baseline, with the 24-year-old Rus- rest, his return was amazing and he vic, who will face either third seed To- (ESP) bt 2-Jamie Murray (GBR) / Bruno our event better and better,” Alami said. Khalifa Complex. sian forcing the decider. It was the was playing so good. I think the level mas Berdych or qualifi er Kylie Edmund Soares (BRA) 3-6, 6-3, 10-5.

FOCUS Platini withdraws bid for FIFA presidency, will focus on clearing name AFP Platini and Blatter were suspended support — 100 offi cial letters from fed- tycoon Tokyo Sexwale, former FIFA was in 2011,” he told AFP when the ban Paris for eight years by FIFA’s ethics commit- erations and 50 promises. All in two vice president Prince Ali bin al-Hus- was announced. tee over a 2 million Swiss franc ($2 mil- days.” sein of Jordan, UEFA general-secretary “There was a debt that was settled, lion/1.8 million euro) payment made to Platini said he will concentrate his Gianni Infantino and Jerome Cham- full stop! Then, in 2015, the Swiss court uspended UEFA chief Michel Platini in 2011 for work carried out be- resources on an appeal to the Court pagne, a former FIFA assistant general wanted more information. Then it took Platini (pictured) yesterday tween 1999 and 2002. of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) and secretary from France. off at FIFA and a lot of people at FIFA withdrew from the race to be- The 60-year-old Platini added that the FIFA electoral commission which Platini, a FIFA vice president, and are happy that this issue happened. come FIFA president, telling his eight-year ban has made it impos- is presided over by Domenico Scala 79-year-old Blatter were banned from “And here I am, suspended from all L’EquipeS that he will concentrate on sible for him to have any kind of con- and “claimed that I had falsified ac- all football-related activities by FIFA’s football-related activity for eight years.” clearing his name instead. structive campaign to take the sport’s counts”. ethics committee on December 21. Platini repeated his suspicions that “I will not present myself for the most powerful job. He added: “I have fought like I have Platini insisted there was nothing the timing of the ban was a deliberate presidency of FIFA. I am withdrawing The new FIFA president will be re- always fought in my life but I have not illegal in his oral contract he said was attempt to prevent him from standing my candidature. I no longer have the vealed on February 26. been given the opportunity to compete agreed with Blatter. The salary agree- in February’s election. time nor the means to go to the voters, “It is a question of the calendar, but this time round.” ment was however never disclosed in “What was the FIFA ethics commit- to meet people, to fi ght against the oth- not only that. How can you win an elec- Platini’s decision to give up on his FIFA documentation until the payment tee doing between 2011 when I was paid er candidates,” said Platini in reference tion when you are prevented from cam- dream of becoming FIFA president was made in 2011. and 2015? Was it sleeping? Suddenly it to the January 26 deadline for nomina- paigning?,” he told French sports daily cided not to run again for a post he had leaves fi ve declared candidates. “I’m struggling to understand. Why? wakes up,” he scoff ed. tions to succeed Sepp Blatter. L’Equipe in the interview to be pub- held since 1998, he was busily garner- They are Asian football head Sheikh How did we get to this? I did some work, “Ah yes, it wakes up in a FIFA elec- “In withdrawing, I am dedicating lished in full today. ing support for the FIFA presidency. Salman bin Ebrahim al-Khalifah of I asked to be paid, I sent an invoice, I tion year when I’m a candidate. It’s myself to my defence.” Platini added that when Blatter de- “I had received 150 declarations of Bahrain, South African politician and was paid, I paid my taxes on that. That amazing!” Gulf Times 2 Friday, January 8, 2016 SPORT

QATAR EXXONMOBIL OPEN BRISBANE INTERNATIONAL Federer sails Marchenko’s dream in Brisbane, run continues Crawford ‘When you play those guys, your level goes up. I’m really happy to play Rafa’ beats Petkovic

Reuters rout to further enhance her rep- Brisbane utation. “It happened fast. I was trying to not think about it too much, oger Federer took 55 not psych myself out,” the former minutes to dispel all in- U.S. Open junior champion said. jury doubts with a 6-2, “Right after I won, on the on- 6-1 routing of unher- court interview I was like shak- aldedR German Tobias Kamke in ing, and then in the locker room I the second round of the Brisbane was like sitting for just like a little International yesterday. bit. But yeah, this is awesome.” Media speculations swirled Crawford is playing in just around the fi tness of the world her sixth WTA Tour event and number three less than two her strong showing at an event weeks before he launches his bid which has seen the top seeds for a fi fth Australian Open title succumb to injuries should bring and the Swiss maestro dismissed her inside the top 100 for the fi rst them by dropping only three time. games in a lop-sided contest. The American, who spent time “I’m going to do my best to growing up in China and speaks stay injury free and give myself fl uent Mandarin, has yet to drop a chance to win another grand a set in Brisbane after dispatch- slam,” Federer said after setting ing another rising talent Belinda up a quarter-fi nal against Grigor Bencic of Switzerland in the sec- Dimitrov. ond round. Bulgaria’s Dimitrov came from She faces twice Australian behind to beat Viktor Troicki 5-7, Open champion Victoria Aza- 7-6(6), 6-2, while big-serving renka who trounced US Open fi - Canadian Milos Raonic bat- nalist Roberta Vinci 6-1 6-2. tled through to the last eight Germany’s Angelique Kerber with a 6-7(2), 6-1, 6-4 win over also booked a semi-fi nal spot with Croatian Ivan Dodig. a 6-4, 6-4 victory against Russia’s In the women’s draw, Ameri- Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova. can qualifi er Samantha Craw- At number four, the German is ford continued her breakout run the highest seed remaining after by storming into her fi rst WTA injury robbed the tournament of semi-fi nal after pummelling An- Maria Sharapova, Simona Halep drea Petkovic. and Garbine Muguruza. The 20-year-old Atlanta na- In the last four, she takes on tive, ranked 142nd in the world, Spaniard Carla Suarez Navarro blasted 22 winners against the who rallied past American Varvara befuddled German in a 6-3 6-0 Lepchenko 4-6, 6-4, 7-5.

Ukraine’s Illya Marchenko in action during his Qatar ExxonMobil Open match against Frenchman Jeremy Chardy at Khalifa Complex yesterday. PICTURE: Noushad Thekkayil

By Sahan Bidappa some good fortunes. Having begun his controlling the game. I was up 5-0. And bor Toth in Bratislava, Slovakia. With the Doha new season by knocking out defending then I lost a bit of focus,” Marchenko said situation in Ukraine not stable, March- champion and fourth seed David Ferrer in after the win. enko made the move from Donetsk in the fi rst round, Marchenko continued his “Got a bit nervous at the end but still Ukraine and the time under Toth at the llya Marchenko is living a dream at dream run yesterday, as he sent seventh held my serve at 5-3. And second set was Love 4 Tennis Academy seems to be the Qatar ExxonMobil Open. The seeded Frenchman Jeremy Chardy pack- more diffi cult, because I got pain in my working for him. Ukrainian was the last direct accept- ing to seal his place in the semi-fi nals. back and I was struggling a bit with that. “Because of the coach, I went to Slova- ance for the Doha event at No. 94 in His 6-3, 7-6 (3) win over 31st-ranked Because of my back, I started to make kia. I have been working with him for one Ithe ATP World Rankings. And he is mak- Chardy, meant Marchenko will face more mistakes and was not confi dent in year now. I am from Donetsk, where the ing the most from it. World No. 5 and second seed Rafael Nadal the rallies, while running, and especially situation is not really good. I haven’t been Having had to fi ght for a spot in the in today’s semi-fi nal at the Khalifa Com- in the serve. But the tiebreak was per- there for almost two years. It was easy to main draw by playing qualifying matches plex. A dream outing for Marchenko, who fect,” he added. get residence in Slovakia and I have a lot all his career, Marchenko benefi ted after will only play the third semi-fi nal of his On the biggest match of his career, of friends there,” Marchenko said. breaking into the top-100 last year. His career and fi rst since St. Petersburg, Rus- against 14-time Grand Slam Champion The 28-year-old said diff erent rou- career best ranking is No. 67, which he sia, in 2010. Nadal, Marchenko said he had nothing to tines such as training in the mountains, achieved in July 2010, but had to work up Against Chardy, even a sore back, for lose. “I think it’s a win-win situation. Of has helped him start the new season on the ladder by winning a bunch of ITF Fu- which he took a medical time-out twice, course to play Rafa, it’s a great opportu- a high. “Compared to last year, yeah, we tures and ATP Challenger events. could not prevent Marchenko from nity for me. If you play against him, you have done some changes. I went to the At the ATP Tour level, though, the marching ahead. He took a 5-0 lead in can improve your level and it’s better to mountains with my fi tness coach. Last 28-year-old has lost more matches than the fi rst set, and while he lost his focus see what you have to work on in the game. year, it was a diff erent one. Now I am with he has won and has never gone past sec- for a bit, he managed to take the set. In When you play those guys, your level my full team, my tennis coach and my ond round at a Grand Slam. He had pre- the second, Marchenko hung on with his goes up. I’m really happy to play Rafa,” he physio. It was like a kind of investment viously not won a set against a top-10 booming serves, which proved vital in the added. for me,” he explained. player, let alone a match. tie-breaker. For the last one year, he has been train- “I’m really happy it’s paying back that Roger Federer of Switzerland hits a return against Tobias Kamke of But 2016 seems to have brought him “Well, the start was really good. I was ing under well-known Slovak coach Ti- quick. And that’s it.” Germany during their Brisbane International match yesterday. (AFP)

SPOTLIGHT Loeb leads Peugeot 1-2-3, al-Attiyah fourth overall Below-par Safarova to skip Australian Open Ukraine reach World number nine Lucie Safarova said yesterday she would skip the Australian Open because of health Hopman fi nal problems linked to a bacte- rial infection that saw her hospitalised for a week last AFP he needed to eke out a win over September. Perth Hewitt. “The treatment of my bacte- “Today was a tough match, rial infection has become he’s not easy to play, and it was complicated in recent days,” kraine advanced to not easy to come back,” he said. Safarova told AFP through their second Hopman “I didn’t want to go to third her spokesman Karel Tejkal. Cup fi nal with a 2-1 win match at 1-1, we’d lost both our “I couldn’t do the training over Australia Gold in mixed doubles and we needed to UPerth yesterday. win this match. that would allow me to fly to the tournaments in Australia The home team needed to win “It means a lot, I get a bit more well prepared,” said Safa- the tie to stay alive, but Ukraine nervous (playing for Ukraine) rova, who won the doubles claimed both singles matches to than in my own tournaments, title at the 2015 Australian ensure they fi nished their round and the whole country is watch- Open with Bethanie Mattek- robin phase unbeaten in three ing. There is just one match left Sands. ties. now and that’s the fi nal.” “That’s why I have decided The Australian combination Svitolina continued her im- to pull out, not to burden of Lleyton Hewitt and Jarmila pressive form this week by out- the organism by travelling, Wolfe won the dead mixed-dou- classing Wolfe in quick time. and focus on treatment and bles rubber in a match tiebreak. The world number 19 has been gradual convalescence,” The pairing of Alexandr in brilliant singles form and has added the 28-year-old left- Dolgopolov and Elina Svitolina, not dropped a set in the tour- handed Czech. who have both won all their sin- nament, having also beaten the “My joints still hurt and so I gles matches this week, will play 11th-ranked Karolina Pliskova. can’t prepare the way I and in Saturday’s fi nal. That left Australia Gold need- my coach would like.” Ukraine’s previous appearance ing straight sets wins in the “The bio-chemical checks at the Hopman Cup was back men’s singles and mixed doubles are not a hundred percent in 1995, when siblings Andrei to be a chance of reaching the fi - either,” Safarova said 11 days Medvedev and Natalia Medvede- nal. before the Australian Open va reached the fi nal. That dream was alive briefl y starts in Melbourne. They were beaten 3-0 in the when Hewitt, in his eighth and Safarova, who played the decider by the German pairing of fi nal appearance in Perth, took French Open last year before Boris Becker and Anke Huber. the fi rst set against Dolgopolov. catching the infection, has After Svitolina gave Ukraine However, the 36th-ranked already pulled out of the the early advantage with a 6-3, Ukrainian took the second set off Peugeot’s French driver Sebastien Loeb (right) shakes hands with Bolivian President Evo Morales on the podium at the end of Hopman Cup. 6-3 win over Wolfe, Dolgopolov the dual Grand Slam champion to Stage 5 of the Dakar Rally 2016 between Jujuy, Argentina, and Uyuni, Bolivia, yesterday. Nine-time world rally champion Loeb Safarova said she could pos- came from a set down to beat scuttle Hewitt’s hopes of a fairy- continued to make light work of his Dakar debut by claiming his third stage win. The French driver extended his lead in the overall sibly manage the first-round Hewitt and put them into the fi - tale Hopman Cup ending. standings. Loeb won the 327km timed run in 3hr 32min 34sec with Peugeot teammates Carlos Sainz and Stephane Peterhansel Fed Cup tie in Romania on nal. Dolgopolov then launched completing a sweep for the French manufacturer. Qatar’s Nasser Saleh al-Attiyah finished fourth in yesterday’s stage to stay fourth February 6-7 if everything Dolgopolov said his form was Ukraine into the fi nal by taking overall. Australian Toby Price won in the motorcycle category even as Paulo Goncalves has the lead overall. (AFP) went well. not as good as in his previous the third set to complete a 4-6, two singles wins, but he knew 6-3, 6-4 win. Gulf Times Friday, January 8, 2016 3 CRICKET

SPOTLIGHT Pakistan’s Afridi defends himself aft er media row

AFP the same from others,” he said. Karachi “It’s under my captaincy that the Amir cleared to tour New Zealand aft er visa granted team rose to number two but we made basic errors to lose against England and Mohamed Amir has been cleared to play in New Zealand Before the spot-fixing scandal, which also involved Amir’s akistan’s Twenty20 captain that aff ected our rankings.” this month with off icials confirming yesterday that the Paki- captain Salman Butt and fellow Pakistan bowler Mohammad Shahid Afridi defended him- Team manager Intikhab Alam man- stan paceman had been granted a visa despite a conviction Asif, Amir was regarded as the hottest property in interna- self yesterday after a row with aged to pacify the media, who returned for spot-fixing. tional cricket. a television journalist that on Thursday to cover the fi nal day of Amir, who served three months in jail in 2011, had been He had 51 wickets in 14 Tests, 25 in 15 one-day internationals Pprompted the media to briefl y boycott the camp. included in the Pakistan team to play three Twenty20 and 23 wickets in 18 Twenty20 matches. coverage of an ongoing training camp, “I have talked to Afridi and he has matches and three one-day internationals subject to clear- Pakistan play their first Twenty20 against New Zealand in saying he “always respects others”. reiterated that he respects the media, ance from Immigration New Zealand (INZ). Auckland on January 15. Afridi was asked by Dunya News so hopefully such an incident will not INZ area manager Michael Carley told Fairfax Media that a journalist Sanaullah Khan at the camp happen again,” Alam said on Thursday. visitor visa had been approved. in Lahore on Wednesday how he would The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) “In making this decision, INZ considered factors including improve his captaincy after a recent said the incident should not be blown the support of the New Zealand and Pakistan Cricket Board 3-0 loss against England in the United out of proportion. and that Mr Amir had served his sentence for his previous Arab Emirates saw Pakistan plummet “It should not have happened,” PCB actions.” to sixth in the world Twenty20 rank- chairman Shaharyar Khan told media. Amir said he was “delighted” at the news. ings, from a high of second. “We will look into it but don’t take it as “I can’t wait to board the plane come Sunday,” he told AFP. A miff ed Afridi retorted: “I expect- something big.” A Pakistan Cricket Board spokesman confirmed that the visa ed you to ask such a pathetic and low Afridi has led Pakistan since Mo- had been approved. question, someone ask the next ques- hammad Hafeez stepped down in 2014, When Amir was named in the Pakistan squad, New Zealand tion please.” winning six of the last ten matches. captain Brendon McCullum said he had no objections to The dismissive reply on live televi- a similar answer, even took to Twitter Pakistan will fl y to New Zealand on facing Amir. sion ignited anger among journalists, with a live #AskSana question-and- January 10 to play three Twenty20 “He was a very young man at the time and I think he’s gone who boycotted the remainder of the answer session about the incident. matches and as many one-day in- through a sound rehabilitation programme and ultimately if planned events on Wednesday and de- On Thursday, Afridi defended him- ternationals, the fi rst in Auckland on he gets out on the field against us, then you play against the manded an apology. self and accepted responsibility for the January 15. Afridi said he was sure the man you’re playing against not a man who may have made Khan, who had asked Afridi a simi- humiliation in the UAE. players would improve their rankings some mistakes as a youngster,” he told Radio Sport. lar question in November and received “I always respect others and demand during the tour.

REPORT FOCUS Skipper Holder hails ‘tremendous’ Warner hits quickfi re Ramdin

AFP coach in June 2013, and under Karachi him Pakistan have lost six of their nine one-day series. They have shown improve- akistan announced ment in Tests, however, win- century as rain-hit yesterday its national ning four of their six series, team’s head coach losing one and drawing the Waqar Younis will other. Pfulfi l his responsibilities until The tour will be Pakistan’s the end of England’s tour later fi rst to England since their this year. infamous tour in 2010 when Waqar’s two-year contract three of its players—then Test expires in May this year, but captain Salman Butt, Moham- Sydney Test drawn Pakistan Cricket Board chair- mad Asif and Mohammad man Shaharyar Khan said his Amir—were charged for spot- team management will con- fi xing during the Lord’s Test. Draw gives Australia 2-0 series win, Australia declaration deal spurned tinue until September. All three players were jailed “We have not taken a fi - in the UK. nal decision on the contracts However, they completed Reuters of the team management but their fi ve-year bans in Sep- Sydney Australia’s batsman David Warner leaps in Waqar and other staff will tember this year and are eli- the air aft er scoring his century against the continue until the end of Paki- gible to play at international West Indies on the fi nal day of the third Test stan’s tour of England,” Khan level. ustralia’s David Warner in Sydney yesterday. (AFP) told AFP. Amir has since been se- lit up the fi fth day of Pakistan plays four Tests, lected in Pakistan’s limited the weather-ravaged fi ve one-day internationals over squad for the tour of New third Test against West and a Twenty20 on the tour Zealand starting with the fi rst IndiesA with an 82-ball century which starts from June 29. Af- Twenty20 on January 15. before the dead rubber contest ter two warm-up games the Pakistan will play three petered out in a draw at the Syd- fi rst Test starts at Lord’s from Twenty20 and as many one- ney Cricket Ground (SCG) yes- July 14. day internationals on the New terday. Waqar took over as head Zealand tour. A draw and a 2-0 series vic- tory for the hosts was always on the cards after all but 11 overs of day two and the entirety of days three and four were washed out. Australia captain Steve Smith, however, said he had off ered his West Indies counterpart Jason Holder a deal which would have set up the chance of a result but was turned down. “I off ered him 370 in 70 overs, which I thought was pretty gen- erous,” Smith told reporters. “It would take some good bat- ting to get that on a day fi ve SCG wicket but they weren’t up for the challenge unfortunately.” Holder said West Indies had made a collective decision to spurn the off er. “We just felt at this stage of our development it wasn’t the West Indies batsman Denesh Ramdin sweeps a ball from the best thing for us,” he told report- Australian bowling on the final day of the third Test in Sydney ers. “It was a team vote, team yesterday. (AFP) decision ... I just think it was the best thing for the team.” West Indies, who had resumed on 248 for seven, were dismissed Pakistan extends coach Waqar’s for 330 to bring up lunch be- contract until England tour fore Man of the Match Warner launched his assault in front Pakistan announced yesterday its national team’s head coach of 6,000 fans attracted to the SCOREBOARD Waqar Younis will fulfil his responsibilities until the end of ground by free entry. WEST INDIES 1st innings (248-7 overnight) wood), 5-158 (K. Brathwaite), 6-159 (Holder), 7-246 (C. Brathwaite), England’s tour later this year. It was a typically aggressive K. Brathwaite c Smith b Lyon ...... 85 8-296 (Ramdin), 9-300 (Roach), 10-330 (Taylor) Waqar’s two-year contract expires in May this year, but Paki- display of batting from the lo- S. Hope c Nevill b Hazlewood ...... 9 Bowling: Hazlewood 18-5-49-1, Pattinson 18-3-76-2 (1nb), Lyon 46-12- stan Cricket Board chairman Shaharyar Khan said his team cal lefthander, who had notched Bravo c Khawaja b Pattinson ...... 33 120-3, Marsh 4-1-15-0, O’Keefe 26.1-7-63-3 management will continue until September. up 122 not out to help Australia Samuels run out (Hazlewood) ...... 4 “We have not taken a final decision on the contracts of the to 176 for two when the players J. Blackwood b Lyon ...... 10 AUSTRALIA 1st innings team management but Waqar and other staff will continue shook hands on the draw. D. Ramdin c Smith b O’Keefe ...... 62 D. Warner not out ...... 122 until the end of Pakistan’s tour of England,” Khan told AFP. The 29-year-old hit two six- J. Holder c Burns b O’Keefe ...... 1 J. Burns c Roach b Warrican ...... 26 Pakistan plays four Tests, five one-day internationals and a es and 14 fours in his 103-ball C. Brathwaite b Pattinson ...... 9 Marsh c Blackwood b Warrican ...... 21 Twenty20 on the tour which starts from June 29. After two knock, heaping more indignity K. Roach c Burns b Lyon ...... 15 P. Nevill not out ...... 7 warm-up games the first Test starts at Lord’s from July 14. onto a West Indies bowling at- J. Taylor c Lyon b O’Keefe ...... 13 Extras ...... 0 Waqar took over as head coach in June 2013, and under him tack which took just 12 wickets J. Warrican not out ...... 21 Total (2 wickets; 38 overs) ...... 176 Pakistan have lost six of their nine one-day series. over the series. Extras (b5, lb2, nb1) ...... 8 Fall of wickets: 1-100 (Burns), 2-154 (Marsh) They have shown improvement in Tests, however, winning He reached his 16th test cen- Total (all out; 112.1 overs) ...... 330 Bowling: Taylor 4-0-27-0, Holder 4-1-15-0, Roach 4-0-29-0, Warrican four of their six series, losing one and drawing the other. tury when he swept the ball Fall of wickets: 1-13 (Hope), 2-104 (Bravo), 3-115 (Samuels), 4-131 (Black- 15-1-62-2, C. Brathwaite 7-0-23-0, K. Brathwaite 4-0-20-0 The tour will be Pakistan’s first to England since their infamous down leg side for three runs be- tour in 2010 when three of its players—then Test captain fore leaping into the air in his Salman Butt, Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Amir—were now traditional celebration of nity of the series, another illus- Adam Voges was named Man ously taken 20 wickets on four (15) and O’Keefe (3-63), playing charged for spot-fixing during the Lord’s Test. the milestone. tration of Australia’s dominance. of the Series after hitting 269 occasions.” his maiden test on home soil, All three players were jailed in the UK. Joe Burns was the tourists’ Australia won the fi rst Test and 106 in his two innings, both For West Indies, Denesh Ram- brought an end to the innings However, they completed their five-year bans in September 11th victim, departing for 26 and in Hobart by an innings and 212 unbeaten. “It’s been quite an im- din secured a half century for with the wicket of Jerome Tay- this year and are eligible to play at international level. all-rounder Mitch Marsh made runs before an equally domi- pressive summer for us to win a second successive test before lor (13). Tailender Warrican, who Amir has since been selected in Pakistan’s limited over squad 21 after being promoted up the nant 177-run victory in the sec- four tests out of the six and not falling for 62 to a sharp Smith took fi ve of West Indies 12 wick- for the tour of New Zealand starting with the first Twenty20 on batting order. Spinner Jomel ond test in Melbourne but a 2-0 lose any,” said Smith. catch off the bowling of spin- ets over the series, was left on January 15. Warrican claimed both wickets. triumph was not enough to lift “I think in total we’ve scored ner Steve O’Keefe. Australia’s 21 not out, the fi fth time in fi ve Pakistan will play three Twenty20 and as many one-day inter- Peter Nevill scored seven not them above India into second 15 centuries between us in six other spinner Nathan Lyon (3- innings in the series he had kept nationals on the New Zealand tour. out in his only batting opportu- place in the ICC test rankings. test matches and we’ve obvi- 120) dismissed Kemar Roach his wicket intact. Gulf Times 4 Friday, January 8, 2016 SPORT

ATHLETICS QATAR CUP SHOOTING Sabri claims 10m air rifl e gold medal Former top offi cials By Sports Reporter In the junior section of the Doha event Mohamed al-Mubarak took the gold medal with a fi - nal score of 118.6. Mohasin Ali atar’s Mohamed Sabri al-Ahmed and Gamal Fahad al- claimed the men’s 10m Muraqab occupied the second air rifl e gold medal in and third places respectively. the Qatar Cup Shoot- “It was one of the most chal- get life bans for ingQ Championship 2016 at Lusail lenging tournaments I have ever International Shooting Complex. participated. My aim is the sen- Abdullah Sunaidi fi nished ior category medals and for that second while Ali al-Mohannadi I am trying best,” Al-Mubarak claimed the bronze. Sabri scored said. 203.5 points, while Sunaidi The event is being held in scored 202.9. preparation for the Asian Shoot- “It was a tough competition ing Championship to be staged doping blackmail and the fi nal results show that. in New Delhi from January 25 I am happy with my perform- to February 6, 2016, which will ance,” Sabri said after emerging serve as a qualifi cation event for Ex-Russian athletics chiefs and son of ex-IAAF head banned the champion. the Rio Olympic Games.

AFP London

wo top Russian athlet- ics offi cials and the son of former world gov- erning body President TLamine Diack were banned from the sport for life on Thurs- day for covering up an elite Rus- sian athlete’s positive dope test and blackmailing her over it. The bans follow last year’s World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) independent commis- sion report that found a state- sponsored culture of doping in Russia and prompted the coun- try’s suspension from the sport. The report shook world ath- letics and raised doubts over Russia’s participation in this year’s Olympics Games. Valentin Balakhnichev, the Winners of the men’s 10m air rifle (above) and junior 10m air rifle former head of the Russian ath- (below) celebrating on the podium at Qatar Cup Shooting letics federation, the country’s Championship 2016. former head distance coach Aleksey Melnikov, and Papa Massata Diack, a former mar- keting consultant to the IAAF This file photo taken on September 4, 2011 shows Valentin Balakhnichev, president of the All-Russia Athletics Federation, waving the (International Association of IAAF flag during a handover ceremony at the end of the final day of the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) World Athletics Federations) were all Championships in Daegu. (AFP) handed life bans by the IAAF Ethics Commission. were found to have been involved to WADA. “The quality of the khnichev and Diack were also mail’.” “The IAAF has already “We are angered by the be- in taking payment for covering breaches determined as proven fi ned 25,000 dollars and Meln- introduced corrective measures trayal of our sport by these in- up positive drugs tests or turning by the Panel need no hyperbolic ikov 15,000. The R-Sport agen- to make sure this sort of inter- dividuals,” European Athletics a blind eye to the activities. The exaggeration,” the report said. cy said Balakhnichev had de- ference can’t happen again.” President Svein Arne Hansen IAAF scandal, which offi cials Three senior IAAF offi cials scribed the ban as “politicised” Sebastian Coe, who suc- said in a statement, demanding accept could extend to other had, it said, conspired to con- and that he intended to appeal; ceeded Lamine Diack—who Balakhnichev be stripped of his countries, coincides with a cor- ceal for more than three years but sports minister Mutko said is also under investigation by Honorary Council member sta- ruption scandal shaking world anti-doping violations by an there was no point in appealing French authorities—as presi- tus with the organisation. soccer governing body FIFA that athlete at what appeared to be as the ban “had been expected”. dent last August, said: “The life Russian Sports Minister Vi- has resulted in bans and arrests the pinnacle of her sport. “There are no facts, but they bans announced could not send taly Mutko, however, accused around the world. make it (look) as if Balakhnichev a stronger message that those the IAAF of trying to divert at- Thursday’s sanctions related SINS OF OMISSION is the author of the whole system who attempt to corrupt or sub- tention away from publication primarily to the case of Rus- “The Panel considers in the of corruption in world athletics. vert the sport of athletics will be next week of the second part of sian former London marathon light of its fi ndings that VB I’m not surprised by that.” brought to justice.” WADA’s investigation which is winner Liliya Shobukhova, who (Balakhnichev), AM (Melnikov) The Monaco-based IAAF, WADA held back the sec- expected to criticise the world paid $600,000 to have positive and PMD (Diack) should be reeling from a succession of ond part of its report, pending governing body. “They are cor- dope tests covered up. banned for life from any further doping and graft scandals, said French police and Interpol in- recting their own image,” he She was subsequently al- involvement in any way in the it was “angered to see that indi- vestigations. The IAAF Com- told Russia’s R-Sport agency. lowed to compete at the 2012 sport of track and fi eld. viduals have in the panel’s fi nd- mission panel said there had The IAAF’s former doping chief Olympics and the lucrative It said that in Dolle’s case “his ing ‘conspired to extort what been no requests for an ad- Gabrielle Dolle was also banned Chicago marathon but then sins were those of omission, were in substance bribes from journment because of those en- for fi ve years after all four men gave evidence on the matter rather than commission”. Bala- the athletes by acts of black- quiries.

REPORT QATAR OPEN GOLF Guptill fl yer sets NZ up for three-run victory

AFP Mount Maunganui

n-form batsman Martin Guptill cracked 58 off 34 balls to set up New Zealand for a tense three-run win in the fi rst Twen- ty20 international against Sri Lanka yes- Iterday. Sri Lanka had three wickets in hand and required 13 off the last over by Grant Elliott at Mount Maunganui but could only manage 10 runs as they lost two wickets. The result put the pressure on Sri Lanka to win the second and fi nal game in Auckland on Sunday or they will slip from fi rst to third behind the West Indies and Australia in the Martin Guptill of New Zealand plays a shot during the first Twenty20 match against Sri Lanka world rankings. at the Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui yesterday. (AFP) New Zealand, sent into bat fi rst at Bay Oval, made 182 for 4 in their 20 overs and Sri Guptill was fi rst to fall for 58 when he was run 0, Vandersay 4-0-30-1, Dilshan 2-0-20-0 Lanka replied with 179 for 9. out by a side-on throw from Kapugedera on SRI LANKA Sri Lanka lost early wickets and were 86-5 Williamson’s call for a quick single. D. Gunathilaka c Taylor b Sodhi ...... 46 at the halfway stage with top scorer Danush- Williamson followed soon after for 53 off T. Dilshan c Ronchi b Boult ...... 0 ka Gunathilaka back in the pavilion after hit- 42 while Colin Munro scored 36 and Ross D. Chandimal c Sodhi b Henry ...... 7 ting 46 off 29 deliveries. Tillakaratne Dilshan Taylor was not out 22. For Sri Lanka, Ku- S. Jayasuriya c Ronchi b Boult ...... 4 went at the start of the second over and cap- lasekara took two for 26, while the leading A. Mathews c Elliott b Henry ...... 4 tain Dinesh Chandimal was out in the third bowlers for New Zealand were Boult with M. Siriwardana c McClenaghan b Boult .....42 over as they tried to force the pace against three for 21 and Henry with three for 44. T. Perera c Guptill b Henry ...... 28 the bowling of Matt Henry and Trent Boult. SCOREBOARD C. Kapugedera runout (Guptill/Ronchi) ...... 17 Milinda Siriwardana (42) and Thisara Per- NEW ZEALAND N. Kulasekara c Boult b Elliott ...... 14 era (28) started to repair the innings with a M. Guptill run out (Kapugedera) ...... 58 J. Vandersay not out ...... 4 stand of 49 in 27 balls for the sixth wicket K. Williamson c Lakmal b Kulasekara...... 53 S. Lakmal not out...... 1 and Chamara Kapugedera (17) and Nuwan C. Munro c & b Kulasekara ...... 36 Extras (lb6, w4, nb2) ...... 12 Kulasekara (14) kept up the pressure. C. Anderson c Siriwardana b Vandersay ...... 2 Total (9 wickets; 20 overs) ...... 179 But on the third ball of the fi nal over Ku- R. Taylor not out...... 22 Fall of wickets: 1-10 (Dilshan), 2-27 (Chan- lasekara was well caught in the deep by Boult G. Elliott not out ...... 10 dimal), 3-33 (Jayasuriya), 4-42 (Mathews), and Kapugedera was run out on the next Extras (w1) ...... 1 5-84 (Gunathilaka), 6-133 (Perera), 7-153 delivery. Guptill and Kane Williamson gave Total (4 wickets; 20 overs) ...... 182 (Siriwardana), 8-173 (Kulasekara), 9-174 Golfers in action on the first day of the Qatar Open Amateur Golf Championship at the Doha New Zealand a fl ying start bringing up their Fall of wickets: 1-101 (Guptill), 2-131 (William- (Kapugedera) Golf Club. About 126 golfers are taking part in the three-day event. The winner of the event and century partnership at the start of the 11th son), 3-135 (Anderson), 4-163 (Munro) Bowling: Henry 4-0-44-3 (nb1), Boult 4-0-21- the two best Qatari players will get to play the prestigious Qatar Masters later this month. over. Bowling: Lakmal 3-0-39-0, Perera 3-0-39-0 3, McClenaghan 4-0-40-0 (w4, nb1)), G. Elliott PICTURES: Jayaram But they had no sooner passed 100 when (w1), Kulasekara 4-0-26-2, Jayasuriya 4-0-28- 2-0-18-1, Sodhi 4-0-33-1, Munro 2-0-17-0 Gulf Times Friday, January 8, 2016 5 SPORT

NBA NHL Goalie Gibson hurt as Ducks no match Heat come out fl at for Maple Leafs in loss to Knicks ‘We keep getting to this level of three games, of putting together a string of games then you have this. This will force us to really connect’

Ryan Kesler #17 of the Anaheim Ducks loses the puck to Mark Arcobello #33 and P.A. Parenteau #15 of the Toronto Maple Leafs.

MCT he jumped on a loose puck cre- Anaheim ated by teammate Matt Hunwick having his shot blocked. The winger snapped a shot past Gib- A Parenteau scored son and didn’t stop there. twice, Jonathan Bernier In the second period, Paren- stopped 39 shots for his teau went to the net to deposit a second shutout of the rebound left by Gibson on James Pseason and the Toronto Maple van Riemsdyk’s initial chance. Leafs had no problem handling Parenteau, the Ducks’ ninth- the Anaheim Ducks, 4-0, on round pick the 2001 draft, had Wednesday night. his second multi-goal game of Nazem Kadri also had a sec- the season. ond-period goal for the Leafs, Kadri gave the Leafs a three- who pushed their road record to goal lead when he took a pass 9-9-2 to start their three-game from Leo Komarov and beat Gib- trip through California. Toronto, son clean from the left circle on a which also got two assists from corresponding rush after Ducks Tyler Bozak, plays the Los Angeles forwards Shawn Horcoff and Ja- Kings at Staples Center last night. kob Silfverberg failed to connect The Ducks (16-16-7) had won on a two-on-one rush up ice. four of fi ve coming out of the Bernier has had much better Christmas break but lost in regu- results since a demotion to the lation for the fi rst time since Dec. American Hockey League that 21 and failed to move back into came after a horrid 0-8-1 start playoff position in the Pacifi c Di- to his season. He’s gone 6-2-2 vision. since his call up from the Toronto And it wasn’t their only loss of Marlies. the evening. John Gibson, who The Ducks were shut out for became an All-Star goalie for the the eighth time and they lost fi rst time Wednesday, was forced Gibson in the fi rst minute of the to leave the game in the third third after Kadri collided with with an apparent lower-body him as he charged toward the net. Carmelo Anthony #7 of the New York Knicks shoots against Tim Hardaway Jr. #10 and Al Horford #15 of the Atlanta Hawks at Philips Arena in Atlanta, Georgia. injury. Gibson, who had stopped 22 of 25 Bernier was sharp right from shots, was attended to by Ducks MCT The Knicks, by contrast, got a high- Results Beyond 12 points apiece from Wade the opening period. His 18 saves trainer Joe Huff and eventually Miami percentage 25-point eff ort from forward and Bosh, there was little in the fi rst half not only kept the Ducks off the had to come out. Carmelo Anthony, on 9-of-12 shooting, Oklahoma City 112 Memphis 94 from the Heat. scoreboard but allowed Toronto Frederik Andersen replaced saw center Robin Lopez outscore Heat San Antonio 123 Utah 98 The Knicks pushed to their halftime to take a lead into the fi rst inter- him and Leafs forward Brad t is one thing to play with the fi re that center Hassan Whiteside 19-8, with re- Boston 94 Detroit 99 lead, their largest of the fi rst half, even mission. Boyes managed to defl ect a puck is early homecourt defi cits. It is an- serve forward Derrick Williams off er- Brooklyn 74 Toronto 91 with prized rookie Kristaps Porzingis Parenteau provided that when past him at 2:47 of the third. other to do it when you can’t convert ing 13 points and eight rebounds off the Portland 98 LA Clippers 109 scoreless in the fi rst half, attempting 3-pointers. bench, Phoenix 111 Charlotte 102 just one shot. Anthony compensated by IFor the fourth time this season the Mi- The Heat’s fi rst 3-pointer did not come Minnesota 74 Denver 78 shooting 5-of-6 in the fi rst half, with NFL ami Heat attempted to extend a three- until a Bosh conversion with 3:22 to play, New Orleans 91 Dallas 100 the Knicks at .568 from the fi eld over the game winning streak to four. For the after an 0-for-12 start from beyond the Miami 90 New York 98 opening two periods. fourth time they failed, falling, 98-90, arc. The Knicks, by contrast, closed at Orlando 86 Indiana 95 Like Porzingis, Dragic also was Wednesday night at AmericanAirlines .557 from the fi eld, the fi rst opponent to Washington 115 Cleveland 121 scoreless in the first half, missing all Raiders won’t reveal Arena to the New York Knicks, who in- shoot better than 40 percent against the three of his shots over the opening two stead exited with a three-game winning Heat in four games. periods. streak of their own. “You’re playing against a set defense on 3-pointers to that stage. Even with the Knicks completing their case for “We keep getting to this level of three for most of the night,” Spoelstra said of For the Heat, there was little in the a back-to-back set and the Heat idle games, of putting together a string of the Knicks consistently forcing the Heat fi rst three periods beyond 16 points from Tuesday, it was New York that got off to games,” coach Erik Spoelstra said, “then to inbound below the New York basket. Bosh and 14 from Wade, although Goran a quick start, moving to an early seven- leaving Oakland you have this.” And, so, the Heat’s most recent four- Dragic did come around from a scoreless point lead before the Heat closed within And now into the abyss they head, game winning streak remains one in April fi rst half to score eight in the third period. 22-21 at the end of the opening period. with 11 of the next 12 on the road, a six- 2014, LeBron James’ fi nal regular-season The Heat labored through an 18-point The Heat had Whiteside back after he MCT for relocation has traction with game road trip to open Friday against the month with the team. second quarter and were down 47-39 at missed Monday’s victory over the Pacers Oakland league owners remains unclear. Phoenix Suns. “This will force us to really Even going into the game, Spoelstra halftime, struggling early just as they with tendinitis in his right knee. After a full day of meetings connect,” Spoelstra said. appreciated the moment. did in Monday’s overtime victory over Spoelstra said Whiteside cleared all in New York on Wednesday, the Lethargic early and disastrous from “This is a big, big game for us,” he said the Indiana Pacers. It was just the latest necessary tests. hould the Raiders have to 17 owners making up the NFL’s distance throughout, closing 2-for-17 on earlier Wednesday. “And to play at a high languid fi rst half at home for the Heat, “He’s already been checked out by our tell the world why they Stadium, Finance and Los An- 3-pointers, the Heat off ered little more level in this league, identity is obviously a trend through the season’s fi rst two full medical staff ,” Spoelstra said before want to leave Oakland? geles Opportunities committees than the 28 points of forward Chris Bosh paramount, but very close behind that is months. the game, “There is nothing structurally The NFL’s six-page re- said little other than the league and the 18 from guard Dwyane Wade. consistency. How consistent can you get The Heat stood at 40 percent from the wrong.” Slocation policy seems to say yes will require the Rams, Chargers “It felt and looked like we were playing in to that identity? That’s not something fi eld and 0-for-7 on 3-pointers at the in- With Whiteside back, Chris Andersen, - in fact, it requires them to pub- and Raiders to adhere to several mud,” Spoelstra said. “And we just couldn’t that we’ve gotten to yet.” termission. Monday’s emergency starter, moved back lish their reasons in local news- stipulations, including a $550 generate the necessary energy defensively. The Knicks pushed their lead to 13 in The Heat shot .364 in the second quar- to the end of the bench, with former papers. Confronted with the pol- million relocation fee, the Los “Off ensively, it was really tough to get the third quarter and took a 71-59 lead ter, a period the Knicks ended by con- Knicks forward Amar’e Stoudemire also icy, the St. Louis Rams released Angeles Daily News reported. into a fl ow.” into the fourth, with the Heat 0-for-10 verting their fi nal seven shots. cycled out of the Heat rotation. their relocation application That is expected to set the Tuesday, and it contains plenty stage for a fi nal decision next of discouraging words about St. week when all 32 NFL owners BOTTOMLINE Louis as a football market. meet in Houston. But so far, the Raiders have “I think everyone’s looking refused to follow suit, and the forward to a resolution to this league is backing them up, say- whole process,” Chargers owner ing its policy doesn’t say what it Dean Spanos told the Daily News. seems to say. “(Hopefully), it’ll get done.” UC Berkeley Law School Pro- Spanos also hasn’t released the Seven wins in a row for Clippers fessor Stephen Sugarman ques- Chargers’ relocation bid, even tioned the NFL’s interpretation though the league’s relocation MCT with 14 points and 14 rebounds. lum, who averages 21 points a of its rules but said that fans and guidelines state that teams must Portland Austin Rivers added 16 points game. The Trail Blazers tried to cities such as Oakland had no le- publish notice of their intent to off the bench in his latest strong correct the mistake by present- gal standing to demand the Raid- leave in local papers and that the performance, making seven of ing a new roster but did so after ers release their reasons for seek- notice “must be accompanied by t was an odd game before it 10 shots. the 60-minute cutoff prior to ing to leave town. a ‘statement of reasons’ in sup- started, the Portland Trail Clippers forward Wesley tipoff . “The whole idea of having a port of the move.” Blazers missing their sec- Johnson, who had missed prac- Offi cials from both teams were sensible criteria set out in advance Responding to a request by ond-leading scorer because tice the previous two days with present during a subsequent call is ... to avoid another antitrust the St. Louis Post Dispatch, Ithe wrong name was circled on a plantar fasciitis in his right foot, to the NBA, with the Clippers battle between the league and the Rams released their “state- roster sheet. missed his fi rst fi ve shots but wanting to know why McCollum the team seeking to relocate - as ment of reasons” on Tuesday. The Los Angeles Clippers made his fi rst make meaningful, could be active if Danny Granger happened with the Raiders in the The 28-page document argued then somehow looked outnum- burying a three-pointer midway was ruled inactive in March 2014 past,” he wrote in an e-mail. that St. Louis was a subpar foot- bered for much of the second through the fourth quarter. Then when the Clippers made a simi- Sugarman also said the league ball market and that the team’s half before persevering, 109-98, he took a charge on Ed Davis lar mistake. The league ruled had good reason to try to keep proposed $1.86 billion stadium Wednesday night at the Moda that helped put the momentum that McCollum should remain private the applications submit- in Inglewood would generate Center thanks to another en- squarely back in the Clippers’ inactive. ted by the Raiders and San Diego more money for the league than semble performance. favour. “I signed the paper without Chargers. a competing Los Angeles-area Almost every member of the “Plays like that coming from really noticing it, but it’s my “It would be bad for (them) stadium pitched by the Raiders Clippers’ lineup contributed in guys like that are huge,” Redick fault for not looking at it,” Port- to trash their hometowns and and Chargers. the fi nal minutes as they averted Clippers point guard Chris Paul collected 21 points and 19 assists. said. land coach Terry Stotts said. then lose out to (the Rams) in the The Raiders did not respond an epic collapse while stretching Damian Lillard had 20 points “Although we caught the error, competition to move to Los An- to requests Wednesday for their their winning streak to a season- Paul logged six assists in the sion-making rested with Paul. on an ineffi cient seven-for-25 we thought that we caught it geles,” he wrote. statement, and NFL Executive high seven games. fi nal 5:52 to help the Clippers “What I love about what Chris shooting night for the Trail in time (but) apparently we did The Raiders’ dissatisfaction Vice President Eric Grubman There was celebratory danc- hold on after what had been a is doing,” Rivers said, “he’s pick- Blazers, who were missing CJ not.” with Oakland is hardly secret. said the league interpreted its ing in the locker room after Clip- 23-point halftime lead was re- ing the right plays out of our play McCollum because of a pregame Doc Rivers, noting that he had Team owner Mark Davis has said rules as only requiring a simple pers point guard Chris Paul col- duced to six on a few occasions sheet without looking to me.” clerical error. twice submitted incorrect ros- he wants total control of the 120- notice about relocation. lected 21 points and 19 assists, in the fourth quarter. Clip- Redick fi nished with 20 The McCollum mess started ters, wondered about the point acre stadium as a starting point “It does not call for publica- the latter fi gure his highest total pers coach Doc Rivers said that points, Paul Pierce made fi ve when Portland submitted a ros- of the pregame paperwork. for talks - a condition the city tion of the Statement of Reasons in his fi ve seasons with the team with the exception of one play three-pointers on the way to 17 ter sheet before the game with “The bottom line is, honestly, has said it can’t meet because it or supporting material,” Grub- and two short of tying his career he called that led to a JJ Redick points and DeAndre Jordan was reserve guard Luis Montero cir- there should be no active list,” could imperil the Oakland A’s. man wrote, declining to state the high. three-pointer, all of the deci- strong in his usual categories cled as active instead of McCol- Rivers said. Whether the Raiders’ case league’s legal rationale. Gulf Times 6 Friday, January 8, 2016 FOOTBALL

SPOTLIGHT: Bayern Munich in Qatar QATAR STARS LEAGUE Lekhwiya grab top You can always December honours By Sports Reporter Doha

ekhwiya head coach Djamel Belmadi has been announced as the QSL improve, says Lahm coach of the month for LDecember 2015. The Algerian tactician has guided his side to Captain Philipp Lahm has clocked up plenty of miles attending Bayern’s training fi ve consecutive wins, including impressive 4-0 victories over Al camps over the years, in the Black Forest, New York, Tokyo and now Qatar again Ahli and Al Gharafa. Whilst during the fi ve game Agencies period, Lekhwiya have registered Lekhwiya coach Djamel Belmadi. Doha 18 goals. It’s not only in front of goal that the Red Knights have the QSL player of the month for been impressive. They have only December. The Tunisian inter- hilipp Lahm has clocked up plen- conceded three goals, two of national picked up the award at ty of miles attending FC Bayern which came in the comprehen- his sides training ground. The training camps over the years, in sive 6-2 victory over Al Wakrah. award caps a fantastic month the Black Forest, Malaga, New Lekhwiya have been resurgent for the current QSL Champions, York,P Shanghai, Dubai, Tokyo and now in recent weeks, returning their after head coach Djamel Belmadi Qatar again. And he’s not fi nished yet. “I title winning best. The statistics picked up coach of the month guess it’s approximately my 22nd training provided by Prozone form the award for December. camp,” the captain exclusively told fcbay- basis of the judgement criteria Statistics provided by Prozone ern.de. The 32-year-old also recalled Fe- for the player and coach of the form the basis of the judgement lix Magath’s boot camps, revealed the ‘in’ month. This is refl ected in the criteria for the player and coach spot at any camp, spoke of a problem with average amount of passes by the of the month. The creative mid- card games, and set a clear target for the side over the fi ve week period. fi elder racked up an Impressive rest of the season: “We have to win tro- The Red Knights averaged 496 performance ranking of 92.5 over phies.” passes per game, which is way the fi ve games. Not only this, Excerpts from the interview. above the 400 pass average for but Msakni also contributed fi ve QSL sides. goals and had fi ve assists during Philipp, how many training camps have Whilst controlling the ball was the period for his side. you attended? crucial for the side, Lekhiwya Physical statistics which are “I’ve been a pro for 12 years... I was in- also exhibited considerable fl air provided by Prozone also suggest jured a couple of times... so I guess it’s ap- dribbling the ball on average 20 that Msakni excelled over the proximately my 22nd training camp.” times a game, almost double the fi ve games. In terms of sprint- average of 11 dribbles for a QSL ing distance, the midfi elder ran a You’ve had camps supervised by vari- side. total of 302 meters per game this ous coaches: Hermann Gerland, Ottmar Powered by the dynamic mid- eclipses the QSL positional av- Hitzfeld, Felix Magath, Louis van Gaal and fi eld of Yousef Msakni, Vladimir erage distance of 218 meters per Pep Guardiola to name but a few. Whose Weiss and Nam Tae Hee the cur- game. camps were the toughest? rent QSL champions have had Whilst the technical statis- “Felix Magath’s. Running and circuit an impressive unbeaten period, tics also suggest that the tricky training were the top priorities. It was which now stretches back to sev- midfi elders average of 3.2 shots torture at times and can’t be compared to en QSL games. per game inside the penalty area, a camp like the one here with Pep Guar- Lekhwiya’s impressive month which dwarfs the QSL positional diola.” was topped off with Belmadi average of 0.4 per match. Such a scooping the QSL coach of the high number of shots in the area Why is the time spent at a training camp month award. The Red Knights would have contributed to his more valuable than simply working out on will be looking now to maintain haul of fi ve goals, including two the practice ground at home? this good run of form as they re- goals in the 4-0 humbling of ri- “On the one hand it’s due to the much main in the hunt for silverware vals Al Gharafa. better weather elsewhere compared to this season. Lekhwiya are currently in third Munich in January, and on the other you’re Bayern Munich put spot in the QSL, they will be more focused. There are no distractions. 15-year-old through paces PLAYER OF THE MONTH: hoping that this good vein con- You relax between the two workouts each at Qatar training camp YOUSSEF MSAKNI tinues into the second half of the day, and you don’t go straight home after Lekhwiya midfi elder Youssef season, as they look to chase for the second one, you go for treatment. You Christian Fruechtl is swapping school Msakni has been announced as honours domestically. have plenty of time for yourself and your for training with Bayern Munich at the body.” German champions’ midseason camp in Doha. ANALYSIS Does the 32-year-old Philipp Lahm ap- At just 15, Fruechtl is the youngest proach a training camp diff erently com- of coach Pep Guardiola’s 29-strong pared to the 20-year-old you? squad in Qatar - but at 1.90m tall “I certainly have diff erent feelings doesn’t really have to look up to the Milan’s problems about the week spent at the camp. I have more senior Bayern players. Bayern Munich skipper Philipp Lahm during the training session held at the Aspire a family now and it’s always a shame when The young goalkeeper is training with Zone yesterday. (Top right) Bayern coach Pep Guardiola. PICTURES: Othman Iraqi I’m away travelling. You don’t think about World Cup winner Manuel Neuer and psychological, says that kind of thing as a younger man.” the Bayern reserve keepers Sven Ul- reich and Tom Starke, parrying shots Bayern’s football has been dominant, from the likes of Robert Lewandowski Donadoni fl exible and successful so far this season. Is and Thomas Mueller. there anything left to work on? Sport director Matthias Sammer says “You can always fi ne-tune and im- Fruechtl’s young years are hardly prove, and that’s what we’re working on. noticeable on the training ground. It’s also important we get the injured play- It’s “very early” for a 15-year-old ers back. We’ve laid solid foundations, but to train with the first team “but he you always have to take the season as a doesn’t look 15,” he said. “He has a lot whole. We have to win trophies.” to off er. He’s interesting and good.” Fruechtl lives in Bayern’s youth After training you’re often involved in centre for upcoming talent - which spontaneous and very lively crossbar chal- has housed the likes of Bastian lenges. Will we see a contest or two here in Schweinsteiger, David Alaba, Owen Doha? Hargreaves or Holger Badstuber - and “I’m sure we will. It’s great fun. The vi- plays for the Under-16 team. tal thing is to get as many points as pos- He has been given a few days extra sible right at the start so you don’t end up school holiday to join the senior as what we call the Arschbolzen in goal professionals and four other junior (laughs). But up to now I can’t complain.” players at the camp in Qatar. AC Milan coach Sinisa Mihajlovic. (ww.fcbayern.de) AFP pull yourself out of moments like Milan this.” LEAGUE CUP Mihajlovic, whose task this season is to try and qualify Milan C Milan are a qual- for the Champions League after a ity side but are suff er- two-year absence from Europe’s ing many psychologi- premier club competition, would cal problems, Bologna add ‘scoring goals’ to that list of Everton edge City in fi rst leg of semi coachA Roberto Donadoni said recommendations. after his team’s shock 1-0 win at Milan spurned a host of the San Siro on Wednesday. chances to break the deadlock DPA Barkley was parried into his half, “They have some problems, before Emanuele Giaccherini’s London though Lukaku might have been many of which are psychologi- 82nd minute winner for the given off side. cal,” Donadoni told the Milan visitors, leaving Mihajlovic per- Sergio Aguero fed Navas for a Channel after steering his side to plexed about how Carlos Bacca, eague Cup favourites classy equalizer on 76 minutes, their fi rst win of 2016 and their Alessio Cerci and several other Manchester City will but just over 60 seconds later Lu- third in four consecutive games. players failed to hit the net with have to come from be- kaku headed Gareth Barry’s cross “The qualty is there, unfortu- 16 shots on goal. hind if they are to reach from close range for his 12th goal nately when things aren’t going “We weren’t unlucky, when Lthe fi nal after they were beaten in his last 12 appearances. well the players start to feel the you miss fi ve one-on-one 2-1 at Everton on Wednesday in Everton hung on without alarm weight of the Milan shirt.” chances to beat the goalkeeper the fi rst leg of the semi-fi nal. for the last 10 minutes to give Donadoni, who has trans- you risk conceding a goal at the Romelu Lukaku scored the themselves a fi ghting chance go- formed Bologna since taking end, and that’s what happened,” winner with his 19th goal of the ing into the second leg. over from sacked Delio Rossi at said Mihajlovic. season to take a slender advan- Liverpool lead Stoke City the start of November, knows “I’m really disappointed for tage into the second leg in three 1-0 going into the home leg at all about pressure having been everyone, we are creating a lot of weeks in Manchester. Anfi eld after winning away on at the helm of Parma last season opportunities but we’re scoring “It was important to score. In Tuesday night. when they suff ered the ignominy few goals. When you get stuck in that moment we were playing “We knew the fi rst leg was go- of fi nancial ruin and relegation the rut, that’s what happens. better, but Lukaku is a very dan- ing to be an incredible challenge, from Italy’s top fl ight. “Physically, the lads are fi ne. gerous player,” said City man- but the character we showed was The 52-year-old former Italy Maybe it’s a mental problem that ager Manuel Pellegrini, who was incredible,” Everton manager coach is also an authority on Mi- we have to look at.” angry at a number of decisions Roberto Martinez said. lan, having been personally re- Milan’s fi rst defeat since a that went against his side. “For that period, to be able to cruited by club president Silvio 1-0 reverse to Juventus at the “We must do it at the end of manage the game with 10 players Berlusconi in 1986 before going end of November left them 10 180 minutes. We have played 90 was very pleasing. It was a very on to enjoy huge domestic suc- points behind provisional lead- minutes. It was important not to good game of football, but I think cess including six league titles ers Fiorentina and eight behind concede another goal. We can do Everton striker Romelu Lukaku (L) scored the winning goal against Manchester City. the 25 minutes we played going during a 10-year spell at the club. champions Juventus, who oc- it if we play in the normal way.” into half-time was very good. But Off ering some advice to em- cupy third spot—a signifi cant Everton made home advan- second balls, attacking with City had their moments and nes Mori’s opener for Everton. it means nothing. We had to win battled Milan coach Sinisa Mi- blow in the seven-time Europe- tage count with a superb per- intent and - when they had to - looked likely to pinch a draw when Funes Mori had followed up the fi rst leg at home, but it will be hajlovic, Donadoni added: “You an champions’ bid for a top three formance, winning most of the being defensively solid. Jesus Navas equalized Ramiro Fu- smartly after a shot from Ross a very tough second leg.” need patience and character to fi nish. Gulf Times Friday, January 8, 2016 7 FOOTBALL

SPOTLIGHT REACTION Barca not interested in NFL type scrap, Promising wins in says Luis Enrique

AFP Barcelona

arcelona boss Luis En- Spanish Cup for rique compared Espan- yol’s roughhouse tactics to the NFL after the visi- Btors had two men sent-off in the second bad-tempered Catalan derby in four days as Barca came from behind to win 4-1 in the Copa del Rey on Wednesday. Barca & Valencia Hernan Perez and Papakouli Diop were shown red cards in a Barca’s coach Luis Enrique. four-minute spell in the second- ‘I finally felt like a footballer again. Having to go six months without playing has been half with Barca already leading A wonderful Messi free-kick 3-1 thanks to a Lionel Messi dou- just before half-time put Barca in horrible for Alex and I - I wouldn’t wish that kind of punishment on any fellow player’ ble. front before the Argentine pro- Messi then teed up Neymar vided two fi ne assists for Gerard DPA for a stunning fourth to all but Pique and Neymar to put the tie Madrid seal Barca’s place in the quarter- beyond Espanyol’s reach. fi nals ahead of the second leg on And Pique admitted Messi had January 13. been the key to opening up the panish Cup holders Barcelona Espanyol’s intense approach visitors. came from behind to beat Es- had worked in frustrating Barca “Derbies are always intense panyol 4-1 at home Wednesday, with a 0-0 draw on Saturday. and they have a way of playing on with a brace from Lionel Messi Yet, they lost their discipline the limit. There are referees that followedS by goals from Gerard Pique and completely in the fi nal quarter allow it like the other day and Neymar. with goalkeeper Pau Lopez es- referees that don’t like today,” The fi fth round fi rst leg started with caping punishment for a blatant said the Spanish international. Felipe Caicedo giving Espanyol a shock stamp on Messi. “Their plan is to play very lead in the Camp Nou but Barca domi- And there were reports that tough and they made sure we nated from then on, especially when Es- the players from the two sides didn’t have fl uidity in our play. panyol had Hernan Perez and Pape Diop even came to blows in the tunnel “Leo helped us a lot with the sent off in the second half. after the game. fi rst two goals to open the game Arda Turan and Aleix Vidal made their “The referees are the ones to up and then we took advantage long-awaited debuts for Barca, now that set the limits. They are respon- to create more chances and score the FIFA transfer ban on the Catalan gi- sible for ensuring this is football the third.” ants has fi nally expired. and not American football,” said However, Espanyol captain “I fi nally felt like a footballer again,” Enrique. Javi Lopez claimed the negative said Turan. “Anything that takes us away media attention given to his side “Having to go six months without from football worries me. All we after Saturday’s stalemate had playing has been horrible for Alex and I - are looking for is to play. infl uenced the referee. I wouldn’t wish that kind of punishment “When someone goes beyond “I like to defi ne us more as an on any fellow player.” the limit with their actions, there intense team,” he told Canal Plus. Meanwhile, Barca’s Pique warned: is a referee there (to act). “We are proud of the team, we “We should not assume that this tie is “We are teams used to play- are very intense and they lacked already over. They are a tough team and ing in our own way and we have respect for us calling us violent. they will make it diffi cult for us in the to understand that in a positive We are hurt with how they have second leg for sure.” light.” us treated during the week. That second leg will be played at Es- Felipe Caicedo had put Espan- “The media campaign we have panyol’s Cornella stadium January 13. yol into a shock lead before Messi suff ered since the league game Meanwhile, Atletico Madrid battled replied four minutes later. has taken eff ect.” out a 1-1 draw at Rayo Vallecano, thanks to a late equalizer from supersub Saul after Nacho Martinez had given Rayo an FOCUS early lead. Argentine midfi elders Matias Kranew- itter and Augusto Fernandez made their debuts for Atletico. Big guns on alert Also, Sevilla are well placed to reach the quarter-fi nals after winning 2-0 Wednesday at crosstown rivals Real Betis Barcelona’s Lionel Messi celebrates a goal against Espanyol. as FA Cup reaches in a one-sided fi rst leg. Michael Krohn-Dehli and Grzegorz months due to injury and poor form, Results Garcia but Bilbao took control after the in- Krychowiak scored for Sevilla, who last opened the scoring in the eighth minute, terval and won with strikes from Inaki Wil- third-round stage won the cup in 2010. then Rodrigo Moreno made it 2-0 in the Athletic Bilbao 3 (Williams 53, Aduriz liams, Aritz Aduriz and, fi nally, Aymeric Ruben Castro missed a penalty for 34th. 67, Laporte 80) Villarreal 2 (Baptistao Laporte. Villarreal had Spain defender luckless Betis, who had Alfred N’Diaye 16, Garcia 37) Mario Gaspar sent off at the end. FA Cup third round sent off two minutes from time for a sec- NEGREDO ON FIRE Mirandes 1 (Ortiz 25) Deportivo la Bilbao managed to reach the fi nal last weekend is traditionally ond yellow card off ence. Negredo added Valencia’s third in the Coruna 1 (Lopo 75) season, where they lost to Barcelona, the the time for upsets, and The latest defeat, this time against the 63rd minute from the penalty spot, after Valencia 4 (Negredo 7, 62-pen, 82- same as in 2012 and 2009. Liverpool and Aston Villa club’s arch-rivals, will increase the pres- Santi Mina had been pulled down by the pen, Rodrigo 34) Granada 0 “This is the kind of match that stays in don’t want to become sure on embattled Betis coach Pepe Mel. overworked Granada defence, then com- Real Betis 0 Sevilla 2 (Krohn-Dehli 13, your mind for a long time,” Bilbao coach prominent victims “We are not having much luck at the pleted his hat-trick seven minutes from Krychowiak 49) Ernesto Valverde said. moment,” Mel complained. time from a second penalty, after having Barcelona 4 (Messi 13, 44, Pique 49, “We needed a win like this after our re- DPA “It’s true that we are making a few been pulled down himself. Neymar 88) Espanyol 1 (Caicedo 9) cent performances ... I was very pleased London mistakes, but we are being punished very “It was good to score goals again,” Rayo Vallecano 1 (Nacho 34) Atletico with the lads today, they showed a lot of harshly for them - far too harshly, I would Negredo said. “That is the main job of a Madrid 1 (Saul Niguez 56) courage and character.” say.” striker, and I was keen to do that again Villarreal coach Marcelino Garcia iverpool, Aston Villa and Earlier Wednesday, Valencia put aside ... This season has been very diffi cult for said: “We are a bit annoyed about this. Stoke City will be among their league woes to trounce feeble Gra- me, but today everything went really well veteran defender Alberto Lopo. We should really have fi nished the tie those hoping to avoid be- Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp. nada 4-0, with a hat-trick from veteran at last.” Athletic Bilbao produced a stirring off with a third goal, when we had them ing the victim of a giant- Alvaro Negredo. Elsewhere, Deportivo La Coruna bat- comeback to beat Villarreal 3-2. against the ropes. We knew they would Lkilling this weekend as the FA Cup the last thing they would like The former Spain striker, who was tled out a 1-1 draw at second division side Villarreal stormed into a 2-0 lead thanks come back strongly in the second half, reaches the third-round stage. and Wycombe midfi elder Matt making his fi rst start for more than three Mirandes, thanks to a late equalizer from to goals from Leo Baptistao and Samuel and this is exactly what happened.” The Premier League sides join Bloomfi eld believes his side have the competition and as history a real opportunity. shows, it is prime time for small- “They’ve got a team full of BOTTOMLINE er sides looking for a big upset. players bought for millions of Liverpool travel to Exeter City pounds,” the Get Bucks website of League Two on Friday night in quoted him as saying. decent form but with an injury “They may be having a tough list so extensive that they may time of it at the moment, but be forced to play some of their they are still very good players Bastia test for PSG as Ligue 1 restarts youth team. who you have to respect. Kolo Toure is the only estab- “If they turn up on the day and lished centre back who is not on play to their maximum then they AFP The ground in Lyon’s east- Fixtures the treatment table and even he should win the game, but at the Paris ern suburbs will be one of the fi nished Tuesday’s League Cup end of the day it’s 11 versus 11. venues for Euro 2016 and while Today semi-fi nal at Stoke suff ering “If we can play above our po- most clubs in France rent stadi- Paris Saint-Germain v Bastia from cramps. tential and they dip below theirs, aris Saint-Germain ums from local authorities, Lyon (1930 GMT) Manager Juergen Klopp ad- we may have a chance.” will hope the winter have funded it themselves. mits the injury situation means Stoke travel to Doncaster Rovers break has not removed It cost 450 million euros (£331 Saturday he will not be able to rotate of League One in the middle of an any of their sharpness million; $484 million) but Lyon Lyon v Troyes (1600 GMT), his squad in the usual manner, impressive season but on the back Pas the runaway Ligue 1 leaders are hoping it can generate 70- which might open the door to of two defeats, at West Bromwich Rennes v Lorient, Monaco v welcome Bastia to the Parc des 100 million euros per year and Gazelec Ajaccio, Montpellier Exeter, although they have lost Albion and at home to Liverpool. Princes today. therefore help them compete v Bordeaux, Angers v Caen, four games in a row. Manager Mark Hughes will PSG sat an enormous 19 with the very best clubs in Eu- Reims v Toulouse Exeter manager Paul Tisdale be looking for an immediate re- points clear of the chasing pack rope once again. said the match is a chance for his sponse from his players but his at the season’s mid-way stage as “That is why we began this Sunday side to express themselves. opposite number, Darren Fergu- they set a new record points tally adventure in the fi rst place. Nantes v Saint-Etienne (1300 “We have to appreciate the son believes anything is possible for the fi rst half of the campaign When we started thinking about GMT), Lille v Nice (1600 GMT), diff erences but play our own on the day. in France. it at the beginning of the last Marseille v Guingamp (2000 game,” he told a pre-match press “Mark’s done a fabulous job Laurent Blanc’s side have not decade, we were the champions GMT) conference. and they’ve got a big squad but lost domestically since March of France and selling out every “It’s going to be a League Two it’s a good challenge for our lads last year and few will give Bastia match,” said Lyon president mid-winter pitch and it will be to look forward to,” he told the a chance of ending that statistic Jean-Michel Aulas. side who prop up the division diff erent to what Liverpool are Doncaster Free Press. in the capital, where Paris have PSG coach Laurent Blanc. The current state of the Lyon having failed to win a league used to but I don’t want to come “It’ll be a diff erent kind of chal- been especially strong. side is a concern to fans with last game all season. off it thinking we’ve left it short. lenge, totally diff erent. It’s a game The Corsicans sit just three who is a fi tness doubt for this Bastia welcome back skip- season’s runners-up languish- One man who will not feature “The reality is it’s a game in which I might be able to try one points clear of the relegation weekend, although Kevin Trapp per Yannick Cahuzac after he ing in ninth place at the halfway for Lyon is Serbian defender Mi- where we’ve got everything to of two things diff erently but it’s up zone but they have lost just one is likely to start in goal with the missed last week’s French Cup stage. lan Bisevac, who has left the club gain and nothing to lose - and I to us to go for that cup shock. of their last six games, while PSG Italian being tipped to leave the win at Sedan due to suspension, Their poor form cost coach to join Serie A side Lazio. hope we’ve given it a good shot “That’s what the competition laboured to a 1-0 victory against club this month. while Guinea forward Francois Hubert Fournier his job and Second over the winter break, at the end.” is all about - and you would think fourth-tier minnows Wasquehal The return to fi tness of Javier Kamano has returned to train- Bruno Genesio has replaced him Monaco are at home to Gazelec Villa are in huge trouble in the there will be an upset or two on in the French Cup last weekend. Pastore means Blanc has a near ing after three months out with after being promoted from his Ajaccio and will be without the Premier League, bottom of the Saturday.” “It was one of our most dif- fully-fi t squad to choose from a fractured metatarsal. backroom role. suspended Lacina Traore af- table with just eight points from fi cult matches this season. Dif- now and the likes of Angel di Saturday will be an his- Genesio’s fi rst game was the ter the giant striker scored four 20 matches and staring relega- Today’s Fixture ferent qualities are required to Maria, Edinson Cavani and Thi- toric day for Lyon as they open 7-0 Cup win against minnows goals and was then sent off in tion in the face. win games like these,” said Paris ago Silva are set to return here their new 59,000-seat stadium Limoges and nothing less than a a 10-2 Cup win against Saint- A trip to League Two side Wy- Exeter City v Liverpool goalkeeper Salvatore Sirigu, after being rested last weekend. against bottom club Troyes. victory will do against a Troyes Jean-Beaulieu. combe Wanderers is probably

Friday, January 8, 2016 GULF TIMES SPORT

FOCUS Preparations going well for AFC U23 C’ship: al-Harami

By Sports Reporter Doha

ocal Organizing Committee (LOC) COO Ahmed al-Harami has assured that the upcoming AFC U23 Championships in Qa- Ltar are on track ahead of the big kick-off on January 12. Al-Harami said that the LOC has re- lied on mixture of young Qatari talent supported by experienced profession- als. He said: “In terms of the facilities, special arrangements are already in place. The four main venues — Abdul- lah Bin Khalifa Stadium in Lekhwiya Sports Club, Jassem Bin Hamad Sta- dium in Al Sadd Sports Club, Grand Hamad Stadium in Al Arabi Sports Club and Suhaim Bin Hamad Stadium in Qatar Sports Club — are all ready to host the key events, along with offi cial hotels allocated for the participating national teams.” Al-Harami explained that the prep- arations for the event have been ac- Local Organizing Committee (LOC) complished in co-ordination with COO Ahmed al-Harami has said several entities. “The LOC consists of that all the venues are ready to host the Ministry of Youth & Sports, QFA, the key events during the AFC U23 QSL, Supreme Committee for Delivery Championships starting January 12. & Legacy, Aspire and Aspetar. All of these organisations have played a major media representatives. part in the delivery and planning of this Talking about the marketing cam- tournament,” he said. paign in the run-up to the tournament, “We are holding regular meetings he said, “The promotional campaign with the AFC and are currently in the is already in place on the streets and fi nal phase of hosting this prestigious squares in addition to the mascot (Na- competition.” jim) tours. We would like to encourage Al-Harami informed that the offi cial the fans to come to the stadium for the accreditation centre, located at Hamad matches.” Bin Attiyah Indoor Hall, has already The offi cial opening ceremony will The opening game of the tournament the AFC U23 Championship fi nals with ble on Qatar Football Association web- from 4pm to 10pm daily, besides the started working on Wednesday and be at 7pm on Tuesday, January 12 at the will be held at 4:30pm between Syria the top three teams qualifying auto- site: www.qfa.qa. tournament venues. Ticket prices range will deliver up to 4000 accreditations Lekhwiya stadium, half an hour prior and Iran at Jassim Bin Hamad stadium. matically to 2016 Rio Olympics. Tickets can also be bought from the from QR 10 to QR 100, while entry is free for the national teams, delegations and to the game between Qatar and China. Sixteen top teams will participate in Tickets for all the matches are availa- booths at Landmark and Villaggio malls for children and disabled fans.

HORSE RACING Thrilling Al Jassasiya Cup victory for Al Wasmiya Umm Qarn duo Nashmi and Azeeza pick up two wins

Jockey Pier Convertino rides Al Wasmiyah Farm-owned Al Wasmiya to victory in the Al Jassasiya Cup at the QREC yesterday. PICTURES: Juhaim Al Wasmiya representative receives the owner’s trophy from Dr Khalid bin Ibrahim al-Sulaiti .

By Sports Reporter on. Gaza VI was left behind while Convertino’s al-Naimi-owned gelding won the Class 4 Thor- Another horse that picked up his fi rst career al-Moadhi. Trainer: Zuhair Mohsen. Doha ride edged the competition for a thrilling win. oughbred Handicap event yesterday, ahead of win was Essa Mohamed al-Sulaiti’s bay colt Fal Race 4: 1. Fal Akhair (Darren Williams), 2. Saab Bersha, Tarablas and Gaza VI fi nished second, Hussain Ali Bukanan’s Emaad and Hassan Ali Alkhair. The four-year-old had made four at- Al Manal (Stephan Ladjadj), 3. Najwa (Harry third and fourth respectively. Abdulmalik’s Juventas. tempts at shedding the maiden status this sea- Bentley), 4. Zaff ran (Yanis Aouabed). Won by: 0.5, l Wasmiya won her third race this Earlier, the trio of Umm Qarn, trainer Alban Osama Omar al-Dhafea’s Primitorio picked son before Darren Williams rode him to a victory 1, Nk. Owner: Essa Mohamed al-Sulaiti. Trainer: season when Italian jockey Pier Con- de Mieulle and jockey Gaetan Faucon picked up up his fi rst win this season with Cedric Segeon yesterday. M. al-Sulaiti. vertino rode her to victory in the Al two victories with Nashmi and Azeeza. riding the four-year-old colt to a victory in the Al-Ghazali charge Saab Al Manal fi nished Race 5: 1. Red Majesty (Gaetan Faucon), 2. Jassasiya Cup, a Local Thoroughbred Nashmi had fi nished second behind stable- Class 2 Thoroughbred Conditions event. Primi- second on his debut with jockey Stephan Lad- Emaad (Adrie de Vries), 3. Juventas (Jean Bap- HandicapA race that was the feature of the eight- mate TM Thunder Struck in the Qatar National torio fi nished a length ahead of Sheail bin Kha- jadj and Sheikh Mohamed-owned Najwa was tiste Hamel), 4. Aqdaar (Jaures Marcialis). Won race card at the Qatar Racing and Equestrian Day Trophy (Gr2PA) last month but yesterday lifa al-Kuwari’s Third Dimension and Mohamed third. by: Hd, Nk, 2.5. Owner: Mubarak Saeed Aljafali Club (QREC) here yesterday. the seven-year-old was good enough to edge Hassan Ali Abdulmalik’s Great White Eagle. al-Naimi. Trainer: Majed Seifeddine. The Al Wasmiyah Farm mare that had picked out Al Majh’Hoor, ridden by Marco Monteriso In the fi rst race of the day, Subaiya Awad Ib- RESULTS Race 6: 1. Primitorio (Cedric Segeon), 2. Third up a Handicap victory in December and No- in the silks of HH Sheikh Mohamed bin Khalifa rahim’s two-year-old gelding Shahd Al Asal Race 1: 1. Shahd Al Asal (Marvin Suerland), 2. Dimension (Alberto Sanna), 3. Great White Eagle vember each showed some amazing turn of foot al-Thani, to win the Purebred Arabian Condi- shed his maiden status in his second career out- Muzhelah (Adrie de Vries), 3. Hamamah (Marco (Darren Williams), 4. Hearts of Stone (Seb Sand- when she went past almost the entire fi eld in the tions event. Injaaz Stud mare Vetlana De Faust ing when Marvin Suerland rode the M Khalid- Monteriso), 4. Al Maadia (Yanis Aouabed). Won ers). Won by: 1, Shd, Nk. Owner: Osama Omar fi nal two furlongs to win the 1200m event. was third. schooled bay horse to victory in the Local Thor- by: 0.75, 2.5, 7. Owner: Subaiya Awad Ibrahim. al-Dhafea. Trainer: O. al-Dhafa. Stephan Ladjadj rode Jassim al-Ghazali- Earlier in the day, Umm Qarn fi lly Azeeza raced oughbred Maiden Plate ahead of Al Wasmiyah Trainer: M Khalid. Race 7: 1. Nashmi (Gaetan Faucon), 2. Al trained Gaza VI into the lead early on with Deb- to her fi rst career win in the seven furlong Pure- Farm’s Muzhelah and Jaber Sultan Ahmed al- Race 2: 1. Azeeza (Gaetan Faucon), 2. Khalfa (JP Majh’Hoor (Marco Monteriso), 3. Vetlana De bie Mountain-schooled Bersha right behind. bred Arabian Plate event. Faucon’s ride fi nished Jaber’s Hamamah. Guillambert), 3. Al Koufa (Harry Bentley), 4. Isti- Faust (Stephan Ladjadj), 4. Al Najib (Yanis As the action heated up going into the fi nal ahead of al-Ghazali-trained Khalfa and Julian After two straight second-place fi nishes this bdad (Stephan Ladjadj). Won by: 0.75, Dh, 1.25. Aouabed). Won by: Nk, 2.5, 2.5. Owner: Umm bend, Convertino whipped Al Wasmiya into ac- Smart’s charge Al Koufa. season, Zuhair Mohsen-schooled Rijm shed his Owner: Umm Qarn. Trainer: Alban de Mieulle. Qarn. Trainer: Alban de Mieulle. tion on the outside and the M al-Attiyah-trained Majed Seifeddine-trained Red Majesty had maiden status in the seven furlong Thorough- Race 3: 1. Rijm (Adrie de Vries), 2. Charme Secret Race 8: 1. Al Wasmiya (Pier Convertino), 2. Ber- mare didn’t disappoint. Soon she was galloping started his season with a win over six furlongs bred Maiden Plate event. Ali al-Showeikh rode (Ali al-Showeikh), 3. Stevie’s Wonder (Harry sha (Seb Sanders), 3. Tarablas (Brett Doyle), Gaza alongside Bersha and Tarablas, who had also on the second raceday but after three disap- Charme Secret to second place ahead of Harry Bentley), 4. Dig Deep Baby (Darren Williams). VI (Stephan Ladjadj). Won by: Nk, Nk, 1. Owner: Al surged forward after staying in the middle early pointing runs since, the Mubarak Saeed Aljafai Bentley’s ride Stevie’s Wonder. Won by: 0.75, 0.5, 3. Owner: Mubarak Abdulla MB Wasmiyah Farm. Trainer: M. al-Attiyah.