NBA | Page 6 FOOTBALL | Page 3 Whiteside Tabata shines as To Advertise here Call: 444 11 300, 444 66 621 helps Heat Rayyan dominate survive scare the Mavs from Kharaitiyat

Sunday, January 3, 2016 Rabia I 23, 1437 AH Late Stokes blitz GULF TIMES gives England over South Africa SPORT Page 10 Stay tuned, Djokovic tells fans as he starts 2016 in

AFP The other big story in Doha is Rafael Nadal. Doha Now the world number fi ve, should give some indi- cation if the Spaniard is returning to form as he suggested he might be at the end of last season. ix weeks after completing one of the greatest seasons Nadal said he’s had a great pre-season training at home in history, Novak Djokovic begins his 2016 in Mallorca and told journalists in the UAE at the end of last campaign and warm-up for his Australian Open de- month that he aims to be “very competitive” during 2016. fence in Qatar. He is the number two seed in Doha and could barely SThe Serbian, also current holder of Wimbledon and the do worse than he did 12 months ago when he crashed out US Open, heads a strong fi eld at the Qatar Open starting in in the first round, losing to Germany’s Michael Berrer in Doha tomorrow, which also includes Rafael Nadal, Tomas three sets. Berdych and defending champion David Ferrer. The previous year, Nadal, 29, had won in Qatar. All eyes though, at least at the start, will be on Djokovic This year’s defending champion is Nadal’s dogged com- to see if he can maintain the exceptional heights he achieved patriot David Ferrer, so he may feel himself a little unlucky last year and to gauge his form ahead of the fi rst to be seeded fourth. of the year, which begins in Melbourne on January 18. Ferrer beat the Czech Berdych, this year’s number three The 28-year-old dominated men’s tennis last year, all but seed, in straight sets in January 2015, one of fi ve tourna- sweeping away the competition to take three majors, make ments he won last year as the 33-year-old showed no signs 15 consecutive tour fi nals and win more than $21 million (19 of slowing down. million euros) in prize money. “I will be there to defend my title and I hope I will be able He also became the third man to reach all four Grand Slam to do so,” he said in a statement released ahead of the tour- fi nals in a year, losing out only in the French Open to Stan nament. Wawrinka. Also playing this year are the world number 29 Andreas Given his achievements last season, Djokovic must be Seppi and Argentina’s Leonardo Meyer, ranked 35. looking to become the fi rst player since Rod Laver, in 1969, The Qatar Open is played outdoors on a hard court and to win all four Grand Slams in a single season. lasts from January 4-9. There is also the extra prize of a “fi fth major” this season, Temperatures for the week are predicted to be around the with an Olympics gold medal up for grabs in Rio in August. low 20s Celsius, (high 60s, low 70s Fahrenheit). “Here we come again to a new season,” Djokovic said in an Given the riches of Qatar, it is unsurprising that total upbeat statement before arriving in Qatar on December 30. prize money for the event is $1,189,605, the largest purse for “I’m so excited to come back and perform at my best in an ATP World Tour 250 event. this season opening tournament, stay tuned!” The draw for the fi rst round takes place on January 2. Last year though, Doha represented one of his rare failures. The tournament has been held since 1993 when a 25-year- The big serving Croatian Ivo Karlovic beat him in three old Boris Becker triumphed beating Goran Ivanisevic in the seats in the quarter-fi nals. fi nal in three sets.

‘I’m so excited to come back and perform at my best in this season opening tournament, stay tuned!’

BOTTOMLINE Djokovic, Nadal get easy fi rst round matches

By Sahan Bidappa jors, and making it to 15 successive tour fi nals tered in doubles, pairing up with country mate As far as home hope is concerned, Mu- Nadal (ESP) / F. Verdasco (ESP) vs. T. Gabashvili Doha to pocket more than $21 million in prize money. Verdasco and will face Teymuraz Gabashvili and barak Shannan Zayid, the 1761th ranked (RUS) / A. Ramos-Vinolas (ESP); [4] P. Petzschner The 28-year-old, however, had a disappoint- Albert Ramos-Vinolas in the fi rst round. Qatari has received a wild card. The (GER) / A. Peya (AUT) vs. [WC] M. Zayed (QAT) / ing Qatar Open last year, as he suff ered his only Meanwhile, defending champion and fourth 20-year-old has drawn a tougher oppo- M. Zayid (QAT); D. Marrero (ESP) / A. Seppi (ITA) uite expectedly, top seed Novak Djok- pre-fi nal loss of 2015 at the event when he was seed David Ferrer, who is in the same half of the nent as he is slated to face seventh seed Jer- vs. P. Andujar (ESP) / L. Mayer (ARG) S. Bolelli ovic and second seed Rafael Nadal beaten by Ivo Karlovic of Croatia in three seats in draw as Nadal, will face Illya Marchenko, the mey Chardy of France in the opening round. (ITA) / S. Stakhovsky (UKR) vs. J. Knowle (AUT) were drawn in the opposite side of the quarter-fi nals. No 94th ranked Ukrainian. Czech Republic’s First round draw / A. Sa (BRA); W. Koolhof (NED) / M. Middelkoop the bracket for the Qatar ExxonMobil If Djokovic gets past yet-to-be-decided qual- Thomas Berdych, last year’s fi nalist, is seeded Singles (Seedings in bracket): [1] N. Djokovic (NED) vs. [3] F. Lopez (ESP) / M. Lopez (ESP); J. QOpen, with them potentially meeting only in the ifi er, which he should comfortably, he does face number three this time and will face Sergiy (SRB) vs. Qualifier; F. Verdasco (ESP) vs. [WC] M. Chardy (FRA) / P. Mathieu (FRA) vs. [WC] J. Ali fi nal. a potentially tricky second round match against Starkhovsky of Ukraine. This will be the seventh Jaziri (TUN); P. Andujar (ESP) vs. P. Lorenzi (ITA); Mutawa (QAT) / M. Jaziri (TUN); R. Albot (MDA) / At the draw ceremony held yesterday, Serbian Spaniard Fernando Verdasco, who has dropped meeting between the two, with Berdych having Qualifier vs. [8] L. Mayer (ARG); [3] T. Berdych M. Klizan (SVK) vs. [2] J. Murray (GBR) / B. Soares Djokovic, who is on a hot streak, was drawn to down to 49th in the ranking. won all the previous meetings. (CZE) vs. S. Stakhovsky (UKR); M. Cecchinato (BRA) open his 2016 ATP World Tour season campaign The left-hander, a semifi nalist at the 2009 Starkhovsky, who present at the draw cer- (ITA) vs. D. Dzumhur (BIH); Qualifier vs. M. Klizan Qualifying first round results against a qualifi er in the opening round, while Australian Open, has a career-high ranking of 7 emony yesterday, was hoping he can break the (SVK); D. Muñoz de la Nava (ESP) vs. [5] F. Lopez Mirza Basic (BIH) bt Inigo Cervantes (ESP) 3-6, second seed Nadal of Spain will meet compatriot but has dropped down the radar. Verdasco will duck against Berdych. “It’s a tough match for (ESP); [7] J. Chardy (FRA) vs. [WC] M. Zayid 6-2, 7-5; R. Bemelmans (BEL); B. Becker (GER) Pablo Carreno Busta, ranked No 69 in the world. meet wild card Malek Jaziri of Tunisia in the fi rst sure. We played three times last year, two times (QAT); A. Ramos-Vinolas (ESP) vs. P. Mathieu bt (ITA) 3-6, 6-3, 6-1; Kyle Edmund The main round of the $1,189,605 Qatar Exx- round. in hard court and once in Clay, but unfortu- (FRA); T. Gabashvili (RUS) vs. S. Bolelli (ITA); I. (GBR) bt Andrea Arnaboldi (ITA) 6-4, 6-3; Aslan onMobil Open, which was fi rst played in 1993, Nadal, the 2014 Qatar Open winner, will nately I didn’t win any. But I had my chances Marchenko (UKR) vs. [4] D. Ferrer (ESP); [6] A. Karatsev (RUS) bt Ruben Bemelmans (BEL) 6-3, will begin tomorrow and go on until Saturday, square up against Busta, who the former World there. It going to be a tough match to start the Seppi (ITA) vs. R. Berankis (LTU); [WC] M. Ilhan 6-3; Lukas Lacko (SVK) bt Jan Hernych (CZE) January 9. The four qualifying slots will be de- No1 had beaten in 2015, in their only meeting season, and I hope I can change the results this (TUR) vs. A. Kuznetsov (RUS); R. Haase (NED) vs. Jan Hernych 6-1, 6-4; Michael Berrer (GER) bt cided tomorrow, with the fi rst round matches so far. Now No 5, Nadal will be keen to start on year,” said the 62nd ranked Starkhovsky. Also Qualifier; P. Carreno Busta (ESP) vs. [2] R. Nadal Jabor Mohammed Ali Mutawa (QAT) 6-0, 6-1; being held yesterday at the Khalifa Complex. a good note in Doha, having been ousted in the playing this year are the world number 29 An- (ESP) Dustin Brown (GER) bt Marek Michalicka (CZE) Djokovic had a dream 2015 season, as he very fi rst round here last year by Germany’s dreas Seppi and Argentina’s Leonardo Meyer, Men’s Doubles:[1] J. Rojer (NED) / H. Tecau 7-6 (5), 6-4; Radu Albot (MDA) bt Mousa Shanan swept through men’s titles winning three ma- Michael Berrer in three sets. Nadal has also en- ranked 35. (ROU) vs. J. Erlich (ISR) / C. Fleming (GBR); R. Zayed (QAT) 6-2, 6-1. Gulf Times 2 Sunday, January 3, 2016 TENNIS

HOPMAN CUP Kyrgios counting on Hewitt morale boost

DPA Two nations for the home side is a kind of power and talent he has out Kyrgios fronted the media on the Perth new and experimental rules wrinkle there. It’s just a matter of doing that capital’s popular Cottesloe Beach NICK KYRGIOS at the hybrid event. week in, week out,”said Hewitt. but the ATP number 30 was unable Both Australian sides will be try- “He likes playing on the biggest to go in the water for a photo session ick Kyrgios was working to ing to win a second Hopman title stages and the biggest tournaments. due to a shark alert. shake out the rust as Aus- for the hosts at the 28th edition, It’s big for Davis Cup and grand Kyrgios was most noted in 2015 as tralia made fi nal prepara- with the only other honour coming slams. I feel like Nick and I have a the bad boy for runs-in with Wim- tion for the Hopman Cup in 1999 through Mark Philippoussis really good respect for each other. I bledon chair umpires and Swiss Stan Nmixed team event. and Jelena Dokic. know his game pretty well. Wawrinka in Canada. For the fi rst time in the 28-year- Hewitt opens his fi nal summer “He’s got a great platform to build “I feel as if my game and the way I history of the tournament, the hosts of tennis on Sunday against Czech on for the next three to fi ve years.” act on the court isn’t going to change have been given two teams, doubling Jiri Vesely. Also in the Hopman fi eld The 34-year-old double grand too much,” he said. the chances for a potential Satur- is world number two Andy Murray, slam winner served as an unoffi cial “I’ve always been an emotional day title. Kyrgios, who plays for the playing for Britain along with Heath- advisor to Kyrgios during the US guy and I wear my heart on my Australia Green side with female er Watson and the next opponent for hardcourt summer and is also ex- sleeve. Every time I go out there partner Daria Gavrilova, will begin Kyrgios on Tuesday. pecting to work closely with him in I just want to win and that’s go- his 2016 campaign against teenaged That pair were on the same squad the Davis scenario. ing to be the objective my whole German opponent Alexander Zverev during last month’s IPTL exhibitions “I’ve spent a lot of time with Lley- career. I’ve got no regrets but I while Russian-born Gavrilova plays in Asia and got off to a good friend- ton already and he helped me out knew it was going to be a roller former Wimbledon fi nalist Sabine ship. throughout last year,” Kyrgios said. coaster. Lisicki. With Hewitt confi rmed as Aus- “Every time there is a week when “I’m a young dude in his career Lleyton Hewitt, retiring at age 34 af- tralian Davis Cup , the old pro I’m together with him we can always still growing into trying to be more ter his Australian Open run is concluded has big hopes for the youngster. sit down and catch up. If he sees mature. I’ve defi nitely grown as a as he plays his 20th edition of the home “He can match it with the best anything that I can improve on, he’ll person since the start of last year so grand slam, is heading the Australia Gold guys in the world. On his day he’s ca- for sure speak up about it. I think we there’ll be some improvements this side with Jarmila Gajdosova. pable of beating anyone. That’s the have a bit of a tight connection.” year.”

FOCUS SPOTLIGHT Auckland draw FedEx looks to Brisbane kind for Venus

AFP as 2016 launch-pad Auckland ormer world number one ‘That’s been very encouraging and now I’m just more confident than I was maybe a year ago as well’ Venus Williams begins fi ne-tuning for the Aus- tralian Open against a playerF barely half her age when AFP Brisbane Roger Federer of Switzerland poses with members of the WTA Auckland Classic be- the Aboriginal community during a media event ahead gins tomorrow. of the Brisbane International tennis tournament in Williams, the defending oger Federer said yesterday he was Brisbane yesterday. (AFP) Auckland champion, found her- looking at defending his Brisbane self on the right side of the draw International title as a launch-pad released yesterday with a fi rst- to the new season. round match against 18-year-old RThe 17-time Swiss grand slam champion Russian Daria Kasatkina. arrived in Australia Saturday with Sunday’s The other former world Brisbane International tournament as his number ones in the tournament, lead-up to this month’s Australian Open in Ana Ivanovic from Serbia and Melbourne. Dane Caroline Wozniacki, are Federer, 34, who won six titles includ- both in the bottom half of the ing Brisbane last year and reached the fi nal draw. of both Wimbledon and the US Open, is up Wozniacki, who lost to Wil- against world No.8 Kei Nishikori, No.14 liams in the fi nal last year, will Milos Raonic and No.28 Grigor Dimitrov in play big-hitting American this year’s Brisbane tournament. Sloane Stephens in the fi rst “The likes of Nishikori, Raonic and Dim- round with Ivanovic’s opponent itrov want to move now fi nally into the top to be drawn from this weekend’s four or fi ve and for us, the top guys, it’s qualifying tournament. about hanging on where we are right now,” Williams, who arrived in Federer told reporters. Auckland on the comeback trail “I’ve been playing really well for over one last year and ranked 47th in the and a half years - ever since I came back world, has since regained a place from my back problems in 2013. in the top 10 for the fi rst time “That’s been very encouraging and now since 2011 and returns at number I’m just more confi dent than I was maybe a seven in the rankings. year ago as well.” She turned professional in Federer won the last of his 17 grand slam 1994, three years before the crowns at Wimbledon in 2012 and he still 75th-ranked Kasatkina was born. believes he has another major title within Ivanovic is another former him. Auckland champion, winning Novak Djokovic dominated last year with in her only previous appearance three grand slam titles, and while the wait here in 2014, while Williams beat for an 18th slam title is stretching out, Fed- Wozniacki in the 2015 fi nal 2-6, erer said he was not voverly concerned. 6-3, 6-3. “I’ve come so close, I’ve played very well, If the players progress accord- but I don’t feel any frustration because of ing to seedings, Wozniacki will it,” he said. meet Ivanovic in the semi-fi nals “I’m still happy with how I’m playing. It where Williams should face was Novak’s year, he played so well there’s fourth-seed Russian Svetlana only so much (you can do) if somebody’s Kuznetsova. so dominant and he’s got sky-high confi - dence. “It’s unfortunate, a pity for me, but at the same time I don’t feel sorry for myself. I’ve won so much throughout my career, I feel like if I keep pushing forward it might happen. “If not, it’s okay.” It is Federer’s third trip to the Brisbane International and not only did he win last year’s title but he joined rare company by picking up the 1000th match win of his ATP career in the process. Federer has a bye into the second round this year where he is due to face either Aus- tralian wildcard Ben Mitchell or a qualifi er. Spain’s Moya to advise Raonic during Australian Open Milos Raonic has joined the trend of working to work with Roger Federer. That pairing of old height is both a boon and a curse. men’s singles quarterfinals after defeating World “2015 was obviously a great year. I achieved a with a VIP coach, with the Canadian announcing friends will make its competitive debut at the “Height is a funny thing in tennis because it defi- No.2 Andy Murray. few of my long-standing goals, which was very that former Spanish great Carlos Moya will ad- Brisbane ATP event where world number three nitely helps the serve but it can hinder agility “Although it is my first ATP event in India, I have rewarding. I’m still working hard to achieve vise him during the upcoming Australian Open. Federer defends his title starting on Sunday. and movement. I have to spend a lot more time played in the country during 2014. My wife and some of my other goals like reaching the top-5 Raonic, ranked 14th, made the announcment Swiss-based clay maestro Moya, 39, won the working on movement and flexibility than some I had a blast in India the first time. The people and qualifying for the World Tour Finals. My after beating 7-5, 7-5 to reach the French Open in 1998 and stood for two weeks in of my shorter colleagues,” the World No.12, who are wonderful, the tennis fans are some of the results last year left me optimistic that my hard Saturday final of the Abu Dhabi exhibition where 1999 as world number one. is here to take part in the Open, said best, and the food is excellent. I’m really excited work will allow me to continue to improve,” said he will play Rafael Nadal. The first mentor to Nadal, a fellow islander from yesterday. to be playing in the Chennai Open,” said the Anderson. “A great way to start off the New Year, with a Mallorca, finished runner-up at the Australian “That being said though, a tall person can 29-year-old. Earlier in the year, he took on World No.1 Novak win,” the 25-year-old said on Instagram. “I’d also Open in 1997. improve upon those weaknesses with hard “Reaching the quarterfinals of a Slam had been Djokovic in a gruelling five-setter at Wimbledon, like to break some news to #TeamMilos. Moya joins a list of celebrity tennis coaches, work while a shorter person can never gain the a goal of mine for a very long time. It was a great winning the first two sets in what stunned the “I’d like to announce that Carlos Moya will be headed by Boris Becker (Novak Djokovic), Ame- advantages of a taller serve. In that respect, I’m match with wonderful energy at the US Open. I tennis world. joining the team in Melbourne. lie Mauresmo (Andy Murray), Michael Chang very lucky to have such tall genes!” felt the quality of tennis was high. So to get that “Obviously it was a good position to be in when As a great champion, competitor and person I (Kei Nishikori) and Magnus Norman (Wawrinka). The big-serving Anderson will make his debut win under my belt and finally reach a Grand I was two sets up, but I knew I needed to focus think he will be a great mentor/coach to me in at the Chennai Open, scheduled at the SDAT Slam quarterfinal was an excellent hurdle to on my own game and not let the gravity of the achieving my dreams and complementing/join- At 6’8”, height both a boon and Stadium from January 4 to 10. overcome.” moment weigh on me. ing the team.” curse for Anderson The top-ranked South African will start the new 2015 was a great season for Anderson where he “Novak is a great competitor and his will to win Raonic was coached until last month by former Six feet and eight inches tall, South African season on the back of a career-high top-10 rank- reached three finals and won the third one at is practically unmatched,” said the Johannes- Croatian player Ivan Ljubicic, who has gone on tennis player Kevin Anderson believes that his ing in 2015 and a maiden entry to the US Open the Winston-Salem Open. burg-born. Gulf Times Sunday, January 3, 2016 3 FOOTBALL

QATAR STARS LEAGUE Tabata shines as Rayyan survive Kharaitiyat scare Brazilian provides assist for first goal and also scores off penalty for the QSL leaders

By Sports Reporter Doha

alismanic captain Rodrigo Taba- ta provided an assist and also struck from the penalty spot to give Al Rayyan a 2-1 comeback winT over Al Kharaitiyat at Al Gharafa stadium yesterday. Al Rayyan had the upper hand in the Al Gharafa’s Anderson Martins (C) vies for the ball with Mesaimeer’s early exchanges, having three early Erivelto Silva and Mohamed Mahgoub during their Qatar Stars chances to open the scoring. All three League match yesterday. Gharafa won 2-0 with Dioko Kaluyituka eff orts from Koh Myong-jin, Fahad scoring both goals. Khalfan and Sergio Garcia all fl ew way off the target. However, it was Al Kharaitiyat who THE CHAMPIONSHIP opened up the scoring against the run of play. On the 35th minute Yahia Kebe was bundled down in the fi nal third, and the Bukina Fasio international dusted Middlesbrough himself of to dispatch the free kick via a generous Al Rayyan defl ection. After the goal, Al Rayyan sprung into down Derby to life and found an equalizer just seven minutes later in emphatic fashion. Tabata delivered a pinpoint freekick boost promotion to Rayyan striker Sergio Garcia. The former Espanyol striker volleyed the ball AFP Derby boss Paul Clement add- in from close range, much to the delight London ed: “It’s the best performance I’ve of the Rayyan fans. seen from an opposing team this The Lions could of gone into the break season. in the lead, if Garcia’s fl icked eff ort iddlesbrough boosted “But if you’d off ered us this sit- their bid to reach the uation after 25 games I’d be more Al Rayyan had the upper hand in Premier League as than satisfi ed. We’ll refl ect on this the early exchanges, having three the Championship and then move on quickly.” leadersM defeated promotion rivals Elsewhere, Ross Wallace’s su- early chances to open the scoring. All three eff orts from Koh Myong-jin, Derby County 2-0 yesterday. perb strike inspired Sheffi eld Fahad Khalfan and Sergio Garcia all ’s side struck Wednesday to a 1-0 victory over fl ew way off the target twice in the last 10 minutes at the Fulham in Slavisa Jokanovic’s fi rst Riverside Stadium thanks to goals game in charge of the Cottagers. could of crept into the far post. Luckly from Albert Adomah and George Wallace cut in from the right and Al Kharaitiyat keeper Ahmed Soufi ane Friend. unleashed a left-footed eff ort was on hand to make the save, the fi rst Middlesbrough are now un- from 30 yards in the 29th minute half fi nished 1-1. In the second half Al beaten in eight games and sit four to move Wednesday within two Rayyan continued to look for the lead. points clear of second-placed points of the play-off places. Qatari international Hamid Ismail had Derby and fi ve ahead of third- Birmingham City are also two gilt-edged eff orts, which failed to placed Hull City in the race for within two points of the top six fi nd the back of the net. Al Kharaitiyat automatic promotion to the top after a late Maikel Kieftenbeld ef- had the fi rst major chance of the second fl ight. fort secured a 2-1 win over Brent- half as Jordanian international striker The hosts broke the deadlock ford at St Andrews. Hassan Abdel-Fattah had his looping in the 83rd minute when Adomah Jacques Maghoma put Bir- eff ort tipped onto the post from Rayyan coolly chipped over Derby goal- mingham ahead, notching his keeper Omar Bari. keeper Lee Grant. fi fth goal of the season in the 55th Al Rayyan where given a penalty in the The second soon followed minute. 63rd minute when Kharaitiyat defender when a defl ected shot found Dav- Brentford hit back with a Domingos handled the ball in the penal- id Nugent and he squared for an 77th-minute equaliser from Phil- ty area. The referee pointed to the spot, unmarked Friend to tap in from lipp Hofmann, but Kieftenbeld and Tabata stepped up to thump in his close range. rammed home the winner seven 15th goal of the QSL season. “It was an amazing game, it’s minutes from time. Al Kharaitiyat did push for an equal- important for us to win,” Kara- Preston North End scored with izer, but where shut out time and time nka said. We’re the best team now the game’s last attack as they again by an impressive Al Rayyan back- because we’re top, but it doesn’t came from behind to beat Rother- line. Amir Osim’s side did have one fi - mean anything in January with ham United 2-1. nal chance to grab a crucial point, but another 22 games to go. Lilywhites forward Eoin Doy- former Al Rayyan striker Jaralla Al- Al Rayyan’s Rodrigo Tabata celebrates after “We’re in a really good condi- le’s fi rst goal since November Marri’s 86th minute eff ort fl ew over scoring against Al Kharaitiyat in the Qatar tion and we have to keep going. cancelled out Tony Andreu’s Omar Bari’s goal. Stars League yesterday. One month ago Hull were fi ve fi rst-half eff ort for Rotherham, The victory leaves Al Rayyan as com- points above us and now we’re whose striker Jonson Clarke- fortable point’s leaders at the top of the fi ve points above them, but at Harris headed into his own net in QSL table going into the three week this stage we’ve done nothing and stoppage-time to give Preston the break for the AFC U23 tournament. there’s a long way to go.” points.

BOTTOMLINE Al Khor and Lekhwiya record identical wins

Al Arabi reduced the defi cit through captain of a free-kick from Slovakian international By Sports Reporter Boualem in the 79th minute. This goal changed Vladimir Weiss. Kings’ defender Shaheen Doha the tone of the match. Arabi went on the attack Ali was to adjudged to have handled from with Khor reduced to defending resolutely and Weiss’s cross, and the midfielder stepped kicking the ball long. Arabi had chances to fi nd up to hit the ball past a hapless QSC keeper razilian striker Madson scored on ei- the equalizer but both Mosaab Mahmoud (86’) Faisel Ghloom. Lekhiwya continued to domi- ther side of the break as Al Khor sur- and Rod Fanni (93’) wasted clear opportunities nate possession, having 62% of the ball in the vived a tense last 15 minutes to hand Al for ’s side. first half with the half-time result 1-0 to Le- Arabi a 2-1 loss yesterday and consign The Dream Team are now on a run of three khwiya. Bthe Dream Team to their third consecutive de- consecutive defeats, losing to teams (Wakrah, In the second half, Lekhwiya continued to feat in the . Sailiya and now Khor) they would have expect- dominate possession and it only took seven The match started on an even note with both ed to win against. Khor, meanwhile, have se- minutes to double their advantage. Midfi elder teams trying to fi nd their footing. However it cured three valuable points, which have helped Luiz Martin scored from a well worked free- was Arabi who had their fi rst attempt of the tie them move further away from the relegation kick from 30 yards out. The Qatari interna- when Ahmed Fathi had a shot at goal in the 15th zone. tional midfi elder unleashed a fearsome strike minute. Khor registered their fi rst eff ort on the Meanwhile, current QSL champions Le- from distance, after Ismaeel Mohammad was 19th minute but Hilal Mohamed saw his shot khwiya started 2016 with a 2-1 victory over rel- bundled down in the fi nal third. defl ected off the cross bar. egation threatened Qatar Sports Club. A goal in Qatar Sports Club did fi nd a lifeline in the Al Khor took control of the match when they either half ensured that ’s side 70th minute, courtesy of Mouchine Iajour the scored in the 34th minute through Madson. now has seven straight wins in the QSL. Moroccan striker pounced on a Lekhwiya de- This goal seemed to wake up Arabi, who went Lekhwiya dominated the early exchanges of fensive error, unleashing his shot into Claude on the attack towards the end of the fi rst half the tie, and only took 10 minutes before reg- Amine’s right hand corner. The Kings pushed but couldn’t convert their chances. Khor went istering their fi rst eff ort of the game. South hard for an equalizer and perhaps should of into the break with a 1-0 lead. Lekhwiya’s Wladimir Korean midfi elder Nam Tae Hee’s well worked found one if midfi elder Fadhl Omar had hit the The start of the second half saw both teams ex- Weiss (R) and Qatar shot just hit wide. Moments later, Qatar Sports target with his close range header. change possession and create chances. However Sports Club’s Shaheen Club had their only chance of the fi rst half. However the current QSL champs held on a moment of magic saw Khor double their ad- Mahmood in action Mouchine Iajour intercepted a misplaced Lewis for their seventh straight win in the league. vantage. The move started with Marcos Antonio during their QSL match Martin pass, however the fi nal shot was some- For relegation threatened QSC head coach lobbing the ball long for Madson. The diminutive yesterday. what lacking from the Moroccan international Sebastião Lazaroni may look for striking op- Brazilian ran ahead with the ball, wrong-footed striker. tions in the January transfer window, after his Arabi captain Khoukhi Boualem, before scoring a The Red Knights grabbed their first goal side only managed three shots on target in the well-placed goal in the 66th minute. of the match on the 22nd minute courtesy whole game. Gulf Times 4 Sunday, January 3, 2016 FOOTBALL

PREVEW SPOTLIGHT Wakrah under pressure as diffi cult Injury-hit Al Sadd matches loom

By Sports Reporter a whole but they are having dif- Doha fi culty in scoring. They have cre- ated a lot of chances but haven’t been able to convert them. to test reserves atar Stars League (QSL) “Against El Jaish they attacked outfi t Al Wakrah go a lot and created a lot of chances into their round of 15 but couldn’t score. Maybe their clash against Al Ahli weakness is in their minds and todayQ fully aware that the de- they could be suff ering from a cisive phase of the tournament lack of confi dence. could throw up interesting bat- “But this could be a motiva- tles. tion for the players and we have against Umm Salal Al Wakrah are placed 8th on to careful. We are preparing our- the points table whereas Al Ahli selves for all scenarios and will will be looking to stop the rot af- be playing this match like it’s a Barcelona legend Xavi, along with defenders Lee Jung-Soo and ter three successive defeats. fi nal.” “This is the second game of the Al Ahli coach Zlatko Kranj- second part of the season. Games car said a win today would help Mohamed Kasola will be missing this match because of injuries will get more diffi cult now and boost the morale of the boys. this match is even more diffi cult “It has been a long time since because we are playing a good we got a win. And so our only ob- team,” Al Wakrah coach Jose jective is to win this game even Mauricio said yesterday. though we are in a tough situa- “In the last few games they tions because we have injuries to haven’t had good results. The key players,” Kranjcar said. game will be very tough. We are “Meshall Mubarak and John going into this match with lots of Benson are doubtful for the motivation. match and we will only know be- “We respect this team and fore the match whether they will we won’t take it easy. We have be ready or not. Our main objec- to be ready to fi nd opportunities tive remains to return to our style to attack if we want to score and of play and get back to winning get points from this game. The ways. points are becoming more and “We have to respect Al Wak- more important as the games go rah. Before this break they were by. playing well. They 3-4 high qual- “In the table a lot of teams are ity players - Sebastian Saez and bunched together. We are always Mohsin Moutalli are players who looking to win all our games. If can change the game quickly. we win this game we will reach a “The only thing that we are good position.” looking is to get a result and I am Mauricio added that Al Ahli confi dent that my players will won’t be pushovers, having giv- able to respond to the challenge en better teams a run for their and produce a positive result. money. The game will kick off at Al “Al Ahli are a strong team as Ahli Stadium today at 6.45pm.

Al Sadd coach Jesualdo Ferreira (R) and player Talal al-Balooshi speak at their pre-match press conference yesterday. Al Wakrah coach Jose Mauricio (top) and his Al Ahli counterpart Zlatko Kranjcar speak to the media. By Sports Reporter ‘I am proud to have these results. It depends on Rayyan’s results too. ers. Just like other teams because we played Doha many players playing for the When I came here the gap was the same many games in a short time,” Uygun said. national team of Qatar. It’s a good between us and Al Rayyan. “After that we had a 12-day break. To- thing for our club. We are happy to “In football anything can happen and morrow have a game and then a long break ormer QSL champions Al Sadd are have these players in the we will play only to win. We will give our after that. This kind of schedule can be likely to give their reserve players a national team but at the same time maximum to be at the top.” diffi cult for players. Our game against Al go against Umm Salal today when we have had injuries which made it To a question, Ferreira said Al Sadd al- Sadd will be a tough game. Both have inju- the two sides meet in a round 15 diffi cult for us’ ways provided players for Qatar’s national ries and absences but we will play for three clashF in the Qatar Stars League (QSL). squads. points. That is our target. Playing under a new coach for a little “It’s going to be a diffi cult game for us. “I am proud to have these many play- “We will try to win and after that we will over a month, Al Sadd are in fourth place The games that we have had so far have ers playing for the national team of Qatar. try to work more during the break in order behind Al Rayyan, El Jaish and Lekhwiya been tough for us. We changed a few play- It’s a good thing for our club. We are happy to come back stronger in the second half. in the QSL points race. ers in the last game. But we are focussing to have these players in the national team We are playing against a team that has good “We have absences because of injuries on getting three points from this game,” he but at the same time we have had injuries attacking players like Hassan al-Haydous. and players being away with the Olympic added. which made it diffi cult for us,” Ferreira They are a strong team and hopefully we team. It’s a good opportunity to give the Ferreira, who replaced Hussein Amotta said. will remain focused and get the maximum bench a chance,” coach Jesualdo Ferreira as Al Sadd coach at the end of November, “But we have to look at the positive side. out of this tough game. said yesterday. said he is targeting wins with the Doha gi- To have players in the national team is good “We have limited squad but we are Barcelona legend Xavi, along with de- ants. for the team and is good for the players too. working with that and trying to fi nd the fenders Lee Jung-Soo and Mohamed Ka- “When I started working with the Al It makes the them stronger but if they are best side to play. We had injuries also that sola will be missing this match because of Sadd team, our target was to win the title not here I, as a coach, have to fi nd solu- aff ected our team’s performance. With- injuries. and other competitions. I am always work- tions.” out those injuries we could have been in “I believe the absences will not be a big ing to win titles, that’s how I function,” Umm Salal coach Bulent Uygun said he the top 4.During the break we will try to problem for us because we have players Ferreira said. is also struggling to put things together for help the players to recover and come back who can replace them. But Umm Salal is “And that’s also the mentality of the Al the game today. stronger.” a good team and will make it diffi cult for Sadd players. But now the title will be dif- “During the games that we have played The game will be played at 4:15pm at Al us,” Ferreira said. fi cult since it doesn’t depend only on our we had a few injuries and some tired play- Ahli Stadium.

BOTTOMLINE El Jaish desperate for a win before break By Sports Reporter ning of the season. But now, with the players who played in the last two Doha work that (coach) Sami Trabelsi has games for their attitude and for the put in, the team has become stronger. work that they put in. And now we “Abdelqader Illyas, who was with us have to be more strong and better pre- atar Stars League (QSL) gi- before, has helped Al Sailiya become pared for the second half of the season. ants El Jaish are eyeing a stronger in attack. They are now more “Players have to understand that win against Al Sailiya today dangerous. But we have confi dence in this Al Sailiya is not the team we when the two sides meet in a our players. played in the fi rst half of the season. Qround 15 clash at Al Gharafa Stadium. “We want to show the quality in Against Al Rayyan we lost despite El Jaish, with a tally of 29 points, are our club but we will face a diff erent Al giving a good performance. Against behind QSL leaders Al Rayyan (39) and Sailiya from the fi rst half of the season. Al Sadd we gave a good performance ahead of third-placed Lekhwiya (28). We have a good week of preparation and won. We have to know that this is After the Sunday clash, the teams and we need to continue to provide a a diffi cult game for us but will do our disperse for a three-week break as good performance and that’s the only best to take the victory even if our op- Doha stages the AFC U-23 Champion- way we can win the game. It’s not go- ponent is very good.” ship. ing to be an easy game. Al Sailiya coach Trabelsi said a win “It’s an important game for us. It Lamouchi said nine wins out of 14 today would bring delight to his camp. will be good to take three points be- games was pleasing. “I am satisfi ed Al Sailiya are placed seventh on the fore going into the break,” coach Sabri with the performance of my play- QSL points table. Lamouchi said yesterday. ers, with their attitude. I don’t want “This is our last game before the “We will do our best to take three to change a lot in the team during the break and hopefully we will continue El Jaish coach (C) speaks to the press. points and fi nish this part of the sea- transfer window. getting good results. During this small son with a victory,” Lamouchi added. “Maybe I will look to boost our de- break before the game we prepared our mistakes,” Trabelsi said. in Qatar. El Jaish will be a very tough entire 90 minutes. The victory will be ‘It will be a tough game for us. Al fence because that has been an issue team tactically, tried to keep the play- “We are playing a good opponent game but we are ready and hope that important for us before going into the Sailiya weren’t that good at the begin- for us. But I have to congratulate the ers fi t and also tried to correct a few with one of the best attacking line-ups we will play with concentration for the break.” Gulf Times Sunday, January 3, 2016 5 FOOTBALL

EPL LA LIGA Espanyol put Koscielny sends brakes on Barcelona Arsenal clear, Rooney lift s United With yesterday’s goal Rooney became the outright second-highest goal-scorer in both Premier League (188 goals) and United (238) history

Relief: Espanyol’s Spanish goalkeeper Pau Lopez celebrates his team’s 0-0 draw against Barcelona at the Power8 stadium in Cornella de Llobregat yesterday.

AFP Gonzalez’s header was brilliant- Barcelona ly stopped by Claudio Bravo and Gerard Pique hooked the ball to safety off the line. arcelona missed the Barca’s star front three of Mes- chance to open up a si, Suarez and Neymar combined three-point lead at the for 137 of a record 180 goals in top of La Liga as they 2015, but they didn’t come to life Bwere held 0-0 by local rivals Es- until midway through the fi rst panyol in a heated Catalan derby half when Neymar’s dangerous yesterday. cross fell just behind Suarez. Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez Messi then struck the angle hit the woodwork either side of of post and bar with an almost half-time for the visitors, but perfect free-kick as Barca began Espanyol’s physical approach to take control just before the was rewarded with a fi rst point break. against Barca in eight matches. However, Espanyol had an- Atletico Madrid can leapfrog other chance to take a shock Barca to the top of the table with lead seven minutes into the sec- victory over Levante later yes- ond period when Hernan Perez terday, whilst Real Madrid now poked a shot just wide after a trail the European champions by lung-bursting run into the Barca three points ahead of their trip to box. Valencia today. The hosts had another slice “The result in general was fair of luck when Suarez could only based on what both teams cre- strike the outside of the post ated, although I thought we had after rounding Pau Lopez and a lot of chances,” said Barca boss turning away from Gonzalez Luis Enrique. moments later. Espanyol committed 22 fouls Messi should have done better Magic: Manchester United’s English striker Wayne Rooney (R) scores his team’s second goal against Swansea City during their English Premier League match yesterday. despite a lenient approach from when he fi red straight at Lopez referee Jose Luis Gonzalez, but when well placed on the edge of AFP United’s eight-game winless run and fur- Luis Enrique refused to blame the area and the Espanyol ‘keep- London RESULTS AND STANDINGS ther eased the pressure on manager Louis the offi cials for a stuttering start er made another comfortable van Gaal. to the new year. save from Neymar’s acrobatic Arsenal ...... 1 Newcastle ...... 0 Tottenham 19 9 8 2 33 15 35 “I am very happy for the players because “Football is a contact sport,” eff ort as they restricted Barca to aurent Koscielny’s goal saw Ar- Leicester ...... 0 Bournemouth ...... 0 Man Utd 20 9 6 5 24 17 33 they had to play under big pressure and now he added. surprisingly few clear openings senal pull two points clear of sec- Manchester Utd ...... 2 Swansea ...... 1 West Ham 20 8 8 4 30 23 32 we have won,” Van Gaal told the BBC. “That is why we have a referee in the fi nal stages. ond-place Leicester City at the Norwich ...... 1 Southampton ...... 0 Crystal Palace 19 9 4 6 23 16 31 “I hope this is a fantastic starting point there to control the game.” And the closest they came to a Premier League summit yesterday, Sunderland ...... 3 Aston Villa ...... 1 Liverpool 20 8 6 6 22 24 30 for us in the New Year and we can con- The fi rst of three meetings be- dramatic winner was another vi- whileL Wayne Rooney scored a milestone tinue against Sheffi eld United (in the FA tween the sides in 10 days got off cious Messi free-kick from long Watford ...... 1 Manchester City 2 Watford 20 8 5 7 25 22 29 winner for Manchester United. Cup).” to a frenetic start with Espanyol range that dipped inches wide of West Brom...... 2 Stoke ...... 1 Stoke 20 8 5 7 21 21 29 Koscielny stabbed home a fl ick-on The result lifted United to fi fth place, forcing Barca onto the back foot. the target a minute from time as from France team-mate Olivier Giroud in West Ham ...... 2 Liverpool ...... 0 Everton 19 6 8 5 35 28 26 two points below fourth-place Totten- Their best chance came from a Barca failed to score for the fi rst the 72nd minute at a rain-lashed Emirates West Brom 20 7 5 8 20 25 26 ham Hotspur, who visit Everton on Sun- set-piece, though, when Alvaro time in La Liga this season. Stadium to earn a below-par Arsenal a 1-0 Playing today Southampton 20 6 6 8 26 24 24 day. victory over Newcastle United. Crystal Palace v Chelsea (1330 GMT) Norwich 20 6 5 9 23 32 23 West Ham United are a point back in Leicester drew 0-0 at home to Bourne- Everton v Tottenham (1600 GMT) Bournemouth 20 5 6 9 22 34 21 sixth after and Andy SPOTLIGHT mouth and now have just a one-point lead Chelsea 19 5 5 9 23 29 20 Carroll scored headed goals in a 2-0 home over Manchester City, who produced a P W D L GF GA Pts Swansea 20 4 7 9 17 26 19 win over Liverpool. rousing comeback to win 2-1 at Watford Arsenal 20 13 3 4 34 18 42 Newcastle 20 4 5 11 19 35 17 Aston Villa spurned another chance to via late goals by Yaya Toure and Sergio Leicester 20 11 7 2 37 25 40 Sunderland 20 4 3 13 22 39 15 close on safety after losing 3-1 at second- Pogba says Man Aguero. Man City 20 12 3 5 39 21 39 Aston Villa 20 1 5 14 16 37 8 bottom Sunderland, with Jermain Defoe “We were not at our best, but we had to scoring twice to leave Remi Garde’s side dig deep and we can do that when need- seven points adrift at the foot of the table. Utd was holiday ed,” said Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger. Patrick van Aanholt put Sunderland in “It was about solidarity, tired legs and front with a defl ected eff ort and Villa were taking a chance from a set-piece. games without winning or scoring after a sixth defeat of the campaign after Ale- momentarily level courtesy of a superb compared to Juve “We were not at our best today, but their stalemate against 10-man Bourne- ksandar Kolarov’s 55th-minute own goal Carles Gil volley in the 63rd minute before over Christmas in four games we took mouth at the King Power Stadium. saw them fall behind at Watford. Defoe took centre-stage. nine points so we can look back and say Leicester striker Jamie Vardy hit the But Kolarov teed up Toure to vol- “It’s a great relief,” said Sunderland AFP the video game plays better than we did 75 percent of our job as we lost at post in the fi rst half, while Riyad Mahrez ley in an adroit 82nd-minute equaliser manager Sam Allardyce, whose side Rome me.” Southampton.” saw a penalty saved by Artur Boruc on the and Aguero then brilliantly headed in an closed to within four points of safety. Pogba, a regular subject of Arsenal were far from their best against hour after Simon Francis had been sent off 84th-minute winner from Bacary Sagna’s “Hopefully it will give us confi dence speculation about a mega- Newcastle, with Georginio Wijnaldum for a last-man foul on Vardy. cross as Manuel Pellegrini’s side reignited going forward. We’re still very much in rench star Paul Pogba transfer back to the Premier drawing smart saves from home goal- However, Leicester manager Claudio their title challenge. trouble, but this win was critical.” says his time at Man- League, also revealed that City keeper Petr Cech either side of half-time Ranieri was eager to underline the posi- At Old Traff ord, Rooney gave United Jonny Evans’s stoppage-time goal chester United was like midfi elder Yaya Toure is one of and Aleksandar Mitrovic volleying over tives, pointing out that his side have now a 2-1 win over Swansea City with a fi ne earned West Bromwich Albion a last-gasp being on holiday in com- the players he spends most time from close range. reached the 40-point mark usually re- 77th-minute back-heel that made him 2-1 win over Stoke City, who had Geoff parisonF to the work he has to do watching in a bid to improve his But with the home fans growing rest- quired to avoid relegation. the outright second-highest goal-scorer Cameron sent off after an altercation with at Juventus. central midfi eld performances, less, Koscielny supplied the break- “A draw is not OK, it is only one point, in both Premier League (188 goals) and Claudio Yacob. Pogba, who has helped Juve along with Barca’s Andres Inies- through, sneaking in behind Ayoze Perez but it is OK as we have 40 points, which United (238) history. Kenyan midfi elder Victor Wanyama win three consecutive league ta and Bayern Munich’s Arturo to toe the ball past Rob Elliot after Giroud was the goal,” said the Italian. “It’s cham- After Anthony Martial’s header was was dismissed as Southampton went titles since controversially quit- Vidal, a former Juve team-mate. had got his head to a high ball. pagne for my players!” cancelled out by Gylfi Sigurdsson, Martial down 1-0 at Norwich City, where Alexan- ting United in 2012, made the Playstation also provides Leicester have now gone three league Manchester City looked to be sinking to teed up Rooney to score a goal that ended der Tettey scored a 76th-minute winner. remark in a wide-ranging inter- Pogba with his nickname for view with Turin daily La Stampa team-mate Dybala, a 32-mil- in which he also tips Argentinian lion-euro summer signing from BOTTOMLINE team-mate Paulo Dybala as a fu- Palermo who has struck eight ture winner of the Ballon d’Or. goals in 16 Serie A appearances “People need to know that at Juve. nothing at Juve is easy,” Pogba Asked if Dybala, also 22, had Hiddink demands Chelsea fi nd winning formula said. “There is a diff erent cul- the potential to emulate his ture of work compared to else- compatriot Lionel Messi and AFP at the end of last season when that’s not enough,” Hiddink “Crystal Palace are doing striker Connor Wickham and where. I was at Manchester: it win the European player of the London Chelsea were hoisting the Pre- said. well. Alan Pardew has done a winger are seemed like being on holiday. year award, Pogba replied: “He mier League trophy after beat- “You see how it is, all the big marvellous job in the period he sidelined with calf and thigh in- “Here we work so much. can get there. ing Palace, Alan Pardew’s fi fth teams are losing points as well. has been working there,” Hid- juries respectively. All these titles, we didn’t steal “Do you know what I call him? uus Hiddink has chal- placed Eagles are now 11 points We must come now in to a dink said. Palace will also be missing them. It was by working right to Square R2, the button that you lenged his Chelsea above the 14th-placed Blues. winning period of games, that’s “If you look at the statistics Patrick Bamford, the young the end.” have to push on a Playstation to fl ops to rediscover the Chelsea are only three points important.” you have a team that has scored Chelsea forward who earlier this Pogba, who joined United as do a shot on the turn: he always winning formula as above the relegation zone and In contrast to Chelsea’s woes, 23 goals in 19 games and just week called a halt to what he a 16-year-old academy trainee, gets goals like that. theyG start the new year with a their struggles have been so Palace, so long one of London’s conceded 16 which means he is described a “terrible” loan spell was accused of a lack of respect “Has he surprised me? No, tricky trip to Crystal Palace to- prolonged that the club’s hier- lesser lights, now harbour genu- well organised with his team. with Pardew’s team. by former United boss Alex Fer- because I always said he was a day. archy are reportedly concerned ine hopes of securing one of the “Nowadays it’s very diffi cult Bamford, who hopes to fi nd a guson after refusing to sign a phenomenon. To do what he has Hiddink’s side have drawn about the lack of wage-reducing few European berths in their and if you see where our next new loan deal elsewhere, made long-term contract at the club done, playing for Juve, is some- against Watford and Manches- relegation clauses in their high- history. opponent is in the table they are only nine appearances for Pal- following his promotion to the thing phenomenal.” ter United since the Dutchman ly-paid players’ contracts. Pardew’s men are unbeaten close to the Champions League ace and his petulant actions, for fi rst team squad, for whom he Having dominated Serie A returned for his second spell as Hiddink knows Chelsea need in their last six matches and are positions. which he has since apologised, made only three appearances. since Pogba’s arrival in 2012, Chelsea interim manager fol- to improve quickly to avoid a unlikely to have any inferiority “So it’s not that easy now to drew a rebuke from Pardew. And he will not have helped Juventus have found the going lowing Jose Mourinho’s sacking. nerve-wracking fi ght against complex against Chelsea, hav- have a long-term winning se- “He needs to harden as a pro- his standing with United fans tougher this season following That those two workmanlike relegation, while a winning run ing defeated them twice in their quence.” fessional. This experience will by letting slip that the teams he the departures of Carlos Tevez, performances were regarded as to start 2016 would also lay a last four meetings, including a Chelsea striker Diego Costa harden him,” Pardew said. chooses to play on PlayStation Andrea Pirlo and Vidal. cause for encouragement shows strong foundation for salvaging 2-1 success at Stamford Bridge is back from suspension and “He was a little bit emotional include local rivals Manchester But after a disastrous start, just how far the champions had the season with success in the earlier this season. England defender Gary Cahill and maybe he said some things City but not his former team- Massimiliano Allegri’s men have fallen during the miserable fi - Champions League and FA Cup. Hiddink has been back in should be available after an an- that he regrets. mates at Old Traff ord. recently hit form, reeling off nal days of Mourinho’s troubled “We have started gathering English football for a few weeks, kle problem. “When you take a young “I pick Juve, Barca, Madrid seven wins on the trot to move reign. some points. It (the draw with but the 69-year-old is already Signifi cantly, Palace will be player, you’re always hoping it’s and City,” he said. “I even play to fourth in the table and within In a reversal of fortune that United) was the third consecu- well aware of the threat posed without suspended France mid- going to go well. It just didn’t by myself and sometimes get three points of leaders Inter Mi- would have seemed remarkable tive game we didn’t lose but by tenacious Palace. fi elder Yohan Cabaye, while work out.” annoyed because the Pogba in lan. Gulf Times 6 Sunday, January 3, 2016 SPORT

SPOTLIGHT CLARIFICATION NBA said Magic should’ve been Whiteside helps whistled for a foul late versus the Nets

MCT during Skiles’ playing days. Washington Skiles said he didn’t speak to Heat dominate the Oladipo about not paying atten- tion to what people might say. our days after a referee- “Guys have got to sort of come ing mistake hurt the Or- to that realization themselves,” lando Magic late in a Skiles said. “I’m not on social close loss to the Miami media. I mean, I understand FHeat, the Magic benefi ted from why it exists and it’s a power- a refereeing error late in a close ful tool, but I don’t know why if Mavs in 106-82 win win over the Brooklyn Nets. you didn’t play well, you’d want The NBA acknowledged that to go on and listen to people say the offi ciating crew for Wednes- that you didn’t play well. On the ‘Contrary to belief, I can score. Today was one of the days I got the ball a lot and I took day’s Nets-Magic game had a other hand, if you played great, miscue that disadvantaged the I don’t know why you’d listen advantage of that. We wanted to come out and start the new year with a win’ Nets with 1:08 to go in the fourth to that, either, because they’re quarter and the Magic trailing both too extreme. You’re always 93-92. somewhere in the middle. Victor Oladipo hooked Jarrett “But we know how talented Jack as Jack ran a pick-and-roll Victor is. We think he’s going to with Brook Lopez, and Jack lost start knocking down his shots and control of the ball. we have total confi dence in him.” In their evaluation of the ref- The Magic were on the Verizon ereeing, NBA offi cials said Olad- Center court at 10 Friday morn- ipo restricted Jack’s freedom of ing for a shootaround to prepare movement and should have been for the Washington Wizards. whistled for a personal foul. Asked how his players re- The error hurt the Nets. After sponded — and, specifi cally, Jack lost control of the ball, the whether they seemed tired from Magic’s Aaron Gordon forced a celebrating New Year’s Eve — jump ball. The Magic won the Skiles said the session had been ensuing tip, scored on their of- productive. fensive possession and never “I would imagine that these trailed again. guys, like myself, were in bed Just four days earlier, with the by midnight,” Skiles said with a Magic trailing the Miami Heat straight face. “That’s the type of 104-101 with 51.0 seconds to team that we have.” go, Orlando’s Nik Vucevic was Skiles watched his alma mater, incorrectly whistled for fouling Michigan State, lose to Alabama Dwyane Wade on a jumper that 38-0 in the Cotton Bowl in a Col- Wade missed. Wade made both lege Football Playoff semifi nal free throws, and Miami won the game. game 108-101. “After the Michigan State The NBA evaluates all calls and drubbing, I shut it down,” Skiles non-calls for all games. But the said, a smile on his face. league makes public its evalua- The Magic assigned second- tions for the fi nal two minutes of year swingman Devyn Marble to games that are within fi ve points. their NBA Development League Following the win over the affi liate, the Erie BayHawks, on Nets, Oladipo told reporters he’s Friday. It will be Marble’s second noticed negative comments, es- stint this season with the Bay- pecially on social media, about Hawks. The Magic assigned him his recent off ensive struggles. In to Erie on Nov. 30 and recalled those remarks, Oladipo said he’s him on Dec. 23. playing strong defense and is The Magic will play the Cleve- helping the team win games. land Cavaliers on Saturday night On Friday morning, Magic in Cleveland. coach Scott Skiles spoke with Orlando players must confront Oladipo and said he told Oladipo two diffi cult streaks. that he thought Oladipo’s com- Their team has lost 12 consec- Miami Heat center Hassan Whiteside drives to the basket past Dallas Mavericks center Zaza Pachulia (27) during the second half at American Airlines Arena. ments were “great.” utive games to the Cavaliers and With the advent of Twitter, 13 consecutive games in which DPA Year’s Day contests with its most lop- Results “Whiteside was a huge factor but the Facebook and other social media, LeBron James played against Los Angeles sided win of the season. bottom line is that they played an angrier it’s easier for fans and hecklers to them for either the Cavs or the “We wanted to come out and start the Washington ...... 103 Orlando ...... 91 game and the combination of our shot- connect with players than it was Miami Heat. new year with a win,” Whiteside said. Miami ...... 106 Dallas ...... 82 making was not there all night,” Mavs assan Whiteside got the Miami “We played hard defence and made it Toronto ...... 104 Charlotte ...... 94 coach Rick Carlisle said. “We couldn’t hit Heat off to another happy New tough for their shooters.” Chicago...... 108 New York ...... 81 a bull in the ass with a bass fi ddle.” IN SUPPORT Year’s Day start. Reserve Gerald Green scored 19 off LA Lakers ...... 93 Philadelphia ...... 84 “I’m disappointed because we’ve been Whiteside matched a career- the bench, Chris Bosh had 16, Slovenian playing well. We have to fl ush this one Hhigh with 25 points and 19 rebounds, Fri- Goran Dragic added 15 while Dwyane out.” day, and the Heat dominated the visiting Wade fi nished with 10 and seven assists “I was out there shooting and feeling a Miami raced out to a 22-10 advantage Butler providing the Dallas Mavericks 106-82. for Miami (19-13) which shot 54 per cent little weak,” the perennial all-star guard after the fi rst quarter while limiting its “You all saw more than you normally from the fl oor to snap a modest two- said. “The doc thought I was a little de- guests to just 5-of 23 shooting. do,” said Whiteside, a defensive-minded game skid. hydrated, so I got a couple of IVs, and Whiteside had 18 points and 13 re- spark for Bulls in centre, who was averaged 12.4 points came back in the second quarter.” bounds by halftime as the gap grew to through 30 games before his off ensive WADE SHOWS UP Turkey’s Zaza Pachulia had 14 points 58-45. The Heat carried an 80-61 cush- explosion. Wade came off the bench for just the 10th with 13 rebounds for Dallas (19-14) ion into the fi nal 12 minutes and coasted Rose’s absence “Contrary to belief, I can score. Today time in his 13 seasons, midway through which had won four in a row, including home. was one of the days I got the ball a lot and the second quarter, after receiving in- Wednesday’s 114-91 domination over the “I’m happy we started off the New Year I took advantage of that. travenous injections in the locker room defending NBA Champion Golden State more to our identity,” Heat coach Erik Led by Whiteside at both ends, Miami during the fi rst quarter for dehydration Warriors but shot just 36 per cent in the Spoelstra said. “Hassan was a force in the improved to an NBA-best 6-0 on New suff ered in warmups. beat-down. paint, he was aggressive.”

BOTTOMLINE Lakers get second win in a row

MCT out of the top three. “He just wants to get it under Los Angeles At any rate, there was opti- a little bit more of control be- mism about the on-court prod- fore he plays again,” Scott said, uct in the locker room. adding that Lakers medical per- h my. A two-game “This experience is valuable, sonnel hadn’t mentioned any winning streak. especially for us to get better,” serious issues. “They haven’t as The Los Angeles Randle said after a 15-point, of yet. So I take that as it’s not Chicago Bulls guard Jimmy Butler in action against New York Knicks. Lakers began 2016 nine-rebound night. nothing to worry about right withO something new, something, The fi rst half was a shame for now.” earned his fi rst All Star Game ap- Reuters dare it be said ... stimulating? both teams. Rookie Anthony Brown start- Chicago pearance. They beat the similarly poor The Lakers had 40 points after ed in place of Bryant. He had fi ve This season, though, he has left Philadelphia 76ers on Friday, shooting 31 percent. The 76ers points and fi ve rebounds. Russell his mark on the team in entirely new 93-84, to win twice in a row for had 41 points after shooting 36 had six points on shaky three- immy Butler has stood up ways. Butler, the Bulls’ top scorer the fi rst time this season. percent. It was not exciting. for-14 shooting and fi ve assists. for the Chicago Bulls this and defender, has also become their That’s how much the stand- There was a bleak, short-lived 76ers center Jahlil Okafor, season and has helped the emboldened vocal leader. ards have slipped. This was “We want Kobe” chant two min- drafted one spot below Russell franchise transition out of Following a loss against the something to celebrate. Fans utes into the third quarter. The last June, had 12 points and four theirJ dependence on the injury- Knicks on Dec. 19, Butler called gave the Lakers a standing ova- Lakers were still stuck on 40 rebounds. ravaged Derrick Rose. out Bulls fi rst-year coach Fred tion in the fi nal seconds Friday points. It looked like Philadel- Besides Bryant, Scott didn’t Butler scored a team-high 23 Hoiberg saying he needed to at Staples Center. It’s true. phia might slip past them again make any changes to the starting points on Friday as the Bulls rout- coach the team harder and hold “Give us a parade, man,” Lak- after the 76ers broke a 28-game lineup, waiting at least one more ed the New York Knicks 108-81 them more accountable. ers coach Byron Scott said. He losing streak by beating them game to evaluate what to do with despite the absence of Rose, who Butler was criticized for the was joking. Presumably. last month. Randle and Russell. missed a second straight game due statements at the time, though Kobe Bryant sat out because But Williams scored 12 points They were demoted to reserve to a right hamstring problem. it has clearly lit a spark under of a sore right shoulder, leaving in the fourth quarter and there status 14 games ago, though It is a familiar story for Rose, the Bulls who have won their the young Lakers on their own. Julius Randle had a good fourth quarter with a series of dunks. was the highlight play from Rus- Scott said Russell’s path back to the 2010-2011 league MVP, who last three games. Chicago are Julius Randle helped stimu- sell to Randle. the starting fi ve would be eas- has seen his career decline due to squarely in the Eastern Confer- late a fourth-quarter run with a consider this a poor start to the Philadelphia if they fi nish out- “I can’t really explain it,” Rus- ier. Rookie Larry Nance Jr. has a rash of major injuries. ence mix despite fi nding a new series of dunks, one off a pretty new year. The Lakers, whose side the top three after the May sell said of his over-his-head played too well to yield to Ran- But as the face of their fran- identity under Hoiberg. no-look pass from D’Angelo 7-27 record is the NBA’s second- 17 draft lottery. touch pass. “It was just an in- dle. Nance had eight points and chise has faded, Chicago have Rose continues to try to get Russell. Lou Williams scored worst, now are that much farther If the Lakers fi nish with the stinctive play. I see everything. I 14 rebounds Friday. been propped up by the emer- back into form and complete 24 points and Jordan Clarkson from the league-worst 76ers (3- NBA’s worst record there’s only see the future.” The Lakers could make it gence of a new star. his fi rst season free of major in- added 19. 32) in the only standings that re- a 35.8 percent chance of falling Bryant sat out after complain- three in a row Sunday against Butler, 26, enjoyed his brea- jury in fi ve years. But the fate of Because it’s the Lakers, the ally count around here. out of the top three picks. If they ing about his shoulder following slumping Phoenix, loser of seven kout during the 2014-15 cam- the Bulls may no longer rest on victory couldn’t come perfectly. The Lakers have to forfeit stay where they are now, there’s Wednesday’s 112-104 victory in straight. paign when he was named the Rose’s shoulders with Butler now Draft lottery cheerleaders would their fi rst-round draft pick to a 44.3 percent chance of falling Boston. It didn’t improve. Bring on the Suns? NBA’s Most Improved Player and doing the heavy lifting. Gulf Times Sunday, January 3, 2016 7 SPORT

NHL FOCUS Seattle’s defense looking to tackle Canucks edge more records Ducks in shootout ‘It’s been a while so it’s always nice to contribute a little bit. I didn’t know what to do. I went in and saw a spot and was able to hit it’

File picture of Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Chris Matthews (L) tackling San Francisco 49ers cornerback Tramaine Brock.

MCT allowed each of the past three Washington seasons, becoming just the third team in NFL history to pull that off , never allowing more than the omewhere along the way, 15.9 of 2014. Seattle still could the Seahawks’ defense become the fi rst team to allow reached a point where it the fewest points four years run- essentially faces two op- ning, having allowed eight more ponentsS each week. points than the Bengals and one There’s the opponent it is more than the Chiefs, and fi ve trying to stop on the fi eld, and fewer than Denver and six fewer there’s the previous years’ ac- than Arizona. complishments it is trying to And each of the previous two match or top. years the Seahawks led in the But by just about any measure, NFL in fewest yards allowed _ an the Seahawks’ defense has been average of 273.6 in 2013 and 267.1 one of the NFL’s best this season. in 2014. As Carroll also said this With one game left in the reg- week, though, “Our expectations ular season (albeit against Ari- have been higher, and we’re go- zona, which has the NFL’s top- ing to continue to try to push ranked off ense) the Seahawks those things back out there.” rank among the league leaders in The number that most both- every signifi cant category. ers Carroll is the relative lack of Notably, the Seahawks are turnovers. second in total defense at 295.9 The Seahawks have forced 19 yards a game, third in points al- this season, which ranks 22nd in lowed (18.1 per game), third in the NFL _ 11 interceptions and rushing defense (85.3 yards a eight forced fumbles. The Sea- game) and second in pass defense hawks forced 24 in 2014, 39 in 2013 (210.6 yards per game). and 31 in each of 2011 and 2012. As Seahawks coach Pete Car- Cornerback Richard Sher- roll said this week, “There’s a lot man said when called upon, the of teams that would love to have defense will respond as it has in those kinds of numbers.” previous seasons. “It’s always But each stat, though gaudy the same,” Sherman said. “We when considered individually, is limit people, we don’t give up a Vancouver Canucks forward Jannik Hansen (L) checks Anaheim Ducks defenseman Sami Vatanen (C) into goaltender Jacob Markstrom during overtime at Rogers Arena. just a little bit off the numbers of lot of yards. Whether the outside the previous two seasons, when world realizes it or not is indif- Reuters described “signature” shootout move, The assist was Burrows’ fi rst offi cial pass from right winger Chris Stewart, the Seahawks reached the Super ferent to us. Obviously, we’re al- Vancouver which comprises a forehand -to-back- point since the aforementioned goal on who dressed after sitting out for games Bowl featuring a defense many ways going to be in top two, top hand deke and has been successful at November 21, which came in a win over as a healthy scratch. The goal came while considered among the best in three, number one most of the times in previous seasons. Chicago. Canucks defenseman Yannick Weber was NFL history. time in yards, scoring. We just ight winger Alex Burrows ended “I’ve done that in past and I did it fi rst Andersen had many skaters in front of off for an interference penalty on Ducks The Seahawks, for instance, stay the course and continue to his goal drought at the right game against them (and scored),” he re- him, but Burrows, who was in front of the defenseman Kevin Bieksa. led the league in fewest points do what we’ve always done.” time—even though the tally called. “I did the loop but, normally, once goalie at the time, said the shot did not “We played good enough to win,” said won’t count in his personal sta- I do my fi rst turn I stare at the goalie and hit him. Kesler. “Sometimes you’re not going to tistics.R he is moving and I try to get him off the “I don’t think so,” said Burrows. “It win games. That’s the way this league is. BACK THERE Burrows scored the shootout winner as center of his net—but (Andersen) didn’t went close but I was just happy we were Five out of six points on the road is good, the Vancouver Canucks edged the Ana- move at all. He was just staring me down able to tie it up.” especially with the back-to-back (in Ed- heim Ducks 2-1 on Friday night. and I went, and then he moved and it The goal was the only one the Ducks monton and Vancouver) here at the end “It’s been a while so it’s always nice to opened up a little bit and I was able to hit allowed in regulation time as they went and with travel and not getting in until Raiders’ Woodson contribute a little bit,” said Burrows, who the spot.” 2-0-1 on a road trip through Western late.” had not scored since Nov. 21 -- a span of 17 Burrows now has fi ve game-deciding Canada. Bieksa played his fi rst game in Vancou- games. “I didn’t know what to do. I went in shootout goals in his career after improv- “It was a great play by Burr,” said ver since being traded to Anaheim from will end his career and saw a spot and was able to hit it.” ing to two goals in four showdown ses- Tanev, who now has two goals this sea- the Canucks in the off season. The Canucks (15-15-9) posted their sions this season. son. During a TV timeout, the Canucks fourth win in six games. The Ducks (15- “He was waiting for a spot and he “I think he beat two guys and then got saluted Bieksa, who played 10 seasons where it all started 15-7) saw their win streak end at three found it,” said Andersen. the puck up to me. I was just trying to in Vancouver, on the scoreboard. Bieksa games. Shootout goals are not included in a get it by the fi rst guy and then (Burrows) stood up, raised his stick in appreciation MCT Center Ryan Kesler scored in regula- player’s individual season stats, but Bur- went to the net and ended up screening and clapped his gloves while the crowd California tion for the Ducks while defenseman rows did produce a critical point that the goalie, too.” applauded him. Chris Tanev netted the other goal for the counted. Anaheim entered the game with two “He was a fi erce competitor, a great Canucks. He earned an assist on defenseman 1-0 wins in Calgary and Edmonton and teammate and played with his heart on here’s a symmetry to Anaheim goaltender Frederik An- Chris Tanev’s tying goal at 10:24 of the almost had a third. his sleeve and it was nice to see the ova- how Charles Woodson dersen made 24 saves and Vancouver third period while sending the puck back “It felt like it was going wide,” said tion he got tonight,” said Burrows. (right) will fi nish his ca- goalie Jacob Markstrom posted 27 saves. to the blue line. Andersen. “I was trying to be ready for a However, with the Canucks still strug- reer today. Burrows scored on a wrist shot on Tanev, who returned to the Vancouver potential defl ection. It could glance off (a gling to score and playing inconsistent TThe Raiders’ safety plays his the fi rst shootout attempt before all re- lineup after missing two games with a player’s) pants. That’s a seeing-eye shot defensively, Burrows was not ready to fi nal game, the 254th of his ca- maining shooters from both teams were bruised foot, beat Andersen with a long and a tough one.” toot a horn for his team or himself. “We’re reer, against the Kansas City stopped. wrist shot just inside post on the short Kesler scored on a power play at 7:24 of in a battle for the playoff s,” said Burrows. Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium. The wrister was a variance of his self- side. the second period, putting in a back-door “We have to fi nd ways to be better.” On Sept. 6, 1998, Woodson played the fi rst regular-season game of his career at Arrowhead. BOTTOMLINE There have been 252 games in the interim that will some ‘Yeah, they’re not going to test day land Woodson in the Hall of me,’ “ Woodson said. “Then it Fame, but he’s never forgotten was like, bam, bam, bam. Then how it started in a 28-8 loss. touchdown. I was like, ‘OK, this “I remember that one, probably is what it’s going to be like.’ I more than any other game, being had to settle down fairly quickly Canadiens spoil Boston’s party it was the fi rst game, and it wasn’t and understand this is the NFL, a good game,” Woodson said. “I you’ve got to be ready. I was Reuters “Had a lot of friends and family lichik and star quarterback Tom remember going to that stadium humbled very early on.” Foxborough here tonight. And, yeah, Bruins, Brady, as well as the four Vince and how live it was. It was a good For the rest of the game, Ri- Habs, Gillette Stadium, New Lombardi Trophies the Patriots introduction to the NFL.” son didn’t beat Woodson again, Year’s Day, I don’t think you have won as Super Bowl cham- Woodson came in as the No. 4 and the rookie forced a fumble, he Montreal Canadiens could script it any better.” pions. overall draft pick and Heisman broke up a pass and made seven and their local goal- The script to Condon’s sea- “I’m pretty sure anything Trophy winner from Michigan, tackles. keeper Mike Condon son began in September when that Tom Brady touches turns fresh off a national champion- During an appearance on Sirus spoilt New Year’s Day he beat out Dustin Tokarski for to gold,” Condon said. “So I was ship. The Raiders’ new head XM NFL radio this week, former Tfor the Boston Bruins, crushing the backup position behind Ca- pretty happy. Hopefully, got coach was Jon Gruden. Raiders quarterback Rich Gan- their longtime foes 5-1 in the nadiens goaltender Carey Price, some mojo on my helmet there. Here’s how Woodson’s fi rst non, who was Grbac’s backup in NHL’s annual outdoor Winter the reigning Hart Trophy winner “I’m a huge fan of his, huge two drives went as an NFL cor- 1998, remembered the words of Classic in Foxborough, Massa- as the league’s MVP. fan of this organization, and nerback: Chiefs quarterbacks coach Mike chusetts on Friday. However, Price has been lim- I’m just happy to pay respect to Second play: Andre Rison McCarthy in the lead up to that Condon, who was raised in ited to 12 games this season them on the ice.” beats Woodson for a 14-yard gain game. nearby Holliston and visited Gil- because of injuries, thrusting Condon’s father, Ted, is a on a pass by Elvis Grbac. “We were going over person- lette Stadium several times as an Condon into the spotlight and Massachusetts police sergeant Fourth play: Rison beats nel and he said, ‘You’d better avid New England Patriots fan, the Massachusetts native duly and used to help the Patriots on Woodson for 9 yards from Grbac. take your shots at No. 24 while made 27 saves to help Montreal responded with a decent 11-9-3 security detail. Seventh play: Woodson called you have ‘em, because he’s a win the latest installment in the record. He performed the same role for pass interference on Kevin rookie and once he fi gures it out, rivalry between the two ‘Origi- The Canadiens built leads of for the Canadiens at practice on Lockett for a fi rst-down on the we won’t be working in his direc- nal Six’ franchises. 1-0 after the fi rst period and 3-0 Thursday, but was with his fam- 5-yard line. tion ever again,’ “ Gannon said. This was the 910th combined after the second before Matt Be- ily tailgating in the parking lot The Chiefs went in to score on McCarthy ended up being regular-season and playoff game leskey halted Condon’s shutout before Friday’s game and then a 1-yard run by Donnell Bennett. Woodson’s head coach with the between the teams, but the fi rst bid early in the third period as joined more than 67,000 other Desmond Howard then fumbled Green Bay Packers from 2006 held outdoors at Gillette Sta- snow began to fall. fans in the stands. the kickoff , with the Chiefs re- through 2012. dium, where the defending Su- David Desharnais, Brendan The Winter Classic also covering on the 30-yard line. Rison eventually joined the per Bowl champion Patriots play Gallagher, Max Pacioretty and marked the return of Montreal On the fi rst play, Rison beat Raiders in 2001, where he and their home games in the Nation- Paul Byron, with two goals, forward Gallagher after a 17- Woodson on a skinny post for Woodson would talk about the al Football League. scored for Montreal. game absence because of two a 30-yard touchdown and the game. Other than the rough For the 25-year-old Condon, To commemorate Friday’s broken fi ngers he suff ered while Chiefs led 14-0. start, Woodson’s indelible mem- it was a magical experience. game, Condon had the back of blocking a shot. Without Gal- “It was funny because I was ory is of Chiefs outside lineback- “Yeah, probably the most Mike Condon #39 of the Montreal Canadiens celebrates after his mask decorated with images lagher, the Canadiens went a a young player coming in, a lot er Derrick Thomas taking over special,” Condon told reporters. defeating the Boston Bruins. of Patriots head coach Bill Be- dismal 5-11-1. of confi dence, and I was like, the game and making it his own. Gulf Times 8 Sunday, January 3, 2016 SPORT

SPOTLIGHT FOCUS Cowboys are quite the darlings of Heat’s Wade looks disappointment healthier in body and in mind File picture of Tony Romo of the Dallas Cowboys. ‘A few years ago, I stopped going all the way. I really used my floater. And I don’t really MCT DeMarco Murray, who had set the Irving, Texas franchise’s single-season rushing even have to use it as much as I’ve probably shot it this year’ record in 2014, go in free agency, believing their off ensive line was isappointment is good enough that most running something that has backs would have success. become a standard de- What went wrong: Romo frac- scription for the Dallas tured his collarbone in Week 2, CowboysD the past two decades. missing seven games, and then They had a four-year stretch in refractured it on Thanksgiving. the mid-1990s when they hoist- The Cowboys whiff ed on finding ed the Lombardi Trophy three a suitable backup QB, going from times as world champions. But Brandon Weeden to Matt Cassel those days were a lifetime ago to to Kellen Moore. some, a championship drought Orlando Scandrick had a sea- that has now lasted 20 seasons. son-ending injury in training The Cowboys have been a camp, plus Dez Bryant injured model of mediocrity in that himself in the season opener. stretch. With a loss to the Wash- Along with that, Joseph Ran- ington Redskins on Sunday, the dle wasn’t the answer at running Cowboys would have a 152-152 back and the Cowboys never had record with only two playoff wins the chemistry or continuity of since their Super Bowl winning the 2014 team. team to end the 1995 season. The problems have run the 2010 SEASON gamut from poor personnel de- Why the optimism: The Cow- cisions (Ryan Leaf started three boys had gone 11-5 in 2009, and games during the 2001 season) won their fi rst playoff game in 14 to bad breaks (Tony Romo’s in- years. The Cowboys used their juries). fi rst-round pick on Dez Bryant, Just a year ago owner Jerry and there had been a feeling that Jones was named the NFL Ex- no team had more talent. ecutive of the Year and this year What went wrong: Romo suff ered is taking heat for getting rid of a season-ending collarbone injury. DeMarco Murray, banking on Marion Barber and Felix Jones also Joseph Randle, bringing in Greg weren’t what most people thought Hardy and then starting the sea- they’d be, and the defense didn’t son with Brandon Weeden as the play well. Opponents averaged 27.3 backup quarterback. points a game. The 436 points al- “I just understand that having lowed were the most in franchise a team that ultimately gets in po- history. sition to win a championship is Jones, for the fi rst time in his like holding two handfuls of Jell- tenure, fi red a coach midseason. O,” Jones said earlier this week. He gave Wade Phillips walking “And just about the time you papers after a 1-7 start, begin- think you got it stable, it starts ning the Jason Garrett era. oozing out. But it’s just constant. File picture of Miami Heat guard Dwyane Wade (R) driving to the basket as Dallas Mavericks guard Wesley Matthews defends at American Airlines Arena. Everybody deals with the very 2008 SEASON same thing. Why the optimism: They were MCT Because he is in a better place than “I still can do certain things at ment is painful. It’s very, very taxing. But “So, when I look back, I can see coming off a 13-3 season in which Miami perhaps even he anticipated, he said it certain times. But it’s just about when it’s not, you can just play basketball three diff erent times where we they secured a bye in the playoff s has required a reassessment of his ap- picking those pockets and doing and it’s the joys of the game.” had the opportunity to be sitting before falling in the divisional proach. those. But I feel pretty good” It’s not that he expects to get back to there playing for a championship round. Romo was establishing he fl oater had become his salva- “I kind of had to play a certain way be- where he was during the 2006 NBA Fi- over these last, let’s say 10 years. himself as an elite quarterback, tion, a means to a scoring end cause of the bone bruise and everything what, I can go down here and fi nish and nals against the Mavericks, when the That isn’t some type of excuse. and the offense had weapons amid the uncertainty of whether I had on my knee, the pain I was dealing stuff like that.’ brilliance was enduring. But there is a That’s just the fact.” such as Terrell Owens and Ja- a fi nish at the rim was even pos- with,” he said of his play in recent years. “So, to me, it’s even moments where it comfort that such moments again are at- son Witten. Defensively, De- Tsible. Dwyane Wade grew comfortable “But once all that subsided, I was able to has to click back to me that I don’t want tainable. Here’s a look at three of their Marcus Ware was entering his with the move. kind of make the moves and do the things to throw my body down there but I can “Out of the 31 games this year, the recent disappointing seasons in prime, and Terence Newman Then came a revelation, that the burst I wanted to do. Obviously it’s a diff erent go down there and get all the way to the 30 I’ve played in, they haven’t all been the Jerry Jones era: remained a solid corner. And, was back this season, that there no longer scale. basket.” amazing,” he said. “But I’ve enjoyed ‘em hey, it would’ve been fi tting for was a need to stop short of the ultimate “I still can do certain things at certain In an odd way, sustained health has from the standpoint of just being able to 2015 SEASON the Cowboys to close out the fi - goal. That, too, required an adjustment. times. But it’s just about picking those forced Wade to recalibrate. be physical and do the things that I want Why the optimism: The Cowboys nal year of Texas Stadium with a To say Wade fi nds himself in a better pockets and doing those. But I feel pretty “I’m healthier than I was, than I have to do on the fl oor.” made a surprise playoff run in strong season. place is an understatement. good.” been,” he said. “But it makes the game a The latest statement was playing the 2014 season, as Tony Romo What went wrong: Another for- “A few years ago, I stopped going all the Some of Wade’s most athletic play has lot diff erent for me. And I’m learning this through a bruised left hip in Tues- played the best football of his ca- gettable December. The Cow- way. I really used my fl oater,” he said Thurs- come over the past week. He was asked new body right now and trying to fi gure day’s overtime loss to the Memphis reer. There was excitement that boys went 1-3 in the fi nal month, day. “And I don’t really even have to use it as Thursday whether the recent results have it out.” Grizzlies. the Cowboys were on the verge and missed the playoff s alto- much as I’ve probably shot it this year. I prob- been a revelation. It is a freedom that had been lost for an “I want to be available every night,” of being a legitimate Super Bowl gether. The Eagles delivered the ably can get closer to the basket.” “It’s funny, because at times I had to extended period. he said, his lone absence coming when contender. knockout punch in the fi nal week No, he is not getting any younger, not- even let myself know that I still can,” he “It is a lot better mentally to be able to his youngest son was ill. “I don’t know if The Cowboys signed contro- of the season, handing the Cow- ing, “I’m turning 34 this month.” But he said. “Sometimes I revert back to just play that way,” he said of no longer tak- that’s going to happen. But I’m conscious versial defensive end Greg Hardy boys a 44-6 loss in Philly. That is feeling better, better than he has in playing a certain way because I’ve played ing constant measure of his wellness. of it to myself, that if I’m able to play and and added what many believed ranked as the Cowboys’ worst years, still without a game missed due to that way for a few years. And sometimes, “It’s very taxing mentally when you have I’m not hurting myself even more, I’m were three fi rst-round talents loss since 1985 when the Chicago injury this season. I have to let myself know that, ‘You know to play through pain, when every move- going to get out there on the fl oor.” over draft weekend. But they let Bears whipped them 44-0.

BOTTOMLINE Even for the struggling 76ers, there may be hope

MCT “There is a plan in place that’s been you money, but in fact, in Philadel- The 76ers were 0-18 before they beat Los Angeles going on for three years, and I think you phia’s situation, it made them money. the Lakers Dec. 1 and were 1-30 until continually look at a plan and see if it They get the same TV revenue as every- they beat Phoenix last Saturday. They needs to be tweaked, and there was a body else. They keep a very low-paying narrowly lost at Utah on Monday before erry Colangelo (right) didn’t little bit of tweaking that’s taken place,” product on the fl oor. This starts out at winning Wednesday at Sacramento, need the headaches of lifting the Colangelo said. the ownership level. People make this fueled by Smith’s fl oor leadership. Philadelphia 76ers from the bot- “Ish Smith was someone Coach out to be a Sam Hinkie plan. Before that uptick, their sad state tom of the barrel — some would Brown had great interest in because he “Sam Hinkie got hired to put this prompted a lament from Larry Brown, sayJ tank — three years into General had him for a while and they let him plan into action. If there’s anger, it who counts Philadelphia among his Manager Sam Hinkie’s unapologetic go. ... He’s the kind of player who helps should start at the top.” many stops. strategy of trading established players other players play better. He’s a good The 76ers’ fate hinges on drafting “I’m sick of what’s going on there,” for draft picks to pile up money and as- teammate on the fl oor and in the locker well, which isn’t guaranteed. Brown, who coaches at Southern sets for an overhaul of the roster. room. To me, that’s a tweak.” Point guard Michael Carter-Wil- Methodist, told the website Sheridan- But Colangelo was intrigued when It will take a lot of heavy lifting to liams, chosen 11th in 2013, was voted hoops.com. “You know I care about principal 76ers owner Josh Harris ap- make the 76ers competitive, but the rookie of the year in 2014 but Philadel- the Sixers. It’s an unbelievable bas- pealed that he share his wisdom and process could be accelerated by the phia traded him to Milwaukee for that ketball city and I had a great expe- bring gravitas to a team that had be- possibility of having four fi rst-round Lakers draft pick (through the Phoenix rience there. I don’t want to get on come a joke. Colangelo, an energetic 76, picks in June. One is the Lakers’ pick, Suns) in a three-way deal last Febru- them when they’re struggling, but was excited enough by the idea to say which is top-three protected in 2016 ary. Center Joel Embiid, the No.3 pick they don’t have any veteran leader- yes, putting aside duties that include and 2017 but is all Philadelphia’s in in the 2014 draft out of Kansas, has un- ship. I want to help. I could straighten executive posts at USA Basketball and 2018 if the Lakers keep it the next two dergone two ankle surgeries and hasn’t it out in five minutes.” the basketball Hall of Fame and advis- years. logged a minute in the NBA. Brown wasn’t asked to help. Col- ing Grand Canyon University’s busi- 7 and I smelled the leather, it was the Colangelo has had an impact in his Hinkie’s strategy has tested fans’ pa- “His foot is healing. He hasn’t played angelo was, and that could be a turning ness school and basketball team. beginning of a love aff air that has lasted brief tenure: The 76ers have won two tience. “But people who get upset with yet. Who’s to say whether he will?” Col- point for the franchise. “I’ve been a lifer in basketball. I owe my entire lifetime.” of three games since they hired former the Sixers for what they’re doing, I think angelo said. “If he did, he could be a real Van Gundy said that though the so much to the game,” said Colangelo, That relationship took a turn a few Lakers coach Mike D’Antoni as an asso- you have to look more at rules of the NBA. diff erence-maker, for sure.” In addition, 76ers probably overpaid for Smith, the who was introduced to Harris by NBA weeks ago when he became chairman ciate coach to work with Brett Brown, This is allowable. And they make money,” center Jahlil Okafor, drafted third last move made sense for them. “At least Commissioner Adam Silver. “I remem- of basketball operations for the 76ers, and since they acquired point guard said Jeff Van Gundy, former coach of the June out of Duke, has played well but was they have a guy who gives them a rea- ber when I was inducted into the Hall of who bring a 3-31 record to their game Ish Smith from New Orleans for two New York Knicks and Houston Rockets involved in some off -the-court incidents sonable chance at the point guard posi- Fame in ‘04 I told the story that when against the Los Angeles Lakers on Fri- second-round draft picks from their and now an ESPN analyst. and was suspended two games by the tion, which I think helps the other play- someone handed me a ball when I was day at Staples Center. stockpile. “To me, being this bad should cost team for a scuffl e outside a bar. ers,” Van Gundy said.

Gulf Times 10 Sunday, January 3, 2016 CRICKET

SPOTLIGHT Fourth NZ-Sri Lanka one-dayer rained out

Reuters 4.20pm, with Taylor on 20 and Henry Nicholls on four. Nelson The visitors kept the fi ve-match series alive with a com- NZ keen to host South Africa in prehensive eight- victory in the third match at the same venue on Dec. 31, after the hosts easily won the fi rst pink ball ‘extravaganza’ he fourth one-day international between New Zea- two games at Hagley Oval in Christchurch. New Zealand are keen to build on the momentum of the inaugural land and Sri Lanka was abandoned after just nine The fi fth match is at Mt. Maunganui on Tuesday. The day-night Test with their own ‘pink ball’ match, possibly against overs of the hosts’ innings after rain intervened for tour concludes with two internationals on Jan. the touring South Africans, next season. Some 120,000 fans the fi nal time at Saxton Oval in Nelson yesterday. 7 and 10. flocked through the gates of the Adelaide Oval over three days TNew Zealand were 75-3 after nine of their 24 overs after SCOREBOARD of play to watch Brendon McCullum’s side lose to Australia in the the start of the game had been delayed by almost fi ve hours NEW ZEALAND first day-night Test in November. On the back of such undeniable before it began at 3.40pm local (0240 GMT) time. M. Guptill lbw b N. Kulasekara ...... 27 public support for the concept, New Zealand Cricket (NZC) chief Overnight rain had forced a delay before persistent show- T. Latham c Chandimal b T. Perera ...... 9 executive David White said the idea of hosting a pink ball test had ers kept players off the ground until umpires Richard Illing- K. Williamson c&b Chameera ...... 12 already been discussed. “I think it’s a distinct possibility,” White worth and Billy Bowden decided a shortened game could R. Taylor ...... 20 told Newstalk ZB yesterday. “Obviously, South Africa would have begin. Sri Lanka captain Angelo Mathews won the toss and H. Nicholls not out ...... 4 to be keen as well but I think that it’s very much a possibility.” his bowlers reduced New Zealand to 53-3 in the seventh Extras (nb-1 w-2) ...... 3 NZC were already considering a full round of day-night first class over with opener Martin Guptill (27 from 14 balls) and Kane Total (for 3 , 9 overs) ...... 75 matches next month to test the concept, which would give them Williamson (12) both out, swinging the match in the visitors Fall of wickets: 1-37 T. Latham, 2-45 M. Guptill, 3-53 K. an indication of whether the conditions would be suitable during favour. Leg-spinner Jeff rey Vandersay, however, struggled Williamson. Jeff rey Vandersay (C) of Sri Lanka celebrates with South Africa’s tour in February 2017. “The big diff erence between to control his grip on the wet ball and Ross Taylor hit three : D. Chameera 3-0-32-1(nb-1), T. Perera 2-0-13-1, N. teammates after Martin Guptill (back L) of New Zealand New Zealand and Australia is that it will be a big challenge to do it boundaries as the bowler conceded 15 runs in his fi rst over. Kulasekara 1-0-4-1, M. Siriwardana 2-0-11-0(w-2), J. Vander- was caught with a leg before wicket (LBW) during the before Christmas because of our weather,” White said. Light rain then drove the players off the fi eld at about say 1-0-15-0 . fourth ODI at the Saxton Oval in Nelson yesterday. (AFP)

TEST FOCUS Pakistan Twenty20 captain Afridi backs Late Stokes burst Amir selection

AFP Amir, once regarded as the Lahore hottest property in interna- tional cricket, remains a po- larising fi gure for Pakistan’s akistan’s Twenty20 cricket-mad public and even gives England edge captain some teammates. yesterday backed Mo- Amir’s return to the squad hamad Amir’s return was opposed by one-day cap- ‘Stokesy is a maverick player. All bowlers snoozing on physio bed come out to watch him’ Pto international cricket, saying tain Azhar Ali and former the team must move on, after Twenty20 captain and current the paceman was selected for player . Reuters the national squad for the New Last week Mohammad Cape Town Zealand tour. Hafeez and Azhar Ali left a England’s batsman Benjamin Stokes The 23-year-old left-armer training camp Amir was at- (C) plays a shot during the day one of was selected Friday for the tending in protest at his pro- en Stokes struck a spar- the second Test against South Africa Twenty20 and one-day in- spective selection. They were kling unbeaten 74 to at Newlands stadium in Cape Town ternational squads for an later forced to return after be- help England fi nish the yesterday. (AFP) upcoming series in New Zea- ing threatened with discipli- opening day of the sec- land, marking his interna- nary action. ondB Test against South Africa on tional comeback less than four Ali also tendered his res- a healthy 317 for fi ve at Newlands months after completing a ignation Monday in protest, yesterday. fi ve-year ban for match fi xing. but it was rejected by Pakistan Stokes top-scored for the “I back Amir’s selection and Cricket Board. touring side with Alex Hales and am happy at his return,” Afridi “I respect Azhar and Joe Root also contributing half- told AFP. Hafeez’a stance. We suff ered centuries and Jonny Bairstow “We now need to move on a lot due to spot fi xing scandal ending on 39 not out in an un- and I will back Amir and ex- and our image was tarnished broken sixth-wicket partnership pect him to serve Pakistan everywhere but we must move of 94. cricket with complete dedi- on,” said Afridi. Stokes took to the tiring South cation and commitment and Pakistan fl y to New Zealand African bowling in the last hour support him.” on January 10. of a hot day, seeing off the threat of the new ball with a cavalier approach that gave the advan- tage to England who lead the four-test series 1-0. Hales, in his second Test, was out for 60 to a sharp catch from AB de Villiers in the slips after getting an edge to a lifting ball from Morne Morkel. His patient innings off 140 balls should, however, allow him more time to cement a regular role as captain Alastair Cook’s opening partner. Root made 50 before giving debutant Chris Morris his fi rst Pakistan’s coach (R) chats with Shahid Afridi (L) and test wicket when he nibbled at Mohamad Amir during a practice session in Lahore yesterday. (AFP) a ball and was caught behind by wicketkeeper Quinton de Kock. Nick Compton was fi ve runs short of his 50 when he pulled Pakistan to use pink to midwicket and was caught by Temba Bavuma off the bowing of Kagiso Rabada with the last nership in the last eight English ball in fi rst-class fi nal ball before tea. The 20-year-old test innings. SCOREBOARD Pakistan will experiment with the pink ball in the final of its pre- Rabada, replacing the injured South Africa’s bowlers all took mier first-class cricket tournament in preparation for a possible Dale Steyn, took two wickets in a pounding with Rabada’s fi g- ENGLAND 1ST INNINGS Extras (b10 lb1 nb4 w7) ...... 22 day-night Test against Australia later this year, a cricket off icial as many balls either side of the ures of 3-74 the best. Debutant A. Cook c Morris b Rabada ...... 27 Total (for 5 wickets, 87 overs) ...... 317 said yesterday. interval. Morris fi nished with 1-99 off 20 A. Hales c de Villiers b M. Morkel ...... 60 Fall of wickets: 1-55 A. Cook, 2-129 A. Hales, 3-167 “We had experimented with the orange ball in the final of the James Taylor fell straight after overs as the absence of Steyn, N. Compton c Bavuma b Rabada ...... 45 N. Compton, 4-167 J. Taylor, 5-223 J. Root trophy in 2011 and then with a pink ball in 2012 so the latest final tea playing a big drive to a wide Vernon Philander and Kyle Ab- J. Root c de Kock b Morris ...... 50 To bat: M. Ali, S. Broad, J. Anderson, S. Finn. will help us further assess the pink ball as Australia have off ered ball to be caught behind for a bott was felt by the home team. J. Taylor c de Kock b Rabada ...... 0 Bowling: M. Morkel 18-3-51-1(w-1), C. Morris 22-3-99- us to play a day-night Test later this year,” Pakistan Cricket golden duck. The fi rst England “It was a great fi nish for us,” B. Stokes not out ...... 74 1, K. Rabada 19-2-74-3(nb-4 w-2), D. Piedt 21-5-63-0, Board’s committee head Shakil Sheikh told AFP. wicket to fall was Cook who fell said Hales. “The second new J. Bairstow not out ...... 39 S. van Zyl 5-0-12-0, D. Elgar 2-0-7-0. Pakistan has already imported pink balls from Australia for the to a stunning one-handed catch ball was going to be a key period final. at third slip by Morris for 27 off for us and the way Stokesy and The Quaid-e-Azam trophy final between Pakistan Test captain the bowling of Rabada. Jonny attacked them and took the 70th over.” Hales said Stokes ers snoozing on the physio bed ing wicket but the margin for er- Misbah-ul-Haq-led Sui Northern Gas Pipelines and - Cook, who won the toss, and the game to them has probably was the sort of player who got his come out to watch him play.” Ra- ror is small. I haven’t been match skippered United Bank will be played at the National stadium Hales shared a 55-run partner- given us the upper hand. It was teammates excited. “Stokesy is bada said bowling conditions had bowling fi t so it was a bit of a fi ght from today. ship, the fi rst 50-run open part- evenly poised going into about a maverick player. All the bowl- been tough. “It’s a good cricket- out there - but it went okay.” “We are ready to experiment at the highest level and this final will help the players and the board to consider the day-night Test off er, after which we will finalise our plans,” added Sheikh. Australia and New Zealand played the first-ever day-night Test Smith yet to confirm consulting role with SA team in Adelaide in November last year, an experiment initiated to lift waning interest in the five-day format of the game. Former South Africa captain I need to consider as I already the pressure. The International Cricket Council termed the day-night Test a Graeme Smith said yesterday have commitments. The way it “You’ve got to almost bat for “success”, while Cricket Australia announced a record-breaking an announcement on his rejoin- was announced was not right,” the guy on the other end,” he crowd for non-Ashes Test matches at the ground. ing the team in a consulting role he told BBC’s Test Match Special, advised. The Pakistani Test players expected to participate in the match to help boost confidence and where the 34-year-old former South Africa captain Hashim are: Mohammad Hafeez, Azhar Ali, , Mohammad impart ideas was premature and Test opener is serving as a Amla on Friday said Smith would Rizwan, Shan Masood, and Ehsan Adil. he was still considering the off er. pundit. South Africa’s Test side be with the team for the rest of Smith worked with some of the are ranked top in the world but the four-test series, which his under-pressure team’s batsmen have not won in their last seven former skipper has since denied. on the eve of the second Test tests, hammered in India in “He was a wonderful captain for against England at Newlands November and comprehensively and he knows more than most after their 241-run defeat in the beaten by England in Durban on guys how to play and first Test in Durban, where he Wednesday. how to deal with tough times,” had been critical of their form in “I was trying to find a feel good explained Amla at a media con- his radio and television analysis. factor as they are low on confi- ference at Newlands on Friday. “They are low on confidence,” dence,” said Smith of his work on “He had a few crushing defeats he said of South Africa’s current Friday. “If you are out of form you early in his career so he is well batsmen, “and I was asked after can spend too much time over- aware how important it is as a Durban to come down and work analysing and working yourself team to reassess and get back to with them. over mentally.” form. That type of experience is “I’ve since been off ered an Smith said it was key South invaluable and that’s why we’ve United Bank players using pink balls during a practice extended role but it is something Africa’s top six batsmen share tried to draw on it.” session at the National Stadium in Karachi. (AFP) Gulf Times Sunday, January 3, 2016 11 CRICKET

PREVIEW SPOTLIGHT Australia go with Captain Smith plots return to two spinners for Test summit Reuters “It would be nice to win this Sydney week and wrap this series up 3-0. It’s been a good summer for us so far, so we’d like to fi n- fter picking up pretty ish on a high.” much every individ- Defeat for South Africa in ual honour on off er their ongoing series against Sydney Test in a spectacular 2015, England would then send Aus- AustraliaA captain Steve Smith tralia back to the summit but has a more collective goal in even if the English fail to build O’Keefe to play maiden home Test, Siddle unfit, Boland misses out on first cap his sights this year—restoring on their winning start, Feb- his country to the top of the ruary’s two-test tour of New Test rankings. Zealand off ers Smith’s side Smith fi nished his annus another chance. STEPHEN O’KEEFE mirabilis as the world’s top Australia beat the Black ranked test batsman and won Caps 2-0 on home soil in No- the ICC Cricketer and Test vember but the series was Cricketer of the Year awards as closer than the scoreline well as the Allan Border Medal would suggest and Smith’s as Australia’s best player. side, like many of the top test The 26-year-old scored a teams, have struggled to win remarkable 2,369 runs across series overseas in recent years. all three formats, rattling up “Playing away from home 1,474 in tests alone at an aver- is a challenge for all teams age of 73.70 with six centuries. around the world at the mo- He was Australia’s highest ment, I think that’s one of the run scorer as they secured a big things we’re going to be fi fth 50-over World Cup tri- judged on,” Smith added. umph and he led the test side “It’s going to be a big chal- to series victories over India, lenge in New Zealand, but I’m New Zealand and West Indies. confi dent if we can continue Even in the Ashes defeat to playing the way we are, hope- England, the one major blot fully we can have a lot of suc- on Australia’s copy book for cess over there.” the year, he scored his maiden Smith’s own form hit a double century to claim the minor blip when he was dis- Man of the Match award at missed for 10 in Australia’s Lord’s. only innings in the fi rst test Even before he was captain, against West Indies but the though, Smith was always runs were fl owing again in clear that team success came Melbourne last week after fi rst. knocks of 134 and 70 without With Australia already 2-0 being dismissed. up in the three-match series, “I felt pretty good last week, this week’s third test against I guess it was good just to West Indies might be a dead spend a little bit of time in the rubber but victory would send middle again,” Smith said. them above India into second “All of my movement and place in the test rankings be- my swing and everything was hind South Africa. back in synch. I went back and “It’s a huge motivation, looked at some footage before that’s what we want to be, the Melbourne test and felt my number one in all formats and bat face was a little bit closed. we’re working extremely hard “Last week I got my bat face to get there,” Smith told re- back where I wanted it to be porters on the eve of the match and everything felt really good, Reuters years ago, will play his maiden at the Sydney Cricket Ground so hopefully I can score a few Sydney test on home soil at the age of 31. West Indies deprived of twin spin (SCG) yesterday. more this week.” Smith, once considered a spin-bowling all-rounder and ustralia will fi eld two one of the players who have kept option by Bishoo injury specialist spinners at O’Keefe out of the test side over West Indies will not be able to match hosts Aus- A tally of 10 wickets taken over two test matches the Sydney Cricket the years, said he probably would tralia by playing two spinners in the third Test at off ered not even a distant echo of the days when Ground (SCG) for the have been included even if Siddle the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) after Devendra the likes of Courtney Walsh and Curtly Ambrose fiA rst time in a decade when they had been fi t to play. Bishoo was ruled out of the dead rubber contest struck fear in the hearts of batsmen. host West Indies in the dead “It was more that it was going by a shoulder injury yesterday. Leg-spinner All-rounder Holder must take his share of the rubber third test starting today. to spin,” Smith added. “It’s an Bishoo, who took 6-80 against the Australians in blame for that but it would take a hard heart not to Left-arm orthodox spinner opportunity to look at Stephen the Caribbean last year, had been in the frame for feel some sympathy for a man thrown into the test Stephen O’Keefe will play his and see how he goes. a recall to work in tandem with inexperienced left- captaincy at the age of 23 last year. second Test and join off -spinner “We’ve got a tour of Sri Lanka arm orthodox bowler Jomel Warrican. To the tall Barbadian falls the task of explain- Nathan Lyon in Australia’s fi rst coming up where two spinners is Team off icials said an injury to the 30-year-old ing away the miserable state of West Indies test twin spin attack at the SCG since a real possibility. Guyanan’s left rotator cuff he sustained before cricket, everything from the chaotic administra- Shane Warne and Stuart MacGill “Nathan Lyon is our number the second Test in Melbourne would prevent him tion to, on Saturday, his own field placings. took on South Africa in 2006. one spinner, I think everyone playing on a track that Australia expect to provide “Our bowlers have to control the game,” he said, Paceman Peter Siddle, who knows that, and he’s got an op- plenty of turn for their spinners Nathan Lyon and with perhaps a little frustration penetrating his has been suff ering from an ankle portunity now to become the Stephen O’Keefe. usual calm. “I can only set fields to what we’re injury, bowled in the nets on Sat- second spinner.” “I’ve seen they’ve gone with two spinners, we’ve producing and we haven’t been at our best so far. urday but drops out of the side Uncapped Victorian pace- been accustomed to spin-bowling in the Carib- “We’ve leaked runs both sides of the wickets. and will be rested in preparation man Scott Boland would have bean and hopefully our batsmen can get into that We’ve instilled in our bowlers to be a lot more for February’s two-test series in come into the side for Siddle had a lot better than we have in this series,” captain disciplined, I’ve spoken about it from the start. New Zealand. the selectors decided to go with Jason Holder told reporters at the SCG on the eve “We’re still not at the level at which we should be. “I think the wicket looks a bit a third quick along with Josh of the opening day of the match. “We’re down to If we can be disciplined for longer periods of time, dry so I think it’ll take some spin Hazlewood and James Pattinson. one spinner with the injury to Bishoo so we just then you will see the field is adequate for that.” so that was our original think- Australia, who won the fi rst have to work with what we have. I’m sure Kraigg ing,” captain Steve Smith told re- Test in Hobart by an innings and Brathwaite will come to the fore and bowl a bit porters at the ground yesterday. 212 runs and the second at Mel- more.” “Peter Siddle’s still a bit sore bourne Cricket Ground last week Brathwaite off ers occasional off breaks in addition and he’ll have a rest for a couple by 177 runs, are strong favourites to his opening batting but neither looks likely to of weeks and hopefully get him- to sweep the series 3-0. redress the balance between the two sides after self right for New Zealand. Australia: Steve Smith (cap- two thoroughly one-sided matches in the series so “We’re happy with the side tain), David Warner, Joe Burns, far. While the batsmen showed more resistance in with the two spinners and we Usman Khawaja, Adam Voges, the 177-run loss in Melbourne last week than they think it’s going to turn and we’re Mitchell Marsh, Peter Nevill, had in the innings and 212-run defeat with which ready to go.” James Pattinson, Josh Hazle- they opened the series in Hobart, the West Indies O’Keefe, who made his debut wood, Nathan Lyon, Stephen bowling has remained largely ineff ective. Australian captain Steve Smith bats in the nets during a training against Pakistan in Dubai two O’Keefe. session in Sydney yesterday. (AFP)

FOCUS Law violated while paying foreign BPL players

IANS stars like Chris Gayle, Kumar dent Nazmul Hassan said that rector Subhankar Saha said that in foreign currency. The central Bangladesh Bank for payment of payment will have to pay 15 per- Dhaka Sangakkara, Shahid Afridi and Comilla Victorians and Chit- only one franchise had sought bank gave them the permission their foreign players. “We knew cent Value Added Tax (VAT). Sunil Narine. They had con- tagong Vikings had already made permission to pay nine foreign on BCB’s recommendation, he about the rule and are following It is considered money laun- tracts of between $30,000 and full payments to their players. players in foreign currency un- said.So, have the other franchis- it.” dering if a foreign player takes rule that makes Bang- $70,000 each with the six fran- Rangpur Riders had paid all til December 15. “We have given es paid foreign players without Referring to the Foreign Ex- his payment in foreign currency ladesh Bank’s permis- chises. foreign players in full and local them permission,” he said. Bangladesh Bank’s permission? change Transaction Guideline, from any Bangladeshi franchise sion mandatory to pay The teams were formed on Oc- cricketers had been paid 75 per- BCB director Jalal Yunus said the Saha said all such transactions, to his country without the cen- foreigners in Bang- tober 22 through lottery-based cent of their contracted amount. Bangladesh Cricket Board franchises know the rules to pay except for a few preferential tral bank’s permission. Saha said ladeshA Premier League (BPL) players-by-choice system. Be- He also said the other fran- the foreign players. ones, need Bangladesh Bank’s they did not have the informa- has said the National Board teams in foreign currency seems sides the lottery, the franchises chises had paid 75 percent play- of Revenue had been “The method of payment is permission. tion on the deadline of payments to have been often violated. signed contracts with several ers by that time. informed about the amounts also included in the contracts. A Statutory Regulatory Order mentioned in the contracts. A Bangladesh Bank offi cial players for more payments but In line with the BPL Governing to be paid to foreigners Payments are supposed to made (SRO) issued by the NBR has also “We can’t call it money laun- said if a franchise pays a foreign did not reveal the amount in- Council rules, the players were through proper channels and specifi ed how a foreign player dering if someone seeks permis- player in foreign currency with- volved in these contracts. supposed to be paid 50 percent Bangladesh Bank’s Foreign I hope that has been done,” he should be paid after playing in sion tomorrow and the Bangla- out its permission, it is tanta- Bangladesh Cricket Board of their contracted amount be- Exchange Operation Depart- said. Bangladesh. It says a foreigner desh Bank gives it.” mount to money laundering, (BCB) has said the National fore the tournament, 25 percent ment looks after such issues. An Barisal Bulls is the largest will have to pay 30 percent tax But Saha made it clear that “if reports bdnews24.com. Board of Revenue (NBR) had been during it and the rest within a offi cial of the department, re- franchise when it comes to pay- if he or she gets paid in foreign a franchise pays a foreign player The 65 foreigners who played informed about the amounts to month after the tournament questing anonymity, said Barisal ing foreign players. Its owner currency from Bangladesh. in foreign currency without per- in the BPL from November 22 to be paid to foreigners. ended. Bulls sought permission to pay M.A. Awal Chowdhury said they And a Bangladeshi organisa- mission, it will be a violation of December 15 last year included On December 20, BCB presi- Bangladesh Bank executive di- nine foreign players $225,000 have taken permission from tion or individual making such a the Money Laundering Act”.

Sunday, January 3, 2016 GULF TIMES SPORT

EQUESTRIAN/AL RAYYAN INTERNATIONAL SHOW JUMPING CHAMPIONSHIP Qatar’s Sheikh Ali and Bassem fi nish second Saeed Nasser al-Qadi, though, gives Qatar a victory in the day’s second event

By Sports Reporter Doha Qatar’s Sheikh Ali bin Khalid al-Thani clears a hurdle during the Al Rayyan International atar’s Olympic-bound rid- Show Jumping Championship 2016 at the ers Sheikh Ali bin Khalid al- Qatar Equestrian Federation outdoor arena Thani and Bassem Hassan yesterday. PICTURES: Garsi Lotfi Mohammed fell short of vic- toriesQ in their respective events, as they fi nished second at the Al Rayyan Inter- national Show Jumping Championship 2016. At the Qatar Equestrian Federation outdoor arena yesterday, Khaled al- Eid of Saudi Arabia edged out Sheikh Ali by just 0.47 second margin in the One round against the clock, FEI Art. 238.2.1 - 145cm, the feature event of the day. Khaled al-Eid astride his 10-year-old bay colt Valuta S put in an immaculate routine to come home in 62.16 seconds. Sheikh Ali mounting the 12-year-old Concordija had judged his round per- fectly to fi nish clear in 62.63 seconds, but had to settle for the second spot. The third place went to Saudi’s Kamal Bahamdan (Nobless Des Tess), who timed 63.45 seconds. Bassem too had to be content with second-place fi nish in One round against the clock with Jump Off , Art. 238.2.2 – 135cm event. The 26-year- old Qatari had won the main event at last week’s Qatar International Show Jumping Championship, and came closer yesterday to take out another victory. However, Bassem and his partner nine-year-old grey Argelith Squid were second best as they fi nished in 43.55 seconds. Turkey’s Derin Demirsoy rid- ing Bosphorus took the spot with an immaculate jump in 42.02 seconds. Alaa al-Sultan of Kuwait (Narwick Rouge) was third. Saeed Nasser al-Qadi, though, had given Qatar a victory in the day’s sec- ond event, when came on top in the One round against the clock with Jump Off , Art. 238.2.2 – 120cm. Al-Qadi astride his able ally Jessico 4 fi nished ahead in a time of 28.30 seconds. Kuwait’s Ali al-Khorafi maintained his recent good Khaled al-Eid of Saudi Arabia form as he came second with Vlacido, Saeed Nasser al-Qadi of Qatar won the day’s main event. while the last podium spot went to receives his prize after Saudi Arabia’s Khaled Almobty (Aloha). winning the one round against Results: the clock with Jump Off , Art. One round against the clock, FEI Art. 238.2.2 – 120cm event. 238.2.1 - 145cm 1. Khaled al-Eid (Saudi Arabia) Valuta S. Time: 62.16 seconds. 2. Sheikh Ali bin Khalid al-Thani (Qatar) Concordija. 62.63. 3. Kamal Bahamdan (Saudi Arabia) Nobless Des Tess. 63.45

One round against the clock with Jump Off , Art. 238.2.2 - 135 CM 1. Derin Demirsoy (Turkey) Bosphorus. Time: 42.02 seconds. Prize money: QAR 9,000 2. Bassem Hassan Mohammed (Qatar) Argelith Squid. 43.55. QAR 7,200 3. Alaa al-Sultan (Kuwait) Narwick Rouge. 47.85. QAR 5,400

One round against the clock with Jump Off , Art. 238.2.2 – 120cm 1. Saeed Nasser al-Qadi (Qatar) Jessico 4. Time: 28.30. Prize money: QAR 5,625 2. Ali al-Khorafi (Kuwait) Vlacido. 28.68. QAR 4,500 3. Khaled Almobty (Saudi Arabia) Aloha. 29.10. QAR 3,375.00

Two Phases, Art. 274.5.3 – 120cm 1. Nasser Albagami (Saudi Arabia) Codina Z. Time: 31.22 seconds. Prize money: QAR 1,687 2 HRH. Prince Mansour Alsaud (Saudi Arbia) Unta Z. 33.25. QAR 1,350 3 Abdulaziz Ahmed al-Muhannadi (Qa- Qatar's Bassem Hassan Mohamad in action astride Argelith Squid. tar) Waed Waed. 33.05. QAR 1,012.

Red Bull launches website for Nasser fans QATAR BEAT NETHERLANDS Red Bull Qatar has launched a website exclusively dedicated to Qatar rally ace Nasser Saleh al-Attiyah’s fans keen on following his progress as he begins his quest for a third Dakar Rally title. The website (www.redbull.com/yallanasser) can be used by his fans to stay up to date with his latest Dakar Rally 2016 updates and also race with him through their tweets. All the participating supporters stand a chance to win exciting prizes! Here are the 4 simple steps that explain it all: 1-Visit www.redbull.com/yallanasser 2-Login to the application using your Twitter username & password (from your mobile/tablet/laptop). 3-Between January 3, 2016 and January 16, 2016 tweet a supportive message to Nasser and enter a virtual race using the hashtag #Yalla- Nasser in a sentence of at least 30 characters. 4-Share your results on Facebook to earn extra points as you race on 13 virtual maps that are exact replicas of the same racetracks Nasser will be rallying through daily. On January 16, 2016 the number 1 fan of Nasser al-Attiyah will be an- nounced based on the highest number of supporting tweets and he/she will win the grand prize: A Co-Pilot rally driving experience with Nasser Qatar beat the Netherlands 38-26 in a friendly handball match at Duhail Complex yesterday. The match al-Attiyah in his Mini! was part of Qatar’s preparations for the Asian Handball Championship which will be held in Bahrain later Not only that, but when a Nasser fan covers the most distance by tweet- Nasser Saleh al-Attiyah (R) of Qatar and his navigator Matthieu Baumel this month. Qatar will also participate in the Golden League Handball Tournament which will be held in ing the most tweets and ranks in 1st place every day, he/she will be of France wave from their Mini at the podium during the departure Paris from January 7. PICTURES: Mamdouh rewarded with a prize: an off icial Red Bull merchandise! ceremony of the 38th Dakar Rally in Buenos Aires yesterday. (Reuters)