FRIDAY 9 FEBRUARY 2018 SPORT 21 I have obviously done 150s in World champion training‚ but have Justin Gatlin Today’s CRICKET never raced over that About his participation in First One-Day: Qatar vs Second Test match: the 150-metre sprint in action distance before Uganda at Asian Town vs Cricket Stadium (Day Two) in Gatlin to test out 150m in Pretoria

REUTERS after doping allegations were made against Mitchell, who like CAPE TOWN: World 100m Gatlin was previously banned champion Justin Gatlin will race for doping. Gatlin is now back over a new distance next month with former US. Olympic and at the inaugural Athletics South national team coach Brooks Africa (ASA) Athletix Grand Prix Johnson, who trained the series meet in Pretoria. sprinter in 2010-11. US sprinter Gatlin, 35, will In a statement in December compete in the 150-metre sprint to Britain’s Daily Telegraph, in what will also be his first which made the allegations competitive run of 2018. against him, Mitchell said: “I “I have obviously done 150s never suggested in any way that in training‚ but have never any of my current athletes used raced over that distance any banned substances or that before‚“ Gatlin said in a state- I was familiar with training any Stars arrive in Doha for Qatar Total Open ment released yesterday. of my current athletes with “It will be interesting to see those substances.” Two-time winner Maria Sharapova and Spanish star Garbine Muguruza (right) arrived how I do. It is also my first race The Athletics Integrity Unit in Doha yesterday to take part at 2018 Qatar Total Open. The high profile tournament of the season‚ which adds to the and the US Anti-Doping Agency will start with the qualifying round tomorrow. The final of the tournament will be excitement for me.” (USADA) have both said they played on February 18. The sprinter sacked coach are investigating the Dennis Mitchell in December allegations.

ICC finds no SL bounce back as bowlers evidence of Ashes fixing shine on first day in Dhaka AFP DUBAI: International AFP SCOREBOARD cricket chiefs said yesterday they have DHAKA: Sri Lanka hit back with Sri Lanka found no evidence of K. Mendis b Razzak ...... 68 four after being bowled D. Karunaratne st Liton b Razzak ...... 3 match-fixing during the out for 222 as bowlers led by D. de Silva c Sabbir b Taijul ...... 19 third Ashes Test Bangladesh spinner Abdur D. Gunathilaka c Rahim b Razzak ...... 13 between and Razzak dominated day one of the D. Chandimal b Razzak ...... 0 following an second Test in Dhaka yesterday. R. Silva c Liton b Taijul ...... 56 investigation into alle- Razzak, making a Test return N. Dickwella b Taijul ...... 1 gations made by a after four years, and fellow left- D. Perera c Mominul b Taijul ...... 31 British newspaper. A. Dananjaya c Mushfiqur b Mustafizur ...... 20 arm spinner claimed R. Herath c Mushfiqur b Mustafizur ...... 2 The Sun said two four wickets each to wrap up the S Lakmal ...... 4 bookmakers, including Sri Lankan innings shortly after Extras (lb 5)...... 5 an Indian “Mr Big”, had tea. Total (all out; 65.3 overs) ...... 222 offered to sell it details Sri Lanka paceman Suranga Fall of wickets: 1-14 (Karunaratne), 2-61 (de Silva), 3-96 of rigged periods of Lakmal then picked up two (Gunathilaka), 4-96 (Chandimal), 5-109 (Mendis), 6-110 play in the Test in Perth wickets to leave the hosts tot- (Dickwella), 7-162 (Perera), 8-205 (Dananjaya), 9-207 which could be bet on (Herath), 10-222 (Silva) tering at 56-4 at stumps. Liton : Mehedi 13-0-54-0, Razzak 16-2-63-4, Taijul to win huge sums. Das, on 24, and nightwatchman 25.3-2-83-4, Mustafizur 11-4-17-2 One of them Mehedi Miraz, on five, were bat- Bangladesh claimed to have ting at close of play. c & b Lakmal ...... 4 worked on the scam Lakmal drew first blood after lbw b Perera ...... 19 with former and cur- taking a return catch off his own run out (De Silva/Dickwella) .....0 rent internationals bowling to remove Tamim Iqbal b Lakmal ...... 1 including a World Cup- not out ...... 24 for four in just the third ball of Mehedi Hasan not out ...... 5 winning all-rounder. the Bangladesh innings. Extras (lb1, w1, nb1) ...... 3 They said they liaised But it was Mominul Haque’s Total (4 wickets, 22 overs) ...... 56 with a fixer in Aus- run out in the very next over that tralian cricket known left the hosts in trouble. Haque, play. “It wasn’t an unplay- as “The Silent Man”. who scored centuries in both Sri Lankan players celebrate the dismissal of Bangladesh’s Tamim Iqbal during the first day of their able in a larger sense. No Australia or innings of the drawn first Test in second Test in Dhaka, yesterday. This type of turn is evident in England players were , returned without a lot of places.” named as being scoring. Razzak, who played the last involved. Lakmal then bowled Mush- to bowl them out in another 4-63 to land the opening punch dogged partnerships with Perera of his previous 12 Tests in 2014, The International fiqur Rahim for one before Dil- innings,” said Sri Lanka for Bangladesh after the visitors (31) and (20) struck three times in the morning Cricket Council (ICC) in ruwan Perera ended the brief coach Thilan Samaraweera. elected to bat first. against a persistent Bangladesh session including getting skipper a statement yesterday resistance of Imrul Kayes, who “For me, I think we were 30 Taijul complemented Raz- bowling attack. for a first-ball said it had concluded made 19. runs short. Normally, on a Dhaka zak’s effort and claimed the final “I think it is definitely a . its investigation into “I think the game is still bal- wicket 240, 250 is a very good wicket of Roshen Silva, who -oriented wicket and the Mendis brought up his 50 in allegations of anced because we have to take score,” he said. made 56 after top- match, given its current state, 81 balls with a six off Taijul but corruption. another six wickets, we have to Earlier 35-year-old Razzak scored with 68 for the Sri Lanka. may not go in to the fifth day,” Razzak rocked Sri Lanka with “We have carried bat another innings and we have returned impressive figures of Silva was involved in two Razzak said after opening day’s two wickets in two balls. out an extensive global investigation with anti- corruption colleagues AB de Villiers returns to from member countries the South African squad. SA welcome De Villiers back based on the allega- tions in The Sun and the material they shared with us,” said into squad against India games ICC general manager for anti-corruption AFP SOUTH AFRICA SQUAD Villiers is the only change to a squad Alex Marshall in a weakened by injuries to regular cap- statement adding he CAPE TOWN: AB de Villiers returns Aiden Markram (), Hashim Amla, Farhaan tain and wicketkeeper- found no evidence. to the South African squad for the last Behardien, AB de Villiers, JP Duminy, Imran Tahir, batsman Quinton de Kock. “I am satisfied that three one-day internationals against Heinrich Klaasen (wkt), David Miller, Morne Morkel, South Africa’s batsmen have there is no evidence to India, Cricket South Africa announced Chris Morris, Lungi Ngidi, Andile Phehlukwayo, struggled, particularly against India’s suggest any match has

yesterday. , Tabraiz Shamsi, Khaya Zondo. spinners. Du Plessis hit a in been corrupted by the The star batsman missed the first the first game before being injured individuals in the three matches because of a finger but JP Duminy, with 51 in the third investigation nor is injury suffered in the third Test He will be assessed when the game in Cape Town, is the only other there any indication against the same opponents last squad reassembles in Johannesburg South African to have made a that any international month. today. South Africa will be desperate half-century. players, administrators There was no immediate word for De Villiers to play after India Farhaan Behardien, who was or coaches have been on whether De Villiers had recovered dominated the first three matches. added to the squad after Du Plessis in contact with the sufficiently to play in the fourth In what could amount to an was injured, is the only batsman in alleged fixers,” the ICC match at the Wanderers Stadium admission that South Africa are short the group, other than De Villiers, who official added. tomorrow. of strength in depth, the return of De has not yet played in the series. 22 SPORT FRIDAY 9 FEBRUARY 2018 Federer to bid for Serena ready to go, number one spot says Fed Cup captain in Rotterdam AFP statement. “I remember play- ing for the first time in 1999 as REUTERS She owns a 13-0 singles PARIS: Roger Federer has it was one of the first events Serena Williams record and 3-1 doubles record announced that he will play in where I got the chance to play NEW YORK: Serena Williams in Fed Cup competition. next week’s ATP event in at the highest level. will be “ready to go” when she She heads a team made up Rotterdam, where a run to the “It feels good to join in the returns to action this week in the of older sister Venus, world semi-finals would make him celebrations of the 45th United States’ Fed Cup first number 17 CoCo Vandeweghe the oldest-ever world number edition.” round tie against the Nether- and world number 62 Lauren one. American Andre Agassi has lands, captain Kathy Rinaldi said. Davis. The 20-time Grand Slam held the record as the oldest Williams has not played a The United States beat Bela- champion is 155 points behind top-ranked men’s player in his- WTA tournament since she won rus last year for a old rival Rafael Nadal in the tory since achieving the feat the Australian Open title last record-extending 18th Fed Cup rankings, with 180 points up for aged 33 years and 131 days in year and skipped this year’s title, their first in 17 years. grabs for reaching the last four 2003. opening grand slam due to con- The Netherlands squad is in the Netherlands. Federer could beat Agassi’s cerns about her fitness four comprised of world number 108 It will be the 36-year-old’s mark by more than three years. months after giving birth to her Richel Hogenkamp, Arantxa Rus first tournament since winning The Swiss great completes first child. (124), Lesley Kerkhove (165) and a record-equalling sixth Aus- a strong field for the Rotterdam Rinaldi said she expects Wil- Demi Schuurs, who is ranked tralian Open title last month event, joining compatriot Stan liams, who was named in the US 32nd in doubles. with a five-set victory over Wawrinka, world number four squad that will compete on an Netherlands captain Paul Marin Cilic. Grigor Dimitrov, Alexander indoor hard court in Asheville, Haarhuis said his squad would “The tournament is special Zverev and defending cham- North Carolina, to make a have to pull off what he felt for me,” Federer, a two-time pion Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in the smooth transition in her return might be “the biggest upset in US winner in Rotterdam, said in a draw. to competitive tennis. tennis history” to win. “Serena’s just coming back. “If you look at Serena, how Roger Federer confirms his participation She played an exhibition in often does she lose to someone at Rotterdam event. (December) and it’s incredible,” that’s not ranked in the Top 10 Rinaldi told a news conference or Top 20 or outside the Top at the US Cellular Center in 100?” said Haarhuis. Asheville. “The odds are not good, but “It’s a quick turnaround after we do believe that it’s possible. “We’re the underdog by far, that won’t change if they bring in five new players, we’re still the underdog, but we still have to believe that it can be Serena’s just coming having her first child. She’s very year, losing to Roland Garros possible.” back. She played professional and she has a lot of champion Jelena Ostapenko in Play begins tomorrow with an exhibition in pride for playing for her coun- an exhibition match in Abu two singles matches and will try. She’ll be ready to go.” Dhabi last December. continue on Sunday with two December and it’s Williams, 36, has played For Williams, this weekend reverse singles matches and the incredible, says Kathy once since winning an Open-era will mark the first time she has doubles match. Rinaldi record 23rd Grand Slam singles competed in a Fed Cup tie since The winner advances to the title in Melbourne last April 2015. April 21-22 semi-finals.

Rumford James’ heroics lift Cavs to win leads by REUTERS NBA RESULTS posted its season-best seventh consecu- tive victory by defeating host Memphis. two in title NEW YORK: LeBron James capped his Detroit 115 Brooklyn 106 Rodney Hood added 18 points as Utah 64th career triple-double with an 18-foot, Houston 109 Miami 101 completed a 4-0 road trip. Hood made all defence fadeaway jumper at the buzzer to lift the Cleveland 140 Minnesota 138 eight of his free-throw attempts as part Cleveland Cavaliers to a 140-138 over- of the Jazz’s 28-of-33 effort from the line.

time victory over the visiting Minnesota Utah 92 Memphis 88 Utah’s Rudy Gobert collected 12 rebounds REUTERS Timberwolves on Wednesday. San Antonio 129 Phoenix 81 and scored eight points. James finished with 37 points, 10 Andrew Harrison scored a season- PERTH: Australian Brett rebounds and 15 assists, and he set the best 23 points to lead Memphis, which has Rumford launched the stage for his game-winner with a block for the Rockets, while Goran Dragic and lost five straight games and seven of its defence of his World Super 6 on Jimmy Butler on the previous defen- Josh Richardson each scored 30 for the last eight. Marc Gasol added 20 points. title in Perth in style by grab- sive possession, the first blocked shot of Heat. Pistons 115, Nets 106 Blake Griffin bing a two-stroke lead at the the game for the Cavaliers. The teams exchanged leads in the final poured in 25 points, Andre Drummond end of the opening round of James followed by catching the quarter, but Houston outscored Miami pulled down an NBA season-high 27 the unique event yesterday. inbounds pass from Jeff Green and nail- 26-21 for its 10th win in the past 11 games. rebounds and Detroit stretched their win- The 40-year-old Perth ing the jumper to send Cleveland to its Spurs 129, Suns 81 LaMarcus Aldridge ning streak to five games by downing native carded an eight- first win on national television this sea- had 23 points and 13 rebounds, and Patty visiting New Jersey. under-par 64 to stay ahead son. The Cavaliers had been 0-8 in such Mills added 18 points off the bench as vis- Griffin, who joined the Pistons for the of former world number one games, losing by an average of 18 points iting San Antonio blew out Phoenix. second game of the streak, also had a Lee Westwood and Austral- per game. Danny Green had 17 points, and he team-best seven assists. ian James Nitties. Butler scored a team-high 35 points and Mills hit five 3-pointers apiece for the Drummond’s rebounding total was Last year Rumford led while Karl-Anthony Towns had 30 points Spurs, who broke a two-game losing two shy of his career high. He also con- from start-to-finish to win the and 10 rebounds for the Timberwolves. streak. Mills played 17 minutes. tributed 17 points, three steals and three event which features three Jeff Teague also recorded a double-dou- Alex Len had 14 points, Josh Jackson blocks. days of strokeplay after which ble with 14 points and 15 assists. had 13 and Dragan Bender had 12 for the Allen Crabbe scored a career-high 34 the top 24 advance to Sun- Rockets 109, Heat 101 James Harden Suns, who tied the worst margin of defeat points for the Nets, who have lost eight of day’s matchplay knockout scored 41 points to lead Houston to its in franchise history. Phoenix played with- their past nine. phase. sixth straight victory, beating host Miami. out leading scorer Devin Booker (hip) for The scheduled game between Indi- “I just think there’s some LeBron James (right) capped his 64th Harden was 13-for-25 from the field, the second consecutive game. ana and host New Orleans was postponed golf courses just suit your eye career triple-double against Minnesota including 5-for-12 from behind the Jazz 92, Grizzlies 88 Ricky Rubio had due to concerns about a wet floor inside and others don’t,” Rumford 3-point line. Chris Paul added 24 points 29 points and eight rebounds, and Utah the Smoothie King Center. Timberwolves on Wednesday. said after making 10 birdies and two bogeys in his round at the Lake Karrinyup Coun- try Club. “It’s not always the case Knicks, Lakers most valuable clubs: Forbes but generally you find as a trend that a lot of players go AFP provided new revenue oppor- up franchise values. The New back and play well when Kobe Bryant’s Lakers tunities from sponsorships and Orleans Pelicans are the low- they’ve had a lot of good per- along with Knicks still top LOS ANGELES: The New York seating. est-ranked, at an estimated formances there, and this is the list of most valuable Knicks and Los Angeles Lakers The Lakers, who like the value of $1bn. one of them. I don’t know NBA clubs. still top the list of most valua- Knicks have struggled in recent The club making the biggest what it is but it definitely ble NBA clubs, according to a years, continue to benefit from jump from last year was the seems to be some kind of survey released by Forbes -- raking in almost $150m a year Philadelphia 76ers, who gained home course advantage. which for the first time says from their local television and 48 percent in value to $1.18bn, “I’m leading, I’m inside every franchise is worth $1bn. radio deals. according to Forbes’ the top 24 and that’s my only According to its latest The reigning champion calculations. focus this week, finish inside annual assessment, the average Golden State Warriors passed The valuations were calcu- that number. Whether I lead value of an NBA club is $1.65bn. the Chicago Bulls in this year’s lated with revenues and the qualifying again? That The Knicks remain atop that list to lie third with a value of operating incomes from the would be a nice bonus but it’s list, worth $3.6bn (2.94bn euros) $3.1bn to Chicago’s $2.6bn. 2016-17 season, while taking not my priority this week and and another iconic club, the The Warriors’ jump is due into consideration the league’s I’m playing accordingly,” he Lakers, are now worth an esti- in part to the new arena due to revenue sharing. said. mated $3.3bn. open in two seasons. Arena deals, and revenue Westwood’s opening The Knicks are profiting New arenas in Sacramento, from non-basketball events that round of 66 contained five from a $1bn renovation to Mad- Milwaukee and Detroit have take place at the venues, are birdies and an eagle with his ison Square Garden, which also pushed also included in the totals. only blemish coming on the eighth hole. FRIDAY 9 FEBRUARY 2018 SPORT 23

PSG and Man City’s financial muscle good for football: Emeryy

REUTERS record-smashing €222m ($272m) sign- and not financial ones, and that’s some- a blockbuster Championsions LeagueLeague “I thinkthink tthat’shat’s ing of Neymar Jr. to “peeing off the thing new in this new European order,” encounter next week. goodgood for this councoun-- BARCELONA: Paris St Germain coach diving board”. Emery told Spanish newspaper Marca Emery thanked the clclub’sub’s ownownerer try,try, whichwhich shouldshould Unai Emery (pictured) believes the PSG also beat Barca and Madrid to in an interview published yesterday. Nasser Al Khelaifi for allowingowing themthem bebe grategratefulful to tthehe soccer world should be grateful to the the signature of French teenage sensa- “The (traditional) clubs see their to follow Barca and Real’ss exampleexample inin investmentinvestment ffromrom nouveau riche clubs like his and tion Kylian Mbappe, who joined the kingdom under threat (from PSG) and breaking the bank to sign pplayerslayers wwhoho Qatar fforor mamakingking Manchester City for shaking up the game Paris club last year and will become the (Manchester) City, who are a team with are among the world’s best.est. suresure thethe bbestest and threatening the dominance of Span- second most expensive player behind new-found financial capacity. I think “I always remember tthishis with Real plaplayersyers come ish giants Real Madrid and Barcelona. Neymar when he completes his move this is good for football, that there are Madrid, the signing of Zinedinenedine ZiZidane,dane, here.”here.” La Liga president Javier Tebas has from AS Monaco in June for €180m. these new teams. Everyone should be Cristiano Ronaldo, Jameses RodRodriguez.riguez. threatened to denounce the two teams, “Madrid and Barcelona wanted grateful.” And Barca did it, too, payingying Rivaldo’sRivaldo’s backed by Qatar and Abu Dhabi respec- Kylian, but PSG have the muscle to keep PSG have an 11-point lead at the top release clause, and we are now sesee-e- tively, to the European Union for their him at a French club and I think the of Ligue 1 and play faltering European ing this financial capacityy financing methods, comparing PSG’s transfer happened for sporting reasons and Spanish champions Real Madrid in in France,” Emery added.

Rising wage Sanchez bill hits Arsenal new boys set accepts deal Man United profits for north London derby to avoid REUTERS REUTERS but it appears that ChChel-el- prison sea’s board are preparedared LONDON: English soccer LONDON: New Arsenal signings to give the Italian timeme to REUTERS club Manchester United said Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and arrest the champions’’ slump.slummp.. its core quarterly earnings Henrikh Mkhitaryan will get an Another blip againstnst WestWesst BARCELONA: Manchester United forward dipped because of rising early taste of the north London Brom, who have wonon onlyonnlyy Alexis Sanchez pleaded guilty to two counts wages for its players after its derby atmosphere when they three times this seasonson andaannndd of tax fraud dating from when he played return to the Champions face Tottenham Hotspur at sit four points fromm safsafety,eetttyty,, for Spanish team Barcelona and accepted League. Wembley tomorrow. would almost certainlynly putpuutt a 16-month suspended jail sentence, his United, whose leading The pair enjoyed comforta- Conte back on the brinkrink ofof agent Fernando Felicevich said on Wednes- players include Paul Pogba ble home debuts in last losing his job. day. and David de Gea, are cur- weekend’s 5-1 rout of Everton Leaders Manchesterster CityCitttyy In a statement issued by the Barcelona rently second in the 20-team but their local rivals are sure to have the chance to bouncebouncce prosecutor and seen by Reuters, Sanchez English Premier League and provide tougher opposition as back from being heldd to a was accused of defrauding the Spanish have reached the last 16 of the the two teams continue their bids 1-1 draw by Burnleynley state of a combined €983,000 ($1.2m) in Champions League, Europe’s for Champions League when they host eighth-th- image rights in 2012 and 2013 by using a elite club competition. qualification. placed Leicester Cityty shell company in Malta and omitting the Manager Mourinho last Spurs are fifth in the table, yesterday. earnings from tax returns. month extended his contract four points ahead of sixth-placed Pep Guardiola’s The Chilean was given a suspended until 2020, while Sanchez Arsenal, one behind fourth- side missed several sentence of eight months for each of those moved from Arsenal. placed Chelsea and two adrift of good chances at Turf years and fines of €353,000 and €237,000 The club’s adjusted earn- third-placed Liverpool with 12 Moor and their gap respectively. ings before interest, tax, games left. at the top was cut too Spanish law is such that any sentence depreciation and amortisa- Arsenal outplayed Totten- 13 points following ManchesterMancchheeesststeerr under two years for a non-violent crime tion for the three months to ham in a 2-0 victory at the United’s 2-0 win overer HHudders-udddddeerrs- rarely requires a defendant without pre- December 31 slipped to Emirates Stadium in November field Town. vious convictions to serve jail time. £67.8m ($94.9m) from £69m but Spurs have every reason to Riyad Mahrez is set ttoo mmissiisssss Sanchez posted on social media a state- a year ago. be confident having soundly the match for Leicesterester asas hhisiis ment from Felicevich which criticised Revenue increased 3.8 beaten second-placed Manches- stand-off with the clublub ccontcontin-nnttinn- Spain’s authorities for changing their cri- percent to £163.9m in the ter United and drawn 2-2 at ues. The Algeria internationalrnationnaal iiss teria on tax returns and using the media to period -- the second quarter Liverpool in their last two games. angry about not beingng alallowedllooowwweed publicly shame players. of its 2017-18 financial year. Liverpool travel to St Mary’s to join Manchester CCityity dduduringuurriinngg “Despite proving Alexis did not com- However, salary expenses on Sunday to face a Southamp- the January transfer wwindowindooww aanandnndd mit any crime, we felt obliged, on the for the quarter came in 9.4 ton side who ended a 12-match has been absent fromom trtrainingraaininiinininng recommendation of our advisers, to accept percent higher at £69.9m on winless run in the league and sessions. the unfair pact offered to us to alleviate the player salary uplifts due to climbed two points clear of the Manchester Uniteded willwillllhl hopehoopopepepe emotional, personal and financial stress participation in the Champi- relegation zone with a 3-2 vic- to secure back-to-back-backk winswininnss that comes from dealing with long and tedi- ons League. Controlled by the tory over West Bromwich Albion when they visit anotherther rrelerelega-lleeggaa- ous court cases...” the statement said. American Glazer family, in their last match. tion-threatened team,m, NeNewcastlewwcccaassttltlee A spokesperson for Spain’s tax agency United have won the English Chelsea, meanwhile, will wel- United, on Sunday. said it could not comment on individual league title a record 20 times. come bottom club West Brom to The Magpies aree 16t16th,h, oneoonne cases but that it uses the same criteria and Last season, United won Stamford Bridge on Monday on point above the relegationgationn zzone,one,onenene,e,, measures for each tax payer. the League Cup, as well as the back of losing 3-0 at home to and have not won in fourfour leagueleaeaaguguegue Sanchez, who joined United last month Europe’s second-tier Europa Bournemouth and 4-1 away to matches, although theythey havehaavavevee from Arsenal, is the latest in a long line of League competition, secur- Watford. been boosted by the lloanoan sigsign-iggn- La Liga players past and present, includ- ing a slot in the cash-rich The results prompted wide- ings of Kenedy fromm ChelseaChhellseseaea Arsenal’s ing Ronaldo, Messi, Marcelo, Pepe and Champions League for the spread speculation that manager and Islam Slimaniani fromfrroomm Pierre-Emerick Javier Mascherano to face judicial process current season. Antonio Conte would be sacked, Leicester. Aubameyang in action. for allegedly defrauding the Spanish state. FIFA chief sets VAR ruling for next month AFP capital Hanoi, Infantino raised take or not, and the only one the prospect of VAR being co- who cannot see it is the HANOI: FIFA President Gianni opted into the rules of the referee. Infantino (pictured) yesterday global game well in time for the Infantino heads to Cambo- said football’s governing body World Cup in Russia. dia after his one-day trip to will decide next month “On the 3rd of March, we Vietnam, where he congratu- Tottenham’s Harry Kane scores their whether to officially endorse will decide whether the video lated the country’s Under-23 second goal against Newport. the video assistant referee, a assistant refereeing will be part squad for making it to the move that could see the of the laws of the game and will finals of the Asian Football controversial technology used become an official help for ref- Confederation (AFC) U23 at the World Cup. erees or not,” the FIFA chief Championship last month. Spurs end Newport’s Cup run VAR, so far trialled in nearly told reporters. Though the team lost to 1,000 matches, reviews key Infantino, who has previ- Uzbekistan, the tournament AFP Erik Lamela strike eight minutes overawed in the replay and they moments linked to goals, pen- ously endorsed the system, said sparked fervour in football- later put Spurs 2-0 up before were unlucky when a cross from alty decisions, straight red card he is “confident and positive” mad Vietnam, which has yet LONDON: Tottenham Hotspur half-time. Moussa Sissoko deflected off decisions and cases of mistaken ahead of next month’s to clinch any major global finally ended lowly Newport Tottenham will now travel Butler and past stranded goal- identity. meeting. titles. County’s brave FA Cup run with to third-tier strugglers Rochdale keeper Joe Day to put Spurs ItsIts meritsmerits havehave beenbeen vigor-vigor- “I“Inn 2018 wwe can- Infantino raised the pros- a 2-0 win in a fourth-round for a last-16 tie on the weekend ahead. ouslyously debateddebated by football fans notnot anymorean pect of Asian nations joining replay at Wembley on Wednes- of February 17-18. It was not long before Spurs andand punditspundits across tthehe affordafford tthath eve- the World Cup in 2026 when day. The FA Cup has been a huge had their second goal, when world,worldwd, withwith some criticis-criticis- ryoneryone in the the number of eligible teams Eight-time winners Spurs financial boost for Newport, Lamela, getting on the end of a ing thethe introductionintroduction ofof stadiumstadiu and will jump to 48. were just eight minutes away with their run to this stage earn- well-weighted through ball from techtech for sloslowingwing dowdownn everyoneever in He also lavished praise on from a humiliating exit when ing them at least £700,000 Son, scored for the first time the ggame.ame. frontfront of a TV the next World Cup hosts, Rus- England striker Harry Kane ($972,000). But the concern for since finding the net against Gill- SpeakingSpeaking in screenscree can sia, saying the tournament in scored to salvage a 1-1 draw the Welsh club was that the ingham in September 2016. thethe VietnameseVietnamese see withinw a June would be the best yet. away to fourth-tier Newport last chance of an upset had come Spurs were comfortable in fewfew minutesm “Preparations in Russia are month. and gone at their Rodney Parade the second half but late in the oonn hhisis phone very, very well on track, the But it was a different story at ground, where a goal from Irish game Amond had a chance to whetherwhet the stadiums are beautiful, the Wembley where, with South striker Padraig Amond put them add a Wembley goal to his one refereerefe has infrastructure is there, the air- Korea’s Son Heung-Min impress- on course for a famous at Rodney Parade in the origi- madem a ports are operational, hotels ing for Tottenham, Dan Butler’s giant-killing. nal tie only to shoot at Michel bigbi mis- are there,” he said. 26th-minute own goal and an Newport were far from Vorm. SPORT Friday 9 February 2018

PAGE | 21 PAGE | 22 PAGE | 23 Sri Lanka bounce Serena ‘ready to go’, Arsenal new back as bowlers says Fed Cup captain boys set for northrth domdominate opening day Rinaldi London derby

Qatar SC eye full points Brilliant Al Sadd overpower to stay away from trouble Al Rayyan in Qatar Clasico THE PENINSULA DOHA: Al Sailiya and Qatar SC will lock horns in their THE PENINSULA Al Sadd players celebrate after Jugurtha Hamroun scored their first goal against Al Rayyan in the Qatar Clasico at the Al Sadd Stadium QNB Stars League Week 16 yesterday. Al Sadd evened out with Al Rayyan in this season’s Qatar Clasico by registering a comfortable 2-0 victory in Week 16 of fixture today with the later DOHA: Al Sadd evened out with the QNB Stars League (QSL) yesterday. looking to pick points with Al Rayyan in this season’s Qatar the aim of staying away from Clasico by registering a comfort- the relegation threat. able 2-0 victory in Week 16 of The match will kick off at the QNB Stars League (QSL) 4.40pm at Al Ahli Stadium. yesterday. Al Sailiya would look to Attacking midfielder put behind the disappoint- Jugurtha Hamroun (44th minute) ment of having dropped and substitute striker Baghdad points following their 2-2 Bounedjah (79th) added an Alge- draw with Al Kharaitiyat in rian flavour to The Wolves’ win the last round. by scoring the goals as they com- The Peregrines are fourth pensated for a 1-2 loss in the with 24 points, but Umm first-phase Qatar Clasico. Salal are close behind, so The large number of fans at Sami Trabelsi’s team cannot the Al Sadd Stadium cheered afford to lose more points if both teams on and the action on they are to finish in the top the field lived up to the game’s four. top billing. Wagner Ribeiro and Al Sadd moved to 40 points, Temurkhuja Abdukholiqov two behind leaders Al Duhail, are their main men. Mid- who had defeated Al Gharafa 5-1 fielder Wagner is joint fourth earlier in the day, while Al in the QNB Stars League top Rayyan stayed on 35. scorers’ list on 11 goals, a feat Bounedjah thus made his he shares with Al Rayyan’s return from a long injury layoff Rodrigo Tabata. Al Duhail’s memorable. He was out of action Youssef El Arabi (20), Youssef ever since he got injured during Msakny (14) and Al Rayyan’s their loss to Al Duhail in Week 9 Abderrazaq Hamdallah (12) on November last year. are the top trio. Al Rayyan created a chance Al Sailiya had won 5-1 in as early as the third minute when the first phase. they earned a free-kick follow- Meanwhile, Umm Salal ing a foul on Abderrazaq will take on Al Khor at Al Hamdallah, but Rodrigo Taba- together, while Al Rayyan’s Xavi was unlucky on a couple of last-ditch efforts culminating in Khor Stadium in the second ta’s shot sailed inches over the Ahmed Abdel Maqsood played occasions as his shots went off Soria’s header over the bar as match of the day which kicks horizontal past the outstretched the role of a holding the mark. the scoreline remained off at 6.50pm. hands of goalkeeper Saad Al midfielder. Al Sadd coach Jesualdo Fer- unchanged. Umm Salal, fifth with 21 Dossari. Hamroun took Al Sadd ahead reira introduced Akram Afif, Earlier yesterday, Al Duhail points, were held goalless by Al Rayyan started without close to half-time when he signed recently from Villarreal, showed no let-up in their march Al Arabi last week and that their ace striker Sebastian Soria. trapped an inch-perfect pass by Spain, in place of Ali Asad, to the title as they defeated hosts YESTERDAY’S RESULTS cost Egyptian coach Mah- Moroccan forward Hamdallah, Xavi after evading the offside whereas Al Rayyan players, Al Gharafa 5-1. Al Duhail beat Al Gharafa 5-1 moud Jaber his job. His The Lions’ top scorer with 12 trap and chipped in the ball over especially their attackers, Captain Youssef Msakni (19th Al Sadd beat Al Rayyan 2-0 replacement, Moroccan Talal goals, led their attack. He and the head of a diving goalkeeper seemed to be running out of and 52nd minutes), Youssef El TODAY’S FIXTURES El Karkouri, immediately got Tabata made a few attempts at Omar Barry. steam as the match wore on. Arabi (23rd-min penalty) and Al Sailiya vs Qatar SC down to business by ready- the rival goal, demanding saves Al Sadd continued to enjoy Bounedjah replaced Ham- Almoez Ali (56th and 88th) At Al Ahli Stadium 4.40pm ing the players for their from Al Dossari. more of the ball in the second roun in the 74th minute and scored for Al Duhail. Al Khor vs Umm Salal match against Al Khor. Al Rayyan created more session (57 per cent at the final immediately made a big impact Ahmed Alaaeldin pulled one At Al Khor Stadium 6.50pm Al Khor, eighth on 14 SATURDAY opportunities in the first half. The whistle) even as Al Rayyan bol- by doubling The Wolves’ lead back for a 10-man Al Gharafa in points, had put up a spirited hectic pace of the match saw stered their forward line by with a placing shot from close the 41st. Al Kharaitiyat vs Al Markhiya fight before going down 1-2 At Al Khor Stadium 4.40pm Xavi Hernandez testing Barry replacing midfielder Daniel Gou- after Barry fumbled with a The result lifted Al Duhail’s to Al Gharafa last week. The Al Arabi vs Al Ahli with a volley. The Spanish great mou with Soria. collection. points tally to 42 at the top while Knights are also in the dan- At Al Arabi Stadium 6.50pm held the Al Sadd midfield Meanwhile, a hardworking Al Rayyan made some Al Gharafa stayed on 20. ger zone.

President’s XI beat Uganda by 10 runs in tour opener

Action between Qatar Cricket Association (QCA) President’s XI and Uganda at the Qatar Cricket Stadium in Doha yesterday. CENTRE: QCA President’s XI skipper Thamoor Sajjad hits a shot off the bowling of Uganda’s Lloyd Paternott. The President’s XI defeated the visitors by 10 runs.Pictures: Salim Matramkot/The Peninsula