CCRICKETRICKET | Page 3 NNBABA | Page 5 Steyn waits to Rockets end see if he will losing streak, get chance to Mavs silence break record Thunder

Tuesday, January 2, 2018 FOOTBALL Rabia II 15, 1439 AH Schedule against GULF TIMES us, says Arsenal manager Wenger SPORT Page 7 EXXONMOBIL OPEN Thiem set for the week as Dominic advances Austrian top seed opens 2018 with straight set win over Donskoy

By Anil John Garros, after his exploits in 2017 when too much for Donskoy, and with the “So he won 24 of his 29 games on the tur- Austrian also peppering him with a there’s gid surface, reaching two semi-fi nals few aces – 11 of 13 coming in the sec- always and fi nals each before clinching the ond set – there was no doubt where a little young Austrian with dreams title in Rio de Janeiro. the match was headed. bit, for of breaking the ‘Big Four’ That was his eighth singles title Thiem said the victory was par- sure, luck dominance set what could be since he turned pro in 2011, and with ticularly pleasing as it came on a hard in there as the recurring ‘Thiem’ for the six of them coming on clay, one could court and that it would be his endeav- well to make Arest of the week at the Qatar Exxon- easily forgive him if he tended to get a our this year to do well on all surfaces. the next step and to Mobil Open yesterday. bit hustled on the faster hard courts as “For sure last year was not good on make a big fi nal or a big title. Of course Top seeded , a power- was the case yesterday. hard courts. Two years ago it was way I’m working hard to maybe achieve it ful hitter of the ball, nevertheless That gave World No 72 Donskoy some better. So I’ll try to improve again or this season.” had to shake off some early-season rust encouragement, especially in the fi rst to make better results on hard courts,” Seventh-seeded Fernando Verdasco and a tendency to get easily frustrated set, when the languid Thiem was found said Thiem. “Especially on hard also advanced, winning the fi nal 10 before seeing off Russian Evgeny Don- wanting in pace and timing which re- courts, for sure I want to play better. games for a 4-6, 6-4, 6-0 win over skoy in straight sets in the fi rst round of sulted in a few mis-hits, including a At the end of the year, the indoor hard Israeli . the ATP season-opener in Doha. really wild shot that ended up in the courts are going to be much faster, so Spaniard Verdasco, who now re- “I think it was a good victory against stands. that’s a little bit more diffi cult for me. sides in Doha, appeared headed for a a tough opponent and that too on the But his overall supremacy was never But still I’ll try to improve there, but shocking defeat when he lost the fi rst 1st of January, after a pretty long pe- in question as the Austrian always en- I think it’s not the right time now to set after being broken thrice by the riod without any matches on the ATP sured he retrieved lost ground to put think what happens in eight or nine Israeli. tour,” Thiem said after his 7-6 (3), 6-3 pressure on Donskoy as he broke back months.” Sela broke Verdasco three times to centre court win at the Khalifa Inter- in the ninth game to eventually draw Thiem said players need a bit of luck clinch the opening set and secured national Tennis and Squash Complex. level at 6-6 and went on to dominate to win a title if they ended breaks in the left-hander’s fi rst three “After a good start, it got pretty the tie-breaker. up facing any of the big guns, such as service games in the second set to take close in the fi rst set. At the end I’m A few minutes into the second set or . a commanding 4-2 lead. satisfi ed with most parts of my game,” and it was plainly evident that Don- “Of course I hope so, but there are But after breaking back to close the Thiem, who won a stunning 92 per- skoy had lost his initial feistiness as many, many question marks about it. gap at 4-3, Verdasco battled through cent of his fi rst-service points, added. Thiem settled in nicely and began to Because if you play a Grand Slam semi- a 12-point service game, saving two World No 5 Thiem is billed as a po- dictate the rallies, breaking the Rus- fi nal against Rafa, who is playing amaz- breaks points to avoid getting beaten, tential Grand Slam winner this year, sian in games fi ve and seven. ing, you can almost play whatever you before closing the match with a great especially on the red clay at Roland The angles on Thiem’s shots proved want and you won’t win. degree of comfort.

RESULTS Jaziri (TUN)/Mousa Shanan Zayed Court 1 (Q) Matteo Berrettini (ITA) Singles (1st Round): (QAT) 7-5, 6-2; Pablo Carreno Busta 8-Feliciano Lopez (ESP) vs Guill- (RUS) bt Cedrik-Marcel Stebe (GER) (ESP)/Guillermo Garcia-Lopez (ESP) bt ermo Garcia-Lopez (ESP) Court 3 7-6, 6-1 (retd); 7-Fernando Verdasco (ITA)/Albert Ramos- followed by Aljaz Bedene (GBR) vs (ROU)/Nenad (ESP) bt Dudi Sela (ISR) 4-6, 6-4, 6-0; Vinolas (ESP) 6-2, 7-6(4). (WC) Malek Jaziri (TUN) Zimonjic (SRB) vs 4- (CRO)/ 1-Dominic Thiem (AUT) bt Evgeny followed by (WC) Jabor Al-Mu- Fernando Verdasco (ESP) Donskoy (RUS) 7-6 (3), 6-3; Nikoloz TODAY’S ORDER OF PLAY (from tawa (QAT) vs (Q) Stefano Travaglia followed by (CAN)/ Basilashvili (GEO) bt Thomas Fab- 3:30pm) (ITA) (AUT) vs 2-Oliver biano (ITA) 6-4, 6-3. Centre Court followed by Guido Pella (ARG) vs Marach (AUT)/Mate Pavic (CRO) Doubles (1st Round): 1- Borna Coric (CRO) vs 2-Pablo Car- 4-Albert Ramos-Vinolas (ESP) followed by Nikola Mektic (CRO)/ (GBR)/ (BRA) bt Marcin reno Busta (ESP) (AUT) vs Nikoloz Matkowski (POL)/Aisam ul-Haq followed by 3-Tomas Berdych Court 2 Basilashvili (GEO)/Andreas Haider- Qureshi (PAK) 3-6, 7-6 (5), 10-5; Borna (CZE) vs Jan-Lennard Struff (GER) Andreas Haider-Maurer (AUT) vs Maurer (AUT) Coric (CRO)/Jan-Lennard Struff (GER) followed by Victor Estrella Burgos (Q) Mirza Basic (BIH) followed by Peter Gojowczyk ’s Dominic Thiem in action bt Filip Krajinovic (SRB)/Viktor Troicki (DOM) vs 5-Richard Gasquet (FRA) followed by Peter Gojowczyk (GER)/Florian Mayer (GER) vs (WC) against Russia’s Evgeny Donskoy (SRB) 7-6 (6), 6-4; 3-Feliciano Lopez followed by Paolo Lorenzi (ITA) vs (GER) vs 6-Filip Krajinovic (SRB) Tuna Altuna (TUR) & Elias Ymer during their first round Qatar (ESP)/ (USA) bt WC-Malek (WC) Gael Monfils (FRA) followed by Viktor Troicki (SRB) vs (SWE) ExxonMobil Open match at Khalifa International Tennis and Squash Complex yesterday. PICTURE: Noushad Thekkayil

GOALS Murray will trim 2018 schedule to I would like to continue in top 10: Busta avoid injury issues Reuters physically do it, and most of the players ablo Carreno Busta of Spain is the sec- particular skill sets that you worked on in the time. Bengaluru would feel the same way... giving yourself ond seed in Qatar. The World No 10 the preseason? But the important thing for me is to continue breaks, especially as you get older, is very spoke to journalists ahead of his match A: Of course I would like to continue in the top improving my level, you know. We know that the important and something that I’ll certainly today against Croatian Borna Coric. 10. It would be fantastic to fi nish the year again last season is diffi cult to repeat, but we are here to ormer world number one Andy Mur- be looking to do.” PExcerpts: in the top 10 and to play the Masters Finals again. do it. ray plans to trim his schedule in the Murray returned to action in an exhibition We know that is really diffi cult. There are a lot of Fnew season to prevent a recurrence match against Roberto Bautista Agut last Q: You had a great season last year. You had players who were injured and now they are kind Q: A lot of the focus this year or the coming of the injuries that blighted his campaign Friday and is confident his hip has healed a breakthrough season. You reached the top of starting again, like Murray, Djokovic; it will be year is on the – outside the big four players in 2017. suff iciently to allow him to compete at the 10, so did you exceed your expectations and fun to start the new season. because of their injuries and their age. Do Murray, who has struggled with a persist- top level. what are your thoughts for the new season? you think players from around your rank- ent hip injury since a quarter-final exit at “My hip feels way better than it did at Wim- Do you have any targets on winning a Grand Q: Can you tell us what you learned last ing and yourself can win a Grand Slam this Wimbledon in July last year, pulled out of bledon,” he said. Slam, reaching the top 5 rankings? year about yourself? What did it teach you? year and do you think you can win a Grand the US Open and dropped to 16th in the “At Wimbledon, I almost made the semi- A: Yeah. It was a very, very good season, last Was it a surprise for you that you did so well Slam this year? world rankings. finals... So if it’s better than that, then that’s one. For the new one, I hope to continue improv- or did you expect that of yourself? A: I think that is a possibility, you know. Of “I’ll probably make some changes to my positive. ing. I think the most important thing is to con- A: It was a surprise. When I started the last course if Rafa, Federer, Murray or Djokovic play schedule this year,” Murray, who will “But playing the matches and getting tinue improving my tennis, my confi dence on season, my goal was to fi nish the season around at their best level, it will be very diffi cult for us to participate in the Brisbane International, used to that intensity again and how you my game. I worked very hard this preseason and top 20 and in three months, I was top 20. So we win a Grand Slam. But if we continue improving told reporters. “I’ll certainly play less than recover from a match is what is important. I am very excited to start the new season because had to change our goals and the season was real- – because, for example, Dimitrov or Goffi n are I have in the past to give my body time to And I’m hoping I’m going to be okay, but I think that I can do it better than last year. ly, really good. I feel really comfortable on court. playing really good and fi nished the season re- rest and recover. you never know for sure until you go I feel really comfortable playing early matches. ally good. Why not me? If the big four don’t play “I would want to play as long as I could through it.” Q: Any specifi c target in the rankings or any And I thought that my level was improving all their best tennis, we will have a chance for sure. Gulf Times 2 Tuesday, January 2, 2018 TENNIS

HOPMAN CUP BRISBANE INTERNATIONAL Wins her Svitolina eyes singles Kerber makes before Grand Slam success pairing up AFP Svitolina said her ability to raise her with Zverev Brisbane, Australia game to see off someone as dangerous as Suarez Navarro showed she was also to lift capable of taking the next step. kraine’s Elina Svitolina be- “This match was a good example Germany lieves she can become world that I can play a good level of tennis, a a fresh start in number one in 2018 despite high level of tennis,” she said. 2-1 in the a host of challengers for the “So I will try to continue to work Ucoveted top ranking. and to, you know, to just be focused on mixed Svitolina, currently ranked sixth in these kind of things. the world, was speaking after an im- “That’s what’s important for me — teams pressive 6-2, 6-4 win over Spain’s Car- and then the Grand Slam and number la Suarez Navarro in the fi rst round of one is all going to come if I have my event the Brisbane International yesterday. game, if I’m healthy, if I’m playing my 2018 with win The 22-year-old cruised through the best.” fi rst set but was forced to fi ght harder Svitolina will take on Ana Kon- AFP in the second as Suarez Navarro be- juh in the second round following the Perth, Australia gan to fi nd her range with powerful Croatian’s 6-1, 6-2 win over Dutch- groundstrokes. woman Kiki Bertens on Sunday. But the Spaniard faltered while serv- A miserable run by sixth-seeded ormer world number one An- ing at 4-5 and Svitolina was able to Frenchwoman Kristina Mladenovic gelique Kerber put a testing close out the match in just under 90 continued when she lost to Belarus 2017 behind her yesterday, minutes. qualifi er Aliaksandra Sasnovich. kicking off the new year with Svitolina won fi ve titles in 2017 on Mladenovic, who has not won Fa fi ghting singles win as Germany beat her way to a career-high world ranking a match since Wimbledon, raced Belgium 2-1 at the mixed teams Hop- of number three. through the fi rst set before Sasnovich man Cup in Perth. She said she had worked hard during fought back to win 1-6, 6-3, 7-5. The 29-year-old gave her country the off -season and there was no reason In other fi rst-round matches, 2012 an early lead in their Group A tie with why she could not win a Grand Slam or champion Kaia Kanepi from Estonia Belgium, beating the emerging Elise take the top ranking. beat Russia’s Daria Kasatkina 6-2, 6-2. Mertens in a tough two-set match. Five women held the top spot at vari- Kanepi’s compatriot Anett Kontaveit World number seven David Goffi n ous times in 2017 — Serena Williams, beat England’s Heather Watson 6-0, levelled the tie with an upset straight- Angelique Kerber, Karolina Pliskova, 6-3 and Sorana Cirstea of saw sets win over fourth ranked Alexander Garbine Muguruza and current number off American Jennifer Brady 7-6 (7), Zverev, but Zverev and Kerber then one Simona Halep. 6-1. claimed the deciding mixed doubles. Kerber was delighted to start 2018 with a victory, having battled a dra- Mischa Zverev cruises into second round matic slump in form last year. She started 2017 ranked world Mischa Zverev powered past Austral- “That’s one of his biggest weapons number one but by the end of the sea- ian qualifier John-Patrick Smith 6-4 that carried him through well over son the dual Grand Slam winner had 7-5 to enter the second round of the the past few years, with the upsets slipped to 21. Brisbane International yesterday. and good results that he’s had. He’s Kerber was fully tested by Mertens, Eighth seed Zverev fired four aces in obviously good around the court. He whose ranking went the other way in the match and converted five out of moves well for a big guy. 2017 as she climbed from 120 to 36. six break points to come through in an “Last year I played (Ivo) Karlovic, I The pair traded service breaks and hour and 28 minutes. The German will played (John) Isner, these kind of winners, but it was Kerber who pro- meet the winner of Tuesday’s match guys. So I wouldn’t say Nick’s serve duced when it mattered to win 7-6 (6), between Argentine Federico Delbonis is maybe as big or as tall as those 7-6 (1) in one hour and 56 minutes. Angelique Kerber of Germany reacts to a return against Elise Mertens of Belgium during their women’s singles match on and American Michael Mmoh. guys’, but he’s obviously very ac- Kerber, who won her maiden Grand day three of the Hopman Cup in Perth yesterday. (AFP) Earlier, local hope Matthew Ebden curate and uses it well.” Slam title at the in dumped out Frances Tiafoe with Ryan Harrison downed Leonardo 2016, said it was a promising start to from last year a wiser player, having Goffi n, coming off a superb fi nish November. a 6-3 6-2 victory that set up an all- Mayer 6-4 3-6 6-2 while fellow Amer- her preparation for Melbourne. struggled with the pressure of expec- to last year, capitalised on a misfi ring “I cannot start the year better,” Australian second round clash with ican Jared Donaldson eased past “I think it was a really good match tations. Zverev to secure an impressive 6-3, Goffi n said of his triumph over the the big-serving . Jordan Thompson 6-2 6-4. Horacio from both of us,” she said. “Last year was a completely diff er- 6-3 win. 20-year-old. “Nick has obviously got a great Zeballos needed 72 minutes to beat “We played on a really high level. It ent year, I learnt a lot,” she said. “I am Zverev racked up the unforced errors However, Zverev’s power was a major serve,” Ebden said, looking ahead to Ernesto Escobedo 6-3 6-4 and meets was the fi rst match of the year so I am trying not to look back, we are in 2018 and the 27-year-old Belgian claimed factor in the mixed doubles, played un- Wednesday’s match. next. really happy with my performance.” and I’m really happy about that. another big scalp, having beaten Roger der the Fast4 format, with the Germans Kerber added that she had emerged “It”s a fresh start.” Federer and Rafael Nadal in London in winning 4-2, 4-3 (2) to claim the tie.

SPOTLIGHT Exciting activities at Qatar ExxonMobil Open

By Sports Reporter Doha

xxonMobil Qatar announced it will be hosting an action- packed entertainment pro- gramme for visitors of the QatarE ExxonMobil Open 2018. As the title sponsor of the tournament, ExxonMobil Qatar has been organ- ising many activities that caters to visitors of all ages at its stand in the Public Village each year. “The Qatar ExxonMobil Open is our top sporting event of the year, and we’re excited to be bringing it back to Doha with the Qatar Tennis Federation, our valued partner of 26 years. We’ve built a great partner- ship with the federation, and we’re proud that all the time, energy and eff ort our combined teams have in- Nadal to make winner take-all purse of $250,000. vested over the years has placed the “It really will be an intriguing con- tournament on major global sports Australian return in test,” Australian Open Tournament calendars.” said Saleh al-Mana, Vice exhibition event Director Craig Tiley said. President and Government Aff airs Director for ExxonMobil Qatar. World number one Rafael Nadal, “The tennis world waits in an- who is struggling to get any match Kvitova withdraws ticipation for the Qatar ExxonMobil practice before the Australian Open, from Brisbane with Open, and they certainly have a lot will play an exhibition event at Mel- to look forward to this year. From the Fans have a chance to get autographed tennis balls at the ExxonMobil stand in the Public Village. bourne Park in the week leading up viral illness tennis stars taking part, to the tennis to the season opening grand slam, action on centre court, and the en- day of the tournament. organisers said yesterday. Twice Wimbledon champion Petra tertainment, this year’s tournament There is always something fun The 31-year-old Spaniard has not Kvitova withdrew from the Brisbane promises to be a spectacular one. taking place at the Public Village, played since he withdrew from the International with a viral illness yes- “At ExxonMobil, we draw our in- and visitors of all ages can enjoy the season-ending World Tour Finals in terday. The 27-year-old Czech was spiration from the Qatar National live music, magicians, restaurants London in November with a knee unable to take the court in her first Vision 2030 as we contribute to and cafes, and traditional Souq. injury. round match against Estonian Anett education, health, and developing Tareq Zainal, tournament’s Gen- He had already withdrawn from an Kontaveit and was replaced in the human potential towards building a eral Coordinator said, “It is a great exhibition tournament in Abu Dhabi, draw by lucky loser Heather Watson. sustainable future for Qatar. The Qa- privilege to welcome our fans once this week’s Brisbane International “I’m really disappointed to withdraw tar ExxonMobil Open is an example again to Doha in the 26th edition of and another event in Sydney, citing a from the Brisbane International,” of how we’re supporting Qatar as it the world-class event, Qatar Exx- lack of time to properly prepare. Kvitova was quoted as saying on sets global standards for excellence onMobil Open is a symbol of the However, the 16-times grand slam the WTA website. “Unfortunately in various industries and sectors.” strategic and enduring partnership winner will be part of the winner- I picked up a virus on the flight to At the centre of the numerous activ- between the Energy Company Exx- takes all Tie Break Tens event at Australia and I haven’t been able to ities that will take place at ExxonMo- onMobil and QTF aimed at taking the Melbourne Park on Jan. 10, five days get healthy in time to play here. bil Qatar’s stand is a racing motorbike sport to higher heights and bringing before the Australian Open begins. “It’s always a fantastic and com- simulator that comes in a set of two. the community of Qatar the fi nest “Tie Break Tens is a great concept petitive place to start the year so I’m The simulator is mounted to a motion tennis and entertainment. and we will see and play some sorry not to be in the draw.” platform and has a functioning throt- “As we are about to experience an- exciting matches,” Nadal said in a The former world number two tle, hand brake, foot brake, clutch and other exciting week of top-level ten- statement. required four hours of surgery on her shift lever, all of which contribute to nis, I would like to appreciate every- “The field is fantastic and I expect left hand in December 2016 after be- the ultimate riding experience. one, especially the committees that some tough competition which will ing attacked by a man wielding a knife Users of the simulator will experi- have worked assiduously to ensure a be great for the Aussie fans.” who had gained access to her apart- ence the thrills and spills of racing a successful event yet again.” The eight-man field includes Novak ment by posing as a utility worker. competition motorbike, simulating popular feature of the tournament, stand at the Public Village and claim Marking the 26th anniversary of Djokovic, three-time grand slam win- Kvitova returned to action, after accelerations and brakes. Visitors and is also part of the 2018 activi- wonderful prizes. Those visiting the the tournament, this year’s Qatar ner Stan Wawrinka, Australia’s Nick months of rehabilitation, during the of the stand can try out the motor- ties. At the end of each match, the stand increase their chances of actu- ExxonMobil Open will run from Jan- Kyrgios, and former world number in May and went on to bikes and even compete against one winning player randomly serves ten- ally seeing tennis stars up close and uary 1 – 6, 2018, bringing some of the one Lleyton Hewitt. win the Aegon Classic in June. another to win a daily prize for the nis balls into the audience, and the may even be fortunate enough to world’s top players together to com- Each match is comprised solely of She last played at the Tianjin Open in shortest lap time. lucky spectators who catch them can get a tennis ball signed by the tennis pete for the trophy and a share of the super tie breaks to 10 points. The October and was preparing to open The ‘ExxonMobil Minute’ is a then head to the ExxonMobil Qatar players who pass by the stand each prize money. knockout tournament provides a her 2018 season in Brisbane. Gulf Times Tuesday, January 2, 2018 3

FOCUS REACTION Ball tampering claims ‘ridiculous’, Steyn waits to see if says Anderson

Reuters Saturday the accusations were a Sydney ‘beat-up’. Both sides had been warned by the umpires during the match ngland pace bowler about deliberately throwing the he will get chance James Anderson has de- new ball into the ground to scuff scribed as “ridiculous” it up in a desperate attempt to accusations that he was exert some assistance from a involvedE in tampering with the drop-in pitch that off ered both ball during the drawn fourth sides little help. Ashes test against Australia in Australia had already regained Melbourne last week. the Ashes before the Melbourne The 35-year-old was shown game after they took a 3-0 lead to break Test record on television appearing to try to in the fi ve match series following scuff up the ball with his thumb- victory by an innings and 41 runs ‘There is significant, ill-advised risk associated with any fast-track return’ nail on the fourth day on Friday in Perth. and local commentators seized In Melbourne, however, Eng- on the footage as the match me- land dominated for much of the andered to a draw. match, led by Alastair Cook’s England coach Trevor Bayliss, unbeaten 244 and were thwarted however, labelled the accusa- by rain that washed out much of tions as ‘Pommie bashing’ while the fourth day’s play. Anderson scoff ed at the sugges- Anderson, undoubtedly on his tions. “It escalated quite quickly, last Ashes tour of Australia, said didn’t it?” Anderson said in his side were looking ahead to comments published by Britain’s try to grab a face-saving victory The Telegraph newspaper. “Ri- in the fi fth test in Sydney, which diculous, but what we’ve come starts on Thursday. to expect. “We have played well at times “(I was) getting dirt off the in all four tests,” Anderson said. ball. They’d watered the square “It would be nice if we can so the footholes on the old wick- carry that on and have one last ets had mud. push at Sydney and try to get a “We went to the umpires to win. make sure they were happy with “It would mean a lot to the it.” lads and all the English support Anderson’s comments ech- we’ve had over here. You see oed those of Bayliss, who said them just non-stop and it means the umpires had told him on a lot to us that sort of support.”

DECISION Bangladesh revoke Sabbir’s contract

AFP arguing with the match referee Dhaka when he was called for a hearing. “We would like to send a strong message to all players angladesh batsman on the fi rst day of New Year. Sabbir Rahman has No matter how big a player one had his central contract might be, he must maintain dis- revoked for assaulting a cipline,” Hassan told reporters. youngB cricket fan who taunted “He (Rahman) was called for him during a match last month. a hearing earlier and we also re- The 26-year-old was also ceived the report from the match slapped with a six-month ban referee. He’ll no longer be a con- from the domestic game and a tracted player,” he said. fi ne of two million taka ($24,000) Rahman, who has played 10 Reuters the pace bowler missed out on the Boxing Day over the incident, Bangladesh Tests, 46 one-day internationals Cape Town Test against Zimbabwe. Stokes given nod to play in IPL Cricket Board (BCB) president and 33 Twenty20 internationals Steyn’s shoulder travails began against Nazmul Hassan said. since his international debut in England in Durban in December 2015 but it England all-rounder Ben Stokes looking at a lucrative contract in The national contract for 2014, has a history of discipli- ale Steyn has been close to the was just under a year later in Perth in No- will be eligible to play in the Indian the IPL. Last year he was signed for Bangladeshi players was due to nary problems. In 2016 the BCB milestone for more than a year now vember 2016 that extensive damage was done despite still waiting a record fee of £1.7 million ($2.3mil- go into eff ect on January 1, 2018. fi ned him 30 percent of his con- but, at the age of 34, time is run- as he broke the right shoulder and tore three to hear if he will be charged over an lion) by the Rising Pune Super- The decision came after Rah- tract money in the Bangladesh ning out for the speed merchant to major muscles on the second day of the fi rst incident last year. giants. He repaid their investment man was found to have assaulted Premier League (BPL) Twenty20 becomeD South Africa’s most prolifi c Test against Australia. a young fan, believed to be aged tournament when he allegedly The 26-year-old has missed the handsomely by being the player of taker. He went home to Cape Town for surgery, ongoing Ashes series after being the tournament. 12, who had taunted him dur- took a female guest to his hotel Steyn’s 417 Test-wicket haul is just four followed by lengthy rehabilitation and abor- banned from international duty A big-money new television deal ing a fi rst-class National Cricket room during the tournament. shy of the South African record held by Shaun tive comebacks before he was gently eased while police investigate his alleged could see figures rise even higher League match in Rahman’s home The board also fi ned star bats- Pollock but the target remains both tantalis- back into Twenty20 action in November and role in a fight outside a nightclub in at the player auction later this town of Rajshahi on December 21. man Tamim Iqbal half-a-million ingly close and frustratingly elusive at the then 12 wicketless overs in whites just before Bristol last September. month, because teams have a During an innings break, the taka ($6,000) after he spoke same time. Christmas. But he received the green light to salary cap that has risen by 20 middle-order batsman went be- publicly against the BCB’s pitch Standing between him and the tag of the Steyn was due to return in the one-off Test go to India from the England and percent. hind the sightscreen and beat the preparations during the recent country’s best ever bowler have been a seri- against Zimbabwe in Port Elizabeth last week Wales Cricket Board (ECB) yester- boy. He was also under fi re for edition of the BPL. ous shoulder injury and a lengthy spell on the but on the opening morning of the day-night day, according to the BBC. sidelines. match was unluckily ruled out by a bout of in- Stokes was recently granted a ‘no After his latest piece of rotten luck, some fl uenza. objection certificate’ to play for NZ, Windies T20 abandoned doubt that Steyn will get his long-awaited In his absence, South Africa’s four-man Canterbury in New Zealand, the opportunity when South Africa take on India seam attack easily bowled out Zimbabwe land of his birth, though he cut The second Twenty20 between New Zealand and the West Indies in a three-Test series starting at Newlands on twice and, although India are an altogether short his stay there for “family ended as a no-result washout at Mount Maunganui yesterday. After a Friday. diff erent proposition, there is a temptation for reasons”. 20-minute rain delay at the start, only nine overs were possible before It has been 14 months since Steyn’s last Test the selectors to stick with them. And ECB chief executive Tom Harri- the rain returned and the umpires took the players from the field with and the rustiness of the lay-off , plus the ab- Steyn, whose Test average is a staggering son conceded it would be “diff icult” New Zealand 102 for four. Colin Munro blasted a whirlwind 66 off 23 sence of a decent examination of his shoulder 22.3, can, however, point to a prolifi c record to prevent him playing in the IPL. deliveries after the West Indies won the toss and put New Zealand into in match conditions, could see him left out, at Newlands with 65 in 13 Tests at an Stokes, who has been replaced in bat. Munro equalled his own New Zealand record when he reached his local media suggested. “There is signifi cant, average of 21.93 - 12 against India. He - and the England ODI squad for the se- half-century off 18 deliveries. His rollicking knock included 11 fours, three ill-advised risk associated with any fast-track legions of supporters enthralled by his pas- ries with Australia by Dawid Malan sixes, and just two singles and a two. New Zealand remain 1-0 up in the return,” wrote local cricket columnist Rob sionate approach to the game - wait to see after originally being included, is series with the third and final match at Mount Maunganui tomorrow. Houwing this week (www.sport24.co.za) after whether he will get to bowl this time.

SPOTLIGHT Vidarbha beat to clinch maiden Ranji title IANS when Vidarbha were 246/6. Wick- in favour of medium pacer Rajneesh accounted for (8) be- Indore etkeeper-batsman Wadkar and Sar- Gurbani (2/92). fore Wakhare saw the back of Nitin wate stitched together an important Left-hander Gambhir played an Saini (5). partnership of 169. uncharacteristic Test innings. He Sarwate dismissed a resisting idarbha clinched their Then Wadkar joined hands with took the attack to the opposition, Vikas Mishra (34) to put the result maiden Ranji Trophy crick- Neral as they took Vidarbha to 528 scoring run-a-ball 36 before his dis- beyond doubt. Sarwate got his third et title crushing Delhi by for seven at stumps on Sunday. missal. wicket in the form of Akash Sudan nine wickets on the fourth Yesterday morning, Wadkar, who The responsibility fell on Nitish (18) to bring an end to Delhi’s second Vand penultimate day of their fi nal at struck his maiden fi rst-class cen- Rana (64) and Dhruv Shorey (62). innings. the Holkar Stadium yesterday. tury, got out to Kulwant Khejroliya The pair did well to forge a partner- A target of 29 was easily over- Vidarbha put up a huge fi rst in- without adding any run to his over- ship of 114 runs. While Nitish played hauled by Vidarbha. Captain Faiz nings total of 547, taking a com- night score, ending a stand of 132 a calculative knock, Shorey’s innings Fazal (2) was the lone batsman to be manding lead of 252 runs before runs for the eighth wicket. was all about dogged approach. dismissed. Veteran Wasim Jaff er (17 out Delhi for 280 in their Neral, who resumed at his Left-arm spinner Sarwate (3/30) not out) hit the winning runs with second innings, getting a target of score of 56, extended his knock with broke the stand when fi rst-innings Sanjay Ramaswamy at the other end. merely 29 runs. Maiden fi nalists Vi- couple of fours before pacer Navdeep century-maker Shorey edged to darbha lost only one wicket and took Saini had him caught by wicket- Wadkar while trying to play a cut Brief scores: Delhi: 295 and 280 all only fi ve overs to chase down the tar- keeper Rishabh Pant as Vidarbha shot. out in second innings ( get which gave them their fi rst Ranji were bowled out for 547. Gurbani returned to remove Nit- 64, Dhruv Shorey 62; Akshay Wa- Trophy title. Trailing by 252 runs, it was always ish, whose drove shot was not timed khare 4/95, Aditya Sarwate 3/30). The turnaround of the match came going to be a stiff task for Delhi. Vi- rightly and ended in the hands of Vidarbha: 547 all out in first innings on Sunday afternoon when Akshay darbha further got a sniff of victory Wadkar. (Akshay Wadkar 133, Aditya Sarwate Wadkar (133) shared two crucial when they reduced the capital side Wakhare bowled Himmat Singh 79, Wasim Jaff er 78, Siddhesh Neral partnerships with Aditya Sarwate to 50/2. While Kunal Chandela fell (0) to further dent Delhi’s hopes. 74, Faiz Fazal 67; Navdeep Saini (79) and Siddhesh Neral (74) in their to spiner Akshay Wakhare (4/95), Then Neral got the prized wicket of 5/135, Akash Sudan 2/102) and 32/1 fi rst innings. The stand between veteran was dis- captain Pant as Delhi lost their sixth (Wasim Jaff er 17 not out; Kulwant Wadkar and Sarwate came into eff ect missed by a debatable LBW verdict wicket for 222 runs. Wakhare then Khejroliya 1/21) on Day 4. Vidarbha players celebrate with Ranji Trophy after defeating Delhi in the final yesterday. (BCCI) Gulf Times 4 Tuesday, January 2, 2018 SPORT

SPOTLIGHT AZF’s year culminates with sports organisation award Aspire Zone Foundation’s three member organisations are getting closer each year towards achieving their vision of becoming the reference in sports excellence worldwide by 2020

By Sports Reporter medallist in the pole vault, the 2017 Decathlon Barshim, the ‘Ooredoo Temba’ 5-a-side foot- Doha World Champion, French athlete Kevin Mayer, ball tournament, and teams that took part in and Greek Olympic pole vaulting champion- the 12th Player Tournament for Football Fan ship, Katerina Stefanaidi, a track and fi eld Associations. ince its establishment in 2008, Aspire sprinter from Saint Kitts and Nevis, and eight- In addition to organising high quality sports Zone Foundation (AZF) set a goal of time Olympic medal winner, Jamaican sprinter events for residents and locals in Qatar, Aspire becoming the reference in sports excel- Veronica Campbell-Brown. Zone Foundation also organised a number of lence worldwide by 2020. Meanwhile, Aspetar has become an ideal cultural and entertainment events including SYear on year, the organisation has trained treatment and rehabilitation destination for Qatar’s fi rst ever lake show, the ‘Aspire Lake successful athletes and promoted a sporting elite athletes, including AFC Bournemouth Festival’, which was attended by more than culture within the local community in line with striker Callum Wilson, Tianjin TEDA midfi eld- 75,000 people, and the 1st International Kite Qatar’s National Development Strategy. er, Nigerian player John Obi Mikel, Stoke City Festival. Aspetar also launched the ‘Healthy To realise this vision, Aspire Zone Founda- Midfi elder Stephen Ireland, New York City Ramadan with Aspetar Experts’ campaign tion and its member organisations – Aspire FC player Maxime Chanot, Icelandic striker and hosted the fourth travelling fellowship Academy, Aspetar and Aspire Logistics – Kolbeinn Sigthórsson and South African 400m programme. adopted a unique collaborative approach, world record holder, Wayde van Niekerk. In addition to laying on a number of unique which allows every activity to refl ect the foun- events, Aspire Zone Foundation and its mem- dation’s diverse mission. The mission directs AZF and its member organisations ber organisation Aspire Academy held several the organisation to improve sports perform- agree new partnerships local and international tournaments that have ance by nurturing champions and enhanc- Aspire Zone Foundation’s (AZF) commit- now become key fi xtures in the annual sporting ing their skills, hosting events to the highest ment to elevating the expertise of its member calendar. Some of the most notable examples standards, providing world-class medical organisations involved signing a number of from this year included Qatar’s Strongest Man services to elite athletes and contributing to milestone partnership agreements this year. 2017, the Aspire Banks Football Tournament, the development of the sports sector in Qatar. These are also designed to support AZF’s mis- the Aspire Torch Staircase Run, the sixth sion to become a global leader in managing Ramadan Sports Festival, the third edition of 2017 marks a year of unprecedented elite athletes by 2020. the “Splash and Dash”, “Discover Tennis with successes and milestones In January, AZF signed a Memorandum of Aspire”, the sixth Al Kass International Cup 2017 has been a milestone year for Aspire Zone Understanding (MoU) with Qatar Univer- 2017, and the 2nd Professional Squash As- Foundation (AZF) in a number of key respects. sity, the Qatar Football Association, and the sociation (PSA) Satellite Tournament. Aspire This includes being named the Best Sports Supreme Committee for & Legacy Academy was also very active year-round in Organisation 2017 by the General Secretariat and to establish and implement an academic organising tournaments for its youth teams Experts Committee at the second annual Arab programme for talented athletes. This was against international visiting teams, as part of Best Award ceremony in Morocco. While in May, followed by an MoU with the French National the Tri-Series football tournament. The Emir of Qatar, His Highness Sheikh Tamim Institute of Sport expertise and performance bin Hamad al-Thani inaugurated Khalifa Inter- (INSEP) in May. Meanwhile, Aspetar signed a Aspire Zone Foundation concludes its eighth national Stadium – one of the 2022 FIFA World partnership agreement with Qatar University ASPIRE4SPORT Congress & Exhibition Cup Qatar venues and the fi rst in the world to Barshim and Al-Tamimi provide yet further and Aspetar, hosted elite training camps for to establish collaboration in the fi eld of medical Last October, Aspire Zone Foundation suc- be awarded a four-star rating from the Global proof of Aspire’s leading role in developing top-tier athletes and sports teams, attracting education and research. cessfully organised its eighth annual ASPIRE- Sustainability Assessment System (GSAS). young athletic talents the likes of German team FC Bayern Munich Aspire Academy also signed a number of 4SPORT Congress & Exhibition. This exclusive Leading up to the Emir’s Cup Final held at Aspire Academy graduate Mutaz Essa Barshim for the seventh consecutive year, French team agreements with international organisations. series of events and networking sessions off ers the venue, Aspire Zone Foundation and the Su- won a gold medal in the high-jump at the 2017 Paris Saint-Germain F.C., Chinese teams These included one with Delhi Dynamos FC European and Qatari sports industry profes- preme Committee for Delivery & Legacy (SC) IAAF World Championship after clearing Shanghai SIPG F.C. and Tianjin Quanjian to develop and shape the future of the club in sionals the chance to engage with those key set a new world record for returfi ng Khalifa 2.43-metres and achieving the second highest F.C., Belgian team K.A.S. Eupen, and Indian the Indian Super League, and a co-operation decision makers that are shaping the landscape International Stadium in just 13:30 hrs. jump of all time. This remarkable performance team Delhi Dynamos FC, amongst others. In agreement with Nakheel Landscapes enabling of the Gulf region’s sports business industry, This year also marked a series of techno- earned him the prestigious 2017 IAAF World addition, Aspetar also welcomed the France it to be the offi cial sponsor and exclusive turf paving the way for future partnerships. logical innovations achieved by Aspire Zone Athlete of the Year award. women’s national rugby union team, and the management partner of Aspire-owned Spanish This year’s ASPIRE4SPORT Exhibition Foundation in partnership with local and inter- The Academy’s star graduate, squash player, National French Athletics team. These training football club, Cultural y Deportiva Leonesa. attracted more Qatari stakeholders than in national organisations. Abdullah al-Tamimi, currently ranked 37 in camps nurture elite sporting talent, allowing The Academy also signed partnership agree- previous years including the Supreme Com- Last January, Aspire Zone Foundation the world, made history by becoming the fi rst athletes to compete at their maximum poten- ments with the Italian Fencing Federation and mittee for Delivery & Legacy (SC), the Ministry teamed up with the Supreme Committee for Qatari player to reach the last 16-round of the tial and providing them with a whole host of the Qatar Weightlifting and Fencing Federation of Economy and Commerce, Qatar Football Delivery & Legacy and Qatar University scien- World Championships at the AJ Bell PSA World integrated sporting services in one place. to develop young Qatari and Italian fencing Association (QFA), Qatar Airways, the Qatar tists to develop innovative helmets designed to Championships 2017 in Manchester. Aspire Zone Foundation and its member or- players by providing them with high quality Financial Centre (QFC), and the International keep workers cool in summer months. Whilst Meanwhile, the Qatar national U19 football ganisations have also became a regular stop for training as well as opportunities to participate Centre for Sport Security (ICSS) amongst in February, together with the Qatar Football team, which is made up of Aspire Academy’s leading delegations visiting Doha to participate in top-fl ight competition. others. Association and QNB Stars League, Aspire student-athletes, won this year’s 2017 ISF in major international events taking place in Locally, the Academy signed partnerships In parallel, Aspire Academy hosted the Academy launched the Qatar Football Analyt- World Schools Football Championships held Qatar. this year with Teach For Qatar (TFQ) to develop fourth edition of the “Global Summit” on ics Dashboard – a set of tools that help analyse in Prague, capital city of the Czech Republic. Some of the key international high-level the skills of young teachers in Qatar as part of ‘Football Performance and Science’ – a and support the sporting performance of play- Elsewhere, the Academy’s “Aspire Football gathering of some of the most infl uential and ers in Qatar and then make the data available Dreams” U17 football team were runners-up international fi gures in football along with to clubs, coaches and the players themselves. after putting up a strong fi ght against Real leading members of the scientifi c community Data collected includes distances covered on Madrid C.F’s youth team during the annual Al to discuss sports training methodology world- the fi eld, players’ ranking in relation to key Kass International Cup tournament. wide. Over the two-days, more than 160 rep- aspects of their game (e.g. passing) compared resentatives from 80 clubs took part – which with teammates as well as players from other Aspetar introduces the largest altitude ac- form part of the “Aspire in the World Fellows” clubs, along with video analysis. climatisation facility in the world community. Involving the likes of Manchester In April, Aspire Foundation and Ooredoo Aspetar upgraded its altitude acclimatisa- United, Arsenal, FC Barcelona, Real Madrid, unveiled for the fi rst time a new application tion facility to create an artifi cial environment Paris Saint-Germain, AC Milan and Juventus, that automatically tracked all the runners who equivalent to 5500m above sea level, making it it is one of the largest gatherings of its kind took part in this year’s Samla Race – a Desert the fi rst of its kind in the world. This upgraded anywhere in the world. Extreme Trek. The app helped specify the facility is one of the world’s largest and houses The “2nd Aspire-Tech Conference’, a one- runners’ exact position, speed, heart rate and up to 50 athletes at a time, allowing entire day conference held on the fi rst day of the other vital signs. teams to benefi t from high altitude recovery ASPIRE4SPORT Congress and Exhibition also The app also provided the functionality to and adapt themselves to decreased levels of took place at ASPIRE4SPORT this year. With automatically send an ambulance in the event oxygen. Qatar undertaking a transformative technology that any runner’s vitals were detected to have journey during the next fi ve years leading up to reached dangerous levels. Aspetar gains new global recognition delegations visiting Aspire Zone this year in- TFQ’s Summer Institute and Camp Qatar. In the 2022 FIFA World Cup Qatar, the conference In May, Aspetar’s unveiled its one-of-a-kind Aspetar’s Sports Surgery Training Centre cluded representatives from the Hellenic Foot- addition, with ‘ALDOHA Link for Information shed light on the main challenges, trends and hamstring protocol – a six-stage evidence- (SSTC) was recognised as a teaching medical ball Federation (HFF) South American Football Technology (IT)’ to develop online content key developments in sports technology from based rehabilitation protocol that builds upon centre by the International Society of Arthros- Confederation (CONMEBOL), the Hellenic to elevate the learning experience for the Acad- around the world. leading global hamstring rehabilitation stud- copy, Knee Surgery and Orthopaedic Sports Football Federation (HFF), the Football Associ- emy’s student-athletes. And also with Dreama Aspire Zone Foundation also hosted a ies. The protocol includes exercises and video Medicine (ISAKOS), a globally-renowned ation of Wales, Uzbekistan Football Federation – the pioneering foundation that provides care number of international sporting events across therapy sessions to help prevent hamstring medical society, making Qatar the fi rst Middle (UFF), Japanese Football Association, the Foot- to orphans – allowing its children to benefi t a number of its world-class facilities. These injuries in athletes and non-athletes alike. Eastern country to obtain such accreditation. ball Association of Serbia, Football Federation from the Academy’s facilities and training included the tenth International Gymnastics And in August, Aspire Zone Foundation Aspetar was also awarded the World Health Islamic Republic of Iran (FFIRI), the Football programmes. Federation (FIG) Artistic Gymnastics World announced the completion of its wastewater Organisation Patient Safety Friendly Hospital Association of Iceland, among others. Repre- Cup, the fi fth GCC Women Games, the FINA treatment station to achieve self-suffi ciency (PSFH) Accreditation. The accreditation is ad- sentatives from various international organisa- Aspire Zone Foundation brings new and Airweave Swimming World Cup 2017 and the in water supplies required for irrigation and ministered by the World Health Organisation tions, including UNESCO, and international unique events to Qatar 2017 Qatar Fencing Grand Prix. cooling of the organisation’s facilities. The Regional Offi ce for the Eastern Mediterranean ambassadors, also visited the facility. Part of AZF’s mission is to promote sporting Aspetar also provided medical support for state-of-the-art facility uses innovative re- (WHO/EMRO) in partnership with Qatar’s Other visitors to Aspire Zone included activity by providing a range of engaging ac- a number of major international sporting verse osmosis technology and is one of the fi rst Ministry of Public Health (MoPH). world-class athletes, including FC Barce- tivities year-round, designed to appeal to com- events taking place in Doha, including the in the country to do so. This move marks a high lona’s trio, Gerard Piqué, Jordi Alba and Sergio munity members of all ages and backgrounds. Qatar ExxonMobil Open tennis tournament point in AZF’s eff orts to meet Qatar’s national Aspire Zone Foundation is a regular stop for Busquets, Liverpool F.C.’s footballer, Adam One such example is organising Qatar’s fi rst and the 2017 IAAF Diamond League, in addi- strategic objectives around sound natural leading sporting delegations and teams Lallana, retired French footballer Éric Abidal, ever obstacle course race – ‘Esrar’ – an event tion to supporting local clubs and federations resource management, while making use of the As with every year, Aspire Zone Foundation retired Brazilian footballer Giovane Elber, which attracted a wide range of participants, who partake in international and regional latest technology to improve systems. and its member organisations Aspire Academy Thiago Braz da Silva, the reigning Olympic gold from Qatar’s high-jumping champion Mutaz competitions.

FOCUS QOC secretary general praises QSAA achievements

QNA teams that have achieved remarkable results at Qatar with the launch of a calendar of interna- Doha all levels with the support of the wise leader- tional competitions. In addition to following ship and the follow up of QOC president His up on the most important details of the early Excellency Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad al-Thani. preparation for the Tokyo Olympics 2020. he Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC) For his part, al-Kuwari extended thanks and secretary general Jassim Rashid al- For his part, al-Kuwari extended thanks appreciation to the Qatar Olympic Committee Buenain hailed the role played by the and appreciation to the Qatar Olympic for the careful follow-up of all the develop- Qatar Shooting and Archery Associa- Committee for the careful follow-up of ments in the association. Ttion (QSAA) and its contribution to the achieve- He expressed his confi dence in the con- all the developments in the association ments made by Qatar sports in various regional, tinuation of such positive steps, stressing that continental and international sporting events. The QOC secretary general participated the visit was very fruitful and led to resolving This came during a meeting with QSAA in the meeting of the QSAA Board in order to many of the pending issues. president Ali Mohamed al-Kuwari and mem- identify the most important activities that the bers of the board, where he listened to the As- association is preparing to organise and par- sociation’s plan and vision of the work for the ticipate in during the new year. Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC) secretary coming period. The meeting discussed means to raise the general Jassim Rashid al-Buenain (left) receives He affi rmed the committee’s support Qatari level of the game, as well as to see the plans a memento from QSAA president Ali Mohamed sports in general, especially for the national sought by the Association to raise the fl ag of al-Kuwari. Gulf Times Tuesday, January 2, 2018 5 SPORT

NBA NFL Winless Browns join 2008 Lions as worst Rockets end losing NFL team, going 0-16

Reuters picks in the upcoming draft, Cleveland should improve if they make wise choices, a big “if” based on recent history. streak, Mavericks he wretched Cleveland The Browns have missed the Browns completed a sea- playoff s in 15 successive seasons, son of complete futility and have just one winning season when they lost again on in that stretch, going 67-173. Sunday,T if only narrowly, which So why have the Browns re- means coach Hue Jackson can go mained so perennially bad when jump in the lake. their poor record has given them After Cleveland went 1-15 in so many high draft picks? silence Thunder the 2016 season, Jackson vowed The reasons are somewhat that he would swim in icy Lake debatable, but some bad draft Erie if the team did not improve choices (and non-choices) have Harden scored 40 points but departed in the final minute with a hamstring injury in 2017. But improve it did not. not helped, none more disas- Instead, the Browns pulled off the trous than overlooking Ohio’s diffi cult feat of actually regress- very own Ben Roethlisberger in ing, becoming only the second the 2004 draft. team in NFL history to go 0-16, Big Ben instead went to the joining the 2008 Detroit Lions. nearby Pittsburgh Steelers, and “Let’s just be honest and put it the rest is history (two Super out there, I’m disappointed, I’m Bowl championships). pissed off , because I never saw On the other side of the ledger this being this way in two years was the decision to take another here, ever.” Jackson said recently. quarterback, college football “I made that statement (about Heisman Trophy winner Johnny swimming in the lake). I got to Manziel, in 2014, with a view to back it up.” making the quarterback the face Whether he does so during the of the franchise, only to watch frigid winter, or waits for balmier him self-destruct with a series of weather and warmer water re- off -fi eld problems that left him mains to be seen. unemployed two years later. Early on in 2017 it seemed the The quarterback issue still Browns would win a game or has not been solved. In the past two. Their fi rst seven games in- couple of years the Browns have cluded four narrow defeats by passed on the likes of Desh- three points, but a promising au- uan Watson and Carson Wentz, tumn subsequently gave way to who have blossomed with other a bitter winter of discontent and teams, while DeShone Kizer lab- a series of embarrassing defeats, ored in his fi rst season. culminating in a four-point loss Coach Jackson is not immune against a second-string Pitts- from blame either, but owner burgh team on Sunday. Jimmy Haslam should ultimately “This is going to stay next to shoulder most of the responsi- my name and the organisation’s bility since he bought the team name for the rest of our lives,” from Randy Lerner in 2012. Jackson said after Sunday’s Hindsight is always easy, but game. it cannot be denied that Haslam Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) “There’s nothing we can do. has made some questionable drives to the basket while Los Angeles Lakers We’ll turn the page on this and decisions, not least putting to- guard Tyler Ennis (10) defends during the move forward.” gether a front offi ce that realized their NBA game on Sunday. Not that the team’s long suf- too late that jettisoning so many PICTURE: Erik Williams-USA TODAY Sports fering fans will expect much dif- veterans in favor of young play- ference in 2018, even though the ers who were not NFL-ready was Browns, with the fi rst and fourth a dubious strategy.

grabbed eight rebounds for the Celt- AFP NBA fines Patterson $10K for tweet Los Angeles ics, said the Eastern Conference leaders should have clamped down at the end. Los Angeles: Oklahoma City Thunder their downright awfulness rather than “We’ve just got to close out better,” he he Houston Rockets take some forward Patrick Patterson has been pointless apologies from their bosses. said. good news — and perhaps some fined $10,000 for public criticism of of- #dobetter.” In Oklahoma City, Dallas rookie Dennis bad — into 2018 after snap- ficials, the NBA announced Sunday. As of Sunday evening, Patterson’s Smith Jr. produced 11 points in the fi nal ping their fi ve-game NBA losing Patterson, 28, lashed out at the league’s comment had earned more than 1,500 1:39 to lift the Mavericks to a 116-113 vic- Tstreak with a 148-142 double-overtime tory over the Thunder. off iciating on his Twitter account on retweets and 4,100 likes. Among those victory over the Los Angeles Lakers on Saturday, one day after the Thunder to click “like” was Mark Cuban, owner of “He was great tonight,” said Mavericks Sunday. lost 97-95 against the Milwaukee Bucks. the rival Dallas Mavericks. coach Rick Carlisle after Smith contrib- James Harden scored 40 points but de- The loss dropped Oklahoma City’s Patterson entered Sunday averaging uted 19 points, four rebounds and six as- parted in the fi nal minute of regulation record to 20-16. 3.2 points and 1.9 rebounds per game. sists. with a hamstring injury. “They’ve been (expletive) this year,” He is in his first season with Oklahoma “They were trapping him in the pick- Point guard Chris Paul scored 15 of his Patterson tweeted. “There needs to City and also has played for Toronto, and-rolls. He hasn’t seen that. He went 28 points in the two overtime periods to be some kind of consequence for Sacramento and Houston. through some situations that were very carry Houston to a much-needed win on diffi cult, but he kept his energy up, he their home fl oor. kept his head up, he kept attacking.” Paul played a part in four straight bas- “I don’t think we’ll know until (Mon- Blake Griffi n scored 14 of his 25 points in Thanks in large part to Smith, the Mavs kets in the fi rst extra period, but Lakers day),” D’Antoni said. “I don’t think they’ll a third quarter dominated 33-14 by Los withstood Thunder star Russell West- forward Brandon Ingram made two free be able to assess it until (Monday) morn- Angeles. brook’s latest triple-double of 38 points, throws with eight-tenths of a second re- ing.” While the Hornets remained within 15 rebounds and 11 assists. maining to force the second. In Los Angeles, Lou Williams came off striking distance in the fourth, they never Bradley Beal was the star in Wash- In the second extra session, Paul made the bench to score 40 points and propel got the defi cit below four points. ington, scoring 17 of his 39 points in the six free throws in the fi nal minute and the Clippers to a 106-98 victory over the The Boston Celtics held off the deter- fourth quarter as the Wizards rallied to Houston took the lead for good on a sec- Charlotte Hornets. mined Brooklyn Nets 108-105 to notch beat the Chicago Bulls 114-110. ond-chance basket by reserve forward “He was just a nightmare tonight,” their 30th win of the season. John Wall scored 21 points for Wash- P.J. Tucker — his only points in the con- Charlotte forward Frank Kaminsky said Trailing by 14 points with 5:59 remain- ington, his three-point play with 29.4 test. of Williams. “He started hitting (three- ing, the Nets trimmed the defi cit to three seconds left to play putting the hosts Moments later Tucker swatted away a pointers) early, so we start getting up on and had the ball after a timeout with 14.5 ahead for good. three-point attempt by the Lakers Kyle his screen. seconds left. Kuzma. “He starts driving to the rim, and then Nets guard Spencer Dinwiddie un- RESULTS Trevor Ariza scored 26 points for Hou- he’s getting fouled.” leashed a long-range eff ort that was Phoenix...... 110 Philadelphia ....123 ston, who trailed by as many as 17 points. Williams scored 16 points in the fi rst wildly off -target. Boston guard Kyrie Irv- Houston ...... 148 LA Lakers ...... 142 The sight of Harden limping off must quarter as the Clippers seized the lead. ing seized the rebound and called a time- Oklahoma City ...... 113 Dallas ...... 116 have tempered the Rockets’ pleasure in But the Hornets held them to just 13 out. Boston ...... 108 Brooklyn ...... 105 snapping their skid. points in the second period while fash- On the inbounds play, Irving was Indiana ...... 90 Minnesota ...... 107 Houston coach Mike D’Antoni said it ioning a 28-7 scoring run that put Char- fouled and made two free throws to seal LA Clippers ...... 106 Charlotte ...... 98 Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Landry Jones (3) is pressured by was too early to speculate about the se- lotte up by as many as 14. the win. Sacramento ...... 96 Memphis ...... 114 Cleveland Browns defensive lineman Myles Garrett (95) during their verity of Harden’s injury. Charlotte led by 10 at the interval, but Irving, who scored 28 points and Washington ...... 114 Chicago ...... 110 NFL game on Sunday. PICTURE: Philip G. Pavely-USA TODAY Sports

BOTTOMLINE Raiders fi re Del Rio, Colts dump Pagano

Reuters a successful 2016, when the Raiders went tional stories in NFL history as he cou- Indianapolis 12-4 and fi nally made the playoff s after a rageously battled and overcame leukae- 13-season drought. But the team regressed mia,” Colts Owner & CEO Jim Irsay said in 2017, going 6-10. An emotional Del Rio, in a statement. Pagano, speaking before ack Del Rio was close to tears as he 54, said it had been a dream to coach his his fi ring had been announced, said: “I’m revealed he had been fi red as head “childhood team” but he acknowledged just grateful I’m on this side of the dirt,” coach by the Oakland Raiders on the reality of the business. referring to his recovery from leukaemia. Sunday, shortly after the National “It’s a results business, I understand,” Pagano guided the Colts to a 56-46 JFootball League (NFL) team completed he told a press conference, his voice overall record (including the post-sea- their fi nal game of the season. cracking. Del Rio went 25-24 in his three son) after joining the team in 2012. He led Del Rio’s departure came just three seasons with the Raiders. Local media them to three consecutive 11-5 seasons hours after the Indianapolis Colts said reported that former Raiders coach Jon and playoff appearances from 2012-14, they also had sacked their head coach Gruden was likely to replace Del Rio. which included the 2014 AFC Champi- Chuck Pagano. The 57-year-old Pagano, Gruden coached the Raiders from onship game. But the team failed to com- who had been in charge of Indianapolis 1998-2001, before guiding the Tampa pile a winning record the past three sea- for six seasons, was widely expected to Bay Buccaneers to victory in the 2002 sons as they were hampered by multiple be sacked after the Colts posted a 4-12 Indianapolis Colts coach season Super Bowl. He most recently has injuries to quarterback Andrew Luck. Del record that ended with a 22-13 win over Chuck Pagano reacts as he been working as a television analyst. Rio and Pagano are likely to be joined by the Houston Texans. But Del Rio’s sack- walks off the field after the The Colts, meanwhile, thanked Paga- several other sacked head coaches over ing after three seasons was less predicta- game against the Houston no for his body of work, while at the same the next couple of days. Ben McAdoo of ble, coming less than a year after he signed Texans on Sunday. time showing him the door. “Chuck’s the New York Giants was the only head a four-year contract extension following fi rst season was one of the more inspira- coach fi red during the season. Gulf Times 6 Tuesday, January 2, 2018 SPORT

NFL Buff alo Bills into playoff s for fi rst time since 1999 Prior to Sunday, the Bills had the longest active playoff drought in all four major US team sports

AFP Results Los Angeles

Detroit ...... 35 Green Bay...... 11 he Buff alo Bills are headed back Indianapolis ...... 22 Houston ...... 13 to the NFL playoff s for the first Minnesota...... 23 Chicago ...... 10 time since 1999 thanks to a 22- New England...... 26 New York Jets ...... 6 16 win over the Miami Dolphins New York Giants ..18 Washington ...... 10 Tin their regular-season fi nale on Sunday Dallas ...... 6 Philadelphia ...... 0 — and a little help from the Cincinnati Pittsburgh ...... 28 Cleveland ...... 24 Bengals. Atlanta ...... 22 Carolina ...... 10 The Bengals stunned the Ravens in Kansas City ...... 27 Denver ...... 24 Baltimore, where a win would have sent Tennessee ...... 15 Jacksonville ...... 10 the hosts into the post-season and elim- San Francisco ...... 34 Los Angeles Rams .13 inated the Bills. Buff alo ...... 22 Miami ...... 16 The Ravens had rallied from a 24-10 Los Angeles Chs ..30 Oakland ...... 10 third-quarter defi cit and led 27-24 when Arizona ...... 26 Seattle ...... 24 Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton con- Tampa Bay ...... 31 New Orleans ...... 24 nected with Tyler Boyd for a touchdown Cincinnati ...... 31 Baltimore ...... 27 on fourth down and 12 yards with 44 seconds remaining. Prior to Sunday, the Bills had the long- “That’s what we’re playing for, and est active playoff drought in all four ma- that’s all that really matters,” Brady said. jor US team sports. New England’s victory over the lowly They had done all they could with Jets, in frigid weather in Foxboro, Massa- their win in Miami, despite a third- chusetts, meant the Pittsburgh Steelers quarter ankle injury to six-time Pro Bowl settled for the second seed in the AFC, running back LeSean McCoy. despite a 28-24 victory over the hap- The Dolphins threatened late with 13 less Cleveland Browns. In another game straight points. Miami recovered an on- played in arctic conditions, the Steelers side kick with 1:52 remaining, but Bills rested quarterback Ben Roethlisberger safety Jordan Poyer came up with an in- and running back Le’Veon Bell. terception to seal the win, and when the The Atlanta Falcons, stunned by the Bengals produced their late-game hero- Patriots’ astonishing comeback in last ics Buff alo had the sixth and nalfi AFC season’s Super Bowl, kept their bid for playoff spot. redemption alive with a 22-10 victory “I watched the end of the Bengals over the Carolina Panthers. game next to (McCoy),” Bills quarterback “I’m really excited to be in,” Falcons Tyrod Taylor said. “I can’t even think of quarterback Matt Ryan said. “Now we’ve the words to describe what our locker got more work to do.” room was like. The defeat meant the Panthers go into “The best part is that this is just the the post-season as a wild card team, beginning.” with the New Orleans Saints grabbing Bills head coach Sean McDermott rel- the NFC South division title despite a 31- ished the “emotional moment.” 24 loss at Tampa Bay. “No one gave this team a chance all The Saints, who beat the Panthers year long,” McDermott said. “Our fans Buffalo Bills free safety Jordan Poyer (21) celebrates after intercepting a pass from Miami Dolphins quarterback David Fales during the second half at Hard Rock twice during the season, will host their have been great all season long, and I’m Stadium. PICTURE :Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports division rivals in the fi rst round of the looking forward to seeing them at our playoff s next Sunday, with the Los An- playoff game.” Buff alo next week. Ryan Succop booted the fi rst time since 2008. As four teams scrambled for the last Superstar quarterback Tom Brady geles Rams hosting the Falcons in the The Tennessee Titans had booked three fi eld goals and quarterback Mar- The Titans booked a fi rst-round clash two AFC spots, the Super Bowl Cham- and the Pats, already assured of the AFC other NFC wild card game. their AFC wild card in more straight- cus Mariota found Derrick Henry with a in Kansas City, and also extinguished pion New England Patriots locked up East division title and a fi rst-round bye, The Minnesota Vikings will have a forward fashion, holding on for a 15-10 66-yard touchdown pass and the Titans the hopes of the Los Angeles Chargers, homefi eld advantage as the top seed in secured the No. 1 seed for the second week off after securing a fi rst round bye victory over the AFC South champion defense delivered a strong performance whose 30-10 win over the Oakland Raid- the conference with a 26-6 victory over straight season and the seventh time with a 23-10 victory over the Chicago Jacksonville Jaguars — who will host to put Tennessee back in the playoff s for ers proved insuffi cient. the New York Jets. overall. Bears.

NHL Ducks fi nish in style to beat Arizona Coyotes

By Eric Stephens RESULTS The Orange County Register ST. LOUIS ...... 3 Carolina ...... 2 NASHVILLE ...... 3 Minnesota ...... 0 uilding lasting momentum is Boston ...... 5 OTTAWA ...... 0 something the Ducks hadn’t FLORIDA ...... 2 ...... 0 done much of this season as WASHINGTON ...... 5 New Jersey ...... 2 they turned the page on 2017 but,B at least on the calendar’s fi nal day, that box was fi nally checked. “The one thing I like is once we got Facing the basement-dwelling the goal to make it 3-2, we didn’t sit Arizona Coyotes in a New Year’s Eve back,” Fowler said. “We kept pushing, matinee, Cam Fowler snapped a third- kept our foot on the gas. That’s what period tie with 8:09 remaining and Ja- you have to do. The moment you sit kob Silfverberg added an insurance goal back, teams are (too) good now. You’ll Sunday as the Ducks scored three times be receiving and that’s when you get in to pull away for a 5-2 win at Honda some trouble.” Center. The sellout crowd got to see and ap- Getting the puck in the high slot plaud Patrick Eaves as the winger at- with just Coyotes goalie Antti Raanta to tended a game for the fi rst time since beat in a 2-2 game, Fowler did so with having to deal with Guillain-Barré a rising shot that hit the crossbar and syndrome, a muscle-weakening au- banked in. Even though he also scored toimmune disorder diagnosed in mid- Friday against Calgary, the Ducks’ de- October. Teammates also met up with fenseman thought he could have put him afterward. away other good looks. Eaves is going through physical ther- “Obviously it’s a prime scoring area,” apy and there is no update on whether Fowler said. “I felt like last game, I had he’ll be able to resume his season or his good chances. I didn’t feel like I made career. the most out of them. I kind of gave “It’s always good to see a teammate,” them away and just quickly got it on net Carlyle said. “He’s defi nitely been a instead of really trying to bear down. part of our group and we haven’t for- “So I just focused on bearing down got about him. It’s hard when the guy tonight and trying to put it through is dealing with what he’s dealing with. him instead of just picking a spot. I was The Ducks welcomed 2018 with a hard-fought win over the Coyotes. “We’re going to let him and his fami- happy to see it go in.” ly take their time. They need to do what Silfverberg made it a two-goal lead right way and we see some of the results Ekman-Larsson as he defended Rakell, team, it would hurt them midway his team-leading goal total to 14. they need to do with what’s best for him with 2:47 remaining and Antoine Ver- happening, we feel like we can compete ricocheting into the net. through the period. “I’m just trying to fi nd open ice,” going forward in his life.” mette added an empty-net goal to fi n- with anybody. “What we try to do is we try to make Arizona tied it on a power play cre- Rakell said. “When we have control, Derek Grant, who has fi lled in nicely ish off a three-point night. Ryan Kesler “These last two games at home were sure that we have a starting point,” ated when the Ducks were caught with Getzy’s very good at creating time for with a career-high seven goals and 15 and Ryan Getzlaf each had two assists. very important for us before going out Ducks coach Randy Carlyle said. “You too many men on the ice. Francois myself to make a good play. Vermy is a points, got back in the lineup after be- In Kesler’s case, those were his fi rst two on a tough western road trip. So hope- have no starting point if you have a poor Beauchemin failed to clear the puck good passer as well. I thought we had ing a healthy scratch for two games. points in his third game back from ma- fully we can carry some of that mo- fi rst period. Then you’re going to play down the ice, with Coyotes defenseman some good chances today. Hopefully we Rookie winger Kevin Roy sat out jor hip surgery. mentum along with us.” catch-up. We don’t want to play catch- Alex Goligoski intercepting it and giv- can just keep going.” as Carlyle shuffl ed his forward lines Rickard Rakell scored twice to stay The Ducks (18-14-8) are making a up if we don’t have to. ing the puck to Brendan Perlini. An inability to get the puck out of moved Vermette up onto the top line in a blistering state while John Gibson habit of starting fast. They’ve scored “We feel if we can get off the mark Perlini operated behind a screen pro- their zone struck again on another pen- with Getzlaf and Rakell while putting made 23 saves as the Ducks won for fi rst in fi ve straight games, with all and get attacking, then we have a hock- vided by Beauchemin and Arizona’s alty kill. The Ducks got Getzlaf back the shutdown trio of Kesler, Silfverberg the fourth time in fi ve games to cap a coming no later than eight minutes ey club that can be dangerous.” Christian Dvorak. His hard wrist shot on the ice after a short two-man dis- and Andrew Cogliano back together as three-game homestand. They’re now elapsed in the fi rst. Rakell jumped out That made goals in a career-high fi ve went in on Gibson’s short side for a 1-1 advantage but Arizona rookie Clayton a full unit. off to western Canada to continue their again, as he did just 1:40 into their straight games for Rakell. He didn’t do tie as the goalie couldn’t pick up the Keller forged another tie, cashing in The Ducks were dominant in the fa- stretch of seven straight games against game Wednesday against Vegas. that in his 33-goal season of a year ago, puck until it was too late. Chris Wagner’s goaltender interference ceoff circle, winning 41 of 60 draws. the Pacifi c Division. Good fortune often interjects it- coming close with seven goals in nine The Ducks didn’t hang their heads penalty as Adam Henrique couldn’t Vermette won 13 of 18, while Kesler “We know that we have to start self into a player that is hot. Just four games during one stretch and fi ve in six for long. Rakell wouldn’t let them. clear the puck. took 12 of 17 and Henrique claimed stringing together some wins right minutes in, Rakell got free and put a of scorching run. The winger found a soft spot in the of- Unlike other times where games got eight of 12. ... Ekman-Larsson was a now,” Fowler said. “Trying to bank as shot on goal that Raanta stopped. The But this wasn’t as clean of an eff ort fensive end and whacked in Getzlaf’s away from them late, the Ducks redou- minus-3 and now has a minus-32 rating many points as we can. We’re a team puck bounced right back and struck the by the Ducks. Sloppy at times in their pass for a no-doubt score and another bled their eff orts and put away their for the Coyotes. ... Kesler played in his that once we start doing things the skate of Coyotes star defender Oliver own zone against the NHL’s worst lead just 43 seconds later, pushing opponent. 900th NHL game. Gulf Times Tuesday, January 2, 2018 7 FOOTBALL

PREMIER LEAGUE SPOTLIGHT January shopping Schedule against us: list for Europe’s top football clubs

Arsenal’s Wenger AFP ons League, Napoli are desperate Paris to win a fi rst title since 1990. They want to reinforce their attack this month, and have Wenger launches a tirade against the fixture list and the standard of refereeing iverpool’s £75mn been linked with a 25 million- ($100mn) splurge on euro move for the Bologna striker AFP Southampton’s Virgil Simone Verdi. West Bromwich, United Kingdom van Dijk indicated that There could be sales at AC Lthe English Premier League will Milan, who are in fi nancial dif- again be where most money is fi culty and struggling in mid- rsenal manager Arsene Wenger spent in the January transfer table. Most headlines, though, has hit out at the Premier window. But some of Europe’s currently surround the future League fi xture schedulers who top clubs will be active this of goalkeeper Gianluigi Don- he claims have handed Chelsea a month looking to strengthen narumma, who has been linked pre-matchA advantage ahead of their Lon- their squads for the run-in. Here with a move away but said on don derby tomorrow. is a look at what to expect in the Saturday that he was “happy” Wenger launched a tirade against the continent’s biggest leagues after at San Siro. The window in Italy fi xture list and the standard of Premier the window opened yesterday. opens tomorrow. League refereeing after his side were held to a 1-1 draw at West Bromwich Albion, SPAIN: KEPA SET FOR GERMANY: GORETZKA with even Gunners legend Thierry Henry MADRID BAYERN-BOUND coming under fi re from the Frenchman. leaders Barcelona could Bayern Munich are on course for Wenger broke Sir Alex Ferguson’s say they already have their big another Bundesliga title. They record of 810 Premier League games as a January signing with Ousmane are top, 11 points clear of Schal- manager but he was in no mood to cele- Dembele close to a return having ke, at the season’s halfway stage. brate as he looked ahead to his side’s next injured himself shortly after his And they are set to add insult to game. “You cannot give West Brom fi ve big-money move from Borus- injury for their rivals by mak- days to prepare for a game like that when sia Dortmund at the start of the ing a move for Schalke star Leon we have three,” said Wenger. season. That will not stop specu- Goretzka. “I am ready to play every day as long as lation that the Catalans will go The 22-year-old German in- our opponent has played the same time back in for Liverpool’s Philippe ternational is out of contract recovery over Christmas. It is not normal. Coutinho after failing in their at the end of the season and it We have the same problem against Chel- bid to sign the Brazilian in the was reported on Sunday that sea. They played yesterday, we played to- summer. But strengthening at he would sign a pre-contract day, they have one day more again.” the back might be of more im- agreement this month to move A late penalty from Jay Rodriguez res- mediate importance with Javier to Bavaria in the summer. There cued a draw for West Brom after Calum Mascherano set to depart. is likely to be movement at Chambers was penalised for handball in a A move for the giant Colombi- Borussia Dortmund, with Andre decision that even West Brom boss Alan an Yerry Mina of Palmeiras could Schuerrle being linked with West Pardew admitted was “tough”. “It wasn’t be completed imminently. Ham United. a penalty,” said Wenger at the start of a Atletico Madrid can fi nally They will also have to deal with wide-ranging rant. register new players with a FIFA- inevitable speculation as to the “It was not a deliberate handball. He imposed ban now having ended. future of star striker Pierre-Em- (Chambers) didn’t lift his hand. It was That means Diego Costa and erick Aubameyang, who is under down. Where do you put your hands? You Vitolo can make their debuts contract until 2021. have no pockets in your shorts. The ref- Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger remonstrates with Mike Dean after the referee awarded a controversial late penalty to West after agreeing deals to move to eree has not seen it. That’s my opinion, he Bromwich Albion during the Premier League match on Sunday night. (Reuters) the Wanda Metropolitano from FRANCE: PSG TO TRIM will tell you that he has seen it. Ask him. Chelsea and Sevilla respectively SQUAD “I don’t want to waste my time with and not one English referee will go to lems. That is the important thing. All these very angry about that but we deserved it. in the summer. There will almost certainly be them, we have to live with the decision, the World Cup but everything is alright. people are paid to talk and it is diffi cult al- “We’ve had three or four games here Real Madrid are likely to make departures from Paris Saint- to deal with it and to swallow it and go to We cannot say a word against it because ways to talk and talk and talk and only say where we’ve not had a break at all. We moves too. But if there is to be Germain as they look to raise the next game. I’m angry because we have they’re untouchable.” things that are true and intelligent.” went toe-to-toe with Arsenal at times, only one signing it should be that funds to comply with fi nancial seen and seen the same things again. I did Alexis Sanchez had fi red Arsenal ahead West Brom have still not won in seven not all the time, but enough times to take of Kepa Arrizabalaga, the Athlet- fair play. Javier Pastore is report- fi ght very hard for the referees to become on 83 minutes with a defl ected free-kick games under Pardew, who sympathised them on with attacking intent. It was ic Bilbao and Spain goalkeeper. edly keen to leave to boost his professional many years ago with (then and celebrated with all of his teammates with Wenger over the crucial late penalty. good for me to see. The messages are get- The 23-year-old’s contract ex- chances of making the Argen- Arsenal chairman) David Dein, and they just days after the lack of a group celebra- “I’d be very upset if it was given against ting through. pires in June, but Madrid could tina squad for the World Cup did a good job to allow them to be profes- tion for a Sanchez goal against Crystal me,” admitted Pardew. “It was nice to go into the dressing pay his 20 million-euro buyout and could be Italy-bound. The sional. But I see no improvement. Palace had prompted TV pundit Henry to “It was a tough penalty. Obviously the room and say ‘if you keep doing the right clause to get him now. out-of-favour Lucas Moura will “At the end of the day there are two claim there were splits in the camp. ball has hit his arm and we’re all a little things, you’ll get a break’. And we did get depart too, while PSG are also countries in Europe where you have pro- “I don’t listen to what he (Henry) says,” in the dark about what is a handball and a break.” West Brom take their fi ght for ITALY: SALES AT MILAN? hoping to bring in a midfi eld- fessional referees, in Italy and in England, said Wenger. “I focus on our own prob- what isn’t. I can understand Arsene being survival to West Ham today. Juventus could splash some cash er, although they look to have as they chase league leaders Na- missed out on the Brazilian Wen- poli and they have been linked del, who is set to join Sporting ROUND-UP with a move for Liverpool’s Ger- Lisbon from Fluminense. many midfi elder Emre Can. “We Elsewhere, Monaco will trim know that he is a good player and their squad, and English clubs a good opportunity but nothing could come back in for Thomas more,” Juve CEO Beppe Marotta Lemar, the target of huge bids Portugal’s Silva signs for Leicester fi nally said on Saturday. from Liverpool and Arsenal in Already out of the Champi- the summer. ortugal midfi elder Adrien Silva says he tried to remain positive during a long saga which came Adrien Silva has had to wait for to a happy end yesterday as he four months to complete the Pcompleted his move to Premier League £22mn transfer from Sporting side Leicester City. Lisbon to Leicester City. (Reuters) The 28-year-old — capped 20 times and a member of the Portugal side that won Euro 2016 — has had to wait four months to complete the £22mn ($29.7mn) transfer from Sporting Lisbon. The France-born midfi elder has been in a state of limbo since his original transfer was not accepted because the paperwork was 14 seconds past the deadline in August — an appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) failed. “When you have a period like this, it’s very up and down,” Silva told Leicester’s in-house television station. “You have to keep a positive mentality and that’s what I’ve tried to do. I’ve kept my mind focused on my job and what I love to do.” Silva, who came in as second half Real Madrid are likely sign Kepa Arrizabalaga, the Athletic Bilbao and substitute in Foxes’s win over Hudders- Spain goalkeeper, this month. fi eld Town yesterday, said he had been keeping fi t despite not having played all season. “It’s been very frustrating, but now the diffi cult times are past me and I’m very happy to be close to my goal,” Bayern to play one he said. “I’ve been working hard every return for that fi xture. Lukaku crashed BBC about the Stoke manager’s job. “In been used as a substitute in four con- day to arrive at this moment and I’m in into Southampton’s Wesley Hoedt on terms of the knowledge of the group and secutive league matches since his return good shape. It’s been very important to December 30 as the pair contested an the progress in my time here, I’m the from a hamstring injury last month. tune-up game in Qatar; keep training because it’s a long time not aerial challenge early in the fi rst half at best person to do it.” “If you ask all footballers all over the playing. There is nothing better than the Old Traff ord. The Belgium striker lay Hughes, who has seen Premier League world, they will tell you they don’t want 25 players for camp game.” prone on the pitch barely moving while rivals such as Tony Pulis, Ronald Koeman to be on the bench, and that’s a normal he was treated by medical staff for vefi and Paul Clement sacked already this thing,” Hernandez said. Munich: Bayern Munich will from the under-19 and reserve LUKAKU OUT JUST ONE minutes. Lukaku remained conscious season because of poor runs, insisted he “They all want to play and I’m trying play a tune-up match against teams. Captain Manuel Neuer WEEK, SAYS MOURINHO and was eventually carried off wearing an made the right call in playing a second to prove that I want to be involved with local club Al Ahli SC on and midfielder Thiago remain Manchester United striker Romelu oxygen mask. string side in the 5-0 hammering by more minutes, with more starts, and Saturday towards the end of in Munich to continue rehabili- Lukaku will be sidelined for just a single Chelsea on Saturday to save his fi rst then we’ll see what happens (when I’m a training camp in Qatar, the tation in the wake of injuries. week following his head injury, according HUGHES DEFIANT DESPITE choice team for yesterday’s clash. on the pitch). I’m always going to give Bundesliga champions said “We will work really well to Old Traff ord boss Jose Mourinho yes- STOKE FANS’ DISCONTENT “Everyone’s saying that I gambled but everything for the team, whenever I am yesterday. The record German there. There is not a lot of prep- terday. Lukaku, who has scored 15 times Mark Hughes says he is the best person I used the players that I had, what was on the pitch. I love football and I want to champions are staging their aration time but we will use it this season, was stretchered off against to lead Stoke away from the relegation I going to do?” said Hughes, who has be as professional as I can... if I am given winter training camp In Qatar to start well into the second Southampton on Saturday following a zone despite fans calling for his head been in charge of Stoke since 2013. “Risk one minute or 90 minutes, and I will try for the eighth year in a row. half of the season,” sports di- clash of heads with Wesley Hoedt. after a 1-0 loss to Newcastle yesterday. players that had a big part to play today? to do my best.” The game is the only test for rector Hasan Salihamidzic said. That ruled Lukaku out of last night’s The 54-year-old former Wales and Plenty of teams have made changes Hernandez also highlighted the Jupp Heynckes’ team as the The FCB players will work up a trip to his former club Everton and he Manchester United striker — who today, everyone else is doing it too.” importance of West Ham’s next three runaway leaders get ready for sweat for the first time on their is set to be absent for the FA Cup third numbers Manchester City among clubs games as they host West Bromwich Al- the second half of the league day of arrival. Time is scarce as round tie with Derby on Friday. Speaking he has managed — has seen his side slide HERNANDEZ EAGER TO PROVE HIM- bion and travel to local rivals Tottenham season they start on Janu- the winter break is short due prior to the Everton match, Mourinho to fi fth from bottom with just one win in SELF AS A STARTER FOR WEST HAM Hotspur in the league, followed by an FA ary 12 at fourth-placed Bayer to the World Cup finals this told Sky Sports: “I would say a week (out their last seven league matches. Ham United striker Javier Hernandez is Cup tie at Shrewsbury Town within the leverkusen. summer. The men from Munich for Lukaku). It’s nothing really impor- Yesterday’s reverse allowed Newcastle targeting a regular spot in the Premier space of a week. West Ham have won Munich said that 25 players will play their only friendly in tant — just a little protection, but no to leapfrog Stoke in the table and left the League club’s starting XI after successive two and drawn as many of their last fi ve will make the trip to Qatar from Doha. They take on Qatar Stars problem.” Potters just two points above the relega- substitute appearances in recent games. league matches but remain a point adrift today until Sunday, including League side Al Ahli SC at the United’s next Premier League game, tion places with third from bottom West The 29-year-old, who joined the London of safety in 18th position, albeit with newly signed striker Sandro Aspire facility on January 6 at at home to Stoke, isn’t for 10 days after Ham having two games in hand. “Who outfi t in July, started the fi rst 11 of West a game in hand, and host 19th-placed Wagner as well as players 5pm. the Derby game, giving Lukaku time to else is going to do it?” Hughes asked the Ham’s 20 league games so far but has West Brom at the London Stadium today.

Tuesday, January 2, 2018 GULF TIMES FOOTBALL

PREMIER LEAGUE Man United lift Mourinho, Liverpool leave it late Stoke City manager Mark Hughes faces calls for his sacking after a 1-0 home defeat against Newcastle United

AFP POINTS TABLE London Liverpool’s Ragnar Klavan celebrate with teammates after scored against (played, won, drawn, lost, for, against, Burnley yesterday. (Reuters) points): anchester United put a Man City 21 19 2 0 61 12 59 smile back on Jose Mourin- Man Utd 22 14 5 3 45 16 47 ho’s face as fi ne goals from Chelsea 21 14 3 4 39 14 45 Anthony Martial and Jesse Liverpool 22 12 8 2 50 25 44 MLingard sealed a 2-0 win over Everton, Arsenal 21 11 5 5 38 26 38 while Liverpool left it late to snatch a Tottenham 20 11 4 5 39 20 37 2-1 victory at Burnley yesterday. Burnley 22 9 7 6 19 19 34 Martial started in the absence of the Leicester 22 8 6 8 34 32 30 injured Romelu Lukaku and the United Everton 22 7 6 9 25 34 27 forward broke the deadlock in the 57th Watford 21 7 4 10 30 37 25 minute at Goodison Park. Huddersfield 22 6 6 10 18 35 24 Paul Pogba teed up Martial on the Brighton 22 5 8 9 17 27 23 edge of the area and he stroked a sub- Newcastle 22 6 4 12 20 30 22 lime fi nish into the top corner for his Bournemouth 22 5 6 11 22 34 21 ninth goal of the season. Having strug- Southampton 21 4 8 9 20 30 20 gled towards the end of 2017, United Stoke 22 5 5 12 23 47 20 were more commanding in their fi rst Crystal Palace 21 4 7 10 18 32 19 match of the new year and Lingard West Ham 20 4 6 10 22 38 18 wrapped up the points with a superb West Brom 21 2 10 9 15 28 16 solo strike in the 81st minute. Swansea 21 4 4 13 13 32 16 The winger beat several Everton players before curling home from 20 four-match winless run. Callum Wil- yards for his fourth goal in his last fi ve son’s second goal in three games earned appearances. Bournemouth a 2-2 draw at south coast It was a welcome tonic for Mourinho rivals Brighton. amid reports the United manager is be- ginning to lose the support of his play- ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE RESULTS ers after branding them “childish” and Brighton 2 (Knockaert 5, Murray 48) “immature” and admitting the squad Bournemouth 2 (S. Cook 33, Wilson 79) needs major investment to catch City. Four’ to start at rain-lashed Turf Moor. range. Liverpool’s third successive win close-range. That triggered chants for sidelined by a groin injury, Islam Slim- Burnley 1 (Gudmundsson 87) Liverpool 2 United moved back into second Senegal winger Mane showed Liverpool extended their unbeaten league run to Hughes’s dismissal from Stoke fans, ani who marked only his second league (Mane 61, Klavan 90+4) place in the Premier League after end- can thrive without his star teammates 13 games as they cemented their place with a ‘Hughes out’ banner held aloft start this season with his fi rst league Everton 0 Manchester United 2 (Martial 57, ing a frustrating run of three succes- as he opened the scoring in the 61st in the top four. in the stands. Stoke have won once in goal since April — a chipped fi nish in Lingard 81) sive draws. United are 12 points behind minute, hammering home from the Stoke manager Mark Hughes faced their last six games and sit two points the 60th minute. Leicester’s Adrien Leicester 3 (Mahrez 53, Slimani 60, Al- leaders Manchester City, who host edge of the area for his eighth club goal calls for his sacking after a 1-0 home above the relegation zone. Silva came on late in the second half for brighton 90+2) Huddersfield 0 Watford today, and two points ahead of this season. Burnley equalised with just loss against Newcastle. Stoke’s lat- Algeria duo Riyad Mahrez and Islam his long-awaited fi rst appearance. Stoke City 0 Newcastle United 1 (Perez 73) third placed Chelsea, who play Arsenal three minutes left as Sam Vokes fl icked est lacklustre display piled pressure Slimani inspired Leicester’s 3-0 win FIFA rejected the Portugal mid- Playing today (1945 GMT unless stated): tomorrow. on and Johann Gudmundsson pounced on Hughes, whose gamble of fi elding over Huddersfi eld. Claude Puel’s side fi elder’s move from Sporting Lisbon in Manchester City v Watford (2000), With Philippe Coutinho and Mo- to slot home. a weakened team in Saturday’s 5-0 took the lead through Mahrez in the August when the paperwork arrived 14 Swansea v Tottenham Hotspur, Southamp- hamed Salah missing due to thigh and But Liverpool’s Dejan Lovren head- thrashing at Chelsea proved an unwise 53rd minute, the winger meeting Marc seconds too late, but he fi nally com- ton v Crystal Palace, West Ham v West groin injuries respectively and Roberto ed on a free-kick four minutes into move. Newcastle took lead in the 73rd Albrighton’s cross with a well-taken pleted his move yesterday. Albright- Bromwich Albion Firmino left on the bench, Sadio Mane stoppage-time and Estonia defender minute when Ayoze Perez stabbed past volley for his eighth goal of the season. on’s 90th minute goal capped a good Playing tomorrow (1945 GMT): Arsenal v was the lone member of Liverpool’s ‘Fab Ragnar Klavan poked home from close- Stoke goalkeeper Jack Butland from With Leicester striker Jamie Vardy afternoon for Leicester, who ended a Chelsea

REVIEW ROUND-UP 2017, the year QNB Stars League Gharafa unveil coach Uygun By Sports Reporter wins, four draws and fi ve defeats. They travel to Al Doha Ahli for their 12th-round match on 12th January. became slimmer and sleeker The Cheetahs’ will also be eager to beat Uz- bekistan’s Pakhtakor in their AFC Champions NB Stars League side Al Gharafa yester- League play-off in Doha on 30th January and day presented their new coach Bulent Uy- qualify for the tournament proper. Al Gharafa had gun, who replaced Jean Fernandez after recently lifted the QSL Cup by defeating Al Rayy- the club parted ways with the Frenchman an in the fi nal thus becoming the fi rst team to win byQ mutual consent. Speaking at his unveiling, Al the tournament for a second time. They have some Gharafa’s Football Head Mahmoud al-Ghazal said Qatari players of high calibre, such as Almahdi Ali, Bulent was no stranger to the Qatar league since the Othman al-Yahri and Amro Seraj, in their ranks. Turkish coach had many good seasons with Umm Bulent, who coached Umm Salal during 2013-16, Salal and he wished him success. spoke about the team’s prospects of reaching the Replying to a question about the rumours that top four in the league. “Naturally, we’ve to think Al Gharafa would sign players such as Yannick in the short and long term. Right now, we’ll take it Sajbo, Ismail Mahmoud and Mohammed Montari, game by game and, at the end of season, we’ll reset al-Ghazal said club president Sheikh Jassim bin our priorities. As you know, Al Gharafa have won Thamer al-Thani had stressed that they had a good only two games, and drawn and lost many matches. mix of youth and experience and they had confi - “I spoke to the club president about this. I think dence in them. the league’s second phase will be played almost “However, we’ll certainly need a new player. non-stop. We’ve to adapt towards dealing with this When we make the choice, we’ll announce that and situation. We may strengthen the squad with one or we’ll co-ordinate with the new coach, who is happy two new players,” said Bulent. to be with us and returning to Qatar,” said Al Ghazal. Bulent expressed his happiness to be working AL SAILIYA TO PLAY AGAINST CHINA’S again in Qatar, thanking all those who gave him TIANJIN QUANJIAN TOMORROW the opportunity, especially Al Gharafa Sports Club Al Sailiya SC will play a friendly match against the President Sheikh Jassim. He praised the positive Chinese team Tianjin Quanjian tomorrow. The football atmosphere in Qatar, describing it as the match will be played at Aspire Academy’s stadium Lekhwiya lifted the league shield for the fifth time but they and El Jaish got merged into Al Duhail for the 2017-18 season. land of sports dreams as the country gears up to No 3, where the Chinese team will be based for its host the 2022 FIFA World Cup. winter camp in Doha. he year that went by portrayed the tition with 12 teams instead of 14 and 22 Wolves winning by a 3-1 margin. Another Al Gharafa will be keen to improve on their sev- The match comes as part of Sailiya’s prepara- club football scene in Qatar in a good rounds of action as against 26. The league’s derby in Week 8 saw Al Rayyan defeat Al enth place in standings in the QNB Stars League’s tions ahead of their meeting with Al Arabi on Janu- light in terms of action on the fi eld, new logo was also launched Arabi 4-2. second phase. They have only 11 points from two ary 12th in the QNB Stars League. matters off it as well as achieve- Lekhwiya and El Jaish got merged into El Arabi topped the scorer’s chart with 16 Tments by teams and players individually. Al Duhail, while Qatar SC and Al Markhiya goals, followed by his captain Youssef Msa- A new year has dawned, with the teams got promoted. Al Markhiya celebrated the kni (nine) and Al Rayyan’s Abderrazaq Ham- looking forward to success and glory as ever, top-fl ight entry in style, shocking 13-time dallah as well as Al Sailiya’s Wagner Ribeiro here is a look at the high points of 2017. Le- champions Al Sadd in the fi rst kick-off of (both eight). El Arabi looks set to emulate his khwiya lifted the league shield for the fi fth the new season. However, that result was performance last season. time, the earlier occasions being 2010-11, overturned as The Oryxes fi elded an ineli- Other players who grabbed the atten- 2011-12, 2013-14, 2014-15. gible player. tion were Nam (Al Duhail), Hernan- However, Al Sadd were the side that Al Duhail were in pole position right from dez, Bounedjah, Jugurtha Hamroun, Hassan gained the most as far as number of titles the start. They asserted their supremacy al-Haydous (all Al Sadd), Rodrigo Tabata, were concerned. The Wolves lifted both after every round to remain as the only un- Sebastian Soria (both Al Rayyan), Temur- and the most prestigious Emir’s beaten side with 29 points when the compe- khuja Abdukholiqov (Al Sailiya), Yannick Cup, defeating El Jaish and Al Rayyan re- tition’s fi rst phase, consisting of 11 rounds, Sagbo (Umm Salal), Meshaal Abdullah, Yas- spectively by an identical 2-1 margin, before concluded. The Red Knights were held sine Chikhaoui (both Al Ahli), Luis Jimenez, winning the season-opening Sheikh Jassim twice, by Al Gharafa and Al Sailiya. Othman al-Yahri (both Al Gharafa), Madson Cup, played between league champions and The second position changed hands be- (Al Khor), Khalfan Ibrahim, Mardik Mardi- Emir’s Cup winners. Al Sadd got the better tween Al Sadd and Al Rayyan, but the former kian (both Al Arabi), Rachid Tiberkanine (Al of Al Duhail 4-2. managed to fi nish just behind Al Duhail with Kharaitiyat), Michael Babatunde, Ibrahim Lekhwiya walked away with three major 27 points, followed by Al Rayyan (25) and Al Jamal (both Qatar SC) and Kwame Karikari awards at the Qatar Football Association’s Sailiya (19). (Al Markhiya). end-of-season ceremony. South Korean The biggest highlight of fi xtures was the The Khalifa International Stadium, the playmaker Nam Tae-Hee walked away with Qatar Clasico in Week 6 fought between Al fi rst 2022 FIFA World Cup venue to be the best-player award while Almoez Ali Sadd and Al Rayyan, which the latter won completed, hosted two QNB Stars League bagged the honours for the best Under-23 2-1. The match lived up to its top billing. So matches. In all, 228 goals were scored and player. Moroccan striker Youssef El Arabi’s was the build-up to the grand fi esta as the Week 8 witnessed the most (30). top-scorer award (24 goals) made it three in Management had made Al Gharafa’s dramatic 3-2 victory over total for them. Al Sadd’s all eff orts towards making it a runaway suc- Al Rayyan provided the fi tting fi nale to the was close behind on 23. Al Sadd’s Jesualdo cess. This unique event gave the sponsors sixth edition of QSL Cup, revived this year Ferreira was adjudged the best coach. extra mileage and the huge attendance by after a gap of three seasons. The win not The tournament was rebranded in the fans was the icing on the cake. only enabled Al Gharafa to end their long 2017-18 season as QNB Stars League that Al Sadd and Al Arabi fought it out in the title drought, but made them the fi rst team witnessed a slimmer and sleeker compe- Qatar Derby in the previous round, with The to win the QSL Cup twice too. (qsl.com.qa) Bulent Uygun (second left) replaces Jean Fernandez, after Al Gharafa parted ways with the Frenchman.