BBADMINTONADMINTON | Page 4 FFOOTBALLOOTBALL | Page 7 Players thrilled Al Sadd, Al to be back Duhail face in action at off today in a Thailand Open marquee clash

Tuesday, January 12, 2021 Jumada I 28, 1442 AH Defi ant India stand GULF TIMES fi rm for fi ghting draw in third Test SPORT Page 2 Al-Attiyah adds another stage win, Peterhansel keeps lead Qatari picks up 40th Dakar stage victory and is now 3rd overall for stage wins behind Peterhansel (47) and Vatanen (50)

AFP Neom, Saudi Arabia

atari driver Nasser Saleh al-Attiyah won stage eight of the Dakar Rally yesterday while nine-timeQ rally world champion Sebastien Loeb was forced out after two punctures. Three-time Dakar winner al- Attiyah covered the 375 kilome- tres of the timed special between Sakaka and Neom in Saudi Arabia in just under three hours. He has won four of eight stages of this year’s edition as well as the prologue but trails Frenchman Stephane Peterhansel in overall rankings by 4min 50sec. Since his fi rst special win in Nema, Mauritania, in 2007, there has not been a single Dakar where al-Attiyah has not tasted victory on at least one stage, a feat which no other driver has achieved over 14 consecutive editions in the history of the rally. On the way to Neom, the Qa- tari driver picked up the 40th stage victory of his career and is now in 3rd position on the roll of honour for stage wins, with Pe- terhansel (47) and Ari Vatanen French driver Stephane Peterhansel and co-driver Edouard Boulanger (50) in his sights. compete during stage 8 of the Dakar Rally yesterday. (AFP) Last year’s winner Carlos Sainz fi nished 52sec behind al-Attiyah along the Red Sea coastline, with Qatar’s Nasser Saleh al-Attiyah and his co-driver Matthieu Baumel of France compete during stage 8 of the Dakar Rally 2021 between Sakaka Peterhansel third as he stayed on and Neom, in Saudi Arabia, yesterday. (AFP) course to capture a record-ex- tending 14th Dakar title. motorbike category with his fi rst Monday’s special, with Brabec in phy (RSA/RSA/Toyota) +18:51 3. Ricky Brabec (USA/Honda) Sainz is third overall at 38min stage victory. sixth at 17min 42sec. 8. Vladimir Vasilyev/Dmitro Tsyro +2:50 55sec ahead of today’s ninth Cornejo gained over a minute on (RUS/UKR/Mini) +19:05 4. (GBR/Ktm) stage, a 579km loop on sandy nearest rival , having led STAGE 8 RESULTS 9. Martin Prokop/Viktor Chytka +3:46 tracks around Neom that should by just one second on Sunday. Cars (top 10) (CZE/CZE/Ford) +21:37 5. (ARG/Honda) be one of the toughest of the rally. American Ricky Brabec, win- 1. Nasser al-Attiyah/Matthieu 10. Christian Lavieille/Jean-Pierre +5:29 Loeb, taking part in his fi fth ner of the 2020 rally, was almost Baumel (QAT/FRA/Toyota) 2:56:56 Garcin (FRA/FRA/Optimus) +22:06 6. Joan Barreda Bort (ESP/Honda) Dakar, suff ered his fi rst punc- three minutes adrift in third. 2. Carlos Sainz/Lucas Cruz (ESP/ Overall standings (top 3) +5:47 ture 43 kilometres into the stage. French rider Xavier de Soul- ESP/Mini) +00:52 1. Stephane Peterhansel/Edouard 7. Daniel Sanders (AUS/Ktm) +6:29 After he blew another tyre at trait withdrew following a heavy 3. Stephane Peterhansel/Edouard Boulanger (FRA/FRA/Mini) 8. (AUT/Ktm) kilometre 83, the Frenchman sig- crash. He was taken to hospital in Boulanger (FRA/FRA/Mini) +3:03 29:36:49 (1min penalty) +6:32 nalled his retirement to his team, Tabuk for observation. 4. Sheikh Khalid al-Qassimi/Xavi- 2. Nasser al-Attiyah/Matthieu 9. Skyler Howes (USA/Ktm) +6:53 the British outfi t BRX. De Soultrait was among the er Panseri (UAE/FRA/Peugeot) Baumel (QAT/FRA/Toyota) +4:50 10. Sebastian Bühler (GER/Hero) This year’s Dakar had not been favourites and briefl y occupied +12:44 3. Carlos Sainz/Lucas Cruz (ESP/ +7:58 a kind one to Loeb, who had been fi rst place last week following 5. /Michael Horn ESP/Mini) +38:55 Overall standings (top 3) beset with mechanical problems stage four. He was fourth overall (FRA/SUI/Peugeot) +12:49 1. Jose Ignacio Cornejo Florimo and was more than 13 hours be- when he crashed. 6. Jakub Przygonski/Timo Bikes (top 10) (CHI/Honda) 32:00:11 hind his compatriot Peterhansel. Britain’s Sam Sunderland is Gottschalk (POL/GER/Toyota) 1. Jose Ignacio Cornejo Florimo 2. Toby Price (AUS/Ktm) +1:06 Chile’s Jose Ignacio Cornejo third overall, 5min 57sec off the +18:23 (CHI/Honda) 3:08:40 3. Sam Sunderland (GBR/Ktm) Boys react as a biker competes during stage 8 of the Dakar Rally 2021 extended his advantage in the pace after crossing fourth in 7. Shameer Variawa/Dennis Mur- 2. Toby Price (AUS/Ktm) +1:05 +5:57 between Sakaka and Neom, in Saudi Arabia, yesterday. (AFP)

FOCUS QMMF tweaks route for MERC opener in Qatar By Sports Reporter some 40km north of the Lusail The Al Khor special (18.30km) permitted homologated T4 pro- Doha Sports Complex, where the rally has also been used before and is duction vehicles to tackle gravel is based,” said Almeida. “We will a highlight of leg two. Both the rounds of the MERC in Qatar, run 11 special stages again, but QMMF (22.02km) and Ras Laff an Oman, Jordan, Cyprus and Ku- he Qatar Motor and we ran 203.72 competitive kilo- (21.39km) stages are completely wait. Eligible vehicles must have Motorcycle Federation metres in 2019 and this has been new and also fi t into Saturday’s an FIA technical passport. (QMMF) has made sev- increased to 208.36km for 2021. (January 30) itinerary. They too are Forty-four of these relatively eral tweaks and improve- There are 130km less of road sec- repeated in the afternoon and may low-cost vehicles entered the mentsT to the route and itinerary tions than 2019 and 36.06% of provide an exciting sting in the tail Dakar Rally at the start of Janu- for the forthcoming Qatar Inter- the route is competitive, com- for entrants on the fi nal day. ary and the relaxing of border re- national Rally, which will kick- pared to 28.79% in 2019 and The QMMF is hopeful that strictions may enable some com- start regional action in the 2021 24.43% in 2018.” spectators will take the oppor- petitors to take part in the Qatar FIA Middle East Rally Champi- The start ceremony will be tunity to see the action up close International Rally after the fi n- onship from January 28-30. held at Katara at 8:15pm on Janu- and personal at Katara before the ish of the Dakar event in Jeddah Speaking from the Dakar Rally, ary 28, where QMMF offi cials meat of the event switches to the on January 15. Clerk of the Course Pedro Al- are also planning to host a brand northern Qatar deserts over the This year’s rally will be held meida confi rmed that the event new opening four-kilometre su- weekend. under the chairmanship of would be more compact and with per special stage on Katara Beach The QMMF is hopeful that QMMF President Abdulrahman slightly more competitive dis- from 9:30pm onward. entrants from many of the GCC al-Mannai, senior committee tance than the last event that was The Eraida (20.13km) and Al countries will support the MERC member Abdulrazaq al-Kuwari staged before the Covid-19 pan- Thakira (20.34km) special stages opener. and the QMMF’s Executive Di- demic in 2019. are already well known to com- Potentially boosting the en- rector Amro al-Hamad. “All the stages have been or- petitors and will be run twice on try, both this year and in the fu- The fi nal date for entry applica- Qatar’s Nasser Saleh al-Attiyah and co-driver Matthieu Baumel celebrate their victory in the 2019 Qatar ganised in the Al Khor area, leg one (January 29). ture, is the news that the FIA has tions has been set for January 13. International Rally at Souq Waqif in Doha. Gulf Times 2 Tuesday, January 12, 2021 CRICKET

AUS VS IND Defi ant India stand fi rm for fi ghting draw in third Test Vihari and Ashwin face 256 balls in their unbeaten partnership of 62 as visitors deny Australia advantage in the series

AFP PANT ONSLAUGHT Sydney, Australia Scorecard Australia removed openers Shubman Gill for 31 and Rohit Sharma for 52 be- AUSTRALIA 1st innings 338 fore stumps on day four, and when Lyon courageous and injury- INDIA 1st innings 244 accounted for Indian skipper Rahane wracked India pulled off a re- AUSTRALIA 2nd innings 312-6 dec. without adding to his overnight four markable draw in a tense third in yesterday’s second over the end ap- Test against Australia yester- INDIA 2nd innings (o/n 98-2) peared nigh. dayA as they survived against the hosts’ R. Sharma c Starc b Cummins 52 But Pant, who took a nasty blow to much-vaunted bowling attack to take S. Gill c Paine b Hazlewood 31 his elbow while in the fi rst in- the series into a decider. nings and didn’t keep on Sun- C. Pujara b Hazlewood 77 They resumed day fi ve at 98-2, need- day, surprisingly came in at number ing a further 309 runs after being set a A. Rahane c Wade b Lyon 4 fi ve ahead of Vihari and produced some huge 407 to win when Australia de- R. Pant c Cummins b Lyon 97 fi reworks. clared their second innings at tea Sun- He came to the wicket with no strap- H. Vihari 23 day on 312 for six. ping on his hurt elbow and, after set- No team had ever bettered 288 to R. Ashwin not out 39 tling in and surviving a missed catch clinch victory in the fourth innings Extras (lb3, w2, nb6) 11 by Tim Paine on three, began to hit out, at the Sydney Cricket Ground, with Total (five , 131 overs) 334 smacking a four and a six off Lyon on Australia achieving that mark against consecutive balls. South Africa in 2006. Fall of wickets: 1-71 (Gill), 2-92 Batting as if in a match, he But India gave it a massive go, pass- (Sharma), 3-102 (Rahane), 4-250 then clobbered two more sixes in a row ing 288 in the fi nal session to fray the (Pant), 5-272 (Pujara) off Lyon before bringing up his third nerves of Australian team throwing Bowling: Starc 22-6-66-0 (2nb), Test 50 off just 64 balls. everything they had at them. Hazlewood 26-12-39-2 (1nb), Cum- Paine dropped him again on 56, both The visitors abandoned any hope of mins 26-6-72-1 (2nb), Lyon 46-17-114-2, times off Lyon. victory but they bravely clung on for Green 7-0-31-0 (2w), Labuschagne He kept the scoreboard ticking over the draw with Hanuma Vihari, nurs- 4-2-9-0 after lunch and a third Test century ing a hamstring injury, surviving 161 Result: Drawn looked imminent only for the 23-year- balls for just 23 runs and Ravi Ashwin, old to throw his bat one time too many, who had treatment on his ribs, mak- SERIES: 1-1 caught by Pat Cummins off Lyon. ing 39. His wicket shattered a 148-run part- The 256 balls they faced in their allegations India were racially abused nership with Pujara, who resumed the unbeaten partnership of 62 was the by sections of the Sydney Cricket day on nine and slowly reached a sec- most by an India sixth-wicket pair Ground crowd, with investigations ond consecutive 50. on Australian soil, helping steer them under way and tough action promised In the process he brought up 6,000 to 334 for five at the close, 73 runs India’s captain Ajinkya Rahane (centre) along with his teammates (second from left), Hanuma Vihari against the culprits. career runs, the 11th Indian to achieve adrift. (second from right) and Mohammed Siraj (right) greet each other as Australia’s captain Tim Paine looks on at the end of the After Australia won the fi rst Test the feat, before being bowled by Josh third Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) in Sydney, Australia, yesterday. (AFP) in Adelaide by eight wickets and In- Hazlewood. PAINE’S COSTLY DROPS dia bounced back in Melbourne by the That left Vihari and Ashwin to pull Their resistance was built on the Cheteshwar Pujara, who passed three catches. of-the-match Steve Smith’s innings of same margin, the series now heads to off an unlikely draw, with the pair so back of an explosive 97 from Rishabh 6,000 Test runs, but also helped by An absorbing Test was marked by 131 and 81, and Pant’s 97. Brisbane later this week for the fi nal exhausted that they gave up running Pant and a typically gritty 77 from wicketkeeper Tim Paine dropping some high quality batting, led by man- But it will also be remembered for chapter. between the wickets at the end.

FOCUS COMMENT India skipper Rahane: Battling Raised to face thunderbolts in nets, draw ‘as good as winning’ Ashwin shows remarkable grit AFP injury, survived 161 balls for 23 pluses for Rahane, particularly Sydney, Australia runs and Ravi Ashwin, who had after the captain fell cheaply. IANS treatment on his ribs, made 39. Pant was moved up to to Sydney, Australia The pair faced 256 balls and number fi ve ahead of Vihari to ndia skipper Ajinkya Ra- scored just 62 runs, helping have the left-right combina- hane hailed his team’s steer India to 334 for fi ve and tion with Pujara, a tactic that arly on in his innings on character yesterday after safety at the close. The four- paid dividends. the fi fth and fi nal day they clung on for an un- Test series stands at 1-1 ahead “We had that strategy and it of the third Test against Ilikely draw in the third Test of the fi nal game in Brisbane. paid off . Credit to him (Pant) Australia, India’s R against Australia, saying the “This was as good as win- going out at fi ve, the way he AshwinE was peppered with result felt like a win. ning a Test match,” said Ra- counter-attacked, the way he short deliveries one of which hit Few gave India much chance hane. “When you come abroad managed his innings through- his ribs and the other went past when they began the day at 98- and play a match like this, it out the day was really good to his grille. 2, having lost openers Shub- was really special, as good as a see. The undeterred off -spinner man Gill and Rohit Sharma the victory.” “We know he can win a then tried to take it on by go- previous afternoon and facing What satisfi ed him most was game for us from any situa- ing for a pull shot. He was al- one of the world’s leading at- the fi ght his team showed. tion, we have that belief and I most caught, but Sean Ab- tacks. “Our talk coming into this think he is improving.” bott dropped him at short And when Rahane fell with- morning was to show charac- “And Vihari was batting re- mid-wicket. out adding to his overnight ter and fi ght till the end. Not to ally well. The last few Test With partner Hanuma Vi- four in yesterday’s second over, think about the result,” he said. matches, unfortunately he hari suff ering from a hamstring the odds were even worse with “So really happy with the hasn’t been able to get those injury and unable to run, the another 309 runs needed to way we fought especially today big scores,” Rahane added. two batters decided that Ash- win. but also throughout the game, “But today, that knock was win would take on the spinner But they battled hard as even in the fi rst innings when really special. To show that Nathan Lyon while Vihari, who smashed a Australia were 200 for two and motivation, to show that hun- could sway and evade the short high-class 97 and the stoic getting them all out for 338 was ger, to hang in there for your ball, would face the fast bowlers. Cheteshwar Pujara ground out really good.” team was really good and that’s And whenever Ashwin would 77. The resilience shown by Vi- what we want from each and be put up against the pace bowl- When that pair fell Hanuma hari and Ashwin, coupled with every individual — to show that ers, Ashwin would walk in and Vihari, nursing a hamstring Pant’s fi reworks, were major character on the fi eld.” defend his ribs. It helped that many of Australia’s short- pitched stuff was misdirected SPOTLIGHT and inaccurate after the early burst, especially Mitchell Starc’s. The off -spinner, however, said We have bowlers who can bowl in there and you will have an op- “The man went to bed last that having the likes of Jasprit in the 150s. I have been batting portunity to fi ght another day!! night with a terrible back tweak Draw ‘tough to swallow’: Paine Bumrah in the nets has helped well in the nets, so it was great to teaches you life!! and in unbelievable pain. He him counter the short balls. spend some time in the middle,” #SydneyTest (emoticon: Fold- could not stand up straight AFP our best,” he said. “Pat Cummins was bowl- said Ashwin after the game. ed hands) A big thanks to my when he woke up this morning. Sydney, Australia “We are certainly back closer ing in a diff erent league alto- In his 89 completed Test in- team and well wishers,” Ashwin Could not bend down to tie his to where we want to be as a bat- gether. There was a bit of dou- nings, Ashwin has been dismissed tweeted after the match. shoe laces. I am amazed at what ting group... I think there were ble bounce, so it was diffi cult off short deliveries 10 times. Ashwin was not even fi t yes- Ravichandran Ashwin pulled off ustralia skipper Tim some positive signs, and our against Cummins. I think facing “Doesn’t matter if you are terday morning, his wife re- today,” tweeted Prithi Ashwin Paine admitted a bowlers tried their hearts out Bumrah in the nets is not easy. bruised and battered, just hang vealed on Twitter. after the end of the Test match. draw was “tough to and created plenty of chances. swallow” and rued “So I thought today was a hisA series of dropped catches were awesome,” he added. wholehearted eff ort from the as India escaped defeat in the “Just didn’t hold our catches, boys and things just didn’t Injured Jadeja out of fi nal Australia Test third Test yesterday. myself in particular. You’ve got quite go our way.” India started day fi ve on to cop the blame for that, wear it But there were encouraging AFP on Day 3 of the third Border- The tourists have already lost 98-2 but despite losing Ajinkya and move on to Brisbane.” signs for Australia with Steve Sydney, Australia Gavaskar Test that concluded on fast bowlers Mohamed Shami, Rahane in the second over, they The result means the series Smith back to form with scores of Monday,” the Board of Control Umesh Yadav and Ishant Shar- batted out the day to fi nish on remains 1-1 heading into the 131 and 81, debutant Will Pucov- for Cricket in India said in a ma to injuries while batsman 334 for fi ve – helped by Paine’s fi nal Test at Brisbane later this ski’s 62 and a sparkling 84 from ndia’s Ravindra Jadeja yes- statement. KL Rahul was out ahead of third three dropped catches behind week, a ground where Australia fellow rookie Cameron Green. terday added to a growing “He later went for scans and the game with a sprained left wrist. the stumps. “We were pretty have a formidable record. “Will started his fi rst Test Ilist of injuries for the tourists results have shown that he has India clung on to the draw on confi dent, no doubt, with our Paine said his team had yet well with a half-century, we after being ruled out of the dislocated his thumb.” yesterday’s fifth day with Ravi- attack,” Paine said. to play to its full potential after saw real glimpses of how good fourth Test in Australia with a Jadeja, who scored a fighting 28 chandran Ashwin and Hanuma “I thought we’d certainly winning in Adelaide by eight he can be,” said Paine. dislocated thumb. and did not need to bat in the Vihari, nursing a hamstring in- created enough chances to win wickets before India clinched “Cameron has been show- Jadeja was hit on the thumb by second innings, will consult a jury, scoring 62 runs in 256 balls, the game, and we did, so it’s a victory in Melbourne by the ing it all series and I thought a bouncer from Australia pace- hand specialist in Sydney before helping India to 334 for five and tough one to swallow, particu- same margin. yesterday afternoon he was man Mitchell Starc while batting heading back to the National safety at close of play. larly given my situation.” “We didn’t play our best absolutely sensational to put us in his team’s first innings in Syd- Cricket Academy in Bangalore. Wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh “I thought our bowlers were in Adelaide or Melbourne to in a position to get a long way ney. The third match ended in a Jadeja’s exit is a fresh blow for Pant, who took a nasty blow to superb all day, Nathan (Lyon) be fair, I thought in this Test ahead in the game and set up draw with the series tied at 1-1. India in the four-Test series that his elbow while batting in the tried everything, the quicks match we showed glimpses of that declaration.” “Ravindra Jadeja suff ered a blow will conclude with a game in first innings and didn’t keep wick- to his left thumb while batting Brisbane starting January 15. et on Sunday, hit an attacking 97. Gulf Times Tuesday, January 12, 2021 3 SPORT

FOCUS CRICKET Pakistan coach Misbah under fi re CBQ and ECGC in aft er NZ opfl

AFP Test series in Australia and Eng- Lahore, Pakistan land under Misbah. The New Zealand tour started badly when six players tested akistan coach Misbah- positive on arrival and the team initiative to promote ul-Haq said his fate were confi ned to their ho- was in the hands of the tel. They were later warned for country’s cricket au- breaching coronavirus restric- ‘Start New at Golf’ Pthorities after their New Zealand tions by mingling. series defeat prompted specula- “We had to spend 18 to 19 days aims to help teachers tion about his future. in the rooms, we could not do Misbah, who has lost all anything, not even running. We develop golf skills three away Test series in his 15 were in rooms and just walking in golf in schools months in charge, blamed an the rooms,” Misbah said. extended stay in New Zealand “Leave aside our situation, it By Sports Reporter coronavirus isolation for the (Covid) is aff ecting all touring Doha latest failure. teams and you must be seeing “I will brief the cricket com- that performances are up and mittee on Tuesday and it’s their down and injuries are there.” n preparation for Com- right what they suggest to the Pakistan, whose captain Babar mercial Bank Qatar Masters board,” he told reporters. Azam was sidelined with a bro- 2021, which will take place Pakistan lost the Twenty20 ken thumb, lost the fi rst Test by from 11 to 14 March, and as series 2-1 and went down heavily 101 runs and the second by an in- Ipart of the initiative to promote in both Tests. They have also lost nings and 176 runs. the game of golf in Qatar, Com- mercial Bank and Education City Golf Club have teamed up to support local schools in pro- viding golf training to Physical Education teachers. On Thursday, January 7, a team of golf professionals from ECGC paid the Gulf English School a visit and distributed SNAG kits to the teachers after having trained them on how to use the kit. ‘Start New at Golf’ or SNAG is a unique golf instruction system and equipment that aims to help teachers develop golf skills and a level of competency. Commenting on the initia- tive, Michael Braidwood, General on a real golf course. At this time, 2030. In other words, we highly “Golf is not only a classy and said: “It is great to get our Manager at Education City Golf we can invite them to Education value sport activities as they and sophisticated sport; it is students here at The Gulf Eng- Club said: “To grow the sport City Golf Club to further their build healthier relationships in an activity that helps us prac- lish School involved in golf and SPOTLIGHT of golf it is important that chil- development in the sport.” the society and bring people to- tice skills such as concentra- encourage them to be active and dren get the opportunity to learn As for Commercial Bank, it gether.” tion and learn values such as lead healthy lives. The initia- golf during physical education has donated ten customised Abeer Marwan al-Kalla, Head patience and persistence to tive set up by Commercial Bank classes at school. Our train the SNAG kit bags that include of Strategic Marketing Devel- achieve objectives. As a Bank and Education City Golf Club CA may dish out teacher programme supported enough equipment to train up opments at Commercial Bank, and as members in this com- is fantastic. It has allowed our by Commercial Bank is an excel- to 16 teachers at a time. Hussein said: “We, at Commercial Bank munity, this initiative reflects students to visit the golf club lent initiative to give PE teachers al-Abdulla, Chief Marketing Of- are pleased to partner with Edu- our commitment to support and experience golf fi rst hand. ‘indefi nite’ bans if fans the knowledge, skills, and equip- fi cer at Commercial Bank, said: cation City Golf Club and Gulf our community’s growth and I would like to thank Commer- ment to off er golf as part of their “Our latest partnership with English School to contribute development.” cial Bank for donating SNAG curriculum. Very quickly they ECGC comes to attest to our SNAG kits to the school and to Daniel Langfi eld, Head of Golf sets to the school so that we guilty of racial abuse will fi nd children who will be in- commitment as a bank to sup- provide teachers and students Secondary – Assistant Execu- can use them within PE lessons terested or have a special attitude port our local community and alike with the right equipment tive Director at The Gulf English and as extra-curricular golf ses- for golf who will want to try golf promote Qatar National Vision to keep on practising golf. School welcomed the initiative sions.”

TENNIS Kenin crumbles to Sakkari power AFP ball is pretty heavy,” said Sakkari. Abu Dhabi “I have a lot of power and I have been using it the right way. “Up until last year I couldn’t really ustralian Open champion Sofi a control my power so I had to take a little Kenin crashed out of the WTA bit of pace off because I was hitting too event in Abu Dhabi, losing in hard and I was missing many shots. three sets to number nine seed “So I think I’ve found a way and I’ve Police speak to spectators as the play on day four of the third Test MariaA Sakkari in the quarter-fi nals yes- found my real pace on the court. When between Australia and India was halted after allegedly some racist terday. I have an opportunity I go for it and that remarks were made by the spectators in Sydney on Sunday. (AFP) After top seed Kenin took the open- builds confi dence.” ing set 6-2, the Greek bounced back by In the other semi-fi nal, 18 year-old Reuters match under Cricket Australia’s galloping through the next two 6-2, 6-0 Ukrainian Marta Kostyuk will meet an- Sydney, Australia jurisdiction for an indefi nite pe- winning the last 10 games in a row to other unseeded player, the Russian Ve- riod of time.” complete her fi fth Top 5 win and book a ronika Kudermetova who beat world The Indian team had lodged an semi-fi nal meeting with the Belorussian number fi ve Elina Svitolina 5-7, 6-3, ricket Australia (CA) offi cial complaint on Saturday Aryna Sabalenka. 7-6(3). could slap indefi nite after bowlers Jasprit Bumrah and “Beating these players this week it World number 99 Kostyuk came back bans on any fans found Siraj complained of hearing rac- means a lot,” said Sakkari after her win. from a fi rst-set horror show to beat the to have racially abused ist slurs while fi elding near the “I’m playing players that I’ve never Spaniard Sara Sorribes Tormo 0-6, 6-1, Cthe visiting India players during boundary rope. played, like (Garbine Muguruza) yester- 6-4, and reach the fi rst WTA semi-fi nal the third Test in Sydney, its in- The governing International day, so I have a better idea if I play them of her career. terim chief executive Nick Hock- Cricket Council said it was “in- again. Kudermetova of Russia shocked Svi- ley said yesterday. credibly disappointed” with the “So in general it gives me a lot of con- tolinain a two-and-a-half-hour thriller CA has launched an investiga- incidents at the SCG. fi dence starting the year like that and I’m to claim the fi fth Top 10 win of her career. tion with New South Wales Po- “We have expressed our con- super happy to travel to Australia with “I tried to play aggressive, because you lice after India bowler Mohamed cern and our regret that Mo- some good matches with me.” found the new, improved Sakkari a diff er- The Greek, ranked 22 in the world, know Elina, she has such good defense,” Siraj’s complaint led to the ejec- hamed Siraj felt the need to go The Australian Open begins in Mel- ent proposition. pounded the lines to take the set and then said Kudermetova. tion of six fans from the Sydney and report in the way that he bourne on February 8. Kenin swept through the opening set bulldozed the third, infl icting a rare bagel “If you want to win, you need to attack, Cricket Ground on Sunday. did,” Hockley said. “We also feel Kenin survived a match point in the but the match changed completely when on the world number four. you need to go to the net, fi nish the point, “If something has been found, pleased that he could feel safe to previous round before getting the bet- Sakkari held service for 3-2 in the second “I think that one of the things that re- because she runs unbelievably. You need to we will act strongly,” Hockley do that and now we need to let ter of Yulia Putintseva but the American and then broke Kenin to go 4-2 ahead. ally helped me is that I realised that my do something aggressive to win the points.” told reporters. New South Wales police and our “There are sanctions including team conduct the investigation.” anything up to not being permit- Brisbane hosts the fourth and ted to coming into any cricket fi nal Test from Friday. India’s Kohli announces BOTTOMLINE birth of daughter England’s Lawrence draws on Former Australia Test opener AFP Colin McDonald passes away New Delhi, India Cook example as Test debut looms IANS He went on to compile 3,107 ndian cricket superstar Virat Kohli, who pulled AFP “It’s obviously fantastic playing been included as a batting consult- Melbourne, Australia Test runs at an average of out of a Test series in Australia to attend Galle, Sri Lanka alongside him, just his sort of pres- ant for the series and Lawrence re- 39.32, including five centuries. Ithe birth of his first child, said yesterday his ence in the changing room is so good mains in awe of the great all-round- McDonald was the seventh Bollywood actress wife Anushka Sharma had and you learn so much,” Lawrence er. ormer Australia Test highest run-scorer among all in- delivered a girl. The captain, who returned to ngland’s Dan Lawrence said said of the former England captain. “It is obviously fantastic having batsman Colin McDonald ternational Test batsmen during Mumbai after playing in the first Test in Adelaide, yesterday he has learned a “He still works harder than any- Kallis here – arguably the greatest Fhas passed away at the the 1950s, and led all-comers in said Sharma and their daughter were doing well. lot from the work ethic of one else in our team and he’s fi nished player to have ever played,” he said. age of 92. 1959 with 671 runs from eight “Anushka and the baby are both healthy and his Essex teammate Alastair playing his international career. You “Good chat today just about bat- McDonald, Australia’s 191st Tests at an average of 61.That we are feeling beyond blessed to start this new CookE ahead of a potential interna- can only take and learn things that ting and pinched myself a little bit men’s Test cricketer, played 47 year featured his highest Test chapter of our lives,” Kohli, 32, tweeted. tional debut in Sri Lanka. he does.” really. So that’s been awesome. Had Test matches across two dec- total of 170, scored against The pair married in Italy in December 2017 after Lawrence, 23, is set to be selected Cook retired from international a couple of good chats with Rooty. ades and is regarded among England at the Adelaide Oval in being in a relationship for several years. by the tourists for the fi rst of two cricket in 2018 with 12,472 runs – “I am just taking little bits here the finest opening batsmen a match Australia would go on Sharma, 32, is one of the highest-paid actresses Tests in Galle starting Thursday af- fi fth most in Test history – and 33 and there but sticking to my guns the country ever produced. to win by 10 wickets. in Bollywood. She was last seen on the big ter coach Chris Silverwood said he centuries in 161 matches. and knowing how I am going to be McDonald made his Test debut After retiring from cricket, screen in the 2018 film Zero, and has also been was “ready”. Lawrence, who averages nearly 38 successful and just following those alongside Richie Benaud and McDonald served as a teacher, working on content for streaming platforms. The middle-order batsman, who in 74 fi rst-class matches, remains processes.” George Thoms against the ABC commentator and “Welcome to parenthood. A big hug to the little made an unbeaten 46 in an intra- part of a young England team led by Kallis scored 13,289 runs at an av- West Indies at the Gabba in executive director of Tennis one, who’ll give you happiness like you’ve never squad practice match in Hambanto- Joe Root that will resume their Sri erage of over 55 in 166 Tests and took 1952, top-scoring in Australia’s Australia, during which time experienced before,” tweeted fellow cricketer ta, has taken onboard plenty of guid- Lankan tour cancelled in March due 292 wickets with his pace bowling first innings and scoring a half- the venue now known as Rod all-rounder Hardik Pandya. ance from the 36-year-old Cook, to the coronavirus pandemic. during his 19-year international ca- century in the second. Laver Arena was constructed. England’s highest Test run-scorer. South Africa’s Jacques Kallis has reer. Gulf Times 4 Tuesday, January 12, 2021 SPORT

BADMINTON SPOTLIGHT No British Open at Trump’s course for Players thrilled to ‘foreseeable future’

AFP venues every year with Turnber- London ry one of 10 courses on the cur- rent rotation. However, the championship he British Open golf has not been played at Turnber- be back in action championship will not ry since 2009, fi ve years before be staged at the Turn- the Trump Organisation pur- berry course in Scotland chased the course and renamed it ownedT by US President Donald “Trump Turnberry”. Trump for the “foreseeable fu- Situated in Ayrshire, south- ture”, tournament organisers an- west Scotland, Turnberry has nounced yesterday. played hosts to several notable The move follows the decision moments in British Open his- at Thailand Open by American golf authorities to tory, including the 1977 ‘Duel in strip Trump’s Bedminster course the Sun’ when America’s Tom Japanese and Chinese players skip event due to travel restrictions in New Jersey of the right to host Watson overcame compatriot the 2022 US PGA Championship. Jack Nicklaus, golf’s most suc- Last week Trump supporters cessful major champion and a attacked the US Capitol build- Trump supporter, in a dramatic ing in an incident that left fi ve fi nal round. people dead as they attempted to Turnberry was also the venue disrupt Congress from approv- where Stewart Cink thwarted the ing the result of November’s US then 59-year-old Watson’s bid to presidential election won by Joe become golf’s oldest male major Biden. championship winner when he A statement issued by the R&A won the 2009 British Open in a (Royal and Ancient), which runs play-off . Trump’s repeated false the British Open — the only one claims of election fraud, and his of golf’s four majors played out- incendiary address to protesters side the US — said taking the prior to the attack on the Capi- championship back to Turnberry tol have prompted critics to call would distract from events on for his resignation, his impeach- the course. ment, or his removal from offi ce “The R&A had no plans to as unfi t under the Constitution’s stage any of our championships 25th amendment. at Turnberry and will not do so in The 74-year-old’s divisive the foreseeable future,” said chief rhetoric had long posed a prob- executive Martin Slumbers. lem for a game he has been iden- “We will not return until we tifi ed with. are convinced that the focus Golf greats Gary Player and will be on the championship, the Annika Sorenstam came in for players and the course itself and criticism when they accepted the we do not believe that is achiev- Presidential Medal of Freedom able in the current circumstanc- from Trump on Thursday — a es.” day after the chaos in Washing- The British Open switches ton.

Olympic and world champion Carolina Marin of Spain is among a host of stars taking part in the Thailand Open. File photo of outgoing US President Donald Trump playing a round of golf at the Trump Turnberry course in Scotland in July 2018. AFP consecutive tournaments played in strict Taiwan’s Chou Tien-chen and Den- European players were hoping to make Bangkok bio-secure conditions and behind closed mark’s Viktor Axelsen and Antonsen their mark. “We know the Asian players doors in Bangkok, culminating in the shape as top contenders in a men’s com- are at the top every time. The Europeans FORMULA 1 World Tour Finals from January 27. petition which is without Momota and are constantly working hard to break the wretched spell for badmin- Badminton has been all but sidelined Chinese Olympic gold-medallist Chen Asian wall,” she said. ton ends at this week’s Thai- since the All England Championships in Long. Antonsen, who won the Denmark “It’s diffi cult but we’ll do our best eve- land Open, where players will March, but players and organisers alike Open in October, is returning to ac- ry time.” Renault principal emerge from hotel quarantine will be hoping for a less disrupted year tion after contracting the virus early last Thailand’s badminton chief last month Ato restart the world tour in bubble condi- as they gear up for the Tokyo Olympics month. told AFP the tournaments would be the tions in Bangkok. starting in July. Tai, the women’s top seed, let her T- “safest in the world”, and Badminton Abiteboul quits The world’s top players — minus China However, a resurgence in Covid-19 shirt do the talking when it was embla- World Federation secretary-general Tho- and Japan, who were forced to pull out — cases prompted a partial lockdown in zoned with the message: “Ready to win” mas Lund said he was satisfi ed with the Reuters championship from 2022-23, have been bursting for a return to action Bangkok earlier this month. during a training session last week. hygiene protocols. London the Formula One team an- after a build-up that has included long, The Bangkok tournaments have also The Taiwanese won her last event, the “If a positive case is found, the player nounced yesterday. The Brit- lonely hours in their hotel rooms. been severely weakened by the with- All England in March, and another victo- will be isolated and contract tracing will ish-based team will spend 2021 Olympic champion Carolina Marin drawal of China, who were grounded by ry this week would give her back-to-back take place. Any player who has been in enault Formula One assessing the feasibility of join- posted a video of herself working out with travel restrictions, and Japan, who pulled titles nine months apart. contact will also need to isolate,” Lund team principal Cyril ing the series for season nine, a hotel towel, world number one Tai Tzu- out when men’s world number one Kento Former world champion Ratchanok In- said. Abiteboul is leaving when a lighter and more pow- ying used water bottles as weights and Momota tested positive. tanon leads Thai hopes and is aiming for “We are confi dent we will be able to the company ahead erful Gen3 car makes its debut Denmark’s Anders Antonsen practised The singles draws now resemble Swiss at least a semi-fi nal spot this week. take care of the player and keep the rest ofR the Formula One team being with faster charging. serving shuttlecocks into his sneakers. cheese, missing six men and eight women Marin, the fi rst non-Asian player to of the players safe during these special rebranded as Alpine Formula BMW, whose team are run by The Thailand Open is the fi rst of three ranked in the top 20. win Olympic women’s singles gold, said times.” One. US-based Andretti Motorsport, Abiteboul, who has been in and Audi have both announced charge of the team since 2017, they are leaving the series at the BOTTOMLINE was initially linked with a move end of this year. to a more senior role but has left Formula E, a recognised FIA- the company entirely. backed world championship, Laurent Rossi, the director of allows a maximum 12 entries. strategy and business develop- McLaren Applied Technolo- ment will take over as the new gies is the exclusive battery CEO of Alpine F1 and he will re- supplier of the series until 2022, Lukashenko urges ice hockey port to new Renault CEO Luca with McLaren precluded from de Meo. competing until that contract “I would like to thank the expires. Groupe Renault for having “We’ve been closely observ- trusted me for many years, ing Formula E for some time chief not to move tournament particularly with the relaunch and monitoring the series’ AFP warmly embracing Fasel, said his coun- She called on all hockey national feder- and reconstruction of the team progress and future direction,” Minsk try was ready to host the championship ations to boycott the competition unless since 2016,” Abiteboul said in a said McLaren Racing CEO Zak without Latvia and would ensure safety it is moved out of Minsk. statement yesterday. Brown in a statement. for all involved. The European Union has imposed “The solid foundations of “The opportunity to take an elarusian strongman Alexander “Protesters and other dissatisfi ed peo- sanctions on Lukashenko and his allies. the racing team and the enti- option on an entry, together Lukashenko yesterday called ple here do not storm government build- Latvia has said it does not want Belarus ties in France and England built with the completion of the on the head of ice hockey’s in- ings,” Lukashenko said, referring to the involved in the tournament. over these years, the strategic McLaren Applied supplier con- ternational body to resist grow- recent assault on the US Capitol. Lukashenko said yesterday that if evolution of the sport towards a tract... gives us the necessary ingB pressure to move the world champi- He also claimed democratic processes Latvia refuses to co-host the tournament more economically sustainable time to decide if Formula E is onships this year over political concerns. in Belarus, which is routinely criticised by then, “we will hold the best world cham- model. right for McLaren as a future Lukashenko made the comments dur- rights groups, were “completely normal”. pionship in Belarus”. “More recently the Alpine competition platform.” ing a visit to the capital Minsk by the Belarus has been rocked by protests In late December, Fasel said he would project which provides a re- Formula One is introducing a Swiss IIHF President Rene Fasel amid against Lukashenko’s 26-year rule since do “everything possible” to ensure the newed sense of meaning and budget cap this year and some calls from government critics and EU he claimed a sixth term in the August 2021 world championships are held in dynamism, all point to a very teams are looking at shedding member states to move the competition vote, which the opposition says was Belarus. fi ne trajectory.” staff by redeploying them to from Belarus because of a political crack- rigged. Tomas Petricek, foreign minister of The 2021 season is due to other areas. down. Protesters believe political novice six-times world champions the Czech start in Australia in March with “McLaren Racing securing “If the International Ice Hockey Fed- Svetlana Tikhanovskaya — who ran in Republic, has said he cannot imagine the a provisional schedule for 23 an option to join the Formula eration manages to withstand the un- place of her jailed husband and fl ed to tournament taking place in Belarus, say- races announced in November. E grid from Gen3 is testament just pressure then we will hold the world neighbouring Lithuania shortly after the ing that would “legitimise a repressive The 2020 season was limited to the ongoing impact of our championship,” Lukashenko told Fasel. But Belarus has been gripped by vote — was the true winner of the polls. regime”. to 17 rounds in Europe and the sport,” said series founder Ale- “Everything depends on you now,” he months of protests and political unrest A sporting event “cannot be held in a A hockey fan, Lukashenko regularly Middle East due to the Cov- jandro Agag in a statement. said. stemming from a disputed August presi- country where political prisoners are sit- plays in exhibition matches which some- id-19 pandemic. The seventh Formula E sea- The ex-Soviet country is due to co- dential election and a brutal police crack- ting in cells a few kilometres away from times feature Russian leader Vladimir Meanwhile, McLaren Racing son is due to start in Saudi Ara- host this year’s championship with Latvia down. the ice arena,” Tikhanovskaya wrote on Putin, who has backed the Belarusian have signed an option to com- bia with night races on Feb 26 in May and June. Lukashenko, who was photographed Telegram yesterday. strongman in the face of protests. pete in the electric Formula E and 27. Gulf Times Tuesday, January 12, 2021 5 SPORT

NFL GOLF Browns end their America’s English wins playoff drought at Tournament Steelers’ expense of Champs They booked a meeting with the reigning Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs

AFP “That’s one of the best runs Los Angeles I’ve ever seen,” Ravens coach John Harbaugh said. “It’s the best run I’ve ever seen by a he Cleveland Browns quarterback. We needed points ended their NFL play- at that point. It got us back in off drought in spec- the game.” tacular style, exploding That solo eff ort made it 10- forT 28 fi rst-quarter points in a 10 at the break, and Jackson stunning 48-37 victory over the then led the Ravens on a 10- Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday. play, 77-yard drive to open the The Browns, in the playoff s third quarter that ended with for the fi rst time since 2002, J.K. Robbins blasting through shook off a spate of Covid-19 a crowd of bodies for a touch- absences to notch their fi rst down. postseason win since the 1994 The Ravens defense, mean- campaign and send Pittsburgh while, had done a good job of quarterback Ben Roethlisberger containing the Titans’ star run- and the Steelers home. ning back Derrick Henry, who They booked a meeting with was restricted to just 40 yards the reigning Super Bowl cham- throughout. pion Kansas City Chiefs as the Gostkowski cut the Ravens’ Baltimore Ravens set up a show- lead to four points with a 25- down with the Buff alo Bills with yard fi eld goal early in the a 20-13 come-from-behind vic- fourth quarter, but Baltimore tory over the Tennessee Titans restored their seven-point in the day’s other AFC clash. cushion when Tucker nailed In the NFC, the New Orleans a 51-yard eff ort with 4:23 re- Saints ground out a 21-9 victory maining to make it 20-13. over the Chicago Bears, keeping A late interception by Marcus Harris English of the United States poses with the trophy after 41-year-old quarterback Drew Peters, picking off Ryan Tanne- defeating Joaquin Niemann of Chile (not pictured) in a playoff Brees’s dream of a Super Bowl hill’s deep pass for receiver Ka- during the final round of the Sentry Tournament of Champions swansong alive. lif Raymond, sealed the Ravens at the Kapalua Plantation Course in Kapalua, Hawaii. Browns quarterback Baker win. Mayfi eld, 25, wasn’t even born In New Orleans it was Brees Agencies began the week 29th in the World the last time Cleveland won a — playing what could well be Kapalua, Hawaii Golf Ranking. It’s been a long playoff game, but despite the his fi nal season in the NFL — climb back after falling to 369th pandemic-related disruption to who shepherded the Saints into in September 2019. his team’s preparations he kept a divisional round clash with arris English, who “I built a great team around me the Browns on track. Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay birdied fi ve of the last and they pushed me, helped me “We believed,” he said of pre- Buccaneers next weekend with eight holes to get into a get to where I am right now,” he dictions the depleted Browns — a two-touchdown 265-yard playoff , won the Sentry said. “Nobody has even given up; playing without a string of play- performance. HTournament of Champions over nobody has lost faith or hope in ers as well as head coach Kevin It will be the fi rst playoff Joaquin Niemann with a birdie my golf game. That’s been awe- Stefanski because of Covid pro- Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield (R) and defensive end Myles Garrett celebrate meeting between Brees and on the fi rst extra hole on Sunday some.... It makes what happened tocols — would crumble. “The after the AFC Wild Card playoff game against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday. Brady. in Kapalua, Hawaii. today that much sweeter.” people on the outside don’t PICTURE: Philip G. Pavely-USA TODAY Sports The Saints made hard work English was the third-round Justin Thomas fi nished a shot matter to us, and we believed the of overcoming a Bears team co-leader at 21-under, but he out of the playoff after a fi nal- whole time.” ception to take a 28-0 lead — interceptions while Mayfi eld, “I’m happy we got it done.” who fi nished the regular season was even par through 11 holes on round 66. He had eight birdies on The Browns seized the lead in matching an NFL playoff record making his playoff debut, con- The win was especially with an 8-8 record, however, the Plantation Course at Kapalua the day but had a costly three- remarkable style on the open- for points in the fi rst quarter. nected on 21 of 34 passes for sweet for the Ravens, who were and will likely need to raise in Maui and had to chase down putt from 55 feet on the par-4 ing play from scrimmage, when Roethlisberger opened the 263 yards and three touch- stunned by the Titans last sea- their game against the Bucca- Niemann, who closed with a 64. 17th.Ryan Palmer, who began the Pittsburgh’s nine-time Pro- second quarter with another downs without an interception. son after entering the playoff s neers. English nearly won it on the fi - day as the co-leader with Eng- Bowl center Maurkice Pouncey interception, Pittsburgh fi - Another young quarterback as the top seed in the AFC. Brees threw touchdowns to nal hole after drawing his second lish, fi nished fourth at 23 under sailed a shotgun snap over the nally getting on the board with came through in Nashville, It looked as if history was Michael Thomas in the fi rst shot to about 10 feet of the cup after an errant tee shot on the Roethlisberger and Browns safe- a touchdown midway through where Baltimore’s Lamar Jack- set to repeat itself as the Ti- quarter and Latavius Murray in on the par-5 18th. He missed the par-3 11th lead to a double bogey. ty Karl Joseph fell on the fumble the second quarter. son threw for one touchdown tans surged to an early 10-0 the third quarter before feeding eagle putt but tapped in for birdie He shot 71 on Sunday. Xander in the end zone for a touchdown. The Browns responded with and produced a dazzling 48- lead thanks to an AJ Brown running back Alvin Kamara for a to close at 4-under 69 for the day Schauff ele (66) and Sungjae Im Cleveland’s M.J. Stewart in- a TD drive and after a Pitts- yard solo score to propel the touchdown and a Stephen three-yard rushing touchdown and 25 under for the tournament. (69) tied for fi fth at 21 under. tercepted Roethlisberger on burgh fi eld goal took a 35-10 Ravens. Gostkowski fi eld goal. in the fourth quarter. Back on 18 for the playoff , he Dustin Johnson, playing for Pittsburgh’s next series and lead into the interval. Jackson fi nished with 179 With the Titans defense sti- The New Orleans win means wrapped up his fi rst PGA Tour the fi rst time since winning the Mayfi eld connected on a short Pittsburgh narrowed the gap passing yards and 136 yards fl ing Jackson, the Ravens were the Los Angeles Rams will travel win since 2013 with a 6-footer Masters in November, charged pass to Jarvis Landry who with two third-quarter touch- rushing. limited to a 33-yard fi eld goal to Lambeau Field to play the for birdie. Niemann had already to a 5-under 31 on the front nine turned and ran for a 40-yard downs, but Cleveland respond- It was the fi rst postseason from Justin Tucker as half-time Green Bay Packers in the other missed a putt from the fringe af- before being derailed by a dou- touchdown that put Cleveland ed and when Browns linebacker win of Jackson’s career after approached. NFC divisional game Saturday. ter pulling his approach shot. ble-bogey on the par-4 12th. He up 14-0. Sione Takitaki intercepted a two previous defeats, and the A moment of magic from “It’s incredible. A lot of hard ended with a 69, tied for 11th at Kareem Hunt added two Roethlisberger pass with 3:16 fi rst time the reigning NFL Jackson transformed the game, RESULTS work over the years,” English told 18 under, snapping a streak of rushing touchdowns for the remaining in the fourth quarter MVP had helped his team over- the 24-year-old bursting Baltimore ...... 20 Tennessee ...... 13 the Golf Channel. “You never seven consecutive top 10 fi nish- Browns — the second set up by it was essentially over. turn a double-digit defi cit. through a gap and accelerating New Orleans ..21 Chicago ...... 9 think you’re going to get here es. The Tournament of Champi- another Roethlisberger inter- Roethlisberger threw four “It feels great,” Jackson said. away for a touchdown. Cleveland ...... 48 Pittsburgh ...... 37 again. It’s hard to win out here. ons is usually reserved for win- Had a really good chance this ners from the previous year but week, and felt good about my the fi eld was expanded in 2021 to NBA game, and you just have to get it include all qualifi ers for the Tour done.” Championship due to the Cov- It was the third career victory id-19 pandemic that shut down Lakers rout Rockets, Clippers in late surge past Bulls for the 31-year-old English, who the PGA Tour last summer.

AFP scored a team high 35 points The Bulls hung in there, but Japan sumo wrestler quits, Los Angeles and surpassed 10,000 career suff ered another disappoint- points as the Los Angeles Clip- ing close loss. They lost by two saying virus fears ignored pers rallied to edge the Chicago points to the Los Angeles Lak- nthony Davis scored a Bulls 130-127. Leonard earned ers on Friday and by four points Tokyo: A sumo wrestler in its spokesman Shibatayama re- game-high 27 points the bulk of his points during to the Sacramento Kings two Japan said he had “no choice” portedly defended the decision. as the Los Angeles an explosive third quarter in days earlier.Zach LaVine scored but to quit the sport after his “The association has taken Lakers delivered a which he scored 21, a career a season-high 45 points and he request to skip a tournament safety measures. It does not Adominating all-around per- high for one quarter. made 10 three-pointers for the for fear of catching coronavirus stand to reason that you want to formance on Sunday with a He fi nished with seven Bulls, who lost their third con- was rejected. drop a tournament because you crushing 120-102 defeat of the three-pointers in the game, in- secutive game. Garrett Temple The 22-year-old known as are afraid of the coronavirus,” Houston Rockets in Texas. cluding one in the third period added 18 points and Patrick Kotokantetsu said the Japan he said, according to public The Lakers fi nally hit their that allowed him to reach the Williams had 17 points. La- Sumo Association had insisted broadcaster NHK. stride in the new NBA season, milestone. Vine’s fi nished just shy of his he fi ght in the New Year Grand A 28-year-old sumo wrestler running the Rockets ragged on Anthony Davis of “We shot the ball well to- personal high of 49 points. Sumo Tournament, which be- died in Japan in May after con- off ense and bottling up their the Los Angeles night and we got stops at the The Clippers outscored the gan on Sunday and lasts 15 days. tracting Covid-19 and suff ering top scorers on defense, espe- Lakers goes up for end of the game,” said Leonard, Bulls 42-35 in the third quarter It has gone ahead in front multiple organ failures. cially three-time league scor- a basket against the who hit 14 of 22 shots. “I never to go into the fourth with the of a reduced crowd despite at Japan is currently battling a ing champion James Harden, Houston Rockets make excuses.” game tied 94-94. least six wrestlers — includ- record surge in coronavirus in- who was held to 20 points and at Toyota Center in The Clippers scored the fi rst Nicolas Batum completed a ing record-breaking champion fections and the government committed seven turnovers. Houston on Sunday. basket of the game but did not four point play with 2:30 re- Hakuho — testing positive for declared a month-long state of LeBron James scored 18 lead again until the third quar- maining in the fourth to give the coronavirus last week. emergency in and around Tokyo points as he and fellow all-star ter when Leonard drained his the Clippers the lead for good. “I had no choice but to com- last week to try and slow the Davis had plenty of help from ally excelled Sunday was on our defensive eff ort was off the seventh basket from beyond In the fi nal seconds, LaVine pete or quit,” Kotokantetsu said spread of the disease. the bench. Talen Horton-Tuck- defense, grabbing 39 defensive charts.” the arc. put up an airball from three in a tweet announcing his resig- In line with government er (17 points), Montrezl Har- rebounds and forcing 13 steals. With both James (ankle) and The Clippers were able to point range and then George nation on Saturday. guidelines, around 5,000 fans rell (16) and Kyle Kuzma (13) “We’ve got to be a team who Davis nursing nagging injuries, regroup Sunday after a crush- nailed two free throws to seal “The association said you are being admitted to the New all came off the bench to reach lead games with defense,” said getting 54 points from their ing 115-105 loss two days ear- the victory. can’t stay away from the tour- Year Grand Sumo tournament double fi gures for the Lakers, Davis, who returned to the bench and holding the Rockets lier to the Golden State War- nament just because you fear — about half the capacity of who are now a perfect 5-0 on lineup Sunday after sitting out to just 46 points in the fi rst half riors, when they surrendered a RESULTS the coronavirus,” added the Tokyo’s Ryogoku Kokugikan the road to start the season. with a sore groin. “Tonight we is good sign for the future. Dav- 20-point lead. Utah ...... 96 Detroit...... 86 wrestler, who competes in the arena. The defending NBA champi- made shots, but there are go- is also had three blocks. Paul George had 28 points, LA Clippers ...... 130 Chicago.....127 second-lowest division. Prime Minister Yoshihide ons scored a whopping 32 fast ing to be nights when we don’t Christian Wood paced the seven rebounds and nine as- Oklahoma City 129 Brooklyn ....116 He later said on YouTube he Suga has insisted Japan is still break points and 62 points in make shots and we can’t con- Rockets with 23 points while sists and Lou Williams came off Denver ...... 114 New York ..89 had previously undergone heart committed to holding the vi- the paint, fi nally looking like trol that. Harden also had nine assists. the bench to score 21 points for LA Lakers ...... 120 Houston ..102 surgery and feared that infec- rus-postponed Tokyo Olympics the juggernaut team that many “What we can control is how Houston shot just 12 for 41 from the Clippers, who averted their Minnesota ...... 96 San Antonio 88 tion would be a mortal danger. this summer, saying the Games had envisioned at the start of we play defense. The coach behind the arc. fi rst three-game losing streak Golden State .....106 Toronto .....105 The Japan Sumo Associa- would be “proof that mankind the season. But where they re- came in at halftime and said Elsewhere, Kawhi Leonard of the season. tion declined to comment but overcame the virus”. Gulf Times 6 Tuesday, January 12, 2021 FOOTBALL

SERIE A FOCUS Guardiola confused by Juventus beat 10-man football’s virus rules

AFP London

Sassuolo to move fourth ep Guardiola says he is baffl ed by some of the coronavirus rules in Andrea Pirlo’s side won their third straight league match for the first time this season the game, admitting he Pdoes not understand why certain AFP matches have been postponed Milan while others have gone ahead. Four Premier League matches have so far been called off , in- hampions Juventus battled to cluding City’s trip to Everton last a 3-1 victory over 10-man Sas- month, but a diff erent approach suolo to close the gap on the appears to have been taken in the top three in Serie A on Sunday FA Cup over the weekend. Both night.C Andrea Pirlo’s side won their Aston Villa and Derby fi elded third straight league match for the fi rst sides made up of youth players time this season to move fourth, seven for their third-round ties after points behind leaders AC Milan with a their entire fi rst-team squads game in hand. Sassuolo drop to seventh were told to isolate. after their third loss in fi ve games. The Premier League last week “It was important to give continu- called on players to tone down ity and win tonight, because otherwise their celebrations in a set of re- the match played on Wednesday at San inforced Covid-19 protocols Siro was useless,” said Juventus coach that also emphasised the need Andrea Pirlo whose side ended Milan’s to avoid handshakes and shirt- 27-match unbeaten run midweek. swapping. Britain is grappling Sassuolo played the entire second with its worst outbreak of the half a man down after Pedro Obiang saw disease since it hit the country red for a dangerous challenge on Fed- early last year, though elite sport erico Chiesa. Defender Danilo put Ju- is allowed to continue. ventus ahead in the 50th minute when City’s own problems with the he fi red home his fi rst goal of the season. virus have continued, with Ser- But seven minutes later Sassuolo gio Aguero forced to miss Sun- pulled level with Gregoire Defrel bril- day’s 3-0 victory over Birming- liantly fi nishing off a Hamed Junior ham in the FA Cup third round. Traore through ball. Substitute Aaron The Argentine has been told Ramsey gave Juventus the advantage to self-isolate after it was dis- again eight minutes from time when covered he is a close contact of he tapped in a Gianluca Frabotta cross someone who has tested positive to claim his fi rst goal of the campaign. for the virus. Cristiano Ronaldo completed the scor- City have already been with- ing deep into injury time, rifl ing in his out eight other players following 15th league goal this term. “It was a positive tests at various stages painful match, badly managed after our since Christmas Day. Guardiola advantage, but the important thing was said the club would follow the winning even if we were a little disor- new protocols but he said it was ganised,” added Pirlo. unrealistic to expect players not It was a bruising clash for the reign- to celebrate goals. ing champions, who are chasing their “All of us (involved on match 10th title in a row, as they lost forward days) are tested negative, every Paulo Dybala and Weston McKennie to two days. I don’t know what is injury in the fi rst half. Midfi elder McK- going to happen — but one guy ennie pulled up after 18 minutes with scores a goal, the joy to celebrate a muscle problem and was replaced by it, I don’t know if he is going to Welsh international Ramsey. think ‘I cannot hug my mate for Dybala was substituted three minutes two, three seconds’,” he said. before the break after receiving treat- Juventus’ Aaron Ramsey (centre) celebrates with teammates Gianluca Frabotta (left) and Merih Demiral after scoring against Sassuolo in Serie A on Sunday. (AFP) “There are teams with four or ment for a knock to his left knee, with fi ve cases and played 10 play- Swede Dejan Kulusevski coming on in to “the medial collateral ligament of contract extension. He will now miss Allianz Stadium and was replaced by Obiang tackle which led to the Sassuolo ers from the under-23s in the his place. the left knee with recovery times of ap- Juve’s clash with title rivals Inter Milan Ramsey, was being monitored but that midfi elder being sent off just before the FA Cup. We are four or fi ve, the Dybala was yesterday ruled out for proximately 15/20 days”. this weekend, with the Turin club seven tests found no injuries to the American end of the fi rst half. same situation, and we are here. up to 20 days. In a statement, Juventus The 27-year-old has scored just two points behind current league leaders AC midfi elder. Juve are currently also without Alex One guy is isolated and the group said that Argentina forward Dybala had league goals in a rocky season under Milan. Federico Chiesa has also avoided Sandro, Juan Cuadrado and Matthijs has to continue. So, I don’t know. undergone examinations at the club’s new coach Andrea Prilo which has also Juve added that Weston McKennie, a spell on the sidelines despite being de Ligt, who have all tested positive for We follow what the people say at medical centre which revealed injury featured a spat with the club over a who pulled up after 18 minutes at the on the receiving end of a hard Pedro coronavirus. the club, the Premier League.”

SPOTLIGHT Premier League records 36 positive Covid-19 cases

London: The Premier League allowed to continue despite tests ahead of their clash with Man United must be ‘humble’ as they eye revealed yesterday that 36 the restrictions, but a number Burnley in December, but did players and staff tested positive of high-profile Premier League not ask for the match to be for coronavirus over the past stars flouting regulations has postponed. Premier League summit, says Solskjaer week, a slight fall from the led to calls for tougher action. “Everyone knows the situa- record number of 40 cases in Tottenham trio Erik Lamela, tion and if it gets suspended I AFP the previous seven days. Soar- Sergio Reguilon and Giovani don’t think it’d be a surprise,” London ing infection rates across Britain Lo Celso and Manchester City’s said Wilder. “We’ll just go with have forced the country into a Benjamin Mendy were among what the Government and new nationwide lockdown as a those pictured attending parties Premier League have to say le Gunnar Solskjaer says there new highly infectious strain of over the festive period. and, if it’s the case to carry on, is no chance his players can think Covid-19 has increased pressure Newcastle manager Steve we’ll carry on. But I don’t think they have “cracked it” if Man- on hospitals. Bruce was the first Premier I’m being controversial if I say chester United go top of the Pre- “The Premier League can to- League manager to question I don’t think anyone would mierO League with a positive result against day confirm that between Mon- the morality of football continu- be surprised if we don’t carry Burnley today. After a truncated pre-season day 4 January and Sunday 10 ing, putting their own players on with the way it’s sweeping and poor start to the campaign, the Red January, across two rounds of and staff at risk. The Magpies through the country.” Devils head to Turf Moor level on 33 points testing, 2,593 players and club training ground was shut in De- The English top-flight with reigning champions Liverpool. staff were tested for Covid-19. Of cember due to an outbreak with was halted for three months A draw or a win would lift them above these, there were 36 new posi- players Jamaal Lascelles and between March and June last their bitter rivals ahead of Sunday’s mouth- tive tests,” the Premier League Allan Saint-Maximin suff ering season. Wolves boss Nuno watering trip to Anfi eld. United have not said in a statement. serious symptoms. “The speed Espirito Santo, though, has mounted a sustained Premier League title Aston Villa’s clash with which it hit our club within a warned that another stoppage challenge since Alex Ferguson stepped down Tottenham, scheduled tomor- week, and ripped through, is could accelerate a restructuring in 2013 but Solskjaer is not in the mood for pushed back to give them time to recover ing any more new faces, having wrapped up row, became the fifth Premier something which all clubs will of European football towards a title talk. from August’s Europa League fi nals. a deal for Atalanta teenager Amad Diallo. “I League match postponed in the be looking at now,” said Bruce. Super League model. “What I’m “We have to be aggressive,” said the Paul Pogba, Eric Bailly, Luke Shaw and think that the signings we made in the sum- last two months yesterday due “It’s diff icult to contain and it afraid of is, if the decision is to Norwegian, who was part of six Premier Victor Lindelof could be available after in- mer strengthened the squad really well,” to outbreaks. Due to an already leaves people sick. Financially stop, football we know now will League-winning sides during his time as a jury, while Edinson Cavani returns from a he said. “Good signings, good characters, heavily-congested schedule, it’s right to play on but morally, not be the same. This is my big- player at Old Traff ord. “We have to go into three-match ban for a social media post that good players. January’s always diffi cult but Tottenham will now play Fulham for me, it’s probably wrong.” gest fear,” said the Portuguese. every game humble, work hard, don’t even included a racial term. “Edinson has trained if something comes up that you think about in another rearranged match Sheff ield United manager “If you have a crisis the strong think for one second that you’ve cracked it well when he’s been banned,” said the Unit- in the long term, it’s a long-term target any- tomorrow. Fulham’s clash with Chris Wilder said he would not will survive, what about the if you are near the top because that’s not the ed boss. “He’s had a couple of days off , of way, that’s another scenario.” Chelsea and Everton’s visit to be surprised if the Premier rest? My personal view, when I type of players we have.” course, as well — you can’t train too much.” He added: “There might be two or three Villa this weekend have also League is forced to stop in the have an awareness of what’s go- The trip to Burnley will fi nally see United United will be juggling Premier League, FA going out because they deserve to play more been pushed back a day. coming weeks. The Blades ing around, you will not find the play the game in hand that has been hanging Cup and Europa League exertions over the football for their own good and their own Elite sport has so far been suff ered multiple positive same model we have now.” over them all season after their opener was coming months but Solskjaer is not expect- career.”

LA LIGA Trippier raring to go for Atletico aft er ban put on hold, says Simeone Reuters side from Tottenham Hotspur with “Sime (Vrsaljko, Atletico’s other clear of their local rivals with two Madrid friends who placed bets on it. right back) is also competing well games in hand. World organising body FIFA although he has diff erent charac- Sevilla are in excellent form, un- placed the ban on hold at the start teristics, and we’ll decide who plays beaten in all competitions since Dec. tletico Madrid coach Di- of this month, pending an appeal tomorrow.” 5 and winning seven of their last nine ego Simeone says Kieran lodged by Atletico. Trippier, who The thick snow levels led the team games. “We know they’ll come here Trippier is ready to re- had played every single minute in to train at the Wanda Metropolitano to compete properly, they are on a turn to action for the fi rst La Liga and the Champions League stadium yesterday instead of at their roll at the moment,” Simeone said of timeA at home to Sevilla today after before his ban, was due to return training ground although Simeone Julen Lopetegui’s side, who are sixth his suspension for violating betting against Athletic Bilbao on Saturday said the pitch was in a good state in the standings, eight points behind rules in England was put on hold. although the game was called off due after groundsmen cleared the heavy Atletico. The England defender missed to the snowstorm in Madrid over the snow. Atletico managed to stay top “They are getting better with Atletico’s league wins over Getafe weekend. of La Liga despite not playing as sec- every game, they have strengthened and Alaves after being suspended for “Trippier is in very good shape ond-placed Real Madrid drew 0-0 well and have a great squad which 10 weeks by the English FA for shar- and is really looking forward to play- with Osasuna and victory against I’m sure will be fi ghting to win the ing details of his move to the Spanish ing, he is raring to go,” Simeone said. Sevilla would take them four points league until the end of the season.” Gulf Times Tuesday, January 12, 2021 7 SPORT

QNB STARS LEAGUE Al Sadd, Al Duhail face off today in a marquee clash Unbeaten Al Sadd hold an eight-point lead at the top with 35 points, while Al Duhail are second with 27 points

By Sports Reporter Doha

l Duhail will look to close the gap on leaders Al Sadd when the two giants of Qatar foot- ball face off in the QNB Stars LeagueA at the Jassim bin Hamad Sta- dium today. Sadd have been dominant this sea- son, having remained unbeaten in 13 matches to open an eight-point lead at the top with 35 points. Holders Du- hail had an inconsistent start to their campaign before settling in under Sabri Lamouchi, who returned to the helm of the Red Knights three month ago, and are in second place with 27 points. With Al Sadd in a race of their own, the time is running out for Duhail to keep their chances of retaining the ti- tle. Both the teams were in devastating form last week, with Al Sadd outclass- ing Al Sailiya 8-0, before Al Duhail re- sponded with an 8-1 win over Al Wak- rah. With Lamouchi’s men gradually gaining the lost ground, it will be a case of who blinks fi rst in the marquee clash today. Al Duhail coach Sabri Lamouchi (left) and his Al Sadd counterpart Xavi Hernandez attend a press conference yesterday, on the eve of their QNB Stars League match. “Our match against Al Sadd prob- ably comes at the most crucial stage. hail in recent times. The Wolves won and Al Duhail are also in a good period, matches we played against them and it In another match today, third-placed continue their winning ways and break But Al Duhail are fully prepared for the 3-1 in the league three months, before so I think that everyone can watch a was really diffi cult but Al Sadd were the Qatar Sports Club will take on Al Rayy- into the top four. match,” Lamouchi said yesterday. thrashing their bitter rivals 4-1 in the good game and see a great performance best, and we have to continue this way, an, who are sixth. Qatar SC are on a Meanwhile, Al Sailiya take on bot- “I have great confi dence in the play- semi-fi nals of the 2020 Amir Cup. Al from both teams,” the Spaniard said. and we are mentally prepared to com- high, having scored back to winning tom-placed Al Kharaitiyat at the Al Ahli ers’ ability to provide the best perform- Sadd coach Xavi Hernandez admitted “We are now in the best position in pete as always,” he added, ways following two drawn encounters. Stadium. Al Sailiya are placed eighth ance on the fi eld. The match will not be to the importance of today’s clash, call- the past years, we are at the top of the Xavi was unsure whether Akram Afi f Younes Ali-coached side have had an with 15 points, and are in need of mo- easy for us against an attacking team ing it a fi nal. table by eight points ahead of Al Duhail, and Boualam Khoukhi, who have recov- incredible run so far, in which they rale-boosting after being thrashed by like Al Sadd who play with a distinctive “We have the opportunity to increase and that means a lot to us, and now we ered from coronavirus, will be available have held Al Sadd 1-1. Qatar SC have 23 Al Sadd in the last round. line of attack. Losing against them can the diff erence and if we win this com- need to get three points in this match. for today’s match. “We will assess their points, the same as Al Gharafa, but the Al Kharaitiyat, now under former cause us to lose ground on the points petition, the probability of winning it Al Duhail are a team that has the men- condition, as they were in isolation for former are placed third on better goal Qatar international midfi elder Wesam table, but we will play with enthusiasm is very high. So this confrontation is a tality of winning all the championships nearly two weeks and therefore we do diff erence. Rizik who recently replaced Yousef and see what happens,” he added. fi nal for us. We are playing at our home like Al Sadd, and this means that the not know if they are ready or not,” he Al Rayyan, now under famous French Adam, remain as the basement side Al Sadd have had the better of Al Du- and going through a very good period, match will be very diffi cult like the last said. coach Laurent Blanc, will be eager to with only six points.

SPOTLIGHT FOOTBALL ROUND-UP QMMF unveils new 2021 Qatar Neymar returns to PSG training ahead of Champions Trophy Off -Road Championship logo AFP tino said after Saturday’s 3-0 Saturday, which fi nished 0-0. Paris win over mid-table outfi t Brest But the dreadful weather condi- By Sports Reporter revealed QMMF has made changes to this that he did not know whether tions meant travel links were dis- Doha year’s series by introducing two new cat- he would be able pick Neymar rupted and they were unable to egories - the women’s class and allowing eymar has returned midweek. They could return to return to the capital either after electric cars to feature in the hugely popular to training with Paris action in Saturday’s league clash the game or on Sunday. he Qatar Motor & Motorcycle Fed- competition. Saint-Germain, the at Angers, with PSG one point Real Madrid departed yes- eration (QMMF) has unveiled a new Al-Hamad said the QMMF has also de- French champions an- behind current Ligue 1 leaders terday morning and landed in logo for the 2021 Qatar Off -Road cided to spread the championship to more Nnounced yesterday, two days Lyon. Malaga, where they will have a Championship which draws inspi- than four months - from December to April before they take on Marseille in light training session on Monday Tration from Qatari deserts and refl ects the - as it was staged in the previous years. the Champions Trophy. Brazil- REAL MADRID FINALLY night, the fi rst of three sessions local characteristics. “We have been able to plan things better ian Neymar, 28, was stretchered LEAVE PAMPLONA AFTER before the game on Thursday. “The new logo for the Off -Road Cham- now. The championship will run throughout off the fi eld with an ankle injury SNOW DISRUPTION But the preparation is far from pionship has been designed by Ghadeer the year except for the summer months. So following a heavy challenge from Real Madrid’s players were fi nally ideal for Zinedine Zidane’s side, al-Khayat, who has joined us from UK. The we have divided the season into two parts Thiago Mendes in PSG’s home able to leave Pamplona yesterday whose draw against Osasuna design is very creative and highlights our which now allows us to have more activities Ligue 1 defeat to Lyon last month. after being stuck in the Spanish meant they missed the chance to culture and environment,” QMMF Execu- staged on Dec 3 and 4. The fi nal round will during each round and the extended series Defender Presnel Kimpembe, city for three nights due to the overtake Atletico Madrid at the tive Director Amro al-Hamad said. be held in December. The fi nal round will be gives more time for participants to prepare who suff ered a thigh injury in heavy snowstorm that hit the top of La Liga. The six-leg the 2021 Qatar Off -Road held over two days. for each competition,” he explained. the goalless draw at Lille a week country over the weekend. Zidane complained about the Championship series will fl ag off next “As we announced earlier, the fi rst three “In the past, when a competitor saw his later, was pictured returning to The team fl ew straight to Ma- state of the pitch at the El Sadar month and consist of six rounds. rounds will be Enduro (endurance) and the car breaking down, he could not catch up training for the capital city club laga, without returning to their stadium, where a light dusting of The fi rst round will be held on Feb 5 and remaining three, the Baja category. The and take part in the following rounds. But yesterday. However the pair are homes in Madrid, to get ready for snow made playing conditions 6 with the second set to take place on Mar sixth and fi nal round will off er double points the situation is diff erent now in light of the still doubts for the Champions Thursday’s Spanish Super Cup diffi cult. “For me this was not 19-20. The third round will be staged on Oct to the participants who will be seen in action presence of suffi cient time to deal with any Trophy match against Marseille, semi-fi nal against Athletic Bil- a football match,” said Zidane, 8 and 9 with the fourth being held on Oct 15 over two days,” informed al-Hamad, adding breakdowns during competition. Our goal in who fi nished second to PSG in bao. who was convinced the fi xture and 16. that will extend over two days. the end is to help the participants to feature Ligue 1 last season, in Lens to- Madrid’s players arrived in should have been called off . The penultimate round will be held on After the conclusion of the fi rst round of in the entire series with relative ease,” added morrow. Pamplona on Friday for their La Goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois Nov 12 and 13 while the season fi nale will be the 2021 Qatar National Sprint, al-Hamad al-Hamad. New coach Mauricio Pochet- Liga game against Osasuna on also criticised La Liga.

SPOTLIGHT Double delight for Emadadhi at opening round of Qatar National Sprint Khelaifi (Westfield Sport) Best lap: By Sports Reporter 54.077 seconds; 2. Mansour Chebli Doha (Renault Clio) 54.836; 3. Abdul Aziz al-Jabri (Westfield Sport) 54.996 li Emadadhi was the star OPEN CLASS 2: 1. Ali Emadadhi (Nis- of the show in the opening san 370Z) Best lap: 54.824 seconds; round of the Qatar National 2. Ibrahim al-Mannai (Mitsubishi Evo Sprint 2021 held at Losail 10) 55.989; 3. Nadim Ziade (Mitsubi- lastA Saturday. Emadadhi notched up two victories in the Open Class 2 and shi Evo 8) 56.461 Production Cars Class 2 categories. OPEN CLASS 3: 1. Abdulla al-Ab- Emadadhi, driving a Nissan 370Z, bassi (Lotus Exige) Best lap: 52.817 produced the best lap of 54.077 sec- seconds; 2. Mohamed al-Khayarin onds in three runs to clinch the Open (Chevrolet Corvette) 56.757. Class 2. In second place was Ibrahim al-Mannai, who timed 55.989 in a PRODUCTION CLASS 1: 1. Henry Mitsubishi Evo 10, while Nadim Zi- Kahy (Renault Clio) Best lap: 56.502 ade, also in Mitsubishi Evo, was third seconds; 2. Saad al-Dosari (Mazda) in a time of 56.461. 56.874; 3. Mansour Chebli (Renault Later, Emadadhi was in sizzling Clio) 57.014 form in Production Class 2 too. Driv- PRODUCTION CLASS 2: 1. Ali ing an Audi, he registered a best lap Emadadhi (Audi) Best lap: 54.005 of 54.005 seconds. seconds; 2. Mohamed Emadadhi Mohamed Emadadhi was sec- (Audi) 54.094; 3. Dean Ball (Porsche ond after clocking 54.094 in Audi. The third place went to Dean Ball, Boxster 718) 55.784 in a Porsche Boxster 718, in a time of PRODUCTION CLASS 3: 1. Franc- 55.784 seconds. esco Fornaciari (Lotus Exige) Best lap: 53.277 seconds; 2. Mahmoud RESULTS: al-Mahmoud (Porsche GT3) 54.571; 3. Open class 1 winner Abdullah al-Khelaifi (top centre) poses with OPEN CLASS 1: 1. Abdullah al- Hosam al-Qatami (BMW M2) 56.154 runner-up Mansour Chebli (left), third-placed Abdul Aziz al-Jabri Ali Emadadhi in action during the opening round of the Qatar National Sprint 2021. and QMMF off icials in Losail. Tuesday, January 12, 2021 GULF TIMES SPORT

JUDO Buchard takes gold as Doha Masters begins at Lusail hall ‘This was a reference match for me ahead of the Olympics. I was coming after an injury break and it’s been a diff icult period’

By Yash Mudgal Doha RESULTS Men’s: -60kg: Gold: Jin Won Kim mandine Buchard was return- (Kor); Silver: Yang Yung Wei (Tpe); ing to competition after an Bronze: Albert Oguzov (Rus) injury break at the IJF Doha -66kg: Gold: An Baul (Kor); Silver: Masters judo tournament. It Baruch Shmailov (Isr); Bronze: Aram wasA supposed to be “a reference match” Grisoryan (Rus), Vazha Margvelash- for her, something that would have vili (Geo) helped the Frenchwoman assess her in-competition position ahead of the Women: -48kg; Gold: Distria Olympics in Tokyo this year. Krasniqui (Kosovo); Silver: Funa But the 25-year-old went one bet- Tonaki (Japan); Bronze: Urantsetseg ter as she won the gold on the opening Munkhbat (Mgl) day of the championship, which kicked -52kg: Gold: Amandine Buchard off at the Lusail Multipurpose Hall yes- (France); Silver: Ai Shishime Ai terday. Buchard was satisfi ed with her (Japan); Bronze: Astride Gneto performance after defeating former (France), Elemendi Majlinda (Kos) world champion Ai Shishime of Japan in the fi nal of the under 52kg category. -57kg: Gold: Tuskasa Yoshida (Ja- “This was a reference match for me pan); Silver: Sarah Leonie Cysique ahead of the Olympic Games. I was (France); Bronze: Nora Gjakova coming after an injury break and it’s (Kos) been a diffi cult period after coronavi- rus, but this is a new year and new ex- Chines Taipei in the fi nal. In a tough perience and I’m happy to start it off on fi nal, Kim succeeded in throwing Yang a positive note,” Buchard said. on his back for a magnifi cent ippon via This is Buchard’s fi rst success since counterattack. her victory at the Grand Slam in Buda- The 2015 world champion An Baul pest in October 2020. She then had to of Korea won the -66kg gold defeat- withdraw from the European Champi- ing Baruch Shmailov of Israel. The fi nal onships in November due to a rib injury. was once again a close fi ght in which It was a very tough match which ended neither of the fi nalists seemed able to with a third penalty against the Japa- exploit the slightest fl aw in their op- nese fi ghter and fi rst Master gold for ponent’s defence. After a long period of the Frenchwoman after fourth fi nals. golden score and two penalties on each “Physically, it was a diffi cult match. So side, it was fi nally Baul who used his I did a very tactical fi ght in the fi nal. I experience and succeeded in throwing kept attacking hard and that helped me Shmailov using a dropping eri-seoi- take the win,” she said. nage. The Doha Masters awards 1,800 The bronze medals in the under 52kg points in the World Ranking List to the Amandine Buchard (in white) of France in action against Ai Shishime of Japan in the final of the under 52kg category during the IJF Doha Masters judo tournament at category went to another Frenchwom- winners of each category. the Lusail Multipurpose Hall yesterday. PICTURES: Jayan Orma an – Astride Gneto and Elemendi Ma- jlinda of Gerogia. In the women’s -48kg, Distria Kras- niqui of Kosovo defeated Funa Tonaki of Japan in the fi nal. Arriving in Doha with the world number one bib, Kosovan ju- doka Krasniqi, already a winner of the Masters in 2019, had additional pres- sure on her shoulders. However, this did not prevent her from reaching the fi nal after a fl awless run against Stan- gar Marusa of Slovania, Costa Catarina of Portugal and Clement Melanie of France, winning two of her confronta- tions by ippon. In the fi nal, in less than a minute, Krasniqi had taken the measure of her opponent and had scored a fi rst waza- ari with uchi-mata. Well installed, with a strong right hand on the back, the Kosovan mastered her subject perfectly and less than a minute later she scored a second waza-ari with a ko-soto-gake, allowing her to win her third gold medal at the Masters. Former world champion Tuskasa Yoshida of Japan defeated Sarah Leonie Cysique of France in the -57kg category fi nal. In the men’s -60kg, Jin Won Kim Secretary-General of the Qatar Olympic Committee Jassim bin Rashid al-Buenain (left), awarded the podium winners of the women’s Jin Won Kim (left) of South Korea beat Yang Yung Wei of Chinese of Korea overcame Yang Yung Wei of under 48kg category. Taipei in the men’s -60kg final.

TENNIS Top seed Barrere advances, former World No. 10 Gulbis crashes out By Sports Reporter Tour singles title in the Delray Beach Doha after defeating Ivo Karlovi in the fi nal, was one of the pre-tournament favour- ites. His exit yesterday followed the ournament’s top seed Gregoire trend of some major upsets being re- Barrere of France withstood corded at the event, which is being held an unexpected pressure from outside of Australia for the fi rst time in Czech Republic’s Zdenek Kolar its 116-year history since it began yes- Tto power home to victory in straight- terday. sets 7-6, 6-3 in the fi rst-round match One of the heralded stars Lorenzo of the men’s qualifi ers of the 2021 Aus- Musetti lost 6-3, 1-6, 4-6 to Dutch Bi- tralian Open being held at the Khalifa otic van de Zandschulp yesterday while International Tennis & Squash Com- former world No.5 Tommy Robredo, an plex in Doha. Australian Open 2007 quarterfi nalist, The 26-year-old Frenchman, who was sent packing by France’s Antoine made the second round of last year’s Hoang in straight-sets on the same day. Australian Open, needed 96 minutes A similar fate also befell former world to dispatch the 224-ranked Kolar in a No.14 Ivo Karlovic who was trounced thrilling encounter. Barrere, a winner 6-2, 6-4 by Ecuador’s Roberto Quiroz. of three ATP Challenger Tour singles Former World No. 17, Bernard Tomic, in titles and six ITF Futures singles titles, the meantime, is two wins away from hit fi ve winners and won 60 percent of an 11th Australian Open appearance af- breakpoints on his way to victory. ter battling for more than two hours to In the other match of the day, tour- take his fi rst-round qualifying match. nament’s second seed Hugo Dellien of Fetching his own balls without ball Bolivia dispatched Chile’s Alejandro kids and playing before no crowds, a fo- Tabilo in just 68 minutes, winning in cused and determined Tomic outlasted straight sets 6-1, 6-0 to advance into Slovakian Jozef Kovalik 6-4, 3-6, 6-4 the second round. in a sweat-soaked baseline grind. The The 27-year-old World No. 111, who Slovenia’s Blaz Rola defeated Ernests Gulbis. Aussie broke Kovalik in the fi rst and last defeated Carlos Berlocq, Guido An- games of the epic encounter and fought dreozzi and Roberto Carballes to reach a gruelling encounter that lasted the able 16 slots for the main draw of the many mental and physical demons in the quarters of the 2019 Rio Open to whole of 2 hours and 30 minutes. season-opening Grand Slam. between. become the fi rst Bolivian player with Today’s second-round encounter Meanwhile, former world No.10 Er- Without a top-level tour win in an ATP win since Mario Martínez at France’s Gregoire Barrere plays a shot en route to his win over Czech Republic’s will be the fi rst between Dellien and nests Gulbis would not be making an 18 months, and having earned just French Open in 1984, enjoyed a some- Zdenek Kolar in the first round of the Australian Open 2021 Men’s Qualifying at Harris. The winner is set to face either appearance in Melbourne this year af- $23,684 during his Covid-ravaged what easy ride over his Santiago-resi- the Khalifa International Tennis and Squash Complex in Doha. (Tennis Australia) 141-ranked Carlos Alcaraz of Spain – ter crashing out in the fi rst round of the 2020 campaign, Tomic has plummeted dent opponent under a pleasant weath- the 17-year-old who won three ATP qualifi ers yesterday. to No.228 in the rankings. er on Court 2 on the day. of his fi rst serves and 67 percent on The 26-year-old Aussie, ranked 232, Challenger titles in 2020 and was voted The 32-year-old Latvian was beaten Tomic is set to face fellow Aussie and En route his victory, the former Jun- second serves as he booked a second- had emerged victorious after a hard- the ATP Tour’s Newcomer of the Year; 7-6, 6-3 by lesser-known Blaz Rola of wildcard entrant Tristan Schoolkate in ior’s World No.2 fi red in three aces to round face-off against Australia’s An- fought battle against Belgian Ruben or Russia’s Evgeny Karlovskiy, ranked Slovenia. the next match ahead of the fi nal pitch his opponent’s one, winning 72 percent drew Harris. Bemelmans, winning 6-4, 5-7, 6-3 in 258, for a chance at one of the avail- Gulbis, who in 2010 won his fi rst ATP for Melbourne.