CCRICKETRICKET | Page 3 FFOOTBALLOOTBALL | Page 7 Bess claims Real Madrid fi ve as South go top aft er Africa hang on scrappy win in third Test over Sevilla

Sunday, January 19, 2020 TENNIS Jumada I 24, 1441 AH Federer hopes GULF TIMES for fast start at Melbourne Park SPORT Page 2

TENNIS Qatar Open champ Rublev makes history in Australia Young Russian becomes first man in 16 years to win back-to-back titles in the opening two weeks of the season

Agencies kian lifted titles in Adelaide and chances in the fi rst set and he Adelaide Auckland ahead of the Austral- didn’t make it. He was, I think, ian Open. a little bit down and I started to “I was not thinking about [this play even better.” ndrey Rublev became statistic], but it’s an amazing On his fi rst match point, Ru- the fi rst man in 16 feeling… I’m really happy. I hope blev moved to the net behind a years to win back-to- I keep working. I hope I keep im- powerful forehand and forced Aback titles in the open- proving, and we’ll see what’s go- his opponent into a backhand ing two weeks of the season yes- ing to happen,” said Rublev. error with a short volley. The terday, beating Lloyd Harris 6-3, Rublev claimed the first Russian turned to his team in 6-0 to capture the inaugural Ad- break of the match in the sixth celebration and smiled, having elaide International title. game, focusing his attack on doubled his ATP Tour trophy Harris’ forehand to extract collection since the start of the “I was not thinking about multiple errors. From 0/40 year. [this statistic], but it’s an down in the following game, “This is what we are working amazing feeling… I’m Rublev once again targeted his for, to be more consistent, to be really happy. I hope I keep opponent’s forehand to hold more mentally strong,” said Ru- working. I hope I keep serve for 5-2 and served out the blev. “This is what we’re work- improving, and we’ll see set two games later. Consisten- ing for. And I’m happy that these what’s going to happen” cy proved crucial in the open- two weeks went this way… I got ing game of the second set, as two titles. It’s amazing. I never The World No 18 saved all four Rublev took advantage of Har- had this before.” break points he faced to clinch ris’ errors to break serve for a Harris was aiming to capture the trophy in 56 minutes. Rublev second time. The 22-year-old his fi rst ATP Tour trophy in his is now unbeaten in 12 matches, rode the momentum, earning maiden tour-level champion- which includes an 8-0 start to two further service breaks be- ship match. The South African, Andrey Rublev of Russia poses with the 2020 ATP Tour season. Last fore closing out the match with who represented his country the winner’s trophy after defeating week, the Russian won the Qa- attacking play. at the inaugural ATP Cup, de- Lloyd Harris of South Africa in their tar ExxonMobil Open in Doha “The fi rst set was really tough feated sixth seed Cristian Garin men’s final singles match at the without dropping a set, beating because he had a couple of break and fourth seed Pablo Carreno Adelaide International tennis Frenchman Corentin Moutet in points. [It] was a really nervous Busta en route to the champion- tournament in Adelaide yesterday. the fi nal. and tough fi rst set. And then, I ship match. Rublev received 250 The last man to capture two don’t know, I started to play even FedEx ATP Rankings points and trophies in as many weeks to better,” said Rublev. collected $91,625 in prize mon- open the season was Dominik “I think he got maybe a little ey. Harris earned 150 points and Hrbaty in 2004. The Slova- bit disappointed because he had $50,710.

GOLF QATAR BEAT JAPAN IN ASIAN HANDBALL Magical eagle puts Westwood in lead AFP majors and WGC events. Abu Dhabi Even though a lot rides on a good performance early in the season, Westwood said he rare- ee Westwood conjured ly played golf or hit balls in the up a magical eagle to off season. help lift him into a third “Coming here, I expected to round lead at the Abu have to work hard on my game LDhabi Championship yester- and scramble a lot. I don’t play day. a lot when I’m away from tour- Westwood, who turns 47 in naments now,” he said. April, shot a seven-under par After making a birdie on the 65 to move one ahead of Aus- 13th, the 34-year-old Wies- tria’s Bernd Wiesberger, who berger burned the edges on the also had a 65, and overnight next two holes with his birdie leader Francesco Laporta of attempts, but managed to close Italy. with three in a row from the Matthew Fitzpatrick birdied 16th onwards. his last two holes in a round of “I struggled the fi rst two three-under par 69 to go fourth days. I think I hit more fairways at 12-under par 204, while today and I can then get myself American Kurt Kitayama (68) the rough, was his only bogey in into positions to take on the Action from the match and Spain’s Sergio Garcia (69) the last 37 holes. fl ags, which I did well,” said the between Qatar and were tied fi fth one shot further “I played well. I holed a cou- world number 23. Japan in the Asian behind. ple of putts early on which gave Laporta made an early bogey Handball Championship World number one Brooks me some momentum and then on the par-fi ve second hole and in Kuwait yesterday. Koepka (70), coming back to hit a brilliant shot into the was one-over through seven Qatar won 36-28 for their competitive golf after a 14- eighth. Then backed it up with before making four birdies in second straight victory to week layoff due to stem cell a birdie at the ninth, so a bit of the last 11 holes. top Group B and qualify treatment for his left knee in- momentum, got on a roll,” said “I was a bit nervous on the for the main round where jury, was in a tie for 48th place Westwood, winner of 24 titles fi rst couple of holes and made they will face tougher at fi ve-under par 211. on the European Tour. a bad mistake on second when opposition. The event England’s Westwood pro- Westwood was winless last I pulled my second shot,” said acts as a qualifier for duced his eagle on the par-fi ve year but had fi nished 2018 in the reigning Challenge Tour the 2021 World’s Men’s eighth hole, smashing a hybrid style when he won the NedBank Order of Merit champion. Handball Championship. iron from 266 yards to less than Challenge in South Africa. He added: “Tomorrow, it Qatar have won the Asian three feet. He is currently ranked 63rd would be just a dream. I just tournament three times His round also contained six in the offi cial world golf rank- want to think about my score in a row (2014, 2016 and birdies and a solitary bogey. ing, and even though he has and my game. I am trying not to 2018) The dropped shot on the 14th qualifi ed for the Masters this see the leaderboard. I think it’s hole, where he had to stand in a year, getting back into the top- going to be a good day tomor- bunker with the ball outside in 50 would get him into all the row.” Gulf Times 2 Sunday, January 19, 2020 TENNIS

SPOTLIGHT FOCUS Nadal surprised to still be on top Federer hopes of the game

Reuters Melbourne

ustralian Open top for fast start at seed Rafa Nadal entered his third Adecade as a profes- sional ranked No 1 in the world and the 33-year-old Spaniard says he is surprised to be at the summit of the men’s game giv- en his long and varied history Melbourne Park of injuries. Enjoying a rare period of full ‘I know it’s a super long road to victory. That’s why I got to take it one match at a time’ fi tness, Nadal is bidding for his second title in his 15th ap- should be little bit shorter. pearance at Melbourne Park, “But here we are. (I’m) hap- as well as the added carrot of py for that. Even for me is a big matching Roger Federer’s all- surprise to be where I am at my time record of 20 Grand Slam age.” titles. Nadal, the only player to In the 11 years since his claim the world number one 2009 triumph in Melbourne, spot in three decades, plays Nadal has battled back from a unseeded Bolivian Hugo Del- litany of serious injuries, defy- lien in the fi rst round on Tues- ing predictions that his taxing, day and has a reasonably kind all-action game might cut his draw. career short. There is a potential fourth He now has a chance to hold round match-up against 16th three out of the four Grand seed Karen Khachanov or local Slam titles after winning the fi rebrand Nick Kyrgios, who French and US Opens last year. has won three of his seven Tour “Well, I can’t say I have been matches against the Spaniard. lucky with injuries, because I The pair have never been have not,” he told reporters at friends, with Nadal accusing Melbourne Park yesterday. him of “lacking respect for “But there is no secret. the public, the opponent and There is only passion, about himself” after being beaten by love for the game, and about the Australian at the Mexican being able to stay positive in Open last year. the tough moments. Kyrgios in turn labelled “It’s true that I went through Nadal “super salty” and a bad some tough situations during loser. all my career. But I was able Nadal shrugged when asked to always, with probably the about Kyrgios’s chances at his positive attitude and with the home Grand Slam. right people around, to fi nd a “Everybody knows who is way to keep going. Kyrgios. Everybody knows “(It’s) something that is dif- how big is his talent, how good fi cult to imagine for me be- he is when he wants to play at cause of my style of game, as his best, when he’s able to play a lot of people said, my career at his best.”

Osaka vows to block out negatives

Melbourne: Defending compared to 12 months ago, Australian Open champion and playing better tennis. Naomi Osaka said yesterday “But honestly, last year was that 2019 was the “toughest the toughest year of my year of my life” after the life, so I would hope it gets Switzerland’s Roger Federer speaks at a press conference ahead of the Australia Open tennis tournament in Melbourne yesterday. Japanese ploughed through better,” Osaka added. several coaches and Pushed as to what she Agencies His opening round opponent tomorrow “selfi sh” for not taking a vocal stand for said yesterday, while Canadian young gun suff ered a major dip in form. meant, she said: “I guess just Melbourne — American world number 81 Johnson — the lower-profi le players who faced a dif- Denis Shapovalov claimed “I wouldn’t The 22-year-old began last before everything (success), won a challenger tournament in nearby fi cult time this week during qualifi ers due play” if conditions deteriorated during year in spectacular fashion, if I lost, it wouldn’t be an Bendigo and reached the quarter-fi nals in to the bushfi re smoke. the tournament. winning in Melbourne for (news) article. oger Federer is bidding for a third the Canberra challenger last week. “I don’t think I can do more than “I’m 20 years old, I don’t want to risk back-to-back Grand Slam “Now if I lose, like, there’s title in four years at Melbourne When fi nally asked about his opening what I did,” Federer said. “I’m on the my life, risk my health being out there titles and soaring to the top news. It was tough adjusting Park and a record-extending 21st match, Federer said with a smile: “I’m not council. I’ve been on the tour for so playing in this condition,” he added. of the world rankings. to that.” Grand Slam trophy but having in the mood now. long. I came through the lower ranks, In the wake of the backlash, Austral- But she then exited Roland Osaka described herself notR played competitive tennis since No- “Look, it’s exactly the tricky situation the juniors. ian Open organisers yesterday unveiled a Garros in the third round as “a bit more seasoned” vember the Swiss is keeping a lid on ex- right now, playing somebody who has just “At the end of the day we all care for fi ve-step air quality rating to determine and Wimbledon in the first compared to a year ago and pectations. played a lot this week. He’s ready to go. one another. We cross paths in the locker when play should be halted, based on pol- round, and her defence of hopes feeling more relaxed Unlike his main rivals, Federer, who won He’s match-ready and I’m not.” room. I understand some frustration al- lutants measured by monitoring stations her US Open crown similarly can bring success, starting his last Grand Slam in 2018 at Melbourne Federer’s last match was a defeat in the ways because this tour, this calendar, this throughout Melbourne Park. fell flat. with the defence of her Park, opted out of the inaugural ATP Cup ATP Finals in November by Stefanos Tsit- schedule, whatever it may be, is never Play will be stopped if the particulate The Japanese roared back Australian Open crown. to spend more time with his family before sipas, who also beat him at Melbourne perfect. matter rating (PM2.5) — the solid and liq- with titles in her native “Last year I feel like I was launching his 22nd season on Tour. Park in the fourth round last year. “Some guys are always going to com- uid particles suspended in the air — hits city of Osaka and then in young,” the Japanese said The third seed’s pre-tournament news “I got to really make sure I get out of plain. But at the end of the day this is also 200, or fi ve on the air quality scale. Beijing in the autumn, and in was a smile. conference yesterday was dominated by the gates quick,” Federer said. “Practice something new with the smoke. Every- Between 97 and 200 — a four rating — December hired the Belgian “I was just this young kid questions about the ongoing bushfi res has been going well. Had plenty of time to body’s got to fi gure it out.” will trigger a discussion between medical Wim Fissette as her coach that was going out. My goal in Australia and the role of the top men’s pace myself and do all the things I had to World number six Stefanos Tsitsipas staff and offi cials about halting play, with — her fourth in less than was to win and I wasn’t players on the air quality issue during the do to get ready. I hope it’s enough. was another player who was troubled by the match referee able to suspend a match a year. The world number going to let anything stop tournament. “I know it’s a super long road to victory. the smog, saying he had diffi culty breath- if he sees fi t. three, who faces Marie me. “And I’m playing Steve Johnson, by the That’s why I got to take it one match at a ing even after practising indoors in Mel- The rules will apply to all outside courts Bouzkova of the Czech “I feel like now I appreciate way, for those who care,” a smiling Federer time. My expectations are quite low.” bourne. and the Grand Slam’s three arenas with Republic in her opener in more every single win told reporters. “I don’t know, I fi gured that’s Canadian world number 103 Brayden “I was coughing a lot, had troubles retractable roofs, where play will be halted Melbourne, said she was because I know what it took why I’m in Australia, but that’s okay.” Schnur labelled Federer and Rafa Nadal breathing for a couple of hours,” Tsitsipas until the roof is closed. “in a better head space” to get it.”

BOTTOMLINE Barty wins Adelaide title in Oz Open boost Reuters wayward Yastremska, who committed Humbert wins fi rst title Melbourne 31 unforced errors. “This is incredible,” said Barty, who Auckland: Rising star Ugo punched the air and hit balls into the Humbert won his maiden ATP title orld number one Ash crowd to celebrate her fi rst title win on beating Benoit Paire in a three-set Barty beat Dayana Yast- home soil. thriller in the final of the Auckland remska 6-2 7-5 to win the “I felt like it was a great tussle and Classic yesterday. Adelaide International I had to play my best to get over the In the all-French showdown, the Wyesterday in a major boost before line.” unseeded Humbert held his nerve launching her Australian Open cam- “I love playing in Australia, I love in the deciding tie-break of his first paign. playing at home. ATP final to beat the fifth seed 7-6 Barty, who swept aside Yastremska “I can’t wait to get started in Mel- (7/2), 3-6, 7-6 (7/5). in one hour and 25 minutes, is bid- bourne on Monday.” ding to end Australia’s long wait for Barty won her only previous meet- decider at the Shenzhen Open but a homegrown champion at the year’s ing with Yastremska in Miami last the 20-year-old made no mistake this fi rst Grand Slam. The last was Chris year. time around, adding the Hobart crown O’Neil, who claimed the women’s title “Congratulations to Ashleigh, it was to the Bucharest Open title she won at the 1978 tournament. a pleasure to play the world number last July. Barty broke the Ukrainian twice to one and good luck in Melbourne,” said Zhang, 30, battled hard and held set win the fi rst set but Yastremska put Yastremska. point in the tiebreak in the opening up stiff er resistance in the second to “I hope we get to play many times in stanza but faded after losing a fi erce level it at 4-4. The Australian broke to the future.” tussle for the sixth game of the second go 6-5 up on four straight errors from Top seed Barty begins her Austral- set. the Ukrainian and served out to seal ian Open campaign against Ukraine’s Zhang, a quarter-fi nalist at Mel- the title. Lesia Tsurenko tomorrow. bourne Park in 2016, had another Barty had suff ered a surprise defeat Meanwhile, rising Kazakh talent chance to head off to the year’s first to American qualifi er Jennifer Brady Elena Rybakina overcame a gulf in ex- Grand Slam with a trophy in her bag in her opener at the Brisbane Interna- perience to beat China’s Zhang Shuai but she and compatriot Peng Shuai tional earlier this month but the title 7-6(7) 6-3 in the Hobart International went down 6-4 6-4 to Sania Mirza and win in Adelaide was the perfect way fi nal yesterday and claim her second Nadiia Kichenok in the doubles fi nal. to end her preparations for Melbourne WTA title. It was Mirza’s fi rst WTA title in over Park. Winner Ashleigh Barty of Australia (L) and runner-up Dayana Yastremska of Ukraine pose after their women’s final singles Rybakina was playing her second two years and the fi fth for Ukrainian She fi red 15 winners against the match at the Adelaide International tennis tournament in Adelaide yesterday. fi nal in a week after losing the title- Kichenok. Gulf Times Sunday, January 19, 2020 3 CRICKET

SPOTLIGHT Bangladesh call up Mahmud for Pakistan tour AFP He has also kept his name off the draft for Dhaka the Pakistan Super League T20 tournament. “There’s no bigger sin for me than not playing for Bangladesh. But I had refused angladesh yesterday called up un- an off er to play in the PSL after fi nding out capped fast bowler Hasan Mahmud that the tournament will be entirely held in for their three-match Twenty20 se- Pakistan,” he said. ries in Pakistan which has been en- “I agree that things have improved in Pa- gulfedB by fears over player safety. kistan, but I will gain confi dence when I see Opener Tamim Iqbal returns after skip- teams going there for the next two years. I ping a home series against Afghanistan and have been to Pakistan before, it is a great Zimbabwe and a tour in India. Mosaddek place to play cricket.” Hossain, Arafat Sunny, Taijul Islam and Abu Mushfi qur’s absence will be a blow for Hider have been dropped from the squad. Bangladesh who are already without sus- “Hasan is a quick bowler and has a good pended all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan and future. So we thought maybe this is the lost their two recent Tests in India inside right time to give him a break,” said Bangla- three days. desh Cricket Board’s chief selector Minhajul “I wish good luck to our team,” he said. Abedin. Wicketkeeper-batsman Mushfi qur Bangladesh play their T20s in Lahore Rahim was left out after saying he would not from January 24-27 before returning home. go to Pakistan for security reasons. They will go back to Pakistan for the fi rst A senior BCB offi cial said batting coach Test starting February 7 and visit again to Neil McKenzie, spin bowling coach Dan- play a one day international in Karachi on iel Vettori and fi elding coach Rayan Cook April 3 and the second Test from April 5. would also not accompany the team. Mush- fi qur, 32, remained adamant that he would BANGLADESH SQUAD: Mahmudul- not be with the squad when they leave on lah (capt), Tamim Iqbal, Soumya Sarkar, Wednesday. Mohamed Naim, Nazmul Hossain, Liton “I decided it a long time ago and informed Das, Mohamd Mithun, Afif Hossain, Mahadi the board. I have submitted a letter too. My Hasan, Aminul Islam, Mustafizur Rahman, family is concerned, and don’t want me to Shafiul Islam, Al-Amin Hossain, Rubel Hos- go,” Mushfi qur told reporters late Friday. sain and Hasan Mahmud. Pakistan’s players in action during a training camp at the Gaddafi Cricket Stadium in Lahore ahead of the Twenty20 series against Bangladesh. (AFP)

REPORT PREVIEW Zimbabwe ‘have to enjoy’ fi rst home Bess claims fi ve as Test since 2017

AFP aspiring they defi nitely want to Harare be involved (in Tests) at some point in their career.” Mickey Arthur’s Sri Lanka icketkeeper Regis arrive in Zimbabwe after a 1-0 South Africa hang on Chakabva says that defeat in a two-Test series in Pa- Zimbabwe “have kistan, although that came after De Kock scores 63 to see South Africa to 208-6, hosts still trail England by 291 runs to enjoy” their fi rst the side showed signs of a revival Whome Test since 2017 as the Af- in a shock 2-0 series victory in Reuters rican nation return to fi ve-day South Africa and drawn series Portelizabeth action against Sri Lanka after against New Zealand. their recent suspension by the But the tourists have left out International Cricket Council. fast-scoring batsman Kusal Per- uinton de Kock led a The two-Test tour was only era, who scored a match-winning fi ght-back after rain announced by the Sri Lankan 153 not out against South Africa halted England’s de- Cricket board earlier this week, last February, with Lahiru Thir- struction of South Af- with the fi rst match to start in imanne preferred despite having rica’sQ top order on the third day Harare today. an average of only 22.64 from 35 of the third Test at St George’s Zimbabwe were readmitted as Tests. “Yes, Kusal can make 150s, Park, but the tourists remain an ICC member last October fol- but we needed someone who can in command after Dom Bess’s lowing a three-month suspen- occupy the crease, which is why we maiden Test fi ve-wicket haul. sion over political interference. chose Thirimanne,” said Sri Lan- De Kock, who was dropped The Sri Lanka games will be ka’s chairman of selectors Asantha three times, scored an unbeaten their fi rst Tests since a 1-1 series de Mel. “Thirimanne can also bat 63 to see South Africa to 208-6 draw in Bangladesh in November in the top order or as an opener.” at stumps after rain reduced the 2018. “It’s always tough, going Zimbabwe have named all- day’s play to 64 overs. Vernon for that long between playing rounder Sean Williams as cap- Philander was not out on 27. Tests, because you always want tain for the series, with bats- The home side are still 291 to play as often and as regu- men PJ Moor and Ryan Burl both runs behind after off spinner larly as possible,” Chakabva told surprisingly left out. A third of Bess claimed the fi rst fi ve South cricbuzz.com. the hosts’ 15-man squad are yet African wickets to fall. “But unfortunately we haven’t to make their Test debuts, with He bagged two on Friday to had that privilege really, so we Victor Nyauchi and Charlton leave SA teetering at 60-2 over- just have to accept what is there Tshuma hoping to fi ll the void night, in replay to England’s and as tough as it is, when the left by injured fast bowler Tendai mammoth 499 for nine de- next one comes you always Chatara. Zimbabwe last played clared, and picked up where he have to enjoy it. “I think for any a Test at home against the West left off on Saturday with three youngster who’s starting off and Indies in October 2017. more. Bess removed Dean Elgar, Faf du Plessis and Rassie van India’s bowling miser Nadkarni dies at 86 der Dussen before rain stopped proceedings at 11.45am, some India’s most economic bowler It highlighted a landmark home 15 minutes before the sched- England’s Dom Bess celebrates with teammates after taking the wicket of South Africa’s Rassie van der Dussen yesterday. (Reuters) Bapu Nadkarni, who also held series against England in 1964. uled lunch break. Play did not England at bay as a batsman in “In one of the best displays of resume until 3.30pm, frustrat- Christmas as cover when a virus Root drop nightwatchman An- a landmark Test series has died frugal bowling, Nadkarni bowled ing England’s march through struck the England camp. But he rich Nortje at fi rst slip and Pope Scorecard at the age of 86. “Indian Cricket 21 maiden overs during the first the batting order. has made a strong bid for a place fail to snag a half-chance off Van ENGLAND 1st innings 499 for 9 Q. de Kock not out 63 has lost a real champion,” said Test against England at Madras,” De Kock was dropped twice on their next tour to Sri Lanka der Dussen. But his fi fth wicket batting legend Sunil Gavaskar “In the fifth and final Test of the declared V. Philander not out 27 by Ben Stokes off the bowling of with fi gures of 5-51 in 31 overs. came two balls later, to joyous after learning of Nadkarni’s death same series, he scored 52 not SOUTH AFRICA 1st innings captain Joe Root, fi rst on 30 and Yesterday he fi rst dismissed celebration, as Van der Dus- Extras (b4, w1) 5 in Mumbai. out in the first innings and batted (overnight 60-2) then 56, and then again in the Elgar, who edged the ball off his sen played on and was bowled Total (6 wkts, 82 overs) 208 The all-rounder conceded just for 418 minutes and remained penultimate over, by Stokes off pad to Ollie Pope at silly point for 24. Nortje proved stubborn, SOUTH AFRICA 2nd innings 2,559 runs from 9,165 balls unbeaten on 122 when India were Fall of wickets: 1-50 (Malan), Joe Denly. But he played some for 35, and then he removed soaking up 136 balls before bowled with his left-arm spin in made to follow on.” India held D. Elgar c Pope b Bess 35 2-60 (Hamza), 3-63 (Elgar), 4-71 characteristically entertaining captain Faf du Plessis in exactly Stokes had him caught by Root 41 Tests for India between 1955 out for a draw. “I grew up hearing P. Malan c and b Bess 18 (Du Plessis), 5-109 (Van der Dus- strokes to provide some respite the same way. for 18. and 1968. He was also a team about the record of him bowling sen), 6-154 (Nortje) for the home fans after a relent- Du Plessis’s future as skipper South Africa still face the Z. Hamza c Pope b Bess 10 manager for India and chief 21 consecutive maiden overs in a less pounding from England of the South African side is now risk a follow-on, with England A. Nortje c Root b Stokes 18 Bowlers: Broad 11-4-30-0, Curran selector for a while. The Board of Test. My condolences to his fam- over the fi rst two days. seriously in question as he con- chasing 14 wickets to win the 9-1-31-0, Bess 31-12-51-5, Wood F. du Plessis c Pope b Bess 8 Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) ily and dear ones. Rest in Peace Bess had not been selected tinued his poor form by making test and go 2-1 ahead in the se- 11-4-31-0 (1w), Denly 4-1-10-0, Root hailed Nadkarni’s “miserly” Test Sir,” India’s batting hero Sachin for the tour at fi rst, fl own out only eight runs. ries before the last test in Johan- H. van der Dussen b Bess 24 11-4-25-0, Stokes 5-1-26-1. record in its tribute. Tendulkar wrote on Twitter. to South Africa just before Bess then saw captain Joe nesburg next week

FOCUS Oman, Qatar post wins in QCA T20 Tournament By Sports Reporter double round robin format and shared three wickets. Qatar had much-needed momentum. As Sherlene Quyn 1/18, Shahreen Doha two top teams will play the fi nal a good start and reached 48 for a result, Qatar needed only four Nawab 1/17) on January 21. Both the matches one, but two wickets at this stage runs in the fi nal over by Ma- Qatar: 111 for six (Shahreen Na- on the opening day were full of stalled their progress. Also three deena Zubari. Off the fi rst three wab 18, Aysha 27 not out; Bhakti osts Qatar had a mixed thrills and excitement as Oman Qatar players got run out, which balls, Trupti Kale (eight not out) Shetty 2/15, Snehal Nair 1/13) day when they won one got the better of Qatar by three proved a big setback to their and Sabah Nawab (one not out) Player-of-the -match: Fiza match and lost other wickets in the fi rst and the home chase. Captain Aysha scored an got three runs. Then off the fifth (Oman) in the QCA Women’s team edged Kuwait by a wicket unbeaten 27 with a four in 28 delivery, Kale struck a boundary HT20I Triangular Tournament at off the penultimate ball in the balls, while Shahreennawab got to seal the pulsating victory and Qatar beat Kuwait by 1 wicket the Asian Town Stadium, Indus- second fi xture. 18 in 34 balls and opener Saachi keep Qatar on track for a place in Kuwait: 115 for seven (Priyada trial Area on Friday. In the inaugural match, Oman, Dhadwal added 12 in 14 balls the fi nal. Earlier, Zeena Jilani got 18, Zeena Jilani 24, Siobhan Lee The Qatar Cricket Association asked to bat fi rst, made 114 for with two fours. Bhakti Shetty two fours in 24, Siobhan Lee add- 21; Rochelle Sherlene Quyn 2/19, (QCA), headed by Yousef Jeham three. Fiza hit a run-a-ball 34 picked two wickets. ed 21 and Priyada hit 18. Maryam Nahan Arif 2/22, Aleena Khan Al-Kuwari, is hosting the event with three boundaries. Sakshi Qatar, chasing a challenging made 10 not out. Rochelle and 1/18) to provide exposure and oppor- struck two fours in her 31-ball 116-run for victory in the second Nahan Arif shared four wickets. Qatar: 119 for nine in 19.5 overs tunity to not only the local play- 24 and Priyanka Edan chipped in match of the day, stepped up the (Aysha 31, Aleena Khan 25, ers but also that of the region. with 22 not out in 21 deliveries. pace after being down three for RESULTS Nahan Arif 13 in 12 balls; Maria With China withdrawing due Fiza and Priyanka were in- 35 in six overs. Captain Aysha, Oman beat Qatar by 3 runs Jasvi 2/16, Priyada Murli 2/19, to some technical issues, the volved in an unbroken 39-run who smashed four boundaries Oman: 114 for three (Sakshi 24 Madeena Zubari 1/23, Amna hosts had to change the status stand for the fourth wicket as in 31, and Aleena Khan (25 with in 31 balls, Fiza 34 not out in Shareef 2/25) of the four-nation event to the well. Rochelle Sherlene Quyn, a four) collected 47 runs for the 34 balls, Priyanka Edan 22 not Player-of-the-match: Aleena triangular series. There will be Shahreennawab and Nahan Arif fourth wicket to provide the out; Nahan Arif 1/16, Rochelle Khan (Qatar). Qatar’s Aleena Khan (left) receives player-of-the-match award. Gulf Times 4 Sunday, January 19, 2020 SPORT

CRICKET SHOWJUMPING Salman al-Emadi Injury setback, technical tweak tops Big Tour at Longines Hathab 6 provide catalyst for Pope’s ton Fernhill Friendly Touch, col- By Sports Reporter Doha lected the maximum 70.028 Reuters front pad.” Pope, who turned 22 points to emerge as the win- Port Elizabeth at the start of the month, has a ner ahead of the seasoned remarkable fi rst class average of alman Mohamed al- Jessica Waldon, riding Lusso 58.30 and is earmarked for a long Emadi produced a fi ne Del Castegno (67.931), in Lev- dislocated shoulder Test career, having an uncanny performance on his bay el 1. last year and a three- similarity to captain Joe Root at gelding The Toymaker Maryam Ahmad al Boinin month layoff proved the same age. toS top the Big Tour category in on Vol De Nuit Tardonne a blessing in disguise Illness meant he missed the round 6 of the Lobgines Qatar (69.545), and Faris Saad al- forA Ollie Pope as he celebrated a fi rst Test in Pretoria but he Equestrian Tour 2019-2020 Qahtani, riding Golden Grove maiden Test century for England played an important role in Cape Hathab competition at the Al Solataire (67.727), stood out on Friday, helping them take a Town as England levelled the Shaqab Indoor Arena yester- in the Level 2 dressage. fi rm grip on the third test against four-match series last week with day. South Africa at St George’s Park. 61 runs in the fi rst innings. The Qatar Equestrian Fed- RESULTS Pope hit an unbeaten 135 as On Friday, it all came together eration rider excelled on his Big Tour England declared on 499 for as Pope resumed on 39 over- 15-year-old horse in the Ta- Table A, One round against nine and then snagged two home night, sped his way to 50 and ble A, One round against the the clock with jump off , Art. wickets before stumps on Friday. then battled through much of clock with jump off, Art. 238.2.2 | 130/145 cm | Prize- Pope suff ered the injury eld-fi the rest of the day before reach- 238.2.2 | 130/145cm class. Money QR35,000 ing for Surrey last April, neces- ing his century. Al-Emadi returned a fault- 1. Rider: Salman Mohamed sitating surgery and ruling him “It’s quite hard to put into less routine in 71.50secs al-Emadi; Horse: The Toymak- out of contention for the Ashes words how I felt,” he said of the which saw Salmeen Sultan er; Faults: 0; Time: 71.50secs; just when he was emerging as a moment he got to three fi gures. al-Suwaidi, riding Cantaro Prize:QR8,750 real prospect for England. “I was lucky enough to see 32, settle for the second place 2. Salmeen Sultan al-Suwaidi; “Three months out gave me Dom Sibley get his fi rst (test) having gained 4 penalties de- Cantaro 32; 4; 68.10; QR7,000 a real hunger to come back,” he hundred last week and Ben spite a time of 68.10secs. 3. Nasser al-Ghazali; Quel said after attaining the mile- Foakes in Sri Lanka too. I sat Nasser al-Ghazali, who Homme; 4; 70.26; QR5,250 stone. there watching them and think- won the fifth leg on Quel During the injury layoff he sat ing it must be an amazing feel- Homme, was pushed to the Open Class down with Surrey batting coach ing, so to go and do it today was third spot having picked up 4 Ride & Drive | 115/125cm | Vikram Solanki to work on plans awesome. penalties in 70.26secs. Prize-Money QR15,000 to improve, even while still on “It was really special looking The triumph will see 1. Faris Saad al-Qahtani; the treatment table. up to the change room and see- al-Emadi pick up another Godette; 0; 55.68; 0; 59.16; “The way I was getting out the ably be leaving. crease. That, from a techni- as it allowed me to line up my ing how happy the boys were. at least 20 points to add to his QR3,750 most was pushing at that fi fth “So we decided that I should cal point of view, was the main off stump, so that I can leave the We really enjoy each other’s suc- tally, which stood at 64 points 2. Mirdef Ali al-Qashouti; stump, balls that I should prob- move slightly across on my thing that helped me improve ball well and defend close to my cess.” before this competition. Deja Vu 84; 0; 59.88; 0; 61.48; Five more rounds remain QR3,000 in the 12-leg annual domestic 3. Mohamed Saeed Haidan; GOLF series which has now entered Ziezo; 0; 51.72; 4; 64.04; an exciting phase and which QR2,250 concludes in April. Earlier, in the Open Class Dressage (Ride & Drive) event saw Faris Level 1 (Elementary) Test C | Saad al Qahtani on Godette Prize-Money QR10,000 claim the top podium clock- 1. Ali Mohamed al-Marri; Fern- ing 55.68secs and 59.16secs hill Friendly Touch; Score: faultlessly. 70.028; Prize: QR2,750 Kuchar shoots 62 to Mirdef Ali al-Qashouti, 2. Jessica Waldon; Lusso Del riding Deja Vu 84 (59.88 & Castegno; 67.931; QR2,250 61.48secs) was second, and 3. Ali Mohammed al-Marri; Mohammed Saeed Haidan on Juste D’Adaelle; 67.241; QR Ziezo (51.72secs & 64.04secs) 1,500 finished third. Level 2 (Prelim) Test C | Prize- The Dressage competi- Money QR5,000 tion on Saturday morning 1. Maryam Ahmad al-Boinin; lead in Singapore had some impressive and foot Vol De Nuit Tardonne; tapping presentations in both Score:69.545; Prize: QR1,250 The nine-time PGA Tour winner fired four birdies in his front-nine, followed by another 5 the Level 1 (Elementary) and 2. Faris Saad al-Qahtani; Level 2 (Prelim) competi- Golden Grove Solataire; AFP tions. 67.727; QR1,000 Singapore Ali Mohamed al-Marri, 3. Iris Nijboer; Rose al-Sulai- combining with his horse mi; 67.273; QR750.

lympic medallist Matt Kuchar fi red a nine- under-par 62 to take the lead after the third roundO of the Singapore Open yesterday, while fellow Rio win- ner Justin Rose was not far be- hind. The three men’s golf medal- lists from the 2016 Rio Olym- pics are playing in the tourna- ment and their performances could give clues about their form ahead of the Tokyo Games start- ing in July. Bronze medallist Kuchar of the United States has looked the Badr al-Darwish, Organising Committee Member, Al Sahqab strongest of the trio, and an im- Showjumping Competition, with Big Tour podium finishers Sal- pressive round yesterday gave man Mohamed al-Emadi, Salmeen Sultan al-Suwaidi and Nasser him a three-shot lead heading al-Ghazali. into the event’s fi nal day. The nine-time PGA Tour win- ner fi red four birdies in his front- nine, followed by another fi ve in his inward-nine for a three-day total of 17-under-par 196. “It was a great day,” said the world number 24. “That was a great way to start, back to back birdies, kind of tied for the lead there, and just kept Matt Kuchar of the US hits a shot during round playing some good golf.’ three of the Singapore Open golf tournament Rio gold medallist Rose from at the Sentosa Golf Club in Singapore yesterday. England, ranked ninth in the world, did not seem to playing at his best but birdies on the 17th “I knew I needed to have a for Olympic silver winner Hen- Meanwhile defending cham- share second place with Miguel and 18th helped him to a 68 to stronger fi nish, I knew I went a rik Stenson, however, who only pion Jazz Janewattananond, who Tabuena of the Philippines. draw within six shots of Kuchar. bit fl at in the back nine until the managed a three-over-par 74 had been leading before the third Thailand’s Jazz had a slow Oliver Walter, dressage event judge from the UK, with Dressage “I wasn’t very happy with how end.” and slipped down the leader- rond, slipped behind Kuchar but start but made up for it with four Level 1 (Elementary) Test C top two finishers Ali Mohamed al- I played today,” he admitted. There was disappointment board to joint 46th. still fi red an impressive 67 to birdies on the back nine. Marri and Jessica Waldon.

BOTTOMLINE Fowler, Scheffl er share PGA lead in La Quinta AFP “These courses are scoreable, up birdies at 11 and 12 before catch- proach over the water hazard nearly Los Angeles but I feel like it’s a fi ne line between ing fi re coming in. He followed bird- found the cup for another eagle. One-armed golfer makes hole-in-one at PGA Tour event playing well and kind of scraping ies at the fi rst and third with an eagle “I feel pretty good,” Scheffl er said. by,” said Fowler, who is playing the at the fourth, where he lofted a high “Just the one mishap on 18 but other One-armed amateur The left-handed golfer’s tee for me to prove that even ickie Fowler fi red an eagle tournament for the fi rst time in six approach to six feet and made that than that pretty solid.” Laurent Hurtubise shot landed near the front though I had a diff erence and six birdies in an eight- years. for eagle. He added another birdie at Landry had nine birdies and a bo- recorded an improbable of the green and made a that I could perform as well under par 64 on Friday to “I’ve done a good job of just kind the eighth to be the fi rst in the club- gey in his eight-under eff ort on the hole-in-one during the beeline for the hole before as normal people... as they grab a share of the halfway of picking my way around,” added house on 129. La Quinta Country Club layout. opening round of a PGA slamming into the flagstick call them,” Hurtubise told leadR alongside Scottie Scheffl er in Fowler, who played the Jack Nick- Scheffl er, a Korn Ferry Tour grad- Finau, the top-ranked player in Tour event in La Quinta, and dropping into the cup. the Desert Sun. “People the US PGA Tour event at La Quinta, laus Tournament Course, which uate seeking his fi rst PGA Tour title, the fi eld at 15th in the world, torched California. Hurtubise, who Hurtubise, who is among have diff erences and California. like the other two in use, La Quinta also teed off on 10 on the Nicklaus the Nicklaus course with 10 birdies, was born with one arm the amateurs competing handicaps and whatever, The top duo in the pro-am event Country Club and the Stadium course and raced up the leaderboard seven of them on his inward run the and started playing golf alongside the professionals but it was my way to prove held on three courses in the South- Course, is a par-72. with birdies at six of his fi rst seven fi rst through ninth. at age 11, aced the 151-yard in a pro-am competition that I could be as good as ern California desert were tied on “Two out of three courses down, holes. “The putter got hot for me on that par-three fourth hole at the this week, raised his arm everybody else.” 15-under par 129, one stroke in front looking forward to playing the Sta- He slowed with a double-bogey at back nine,” Finau said. “I hit it really PGA West Stadium Course skyward and threw his hat The PGA Tour’s Twitter of American Andrew Landry (64), dium tomorrow,” he said of the the 18th, but rebounded with a birdie nicely yesterday and didn’t feel like I during first-round action of in celebration, exchanging account posted a clip of the with American Tony Finau two shots course that will also host round four at the fourth, followed by an eagle at got what I wanted out of the round. The American Express on high-fives with his group. ace and called it “inspira- back after a storming 10-under par on Sunday. the seventh and a tap-in birdie at his I hit it well again and I was able to Thursday. “As a kid, sports was a way tional.” 62. Fowler teed off on 10 and picked fi nal hole, the ninth — where his ap- make some putts.” Gulf Times Sunday, January 19, 2020 5 SPORT

NBA NHL Crosby’s overtime Raptors tie franchise goal lift s Penguins over Red Wings

Reuters Bay, while Ondrej Palat collected New York, United States three assists and Brayden Point and Steven Stamkos had two- points mark with point games. The win came at a idney Crosby scored on a cost for the Lightning, though. tip-in during an overtime Forward Cedric Paquette left in power play, and the visit- the second period after appear- Powell scores 28 ing Pittsburgh Penguins ing to injure his ankle. edgedS the Detroit Red Wings 2-1 Jack Roslovic scored for the points, Gasol adds on Tuesday. Jets, who pulled Connor Helle- Crosby redirected an Evgeni buyck after he allowed fi ve goals rout of Wizards 20 in 140-111 win Malkin shot for his third goal in on 12 shots. Laurent Brossoit en- as many games. Bryan Rust had tered and saved 12 of the 14 shots AFP a goal and an assist for the Pen- he faced. Los Angeles, United States guins, and Matt Murray made 28 saves. Malkin was credited with a DUCKS 2, HURRICANES 1 (OT) team-high six shots and assisted Sam Steel scored 1:36 into over- orman Powell scored 28 points on both goals. time as Anaheim won its second off the bench as the Toronto Pittsburgh bounced back from game in a row for the fi rst time in Raptors used a balanced off ence a 4-1 loss at Boston on Thursday more than two months, this time to continue their domination in which it was silenced after defeating Carolina in Raleigh, N.C. Nover the Washington Wizards with a 140- Crosby scored in the fi rst minute. Steel’s fourth goal of the sea- 111 rout on Friday. The Penguins earned their fi fth son was set up off a turnover Marc Gasol added 20 points to become win in six games on Friday. from Carolina forward Andrei one of seven players in double fi gures for Jimmy Howard stopped 35 shots Svechnikov. Jakob Silfverberg the Raptors, who have won seven straight for Detroit, and rookie Filip Zadina and Hampus Lindholm notched games over the Wizards. had the Red Wings’ lone goal. assists on the winning goal. Erik The Raptors tied their franchise points Gudbranson provided the fi rst total of 140 points which they earned LIGHTNING 7, JETS 1 goal for the Ducks, and goalie in a double overtime two-point victory Anthony Cirelli collected his Ryan Miller made 25 saves, im- over the Wizards in January 2019. It is fi rst career hat trick, and Nikita proving his record to 5-5-2. the most points they have ever scored in Kucherov scored twice to lead Sebastian Aho scored his regulation time. visiting Tampa Bay to a one-sid- team-leading 24th goal for the Toronto has been struggling to hold big ed win over Winnipeg. Hurricanes, who lost their third leads of late, but they hope to have fi nally Goaltender Andrei Vasilev- game in a row (0-2-1). Carolina reversed that trend with Friday’s season- skiy made 30 saves to claim his goalie James Reimer stopped 35 high scoring total. 10th consecutive win for Tampa shots in defeat. “We’re trusting one another, we’re moving the ball,” Powell said. “We’re let- ting the off ence work for us.”

RESULTS Indiana 116-114 Minnesota Philadelphia 100-89 Chicago Toronto 140-111 Washington Memphis 113-109 Cleveland Miami 115-108 Oklahoma City Atlanta 121-120 San Antonio Dallas 120-112 Portland

The Raptors led 38-26 at the end of the Sidney Crosby (centre) of the Pittsburgh Penguins in action against fi rst quarter and took a 24-point lead into Detroit Red Wings in Detroit, United States, on Friday. (AFP) the fourth quarter. They increased it to 30 Toronto Raptors guard Norman Powell (centre) goes up for a basket against Washington Wizards centre Anzejs Pasecniks (right) and points with 4:36 remaining and cruised guard Gary Payton II (20) in the fourth quarter at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Canada, on Friday. (USA TODAY Sports) from there to improve to 27-14 on the season. Bradley Beal had 14 points, Ish Smith in front of a crowd of 17,900 at Bankers Al Horford scored 20 points and Tobias NBA delays planned April vote “We didn’t play well, we turned the ball and Davis Bertans each had 12 and Anzejs Life Fieldhouse. Harris had 13 for the Sixers, who played over,” Wizards coach Scott Brooks said. Pasecniks 11 in the loss. Two-time all-star centre Towns fi n- without injured all-star centre Joel Em- on schedule changes: report “We played against a championship team Toronto shot 57.1 percent from the ished with 27 points after missing 15 biid for the 12th time this season. that was clicking on all cylinders.” field and are now 20-4 against Wash- games with a knee injury. In Dallas, Luka Doncic delivered a AFP deciding a time for the event has ington dating back to the 2013-14 NBA “I am just so happy basketball is here career-best eight three-pointers and New York, United States been a sticking point, with late DONCIC DELIVERS IN DALLAS season. for me, because it was some great therapy recorded 35 points to power the Dallas November to mid-December Terence Davis scored 23 points, OG Anu- Elsewhere, Malcolm Brogdon drained a for me today,” he said. Mavericks to a 120-112 victory over the and Christmas into mid-January noby added 18 points and Serge Ibaka clutch basket with 18 seconds remaining Also, Furkan Korkmaz scored 24 points, Portland Trail Blazers. he NBA doesn’t plan to as ideas, according to ESPN. had 15 points and eight rebounds. Pascal as the Indiana Pacers spoiled the return of including a career-best six three-point- Tim Hardaway scored 29 points vote on major schedule The NBA would trim the Siakam had 12 points, and Kyle Lowry Karl-Anthony Towns with a tightly-con- ers, to lift the host Philadelphia 76ers past and Seth Curry scored 16 points off Tchanges at an April team regular season from 82 games contributed 11 points and eight assists. tested 116-114 victory over the Minnesota the Chicago Bulls 100-89. the bench as the Mavericks won their owners meeting, but still hopes per club to 78 to allow room on Troy Brown had 22 points for the Wiz- Timberwolves. Ben Simmons added 20 points, 11 re- fourth straight game. Jalen Brunson to install them by the league’s the calendar for the in-season ards, who have lost three straight. Isaac Brogdon hit a tiebreaking 15 footer, and bounds and seven assists as the Sixers added 13 points and Maxi Kleber scored 75th anniversary in 2021, ESPN event and play-in games, Bonga added 17 points and 10 rebounds. TJ Warren scored 28 points for the Pacers improved to 20-2 at home. 10 for Dallas. reported on Friday. where lower-finishing clubs Citing unnamed sources, the could compete for the final sports television network’s spots in a playoff field of 16. COMMENT website said the league Some team owners are con- informed clubs on Friday that cerned about financial losses it will study and talk over from having two fewer home such changes as an in-season games, but the NBA figures Investment in Africa to produce more stars: Biyombo tournament modelled after new revenue streams — such European football, reseeding of as an event sponsor and higher Reuters is going global. averaged 19.8 points per game playoff teams in the conference broadcast rights fees for the Paris, France “I think we will soon have to help the Toronto Raptors win finals and a play-in tournament in-season event and extra play- a NBA match in Africa,” the the NBA Finals last year and Bi- to expand the post-season in games — could more than 27-year-old told a conference yombo believes there is more to beyond 16 of its 30 clubs. off set any lost game revenues. he National Basketball call on Friday. come from Africa. The NBA needs a two-thirds Another worry is extra travel Association’s invest- The NBA and the sport’s gov- “Now the young African play- majority of owners to imple- should the reseed for the NBA ment in Africa will result erning body FIBA set up the ers won’t necessarily need to go ment changes ahead of the conference finals among the in more star players from Basketball Africa League (BAL) play in China or Europe to show 2021-22 season. The league has last four teams send East and theT continent shining in the NBA, due to start in March, a move themselves, the NBA scouts are talked over variations of the West squads against each Charlotte Hornets centre Bis- Biyombo believes will help the going to come to Africa,” he ex- plans with the players union other before the NBA Finals. mack Biyombo said. sport grow in Africa. plained. and telecasters and will do so Reasearch has shown travel The Congolese player will “One way or another I will “They see there is talent and with hopes of making a presen- could increase by 60 percent if feature in the fi rst NBA game in be involved (in helping the NBA they are going to take care of tation to team owners in April the East and West teams played France as the Hornets face the grow in Africa), but the most these talents. even without plans for a vote. outside their conference in the Milwaukee Bucks in Paris next important thing is to get that “They’ll eat better, they’ll NBA Commissioner Adam semi-final round — with no guar- Friday. new league started,” said Biyo- train better and in a close future Silver has backed the in-season antee of easier travel in the best- He believes Africa will soon mbo. there will be more African stars tournament for years. But of-seven championship series. host a NBA match as the game Cameroon’s Pascal Siakam (in the NBA).” Charlotte Hornets’ Bismack Biyombo (left). (TNS)

BOTTOMLINE Lakers, LeBron top NBA sales as Giannis, Doncic rise AFP James, a four-time NBA has the Bucks sitting atop the ranked seventh, followed by New York, United States Most Valuable Player and NBA with a 37-6 record. Anthony Davis of the Lakers, LeBron James (right) three-time NBA champion, The “Greek Freak” is av- Cameroonian star Joel Embi- has paced jersey sales and eraging 30.1 points, second id of Philadelphia and Brook- eBron James and his kept the Lakers atop the team in the NBA, as well as 6.2 lyn’s Kyrie Irving. Los Angeles Lakers totals since leaving Cleveland rebounds and 7.5 assists a Australian playmaker Ben remain the top mon- for LA in July 2018. game. Simmons of Philadelphia was ey-spinners in NBA James, who leads fan bal- Golden State’s Stephen 11th followed by injured Kevin Ljersey and team merchandise loting for next month’s NBA Curry, sidelined by injury Durant, who left Golden State sales with Giannis Antetok- All-Star Game in Chicago, most of this season, is third for Brooklyn, Houston’s Rus- ounmpo and Luka Doncic also leads the NBA in assists followed by Boston’s Jay- sell Westbrook, Boston’s Kem- reaching new popularity this season with 10.9 a game. son Tatum and Houston’s ba Walker and injured rookie heights in 2019. He averages 25.4 points and James Harden, the NBA scor- Zion Williamson of New Or- Figures announced Friday 7.7 rebounds for the Lakers, ing leader with 37.2 points a leans, who has yet to make his by the NBA and the National who lead the Western Con- game. NBA regular-season debut. Basketball Players Associa- ference with a 33-8 record. Dallas Mavericks forward On the team merchandise tion (NBPA) showed James Milwaukee’s Antetok- Luka Doncic of Slovenia ranks list, the Lakers are followed and the Lakers atop the lists ounmpo, last year’s NBA sixth on the jersey sales list, by Boston, Philadelphia, To- for the second consecutive Most Valuable Player and his career high in the sales ronto and Milwaukee. Gold- year, based on online NBA the top Eastern Conference rankings. en State is sixth followed in Store sales from October vote-getter in All-Star vot- Kawhi Leonard, who left order by Houston, Chicago, through December 2019. ing, ranks second in jersey the NBA champion Toronto Miami and Brooklyn, which No purchase fi gures were giv- sales, a career-best spot for Raptors for the Los Angeles made the top 10 for the fi rst en for any team, player or items. the Greek star forward who Clippers between seasons, time since 2014. Gulf Times 6 Sunday, January 19, 2020 SPORT

NFL MLB Retired star McDowell says La Russa swiped Electric clashes in signs in ’80s

AFP PITCHERS PASSED ALONG New York, United States SIGNALS McDowell claimed the scheduled starting pitcher for the following hree-time World Se- day’s game would sit in the White fi nal stop on road ries champion manager Sox manager’s offi ce, watch the Tony La Russa used a opposing catcher’s signals as camera-aided system to shown from the camera and use Consistent Chiefs Tsteal signs from opposing Major the light in the Gatorade sign to League Baseball teams in the late signal White Sox batters until will face surprise 1980s, retired star Jack McDow- Chicago moved into a new ball- ell claimed Friday. park in 1991. story Titans today McDowell told Charlotte radio “I’ve never said anything about to Super Bowl station WFNZ that the Chicago the old system we had because White Sox had a system estab- once we got to new Comiskey, I Reuters lished by La Russa that could didn’t know if there was one or New York, United States steal signs from rivals set up at not,” McDowell said. “There were Comiskey Park, the team’s home rumours we had one, but it wasn’t ballpark. as out there as the fi rst one was.” he NFL postseason rolls “We had a system in the old Active players from the 2017 onward today, with Comiskey Park in the late 1980s,” Houston Astros, who are at the young talent facing off McDowell said. “The Gatorade heart of the sign-stealing scan- against veteran expe- sign out in center had a light. dal, have yet to feel any punish- Trience in the NFC conference There was a toggle switch in the ment but members of the club in championship, and an AFC un- manager’s offi ce and (a) camera other roles have been disciplined derdog looking to cement a spot zoomed in on the catcher.” or left before such moves could in the Super Bowl. The accusation comes at the be made to them. The AFC championship will end of a week that saw high-tech On Monday, MLB unveiled the see one of the league’s most signal stealing become a bomb- results of an investigation into consistently high-performing shell MLB scandal leading to the allegations of cheating through teams, the Kansas City Chiefs, dismissal of three major league camera aided signal stealing by take on the post-season’s sur- managers over four days. the 2017 World Series champion prise story, the Tennessee Ti- La Russa, inducted unani- Astros. tans. mously to the Baseball Hall of The plot had high-tech cam- With a less-than-exceptional Fame in 2014, retired in 2011 after eras in the outfi eld swipe the nine-win and seven-loss reg- guiding the St Louis Cardinals to signs, relay the information to a ular-season record, the Titans the World Series title and now, at monitor near the Astros dugout still seized on their Wild Card 75, serves as an advisor to the Los and then have players signal the berth, humiliating the New Angeles Angels. batter at the plate, banging on England Patriots’ top-ranked McDowell never played un- a trash can if an off -speed pitch defense and the AFC’s top- der La Russa when he managed was coming. seeded Baltimore Ravens on the White Sox, the club fi ring La Such information gave Astros their respective turf. Russa during the 1986 campaign hitters a huge edge against vis- The team has largely built its before McDowell arrived late in iting pitchers in a season where off ense on its run game, boast- the 1987 season. He pitched for they won 101 games, the most in ing the league’s leading rusher Chicago through 1994, giving a campaign since 1998. in Derrick Henry, who has com- him plenty of time to learn about MLB imposed one-year bans pleted 377 rushing yards in his any system that might have been on Astros manager AJ Hinch and two post-season appearances. in place. general manager Jeff Luhnow Quarterback Ryan Tannehill, “I’m going to whistle-blow who were promptly fi red by the a Miami Dolphins castoff who this now because I’m getting club. joined the Titans this season, said tired of this crap,” McDowell MLB also fi ned the Astros the team has settled into a strat- said. “Tony La Russa is the one $5mn and removed their top two egy of taking calculated risks. who put it in... He’s still in the picks in the 2020 and 2021 MLB “Derrick’s running hard, so game making half a million (dol- Draft of new talent. we haven’t thrown the ball a lars), you know? No one is going Boston manager Alex Cora, a whole lot. Go back earlier in to go after that. It’s just, this stuff coach on the 2017 Astros, parted the season and there’s more of is getting old where they target ways with the Red Sox on Tues- the play action and stuff down certain guys and let other people day as that club awaits the results fi eld,” Tannehill told reporters. off the hook.” on a sign-steal probe by MLB “We’re able to do it diff erent McDowell, 53, was a three- upon their 2018 World Series ways and it all kind of depends on time All-Star whose career lasted championship campaign. how the game’s going and what from 1987 to 1999. He was voted On Thursday, the New York we’re trying to accomplish.” the American League Cy Young Mets parted ways with manager They will square off against a In this January 11, 2020 picture, Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry celebrates with fans after beating the Baltimore Ravens 28-12 Award winner in 1993 while with Carlos Beltran, the only 2017 vastly diff erent off ense with the in an AFC Divisional Round playoff football game in Baltimore, United States. (USA TODAY Sports) the White Sox and later pitched for Astros player specifi cally named Chiefs and their stellar quar- the New York Yankees, Cleveland in the report as part of the sign terback Patrick Mahomes, who every season where you go, ‘hey, MVP quarterback Aaron Rodg- though head coach Kyle Shana- before defeating the Seattle Sea- Indians and Angels. stealing scandal. boasts the league’s highest pas- listen we can pick it up’,” head ers looking to harness his post- han said Green Bay’s abysmal hawks 28-23 at home to reach ser rating and completed 321 coach Andy Reid told reporters season experience against performance was no cause for the NFC title game. yards passing in their divisional on Thursday. “That was a point relative newcomer Jimmy Ga- over-confi dence. Green Bay’s top receiver Da- post-season nailbiter against where we probably all took it up a roppolo of the 49ers. “They played the same way vante Adams, who caught eight Royals ex-owner Glass dies at 84 the Houston Texans. notch and needed to.” San Francisco’s defense enters they played all year. They just passes for 160 yards against Former Kansas City Royals owner David Glass died last week The team handily won the Mahomes is supported by the conference championship on had one bad game,” Shanahan Seattle, acknowledged the pres- at the age of 84, the team confirmed Friday. Glass, who bought AFC West with a 12-4 regular tight end Travis Kelce, who put the heels of a dazzling divisional told reporters on Wednesday. sure he was under as one of the Royals for $96mn in April 2000, died on January 9 from season record and is favoured up a monster performance in the round performance against the “They have been a tough team Rodgers’ top targets. complications of pneumonia, according to his family. Under the by oddsmakers despite losing in team’s divisional game against the Vikings, holding Minnesota to 21 off ensively and defensively all “I just try to put the onus on ownership of Glass, who was the president and CEO of Wal-Mart week 10 against the Titans 35- Houston Texans, with 134 receiv- rushing yards and pummelling year and done a good job not me to go out there, get open, give from 1988-2000, the Royals reached the World Series in 2014 32, a defeat that sent the Chiefs ing yards and three touchdowns. quarterback Kirk Cousins with turning it over and their defense him a nice place to go with the and 2015. After losing a seven-game series to the San Francisco on a six-game winning streak to six sacks. has kept people from scoring.” ball,” Adams told reporters. Giants in 2014, they became world champions the following year end the regular season. RELATIVE NEWCOMER Adding to the Niners’ favor The Packers bounced back “I can only get as open as I can by defeating the New York Mets in five games. Before becoming “They got after us. They kicked The NFC side will feature the was a 37-8 rout over the Packers from the loss to win the fi nal so I’m not going to be a super owner of the Royals, Glass served the previous 6 1/2 years as our tail that day. There’s a point in Packers’ former Super Bowl in Week 12 of the regular season, fi ve games of the regular season, hero. But I do as much as I can.” CEO and chairman of the team following the death of founding owner Ewing Kauff man, for whom the Royals’ home stadium is still named. In November, Glass sold the Royals to John Sherman, SPOTLIGHT a former part-owner and chairman of the Cleveland Indians, and his group for close to $1bn. Cards’ Murray on playing in NFL, MLB at same time: ‘I could do it’ Bulluck reliving fairytale run as Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray still has aspirations to play baseball. Murray, in fact, would like to play professional football and baseball at the same time — just not right now. “I think I could,” the 22-year-old Murray told the Arizona Republic of being a two-sport star. “Athletically, I think, yeah, I could do Titans make Super Bowl bid it. I’ve been playing both my whole life. I would love to add that Reuters the Titans are penning the feel- big day from the NFL’s lead- to the resume.” Murray’s current resume likely would support New York, United States good story of the NFL playoff s. ing rusher Derrick Henry and his claim. The former Heisman Trophy recipient became the But every good fairytale re- backup quarterback Ryan Tan- first person in history to be selected in the first round of both quires a happy ending and for nehill, who took over in October the NFL and MLB drafts when the Cardinals chose him with the f anyone has an idea of what that to happen the Titans will from struggling starter Marcus top overall pick in 2019. The Oakland Athletics selected Murray is going on right now inside have to go into Arrowhead Sta- Mariota. with the No. 9 overall pick in the 2018 baseball draft, and the the Tennessee Titans dress- dium and leave with a victory Head coach Mike Vrabel’s team allowed him to play one final season of college football at ing room as they prepare for over the explosive and heavily- switch to Tannehill was risky Oklahoma. Itoday’s showdown against the favoured Chiefs. and unpopular but proven cor- Kansas City Chiefs for a spot in The winner will earn a trip rect, with the Miami Dolphins the Super Bowl it would be Keith to the Super Bowl in Miami on castoff leading the team to a 9-3 Giants hire Garrett as new off ensive Bulluck. Feb. 2 where they will take on record as a starter. co-ordinator It has been over a decade since the winner of the NFC cham- “Anytime you make the deci- the three-time All-Pro line- pionship between the Green sion to go away from your fran- The New York Giants have backer suited up for the Titans Bay Packers and San Francisco chise quarterback as a second- hired former Dallas Cowboys but Bulluck clearly recalls what 49ers. year head coach it has got to be head coach Jason Garrett as it was like in 2002 when Ten- “Their mission is bigger than a tough decision,” Bulluck said. their off ensive co-ordinator, the nessee, after a horrifi c 1-4 start, everything being created in the “As a coach you have to do National Football League team made an unlikely run to the AFC media,” said Bulluck, who re- what you have to do. said Friday. The 53-year-old championship game before los- cently launched a podcast ‘The The key to Titans playoff suc- Garrett was interviewed by new ing to the Oakland Raiders. Outside Game’. “I never played cess, however, is Henry, who Giants head coach Joe Judge The Titans have followed a in a Super Bowl — the farthest I is harder to tackle than a tank, on Wednesday, a day after similar fairytale script this sea- In this September 25, 2005 picture, St. Louis Rams running back got was the AFC championship rushing for 377 yards in two Garrett’s contract with the Cow- son, but with a lot more sus- Steven Jackson (right) tries to cut inside of Tennessee Titans but you know what is on the line. playoff contests. boys expired. “I’ve known about pense after stumbling out of the linebacker Keith Bulluck in the second quarter of their game in St “They went to the playoff s “You mix in a 240 pound run- Jason for a long time,” Judge gate with a 2-4 record. Louis, Missouri, United States. (TNS) with momentum, that always ning back you have to make a said. “He does a fantastic job of In 2002 the Titans righted the helps,” he said of this year’s business decision if you want to making in-game adjustments.” ship in spectacular style win- per Bowl champions Tom Brady what’s going on at that moment team. tackle that big guy,” assured Bul- Dallas decided not to renew Garrett’s contract and hired veteran ning 10 of their next 11 games. and the New England Patriots but when things are bad you “They had to win some games luck. coach Mike McCarthy to replace him. Garrett had been on the This year they needed a win in the wildcard game then see- hear that stuff loud and clear. to get in but they did it.” “Going into the game they Cowboys coaching staff since 2007 and spent seven years on the over the Houston Texans in ing off the top-seeded Baltimore “We knew the players we had Momentum and a confi dence have that confi dence on their Dallas roster as a backup quarterback in the 1990s. He ended his their fi nal regular season con- Ravens. on that team and we knew we boosting regular season win side and have nothing to lose playing days in 2000 with the Giants. Garrett was named interim test just to make the playoff s “You’re in it together,” Bul- just had to fi gure it out.” over the Chiefs will bolster Ti- because everyone is picking head coach of the Cowboys eight games into the 2010 season, and have made the most of their luck told Reuters. “As team you The fi rst sixth-seed in a dec- tans hopes but a ticket to the against them. succeeding Wade Phillips, and took over on the main role in 2011. opportunity, knocking off Su- don’t hear everything about ade to reach a conference fi nal, Super Bowl will require another “But I like their chances.” Gulf Times Sunday, January 19, 2020 7 FOOTBALL

LA LIGA SPOTLIGHT Ryan Giggs to make punditry debut Real Madrid go top on beIN SPORTS urrent Wales manager and Manchester Unit- ed legend Ryan Giggs is set to make his pun- Cditry debut today live and ex- aft er scrappy win clusive on beIN SPORTS. Giggs will take part in beIN SPORTS’ English studios for Madrid are 17 games unbeaten, the Burnley vs Leicester City match at 17:00 Mecca Time a streak that includes them (GMT +3) before moving to beIN SPORTS’ Arabic stu- winning Spanish Super Cup dio for the North West derby professional contract with over Sevilla between Liverpool and Man- Manchester United on the day chester United at 19:30 Mecca of his 17th birthday in 1990 AFP Time (GMT +3). and hasn’t looked back since Madrid Joining Ryan Giggs in the – winning thirteen English Arabic studio will be beIN Premier League titles, four FA SPORTS presenter Ayman Ja- Cups, three Football League eal Madrid climbed dah, beIN SPORTS analyst and Cups, two UEFA Champion above Barcelona to top Egyptian legend Mohammed Leagues, one UEFA Super Cup La Liga yesterday as Abutrika as well as Tareq Al and one FIFA Club World Cup. Casemiro scored twice Jalahma. The Manchester United leg- inR a gritty 2-1 win over Sevilla. Along with analysing the end appeared 632 times in the Casemiro’s double proved two matches, Giggs will be English Premier League before the diff erence amid a three-goal sharing his illustrious experi- becoming an Interim player- fl urry early in the second half, ences in football as well as his manager for the Red Devils in with Luuk de Jong briefl y draw- UEFA Euro 2020 expectations 2014 and then moving to man- ing Sevilla level. with Wales. age the Welsh national football Madrid were underwhelm- The thirteen-time English team in 2018. ing at the Santiago Bernabeu, Premier League winner is re- Burnley vs Leicester City at times reverting back to the garded by many as one of the kicks off today, January 19th at stodgy days of last season when best players ever to play for 17:00 Mecca Time (GMT+3) on the team struggled for goals un- Manchester United. His part- beIN SPORTS HD11 for Eng- der Julen Lopetegui, who is now nership with players such as lish and beIN SPORTS HD2 for in charge of Sevilla. Paul Scholes, Wayne Rooney Arabic. Yet with Eden Hazard, Ga- and Ruud Van Nistelrooy as Today at 19:30 Mecca Time reth Bale, Karim Benzema and well as his consistency and (GMT+3) is Liverpool vs Sergio Ramos all missing from loyalty are widely recognised Manchester United on beIN their starting line-up, this might in the world of football. SPORTS HD11 for English and be the kind of victory that could Ryan Giggs signed his fi rst beIN SPORTS HD2 for Arabic. prove crucial to their hopes of winning the title in May. Sevilla stay fourth, eight points off the top. Scottish midfi elder Henderson Barca can reclaim fi rst place heads for Empoli on loan today when they face Granada at Camp Nou, where Quique Setien Serie A side Hellas Verona Bologna, becoming the first will be overseeing his fi rst game have loaned Scottish mid- Scot to play in the Italian top since being appointed early last fielder Liam Henderson to flight since Graeme Souness week. second-division Empoli, the with Sampdoria in 1986. Setien has said he will not be club announced on Friday. But his last appearance was as happy if his team win while play- The former Celtic and Hiber- a substitute in a 2-1 defeat to ing badly but Zinedine Zidane is nian player has made just Inter Milan in the San Siro last likely to be less choosy. four appearances this season November. His Madrid side are now 17 after helping the club gain top Verona are ninth in Serie A, games unbeaten, a streak that flight promotion in the play- four points off the Europa has included them winning the off s last June. League berths with a game Spanish Super Cup in Saudi Ara- Real Madrid’s Brazilian midfielder Casemiro (right) heads the ball to score his second goal during the La Liga match against Sevilla at the Verona said that the 23-year- in hand. bia last weekend. Santiago Bernabeu Stadium in Madrid yesterday. (AFP) old will join Empoli “on a tem- Tuscan side Empoli were Ramos, who is still recovering porary basis” with the parent relegated to Serie B last from an ankle injury, paraded the ter they appointed him, and his had been blocked albeit only by a mer, scuff ed his clearance and banging the ball into the far, club having a right to reclaim season and are sitting 15th in club’s latest trophy on the pitch Sevilla side arguably deserved small, but seemingly deliberate, after Casemiro muscled through bottom corner. Yet parity was their player. the table. before kick-off . more. Converting impetus into step from Nemanja Gudelj. on the edge of the area, Jovic short-lived as Casemiro nodded Former Scotland U21 interna- Benzema came on in the sec- goals has been their problem all Marcelo was lucky not to con- found him again with a deft in Lucas Vazquez’s cross from a tional Henderson has made 35 ond half after shaking off a season, and so it proved again. cede a penalty for a shirt-pull. backheel. Casemiro chipped the standing start after being given appearances for Verona and dead leg but Bale’s absence was After an even start, they Sevilla were controlling the ball in and pointed at Jovic in too much space by Jules Kounde. scored three goals since mov- more mysterious. The Welsh- gradually took charge and as the midfi eld and denying their op- celebration. Toni Kroos might have added ing north in 2018 from Serie B man missed the trip to Jeddah home crowd grew frustrated, Se- ponents routes through to the Sevilla could have wilted but a third for Madrid late on after a side Bari, who were demoted through illness but had returned villa grew in confi dence too. front three. Yet 12 minutes into instead they equalised, only to racing run by Vinicius Junior but to the fourth tier after finan- to training on Tuesday. De Jong thought he had scored the second half, some creative concede again fi ve minutes later. Vazquez almost gifted Sevilla an cial diff iculties. Lopetegui was back at the when he was given a suspicious brilliance saw Madrid take the First, Raphael Varane, Casem- equaliser after a dreadful back- He made a positive start to life Santiago Bernabeu for the fi rst amount of space in the area to lead. iro and Marcelo all missed tack- pass. Youssef En-Nesyri, signed in Serie A playing the entire time since he was sacked by head in from a corner and VAR Sergio Reguilon, bought by les and after Munir El Haddadi from Leganes on Friday, fl ashed game in a 1-1 draw against Madrid last season, 138 days af- showed his marker Eder Militao Sevilla from Madrid last sum- stumbled, De Jong took over, wide.

FOCUS Setien demands attractive football from Barca AFP Setien said his fi rst week has Madrid been positive. “The week went really well,” Setien said. “It has been much ew Barcelona boss better than I expected because Quique Setien threw when you come to a new team, down a challenge to there’s always some uncertainty his players yesterday about how they will respond. Nwhen he said he will never be “But I was surprised by their happy if the Catalans fail to play willingness to work and to ac- the beautiful game - even if they cept some of those changes that win. Setien faces his fi rst game any new coach proposes when he as Barca coach against Gra- arrives. I am very happy about nada today, having replaced the everything. From their attitude to sacked Ernesto Valverde earlier their ability, and they have under- this week. stood. It has all been wonderful.” He arrives with a reputa- Club president Josep Maria tion for attacking, possession- Bartomeu said he hoped Setien’s based football but his team arrival would create a “new dy- cannot afford much of a transi- namic” that could propel Bar- tion period, given they sit top celona to victory in the league, of La Liga but level on points Champions League and Copa del with Real Madrid. Rey. “Pressure is not imposed They play Granada at home on me by the club, I impose it on after a run of one win in fi ve myself,” said Setien. games. “I always want to win,” “I know where I am and they said Setien in a press conference don’t have to remind me because yesterday. “If I win playing bad- every morning I will work my ly, I will not go home happy and I hardest and tell the players we will never tell the players that the have to win. I will try to avoid result was worth it. anything that distracts me from “We are all smart and able to the job or takes away my energy. understand that if you play well, I know there will be criticism, you have a better chance of win- win or lose.” The 61-year-old ning. That is my explanation. I even took part in some of Bar- will always try to make my team celona’s training this week when play well because that way we he played in a “rondo” next are more likely to win.” to Messi. “I feel football from within,” Setien said. “I know TEARS FOR MESSI how old I am but I need that en- Setien has openly expressed his ergy.” Luis Suarez will miss the admiration for Barcelona’s play- game against Granada with a ers in the past, in particular Li- knee injury and Setien kept open onel Messi, about whom he once the possibility of signing another said he would cry forever when striker in January. the Argentinian retires. Ousmane Dembele is still re- The challenge will be to estab- covering from a hamstring tear lish his authority over the squad but Arthur Melo could return af- and gain the players’ respect but ter overcoming a groin problem. Barcelona’s new coach Spaniard Quique Setien (centre) during a training session at the Joan Gamper Sports City training ground in Sant Joan Despi yesterday. (AFP)

Sunday, January 19, 2020 GULF TIMES FOOTBALL

BUNDESLIGA Haaland bags 20-minute hat-trick on Dortmund debut AFP would advise against expecting into the second half. Berlin too much, but he brings us a lot The game became an end- of strength and has an incred- to-end aff air and Niederlech- ible mentality,” said Dortmund ner grabbed Augsburg’s third by orwegian rising star sporting director Michael Zorc. tapping in. But it was one-way Erling Braut Haaland traffi c thereafter as Dortmund came off the bench to ‘HUGE POTENTIAL’ coach Lucien Favre brought on claim a hat-trick in- Following Haaland’s stunning Haaland for defender Lukasz Nside 20 minutes on his Borussia entrance, Dortmund scored two Piszczek. Dortmund debut and inspire a goals in as many minutes as “He moves well between the 5-3 comeback win at Augsburg he fi red in off the post, before lines, gives us more attacking in the Bundesliga yesterday. England winger Jadon San- possibilities and at 19 years old, The 19-year-old showed why cho netted from a tight angle to he has a huge potential for im- Dortmund paid Salzburg 20 mil- equalise. provement, that’s the most im- lion euros ($22 million) for him Haaland put Dortmund ahead portant thing,” said Favre. last month when he came on in for the fi rst time with 18 minutes However, he warned Haaland the 56th minute with his new left when he tapped home after is not fi t enough yet to play a full team 3-1 down. Thorgan Hazard got in behind match. “He hardly trained over “I am pretty relaxed about it... the Augsburg defence, with the Christmas with a knee injury, I don’t really know why,” said goal awarded despite a VAR re- so he is not yet ready to play 90 Haaland. “I’m at a fantastic club view for off side. minutes.” with great team-mates and good Haaland completed his treble Elsewhere, South Korean people around me. I came here to when captain Marco Reus played Kwon Chang-Hoon and Nils Pe- score goals and it was a good de- him into the area, slamming the tersen scored Freiburg’s goals in but for me.” ball home to make it 5-3. It had a 2-1 win at Mainz which moved Dortmund’s victory left them been a vastly diff erent game un- their side sixth. fourth in the Bundesliga table, til Haaland’s stunning entrance. Werder Bremen kept a clean level on points with defend- Augsburg deserved to be in sheet for the fi rst time this sea- ing champions Bayern Munich control, taking advantage of son as an own goal by Florian and Schalke, four points behind poor Dortmund defending with Kastenmeier secured a 1-0 win leaders RB Leipzig, who host the opening goal from striker at Fortuna Duesseldorf. Union Berlin later. Florian Niederlechner before Colombian striker Jhon Cor- Having already scored 28 goals Marco Richter’s stunning long- doba scored twice as Cologne in 22 games for Salzburg this range strike 20 seconds into the pulled further away from the season, Haaland needed just 183 second half. bottom three with a 3-1 win at seconds to open his Dortmund The shock of falling two goals home to Wolfsburg. account, then added two more down woke up the Dortmund at- US international Timothy in quick succession for his sixth tack as Germany winger Julian Chandler scored the winner as hat-trick of the campaign. Brandt fi red home their fi rst goal mid-table Eintracht Frankfurt “He is still young and we off the crossbar just four minutes won 2-1 at Hoff enheim. Borussia Dortmund’s Erling Braut Haaland celebrates scoring their fifth goal to complete his hat-trick against Augsburg yesterday. (Reuters)

EPL SERIE A Immobile hits hat-trick as Lazio Guardiola’s birthday crush Sampdoria

AFP Lecce. Immobile played a role Milan in Felipe Caicedo’s opener after just seven minutes in the Stadio Olimpico. iro Immobile scored He added two more goals in ruined as Palace a hat-trick as Lazio a three-minute fi rst-half spell, thrashed ten-man the fi rst from the spot after a Sampdoria 5-1 yester- Nicola Murru handball. Deeney penalty saved but Cday to consolidate third place The 29-year-old striker ran in Serie A and keep the pressure rings around the Sampdoria Watford dent Spurs’ Euro hopes, on leaders Juventus and Inter defence after picking up a long Milan. Francesco Acerbi ball to put his Arsenal held again by Sheff ield Simone Inzaghi’s side ex- team three up after 20 minutes. snatch point tended their club record winning Immobile converted a sec- streak to 11 games as they target ond penalty on 65 minutes after AFP a fi rst Serie A title since 2000 Angolan defender Bastos tapped London with Immobile the runaway top in nine minutes after the break, scorer in Serie A with 23 goals. bringing his tally to 23 goals this “If we get to seven, eight, ten season – three more than Samp- ep Guardiola’s 49th birthday games from the end and we are doria have scored. celebrations went fl at as Fern- still there, why not try to still Sampdoria played the fi nal andinho’s late own goal forced believe? But for now the goal re- quarter of an hour a man down Manchester City to settle for a mains the Champions League,” after Julian Chabot was sent off P2-2 draw against Crystal Palace, while insisted Immobile. bringing down Bobby Adekanye. Tottenham’s hopes of fi nishing in the top “The important thing is to Karol Linetty pulled a goal four were dented by a goalless stalemate continue like this without get- back for the Genoa side after 69 at Watford yesterday. ting carried away.” minutes, but Claudio Ranieri’s On a busy day of top-fl ight action, the Immobile is on course to over- side are now 16th, fi ve points pitchside VAR monitor was used in the take Gonzalo Higuain’s Serie A above the relegation zone. Premier League for the fi rst time at Nor- record of 36 goals scored for Na- “I’m very happy, but we know wich and Arsenal were held to a 1-1 draw poli in the 2015-2016 season. that there must be no rest,” said by Sheffi eld United. “Only Higuain achieved this Inzaghi after his 100th victory It was the drama at the Etihad Stadium so it’s tough,” continued Immo- on the Lazio bench. that took the spotlight as Fernandinho’s bile, whose previous best was 29 “We’ll enjoy these 11 success- last-gasp blunder left Guardiola in no goals in the 2017-2018 season. es plus the Italian Super Cup but mood to party after City’s faint hopes of “But with these teammates, now we fi rst have the Italian Cup retaining the title suff ered another ham- this crowd, this enthusiasm, with Napoli and then the (Ro- mer blow. The champions trail Liverpool we can continue to do well, and man) derby.” by 13 points ahead of the runaway leaders’ hopefully I can keep scoring. Ranieri lamented “the worst clash with rivals Manchester United today. “I always keep my feet on the game” since he took over in Oc- “It was a tight game. It’s diffi cult to ground and I’m already thinking tober. analyse when they shoot from one corner about Tuesday’s (Italian Cup) “Lazio were magnifi cent,” said and have no more chances,” Guardiola game against Napoli, which is the former Leicester City boss. said. “I told them to put more balls into very important.” “They are having fun and play the box and try to control Zaha on the Sampdoria had beaten Brescia by heart, we will see at the end counter-attack. We had many chances, 5-1 last time out but were over- of March early April where they unfortunately we could not win.” run by the Romans who move will be and in what condition.” Cenk Tosun marked his fi rst league three points behind Juventus Eighth-placed Torino travel start since his loan move from Everton and one adrift of Inter Milan. to Sassuolo, in 15th, later, look- with his maiden goal for the Eagles, the Atalanta and Roma are ten ing to keep their Europa League Turkish striker netting a close-range points behind. push on track as last season’s strike from Martin Kelly’s fl ick in the Eight-time reigning cham- runners-up Napoli, in 11th place, 39th minute. Sergio Aguero appeared to pions Juventus host Parma on host 14th-placed Fiorentina, af- have turned the game on its head in the Sunday with Inter Milan at ter losing their last two games. 82nd minute when the Argentine striker bagged his 250th goal in 360 games for the club. Aguero put City ahead in the 87th minute with a typically predatory header from Benjamin Mendy’s cross. But there was a sting in the tale for Guardiola as Fernandinho turned Wil- fried Zaha’s cross into his own net in the 90th minute to end second-placed City’s run of three successive league wins. Crystal Palace’s Wilfried Zaha celebrates with teammates after Manchester City’s Fernandinho scored an own goal yesterday. (Reuters) At Vicarage Road, Troy Deeney’s 70th-minute spot-kick was saved by line technology showing just 10.04mm of win over fellow strugglers Bournemouth ton, with Pedro Neto starting a second- Paulo Gazzaniga before Tottenham’s Erik the ball had not gone over. saw the pitchside monitor fi nally used to half revival that saw Raul Jimenez’s brace Lamela was denied a last-gasp winner by “I know it was only a couple of milli- decide a red card call. seal the points. Ignacio Pussetto’s goal-line clearance. metres but goal-line technology does not Norwich took the lead when Bourne- Everton drew 1-1 at West Ham after With England captain Harry Kane make mistakes like VAR. We have to ac- mouth defender Steve Cook was sent off Dominic Calvert-Lewin cancelled out sidelined after hamstring surgery, Tot- cept it was not a goal,” Mourinho said. after fl inging himself across the goal to Issa Diop’s opener for the hosts. Aston tenham have gone three league games Arsenal are 10 points adrift of the top block Teemu Pukki’s shot with his hand. Villa’s Jack Grealish rescued a 1-1 draw at without scoring. four after the Blades continued their Pukki fi red home the resulting penalty Brighton, who had taken the lead through superb fi rst season back in the Premier in the 33rd minute, but the Canaries had Leandro Trossard. TOOTHLESS TOTTENHAM League. Gabriel Martinelli broke the to survive a tense fi nish after Ben Godfrey Jose Mourinho’s side are without a win in deadlock in fi rst-half stoppage-time at was sent off in the 76th minute. RESULTS four league matches since December 26 the Emirates Stadium. Godfrey’s foul on Callum Wilson was Watford 0-0Tottenham and sit eight points behind fourth-placed The 18-year-old Brazilian striker ruled a red card by referee Paul Tierney Arsenal 1-1 Sheff ield United Chelsea. claimed his ninth goal of the season with after he checked with the monitor, a move Brighton & Hove 1-1 Aston Villa Toothless Tottenham thought they had a clinical fi nish from Bukayo Saka’s cross. that followed advice to offi cials from Pre- Manchester City 2-2 Crystal Palace stolen the points in stoppage-time when But Chris Wilder’s side snatched an mier League chiefs this week to use the Norwich City 1-0 Bournemouth Lamela fl icked Serge Aurier’s cross to- 83rd-minute equaliser when John Fleck screen more often. Wolverhampton 3-2 Southampton wards goal, but Watford’s new signing lashed home after Arsenal failed to clear. Wolves climbed to sixth after a thrilling West Ham 1-1 Everton Lazio’s Ciro Immobile celebrates scoring their second goal against Pussetto cleared off the line, with goal- Bottom of the table Norwich’s vital 1-0 fi ghtback in their 3-2 win at Southamp- Newcastle 1-0 Chelsea Sampdoria yesterday. (Reuters)