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Tuesday, January 17, 2017 FORMULA 1 Rabia II 19, 1438 AH Champs Mercedes GULF TIMES sign Bottas, Massa returns to Williams SPORT Page 9 GOLF Olesen looks to emulate Bjorn at Qatar Masters

By Sports Reporter ond Dane to lift the Mother of Pearl Tro- second at the BMW International Open Doha phy and follow the 2011 victory by Tho- in Germany in June so was delighted to mas Bjorn, the European for The fi nish the season on a high in Turkey and 2018 Ryder Cup. Australia. horbjorn Olesen will be looking “I feel like I’m getting closer and closer “It was a good time for me at the end to go one better than his runner- to winning the Commercial Bank Qatar of the year with the victory in Turkey up fi nish in last year’s Commer- Masters so it would be nice to go one step and winning the World Cup with Soren,” cial Bank Qatar Masters when he further and win this time,” said Olesen, said Olesen, who was playing in his third competesT in the tournament’s landmark who shared second with Rafa Cabrera World Cup but fi rst with Kjeldsen. 20th edition from January 26-29. Bello in last year’s tournament, having “I really hope I can now build on that Olesen, 27, is in fi ne form, having lifted tied for third with the Spaniard in 2014. fi nish and start 2017 strongly. Qatar has two trophies in November. The Dane won “I’ve had two really good results in Qa- become a fi xture on my schedule and I the Turkish Airlines Open for his fourth tar in the last three years and it would be play well there, so I’m really looking for- European Tour title in fi ve years and nice to secure a victory.” ward to the event.” three weeks later teamed up with Soren Olesen – who turned pro when he was Qatar Golf Association president Has- Kjeldsen in Australia to secure Den- 18 – has long shown star pedigree and san al-Naimi said, “Denmark were de- mark’s fi rst-ever win at the ISPS HANDA has had two top ten fi nishes in Major serving champions of the World Cup of World Cup of Golf in Melbourne. Championships, tying for ninth at The Golf and it’s great for our fans that Thor- Olesen, who fi nished a career-high Open Championship in 2012 and sixth bjorn Olesen will compete at Doha Golf 12th on the 2016 Race to Dubai Rankings at the following year’s Masters Tourna- Club again. We all look forward to this presented by Rolex, is now sizing up his ment. great young player challenging for the seventh successive appearance in Doha As well as his runner-up fi nish in title again after coming close in recent as he again bids to become only the sec- Qatar last January, Olesen also tied for years.”

TENNIS Heat is on as stars struggle

Murray comes through two hours, 47 minutes test at Aussie Open against Ukraine’s Marchenko 7-5, 7-6 (5), 6-2

Switzerland’s hits a return against Austria’s Jurgen Melzer during their first round singles Romania’s Simona Halep reacts after losing a point against Shelby Rogers of the US during their Australian Open first round match in Melbourne yesterday. (AFP) singles match in Melbourne yesterday. (AFP)

AFP route to a diffi cult 4-6, 6-4, 7-5, 4-6, both of her warm-up tournaments who pointed out that Williams turned Melbourne 6-4 win. and she took time to settle against professional in 1994, the year that Ko- “I stopped playing. He could play Tsurenko. But she also started slowly zlova was born. anywhere, the whole court,” a per- last year, when she had to save a match “I know how to play . I like to orld number one Andy plexed Klizan said. “He could play point against Misaki Doi in the fi rst think I’m good at this. She hasn’t had Murray was tested and anywhere on the court and he hit me.” round. the years that I’ve had yet, the grey Stan Wawrinka lost his As afternoon temperatures topped hairs and I’m dying, I guess. The wrin- cool as stars struggled on 32 Celsius (90 Fahrenheit), Murray ‘I’M DYING, I GUESS’ kles that I’m hiding... you’re trying to Wa hot fi rst day at the Australian Open came through a two hours, 47 minutes “The fi rst round is always tough. I’m make me feel old!” yesterday. test against Ukraine’s just trying to enjoy it and I’m so so Japan’s Nishikori, who says he is Roger Federer and Angelique Ker- 7-5, 7-6 (5), 6-2. happy to be in the second round,” Ker- primed to win his fi rst major title this ber, the defending women’s champi- He fared better than ber said. year, came through a fi ve-set battle on, both dropped sets on a day which and Marin Cilic, who were both taken Halep is rated as one of the fastest with Russia’s Andrey Kuznetsov 5-7, threatened a host of upsets at Mel- to fi ve sets, while Federer was extended players on the circuit but her usual zip 6-1, 6-4, 6-7 (6), 6-2. bourne Park. 7-5, 3-6, 6-2, 6-2 by Austria’s Jurgen was glaringly absent as she went down Cilic, the 2014 US Open winner, also In the event, fourth seed Simona Melzer. 6-3, 6-1 to American rising star Shelby needed fi ve as he came from two sets Halep was the only major casualty as “Any match is a good match,” said Rogers. down to dispatch 4-6, soaring afternoon temperatures gave the 35-year-old Federer, who missed Afterwards she said a knee injury 4-6, 6-2, 6-2, 6-3. way to a cool evening at Melbourne the second half of 2016 with a knee had slowed her down as she suc- China’s Zhang Shuai, who made Park. injury. cumbed in the fi rst round for the sec- a surprise run to last year’s quarter- Australia’s often hot-headed Nick “Even if I would have lost today, it ond consecutive year. fi nals, had an easier time with a 6-0, Kyrgios was uncharacteristically calm would have been good because I’m Venus Williams, the oldest player 6-3 win over Aliaksandra Sasnovich of as he thumped Gastao Elias 6-1, 6-2, back on the court.” in the women’s draw at 36, also found Belarus. 6-2, despite a nosebleed which halted Kerber, defending a Grand Slam herself with a fi ght on her hands but Olympic champion Monica Puig him mid-match. title for the fi rst time, laboured past she came through 7-6 (5), 7-5 against stormed through 6-0, 6-1 against Pa- But Wawrinka drew gasps as he Ukraine’s Lesia Tsurenko 6-2, 5-7, 6-2 22-year-old Kateryna Kozlova. tricia Tig before Canada’s Eugenie Bou- smashed a volley straight at a static in an unconvincing performance. “Girl, I don’t know,” she told on- chard continued her recent resurgence Switzerland’s Stan Wawrinka (left) goes to check on Slovakia’s Martin Klizan after Martin Klizan deep in the fi fth set, en The German was an early loser at court interviewer Samantha Smith, with a 6-0, 6-4 win over Louisa Chirico. hitting him with the ball in the first round match yesterday. (Reuters) Gulf Times 2 Tuesday, January 17, 2017 TENNIS

FOCUS SPOTLIGHT Murray, Nishikori call Djokovic aware of for Davis Cup revamp AFP Sunday. Melbourne “We chatted about a lot of diff er- ent changes. The one thing that we all agreed upon was that the neutral venue ndy Murray and Kei is not right,” Murray said. Nishikori said the Davis Cup Ties for the Davis Cup, billed as the Verdasco threat as badly needed an overhaul ‘World Cup of tennis’, are spread across yesterday as concerns grow the year and teams that reach the fi nal overA its ability to attract top players. will have played four weekends at ven- Top-ranked Murray said talks were ues around the world. underway in the ATP Player Council to “I hope they can make some chang- make the event more attractive, with es. Yeah, right now I think it’s way too its format and scheduling both in the much to play three times or even if you fi ring line. play fi nal, maybe four times,” Nishikori 7th title bid begins Nishikori said he was skipping Ja- said. pan’s upcoming Davis Cup tie, even “I think that has to change, for sure, though it is in Tokyo, because he al- to make it shorter. I think all the players ‘I hope I will not get to the stage where I have to defend match points’ ready has a packed playing schedule. — I don’t know if all, but I think most of “Everyone seems to be in agreement them are hoping to change.” Reuters that the format needs to change,” said Nishikori has pulled out of Japan’s Melbourne Murray, who led Britain to the Davis Davis Cup tie against France in Tokyo Cup title in 2015. the week after the Australian Open, “I do think it needs to change. If the blaming the scheduling of the teams orld number two Novak Djokovic needs top players aren’t playing, the event event. no reminder of the threat posed by loses value,” he added. “I’m not playing because of the Spain’s Fernando Verdasco as he begins Murray said there was clear opposi- schedule, it’s gonna be too tight,” his quest for a seventh Australian Open tion to the idea of holding the fi nal at Nishikori said. Wtitle today. a neutral venue, but that little else had “Going to South America, Rio and Djokovic saved fi ve match points against Verdasco been agreed. Buenos Aires, and if I play Davis Cup, in the semi-fi nals in Doha this month before prevail- Other suggestions include reduc- that’s way too much for my body and ing and going on to win the title by defeating arch ri- ing matches from fi ve sets to three and Indian Wells and Miami (tournaments) val Andy Murray in the fi nal. playing ties on Saturday and Sunday are coming up after. So I just decided The impressive nature of the 29-year-old’s victo- only, rather than Friday, Saturday and not to play.” ry over Murray quickly put a lid on talk of a Djokovic decline but he will be wary of four losses to Verdasco. “I can’t call it a nightmare draw. I just see it as a huge challenge. I hope I’ll be able to deliver,” Djoko- vic said of his 14th meeting with a player who owns a sledgehammer forehand. “He has won against most of the top players. He’s not overwhelmed by the occasion. I hope I will not get to the stage where I have to defend match points.” More serious questions have been asked about former champion Rafael Nadal who was beaten in round one by Verdasco last year. Nadal, without a hardcourt title for three years, was plagued by injury last year and has slipped to ninth in the rankings. Germany’s Florian Mayer, ranked 49, will be his fi rst test as he sets off to Nadal to become the rstfi man in the modern era and only the third man ever to win each of the four grand lam titles at least twice. The last of Nadal’s 14 majors came at the 2014 but he fi rmly believes a second Austral- Andy’s better-looking brother ian Open title is still a realistic goal. “If I don’t believe that I can be competitive, and You’ve got the Slams, I’ve got the looks when I mean ‘competitive’, is fi ghting for the things Jamie Murray was delighted to lord it over Andy after he was described as that I fought for during the last 10 years, I will be “much better looking” than his younger brother. While Jamie has a success- probably playing golf or fi shing at home,” he said. ful doubles career, Andy has three Grand Slam singles titles, two Olympic Big-serving Canadian Milos Raonic continues his gold medals and is the world number one — as well as being made a knight search for a maiden grand slam title against Ger- in Britain’s New Year Honours. All of which must have made the following many’s Dustin Brown while fl amboyant Frenchman exchange, tweeted by Jamie, all the sweeter. “Uber driver ‘hey, you look like Gael Monfi ls faces a stern test against Czech Repub- @andy_murray.’ Me — “yeh I get that a lot” Uber Driver — “you’re much better lic youngster Jiri Vesely. looking mind you.” Cheers Mate!” Bulgaria’s , fresh from winning the title in Brisbane, takes on Australian wildcard Twitter-free zone Christopher O’Connell. In the women’s draw 22-times grand slam cham- said he had no plans to set up a Twitter account, despite other pion Serena Williams faces a tough opener against players’ liking for the microblogging service. “I’m just not that sort of guy,” Switzerland’s Belinda Bencic. Polish third seed Ag- Tomic said, according to The Age. “I’m very, very bad with the phone and I nieszka Radwanska, last year’s semi-fi nalist, will have no focus level to stay on it for more than three seconds.” Australia’s Tom- hope to end her wait for a grand slam and will take on ic beat Brazil’s Thomaz Bellucci in straight sets to reach the second round, but Bulgaria’s Tsvetana Pironkova. not before some negative chatter about his dress sense. “Many like to push Young Spaniard Sara Sorribes Tormo, making her the boundaries with bright and clashing colours in the first major tournament fi rst appearance in Melbourne, has the daunting task of the season, and our own Bernard Tomic has done just that,” commented of taking on in-form Karolina Pliskova, who recently The Age, with a picture of the player in a clashing ensemble during training. broke into the top-fi ve after winning the Brisbane Novak Djokovic of Serbia leaps over the net during the Kids Day exhibition event ahead of the Australian “Well, Bernie, um...”. title this month. Open in Melbourne on Saturday. (AFP)

BOTTOMLINE I can win Australian Open whatever Fed says: Kyrgios

Reuters “So I know (Kyrgios) has got a big he’s the greatest of all time. I know crisp winners in his fi rst tour match Melbourne game, but he has to beat four, fi ve I just want to do my own thing. I since his 2016 season ended with an amazing players,” Federer told a local played him once, I beat him once. ATP suspension. newspaper, the Sydney Morning Her- “(But) if I didn’t think I’d win it, Kyrgios was sanctioned after the oger Federer may have his ald, before the tournament. why would I play?” he added. “I Shanghai Masters in October, where doubts about Australia’s “Can he do that right now? I’m not think I can win it. I’ve beaten pretty he berated fans, the umpire and Nick Kyrgios, but the fi re- sure. He can beat them, but not back to much everyone in the draw before. So walked off the court during a point. brand talent believes he is back to back to back-to-back, maybe. I think so.” But his ban was limited to three readyR to become his nation’s fi rst But I’m happy if he proves me wrong.” Kyrgios upset 14-times grand slam weeks after he agreed to see a psy- home grand slam winner in 40 years. Kyrgios has always spoken of champion Rafael Nadal to reach the chologist. The 21-year-old hammered 77th- 17-times grand slam champion Fe- Wimbledon quarters but is yet to play Kyrgios said, apart from the knee, ranked Portuguese Gastao Elias 6-1 derer with reverence and was re- defending champion Novak Djokovic he was “not in a bad space” and had 6-2 6-2 to storm into the second luctant, at fi rst, to address his com- on tour and holds a 5-0 losing record fun at his favourite Hisense Arena, round of the Australian Open yester- ments. against top seed Andy Murray. the most rowdy of Melbourne Park’s day, preserving his injured knee for But he did not fail to mention his Still only 21, questions remain over showcourts. a stiff er test against Italian Andreas 1-0 winning record over the Swiss his maturity in body and mind, and “It’s hard for me to stay happy on Seppi in the next round. great, having beaten him in three sets Federer is not the only one to ask if he the road,” he said of his meltdown in A quarter-fi nalist on his Wimble- in Madrid last year. has what it takes to win seven straight Shanghai. don debut in 2014 and again at Mel- “Yeah, I mean, I’m not going to say matches at a grand slam. “I know it’s a great opportunity bourne Park in 2015, Kyrgios has long anything back to him about it,” Kyr- Kyrgios has also been hampered to go and see new places. But I get been touted as a future grand slam gios said after thrashing Elias in 85 by a knee injury, which caused him homesick quite easily. champion. minutes. to hobble through the Hopman Cup “It’s not easy being away from But Federer has questioned his “Obviously it’s his opinion. Every- in Perth. your home, being away from your ability to become one at Melbourne body has it. But the lanky, mohawked tyro girlfriend. I just wanted to be with Park this year. “Doesn’t bother me at all. I know moved well against Elias, fi ring 21 them.”

Results Victor Estrella (DOM) bt Aljaz Bedene 7-5, 1-6, 6-4, 6-3; (ISR) bt (SUI) bt Martin Klizan (SVK) 4-6, 6-4, 3-6, 6-3, 6-4; Jelena Jankovic (SRB) bt (ITA) 6-1, 7-6 (3); Ashleigh Barty (AUS) (GBR) 7-6 (7), 7-5, 0-6, 6-3; 1-Andy Mur- Marcel Granollers (ESP) 5-7, 6-3, 6-2, 7-5, 4-6, 6-4; Steve Darcis (BEL) bt 26-Laura Siegemund (GER) 6-1, 1-6, 6-4; bt Annika Beck (GER) 6-4, 7-5; Stefanie MEN’S SINGLES (1st round) ray (GBR) bt Illya Marchenko (UKR) 6-0; Steve Johnson (USA) bt Federico Samuel Groth (AUS) 3-6, 6-3, 6-2, 6-2 Alison Riske (USA) bt Madison Brengle Voegele (SUI) bt Kurumi Nara (JPN) Jeremy Chardy (FRA) bt Nicolas 7-5, 7-6 (5), 6-2; Andrey Rublev (RUS) Del Bonis (ARG) 6-3, 6-4, 6-4; Paolo (USA) 7-5, 6-3; Kristyna Pliskova (CZE) 2-6, 6-2, 6-3; 11-Elina Svitolina (UKR) Almagro (ESP) 4-0 ret; Ryan Harrison bt Lu Yen-Hsun (TPE) 4-6, 6-3, 7-6 (0), Lorenzi (ITA) bt James Duckworth WOMEN’S SINGLES (1st round) bt Viktorija Golubic (SUI) 6-3, 2-6, bt Galina Voskoboeva (KAZ) 6-0, 6-2; (USA) bt (FRA) 6-3, 6-3; 19- (USA) bt Konstan- (AUS) 6-4, 7-6 (4), 6-7 (4), 6-4; Andreas 27-Irina Begu (ROM) bt Yaroslava 6-4; Sorana Cirstea (ROM) bt Irina Julia Boserup (USA) bt Francesca 6-4, 6-2; 10-Tomas Berdych (CZE) bt tin Kravchuk (RUS) 6-3, 6-4, 6-7 (5), Seppi (ITA) bt Paul-Henri Mathieu Shvedova (KAZ) 5-7, 6-3, 6-4; Samantha Khromacheva (RUS) 6-2, 6-1; 32-Anas- Schiavone (ITA) 6-2, 6-4; 24-Anastasia Luca Vanni (ITA) 6-1 ret; 29-Viktor 6-1; Malek Jaziri (TUN) bt Go Soeda (FRA) 6-4, 7-6 (4), 6-7 (3), 7-5; 14-Nick Crawford (USA) bt Lauren Davis (USA) tasija Sevastova (LAT) bt Nao Hibino Pavlyuchenkova (RUS) bt Evgeniya Troicki (SRB) bt Damir Dzumhur (BIH) (JPN) 6-3, 6-4, 6-3; Diego Schwartz- Kyrgios (AUS) bt Gastao Elias (POR) 4-6, 6-3, 6-0; 7-Garbine Muguruza (JPN) 6-4 ret; Kristina Kucova (SVK) Rodina (RUS) 6-1, 7-6 (2); 8-Svetlana 6-4, 6-4, 2-6, 2-6, 6-3; Alex De Minaur man (ARG) bt 22- (URU) 6-1, 6-2, 6-2; 12-Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (ESP) bt Marina Erakovic (NZL) 7-5, bt Christina McHale (USA) 6-4, 6-0; Kuznetsova (RUS) bt Mariana Duque (AUS) bt Gerald Melzer (AUT) 5-7, 6-3, 6-3, 6-3, 6-0; Dusan Lajovic (SRB) bt (FRA) bt Thiago Monteiro (BRA) 6-1, 6-4; Shelby Rogers (USA) bt 4-Simona 13-Venus Williams (USA) bt Kateryna (COL) 6-0, 6-1; 1-Angelique Kerber 2-6, 7-6 (2), 6-1; 31-Sam Querrey (USA) Stephane Robert (FRA) 6-3, 6-3, 6-3; 6-3, 6-7 (5), 6-2; Karen Khachanov Halep (ROM) 6-3, 6-1; Mona Barthel Kozlova (UKR) 7-6 (5), 7-5; Natalia Vikh- (GER) bt Lesya Tsurenko (UKR) 6-2, bt Quentin Halys (FRA) 6-7 (10), 7-6 7-Marin Cilic (CRO) bt Jerzy Janowicz (RUS) bt Adrian Mannarino (FRA) 6-4, (GER) bt Destanee Aiava (AUS) 6-3, 7-6 lyantseva (RUS) bt Vania King (USA) 5-7, 6-2; Carina Witthoeft (GER) bt Eri (4), 6-3, 6-4; Mischa Zverev (GER) bt (POL) 4-6, 4-6, 6-2, 6-2, 6-3; Alexan- 3-6, 7-6 (9), 6-3; 23-Jack Sock (USA) bt (4); 29-Monica Puig (PUR) bt Patricia 6-3, 6-2; Jaimee Fourlis (AUS) bt Anna Hozumi (JPN) 7-5, 7-6 (6); Peng Shuai Guillermo Garcia-Lopez (ESP) 6-3, der Bublik (KAZ) bt 16-Lucas Pouille Pierre-Hugues Herbert (FRA) 6-4, 7-6 Tig (ROM) 6-0, 6-1; Varvara Lepchenko Tatishvili (USA) 6-4, 6-3; 20-Zhang (CHN) bt 23-Darya Kasatkina (RUS) 7-6 (5), 6-4; 5-Kei Nishikori (JPN) bt (FRA) 6-0, 3-6, 6-3, 6-4; Noah Rubin (4), 6-3; Dan Evans (GBR) bt Facundo (USA) bt 19-Kiki Bertens (NED) 7-5, 7-6 Shuai (CHN) bt Aliaksandra Sasnovich 6-0, 7-6 (5); 10-Carla Suarez (ESP) bt Andrey Kuznetsov (RUS) 5-7, 6-1, 6-4, (USA) bt Bjorn Fratangelo (USA) 6-7 Bagnis (ARG) 7-6 (8), 6-3, 6-1; 17-Roger (5); Duan Yingying (CHN) bt Rebecca (BLR) 6-0, 6-3; Pauline Parmentier Jana Cepelova (SVK) 6-2, 6-2; Eugenie 6-7 (6), 6-2; 27-Bernard Tomic (AUS) (4), 7-5, 3-6, 6-2, 6-2; Lukas Lacko Federer (SUI) bt Jurgen Melzer (AUT) Sramkova (SVK) 6-3, 6-4; Julia Goerges (FRA) bt Misaki Doi (JPN) 7-5, 7-5; Coco Bouchard (CAN) bt Louisa Chirico bt Thomaz Bellucci (BRA) 6-2, 6-1, 6-4; (SVK) bt 26-Albert Ramos (ESP) 4-6, 7-5, 3-6, 6-2, 6-2; 4-Stan Wawrinka (GER) bt Katerina Siniakova (CZE) Vandeweghe (USA) bt 15-Roberta Vinci (USA) 6-0, 6-4 Gulf Times Tuesday, January 17, 2017 3 TENNIS

FOCUS HARD TALK Venus not in Inspired by Melbourne for ‘kicks and giggles’

Federer, Bencic AFP wrapping herself in an ice towel at the Melbourne changeover. The second set was equally tight be- fore Williams got a break to make it 6-5 eteran campaigner Venus then wrapped up the match, to the de- Williams says is not at the light of the centre court crowd. Australian Open for “kicks “I really have to give her a lot of cred- eyes Serena upset and giggles” after grinding it for playing a match that was not a lot Vpast Ukrainian youngster Kateryna Ko- of errors and just relentless,” said Wil- zlova in two gruelling sets yesterday. liams. Swiss player plans to draw on her victory over the American in Canada in 2015 The American seven-time Grand “I guess when I walk out there I have Slam winner, who turns 37 this year, to expect that from my opponents... Reuters showed she is still up for a fi ght after not an easy fi rst round, but a great fi rst Melbourne coming through a near two-hour fi rst round to get through, for sure.” round marathon 7-6 (5), 7-5 in stifl ing She next faces either Swiss quali- conditions. fi er Stefanie Voegele or Japan’s Kurumi t was when she spotted Roger Fe- The world number 17, who played Nara. derer pretending to play the bongo her fi rst Australian Open in 1998 and drums during one of her matches turned professional in 1994, the year SERENA’S FIANCE GETS VENUS’S at the Hopman Cup in Perth this her opponent was born, said the desire SEAL OF APPROVAL Imonth that Belinda Bencic really knew to win was still burning. Williams has given her seal of approval she was having fun. “Just like every player here, I have to younger sister Serena’s fi ancee, call- And that fun, combined with a few put in a ton of work. I’m not coming all ing Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian tips from the record 17-time grand- the way to Australia for kicks and gig- a “super nice guy”. slam winner, has left the 19-year-old gles. I’m here as a competitor,” she said. Serena, 35, broke news of her impend- in the mood to cause Serena Williams “I mean, you saw me out there today, ing nuptials with a poem in late Decem- a few problems when they meet in the the intensity level and what it takes to ber on her verifi ed Reddit account, re- fi rst round of the Australian Open to- win in even a fi rst-round match against vealing the 33-year-old went down on day. a player you may not even know. one knee during a trip to . “That was the best thing,” Bencic “It’s hard work. It’s not easy. That “He’s a super nice guy,” Venus, 36, said, laughing at the memory of Fed- love is there.” said of Ohanian. “You never know how erer hamming it up with some shadow Williams, competing in a 73rd Grand the things are going to end. In this case, drumming. “I won like four games (in Slam, extending her Open-era record, it’s not gonna end, so it’s great.” a row) after that.” pulled out of the lead-up Auckland Venus added that she was overjoyed Bencic, a former junior Wimbledon Classic with an arm injury following for her “wise” sister. and French Open champion, com- her fi rst-round match, setting back her “She’s much smarter than I am. She’s bined with Federer to make a formida- Grand Slam preparations. a wise woman. She’s actually getting a ble mixed doubles partnership. But she was still too good for the un- real life,” she said yesterday. Spending time with the 35-year-old seeded 22-year-old Kozlova. “She’s paving the way, once again, former world number one n inspired The oldest woman in the draw and for me. Maybe I’ll grow up. Bencic and renewed her belief that she seeded 13 at Melbourne Park, she bat- “But it’s been an awesome year for can climb back up the rankings from tled back in a seesawing fi rst set to take her, and this will be a great year again.” her current mark of 59th after a frus- it to a tiebreaker on Rod Laver Arena. Serena said at the weekend she was trating 2016 season interrupted by a She narrowly got the upper hand to so focused on trying to win a 23rd number of injuries. Switzerland’s Belinda Bencic attends a promotional event ahead of the Australian Open in Melbourne on Sunday. (AFP) win it with an ace after a tough 67 min- Grand Slam title that she hadn’t let her “He’s very fun,” said Bencic, who utes, pumping her fi st in relief before engagement sink in. peaked at seventh in the world before went right but I was just trying to hang “I was so young and I didn’t enjoy the injury problems and dropped out in there, enjoy being on the court it really. I was stressing out, having of the top 50 this week. against her, play good rallies, good pressure with the ranking. “We got to know each other and he shots and always fi ght,” Bencic said of “My career was going up and there gave me advice, tips. He’s such a re- her 3-6 7-5 6-4 win. is a point where you have to deal with laxed and nice person, off the court, he “She had a (bad) phase and that’s the expectations. makes you relaxed.” when I could turn it around. “Then I felt a little diff erent, I got The tips were wide ranging. “In the third set, I was leading very injured, I was not in a very good mood, “How to set up your team, how to much but I was aware, she’s Serena, not very happy and when I came back I deal with the media, injuries, deal- she always turns it around. Until the put too much pressure on myself. ing with losing, with pressure, every- last point, I didn’t expect it could ac- “Now I just want to stay healthy and thing. It was great.” tually happen.” enjoy tennis, don’t look at the ranking, Williams, a six-times champion in Having recovered from her injury don’t try to defend points.” Melbourne, is the clear favourite for problems of 2016, Bencic has a re- their fi rst-round match but Bencic newed appreciation of how fortunate Serena Williams of the US hits a return plans to draw on her victory when they she is to be playing tennis for a living. during a practice session ahead of played in Canada in 2015. “I think a lot of players realise that the Australian Open in Melbourne on “At the start of that match not much later (in their careers),” she said. Sunday. (AFP) Venus Williams of the US serves against Ukraine’s Kateryna Kozlova during their first round match at the Australian Open in Melbourne yesterday. (AFP) BOTTOMLINE Fans barred SPOTLIGHT from Aussie Big Bash to big stage, Open aft er Zhang says Chinese Barty back with Beck win fl are-up players ready to shine AFP Melbourne Reuters AFP Melbourne Melbourne group of fans was barred from the Australian Open shleigh Barty stunned A yesterday after letting off hang Shuai said a group of Australian tennis fans flares nearby, recalling violent promising Chinese players who more than two years ago disturbances that have previously have grown up training togeth- when she turned her marred the Grand Slam tennis er were ready to shine as she backA on the sport to play top-level Zbreezed into the Australian Open sec- tournament. cricket. Police said they will study CCTV ond round yesterday. Yesterday, she signalled she was footage and hope to bring charges Zhang rescued her failing career back. after the group of 15-20 men let with her run to last year’s Melbourne The 20-year-old, free of a shoul- off a series of flares just metres quarter-fi nals and, now seeded 20th, der injury that forced her out of (yards) from the venue in central she impressed again with a 6-0, 6-3 qualifying for last week’s Hobart Melbourne. win over Aliaksandra Sasnovich from tournament, won her fi rst match at “A group of about 15 to 20 males Belarus. the Australian Open at her fourth were walking along the side of The 27-year-old world number 23 attempt with a 6-4 7-5 victory over the Yarra (river)... and a couple of said she wasn’t the only player from Germany’s Annika Beck. people in that group have let off Tianjin who could make an impact, as “It’s nice to fi nally get that fi rst some flares which is very danger- close friend Duan Yingying also won singles win here,” Barty told re- ous behaviour,” Inspector Trevor her fi rst match. porters yesterday. “I think you have Cornwell said, according to the “I’m really happy for everyone. So to enjoy it. You have to sort of ap- Herald Sun. many young players now are playing preciate what you’ve worked for, “We’re still ongoing with our inves- so well. We come from the same city,” what you’ve achieved.” tigations in regard to the males, Zhang said. Barty, who won a junior Wim- we’re reviewing some footage that “Since eight or nine years old, we’ve bledon title at 15, made three grand we have,” he added. been training in the same training cen- slam doubles fi nals with compa- Footage online showed several tre. We’ve been training together a long triot Casey Dellacqua in 2013 and flares burning in a riverside park time so I’m really happy to see so many faced Serena Williams on centre near the Australian Open venue, players from my country and my city court at Melbourne Park three which was packed with thousands play well. years ago, gave the game away in of fans on day one. “I hope they can play better and bet- late 2014. Cornwell said some of the group ter.” It was too much, too fast, she were wearing “national flags of a China has been waiting for another their fi rst-round matches on Tuesday. said at the time and wanted to have European country” but that the player to make their breakthrough af- Before last year’s Australian Open, a normal life for while, spend time Ashleigh Barty of Australia hits a return against Annika Beck of incident was not “race-related”. ter the 2014 retirement of Li Na, whose Zhang had never won a Grand Slam at home with friends and family Germany during their first round match at the Australian Open in In extraordinary scenes for a tennis two Grand Slam titles brought tennis to main draw match and was on the verge and play a team sport. Melbourne yesterday. (AFP) tournament, the Australian Open a mass audience in the country. of quitting tennis. Having impressed in club crick- was marred by fighting involving Duan, also 27, won in straight sets She said she felt confi dent on her re- et, she was signed by the Brisbane ago before losing to world number can upset fourth seed Simona Halep. ethnic Serbian, Croatian and Bos- 6-3, 6-4 against Rebecca Sramkova, turn to Melbourne, where she will play Heat for the inaugural women’s Big one Angelique Kerber. “Obviously I’ve developed a lot nian fans in 2007 and 2009. and can achieve her best Grand Slam America’s Alison Riske in round two. Bash competition in No- After getting a wildcard for the in the last few years, have matured Ahead of this year’s event, police performance yet if she beats America’s “I don’t want to compare it with last vember 2015, hitting 39 runs in her season-opening grand slam, she a lot,” she added. “I’m sort of not a warned troublemakers would not Varvara Lepchenko in round two. year because last year I did so well and I fi rst match. withdrew from qualifying in Ho- little kid anymore. I know how to be tolerated. Peng Shuai, who also lives in Tianjin just want to enjoy this year. I played re- She returned to tennis mid-way bart, preferring to ensure she was prepare a little bit better now. “Anyone caught causing trouble at and reached the US Open semi-fi nals ally well today,” she said. through last year, playing lower- ready for her return to the big show. “Doesn’t matter whether I’m the event can expect to be evicted in 2014, joined Zhang and Duan in the “I’m feeling very confi dent on court level tournaments and attempting Yesterday, she showed she was playing on a court at home or cen- or even face charges under the second round with a 6-0, 7-6 (5) win because I like it here so much. I hope to qualify for Wimbledon. defi nitely ready with her win over tre court here. I just go out and play Major Sporting Events Act,” said over Daria Kasatkina. I can keep the feeling I had today and Barty won her fi rst match at the Beck to set up a second round clash point-by-point and try and focus Superintendent Peter O’Neil. And Tianjin’s Wang Qiang is among play better and better. I’m looking for- Brisbane tournament two weeks with Shelby Rogers after the Ameri- on winning.” four Chinese women who will play ward to my next match.” Gulf Times 4 Tuesday, January 17, 2017 CRICKET

REPORT SPOTLIGHT Williamson Kohli says can fi res N Zealand win from to stunning win any situation On a dramatic final day, the Bangladesh second innings ended on 160-9 with captain Mushfiqur Rahim rushed to hospital after being felled by a bouncer

New Zealand’s captain Kane Williamson (L) reacts after reaching his century against Bangladesh at the Basin Reserve in Wellington yesterday.

AFP The next match is in Cuttack on AFP with Tom Latham departing for 16 and ted raced along at more than six runs an Wagner ...... 23 Thursday. Wellington Jeet Raval for 13. over in their 163-run third wicket part- c Watling b Wagner ...... 5 “The sooner you learn (from a “Coming into last two sessions and ei- nership to seal victory. Mehedi Hasan run out (Santner) ...... 1 particular situation), I think the ther team could win it. That’s what Test Williamson brought up his century Shakib Al Hasan c Williamson b Santner . irat Kohli said India team benefi ts from it and you be- ane Williamson scored his 15th cricket is about. — levelling the scores with a sweep off ...... 0 have the self-belief to come a stronger unit,” said Kohli century as New Zealand staged a “When you’re two for 30, 200 can be Mehedi Hasan to the boundary — before Sabbir Rahman c Watling b Boult ...... 50 win from any situation who is widely recognised as the remarkable fi ghtback to win the quite a long way away in the last innings.” ending the game with a single off the next Mushfiqur Rahim retired hurt ...... 13 after they chased down best chaser in the game. fi rst Test against Bangladesh by Williamson defended the use of the ball. Bangladesh had been in command Taskin Ahmed b Boult ...... 5 Va daunting 351 target against Eng- Calling Jadhav’s knock as Kseven wickets in the fi nal session in Wel- bouncer as a legitimate weapon to pres- for nearly four days, until their second Kamrul Islam c de Grandhomme b land in his fi rst match since taking “outstanding”, Kohli praised his lington yesterday. sure Bangladesh in their second innings innings lasted fewer than 58 overs to end Southee ...... 1 over the one-day side captaincy team-mate for crafting his in- He described it has “a second-innings but admitted Mushfi qur’s injury did not at 160 for nine. Subashis Roy b Boult ...... 0 full-time. nings to perfection in front of a match” where Bangladesh’s fi rst innings help the tourists. First innings hero Shakib al-Hasan, Extras (nb 1) ...... 1 India appeared to be head- raucous home crowd, saying that 595 and New Zealand’s 539 in reply were “That certainly didn’t help Bangla- whose 217 is a record high score for a Total (nine wickets, 57.5 overs) ...... 160 ing for a heavy defeat in Pune on some of his shots were barely be- in eff ect removed from the equation when desh’s cause. It was a great (159) fi rst in- Bangladesh batsman, lasted only fi ve Fall of wickets: 1-50 (Tamim), 2-63 (Mah- Sunday night after being reduced lievable. the pressure went on. nings and it was very unfortunate he was balls before going for nought. mudullah), 3-66 (Mehedi), 4-66 (Shakib), to 63 for four before Kohli and the posted their highest On a dramatic fi nal day, the Bangladesh out with the injury.” It was a disappointing sequel to their 5-96 (Mominul), 6-137 (Taskin), 7-148 unheralded Kedar Jadhav struck ODI score against India after be- second innings ended on 160-9 with cap- There were no complaints from Bang- imposing fi rst innings of 595 for eight (Kamrul), 8-152 (Sabbir), 9-160 (Subashis) blistering centuries in a 200-run ing put into bat and then had the tain and prolifi c scorer Mushfi qur Rahim ladesh about the outcome however, with declared, presenting them with the un- Bowling: Boult 13.5-3-53-3, Southee 13-5- fi fth-wicket partnership. hosts in early trouble and Kohli rushed to hospital after being felled by a Tamim Iqbal, who took over the cap- wanted record of the highest score in the 34-1, Santner 16-5-36-2, Wagner 15-3-37-2 The pair’s dismissals in quick said the best way to some out of bouncer. taincy, saying they only had themselves fi rst innings to lose a Test. (1nb) succession put the outcome into the situation had been to “coun- He was later given the all-clear by doc- to blame. “In the second innings we could The previous mark was set more than New Zealand 2nd inns doubt again but before all-round- ter-attack”. tors but took no further part in the game have batted well. (We were) unlucky in 120 years ago, when Australia scored 586 T. Latham b Mehedi Hasan ...... 16 er Hardik Pandya held his nerve Kohli, who is now captain as Williamson and Ross Taylor launched the sense regarding injury, yes, but we against England at the Sydney Cricket J. Raval c&b Mehedi Hasan ...... 13 and smacked an unbeaten 40 to across all three international for- a batting onslaught reach their 217-run could have batted well,” he said with the Ground in 1894. K. Williamson not out ...... 104 take India home with 11 balls to mats, has said he wants to use target with time to spare in the fi nal ses- 595 never considered a match-winning R. Taylor c Mehedi Hasan b Subashis Roy spare. the England series as a chance to sion. Williamson, who ended on 104 not innings. Scorecard ...... 60 Kohli’s ton equalled Sachin prepare for the next World Cup in out off 90 balls, said he knew New Zea- “We always believed this Test match Bangladesh 1st innings 595-8 declared H. Nicholls not out ...... 4 Tendulkar’s record of 17 second 2019. land had a chance when they managed to is not over yet and there will be one ses- (Shakib Al Hasan 217, Mushfiqur Rahim Extras (b14, lb6) ...... 20 innings centuries, a fact made But he is also determined to get their fi rst innings within 56 runs of sion or period of 20-25 overs for both the 159; Wagner 4-151) Total (3 wkts, 39.4 overs) ...... 217 even more remarkable consider- defend India’s title in the Cham- Bangladesh. teams where whoever does well in that New Zealand 1st innings 539 (T. Fall of wickets: 1-32 (Raval), 2-39 ing he took 136 innings fewer than pions Trophy which is being held “From then on it became a second in- small session might win the Test match. Latham 177, M. Santner 73; Kamrul 3-87) (Latham), 3-202 (Taylor) the retired great, who was quick in England in June. nings match... when you go into the last “That’s what New Zealand did better Bangladesh 2nd innings (overnight 66-1) Bowling: Kamrul 7-0-31-0, Mehedi 11.4-0- to laud the centurions on Twitter. “We were under pressure but innings of a Test anything can happen,” than us and that’s why they are in win- Tamim Iqbal b Santner ...... 25 66-2, Shakib 10-0-30-0, Taskin 6-0-38-0, Former England captain the way we came out I think it just he said, admitting to some tense mo- ning position today.” Imrul Kayes not out ...... 36 Subashis 5-0-32-1 Michael Vaughan was far more builds our confi dence going into ments when New Zealand were 39 for two Williamson and Ross Taylor (60) bat- Mominul Haque c de Grandhomme b Toss: New Zealand succinct in his assessment of the next game,” said Kohli. the India captain, who is ranked This was the third time India among the top two in all three has chased down a 350-plus tar- BOTTOMLINE formats of the game. get and on each occasion Kohli “VIRAT KOHLI IS FROM has struck a century. ANOTHER PLANET #Fact,” Since his 2008 debut, India Vaughan tweeted, following it have overwhelmed targets of 300 with another entry in which he or more on eight occasions and rated the right-hander as the top Kohli failed to get a century in just batsman in each format. two of those wins. Bangladesh captain Mushfi qur “Even in the Test series we be- This was also the 15th time lieved that we could come back that a Kohli ton culminated in a from any situation and win the successful chase, more than any game,” Kohli, who led India to a other batsman has managed in 4-0 Test demolition of England this format. ‘fi ne’ aft er taking hit to the head last month, told reporters after India’s batting mainstay aver- Reuters sion. Team mate Tamim Iqbal told re- the match. ages a mind-boggling 91 in suc- Wellington porters that Mushfiqur was fine and “This was another case of the cessful one-day chases but his that he had been taken for checks as same thing. All 11 guys buying away record is slightly less im- a precaution. Television reported the into the idea and believing that pressive. angladesh captain Mushfiqur wicketkeeper was talking and had told we can win from any situation,” Of his 17th second innings cen- Rahim was taken to hospital them to tell his family in Bangladesh he said Kohli. turies, eight came in away match- yesterday after being hit on was okay. Mushfiqur, who scored 159 in The Eoin Morgan-led England es and only four outside Asia, in- the head by a bouncer from the first innings, was on 13 when he left team hit India hard with early cluding one in Harare. BNew Zealand’s Tim Southee but was the field. Play was held up for about 15 strikes as the veteran Yuvraj Singh Having built an almost im- reported to be doing “fine”. Mushfiqur, minutes. and Kohli’s predecessor Mahen- pregnable game and fuelled by who was wearing a helmet, slowly went Bangladesh’s Mushfiqur Rahim is carried away by ambulance staff after being Imrul Kayes, who retired hurt on 24 dra Singh Dhoni both fell cheaply. an insatiable hunger for runs, to the ground then rolled over onto his hit on the head at the Basin Reserve in Wellington yesterday. on Sunday after he suffered a hip in- But Kohli and local boy Jad- Kohli is unlikely to settle for just back and was immediately attended to jury, came back at the fall of the seventh hav, who recorded his second South Asian dominance and will by medical staff from both teams before The 29-year-old, who was deemed broken fingers, was moving his arms wicket but he could barely move and ODI century in just his 13th game, look to export his second innings paramedics with an on-site ambulance fit enough to bat on the final day of the and legs as he responded to treatment added 12 runs before Subashis Roy was enabled India to take a 1-0 lead excellence to grounds all over the rushed onto the field. first test after X-rays cleared him of following the incident in the first ses- bowled for a duck by Trent Boult. in the three-match ODI series. world. Gulf Times Tuesday, January 17, 2017 5 SPORT

CRICKET FOCUS Swepson the only Starc and Marsh to contentious call in miss ODI AFP David Beakley. Sydney “It is now at a point where he is unable to function at the level required. “He now requires a pe- ast bowler Mitchell Starc riod of rest and rehabilitation in and all-rounder Mitchell order to return to full fi tness,” Marsh will miss the third Beakley said. Marsh, aged 25, will Australian team one-day international miss the rest of the ODI series but Fagainst Pakistan in Perth on was named in Australia’s 16-man Leg-spinner Swepson’s aggressive approach secured him selection in an Australian Thursday, Cricket Australia said. squad to tour India next month Australia’s leading strike and hopes to recover in time. Test squad carrying hope rather than expectation on the looming Indian tour bowler needs a rest while Marsh New batsman Chris Lynn has has been carrying a shoulder in- also been ruled out of the Perth jury. match with an ongoing neck in- Starc will re-join the squad in jury but hopes to be fi t for the Sydney for the fourth match in rest of the series. the fi ve-leg series. Selectors added middle order “Mitchell has had a very big six batsman Peter Handscomb to the months and played a signifi cant ODI squad while a replacement amount of cricket,” said interim for Marsh will be announced in national selector Trevor Hohns. due course. “We needed to fi nd an oppor- Pakistan beat Australia by six tunity to give him a break and wickets in the second one-dayer with his schedule in the com- at the Melbourne Cricket Ground ings months we believe now is on Sunday, their fi rst ODI win on the appropriate time to give him Australian soil for 12 years. a match off .” The victory was also Paki- Marsh has been managing his stan’s fi rst ODI win at the MCG shoulder but can’t keep going since 1985 and levelled the series any longer, said physiotherapist at 1-1.

SPOTLIGHT Indian hockey is back to top, feels British star Jackson

IANS achieved in the past, even last season we had a very successful league (phase) campaign, fi n- ishing fi rst by (a diff erence of) ritain’s hockey star Ash- eight points but came up short in ley Jackson reckons that the semi-fi nals on shoot-outs,” the new crop of Indian Jackson said. Bplayers can be lethal in “We will set our sights high Leg-spinner Mitchell Swepson. the international stage and the for this season as I’m sure eve- recent success has only added to ryone else will, if we are playing their confi dence. with smiles on our faces then “I think it’s safe to say with the that doesn’t look good for all By Sam Perry Australia, under Darren Lehmann’s reign, Whereas classic bolters aren’t espe- mountain to its base is brutal. Now Glenn senior team’s performances over the other teams. We have a great The Guardian has attempted to restore a sense of hostil- cially new in Australian cricket, slow Maxwell, Shaun Marsh and Mitch Marsh the past four years and the jun- group in Rays, so it’s al- ity, dominance and imperiousness to its batting most certainly is. In a further de- re-emerge at its peak, though it’s hard to ior team now becoming World ways fun,” he added. cricket. Batsmen are rewarded for mov- parture from the imperious of old, Aus- tell who has the fl ag. It is presumed that Champions under the leadership Jackson, who will join his team s Trevor Hohns unveiled Aus- ing the game forward and bowlers have to tralia is now talking about batting long, Cartwright, like Callum Ferguson and of coach Harendra Singh, Indian for the week-long tralia’s squad for India in Feb- be lightning, or thunderous at worst. So not big. To that end, the selection of Matt Nic Maddinson before him, returns to the hockey is back to the top of the camp in , is also an ar- ruary, you could just about hear the stereotype goes. This squad, however, Renshaw fi t neatly. Broadly, there can back of an ever-lengthening queue. That table once again,” the drag-fl ick- dent fan of cricket and former Athe collective drawing of social is remarkable in its humility. It’s a side be few complaints over the selection of the former three have returned to its front er said in a release on Sunday. Indian skipper Mahendra Singh media breath. Its self-appointed soldiers tailored for the opposition, not its self- Australia’s top fi ve on form and statistics will be cold comfort. “I have spent four-fi ve years Dhoni, who co-owns the eastern readied themselves for another round image. Horses for courses wasn’t conven- alone, though hints continue about the Overall, it’s a squad where bets have playing (in the Hockey India city-based hockey franchise. of outrage at the mistakes of Australia’s ient, empty rhetoric after all. possible protection of Renshaw in favour been hedged. Hohns and his posse have League) alongside Manpreet “M.S. Dhoni is a pioneer of cricketing establishment. But the cus- When you move past the statistical va- of crowbarring Shaun Marsh into the XI. prioritised fl exibility over rigidity; it’s (Singh), Biru () the modern game as we know it tomary growl was reduced to mere prattle. garies of Fawad Ahmed, Adam Zampa and The heart seems to have grown fonder of geared for tinkering and fi nessing. That and Kothajit (Singh) who have all today, the fi rst of the modern era With the exception of Mitchell Swepson’s Swepson, the latter’s selection gives the Marsh for his absence; the “Asian spe- the fi nal selection was contentious is grown as players each year,” the of cricket, really taking a shot, selection, there was no dramatic drop- fi rst clue to Australia’s approach. It’s spin- cialist” has scored hundreds in Sri Lanka understandable. Previously, Australia’s Ranchi Rays captain added. making it to the next level where ping of jaws. Perhaps it’s because there’s heavy and seam-light. It’s diffi cult to re- and runs in the IPL, though he has never selection solutions typically presented “It’s also fun to see how some it is less about text book tech- a quiet, haunting sense of futility over member a time when an Australian squad played a Test in India. themselves clearly. Prolifi c batsmen were of the younger guys like Man- nique that they once taught us what lies ahead in India, enough to hear had more tweakers than quicks in it, but it As with most Australia squads of late, rewarded for runs in red ball cricket, deep (Singh) and Simranjeet for hours and hours back home,” Hohns’ announcement and simply shrug seems the visitors will try and spin to win. one could be forgiven for the odd fur- bowlers similarly so. (Singh) are getting on with their the Young Player of the Year one’s shoulders. The 16 going to Asia have Most concede that the Queenslander will rowed brow. Does Hilton Cartwright’s But these are ambiguous times. Crea- game.” 2009 said. more chance of success than most others be surplus to requirements early, but it is non-selection, for example, infer a mis- tive solutions have been sought against The 29-year-old has been one “Dhoni is someone who gets in the country and there are few else who telling that the NSP sought spin-bowling take was made in Sydney? It certainly has a nexus of almost no long-form cricket, of the most successful players the job done, no matter how it would likely infl uence the result markedly back-up before any other specialty. Also the whiff of empty experimentalism about a stated youth policy, and extended los- in the HIL, winning the coveted looks and entertaining along the enough to warrant serious indignation. telling is the infl uence of Shane Warne, it. His inclusion in Sydney seems aimless ing in Asia – nine in a row to be precise. title twice – fi rst with now-de- way. Having said that, I’m a con- But selections reveal more than just the whose recent glowing comments about now, to the point where you seriously It follows that people would be scratching funct in 2013 and ventional cricketer from back opinions of four men on the best 16 to win Swepson can’t have hurt the young leg- wonder whether each of the selectors their heads. Something transcendent will later with Ranchi Rays in 2015. home so I’d settle down to watch in February and March. They bring to light gie’s prospects. It would be cynical to view were thoroughly aware of his capabilities need to happen for Australia to compete This year too he is optimistic his Joe Root bat the fi rst three days philosophies and attitudes that bare in- this as mere nepotism. Say what you will before selection. They are, like anyone, seriously; a batting breakthrough, a bowl- team will set its sights high. of a Test match any day,” Jack- sight into how a country sees itself – and about Warne; when it comes to legspin, entitled to err, however the West Aus- ing masterclass, or, dare it be said, Glenn “I think our expectations are son, who has played nearly 200 how this view has evolved – over time. his endorsement is high praise. tralian’s steep descent from atop the No6 Maxwell’s arrival. always high because of what we international games admitted.

SPECULATION BOTTOMLINE PCB hopeful despite Windies De Villiers’ future in snub to play in Pakistan

IANS “We are the confi rmed hosts of Lahore the PSL (Pakistan Super League) fi nal in Lahore, so once it’s done in doubt it will create an opening plus IANS he Pakistan Cricket Board former England cricket head Cape Town (PCB) remains hopeful Giles Clarke is visiting Pakistan of hosting international from January 28 so he will also cricket here soon despite assess the situation.” outh African batsman AB de Villiers Ta decision by Cricket West Indies A Cricket West Indies delega- is close to retiring from Test cricket in to pass on an off er of a two-game tion had been expected to visit order to extend his time in limited- Twenty20 International series in later this month to assess the overs formats, a media report said Lahore. Pakistan has not hosted security situation in the coun- Syesterday. a major cricketing nation since try, ahead of the proposed tour “I’m not sure how AB will feel in terms of 2009 because of terrorist attacks in March. However, Shaharyar Test cricket so we will have to see,” South Af- and had hoped the West Indies Khan said the Caribbean body rican Test skipper Faf du Plessis was quoted would have accepted the invita- had indicated their unwilling- as saying by Cricket Australia’s website. tion for the two games in March, ness to follow through with the South Africa whitewashed Sri Lanka 3-0 in in return for the Asian side play- series. “The West Indies board a three-match series, winning by an innings down from Test captaincy after they com- “We need to sit down with him and plan ing a similar series in Florida, PCB Chairman Shaharyar have conveyed to us verbally and 118 runs in Johannesburg on Saturday. pleted an impressive 2-1 series win over Aus- his future,” Domingo told cricket.com.au on United States later that month, Khan. that the ‘thing’ is off ,” Khan said. “We are excited to have him back in the tralia in December. Sunday. reports CMC. cricketing nations. “Foreign “The West Indies players’ union one-day team. I am hoping he decides to play The 32-year-old has recovered from his “AB has got to make that decision, I can’t However, security concerns teams rely a great deal on the is not willing, so at the moment (Tests) for us. He is obviously a world-class elbow problem to make his return in South decide on whether he plays or not. When I of the Caribbean body scup- travel advisories from their em- they have refused.” batter and I, as a captain, would love to have Africa’s domestic 50-over competition, and say that, I mean AB has got to make the de- pered any idea of the tour but bassies in Pakistan so once that The West Indies are set to him as a leader in our team, and obviously as is scheduled to play his fi rst match next Sun- cision about whether he is available and with former England and Wales changes and becomes positive host Pakistan in a full series from a batter. He is a fantastic player.” day. the selectors have got to make the decision Cricket Board Chairman Giles only then can we expect to con- March 31 to May 10, playing three Struggling with an elbow injury that has South Africa coach Russell Domingo said whether he plays.” Clarke travelling here later this vince teams (to come),” PCB Tests, three One-Day Interna- seen him out of action since May 2016, de team offi cials would discuss the playing fu- “He has obviously got to make some deci- month, the PCB is hoping this Chairman Shaharyar Khan said tionals and two Twenty20 Inter- Villiers, the dashing right-hander also stood ture with de Villiers. sion about his future in cricket.” can ease the worries of other on Sunday. nationals. Gulf Times 6 Tuesday, January 17, 2017 SPORT

NBA FOCUS Dunleavy settles in, Harden’s triple-double Raptors batter Knicks

AFP leads Rockets past Nets Los Angeles ike Dunleavy is fi tting in nicely ‘We just could never stop them. I don’t think we stopped them the whole night’ with his new team, scoring a sea- son-high 20 points as the Atlanta Hawks beat the Milwaukee Bucks M111-98 on Sunday. Dunleavy, who was playing in just his second NBA game with the Hawks, initially baulked at a trade to Atlanta that sent Kyle Korver to the Cleveland Cavaliers. It took a meeting with coach Mike Budenholzer to convince him it was a good career move. “It’s new for me and it’s new for them,” Dunleavy said. “Of all the teams to come to, it’s been easy to fi t in here.” Dunleavy was four for fi ve on three-pointers and posted his fi rst 20-point game since April 2015, when he played for Chicago. Atlanta has won for the eighth time of its last nine games. Atlanta also got 24 points from guard Kent Bazemore and 18 points, eight rebounds and fi ve assists from forward Paul Millsap. Milwaukee was led by forward Giannis An- tetokounmpo with 33 points, eight rebounds and six assists. Elsewhere, DeMar DeRozan scored 23 points as a physical Toronto Raptors outmuscled the New York Knicks 116-101. DeRozan added fi ve assists and fi ve rebounds for Toronto but it was the no-nonsense defen- sive eff ort from his team that delighted Raptors coach Dwane Casey. “I was really proud of the way the starters came out and set the tone, especially starting the third quarter,” Casey said. “(We) came out, set the tone defensively and built a 30-plus (point) lead, so my hats off to those guys.” Kyle Lowry, who fi nished with 16 points, nine assists and four rebounds, for Toronto, agreed. “I just think we got more physical,” Lowry said of the defense. “I think we started to get more physical after the fi rst part of the fi rst quarter and we just kept going. “The bigs did a good job of rebounding and we got out and were able to run.”

Third quarter burst Toronto eff ectively sealed victory in the third quarter, outscoring the Knicks 27-8. The Rap- tors third win in a row improved their record to 27-13 in the Eastern Conference standings. The Canadian franchise has now defeated the Knicks in fi ve straight games. Nets centre Justin Hamilton (R) defends against a shot by Houston Rockets guard James Harden during the NBA game at Barclays Centre. PICTURE: USA TODAY Sports “We weren’t getting the stops, were not scoring, had some looks, but when you’re not Reuters Gordon returned from miss- night our rhythm was there,” Ariza whole night.” The Rockets reached the cen- scoring, that’s when you have to focus defen- New York ing two games with the injury and said. Brook Lopez rested for the fourth tury mark with 1:42 left on a reverse sively and say, ‘OK we may not be scoring, but missed six of nine 3-pointers Friday Montrezel Harrell contributed 16 time and his replacement Justin baseline dunk by Sam Dekker, who we can stay in this game with defense,’” Knicks when the Rockets misfi red on 21 of while Ryan Anderson and Patrick Hamilton scored 11 points. had another dunk on Houston’s next coach Jeff Hornacek said. ric Gordon’s sprained left 24 long range attempts after half- Beverley chipped in 12 apiece. Trevor Booker led the Nets with possession. “We weren’t good enough to play any de- big toe was not normal on time and blew a 16-point lead in a While the Rockets generated the 18 points, Rondae Hollis-Jeff erson Harden ended the third with fense and it just ballooned out from there.” Friday and neither was the 110-105 loss to the Memphis Griz- energy on both ends, the Nets wilt- added 14, Randy Foye contributed a spinning foul line jumper over Carmelo Anthony led the Knicks with 18 pace and 3-point rhythm of zlies. ed after hanging around in the fi rst 13 but those fi gures could not over- rookie Caris LeVert right before time points, with Justin Holiday adding 17 and Der- theE Houston Rockets. Facing the Nets, Gordon made halftime. come a 50-38 rebounding margin expired. Harden was on the bench rick Rose 16 with three assists. It was a fourth Pace and rhythm returned in a big four 3-pointers, was among four It resulted in their second 10- and 18 turnovers. when the Rockets fi nished it off in loss in fi ve games for New York, who have a los- way for the Rockets, who also mixed Rockets with four 3s on a night when game losing streak in the last nine The Rockets matched their most the opening minutes of the fourth. ing 18-23 record at the midpoint of the season. in eff ective second-half defense Houston set a season high with 21 months and their most points al- productive fi rst half of the season In Sacramento, Russell Westbrook scored 36 against the worst team in the league. 3-pointers, came within three of its lowed at Barclays Center. despite Harden only scoring nine RESULTS points to record his 20th triple-double of the Gordon scored 24 points, James season high for points and shot 47.7 It also resulted in the fi rst time the points. Hawks 111 Bucks 98 season, and Evan Kanter came off the bench to Harden recorded his 12th triple- % from the perimeter. Nets allowed at least 130 points in Houston ripped off 13 straight Thunder 122 Kings 118 score 29 as the Oklahoma City Thunder beat double of the season with 22 points, Ariza also rebounded from a consecutive games since April 15-17, points in the opening minutes of Bulls 108 Grizzlies 104 Sacramento 122-118. Westbrook also tallied 11 assists and 11 rebounds as Hou- rough night and added 23. He tied a 1987 at Atlanta and Detroit. the third quarter and eventually Pistons 102 Lakers 97 11 rebounds and 10 assists for the 57th triple- ston snapped its fi rst losing streak of season high by hitting six 3s missing “We just could never stop them,” pushed their lead to 92-73 on two Raptors 116 Knicks 101 double of his career. He is two behind the season with a 137-112 rout of the fi ve of six Friday. Nets coach Kenny Atkinson said. free throws by Anderson with about Rockets 137 Nets 112 Celtics legend Larry Bird for fi fth on the NBA’s Brooklyn Nets Sunday night. “It’s just about rhythm and to- “I don’t think we stopped them the 4 1/2 minutes left. Mavericks 98 Timberwolves 87 all-time list.

NFL Green Bay stun Cowboys, Steelers top Chiefs

AFP to lead the game-winning drive Rodgers duly marched his team ers’ off ense produced plenty of Los Angeles with just seconds left. 90 yards upfi eld to allow Ty yards, but no touchdowns. “He’s an incredible talent,” Montgomery to rush over from “I tried not to think too McCarthy said. “To do it when three yards. much,” said Boswell. “I wanted ason Crosby kicked a it’s on the line like that, that’s Another Dallas punt was fol- to just be the guy coming out to last-gasp fi eld goal as what great players do. lowed by another relentless do my job.” the Green Bay Pack- “That was one heck of a foot- Green Bay drive which went 80 The Steelers fi nished with ers downed the Dal- ball game to be a part of. I just yards before Montgomery bar- 389 total yards on off ense, with Mlas Cowboys 34-31 in a thrilling can’t say enough about my foot- relled over from one yard to Le’Veon Bell running for 170 NFL playoff battle on Sunday. ball team’s resiliency.” make it 21-3. Dallas responded yards and Antonio Brown regis- Crosby held his nerve superb- The fi nale capped a pulsating with a quickfi re touchdown tering 108 receiving yards. ly to kick the winning three- closing two minutes. Crosby had over their own, Prescott fi nding The victory sends the Steelers pointer from 51 yards with just kicked a 56-yard fi eld goal to put receiver Dez Bryant with a 40- to the AFC Championship Game three seconds left on the clock Green Bay 31-28 ahead only for yard touchdown pass that cut next Sunday against the Patriots in the fi nal twist of an epic duel the Cowboys — who had rallied the score to 21-10. at Gillette Stadium in Foxbor- at the AT&T Stadium. Green Bay back from a 21-3 fi rst-half defi cit A further Bailey fi eld goal gave ough, Massachusetts. will now play the Atlanta Falcons — to tie it at 31-31 with a 52-yard Dallas hope at 21-13 but Green It will be the 16th time the next Sunday in the National Dan Bailey eff ort. Bay were quickly back into their Steelers have advanced to the Football Conference Champion- The Cowboys — the top seed- rhythm early in the third quar- AFC Championship Game. They ship game for a place in the Feb- ed team in the NFC after a 13-3 ter when Rodgers found tight won eight of the previous 15 ruary 5 Super Bowl in Houston. regular season — were left ruing end Cook for the simplest of games, including their most re- Elsewhere on Sunday, the a shaky fi rst half display which three-yard touchdown passes cent appearance in the 2010 sea- Pittsburgh Steelers won their saw Green Bay power ahead. to restore the Packers’ 15-point son when they beat the New York ninth straight with an 18-16 win Cowboys rookie quarterback cushion. Jets 24-19. over the Kansas City Chiefs to Dak Prescott and running back Dallas then got on top with Pittsburgh faced Tom Brady’s book a spot in the AFC Confer- Ezekiel Elliott both failed to ex- Jason Witten and Bryant scor- Patriots twice before in the title ence game against the New Eng- ert control in the early stages ing touchdowns before Prescott game (2001, 2004), losing both land Patriots. Crosby’s winning but it was the Dallas defense’s rushed for a two-point conver- times. This season, the teams fi eld goal came after quarterback inability to stymie Rodgers that sion to tie it 28-28. But with just met on October 23 in Pittsburgh, Aaron Rodgers connected with proved fatal. minutes remaining, Crosby was with the Patriots winning 27-16. Jarad Cook with a 36-yard pass After Bailey had kicked a fi eld to prove the hero for Green Bay The Steelers off ense will be at the Dallas 32. goal to put Dallas 3-0 ahead, in his duel with Bailey. led by quarterback Ben Roeth- Cook was initially adjudged to Rodgers took over. lisberger who has won two Super have gone out of bounds but the The Packers quarterback con- Boswell’s boot fuels Steelers Bowls with Pittsburgh. call was over-ruled, handing the nected with namesake Richard The Steelers rode the strong “It is going to be a showdown Packers fi eld position and Cros- Rodgers on a 34-yard pass for right leg of kicker Chris Boswell between two of the best teams in by his shot at immortality. Green Bay’s opening touchdown. to beat the Chiefs on Sunday. the AFC and two great quarter- Packers coach Mike McCarthy Dallas were then forced to Boswell made all six of his fi eld backs going head-to-head,” Bell Aaron Rodgers (C) of the Green Bay Packers hands off to Ty Montgomery (R) during the third quarter in paid tribute to Rodgers’ ability punt their next possession, and goal attempts, while the Steel- said. the NFC Divisional Playoff game at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. (AFP) Gulf Times Tuesday, January 17, 2017 7 SPORT

NHL SPOTLIGHT Devils beat Canucks 2-1 in overtime Minnesota Wild rally By Andrew Gross those games. When we all buy The Record (Hackensack, N.J.) in and play defense, it’s easier to win games 2-1 than 5-4, that’s for sure.” his is how the Devils This marked the 12th are designed. straight game the Devils have Knowing they do not surpassed three goals and not have the overall they’ve scored three goals from two-goal defi cit Tskill to dominate opponents, or less in 20 of their last 21 particularly off ensively, they games. will look to play tight games The Canucks (20-19-6) had and use defensive structure won fi ve straight at home. and smart execution in the The Devils, who now have off ensive zone to squeak out at least two straight wins for wins. just the fi fth time all season, Right now, the formula is conclude the trip on Tuesday to edge Blackhawks working for the Devils, who night at Minnesota. have earned fi ve of six poten- “It’s just getting traction tial points on this four-game on how you want to play and ‘It was nice to get one and help the team out in a good situation. I knew it was going to come’ road trip after a 2-1 overtime now we have to remain con- win over the Canucks on Sun- sistent in that and that’s our day at Rogers Arena. big challenge,” Devils coach By Michael Russo “Yeah, we have to be a team John Hynes said. “The wins Star Tribune (Minneapolis) that wins the low-scoring are really important because games,” said Taylor Hall, who you want to get the points but was ruled off side to negate a the other side of it is you have he Wild had a tremen- potential third-period goal a little more conviction in dous fi rst half in which but scored at 1:28 of overtime how you play. You feel like you they reeled off 27 wins, for his second straight game- worked for it, you deserved it.” 59 points, a .720 points winner after his second-pe- The Devils moved with- percentage,T a plus-45 goal dif- riod power-play goal was the in fi ve points of the Flyers, ferential and the Western Con- diff erence in Friday’s 2-1 vic- who are tenuously holding ference’s most goals and fewest tory at Calgary. on to the second and fi nal goals against. “We have to get comfortable wild-card spot in the East- But as much currency as that playing those games,” Hall add- ern Conference. But there are has created in the Twin Cities, ed. “I think that’s starting to also three teams ahead of the nobody’s going to buy future come, especially for a guy like Devils in the race for that last Wild success this season un- myself. It’s not natural for me postseason berth. less the team proves something to play in a 20-shot-for-each- So the Devils still have a against The Benchmark, aka, the team game. It’s getting us re- ways to go to recover from a Chicago Blackhawks. sults and that’s the main thing. 4-12-4 slump from Nov. 17- Sunday night at the Madhouse We’ve got to stick with it.” Dec. 27. on Madison, the Central Divi- Hall, rushing up the right “We went through a stretch sion foes fi nally met for the fi rst in the three-on-three extra there where we weren’t play- time this season, and the Black- period, beat Jacob Markstrom ing the way we wanted to, we hawks got to see what all the fuss (20 saves). But the key play knew it wasn’t good enough,” is about. was made by Travis Zajac, said defenseman Kyle Quinc- The Comeback Kids from who rushed back to break up ey, whose shot from the left Minnesota did it again, rally- a two-on-one after the Devils point tied the game at 1 at ing from a 2-0 defi cit to beat the turned the puck over, then fed 16:57 of the second period. Blackhawks 3-2, to extend their Hall. “We’ve fi nally put a couple road point streak to 12 games Cory Schneider made 21 together here and really given (10-0-2), matching a franchise saves for the Devils (18-18-9), ourselves a template on how record. who are now 2-0-1 on the trip to play and have success. We Jason Pominville, who hadn’t after playing three games in know how to do it now. We’ve scored a goal since the last time four days. just got to do it every game.” the Wild lost in regulation on the “It might have been a The Canucks took a 1-0 lead road, snapped a 19-game goal slower-paced game or a more at 6:31 of the second period as drought with the third-period tighter-checking game but Loui Eriksson put the puck in, winner to help the conference – that’s not necessarily a bad leaving the Canucks confused and division-leading Wild take a thing for us,” said Schneider, when the goal was waved off . two-point lead on Chicago with now 2-1-1 at Vancouver since However, a short video re- four games in hand. the Canucks traded him. “I view confi rmed the puck fully “It was nice to get one and think we’re comfortable in crossed the goal line. help the team out in a good situ- ation,” Pominville said. “I knew it was going to come.” Nino Niederreiter and Chris Stewart scored second-period Jason Pominville of the Minnesota Wild (R) is congratulated by Mikael Granlund (L) after scoring the game-winning goal against the Chicago goals after Patrick Kane’s second Blackhawks at the United Centre in Chicago. The Wild defeated the Blackhawks 3-2. (Getty Images/AFP) goal of the game gave the Black- hawks a 2-0 lead. But the Wild, 33 saves to improve to 16-1-2 in to go for a big hit at the Black- after Corey Crawford denied open space. 19-2-4 in its past 25 games, his past 19 starts. He improved hawks blue line. That meant Mikael Granlund on a breaka- Schroeder caught up to the stormed back to win its eighth to 8-0 since joining the Wild Scandella was left on an island way, then Jason Zucker on the puck, raced into the zone and fed consecutive regular-season against Chicago in the regular by himself against Anisimov and rebound. a wide-open Stewart, who whis- game against the Blackhawks. season. Kane. But the Wild fought back. tled home his ninth goal. Pominville’s fi rst goal since On a night the Wild gave up He paid attention to the puck Charlie Coyle drew a power Dubnyk was outstanding November 29 came when he a month’s worth of odd-man carrier and motioned for the play, and in the 11th game out the rest of the way. Dumba and found Marco Scandella’s re- rushes – especially the Scan- backchecking Niederreiter to of the past 14, the Wild con- Scandella made life an adven- bound off the end wall at the side della-Matt Dumba partnership, skate toward Kane. verted on the man advantage ture, serving up three odd-man of the net. which had a nightmarish game, He didn’t, so Scandella was this time when Jonas Brodin’s rushes. But Chicago couldn’t It was the 13th time in 42 it was the Blackhawks’ dynamic late to get over when Kane re- shot stopped short at Granlund’s convert. games that the Wild came from Artemi Panarin-Artem Anisi- ceived the puck and beat Dubnyk skates. Niederreiter excavated On a late power play, Dubnyk behind to win, something they mov-Kane line that gave the with a fl uttering, knuckling shot the puck and scored his 12th goal robbed Kane and Marian Hossa accomplished nine times all of Wild fi ts. he partially fanned on. from Crawford’s doorstep. and smothered Duncan Keith’s last season. They give most teams fi ts, but In the second period, off a That gave the Wild life, and Grade A chance. It was the 11th time the Wild on this night, the trio threatened faceoff that saw Eric Staal over- the score would be tied at 2-2 won when allowing the fi rst goal, almost every shift they hopped skated a puck sitting fl at near less than fi ve minutes later. The RESULTS something they accomplished the boards. the dot, Kane fi red a shot that fourth line, which created mo- Capitals 5 Flyers 0 fi ve times all of last season. Kane accounted for Chicago’s ramped up Dumba’s stick and mentum earlier in the period, got Devils 2 Canucks 1 (overtime) Vancouver Canucks goaltender Jacob Markstrom Alexander Devan Dubnyk was huge in the fi rst two goals. The fi rst came on past Dubnyk. it done with Ryan Suter hit Jor- Wild 3 Blackhawks 2 Edler (R) defend against New Jersey Devils forward Miles Wood second period, making 15 of his a 2-on-1 in which Dumba opted Kane’s goal came 27 seconds dan Schroeder with a pass into Blues 2 Ducks 1 (OT) during the third period. PICTURE: USA TODAY Sports

BASEBALL Cubs go back to 2012 to revive Heyward’s swing

By Mark Gonzales “Those are all natural moves off season to polishing his swing that.” Chicago Tribune for him and all moves he has under the supervision of Hinske, Mallee pointed to three check- done in the past. It’s not adding a teammate of Heyward in 2012, points in Heyward’s approach. a leg kick or teaching him to pull and Mallee. “It’s not like he takes 100 he Cubs have gone back the ball more. It’s getting back to “It’s a huge help,” Heyward swings in two hours,” Mallee in time this winter to the swing patterns he had when said of Hinske’s knowledge of his said. help Jason Heyward re- he had success.” swing. “Any good person is trying to discover the power that The alterations include a low- “I’m just trying to get back change his behavior or the me- Tmade him one of the game’s ering of Heyward’s hands, with to doing things simple the right chanics or the patterns, swing- most formidable prospects. the bat vertical and not wrapped way. Be in a good position to hit wise. They’re going to take time Cubs fans remember Hey- around his head. all the time. in between reps, breathe, think ward’s fi rst major-league at-bat Those modifi cations, accord- “And it’s easier said than done about what they’re doing, and – a home run off Carlos Zam- ing to a veteran major-league when you’re trying to do it in the you fi lm it. Then you look at fi lm. brano in 2010. But a more con- scout, could increase Heyward’s season, working in the cage and You learn three ways – from vincing sample size occurred in batting average 20 to 30 points. not in the game when you’re try- hearing, seeing and feeling.” 2012, when Heyward hit a ca- “He has cut down about 8 ing to compete and help the team Kris Bryant, whose alteration reer-high 27 home runs at age 23 to 10 inches on his swing,” the win. in his swing path helped him cut that clearly overshadowed a .269 scout noted after watching vide- “The off season allows you to down his strikeouts by 45 while batting average and a career- otape Darnell McDonald placed slow things down and do that. smacking 39 home runs and high 82 RBIs. on Instagram. You just make sure you take time cruising to the 2016 National Thanks to videotapes of that McDonald is the coordinator to focus on all the little things.” League Most Valuable Player season and assistant hitting of the Cubs’ mental skills pro- Without the pressure of need- award, admitted he tinkered coach Eric Hinske’s careful ob- gram, and he watched Heyward’s ing to produce in the postseason, with what Heyward is attempt- servations, the Cubs believe workouts in late November at the Heyward has taken advantage of ing. Heyward can rekindle the power team’s minor-league complex in the off season to work on his al- “It’s a huge diff erence,” said and quickly distance himself Mesa, Ariz. terations at a deliberate pace. Bryant, who still wraps the bat from his disastrous 2016 season. “This should help him get to Jason Heyward breaks his bat during the second inning against the Cleveland Indians during Game 7 of “During the season, as hard as around his head. “It’s not exactly making a the ball quicker and hit the ball the World Series at Progressive Field in Cleveland on November 2, 2016. (Chicago Tribune/TNS) he tried, sometimes you get lost “You look at what he has done change,” hitting coach John with more authority,” McDon- as a player and you get to a point the previous six years, how suc- Mallee emphasized Friday at the ald said. That’s an encouraging – including a career-low seven considerable dip from his .319 year, $184 million contract be- where you can’t even breathe cessful he has been, and know Cubs Convention at the Shera- prospect for Cubs fans and Hey- home runs – in 530 at-bats. mark in 2012 with the Braves. fore last season, moved to Ari- because you’re trying to do so he can be even more successful ton Grand Chicago. “It’s just ward, who batted a career-low Heyward’s batting average on The Cubs are encouraged that zona to take advantage of their well,” Mallee said. than that. And that’s exciting to getting him back to what he was. .230 with only 35 extra-base hits balls in play was only .266 – a Heyward, who signed an eight- facilities and devote much of his “I think he fell into part of have.” Gulf Times 8 Tuesday, January 17, 2017 SPORT

GOLF RUGBY England winger Nowell tipped Thomas romps to for Lions call

Agencies on South Africa, who they also play in three away tests in June. France wrap up their calen- xeter winger Jack dar on November 25 by host- Sony Open victory Nowell’s sensation- ing 2019 World Cup hosts al form this season Japan for the fi rst time in 34 means he should be years. oneE of the fi rst names in the “The federation is very British and Irish Lions squad happy to welcome Japan, to tour New Zealand this year, which has been the revela- according to his club coach tion of world rugby in recent Rob Baxter. seasons,” said FFR vice-pres- in record style The 23-year-old Nowell ident Serge Simon. produced another livewire Japan, under current En- attacking display as Exeter land coach Eddie Jones, ‘I was really nervous, I just had a hard time getting into a comfortable mind frame’ maintained their slim hopes notched up the biggest ever of qualifying for the last eight upset in World Cup history of the Champions Cup with a when they edged South Af- Reuters 31-19 bonus-point win over rica for a famous victory in Honolulu, Hawaii Ulster on Sunday. the 2015 World Cup in Eng- Nowell missed the Autumn land. “Japan is surfi ng a very internationals due to injury positive dynamic, maintained ustin Thomas overcame but looks certain to win his by a fourth-placed fi nish at a slow start for a second 19th England cap in the Six the rugby sevens event at the straight day before fi ve Nations opener against France 2016 Rio Olympics.” birdies in seven holes on Feb. 4. The last time France hosted helpedJ him wrap up a wire-to- “He’s very good, isn’t he? I Japan, Les Bleus ran out 30-18 wire victory in record style at the thought Jack was exceptional victors in Bordeaux in 1973. Sony Open in Honolulu, Hawaii and he got us momentum eve- on Sunday. ry time he got the ball,” Baxter Toulon snap up Alesana The long-hitting American told reporters. Tuilagi to cover Clerc clinched his fourth PGA Tour “The key for him now is to Toulon have signed giant title, his second in a row and his take this form into the Eng- Samoan winger Alesana Tui- third of the young season, by land set-up. Hopefully, Eng- lagi to cover for injured fellow seven strokes after fi ring a fi ve- land will have a very good Six veteran Vincent Clerc. under-par 65 at Waialae Coun- Nations and any player play- Clerc will be out for up to try Club for a stunning 27-under ing well for England will put fi ve months after rupturing total of 253. themselves right in the front his left achilles tendon. Thomas, who had opened seat for the Lions.” The 67-time capped France with a magical 11-under 59 to The Lions travel to New player remains the top scorer take control of the tournament, Zealand for a three-test series in the European Cup compe- signed off with a comfortable starting in June when they will tition with 36 tries, although two-putt birdie at the par-fi ve bid to beat the All Blacks for Chris Ashton has moved to last to add yet another slice of the fi rst time since 1971. within two of that mark after golf history to his dominant scoring a brace in Saracens’ week of multiple records. France to play All Blacks, 22-22 draw with Scarlets on His aggregate for 72 holes Springboks and Japan the weekend. eclipsed the previous PGA Tour in November The 35-year-old Tuilagi, low of 254, set by Tommy Ar- France will play New Zea- one of six rugby-playing mour III at the 2003 Texas Open. land, South Africa and Japan brothers including England “That’s awesome,” Thomas, on consecutive weekends in international Manu and an 23, told Golf Channel after be- November, the French rugby integral part of the Leicester coming the fi rst player since federation (FFR) announced team that won the English Ernie Els in 2003 to win back- yesterday. Les Bleus will kick Premiership in 2007, 2009 to-back titles in Hawaii during off their autumn series on No- and 2010, also previously the same season. vember 11 against two-time played for Newcastle Falcons “I remember someone say- defending world champions and Japanese club Shining ing in a press conference that I the All Blacks before taking Arcs de Chiba. needed 10-under on the week- end (for the PGA Tour low) so I told (caddie) Jimmy (Johnson) with two holes left we need to get McIlroy set for back scan aft er one of these last two. painful South Africa defeat “It’s been an unbelievable week, unforgettable.” Rory McIlroy was suff ering from a back problem during his South African Open playoff loss to England’s Graeme Storm on SPIETH PRAISE Justin Thomas accepts the check after winning the Sony Open golf tournament at Waialae Country Club. PICTURE: USA TODAY Sports Sunday and the Briton will undergo scans this week to learn the England’s Olympic champion extent of the injury and time he could be forced to sit out. Justin Rose birdied three of the game, full confi dence and he’s getting into a comfortable mind Thomas drained a 22-footer at 263—Gary Woodland 64-64-68- McIlroy has been injury-free since missing two months with last four holes for a 64 to fi nish executing under pressure. It’s a frame,” said Thomas, who is the par-four eighth, the fi rst of 67, Zach Johnson 69-61-65-68 a sprained ankle in 2015, a layoff that prevented him from de- second at 20-under, one stroke lot of fun to see.” projected to rise to a career-high fi ve birdies over the next seven 264—Chez Reavie 67-67-69-61, fending his British Open title, and the latest setback could rule ahead of double major winner Seven strokes in front after the eighth in the world rankings on holes as he shut the door on his Charles Howell 65-66-68-65 him out of next week’s Abu Dhabi Championship. Jordan Spieth, who fi red his best third round, Thomas took a while Monday. “I was doing what I closest challengers to cap a tri- 265—Jim Herman 66-67-67-65 “I am going for a scan... to see what’s up with this joint in my round of the week with a 63. to fi nd his rhythm on Sunday. He needed to do. I was making some umphant fortnight in Hawaii. 266—Sean O’Hair 66-69-67-64, back. It was manageable this week with tape and a few pills so I “I honestly felt like I was try- three-putted from long range to pars, besides that bad bogey on Russell Knox (SCO) 64-67-66-69 am fine,” the world number two told British media. ing to win the tournament for bogey the par-three fourth, did four, but that par putt I made on Leading fourth-round scores 267—Luke List 67-64-69-67, “But first and foremost, I have to get fully fit and healthy again. I second place,” Spieth said while well to sink an eight-foot putt for six was huge. 253—Justin Thomas 59-64-65-65 Webb Simpson 66-65-69-67, Bill don’t want to jeopardise long-term goals for short-term paying tribute to the sizzling par at the sixth and briefl y had “I think if I missed that I start 260—Justin Rose (ENG) 66-64- Haas 67-66-67-67, Brian Gay 69- gain.” form of his good friend Thomas. his lead cut to just four before he maybe worrying a little bit but I 66-64 64-67-67, Branden Grace (RSA) It is a worrying start to the year for the four-times major winner “JT, it’s pretty unbelievable what clicked back into gear. knew the last 10-hole stretch I 261—Jordan Spieth 65-67-66-63 67-68-65-67, Russell Henley as McIlroy targets a return to the top of the world rankings and he’s doing right now. “I was really nervous this was very comfortable with so I 262—Kevin Kisner 70-67-60-65, 64-67-68-68, Hudson Swaff ord the completion of a career grand slam at the Masters in April. “He’s got full control of his morning, I just had a hard time just tried to stay patient.” Jamie Lovemark 64-68-65-65 62-68-66-71.

CYCLING World champ Sagan starts season Down Under

AFP GC (General Classifi cation), and looking at the last three or four in April’s Track Cycling World Adelaide, Australia we will see what the legs can do.” editions, it’s been a close race Championships in Hong Kong However, Sagan, who came to and we’re happy with that.” has been threatened by a ham- Adelaide early to acclimatise to One tradition Turtur has kept string injury, it emerged yester- orld Champion Pe- the heat, wasn’t entirely ruling is the penultimate stage featur- day. The four-time gold medal- ter Sagan will head- out his chances, particularly on ing three circuits through the list, who under her maiden name line the Tour Down Wednesday’s second stage into McLaren Vale vineyards and of Laura Trott, won two Olympic Under beginning Paracombe and the penultimate along Aldinga Beach before two titles at both the London 2012 Win South Australia today but the stage featuring two climbs up the climbs of Willunga Hill, where and Rio 2016 Games, has now Slovakian has downplayed his notorious Willunga Hill. crowds number in the tens of withdrawn from two competi- chances of winning the UCI sea- “I saw the stage two fi nish thousands and give the race a tions this month. son-opening event. (which comes after a climb up Tour de France feel. She will now miss the Six- The 26-year-old from the Torrens Hill Road), and it’s not Porte has won the Willunga Day event in Berlin starting on German Bora-Hansgrohe team impossible, but very hard in this stage for the past three years. Thursday and the UK National had a stellar 2016, claiming three period of the season,” he said. “I’ve had fi ve months off the bike Track Championships in Man- stages in the Tour De France be- “We will also see about Wil- since Rio, so I really don’t know chester that get underway on fore winning the world champi- lunga — I remember that from where I am at,” Porte said. January 27. “British Cycling’s onship in Qatar in October. He 2010.” “I am super-motivated for Laura Kenny has withdrawn last rode the Tour Down Under Most of the early race fa- this race this year, and on paper, from the forthcoming Six Day in 2010 when he was at the be- vourites are Australians who it probably suits me better than Berlin and HSBC UK National ginning of his career and admit- have just fi nished their national others in the last few years.” Track Championships having ted that he did not know what championships in the neigh- Other riders who could fea- sustained a hamstring strain,” sort of form he was in this year. bouring state of Victoria and ture include Welshman Geraint said a statement issued by the “For sure, my goal is not to who are used to the hot condi- Thomas (Team Sky), Lotto-Sou- national governing body. crash, and come out of this race tions forecast for the next week. dal’s Thomas De Gendt, fellow “Laura is undergoing treat- in good shape,” he said. BMC Racing has two con- Belgian Jan Bakelants (AG2R La ment and hopes to return to full “It’s the fi rst race, good tenders in Richie Porte and Ro- Mondiale) and Portugal’s Tiago fi tness soon.” Riders have been weather, and it’s already impor- han Dennis, while Orica-Scott’s Machado (Katusha-Alpecin). known to opt out of the fi rst tant to take the race rhythm in four-time winner and defending The race begins today with a World Championships following the legs.” champion Simon Gerrans is also 145-kilometre stage from the an Olympics but Kenny’s injury Sagan said his team would be expected to challenge for major inner-city suburb of Unley to means she could be forced into riding for Australian Jay Mc- honours once again. the Barossa Valley wine-growing missing the April 12-16 edition Carthy, who fi nished fourth last World champion Peter Sagan of Germany takes part in the People’s Choice Classic to start off a week of town of Lyndoch. in Hong Kong. Depending on the year and recently came 11th in ‘Close race’ cycling at the Tour Down Under on Sunday in Adelaide. (AFP) severity of the injury, it can take the Australian titles. However, Gerrans’ teammate Injured Kenny doubtful as long as 10 weeks to recover “We have Jay McCarthy here Esteban Chaves of Colombia Race director Mike Turtur said nity to everyone, it was a choice chances, in stages one and four, for worlds from a hamstring problem. Ken- and it’s a big race for him,” Sagan and the 2013 winner, Dutchman the race had been designed for to make some stages better suit- and we have stages two and fi ve Injured Laura Kenny doubt- ny married fellow British cyclist said. Tom-Jelte Slagter from Cannon- the all-rounders rather than the ed for the all-rounders,” he said. for the GC riders. ful for worlds Olympic cham- Jason Kenny, himself a six-time “We want to help him for the dale-Drapac, could also feature. sprinters. “To give the opportu- “The sprinters still have their “It’s a good format. After pion Laura Kenny’s participation Olympic champion, in September. Gulf Times Tuesday, January 17, 2017 9 SPORT

FORMULA ONE Champs Mercedes sign Bottas, Massa returns to Williams Finn replaces retired world champion Rosberg; Massa comes out of retirement to take Bottas’s seat for one year

Reuters London Factbox on altteri Bottas replaced retired Formula Valtteri Bottas One world champion Nico Rosberg at Mercedes yesterday, with Brazilian Born: Nastola, Finland on Aug. 28, 1989 (27 veteran Felipe Massa coming out of re- years old). Vtirement to take the Finn’s seat at Williams. Bottas started racing go-karts at six years Appearing at the factory with team boss Toto old and moved into single-seater car racing Wolff , Bottas promised to push new teammate in 2007, when he finished third overall in the and triple world champion Lewis Hamilton as Formula Renault 2.0 series with three wins. hard as possible. “I’m sure we are going to be The Finn was Formula Renault champion close and both pushing each other forward,” said in 2008, with 12 wins, and competed in the the 27-year-old, who has yet to win a grand prix Formula Three Euroseries in 2009 and 2010, in four years at Williams but has appeared on the finishing third overall in both seasons and podium nine times. becoming the first double winner of the Wolff , who helped guide the Finn’s early Zandvoort Masters. In 2011 he won the GP3 career and also has close ties with Mercedes- championship. powered Williams as a former shareholder, Joined Williams as a test driver in 2010 and said Bottas would fi t in well. “He’s very fast as a appointed reserve driver in 2012, making his driver, and he shows our values,” added the Aus- Formula One race debut for the team in 2013 trian, who has had an unexpectedly busy win- alongside team mate Pastor Maldonado of ter following Rosberg’s shock decision to quit Venezuela. 45 days ago, less than a week after winning his Bottas made his first F1 podium appear- fi rst championship. “He’s modest, humble and ance in Austria in 2014. He has nine career hard-working.” top-three finishes but has yet to win a grand Williams had earlier announced that Massa, prix in 77 starts. He is also yet to be beaten by who left at the end of last season at the age of 35, a team mate in the overall standings. had agreed a one-year contract to end the short- In 2014 he finished fourth overall in the est of retirements. Mercedes have been domi- championship. Last season he was eighth. nant for the last three years, winning both the Married long-time girlfriend Emilia drivers and constructors’ titles, and will start as Pikkarainen, a Finnish Olympic swimmer who favourites again despite major aerodynamic rule has competed in three Games, in September, changes. While Hamilton, 32, can expect to be 2016. the team’s main man — with many tipping the Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff has been Briton to romp to a fourth title after winning 10 part of Bottas’s management team along with races in a rollercoaster 2016 — Bottas can be a twice champion Mika Hakkinen and the Finn’s genuine contender. “Now it’s time for the next former manager Didier Coton. level, to see how he can step up to challenge for race wins and for Championships,” Wolff said. “We know that we are already behind the curve in terms of preparations for the new sea- son, so we’ve got a busy programme to get him integrated into the team. One thing is for sure: as I know Valtteri, he will give it everything.” Massa, a former race winner with Ferrari and 2008 world championship runner-up, will part- Mercedes new driver Valtteri Bottas promised to push new teammate and triple world champion Lewis Hamilton (left) as hard as possible. (Reuters) ner 18-year-old Canadian rookie Lance Stroll at Williams. “I always intended to race somewhere Sauber earlier set the day’s merry-go-round cedes will have no German driver in their line- 2017, with his fi rst commitment an appearance in 2017, but Williams is a team close to my heart in motion by announcing that German driver up for the fi rst time since the German carmaker with Hamilton today for watch sponsor IWC and I have respect for everything it is trying to Pascal Wehrlein, who was the Mercedes re- bought the former Brawn GP team at the end of Schaff hausen. achieve,” said the Brazilian, who made a tearful serve and Bottas’s main rival to replace Rosberg, 2009 and returned as a constructor. The day’s announcements left tail-enders farewell to his home crowd last November. “I would race for them this year. Wehrlein, 22, Rosberg was partnered by seven-times world Manor, who are in administration and seeking certainly have not lost any of my enthusiasm for drove for struggling Manor as a rookie last year champion Michael Schumacher until Hamilton a rescuer, as the only team with any potential racing and I’m extremely motivated to be com- but Mercedes felt they needed a more experi- arrived in 2013. Mercedes said Rosberg had ac- driver vacancies for the season starting in Aus- ing back to drive the FW40.” enced replacement. Bottas’s arrival means Mer- cepted an ambassadorial role with the team for tralia on March 26. Felipe Massa

FOCUS SPOTLIGHT Kenyan athletes Boxing in urgent need of rapid title welcome new rematch between DeGale and Jack By Bryan Armen Graham in New York doping initiative The Guardian

Reuters don marathon winner Jemima here was nothing to separate Eldoret, Kenya Sumgong said the plan would James DeGale and help honest athletes. “It will after their world super-middle- make it easier and faster to do a weight title unifi cation fi ght on enyan athletes yester- medical, now that there are six SaturdayT night at the Barclays Center day backed a plan for a doctors whose contacts have been in New York, which ended in a majority team of six internation- given to us,” she said.” This is a draw which meant the world’s two best ally accredited doc- good start to eliminate doping.” 168lb fi ghters retained their belts. But Ktors to take care of the country’s The IAAF said the initiative while an immediate rematch to settle un- top-level runners and be respon- was not intended to vet ath- fi nished business would seem the obvious sible for examining samples in letes, but to provide good quality next step, what is next for either man ap- an eff ort to end a series of dop- medical support. “The network pears uncertain. ing scandals. The doping cases comes as part of the preventive DeGale, who holds the IBF’s version of threatened to derail Kenya’s measures intended to address the the title, scored a fl ash knockdown in the participation in last year’s Rio proliferation of rogue doctors, fi rst and boxed masterfully in the early Olympics, but its athletes were limit poor medical practice, and rounds, using balletic footwork to create eventually allowed to compete address the supply of prohib- angles that made Jack look fl at-footed and brought home a haul of long- ited substances,” Chris Turner, a and clumsy. But Jack, the WBC title- distance running medals. spokesman for IAAF, said. holder, showed patience and poise to rally “This is a good step and a ma- in the middle stages. He started to walk jor development for our coun- WARRANT ISSUED FOR through the DeGale punches, hurting him try. I am happy with it, although OLYMPIC CHAMPION OVER with punishing body shots in the sixth authorities still need to make ALLEGED CHILD ABUSE and knocking a tooth from his mouth in athletes aware of the dangers Austrian prosecutors said yes- the eighth. of doping,” Olympic marathon terday they have issued an arrest As the outcome hung in the balance champion Eliud Kipchoge, 34, warrant for former Olympic judo in the fi nal round, Jack nearly closed the said. Athletics Kenya, the gov- champion Peter Seisenbacher show when he dumped DeGale to the erning body for track and fi eld after a no-show at his trial for canvas for the fi rst time in his career with in the East African country, says alleged child sex abuse. “The ac- a counter right uppercut. The Olympic James DeGale (right) catches Badou Jack with a jab during their world super- title unification fight in New York. (AFP) elite athletes should only use the cused is subject to a worldwide gold medallist made it to his feet and six doctors vetted by the Inter- warrant,” Vienna public pros- showed immense heart to make it to the pause. Then, there is the matter of venue. mandatory challenger. But should Jack former pound-for-pound king was even national Association of Athletics ecutors said in a statement. fi nal bell. The drama of the fi nal reel was Saturday’s fi ght marked DeGale’s fourth vacate the WBC title and climb to light more bellicose at the post-match press Federations (IAAF) if they want It was issued immediately af- laid bare on the cards: were it not for the straight bout on foreign soil, a run that’s heavyweight, then Smith will likely fi ght conference, off ering cryptic allusions to compete. ter the scheduled December 19 late knockdown, all three judges would included his title-clinching win over An- Anthony Dirrell for the vacant belt. to the incompetence and even outright “You have to go through this hearing but not announced until have given the fi ght to DeGale. dre Dirrell in Boston and successful de- A third choice and perhaps the biggest corruption of the judges with repeated network, inside or outside the now. The whereabouts of Seisen- It was a thrilling aff air that enthralled fences against and Rogelio fi ght in Britain would be , invocation of that famous Trumpism: country. They will be writing bacher, 56, who won Olympic the crowd of 10,128 on a snowy night in Medina. the man responsible for the lone blemish “There’s something going on.” monthly reports to the IAAF,” middleweight gold in Los An- Brooklyn, a matchup between top opera- He has been itching to fi ght in the UK, on DeGale’s professional ledger, a dis- “The thing with boxing is, if they can’t said Athletics Kenya Chairman geles in 1984 and again in Seoul tors that featured everything but a deci- where his domestic profi le has slipped puted points decision in 2011. DeGale has get it right the fi rst time, they’re not go- Jackson Tuwei. Tuwei said 49 four years later, were unknown. sive result. Both men articulated interest even as his stature in the sport has re- been eager to avenge that result for years, ing to get it right the second time,” May- Kenyan athletes had violated His lawyer said he had no infor- in a rematch in the immediate aftermath. doubled, and spoke all week about an but Groves is in negotiations to fi ght Fe- weather said. “We don’t need the second doping rules in the past fi ve mation. So it would seem a simple choice to put outdoor homecoming fi ght in the spring dor Chudinov for the vacant WBA title, time around.” years. Kenya is still on the World Seisenbacher was charged in them in with one another once more. But at the Emirates Stadium, home of his further complicating matters. Mayweather might not need it, but Anti-Doping Agency’s watch list. October with sexually abusing this is boxing, where nothing is simple. beloved Arsenal. His post-fi ght plea to The fi ghters had not even left the ring what worked for him might not be in “Athletes who won’t conform two young girls he had coached, First, there’s the matter of weight. Jack, “do it again in London” could fall on deaf on Saturday when Floyd Mayweather the best interests of either fi ghter. Box- (to the plan) won’t be allowed to one of them for a three-year pe- who has had trouble making the super- ears. Another option is , the Jr, who promotes Jack, gatecrashed the ing needs great fi ghts and DeGale and compete,” he told around 100 top riod from 1998 to 2001, start- middleweight limit, had already planned youngest of the fi ghting Smith brothers televised interview with the fi ghters to Jack showed what can happen when the athletes at a meeting in Eldoret, ing when she was 11 years old. on moving to light heavyweight after Sat- of Merseyside, who is undefeated in 22 gripe about the decision. “At the end of best fi ght the best. They owe it to them- 350 kilometres (217 miles) north- Seisenbacher remains Austria’s urday’s fi ght. A rematch would likely have fi ghts. That option would have become a the day, this is really bad for boxing,” said selves to fi nish what they started. If only west of the capital Nairobi. most successful athlete in the to take place at 175lbs or a catch-weight, foregone conclusion if DeGale had won Mayweather, on the best night this belea- the sport would get out of the way long Olympic champion and Lon- summer Olympics. which could give the smaller DeGale on Saturday since Smith is the WBC’s guered sport has seen in some time. The enough to let it happen. Gulf Times 10 Tuesday, January 17, 2017 FOOTBALL

AFRICA CUP OF NATIONS SPOTLIGHT Mane Ghana begin latest Cup shines in Senegal victory

Reuters bid, Egypt make return Franceville, Gabon

enegal’s Sadio Mane Black Stars are in Gabon looking to win a fifth Cup of Nations but a first since 1982 converted a 10th minute penalty to send them on AFP their way to a 2-0 victo- ryS over Tunisia and top place in Port-Gentil, Gabon Group C at the African Nations Cup. Centre back Kara Mbodji unners-up two years ago, Ghana start scored the second goal on the their latest bid to recapture the Af- half-hour as Senegal became the rica Cup of Nations crown when they fi rst team to register a win at the face Uganda in Port-Gentil in Group tournament after the fi rst three DR today. The Black Stars are in Gabon looking games all ended in draws. to win a fi fth Cup of Nations but a fi rst since But the win was far from con- 1982, and Israeli Avram Grant remains at the vincing as Tunisia missed several helm after leading them to a defeat on penal- chances, notably in the second- ties against the Ivory Coast in the 2015 fi nal in half. Senegal made the perfect Equatorial Guinea. start as Tunisia’s centre back Ghana arrived in the port city of Port-Gen- Aymen Abdennour, caught for til, home of Gabon’s oil industry, on Saturday pace with a sliding tackle, took after the weather delayed their departure from out the feet of captain Cheikhou a pre-tournament training camp in Dubai. Kouyate from under him, to give And Grant, whose team trained on a pitch just away an early penalty. outside the new stadium in Port-Gentil on Africa’s most expensive foot- Sunday evening, will hope the late arrival has baller Mane, who moved to Liv- not set them back at all ahead of their open- erpool from Southampton for a ing match. “It has been very good. The players reported 34mn pounds last June, have showed good spirit, the quality is good. tucked away the kick. The lead We will be ready for the fi rst game,” he told was doubled on the half-hour Ghana’s TV3 ahead of the tournament as he mark when Mbodji rose majesti- expressed his optimism about their chances. cally above the Tunisia defence “We came here to do something good. It’s ok to to power home a header from say we want to win but it would be unprofes- a corner as Senegal, the top- sional to think we will just get it.” ranked African team, sought to Ghana’s stars of tournaments past, such as confi rm their status as one of the Asamoah Gyan and Andre Ayew — who was tournament favourites. mobbed by fans after training in Port-Gentil — By then, Tunisia striker are still there and it would be a seismic shock Ahmed Akaichi had already if they lost to Uganda. After all, the Cranes are squandered two good chances making their fi rst appearance at the Cup of and the profl igacy in front of Nations since 1978, when the tournament was Egypt team train in Port-Gentil ahead of their opening game of the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations football tournament in Gabon. (AFP) goal continued in the second half played in Ghana and they lost to the hosts in with Youssef Msakni particu- the fi nal. was a reminder of their status as an African larly wasteful. Senegal’s defence Much more recently, however, Uganda held superpower, although they are likely to have Ghana forward Jordan Ayew looked poorly organised and Ghana to a 0-0 draw in Tamale in October in the crowd against them today. A large Malian (second left) trains with is teammates even contrived to help the Tu- qualifying for the 2018 World Cup in Russia. community in Port-Gentil will give their team in Port-Gentil, Gabon, yesterday. (AFP) nisians out of their misery when Grant’s side will therefore certainly not un- enthusiastic backing as Alain Giresse’s side Mbodji hammered an attempted derestimate their opponents, who are staying look to cause an upset. clearance against his own wood- alongside them in the same Port-Gentil hotel. Gabon is a happy hunting ground for work in the 69th minute. Later tonight, Egypt make their long-await- Giresse, who coached their national team with There was also a stunning save ed return to the Cup of Nations as they meet some success for four years and then took Mali from Senegal goalkeeper Ab- Mali at the brand-new 20,000-seat venue to to the semi-fi nals of the last Cup of Nations doulaye Diallo to deny Msakni 12 the south of the city. Egypt are the record sev- to be held in the country in 2012. Mali trained minutes from time. But Senegal en-time winners of the competition but have for the fi rst time on Sunday morning after a also had chances on the counter- not featured at the Cup of Nations since win- disrupted journey from their pre-tournament attack. Ismaila Sarr hit crossbar, ning a third consecutive title in Angola in 2010, base in Morocco. straight after coming on as a beating Ghana in the fi nal. “For us this was just about getting back to substitute, and Mane failed to Now with Argentine Hector Cuper in charge work after our somewhat interminable jour- take a good opportunity in the and Mohamed Salah as their star man, there ney to get here, although we are not the only last 10 minutes. Earlier, Sun- is hardly anyone left from their last cam- ones in that boat,” said Giresse. “It can always day’s opening match in Group B paign. One man who is still around is veteran be a little tricky adapting when you arrive at a between Algeria and Zimbabwe goalkeeper Essam El-Hadary, who celebrated major tournament.” ended in a 2-2 draw. his 44th birthday on Sunday as the Egyptian The France great admitted he has concerns Senegal next meet Zimbabwe squad trained in the shadows of the city’s vast regarding the fi tness of several players, includ- on Thursday while neighbours oil refi nery. ing Monaco starlet Adama Traore, who has not Algeria and Tunisia meet in a The heavy security around the Egypt team trained due to a knee knock. derby clash also in Franceville.

KAS EUPEN CONCLUDE QSL ROUND-UP TRAINING CAMP AT ASPIRE Injured Wakrah defender al-Yazidi Aspire Zone Foundation-owned KAS Eupen con- cluded its winter training camp at the Aspire Acad- emy, and are ready to restart their football season confi dent his side can beat the drop with the forthcoming Belgian Cup semi-final against Zulte Waregem FC to be played tomorrow. By Sports Reporter Chief Advisor of International Football Aff airs at Doha Aspire Zone Foundation and KAS Eupen FC board member Andreas Bleicher summed up the experi- ence as ‘vitally important for the second half of the l Wakrah defender Hamood al- club’s first season in the Belgian Pro League.’ Yazidi is set for six months on the “It’s fantastic that KAS Eupen was able to hold sidelines after suff ering a tear to a winter training camp here at Aspire, where the his cruciate ligament during his team’sA 2-0 defeat to Al Ahli in Qatar Stars pitches are great, the weather is lovely and the conditions are wonderful. The side also played League last week. Ahead of his surgery at the two friendly matches against quality sides like FC end of the month, al-Yazidi remained posi- Bayern Munich and Shanghai SIPG FC. What more tive despite being ruled out for the remain- can one ask for? You can’t have it better than that der of the season. for a training camp,” said Bleicher. “I am well aware that injury is an integral KAS Eupen lost to Bundesliga Champions and part of football. I am now preparing for the current leaders Bayern Munich but won 1-0 against surgery and rehabilitation and getting back Shanghai SIPG. According to Bleicher, however, to full fi tness,” al-Yazidi said. the important game was not against the German The player went on to explain in detail Champions or the Chinese side, but is the Belgian how the injury happened. “When I fell to Cup semi-final against Zulte Waregem FC tomor- the grass, I felt a tear and severe pain. I knew row. “The players are aware that the preparations it was my cruciate. At the time my team- here are very much with the Cup game in mind. KAS Eupen’s training camp included four Qatari mates and the technical staff thought it was Having completed our training camp successfully, players – Fahad al-Abdulrahman, Monqeth Adi, a minor injury. The injury was confi rmed Al Wakrah defender Hamood al-Yazidi will miss rest of the QSL season due to an injury. we now head back to Belgium encouraged and Mohamed al-Bakry and Bassam Hisham – all of following the MRI and X-rays on the right ready to make the most of a vital second half of whom are graduates of Aspire Academy. knee,” he said. Youssoupha Mbengue and Prince Ibara in are available we will make a decision in the the season,” Bleicher said “My heart is with Al Wakrah now. I would attack, you never know we could cause an coming days.” “We brought some young players with us to this ian Hulk in the match against Shanghai SIPG. When have loved to be there to aid them in the fi ght upset.” Muaither are currently in last place in the camp and the coaching staff needed this break to you face players of this quality and know that you to avoid relegation this season. The team has standings with eleven points from sixteen work on combinations with the team. I’m pleased have competed well against them, it uplifts you been in this position before and has over- MUAITHER SET TO LOOSE DIOKO rounds of the QSL season. to say that good progress has been made in this in a way that I and, hopefully, the team will carry come the odds, I am confi dent we will beat The QSL’s bottom side Muaither has con- regard and everyone is excited for the remainder forwards into the second half of the season.” the drop this season,” he added. fi rmed that leading scorer Alain Dioko will ALAAELDIN RETURNS FOR AL RAYYAN of the season,” he added. KAS Eupen head coach Jordi Auli Condom Al-Yazidi was also quick to talk up his no longer be a part of the squad for the re- Reigning QSL champions Al Rayyan have KAS Eupen’s week-long training camp began on described the winter training camp as a welcome team-mates ahead of their crunch game mainder of the second half of the season. been handed a boost ahead of their game January 8th and saw four Qatari players – Fahad opportunity for him and his coaching staff to fine against current league leaders Lekhwiya on Stallion’s head of football Mubarak against top four rivals El Jaish, after con- al- Abdulrahman , Monqeth Adi, Mohamed al-Bakry tune things ahead of the second half of the season. Sunday evening. “Al Wakrah will come back Ghanim said: “We are now looking for a fi rming that young Qatari defender Mo- and Bassam Hisham – all of whom are graduates of “This is a fairly young side with some recent fi ghting in round 17. I have huge faith in the player to replace Alain Dioko in the side. The hammed Alaaeldin will return to the squad Aspire Academy, return home. arrivals, so it has been good to have a chance to management and player to pick up the nec- player has missed a number of games in re- for the game. Al-Abdulrahman, who has cemented his place look at all the players and work on new strategies. essary points to get out of trouble. I know cent weeks though injury and we need our Alaaeldin was suspended for the game in the Eupen side as left back, said of the training Of course, the conditions and environment suited the task ahead is tough, but we are in touch- squad at full fi tness for the remainder of the against Al Sailiya after picking up his fourth camp: “It has been an exceptional week back here the work we wanted to do and to be able to play ing distance from safety. We all know a sting season.” yellow card of the season against Umm Salal. at Aspire Academy and l thoroughly enjoyed this two competitive matches, during which employed of results can turn our season around.” The news will be a major blow for Muaith- In his absence, Al Rayyan eased past Sailiya training camp. We put in some hard work and ben- some of our new tactics, provided an immense Al-Yazidi said Wakrah have the potential er coach Phillipe Birol, who will now have to 4-0 to maintain their grip on fourth place in efited from playing against Bayern and Shanghai. boost for us as we restart the league and chal- to repeat their 1-1 draw with Lekhwiya in the search for a replacement for Dioko in time the QSL standings. Michael Laudrup’s side For me personally, I have been inspired by the lenge for honours in the Belgian Cup,” Condom. fi rst half of the season. “Facing Lekhwiya is for their crunch match against Al Sadd. will be without a number of key players for chance to play against top players like Arjen Rob- He also brought 12 other former Aspire Football a challenge, but we did well against them in Ghanim did also reveal that his side is the week, with captain Rodrigo Tabata, Se- ben, Robert Lewandowski and Franck Ribery in the Dreams players with the side to Doha, 8 of whom the fi rst half of the season, and that will be looking at two players as potential play- bastian Soria and goalkeeper Omar Barry Bayern game and l learnt a lot from marking Brazil- are still teenagers. our aim going into the match. We are a dif- ers. “We have two options at the moment; called up for Qatar’s friendly match against ferent side now with new professionals in both players have experience of the QSL and Moldova next Tuesday. Gulf Times Tuesday, January 17, 2017 11 FOOTBALL

FOCUS Sharpen up, Mourinho tells Man United players AFP and missed the target. We have always for the guy who wants to play football.” London chances to be in front and it costs us United manager Klopp also implied that United cap- (not) to score goals.” Jose Mourinho (left) and his tain Wayne Rooney, a half-time re- Pogba this week became the fi rst counterpart Juergen placement for Michael Carrick, had anchester United manager footballer to have his own Twitter emo- Klopp gesture from the sidelines been fortunate to avoid punishment for Jose Mourinho called on ji, which fl ashed up periodically on the during Sunday’s game. (Reuters) an ugly foul on Milner. his players to stop spurning perimeter advertising hoardings. But “If you are surprised, do me a favour: chances after they needed the world’s most expensive footballer write it,” he told reporters. “For exam- Man 84th-minute equaliser from Zlatan produced an error-strewn display and ple, if it’s an ugly challenge, write it. Ibrahimovic to rescue a 1-1 draw against it was his needless handball that ena- Don’t make it a story of it when I say it.” Liverpool. bled Milner to break the deadlock with Liverpool remain without a vic- Paul Pogba squandered a one-on-one a 27th-minute penalty. tory after four games of 2017, but Klopp in the early stages of Sunday’s game and Ibrahimovic spared his teammate’s pointed to selection problems as a miti- after his handball allowed James Milner blushes late on, stooping to guide a gating factor. An abdominal injury to to put Liverpool ahead with a penalty, header over Simon Mignolet from An- Nathaniel Clyne saw 18-year-old Trent United were left chasing the game. tonio Valencia’s cross after substitute Alexander-Arnold make his full league Only seven of United’s 32 Premier Marouane Fellaini had hit the post. debut at right-back, while Philippe League goals this season have been With 14 goals, he is now the Premier Coutinho was only fi t enough for the scored in the fi rst 35 minutes and Mour- League’s joint-leading scorer. bench. Sadio Mane is away at the Africa inho wants his team to stop letting their United, who had won their previous Cup of Nations with Senegal and Liver- opponents off the hook. nine matches in all competitions, re- pool announced before the game that “We are having this problem for the main sixth, four points off the top four, Joel Matip is awaiting FIFA clearance whole season,” he told reporters at Old while Liverpool trail leaders Chelsea by after refusing to play in the tournament Traff ord. “We start matches normally seven points in third place. for Cameroon. very, very well and we don’t score many Mourinho, somewhat mischievously, “In this moment for us maybe it’s a goals in the fi rst half of the matches. said Liverpool had come to defend and little bit more diffi cult to play our best Normally the fi rst big occasion, the likened their performance to the ultra- because not everybody’s available,” said goalkeeper makes a phenomenal save. defensive display produced by his side Klopp. “But we’re still there and eve- “Every goalkeeper that comes here in October’s 0-0 draw at Anfi eld. rybody could see we fi ght for it 100%. plays fantastic. That save (by Liverpool Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp, who altercation with Ander Herrera. low cards and a frank exchange of views (gesturing to his head) to toe and he There will be a moment when we are the goalkeeper Simon Mignolet) from Zla- felt his team had been “the better side”, Firmino shoved Herrera to the between Mourinho and Klopp on the wants to stay in the game,” Klopp said. better side and everybody’s back and in tan’s free-kick is an amazing save. And was aggrieved that Roberto Firmino was ground after the Spaniard had held him touchline. “That’s a yellow card for Herrera and shape, healthy, fi t, and then we’ll see then Paul is in the face of the keeper booked for his role in a stoppage-time back by the shirt, yielding a pair of yel- “Roberto is a footballer from here nothing else. In the end it’s a yellow card how the base is then.”

SERIE A LIGUE 1 Falcao fi res 60-goal Monaco to top in Juve lose as Kalinic Marseille mauling

AFP ping again just ahead of the hour Paris for a resounding 4-1 away win. “We deserved the three points and the four goals, be- onaco climbed top cause Marseille were good to- paves way for Viola of Ligue 1 after day,” said Portugal star Silva. thrashing Marseille “We have to go on in this way 4-1 away on Sun- and go for the title — we’re also ‘It’s a setback for us, but we still have the chance to be four points clear. Teams Mday as the free-scoring south- going to go as far as we can in erners took their goal haul to the Champions League,” added usually play the games of their lives against us, they give it more than 100%, 60 from just 20 league games. Silva, whose rampaging runs The result puts Monaco top will have caught the attention so we can’t aff ord to be anything less than 100%. Roma and Napoli are just on goal diff erence as Nice, who of Manchester City whom they slugged out a 0-0 draw with play in the last-16. behind us, so it could go right to the end. But we will learn from this defeat’ bottom side Metz earlier in the PSG were delighted on Satur- day, also have 45 points. Cham- day when new boy Julian Drax- pions Paris Saint Germain are ler produced a brilliant fi rst- third on 42 after a narrow win time fi nish to earn a 1-0 win at Fiorentina players at Rennes on Saturday. Lyon Rennes on his Ligue 1 debut. celebrate their win over are eight points further back in Nice were playing without Juventus. (Reuters) fourth after being beaten 3-2 at arguably their best players as Caen on Sunday. Mario Balotelli was serving a A neat lob from a tight an- ban and Younes Belhanda is out gle from Thomas Lemar on 16 injured. minutes was followed by a slick The club’s top-scorer Alas- Radamel Falcao run and shot as sane Plea, with 10 Ligue 1 goals Monaco went 2-0 up. so far this campaign, had a The lead was against the run poor afternoon and hit the post of play after Remy Cabella had late on with the best chance gone close twice at the other of the match. Midfi eld general end as a raucous Velodrome Jean-Michael Seri is also away public seemed to lift the hosts. at the Africa Cup of Nations A towering Rolando Jorge with Ivory Coast. header gave the home side hope Despite these absences Metz at 2-1 but livewire midfi elder looked to be a soft opponent Bernardo Silva stormed past a and the visitors will be happy sleepy defence just before half- with an away point that never- time to bullet a header home. theless leaves them bottom on He caught the defence nap- goal diff erence. Discord over Maradona’s night at the opera

AFP The show, written by Ales- Rome sandro Siani, will tell the Ma- radona story through recitals, songs and images with video iego Maradona input from other legendary stepped into the world players to have worn the Dof high culture yester- famous number 10 shirt in day when epic tales of World the Italian leagues such as Cup glory as well as reflec- Roberto Baggio, Francesco tions on his colourful private Totti and Alessandro Del Piero. life were played out at Naples’ “It will not be a theatre famed Teatro di San Carlo. show. It’s the story of what’s Sadly for the Argentine, who inside Maradona. At San Carlo, was idolised when he starred I will tell everything I have in for Napoli 30 years ago, his my heart,” he explained in the presence at the world’s oldest third person. “I will not keep active opera house has sparked anything back and I know that an angry reaction amongst the all Neapolitans will under- country’s artistic community. stand everything.” AFP for us, but we still have the chance to be post that skimmed off the upright. Refreshed after being rested for Juve’s “The San Carlo has a rich On Saturday night, Mara- Milan four points clear. Teams usually play the Federico Chiesa’s snap shot after a nice 3-2 Italian Cup win over Atalanta in mid- history, it has welcomed the dona was given a rousing games of their lives against us, they give it dribble into the area had Buff on down low week, Higuain reduced arrears four min- greatest singers and orches- reception by fans at his city more than 100%, so we can’t aff ord to be to parry and Vecino’s drive from distance utes later when he ran in to pick up the re- tras. There is music, opera and hotel who sang, “Diego, Di- iorentina blew a hole in Juventus’s anything less than 100%. Roma and Napoli then curled wide of Buff on’s upright on the bound from Stefano Sturaro’s close-range ballet — it is not the place for ego!” or the famous “Ho visto title hopes with a shock 2-1 win in are just behind us, so it could go right to quarter-hour. eff ort to fi re past Tatarusanu. football. It is totally inappro- Maradona” (“I saw Maradona”). Florence on Sunday night as Niko- the end. But we will learn from this defeat.” The fast start ruffl ed the champions and But Juve’s chances from there on in were priate,” sniff ed leading com- In response, he blew kisses to la Kalinic reassured fans troubled After an injury-plagued six weeks, Al- their fi rst chance came after 20 minutes, few and far between. In a last, desperate poser Roberto De Simone. the crowd below his window. byF a possible move to China with a superb legri deployed his trademark ‘BBC’ defence Alex Sandro controlling a clearance from move Allegri replaced Barzagli with striker Maradona, characteristi- On Sunday night, he had fi rst-half opener. of Andrea Barzagli, Leonardo Bonucci and a corner only to shoot straight at Ciprian Mario Mandzukic for the fi nal 10 minutes, cally, has shrugged off the hoped to be at the San Paolo Winning coach Paulo Sousa was riled up Giorgio Chiellini for the fi rst time since Tatarusanu. and it almost paid off . controversy, as have his fans. stadium where Napoli, who he Saturday after hearing Massimiliano Allegri October 29. Fiorentina’s earlier enterprise eventu- A mad goalmouth scramble followed Tickets for yesterday’s one- helped to the Serie A title in claim that Juve were coming to “take com- But Fiorentina were fi red up from kick- ally paid off , Federico Bernardeschi urging when Tatarusanu spilled Higuain’s head- night show, entitled ‘Three 1987 and 1990, beat Pescara mand” at the Artemio Franchi stadium. off and it took only seven minutes for cap- Kalinic to go on a run after taking posses- er from a free kick, the Argentine poking Times 10’, sold out in just a 3-1. But despite an invitation After a dominant fi rst half that saw tain Gianluigi Buff on to launch a rallying sion and sending the Croatian through to two or three times at the loose ball as the few hours despite a top cost from the coach Maurizio Sarri, Fiorentina miss a host of solid chances, it call from the goalmouth. beat Buff on with a low angled strike on 37 ‘keeper scrambled to recover. of 350 euros. he did not attend the match. appeared Allegri’s words cut deep. Viola forward Matias Vecino was a con- minutes. Mandzukic then did all the hard work “It’s very emotional to see “Despite the beauty of this The memorable Viola win handed Juve stant threat, the Uruguayan muscling past Juve spurned chances to level before for Dybala a minute from the fi nish but how much love there is for city, Maradona is Naples’ just their fourth defeat in 20 games to leave Juve midfi elder Claudio Marchisio to run half-time when Juan Cuadrado missed the Argentine forward ballooned a skewed me,” said 56-year-old Mara- finest monument,” said Sarri. the champions, who have a game in hand, into the area and unleash a drive had Buff on Paulo Dybala’s cross before Higuain saw a shot over from 16 yards. dona as he met the press. “I “I will not be able to go to just one point ahead of Roma. Napoli are got down low to parry on seven minutes. shot charged down by Maxi Olivera. Six minutes of injury time were added, have seen young people who the theatre and I think he will four points off the pace in third and Lazio Juve were under the cosh barely two The visitors’ woes deepened on 54 min- but Juve survived a harsher beating when weren’t even born when I was have a very busy schedule. a further point back. minutes later as Kalinic chased and con- utes, Milan Badelj’s angled drive bamboo- Kalinic set up late substitute Josip Ilicic playing cry because they had But once in my life I would like Admitting Fiorentina “gave more than trolled a high ball, offl oading a pass to help zled Buff on after Chiesa provided the foil for a great chance that the Slovenian blun- a photo with me.” to speak to him face to face.” 100 percent”, Allegri said: “It’s a setback set up Vecino for a drive at Buff on’s near with a run across the goalmouth. dered yards from goal. Tuesday, January 17, 2017 GULF TIMES FOOTBALL

FOCUS China to cut foreign player numbers on pitch AFP of high transfer fees and salaries for do- But Chelsea manager Antonio Conte “When you play for a great team like Beijing mestic and foreign footballers”. yesterday dismissed there was a Chinese Chelsea, you must be pleased. I have The decision comes in the middle of bid for Costa. “I don’t know anything to look at the past. Oscar played with the winter transfer window, which be- about this (off er from China). The club did us, had a good off er from China and he hina said yesterday it will cut gan January 1, and could disrupt some not inform me about this. That can be only went,” Conte added. “But this league foreign player numbers in top- deals already in the works. speculation,” he said after his Premier is really competitive and every player fl ight teams to curb massive Big business backers of Chinese Su- League leaders beat Leicester 3-0 without wants to come and play in this league. spending on overseas talent, per League clubs, encouraged by foot- Costa, who was omitted amid reports of This league is the fi rst in the world be- withC Chelsea’s Diego Costa the latest to ball fan President Xi Jinping’s vision an argument with fi tness coach Julio Tous cause of a lot of positive things. For this be linked to a big-money move. of China becoming one of the game’s and interest from clubs in China. reason, I don’t think these off ers from Teams in the Chinese Super League superpowers, hosting and winning a Football fans and authorities fear the China are a threat for our league.” will be able to fi eld no more than three World Cup, have lavished money on infl ux of foreign talent will come at the Costa missed Saturday’s 3-0 win foreigners in a match when the new their teams alongside heavy investment cost of potential homegrown heroes, over Leicester City and Conte said it 2017 season begins in March, accord- in grassroots development. preferring that hefty sums be reserved was due to a back injury. The Chelsea ing to new rules posted on the Chinese China last month broke the Asian for nurturing local talent. coach said he was pleased with the way Football Association website. transfer record for the fi fth time in a China, ranked 82nd in the world, his side has responded after Tottenham Previously, four non-Chinese players year when Shanghai SIPG paid Chelsea punch well below their weight in inter- Hotspur ended their 13-games winning were allowed, provided one was from an 60mn euros ($63mn) for Brazilian mid- national competition, having qualifi ed run this month. Asian Football Confederation country. fi elder Oscar. only once for the World Cup fi nals, in “When you win 13 in a row and then The decision would be “advantageous At the same time across the city, 2002, where they failed to win a match you arrive at the moment where you suf- for the overall development of Chinese Shanghai Shenhua were reportedly mak- or score a goal. fer a defeat, to restart is not easy,” the football, advantageous for the cultiva- ing Argentina’s former Manchester Unit- Conte added that he is not wary of Italian said. “I know this from when I tion of Chinese local footballers and ed and Manchester City striker Carlos big-spending Chinese clubs poaching was a footballer and I understand, the advantageous for raising the level of Tevez the world’s highest-salaried player. his players. “I think we are a great club psychological aspect is very important. China’s national team,” the CFA said. The two were the latest in a stream of for- and it’s a great honour to play for Chel- But I think we started very well in the The organisation also said it would eign players — many from South America sea and for this reason I don’t see (Chi- FA Cup and in the league to win against act to rein in the “recent appearance of — fl owing into China in recent years in na) as a threat for my players. Money is a team that is very tough and with really irrational investments and the payment return for eye-watering wages. not everything,” Conte said. good players and a good manager.”

LA LIGA Chapecoense president thanks people of Qatar for support following tragedy

he president of a lot since then. Qatar 2022 is Chapecoense, Plínio already a success. We also wish Zidane proud as TDavid de Nes Filho, has good luck to the Chapecoense thanked the people of Qatar and Under-17s team which will take the country’s football communi- part in matches at the Al Kass ty for the outpouring of support Cup this year. I look forward to in the aftermath of the terrible further ways of cooperation in tragedy which struck the Brazil- the future,” he said. ian side in 2016, when the team Talking during the meeting, lost most of its squad in a plane al-Khater personally conveyed Real fi nally fall crash in Colombia last year. sincere condolences to the Speaking during a visit to the president of Chapecoense and off ices of the Supreme Commit- wished the club well in their ef- tee for & Legacy (SC) forts to rebuild the team. in Doha, Filho said: “I would like “On behalf of the SC and the to thank the Qatari government Qatar 2022 LOC, we share our and the people for their support, deepest condolences with the as well as thanking the QFA club, the families and friends of at the 41st hurdle president for the invitation to those aff ected by this tragedy. come to Qatar. We’ve got a lot of Our hearts and prayers are with Real Madrid's remarkable 40-game unbeaten run stretching back to April ends in friends here in Qatar and we ap- the families at this very diff icult preciate their gesture of support time, and we hope and believe dramatic fashion when Sevilla's Stevan Jovetic scores in added time to snatch a 2-1 win at such a diff icult time for us.” that you can overcome this ter- The president of rible adversity,” al-Khater said. Chapecoense met SC Assistant “We also look forward to Secretary General for Tourna- seeing the club’s Under-17s, the Sevilla’s Stevan Jovetic (right) celebrates ment Aff airs, Nasser al-Khater, future generation of stars who with teammate Wissam Ben Yedder after and said his team would be back will represent the team, playing scoring the winning goal in his side's 2-1 in Doha soon for a youth tourna- at the Al Kass International Cup win against Real Madrid on Sunday. (AFP) ment at the Aspire Academy. this month in Doha,” he added. “This is my second visit to The Al Kass International Cup Qatar, after I first came here in begins in Doha on Jan 21 and 1988. The country has changed runs through until Jan 31. (sc.qa)

Chapecoense chief Plínio David de Nes Filho with SC Assistant Secretary General for Tournament Aff airs, Nasser al-Khater

QATAR TEAM Fossati names squad for Moldova friendly

By Sports Reporter Doha

atar football coach Jorge Fossati yesterday named a Q23-member squad that will be on call for national duty against Moldova in an international AFP draw in the Copa del Rey between the that for 85 minutes and then to lose is hard friendly to be played next Tuesday. Madrid sides as Real progressed 6-3 on aggregate to take, but that’s football.” According to details released on Thursday. By contrast, Sevilla coach Jorge Sam- by the Qatar Football Associa- “There is no need to point the fi nger paoli claimed his side can cash in on the tion (QFA), Fossati included the eal Madrid coach Zinedine or apologise,” said Ramos. “When we momentum gained by such a late turna- Al Rayyan duo of Sebastian Soria Zidane urged his side to put their win, we all win and when we lose, it is the round to fuel their unlikely title challenge. and Rodrigo Tabata for the clash disappointment of a fi rst defeat same. We couldn’t kill the game off .” “It has to stimulate the team. Playing set to take place at Jassim Bin Ha- in 40 games behind them as Se- And Zidane rejected any suggestion like this against a team that hadn’t lost in mad Stadium. villaR produced a remarkable late turna- his concentration had been aff ected as he so long,” said the Argentine. Qatar have resumed their train- round to breathe new life into the Spanish bulleted a header into his own net to in- “The conclusion to take from the game ing for the remaining 2018 FIFA title race with a 2-1 win on Sunday night. spire Sevilla’s late fi ghtback. is that we won it, we are a point be- World Cup qualifying games— Zidane’s men looked set to extend their “He played great. I am very happy with hind them and played with great bravery against Iran in Doha (March commanding lead at the top of the table how he did, he played with personality,” against such a big team.” 23) and Uzbekistan in Tashkent when Cristiano Ronaldo opened the scor- added Zidane. Jovetic in particular has enjoyed a (March 28). The Qatar squad has ing at the Sanchez Pizjuan from the pen- Ramos was part of an unusual Madrid whirlwind week as the Montenegrin only assembled for a three-day train- alty spot midway through the second half. line-up with three at the back, but Zi- completed a loan move until the end of ing camp that began on Jan 14. However, Real captain Sergio Ramos de- “I have to be very proud of them all for dane’s tactical change had worked well the season from Inter Milan last Tuesday. The players will return to their lighted the home fans by heading into his what we have done until now,” Zidane said. for 85 minutes. However, he netted on his debut against Qatar Stars League (QSL) clashes Ismail, Ali Salem al-Hajri, Ali own net on his return to his former club. “We know this was going to happen some Wing-backs Dani Carvajal and Marcelo Real on Thursday and repeated the trick today before resuming training Saad, Mohamed Kasola, Boualem And substitute Stefan Jovetic curled day, it is today, and now we have to contin- were given extra licence to roam forward with a great hit from 25 yards two minutes again. Khoukhy, Ahmed Khalfan Saleh, home a dramatic stoppage-time winner on ue working hard in all competitions.” and it was Carvajal who was chopped into time added on. Qatar squad: Abdul Rahman Rami Fayez, Karim Boudiaf, his La Liga debut as Sevilla closed to within Ramos received an even more hostile down in the area for Ronaldo’s opener. “I couldn’t imagine a better start,” said al-Harazi, Abdul Majid, Omar Louis Martin, Mohamed Musa Ali, a point of Real. Victory also takes Sevilla reception than normal in Seville after “We did very well with the wing-backs. Jovetic. “I want to off er the team what it Barry, Sebastian Soria, Rodrigo Ahmed Abdel Maqsood, Yasser a point above Barcelona into second, but goading the ultras section of the home Dani and Marcelo off ered a lot off ensive- needs to go as far as possible in the league Tabata, Abdul Hamid, Ibrahim Abu Bakr Issa and Said Haj Issa. Madrid still have a game in hand on both. support in scoring a late penalty in a 3-3 ly,” said Zidane. “It is a shame. To play like and Champions League.” Majid, Pedro Miguel, Hamid Coach: Jorge Fossati