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Thursday, January 26, 2017 TENNIS Rabia II, 28, 1438 AH Nadal blasts past GULF TIMES Raonic to set up Dimitrov semis clash SPORT Page 3

SPOTLIGHT Jolt for Bolt as Carter tests Plenty to play for as positive 20th CBQM tees off As has been the trend since the inaugural Masters in 1998, a strong field boasting several major champions are in the fray again for the landmark 20th edition of the event starting today

By Satya Rath the two most recent winners on the European Doha Tour for company over the fi rst two days, in last This file photo taken on August 22, week’s champion and SA 2008 shows Jamaica’s Nesta Carter (L) Open winner . and Usain Bolt celebrating after winning wenty years is a long time. Long enough Ten-time European Tour winner McDowell the men’s 4×100m relay final at the for memories to fade, long enough for will have the company of up-and-coming Chi- “Bird’s Nest” National Stadium during small towns to become bustling cities, nese star Haotong Li and Pablo Larrazábal. the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games. long enough for a start to become an an- The CBQM, over the years, has often thrown nualT ritual, long enough for an event to attain an up surprise winners. Wind has always been a Reuters iconic status. factor here, and this year too, the trend is likely London It’s a somewhat similar tale for the Commer- to continue. There’s little chance of rain over the cial Bank , the only men’s - next four days, though it would be windy and pean Tour event in Qatar, which is celebrating its cloudy, which could make the conditions tricky. amaica’s Usain Bolt has lost one 20th birthday this year. Though two-time defending champion Grace of his nine Olympic gold med- Part of the three-leg Desert Swing, the CBQM has opted to skip the event this time, there’s still als and his perfect triple treble has developed beyond recognition since its in- enough ammunition in the fi eld to make for an Jof Games’ sprint victories after auguration in 1998, when it helped form a two- exciting tussle. Alex Noren would surely be one teammate Nesta Carter was found leg Desert Swing on the European Tour. Since of the names to watch out for over the next four guilty of doping at the 2008 Beijing then, the tournament has grown into a world days. Coming off a wrist injury, the 34-year-old Olympics. class event which regularly attracts golf’s elites. Swede won four European Tour titles in 2016. Carter was found to have taken the Among some of the game’s big names who Known as a good player in the wind and adverse prohibited substance methylhexa- have seen their names engraved on the famous weather, the Swede has had two top-10 fi nishes neamine, the International Olym- Mother of Pearl Trophy are major winners Ernie in his last three appearances in Qatar, including pic Committee (IOC) said yesterday, Els, Retief Goosen, Paul Lawrie, and a tied-fourth fi nish in 2013. This could be the meaning Jamaica’s 4x100 metres , besides Ryder Cup stars Sergio in-form Noren’s best chance to break his CBQM relay team must give back their gold Garcia and . South African Brenden title duck. medals. Grace is the only player to have won it back to Another name who could shake up the lead- Bolt is considered one of the great- back (2015, 2016), while Lawrie (1999, 2012) and erboard is , who is perhaps in est sprinters of all time, having won Scott (2002, 2008) have won the trophy twice the form of his career. The Austrian arrives in an unprecedented treble of consecu- each. Doha on the back of three straight top fi ve ap- tive golds in the 100m, 200m and As has been the trend since the inaugural Qa- pearances — in , Dubai and last week in 4x100 relay in three straight Olym- tar Masters in 1998 — won by Andrew Coltart Abu Dhabi. He has fi nished in the top-10 on the pics. of — a strong fi eld boasting of several European Tour in seven of his last eight starts. Bolt was sleeping after a training major champions are in the fray again for the Having missed the cut in Qatar in three of his session and unavailable to comment landmark 20th edition of the event, which tees fi rst four visits, the 31-year-old seems to have but in June, when sources familiar off today at the Doha Golf Club. found his groove in recent years, fi nishing in the with the case told Reuters that Carter There are 15 players in the fi eld who have won top-15 in each of the last two years with a scoring had failed a doping test, he was philo- European Tour events in the Middle East, in- average of 69. sophical about the prospect of losing cluding Ernie Els. The South African, the cham- Young Dane Thorbjorn Olesen will also be a gold medal. pion in Qatar in 2005, jointly holds the record looking to go one better than his runner-up “It’s heartbreaking (the positive for most European Tour titles in the region with fi nish last year here. The 27-year-old is in fi ne test) because over the years you’ve four, along with Rory McIlroy and Henrik Sten- form, having lifted two trophies in November. worked hard to accumulate gold med- son. He fi nished tied for second with Rafa Cabrera- als and work hard to be a champion... The draw for the opening rounds has thrown Bello at the 2016 CBQM, having tied for third but it’s just one of those things,” Bolt up some fi ne groups. World No. 10 Alex Noren with the Spaniard in 2014. “I feel like I’m getting said. has been paired with Rafa Cabrera Bello, and closer and closer to winning the Commercial “Things happen in life, so when it’s 2005 winner South African Ernie Els, who will Bank Qatar Masters, so it would be to go one confi rmed or whatever, if I need to be making his eighth appearance in the event. step further and win it this time,” said Olesen. give back my gold medal I’d have to The trio will tee off from the fi rst tee at 11:20 am. Cabrera-Bello has already come close to win- give it back, it’s not a problem for me.” Twenty minutes later, 2013 CBQM champion ning on three occasions, fi nishing joint runner- Trinidad and Tobago are set to be Wood will get his challenge under way alongside up last January after tied-third fi nishes in 2011 promoted to gold in the Beijing 4x100, Andy Sullivan and Robert Karlsson. Ryder Cup and 2014, the year he missed out on the playoff in which Jamaica set a then world stars and Graeme McDowell will between Garcia and Mikko Ilonen by one shot. record, with Japan moving up to sil- tee off early from the 10th at 7:20 and 7:30, re- “I defi nitely feel like I can win here, I have been ver and fourth-placed earning spectively. very close in the past. I really like the course at bronze. Kaymer, who fi nished in a tie for fourth at Doha Golf Club and I know I can play well on it,” A reallocation of medals is subject last week’s Abu Dhabi Championship, will have said the 32-year-old. to any further results from the IOC anti-doping retesting programme. First-leg specialist Carter has been BOTTOMLINE a vital member of Jamaica’s dominant squad, helping the Caribbean island win gold medals at the 2008 and 2012 Olympics and the 2011, 2013 and 2015 world championships. Carter returned a positive result in re-tests of samples from the Beijing How Tiger drove golfers to the gym Olympics for the prohibited stimu- lant methylhexaneamine, the IOC By Anil John longer headed to the bar after the end of option but to fall in line or lose out on ers to mend their ways after beating the said. Sports Editor a round. Instead, they made a beeline the big bucks. American in a thrilling fi nish at the Du- Asafa Powell, who has himself for the gym. In 1999, when the young Woods bai Desert Classic in 2001. served a six-month doping ban, and If current golf pros employ a fi tness turned up in for a tourna- The Dane ended up playing all the Michael Frater completed the Ja- ntil about a quarter of a cen- regime that is not out of sync with that ment, he discovered to his horror that four rounds of the tournament with maica sprint team at the 2008 race. tury ago, golf was trapped of top athletes or footballers, they have the hotel he was booked into did not Woods and got a fi rsthand insight into Nesta was unavailable to comment in its easy-going traditions. Woods to thank for it. have a gymnasium. the working of his mind, not to speak on Wednesday’s IOC announcement, Out-of-shape players on the Doha Golf Club general manager and “We are outta here,” he reportedly of his body. Tiger may not look intimi- while Powell and Crater declined to courseU – a result of the fondness for the tournament director Gary McGlinchey told his manager. Of course there was dating when you see him from afar but comment. pint and an aversion to rigorous physi- spoke on Tuesday of how players these no need to do that because the hotel when you watch him in the gym it can “The Jamaican team is disqualifi ed cal activity – were a common sight. days are driven by a near-manic urge to management was so alarmed at the get intimidating, Bjorn pointed out af- from the men’s 4x100m relay event. Some critics even wondered whether it stay fi t. prospect of the negative publicity that ter his victory. The corresponding medals, medallist was a sport at all, with the particularly “The guys are athletes now, too. Woods walking out would bring them “Golf has gained a great deal from pins and diplomas are withdrawn and well-read among them excelling in get- Twenty years ago, these guys, they that they converted a conference hall him. The game has really developed and shall be returned,” the IOC said. ting under the skin of golf lovers with don’t go to the gym, but now every guy into a full-fl edged gymnasium in a cou- the prize money has also gone up as a “The (international athletics’ fed- uncharitable – and often, unprintable on Tour, they are like professional ath- ple of hours. result,” Bjorn said. eration) IAAF is requested to modify – quotes on the game. letes,” he said at a press conference. Nobody could aff ord to displease “Golf should thank him that he did the results of the above-mentioned Then, virtually out of nowhere, a “They live, breathe golf. They go to Woods, even when he was barely 25. not choose to play basketball or Ameri- event accordingly and to consider any phenom called Tiger Woods stormed the gym. Their diets, they all have di- When his chartered plane to Dubai can football.” further action within its own compe- the scene and turned the game on its eticians. I think globally overall, golf from Los in Angeles in 2001 developed a Woods may have had his problems on tence.” Methylhexanamine has been head. has become a much more athletic sport snag before takeoff , no eff ort was made the personal front in the past few years, on the World Anti-Doping Agency Almost overnight there was a mas- than it used to be.” to repair it. Another plane was readily but nobody can deny him the credit for (WADA) Code prohibited list since sive infusion of sponsorship money Most of the credit for that goes to one placed at his disposal. changing golf’s work ethic. So much so 2004 although it was reclassifi ed on riding on Woods’ broad shoulders, rais- man – Woods. His fanatical obsession Thomas Bjorn, the 2011 winner in that nobody jokes about the game any- the 2011 list as a “specifi ed substance”. ing the stakes for everybody. Players no with fi tness meant other players had no Qatar, spoke of how Woods forced play- more. Gulf Times 2 Thursday, January 26, 2017 GOLF Els leads Gulf Times to victory in CBQM Pro-Am Lawrie hopes to By Sports Reporter become fi rst 3-time Doha

rnie Els won the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters winner in Qatar Pro-Am for the second straight year after the South EAfrican superstar captained his Gulf Times team to victory yesterday afternoon. Els, a four-time major winner, led his team featuring amateurs Rachid Aki, Chawki Harb and Matthew Moucha- rafleh to a medal score of -32 in the traditional curtain- raiser to the long-standing European Tour event, which is celebrating its 20th edition. Gulf Times team ’s led his Rolex team featuring Marc comprised of Valentin, Henning Rudbech and Russel James to second Ernie Els (left), place on -29, while ’s Thorbjørn Olesen and his amateurs De Boer team finished third on -26. Rachid Aki, Teams captained by Rookie of Chawki Harb the Year Wang Jeunghun, two-time major winner Martin and Matthew Kaymer and eight-time European Tour winner Thongchai Moucharafleh. Jaidee finished -24. The Pro-Am featured 34 pros, each teaming up with three amateurs that included a range of VIPs and celebrities. Commercial Bank (CBQ), Qatar Golf Association (QGA) By Yash Mudgal Qatar, defeating and and Doha Golf Club (DGC) all fielded several teams, while Doha by four strokes af- tournament sponsors and partners also had teams. Stephen ter a gap of 13 years in the wind- Gallacher’s Commercial Bank team included Joseph Abra- hit 2012 edition, his seventh ham, Chief Executive Off icer of Commercial Bank, and Gary he spring in the steps win on the European Tour. The McGlinchey, General Manager of Doha Golf Club. of Paul Lawrie, after other two-time winners in Qatar Prizes were awarded at a lavish Pro-Am Dinner hosted Tplaying the ProAm round are Australian Adam Scott and by The St. Regis Doha, the tournament’s Preferred Hotel. yesterday, was a signal that he Brenden Grace of . The CBQM tees off today, with the first groups teeing off is looking to atone for his disap- Lawrie said he has a special from 6.30am and the last flights off at 12.20pm. pointing showing at last week’s liking for the Doha Golf Club Abu Dhabi Championship, the course. “It is my favourite first event of the Desert Swing, course,” he said. FOCUS where he missed the cut. “The course is pretty much the Lawrie, known to make strong same… some new tees are there. last-round comebacks—he Overall, the place is nearly the pulled off the largest final-round same. The top hasn’t changed. The comeback in a major champion- event has become bigger than ship—is aiming for a spectacular it was. Obviously over the years, third Commercial Bank Qatar it (the tournament) has grown,” Masters titles. Lawrie, who won the 1999 British His belief is a key attribute for Open despite starting the final a champion and Lawrie was full round 10 shots behind Frenchman G-Mac continues of it when he said, “I feel ready Jean van de Velde, said. for the show. I am feeling good Commenting over the com- (about my shot at the third title).” petitive field, he said, “The field “Last week was my first event is quite strong. It is always good of the year in Abu Dhabi for (field) here. These three weeks quite a few months. I was a are always pretty busy and peo- bit rusty and missed the cut ple like to play them here.” by five shots, but I did a lot of Lawrie’s last title was the ‘long road back’ work over the weekend. I have Johnnie Walker Championship been here for a couple of days at Gleneagles in 2012. He won now and I think I’m ready,” the the Open de Andalucia title in ‘It has not been the kind of few years I expect from myself. There have been 49-year-old, who won his first 2011, which came after his 2002 Qatar title in 1999, told Gulf Wales Open win. some factors outside golf which have been distracting for me — and I wouldn’t Times yesterday. Lawrie played the Pro-Am “I hit it pretty good from tee to yesterday with local golfers change it for the world. Having a family is something I’ve always wanted’ green but my short game and Yasmain al-Sharsani and Mariam putting was pretty poor in Abu al-Sada and was happy with the By Sports Reporter Dhabi. The course and event conditions. “The Pro-Am went Doha as always was brilliant and is a ok. The course is very good and great way to start the season the greens are beautiful but the for most of the players. I stayed fairways are not as good as they Ten-time European Tour re-focused Graeme McDowell over the weekend in Abu Dhabi normally are. There are a fair bit winner Graeme McDowell last will kick-start his 2017 season and managed to put in some of problems with them. But it is competed in CBQM in 2012. at the Commercial Bank Qatar quality practice, especially with always nice to play here,” the Masters today as the 10-time the putter,” he added. vice- of the European Ry- EuropeanA Tour winner looks to re-ignite Lawrie won his second title in der Cup team last year said. a career headlined by four Ryder Cup ap- pearances — including three wins — and a historic US Open victory in 2010. SPOTLIGHT Second in The Race to Dubai Rankings in 2010 and World No. 4 in early 2011, ‘G- Mac’ has now dropped to 91st in the Offi cial World Golf Ranking. The 10-time European Qatar’s al-Kaabi Tour winner is determined to regain the form that made him one of the world’s best. McDowell, 37, is grouped with ’s hopes to make cut Pablo Larrazabal and China No. 1 Li Hao- tong at Doha Golf Club, where the Florida- By Sports Reporter “I shot 67 on the last day of based Northern Irishman last competed Doha the Qatar Open to fi nish second in 2012 before reducing his travel in recent on three-under and that has re- years due to family and other commitments. ally motivated me. For two days, “It has not been the kind of few years I ex- aleh al-Kaabi is ap- I shot under par, but on the sec- pect from myself. There have been some fac- proaching this week’s ond day the winds were over 30 tors outside golf which have been distracting Commercial Bank Qatar miles per hour and this course for me — and I wouldn’t change it for the Masters with extra confi - gets tough in those conditions. I world. Having a family is something I’ve McDowell played in the Commercial Sdence after fi nishing runner-up in fi nished three shots behind the always wanted,” said McDowell, who was Bank Qatar Masters six times from 2003 the Qatar Open earlier this month leader and I was especially happy married in September 2013 and had a daugh- and had a best fi nish of fourth in 2007, when following a closing fi ve-under- with my score on the last day,” ter in August 2014 and a son last August. he fi nished three strokes behind two-time par 67 at the Doha Golf Club. the Qatari amateur said. “My on-course performance has not US Open champion Retief Goosen. Rafa Cabrera-Bello Qatar’s top-ranked amateur “I also fi nished fi ve-under for been good enough, so there have been some McDowell warned that his game may finished joint was proud of his best fi nish in the three rounds at the King Hamad areas I needed to refocus on like general be a little “rusty” following a two-month runner-up at last tournament after posting a three- Trophy, won by Andrew Mar- work ethic, goal setting and patience levels. break from competition since the World year's CBQM after under total of 213 (71-75-67) to shall, who’s a pro. I came third As I look to the next few years, I’ve tried to Cup of Golf in Melbourne in late Novem- third-place finishes fi nish three shots behind Dutch and that was a really good result view it as a long road back towards the top ber, though he fi nished fourth in his last in 2011 and 2014. teenager Pierre Verlaar Jr, who’s for me. In December, I won the of the game. That’s where I want to be — European Tour outing at the British Mas- also competing in this week’s fi eld. Saudi Open, so I’m really moti- giving myself chances to win majors again. ters in October. It was the latest impressive vated for this week and think I “I’ve got a lot of things to work on and “It’s great to be back in Doha. It’s an result by al-Kaabi, who fi nished have a good chance of making the I’ve been rededicating myself for the last amazing city and it’s great to see how third at November’s King Ha- cut this year,” he added. six or eight months. Mentally, I think it’s things have moved on the last fi ve years mad Trophy in Bahrain and won Al-Kaabi has expressed simi- really, really important that I stay super- from a construction point of view. The December’s SGF Open amateur lar sentiments in the past, but patient with it. It may not happen this skyline continues to get busier and busier tournament in Saudi Arabia. has struggled to make an impact week or next week, but if I keep doing the here, and obviously they’re working to- Al-Kaabi will renew his quest against a full-strength European things I know are going to make me the wards the 2022 World Cup. It’s an exciting to become the fi rst Qatari to Tour fi eld on a course that he’s best I can be, eventually it will come.” time for Doha,” McDowell said. make the cut at the Commer- familiar with but which is tough- McDowell admitted his drop in form “I’ve always enjoyed this tournament cial Bank Qatar Masters today as ened up for the pros. came into sharp focus when he was unable and course. The wind can be very tough the 22-year-old makes his fi fth His lowest round at the tour- to play his way into Europe’s Ryder Cup and after eight weeks off and the game be- straight appearance in the Euro- nament is a second-round 70 in team last year, having made his debut in ing a tad rusty, this is a tough place to start pean Tour event. 2014, when he missed the cut by 2008 and played in winning teams in 2010, the season, but my focus will get there very “It’s my fi fth Commercial fi ve shots. The top 65 players plus 2012 and 2014. quickly. I’m looking forward to getting a Bank Qatar Masters and this year ties after Friday’s second round “Last year, I played a little better than card back in my pocket, getting out there I’m really motivated because I’ve will play all 72 holes. my results showed and a little frustration and starting this process and this journey had good fi nishes in my last three Abdulrahman al-Shahrani, showed. I was chasing too hard coming into I’m talking about,” he added. tournaments,” said al-Kaabi, a 29, will be the other Qatari in the that Ryder Cup run a few months before the While McDowell missed out on last was very happy with everything I accom- I’m currently hitting the ball good, and long-time Team Qatar repre- fi eld and is delighted to just be team got picked, because of just wanting it year’s Ryder Cup, Rafa Cabrera-Bello was plished. Now my goals are to keep improv- performing well,” said Cabrera Bello, who sentative who trains under na- part of a world-class fi eld as he a little too badly,” McDowell admitted. “I one of six European rookies at Hazeltine ing and keep moving higher up the world last month teed off his tional team coach Mike Elliott. makes his tournament debut. think that certainly was a big week for me and went undefeated in a sensational de- ranking,” said Cabrera-Bello, who will also season by fi nishing runner-up at the UBS to sit at home and watch that. It was very but, one of many highlights in the Span- play on the PGA Tour this year. “I think Open, after leading for the fi rst motivating, very inspiring. When I look to iard’s best-ever season. I’m mentally more prepared and tougher, three days. to 2018, a golf course which I love, I Currently ranked 26 in the world, the to withstand whatever happens on the “I know I fi nished runner-up and have certainly want to be there, that’s for sure. Spaniard has been drawn with four-time course. I’m more aware of my swing and been up there contending many, many “My focus had come back a long time be- major winner Ernie Els and World No. 10 fi tter and better prepared to perform more times, but not necessarily all those run- fore that Ryder Cup, but I think not being on Alex Noren for the fi rst 36 holes. consistently throughout the full year.” ner-up fi nishes give me a bitter taste. that team reinforced that I’m not doing what Cabrera-Bello, 32, has a fi ne record at Now making his eighth straight ap- Some of them were great fi nishes to sneak I want to do in the game. I’m still very, very Doha Golf Club, fi nishing joint runner-up pearance at the Commercial Bank Qatar a runner-up, and yes, others were where I motivated and I still want it badly enough to last year after third-place fi nishes in 2011 Masters, Cabrera-Bello is again seeking to was leading and I faded away. I just know go out there and do whatever it takes. and 2014, and is among the favourites this emulate compatriots Sergio Garcia (2014) if I keep putting myself in that position, it “My family is 100 per cent behind me week after his sensational 2016. and Alvaro Quiros (2009) by becoming the will happen.” and I’m ready to get the head down for the Despite not adding to his two European third Spaniard to lift the Mother of Pearl Other top contenders this week include next fi ve years of my career and see what Tour titles, Cabrera-Bello secured seven Trophy. After European Tour wins in 2009 two-time major winner Martin Kaymer I can do. I haven’t really enjoyed myself top-fi ve fi nishes on the European Tour and and 2012, he’s also desperate to add a third, and English trio Chris Wood, the 2013 much on the course the last few years, but I PGA Tour, tied for fi fth in the Olympics, won especially after seven runner-up fi nishes. champion, his Ryder Cup teammate Andy feel like I’ve learned a lot. I’ve turned a cor- 2½ points in his Ryder Cup debut and fi n- “This would be a great chance to get the Sullivan and Tommy Fleetwood, the new ner and I’m ready to do whatever it takes ished eighth on the Race to Dubai Rankings. win. I’ve had some modest success on this Race to Dubai Rankings leader following the next few years to get myself back.” “It was the best year of my career and I course before. I’ve played good and I feel his victory in Abu Dhabi last week. Gulf Times Thursday, January 26, 2017 3 TENNIS

AUSTRALIAN OPEN SPOTLIGHT Nadal rolls over This time it’s diff erent, says Raonic to reach Dimitrov

Reuters from the previous tournament. Melbourne “Now with each match I’ve been feeling better and better. It just all comes pretty natural right now.” semi-fi nals here have been a few false Dimitrov’s only previous dawns in ’s ca- semi-fi nal was at Wimbledon in 2014, reer so it was no surprise that when he lost to Novak Djokovic, but he Sets up match with Grigor Dimitrov, who downs David Goff in in straight sets he spent so much time talking feels he is a better player now. Tabout how this year was going to be Agencies diff erent after reaching his fi rst grand BETTER DECISIONS Melbourne slam semi-fi nal in three years yester- “I think I’m taking better decisions day. when I come out on the court, better Being anointed “Baby Fed” because decisions in terms of points or how I’m afael Nadal continued his of the similarity of his game to that of going to play certain players or how I’m brilliant revival at the Aus- 17-times grand slam winner Roger Fe- going to prepare before my matches,” tralian Open to topple Milos derer means the Bulgarian had expec- he said. Raonic 6-4 7-6 (7) 6-4 yes- tations heaped on his shoulders from “Little things that are important for terdayR and reach his fi rst grand slam early in his career. me in order to come to the court. I think semi-fi nal in three years. High profi le relationships with my focus has been good. The mentality The ninth-seeded Spaniard joined former women’s number one Maria has been there. I’ve been present when Roger Federer in the last four, keep- Sharapova and pop star Nicole Scher- I’m playing my matches. ing alive the prospect of a dream fi nal zinger have helped make him one of “Just fi ghting. I keep on fi ghting. I between the two great rivals who have the world’s best known tennis players, have a good spirit on the court, being claimed 31 grand slam titles between but the grand slam titles many forecast positive. them. have not materialised. “There are obviously a lot of small Having not reached a major semi- Now 25 and with another new coach things that when you put them up to- fi nal since his 2014 title, in Daniel Vallverdu in tow, Dimitrov has gether it makes a big diff erence.” the 30-year-old Nadal produced a started 2017 on fi re with a winning run “Distractions” has become a euphe- match from his halcyon days to fell the of 10 matches that earned him the Bris- mism for Dimitrov’s fondness for the third-seeded Canadian in two hours bane International title and has taken nightlife and he chuckled when asked and 44 minutes at a fl oodlit Rod Laver him to the last four at the Australian whether there was anything, or any- Arena. Open. body, diverting him from his focus on Nadal will play 15th seed Grigor “I feel like I have all the tools to go tennis. Dimitrov of Bulgaria for a place in the further, and my job isn’t over yet,” he “Nothing is distracting me so far. I fi nal — with Federer taking on fel- said after beating David Goffi n to set up mean, I know what you’re referring to, low Swiss Stan Wawrinka in the other semi-fi nal against Rafael Nadal or third again,” he said. semi — after the Spaniard emphati- seed Milos Raonic. “But, no, no, everything is good. I’m cally batted away doubts that his best “I’m looking forward to my match enjoying a lot my downtime in Mel- days were long gone. on Friday. I think I’m prepared. I think bourne. I’ve been going out to the parks Dimitrov reached his fi rst Austral- I’m ready to go the distance. I don’t shy recently, so I’m staying away, out of ian Open semi-fi nal with a straight- away from that. trouble. sets 6-3, 6-2, 6-4 win over Belgian “I’m confi dent enough to say that “As I said, I’m enjoying my time David Goffi n. I feel good physically, and overall like here. I’m enjoying coming out on the “I think I am not a very arrogant on the court. Just going forward with court. I’m going to enjoy other things person so I always have doubts,” he the confi dence that I have built up also maybe next week...” said in a court-side interview. “Even when I was winning I had doubts and even more so when I had injuries. But doubts make you work harder. I have had a great career but I had some tough moments so that makes me enjoy moments like this even more,” he added. Nadal had to save six set points as Raonic pressed hard in the second set but he was clinical on the big points and broke the Canadian to love to wrap up the match in style. The Rod Laver Arena terraces roared their approval as the 2009 champion pumped his fi sts in celebration, having endured two lean years at the grand slams. Earlier, Dimitrov served out for the match and won on his third match point with a ripping backhand winner. Spain’s Rafael Nadal celebrates winning his singles quarter-final match against Canada’s Milos Raonic at the Australian Goffi n was bidding to become the Open in Melbourne yesterday. (Reuters) fi rst Belgian man to reach a Grand Slam semi-fi nal since Xavier Malisse matches after his lead-up tournament “I knew it was not going to be easy. my groove. So I’m happy right now.” at Wimbledon in 2002. win in the Brisbane International, The fi rst set was nerve-racking, abso- With his victory Dimitrov is pro- It was Dimitrov’s second career where he beat Kei Nishikori in the fi - lutely,” he said. “I felt I could play well jected to rise to 12 in next week’s rank- Grand Slam semi-fi nal after his last- nal. but I was not striking the ball as well ings unless Roger Federer wins the ti- four appearance at Wimbledon three The last time the Bulgarian won 10 as I could. tle in Melbourne. years ago. straight matches was back in 2014, “I think I was a bit passive but with If Dimitrov goes on to win his fi rst The win also equalled Dimitrov’s when he took the title at Queen’s and each game and with each point I was Grand Slam title, he will rise to career- Bulgaria’s Grigor Dimitrov signs autographs following his victory over Belgium’s career-best winning streak of 10 reached the last four at Wimbledon. feeling a bit better and I was fi nding high ranking of six. David Goff in during their singles quarter-final yesterday. (AFP)

BOTTOMLINE How do you coach a player like Kyrgios?

Reuters Cash said he did not feel Kyrgios was Reuters. Melbourne at crisis point but said he needed to “get “I think it’s quite important to show a better understanding of himself”. them who’s the boss. Sometimes, not “It’s really important that he gets a only in matches but also on the prac- t is a question on everyone’s lips at full, complete team around him that tice court, you can see that they don’t Melbourne Park: how do you coach can handle the issues that are there,” he like this exercise or they don’t think it’s a player like Nick Kyrgios? said. good. The host country’s most talented “It’s a holistic approach to Nick and “Borna would tell you in two seconds Iplayer bombed out of the Australian it’s not just about him performing on but David would not tell you, he would Open in week one amid more criticism the tennis court. It’s everything else just continue working. If you can fi nd of his attitude, behaviour and commit- that goes on around him that needs to a combination between those two, it’s ment. be looked at. good. I don’t like when you’re on the The 21-year-old was fi ned a total of same page all the time.” $5,500 for an audible obscenity and “It’s really important that he gets Patrick Mouratoglou, who coaches racket abuse on his way to a second- a full, complete team around him , said the fact that round defeat to ’s Andreas Seppi, a that can handle the issues that Kyrgios had mentioned the need for match he led by two sets to love. are there. It’s a holistic approach a coach was a positive step but added In October, he was banned for eight to Nick and it’s not just about him that all the top players liked to push a weeks after clashing with fans and the performing on the tennis court. coach’s buttons. chair umpire, and walking off court in It’s everything else that goes “I think all the best ones are strong the middle of a point at the Shanghai on around him that needs to be personalities, otherwise they wouldn’t Masters. looked at,” Pat Cash said be champions,” he told Reuters. That ban was reduced to three weeks “It’s not a confrontation but of after he agreed to consult a sports psy- “But he’s got to have his fun — if he course you have to show them your chologist, and after his Melbourne loss doesn’t want to play tennis then quit, credibility. If they go too far you have Kyrgios admitted it might be time to that’s fi ne. No problems. I’d be the fi rst to make the problem stop, you have to hire a coach. person to say ‘well done’ if he wants to show that you have a strong personality Many top names have already ruled do that.” too, but you respect them. themselves out of the role, and whoever “If there is a confrontation the goal is does take on the job will need to be as STRONG PERSONALITIES that this confrontation leads to no more strong a character as the world number Thomas Johansson, a former Austral- confrontation in the future. Sometimes 13 himself. ian Open champion who has coached it’s necessary.” “You’ve got to be really frank — I Caroline Wozniacki, Borna Coric and think it’s about honesty,” former Wim- David Goffi n, said getting your message bledon champion Pat Cash said. across was not always easy. In this January 16, 2017, picture, Nick “All these young guys, they get plen- “The thing with these youngsters, Kyrgios of hits a return ty of money and no one’s told them the they think that they know everything against Gastao Elias of during reality or truth of it all. It’s not easy and sometimes they don’t really lis- their singles first round match at the hearing the truth.” ten to what you say,” the Swede told in Melbourne. (AFP) Gulf Times 4 Thursday, January 26, 2017 TENNIS

FOCUS From the sidelines Blast from the past Where did you get that hat? for Lucic-Baroni and ‘We have totally diff erent games now, the both of us. We both have gone through a lot. We both have survived, Serena and here we are, which I think is a really remarkable story’

AFP Melbourne

n irrepressible Serena Williams kept her record- Serena Williams nearly scrawled with breaking Grand Slam marker pen on an designer pink hat when dream alive yesterday to she was handed it after her win over setA up a Australian Open semi-fi nal Johanna Konta. Williams, who was signing against someone she last faced in autographs, was about to write on the hat 1998. when she realised it was a gift from Austral- The American joined sister Venus ian race-horse trainer Gai Waterhouse. “I in the last four after stepping up a started to sign it, but I stopped just in time. level to oust dangerous Briton Jo- I have a nice, beautiful hat today. I’m really hanna Konta 6-2, 6-3 and end her excited about it,” Williams said. nine-match winning streak. Her battling victory keeps intact All downhill from here a potential all-Williams fi nal, with Venus needing to get past fellow Roger Federer’s four children have been American Coco Vandeweghe in the having a good time in Australia, but at least other semi to set-up the nostalgic one of them is now ready to go home. Fed- showdown. erer, who travels with his family, said his kids But fi rst Serena, 35, must beat had been saying: “Don’t lose Daddy, we want former teenage prodigy Mirjana to stay longer.” But one of his seven-year-old Lucic-Baroni, 34, who upset fi fth twin girls changed her mind on the day of seed Karolina Pliskova to continue his quarter-final with Mischa Zverev. “For the her heart-warming comeback after first time today one of my daughters said, her career was derailed by personal ‘It’s okay, I want to go skiing in ’,” issues. he said after the match. “I said, ‘Come on, “I’m really happy for Mirjana. I give me one more match’.” was there when she fi rst started. To see her be able to never give up ac- Sing when you’re winning tually is super inspiring to me. It’s a wonderful story,” said Williams. The last time they met on court was at Wimbledon 19 years ago, a match the American won. “It was on centre court. That’s all I remember. I remember winning. I was so excited because I was so young. She obviously was super-young, too. That’s all,” said Williams. “Honestly, we have totally diff er- ent games now, the both of us. We both have gone through a lot. We both have survived, and here we are, which I think is a really remarkable story.” The victory over Konta marked an incredible 10th successive Grand Slam semi-fi nal for the American, and her 34th overall, reinforcing her remarkable consistency. She has refused to talk about Grigor Dimitrov got a nasty shock when the possibility of fi nally surpass- Federer tweeted an embarrassing video of ing Steffi Graf to win a 23rd Grand both of them singing Chicago’s 1980s ballad Slam and take sole ownership of the Serena Williams of the US celebrates her victory over Britain’s Johanna Konta in their quarter-final at the Australian Open in Melbourne yesterday. (AFP) “Hard To Say I’m Sorry” along with Tommy Open-era record. Haas. “I was laying in bed watching TV and But Williams now has a real number one, after Angelique Kerber out, I don’t think they really know her formidable best in the fi rst set, Williams was generous in her all of a sudden I got that notification, Roger chance of doing so to further ce- snatched the accolade from her last what they’re talking about,” she despite her fi rst serve misfi ring. praise of the Briton afterwards. Federer has just posted,” Dimitrov said. “And ment her place as perhaps the great- year. said, having faced the world number The ninth seed, who made the “I feel like she’s a great all-around I was like, ‘Oh no, please don’t tell me it’s est player of all time. Konta, who had been in impres- two for the fi rst time. “She’s a se- semi-fi nal last year in a break- player,” she said. “She tends to do this’. And I was like, ‘Oh great, thanks man’.” If she achieves the goal of win- sive form until meeting Williams, is rious contender for any title, any through season, was able to get more really good in Australia. With her Dimitrov could still get his own back if he ning a seventh Australian Open, it no doubt she can press on. competition that she plays.” of a look in during the second set but game, I defi nitely see her as a future meets Federer in Sunday’s final. will also propel her back to world “If anyone ever counts Serena Against Konta, Williams was at it was never going to be enough. champion.”

BOTTOMLINE ‘Pure ecstasy’ for tearful Lucic-Baroni

AFP having dropped out of top-level tennis Melbourne for most of the 2003-2010 period after fl eeing an abusive father and suff ering money and injury problems. ourageous Mirjana Lucic- Baroni wept tears of joy yes- AGAINST THE ODDS terday as she described making Seen as the next big thing when she her fi rst Grand Slam semi-fi nal made the 1999 Wimbledon semis as a sinceC Wimbledon in 1999 as “pure ec- 17-year-old, she has been waiting 18 stasy”. years for another crack at a Grand Slam The Croat, a former teenage prodigy last four. whose career was derailed by personal It also makes her the only Croatian trauma, swept into the Australian Open woman to get so far at a major since her last four by upsetting fi fth seed Karo- exploits at Wimbledon 18 years ago. lina Pliskova 6-4, 3-6, 6-4 in a Rod “This is what I’ve been dreaming Laver Arena epic. about, this is what I’ve been training The emotional win kept her fairytale for,” she said. tournament alive, and the 34-year-old “At 34 years old, like I said before, I is struggling to take it all in. have a wonderful home. I’m happily “I can’t believe this. This is crazy. married. I would be perfectly okay be- The only thing I can say is God is good. ing at home enjoying my family. That’s all I can say. I can’t believe it. I “But I really knew deep down in my feel a little bit in shock,” she said, sob- soul that I have these results in me. To bing uncontrollably. now be here and actually live these mo- “To me, this is overwhelming. I will ments, it’s incredible.” never forget this day and the last couple Lucic-Baroni has spoken briefl y in of weeks. This has truly made my life, the past about the hardships she faced and everything bad that happened, (it) — a demanding father who dished has made it okay.” out regular beatings, fl eeing with her She added that winning was “pure mother and siblings to the United ecstasy” after fearing she may not be States, and money and injury issues. able to continue after receiving treat- She has been reluctant to provide ment to a heavily strapped leg. more insight in Melbourne, but admit- “I started hurting pretty bad mid- ted she was “broken for a few years” match, especially towards the end. and suggested she may write a book The fact that I was able to do it and so Croatia’s Mirjana Lucic-Baroni (also inset) celebrates her victory over ’s Karolina Pliskova in their singles quarter-final match on day ten of the Australian about her experiences. well at the end, I was really grateful,” Open in Melbourne yesterday. (AFP) “I kind of want to be known as an she said. amazing fi ghter, a person who perse- Next up is Serena Williams, who with tina Hingis and Anna Kournikova. ring partner come good again. actually is super-inspiring to me. It’s a for your dreams. So I feel like it’s just vered against everything, against all sister Venus was among the crop of teen They haven’t played each other since “I’m really happy for Mirjana. I was wonderful story. great.” odds,” she said. talents emerging at the same time as the 1998 Wimbledon, and Williams there when she fi rst started,” she said. “At the end of the day, it really helps Lucic-Baroni’s comeback has been “And that’s what I take pride in. So I the Croat in the 1990s, along with Mar- said it was inspiring to see her old spar- “To see her be able to never give up me to realise that you have to always go the feel-good story of the tournament, don’t know. Who knows. We will see.” Gulf Times Thursday, January 26, 2017 5 CRICKET

PREVIEW FOCUS Lehmann calls for KP’s BBL sacking All eyes on Raina, AFP on radio Wednesday, saying: Sydney “KP is not the highest paid player at the Stars for a start, he has delivered is spades. ustralia’s national “The last three Big Bash coach Darren Le- leagues, KP is second only to hmann has blasted (Brisbane Heat’s) Chris Lynn Kevin Pietersen’s for runs scored. He has bought Nehra in fi rst T20 performanceA in the in that many people,” he said Big Bash League, saying he on commercial radio station should be dumped, after his Triple M. Melbourne Stars team lost in “The last two years which the semi-fi nal. team has had the biggest The controversial former crowds in the history of the batsman was out for Twenty20 Big Bash. He is a fi ve as Perth Scorchers fast crowd favourite.” against England bowler Mitchell Johnson put Pietersen last week criti- on a scintillating display in the cised Cricket Australia for not match on Tuesday. The West- releasing teammate Marcus The series will provide Raina, Nehra an opportunity to stake their claim for 50-over side ern Australia side won by seven Stoinis for last Saturday’s clash wickets to take the Scorchers against the Sydney Sixers. into a home fi nal this weekend, “I just fi nd it bitterly disap- IANS while Pietersen departed the pointing that a guy can’t play Kanpur fi eld during their innings with in a fi xture tomorrow, which a hamstring injury. is a big fi xture for us. He will “Time for Stars to move be sitting in a hotel room,” the s switch gears to KP on, spent to much money Sydney Morning Herald re- the shortest format, all on him and didn’t win. Don’t ported him as saying. eyes will be on the likes want to listen to his excuses “Stoinis might not play (the of seasoned campaign- anymore,” Lehmann tweeted one-day international against ersA Suresh Raina and Ashish Ne- after the match. Pietersen, 36, Pakistan) on Sunday, he cer- hra – making a comeback after did not respond to Lehmann’s tainly would play for us tomor- almost a year’s lay-off – when remarks, instead tweeting that row (Saturday).” the Men-in-Blue take on Eng- he was “Gutted with this eve! Stoinis did not play for land in the three-match Twen- Sorry @StarsBBL fans!” Australia on Sunday, while ty20 International (T20I) cricket Stars president Eddie the Stars lost to the Sixers on series, starting with the fi rst McGuire hit back at Lehmann Saturday. game at the Green Park Stadium here today. Having pocketed the One-Day Aussie bowler suff ers ‘brain bleed’ aft er hit International (ODI) series 2-1, the -led hosts will be Australian paceman Joe Men- The medic described the aiming to make the most of their nie suff ered a “minor brain injury as serious but said Men- limited overs experience, as the bleed” and fractured skull nie was “feeling well”. T20I rubber is the last before the after a ball hit his head during “We believe that this is a sta- International Cricket Council training, Cricket Australia (CA) ble injury and will not require (ICC) Champions Trophy from said yesterday. surgery,” he added. June 1. Mennie was bowling at a nets “As a precautionary measure, In between, India will be play- session with his Twenty20 Big Joe has been admitted to hos- ing a one-off Test against Bang- Bash League team the Sydney pital for observation and will ladesh before the four-match Sixers in Brisbane on Monday continue to be assessed by a gruelling Test series against the when a ball struck the side of neurosurgeon to determine visiting Australians next month. his head. CA chief medical of- best course of action.” Following that, will be the Indian ficer John Orchard said Men- Mennie was released from (IPL) from April nie was initially discharged hospital later yesterday and 3 to May 26, which will leave the from hospital that night but was cleared to fly out from national team very little time to follow-up scans the next day Brisbane with his team today, regroup for the Champions Tro- revealed his injures were the Sydney Morning Herald phy in England. worse than first thought. reported. The T20I series will also “Joe was reviewed by a The Sixers are due to take provide players, including the Cricket Australia doctor on on the Brisbane Heat in the 30-year-old Raina and 37-year- Tuesday and had some scans BBL semi-final last night. The old Nehra, a great opportunity performed that revealed a newspaper said he would not to stake their claim for a berth in small fracture and associated play in the semis and would the 50-over side. minor brain bleed,” Orchard be monitored over the next Both Nehra and Raina have said in a statement. few days. been out of the national side since the ICC World T20 in March last year and will be eye- ing the upcoming T20Is against England to stage a comeback. David Hussey announces retirement Besides the duo, the series will also be a test for the likes Former Australia batsman David Hussey announced his retire- of promising batsmen Rishabh ment from cricket yesterday following Melbourne Stars defeat Pant, Mandeep Singh and Man- England players take part in a training session ahead of their first T20 match against India at Green Park Stadium in Kanpur yesterday. (AFP) in the Big Bash League semi-final. The 39-year-old was uncer- ish Pandey and the spin duo of tain about his future after the loss against Perth Scorchers on Parvez Rasool and Yuzvendra If Kohli opts for a seventh On the other hand, England, Roy, Alex Hales, Joe Root, Eoin Squads Tuesday, declaring: “It’s a bit raw at the moment, a bit emotion- Chahal. batsman, it will be a toss up be- after pipping India by fi ve runs Morgan and Moeen Ali to post India: Virat Kohli (Captain), Ma- al. Just wait and see what happens,” reports Cricket Australia’s Going into today’s match, tween Manish and Mandeep in the third ODI and avoid- a competitive total on the hendra Singh Dhoni (wk), Yuvraj off icial website. But Hussey announced – via Twitter – said he which will begin at 4.30pm in- in the middle order with all- ing a whitewash, will be aiming board. Singh, Lokesh Rahul, Suresh was calling time on his impressive career after leading the stars stead of the regular 7.30pm start rounder Hardik Pandya adding to fi nish their dismal tour on a All-rounder Ben Stokes has Raina, Mandeep Singh, Manish to the final and semi-final in his two seasons as captain. due to the prevailing dew and spice lower down the order. winning note. The visitors had been a revelation with both the Pandey, Rishabh Pant, Parvez “I spoke to the boys quietly last night. I don’t really like to try foggy conditions, the impor- The bowling department will earlier lost the fi ve-match Test bat and the ball in the ODIs and Rasool, , Amit and make too much of a deal of it,” he said, as per the website. tance of the toss will be negated. have the likes of Jasprit Bumrah rubber 0-4. England will hope he repeats his Mishra, Hardik Pandya, Jasprit Earlier, Kevin Pietersen confirmed on Instagram that Hussey India will hope to end their and Pandya apart from Nehra The visitors have added more feats in the shortest version. Bumrah, B Kumar, A Nehra. had decided to bring his career to a close. “To the special David opening woes and try a new while Bhuvneshwar Kumar may fi repower in their bowling with In the bowling department, England: (Cap- Hussey who is in this pic. I’m so happy I got play in your final combination with Lokesh Rahul get a look-in depending on the the addition of right-armer leg spinner Adil Rashid and Ali tain), Moeen Ali, Jake Ball, Sam game!” Pietersen wrote. You have been absolutely sensational and Pant at the top followed by conditions. Chris Jordan and left-arm quick will be Morgan’s go-to bowlers Billings, Jos Buttler (wk), Liam on and off the field continuing on from our Notts days! Love ya the settled middle order com- Leg-spinner Amit Mishra is Tymal Mills. in the middle overs while Liam Dawson, Liam Plunkett, Joe buddy!” Hussey has been with the Stars since the inception of prising Kohli, , most certainly to get a look-in The English side will once Plunkett, Jake Ball will be the Root, Alex Hales, Chris Jordan, the BBL in 2011, scoring 855 runs at 26.71 from 48 appearances wicketkeeper-batsman Mahen- ahead of Chahal with Jammu and again bank on their top order, fi rst choice pacers apart from Tymal Mills, Adil Rashid, Jason over six seasons. dra Singh Dhoni and Raina. Kashmir off -spinner Rasool. comprising the likes of Jason Jordan and Mills. Roy, Ben Stokes, David Willey.

SPOTLIGHT Kohli on Mills threat: ‘I have faced 90mph before...’

By Barney Ronay world’s best T20 batsman. The bowling has been the a half or a year out from a T20 need to go out there and show The Guardian Kohli could have been more main source of concern for Eoin world cup.” our true potential and be explo- bullish. It is easy to get a little Morgan all winter, and it is here In this case England’s captain sive like we are in the IPL.” lost among the general superla- that England see an opportunity was batting away a question The IPL auction, which is he India batsman, who is tives of the Kohli persona in In- for these three games to feed into about the overnight Big Bash scheduled for 4 February, will out on his own in the in- dia, but when it comes to inter- the wider Champions Trophy spat between Kevin Pietersen loom at the edges from here. ternational T20 cricket national T20 cricket he really is preparations. and Darren Lehmann, which Kohli was polite about the level rankings, was unruffl ed out on his own, a Bradman of this Morgan said: “Going from the seems to have its roots in the of talent in the England team Twhen asked about England’s lat- infant form. After 45 matches series we’ve just played where tension between Cricket Aus- but warned limited availabil- est anti-Kohli gambit. Kohli averages 57.13, more than bowlers have found it diffi cult tralia and the needs of the fran- ity might dull interest from IPL How to solve a problem like 18 runs ahead of the next best, honing your specifi c skills, T20 chises. But he has a point about franchises, an issue that really Virat Kohli has been a frequently Australia’s Aaron Finch, with a cricket can be relevant. There the slightly disjointed nature of aff ects only Morgan. posed question during England’s strike rate of 135 and more half- might be periods in games where international T20 cricket. For the fi rst time here Eng- white-ball tour of India. On the centuries – 16 – than any other we just go to yorkers because Assessing form, progress and land’s captain suggested there eve of the fi rst of three T20 in- batsman. that might work on a particular standing before a series such as might be some meaningful in- ternationals Kohli was asked It seems unlikely this statisti- ground. So improving your skills this often seems slightly point- teraction between the coming how he might expect to cope cal freakery is a result of under- to be able to do that might help less outside the immediate fo- series and the chance of England with England’s latest gambit exposure to extreme left-arm the guys in the long run.” cus a tournament brings. For all players attracting an IPL deal. against the Indian top order, the pace. The last time Kohli faced He was fairly dismissive of the their recent gains England are as Morgan described the next week left-arm pace of Tymal Mills, Mitchell Johnson in ODIs, for suggestion England might need up-and-down as everyone else as a “massive opportunity” for who is expected to take the new example, in the bowler’s furi- to develop more T20 specialists in elite cricket’s oddest, least- England players to push them- white ball at Green Park stadium ously moustachioed pomp of England’s pace bowler Tymal Mills is expected to take the new white in future (“We are beyond that”), focused form, with fi ve wins in selves up the franchise pecking today. 2013, Johnson went round the ball in the first of three T20 internationals against India.(AFP) pointing to the synergy between their last 10 completed games. order. The answer came with a wry, park and Kohli scored 115 not out the two white-ball formats. He Are they any good at it? For India Parvez Rasool is slightly incredulous smile. off 66 balls and an unbeaten 100 boundaries during range-hitting tially interesting changes in the was also a little light, beyond the The evidence of the World T20 an intriguing squad selection, “Well, I have faced 90mph be- off 52 balls at Nagpur and Jaipur. practice yesterday afternoon it bowling attack. obvious appeal of winning, on the and recent 50-over form sug- the fi rst player from the remote fore,” Kohli pointed out. Not that England are short was easy to fear for the bowling Liam Plunkett is favourite to motivations of the current series. gests a distinct upward curve. Kashmir Valley to play for In- “I can maybe comment fur- of white-knuckle vim and brio on both sides as this tour reaches keep his place instead of Jake Ball. “There’s always been a ques- But even with Ravi Jadeja and dia. Attention will also focus on ther on him after I’ve played themselves. The Green Park its quickfi re endgame. England Chris Jordan will be a welcome tion over where the priority of Ravi Ashwin rested India will the 19-year-old prodigy Rishabh him. But 90mph is not a problem groundsman has already prom- are expected to retain Sam Bill- addition to the death-bowling T20 international cricket lies,” still start favourites to take a Pant, who has hit 53 sixes in 10 at all. I have faced many 90mph ised a run feast in the fi rst match. ings at the top of the order, with and fi elding stocks. Liam Daw- Morgan said. third series win of the winter. fi rst-class games, and who may bowlers before.” It was a fairly Watching Jason Roy club the familiar power-packed mid- son could play as a second spin- “To be honest, it only becomes “We want to play expressive get a game as a batsman even if gentle pulling of rank from the the ball over the short straight dle order below and some poten- ner alongside Moeen Ali. a priority probably a year and cricket,” Kohli promised. “We MS Dhoni keeps the gloves. Gulf Times 6 Thursday, January 26, 2017 SPORT

NBA SPOTLIGHT Livid LeBron sounds off Aldridge spurs San aft er Cavs’ latest loss

Reuters Antonio past Raptors Los Angeles eBron James is growing increasingly ‘We competed our tails off , and I felt like we dominated most of the game’ frustrated with his team’s performance the last three weeks and is calling on the Cleveland Cavaliers’ front offi ce to Lstep in and bolster parts of the reigning NBA AFP Los Angeles champions’ roster. After Cleveland suff ered their fi fth loss in seven games on Monday the four-times NBA aMarcus Aldridge scored 21 Most Valuable Player launched into an exple- points as the San Antonio tive-fi lled rant suggesting the Cavaliers organ- Spurs defeated the Toronto isation was not doing their part. Raptors 108-106 on Tuesday “We’re not better than last year, from a per- Lto stay on the heels of the Golden sonnel standpoint ... we’re a top-heavy team,” State Warriors at the top of the James said, according to the Akron Beacon Western Conference. Journal. “I just hope that we’re not satisfi ed as Aldridge, who also grabbed seven an organisation.” rebounds and two assists, led the Since Cleveland won their maiden NBA title scoring as the Spurs notched their last year to snap the city’s 52-year professional fi fth win on the trot to improve to sports championship drought the Cavaliers 36-9, two games behind the Warri- have made only minor changes, with the re- ors (38-7). cent acquisition of former All-Star Kyle Kor- Toronto’s defeat was their fourth ver from Atlanta the most notable trade. straight loss however, and their The Cavaliers (30-13) lead the Eastern Con- challenge was hampered by the ference by 2-1/2 games but James stressed the absence of DeMar DeRozan, who need for a backup point guard or playmaker to sprained an ankle at the weekend. help lessen the load he and Kyrie Irving in par- The Spurs, missing Kawhi Leon- ticular carry. ard, Tony Parker and Pau Gasol, had James, who posted a triple-double in Mon- surged into a 13-point lead at one day’s 124-122 loss to a New Orleans (18-27) stage in the fi rst half but Toronto team playing without leading scorer Anthony drew level in the fi nal two minutes of Davis, could not help but point out the rosters the fourth quarter at the Air Canada of some of the NBA’s top contenders, namely Centre. the Golden State Warriors and San Antonio Dejounte Murray gave San An- Spurs. tonio a two-point lead with a jump “For the most part, all championship con- shot before Toronto’s Terrence Ross tending teams have got guys that are ready to missed a 25-foot eff ort with 1:17 to step in,” James said. “Knock on wood, what if play. Ky goes down? For two weeks. Let’s say two. The Raptors meanwhile were What if I went down for three weeks?” unable to punish a Spurs turnover Part of the Cavs’ lack of depth is a result of with 45 seconds left before Aldridge bad luck with Chris Andersen out for the sea- scored two key free throws to help son with an ACL tear, starting guard J.R. Smith get San Antonio over the line. out three months with a thumb injury suff ered Patty Mills was the other main last month and former All-Star point guard scorer for San Antonio with 18 Mo Williams abruptly retiring before the sea- points while Dave Bertans (12) and son started. David Lee (11) also made key contri- James, who has voiced his concerns about butions. the roster to the team’s general manager, ad- Kyle Lowry topped Toronto’s mitted that the urgency in beefi ng up the Cav- scoring with 30 points, while Ross aliers’ bench has a lot to do with the stage of added 21 points off the bench. his career. Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said “I’ll be 33 in the winter and I ain’t got time the absences on both teams had to waste. That’s what I’m talking about,” said evened each other out. James. “You know they’re missing Mr. “When I feel like physically and mentally, DeRozan, so we both had players me personally, can’t compete for a champion- missing,” Popovich said. ship no more or I feel like I can’t do it, then I “I thought it was a really competi- won’t have this problem. tive game, anybody could have won “But until that happens, and it don’t seem the thing.... Down the stretch, very like no time soon ...” he continued before trail- honestly, it went our way. We didn’t ing off . do anything special to deserve it other than playing hard just like they San Antonio Spurs forward LaMarcus Aldridge looks to make a pass as Toronto Raptors centre Jonas Valanciunas defends in the second half at Air Canada did so we’re thrilled with the win.” Centre. The Spurs won 108-106. PICTURE: USA TODAY Sports In Orlando, Dwyane Wade scored 21 points and Jimmy Butler 20 as Los Angeles Clippers 121-110. Jamal Crawford with 27, and J.J. The two teams have developed a “I love games like this. It’s what the Chicago Bulls eased past the Or- Nerlens Noel — replacing the in- Redick with 22. bitter rivalry in recent seasons after makes it fun,” Beal said. “Guys are lando Magic 100-92 at the Amway jured Joel Embiid — was the star The LA club were without coach a string of ill-tempered clashes, and competitive. It wasn’t a dirty game. Center. for Philly, scoring a season-high 19 Doc Rivers, who was ill, but wel- the Wizards added fuel on Tuesday We both kept it clean regardless of Wade fi nally came good after a points as the Clippers fell to 30-17. comed back Blake Griffi n following by arriving for the game dressed in what happened last game. That’s slow start, missing his fi rst six shots Backup Richaun Holmes scored an 18-game absence caused by knee black. a respect factor on both sides. We before hitting eight of his next nine an equal career-best 18 points surgery. That appeared to be a reference to competed our tails off , and I felt like to give Chicago a third period lead as Philadelphia turned around a Griffi n scored 12 points and fi n- John Wall’s remarks on Monday that we dominated most of the game.” which they never relinquished. 19-point third-quarter defi cit to bag ished with 11 rebounds and fi ve as- they planned to be attending Bos- Chicago improved to 23-23 with their fourth win in fi ve games. sists. DeAndre Jordan added 10 ton’s funeral on Tuesday. Results the win while Orlando fell to 18-29. Dario Saric chipped in with 16 points and 20 rebounds. Wall fi nished Tuesday’s game Denver 103 Utah 93 points and Robert Covington added In the Eastern Conference, Bra- with 27 points to extend Washing- Minnesota 112 Phoenix 111 Sixers stun Clippers 14 for the 76ers, who made 19 of 20 dley Beal scored 31 points to help ton’s home winning streak to 14 San Antonio 108 Toronto 106 The biggest upset of Tuesday’s free throws while committing only the Washington Wizards win their games. The Wizards improved to Philadelphia 121 LA Clippers 110 early games came in Philadelphia, fi ve turnovers. grudge match with the Boston Celt- 25-20, remaining fi rmly in pursuit of Washington 123 Boston 108 where the 16-27 76ers stunned the The Clippers points came via ics 123-108. Boston who fell to 26-18. Chicago 100 Orlando 92

NFL Patriots are most balanced opponent for Falcons

By Michael Cunningham After the Falcons beat the Pack- envisions. Freeman and Tevin Coleman. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution ers in the NFC championship “Defensively they close up And the Falcons have Jones, who game, and before they knew space very quickly,” Belichick dominated the Packers while their Super Bowl opponent, All- said during a Tuesday media con- playing on a sore left foot. he Seahawks carried a Pro wide receiver Julio Jones ference call. “Their linebackers If Super Bowl experience mat- stout defense into the said they would win it all if they run well. Their defensive line (is ters, the Patriots will have a big Georgia Dome against maintained their level of play. fast), although they have a cou- edge over the Falcons. the Falcons, but they “Because at the end of the day ple of big, strong, physical guys Brady and Belichick will par- Tlacked the manpower to match it doesn’t matter about who we in there. Overall they have usu- ticipate in their seventh Super the home team’s scoring. The are playing and what (they) are ally nine or 10 players on the fi eld Bowl and third in the past six. Packers potentially could keep doing,” Jones said. “It’s all about that I would say are fast. They’re They are 4-3 in the NFL’s cham- up, but their defense was over- us. If we go out there and don’t either as fast or faster than prob- pionship game. matched. Both opponents had have any mistakes or things set- ably what the average speed of About a third of the players on Super Bowl pedigree. ting us back, most defi nitely (we their position is in the league.” the Falcons’ active roster are in The Falcons smashed both of will win).” During the regular season, New the postseason for the fi rst time. those opponents to earn a trip to To do so, the Falcons will have England’s defense was very good Only fi ve have played in a Super the Super Bowl on Feb. 5 in Hou- to defeat the most balanced op- against the run and vulnerable to Bowl. Quinn was Seahawks de- ston. But now, for the fi rst time ponent they will have faced this the pass. Houston’s feeble off ense fensive coordinator for the 2014 in the playoff s, the Falcons will postseason. could do neither, especially after and 2015 Super Bowls, but this face an opponent that has eve- During the regular season, the halftime. The Steelers are capable is his second season as a head rything. The Patriots have been Patriots ranked No. 2 on off ense on off ense, but they lost star run- coach. Quinn said he doesn’t very good on off ense all season. and No. 16 on defense in the ef- ning back Le’Veon Bell to an in- worry about the experience gap They were above-average on de- fi ciency metrics developed by jury early and never could muster because “it’s not like we’re going fense during the regular season Football Outsiders. None of the a consistent threat. to make it up in two weeks.” He and have been even better in the NFC teams that qualifi ed for the New England’s defense will noted that the Falcons already playoff s. And no coach/quarter- playoff s ranked above average on face its toughest test yet in the beat two playoff opponents with back duo in football comes close off ense and defense. Julian Edelman (R) of the New England Patriots runs with the ball against Sean Davis of the Pittsburgh Super Bowl. The Falcons can run more seasoning. He acknowl- matching the Super Bowl expe- The Patriots beat two very Steelers during the second half of the AFC Championship Game in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (AFP) the ball behind an off ensive line edged that the Super Bowl will rience of Bill Belichick and Tom good defensive teams, Houston that has mastered the precision be another unique experience Brady. and Pittsburgh, to get to the Su- which they ran out the clock). tic for a team that tied with the turnovers and punted twice. and coordination required for because of the intense public at- The Falcons have been the per Bowl. In those two games the The Patriots committed three Falcons for the fewest giveaways The Falcons will counter with the outside-zone scheme. Quar- tention for the game. best off ensive team in football Patriots averaged 6.6 yards per turnovers against the Texans, (11) during the regular season. a young defense that increas- terback Matt Ryan can spread “However, when we do get to all season, and their defense play and scored on 13 of 25 pos- including two Brady intercep- The Patriots cleaned things up ingly plays the “fast and physi- the ball to multiple targets, in- the game, it’s still going to be the has made steady improvement. sessions (not including one in tions. That was uncharacteris- against the Steelers. They had no cal” style that coach Dan Quinn cluding running backs Devonta game,” Quinn said. Gulf Times Thursday, January 26, 2017 7 SPORT

NHL FOCUS Qatar Duty Free welcomes world’s Wild cough up 2-goal elite golfers to Doha

By Sports Reporter class golf course.” Doha QDF is celebrating the Commercial Bank Qatar Mas- ters with its own booth locat- atar Duty Free ed in the public village. lead but beat Dallas (QDF) is proud Enthusiasts can take a to welcome the ‘golf-pro selfi e’ to share with world’s golfi ng elite friends on social media, or toQ Doha, as they compete enjoy an interactive journey to for the Mother of Pearl Trophy discover QDF’s multi-award in the Commercial Bank Qatar winning Duty Free shopping Masters golf tournament, to experience, hosted by QDF’s be held at the Doha Golf Club very own staff . Stars in shootout from January 26 to 29. QDF is the offi cial retail A total of more than 100 partner of the Commercial players will compete for ‘We have that attitude where we know we can win any game whether we’re up or down’ Bank Qatar Masters; a thrill- the trophy and prize fund ing four-day event aff ection- of US$2.5mn ately known as ‘the pearl in By Michael Russo Qatar’s sporting crown’. “Sponsorships such as this Star Tribune (Minneapolis) The prestigious tourna- provide us with a really im- ment is part of the European portant opportunity to sup- Tour and provides competi- port and grow these out- he Wild may need to start tors an exciting and challeng- standing events here in our trying to win hockey ing environment, with Doha home in Doha. games 1-0. For the fi fth Golf Club playing host to the “We continue to build Qa- time in seven games, the longest par 72 on the tour. tar into a leading destination TWild coughed up at least a two- Players attending this year’s for sport and entertainment goal lead Tuesday night. 20th anniversary Commercial and the event showcases Doha But in the end, the Wild was Bank Qatar Masters include to the world, reaching an able to snag two points anyway Graeme McDowell, Martin audience of more than 400 after Chris Stewart scored to Kaymer, Andy Sullivan, Chris million through television cap a fi ve-round shootout and Wood, Ernie Els and Paul coverage. 3-2 Wild victory over the Dal- Lawrie. “I wish all players the very las Stars at American Airlines A total of more than 100 best for the tournament ahead Center. players will compete for the and I encourage everyone to After the Wild somehow sur- trophy and prize fund of come along and support these vived a 3-on-0 in overtime after US$2.5mn. men who are sure to display Cody Eakin fi red over the net, Ja- Senior vice president Qatar the very best in golf,” Gasset son Pominville and Mikko Koivu Duty Free Luis Gasset said: said. each scored in the shootout _ “The Commercial Bank Qa- The Commercial Bank Qa- Koivu to extend things to the tar Masters has been a much tar Masters has been held in fi fth round with his 40th career celebrated event on Qatar’s Doha since 1998 and is held shootout goal _ before Stewart’s calendar for the last 20 years, at the beginning of each year ninth career shootout goal. and I am thrilled that we could as part of the European Tour. The Wild, who avoid consecu- again be part of this prestig- QDF has been the offi cial re- tive regulation losses for the sec- ious tournament. tail partner of since 2009, ond time this season, improved “It’s exciting to see world with the event attracting over to 11-0-2 in its past 13 on the class athletes play on a world 25,000 people every year. road. Pominville’s fi rst-period goal and Koivu’s second-period, power-play goal gave the Wild SPOTLIGHT a 2-0 lead the 4:38 mark of the middle period. But with all going well, de- fenseman Ryan Suter commit- QCA Youth Academy ted a turnover that led to the Stars jumping right back into the game. Jason Spezza pres- opening on Feb 14 sured Suter in the giveaway, and moments later, Antoine Roussel By Sports Reporter qualifi ed coaches. In the past, made a great pass to tee up Tyler Doha De Silva has coached the Qa- Seguin, who was barely notice- tar National men, women and able up to the 9:38 juncture of U-19 teams. Amjad Baig sen- the second. atar Cricket As- ior coach and physio/trainer Roussel, the instigator who sociation’s (QCA) along with other coaches will often has eventful games against Dan Hamhuis (R) of the Dallas Stars skates the puck against Nino Niederreiter of the Minnesota Wild in the second period at American Airlines restructured Youth be part of the operations of Minnesota, took a cross-check- Center in Dallas, Texas. (Getty Images/AFP) Academy will be in- the academy. ing penalty 39 seconds later. But auguratedQ on February 14. The academy will also have the Wild didn’t register a shot Jamie Benn’s attempted pass de- and Erik Haula, spent the most He also has seven points in that “We were able to stay focused, According to the Qatar a panel of experienced and on the power play, and from that fl ected off Scandella and right to time in the off ensive zone and it span and 10 points in the past stay positive, and fi nd a way to Cricket Association general certifi ed coaches to improve point on, the Stars gained mo- Patrick Eaves in front. He beat was Pominville who gave Min- 10 games. In the second, after win,” he said. Secretary Manzoor Ahmed the skills of the young talent. mentum. Still, the Wild were 49 Devan Dubnyk for the tying goal. nesota a 1-0 lead. Granlund’s hustle drew a penalty, the academy has been re- The panel comprises of sen- seconds away from getting out of It was the seventh consecu- After Patrick Sharp’s rim Granlund created a 3-on-1 down Results structured with a view to ior coaches- Suhail Yaqoob, the period with a one-goal lead tive Wild game either the Wild around the boards was too fast low on the ensuing power play Tampa Bay 5 Chicago 2 nurture the upcoming talent Usman Mani, Rajiv Aggarwal when Jared Spurgeon was called or their opponent saw at least for Lauri Korpikoski to catch up and Nino Niederreiter fed Koivu Minnesota 3 Dallas 2 (SO) in the county. The academy’s and Kasun. The academy will for an interference penalty. Eight a two-goal lead disappear. Ja- with, Pominville burst out of the for a one-timer and 14th goal. Buff alo 5 Nashville 4 (OT) talent hunt scheme will work run at the recently renovated seconds later, Eric Staal took a son Pominville, who did have the zone with Parise to his left for a Granlund extended his point San Jose 4 Winnipeg 3 to support Qatar National QCA facility at Lusail (West penalty off a faceoff . turnover that led to Nashville’s 2-on-1. streak to a career-high eight Montreal 5 Calgary 1 Teams. Bay Grounds). Interested par- That gave Dallas a 5-on-3 for winning goal, has been heating Defenseman Stephen Johns games. Ottawa 3 Washington 0 The academy will be run ents can complete the regis- 1:52 with 40.8 seconds left in the up of late. did a good job cutting off any “We have that attitude where Boston 4 Detroit 3 (OT) under the experienced and tration form available on the period. With defenseman Marco He continued the good looks prayer of a pass, so Pominville let we know we can win any game Los Angeles 3 New Jersey 1 highly qualifi ed Level 3 coach QCA website and email to qa- Scandella down on one knee try- right from the opening shift in her rip for his eighth goal of the whether we’re up or down,” Ja- NY Islanders 4 Columbus 2 Aruna De Silva, who will be [email protected] or cric- ing to prevent a cross-slot pass, Dallas. His line, with Zach Parise season and third in six games. son Pominville of the Wild said. St. Louis 3 Pittsburgh 0 supported by other ICC/ACC [email protected]

CRICKET Lanka stun South Africa to clinch T20 series

Agencies the toss and elected to bat fi rst. Cape Town Hendricks, who faced 34 balls and struck four boundaries, opened the innings with Jon- ri Lanka clinched the se- Jon Smuts (19) as the pair got ries 2-1 after winning the proceedings under way with an third and decisive T20 opening stand of 36 off 26 balls international against before Smuts was trapped leg SouthS Africa at Newlands in before by Seekkuge Prasanna (3- Cape Town yesterday. The visi- 0-21-1). tors reached their target with a Hendricks and De Villiers be- ball to spare to claim a 5-wicket gan cautiously, taking singles victory. and twos where they could while Opener Niroshan Dickwella Hendricks provided some exqui- led the chase with a 51-ball 68, site cover-drives. but it was S Prasanna’s unbeaten But once De Villiers found his 37 off 16 balls that provided the feet and his rhythm, the former impetus for victory. Asela Gu- test captain rocked back and naratne also made 12 runs in six launched the likes of Asela Gu- balls and scored the winning naratne (4-0-34-1) and Prasan- runs. na over the square leg ropes. Earlier, AB de Villiers marked Hendricks found himself in his return to the international a pickle when he failed to re- fold after an enforced injury lay- turn his toe behind the line and off with a half century to help wicketkeeper Dinesh Chandimal South Africa post 169 for fi ve. whipped off the bails after leg- De Villiers, who had not played spinner Lakshan Sandakan (4- international cricket since Au- 0-23-1) had beaten the outside gust 2016, struck two bounda- edge of the bat. ries and three sixes off just 44 David Miller (1) and Behardien balls before being caught at (6) failed to trouble the scorers backward point by Dhananjaya much before Mangaliso Mosehle De Silva off Nuwan Kulasekara exploded at the back end. (4-0-30-1) for a well-played 63. Mosehle faced just 15 deliv- De Villiers and Reeza Hen- eries but smashed three maxi- dricks (41) shared in a second- mums and a boundary to end on wicket stand worth 71 off 55 balls 32 not out to lift South Africa to after Farhaan Behardien had won their total. Sri Lanka’ players celebrate after the dismissal of AB de Villiers (not pictured) during their T20 match against South Africa at Newlands in Cape Town yesterday. (AFP) Gulf Times 8 Thursday, January 26, 2017 FOOTBALL

LEAGUE CUP BRING IT ON Carrick says United will go for it at Hull Coach Mourinho AFP London

ichael Carrick has pledged that Man- chester United will not rest on their lau- fears Man United Mrels when they travel to Hull City looking to close out victory in their League Cup semi-fi nal. United won 2-0 in the fi rst leg at Old Traff ord courtesy of sec- ond-half strikes from Juan Mata and , putting them within reach of a fi nal fi xture pile-up showdown with either Liverpool or Southampton. File picture of Man United’s But Hull have shown signs of midfielder Michael Carrick. ‘I really don’t know. I know it’s going to be hard if we go step by step. It’s if, if, if. We go to improvement under new man- ager Marco Silva, giving Premier a record-breaking 250th goal in the field of the ifs. At this moment, we have a 25 percent chance to win the EFL Cup’ League leaders Chelsea a decent the club’s colours with a stop- game in Sunday’s 2-0 defeat at page-time free-kick to equalise Stamford Bridge, and Carrick at Stoke. says United will take no chances. Mourinho will be able to recall “It’s defi nitely not over, we centre-back Marcos Rojo after he all know that,” the 35-year-old missed the Stoke trip through ill- midfi elder told MUTV. ness, meaning Eric Bailly, who is “We are telling ourselves that. at the Africa Cup of Nations with I think we’ll be pretty much full- Ivory Coast, is the only expected strength and will approach the absentee. game like it’s a 0-0 and starting Hull’s preparations for the from scratch. game have been overshadowed “It’s dangerous when you go by the serious head injury suf- in there defending a lead to tell fered at Chelsea by midfi elder yourself this result will do or that Ryan Mason. result will do, or we can aff ord to Mason, 25, had to undergo sur- do this or that. gery at a London hospital after “We need to approach it like any fracturing his skull in an aerial other game, keep our focus and collision with Gary Cahill, with intensity and try to win the game.” Hull revealing on Tuesday that he After a run of nine succes- was making “excellent progress”. sive wins in all competitions, Hull’s players will wear ‘MA- United’s advance towards the SON 25’ T-shirts during the Champions League places has warm-up — a reference both to been held up by 1-1 draws against Mason’s age and squad number Liverpool and Stoke City. — and fans have been encour- It means they remain sixth in aged to join in with a minute’s the league table, four points off applause in the 25th minute. the top four, but Carrick feels a Hull have bolstered their ranks Wembley fi nal appearance will with a loan move for Serbian show Jose Mourinho’s men are winger Lazar Markovic, who had on the right track. been on loan at Sporting Lisbon “Going to Wembley, winning from Liverpool. a trophy, how can you not like Markovic, 22, joined Liverpool that?” said Carrick, whose side from Benfi ca for £20 million ($25 last reached a League Cup fi nal million, 23.3 million ) in in 2010, when they beat Aston 2014 and having failed to make Villa 2-1 to claim the trophy for a an impression in his Anfi eld ca- fourth time. reer to date, he is eager to prove “Especially when we feel we his worth. are as close as we are to getting “I hope that my actions will there, without taking anything speak louder than words and I for granted. can prove myself to the club and “That’s what you play for to everyone in English football,” and that’s what the fans want to Markovic told the Hull website. watch. They want to go and cel- “I joined Liverpool when I was ebrate victories and win things, very young and have not yet had lift trophies, have a good day out a long run in the side to show and enjoy it.” people what I am capable of. “I hope to use this loan spell File picture of Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho reacting during his team’s Premier League match against Sunderland at Old Traff ord. MASON SUPPORT with Hull City to prove myself in United captain the best league in the world, be- AFP ing moment, diffi cult for us, to make us fourth round on Sunday. terview with the BBC on Tuesday. will go into the game with a cause I feel there is lots more to Manchester, United Kingdom play against them,” Mourinho told his Ferguson believes United are play- spring in his step, having scored come from me.” pre-match press conference at United’s FERGUSON SUPPORT ing well because Mourinho has calmed training base. Asked if United could win four compe- down. anchester United manager “Then there is the Europa League. The titions, Mourinho said: “I don’t know. I “The support I feel is the support I ITALIAN CUP Jose Mourinho expressed Europa League is a non-stop competi- really don’t know. I know it’s going to be have always felt with him, except when concern yesterday that the tion. The Champions League has the last hard if we go step by step. It’s if, if, if. We I was a direct competitor and playing Premier League’s fi xture 16. In the Europa League, you have to play go to the fi eld of the ifs. against his teams. But I always felt this Mplanners could ruin his side’s top-four last 32, last 16. “At this moment, we have a 25 percent kind of support,” Mourinho said. Callejon strikes as hopes if they reach the League Cup fi nal. “If we progress, it’s going to be really chance to win the EFL (League) Cup, which “I felt the same when I was abroad in United carry a 2-0 lead into today’s diffi cult, but let’s see.” is the fi rst competition to be decided.” Italy and Spain. Friends wishing good to League Cup semi-fi nal second leg at Hull With the club going strong in four com- Mourinho, who celebrates his 54th each other, supporting each other by a Napoli set up Juve City and will face either Liverpool or petitions, they could end up playing 66 birthday today, attended his press con- simple SMS that can mean a lot in a cer- Southampton at Wembley on February games by the end of the season and that ference with a new cropped haircut. tain moment. 26 if they progress. does not include possible FA Cup replays. But he laughed off claims it was a sign “He is very respectful too. He doesn’t or Milan Cup semi If they do reach the fi nal, the derby fi x- That would take United close to the he is gearing up for the business end of want to be around. He doesn’t want to ture with Manchester City scheduled for all-time record for an English club in one the season. come many times. I think he feels com- AFP derico Chiesa’s shot over from that weekend will be moved and Mour- season, held by Arsenal, who played 70 “No. The haircut is a privilege,” he pletely free. I told him this is his house Milan a tight angle before producing a inho is concerned television demands competitive matches during the 1979-80 said. “I can do it and in one month I have always and forever. fi ne one-handed save to parry a could see it rearranged for an inconven- campaign. a new wig. It’s just a privilege that some “Just a couple of times he travelled Davide Astori header. ient time. United are sixth in the Premier League, of you can’t do it.” with us on the bus and the train. He vis- fi ne second-half head- Fiorentina resumed in deter- “For the match against Manchester 14 points below leaders Chelsea, and host Mourinho received praise from former ited us once. We know that this is his club er from Jose Callejon mined fashion, Chiesa dribbling City, I am sure they will choose an amaz- second-tier Wigan Athletic in the FA Cup United manager Alex Ferguson in an in- and his life and that he is supporting us.” fi red Napoli into the his way into the area only to be semi-fi nals of the Ital- stopped in his tracks by an on- ianA Cup and a last four date with rushing Reina. BOTTOMLINE either Juventus or AC Milan af- At the other end, Insigne’s an- ter a bad-tempered 1-0 win over gled drive on the left fl ank that Fiorentina on Tuesday. was blocked yards from goal. Both sides fi nished with 10 But Napoli regained com- men at the Artemio Franchi sta- mand, Pavoletti beating a fl ail- dium after a fi ery fi nale that saw ing Tatarusanu but seeing his Napoli defender Elseid Hysaj free kick from outside the area Coutinho pens ‘long-term’ deal then Fiorentina’s Maximiliano hit post and crossbar, prompt- AFP that carries weight when you “I can only thank every sup- Olivera sent off within minutes ing Sarri to immediately replace London decide to remain here for a long- porter for their faith in me. I of each other. the big front man with the more er period and this did have a lot really hope to repay them. I But Napoli were fully deserv- diminutive, but more successful of weight when I thought about will do my very best on the ing of the win in a season which Mertens. razilian playmaker the renewal of my contract. pitch to create assists for has seen Maurizio Sarri’s men Mertens has taken his league Philippe Coutinho has “I can only thank every sup- my team-mates and score keep Juventus on their toes as tally to an impressive 12 league committed his future porter for their faith in me. I re- goals for us to try and win they bid for a record sixth con- goals after stepping in to replace to Liverpool by signing ally hope to repay them. I will do trophies and titles” secutive Serie A title. injured Poland centre-forward aB new “long-term” contract, my very best on the pitch to cre- Stand-in striker Dries Mertens Arkaduisz Milik during his the Premier League giants an- ate assists for my team-mates “He is truly world-class — in started on the bench as Sarri gave lengthy injury absence. nounced yesterday. and score goals for us to try and that very top bracket,” Klopp said. Leonardo Pavoletti his fi rst start But his thunder was stolen in Liverpool did not reveal de- win trophies and titles.” “The fact he wants to stay here in a Napoli shirt, and the absent fi ne style when Callejon ran in to tails of the deal, but reports sug- and be part of what we are look- Belgian’s clinical fi nishing was meet Marek Hamsik’s swift de- gest Coutinho has signed a fi ve- ARTFUL ATTACKER ing to build and develop shows perhaps missed in a wasteful fi rst livery from deep on the left with year contract worth between An artful attacking midfi elder his personal commitment is to half for the hosts. a bullet header that left Tataru- £150,000 ($188,800, 175,650 and set-piece specialist with an make himself better and be an Pavoletti blazed over the sanu no chance from six yards. euros) and £200,000 per week. eye for the spectacular, Coutin- integral part of something that is Fiorentina bar and Ciprian Along with teammate Manolo Coutinho, 24, joined Liver- ho has been capped 23 times by very special. Tararusanu was even more alert Gabbiadini, Callejon is now the pool from Inter Milan in a £8.5 Brazil, scoring six goals. “We have total belief in our to the danger when he tipped only other Napoli player to score million move in January 2013 He has been in sparkling form project, but when a player of Lorenzi Insigne’s free kick at the goals in three competitions this and has since become the team’s this season, scoring six goals in 18 Phil’s calibre and status com- near post on to the crossbar. season. Fiorentina pressed in the attacking fulcrum, scoring 34 games, and was badly missed by mits for this length of time it Insigne, then Callejon spurned later stages, Reina forced down goals in 163 appearances. Liverpool after sustaining an an- shows that our faith is shared further chances before the end of quick to collect Josip Ilicic’s de- “Ever since my arrival here, I kle ligament injury in November throughout the game. a fi rst half which, after battling fl ected drive. was welcomed with open arms that kept him out for seven weeks. “He knows he can fulfi l his to a thrilling 3-3 draw in their Hysaj saw red moments later, by the supporters and everyone Liverpool manager Jurgen dreams and ambitions here at last league outing, surprisingly on 90 minutes, for a second at this football club,” Coutinho Klopp said Coutinho’s new con- Liverpool. This is a big statement. fi nished scoreless. bookable off ence but La Viola’s said in comments published on tract, which is not thought to I look forward to seeing Phil create Fiorentina’s sole chances came chances of a late leveller were hit the Liverpool website. File picture of Liverpool playmaker Philippe Coutinho (R) with include a release clause, repre- many more great memories and on the counter, but the threat when Olivera was sent off after “This is an important factor manager Jurgen Klopp after an EPL game. sented a “big statement”. moments for this club.” was real, Pepe Reina palming Fe- earning a second caution. Gulf Times Thursday, January 26, 2017 9 FOOTBALL

SPOTLIGHT OPINION Messi has evolved into ‘total footballer’, Holders Ivory says coach Enrique Coast ousted from Cup of Nations ‘Today we beat the Ivory Coast on a bad pitch that proved to be a leveller. Now a new File picture of Barcelona’s Argentinian forward Lionel Messi. competition begins with the knockout matches and we will need a winning mentality’ Reuters hitting a La Liga record of 50 in Barcelona the 2011/12 season, and despite taking up a deeper role in the last two years to accommodate strike arcelona coach Luis partners Neymar and Luis Sua- Enrique paid tribute to rez, he has netted 15 times this Lionel Messi yesterday season in the league. Bfor his evolution into a “With the type of player he is “total footballer” throughout he doesn’t need much strength his career, which he believes will because he’s able to play with help the fi ve-time World Player one or two touches, he knows of the Year maintain his quality where to run to receive the ball long into the future. and how to play without the ball The Spanish champions are and vary his position,” added confi dent their all-time top scorer Luis Enrique. Messi will sign a new contract un- “When you add all that with til 2022 in the near future, which the technical and physical quali- would tie him to the club until he ties he has then you get the play- is 35, with sporting director Robert er we see every day, which is a Fernandez saying on Tuesday that unique player.” negotiations on the new deal were Barca host Sociedad today “going very well”. with a 1-0 advantage from the “Messi’s footballing evolu- fi rst leg after beating the Basques tion is beyond any doubt, and away from home last week for the the process happened because fi rst time since 2007, although of his maturity. Before he was al- they will be without midfi elders most our only goalscorer but he’s Sergio Busquets and Andres Ini- evolved into a total footballer,” esta through injury. Luis Enrique told a news confer- “It would be an error to think ence yesterday ahead of Barca’s we’ve already got the job done. King’s Cup quarter-fi nal second Against an opponent of this leg with Real Sociedad. magnitude, it’s a very danger- “He’s capable of doing any- ous game,” added Luis Enrique, thing in attack or defence, as whose side are looking to book he’s a very intelligent player he their place in the Cup semi-fi nals will compensate for any possible for a seventh consecutive year. weaknesses he may end up expe- “The players are aware of that riencing in a very far away future and so are our fans. We’ve always when his physical condition de- struggled to beat Real Sociedad, clines.” especially away, and they will Messi has scored more than 30 make things complicated for us. league goals in fi ve of the 12 full After the fi rst leg they have noth- seasons he has played for Barca, ing to lose.”

BRIEFS ’s players celebrate after scoring a goal during the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations group C match between Morocco and Ivory Coast in Oyem. Benfi ca star to sign for “But also the answer’s good PSG aft er medical from Costa. They are two AFP And for the fourth consecutive Cup of “I take responsibility. We did not fulfi l second period after latching onto Marcel really high-class professionals Oyem, Gabon Nations, the reigning champions will be our objectives. Our ambition was to get Tisserand’s punt downfi eld. Portuguese forward Gonçalo dealing with each other.” absent from the quarter-fi nals, but the past the fi rst round and retain our title. It Kodjo Fo-Doh Laba pulled one back Guedes was on the verge of a Ballack also felt players could winning coach from two years ago will be is going to be a diffi cult night,” he added for Togo but a Paul-Jose Mpoku free- reported 30 million euro ($32M) be distracted by the current efending champions the Ivory in the last eight. as he refused to be drawn on his future in kick with 10 minutes left that struck the move from Benfica to Paris market situation but urged Coast were sent packing from The blond, bronzed 48-year-old, wear- the job. underside of the bar and came down just Saint Germain yesterday as the them to be wary of Chinese the Africa Cup of Nations on ing his lucky white shirt, hopes to become over the line secured the win. French side said he was under- riches, saying the sums being Tuesday after losing 1-0 to a the fi rst coach to win three Cup of Nations DRC UNDERLINE CREDENTIALS “Having gone top of the group after going a medical with them. off ered were not normal. MoroccoD side coached by their old boss titles with three diff erent countries having As the Ivorians prepare to go home, Mo- two rounds of games we needed to remain The 20-year-old winger arrived “It seems to be another level Herve Renard. also won it with Zambia in 2012. rocco will now head to Port-Gentil for a vigilant and we did that,” said Ibenge. in Paris Tuesday and the PSG since the guys from China A brilliant Rachid Alioui goal gave Mo- “Today we beat the Ivory Coast on quarter-fi nal while DR Congo make their “They gave us a fright after we had off icial website featured a front disturbed the market a bit, and rocco the victory in Oyem in northern a bad pitch that proved to be a leveller. way back to Oyem. gone 2-0 up and had we not matured as page photo of Guedes holding the brains of the players,” the Gabon as the Atlas Lions marched on to Now a new competition begins with the Florent Ibenge’s side needed just a a team thanks to the two years we have up a PSG club scarf and wearing 40-year-old added. the quarter-fi nals alongside DR Congo. knockout matches, which will be much draw to qualify but a 3-1 win over Togo spent together we might have panicked.” one of their track suits. “It’s diff icult for the club to put An impressive Congolese side eased to like this one, and we will need a winning secured top spot and the manner of their Togo and their captain Emmanuel Portuguese dailies A Bola all the players back in line, all a 3-1 win against Togo in the night’s other mentality,” Renard said. performance on a shocking pitch sug- Adebayor were given a guard of honour at and Record both said the the players who get a crazy game in Port-Gentil as they sealed top Alioui, of French second-tier side gests the 2015 semi-fi nalists must be the end by the Congolese players but they player would sign a five-year off er. It’s numbers that we are spot in Group C. Nimes, curled in a sublime long-range seen as genuine contenders to win the go home having failed to register a win. deal worth 30 million euros, not used to, even if in England But it is the elimination of the El- eff ort at the end of a counterattack just trophy now. The group stage concludes on Wednes- although PSG have so far de- there has been a lot of money ephants, winners in 2015 after a penalty past the hour mark to break the deadlock fi red past Togo’s day when Ghana and Egypt clash in Port- clined to comment on the deal. involved for a while. shoot-out against Ghana, that overshad- and leave the Ivorians needing to score substitute goalkeeper Cedric Mensah Gentil and Mali meet already-eliminated With two caps for Portugal “I don’t think it’s normal, but ows all else. twice to stay alive. They could not. for the opener just before the half-hour Uganda in Oyem in Group D. Guedes can play on either hopefully we come back a bit Their departure is the latest blow to “It is an immense disappointment. My mark and he also headed against the post Egypt need a draw to secure progress wing but most recently played to normal days.” the tournament following premature thoughts go out to all Ivorians who are prior to the interval. to the last eight along with Ghana, but if either centre-forward or exits for hosts Gabon and much-fancied going through a diffi cult time,” said their Neeskens Kebano of Fulham lobbed they slip up Mali could take advantage by playmaker in the 16 league Doubts grow over Luis Algeria in the last few days. French coach Michel Dussuyer. in the second goal nine minutes into the beating the Ugandans. games he started for Benfica Enrique’s Barca future this season. Guedes will become the latest Barcelona boss Luis Enrique FRENCH LEAGUE CUP foreign acquisition by the again avoided questions over French champions who signed his future yesterday as specu- 23-year-old German inter- lation grows that he could national Julian Draxler from walk away from the Spanish Wolfsburg two weeks ago for champions at the end of the a reported 36 to 40 million eu- season. Cavani, Di Maria fi re PSG into final ros ($37.5 million - $42 million). Enrique has won eight tro- phies in two and a half years AFP al clash with leaders Mo- when Malcom steered straight at Ballack praises Conte in charge but is out of contract Paris naco by fi elding a full-strength PSG goalkeeper Kevin Trapp af- handling of Costa at the end of the season and side. ter Thomas Meunier misjudged is in no rush to renew, with “We want to play for all the a cross, but the away side struck Former Chelsea midfielder the club’s focus on securing dinson Cavani and Angel titles and to win as many as pos- fi rst when Di Maria drilled a 30- Michael Ballack has praised new deals for Lionel Messi and Di Maria propelled hold- sible,” said Emery. “This team yard free-kick past Jerome Prior. manager Antonio Conte’s captain Andres Iniesta. ers Paris Saint-Germain deserves its place in this fi nal. Blaise Matuidi should have handling of Diego Costa after Barcelona daily Sport reported into a fourth straight “(Against Monaco) it’s going doubled the lead but could only the striker reportedly tried to yesterday that Enrique’s assist- FrenchE League Cup fi nal with to be a big match for the league. shoot tamely at Prior when clean force through a lucrative move ant Juan Carlos Unzue is his both scoring twice in a 4-1 vic- We want to win because today through, and Bordeaux hit back to China this month. preferred choice to take over tory at Bordeaux on Tuesday. they are fi rst.” as Rolan stabbed into an empty Costa, the club’s top scorer this should he leave, whilst Sevilla Argentine Di Maria’s stunning after an eff ort from Malcom de- season, was recently left out boss Jorge Sampaoli has also free-kick gave record six-time PSG TOO STRONG fl ected off Thiago Silva and into of the Chelsea squad with a been heavily linked with a move champions PSG the lead, but Bordeaux coach Jocelyn Gour- his path. back strain amid British media to the Camp Nou given his fine Diego Rolan cancelled out the vennec admitted the Parisians But Cavani, who reached 20 speculation of a row with first season in Spanish football. winger’s eff ort just past the half were simply too strong. league goals in France for the backroom staff and a possible “I don’t have anything to say,” hour. “We have nothing to be em- fi rst time at the weekend, ap- transfer to Chinese side Tianjin Enrique replied when pressed Cavani put the visitors back barrassed about in this defeat, plied a clinical fi nish to restore Quanjian. on his future and whether Un- on top with a thumping fi nish on it’s not an upset to be eliminated PSG’s lead on the hour as he ran The 28-year-old Costa, how- zue, who has barely any senior 60 minutes before adding a sec- by Paris,” he said. onto a through ball from Lucas. ever, silenced doubters after managerial experience, could ond, while Di Maria again struck “To beat them would have The Uruguayan demonstrated the Spain international scored handle the role. from distance as PSG set up an been an exploit, we believed in his predatory instincts to grab on his return in Sunday’s 2-0 However, Enrique insisted his April 1 showdown with the win- ourselves but they managed to his second on 74 minutes after win over Hull City. relationship with the squad ner of Wednesday’s semi-fi nal punish us. Marquinhos headed back across “With toughness, he (Conte) is as good as ever in his third between Monaco and Nancy. “This evening they had an goal from a corner. took him out of the squad, season in charge. Paris have dominated this extreme precision as Di Mar- Di Maria, making his fi rst start which was an understandable “This is my third year here and competition in recent years, ia demonstrated. I hope we’ll of 2017, completed his brace nine situation, if it was the back or I see the same desire, same winning each of the past three bounce back and beat them minutes from time with an an- not it doesn’t matter,” German eagerness and will to want to editions, and Unai Emery ig- in the league in less than two gled drive that brushed the fi n- Ballack, who spent four years keep making history and win- nored any temptations to rest Paris’ Uruguayan forward Edinson Cavani celebrates after scoring a weeks.” gertips of Prior before nestling at Chelsea, told British media. ning titles.” players ahead of Sunday’s pivot- goal during the French League Cup match against Bordeaux. PSG survived an early scare inside the far corner. Gulf Times 10 Thursday, January 26, 2017 SPORT

AL KASS INTERNATIONAL CUP FOCUS Al Ahli edge past Bayern show class in eight-man Roma

By Sports Reporter fi nish into the bottom corner. Doha An aerial battle following a Roma corner saw Alshamrani rush easy win over Raja from his line to punch the ball n injury and two dis- away. However, instead of con- missals saw Roma re- necting with the cross, goalscorer It was one-way traff ic as Bayern dominated the Moroccan team at Aspire duced to eight men in Trasciana took the force of the jaw-dropping fashion as blow and fell to the fl oor. Having AlA Ahli ran out 3-1 victors at the used up all fi ve substitutes, the By Sports Reporter Doha under-17 Al Kass International Italians were reduced to ten men Cup. Bold refereeing decisions and all hope of clawing their way and fl ared tempers saw Italian for- back into contention dwindled ayern Munich’s youngsters fi - wards Luca Petrungaro and Nicolo when Muyini eventually found nally delivered a performance De Angelis receive red cards – af- himself on the scoresheet. His worthy of their illustrious name, ter the Italians had already gone impressive ball control got the lighting up Aspire Zone with a down to 10 men having used all better of the defence once again 5-1B victory over a Raja Casablanca at the their substitutes – in what proved as he wriggled through towards under-17 Al Kass International Cup, yes- to be one of tournament’s most goal. Having been denied ear- terday. startling matches. lier he made sure the second time Heading into the game, it was a case With neither side able to ad- around, and a powerful shot that of what might have been for both sides. vance into the knockout stages, Al went in off Pagliarini gave his side Raja had suff ered a narrow reverse to PSV Ahli and Roma were looking to end a comfortable two-goal lead. in the opening match of the tournament, their campaigns on a high. A peri- In what looked like a certain and then fallen short to Aspire Academy od of pressure on the Saudi team’s Al Ahli win, Roma were given a the following day. goal brought in a succession of shred of hope in the shape of an Bayern, meanwhile, were one of the Roma corners, one of which re- 81st minute penalty. Manaf Abuy- pre-tournament favourites. They had sulted in a 23rd minute opener abs brought Petrungaro down just narrowly avoided snatching a last-gasp when the ball arrived low at the inside the area and the referee draw in their opener against Red Bull feet of centre-back Daniele Tras- pointed to the spot. Salzburg, before throwing everything ciani, whose well-timed volley left Petrungaro stepped up but, de- they got at Kawhiwa Reysol’s backline the keeper with little chance. spite driving the ball home to make in a doomed attempt to overcome an in- It didn’t take long for Al Ahli to the score 3-2, a stutter in his run spired Japanese backline. bite back, also scoring following a up saw him receive a second yel- But last night, the Germans instantly corner ball. Midfi elder Ziyad Al- low. Referee Meshaari al-Sham- made it clear that they had put previ- johani connected with the cross, mari withdrew the penalty and the ous disappointments behind them, as and keeper Alessio Pagliarini was striker was sent to the stands, with they took the lead after just 20 seconds. sent the wrong way when the ball Roma players surrounding the ref- Franck Evina was set free down the left defl ected off Devid Bouah and eree in protest and coaching staff wing and his low cross found Progon trickled into the unguarded side of pleading with the fourth offi cial, Maloku at the near post, who slotted the net. but their appeals fell on deaf ears. home from close range. The goal gave the KSA team the Moments later, play was pulled Bayern doubled their lead just two boost they needed, and their new- back for an Ahli free kick when minutes later, with Maloku again on tar- found determination saw them Nicolò De Angelis lashed out in get, intercepting a back-pass and round- leading just before the break. A frustration, kicking Abdullah ing the keeper before calmly picking his simple pass from midfi eld split the Fadaili in the process. The referee spot to deliver a 2-0 advantage. Roma defence, and Haitham Asiri rushed over and gave the forward Shell-shocked following Munich’s made no mistake in putting his a straight red, reducing the Italian early onslaught, Raja struggled to re- side in front with an accomplished side to eight. tain their composure, and it was to their enormous credit that they managed to keep their shape and repel a wave of at- tacks on goal. Still, it was one-way traffi c Bayern Munich and Raja Casablanca for the rest of the half as Bayern persist- players vie for the ball during the ently worked to extend their lead. under-17 Al Kass International Cup at In the 25th minute they succeeded, Aspire yesterday. PICTURES: Jayaram when Maloku sent in a high cross from the right that Evina steered home with a pinpoint header into the top left corner. With the game less than half an hour old, it was already clear that Raja had it all to do if they were to avoid a drubbing. almost immediately, Raja were enjoy- alert Iliass Hallal. The Moroccan mid- But, despite the spirited eff orts of But in the 33rd minute the defi cit in- ing a rare foray into opposition territory. fi elder looked up and, seeing the keeper the Raja faithful and their young play- creased to four goals. Bayern were award- They may even have got a goal back when out of position, took a pot shot that nes- ers, normal service was soon resumed as ed a free kick to the left of the penalty central defender Mohammed Naim rose tled in the left of the net. Bayern began to re-assert their previous area, and Maloku rose highest to connect highest to meet a corner, but his header Raja’s players responded, and feisty dominance. with the cross. Keeper Aymane Moubsir was smartly saved by the Bayern keeper challenges began to fl y in as Bayern were And, with 15 minutes remaining it was did well to keep the powerful header out, Maurice Koenig. belatedly made aware that they had a 5-1 after substitute midfi elder Can Ka- but he could not hold onto the ball, and However, 10 minutes later Koenig was game on their hands. Suddenly, there was ratas advanced into the area and played a goalmouth melee ended with Marcel at fault when he played the ball out to little to separate the sides in terms of ef- a neat one-two with Marin Pudic before Zylla fi ring home. midfi elder Rainer Dalmeida, who was fort and tenacity, as Casablanca began to fi ring home from eight yards. The second half got underway and, instantly closed down and robbed by the play with greater cohesion.

QSL PREVIEW SPOTLIGHT Struggling Al Shahania British gymnasts arrive in Doha face resurgent Al Sailiya for a week-long training

By Sports Reporter By Sports Reporter an exchange programme agreed between shops and it remains committed to devel- Doha Doha the two countries national bodies. QGF said oping the sport of gymnastics at grassroots that young Qatari gymnasts will benefi t level in the country. from rubbing shoulders with British ath- Last week, QGF had conducted an Inter- truggling Al Shahania take on Al Sailiya in reat Britain’s artistic gymnastics letes and they train together. national Judges Course organised in col- the Qatar Star League today. The Oryxes are team arrived in Doha yesterday After training session, British gymnasts laboration between International Gymnas- currently 1th in QSL standings and know for a one-week training camp. The were impressed with the facilities on off er tics Federation (FIG). Offi cials from Jordan, that a win could see them jump out of the squad was received at the Hamad and praised the world gym equipment at Egypt, Syria, Tunisia, Singapore, China, In- relegationS zone if results go their way. GInternational Airport by Qatar Gymnastics their disposal. Some of the British gymnasts dia and Korea North, Hungary besides Qatar In their last match, Shahania lost 3-0 to Al Federation (QGF) offi cials. are expected to feature at the 10th FIG ART featured at the January 19-20 symposium. Gharafa and their Croatian head coach Igor Stimac The training camp will be held till Febru- World Challenge Cup to be held in Doha in Last month, QGF hosted a Level 3 FIG has called on his to put in a much improved per- ary 2, a QGF statement said yesterday. March. QGF has been active in conducting Academy for Men’s and Women’s Artistic formance. “I’m not happy with the performance The Team GB training in Doha is part of training camps and hosting other work- Gymnastics from December 3-10, 2016. against Al Gharafa. We were expecting much from the team. Now that is in the past, we have to con- centrate on the next game and what is coming up,” he said. “Sailiya have a few new players, it will be a diffi cult match as they will have confi dence from the last game that they won against Umm Salal. We are confi dent and we know a win can get us out of Al Shahania coach Igor Stimac. the danger zone,” added Stimac. He revealed that Shahania will be without a key player in today’s match. “I am sad that Rahim Zahivi will be unable to help us. He he is out for ten days to two weeks with fatigue related injury.” The Croatian coach stressed that his side has nothing to lose from the position that they are in. “Before the start of the season everyone said that Shahania were set to go down, the position we are now in gives us a chance of survival. Now we need to fi ght together, and we are not going down without a fi ght.” Meanwhile, Sailiya come into the match on a high following a narrow 1-0 win over Umm Salal. Peregrines coach Sami Trabelsi said he was looking forward to the game. “It’s a good game for us. It’s the game that really matters to me. I will be looking to see how my play- ers play in this game. Shahania are a good side but Al Sailiya manager Sami Trabelsi. we have to be prepared for them and we have to win to pull further away from the relegation zone.” get now this season is to pick up the most possible “Last season we had diffi culties against teams points that we can.” who are fi ghting for survival, while playing well Trabelsi said his team are still in the market for against the top sides in the league. We need to be at players. “We hope to get some local players in to re- full concentration for Shahania or they will punish inforce the team. We have to be realistic on who we us” added the Tunisian tactician. can bring in but I am happy with what we got. We Trabelsi wants a repeat of the performance took a risk in playing the professional players in the against Umm Salal. “We played well last week, es- last match and it came off , although we know that pecially with the new players and we hope to con- it won’t just be the professionals that help us it’s a tinue in the same way against Al Shahania. Our tar- team eff ort at Al Sailiya.” Great Britain’s artistic gymnastics team at their arrival in Hamad International Airport in Doha yesterday. Gulf Times Thursday, January 26, 2017 11 HORSE RACING

SPOTLIGHT Suerland rides Lupie to Umm Al Houl Cup glory Champion Trainer Jassim Ghazali had two winners earlier in the evening with Caid de l’Ardus and Ras Al Qimmah

By Sports Reporter Doha

ictory had evaded Lupie since May 2015 but yesterday, backed by a confi dent ride from Marvin Suerland, Mo- Vhammed Jassim Ghazali’s ward won the Umm Al Houl Cup, a Class 2 Thorough- bred Classifi ed Stakes race on dirt, at the Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club. The six furlong feature saw Ibra- him al-Malki-trained Shaka Zulu and My Sharona, schooled by Ghazali’s father Jassim, jostle for lead up front, while Lupie stayed on the inside before making a move coming on to the fi nal stretch. Steadily pulling away as the fi nish approached, he left Injaaz Stud’s Black Granite and al-Malki’s Victory Laurel to battle for the second spot. Harry Bentley guided Black Granite to the runner-up spot. Champion Trainer Jassim Ghazali had two winners earlier in the evening with Caid de l’Ardus winning the Pure- bred Arabian Conditions event and Ras Al Qimmah shedding her maiden status. JP Guillambert-helmed Caid de l’Ardus led a one-two for Ghazali and Leading Owner Khalifa bin Sheail al-Kuwari with Alberto Sanna riding Samjida to the second spot, ahead of Injaaz Stud’s Al Marboush. Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club vice-chief steward Abdulla Rashid al-Kubaisi Polaris picked up his fi rst victory (centre) with the winners of the Umm Al Houl Cup after Lupie won the this season when the Injaaz Stud colt 1200m run at QREC yesterday. PICTURES: Juhaim topped the Class 3 Thoroughbred Handicap event for horses rated 70-90 rated 85 and below. (Gaetan Faucon), 4. Al Eshrah (Stephan yesterday in a thrilling fi nish. The six-furlong sprint saw Sanna, Ladjadj). Won by: 1/2, Nk, 2. Owner: Sheikh Trained by Mubarak al-Khayarin, the riding in the colours of Sheikh Faisal Faisal bin Hamad bin Jassim al-Thani. fi ve-year-old, ridden by Jean Baptiste bin Hamad bin Jassim al-Thani, guid- Trainer: Ibrahim al-Malki. Hamel, edged out Zuhair Mohsen’s ing his mount to a narrow win over Al- Race 4: 1. Digital Rebellion (Gerald charge Apicus in what was his shortest ban de Mieulle-schooled duo Rahibah Avranche), 2. Neutron Bomb (Alberto run so far at 1100m, while Hamad al- and Taima. Earlier in the day, Namroud, Sanna), 3. Protect (Harry Bentley), 4. Al Jehani’s Go For Broke was third. trained by Pierre Deymonaz, and Ghaz- Fouz (Almotasem al-Balushi). Won by: 5, 1, Running over nine furlongs for the ali-saddled Ras Al Qimmah shed their 1 1/4. Owner: Al Jeryan Stud. Trainer: Hadi fi rst time this season, Hadi al-Ramza- maiden status in the Local Purebred Al Ramzani. ni-trained Digital Rebellion registered Arabian and Thoroughbred maiden Race 5: 1. Polaris (Jean Baptiste Hamel), 2. his fi rst victory when the fi ve-year-old plate events respectively. Apicus (Marvin Suerland), 3. Go For Broke won the Class 5 Thoroughbred Handi- (Darren Williams), 4. Gold Trade (Alberto cap event for horses rated 50-70. RESULTS Sanna). Won by: 1/2, Nk, 1/2. Owner: Injaaz The Al Jeryan Stud-owned gelding Race 1: 1. Namroud (Richard Mullen), 2. Stud. Trainer: Mubarak al-Khayarin. fi nished a commanding fi ve lengths Musaitir (Gaetan Faucon), 3. Ibn Maerl Race 6: 1. Caid de l’Ardus (JP Guillambert), ahead of the fi eld courtesy a confi dent Al Naif (Gerald Avranche), 4. Lagham (JP 2. Samjida (Alberto Sanna), 3. Al Mar- ride by Gerald Avranche. Guillambert). Won by: Shd, 6, 2 1/2. Owner: boush (Harry Bentley), 4. Majdan (Gerald Alberto Sanna-ridden Neutron Sheikh Khalifa bin Mohamed bin Khalifa Avranche). Won by: Nk, Nk, 3/4. Owner: Bomb, one of three maidens running al-Thani. Trainer: Pierre Deymonaz. Khalifa bin Sheail al-Kuwari. Trainer: Jas- in the race, fi nished second for trainer Race 2: 1. Ras Al Qimmah (Harry Bentley), sim Ghazali. Al-Malki, while Jassim Ghazali’s ward 2. Al Zajeel (Almotasem al-Balushi), 3. High Race 7: 1. Lupie (Marvin Suerland), 2. Black Protect completed the podium. Commander (Jean Baptiste Hamel), 4. Granite (Harry Bentley), 3. Victory Laurel Al-Malki-trained Afreetah regis- Cap Nord (Gerald Avranche). Won by: 3, (Alberto Sanna), 4. Sandbetweenourtoes tered her third victory this season when Shd, 3. Owner: Khalifa bin Sheail al-Kuwari. (Jean Baptiste Hamel). Won by: 1 1/2, 1/2, Sanna guided the fi ve-year-old to a Trainer: Jassim Ghazali. 3/4. Owner: Sheikha Sara bint Mishal bin close win in the Local Purebred Arabian Race 3: 1. Afreetah (Alberto Sanna), 2. Hamad al-Thani. Trainer: Mohammed Handicap event for fi llies and mares Rahibah (Jean Baptiste Hamel), 3. Taima Jassim Ghazali. Marvin Suerland rides Lupie to victory in the Umm Al Houl Cup at the QREC yesterday. Qatar is showing intent FOCUS to excel in racing at world Breeders’ Cup and QREC stage, says QREC GM al-Kaabi announce new partnership By Denise Marray London Agencies London NASSER SHERIDA AL-KAABI (right), General Manager of Qatar Racing & Equestrian Club sees the partnership with the Breeders’ Cup reeders’ Cup, one of as further evidence of Qatar’s commitment Thoroughbred horse to excelling at the sport. Speaking to Gulf racing’s most pres- Times at the press conference to announce the tigious international events,B and Qatar Racing and partnership in the Dorchester Hotel, London, he commented: “The Breeders’ Cup is a great Equestrian Club (QREC), yes- brand in America and to have a joint venture is terday announced a new part- very important for us. It gives out the message nership. The fi rst of its kind that we are in the racing world to be one of the partnership for the QREC, the major competitors. Likewise, our association racing went hand in hand with a desire to achieve Thoroughbred horse racing with Royal Ascot and Goodwood gives out the sporting success in many other fields and to raise brands will exchange presenting message that we are serious.” the profile of the county internationally. sponsor titles at their respective He said the partnerships would be for a long Craig Fravel, Breeders’ Cup President and championship races – HH The term. “I think you will see us even more involved Ceo, is impressed with the impact Qatar has Emir’s Sword Festival at Al Rayy- in racing at Royal Ascot and the Qatar Good- made to date. Speaking to Gulf Times, he said: an Racecourse in Doha and the wood Festival in the years to come,” al-Kaabi “They have had incredible success – mostly Breeders’ Cup World Champion- noted. “The Emir’s Sword Festival is attract- in Europe – and we have had the pleasure of ships at Del Mar Thoroughbred ing more and more international interest and having some runners in the US. We are very Club in San Diego, California. hopefully we will reach our targets and goals,” impressed with the speed with which they have The partnership will launch he added. When asked to name some of his gotten up to the highest levels of the game. next month when Breeders’ Cup favourite racecourses and events around the They obviously know what they are doing and is named a presenting sponsor of world, al-Kaabi said: “Meydan and Royal Ascot are doing it well.” the Breeders’ Cup Dukhan Sprint are my favourites both for the structure and the He is looking forward to going to Doha for at HH The Emir’s Sword Festival, event. Also, in America, the Kentucky Derby is the Emir’s Sword Festival next month and spoke a three-day horse racing festival one of the most important.” about the bonds and shared love of the racing on February 23, 24 and 25, 2017. QREC general manager Nasser Sherida al-Kaabi (second from right) and Breeders’ Cup president and Asked about his own passion for the sport, and horsemanship that make the relationship Following the race, Breeders’ CEO Craig Fravel (second from left) at the press conference announcing the new partnership between he replied: “I am an owner and I love watching with Qatar so strong. Cup will present the trophy to the two horse racing bodies in London yesterday. horse racing. For me horse racing is the love of “For the Breeders’ Cup, everything we do is the race winner. my life.” about the quality of the thoroughbreds, and “We are thrilled to take this the Qatar Racing and Equestrian Racing and Equestrian Club Ju- proud to have formed this pres- The QREC General Manager said he has a we also have a great deal of respect for Qatar’s next step in expanding our rela- Club is a natural fi t. We look for- venile Turf Sprint Stakes on No- tigious partnership,” said QREC special commitment to Arabian horse racing. interest in the Arab horse. The Arab horse is the tionship with the renowned Qa- ward to continuing to strengthen vember 4. Additionally, a QREC general manager Nasser Sherida “Arabian horses are in our heritage. Qatar is one foundation of the entire thoroughbred breed so tar Racing and Equestrian Club,” our relationship and encouraging representative will present the al-Kaabi. “HH The Emir’s Sword of the best in the world in Arabian racing and the connection is a very important one.” said Breeders’ Cup president and the international Thoroughbred trophy for the race. Festival is Qatar’s fl agship in- we want to keep it that way. It is one thing to get He concluded: “Sometimes, I think history is a CEO Craig Fravel. community to support and race “The Breeders’ Cup World ternational race meeting of the to the top but it is diff icult to stay there, but we great teacher for the future, so the more we can “As we look to ways to elevate in Qatar.” Championship is one of the most year and we look forward to run- want to stay at the top.” learn about their culture and interests the better our international presence with At the 2017 Breeders’ Cup iconic international race meet- ning the inaugural Breeders’ Cup Al-Kaabi said building Qatar’s reputation in off we will be together.” thoroughbred racing leaders of World Championships, QREC ings in the World and the Qatar Dukhan Sprint on Saturday, Feb- similar calibre around the world, will be the sponsor of the Qatar Racing & Equestrian Club is very ruary 25, 2017.”