FFOOTBALLOOTBALL | Page 4 NNFLFL | Page 6 Red-hot Patriots Man City clinch division chase League with wild win Cup glory over Steelers

Tuesday, December 19, 2017 CRICKET Rabia II 1, 1439 AH Hazlewood GULF TIMES steps up in place of injured Starc SPORT Page 2

WACA SCORECARD

England first innings 403 Australia first innings 662-9 (dec) England second innings A. Cook c and b Hazlewood ...... 14 M. Stoneman c Paine b Hazlewood ...... 3 J. Vince b Starc ...... 55 J. Root c Smith b Lyon ...... 14 D. Malan c Paine b Hazlewood ...... 54 J. Bairstow b Hazlewood ...... 14 M. Ali lbw Lyon ...... 11 C. Woakes c Paine b Cummins ...... 22 C. Overton c Khawaja b Hazlewood ...... 12 S. Broad c Paine b Cummins ...... 0 J. Anderson not out ...... 1 Extras (lb11, b6, nb1) ...... 18 Total (all out; 72.5 overs) ...... 218 Fall of wickets: 1-4 (Stoneman), 2-29 (Cook), 3-60 (Root), 4-100 (Vince), 5-133 (Bairstow), 6-172 (Ali), 7-196 (Malan), 8-210 (Overton), 9-211 (Broad), 10-218 (Woakes). Bowling: Starc 17-5-44-1, Hazlewood 18-6-48-5, M Marsh 3-1-14-0, Cummins 19.5-4-53-2 (1nb), Lyon 15-4-42-2 Australia won by an innings and 41 runs Australia leads series 3-0 Toss: England Four years after Alastair Cook’s side meekly surrendered the Umpires: Marais Erasmus (RSA), Chris Gaff aney (NZL) Ashes at the same venue, Root’s England were condemned to TV umpire: Aleem Dar (PAK) hand back the urn with the same humiliating 3-0 scoreline

Reuters His captain Steve Smith was named “I’m sure the next day or so will It was a delivery from Hazlewood Perth Man-of-the-Match for a second time be pretty tough but we’ve got a bit of that skidded low off a crack and clat- in the series, his brilliant 239 having time to get ready for Melbourne... and tered into off -stump, in a portent of a left England with an improbable sec- show the character of the group we miserable afternoon for the tourists. ustralia thrashed England by ond innings mountain to climb. have.” Incoming batsman Moeen Ali was an innings and 41 runs in the “It’s been an amazing couple of Heavy overnight showers leaked very nearly out four balls later, when third Test in Perth yesterday weeks, I’ve really enjoyed every mo- rainwater onto the pitch in an embar- he edged the same bowler just short of Ato reclaim the Ashes with ment of it,” the beaming skipper told rassment for the WACA ground staff Smith in the slips. two matches to spare and condemn Joe reporters. and rain squalls further delayed the He was unable to capitalise on his Root’s team to a period of gloomy in- “To know everything has worked resumption of play. reprieve, falling leg before for 11, with trospection. out and we’ve been able to get that But even with some 28 overs and fellow off -spinner Nathan Lyon snar- Seamer Josh Hazlewood fi nished urn back, all the emotions came out some three hours lost to the weather, ing his wicket for the fi fth time in the with a fi ve-wicket haul as England at once.” it was far from enough to save the series. were bowled out for 218 before tea on a Smith’s dominant series has put his tourists, who lost their last six wickets Malan backed up his fi rst innings rain-hit fi nal day at the WACA. counterpart in the shade, with Root for 85 runs. hundred with a half-century when he Four years after Alastair Cook’s side struggling with the bat and let down They resumed in peril on 132 for four, pulled Cummins to the fence. meekly surrendered the Ashes at the badly by his senior players across the still 127 runs short of making Australia But he was caught behind for 54 try- same venue, Root’s England were con- three defeats at the WACA, Adelaide bat again, on a pitch with cracks snak- ing to pull Hazlewood after being well demned to hand back the urn with the Oval and in Brisbane. ing at both ends of the wicket. worked over by the tall seamer. same humiliating 3-0 scoreline. “It’s bitterly disappointing,” Root Dawid Malan and Jonny Bairstow, England’s tail had proved hopelessly Australia quick Pat Cummins told reporters. “One of the most who combined for a gallant 237-run brittle against Australia’s bouncers wrapped up the match, dismissing frustrating things is we haven’t partnership in the fi rst innings, were throughout the series, and it duly fell Chris Woakes (22) behind the wicket, been blown away. In all three games tasked with the rescue mission but the over, with Hazlewood claiming his fi fth triggering a round of bear-hugs with there have been periods where we’ve Australia’s captain Steve Smith and wicketkeeper Tim Paine appeal successfully England wicketkeeper was bowled for victim when Craig Overton was caught whooping teammates in the middle. matched and outplayed Australia. for LBW to dismiss England’s Moeen Ali. 14 on the fi rst delivery he faced. in the gully for 12.

FOOTBALL Rayyan, Gharafa square off in QSL Cup fi nal

By Sports Reporter competition. We won fi ve of the six we showed in all games in the QSL Cup,” Al Sadd couldn’t fi eld their full squads group stage and also in the semi-fi nal,” this competition will be a shot in the arm Doha games we played in this tournament so said Laudrup. because they had fi ve or six players in he said. for my wards as they gear up to make a far and we’re keen to win the last match “Matches against Al Gharafa are al- the national team. Of course, some sides “We know Al Rayyan are strong oppo- strong comeback in the second phase of as well,” the Danish, Barcelona and Real ways close, so we’ll be wary of them. We gave chances to reserve players and nents, and they’ve got many experienced the QSL Cup. l Rayyan coach Michael Madrid legend said at his pre-match aren’t making any special preparations that’s normal. They’ve to get match ex- and skilful players, such as Sebastian “We’ve to tighten up our defence. Laudrup admitted that his side press conference. for the fi nal as there isn’t much time af- perience. We don’t have a single player in Soria, Rodrigo Tabata and Abderrazaq Ours is a good mix of youth and experi- faced a tough task against Al Last season, Al Gharafa beat Al Rayyan ter the semifi nal. Luckily, we won’t be the present Gulf Cup squad even though Hamdallah, in their ranks. They’ve been ence, who can make up for the absence of AGharafa when they clash in the both times in the Qatar Stars League al- missing any player due to national team we would like to have some players in the scoring goals consistently in the QNB injured (Vladimir) Weiss. I’m optimistic fi nal of the QSL Cup today. though the Lions turned back the tide by duty this time.” Qatar squad,” he added. Stars League as well as QSL Cup. about achieving a positive result. Al Gharafa have proven a tough nut to winning this season. The Dane downplayed the talks that Al Gharafa coach Jean Fernandez is Fernandez added he avoids negative “If you had noticed, young players crack as far as Al Rayyan are concerned “We had lost both our league matches most teams did not take the QSL Cup also keen to win some silverware. thinking ahead of a match. scored the goals for us in the last two and today’s fi nal could well turn out that to Al Gharafa last season. However, we seriously and failed to fi eld full-strength “This is an important game for us and “I never like to go into a game with a games in this tournament. To be realis- way again. could beat them in the fi rst phase of QNB sides. we’ll approach it with all the seriousness losing mentality even if the opponents tic, I believe we’ve a 50 per cent chance “Of course, we want to win this game. Stars League this time. We’ll go into this “I don’t think the teams took this it commands. We fully deserved to be in are much stronger than my players. of winning the fi nal,” the Frenchman After all, it’s the fi nal of an offi cial cup game with the same determination that tournament lightly. Only Al Duhail and the fi nal. We had won big games in the We’re ready even for penalties. Winning said. Gulf Times 2 Tuesday, December 19, 2017 CRICKET

SPOTLIGHT FOCUS Hazlewood steps Smith praises bold selectors up in place of aft er triumph AFP Perth period of time and the way he has kept has been exceptional. “The way he has batted has been ustralian captain Steve Smith exceptional as well, we have had some has paid tribute to some bold very valuable runs from him at seven. selections after his team re- “Shaun Marsh as well, he’s come in injured Starc gained the Ashes in Perth and done a terrifi c job.” yesterday.A Smith credited his bowling attack’s The home team took an unbeatable fi repower for providing the diff erence Hazlewood bowled superbly to finish with 5-48 in England’s second innings 3-0 lead in the series with an innings between the sides, with Mitchell Starc, victory over the English at the WACA Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins as the visitors crashed to an innings and 41-run defeat before tea Ground, despite rain delays and a dam- all capable of bowling considerably aged pitch. quicker than their English counter- Smith said the comprehensive re- parts. sult, which has Australia on track for He said the success of the trio was its third Ashes whitewash in four home reward for extended planning to en- series, was vindication for the national sure they were at their prime for the selectors for making some imaginative Ashes. selections. “Here in Australia it certainly makes Wicketkeeper Tim Paine was not a diff erence on the fl atter tracks where even keeping for his state side Tasma- there isn’t much sideways movement, nia when he was named for the fi rst that extra air speed can make a big dif- Test at the Gabba, while the recall of ference,” he said. 34-year-old Shaun Marsh raised plen- “We’ve worked really hard to ensure ty of eyebrows. we had these three big quicks were on Then batsman Peter Handscomb the park and ready for this series. was dropped for the third Test, with “A couple of them skipped the one- underachieving all-rounder Mitchell day series in India as we knew what Marsh getting a surprise recall. was coming up, we were preparing for Paine has responded with polished this series and we wanted the big three performances behind the stumps and on the park to do what they’ve done the 130 runs at 43.33, while Shaun Marsh last three Test matches.” produced a crucial century in the sec- Pace bowler Starc battled a bruised ond Test in Adelaide and has 224 runs heel in Perth, but the captain said he at 74.66. was keen to play in Melbourne. Mitchell Marsh took his chance in “I just saw him and he just said ‘I’m the third Test, notching his maiden playing’,” Smith said. Test century in making 181. “Whether he has a choice in the “I thought they were really good se- matter I am not sure but he wants to lections,” Smith said. play.” Australian have named an un- “Painey has been mentioned as the changed side for the Boxing Day Test, best keeper in the country for a long starting on December 26 at the MCG.

Australia’s Josh Hazlewood celebrates after dismissing England’s Craig Overton during the fifth day of the third Ashes cricket test match.

Reuters yesterday. Having dismissed England’s openers for a areas,” Australia captain Steve Smith said after the Perth combined 17 runs on day four, Hazlewood required fi nal wicket fell. just one delivery to make the fi rst breakthrough of Hazlewood has already proved a match-winner in the morning. the series, having broken England’s resistance in the Australia’s captain Steve Smith celebrates his double century in the Perth Test. ith pace spearhead Mitchell Starc la- A good length ball stayed low and crashed into second test in Adelaide by removing Joe Root and bouring with injury, Josh Hazlewood wicketkeeper Jonny Bairstow’s stumps to end the Chris Woakes in quick succession on the fi nal day. stepped up to lead Australia’s attack prospect of another big partnership with Dawid Ma- Only Starc, with 19 wickets at 21.05 apiece, has CRITICISM Wwith aplomb as the hosts thrashed lan, after the pair’s 237-run stand in the fi rst innings. been more prolifi c this series, but his injury concern England at the WACA yesterday to reclaim the Ashes He later had Malan caught behind for 54 after sof- has left him in some doubt for the Boxing Day Test with two tests to spare. tening up the middle order batsman with a breath- in Melbourne. Hazlewood bowled superbly to fi nish with 5-48 in taking assault of short-pitched bowling. “I think he was a little bit sore,” Smith told report- Senior England England’s second innings as the visitors crashed to Malan’s wicket exposed England’s tail and the tall ers. an innings and 41-run defeat before tea on day fi ve seamer then snared his fi fth victim of the innings by “We’ll see how he pulls up over the next couple of of the third Ashes test at the WACA. having Craig Overton caught at gully for 12. days, I’m sure that will determine which way we go.” players have done Australia have often relied on Starc to set the tone He fi nished the match with a haul of eight wickets Jackson Bird is the reserve seamer in the Australia with fi erce pace and swing, but with the left-armer for 140 runs. squad but Smith will feel confi dent that Hazlewood carrying a heel problem, it was Hazlewood’s met- “I thought Josh Hazlewood was magnifi cent to- can continue to lead the attack as the hosts continue ‘next to nothing’: Swann ronomic line and length that proved the diff erence day... He deserved fi ve wickets and hit really good their bid to sweep the series 5-0. Reuters London BOTTOMLINE ormer England spinner Grae- me Swann was critical of England’s senior players who have done “next to nothing” as AustraliaF regained the Ashes in Perth Root defends veterans Cook yesterday. Australia strolled to victory in the third test at the WACA, winning by an innings and 41 runs to take a unassail- able 3-0 lead in the fi ve-match Ashes and Broad aft er Ashes loss series, with England’s batting line-up again putting up meagre resistance as AFP Root leapt to the defence of his they were bowled out for 218 in their Perth predecessor as national captain, say- second innings. ing he didn’t think Cook was ready to While rookie Dawid Malan has made retire. 302 runs in the series, former captain ngland captain Joe Root de- “He’s done it so many times before Alastair Cook has struggled with the fended his underperforming and he’s a very stubborn guy who likes bat in Australia, as has Moeen Ali, and senior players after his team proving people wrong,” he said. Swann believes that England’s troubles meekly handed back the Ashes “The amount of extra work he’s are down to these underperforming toE Australia in Perth yesterday. putting in behind the scenes tells me senior players, and the absence of one Victory by an innings and 41 runs he’s desperate to keep going.” key batsman in particular. He remains suspended by the Eng- gave Australia an unassailable 3-0 lead Root conceded his own form had “England do have a settled side if Ben land and Wales Cricket Board pending in the series, but Root said the English been down and felt he might have been Stokes is around but when he’s not, this the result of a police investigation. had to be careful not to make hasty de- putting too much pressure on himself team came over very weak,” Swann told Michael Vaughan also questioned cisions based on this series. to perform. the BBC. “The senior guys who you ex- the longevity of certain members of the Former England batsman Kevin “Things feel like they just haven’t pect to stand up and outshine the rook- England squad, with the former Eng- Pietersen said one of the opening ran for me out in the middle,” he said. ies have done the exact opposite. Joe land opener believing the next Ashes bowlers needed to be dropped, in an “I feel pretty good in the way I have Root and Alastair Cook have done next series in England may come too soon apparent reference to Stuart Broad prepared and sometimes you just have to nothing. The shining lights have been for some. who returned career-worst fi gures in to keep battling through those tough Rocky (Mark) Stoneman and Dawid “England have three legends of the Perth. periods.” Malan. “I’m proud of the way some of game in Alastair Cook, Stuart Broad and Pietersen’s former English team- He also refused to say the absence of the guys have played. Dawid Malan was Jimmy Anderson,” Vaughan added. mate Ian Bell also suggested it was star all-rounder Ben Stokes, unavail- sensational, James Vince was only dis- “It depends how they manage their time for former skipper Alastair Cook would still be in the team in 12 months. es, but Root dismissed the suggestion. able for the Ashes after an alleged fi ght missed by the best ball I’ve ever seen in retirements. It’s coming sooner rather to retire, having scored just 83 runs at “They’ve got huge amounts of ex- “They’ve been in situations where outside a Bristol pub, had played a big a game. There are positives, I expected than later. I do think they can all play a 13.83 in this series so far. perience and they do off er a lot to the things haven’t gone for them before part in England’s demise. to be 3-0 down after three games once part in the series of 2019 but you don’t However Root backed the pair, along group and their performances over a and that’s why they’ve played so many “I’m not going to make excuses,” he Stokes wasn’t coming.” see many fairytales in sport. with Moeen Ali and Jimmy Anderson, long period of time speak for them- games. said. Stokes was omitted from England’s “England have to manage the senior to continue to be important players for selves. “No reason they can’t do that again. “We knew that he wasn’t going to be touring party following his arrest on core of the side and make sure that if England. England coach Trevor Bayliss had “It’s important we don’t panic on the tour from the start. I was very suspicion of causing actual bodily harm they are all to go together in 2019 they “I’d like to think so,” Root said when hinted that pressure may have to got to and make hasty decisions after three confi dent that this group of players in an incident outside a Bristol night- are playing well enough to be in the asked if Cook, Broad and Anderson some of the senior players in the Ash- games.” could come out here and win.” club in September. team.” Gulf Times Tuesday, December 19, 2017 3 FOOTBALL

BUNDESLIGA Leipzig slump to defeat by 10-man Hertha AFP Not until the 68th minute did fore Admir Mehmedi’s well- Berlin Leipzig strike back, with Willi angled shot levelled the scores Orban heading in a cross from once more. Bruma. The drama continued just B Leipzig dropped out Marcel Halstenberg then before half-time, as Hanover of the Bundesliga top headed in a long ball in injury struck on the counter attack, Fe- four on Sunday after time, but it was too little, too late lix Klaus whipping in a fi ne shot Davie Selke fi red 10- for an exhausted RB side. to restore the lead. manR Hertha Berlin to a shock 3-2 Leipzig have failed to win any Leverkusen coach Heiko Her- victory at the Red Bull Arena. of their four league games this rlich brought on Bailey at the Former RB striker Selke month, and have now dropped to break, and the move immediate- grabbed a brace on his return to fi fth in the Bundesliga table, lev- ly paid off , as the Jamaican broke Leipzig, as Hertha battled to an el on points with fourth-placed down the left wing and made it astonishing triumph, despite Bayer Leverkusen. 3-3 two minutes into the second going down to 10 men early in In Sunday’s other game, a half. the game. Leon Bailey double was not Bailey struck again 20 minutes Selke curled in the opener for enough for Leverkusen as they later, putting Leverkusen into Hertha in the fi fth minute, but were held to a thrilling 4-4 draw the lead with another devastat- his joy was short-lived as Her- in Hanover. ing counter-attack on the left tha defender Jordan Torunarigha Substituted on at half-time fl ank. was controversially sent off for with his team trailing 3-2, Bai- However, seven minutes from colliding with Timo Werner just ley scored twice to put Bayer time, sloppy Leverkusen de- minutes later. on course for victory, but Julian fending allowed Korb to squeeze Hertha refused to buckle, and Korb’s equaliser saved a point for in Hanover’s fourth and rescue Salomon Kalou doubled the lead Hanover. a well-earned point for his with a powerful header on the Julian Brandt put Leverkusen team. half-hour mark. ahead with a brilliantly control- “It was a crazy game, with Five minutes after the break, led volley on 11 minutes, only for both teams fi ghting from the Selke was denied by goalkeeper Ihlas Bebou to immediately head fi rst minute,” Bailey told Sky Peter Gulacsi on the counter-at- Hanover level at the other end. Sports. “We should have come tack, only to score at the far post Niclas Fuellkrug’s penalty out victorious, but we were not from the resulting corner. then put Hanover in front, be- focused enough in front of goal.” Hertha Berlin’s Davie Selke celebrates with teammates after scoring their third goal against RB Leipzig during their Bundesliga match in Leipzig. (Reuters)

LA LIGA SPOTLIGHT Suarez, Ronaldo hit top form in Suarez and Paulinho time for Clasico

Reuters “I hope we win that game so Madrid that the league is still alive for Real Madrid,” said Ronaldo. “I’m having a great season. I arcelona striker Luis talk on the pitch, I try to give move Barcelona 11 Suarez and Real Ma- my best so people enjoy my drid’s Cristiano Ro- football.” naldo were heavily In contrast to Madrid, Bar- Bcriticised during the opening celona are fl ying. Unbeaten in phase of the season but the La Liga and the Champions two forwards have hit their League, the Catalans made strides ahead of Saturday’s light work of Deportivo in one Clasico showdown between of their best performances of clear of Real Madrid the two heavyweight clubs. the season. ‘I know people fixate on the diff erence between us and Real, but Atletico are just six points behind’ Ronaldo rifl ed in the only Although the team has goal against Brazilian side been carried by Lionel Messi Gremio to help Madrid lift for much of the season, Sua- the Club World Cup on Satur- rez was a crucial component day, while Luis Suarez struck of this victory, netting twice, twice as Barcelona thumped hitting the post and being Deportivo La Coruna 4-0 on denied his hat-trick when his Sunday, stretching their lead rabona shot appeared to cross at the top of the table. the line but was not awarded When the bitter rivals meet as a goal. at the Santiago Bernabeu, “The rabona goal was clear. Barcelona will be looking to It went in. I saw it clearly be- increase their 11 point lead on cause I was right there,” said fourth-placed Madrid, who Suarez, who, like Ronaldo, is have played one match less. only thinking about a Clasico Madrid’s disappointing victory. start to the league season was “It would give us a boost infl uenced by Ronaldo’s poor in the competition, although form, although he has now there are other rivals like turned a corner. Atletico and Valencia,” he The Portuguese scored added. just one goal in his fi rst eight After a lean spell of scoring league games, but has hit form two goals in eight games in all at the right time, scoring eight competitions at the start of goals in his last seven matches the season, Suarez now has six across all competitions. in his last seven. “Cristiano is Cristiano and The Uruguayan’s fortunes you must never doubt him,” changed after his national said defender Raphael Varane team agreed to give him a rest after the Club World Cup tri- in November, not calling him umph in Abu Dhabi. up for the international break. Ronaldo, who turns 33 in With Messi misfi ring February, insisted he is re- against Deportivo, hitting the sponding to criticism with his woodwork three times and performances and he is des- missing a penalty, Suarez has perate to catch Barcelona at come into form at the right the top of the table. time.

Griezmann apologises for painting himself black for picture

Barcelona’s Brazilian midfielder Paulinho (second right) celebrates with Barcelona’s Uruguayan forward Luis Suarez, Barcelona’s Spanish defender Jordi Alba and other teammates after scoring during the La Liga match against RC Deportivo de la Coruna at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona on Sunday. (AFP)

AFP “I know people fi xate on the he failed to add to his 18 goals al- Suarez thought he had his sec- But Martinez was helpless as Madrid diff erence between us and Real ready this term. ond of the night moments later Paulinho profi ted from a repeat Madrid, but Atletico are just six The Argentine has now hit the when the ball looked to have of his fi rst goal when he rolled points behind,” said Barca boss woodwork 14 times this season, crossed the line. into an empty net on the re- arcelona opened up an Ernesto Valverde. but still had a huge role to play in However, for the second bound after Jordi Alba also hit 11-point La Liga lead “No matter what happens on three of Barca’s four goals. time in less than a month Barca the frame of the goal. over Real Madrid ahead Saturday, there is still a world of Only a series of saves from were foiled by La Liga’s lack of Earlier, Villarreal bounced of next weekend’s Cla- a way to go in La Liga.” Ruben Martinez to deny Messi goal-line technology as the goal back from three straight defeats sicoB between the Spanish giants The only drawback for Barca and Aleix Vidal delayed Barca wasn’t awarded. as Pablo Fornals grabbed the Atletico Madrid forward Antoine Griezmann apologised on as Luis Suarez and Paulinho each as they extended their unbeaten until the 29th minute from going “I could see clearly from my only goal in a 1-0 win at Celta Sunday after receiving criticism on social media for posting a scored twice in a 4-0 thrashing of run in all competitions to 24 in front when Messi presented position after shooting because I Vigo. picture of himself on his off icial Twitter account dressed as a Deportivo la Coruna on Sunday. games since they were beaten by Suarez with an early Christ- was right by the goal line,” Sua- Victory allowed Villarreal to Harlem Globetrotter, covered in black paint and wearing a wig. Lionel Messi also saw a pen- Real on their last visit to the San- mas present to tap in from close rez told BeIN Sports Spain. leapfrog back above Girona into The France international, who used the caption ‘80’s party’ to alty saved and hit the woodwork tiago Bernabeu in the Spanish range. The Uruguayan, though, had sixth after the Catalans had accompany the picture, responded to the criticism with an- three times as Barca regained Super Cup back in August, was to wait just two minutes into edged the battle of the high-fl y- other post saying: “Calm down my friends, I’m a fan of Harlem their six-point lead over Atletico a muscle injury to Paco Alcacer More goal-line controversy the second half to net his fourth ing newly-promoted sides over Globetrotters and that beautiful era, this is a tribute.” Madrid in second place. that will keep the forward out for Messi then smashed against goal in three games by sweeping Getafe 1-0 thanks to Cristhian Griezmann, a passionate basketball fan who has travelled to Real remain down in fourth, three weeks. the bar, but the woodwork home Sergi Roberto’s cross. Stuani’s early goal. the United States to watch NBA games, later issued a third but do have a game in hand on Messi paraded his fourth wasn’t so forgiving for Deportivo Messi hit the woodwork for Managerless Las Palmas tweet saying: “I recognise that this was clumsy from me. If I their rivals as they missed out on golden boot award - after be- when Messi’s next attempt came a third time and then saw Mar- struck twice in the last 10 min- off ended anyone, I apologise.” domestic action this weekend to ing the leading scorer in Europe off the post and into Paulinho’s tinez brilliantly save his eff ort utes to snatch a 2-2 draw with He then deleted the image from his account and the second win the Club World Cup in Abu last season - before kick-off and path to make it 2-0 before half- from the spot after Suarez was Espanyol, but remain rooted to post defending it. Dhabi on Saturday. could barely believe his luck as time. upended inside the area. the foot of the table. Gulf Times 4 Tuesday, December 19, 2017 FOOTBALL

PREVIEW LIGUE 1 Mandanda blunder helps Lyon beat Marseille Red-hot City chase Bruno Genesio’s men were living AFP Paris dangerously and needed the best of Lopes again when he got down quickly to thwart Lucas Ocampos. howler from goalkeeper Ste- ve Mandanda helped Lyon Diaz strikes again beat fellow European rivals But they came out after the break Marseille 2-0 on Sunday and with renewed vigour and doubled their League Cup glory moveA clear of their opponents in third advantage in the 51st minute. place in Ligue 1. Fekir’s corner found its way through Visiting keeper Mandanda gifted a crowd of defenders to Diaz, and al- ‘It’s going to a fantastic night for the whole city of Bristol’ Nabil Fekir an early opener, before though the Spaniard’s fi rst attempt Mariano Diaz headed in the second was well saved by Mandanda, he met shortly after half-time. The victory Maxwel Cornet’s cross from the loose gave Lyon a three-point lead over ball to head in from close range. fourth-placed Marseille and drew Visiting coach Rudi Garcia threw on them level on points with second- Kostas Mitroglou, Maxime Lopez and placed Monaco, nine points adrift of Morgan Sanson as Marseille looked for runaway leaders Paris Saint-Germain. a way back into the game. Marseille showed plenty of fi ght but Sanson came close to pulling one were made to pay for missed chances as back only two minutes after coming off a 12-match unbeaten run in the league the bench, but the midfi elder’s fi erce was brought to an end. drive from the edge of the area crashed “I take full responsibility for this into the base of the post. defeat. I should not be conceding that Greece striker Mitroglou headed type of goal,” Mandanda said. over late on and Lopes fl ew to his left to “The diff erence was the two goal- deny Luiz Gustavo, but Lyon closed out keepers. Today we saw (Lyon keeper) their third win in four games. Anthony Lopes be decisive and Steve Earlier on Sunday, Nantes coach Mandanda who was not good, which Claudio Ranieri was sent to the stands meant that Marseille lost this game.” for manhandling the fourth offi cial, Lyon made a dream start as Fekir put but an Emiliano Sala penalty still saw them ahead in only the sixth minute the Canaries strengthen their grip on with his 12th league goal of the season. fi fth spot with a 1-0 win over Angers. But the forward was indebted to Nice are four points behind in sixth France international Mandanda, who after Mario Balotelli’s eighth goal in as somehow contrived to drop a tame many games saw Lucien Favre’s men free-kick into the corner of his net. beat Bordeaux 1-0 to make it four wins Marseille almost levelled soon after- on the spin. wards though, but Lopes pulled off a PSG maintained their nine-point wonderful refl ex save to keep out Adil lead at the top of the table with Sat- Rami’s header after the centre-back urday’s straightforward 4-1 win at was left unmarked at a Dimitri Payet Rennes, as Neymar scored two goals corner. and created another two for Kylian Lyon were shaky at defending set- Mbappe and Edinson Cavani. pieces and were given another let-off Monaco made it three straight wins as Portuguese defender Rolando head- with a 4-0 thrashing of struggling ed over when he should have scored. Saint-Etienne on Friday.

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola gestures during the EPL match against Tottenham Hotspur at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester. (Reuters)

AFP bling a City side now more than capa- iar one. For the fi rst time since 1979, for 20-year-old Ainsley Maitland- London ble of slugging it out with opponents United travel to Ashton Gate to face a Niles after the midfi elder’s impressive intent on trying to intimidate them. Bristol City side who haven’t beaten showing during Saturday’s 1-0 win They proved that point with a 2-0 the Manchester giants for 39 years. over Newcastle. “That’s just the start ith Manchester City win at Leicester earlier this season and City are on the up in the Champion- of what’s to come for us,” Maitland- romping away with the will be expected to repeat that victory ship, sitting in third place after beat- Niles said. Premier League title race, if Guardiola fi elds a strong team in ing Nottingham Forest for their fourth Chelsea want Cup consolation this week’s League Cup Tuesday’s Cup tie following a 4-1 rout successive second-tier win on Satur- Aware that City’s dominance makes Wquarter-fi nal action off ers Pep Guar- of Tottenham on Saturday that made it day. A sell-out crowd awaits United a repeat of last season’s title triumph diola’s side the chance to remain on 16 successive league victories. in the west country and City assistant unlikely for Chelsea, Blues goalkeeper course for a domestic treble. With the League Cup fi nal sched- manager Dean Holden said: “Man- Thibaut Courtois has called on his City head to Leicester hoping to uled for February 2018, the tourna- chester United at home doesn’t hap- team to sweep up the rest of the silver- reach only the second semi-fi nal of ment gives Guardiola his earliest pen too often does it? ware this season. Guardiola’s 18-month reign after los- chance this season to get his hands on “It’s going to a fantastic night for That mission starts at home to ing in the FA Cup last four against the fi rst silverware of his City reign. the whole city of Bristol.” Bournemouth and, speaking after Arsenal in April. The League Cup also Leicester, three-time League Cup Arsenal eye League Cup redemption Saturday’s 1-0 league win over South- Lyon’s Portuguese goalkeeper Anthony Lopes (No 1) and Lyon’s Brazilian defender provides hope of silverware for the winners, last made the fi nal in 2000, For a club with such an illustrious his- ampton, Courtois said: “It’s impor- Marcelo Guedes Filho celebrate their Ligue 1 win over Marseille. (AFP) teams trailing in City’s wake. but their boss Claude Puel knows how tory, the League Cup has been barren tant to win in the League Cup, to go Holders Manchester United travel to mastermind a run in the competi- territory for Arsenal, who have won through to the semi-fi nal. to Bristol City to face the only team tion after leading Southampton to last the competition just twice and not “The FA Cup will start in January. City ‘planning talks’ to extend Guardiola’s contract from outside the top fl ight still alive in season’s fi nal. since 1993. We have chances to win and go the competition. Arsenal host London United face unfamiliar foe on road The Gunners, who last made the further.” Manchester City are planning talks with manager Pep Guardiola at the end of the rivals West Ham, while Chelsea take to Wembley Forced to play second fi d- fi nal in 2011, haven’t been helped by season as the Premier League leaders seek to tie him to a long-term deal, reports on Bournemouth. dle to their hated neighbours this sea- boss Arsene Wenger’s habit of using FIXTURES said yesterday. City are 11 points clear of nearest challengers Manchester United, Pep Guardiola’s fi rst experience son, Manchester United need to amass the League Cup as a proving ground (1945 GMT unless stated) are on a record run of 16 consecutive wins in England’s top flight and through to of Leicester’s frenetic style of play as much silverware as possible outside for his club’s emerging youngsters. Quarter-finals the Champions League knockout phase after comfortably winning their group. memorably prompted the Spaniard to the Premier League to stop City taking West Ham’s visit to the Emirates Sta- Today Guardiola, 46, is half-way through his three-year deal at City but the club hierarchy declare he “didn’t coach tackles” after all the bragging rights. dium is unlikely to be treated so lightly Arsenal v West Ham, Leicester v are reportedly confident the he can be persuaded to stay longer. Guardiola said City were roughed up in a 4-2 defeat Jose Mourinho’s side, 2-1 winners at by Wenger, who knows trophies are Manchester City last month that he was happy at City and his contract, which expires in 2019, was at the King Power Stadium 12 months West Bromwich Albion in the league essential to placate a fanbase frus- Tomorrow “not a big issue”. City failed to mount a serious title challenge in Guardiola’s much- ago. on Sunday, lifted the League Cup last trated by another failed challenge in Chelsea v Bournemouth, Bristol City v hyped first season in England, finishing a disappointing third. Guardiola has heeded the lesson of season and the next stop on their road the league. Manchester United (2000 GMT) that chastening experience, assem- back to Wembley will be an unfamil- He might fi nd room in the team West Ham’s Lanzini charged over diving

West Ham’s Manuel Lanzini has been charged over diving to win a penalty against FOCUS Stoke City, the second Premier League player to be targeted under new rules aimed at stamping out cheating. The 24-year-old Argentine went down when challenged by Erik Pieters and West Ham captain Mark Noble converted from the spot to give the visitors a 1-0 lead on Saturday. Lanzini has until 1800 GMT today to respond to the charge, which is off icially known as the “successful deception of a match off icial” – in this case referee Graham Scott. “I am a bit surprised because of the incident in PSG want new midfi eld general the game,” said West Ham manager David Moyes. AFP Aubameyang, Mane, Salah to contest CAF award Paris Prolific goalscorers Mohamed Salah of Egypt and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang of Gabon were named yesterday among the three finalists for the African Player of the ig-spending Paris Saint-Germain might Year award. Sadio Mane of Senegal completes a list announced in Ghana for the sign a holding midfi elder during the win- highest annual Confederation of African Football (CAF) individual honour. ter transfer window as they pursue their Liverpool sharpshooter Salah is the leading English Premier League scorer this dream of winning the Champions League, season with 14 goals, having moved from Roma in the off -season. He also scored coachB Unai Emery suggested yesterday. crucial goals as Egypt reached the 2018 World Cup in Russia. Borussia Dortmund Qatar-backed PSG sent shockwaves through striker Aubameyang lies second in the scorers charts with 13 goals, two less than world football by luring Brazilian superstar Neymar Poland and Bayern Munich star Robert Lewandowski. Mane was the pivotal figure from Barcelona for 222 million euros ($261 million) as Senegal reached the World Cup for the first time since 2002. and setting up a record 180 million euros deal for teenage sensation Kylian Mbappe. Villar pins World Cup threat on Spanish government But the impressive riches of their forward line are not yet refl ected in their midfi eld. Suspended president of the Spanish Football federation Angel Maria Villar blamed “Thiago Motta is a sentry for us and when he’s Spain’s government for a FIFA threat that could lead to the country being thrown out we don’t really have a replacement,” Emery told out of next year’s World Cup in Russia. Villar was suspended from the post he has a press conference yesterday. occupied since 1988 in September for a year after being arrested as part of a cor- His side have a are runaway leaders in France’s ruption investigation. He was detained in July on allegations of collusion, embez- Ligue 1, but face Cristiano Ronaldo-led Real Ma- zlement and falsifying documents and spent two weeks in custody before being drid in a keenly-awaited Champions League last- released on bail. “Those responsible for the fact the national team might not be able 16 double header in February. to be at the World Cup are this government,” said Villar yesterday, where he repeat- Motta won the Champions League in 2006 with edly denied any wrongdoing. Barcelona and again in 2010 with Inter Milan and has been at PSG since 2012. Galatasaray part ways with coach Tudor “Having a replacement for him if he’s out would be the key area to strengthen,” said Emery. Galatasaray announced they had parted ways with Croatian coach Igor Tudor yes- To balance the books it is thought PSG are like- terday after the club were usurped as Turkish league leaders following their fourth ly to sell over the winter break with Brazil’s Lu- defeat of the season. Tudor, who moved to Galatasaray from Karabukspor halfway cas Moura and French midfi elder Hatem Ben Arfa through last season, has been widely criticised after the team allowed an eight-point thought to be surplus to Emery’s requirements. lead in the standings to slip away before they dropped to second place on Sunday. Meanwhile the Argentines Javier Pastore and Galatasaray called an extraordinary congress on January 13 to elect a new board Angel Di Maria are also believed to be potential and club chairman. departees. Paris Saint-Germain’s Marquinhos, Thiago Motta and Neymar during a training session yesterday. (Reuetrs) Gulf Times Tuesday, December 19, 2017 5 SPORT

NHL Blackhawks win fi ft h straight, 4-1 over Wild By Chris Hine The Hawks picked a good time two-game suspension from the Chicago Tribune to fi nd their stride. NHL on Sunday for boarding They followed an impressive Tampa Bay Lightning forward win over the Jets on Thursday Vladislav Namestnikov. hen the Blackhawks with another strong eff ort over The incident occurred with are playing bad, the the Wild. 3:03 remaining in the second pe- gripes are many – The Hawks got on the board riod of Saturday’s 6-5 win by the they are too slow, fi rst after a nice bit of transition Lightning. Wthey need help on the blue line, hockey with Patrick Kane and Johnson was assessed a minor they’re relying too much on Co- Artem Anisimov. penalty for slashing and a major rey Crawford. Kane dished to Schmaltz on penalty and game misconduct But all that has a tendency to the left wing and with the Wild for boarding. Namestnikov did go away when the Hawks’ big- settling into their zone, Schmaltz not return. name, big-money players play found an opening in the defense Johnson will forfeit $64,516.12 up to their reputations. and glided a perfect cross-ice under the terms of the collective On Sunday, it was Patrick pass to Kane, who didn’t miss his bargaining agreement. Kane’s turn to take center ice, as one-time attempt. The Columbus Blue Jackets the winger scored a pair of goals It was Kane’s 13th goal of the recalled left winger Sonny Mi- in a 4-1 victory over the Wild. The season and second in as many lano and defenseman Cameron Hawks won their fi fth consecu- games. Gaunce from the Cleveland tive game as Kane scored his 298th The Wild had moment in the Monsters of the American Hock- and 299th goal, moving him past fi rst period when they got pres- ey League. Dennis Hull into fi fth place on the sure on Hawks goaltender Co- In corresponding moves, the franchise’s all-time goals list. rey Crawford, especially in the Blue Jackets assigned left winger After the Blackhawks de- opening minutes, but Crawford Jordan Schroeder and defense- feated the Panthers on Tuesday didn’t bend in the crease as he man Gabriel Carlsson to their for their third consecutive win, made 13 saves. AHL affi liate. coach Joel Quenneville stood at a Kane would score in the sec- Milano, 21, has fi ve goals, fi ve podium in the United Center and ond on a breakaway after a pass assists and four penalty minutes grumbled that the Hawks still from Jordan Oesterle while Ryan in 25 games with the Blue Jackets needed to be better. Hartman and Tommy Wingels this season. Despite the win streak, the also scored. Hawks had just gotten by teams RESULTS at the bottom of the standings. Avalanche’s Erik Johnson Jets 4 Blues 0 Up next on the schedule was suspended two game Golden Knights 5 Panthers 2 three consecutive games against Colorado Avalanche defense- Blackhawks 4 Wild 1 Chicago Blackhawks right wing Patrick Kane is congratulated for scoring a goal during the second period against the Minnesota Wild during division opponents. man Erik Johnson received a Flames 6 Canucks 1 their NHL game at the United Centre in Chicago. PICTURE: USA TODAY Sports

NBA BASEBALL Tigers move the right way, forward, James sparks Cavs in trading Kinsler

By Anthony Fenech the rebuild. Detroit Free Press Given the opportunity to move forward or stand pat, the Tigers moved forward. It was he Detroit Tigers could the right move. to 106-99 win over have stood pat. Only by moving forward, by When Ian Kinsler small moves and minor pros- told Tigers general pects and opening roster spots Tmanager Al Avila he wasn’t and, yes, even dumping salary, going to waive his no-trade can the Tigers hope to short- clause for any team but the en the rebuilding window. Angels on Wednesday after- Dumping Kinsler’s salary now noon, the team could have forces the Tigers to fi nd future Washington Wizards held onto the second baseman, options in the infi eld. waiting to see what the future This is the spot the Tigers ‘The game is just very, very slow to me right now. I’m playing the game at a snail’s held. are in: They are trying to pare Maybe a suitor not covered the payroll down, not because pace and I’m able to see everything and see things happen before they happen’ by Kinsler’s no-trade clause of a mandate by ownership, would emerge over the next but because this is what re- AFP six weeks. Maybe an injury in building looks like. Los Angeles spring training could create a “The fans don’t want the sudden need. Maybe a big fi rst best players moved and I can half from Kinsler, who turns understand that,” Avila said eBron James posted his 36 in June, would boost his late Wednesday night. “Hell, I fourth triple-double value to a surprise contender. don’t like it, either. But at the in fi ve games with 20 Maybe the return for an ageing end of the day, it’s the proc- points, 12 rebounds and rental player would improve ess of rebuilding. You have to L15 assists as the streaking Cleve- over the next few months. go through it. We will survive land Cavaliers defeated the That’s a lot of “maybes.” and move forward. This is how Washington Wizards 106-99 on Entirely too many for Avila to teams get better. Sometimes, Sunday. stand pat. you have to build little-by- Kevin Love scored a team- And so, Avila wisely decided little.” high 25 points, while Jeff Green to move further away from the With Kinsler gone, the fi nal had 15 points for the Cavaliers core of the Tigers’ 2011-14 run piece of payroll to deal with is who have won 18 of 19, including atop the AL Central. the $18 million owed to desig- their past fi ve NBA games. The Tigers have just one nated hitter Victor Martinez, The Eastern Conference gi- direction these days – for- which will come off the team’s ants engaged in a hard-fought ward. Thus, their lone trade books after the 2018 season. battle as the teams were tied at at the MLB Winter Meetings Then, in the years that fol- the end of the second and third dealt their veteran infi elder for low, the team’s payroll will quarters. James’s three-pointer prospects they didn’t prefer. gradually increase to a level early in the fourth quarter put Sure, the Tigers would have that allows them to be com- the Cavaliers in front for good preferred the Mets’ prospects petitive, though it likely won’t and sparked an 8-0 run. – after all, they’ve been pick- reach the $200 million level “The game is just very, very ing through a bad Angels’ sys- again. Instead, the roster will slow to me right now,” James tem in salary dumps for the be stocked with young, cost- said. past two seasons – but even controlled players, with, per- “I’m playing the game at a those players weren’t going to haps, a few large contracts. snail’s pace and I’m able to see make the team big winners. Avila was here as the Tigers everything and see things hap- This is what rebuilding recovered from the 119-loss pen before they happen. Put the looks like. season in 2003. He knows that ball on time, on target. To have And the decision was easy this is not a quick fi x. It’s more teammates that complement my Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (No 23) shoots over Washington Wizards forward Mike Scott during the first-half of their NBA game compared to the decision likely to take fi ve years than passing is the ultimate dream for at Capital One Arena in Washington, DC, USA. PICTURE: USA TODAY Sports Avila had to make last Aug. three years. And in order to get a guy like myself.” 31 in trading Justin Verlander to a sensible starting point, he Green’s three-point play He was added to the starting and committing to a rebuild. was forced to move players for, capped the surge as Cleveland lineup four games ago and his James takes another shot at Trump during Washington visit Verlander had been the face in eff ect, pennies on the dollar, led 95-89 with 6:55 remaining. scoring boost has coincided with LeBron James used a visit to Washington on Sun- of the franchise for years. But, with the salary relief making Bradley Beal scored 27 points for the Pistons’ latest win streak. day to express his continued displeasure at Donald unlike Kinsler, Verlander was up for lesser-regarded pros- the Wizards, who had won two Tobias Harris, Reggie Jackson Trump, without once mentioning the United States likely to gain value with a solid pects. in a row. John Wall had 15 points and Anthony Tolliver scored 17 president by name. James took the court wearing 2018. Avila couldn’t bank on They came to the Winter and 10 rebounds. Washington points apiece for the Pistons. one white and one black shoe for the Cleveland Verlander being energised by Meetings wanting to trade made 12 three-pointers but fi n- Andre Drummond contrib- Cavaliers against the Washington Wizards in an the daily excitement of a pen- Kinsler. They knew they had ished nine of 16 on free throws. uted 12 points for Detroit, which NBA game in the national capital. Both shoes had nant race, as he clearly was in to. Despite undesirable cir- Elsewhere, the resurgent De- led by 24 in the fourth quar- the word “EQUALITY” stitched in capital letters on Houston. cumstances, they did. And de- troit Pistons equalled a franchise ter but gave up 19 unanswered the back, and they got the attention he apparently In the end, the math was spite the loss of another fan- record with 17 three-pointers points before holding on for the was seeking. the same in both deals: There favourite, it was a move in the en route to 114-110 win over the win. Detroit starting shooting “Obviously, we know where we are right now and wasn’t any value in putting off right direction: Forward. shorthanded Orlando Magic. guard Avery Bradley missed his we know who’s at the helm here,” the four-times Forward Reggie Bullock scored second consecutive game due to NBA most valuable player told reporters after the a career-high 20 points for the a right adductor strain. game, played barely a mile from the White House. Pistons who made 50 percent Forward Mario Hezonja scored “Equality is all about understanding our rights, of their attempts from beyond a career-high 28 points for Or- understanding what we stand for and how power- the arc and won their third con- lando, which has dropped fi ve ful we are as men, and as women, black or white secutive game after losing seven straight. Nikola Vucevic sup- or Hispanic.” straight. Playing the Magic plied 24 points and 14 rebounds, James, a frequent and outspoken critic of Trump, seems to bring out the best in and Jonathon Simmons had 23 backed losing Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton 26-year-old American Bullock. points. Both of Orlando’s leading in the 2016 presidential election. His previous high also came scorers missed the game. He has continued his attacks on Trump in the 13 against Orlando, when he scored months since the election, saying that the presi- 17 points last season. RESULTS dent does not understand that many children look Bullock made eight of 10 shots Brooklyn 97 Indiana 109 to their leader for guidance and encouragement. from the fl oor Sunday continu- Washington 99 Cleveland 106 “No matter your race, this is a beautiful country Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James wears ing to take advantage of his ex- Detroit 114 Orlando 110 and we’re never going to let one person dictate Equality shoes against the Washington Wizards during panded role under coach Stan Toronto 108 Sacramento 93 how beautiful and how powerful we are,” he said. their NBA game. PICTURE: USA TODAY Sports Van Gundy. Gulf Times 6 Tuesday, December 19, 2017 SPORT

NFL RUGBY Ex-France fl y-half Patriots clinch Michalak says division with wild ending career at season’s end

AFP Michalak began his career in 2000 Lyon at his home town club, French power- win over Steelers houses Stade Toulouse where he played over 600 games over seven years and ormer France international fl y- played a key part in their 2001 French Patriots gain the edge in the hunt for homefield advantage in the AFC half Frederic Michalak said championship win and two European yesterday he would retire from Champions Cups triumphs in 2003 and AFP rugby at the end of the season. 2005. FThe 35-year-old, who made 77 ap- Michalak is France’s all-time inter- Los Angeles pearances for France and currently national top point scorer with 436 and plays for Top 14 side Lyon, said he was he was part of four Six Nations winning om Brady piloted Super Bowl no longer confi dent that he could with- teams, including three Grand Slams. champions New England to stand the rigours of top-class rugby. But he will be forever remembered the winning touchdown with “After thinking long and hard about in France for his quarter-fi nal sub- 56 seconds left Sunday as the an off er from the club (to stay), I will stitute appearance in the 2007 World TPatriots clinched the AFC East with end my career at the end of the season,” Cup when he set up the winning try for a gut-wrenching 27-24 win over the Michalak said. Yannick Jauzion in a landmark defeat of Pittsburgh Steelers. “I still have that love for the game New Zealand in Cardiff . On a day when the puzzle pieces of but this is a sport where you have to The fl y-half’s speed took him away the NFL playoff s were dropping into be at 200 % physically. I am 35 and it from the All Black players in pursuit place, the Patriots thwarted Pitts- is getting more and more diffi cult, so I before he off -loaded to Jauzion to touch burgh’s bid to clinch a fi rst-round bye said this would be a good year to stop.” down. and potentially homefi eld advantage Despite his age Lyon have benefi tted France eventually lost in the semi- throughout the playoff s. from Michalak accelerating their game fi nal to England, meaning Michalak’s Making matters worse, the Steel- both this season and last, with his ex- ecstatic 40 yard burst and pass for ers’ star receiver Antonio Brown was perience and class helping them estab- the winning try against the All Blacks transported to hospital for examina- lish their Top 14 status since promotion turned out to be the abiding moment of tion and treatment of a calf injury suf- in 2016. glory for the French. fered in the fi rst half. The US media reported that Brown would miss the rest of the regular season but might be available for the playoff s. And in a fi nal heartbreaker for the Steelers, a 10-yard touchdown catch from quarterback Ben Roethlisberger to Jesse James, which would have giv- en Pittsburgh the lead, was overturned on review with less than 30 seconds remaining, as offi cials judged that the leaping James had not completed the catch. Roethlisberger scrambled to give New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (centre) scrambles away from Pittsburgh Steelers defensive end Stephon Pittsburgh two more chances to win, Tuitt (right) during the first quarter of their game in Pittsburgh, Pensylvania, on Sunday. (USA TODAY Sports) but his fi nal pass was intercepted by New England’s Duron Harmon with us,” Steelers defensive tackle Cameron fort from Giants quarterback Eli Man- seven possessions in the decisive fi rst fi ve seconds to play. Heyward said. “We can be dejected, ning. half and opened a two-game lead over “The ball bounces in weird ways and but I like where we are at.” It was never in doubt in Jackson- the Seahawks atop the division with I’m glad it bounced our way today,” ville, where Jaguars quarterback Blake two games left to play. Brady said. EAGLES EARN 1ST ROUND BYE Bortles passed for three touchdowns The Baltimore Ravens kept their On the Patriots’ game-winning Nick Foles, standing in for injured in the fi rst half on the way to a 31-0 playoff hopes alive with a 27-10 victo- drive, Brady and tight end Rob Philadelphia quarterback Carson lead at the interval. ry over the winless Cleveland Browns. Gronkowski connected three straight Wentz, threw four touchdown passes “It’s unbelievable,” said Jaguars times for 69 yards, setting up Dion as the Eagles held off the New York Gi- owner Shad Khan, whose team totaled RESULTS Lewis’s eight-yard touchdown run. ants 34-29 to clinch a fi rst-round bye. just 17 wins over the past fi ve seasons. Buff alo 24 Miami 6 Brady looked to Gronkowski again The Jacksonville Jaguars booked “To win it and win it the way we did Baltimore 27 Cleveland 10 for a two-point conversion. their fi rst playoff appearance in a dec- today — mind-blowing.” Minnesota 34 Cincinnati 7 “Football is a crazy game,” Brady ade, thumping the Houston Texans 45- New Orleans 31 NY Jets 19 said. “You just keep fi ghting and fi ght 7, and the Minnesota Vikings clinched RAMS ROUT SEAHAWKS Philadelphia 34 NY Giants 29 ‘til the end.” the NFC North division crown with a The Los Angeles Rams took control of Washington 20 Arizona 15 With the win, which ended Pitts- 34-7 win over the Cincinnati Bengals. the NFC West with a 42-7 rout of the Carolina 31 Green Bay 24 burgh’s eight-game winning streak, The Eagles, who lost Wentz to a Seahawks in Seattle. Jacksonville 45 Houston 7 the Patriots gained the edge in the season-ending knee injury last week Todd Gurley ran for three touch- LA Rams 42 Seattle 7 hunt for homefi eld advantage in the when they clinched the NFC East, downs and caught a scoring pass for New England 27 Pittsburgh 24 AFC playoff s. rallied from a 14-point defi cit behind the Rams. San Francisco 25 Tennessee 23 “We have a lot of football ahead of Foles, spoiling a three-touchdown ef- Los Angeles scored on six of their Dallas 20 Oakland 17

BOTTOMLINE UPDATE Colts star Panthers owner Richardson to sell Luck could team amid misconduct allegations need further Reuters of two championship-winning Golden Cary, North Carolina State teams. Sports Illustrated magazine re- surgery, ported on Sunday that at least four arolina Panthers owner Jerry former employees have received mon- Richardson announced on etary settlements due to inappropriate says report Sunday he will sell the team, workplace comments and conduct by hours after the National Foot- Richardson, including sexually sug- AFP ballC League said it had taken over an gestive language and behaviour and Los Angeles investigation into allegations of work- use of a racial slur. place misconduct by the owner. The magazine did not name the “I believe that it is time to turn the sources cited in the story but the set- ndianapolis Colts quarterback franchise over to new ownership,” Ri- tlements involved nondisclosure Andrew Luck, sidelined all season chardson said in a statement on the clauses. after shoulder surgery in January, team’s website. Reuters could not independently could need a further operation if “Therefore, I will put the team up verify the information. Ihe experiences pain when he resumes for sale at the end of this NFL season.” Richardson, 81 and a former NFL throwing, ESPN reported on Sunday. Richardson’s announcement comes player, has been a majority owner of Luck’s treatment and rehabilitation just two days after the Panthers said the Charlotte-based team since it be- appears to be going well, sources told an internal investigation was being gan playing in the NFL as an expansion the US sports broadcaster. conducted by the team into the alle- franchise in 1995. He is slated to return to Indianapo- gations. It would not comment on the The Panthers said on Friday that lis soon and begin throwing. Luck and nature of the accusations. law fi rm Quinn Emanuel Urquhart and the Colts are hoping there’s no repeat On Sunday, NFL spokesman Brian Sullivan would lead the internal inves- of the pain he experienced in October, McCarthy said in an e-mail to Reuters tigation, and that former White House when his eff orts to ramp up his training that the league would conduct the in- chief of staff Erskine Bowles, a minor- were cut short by infl ammation in his vestigation. ity team owner, would oversee it. shoulder. While declining to comment on the The Panthers had urged the league The Colts placed Luck on injured re- nature of the allegations, the team on Sunday to take over the probe, and serve on November 2, ending months said on Friday it was “committed to the NFL agreed to it, NFL.com report- of speculation as to whether he would ensuring a safe, comfortable and di- ed. return this season. verse work environment where all in- Carolina beat the Green Bay Packers Luck, one of the highest-paid quar- dividuals, regardless of sex, race, col- 31-24 at home on Sunday to improve to terbacks in the NFL, hasn’t played our, religion, gender, or sexual identity 10-4 with two games left in the regular since week 17 of the 2016 season. or orientation, are treated fairly and season. The 28-year-old has spent the last equally.” “There has been no greater mission month in Europe receiving treatment. Within hours of Richardson’s an- or purpose in my life than to bring an The Colts selected Luck with the top nouncement, rap star Sean “Diddy” Carolina Panthers team owner Jerry Richardson (right) arrives in the owner's box at Bank of America Stadium for the game NFL franchise to Charlotte,” Richard- overall pick in the 2012 NFL draft and Combs and Golden State Warriors bas- against Green Bay Packers on Sunday. (Charlotte Observer/TNS) son said in his statement. he started every game during his fi rst ketball guard Stephen Curry expressed He added that the sale of the Pan- three seasons. interest in buying the Panthers. posted on Instagram. His net worth is American NFL owners. Let’s make “I want in.” thers, who joined the NFL in 1995, The Colts went to the playoff s, in- “I will be the best NFL owner that estimated by Forbes at around $820 mn. history,” Combs added on Twitter, to Curry, 29, is a two-times NBA most would not begin until the last game of cluding the AFC Championship Game you can imagine,” Combs said in a video “There are no majority African which Charlotte-raised Curry replied: valuable player and has been a member the season had been played. in 2014, in each of those seasons. Gulf Times Tuesday, December 19, 2017 7 SPORT

FOCUS Farah surprise winner of BBC award; Joshua misses out Athlete pips Superbikes world champion Jonathan Rea and Paralympian Jonnie Peacock

By Martha Kelner The 34-year-old did not attend podium again. “I won’t be in the top But the video in support of Froome take really seriously. The Guardian the event, but conducted a live in- three,” he said. “You have just got had clearly been recorded before “I’m an asthmatic and I have been terview from St Mary’s Univer- to accept what it is. What drives me Wednesday’s news, and was eff usive in since I was a child. I have a puff er to sity in Twickenham during the is winning medals and just going out its praise. “King of the counterattack, help me manage my asthma. I’ve never ir Mo Farah was named the show. His daughter sat alongside while I was in there and enjoy it.” master of the mountains, unfl appa- taken more puff s than I should. This is winner of the BBC’s Sports him, helping to take care of Farah’s the room my son However, on Sunday night, he said: ble, untouchable, unbeatable,” view- quite a horrible situation. We’re work- Personality of the Year award two-year-old son who was suff ering was throwing up “It means everything to me. I owe it to ers heard as pictures showed Froome ing as hard as we can to get to the bot- on Sunday night as the pre- from a vomiting bug. At one point, everywhere. I owe it my country and I know I get the cheers grinding up a gruelling ascent. “How tom of it.” sentersS Gary Lineker and Gabby Logan she picked up her irritable brother to the public and people who on the track. It encourages me every about history? How about back-to- The four women who made the struggled to cope with the shock result and rushed from the room to howls of supported me and voted [for] me. I day to keep grafting.” back victories? The greatest of a gen- 12-strong shortlist – Bianca Walkden, and a broken video link. laughter from the studio audience. can’t stop staring at it,” he said, ges- Joshua, who beat Wladimir Kl- eration. No ego here, no celebrity... Anya Shrubsole, Elise Christie and Farah’s own coach was caught on Joshua, a three-time heavyweight turing at the trophy. itschko in a world heavyweight unifi - history man, family man, stomach Johanna Konta — only accounted for camera uttering a disbelieving ex- world title belt holder, attended the Farah’s athletic achievements are cation bout at Wembley in April, made churning, pedals keep turning.” 8 percent of the vote but Jessica En- pletive after the four-time Olympic ceremony alongside 10,000 others undisputed, as an owner of 10 glo- a hasty exit after failing to reach the Balance was needed and it was up to nis-Hill, who has never won the main champion was announced as winner and had been widely expected to tri- bal titles. He won 10,000m gold and podium. Clare Balding, one of three presenters award, was honoured with a lifetime of the prize. umph. But he was 18 votes short of the 5,000m silver at the world champion- The BBC also wrestled with how alongside Lineker and Logan, to pro- achievement award. Farah had been a 50-to-one outsider podium, fi nishing behind Paralympic ships in London this summer to add to to refl ect the cloud hanging over an- vide it. Tough questions were in order “I’m completely overwhelmed,” she with bookmakers to win the prestigious sprinter Jonnie Peacock and Super- four Olympic golds and a further fi ve other of the shortlisted candidates, but this was not so much an interroga- said. “Amazing women have inspired award, with the boxer Anthony Joshua bikes rider Jonathan Rea. world titles. But his medals have been the four-time Tour de France winner tion as a gentle stroking over the video me throughout my career and a room- considered the overwhelming favourite. When the video link was re-es- overshadowed by controversies sur- Chris Froome. link to Mallorca where Froome has ful of legends here to see me get this When former Liverpool FC player and tablished, Farah did not disguise his rounding his support team. The cyclist had been third favourite remained on a training camp with his award is unbelievable.” manager Kenny Dalglish announced he surprise that he had won with 83,524 Alberto Salazar, his former coach, to win the award after making his- Team Sky teammates. “What’s your The other winners were the England had triumphed in the public vote, Fa- votes to Rea’s 80,567. “I am pretty remains under investigation by the tory by winning the Tour de France take on it and the concern caused?” women’s cricket team, the coaches of rah’s new coach Gary Lough turned to amazed,” he said. “There are such US Anti-Doping Agency with a leaked and Vuelta a España in the same year. asked Balding. the GB 4x100m relay team, tennis vet- his wife Paula Radcliff e and exclaimed: great people on the shortlist from An- report stating he almost certainly But an investigation by the Guardian Froome, 32, looked noticeably un- eran Roger Federer, young Manchester “That’s a ******* joke.” thony Joshua to Lewis Hamilton and fl outed anti-doping rules with six of and Le Monde last week revealed that comfortable but said: “I do completely City footballer Phil Foden and Bradley Lineker and Logan had to cope with Jonnie Peacock. his athletes – none of whom were Fa- he had failed a drugs test during the get it. I understand the concerns. I’ve Lowery, the six-year-old Sunderland the failure of the video link to London “I do wish I was there I wish I was rah. After the 2016 Rio Olympics, Fa- Vuelta. He had twice the permitted been a bike rider for 10 years, I know fan who died of cancer after a battle at the crucial moment, meaning that giving back to people. My son and rah gave an interview stating his belief level of asthma drug Salbutamol in his how some people might look at our with the illness that captured the na- viewers did not hear Farah’s reaction. twin daughters have been sick. In fact, that he would never reach the Spoty system. sport. That’s a responsibility that I tion’s hearts.

SKIING GOLF Shiff rin cheered by tech event return Eagle launches Thai

AFP Aphibarnrat into Courchevel, France

merican ski sensation Mi- Augusta Masters kaela Shiff rin will happily strap on her shorter skis to Reuters take on France’s two-time Cary, North Carolina worldA giant slalom champion Tessa Worley and in-form German Viktoria Rebensburg today. hai Kiradech Aphibarnrat Shiff rin won her fi rst downhill race eagled the fi nal hole at the In- in Lake Louise earlier this month as donesian Masters on Sunday to she branches out from her favoured earn a place in April’s Masters, slalom into the speed events. Tbased on a world rankings projection. But the 22-year-old, the three-time The top 50 at year’s end earn invi- world champion and 2014 Olympic tations to the fi rst major of the year at slalom gold medallist, admitted she’d Augusta National. be glad to get back to the more techni- Aphibarnrat fi nished fi fth in In- cal disciplines. donesia, moving up to 51st in the lat- “It’s good to be coming back to the est world rankings, but the European tech tour after a little time racing some Tour’s Director of Data Management, speed,” said Shiff rin. Ian Barker, who compiles the rankings, “It’s quite diffi cult to balance the said by email that the Thai will rise to training doing all the diff erent events. 49th in the year-end list. “Every time I’m on my downhill skis The projection is possible because or super-Gs, I think I wish I was on my there are no tournaments for the rest of slalom skis. mained one of her favourite stops on Italian quartet of Manuel Moelgg — and is seen by organisers and other the year that will aff ect the top 50. “I always feel like I’m one step be- the circuit. with two third-place giant fi nishes ski offi cials as a key component in The rankings change every week, hind in my training. It ends up being “It’s always a pleasure to race at this season, Federica Brignone, Marta attracting people, particularly the even when there are no tournaments, pretty exhausting.” home in France,” said the 28-year-old. Bassino and Sofi a Goggia, the lat- younger generation, given the popu- because the formula used to calculate Shiff rin, whose teammate Lindsey “It’s one of the best courses on the ter claiming second and third place larity of ski cross. them is weighted more heavily towards Vonn is absent after pinging her knee, circuit, very varied and technical. You fi nishes in the two super-Gs in Val “The parallel is a fi ght to the fi nish,” recent results. added to Eurosport: “Actually some of need to be an all-rounder here: gliding d’Isere. said Worley, who was part of France’s Japan’s Yusaku Miyazato also se- my worst performances have been in at the top, skiing the drop and working Austrian Stephanie Brunner, Swiss gold medal-winning team at last sea- cured a spot in the Masters by fi nishing Courchevel. But I am motivated to ski the link-ups.” Wendy Holdener, Norway’s Ragnhild son’s St Moritz world championships. fourth in Indonesia. He improved from the track better.” But neither Shiff rin nor Worley Mowinckel will all also push for a po- “Although you’re skiing against an- 58th to 52nd in the world, and is pro- Worley crashed out of the second topped the podiums of the two giant dium fi nish. other girl, you have to stay focused, jected to end the year 50th. super-G in Val d’Isere on the weekend, slaloms so far this season, in Soelden The giant slalom is followed by a with no let-up. Others not previously exempt who but played down theand Shiff rin’s and Killington. That honour went to parallel night slalom on Wednesday, “It’s a great event, easy for the pub- will fi nish in the top 50 and qualify for “I’m fi ne, just a little bruise,” she Germany’s Viktoria Rebensburg. a knock-out event in which two rac- lic to follow, with lots of suspense, like Augusta are Englishmen Tyrrell Hat- Players who are not exempt can still said. “We put the counter back to zero The German also crashed out in Val ers come down mirror-image courses, a show. ton, Matthew Fitzpatrick and Ross qualify for the Masters by moving into and make sure I recuperate fully to be d’Isere, but remained confi dent of one red one blue, with only the winner “Skiing at night doesn’t faze me. We Fisher, Swede Alex Noren, South Afri- the top 50 in the world the week before able to commit myself fully in the GS.” making it to Courchevel. progressing. need to tailor events to make skiing as can Branden Grace, Japan’s Yuta Ikeda the tournament, which will be played Worley add that Courchevel re- Also in the running will be a strong It makes for spectacular viewing attractive as possible.” and Austrian Bernd Wiesberger. from April 5-8.

Tuesday, December 19, 2017 GULF TIMES SPORT

CRICKET / ASHES Don’t blame Stokes’ absence, Australia are simply better With probably the best batsman in the world and a potent pace bowling attack, Five talking points from Australia would have been the better side, Stokes or no Stokes England’s Ashes loss By Vic Marks replacement in the tour party. He The Guardian is still interested. Australia regained the CRICKETERS’ All the left-handers strug- Ashes with a thumping in- English alcohol-related gled against Lyon in the fi rst two nings victory over England antics off the field have t did not just go wrong on a Tests when the ball turned more in Perth yesterday earning hardly helped focus play- pavement in Bristol in the than expected. Perhaps there the hosts an unassailable ers’ minds on the cricket, early hours of 25 September. were not enough right-handers 3-0 series lead. With two stretching back to Ben The fi rst and most obvi- in the squad – though there were Tests still to play, talk of a Stokes’ arrest and ban fol- Ious reason why Australia have no obvious omissions. Certainly dreaded whitewash is now lowing an incident outside regained the Ashes at the earliest there were not enough right- growing. So where did it all a Bristol bar in September. opportunity is because they are handers in the top six, a situation go wrong for the tourists? Jonny Bairstow’s ill-con- better. And they would have been that could have been improved ceived “headbutt” greeting better, Stokes or no Stokes. if Jonny Bairstow, rather than SLOW, NOT STEADY to Cameron Bancroft in a At the head of the Australian Moeen Ali, had been at six from It is not often a Test side is Perth bar left head coach team is the best batsman in the the start. That was a puzzling de- blessed with three fearsome Trevor Bayliss fuming, and series and probably the best in the cision given recent history since fast bowlers capable of resulted in a team curfew world. Steve Smith has been su- Bairstow has always batted higher slinging 90mph (145kph) — which expired just in perb, rescuing his side in Brisbane than Moeen, but it was hardly an bouncers at batsmen’s time for Ben Duckett to and forging the match-winning Ashes-losing one. throats, as Australia are with tip a drink over England’s partnership in Perth. The English bowlers needed Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins all-time leading wicket- It was instructive to listen to help – without lateral movement in and Josh Hazlewood. taker James Anderson on Smith talking to his inquisitors the air or off the pitch they were too “We wanted the big three another outing to the same on ABC radio after he had hit his easily neutered. They squandered on the park to do what pub. double century. They were eager their best chance in Adelaide; the they’ve done the last three “Tourists masquerading as to unravel the magic elixir, some Australians could always com- Test matches,” said a victo- cricketers” was the damn- quirk of preparation, some clever pensate with their extra pace and rious captain Steve Smith. ing verdict of the Sydney routine that was peculiar to him. bounce. Moreover Lyon was on But England arrived with Daily Telegraph. “I just move across to off -stump,” another plane to Moeen, who has precisely zero genuine Smith said, “and watch the ball. been hampered by a side strain, quicks in their squad. They TAIL HASN’T WAGGED I don’t think about much at all then a cut to his spinning fi nger. have managed to bowl out Lower-order batting col- while I’m out there.” There is always the danger in the hosts just twice in three lapses are a time-honoured That is always the way with the cricket of investing too much Tests. England tradition, albeit great batsmen. The crease is their importance upon the coaches; Questions will be asked of one they seemed to have natural habitat; it is where they are they are not omnipotent as in the decision to omit the shrugged off in recent most relaxed and it is where they football. Even so, it did not help pacey Mark Wood, while years. But rarely have the most want to be in this world. that England lacked a regular calls are mounting for Eng- tourists thrown away domi- Smith says he does not like fast-bowling coach. Ottis Gibson land to start looking be- nant positions with such watching cricket much; instead he and David Saker before him had a yond medium-pace swing aplomb as here. bats. In this series he has enjoyed special rapport with the pacemen. and seam artists who have In the first innings of the reining himself in, enhancing his They talked the bowlers’ language looked horribly exposed on series in Brisbane, England own pleasure and England’s agony without overcomplicating the Australian pitches. were coasting along at in equal measure. Now he is more process and both generated great 246-4, before collapsing interested in great innings rather trust within the unit. Here on a CAPTAIN VS. CAPTAIN to 302 all out, going on to than great shots. His calmness at short-term engagement England For England skipper Joe lose by 10 wickets. the crease, despite all the relent- had the much-respected New Root, the series so far has In Perth, where century- less pre-delivery fi dgeting, is Zealander Shane Bond, who did been one to forget. His makers Malan and Bairstow reminiscent of Virat Kohli in this not have much time to bond but average of 29.33 is the had Australia on the ropes generation and Viv Richards and down in his bunker he came up worst in the team, except at 368-4, an even more Geoff rey Boycott in another. He with a lot of cunning schemes. for his worryingly out-of- dramatic implosion saw the loves to bat; he lives to bat. “We have our plans to each bats- form predecessor Alastair visitors somehow contrive The problem for England, men,” we kept hearing. In fact the Cook. Root’s decision to to turn a dominant position though, went way beyond Smith. best plans to almost any bats- send Australia in to bat into an innings loss. How Australia’s bowling attack has man is to aim to hit the top of in Adelaide also raised much diff erence would been so much more potent. off -stump 90 percent of the time. eyebrows. Stokes’ assertive hitting Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Those funky fi elds to Smith soon Meanwhile Steve Smith have made to the “engine Pat Cummins and Nathan Lyon looked increasingly futile. — already the world’s room” of England’s batting had never played a Test together Root has been all too visible best batsman — can add lineup? before Brisbane – mainly because waving his arms a lot to imple- victorious Ashes captain of Cummins’s battle with injuries. ment those fi elds rather than bat- to his growing CV after his THE WEATHER Now they complement each other ting for hours. No doubt he knew match-winning double cen- Poor old England. Having brilliantly and they will continue it would be tough, but not this tury in Perth. His unbeaten carefully arranged to lose to do so for a while if they remain Australia’s captain Steve Smith (left) celebrates taking a catch to dismiss England’s captain Joe Root (right) on tough. The extraneous stuff , like 141 in the first Test also only four wickets prior to free from injury. Day Four of the third Ashes Test in Perth, Australia, on Sunday. (Reuters) the Bairstow head-butt and the swung the balance of that the arrival of admittedly The three pace bowlers are all Ben Duckett head-drench, were match. unseasonal rainfall in Perth quicker than their English coun- have been in a dominant posi- after lunch. In Adelaide England when seeking out extra practice unwelcome, draining distractions. Such has been Smith’s Sunday, the tourists were terparts; they gain steeper bounce tion and he has made the most of gambled on the toss but then were in the nets on his days off . In He missed his vice-captain out on dominance, teammate looking forward to a nice and Starc just occasionally has it – especially against all those timid with the ball until darkness Adelaide he appeared to have the the fi eld, one suspects. Mitchell Marsh even relaxing final day in the managed to swing the ball. They left-handers. descended on the third evening. measure of the pace bowlers only There was so much to do that he expressed sympathy for pavilion while groundstaff have ruthlessly disposed of Eng- So the Australians have proved In Perth they squandered the to fall twice to Lyon. In Perth in may have become distracted at the Root: “I have felt what it’s messed around with leaf- land’s tail and there has not been that they are better while England chance of a major total having the second innings he was victim crease, where he is most valuable like, captained against him blowers in the middle and much respite for the early order, could have been much better. The reached 368 for four. to a freakishly good caught-and- to England. Root’s touch has been (Smith)... You come up with the Barmy Army performed either. Meanwhile Lyon is at his tourists were unable to snatch The popular theory when it bowled by Hazlewood, but the good; maybe he has been strain- all these plans and none of rain dances in the stands. peak, confi dent and combative, the few opportunities that came all goes wrong is to blame the blunt truth is that his highest ing to impose himself as he senses them seem to work. He is a Unfortunately the storm spinning the ball vigorously and their way. In Brisbane there was bankers. It is true that Joe Root, score is 37 and he averages 13.83. the team and the tour creaking. special player.” clouds ruined their best- landing it accurately. Because of scope for a fi rst-innings lead and Alastair Cook and Stuart Broad There will be plenty advocat- Whatever the reason no signifi cant laid plans by fading away, the excellence of the pace tri- a strange reluctance to toss the have not contributed much. Cook ing that he should go now, but innings was forthcoming from ‘TOURISTS leaving the tourists’ batting umvirate Lyon has usually found ball to Jimmy Anderson, who has has struggled all tour, despite he should play in Melbourne and England’s best batsman; they kept MASQUERADING AS lineup to do the same. himself bowling when Australia been England’s best bowler here, driving himself relentlessly hard he will. In any case there is no coming from Australia’s.

BASKETBALL Naazhim Sportswear wins QBF Community 3x3 c’ship

By Sports Reporter Doha

he weather was chilly but the action was hot in the recently- concluded QBF Community Qatar 3x3 Tour. TEight teams battled it out in the elimination rounds with Naazhim Sportswear and Kids Come Along coming out on top of Pool A and B re- spectively. Both semi-fi nal matches were close as Naazhim Sportswear edged out Beton 17-16 while Lemon Mint came from behind to beat Kids Qatar legend Yaseen Musa (right) with Kids Come Along’s Erivan Tan (centre), who Come Along 18-17. won the 3-point Shootout as QBF secretary general Ali al-Malki looks on. In the fi nals, Naazhim Sportswear dominated Lemon Mint with a 22-10 win to bag the Championship and win the QR4,000 prize while runner-up, Lemon Mint, won QR2,000. Naazhim Sportswear Team is composed of Nino Gelig Ronnie Cajayon, Sandie Limin and Jayson Tiongson. In the side event, Kids Come Along’s Erivan Tan won the 3 Point Shootout after going 8 for 9. The Women’s Free Throw contest was won by Abbigaille Masangkay. This 3x3 tournament was brought to you by the Qatar Basketball Federation with the cooperation of the Pinoy Bas- ketball of Qatar. Action from a QBF Community Qatar 3x3 Tour match that concluded recently. Women’s Free Throw contest was won by Abbigaille Masangkay (centre).