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Monday, January 11, 2016 GOLF Rabia II 1, 1437 AH Stenson confi rms GULF TIMES participation in Qatar Masters SPORT Page 12

FOOTBALL Qatar target win over China ‘It’s a quite tough group. We saw all the teams and they have diff erent styles, with their own strength’

AFC the teams and they have diff erent styles, soil given the number of talented play- Doha with their own strengths, but they all ers Sanchez has at his disposal includ- have their weaknesses as well. Hopeful- ing Ahmad Moein and Akram Afi f, MVP ly, we are going to perform well against and Top Scorer respectively at the un- atar coach Felix Sanchez has them.” der 19s in Myanmar, as well the vastly his sights fi rmly set on their For some teams having the mantle experienced Abdelkarim Hassan, who AFC U23 Championship of tournament hosts can be a double- was part of Al Sadd’s 2011 ACL-winning opener against China amidst edged sword, with the possibility of squad, then aged just 17, and has already interestQ in tournament hosts’ title cre- buckling under the pressure of the ex- amassed over 40 caps for the senior dentials and a squad that could be at pectations but for former Barcelona team. their peak when the 2022 FIFA World academy coach Sanchez, home fi eld But for Sanchez it is about the team Cup takes place in the country. advantage could count in Qatar’s favour. rather than the individuals. Sanchez’s side kick off their con- “We play in our country which should “I expect all my 23 players to do their tinental quest tomorrow when they motivate us,” continued the 40-year- bit and do very well to help and support take on the Chinese at the Abdulah bin old Spaniard, who led Qatar to the 2014 the team go through to the next round,” Khalifa Stadium before shifting to the AFC U19 Championship title. he said. Jassim bin Hamad Stadium to face Iran “We are used to playing in these con- “Qatar is putting in a lot of eff ort and three days later. The tournament hosts ditions which are exceptional. The fi elds they are investing a lot in youth devel- remain at the home of 2011 AFC Cham- are also very good. Hopefully, we will opment. pions League winners Al Sadd when to go game by game. We’ll put our objec- opening day and we hope to do well have our supporters helping and push- “The players will learn a lot from they round off their Group A campaign tives game by game,” Sanchez told www. against them and the start the tourna- ing us to go through.” these competitions. And hopefully, Qa- Qatar coach Felix Sanchez is under against Syria on January 18. the-afc.com. ment strongly. Qatar fans have every reason to be tar will reach a very good level before the no illusions about the challenge his “It’s a tough tournament and we have “The fi rst challenge is China on the “It’s a quite tough group. We saw all confi dent of a good showing on home World Cup in 2022.” squad faces. Gulf Times 2 Monday, January 11, 2016 TENNIS

SPOTLIGHT DOMINANT Wawrinka starts season with fourth Djokovic: I was Chennai title close to perfection against Nadal ‘I’m hoping I can continue this run and this great level of performance’

Stan Wawrinka of Switzerland poses with his trophy after beating Borna Coric of Croatia in the final of the Chennai Open yesterday.

AFP “It’s a really important tour- Chennai nament for me to start here. I love to come back here. It’s the perfect condition to start in,” the op seed Stanislas 30-year-old Swiss said. Wawrinka beat Croatian “Tonight with the trophy, it’s youngster Borna Coric a really great feeling... I’m go- yesterday to capture the ing to enjoy this trophy fi rst and TATP Chennai Open for a third see what’s going to happen in the straight year, kicking off the new Australian Open.” season in winning style. Two years ago Wawrinka The Swiss world number four had followed his triumph at the overcame Coric in the $480,000 Chennai Open by beating Rafael season-opening event with Nadal in the Australian Open a 6-3, 7-5 win in the nearly fi nal three weeks later, his fi rst 90-minute fi nal, claiming his Grand Slam title. fourth victory since 2011 in the And in 2015, after winning in southern Indian city. Chennai, Wawrinka defeated Scores of Indian fans at the Novak Djokovic at Roland Garros Nungambakkam tennis stadium to win the French Open in June. Novak Djokovic of Serbia celebrates cheered wildly as the popular Eighth-seeded Coric, who after beating Rafael Nadal of Spain Wawrinka, making his eighth ap- earned $39,870 and 150 points, in the final of the Qatar Open on pearance in Chennai, outplayed had hoped to become this year’s Saturday. his 19-year-old opponent—the Chennai Open champion in his youngest fi nalist on the ATP Tour fi rst appearance at the tourna- in eight years. ment but said his opponent’s “I was expecting (a) really “serve, backhand, forehand” got tough match. He’s young, he’s the best of him. By Sahan Bidappa proved he could and in fact, raise the level Staying in the moment and focusing ent interesting things that you can read really good,” said the two-time “I knew it was going to be a Doha a notch higher. In his 6-1, 6-2 win over on the future is what Djokovic says he there,” he explained. Grand Slam winner. very tough match... But it was a Nadal, Djokovic played with the kind of has been doing. Easier said than done, Looking ahead to the Australian Open, “Today again for me was a re- very nice tournament and I have form so rarely exhibited from a player in considering that he has won three Grand the year’s fi rst Grand Slam, which he has ally tough one, I had to play my enjoyed being here,” said Coric, fter his mauling of Rafael Nadal the opening week of the season. Slams and six Masters titles in 2015. Add won fi ve times, the last four in fi ve years, best game. I would like to con- who is the youngest player in the for the Qatar ExxonMobil Open There was no early-season rustiness to that the arrival of his son, Stefan, in Djokovic said his triumph in Doha and gratulate Borna for his fi rst fi nal, world top 50. title on Saturday, Novak Djoko- from Djokovic, or lack of playing time, October 2014, and life can get busier. the confi dence it gave him, would not just fi rst tournament of the year,” he “I want to say thanks to the vic said it was one of those days having taken six weeks off after his title- An avid reader, Djokovic says his inter- keep him in good stead for Melbourne but said. crowd, they are unbelievable. whenA he was seeing the ball like a water- winning spree in 2015. So does Djokovic est in knowing more about psychology also for the rest of the season. The defending champion I was running because of you melon. Well, he has been sighting the ball feel invincible? “No, I don’t feel invin- has surely helped. “Interest for reading “Well, I haven’t dropped a set the entire pocketed $75,700 and 250 rank- guys,” he said. like that for more than 12 months now. cible. Nobody is invincible,” the 10-time shifts a lot but mostly I am interested in week (in Doha). When it was most needed ing points for his eff orts. But his The world number 44 player It was the kind of a display which drew Grand Slam champion off ered after win- psychology. I’m interested, as well, in against, you know, one of my biggest ri- biggest gain was a timely tune- reached the fi nal after beating admiration not just from the connois- ning his 60th-career title. things that are concerning a little bit vals, I managed to play the best tennis in up for the Australian Open, Britain’s Aljaz Bedene in a nearly seurs of the game, but even from his van- “But I’m playing the tennis of my life, more, say, holistic approach to life. a match where I fought for the trophy. So which starts in Melbourne on three-hour semi-fi nal match on quished rival Nadal. The Spaniard called and I will try to nurture and cherish those “So I have read a couple of things, cou- it does defi nitely give me a great deal of January 18. Saturday. it ‘stratospheric’, and the 14-time Grand moments on the court. I will use this ple of books, but one of the things that I confi dence for the rest of the season. Slam couldn’t have put it more aptly. confi dence level in every tournament that was reading most in the last month and “But, you know, my thoughts are only At the Khalifa Complex, the World No. I play on. I know that it can’t go on for- a half was the magazine that it’s called directed to Melbourne and what I need to ILLNESS AND INJURIES 1 Serb’s domination was such that Djoko- ever, but I’m not thinking too much ahead Original. It’s only published in Serbia. do there. I think I’m ready for the com- vic was forced to acknowledge his own of myself. I don’t try to make any kind of It’s a new magazine that my wife and petition. I’m hoping I can continue this mastery: “It did feel as close to perfection predictions or whether or not I’m going her team have been publishing for the run and this great level of performance,” as it can get.” to have another streak or whether or not last four months, and it’s been created he noted. Kvitova and After a dominating 2015, there were I’m going to have the season of my life. for the students to give them more in- Before taking off for Australia, Nadal question marks over whether the Serbian I try not to go too far with my thoughts, formation about life in general and what said: “It’s obvious that Novak playing like can continue to play the high level of ten- because that creates a little bit of a dis- awaits them and how they can actually this is going to be so diffi cult to beat him Radwanska quit nis in 2016. At the Qatar Open, Djokovic traction emotionally,” he added take things in their control, a lot of diff er- for anyone.” Sydney as pullout BOTTOMLINE plague continues Off -colour Federer goes down to Raonic in Brisbane DPA but after fi ve matches in the past Sydney week my leg needs some recovery DPA time,” Radwanska said. Brisbane Brisbane lost Maria Sharapova case of gastrointestinal and top seed Simon Halep to inju- Milos Raonic of Canada lifts the illness and a leg injury ry while in Perth Serena Williams ilos Raonic spoiled the start winner’s trophy after defeating have depleted the wom- withdrew from the Hopman Cup of the season for underdone Roger Federer of Switzerland en’s fi eld at the Syd- after managing to play just one Roger Federer with a 6-4, 6-4 neyA International, which lost its set. Roland Garros fi nalist Lucie in the final of the Brisbane upset win in yesterday’s fi nal International tennis tournament second and third women’s seeds Safarova was also unable to play Magainst the Swiss who played through ill- Agnieszka Radwanaka and Petra in Perth due to a viral infection yesterday. ness at the Brisbane International. Kvitov yesterday to pullouts. and has pulled out of the Open. Canadian Raonic claimed is ninth ca- “I’m really disappointed to Wimbledon fi nalist Garbine reer title in 90 minutes, in a replay of last have to withdraw but unfortu- Muguruza of Spain is dealing year’s fi nal won by Federer who has com- nately I am still not feeling well,” with a foot worry which forced peted in the last three fi nals in Queens- two-time Wimbledon winner her from Brisbane as she quit in land. Kvitova said in a statement, citing last week’s fi rst round. The world number three hinted at the blaming stomach problems. On court, Sydney play be- illness problem which compromised his “Being defending champion, gan with two women’s upsets, tournament, saying: “I was a bit sick, but this tournament obviously means as crowd favourite Ana Ivanovic I got to the fi nal. a lot to me and I’ve always had lost to fi fth seed Karolina Pliskova “With the week that I’ve had, Im pretty a wonderful time playing this 6-4, 6-2. happy. I still have a cough and I was just event. I look forward to coming Slovak Anna Schmiedlova sent one step too slow. I look forward to being back in future years to play for my Swiss sixth seed Timea Bacsinsz- back next year.” fantastic fans.” ky to a second consecutive open- Raonic stands 2-9 against Federer in Agnieszka Radwanska, fresh ing loss in 2016 as the Roland their career series after staging the upset, from a title in Shenzhen, was Garros semi-fi nalist lost 1-6, 6-1, keeping the defending champion off -bal- sidelined by a left leg injury as 6-3. ance throughout. trophy as he works to keep pace with rival for a concluding week of practise prior saving the only break point he faced. The the last WTA event prior to next Two-time grand slam winner The 14th-ranked Canadian played the Novak Djokovic, who kicked off his sea- to the start of the Australian Open next Canadian won the opening set in 41 min- Monday’s start of the Australian Svetlana Kuznetsova started with match of his life but barely registered on son by beating Rafael Nadal to earn the Monday. utes from Federer’s forehand wide and Open suff ers the same absence a defeat of Australian Tammi Pat- the ace count, with six to the seven of Fe- Doha title. Raonic, who was presented the trophy took control midway through the second epidemic which hit Brisbane as terson 6-2, 6-0. Former number derer. “I’ve had great support the last three by Rod Laver, said: “I’ve been here three set with the break which saw him through the 2016 season began. one Jelena Jankovic started with “This win signifi es the work I’ve been years,” Federer told the crowd. “Milos has times and each year it gets more endear- to the win. “I’m really sorry that I can’t a defeat of Coco Vandeweghe 6-3, doing. It shows that I’ve got myself back made a great start to the year. He played ing. I can’t think of a better way to start Federer was playing his fi rst tourna- play this week. I’m feeling very 6-4 and Caroline Garcia won an together,” Raonic said. well in the fi nal and deserved to win.” the season.” ment after hiring Raonic’s former coach confi dent in my game at the mo- all-French clash as she beat Kris- Federer, 34, was bidding for an 89th Federer will now head to Melbourne Raonic earned a break per set while Ivan Ljubicic for his team. ment and the results are there, tina Mladenovic 7-6 (7-4), 6-4. Gulf Times Monday, January 11, 2016 3 CRICKET

SPOTLIGHT Sran in line for ODI debut against Australia

AFP bowlers that we have. He has been im- Perth pressive so far.” BARINDER SRAN The Indians won the Twenty20 hit- out by 74 runs on Friday and backed ookie fast bowler Barinder it up with a 64-run win in a 50-over Sran is in line to make his game on Saturday. international debut for In- Sran is likely to get his chance after dia in the opening one-day Mohammed Shami injured his ham- matchR against Australia in Perth this string in Friday’s T20 game and left week. Australia, to be replaced by Bhuv- India’s bowling coach Bharat Arun neshwar Kumar. said uncapped paceman Sran would Kumar is an unlikely starter for give the team an added advantage as a Tuesday’s series opener and key quick left-armer, indicating the 23-year-old Ishant Sharma has yet to bowl on tour. would likely play in the series opener at “Ishant is a very experienced bowler the WACA Ground tomorrow. and before the game he was bowling on “He is a bowler with a lot of poten- the ground,” Arun said. tial. He has been pretty impressive It will be the fi rst time top-ranked in the two games that he has played,” Australia have faced India since beat- Arun told reporters late Saturday after ing them in the World Cup semi-fi nal India’s back-to-back wins in warm-up at Sydney last March. games against a Western Australian XI Australia subsequently beat New on Friday and Saturday. Zealand in the fi nal to win their fi fth “Being a left-armer, he gives us the World Cup. added advantage. And we have some- Australia will play fi ve ODIs against body whom we can groom to become a India starting in Perth, followed by good bowler in the future for us. Brisbane on January 15, Melbourne on “If he has got the ability then why January 17, Canberra on January 20 and not (play him)? It is a bilateral series Sydney on January 23. India will also and we have to try out the potential play three T20s in Australia.

REPORT FOCUS India must win one ODI in Australia to New Zealand thrash retain No 2 spot

IANS Warner (23rd), Ajinkya Rahane Dubai (28th) and James Faulkner (30th). In the list of bowlers, In- orld Champi- dia’s off -spinner Ravichan- Sri Lanka with ons Australia go dran Ashwin will start as the head-to-head highest-ranked bowler from with former either side in the absence of WWorld Cup-winners India in No.1 ranked Mitchell Starc. a fi ve-match One-Day Inter- Ashwin, who is No 1 in national (ODI) series in Perth Tests, is in 10th position and tomorrow with their No.1 will be aiming to return to the ranking in the secured in the top-fi ve. However, to make it Guptill, Munro blitz International Cricket Council happen, he will have to pro- (ICC) rankings. duce exceptional performanc- Australia (127 points) lead es as he trails South Africa’s ‘But I’m really disappointed with the way we played’ second-ranked India (114) by fi fth-ranked Dale Steyn by 42 13 points and even if they lose points. all fi ve matches of the series, India fast bowler Bhuv- AFP Australia will drop points but neshwar Kumar is the next Auckland Martin Guptill of New Zealand plays Colin Munro of New Zealand plays a shot will still fi nish a point ahead of highest-ranked bowler to fea- a shot during the second T20 match during the second T20 match against India. ture in the series in 14th po- against Sri Lanka at Eden Park in and Sri Lanka at Eden Park in Auckland In contrast, if India lose all sition and 43 points behind ew Zealand blitzed Auckland yesterday. (AFP) yesterday. (AFP) the matches, they will slip Ashwin. Other bowlers aiming the second Twenty20 behind South Africa and will for upward movement include against Sri Lanka in join fourth-ranked New Zea- Faulkner (22nd), Ravindra Auckland yesterday land on 111 points, but will be Jadeja (25th), Axar Patel (30th) Nwith a whirlwind display by ranked third when the rat- and Umesh Yadav (37th). Martin Guptill and Colin Munro ings are calculated beyond the to set up a nine-wicket win. decimal point. To retain their ICC ODI team rankings Munro brought up the win- second place, the 1983 and 1. Australia 127 points ning runs with a six to be un- 2011 World Champions need 2. India 114 beaten on 50 after 14 balls, the to win at least one match of 3. South Africa 112 second fastest Twenty20 half- the series. 4. New Zealand 111 century behind a 12-ball spree Meanwhile, in the play- 5. Sri Lanka 104 by India’s Yuvraj Singh against ers rankings, India boast three 6. England 101 England in 2007. batsmen inside the top-10 7. Bangladesh 97 It was also the fastest 50 by while Australia only have Glenn 8. Pakistan 87 a New Zealander, eclipsing the Maxwell in the 10th position. 9. West Indies 86 20-minute-old record set by Virat Kohli is the highest- 10. Afghanistan 47 Guptill who took 19 balls to get ranked batsman from either there at the top of the innings. side in second. He trails No1 Top-10 ODI batsmen Guptill was the only wicket to ranked AB de Villiers of South 1. AB de Villiers (SA) 900 fall in the New Zealand innings, Africa by 96 points but is points out for 63 off 25 balls with six ahead of another South Afri- 2. Virat Kohli (Ind) 804 fours and fi ve sixes, while Mun- can, Hashim Amla, by 28. This 3. Hashim Amla (SA) 776 ro clouted seven sixes and one means the India Test captain 4. Kane Williamson (NZ) 770 four. It took New Zealand ex- will be aiming to produce solid 5. T Dilshan (SL) 760 actly 10 overs to mow down performances not only to con- 6. MS Dhoni (Ind) 741 the modest 143-run target with solidate his position but also to 7. Shikhar Dhawan (Ind) 730 Kane Williamson unbeaten on narrow the gap to de Villiers. 8. Martin Guptill (NZ) 722 32. New Zealand captain Wil- Sixth-ranked Mahendra 9. Ross Taylor (NZ) 720 liamson said it was “pretty spe- Singh Dhoni and seventh- 10. Glenn Maxwell (Aus) 717 cial” to see Guptill and Munro ranked Shikhar Dhawan are fl ay the bowling. separated by just 11 points, Top-10 ODI bowlers “I thought it would be a bit which means there can poten- 1. M Starc (Aus) 713 points of a scrap on that wicket as it tially be some changes in the 2. Trent Boult (NZ) 706 was holding up a fraction, but it middle of the pack depending 3. Shakib Al Hasan (Ban) 699 didn’t seem to be a problem for on how these two perform. 4. Imran Tahir (SA) 688 those two guys and they cleared Batsmen sitting outside 5. Dale Steyn (SA) 682 the ropes consistently,” he said. the top-10 and aiming for up- 6. Mitchell Johnson (Aus) 672 “It was exciting to see.” ward movement include Rohit 7. Morne Morkel (SA) 666 The victory gave New Zealand Sharma (13th), Aaron Finch 8. Matt Henry (NZ) 650 a clean sweep of the tour by Sri (14th), George Bailey (15th), 9. Saeed Ajmal (Pak) 642 Lanka, winning the Twenty20s Steven Smith (20th), David 10. R Ashwin (Ind) 640 2-0 to go with their 2-0 domi- nation of the Tests and 3-1 win in the one-dayers.

‘Bad batting’ Sri Lanka’s resounding defeat in the Twenty20 matches saw them slip from fi rst to third be- hind the West Indies and Aus- tralia in the world rankings. As has happened throughout ecution—repeated ill-timed SCOREBOARD the tour, the Sri Lankan top or- slogs—as it was good bowling SRI LANKA 6-70 (Vithanage), 7-98 (Perera), 8-103 (Udana). der failed to click. After being and fi elding by New Zealand. D. Gunathilaka b Milne ...... 8 Bowling: Boult 4-0-36-0, Milne 4-0-36-2, McClena- sent in to bat, they were all out “We just played bad batting T. Dilshan c McClenaghan b Elliott ...... 28 ghan 4-0-22-0 (w2), Santner 4-0-24-2 (w1), Elliott for 142 with only Angelo Math- out there,” Sri Lanka skipper Di- S. Jayasuriya c Williamson b Milne ...... 3 4-0-22-4 ews showing any resistance nesh Chandimal said. “Thanks D. Chandimal c Taylor b Santner ...... 2 with an unbeaten 81. to Angelo he put a comfortable A. Mathews not out ...... 81 NEW ZEALAND It was Mathews’ highest score total at the end, but I’m really M. Siriwardana c Boult b Santner ...... 0 M. Guptill c Chandimal b Perera ...... 63 in the shortest form of the game, disappointed with the way we K. Vithanage c Milne b Elliott ...... 1 K. Williamson not out ...... 32 easily eclipsing his previous played.” T. Perera c Guptill b Elliott ...... 6 C. Munro not out ...... 50 best of 58 against England fi ve The chief destroyer for New I. Udana c Williamson b Elliott ...... 0 Extras (w2) ...... 2 years ago. Tillakaratne Dilshan Zealand was Grant Elliott with J. Vandersay not out ...... 8 Total (one wicket; 10 overs) ...... 147 with 28 was the only other Sri four for 22 in his fi rst game back Extras (lb2, w3) ...... 5 Fall of Wickets: 1-89 (Guptill) Lankan to reach double fi gures at Eden Park since his six off the Total (8 wickets; 20 overs) ...... 142 Bowling: Udana 3-0-34-0 (w1), Chameera 3-0-46-0 as the wickets tumbled. penultimate ball against South Fall of wickets: 1-11 (Gunathilaka), 2-33 (Jayasuriya), (w1), Vandersay 2-0-41-0, Perera 2-0-26-1 Sri Lanka’s downfall was as Africa to get New Zealand into 3-39 (Chandimal), 4-63 (Dilshan), 5-66 (Siriwardana), Result: New Zealand won by nine wickets Indian players leave the field at the end of the T20 match against much a result of poor shot ex- the World Cup fi nal last year. a Western Australian XI in Perth on January 8. (AFP) Gulf Times 4 Monday, January 11, 2016 CRICKET

SPOTLIGHT S Africa’s seasoned captaincy novice, tests England anew AB de Villiers has never captained in first-class cricket yet his vast experience suggest his promotion will spice up the series

By Ali Martin The Guardian AB de Villiers will lead South Africa until July, when a permanent successor to Hashim Amla will be named. ngland’s tour of South Africa has moved on from Cape Town to the Highveld, nearly 6,000 feetE above sea level for this week’s third Test at the Wander- ers in Johannesburg where the home side begin afresh under their most gifted cricketer, Ab- raham Benjamin de Villiers. An unchanged Proteas squad land into the capital of Gauteng province on Monday morning, 1-0 down with but with some confi dence restored following the battling draw at Newlands in which Hashim Amla signed off from the captaincy with a double-hundred and the honest admission that it would be bet- ter if someone else was in charge. For the fi nal two Tests of the series, that someone is De Vil- liers, their premier batsman, one-day captain and veteran of 104 Tests now fi nally stepping up to the job he was so publicly disappointed to miss out on when, after 11 years under the indomitable Graeme Smith end- ed in 2014, the mild-mannered Amla got the nod from Cricket South Africa. It is a move that has certainly provided a twist to the plot of an already intriguing series, not least when you consider how it began for De Villiers: having previously been pressed into wicketkeeping duties, the fi rst Test was only a day old when in a television interview he was already talking of reducing his workload. He was responding to, but not fl atly denying, a report of his impending retirement that had appeared in an Afrikaans news- paper. Perhaps it is why Cricket South Africa have not commit- ted to De Villiers’ captaincy in Test cricket beyond seeing out the current series, although with the team’s next assignment not until August, at home to New Zealand, there is no urgent rush; a permanent successor to Amla will likely not be named until a board meeting in July. Both De Villiers and the board highly-respected Amla, who in- out to the middle with Alastair captains, of course, but consid- the past four years a staggering set to start without his most ing to replace either the spinner are seeing how the land lies here formed senior players of his de- Cook for the toss, it will be the ering the way he plays his crick- 69.28, 24 runs more than when dangerous weapon, the attack Dane Piedt or the opener Stiaan too, with the 31-year-old, like cision midway through the Cape fi rst time he has ever captained a et, it seems doubtful he will be merely among the rank and fi le. leader Dale Steyn, who is still van Zyl; the latter scenario needs others in the squad, understood Town Test, is now free to focus game of fi rst-class cricket. the cautious type. South Africa, entering must- struggling with the shoulder in- the batsman Temba Bavuma to to be considering a deal to play solely on his batting. But when discussing a re- As a batsman, the right-hand- win territory for the series itself jury that saw him pull up during move up the order. in July’s Caribbean Premier For the rest of us looking on, markable individual like De Vil- er has multiple options with and, it has been rumoured, their the defeat at Durban and miss England, who arrived on Jo- League, fi lling what would be his it is a chance to fi nally fi nd out liers - owner of the fastest 50, which to strike any given deliv- head coach Russell Domingo, the Cape Town stalemate alto- hannesburg yesterday after three only extended spell of downtime what type of Test captain the 100 and 150 in one-day cricket, ery - his nickname is Mr 360 - so will hope this to be the case in gether. days of rest, may have been a lit- this year. When the rand is weak, wonderfully talented AB will be. with an average in excess of 47 one rather suspects his tactics Test cricket, and that this change The Wanderers is historically tle rattled by a fi fth-day wobble as at present, the lure of Twen- While grown as one-day cap- in each of his past eight calendar will be towards the proactive end at the tiller can provide the kind a result pitch with only one draw at Newlands but are more settled ty20 overseas grows stronger for tain over the past four years fol- years as a Test cricketer - this of the spectrum. of bounce intended when strug- in the past 15 Test matches, and than their hosts and plan to be their senior core. lowing a shaky start, there is lack of leadership experience in Ominously for the tourists, gling football clubs replace their South Africa are already dis- unchanged at this stage. However they got there, it nothing to go on in terms of his whites scarcely feels notewor- the responsibility of captaincy in manager. cussing playing four seamers, There is no room for compla- feels like the Proteas have the prior record in red-ball cricket; thy. one-day cricket has taken him to But, as countless relegated with Kyle Abbott, fi t again after cency however, especially, now right man in charge for their im- when he pulls on his green blazer Great players do not come new heights as a batsman in that sides will tell you, there are no a hamstring strain, and the un- that AB has the (C) at the end of mediate predicament and the on Thursday morning and walks with a guarantee of being great format too, with his average over guarantees, and De Villiers looks capped quick Hardus Viljoen vy- his name.

FOCUS Ton-up Butt, Asif in winning return aft er ban

AFP was included in Pakistan’s one- form in the remaining matches.” ily but I am happy that that pe- Karachi day and Twenty20 squads. riod is over now and I am back on Butt and Asif meanwhile trav- ‘Back on the field’ the fi eld,” the 33-year-old said. elled to Hyderabad to play for He also thanked retired play- “I have been training for the akistan’s former skipper Water and Power Development ers including current coach last fi ve years. We both were in Salman Butt smashed Authority (WAPDA) against the Waqar Younis for his support the team for the four-day tour- a century while left- Federally Administered Tribal and credited batting legend Mo- nament prior to the one-day armer Mohammad Asif Areas (FATA) in the domestic hammed Yousuf with helping matches but we were not allowed Ppicked up two wickets in their one-day league. him with his technique in the to play so I have been bowling in victorious joint return to domes- Butt, seen as a competent nets. Earlier he had described the nets,” he added. tic cricket on Sunday, months one-day batsman before his ban, the match as a “rebirth” and Both of Asif’s victims were top after they completed fi ve-year showed signs of his past talents expressed his desire to return to order batsmen—the fi rst caught bans for spot-fi xing. with a fl uid, drive-laden 135 off Pakistan colours. behind to a swinging delivery The duo, along with Moham- 143 balls including 14 bounda- He added that the return of and the second given LBW to a mad Amir, were banned by the ries to lead his team to 278-7 in Amir would boost Pakistan’s ball that kept straight. International Cricket Council 50 overs. chances on their New Zealand The Pakistan Cricket Board (ICC) for their roles in a complex Tall Asif, whose wily, accu- tour, where they play three had said both Asif and Butt will betting scam in a test against rate swing together with bounce Twenty20 and as many one-day have to complete their reha- England in 2010 that involved made him one of the world’s best internationals. bilitation and perform to a high the bowling of deliberate no- bowlers before his suspension, “Without doubt, Amir’s re- standard before harbouring any balls. fi nished with 2-22 from six test- turn will strengthen Pakistan’s hopes of returning to interna- The three players and their ing overs, helping to shoot out bowling and competition will tional cricket. agent Mazhar Majeed were later the opposition for 136 and en- grow in the bowling contingent WAPDA coach Amjad Siddiq jailed in Britain. sure a romping 142-run victory. and others’ performances will praised the two, saying he be- The ICC lifted the sanctions Former captain Butt, 31, said also get better, so I wish him the lieved they would only get better. on the pair in September, mak- he would remember his come- best.” “Butt was slightly nervous in ing them eligible for national back innings. Asif, meanwhile, said he had the morning but he batted solid- and international matches. “A hundred on return is some- overcome a diffi cult period in his ly,” said Siddiq. “Asif is mentally Amir, whose ban was relaxed thing I will remember and I am life. strong so he didn’t take time and in April 2015, boarded a plane on satisfi ed with my batting and “The last fi ve years were the I feel both will progress with Former Pakistan Test captain Salman Butt plays a shot during a domestic one-day match in Hyderabad Sunday to New Zealand after he will hope to continue the same toughest for me and for my fam- every match.” yesterday. (AFP) Gulf Times Monday, January 11, 2016 5 SPORT

GOLF BAITHLON WORLD CUP Home boy Stone wins maiden Tour title in S Africa France’s Fourcade

Reuters Johannesburg extends World

ome golfer Brandon Stone Cup lead, Dahlmeier completed a maiden European Tour victory after a roller- coaster fi nal round at the South wins again HAfrican Open that included six bogeys in seven holes yesterday. An emotional Stone fi nished the tour- DPA said. “So many things can hap- nament on 14 under par at the Glendower Ruhpolding, Germany pen, and I can never take it as a Golf Club, two shots ahead of compatriot guarantee.” Christiaan Bezuidenhout following a re- Dahlmeier added the 12.5km markable fourth round that had just fi ve artin Fourcade ex- mass start to the pursuit she won pars. tended his lead at Saturday with a combination of The 22-year-old Stone carded a 71 the top of the men’s perfect shooting and quick ski- containing seven birdies and six bogeys overall biathlon ing to triumph in 33:17.7 minutes as his fortunes swung wildly under the MWorld Cup standings with a con- for her sixth World Cup victory. hot African sun. vincing mass start victory yes- She edged out France’s Marie Bezuidenhout, 21, carded a 67 for his terday while Germany’s Laura Dorin Habert, who missed once, 12-under-par total. A shot back in third Dahlmeier delivered a second by 15.3 seconds while Norway’s was Englishman Daniel Brooks, who bo- successive home win on the Tiril Eckhoff took third in a photo geyed the last for a disappointing 72 and women’s side. fi nish from another Frenchwom- an 11-under-par score. The French double Olympic an, Anais Bescond, with both Stone had established a two-shot lead champion Fourcade won the 21.9 seconds behind. during the rain-hit third round that had 15-kilometre race in 34 minutes “It was a perfect race today,” to be fi nished on Sunday morning. 7.2 seconds with only one pen- Dahlmeier said. “Going clean He then raced into a fi ve-shot lead in alty loop from his second visit to four times and good skiing. I’m what seemed an unstoppable charge for shots on four of the next fi ve holes. “Walking up the 18th made me think ing the golf tournament, you have been the shooting range. feeling strong at the minute, I’m his home championship before bogeying “I don’t have the vocabulary to de- about the last few years too, which have playing great for three days now. Let’s He cleared every target in the looking forward to part two of six of the seven holes between the fi fth scribe how I feel right now, that round been so up and down for me.” just keep it going’. fi nal two visits to seal his 43rd the home World Cup.” and 11th in his fi nal round. was the most up and down one I have had An excellent iron into the 12th green “My fi rst target was just to hit the fair- career victory with a 13.7 second Overall leader Gabriela Sou- A birdie on the eighth was his only res- in my life,” Stone told reporters. sparked the birdie rush that would take way on 12, then to get close to the pin. I hit lead over Czech Ondrej Moravec, kalova of the Czech Republic was pite, but after stopping the rot with an- He was in tears on the 18th green and him to the title. an incredible shot and it just swung from who came up short despite clean seventh, with two misses, nearly other birdie on the par-four 12th Stone’s said the round mirrored his recent golfi ng “After making the bogey on the 11th, I there. Once I got the birdie back I felt I shooting. 50 seconds adrift, but tops the fortunes swung again as he picked up fortunes. said to myself, ‘come on, you’re still lead- was ready to get going.” “I was so close to the win in a standings on 503 points ahead of few competitions from yester- Dorin Habert on 468. day and in Pokljuka, and I really Dahlmeier is fourth on 405, DAKAR RALLY wanted to win today,” Fourcade behind compatriot Franziska said. Hildebrand (423) who won the Norwegian Tarje Boe fi nished earlier sprint at the meeting to third, 29.7 seconds adrift, with provide a German sweep in the three penalty loops. women’s events for the fi rst time Sweden’s Emil Hegle Svend- in almost four years. sen, second to Fourcade in the The weekend races in Ruhpol- overall standings, lost ground to ding replaced those originally his rival with a 13th-place fi nish scheduled in Oberhof, and the Loeb retakes to trail on 422 points to Four- biathlon World Cup continues cade’s 541. Boe is third on 408. in Ruhpolding with its regular “I have a good gap with other events Wednesday through Sun- athletes in total ranking, but it’s day, starting with a men’s indi- Dakar lead as new only World Cup four,” Fourcade vidual 20km. tragedy strikes Sainz claims stage win; Qatar’s Nasser al-Attiyah finishes third

AFP Salta, Argentina

arlos Sainz claimed victory on the seventh stage of the Dakar Rally on Saturday with Peu- geot teammate Sebastien Loeb reclaimingC the overall lead on a rain- lashed day which saw the gruelling event suffer another tragedy. Spanish driver Sainz triumphed on the 817km run from Bolivia’s famed salt flats at Uyuni to Salta in Argentina, beating Loeb by 38 seconds with de- fending champion Nasser al-Attiyah in a Mini finishing third, 3min 22sec back. For the dominant Peugeot team, it was a sixth consecutive stage win on this year’s race, its 38th edition. Nine-time world rally champion Loeb leads the overall standings with a 2min 22sec advantage over fellow Peu- geot man and 11-time Dakar winner Stephane Peterhansel who was fourth Saturday, 3min 27sec off the stage pace. Sainz is 4min 50sec off the overall lead in third spot. “We’re in the lead and that’s what counts. I didn’t expect to be in the lead on the rest day,” said Loeb, with the race taking a break yesterday. “We’ll make the most of it. We’ll have to work hard the next few stages. The next three stages are packed with pit- falls, they’re tricky, but we’ll try and do Action from the QSC-Al Arabi match in the Qatar Basketball League our best. Our only strategy is to attack a yesterday. lot and post solid times.” However, the action was overshad- BASKETBALL owed by the death of a 63-year-old man who died when he was involved in a col- lision with a car driven by French com- petitor Lionel Baud. QSC overcome “An accident occurred at the 82km mark of the day on Bolivian territory when competitor 409 Lionel Baud col- big defi cit to edge lided with a 63-year-old man who had become isolated on the track,” said a statement from the organisers. out Al Arabi This year’s Dakar had already got off to a dramatic start when a car driven By Sports Reporter Anthony White top-scored by Chinese duo Guo Meiling and Min Doha with Qatar Sports Club with 21 Liao smashed into a group of spectators points while Constevous Jeff er- watching the prologue in Buenos Aires. son had 17 and Ibrahim Giama It left 10 people injured of which atar Sports Club over- 14. three were seriously hurt. came a 12-point defi - For Al Arabi, Edward O’Brian In 2010, in the second year of the race cit going into the fi - excelled with 16 points while taking place in South America after it nal quarter to edge Al Narcellius Soyebo and Masoud left Africa, a 4x4 piloted by the Ger- ArabiQ 70-67 to record their fi rst al-Nasr had 16 and 14, respec- man-Swiss pair of Mirco Schultis and win in 10 matches in the Qatar tively. Ulrich Leardi was involved in a crash Basketball League last evening. In another match, Al Gharafa which left a 28-year-old female specta- In a close encounter, Al Arabi thrashed Al Khor 98-66 in a tor dead. appeared to have sealed the hopelessly one-sided match The following year, there was another Qatar’s Nasser Saleh al-Attiyah in action match when they led 55-43 with with Hassino Ndoye scoring fatality at Chilecito in Argentina. in the seventh stage of the Dakar Rally 10 minutes remaining, but Qa- 21 for the winners, followed by Saturday’s seventh stage had been yesterday. tar Sports Club rallied in style to Dwayne Galloway (20) and Osa- held up due to violent thunderstorms score a whopping 27 points and ro Adako (18). which led to the motorcycle event being clinch victory from the jaws of Ronald Rembert scored 26 curtailed for the day. defeat. points for Al Khor. Gulf Times 6 Monday, January 11, 2016 SPORT

NBA NHL Ovechkin’s Griffi n-less Clippers 499th goal down Hornets for sinks Rangers in overtime

By Steve Zipay Rangers had a bad line change, eighth straight win Newsday (TNS) Nate Schmidt found Jason Wil- liams streaking up the middle. He tried a tuck-in around Lun- ‘Only way we can score without the big fella is if we defend and get out in transition’ lex Ovechkin scored his dqvist’s outstretched left leg, second goal of the game and the puck got behind the and 499th of his amaz- goalie, banked off his thigh and ing career at 1:25 of rolled across the goalie. overtimeA to push the Washington It was the third game between Capitals past the Rangers, 4-3, at the Capitals and Rangers this Madison Square Gardenon Sat- year, and the teams had com- urday. bined for 17 goals before Satur- Trailing 2-0 in the third pe- day. But the Capitals, who have riod, the Rangers scored three rediscovered team defense under goals in 7:17 to grab a 3-2 lead coach Barry Trotz, didn’t allow over the NHL-leading Capitals. the Rangers to really get started. But with goalie Braden Holtby When they did Holtby was there, pulled for an extra skater, Niklas making 18 saves through 40 min- Backstrom jammed a rebound utes. under Henrik Lundqvist with 5.7 The Rangers couldn’t convert seconds left in regulation to send on three power plays in the fi rst the game to overtime. 22 minutes of the game. Their Oscar Lindberg, Kevin Hayes fi rst goal came when Lindberg and Viktor Stalberg got pucks fi nished a pass from Dom Moore past Holtby, who is on 19-0-2 to break a 12-game scoring streak in regulation. Just not the drought and cut the Washington overtime winner. Derek Stepan lead to 2-1 at 5:54 of the third. could not score on a half-open Hayes was sent off for high- net before Ovechkin’s end to end sticking in the off ensive zone at rush. 7:41.The Rangers survived the With the two points, the penalty and Hayes tied the score NHL-leading Capitals moved 16 on a rebound in front at 9:48, his points ahead of the Rangers atop fi rst goal in 17 games. Ryan Mc- the Metropolitan Division. And Donagh earned his second assist Ovechkin crept closer to become of the afternoon. the fi fth-fastest player to reach The Rangers scored their third 500 regular-season goals. This straight goal when Keith Yan- was his 800th game. dle’s point shot was defl ected by The Rangers had gone toe- Stalberg in front and bounced off to-toe with the Capitals in the the crossbar and in at 13:11. The fi rst period before a sudden Capitals challenged that Yandle shock. After a Stalberg penalty at was off side before the shot, but 19:26 of a scoreless fi rst period, the on-ice ruling stood. Ovechkin scored his 23rd of the season on a power play with 15 RESULTS seconds left. It was a gimme for Los Angeles 1, St. Louis 2 (SO) No. 8, who had no shots on goal to Vancouver 2, Tampa Bay 3 (OT) that point. Defenseman Dan Gir- Arizona 4, Nashville 0 ardi, coming from behind Lun- Dallas 1, Minnesota 2 dqvist’s net in front, tried to pass Montréal 1, Pittsburgh 3 to Dom Moore, but Ovechkin Ottawa 2, Boston 1 (OT) intercepted and deposited the Columbus 3, Carolina 4 (OT) puck in the half-empty cage. The San Jose 7, Toronto 0 LA Clippers’ Jamal Crawford (right) guards Charlotte Hornets forward PJ Hairston during their NBA game at Staples Center in Los Angeles on Saturday. (USA TODAY Sports) giveaway made it 1-0. NY Rangers 3, Washington 4 (OT) In the second period, when the Philadelphia 4, NY Islanders 0 DPA 5.0 assists. In his absence, they have relied Angeles reclaimed a 70-64 lead entering 10 rebounds, six assists and four blocks Los Angeles on smaller lineups and Paul’s chemistry the fi nal period. for the host Hawks, who ended the Bulls’ with centre DeAndre Jordan, who had 11 The Hornets got no closer as Crawford six-game winning streak. Jimmy Butler points, 19 rebounds and four blocks. scored seven points in the fourth quarter, scored 27 points for Chicago. wo weeks ago, the Los Ange- “Off ensively, there is a lot of spacing, a including a three-pointer that made it les Clippers lost superstar Blake lot of room to operate,” said Redick, who 91-79 with 3:02 to go. Detroit Pistons 103, Brooklyn Nets Griffi n. They haven’t lost since. made 3-of-5 three-pointers. “Our fi rst unit came back and set the 89: Reggie Jackson and Andre Drummond Chris Paul scored 25 points “The DeAndre Jordan-Chris Paul tone in the fourth quarter and our bench scored 23 points apiece as the host Pistons toT lead a guard-oriented attack Satur- pick-and-roll has been really good. Hav- carried it through,” Clippers coach Doc won their third in a row and handed the day and the Clippers won their eighth ing Paul (Pierce) as a stretch forward has Rivers said. Nets their fourth consecutive loss. straight game, a 97-83 home victory over been really good. It is a diff erent look. It is Jeremy Lin scored 26 points and Jeremy the slumping Charlotte Hornets. not better per se than having Blake on the Lamb added 18 for the Hornets (17-19), Utah Jazz 98, Miami Heat 83: Gordon Jamal Crawford scored 19 points and fl oor, but it is a diff erent look and it has who again were without injured starters Hayward scored 34 points as the Jazz J.J. Redick added 17 for the Clippers (24- given teams problems.” Al Jeff erson and Nicolas Batum of France ended a three-game losing streak. Chris 13), who lost Griffi n to a partially torn left So has the defense, which has allowed and have lost six in a row. Bosh scored 24 for the Heat, who fell to quadriceps tendon in a win over the Lak- an average of just 92.3 points over the “We just have to will a way out of this 1-1 on their six-game road trip. ers on Christmas. They have won seven last four games. Los Angeles matched a funk that we are in right now,” Lin said. games without their All-Star power for- season low for points allowed, holding Washington Wizards 105, Orlando ward, using a combination of defense and Charlotte below 37 per cent (31-of-84) Elsewhere Magic 99: John Wall had 24 points and new lineups. from the fi eld and Hornets leading scorer Golden State Warriors 128, Sacramen- 10 assists as the visiting Wizards stopped “I think we all had to step up by com- Kemba Walker to 11 points, nearly nine to Kings 116: Stephen Curry totaled 38 a three-game slide. Montenegro’s Nikola mittee,” said Paul, who added seven as- below his average. points and 11 assists as the league-leading Vucevic scored 23 points for the Magic, sists and seven rebounds. “We are mov- “We have really embraced the defensive Warriors (35-2) won their sixth straight who have dropped fi ve of six. ing the ball and we are putting a huge side of basketball, and really before Blake game. DeMarcus Cousins had 33 points and emphasis on defense. The only way we got hurt we had done that,” Redick said. 10 rebounds for the host Kings. Toronto Raptors 108, Philadelphia can really score without the big fella is if The Clippers squandered an early 76ers 95: Kyle Lowry scored 25 points we defend and get out in transition.” 11-point lead and trailed, 46-43, at half- Atlanta Hawks 120, Chicago Bulls for the visiting Raptors, who have won Alex Ovechkin of the Washington Capitals celebrates his Griffi n is a huge piece for the Clippers, time. But Paul and Jordan scored seven 105: Dominican Republic native Al Hor- three straight. Ish Smith scored 28 for the game-winning overtime goal against the New York Rangers at averaging 23.2 points, 8.7 rebounds and points each in the third quarter as Los ford scored a season-high 33 points with 76ers. Madison Square Garden in New York City on Saturday. (AFP)

MLB Collins gets nostalgic on return to Historic Dodgertown

By Jon Santucci “When they called me about the team’s minor league system, but Collins said the site, now a Treasure Coast Newspapers (TNS) interview, I said, ‘Fine,’ “ Collins never made it past Triple-A. multi-sport training facility, has said. “They said they wanted to Collins saw an immediate changed since the Dodgers moved do it in Florida. I thought it would diff erence with the Dodgers when away. s New York Mets manager be in (Port) St. Lucie (site of the he arrived in Vero Beach, even “It was a little disappointing Terry Collins walked Mets spring training home), but noting how the major and minor because it’s changed a lot,” he through Historic Dodg- they said because of all my years league players ate together -- said. “There’s other fi elds and the ertown for an MLB Net- as a Dodger they wanted to do it at something that didn’t happen with golf courses are gone — a lot had workA documentary last month, Dodgertown. I said, ‘That’s great.’ the Pirates. changed. But it was still nice. There the memories of his time with the “Like any place, it’s the history “Those guys welcomed me right were some (youth baseball) games Los Angeles Dodgers in Vero Beach (that makes Historic Dodgertown in,” Collins said. “It was diff erent going on when we were there and fl ooded back. special). You walk into Yankee because all the guys lived right some parents came by to say, “It’s so nostalgic,” Collins said of Stadium — the old Yankee Stadium there. I remember (former Dodgers ‘Welcome back to Vero Beach.’ his fi rst trip to the site since 2007. or you walk into Fenway (Park) catcher) Steve Yeager came over “It brought back a lot of good “You walk into Holman Stadium or Wrigley (Field) and you think and introduced himself and I memories for me.” and you remember all the diff erent about all the people who played thought, ‘Gosh. This is something Brady Ballard, vice president of times you played there. It was really there and sat in the same dugout. I never saw with the Pirates.’ But Historic Dodgertown, said they nice.” Dodgertown is the same way. that was because of the way they were pleased to host the Collins “Terry Collins: A Life in “You just think about all the handled things. interview. Baseball” will air on Tuesday. Parts years of players in those barracks “(Former Dodgers owners Walter “It speaks to the history of the of the interview were fi lmed in the — certainly the Pee Wee Reeses, and Peter) O’Malley always made facility and what the facility meant lounge at Historic Dodgertown as Duke Sniders and Jackie Robinsons. sure that things were done the right to Dodger players and personnel well as Holman Stadium. All those guys who were a part of way and that everybody was treated and their ability to train and prepare The 66-year old Collins guided history made it a magical place to equally. It was very diff erent from for the season,” Ballard said. “In a the Mets to the World Series last be at.” Pirate City, I can tell you that.” baseball career, they look back at season. It was the fi rst World Drafted by the Pittsburgh Pirates The Dodgers, who began training their experiences here fondly. Series appearance for Collins, who in 1971, Collins got his start in the in Vero Beach in 1948, left Historic “Today there’s not a lot of places started his managerial career in the Dodgers organization in 1974. He Dodgertown for Arizona during like Dodgertown and what it off ered Dodgers’ organization in 1981. played parts of seven seasons in the spring training in 2008. as a spring training facility.” Gulf Times Monday, January 11, 2016 7 SPORT

NFL FOCUS Chiefs rout mistake prone Texans for Steelers advance Wild Card win

Reuters Kansas City pushed the Tex- Houston, Texas ans into an even bigger hole when Smith marched the Chiefs 94 yards on their opening pos- aft er brutal he Kansas City Chiefs session of the second half, hit- used a dominating de- ting Chris Conley with a nine- fense and workman- yard touchdown strike to cap the like off ence to crush the drive. mistakeT prone Houston Texans There was more bad news for 30-0 on Saturday as the Nation- the Texans in the third quarter al Football League postseason when team leader J.J. Watt, the opened with a dreary rout. NFL’s reigning defensive player Bengals meltdown The Chiefs, who stormed into of the year, left the fi eld with an the postseason on a 10-game apparent leg injury and did not winning streak, got the AFC return. ‘It’s an emotional game. Emotional football players, emotional playoff s everything’ Wild Card contest off to an ex- Texans fans were headed to the plosive start when Knile Davis exits after Spencer Ware scamp- AFP returned the opening kickoff 106 ered for another touchdown on Cincinnati, Ohio yards for a touchdown to send a the fi rst play of the fourth quar- jolt through the capacity crowd ter that capped another long at Houston’s NRG Stadium. drive and put the Chiefs out in hris Boswell kicked a last-gasp The second longest kick- front 27-0 before Santos closed fi eld goal as the Pittsburgh off return in NFL playoff his- out the scoring with his third Steelers punished Cincinnati tory would stand up as the only fi eld goal of the game. Bengals indiscipline to snatch touchdown of the fi rst half with Smith, taken by the San Fran- anC 18-16 victory in an ill-tempered NFL Brazilian kicker Cairo Santos cisco 49ers with the number one wild card battle between the bitter rivals adding two second-quarter 49- overall pick in the 2005 draft, on Saturday. yard fi eld goals. was not spectacular but was his The Bengals appeared to be on the brink “You never expect to start a usual effi cient self, completing of a dramatic comeback win in Cincin- game like that,” said Chiefs quar- 17-of-22 passes for 190 yards, a nati after overturning a 15-0 defi cit in the terback Alex Smith. “But we feel touchdown and his fi rst inter- fourth quarter to inch into a 16-15 lead like we can play three phases of ception in four playoff contests. with less than two minutes remaining. football and special teams really “There were a lot of unknowns, But with victory beckoning the Bengals came out today and gave us a kick it’s been a long time since the last imploded. start.” time we played them and we were They fi rst squandered possession to The AFC South champion just trying to see how they would provide Pittsburgh’s injured quarterback Texans were fortunate to escape treat some of our formations and Ben Roethlisberger with the chance to an error-riddled opening half I think we got that ironed out at mount one last drive from near their own trailing just 13-0 after turning halftime,” said Smith, explaining goal line. the ball over four times. why it took a half for the Chiefs’ It got worse for the Bengals as Vontaze Brian Hoyer’s fi rst postseason attack to get in gear. Burfi ct and Adam Jones both committed appearance was not a memorable “We’ve got high character rash personal fouls to advance the Steel- one as the Houston quarterback guys who have put in the time ers to within easy fi eld goal range, provid- fumbled once and tossed three and sacrifi ce.” ing Boswell with a straightforward shot interceptions in a miserable Hoyer’s fi nal stats made for for glory. opening half, including one with horrifi c reading as he completed Roethlisberger had looked to be out of the Texans poised to score on the just 15-of-34 passes for 136 yards the game after being sacked heavily by two-yard line. and was picked off four times. Burfi ct at the end of the third quarter, carted from the fi eld with missiles be- ing thrown by sections of the partisan Chiefs receiver Maclin set for MRI exam Cincinnati crowd. But the veteran returned to the fray to The Kansas City Chiefs’ first NFL playoff win since 1993 came at a inspire the Steelers on their game-win- cost on Saturday, with top receiver Jeremy Maclin facing an MRI ning drive. exam on his injured right knee. The Steelers will now play the Denver Maclin was hurt in the third quarter of the Chiefs’ 30-0 drub- Broncos in the next round of the Ameri- bing of the Houston Texans in an American Football Conference can Football Conference playoff s. wild card game. Maclin, who tore a ligament in the same knee The Kansas City Chiefs, who defeat- in training camp with the Philadelphia Eagles in 2013, had three ed the Houston Texans 30-0 earlier on receptions for 29 yards before exiting. Saturday, advance to a meeting with His replacement, rookie Chris Conley, caught a nine-yard touch- the New England Patriots next week- down pass from quarterback Alex Smith later in the same drive. end. “You never want to see anybody go down, especially Jeremy The Bengals meltdown occurred after with how much he means to us,” Smith said. “But it’s kind of the Jeremy Hill and receiver A.J. Green had mentality—Chris has stayed ready. both crossed for touchdowns to help the “For him to come in and not even blink and come make the catch home side take the lead late in the fourth like he did, it says a lot about the entire group.” quarter. The Chiefs said Maclin’s initial diagnosis was a strain, and the Until then, Pittsburgh had appeared Kansas City Star reported Maclin, who led the Chiefs with 87 to be in control after an acrobatic touch- receptions and eight touchdowns this season, was walking with down catch from receiver Martavis Bry- a limp after the game. That could augur well for his chances of ant had helped give them a 15-0 lead in playing next week in the second-round matchup with reigning the third quarter. Super Bowl champions New England. Bryant’s spectacular take—reaching “Appreciate all the love support and prayers,” Maclin tweeted. behind his legs to secure the ball before fl ipping forward to ensure he retained control—was a rare highlight of a low- scoring contest which had seen the Steel- ers edge clear through three fi eld goals from Boswell. Pittsburgh Steelers kicker Chris Boswell (#9) kicks the game-winning field goal during the NFL game against Cincinnati Bengals in ‘EMOTIONAL PLAYERS’ the AFC Wild Card playoff in Cincinnati, Ohio, on Saturday. (USA TODAY Sports) Roethlisberger declined to be drawn on the status of his shoulder after the win. 11 games in the latest victory of a roller- 106-yard kick-off return with the game Brazilian-born kicker Cairo Santos to put “We won the game, that’s all that mat- coaster season which has seen them re- only seconds old. the visitors 13-0 up at the half. ters,” he said. cover from a 1-5 start. Houston’s attempts to recover from the Kansas City then took advantage of “It’s an emotional football game. Emo- Houston’s challenge unraveled after a early setback were undone by an erratic the injury absence of Texans star defen- tional football players, emotional play- nightmare display from quarterback Bri- fi rst half display from Hoyer, who threw sive end J.J. Watt in the third quarter to off s everything. I’m just so proud of eve- an Hoyer, who was intercepted four times three interceptions before the break. stretch their lead. rybody that played and stepped up—I’m while making only 15 of 34 attempts for “I picked the wrong time to have the Smith picked out receiver Chris Conley— just happy for this team. We got a win 136 yards. worst game,” Hoyer said. “It’s tough. who had replaced the injured Jeremy Mac- that’s all that matters.” The Chiefs have not appeared in the Own up to it and learn from it. Embar- lin only moments earlier—to put the Chiefs In Houston earlier, Chiefs quarterback Super Bowl since winning the champion- rassing.” 19-0 up, Santos adding the point for 20-0. Alex Smith completed 17 of 22 passes for ship in 1970. Only superb defense from Houston kept Spencer Ware added a fourth quarter CHANGE 190 yards and one touchdown as Kansas The Chiefs got off to a dream start the home side in the hunt, restricting Kan- touchdown before Santos added a further City stretched their unbeaten streak to when Knile Davis romped home for a sas City to two long-range fi eld goals from fi eld goal to complete the scoring. Dolphins take BOTTOMLINE plunge with Gase

City stadium proposals ‘unsatisfactory’: Goodell “In the end, I was convinced AFP Miami and the search committee was Reuters Forum on the site previously occupied by the St. Louis plan includes a request for unanimous Adam was the right Los Angeles Hollywood Park race track in Inglewood, league funding that is $100 million in ex- leader for our football team who a project that eff ectively jump-started cess of the maximum provided under ex- ormer Chicago Bears best met all of our priorities. He the three relocation bids. isting NFL policy. off ensive coordinator has high-energy is competitive ational Football League com- But Kroenke has received opposition The $1.1 billion venue suggested by San Adam Gase became the and driven to win with a mindset missioner Roger Goodell gave from the city of St. Louis, which has of- Diego on the Mission Valley site of the youngest head coach in of teaching and developing play- the three teams seeking a move fered a $1.1 billion stadium proposal on team’s current home, Qualcomm Stadi- Fthe NFL on Saturday after be- ers.” to Los Angeles a boost on Sat- the city’s north riverfront. St. Louis’ um, is contingent on a public vote in June. ing hired by the Miami Dolphins Gase—renowned for his work Nurday, saying they had been given “inad- plan, which was fi nalized and submit- Goodell’s report said that none of the following another disappointing with quarterbacks such as Jay equate and unsatisfactory” stadium pro- ted to the NFL on Dec. 29, includes $400 three teams would be breaking its lease season for the Florida franchise. Cutler at Chicago and Peyton posals to remain in their markets. million in actionable public money. by moving from its existing market, and The 37-year-old is the 12th Manning during an earlier stint The St. Louis Rams, San Diego Charg- Meanwhile in California, the Chargers that two teams could be comfortably head coach in Dolphins history with the Denver Broncos—has ers and Oakland Raiders applied on Mon- and Raiders have combined to propose supported in Los Angeles, according to and replaces interim coach Dan been hired to revive the fortunes day to relocate, the fi rst time any team a $1.75 billion NFL stadium in Carson. market research. Campbell, who took over in mid- of quarterback Ryan Tannehill. has formally requested to fi ll the L.A. va- The two teams currently play in the two In Houston next week, NFL owners season after Joe Philbin was fi red Manning applauded Gase’s cancy since the Raiders and Rams left the sioner outlined facts about the respec- oldest stadiums in the league and, after could pick one of the two proposals from in October. appointment on Saturday. region in 1995. tive home markets but did not make years without much progress toward new the teams—or a completely diff erent so- The Dolphins fi nished the sea- “I’m very happy for Adam,” NFL team owners will gather for spe- any recommendations about which venues in their current markets, have set lution. That leaves open the possibility son 6-10, once again missing out Manning said. “Adam had a great cial meetings in Houston on Tuesday and franchises should be green-lighted for their sights on Carson. that any one of the three teams—or any on a place in the post-season, impact on me during our three Wednesday in a bid to resolve the issue, relocation. In Goodell’s report, he said that none combination of them—could play in LA which they last graced in 2008. years together here in Denver as but at least 24 of the 32 owners must vote However, Goodell did say that each of the three franchises keen to relocate next season. “We did exhaustive research my quarterbacks coach and then to approve a move to the second largest home market had “ample opportunity had received a stadium proposal free of In contrast, Goodell’s report gave a on all of the candidates ahead of as off ensive coordinator. He’s an market in the United States. but did not develop their proposals suffi - any contingencies while also presenting a thumbs-up to both the Hollywood Park time and conducted thorough extremely hard worker, a grinder. In a 48-page report sent by Goodell ciently to ensure the retention of its NFL viable long-term solution. site in Inglewood and the venue in Car- and detailed interviews with He’s extremely bright on all things to all 32 NFL teams, details of which team”. The city of Oakland, while expressing son, saying that both were ready for the each person,” Dolphins owner football ... he’ll be an excellent have been obtained by the NFL Media Rams owner Stan Kroenke has pro- an interest in keeping the Raiders, has not development of a fi rst-class stadium and managing general partner head coach, without a doubt. He is Insider and the LA Times, the commis- posed a $1.86 billion stadium next to the yet made a formal stadium proposal while without any obvious contingencies. Stephen Ross said in a statement. ready for this for sure.” Gulf Times 8 Monday, January 11, 2016 SPORT

GOLF RUGBY Tuilagi set to Spieth storms fi ve miss start of clear at Tournament Six Nations despite return

Reuters play test matches now.” of Champions England used Brad Barritt, London Sam Burgess, Jonathan Joseph, Henry Slade and Owen Farrell as ‘I’ve got to expect Brooks and Patrick to shoot eight or nine under tomorrow’ anu Tuilagi is un- centres during the disappointing likely to feature for World Cup campaign in which England at the start they failed to reach the knock- of the Six Nations out stages after Pool A defeats Mnext month despite marking his against Wales and Australia. return from a 15 month injury ab- The powerful Tuilagi won the sence in Leicester’s 30-27 win over last of his 25 caps for England in Northampton, Tigers boss Richard June 2014 and played one test for Cockerill said. the British and Irish Lions on the The Samoa-born centre had 2013 tour of Australia. not played since October 2014 However, his career has been due to a groin injury but the dogged by controversy and he 24-year-old was named on the was not considered for last year’s bench shortly before kickoff on World Cup after admitting as- Saturday and came on after 52 saulting two female police offi c- minutes at Welford Road. ers in April 2015. England coach Eddie Jones He was also fi ned 3,000 is set to announce his fi rst elite pounds ($4,354.80) by England squad on Wednesday after taking management for jumping into over from Stuart Lancaster fol- Auckland harbour from a ferry in lowing the host nation’s dismal the aftermath of the 2011 World 2015 World Cup campaign. Cup in New Zealand. “Manu will keep improving England have other injury con- but the start of the Six Nations cerns after wing Jonny May was is unrealistic because we need ruled out of the entire Six Nations to make sure he is 100 percent tournament because of a knee in- right,” Cockerill told the BBC. jury, while Bath forward Dave At- “As soon as he’s fi t and good to twood and Leicester lock Ed Slater go, he can go and play for Eng- will also miss the competition. land and do what he does but at Slade, who broke his leg in this point he’s Leicester’s player, December, will also be unavail- we’ve looked after him for a long able for the tournament, which time to get him fi t, and I’m not England begin against Scotland going to push him through to at Murrayfi eld on Feb. 6.

Jordan Spieth plays a shot on the eighth hole during the third round of the Hyundai Tournament of Champions at Kapalua Golf Club in Lahaina, Hawaii on Saturday. (AFP) Vonn doubles up in Zauchensee Reuters his iron play for much of a blustery day on of holes from the short eighth, which he expect Brooks and Patrick to shoot eight with super-g win Maui, Hawaii the Hawaiian island of Maui. bogeyed after missing the green. or nine under tomorrow.” “I just tried to put a smooth swing on “I’m extremely pleased, especially the it,” Spieth, 22, told Golf Channel about way we bounced back after that stretch LEADING THIRD-ROUND SCORES America’s Lindsey Vonn yesterday completed a World Cup ordan Spieth closed in on his sev- his three-iron approach at the last. “It eight through 11,” the Masters and U.S. 195 - Jordan Spieth (USA) 66-64-65 double in Zauchensee, Austria, by winning the super-g race the enth PGA Tour victory as he hit an came across the hole and took a peek, I Open champion said after a round that 200 - Brooks Koepka (USA) 69-68-63 day after she matched Annemarie Moser-Proell’s record total of exquisite three-iron to eagle the guess (at dropping in). also included seven birdies. 201 - Patrick Reed (USA) 65-69-67 downhill victories. par-fi ve last and seize a fi ve-stroke “It was really nice to get that putt to go “It started to look like I was slapping it 204 - Brandt Snedeker (USA) 67-72-65, Vonn triumphed in 1 minute 12.75 seconds to win 0.7 seconds Jlead after the third round of the Hyundai in. I think I deserved it on this hole and around a bit. I just needed one thing to go Fabian Gomez (ARG) 68-66-70 ahead of overall standings leader Lara Gut of Switzerland. Aus- Tournament of Champions in Hawaii on it gives me a nice little confi dence boost my way there and I got that long putt on 205 - Jimmy Walker (USA) 70-71-64, tria’s Cornelia Huetter claimed third 1.25 seconds behind Vonn, Saturday. into tomorrow.” 12 (from 50 feet), then all of a sudden we Steven Bowditch (AUS) 69-67-69, Rickie edging out Nadia Fanchini of Italy by one-hundredth for the final The American world number one struck Fellow American Brooks Koepka was turned things around on the easy holes.” Fowler (USA) 69-67-69, Kevin Kisner (USA) podium place. a laser-like second shot from 250 yards at alone in second after shooting a best-of- Spieth is also on track to beat the tour- 69-65-71 On Saturday Vonn earned her 36th career downhill win to match the 18th, his ball bouncing from short of the-week 63, with defending champion nament record of 31-under set by Ernie 206 - Peter Malnati (USA) 71-66-69, Danny Moser-Proell and the latest super-g success raises her overall the green to narrowly miss the fl agstick and Patrick Reed a further stroke back at 18 Els in 2003 but he is wary of the fi nal- Lee (NZL) 67-68-71 women’s record wins to 73. end up 10 feet past the hole from where he under par after pocketing four birdies in round challenge posed by compatriots 208 - David Lingmerth (SWE) 71-71-66, Vonn tops the super-g standings but is second overall on 700 coolly drained the eagle putt. the last fi ve holes for a 67. Koepka and Reed, who have both dis- Dustin Johnson (USA) 73-67-68, Padraig points, behind Gut on 738. Swedish slalom specialist Frida Hans- That gave Spieth a superb eight-un- Spieth, who would match Tiger Woods played brilliant golf at Kapalua this week. Harrington (IRL) 70-68-70 dotter, who did not compete yesterday, is third on 521. der-par 65 and a 24-under total of 195 with a seventh PGA win before the age “Brooks shot 10 under today, and that’s 210 - Bill Haas (USA) 71-69-70, Smylie The women’s World Cup stays in Austria for its next race, a slalom after 54 holes at the Kapalua Resort, de- of 23 should he triumph on Sunday, was insane,” said Spieth. “I’m going to have to Kaufman (USA) 70-69-71, Bubba Watson in Flachau tomorrow. spite not being at his pinpoint best with delighted to rebound from a poor stretch go out and make some birdies. I’ve got to (USA) 69-68-73

HORSE RACING Pendleton suff ers Cheltenham setback as Ampton ride withdrawn

By Chris Cook eff orts towards being a jump jockey. horses could be found and remained The Guardian Pendleton’s next opportunities will fi t. be next Sunday, when the action will In a new interview with the Western be at Black Forest Lodge near Exeter, Daily Press, Pendleton has discussed ictoria Pendleton met with the course at which she made her jump the extent of the challenge facing her. a setback on her road to the racing debut in November. So far, she “I had my fi rst ever riding lesson on 22 Cheltenham Festival when her has had two rides in such ‘point to point’ February last year and the Foxhunter intended mount in a jumps races and pulled up her mount before the is in two months and the thing is, Vrace yesterday became a non-runner. second-last fence on each occasion. ultimately, it is a ridiculously hard The former Olympic cyclist hopes to While she has shown signifi cant challenge,” she was quoted as saying. get much more experience of racing improvement in her riding skills “It’s audacious, but it wouldn’t be horses over fences before the mid- since she fi rst sat on a horse early last interesting if it was an easy challenge. March Festival but has not ridden in year, Pendleton would still be very “For me, cycling was always an public for more than a month. vulnerable in a competitive contest like inevitable destination. I come from a Pendleton had been due to take her the Foxhunter Chase, her Cheltenham family of cyclists, as soon as I was old fi rst race ride of the year at Ampton target. The last running of the race enough I had a bike, it wasn’t even a near Bury St Edmunds on Sunday featured 24 runners and was won by question and yes, when you’re good at but the horse will be withdrawn after the very experienced and accomplished something it’s fun to do but it was never being found to be short of peak health Nina Carberry, whose fi rst winner in something that I chose to do, whereas at the Oxfordshire stable of Alan Hill. Britain came more than a decade ago. I’ve chosen to do this and it feels so “According To Sarah was a little peaky Pendleton has had just one ride on diff erent. In fact, it’s made me feel this morning,” explained the mare’s each of her racecourse visits so far but quite sad in some ways, because I was owner, Barry Orr, an employee of Orr said the plan would now be to step like, imagine if I’d felt like this about Betfair, which is backing Pendleton’s her up to two rides per card if the right cycling?” Gulf Times Monday, January 11, 2016 9 SPORT

SPOTLIGHT Fans fl ock to meet Bayern Munich stars at Adidas store The players have been enjoying Qatar’s world-class Aspire facilities as they prepare for their 2016 season

By Sports Reporter Doha

ayern Munich star players Thomas Muller, Philipp Lahm and Xabi Alon- so made a visit to the Adidas store at Villagio Mall yesterday. BAdidas provided fans the opportunity to meet some of the world’s most iconic players. Hundreds of fans visited the store to catch a glimpse of the stars, who signed autographs and took pictures with the public. Speaking after the event, Muller said: “We have met our fans for half an hour today and had some pictures and autographs, and we have had fun. It’s nice for them and it’s special for us.” The trio, who are all World Cup winners, is in Qatar as part of a winter training camp with the rest of their team. The players have been enjoying Qatar’s world-class Aspire facilities as they prepare for their fi rst match of 2016 against Hamburger SV on January 22nd. The reigning Bundesliga champions FC Bayern Munich have won the German league for the last three years in a row and boast some of the world’s most talented stars. Bayern have been in scintillating form this season and are top of the Bundesliga at the halfway point, currently sitting eight points clear of second place team Borussia Dort- mund at the break. Their superiority is underlined with an im- pressive 46 league goals – 14 of which were down to Muller - and just eight conceded in A Young fan takes a selfie with Bayern Munich’s midfielder Xabi Alonso during the Bundesliga champions visit to the Adidas store at Villagio Mall yesterday. the fi rst half of the season. Training camps are a vital part of staying fi t and remaining in form for clubs whilst the Bundesliga takes its winter break, and Alonso feels Qatar is a great place to come and train ahead of the second half of the season. Speaking about their training camp, Alonso said: “The facilities at Aspire are great. We’ve becoming here for the last few years and we feel that we have everything that we need.” Yesterday was a great opportunity for fans of Adidas and the Bayern Munich team to spend time with some of the players that light up the German league week in, week out as Adidas continues to celebrate the brands’ love for sport, and help to bring fans closer to their sporting stars. Meanwhile, traveling with the team are some younger players who show promise, in- cluding 17-year-olds Niklas Dorsch, Fabian Benko and Marco Friedl, 19-year-old Miloš Pantovic, and keeper Christian Früchtl, the 15-year-old member of the club’s Jugendhaus youth center. Bayern munich stars (from left) Philipp Lahm, Thomas Muller and Xabi Alonso. Children await for Bayern Munich players’ autographs.

FOCUS LUSAIL ENDURANCE CUP ExxonMobil provides Qatar orphans foundation with educational support

By Sports Reporter The ceremony was also attended by fi rst announced their partnership Doha Nasser bin Ghanim al-Khelaifi , Presi- during the Qatar ExxonMobil Open dent of Qatar Tennis Federation, and 2014. ExxonMobil Qatar’s support Andrew P Swiger, Senior Vice Presi- for Dhreima falls under its commit- xxonMobil Qatar has pro- dent, Exxon Mobil Corporation. ment to advance education in Qatar vided the Orphans Care “At ExxonMobil Qatar, we believe – particularly in the areas of science, Center Qatar (Dhreima) with that education drives economic des- technology, engineering and math a cheque of QR 365,000 dur- tiny, and quality education helps citi- (STEM). ingE the Qatar ExxonMobil Open 2016, zens work together to create strong, In line with the Qatar National Vi- in support of foundation’s College capable and prosperous societies,” sion 2030, the company invests in Funding Program. Routledge said. education programs that motivate The cheque will help provide Dh- “We are pleased to support the Or- students to pursue careers in STEM reima students with educational as- phans Care Center Qatar (Dhreima) and to reach their potential, including sistance to attend a local college or this year so that their benefi ciaries programs that support teacher devel- university. can receive a college education, and opment and training. Alistair Routledge, President and so enhance their prospects of becom- ExxonMobil Qatar is committed to Winners pose on the podium at the Lusail Endurance Cup, which was organised by the Qatar Endurance Committee on General Manager for ExxonMobil ing eff ective, contributing members providing the energy to drive human Friday at Mesaieed sealine. The races were held in two categories — 110km for senior riders and 90km for junior riders. Qatar, and Issa Salman al-Kuwari, of society. I want to thank the Qatar potential in the State of Qatar, in sup- Deputy General Manager of Dhreima, Tennis Federation for providing us port of a skilled and productive work- took part in a cheque presentation at with a platform to once again support force that can sustain Qatar’s future. the awards ceremony of the tourna- this worthy cause.” Such a workforce is the key to a sus- ment. ExxonMobil Qatar and Dhreima tainable, knowledge-based economy. Gulf Times 10 Monday, January 11, 2016 FOOTBALL

SERIE A LA LIGA Villarreal win but Mancini slams Valencia lose again spot-kick ‘mistake’

Villarreal striker Cedric Bakambu (R) celebrates a goal yesterday. as Inter stunned DPA Results Madrid Yesterday ‘Maybe we lacked some lucidity when it came to putting our chances away, but the Villarreal 2 Sporting Gijon 0 edric Bakambu got a Real Sociedad 2 Valencia 0 penalty that came at the end was a terrible mistake. That’s football though’ brace as fourth-placed Villarreal stayed close behind mighty Real Gary Neville’s winless streak in CMadrid with a 2-0 home defeat La Liga since taking charge of of lowly Sporting Gijon in the Valencia last month stretched Spanish league yesterday. to fi ve games as Jonathas’s late Bakambu gave the hosts the double handed Real Sociedad a lead in the 26th minute following 2-0 win yestserday. a clever move between veterans Neville’s men had shown Bruno Soriano and Roberto Solda- promising signs in holding Real do, then added a second six min- Madrid 2-2 last weekend and utes into the second half by turn- a 4-0 thrashing of Granada in ing in Soldado’s generous centre. the Copa del Rey in midweek, It was Villarreal’s sixth but have now gone two months straight win,but it did not im- without a league win to almost press demanding coach Marce- certainly end their hopes of lino Garcia, who said: “The only reaching the Champions League thing I like about today’s game is next season. the result. Valencia ‘keeper Jaume Do- “We were rather fortunate with menech had kept his side in the the referee’s decisions, to be hon- game for long spells after both est. If we continue to play like this, sides has hit the woodwork early I am sure we will drop down the on. table instead of going up.” However, he was at fault when The win kept Villarreal just a he fl apped at Carlos Martinez’s point below third-placed Real defl ected cross and Jonathas Madrid, and eight above fi fth- bundled home from close range placed Celta Vigo. 12 minutes from time. Gijon are third last, with coach The same two players com- Abelardo under massive pressure bined for the second four min- to improve results. utes later as the Brazilian this “We were really unlucky today, time thumped home the full- everybody could see that,” Abe- back’s cross with a bullet header lardo moaned. into the bottom corner. “I really think a draw would Defeat leaves Valencia down have been a fairer result. We had a in 10th, now 16 points off the goal unfairly disallowed, and that top four after Villarreal beat was a very harsh blow for us,” the Sporting Gijon 2-0 earlier yes- coach added. terday.

DEFIANCE Inter Milan coach Roberto Mancini shouts as he gestures during his team’s Italian Serie A match against Sassuolo yesterday at San Siro stadium in Milan.

AFP the penalty that came at the end was a Results dipping free kick to safety. Top Italian female Milan terrible mistake. That’s football though,” Inter should have taken a 43rd minute Mancini told Sky Sport. Yesterday lead when an exchange of passes between “Now, we have to roll up our sleeves Inter Milan 0 Sassuolo 1 Icardi and Ljajic saw the latter hit a curl- football team defi es oberto Mancini hit out at a ref- and get back to work. We had two or three Atalanta 0 Genoa 2 ing eff ort that Andrea Consigli finger- ereeing “mistake” that dented clear chances, and they had only one with Bologna 0 Chievo Verona 1 tipped out for a corner. Inter Milan’s title hopes after a Simone Missiroli.” Frosinone 1 Napoli 5 Both sides spurned chances in the mafi a-style threats last-gasp 1-0 defeat to Sassuolo Sassuolo coach Eusebio Di Francesco Hellas 0 Palermo 1 second half, substitute Rodrigo Palacio’s atR the San Siro yesterday. hailed Miranda as a “top defender”, but Torino 0 Empoli 1 close-range eff ort from Icardi’s cutback And I don’t know who I’m play- AFP Inter spurned a host of chances in a the visiting coach was adamant the Bra- notably blocked yards from goal by Fed- Rome ing against. Maybe nothing will lively encounter and paid for it at the zilian was at fault for his side’s penalty. Saturday erico Peluso. happen, but if this crazy person death when Domenico Berardi beat Samir “I don’t think it’s right to reduce the Carpi 2 Udinese 1 Di Francesco replaced Sansone with does something... I won’t take Handanovic from the spot after falling outcome of this game to one episode and Fiorentina 1 Lazio 3 Antonio Floro Flores and moments later ne of Italy’s top wom- the risk,” he said. under a challenge from Brazilian defend- I don’t want to talk too much about ref- Roma 1 AC Milan 1 the striker’s acrobatic bicycle kick from en’s indoor foot- The outgoing president, whose er Joao Miranda. ereeing decisions,” he told Sky Sport. Berardi’s free-kick was somehow blocked ball teams defi ed a tyres were also slashed, said he After Napoli’s 5-1 humiliation of Frosi- “But I can say that it was a clear and by an alert Handanovic. mafi a-style threat in had no idea who was behind the none, Inter dropped to second place and indisputable penalty.” Mauro Icardi fl ashed a shot wide af- Miranda was then unlucky to clatter theO heartland of the powerful threats—and denied press ru- two points adrift but champions Juven- ter being sent through by Gary Medel’s into Berardi in the area and the referee ‘Ndrangheta yesterday, taking to mours that the real reason he re- tus could also overtake them with a win HOME WOES fl oated cross and moments later Adem pointed to the spot with the striker mak- the pitch to the rallying cries of signed was because the club had at Sampdoria in Sunday’s late fi xture. Inter’s second successive home defeat, Ljajic missed a great chance, fi ring inches ing no mistake. top sports fi gures. fi nance problems after over-in- Mancini admitted his side’s lack of clini- after a 2-1 reverse to Lazio prior to the wide after running across the six-yard “We knew we were up against the Sporting Locri, a futsal team vesting in players from Spain. cal fi nishing was a factor, but the Italian festive break, came days after Mancini box. league leaders, but we played as a team which competes in Italy’s top Se- “The accounts are in order, who led Inter to three consecutive league said he didn’t mind his side’s penchant Handanovic went on to produce a se- and we deserved the win,” said Berardi. rie A league, looked set to close Sporting Locri doesn’t have any titles in his previous spell in charge from for winning games 1-0. ries of fi ne saves, keeping out Nicola Despite Sassuolo moving back up into last month after its president debts,” he said. 2004-08 hit out at the referee’s decision to Inter had ample opportunity to change Sansone’s free kick with one hand before sixth spot, he played down the Tuscans’ received anonymous messages Top anti-mafi a prosecutor award a last-gasp penalty. the outcome with an early goal, but were blocking Missiroli’s close-range eff ort Europa League qualifi cation hopes. threatening both his toddler and Nicola Gratteri, who has lived “Maybe we lacked some lucidity when wasteful throughout and especially dur- with his chest and then producing an- “Our priority is survival, then we’ll see the club. under armed guard for the past it came to putting our chances away, but ing a promising start. other one-handed stop to push Berardi’s what happens.” But Sunday the players jogged 26 years after death threats and out onto the hardcourt in the sta- several attempts on his life, told dium in Locri in their burgundy AFP “the team absolutely must BOTTOMLINE and whites for a pre-match warm- not close its doors”. up, chanting “I’ll play!” to crowds “They not only have to keep of cheering fans in the stands. playing but they have to be given Futsal is the increasingly pop- psychological assistance because ular brand of fi ve-a-side indoor I can only imagine the stress football—and the latest version these poor girls have been put of Italy’s favourite sport to be under,” he said, adding that the New coach Zidane wants more tainted by the country’s shadowy team was “a source of pride for underworld. this region”. Club President Ferdinando Ar- It was not clear who had made meni bowed to pressure and re- the threats or why, with Italian signed before Christmas, but the media speculating that the club of the same from in-form Bale capitulation sparked a national may have been targeted because AFP have the ball he has to defend, scoring a sensational winning outcry, with the Italian Football it is female, or because of fi nan- Madrid then when we have to he can goal in the 2002 Champions Federation (FIGC) stepping in to cially-motivated reasons. open the game up and play on League fi nal. insist the team must play on. Football is a honeypot for the the wing,” said Zidane. And in stark contrast to Be- With the club now headed up mafi a, which makes vast profi ts inedine Zidane has urged “That is what he did today. I nitez’s fi nal days in charge, there temporarily by the town’s mayor from match-fi xing as well as us- Gareth Bale to maintain am happy with his contribution. was an air of optimism around Giovanni Calabrese, Sporting ing the sport as a means to recy- his sensational form af- It isn’t easy to score three goals a packed Bernabeu as the fans Locri will square up to Lazio in a cle ill-gotten gains. ter the Welshman got and we hope he continues like braved the freezing January match broadcast live on television. It has proved especially use- Zthe Frenchman’s reign as Real that.” temperatures. The Lazio team looked defi ant ful for the ‘Ndrangheta, which is Madrid boss off to a fl ying start Zidane’s appointment as the “Today is the start of a new Sunday as it fl ew in from Rome to credited with controlling much with a hat-trick in a 5-0 demo- club’s 11th coach in 12 years challenge for me. It is an impor- Calabria, a region in the grip of the of the world’s cocaine trade. lition of Deportivo la Coruna on under club president Floren- tant role to be the coach here and richest and most powerful syndi- In May, 50 people were arrested Saturday. tino Perez was criticised in some I want to enjoy it,” added Zidane. cate in Europe and which in 2014 in a vast sting which uncovered Madrid moved to within two quarters due to his lack of mana- “I thank the fans, but they had the highest level of unem- match-rigging by the mobster points of La Liga leaders Barce- gerial experience. come to see the players and I ployment in Italy, at 23.4 percent. syndicate at some 30 football lona on Zidane’s bow in senior Despite a legendary playing think today they have been re- Italian prosecutors have clubs, involving football players, management at the Santiago career, Zidane’s only previous warded with the eff ort the team launched a probe into the mes- coaches and club owners. Bernabeu as Bale registered his coaching role was with Ma- showed and the victory. sages ordering Armeni to shut But Gratteri, 57, interviewed second hat-trick in four games drid’s feeder team Castilla in the “The fans were behind the down the club, including a note at the police headquarters in the in between Karim Benzema’s Real Madrid’s new coach Zinedine Zidane greets his striker Gareth Spanish third tier for the past 18 team right until the end, there left on the car-seat of his three- southern-Italian city, said he double. Bale as he leaves the pitch after the match against Deportivo. months. was a good atmosphere but we year-old daughter. did not believe the ‘Ndrangheta Bale now has 10 goals to his However, his promotion to the need to continue. “It could have been a big boss was behind the Sporting Locri name in his last seven outings after just seven months in the ing in arguably Bale’s best run of top job at the Bernabeu has been “We need to think that this is or the smallest criminal, but in threats. “The ‘Ndrangheta is for Madrid and his display dis- job earlier in the week. form since joining Madrid three a popular one with the club’s just the fi rst game and see what any case, a threat is a threat,” he present where there’s money to missed suggestions that he had However, Zidane focused on years ago. fans with Zidane fondly remem- happens in the next one. Our idea told AFP. be had and power to be had. In been disappointed by Rafael Be- the former Spurs man’s defen- “Gareth has to do the same as bered from his fi ve years as a is to play good football and win as “Going after children means this case, there’s no money, no nitez’s unceremonious sacking sive duties as well as his fi nish- everyone else. When we don’t player at the club, most notably many matches as possible.” you’re playing outside the rules. power,” he said. Gulf Times Monday, January 11, 2016 11 FOOTBALL

SPOTLIGHT CONFIDENCE Arsenal can handle Swansea shocked title quest: Wenger in FA Cup, Chelsea ease through Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger. AFP “I liked the timing of his pass- London es,” Wenger said. ‘The performance was outstanding, it was always going to be a diff icult game against “In the middle of the park that is a vital quality, and the fact he a EPL side. I don’t think they underestimated us, we were just on our game’ rsenal manager Arsene plays forward and sees things. Wenger says he is not As a young boy he is not afraid Reuters concerned that a hectic to take people on and that is not London period of fi xtures could easy.” derailA his team’s bid for glory on multiple fronts this season. ALLARDYCE BLASTS remier League Swansea City fell The Frenchman rested a PREMIER LEAGUE victims to the fi rst major giant- number of players, including Sam Allardyce, the Sunderland killing of the FA Cup third round Mesut Ozil, for Saturday’s FA manager, made seven changes on yesterday when they lost 3-2 Cup third-round tie with Sun- compared with Wenger’s fi ve and Paway to League Two (fourth tier) side Ox- derland, which Arsenal won once again voiced his anger that ford United. 3-1 courtesy of goals from Joel his side must play three away Chelsea, fi elding a near full-strength Campbell, Aaron Ramsey and games in the space of a week. team, came through their home tie with Olivier Giroud. They take on fellow strugglers League One Scunthorpe 2-0 and Tot- Alexis Sanchez, Jack Wilshere, Swansea City on Wednesday tenham Hotspur needed a late penalty Danny Welbeck and Tomas Ro- in a game that was moved from by Harry Kane to draw 2-2 at home to sicky are all currently sidelined, Tuesday at the request of the Leicester City. but Wenger is confi dent that his Welsh club, who have a Sunday There were more than 50 league posi- squad has suffi cient depth to lunchtime FA Cup date with Ox- tions between the clubs at the Kassam cope. ford United. Stadium, where Oxford came from be- “There is a little bit of con- “I will be very interested in hind to lead 3-1 after Ecuador interna- cern,” said Wenger, whose side seeing Swansea’s team tomor- tional Jeff erson Montero had put Swan- are bidding to win the FA Cup for row (Sunday) and see how many sea ahead. the third season in succession. fi rst-team players they actually Liam Sercombe equalised from a pen- “But I believe that the next play,” said Allardyce, who saw alty just before halftime and two goals in step is to get Rosicky back, Jeremain Lens open the scoring 10 minutes soon after the interval from Welbeck back, Sanchez back, at the Emirates Stadium. Kemar Roofe put the home side in sight Wilshere back and maybe we will “We could have played on of victory. get one player in (during the Jan- Tuesday, which gave us the right Bafetimbi Gomis pulled one back for uary transfer window). opportunity to recover to play the Welsh club, who had made 10 chang- “Overall, we have no new inju- in the Premier League on Satur- es from their last Premier League game, ries so I’m not worried. If we had day, which is a 12.45pm kick-off but Oxford held on. the same number of injuries, we against Tottenham, having trav- “I thought the performance was out- would be a bit short.” elled 1,800 miles for three away standing, it was always going to be a Arsenal, Premier League lead- games.” diffi cult game against a Premier League ers, visit Liverpool on Wednes- Allardyce also hit back at the side,” their manager Michael Appleton day, but Wenger resisted the Premier League’s claims that this told BBC Sport. temptation to rest all his fi rst- week’s mid-week fi xtures could Oxford, a top-fl ight team 30 years ago choice picks, as Liverpool man- not have been played at another before dropping back into non-League ager Jurgen Klopp did in his side’s point in the season. football from 2006-10, are third in 2-2 draw at Exeter City on Friday. “So how do all of Europe get League Two, with the top three in May But teenage midfi elder Alex away with it then?” he asked. due to go up. Iwobi was handed a rare start and “How do all of Europe have a Roofe, who signed for them from West the Nigerian made the most of break for Christmas and we Bromwich Albion in the close season after the opportunity. can’t? a successful loan period, felt the triumph Oxford’s Kemar Roofe celebrates scoring their second goal during the FA Cup match between Oxford United and Swansea City. was down to his team’s eff orts rather than any lack of application by Swansea. Results Sport he was particularly pleased with FOCUS “I don’t think they underestimated us, teenager Loftus-Cheek. we were just on our game,” he said. Oxford 3 Swansea 2 “We have these youngsters and I know Alan Curtis, recently appointed Swan- Chelsea 2 Scunthorpe 0 them now after three or four weeks. sea manager until the end of the season, Tottenham 2 Leicester 2 When it’s an option I don’t hesitate to Trophy-chasing City said his much-changed team had been bring them (into the team). “poor” for the fi rst hour of the game. “If you have an Academy, then you “We made changes and there was a put them ahead in the 13th minute from must bring the young players. But they have the winning certain amount of rustiness but I am dis- a cross by Branislav Ivanovic but the must go to a certain level.” appointed,” he told reporters. visitors rallied well in the second half Claudio Ranieri’s Leicester were de- “It’s a huge setback for the club. and were furious to be denied a penalty nied a repeat of last season’s 2-1 FA Cup mentality: Pellegrini “We’re going to have to lift everyone when Ramires appeared to trip Kevin win in an exciting tie at White Hart Lane, for our next game.” van Veen. after the teams, who meet in the Premier That match is a crucial Premier League A few minutes later 19-year-old Lon- League on Wednesday, made 15 changes AFP fi xture against fellow strugglers Sunder- doner Ruben Loftus-Cheek, a halftime between them. Manchester land on Wednesday. replacement for Oscar, scored his fi rst Spurs held the lead for only nine minutes Sunderland are bottom but one with 15 goal for the club from Cesar Azpilicueta’s after Christian Eriksen scored early on, points and Swansea are two places ahead low centre. with Leicester’s Polish defender Marcin anuel Pellegrini says of them on 19 points. Scunthorpe were denied a consolation Wasilewski equalising with a header. Manchester City’s Chelsea avoided a similar embarrass- goal when fullback Jordan Clarke’s fi erce Japan’s Shinji Okazaki then scored 3-0 stroll against ment to last season’s stunning 4-2 FA shot struck the post. only two minutes after coming on as a Norwich in the FA Cup defeat at home to Bradford City, al- “It was not an easy game,” said Guus substitute at the interval. MCup third round proved they though at times they made hard work of Hiddink, who is hoping to repeat his feat The home side threw on England in- have a burning desire to achieve their tie against another third-tier side in Ruben Loftus Cheek celebrates scoring of 2009 by winning the FA Cup as Chel- ternationals Harry Kane and Dele Alli the quadruple this season. Scunthorpe. the second goal for Chelsea against sea’s interim manager. and Kane’s penalty, after a handball by Pellegrini’s side remain on Spanish international Diego Costa Scunthorpe yesterday. The experienced Dutchman told BT Nathan Dyer, earned them a replay. course for success in the FA Cup, League Cup, Champions League and Premier League after Satur- BOTTOMLINE day’s emphatic victory at Carrow Road. A sublime strike from Ser- Manchester City manager gio Aguero opened the scoring Manuel Pellegrini. before Kelechi Iheanacho and Kevin de Bruyne completed the when he comes back from a long Van Gaal wants better home games scoring to underline the City’s injury,” added Pellegrini, who progress. was without Aguero for the fi rst “If you want to have a win- three weeks of December due to AFP Van Gaal knows there is room for Bastian Schweinsteiger would ning mentality and an ambitious injury. Manchester improvement. be assessed following a knee in- mentality, then you must be in- “Maybe the fi rst game he The Dutchman, who praised jury ahead of United’s Premier volved in all the competitions didn’t play so well. In midweek the impact of countryman De- League game at Newcastle Unit- until the end,” Pellegrini said. he made a lot of better moments, anchester United pay as he added some much- ed tomorrow. “This is just the fi rst step in the and at Norwich he kept doing manager Louis van needed pace and penetration Sheffi eld United, 47 places FA Cup and we know it’s a beau- that and scored a beautiful goal. Gaal admitted his to United’s attack, said: “The below United on the league lad- tiful competition. But we are “When you have players as side needs to im- result was alright but the per- der, looked as though they had thinking about beating Everton important as Sergio he is impor- Mprove and cope with the pres- formance was not alright. It has done enough to force a replay (at home in the Premier League) tant for his team-mates, for the sure of performing at Old Traf- to be much better. as they looked to add Van Gaal’s on Wednesday, and not about manager, for the fans to see him ford after they scraped to a 1-0 “It’s not good but we have side to the fi ve top-fl ight teams what will happen in the future. playing in every game - because victory over Sheffi eld United in won and that’s the most impor- they had beaten in reaching the “We’re in the semi-fi nals of he is a player that can make the the FA Cup. tant thing in the FA Cup. You last four of the FA and League the League Cup, three points off diff erence. Van Gaal’s side looked as have to be in the next round and Cups over the past two years. the lead of the Premier League, “But for me the most impor- though they would be taken to that’s where we are. Manager Nigel Adkins, who is we’re in the last 16 of the Cham- tant thing we are doing this sea- a third-round replay by their “I know it’s diffi cult when you aiming to lead the Blades back pions League and we’ve started son so far is that without Sergio third division opponents before play matches like this when there up to the Championship after with the right foot in the FA Cup. in a lot of games and other im- Wayne Rooney scored the win- are a lot of players behind the ball a fi ve-year absence, said: “The “Winning all four would be portant players, we have stayed ning goal with an injury-time Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal looks dejected. but when you are Manchester players worked extremely hard very diffi cult because we have in all the competitions. penalty. United you have to deal with it. against superior opposition. The to play so many games, so really “We all know how good a play- Before Rooney scored, after tution of Marouane Fellaini with “It’s not only frustrating for the “We didn’t play quickly grit, desire and character gave we have to just focusing game by er he is, but he’s just coming back impressive substitute Mem- Andreas Pereira. staff , it’s frustrating for the play- enough. We didn’t move the ball the supporters something to game, whatever competition we from injury. We need to keep him phis Depay was tripped by Dean “Players for Manchester Unit- ers, the staff and for everybody.” quickly enough. When you move cheer about. are playing in.” fi t until the end of the season, Hammond, United were staring ed have to cope with the pressure Van Gaal’s side has now won the ball slowly your opponent “The supporters have got What is not up for discussion and then you can analyse who at a sixth 0-0 draw in their last of the fans and the media and it’s back-to-back games after an can react easily. That’s what we right behind the players and is how important Argentina for- was the best striker in the Pre- 10 home games. the same for the manager,” said eight-match winless run and failed today. But it’s not easy. there is a togetherness at the ward Aguero and his fi tness is to mier League and the best player Many of the home supporters Van Gaal. will be hoping this is the start of “When there are 10 players football club. City’s quadruple hopes. in the world.” showed their frustration at the “It can have an infl uence but a run that will bring them fi rst behind the ball it’s diffi cult. It’s “Our focus now is on Wigan Pellegrini hopes to have Yaya performance, as well as giving when you are a player for Man- FA Cup success since 2004. easier to defend than attack. on Tuesday night and Colches- BEAUTIFUL GOAL Toure, Fernandinho and David ironic cheers at belated eff orts at chester United you have to cope But following another la- Everybody knows that.” ter next Saturday which are two “As Kun plays more minutes, his Silva back for Wednesday’s visit goal and van Gaal’s fi nal substi- with that. boured attacking performance, Van Gaal said that midfi elder big games for us.” performance will always improve of Everton. Monday, January 11, 2016 GULF TIMES SPORT

GOLF Stenson signs up for sweet 16th Commercial Bank Qatar Masters The World No 5 joins Sergio Garcia and Branden Grace in strong field at Doha Golf Club

By Sports Reporter Doha Sweden's Henrik Stenson has won the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters golf orld No 5 Henrik Stenson will in 2006 and finished runner-up three star in his 16th straight Commer- times, in 2005, 2008 and 2009. cial Bank Qatar Masters when the 19th edition of the European Tour Wshowpiece is held at Doha Golf Club from Janu- ary 27 to 30. The six-foot three-inch Swede, who had surgery on his right knee in early December, strengthens a star-studded line-up also featur- ing Spanish superstar Sergio Garcia and South African sensation Branden Grace, the 2014 and 2015 champions respectively. Stenson, 39, lifted the Mother of Pearl Trophy in 2006 – Commercial Bank’s fi rst year as the event’s title sponsor – and fi nished runner-up three times, in 2005, 2008 and 2009. “It has been 10 years since I won the Com- mercial Bank Qatar Masters, but it doesn’t feel that long ago as I also came close several times and have a lot of good memories over the years,” said Stenson, who last January shot a closing 66 to tie for 13th. “It’s always a course I feel I can play well on, so I’m looking forward to returning. I was in good form before the surgery, so I’m hoping to regain that form as soon as I can, while also looking after my knee.” Stenson, who lived in Dubai for a decade be- fore moving to the US in early 2012, has compet- ed in the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters every year since joining The European Tour in 2001, only missing the fi rst three editions of the event since its inauguration in 1998. A nine-time European Tour winner, the Swede won the Race to Dubai in 2013 and cur- rently leads the 2016 table after fi nishing run- ner-up in last month’s Nedbank Golf Challenge in South Africa. “I had a solid season last year, but of course I’d like to do well in Doha as a key event at the start of 2016. It’s a tournament I al- ways look forward to as the weather’s great, the course is fair and there’s a good crowd.” Hassan al-Nuaimi, President of the Qatar Golf Association, said: “Henrik Stenson’s con- tinued commitment to the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters, for a 16th straight year, is re- markable and a tribute to a tournament that inspires strong loyalty from top players. Sergio Garcia will be playing for a 10th straight year and 11th in total. Both Sergio and Henrik will again be among the most popular players along

“It has been 10 years since I won the with our defending champion, Branden Grace.” Tickets are available to buy now at a range For those looking for an extra-special expe- on Doha Golf Club’s unique and challenging Commercial Bank Qatar Masters, but Stenson, Garcia and Grace are among sever- of outlets including Virgin Megastores (Online rience with a Michelin starred chef hospitality desert-type Championship Course, which has it doesn’t feel that long ago as I also al big names to have lifted the Mother of Pearl and in-store in Doha), Ticket Master, Time Out packages are available through the tournament’s proven to be one of the longest par 72 courses came close several times and have a lot Trophy since Commercial Bank began its title Tickets, Q Tickets, Doha Golf Club and more offi cial website www.qatar-masters.com/hos- on the tour. Designed by Peter Harradine and of good memories over the years. It’s sponsorship in 2006. Other big names include (full list below). Tickets are priced as follows, pitality. Since 1998 the prestigious Qatar Mas- unveiled in 1997, the 7,374-yard Championship always a course I feel I can play well on, former World No. 1 Adam Scott, two-time US starting at QAR 150. ters golf tournament has been hosted by Doha Course features eight strategically positioned so I’m looking forward to returning. I Open winner Retief Goosen, 1999 Open Cham- Entry is free for children under 14 years of age Golf Club. The annual tournament is sponsored lakes, 65 giant cacti, numerous imposing lime- was in good form before the surgery, so pion Paul Lawrie, former European Tour No. 1 and each ticket purchased entitles the holder to by The Commercial Bank and is held at the be- stone rock formations and an abundance of lush I’m hoping to regain that form as soon as Robert Karlsson and Thomas Bjorn, a 15-time one free round trip journey to and from the Doha ginning of each year as part of The European and lengthy green fairways, presenting a star- I can, while also looking aft er my knee” European Tour champion. Golf Club by event partner UBER. Tour. Many of the world’s top golfers compete tling contrast to the desert that lies beyond.

FOOTBALL Aiming to be German goalkeeper for Qatar 2022: Trapp

By Sports Reporter Doha

n just the space of a few months, Kevin Trapp has impressed many with his con- fi dent aerial takes and penalty-stopping displays in Paris since his summer move Ifrom Eintracht Frankfurt to the French Ligue 1 champions PSG. Now the young German goal- keeper has set his sights on an even bigger task – reaching as far as possible in all three compe- titions. The fi rst choice keeper in the PSG goal also set his sights on representing his country at a FIFA World Cup – with the edition in Qatar in particular drawing his interest. In an exclusive interview with http://www.sc.qa he said: “My dream would be to be there with Germany.” After a surprise summer move from Frankfurt to Paris, Trapp believes that he has the skills to consistently prove himself on the biggest stage. “To move from Frankfurt to Paris is not just one step, but maybe two, three or four. From a great but middle class team in Germany, to move to a top club that plays for titles on a reg- ular basis is a big step, and it has worked well until now. There is a very high level of play, and every day you have to push yourself to the limit.” “We have played a fantastic fi rst half of the season,” Trapp added. “We didn’t lose a single game in the French league and only one in the Champions League. Of course the Champions League is a very interesting competition for all teams involved. We don’t think we have won the league yet, but in the Champions League we also have a very diffi cult opponent in Chelsea coming up. We are looking to go as far as pos- PSG goalkeeper Kevin Trapp. sible in all three competitions.” The next major test coming up for the French champions will be in the Champions League, showed over two matches against Real Madrid “The call up to the national team was a fi rst son. I think they do everything possible here to had surprised him on his recent visit to Doha where Trapp emphasised that they would not that we can keep up with the top teams and step for me. It was important to be there and get receive sports teams in the most optimal way. as his side beat Inter Milan 1-0 in a friendly be underestimating Chelsea despite their shaky even beat them, so our goal is to advance against to know the routines. Of course the big goal is I can only say everything was perfectly organ- match in which the German keeper pulled off a start to the season. Chelsea.” to be there with Germany regularly and I want ised, it is impressive to see how much eff ort the number of impressive saves. “We are already used to playing against Chel- The 25-year old who recently got his fi rst call to continue showing consistency in Paris,” he people put in here and until 2022 there is a bit of “For the teams and for the people who live sea, they are a very good and experienced side. up to Joachim Loew’s senior squad for Germa- added. time, but everyone is already looking forward to here it is a very interesting event. When you They have changed coaches and we cannot af- ny, said he would be looking to show consist- He said: “I have had very good impressions the big event and to be a great host. My dream see how much passion people have for football ford to underestimate them but our team is so ency in order to become a regular starter for his of Qatar. For us Qatar has the perfect condi- would be to be there with Germany.” here, and the atmosphere in the stadium, then strong that we can also win against Chelsea. We country. tions to prepare for the second part of the sea- Trapp concluded that one thing in particular you know that it will be a lot of fun.”