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Kuwait sports Veteran Hopkins day supports knocked out distinguished of ring in athletes:15 KOC career16 finale MONDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2016 Costa rescues Bayern against basement side Page 19 YOKOHAMA: Real Madrid’s players pose after they won the Club World Cup football final match between Kashima Antlers of Japan and Real Madrid of Spain at Yokohama International stadium in Yokohama yesterday. — AFP Ronaldo treble fires Real to Club World Cup YOKOHAMA: Cristiano Ronaldo smashed a hat-trick as such a perfect end to this dream year, it’s incredible.” CLINICAL FINISH European teams have now won the Club World Cup Real Madrid survived a colossal scare to beat Japan’s The victory extended Real’s club record unbeaten Kashima’s lead was short-lived, however, as Ronaldo nine out of the last 10 years. But Real rode their luck at Kashima Antlers 4-2 and lift the Club World Cup yester- run to 37 matches in all competitions, while French levelled from the spot after Lucas Vazquez was bundled times in a pulsating final, not least when Zambian refer- day. A Gaku Shibasaki double briefly threatened one of coach Zinedine Zidane surpassed Fabio Capello’s record over by Shuto Yamamoto. ee Janny Sikazwe chose not to show captain Sergio football’s greatest ever shocks after Karim Benzema had for their best start to a season. Ronaldo, who scooped his fourth Ballon d’Or last Ramos a second yellow card late on for what appeared given Real the early advantage in Yokohama. But But the European champions, yet to be defeated in week, put Real back in front with a clinical finish eight a cynical block. Ronaldo equalised from the penalty spot before pounc- 26 games this campaign, were forced to dig deep by an minutes into extra time after a clever pass from “The referee lacked courage, which was regrettable,” ing twice in extra time to give the Spanish giants their Antlers side who finished third in the J-League before Benzema. said Kashima coach Masatada Ishii. “My players were second world title in three years, and fifth in total. winning the championship final. And the Portuguese superstar completed his hat- brave, their attitude was great and I feel we have grown “Bloody hell, what a game!” said a breathless Benzema’s toe-poked opener was cancelled out on trick-the first in a Club World Cup final-six minutes later as a club through this tournament.” Ronaldo. “We had to suffer, but that’s what finals are all the stroke of halftime by Shibasaki, who took advantage with another poacher’s strike to break Japanese hearts. Zidane, who won club world titles as a player with about. “People always expect more of Cristiano,” he of some calamitous defending from Raphael Varane to “The stats don’t lie,” said Ronaldo, who was also vot- Real in 2002 and Juventus in 1996, paid tribute to his added, speaking of himself in the third person. lash in a sharp volley. The Japan midfielder sparked ed player of the tournament. players. “Kashima surprised us a little with their speed “It has been an unforgettable year-winning the wild celebrations among a crowd of 68,000 seven min- “I’ve had a spectacular season. People often criticise and physicality,” he said. “But when we have struggled Champions League, the Super Cup and the Euros with utes after the break when he smashed home a left-foot me but I’m used to it. I just carry on working on the this season we have always believed in ourselves and Portugal. “And to score three more goals and to have shot from long distance. pitch and get on with my job of winning titles.” found a way to win.” — AFP Rose caps Spurs fightback It was a chance Burnley needed to take given they had set themselves up to Tottenham 2 defend deep and soak up the pressure from the home side. Burnley didn’t need asking again as Barnes slid them into a shock 21st Burnley 1 minute lead. This was something of a col- lector’s item; their first away goal scored LONDON: Danny Rose capped in open play this season. Tottenham’s comeback as they edged out Burnley 2-1 to keep alive their PERFECTION Champions League aspirations yester- When Tottenham’s Mousa Dembele day. Mauricio Pochettino’s side were diverted George Boyd’s pass into Barnes’ forced to come from behind after Ashley path the striker could not miss as he Barnes had opened the scoring for stabbed him home from close-range. Burnley at White Hart Lane. The lead lasted just six minutes as Alli Normal service was resumed when hauled Spurs level. Walker delivered a Dele Alli almost instantly equalised, but cross into the penalty area where Alli Burnley, despite their struggles away timed his run to perfection to slide home from home, would not roll over and it the equaliser. took until the 71st minute until Rose Tottenham were bossing proceedings won it. Burnley were left frustrated, and Heaton was fortunate to see Kane’s MANCHESTER: Manchester City’s David Silva is surrounded by Arsenal players during the English Premier League soccer match between especially with Moussa Sissoko fortu- shot bounce off his legs and wide. The Manchester City and Arsenal at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, England, yesterday. — AP nate to escape a red card for a high chal- second-half maintained the same pat- lenge before he created the winning tern with Eriksen, fresh from scoring goal that moved Tottenham within one twice in the previous home match with Man City rallies for 2-1 point of the top four. Hull, seeing his long-range shot fly just It looked a different story early on as over Heaton’s crossbar. Tottenham should have been ahead Eriksen then should have done better within a minute. Rose fed Harry Kane than divert Rose’s 53rd minute cross win over Arsenal in EPL who in turn freed Alli but the midfielder straight at Heaton. was way off target as he bore down on Alli again came close but Tottenham Tom Heaton’s goal. Besides a point at MANCHESTER: Raheem Sterling capped a rousing in another poor display that raised questions about suspended Fernandinho and the injured Ilkay were becoming increasingly frustrated Manchester United, thanks to Heaton’s second-half comeback by Manchester City with the its title credentials. Gundogan. Sterling, a winger playing as a lone strik- as Eriksen’s pile driver was palmed out winning goal as Arsenal squandered a lead to lose The defense has been City’s major weakness er as a replacement for Sergio Aguero, headed wide heroics, Burnley had been a soft touch. 2-1 for the second time in five days in the English under Pep Guardiola, and the way it was opened moments after Walcott’s goal but Arsenal’s defense They would need some luck on their side by the busy Heaton and just out of Premier League yesterday. The England winger col- by Arsenal for Walcott’s goal was alarming. held out comfortably until the equalizer, which was to keep Tottenham at bay. And so it Kane’s path. lected Kevin De Bruyne’s sensational cross-field Hector Bellerin was allowed to power up the also notable for poor defending. proved early on as Kane dragged his shot But Spurs would finally break down pass before cutting inside and driving home a low field unchallenged from right back and pass the Silva clipped a first-time pass over the top for wide and Christian Eriksen saw his volley the stubborn visitors thanks to Rose’s finish in the 71st minute at Etihad Stadium. ball to Sanchez, who had dropped deep to also Sane - who may have been slightly offside - to race deflected just over. 71st minute strike. A quick break led by Arsenal led through Theo Walcott’s fifth-minute find space between City defense and midfield. clear and sidefoot home for a first goal in his 13th But Tottenham had looked sloppy at substitute Sissoko found it’s way to the strike - another goal that raised questions about Sanchez’s reverse pass located Walcott between appearance for City. the back and they almost paid for an England left-back in space to drive home. City’s defensive weaknesses - before Leroy Sane two defenders and the winger composed himself Suddenly it was all City, whose tempo and It was painful for Burnley as, just equalized in the 47th with his first goal for City. before slipping a low shot past goalkeeper urgency noticeably increased in the second half. error in the 11th minute. Kyle Walker gifted possession to moments earlier, Sissoko was relieved to While City moved back to within seven points of Claudio Bravo. Sane was denied in a one-on-one opportunity receive just a yellow card rather than a Chelsea, Arsenal dropped nine points off the lead- City was often open at the back while its build- by Cech, who tipped aside De Bruyne’s deflected Stephen Ward and the left-back where second red of his short Tottenham career ers. It has been a poor week for Arsene Wenger’s up play was slow from the central midfield, where shot. De Bruyne was growing in influence and it Andre Gray’s low shot was kept out by wide, which lost from 1-0 up at Everton on Tuesday Yaya Toure and Fernando were deputizing for the was his stunning pass that set up the winner. — AP the shins of Hugo Lloris. for a high challenge on Ward.