MMOTORCYOTORCYCLINGCLING | Page 2 GGOLFOLF | Page 7 Al-Sulaiti bags McIlroy retakes double victory lead from in opening Hatton heading QSTK round into fi nal round

Sunday, January 24, 2021 CRICKET Jumada II 11, 1442 AH Anderson on top GULF TIMES aft er six-for in hot and humid Galle SPORT Page 4 HANDBALL Capote the star as Qatar outclass Bahrain at Worlds The 28-23 win help Valero Rivera’s men maintain their chances of making the quarter-finals

By Sports Reporter Cairo

afael Capote returned to inter- national action with a bang, powering Qatar to a convinc- ing 28-23 victory over Bahrain Rin their main round clash at the World Handball Championship here yester- day. The win helped Qatar maintain their slim chances of making the quarter- fi nals after they fell to Denmark in the opening match of the main round a couple of days ago. Both teams had a slow start in the match, each of them netting just once in the fi rst eight minutes. Qatar’s Yassine Sami opened the score before Moham- med Ahmed drew level from the 7m line. After that, Bahrain started to dem- onstrate their powerful attack – yet, Action from the match between Qatar (in grey and maroon) and Bahrain (in red). they were still tied at 4:4 in the 12th minute. Then Qatar took the initiative, though, and goals by Capote propelled them to an 8:5 lead. After a time-out taken by coach Halldor Sigfusson, Bahrain started to play a more disciplined game and hit back, as Mahdi Saad drew level at 12:12. In the 27th minute, Mohammed Ahmed scored his fourth goal in the game to give Bahrain their fi rst lead Qatar players celebrate their victory over Bahrain during their main round clash in the IHF World Men’s Handball Championship (13:12) and his fi fth goal helped them to in Cairo, Egypt, yesterday. PICTURES: Noushad Thekkayil stay in front at half-time. Capote, who only recently joined Qa- While Capote fi nished the game with matches against Bahrain at the Asian “Although the match proved tough in tar’s squad and played his fi rst match at nine and Frankis Marzo added eight level, winning most of the encounters, the fi rst half, we more than made up for the event, was hard to stop early in the more, Qatar’s experienced goalkeeper including some tough ones. it in the second half to achieve this de- second half, and he helped the team to Danijel Saric recorded many saves, lim- But yesterday, Qatar’s supremacy served victory,” he added. turn the tide. Following a 7:2 run, Vale- iting their rivals to just four goals be- was never in doubt as they had it rela- Qatar player Yusuf bin Ali was ro Rivera’s men were up by four goals by tween the 31st and 54th minute. tively easy despite the injury issues pleased with the team’s eff ort. minute 42 (20:16). By then, Qatar led 25:18 and although with the squad. “It was a strong Gulf derby, and a “Even though Capote was sick and Bahrain woke up in the last few minutes Capote was adjudged Player of the diffi cult match, as the Bahraini team did not train for three weeks, he helped of the match, it was too late for them Match. played very well during the fi rst half,” us a lot. I’m proud of my team who did as Rivera’s team went on to claim two “We succeeded in beating Bahrain said bin Ali. “But we produced a good an excellent job in the second half,” points in this Gulf derby. despite certain diffi culties,” said team performance in the second half and Rivera said after the match. Qatar have featured regularly in director Youssef al-Hail. emerged victorious.” Qatar’s Rafael Capote was adjudged Player of the Match.

FOOTBALL Stadium capacity to be kept at 30% for FIFA Club World Cup By Sports Reporter Doha

ducation City and Ah- mad Bin Ali Stadium’s capacity will be limited to 30% for the FIFA Club WorldE Cup, which will be held from February 4 to 11 in Qatar, organisers said yesterday. The two venues both have a seating capacity of 40,000 each, but with the Club World Cup be- ing staged with strict measures to combat the spread of Covid-19, Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium is one of the two venues to host the event. the organisers, in accordance with guidance from Qatar’s Min- From right: Dr Abdulwahab al-Musleh, Senior Consultant to the Minister of Public Health (MoPH), Fatma al-Nuaimi, Communications Executive increase in the cases in Qatar in precautionary measures will be istry of Public Health (MoPH), Director at Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy, Jassim al-Jassim, Director of Venue Operations and Overlays, LOC and Ali al-Salat, Media the last week means the organis- followed.” decided to cap the spectator Relations Head, LOC at a press conference yesterday. ers won’t raise the capacity be- A range of aff ordable tickets numbers at 30 percent. yond 30 percent, who added the will be available online on a fi rst- The tournament – which Qa- longer take place and Al Duhail This will include regular Cov- having their temperature taken they will be strictly applied,” Dr new variants of coronavirus are come, fi rst-served basis, with tar is hosting for the second time, will begin the competition in the id-19 testing, safe transportation and showing green status on al-Musleh said. likely already in Qatar. prices ranging from QR10 for a will feature six teams. Al Duhail second round. The competition methods and regular disinfection their Ehteraz track and trace ap- “During the last few months, Following a cluster of cases in Category 3 ticket for the fi rst fi ve are the host nation’s representa- format remains otherwise un- of tournament venues, including plication upon entering the tour- Qatar has hosted several tourna- the Saudi team’s Al Hilal team matches up to QR300 for a Cat- tives and are joined in the tour- changed. training and media facilities. nament venue. The two tourna- ments successfully despite the during the AFC Champions egory 1 ticket for the fi nal. Tick- nament by various continental The tournament was due to Fans will be required to present ment venues are also equipped prevailing pandemic and that League at the end of last year, al- ets will be available at https:// champions – Al Ahly, Bayern be played in December but was a negative Covid-19 test result up with medical clinics, which will has given FIFA the confi dence to Musleh said that “several meas- fcwc2020.com/ and sold exclu- Munich, Ulsan Hyundai and postponed due to Covid-19. to 72 hours prior to the match or be available to fans should they host the Club World Cup in the ures to prevent that recurring” sively online. Tigres UANL. The fi eld will be Players and offi cials will be part show evidence that they’re not require medical assistance. country. The Ministry of Public had been taken. Fans are being advised to take completed by the winners of the of a strict medical bubble system required to take the test, such as International fans will be un- Health in co-operation, with the Fatma al-Nuaimi, Communi- the Doha Metro and arrive at Copa Libertadores, which will designed to protect their health proof of contracting the virus af- able to attend because of Qatar’s local organising committee, has cations Executive Director at Lo- least one hour before kick-off . take place on 30 January. New and wellbeing, Dr Abdulwahab ter October 1, 2020 or proof of re- virus mitigation measures, and developed a special protocol and cal Organising Committee said: Both stadiums are served directly Zealand side Auckland City will al-Musleh, Senior Consultant to ceiving two doses of the vaccine. there will be no public events in- all those who are part of the event “Qatar is hosting the tournament by the Doha Metro: Education not compete as initially planned the MoPH, said at a press confer- Fans must also adhere to strict cluding fan zones. “We have put will be required to prove that they for the second year in a row, and City and Al Riff a stations will due to quarantine restrictions re- ence held at the Qatar National social distancing measures and in place a complete protocol and are not infected with the corona- this time the tournament is held connect fans to Education City lated to Covid-19. Convention Centre (QNCC) yes- wear face masks covering both precautionary measures before virus,” he added. in diff erent circumstances due and Ahmad Bin Ali stadiums re- The fi rst round match will no terday. nose and mouth, in addition to and during the tournament and Dr al-Musleh said the slight to the coronavirus crisis, where spectively. Gulf Times 2 Sunday, January 24, 2021 SPORT

SPOTLIGHT LIGUE 1 Neymar on target Al-Sulaiti clinches on 100th PSG appearance AFP ($264mn) move from Barcelona Paris in August 2017. double victory in His time in Paris has been marred by injuries at important eymar made his 100th moments but there can be no appearance for Paris disputing his impressive record Saint-Germain yes- in front of goal as he prepares terday and marked the to face his old club in the last 16 Noccasion with a goal in a 4-0 of the Champions League next opening round rout of 10-man Montpellier that month. took Mauricio Pochettino’s side Mbappe was more promi- clear at the top of Ligue 1. Kylian nent in this game, however, as Mbappe scored twice and Mauro he scored his fi rst goals of the In Qatar Touring Car Championship, al-Khelaifi and al-Maadeed won a race each Icardi was also on target with Pochettino era. Pochettino PSG leading 1-0 before netting said: “I was already happy with three times in the space of four Mbappe’s performances before minutes around the hour mark. tonight. I am pleased that he The game, played behind scored because scoring goals is closed doors at the Parc des crucial for a striker’s confi dence. Princes, was conditioned by the But we knew it was only a matter early sending-off of Montpel- of time.” lier goalkeeper Jonas Omlin for a The France World Cup-win- foul on Mbappe, as PSG made the ning star was scythed down just most of their extra man. It was outside the box by Omlin in the their fourth straight win since 16th minute, with the Swiss drawing at Saint-Etienne in Po- goalkeeper initially shown a yel- chettino’s fi rst match in charge low card before the punishment after the Argentine was appoint- was upgraded to red following a ed as coach on January 2. VAR review. The former Tottenham Hot- PSG made the extra man count spur boss was back on the Paris as Di Maria played in Mbappe to bench having spent a week self- open the scoring with a dinked isolating following a positive fi nish over substitute goalkeep- Covid-19 test that forced him er Dimitry Bertaud in the 34th to miss his new team’s 1-0 win minute. Pochettino lost goal- at Angers last weekend. “I feel keeper Keylor Navas to injury at good. I am happy to be back,” he half-time, while captain Mar- said. quinhos was also forced off early PSG are now three points clear in the second half. of second-placed Lille, who go to The coach later said he in-form Rennes today. Lyon in thought it was “nothing serious” QMMF President Abdulrahman al-Mannai, LCSC Vice President and General Manager Khalid al-Remaihi and QMMF Executive Director Amro al-Hamad with QSTK 600 Race 1 third are fi ve points behind the for either player. Mbappe cut the winner Saeed al-Sulaiti, runner-up Abdulla al-Qubaisi and third-placed Mashel al-Naimi yesterday. leaders before visiting derby ri- ball back for Neymar to make vals Saint-Etienne, who will be it 2-0 on the hour mark, before By Sports Reporter without seven players because of Icardi tucked in his third goal in Doha a coronavirus outbreak. four games. The capital club’s rivals may It was 4-0 in the 63rd minute have their work cut out trying when Icardi set up Ligue 1’s lead- aeed al-Sulaiti laid down the to overtake the reigning cham- ing scorer Mbappe to fi nish for marker for his young rivals in the pions on this evidence, with the his second of the night and 14th new season as the veteran rider attacking quartet of Neymar, of the season. Layvin Kurzawa clinched both the races in the Mbappe, Icardi and Angel Di almost provided the cherry on openingS round of the Qatar Superstock Maria running riot. Neymar’s top of the cake soon after, but 600 at the Losail International Circuit goal took his tally to 81 in 100 his stunning overhead kick was yesterday. appearances for PSG since his tipped onto the crossbar by Ber- Al-Sulaiti put on a dominant show in world-record 222 million-euro taud. his Yamaha YZF-R6 as the 35-year-old won both the races in convincing fash- ion. In the fi rst race, al-Sulaiti’s winning margin was +7.014 seconds, while in the second it was +6.548. Defending cham- Drivers take part in the Qatar Touring Car Championship at the Losail International pion Abdullah al-Qubaisi and Meshaal al- Circuit yesterday. Nuaimi fi nished second and third respec- QTCC Race 2 winner Ghanim al-Maadeed QSTK 600 Race 2 (12 Laps, 64.6km.) tively, clearly outpaced by their rivals. up. Al-Muhannadi was third. “It feels (centre) poses on the podium with 1. Saeed al-Sulaiti (Yamaha YZF-R6) Time: “I am very happy to win both races. I second-placed Abdullah al-Khelaifi (left) very nice to be on the podium,” al-Maa- 25:00.275 secs; 2. Abdulla al-Qubaisi really worked hard with the team and we and Ahmed al-Muhannadi, who finished deed said later. (Yamaha YZF-R6-R6) +6.548 ; 3. Mashel were able to work on a good bike. In the third yesterday. “Last year, I had nine podiums out of fi rst race, I managed to make a good gap 10. This year we couldn’t complete the al-Naimi (Yamaha YZF-R6) +15.355 from the beginning. It was nice to win,” day, while al-Harqan was third. Race 1 fi rst race but won the second. We had al-Sulaiti, who started from pole position winner Hamad al-Sahouti had to be con- some issues. Hopefully the next round we QTCC 2K Race 1 (10 Laps, 53.8km.) in the 12-lap races. tent with fourth spot yesterday. will be targeting the podiums in both rac- “In the second race, Abdullah was dif- In the Qatar Touring Car Champion- es. For next round, we will work harder,” 1. Abdulla al-Khelaifi (HONDA S2000) fi cult to keep pace with in the fi rst few ship, Abdullah al-Khelaifi and Ghanim he added. Time: 24:32.184 secs; 2. Ahmad Shaheen laps but I managed to keep my rhythm al-Maadeed won a race each. The three- al-Muhannadi (HONDA CIVIC) +14.945; 3. and then was consistent. In the middle time QTCC champion al-Khelaifi was in Hamad al-Asam (HONDA DC5) +26.746 of the race I kept the gap. Hopefully I can a class of his own in Race 1 as he romped RESULTS keep such performances and keep im- to victory. His winning margin over sec- QSTK 600 Race 1 (12 Laps, 64.6km) QSSP 300 Race 2 (7 Laps, 37.7km.) proving with the bike,” he added. ond-placed Ahmed al-Muhannadi was In the QSSP 300 class, Yousif al-Dar- +14.945 seconds. Hamad al-Asam fi n- 1. Saeed al-Sulaiti (Yamaha YZF-R6) Total 1. Yousef al-Darwish (Kawasaki Ninja wish edged out Saad al-Harqan for vic- ished third. time: 25:07.832 seconds; 2. Abdulla 400) Time: 16:37.016 secs; 2. Saad al- tory by just +0.470 seconds. Alexian Al-Maadeed, who had retired from al-Qubaisi (Yamaha YZF-R6) +7.014 ; 3. Harqan (Kawasaki Ninja 400) +0.470; 3. Macary took the third spot. Al-Darwish Race 1 after four laps, won the second Mashel al-Naimi (Yamaha YZF-R6) Alexian Macary (Kawasaki Ninja 400) Paris St Germain’s Neymar in action during the Ligue 1 match against had fi nished second in the Race 1 on Fri- race, with al-Khelaifi fi nishing runner- +7.214 +1.956 Montpellier in Paris on Friday night. (Reuters)

SCOTTISH PREMIERSHIP BUNDESLIGA Rangers mark Gerrard Leipzig slump to surprise defeat at Mainz milestone with Ross AFP tracht Frankfurt to jump to sixth with Berlin their 5-1 win over Arminia Bielefeld. Andre Silva put Frankfurt ahead on 25 minutes, Filip Kostic doubled the lead County thrashing S international Tyler Adams with a sumptuous long-range eff ort two AFP strong performance, another scored his fi rst Bundesliga goal minutes later, and Kostic set up Silva for Glasgow home win and a clean sheet — yesterday but RB Leipzig suf- Frankfurt’s third. obviously fi ve diff erent scorers,” fered a blow to their title hopes Bielefeld hit back through a Sergio Gerrard said. “We fl ipped the Uwith a shock 3-2 defeat away to crisis club Cordova header, but an own goal from angers celebrated Ste- formation a bit to a 4-3-2-1 to Mainz. Adams, 21, opened his German Joakim Nilsson and a goal from Real Ma- ven Gerrard’s 150th be a bit more bold and aggressive league account with a tap-in, pouncing drid loanee Luka Jovic sealed the win for match as manager by and really take the game to Ross on the rebound after Marcel Sabitzer hit Frankfurt in the second half. extending their lead at County and I thought we looked the bar to put Leipzig ahead early on. Elsewhere, Freiburg came from behind theR top of the Scottish Premier- really dangerous throughout,” A rare fumble from goalkeeper Pe- to beat local rivals Stuttgart at home for ship table to 23 points with a the former Liverpool and Eng- ter Gulacsi allowed Moussa Niakhate to the fi rst time since 2012. 5-0 thrashing of Ross County at land midfi elder added. equalise for Mainz, but Marcel Halsten- Congolese winger Silas Wamangituka Ibrox yesterday. Ross County manager John berg quickly restored the lead. Niakhate bundled in an early opener for Stuttgart, The Gers were 3-0 up be- Hughes said: “We were set up to equalised for a second time shortly be- but goals from Ermedin Demirovic and fore half-time after early head- be hard to beat and, if you do that fore half-time, before Leandro Barreiro Jeong Woo-yeong turned the game on its ers from Ryan Kent and Filip and give away two poor goals turned in a Danny Da Costa cross just head to seal a 2-1 win for the hosts. Helander were followed by a early on, you are up against it.” after the break to hand second-from- fi ne strike from Joe Aribo, with Victory saw Rangers, whose bottom Mainz only their second win this BUNDESLIGA RESULTS winning streak was ended by a not even captain James Tavern- term. Freiburg 2 (Demirovic 14, Jeong 37) ier’s second successive penalty draw with Motherwell last time “It’s a blow, that’s for sure, the title Stuttgart 1 (Wamangituka 7); Bayer miss derailing the home side’s out, stay on course for a fi rst top- isn’t really in our heads at the moment,” Leverkusen 0 Wolfsburg 1 (Baku 35); progress. fl ight title since the club fell into said Leipzig captain Willi Orban after his County, who had kicked off on liquidation nine years ago de- side missed the chance to move within Arminia Bielefeld 1 (Cordova 36) Ein- the back of a surprise win over spite champions and bitter Glas- a point of league leaders Bayern Mu- tracht Frankfurt 5 (Silva 25, 33, Kostic Aberdeen, saw their hopes of a gow rivals Celtic having three nich. Bayern, who play Schalke today, 27, Nilsson 51-og, Jovic 75); Mainz 3 fi ghtback come and go when they games in hand. can now pull seven points clear at the Mainz’s Leandro Barreiro Martins celebrates after scoring against RB Leipzig in the (Niakhate 24, 35, Barreiro 50) RB Leipzig twice hit the woodwork early Aberdeen beat 10-man Moth- top after third-placed Bayer Leverkusen Bundesliga in Mainz, western Germany, yesterday. (AFP) 2 (Adams 15, Halstenberg 30); Augsburg in the second half. Thoughts of erwell 2-0 to move into third also dropped points with a 1-0 defeat to 2 (Niederlechner 17, 47) Union Berlin 1 what might have been became place. Tommie Hoban gave the Wolfsburg. tion today,” said Leverkusen keeper Lukas minutes, before Marcus Ingvartsen drew (Ingvartsen 25) all the more acute when Rangers’ Dons a 15th-minute lead at Pit- Leverkusen started furiously, but Hradecky. Union level with a precise fi nish. Playing today (all times 1430 unless Ryan Jack, on his return from in- todrie before Motherwell’s Liam Wolfsburg were more clinical and took The win saw Wolfsburg break into Niederlechner restored the lead just stated): Schalke v Bayern Munich, Hof- jury, made it 4-0, before Connor Polworth was sent off for using the lead through a Ridle Baku header on 35 the top four, leapfrogging both Borussia after half-time, before giving away a pen- fenheim v Cologne Goldson wrapped up the scoring foul and abusive language. A de- minutes. Manchester United loanee Tim- Dortmund and high-fl iers Union Berlin, alty with a foul on Grischa Proemel. Yet as Gerrard’s men completed their pleted Motherwell were still only othy Fosu-Mensah came on at half-time who fell to their second defeat in a row his blushes were spared by keeper Rafal Played Friday: Borussia Moencheng- 12th successive home win of a so a goal behind until 15 minutes for Leverkusen to make his Bundesliga with a 2-1 loss away to Augsburg. Florian Gikiewicz, who saved Ingvartsen’s spot- ladbach 4 (Elvedi 11, 32, Bensebaini far unbeaten league season. from time when Andy Considine debut, but his team remained toothless Niederlechner broke his 16-game goal kick to deny former club Union a point. 50, Thuram 79) Borussia Dortmund 2 “I thought it was a really made the game safe for the Dons. in the second half. “We lacked imagina- drought to put Augsburg in front on 17 Union’s defeat allowed in-form Ein- (Haaland 22, 28) Gulf Times Sunday, January 24, 2021 3 FOOTBALL

SERIE A Rampant Atalanta stun winter champions Milan Conte sees red as Inter Milan are held to Udinese stalemate; Late Pellegrini winner sees Roma win seven-goal thriller

Reuters the team on Saturday, offi cially be- Milan Atalanta’s Duvan Zapata (left) cause of a muscular injury, but amid celebrates with teamamte reports of a fall-out with Fonseca. Rafael Toloi after scoring Borja Mayoral scored a double for the talanta consigned AC Milan against AC Milan. (AFP) hosts, netting the fi rst after quarter of to their second league defeat an hour, only for Roberto Piccoli to pull of the season with a 3-0 win 14th-placed Spezia level seven minutes at San Siro yesterday, but Ste- later by pouncing on a mistake by home fanoA Pioli’s side were still named ‘win- goalkeeper Pau Lopez. ter champions’ in Serie A. A Cristian Real Madrid loanee Mayoral slotted Romero header put the visitors ahead home his second on 52 minutes, before at halftime before a Josip Ilicic penalty Rick Karsdorp tapped in to make it 3-1 and Duvan Zapata strike completed a three minutes later. Diego Farias again dominant victory for the Bergamo side. responded for the visitors just before Atalanta had the chances to win by the hour, scoring the third goal of a an even wider margin as an out-of- dramatic six-minute spell at the Stadio sorts Milan put in one of their worst Olimpico. An error from Chris Small- performances of the season. The home ing allowed former Roma winger Verde side failed to muster a shot on target to equalise in the 90th minute, fi ring until debutant Mario Mandzukic drew home left-footed after the England de- a good save from Pierluigi Gollini in the fender missed his attempted clearance. 71st minute with his fi rst touch after Pellegrini had the fi nal say, though, coming off the bench. drilling the ball into the roof of the net Milan nevertheless claim the ti- from close range after Bruno Peres’ un- tle of winter champions as they top selfi sh cutback. the standings at the halfway point of It was a fi rst league win in three the season with 43 points, two ahead games for Roma, after last week’s de- of Inter Milan after their 0-0 draw at feat by Lazio in the Rome derby and a Udinese. Atalanta moved into the top draw with title rivals Inter Milan. Roma four on 36 points, returning to form in move ahead of Napoli into third, six style after back-to-back draws against points behind leaders AC Milan. Genoa and Udinese. Meanwhile, Inter Milan missed out ITALIAN SERIE A RESULTS on the chance to go top as coach Anto- Roma 4 (Mayoral 17, 52, Karsdorp nio Conte was sent off in a 0-0 draw at 55, Pellegrini 90+2) Spezia 3 (Piccoli strugglers Udinese. The visitors trav- 24, Farias 59, Verde 90); AC Milan 0 elled to Udine on a high after beating Atalanta 3 (Romero 26, Ilicic 53-pen, title rivals Juventus 2-0 last weekend Zapata 77); Udinese 0 Inter Milan 0 but they couldn’t break down the de- termined hosts, who became the fi rst Playing today (times GMT): Juventus v team to keep a clean sheet against Inter tion showed when Conte was dismissed ed side to move third. Pellegrini blasted that we are all together,” said Fonseca. scoreline was changed to 3-0 on Fri- Bologna (1130), Hellas Verona v Napoli, in Serie A this season. for dissent in stoppage time. home in injury time, minutes after “We showed great spirit. It was a game day, as Roma made six substitutions, Genoa v Cagliari (both 1400), Lazio v Inter striker Lautaro Martinez came Earlier, Lorenzo Pellegrini scored Daniele Verde had pulled Spezia level, which was essential for us to win.” with just fi ve allowed, during the last- Sassuolo (1700), Parma v Sampdoria closest when his fi rst half shot drew a last-gasp winner as Roma bounced with relieved Roma coach Paulo Fon- The capital side have been in tur- 16 clash which they fi nished with nine (1945) a spectacular one-handed save from back from their Italian Cup defeat by seca racing to hug the midfi elder. “The moil since their chaotic 4-2 extra-time men. Played Friday: Benevento 2 (Viola 31, Juan Musso, but the visitors’ frustra- Spezia with a 4-3 win over the promot- hug was a team moment that shows loss to Spezia on Tuesday. The offi cial Captain Edin Dzeko was left out of Lapadula 49) Torino 2 (Zaza 51, 90+3)

SPOTLIGHT FA CUP Rafa Benitez leaves China’s Man City survive, Arsenal crash out Dalian Pro, blames virus AFP relegation. In the end, Benitez Shanghai comfortably kept them up but he made no attempt to hide his displeasure at the way the CSL afa Benitez abruptly was reorganised because of the left as coach of Chinese pandemic. Super League side Dal- All CSL players and staff were ian Pro yesterday, saying kept in a virus-secure “bubble” itR was for family reasons because which meant they did not see of the coronavirus pandemic. their families for more than two The 60-year-old Spaniard, who months in the fi rst stage. League took Liverpool to Champions placings were then decided by League glory in 2005, had been in two-legged matches with Dalian charge of Dalian since July 2019. ending below mid-table. “Unfortunately, like so many In November, after ensuring things in the last year, Covid-19 Dalian’s place in next season’s has changed our lives and our CSL — which begins in the spring projects,” the former Liverpool, — Benitez said the virus-re- Real Madrid, Inter Milan, Napoli vamped league made “no sense”. and Chelsea boss wrote on his “This season, with the format of website. “From today, both my the competition, it doesn’t mat- coaching staff and I will sadly ter where you fi nish, so it’s just so no longer be coaching the Dal- strange that I don’t care,” he said. ian Professional FC. It has been Benitez often explained Dal- an incredible experience and for in Britain, with a return to the ian’s lowly position by saying his this I would like to thank all my Premier League and Newcas- was the youngest squad in the Cheltenham Town’s Alfie May (centre) celebrates scoring against Manchester City in the FA Cup fourth round match yesterday. (Reuters) staff , coaches, medical and club tle United, where he was widely CSL. But he also had seasoned staff , as well as our players. liked by fans but left as manager internationals Marek Hamsik, AFP Earlier, Arsenal, who have won the com- ter as they dominated the League One side “Their commitment to us in in June 2019 at the end of his the former Napoli skipper, and London petition a record 14 times, went down 1-0 from the kick-off . the fi rst place, their support dur- contract. former Newcastle striker Salo- at St Mary’s courtesy of a Gabriel own goal. Andriy Yarmolenko doubled the lead be- ing the time we were there, and His replacement Steve Bruce mon Rondon. In the early kick-off on the English south fore a second-half own goal from Andy But- their eff ort has been magnifi - has failed to win over Newcastle Penning his farewell, Benitez anchester City were given a huge coast, Arsenal paid the price for a sluggish ler and a late strike from debutant Oladapo cent. The pandemic is still here, fans and the team are 15th and on wrote: “Behind us, in China, and FA Cup scare by fourth-tier start against fellow top-fl ight side South- Afolayan. West Ham, seventh in the Premier for all of us, and supporting our a poor run of form. Benitez took especially in Dalian, we are leav- Cheltenham before a late blitz ampton. League after three straight wins, will play families has been a priority when Dalian, a fallen giant of Chinese ing many friends and good mem- gave them a 3-1 win yesterday Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta made seven either Manchester United or Liverpool in making this decision.” football, to ninth of 16 CSL teams ories in a great city with very Mafter Southampton dumped holders Arsenal changes from his team’s 3-0 league win the next round. Benitez had one more season in his fi rst season. knowledgeable fans. We have out of the competition. against Newcastle on Monday, with Pierre- Goals from Yves Bissouma and Steven left on his estimated 12-million- Last season, in a campaign tried to learn and understand a Six-time winners City were less than 10 Emerick Aubameyang and midfi elder Emile Alzate were enough to seal a 2-1 win for pound-a-year ($16mn) contract which was badly disrupted by new culture and also to transmit minutes away from going out at the fourth- Smith Rowe both absent. Southampton, Brighton against League One Blackpool. at Dalian, in China’s north- the coronavirus pandemic, they a more professional, more Euro- round stage before goals from Phil Foden, FA Cup winners in 1976, earned a well-de- Chris Basham and Billy Sharp scored for east. British media immediately struggled badly at the start and pean vision of football with a new Gabriel Jesus and Ferran Torres. City boss served lead in the 24th minute when Kyle Premier League strugglers Sheffi eld United linked the Spaniard, who is based looked in danger at one point of methodology.” Pep Guardiola made 10 changes for the trip Walker-Peters’ ball across the six-yard area against League One opponents Plymouth. to the League Two side but his side was still was inadvertently turned in by Gabriel. Elsewhere, Swansea thumped fellow packed with internationals. It was the fi rst time rejuvenated Arsenal Championship side Nottingham Forest 5-1, The home team — 72 places below City had conceded for 508 minutes. The visitors while Bristol City beat Millwall 3-0. Barns- in the English football pyramid — produced went close to an equaliser through Eddie ley beat Championship leaders Norwich 1-0. En-Nesyri runs riot as Sevilla go third a stirring defensive display to keep their Nketiah’s defl ected shot but were forced to Today, Premier League leaders Manchester Madrid: Youssef En-Nesyri That spree included another scoring twice in the last five much-vaunted opponents at bay. Then, leave empty-handed. Arteta, who won the United face Liverpool in the tie of the round, scored his second hat-trick in hat-trick in his last outing at minutes. minutes after Jesus had hit the post in the FA Cup in August in his fi rst season as Arse- while Chelsea host Luton. four games yesterday as Sevilla the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan, Real Sociedad were on course second half, they took the lead. nal boss, said he was “really sad” to exit the dispatched Cadiz 3-0 to move against Real Sociedad earlier for a hard-earned victory at City failed to deal with the outstanding competition. ENGLISH FA CUP 4TH ROUND RESULTS up to third in La Liga. En-Nesyri this month. Anoeta when Alexander Isak Ben Tozer’s long throw and Alfi e May fi red Southampton boss Ralph Hasenhuttl, Barnsley 1 (Styles 56) Norwich 0; Brighton in from close range to spark celebrations who welcomed back Danny Ings after a hit Cadiz twice in four minutes Trailing Atletico Madrid by and Mikel Oyarzabal put them 2 (Bissouma 27, Alzate 58) Blackpool 1 towards the end of the first half eight points, Sevilla may have two to the good early in the sec- among the players. Riyad Mahrez should hamstring injury and a positive coronavirus (Madine 45); Cheltenham 1 (May 59) Man- before making it three shortly too much ground to make up ond half. But Betis threw on the have equalised when put through by Foden test in a strong line-up, was delighted with chester City 3 (Foden 81, Jesus 84, Torres after the hour to send Se- to challenge for the title this 39-year-old Joaquin for the last but Josh Griffi ths produced a fi ne save to the win. “We had in the fi rst half more punch villa above Barcelona, who play season but Julen Lopetegui’s 13 minutes and he turned the keep his side’s lead intact. and more power,” said the Austrian, whose 90+4); Millwall 0 Bristol City 3 (Diedhiou Elche today. side look favourites now to join tide, providing a superb assist City were fi nally level when Foden levelled side briefl y topped the Premier League ear- 32-pen, Wells 58, Semenyo 72); Sheff ield The Moroccan striker’s treble Spain’s traditional trio in the top for Sergio Canales in the 85th with nine minutes left, volleying in Joao lier this season. United 2 (Basham 39, Sharp 47) Plymouth 1 takes him level with Lionel four. minute before finishing himself Cancelo’s cross. Three minutes later Jesus West Ham crushed third-tier Doncaster (Camara 75); Southampton 1 (Gabriel 24-og) Messi and Luis Suarez at the top Cadiz, meanwhile, slip to in the 92nd. Real Sociedad drop increased City’s lead, beating the off side 4-0 despite multiple changes from manager Arsenal 0; Swansea 5 (Cullen 7, 67, Grimes of the league’s scoring charts ninth, below Real Betis, who to sixth, three points adrift of trap to fi re in from Fernandinho’s dinked ball David Moyes while fellow Premier League 29, 61-pen, Cooper 84) Nottingham Forest with 11 goals and makes it seven came from behind to salvage Barca in fourth. Betis climb to over the centre-backs. Torres made it 3-1 sides Brighton and Sheffi eld United also 1 (Knockaert 56); West Ham 4 (Fornals 2, for him in the last four matches. a 2-2 draw at Real Sociedad by eighth. with the fi nal kick of the game, turning in progressed. Pablo Fornals gave impressive Yarmolenko 32, Butler 54-og, Afolayan 78) Ilkay Gundogan’s low cross. West Ham an early lead at home to Doncas- Doncaster 0 Gulf Times 4 Sunday, January 24, 2021 SPORT

CRICKET FOCUSSPOTLIGHT Don’t fear failure, Azhar tells young Anderson on top Pakistan players aft er six-for in hot and humid Galle ‘The weather has been rocket hot and to bowl the amount of overs, get the wickets and the rewards certainly feels very good’ Reuters is going to give them the best Lahore chance to perform. “If you think too much that will bring negativity and hold enior Pakistan batsman you back from doing well. So be Azhar Ali has advised positive and grab the opportu- his younger teammates nity.” Batting coach Younis Khan Sto overcome any fear of has urged fans to be patient with failure and do their best in the the new members, saying the two-Test home series against youngsters needed at least two- South Africa beginning in Kara- three series to fi nd their feet in chi tomorrow. international cricket. Smarting from their 2-0 South Africa are visiting Paki- whitewash in New Zealand, Pa- stan after a 13-year gap to face a kistan have included nine un- side led by batting mainstay Ba- capped players in their 20-mem- bar Azam. Azhar was confi dent ber squad for the matches in Pakistan would return to win- Karachi and Rawalpindi. ning form on home soil against “Obviously for a new player, the Proteas. it’s a challenge to handle pres- “Home conditions bring con- sure and then there are insecuri- fi dence in players,” said Azhar, ties in our culture around what if whose 83 Tests make him the they are dropped,” former cap- senior-most player in the squad. tain Azhar told local media. “If you remember, our bats- “As a senior player, my ad- men in previous two home se- vice to them is to trust their ries did really well. But on away skills and stick with that to tours, it’s always tough for Asian do well because that is what teams.”

James Anderson (also right) appeals for the wicket of Sri Lanka’s Niroshan Dickwella in Galle yesterday. hot and to bowl the amount of per Joe Root’s mastermind after “There’s guys on the sidelines L. Thirimanne c Buttler b Anderson ....43 overs, get the wickets and the re- he reviewed the umpire’s call, who have worked tirelessly as K. Perera c Root b Anderson ...... 6 O. Fernando b Anderson ...... 0 AFP wards certainly feels very good.” which was not out, and replays well, we’ve got Chris Woakes fi t A. Mathews c Buttler B Anderson ...... 110 Galle The tourists were 98 for two at suggested the ball had grazed and ready to go. All we can do D. Chandimal lbw b Wood ...... 52 stumps after Lasith Embuldeni- Mathews’ bat. is try to keep performing and N. Dickwella c Leach b Anderson ...... 92 ya struck early to remove the Fast bowler Mark Wood hopefully we get the nod.” R. Mendis c Buttler b Wood ...... 0 ngland paceman James openers. Skipper Joe Root, on 67, sent debutant Ramesh Mendis But it was spin in the fi nal D. Perera c Leach b Curran ...... 67 Anderson yesterday said and Jonny Bairstow, on 24, were trudging back to the pavilion session with left-arm ortho- S. Lakmal c Crawley b Anderson ...... 0 it is a “bigger achieve- batting as England trail by 283 for nought with wicketkeeper dox Embuldeniya sending back L. Embuldeniya c Root b Wood ...... 7 A. Fernando not out ...... 0 ment” to get fi ve-wicket runs in Galle. Jos Buttler taking a one-handed Dom Sibley, for nought, and Zak Extras: (lb2, nb1, w1) ...... 4 haulsE in the sub-continent than Anderson bowled 29 overs diving catch towards his left. Crawley, for fi ve, in quick suc- Total: (139.3 overs, all out) ...... 381 back home after he helped bowl with 13 maidens before Sri Lanka Dickwella made the team fi ght cession. Fall of wickets: 1-7 (Perera), 2-7 (Fern- out Sri Lanka for 381 on day two were bowled out in an extended back with his 16th Test fi fty as he Root and Bairstow got to- ando), 3-76 (Thirimanne), 4-193 (Chandi- in the second Test. second session with Dilruwan put together a 89-run seventh- gether to thwart the Sri Lankan mal), 5-232 (Mathews), 6-243 (Mendis), Anderson, 38, denied wick- Perera scoring a defi ant 67. wicket stand with Perera. attack as they put on an unbro- 7-332 (Dickwella), 8-332 (Lakmal), 9-364 ken 93-run stand until the close (Embuldeniya), 10-381 (Perera) etkeeper-batsman Niroshan “I think it was a really good Perera also dug in after Dick- Bowling: Anderson 29-13-40-6, Curran Dickwella a century after send- eff ort to keep them under 400,” wella’s wicket and scored his of play. 18.3-3-60-1, Leach, 38-5-119-0, Wood 28-4- ing him back for 92 in Galle to said Anderson, who has taken seventh Test half-century to Root, who hit 228 in his team’s 84-3 (nb1,w1), Bess 26-2-76-0 claim his 30th fi ve-wicket haul 606 wickets in 157 matches. frustrate the England bowlers opening win, recorded his 50th with fi gures of 6-40. “We know now we’ve got to before falling to Sam Curran. half-century in his 99th match England It was Anderson’s best fi gures bat big, we’ve got to bat a long All the 10 wickets went to and went past England great Ge- Z. Crawley c Thirimanne b Embuldeniya in Asia as he went past his 5-75 time to try and win this game the pacemen with Wood taking off Boycott’s Test runs of 8,114...... 5 D. Sibley lbw b Embuldeniya ...... 0 in Galle in 2012 and said he felt but that’s what you’ve got to do three scalps. The series, which is being J. Bairstow not out ...... 24 good to get wickets in the hot in the sub-continent.” Anderson, who replaced Stu- played behind closed doors, re- J. Root not out ...... 67 and humid conditions. The pace spearhead struck in art Broad in the team for this sumed last week after being can- Extras: (b2)...... 2 “Yeah, I guess so. Certainly his fi rst over of the day to send Test, said it is good have in- celled in March 2020 due to the Total: (30 overs, 2 wickets) ...... 98 because conditions are very dif- Angelo Mathews caught behind house competition among the coronavirus pandemic. Fall of wickets: 1-4 (Sibley), 2-5 ferent you do feel it’s a bigger for 110 after the former cap- quicks. (Crawley) achievement,” Anderson told tain added just three runs in the “It’s great we’ve got as many SCORECARD To bat: D. Lawrence, J. Buttler, S. Curran, D. Bess, J. Leach, M. Wood, J. Sri Lanka (overnight 229-4, Mathews reporters. morning. bowlers as we have got in form,” Anderson “The weather has been rocket But the dismissal was skip- said Anderson. 107, Dickwella 19) South African players attend a practice session at the National Stadium in Karachi yesterday, ahead of their first Test match against Pakistan starting on January 26. Al-Kuwari, Al-Qadi shine in dressage at Hathab FOCUS First two India vs England Tests to be played in empty stadiums

AFP decide whether those matches New Delhi – the third Test is a day-night match – will also be played be- hind closed doors. ndia and England’s fi rst two India has seen the world’s Tests in Chennai next month second-highest number of coro- will be played behind closed navirus infections but the rate of doors due to the coronavirus new cases has slowed sharply in Ipandemic, according to the local recent months, and most eco- Omar al-Mannai, Vice-Chairman (R), Organising Committee Longines Hathab, state cricket board. nomic activity is returning to awards Jassim Al Jaham al-Kuwari at the Qatar Equestrian Federation yesterday. Ghanem Nasser al-Qadi won the Level 2 dressage competition. The two matches from Febru- normal. ary 5 and February 22 will happen The series between India and Jassim Al Jaham al-Kuwari combined collect valuable points and a prize of points. He also said that the association be- “BEHIND CLOSED DOORS (No England will be key to deciding superbly with his mount Monopoly QR4,950. Maryam Ahmed al-Semaitt Omar al-Mannai, Vice-Chairman, Or- tween Al Shaqab and Qatar Equestrian Spectators/Guests/Sub-Com- the two fi nalists of the inaugural to claim top honours in the eighth on dark bay Rhythm finished second ganising Committee Longines Hathab Federation in organising year-round mittee Members) as a preventive world Test championship. round dressage competition of the (66.463pts) while Asma Yasser Moham- and Abdullah al-Marri, Chairman of the dressage competitions has encouraged measure”, according to a direc- India, the world’s top Test na- Longines Hathab Qatar Equestrian Tour med on Leslie Ann 2 (64.756) was third. Future Knights Committee, honoured many young riders in the country. tive from the Tamil Nadu Cricket tion after their stunning recent supported by The Social and Sport Con- In the Prelim (Level 2) Test 2D dressage, the podium finishers of the two events. “We seek to make the equestrian Association seen by AFP. series win away in Australia, are tribution Fund which was held at the Ghanem Nasser al-Qadi on Andreas Speaking on the occasion, al-Mannai league one of the best in the Arab The third and fourth Tests are virtually assured of a place in the Qatar Equestrian Federation’s indoor SPB Z scored 74,348 points to finish said, “The dressage championship is world. We would like to see more Qatari due to be played in the west- fi nal at Lord’s in June. arena yesterday. first ahead of Mohamed Salem al-Marri seeing an increased participation and riders and parents are encouraged to ern city of Ahmedabad – at the England are fourth in the Test Al-Kuwari topped the Medium (Level 1) riding Green (73,261). Maryam Ahmed Longines Hathab has become a breed- enrol their children at Al Ittihad or Al world’s biggest cricket stadium championship table behind New competition on his gelding bay tallied al-Semaitt finished third with her horse ing ground for young riders as registra- Shaqab for competitive horse riding – from February 24 and March 4 Zealand and Australia. They are a cumulative score of 68.659 points to Special Edition 19 tallying 70,870 tion continues throughout the season.” training,” added al-Mannai. respectively. currently in Sri Lanka playing Authorities there have yet to the second and fi nal Test in Galle. Gulf Times Sunday, January 24, 2021 5 SPORT

NBA FOCUS Falcons, United to honour Atlanta Sexton’s Cavs beat legend Hank Aaron

Reuters treated others. Because of that New York, United States we are honoured to celebrate his awe-inspiring life by retir- ing number 44 this season for tlanta’s NFL and MLS our Atlanta Falcons.” Nets again, Celtics teams will retire No. 44 Darren Eales, president of for their 2021 seasons Atlanta United FC, echoed his to honour Hank Aaron, statements. whoA died Friday at age 86. “He was an American hero, a Aaron played for the Braves trailblazer and arguably Atlanta’s for 21 of his 23 major-league sea- greatest sports icon,” Eales said. sons, fi rst in Milwaukee then in “The impact he had on our city, Atlanta. The Braves retired the our country and the sports world lose to Sixers Hall of Fame member’s number is immeasurable.” 44 on April 15, 1977. In 2020, cornerback Tyler Hall “When you look at icons of wore No. 44 for the Falcons. The Embiid scores 38 points as Philadelphia beat Boston for the second straight game Atlanta and the sport of base- undrafted rookie appeared in ball, Hank Aaron is undoubt- nine games and made six tackles. AFP edly included in that group,” Aaron held the record for Los Angeles, United States said Rich McKay, Falcons presi- most career home runs for more dent and CEO. “But he was than three decades before Barry more than an icon in sports, he Bonds broke it in 2007. Aaron ollin Sexton carried the Cleve- was an icon off the field as well fi nished his 23-year career with land Cavaliers to their second in how he carried himself and 755 home runs. straight win over Brooklyn on Friday, scoring 25 points and dishingC out nine assists in a 125-113 win just two nights after posting a career high Former Broncos Pro Bowl OT Tony of 42 points against the same Nets. Jones dies at 54 Sexton once again outplayed Nets big guns James Harden and Kyrie Irving, just Reuters in the following Super Bowl. He as he did in the Cavs’ thrilling 147-135 New York, United States made the Pro Bowl in the 1998 double overtime victory on Wednesday. season. Cleveland dominated the paint and Undrafted out of Western seized control in the third quarter by ormer off ensive tackle Carolina, Jones broke into the exploiting the Nets porous defence to Tony Jones, a starter on NFL with the Browns in 1988, record their third straight victory. Sexton Ftwo Super Bowl champi- and he played in Cleveland scored eight points in the third quarter, onship teams with the Denver through 1995. when Cleveland outscored the Nets 37-24 Broncos in the late 1990s, died After playing for the Baltimore and forced eight turnovers. Friday at age 54. Ravens in their inaugural 1996 The team announced his pass- season, he joined the Broncos. ing but did not state a cause Jones started all but five games RESULTS of death. in his last 11 seasons, making 16 Denver 130-126 Phoenix Jones played with the Broncos starts in a year nine times. (OT) from 1997 to 2000, his final Broncos Hall of Famer Steve four NFL seasons. He played Atwater tweeted of Jones, who Dallas 122-117 San Antonio right tackle and helped Denver was nicknamed T-Bone, “One Cleveland 125-113 Brooklyn beat the Green Bay Packers heck of a guy who would de- Philadelphia 122-110 Boston in Super Bowl XXXII after the stroy you on the field, but had Toronto 101-81 Miami 1997 season, then served as a heart of gold. We’re going to the left tackle when the Bron- miss you Bone! RIP and God LA Clippers 120-106 Oklahoma City Collin Sexton (second from right) of the Cleveland Cavaliers shoots over Bruce Brown (right) of the Brooklyn Nets during the first cos topped the Atlanta Falcons Bless his family.” Sacramento 103-94 New York quarter of the NBA game at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse in Cleveland, Ohio, United States, on Friday. (AFP) Atlanta 116-98 Minnesota Brooklyn could have used Kevin Du- CURRY RETURNS Simmons answered with a three-point Chicago 123-110 Charlotte rant, who did not play because the team lsewhere, Joel Embiid scored 38 points play then a steal and dunk. Harris added a NHL Houston 103-102 Detroit wanted to give him a rest. and grabbed 11 rebounds as the Philadel- three pointer for a 111-100 lead. Simmons Indiana 120-118 Orlando The Nets shot 48 percent from the fi eld phia 76ers beat the Celtics 122-110. made another key late basket and the lead (OT) and made just 14 of 43 three-point at- The Sixers beat the Celtics for the second ballooned to 13 points with 3:15 left. tempts. straight game thanks to Tobias Harris who Also, Luka Doncic fi nished just shy of Stars start season, “I don’t want to overreact, but we scored 23 points on 10-of-12 shooting. a triple double with 36 points, 11 assists Andre Drummond posted his 13th need the guys to clean things up because Seth Curry returned from missing and nine rebounds to power the Dallas double-double with 19 points and 16 re- we underperformed in two games,” Nets seven games due to coronavirus protocols Mavericks to a 122-117 victory over the wallop Predators 7-0 bounds, and Larry Nance added 15. coach Steve Nash said. “People are excit- and scored 15 points for the 76ers, who San Antonio Spurs. Former Net Taurean Prince tallied 14 ed to play against our team and will bring improved to 9-1 at home. Ben Simmons In Tampa, Norman Powell scored 14 of for the Cavaliers, who outrebounded the it every night. I feel like we need a little also had 15 points and added 11 assists. his game-high 23 points in the fi rst quar- Nets 50-29 at the Rocket Mortgage Field- more and we have to take more pride in Jaylen Brown led the Celtics, matching ter and the Toronto Raptors beat the Mi- house arena in Cleveland. what we’re doing.” his career high of 42 points to go along ami Heat 101-81. Powell, who was start- “When we’re a whole, healthy team, “Our problem isn’t off ence. We’re not with nine rebounds, while Marcus Smart ing in place of injured Kyle Lowry, shot we’re very tough to beat,” Drummond worried at all about off ence. It’s our de- added 20 points and seven assists. 10-of-18 from the fi eld. said. fence,” said Harden. The Celtics went on a 8-0 run halfway In Los Angeles, Kawhi Leonard scored Kyrie Irving scored 38 points in his Cleveland will try to snap an eight- through the fourth quarter. Brown nailed 31 points and Paul George added 29 as second game after a two-week absence, game losing streak to Boston when they his fi fth three pointer with just under fi ve the Los Angeles Clippers won their sixth while James Harden scored 19 points and face the Celtics in their next game to- minutes remaining to close the gap to straight game with a 120-106 victory over had 11 assists. day. 103-100. the Oklahoma City Thunder.

NBA rescinds technical foul on Draymond Green: reports

Reuters remaining in the second out of the game. The Warriors Draymond was yelling at his when it comes to a technical New York, United States quarter at San Francisco, Green went on to lose 119-104. teammate. He thought he was that was clearly the wrong call, committed a turnover on a Green, teammate Stephen yelling at him.” due to an off icial assuming I pass intended for rookie team- Curry and Golden State coach Taylor spoke to a pool reporter was talking to him when in fact dmitting a refereeing mate James Wiseman. As the Steve Kerr attempted to con- postgame, saying that Butler I wasn’t, that can’t be over- error, the NBA rescinded Warriors were headed back on vince the refs they had made a gave Green his second techni- turned? Maybe it’s time to take Aa technical foul that led defense, Green appeared to yell mistake at the time of Green’s cal due to “profanity that was a look at that rule. I would love to Golden State veteran Dray- at Wiseman, but ref John Butler second technical, but the call deemed to be directed at the clarity on why that’s the rule, if mond Green getting ejected thought the shouting was was not reversed. off icial”. in fact it is a rule.” from the Warriors’ game Thurs- directed at him, so he charged Kerr said after the game, “At Green told The Undefeated’s Wiseman said, “Just one of those day night against the New York Green with a technical foul. halftime (refereeing crew chief) Marc J. Spears, “I’m just a bit moments (Green) was like, ‘Catch Knicks, The Athletic and ESPN Since Green previously received Ben Taylor came out and told confused. Off icials can meet the ball’ or something like that. I Dallas Stars’ John Klingberg (left), Roope Hintz (centre) and Joe Pavelski reported Friday. a T for arguing with the off icials me that it was a mistake, that and make a decision on any don’t understand why the ref did celebrate a goal during the NHL game against the Nashville Predators With just over one minute in the first quarter, he was kicked John Butler didn’t realize that call throughout the game, but that. I was confused myself.” in Dallas, Texas, United States, on Friday. (USA TODAY Sports)

Reuters OTHER RESULTS New York, United States NFL Penguins 4-3 Rangers (SO) oe Pavelski and Alexan- der Radulov each had two Avalanche 3-2 Ducks Mahomes looks set to lead Chiefs vs. Bills in AFC fi nale goals and combined for (OT) seven points, and Anton Coyotes 5-2 G Knights suff ered the concussion in the just focused on what I can do.” KhudobinJ stopped all 34 shots Reuters Blackhawks 4-1 Red Wings New York, United States third quarter of Kansas City’s Ever since a 26-17 loss to the he faced as the Dallas Stars used divisional round game against Chiefs in Week 6, the Bills have a fi ve-goal second period to open Maple Leafs 4-2 Oilers Cleveland and did not return. rolled to 11 wins in 12 games, their season with a 7-0 rout of Wild 4-1 Sharks he good news for the Backup Chad Henne and the including eight straight, to gain the visiting Nashville Predators Kansas City Chiefs is Chiefs defense held on for a 22- their fi rst AFC Championship on Friday night. shots he faced in relief. that Patrick Mahomes 17 victory, in part because Henne appearance since the 1993 sea- John Klingberg had three as- is planning to play. scrambled for a big gain and then son. sists, Joel Kiviranta collected CAPITALS 4-3 SABRES (SO) TMahomes said Friday that he converted a game-clinching fi rst Allen’s steady improvement a goal and an assist, and Denis John Carlson scored the lone is out of concussion protocol down with a surprising comple- with the Bills rode a huge uptick Gurianov and Esa Lindell also shootout goal in the fourth round and is ready to start Sunday’s tion to Tyreek Hill. this season when he recorded scored for the Stars, whose four as short-handed Washington AFC Championship Game that “For my preparation, it’s go- eight 300-yard passing per- previously scheduled games won its home opener, defeating pits the reigning Super Bowl ing to stay the same: Prepare like formances. were postponed due to Covid-19 Buff alo. champion Chiefs against the you’re the starter each and every “He’s poised. I’ve never seen issues. Dallas matched a fran- Jakub Vrana had a goal and an Buff alo Bills at Arrowhead Sta- week, no matter what happens,” him overly excited,” said Ste- chise record with fi ve power- assist and Nicklas Backstrom dium in Kansas City, Missouri. Henne said earlier in the week. fon Diggs, whose All-Pro sea- play goals, on eight chances. and Nic Dowd also scored the “Talking to all of the doc- “Whatever does happen, hap- son included NFL highs of 1,535 Khudobin was strong while re- Capitals, who have defeated tors and going through all of the pens. I always stay ready.” It is worth noting that Ma- in the postseason. yards and 127 catches. “For cording his ninth career shutout the Sabres in all three meet- testing, we have the belief that Pretty sound outlook, though homes sprinted off the fi eld for Considering that list of greats him putting his head down and and 100th victory as the Stars ings this season. Rookie goalie I’ll have no lingering eff ects and when Henne was named the testing after fi rst wobbling to includes Mahomes, Tom Brady gaining actual (rushing) yards, shined despite playing without Vitek Vanecek made 24 saves for I’ll be able to go out there and be quarterback for the Chiefs’ the sideline against the Browns. and Aaron Rodgers, Allen is things like that go far with us.” injured leader Tyler Seguin (hip). Washington. who I am,’’ said Mahomes, who last regular-season game after Kansas City coach Andy Reid in select company. He doesn’t If the matchup comes down Nashville, which won two of The Capitals were without practised for the third consecu- they had already clinched the said later that Mahomes sus- get distracted by comparisons, to key defensive stops, consider its previous three games, went forwards Alex Ovechkin and tive day on Friday. AFC’s No. 1 seed, the start was tained an injury to his neck area though. that Buff alo has allowed touch- 0-for-5 on the power play. Juuse Evgeny Kuznetsov, defenseman Mahomes, 25, also said the toe his fi rst since 2014. The Los in addition to the toe injury. “I’m just trying to be the best downs on just two of eight red- Saros, who stopped 71 of 74 shots Dmitry Orlov and goaltender Ilya injury that was bothering him Angeles Chargers halted Kan- While everyone was awaiting version of myself,” Allen said. zone situations in the playoff s. while winning his fi rst two starts, Samsonov, who were all placed against the Cleveland Browns in sas City’s 10-game win streak, word on Mahomes’ status, the “I’m not trying to compare to Taron Johnson converted one managed 15 saves on 20 shots be- on the Covid-19 list Wednesday. the divisional round was “feel- but the Chiefs raced to an early word on the Bills’ Josh Allen is the other guys who are arguably into a 101-yard pick-six in the fore being pulled after two pe- Eric Staal, Dylan Cozens and Ri- ing a lot better.” lead against the Browns despite he is playing at a level equal to some of the best to ever play the divisional round win against riods. Predators veteran Pekka ley Sheahan scored for the Sa- Last year’s Super Bowl MVP coming off a first-round bye. any quarterback still competing game, the ones who are left. I’m Baltimore. Rinne stopped six of the eight bres. Gulf Times 6 Sunday, January 24, 2021 SPORT

FOCUS Fillies’ day out at Qatar National Arabian Horse Show By Sports Reporter Doha

he second day of the 23rd Qatar National Arabian Horse Show saw more than a 100 fi l- Tlies competing for honours at the Longines Indoor Arena at Al Shaqab yesterday. The four-day event, which be- gan on Friday, will conclude to- morrow with the championship rounds. In the opening class yesterday, Al Rayyan Farm’s Hind Al Rayyan topped Yearling Fillies Class 3A Al Jassim Stud’s Asia Al Jassim topped Yearling Fillies Class 3C at 23rd Qatar National Arabian Horse Show after the judges gave the grey fi lly at Longines Indoor Arena at Al Shaqab yesterday. PICTURES: Juhaim 91.50 points. Joining Hind Al Rayyan in the Al Rayyan Farm’s Hind Al Rayyan topped Yearling Fillies Class 3A. championship round will be Ijlaal Al Shaqab, owned by Al Shaqab, Sheihana Al Nasser, who amassed topped Yearling Fillies Class 3D Al Jassim Stud celebrated an- Member of Qatar Foundation, af- 91.50 points. with 91 points, even as Al Keesa other class winner, besides Asia ter the chestnut fi lly edged out Jazi In Yearling Fillies Class 3C, Al Stud’s Marwa Al Kheesa fi nished Al Jassim earlier among the Year- Al Ashwa with better numbers on Jassim Stud’s Asia Al Jassim and runner up with 90.33 points. ling Fillies, when Alma Al Jassim type, with both the contenders Al Reeh Stud’s Rose Kas were In Class 4A for two-year- topped the fi nal class of the day, locked at 91 points overall. locked at the top with 91 points old Fillies, Al Jassimiya Farm’s Class 4B for two-year-old Fil- From Yearling Fillies Class 3B, each. However, with more points Emarella impressed the judges lies, with a 91.83-point haul. Al Ebrahim bin Yusuf al-Romaihi’s on type, the former was adjudged enough to amass 92.75 points and Sraiya Stud’s Amirata was a close IS Shereen, daughter of past winner of the class. Both the win the class with ease. In second second with 91.67 points. class winner Gazwan Al Nasser, contenders, however, made it to place was Al Sraiya Stud’s Reem Today, the action begins at booked her spot in the champi- the Yearling Fillies Champion- Al Sraiya who was rewarded 91 10am with Class 5 for three- onship round with a 92-point ships round. points and made it to the cham- year-old fi llies, Classes 7 and 8 victory. Joining her in the med- Ghanim Mubarak Nasser al- pionship round on the fi nal day of for colts, and Classes 9, 10 and 11 als round will be Al Nasser Stud’s Kuwari’s Ghaliah Al Kheesa the show. for mares scheduled for the day. Al Jassimiya Farm’s Emarella won Class 4A for two-year-old fillies yesterday.

BADMINTON SPOTLIGHT Saina going through toughest phase Marin clinches of her career, says former coach

IANS well. She is a strong girl but these New Delhi, India results can aff ect her,” he said. spot in Thailand Saina had worked with Ku- mar in her formative years and ormer world No.1 Saina later between 2014 and 2017 Spaniard will face Tai Tzu-ying, who Nehwal is going through when she became the first Indi- the toughest phase of her an badminton player to achieve came back after a first-set slump to career and needs to take a No.1 ranking and won silver at careF of herself so as to avoid any the badminton World Champi- beat home star Ratchanok Intanon more defeats, says former na- onships. Open fi nal tional champion and coach U. The Hyderabad-based Saina’s Vimal Kumar. best fi nishes in 2020 came when AFP Saina, currently ranked 20th she reached the quarter-fi nals Bangkok, Thailand in the world, was knocked out in the Malaysia Masters in Janu- of the fi rst round of the ongoing ary and the Barcelona Masters in second Thailand Open. She had February. The last time she won pain’s fi fth seed and earlier fallen in the second round a title was the 2019 Indonesia former world number of the fi rst Thailand Open, which Masters held in January. one Carolina Marin was also her fi rst tournament Saina is currently 15th in the breezed into the fi nal since the All England Champi- rankings for the Tokyo Olym- ofS badminton’s Thailand Open onships in March 2020. pics. With Sindhu already ranked yesterday, beating South Korea’s Kumar said that Saina looked seventh, Saina needs to break An Se-young 21-19, 21-15. “out of shape” in Thailand. “It into the top eight to qualify for The 27-year-old Spaniard, is not going to be easy for her to the Games. The tournaments in ranked sixth in the world, is bounce back. I have always said Thailand are not part of the Ol- aiming for back-to-back titles that if she has no pain, she will ympic qualifying period, which in this week’s tournament — play well. More than the pain is scheduled to start with the the second of three consecutive though she didn’t look very fi t to Swiss Open on March 2. events in Bangkok that culmi- me. Maybe after the Covid issue “The next one or one-and-a- nate in next week’s World Tour and all she is still recovering from half months will determine her Finals. it,” Kumar told IANS. chances. The next fi ve-six weeks She came out on top last week A two-time national cham- will be key and give us an idea,” against top-seeded Tai Tzu- pion, Kumar felt Saina is going said Kumar. ying, and continued her winning through the toughest phase of Kumar, however, also said that streak Saturday, maintaining her career. the fact remains that while Saina her signature aggressive play “I think so. Things have not and most of the Indian players against seventh-seeded An. been going well for her for the are playing their fi rst tourna- She spoke of the mental battle past couple of years. She needs ments since March, when the of motivating herself just days confi dence to get going and the national lockdown began, many after being victorious. last she had a good result was in of their opponents have had pri- “Sometimes it’s tough for the 2019 at the Indonesia Masters,” or match practice with domes- mindset when you win a tour- said the man who won the na- tic championships being held in nament just three days ago and tional title in 1988 and 1989. many countries. you have to start a tournament “The workouts, physical “They are all awfully short all over again,” the reigning Ol- training and other things have of match practice. All of them ympic champion said after the to be really specifi c. She has to are playing after more than 10 match. plan all this a lot better and that months which is not good. [PV] The pair had already duelled Spain’s Carolina Marin hits a shot against South Korea’s An Se-young (not pictured) during their women’s singles semi-final at the Toyota is the only way she can come out Sindhu also needs more match- in last week’s tournament, with Thailand Open in Bangkok yesterday. (AFP) of this. Losing more matches like es; it’s the only way she can get the more experienced Marin this will aff ect her confi dence. It back. We have to see how things winning in a quick 21-18, 21-16 against her Thai opponent. Antonsen had survived a The win was unexpected, The players have been facing is not only just physical, there is a go in March when things open match. “In the fi nal moments of the bruising game the day before even for the 42nd-ranked Vit- off in a spectatorless stadium in lot of mental aspects [at play] as up,” said Kumar. She will face Tai Tzu-ying match I just enjoyed playing bad- against India’s Sameer Verma, tinghus. He had a fl ight booked Bangkok — a coronavirus pre- again in today’s fi nals, who came minton on court again,” said Tai. and the impact showed yester- back to Denmark on Saturday caution taken by Thailand as back after a fi rst-set slump to “I can say (Marin) is very fast day as he appeared slower in that he said would now have to part of its biosecure “bubble” to beat homegrown star Ratchanok and I’ll try to keep up.” responding to Vittinghus’ at- be rescheduled. accommodate players who fl ew Intanon in a 12-21, 21-12, 23-21 The men’s singles saw a huge tacks, who won the game 21-19, “I can say that this feels pret- in from across the world. nail-biter. upset when Denmark’s third- 21-8. ty awesome... I’m really look- Despite the eff orts of tour- The tense third set was seeded Anders Antonsen was “I totally lost hope (by the sec- ing forward to the fi nal tomor- nament offi cials, four positive marked by extended rallies be- knocked out of the tournament ond game),” admitted Antonsen, row,” said Vittinghus, who will cases have been detected so far, fore the top-ranked Taiwanese by his compatriot, Hans-Kris- who has recovered after contract- face fourth-seeded compatriot forcing an Indian player and an athlete dealt the winning shot tian Vittinghus. ing coronavirus in December. Viktor Axelsen on Sunday. Egyptian player to withdraw.

NBA approves $5.7mn Wizards sign centers Alex Len, in 154 games (16 starts) with the Warriors (2017-19), exception for Nets: report Jordan Bell Minnesota Timberwolves (2019-20) and Grizzlies (2020). The Brooklyn Nets have been granted a $5.7mn Disa- The Washington Wizards announced the signings bled Player Exception due to the loss of guard Spencer yesterday of free agent centers Alex Len and Jordan Ex-NBA guard JJ Barea to play Dinwiddie to a partial ACL tear, The Athletic reported. Bell. Terms were not disclosed. The Wizards lost start- Dinwiddie, 27, played in just three games and is not ing big man Thomas Bryant to a season-ending knee in Spain: reports expected to return this season. The Nets can use the injury earlier this month. Len, 27, was the No. 5 overall exception in a trade or signing to add depth to comple- pick in the 2013 NBA Draft. He was waived by the Former Dallas Mavericks guard J.J. Barea will continue ment their big three of Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving and Toronto Raptors on Tuesday after averaging 2.3 points, his career with Estudiantes of the Spanish Liga Endesa, the recently acquired James Harden. Dinwiddie has 1.6 rebounds and 10.9 minutes in seven games (two multiple outlets reported yesterday. The Mavericks re- averaged 14.3 points and 5.3 assists in five seasons with starts) this season. The 7-footer has career averages of leased the fan favourite before the start of the 2020-21 the Nets. He spent his first two seasons in Detroit after 7.9 points and 6.2 rebounds in 474 career games (185 season. Barea, 36, played 14 seasons in the NBA — 11 of the Pistons took him in the second round of the 2014 starts) with the Phoenix Suns (2013-18), Atlanta Hawks them in Dallas from 2006-11 and 2014-20. He spent the NBA Draft. The Nets (9-8) could use the exception to (2018-20), Sacramento Kings (2020) and Raptors. Bell, three seasons in between with the Minnesota Timber- add defensive help. Through 17 games, they are giving 26, last played in an NBA game on Feb. 26, 2020 with wolves. In 831 regular-season games (107 starts), Barea up 116.4 points per game, fourth worst in the NBA. The the Memphis Grizzlies. A second-round pick in 2017 averaged 8.9 points, 3.9 assists and 2.1 rebounds. He Nets have until April 19 to use the exception. The trade and an NBA champion with Golden State in 2017-18, Bell knocked down 819 3-pointers. Barea won an NBA title deadline is March 25. boasts career averages of 3.8 points and 3.1 rebounds with the Mavericks in 2011. Former World No. 1 Saina Nehwal’s last title victory was in the 2019 Indonesia Masters. Gulf Times Sunday, January 24, 2021 7 SPORT

GOLF SPOTLIGHT Three cases linked to Australia Open McIlroy retakes lead carry highly virulent Covid-19 variant

Reuters others have urged their fellow Melbourne competitors to show more re- from Hatton heading spect for the eff orts by Vic- toria state, when the Austral- hree people in hotel ian Open is to be held. It went McIlroy leads by one quarantine associated through one of the world’s with the Australian strictest and longest lockdowns shot as Fleetwood Open tennis tourna- last year to stamp out the virus. Tment have tested positive for Spain’s Paula Badosa on Fri- at 11 under the highly transmissible coro- day became the fi rst player to into fi nal round navirus variant linked to the confi rm a positive test for Cov- United Kingdom, offi cials said id-19 while in quarantine in Reuters yesterday. Melbourne. Yesterday, Spain’s Abu Dhabi The three quarantined in tennis federation apologised Melbourne are not players, said to Tennis Australia after com- the state agency responsible for plaining about the treatment of ory McIlroy leapfrogged Tyyrell quarantining overseas travel- two Spanish players in quaran- Hatton to reclaim a one-shot lead lers. All have been in hard lock- tine. The Victoria quarantine after the third round of the Abu down since their Jan. 15 arrival. agency said there were 10 ac- Dhabi HSBC Championship, card- “Three quarantine residents tive positive cases linked to the ingR 67 to go 13-under overall yesterday. associated with the Australian tennis in quarantine. McIlroy, the world number six, was fi ve Open who tested positive for Three cases were recorded shots off overnight leader Hatton and fi n- coronavirus have been found among international arrivals ished his incomplete second round on par to have the UK variant of the in hotel quarantine in Victoria early yesterday before the 31-year-old virus,” Covid-19 Quarantine on Saturday, the state’s health clawed his way back into the lead in the Victoria said in a statement. department said. One of those third. The Northern Irishman had fi ve Victoria, Australia’s second was associated with the Aus- birdies and a stunning eagle on the 10th most-populous state, recorded tralian Open, the quarantine when his shot from 73 yards landed on the its 17th day without any new agency said. green and rolled straight into the cup. local infections on Saturday as Australia has fared better “It’s so blustery and it’s a diff erent type offi cials focus on keeping the than most other developed of golf than we’re used to playing here community separated from economies in the pandemic in Abu Dhabi, where there’s usually not staff and players here for the through swift border closures, much wind. You feel like you have a chance Grand Slam tournament. lockdowns, strict hotel quar- on every hole,” McIlroy said. As many as 72 players have antine for travellers and wide- “There’s like a little more scrambling been confi ned to their hotel spread testing and social dis- involved and longer putts. So I thought rooms for two weeks upon ar- tancing. I did well today. Obviously had that big rival and unable to train for Yesterday, it logged a sixth stroke of luck on 10, the ball hitting the pin the Feb. 8-21 event after pas- straight day of zero corona- and going in. sengers on three charter fl ights virus cases in the community “Apart from that, I played well. I drove tested positive. nationwide. It has had 28,700 it much better on the back nine, and I hit The lockdown has led to cases in total, the overwhelm- it much better on the back nine, so I was complaints from some frus- ing majority in Victoria, and really encouraged with that.” trated tennis players, although 909 deaths. Hatton, who carded three eagles in the fi rst two rounds, was let down on the front nine with two bogeys, on the fi fth and sev- enth, and he managed only three birdies Spanish federation apologises to Tennis in the round. “It was a diffi cult day. The Australia over player quarantine conditions were really tough for the whole day,” he said. “I just felt like I had nothing Spain’s Tennis Federation harm. Yesterday, RFET said really go my way. Hit a couple decent shots (RFET) yesterday apologised its intention had been “to and ran into a bunker with a terrible lie and to Tennis Australia (TA) after request the Australian Open, had quite a few putts burning the edge or complaining about the treat- with utmost respect for their lipping out.” ment of two Spanish players skills, the possibility of explor- Hatton’s compatriot Tommy Fleetwood in quarantine before next ing safe training options for is also in contention, with the Englishman month’s Australian Open. Spanish players aff ected by moving up eight positions to third, two More than 70 players have isolation for 14 days.” strokes behind McIlroy. been confined to their rooms “This initiative is based on Rory McIlroy during day three of the Abu Dhabi Championship yesterday. (European Tour) after some passengers on good faith and in no way calls IM SHOOTS 65 TO SEIZE PGA LEAD three charter flights that into question the actions of IN CALIFORNIA DESERT the par-72 Nicklaus and Stadium courses. ican Doug Ghim and Argentina’s Emiliano at the par-4 third, a 21-foot birdie putt at brought them to Australia the Australian Government or South Korea’s Im Sung-jae, a Masters “I feel like my mid-range putts were re- Grillo another stroke adrift. the par-4 seventh and a 17-foot birdie putt tested positive for the new the Australian Open.” runner-up last year, fi red a bogey-free ally doing well,” Im said. “I dropped a lot of Im, who began on the back nine at the at the par-5 eighth. “I was struggling with coronavirus. Other players Yesterday, there were three seven-under par 65 to grab a one-stroke mid-range putts and that’s what led me to Stadium course, sank a four-foot birdie my putting leading up to this week, so I are able to train for up to five new cases recorded among lead after Friday’s second round of the US a good score today.” putt at the par-4 12th, a 10-footer to birdie worked on my putting a lot and especially hours a day. “We apologise international arrivals in hotel PGA American Express tournament. South Korean Kim Si-woo, Canada’s the par-3 13th and rolled in a 25-foot birdie for today’s round,” Im said. to TA if our statement has at quarantine in Victoria. It was The 22-year-old Asian star stood on Nick Taylor, Mexico’s Abraham Ancer and putt at the par-4 18th. “I started drawing a line on the ball and any time been interpreted as not made clear whether the 11-under 133 after 36 holes at PGA West American Brandon Hagy shared second on After opening his back nine with a par as I visualize my putts and that seemed to a criticism of their working new cases were linked to the in La Quinta, California, in an event using 134 with Italy’s Francesco Molinari, Amer- at the fi rst, Im sank a 20-foot birdie putt work pretty well today.” methods, nothing is further Australian Open. from our intention,” RFET Spain’s Paula Badosa on said in a statement. Thursday became the first The federation had said on player who had entered for Kang grabs two-shot lead at LPGA Tournament of Champions Thursday two players – Mario the Grand Slam to confirm a World number five Danielle Vista, Florida. “I haven’t really of Mexico and South Korea’s one-stroke lead, opened with a 20-year-old brother Sebastian Vilella and Carlos Alcaraz – positive test. Kang birdied two of the last thought about it,” Kang said of Chun In-gee, who also shot 65, birdie and made another at the reached his first ATP final last had not been informed they “The RFET thanks TA for the three holes to seize a two-stroke her bogey-less run. “I just had on 133 and Jessica Korda fifth par-4 fourth, then birdied the week at Delray Beach. would be strictly confined eff ort to organise, in these lead after Friday’s second round a lot of fun out there and made on 134 after closing with three par-3 ninth and par-5 10th for the Nelly Korda, five years younger if they were on a flight with diff icult moments due to the of the season-opening LPGA some good birdies. consecutive bogeys. second day in a row. than her sister at 22, birdied the someone who tested positive pandemic, the first Grand Tournament of Champions. “This golf course is kind of The 71st LPGA season-opener She birdied the par-4 16th then fourth and eighth holes around “regardless of the physical Slam of the season, some- The 28-year-old American, seek- sneaky tough at the same time, featured winners from the past landed her approach four feet her lone bogey at the par-4 sixth. proximity”. thing vital for our players who ing her sixth career LPGA title, so I just can’t lose focus on cer- three seasons, those in 2018 from the cup at the par-5 17th She began the back nine with a In the earlier statement it said are going to compete again matched the day’s low round tain shots. Three-putts are out added because of the depleted and sank her birdie putt before birdie, added two more at the it was clear the duo would not and generate resources,” with a six-under-par 65 to stand there, too, which is scary.” number of tournaments played closing with a par. 12th and par-5 13th and another be able to compete on “equal RFET added. The Australian on 13-under-par 129 after 36 Fourth-ranked Nelly Korda was in 2020 due to the Covid-19 The Kordas are US daughters at the par-4 16th as she chases a terms” at the major and the Open begins on February 8 in bogey-free holes at Four Season second on 131 after a 66 with de- pandemic. of 1998 Australian Open tennis fourth LPGA victory but her first confinement could result in Melbourne, the state capital Golf & Sports Club in Lake Buena fending champion Gaby Lopez Kang, who began the day with a champion Petr Korda and their in the United States. physical and psychological of Victoria.

TENNIS Barty itching to get started at Australian Open

Reuters for now. It’s about doing the right Murray ‘gutted’ to miss Australian Open Sydney things right from the start, from the very fi rst match. If it’s good Former world number one had managed to arrive in time enough, it is. And if it’s not, it’s Andy Murray said he was ‘gut- he would have faced going into orld number one not. But that’s OK.” ted’ after deciding to withdraw the event with minimal time Ash Barty is itching Barty last played a tourna- from next month’s Australian to practise. “I want to thank eve- to get back to com- ment match at the Qatar Open Open following a positive test ryone there for their eff orts. I’m petitive tennis at the last February, deciding to remain for Covid-19 earlier this month. devastated not to be playing WAustralian Open but has poured at home in the relative safety of The 33-year-old Murray, a wild- out in Australia. It’s a country cold water on the idea that she Queensland rather than travel to card, confirmed last Thursday and tournament that I love,” the might be set to end the 43-year New York for the US Open or to that he had tested positive for Briton added. It is another blow wait for a homegrown women’s Paris for her French Open title the virus and was in self-isola- to the five-time Australian Open champion. defence. tion at his home near London. runner-up who last played at Barty reached the semi-fi nals “Obviously I haven’t played That meant he was unable to the tournament in 2019. On that at Melbourne Park for the fi rst competition tennis for a year take one of the charter flights occasion, after a first-round time last year before sitting out now so it’s going to be a chal- laid on by Australian Open defeat by Spaniard Roberto most of the rest of the season at lenge but we also know that organisers, leaving him facing Bautista Agut, he received an home because of the Covid-19 hopefully again it will be a long a race to be able to arrive in emotional farewell on the court pandemic. season and we don’t have to time to complete the manda- as it appeared his career was The 24-year-old remains Aus- panic if we don’t get the perfect tory 14-day quarantine period coming to a close because of a tralia’s best hope of singles suc- start,” she added. as per health protocols. “Gutted long-standing hip injury. After cess when the year’s fi rst Grand “We’ll just try and go out there to share that I won’t be flying another surgery, however, Slam starts on Feb. 8 but Barty and do the best that we can and out to Australia to compete at Murray returned to the Tour urged her compatriots not to get whatever happens will happen. I the Australian Open,” Murray later in 2019 and even claimed their hopes up. feel ready to go and I’m just itch- was quoted as saying by British a title in Antwerp. Last year he “They can think whatever ing to get started.” media on Friday. “We’ve been played only seven Tour-level they like. If they expect me to Barty did not need to quaran- in constant dialogue... to try matches because of more inju- win the tournament, then that’s tine before the Australian Open and find a solution which would ries and the disruption caused their expectations,” Barty told and will play an exhibition event allow some form of workable by the pandemic – ending his the Australian Associated Press in Adelaide on Friday before re- quarantine, but we couldn’t season in October after a pelvic yesterday. turning to Melbourne for the make it work.” Even if Murray problem. “But mine certainly aren’t that Grand Slam.

Sunday, January 24, 2021 GULF TIMES SPORT

PREVIEW OLYMPICS Swimming Australia eyes Plan B in case of Shamal aim for Qatar Tokyo cancellation

Reuters to at least test themselves and Sydney see what that work has cre- ated,” he told the Australian newspaper. wimming Australia “We are preparing on the basketball league has started discussions basis that this is happening so about a replacement our swimmers will be ready, domestic or virtual our trials are going ahead. If internationalS competition for the Games themselves are its athletes in case the Tokyo cancelled, what can we do to Defending champions will Olympics are cancelled, presi- take advantage of the fact that dent Kieren Perkins said. our athletes are ready? take on Gharafa in today’s final Organisers were forced to “It is an open question... title hat-trick reiterate their commitment to whether we run our own meet holding the Games in July and or maybe we could do a virtual August after a report on Fri- meet with some of our ma- day said Japan’s government jor competition. It is an open had privately concluded the question mark at the moment, Games would have to be can- but we will prepare and have celled because of the Covid-19 alternate plans.” pandemic. Twice Olympic sprint relay Perkins, who won gold champion Cate Campbell told medals at the 1992 and 1996 the paper she thought it was a Games, was delighted that Fri- “wonderful idea”, even if she day’s “little moment of panic” desperately wanted to swim at had been fi rmly quashed but her fourth Olympics in Tokyo. felt he owed it to Australia’s “I think one of the benefi ts swimmers to put a contingen- of having an ex-athlete as our cy plan in place. current president is that he “If the worst happens and thinks of things like that,” said Tokyo is cancelled, for our the 28-year-old. athletes who have had the op- “Will it be the same? Abso- portunity to prepare and work lutely not. But it is something so hard for so long to get to this worth exploring and asking moment, I think it behoves us athletes if it is something they Al Shamal and Al Gharafa coaches pose with the QBF off icials and Qatar Men’s Basketball League trophy yesterday. to give them the best chance would like to do, absolutely.”

By Yash Mudgal Doha Dumoulin jumps off the professional cycling express train l Shamal are aiming for a hat-trick of Qa- tar Men’s Basketball League titles when they takeA on Al Gharafa in the fi nal to- day at the Al Gharafa Indoor Hall. The double defending champi- ons are coming into the fi nal with one loss in the last fi ve games, while Al Gharafa are unbeaten in their last fi ve games. Al Shamal’s Moroccan coach Former Giro d’Italia winner essentially as a domestique Hassan Hached, who is going Tom Dumoulin announced for eventual runner-up Pri- for back-to-back titles admitted yesterday that, at the age moz Roglic. As a professional the fi nal, a rematch of last year’s of 30, he was taking a break cyclist, he said, “you’re on decider, will be a diff erent ball from cycling. The Jumbo an express train to the next game. Visma rider, winner of the training camp, to the next “We have won the last two fi - Giro in 2017 and runner up race, to the next objectives”. nals, but we all know fi nals are not in the 2018 Tour de France, “I really need to get off and like a league game. Final is always a said in an interview on the think on the platform. Maybe pressure game, but I have full con- team website that those I will catch the same train fi dence in my players,” he said. results had made him “Tom again in two months. Maybe Al Shamal won in 2019 defeat- Dumoulin the great Dutch I’ll catch a completely diff er- ing Al Arabi 80-77 in the fi nal cyclist” and he had been ent train.” and in 2020 they won against Al struggling “with the pressure He said that after attending Gharafa 81-70. Qatar Basketball Federation’s secretary general Ali Saeed al-Malki (centre) and other off icials at the Qatar Cup draw ceremony yesterday. that comes with it, the expec- team training camps this On the other hand Al Gharafa tations”. winter he could not “flick are eager to regain the league ti- potential, we have a very good Apart from Saad, Nedim nal will be played at 7pm. from January 26. “It’s as if a backpack of 100 the switch” and decided that tle after a gap of seven years. Al chance to win the title,” Hatem Muslic and Franklin Session Meanwhile, Doha was named kilos has been lifted off my “stumbling on, ending up 12th Gharafa had last won the title in said. are key players for Gharafa, QATAR CUP DRAW as the venue of Group B FIBA Asia shoulders,” he said. “It feels in the Tour and fifth in the 2014 when their current captain In the last couple of years while Georgian international Nine teams will participate in Cup 2021 Qualifi ers next month, good.” An injury and the Olympics would not help”. Abdulrahman Saad was still a Gharafa has had a roller-coast- Mikheil Berishvili and Leba- this year’s Qatar Cup, the draw FIBA Regional Offi ce Asia said coronavirus shutdown meant “I’m going to talk a lot with teenager. Al Gharafa’s long-serv- er ride, having lost to 17-time non’s Wael Arakji will lead the for which was held yesterday. on Friday. Tokyo was previously Dumoulin had gone 400 people, think a lot, walk my ing coach Kosai Hatem also be- champions Al Rayyan, the most defending champions. Amir The competition is expected to announced as hosts for Group B, days without competing be- dog and try to find out what I lieves his side is ready for the fi nal. successful team in the history, in Cup champions Al Arabi will be a keenly-contested one as it but due to restrictions imposed fore cycling resumed late last want as a person, on the bike, “We have played the season the 2016 fi nal, but winning the meet Al Sadd in the third- will be held just after the Qatar by the Japanese authorities, the summer. He finished seventh and what I want to do with very well. I have full confi dence prestigious Amir Cup and Qatar place match, which will kick Men’s Basketball League. The Group B competition has been in the Tour de France, riding my life.” in my team, if we play to our Cup in 2017. off at 5pm today, while the fi- competition will commence moved to Doha.

FOCUS

Police retain Qatar Volleyball League title FIVB beach volleyball World Tour set to return to Doha

The FIVB has announced that ing athletes and off icials will be international beach volleyball granted special entry permis- action will return with the sion if the aforementioned World Tour 4-star Katara Beach protocols are respected. Volleyball Cup double gender Hosts Qatar already have a event in Doha, Qatar on March proven track record when it 8-12, 2021. comes to staging safe and se- The 4-star event will mark the cure international sports events start of the 2021 FIVB Beach during the Covid-19 pandemic. Volleyball World Tour and In addition, the QVA will feature some of the world’s top- organise a World Tour 1-star ranked beach volleyball players men’s event on 22-26 February competing for a total prize- at the Qatar Beach Volleyball money of USD300,000. Academy in Al Gharafa Sports The event will also serve as an Club, Doha, where the planned Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 health protocols will be tested qualification tournament with further. 400 Olympic ranking points Last year’s edition of the 4-star on off er for the eventual Katara Cup men’s event held in champions of the Katara Cup. Doha was the final big beach It will be the first top-tier beach volleyball competition before volleyball event to return to the the calendar was disrupted by calendar after the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic. the global health crisis. The FIVB and Qatar Volley- ball Association (QVA) have worked in close co-operation to develop strict health protocols that will be implemented at the competition to ensure the health and well-being of every- one involved. In particular, the entire competition, including all competition venues, training Players and off icials of Police team celebrate as Qatar Volleyball Association President Ali Ghanem al-Kuwari handed over the winners’ shield to their captain yesterday. facilities and the hotel, will be held in a bio-secure bubble. By Sports Reporter 16, 25-13) at the Al Arabi Indoor Maas scored 11 points for Al Khor. had a splendid run this season, bounced back to win their next Athletes will also have to be Doha Hall yesterday. With the win, This is the fourth time that the going on a 12-match winning run. two matches to take the unassaila- tested both prior to travelling Police reaped an unassailable 43 Police team have lifted the Qatar They dropped only two sets during ble lead. The battle for the second and upon arrival, before being points, with the Qatar SC and Al Volleyball League title and they that period, and have won most of spot in the ten-team league is now escorted to the tournament olice defended their Qa- Arabi are on 36 and 31 points re- were rewarded with QR250,000 their matches with ease. The Gulf between Qatar SC, Al Arabi and Al bubble. While Qatar does cur- tar Volleyball League spectively. Vennon Oliver scored and the shield for it. The Po- champions’ winning run was halt- Ahli. Qatar Volleyball Association rently have a quarantine period title after they routed match-high 16 points for the lice team, guided by Argentinian ed by Al Rayyan in a hard-fought President Ali Ghanem al-Kuwari in place for visitors, participat- PAl Khor 3-0 (25-16, 25- winners, while Robson Van Der coach Damian Arredendo, have fi ve-setter 15 days back. But they crowned the winners.