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Wednesday, January 20, 2016 TENNIS Rabia II 10, 1437 AH Nadal, Halep make GULF TIMES early exits as shocks rock Aussie Open SPORT Page 11 SPOTLIGHT Saudi Arabia bow out, Qatar to take on North Korea in last eight Japan, who were already assured of a quarters meeting with Iran, beat Saudi 2-1 in their last Group B match yesterday

AFC Doha

audi Arabia missed out on a place in the quarter-fi nals of the AFC U23 Cham- pionship by the narrowest of margins as Group B winners Japan completed a 100%S record with a 2-1 win at Suhaim Bin Ha- mad Stadium on yesterday, thanks to goals from Ryota Ohshima and Yosuke Ideguchi. Ohshima opened the scoring for Japan, who were already assured of a last eight meet- ing with Iran on Friday following earlier wins over North Korea and Thailand, with a superb solo eff ort midway through the fi rst half before Ideguchi increased the lead at the start of the second half. And despite Abdullah Madu’s penalty reduc- ing the defi cit just before the hour mark, North Korea’s 2-2 draw with Thailand meant North Korea claimed second place in Group B ahead of Saudi Arabia having scored one more goal after all three sides fi nished level on two points behind Japan. North Korea will now lock horns with Qatar in the quarter-fi nals, the buoyant hosts having cruised into the last eight stage af- ter winning all their Group A matches. “We played our game and also we had already qualifi ed for the fi nal stages, but we wanted to continue to win and continue to keep a clean- sheet without conceding goals. So in terms of winning we achieved this goal, so from this point it is good, but unfortunately we conceded one goal. But we are in a good mood in order to go to the fi nal stage,” said Japan coach Makoto Teguramori. “Before the game with Iran we need to fi rst make sure all the players are ready so I can choose any of the players, and we will also have to analyse Iran to see how they play and their style and their way of playing.” With a last eight meeting with Iran already secured as Group B winners, Japan coach Te- guramori made 10 changes to his side following Saturday’s 4-0 win over Thailand, while oppo- site number Adrie Koster brought in midfi elder Abdulfattah Asiri and striker Abdulrahman al- Ghamdi knowing a win would secure qualifi ca- tion. And both sides started the contest with plen- ty of attacking intent as Asiri fl ashed a free-kick just over the crossbar after 10 minutes before al-Ghamdi tested Japan goalkeeper Daichi Sug- Midfielder Shoya Nakajima of Japan heads the ball past Saudi Arabia defenders at the AFC U23 Championship at Suhaim Bin Hamad Stadium in Doha yesterday. PICTURES: Noushad Thekkayil imoto fi ve minutes later, while at the other end Shoya Nakajima saw his shot from the edge of as goalkeeper Ahmad al-Harbi had to be alert strike into the top corner from 30 yards. fender Naomichi Ueda had clashed with al- to win the game, but in the fi rst half the team the area defl ected just wide soon after. to kick away Naomichi Ueda’s header from a Japan then extended the advantage nine min- Ghamdi while attempting to clear the danger as was not bringing what we expected due to may- Chances continued to be created at both ends 27th minute corner before Saudi Aribia broke utes into the second half as Takumi Minamino Japan struggled to clear the ball out of the area. be the stress and it was not enough to qualify,” forward and Mustafa al-Bassas shot straight at rolled the ball across the edge of the penalty But with North Korea drawing with Thailand said Saudi Arabia coach Koster. Sugimoto. area for Ideguchi to dispatch a side-footed at Grand Hamad Stadium, Saudi Arabia missed “We have to be realistic, Japan are a good Quarter-fi nal line-up And the opening goal fi nally arrived 14 min- strike coolly into the bottom corner past the out by a single goal scored after all three teams team and we knew it would be a hard and tough utes before half-time courtesy of a superb in- outstretched dive of al-Harbi. fi nished level on two points from their three game and we could not make the equaliser and JAPAN VS IRAN dividual eff ort from Ohshima as the midfi elder The two-goal cushion, though, lasted just games. that is a pity. We also tried to make changes in QATAR VS NORTH KOREA charged forward and eff ortlessly skipped past a three minutes as Madu calmly sent Sugimoto “We knew from the beginning what we had to the team with the substitutes, but that also did challenge before sending a sweetly struck rising the wrong way from the penalty spot after de- do and we had to win the game and we prepared not give us the success we wanted.”

LANDMARK ATTENDANCE AT AFC U23 CHAMPIONSHIP

Doha: Attendance figures at the AFC U23 Cham- pionship Qatar 2016 have already surpassed the final figure recorded at the competition’s 2013 edition, held in Oman. After the completion of Monday’s final Group A games, 43,139 spectators have attended the 18 matches played thus far, a landmark statistic which easily outstrips the previous total of 34,712. “We strive in every competition to improve on the last edition,” said AFC Tournament Director Shin Man Gil, “Again, just like in the Asian Cup in 2015, the AFC U23 Championship has recorded attendance figures that have built on the previous corre- sponding event. I am delighted to see that the organisation in Qatar for the U23 Championship has also achieved the world class standards to which we aspire in all our tournaments.” Host nation Qatar, who are through to the quarter-finals, have attracted the highest attend- ances, with their clash against Iran topping the lot thanks to the 11,026 attendance figure recorded at the Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium in Doha. Gulf Times 2 Wednesday, January 20, 2016 AFC U23

SPOTLIGHT North Korea enter quarters aft er 2-2 draw with Thailand Three teams were still in with a chance of joining Japan in the last eight on a thrilling final day of Group B action

AFC rea were in front, and it was no sur- Doha prise that it was Kim who claimed it as he rose fractionally ahead of Som- pron to meet Ri Un-chol’s centre to orth Korea squeezed into head the ball into the top corner. the quarter-fi nals of the The Thais had been second-best AFC U23 Championship throughout the fi rst half hour, with on Tuesday as a 2-2 draw only Perapat Notechaiya’s scuff ed Nwith Thailand was just enough to se- eff ort in the 23rd minute going any- cure second place in Group B behind where near troubling North Korea, winners Japan. North Korea will now but in the 30th minute Kiatisuk’s side lock horns with Qatar in the quar- were level. ter-fi nals, the buoyant hosts having Perapat bundled his way through cruised into the last eight-stage after the North Korea defence before his winning all their Group A matches. attempted shot was defl ected off the Three teams were still in with a back of Kang Il-nam’s leg and into chance of joining the East Asians in the path of Narubadin, who slid in to the last eight on a thrilling fi nal day score. of Group B action, and with Japan With seconds remaining in the maintaining their 100% record wit a half, however, North Korea made sure 2-1 defeat of Saudi Arabia, North Ko- they went into the break with their rea’s draw with Thailand at the Grand lead restored when Yun Il-gwang’s Hamad Stadium saw Yun Jong-su’s close-range eff ort was helped over side secure second place ahead of the line by Thossawat Limwanasa the Saudis and Thais courtesy of the after Pak Myong-song had headed greater number of goals scored in the Ri Un-chol’s free kick into Yun Il- group matches between the teams gwang’s path. concerned as all three sides ended North Korea came out for the sec- their group stage campaign with two ond half looking to kill off the game, points. and Yun’s side were to rue a series of Kim Yong-il opened the scoring missed chances. for the North Koreans before Naru- Jang Ok-chol and So Kyong-jin badin Weerawatnodom levelled, only both forced fi ne saves out of Som- for Yun Il-gwang (pictured) to give porn in the fi rst 10 minutes of the Yun Jong-su’s side the lead at the second period, the second seeing the half-time break. Chanathip Song- goalkeeper acrobatically tip the ball krasin claimed a second equaliser for over the bar. the Thais 12 minutes from time, but Adison Promrak then did just it was not enough to take Kiatisuk enough to block Kim Yong-il as he Senamuang’s side into the quarter- raced in on goal in the 66th minute, fi nals. and the same player was just off tar- “We had a very fi erce match be- get seven minutes later. cause both teams had to win if they Those missed chances were to wanted to qualify,” said Yun. “Both prove costly for the North Koreans, teams’ put in a very good perform- however, as, in the 78th minute Thai- North Korean and Thailand players vie for the ball during their final Group B league match at the AFC U-23 Championship yesterday at the Grand Hamad Stadium in Doha ance. land pulled level when Chanathip yesterday. Below: Thailand fans celebrate their team’s goal. PICTURES: Mamdouh “We had a lot of chances in the fi rst fi red off from just outside the area, half and in the second half but I never the ball moving enough in the air to thought we were going to lose this confuse goalkeeper An Tae-song. game because I trusted the players Both sides pushed for the winner, and they did their best to the end so with the Thais cranking up the pres- I had no worries about that. We knew sure at the end, but North Korea held if we go to the next round we will on to progress by the narrowest of play Qatar, the hosts. It’s going to be margins. “I would like to congratu- a very tough match all of the players late North Korea for going through to will have to show their best in terms the next round,” said Kiatisuk. of mentality and physical condition.” “I would like to express that the North Korea, knowing victory Thai team had three hard and really would guarantee them a place in the competitive games but we showed knockout phase of the competition, that we can fi ght at this tournament started in lively fashion, with Kim and we played with great motivation. Yong-il constantly putting the Thai Thailand played some great games in defence under pressure. this tournament and we showed we Inside the fi rst six minutes, goal- can play in this kind of competition keeper Somporn Yos twice denied the with good spirit. It was a good expe- 21-year-old before also collecting Im rience for our players and we’re look- Ju-song’s eighth-minute attempt. ing forward to the next games and the But by the 17th minute, North Ko- next tournament.”

PREVIEW Jordan, Aussies and UAE eye last eight spots

AFC And with Australia having lost earlier Doha in the tournament to the Emiratis, the pressure is on Aurelio Vidmar’s Olyroos with Jordan currently a point oach Jamal Ahmad is confi dent Jor- clear at the top of the table alongside dan can pick up the point they need the UAE heading into the fi nal round against Australia today to qualify for of fi xtures the quarter-fi nals of the AFC U23 ChampionshipC from Group D. “They have lots of technical players and Jordan, who fi nished third at the AFC U22 also physical attributes. We started slowly in Championship at the start of 2014, shared a the game against the UAE, and had we shown goalless draw with the United Arab Emirates the same intensity in the UAE game that we on Sunday evening having started the tour- did against Vietnam, we would be sitting in a nament with a 3-1 victory over Vietnam. better position, so I see us improving in the And with Australia having lost earlier in next game again.” the tournament to the Emiratis, the pressure The UAE, meanwhile, will take on a Viet- is on Aurelio Vidmar’s Olyroos with Jordan nam side who can no longer qualify after los- currently a point clear at the top of the ta- ing both of their opening games. And coach ble alongside the UAE heading into the fi nal Abdullah Misfi r is expected to return to the round of fi xtures. bench after missing the win over Jordan due “Australia is a very strong team, but we to illness as the UAE look to secure the win know that we are also a good team and so needed to fi nish at the top of the group. are the Emirates,” said Jordan coach Ahmad. “This group is still open for the three “These three teams make this group one of teams and I don’t think the next match is go- the strongest in the tournament, but now it’s ing to be easy just because Vietnam lost their in our hands in order to win the next game fi rst two games,” said UAE assistant coach and to qualify. “The pressure on the Jordan Noureddine Abidi. team is going to be less than the Australians “They will want to leave the tournament because we have two chances, to draw and in a good way because they have lost two to win, while Australia only have one hope, games, so we will have to concentrate to do to win the game. That’s a benefi t for us and our best, to win the game in order to qualify we will prepare the players to win the game for the next round.” so we don’t need the results from any other Vietnam coach Toshiya Miura, mean- teams.” while, will look for his side build on a spir- Australia put their challenge back on track ited display in Sunday’s defeat by Australia. with a 2-0 win over Vietnam in the second “We had a lot of energy against Australia and round of group matches, but Vidmar’s side I also want to try some fresh players,” said now must also win at Suhaim Bin Hamad Miura. Stadium having lost 1-0 to the UAE last week “I saw the UAE game against Australia to concede the head-to-head advantage. and they are physically strong like Austral- “Jordan is an excellent side and we saw their ia, some of the players are skilful and very Jordan need just a point against Australia today to qualify for the quarter-finals game against Vietnam and they have also quick. They are very physical, very good ath- of the AFC U23 Championship from Group D. PICTURE: Noushad Thekkayil made improvements over the last few years letes and talented players and I think it will and it will be a tough game,” said Vidmar. be our most diffi cult game.” Gulf Times Wednesday, January 20, 2016 3 AFC U23 C’SHIP, DOHA

SPOTLIGHT South Korea draw with Iraq but still retain top spot In this Group C encounter, Kim Hyun’s header found the back of the net in the 22nd minute to give the South Koreans the lead but with seconds remaining Hussein struck from close range to secure a point for Shahad Abdulghani’s team

Action from the match between South Korea and Iraq at the Al Arabi Stadium yesterday. Iraq scored a late goal to eke out a draw. PICTURES: Mamdouh

AFC Standings - Group C Doha Teams P W D L GD PTS S. Korea 3 2 1 0 6 7 stoppage-time equaliser Iraq 3 2 1 0 3 7 from Amjed Hussein earned Uzbekistan 3 1 0 2 0 3 Iraq a 1-1 draw with Korea Yemen 3 0 0 3 -9 0 Republic but Shin Tae-yong’s sideA still claimed top spot in Group C of the AFC U23 Championship as both 45 minutes, with Kim Hyun turning sides progressed to the quarter-fi nals. creator in the 61st minute as he re- Kim Hyun’s header found the back leased substitute Kwon Chang-hoon of the net in the 22nd minute to give the in on goal, but the midfi elder pulled his South Koreans the lead but with sec- shot well wide. onds remaining Hussein struck from Eight minutes later, Kim Hyun close range to secure a point for Shahad launched another attack down the Abdulghani’s team. as Shahad Abdulghani made wholesale header to be easily collected by Kim right side, crossing to Yu In-soo, whose Korea Republic will now face the changes to his team. Dong-jun, while a minute later Lee fi rst-time shot was well off target. runners-up in Group D in the quarter- The match, as a result, had a dis- Yeong-jae fi red his long-range attempt The Iraqis grew increasingly des- fi nals on Saturday while Iraq, who had jointed feel for much of the fi rst half, over the Iraq goal. perate as time ticked down but Mazin also booked their place in the last eight but the East Asians managed to take Hussein scuff ed another eff ort wide in Fayyadh’s looping 80th minute header after the second round of matches, will the lead in the 22nd minute when Lee the 40th minute before the South Kore- was as close as they went to levelling meet with the Group D winners. Chang-min clipped the ball into the ans closed out the half on top with Kim the scores as it clipped the top of the Korea Republic coach Shin start- centre and Kim Hyun powered his Seung-jun shooting wide from distance crossbar before bouncing to safety. ed with just four of the line-up that header home via the palms of goal- and Kim Hyun heading just off target But with seconds remaining, substi- kicked off the 5-0 win over Yemen on keeper Karrar Ibrahim. after another fi ne cross – this time from tute Mohannad Abdulraheem centred Matchday 2 while only midfi elder Ali It took the Iraqis until eight minutes the right – by Lee Chang-min. from the right to Hussein, who slid Qasim survived from the Iraqi side that from half time before they created their The East Asians continued to look in to score from close range and seal a started in the 3-2 win over Uzbekistan fi rst opening, only for Amjed Hussein’s the more likely to score in the second point for the Iraqis.

BOTTOMLINE Uzbekistan defeat Yemen 3-1 to register fi rst win

AFC Doha

avokhir Sokhibov, Igor Ser- geev and Jaloliddin Masharipov scored as Uzbekistan claimed third place in Group C at the AFCJ U23 Championship after edging out Yemen 3-1 yesterday at Suhaim Bin Hamad Stadium. Both sides were unable to qualify for the quarter-fi nals following earlier de- feats by Korea Republic and Iraq, but it was Uzbekistan who ended the cam- paign on a high as midfi elder Sokhibov struck after 18 minutes. And with captain Sergeev head- ing home just after the hour mark and more likely to add to the scoreline from Shomurodov’s chipped cross into Jaloliddin Masharipov netting in stop- through Dostonbek Khamdamov mid- the bottom corner. page time, Uzbekistan bagged third way through the fi rst half. Yemen, though, claimed a consolation spot having earlier lost 2-1 to Korea and And Uzbekistan fi nished the fi rst goal with eight minutes remaining as Al 3-2 to Iraq, while Yemen fi nished with- half strongly with Khamdamov, Jam- Sarori spotted Uzbekistan goalkeeper out a point after losing 2-0 to Iraq and shid Boltaboev, Masharipov and Eldor Abdumavlon Abduljalilov off his line and 5-0 to Korea despite Ahmed Al Sarori’s Shomurodov all threatening. the striker lifted the ball over the strand- late long range consolation. The contest continued in the same ed custodian from 35 yards to claim his It was Uzbekistan who duly took the way at the start of the second half side’s fi rst goal of the tournament. lead after 18 minutes of an open contest through Sergeev and Masharipov. But Uzbekistan restored the two- as Sokhibov fi red home from inside the And Uzbekistan doubled their ad- goal cushion in stoppage time as penalty area. vantage eight minutes after the hour Masharipov found the top corner from Uzbekistan continued to look the Uzbekistan’s Igor Sergeev (second left) celebrates with his teammates after scoring yesterday. PICS: Noushad Thekkayil mark as Sergeev sent a glancing header the edge of the penalty area. Gulf Times 4 Wednesday, January 20, 2016 FOOTBALL

SPOTLIGHT SUPPORT German FA set to back Infantino in Infantino suggests FIFA election

DPA “We will announce a decision Frankfurt tomorrow and bring it to the dis- cussion at the UEFA (executive committee) meeting in Nyon on he German Football Fed- Friday.” 40-team World eration (DFB) is set to Infantino is one of fi ve candi- support Switzerland’s dates alongside Sheikh Salman Gianni Infantino in the bin Ebrahim al-Khalifah, presi- Tupcoming election to be the next dent of the Asian Football Con- president of world governing federation. body FIFA, top offi cials said yes- Tokyo Sexwale, a South Afri- terday. can politician, businessman and “I will recommend to the former political prisoner; Prince Cup, co-hosting (DFB) council that we vote for Ali bin al-Hussein of Jordan, who the current UEFA secretary gen- was a FIFA presidential candi- eral Gianni Infantino,” DFB in- date earlier this year; and Jerome ‘We would be giving eight more countries the possibility to enjoy the World Cup fever in terim president Reinhard Rauball Champagne, a former FIFA as- said at a new year’s meeting in sistant general secretary. a more passionate way, also achieving greater worldwide representation in the process’ Frankfurt. Champagne is the other Eu- “He’s the only one who knows ropean in the race along with the business from the bottom Infantino but is considered an up. He has already proved that outsider having left FIFA in 2010. within an important organisa- Yesterday, Infantino launched tion such as UEFA.” his manifesto for the election Toaday, the DFB council is to campaign which included prom- confi rm which candidate it will ises to expand the World Cup to back replace the outgoing Joseph 40 teams, provide more money Blatter at an extraordinary con- to national associations and the gress held in Zurich on February confederations and clean up the 26. scandal-hit FIFA. “It is obvious to look at the Eu- “He is for me a man of the new ropean candidates,” DFB general generation,” Rauball said. “He secretary Helmut Sandrock had speaks fi ve languages and no one said earlier. else is as well connected.”

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT De Gea’s brilliance not lost on United teammates

FIFA presidential candidate Gianni Infantino

Reuters Forty-one individuals, many of them sure full transparency of money fl ows.” shared by more than one country was Berne national association presidents, and en- The four-yearly World Cup currently 2002 when it was co-hosted by Japan and Manchester United’s David De Gea celebrates with teammates. tities have been indicted in the United involves 32 teams, which many critics South Korea. States and FIFA’s own ethics committee feels is the ideal number both logistically Infantino said he wanted to distrib- AFP going to make some saves.” IFA presidential candidate Gianni has banned leading offi cials including and in terms of quantity, but Infantino ute $5 million every four years to each of Manchester The Frenchman’s views were Infantino suggested expanding the president Sepp Blatter, barred for eight said he wanted to add another eight. FIFA’s 209 member associations for foot- echoed by defender Chris Small- World Cup to 40 teams and follow- years. “We would be giving eight more coun- ball development and a further $40 to ing, who believes De Gea will be ing the example of the European Infantino’s reform proposals for clean- tries the possibility to enjoy the World each of the continental confederations. anchester United a vital component in Manchester championshipF by spreading it across sev- ing up FIFA were broadly similar to those Cup fever in a more passionate way, also He said he would also set up a travel fund goalkeeper David de United’s push for honours in the eral countries to share out the “honour and that will be put before the Congress on achieving greater worldwide representa- to help pay expenses for remote nations. Gea has often been the second half of the season. benefi ts” of the tournament. Feb. 26. tion in the process,” said the manifesto. Asian Football Confederation president rock holding his side’s “When we knew he was lining The Swiss, general secretary of Euro- Infantino, who was on the committee He proposed a rotation system under Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim al-Khalifah, Mdefence together during a diffi cult up for us for the whole season, it pean soccer body UEFA, backed proposed which helped draw up proposed reforms for which any given continent could stage former FIFA deputy general secretary Jer- season, and the Spaniard’s string was a great feeling because he is reforms for soccer’s scandal-plagued FIFA last year, backed a proposal to restrict a maximum of one in every three World ome Champagne of France, South African of saves in the 1-0 win at Liverpool one of the best,” England inter- world governing body which included the FIFA president and executive commit- Cup tournaments. businessman and politician Tokyo Sexwale on Sunday once again proved his national Smalling said. term limits for the president and leading tee members to three four-year terms each, and Jordanian former FIFA executive com- value to the club. “He is a very calm guy but on offi cials and public disclosure of their re- which is considered a key element. RIVALS mittee member Prince Ali bin al-Hussein “David is a very important the pitch, he is very much talking muneration. Blatter had been president for 17 years Infantino said he would also encourage of Jordan are Infantino’s rivals. player in our squad. We are very to us as a unit and we know his Laying out his plans for the Feb.26 when he was banned in December. the idea of co-hosting World Cup tour- Each of FIFA’s national associations happy to have him and happy game inside out. election, he also proposed that FIFA “This will ensure a regular infl ux of naments between two or more countries holds one vote and there are no clear fa- that he didn’t go last summer. He “It’s good to know that if we should aim to distribute half of its rev- new ideas into the institution...(and).... in the same region “so enabling several vourites to win although Infantino would is fully committed to this football are beaten as a defence, we still enues directly to its 209 member asso- will also help to address some widely countries to enjoy the honour and ben- have a head start if he were to capture club,” midfi elder Morgan Sch- have a great chance to keep the ciations to be spent on the development voiced public criticism of the organisa- efi ts of hosting the World Cup.” the majority of the 53 European votes. neiderlin told the club’s website ball out.” of the sport. tion,” said the manifesto. The idea has been pioneered by UEFA, He also says he has major support in the (www.manutd.com). United, who are fi fth in the Infantino, a 45-year-old multilingual Other suggested measures included who will stage Euro 2020 in 13 cities Caribbean region, which has 25 votes. “When you have a player like league after 22 matches and sev- lawyer, is one of fi ve candidates standing “a fully open tendering process for com- around Europe and co-hosted its tourna- The shaven-headed Infantino joined this in goal, it’s good for us, be- en points behind leaders Arsenal, in an election taking place amid the worst mercial and operational contracts” and a ments in 2000, 2008 and 2012. UEFA in 2000 and has been general sec- cause we know we are not going host 10th-placed Southampton crisis in FIFA’s history. “proper institutional framework to en- The only time the World Cup has been retary since 2009. to concede many goals and he is in the league on Saturday.

BOTTOMLINE FIFA’s Blatter is still being paid his salary despite being banned from world football

Reuters Audit and Compliance Committee recently The compensation committee has therefore de- Miami ruled that it could stop Blatter’s bonuses but cided, at its last meeting, not to make any further not, according to his contract, his salary. bonus payments to Mr Blatter,” said Bantel. “Until the election of a new president on Feb- The size of Blatter’s compensation from FIFA IFA’s Sepp Blatter may have been banned ruary 26, Mr Blatter is the elected president and has remained secret although reforms to be vot- for eight years from the game but he therefore - according to his contract - is entitled ed on at the organisation’s February Congress is still receiving his president’s salary to receive his remuneration,” Bantel said. call for the disclosure of individual compensa- from world soccer’s governing body, a Blatter’s US lawyer and his Switzerland- tion for the president and top executives. spokesmanF for FIFA’s Audit and Compliance based spokesman could not be immediately It is also unclear what Hayatou is getting paid Committee told Reuters on Monday. reached for comment. to be acting president. Blatter was suspended for 90 days by FIFA on FIFA is facing the worst corruption crisis in it FIFA’s fi nances may have taken a blow in the Oct 8 and then banned from the game for eight history as a total of 41 individuals and entities, past year because of the costs and distractions years last month for ethics violations over a $2 including many former FIFA offi cials, have been of the corruption scandal. According to a report million payment FIFA made to European soc- charged with corruption-related off ences in the from the UK’s Press Association late last year, cer boss Michel Platini with Blatter’s approval United States. The U.S. investigation is far from the organisation suff ered its fi rst loss last year in 2011. over and FIFA also faces a parallel Swiss probe. since 2001. But Blatter, a Swiss national who has been Blatter’s bonuses have been stopped because Bantel declined to discuss what proportion of president of FIFA since 1998, will continue to be he was not carrying out his duties of supervising Blatter’s payments came from his bonuses. paid until a new president is elected on Feb 26, the organization, including its general secretary. The FIFA Ethics Committee said the pay- the spokesman Andreas Bantel said. That would Only last week, FIFA announced that Jerome ment to Platini, made at a time when Blatter was mean Blatter would have been paid for nearly Valcke was fi red from his position as general seeking re-election, lacked transparency and fi ve months during which time he was unable to secretary. It gave no reason but an investigation presented confl icts of interest, though both men carry out his duties, and a period in which FIFA had followed allegations of corruption related to denied any wrongdoing. Platini has also been has appointed an acting president, African soc- World Cup ticket sales. banned from soccer for eight years. cer head Issa Hayatou. “The duty of supervision is listed explicitly in Both Blatter and Platini have said they will The compensation sub-committee of FIFA’s File picture of then FIFA President Sepp Blatter addressing a news conference. the target agreements for the payment of bonuses. appeal against their bans. Gulf Times Wednesday, January 20, 2016 5 FOOTBALL

SPOTLIGHT FOCUS Aubameyang on the hunt for Mueller’s I have fi nal say scoring record on transfers, says Reds’ coach Klopp ‘If I don’t want a player to come to the club he will not come. It’s normal’ File picture of Dortmund striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. DPA Sport Bild. “I’m actually always Berlin better in the second half of the season than the fi rst.” “Now he faces his greatest ierre-Emerick Aubam- challenge,” Dortmund chair- eyang only knows ‘the man Hans-Joachim Watzke said. Bomber’ Gerd Mueller “Not to be infl uenced by all the from the internet but praised but to remain totally Pwith his interest sparked by con- concentrated on showing he is stant questioning in interviews, one of the best strikers in Europe the Borussia Dortmund striker in the second half of the season.” has been doing his research. With his current return of 18, “Even though I have not seen a Aubameyang is only just behind complete game of his, only some the 19 managed by Alexander videos from YouTube - wow!” Meier over the whole of last sea- Aubameyang, currently top scorer son, and Robert Lewandowski’s 20 in the Bundesliga with 18 goals, the year before, which topped the enthused ahead of the Bundesliga Bundesliga scoring charts in May. restarting this weekend. Bayern Munich’s Lewand- Aubameyang’s current mark owski is Aubameyang’s closest of 18 goals at the halfway stage is pursuer but on 15 it would require more than Mueller had for Bay- an unfathomable 25 goals in the ern Munich at the same point in 17 remaining games for him to the 1971-72 season - but Muel- threaten Mueller’s record. ler still ended up with 40 for the Lewandowski did bag fi ve in whole campaign. just nine minutes against Wolfs- “The fact that he managed 40 burg in the fi rst half of the sea- goals is unbelievable,” Aubam- son though so great feats are not eyang, freshly crowned as African beyond him. “I know that this player of the year for 2015, added. memory will stay with me for Mueller’s record has long been the rest of my life,” the Pole told considered a mark which will Bundesliga.de. stand for eternity. Even now, a A more realistic target for the survey carried out by YouGov for pair could be 30 goals, which was dpa revealed only 13 per cent of last achieved by Dieter Muel- those asked think Aubameyang ler of Cologne in 1976/77. Since can match it. then Klaus-Jan Huntelaar (29 But the Gabon international, for Schalke in 2011/12), Mario while full of respect of Mueller’s Gomez (28 for Bayern in 2010/11) achievement, is not about to sell and Grafi te (28 for Wolfsburg in himself short either. “I’m not 2008/09) have been closest to setting myself a limit,” he told that particular total.

Record number of managers axed in File picture of Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp reacting during the Barclays Premier League match between Liverpool and Southampton at Anfield. England - report

Agencies Liverpool face Exeter City in the FA ing today - if nothing happens he’s on the table after 22 games, eight points behind A record 29 managers in the success and failure are rarely Liverpool Cup today - a replay after the fi rst leg bench,” the German said. fourth-placed Tottenham Hotspur. top four English divisions that far apart.” fi nished in a 2-2 draw – with the man- Henderson admitted he was not sure if were sacked in the first half of The report was released as ager still unable to call upon Daniel Stur- LIVERPOOL WILL NOT GIVE UP ON Liverpool could still fi nish in the top four this season, according to the Scunthorpe boss Mark Robins ürgen Klopp has insisted that he ridge as the striker has not been involved TOP-FOUR FINISH: HENDERSON to assure themselves a spot in the conti- League Managers Associa- and Orient’s Ian Hendon has the fi nal say on all Liverpool in team training yet. Klopp added that Liverpool’s Premier League defeat nent’s top tournament for clubs. tion’s Mid-Season Manager became the latest casualties, transfers after the club’s policy on he will again pick an inexperienced side against bitter rivals Manchester United “We have to keep going right until the Statistics report. with the figures suggest- new signings came under renewed against the League Two team. has hurt their ambitions of breaking into very end and see what happens,” Hender- Leicester’s Nigel Pearson, ing the all-time high of 53 scrutinyJ following two wins in the past “Daniel has not been involved in team the top four but the club will not give up son told British media. Liverpool’s Brendan Rodgers, dismissals in 2001-02 could eight Premier League games. On Sunday, training since the Newcastle game. He’s hopes of qualifying for the Champions “Like I have always said, whether you Sunderland’s Dick Advocaat, As- be exceeded by the end of the Liverpool failed to score at home against had some issues. We will play a similar League, captain Jordan Henderson has are in the mix or you are not, you have to ton Villa’s Tim Sherwood, Swan- current campaign. Manchester United and lost 1-0 with team to the last time [we played Exeter]. said. take each game as it comes. sea’s Garry Monk and former For those who have departed £32.5mn signing Christian Benteke on We have to think about who it makes A Luis Suarez-inspired Liverpool fi n- “At the minute, we are not but we have Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho - 29 were relieved of their the bench until the 81st minute and the sense [to play], for whom it’s not too dif- ished second in the 2013-14 season to re- to keep fi ghting, keep putting perform- were replaced in the Premier duties and a further five left of on-loan defender Steven Caulker coming fi cult, and build a squad for this,” Klopp turn to Champions League football after ances in I am sure we will win more than League, while 10 Championship their own volition - the aver- on as Klopp’s last substitute. said. a gap of four years. we lose. Whatever it is, we need to make managers were fired. age reign amounted to just Klopp, when asked yesterday whether The manager added that the defender But the Uruguayan striker left at the sure we give our all.” The statistics show that 1.58 years. he has the fi nal say on transfers, replied: Jon Flanagan, who has not played a fi rst- end of that campaign and the Reds went Liverpool host fourth-tier side Exeter 29 managers were sacked Of the four leagues, the “Yes. It’s how I am used to work. If I don’t team game since May 2014, is set to be on to fi nish sixth the following term. City in their third round FA Cup replay on between June 1 and December Championship has the most want a player to come to the club he will included in the squad. “Jon is in a really After Sunday’s 1-0 loss, Juergen Wednesday and then travel to relegation- 31 last year, two more than dismissals with 10 managers not come. It’s normal.” good way and we are happy. He’s train- Klopp’s men fi nd themselves ninth in the threatened Norwich City on Saturday. the previous high of 27 by parting with their respective the same point in the 2014-15 clubs during the same period campaign. compared with six in League BOTTOMLINE “We must continue to shine One and seven in League Two. a light on this issue,” said The figures contain depress- League Managers Association ing news for new bosses in (LMA) chief executive Richard particular with eight of the 29 Bevan. dismissed having been in their “With the hire-and-fire culture first post. engrained within football, it’s Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger Williams lift s Swansea out of so diff icult to survive for any has however spent more than meaningful length of time 19 years in the job and had in order to learn your trade, 1,095 games under his belt by learn from mistakes and the turn of the year. Exeter’s experiences. Paul Tisdale is his closest drop zone as Guidolin looks on “Managers must cope with competitor after 9.52 years in instant judgements and, often, his job. AFP for the three teams belonging London to the Pozzo family—Udinese, Watford and Granada—so he Arsenal mentally stronger than ever, may have had a few interesting wansea gave new head insights to pass along to Curtis. says Theo Walcott coach Francesco Guido- Jack Cork fi red over from Pundits have been lining up enhances that. He’s a leader in lin the perfect welcome long-range and Andre Ayew to question Arsenal’s mental that dressing room as well. present as they beat prodded a shot straight at toughness and their willing- “We’ve just got to look at him WatfordS 1-0 to climb out of the Watford goalkeeper Heurelho ness to dig deep in big games, because he’s obviously been Premier League relegation zone Gomes in a lively opening from but Theo Walcott says leader- at the top level and won many on Monday. the hosts. ship figures in the dressing things. We all have the belief Guidolin was announced as After dominating the initial room have given the Premier he’s got that we can push on.” Swansea head coach, to work skirmishes, Curtis’s team were League leaders a sense of With just seven points separat- alongside interim manager Alan rewarded in the 27th minute self-belief. ing the leaders from fifth- Curtis, just hours before kick- when Wales international Wil- Arsenal, who last lifted the placed Manchester United off at the Liberty Stadium. liams rose highest to power in Ki Swansea’s new head coach title in 2003/04, lead the after 22 games, Walcott said The 60-year-old Italian will Sung-yueng’s cross for the fi rst Francesco Guidolin. standings on goal diff erence the title race was wide open. have the fi nal say on team selec- goal by any Swansea defender from Leicester City but failed “You can’t tell what’s going to tion, but he was in a watching since March 2014. the crossbar from the midfi eld- to pad their advantage when happen this year, it’s just so brief only as he looked on from Watford didn’t have their fi rst er’s inswinging free-kick. they were held 0-0 at Stoke. tight,” the England interna- the stands before his fi rst offi cial shot on target until a minute The visitors were starting to “The mental strength in this tional said. “The amount of fi xture at Everton on Sunday. Swansea’s Ashley Williams celebrates scoring their first goal during before half-time when Ben hit their stride and Jurado was dressing room’s the strongest teams that could potentially Guidolin’s presence had the his team’s match against Watford in the Barclays Premier League. Watson’s free-kick was only just off -target from the edge of it’s ever been,” Walcott told win this league, it’s probably desired eff ect as Ashley Wil- cleared as far as Jurado, who shot the area after exchanging passes the club’s website, adding that going to be the most exciting liams’s fi rst half goal secured with the south Wales club one placed the sacked Garry Monk, straight at Swansea goalkeeper with Odion Ighalo. the arrival of goalkeeper Petr Premier League for a neutral Swansea’s fi rst win in their last point clear of the bottom three Swansea felt compelled to make Lukasz Fabianski. Jurado forced Fabianski into a Cech from Chelsea had added ever. fi ve games in all competitions. as he bids to maintain their top- a change and the early signs were Watson was the provider decent save as Watford pushed some steel to the side. “No one can call it at this Swansea’s second success in fl ight status for a sixth succes- promising. again when Watford came close for a late equaliser but when “When you have the likes moment in time but we’re top their last 13 matches lifted them sive season. Since leaving his role at Udi- to equalising early in the second Troy Deeney shot wide in stop- of Petr Cech come into the of the league and we can be above Newcastle into 17th place With only one victory in seven nese last May, Guidolin had half, but this time Miguel Britos page-time, Guidolin was fi nally dressing room as well, he just proud of that.” and Guidolin will begin work games under Curtis since he re- worked as a technical supervisor fl icked a header narrowly over able to start celebrating. Gulf Times 6 Wednesday, January 20, 2016 SPORT

NBA BASEBALL Warriors crush Tigers and Upton agree Cavaliers 132-98 to 6-year deal

By Anthony Fenech interest in a big left fi elder all Detroit Free Press off season, rumoured to be inter- ested in Yoenis Cespedes, Alex Gordon and even Chris Davis. he Tigers no longer have That was solidifi ed by the fact a weakness in left fi eld. they traded for outfi elder Cam- in fi nals rematch Instead, they have a eron Maybin and seemed OK three-time All-Star, a with some sort of platoon with T28-year-old in the midst of his Maybin and Anthony Gose and ‘We never gave ourselves a chance to win and that’s unfortunate’ prime and another big bat in the Tyler Collins in left fi eld. middle of the lineup. But owner Mike Ilitch again DPA According to a person with put his money where his mouth Los Angeles Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (No 30) knowledge of the situation, the is, the Tigers in win-now mode, drives against Cleveland Cavaliers forward Kevin Tigers signed right-handed-hit- and another $100-plus-million Love in the fi rst quarter at Quicken Loans Arena. ting left fi elder Justin Upton to a deal on the books. he Golden State War- PICTURE: USA TODAY Sports six-year, $132.75-million con- Upton gives the team a formi- riors returned to Cleve- tract, pending a physical. The dable middle of the lineup with land for the fi rst time deal includes an opt-out clause fi rst baseman Miguel Cabrera, since raising the NBA after the second year. He’ll have DH Victor Martinez and right TChampionship trophy last June an average annual salary of fi elder J.D. Martinez. and again left with little doubt $22.125 million. General manager Al Avila and that they’re the better team. The Tigers now will lose their manager Brad Ausmus fl ew to League top gun Stephen Cur- second- and third-round draft Phoenix on Friday to meet Upton ry fi red in seven triples en route picks this year because of the before Monday’s deal, according to 35 points, and the defending Jordan Zimmermann and Upton to Bob Nightengale of USA TO- champion Warriors crushed the signings. They still have their DAY Sports. Cavaliers 132-98 on Monday in fi rst-round pick — No. 9 overall. Ilitch made it clear last month a rematch of the NBA Finals. Upton is a career .251 hitter at a news conference to an- “This is a good message that with 190 home runs and 616 RBIs nounce the signing of Zimmer- we sent to ourselves,” Curry in nine seasons. He was the No. 1 mann that he’s not afraid to keep said. “If we play the way we’re overall pick in the 2005 draft by spending. supposed to play, get stops, take the Arizona Diamondbacks. This “I’m telling them you gotta care of the ball and get open past season, he hit .251 with 26 get out there and get me the best looks, we’re tough to beat.” home runs and 81 RBIs with the players, and I don’t care about Reserve Andre Iguodala Padres. the money,” he said. “I want the matched his season high with The Tigers slow-played their best players, and that’s it.” 20 points Draymond Green had 16 with 10 assists, while Klay Thompson netted 15 for the JUSTIN UPTON Warriors (38-4), who led by as many as 43 in the wire-to-wire domination. The Warriors beat the Cava- liers in a grind-out 89-83 Christmas Day matchup. They did it again nearly a month lat- er in an even more impressive fashion, sending the Eastern Conference leaders to their most lopsided loss of the season. “We got a good a good old- fashion a-kicking,” said LeBron James, who led the Cavs (28-11) with 16 points. “They got whatever they wanted, a little bit of every- thing. “Tonight was an example of how far we need to get to s championship level.” The Warriors bounced back from Saturday’s sluggish “That and the lack of mental led the extra session en route to Rose netted 20, and the visiting the Hawks (25-17) sent the slid- 18-point loss at Detroit and preparation really hurt us. We their 11th win in the last 12 out- Bulls (24-16) beat the Pistons ing Magic (20-20) to a seventh avoided consecutive defeats for never gave ourselves a chance to ings. (22-19). loss in eight games. the fi rst time this season against win and that’s unfortunate.” zNew York Knicks 119, zDallas Mavericks 118, zToronto Raptors 112, Johnson fi rst in line for LA Rams tickets the Cavs who had piled up a 15-1 Elsewhere: Philadelphia 113 (2 OT): Ar- Boston Celtics 113 (OT): Ger- Brooklyn Nets 100: Kyle home record. zCharlotte Hornets 124, ron Affl alo scored 25 points, man juggernaut Dirk Nowitzki Lowry scored 13 of his 31 points The Los Angeles Rams’ bid to generate momentum ahead of their “After what happened in De- Utah Jazz 119 (2 OT): Kemba Langston Galloway added four matched his season high with in the decisive 31-16 fi nal quar- return to the West Coast is off to a great start as Basketball Hall of troit,” Curry said, “it’s good to Walker exploded for a career- of his eight in the second over- 31 points, including 21 in the ter, DeMar Rozan added 30, and Famer Magic Johnson was first in line for tickets. show our resiliency and bounce high and franchise-record time, and the host Knicks (20- fourth quarter and over-time, the Raptors (26-15) won their The Rams, who last week won approval from National Football back.” 52 points, including four free 21) recovered to beat the stub- Deron Williams had half his season-high tying fi fth straight League owners to return to Los Angeles after spending the prior 21 Curry staked the Warriors to throws in the fi nal three sec- born Sixers (5-38) after blowing 20 in the extra session and the win after clipping the visiting seasons in St. Louis, launched their season ticket deposit campaign a 32-31 after the opening quar- onds, carrying the Hornets (19- an 18-point third-quarter lead. Mavericks (24-19) topped the Nets (11-31), led by the 29 of earlier on Monday. ter with 16 points. The reigning 22) past the Jazz. Gordon Hay- zMemphis Grizzlies 101, visiting Celtics (22-20) for the Brook Lopez. “We’ve got our first #Rams deposit! The Legend @MagicJohnson!,” league MVP had 21 by half-time ward topped Utah (18-23) with New Orleans Pelicans 99: seventh straight time. the Rams said on their Twitter account. Johnson won five National and visitors opened up a 70-44 36 points Spaniard Marc Gasol had 16 zPortland Trail Blazers Basketball Association titles during a career spent entirely with the cushion on sizzling 68 per cent zLA Clippers 140, Hou- points and 10 rebounds, Mike 108, Washington Wizards 98: RESULTS Los Angeles Lakers and is also part of the ownership group that fi eld goal shooting. ston Rockets 132 (OT): Sharp- Conley added 15 points and 10 CJ McCollum tossed in 25 points, Cleveland ...... 98 Golden State ....132 purchased Major League Baseball’s Los Angeles Dodgers in 2012. The assault continued. Curry shooting J.J. Redick fi red in a assists, and the Grizzlies (24- including six of the Trail Blazers’ LA Clippers ...... 140 Houston ...132 (OT) “I got my @RamsNFL season tickets! I’m so excited and can’t wait to dropped in 14 with three more career-high 40 points, includ- 19) won their third in a row af- 17 from behind the arc, and the Dallas ...... 118 Boston...... 113 (OT) see OUR team next season! #Rams,” Johnson tweeted. triples and the Warriors pushed ing a personal-best nine triples, ter edging the visiting Pelicans visitors (19-25) went on a game- Toronto ...... 112 Brooklyn ...... 100 The Rams joined the NFL in 1937 as the Cleveland Rams and first it to 104-67 heading into the and the Clippers escaped the (13-27) despite a game-high 23 breaking 23-1 third-quarter blitz Atlanta ...... 98 Orlando ...... 81 moved to Los Angeles in 1945 where they remained until relocating fourth quarter before coasting visiting Rockets despite Dwight points from Jrue Holiday. to beat the Wizards (19-21) for Detroit ...... 101 Chicago ...... 111 to St. Louis for the 1995 season. home with their ninth win in 11 Howard’s monster 36-point, zChicago Bulls 111, De- their fourth win in fi ve games. Charlotte ...... 124 Utah ...... 119 (OT) Having gone two decades since the NFL left Los Angeles, experts decisions in the series. 26-rebound eff ort. Chris Paul troit Pistons 101: Spaniard zAtlanta Hawks 98, Or- Washington ...... 98 Portland...... 108 have said the returning Rams are expected to require a strong mar- “We had a breakdown and had 28 with 12 assists as the Pau Gasol had seven of his 31 lando Magic 81: Al Horford Memphis ...... 101 New Orleans .....99 keting campaign to mark out their territory in an already crowded didn’t respond to it,” Cavs coach Clippers (27-14) hit a franchise- points in the fi nal four minutes scored 15 points, Paul Millsap New York ...... 119 Philadelphia 113 (OT) entertainment marketplace. David Blatt said. record 22 triples and control- along with 12 rebounds, Derrick added 13 with 12 rebounds and

NHL Sharks lose to Senators 3-4 in shootout

By Curtis Pashelka RESULTS Sharks’ prettiest goals of the defense and redirected the puck San Jose Mercury News season in the third period. past goalie Craig Anderson to cut San Jose ...... 3 Ottawa ..4 (SO) Donskoi took a pass from the Ottawa lead back to one 4:16 Florida ...... 2 Edmonton ...... 4 Chris Tierney, stickhandled the into the second. he San Jose Sharks let Arizona ...... 1 Buff alo ...... 2 puck through his own legs and The Senators opened the Monday’s game against St. Louis ...... 5 Pittsburgh ...... 2 fed a backhand pass to Nieto, scoring with 8:48 left in the the Ottawa Senators Winnipeg ...... 1 Colorado ...... 2 who held onto the puck just long fi rst period. Ottawa defenseman slip right through their enough to beat Ottawa goalie Cody Ceci sent a long pass off Tgrasp. Craig Anderson for a 3-2 Sharks the boards into the Sharks zone, The Sharks let a third-period penalty shot with 5:31 left in the lead with 12:06 left in the third and Stalock came out to poke the lead slip away, failed to score on third period. period. puck away from Max McCor- a power play in overtime and On the penalty shot, Smith Logan Couture started the mick. Stalock, though, didn’t get were unable to convert on three came to nearly a complete stop third period with nifty individu- there in time, and McCormick shootout chances. and looked to stickhandle the al eff ort, as he corralled the puck slapped the puck between Sta- The Senators got a shootout puck backward before he fi red a in the slot, twisted his body and lock’s legs from a sharp angle to goal from Mika Zibanejad to shot from in close above Sharks fi red a wrist shot past Anderson give the Senators a 1-0 lead. earn a 4-3 win at SAP Center to goalie Alex Stalock’s blocker. to tie the game 2-2 just 2:47 into Stalock was coming off a 21- snap the Sharks’ fi ve-game win But upon review, offi cials deter- the third period. save performance on Jan. 12 in streak. mined that the puck was kept in The teams traded goals eight Winnipeg, where the Sharks The Sharks were dominating motion toward the Sharks net, seconds apart early in the second earned a 4-1 win. the third period, leading by a and the goal tied the game at 3. period. With the Senators on the Stalock made 15 saves over goal and on the power play when The Sharks got a golden power play, Bobby Ryan’s shot the fi nal two periods for his fi rst Senators center Zack Smith chance to win it in overtime but went off Burns’ stick and past victory since the Sharks beat the chipped the puck by a pinch- were unable to convert with 1:52 Stalock for a 2-0 Ottawa lead. Columbus Blue Jackets on No- ing Brent Burns near the Ot- of power-play time in the extra But after the ensuing faceoff , Joe vember 22. tawa blue line. Smith then was session. Thornton took a Burns pass and He entered Monday with a tripped by Burns as he took the Joonas Donskoi and Matt found a streaking Tomas Hertl, 3-5-0 record and a 2.76 goals- The Ottawa Senators celebrate after their shootout win against the San Jose Sharks at SAP Center at San puck toward the net, drawing a Nieto combined for one of the who got behind the Senators against average in 11 games. Jose. Ottawa won 4-3 in a shootout. PICTURE: USA TODAY Sports Gulf Times Wednesday, January 20, 2016 7 SPORT

QATAR BASKETBALL LEAGUE FOCUS IAAF scandal worse than football’s crisis, Hachad eff ort not says Johnson

Reuters of corruption and money-laun- London dering linked to the concealment of positive drug tests in concert with Russian offi cials. enough as Sadd he corruption scandal FIFA is facing the worst crisis in that has rocked athlet- it history as a total of 41 individu- ics is worse than the one als and entities have been charged that has plunged football with corruption-related off ences Tbody FIFA into crisis because it in the United States. FIFA also fac- punished clean athletes, four- es a parallel Swiss probe. times Olympic gold medallist Sepp Blatter, the football Michael Johnson (pictured) body’s long-serving head, has down Shamal said yesterday. been banned for eight years. “With athletics, if you think Johnson said the IAAF, now led about the victims, it is absolutely by Britain’s Sebastian Coe, need- El Jaish brushes aside Qatar SC challenge 107-70 worse,” the 400 metres world ed to be “completely restruc- record holder told BBC radio. tured” but saw little merit in a “The victims here are those suggestion that world records (clean) athletes. They never had should be reset as a way of mov- the opportunity to stand on the ing on from the crisis. podium and they should have,” “It doesn’t make sense to me added the American sprinter. how a reset of all the world records An independent commission is going to deal with the issue of of the World Anti-Doping Agen- people cheating,” said Johnson. cy (WADA) has stated in a damn- “It doesn’t create a clean com- ing report that “corruption was petition and that does not deter embedded” at the International anyone from cheating.” Association of Athletics Federa- The American also questioned tions (IAAF). whether Russia’s ban from all The report found that a clique competitions as a result of state- run by former IAAF president sponsored doping should extend Lamine Diack covered up or- to this year’s Rio Olympics. ganised doping and blackmailed “Do you ban an entire coun- athletes while senior offi cials try that ostensibly could include looked the other way. clean athletes, from participat- Diack is under formal inves- ing in Rio? That is a very diffi cult tigation in France on suspicion decision to make,” he said.

Al Shamal’s Mohamed Kamal Hachad (third from right) in action during the Qatar Basketball League match against Al Sadd yesterday. PICTURES: Shemeer Rasheed

By Sports Reporter Daoud Mousa with 12. CHANGE Doha Sadd had built up a health 14-point lead at 24-10 in the second quarter but Hachad and ohamed Kamal Ambres got their act together to IAAF appoint Hachad was the close the gap but in the end it still highest scoring play- wasn’t enough. er in the Qatar Men’s In the second match of the MBasketball League yesterday, and day, El Jaish came up with a com- Garcia interim CEO yet his team Al Shamal ended up manding display brushing aside being the losing side. Qatar SC challenge 107-70. orld athletics gov- General Secretary.” Hachad scored 35 points, and Sammy Monroe Jr. II (33 erning body the Spanish-born Garcia, 60, is a he even had Mildon Ambres for points) and Vernon Leon Mack- IAAF yesterday ap- former General Secretary of the company with 24 points, but lin (30) got together to score 63 pointed Frenchman French Athletics Federation and Al Sadd still managed to beat points for the winning team, who WJean Garcia as their new interim a current vice-president of Eu- Shamal 88-82 at the Al Gharafa never let go off the lead. Saeed Chief Executive Offi cer (CEO). ropean Athletics. Sports Club yesterday. Ibrahim al-Malki and Ali Turki The former athlete’s appoint- “He will act as the focal point Hachad had eight two-point- Ali pitched in with 15 and 14 ment follows a review of the for all our Member Federations ers and fi ve three-pointers be- points respectively. scandal-hit body’s organisation- and partners, and support me sides four free throws to show for Consteveous Jeff erson scored al structure following Sebastian with work involving the Ex- for his 35-point haul. 25 points for Qatar SC. Abdul- Coe’s election as president last ecutive Board and Council,” said For Sadd, Mohamed Deba raman Ibrahim al-Muftah and September. Coe, adding that the new ap- Kone was the top-scorer with Malcolm Anthony White added “A shortlist of international pointment “brings vast expe- 26 points, while Anthony Raff a 13 and 12 points respectively. candidates is being drawn-up rience and will assist the con- added 23 points to the winning Today, Al Ahli take on Al Wak- and it is hoped that the IAAF will tinued smooth running of the eff ort. The other Sadd players in rah in the fi rst match at 5:30pm, be in a position to make an ap- association in the interim”. double fi gures were Khalid Suli- while Al Gharafa face off with Al pointment by the middle of the Since taking over from the dis- man Abdi with 16 points and Rayyan at 7:30pm. El Jaish’s Sammy Monroe Jr. II (second from right) in action against Qatar SC yesterday. year,” the IAAF said in a state- graced Lamine Diack, Coe has ment. had to battle through a scandal “Until that appointment is that has seen Russia banned over PORSCHE GT3 CHALLENGE MIDDLE EAST made, Jean Garcia has been ap- “state-sponsored” doping and pointed to support the day-to- a raft of top offi cials, including day operations of the IAAF HQ Diack, accused of taking bribes Team Frijns set sight on podium in Abu Dhabi in Monaco as the Interim CEO/ from doped athletes. Davies lone new cap in Wales squad Agencies learn and look forward to the next chance Abu Dhabi to race. I’m really looking forward to race Scarlets scrum-half Aled Davies was the only uncapped player at Yas. I think every driver does and I can included in a 37-man Wales squad for this season’s Six Nations take confi dence from what I’ve achieved Championship announced by coach Warren Gatland on Tuesday. wo weekends of exciting back to so far. I’ll look to secure the results I know Gatland also recalled Cardiff Blues wing Tom James and Blues back racing in the UAE could be I’m capable of and build momentum over flanker Josh Turnbull, while centre Jonathan Davies returns after pivotal in the fi nal outcome of the the next few weeks in the UAE.” missing the World Cup through injury. highly competitive team champi- Meanwhile for fi rst-placed team Al Injuries also ruled out fullback Leigh Halfpenny, centre Scott Wil- Tonship of the region’s Porsche GT3 Chal- Nabooda Racing the dominant perform- liams and scrum-half Rhys Webb. lenge Middle East with Doha based team ances of Jeff rey Schmidt have acted as a Meanwhile there was no place in the squad for James Hook, a Frijns Structural Steel ME chasing glory. strong springboard in their quest for vic- player Gatland has long doubted, suggesting the gifted utility Following a short winter break the rac- tory over defending champions and sec- back’s international career could be at an end. ing father and son duo of Rob Frijns and ond-placed Skydive Dubai Falcons. Four Wales, who lost in the quarter-finals of last year’s World Cup to Charlie Frijns will head to the capital’s straight race wins in the fi rst four races of South Africa, begin the 2016 Six Nations away to Ireland in Dublin Yas Marina Circuit for two races this Fri- Season 7 sees debutant Schmidt clear by on February 7. day in Round 3 of the six round series. Af- fourteen points in the driver’s champion- ter the opening two rounds the pair sit in ship yet it’s the team title that Schmidt Uncapped duo in Scotland squad fourth place in the team championship, is honing in on fi rst and foremost this behind new Saudi team AlFaisal Racing weekend. Uncapped props Zander Fagerson and Rory Sutherland were and just fi ve points ahead of rivals Team The Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Mid- both included in Scotland’s 35-man squad for the upcoming Bahrain. dle East now heads to the UAE for three Six Nations Championship announced by coach Vern Cotter on However the family team know all rounds in a row to kick start the New Year Tuesday, while centre Alex Dunbar returned after a year out with too well that a solid performance in Abu across January and February, closely fol- injury. Dhabi could act as the perfect spring- Qatar-based Charlie Frijns set for Porsche GT3 round in Abu Dhabi. lowed by the return to Bahrain in early Scotland, who suff ered an agonising last-gasp World Cup quarter- board for their assault on that signifi cant March which is set to be a thrilling end to final loss to eventual runners-up Australia after a controversial third place. The consistency of his teammate and of Round 3, Charlie said: “Season 7 has Season 7. decision by South African referee Craig Joubert went against In the opening two rounds of the sea- father, experienced Porsche GT3 Cup been a real mix of emotions for me. I’ve them, begin their Six Nations campaign at home to England on son the younger member of the team, Challenge Middle East campaigner Rob had some terrifi c qualifying sessions OVERALL TEAM STANDINGS February 6. Charlie, has seized every opportunity Frijns, means the duo have positioned which have placed me in the ideal posi- 1. Al Nabooda Racing (UAE) 182 The Scots will hope to use their encouraging World Cup perform- to develop his talent. His strong re- themselves in the strong spot to take a tion to secure podiums and really chal- 2. Skydive Dubai Falcons (UAE) 137 ance as a springboard for an improved showing in the Six Na- sults so far have placed the Doha resi- podium place in the team champion- lenge in the driver stands. But unfortu- 3. Al Faisal Racing (KSA) 112 tions, having finished with the ‘wooden spoon’ after losing all five dent in seventh in the overall standings ship in Season 7. nately I’ve not really capitalized on times 4. Frijns Structural Steel ME (NED) 69 of their matches in last season’s Championship. and helped to power the team forward. Speaking on behalf of the team ahead I’ve set in qualifying. But I continue to 5. Team Bahrain 64 Gulf Times 8 Wednesday, January 20, 2016 CRICKET

SPOTLIGHT Sri Lanka skipper questioned in fi xing probe

AFP Galle International stadium. to bribe players. The FCID has Colombo The two players refused the already recorded statements off er of some $70,000 and Sri from wicketkeeper Perera and Lanka beat the tourists by an in- Herath over the incident. Sports ri Lankan police yester- nings and six runs after veteran Minister Jayasekera told AFP day questioned skipper left-arm spinner Herath took 10 last month that an unnamed Angelo Mathews as part wickets. man linked to a bookmaker had of investigations into Mathews said it was the play- off ered the two players some 10 anS attempt to bribe players to ers themselves who had reported million rupees (around $70,000) under-perform in a cricket Test the approach. However, the po- to lose the match. against the West Indies. lice investigation was launched The West Indies, who have Mathews said the police Fi- after Sports Minister Dayasiri never won a Test match in Sri nancial Crimes Investigation Jayasekera lodged a formal com- Lanka and went on to lose the Division (FCID) recorded a plaint. two-match series 2-0, were rank statement about what he knew outsiders for the showdown in of an approach to two Sri Lankan Mathews said it was the Galle. players to arrange a shock defeat players themselves who Betting is illegal in most of the at the hands of the West Indies had reported the approach. cricket-mad Indian subconti- at Galle last October. However, the police inves- nent, but backstreet bookmak- “This is about a player ap- tigation was launched aft er ers—many of whom have links to proach, no investigation against Sports Minister Jayasekera the underworld—still fl ourish. any of the cricketers,” Mathews lodged a formal complaint Although no big-name Sri said after spending over fi ve Lankan player has ever been hours at the FCID offi ce in Co- On Monday the Sri Lanka convicted of corruption, sev- lombo. cricket board suspended its fast eral former stars have made al- He said he was questioned bowling coach Anusha Sama- legations of either match fi xing about what he knew of the ap- ranayake for two months and or spot-fi xing—when players proach made to Kusal Perera sacked a part-time employee, deliberately bowl or fi eld badly and Rangana Herath, to fix the net bowler Gayan Vishwajith, to give away a set number of Sri Lanka skipper Angelo Mathews is surrounded by media as he leaves the police Financial Crimes Investigation Division (FCID) building in result of a Test played at the for their alleged roles in trying runs. Colombo yesterday. (AFP)

COMMENT New Zealand’s McCullum to give Cowdrey Lecture

New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum will deliver this year’s Spirit of Cricket Cowdrey Lecture at Lord’s, the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) announced yesterday. The lecture is named in honour of the late former England ‘Maxwell’s mature captain Colin Cowdrey, an all-time great batsman who was also renowned for the courteous way he played the game. The 34-year-old McCullum, a veteran of 99 Tests, is due to retire from international cricket next month before heading to Lord’s to play for county side Middlesex in English domestic cricket’s Twenty20 Blast competition. One of the most hard-hitting batsmen of his generation, McCul- lum has also won plaudits for the aggressive yet sporting way in knock a glimpse of which he has captained New Zealand. He will deliver his address at Lord’s on June 6, three days before the start of the Lord’s Test against Sri Lanka. The inaugural Cowdrey Lecture was given by the late Richie Benaud in 2001 and subsequent speakers have included New Zealand great Martin Crowe, Pakistan’s Imran Khan, Sri Lanka’s Kumar Sangakkara, as well as notable figures from outside cricket such as South Africa’s Archbishop Desmond Tutu. things to come’ McCullum, who follows last year’s speaker Rodney Marsh, the former Australia wicket-keeper turned chairman of selectors, said in an MCC statement: “It was an honour to be asked to de- ‘I think it was great that everyone was able to see that and know what he’s capable of’ liver the MCC Spirit of Cricket Cowdrey Lecture—especially given the stature of some previous speakers—so I was very pleased to accept the invitation.” MCC president Roger Knight added: “Brendon McCullum is one David Warner of Australia (L) speaks to the media as of the best cricketers of his generation, and I’m sure will be a he takes part in a team training session at the Manuka very engaging speaker—especially given his insight in to the Oval in Canberra yesterday ahead of the fourth one-day modern game. international against India. (AFP) “He has embodied the play hard, play fair message of the MCC Spirit of Cricket throughout his playing career, especially in his captaincy—so is a perfect fit for this event.”

Reuters Maxwell, 27, has the game to Melbourne toy with the opposition bowl- Australia off -spinner Hauritz announces retirement Proteas keeper De Kock to be ing attack when in full fl ow but assessed before fourth Test his risk-taking style has also Australia off -spinner Nathan Hauritz announced his retirement from competitive cricket yesterday, lenn Maxwell’s im- prompted suggestions he is a bringing the curtain down on a 15-year career during which he represented the national side in all three pressive performance Twenty20 specialist. formats. against India in the While Maxwell’s Test career Hauritz, one of the many spinners Australia turned to after the retirement of bowling great Shane third one-dayer was is yet to bloom, having averaged Warne, did not have a state contract for the last two seasons and was used by his Big Bash League side Gjust a glimpse of the enormous just over 13 in his three matches, Melbourne Renegades for one match this season. talent the hard-hitting Australia he played some crucial knocks The 34-year-old failed to take a wicket in that clash, against Perth Scorchers, and conceded 29 runs in all-rounder possesses, opening in the 50-overs format in the his two overs. batsman David Warner said yes- last 12 months, including his “I was just so shattered after the game,” he told reporters. “I realised I hadn’t come down here to be that terday. maiden ton in the format against disappointed about a game of cricket anymore. I thought ‘I don’t need that anymore’. I just want to get Maxwell earned the nickname Sri Lanka at last year’s World away. ‘Big Show’ for his exciting but Cup. “The highs and lows (are too much). I need to get off that up-and-down rollercoaster and get back to a often irresponsible shot-mak- “That’s what we’ve got to keep bit of normality in life. ing and was often criticised for reiterating to him, that he’s capa- “I competed as hard as I could but I just felt that me competing as hard as I could wasn’t good enough. throwing away his wicket while ble of doing that,” added Warner, Hauritz made his Australia debut in a one-day international against South Africa in 2002 before playing going for boundaries too early in who also came in for criticism in his first test against India in Mumbai two years later. his innings. the early part of his career due to He took 63 wickets in 17 tests, the last of which he played against India in 2010. He has the same On Sunday, however, he re- his risk-taking style. number of dismissals in 58 ODIs and also played three Twenty20 internationals for Australia. vived Australia’s run chase with “He doesn’t need to come out “I have a lot of good memories, obviously a few bad ones mixed among them,” Hauritz added. “But I a mature knock of 96 and by and play that big shot from ball will definitely look back at my career very proud and very happy with what I achieved.” the time he was dismissed after one. But like all of us, we like an 83-ball blitz the scores were to hit a boundary in our fi rst 10 tied at the Melbourne Cricket balls to get us off and going. Wicketkeeper Quinton de Kock will have a final assessment on Ground. “It’s exciting to see what he his troublesome knee today ahead of the fourth Test against Australia went on to beat In- did the other day and I’m really England in Pretoria, Cricket South Africa said. dia by three wickets and take an excited to keep playing alongside De Kock was injured while walking his dog on the eve of the third unassailable 3-0 lead in the fi ve- him and following his career,” he match at the Wanderers and replaced in the side by Dane Vilas. match series. added. Opener Stiaan Van Zyl’s dismal series is over after he was “I think we’re yet to see his While Warner enjoyed his released from the squad with uncapped Stephen Cook set to real talent,” said Warner, who short break from the game, he replace him at the top of the order in the match which starts on has returned to the squad for said he could not aff ord to be Friday. the fourth ODI after missing the away for too long due to compe- Van Zyl, usually a middle-order batsman, scored just 69 runs in second and third matches for the tition for places in the team. five innings at an average of 13.80. birth of his second child. “You’ve got to come back, Fast bowler Dale Steyn has already been ruled out as the Proteas “I think we saw a glimpse of you’ve got to be switched on and seek to give him more time to recover from a shoulder injury it the other night—a mature in- you’ve got to score runs as well,” ahead of the five-match one-day international series starting on nings. He played fantastic. I he added. Feb. 3. think it was great that everyone “It’s a fi ckle game. If you’re England have won the test series after taking an unassailable 2-0 was able to see that and know out of form it could cost you a lead ahead of the final match at Centurion Park. what he’s capable of.” spot for a year or two.” Gulf Times Wednesday, January 20, 2016 9 CRICKET

FOCUS TWENTY20 Uncapped Muktar, Mosaddek named in Pakistan gambles Bangladesh’s squad

IANS to replace Mushfi qur while Mo- Khulna, Bangladesh hammad Shahid has made the squad too. Mushfi qur limped off the eldfi he Bangladeshi selectors in the second match on Sunday. on Twenty20 league have handed Muktar Ali “Mushfi qur has strained his and Mosaddek Hossain right hamstring while batting. their fi rst national team He will undergo a scan in Dha- call-upsT while leaving out in- ka,” team physio Bayjedul Islam jured Mushfi qur Rahim. Khan said. Bangladesh Cricket Board “Usually it takes two to three (BCB) named a 14-man squad weeks to recover from such inju- for the last two Twenty20 In- ries. However, we will be able to to boost coff ers ternationals of the four matches assess his condition better once against Zimbabwe. The hosts we have the scan report.” lead the series 2-0 while the The squad: Mashrafe Bin Mor- ‘I think the spread and the pie will be larger and PSL will give hope to Pakistan cricket’ third match will be played today, taza (captain), Shakib Al Hasan reports bdnews24.com. (vice-captain), Tamim Iqbal, The selectors decided to rest Imrul Kayes, Soumya Sarkar, AFP seamers Mustafi zur Rahman and Sabbir Rahman, Taskin Ahmed, Lahore GLOBAL SUPERSTARS: CHRIS GAYLE Al-Amin Hossain. Shuvagata Mahmudullah, Arafat Sunny, Nu- (RIGHT) AND KEVIN PIETERSEN Hom Chowdhury has been left rul Hasan, Mohammad Shahid, out of the fold for failing to live Abu Haider Rony, Mosaddek akistan is rolling the up to billing. Taskin Ahmed is in Hossain, Muktar Ali. dice on global super- stars such as Chris Gayle and Kevin Pi- Petersen to boost the country’s cash-strapped cricket board when its new high-octane, short-form Twenty20 league begins in the UAE next month. But insiders warn Pakistan’s fi rst franchise-based league may not be enough to overcome revenue and time lost during the country’s long exile from host- ing international cricket. Pakistan has been forced to play nearly all its home series at neutral venues since Islamist fi ghters attacked the Sri Lanka team’s bus in 2009, killing eight people and injuring nine others, including six touring cricketers. Bangladesh coach Chandika Hathurusingha (L) talks to Bangladesh After two aborted attempts, cricket captain Mashrafe Bin Mortaza during a team training session the fi rst edition of Pakistan Su- at the Sheikh Abu Naser Stadium in Khulna yesteerday. (AFP) per League (PSL) will be held next month at two venues—Du- bai and Sharjah -- in the United Arab Emirates, the team’s home away from home. ‘Gayle needs Caribbean “This was long overdue,” former PCB CEO Ramiz Raja told region’s support’ AFP. “I think the spread and the Leading regional academic Sir Hilary Beckles has thrown his sup- pie will be larger and the PSL will port behind embattled West Indies batsman Chris Gayle and has give hope and scope to Pakistan encouraged the Caribbean region to do the same. cricket besides helping emerging lost nearly $200 million in TV and attracted a whopping $1.75 turns, former Pakistan captain projecting that the league will Gayle recently found himself embroiled in a sexism row following and middle-tier players.” and ticketing revenue from billion from the sale of TV rights Rashid Latif fears PSL could be come to Pakistan. If it doesn’t a controversial interview with Australian reporter Mel McLaughlin But insiders agree there is lit- 2009 to date, a period which has over a 10-year period. particularly susceptible to fi x- come in two to three years then during a game in the Big Bash League T20 tourney, reports CMC. tle hope for the tournament to also coincided with a boycott by By contrast, the PSL’s fi ve ing. the viability becomes diffi cult. Sir Hilary, the vice-chancellor of the University of the West Indies, continue if it can’t eventually India—cricket’s wealthiest na- teams were sold for $93 million “Teams will not be able to re- “It’s a bit untested. You’re said he believed Gayle had made a genuine mistake and should be return home for greater gate and tion, which guarantees massive for a period of a decade while cover expenses without fi xing,” playing 25 to 30 matches in two forgiven. TV revenues. paydays for opponents. TV rights and title sponsorship Latif, who as a player blew the venues. There is a limit you can “I take his words for what he said, that he meant no off ence. I take With lower salary caps than To set about improving its fetched around $20 million for whistle on fi xing teammates, draw. You don’t get the league his word for that. I think he has given his apology,” Sir Hilary said leagues elsewhere, it will also economic health, the Pakistan three years. said. “If they don’t use that, feel of home and away games on Monday. “We have to give him the support that he needs. Lots need to steer clear of the ever- Cricket Board (PCB) decided it While the teams - Karachi, they will suff er huge losses.” until you bring it to Pakistan— of sportsmen and women from time to time might not say the present threat of fi xing that has needed to replicate the success Islamabad, Quetta, Lahore and Gayle, arguably the tourna- that’s when you can create a diplomatically pleasing thing, but in most cases, the environment hit its predecessor leagues in of the cash-rich Indian Premier Peshawar - were given a total ment’s most high-profi le T20 genuine buzz.” of sport, comments are sometimes taken in the wrong way, and I India and Bangladesh, resulting League (IPL), but two earlier salary cap of $1.1 million each, star, recently damaged his own He added that the concept of just want to see Chris dust off all of this.” in bans for the likes of interna- attempts were aborted after a the IPL salary cap rose to $52.8 standing after being involved in merchandising was new to Pa- Sir Hilary, a former West Indies Cricket Board director, said it was tional stars Shanthakumaran lack of sponsorship, in 2013 and million for all teams combined a sexism row following fl irta- kistan, where rampant piracy important that Gayle rebounded from the controversy as there Sreesanth of India and Moham- 2014. in 2011. tious remarks made to an Aus- remains an issue, and it would was still an important role for him to play in West Indies cricket. mad Ashraful of Bangladesh. PSL chairman Najam Sethi In 2014, India’s World Cup tralian reporter in the BBL. be diffi cult to give the competi- “This event has humbled Chris, and I want to big him up to get With Pakistan’s young pace was bullish. “Teams will use heroes Gautam Gambhir and He remains a box-offi ce pull tion a genuine league feel away back,” Sir Hilary pointed out. star Mohamed Amir making his merchandising and hopefully we Yuvraj Singh earned $2.4 mil- however, and warmed up for his from home. “I have known him for many years, and I wish him all the best, and international comeback after will make this product profi table lion and $2.33 million. PSL stint with a record-equal- But some in Pakistan’s busi- I say to him, ‘come back and fulfill your destiny, and your destiny is fi ve years in the wilderness for which will help us stand on our But the top fi ve “icon players” ling 50 off just 12 balls in his final ness community are more op- in the heart of West Indies cricket’.” spot-fi xing, the country can feet and we will not need to take in the PSL—Chris Gayle of the BBL innings on Monday night. timistic. The 36-year-old Gayle courted controversy when he appeared ill aff ord a repeat of the sort of money from anyone,” he said on West Indies, England’s maver- “Our money box is empty to openly flirt with McLaughin by telling her during a live TV controversy that has blighted it a TV show he hosts recently. ick Kevin Pietersen, Austral- Bringing the game home and we have to cajole India (to interview: “I wanted to come and have an interview with you as more than any other team since But compared to the IPL and ian all-rounder Shane Watson, On the fi nancial side, bring- participate), but I am sure peo- well, that’s the reason why I’m here. Just to see your eyes for the the phenomenon emerged in the Australia’s Big Bash League and Pakistan’s all-round pair of ing the league to Pakistan soil ple will support it and in my first time. It’s nice.” He continued: “So hopefully we can win this late 1990s. (BBL), the PSL looks like a “poor Shoaib Malik and Shahid Afridi as soon as possible is key to its opinion in the next three to fi ve game and we can have a drink after. Don’t blush, baby.” Gayle was man’s league”. -- will earn $200,000. lasting success, a management years it will make profi ts,” said subsequently censured by Cricket Australia and Big Bash League Lost time, lost revenue The IPL earned $700 million With its comparatively lower source told AFP. Pakistani businessman Zafar organisers, and also fined Aus$10,000 (US$7,000). The board estimates it has from the sale of eight franchises wage structure and smaller re- “Everybody’s hoping and Motiwala.

UNDER-19 WORLD CUP Biggest challenge was to select best 15: Dravid

IANS or all-rounders, all looked in good shape after Mumbai successful couple of limited-overs series last Dhoni advice helped me: Kishan year. Jharkhand wicketkeeper-batsman Ishan Kis- India Under-19 cricket team’s captain Ishan Kishan yesterday said he ith the Under-19 cricket World han was named as captain for the side. received valuable advice from the senior team’s limited overs skip- Cup due to start on January 27, In- Kishan had recently led India to a series win per Mahendra Singh Dhoni recently on how to tackle things during dia chief coach Rahul Dravid yes- in a U-19 tri-nation tournament also involving pressure situations. terday said his biggest challenge Sri Lanka and England, in Sri Lanka. Two weeks Jharkhand wicketkeeper-batsman Kishan played alongside Dhoni Wahead of the tournament was to select the best- before that, India won another tri-nation event, in the recent Vijay Hazare Trophy in the domestic season for 15 set of players from the 30 probables because beating Bangladesh and Afghanistan in Kolkata. Jharkhand. of excess talent’ in the pool of players. Praising the 17-year-old, Dravid said the With the U-19 World Cup due to start on January 27, India will take on India will take on Ireland (after Australia Jharkhand-based batsman was the right person Ireland (after Australia pulled out due to security concerns) in their pulled out due to security concerns) in their to lead the side. opening match to be held at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in opening match to be held at the Sher-e-Bang- “We tried out diff erent captains and went Mirpur on January 28. The three-time winners (2000, 2008, 2012) la National Stadium in Mirpur on January 28. with Kishan. Me and the selectors have thought are clubbed in Group D with Ireland, New Zealand and Nepal. The three-time winners (2000, 2008, 2012) are that he would be the best person to lead the Kishan had recently led India to a series win in an U-19 tri-nation clubbed in Group D with Ireland, New Zealand side,” he said. tournament also involving Sri Lanka and England, in Sri Lanka. Two and Nepal. Dravid said that Rishabh Pant (vice-captain) weeks before that, India won another tri-nation event, beating Bang- “The biggest challenge for me was to select will be the wicket-keeper as Kishan can focus ladesh and Afghanistan in Kolkata. the best 15 players out of 30 because of excess on his captaincy. “I met Dhoni during the Vijay Hazare Trophy and he helped me with talent. All the players are so much talented that The 43-year-old said the tournament is just valuable tips on what to do during pressure situations. I think his tips it is diffi cult to keep someone away and that was a step ahead in the players’ career adding that will help me in the process when I captain in the World Cup,” Kishan really tough for me. We rotated the squad a lot representing the senior team must be the main said at a press conference before leaving for Bangladesh. for the last few months and came to this best 15 goal for the players. Kishan said he adapted easily to coach Rahul Dravid because the we have now,” Dravid said at a press conference “This World Cup will be an opportunity for former India skipper is such a fun loving person. before leaving for Bangladesh. the youngsters to prove themselves; this is just “Dravid sir is a legend in the game. I didn’t take much time in adjust- “I have told the players to play their natural one step in their career. The main aim for the ing with him. The advice I got from him, I will try to execute them game. I have stressed a lot on rotating the strike boys should be to represent the senior team and when I captain in the World Cup,” he said. which pulls the pressure down from one indi- all the boys have the talent in them to do so,” Speaking about the preparations for the forthcoming tournament, vidual. The biggest advantage is that all of them Dravid said. the 17-year-old said all players have done their job well till date and can play big shots and the distance they cover is “This tournament will give them the expo- are set to take on the best team in Bangladesh. incredible,” the former India captain added. sure and have a fun time out there. There should “All the players have done their job well. Be it bowlers, batsmen, all- Speaking about the preparations for the up- be more U-19 matches played to make them rounders all have done their job. I hope all execute the plans well in coming tournament, former India skipper was used to with the international cricket and fi t for Bangladesh,” Kishan said. confi dent in saying that be it batsmen, bowlers the world stage,” the batting legend concluded. Gulf Times 10 Wednesday, January 20, 2016 TENNIS

FOCUS What would drive a tennis champion to cheat? By Steve Howell fortune but was controlled by the men theguardian.com in her life. NOT TENNIS TOO! ARE THERE ANY 'CLEAN' SPORTS LEFT? Under their infl uence, she became Tennis this week joined the roster of in the 1925 US Open for a tiny infringement throwing a match against Thailand in instances of cheating in tournaments. “less of a human being than a cor- porting reputations are tum- major sports being played under the no one else had seen, said: “You might as order to get a more favourable draw in The most serious concerned French poration with legs: Nike owned her bling so fast, I doubt even shadow of corruption allegations. well praise me for not robbing a bank.” But the quarter-finals. The players denied Grandmaster Sebastien Feller, who in feet, Oakley Sunglasses colonised her Usain Bolt can keep up with So where should the ethical sports it seems robbers do now roam the greens. the allegations, but were disciplined by 2010 was found to have cheated in the hypnotic eyes, and even her time was them. We’ve had match-fi xing lover turn? Are there any “clean” In 2011, a survey of 50 PGA tour caddies Bowls New Zealand. Chess Olympiad by using two accom- brought to her by the good people at inS cricket and snooker, corruption in TAG Heuer watches”. sports left? Let’s try to find one: revealed half had witnessed instances of Bridge plices to feed him computer-generated football, and doping in cycling, rugby, cheating, such as moving the ball closer to moves. He was banned for three years So we come back to the money, but baseball and athletics. the hole after marking a putt. but, to the dismay of some of his rivals, in a wider sense. We have perhaps be- Forget sport, then. How about games? Now it’s the turn of tennis—and Curling has now returned to competitive chess. come so accustomed to commercial back to fi xing matches. Snooker Still no luck, as it turns out. The bridge domination of sport we only notice it A joint Buzzfeed-BBC investigation It is hard to believe, but curling is a sport world is in uproar after a series of allega- Fencing when something goes badly wrong. found that highly ranked tennis play- awash with allegations of cheating. Play- Like all one-on-one sports, this is rela- tions of cheating made against several of In the case of athletics, the role of Still trying to live down the infamous ers had, over a number of years, been ers have occasionally been upbraided tively easy to fix. All it takes is one player the top pairs in the world. The accusa- Nike in helping its home state of Ore- Onishchenko aff air at the 1976 Olym- investigated over allegations that they for giving a stone a nudge with their to be in hock to gamblers, and the latter tions, which concern using coded signals gon secure the 2021 World Champion- foot, but the real issue is “dumping”— can make a killing. In 2013, for example, to transmit the nature of your hand to pics. In the fencing stage of the modern took money from gambling syndicates pentathlon, the Ukrainian-born Boris ships without a bidding process hardly brushing the ice in front of a stone in former top-10 player Stephen Lee was your partner, are still under investigation, to throw matches. Onishchenko, competing for the Soviet registered in the British media until it such a way that you throw up debris and banned for 12 years for match-fixing. though one leading pair has owned up to That may not come as much of a Union, rigged his épée so it would signal became a political issue around Seb cause it to slow down. an unspecified “ethical violation”. surprise after so many scandals. But Bowls a hit on his opponent without any con- Coe’s fi tness to be the international the fact the group is said to include Golf Chess tact having been made. He was rumbled, governing body’s president. a Grand Slam winner does raise the Even lawn bowls has been besmirched thrown out of the Games, sacked from This new controversy in tennis is question: why would people who have American golfer Bobby Jones, when asked by allegations of match-fixing. In 2009, A chess app is now stronger than any the Red Army and was last heard of driv- so far being discussed largely without worked so hard to reach such heights why he had declared a penalty on himself a New Zealand team was accused of human, and there have been several ing a taxi in Kiev. calling into question the ethics of the risk everything for a fast buck? global betting companies that were For those of us who can only dream of instrumental in the allegations in the walking on to centre court at Wimble- sorship and appearances. been playing on the European Tour was insuffi cient evidence. won Olympic medals without them. fi rst place. don, it seems unfathomable that some- However, for a lesser player whose told me he had decided to take a job as There’s no suggestion there was a When she was interviewed on the Betting may be legal, but perhaps it’s one would be tempted to throw it away. career is waning, the off er of a ve-fi a club coaching professional because it cover-up or corruption of the kind that Oprah Winfrey Show, after spending six time to ask if it is bound to corrode the The money involved is not insignifi - or six-fi gure sum, possibly repeated would pay better than his tournament has left international athletics in ru- months in prison for lying under oath integrity of sport itself. cant, of course. According to the Buzz- several times a year, would look much earnings after deducting expenses. ins, but the failure to act against any of about using performance-enhancing On Twitter, Roger Pielke, the Uni- feed-BBC report, players were off ered more tempting: a nice earner before So, if the fi nancial incentive to cheat the 16 is bound to create a perception drugs, she tearfully persisted with a versity of Colorado professor who $50,000 (£35,000) or more per fi x. hanging up your racket. could be attractive for some, what that cheating is something you can get claim that her coach had originally told writes on sports governance, asked: Novak Djokovic says he once turned When you see the headline num- about the risks? In the case of tennis, away with. her the tablets were fl axseed oil. “Does tennis match-fi xing matter to down $200,000 to lose a match early bers, professional sport seems very only a handful of low-ranked players This risk-reward explanation is, Winfrey was criticised for giving anyone other than people who bet on in his career. Leaving ethics aside, he lucrative. But, with the exception of have been disciplined. The 16 top-50 though, simplistic and does not fi t every Jones an easy ride in the interview, but tennis and companies that take bets on cannot feel any fi nancial regrets, hav- footballers, you don’t have to go very players at the centre of the Buzzfeed- case. It doesn’t begin to explain, for ex- she is not alone in showing some sym- tennis?” ing gone on to win, at the last count, far down the rankings to fi nd talented BBC allegations have continued to play ample, why US athlete Marion Jones re- pathy for the athlete’s apparent naivety. Yes, it does. It also matters to fans just over $94m in prize money, not to people struggling fi nancially. since they were fi rst investigated in sorted to steroids very early in her career Dave Zirin, writing in The Nation who don’t bet and are deprived of an mention many millions more for spon- A few years ago, a golfer who had 2008 because the authorities say there when most experts agree she could have magazine, said Jones had fame and authentic contest. SPOTLIGHT Hewitt prolongs Aussie Open For lower rung players, swansong it’s tough being on tour Even the best players take an average five years to make the top 100, where they can earn a living from the sport. During that time, the majority are supported mostly by family members, while small commercial endorsements and national federation grants help off set the costs Reuters Melbourne American player Denis Kudla is often forced to hand wash his laundry as he n emotional Lleyton Hewitt can't aff ord the $10-a-shirt staved off retirement for at laundry charges at hotels. Aleast one more match by beating countryman James Duck- worth 7-6(5) 6-2 6-4 to reach the second round of the Australian Open yesterday. The hard-bitten 34-year-old, making a record 20th and final appearance at his home Grand Slam, soaked up the atmosphere under the Rod Laver Arena lights and celebrated wildly after sealing the win in two hours and 23 minutes. “It was a tough situation absolutely to try and block out everything else that’s been going on,” the two-times Grand Slam champion, who last year announced he would end his career after the Melbourne tournament, said in a courtside interview. “It’s not like the final round of a football season. I think I blocked it out pretty well.” The match was awkward for Hewitt, who had been giving grand slam tips to his 129th-ranked op- ponent the day before the draw was released. With his wife and children watch- ing from the player’s box and a roll-call of local celebrities in the crowd, Hewitt began tentatively but gradually loosened up to dictate play against the big-serving Duckworth. He roared his first trademark “come on!” after scrambling to lace a passing shot at 3-2 in the opening set and from there his game flowed freely. “Hotel laundry was $10 a shirt and average, earn more than $1 million a grants help off set the costs. knocked out, he said. Famous for grinding through Reuters five-set marathons, Hewitt wobbled Melbourne there was no other laundry, so I hand year on both the men’s and women’s New Zealand’s top-ranked player With many players struggling washed everything,” American pro tours. Those from 51-100 earn in ex- Finn Tearney adopted a diff erent ap- to make ends meet, former world in the third set to fall behind 4-2 but Denis Kudla, who balked at the cost cess of $200,000, while 101-250 aver- proach. The 25-year-old Tearney, number 31 Sergiy Stakhovsky used his notched four straight games to seal spiring tennis profession- at a hotel in the South Pacifi c island of age around $85,000. now ranked 366 in the world, opened place on the ATP Players’ Council to the win, sparking thunderous cheers als are washing their shirts Noumea, told a small group of report- For those players ranked from 251- an account on a crowd-funding web- lobby for increased prize money for from the terraces. in hotel baths, sleeping on ers. “I fi lled up a bath and did 30 pieces 500 the earnings drop away to just site to fund his 2016 campaign. players knocked out in earlier rounds. He flopped on court and roared sofas and relying on crowd of clothing then used anything I could $16,000 a year. “It’s just to cover my expenses,” At this year’s Australian Open, a into the night sky, having set up a fundingA to chase their Grand Slam to hang everything all over the place.” The average cost just from food, Tearney, who turned professional in player losing in the fi rst round will second round match with eighth dreams—a stark contrast with star Kudla, now 69th in the ATP rank- travel, accommodation and equipment 2013, said. “I’d say about $40,000 take home A$38,500 ($26,626) up seed David Ferrer, another baseline players which some fear could be ings, says he has never been ap- to play professional tennis in 2013 is a pretty accurate fi gure, but that from A$30,000 two years ago. hustler. fuelling corruption in the sport. proached about match-fi xing and was was $38,800 for men and $40,180 for doesn’t includes coaching or trainers Extending the pool of money to the “Ferrer’s a totally diff erent cus- Tennis was rocked on Monday fol- surprised by the reports. While he now women, the Kingston research found. when you’re back home. It defi nitely lower level tournaments, however, tomer. I have so much respect for lowing reports that authorities had makes a comfortable living from the By comparison, US secondary doesn’t include a coach on the road might not be the answer to the match- his game and the way he goes about failed to deal with widespread match- tour, many of his colleagues do not. school teachers earn roughly $59,000 with you, which all the top guys have.” fi xing issue, 17-times grand slam win- it,” said former world number one fi xing, just as the Australian Open, According to research conducted a year, while journalists earn about While Tearney was not having ner Roger Federer said. Hewitt, appearing at his 66th Grand the fi rst grand slam tournament of the on behalf of governing body, the In- $45,000 according to US Department to rely on the goodwill of friends to “It doesn’t matter how much mon- Slam. “It’s going to be a real battle.” year, kicked off in Melbourne. ternational Tennis Federation, almost of Labour statistics. spend a week sleeping on a living ey you pump into the system, there’s Another centre court appear- Experts said tennis was ripe for cor- 45 percent of the 13,736 players at all Even the best players take an av- room sofa, accommodation at many always going to be people approach- ance is certain for Hewitt, who has ruption due to the ease of fi xing a one- professional levels of the sport earned erage fi ve years to make the top 100, of the lower-level Futures tourna- ing players, or people, any sport,” Fe- shouldered the burden of expecta- on-one sport, as well as the large dis- nothing from it in 2013. Only about 10 where they can earn a living from the ments was provided by local families derer told reporters. tions from home crowds for nearly parity between the multi-million dollar percent covered their costs. sport. During that time, the major- who would billet the players. “It’s going to go away if you off er two decades. “This is what I’m going earnings of top players and the lower The research carried out by King- ity are supported mostly by fam- Some of the second-tier Challenger $1 million for every player to play at to miss the most, the buzz from the rungs of professionals, where even ston University in London, also found ily members, while small commercial tournaments now provided free ac- every tournament? It’s not going to crowd,” he said. mundane costs like laundry add up. that players ranked in the top 50, on endorsements and national federation commodation until the player was change a thing.” Gulf Times Wednesday, January 20, 2016 11 TENNIS

REPORT Zhang puts farming plans on hold aft er Nadal, Halep make Halep upset

Reuters Melbourne

isillusioned by her struggles on early exits as shocks the tour, the Australian Open could Dhave been Zhang Shuai’s last Grand Slam appearance but the Chinese qualifier found a reason not to quit the sport when she sent second seed Simona Halep of Romania packing yesterday. With her parents watching from the stands for the first time, the 27-year-old rock Aussie Open wept with emotion at Margaret Court Arena after completing a stunning 6-4, 6-3 win to set up a second-round match ‘It’s tough, but at the same time, I know I did everything that I can to be ready for it. Was against Frenchwoman Alize Cornet. Only months before, Zhang, from not my day. Let’s keep going. That’s the only thing. There is no more thing to do than keep China’s northern port of Tianjin, had all but resolved to hang up her racquet and practising hard, keep practising the same way that I was doing the last four, five months’ pursue a simpler life on the soil. A former world number 30, her ranking had plummeted to its worst in five years after a string of early exits at second-tier China’s Zhang Shuai (R) ITF tournaments. shakes hands with Simona But after winning a lower-tier event in Halep after her stunning Japan in November, she put herself into upset of the world number the qualifying draw at Melbourne Park, two Romanian. (Reuters) fancying one last shot on a big stage. “(Last year), I actually didn’t want to go compete. I was scared of playing,” the 133rd-ranked slightly built Zhang told reporters in Mandarin. Fernando “I didn’t mind that the tour was tiring, Verdasco I just didn’t want to play. I even felt like I celebrates should just go and lose as quickly as pos- his win over sible. I don’t know how I got that point of Rafael Nadal. just feeling so sick of it. (Reuters) “I think getting through that period helped me mature. I think it was a very important experience. “Everyone wants to remember their most beautiful moments but I feel like the toughest times are also important.” Asked what she would have done away from the game, Zhang said “farming”. “I wanted to grow fruit, vegetables, grow flowers,” she added. “I have a couple of really good friends and we often go pick flowers ... “And I felt I really want to have this kind of life, to feel relaxed and really enjoy life. “I wanted to go study with them, study a lot of things. But I didn’t want to keep going through that hardship (on tour). I was sick of it.” In 2009, Zhang upset Russian world number one Dinara Safina at the China Open and as a 226th-ranked wildcard AFP “It’s tough, but at the same time, I throning Serena Williams in the fi nal. derer in this month’s Brisbane fi nal, Tursunov (RUS) 7-6 (7/2), 6-3, 0-0 ret; became the lowest-ranked woman to ever Melbourne know I did everything that I can to be “To win the Grand Slam here you breezed past Lucas Pouille and into David Ferrer (ESP) bt Peter Gojowczyk beat a top-ranked player. ready for it,” said Nadal, after 45th- are going to have to beat Serena the second round. (GER) 6-4, 6-4, 6-2; Lleyton Hewitt Although she had never won a match ranked Verdasco’s 7-6 (8/6), 4-6, (Williams). It will be great if I can Two-time champion Victoria (AUS) bt James Duckworth (AUS) 7-6 in the main draw of a Grand Slam in 14 afael Nadal and Simona Ha- 3-6, 7-6 (7/4), 6-2 win in four hours, play against her,” said the confi dent Azarenka enjoyed one of the most (7/5), 6-2, 6-4; John Isner (USA x10) bt attempts, she was thrilled to draw Halep lep went crashing out of the 41 minutes. Spanish world number three. one-sided wins of her career when Jerzy Janowicz (POL) 6-3, 7-6 (9/7), in the opening round as it would mean a Australian Open fi rst round “Was not my day. Let’s keep go- Temperatures of 33 Celsius (91.4 she “double-bagelled” Alisan Van 6-3; Bernard Tomic (AUS x16) bt Denis chance to play on one of the show-courts. yesterday as a dramatic day ing. That’s the only thing. There is Fahrenheit) took their toll and Diego Uytvanck 6-0, 6-0 in just 53 min- Istomin (UZB) 6-7 (4/7), 6-4, 6-4, 6-4; “I wanted (my parents) to come and see ofR upsets grabbed attention away no more thing to do than keep prac- Schwartzman was stretchered off utes. Gilles Muller (LUX) bt Fabio Fognini what I’ve been doing for the last 20 years,” from a match-fi xing controversy tising hard, keep practising the same after retiring in the fourth set against But it was a diff erent story for (ITA x20) 7-6 (8/6), 7-6 (9/7), 6-7 (5/7), she said. “This is my life, already like 20 which has left tennis reeling. way that I was doing the last four, John Millman with cramps. Gilles Muller, who came through 7-6 (7/1); Andy Murray (GBR x2) bt years. So, yeah, this is so lucky my parents Nadal suff ered one of the worst fi ve months.” While Murray and Muguruza mo- four tie-breaks to beat Fabio Fogni- Alexander Zverev (GER) 6-1, 6-2, 6-3 are here and I won.” Grand Slam results of his career as The big upsets at least provided tored through, seven-time Grand ni, but not before the Italian showed Women (Round 1): Angelique Kerber Yesterday’s win also removed a huge he was stunned by fellow Spanish relief from match-fi xing revelations Slam champion Venus Williams suf- fl ashes of his famous temper. (GER x7) bt Misaki Doi (JPN) 6-7 (4/7), monkey off her back, as she had lost in the left-hander Fernando Verdasco in a which hit the start of the tourna- fered an early exit when she lost to France’s Jeremy Chardy had an 7-6 (8/6), 6-3; Jelena Jankovic (SRB first round at all 14 Grand Slam matches fi ve-set thriller which recalled their ment after a report said top players British number one Johanna Konta even bigger struggle, winning the x19) bt Polona Hercog (SLO) 6-3, 6-3; she had played before—the worst record epic 2009 semi-fi nal. had been under suspicion but never 6-4, 6-2. fi fth-set 13-11 to fi nally overcome Timea Bacsinszky (SWI x11) bt Katerina for any top-300 player. Halep, the women’s world number punished. Williams, 35, was the oldest player Ernests Gulbis after four hours and Siniakova (CZE) 6-3, 7-5; Elina Svitolina The upset was even sweeter as Zhang two, soon followed him out in an al- In the latest developments, two in the women’s draw but Konta said 43 minutes. (UKR x18) bt Victoria Duval (USA) 6-2, had her parents in the crowd for the first mighty upset by Chinese qualifi er more players said they had been tar- it would be “silly” to focus on the 6-3; Garbine Muguruza (ESP x3) bt An- time ever. She wanted them to come for Zhang Shuai—who wept freely as she geted by match-fi xers and Austral- American’s age. Important Results ett Kontaveit (EST) 6-0, 6-4; Johanna what she was sure would be her last ever won her fi rst Grand Slam match in 15 ian media reported that police were “I think it’s irrelevant how old Men (Round 1): Fernando Verdasco Konta (GBR) bt Venus Williams (USA game in Melbourne. attempts. keeping a close eye on the tourna- she is because she’s such a cham- (ESP) bt Rafael Nadal (ESP) 7-6 (8/6), x8) 6-4, 6-2; Sabine Lisicki (GER x30) “Before, my father never come to watch While Halep’s defeat to Zhang, the ment’s fi rst round. pion with so much experience and so 4-6, 3-6, 7-6 (7/4), 6-2; Gael Monfils bt Petra Cetkovska (CZE) 6-4, 6-4; Ekat- me play, this is first time he travels with world number 133, came out of the blue, Andy Murray, a four-time fi nalist much knowledge about the game,” (FRA x23) bt Yuichi Sugita (JPN) 6-1, erina Makarova (RUS x21) bt Maddison me. And also my mum,” she said. it was Nadal’s loss which created con- who is seeking his fi rst title in Mel- said Konta. 6-3, 6-2; Rajeev Ram (USA) bt Kevin Inglis (AUS) 6-3, 6-0; Karolina Pliskova “So this is big time for me because I cern as the 14-time Grand Slam-winner bourne, dispatched Germany’s Al- Former world number one Lleyton Anderson (RSA x11) 7-6 (7/4), 6-7 (4/7), (CZE x9) bt Kimberly Birrell (AUS) 6-4, think, ‘Oh, maybe this is my last time at the increasingly looks a fading force. exander Zverev 6-1, 6-2, 6-3 in hot Hewitt extended his farewell tour- 6-3, 3-0 ret; Milos Raonic (CAN x13) 6-4; Madison Keys (USA x15) bt Zarina Australian Open’ so I wanted them to come Nadal, 29, has only ever lost once conditions to move into the second nament into at least another match bt Lucas Pouille (FRA) 6-1, 6-4, 6-4; Diyas (KAZ) 7-6 (7/5), 6-1; Ivanovic to maybe see my last match in Melbourne. before in a Grand Slam fi rst round, round. when he beat fellow Australian Viktor Troicki (SRB x21) bt Daniel (SRB x20) bt Tammi Patterson (AUS) They never see. at Wimbledon 2013, but he has not Rising star Garbine Muguruza beat James Duckworth, setting up a clash Muñoz (ESP) 4-6, 4-6, 6-1, 7-6 (7/4), 6-2, 6-3; Zhang Shuai (CHN) bt Simona “So I wanted them feeling what I’m doing. gone further than the quarter-fi nals Estonian debutante Anett Kontaveit with eighth seed David Ferrer. 6-3; Jack Sock (USA x25) bt Taylor Halep (ROM x2) 6-4, 6-3; Victoria Aza- So, yeah, this is so lucky my parents have at the majors since he won the 2014 6-0, 6-4 in one hour exactly—and Milos Raonic, who is now working Fritz (USA) 6-4, 3-6, 0-6, 6-3, 6-4; renka (BLR) bt Alison Van Uytvanck come and I win.” French Open. immediately set her sights on de- with Carlos Moya and beat Roger Fe- Stanislas Wawrinka (SUI x4) bt Dmitry (BEL) 6-0, 6-0

BOTTOMLINE Concerns as Nadal heads back to drawing board Reuters beaten 14 times in 16 meetings, the because it is obvious that fi nally you said. “This year was a completely dif- Melbourne physical ailments that have dogged his don’t have a consistent strategy, then ferent story. I have been working so stellar career were not apparent, his you are lost,” Nadal said. much... It’s tough, but at the same game just looked stale. The Mallorca native can only hope time, I know I did everything that I afa Nadal was heading back “The game is changing a little bit,” that he can respond to his fi rst-round can to be ready for it. There is no more to the drawing board yester- the world number fi ve told reporters defeat like he did when losing to Bel- thing to do than keep practising hard, day after another startling after only his second career loss in the gium’s Steve Darcis in the opening keep practising the same way that I was early loss at a Grand Slam de- opening round of a Grand Slam tour- round at Wimbledon in 2013. doing the last four, fi ve months.” flR ated his early-season optimism and nament. “Everybody now tries to hit Then, Nadal rebounded to win the It was one of the worst ever Grand left him questioning his strategy. all the balls. There are no balls that you US Open a few weeks later, rolled into Slam performances for Nadal, who The Spaniard arrived in Melbourne can prepare the point. The game has the following year by reaching the also lost in the 2013 Wimbledon fi rst for the start of the Australian Open become a little bit more crazy in this Australian Open fi nal and went on to round and has not won a major title talking of his ‘happy feelings’ after a aspect. I was practicing a little bit dif- claim his ninth French Open title. since the 2014 French Open. strong run at the end of last year and ferent, trying to be more aggressive. I “I have been playing and practicing He has now failed to go further than a positive opening to 2016 following a can play defensive or off ensive. But if great,” he said. “It’s tough when you the quarter-fi nals in his last six Grand rigorous pre-season fi tness camp. you stay in the middle, then I am dead.” work so much and a very important Slams, as well as missing the 2014 US But any hope that Nadal, who turns At his peak Nadal, coached through- event arrives and you go out too early. Open through injury. 30 this year, can revive the glory days out his career by his uncle Toni, wore Was not my day, but let’s keep going, His exit also continues a series of when he ruled tennis were blown away down opponents with an attritional that the only thing I can do.” heartbreaks at the year’s fi rst Grand in the fi rst round by compatriot Fern- baseline game before fi nishing them Nadal also tried his best to shrug Slam tournament in Melbourne. ando Verdasco, who roared to a 7-6(6), off with clinical winners. off his latest setback and pledged to He missed the 2006 and 2013 edi- 4-6, 3-6, 7-6(4), 6-2 triumph. These days, with wear and tear dull- fi ght on. But he said he was not seek- tions through injury, had to retire in- Nadal has suff ered some crushing ing his lightning speed, his game looks ing excuses as he heads home to work jured against Andy Murray in 2010, and early defeats since he won the last of vulnerable against lower-ranked play- towards his favourite Grand Slam at in 2011 he was hit by a muscle strain his 14 Grand Slam titles at the French ers prepared to attack him—as Verdas- Roland Garros, where he is a nine-time during his defeat to David Ferrer. Open in 2014—Dustin Brown (at Wim- co did to devastating eff ect. champion, in late May. And in 2014, Nadal was hit by a back bledon) and Fabio Fognini (US Open) to As Toni watched on in the fi nal “The match is a tough loss for me, problem when he lost to Switzerland’s name but two, but in those he lacked games, Nadal seemed powerless to especially because it’s not like last year Stan Wawrinka in the fi nal. form and fi tness. stem the tide. “You cannot be in the when I arrived here playing bad and Of his 14 Grand Slam successes, only Against Verdasco, a player he had middle of being off ensive or defensive, feeling myself not ready for it,” Nadal one has come in Melbourne, in 2009.

Wednesday, January 20, 2016 GULF TIMES SPORT

GOLF HORSE RACING American US amateur champion Pharoah named best racehorse, DeChambeau to debut Arc top race

AFP Golden Horn, the John Gosden- Paris trained Epsom Derby and Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe winner. The handicappers adjudged at 2016 Qatar Masters S Triple crown win- the Arc as the number one race in ner American Pharoah in the world, based on the quality was yesterday offi cially of the fi rst four horses home over DeChambeau is fifth player to win US Amateur C’ship and NCAA title in the same year declared the best race- the past three seasons. Uhorse of 2015 while the Prix de “To be the winner of the By Sports Reporter l’Arc de Triomphe was rated the Longines World’s Best Horse Doha top race in the world. Race is a great reward for eve- As the fi rst to land the coveted ryone involved in the Qatar Prix Triple Crown of Kentucky Der- de l’Arc de Triomphe, with our mateur sensation Bryson De- by-Preakness-Belmont Stakes partner, the Qatar Racing and Chambeau (pictured) will in 37 years American Pharoah’s Equestrian Club. Treve’s at- make his Commercial Bank award was fully justifi ed. tempt at winning the Arc three Qatar Masters debut later this The panel of international times will remain etched in the monthA when the 6-foot 1-inch American handicappers whose job it is to memories. The high level of the competes in the 19th edition of The Euro- hand out the end-of-term marks race was also demonstrated by pean Tour event at Doha Golf Club. gave the Bob Baff ert-trained su- the presence of Treve and Golden DeChambeau, 22, made history last perstar a rating of 134. Horn,” France Galop president year when he became only the fi fth player The only American thorough- Edouard de Rothschild said. to win the US Amateur Championship bred who has bettered that fi gure The Breeders’ Cup Classic, and NCAA Division I individual title in in recent seasons is 136-rated won last November by Ameri- one season, joining Jack Nicklaus (1961), Cigar. can Pharoah, was next best, with Phil Mickelson (1990), Tiger Woods In American Pharoah’s slip- York’s International Stakes in (1996) and Ryan Moore (2004). stream, on a rating of 130, came third. DeChambeau’s US Amateur victory earned him starts in this year’s fi rst three Majors – the Masters Tournament, US Open and Open Championship – and two more PGA Tour events in June. However, the Californian is currently focused on his visit to the Middle East, where the US$2.5 million Commercial Bank Qatar Masters from January 27 – 30 sits at the heart of The European Tour’s three-week ‘Desert Swing’. “I’m really looking forward to my de- but at the Commercial Bank Qatar Mas- ters. The list of champions has a lot of big names like Ernie Els, Retief Goosen, Adam Scott, Henrik Stenson and Sergio Garcia, so I’m excited to play there and compete with top European Tour play- ers,” said DeChambeau, who usually wears a fl at cap while playing. “It was so special to follow the NCAA win with the US Amateur title. Later, I was able to compete in tournaments all around the world and now I’m starting 2016 by continuing to travel to new coun- tries. It’s a very exciting period of my life Frankie Dettori rode Golden Horn to victory in the 2015 Qatar Prix de and my career, so I’m looking forward l’Arc de Triomphe at Longchamp racetrack in Paris. to every new experience and making the Arrested Development replace Simple Minds for Friday concert most of it.” Last June, DeChambeau became the Double Grammy award-winning hip-hop FOCUS fi rst golfer from South Methodist Univer- group Arrested Development have been sity to win the NCAA men’s title when he announced as the new headline concert beat Pan Cheng-tsung of Taiwan by one for the evening of Friday, January 29, at stroke at the Concession Club in Braden- the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters after Serena, Sharapova ton, Florida. organisers confirmed that Simple Minds Later that month he progressed will no longer be performing at the event. through US Open qualifying, fi nished The Atlanta-based hip-hop pioneers are lead fi eld at Qatar 45th on his PGA Tour debut at the FedEx expected to wow the weekend crowds St Jude Classic and played in his fi rst Ma- at Doha Golf Club with hits from their jor at the US Open at Chambers Bay in iconic back-catalogue including the Total Open Washington, missing the cut. anthemic songs, Tennessee, Revolution In August, he won the US Amateur by (from the soundtrack to Spike Lee’s downing Derek Bard 7 & 6 in the match Malcom X) and Mr Wendal. voyage playing like a soundtrack in the another exciting weekend packed with play fi nal at Olympia Fields Country Club In 1993 Arrested Development became lives’ of so many people worldwide. world-class golf and family entertain- in Illinois, while in September, he was the first ever hip-hop group to receive Commercial Bank Qatar Masters ment. Families will have the opportunity the only American to remain unbeaten as the “best new artist” Grammy award, as organisers - the Qatar Golf Association to soak up the atmosphere at gourmet Great Britain and Ireland won the Walker well as the award for “best rap single”. (QGA), Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC) pop-up restaurants, indulge in the shop- Cup in England. Their album, 3 years, 5 months and two and Commercial Bank – are expecting ping boulevard with a wide selection of His travels continued in November days In The Life of, sold over 4 million to welcome thousands of visitors to merchandise on sale and enjoy a myriad when he competed in the PGA Tour Lati- units, with singles from that maiden Doha Golf Club from January 27 – 30 for of activities in the family zone. noamerica’s Argentina Open in Buenos Aires and then twice in Australia. He In Doha, DeChambeau will compete winner of the 2010 Open Championship. tournament debut. He joined some of fi nished joint runner-up in the Austral- against many of The European Tour’s top Hassan al-Nuaimi, President of the the greatest golfers of all time with his ian Masters in Melbourne and joint-30th players, including defending champion Qatar Golf Association, said: “It’s very achievements in the amateur game last in the Australian Open in Sydney, where Branden Grace, former winners Henrik exciting for us to announce that we’ll be year and I’m among many looking for- Jordan Spieth and Adam Scott were Stenson (2006) and Sergio Garcia (2014), welcoming Bryson DeChambeau to the ward to seeing him compete against many among the star names. and 2009 runner-up Louis Oosthuizen, Commercial Bank Qatar Masters for his of the world’s top pros.”

ATHLETICS Records expected to tumble at Asian Indoors in Doha

By Sports Reporter and has grown as one of Asia’s super- competed at the Asian Indoor Cham- Doha powers, QAF has nominated a 28-athlete pionships, after missing the inaugural strong team, consisting of 21 male and 7 competition in 2004. female athletes. Barshim, who opted to limit his indoor World number one Serena Williams will lead the field. ith a month to go until the “The increasing number of nations and appearances this season, to concentrate athletes set foot in Doha’s athletes, who are set to compete at the 7th on Rio Olympics, holds, along with the By Sports Reporter The fi eld led by world No. 1 magnifi cent Aspire Dome Asian Indoor Athletics Championships in 60m specialist Samuel Francis, the record Doha Serena Williams includes 2014 arena for the 7th Asian In- Doha, showcases the tremendous eff orts with the most cumulative gold medals (3 champion Simona Halep, Maria Wdoor Athletics Championships action, the Asian Athletics Association and the apiece) in all editions. Mohamed al-Garni Sharapova, Garbine Muguruza, many records are expected to tumble. Qatar Athletics Federations have put in has won the most medals than any other he Qatar Tennis Federa- Agnieszka Radwanska, Petra The current record for the number of in the last couple of years to develop and Qatari with 5 (2 gold and 3 silver) in total, tion has announced an Kvitova, Angelique Kerber and countries entering the Championships expand athletics throughout our conti- but, unlike the other two, he has compet- incredibly strong fi eld of the defending champion Lucie is 29, a record which dates back to Doha nent,” said the AAA and QAF president ed in two diff erent events, the 1500m and participants for the up- Safarova. 2008. Major General Dahlan al-Hamad. the 3000m. comingT Qatar Total Open, Feb- Tournament director Saad With 36 countries having already He added: “I am also proud to see the The Qataris also possess fi ve Asian In- ruary 21-27, 2016. al-Mohannadi said: “It’s hon- checked in for the 2016 edition accord- growing number of female Qatari ath- door Championships records: in the 60m Top stars on the WTA Tennis ourable to have very high calibre ing to the provisional entry list, the fi rst letes in recent years. Qatar has taken gi- (6.58 -set by two athletes, Samuel Francis Tour will show up in the Qatari tennis stars coming for the Qatar record looks set to fall even before the ant steps towards the development of and Femi Ogunode), the 1500m (3:40.86 capital next month to partici- Total Open. It is an extraordinary competition offi cially kicks off . women’s athletics and we feel that quite by Thamer Kamal Ali), the 3000m pate in the 64-player draw. Forty fi eld and I think it will ensure These 36 nations will be represented by soon our long term plan will bear fruit.” (7:39.77 by Said Saaeed Sheheen) and the three players are directly entered high intensity matches. It will 400-420 athletes, a number that will pro- Reigning Asian High Jump indoor High Jump (2.37 by Mutaz Barshim). Nev- into the fi eld. be exciting to see if Serena can duce yet another Championships’ record. champion and Area record holder, Mu- ertheless, the Chinese who have won 44 The Doha event was the fi rst make another memorable mo- The hosts are expected to fi eld their taz Barshim will lead the hosts’ goal to gold medals in the previous six editions, professional women’s tennis tour- ment here in Doha and to watch largest ever delegation, beating their pre- match the heroics of the 2014 team which more than any other nation, are leading nament staged in the Middle East Safarova if she can defend her ti- vious record of 19 athletes (15 men and 4 topped the medal table in Hangzhou with the records’ ranks as well, owning eight. and today it is a WTA Premier tle among such a talented group women) in 2008. 5 golds and 3 silvers. Overall, Qatar has The 7th Asian Indoor Championships 5 event – bringing the greatest of athletes including Simona Ha- Given that Qatar athletics is going gained 29 medals (16 gold, 9 silver and 4 will be held from February 19 to 21 in Doha Qatari high jumping sensation Mutaz names in the sport with total prize lep, Maria Sharapova, Angelique through a phase of rapid development bronze) since 2006, when the nation fi rst and is supported by Aspire and Aspetar. Barshim will lead the hosts’ charge. money of USD $2,517,250. Kerber and Petra Kvitova.”