NNBABA | Page 5 FFOOTBALLOOTBALL | Page 7 Rockets Football continue to Dreams and roll over the Real ease into top teams knockout stage

Wednesday, January 24, 2018 Jumada I 7, 1439 AH Shakib, Tamim give GULF TIMES Bangladesh big win over SPORT Page 4 HANDBALL Qatar power past Bahrain 29-21, qualify for Worlds ‘It was a great team eff ort and the fact that we won five matches in a row gives me no reason to complain’

By Our Correspondent Suwon, South Korea

atar inched closer to a third straight Asian handball title yesterday and in the process also qualifi ed for the World QMen’s Handball Championship to be held in Denmark and Germany in Janu- ary next year. In yet another impressive display at the Asian Championship being played in Suwon, South Korea, Qatar breezed past Bahrain 29-21 in Group 2 of the main round to remain unbeaten in fi ve matches so far in the tournament “Qualifying for the World Cham- pionship was our fi rst strategic goal at the Asian Championship and having achieved that we can concentrate fully on winning the title here,” Qatar coach Valero Rivera told journalists after the match against Bahrain. “The boys once again were excep- tional and I couldn’t be more pleased. It was a great team eff ort and the fact that we won fi ve matches in a row gives me no reason to complain,” the Spaniard added. Rivera refused to criticise the umpir- ing after some decision went against Qatar. “I don’t want to get into that. Fact is that we won and our tactics paid off . I am very happy with this victory and would like to thank my players for their performance.” Qatar Handball Association president Ahmed al-Shaabi congratulates Qatar players after they beat Bahrain in the Asian Asked who he would like to meet in Handball Championship in Suwon, South Korea, yesterday. the semis, Rivera said he believed in giving his best no matter who the op- Qatar, who beat Japan on Monday, and Ahmad Madadi then scored crucial deserved but now we must stay focused position is. were tested by Bahrain in the fi rst half goals to increase the gap to eight (26- and win the Asian title,” said Madadi. “We play each match as it comes. We during which both teams struggled to 18) to virtually seal the outcome of the On Qatar’s match against the UAE don’t really worry about who our op- gain the upper hand although the de- match. today, Madadi said: “We enter each ponents are.” fending champions just about managed Youssef Ben Ali was declared the game with victory in mind. We don’t Qatar Handball Association Presi- to take a 13-11 lead, thanks to three suc- Most Valuable Player of the match for care who the opposition is.” dent Ahmed al-Shabbi also praised the cessful penalties converted by Bertrand his fi ne show in both off ence and de- A win against UAE will help Qatar top team’s show. Roine. fence. Group 2 earning them a meeting with “I congratulate the players, the tech- Bahrain, however, quickly equalised Qatar star Madadi exuded confi - the second-placed team in Group 1. nical and coaching staff for the fi ne dis- as the second half began but Qatar hit dence that the team will go on and win It would also mean a clean sweep play of the players,” said al-Shaabi. back with vengeance to assert their su- the title. over the siege nations, as Qatar had “They showed great fi ghting spirit premacy as they took a four-point lead “Qualifying for the World Cup was beaten Saudi Arabia in the against Bahrain and eventually emerged (20-16) for the fi rst time in the match. our fi rst goal in the tournament and Preliminary rounds earlier in the Youssef Ben Ali of Qatar was adjudged Most Valuable Player of the match for his winners convincingly,” he added. Kamalaldin Mallash, Youssef Ben Ali thankfully we achieved it. It was well- tournament. fine show in both off ence and defence.

AFC U23 CHAMPIONSHIP Vietnam set up fi nal against Uzbekistan aft er thriller vs Qatar

By Our Correspondent riod proved to be a cautious aff air, as shot from distance, before they re- Changzhou Qatar, with Moein pulling the gained the lead through Almoez Ali’s strings in midfi eld, constantly prod- scrambled 84th minute eff ort, only to ded and probed a resolute Vietnamese lose it again in dramatic fashion mo- oalkeeper Bui Tien Dung’s two backline which refused to give an inch. ments later when Quang Hai curled a penalty saves sensationally Indeed, a Bassam al-Rawi free-kick superb shot past Mohamed al-Bakari to earned Vietnam a place in the from range in the 36th minute was the signal the need for extra-time. AFC U23 Championship fi nal closest either side came to breaking By way of contrast to what had just Gyesterday as the Southeast Asian side the deadlock, until defender Bui Tien gone before, chances were few and defeated Qatar 4-3 in a penalty shoot- Dung’s foul on striker Almoez Ali in the far between during the additional 30 out after an extraordinary 2-2 draw at penalty area just three minutes later minutes, leaving Tien Dung to emerge the end of extra-time. saw referee Mohamed Taqi point to the as the hero in the subsequent penalty Vietnam will now face Uzbekistan, spot. shootout as Vietnam celebrated wildly who hammered a hapless Korean side The dynamic Akram Afi f duly kept and Qatari hearts were broken. 4-1 in the other semi-fi nal yesterday, his nerve to convert from 12 yards and Azizjon Ganiev’s 30-yard screamer on Saturday. hand Qatar a slender advantage ahead helped seal Uzbekistan’s place in the fi - Tien Dung stopped eff orts from of the break. nal as Ravshan Khaydarov’s side hand- Qatari duo Ahmad Moein and Sultan However, after seeing Almoez Ali – ed 10-man Korea Republic a 4-1 defeat al-Brake to seal the victory, one which the tournament’s leading goalscorer – in extra-time. continues Vietnam’s incredible journey fi re narrowly over shortly after the re- Zabikhillo Urinboev had given the in the competition under the wily guid- start, Vietnam were soon to draw level. Central Asians the lead before Hwang ance of head coach Park Hang-seo. Nguyen Quang Hai was at the heart Hyun-soo levelled the score. While the victory moves Vietnam, of things for the Southeast Asians, But, with Korea down to 10 men incredibly, a step nearer to the title, it fi rst seeing his free-kick rattle the bar following Jang Yun-ho’s sending off , sees Qatar fall at the semi-fi nal stage and then, following Qatar’s inability to Ganiev’s thunderbolt put the Uzbeks for the second successive competition clear Nguyen Phong Hong Duy’s cross, back in the front 10 minutes into ex- following their fourth-place fi nish at pouncing to slam the ball home from tra-time before Jasurbek Yakhshiboev the tournament’s last edition in 2016. close-range to claim an equaliser on 69 added the third and Akramjon Komilov With a place in the fi nal potentially minutes. completed the scoring right on the fi nal only 90 minutes away, the opening pe- Qatar duly responded with an Afi f whistle. Action from the AFC U23 Championship match between Qatar (in maroon) and Vietnam (in white) yesterday. (AFC) Gulf Times 2 Wednesday, January 24, 2018 FOOTBALL

PREMIER LEAGUE Morocco plays up long-shot Klopp says Liverpool 2026 WC bid Casablanca, Morocco: Mo- rocco is “fully mobilised” for its long-shot bid to host the 2026 World Cup, hoping to be a candidate “for the whole of Africa”, top sports off icials dragged into a fi ght said yesterday. The kingdom “is not a non- starter — it’s a real candidate,” Moulay Hafid Elalamy said in It was Liverpool’s first defeat since October, but the points were priceless for Swansea his first public appearance as chairman of the country’s AFP 2026 bid committee. Swansea, United Kingdom “We are going to put in all our energy,” he told a news conference in Casablanca, urgen Klopp blamed his play- brushing off criticisms that ers for becoming embroiled in a the campaign had been de- fi ght at Swansea City as they lost layed. “Our record is and will their unbeaten 18-match run to be irreproachable.” theJ Premier League’s bottom club last Morocco’s fifth bid, an- night. Liverpool failed to grab a late nounced in August, faces draw to extend their lead over fi fth- fierce competition from a placed Tottenham as they lost to a sin- three-nation ticket of the gle goal from Alfi e Mawson — and Klopp United States, Mexico, and himself clashed verbally with a home Canada. Fouzi Lekjaa, head of supporter. the Royal Moroccan Football It was Liverpool’s fi rst defeat since Federation (FRMF), said he October, but the points were priceless hoped the North African for Swansea, who cut the gap between country’s bid would be “a themselves and those above the relega- candidacy for the whole conti- tion places to just three points. nent”. The committee has en- He said: “I am more frustrated about listed Ivory Coast legend and the performance than the result. We former Chelsea star Didier were just not good enough, especially Drogba along with Cameroon in the fi rst half. We didn’t play how we international striker Samuel wanted to play. Eto’o to promote its bid. The “We didn’t keep the right positions host will be chosen on June we needed to, to cause them problems 13, but the way the choice and didn’t stretch them. We gave them is made marks a change by the opportunity to score and then we FIFA, the sport’s world govern- did exactly what Swansea wanted. They ing body. The decision used to didn’t need to play, they needed to fi ght be made by FIFA’s executive and we did exactly what they wanted committee, but after suspi- and their confi dence grew.” cions over its selection of Liverpool missed plenty of opportu- Russia and Qatar in December nities for their normally clinical strik- 2010, sparking a scandal that ers Sadio Mane, Mo Salah and Roberto dethroned president Sepp Firmino. They also came up against Blatter, the committee was a goalkeeper at the top of his game in stripped of some powers and Swansea’s Polish number one Lukasz renamed the FIFA Council. Fabianski. The only goal came against Swansea City’s Alfie Mawson (centre) celebrates with teammates after scoring against Liverpool in the Premier League on Monday night. ( AFP) The new-look council must the run of play in the 41st minute when rubber-stamp the bids, but the Mawson swept the ball in at corner and his argument with a Swansea supporter win today they needed our help and un- used a fi ve-man defence to deny Liv- Carvalhal said: “I talked with my final decision will be taken in a Virgil van Dijk had misplaced a header around the hour mark and he admitted: fortunately we gave it to them. They did erpool space and then hit them on the players and said this (Liverpool) is a re- vote of the 211 national federa- as he tried to clear. It summed up an “He was shouting at me all the time but the right things to deserve to win a game break. The Portuguese likes to use sea- ally strong team. They are like a Formula tions at a congress in Moscow. awkward league debut for Van Dijk, who I reacted. I am a human being, not just like this tonight and we didn’t deserve food metaphors to describe players as One car. But at 4pm in London it will be Morocco’s bid committee had previously only played in one FA a professional manager. I am sure I am it. We could have equalised at the end, either lobsters or sardines, but this time diffi cult to speed, they would be a car hope to win support from the Cup tie since his record £75 mn move not the fi rst manager who has a prob- but didn’t have that luck.” he was borrowing motor racing analo- like any other. We needed to make sure 53 members of the Confedera- from Southampton. lem. He probably has a season ticket.” For new Swans manager Carlos Car- gies as he left Liverpool on the hard there was traffi c, we could not let them tion of African Football. The frustrations provoked Klopp into Klopp added: “Swansea knew that to valhal, this was a tactical triumph as he shoulder. have open roads to drive in.”

FOCUS ROUND-UP Women’s Sports Sanchez the right fi t for ManUtd: Giggs yan Giggs says Alexis Sanchez is place. Sivasspor made no mention of the Committee to host a ready-made “superstar” who controversy in its statement. Robinho, can give Manchester United a 33, has won 100 caps for Brazil and lift as they bid to chase down played in the 2006 and 2010 World Cups. PremierR League rivals Manchester City. Bayern women’s Sanchez on Monday sealed a move to MAN UTD RETAIN TOP SPOT IN United from Arsenal in a swap deal with DELOITTE ‘MONEY LEAGUE’ Henrikh Mkhitaryan, saying he was Manchester United narrowly pipped Real “thrilled to be joining the biggest club in Madrid to remain the top revenue-gener- football team the world”. ating club in the world as Premier League QNA mittee’s Adaam camp in Sealine. The 29-year-old Chile striker, who sides underlined their growing fi nancial Doha The team will be acquainted with came close to joining Manchester City clout, Deloitte’s “Money League” report the Qatari culture and heritage, last summer, has signed what is believed said yesterday. and will enjoy the desert atmos- to be a four-and-a-half-year contract It is the 10th time United have topped atar Women’s Sports phere and perform various sports that will make him the highest-paid Deloitte’s list, with revenue in 2016/17 of Committee announced and recreational activities for the player in the Premier League. It has been 676mn euros ($828mn, £593mn) — just that it will host Bay- visiting delegation. widely reported that Sanchez will earn a 1.7mn euros ahead of Spanish giants ern Munich women’s The visit of the German foot- pre-tax salary of £500,000 ($697,000, Real. Barcelona are third in the 21st edi- footballQ team camp from Jan. ball team to Qatar comes within 569,000 euros) a week at Old Traff ord. tion of the list compiled by the British- 27 to Feb. 3. The programme in- the framework of the strong “Manchester United signing Alexis based business advisory fi rm, followed cludes a friendly match against friendship and co-operation Sanchez is similar to Robin van Per- by Bayern Munich, Manchester City and Qatar women’s team on Feb. 2 at between Qatar Women’s Sports sie in the sense that they’re getting a Arsenal. French giants Paris Saint-Ger- the Women’s Sports Committee Committee, the German embas- ready-made superstar and you’re seeing main were seventh. Stadium. sy and the clubs in order to ex- the contribution already with Anthony Combined revenue for the top 20 The event will be preceded by change experiences and enhance Martial upping his performances,” new Money League clubs in the 2016/17 an offi cial ceremony in honour of communication between the Wales manager Giggs said. season grew six % to 7.9bn euros, a new the German sports delegation on two countries, as well as to give “That can happen when top players made to them by the former manager. tomorrow’s Copa del Rey quarter-fi nal, record. A record 10 English clubs feature Jan. 29 at Qatar Islamic Museum. Qatari players more opportuni- come in, those around them lift their Neville, who also played for England second leg against Espanyol. in the top 20, generating a total revenue The committee will also organ- ties to contact and gain experi- levels, and there will be some diffi cult and Everton and was previously fi rst- The fi ve-time European champions of 3.8bn euros, helped by income from ise a recreation trip for players ence against one of the strongest selection decisions for Jose Mourinho. team coach at Manchester United and did not specify where Mascherano was the fi rst season of the current record and the administrative and tech- teams in Germany and European However, Sanchez can also play on the assistant coach at Spanish club Valencia, going. In December, reports said that Premier League broadcast rights deal. nical staff to Qatar Olympic Com- countries. right, as he did at Barcelona, so if Martial takes over from Mo Marley, who was put Hebei had reached a deal to sign the is fl ying then he may have to play in a in charge of the team on an interim basis Argentina international from Barca for BALE FORM BOOSTING REAL diff erent position, but those sort of deci- following Sampson’s exit. 10mn euros ($12.2mn). CONFIDENCE, SAYS ZIDANE SERIE A sions are positive for a manager to have Mascherano arrived from Liverpool in Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane sin- to make.” BURNLEY MANAGER DYCHE August 2010 and won four La Liga titles, gled out fi t again Gareth Bale for praise SIGNS NEW DEAL four Copas del Rey, two Champions yesterday as he prepares his side for a PSG SIGN EX-REAL MADRID Burnley manager Sean Dyche has signed Leagues and two Club World Cups and Copa Del Rey quarter-fi nal return leg Costa keeps Juve in MIDFIELDER LASSANA DIARRA a new contract that will keep him at only scored a single goal from 334 ap- against Leganes. Welsh winger Bale pro- Former Real Madrid and Chelsea mid- Turf Moor for a further four-and-a-half pearances, when his teammates pushed duced a sumptuous strike to level against fi elder Lassana Diarra has signed for years, the Premier League club an- him to take a penalty during a 7-1 rout Deportivo La Coruna at the weekend as hot pursuit of Napoli Paris Saint-Germain. The 32-year-old, nounced. The 46-year-old, in charge of of Osasuna in April 2017. Only two non- Real eventually romped to a confi dence who has signed a deal until June 2019, the northwest side since October 2012, is Spaniards, Lionel Messi and Dani Alves, boosting 7-1 league win following a poor AFP ants, with Costa starting ahead has been brought in as cover for Thiago widely regarded as one of the best of the have played more games for Barcelona. run of form. Turin, Italy of Federico Bernardeschi up Motta, who is 35 and has recently strug- current crop of young English managers Bale has made just a handful of starts front. gled with injury. Diarra, who has won 34 along with Bournemouth’s Eddie Howe. ROBINHO SIGNS FOR SIVASSPOR this season due to a series of muscle Miralem Panic missed an early caps for France, was released by United Earlier this season, Dyche was linked DESPITE RAPE CONVICTION injuries that have seem him spend three razilian Douglas Costa chance from a free-kick awarded Arab Emirates club Al Jazira at the end of with the vacancy at Everton after the Brazil forward Robinho signed with months on the sidelines. Zidane said scored the only goal as after six minutes when Gonzalo December. Toff ees sacked Ronald Koeman before Turkish Super Lig side Sivasspor, the Bale’s brilliance and his brace of goals champions Juventus Higuain was fouled on the edge veteran former England manager Sam club said, even though he has been sen- had lifted the whole club. kept in hot pursuit of of the box, but Mattia Perin PHIL NEVILLE APPOINTED Allardyce took charge at Goodison Park. tenced in absentia to nine years in prison “What has changed for him is that leadersB Napoli with a 1-0 win cleared. But Costa broke through Burnley are currently an impressive in Italy for rape. Sivasspor, based in the he has no problems, nothing is bother- ENGLAND WOMEN’S COACH against Genoa yesterday. Napoli after 16 minutes in the Allianz Former Manchester United defender eighth in the Premier League, six points city of Sivas in central Anatolia, said ing him,” the Frenchman said ahead of stayed top after the fi rst game Stadium and exchanged passes Phil Neville was appointed permanent and a place above Everton. the former AC Milan, Real Madrid and today’s match. “For a player, it’s funda- following the winter break when with Mario Mandzukic before head coach of the England women’s team Manchester City player signed the one- mental to have nothing holding you back Dries Mertens ended a long goal slotting the ball past Perin. Al- yesterday, replacing Mark Sampson, the MASCHERANO TO LEAVE BARCA and-a-half year deal in a ceremony at its in training. He’s improving his perform- drought in a 1-0 victory at Ata- though Genoa had struggled for Football Association announced on its AFTER EIGHT YEARS stadium after passing a medical. ances, he’s a really important player and lanta on Sunday. possession before the break the website. Barcelona confi rmed that defender Javier Robinho was found guilty by an Ital- he’s proving it,” said Zidane, who’s side Maurizio Sarri’s side have 54 champions were less threatening Sampson was sacked in September for Mascherano will leave the club this ian court in November of taking part in trail Barcelona by 19 points in La Liga. points after 21 games to stay one in the second half against a side “inappropriate and unacceptable behav- month, with Spanish media reporting the gang rape of a 22-year-old Alba- “I hope he continues to do so, so that point ahead of Juventus. Poland’s that are 15th in the league. Lazio iour” in a previous job and the FA made the Argentinian is heading to Hebei Chi- nian woman in January 2013, when the team regains its confi dence and we con- Wojciech Szczesny continued moved third, 11 points behind a public apology to internationals Eniola na Fortune. The Catalan giants said the Brazilian was playing for Milan in Serie tinue in this manner. This is what’s great in place of the injured Gianluigi Napoli, thanks to a 5-1 win over Aluko and Drew Spence the following 33-year-old would be given an offi cial A. Robinho insists he is innocent. The about football, we are on a roll and we are Buff on in goal for the Turin gi- Chievo in Rome on Sunday. month for discriminatory comments farewell today and say goodbye to fans at sentence is suspended while appeals take hoping to carry on in the same style.” Gulf Times Wednesday, January 24, 2018 3 CRICKET

UNDER-19 CRICKET WORLD CUP Pope performance draws comparisons to Warne

Reuters his impact to Warne’s in the 1999 Wellington World Cup, when he took four for 29 against South Africa. Even the game’s governing body, the loyd Pope produced something ICC, could not resist the comparison, of a cricketing miracle yester- saying: “This could justifi ably be called day when the leg-spinner took a Warne-esque spell. tournament record fi gures of “This has a claim to being Australia’s eightL for 35 to bowl Australia most explosive scene-bursting mo- into the semi-fi nals of the under-19 ment since Shane lobbed one up to cricket World Cup in New Zealand. Mike Gatting in 1993,” it added. The 18-year-old’s haul was even His gravity-defying to Gat- more impressive considering the fact ting announced his arrival on the world that his side had been dismissed for 127 stage and has been called “the ball of in the 34th over of their quarter-fi nal the century”. against England, who were cruising to victory at 47 without loss after seven BRIEF SCORES overs. Pope, however, was then thrown SUPER LEAGUE QUARTER-FINALS the ball by captain Jason Sangha and Australia beat England by 31 runs, John he proceeded to run amok, taking two Davies Oval, Queensland wickets in his fi rst over off successive Australia 127 all out in in 33.3 overs (Jason balls. “Sangh (Sangha) put me on pretty Sangha 58; Dillon Pennington 3-27, William early,” Pope told reporters after England Jacks 3-21, Ethan Bamber 3-31) bt England were bowled out for 96, despite opener 96 all out in 23.4 overs (Tom Banton 58; Tom Banton scoring 58. Lloyd Pope 8-35) “I like putting myself in pressure Player of the match: Lloyd Pope (Australia) scenarios, I feel like I bowl better under pressure. Sangh throwing me the ball PLATE QUARTER-FINALS gives me a bit of confi dence that my Sri Lanka beat Kenya by 311 runs, captain is trying to advance the game Lincoln, Christchurch and for me to land the ball in there Sri Lanka 419-5 in 50 overs (Hasitha Boya- straight away and take wickets, I love goda 191, Nisan Madushka 60, Kamindu those scenarios in the game.” Mendis 53, Nuwanido Fernando 35 , Pope said despite the fact his side had Abhishek Chidambaram 2-68) bt Kenya set such a paltry target at the Queens- 108 in 35.5 overs (Thomas Ochieng 45, town Events Centre, no-one believed Hareen Buddhila 4-27, Nipun Malinga 2-14). they would lose the game, even after Player of the match: Hasitha Boyagoda Banton had given England a blistering Leg-spinner Lloyd Pope (right) took eight for 35 against England to spin Australia into the semi-finals at the Under-19 World Cup in New Zealand on Tuesday. (ICC) (Sri Lanka) start. “Everybody had some real fi ght Windies beat Ireland by four wickets, left in them and we were constantly face. He fi nished off the tail after the hair would be shorn when he returns new things in the nets.” bowl with him too — Lloyd give it a rip Bert Sutcliff e Oval, Christchurch talking about winning the game,” Pope break and the comparisons to leg- home. “It is good to look at him and Pope’s fi rst-ball dismissal of Eng- — well done & congrats! Spin to win my Ireland 278-8 in 50 overs (Neil Rock 91, said. “We didn’t think we were ever spinning great Shane Warne were im- learn. I really would like to put my red- land skipper Harry Brook with a googly friend,” Warne tweeted. Harry Tector 69, Mark Donegan 38; Jeavor falling behind. We all felt that we were mediately being made. The Australian ball cricket up where he was, that’s would have pleased Warne, who took Aussie media, still smarting from the Royal 3-59, Ronaldo Alimohamed 2-31) in it and could win. We always had the is widely considered to have changed the aspiration for any leg-spinner re- to Twitter to compliment a youngster senior team’s ODI series loss to Eng- lost to Windies 281-6 in 48.2 overs (Nyeem belief even when they 47 for none.” the art of leg-spin as he tortured bats- ally. Comparisons? I don’t really think armed with a formidable bag of tricks land, seized upon the red-headed tyro’s Young 55 not out, Bhaskar Yadram 53, Em- Pope followed his double-strike by men worldwide with his control and about them too much.” that also includes sharp leg-breaks and heroics in Queenstown. manuel Stewart 50, Kirstan Kallicharan 46) removing Will Jacks for one and then variations before retiring with 708 Test “I’ve always loved to bowl wrong’uns awkward skidders. “The new Shane Warne has arrived,” Player of the match: Nyeem Young (West had Banton and Finlay Trenouth both wickets but Pope said he did not feel from an early age,” Pope said when “This is terrifi c & brings a huge smile Pope’s home-town paper the Adelaide Indies) caught by Sangha at slip to leave Eng- anything like him. asked about his lethal googly. to my face. I had the pleasure of meet- Advertiser trumpeted on its website Today’s fixture (Super League land reeling on 79-5 at the scheduled “I don’t tend to compare myself to “It’s a big part of my game and I love ing this impressive young man in Ad- yesterday. quarter-final): v South Africa, lunch break and staring defeat in the him,” said Pope, whose long unkempt variations and just working on elaide a while ago! Was nice to have a Cricket Australia’s website likened Hagley Oval, Christchurch

THIRD TEST SPOTLIGHT Kohli challenges Wanderers record a boost for India individuals in ahead of third Test AFP fi rst Test in 2013/14 when South Africa, set to Johannesburg make a world record 458 to win, fi nished on 450 for seven, in a match which showed that bats- men can prosper at the Wanderers once the initial ndia will seek to avoid a series whitewash sting is drawn from the surface. Indian team when they play South Africa in the third and Cheteshwar Pujara made 153 in the second fi nal Test at the Wanderers Stadium, start- innings of the 2013/14 match and India will be ing today. The Wanderers could live up to its seeking an improvement from their number three ‘I am sure everyone is looking forward to rectifying those mistakes’ Ireputation as a haven for fast bowlers, especially batsman, who has made only 49 runs in four in- after South African captain Faf du Plessis ex- nings, including being run out in both innings in AFP pressed his disappointment with the slowness of Centurion. Johannesburg the Centurion pitch where South Africa clinched Ajinkya Rahane, who did not play in the fi rst the series last week. two Tests, had a lengthy net at the weekend and Two days out from the match, there was a gen- could be recalled on the strength of a strong aptain Virat Kohli revealed yester- erous covering of green grass on a surface bak- record in overseas Tests. Dinesh Karthik was day there has been some hard talking ing under a hot sun, with groundsman Bethuel fl own in as a replacement for injured - in the India camp ahead of the third Buthelezi saying in a weekend newspaper inter- keeper Wriddhiman Saha and could play at the and fi nal Test against South Africa, view that he was planning on preparing a “green expense of Parthiv Patel, who had a poor game startingC at the Wanderers Stadium today. He mamba” — which South Africans understand as a with the gloves in Centurion. said his call after defeat in the second Test at green pitch off ering venomous assistance to seam With their formidable attack, Centurion to “be hard on ourselves” had been bowlers. coupled with more resolute and better followed through. India, though, will be buoyed by their record fi elding in the fi rst two Tests, South Africa will “Everyone has been spoken to individually at the ground. They have yet to be beaten in Tests again start favourites although they will be wary as to what went wrong, what happened and there, with a win and three draws going back to of a potential Indian backlash. Rain could inter- why it happened,” Kohli said. “The guys have 1992/93. On the one occasion where conditions fere with play on as many as four days. taken it well. Any time that you step on to were particularly bowler-friendly, in 2006/07, the fi eld, it is an opportunity to correct your South Africa were beaten at their own game. LIKELY TEAMS mistakes and that is how you progress at the Firebrand seamer Shanthakumaran Sreesanth South Africa: Faf du Plessis (captain), Dean Elgar, international level.” took fi ve for 30, South Africa were bowled out for Aiden Markram, , AB de Villiers, Quinton He said batting coach Sanjay Bangar had 84 in the fi rst innings and India went on to win by de Kock (wkt), Vernon Philander, Keshav Maharaj, worked with all the batsmen with a view to 123 runs. It remains one of only two Indian wins Kagiso Rabada, Morne Morkel, Lungi Ngidi. salvaging something from a series in which against 10 defeats in 19 Tests in South Africa. India (from): Virat Kohli (captain), Murali Vijay, India are facing the possibility of a 3-0 defeat. While bemoaning his team’s poor batting in Lokesh Rahul, Cheteshwar Pujara, Rohit Sharma, “I am sure everyone is looking forward to rec- the current series, Indian captain Virat Kohli has Ajinkya Rahane, Hardik Pandya, Dinesh Karthik (wkt), tifying those mistakes and, if they are in the hailed his bowlers, who have claimed 20 wickets Ravichandran Ashwin, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Ishant same positions (again), to consolidate those in both Tests so far. This, he believes, gives India Sharma, Mohammad Shami, Jasprit Bumrah. positions,” said Kohli. the ammunition to be competitive. Umpires: Aleem Dar (PAK), Ian Gould (ENG) The Indian captain added: “We have looked Kohli himself has happy memories of the TV umpire: Michael Gough (ENG) at the positives from the fi rst two games as ground, having scored 119 and 96 in the drawn : Andy Pycroft (ZIM) well. It is not many times on overseas tours that we have taken 40 wickets in two Tests. If the bowlers can continue doing their job, whichever team bats better can win the Test match. It’s a chance for everyone to step up and turn things around.” Both captains said there was a possibility they could go into the match with all-seam attacks on a green, well-grassed pitch. Re- markably, at a Wanderers ground which usu- ally favours fast bowlers, South Africa have yet to beat India in four Test matches. South African captain Faf du Plessis admit- ted that was “an amazing stat”. He acknowl- edged that teams get a boost from playing where they or their predecessors have en- Indian Captain Virat Kohli checks his bat during a training session in Johannesburg. (AFP) joyed success. “You get some grounds where you get a bit of confi dence with the way that or with the ball is when you can put a team derers) stat.” you play and you run with it,” he said. “I can down. If you can be really solid, you would Du Plessis admitted that the Indian Pre- think of a place like Perth in Australia, where think their fi ghting spirit will slowly go away.” mier League auction this weekend could be a we have never lost, and we get to the ground Du Plessis said a key factor, as in the fi rst distraction. “The IPL plays a big part in all of and we feel, ‘we are confi dent here, we can two Tests, would be batting partnerships. “I our lives. For the management and myself it’s perform here’.” think the diff erence between us and India is important to keep the focus and the energy But he said the South Africans were deter- that more batters have contributed to part- driving towards the Test match. At the end mined to complete a 3-0 series sweep. “What nerships than them. For me, it’s making sure of the day’s play, if you want to talk about the you can do is keep them under pressure. They we keep the pressure on their batsmen. It’s auction for a bit, you can do it. But the next are obviously under pressure now, being 2-0 been a pretty quiet series for most of them. If day when it’s Test match time again we must India's Dinesh Karthik (centre) dives to catch the ball as KL Rahul (left) and Murali Vijay look on during down in the series. A good start with the bat we keep doing that we will change that (Wan- be switched on and focused.” a training session on the eve of the third Test against South Africa in Johannesburg. (AFP) Gulf Times 4 Wednesday, January 24, 2018 CRICKET

TRI-SERIES FOCUS Jordan relishing Shakib, Tamim give most lucrative and unpredictable IPL The Guardian this weekend. Last time I didn’t Simon Burnton see any of it. I just got a message from my agent at the end say- Bangladesh big win ing that I’d been picked up, well ith the salary cap up done, congratulations. by 20%, 578 play- “This time a lot of us are in the ers up for grabs and auction so I’m sure everyone will Chasing 217 for victory, Zimbabwe were bundled out for 125 off 36.3 overs no team having re- follow it. I don’t think you can Wtained more than three members hide away from it. It will be in- AFP of their last squads, this week- teresting. I hope everyone does Dhaka end’s Indian Premier League get picked up. It can only be good auction is destined to be a tale for English cricket and for our of high drama and even higher team going forward if our play- tar all-rounder Shakib Al Has- numbers. ers go out there, because when an smashed a half-century and Outside India there will surely you do go to the IPL you can re- claimed three wickets as Bang- be nowhere with more people ally move your game on in a short ladesh thrashed Zimbabwe by 91 showing more interest in the space of time. runsS in a tri-nation one-day internation- event than Perth, where the Aus- “You play under immense al tournament in Dhaka yesterday. tralia and England teams will be pressure every game, in front of Chasing 217 for victory, Zimbabwe playing their fi nal one-day inter- 80,000 screaming people and, if were bundled out for 125 off 36.3 overs national and the tourists’ ranks you can deal with that, it hardens after Shakib took 3-34 with his left-arm will be further swelled by the ar- you to that kind of environment spin for the hosts. Shakib and opener rival of those members of their and allows you to deal with pres- Tamim Iqbal, who top-scored with 76, set squad not already in- sure later in your career. up the win as they shared 106 runs for the volved in the ODI series. “Whether you watch the auc- second wicket after Bangladesh elected to A few hours’ fl ight due north tion or you try to ignore it, it bat fi rst. of Perth Chris Jordan is prepar- can’t really aff ect the end result. Zimbabwe skipper ing for the auction in Bali. On You just wait to see how it all claimed four wickets to restrict Bangla- Saturday he was in the North- unfolds and try not to have too desh to a modest 216-9 despite a strong ern Districts Knights team that many expectations. Things could start provided by Tamim. The left- beat Central Districts Stags in go one way or they could go the handed Tamim registered his third half- the fi nal of New Zealand’s Super other. This auction is obviously century in as many matches, becoming Smash Twenty20, leaving him a big one. It will be interesting the fi rst Bangladeshi to amass 6,000 ODI a few days to refresh before the because not many players have runs in the process. He was also named drama to come. Last year Jordan been retained, so a lot of big man of the match. was snapped up by Sunrisers players have gone back into the Bangladesh collapsed from 147-2 to Hyderabad, after a 2016 season pool. It’ll be really interesting to 170-8 with paceman grab- in which he joined Royal Chal- see how the teams put together bing three wickets for 42 runs. “It was a lengers Bangalore – the eventual their strategies and who they see diffi cult wicket to bat on. Seamers were runners-up – as a replacement as their key players. also getting support from the wicket. We for the injured . “I just hope to be involved in thought that scoring above 200 would “You set your base price and what I think is a brilliant tour- give us chance to win the match,” said then you just hope to get picked nament and one which improves Tamim. “Today number 9, 10 and 11 bats- up, really,” he says of his auction players over a very short space men provided nearly 50 runs for us and experience. “Everyone’s diff er- in time, just due to the level of that made the diff erence,” he added. ent. Some people like to watch players that you interact with on Number-10 batsman Mustafi zur it throughout, others just like a day-to-day basis. There was Rahman struck an unbeaten 18 to take to hear the result at the end. I’m some very good camaraderie be- Bangladesh past the 200-run mark and probably more one of the latter tween players and everyone there complete their full quota of 50 overs. group but I’ll end up watching it wanted to learn and improve.” Zimbabwe’s Jarvis credited the batting eff ort of Shakib and Tamim. “The way Tamim and Shakib batted, (by) hitting the ball along the ground, (they) gave them- selves a chance,” said Jarvis. “They got England’s Stokes to some runs. That’s what we needed; we needed two or three batters to get in and give themselves a chance. We let our- Bangladesh all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan plays a shot during the tri-nations series against Zimbabwe in Dhaka. (AFP) delay NZ arrival to selves down big time, we should never have been bowled out for 125.” in the fi nal league game tomorrow. Total (nine wickets; 50 overs) 216 M. Waller lbw b Sunzamul 0 attend court hearing Zimbabwe were dealt early blows as Fall of wickets: 1-6 (Anamul), 2-112 (Shakib), G. Cremer lbw b Rubel 23 Shakib and Bangladesh skipper Mashrafe SCOREBOARD 3-147 (Mushfiqur), 4-156 (Mahmudullah), K. Jarvis c Mahmudullah b Mustafizur 10 Wellington: Suspended Mortaza tore through the opposition top BANGLADESH INNINGS 5-163 (Tamim),6-167 (Sabbir), 7-168 (Nasir), T. Chatara c Sabbir b Shakib 8 England all-rounder Ben order. They were unable to overcome the Tamim Iqbal st Taylor b Cremer 76 8-170 (Mashrafe), 9-196 (Sunzamul) B. Muzarabani not out 0 Stokes is to delay his arrival for damage despite middle-order batsman Anamul Haque lbw b Jarvis 1 Bowling: Jarvis 9-0-42-3, Chatara 7-0-33-1 Extras (w8) 8 the country’s tour of New Zea- ’s gritty 39 off 59 balls — Shakib Al Hasan st Taylor b Raza 51 (nb1, w5), Muzarabani 7-0-36-0 (w2), Raza 10- Total (all out, 36.3 overs) 125 land in order to attend his first the highest of the innings. c Muzarabani b Cremer 18 1-39-1 (w5), Cremer 10-0-32-4, Waller 7-0-32-0 Fall of wickets: 1-14 (Masakadza), 2-20 court hearing into a charge of Mustafi zur (2-16) ended the resistance Mahmudullah lbw b Cremer 2 (Mire), 3-20 (Taylor) 4-34 (Ervine), 5-68 aff ray. The 26-year-old Stokes of Raza, who dragged a short-pitched de- Sabbir Rahman c Ervine b Jarvis 6 ZIMBABWE INNINGS (TARGET 217) (Moor), 6-68 (Waller), 7-95 (Cremer), 8-107 was charged last week after a livery onto his stumps. Nasir Hossain c Taylor b Jarvis 2 H. Masakadza c Sabbir b Mortaza 5 (Raza), 9-118 (Chatara), 10-125 (Jarvis) lengthy investigation into an Mortaza and left-arm spinner Sun- Mashrafe Mortaza c Taylor b Cremer 0 S. Mire b Shakib 7 Bowling: Shakib 9-2-34-3 (w5), Mortaza incident outside a Bristol night- zamul Islam also took two wickets each. Sunzamul Islam c Muzarabani b Chatara 19 C. Ervine c Sabbir b Mortaza 1 1 6-0-29-2 (w2), Sunzamul 10-0-28-2 (w1), club last September. Zimbabwe still has a chance to join Bang- Mustafizur Rahman not out 18 B. Taylor lbw b Shakib 0 Mustafizur 6.3-3-16-2, Rubel 5-1-18-1 While he was included in ladesh in the fi nal on January 27 provided Rubel Hossain not out 8 S. Raza b Mustafizur 39 Result: Bangladesh won by 91 runs England’s squad for the Ashes the hosts beat Sri Lanka by a good margin Extras (lb2, w12, nb1) 15 P. Moor lbw b Sunzamul 14 Man of the match: Tamim Iqbal tour of Australia and subse- quent visit to New Zealand starting next month, he has not SCHEDULE been available for selection due to the legal process. An initial hearing was set for Feb. 13 at Bristol Magistrate’s join my teammates until after Court, six days after England attending court on the 13th.” IPL 2018 to start on April 7 with revised timings would have started a triangular The 26-year-old Stokes, Twenty20 series with Australia who was born in New Zealand, IANS here on Monday, has also allowed a shift April 6. It was also decided that Kings XI court hearing on January 24 at the Rajas- and New Zealand and the same has not featured for England New Delhi in the timings of the matches, which will Punjab will play four of their home games than High Court. day they are scheduled to play since the incident but played see the 8pm games being advanced by in Mohali and three in Indore. The hearing concerns the unanimous a match in Wellington. six matches on a short-term an hour while the 4pm afternoon games The IPL has also fi nalised the venues adoption of the Lodha Committee rec- “As has been confirmed in contract with New Zealand side he 11th edition of the cash-rich have now been pushed to 5:30 pm. for the home matches for Kings XI Punjab ommendations by the Rajasthan Cricket the media a first hearing date Canterbury last month before Indian Premier League (IPL) will There will be an overlap but the broad- and Rajasthan Royals. Kings XI will play Association, which is housed at the Sawai at court has been set for 13th returning to England. be held from April 7 to May 27 caster says it has enough channels to four of their seven home matches at their Mansingh stadium in Jaipur. February,” Stokes said on his England also play five with revised timings, the IPL show the games simultaneously. The home base in Mohali and the remaining A total of 578 players including 360 Twitter page yesterday. “In the one-day internationals and GoverningT Council (GC) announced on tournament opener and fi nal will be three in Indore. As for Royals, Jaipur re- Indians will go under the hammer at the circumstances, I have decided two Tests on their tour of New Monday. Accepting broadcaster Star played here while the opening ceremony mains the franchise’s fi rst-choice venue, IPL auction in Bengaluru on January 27 that it would not be right to Zealand. Sports’ request, the IPL GC, which met of the tournament will take place here on but the IPL has decided to wait for the and 28.

SPOTLIGHT Root to miss T20 series against Australia and New Zealand The Guardian in the fi ve-match series. the majority for the tournament, but play in the IPL will jar. He did Sydney Root marshalled chases at which runs from 4 April to 27 not play a T20 Blast match for Melbourne and Brisbane with May. Only England’s second Test Yorkshire Vikings in 2017 and, in scores of 91 not out and 46 not against New Zealand and fi rst the past two seasons, has played oe Root will miss the out, respectively. His 27 in the Test of the summer against Pa- three of a possible 30 domestic Twenty20 series against third ODI means he averages 164 kistan will impinge on his avail- T20s. Since the last World T20 Australia and New Zea- in this series. Reluctantly, he has ability. fi nal in April 2016, Root has also land next month after dis- agreed to some time off . “It was The England and Wales Crick- played only fi ve of nine interna- cussionsJ with Trevor Bayliss. The a discussion that has taken a long et Board’s more relaxed stance on tional T20s. England coach had voiced his time,” Root said. “I had every in- the IPL is clear: all 11 players from “You want to keep learning, hope the Test captain would sit tention of playing that series but the fi rst three Australia ODIs will developing and improving,” he out the triangular series that be- Trevor is mindful of it being a enter the auction. is said. “The frustration is there is gins on February 7 and Root will very long summer. There is a lot the only member of the 15-man never any chance to go back and now rest at home for a fortnight of cricket to be played. squad not to enter. “It fell into play in the T20 Blast. You almost before the New Zealand one-day “Eventually we came to the place this year,” Root said. “With feel that every time you turn up series starts. decision that it would be good to all that is coming up, it’s a great to a T20 international there is a Root had hoped to use the T20s have a break in between the one- window to try to explore that side chance you have fallen behind to develop his white-ball cricket dayers in New Zealand and now. of my game. There is a money the rest of the guys. You never before next year’s home World Sometimes you have to look over side to it – there is no point ly- want to let the rest of the guys Cup and the World Twenty20 in a long period of time, making ing about it – but that is not why down. 2020, especially as he believes he sure that we get to the middle of I went into the auction. I believe “I hate missing games for Eng- is at risk of falling behind given the summer and the back end of playing a block of Twenty20 land. It doesn’t sit well with me. his lack of exposure to the short- next winter and still feel fresh and cricket with that scrutiny, being You look at the amount of cricket est format. raring to go and not burnt out.” under pressure, for long periods we have got coming up and the The 27-year-old has been on He has, however, entered the of time against the world’s play- opportunity that the IPL brings song in the 50-over internation- Indian Premier League auction at ers would be a great opportunity and you almost have to look at als with Australia, which Eng- the end of the month and should to develop and learn.” it as more of an investment for land sealed with a 16-run win at be picked up: he starts at a base To Yorkshire fans, allowing my game and for all the England the SCG on Sunday to go 3-0 up price of £170,000 and can play Root to rest for England matches team moving forward.” Gulf Times Wednesday, January 24, 2018 5 SPORT

NBA NHL Cousins nets OT winner as Coyotes Rockets’ juggernaut beat Islanders

Reuters to Beauvillier. He skated down New York the right wing and ripped a wrister that Raanta saved, but couldn’t control. Beauvillier ick Cousins scored potted the rebound. continues to roll his second goal of However, Arizona re- the game 2:21 into gained the lead almost half- overtime Monday way through the period when Nnight, lifting the Arizona Coy- Brendan Perlini scored a goal otes to a 3-2 win over the New for the third straight game. York Islanders at Gila River Luke Schenn took a shot from Arena in Glendale, Ariz. the point that Perlini tipped by Cousins’ seventh goal of the Halak for his 13th goal at 9:52. over the top teams season was set up by Christian Raanta stopped 32 shots to Fischer, who took the puck earn the win. Halak made 30 ‘We got to win games like that. I think they only had seven threes all night’ away and fed Cousins for a saves in defeat. backhander that gave Arizona AFP its second straight win. It was Bruins defender McAvoy Los Angeles just the Coyotes’ 12th victory undergoes heart procedure in 49 games, allowing them to Boston Bruins rookie de- snap a tie with Buff alo for the fenseman Charlie McAvoy he Houston Rockets fewest points in the NHL. underwent a successful heart aren’t the type of team New York forced overtime ablation procedure Monday to rest on their laurels. with Anthony Beauvillier’s to treat an abnormal heart Just two days af- second goal of the game and rhythm, said David Finn, team Tter beating the reigning league 12th of the season at 2:53 of the doctor for the National Hock- champion Golden State Warri- third period, giving him seven ey League club. ors, Houston quickly refocused markers in the last six games. After a 4-2 home loss to on Monday night with a 99-90 Beauvillier collected the re- Edmonton on November 26, victory over the Miami Heat in a bound of Thomas Hickey’s shot the 20-year-old American battle of fi rst-place NBA teams. in the right circle and roofed a told team doctors he experi- James Harden scored a team- one-timer over Antti Raanta. enced heart palpitations dur- high 28 points while Chris Paul That allowed the Islanders ing the game. A later evalu- had 16, six rebounds and six as- to salvage a point for extend- ation showed McAvoy had a sists for the Rockets, who are ing the game past regulation, supraventricular tachycardia, blasting through one of the but they weren’t able to get not considered to be danger- toughest stretches of their sea- the extra point for winning. ous to his health but one that son. Their 53 points is one out of could recur at any time and “We got to win games like the Eastern Conference’s fi nal cause signifi cant symptoms. that,” Harden said. “I think they playoff berth. That led to Monday’s oper- only had seven threes all night. Arizona carried play for ation at Massachusetts Gen- “We buckled down and took most of the fi rst two periods, eral Hospital, where he was to away the paint. Made them make looking nothing like the West- be monitored overnight before tough shots over us.” ern Conference’s worst team. an expected recovery period of Eric Gordon came off the The Coyotes parlayed an 8-1 two weeks. During the period bench to score 16 points and shots advantage to start the from last November through Clint Capela delivered 14 for the game into the fi rst goal. Cous- last Saturday, McAvoy was Rockets, who won for the fi rst ins collected a loose puck near cleared to play by the Bruins time when scoring under 100 the lower edge of the left circle team physicians but also was points in a game. and squeezed a shot through monitored closely. Hassan Whiteside led the Jaroslav Halak’s pads for his Southeast Division-leading sixth goal at 12:20 of the fi rst RESULTS Heat with 22 points and 13 re- period. Colorado 4 Toronto 2 bounds, while Josh Richardson The Islanders tied it 34 sec- Detroit 3 New Jersey 0 fi nished with 12 in the loss in onds into the second period Minnesota 3 Ottawa 1 front of a crowd of 18,050 at the with a quick counterattack. Tampa Bay 2 Chicago 0 Toyota Center arena. After a pair of saves by Halak, Buff alo 2 Calgary 1 (OT) The Rockets, who are fi rst in Josh Bailey fi red a stretch pass Arizona 3 NY Islanders 2 (OT) the Southwest Division, im- proved to 33-12 on the season by overcoming a sizeable early defi - Houston Rockets guard James Harden (right) shoots as Miami Heat center Kelly Olynyk guards during the second quarter at Toyota Centre. cit against the Heat. PICTURE: USA TODAY Sports Their last three wins have all come over fi rst-place teams, Sun rises without Kidd “We believe that a fresh ap- Golden State, Miami and the Elsewhere, Malcolm Brog- proach and a change in lead- Cousins carries Pelicans with Minnesota Timberwolves. don scored a career-high 32 ership are needed to continue Houston welcomed both points as the Milwaukee Bucks elevating our talented team to- historic triple-double Trevor Ariza and Gerald Green defeated the Phoenix Suns wards the next level, bringing us DeMarcus Cousins had a triple double in New Orleans’ 132-128 back to their rotation after they 109-105 just hours after sack- closer to our goal of competing double overtime win over Chicago, becoming the first player since served suspensions for trying to ing head coach Jason Kidd. for championships.” Kareem Abdul-Jabbar to have 40 points, 20 rebounds and 10 as- get into the Los Angeles Clip- Kidd was replaced by assistant Kidd, an NBA champion as a sists in a game. Cousins finished with 44 points, 24 rebounds and pers’ locker room following a coach Joe Prunty who was pro- player with the Dallas Mavericks 10 assists as he combined with Anthony Davis, who scored 34, to physical game at Staples Center moted to interim head coach in 2011 and a 10-time NBA All- spark a Pelicans’ comeback in regulation before they pulled off the Nick Cousins of the Arizona Coyotes celebrates after scoring the arena. Monday’s contest marked until a full-time replacement Star pick, helped steer the Bucks marathon victory against the Bulls on Monday. game winning overtime goal against the New York Islanders at the fi rst time in a while that the can be found. to the playoff s in his first season Cousins scored seven points in the second overtime on a three- Gila River Arena in Glendale, Arizona. (AFP) Rockets were fully healthy and Khris Middleton, who scored in charge. pointer, a turnaround jumper and two free throws with eight the hope now is they can continue a team-high 35 points, had high Under Kidd, the Bucks had a seconds left in front of a crowd of 17,100 at Smoothie King Center to fi nd the right chemistry with praise for his former coach. regular-season record of 139-152 arena. He became the first NBA player since Hall of Famer Abdul- Savard retires seven years aft er last game all their injured and suspended “It’s tough for me,” Middleton and reached the fi rst round of Jabbar in 1972 to achieve the feat. The others who have done it are players back in the lineup. said. “He took my game to an- the NBA playoff s in the 2014-15 Wilt Chamberlain (six times), Oscar Robertson and Elgin Baylor. Marc Savard, who last played in the NHL seven years ago to the “We fi nally got all our guys other level. He took this team to and 2016-17 seasons. All four players are in the hall of fame. Chamberlain had one of the date – January 22, 2011 – off icially retired on Monday. Savard was healthy,” Harden said. “We got a whole other level. Today was a In Dallas, Harrison Barnes greatest games in history when he scored 51 points, 29 rebounds with the Boston Bruins then and had his career ended one season guys that can play a lot of min- tough day.” had 20 points and 10 rebounds, and 11 assists against Detroit in February 1963. “I’m just glad we into a seven-year contract extension after suff ering a concussion utes with a lot of energy.” A Bucks statement paid trib- rookie Dennis Smith scored 17 won,” Cousins said. “It wouldn’t have really meant (much) if I didn’t on a hit from Colorado Avalanche defenseman Matt Hunwick. The short-handed Heat have ute to Kidd’s work in helping the and the Dallas Mavericks fi n- get a win. It’s cool to be in company with a guy like Wilt. He was a “I think the biggest thing is that I’m happy where I am in my life. also ramped up the tenacity in team reach two playoff appear- ished a season sweep of playoff - guy who put up video-game numbers his entire career. Just to have I’m the healthiest I’ve been in a long time,” said Savard, via the their play of late as they were ances soon after his appoint- contending Washington, beating a little game like his, it’s pretty cool.” NHLPA. “I didn’t want it to linger on any more. My contract is up coming off a 106-105 win over ment in 2014. the Wizards 98-75. Cousins said he was physically drained after playing a career high and I wanted to get it out there and head off in a diff erent direc- the Charlotte Hornets. However, general manager Jon 52 minutes. “My strength coach had the nerve to ask me if I wanted tion to pursue a coaching career.” Houston’s Harden nailed a Horst said the time had come RESULTS to lift after this game. I almost lost it. If I had some energy, we Savard’s deal paid him an annual average salary of $4,021,429, three pointer with about three for a change with the Bucks lan- LA Clippers 118 Minnesota 126 would’ve fought,” he said smiling. E’Twaun Moore scored 15 points, which became trade fodder for teams looking to reach the salary minutes left in the fourth to bust guishing in eighth place in the Dallas 98 Washington 75 including a three in the second overtime, to help the Pelicans win cap floor. The Florida Panthers acquired Savard’s rights for 2015-16, open a close game. Eastern Conference standings at Atlanta 104 Utah 90 for the fifth time in six games. Jrue Holiday finished with 12 points and the New Jersey Devils had them for 2016-17. The Rockets then went on a 23-22. Denver 104 Portland 101 and Miller had 10 for New Orleans. Jerian Grant had 22 points and Savard, 40, was a star for the Bruins before his career was de- 7-2 run to make it 95-90 with 38 “We appreciate everything Houston 99 Miami 90 13 assists, and Robin Lopez also scored 22 for the Bulls. Zach LaVine railed. He played for the team for five seasons, scoring 96 points seconds remaining. that Jason has done for the Bucks Memphis 105 Philadelphia 101 finished with 19 points, Justin Holiday 15 and Nikola Mirotic 14 for (22 goals, 74 assists) in his debut campaign with Boston (2006-07) The Heat led by double dig- organisation, but we have decid- Milwaukee 109 Phoenix 105 Chicago, who at one stage appeared on their way to their fifth win and coming close to reaching 90 again when he had 88 (25 goals, its at half-time and kept it close ed to make a coaching change,” New Orleans 132 Chicago 128 (OT) in six games with a big lead early in the fourth. 63 assists) in 2008-09. down the stretch. Horst said. Charlotte 112 Sacramento 107

NFL

Cardinals hire DC Wilks as new coach Cardinals hire Panthers defensive coordinator Wilks as coach Steve Wilks, former defensive co-ordinator for the NFL’s Carolina Pan- Giants tab Shurmur as head coach thers, was hired Monday as the new coach for the Arizona Cardinals, Agencies forward to the leadership he will dinator under Shurmur. “I know he will provide the replacing the retiring Bruce Arians. New York provide for our team,” team pres- Shurmur was recently named type of leadership we need to Wilks, 48, has been an NFL assistant coach since 2006 and signed a ident John Mara and chairman NFL Assistant Coach of the Year take our team back to where it four-year deal just three days after a second interview with team presi- Steve Tisch said in a statement. by the Pro Football Writers As- belongs. I have followed Pat’s dent Michael Bidwell and Cardinals general manager Steve Keim. he New York Giants offi - “He has an outstanding track sociation due to his work with career for many years, and he has “I understand it’s a privilege. I’m humbled and honoured to be the head cially hired Pat Shurmur record in developing young play- the Vikings. The team lost start- had great success wherever he coach,” Wilks said. as head coach on Monday. ers, and it is clear his players re- ing quarterback Sam Bradford has been. Wilks takes over a Cardinals team that went 8-8 and missed the playoff s. Shurmur had been ru- spond to his guidance and direc- to a knee injury and the off ense “What struck me during our Arizona needs a quarterback after Carson Palmer retired and star Tmoured as the club’s top choice tion. We interviewed six talented thrived behind journeyman Case conversation is that being the receiver Larry Fitzgerald is considering leaving as well. but was unable to accept the and qualifi ed candidates, and we Keenum. head coach of the New York Gi- “This is not really a rebuild. This is a retool,” Wilks said in a posting on the position until the Minnesota Vi- feel like Pat, with his vision and Minnesota went 13-3 in the ants is not too big for him. He is team website. “We have the culture of winning here. We just have to be kings’ season ended. Shurmur experience, is the right person to regular season and fi nished 10th made for this moment and this able to sustain it.” was off ensive coordinator for the lead our team.” in the NFL in scoring off ense opportunity.” The Panthers went 11-5 but lost to New Orleans in the first round of the Vikings, who lost to the Phila- Shurmur reportedly received (23.9 points per game) and 11th Shurmur is equally pleased playoff s. Under Wilks, the defensive unit ranked third in rushing defense delphia Eagles in Sunday’s NFC a fi ve-year contract. He replaces in total off ense (356.9). The Vi- to be given the chance to turn and quarterback sacks, 11th in points allowed and seventh in total Championship Game. Ben McAdoo, who was fi red on former Denver Broncos running kings were third in third-down around the fortunes of a team defense. Shurmur, 52, has a 10-23 Dec. 4. backs coach Eric Studesville and conversion rate (43.5 percent). that went 3-13 this season and Cardinals cornerback Patrick Peterson tweeted “I LOVE IT” after the record as an NFL head coach. He New York reportedly also in- Steve Spagnuolo, the defensive His work with the Vikings and has missed the playoff s in vefi of news broke. went 9-23 as coach of the Cleve- terviewed both New England coordinator who fi nished the the totality of his 19-year NFL the past six years. Wilks was hired by Carolina in 2012 as defensive backs coach and land Browns in 2011-12 and also Patriots’ coordinators – Matt season as Giants’ interim head coaching resume led the Giants “I want to thank John Mara added assistant head coach to his title in 2014, taking on defensive co- won a game as interim coach of Patricia (defensive) and Josh coach. to appoint him as the new coach. and Steve Tisch for giving me the ordinator duties last season. the Philadelphia Eagles in 2015. McDaniels (off ensive) – as well Fired Oakland Raiders coach “I can’t wait to start working opportunity to be the head coach He has also served as an assistant coach with the Chicago Bears and “We are pleased to welcome as Carolina Panthers defen- Jack Del Rio is the leading candi- with Pat,” general manager Dave of the New York Giants,” Shur- then-San Diego Chargers. Pat to our organisation and look sive co-ordinator Steve Wilks, date to serve as defensive coor- Gettleman said in a statement. mur said in a statement. Gulf Times 6 Wednesday, January 24, 2018 SPORT

SPOTLIGHT Bubka wary of changes that may put athletes at risk Reuters remain attractive. lenie, who broke Bubka’s long-stand- solutions. Referees and judges can be Mumbai “It’s very important today to be ing world record, a strong critic. possibly quicker. For the athletes we progressive,” said Bubka, who is also a “I am actually fi ghting against have to ensure to give them excellent senior vice president of the IAAF. “But them, because it is one of the worst conditions.” ole vault must evolve if it is to it’s most important that the crowd ideas I have ever seen,” Lavillenie said Athletics has been left to ponder remain relevant as individual love it and enjoy it. last year. “The thing is, just one minute an uncertain future following the re- sports look for new ways to “Competition between diff erent is actually just enough... it’s just not tirement of sprint king Usain Bolt of attract fans but any changes sports is so big, for that we look for safe. Pole vault is a dangerous event.” Jamaica last year but Bubka said the Pintroduced should not be at the ex- some changes, some innovations, for Bubka agreed with the need to pro- sport had always faced the same prob- pense of athlete safety, former great some improvements and some new ceed with caution. lem over the years. Sergey Bubka has told Reuters. ideas in our sport.” “I think we should be careful with “Usain Bolt was an outstanding Athletics has been hit hard over the Bubka, who was in the city as the this,” said the Ukrainian, who won six athlete,” Bubka added. “But in our his- past few years due to corruption and ambassador for the Tata Mumbai consecutive world athletics titles and tory we have always had some great, doping scandals and International Marathon, said strong competition four world indoor titles and set a total great champions. Association of Athletics Federations was vital for drawing crowds to the of 35 world records. “It’s nice to see what Usain achieved (IAAF) President Seb Coe has said the stadiums. “This is where we put athletes in but he retired and that’s life. I am con- sport’s governing body was prepared The IAAF approved technical danger, put athletes in trouble. Thirty fi dent with all the work, all the pro- to embrace radical changes to appeal changes last year including a reduc- seconds for preparation, specially for grammes over the world it will bring to the next generation. tion in the amount of time given to outdoor competitions when there can new stars, new champions. The 54-year-old Bubka, who won each athlete for an attempt from 60 be wind, there can rain, there can be “There will be another generation. pole vault gold at the 1988 Seoul Ol- seconds to 30 in a bid to make the cold,... this will create some diffi cul- It’s really pleasing to see that Usain ympics and is a member of the ex- sport more television friendly. ties for the athletes. is involved in giving back to the sport ecutive board of the International The changes have not gone down “I can understand that offi cials are and in promoting it. Olympic Committee, said change is well with some athletes, with London trying to reduce the length of com- “I am very confi dent about the fu- essential for track and fi eld events to Olympic gold medallist Renaud Lavil- petition but we can try to fi nd other ture of athletics.”

GOLF QATAR BASKETBALL LEAGUE Thrilling wins for Wakrah, Rayyan Bjorn, Montgomerie That proved of little help as By Sport Reporter Doha Al Wakrah come up with a mas- sive 30-point eff ort, while at the same time restricting their rivals l Wakrah overcame to just 21 to seal the outcome in a seven-point third their favour. quarter defi cit to pip Al Earnest Ross scored 30 points Ahli 94-92 in the Qatar for Al Wakrah, while Marcus excited by European BasketballA League at Al Gharafa Johnson had 23 and Adamu Saa- Sports Club yesterday. ka 22. In a see-saw match during For Al Ahli, Nenad Zivche- which the lead changed 31 teams, vikk’s massive 43-point eff ort Al Wakrah reaped the reward for went in vain. staying focused during the fi nal In another match, Al Rayyan few minutes to earn a thrilling win. edged Al Khor 68-66 after the Al Ahli edged the fi rst quarter teams were tied 50-50 at the end success stories 23-20 but Al Wakrah bounced of the third quarter. back in style to completely dom- Stephen Hurt once again was ‘When you wake up on Monday morning and Sergio has won in Singapore and inate the second period and take the star performer for Al Rayy- a 49-39 advantage. an with 21 points while Tanguy Tommy has won in Abu Dhabi and Jon has won on the PGA TOUR, you can’t help However, much to Al Wakrah’s Ngombo had 19 and Sherwood surprise, Al Ahli not only erased Brown scored 17. but think that European golf is in very good hands right now’ the 10-point defi cit but also Darrel Blackmon with 22 managed to take a 71-64 lead to points excelled for Al Khor with go into the fi nal 10 minutes with Ja’’wan Davis contributing 18 their tails up. and Ibnomer Hamed 10.

Al Wakrah (in blue and white) and Al Ahli players in action during their European Ryder Cup captain Thomas Bjorn is delighted with the form of his team after a strong start to the year. PICTURE: Getty Images Qatar Basketball League match at the Al Gharafa Sports Club yesterday.

Agencies who lifted titles in Asia and the we can all go and shoot 30 when “It’s always been a special time Major winner Rory McIl- Dubai United States respectively. you’re lying 39th and you move place this, for me on a personal roy, the 2016 Open Champion “When you wake up on Mon- to 14th. But he had to do that. front, and looking back 22 years Henrik Stenson, and 2017 Race day morning and Sergio has He was trailing. He had to go out ago now when I won here. I to Dubai winner Fleetwood. uropean Tour legends – won in Singapore and Tommy on that back nine and do that. think the course has stood the “The camaraderie out here, and former Omega Du- has won in Abu Dhabi and Jon And he’s in a great place.” test of time terrifi cally well over the European group, is fantas- bai Desert Classic win- has won on the PGA TOUR, The Great Dane enjoyed a the years. There’s a very strong tic. I have a lot of friends out ners – Thomas Bjorn you can’t help but think that positive weekend of his own in fi eld. As strong a fi eld as I have here. I’ve had a lot of people andE Colin Montgomerie, were European golf is in very good Abu Dhabi, recording an eight witnessed for many, many years come up and say, hey, great see- full of praise for the fl ourish- hands right now. There are under par total to fi nish in a tie here in the Dubai Desert Clas- ing you. It’s just a diff erent vibe ing European golf scene as they some great players. But then for 30th place. sic, so everyone’s excited about out here. It’s great, I like it. It prepared to tee it up at Emirates you look at what 12 you’ve got Montgomerie, meanwhile, is it,” Montgomerie said. would be nice to mix in a few Golf Club this week. to be up against and American as impressed with the fi eld that “Thomas must be thrilled more,” Perez said. Bjorn, a 15-time European golf is also in great hands at the will take to the Majlis Course with the state of European golf “Once you get inside the top Tour winner and the current moment. That’s what’s ahead,” this week as he is with the emer- right now, as we all are. We’re 50, you can kind of go that route European Ryder Cup Captain, Bjorn said. gence of Fleetwood and a host of all great fans and love the Eu- and try to play some more world famously overcame Tiger Woods “For my own golf last week, it European stars who are making ropean game, and I think that events, play against diff erent to take the title in 2001, and he was a pleasant surprise to play their mark on the world stage. he can only be delighted about players and kind of see how you has arrived in Dubai once again four rounds of golf, I have to say. The Scot, who won the Ome- what’s happening at the week- really stand up against everybody. in a positive frame of mind after The weekend was nice. I felt like ga Dubai Desert Classic in 1996, end there with Sergio winning “The weather is fantastic. witnessing a fantastic weekend I did play some good stuff and I is competing in his fi rst Euro- and Tommy Fleetwood proving The course is fantastic. I’ve for some of Europe’s top stars, as stayed very patient, and it was pean Tour event since the 145th himself yet again.” always wanted to come here. Tommy Fleetwood continued nice to get my brain a little bit Open Championship in 2016. World number 17 Pat Perez It’s a desert course – I live in his red-hot run of form by away from thinking about the The 31-time European Tour is looking forward to his fi rst Scottsdale, so we have all desert defending his Abu Dhabi HSBC team environment. winner is thrilled to make his appearance at the event, in the courses. The grass is pretty Championship presented by “I thought Tommy’s per- return to the event amongst a company of a fi eld that includes similar. I think the layout is fan- EGA title. formance on Sunday was Ma- fi eld that includes nine Major the last two winners of both the tastic. It’s cool, too, to see all The Englishman was joined in jor-like. I thought to go and champions and 17 of the top Omega Dubai Desert Classic and the buildings around and eve- the winners’ circle by Spanish shoot 30 in those conditions 60 players in the Offi cial World the Masters Tournament – Gar- rything. I’m excited about it. I pair Sergio Garcia and Jon Rahm, when you have to, you know, Golf Rankings. cia and Danny Willett – four- think it’s awesome.” Action from Al Rayyan-Al Khor match. Gulf Times Wednesday, January 24, 2018 7 FOOTBALL

AL KASS INTERNATIONAL CUP FOCUS Football Dreams PSG prevail against tired and Real ease into Tottenham By Sports Reporter Doha

aris Saint-Germain – ever-present at all seven editions of the tourna- knockout stage ment, and victors in 2015 P– matched up against debutants Tottenham Hotspur, and secured Christian Otabil and Javier Domniguez scored for AFD and Spaniards respectively a convincing 4-2 victory in the third match of the day at Al Kass International Cup yesterday. The English youngsters were extremely unfortunate to have been on the wrong end of a 3-2 scoreline the previous evening against Kashiwa Reysol, having exhibited massive potential in a game they should have won. Yes- terday, they had no option but to win if they were to continue their Al Kass journey. And, to their credit, Totten- ham immediately showed that PSG players celebrate a goal they were fully focussed on the against Tottenham Hotspurs. task in hand, and took the lead in remarkable fashion with the a characteristic burst down the game less than two minutes old. fl ank with an accurate low cross There seemed little danger that Alexandre Fressange struck when Paris keeper Trey Vimalin fi rst time, the ball squeezing un- surveyed the fi eld with the ball at der luckless Spurs keeper Olu- his feet, but his diagonal pass to waferanmi Oluwayemi. Curtis Fiawoo on the edge of the For the remainder of the fi rst area put the defender in trouble. 45, Paris kept the pressure on, In desperation, he attempted to with Spurs mostly pinned back return the ball to Vimalin, only in their own half. However, with for rapid striker Enock Asante to the last kick of the fi rst period, cut out the weak pass and fi nish Maghoma reaffi rmed his quality, into an empty net. curling a free kick from 25 yards Moments later, Asante almost that was inches wide. Real Madrid players celebrate Javier Domniguez’s goal during the Al Kass International doubled the advantage in simi- Tottenham were desperate to Cup match against Aspire Football Dreams yesterday. PICTURES: Jayaram lar circumstances, capitalising fi nd a way back into the game, on Vimalin’s suspect footwork and the tournament, but it was By Sports Reporter – centre backs Sergio Santos and Javier to tackle the keeper, only for the slow going against a PSG side Doha Domniguez – survived from the previous ball to roll wide of the left-hand who grew increasingly com- fi rst 11. post. manding as the second half un- Pacheco had cause to be thankful for PSG were certainly not intimi- folded, with Coulibaly causing spire Football Dreams (AFD) and retaining his centre backs when, on 23 dated by these early setbacks, constant problems for Spurs Real Madrid fought out a gritty minutes, his side took the lead. Eneko and almost drew level when Tan- right back Maximus Tainio. 1-1 draw at Al Kass Internation- Gines swung a free kick in from the left, guy Coulibaly pounced on a re- And then, out of nowhere, al Cup 2018. With qualifi cation which was only partially cleared. Dom- bound but somehow fi red wide, Tottenham levelled. Dilan Mar- Avirtually assured for both sides, the game niguez was fi rst on the scene, blasting a with the goal at his mercy. kanday, advancing into the area, nonetheless presented a valuable oppor- bouncing ball into the roof of the net from Aspire Football Dreams’ Christian Otabil celebrates his goal with teammates during the Within seconds, however, the was fi rst to a high diagonal ball tunity to assess progress against accom- eight yards out. match against Real Madrid yesterday. equaliser arrived when Spurs from deep on the right, and his plished opposition. In a fi rst half where very few chances failed to clear their lines and Adil touch found Asante, who made Real had announced themselves as arose, the goal provided a precious lead second goal of the tournament, and set the With mutual qualifi cation assured, Aouchiche drilled home from 12 no mistake from 10 yards. tournament favourites with an imperi- for Los Blancos, which they defended stage for the second 45 minutes. the pace inevitably dropped away in the yards into the top right corner. Parity lasted only two min- ous 6-2 victory over Fenerbahce in their resolutely. Content to sit back and absorb Barring a late and one-sided avalanche game’s fi nal quarter, with both sides Tottenham were suddenly on utes, however, as Fressange fi red opening game. AFD, meanwhile, had pressure, Real sought to counterattack of goals, both teams were already assured seemingly content to treat the remainder the back foot, and a maraud- his second of the game from never looked anything other than com- quickly when the opportunity arose. of progressing to the knockout stage, of the game as a competitive training ex- ing run down the right by Ru- close range to make it 3-2 to PSG. fortable in a routine 2-0 win against the For their part, Aspire continued to thanks to Fenerbahce’s defeat in both ercise. A series of half-chances came and ben Providence ended with an On 65 minutes, Spurs head Turkish side. This game therefore prom- play their positive brand of possession games. went but, on each occasion, defence came inviting cross that was only just coach Scott Parker made a posi- ised an altogether tougher examination of football, seeking to prise open the well- Yet the game remained hugely com- out on top. Santos was particularly im- cleared. tive change, replacing midfi elder each side’s true credentials. drilled Real backline. petitive in the early stages of the second pressive at the back for Madrid, even em- Midfi elder Edmond Maghoma Chukwunonso Madueke with AFD boss Serine Dia had made only one Domniguez’ goal aside, there was half, with every loose ball chased down, barking on the occasional surge forward had controlled the game against forward Maurizio Pochettino change to his previous starting line-up, nothing to choose between the two sides and intricate approach play a feature of that Aspire struggled to contain. Kashiwa, but initially struggled Grippaldi, who instantly took up with Momodou Jallow slotting in at the as the fi rst half drew to a close. And, on both sides’ styles. In the knockout phase, few teams will to impose himself on proceed- an advanced position on the right back in place of Djakaria Barro. the stroke of half time, AFD were level. Approaching the hour mark, Aspire relish being drawn against AFD or Real, ings, with fatigue or tactical wing. With PSG winning the bat- In contrast, perhaps mindful of the de- Christian Otabil advanced into the area had the ball in the net, only for an off - and both sides will doubtless be grateful tweaks possible factors as he sat tle in the centre of the pitch, the manding Al Kass schedule, Madrid head down the inside left channel, deftly evading side fl ag to intervene. Soon after, Madrid for an opportunity to hone their tactics, deep. Instead, Tottenham were tactical switch was perhaps an coach Manuel Fernandez had rung the a last-ditch challenge before slotting past made two changes, and minutes later as the business end of the tournament reliant on Jneil Bennett as their attempt to exploit the wide areas. changes for this match. Only two players Real keeper Toni Ribera. It was the striker’s Barro replaced goalscorer Otabil for AFD. awaits. primary attacking outlet, with However, Paris appeared more his pacey runs down the left ask- than capable of repelling Spurs’ ing questions of the PSG back- attacks, defending in numbers BOTTOMLINE line. and breaking at speed wherever For the Parisians, Providence possible. This approach reaped was a constant threat on the further reward on 76 minutes right, and the tricky winger was when Loic Soh met a low cross the architect of PSG’s second, six yards out and made no mis- Milan dominance brings reward against Wydad on 28 minutes, when he ended take with a fi rst-time eff ort.

By Sports Reporter Tonin teed up Olzer – by now, his team’s Doha standout performer – who fi red just over from the edge of the area. Moments later, their best chance of the Kashiwa down Spurs in thriller C Milan secured a narrow one- game arrived when the referee awarded a goal victory over Wydad, de- penalty to Milan. Tonin stepped up and Kashiwa Reysol conjured an Tottenham goal. spite dominating the match shot well, but Mourid produced an out- incredible 3-2 victory against a Later, Dilan Markanday picked from start to fi nish. The Mo- standing save, and Haidara sliced the re- superb Tottenham Spurs side the ball up just inside the area roccansA had goalkeeper Taha Mourid to bound horribly wide. in a pulsating Al Kass Interna- and jinked his way past several thank for keeping the scoreline respect- A nasty collision on the hour mark be- tional Cup game on Monday. challenges before curling a able, although it was his error that al- tween Wydad’s Aziz Mouncef and Milan Kashiwa are now veterans of fabulous shot into the top left lowed the Italians to prevail, after he had keeper Leonardo Uzzo, as they competed the tournament and, at each corner. It was the last mean- conjured a series of world-class saves. to get on the end of a high ball, saw both edition in which they have ingful action of an absorbing Milan’s players would have been aware players require treatment. The unfortu- appeared, they have impressed opening 45 minutes. of their club’s proud history at Al Kass, nate Uzzo was forced from the fi eld, to be with their fast-paced posses- As the second period com- and of how progress from U-17 level to replaced by Niccolo Zanellato. sion football. The 2018 side menced, Spurs continued as fi rst team is possible. Striker Patrick Cu- By now, Wydad were beginning to dis- are clearly modelled along the they had left off but unde- trone was one of the star players of Al play some attacking intent – albeit with same lines. terred, Kashiwa came back Kass 2014, when Milan fi nished third. He little end product – as Milan’s frustration Meanwhile Tottenham, appear- strongly, launching a series of is now lighting up Serie A, having come grew. It was now the Italians’ turn to sit ing in Doha for the first time, attacks that culminated in a through the Rossoneri’s ranks. Cutrone’s deep as Tonin and Olzer became more iso- displayed similar attributes magnificent goal to retake the career trajectory provides an inspiration Action from the match between AC Milan (in black and red) and Wydad (in white). lated up front. Head Coach Simone Baldo to their Japanese opponents, lead. Yuusuke Shimizu picked to the Al Kass Class of 2018, and proof introduced some fresh legs, with Alberto making for a fascinating up the ball 25 yards out and that talent, dedication and application The best of the early chances fell to Mi- ling possession and crafting all the chances. Barazzetta and Edoardo Brusa replacing spectacle in which both sides advanced into the area before can eventually bring success. lan skipper Riccardo Tonin on 13 minutes, It seemed only a matter of time before they Maldini and Andrea Porrini. Re-energised, combined maximum endeav- calmly chipping into the bot- And, a pre-match glance at the team- who rose unmarked to glance a header turned their dominance into goals. Milan once again laid siege to the Wydad our with well-drilled technical tom left corner. sheet revealed one name that epitomises wide of the left-hand post. With 10 minutes of the half remain- goal, with wave upon wave of attacks re- virtuosity. With 20 minutes remaining, footballing success –Maldini. Unlike Paolo, Then, a moment of brilliance from ing, Maldini should have scored after he pelled by the Moroccan backline. Indeed, in the opening period, former England interna- his legendary father, Daniel Maldini is a Maldini almost led to the opener, when latched onto Riccardo Bruni’s low cross The Italians had wasted so many chanc- the two teams cancelled each tional Scott Parker sacrificed forward. However, on his introduction to his free kick from 25 yards looked to be from the right, but he somehow contrived es that it was surprising when they fi nally other out, competing stoutly defender Dennis Cirkin for Al Kass, he will have quickly learned that an fl ying into the top right corner, only to be to miscue his eff ort from a few yards out. went ahead in the 78th minute. Mourid for every ball and ensuring that forward Enoch Asante, as the illustrious family name counts for nothing expertly tipped over by Mourid. In the absence of goals, the game be- somehow let a straightforward shot squirm chances were at a premium. Tottenham manager went all on the pitch at Aspire. Felled by a crunching However, the Wydad stopper was a came increasingly physical, with wild under his body, leaving Niccolo Corti with Kashiwa took a shock lead out for victory. tackle in the 8th minute, Maldini initially mere spectator when, around the half- challenges fl ying in and tempers fraying. the simplest of fi nishes. In truth, it was on 37 minutes. There seemed Kokubo’s goal came under struggled to impose himself on proceed- hour mark, Sianka Haidara smashed a Referee Ahmed Hussain did well to keep no more than the Rossoneri deserved, al- little danger as Daichi Maeda sustained assault and, on 78 ings, as did his teammates. volley onto the woodwork from just in- things fl owing, when the temptation though it was desperately unfortunate for advanced down the right wing. minutes, Spurs were level Wydad had come off second best in a side the area. must have been to reach for his cards. Wydad’s keeper, who had easily been their He swung in a speculative after Markanday fed Bennett, highly physical encounter against Espe- Soon after, a marauding run from Gi- The fi rst half fi nished goalless, with man of the match up to that point. cross that struck centre back who slotted past the Kashiwa rance Tunis on Sunday evening, but this acomo Olzer was brought to an abrupt Milan rueing a host of missed opportuni- Despite facing imminent elimination, Luis Binks’ outstretched arm. stopper. time round they were given more time on halt by a wild challenge from Wydad cap- ties, and Wydad grateful to still be in the Wydad maintained their conservative Referee Mohamed Yousef had Kashiwa who once again took the ball to settle. tain Mohamed Rabii, who was booked. game. formation, reluctant to commit players no hesitation in pointing to the lead when Hosoya pounced While Wydad tended to sit deep, Milan Olzer took the free kick himself, and The second period got underway with forward in search of a precious equaliser. the spot, and Mao Hosoya had on a loose ball in the area to adopted an adventurous approach, with forced another impressive save from Milan reasserting their dominance, cre- Ultimately, they paid the price, as Milan no hesitation in burying the fire past Spurs keeper Oluwa- three attackers supported by two ad- Mourid, low to his right. ating and wasting many chances. The saw the remaining minutes out with a resultant penalty high into the feranmi Oluwayemi. vanced midfi elders when in possession. Milan were now fi rmly on top, control- best of these arrived on 52 minutes, when minimum of fuss.

Wednesday, January 24, 2018 GULF TIMES TENNIS

AUSTRALIAN OPEN Cilic makes it to last four aft er injured Nadal retires Sixth seed Cilic to meet Briton Kyle Edmund, who beat World No. 3 Grigor Dimitrov, for place in the final

Reuters Melbourne Stark contrasts in quarters Roger Federer resumes his long- “I did it in the past and I did it in afa Nadal’s Austral- time rivalry with Tomas Berdych the slams, so I know how it is to ian Open quarter-fi nal as giantkillers Chung Hyeon and beat him for the best-of-five sets. curse struck again yes- Tennys Sandgren face off in an I’ll go out there and swing at terday, an injury forcing Australian Open quarter-final some balls.” theR top seed to retire in the fi fth no one predicted. Defending While there is something of set against Croatia’s Marin Cilic. champion Federer, zeroing in the same old in the Federer- A wincing Nadal struggled on Grand Slam No.20, lines up Berdych match-up, the same with a muscle strain in his upper for his 26th career meeting with cannot be said of the other right thigh from late in the fourth the big-serving Czech in his 14th intriguing quarter-final between set before abandoning the match appearance at an Australian the 58th-ranked Chung and at 3-6, 6-3, 6-7(5), 6-2, 2-0, Open last eight. The 36-year-old American No.97 Sandgren. leaving a packed Rod Laver Arena Swiss legend holds a 19-6 lead Both have been headliners at crushed with disappointment. over the 19th seeded Berdych the year’s opening Grand Slam It was only the second time the dating back to their first meet- with Chung knocking out world world number one has retired in ing in 2004. He is 4-0 over him No.4 Alexander Zverev and over 250 grand slam matches, his in Melbourne, but Federer is 12-time Grand Slam champion last, coincidentally, during the taking no risks against a player Novak Djokovic, while Sand- 2010 quarter-fi nals against Andy who has beaten him twice at gren toppled former winner Murray. Grand Slams, at Wimbledon in Stan Wawrinka and world No.5 “It’s not the fi rst time here,” an 2010 and two years later at the Dominic Thiem. ashen-faced Nadal told reporters. US Open. “We have had some Chung, 21, pulled off his greatest “I am a positive person ... but good ones over the years going win over an ailing Djokovic to today is an opportunity lost to be back all the way to the Olympic become the first South Korean in a semi-fi nals of a grand slam.” Games in Athens in 2004,” Fe- player to reach a Grand Slam Of the seven grand slam quar- derer said. “I’m looking forward quarter-final. Sandgren, 26, had ter-fi nal defeats of his career, fi ve to play against him. He seems in never won a Grand Slam match have now come on the blue hard- good shape and I’m happy he’s before reeling off four stunning courts at Melbourne Park. The over his back issues that he also victories to reach the last eight. 16-times grand slam champion had at the end of last year.” The Korean has won their only said he felt the strain in the third The Swiss star is coming off an meeting in three sets in the first set but was not aff ected until the extraordinary 2017, when he round in Auckland this month. fourth when it twinged during a won a fifth Australian Open title “He’s really good player. He’s scramble for a drop-shot. and a record eighth at Wimble- made his first quarter-final, same He signed off his news confer- don and in his four wins so far like me. I’m just have to be ready ence on a sour note, complain- looks in the mood to carry it on for him,” Chung said. Sandgren ing that too many players were into 2018. For Berdych playing has had an extraordinary time getting injuries. Federer is “extremely tough”, but in Melbourne after failing to “Somebody who is running he says it’s another opportu- qualify for the last four Austral- the tour should think a little bit nity for him on the Grand Slam ian Opens. “I’ve definitely had about what’s going on,” said the stage. “I’m definitely going to a real pinch-me moment. Wow, Spaniard. go out there, try my best, try to this is hopefully real. If I wake up “I don’t know if they have to play good tennis, and believe in now, I’m going to be real upset,” think a little bit about the health myself that I can do it,” he said. he laughed. of the players. Marin Cilic of Croatia and Rafael Nadal of Spain embrace after Nadal retired from their quarter-final in Melbourne yesterday. (Reuters) “Not for now that we are play- ing, but there is life after tennis. the second but he roared through ings. You don’t obviously play in fi nalist Kevin Anderson in the I don’t know if we keep playing four consecutive games in a the semi-fi nals of a Grand Slam opening round, broke Dimitrov’s in these very, very hard surfaces stunning turnaround. every day, or a quarter like today. serve fi ve times and hit 46 win- what’s going to happen in the fu- Although reading Nadal’s serve “So I’m just trying to enjoy it ners and 48 unforced errors. ture with our lives.” with ease, the Croatian missed as much as possible. There’s no The Bulgarian began tardily out on a number of break points, reason why my tennis wasn’t and was broken in the opening Majestic performance and he gave the Spaniard a free good enough to win. It’s obvi- game but quickly broke back. It overshadowed a majestic set point in the tiebreak when he ously about going out there and Edmund broke to 5-4 with a performance from sixth seed hammered a forehand long. doing it.” forehand and served out for the Cilic who reached his second Nadal bellowed in celebration Edmund is the only British opening set in 42 minutes. Australian Open semi-fi nal eight after closing it out with an over- man in this year’s fi eld after fi ve- The Bulgarian saved three years after losing to Murray at the head smash but Cilic ripped the time fi nalist Andy Murray’s in- break points to take a 3-0 lead in 2010 tournament. momentum straight back from jury withdrawal before the tour- the second set and then served Bashing forehands as if felling the Spaniard. nament. out to level the set scores on his trees with an axe, the 2014 US A barrage of winners pushed “I know what it feels like to be fi rst match point. Open champion struck a mind- him to a 4-1 lead and he devoured Andy Murray for the last eight But Dimitrov hit a fl at spot boggling 83 winners to set up a a banana with similar gusto dur- years or however long,” Edmund and gave up a break with a dou- clash with 49th-ranked Briton ing the change of ends. said of the expected media at- ble fault in the eighth game and Kyle Edmund, one of the more Nadal, meanwhile, was in tention after his win. Edmund seized the third set with unlikely semi-fi nals imaginable. trouble and a trainer worked on “Yeah, of course, it comes with a strong serve. “It was an unbelievable per- his thigh during a medical time- the territory of playing the sport. Edmund got a break in the formance from both of us and out. He returned to the court to The better you do, the more at- fi fth game of the fourth set when it’s really unfortunate for Rafa,” hold a dicey service game but tention you get. Dimitrov shanked a forehand the mild-mannered Cilic told Jim winced in pain after scrambling Britain’s Kyle Edmund celebrates beating Bulgaria’s Grigor Dimitrov in their Australian Open quarter-final “It’s probably the fi rst time well out, but the British hope Courier during his post-match to retrieve an exquisite lob. in Melbourne yesterday. (AFP) I’ve done well on my own. So it handed the break back with an interview. The set was gone when Cilic is more attention there, but of errant forehand on break point in “He always gives his best and pounded his 21st winner of the Australian Open semi-fi nals in Sunday’s fi nal. with his powerful forehand and course you just take it in your the next game. it’s unfortunate for him to end match and after another crisis the post-1968 Open Era with an By winning Edmund also be- serve. stride, trying to embrace it as The errors continued to fl ow this way.” talk with the trainer, Nadal threw impressive win over world No.3 came only the sixth British man “I am loving it right now, just much as possible.” for Dimitrov and he fell behind Cilic will be favoured to reach in the towel after being broken in Grigor Dimitrov at the Australian to make the last four at a Grand the way I’m playing. I’m 23 years The only other British men to two break points in the ninth his fi rst fi nal in Australia after his next service game. Open yesterday. Slam. It marked his fi rst victory old, my fi rst Grand Slam semi- get so far at a Slam were Hen- game and was broken when showing courage to battle back The unseeded Edmund, ranked against a top-fi ve ranked player. fi nal. First time I played on one of man, Murray, John Lloyd, Roger he netted a backhand, leav- twice against Nadal. Edmund joins British greats 49, won 6-4, 3-6, 6-3, 6-4 in 2hr With another British Grand the biggest courts in the world,” Taylor and Greg Rusedski. Mur- ing Edmund to serve out for the After dropping the fi rst set, with Dimitrov upset 49min on Rod Laver Arena and Slam semi-fi nalist Tim Henman Edmund said. ray, Lloyd and Taylor did it in match. things looked grim when he dou- Kyle Edmund became only the will face former US Open cham- watching in the stands, Edmund “To beat a quality of player Australia. Dimitrov is yet to go beyond ble-faulted to go down a break in fourth British man to reach the pion Marin Cilic for a place in kept Dimitrov under pressure like Grigor. They’re great feel- Edmund, who upset US Open the semi-fi nals at a Grand Slam.

SPOTLIGHT Second seed Wozniacki stutters into semi-fi nals AFP often failed to live up to the hype other late night fi nish. Melbourne in the majors, but in the opening Earlier, world number 37 set she outplayed Suarez Navar- Mertens is on a hot streak of ro who was trying to become the form, unbeaten in 10 matches econd seed Caroline fi rst Spaniard to make the last after winning in Hobart this Wozniacki withstood a four since Conchita Martinez in month. fi ghtback from Spain’s 2000. She was too physical for Svi- unseeded Carla Suarez Wozniacki was 100 percent tolina as she stormed into the NavarroS to stutter into the semi- successful with service returns semis, incredibly on her Austral- fi nals of the Australian Open 6-0, and had just three unforced er- ian Open debut. 6-7 (3/7), 6-2 early morning. rors in as near a perfect display “It’s amazing. I mean, it was “I knew it was going to be as is possible over 34 one-sid- not expected, especially today. tough against her because in the ed minutes against the world Really tough match,” said the fi rst set a lot of games were very number 39. Belgian. close,” said the Dane, who is into Her level inevitably dropped “But I was in the zone today. If a second semi-fi nal at Melbourne and she had to fend off a break you believe in yourself, then an- Park, after losing her fi rst against point at the start of the second. ything can happen. But of course China’s Li Na back in 2011. Suarez Navarro fi nally got on semis is ‘Wow’.” “Another semi-fi nal here, I’m the board in the eighth game to Svitolina blamed a hip in- excited,” she added after com- prevent a dreaded “double ba- jury for her shock ousting as she pleting a see-saw win in 2hr gel” 6-0, 6-0 scoreline. again failed to get to the last- 11min. It fi red up the gritty Spaniard Denmark’s Caroline Wozniacki celebrates beating Spain’s Carla Suarez Elise Mertens of Belgium celebrates winning against Elina Svitolina of four of a Grand Slam on her 22nd Wozniacki will face another and she sparked the late night Navarro in their quarter-final match in Melbourne. (AFP) Ukraine yesterday. (Reuters) attempt. unseeded player, Elise Mertens crowd into life by breaking Woz- She needed a run to the fi nal of Belgium, today for a place in niacki, whose accuracy began to Suarez Navarro suddenly Serving at 4-5 Suarez Navarro, fi rst set point in the tiebreak. Wozniacki regrouped and at to have a chance of displacing the fi nal. desert her. found her timing and had a break who was in her sixth Grand Slam “I was disappointed after I had 1-1 broke Suarez Navarro’s serve. Simona Halep at the top of the “She’s had a very good start to “She improved and made me point in the next service game quarter-fi nal and third in Aus- my chance to win in the second When she repeated the dose to rankings. the year, she’s unbeaten I think,” step behind the baseline,” said which the Dane saved with her tralia but had never progressed set,” said Wozniacki. lead 5-2, the Spaniard’s resolve Romania’s Halep plays her she said of Mertens. Wozniacki. sixth ace before breaking back to further, saved a match point “But I’m proud to have stayed was broken and she served out quarter-fi nal against sixth seed The former world number has “That made the diff erence.” level at 4-4. before taking it to a third on her cool and close it out in the third.” at 1:38am today morning in an- Karolina Pliskova today.