Porto Stay Unbeaten with Galatasaray Win

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SPORT Wednesday 12 December 2018 PAGE | 09 PAGE | 10 Stars Wade, James Doha ready for new embrace ﬁnal chance season’s ﬁrst ATP to compete on court World Tour event

Champions League: Schalke snatch victory over Lokomotiv Moscow Porto stay unbeaten with Galatasaray win

AP Schalke’s ISTANBUL Alessandro Schoepf FC Porto finished the Champions celebrates League group phase with an after scoring Galatasaray still unbeaten record after earning a a goal against secured a third-place 3-2 victory at Galatasaray Lokomotiv ﬁnish and a Europa yesterday. Moscow League berth after Porto entered the match in during their Istanbul having already clinched Group D last-place Lokomotiv first place in Group D, and will match in Moscow lost 1-0 at advance to the round-of-16 on a Gelsenkirchen, Schalke. run of five consecutive Germany, victories. yesterday. The Portuguese leaders got Schalke was already assured Galatasaray’s goals from Felipe and Moussa of second place in the group and Soﬁane Feghouli Marega before halftime, with was hoping to restore some lost Sergio Oliveira adding another (left) in action pride after its Ruhr derby loss to goal in the second half. with FC Porto’s Borussia Dortmund in the Bun- Even so, they needed Hector Herrera desliga on Saturday. Galatasaray forward Sofiane during their Moscow came closest to Feghouli to miss a penalty to Champions League scoring at the end of a lackluster secure the win. Galatasaray still match in Istanbul, first half, with captain Igor secured a third-place finish and yesterday. Denisov shooting over after a Europa League berth after last- Dmitri Barinov cut the ball back. place Lokomotiv Moscow lost 1-0 advantage in the 42nd after time when Felipe fouled Garry a pass by Feghouli. Instead, Porto Lokomotiv Moscow, yesterday, Schoepf’s goal came after a at Schalke, which had already Galatasaray defender Mariano Rodrigues as he made a move on got its third goal in the 57th. denying the Russian side a place period of pressure for the home locked up second place and a spot tripped Hernani as he dribbled the left side of the box. That Danilo recovered the ball inside in the Europa League. side. in the knockout rounds. past him inside the area. allowed Feghouli, the only other Galatasaray’s half, and sent it Moscow needed a win to Schalke finished on 11 points, After fending off the hosts’ Marega drilled the spot kick Galatasaray player to offer any- forward for Hernani to reach the finish third in Group D for a place five behind Porto. initial push, Porto went ahead in in as goalkeeper Fernando thing in attack, to step up and slot end line before finding Sergio in Europe’s second competition, Former Schalke captain Ben- the 17th minute when center back Muslera dove the wrong way for the penalty kick into the corner Oliveira to score from close but it finished last with three edikt Hoewedes and winger Jef- Felipe got away from his marker the striker’s sixth goal in the of Iker Casillas’ net. range. points, one behind Galatasaray, ferson Farfan, who now play for and jumped to powerfully head Champions League this season. Seconds after halftime, sub- Meanwhile, Alessandro which secured third despite Moscow, were honoured on their home a curling free kick by Alex The hosts were able to pull stitute Henry Onyekuru missed Schoepf scored in injury time to losing 3-2 at home to group return to Gelsenkirchen ahead of Telles. Porto doubled the one back in first-half stoppage a clear chance to equalize from give Schalke a 1-0 win over winner Porto. the game. QSL: Al Sadd down Al Duhail to grab top spot

THE PENINSULA DOHA Infantino opens FIFA Al Sadd displayed a clinical show on their home turf to leapfrog to the top of the Executive Football QNB Stars League (QSL) table, thrashing defending Al Sadd's Summit in Doha champions Al Duhail 3-1 in players a crucial game, yesterday. celebrate The result increased Al their win THE PENINSULA DOHA Sadd’s points tally to 38, over Al taking them above Al Duhail, Duhail, with a lead of two yesterday. The three-day FIFA Executive Football Summit opened points. in the Qatari capital yesterday with the participation Youssef El Arabi opened of a number of international football personalities the scoring for Al Duhail in including FIFA President Gianni Infantino. the sixth minute, only for Al QFA President Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa bin Ahmed Sadd to level through an Al Thani and Ahmed Ahmed, President of the Confed- own goal from Lucas eration of African Football (CAF), joined FIFA chief on Mendes a few minutes later. the stage yesterday. Salem A Hajri then Football representatives from Iraq, Oman, Jordan, struck in the 89th minute to Syria, China, Bhutan, Indonesia, Nepal, Tajikistan, Turk- put the Wolves in front, menistan, Uzbekistan, Afghanistan, Bangladesh and before Baghdad Bounedjah Iran were also in attendance at Sheraton Hotel Doha. secured the result with a A number of important seminars and workshops third goal in the third were held to discuss the future of football around the minute of stoppage time. world. Al Duhail started the The most important of these were the workshops game with more intensity related to the future of competitions and champion- and were given the oppor- ships. One of the key discussions centered around tunity to take the lead in the hosting of the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. sixth minute, after the Youssef El Arabi opened the scoring for Al In the second half, would prove to be an A separate workshop on the use of video assistant referee awarded them a Duhail in the sixth minute, only for Al Sadd to Al-Sadd fashioned a inspired substitution. referee (VAR) was also held. The VAR was successfully penalty for Khoukhi number of chances to score After more missed launched at the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia. It will Boualem’s handball in the level through an own goal from Lucas Mendes a but were unable to make chances, Al Hajri found be again used at the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup box. El Arabi stepped up to few minutes later. them count. In the 50th himself with the ball at his in France. convert the spot kick, giving minute, Afif had only the feet, just outside the box in During the day’s proceedings at the Summit, FIFA his side a 1-0 advantage. Salem A Hajri then struck in the 89th goalie to beat after being set the 89th minute. The young also discussed the positive impact of the European Just three minutes later, Al minute to put the Wolves in front, before up by Bounedjah’s back- midfielder got past Karim Championship on the world in general, especially as Sadd equalised. Akram Afif Baghdad Bounedjah secured the result with a heel but he saw his effort Boudiaf with a touch and it was a tournament launched by the UEFA for the first dribbled past two defenders kept out for a corner. then cut in to his left foot, time this season. and got into the box before third goal in the third minute of stoppage time. Hassan Al Haydos then before lashing in an unstop- Apart from FIFA and Asian football workshops, the sending in a cross that was sent in a good cross in the pable shot past Abubakar to presence of 18 Asian nations at the event, nearly one deflected in by Al Duhail The result increased Al Sadd’s points tally 63rd minute, but Khoukhi put Al Sadd in the lead. third of the members of the General Assembly, was an defender Mendes. to 38, taking them above Al Duhail, with a lead Boualem’s header went Four minutes later, opportunity to exchange views and talk about the AFC The teams then went on over the crossbar. Bounedjah put the cherry on Presidential elections in Malaysia on April 6 and the to battle it out in midfield, of two points. Al Sadd head coach the cake with a third goal, chances of the candidates. with each side looking to Jesualdo Ferreira made his finishing off Afif’s squared QFA Vice President and AFC Vice President Saud gain control of the ball. In with a through ball but Al gather. The referee then first change of the game in pass to give Ferreira’s side a Al Mohannadi is one of the candidates for the top Asian the 34th minute, Jung Woo- Duhail keeper Khalifa Abu- blew for halftime, with the the 65th minute, bringing on 3-1 win and the prized top football post. young released Bounedjah bakar was on hand to sides still locked at 1-1. Al Hajri in place of Jung. It spot before the QSL break. 08 SPORT WEDNESDAY 12 DECEMBER 2018 No quick fix for Australia’s problems ahead of Perth

REUTERS to have no quick fix. ADELAIDE The skipper’s fitness is also a concern as he nurses a sore right Having gone down swinging in index finger after being struck on an enthralling Adelaide Test, Aus- the glove by a short Mohammed tralia barely have time to pick Shami ball on the final day of themselves up off the canvas play. before another potentially The wicketkeeper-captain, They (the pacemen) have had a couple days bruising contest against a con- who was treated on the field, off. India are in exactly the same situation. fident India in Perth. later said he would be fine to play Tim Paine’s team delivered in Perth but former Australia It’s probably the one area where we just felt a gallant performance in a 31-run skipper Ricky Ponting noted it we were not wearing down the India bowlers loss at Adelaide Oval but the was the same finger that has scoreline flattered a side that required seven separate surgeries enough in the first Test match. It’s going to tried their hearts out but still fell in the past. be hot on Friday. It’ll be an important toss I short against opponents with a If Paine proves himself fit to wretched record on Australian lead, the sore finger might be the would imagine and there’s always working soil. least of his concerns. out that balance, but hopefully on a wicket Australia have only three The absences of the sus- conducive to a bit of swing and seam, the days to correct a litany of pended Steve Smith and David problems before the second test Warner were laid bare in bowlers will get the job done. starts at Perth Stadium, and many Adelaide, where Australia Australia coach Justin Langer of the issues facing Paine appear managed only 235 in the first innings and the lower order outscored the top six batsmen in the second under pressure.” innings of 291. Paine said he wanted to stick Fears about one-day with the same 11 for Perth and specialist Aaron Finch’s selectors, who picked a squad for place at the top of the the first two Tests, will be order were confirmed reluctant to bring in new names. after Ishant Sharma But Finch could still find bowled him for a third- himself out of the side if Australia ball duck in the first opt for seam-bowling all- innings. rounder Mitchell Marsh at his He was out for 11 in home ground in Perth. the second but it could The Australian vice captain have been even worse had was overlooked in favour of a Ishant not overstepped his sixth specialist batsman in mark when trapping Finch Adelaide but could be recalled for lbw for a duck with his a wicket that is expected to play second ball. fast and bouncy. With coach Justin Australia’s seamers might be Langer having repeatedly grateful for the help, despite an emphasised the need for epic support role played by a solid start from Aus- spinner Nathan Lyon, who took tralia’s top three, Finch six wickets to limit India to 307 seems headed in one of in the second innings. only two directions -- Mitchell Starc led the seamers down the order or out of with five wickets at Adelaide but the team. suffered major control issues “Finch is obviously the during India’s second innings, major one (under costing most of his captain’s 21 pressure),” former Aus- byes with a slew of wayward leg- tralia captain Ian Chappell side deliveries that flew to the told local broadcaster boundary. Nine Network. “Whether For Australia to have hope of they go with him as an levelling the four-match series, Australia’s batsman Tim Paine plays a shot during day five of the first Test against India at the opener in the second Test. they need their pace spearhead’s Adelaide Oval on Monday. India won by 31 runs. He’s the one that’s most radar working.

Ganguly lauds Buoyant India keen to carry their India’s win, says series winning momentum on to Perth will be REUTERS Kohli will hope for more from the recalled opener of Australia, is also due a score after being dismissed for competitive ADELAIDE Murali Vijay, who has struggled to justify his place in the three and 34 in Adelaide. side this year. He managed only 11 and 18 in Adelaide, The India skipper noted that his team’s tail-end IANS Having become the first Indian team to win a Test series- undone by Australia’s pace spearhead Mitchell Starc both batting was trumped by Australia’s as their last five KOLKATA opener on Australian soil, Virat Kohli’s side are deter- times. wickets could only muster 25 runs in the second innings. mined to keep the momentum rolling into the second With sidelined young opener Prithvi Shaw seen A more determined application could have set Paine’s Lauding India’s 31-run victory clash in Perth and inch closer to a breakthrough series limping around Adelaide Oval after his ankle injury during side a higher target than the 323 for victory, while saving over Australia in the first Test triumph Down Under. a tour match, the veteran Vijay should have another India a lot of nerves on day five. in Adelaide, former captain India were made to work harder than expected in chance to stake his claim. India first toured Australia in 1947-48 and have yet Sourav Ganguly yesterday the 31-run win at Adelaide Oval, and their bowlers will Kohli, who struck four centuries in the 2014-15 tour to win a Test series Down Under in 11 previous attempts. predicted the series will be a have only three days’ rest before taking to the field hard-fought one and all four again at Perth Stadium on Friday. rubbers will yield results. Despite the quick turnaround, Kohli suggested “It’s an excellent win. the tourists were leaping out of their skins to land Really credible,” Ganguly told another blow on Tim Paine’s shaky side in the reporters at the Cricket Asso- four-match series. ciation of Bengal (CAB) “They are at their peak, all of them together premises. Australia’s batsman and it’s something that we as batsman look at as Chasing 323 for victory, Pat Cummins plays a an opportunity to put in good performances,” Kohli Australia’s lower middle shot during day five of said of his attack, rated India’s most potent in years. order gave a tough fight in “We will be, in every Test match, gunning for the first Test against their second innings against a result.” India at the Adelaide an inspired Indian bowling Compared to his counterpart Paine, weighed Oval on Monday. attack before being even- down by a sore index finger and a long list of con- tually bowled out for 291 just cerns, Kohli heads to Perth with a spring in his before tea on the fifth and step. final day. India’s Ishant Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah and This is India’s sixth Test Mohammed Shami enjoyed a stellar debut as a win on Australian soil and is pace unit in Australia, sharing 14 of the 20 wickets the first time they have won at Adelaide Oval, bowling with sustained pressure a series opener in Australia. and limiting the hosts to a single 50-run India have never won a partnership. Test series in Australia with Kohli’s batsmen got off to a shaky start and their best result being a 1-1 needed man-of-the-match Cheteshwar Pujara’s draw in the 2003-04 series glittering 123 to achieve a modest first innings total under Ganguly. of 250. I think to pick 20 wickets with four bowlers, There are three more Test However, after Australia were bowled out for away from home, especially with a ball that matches to go and Ganguly 235, they were quick to seize the momentum and does not offer you that much is something we predicted every match will build valuable partnerships to all but bat Australia can be proud of. The bowlers are fitter and have a winner. “It will be a out of the game. Though beaten and vulnerable, competitive series. There will a chastened Australia can be expected to fight back they have more pace on the ball for longer be a result in every match.” hard on a wicket likely to suit their classy pace periods. India captain Virat Kohli India will next play in attack. Perth from Friday. WEDNESDAY 12 DECEMBER 2018 SPORT 09 NBA stars Wade, James embrace final chance to compete on court

AP I knew that at some point in the game, it was LOS ANGELES going to hit me that this was the last time we Dwyane Wade will be spending were competing against each other. It hit me a lot of time in Los Angeles while right away, once that buzzer sounded and we got he settles into retirement next the opportunity on the court to just look at each year. He already has a house other and be like, ‘Man, this has been fun. This here, and his wife’s acting career would undoubtedly benefit from has been one hell of a ride and we’ve enjoyed it more time in Hollywood. together.” Dwayne Wade LeBron James is a newly minted Southern Californian incredible himself, and he’s already basketball careers that have been know each other well enough to hatching schemes to occupy his chronologically parallel, fre- take away their strengths. They former teammate, longtime rival quently intersecting and always funneled each other to drive to and permanent friend. momentous. their more uncomfortable sides, “I told him, ‘No one likes to “I knew that at some point in and James forced Wade to work out by themselves,’” James the game, it was going to hit me attempt a 27-foot turnaround, said with a grin. that this was the last time we fadeaway 3-pointer that missed “So he can come to Staples. were competing against each badly with 7.2 seconds left. Wade He can come to the practice other,” Wade said. was more open when he missed facility anytime he wants to get “It hit me right away, once a 3 that would have put the Heat LeBron James (right) of the Los Angeles Lakers and Dwyane Wade of the Miami Heat talk after workouts in. He can come help that buzzer sounded and we got ahead with 22.5 seconds left. exchanging jerseys in Wade’s last regular season game visit to Staples Centre, following a 108-105 me with the young guys as well. the opportunity on the court to “I needed that one,” Wade Lakers win in Los Angeles, California. He’ll be around a lot more per- just look at each other and be said with a grimace. “I wanted it sonally for me, so I’ll love that.” like, ‘Man, this has been fun. so bad. I think I wanted it too Wade still has 56 regular- “This has been one hell of a much. It would have definitely retirement plans or that straight Eastern Conference titles swapped jerseys after the final season games left in his self- ride and we’ve enjoyed it been memorable. incredibly unlikely NBA Finals together in Miami, along with buzzer, their bittersweet emo- declared final NBA season with together.’” “But this is my last time matchup, they’ll never face each their Olympic gold medals from tions overshadowed by the the Miami Heat, but he passed a James put up 28 points, 12 playing against this guy, you other in a real game - and the Beijing. excitement of the moment and major milestone in that pro- assists and nine rebounds. Wade know? This is the holy grail in Lakers’ victory put James ahead “The game is going to take the possibilities of the future. cession when he lined up against scored all 15 of his points in the the NBA. Unless we figure this of Wade 16-15 in their head-to- care of itself, but just the fact that “It’s the end of a storybook,” James for the final time on second half to go with 10 assists thing out and we go to the Finals, head matchups over their career. we were on the floor doing what James said. “One of the best Monday night in the Los Angeles and five boards. this is the holy grail for me. The James marveled at the sym- we love to do, that’s what’s more movies you could ever see. It’s Lakers’ 108-105 victory. But the best moments arrived competition of playing against metry in this final showdown, important,” James said. too hard to put into words. The result wasn’t the most late when James and Wade the game’s greatest player. but both players said their times “Wins and losses are going “Thank God they’re staying important part of the night to finally guarded each other, Playing it in LA. I thanked him together meant a whole lot more to happen throughout the course the night. We get to have dinner either man. playing one last one-on-one for bringing us to this stage for than their times in opposing of the season and throughout the (later). I know he has more They were wrapped up in the game for keeps. our last hurrah on this stage. It uniforms. course of your career, but those games, but that’s the last one for pure thrill - in the chance to face Defense won out on both gets no better than this.” James and Wade won two moments right there, you can’t us.” off for the final time in two ends, probably because they Barring a change of Wade’s NBA championships and four ever get back.” James and Wade

Australia are Big Bash favourites to League swaps Springboks coaches win second coin toss to work with Super Test: Ponting for bat flip! Rugby teams: Erasmus IANS AFP PERTH SYDNEY REUTERS CAPE TOWN Despite India winning the first Australia’s high-octane Big Test, former Australia captain Bash League (BBL) will break South Africa coach Rassie Erasmus and his assistants are to Ricky Ponting feels the hosts with tradition and do away spread out across the country’s four Super Rugby teams to will have an upper hand in with the coin toss when its offer support as they look to harmonise preparations for next the second Test beginning new season starts later this year’s World Cup in Japan. here on Friday. month. The Springbok coach and his assistants Jacques Nien- India defeated Australia Instead captains will flip anber, Matt Proudfoot, Mzwandile Stick and Aled Walters will by 31 runs in the opening a bat, calling “hills” or “flats” work with the Bulls, Lions, Sharks and Stormers, who have match to take a 1-0 lead in the rather than heads or tails. started preparations for the new season starting in February. West Indies’ Shai Hope (left) shakes hands with Bangladesh four-Test series. “For me it’s a great Erasmus’s first posting will be to help new Bulls coach Pote captain Mashrafe Mortaza after the second ODI at the Sher-e- Ponting opined that the moment which reflects what Human, who replaces John Mitchell, who left to join the newly laid pitch at the Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Dhaka yesterday. BBL is about,” Kim McConnie, England coaching staff. “All of the coaches worked with one Western Australia Cricket Cricket Australia’s head of the or other of the franchises in the past year to exchange ideas Association (WACA) Stadium Big Bash League said on the and expertise and hopefully assist the teams in raising the here will suit the Australians West Indies edge past competition’s website. performance bar,” Erasmus said in a statement yesterday. more than their rivals. “Some people don’t like “Strong performances at franchise level will translate into “I think Perth will defi- Bangladesh in second change but I’d also challenge strong Springbok performances - it’s a win-win.” nitely be a lot more suitable people to say when was the Erasmus said the coaches would in no way be dictating for our guys than the Indians. match to level series last time anyone watched the style or tactics or trying to impose a national blueprint on But our players need to coin toss or really focused on teams. “We will assist in generic areas such as skills and con- bounce back pretty quickly,” it to a great extent? ditioning, mauling, scrumming and lineouts,” Erasmus said. Ponting told reporters. AFP “Now we are making it “It will also give the national coaches a chance to discuss “They were pretty poor DHAKA much more relevant to fam- individual players with the franchise coaches and work on this week and got within 30 ilies, we are creating a specific areas for specific individuals. runs. Shai Hope struck a brilliant century as West Indies beat Bang- moment which is much more “But it is not our role to have input on selection or game “And that’s not saying ladesh by four wickets in the second one-day international to level fitting with kids.” plan - that can only be determined by the franchise head India played at their absolute the three-match series 1-1 in Dhaka yesterday. Australia’s Twenty20 BBL coach. But we do believe this is approach can work for South best either, but they’re abso- Opener Hope hit an unbeaten 146 off 144 balls as West Indies has steadily gained traction African rugby in its broadest sense at the start of a very lutely capable,” he added. reached 256-6 in 49.4 overs after pace bowler Oshane Thomas since it was launched eight important Rugby World Cup year.” “There’s some positives to claimed 3-54 to help the visitors restrict Bangladesh to 255-7 at years ago with the fast-paced, take from it but they’ve also the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium. family-friendly competition got to take a good hard look Shakib Al Hasan top-scored with 65 off 62 deliveries for Bang- attracting big crowds and at what they’ve done through ladesh while Mushfiqur Rahim and Tamim Iqbal made 62 and 50 strong television ratings. Sexton extends Ireland this game and make sure they respectively after West Indies invited the hosts to bat first. It has always tried to do it a lot better.” Hope said: “We are still 1-1 in the series, but very pleased. I innovate and was the tour- contract to 2021 Ponting further said Aus- backed myself and knew that as long as I batted till the end, we’d nament that first introduced AP tralia should not tinker with get a victory. I asked Keemo to bat as deep as he possibly could. Zings flashing stumps, which DUBLIN their playing XI in the second It wasn’t the easiest wicket to come in on and strike the ball.” light up when the bails are Test. Bangladesh won the opening match of the series by five wickets dislodged. Aaron Finch, who was on Sunday. The third and final match is on Friday. They are now are used in World Player of the Year Jonathan Sexton yesterday signed playing his first Test on Aus- international matches. a contract extension with the Irish Rugby Football Union to tralian soil, failed to live upto SCOREBOARD McConnie dismissed con- the end of the 2020-21 season. expectations, with scores of Bangladesh West Indies cerns over the fairness of the Sexton, aged 33, will likely see out his career at Leinster, 0 and 11. Ponting however, Tamim Iqbal c Roach b Bishoo ...... 50 C Hemraj lbw b Mehidy ...... 3 bat-flipping process. where he made his first-class debut in 2006. dismissed suggestions that Liton Das c Hetmyer b Paul ...... 8 S Hope not out ...... 146 “I’ve got it from great His existing contract was to expire after the Rugby World the opener should be Imrul Kayes c Hope b Thomas ...... 0 D Bravo b Rubel ...... 27 authority at our (bat-maker) Cup next year in Japan, where Ireland will be one of the title dropped. Mushfiqur Rahim c Hope b Thomas ...... 62 M Samuels c Mushfiqur b Mustafizur ...... 26 Kookaburra friends that this favourites. “It is an exciting time for Irish rugby,” Sexton said “Why wouldn’t they do Shakib Al Hasan b Roach ...... 65 S Hetmyer c sub b Rubel ...... 14 is a tested and weighted bat in a statement. “I am looking forward to hopefully being a that for this game if that’s Mahmudullah Riyad c Hetmyer c Powell ...30 R Powell c Soumya b Mashrafe ...... 1 to deliver that equity,” she part of that over the next few years.” their best line-up?” Ponting Soumya Sarkar c Bishoo b Thomas...... 6 R Chase c Tamim b Mustafizur ...... 9 said. The flyhalf made his debut for Ireland in 2009, and has Mashrafe Mortaza not out ...... 6 Keemo Paul not out ...... 18 asked. The new BBL season 78 caps. He’s won three Six Nations titles, and helped the Mehidy Hasan not out ...... 10 Extras (LB 5, W6, NB1) ...... 12 “I just think that would be Extras (B1, LB3, W9, NB5) ...... 18 Total (6 wkts) ...... 256 starts on December 19 and British and Irish Lions win the series in Australia in 2013 and really reactionary. The Total (7 wkts) ...... 255 Fall of Wickets: 1-5, 2-70, 3-132, 4-155, 5-157, runs through till February 17, draw the series in New Zealand in 2017. He’s also been key selectors have made a Fall of wickets: 1-14, 2-125, 3-132, 4-193 6-185 featuring eight teams. in Ireland’s first two wins over the All Blacks. decision, or whoever is setting 5-208, 6-234, 7-239 Bowling: Shakib 10-0-28-0, Mehidy 9-0-39- Adelaide Strikers are the For Leinster, he’s played more than 150 matches, scored the batting order, that they Bowling: Roach 10-0-39-1(w2, nb1), Thomas 1(w1), Mustafizur 10-1-63-2 (w2), Mashrafe 10- defending champions. more than 1,300 points, and won four European Cups. think Aaron Finch is the right 10-0-54-3 (w3, nb2), Chase 3-0-22-0 (w3), 1-52-1 (w2, nb1), Mahmudullah 1.4-0-12-0, Ru- Last year more than 1 “He sets a performance benchmark for those around him,” guy to be opening the batting Paul 10-0-68-1 (w1, nb1), Bishoo 10-1-27-1 bel 9-0-57-2 (w1) million fans watched the IRFU performance director David Nucifora said. (nb1), Powell 7-0-41-1 West Indies won by four wickets for Australia.” Result: entire BBL edition. 10 SPORT WEDNESDAY 12 DECEMBER 2018

FROM LEFT: Second-placed QOC announces details Chad le Clos of South Africa, first-placed Daiya of the 2nd Flag Relay Seto of Japan and third-placed QNA DOHA Li Zhuhao of China pose on the podium after The Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC) unveiled details of the the men’s 200m second edition of Flag Relay which will be held tomorrow butterfly final at (Thursday), where participants will tour different part of the the 14th FINA country. The event aims to share pride, unity and inspiration World Swimming through Team Qatar in celebration of this year’s Qatar National Championships Day (QND). QOC Secretary-General Jassim Rashid Al Buainain (25m) in said the QOC is keen to have a positive participation in the Hangzhou in country’s National Day celebrations, and his year’s celebration China’s eastern will be marked by a unique tour, where Flag Relay will visit Zhejiang province new areas in order to shed light on the tourist and archaeo- logical areas. yesterday. Seto He added that the participation will be greater with the smashed Chad le opportunity for citizens and residents to express loyalty and Clos’s short-course belonging to this country through participation in the Flag record to grab Relay. He pointed out that the tour is based on three main axes, gold medal. the first Qatar flag, which expresses national unity, and the second is the tour itself which reflects the multiculturalism of society in a reflection of solidarity, unity and understanding. The third axis is a sport practice through the participation of all in a variety of sports including running, walking, swimming, cycling and others. Japan’s Seto breaks short-course Director of QOC Marketing and Communication Sheikha Asma Al Thani highlighted Flag Relay’s events this year through the presentation and the unveiling of the flag route map and swim record to stun Le Clos the key areas to be visited during the tour, saying this year, we will try to record two Gunniess World Records, the first in terms of the highest number of cyclists participating in the AFP tour, which starts from Hamad International Airport to end in SHANGHAI Musheireb. The second record that the tour is trying to break, is the Japan’s Daiya Seto smashed Chad le Clos’s number of participants in the running event for 100 meters short-course record in the men’s 200m but- sequentially in the tour, she added. terfly as he grabbed gold at the world cham- The Director of QOC Marketing and Communication pionships to stun the South African explained that this will take place in the Oxygen Park, the “green yesterday. lung” of Education City, as the current record was registered The 24-year-old Seto pipped his more by a group of 252 participants in the United States in 2012. famous rival by only 0.08sec to make a piece She added that the QOC is working closely with Qatar Foun- of history on the first day of action in the dation in preparing to break this record with the participation Chinese city of Hangzhou. of athletes from Al Adam team and members of the Qatar public. Seto, who won bronze in the 400m Flag Relay 2018 will start at 6 am at QOC Winter Camp in medley at the Rio 2016 Olympics, recovered Sealine with the endurance team from Al Shaqab before the from a comparatively slow start to hold off Daiya Seto (right) of Japan celebrates with third-placed Li Zhuhao of China after winning flag flies on a small plane to Qatar Racing Club. The flag’s Le Clos down the stretch and triumph in 1min the men’s 200m butterfly final at the 14th FINA World Swimming Championships journey continues through a number of areas, including Hamad 48.24sec. It was a disappointing silver for (25m) at Hangzhou yesterday. International Airport, where the flag-bearers will walk, and the 26-year-old Le Clos, the reigning long- then begin the challenge of breaking the Gunniess World course and short-course world champion. Records with a cycling tour. He had also held the short-course record the Commonwealth Games in her home individual medley -- and she did not Through various sporting activities including running and of 1:48.56, set in Singapore in 2013, until Seto country earlier this year, ran down the disappoint. cycling, the flag’s journey will continue to visit Hamad Medical bettered it in style. American Mallory Comerford to seal victory Dubbed the “Iron Lady”, Hosszu domi- Corporation, the Museum of Islamic Art and the Sheraton Park A distant third was China’s Li Zhuhao. in a thrilling race. Titmus was back in third nated the short course world championships through the Doha Corniche. “I didn’t expect the world record,” Seto after 150m, but she burst to the finish in a two years ago in Canada, carrying home After that, the flag bearers will head to the Qatar Olympic was quoted by the Xinhua news agency as time of 1:51.38 to relegate Comerford into seven golds. Committee before taking the flag to Katara, the Pearl, and saying. yesterday silver, with Femke Heemskerk of the Neth- She wasted no time getting her first Qatar University, through a range of other sports activities “Now I will focus on the 400m IM (indi- erlands taking bronze having led for half of victory in Hangzhou, sealing a dominant win including driving, swimming, rowing, and sailing. vidual medley) and I hope I can break the a nail-biting race. Titmus put her head in her in 4:21.40, comfortably ahead of Melanie The flag-bearers will then be rowing through the man- 400m IM world record also.” hands when she realised she had taken gold, Margalis of the United States, who won silver, groves in the Al Thakira Lake. Australian teenager Ariarne Titmus powering to the win with 0.43sec to spare more than four seconds back. The flag will then go to several stops to end at Qatar Foun- stormed back to win the women’s 200m over Comerford. Third was France’s Fantine Lesaffre. dation, where the participants will attempt to achieve a Gun- freestyle gold and underline her status as a Hungary’s Katinka Hosszu, a triple gold Hosts China clinched their first gold niess record, with the largest number of individuals partici- rising star of swimming. The 18-year-old, medallist at the 2016 Rio Olympics, was medal of the meeting when Wang Shun took pating in a distance of 100 meters. who won 400m and 800m freestyle gold at strong favourite in the women’s 400m victory in the men’s 200m individual medley. Qatar ExxonMobil Open 2019 Italy’s national fencing team concludes training camp at the Aspire Academy

THE PENINSULA DOHA

The Italian national U-14 fencing team has recently concluded a week-long training camp at Aspire Academy. The 12 young fencers trav- elled to Doha as part of a joint initiative between Aspire Academy, the Italian Fencing Federation and the Qatar Weightlifting and Fencing Federation. This alliance was formed in December 2017 to develop Doha ready for new season’s young Qatari and Italian fencers by providing them with quality first ATP World Tour event training and top competition opportunities in both Qatar and THE PENINSULA Italy. their people. This to no. 46 and this is a great leap DOHA As part of this partnership, training camp confirms for fencing in Qatar”, Omeri said. Aspire Academy can host annual the agreement we Meanwhile, Italy’s national With less than three weeks to the start of the Qatar ExxonMobil training camps for Italy’s top entered into force with team coach Serena Pivotti, said: Open 2019, the Khalifa International Tennis and Squash Complex young fencers, and the Italian our Qatari partners and “We have trained together on all in Doha, venue of the tournament, has started to wear a new look Fencing Federation can mutually Aspire Academy and we weapons including foil, epee and as the necessary branding materials are already being put in place. allow Qatari athletes to be are happy to put into the sabre. I believe that Aspire The annual tennis tournament will be held from December 31, included in Italian domestic action what we have Academy’s athletes have a bright 2018 to January 5, 2019. As part of the preparations, the courts are competitions including the U14, agreed to last year. We future and the President of the already getting the required facelifts. U17, U20 and the Senior circuits, look forward to the Italian Fencing Federation is Novak Djokovic, the 2018 Wimbledon and US Open champion, giving them international continuation of Italian very excited and wants to go tops the entry list of star players billed to feature at this year’s exposure. and Qatari fencers trav- further with this event. He will be joined by the likes Thiem, Nikolov Basilashvili, The Italian delegation was elling and training with collaboration”. David Goffin, Karen Khachanov and Marco Cecchinato. led by the President of the Italian each other.” Whilst in Qatar, Aspire The Qatar ExxonMobil Open is one of the season opening events Fencing Federation, Giorgio Commenting on the Academy provided sports of the ATP World Tour. Tournament Director Karim Alami said: Scarso who was excited to be benefits of the training science services for the Italian “Tennis fans are set to witness the best of their beloved sport once back in Qatar. camp to Qatari athletes, Qatar competitive in Europe, and it’s fencers, including strength and again as the world’s top players compete in Doha yet again. Qatar . Scarsco went on to say: national fencing team and Aspire a great benefit for us.” conditioning assessments, phys- ExxonMobil Open has earned the reputation of being one of the “The relationship between Italy Academy’s coach Massimo “Our fencer Ali Turki will iology, biomechanics, per- best organized tournaments on the ATP tour.” and Qatar stretches beyond Omeri, said: “The training camp join a senior training camp in formance analysis, sports psy- Tickets for the event are currently on sale online at www.qatart- these fencing training camps and offers great benefits to fencers Italy which is deemed one of the chology, sports nutrition, phys- ennis.org or onsite at the City Centre, Landmark and Villaggio serves as a cultural exchange from Qatar and Italy. The Italian top federations in the world. Ali iotherapy and medical support malls. between the two nations and team athletes are very has improved his world ranking in case of injuries. WEDNESDAY 12 DECEMBER 2018 SPORT 11 Qatar, the Netherlands sign football MoU

THE PENINSULA development of female football DOHA features prominently in the MoU. This is important as The Qatar Football Association football has huge potential to (QFA) and the Dutch Royal empower.” Football Association (KNVB) “We are also thrilled that signed a Memorandum of the signing of the MoU takes Understanding (MoU) at the place shortly after Russia QFA’s headquarters at Al Bidda handed over the relay baton for Tower, yesterday. hosting the FIFA World Cup Mansoor Al Ansari, Sec- 2022 to Qatar. It is amazing to retary General, QFA, and Sec- see how Qatar works hard retary General of KNVB, Gijs de towards its success and over- Jong, signed the agreement, coming the challenges that lie which focuses on areas of coop- in its way. The Netherlands is eration between the two parties. happy to help create a lasting The signing ceremony was positive legacy,” Dr Bahia also attended by H E Dr. Bahia added. Mansoor Al Ansari (ﬁfth, left), Secretary General, QFA, Secretary General of KNVB, Gijs de Jong (fourth, left), and H E Dr Bahiaahzib T Tahzib-Lie – Ambassador of the The delegation was also Lie (ﬁfth, right), Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to Qatar, pose for a group picture along with other officials after the Kingdom of the Netherlands to present for the opening of the signing ceremony at Al Bidda Tower, yesterday. Qatar, Johan van Geijn, Inter- refresher women World national CSR Partnerships/ Coaches programme. World Coaches Director of signed will see both associations “This is a great opportunity Strategy, where we want to be game, which is played and Following the official KNVB, and Johan Neeskens, invest in brotherly and bilateral for us to exchange experiences seen as an open and Innovative watched worldwide by mil- meeting, De Jong and his former well-known interna- relations and share expertise and expertise in different Association, looking for impact lions,” he added. accompanying delegation were tional football player of the and experiences in the areas of aspects including national and working for the Future of Dr Bahia stated: “We are then given an exclusive tour of Dutch national men’s team. training of technical personnel, teams, grassroots football, youth our Football.” delighted that Qatar Football Al Bidda Tower’s ‘Legacy The two federations aim to sports science, and youth development and player per- “We see similarities with Association and the Royal Dutch Pavilion’ – which brings to life establish a closer cooperation development. formance which will have a QFA, both being responsible for Football Association signed the plans for the 2022 FIFA between themselves and this Al Ansari said, “We are direct positive impact on football in smaller countries today a MoU to enhance World Cup. agreement intends to specify proud to sign this cooperation football ahead of the World Cup within the Football Family and bilateral cooperation. It dem- The Dutch delegation also ways of sharing expertise and agreement with The KNVB in in Qatar,” he added. we can learn a lot from each onstrates the strong com- made stops at Aspire Sports resources, while at the same order to develop our existing Commenting on the other. Cooperation in Football mitment of the Netherlands to Academy, Aspetar (Orthopedic time supporting the devel- strong ties for the development occasion, De Jong said, “A coop- is important for developments enthusiastically work with Qatar and Sports Medicine Hospital) opment of football in both and promotion of football in eration with Qatar FA fits towards the Future, related to a towards a more vibrant and and the soon to be opened state nations. The memorandum Qatar and the Netherlands.” perfect in our International fair, equal and transparent diverse sports sector. The of the art national teams club. Bayern Munich head to Ajax for showdown

AFP BERLIN

Resurgent Bayern Munich head to Ajax for today’s Champions The rhythm is there, League group showdown with the boys are in the clear winners and losers among flow - that’s why we the star-studded squad after don’t want to change Niko Kovac’s decision to end rotation. anything: Bayern “We want to keep going,” coach Niko Kovac said Leon Goretzka, now a firm fixture in central midfield now established as Kovac’s Sheikh Khalifa bin Hamad Al Thani, President of the Al Arabi alongside Joshua Kimmich with centre-backs. Club, poses with new Al Arabi coach Heimir Hallgrimsson after Bayern having won their last Disgruntled stars watching three games after Saturday’s 3-0 from Bayern’s bench has caused a press conference in Doha, yesterday. league home win over problems for Kovac’s prede- Nuremberg. cessors and Robben’s imminent “Now we travel to return from a thigh injury Former Iceland coach Amsterdam and want to finish threatens Serge Gnabry’s place first in the group - that’s on the right wing. important for us.” Thiago Alcantara, a second- Hallgrimsson takes Bayern need just a point at half replacement on Saturday Ajax’s Johan Cruyff Arena to win who is returning to fitness after Group E with the Bavarian giants a knee injury, threatens to break currently top of the table, two up Kimmich and Goretzka’s over as Al Arabi coach points ahead of their Dutch partnership in central rivals, and both teams already midfield. AFP into the last 16. However, Kovac’s decision DOHA A 5-1 thrashing of Benfica has reaped dividends in attack at the Allianz Arena a fortnight with striker Robert Lewand- Former Iceland boss Heimir ago, with Robert Lewandowski owski scoring four goals in his Hallgrimsson said Qatar “was I had some and Arjen Robben both scoring last three games, supported by the place to be” as he was offi- opportunities, some twice, signified an end to the Thomas Mueller who is revelling cially unveiled as the coach of discussions with clubs poor results of October and in the attacking midfield role. club side Al Arabi in Doha November which also saw “At the start (of the season), yesterday. but nothing that was Bayern slide down the Bun- we rotated as the coach tried to It is Hallgrimsson’s first job more interesting desliga table. find the right team,” said director since leaving the Iceland post than this one: Coach Bayern have now clawed of sport Hasan Salihamidzic. and guiding his country to their their way back up to third in the “Perhaps it was too much first World Cup finals earlier Heimir Hallgrimsson league and coach Kovac has “It’s an axis that’s really fun like he was having anything but and some players didn’t know this year, and he admitted even taken a gamble by ditching right now - not only for those ‘fun’, storming through the where they fitted in. he was “surprised” to end up in seven Qatari league titles was rotation, risking ruffled egos two, but the whole team in the mixed zone after Saturday’s win “In the last few games, Niko the Gulf. back in 1997. Hallgrimsson said with stars left on the bench. last three games.” without a word as Jerome hasn’t done that and the team He said he had been in talks he wanted the owners to give “The rhythm is there, the However, Hummels looked Boateng and Niklas Suele are looks good.” with Bundesliga and Major him time to improve the side. boys are in the flow - that’s why League Soccer sides -- Stuttgart “They know that this is not we don’t want to change any- and Vancouver Whitecaps -- an instant job, this is not buying thing,” explained Kovac. before being approached by Al success for today, this is a long- His decision has significant Arabi, but had no regrets about term project to build up success winners and losers. choosing a team from the World for the future,” he said. Germany defender Mats Cup 2022 host nation. Hallgrimsson resigned as Hummels, and Spain midfielder “I had some opportunities, Iceland manager in July after Javi Martinez - languished on the some discussions with clubs but they were knocked out at the bench against Nuremberg nothing that was more inter- first stage of the World Cup in alongside Euro 2016 winner esting than this one,” he said. Russia, failing to win a game, Renato Sanches. Martinez and The 51-year-old has signed ending the Nordic country’s Sanches find their path blocked a one-and-half-year contract. fairytale rise to the global stage. by Kimmich and Goretzka, both Hallgrimsson added: “This “The reason I decided to 23, who each hit the woodwork is a big, big challenge, a big club, stop with the national team was against Nuremberg. “Both have that had historical success in the because I had been seven years a very good understanding of Bayern Munich past and they would like to have doing the same job as a national football and read the game well,” coach Niko Kovac that past again.” team coach, and my feeling was said Kovac, at the helm at Bayern (left) and Thiago in Al Arabi are currently mid- that I was at a standstill,” he since July. this December 8, table in the 12-team Qatar Stars said. “They get on well off the 2018 file photo. League at the halfway stage. He added: “For me to pitch and are in the national Starved of success in recent improve personally, as a coach, team together. years, the last of Al-Arabi’s this was the place to be.” WEDNESDAY 12 DECEMBER 2018 SPORT 07 We will be, in every Test match, gunning FOOTBALL FOOTBALL for a result. Any Test victory is special Indian captain Virat because you work hard over five days, Kohli after victory in Champions League, Group E: Champions League, Group G and then the physical and the mental Adelaide Test. Ajax vs Bayern Munich; Real Madrid vs CSKA Moscow;

Benﬁca vs AEK Athens ACTION Viktoria Plzen vs Roma

toil and the emotion. TODAY’S NBA: Celtics dump Pelicans Malaysia’s Lee reveals tears over for 6th consecutive victory cancer diagnosis

REUTERS Golden State’s fourth straight AFP Boston Celtics forward BOSTON win. Klay Thompson finished KUALA LUMPUR Jayson Tatum dunks the with 26 points and Kevin Durant ball during the second half Marcus Morris and Jayson Tatum had 22 for the Warriors. Malaysian badminton great My badminton combined to score 52 points as against the New Orleans Karl-Anthony Towns paced Lee Chong Wei (pictured, the short-handed Boston Celtics Pelicans in Boston on Minnesota with 31 points and a below) has revealed how he bag slipped from won their sixth game in a row by Monday. game-high 11 rebounds. Derrick broke down in tears after my grasp and I defeating the visiting New Rose contributed 21 points and learning he had nose cancer started to cry too. I Orleans Pelicans 113-100 on Andrew Wiggins had 20. -- and detailed the slumped on the sofa Monday night. Thunder 122, Jazz 113 “nightmare” treatment that Morris scored 31 points and Paul George scored 31 points left him unable to speak or crying and asked Tatum added 21 to lead the way and Russell Westbrook produced eat. why it had to be while five Celtics sat out the his third consecutive triple- Lee, who is eyeing a me: Lee Chong Wei game because of injury or illness, double as Oklahoma City beat return to action next year, including Al Horford (knee), visiting Utah. told The Star that he was Kyrie Irving (shoulder) and It was the first meeting about to leave for a training Korea because of the lan- Gordon Hayward (illness). between the teams since the session when his wife broke guage barrier. Lee, the former Jaylen Brown scored 19, Jazz’s first-round playoff series the news, after she received long-time world number one, Semi Ojeleye had 11 and Terry win over Oklahoma City last a call from a doctor. said he went through 33 ses- Rozier added 10 for the Celtics. season. “She came towards me, sions of proton therapy Despite the absences, the Boston The win was the 17th in the hugged me and cried. I knew treatment, where beams are reserves outscored their New past 21 games for the Thunder. it was bad news. It’s nose aimed at the cancer, calling Orleans counterparts 41-21. The Jazz took their second con- cancer, she broke the news,” it “a nightmare”. Anthony Davis led New secutive loss after wins in four the 36-year-old said, “By the third week, it has Orleans with 41 points, and Julius of the previous five games. according to the Malaysian taken a toll on my throat. I Randle chipped in 20 points and Clippers 123, Suns 119 (OT) newspaper. could not speak or eat,” he 11 rebounds. E’Twaun Moore sat Tobias Harris had 33 points “My badminton bag said. “I’m just so glad that the out because of a calf injury and and eight rebounds, and Los slipped from my grasp and I worst is over now.” Nikola Mirotic did not play in the Angeles ended a two-game started to cry too. I slumped Lee, now down to 15th in second half because of an ankle losing streak with an overtime on the sofa crying and asked the world rankings, is injury. win at Phoenix. why it had to be me.” expected to return to training 76ers 116, Pistons 102 Danilo Gallinari scored 25 The three-time Olympic next month, although he is Joel Embiid scored 24 points, points and Shai Gilgeous-Alex- silver medallist said the still waiting for the all-clear and Philadelphia beat visiting ander had 16 for the Clippers. cancer was detected fol- from his doctors. Detroit despite losing Jimmy Deandre Ayton contributed lowing a check-up in July, He said his comeback Butler in the first quarter due to 20 points and 12 rebounds, and after he had been unwell. was motivated by the a strained groin. Richaun Holmes (19), Mikal It wasn’t until September prospect of playing a fifth Ben Simmons added 18 Bridges (19) and Josh Jackson (18) that officials revealed he had Olympics at Tokyo 2020, points, 10 rebounds and seven all scored their season highs for cancer and was having after finishing runner-up in assists, Furkan Korkmaz con- the Suns, who have lost nine treatment in Taiwan -- 2008, 2012 and 2016. tributed a career-high 18 points, straight. opting for specialists there “I really want to go for and TJ McConnell had 14 for the Bucks 108, Cavaliers 92 rather than in China, where one more Olympics to make Sixers, who improved to 14-1 at Eric Bledsoe had 20 points, he feared his story may be it my fifth consecutive home. points until five minutes 12 rebounds and five assists to leaked, or Japan or South appearance,” he said. Luke Kennard scored a remained in the third quarter. lead Milwaukee past visiting career-high 28 points while He ended the night 0-for-7 from Cleveland. Andre Drummond added 21 Morris scored 31 3-point range. Justise Winslow Malcolm Brogdon added 18 points and 17 rebounds for the led the Heat with 28 points. points, five rebounds and five Pistons, who have dropped five points and Tatum Warriors 116, Timber- assists for the Bucks. Khris Mid- in a row. Reggie Jackson con- added 21 to lead the wolves 108 dleton chipped in with 16 for Mil- tributed 15 points and seven way while ﬁve Celtics Draymond Green returned waukee, which played without assists. sat out the game from an 11-game absence with Giannis Antetokounmpo (sore Lakers 108, Heat 105 a solid all-around performance, neck). Kyle Kuzma scored 33 because of injury or and Stephen Curry led a barrage Jamal Murray scored 16 and points, and LeBron James added illness. from 3-point range with a game- Mason Plumlee had 12 points 28 points, nine rebounds and 12 high 38 points, lifting Golden and 10 rebounds for the short- assists as Los Angeles held off State past Minnesota in Oakland, handed Nuggets. Denver signed visiting Miami for its sixth victory points and 10 assists Monday Calif. guard Nick Young to help add in seven games. after collecting 25 points Sat- Green, who had seen the depth. He didn’t get into the In his final game at Los urday in the Heat’s road win Warriors go just 6-5 while he game, but he soon will chip in Angeles, and his final matchup over the Los Angeles Clippers. recovered from a bruised toe, since Will Barton (groin), Gary against former teammate James, Wade, who is retiring after contributed seven points, 10 Harris (hip) and Paul Millsap Dwyane Wade produced 15 the season, didn’t score his first rebounds and seven assists to (broken toe) are sidelined. Stamkos’ hat-trick, Lightning strike down Rangers

REUTERS over the past four games. Dennis Safety called the play a “late, forceful, TAMPA Steven Stamkos of the Tampa Bay Lightning faces Cholowski and Frans Nielsen also scored high hit” and added that the “predatory off during a game against for Detroit, which bounced back from nature” of the hit played a role in the Steven Stamkos recorded his ninth a 3-2 home loss to the New York discipline. the Colorado Avalanche career hat-trick and first in more than Islanders two nights earlier. With the Bruins leading 6-2 at home in this December 8, 2018 four years, and the Tampa Bay Lightning Anze Kopitar scored the lone goal midway through the third period, ﬁle photo. ran their season-high winning streak to for the struggling Kings, who kept con- McAvoy received the puck from Boston seven games with a 6-3 victory over the stant pressure on Howard but couldn’t goalie Jaroslav Halak from behind the visiting New York Rangers on Monday. break through until the third period net following a Maple Leafs dump in. Stamkos recorded his first hat-trick of the match. McAvoy immediately sent the puck back since October 13, 2014, by getting a pair Jonathan Quick stopped 18 shots for around the boards behind the net as of power-play goals in the opening two the Kings, who have lost five of their past Hyman closed in. periods, then adding an even-strength seven games. But Hyman hit McAvoy well after goal in the third. Penguins 2, Islanders 1 (SO) the puck had left the defenseman’s stick, Stammer is finding his groove,” Jake Guentzel scored the decisive taking McAvoy off his skates and sending Tampa Bay coach Jon Cooper said. goal in the fifth round of a shootout as him on the boards. It was the first time he scored two Pittsburgh edged New York in Hyman was called for interference power-play goals since December 26, Uniondale. on the play and assessed a five-minute 2015, and the eighth time overall. Phil Kessel scored in the second major and kicked out of the game after The second goal made him the third round of the shootout for the Penguins fighting with Matt Grzelcyk following player in team history to get reach 700 before Josh Bailey extended the game the hit. points, joining Martin St. Louis (953) and by scoring in the third round for the The league noted that Hyman had Vincent Lecavalier (874). Islanders. The shootout capped a taut never previously been suspended or “I knew it had been a while,” defensive battle in which the teams fined in his four-year career in Stamkos said with a laugh. “I don’t know combined for 50 shots -- 26 for the explaining the two-game suspension. the exact date . I don’t want to hear it.” Islanders -- over the first 65 minutes. He has 15 points (seven goals, eight Stamkos has eight goals in Tampa Rangers goalie Henrik Lundqvist. like this we need to do all those things.” Meanwhile, the NHL suspended assists) in 30 games this season. Bay’s fourth winning streak of at least To be able to beat some of the best Red Wings 3, Kings 1 Toronto forward Zach Hyman on It was McAvoy’s first game after seven games in the past three seasons. teams, you have play really strict and Jimmy Howard made 42 saves, and Sunday night for a hit he put on Boston missing 20 games because of a con- He finished off the hat trick with 9:19 smart, and make the right decision with Dylan Larkin scored an unassisted goal defenseman Charlie McAvoy a day cussion. He did play in the Bruins’ 2-1 left in the third period with a one-timer or without the puck,” Lundqvist said. as host Detroit topped Los Angeles. earlier. win in Ottawa on Sunday. Boston won from the low slot that sailed past “So, the next time we play a top team Larkin has two goals and five assists The league’s Department of Player the game on Saturday 6-3.