SPORT Wednesday 22 November 2017

PAGE | 30 PAGE | 32-33 PAGE | 35 ‘Cheeky’ Neymar Untested but defiant NBA: Irving seals doesn’t worry Aussies seek to strike 16th straight win coach ‘fear’ for Celtics Champions League: Real Madrid reach last 16

CHAMPION LEAGUE RESULTS Nicosia UEFA Champions League results yesterday AFP Group E At Seville, Spain olders Real Madrid and pow- Sevilla (ESP) 3 (Ben Yedder 51, 60-pen, Pizarro 90+3) Liverpool ered into the last 16 of the (ENG) 3 (Firmino 2, 30, Mane 22) Champions League yesterday At Moscow as Cristiano Ronaldo struck Spartak Moscow (RUS) 1 (Ze Luis 82) Maribor (SLO) 1 (Mesanovic twice in a 6-0 rout of APOEL 90+2) Hin Nicosia. Group F Karim Benzema also scored a brace At Manchester, alongside goals from Luka Modric and Manchester City (ENG) 1 (Sterling 88) Feyenoord (NED) 0 Nacho, although Real will advance as run- At Naples, Italy ners-up of Group H after Tottenham Napoli (ITA) 3 (Insigne 56, Zielinski 81, Mertens 83) Shakhtar Hotspur secured top spot with a win 2-1 Donetsk (UKR) 0 at Borussia Dortmund. Group G In Manchester, Pep Guardiola’s Man- At Istanbul, Turkey chester City secured top spot in Champions Besiktas (TUR) 1 (Talisca 41) Porto (POR) 1 (Felipe 29) League Group F after Raheem Sterling’s At Monaco late strike snatched a 1-0 win over Monaco (FRA) 1 (Falcao 43) RB Leipzig (GER) 4 (Jemerson 6-og, Feyenoord. Werner 9, 31-pen, Keita 45) Group H In Istanbul, Turkish champions Besik- At Dortmund, Germany tas reached the Champions League last 16 Borussia Dortmund (GER) 1 (Aubameyang 31) Tottenham Hotspur for the first time in 31 years yesterday, as (ENG) 2 (Kane 49, Son 76)

a 1-1 draw with Porto in Istanbul wrapped At Nicosia

up top spot in Group G. Porto silenced the APOEL (CYP) 0 Real Madrid (ESP) 6 (Modric 23, Benzema 39, vociferous home crowd with the opening 45+1, Nacho 41, Ronaldo 49, 54) goal through defender Felipe, but Besik- tas equalised before half-time as Talisca It is the first time Besiktas have pro- Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah (right) and Sevilla’s Clement Lenglet vie for ball possession scored his third goal in the competition gressed from their group since the during tier Champions League match Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan, in Seville, Spain, yesterday. this season. competition was reformatted in 1992. Squash: Qualifying round of Qatar Circuit begins today

Armstrong Vas The Peninsula

he qualifying round of the Qatar Circuit squash tournament will begin from today at Khalifa International Tennis and TSquash Complex, organisers of the event informed here yesterday. Twenty-six players drawn from six countries will be vying for Qatar’s Tamimi eyes the eight spots at the main draw of the PSA event in the two days of qualifying action. top-25 PSA ranking The main round matches begin on Friday and will feature 24 play- ers, who have earned direct Armstrong Vas qualification for the tournament, The Peninsula and eight qualifiers. Players from England, India, atar rising squash star and world No. 43 Abdulla Al New Zealand, Iran, Pakistan, Tamimi - who has had an off-and-on season so far - France, Kuwait, Egypt, Malaysia, Qis aiming to be in the top-25 when the end of the season Germany and Zimbabwe will be PSA rankings are announced. seen in action in the tournament The 22-year-old, Qatar’s first professional squad player which ends with the final on and a product of Aspire Academyis eager to move up the Monday. ranking hierarchy. The quarter-finals will take “End of season will be in May next year, so I am looking place on Saturday and the semi- to be at least in the top-30, top-25, it’s a big gap between the finals on Sunday. Qatar’s Syed Azlan Amjad (right) in action during the second Aspire Academy Professional Squash top-30 and top-40, you need to win few good tournaments, Qatar will have 12 players in Association (PSA) Satellite Tournament at the Academy’s squash courts in this March 2017 file few matches against the big guys, its tough but looking for- the qualifying rounds. picture. ward to it,” said Tamimi while speaking to The Peninsula. In the main draw, the hosts Tamimi broke into the world’s top-40 for the first-time challenge will be led by Abdulla Al performances on the PSA World three other home players who will players who has got a first-round last year following strong performances on the PSA World Tamimi, an Aspire Academy Tour and is the top seed at the vie for the top prize in the main bye. Tour . He has had moments this season against players ranked graduate. home tournament. draw. Five other players who will not much higher to him but has not been consistent. The 22-year-old broke into the Tamimi, who has scripted a The other seeded players see action today but will be play- “Start of the season I had some good wins against some world’s top 40 for the first-time few memorable wins this season include World No. 49 Nathan Lake ing tomorrow include Tobias of the top twenty players, I lost to James Willstrop, top-five last year following strong against players ranked much of England, Ben. Coleman (Eng, Weggen of Germany, Muhammad in the world, I lost 3-2, a very close game. I have been per- higher to him is eager to do well 52), Youssef Soliman (Egy, 56), Farhan of Pakistan, Abdullah Al forming well at the start of the season, and as in any sports Top seed Abdulla in the championship. Angus Gillams (Eng, 67), Shehab Muzayen of Kuwait, Ahmed Has- there are up and down. I have had a couple of bad losses “I have many challenges ahead Essam (81, Egy), Karim Hammamy san and Faisal Hassan, both of which everyone has in a season,” he said. Aspire Academy of me and the Qatar Circuit will be (Egy,77) and Ammar Altamimi (117, Zimbabwe. Tamimi said he worked on his shortcomings in the break graduate Al Tamimi, an ideal preparation for next Kuw). The other players from Qatar, between tournaments and was looking to the remainder of the who broke into the month’s World Championship in Tamimi will begin his chal- who will be seen in action in the season. world’s top 40 for the Manchester. I have been training lenge against Victor Crouin of qualifying, include Mohamed “I am looking forward to the next section of the season, first-time last year very hard for the Qatar Circuit and France on Friday while Umair Tarek Desouky Ouda, Ibrahim I feel confident again and looking forward to play my best following strong it is a challenge for me to play well Zaman and Syed Azlan Amjad, Ahmed Al Darwish, Mohammad squash. I have showed that I got it, but I need to be consist- performances on PSA and perform well before the home both will take on qualifiers and Salim Saadi Al Yaafei, Ali Saeed Al ent at it.” World Tour is crowds,” said Tamimi, who turned Abdulrahman Al Malki faces Dar- Dosari, Yousuf Al-Kubaisi, Waleed Tamimi said the upcoming Doah event will be an ideal tournament’s top professional in 2011. ren Rahul Pragasam of Malaysia. Zaman, Salem Yousaf Al Malki, preparation for next month’s Worlds in England. seed. Besides Tamimi, Umair In the qualifying rounds Qatar Abdulwahab Al-Ishaq, Deepak “My main focus is the Qatar Circuit which takes place in Zaman, Syed Azlan Amjad and challenge will be led by Hamad Al Nalla, Yousef Essam Farag and Doha from Friday. It will be good preparation for the World Abdulrahman Al Malki are the Amri, who is one of the six Ahmad Mohammed Al Tamimi. Championship which takes place in Manchester next month.” 30 SPORT WEDNESDAY 22 NOVEMBER 2017 ‘Cheeky’ Neymar doesn’t worry coach

Paris AFP

aris Saint-Germain coach Unai Emery In training, he (pictured right) insists he is not concerned is great. He is about Neymar’s life- young and he Pstyle after the Brazilian superstar was photographed at a Paris also needs to nightclub in the early hours of Sunday. go out but “Outside of his work, his football, he can enjoy himself he is still with his friends,” Emery said yes- terday, at a press conference responsible,” Paris Saint-Germain’s ahead of today’s Champions says PSG coach League meeting with Celtic at the Brazilian forward Parc des Princes. Unai Emery Neymar smiles during “In training he is great. He is a training session at young, and he also needs to go the Parc des Princes out, but he is still responsible,” 84 million followers. row he will be fine.” stadium yesterday the coach added There have been regular Neymar has scored in each in Paris, on the eve Neymar was pictured at a media reports in recent weeks of PSG’s four Champions League of the Champions nightclub in the Paris suburbs that Neymar, 25, is struggling to outings. The French club have League match against attending a private concert held settle at PSG since his August taken maximum points and qual- Celtic Glasgow. by the American rapper Tyga, move from Barcelona, with sto- ified for the last 16 with two according to a report in Le Paris- ries of rifts with team-mates and games to spare. ien. Earlier he had played 90 disagreements with Emery. They top Group B with 17 this competition. We did that full-back Thomas Meunier could Brazilian midfielder Wendel, 20, minutes in PSG’s 4-1 win over But PSG’s Spanish coach goals scored and none conceded, when we went there,” added return for Paris but Thiago of Rio de Janeiro side Nantes. added: “It is important to main- and another victory against Emery, with reference to PSG’s Motta is out. The veteran mid- Fluminense. The world’s most expensive tain a high level, but the younger Celtic -- who are already elimi- 5-0 win in Glasgow when the fielder has undergone surgery “That is something the club footballer has suffered a dip in players also need to spend time nated -- could see PSG clinch top sides last met in September. in the United States to clear up is working on. They are thinking form and there have been con- with their friends. spot before they go to Bayern “Celtic are still a good side, with a knee problem. about the future, I am only think- cerns about his love of a party, “He has the responsibility to Munich next month. international players who are With Motta likely to be side- ing about the present,” said which he documents on his rest up on Sunday. He was back “We want to demonstrate used to winning, so this will be lined for a while, PSG have been Emery when asked about a pos- Instagram feed with more than with us yesterday and for tomor- that we want to go very far in a difficult game.” Belgian linked with a move for young sible transfer.

FIFA bans 3 £300m bid tabled for disgraced Newcastle, say reports officials for life AFP British businesswoman has made a formal offer of around Geneva £300m ($397m, €338m) for Premier League club Newcas- AFP A tle United, according to British media reports. Several media outlets, including the BBC, said Amanda Stave- IFA’s ethics committee ley’s financial firm PCP Capital Partners had made a bid to yesterday slapped life- Newcastle owner Mike Ashley. Ftime bans on three Newcastle are yet to comment on the reports. former world football exec- PCP Capital Partners is believed to have been in talks with utives who have all pleaded Newcastle about a potential takeover for several weeks. guilty to corruption charges Sportswear magnate Ashley announced he wanted to sell the in US courts. club in October after 10 years in charge, having paid £134.4m to Rafael Esquivel, a former buy Newcastle in 2007. head of the Venezuelan Foot- The 53-year-old Londoner has proved a divisive figure dur- ball Association, Nicaragua’s ing his tenure, which has seen Newcastle twice relegated from the Julio Rocha, a former FIFA Premier League and then immediately promoted back. development officer, and Staveley, 44, helped broker Sheikh Mansour’s purchase of Man- Richard Lai of Guam, who chester City in 2008. served on FIFA’s auditing She was spotted watching Newcastle’s 1-1 draw with Liver- body, have all been barred pool at St James’ Park last month. from any further involvement Newcastle were promoted from the Championship under Rafael Manchester United’s Marouane Fellaini during training at Aon Training Complex, Manchester, in the sport. Benitez last season. “The adjudicatory cham- Britain, yesterday. Man United, somewhat losing ground in the league, have not missed a The northeast club regularly attract crowds of over 50,000, ber found Mr. Lai, Mr. Rocha beat in the Champions League. The British football giants visit Basel today needing just a but their supporters have not had a trophy to celebrate since the and Mr. Esquivel guilty of point to reach the knockout phase as group winners. 1969 Inter-Cities Fairs Cup (the precursor to the UEFA Cup). having violated article 21 (bribery and corruption) of the FIFA Code of Ethics,” said a statement from the ethics watchdog of world football’s governing body. Al Duhail’s Boudiaf out for three weeks “The officials are banned for life from all football- related activities... at national The Peninsula their big win over Umm Salal. Al Duhail players are seen during a team training session ahead of and international level,” it “We got a good win. The the QNB Stars League clash against Al Sadd on Friday. added. l Duhail will miss mid- number of goals doesn’t mat- The three are among the fielder Karim Boudiaf for ter. What’s important is the 42 officials and marketing Athree weeks due to a three points. I’m happy that we executives who have been thigh injury he suffered during scored four goals as it hasn’t indicted by the United States the recent training camp of happened before,” said the Por- justice department as part of Qatar national team. tuguese, expressing concern its sprawling probe into foot- The Qatar international that international commitments ball corruption. subsequently underwent tests were taking their toll on his Esquivel, who also served and has been advised to rest, players in league matches. as the vice president of South the club said yesterday. “We should know that American governing body Boudiaf had also missed there’re exhausted players who CONMEBOL, pleaded guilty their 8-2 victory over Al aren’t physically fit after play- to racketeering and wire Kharaitiyat in Week 8. ing for their national teams fraud in November of last Meanwhile, Al Duhail have recently. I hope the team is at year. begun preparations for their full strength before the begin- He admitted to taking crucial away game at Al Sadd, ning of second phase,” Ferreira bribes in exchange for the scheduled for Friday. said. awarding of football media Djamel Belmadi’s men are The players are all in high and marketing rights. leading the QNB Stars League spirits and raring to go. How- Rocha, who once headed standings with 22 points, one ever, defender Pedro Miguel Nicaragua’s football associa- ahead of both Al Sadd and and forward Boualem Khoukhi, tion, pleaded guilty to similar third-placed Al Rayyan. who missed their last two offences in December 2016. Rivals Al Sadd are also pre- matches (vs Al Ahli as well), are while Msakni and South Korean QNB Stars League fixtures - Round 9 Lai, in addition to his FIFA paring in right earnest ahead of still nursing injuries and are midfielder Nam Tae-Hee are role, also led the football their crucial clash with leaders doubtful starters. also in good nick, having con- Friday, November 24, 2917 association in his native Al Duhai. Al Duhail and Al Sadd are tributed with a brace last week. 4:00pm Al Markhiya vs Al Arabi at Al Arabi Stadium Guam. The Wolves, under the star-studded sides. Al Duhail Al Duhail have pumped in 4:00pm Al Khor vs Al Sailiya at Al Khor Stadium The US investigation, supervision of Portuguese have the league’s top scorer in 33 goals so far, way ahead of Al 6:10pm Al Sadd vs Al Duhail at Al Sadd Stadium which came to light in May coach Jesualdo Ferreira, started Youssef El Arabi with 14 goals Rayyan and Al Sailiya (both 23), 2015, uncorked the largest their preparations with a light and second-best scorer Youssef and Al Sadd (21). Saturday, November 25, 2017 scandal in the history of training session on Monday, a Msakni (which he shares with Then, they have Luis Mar- 4:00pm Al Kharaitiyat vs Al Ahli at Al Khor Stadium world football. day after they beat Umm Salal Al Sailiya’s Temurkhuja tin Junior and Ismail 4:00pm Umm Salal vs Qatar SC at Al Gharafa Stadium The first trial in the case 4-1 in Week 8. Abdukholiqov with eight goals). Mohammed, who gave four 6:10pm Al Rayyan vs Al Gharafa at Al Sadd Stadium began last week in New York. Ferreira was happy after El Arabi struck a hat-trick, assists against Al Kharaitiyat. WEDNESDAY 22 NOVEMBER 2017 SPORT 31 Tennis: Big Four dominance at an end?

London AFP

oger Federer and Rafael Nadal have utterly domi- Rnated during 2017 but as the season ends there is a palpa- ble sense that the top of the men’s game is in a state of rare flux. Federer and world number one Nadal rolled back the years to reclaim the top two ranking spots and hogged the four Grand Slam titles as Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray slipped off the radar. But the season ended with a new name on the ATP Finals tro- phy after Grigor Dimitrov triumphed in London. So with a clutch of new faces in the top 10, are we witnessing a changing of the guard or just a blip? Can ageing Federer and Nadal still keep up the pace? Federer, 36, shocked observers by returning from a six-month From left: Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Andy Murray and Novak Djokovic injury layoff to win the Austral- ian Open, beating Nadal in a thrilling five-setter. won a record eighth Wimbledon were forced to wait their turn to Stan Wawrinka to return and dizzy heights of third in the world a season to remember with five That set the stage for a year Crown. taste success but they eventually provide a sizzling start to 2018. and given him high hopes for trophies, including two Masters of Grand Slam domination, with Nadal, 31, pulled out during made up for lost time. “I expect greatness from 2018 after his best ever season. titles. The leader of a pack of Nadal picking up his 10th French the Paris Masters with a right Twelve-time Grand Slam them,” said Federer. “I wouldn’t The 26-year-old has never gone richly talented youngsters that Open and winning the US Open knee injury and was forced to winner Djokovic, currently be surprised if it worked out for further than the semi-finals at a includes ’s Nick Kyrgios for the third time while Federer call it quits after the first round ranked 12th, is set to make his them like it worked out for me Grand Slam, and there is a dan- and Canadian teenager Denis in London but sounded upbeat return in Abu Dhabi late next and Rafa. ger he could be part of a Shapovalov has shot to world Off the radar about his chances of being ready month after six months out fol- “I also hope Kei (Nishikori), generation squeezed between number four even though he dis- to compete at the start of next lowing an elbow injury, with Tomas (Berdych) and Milos the “Big Four” and an up-and- appointed in London. Federer and Nadal season. questions over whether he has (Raonic) all find their way back coming younger group. “It’s been an awesome year,” rolled back the years Federer looked short of his the motivation to dominate ten- on tour ... in Australia because But he is eyeing even bigger Zverev said. “Still, the end of the to reclaim the top two best during his semi-final defeat nis again. that would make it a quite epic prizes next season after his year was absolute crap for me. ranking spots and in London at the hands of David Murray has dropped to 16th comeback. breakthrough win in London. If I played the whole year like I hogged the four Goffin but stayed positive, say- in the rankings after months out “Then you mix them together “One of my main goals is to did (at the end) ... I don’t think I Grand Slam titles as ing he had an “amazing year” as with a hip injury but he remains with the new guys ... It could be win ... a Grand Slam tournament. would have finished top 50. Djokovic and Murray he plotted for next season. focused on returning to action in a very cool start to the year.” This has always been a dream of “But that’s OK. I’m going to slipped off the radar. Neither sound like they have Australia after Christmas. Winning the biggest title of mine,” said the Bulgarian. go on holidays now. Then I’m plans to go anywhere yet. Federer expects Djokovic, his career has propelled Bulgar- Alexander Zverev, 20, is a going to work hard in the Both Djokovic and Murray Murray and Swiss compatriot ia’s charismatic Dimitrov to the man in a hurry. The German had off-season.” Sharapova named in India Australian Open to luxury housing fraud probe feature shot clocks New Delhi AFP London could drastically alter the com- Speeding up the game and Reuters plexion of majors draws, could cutting out “dead time” has been ive-time Grand Slam also be in place in 2019, with the a priority for the men’s ATP champion Maria Sharap- layers will have an addi- number of seeds limited to 16 Tour. Fova (pictured) is under tional five seconds instead of the current 32. ATP chief executive Chris investigation by Indian police Pbetween points at next This year’s four slams will Kermode, who praised the shot- for cheating and criminal con- year’s Australian Open but time- still have 32 seeds. clock innovation in Milan, spiracy after the collapse of a wasters will have nowhere to The length of time between believes the five-minute pre- luxury housing project that she hide thanks to the introduction points has been a cause of con- match warmup is still too long. endorsed, a lawyer said of shot-clocks. sternation in the sport and American player Jared Don- yesterday. The Grand Slam Board, while increasing the period aldson said before the Milan The firm behind the devel- responsible for the rules at the allowed appears counterintu- tournament: “The five-minute opment is alleged to have taken four majors, confirmed on Tues- itive, shot-clocks will take the warmup maybe is redundant millions of dollars from home- would house a tennis academy, be ready in 2016 but, Singh said, day that the Australian Open’s decision over whether to and doesn’t necessarily need to buyers before the project folded. a clubhouse and a helipad. construction work was aban- request to raise the time from penalise a slow player out of take place. Maybe as soon as you Piyush Singh, a lawyer rep- The website of the project doned after builders collected 20 to 25 seconds and strictly the umpire’s hands. walk on court you have five resenting one of the buyers, told quotes Sharapova as saying her millions from homebuyers. enforce it with an electronic Currently it is down to the minutes to get ready.” AFP that police had filed initial goal was to “make the owners Police were not immediately shot-clock had been accepted. discretion of the official but the The Australian Open will be charges of cheating and crimi- feel like they own something available for comment on the The three other slams will inconsistency in enforcing it has more specific than the current nal conspiracy against special and different”. case, which is being heard in a also allow 25 seconds, bringing caused problems. grey area, allocating players Sharapova as part of a wider “Any celebrity who endorses Delhi court. Calls to the develop- them into line with regular Tour The 25-second shot-clock one minute to walk on and be case against the firm Homestead any product technically ers also went unanswered. events, but are not currently was used in the US Open quali- ready for the umpire’s briefing Infrastructure Development. becomes an agent for that com- Sharapova has not commented scheduled to have shot-clocks. fying event this year and also at at the net, followed by a five- The 30-year-old tennis star pany. No one would have on the case. The former world A two-day rules meeting of the Next Gen ATP Finals in Milan minute knock-up, plus one travelled to India in 2012 to invested in the project if Shara- number one made almost $30m the Grand Slam Board in Lon- earlier this month. minute to prepare for the first launch the luxury high-rise pova’s name was not there,” said in 2015, according to Forbes, with don also agreed to limit The Grand Slam Board said point. apartment complex -- named Singh. The project in Gurgaon $23m of that coming from pre-match warm-ups to five in a statement that the serving- Those not ready to play Ballet by Sharapova -- which -- a satellite city of the capital endorsements like the project in minutes. time changes had been agreed within the permitted time could prospective buyers were told New Delhi -- was supposed to Gurgaon. Another rule change, which unanimously. face fines of $20,000. Dybala, Messi renew rivalry in Turin

Turin, Italy hat-trick in Ecuador to carry before suffering a dip in form. competition. Diminutive, “He dragged us to the AFP Argentina through to the 2018 He got back on the dynamic and with a deadly left World Cup with the hat-trick World Cup. scoresheet in the final seconds foot like his idol, Dybala names in Ecuador. He is a born leader.” uventus star Paulo Dybala Dybala was on the substi- of Sunday’s 3-2 loss at Samp- Messi as a source of inspiration, Dybala has said that he has rediscovered his scoring tute’s bench in Quito but the doria, to bring his tally to 12 although he has also spoken would like one day play along- Jform just in time as he 24-year-old will be on the field goals in 13 games. about how difficult it is to play side Messi’s former Barcelona renews his rivalry with fellow in Turin where a win will Since arriving in Turin from alongside the superstar in the team-mate Neymar Jr. The pair Argentina Lionel Messi in ensure Juventus reaches the Palermo in 2015, the player Argentine national team. have long been tipped as heirs today’s Champions League knockout rounds. dubbed “The Jewel” has scored Dybala said he had been to Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, clash with Barcelona. Barcelona lead Group D by 56 goals in 112 games. But he misinterpreted, adding that who have dominated world The 30-year-old Messi three points with two rounds has yet to open his tally in Messi had laughed off the com- soccer’s annual awards in scored two goals to help Bar- to go, and Ernesto Valverde’s Europe this term. ments when he tried to explain. recent years. Barcelona’s Lionel Messi in celona to a comfortable 3-0 side need only a draw to Messi has hit three in the “Leo is like Maradona for “I have to work to improve action during the La liga match win over Juventus, last season’s advance as group winners. Champions League this season those of our generation,” and win trophies. Once, in front against Leganes at the Butarque finalists, at the Nou Camp in Dybala made a record-set- to join Ronaldo in the exclusive Dybala told France Football. of a bonfire with friends we all Municipal Stadium, Leganes, September. ting start to the Serie A season club of players who have “For me it’s an honour to play made a wish - my own was to Spain on Saturday. Messi then scored a with 10 goals in six games scored 100 goals in European with him in the national team.” win the Ballon d’Or.” 32 SPORT WEDNESDAY 22 NOVEMBER 2017 WEDNESDAY 22 NOVEMBER 2017 SPORT 33

This file photo taken on November Root’s England return to ‘Gabbatoir’ 20, 2013 shows is displayed on the pitch at the Gabba India’s Shikhar in Brisbane on the Dhawan in eve of the first Ashes action during Test match. first Test to face their demons in Ashes opener against in Kolkata on Monday. FACT BOX: ASHES OPENER it always seems to be a bit hotter.” Bad things Key players for Australia Dhawan will Reuters seem to happen to England in Brisbane. England’s Following is a factbox on the first Test match be- Four years ago, an ailing miss the second looks on Steve Smith (captain) Test. tween Australia and England, which starts tomor- ngland’s Ashes debutants face a bap- was dismissed cheaply in both innings amid a against Australia row: tism of fire in tomorrow’s opening It’s a tough to come barrage of bouncers from Johnson and the Aus- The world’s number one ranked Test batsman took over the Test captaincy from Michael Clarke at the end of the XI on the fourth last Ashes series in 2015, and will be leading Australia for the first time in Tests against England. Has scored 20 WHERE? Test at the Gabba, where four years and start a series on, tralian quicks. He promptly left the tour with and final day ago the tourists’ batsmen crumbled a stress-related illness. 100s in 56 Tests at 59.66, with a highest score of 215 in the last Ashes series at Lord’s. The fidgety right- The Gabba, Brisbane - Capacity: 42,000 especially when you’re not of the four-day hander at four looms as his side’s big batting hope with his improvised shot-making. Quick-footed and The Gabba, named for the Woolloongabba suburb under an Australian short-pitched In 2006/07, England fast bowler Steve Ashes tour cricket Ebowling assault. Harmison famously sent the first of adept at facing spin, but he is equally comfortable driving and pulling the fast bowlers. Scored five centuries in playing on or match at the Tony that surrounds it, has a been a fortress for Aus- Joe Root’s team spent their final tour match the series to his captain Andrew Flintoff at sec- 18 Ashes Tests at 54.74. Outstanding slips fieldsman with 79 catches and as captain has won 50 percent of his Ireland Stadium tralia in the 28 Tests since the West Indies were the in Townsville last week trying to acclimatise having practice wickets like ond slip. England lost the match and the series 26 games in charge. last touring team to win there in 1988. England last to the muggy conditions that will greet them 5-0. in Townsville on David Warner (vice-captain) that, says former Australia Sunday. won at the ground in 1986 - only their second Test in Brisbane but few of the players will have pacer Ryan Harris Another England quick, Simon Jones, also Pugnacious on-field character and opening batsman. Warner is the top-ranked opener in Tests and overall the victory in Brisbane since World War Two - before any inkling of the challenge that awaits them. had a first day to forget at the Gabba when he fifth-ranked batsman. This is his fourth Ashes and second at home, and he possesses the rare ability to turn The ‘Gabbatoir’ has proved impregnable ruptured knee ligaments sliding to retrieve a matches with his destructive hitting. Has scored 5,705 Test runs at 47.94 interspersed with 20 hundreds in his the modern concrete bowl replaced the wooden to visiting teams for nearly 30 years, with its ball in the outfield in the 2002/03 series. stands and open grass banks. Steve Harmison’s 66 Tests. Superb outfielder with incredible hands and the accuracy to throw down the stumps from distance. willing pitch, stifling weather and hostile He was abused by spectators as he lay in Warner has hit two centuries in 13 Tests against England, but he has an outstanding record at home with 14 first-ball delivery to second slip famously set the crowds adding up to one of the world’s tougher agony and the injury ended his series. Nasser tons in 33 Tests. Much depends on Warner and Smith to score heavily for Australia’s chances of victory. Warner’s introductions to a Test series. Hussain’s team lost the match by 384 runs and tone for Australia’s 2006-07 whitewash and Mitch- highest Test score stands at 253 against New Zealand in Perth in 2015. India release Kumar, ell Johnson’s devastating day two spell 2013-14 Only Root, former skipper , “Obviously we don’t let them play any- the series 4-1. and James Anderson remain from where near Brisbane (in the leadup) for that England have not won at the Gabba since Mitchell Starc triggered another. A lively, green top wicket is ex- Lethal left-arm quick who is Australia’s pace spearhead with an incredible strike-rate. In 36 Tests Starc has pected at first, offering pace and bounce for the the England team that suffered a 381-run hid- reason.” Mike Gatting’s team in the 1986/87 series and Dhawan from squad ing at the Gabba in 2013/14, when a marauding Once out on the field, the bear-pit atmos- it may be no coincidence that the last time they captured 148 wickets at 28.35, with 29 of those coming in eight Ashes Tests. This will be his first home Ashes seamers, with spin coming into play as an attack- Mitchell Johnson took nine wickets and set the phere of a packed crowd can quickly become held their own at the Gabba in 2010/11, they series and he has taken half his Test wickets (74) in Australia. Starc gets alarming bounce from his 1.96m height ing option if it stays dry and the strip deteriorates tone for the series. foreboding. The wrap-around terraces at the went on to win the Ashes. and can swing the ball. Has taken six wickets in an innings three times, including 6-111 against England at Not- Mumbai later in the match. The rest of the side, and particularly their bowl-like stadium create an impression of Cook’s brilliant, unbeaten 235 in the sec- tingham in 2015. Heads into the series with back-to-back hat-tricks for New South Wales in one Sheffield Shield Reuters WHEN? inexperienced batsmen, face a big step up after being hemmed in and stifle any breeze that ond innings, a record, ensured a draw that match this season, and looks a key strike weapon bowling in tandem with new-ball partner . November 23-27. Play starts at 1000 local time preparing against weak tour sides on tepid might relieve the players as they labour in the galvanized ’s team at the start Starc is no slouch with the bat either, with a swashbuckling 99 against India in Mohali in 2013 among his nine ndia paceman Bhuvneshwar Kumar and opening bats- pitches far from Brisbane. soupy heat of a Brisbane summer. of their 3-1 series triumph. Test half-centuries. man Shikhar Dhawan have been released from the (0000 GMT) “It’s a tough wicket to come and start a “You get the humidity as well at this time The innings also stands as testament that Australia (World ranking: fifth) Josh Hazlewood ITest squad against Sri Lanka due to “personal rea- series on, especially when you’re not playing of year, which drains you,” said Harris, who the Gabba can punish the bowlers as much as Hazlewood represents a different threat to England’s batsmen with his metronomic line and length in the Glenn sons”, the country’s cricket board (BCCI) has said. Squad - David Warner, Cameron Bancroft, Steve on wickets or having practice wickets like that,” played much of his domestic cricket at the the batsmen and should provide some inspi- McGrath mould. The sixth-ranked bowler in Tests represents a handy foil to the explosiveness of new-ball Kumar was India’s best bowler in the drawn first test Smith said former Australia quick Ryan Harris, one ground for Queensland in the Sheffield Shield. ration for Root’s team, even with the odds partner Starc. In 31 Tests, the right fast-medium pacer has captured 118 wickets at 25.75, including 16 in four at Kolkata’s Eden Gardens which ended on Monday and (captain), Jackson Bird, Pat Cummins, Peter Hands- of the victors at the ground four years ago. “Especially out in the middle of the Gabba, squarely against them. will sit out the remaining two Tests in the series. Ashes Tests at 25.75. Hazlewood has statistically kept pace with his boyhood idol McGrath, or near enough to The 27-year-old was named man of the match after comb, Josh it, during the early stages of his international career. Both made their Test debuts at 23 and Hazlewood reached taking eight wickets, including figures of 4-8 in the sec- Hazlewood, Usman Khawaja, Nathan Lyon, Shaun 100 Test wickets in 46 innings, just one innings less than his idol. This is his second Ashes series, but the first at ond innings. In a video posted on social media, Kumar Marsh, Tim Paine, Chadd Sayers, Mitchell Starc home. said he was getting married tomorrow. Coach: Darren Lehmann Cook dismisses ‘irrelevant’ Johnson talk The second Test begins in Nagpur on Friday. England (World ranking: third) “Kumar will not take any further part in the ongoing Squad - Joe Root (captain), , Anderson, Key players for England Test series against Sri Lanka and the all-India senior Jonny Brisbane series, one of the best periods of bowling I’ve and where England are winless in 31 years. selection committee has named Vijay Shankar as his AFP ever faced backed up by Ryan Harris, Peter Cook said England had “pretty much replacement,” the BCCI said in a statement late on Mon- Bairstow, Jake Ball, Gary Ballance, Stuart Broad, Siddle -- (but) they’re no longer playing,” accepted” that star all-rounder Joe Root (captain) day. “Dhawan is available for selection for the third Test.” Alastair Cook, lastair Cook dismissed talk of Mitchell Cook told reporters on Tuesday. would not play a role in the Ashes series, The 26-year-old right-hander is the most talented batsman in the England squad as well as having the respon- Left-hander Dhawan made a sparkling 94 in the sec- Mason Crane, Tom Curran, Ben Foakes, Dawid Ma- Johnson as “irrelevant” yesterday as “So in one sense it’s a bit irrelevant. despite reports that he may soon join the tour. sibility of being skipper, with this his first overseas series as captain. Since taking over as captain earlier this year, ond innings and his absence will make way for Murali lan, Craig Overton, , James Vince, AEngland prepare to face Australia’s “It happened four years ago and it’s all The England and Wales Cricket Board he has averaged more than 60 in Tests. Root’s side will look to their captain to shore up a struggling top order Vijay at the top of the order. new-look pace attack in the opening Ashes what happens tomorrow rather than look- (ECB) is still waiting to discover if Stokes will by blunting Australia’s pace attack with big scores. Shankar, who bats in the middle order and bowls Coach: Trevor Bayliss Test. ing back. be charged by prosecutors investigating a Alastair Cook medium pace, has yet to play for India. What The Bookmakers Say* The former England skipper and open- “England have won four of the last five brawl outside a nightclub in September. As England’s all-time leading run-scorer, with more than 11,000 Test runs, the former captain and left-handed ing stalwart was speaking after Australia Ashes series, so you can look at what you “Since we’ve arrived here, as a side, we’ve opening batsman could well be someone Root seeks out for advice. The 32-year-old had a brilliant series when Australia win: 4-5 spinner Nathan Lyon’s taunts that his team want.” pretty much accepted Ben would not be here. England won the 2010-2011 Ashes in Australia, scoring 766 runs at an astounding average of more than 127. England win: 5-2 was in the mood to “end some careers” in the Cook said while Australia’s current pace It’s about dealing with that,” Cook said. But he struggled during England’s 5-0 series loss in Australia in 2013-2014, and questions remain as to Draw: 7-2 Brisbane Test. attack -- Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and “If there is a bonus of him making the trip whether he can get back to his best in the face of top-class fast bowling. Match Officials Much has been said about the demoral- Pat Cummins -- was strong, it didn’t hold any at some stage, that’d be great. ising effect Johnson, who is now retired from great fears for the tourists. “But I can honestly say it hasn’t been spo- Stokes hits back at Umpires: Aleem Dar (Pakistan), Marais Erasmus The 28-year-old son of the late England wicket-keeper David Bairstow has become a mainstay of the side with internationals, had on England at the Gabba “There’s nothing we haven’t seen before ken about in the change room. both bat and gloves. On paper, he appears to give England an edge behind the stumps, given the reaction that (South Africa) four years ago, when he ripped through the in cricket,” he said. “There’s no good for us to really talk about TV umpire: Chris Gaffaney (New Zealand) tourists’ batting. “They’re not suddenly bowling 150 miles that. It’s obviously a sad situation... it’s a greeted Australia’s decision to recall wicketkeeper Tim Paine from the wilderness. Increasingly reliable with the Hayden’s dig over Match referee: Richie Richardson (West Indies) The firebrand left-armer set the tone for an hour. (They’ve) not got magic balls which shame for him he’s missing a big series,” said gloves, Bairstow can also change the course of an innings with dynamic middle-order batting but, in common Remaining Tests: the 2013-2014 Ashes with his ferocious fast start way outside the stumps and swing miles the former England captain. with so many of his England team-mates, there are doubts over his ability to cope with express bowling on Second Test Dec. 2-6 (0330) Adelaide Oval bowling to take nine wickets at the Gabba as and stuff. Meanwhile, Australian opener David bouncy pitches. England squad (Day-Night) the Australians inflicted a crushing 381-run “They’re very good bowlers with good Warner said yesterday he wanted Stokes to James Anderson (vice-captain) defeat, triggering a 5-0 series rout. records. As batters, that is the challenge we’ve be involved. England’s all-time leading Test wicket-taker remains Root’s go-to bowler in the field, so if Australia can get after Third Test Dec. 14-18 (0230) WACA, Perth But Cook urged his team-mates to main- got in the next seven weeks.” “I think it’s probably disappointing for him then England could well struggle. Although he reached 500 Test wickets earlier this year there are concerns Brisbane some extremely experienced fast Fourth Test Dec. 26-30 (2330) MCG tain their focus on the first Test and not to Australia have a formidable record at the England team and the country. He’s let a that, at the age of 35, this could be one tour of Australia too many for Anderson. Unlikely to get the swing-

IANS bowlers in (Stuart) Broad and Fifth Test Jan. 4-8 (2330) Cricket take a rear-vision view of past events. Brisbane’s intimidating ‘Gabbatoir’ where lot of people down,” the swashbuckling left- friendly conditions that make him so dangerous in England, he will be looking to improve on a record in Aus- (James) Anderson. You have two Ground “Mitch bowled outstandingly in that they have not lost a Test match since 1988, handed batsman added. tralia that has seen him take 43 wickets in 13 Tests at an average of 38. Now vice-captain in the absence of the he pre-Ashes banter con- particularly good batsmen as suspended Ben Stokes. tinued to hit the headlines well in (Alastair) Cook and Joe Twith suspended England Root.” all-rounder Ben Stokes taking a Responding to the Queens- dig at former Australia opener lander’s comments, Stokes, who Australia’s Warner hurts neck, Matthew Hayden’s comments on is awaiting the completion of a the rookie English batting in the probe into the Bristol brawl to run-up to the first Test at the join the English squad, said: Untested but defiant Aussies seek to strike ‘fear’ Gabba here from tomorrow. “Hayden says he doesn’t know confident of playing at Gabba Discussing the England Ashes who half our squad is....only 2 Brisbane The firebrand left-armer set the tone for the ago had inspired him to replicate his match- early aandnd we have been talkitalkingng about goinggoing bowlers.bowlers. squad on a Brisbane Heat pod- from the squad haven’t played AFP 2013-2014 Ashes with his ferocious fast bowl- winning performance. “We all still are (inspired). hard ourselves,”ourselves,” BaylissBayliss said.said. “Steve Smith’sSmith’s strike-forcestrike-force cast, Hayden said he was at International level.....he’s a Melbourne tomorrow at some stage. I might the series opener. ing to take nine wickets at the Gabba as the Whenever you see highlights from that series “AnAn AsAsheshes Test wiwillll see our inteninten-- isis superior to Joe Root’s solidsolid unimpressed with the inexperi- cricket pundit yeah??” Reuters have to workrk on my techntechniqueique a “ItIt was more of an ew-look Australia led by Steve Smith Australians inflicted a crushing 381-run defeat, it was unbelievable,” he said. sity risese as high as it possibly can. We bowlingbowling line-up, which lacks enced middle order comprising Of England’s 17-man squad little bit more,re, facingfacing up,” hehe alignmentalignment thing,”thing,” hehe (pictured) will bank on their pace attack triggering a 5-0 series rout. “How well he bowled and just the aggres- are notot hhereere to mamakeke up tthehe numnum-- thethe genuinegenuine papacece tthathat so Mark Stoneman, James Vince -- of which Stokes remains a part avid Warner (pictured) said. “It’s quite sore. I said.said. “I couldn’tcouldn’t Nterrifying England once again when two The Starc-led pace trio have never bowled sion and the fear in some of the English eyes, bers. WeWe are here to win. We’re oftenoften leadsleads to success in and . of, despite being suspended and gave the Australian camp haven’t reallylly hhadad a stistiffff alignalign mysemyselflff unfamiliar line-ups open hostilities for the together in a Test but they stack up favourably it was always great to watch as a bowler and very confident.”confident.” AustralianAustralian conditions,”conditions,” “The Poms are a rabble. I look awaiting the outcome of a police Da scare ahead of tomor- neck like thisis oone.ne. face-onface-on withwith Ashes, the oldest prize in , in Bris- with Australia’s greatest pace combinations, see batsmen struggle, especially the Poms.” Thehe sshockhock seselectionlection ofof wicwick-k- ChappellChappell said.said. down half of the list and I honestly investigation into his late-night row’s’ opening Ashes Test by “I’ll getet some HickyHicky (batting bane tomorrow. with their combined career strike rates better The Australians have done their homework etkeeperper Tim Paine for his first “If Mitchell Starc andand don’t even know who half of these altercation -- back-up wicket- hurting his neck during a fielding treatment ttonight,onight, coachcoach GraemeGraeme Australia’s surprise selections raised plenty than their gloried predecessors. and have crafted their plans based on a file on Test inn seven years hashas splitsplit opin-opin- PatPat CumminsCummins remainremain fitfit guys are,” Hayden said as reported keeper Ben Foakes and fast drill but the opening batsman is and get someme heat Hick),”Hick),” he said. of eyebrows but they will hope their pace trio Australia have a formidable record at Bris- the England batsmen, compiled by bowling ion aroundround the country,country, with spinspin for the full campaigncampaign then by cricket.com.au. bowler Craig Overton have yet confident he will be fit to face packs on ttherehere of Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cum- bane’s intimidating ‘Gabbatoir’ where they have coach and former England mentor David Saker. legendd ShaneShane Warne saying Aus-Aus- it’sit’s likelylikely they’llthey’ll provideprovide thethe “What (England) have got is to be capped by England. England at the Gabba. and get someme fin-fin- mins can replicate Mitchell Johnson’s not lost a Test match since 1988, and where “It’s great to have Sakesy (Saker) here. Obvi- tralia are inin a state ofof “confusion”.“confusion”. shockshock andand awe necessary to Australia’s vice-captain felt a gers into itt and devastating bowling at the Gabba ground in England are winless in 31 years. ously being part of the English squad for a while, Seniorr bbatsmanatsman SShaunhaun MarshMarsh hhasas aalsolso fracturefracture tthehe confidenceconfidence of England’s twinge in his neck as he ran back hopefully it’s’s bet-bet- 2013. Starc appears key to Australia’s series hopes it’ll be great for us to pick his brain,” Starc said. been recalledrecalled forfoor thethe eieighthghth time. England’sEngland’s fragilefragile bat-bat- Ben Stokes to take a catch on Tuesday and ter tomorrow.”w.” England also have an untested batting line- and he has targeted England’s big two batsmen, The pace trio, along with the batting of skip- Formerormer Test captain Ian Chap- tingting line-up,” celebrates after immediately left the field to Thee up and their campaign to retain the Ashes urn captain Joe Root and former skipper Alastair per Steve Smith and David Warner, are seen as pell saysays bothboth sides’sides’ battingbatting hehe said.said. dismissing receive treatment. 31-year-oldld was dealt a major blow when star all-rounder Cook, in the five-Test series. Australia’s pillars against a similarly placed Eng- appearsars brittle,brittle, butbut Australia’s Peter “My neck is quite stiff,” tried to havee Ben Stokes was suspended pending investiga- “Cook and Root are the two main ones at the land, who will look to batsmen Root and Cook Australiaalia will start Nevill during Warner told reporters some battingg tions into a brawl outside a nightclub. top who have played a heck of a lot of cricket and and their pace attack of James Anderson and favouritesurites toto their Ashes Test afterwards. practice laterer The build-up to the biennial series, which done really well at home and away,” Starc said. Stuart Broad. England have had a gentle run- reclaimm the urn “I took a high ball out there but cut it short.ort. dates back to the 19th century, has been tradi- “Both of them are guys we have to focus in to the Gabba Test with three warm-up games basedd on thethe at Trent Bridge, and something just twinged in my He saidd he tionally feisty, with opener David Warner saying heavily on in hopefully getting them out cheaply against inexperienced teams, but their Austral- strengthngth ofof Nottingham, neck. I’m getting a bit of physio left the nets he regarded facing England as “war” and sev- and getting stuck into that inexperienced bat- ian coach Trevor Bayliss said they will be ready their in this August treatment at the moment and because off align-align- eral Australian players reminding the tourists ting order.” Starc said watching footage of for what is thrown at them. 2015 file photo. hopefully it’s settled down over ment issues anandd ddidid of their treatment by Johnson four years ago. Johnson’s fireworks at the Gabba four years “Australia like to hit the opposition hard the next 24 or 48 hours. not want too getget intointo “I’ll try and have a hit “bad habits”” aaheadhead ooff 34 SPORT WEDNESDAY 22 NOVEMBER 2017 WEDNESDAY 22 NOVEMBER 2017 SPORT 35 NBA: Irving seals 16th straight win for Celtics Atlanta Falcons Los Angeles ruthless walloping of Detroit. Westbrook, Cousins swung quarterback Matt AFP The Cavs 116-88 blowout NBA RESULTS his elbow wildly into the Ryan passes was the clearest sign yet that Thunder player’s head and against the Seattle yrie Irving laid on the 2016 NBA champions have Denver 114 Sacramento 98 was given a flagrant two Seahawks during a 47-point master- shaken off their early-season Boston 110 Dallas 102 before being tossed from the the second quarter class to give the problems. S’ Antonio 96 Atlanta 85 game. of their NFL game Boston Celtics a Cleveland have now won Portland 100 Memphis 92 Westbrook would go on to at CenturyLink 16th straight vic- five games in a row and have complete his fifth triple-dou- Washington 99 Milwaukee 88 Field in Seattle on Ktory on Monday as the improved to 10-7. ble of the season with 22 Tuesday. Cleveland Cavaliers thrashed Detroit, who entered the N’ Orleans 114 O’ City 107 points, 16 rebounds and 12 the Detroit Pistons to continue game with an impressive 11-5 NY Knicks 107 LA Clippers 85 assists. their revival. record, were put firmly in their Charlotte 118 Minnesota 102 In Philadelphia, 76ers star Irving was in dazzling place by a Cavaliers side who Ben Simmons continued his form for Boston as they rallied were determined to make a Cleveland 116 Detroit 88 superb start to the season with

from a 10-point deficit in the statement. Indiana 105 Orlando 97 27 points in a 107-86 win over fourth quarter to overhaul the Kevin Love led the scor- Philadelphia 107 Utah 86 the Utah Jazz. Dallas Mavericks 110-102 in ing with 19 points, 11 rebounds Australian rookie Sim- overtime. and four assists while LeBron mons took full advantage of Irving’s haul included five James had 18 points and eight Gundy said. the absence of Jazz stalwart three-pointers and three rebounds in 27 minutes. “Tonight was one of them. Rudy Gobert to finish with the rebounds as Boston came back Jae Crowder had 18 points We didn’t play well at either highest single-game points Falcons hang on for from 89-79 down with five with Jose Calderon adding 14. end. We made mistakes and total of his career. minutes remaining in the final James saluted the way Cleve- they played terrifically.” “Obviously (with) him out, quarter to win. land maintained their scoring In other games on Mon- it was a key for us to go victory as Seahawks Boston improved to 16-2 momentum. day, Anthony Davis scored 36 inside,” said Simmons, whose with the victory to head the “I just wanted to keep the points to help the New Orle- 10 rebounds gave him his 11th Eastern Conference. Dallas fell pedal down,” James said of the ans Pelicans defeat the double-double. to 3-15 with the loss. big win. Oklahoma City Thunder 114- Meanwhile, the Los Ange- field goal fails to fly Irving delivered 10 of his “We haven’t had a win like 107 in a bruising encounter at les Clippers’ woes continued points in overtime, single- this in a very long time. We the Smoothie King Center in as they crashed to a ninth New York Seattle, also 6-4, missed an handedly pulling Boston clear come out sometimes in the Louisiana. straight defeat to the New Agencies opportunity to tie the Los Ange- of Dallas in the decisive phase third quarter and have a slow The Pelicans rallied from York Knicks. les Rams for first place in the of the game. start and teams get back into 19 points down in the first Kristaps Porzingis scored tlanta quarterback Matt NFC West. While not necessar- It was the fourth-highest it. “But today, we just kept it quarter to claim a victory that 25 points for New York at Ryan threw two touch- ily pretty, the Falcons scoring game of Irving’s career going. That’s a pretty big step was overshadowed by DeMar- Madison Square Garden as the A down passes and Seattle capitalised on field position and and helped Boston tie the for us.” cus Cousins’ ejection for an Clippers’ problems mounted. came up short on a game-tying great plays by their defense to franchises fourth-longest win- Pistons coach Stan Van elbow on Russell Westbrook “When you lose nine field-goal attempt with two take an early advantage, and ning streak. Gundy chalked up the defeat in the third quarter. games in a row, you feel sorry seconds remaining as the Fal- were able to hold the lead from Elsewhere on Monday, to a bad night at the office. Cousins was given his for yourself when things don’t cons held on to defeat the start to finish. Cleveland Cavaliers sent a “For most teams in this marching orders after grab- go right, and you can’t do Seahawks 34-31 in Seattle on The win leaves the Falcons message to their rivals in the league, there’s three, four, five bing a rebound. As he that,” Clippers head coach Doc Monday. two games behind the New Eastern Conference with a of those games a year,” Van attempted to break free from Rivers said. Down by 11, the Seahawks Orleans Saints in the NFC South tried to rally, with quarterback and gives them the edge over Russell Wilson finding Doug the Seahawks should any tie- Boston Celtics guard Kyrie Baldwin on a 29-yard touch- breaker between the two be Irving (left) in action against down and tight end Jimmy necessary. Dallas Mavericks during their Graham hauling in a two-point Ryan finished 19-of-27 for NBA game on Tuesday. conversion pass to get Seattle 195 yards. Wilson was 26-of- within a field goal with three 42 for 258 yards with two minutes left. touchdown passes and one The Falcons needed one interception. The first half was first down to put the game away a back-and-forth affair. but Seahawks defensive end Atlanta looked to pull away Sheldon Richardson sacked from the outset as it capitalised Ryan on third-and-one, setting on a 50-yard kickoff return the stage for another potential from Andre Roberts and a Seahawks fourth-quarter defensive pass-interference call comeback. on Jeremy Lane in the end zone Seattle got within field-goal to set up a one-yard touchdown range and gave Blair Walsh, run from Tevin Coleman. who was perfect on the day, a On Seattle’s first possession, chance to send the game into Atlanta cornerback Desmond overtime with seven seconds Trufant nearly had a pick-six if to go. However, his 52-yard it were not for Wilson chasing attempt fell short and Atlanta down the tackle. escaped with the win. Ryan would find Mahomed The Falcons added a rare Sanu for a two-yard touchdown loss to Seattle’s impressive a few plays later. Seattle primetime record and responded on its next drive when improved to 6-4 to stay in the Wilson connected with Graham play-off picture with six weeks for his third touchdown in three left in the season. games.

Baseball star Halladay’s Predators rout Jets; Ducks edge Sharks plane made dive before New York Arizona defeated Toronto. Agencies The Coyotes ended the Maple Leafs’ six-game winning streak fatal crash, says NTSB yan Johansen and Kyle Tur- and earned their third win in a ris each had a goal and an row. Arizona is 7-0-1 in its past Rassist as the Nashville Pred- eight games at the Air Canada New York ators beat the Winnipeg Jets 5-3 Centre. Reuters on Monday night. Devils 4, Wild 3 (overtime) In a matchup of two of the Two fortunate bounces and he aircraft piloted by Roy Halladay made a sharp NHL’s hottest teams, Nashville John Moore’s goal in the first dive before crashing into the Gulf of Mexico earlier won for the seventh time in eight minute of overtime helped New T this month, killing the retired baseball star, federal games, using a three-goal upris- Jersey snap a two-game losing investigators said on Monday. ing in the second period to hand streak. Moore got his third goal of The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) in Winnipeg only its third regulation Predators centre Ryan Johansen (foreground) skates with the season 52 seconds into OT off a preliminary report did not say definitively what caused loss in 18 games. The result halted the puck during the first period of their NHL game against a pass from Adam Henrique as the November 7 crash or issue blame. the Jets’ four-game win streak. the Winnipeg Jets at Bridgestone Arena on Monday. Minnesota’s late rally went for A witness told the NTSB he saw Halladay’s ICON A5 Johansen broke a 1-1 tie 26 naught. single-engine amphibious airplane perform a climb to seconds into the second period, Flames 4, Capitals 1 between 300 and 500 feet (91 to 152 m) and then turn taking Filip Forsberg’s pass in the Jose at SAP Center. Joonas Don- Columbus over Buffalo. Pierre- Johnny Gaudreau extended and descend on a nose-down dive of about 45 degrees slot and ripping a wrister over the skoi sent the game to overtime by Luc Dubois and Boone Jenner also his career-best point streak to before the plane hit the water, the report said. glove of Connor Hellebuyck. Tur- scoring the tying goal for the scored for the Blue Jackets, who 10 games with a goal and an The midday crash occurred on a day of calm winds ris made it 3-1 at 11:32 with a Sharks -- his second goal of the won their fourth game in a row. assist, Mike Smith made 29 and clear skies off Port New Richey, Florida, the report one-timer from Roman Josi on the game and seventh of the season Sam Reinhart and Evander Kane saves, and Calgary defeated said. The plane crashed in 4.5 feet (1.4 m) of water. power play. -- on a power play at 8:19 of the collected the Sabres’ goals. Washington. Halladay, 40, the sole occupant of the plane, took off Ducks 3, Sharks 2 third period. Coyotes 4, Maple Leafs 1 Sean Monahan and Mikael from a private lakeside home in Odessa, north of Tampa, Antoine Vermette scored in Blue Jackets 3, Sabres 2 Oliver Ekman-Larsson scored Backlund each added a goal and the NTSB report said. the ninth round of a marathon Artemi Panarin scored for the the go-ahead goal on a power an assist, and Mark Giordano shootout as Anaheim beat San second game in a row to lead play late in the second period and scored for Calgary. 36 SPORT WEDNESDAY 22 NOVEMBER 2017 Qatari athletes aim for the stars

The Peninsula

he Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC) yes- terday feted Team Qatar athletes who are achieving interna- Ttional success across a variety of sports at a young age. World junior weightlifting champion, Fares Ibrahim, cham- pion equestrian Khalid Al Emadi, professional squash player Abdulla Tamimi and interna- tional fencer, Mohammed Al-Shammeri, all participated in a Q+A session with media to dis- cuss their hopes, aspirations and achievements. Ferociously talented Fares Ibrahim, still just 19-years-old, will be heading to his first sen- ior World Championships in the United States from 28 Novem- ber to 5th December, where he will go head to head against older World junior weightlifting champion, Fares Ibrahim (second left), champion equestrian Khalid Al Emadi and more experienced athletes. (centre), professional squash player Abdulla Tamimi (seond right) and international fencer Mohammed This is not a new experience Al-Shammeri (right) are seen during a media conference in Doha yesterday. Pic Kammutty VP for Ibrahim, however, who won the 2016 Asian Championships and finished an incredible sev- and earlier this year won at the We qualified for the first time Qatar Classic enth-place at the Rio 2016 CHI Al Shaqab event, also held ever at the Rio 2016 Olympics Squash Champi- Abdulla Tamimi lunges Olympics, both when he was just in Doha. last year and gave impressive onships, an event for a forehand during 18 years of age. Khaled was also a member performances that were praised that is part of the his Qatar Classic Ibrahim’s confidence is cur- of the historic show jumping by other international athletes PSA World Tour match last month. rently flying high after he won team that qualified for last year’s and our fans.” circuit and has the World Junior Championships Rio 2016 Olympics for the first Qatar’s first-ever profes- been held annually at the Khalifa International Ten- nis and Squash Complex since 2001. Speaking dur- ing the media briefing about his experiences, Tamimi, said:“I have many chal- lenges ahead of me - next month I will compete in the World Squash Championships in Manchester, Eng- land, and I have been training very hard for this. I am very satisfied been shortlisted as one of three and world-record holder Wayde with my career performances so finalists for the prestigious 2017 Van Niekerk. The winner will Fares Ibrahim in action far – I have had some good World Athlete of the Year Award. be announced at ceremony in during the Olympic results against the world’s best The winner will be decided Monaco on November 24. Games in Rio de squash players and I have been through a combination of an Sports fans in the country Janeiro. competing regularly in interna- online public vote, which closed can keep up to date with the tionally recognised competitions last month, and e-mail votes progress all of Qatar’s athletes and gaining important points from the IAAF Family and IAAF by signing up to the Team Qatar in Tokyo earlier this year. time ever. sional squash player, Abdulla along the way.” Council. Club. Speaking ahead of the World He said:“I graduated with a Tamimi, broke into the world’s Twenty-year-old Moham- Mutaz, who this year won It is free and easy to sign Championships, Ibrahim yester- law degree last year from Qatar top 40 for the first-time last year med Al-Shammeri, will be one the IAAF World Championships up – just head to www.olym- day said: “My preparations have University and now I am back following strong performances of 18 fencers (11 male and 7 in London and the IAAF Dia- pic.qa/en/teamqatarclub or been going very well and I have fully focussed on training and the on the PSA World Tour. female) representing Team Qatar mond League series, also download the ‘Team Qatar’ app had a strong, focussed training upcoming competitions. Our The 22-year-old Aspire at the upcoming FIE Qatar Grand became the first high jumper to from the Apple or Google Play programme in place. The World main ambitions are to qualify for Academy graduate represented Prix. be undefeated in a whole sea- stores. Championships will bring the the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. Team Qatar in last month’s 2017 Al-Shammeri is a World son since 2004. Mutaz is up Team Qatar Club members strongest competitors from all Youth Cup bronze medallist and against British 10,000m World also get discounts to over 90 over the world but my ambitions finished seventh in the Asian U23 Champion, Mo Farah, and South outlets in Qatar, details of which Mohammed are very high and I am aiming to Championships and is looking to African 400m World Champion can be found within the Club. win a medal.” Al-Shammeri takes beat the world’s best in front of Qatar’s equestrian team has a breather during a a home-crowd as the global Khaled Al achieved incredible success on competition. competition once again returns home soil over recent weeks to Doha. Emadi clears a with Bassem Mohammed and The annual event is part of a hurdle during Sheikh Ali Al Thani winning the series of nine Grand Prix com- last week’s Longines Global Champions Tour petitions that take place around QNB Qatar (LGCT) Grand Prix and Qatar the world and will see 400 male International International Show Jumping and female athletes from 47 Show Jumping Championships respectively. countries compete at the Aspire Championship. The LGCT finale was held at Dome from December 8 to 10. Al Shaqab between November Entrance is free for all spectators 9-11 and saw huge crowds gather and the event will also be broad- for the climax of the most chal- cast live on Al Kass and the lenging show jumping circuit in Olympic Channel. the world. Speaking ahead of the Qatar Bassem demonstrated nerves Grand Prix, Al-Shammeri yes- of steel in the nine-strong jump terday said: “I have been off to sweep home clear and fin- participating in the Qatar Grand ish a full two seconds ahead of Prix for more than six years and his closest rival. each year my goals increase and Meanwhile Sheikh Ali, who my ultimate ambition is to get a last year finished sixth at the Rio medal. The very best profes- 2016 Olympics, claimed his sec- sional fencers from around the ond consecutive victory at the world will be competing so it will Grand Prix event of the Qatar be very tough but I am motivated International Show Jumping to win and raise the name of Championships at Qatar Eques- Qatar higher on an international trian Federation’s Al Rayyan level. My biggest dream is to arena, which were held from compete in the Olympics, and in November 16 to 18. the future I will be participating The victory was even sweeter in more international competi- as it saw Sheikh Ali qualify for tions to get more experience and the 2018 World Cup Jumping keep improving my event. performances.” Khaled Al Emadi is a another A further highlight for Team member of Qatar’s equestrian Qatar came earlier this month team who is achieving strong when it was announced that results on an international stage Mutaz Barshim has