6 January 19, 2020

Wrestlers Win Two Gold Iranian Clubs to Withdraw From Medals at Matteo Pellicone AFC Champions League regarding Iran. “Iran is fully ready to host various teams as it has repeatedly proven during the past several years,” he said. Iran’s Esteghlal Football Club – which is usually one of Iran’s main contenders in international compe- titions – has already issued a state- ment saying it will refuse to com- pete in any competition in a third country. TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Moham- In 125kg, Zare defeated his vet- The statement added that the foot- madhossein Mohammadian and eran rival Bilial Makhov of Rus- ball club rejects the AFC decision Amir Zare claimed two gold med- sia 5-3. and believes it is for “political” rea- als on the first day of action at the Iran has participated in the com- sons. Matteo Pellicone Memorial. petition with four wrestlers. Mahdi Mohammad Nabi, member Mohammadian defeated his Be- The competition, which serves of the board of directors of the high- larusian rival Aliaksandr Hushtyn as Olympic qualification, is being ranking Persepolis Football Club, 9-0 in the 97kg final bout and held in Rome, Italy. also said that the AFC ruling was claimed a gold medal. based on groundless claims. TEHRAN (Dispatches) - The Asian (FFIRI) telling them that they would eventual stance on the AFC decision “This decision was taken without Football Confederation (AFC) has not be hosting AFC Champions which would deprive Iran of a main justifiable evidence and in disregard Italy’s Brignone Leads Giant banned Iran from hosting interna- League matches for the foreseeable advantage. for international and national laws of tional soccer competitions for no clear future. So far, the AFC has not provided member states,” he said. Slalom in Sestriere; Shiffrin Fourth reason, in a move which many see as Instead, any match featuring an details on the ban or reasons behind Nabi added that the ruling defied driven by third-party pressure. Iranian team would be played in a its decision to impose the ban. article four of the FIFA Statute and A series of reports have suggested different country. Amirmahdi Alavi, a spokesman for article 13 of the AFC Statute which the AFC sent a letter to the Football The FFIRI also said in the up- the Iranian federation, said that the rule out discrimination against Federation Islamic Republic of Iran coming days, it would announce its AFC should avoid “false” notions member-states. Mavericks Cruise Past Trail Blazers 120-112 DALLAS (AP) -- Luka Don- was coming off an impressive cic’s pursuit of Jason Kidd’s win in Houston. triple-double record in Dallas Damian Lillard scored 34 will have to wait. This night was points and Carmelo Anthony about the 20-year-old sensa- had 22 for the Blazers, who tion’s 3-point shooting. lost guard CJ McCollum to a Federica Brignone led the giant slalom first run at home in Sestriere in the Italian Alps. Doncic drained a career- sprained left ankle in the first SESTRIERE, Italy (AFP) - 1min 10.28sec in the Italian best eight 3s on his way to 35 half. Hassan Whiteside had 21 Italy’s Federica Brignone took Alps to lead Slovakian Petra points, Tim Hardaway Jr. add- points and 18 rebounds. the lead after the first run in the Vhlova by 0.17sec with Germa- Women’s World Cup giant slalom ny’s Viktoria Rebensburg third ed 29 and the Mavericks beat The Mavericks were with- at home in Sestriere on Saturday at 0.36. Portland 120-112 on Friday out Doncic’s European side- with American star Mikaela Shif- Overall World Cup leader Shif- night to avoid getting swept at kick, Kristaps Porzingis, for frin fourth fastest. frin was within touching dis- home by the Trail Blazers. the 10th consecutive game Brignone, the World Cup tance at 0.42sec with the second leader in the discipline, clocked run taking place at 1305GMT. Doncic had eight rebounds because of right knee sore- and seven assists in the young Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard, center, drives between Dallas Mavericks ness. The 7-foot-3 Latvian was forwards Maxi Kleber, left, and Luka Doncic during the second half of an NBA basket- Slovenian’s first chance to tie ball game, Friday, Jan. 17, 2020, in Dallas. The Mavericks won 120-112 ruled out early in the day after Froome in Full Training, Gunning Kidd’s Dallas career record of Cuban said before the game. was a punctuating 27-footer being a late scratch Wednes- 21 triple-doubles. ‘’To give J-Kidd some credit, for an 11-point lead in the final day in Sacramento. for Fifth Tour de France As long as the next one the game’s a lot faster now, minute. The Mavs kept Portland at comes before Feb. 28, Doncic there’s a lot more points be- ‘’We were locked in at the a safe distance in the closing will have at least three times as ing scored. So it’s all relative. end of the game,’’ said Doncic, minutes after losing 121-119 many triple-doubles before age What he’s accomplished is just who was 8 of 12 from 3 to help in Dallas in October when the 21 as the next person on the list phenomenal.’’ the Mavericks finish 20 of 47 Blazers got a key reversal on a - Magic Johnson with seven. The 3 that topped Doncic’s from beyond the arc compared challenge of a foul call against ‘’It’s crazy,’’ owner Mark previous career best of seven to 9 of 30 for Portland, which Lillard in the final seconds.

Watford Stalemate Hits Spurs’ Euro Hopes It is a different story for Jose first, finding their rhythm from the Mourinho’s Spurs who, with- kick-off, dominating possession

out the injured Harry Kane and and probing for openings on the Chris Froome raced ahn exhibition in October at Saitama, Japan with uncertainty over the future edge of the Watford box . PARIS (AFP) - A defiant Chris ing still limping heavily in October. of Christian Eriksen, could be 11 But the home side broke danger- Froome insisted he is out of rehab But in November the Briton had and back in full training, focused on his final surgery to remove screws points off fourth spot by the end of ously in the second minute, with being in prime shape and at the start- and a large metal plate from his the day. Gerard Deulofeu shooting wide of ing line for the 2020 Tour de France right hip and began full rehab. But Pearson will feel Watford Paulo Gazzaniga’s goal. in July. In an interview with the Team The four-time Tour de France Ineos website the man who spear- should have wrapped up all three That was a rare foray forward in winner is in Gran Canaria for his headed what used to be Sky by win- points after his side squandered the opening stages for Watford, first official training camp since he ning seven Grand Tours says the some golden chances in the second who struggled to get on top of fractured a thigh, elbow and verte- prospect of a record-equalling fifth half and captain Troy Deeney saw Mourinho’s men. brae in a high speed horror crash in Tour de France is what has kept him Watford’s Troy Deeney (L) vies with Spurs defender Jan Vertonghen June 2019. going. his penalty saved. Son Heung-min looked lively Speaking from the Spanish island “I’m in Gran Canaria for my first LONDON (AFP) - Watford held When Nigel Pearson took over at Before kick-off there was a warm on the left of Tottenham’s attack training camp, Froome promised official training camp of the sea- Tottenham to a goalless draw on Vicarage Road last month Watford tribute from the fans to former and had the first shot on target but that “come that start line in Nice... son,” said Froome. Saturday to extend their unbeaten looked doomed ro relegation but I’ll be ready to go”. The Ineos site had pictures of manager Graham Taylor, who died despite all their posession Wat- There had been fears Froome, Froome in full training in bright run in the Premier League and he has put together a remarkable three years ago. ford goalkeeper Ben Foster rarely who turns 35 in May, would strug- orange training shirt alongide the further damage Spurs’ Champions run of results to lift the club out of It was the visitors who settled looked troubled. gle to be fit for the 2020 Tour when promising English all-rounder Tao League ambitions. the relegation zone. he showed up for the route unveil- Geoghegan Hart.