FFORMULAORMULA 1 | Page 4 FFOOTBALLOOTBALL | Page 6 Australian Guardiola GP will be dedicates postponed, derby win to says Stroll City legend Bell

Friday, January 8, 2021 Jumada I 24, 1442 AH Pucovski, GULF TIMES Labuschagne 50s put Aussies on top SPORT Page 2 HORSE RACING Big day for Umm Qarn, De Mieulle as Aahil, Tayf win Frenchman saddles four winners; Eaz Qatar wins His Highness Sheikh Abdullah Bin Khalifa Al Thani Silver Cup

By Mikhil Bhat Doha

he colours of His High- ness Sheikh Abdullah bin Khalifa al-Thani’s Umm Qarn fl ew high at the eponymousT race meeting as Aahil and Tayf landed the local Arabian and Arabian features respectively at Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club’s Al Rayyan Park yesterday. Trainer Alban de Mieulle consolidated his top spot in the trainers’ championship with four wins yesterday, including the two feature winners, with Ronan Thomas riding all of the French- man’s winners. In the QR500,000 mile-long His Highness Sheikh Abdul- lah Bin Khalifa Al Thani Trophy Qatar and Asian Equestrian Federations President, and QREC Vice- for local Arabians, Aahil never Qatar and Asian Equestrian Federations President, and Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club Vice-Chairman Hamad bin Abdulrahman al-Attiyah Chairman Hamad bin Abdulrahman al-Attiyah (right) presents the looked under any threat as Tho- (centre) with the winners of His Highness Sheikh Abdullah Bin Khalifa Al Thani Trophy after Umm Qarn’s Aahil won the mile-long feature at Al owner’s trophy after Eaz Qatar won the His Highness Sheikh Abdullah mas guided him up front early on Rayyan Park yesterday. PICTURES: Juhaim Bin Khalifa Al Thani Silver Cup yesterday. and then had a healthy gap over the competition right till the end, for local Thoroughbreds, and 1. Ateej (Marco Casamento), 2. eventually winning by more than Patrice Alexandre Nicolet’s Top Kasser (JP Guillabmert), 3. R B four lengths. Stablemate Sealine, Max in the Umm Qarn Trophy for Kindle (Alberto Sanna), 4. Barra ridden by Soufi ane Saadi, man- Thoroughbreds. (Ronan Thomas). Won by: 1 ¼, Nk, aged to cover a lot of distance Equinoxe completed a hat- 4. Time: 1:08.52. Owner: Mo- on the straight as he edged out trick of victories when he won a hamed bin Ahmed bin Mohamed Tomas Lukasek-ridden Ghali Al scintillating duel with Al Jeryan al-Attiyah. Trainer: Jassim Ghazali. Athman by a short head for the Stud’s Al Lusail, ridden by Alber- Race 7: His Highness Sheikh runner-up spot. to Sanna, in the closing stages of Abdullah Bin Khalifa Al Thani In the penultimate race of the mile-long run for four-year- Silver Cup - Purebred Arabians - the day, the QR300,000 run for old and older horses. 4 Year Olds - (Distance: 2200m) four-year-old and older Arabi- Thomas and Top Max entered 1. Eaz Qatar (Alberto Sanna), 2. ans, the reigning Qatar Arabian the winner’s circle half an hour Antar (Ronan Thomas), 3. Dawi World Cup champion Tayf beat later with the fi ve-year-old reg- (Francois Herholdt), 4. Ragdan the Doha Triple Crown winner istering his fi rst win in Qatar. A (Tomas Lukasek). Won by: ½, ¾, Nk. Ebraz, owned by His Highness fi ve-time winner in France, Top Time: 2:29.26. Owner: His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Khalifa Max beat the classy Pazeer by two- Sheikh Mohamed bin Khalifa al- al-Thani and trained by Julian and-a-half lengths in the 2000m Ronan Thomas rides Tayf to victory in the His Highness Sheikh Alberto Sanna (left) rides Eaz Qatar to His Highness Sheikh Abdullah Thani. Trainer: Julian Smart. Smart, in a top quality His High- run, impressively following up his Abdullah Bin Khalifa Al Thani Cup (Group 2 PA) yesterday. Bin Khalifa Al Thani Silver Cup victory yesterday. Race 8: His Highness Sheikh ness Sheikh Abdullah Bin Khalifa frame fi nish last time round. Abdullah Bin Khalifa Al Thani Al Thani Cup (Group 2 PA). Mohamed bin Ahmed al-At- Thoroughbred Novice event. oughbred handicap over seven Henrique), 2. Al Mohalhal (Saleh 1. Equinoxe (Ronan Thomas), 2. Cup (Group 2 PA) - Purebred The colours of Sheikh Mo- tiyah’s versatile eight-year-old Abdullah bin Ali bin Khalifa al- furlongs, in a thrilling fi nish. Skip Salem al-Marri), 3. Make A Wish Al Lusail (Alberto Sanna), 3. Sha- Arabians - 4 Year Olds & Older - hamed and Smart had a winner in Ateej, won for the fi rst time since Attiyah’s Karbasann led a one- The Queue edged out Saleh Salem (Marco Casamento), 4. Fuwayrit man Bu Thaila (Tomas Lukasek), (Distance: 1600m) the fi lly Eaz Qatar that landed the October 2019 with Marco Casa- two for Qatari trainer Ibrahim al- al-Marri-ridden Al Mohalhal by a (Alberto Sanna). Won by: Hd, 1 ¾, 4. Mosayter (Michael Forest). 1. Tayf (Ronan Thomas), 2. Ebraz His Highness Sheikh Abdullah mento guiding the AF AlBahar Malki when the gelding landed head for the victory. No. Time: 1:23.73. Owner: Ibrahim Won by: ½, 6 ¼, Nk. Time: 1:37.27. (Tomas Lukasek), 3. Djalnor (JP Bin Khalifa Al Thani Silver Cup colt to his fi rst Group level suc- the Yasmeen Cup, a Thorough- Hassan al-Malki al-Jehani. Trainer: Owner: Umm Qarn. Trainer: Alban Guillambert), 4. Shalaa (Carlos for four-year-old Arabians. The cess yesterday. The AF AlBahar bred Handicap run. The four- RESULTS Hamad al-Jehani. de Mieulle. Henrique). Won by: 3 ¼, Nk, ½. Amer fi lly was victory, second in colt topped the Majd Al Arab P/A year-old was helmed to victory Race 1: Very Nice Name Cup Race 3: Yasmeen Cup - Race 5: Umm Qarn Trophy Time: 1:44.21. Owner: Umm Qarn. three career outings, by Alberto Sprinter Championship (Group on his Qatar debut by Soufi ane - Thoroughbred Novice Plate Thoroughbred Handicap (70- - Thoroughbreds (Distance: Trainer: Alban de Mieulle. Sanna in the 2200m run. 3 PA) with a little more than a Saadi, one-and-a-half lengths in (Distance: 1,600m) 90) (Distance: 1850m) 2000m) Race 9: His Highness Sheikh Eaz Qatar tracked early lead- length to spare, beating JP Guil- front of Killian Leonard-ridden 1. Rex Place (JP Guillambert), 2. 1. Karbasann (Soufiane Saadi), 2. 1. Top Max (Ronan Thomas), 2. Abdullah Bin Khalifa Al Thani ers on the rails before Sanna lambert-ridden Kasser for the Al Haitham. Markhor (Tomas Lukasek), 3. Cloak Al Haitham (Killian Leonard), 3. El Pazeer (Soufiane Saadi), 3. Pedro Trophy - Local Purebred upped the pace coming off the win. Hamad al-Jehani’s busy ward, And Dagger (Soufiane Saadi), 4. Patron (Ali Khalid al-Mosallam), Cara (Alberto Sanna), 4. Hayzum Arabians - 4 Year Olds & Older - fi nal bend. As the fi eld widened, The win was second yesterday Skip The Queue, who lined for the Harry Hotspur (Killian Leonard). 4. Saint Roch (Tomas Lukasek). (Michael Forest). Won by: 2 ½, ¾, (Distance: 1600m) Sanna and his partner went neck for trainer Jassim Ghazali. Ear- 11th time this season yesterday, Won by: ¾, 1, 1. Time: 1:36.61. Owner: Won by: 1 ½, 2 ¾, Nk. Time: 1:54.72. ½. Time: 2:03.42. Owner: Patrice 1. Aahil (Ronan Thomas), 2. to neck with Umm Qarn’s Antar lier, Hamad bin Abdulrahman entered the winner’s circle for the Hamad bin Abdulrahman al- Owner: Abdullah bin Ali bin Alexandre Nicolet. Trainer: Alban Sealine (Soufiane Saadi), 3. Ghali and held a slight advantage, win- al-Attiyah’s Rex Place landed his second time this term. Ridden by Attiyah. Trainer: Jassim Ghazali. Khalifa al-Attiyah. Trainer: Ibrahim de Mieulle. Al Athman (Tomas Lukasek), 4. ning eventually by half-a-length. second career win within a year Carlos Henrique in the colours Race 2: Charm Spirit Cup - Saeed al-Malki. Race 6: Majd Al Arab P/A AJS Moaddie (Alberto Sanna). Earlier, De Mieulle had two when Guillambert rode the fi ve- of Ibrahim Hassan al-Malki al- Thoroughbred Handicap (70- Race 4: French King Cup - Local Sprinter Championship (Group Won by: 4 ¼, Shd, Shd. Time: more winners – Umm Qarn’s year-old to a close win in the Very Jehani, the Acclamation colt won 90) (Distance: 1400m) Thoroughbreds - 4 Year Olds & 3 PA) - 4 Year Olds & Older - 1:44.64. Owner: Umm Qarn. Equinoxe in the French King Cup Nice Name Cup, a mile-long the Charm Spirit Cup, a Thor- 1. Skip The Queue (Carlos Older - (Distance: 1600m) (Distance: 1100m) Trainer: Alban de Mieulle.

MOTORSPORT Peterhansel extends Dakar advantage, al-Attiyah stays second Reuters tari, a triple Dakar winner, by six a slow puncture which we had to Including the prologue, he was London, United Kingdom minutes and 11 seconds. infl ate. The last 120k in the dunes the sixth diff erent leader of this Spain’s defending champion was really, really diffi cult.” year’s event. Carlos Sainz, Peterhansel’s Mini Compatriot and teammate “On one dune I jumped, a big tephane Peterhansel ex- teammate, remained third overall Brian Baragwanath was second jump, and I crashed because tended his Dakar Rally lead but trailing the leader by 48 min- on the stage. I hit another big one with the in Saudi Arabia yester- utes after ending the stage ninth. In the motorcycle category, front wheel... I cut myself too day in a fi fth stage won by “Since the beginning things Argentine Kevin Benavides won and started to lose a lot of blood. SouthS African Giniel De Villiers. really were not going our way, the stage and took the lead de- There was also some pain around The Frenchman, known as ‘Mr but today everything seemed to spite falling and suff ering a sus- my ankle,” said Benavides. Dakar’ for his record 13 wins on click,” said Toyota’s De Villiers, pected broken nose. “In the end, I continued and two wheels and four, was third Dakar winner with Volkswagen in The Honda rider fi nished al- kept pushing with a lot of pain, on the 456km stage from Riyadh 2009 when the event was held in most eight minutes ahead of so, yeah, it was really hard for me to Al Qaisumah with closest ri- South America. overnight leader Xavier De Soul- today. My nose is broken and also val Nasser al-Attiyah fourth in a “This morning we went a lit- trait, on a Husqvarna, to lead I broke the helmet... I think I’ll be Toyota. tle bit wrong, but not too seri- by two minutes and 31 seconds OK for tomorrow. I’m in pain, but Qatar’s Nasser Saleh al-Attiyah and co-driver Matthieu Baumel of France in action during stage five of the Peterhansel now leads the Qa- ous. Then we just had to manage overall. it will be OK.” Dakar Rally between Riyadh and Al Qaisumah in Saudi Arabia yesterday. (Reuters) Gulf Times 2 Friday, January 8, 2021 CRICKET

REPORT Pucovski, Labuschagne 50s

‘It was a pretty incredible experience, it put Australia on top meant everything to me to be honest’

AFP Sydney Teary-eyed Siraj remembers late ebutant Will Pucov- father during national anthem ski and Marnus La- buschagne smacked Fast bowler Mohamed Siraj half-centuries as Aus- could not hold back the tears traliaD recovered from an early as India’s national anthem setback to build a promising fi rst played before the start of the innings in the rain-hit third Test third Test in Australia yester- against India yesterday. day, and he revealed later that Following David Warner’s thoughts of his late father had departure for fi ve, the hosts re- overcome him. covered to 166 for two at stumps TV cameras zoomed in on the after more than three hours’ play teary-eyed Siraj, and the im- was lost due to persistent drizzle ages soon went viral. at the Sydney Cricket Ground. The 26-year-old, who made a Labuschagne was startling debut in the second 67 while Steve Smith, who has Test victory when he took struggled for runs this series, hit five wickets, made the tough an attacking unbeaten 31. Pu- decision to stay with the Indian covski contributed 62 in an im- squad after his father died in pressive maiden Test innings. November. “At the time of the Fellow debutant Navdeep national anthem I remembered Saini and Mohamed Siraj, in my dad,” Siraj told reporters at only his second Test, shared the the end of the day’s play and he wickets in a clash both sides are had claimed the first wicket to desperate to win with the four- fall. “He wanted to see me play match series level at 1-1. for India and today After Tim Paine won he would have been proud had the toss and chose to bat in front he been alive.” of 8,692 socially-distanced fans, Siraj’s father died on November just under the quarter of capac- 20 as India prepared for the ity allowed, the rain started fall- start of their tour. ing 35 minutes into the opening The bowler, who also plays for session. Royal Challengers Bangalore It was enough time for Siraj to in the Indian Premier League, grab the key wicket of Warner on stayed in the team’s secure his return from injury, caught by bubble despite an off er to fly Cheteshwar Pujara to put Aus- home. tralia on the back foot. Siraj praised his father, an But a 100-run partnership auto-rickshaw driver from the between Pucovski and La- southern city of Hyderabad, for buschagne swung the momen- backing his dream to become a tum back in Australia’s favour top cricketer. before the 22-year-old fell lbw His tears inspired many com- to Saini. ments on social media. “It was a pretty incredible ex- Former India opener Wasim perience, it meant everything to Jaff er used a quote from ex- me to be honest,” said Pucovski India captain Mahendra Singh on making his debut. Dhoni: “Even if there’s little or “It was a very nice batting no crowd to cheer you on, no wicket and I’m hopeful with the better motivation than play- amount of batting that’s in now ing for India,” Jaff er wrote on and what we’ve got to come that Twitter. we can post a really good total. Another former Test player, “And then with the world- Mohamed Kaif, posted an im- class attack that we have, we can age of Siraj wiping away tears really put them under the pump adding: “I just want certain peo- and dominate the game.” ple to remember this picture. The patient Labuschagne, He is Siraj Mohammed and this who has been Australia’s best Australian batsmen Will Pucovski (left) and Marnus Labuschagne run between the wickets on day one of is what the national anthem batsman this series, survived an the third Test against India at the Sydney Cricket Ground yesterday. (AFP) means to him.” edge off Jasprit Bumrah on 11, The two sides went into the India’s Mohamed Siraj celebrates after taking the wicket of Australia’s which just failed to carry to slip, Smith. “It was good to get a cou- India tried to unsettle him seemed to have caught it, but third of the four-match series David Warner on day one of the third Test at the Sydney Cricket but was otherwise authoritative. ple of boundaries early.” early on with short balls and he replays showed the ball hit the level at 1-1. Ground yesterday. (AFP) He brought up his ninth Test rode his luck, being dropped ground fi rst. 50 with a boundary off Siraj, DROPPED CATCHES twice. The fi rst came on 26 when He then survived a run-out while Smith looked in ominous Pucovski resumed on 14 and Ravi Ashwin enticed a thin edge, opportunity after a misunder- fi rst two Tests in Adelaide and touch at the other end after fail- Labuschagne two when play fi - only for wicketkeeper Rishabh standing with Labuschagne, with a groin injury Scorecard ing to reach double fi gures in his nally restarted at 3pm after the Pant to miss what should have but refocused to bring up his 50 and his return was highly antici- AUSTRALIA 1st innings Total (two wickets, 55 overs) 166 four previous innings. lengthy rain delay. been a simple catch. with a boundary off Saini. But pated. But he didn’t last long. D. Warner c Pujara b Siraj 5 Fall of wickets: 1-6 (Warner), The former captain hit fi ve Australia have high hopes for Three overs later and Pant did Saini, in the team for the injured He showed intent with a two W. Pucovski lbw b Saini 62 2-106 (Pucovski) boundaries in his 31 which came Pucovski, who scored two dou- it again. Umesh Yadav, fi nally snared his off his fi rst ball but his natural off 64 balls. ble centuries in the Sheffi eld Pucovski, on 32, got a glove fi rst Test wicket, trapping Pu- aggression quickly brought him M. Labuschagne not out 67 Bowlers: Bumrah 14-3-30-0, “Nice to spend a bit of time Shield this season but had been to a rising Siraj ball and as Pant covski to snap what was shaping undone, swinging at a full Siraj S. Smith not out 31 Siraj 14-3-46-1, Ashwin 17-1-56-0, Saini 7-0-32-1, Jadeja 3-2-2-0. out there and nice to stitch in a sidelined with a concussion, the dived, the ball popped out of his as a dangerous partnership. delivery which took at outside Extras (nb1) 1 partnership with Marnus,” said ninth of his short career. hand. He made another grab and Veteran Warner missed the edge and fl ew to Pujara at slip.

FOCUS Pant’s Sydney slip-ups highlight India’s keeping dilemma

Reuters test in Adelaide but Pant Ganguly Sydney replaced him in Melbourne and has retained his place in discharged Sydney. ishabh Pant dropped Pant averages 0.86 dropped aft er angioplasty two catches in the third catches per Test played since test against Australia 2018, which is worst among all Former India captain Sourav yesterday, giving fur- the keepers who have played 10 Ganguly has been discharged therR ammunition to detractors matches in that time, according from a Kolkata hospital where he who say he should be dropped as to CricViz, which specialises in underwent angioplasty over the India’s Test wicketkeeper in fa- cricket data analysis. weekend, the Indian cricket board vour of Wriddhiman Saha. Pant’s catch success percent- (BCCI) said yetserday. Since Pant’s test debut in age against spin (56%) is signifi - Ganguly, also the BCCI president, 2018, India have faced the di- cantly lower than against pace was hospitalised on Saturday after lemma whether to pick 36-year- (93%), it said. he complained of chest discomfort old Saha, considered technically The wicketkeeper was trolled while exercising on a tread mill at the best glovesman in India, or on social media after his slip- his home gym. Pant who is far more fl amboyant ups but teammate Siraj off ered “I thank the doctors at the hospital with the bat. words of consolation. for the treatment,” Ganguly said Pant’s keeping has been un- “It’s part of the game, we all to his fans waiting outside the der constant scrutiny and the drop catches,” Siraj said. hospital. stumper dropped Australia’s “Bowlers do get a little frus- “I am absolutely fine. Hopefully, I debutant opener Will Pucovski trated when catches are dropped will be ready to fly soon.” twice on the rain-hit opening but you can’t help it.” Ganguly’s return to activity may day of the third test to renew Former India stumper Parthiv off er clarity following media re- that debate. Patel detected a fl aw in Pant’s ports that the Indian cricket team, Pucovski was on 26 when he technique against spinners. currently in Australia, might refuse edged Ravichandran Ashwin “He was trying to catch with to play their final test in Brisbane but Pant, standing up to the off - hard hands,” Patel, who played if they were to be forced into strict spinner, spilled the catch. 25 tests and 38 ODIs between quarantine there. The opener had added an- 2002-2018, told Cricbuzz web- Skipper Ajinkya Rahane side- other six runs to his tally when site. stepped all questions about a he gloved a short delivery from “On a diffi cult track like this, potential Brisbane boycott on Mohamed Siraj and Pant scur- you have to try and catch with Wednesday and said such issues ried back and leapt but could not soft hands. Also, your fi ngers were for the “BCCI and the team complete the catch. should point downwards, and This combination of pictures shows India’s wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant dropping a catch off Australia’s Will Pucovski on the first day of the management”. Saha kept wickets in the fi rst not forward,” Patel added. third Test against Australia at the Sydney Cricket Ground in Sydney yesterday. (AFP) Gulf Times Friday, January 8, 2021 3 CRICKET

FOCUS SPOTLIGHT Bairstow says IPL experience key to Jamieson — modest ace SL spin test

AFP ting at number three but was Colombo open to playing in any position in the order. “I’ve batted in diff erent ngland’s Jonny places over a period of time. but ‘brutal’ bowler Bairstow said yes- Wherever it is I do bat, if I do terday that his expe- get the nod, hopefully I’m well rience of facing top enough equipped to make the spinnersE in the Indian Premier best of that opportunity,” said League has prepared him well Bairstow. for Sri Lanka’s pitches ahead “(The) last time I played in of his return to Test cricket. Sri Lanka, I got a hundred bat- Bairstow, a regular in the ting at three. I think I’ve bat- who put NZ on top limited-overs England side, ted a few times at three and last played a fi ve-day game in generally done alright there. December 2019 but is expect- If that is the case, then bring ‘He’s swinging the ball both ways as well. He’s a really special talent’ ed to make the starting XI in it on.” the two-Test series starting in The touring England team Galle on January 14. have slowly hit pace after an AFP Bairstow, 31, scored a cen- early setback when all-round- Christchurch tury in his last one-day in- er Moeen Ali tested positive ternational and then amassed for the coronavirus following 345 runs in the IPL Twenty20 the team’s arrival on Sunday. ess than a year into his tournament for Sunrisers Bairstow said team mem- Test career, Kyle Jamie- Hyderabad between Septem- bers have stayed in touch with son is already the toast of ber-November. Bairstow said Moeen, who is under isolation, New Zealand and being playing top spinners including through text messaging. Lcompared to the country’s crick- Rashid Khan, Mohamed Nabi “Everyone’s together. That’s eting greats, but despite stun- and Indian players in the Hy- been a strength of the team, ning fi gures he considers himself derabad squad for six to eight the unity. It’s been a real key still a work in progress. weeks in the IPL was “great, to throughout this whole period The towering fast bowler be honest”. of Covid,” he said. made his debut last February “Coming into similar con- Sri Lanka will be back home against India on a grey Welling- ditions, we haven’t got a long Friday after their 2-0 series ton day when regular fi rebrand run-in,” the wicketkeeper- loss in South Africa, but will Neil Wagner was on paternity batsman told reporters after not have to undergo the 14- leave. his team’s second training ses- day quarantine as they travel Eleven overs into the Test he sion in Hambantota. from “bubble to bubble”. was called up to bowl and 15 de- “So calling those experi- Bairstow said living in a liveries later had the fi rst of his ences, whether that be when bubble was tough, with Eng- four wickets in the innings with we went to Bangladesh, when land slated to play 17 Tests in Cheteshwar Pujara caught be- we went to playing India or 2021. hind. another couple of tours – they “Hopefully when the vac- Six Tests on, all on New Zea- all come into it.” cine starts getting deployed, land’s green, bowl-fi rst wickets, Bairstow, who has played 70 it will obviously make things Jamieson has taken 36 wickets at Tests at a batting average of slightly easier,” he said. “But a stunning 13.27 average and has under 35, said he enjoys bat- bubble life is not easy.” four fi ve-wicket bags. His 11-wicket, man-of-the- match performance in this week’s innings defeat of Paki- stan helped put New Zealand on top of the world rankings for the fi rst time. “Brilliant fi gures,” purred the International Cricket Coun- cil on Twitter, while cricketing authority Wisden called Jamie- son “a special fi nd for New Zea- land” with his “brutal” bowling. The most talked-about fea- ture is the 26-year-old’s height at 2.3 metres (6ft 8in) and the New Zealand’s Kyle Jamieson (second right) celebrates with teammates on day four of the second Test against Pakistan at Hagley Oval in extraordinary bounce he gener- Christchurch on Wednesday. (AFP) ates when he bangs the ball into the wicket. to be part of this group and to cial talent but the way he’s come it swung in late and stormed be- ways and in diff erent conditions But he is no one-trick pony, help in some small way in us in (and) just tried to add to the tween bat and pad. that won’t necessarily always with a repertoire that includes winning games.” group, whether that’s on the It was a special delivery be helpful. In terms of diff erent full and short deliveries as well fi eld or off the fi eld, has been the Jamieson had worked on during deliveries and diff erent formats as swing and seam movement ‘IMPRESSIVE’ ATTITUDE most impressive thing. the year and he said there was you’ve got white-ball cricket which were all on display in his New Zealand captain Kane Wil- “In a lot of ways he’s leading still a lot more he needed to do to and there’s diff erent variations 11 for 117 against Pakistan in liamson said Jamieson’s height as well.” improve his game. there. Christchurch. was his most obvious attribute, Although Williamson’s 238 “I’m a long way off the crick- “There’s nothing specifi c but Only Richard Hadlee and but there was much more to the set up New Zealand’s win by an eter I want to be. I’m 12 months you’re always trying to improve Daniel Vettori have produced modest 26-year-old. innings and 176 runs, Pakistan into my international career and your game and those things better fi gures for New Zealand. “The most noticeable thing is captain Mohamed Rizwan sin- it’s a long process and hopefully kind of pop up from time to “It’s kind of weird when you height. Coming from that tra- gled out Jamieson as “the only I’ve got another nine-10 years in time.” say it. Those two guys are leg- jectory and getting that extra diff erence” between the two this group and if that happens While the focus has been ends of New Zealand cricket and bounce is a real asset, but the sides saying “he took too many there could be a wee bit more to on Jamieson’s bowling he has I’ve just played my sixth Test,” most impressive thing is his at- wickets”. come. also proven himself an effi cient Jamieson said. titude,” Williamson said. Jamieson bowled Rizwan in “There’s always things you’re number eight batsman, with an “It’s nice to be in and around “He’s swinging the ball both the second innings with a ball trying to work on. It’s nice to average of 56.50 from six innings those names but I’m just happy ways as well. He’s a really spe- heading outside off stump until be able to move the ball both including two not outs.

BOTTOMLINE England’s Crawley up for more bubbles to play Test

AFP subcontinent is a great win and obvious- Colombo ly we need the win with the Test Cham- pionship to get to the fi nal at Lord’s,” said England Women to Crawley. tour Pakistan for fi rst ngland batsman Zak Crawley “It is a build-up to India – but we’ve said he feels no pressure playing got to take Sri Lanka fi rst. If we don’t win time in October cricket in a bubble and views a that we’re going to be struggling to get to possible series win in Sri Lanka Lord’s.” England Women will tour Pakistan for the asE a decisive step towards the Test cham- Crawley, a top-order batsman made an first time to play three one-day and two pionship fi nal. early impression in his eighth Test after T20 internationals in October, off icials All-rounder Moeen Ali tested posi- notching a career-high 267 in a series from both countries announced yesterday. tive for Covid-19 after the touring side win against Pakistan in Southampton The two T20 games will be played in landed in the island nation on Sunday in August. The 22-year-old Kent bats- Karachi on October 14 and 15 as double- for a two-Test series starting January 14. man is expected to open in the absence of headers alongside the men’s team, who The rest of the team returned negative Rory Burns, who missed the tour due to are set to visit Pakistan for the first time tests and went through their fi rst train- the birth of his fi rst child, and is looking in 16 years. Heather Knight’s side will then ing session in Hambantota in the south forward to the opportunity. “I haven’t remain in Karachi to compete in three of the island. been told anything yet but I assume that ODIs on October 18, 20 and 22. “It’s fi ne to be honest. You wouldn’t might be the case (opening the batting),” “The England Women’s cricket team has choose it but it’s the situation we are he said. never toured Pakistan before so this is in,” Crawley told reporters in a virtual “I’m happy to bat in any of those po- another important step in our history and chat from his hotel room in Hambantota. sitions but I think it’s quite likely I will journey,” said Clare Connor, the England “When we are out of quarantine we have open and I’m looking forward to that.” and Wales Cricket Board Managing Direc- a good laugh and we are out here playing Crawley scored a in his team’s tor of Women’s Cricket. cricket in the sun so it doesn’t get better warm-up game in Sri Lanka last year “Not only will this be a cricket tour that than that. “I am absolutely loving it. Not before the match and the tour was can- provides valuable competitive opportu- feeling any pressure in the bubble for me celled due to the pandemic. nity to both teams, it should also serve as – it is what it is. I have accepted that this He also handled Pakistan spinner Yasir another powerful and positive message is how we are going to play Test cricket Shah with aplomb during his marathon as we drive forward our equality ambi- and I would do a lot more bubbles to play innings last year and said it gives him tions for more women and girls to derive Test cricket.” confi dence to tackle spin in the sub-con- empowerment through the sport.” England, led by Joe Root, are placed tinent. “He’s a great bowler and I man- Pakistan and England last met in the fourth in the inaugural Test champion- aged to play him quite well - that gave me Women’s T20 World Cup in Australia last ship table led by New Zealand. Australia quite a bit of confi dence,” he said. year, with England winning by 42 runs. and India are second and third. “They’re all (sub-continent spin- “I am confident the women’s tour will open Crawley, who made his Test debut in ners) quite skiddy bowlers compared to up opportunities for future tours that will November 2019, believes a win in Sri English bowlers and Australian spinners further contribute in promoting women’s Lanka would improve their chances to maybe. Hopefully I can take some of the cricket in Pakistan,” said Pakistan Cricket be in the top two before travelling to In- stuff I learned in the summer against Board Chief Executive Wasim Khan. dia for four Tests. “Any series win in the them.” Gulf Times 4 Friday, January 8, 2021 SPORT

TENNIS ATHLETICS Barty returns to action for Australian Open warmup Kandie gunning for

Reuters part of the Melbourne Summer quarantine before playing the Melbourne, Australia Series. warm-up events, which will be 10,000m glory for The Gippsland Trophy and held at Melbourne Park. Yarra Valley Classic, named af- Top men’s players like Aus- orld number one ter regions in the state of Victo- tralian Open champion Novak Kenya in Tokyo Ashleigh Barty ria, will include 49 of the top 50 Djokovic and world number two will return to com- women players. Rafa Nadal will represent their Reuters go one better than Paul Tergat petitive tennis af- The top 32 players will be countries in the 12-team ATP Bengaluru, India and Paul Tanui, who won silver Wter a lengthy hiatus due to the split across the two events, with Cup from Feb. 1-5 with those in 2000 and 2016 respectively. Covid-19 pandemic when she each featuring 64-singles and unable to make the cut divided “I have the drive to prove to headlines two WTA tourna- 32-doubles draws. into two ATP 250 tournaments. enya’s half marathon the world that I can also perform ments in Melbourne ahead of American Serena Williams, The Great Ocean Road Open record holder Kibi- in track, that is why I made a de- the Australian Open, organisers 39, will also return to com- and Murray River Open will wott Kandie says he cision to compete in a 10,000m said yesterday. petitive action after exiting the feature players including Grand is shifting his focus to event with the aim of securing an The 24-year-old Queens- French Open with an injury and Slam winner Stan Wawrinka and theK 10,000 metres as he looks to Olympic ticket,” Kandie told the lander has not played a match would hope to get some matches local hope Nick Kyrgios. earn a ticket for this year’s To- Xinhua news agency. since February, opting not to The pandemic is still aff ect- Barty, who held on to the top under her belt before embarking “While we know the circum- kyo Olympics and help end his “I will be more than happy to defend her French Open title ing the tennis calendar, with women’s singles ranking dur- on her bid for a record-equalling stances are unique this year, it country’s 53-year wait for a gold see the Kenyan fl ag being hoisted and also skipping the US Open the year’s fi rst Grand Slam at ing last year’s disrupted season, 24th major title. is a huge coup to secure such medal in the event. for the 10,000m in Tokyo. in New York as the novel coro- Melbourne Park to start on Feb- will play for the fi rst time in 11 Players will start arriving strong playing fi elds,” Cam- Kandie smashed the half “I know we, as a country, navirus wreaked havoc on global ruary 8, three weeks later than months at one of two WTA 500 Down Under from Jan. 15 and eron Pearson, head of TA major marathon world record by 29 haven’t posted the best results sport. planned. events from Jan. 31-Feb. 6 as undergo a mandatory 14-day events, said in a statement. seconds at the Valencia Half in 10,000m recently but I be- Marathon last month, fi nishing lieve with team work and early in 57 minutes and 32 seconds and preparations we will be able to FORMULA 1 breaking the previous record of achieve good results in the Tokyo 58:01 set by compatriot Geoff rey Games.” Kamworor in September 2019. The Tokyo Olympics are due to Kenya’s last Olympic gold in take place from July 23 to Aug. 8 the 10,000m came in 1968 when after being pushed back by a year Naftali Temu triumphed in Mex- because of the novel coronavirus Australian GP will ico City, and Kandie is hoping to pandemic. be postponed: Stroll ‘I do believe we’re in for a diff icult two or three months’

Reuters London, United Kingdom SPOTLIGHT

he Australian Grand Prix will be postponed to the Yastremska provisionally back end of the Formula One season with Bahrain suspended for doping, Treplacing it as the opening race in March, Aston Martin team owner Lawrence Stroll told Reuters. denies using drugs The move, due to the Cov- id-19 pandemic and quarantine Reuters restrictions, has been widely Bengaluru, India fl agged in the media but is yet to be confi rmed by Formula One or local organisers. kraine’s Dayana Yast- “Melbourne has been — it’s remska has been pro- not offi cially announced but it visionally suspended will be — not cancelled but post- after the World Anti- poned. We will go there some- DopingU Agency (WADA) found a time in the fall (autumn) and the banned substance in an out-of- fi rst race will be Bahrain,” said competition urine sample, the formance enhancing drugs and the Canadian billionaire. International Tennis Federation believes the positive test was the He was speaking ahead of the (ITF) said yesterday. result of a “contamination event”. announcement of a new team Yastremska, 20, provided “I’m astonished and under title sponsorship with IT com- the sample in November and a shock, particularly given that pany Cognizant. WADA lab in Montreal found the two weeks prior to this test... I Formula One teams agreed presence of mesterolone me- tested negative at the WTA event the change in a virtual meeting tabolite, an anabolic agent on its in Linz. After this last tourna- with Formula One’s new chief Prohibited List. ment of the year, I stopped prac- executive Stefano Domenicali “Yastremska was charged tising to rest prior to the start on Monday. with an Anti-Doping Rule Vio- of the new season,” she said in a Sources said the same meet- lation under Article 2.1 of the statement. ing also agreed for pre-season Programme (presence of a Pro- “Only a very low concentra- testing to move from Barcelona’s In this March 25, 2018, picture, cars go around the first corner at the start of the Australian GP at the Melbourne Grand Prix Circuit. (Reuters) hibited Substance in a Player’s tion of mesterolone metabolite Circuit de Catalunya to Bahrain, Sample) and was provisionally was detected in my urine. Given without setting a date. grands prix. gering diffi culties. “But Formula One manage- “I think the worst is behind us suspended with eff ect from Jan. that low concentration and given Last season’s race calendar Stroll, also executive chair- “I do believe we’re in for a dif- ment and the FIA, I really take and we’ve learnt through last year 7,” the ITF said. my negative test two weeks ear- had to be re-written due to the man of sportscar maker Aston fi cult two or three months,” said my hat off to them to deliver 17 how to proceed with this year.” “Yastremska had (and retains) lier, I have received scientifi c ad- global pandemic, with an even- Martin which is returning to F1 Stroll. “There is a light at the races as we did last year in 23 Stroll and his son Lance, who the right to apply to the Chair of vice that the result is consistent tual 17 rounds in Europe and the as a constructor for the fi rst time end of the tunnel with the vac- weeks, without really any ma- drives for Aston Martin, both the Independent Tribunal con- with some form of contamina- Middle East and some circuits in 60 years in a rebranding of the cine. I think the fi rst few races jor hiccups, in a very impressive tested positive for the virus last vened to hear her case why the tion event.” including Bahrain hosting two Racing Point team, expected lin- will be slightly challenging. manner. year. Provisional Suspension should The ITF did not say when Yas- not be imposed, but has chosen tremska’s hearing would take not to exercise that right to date.” place, putting her participation MOTOGP Yastremska, ranked 29 in the in the Feb. 8-21 Australian Open Indian rider Santosh fl own to world, denied having used per- in doubt. hospital aft er Dakar crash Boss Brivio leaves champs Suzuki Indian motorcycle rider CS Santosh was flown to hospital in Riyadh after a big crash during Wednesday’s Belgian Mertens pulls out of Abu Reuters iard Joan Mir winning the Mo- life memories.” fourth stage of the Dakar Rally in Saudi Arabia. Dhabi with shoulder injury London, United Kingdom toGP world championship in the Media reports have indicated The Hero team said the 37-year-old appeared to be absence of injured Honda rider Renault are planning a manage- stable. Media reports said he had been placed in an elgian Elise Mertens withdrew from the WTA 500 event Marc Marquez. ment shake-up at their rebranded induced coma. in Abu Dhabi yesterday with a right shoulder injury hours eam boss Davide Brivio “A new professional challenge team with current principal Cyril Husqvarna’s Dutch rider Paul Spierings told the ral- Bbefore her opening match of the 2021 tennis season, the announced his departure and opportunity suddenly came Abiteboul set to take on a more lymaniacs.com website that he and Italian Maurizio women’s governing body said. The world number 20 was drawn from MotoGP champions to me and in the end I decided to senior role with the brand. Gerini had managed to resuscitate Santosh before the to meet Frenchwoman Alize Cornet in her first round match in Suzuki yesterday amid take it. It has been a diffi cult de- There was no immediate com- emergency helicopter arrived. the season-opening event in the United Arab Emirates and will Tspeculation the Italian was head- cision,” Brivio said in a statement ment from the French carmaker. Santosh has completed three Dakars but had to with- be replaced by Greek lucky loser Valentini Grammatikopoulou. ing for a new senior role at the on the Suzuki team website. Suzuki project leader Shinichi draw last year after the death of his Portuguese team- Mertens, 25, also pulled out from the doubles, in which she was Renault-owned Alpine Formula “Achieving a MotoGP title is Sahara said Brivio’s departure mate Paulo Goncalves. to partner Belarusian Aryna Sabalenka, and would hope to regain One team. something that will remain in the was “shocking news” and a major Dutchman Edwin Straver also died as a result of injuries fitness ahead of the Australian Open Grand Slam, which starts in Brivio presided over a double Suzuki history books and it will blow to the Japanese manufac- on the 2020 Dakar. Melbourne from Feb. 8. title success last year, with Span- always have a special place in my turer.

Ireland appoint former captain COMMENT O’Connell as forwards coach

Reuters kick off their 2021 Six Nations World Rugby advised to implement checks on offi cials Bengaluru, India campaign against Wales in Cardiff . AFP victed of manslaughter in 2007, “All of the governance prac- “Paul brings a wealth of rugby Paris, France was appointed to the World tices, processes and procedures ormer Ireland captain Paul knowledge with him and as Rugby Council. we implement must be imple- O’Connell has joined Andy forwards coach he will have “We are undertaking this mented meaningfully with that FFarrell’s coaching team as responsibility for the forwards ormer British sports important and necessary proc- purpose in mind,” he added. forwards coach, Irish Rugby said including the line-out working minister Hugh Robert- ess with the ambition of imple- Robertson’s review, which yesterday. alongside John (Fogarty),” Farrell son has recommended menting and living the best- was launched in June and was O’Connell, who was capped 108 said in a statement. World Rugby introduce possible standards of good Beaumont’s idea, also advises the times and captained Ireland to “He will also be another strong aF fi t and proper person’s test for governance, furthering the ef- establishment of an ethics and their 2014 Six Nations triumph, voice and leader within the elected offi cials after accusa- fectiveness and diversity of our conduct charter for elected offi - will take up the new role im- group. tions of backroom deals in the structures, ensuring they re- cials, a target of at least 40 % of mediately, with Simon Easterby “Simon has a real passion for vote for a new chairman, the fl ect the values and universality women on committees and play- switching his focus to defence. defence and having developed rugby union’s world governing of the game,” Beaumont said of er representation throughout all Since retiring as a player in 2015, Ireland’s forward play over the body said yesterday. In this May 10, 2017, World Rugby chairman Bill Beaumont (left) and Robertson’s review in a World the committee structures. the 41-year-old O’Connell has past six years with the additional In July, lobby group Pacifi c deputy chairman Agustin Pichot pose during a press conference in Rugby statement. An update on the fi ndings held coaching roles with Munster responsibility for the defence Rugby Player Welfare (PRPW) Kyoto, Japan. (AFP) “We are heading in a very will be made to the World Rug- Academy, Ireland Under-20s and over the past 12 months, he will called for an independent re- encouraging direction — that by Council in May. Top 14 side Stade Francais. now be able to focus his energy view of the May election, when cited media reports claiming treatment in return for its vote. enables us to best achieve our New Zealand will host the He joins Farrell’s coaching staff and rugby intellect on this area incumbent chairman Bill Beau- the French Rugby Federation The organisation questioned purpose of growing the sport 2021 women’s Rugby World Cup exactly a month before Ireland of our game.” mont defeated pro-reform can- (FFR), which backed Beau- how Fiji Rugby Union chairman worldwide by making it more before France host the men’s didate Agustin Pichot. PRPW mont, off ered Fiji preferential Francis Kean, who was con- relevant and accessible. competition two years later. Gulf Times Friday, January 8, 2021 5 SPORT

NFL Brady brings vaunted record as Bucs visit Washington Reuters Brady said on Wednesday. gruesome leg injury in Novem- while McLaurin has an ankle New York “You get to this point in the ber 2018. Smith underwent 17 issue. Washington’s stingy de- year, you have to earn it. To win surgeries to save his leg before fense, led by Pro Bowl rookie this game, you’ve got to earn it. coming back with a fl ourish, defensive end Chase Young, om Brady’s postseason You’re playing against teams posting a 5-1 record as a starter ranked second in total yards al- resume is as attractive as that have really proven them- this season. lowed per game (304.6), second it is long, making it little selves to be the best teams in Washington answered a dis- in pass yards allowed (191.8) wonder why the Tampa their divisions all year.” mal 2-7 start by winning four in and fourth in points permit- TBay Buccaneers welcomed him Brady appears to have found a row en route to a 7-9 fi nish, ted (20.6). Young was quick to with open arms in the off season. his chemistry with his wideouts which was good enough for its call his shot on Sunday, when The six-time Super Bowl- on Tampa Bay’s third-ranked fi rst NFC East title since 2015. the 21-year-old was caught on winning quarterback looks to scoring off ense (30.8 points per “We don’t see them as a 7-9 camera saying: “Tom Brady, Tom add to his decorated postseason game), throwing for at least 341 team, we see them as a (5)-1 team Brady, I’m coming! I want Tom! I legacy on Saturday when the yards in fi ve of the last seven because every time Alex Smith want Tom.” fi fth-seeded Buccaneers visit games. All told, the 43-year-old has played, they went (5)-1 and Young doubled down on his the fourth-seeded Washington threw for 20 of his franchise- had a plus-three turnover mar- comments on Wednesday. Football Team in an NFC wild- record 40 touchdowns in that gin,” Tampa Bay coach Bruce Ar- “I play ball,” Young said. “I’m card game. span and even rushed for one to ians said. excited to go against the best. Brady is the NFL’s all-time help the Buccaneers fi nish with “It’s a diff erent team when The media - their job is to stir it leader in playoff wins (30), com- an 11-5 record. Alex is playing, and we know up. If you know me, I’m excited pletions (1,025), passing yards Whether Brady has star wide- that. We’re playing that (5)-1 for every game. Tom Brady, you (11,388) and touchdown passes out Mike Evans on Saturday is team, not that 7-9 team.” think I’m not excited to play (73), while his nine Super Bowl in question, however. Evans Smith was limited in practice against the G.O.A.T.? You trip- starts with the New England Pa- participated in a walkthrough on on Wednesday, leading to back- pin’. I’m not going to apologise triots are the most by any player Tuesday before sitting out the up Taylor Heinicke receiving for saying I want Tom. No, I in league history. following day as he attempts to fi rst-team reps. want every quarterback I play So while the Buccaneers are work his way past a knee injury. Rookie Antonio Gibson against.” set to play their fi rst postsea- Cornerback Carlton Davis (team-leading 795 yards, 11 son game since 2007, it’s old hat was able to practice in a limited rushing touchdowns) and Terry for Brady. And he had no issue capacity on Wednesday as he McLaurin (club-best 87 catches, Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ Tom stressing a sense of urgency for attempts to return from a two- 1,118 receiving yards) were also Brady drops back against Atlanta his team. game absence due to a groin in- listed as limited in practice on Falcons during the second half “I think that nothing is given jury. Speaking of injuries, Alex Wednesday. at Raymond James Stadium on – you have to earn everything,” Smith has rebounded from a Gibson is nursing a toe injury Sunday. (USA TODAY Sports)

NBA FOCUS Female bodybuilder with one leg captures 76ers resist Beal’s hearts in China

AFP me fall I cried, but then I got Shanghai used to it and I thought: you can bully me however you want, but I’ll be fi ne because I ears fi ll Gui Yuna’s eyes have a brave heart.” 60 to beat Wizards, as she describes losing Gui, who is from the south- her right leg in a road ern city of Nanning, was raised accident aged seven by her mother because her fa- Tand school bullies kicking ther died before she was born. away her crutch to make her The odds were stacked fall. But they would not dare against her but Gui’s athleti- do that now – the 35-year-old cism matched her determina- is a prize-winning bodybuilder tion and in 2001 she became Celtics top Heat and former Paralympian whose involved in paralympic sports, inspirational story has gone vi- going on to represent China at ral in China. the 2004 Games, fi nishing sev- ‘We play tonight’s game with a heavy heart after yesterday’s decision in Kenosha’ Gui, who competed in long enth in her long jump category. jump at the 2004 Athens Para- She also did high jump and lympics, is new to bodybuild- later archery, and took part in AFP ing but won the fi rst time she the torch relay for the 2008 Los Angeles competed in October. Beijing Summer Games and Images of her strutting on Paralympics. stage in a high-heel shoe and oel Embiid’s 38 points and 28 from bikini – all while leaning on her ‘THANKFUL FOR Seth Curry saw the Philadelphia crutch – featured heavily in HARDSHIPS’ 76ers withstand a 60-point per- Chinese media and won her a After retiring from competi- formance from Washington’s Bra- sizeable online following. tion in 2017 Gui endured yet dleyJ Beal in a 141-136 NBA win over the With her steely determina- more discrimination in the Wizards on Wednesday. tion and positive attitude she working world, rejected by Tobias Harris and Shake Milton scored has been feted as an inspiration employers who said she didn’t 19 points each and Ben Simmons added 17 in a country where disabled match their “image”. points and 12 assists as the 76ers notched people are all too often mar- “(They were) implying that their fi fth win in a row and pushed their ginalised. I’d damage their image,” she league-leading record to 7-1. “It’s possible that I won fi rst said. The Sixers led by as many as 21 points place not because of my pro- “I applied to nearly 20 com- in the third quarter, but the Wizards hung fessionalism or muscles, but panies and all of them said the around and knotted the score at 131-131 because of my confi dence and same thing.” with four minutes left to play. bravery to stand on the stage And while many online From there Philadelphia scored eight and show myself to everyone,” commended her after her straight points to pull away, the defeat Gui said. bodybuilding debut, where she more painful for the Wizards as Russell She spoke following an in- dazzled in a traditional high- Westbrook departed in the waning min- tense workout at a Shanghai necked qipao dress and beat utes with a hand injury after contributing gym, sessions that she regu- able-bodied rivals, there were 20 points, eight rebounds and 12 assists. larly posts to her 200,000 fol- a few dissenting voices telling lowers on TikTok. her to stay at home. Occasionally people on the RESULTS ‘THREE-LEGGED CAT’ street ask Gui what happened Charlotte 102-94 Atlanta Gui has almost no memory to her right leg and she is taken of the fateful day when she aback – missing a limb is so Boston 107-105 Miami was hit by a truck as she came normal to her now that she no New York 112-100 Utah home from school. longer thinks about it. Clippers 108-101 Golden State But she cannot forget how, Gui’s crutch is always close as a young child with only a at hand but she appears to have Sacramento 128-124 Chicago stump where her right leg used few troubles negotiating eve- Phoenix 123-115 Toronto to be, children at school tor- ryday life. Milwaukee 130-115 Detroit mented her by kicking away “Many people think that fate Oklahoma City 111-110 New Orleans her crutch or yanking away her was unkind to me, but I don’t chair as she sat down. think so,” said Gui, who after Indiana 114-107 Houston “They called me a cripple or the initial rejections is now a Orlando 105-94 Cleveland ‘three-legged cat,” said Gui, partner at a company special- Philadelphia 141-136 Washington tears welling in her eyes, even ising in home decoration. though this was nearly three “I am thankful for having The night’s 11 games played out hours decades ago. these hardships. after a mob of President Donald Trump’s “Most of the time it was “Why do I say that? Because supporters stormed the Capitol building abusive language like that and of this I grew up, it made my in Washington, forcing lawmakers to fl ee sometimes physical abuse. heart stronger and made me to safety and leaving one woman dead. “The fi rst time they made what I am today.” Around the league players and coaches Joel Embiid (left) of the Philadelphia 76ers dribbles past Ish Smith of the Washington Wizards during the fourth quarter of their NBA addressed the violence, as well as the de- game at Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Getty Images/AFP) cision a day earlier not to bring charges against the white police offi cer who shot Eastern Conference fi nals. drove to the basket and he crashed to the the Pelicans in New Orleans 111-110. Shai and paralysed African American Jacob The rematch saw the Celtics emerge court in obvious pain with what the team Gilgeous-Alexander led the Thunder with Blake in Wisconsin last August. from a close game with a 107-105 victory. later said was a torn anterior cruciate liga- 21 points and George Hill made two free “We play tonight’s game with a heavy Boston used a 10-0 scoring run to build ment. throws to seal the win with 12.1 seconds heart after yesterday’s decision in Keno- a 10-point lead with 1:17 remaining only Charlotte’s free-agent acquisition Gor- left to play. sha and knowing that protesters in our for the Heat to respond with a 10-0 run don Hayward scored a career-high 44 Zion Williamson’s 29 points paced the nation’s capital are treated diff erently by of their own before Celtics guard Payton points to propel the Hornets to a 102-94 Pelicans, who also had a triple-double of political leaders depending on what side Pritchard made a game-winning layup victory over the Hawks in Atlanta. 10 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists from of certain issues they are on,” players from with two-tenths of a second remaining. The Indiana Pacers, fueled by 35 points center Steven Adams of New Zealand, the Boston Celtics and Miami Heat said in Jimmy Butler led the Heat with 26 from Malcolm Brogdon, notched a 114- whose fi rst career triple-double came a joint statement before their game. points. Jayson Tatum paced the Celtics 107 win over the Houston Rockets, whose against his former team. “The drastic diff erence between the with 27 and Jaylen Brown added 21. star James Harden delivered a modest 15 With 21 points from both Kawhi Le- way protesters this past spring and sum- In Orlando, Terrence Ross scored 20 points and 12 assists. onard and Paul George, the Los Angeles mer were treated and the encouragement points and Dwayne Bacon added 19 to lead The Milwaukee Bucks, with 25 points Clippers held off the Golden State War- given to today’s protesters who acted ille- the Magic to a 105-94 victory over the from NBA Most Valuable Player Gian- riors 108-101 in San Francisco. gally just shows how much more work we Cleveland Cavaliers. nis Antetokounmpo, cruised to a 130-115 Warriors star Stephen Curry endured have to do.” But the victory was marred by a season- victory over the Detroit Pistons, who saw a tough shooting night, scoring just 13 The marquee matchup in Miami was ending knee injury to point guard Mar- Derrick Rose depart early with a right points after amassing 92 in his previous This photo taken on December 4, 2020, shows bodybuilder Gui the fi rst meeting between the teams since kelle Fultz in the fi rst quarter. knee contusion. two games, including his career-high 62 Yuna being assisted by her coach Zhu Liping as she lifts weights the Heat eliminated the Celtics in the Fultz’s knee appeared to give out as he The Oklahoma City Thunder edged against Portland on Sunday. at a gym in Shanghai. (AFP) Gulf Times 6 Friday, January 8, 2021 FOOTBALL

LEAGUE CUP Guardiola dedicates derby win to Man City legend Bell Stones and Fernandinho were the goalscorers for Guardiola’s men, who will face Tottenham in the final on April 25

AFP Any fears of a repeat of the goalless Manchester, United Kingdom draw between the sides last month in the league were quickly dispelled as both had goals ruled out inside the fi rst ep Guardiola dedicated Man- fi ve minutes. Stones breathed a sigh of chester City’s 2-0 win over relief when his own goal was chalked off Manchester United to reach a for off side by Marcus Rashford in the fourth consecutive League Cup build-up before Ilkay Gundogan was Pfi nal on Wednesday night to the family also denied by the off side fl ag. of Colin Bell, a day after the City great Zack Steff en was deputising for fi rst- died aged 74. John Stones and Fern- choice goalkeeper Ederson, who was andinho were the unlikely goalscorers one of City’s absentees due to a corona- for Guardiola’s men, who will face Jose virus outbreak, and the American pro- Mourinho’s Tottenham in the fi nal at duced an incredible save to deny Bruno Wembley on April 25. Bell scored 152 Fernandes his 16th goal of the season goals in 492 appearances for City dur- with a curling eff ort that was destined ing a 13-year career in which he won for the top corner. fi ve major trophies. City looked more like their old selves City players warmed up in number in a thrilling fi rst-half performance eight shirts in honour of Bell’s old to blow away Chelsea on Sunday and number. A minute’s silence was held they were inches away from the opener before kick-off with Bell’s former thanks to a stunning move that started teammate Mike Summerbee reduced to deep inside their own half and ended tears as he watched on from the stands. with Kevin De Bruyne smashing against “That’s for him and his family. This the post from the edge of the area. person helps to build something for this The deadlock was fi nally broken club,” said Guardiola. “It is an incred- fi ve minutes into the second half when ible victory for us to beat United away Stones cushioned in Foden’s free-kick and reach another fi nal and, especially with his thigh for his fi rst goal in three today, it is for him.” years. The England international’s poor City now have the chance to equal form saw him fall down the pecking Liverpool’s record between 1981 and order in recent seasons, but City have 1984 of winning four successive League now kept nine clean sheets in the 11 Cups. “I know the Carabao (League) games Stones has started this season as Cup is not the Champions League but he has formed a formidable partnership four times a row is incredible,” added with Ruben Dias. Guardiola. “I’m so impressed with the City’s issues this season have been at quality of this team.” the other end and they again failed to Mourinho was United boss the last make the most of their chances in the time they lifted a trophy in 2017 and second half. Joao Cancelo’s piledriver the Red Devils’ wait for silverware un- fl ew just over before Dean Henderson der Ole Gunnar Solskjaer goes on as made fi ne saves to deny Raheem Ster- they lost a fourth semi-fi nal in the past ling and Riyad Mahrez. two seasons. “It’s not psychological, Manchester City’s John Stones (right) celebrates after scoring against Manchester United in the League Cup semi-final at Old Traff ord, Manchester. (Reuters) However, Henderson could only sometimes you meet good teams in the watch as Fernandinho volleyed into semis,” said Solskjaer, whose side also “We met the best team in England much better Manchester United com- Both sides have hauled themselves ther manager took the opportunity to the bottom corner after United failed lost to City at this stage of the competi- and for me we didn’t have enough to- pared to a year ago in those semis, that’s back into contention for the Premier rest key players as both made just two to clear a corner for his fi rst goal in two tion last season. day. But we’re getting closer. This is a positive but not enough.” League title in recent weeks, but nei- changes from the weekend. years, seven minutes from time.

LA LIGA SPOTLIGHT Messi double gives Barcelona renewed hope Arsenal exit for Ozil could AFP be ‘best solution’: Arteta Madrid AFP London onald Koeman said Barcelona can still win La Liga after Lionel rsenal manager Mikel Messi scored twice on Wednes- Arteta says he is open day night in a 3-2 win over Ath- to Mesut Ozil leaving leticR Bilbao. Messi’s double helped Barca the Gunners this month reduce the gap behind La Liga’s leaders afterA freezing the German play- Atletico Madrid to seven points, even if maker out of his squad this sea- Atletico will be hard to catch, given they son. Despite reportedly being the also have two games in hand. highest earner at the club, Ozil Koeman admitted last week it would be has not featured since a 1-0 win “very diffi cult” to close the gap but was over West Ham on March 7. more optimistic after the victory at San The 32-year-old has only six Mames. “There is always a chance,” he months left on his contract and row if selected. said. “The season is very long and you can is now free to talk to other clubs Clubs can make changes to have ups and downs. It may be that one over a pre-contract agreement those squads after the Janu- team that is doing very well will later fi nd for next season. However, he ary transfer window, but Arteta it diffi cult.” could bring to an end his eight- hinted he is not likely to change Barca trailed to an early Inaki Wil- year stay in London in the com- his mind on Ozil’s exclusion even liams strike but responded with a slick ing weeks, with reports in Turkey if he remains at the Emirates for attacking performance that had Messi at saying Ozil is close to agreeing a another six months. the heart of it. It was his cross that led to deal with Fenerbahce. “We know that we have a re- Pedri’s equaliser and then the Argentin- “We will discuss internally ally important player who is one ian could have had a hat-trick, only for what the best situation for him of the key players in the past few VAR and the woodwork to intervene. is for the near future, obviously seasons for this football club,” But this was a vintage display from with the player and the agent too, added Arteta, who played along- the 33-year-old, perhaps his best of the and try to fi nd the best solution side Ozil for three seasons at Ar- season so far, at a time when his future Barcelona’s Lionel Messi (centre) attempts to get past Athletic Bilbao players during the La Liga match. (Reuters) for everyone,” said Arteta yester- senal before retiring in 2016. at Barcelona remains up in the air. Only day. “If something was sorted this “We have to make a decision. a late mistake took some of the shine off and his understanding with his captain. But Barcelona were invigorated. nicked the crossbar with a curling eff ort month, it’s because it is good for I had to make a decision and I Messi’s night, a poor pass allowing Iker Ousmane Dembele, meanwhile, enjoyed Sergino Dest should have scored after a from distance. both parties, it is good for Mesut made it. I knew the consequenc- Muniain to fi nish and make the result one of those virtuouso nights where his neat exchange between Messi and Anto- Bilbao were still in it and might have and his future, and it’s good for es of it and now we’re going to look closer than it was. speed, invention and confi dence made ine Griezmann before Pedri did, Messi’s equalised early in the second half, with the club. If that’s the case, we will have to make another one in Bilbao had scored in the third minute him look every bit like one of the world’s looping cross to the back post cushioned the lively Williams and Raul Garcia both move forward. If it’s not the case January. We will just (be) putting and the 90th, each time exposing Bar- most exciting players. “Everything starts back across for Pedri to nod in. going close. Yet their hopes were dashed the player will stay here.” the balance on what is the best celona’s defensive frailties that remain with the player himself,” said Koeman. Dembele was almost unplayable, drift- just after the hour when Messi struck Ozil was left out of Arsenal’s thing for the club and the best unsolved. Yet in between, Koeman’s team “He gives us a lot.” ing inside one minute and darting for- again. Premier League and Europa thing for the team, and what the were able to dictate the match and dem- Bilbao were playing their fi rst game ward the next but it was Pedri’s vision He sent the ball wide to Griezmann via League squads for this season, intentions of the player are, and onstrate why going forward they are still under new coach Marcelino Garcia Toral, that created Barca’s second. Messi sent Pedri and when the pass came to the near but is free to face Newcastle in we will try to fi nd the right solu- a force to be reckoned with. “The team is who led Valencia to win the last com- him through, the youngster cutting in- post Messi was there to stroke in off the the FA Cup third round tomor- tions for that.” growing, playing with more confi dence,” pleted Copa del Rey by beating Barca in side before seeing Messi behind him. crossbar. Messi could have had his hat- said Koeman. “Sometimes we look close the fi nal. He was springing off the bench Pedri backheeled, wrongfooting the trick but hit the post again when Dem- to our best.” and clenching his fi sts in the third minute Bilbao defence and goalkeeper, with Mes- bele’s cross was dummied by Griezmann FOCUS Pedri was excellent again, his sumptu- after Williams raced in behind, touching si sliding in the fi nish. Griezmann was before a misplaced Messi pass allowed ous backheel for Messi’s fi rst goal another inside the scrambling Clement Lenglet denied after more good work by Dembele Muniain to pull one back for Bilbao. It was indication of the 18-year-old’s talent before driving home. while Messi had a goal ruled out and then Messi’s fi rst mistake of the night. Zidane isolating due to ATLETICO DUMPED OUT OF COPA DEL REY BY THIRD-DIVISION CORNELLA contact’s Covid positive Reuters subsequently did not attend Real Madrid: La Liga leaders Atletico Sanchez was sent off in the “We apologise to the fans,” after being knocked out by Cul- Madrid with two games in hand, Madrid Madrid’s training session ahead Madrid crashed out of the Copa 63rd minute, while Saul Niguez said Saul. “We are the ones to tural Leonesa 12 months ago. could be without Felix against of tomorrow’s La Liga game away del Rey on Wednesday after had hit the crossbar in the first blame.” “The cup is not giving us Bilbao after Simeone confirmed to Osasuna. suff ering a shock second-round half. Diego Simeone also left Cornella had lost to Barce- much satisfaction,” said Sime- he took a knock to his ankle. eal Madrid coach Zin- Zidane tested negative yester- 1-0 defeat by third-division out some key players includ- lona’s second team in their one. Defender Jose Gimenez also edine Zidane is isolat- day morning but is self-isolating Cornella. Cornella sit seventh ing Luis Suarez, Koke, Marcos previous match in December It also comes as a jolt ahead went off injured early on and ing after a close contact as a precaution. The Frenchman in their Segunda B division, Llorente and Yannick Carrasco, and in a rare appearance in the of two tough games in La Liga now looks unlikely to feature of his tested positive for is now awaiting a result from the Spain’s third tier, but deserved a with Joao Felix taken off in the Copa del Rey’s last 32 in 2015 against Athletic Bilbao this tomorrow. Covid-19,R Spanish newspaper more accurate PCR test. historic win thanks to a volleyed second half when they needed they took a 9-1 drubbing on ag- weekend and then Sevilla, even Real Betis had earlier beaten ABC said yesterday. Real did not La Liga must approve his re- finish by Adrian Jimenez in the an equaliser. gregate by Real Madrid. A if one less competition could UD Mutilvera 3-1 to reach the immediately respond to a request turn to work as its protocols seventh minute. But Atletico also struggled tletico’s defeat makes it con- aid their title challenge in the next round while Levante, Elche for comment on the report. dictate that a person should iso- Atleti’s task became tougher for fluency and chances against secutive seasons they have lost coming months. Atletico, who and Granada also made it safely The story in ABC said Zidane late for three days and then get a when 20-year-old Ricard a far less prestigious opponent. to a third-tier side in the cup sit two points ahead of Real through. learned of the contact testing negative test before returning to positive yesterday morning and training or take part in a match. Gulf Times Friday, January 8, 2021 7 FOOTBALL

LIGUE 1 BUNDESLIGA Gnabry doubtful for Pochettino makes Bayern Munich AFP Berlin

ermany winger Serge Gnabry remains doubtful for Bayern Munich ahead of to- underwhelming Gday’s Bundesliga clash at Borus- sia Moenchengladbach where head coach Hansi Flick can join Pep Guardiola as the quickest to claim 100 league points with the European champions. Gnabry took a painful blow to the shin in last Sunday’s 5-2 win start as PSG draw at home to Mainz when lethargic defending left Bayern two-goals down before roaring back for a ‘Of course I’m disappointed because we’re PSG, we want to win today’ win which kept them two points clear. Should Gnabry miss out, AFP his place on the wing will go to Paris Kingsley Coman, who is back af- ter a thigh strain. Victory at Borussia Park would auricio Pochettino’s fi rst leave Flick on 100 points from match as Paris Saint-Ger- 39 league matches, equalling main coach ended in a 1-1 Guardiola who became the fi rst draw at Saint-Etienne on Bundesliga coach to reach the MWednesday night as his new team slipped milestone with 101 points from three points behind Ligue 1 leaders Lyon. his fi rst 39 games in charge of The defending league champions fell Bayern. Of a bigger concern to behind early on to Romain Hamouma’s Flick is Bayern’s habit of conced- but Moenchengladbach coach strike before Moise Kean levelled soon ing the opening goal in their last Marco Rose sees chances for his after, but laboured in the second half eight league games, fi ghting back side, who have won two of the and failed to fi nd a winner. “Of course each time for fi ve wins and three last four meetings with Bayern. I’m disappointed because we’re PSG, we draws. “I don’t like falling behind “Bayern like to defend very want to win, today” Pochettino said. “I’m — we need a diff erent attitude high because it helps them up happy with the eff ort made by the play- from the start,” Flick admitted front,” said Rose. “That creates ers, by their attitude.” yesterday. chances in other spaces to hit the The former Tottenham boss was only He wants to see “a diff er- opponent (on the break). It’s an confi rmed as Thomas Tuchel’s succes- ent dynamic, more intensity, open secret.” sor on Saturday, four days after the Ger- more conviction” because Bay- Flick pulled Joshua Kimmich man’s sacking was offi cially announced. ern “can’t just let the opponent out of midfi eld at half-time But the scale of the task facing the former run and then hope” goalkeeper against Mainz to shore up the PSG defender was laid out in front of him Manuel Neuer will make a save. defence, which turned the game at the Stade Geoff roy-Guichard as the The Bundesliga leaders have for Bayern. capital-city giants’ title defence suff ered conceded 21 goals in 14 league Kimmich is set to face Glad- another blow. games this season — more than bach back in the defensive mid- “This is just the beginning,” added the any other top six club. fi eld with Niklas Suele expected 48-year-old Pochettino. “We have to get The tally is not to Flick’s liking, to take his place at right-back. to know each other. It was diffi cult be- cause the preparation was too short. It’s positive but there are things to improve.” Lyon survived a late Lens comeback to extend their lead with a 3-2 win, with Boca, Santos play out tense Memphis Depay’s double proving crucial. PSG did move into second, above Lille on Libertadores stalemate goal diff erence, after Christophe Galtier’s Buenos Aires: Argentina’s Boca near post shot was pushed team slipped to a surprise 2-1 home loss Juniors and Santos of Brazil behind by Santos goalkeeper to Angers. played out a tense 0-0 draw at John Victor. Just after the hour Pochettino made just two changes to an empty Bombonera stadium mark, Santos enjoyed a spell the fi nal starting XI selected by Tuchel for in Buenos Aires on Wednesday of pressure but Marinho’s low the 4-0 win over Strasbourg before the in their Copa Libertadores semi- shot was saved by goalkeeper winter break, with Moise Kean and Id- final first leg tie. Esteban Andrada before Kaio rissa Gueye returning in place of Rafi nha Boca’s Colombian forward Jorge blazed over the bar. and Timothee Pembele. Sebastian Villa came closest With 15 minutes left Marinho PSG started well going forwards but to breaking the deadlock in appeared to be clearly fouled looked vulnerable at the back and were the first half but struck the in the box by Carlos Izquierdoz made to pay in the 19th minute as Gueye woodwork. but incredibly, despite the video carelessly lost possession on the edge of Paris Saint-Germain’s Argentinian coach Mauricio Pochettino (right) speaks to defender Marquinhos during the French Ligue 1 The winners following next assistant referee checking the his own area. Denis Bouanga had plenty match against Saint-Etienne at Geoff roy Guichard stadium in Saint-Etienne, France, on Wednesday. (AFP) week’s second leg in Brazil will incident, the referee waved of time to pick out Romain Hamouma, face either Brazilians Palmeiras away Santos’ penalty appeals. who tapped into the net. appeal turned down. PSG started to pile the fi rst 10 minutes for Angers at the Sta- victory at 10-man Lorient, with Aleksan- or Boca’s arch city rivals River Tevez curled an eff ort wide But the visitors wasted little time in on the pressure in the fi nal 15 minutes, de Pierre-Mauroy. Burak Yilmaz pulled dr Golovin and Kevin Volland among the Plate in the January 30 final at after cutting in from the left equalising as Kean repaid Pochettino’s with Angel Di Maria forcing home goal- one back before the interval but the away scorers. Rio de Janeiro’s Maracana sta- while deep into injury time Le- faith to score the fi rst goal of the Argen- keeper Jessy Moulin into a smart low stop side held on. dium. Palmeiras stunned 2018 onardo Jara was teed up on the tinian’s era, spinning and fi ring home after Kylian Mbappe’s clever dummy. Marseille boosted their title hopes, FRENCH LIGUE 1 RESULTS winners River 3-0 in Buenos edge of the area but lashed his after Marco Verratti’s pass. The Italian Substitute Pablo Sarabia wasted a golden though, as Dimitri Payet’s 80th-minute Brest 2 (Mounie 23, Honorat 28) Nice 0; Aires on Tuesday. eff ort well over as Boca finished striker has now scored 10 goals for PSG late chance in injury time, blazing over strike helped secure a 3-1 home success Nantes 0 Rennes 0; Metz 0 Bordeaux 0; Chances were at a premium strongly. since joining on loan from Everton in the with just Moulin to beat. against Montpellier. Andre-Villas Boas’ in the Bombonera that was Boca last won the Liberta- Lorient 2 (Moff i 31, Gravillon 67) Monaco close season. At Groupama Stadium, Lyon raced into men are fi fth, but only eight points be- devoid of spectators due to dores in 2007 but lost to River 5 (Disasi 9, Golovin 64, Volland 68, Diop But Les Verts, bidding to extend their a three-goal lead over Lens through De- hind Lyon with two games in hand. coronavirus restrictions. Villa in the epic 2019 final that had unbeaten run to seven matches, con- pay’s brace and a Steven Fortes own goal. Earlier on Wednesday, former France 78, Maripan 89); Strasbourg 5 (Ajorque crashed an early chance off the to be played in Madrid after the tinued to fi nd gaping holes in the away Rudi Garcia’s OL, who led the top fl ight at coach Raymond Domenech’s reign at 36, 51, Diallo 38, Lala 45+1-pen, Waris 90- woodwork after he was teed up original second leg was post- defence and Keylor Navas had to make a Christmas for the fi rst time since 2008, 17th-placed Nantes started with a drab pen) Nimes 0; Lyon 3 (Depay 39, 52-pen, by veteran former Manchester poned when Boca’s team bus smart, diving save to keep out Mathieu held on for a vital three points despite goalless draw against fourth-placed Fortes 46-og) Lens 2 (Sotoca 55, Doucore United, Manchester City and was attacked by River fans on Debuchy’s volley. Florian Sotoca and Cheick Oumar Dou- Rennes. “We have laid the fi rst stone,” 89); Reims 0 Dijon 0; Lille 1 (Yilmaz 42) Juventus star Carlos Tevez. the way to the stadium. Three Paris dominated possession early in the coure hitting back for Lens. said Domenech, who led France to the Angers 2 (Thomas 5, 10); Saint-Etienne Six-time winners Boca time champions Santos, the second period, but Saint-Etienne had the Lille, who were level on points with 2006 World Cup fi nal. “Now we must 1 (Hamouna 19) Paris Saint-Germain 1 threatened early in the second team Brazil great Pele played better chances, with Bouanga denied by Lyon heading into the day, dropped to continue to improve.” (Kean 22); Marseille 3 (Radonjic 41, Payet period when Eduardo Salvio’s for, last lifted the trophy in 2011. Navas and Hamouma having a penalty third as Romain Thomas scored twice in Monaco moved into fi fth with a 5-2 80, Germain 84) Montpellier 1 (Mollet 52)

SERIE A Chiesa scores brace as Juventus end AC Milan’s 27-game unbeaten run AFP The absence of the pair was a blow for 38 minutes following good work from Milan the side already without key players in- Mikkel Damsgaard, the Danish wing- cluding their injured top scorer Zlatan er sending the Senegalese forward Ibrahimovic for an eighth league game. through to coolly fi nish. ederico Chiesa scored a brace as Juventus pair Alex Sandro and Juan Stefan de Vrij’s header from a Marce- Juventus infl icted a fi rst league Cuadrado were also out with corona- lo Brozovic corner reduced the defi cit defeat this season on Serie A virus as the champions moved up to for the visitors. leaders AC Milan, ending their fourth, seven points behind Milan, but 27-matchF unbeaten run with a 3-1 win having played a game less. “I saw the D’AVERSA RETURNS AS PARMA on Wednesday night. Stefano Pioli’s spirit of a team that wants to lead and COACH AFTER FOUR MONTHS side maintained their one-point ad- win,” said Juventus coach Andrea Pirlo. Italian Roberto D’Aversa was yesterday vantage over city rivals Inter Milan who “This match was crucial for us.” reappointed coach of Serie A strugglers missed a chance to go top with a 2-1 loss Chiesa has come into his own for Parma just over four months after being at Sampdoria. Pirlo’s side who had been depend- replaced by Fabio Liverani. AC Milan had been unbeaten since ent on Cristiano Ronaldo’s goals this Liverani was sacked after Parma before the coronavirus lockdown last campaign. Paulo Dybala provided the dropped to 18th position in the league March, with a run of 12 matches with- assists for both Chiesa’s goals. Chiesa following their fourth consecutive de- out defeat to complete last season rattled the woodwork minutes before feat 3-0 against Atalanta midweek. where they fi nished sixth, and 15 games picking up a clever Dybala back-heel D’Aversa, 45, has been without a club this campaign. But Chiesa, who joined fl ick to fi nish off after 18 minutes. since Parma dismissed him on August from Fiorentina last October, bagged Rafael Leao send through for Davide 23 after winning just four of 13 games his fi rst brace for the champions, scor- Calabria to grab the equaliser four min- after the coronavirus lockdown. ing on 18 and 62 minutes in the San Siro utes before the break to keep Milan’s D’Aversa had taken over Parma with with Weston McKennie getting a third hopes alive. But Dybala again teeded up the team in Serie C, overseeing pro- with quarter of an hour to go. “This Chiesa to rifl e in the second before the motion to Serie B in 2017 and Serie A a defeat hurts,” said Pioli. “If there is an pair were replaced by McKennie and year later. Parma were among Italy’s top opponent against whom we have suf- Dejan Kulusevski. Kulusevski provided clubs in the 1990s under the ownership fered it is Juventus, who have won the the pull back for McKennie to seal the of dairy company Parmalat, winning Scudetto for nine years in a row. But victory after 76 minutes. three major European titles. understanding how bad you feel after a Inter’s eight-match winning streak Parmalat collapsed in 2003 follow- defeat will also help us grow.” came to an halt earlier under the rain in Juventus’ Federico Chiesa (right) scores against AC Milan during the Italian Serie A match in Milan on Wednesday. (AFP) ing a huge fi nancial fraud, and the club The hosts, chasing their fi rst ‘Scu- Genoa. Alexis Sanchez missed an early went bankrupt and were demoted to detto’ since 2011, had been hit hours penalty for Antonio Conte’s side who Inter’s leading scorer Romelu Lukaku but missed the chance to give the visi- 22 minutes, sending Samir Handanovic Serie D in 2015. Three successive pro- before kick-off with the news that for- were tripped up by goals from former started on the bench as the forward tors an early advantage with Emil Au- the wrong way after Samp were award- motions put them back in the top fl ight ward Ante Rebic and midfi elder Rade Inter players Antonio Candreva and recovers from a muscular problem. dero saving a penalty. But Candreva ed a penalty for a Nicolo Barella hand- in 2018, and they fi nished 11th in the Krunic had tested positive for Covid-19. Keita Balde. Sanchez started in the Belgian’s place made no mistake from the spot after ball. Keita Balde added a second after league last season. Friday, January 8, 2021 GULF TIMES FOOTBALL

QNB STARS LEAGUE Bounedjah scores four goals as Al Sadd rout Al Sailiya Hatem brace helps Al Rayyan beat Al Gharafa 2-1, Qatar SC continue fine run with a 3-1 win over bottom-placed Al Kharaitiyat

Al Sadd’s Baghdad Bounedjah (third left) celebrates with teammates after scoring against Al Sailiya in the QNB Stars League at the Jassim bin Hamad Stadium. Al Rayyan’s Abdel Aziz Hatem celebrates after scoring against Al Gharafa.

By Sports Reporter Abdulqadir Ilyas, under pressure from ever-alert Bounedjah who wasted no Bounedjah, showing great form, as- minute, but it didn’t prove costly for was equally fast to give an off -side rul- Doha Pedro Miguel near his own box, used his time and fi red a right-footed shot into sisted once again for the fourth goal by Laurent Blanc’s men. ing. The referee got the confi rmation toe end to send a curling shot towards the net from close range. picking out Nam inside the box. The After an underwhelming start, from the VAR as his celebration was Al Sadd keeper Meshaal Barsham fi ve In the 34th minute, Cazorla found Korean drilled the ball into the net from French coach Blanc registered his sec- shortlived. l Sadd put on a ruthless dis- minutes later. good pace and angle on his powerful close range. Shortly, Al Sadd jumped to ond victory with Rayyan in four match- Qatar SC sustained a bit more pres- play as the QNB Stars League In another quality move, Abdulqadir shot from the edge of the box, but Al a 5-0 cushion when Cazorla expertly es. Rayyan are sixth with 19 points, sure when Elmehdi Barrahma headed leaders slammed eight goals backheeled a short cross to Moham- Sailiya keeper Amine did well to parry defl ected a left-footed shot to the right while Al Gharafa slipped to fourth with home off a free-kick, but VAR ruled it past a hapless Al Sailiya at the med Rajeb stationed with open space to the ball. Amin, however, could do lit- of goalkeeper. 23 points. off -side in the 17th minute. In the 38th JassimA bin Hamad Stadium yesterday. shoot near the Al Sadd box. The tall Al tle when Al Sadd strike force combined In the 65th minute, Hassan al-Hay- Meanwhile, Qatar SC continued minute, an own goal by Al Kharaitiyat Baghdad Bounedjah scored four Sailiya striker – after a couple of steps well to fi nd the net in the 36th minute. dous also found the net for Al Sadd, their fi ne run with a 3-1 win over bot- lifted the spirits for Qatar SC. Youssef goals, while Nam Tae-Hee snatched a forward – drilled a left-footed shot that Bounedjah, after receiving a cross but his eff ort was declared off -side. tom-placed Al Kharaitiyat. An own goal Farahat slipped in a low cross towards brace. Ali Asad and Santi Cazorla also sailed past the goalpost to the right of while being stationed on the edge of the Bounedjah fi red a shot from the edge by Al Kharaitiyat’s Mohamed Salam the front of Al Kharaitiyat goalmouth. found the net for Al Sadd, who kept keeper Meshaal. Al Sailiya box, found Nam with a neat of the box to the left of keeper Amin for (38th minute), a superb strike by Youcef Abdulrahman Hussain tried to block their unbeaten run at the top of the ta- In the 17th minute, Al Sadd’s Nam, short cross. The Korean arrived with his second of the match. Bounedjah de- Belaili (51st minute) and a neat eff ort by the shot, but ended up defl ecting the ble with 35 points following their 11th after a short tap from Bounedjah, fi red slick pace to defl ect the ball with his left fl ected a cross into the net to complete Hamed Ismail (63rd minute) sealed Qa- ball towards teammate Salam who victory. Al Sailiya remained in eighth a top shot that narrowly sailed past the foot from close range with only keeper his hat-trick and Al Sadd’s seventh tar SC’s fi ghting 3-1 win. tripped and fell. The ball hit Salam and with 15 points after suff ering their sixth left Al Sailiya goalpost. However, Al Amine to beat. goal, and then drilled one more past the Evans Mensah (88th minute) reduced trickled into the net. defeat. Sadd soon opened the scoring after a Al Sadd carried their momentum keeper for his fourth of the evening. the defi cit for Al Kharaitiyat, who Six minutes into the second half, Qa- Both sides looked to attack from the keeper’s fumble. into the second half when Ali Asad Elsewhere, Abdel Aziz Hatem scored played under new coach Wesam Rizik tar SC went 2-0 after Belaili – follow- start. Rodrigo Tabata, after receiving Ali Asad charged into the Al Sailiya showed little slackness to score the a brace as Al Rayyan beat Al Gharafa for the fi rst time this season. Qatar SC ing a short tap from Bashar Bonyan – a long cross from his half of the pitch, box and quickly slipped in a low show – third goal for the Amir Cup champions. 2-1 at the Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium. climbed to third in the table with 23 drilled a shot from inside the box to the settled in front of the Al Sailiya box and between the legs of Mostafa Hamid – to Bounedjah headed the ball off a corner Hatem’s strike came in the fourth and points, whereas Al Kharaitiyat are last top of the net. Hamed Ismail added Qa- fi red a powerful shot that was parried the right of keeper Amine who reached kick, but the defl ection hit the Al Saili- 45th minute, while Ivorian Jonathan with just six points. tar SC’s third goal when, after receiving away by keeper Claude Amine in the the ball with relative eased but fumbled ya crossbar. The ball bounced back into Kodjia scored for Gharafa in the 42nd Al Kharaitiyat’s Salam was quick off a cross from Anthony Okpotu, hit the seventh minute. Al Sailiya also pro- with his collection and lost control. play and Ali Asad slipped in a shot from minute via a penalty. Rayyan striker the blocks to head home a free-kick in ball towards the goal but keeper Shehab duced a similar threatening move when The loose ball popped and landed near close range in the 50th minute. Yohan Boli missed a penalty in the 46th the seventh minute, but the linesman Ellethy blocked the shot.

FOCUS SPOTLIGHT Virus outbreak at Aston Villa as concerns Al Sadd’s Waad shortlisted for grow for Premier League season Asia’s Best Young Player award

AFP By Sports Reporter London Doha

ston Villa became the fourth Pre- l Sadd’s Mohamed Waad made it to the mier League club to suff er a coro- Asian Football Confederation’s (AFC) navirus outbreak yesterday, adding Asia’s Choice – Fan Awards: Best Young to growing concerns over whether Player in 2020. AFC urged the fans to cast EnglishA football’s top-fl ight can complete theirA vote, with 60 percent of the votes to be sup- the season on schedule. Villa were forced plied by the direct participation of fans on the-AFC. to cancel training and close their training com, and the winners to be revealed on January 24. ground after two rounds of testing returned A long-term, highly touted youth prospect, 2020 multiple positive cases of Covid-19 among was the year Waad broke through to not only be- players and staff . come a regular starter for Xavi’s Al Sadd fi rst team Britain is battling a highly infectious but announce himself as a senior Qatari inter- strain of the virus which has forced a new national. Comfortable in a variety of roles, Waad nationwide lockdown after cases soared to made valuable contributions at domestic, conti- record numbers in recent days. Despite the nental and senior international levels, making his latest lockdown that came into force in Eng- competitive debut for Qatar in their 5-0 win over (22, Kawasaki Frontale/JPN), Abdullah al-Hamdan land on Wednesday, the British government Bangladesh in December – the sole Asian Qualifi ers (22, Al Shabab/KSA), Takehiro Tomiyasu (22, has said elite sport can continue. fi xture played in 2020. Bologna/JPN), Mehdi Ghayedi (22, Esteghlal/IRN), “A large number of fi rst-team players and The other QNB Stars League player also to make Mohanad Ali (20, Portimonense, Al Sailiya/IRQ), staff returned positive tests after being rou- the shortlist was Al Sailiya’s Mohanad Ali. Takefusa Kubo (19, Mallorca, Villareal CF/JPN), tinely tested on Monday and immediately The Iraqi attacker moved from Qatar to Portugal Musa al-Taamari (23, APOEL, OH Leuven/JOR), went into isolation,” Villa said in a state- and back in the space of a year, and it was in the Gulf Jaroensak Wonggorn (23, Samut Prakan City/THA), ment. “A second round of testing was car- Aston Villa’s FA Cup tie against Liverpool today is at risk of being postponed. (AFP) where he truly shone, bagging seven league goals Mohamed Waad (21, Al Wakrah, Al Sadd/QAT), Riley ried out immediately and produced more in 12 appearances for Al Sailiya in the fi nal three McGree (22, Adelaide United, Birmingham City/ positive results today.” Fulham midfi elder Kevin McDonald be- government, to enable fi xtures to be played months of 2020. Ali also scored in a 2-1 win over AUS), Azizjon Ganiev (22, Shabab Al Ahli Dubai/ The Birmingham-based club’s FA Cup came one of the fi rst dissenting voices as scheduled,” the league said on Tuesday. Uzbekistan in November, taking the 20-year-old’s third-round tie against Liverpool today is among players for the season continuing. Another shutdown would likely result in international tally to an excellent 15 goals in 30 sen- UZB), Mehdi Abdi (22, Persepolis FC/IRN), Abdul- now at risk of being postponed. “First-team “How many more outbreaks and training a severe fi nancial hit for the world’s richest ior appearances. rahman Ghareeb (23, Al Ahli/KSA), Lee Kang-in (19, training ahead of tomorrow’s FA Cup match ground closures before football needs to league due to rebates in TV rights deals. The Valencia/KOR), Safawi Rasid (23, Johor Darul Tazim, with Liverpool was cancelled,” Villa’s state- stop!!!! Shambolic!! Literally treated like late end to last season resulted in a reported THE 20-MAN SHORTLIST INCLUDES Portimonense/MAS), Song Min-kyu (21, Pohang ment added. “Discussions are ongoing be- guinea pigs!!!” McDonald posted on Insta- £330mn ($449mn) of rebates to broadcast- Steelers/KOR), Zayed al-Ameri (23, Al Jazira/UAE), Won Du-jae (23, Ulsan Hyundai FC/KOR), Bobir tween medical representatives of the club, gram. ers. and Jasur Yakhshiboev (23, Enegertik-BGU, Sha- the Football Association and the Premier Due to the late end to last season, the Yesterday, Arsenal borrowed a short- Abdikholikov (23, FC Nasaf/UZB), Kaoru Mitoma khtyor Soligorsk/UZB). League.” league is less than halfway through the term £120mn loan from the Bank of England Southampton’s FA Cup home match 2020/21 campaign. The packed fi xture to cope with the impact of the pandemic. against Shrewsbury has already been post- schedule, with domestic leagues, cup and However, a number of embarrassing inci- poned because there have been a number European competitions having to be fi n- dents have come to light in which prominent 2023 Asian Cup to run from June 16-July 16 of positive cases at the League One club. ished before the delayed Euro 2020 starts on players have fl outed coronavirus restric- Wayne Rooney’s Derby will fulfi l their fi x- June 11, leaves little room for manoeuvre. tions, doing little to aid English football’s Doha: The 18th edition of the maiden title in the United Arab optimum recovery time taking ture at minnows Chorley with a youth team Despite the rising case numbers and case to keep going while movements in the Asian Cup, the region’s flagship Emirates (UAE) in 2019. Ten into consideration the travelling after nine positive tests among fi rst-team calls from some within the game for a cir- rest of the country are highly restricted. national team competition, will cities across China will host the distance across the ten cities players and staff . On Tuesday, a record high cuit breaker to buy time and bring infec- Tottenham trio Erik Lamela, Sergio take place in China from June 24-team tournament, which in China, which will host the of 40 positive tests were detected among tion rates down, the Premier League has so Reguilon and Giovani Lo Celso, West Ham’s 16 till July 16, 2023, the Asian will be held over 31 days, three tournament for the second time Premier League players and staff in the week far been adamant that the season will pro- Manuel Lanzini, Manchester City left- Football Confederation (AFC) days more than the 28-day after organising it in 2004. between December 28 and January 3. Three ceed. “With low numbers of positive tests back Benjamin Mendy, Fulham striker Ale- said yesterday. showpiece in the UAE. The The 2019 edition of the quad- Premier League matches were postponed across the overwhelming majority of clubs, ksandar Mitrovic and Crystal Palace captain Qatar are the defending reason for the extension was to rennial event was the first to be last week due to outbreaks at Fulham and the league continues to have confi dence in Luka Milivojevic were all pictured breaching champions after winning their ensure teams were given the expanded from 16 to 24 teams. Manchester City. its Covid-19 protocols, fully backed by the coronavirus rules over the festive period.