NBA | Page 6 SKIING | Page 9 Green clarifi es Flawless ‘slave master Shiff rin To Advertise here mentality’ wins world Call: 444 11 300, 444 66 621 remark slalom title

Sunday, February 19, 2017 FOOTBALL Jumada I 22, 1438 AH Ibrahimovic says GULF TIMES he’s football’s Indiana Jones SPORT Page 4 QATAR TOTAL OPEN Dominant Pliskova wraps up title in straight sets

‘It’s amazing. It means so much to me winning this tournament because it’s not A WINNING POSE... easy beating these two girls (Cibulkova in semis and Wozniacki in the final)’

Karolina Pliskova of the Czech Republic receives the winner’s trophy from Qatar Tennis Federation president Nasser al-Khelaifi yesterday at the Khalifa International Tennis and Squash Complex. Pliskova defeated Caroline Wozniacki in straight sets. PICTURES: Noushad Thekkayil & Agencies

By Sahan Bidappa But their last encounter came in 2014 However, Pliskova nipped the come- today given the way they fi ght,” said Doha before Pliskova reached last year’s US back in the bud by holding her serve Pliskova, as she took the falcon trophy Open fi nal and became a top-10 player. and then breaking Wozniacki in the and $132,740 in prize money. And Pliskova is a much-improved play- ninth game to pocket the fi rst set. “Also the weather has been taxing n a tournament that was hit by re- er right now and Wozniacki found that Wozniacki did change her strategy with all the rain and rescheduling of peated rain interventions, Karolina the hard way. by running Pliskova from side to side matches. I was trying to play my natu- Pliskova wasted little time as the Having showed tremendous men- of the court, forcing her to opponent to ral game which is aggressive. Also, the Czech strolled to her maiden Qatar tal strength and fi tness, while winning move, which is regarded as the weak- serve was really important and for me it ITotal Open title yesterday. both her quarter-fi nal and semi-fi nal est point in Czech’s game. But Pliskova was working, so I was happy about that. The second seed was in sublime form match Friday, Pliskova took charge played well in the big moments to stay I also wanted to win here in Doha since and hardly put a foot wrong, outplay- right from the beginning yesterday. ahead of the Dane. I had been losing in the early rounds the ing Denmark’s Caroline Wozniacki 6-3, The World No.3 was up 4-0 in the fi rst Wozniacki was equal to the task in last three years. Finally I won some new 6-4 in the one-sided fi nal. set even before the spectators had taken the second set, but failed to capitalise fans here,” she added. Though the rain — that wreaked hav- their seats in the centre court. Her service on a break point. On the other hand, Pliskova has only lost one match so oc at the Khalifa International Tennis was on fi re during her win over third seed Pliskova grabbed a chance to break in far in 2017, to Mirjana Lucic-Baroni Doubles winners Abigail Spears and Katarina Srebotnik. and Squash Complex the whole week — Dominika Cibulkova, with 21 aces pow- the 10th game and duly wrapped up the in the Australian Open quarter-fi nals, stayed away, the chilly conditions that ering the Czech to victory in the semi- match, when Wozniacki buried a lob and won the title in Brisbane prior to prevailed meant that margin of error fi nal, where she set a personal record for into the net. her run to the last-eight in Melbourne. get is to win a Grand Slam this year. “I “Well, there’s just three (Grand Slams) was minimum. most aces in a single match. “It’s amazing. It means so much to If she continues her fi ne form, she can have other goals than being No. 1 right left now. One of them is on clay. It would Her history in Doha and head-to- While it wasn’t on the same level me winning this tournament because challenge Serena Williams and Angel- now and it’s to win a Grand Slam. I was be really diffi cult. Then I’ll just prepare head against former World No. 1 Woz- against Wozniacki, she packed a punch it’s not easy beating these two girls ique Kerber for the No.1 ranking. in the fi nal (at US Open last year), so myself the best I can for Wimbledon. niacki was both against Plisokva. The with solid forehand and some aggres- (Cibulkova in semis and Wozniacki in However, Pliskova, played down the now the next step would be to win it,” Then the US Open, it’s going to be diffi - 24-year-old had never gone past the sive game. the fi nal). You saw last night and even talk of top spot and said her main tar- she said. cult. I’m defending a lot of points there. I second round in Doha and Wozni- After holding serve for the fi rst time, would love to win a Slam this year. If not, acki had won all three of her previous Wozniacki did manage to break Plisko- I still think I have a good chance the next matches against Pliskova. va and then held again to make it 3-4. few years,” she added. For Wozniacki, it was another loss in the fi nal in Doha, the last time was in 2011. “Well, it’s a tournament I’ve never won. Clearly I’m a disappointed right now. It’s a goal of mine to pretty much have won everything,” said the 26-year-old, who will jump four places to No. 14 in rankings. “But she played really well today. I thought I played well too. I did my best. It’s been a tough week. Yesterday I had two matches late at night. I just tried to recover as well as I could. I feel like I’m playing really good tennis. I can still im- prove on some things. I’m really feeling positive and confi dent moving forward,” added Wozniacki, who will be in action in Dubai this week along with Pliskova. Meanwhile, fourth seeds Abigail Spears of US and Katarina Srebotnik of Slovenia clinched the doubles title, defeating Ukraine’s Olga Savchuk and Abigail Spears of United States and Katarina Srebotnik of Slovakia pose with their Yaroslava Shvedova of Kazakhstan 6-3, doubles trophy yesterday. 7-6(7) in the fi nal. Gulf Times 2 Sunday, February 19, 2017 TENNIS

GLIMPSES FROM QATAR TOTAL OPEN

Karolina Pliskova (left) and Caroline Wozniacki celebrate with their Qatar Open trophies in Doha yesterday. PICTURES: Noushad Thekkayil and agencies Caroline Wozniacki in action during the final.

Karolina Pliskova poses with ball boys and girls after winning the Qatar Open yesterday. Tennis fans brave the chilly weather for the Karolina Pliskova-Caroline Wozniacki final yesterday.

SPOTLIGHT Tsonga reaches Rotterdam fi nal with 400th win

AFP ting the ball hard like me. My week and is now through to his Rotterdam, Netherlands strategy is always the same — the fi rst ATP World Tour semi-fi nal best strategy is to just play well.” since Acapulco in February 2015. Goffi n, who earned revenge Young and Harrison are even in o-Wilfried Tsonga rained in the quarter-fi nals as he beat their FedEx ATP Head2Head ri- down ten aces, fi nishing Grigor Dimitrov fi ve days af- valry at 1-1, but haven’t played off Tomas Berdych 6-3, ter the Bulgarian won the Sofi a each other in two years. 6-4 in 72 minutes yester- event at the Belgian’s expense, Mikhail Kukushkin continued dayJ to power into a second Rot- will be facing Herbert for the his hot streak in Memphis, pow- terdam World Tennis fi nal and fi rst time. ering into the semi-fi nals with record his 400th career win. The a convincing 6-0, 6-4 win over French sixth seed will compete Young ousts Isner fourth seed Steve Johnson. for his fi rst title at the Ahoy sta- in Memphis “It means a lot for me to be dium after fi nishing runner-up American John Isner became back on tour and playing good. six years ago. the latest seed to be upset at the It’s been a few years since my last He faces the winner from Bel- ATP Tour’s Memphis Open on semi-fi nal, so I’m really happy gian third seed David Goffi n and Friday as the second seed lost in with this week,” said Kukushkin. surprise semi-fi nalist Pierre- three sets to unheralded Donald “I’ve played quite well here for Hugues Herbert, a French quali- Young. The world No. 81 Young two years in a row, so the condi- fi er and member of the top ATP posted his fi rst career win over tions really suit my game.” doubles side. Isner in four meetings by out- Kukushkin dropped just 10 Tsonga was unstoppable lasting the fellow American 7-6 points in shutting out Johnson to against Berdych, the 2014 cham- (7/5), 3-6, 7-6 (8/6) to reach the take the opening set. pion and 2015 fi nalist playing his semi-fi nals. The American found his form fourth semi-fi nal at the Dutch Isner was the last remaining in the second set and sprinted event. seed in the tournament as none to a 4-1 lead, but Kukushkin re- Tsonga came good in his sec- of the top seeds reached the sponded brilliantly by winning ond semi-fi nal of the season as semis. fi ve consecutive games to prevail he bids for a fi rst trophy since “He’s beaten me every time in 70 minutes. winning at home in Metz in 2015. we’ve played, so I wanted to fi nal- The unseeded player evens his Berdych came to the court ly get one of these wins. I’m glad FedEx ATP Head2Head record with an 8-3 lead in the series, I stayed calm and played through with Johnson at 2-2. including wins in their last two some tightness to come out on Kukushkin has been in domi- meetings, one a Doha quarter- top,” said Young in his on-court nant form this week, dropping fi nal last month. interview. just 14 games in three matches. Tsonga fi nished with two “It always come down to a cou- He is now into his fi rst ATP breaks of the 13th-ranked Czech ple of points here and there with World Tour semi-fi nal since while never facing a break point John, but luckily I was able to win Sydney in January 2015. in what quickly became one-way those points today.” Next up for Kukushkin is traffi c. There were no break points for Nikoloz Basilashvili, a 7-6(3), “My only goal is to win the either Young or Isner in the fi rst 6-4 winner over qualifi er Mat- next match, this would be im- or third sets, while Isner record- thew Eden. portant for me,” 2011 runner-up ed the lone break of the match up The Georgian player showed Tsonga said. 4-3 in the second set. impressive fi ghting spirit in ral- “I’m not too worried about my Young raced to a 6/3 lead in lying from 1-4 down in the open- (14th) ranking unless I were able the fi nal-set tie-break, but dou- France’s Jo-Wilfried Tsonga celebrates after winning his semi-final against Tomas Berdych at the Rotterdam World Tennis Tournament. (AFP) ing set and from a break down at to get to eighth, that is the posi- ble faulted on his third match 2-3 in the second set. Basilash- tion where you are protected in point at 6/5. from Isner to pick up the victory Isner to 1-3. here in recent years, reaching the urday against the winner Ryan vili has also been in top form this the draw from other seeds. He managed to get another in two hours and 26 minutes. The Atlanta native is making 2015 semi-fi nals and 2016 quar- Harrison, a 6-3, 6-4 winner over week, having taken out top seed “Berdych played a tough chance at 7/6 and took full ad- Young improves his FedEx his 10th consecutive appearance ter-fi nals. Damir Dzumhur. The Ameri- Ivo Karlovic in a second-round match, he’s a power player, hit- vantage, forcing a volley error ATP Head2Head record against in Memphis and has excelled He will take the court on Sat- can has yet to drop a set this victory on Thursday. Gulf Times Sunday, February 19, 2017 3 FOOTBALL

BUNDESLIGA Late Lewandowski strike saves Bayern in Berlin AFP cantara’s free-kick found Ajren Rob- 2-0 win at home to bottom side Darm- before Denmark international Thomas Berlin ben on the edge of the area, his shot stadt as ex-Leicester City striker An- Delaney slammed home a free-kick to was blocked, but Lewandowski drilled Bayern Munich’s Polish forward Robert drej Kramaric scored both their goals. double the lead seven minutes later. home the rebound to deny Hertha a fi rst Lewandowski celebrates after scoring Ten-man Eintracht Frankfurt On Friday, Javier ‘Chicharito’ Her- obert Lewandowski hit a 96th- win over Bayern in 12 attempts. against Hertha Berlin yesterday. (AFP) dropped to fi fth after their shock 2-0 nandez was on target twice as Bayer minute equaliser as Bayern Second-placed RB Leipzig can close defeat to strugglers Ingolstadt, who had Leverkusen warmed up for their Cham- Munich salvaged a 1-1 draw at the gap behind Bayern when they play Australia striker Mathew Leckie sent pions League clash with Atletico Ma- RHertha Berlin and extended Borussia Moenchengladbach away today. off and remain second from bottom. drid by winning 3-1 at Augsburg. Roger their lead at the top of the Bundesliga Elsewhere, Lukasz Piszczek had a Ingolstadt took an early lead through Schmidt’s side went in front midway table to eight points yesterday. hand in all three goals as Borussia Dort- French defender Romain Bregerie while through the fi rst half when Kai Havertz Bayern were seconds away from only mund bounced back from Tuesday’s Frankfurt fi nished the fi rst half with squared from the right for Karim Bel- their second league defeat this season Champions League last 16 fi rst-leg de- 10 men. Defender David Abraham was larabi to score the 50,000th goal in the when Lewandowski fi red home his 24th feat at Benfi ca with a 3-0 trouncing of shown a red card when his clearance history of the Bundesliga. goal in all competitions to cancel out Wolfsburg at home. kick connected with Dario Lezcano’s Chicharito doubled Leverkusen’s Vedad Ibisevic’s fi rst-half strike at Ber- Dortmund’s iconic south stand, chest on 35 minutes. lead from close range after a lovely lin’s Olympic Stadium. nicknamed the ‘Gelbe Wand’ (Yellow Frakfurt’s Japan midfi elder Ma- move inside the box fi ve minutes be- It was a Champions League hangover Wall), which holds 25,000 fans, stood koto Hasebe had a second-half penalty fore half-time, and after Dominik Kohr for Bayern following Wednesday’s 5-1 empty. It was a German FA punishment saved, then hit the crossbar from the pulled a goal back on the hour, the Mex- hammering of Arsenal in the last 16 fi rst after hooligans attacked visiting RB follow-up, and Pascal Gross scored In- ican striker netted again from another leg, despite coach Carlo Ancelotti mak- Leipzig fans, including families, earlier golstadt’s second goal from a penalty at Havertz assist to secure the win. ing four changes to the side that beat this month. the other end 13 minutes later. Ingol- Leverkusen are having an inconsist- the Gunners. Dortmund went ahead when Wolfs- stadt also played with a man less for the ent season but a second consecutive Hertha went ahead on 21 minutes burg defender Jeff rey Bruma headed last 10 minutes after Leckie was shown a win keeps them in touch in the fi ght for when Ibisevic ghosted in behind Bay- Piszczek’s close-range cross into his straight red for a similar foul to Abraham European places and boosts confi dence ern’s defence and defl ected Marvin Plat- own net on 20 minutes. Poland inter- — accidentally kicking an opponent. ahead of their Champions League tenhardt’s free-kick past Manuel Neuer. national Piszczek added the second, Relegation-threatened Werder last 16, fi rst leg at home to Atletico on Despite enjoying more than 70% heading home Ousmane Dembele’s Bremen escaped the bottom three with Tuesday. Chicharito scored the winner possession, Bayern struggled and cross on 48 minutes, and then set up a 2-0 win at Mainz. Ex-Arsenal winger for Real Madrid when they eliminated Lewandowski’s equaliser only came Dembele for the third on 59 minutes. Serge Gnabry gave Bremen the lead Atletico in the quarter-fi nals of the deep into added time. Thiago Al- Hoff enheim climbed to fourth with a with a towering header on 16 minutes Champions League in 2015.

FA CUP SCOTTISH PREMIERSHIP Dembele keeps Celtic juggernaut rolling on Lincoln, Millwall AFP a solid start and it took until mid- Glasgow way through the half for Celtic to have a meaningful chance when Forrest’s shot was parried by oussa Dembele was Craig Samson and Liam Hend- on target again as his erson somehow missed the target 27th goal of the sea- with the rebound. son helped runaway The visitors dealt with the claim famous upsets MScottish Premiership leaders pressure from Celtic until the Celtic to a 2-0 win over Mother- 34th minute when substitute Zak well yesterday. Jules brought down Dembele to Sean Raggett’s 89th-minute winner helps non-league Lincoln City stun Burnley 1-0 The 20-year-old Frenchman concede a penalty. The French- — tipped for a call-up to Didier man dusted himself down to take for one of the biggest upsets in the history of the FA Cup, while third-tier Millwall’s Deschamps’ France squad for the spot-kick and sent Samson the matches against Luxembourg the wrong way for his seventh fairytale continues as they stun struggling Premier League champions Leicester City and Spain next month — expertly goal in three games. despatched a fi rst-half penalty to Motherwell had a chance for open the scoring. James Forrest an almost instant equaliser when added a second before the break Stephen Pearson fi red in a shot to seal Celtic’s 20th consecutive from the penalty spot but ‘keeper victory as they remain unbeaten Craig Gordon showed great re- in 31 domestic matches since the fl exes to get down low and push start of the season. away his eff ort. Victory extends their advan- The visitors were left to con- tage over Aberdeen, who are template what might have been away to Kilmarnock today, to 27 when Forrest then fi red Celt- points with third-placed Rangers ic further in front in the 41st a further three behind ahead of minute. The winger collected their clash with Dundee. Moth- a pass wide on the right and he erwell, who conceded seven to turned Chalmers inside out be- Aberdeen in midweek, were dealt fore drilling an angled shot into a blow when experienced left- the bottom corner. back Stevie Hammell was injured Following a slow start to the in the warm-up to be replaced by second half it was Dembele who Joe Chalmers. was fi rst to try his luck with a Their daunting task of trying to shot he fi red wide before Scott stop a Celtic side that had scored Sinclair curled a free-kick from 16 in their past four games was the edge of the box just over. made even harder when Stephen Elsewhere, Hearts missed McManus injured himself in the the chance to close the gap with opening seconds before hobbling Rangers as they were held to a off in the fthfi minute. 1-1 draw by bottom of the table Despite this, Motherwell made Inverness.

SERIE A Juve go 10 points clear

AFP Turin after three seasons at Pal- Turin ermo in 2015, was just centime- tres from the opener after only fi ve minutes when he clipped the uventus went 10 points post with a left-footed free-kick. clear at the top of Serie But the Sicilians’ resistance A on Friday night with a didn’t last as Claudio Marchisio 4-1 win over struggling put Juventus ahead in the 13th PalermoJ in a perfectly-timed minute, fi nding the net after boost ahead of their Champions goalkeeper Josip Posavec could League trip to Porto next week. only parry Gonzalo Higuain’s Lincoln City players celebrate their historic Former Palermo star Paulo Dy- close-range shot. win over Burnley yesterday. (Reuters) bala played a pivotal role as the Higuain added a third and his Argentina international pushed 19th league goal of the season in AFP come the fi rst non-league team to reach home side procured the clearer chances Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City face his former employers closer to the the 63rd minute, latching onto London the FA Cup’s last eight since Queens Park thereafter, but could not take them, and an unwanted replay after drawing 0-0 at drop by scoring twice, creating Dybala’s delicately-weighted Rangers in 1914. They are the eighth side with a replay beckoning Lincoln’s mo- Championship high-fl iers Huddersfi eld another and also seeing a free- pass between two defenders. from below England’s four fully profes- ment of history arrived. Town, three days out from their Champi- kick come back off the woodwork. Higuain repaid the favour to on-league Lincoln City and sional divisions to have beaten top-fl ight Sam Habergham’s deep corner from the ons League last 16 showdown with Mona- Palermo started the day eight his international teammate one third-tier Millwall struck late, opposition since World War II and only right was headed back across goal by Lin- co. “It is not frustrating,” Guardiola said. points from safety and they were minute from time with a cheeky late winners as Burnley and Pre- the second to have done so since 1989. coln captain Luke Waterfall and Raggett “It was a tough game against one of the under the cosh almost from the backheel allowing Dybala to slot mier League champions Leices- “We said it was a one-in-a-100 chance met it with a header that Burnley goal- best teams in the Championship.” start. Dybala, who moved to the ball home. Nter City were humbled on a historic day in and thankfully we got that opportunity,” keeper Tom Heaton could not keep out. Middlesbrough needed an 86th-minute the FA Cup yesterday. said Lincoln manager Danny Cowley. “They used everything they needed to Cristhian Stuani goal to secure a 3-2 win Sean Raggett scored an 89th-minute “The last eight of the FA Cup sounds pret- use,” Dyche said. “You have to work, be over third-tier Oxford United, who had hit LIGUE 1 header as Lincoln, who reside in the fi fth- ty good. We work hard on our corners and diligent and believe you will get another back from 2-0 down to level through Chris tier National League, stunned Burnley 1-0 our free-kicks and we are mightily proud chance. I think they only had one chance Maguire and Antonio Martinez. in the fi fth round in one of the competi- of the players.” — credit to them. My team were nowhere In the evening’s late match, Premier tion’s biggest upsets. Burnley drew 1-1 at home to runa- near the level they can show.” League leaders Chelsea reached the quar- Monaco held at Bastia Ten-man Millwall, seventh in League way Premier League leaders Chelsea last Millwall followed Lincoln’s lead by ter-fi nals with a 2-0 win over over Wolves. rench Ligue 1 leaders Mona- However, a buoyant PSG, One, claimed a third top-fl ight scalp in weekend and have beaten Liverpool and overcoming the 52nd-minute dismissal Chelsea’s defence was tested in the goal- co had to come from behind fresh from their huge Champions this season’s tournament by dramatically Leicester on home turf this season. of Jake Cooper to sink a Leicester team less fi rst half before the visitors fi nally Fto draw 1-1 away to Bastia League win over Barcelona, can sinking ailing Leicester 1-0 via a 90th- Lincoln join Hereford United, who top- showing 10 changes thanks to defender upped the tempo, forcing Wolves back and on Friday night in an unconvinc- close to within a single point of minute goal by Shaun Cummings. pled Newcastle United in 1972, and Sut- Cummings’s last-gasp strike. “This sums allowing Pedro Rodriguez to dart in and ing performance ahead of their the principality side if they beat “I’m lost for words. It’s mad. I can’t ton United, conquerors of Coventry City up the FA Cup,” said Millwall manager Neil head home unmarked in the 65th minute. impending Champions League Toulouse at home today. believe it!” Lincoln’s match-winner Rag- in 1989, among the ranks of the FA Cup’s Harris, whose team have also accounted Diego Costa then sealed the win for Chel- showdown with Manchester City. Elsewhere, Marseille overcame gett, 23, said. “Crazy... A non-league side non-league giant-killers. for Bournemouth and Watford. “We took sea with his 16th goal of the season as he Sadio Diallo had given the the absence of injured leading in the quarter-fi nals, in modern football. Sutton, also of the National League, inspiration from what Lincoln have done. slid a low fi nish past Carl Ikeme in the 89th. struggling Corsicans the lead in scorer Bafetimbi Gomis to beat It’s unheard of...” will hope to pull off another upset when What they achieved today outshines us.” the fi rst half before Bernardo Silva Rennes 2-0 and boost their hopes Eighty-one places below Burnley in they host Arsenal tomorrow. Leicester manager Claudio Ranieri, Results headed Monaco level early in the of European qualifi cation. Clin- the English football pyramid, Lincoln Burnley manager Sean Dyche made six who side sit one place above the Premier Burnley 0...... Lincoln 1 second period. The result main- ton Njie and Florian Thauvin, the prevailed when centre-back Raggett changes and it was quickly clear that his League relegation zone, said he was “very Huddersfield 0 ...... Man City 0 tains Monaco’s unbeaten record latter with a superb strike, both squeezed a header over the line following side were in for a scrap as Lincoln’s Nath- disappointed”. “We are better than Mill- Middlesbrough 3 ...... Oxford 2 in 2017 and extends their lead at netted in the second half for the a late corner at Turf Moor. an Arnold squared for Jack Muldoon to wall, but Millwall deserved to win,” said Millwall 1 ...... Leicester 0 the top of the table to four points hosts as Marseille moved to with- Lincoln, nicknamed ‘The Imps’, be- sweep a fi rst-time shot over the bar. The the Italian. Wolves 0 ...... Chelsea 2 from Paris Saint-Germain. in a point of fourth-placed Lyon. Gulf Times 4 Sunday, February 19, 2017 FOOTBALL

FOCUS Teenage sensation Dembele loving life in Dortmund

AFP Dembele, who moved to Germany for reserve team. But Dembele’s success in Dortmund 15mn euros ($15.9mn, £12.8mn). settling in Germany also owes much to Dembele talks about the intensity the advice he says he gets from his at- demanded even in training sessions tacking mentors, Marco Reus and Au- verything has happened very by Dortmund coach Thomas Tuchel, bameyang, who he calls “a brother”. fast for Ousmane Dem- about the tactical demands placed on He admits to relishing playing in bele, still just 19 but starring the teenager. Tuchel’s Dortmund side but adds: “I for Borussia Dortmund and Tuchel “asks us to constantly press can do better. I need to keep working dreamingE of making the France squad the opposition as soon as we lose the hard.” for the next World Cup. ball. He is very close to the players, Dembele, who does not turn 20 until “I’m loving it, but I can do better,” laughs a lot with us. But when things May, says he must improve his fi nish- Dembele said of his fi rst season in the are not going well, he can get angry.” ing and “stop stupidly losing the ball.” German Bundesliga following a move And things have not always gone But German football magazine from Rennes last year. swimmingly this season — Dortmund’s Kicker stuck up for the youngster last He was a sensation in his homeland hoped-for title push has not materi- week, saying: “One can be excused for after breaking into the Rennes fi rst alised and they began the weekend in losing the ball from time to time when team, and 12 goals in 26 games later he fourth place, 15 points behind leaders one is so often capable of getting fans had chosen to join Dortmund where he Bayern Munich. out of their seats.” has quickly become indispensable. On Tuesday, meanwhile, Dembele Dembele has complained of the of- Four goals and eight assists from 19 played as Dortmund lost 1-0 to Ben- ten bruising treatment reserved for Bundesliga games make him the per- fi ca in Portugal in the fi rst leg of their him from defenders but the experience fect support act for Pierre-Emerick Champions League last-16 tie. Far he has gained this year has forced him Aubameyang up front for Dortmund, from his mother, brothers and sisters, to grow up quickly. who play in front of 80,000 crowds at who had followed him from Normandy Already capped three times by their spectacular Signal-Iduna Park. to Rennes, Dembele does have his un- France, Dembele has his sights set on “I am not some phenomenon. I just cle and “best friend” Moustapha Di- a place in Didier Deschamps’ squad try to be decisive for my teammates. atta for support in Germany. for the 2018 World Cup in Russia. “If Young kids with talent, there are loads Diatta was his neighbour growing up we qualify, I will do everything to be of them in football,” says a modest in Evreux and now plays for Dortmund’s there,” he said.

SPOTLIGHT I am football’s Indiana Jones, declares Ibra

AFP Mourinho concerned Manchester

latan Ibrahimovic has compared himself to the action movie hero ZIndiana Jones after scoring his first hat-trick for Manchester United. Just as fictional archaeologist Jones, played in Cup runs could aff ect a series of Hollywood movies by screen star Harrison Ford, usually returns from his adventures with a trophy, so too has the career of the much-travelled Ibrahi- movic yielded plenty of silverware. Ibrahimovic scored all of United’s goals in their 3-0 win at home to French club St Etienne in the first leg of their Europa Premier League form League last-32 clash on Thursday. That took the 35-year-old Swede’s tally for United to an impressive 23 goals in all ‘With the accumulation of FA Cup, League Cup and matches postponed, it is really hard for us. If we competitions since his pre-season arrival at Old Traff ord. progress, we will be in trouble in April and May. But we cannot choose competitions, so we play to win’ United are now favourites to win European club football’s second-tier tour- nament as well as next week’s English League Cup final against Premier League rivals Southampton at Wembley. Ibrahimovic, who has already won the Community Shield since joining United, said: “Every trophy for me is incredible, everywhere I came I won so if I can win something here I will be super happy. People that know me know that I play in many clubs and I try to do my best.” “Wherever I went I won, so I am like Indiana Jones,” added Ibrahimovic, who has been a member of national champi- onship-winning sides in the Netherlands, Italy, Spain and France. As for his hat-trick against St Etienne, the delighted forward said: “It feels good. I got a lot of help from my teammates. We played an open game today and it was important to get a good result so we can take it into the second leg. “We won 3-0 and I got to score the three goals so I am happy for that. We have still many games to play so hope- fully I can continue like I am doing.” Having played at St Etienne during his time in Ligue 1 with Paris Saint-Germain, Ibrahimovic said United had done well to deny the visitors a goal at Old Traff ord. “Exactly. A good result because I know how diff icult it is to play over there,” he explained. “They have a fantastic crowd, fan- tastic support, and the stadium is very nice, so the guys will see it when we go there. “It is a good team. They always make it diff icult for every team they play against AFP it is really hard for us,” the Portuguese yan was absent because of illness. expose them to the risk of upsets. Mourinho’s FA Cup tie against and when I was at PSG the same thing. London handler said. “If we progress in the Centre-back Phil Jones could re- Liverpool, Bournemouth, West Bro- Newcastle with Chelsea in 2005 ar- They did good. I think a couple of players competitions, we will be in trouble in turn from a foot injury to face his mwich Albion, Stoke City, Watford rived in similar circumstances, prior to are new, a couple of players left, but it is a April and May. But we cannot choose former club, while Luke Shaw is push- and Hull City have lost to lower-league a Champions League trip to Barcelona good team.” signifi cant run of Cup ties competitions, so we play to win.” ing for a chance after being overlooked teams this season and there are two and a League Cup fi nal meeting with has Manchester United man- United won the FA Cup for the fi rst for United’s previous four squads. non-league sides in round fi ve for the Liverpool. He saw a weakened team ager Jose Mourinho wor- time since 2004 by beating Crystal Blackburn, relegated from the Pre- fi rst time ever. lose 1-0 at St James’ Park and although ried about fi xture conges- Palace in last season’s fi nal, and their mier League in 2012, are in serious United visit second-tier Blackburn Chelsea overcame Barcelona and beat tion,A but his chances of ending his fi rst defence of the trophy has been un- danger of dropping into the third tier Rovers today and having been stung by an Liverpool in the League Cup fi nal to season at the club with a major trophy troubled so far, with two 4-0 home League One after a poor campaign that FA Cup defeat at Newcastle United during give him his fi rst English trophy, he are looking healthy. wins over Championship opponents, has left them next to bottom of the his fi rst season at Chelsea, Mourinho is still regrets the defeat. Mourinho’s side have won three Reading and Wigan. Championship with 15 matches to play. determined not to take unnecessary risks. “I threw it away,” he said. “I thought successive matches without conced- While Mourinho may see Premier Supporters have continued to pro- “Maybe we don’t have as many in the same week was Champions League ing a goal, and are in good spirits as League improvement as a greater pri- test against Indian owners Venky’s, English managers with that culture as against Barcelona and the cup fi nal they prepare to make the short journey ority, midfi elder Ander Herrera is keen the Indian poultry company who they we should,” he said. “Maybe we foreign against Liverpool and in the middle of to face struggling Championship op- for another Cup run. believe have mismanaged the club managers, not everybody studies and it, we had the FA Cup against Newcastle. ponents Blackburn in the fi fth round “It’s a massive competition. When since buying it in 2010. As if off -fi eld understands the culture of this coun- And I threw it away. I gambled too much. of the FA Cup today. some teams rotate players, that disharmony and league struggles were try. In my case, I had immediately that “I focused too much on Barcelona and The United manager actually felt doesn’t mean they don’t give impor- not enough for manager Owen Coyle situation with the match at Newcastle, Liverpool. It was good because we beat his team were a little too cheerful be- tance to the FA Cup,” said the 27-year- to contend with, he goes into today’s so for me it was a lesson. Barcelona and we won the fi nal against fore Thursday’s 3-0 Europa League old Spaniard, who will miss the return tie with his squad stretched to its limit. “And I lost with Chelsea against Liverpool. But the feeling I threw it away last-32 fi rst-leg victory over Saint- Europa League leg as he is suspended. Striker Hope Akpan is suspended a League One team (Bradford City, was not good. So I don’t throw it away. Etienne, accusing them of being too “It’s the oldest competition in Eng- after being sent off for pushing referee in January 2015). But I never threw it If I lose, I lose because the opponent was relaxed during the warm-up. land and I think it’s the most amaz- Scott Duncan during Tuesday’s 2-1 away. We lost because we lost. So I try better or because we didn’t play well. It is true United started slowly ing Cup in the world because of the defeat at Sheffi eld Wednesday, while always to go serious. I like Wembley, I But I’m not going to throw it away. against their Ligue 1 opponents, but a organisation. Every club wants to win winger Elliott Bennett is also banned. like the FA Cup, so I have to try to get “I go to Blackburn with that respect. Zlatan Ibrahimovic hat-trick has put the FA Cup, teams not in the top six Former United defender Wes Brown, the second one.” We played already Reading and Wigan them in a strong position to secure a even more as they can get in the Eu- though, may feature for Blackburn at Of the managers to have fallen to from the Championship, so it’s not new last-16 place in France next Wednesday. ropa League (through winning it). So the venerable age of 37. “We will be un- lower-league opposition in the FA Cup for us, the level and the diffi culty of the United are in the midst of a glut of it’s a fantastic competition to play in. derdogs,” striker Marvin Emnes said. this season, only Liverpool’s Jurgen Championship. Plus the fact that one Zlatan Ibrahimovic scored all of Man Cup fi xtures at the moment, with the We want to keep playing in it and win “The most important thing is that we Klopp, Watford’s Walter Mazzarri and thing is Old Traff ord and another thing United’s goals in their 3-0 win at home fi nal of the EFL Cup against South- away against Blackburn,” he added. enjoy the game and try to win it.” Hull’s Marco Silva are not British. is to go away. So I go serious. to French club St Etienne in the first leg ampton to come at Wembley on Febru- Mourinho is likely to make changes United’s trip to Blackburn falls be- “Am I going to repeat this team? No, of their Europa League last-32 clash, ary 26, and Mourinho is worried about for the game, and does have injury con- ‘Foreign managers don’t get FA Cup’ fore the second leg of their Europa I’m going to change a few players, ob- taking took the 35-year-old Swede’s the eff ect that may have on their Pre- cerns to contend with. Wayne Rooney League last-32 tie against Saint- viously. But I’m going with a good team tally for United to an impressive 23 mier League form. and Michael Carrick missed the win Mourinho also suggested foreign man- Etienne on Wednesday and next Sun- because I respect the competition a lot goals in all competitions since his “With the accumulation of FA Cup, over Saint-Etienne with minor mus- agers are devaluing England’s FA Cup day’s League Cup fi nal against South- and Man United demands that you go pre-season arrival at Old Traff ord. League Cup and matches postponed, cular injuries, while Henrikh Mkhitar- by fi elding under-strength teams that ampton at Wembley. serious to every game.” Gulf Times Sunday, February 19, 2017 5 FOOTBALL

Former Man United star Russia slams World Cup hooligan claims Yorke denied entry to USA

AFP Meanwhile, Vladimir Markin, the chief and that it had not managed to arrange an all people who are capable of organising ormer Manchester United ing at all times. Fellow Premier Moscow of Russia’s Football Union (RFU) security interview with the World Cup organisers. anything and just lock them down.” striker Dwight Yorke said League side Manchester City committee, decried claims in the BBC The BBC’s ‘Russia’s Hooligan Army’ Despite the prospect of tighter rules Fhe was “made to feel like were given a £35,000 ($44,000, documentary as totally false. aired on Thursday showing Russian fans against hooliganism, the Orel Butchers a criminal” after being denied 41,000 euros) fine for a similar ussian off icials have slammed a BBC “This is absolutely a work of propaganda,” predicting clashes between supporters member said it was “100% guaranteed” entry to the United States. The off ence on Thursday. documentary warning of a “festival he said. “It is designed to make as many — especially targeting British fans. “For that some fans in Russia would try to organ- 45-year-old from Trinidad and “AFC Bournemouth have been Rof violence” by hooligans at next English fans as possible refuse to come to some it will be a festival of football, for ise violence against England supporters. Tobago said he was prevented charged in relation to the FA’s rules year’s World Cup in the country as “propa- the World Cup — there is no other aim.” others it will be a festival of violence,” Several Russians were expelled from from entering the US on Friday on anti-doping,” said a statement ganda” aimed at tarring the event. “We The BBC defended itself against the one of the hooligans told the BBC. France last year after street battles broke due to having played in a char- issued by the FA. “It is alleged the need to look absolutely soberly at all this accusations. “The programme spoke The British broadcaster spoke to out with England fans in Marseille at Euro ity match in the Iranian capital club failed to ensure that their — an information campaign aimed to dis- with a number of Russian football firms members of the “Orel Butchers”, a group 2016. The violence was celebrated by Tehran in 2015. He was travelling ‘Club Whereabouts’ information credit,” Deputy Prime Minister Vitaly Mutko to understand why they behave the way of hardcore supporters — or firm — of Russian hooligans in the documentary, from Doha in Qatar, where he was accurate. AFC Bournemouth told the state-run TASS news agency. they do,” a BBC spokeswoman said. “The Lokomotiv Moscow who were accused of with one boasting: “Our guys are more had been working for broad- have until Thursday, 23rd February “Russia gave security guarantees that programme highlights the eff orts made violence during Euro 2016 in France just dangerous than special forces.” caster beIN Sports, and intended 2017, to respond to the charge.” were confirmed by the state and will by the Russian government and police to over six months ago. FIFA president Gianni Infantino said on to return to his home in the The Cherries are currently 14th in meet its obligations,” Mutko, who is also tackle the violence of these firms.” A leader of the firm predicted a crack- Thursday he was not concerned about Caribbean via Miami. the table but are without a Premier the head of the World Cup organising The BBC also said that its request to film down by Russian authorities, telling the violence at the tournament and had faith “I couldn’t quite believe what League win in 2017. committee, added. with Russian police had been declined BBC: “They will just take down all leaders, in Russia’s abilities to host the World Cup. was happening” Yorke told yesterday’s edition of British Man City’s Jesus out for newspaper The Sun. “I have lost ‘two to three months’ count of the number of times I LA LIGA have been to America. I love the anchester City manager country, yet I was being made to MPep Guardiola warned yes- feel like a criminal. terday that teen sensation Gabri- “I had bought my ticket and el Jesus could be out of action checked in and was about to get for up to three months and might on the flight when I was stopped not play again until next season. by two off icials. I thought, ‘What The 19-year-old Brazil striker, who is happening here?’ has scored three goals in five “They told me there was a visa games since joining City in the Real two good for problem and a red flag had come January transfer window, broke a up against my name because of bone in his foot during City’s 2-0 an Iranian stamp in my passport. win away to Bournemouth in the I went there to play in a legends Premier League on Monday. match to open a stadium and “He’s coming back when he is didn’t even stay overnight. fit,” Guardiola said. “I don’t know “The two off icials told me if I if it will be the end of this season got on the flight, I would simply or next season... His recovery is Espanyol, Gameiro be deported back to Qatar once between two and three months.” I arrived in the States. I tried to City paid Brazilian club Palmeiras explain I didn’t even live in Qatar an initial £27mn ($33mn, 31mn eu- and was just trying to get to my ros) for Jesus. The striker scored home in the Caribbean.” at West Ham and twice against Last month, US President Swansea and Jesus was hoping Donald Trump signed an execu- to become the third City player tive order temporarily banning — after Emmanuel Adebayor and ’trick spurs Atletico people from Iraq, Iran, Libya, Kevin de Bruyne — to score on Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen each of his first three Premier entering the country. League starts. But he lasted just Substitute Kevin Gameiro hits the second fastest hat-trick in La Liga history in five Yorke won three Premier 15 minutes at south coast side League titles, the Champions Bournemouth’s Dean Court minutes as Atletico maintain grip on fourth spot with a 4-1 win at Sporting Gijón League and the FA Cup with ground before going off injured. United and also played in Eng- land for Aston Villa, Blackburn Chelsea to hold Costa Rovers, Birmingham City and talks at end of season Sunderland. Atletico Madrid’s French forward Kevin ntonio Conte is “confident” Gameiro celebrates his hat-trick against United nations Granada ADiego Costa will remain with Sporting de Gijon yesterday. (AFP) boost survival hopes Chelsea, even though talks over the striker’s future with the club ranada made La Liga history will have to wait until the end of Gby naming a team of 11 diff er- the season. Last month saw Costa, ent nationalities as on loan Borus- Premier League leaders Chelsea’s sia Dortmund striker Adrian Ramos leading scorer this season with 15 scored twice in a 4-1 thrashing of goals, linked to a lucrative move Real Betis on Friday. Just a third to the cash-rich Chinese Super win of the season moves Granada League. Nothing, however, came to within two points of safety, of the reported interest and now although they remain 19th, whilst there are suggestions that Costa, Betis stay eight points above the whose current contract has more drop zone in 13th. Three goals in a than two years to run, could 15-minute first half spell put Gra- extend his time with the Blues by nada well in command as Mehdi signing a new deal. Carcela opened the scoring before Chelsea manager Conte said Ramos netted his first Granada he was unaware of any contract goal and Manchester United loa- discussions, adding he expected nee Andreas Pereira made it 3-0. everything to be sorted out once Ramos only joined Granada the current campaign was over. “I in January ahead of a move to don’t know about this situation,” Chinese club Chongqing Dangdai said Conte. “I think now it’s very Lifan at the end of the season important to be focused on the because both clubs are owned present and not to look so far by Chinese businessman John forward. At the end of the season Jiang. However, the Colombian we will see the situation.” AFP seven changes to the side that started Lisbon on November 22 came 20 minutes The visitors got a break right at the international could have a vital Madrid Wednesday’s 3-1 Champions League last from time when he replaced Morata. start of the second period when Carrasco role to play in keeping Granada ASEAN mulls bidding 16, fi rst leg win with diffi cult La Liga trips And the Welshman showed the home was allowed to bear down on goal despite up as he finished off a sweep- for 2034 World Cup to Valencia and Villarreal to come in the fans what they have been missing for the Antoine Griezmann standing in an off side ing counter-attack for the hosts’ areth Bale made an instant impact next week in mind. past three months as he fi nished off a position and tapped home at the second fourth before Petros registered a SEAN held talks on launch- on his return from injury as Real Morata was one those handed a rare lightning quick Real counter-attack by attempt after Ivan Cuellar had saved his consolation for Betis. Aing a joint bid for the World Madrid extended their lead at the chance to start up front with Karim Ben- fi ring into the far corner. fi rst eff ort. Cup in 2034 during a visit by FIFA top of La Liga to four points with a zema left out of the squad altogether. In Gijon, Gameiro was seconds away The lead lasted just three minutes as Bournemouth charged chief Gianni Infantino to Yangon, G2-0 win over Espanyol yesterday. The Spanish international hadn’t start- from making history as he just missed Atletico’s once solid defence was breached with FA rules breach the head of Myanmar’s football Bale had been sidelined three months ed any of Real’s previous fi ve league games, out on beating David Villa’s record for the by Alvarez as his eff ort evaded the at- federation said yesterday. Football and on his return took just 13 minutes to but made his case for more minutes as he fastest hat-trick in La Liga history. tempts of Stefan Savic to clear off the line. ournemouth have been off icials from the 10-member score as he swept home into the far corner powered home Isco’s fi ne in-swinging Gameiro was only introduced 28 min- Atletico have now conceded more goals Bcharged by the Football Southeast Asian bloc are keen to after coming on as second-half substitute cross for his 11th goal of the season. utes from time but struck in the 80th, 81st in La Liga so far this season than all of last Association for a breach of its capitalise on Infantino’s decision in a much changed Real line up. Morata just failed to get on the end of and 85th minutes and dedicated the hat- season in La Liga. anti-doping regulations, English to expand the tournament to 48 Alvaro Morata opened the scoring of a tantalising Cristiano Ronaldo cross and trick to his recently deceased grandmoth- Gameiro was summoned from the football’s governing body said teams by 2026, said Myanmar an otherwise uneventful contest when he Ronaldo also had a goal ruled out for off - er. “Those goals are for my grandmother, bench just after the hour mark as Atletico yesterday. The south coast club Football Federation chairman Zaw bulleted home Isco’s cross 12 minutes be- side as Real bossed a fi rst-half short on who died this week. I scored three for her.” upped the pressure in search for a winner. have been charged with a failure Zaw. Infantino, the head of foot- fore half-time. clear-cut chances. Yannick Carrasco had bundled Atletico Griezmann was harshly denied by the to comply over ‘whereabouts’ ball’s governing body, has backed Earlier, substitute Kevin Gameiro hit a Ronaldo should have made the game into the lead seconds into the second-half off side fl ag 15 minutes from time. rules designed to provide ac- allowing up to three countries to fi ve-minute hat-trick as Atletico Madrid safe when he headed over from close range before Sergio Alvarez levelled three min- However, the French international did curate details of training sessions host the event instead of expect- maintained their grip on fourth with a 4-1 midway through the second-half. utes later. have a vital role to play in Gameiro’s fi rst and the location of players so ing one bidder to provide a dozen win at Sporting Gijón. Bale’s much-anticipated return since Defeat leaves Sporting still languishing as it was his through ball from which Ga- they are available for drug test- stadiums. Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane made injuring ankle ligaments away at Sporting in the relegation zone, two points off safety. meiro rounded Cuellar to slot home.

BOTTOMLINE No chance of returning to Barcelona, says Guardiola

AFP the job if Enrique leaves, along with happen. played over two legs, or Germany’s Cup Manchester Eusebio Sacristan of Real Sociedad “If there’s a team who can do it, then competition, where drawn matches are and Everton’s Ronald Koeman, who as it’s Barca, with their mentality. When decided with extra-time and penalties, a player scored the goal that secured you have dominated world football, it’s without the need for a replay. anchester City manager them their fi rst European Cup in 1992. normal that the people expect you to “In Spain, we play two games. I pre- Pep Guardiola says he will Guardiola, who won 14 trophies in keep up that level, but my advice to you, fer that situation,” he said. “Maybe for never go back to Barcelona four years as Barcelona’s head coach, knowing Luis and the players a little, is the amount of games played, extra- as their coach amid growing says he has no intention of returning to not to talk too much, because they will time and penalties would be good. Muncertainty about present incumbent the job he left in 2012. “No, I will never be back and prove you wrong. “But OK, I’m not here to decide the Luis Enrique’s future. go back to Barcelona to be coach there. “They’ve done it over the years, domi- rules of how we play the competition, Enrique is out of contract at the Nou My period there is gone.” nating football for 10 years, and they con- I’m here to play the competition in the Camp at the end of the season, and the Despite their stumbles, Barcelona re- tinue to be the best team in the world.” way that the chairmen and the impor- chances of him leaving have increased main the standard bearers of world foot- Guardiola, meanwhile, has suggest- tant people decide. signifi cantly after a calamitous 4-0 ball, according to Guardiola. “Barcelona ed the quality of English football would “I prefer the quality over the quanti- defeat away to Paris St-Germain in the are still the best team in the world,” said be improved if FA Cup replays were ty. Not only here in England, all around Champions League on Tuesday. the 46-year-old Spaniard. “It’s always scrapped. Quarter-fi nal replays were the world. It’s a big mistake, so many That result, in the fi rst leg of their a surprise because they are so, so good, ditched last summer by the Football games. You have to allow people to go last 16 tie, left Barcelona on the brink of but in football anything can happen. Association, which had abolished them to the theatres, the cinemas, the good elimination from the competition, and “There’s a lot of competition, the at the semi-fi nal stage in 1999. restaurants and not play every game in they also lag behind bitter rivals Real opposition are so strong. You can win Guardiola would prefer to see further front of the TV. We’re going to kill the Madrid in the race to win La Liga. heavily or you can lose heavily, that can action taken, calling for a system simi- players. We could have the same qual- Athletic Bilbao coach Ernesto Val- happen, it’s happened to me, but there lar either to that used in Spain’s Copa ity, same intensity but a few less games. verde is reportedly a contender for are 90 minutes to go and anything can del Rey, where all ties bar the fi nal are That is just my point of view.” Gulf Times 6 Sunday, February 19, 2017 SPORT

NBA FOCUS Knicks legend Oakley joins Green clarifi es ‘slave 3-on-3 league

AFP New York

harles Oakley, the former NBA star ar- master mentality’ rested and ejected from Madison Square Garden last week, was named Friday as a player-coach in a new 3-on-3 basketball leagueC debuting in June. Retired New York Knicks legend Oakley will join former NBA stars Chauncey Billups and Stephen Jackson on the Killer 3s of the Big3, which opens its eight-team inaugural season on June 24. remark about Dolan Oakley, 53, had a altercation with security Feb- ruary 8 when the Knicks hosted the Los Angeles Clippers and was arrested on three misdemeanour ‘I don’t know James Dolan. Honestly, if he walked past me right now, I wouldn’t know who he is’ assault charges and another charge of trespassing, prompting a Garden ban from Knicks owner James Dolan. AFP Oakley’s ban from the famed arena was lifted New York by the Knicks last Tuesday, a day after NBA commissioner Adam Silver met with Oakley and Dolan. olden State Warriors for- “The players and coaches are our central focus ward Draymond Green at the BIG3,” said Big3 founder and actor-rap star backed off his comment Fri- Ice Cube. day that New York Knicks “Charles Oakley is an NBA legend who deserves Gowner James Dolan used “slave mas- and has earned respect and will get just that in our ter mentality” toward former Knicks league.” legend Charles Oakley. Oakley played 19 NBA seasons, including 10 Green said remarks on his Tues- seasons with New York, where he became a fan fa- day “Dray Day” podcast “came off vourite. the wrong way” in criticising Dolan “I couldn’t be happier to be a part of this league,” for his role after Oakley’s arrest led Oakley said. “Everyone seems to realize we are to him being banned from Madison about to make history together as players. What an Square Garden. exciting opportunity to stand shoulder to shoulder “I never said James Dolan has a with some of the best ever.” slave master mentality,” Green told The league, launched last month, has unveiled ESPN Radio. “I said when you look Rashard Lewis and Jason Williams leading the at something and someone is doing 3-Headed Monsters while Kenyon Martin and Al something for someone and all of Harrington play for Trilogy. a sudden they can’t anymore, that All teams will play half-court games in an eight- falls under the slave mentality. city regular season tour before playoff s and nalsfi “I can’t say James Dolan is a rac- are staged in August. ist. I don’t know James Dolan. Hon- Retired NBA star Allen Iverson will also serve as estly, if he walked past me right now, a player coach. Other coaches will include ex-NBA I wouldn’t know who he is.” players Clyde Drexler, Gary Payton, George Gervin, Green said the Knicks benefi ted Rick Barry and Rick Mahorn. from Oakley as a player for many years but was then mistreated. “You doing it for me, it’s all good. Murray powers World over US in Ris- You doing it against me — you ing Stars Challenge speaking out against my organisa- tion — it’s not good anymore? That’s Canada’s Jamal Murray made three straight a slave mentality. A slave-master from beyond the arc in the final three minutes to mentality. That’s ridiculous.” power the World team to a 150-141 win over the Oakley, 53, had a altercation with US squad in the Rising Stars Challenge game on security, which forcibly removed Friday. Murray, who plays for the NBA’s Denver him from Madison Square Garden Nuggets, scored 27 of his team-high 36 points during a game. in the second half at the Smoothie King Center Oakley was arrested and charged arena. The international team was also led by with three misdemeanour counts New Orleans Pelicans guard Buddy Hield, a native of assault and one misdemeanour of the Bahamas, who had 28 points, and New count of trespassing. York Knicks center Kristaps Porzingis, a native of Oakley’s ban from the arena lasted Latvia, who added 24. less than a week after it was lifted by The US team was led by Charlotte Hornets center the Knicks on Tuesday, a day after Frank Kaminsky with 33 points and Minnesota NBA commissioner Adam Silver met Timberwolves center Karl-Anthony Towns with with Dolan and Oakley with Michael 24. This was the third year the teams of first- and Jordan joining by conference second-year players were divided up on the basis call. of US versus international. The US and World Green still maintains Dolan was in split the first two games. There were a record 113 the wrong for how he treated Oakley. Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green. international players on opening-night rosters for “I thought some of the things said the 2016-17 NBA regular season. about Charles Oakley — from James owner’s mentality. I don’t know if he ans for interviews to hype Sunday’s with anyone,” Durant told ESPN of stands 12th in rebounds with 10.5 Dolan, from the New York Knicks’ has that. That’s just how that situ- 66th NBA All-Star Game, in which talking to Westbrook this weekend. per contest – putting him on pace Twitter handle — some of the things ation looked to me from the outside ex-teammates Durant and West- “It’s not even something I’m to join Oscar Robinson as the only said about Oakley was wrong, and looking in.” brook will be reunited on the West- thinking about. If it happens it does. players to average a triple double for I still feel that way,” Green said. ern Conference team as it faces the If it doesn’t it’s no big deal. I’m an entire NBA campaign. “However, I think that was a mistake Westbrook-Durant drama Eastern Conference elite. coming here to enjoy the weekend.” Durant leads Golden State with by Dolan, that was a mistake by the sparks All-Star tensions Durant has not spoken to West- For his part, Westbrook answered 25.8 points and 8.3 rebounds a game, Knicks. Once and future NBA teammates brook in the seven months since every question put to him about be- helping the Warriors to the NBA’s “Then I think I followed up and Kevin Durant and Russell West- he signed a free agent deal with the ing in the same locker room again best record at the All-Star break at made the same mistake they made brook played down the drama Friday Warriors, the team that beat the with Durant with only comments 47-9 while the Thunder rank sev- about what they said about Oakley, of hard feelings over Durant leaving Oklahoma City Thunder with Du- about “Fashion Week” and ignoring enth in the West at 32-25. about how it came off about what I behind Oklahoma City and rant and Westbrook in last year’s the issue altogether. Asked if he and the Thunder had Jamal Murray of the Denver Nuggets celebrates said about James Dolan. Like I said, Westbrook to play for Golden Western Conference fi nals. Westbrook leads the NBA in scor- moved on from Durant’s departure, with the 2017 BBVA Compass Rising Stars I don’t know (Dolan). I could never State. “I didn’t come here for there to be ing with 31.1 points a game, ranks Westbrook replied, “What does it Challenge MVP trophy in New Orleans. (AFP) say he’s a racist or he has a slave Players gathered in New Orle- any drama or have a heart to heart third in assists with 10.1 a game and look like?”

SPOTLIGHT Simmons set for key exam on foot injury

AFP Colangelo said. Just after the in- Gasol was voted in during the New York jury, Simmons had been expected union’s annual All-Star meeting to return in January. Now there is of the board of player representa- concern he might miss the 2016- tives in New Orleans. ustralian playmaker 17 campaign entirely. “With the number of inter- Ben Simmons, the top national players in our game pick in last year’s NBA The 20-year-old suff ered a continuing to grow, it’s very im- Draft, will have his fractured fi ft h metatarsal portant for us to make sure that brokenA right foot examined next their interests are represented on last September 30 on the Thursday in New York to see fi nal day of a pre-season our Executive Committee,” said when he might fi nally be able to training camp the union’s executive director make his NBA debut. Michele Roberts. The 20-year-old forward from Simmons takes part in on- “Given his background and Melbourne suff ered a fractured court drills but not scrimmages incredible accomplishments fi fth metatarsal last September and the team wants him to go throughout his career both in 30 on the fi nal day of a pre-sea- through scrimmages before the NBA and around the world, son training camp. playing in games. But at 21-35, Pau will bring a unique perspec- On January 23, doctors exam- the 76ers are 13th in the Eastern tive to our organisation and we’re ined a CT scan and found an in- Conference, 5 1/2 games behind thrilled to welcome him.” ner portion of the bone had not Detroit for the last playoff spot. The Spaniard begins his three- mended, according to a Philadel- Even if Simmons is healthy, the year term eff ective immediately phia Inquirer report citing un- 76ers might decide not to risk as a voting member of the nine- named sources, which also said reinjuring the foot with only 26 player NBPA executive commit- Simmons would be looked at next games remaining in the season. tee. He is the only non-American week at the Hospital for Special on the committee. Surgery in New York. Gasol elected to Players’ Gasol joins Chris Paul (presi- “His next CT scan is sched- Association executive board dent), LeBron James (fi rst vice uled for February 23, after which Six-times NBA All-Star Pau president), James Jones (secre- our medical team will thoroughly Gasol of the San Antonio Spurs tary-treasurer), Carmelo An- review and evaluate his status claimed another honour on Fri- thony, Stephen Curry, Andre Ig- moving forward. Ben’s long- day when he was elected to the uodala, Kyle Korver and Anthony term health remains our primary National Basketball Players As- Tolliver (vice presidents) on the concern,” 76ers president Bryan sociation’s executive committee. executive board. Australian playmaker Ben Simmons. Gulf Times Sunday, February 19, 2017 7 SPORT

NHL FOCUS Barsoton beats strong fi eld to win Penguins fall to Blue Kenya cross title Jackets 2-1 in OT Jagr leads Panthers over Ducks; Avalanche outlast Hurricanes in overtime

AFP third place. Reigning world Nairobi champion Agnes Tirop was fi fth. “It is my fi rst time to win the Kenyan cross country title. apan-based Kenyan I am also targeting a podium Leonard Barsoton place in Kampala,” said Chep- ended a four-year wait tai, who was placed seventh in with a come-from-be- Guiyang. hindJ victory at the world cross country championships trials Kenya names team at the Nairobi Uhuru gardens Leonard Barsoton and Irene ground yesterday. Cheptai will head a 24-member Barsoton was trailing third in Kenyan team at the 2017 World the fi nal lap of the men’s senior Cross-country championships 10 kilometre behind reigning in Kampala, Uganda on March world cross champion Geof- 26, after winning yesterday’s frey Kamworor and world sil- national trials. ver medallist Bedan Karoki. Kenya are seeking to wres- But the 22-year-old gathered tle the overall world title from enough strength on the last arch-rivals Ethiopia. 500 metres to overlap his two The Kenya team also in- illustrious compatriots and cludes the men’s and women’s sprint away to win the title in 10k defending champions Ge- 28:56.3. off rey Kamworor and Agnes “I didn’t expect that I could Tirop and Olympians Faith win,” said Barsoton, who was Chepngetich Kipyegon, Alice fi fth at the 2015 World cross Aprot and Hyvin Kiyeng. country championships in Guiyany, China. “I have been The Kenya team for 2017 patient enough to wait for this World Cross-country chance since 2013.” championships: Karoki fi nished a distant Senior men: Leonard Barso- second in 29:02.3 but said ton, Bedan Karoki, Geoff rey he would not compete at the Kamworor, Vincent Rono, Le- world championships in Kam- onard Komon, Leonard Lagat pala in March as he was pre- Senior women: Irene Cheptai, paring to make his marathon Lilian Kasait, Faith Chepnget- debut in London in April. ich Kipyegon, Alice Aprot, Columbus Blue Jackets center Brandon Dubinsky (No 17) reacts to scoring the game winning goal against the Pittsburgh Penguins in the overtime. PICTURE: USA TODAY Sports Third-placed Kamworor will Agnes Tirop, Hyvin Kiyeng however be defending his title U-20 men: Richard Yator, By Jason Mackey ings between these Metropolitan at 1:33 when Ryan Murray shov- The fi rst period featured no 894 goals. Colton Sceviour, Aar- in Kampala having recovered Meshack Kyuguti, Wesley Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Division rivals this season. The elled a puck from the high slot goals but a ton of entertainment, on Ekblad and Derek MacKen- from a leg injury he sustained Ladema, Edwin Kiplagat, Amos fourth and fi nal meeting will be and through a screen. including Dubinsky and Crosby zie also scored for the Panthers at the Rio Olympics. Kirui, Ronald Kirui April 4, the fi nal home game of The goal came after Crosby exchanging a few words and while Andrew Cogliano scored Irene Cheptai also ran a tac- U20 women:Sandrafelis nother milestone the season for the Penguins. appeared to beat Sergei Bo- shoves within the fi rst minute. his 12th goal for the Ducks. tical race to win the women’s Chebet, Cellephine Chepteek, achieved. Just not anoth- The Penguins came out with a brovsky and even hit a post for It looked like Columbus left Meanwhile Mikko Rantanen eight kilometre senior race and Sheila Chelangat, Emmaculate er emotional, overtime strong push in the third. Sidney good measure. wing Boone Jenner might have scored with 36.4 seconds left in relegating Olympic 3000m Chepkirui, Joyline Cherotich, win for the Penguins. Crosby set up Jake Guentzel and After Blue Jackets right wing given Columbus a 1-0 lead at overtime as Colorado snapped champion Faith Kipyegon into Esther Muthoni. AEvgeni Malkin recorded his Chris Kunitz. Cam Atkinson hit the crossbar, 5:45, but offi cials correctly ruled its fi ve-game losing streak with a 500th NHL assist in the sec- Kunitz had a chance at a Ian Cole snuck a shot from the that he made early contact with victory over Carolina. ond period, but the Penguins yawning cage at 10:42, but Blue left point through traffi c to tie it Murray. Rantanen scored his 12th of Danish badminton legend Kops dies dropped a 2-1 overtime decision Jackets defense Seth Jones got a at 1 at 6:13. With Olli Maatta (hand) and the season, taking a feed on a to the Columbus Blue Jackets on piece of the puck. Malkin picked up the as- Justin Schultz (concussion) out, 2-on-1 rush from Matt Duchene, Erland Kops, a Danish badminton great who won the All England Friday at Nationwide Arena. Earlier, Carl Hagelin and Pat- sist, his 500th in the NHL. He’s Chad Ruhwedel and Steve Ole- beating Hurricanes goaltender tournament seven times in singles and four times in doubles, has Playing 24 hours after Sidney ric Hornqvist executed a pretty the fourth to do it in a Penguins ksy were more than serviceable Cam Ward with a one-timer and died. He was 80. Crosby reached 1,000 points in give and go to give Hagelin an uniform, joining Mario Lemieux as their replacements. snapping the Avalanche’s six- The Badminton World Federation says yesterday that “the great his NHL career – when the Pen- excellent chance. That line was (1,033), Jaromir Jagr (640) and Jaromir Jagr earned his 760th game skid at PNC Arena dating badminton legend Erland Kops passed away overnight.” The guins were down to four healthy money for much of the night. Crosby (633). career goal as Florida scored to February 2009. Tyson Bar- statement did not give a cause of death or say where Kops died. defensemen for more than half Matt Murray kept the score A crucial call kept Columbus three times in less than six min- rie opened the scoring with his Kops’ All England victories came in the 1950s and 1960s, with his the game – the Penguins battled tied at 1 with a pair of key saves from taking a 2-1 lead at 12:12 utes during the second period fourth of the season for the Ava- first singles title in 1958. fatigued. in the fi nal minute: a blocker of the second period, the sec- in a victory over Anaheim at the lanche Jeff Skinner scored his He was Nordic singles champion five times in the 1960s, and he They were instead dropped stop on Boone Jenner and a glove ond disallowed goal for the Blue Honda Center. team-leading 19th for the Hur- also won the Danish title five times in singles and four in doubles. by their biggest nemesis, which save on Brandon Saad, in all Jackets in this one. The 45-year-old Jagr, who ricanes. Kops was inducted to the BWF Hall of Fame in 1997 and he re- scored in the slot at 1:04 of alone with 37.7 seconds to go. Offi cials ruled the Penguins ranks third in NHL career goal ceived the federation’s Lifetime Achievement award last year. overtime when center Brandon Columbus grabbed the mo- had taken possession on a de- scoring, now needs 41 to tie Hall RESULTS Danish great Peter Gade tweeted: ‘One of the biggest legends in Dubinsky converted. mentum early in the second pe- layed penalty call before right of Famer Gordie Howe for second Panthers 4 Ducks 1 our sport of badminton, Erland Kops, passed away this morning. As a result, Columbus won for riod, taking eight of the fi rst nine wing Oliver Bjorkstrand had place. Wayne Gretzky fi nished Blue Jackets 2 Penguins 1 (OT) Truly a legend to remember. RIP Erland.’ the second time in three meet- shots on goal, and made it 1-0 scored, negating the goal. his Hall-of-Fame career with Avalanche 2 Hurricanes 1 (OT)

ATHLETICS Farah bows out indoors with European record

London family behind to do more train- Reuters ing. It has paid off . Hard work pays off .” Farah shaved over half a sec- o Farah ended his ond off the European record indoor career with – and more than 10 off the pre- a new European vious British best – after pace- record, winning the maker Adam Clarke had taken M5,000 metres at the Birmingham the 11-man fi eld through a fast Indoor Grand Prix on Saturday opening to the race. in a time of 13 minutes 10.60 seconds. He hit the front with two Farah, Britain’s four-times laps to go before extending Olympic champion, plans to his lead, much to the joy of focus on road racing after the the large crowd outdoor world championships in London in August when he will Urging the crowd to raise the say his fi nal farewell to the track. noise levels, Farah exuded his The 33-year-old was helped to trademark calmness as he tucked break the indoor mark at the Bir- in behind Rop for the fi nal stages. mingham Indoor Arena in what He hit the front with two laps became a two-way duel with Ken- to go before extending his lead, yan Albert Rop, who stretched much to the joy of the large him over the fi nal two laps. crowd. It was a fi tting way for Brit- Farah did not realise he had ain’s most successful long-dis- broken the record but paid trib- tance runner to end his indoor ute to the support he has re- career – and a marked improve- ceived during his stellar career, ment on his only other appear- in which he has won the Olympic ance this season, when he came 5,000 and 10,000-metres dou- seventh in a cross-country event ble twice. in Edinburgh last month. “The crowds have been so “I knew from Edinburgh I good for me over the years. I will needed to do some work,” he told miss it,” he said. the BBC. “I can’t quite believe it’s my “I had to go away and leave my last race.” Britain’s Mo Farah celebrates after winning the 5,000m final during the Indoor athletics Grand Prix at the Barclaycard Arena in Birmingham yesterday. (AFP) Gulf Times 8 Sunday, February 19, 2017 SPORT

SPOTLIGHT LPGA: AUSTRALIAN OPEN Salas leads as world no. 1 Ko drops back Vegas ties the lead AFP dad here,” Salas said. Adelaide “On 18 my hands were a little numb. I was just trying to relax and stay patient. We’ll take it merican Lizette Salas shot-for-shot tomorrow. seized the outright lead “It’s been a while since I’ve after the third round been in this position. I’m just go- of the Australian Open ing to embrace it and have fun.” as Spieth makes yesterdayA as world number one Ko’s charge looks all but over Lydia Ko fell even further behind after an even-par round in the at Royal Adelaide. morning groups. Salas, ranked 71, stormed to The New Zealander was run- 10-under with three birdies in her ning out of holes as she tried fi nal fi ve holes for a two-under 71 to close the gap on the leaders, in the LPGA-sanctioned event. but she posted just two bird- She fi nished with fi ve birdies ies against two bogeys in an un- moves at Riviera and two bogeys to lead by two eventful round. strokes from Australians Su Oh Ko began the day nine shots off and Sarah Jane Smith along with the lead at even-par for the tour- ‘I tried to stay super patient. I knew I was going to hit a lot of bad shots and had to Thailand’s Pornanong Phatlum, nament and subsequently failed all on eight under. to make any ground and was in find a way to get a lot of up-and-downs. Staying patient was the key’ Salas played a superb back joint 35th heading into the fi nal nine and grabbed the lead when 18 holes. she made consecutive birdies at “I think I was playing a couple the 14th and 15th before extend- of yards for the coolness and the ing the margin when she two- temperature itself, but it wasn’t putted for another birdie on the easy,” Ko said. par-fi ve 17th hole. Ko admitted her work off her The American, whose parents tee let her down as she tried to are Mexican immigrants, has get back into contention. been strident in her social me- “I didn’t hit my drives very dia criticism of President Donald well compared to the last two Trump’s immigration policy, al- days,” Ko said. though she diplomatically stayed “My putting stroke was good out of that debate at her post- but not many putts went in. round media conference. Hopefully I’m just saving it up “It would be such an hon- for tomorrow. I’ve got one day our and it would be my fi rst win to go. Hopefully it’ll all come to- overseas, my fi rst win with my gether. You just never know.”

CYCLNG Belgian Hermans fl ying high in Oman

Belgium Ben Hermans raises his arm as he wins the 5th stage of the 8th edition of the cycling Tour of Oman. Jhonattan Vegas hits from the fifth hole fairway during the second round of the Genesis Open golf tournament at Riviera Country Club. AFP erage gradient of 10.5% over the Reuters down the California coast. Genesis Open scores Jebel Al Akhdar, Oman fi nal 2,000 metres to the summit Los Angeles “Last week actually was great prep for fi nish. it because we played through conditions Leading scores after completion of “After my win on Wednesday like this in the fi rst round,” said the two- the first round of the US PGA Tour elgium’s Ben Hermans (in the second stage) I was con- honattan Vegas of Venezuela battled times major champion. Genesis Open (USA unless noted, a- maintained his Tour of fi dent but it was tough going, through 14 wet and windy holes on “Things aren’t always going to go your denotes amateur): Oman lead with yester- even in the last few kilometres I Friday to tie for the lead as Jordan way on a day like today... so try and pick day’s success in the fi fth wasn’t able to get away from Fa- Spieth made a move before second- your spots on the easy holes and from andB penultimate mountain stage. bio Aru who was always only 10 64 - Sam Saunders roundJ play was suspended for the day at there hit putts at the right speed and After this summit fi nish win or 20 metres behind me.” 66 - Dustin Johnson, J.T. the Genesis Open in Los Angeles. make it as stress-free as possible.” Poston, Daniel Summerhays, Brett on the Jabal Al Akhdhar (Green “When you look at the riders Vegas, one of 48 players who returned US Open champion Dustin Johnson, Stegmaier, Cameron Percy (AUS), Mountain) 5.7 climb, the RMC who came in behind me this has early Friday morning to the famed Riviera who shot a fi ve-under 66 on Thursday, John Huh rider has a 22 second cushion got to be the best win of my ca- layout to complete the fi rst round, shot a was left cooling his heels in the club- 67 - Marc Leishman (AUS), Padraig over nearest rival Rui Costa going reer.” four-under 67 and then was three-under house, yet to start the second round. Harrington (IRL), Billy Hurley, Phil into Sunday’s closing stage. One of the main challengers for with four to go when play was halted with Australian Jason Day, whose hold on Mickelson, Pat Perez, Branden Grace Hermans was followed across overall victory, France’s Romain continued heavy rain and high winds Jordan Spieth playing a shot. world number one is being threatened (RSA), Kevin Na, An Byeong-Hun the fi nish line by Italian Fabio Bardet saw his prospects take a forecast as the area experienced one of its this week by Johnson, stood two-under (KOR), Jhonattan Vegas (VEN), a- Aru at 3sec and Portugal’s Rui hit after failing to mount a serious strongest storms in years. had fi red an opening seven-under 64 to through 15 holes. Sahith Theegala Costa at 11sec on the day. challenge for the day’s honours. “I tried to stay super patient,” Vegas set the pace on Thursday in his quest for Hideki Matsuyama of Japan, who also 68 - Ollie Schniederjans, Scott Brown, The 30-year-old has brought Bardet, second in last year’s told Golf Channel. “I knew I was going to a maiden PGA Tour win in his 79th start. entered the event with a mathematical Patrick Rodgers, Adam Scott (AUS), his good early season form to Tour de France, remained sixth hit a lot of bad shots and had to fi nd a way Australian Cameron Percy (71) was the chance of supplanting Day, was three- Charley Hoff man, Luke Donald (ENG), Oman after his second in last overall at 1min 17sec with all re- to get a lot of up-and-downs. Staying clubhouse leader at fi ve-under 137, with over for the tournament after 15 holes. Charlie Beljan, Adam Hadwin (CAN), month’s Tour of Valencia. alistic hope of winning gone. patient was the key.” Spieth also fi ve-under after 16 holes. He appears headed for a missed cut, Kim Whee (KOR), Hideki Matsuyama In yesterday’s stage he domi- There are two climbs on Sun- Sixty players had yet to start the sec- Spieth, coming off a commanding along with last year’s winner Bub- (JPN), Jim Herman, Ryan Palmer, Ben nated the specialist climbers up a day’s 130km run with Aru still a ond round, including Sam Saunders. four-stroke victory at Pebble Beach on ba Watson, who soared to eight-over Crane six minute fi nal climb with an av- potential danger for the leader. The grandson of the late Arnold Palmer Sunday, continued his sizzling form through 16.

GOLF UCI lax on TUE use, says Boardman Cycling chiefs must do more “How did we get to the to erase suspicion over situation where something is Therapeutic Use Exemptions legal but people don’t feel it’s (TUEs), according to Britain’s moral? former Olympic champion and “It’s like tax evasion and tax Rumford widens gap leading Tour de France yellow jersey avoidance. Just because you wearer Chris Boardman. get away with it, doesn’t make Bradley Wiggins’s use of TUEs it okay.” while with Team Sky, made pub- He said riders needed to be lic by cyber-hacking website protected from the rules. into new matchplay format Fancy Bears last year, raised un- “If everybody has got exercise AFP 66 that got him to 11-under. Another birdie on the 15th got comfortable ethical questions induced asthma it doesn’t Perth Rumford, who has won fi ve him to 12-under. about riders competing after seem to be right really. I just European Tour titles, lost his “Match play is a diff erent ball being taking prohibited drugs think the whole system needs tour playing privileges last sea- game,” Oosthuizen said. for medical conditions. tightening up. If you are not ustralia’s Brett Rum- son, but has revelled at his home “Your opponent can start re- The Briton broke no anti- well you shouldn’t be racing.” ford extended his lead Lake Karrinyup layout this week. ally fast off and you can be in doping rules, however, and Wiggins’s use of corticosteroid to fi ve shots ahead of He bogeyed the fi rst, picked trouble. So it’s all on how your Boardman says the situation triamcinolone prior to the the match play fi nale to that shot back up on the sixth opponent is also going to play. could have been avoided. 2011 and 2012 Tours de France theA World Super 6 Perth at Lake but a double-bogey on the next “So it will be a bit of a diff er- “I don’t think the world and 2013 Giro d’Italia was Karrinyup yesterday. left him in danger of dropping ent mindset starting out tomor- governing body (UCI) is doing described as “ethically wrong” Rumford extended his margin out of the top eight. row. I think from the fi rst hole it its job if they are allowing a by former team mate Nicolas from two shots at the halfway But back-to-back birdies on will be like playing the last hole situation where something is Roche last year. stage of the European Tour event the ninth and tenth got him back of a tournament. legal but not ethical,” Board- Triple Tour de France winner with a four-under 68 to take the into the groove and four bird- “You need to focus pretty hard man, who paved the way for Chris Froome also said “ques- top seeding into today’s new six- ies in fi ve holes from the 13th - to get off to a quick start because Britain’s rise as a cycling force tions remained” about Wig- hole knockout format. sealed with a huge putt on the it’s only six holes but it should be by winning the individual gins’s treatment for asthma. The top eight players after 54 penultimate hole - gave a fl our- fun to see how it plays out.” pursuit at the 1992 Olympics, Boardman said Wiggins had holes of strokeplay earned a bye ish to his third round. Scrivener and Connelly were told Reuters. not ended his glittering career into the last 16 on the fi nal day, Oosthuizen, the 2010 British the big movers into the top eight, “We have focussed on the indi- how he would have liked, but with the next 16 taking on each File picture of Brett Rumford. Open winner, has been playing both fi ring bogey-free rounds of viduals but the people who has some sympathy. other in the fi rst round of the in- steadily and continued with 66. govern what happens with “Riders are doing all they can novative new match play fi nish. fi red a 67 to fi nish in the group at and Canadian Austin Connelly. birdies on the sixth and tenth Belgian Thomas Detry, Eng- TUEs have been allowed to sit to push the limits to be the South Africa’s Louis Oost- 12-under alongside Australians Australia’s Jake Higginbottom before he holed from the fair- land’s Ryan Evans and American in the background and let it best they can be every day, huizen, who won in Perth last Adam Blyth, Lucas Herbert, Ste- took the fi nal seeded spot on way on the 13th for a spectacu- Johannes Veerman fi nished in a trundle on. that’s their job,” he said. year over 72 holes of stroke play, ven Jeff ress and Jason Scrivener count back following a closing lar eagle. group of six at 11 under. Gulf Times Sunday, February 19, 2017 9 SPORT

APLINE SKIING RUGBY O’Shea treating Italy ‘like an alcoholic’ Flawless Shiff rin AFP London

onor O’Shea says he has approached the huge challenge of being Italy rugby head coach like wins third back to Can alcoholic addressing his ad- diction and admitting there is a problem. The 46-year-old Irishman — who replaced Frenchman Jacques Brunel last year — told The Times he needed to change the mindset of the players who were suff ering back world title the inevitable consequences of al- ways being told they were useless. The many critics have had a ‘I could hear the crowd cheering for Wendy, it felt like I was standing there forever fi eld day following last Satur- File picture of Italy’s national day’s abject 63-10 defeat at the team coach, Conor O’Shea. and I just thought – just pretend they’re cheering for you and go for it. You have to...’ hands of his native Ireland with some even questioning do Italy fi ve,” said O’Shea, who is follow- deserve to stay in the competi- ing in the footsteps of coach- tion — the well-funded Georgia ing greats like Nick Mallett and being mooted as a potential re- Pierre Berbizier in trying to turn placement. around the fortunes of Italy. That appears a longshot al- “We should be expanding, not though another hammering going the other way. against Grand Slam holders Eng- “Over the last 30 Six Nations land at Twickenham on Sunday matches before this year Scot- week will provide further am- land had won one more than Ita- munition. ly, and go back to my day and Ire- “It’s like an alcoholic. The fi rst land would have been relegated a thing he has to do is say, ‘I have few times. a problem.’ We have to acknowl- “I look at it and think Italy has edge it,” he told Saturday’s edi- the third-biggest economy in tion of The Times. Europe. If we want to grow the “Of course there is a lot to game, rugby can ill aff ord to say, change, but any Tom, Dick and ‘We don’t need you.’ If we get our Harry can come in here and tell act together then the whole con- us what we need to do. versation becomes a moot point “If someone says you are really anyway.” bad at your job, and everyone else O’Shea, an exciting fullback then keeps telling you that, then as a player earning 35 caps and it’s in your head. scoring 11 tries, says the promise “There is so much negativity being shown by the Under-20 and I don’t just mean external. side is a basis for optimism about These players are constantly told the future as was the senior side’s they are not good enough. historic 20-18 triumph over an “We need players mentally admittedly demoralised South strong enough to deal with very Africa last November. tough times.” “There are a lot of people on O’Shea — who established his the outside saying they are not coaching credentials at English good enough,” said O’Shea, who Premiership side Harlequins guid- has brought in the experienced ing them to the domestic title in pair of Mike Catt and Brendan 2012 and two European Challenge Venter to back him up in the trophy victories — says the debate coaching department. about Italy’s future in the Six Na- “Having been here long tions is superfl uous. enough now, I can say they will “It was the four nations, then be plenty good enough.”

Mikaela Shiff rin (also below) of the USA in action in the women’s slalom event during the FIS Alpine Skiing World Championships, in St. Moritz, Switzerland yesterday. Pitch problems force venue change for Tonga-Wales test AFP Shiff rin said, admitting to playing mind course coincidentally set by her personal St. Moritz, Switzerland games to retain her edge. coach, Mike Day, chosen in a random Tonga’s test against Wales ward with alternative venue “My fi rst run felt solid, but that time draw of all coaches. in June is to be moved to arrangements to ensure that in the start for the second I could hear The last female skier to bag three con- another venue over concerns the test match could still take merican Mikaela Shiff rin re- the crowd cheering for Wendy, it felt like secutive slalom crowns was Germany’s about the state of the pitch place in June at an appropri- wrote the history books yesterday I was standing there forever and I just Christel Cranz, but that was back in at the National Stadium in ate facility. by laying down two near-perfect thought ‘just pretend they’re cheering 1937-39 when the world championships Nuku’alofa. “Discussions are taking place runs to convincingly win a third for you and go for it. You have to, other- were much smaller, equipment used was The match, scheduled for with alternative venues to consecutiveA world slalom title. wise what’s the point’. nowhere near as cutting edge as it is to- June 17, could now be moved host the match on the same The untouchable 21-year-old, who “I can’t even think about being a day, and course-setting and preparation to New Zealand. weekend in June.” won giant slalom silver on Thursday, had three-time world champion, I’m just so were not nearly as taxing as modern ski- “The diff icult decision to move New Zealand media reported dominated the fi rst leg and went into the happy with today. conditions were really nice but it’s tough ers face. the match was made after it yesterday that Auckland was second with a 0.38sec lead on the fi eld. “The biggest thing I was thinking because it’s both icy and aggressive. With her latest victory, Shiff rin be- was confirmed that ground being considered as a possible In brilliant sunshine which saw Shif- about was to ski fast and see if you can “I’m super-happy to have a third med- comes the seventh skier to have man- works in relation to the redevel- venue for the match, given the frin huddle under an umbrella for shade win and the next biggest thing was you’re al in a row. It means a lot, to be able to aged to win an individual event at three opment of the national stadium large Tongan community in between runs, the American made no going to ski out and screw it up on the ski at this high level for so many years is consecutive world championships af- in Nuku’alofa were running New Zealand’s biggest city. mistake on her second run, handing fi rst gate. fantastic.” ter Cranz (twice), France’s Marielle behind schedule, with the result Tongan supporters produced down a masterclass to again clock the “For sure I was thinking about failure, Slovakia’s Veronika Velez Zuzulova, Goitschel, Sweden’s Ingemar Stenmark, that the pitch may not be fit for one of the more memorable fastest time for a combined total of 1min but it didn’t end up that way!” in third after the fi rst run in her bid to Switzerland’s Erika Hess, Norwegian purpose in time,” the WRU said moments of the run-up to the 37.27sec down the Suvretta course. Holdener acknowledged that it had win her country’s fi rst individual world Kjetil Andre Aamodt and fellow Ameri- in a statement on their website 2011 Rugby World Cup when Switzerland’s Wendy Holdener, who been a “crazy two weeks” for her in front championship medal, skied out midway can Ted Ligety. (www.wru.co.uk). they caused gridlock around won gold in the last week’s alpine com- of a raucous home crowd. down the course and when Holdener Shiff rin, who also won Olympic slalom “Given the significant logistics Auckland International Airport bined event, claimed silver, at a distant “There’s been a lot of emotions and re- shot into the lead amid deafening sup- gold in the Sochi Games, currently also involved in hosting an interna- as they welcomed their team. 1.64sec, with Sweden’s Frida Hansdotter ally succesful races. It’s really unbeliev- port from a large home crowd, the pres- tops the race for the overall World Cup tional touring test team, it was Wales also also face Samoa in taking bronze (+1.75) after silver in 2015 able to have the world championships at sure mounted. crystal globe, with closest rival Lara Gut agreed by all parties that it Apia on June 24. Now to see and bronze in 2013. home with two medals.” But Shiff rin kept her cool to hand out a now ruled out for the rest of the season would be prudent to move for- what happens next. “That second run felt really good,” Hansdotter added: “It was tough, the startling primer in slalom skiing down a with a knee injury sustained in St Moritz.

BOTTOMLINE Mayweather can cash in on McGregor mismatch By Kevin Mitchell, The Guardian Whatever advocates of MMA will livers on his predictions – never more are a thousand mugs who helped them London shout in a bar or on the internet, this is spectacularly than on the December get there. Mayweather is one of the few not a fair fi ght. McGregor, who has won night in 2015 when he knocked out José to have beaten the odds. McGregor has 21 bouts and lost three (all by submis- Aldo in 13 seconds with a perfect left not done badly either and his sport is or all the talk that has built up sion), will do well to land the occasional hook. “Precision beats power,” he said on what seems to be an ever-upward around the putative showdown blow on the twisting shoulders of the in the octagon afterwards, “and timing curve, especially among young punters between Floyd Mayweather and boxer regarded as the best defensive beats speed.” He understands the core disillusioned by the serial shenanigans Conor McGregor being about the ring artist of the past 25 years. If it lasts fundamentals of fi ghting, as Sutcliff e of professional boxing. McGregor is not bestF pound-for-pound boxer of the past more than a few rounds, it will be be- has said. doing this for UFC, though; he is doing quarter of a century taking on the bright- cause Mayweather has been out of the Nevertheless, for all that he might it for McGregor. est star in the history of mixed martial ring for nearly 18 months and turns 40 regard himself as the co-star in a pro- As Damon Runyon, that old rascal arts, it is not. It has all the hallmarks of on Friday. duction yet to be signed off , McGregor of the fi ght game, once said: “Always a mismatch. This one, like nearly all the While they are roughly the same size, knows why this bout makes sense. As try to rub against money for, if you rub others, is about the money. Mayweather is stronger, quicker, slicker does Mayweather, the shrewdest busi- against money long enough, some of it Unless there is an accident or a mira- and more seasoned, having boxed con- nessman boxing has had since Sugar may rub off on you.” cle, Mayweather will bamboozle the sistently at the welterweight limit of Ray Leonard. One-sided as this fi ght would be, Irish cage fi ghter to the point of em- 147lb throughout the last decade of his there is hidden danger for Mayweath- barrassment with skills that carried career, as well as moving up to win the STAGGERING NUMBERS er. Although McGregor’s pure boxing him unbeaten through 49 professional world 154lb light-middleweight title. Take a deep breath and absorb some skills are long buried, he is practised in boxing matches and garnered him titles In four years with the UFC McGregor numbers: Mayweather generated a the art of crude hurting. He could land at fi ve weights in 26 world champion- has operated in a similar weight range, staggering $1.3bn in pay-per-view rev- that long left, or his trademark upper- ship contests. Although McGregor, 28, between 145lb and 155lb, although the enue in 15 fi ghts over the last 10 years of cut. Mayweather might just get old on is a phenomenon in his own discipline, divisions in his sport allow for a wider his career. In three years between 2012 the wrong night. There has to be some he has not fought competitively with disparity. and 2015 he earned more money than element of doubt, otherwise even the proper boxing gloves since he was a File picture of Floyd Mayweather Jr. It will make little diff erence: the real any other athlete in the world, accord- most naive customer would not be in- 15-year-old novice in south Dublin. As gulf between them is in boxing ability. ing to Forbes and Sports Illustrated. terested. his trainer at the Crumlin amateur club, [kick-boxing and mixed martial arts] Gregor, particularly his southpaw left- While McGregor insists he is chasing When he fought Manny Pacquiao in But, as Runyon also said: “I long ago Phil Sutcliff e, told Boxing News last and packed it in.” cross fi nisher, a lethal blow that has down some sort of unique fi stic history, May 2015, there were 4.6 million fans came to the conclusion that life is six to year: “He won a few novice titles and Sutcliff e, a respected fi gure in Irish accounted for many of his 24 MMA op- he also admits he is in avid pursuit of willing to pay for the privilege, bringing fi ve against.” boxed on plenty of shows [over three amateur boxing, sees remnants of those ponents over eight years. But even Sut- the cash. in $400m in 36 minutes of boxing on a And you’ll get far longer odds years] to learn his trade but, before he long-ago boxing skills in the UFC per- cliff e surely does not expect McGregor The Irishman does not lack for cha- single night. than that on McGregor if this fi ght ever became a junior, he found another love formances of the switch-hitting Mc- to beat Mayweather. risma. He is brash and, generally, he de- For every millionaire in boxing there happens. Game on. Gulf Times 10 Sunday, February 19, 2017 CRICKET

SPOTLIGHT As Root smoothly steps up, where are England’s past captaincy shemozzles? Forget the negotiations with foreign counterparts who have limited English. No idioms, no jokes, no well-rehearsed, ad libs. And also nothing that could be twisted by a tabloid headline writer. well-mannered Since his retirement, it has become clear that Michael Vaughan is articulate, intelligent acceptance and amusing. As captain, almost all his public utterances began with the word “obviously”. speeches. And they were indeed statements of the bleed- ing obvious. English cricket is a What the captain does have now is tenure. When Hutton was given the job, he was given soap opera or it is just a single Test match, though in the event he lasted three years. And captains would habitu- nothing. Goodies! ally be appointed or extended by increments, a series at most. Root, however, will lead the Baddies! Disasters! team to Australia next winter barring injury or a quite spectacular indiscretion. Even before By Matthew Engel Cook resigned, the subject was not really part The Guardian of the national conversation. Where are the great captaincy shemozzles of yesteryear? In the 1960s there could almost be he ECB did its best to make it seem fi ghts in the playground between partisans of there was doubt over who would re- the tough northerners, fi rst Brian Close and then place Alastair Cook in a role that has Illingworth, and the constant alternative from Tmarkedly declined in visibility and the allegedly soft south, Colin Cowdrey. The power – not to mention good-chappery and distinction between the amateurs (otherwise chaos known as the Gentlemen, who were in many It is not often that the England and Wales cases offi cers and/or varsity men as well) and Cricket Board sets an example to the entire free the pros (aka players) was offi cially abolished in world, but it might be said to have happened 1962. It has never quite gone away, though. this week. Even after Hutton broke the amateur mo- Just when the entire planet is transfi xed by nopoly, one selector, RWV Robins (“Snobby the chaotic transition in Washington, up pops Robby”) unsuccessfully plotted to replace him the ECB to announce that one pleasant, well- with the Rev David Shepherd, later the Bishop brought-up young man from a not-quite- of Liverpool. Illingworth, a great success as front-rank public school will become England captain, got the job in 1969 only because Cow- captain, replacing another slightly less young drey was injured, and even then had to squeeze man fi tting the same description. out Roger Prideaux, a fringe player who was Joe Root was presented to the nation at Head- not guaranteed a place in the team, and whose ingley, his notional home ground, although – in main claim to the job was a Cambridge blue. the nature of the modern game – he has only Good-chappery for its own sake was only played four fi rst-class county matches there killed off in 1988, the year England had four in four years. And Root proceeded to say all captains (fi ve, including an afternoon of Derek the right things about his predecessor, Alastair Pringle) in nine weeks. For the Headingley Cook, and the job and the game and “the guys”. Test against the then-mighty West Indies, The PR team had stretched things out over the chairman of selectors, Peter May, plucked several days, even trying to create an impression from county cricket Colin Cowdrey’s son there was some doubt as to who would be ap- Chris, who had the inestimable advantage of pointed. They probably regarded the operation being his godson. The manager, Micky Stew- as a great success. Even so, Root’s press confer- art, quickly saw him off . ence did not make the BBC’s main news bul- Rationalists argued that the whole business letin. The latest entertainment from the White was absurd, that England should emulate the House certainly did. Aussies and put the best player in charge. In Forget the well-rehearsed, well-mannered a sense that is what now happens. There are acceptance speeches. English cricket is a soap problems with that too. The most revered of opera or it is nothing. Goodies! Baddies! Dis- all modern England captains, Mike Brearley, asters! was barely worth a place on playing merit. And It is diffi cult to give advice to an organisa- four times in my own memory, the best player tion which, in the immediate aftermath of the was appointed even when there was, shall we 2005 Ashes ratings triumph, removed its sport say, a suitability question: Boycott, Ian Both- from all mainstream television to stop the pub- am, Andrew Flintoff and Kevin Pietersen. lic from watching it. It succeeded in that all It has always ended badly: in 1978 after a right. There is little chance of the England team Pakistan/New Zealand tour on which Boycott ever getting another open-top bus tour, or even took over after Brearley was injured, grown men being recognised on a bus if the Ferrari breaks returned with glazed expressions as though down and they have to catch one. they had been in the trenches. They had seen But if anyone in the game’s ruling body does things of which they could not speak. want to get the public involved again, I have a England did not do well under any of these suggestion. Forget the smooth transitions. For- chised Twenty20 competition gets going that The England captain had real power though, coach, though there are countless other fi n- four and if any England captain since Jardine get the well-rehearsed, well-mannered accept- Root would be selected by the Leeds Loose Can- especially when far from home. James Lilly- gers in the pie including the director of Eng- was capable of igniting a global confl agration, ance speeches. English cricket is a soap opera nons rather than the Manchester Mercenaries white, in Melbourne 140 years ago the fi rst of land cricket, Andrew Strauss. As when he was it was defi nitely Pietersen. But by golly he got or it is nothing. Goodies! Baddies! Disasters! or the Oval Oddbods. Or indeed playing at all, them, was also the entrepreneur who set up the a player, Strauss appears to do everything very people talking about cricket again. And a few triumphs if possible, though heaven because he will be too busy captaining England. tour. And the pattern continued even after the effi ciently even though no one seems to know Which, on Thursday night, gave me a knows we have managed without them in the What’s the point of such an event without the MCC took over, especially when teams were a what he actually does. thought. I do not suggest bringing back Pi- past. So let’s change the script. leading cricketer in the country? long way from the beady eye of the Lord’s es- Quite literally, the captain’s visibility has etersen as captain: far too much baggage. But For a start team selection has been far too And the England captaincy itself has become tablishment. declined, on account of spending so much maybe the ECB can learn more from Donald consistent and competent for some years now. a problem. Root is far less recognisable to the In 1932-33 Douglas Jardine unilaterally de- time in a helmet. And the position is now con- Trump than the other way round. He continu- Where’s the fun in that? I am not being face- public than Len Hutton was when he became clared war on Australia, and just rode rough- fused by there being two or sometimes three ally assures us he is smart enough to learn any- tious. Although cricket is a team game, the indi- England’s fi rst professional captain nearly 65 shod over the manager, Pelham Warner. In men entitled to call themselves England cap- thing. If the presidency-gig fails to work out, vidual is at the heart of its appeal, not the result. years ago, when few people even had a TV. 1970-71 Ray Illingworth faced down and then tains. couldn’t the ECB at least hire him to take over Years ago there was regular outrage in Notting- Hutton’s profi le was somewhat lower than the simply ignored his manager, David Clark, on Root can expect to have the responsibility of the press conferences? hamshire whenever the local hero Derek Ran- monarch (same one as now) and the prime min- the way to winning the Ashes. I interviewed explaining away defeats – successive coaches Ruling the free world does normally require dall was replaced by Mike Gatting of Middlesex ister (one Winston Churchill), but considerably Freddie Brown, captain of the 1950-51 tour, have been remarkably skilful at being other- some kind of attention to outcomes. For a na- (it happened a lot). Remember the passions cre- above the England football manager, a recently- just before he died; even in old age he was a wise engaged at such moments. However, the tional sports team in a declining game, the most ated in Yorkshire by Geoff Boycott? created post then occupied by Walter Winter- man you would not mess with. players have been so overtrained by the PR de- important thing is simply attention. Maybe and But local heroes have been abolished. It is by bottom, who did not even have full control over Since then the captaincy’s power has de- partment they use similar techniques to those DT’s strange mutual friend, Piers Morgan, can no means clear that if or when the new fran- selection. clined, largely due to the rise of the manager/ employed by business executives in complex act as the fi xer.

BOTTOMLINE Pakistan, Lanka women set to qualify for WC ICC Pakistan and Sri Lanka South Africa but is out of contention qualifi cation campaign. We can go with Raj, who too has shown fi ne form with Women’s World Cup 2017 was the Dubai are on four points each as they have no points in the Super confi dence in the match against India, 207 runs so far, says her side has won all main goal, now the goal is to enter the and close to qualifying, while Six, which includes points carried over which has been doing well - their bowl- its matches but not dominated as she fi nal. But we are worried about our Bangladesh is on two points and from wins against other qualifi ers from ers, batters, everyone is contributing. It would have wanted to. fi elding. You can’t win games taking akistan and Sri Lanka look set with a long shot at qualifying a side’s preliminary group, even as they is going to take our ‘A’ game to pull off an India captain Mithali Raj: “If we are 13-14 wickets. We create chances but to make it to the ICC Wom- as it needs to pull off a huge win play qualifi ers from the other group in upset tomorrow. For now, we just want not able to dominate at this level then don’t take them so it means taking en’s World Cup 2017 as they in its last match the second stage of the tournament. to do our basics right and play good, playing against Australia and England those many more wickets. That is an take on India and Bangladesh World champions Australia, Eng- disciplined cricket. (in the ICC Women’s World Cup 2017) area of concern.” respectively,P in the last round of Su- Pakistan should be through even land, New Zealand and the West In- “Our batters have been doing quite is not going to be easy. That’s a World Sri Lanka are not taking things per Six matches at the ICC Women’s with a loss due to its high net run-rate dies have already qualifi ed for the ICC well, our top three batters are the lead- Cup, not a series. It is about that one lightly in its last match even though it World Cup Qualifi er 2017 today. while Bangladesh will have to beat Sri Women’s World Cup 2017 by fi nish- ing run-scorers in the tournament, so match in the league and you have to be is comfortably placed to seal a place in India lead the Super Six points ta- Lanka by 85 runs if it hopes to make it ing in the top four of the ICC Women’s I’m pretty happy. Hopefully, we can do at your best to beat them. In terms of the ICC Women’s World Cup 2017. ble with eight points while South Af- ahead of Sri Lanka. In case it is chas- Championship. it one more day.” that we have a long way to go.” Sri Lanka captain Inoka Ranaweera rica are the other side to have qualifi ed ing, Bangladesh will have to do it in Pakistan’s huge 86 runs victory over Pakistan’s number three batter Jave- South Africa are now aiming to said: “We are looking forward to win with six points. Pakistan and Sri Lanka quick time, depending on the target. Ireland on Friday means it has not only ria Khan leads the list of run-scorers win its last match against Ireland and the match tomorrow. Qualifi cation for are on four points each and close to For example, if Sri Lanka scores 200, boosted its run-rate but also gains con- with 297 runs, which includes runs qualify for the fi nal in which it will the ICC Women’s World Cup 2017 is qualifying, while Bangladesh is on two Bangladesh will have to get to the tar- fi dence going into the match against against sides without ODI status. play India, which has assured itself of huge and we want to give our best to- points and with a long shot at qualify- get in 27.1 overs in order to edge out the arch rival India. Openers Nahida Khan (219) and Ayesha a place in it. morrow. Our aim is to learn from our ing as it needs to pull off a huge win in opposition. Pakistan captain Sana Mir said: “Our Zafar (180) are second and sixth in the South Africa captain Dane van mistakes in the tournament and play to its last match. Ireland play their last match against run-rate gives us a breather for our list, respectively. India captain Mithali Niekerk said: “Qualifying for the ICC the best of our ability.” Gulf Times Sunday, February 19, 2017 11 SPORT

CRICKET SPOTLIGHT Pakistan charges Sharjeel, Latif in PSL Australia leave corruption probe

AFP “In the meanwhile investiga- Lahore tions will continue by Vigilance & Security Department with re- gard to any questionable activity akistani cricket offi cials by any player and player support India A struggling yesterday charged Shar- personnel,” the statement added. jeel Khan and Khalid Pakistan came under severe Latif for spot-fi xing in a criticism for allowing Mohamed Pcorruption probe that threatens Amir to return to international to undermine the Pakistan Super cricket after he, along with Sal- League. man Butt and Mohamed Asif, The pair, suspended after be- were involved in a spot-fi xing ing accused of meeting a suspi- scandal at the Lord’s Test against in tour match cious person linked to an inter- England in 2010. national betting syndicate, could All three players completed The home team were 176 for four at close, with Shreyas Iyer (85) and Rishabh face up to a life ban from interna- their fi ve-year bans in Septem- tional and domestic cricket un- ber last year. Butt and Asif are Pant (3) unbeaten as they need 293 runs hand to win the practice game der Pakistan Cricket Board cor- also in line for national selection. ruption rules. Sharjeel, charged yesterday, “The PCB has issued Notice scored three consecutive half of Charge to the provisionally centuries in Pakistan’s one-day suspended players under the series in Australia last month. PCB Anti-Corruption Code,” the He has appeared in one Test, Pakistan Cricket Board said in a 25 one-day internationals and 15 statement. Twenty20 internationals. Another former player Nasir Latif was part of Pakistan’s Jamshed was also provisionally current Twenty20 team only, suspended over allegedly infl u- having played fi ve one-days and encing the two players. Jamshed 13 Twenty20 internationals. was reportedly arrested in Lon- Both Latif and Sharjeel have don on Monday but was granted denied any involvement in the bail until April. alleged corruption.

PSL Pietersen’s knock helps Quetta win

Agencies for the loss of three wickets, Dubai with Jason Roy, Fakhar Zaman and Rizwan doing the bulk of scoring. ormer England star Fakhar Zaman and Jason Roy Kevin Pietersen ham- opened the batting for Qalandars Australian bowler Mitchell Marsh appeals mered 88 not out off and managed to put 77 runs on during the second day of three-day practice 42 balls to help Quetta board for the fi rst wicket part- GladiatorsF beat Lahore Qaland- nership. match between India ‘A’ and Australia at The Brabourne Cricket Stadium in Mumbai ars by fi ve wickets in a high- Jason Roy was the fi rst to de- yesterday. Australia will play a four-match scoring Pakistan Super League part. He scored 51 off 27 balls Test series against India with the first Test match yesterday. before being bowled by Hassan scheduled to start in Pune from February 23. Chasing a 201-run mammoth Khan in the seventh over. target set by Lahore Qaland- Zaman scored 47 off 31 balls ars, Quetta Gladiators kept los- before Zulfi qar Babar got him AFP Hardik Pandya (19) struggled to counter ing wickets at regular intervals caught at deep midwicket. Mumbai the Australia’s bowling and was caught in the fi rst half of their innings. Mohamed Rizwan remained behind off Bird. However, Pietersen and Gladi- unbeaten on 46 while Cameron Bird ended his fi gures at 2-15 in 11 overs ators’ skipper Sarfraz Ahmed Delport was also not out on 35 ndia A struggled to score runs against with seven maidens. Lyon bowled 17 steadied their ship. off 21 balls. a mighty Australian bowling attack overs to end at 2-72. Sarfraz contributed with 45 The last time when both teams yesterday as the visitors declared Spinner Steve O’Keefe and medium runs off 25 balls to set the course played each other it was a nail their innings at 469 on the second pacer Mitchell Marsh put some pressure for victory. biting encounter which ended in Iday of a three-day warm-up match in on the batters from the other end al- Earlier, Qalandars made 200 favour of Gladiators. Mumbai. though without any success. The home team were 176 for four at Earlier in the day, Marsh followed in close, with Shreyas Iyer (85) and Rishabh his brother Shaun’s footsteps, hitting 75 Pant (3) unbeaten as they need 293 runs off 159 balls with 11 fours and a six while Afghanistan edge Zimbabwe in rain-hit ODI with six wickets in hand to win the prac- Matthew Wade scored 64 runs to add an- tice game at the Brabourne Stadium. other 142 runs to their overnight score to AFP, Harare: Afghanistan under the rain rules. Iyer, who came into bat at number declare at 469 for seven. edged Zimbabwe by 12 runs in Earlier Afghanistan skipper three, showed courage against the Aus- Steve Smith and Shaun Marsh scored the first one-day international Asghar Stanikzai made an sie attack, hitting six off spinner Nathan fl uent centuries on Friday to put their on Thursday but only after even 50, his seventh ODI half- Lyon on the fi rst ball followed by 4 more team in the lead. heavy rain had washed away century, to help his team post a sixes and 5 fours to reach 85 runs in 93 Australia are touring India on a high home hopes. competitive score. balls. profi le Test series, with the home side After making 215 batting first, In reply, a 55-run fourth-wicket Australia picked up their fi rst wicket at riding an unbeaten 19-match streak. Afghanistan claimed victory on partnership between Burl and 19 when Lyon caught opener Akhil Her- An Indian boy waves the The fi rst of the four-match Test series the Duckworth-Lewis method Craig Ervine, who made an wadkar (4) off his bowling. national flag at the Brabourne begins on Thursday in Pune. when Ryan Burl’s dismissal left undefeated 38, looked to have He struck again in the 18th over when Stadium in Mumbai yesterday. Zimbabwe on 99 for 4. steadied the Zimbabwe innings Priyank Panchal (36) gave an easy one to Brief scores: Had Burl not fallen just two before the early finish. Peter Handscomb with 63 runs on the the middle as he and Iyer stitched a 57- before being caught lbw by paceman Australia: 469/7 dec balls before the rain intervened, The second match in the five- scoreboard. run partnership. Jackson Bird. India A: 176/4 in 51 overs (S Iyer 85, R the African side would have game series will take place in His departure brought Ankit Bawne to Bawne hit 4 fours in his brisk innings Towards the end of the day, skipper Pant 3; Lyon 2-72, Bird 2-15) been ahead of the required rate Harare today.

BOTTOMLINE EFG Bank Monaco respond to early upset with victory in round two

Agencies The crews will then set sail for penul- three editions of EFG Sailing Arabia – Doha timate port at The-Pearl-Qatar in Doha The Tour, snuck ahead. By the time the Feb 25, before heading to the thrilling leading group of four boats, which also fi nale in Dubai at Nakheel West Marina included Team Zain (KUW) and Team eigning EFG Sailing Arabia – on March1. Renaissance, rounded the stunning Mu- The Tour champions EFG Bank EFG Bank Monaco, led by French sandam Peninsula on Oman’s northern Monaco (MON) yesterday won skipper Thierry Douillard, crossed the tip Team Al Mouj Muscat, with Omani the second leg of the round- line victorious at 12.37pm local time sailors Sultan al-Balushi and Nawaf al- RArabia yacht race, making amends for (GMT+4) today, 24 hours and 37 min- Ghadani onboard, had taken the top spot their last-minute defeat in event opener. utes after setting sail from Sohar. In a back. With around 25 miles to sail and After being pipped to victory by Team clear indication of how tight the rac- winds of up to 30 knots blasting them Renaissance (OMA) right on the line in ing was, Team Al Mouj Muscat, led by along, Team Al Mouj Muscat looked like the fi rst leg from Oman’s capital Muscat Christian Ponthieu of France, fi nished favourites to win the leg. to Sohar, EFG Bank Monaco started the just three minutes later in second But an inside line saw EFG Bank Mo- second stage to Khasab determined to place. naco regain the lead once more, an ad- make up for their mistake. And they did The fl eet, made up of professional vantage they were able to hang on to un- just that. In what was another thrilling and amateur sailing teams from all over til the fi nish line just in front of Khasab’s leg fi nish they overtook arch rivals Team the world, departed Sohar at midday port. Team Renaissance, skippered by Al Mouj Muscat less than ten miles from yesterday on the second of fi ve off shore Fahad Al Hasni, completed the podium Khasab after more than 130 miles of in- legs that will see the teams race 763nm eight minutes behind the leg winners tense racing. around the Arabian Gulf. having overtaken Team Zain (KUW) on With such close rankings, fans are ea- The crews were practically neck the fi nal stretch. The victory gives EFG gerly awaiting the results of upcoming Leg and neck as they match-raced along Bank Monaco the overall lead in EFG 3 to Abu Dhabi, where inshore action will the stunning Omani and UAE coast- Sailing Arabia – The Tour after two legs, further up the stakes at Emirates Palace lines until late yesterday evening when with three more off shore stages and two Marina, Abu Dhabi, on February 21. EFG Bank Monaco, winners of the last in-port race series to go.

Sunday, February 19, 2017 GULF TIMES SPORT

SHOOTING BASKETBALL Davon, Macklin shine in El Jaish’s Italy’s Chianese huge victory wins gold ahead of Qatar’s al-Marri Al-Marri missed his final shot, while Chianese was on target to clinch the gold

By Sports Reporter Doha

talian Alessandro Chianese battled windy conditions and a strong challenge from Qatar’s Hamad al-Marri to win the Qatar Open Shotgun Championship Double Trap gold yesterday. IIn the fi nal shoot-out, the 27-year-old Italian hit 66 tar- gets out of 80, leaving in-form Hamad al-Marri in second spot with 65 hits and the silver medal. Last year’s winner and Chianese’s compatriot, Olympic silver medalist Marco Innocenti, claimed the bronze. Going into the fi nal, Chianese was two points ahead of al-Marri (57-59) and maintained the lead until the half way mark. But al-Marri showed his class to equal the score at 61-all before they tied again at 64-all. But al-Marri missed his fi nal shot, while Chianese was on target to clinch the gold. “I think I was not lucky today. Sport and life are always like that, but I am happy to shoot well and win the silver medal,” the 42-year-old Qatari said. Al-Marri, who has been taking part in the Asian Games since 2002, carded 134, along with eventful winner Chi- anese, in the qualifying rounds to make it to the fi nal round of six. “I am feeling great to have won the silver medal. The weather was really diffi cult. I think the wind was blowing at more than 35kmph. It aff ected all the shooters. I am hap- By Sports Reporter El Jaish’s overwhelming su- py with my level….but I’d have wished to do better than Doha periority was never in any doubt what I got in the end. The level of shooters is quite high. So as they got off to an impressive I am delighted with my performance. It is like a mini world start, notching up a 13-3 lead just cup here as all the top shooters were competing,” he said. ames Davon scored a after fi ve minutes. From thereon game-high 28 points and it was El Jaish all the way, lead- ‘I am feeling great to have won the silver medal. Leon Macklin chipped ing 29-15, 39-26, 69-42 after The weather was really diffi cult. I think the wind in with 26 as El Jaish the fi rst three quarters before thrashedJ Al Rayyan 86-55 in the completing a comprehensive was blowing at more than 35kmp/h. It aff ected all Italy’s Chianese (centre, top) the shooters. I am happy with my level’ celebrates on the podium. Qatar Basketball League yester- 31-point victory at the end. At bottom, Qatar’s day. For Al Rayyan, Marcus Bell About his participation in the World Cup in New Hamad al-Marri. Hani Abilmona also excelled top scored with 18, while Tanguy Delhi, al-Marri said he was yet to take a decision. for the winners with 20 points, Ngombo had 16 and Hassan Mo- “I will sit down with my team and take a decision wheth- 18 of them coming from three- hamed 10. er to take part in the World Cup in Delhi,” said the Qatari. pointers, as Jaish swatted aside Today, Al Arabi play Al Ahli, For al-Marri, this is second medal in quick succession the defending champions. while Al Wakrah meet Qatar SC. this year at an international completion. At the begin- ning of the month, he won gold at the 13th Arab Shooting Championship in Kuwait in Double Trap. “I am gaining a lot after winning gold in Kuwait and sil- ver here and hope to win more medals for my country,” he said. Chianese was happy to top the fi eld in Doha in the fi rst competition of the year. “It was a tough fi nal. The wind was quite strong and we all had to work harder than usual,” he said. This was my fi rst event of the season….So it is a good test for my preparations. This is my fi rst time to be on the podium here. It is good feeling how I shot today. Also I’m quite delighted with my form before going to India for the World Cup,” the Italian said. In the battle for the bronze medal, 38-year-old Inno- centi warded off competition from Khaled al-Kaabi of UAE to take the third place. Qatar’s Masoud Ali came fi fth fol- lowed by Saif al-Shamsi of UAE. Multiple World Cup winner Innocenti also lauded the eff orts of Chianese as he said: “My friend Alessandro is a young shooter and he did very well to win here. I am not happy with my performance today, but we’re happy that we’re going to New Delhi with good results.” The skeet fi nals will be held tomorrow and Tuesday.

BOTTOMLINE Brazil’s future Olympians arrive for Doha camp

By Sports Reporter Shine project athletes athletes’ future sporting careers. These ver medallist Mutaz Barshim and double Doha from Brazil pictured on athletes come from disadvantaged World Junior Champion in the hammer their arrival in Doha. backgrounds in Brazil and the majority throw, Ashraf Elseify. of them have never been overseas be- In addition to the training camp, the thletes from the Qatar Ol- fore. We hope that their experience at QOC provided a further legacy from ympic Committee’s (QOC) the Aspire Academy training camp will Rio 2016 through Bayt Qatar, the QOC’s Shine project have arrived in equip them with knowledge, expertise Rio 2016 Olympic hospitality house, by Doha for an athletics training and cultural experiences that will en- donating all proceeds from public entry Acamp at the globally-renowned Aspire hance their future sporting and social fees to Futuro Olimpico. The donations Academy. The talented young athletes development.” will enable the NGO to buy uniforms from disadvantaged backgrounds in Rio The Shine project is a partnership be- and equipment for the athletes and de Janeiro will spend a week receiving tween the QOC, Aspire Academy, Qatar for further athletes to benefi t from the specialised coaching and sport science Athletics Federation, Rio de Janeiro Ath- partnership. testing to support their journeys to- letics Federation and Futuro Olimpico, Speaking about the Shine project, wards becoming Brazil’s future Olympic an NGO founded by Brazilian Olympic Futuro Olimpico founder and coach, Champions. bronze medallist, Arnaldo de Oliveira. Arnaldo de Oliveira, who has travelled Speaking about the Shine athletes’ Last May, almost 200 of the most tal- to Doha with the Shine athletes, said: arrival, Dr Thani al-Kuwari, Secretary ented young athletes in Rio de Janeiro “I founded Futuro Olimpico in 2007 General of the Qatar Olympic Commit- competed in an athletics competition with the goal of using athletics as a tool tee, said: “It is a pleasure to welcome our to win one of 10 places to travel to Qatar for social inclusion and transforming Shine athletes to Doha for their training for the Aspire Academy athletics train- athletes into great citizens. We are so camp and we look forward to sharing ing camp. excited to be here in Doha and to experi- with them our culture, warm hospitality Qatar Airways provided complimen- ence the high level training facilities and and passion for sport. The QOC believes tary tickets for the Shine athletes to sporting infrastructure. It is a unique in the power of sport to transform lives travel to Doha through their sponsor- experience for our athletes to meet new and we are committed to spreading the ship of the QOC and Team Qatar at the athletes and experience a new culture Olympic spirit far and wide, and touch- Rio 2016 Olympic Games. and we are so grateful for this opportu- ing the lives of people from around the Over the next week, the athletes will nity.” world. We were determined to grasp follow similar tailored and optimised The Shine training camp will take the opportunity of the Rio 2016 Games athletics training programmes to those place until 25th February and will to deliver a true, meaningful legacy for of the Aspire Academy students, with combine high level training sessions Brazil’s young athletes. input from the world’s best coaches with cultural visits. The highlights and “Through Shine, we aim to utilise our and sport scientists. Notable athletics progress from the trip will be docu- resources and commitment to the glo- graduates of the Aspire Academy who mented on the QOC’s social media bal development of sport by providing have participated in these programmes channels under the hashtag #YallaQa- support and assistance for the young include Qatar’s fi rst-ever Olympic sil- tar.