FFOOTBALLOOTBALL | Page 2 CCRICKETRICKET | Page 4 Klopp focused We didn’t bowl on winning and fi eld well than hype in the fi rst ODI: around Reds Chahar

Wednesday, December 18, 2019 Rabia II 21, 1441 AH GULF TIMES SPORT

REPORT Flamengo rally against Hilal to reach Club WC fi nal Al-Dawsari puts Saudi club ahead before De Arrascaeta, Henrique and Albulayhi own win it for Brazilians 3-1

Flamengo’s celebrates his goal during the Flamengo’s Bruno Henrique (centre) in action with Al Hilal’s Mohamed al-Burayk (left) during the 2019 FIFA Club World Cup semi-final at the Khalifa International Stadium in 2019 FIFA Club World Cup semi-final against Saudi Arabia’s Al Hilal at yesterday. (Reuters) the Khalifa International Stadium in Doha yesterday. (AFP)

By Sahan Bidappa Doha

lamengo sprung to life in the second half to beat Al Hilal 3-1 and book their place in the fi nal of the FIFAF Club World Cup yes- terday. The red-hot South Amer- ican champions had gone into the contest as favourites, but Salem al-Dawsari’s 18th minute strike had stunned their travelling supporters, who had packed the Khalifa International Stadium. While an upset looked like very much on cards – with Flamengo looking uncharacteristically dull in the fi rst half – the Brazilians came into their own in the sec- ond. Giorgian de Arrascaeta stroked home from close range four min- utes after the restart to draw lev- el, before Bruno Henrique had a hand in the next two goals. Hen- rique headed home in the 78th minute for Flamengo’s lead and Flamengo’s Rafinha celebrates in front of fans after the win in the FIFA Club World Cup semi-final against Al the advantage doubled four min- Hilal at Khalifa International Stadium in Doha yesterday. (Reuters) Al Hilal’s Abdullah al-Muaiouf and teammates are dejected after the loss to Flamengo yesterday. (Reuters) utes later with the striker’s cross turned into own goal by Al Hilal have hoped for as their players Flamengo survived but not for suggested their team was capable home into the open goal. defender Ali Albulayhi. looked off -colour in the opening long as Hilal were in front two of mounting a comeback. While the game went fl at Flamengo now await the win- period. minutes later. With South Amer- Flamengo had conceded in the thereafter for a long period, Hen- ners of the second semi-fi nal Flamengo did create the fi rst ican side’s defence all over the 12th minute of the Copa Liberta- rique headed into the net after between European champions opportunity of the game with de place, Mohamed al-Burayk’s pass dores fi nal. But they scored in the Rafi nha’s cross from the right put Liverpool and CONCACAF title Arrascaeta whipping a cross to from the right cut back sharply 88th and 91st minute to win the Flamengo ahead. Later when Al- holders Monterrey of Mexico to- , who couldn’t into the box, where a charging al- tournament for the second time bulayhi put the ball into his own day. If Liverpool do live up to the quite connect at the back post. Dawsari shot in one motion. The and seal Club World Cup qualifi - net the game was over for Hlial. expectations and beat Monterrey, Hilal conjured their opening ball took a slight nick of defender cation. They did not leave it that With six minutes left, Andre it will set up a repeat of Intercon- chance only in the 16th minute and also a touch of late against Hilal yesterday. Carrillo was shown a straight red tinental Cup fi nal in 1981, which and the Saudi Arabian side Alves’ gloves before slamming After Everton Ribiero’s cross card for a high boot foul as Hilal’s Flamengo went on to win 3-0 in should have gone one-up. into the net. was palmed away by Hilal stop- good start to the contest went in Tokyo. After al-Dawsari’s shot was Al-Dawsari, who played a key per Abdullah al-Mayoof, De Ar- vain. Club World Cup holds a spe- blocked by Flamengo goalkeeper hand in Hilal’s AFC Champions rascaeta raised the decibel level cial place for Flamengo fans and , the rebound went League success last month, cel- of Khalifa. Gabriel Barbosa found Flamengo’s coach Jesus it was quite evident with the large straight to Bafetimbi Gomis, but ebrated with a double fl ip in front Henrique in the box, with the greets the crowd following his number of them making a long the pace of the ball was too much of Flamengo’s end. The Brazil- forward unselfi shly sending the team’s victory in the FIFA Club haul journey from Brazil to Qatar. for the striker as he could only ian team’s supporters were not ball to unmarked De Arrasca- World Cup semi-final against Al But it was not a start they would fi nd the stands. alarmed though as recent history eta, with the Uruguayan tapping Hilal. (AFP) Gulf Times Wednesday, December 18, 2019 FIFA Club World Cup 2 Qatar 2019

PREVIEW LIVERPOOL VS MONTERREY (8:30PM) Liverpool manager Klopp happy with Khalifa stadium pitch

Agencies good condition. Doha “The training ground yester- day was brilliant, absolutely brilliant. My concern was from Klopp focused on iverpool coach Jurgen England; I have never been Klopp yesterday praised here in this country, especially Lthe pitch on which his never played football here, team is to play in the Club but obviously the pitches are World Cup at the Khalifa Inter- brilliant and should not be a national Stadium in Doha, days proper concern,” said before after he had expressed concern adding that “our groundsman over hosting five games on the said it is unbelievable, built winning than hype surface within a few days. on sand, which is good in this He said that he spoke with case, so it will suck all the water the team’s groundsman who off . The pitch will hopefully be described the pitch as in very no concern.” around Liverpool COMMENT ‘Nobody cares about what happened three days ago... We respect the opponent Forced to play two a lot,’ says Klopp ‘Liverpool maybe the best team in the world right now. We have made a huge eff ort to reach this stage,’ says Monterrey manager Mohamed teams, Klopp says

By Sahan Bidappa time to rethink Doha scheduling t’s been little over four years since Jurgen Klopp took over Reuters in between other competitions... the reins of Liverpool and in Doha I think the FIFA plans a team that period the German has world cup in the summer but it is Itransformed the Reds to world a summer when African Nations beaters, which even the Anfi eld iverpool manager Jurgen is on as well and other competi- faithful would have not dreamt Klopp has appealed for tions,” he said. of. football authorities to Liverpool players will gather at Unlike his off -the-pitch de- rethink the scheduling their hotel on Tuesday to watch meanour, where he is always Lof their big events, as he pre- their younger versions playing at sporting a smile or cracking pares for today’s Club World Cup Aston Villa in the League Cup. a joke or two for the cameras, semi-fi nal in Qatar. But while he has in the past Klopp is an intense manager. He Confronted with a League Cup questioned the domestic sched- is a man with a bundle of energy match in Birmingham yesterday ule in England, where his team when on the touchline, always and then the clash in the Gulf is involved in two national Cup making gestures or screaming at state with Mexican club Monter- competitions as well as the Pre- his players. rey today, Klopp has been forced mier League and Champions His energy has rubbed on to to fi eld a youth team against As- League, Klopp thinks it is now his players and the club. The ton Villa. time for a global re-set. 52-year-old led Liverpool to the His European champions have “They all have to sit around European title earlier this year – fl own to Qatar to play in a tour- a table and talk about the com- their fi rst since the miracle of Is- nament that holds little prestige petitions not being at the same tanbul in 2005, and now they are in Europe and while the German time. From the organisational in a race of their own to win their insists he wants to triumph at the point of view everyone needs to fi rst English ti- Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp (right) speaks at a press conference as player looks on on the eve of the semi-final against Khalifa International Stadium, think about it. FIFA cannot plan tle since 1989-90. Monterrey in Doha. (Below) Monterrey’s coach Antonio Mohamed (left) speaks to the media. PICTURES: Noushad Thekkayil he believes FIFA and other bodies a tournament in the summer and Before that, though, Klopp’s need to review the entire football then UEFA says ‘We’ll have one men will be eyeing to become the football and will try to show calendar. as well’. It is not too easy. fi rst Liverpool side to clinch a that. It will be diffi cult,” the Liv- “If you had asked me before- “You need to fi nd a common FIFA Club World Cup title. They erpool manager said. hand if I think there should be language and talk about it. You take on the Mexican side Monter- On the other hand, Monter- a Club World Cup in the middle cannot just add on tournaments, rey in the semi-fi nals today at the rey’s coach Antonio Mohamed, of our season I would say no. But that doesn’t work,” he said. Khalifa International Stadium, while acknowledging Liverpool we are here and so it is the most Now that his team is in Qatar and there is little doubt that they as the red-hot favourites, said important competition in the however, Klopp wants them to go go into the contest as the over- his team would ensure it would world,” said Klopp. all the way. whelming favourites. not be a walk in the park for the The Liverpool boss suggested “We are here, we don’t fl y The last time Liverpool came European champions today. the tournament, which is sched- 3,000 miles to not show up. Our close to winning the club con- The CONCACAF Champions uled to become a 24-team event life is constantly dealing with tinental championship was in League winners are making their in 2021 played in the European diffi cult situations and fi nding 2005 in Japan, where they lost to fourth appearance in the tourna- summer, could yet rise in status solutions. We will be prepared Brazilian side Sao Paulo 0-1. ment, and sealed a semi-fi nal date but that FIFA needs to fi nd the and try to win football games. We Klopp has brought in a full- with Liverpool after a 3-2 win right balance. don’t see ourselves as favourites, strength squad to Qatar, while over local side Al Sadd on Sat- “Can it be bigger in the future? we see ourselves as challengers as fi elding a second string side of urday. “We have a big ambition I don’t know. If we try to push it it will be the fi rst time to win it.” academy players for last night’s to play against Liverpool and we League Cup match against As- came to compete strongly at this ton Villa in Birmingham, which mega-tournament,” he said. shows the importance they have still at the club – , me with Klopp and Liverpool is Club World Cup title. “Jurgen Klopp is one of the Wijnaldum injury not as serious given to the Club World Cup. , James Milner and their intensity,” Xavi, the cur- “Look, it is not important if, best managers and Liverpool Having won the UEFA Super Nathaniel Clyne. While he has rent coach of Qatar champion Al and I not sure about that, we maybe the best team in the as we fi rst thought: Klopp Cup earlier this year, this is an- splurged huge money on de- Sadd, told FIFA.Com last week. were the “best football team in world right now. We have made urgen Klopp delivered on Monday evening. other opportunity for Klopp and fender and goal- “The intensity they play with the world” in the summer, the a huge eff ort to reach this stage positive news about the Speaking at his pre-match his men to add one more title to keeper Alison Becker, he also has both in defence and attack, the last game or whatever – it is only and have come to compete irre- Jfitness of Georginio Wi- press conference, Klopp said: Liverpool’s trophy cabinet. made some shrewd signings by high press by the front three who important what we will be to- spective of which team or man- jnaldum, but admitted today’s “Gini was not as serious as we The German had had a terrible bringing in and occupy the space between the morrow night,” he said. ager we are facing. We came here FIFA Club World Cup semi-final thought in the first moment, record in fi nals, until this year. Sadio Mane. lines and do their pressing there. “Nobody cares about what to play and win the match with with Monterrey will come too so he’s here doing the first re- The former Borussia Dortmund Besides fi nding players with They’re a very diffi cult team to happened three days ago, fi ve our weapons. We didn’t come to soon for the midfielder. covery and then we have stuff manager lost six major fi nals in the right physical and technical attack. Physically they’re very days ago or six days ago. We participate in this tournament Wijnaldum, who has travelled what is necessary. So we will succession, including last year’s abilities to fi t into his preferred strong. They win all the sec- need to show we are ready and and let Liverpool win against us. with the team to Qatar, was see day by day but for tomor- Champions League loss to Real high-pressing game approach, ond balls and they also work re- that’s the only thing we are con- Nothing is impossible in foot- forced off in the second half of row night he’s not involved. Madrid. Klopp has also been careful with ally hard on their tactics. They’re cerned about. I am an optimistic ball,” the Argentinean added. the Reds’ victory over Watford “Virgil is fine. We had to do Having had a taste of titles, he the types of personalities he has dominant in so many areas of the person, but it is not that I think Monterrey will be without on the weekend after suff ering diff erent stuff for recovery would want to continue his win- brought into his squad. game,” Xavi said in a tone of awe. before a game that we have it al- Vincent Janssen, the former a muscle injury. for diff erent people, so that ning run in Qatar. And Klopp has Spain and Barcelona midfi eld Yesterday on the eve of their ready won. We are ready to work Tottenham Hotspur striker, due Meanwhile, the boss also was the reason why he was a carefully assembled squad to great Xavi Hernandez credits semi-fi nal against Monterrey, hard tomorrow night, we will to injury. The Mexican side will stated Virgil van Dijk is not not involved yesterday in the do so. Klopp for overhauling the Liv- Klopp did not give too much make sure we fi nd a line-up to rely on forward Rogelio Gabriel currently dealing with any is- session, but Virgil is fine. All the Of the 18 players he inherited erpool squad and making them importance to ‘best team in the work hard. We respect the op- Funes Mori, the twin brother of sue, despite the centre-half not rest of the squad is fine.” from his predecessor Brendan a powerful force in European world’ label nor did he consider ponent a lot. We are not here former Everton defender Ramiro training with the squad in Doha (LiverpoolFC.com) Rodgers in 2015, only four are football. “What stands out for his side as the favourites for the to just show up, we are here for Funes Mori, for goals.

REPORT Elhouni scores hat-trick in Esperance victory AFC Al Sadd pulled a goal back from Doha the penalty spot in the 31st minute after Akram Afi f was fouled in- side the area. en-man Al Sadd suff ered made no mistake from the spot. a 6-2 defeat to Esperance However, Esperance scored a Sportive de Tunis in the fourth goal three minutes before FIFA Club World Cup the break when Elhouni received TQatar 2019 fi fth place play-off a long ball from the back, made at Khalifa International Stadium his way into the area and despite yesterday. the presence of an Al Sadd de- Al Sadd found themselves two fender, scored at the near post. goals down after just 13 minutes Al Sadd reduced the defi cit as Esperance’s Libyan forward four minutes into the second half Hamdou Elhouni netted a hat- when they were awarded another trick as the Tunisian side record- penalty for Afi f being brought ed a deserved victory. down by Abdelkader Bedrane. Esperance showed their desire Hassan Al Haydos scored. early in the match as they created Elhouni, however, was not to their fi rst chance after only two be denied his glory as he com- minutes when Elhouni fi nished a pleted his hat-trick by connect- good run down the left by send- Esperance’s Hamdou Elhouni (left) celebrates his goal with teammate Al Sadd players react during the FIFA Club World Cup fifth-place playoff against Esperance Sportive de ing to Ilyes Cheti’s powerful low ing a neat pass to Ali Ben Rom- Abdelkader Bedrane during the match against Al Sadd yesterday. Tunis yesterday. PICTURES: Noushad Thekkayil cross in the 74th minute. Esper- dhan, whose shot was blocked ance rounded off the big victory by Al Sadd defender Abdelkarim in the sixth minute when Elhouni past Al Sadd goalkeeper Meshaal as Elhouni took advantage of Ha- slot home into an empty net. off for blocking Badri’s fl ick with three minutes before the end as Hassan on the goal line. had enough time and space inside Barsham. mid Khaleefa’s poor back pass, Al Sadd woes continued in the his hand in the area. Badri con- Sameh Derbali beat the off side trap Esperance opened the scoring the area to fi re a powerful shot It was 2-0 seven minutes later sending the ball to Anice Badri to 22nd minute as Hassan was sent verted the penalty. to fi re home on the right side. Gulf Times FIFA Club World Cup Wednesday, December 18, 2019 Qatar 2019 3

FOCUS SPOTLIGHT Fans in Qatar ready Dalian youth for Salah-mania players visit ECGC hinese Super League played using the feet and foot- course will host the 23rd edition AFP Club Dalian Professional balls and large holes with fl ags; of European Tour event, Com- Doha FC, as part of their tour putting lessons on the putting mercial Bank Qatar Masters. of Qatar, organised by green; and SNAG golf, which Dalian Professional FC has CQatar Foundation in partnership uses special clubs and larger ten- been brought to Qatar as part of atar’s large Egyptian with Wanda Group, took to the nis ball like balls. Wanda’s FIFA Flag Bearers Pro- community is clam- stunning Education City Golf Later in the week the players gramme at the FIFA Club World ouring to welcome Course, designed by two-time will continue their golf journey Cup Qatar 2019, an ongoing their country’s “icon” major winner Jose Maria Olaza- on the driving range and the initiative aimed at inspiring the MohamedQ Salah when Liverpool bal. 9-hole par 3 course that sits next generation of football talent kick off their Club World Cup The team at Education City alongside the 18 whole cham- in China and all over the world. campaign today against Mexi- Golf Course introduced the play- pionship course and special There are 22 Dalian Profes- co’s Monterrey. ers to the game of golf by mixing floodlit 6-hole (full size hole) sional FC youth players, aged 11 The Egyptian diaspora in Qa- golf and football with activi- course. to 14, on the tour along with fi ve tar number around 300,000, ac- ties including, footgolf, which is In 2020, the championship coaches and team staff . cording to offi cial statistics, out of a total population of 2.75mn. Large numbers of Egyptians gathered in the Souq Waqif tour- ist bazaar to watch Liverpool’s 5-2 trouncing of Everton in this month’s Merseyside derby. In a market cafe, other Salah fans called the 27-year-old Arab soc- cer talisman “an icon for many”. Today they will have a chance to watch Salah in the fl esh when the Reds face Mexico’s Monter- Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah (right) takes part in a training session in Doha. PICTURE: Noushad Thekkayil rey in their semi-fi nal at the 40,000-capacity Khalifa Inter- British newspapers have re- goals, I do not rejoice — except had been “eager to see Salah national Stadium. ported that Liverpool have re- when the goal is Salah’s,” said with Liverpool at the stadium”. Egyptian Mustafa Abdel ceived assurances from Qatar, Mahmoud Mansour, 30. “Unfortunately, all online Moneim, 42, told AFP he “got which will host the 2022 World “I would have liked to have tickets sold out in just 15 min- four tickets to the semi-fi nals, Cup, that Salah’s visit will not seen him on the fi eld, but it utes. But we will go see him from because I expect Liverpool to be politicised. is diffi cult to get a ticket now. the fan zones.” win and I know that there will Salah was the at the centre of There are too many Egyptians Gamal Sebaai, an Egyptian be a lot of pressure from Arabs a political storm when he was and Arab fans. Look at all these who previously worked for the and Egyptians on the team’s pictured alongside Chechen people here for Salah.” Qatar Football Association, fi rst game”. strongman Ramzan Kadyrov, Salah scored twice at Watford said: “We don’t consider him to “My children put so much who is accused of rights abuses, which extended Liverpool’s lead represent only Egyptians, but pressure on me to book the tick- during Egypt’s 2018 World Cup at the top of the English Premier also all Arabs and Muslims. ets because they are obsessed stay in the Russian region. League to 10 points. “We hope sports will be the with Salah. They will be very “Frankly I only support Liv- Ahmed Abdel Hamid, a reason for a reconciliation be- happy to see him on the fi eld.” erpool for him, if they scored 10 33-year-old salesman, said he tween brothers.”

Sights from the FIFA Club World Cup PICTURES: Noushad Thekkayil, Reuters

Al Sadd’s Akram Afif controls the ball during the 2019 FIFA Club World Cup match for the fifth place against Esperance Sportive de Tunis at the Khalifa International Stadium in Doha yesterday. (AFP) Gulf Times 4 Wednesday, December 18, 2019

FOCUS CRISIS Players reject Cricket South We didn’t bowl and Africa invitation

AFP “Although CSA has an- Cape Town nounced that SACA will be part of this committee we have yet to be formally contacted,” said he South African Crick- SACA chief executive Tony Irish. fi eld well in the eters’ Association yes- “SACA will not participate in terday rejected a move this committee until the existing by the embattled board restructure decision is formally ofT Cricket South Africa to fi nd a withdrawn.” solution to an issue which is the Irish said the latest move by subject of ongoing legal action. CSA was an admission that the SACA repeated its call for the original decision had been taken board to resign as the rift be- without proper investigation fi rst ODI: Chahar tween players and board showed and consultation. no signs of being healed, despite “It is therefore obvious to us ‘Hopefully, if we are in a similar situation in the 2nd ODI, we’ll have to bowl better as a unit’ the suspension of chief execu- that the restructure decision tive Thabang Moroe and the must be withdrawn and the appointment of Jacques Faul as court case settled with us fi rst,” interim chief executive, Graeme he said. Smith as interim director of Irish said SACA wanted to cricket and Mark Boucher as fi nd solutions, “both to the fi - head coach of the national team. nancial challenges which cricket CSA announced on Mon- now faces and to what the do- day that David Richardson, the mestic structure should be and former chief executive of the we have no problem in sitting International Cricket Coun- down with the likes of David cil, had been appointed to form Richardson and Graeme Smith a steering committee to make to fi nd these. However this time recommendations on the fu- around the process needs to be ture structure of South African done properly”. domestic cricket. Richardson “We also again reiterate our said on Monday night that his call for the leadership of the CSA involvement was “a genuine board to accept accountability commitment to try and help for the position in which cricket out” — but SACA said it would has been placed. We repeat our not participate unless a previous call for that leadership to step decision by CSA was formally down,” said Irish. withdrawn. The board of CSA met on CSA decided in April to radi- Monday and seemingly again cally restructure the domestic resisted calls to resign. Three game, scrapping the current of the original 12 directors franchise system and reducing have resigned in the past two the number of teams playing weeks. The only announce- professional cricket. The deci- ment following Monday’s meet- sion is the subject of an ongoing ing was about Richardson’s court action by SACA. appointment.

West Indies batting legend Butcher dies at 86

Basil Butcher was hailed as a compiled his highest Test score West Indies “cricket legend” of 209 not out, against England after the former Test batsman in Nottingham. died aged 86. That unbeaten double century Butcher was a member of a helped West Indies overhaul a star-studded West Indies top first-innings deficit of 90 to win order for over a decade in a Test by 139 runs. India’s Deepak Chahar (right) celebrates the of West Indies’ Sunil Ambris during the first ODI at the M.A. Chidambaram Cricket Stadium in Chennai on Sunday. (AFP) career starting in the late 1950s. said Butcher had died in Florida He played alongside Rohan on Monday, according to his IANS Hope slammed respective hun- the T20Is and Tests but is trying the batsman and then decide pace. I knew I wouldn’t survive Kanhai and Garry Sobers before son, Basil Butcher Jr. Visakhapatnam dreds to guide Windies to a to improve his ability to bowl in whether to contain or get him in international cricket with they were joined in the side by CWI president Ricky Skerritt comfortable win with 13 balls to the slog overs, which he feels out. ODI is more diffi cult than that pace. I had to bowl close Clive Lloyd and Roy Fredericks. said yesterday that Butcher had spare. will make him more eff ective in both formats. I have played a lot to 140kph. I always wanted to right-hander Butcher been “part of a prolific West In- he Virat Kohli-led In- Speaking on the eve of the the 50-over format. of One-Day cricket with India bowl close to 140kph and swing more than held his own in such dies batting lineup, that excited dian team will face a second ODI, Chahar said: “To “I think ODI is the tough- ‘A’ which has helped me. the ball at that pace. It becomes distinguished company, scoring world cricket and brought great do-or-die situation be honest, we didn’t bowl well est format. In T20Is, you know “In the past, I struggled to deadly then. I think playing a 3,104 runs in 44 Tests at an aver- joy and pride to Guyanese and when they take on West in the 1st ODI. Hopefully, if what to do. Even if you give bowl in the middle overs. In the bowler bowling at 140 kph and age of more than 43, including West Indian people every- TIndies in the second ODI of the we are in a similar situation in away 24 runs but don’t pick powerplay, it’s about containing swinging the ball is more diffi - seven hundreds, from 1958-69. where”. three-match rubber today as the the 2nd ODI, we will have to up a wicket, that is still good runs, in death, you have to stop cult than playing someone who Butcher’s best performances Skerritt, passing on the board’s visitors lead the series 1-0 after bowl better as a unit. Field- bowling. In Tests, you have to batsman going after you. But in bowls at 150kph,” Chahar said. were reserved for England. He condolences to Butcher’s fam- hammering the Men in Blue by 8 ing has been lacking in the last keep attacking, even if you give the middle overs, I have gotten As India have a busy schedule made 133 in the second innings ily, added: “West Indies cricket in Chennai. Ahead of the 4 matches. We have dropped away runs but pick up wickets, better. I am learning. I will learn for the next few months, Chahar of the Lord’s Test of 1963, which has lost a legend and a proud clash, India pacer Deepak Cha- too many matches. If we drop it’s good for the team,” Chahar as I progress,” the pacer said. said he will focus to avoid inju- produced one of cricket’s most pioneer. After his illustrious har admitted that a below-par catches, against these big hit- pointed. Meanwhile, Chahar said he ries in order to keep himself fi t dramatic draws. playing days, he served both performance in the bowling and ters who try to hit more sixes “However, in ODIs, you have is working on improving his for national duty. “In the next 6 That hundred was all the West Indies and Guyana cricket fi elding department costed India than boundaries, then it will to mix both -- pick up wickets pace and on getting the ball to months, there’s a lot of cricket more remarkable as during selflessly off the field in admin- the match. become very diffi cult for us. As and contain the runs as well. move at pace. “When I played to be played. My main focus is an interval he opened a letter istration.” Despite posting 287/8 on a fi elding unit and bowling unit, You have to read the situation Ranji Trophy for the fi rst year, I to keep myself fi t. I want to play which told him his wife had had Butcher is survived by his wife, a slow track in Chennai, In- we need to improve,” he added. really well. You need to un- used to bowl at around 125kph. all the matches. I want to avoid a miscarriage in Guyana. Valerie, and children, Brian, dia failed to defend the total Chahar also revealed he fi nds derstand what the team wants I struggled with injuries be- the injuries that have occurred Three years later, Butcher Bruce, Basil Jr and Blossom. AFP as Shimron Hetmyer and Shai ODI cricket a lot tougher than from you. You need to assess cause I wanted to improve my to me in the past,” he said.

GETTING READY SPOTLIGHT Labuschagne gets maiden ODI call-up for India series

AFP Sydney

n-form Australian batsman Marnus Labuschagne will make his one-day interna- tional debut in India, as part Iof a radically overhauled 14-man squad for a three-match tour next month. Labuschagne has averaged 58.05 since earning his fi rst Test cap last year, scoring centuries in his last three matches, and the 25-year-old has also excelled for Queensland in one-dayers. Australia’s Marnus Labuschagne signs autographs after Australia beat While coaching staff would New Zealand on day four of the first Test at the Perth Stadium in Perth normally be cautious about on Sunday. (AFP) pitching an uncapped player into diffi cult Indian conditions, chief also been recalled. Hohns said tors were still monitoring spinner selector Trevor Hohns was con- some of the new faces were being Lyon and Maxwell, who recently fi dent Labuschagne was ready for rewarded for strong returned to the game after a break the challenge. performances while others, such to focus on his mental health. “Marnus Labuschagne is ready as power hitter Ashton Turner, Head coach Justin Langer will for his international white ball had already proved themselves sit out the tour after an extended debut after his strong form for in Indian conditions. “The per- period on the road, with assistant Queensland in this form of the formance of our white-ball Andrew McDonald taking charge. game,” he said. The rising star squads has been strong and we The series begins in Mumbai is part of an ODI squad that has are hoping to build the momen- on January 14. been revamped following Aus- tum towards the T20 World Cup tralia’s semi-fi nal exit at this at home at the end of the year and SQUAD: Aaron Finch (), year’s World Cup in England. ultimately build towards the 2023 Sean Abbott, Ashton Agar, Alex All-rounder Sean Abbott re- World Cup in India,” he said. Carey, Pat Cummins, Peter turns after fi ve years in the ODI There was no room for high- Handscomb, Josh Hazlewood, wilderness, spinner Ashton Agar profi le players such as Usman Marnus Labuschagne, Kane Pakistan’s head coach Misbah ul-Haq (centre) chats with Shan Masood (left) during a practice session at the National Cricket Stadium in gets another chance 18 months Khawaja, Shaun Marsh, Glenn Richardson, Steve Smith, Mitchell Karachi yesterday ahead of the second Test against Sri Lanka. (AFP) after his last one-dayer and Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis and Starc, Ashton Turner, David paceman Josh Hazlewood has Nathan Lyon. Hohns said selec- Warner, Adam Zampa. Gulf Times Wednesday, December 18, 2019 5 SPORT

NBA NHL Perron’s hat-trick lift s streaking Blues Mavericks hold off past Avalanche

Reuters side angle off O’Reilly’s diag- New York onal pass. Perron started the scoring play by fi ghting off a check just inside the Ava- avid Perron scored a lanche blue line. Bucks to snap hat-trick as the St. But Kadri tied the score Louis Blues defeated 1-1 just 55 seconds into the the visiting Colo- second period. He won an of- radoD Avalanche 5-2 on Mon- fensive zone draw in the left day night to remain atop the circle, then slid to the right Western Conference. side to convert a cross-ice The Blues won their third pass from Ryan Graves from straight game while extend- the left wall. 18-game win streak ing their lead over the sec- Rantanen’s power-play ond-place Avalanche to three goal midway through the points. They have won six second period, on a blast ‘SOMETIMES YOU HAVE TO JUST TAKE BASKETBALL OUT OF IT AND JUST PLAY’ consecutive games against from the right circle, gave the Colorado during the last two Avalanche a 2-1 lead. seasons. With Kadri in the penalty Vince Dunn and Jordan Ky- box for a double-minor high- rou also scored for the Blues, sticking infraction late in who are 8-1-1 against Central the period, the Blues scored Division teams this season. twice during a span of 36 sec- Ryan O’Reilly had two assists onds to take a 3-2 lead. and goaltender Jordan Bin- First, Perron capitalized nington made 26 saves. with a shot from the left cir- Mikko Rantanen and cle, off an Alex Pietrangelo Nazem Kadri scored for the pass, then Dunn converted a Avalanche, who had their give-and-go play down low nine-game points streak with Tyler Bozak. stopped. Philipp Grubauer, Kyrou pushed the lead to who returned after missing 4-2 in the third period by three games with a ham- stealing a pass in the neu- string strain, stopped 30 of tral zone, breaking in alone 34 shots. on Grubauer and scoring a The Blues struck fi rst when wraparound goal. Perron scored with 69 sec- Perron’s empty-net goal onds left in the fi rst period, with 3:55 left to play iced the connecting from a sharp left- game.

RESULTS Columbus 3-0 Washington Florida 6-1 Ottawa Nashville 5-2 NY Rangers St. Louis 5-2 Colorado Edmonton 2-1 Dallas

Dallas Mavericks guard Seth Curry (left) drives for the basket around Milwaukee Bucks guard George Hill during the fourth quarter at Fiserv Forum. PICTURE: USA TODAY Sports

13 rebounds to lead San Antonio. AFP RESULTS but fell behind by as many as 16 points in the Washington fi rst half and could not overcome Dallas (18- Washington 133-119 Detroit 8). Antetokounmpo averaged 32.1 points, 12.1 RAPTORS, THUNDER WIN Toronto 133-113 Cleveland rebounds and 4.4 assists a game during the Cameroonian forward Pascal Siakam scored eth Curry and Kristaps Porzingis streak, in which only two teams came within 33 points, Norman Powell added 26 and Kyle each scored 26 points and the Dal- Houston 109-107 San Antonio eight points of Milwaukee. Lowry had 20 points and 11 assists to spark las Mavericks snapped Milwau- Memphis 118-111 Miami The Bucks will play host to LeBron James defending NBA Champion Toronto over visit- kee’s 18-game NBA win streak on Dallas 120-116 Milwaukee and the Los Angeles Lakers (24-3) on Thurs- ing Cleveland 133-113. MondayS 120-116 despite 48 points and 14 day in a matchup of conference leaders that Chris Paul scored 30 points, grabbed 10 rebounds by Bucks star Giannis Antetok- Oklahoma 109-106 Chicago could be a preview of the NBA Finals. rebounds and added eight assists to lead the ounmpo. Portland 111-110 Phoenix Houston’s Russell Westbrook scored 31 Oklahoma City Thunder a 109-106 home The Mavericks, lacking Slovenian star big points and grabbed 10 rebounds, the last on victory over Chicago. Zach LaVine scored 39 man Luka Doncic due to an ankle sprain, held there,” Porzingis said. “Tonight we looked a the fi nal play to secure a win, as the Rockets points in a losing cause for the Bulls. Lithua- off the host Bucks, who made a furious rally little better. We want to keep getting better made the greatest rally in club history to beat nian centre Jonas Valanciunas scored 21 points with a late 17-6 run that fell just short. and we want him to get better and come back San Antonio 109-107. and pulled down 10 rebounds while Ja Morant Latvia’s Porzingis, who scored 11 in the as soon as possible.” Milwaukee settled for The Spurs, ahead 72-53 at half-time, led added 20 points and 10 assists to power host fi rst quarter, shot 9-of-19 from the fl oor and the second-longest win streak in team his- by as many as 25 points before the Rockets Memphis over Miami 118-111. Jimmy Butler 4-of-8 from 3-point range as well as grabbing tory, two shy of the club’s record run from the made that the largest point total they had ever led the Heat with 25 points. 12 rebounds while Curry, brother of injured 1970-71 NBA championship campaign. trailed by in a victory. Houston outscored the C J McCollum scored 30 points and Damian Golden State star Stephen Curry, came off the Greek playmaker Antetokounmpo sank his Spurs 56-35 in the second half, aided by 18 San Lillard added 27 for Portland as the Trail Blaz- bench to spark the Mavs. fi nal points with 5.2 seconds remaining to pull Antonio turnovers. “Just heart,” Westbrook ers edged host Phoenix 111-110. Bucks reserve Kyle Korver had 17 points, Milwaukee within 119-116, then missed a free said. “Sometimes you have to just take bas- Kelly Oubre Jr led Phoenix with 24 points hitting 5-of-7 3-point shots. throw hoping the Bucks could get a rebound. ketball out of it and just play. We put our heart while Spanish guard Ricky Rubio had 10 Porzingis said the Mavericks are playing Milwaukee did get the ball but Porzingis into it and came out with the win.” points, 11 rebounds and 14 assists for the Suns. better as they adjust to playing without Don- blocked Sterling Brown, and the Mavericks James Harden had 28 points, eight re- Lillard’s free throw on a 3-point play with cic for a while. added a free throw for the fi nal margin. bounds and seven assists for the Rockets, who 26 seconds remaining produced the margin of Patrick Kane (second right) of the Chicago Blackhawks is “Without Luka, we got used to him. It The Bucks, who fell to 24-4, lead the NBA also got 15 points and 15 rebounds from Clint victory. Rubio missed a last-second 3-point congratulated by teammates after scoring a hat-trick against the threw us off a little bit not having him out in points, rebounds and shooting accuracy Capela. LaMarcus Aldridge had 19 points and try for Phoenix. Minnesota Wild at the United Center. PICTURE: USA TODAY Sports

NFL Brees breaks Manning’s career mark for TDs Reuters like this with my team and Who Brees connected on his 22nd passing TDs. New York Dat Nation and everybody here consecutive pass and moved to Brees, 40, entered Monday in the Superdome tonight, my 29 of 30 on the night, 96.7%. night’s home game against In- family and friends,” Brees said Brees didn’t throw another dianapolis third on the all-time ew Orleans Saints postgame on ESPN. “You don’t pass in the game. The previ- list. Brees’ 15-yard touchdown quarterback Drew really think about these things, ous NFL record for the high- pass to Thomas with 12:37 left Brees passed Peyton especially when you fi rst enter est single-game completion in the second tied him with Manning to become this league. I can remember rate was 96.6%, set by the Los New England Patriots quarter- Nthe NFL’s career leader in touch- as a young player, just trying Angeles Chargers’ Philip Rivers back Tom Brady for second. down passes on Monday night, to become a starter someday when he went 28 of 29 on Nov Brady tweeted after Brees’ and he also set a league mark for maybe, maybe be able to make 25, 2018. third scoring pass of the night, the highest single-game com- a little bit of an impact. Bress’ lone incompletion “Congrats drew!! Couldn’t be pletion percentage. “It’s hard to believe, here was a second-quarter throw more deserving. Passing Pey- Brees wound up 29 of 30 we are 19 years later, having intended for running back Lat- ton in anything is an incredible for 307 yards and four touch- a chance to do some of these avius Murray. achievement and your records downs in a 34-7 rout of the vis- things. But these special mo- “I’ll be honest with you — will be tough to beat! But it’s iting Indianapolis Colts. ments are special because of you always think about the one worth trying (winking face Brees’ 5-yard touchdown the people that are on this that you missed,” Brees said. emoji)” pass to Josh Hill with 7:08 journey. I love my team, I love “If I just set my darn feet and Brees is in his 19th season left in the third quarter — his our fans, and I love the oppor- throw it to the running back, in the NFL, his 14th with the third scoring strike of the tunity that we have.” it’s 30-for-30, so that one may Saints after playing the fi rst game — was the 540th of his Then with 35 seconds left in haunt me for a little while. fi ve years of his career in with career, surpassing Manning. the third quarter, on his next “A lot of great catches out the then-San Diego Chargers. The touchdown was also Brees’ pass, Brees hit Taysom Hill for there. A lot of guys making Brees also holds the NFL ca- 20th straight completion in the a 28-yard scoring pass for No. great plays.” reer records for career passing game, a franchise record and 541 and his fourth of the night. With 6:11 left in the second yards, completions, passing personal best. When he fl ipped the ball to quarter, Brees had hit Tre’Quan yards per game and completion “Pretty incredible moment Michael Thomas for a 2-yard Smith for a 21-yard touchdown percentage (minimum 1,500 New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees (left) throws against the Indianapolis Colts during the first to be able to share something loss early in the fourth quarter, toss to tie Manning with 539 attempts). half at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. PICTURE: USA TODAY Sports Gulf Times 6 Wednesday, December 18, 2019 SPORT

TENNIS/ QATAR EXXONMOBIL OPEN 2020 RUSSIA’S GORST WINS WPA WORLD 9-BALL ExxonMobil Qatar CHAMPIONSHIP and QTF launch promotions at DHFC

‘We look forward to welcoming thousands of tennis fans to this wonderful event’ Russia’s Fedor Gorst lifted the WPA World 9-Ball Championship trophy at the Qatar Billiards and Snooker Federation in Doha xxonMobil Qatar and yesterday. The 19-year-old beat 34-year-old Taiwanese Chang the Qatar Tennis Fed- Jung Lin (below) in a see-saw race-to-13 final yesterday. The eration (QTF) have Russian eventually won 13-11. A former world junior champion, launched a series of Gorst started slow as his experienced rival opened a 2-0 lead, promotionalE activities at a rib- maintaining his advantage at 4-2. Gorst then fought back bon cutting ceremony that taking three straight racks to go 5-4 up, only to see Lin win was held at Doha Festival City the next four racks for a 8-5 lead. With the scores at 9-7 in Lin’s (DHFC) yesterday. The event favour, Gorst was in machine-mode taking the next four frames marks the launch of activities for a 11-9 lead. The two then won alternative racks as Gorst for the Qatar ExxonMobil Open emerged victorious 13-11. (Twitter/poolwpa) 2020, which will take place at the Khalifa International Ten- nis and Squash Complex from January 6 to 11, 2020. The event was attended by senior offi cials from Exxon- Mobil Qatar and Qatar Tennis Federation, including: Saleh al-Mana, Vice President and Director of Government and Public Aff airs for ExxonMobil Qatar; Tareq Zeinal, Secretary- General of Qatar Tennis Federa- tion; and Karim Alami, Tourna- ment Director. ExxonMobil Qatar is invit- ing the general public to visit its stands and take part in the pro- motional activities at Doha Fes- tival City, Novo Cinemas, The Pearl and Villaggio from De- BOXING cember 15. Visitors can take part in some exciting and fun activi- ties that have been developed around science, technology, Joshua off ers to be engineering and mathematics (STEM) concepts. Vice President and Director of Government and Public Aff airs for ExxonMobil Qatar Saleh al-Mana takes a selfie with Secretary-General “We’re delighted to launch of Qatar Tennis Federation Tareq Zeinal and Tournament Director Karim Alami (right) during a promotional event of Qatar ExxonMobil Fury’s sparring promotional activities for the Open 2020. Qatar ExxonMobil Open 2020 with our partner the Qatar Ten- course and we believe the part- to help build human potentials used by racing drivers and pro- LED Run, post it on their ac- partner if it helps nis Federation,” said al-Mana. nership will continue to grow through education programs. fessional athletes to help with count using the hashtag #e_ “These activities will give the stronger with each passing Through these eff orts, Exxon- eye to hand coordination, re- activation and tag three friends. general public an opportunity to year,” he added. Mobil Qatar is developing the fl exes and stamina. Every week, one lucky winner him beat Wilder learn more about this outstand- On his part, Alami said, “It scientists, engineers and in- Additionally, visitors can ex- will be announced. ing tournament that we bring to has always been a pleasure to novators that will help sup- perience an incredible virtual The second competition is AFP out and spar with him to get him Qatar every year, what activities host each edition of the Qatar port Qatar’s future knowledge- running challenge using a sen- a STEM quiz. Every week, a London ready for Wilder.” it includes, how they tie into our ExxonMobil Open particularly based society, in line with the sor pressure pad – LED Run. question will be asked on Exx- Joshua remains desperate for overall mission of supporting the with the great support we’ve National Vision 2030. Running enthusiasts of all levels onMobil Qatar’s Instagram and a showdown with Wilder that Qatar National Vision 2030, and enjoyed from our great partner Stand visitors can play a can have a great time with this Twitter accounts. Followers nthony Joshua has of- would see both men attempt highlight Qatar’s position as a and premier supporter of tennis game of Air Tennis, which al- game - they can choose to chal- will need to follow the accounts, fered to be Tyson Fury’s to become the fi rst undisputed centre for mega sporting events.” in Qatar – ExxonMobil Qatar. lows them to play tennis in a lenge themselves or round up give their answer on the post sparring partner if it heavyweight champion since “We look forward to welcom- We are grateful for the tremen- virtual experience where they a partner/s to join them on the and tag three friends. There will helps his fellow British Lennox Lewis. “It still puzzles ing thousands of tennis fans to dous support over the years and can feel an invisible ball as they race. This particular activity is be a winner announced weekly fiA ghter beat WBC heavyweight me as to why it’s so diffi cult to this wonderful event that fea- we are delighted to have them hit it with their bare hands. an example of Newton’s second during the duration of the com- champion Deontay Wilder. pin this man down,” Joshua said. tures some of the biggest names has our major sponsor.” Players will interact with an law of motion - the acceleration petition, which will run from Joshua has been left frustrated “This is the man I need to pin in tennis,” he added. “We are delighted to host artifi cial intelligence opponent of an object is dependent upon December 8 to January 11. in his attempts to lure America’s down to get the last ring and Zeinal said, “We are very another edition of the Qatar on a screen that serves them a two variables - the net force The Qatar ExxonMobil Open Wilder into the ring as he bids to conquer this division.” proud of our strategic partner- ExxonMobil Open. It has been ball from across a digital tennis acting upon the object and the is the fi rst ATP World Tour ten- unify the division following his “You’ve got the two lords of ship with ExxonMobil Qatar, widely acknowledged that each court. mass of the object. nis tournament of the year, and victory over Andy Ruiz Jr last the rings here,” he added. “The which has continued to produce edition of the tournament is The fun game combines mo- ExxonMobil Qatar has also a much-anticipated sporting weekend. last one to unify, undisputed, the positive impact on tennis in unique in its own right thanks to tion sensors with air haptics planned two competitions for event that hosts some of the The 30-year-old, who re- division. I’ve got four (including Qatar over the years. The rela- the great support we’ve enjoyed technology that blast air to its social media followers on biggest names in tennis, and gained the WBA, IBF and WBO the IBO belt), he’s got one. I just tionship between the two noble from the tournament spon- mimic the ball as a player hits Twitter and Instagram that will attracts thousands of tennis belts, feels he has a better chance need one more.” organisations, QTF and Exxon- sor – ExxonMobil Qatar. QTF it with their hand. It demon- launch before the start of the enthusiasts from around the of landing a blockbuster unifi ca- Bulgarian Kubrat Pulev is the Mobil Qatar, has been growing is grateful for their support and strates Newton’s fi rst law of tournament. The fi rst compe- world. The Qatar ExxonMobil tion showdown with Fury than IBF’s next mandatory challenger in leaps and bounds and we are we believe that more lies ahead motion, which states that every tition will run from December Open 2020 will bring together with Wilder. for Joshua, while the WBO has very grateful to them for their for the two great organisations object will remain at rest or in 8 to January 6, giving followers some of the world’s top play- Fury faces a re-match with the ordered the Londoner to fi ght continuous support.” as we continue to lift tennis high uniform motion in a straight the chance to win exciting priz- ers to compete for the trophy American on February 22, having Ukrainian Oleksandr Usyk. “The support from Exx- in Qatar and in the region.” line unless compelled to change es by taking part in the activities and a share of the prize money. drawn their fi rst encounter, and And speaking about a po- onMobil Qatar has helped in All the promotional activities its state by the action of an ex- at the stands in Novo Cinemas, Confi rmed tournament partici- Joshua told Sky Sports News: tential third meeting with Ruiz putting Qatari tennis on the planned for this year’s tourna- ternal force. The Pearl, Doha Festival City, pants include: defending cham- “I think honestly he might beat Jr, the Mexican-American who global stage and we at the Qatar ment fall under ExxonMobil Stand visitors can also take and Villaggio. pion, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, Stan Wilder next time. stunned the boxing world by Tennis Federation are grateful Qatar’s Energy in Motion cam- part in the Batak Challenge - a Participants will fi rst need Wawrinka, and Andrey Rublev. “I think Fury would fi ght me beating Joshua in June, the Brit- for this. The synergy between paign – a campaign, which aims light chaser type of game where to follow @exxonmobil_qa on Tickets for the six-day event quicker than Wilder would, so, ish boxer said: “One trillion per the two organisations is a proof to raise awareness on the sci- players have to hit a button that Instagram and Twitter, take are available to the public online if that’s the case, I want him to cent. “I always said I’d fi ght him that there is no limit to what ence behind sports and tennis lights up as fast as possible be- a picture while trying one of at www.qatartennis.org, as well win. Imagine that fi ght on Brit- in Tijuana, with his uncle as ref- can be achieved when people in particular, and supports Exx- fore the next button illuminates. the three activities at the mall as at various locations across ish soil. eree. Me and Andy will soon see are passionately committed to a onMobil Qatar’s broader eff orts The Batak Challenge machine is stands: Air Tennis, Batak, and Doha. “If Tyson needs me, I’ll go each other in the ring again.”

FOCUS Falcon Hunters win Qatar T10 Cricket League By Sports Reporter ing joy to his teammates and fans. and Chaudhry, who got two wick- Doha He was aptly declared the man- ets each. Waqas Maqsood, Amad of-the-fi nal as well. Butt and Saad Bin Zafar snared Ali Imran, Mohamed Imran and one each. alcon Hunters skipper Zain Uddin bowled impressively Ali Imran hit two sixes in his 12- Iqbal Hussain Chaudhry and put pressure back on the ri- ball knock to get 19, the highest smashed a glorious six vals after Amad Butt’s 14 out of 18 for Swift Gallopers. Mohammad and clinched the inaugural came through a six and two fours Imran fi red a six and two fours in QatarF T10 Cricket League crown off Mehmood in the sixth over. his fi ery 18 off just six balls and with an exciting four-wicket vic- Openers Hashim Amla and skipper added 16 tory against Swift Gallopers at the Salman Butt added 29 runs in 3.1 with two sixes. Asian Town Stadium on Monday. overs to give an encouraging start Sadiq NM, who hit a six and a In the fi nal over, the winners to Falcon Hunters. But regular four, got 12 in seven balls, while required 16 runs while chasing a loss of wickets tilted the match Mehmood also had 12 in 13 balls. modest 86-run target. All-round- towards Swift Gallopers. But Saj- QCA President Yousef Jeham er Tamoor Sajjad cracked a superb jad’s cameo and Chaudhry’s big al-Kuwari, other association of- six and a four out of his 12 before hit hijacked the crown from the fi cials and team owners were getting out to Sufyan Mahmood opponents. present during the prize distribu- off the third ball. The victory also exacted the tion ceremony. The atmosphere got more revenge for Falcon Hunters who The QCA president congratu- tense as Murad Khan was able to had lost the league match to Swift lated both the fi nalists for playing just place the ball for a single to Gallopers by six runs in an almost well in the title clash and making give the strike to the skipper. But similar frantic fi nish. it a close aff air. Chaudhry had other ideas and he Earlier, Swift Gallopers, batting He thanked all the teams for blasted the very fi rst ball that he fi rst, failed to get as many runs trying hard during the prelimi- faced over the rope to seal the tri- as they would have wanted. They nary phase in a bid to reach the umph with a ball to spare, bring- were pegged back by Murad Khan knockout stage. Falcon Hunters players pose with the Qatar T10 Cricket League trophy along with QCA president Yousef Jeham al-Kuwari and other off icials. Gulf Times Wednesday, December 18, 2019 7 SPORT

LA LIGA SPOTLIGHT Australasia promise record Zidane, Valverde crowds if awarded 2023 to meet in Clasico Women’s World Cup Reuters football across our confedera- Sydney tions and beyond sits at the very heart of our vision for the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023, as ustralia and New Zea- well as leading the way for gen- land would deliver der equity and creating strong the highest-attended role models for women in leader- battle of survivors women’s soccer World ship,” Wood said in a statement CupA in 2023, with projections on Tuesday. of more than 1.5mn spectators “We stand ready As One to 'FOOTBALL FORGETS WHAT YOU’VE DONE IN THE PAST' and an average crowd of 24,000 deliver FIFA the most success- if they are awarded the tourna- ful Women’s World Cup ever, a AFP ment, offi cials said yesterday. ground-breaking tournament Madrid The trans-Tasman neighbours whose impact will reverberate last week launched a joint bid across the globe.” backed by both governments The pool phase for the joint inedine Zidane and Ernesto Val- to bring the tournament to the Australasian bid would be split verde might have been fearing for southern hemisphere for the fi rst evenly with four groups in each their jobs if they had lost a Clasico time in 2023. country. back in October but its postpone- Their offi cial bid book was Auckland’s Eden Park, the site Zment means that today they can face each presented to world governing of two men’s rugby World Cup other feeling more secure. body FIFA last Friday. fi nals, would host the opening Stalling in the autumn, Real Madrid Brazil, Colombia and Japan ceremony and fi rst match. and Barcelona have rolled through the also submitted formal bids to Australia, with its bigger sta- gears in the lead-up to Christmas, mean- host the tournament, the fi rst to dia, would then host the major- ing the winner of today’s crunch meeting feature 32 teams. ity of the knockout matches with at Camp Nou will move seven points clear This year’s 24-team World fi ve of the eight second round of third place. Cup in France, won by the United games, three quarter-fi nals, one More importantly, in what increasingly States, set records for attendance semi-fi nal and the playoff for looks like a two-pronged title chase, the and attracted unprecedented third. winner will pull three ahead of the loser, viewing fi gures on television. Sydney’s redeveloped Olym- with one round Liga matches left before Average attendance in France pic Stadium, with a capacity of the two-week winter break. was about 23,500, with the fi nal 70,000, would be the venue for Yet even for the loser, providing defeat in Lyon attracting 57,900. The the fi nal. is not a humiliation, the consequences 2015 tournament in Canada sold The Australasian bid is the fi rst will not be so grave. a record total of 1.35mn tickets. that crosses the boundaries of The gap in the table will be small and New Zealand Football Presi- FIFA’s six confederations. Aus- considering where both these teams were dent Johanna Wood said their tralia realigned with the Asian only a few weeks ago, when every week bid, which is marketed with the confederation in early 2006, brought a new name linked with coach- tag-line ‘As One’, was also built while New Zealand remained in ing jobs and every goal conceded planted on providing a legacy for soccer the much smaller Oceania re- another seed of doubt. in both countries and through- gion. For Real Madrid, Jose Mourinho was In this file photo taken on December out the South Pacifi c. The 2023 hosts will be decided out of work and in the public eye, his in- 23, 2017 Barcelona’s Spanish coach “Moving the dial for women’s by FIFA next year. creasingly frequent media showings even Ernesto Valverde (L) shakes hands appearing to irk the usually immoveable with Real Madrid’s French coach Zidane. before the Spanish IN BAD TASTE “Football forgets what you’ve done in League “Clasico” match in Madrid. the past,” said Zidane in October. “I’m not going to tell you what they dered why nothing had changed. say doesn’t bother me because it bothers Suspicions grew when Madrid drew Zidane says Real only focused on football amid fears of unrest Italian football’s me, but I can’t prevent people giving their two of their fi rst four league games and opinions.” were thrashed away at Paris Saint-Ger- For Barcelona, Ronald Koeman had main. Madrid: Zinedine Zidane has said he is in favour of Catalan independence, use of monkeys surged into view after the Dutch Fed- When they lost away at newly-pro- not worried about today’s Clasico be- has called publicly for its supporters to eration confi rmed a clause in his contract moted Mallorca, a week before the Cla- tween Real Madrid and Barcelona being gather at the stadium four hours before that allows him to join Barca after Euro sico was meant to be played, it felt like overshadowed by Catalan independ- kick off at 1900 GMT. for anti-racism 2020 next summer. results might unravel. ence protests. A large-scale safety operation will be But if the rumours were an irritation, “We must have consistency,” said Zi- The fixture was originally scheduled for deployed around the match involving form on the pitch was a real concern. dane. “We have to have more life in our October 26 but had to be postponed 3,000 security personnel while both campaign criticised Barcelona’s malaise was short-lived. game.” and there are renewed fears of unrest teams have been instructed to travel to They won only two of their opening fi ve Madrid did that as Zidane found a more at Camp Nou, where Madrid and Barca the stadium from the same hotel. AFP According to the League, games. Results improved but perform- settled side including the dynamic mid- will be playing for first place in . “It’s something diff erent but the rules Rome the work “aims to defend ances were ponderous and the weakness- fi elder he has long-wanted in Fede Val- “I am not worried about anything,” said are the rules,” said Zidane. “They said the values of integration, es all-too familiar, the kind that had also verde as well as an 18-year-old gem in Zidane in a press conference yesterday. we have to leave together so we’re leav- multiculturalism and gone unfi xed before, only to prove costly Rodrygo and arguably the world’s most “I am happy we are about to play a ing together.” n anti-racism cam- fraternity” later in the season. in-form striker in Karim Benzema. Clasico. It was the same when I was a Zidane added: “We never thought this paign by Serie A that In that sense, Valverde was carrying Eden Hazard got fi t too and sparkled in player, these are the matches you live game would not go ahead. What we used art showing mon- “I only paint monkeys as a the weight of previous disappointments spells before injuring his ankle earlier this for, and you are focused only on what have to do is put all our energy into keys, drew a bemused metaphor for human beings,” and he was blamed for a leaky defence, month, which will rule him out until the responseA from one of its own he said in interviews with the happens on the field.” the match because the rest, we could lack of style and failure to get the best out new year. Democratic Tsunami, the protest group spend a week talking about it.” clubs on Monday night. media ahead of the campaign. of . As Madrid hit their stride, Barcelona “ASRoma was very surprised “We turn the concept back on “At the start of the season, it’s not accelerated to keep up and the uncertain- to see what appears to be an the racists, as we are all mon- about winning one title, it’s about win- ty around Valverde, although not gone, “It is true we were struggling but we will hinge on Europe, where recaptur- anti-racist campaign from Serie keys originally. So, I painted ning three or four,” said Valverde in No- has, for now at least, faded. have also done things well,” Valverde said ing the trophy after four barren seasons A featuring painted monkeys on a Western monkey, an Asian vember. “So the frustration when you Their improvement cannot be entirely last month. “Leaders in La Liga, fi rst in seems now to be the minimum for Bar- social media today,” said Roma monkey and a black monkey.” don’t win a game is high.” credited to the return of Lionel Messi, but our Champions League group. We have to celona. on their English-language twit- Italian stadiums are the Zidane also shouldered burdens from his eight goals, including two hat-tricks, follow our path.” Storms may lie ahead but as La Liga ter feed. “We understand the scene of recurrent racist inci- last season. Even if it was not his team and four assists in six games have cer- Judgement on Zidane’s second coming approaches its halfway point, Zidane and league wants to tackle racism but dents, including monkey cries that limped its way through the fi nal tainly helped. Griezmann is fi nding his will be guided by Madrid’s staying power Valverde are still intact. This Clasico is a we don’t believe this is the right aimed at black players. months, he was in charge and some won- feet too, with three goals in his last fi ve. in the league while for Valverde, success battle of leaders, but survivors too. way to do it.” FARE, a racism monitoring Serie A Managing Direc- organisation, called the choice tor Luigi De Servio had earlier of art a “bad joke”. Everton coy over BOTTOMLINE presented an anti-racism plan “Once again, Italian foot- which included the signing of ball leaves the world speech- new manager a charter by a player represent- less. In a country in which the amid Ancelotti ing each of the 20 Serie A clubs. authorities fail to deal with AC Milan, Inter struggle to overcome The league also displayed a racism week after week, Serie speculation triptych by Italian artist Si- A have launched a campaign London: Everton insisted they mone Fugazzotto at its Milan that looks like a sick joke,” it had yet to make a contract of- opposition to plans to replace San Siro headquarters which showed tweeted fer to a potential new manager three monkeys in close-up but Roma also led the outcry after a report that Carlo Ance- Reuters with slightly different colours earlier in the month when lotti had agreed “in principle” Milan over the basic brown. Italian sports daily Corriere to take over at Goodison Park. A general view from outside According to the League, the dello Sport ran the front-page Sky Sports reported talks the San Siro stadium. work “aims to defend the val- headline “Black Friday” to ac- between the English Premier ilan’s football clubs and the ues of integration, multicul- company an article about the League club and the veteran city municipality are in talks turalism and fraternity”. first Serie A meeting between Italian boss had “progressed to try to resolve a dispute over Later, as criticism began, the former Manchester United well”. plans for a new stadium to league issued a statement say- teammates Romelu Lukaku and But a statement issued by Mreplace the nearly century-old San Siro ing “true art is provocation.” Chris Smalling. The newspaper Everton later Monday said: “In arena. Fugazzotto almost always protested that its headline was the 11 days since Marco Silva Serie A’s clubs AC Milan and Internazi- paints monkeys, in a variety of being deliberately mis-inter- left the club, the Everton board onale FC, respectively owned by US fund artistic styles, usually wearing preted and its intention was to has been working to recruit Elliott and Chinese electronic retailer Sun- human clothes and represent- “showcase” the players, adding a new permanent manager — ing, in July fi led a request to build a new ing different cultures and his- “we will continue to fi ght racism and has held meetings with a jointly owned 60,000-seat stadium in the torical periods. and ignorance.” number of candidates.” San Siro area. It added: “We can confirm that The new stadium is the key element in thus far no contract offer has a wider real estate plan for the district, Two goals in added time lift Lazio into title race been made and no candidate which includes tearing down the historic has chosen to withdraw from San Siro arena, dubbed ‘La Scala del Cal- Rome: Lazio scored twice in second minute of added time the process. cio’. added time to win 2-1 in Cagliari when Luis Alberto volleyed in “While the club is keen to AC Milan and Inter see a new modern peatedly cast doubt over the idea of knock- But the clubs said in a statement after in Serie A on Monday for an from the edge of the box. In the confirm a new permanent arena as a crucial way to boost their rev- ing down the three-ring arena that opened the meeting that the co-existence of two eighth straight victory. dying seconds of the seventh manager as soon as possible, enues, which are lagging behind those of in 1926, which has undergone several res- professional sport facilities in the area In a battle between the teams minute of additional time Felipe the only important duty is their peers who own their home grounds, torations over the years to reach its current would not be sustainable, citing a study that started the weekend third Caicedo headed the winner. that the right appointment is such as Serie A rival Juventus FC and many 80,000 capacity. prepared by an adviser. and fourth, Lazio were beaten The victory left Lazio three made.” other European top soccer clubs. However, both clubs are reluctant to The Milan municipality was not imme- after 90 minutes. points behind leaders Inter Mi- Everton’s statement added But the Milan municipality, which owns use a revamped San Siro for their matches diately available to comment. Giovanni Simeone had opened lan and second-place Juventus. that “while our process con- San Siro and has to give its approval to the in the future, saying further restoration The two clubs said they had accepted a the scoring for Cagliari in the Lazio has built a four-point tinues”, former striker Duncan plan, has so far shown little enthusiasm for would be costly and ineff ective. request by city representatives to assess ninth minute with a superb vol- cushion over rivals Roma while Ferguson would remain as the 1.2bn euro project, which sources have Representatives of both clubs and Mi- alternative options for San Siro. ley from the left. Cagliari slip to fifth, a further caretaker manager and be in said Goldman Sachs is ready to bankroll. lan local authorities discussed yesterday These may include tearing down most Lazio grew more dangerous three points back, after their charge for the Toffees’ League Goldman Sachs did not respond to a re- the possibility of keeping the San Siro as a of the old arena and keeping only part of as the match progressed but first loss since the second week Cup quarter-final against quest for comment. venue for professional soccer matches be- the stands as a kind of city landmark, two the Sardinians held on until the of the season. Leicester today. Milan’s mayor Giuseppe Sala has re- side the new stadium. sources close to the matter said.

Wednesday, December 18, 2019 GULF TIMES SPORT

QATAR 2022 Dr Cool: mastermind behind air-cooled stadiums tanding proudly at Al designing for the thermal com- Janoub Stadium, Sudan- fort of spectators, we considered born Dr Saud Abdulaziz that we will have people from all Abdul Ghani explains to around the world attending the aS crowd of journalists that cool- matches. We wanted to ensure ing a stadium is just like cooling that all these people would have a car. Nicknamed ‘Dr Cool’, the thermal comfort during games.” engineer behind the outdoor In 2022, stadiums will be cooling technologies for FIFA cooled to a comfortable 18-24C. World Cup Qatar 2022 stadi- Despite the fact Qatar’s World ums tells reporters that he was Cup will take place in November inspired by his PhD study on and December – when the tem- air-conditioning for the Ford perature is around 20C; perfect Mondeo. for players and fans – the SC has He said, “These cooling tech- continued to develop cooling nologies use the same tools, but technologies in order to provide on a much bigger scale.” a strong tournament legacy. Dr Saud joined the Qatar Dr Saud explained: “Our sta- 2022 project in 2009 when the diums can be used 24/7, all year country was bidding to host the round, leaving a legacy for Qatar 22nd edition of global football’s after the tournament – and leav- showpiece tournament. The Su- ing no white elephants.” preme Committee for Delivery & In addition to cooling sta- Legacy (SC) reached out to Qatar Dr Saud Abdulaziz Abdul Ghani diums, the next step is to cool University, where he is a profes- other public spaces in Qatar. 21 sor at the College of Engineer- sulation and what Dr Saud calls ogy is an estimated 40% more Dr Saud’s cooling technology is an estimated 40% more sustainable than existing techniques. High st at Katara has recently ing, to fi nd solutions in curbing ‘targeted or spot cooling’ – sustainable than existing tech- been unveiled as Qatar’s “fi rst Qatar’s summer heat during which means that cooling only niques. His method means sta- ing the stadium.” He added, “We test how the height and width.” open-air, air-conditioned com- matches. takes place where people actu- diums only need to be cooled Khalifa International Sta- model reacts to wind at diff erent Dr Saud highlighted that such mercial plaza”. He said, “When we were pre- ally are – the stadium acts as a two hours before an event, which dium, the only pre-existing sta- speeds. Then we use cameras to studies are crucial in aiding the Another project in Aspire paring our submission for the barrier that contains a cold bub- signifi cantly reduces the venue’s dium to undergo renovation for zoom in to see where air is en- development of cooling tech- Park features a cooled walkway, World Cup in 2022, we wanted ble inside. energy consumption compared Qatar 2022, was completed in tering and where it’s exiting the nologies and eventually making which uses solar panels to gen- a unique bid that would stand Cooled air comes in through to existing methods. 2017, making it the fi rst tourna- stadium. It’s a way to see how them more sustainable. erate energy. out among other bidding grills in the stands and large noz- Additionally, the technology ment-ready venue. Renovations air interacts to the stadium’s de- Al Bayt Stadium, which was Going forward, Dr Saud hopes countries. zles on the pitch. Using the air works with the stadium’s design included a canopy that protects sign.” initially designed with a darker his technology will be adopted Most countries would usually circulation technique, cooled air in mind, making it more effi - seating areas from the sun and However, designing the fi rst façade, now features a lighter in other countries with warm present their stadiums as a de- is then drawn back, re-cooled, cient and environment-friendly. a version of Dr Saud’s cooling cooled World Cup stadiums is one – a change that brought climates. His line of under-seat sign idea and not a technology. fi ltered and pushed out. Dr Saud’s version works hard to technology. not an easy task. down the temperature inside the diff users is not patented – a We presented our stadiums in a “We are not just cooling the keep the cool air in and the hot As the remaining seven stadi- He explained, “The biggest stadium by approximately 5C, choice he made to serve the sci- new way – as a technology.” air, we’re cleaning it,” said Dr air out. ums are being built from scratch, thing working against you when according to Dr Saud. entifi c community. In 2022, Dr Saud’s diff erent Saud. He explained, “The most im- Dr Saud was able to provide be- you’re trying to cool a stadium Additionally, designs are “The reason I joined the 2022 cooling technologies will be used “We’re purifying the air for portant thing to cool eff ectively spoke solutions for each venue. is the opening of the stadium’s made to ensure fans’ maximum team was to serve the Arab re- across the eight World Cup sta- spectators. For example, people is that you don’t want the out- This begins in his lab, where a 3D roof because that is where ex- comfort during matches. Al- gion so that people here appear diums, with cooling at Al Janoub who have allergies won’t have side wind to enter the stadium. model of the stadium is placed ternal hot air enters. That’s why ready in use at Al Janoub Sta- to others around the world in Stadium and Khalifa Interna- problems inside our stadiums. That’s why the size and design in a wind tunnel and tested with studying where air can exit and dium, under-seat diff users push a diff erent light,” he said. “The tional Stadium already fully We have the cleanest and purest of the stadium have to be studied smoke – representing wind – how we can push and pull back air out at an angle to deliver it in Middle East has a lot to off er and functional. air there is.” and altered accordingly so that which is pushed out at diff erent air diff ers from stadium to sta- a gentle manner. there’s nothing better than foot- Using a combination of in- Dr Saud’s cooling technol- they block warm air from enter- pressures. dium as it depends on its shape, He said, “When we started ball to show that.” From sc.qa

HORSE RACING Fift een international runners vie for Qatar Derby weekend ‘The Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club is delighted with the quality and variety of the runners for Qatar International Derby Festival’

By Sports Reporter Doha

ifteen horses will be ship- ping to run in the two- day Qatar International Derby Festival, which takesF place at Al Rayyan Race- course on Friday and Saturday. Friday’s USD100,000 Al Rayy- an Stakes over 1,400 metres on turf has attracted six interna- tional two-year-olds. For the last two years, the race has been won by British raiders — Concierge (2018) and Tip Two Win (2017). The highest-rated runner is listed winner Happy Bere, trained by Antoine De Watrigant and he will be ridden by Olivier Peslier. Two of the British raid- ers, Maystar (Archie Watson) and Hamish Macbeth (Hugo Palmer/ James Doyle) were only separated by a neck when second and third in a valuable sales race at The Curragh in September. Maystar has subsequently been gelded and recently won a good race at Wolverhampton under Hollie Doyle who will ride him again in Doha. Hollie has ridden 109 win- ners this season, a record number for a female jockey in Britain. Mauricio Delcher-trained Pedro Cara will be ridden by Tony Piccone in the Group 2 Qatar Derby for Thor- Bangkok, owned by Thailand’s King Power Racing and trained in England by Andrew Balding, will line up “He has been very consist- oughbreds on Saturday. from Gate 1 in the US$500,000 Qatar Derby (Group 2) on Saturday. ent all year and ran very well at The Curragh in the sales race pan in the Group 2 King Edward prize money of USD150,000 and runners will also be there for a over a stiff 6 1/2 furlongs,” Ar- VII Stakes at Royal Ascot in June is run over a mile and a quarter new challenge to land more titles chie Watson said of his Al Rayyan and won the Group 3 Classic Trial (2,000 metres) while the three- while facing classy tough inter- runner Maystar. at Sandown in April. year-old Qatar Derby, over a national contenders at Al Rayyan “He disappointed on heavy Other leading overseas con- mile (1,600 metres), is worth Park. ground in France and we subse- tenders are, from France, Mau- USD100,000. Qatar Racing and Eques- quently gelded him. He recently ricio Delcher’s Pedro Cara (to be French trainer Thomas Fourcy trian Club (QREC) CEO Nasser won a very good race on the ridden by Tony Piccone), touched won both races 12 months ago bin Sherida al-Kaabi said, “The all-weather at Wolverhampton off in the Jockey Club Derby in and again holds a strong hand, Qatar Racing and Equestrian where he gave us the impres- New York on his latest start and particularly in the three-year- Club is delighted with the qual- sion that the fast ground in Doha from Germany, Henk Grewe’s Say old version where he relies upon ity and variety of the runners would suit him. We’ve always Good Buy (to be ridden by Andra- his unbeaten dual Group 1 win- for this month’s Qatar Inter- thought that he’d stay seven fur- sch Starke), winner of a Group 3 ner, Lady Princess. Fourcy also national Derby Festival. We are longs and he’s in very good form.” at Baden-Baden last month. has Shalaa engaged in the four- very pleased to welcome runners Bangkok has been drawn 1 The home team is led by two year-old Derby. Both horses will from Britain, France, Germany in a fi eld of 16 runners for the recent purchases from Europe: be ridden by Julien Auge. and Oman. The fact that so many US$500,000 Qatar Derby, which the Group 3 Prix Paul de Moussac Trainer Alban de Mieulle is re- horses with form in European will be run over 2,000 metres (10 third, Admiral Rous, now trained sponsible for the two top-rated Group and Listed races are set to furlongs) on Saturday. by Jassim Ghazali and the mount Qatari purebred Arabian entries. take part shows the progress that Owned by Thailand’s King Pow- of Harry Bentley, and Old Glory Marid (ridden by Ronan Tho- racing in Qatar in general and this er Racing and trained in England (Ronan Thomas), fourth in the mas), a dual Group 1 scorer in Festival in particular is making.” by Andrew Balding, Bangkok will Group 3 Thoroughbred Stakes, France in 2018, has the same rat- “I look forward to hosting be ridden by Sylvestre de Sousa who has just joined the stable of ing as Shalaa in the four-year-old many of the world’s top owners, who will be fl ying in from Hong Hadi al-Ramzani. Derby. Al Hazm (Olivier Peslier), trainers and jockeys as we once Kong for the ride. Al Rayyan Racecourse stages placed in Group 2 company in again take pride in showcasing all Bangkok has not raced since three diff erent Derbies on Sat- France and an easy winner on last that Qatar has to off er and pro- fi nishing a neck second in the urday – the other two are both month’s debut for the stable, is moting our nation as a hub for Group 3 Strensall Stakes over restricted to purebred Arabians. rated 2lbs behind Lady Princess horseracing and a leader in the nine furlongs at York in August. The most valuable is the four- at the top of the three-year-old pure Arabian breed in line with He had earlier chased home Ja- year-old version, which boasts fi eld. Qatari and Qatar-trained QREC’s vision.” Champion jockey Harry Bentley will ride Admiral Rous, who recently moved to Qatar from Europe.