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Saturday, December 30, 2017 CRICKET Rabia II 12, 1439 AH Cook carries GULF TIMES bat as rain hits Melbourne Test SPORT Page 2 FOOTBALL Bahrain qualify for semis aft er 1-1 draw with Qatar A second-half strike by Ali Jafaar Madan helped Bahrain get the one point to finish above Qatar in Group B

In the 27th minute, al-Haydos covered plenty of ground with a solo eff ort that ended near the Bahrain box but surprisingly his Qatar’s Hassan al-Haydos (R) celebrates his goal fellow strikers were not in against Bahrain in the Gulf Cup yesterday. Picture position to take the fl ying cross at bottom shows fans cheering the Qatari team. - following a crisp cross by Qatar’s Miguel on the fl ank. The referee waved play on despite protests by the Qatar players. Immediately afterwards, Bahrain goalkeeper Sayed Ebrahim emerged as a hero by stopping a low shot by al-Haydos who fi red from close to the edge of the Bahrain box. Seconds later, forward Almoez Ali - one of Qatar’s brightest prospects from the junior ranks - weaved his way into the Bah- rain box but his deft low cross was missed by team mates Abdulakreem and Akram Afi f. Barely two minutes from the fi rst- half whistle, Qatar’s Pedro clipped a near-perfect cross for Ismail Mo- hamed whose snap-header from close range narrowly missed the Bahrain crossbar. Qatar’s brave show in the fi rst half bore fruit when Bahrain goalkeeper brought down Afi f inside the box with the wiry Al Anabi striker ready to shoot. Uzbek referee pointed to the spot before showing a yellow to keeper Ebrahim. Al-Haydos stepped up and went for the top of the net for Qatar’s goal that silenced a big Bahrain crowd. It was al-Haydos’ second goal of the tournament. With their tails up, Qatar launched attacks from the fi rst minute of the By a Correspondent points while Iraq (7 points) sealed the Qatar goalkeeper Saad al-Sheeb. second half. Three minutes after the Kuwait City top position with a 3-0 win over Iraq Qatar sustained pressure with moves resumption of play, al-Haydos at- yesterday. into the Bahrain box but their backline tempted a long-range shot to add more Qatar, winners in 2014, fi nished in third stood fi rm to keep their slate clean. In pressure on the Bahrain backline. With ahrain reached the semi-fi nals place with 4 points from three matches. the 15th minute, Qatar captain al-Hay- Bahrain trailing in the do-or-die game, of the Gulf Cup following a Yemen ended the tournament without a dos nearly pulled off a stunner with a friction started to increase with con- thrilling 1-1 draw with de- win in three matches. Qatar opened the shot that missed the target by inches stant shoving and pushing by the play- Bfending champions Qatar in tournament with a 4-0 win over Yemen off an indirect free-kick. ers on the pitch. their fi nal Group B clash yesterday. but lost to Iraq 2-1 last Tuesday. In the 27th minute, al-Haydos - the In the 58th minute, Bahrain found A second-half strike by Ali Jafaar A couple of tackles from both the team’s fi ttest athlete by far - covered the equaliser when Jaafar converted Madan helped Bahrain get the much- teams in the fi rst three minutes got the plenty of ground with a solo eff ort that from close range after a cross from the needed one point to fi nish above Qatar fans involved at the Jaber Al Ahmad ended near the Bahrain box but sur- fl ank. In the 80th minute, Afi fi drib- in the fi rst phase of the Gulf Cup. Stadium. prisingly his fellow strikers were not in bled past a couple of Bahrain defenders For Qatar, their goal was scored off Early in the match, Bahrain’s Jamal position to take the fl ying cross. but failed to fi nd the target from close a penalty kick by captain Hassan al- Rashed, after receiving a cross from Ten minutes later, Uzbek referee range by smashing the ball wide. Haydos in injury time of the fi rst half at eventual match hero Jaafar, broke free Asimov Aziz clearly missed a hand- In the semi-fi nals, Bahrain will play Jaber Al Ahmed Stadium. Bahrain fi n- of his marker inside the Qatar box but ball infringement by Bahrain’s Ahmed Oman on Jan 2. In the other semi-fi nal, ished the Group B standings with fi ve his low shot was smartly gobbled up by Abdulla - standing inside his own box Iraq will battle UAE.

TENNIS SPOTLIGHT Djokovic comeback delayed as he pulls out of UAE cancels Tunisia Abu Dhabi event, doubts over Australian Open handball matches

Agencies vic released a statement on his web- Abu Dhabi site announcing his intention. It is not amid row over women clear still if he will play the Qatar Open where he is top seed next week. ovak Djokovic’s latest inju- “I am terribly disappointed that I AFP flights between Tunis and Dubai. ry problem has cast a shadow am forced to withdraw from the Mu- Tunis Handball federation secretary over his participation in the badala World Tennis Championship,” general Amir Saadi said women had ExxonMobil Qatar Open be- Djokovic said in the statement. been appointed as referees for a ginningN on Monday and also the Aus- “Unfortunately, in the past few days he UAE men’s handball team friendly match between the two na- tralian Open in mid-January. I started to feel pain in the elbow and cut short a trip to Tuni- tional teams yesterday. Former world number one and 12- after several tests, my medical team sia yesterday, the Tunisian But, according to Saadi, the UAE time Grand Slam champion Djokovic has advised me not to risk anything, to federation said after it ap- team announced it was forfeiting yesterday withdrew from the Mu- withdraw from the tournament and to pointedT female referees for a game that game and another scheduled badala World Tennis Championship in immediately continue with the thera- in apparent solidarity with women for Saturday for “technical reasons”, Abu Dhabi yesterday with elbow pain pies.” in a row with Emirates Airline. citing the absence of 10 players and much to the disappointment of his He added: “Now I need to accept The Gulf visitors forfeited two injuries of four others. They had fans. this situation, and to wait for the re- games after Emirates received in- said “there was no link with politi- “I am waiting for his call tomorrow sults of the therapies, in order to start structions to deny Tunisian women cal affairs”, he added. after his medical test and he will tell us to Doha and then decide. Djokovic was scheduled to play playing tennis again and getting back access to its planes over a feared Tunisian social media users (whether he is fi t),” Qatar ExxonMo- The 30-year-old Serbian star had Spain’s Roberto Bautista Agut in the to full rhythm. This might aff ect the “terrorist attack” involving a wom- have slammed the travel measures bil Open Tournament Director Karim targeted Abu Dhabi for his fi rst match semi-fi nals of the exhibition tourna- start of the season and the tournament an carrying a Tunisian passport. against women from their country Alami told Gulf Times. Reports from since his quarter-fi nals loss at Wim- ment at 1900 local time. plan, but the decision will be made in In response, the North African as “discriminatory” and “humiliat- Abu Dhabi however said he will travel bledon in July this year. But four hours before that, Djoko- the following days.” country on Sunday halted Emirates ing”. Gulf Times 2 Saturday, December 30, 2017 CRICKET

ASHES T20 Beaten Windies say one bad over England deny cost them dearly

AFP It left the West Indies at two for 19 Nelson, New Zealand and they never recovered from the ini- tial setback. After 16 overs they were 103 for eight ball-tampering he West Indies were left ruing when a late slog by Jerome Taylor (20) one bad over by Kesrick Wil- and Ashley Nurse (not out 20) pro- liams after being trounced by duced 28 off 12 balls before Rance came New Zealand in the opening back for his fi nal over to end the West TTwenty20 game in Nelson yesterday. Indies innings with six balls to spare. Set a target of 188 to win, the reign- ing world champions suff ered a bat- New Zealand ting meltdown after star opener Chris M. Guptill lbw Taylor ...... 5 as rain halts play Gayle fell cheaply for 12 and were even- C. Munro c Brathwaite b Nurse ...... 53 tually all out for 140 in the 19th over. G. Phillips b Badree ...... 56 But captain Carlos Brathwaite said T. Bruce lbw Taylor ...... 2 Cook carries bat with unbeaten 244 X Playing hours to be extended today the real damage was done in New Zea- R. Taylor c J. Taylor b Brathwaite ...... 20 land’s fi nal over when Mitchell Santner A. Kitchen b Williams ...... 12 and Tim Southee plundered 25 off Wil- M. Santner not out ...... 23 liams in a wild over that included three D. Bracewell c&b Brathwaite ...... 0 no balls. T. Southee not out ...... 10 “For the fi rst 19 overs we bowled as Extras: (b1, lb1, nb4) 6 good as we did. But it happens. Kesrick Total: (seven wickets; 20 overs) 187 Williams has been the best bowler in Fall of wickets: 1-5 (Guptill), 2-91 (Munro), 3-118 the world this calendar year and he just (Phillips), 4-120 (Bruce), 5-149 (Kitchen), 6-153 went awry,” Brathwaite said. (Taylor), 7-158 (Bracewell) “It wasn’t even a bad day, just one Bowling: Badree 4-0-22-1, J. Taylor 4-0-41-2, bad over and that gave them some mo- Williams 4-0-52-1 (4nb), Brathwaite 4-0-38-2, mentum going into our innings and we Nurse 4-0-32-1 never really got that big over. West Indies “But credit to them (New Zealand). C. Walton c Kitchen b Rance ...... 7 Sometimes you have to give credit to C. Gayle c Phillips b Rance ...... 12 the opposition. They bowled with dis- A. Fletcher st Phillips b Sodhi ...... 27 cipline and they fi elded really well.” S. Hope c Munro b Bracewell ...... 15 Southee (10 not out), who partnered J. Mohamed c Taylor b Bracewell ...... 3 Santner (23 not out) in the fi nal over R. Powell c Phillips b Southee ...... 6 run spree, acknowledged that New C. Brathwaite c Bruce b Southee ...... 21 Zealand needed the bonus runs af- A. Nurse not out ...... 20 ter struggling to 162 for seven after 19 K. Williams c Phillips b Santner ...... 3 overs. J. Taylor c Bruce b Southee ...... 20 “We struggled early on with the bat S. Badree lbw Rance ...... 2 but the guys hung in there and were Extras: (lb3, w1) 4 able to fi nish really strongly and then Total: (all out; 19.0 overs) 140 the way we fi elded and bowled was Fall of wickets: 1-19 (Gayle), 2-19 (Walton), 3-61 exceptional,” said Southee with Co- (Fletcher), 4-66 (Mohammed), 5-67 (Hope), 6-93 lin Munro (53) and Glenn Phillips (56), (Brathwaite), 7-94 (Powell), 8-103 (Williams), 9-131 producing the only innings of note. (Taylor), 10-140 (Badree) “The West Indies bowled well Bowling: Rance 4-0-30-3 (1w), Southee 4-0-36- throughout and we scrapped our way 3, Bracewell 2-0-10-2, Kitchen 1-0-10-0, Santner to a reasonable total and then put the 4-0-21-1, Sodhi 4-0-30-1 icing on the top with that last over.” Toss: West Indies Debutant Seth Rance sparked the Result: New Zealand won by 47 runs West Indies batting capitulation when Umpires: Chris Brown (NZL), Wayne Knights he bagged the prized scalp of Gayle and (NZL) Chadwick Walton (seven) with succes- TV Umpire: Shaun Haig (NZL) sive deliveries. Match Referee: Andy Pycroft (ZIM)

SPOTLIGHT Australia’s batsman Steve Smith (C) and teammate David Warner (L) take a run in Melbourne yesterday. New Lanka coach bans music at training

AFP batsman who quit as Bangladesh coach Colombo to help his home country, also signalled a tougher line with the government, attitude we’ve got to take,” I saw the headlines I raced which gets the fi nal say in team aff airs. AFP SCORECARD Melbourne England coach Trevor Bayliss into the umpires and that ew Sri Lanka cricket coach Jayasekera recently stopped the Sri told reporters. was their words: ‘Nothing to Chandika Hathurusingha Lankan T20 team from going to India “We showed in the fi rst worry about, it was a beat- pledged to get tough with the because he did not agree with the se- ngland rejected ball- innings that we can take a up, absolutely fi ne’,” Bayliss under-performing national lection. The chief coach is not an au- tampering allegations number of wickets reasonably said. Nteam — including banning music in tomatic member of the selectors’ panel as a “beat-up” as rain quickly. “The umpires spoke to training — while demanding “full con- and Hathurusingha wants this changed Efrustrated their push “So, 98 overs tomorrow, it’s both captains during this trol” over selection. — even if it means a new sports law. for their fi rst victory of the more than enough time if we game about throwing the ball With the 1996 World Cup winners “I need full control and responsibil- Ashes series against Australia play well to force a result.” into rough areas. coming to the end of their worst year in ity to pick the playing eleven,” Hathu- yesterday. Bayliss also slammed “Every team in the world international cricket, Hathurusingha rusingha said. England’s Alastair Cook claims of tampering after does that and obviously the said he would impose strict discipline “According to the sports law the carried his bat for a world- footage of England bowler umpires don’t want it to go to make sure they are ready for the 2019 coach can’t get involved in selections. record 244 not out before James Anderson working the overboard and both teams World Cup. They are considering my request to be a David Warner, unbeaten on ball with his thumbnail drew have taken it on board. Asked about reports that players selector while being the coach,” added 40, and captain Steve Smith, suspicions. “I did see the footage and were admonished for listening to music the 49-year-old. on 25, defi ed the visiting “I’m not sure you are al- if he (Anderson) was try- in practice, Hathurusingha said after After giving up playing Hathurus- bowlers on a rain-truncated lowed to use your fi ngernail ing to scratch it then he was his fi rst training session with the team ingha has become a top coach, earning day. there,” former Test spin- Australia first innings 327 (D. Warner 103, S. Smith 76; S. Broad 4-51) scratching the wrong (shiny) on Thursday: “If they are interested in plaudits for pulling Bangladesh up the When the match umpires ner Shane Warne said on the England first innings (overnight 491-9) side for it to go reverse. I’m music they will have to go home.” world rankings. called off play at 5:20pm Channel Nine TV coverage. A. Cook not out ...... 244 quite sure that wasn’t the Sri Lanka, who tour Bangladesh Hathurusingha has also been in (0620 GMT), after persist- Fellow former Test star M. Stoneman c and b Lyon ...... 15 case. “The match referee next month, have been severely criti- charge of the New South Wales team in ent rain, Australia were 103 Michael Slater added: “That’s J. Vince lbw Hazlewood ...... 17 Ranjan Madugalle said after cised over whitewash defeats by India Australia, and he said he would bring in for two and trailing by 61 runs interesting, you can’t get your J. Root c Lyon b Cummins ...... 61 the day’s play there would be at home and in India in the past six sports psychologist Phil Jauncey who with a day remaining. nail into the ball. That’s a no- D. Malan lbw b Hazlewood ...... 14 no report into the allegations. months. worked with him in New South Wales Extended hours will be no. ”Anderson, skipper Joe J. Bairstow c Paine b Lyon ...... 22 Earlier, England were all Sports Minister Dayasiri Jayasekera and Bangladesh. played on the fi nal day today Root and fellow fast bowler M. Ali c S. Marsh b Lyon ...... 20 out on their overnight total of said in June that many players were “I want to see him make visits from as England press for their fi rst Stuart Broad were involved C. Woakes c Paine b Cummins ...... 26 491 on the fi rst ball of the day, “too fat” and that none chosen to play time to time to work with the players,” win of the series, in which in discussions with umpires T. Curran c Paine b Hazlewood ...... 4 when Anderson was caught a series against Zimbabwe had passed Hathurusingha said. Australia hold an unbeatable Sundaram Ravi and Kumar S. Broad c Khawaja b Cummins ...... 56 by Cameron Bancroft off Pat international fi tness standards. A spe- In 57 internationals across all three 3-0 lead. Dharmasena. J. Anderson c Bancroft b Cummins ...... 0 Cummins for a duck. cial diet was later imposed. formats in 2017, Sri Lanka lost 40 and “Any time there’s a bit of But Bayliss said the um- Extras (b4, lb5, nb3) 12 It meant that Cook Hathurusingha, a former Sri Lanka won just 14. rain and you’re on top in the pires had later told him that Total (all out; 144.1 overs) 491 achieved the highest score of game it’s a bit frustrating, but the allegations were trumped Fall of wickets: 1-35 (Stoneman), 2-80 (Vince), 3-218 (Root), 4-246 (Malan), anyone carrying his bat — the we’ve got an opportunity to- up. 5-279 (Bairstow), 6-307 (Ali), 7-366 (Woakes), 8-373 (Curran), 9-473 (Broad), rare feat of batting through- RANJI TROPHY morrow to win and that’s the “It’s a beat-up. As soon as 10-491 (Anderson) out the innings — in Test Bowling: Hazlewood 30-5-95-3, Bird 30-5-108-0 (3nb), Lyon 42-9-109-3, Cum- cricket, bettering New Zea- mins 29.1-1-117-4, M. Marsh 12-1-42-0, Smith 1-0-11-0 land’s Glenn Turner’s 223 not Australia second innings out against the West Indies in Shorey’s ton lift s C. Bancroft b Woakes ...... 27 Kingston in 1972. D. Warner not out ...... 40 The last Englishman to U. Khawaja c Bairstow b Anderson ...... 11 carry his bat in Tests was Delhi to 271/6 in fi nal S. Smith not out ...... 25 Mike Atherton, who scored Extras 0 94 in New Zealand in 1997. IANS After adding 29 runs to the score, Total (2 wickets; 43.5 overs) 103 Cook set a number of Indore Gambhir was also sent packing by Ak- Fall of wickets: 1-51 (Bancroft), 2-65 (Khawaja) records on Thursday’s third shay Wakhare in the 13th over. Bowling: Anderson 11-5-20-1, Broad 7-4-18-0, Woakes 11.5-6-24-1, Curran 11-3- day, when he surpassed the Shorey then came in the middle but 26-0, Ali 3-0-15-0 highest score by a visiting hruv Shorey’s unbeaten ton lack of support from the other end cost Toss: Australia batsman in a Melbourne Test, helped Delhi score 271/6 on Delhi heavily. bettering the 208 by West the opening day of their Ranji Apart from Himmat Singh (66), no Indian great Viv Richards in Trophy fi nal match against other middle-order batsmen — Nitish Any time there’s a bit of rain and 1984. VidarbhaD at the Holkar Cricket Sta- Rana (21), Rishabh Pant (21) and Manan As Australia began their dium here yesterday. Sharma (13) — contributed much to the you’re on top in the game it’s a second innings 164 runs be- Shorey (123) and Vikas Mishra (5) cause and thus only managed to get 271 hind, England snared the were at the crease when umpires dis- on the fi rst day. For Vidarbha, Thakare bit frustrating, but we’ve got an wickets of Bancroft and Us- lodged the bails for the day. and Rajneesh Gurbani took two wick- man Khawaja to send jitters Put in to bat, Delhi started off on a ets apiece while Siddesh Neral and Wa- opportunity tomorrow to win through the home side. poor note as openers Kunal Chandela khare chipped in with a wicket each. Bancroft chopped Chris (0) and Gautam Gambhir (15) failed Brief scores: Delhi 271/6 (Dhruv and that’s the attitude we’ve got Woakes on to his stumps on to provide the start the team wanted. Shorey 123 not out, Himmat Singh England’s Alastair Cook stretches as he walks onto the ground to take: Bayliss 27, while Khawaja was caught Chandela was dismissed in the fi rst 66; Rajneesh Gurbani 2/44) against at the start of the fourth day's play yesterday. behind off Anderson for 11. over by Aditya Thakare. Vidarbha. Gulf Times Saturday, December 30, 2017 3 FOOTBALL

PREMIER LEAGUE Van Dijk a good investment, Man City want trophies Guardiola Manchester: Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola believes Liverpool have spent well in paying £75million for Virgil van Dijk, because he not records: Sterling thinks high-quality players work out cheaper in the long run. Guardiola was inter- ested in signing Van Dijk from Guardiola’s side have won 18 successive league matches to open up a 15-point lead over United Southampton, but missed out after Liverpool agreed AFP a deal on Wednesday, with London the player making the move off icially when the transfer window opens on January 1. aheem Sterling says Manches- City’s manager has spent ter City are motivated by the Winger Raheem Sterling scored his 13th league heavily on defenders himself pursuit of silverware rather goal to help Manchester City record a 1-0 win at since his arrival at the Etihad than the promise of breaking Newcastle United on Wednesday. (AFP) Stadium in July 2016. moreR records as the Premier League Before the start of this sea- leaders chase another landmark at son, he brought in Benjamin Crystal Palace this weekend. Mendy from Monaco in a deal Pep Guardiola’s side have already that could be worth £52mil- turned the title race into a lengthy coro- lion, Kyle Walker from Totten- nation party after winning 18th suc- ham for an initial £45million, cessive league matches to open up a and Danilo from Real Madrid 15-point lead over second placed Man- for £26.5million. That came a chester United. A slew of statistical year after he spent £47.5mil- milestones have littered red-hot City’s lion on signing England incredible run and they can fi nish 2017 centre-back John Stones away by claiming another notable feat. from Everton. Just hours before the New Year’s Eve “Liverpool took an amazing fi reworks begin to light up the night sky player,” said Guardiola. “Van tomorrow, unbeaten City will be at Sel- Dijk is an exceptional central hurst Park looking for a record-equal- defender, that’s a price we’ll ling 19th consecutive league victory. see (again) in the future. The only club in Europe’s fi ve biggest Sometimes the cheaper play- leagues to have had a winning run that ers are more expensive than long is Bayern Munich under Guardiola the expensive players. in 2013-14. “If he played six or seven But, while the historic sub-plots are years at a high level it would a welcome bonus, City winger Sterling be cheap. If he played not insists it is the thought of moving an- well, more expensive. John other step closer to the Premier League Stones, when he came here, trophy that inspires his side. “I don’t people said he was too expen- think everyone is really too focused on sive. Now he’s too cheap. It records. The most important thing is always depends on the value the three points,” said Sterling, who of what happens on the pitch.” scored City’s winner at Newcastle on Victory at Crystal Palace Wednesday. tomorrow would be City’s “Once you win the game and the stats 19th league win on the trot, come up, that’s all well and great, but equalling Guardiola’s per- you can’t be thinking about that. We’ve sonal record, set with Bayern just got to have a single focus. At the end Munich four seasons ago. of the day, if it happens, it happens, but But the City boss has warned we need to go there with the mentality side are without a win in three matches ampton centre-back Virgil van Dijk. today, are a whopping 16 points behind ford. Carvalhal was appointed as suc- his players they will lose a to get the job done.” in all competitions, but Lingard claims Although Van Dijk can’t offi cially join City in third place. Yet defi ant Blues cessor to the sacked Paul Clement just league game sooner or later, United’s failure to keep pace with their recovery against Burnley proves Liverpool until January 1, the Dutch defender Cesar Azpilicueta says they days after being dismissed by second and they have to be ready to City has sent Jose Mourinho into a the spirit is still strong ahead of today’s star’s arrival is a signifi cant statement will keep chasing the leaders until it’s tier Sheffi eld Wednesday. bounce back. grumpy mood, with the Old Traff ord clash with Southampton. of intent by Klopp, who hopes fi xing his impossible to catch them. “Apart for “I have told the players chief blasting his players after their re- “If we had played for another fi ve leaky defence will help the team’s push Manchester City, every team is having FIXTURES (1500 GMT UNLESS STATED) many times that we are going cent draw at Leicester and demanding or 10 minutes, we would have won the for a top four fi nish. problems. We need to fi ght and to keep Today: Bournemouth v Everton, Hudders- to lose a game. It’s impor- his employers back his plan for substan- game,” said. “We always have that fi ght- Amid criticism of the hefty fee, Klopp pushing,” he said. “We have another field v Burnley, Chelsea v Stoke, Liverpool v tant how we react,” said the tial investment in new signings. A 2-2 ing spirit, that never-give-up attitude was asked what the 26-year-old will game against Stoke, our last game of Leicester, Manchester United v Southamp- 46-year-old Spaniard. “The home draw with Burnley on Tuesday and we’ll see where it gets us.” add to Liverpool. “Quality. That’s why the year, and it’s important to keep win- ton (1730 GMT), Newcastle v Brighton, problem is not losing a game, did little to lift Mourinho’s spirits, but Fourth placed Liverpool host Leices- we got him. We don’t make the prices, ning. We must try to go as far as we can.” Watford v Swansea it’s how you react and imme- it would have been even worse but for ter in their fi rst match since Reds boss the market does. Liverpool supporters New Swansea manager Carlos Car- Tomorrow: Crystal Palace v Manchester diately win again. That’s the Jesse Lingard’s brace as United recov- Jurgen Klopp paid a world record £75mn should forget about the price,” he said. valhal will take charge of the league’s City (1200 GMT), West Brom v Arsenal most important thing.” ered from two goals down. Mourinho’s ($100mn) for a defender to land South- Champions Chelsea, who meet Stoke bottom club for the fi rst time at Wat- (1630 GMT)

SPOTLIGHT FOCUS Mourinho questions Klopp Kane can be Tottenham’s Totti, over Van Dijk signing says manager Pochettino

Reuters AFP Manchester London Harry Kane

anchester United manager Jose Mour- arry Kane could become as em- inho has questioned Liverpool’s Juergen blematic a player for Tottenham Klopp over his club’s decision to sign Hotspur as Francesco Totti was defender Virgil van Dijk for a record fee for Roma, his manager Mauricio Mby reminding him he was once critical of Paul Pog- PochettinoH said yesterday. The 24-year-old ba’s move to Old Traff ord. England striker — who has been with Tot- Dutchman Van Dijk is expected to join Liverpool tenham since 2009 — established a new from Southampton as the world’s most expensive Premier League record of goals in a calendar defender with British media reporting the deal to be year with a hat-trick against Southampton worth 75mn pounds ($101.4mn). Klopp had spoken earlier this week to move to 39 in 2017. about United’s transfer spending and their world That took him past Alan Shearer’s previ- record signing of Pogba for 89.3mn pounds in 2016, ous record of 36 goals in a year set in 1995. saying he would do it diff erently if he had the same Kane has a total of 56 goals for club and resources at his disposal at Anfi eld. country this year, making him the highest “I think the one that speaks about it in a specif- scorer in Europe in 2017, and Shearer thinks ic way has to be Juergen, and if I was one of you I he could remain with Tottenham for the rest and one week ago. We’ve always treated him are to just maintain our position. would ask him about his comments about one year of his career. like a superstar.” “As we can all see, we’ve started to strug- ago,” Mourinho told a news conference yesterday. Totti did likewise in the Italian capital, However, Pochettino admits with Liv- gle to create chances and score goals in re- “The reality is that if they think that the player is becoming known as ‘The Eighth King of erpool splashing out £75mn ($100mn) for cent matches, so it’s still one of the major the right player for them and they really want the Rome’ as he spent the whole of his profes- Southampton’s Virgil van Dijk — a world problems we have at the club. We’ve got player, they pay his amount or they don’t have the sional career with Roma, totting up over record for a defender — earlier this week more penalties than anybody else in the Pre- player because that is the way the market is at that 600 appearances and only retiring aged 40 sometimes it is impossible to turn down mier League, which has contributed to a few time. Virgil van Dijk is the most expensive defender at the end of last season. off ers. “We need to talk about reality,” said points. That won’t always happen. in history of football, was he better than (Paolo) “I think Alan Shearer knows better than Pochettino, whose side are fi fth in the ta- “So we need to strengthen in our goals- Maldini, (Giuseppe) Bergomi or (Rio) Ferdinand? me, because he’s English and knows the ble, an enormous 21 points behind leaders coring areas, and that’s, for me, new players. You cannot say that. It is just the way the market is Virgil van Dijk will join Liverpool from mentality of the country,” said Pochettino, Manchester City. “Reality is that Liverpool Players already here, like Sandro (Ramirez), and you pay or you don’t pay.” Southampton as the world’s most expensive Tottenham’s Argentine coach. “Maybe he off ers or pays £75mn for Virgil van Dijk. If haven’t picked up the pace of the Premier Klopp has been surprised by the development defender with deal to be worth £75mn. (AFP) said that because maybe it’s possible. Maybe you want a player, a club asks a price and you League — he hasn’t been able to show what in the transfer market. “The last half year changed Harry Kane with his mentality can be the pay; that’s it. That’s the reality of Van Dijk. he showed in Spain. everything. It’s about need and opportunity,” he Worse than that, Lukaku has been involved in same kind of player for Tottenham as Franc- We cannot guess or create fantasy around “I think Oumar (Niasse), while he has told reporters yesterday. errors in his own penalty area in recent weeks that esco Totti was for Roma. And for us, our fans diff erent players.” scored, hasn’t made a regular place in the “If you want to sign a player the last thing I think have led to goals for Manchester City and Burnley and everyone, Harry is a fantastic player, a Everton side. And young (Dominic) Calvert- about is the price — that’s not because I throw mon- - an indication, according to Mourinho, of possible great mentality and a fantastic professional. ALLARDYCE TARGETS STRIKER Lewin is battling away. I think he’s got a ey around but it’s about the player. Not nice but that fatigue. But the United manager steadfastly refuses So yes, why not, why not?” IN TRANSFER WINDOW bright future, but I don’t think we can rely is the market. We have to adapt. That’s how it is.” to criticise the Belgian striker, not least because he Pochettino, who admitted Kane is a doubt Everton manager Sam Allardyce says he on him week in and week out at the mo- Second-placed Manchester United are 15 points admits that he is unable to off er him any sort of rest because of a heavy cold for their away match is in the market for a striker in the January ment.” behind runaway leaders Manchester City and in the foreseeable future. “I think for a striker, any at bottom side Swansea City on Tuesday, transfer window. The Merseyside outfi t sold Sandro has not scored a league goal since Mourinho said this week his club will need to make player, he’s absolutely incredible, but if you are a said he couldn’t put a price on the 23-times Romelu Lukaku over the summer and have joining from Malaga in July, while Niasse bigger investment to be able to produce a team that central defender, a holding midfi eld player, where capped striker’s head. struggled recently to score this season with and Calvert-Lewin have netted fi ve and could challenge for the Premier League title. you can control your energy, positional play, you “I think Harry doesn’t have a price, be- their last two games ending 0-0. three respectively this season. Ninth-placed Ahead of today’s home game against Southamp- can resist, survive,” Mourinho added. “But for a cause we want him here. He’s priceless, Reports this week suggested the club is in- Everton’s current top scorer is Wayne Roon- ton, Mourinho admitted Romelu Lukaku is running striker to play 20 matches in the Premier League, there is no price,” said Pochettino. “We can terested in Besiktas striker Cenk Tosun. And ey, who has netted 10 times in the league. on empty but he could not aff ord to give his striker 90 minutes, I have to be grateful.” talk about many things, but at the end it’s when asked yesterday about being linked The 32-year-old missed the goalless a rest. After opening his United career with 11 goals Mourinho tried to partner Lukaku and Ibrahi- talk for talk, because it’s impossible to put a with the 26-year-old Turkey international, draws against Chelsea last Saturday and in 10 games, Lukaku has scored just four times in his movic in the same starting line-up in Tuesday’s draw price on him. Allardyce said: “Him and many others, be- at West Brom on Boxing Day due to illness last 19 but has, nevertheless, been required to play with Burnley, only to abandon the experiment at “He’s not suddenly become a superstar cause we need a frontman if we can fi nd one. but has recovered in time for today’s trip to every minute of his club’s Premier League campaign half-time with United trailing 2-0. And he admitted because of achieving an amazing record. We would be actively looking for a frontman Bournemouth, which Everton go into hav- due to the continued fi tness struggles of fellow that with both stars struggling for form at present, Nothing has changed, he was a superstar in this window because I need more goals in ing played six league games so far under Al- striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic. he will not be able to pair them in the near future. three years ago, one year ago, six months ago the side than we have at the moment if we lardyce and not lost one of them. Gulf Times 4 Saturday, December 30, 2017 FOOTBALL

SPOTLIGHT FOCUS Conte keen not Arsenal’s Sanchez to lose Hazard and Courtois future anyone’s AFP record-breaking run has left London Chelsea 16 points adrift of the leaders. But they have won their last ntonio Conte wants six Premier League matches at both Belgian star duo Stamford Bridge and are cur- playmaker Eden Hazard rently just a single point behind guess, says Wenger and goalkeeper Thibaut Manchester United in second CourtoisA to remain with champi- place. Chelsea also boast a four- ons Chelsea despite speculation point advantage over Liverpool, they would like to move to Spain. the club directly below them, Wenger praised the Chilean’s two-goal display that helped secure a win at Crystal Palace Hazard’s father told a Belgian and Blues boss Conte is looking newspaper his son doesn’t wish to maintain that advantage head- AFP to commit to a new contract — he ing into 2018. London still has over two years left on his “In this league there is great present one — because of appar- motivation for all to try to stay ent interest from Spanish giants there and fi ght until the end,” rsene Wenger admits he is no Real Madrid. Conte said. “I don’t know if we nearer to establishing where Courtois, who had a highly can do this for the title because it Arsenal’s Chilean star Alexis successful spell with Atletico depends on Manchester City, who Sanchez’s future lies. Madrid, has said he would like are doing something extraordi- AWenger praised the 29-year-old’s two- to return to Spain one day espe- nary. “To win every game and goal display that helped secure a 3-2 vic- cially as his children are being draw one means you are having a tory at Crystal Palace on an evening where brought up in Madrid. However, fantastic run. the French manager equalled Manchester Conte, speaking on the eve of "But there is great motivation United legend Alex Ferguson’s Premier his side’s match with Stoke City, to fi nd a place in the Champions League record of 810 matches in charge. stonewalled on both counts say- League next year, there are four Sanchez’s commitment has been ques- ing in the case of 26-year-old places for six top teams. Our start tioned this season following his failure to Hazard whatever was said would wasn’t easy for many reasons but reach agreement with the north London not be revealed in public. we want to work and improve. club about an extension to his current “This is a private conversation There are many competitions and contract that expires at the end of this — between the club and the play- we must be very proud to play season. Wenger believes the player’s per- er, and the agent of the player,” every game.” formance at Selhurst Park on Thursday said Conte. “I’m proud to have Chelsea have struggled to rep- night showed there has been no let up in him in my team, in my squad, and licate last season’s title-winning the player’s eff ort, but with the January I’m very happy to work with him. heroics, with Conte spending transfer window about to open, has no He’s a really good guy and has a much of the summer in a bitter idea about the player’s next move. lot of space for improvement, to dispute with Diego Costa. Sanchez brace – the second a beauty become one of the best players in Costa was eventually replaced from Jack Wilshere’s superb pass — add- the world. But, I repeat, on this by fellow Spain international ed to Shkodran Mustafi ’s fi rst ever away issue: this must be a private con- Alvaro Morata and the former goal for the Gunners was just enough to versation between the player, the Real Madrid man will go into the get them past the Eagles. player’s agent and the club.” weekend with 12 Chelsea goals to James Tomkins’s 89th minute header The 48-year-old Italian — his name, including a hat-trick — Andros Townsend had drawn them whose side are third in the table in the 4-0 win at Stoke in Sep- level at 1-1 early in the second-half be- 16 points adrift of leaders Man- tember. Conte is delighted with fore Sanchez’s scoring burst — ensured a chester City but just one behind a Morata’s contribution but is also nervy fi nish, but the Gunners deserved to stumbling Manchester United — mindful that this was his fi rst run out winners and end Palace’s eight- said he was not aware of the fam- experience of a hectic festive game unbeaten run. ily situation regarding 25-year- period, with the same applying Arsenal drew level with fourth-placed old Courtois. to fellow new recruits Antonio north London rivals Tottenham Hotspur “Courtois has a contract, Rudiger and Tiemoue Bakayoko. but with a worse goal diff erence whilst also for next season, with the “It’s the fi rst time they’ve played Palace remain fi rmly embroiled in a battle club,” said Conte. “We are talk- at Christmas,” he said. against relegation just a point above the ing about a fantastic goalkeeper, “It’s not simple but this at- bottom three. a really good guy, and I’m happy mosphere is great. During this Sanchez scored his fi rst goal in the to work with him. I don’t know period you have your parents, 62nd minute but not all his teammates Arsenal’s Alexis Sanchez (second right) celebrates with teammates after scoring the second goal during the English Premier about this issue (surrounding brothers, daughters with you celebrated the strike with him. “First of League match against Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park in south London on Thursday night. (AFP) Courtois’ family living in Spain). and the family come to watch the all nobody knows what will happen re- “For sure, when you are in a game. It’s a busy period for us but ally,” said Wenger. successive match his longest run in sev- tion is that we need to sit down with him. Oliver at half-time. “I think he (Zaha) felt great club and you trust in the it started in November and will “It’s diffi cult to speculate. At the mo- eral years — is also in the fi nal year of Beginning of January, it’s planned. There hard done by in the fi rst half. He was bun- project, you want to stay. You continue through January and ment we are focused on short-term, that his contract and Wenger believes he too is no delay. I said we would sort out his dled over once or twice,” said Hodgson. want to continue to play for this February.” means the next game (against West Bro- showed his remains committed to the situation in December, end of December, “It’s diffi cult for a manager really to make team. The family is not a prob- Stoke have not won any of mwich Albion tomorrow) with the play- cause. “They are questioned, always, and so I told him we want to meet and sit sensible judgements on whether the ref- lem. You are talking about two the 11 games they have played ers committed and ready to fi ght. when people don’t have long contracts,” down with him to talk about the future. eree got it right or whether he had a case. important players for us. It’s very at Stamford Bridge since be- “It’s not a guarantee of how long you said Wenger. Now we play today, we play on Sunday, “You’re talking about one of the best important to try to improve your coming a Premier League club stay somewhere. As long as you are some- “The best way to show they are com- we play on Wednesday. At the moment referees in the country, someone I very team, to strengthen your team, in 2008. But four points from where, you give your best. I felt he was mitted is to give that kind of perform- the focus has to be on the games.” much respect. I wasn’t creating as much and not to sell the best players.” their last two games has at least very good tonight from the fi rst minute ance. Jack is coming back in competitive Palace manager Roy Hodgson was fuss as Wilf was, but I wasn’t the one be- Conte urged Chelsea to take eased the pressure on man- on, focused on the game. This kind of shape. He gives something to the team at frustrated at his side’s defeat, their fi rst in ing bundled over. a signifi cant step towards a top ager Mark Hughes. The Potters Sanchez is a great football player, as we the moment, and gave a good fi nal ball for nine games, but relieved striker Wilfried "He did well to calm down at half-time four fi nish in the Premier League are relatively safe in 13th place know. That’s the kind of performance we the third goal.” Zaha was not punished more harshly af- to make sure any injustice he might have by beating Stoke today. Conte’s but are mindful there is only a want from him.” Wenger said Arsenal and Wilshere are ter being shown a yellow card following felt was channelled into his perform- side know their chances of re- three-point cushion between Jack Wilshere — starting his fourth due to open talks in January. “The situa- an angry exchange with referee Michael ance," added Hodgson. taining the Premier League title themselves and third-bottom are slim given Manchester City’s Bournemouth.

ROUND UP Serbia name Krstajic as permanent coach laden Krstajic has been named Serbia ing of a three-page threatening letter accompanied by coach on a permanent basis after a two- a bullet to its president was an “attempted terrorist at- month period as their caretaker, the Balkan tack”. The registered package, which contained the letter nation’s Football Association (FSS) sports and a 9mm bullet, was sent to Vangelis Grammenos at Mdirector Goran Bunjevcevic said yesterday. his Athens offi ce on Thursday. “The FSS board of experts has defi nitively picked Kr- The package was opened by his assistants as he was stajic to stay in charge until the end of the team’s World not at his offi ce at the time. “The Greek Football Fed- Cup campaign,” Bunjevcevic said. “We will reveal the eration condemns in its most unequivocal, unambiguous details of the contract and organise an offi cial event to and unmistakable way...yesterday’s attempted terrorist announce it in the second half of January.” attack on President Grammenos,” the federation said in Former Yugoslavia defender Krstajic took over in Oc- a statement. tober from Slavoljub Muslin after the latter had steered patible with his rigid 3-4-3 formation which worked for The statement added that “the newly elected admin- Serbia to next year’s World Cup fi nals, their fi rst major the national side in the qualifi ers. istration of the Federation is not intimidated” and said tournament as an independent nation in eight years. De- Serbia, who advanced from Europe’s Group D ahead that “complete redevelopment, which may upset some, spite his accomplishment, Muslin was axed by the FSS as of Ireland and Wales, were drawn alongside fi ve-time will be completed,” within the Greek game. Serbia’s performances under him were deemed uncon- World Cup winners Brazil, Switzerland and Costa Rica in Greek anti-blackmail and anti-terrorist units are in- vincing and he also came to loggerheads with his bosses Group E of the 32-team tournament in Russia. They start vestigating the contents of the letter and the bullet in over refusing to inject fresh blood into the side. their campaign against Costa Rica in Samara on June 17, order to fi nd the culprits. Greek media reported that the Krstajic did exactly that in Serbia’s 2-0 win over China Krstajic’s competitive debut as head coach at any level, letter was signed by “the people of a major team”. and a 1-1 draw with South Korea in November’s friend- followed by games with Swizterland in Kaliningrad on Other reports noted that Grammenos has been threat- lies, having unleashed a pack of young players headed by June 22 and Brazil in Moscow fi ve days later. ened in the past for his relations with certain clubs and sought-after Lazio midfi elder Sergej Milinkovic-Savic. with the current national government. The government Eden Hazard’s (left) father told a Belgian newspaper his son doesn’t The 22-year-old playmaker has been in impressive BULLET SENT TO GREEK FEDERATION has introduced legislation to clean up Greek football, wish to commit to a new contract at Chelsea — he still has over two form for the Serie A club since he joined them from Bel- CHIEF WAS ‘TERRORIST ATTACK’ which has been plagued by accusations of match-fi xing years left on his present one — because of apparent interest from gian side Genk in 2015, but Muslin argued he was incom- The Greek Football Federation yesterday said the send- and violence. Spanish giants Real Madrid. (AFP) UEFA ‘don’t care’ about racism, says England Under-17 World Cup star

London: Rhian Brewster, the leading scorer Spartak Moscow three weeks ago where he Under UEFA’s rules any player found guilty in England’s Under-17 World Cup victory ear- claims he was the target of a racist remark of making racial slurs can be suspended lier this year, claimed on Thursday that UEFA by opposing captain Leonid Mironov. for a minimum of 10 matches. Kick It Out, “don’t really care” about racism. The 17-year- Mironov denies he made a racial slur a football anti-racism organisation, praised old, who is yet to feature for Liverpool’s first during the UEFA Youth League match. Brewster, who also said an England Under-17 team, says he has witnessed racial abuse — Brewster, who says he also suff ered abuse in teammate Morgan Gibbs-White was called a either aimed at him or a teammate — seven a European Championship Under-17 match “monkey” by a Spanish opponent during the times this year. against Ukraine and when playing Spanish World Cup final, for going public. “I don’t think UEFA take this thing seri- outfit Sevilla in an Under-19 clash, admits the “An incredibly brave @RhianBrewster9 ously. They don’t really care. That is how it slurs have an eff ect. “On the day it happens, speaks out on the racism he has suff ered feels anyway, like it has been brushed under that night my head won’t be there. I just want during his career so far. It is time for the the carpet,” the teenager told The Guardian. to be left alone,” he said. “I want to be by relevant authorities to act on this unaccept- Brewster said UEFA have yet to hold an in- myself and left to think. The next day I’ll still able behaviour,” the organisation said on its quiry into an incident involving Russian side be thinking about it.” off icial Twitter feed. Gulf Times Saturday, December 30, 2017 5 SPORT

NBA NHL Sharks outlast Celtics erase Flames, win 26-point defi cit to in shootout By Curtis Pashelka ping. The Flames took advantage The Mercury News (TNS) as Mikael Backlund redirected a pass from Matthew Tkachuk into an open Sharks net for a 2-1 he San Jose Sharks have Calgary lead with 4:15 to go in the had one of the hottest fi rst period. power plays in the NHL Pavelski’s goal with the man shock Rockets over the last three weeks advantage gave the Sharks at Tand added another goal with the least one power-play marker ‘I’ve had a few comebacks, but this is a special one... It took a lot’ man advantage Thursday night in nine straight games. Prior to against the Calgary Flames. Thursday, San Jose had gone 13 AFP The Sharks also showed some for 38 in eight games to improve Los Angeles persistence at even strength, and to seventh in the NHL with the found a way in a shootout to beat man advantage at 22.1 percent. another Pacifi c Division oppo- Brent Burns, Tomas Hertl and he Boston Celtics fashioned the nent. Thornton have led the Sharks biggest comeback of the NBA Joe Pavelski scored his eighth during this stretch with three season as they rallied from 26 goal of the season in the fi rst pe- power-play goals each, followed points down to stun the Houston riod, Timo Meier added an even by Pavelski with two and Logan TRockets 99-98 on Thursday. strength marker with eight min- Couture and Chris Tierney with “I’ve had a few comebacks, but this is utes to go in the third and Joonas one each. Calgary entered Thurs- a special one,” Boston’s Kyrie Irving said Donskoi scored the clinching day with a penalty kill ranked after a basket by Al Horford with 3.7 sec- goal in the shootout as the Sharks 26th in the NHL at 77.6 percent. onds left gave the Celtics the win. earned a 3-2 win over the Calgary Thursday’s game marked the “From just how we started, it was just Flames. last of six for the Sharks against so ugly,” Irving said. “They came out fi r- Pavelski also scored in the Pacifi c Division teams, and one ing. We just had to battle back. It took a shootout as the Sharks won their of their last dates at SAP Center lot. It took everybody.” fi rst game out of the Christmas between now and the fi rst week Eastern Conference leaders Boston break and strengthened their of February. trailed by 24 at halftime and by 26 early in hold on third place in the Pacifi c. The Sharks went 3-1-1 in their the third quarter. Sharks goalie Martin Jones last fi ve games against Pacifi c But the Celtics out-scored Houston 31- made 32 saves through three pe- Division teams, including a 2-0 16 in the third, when Boston’s dominant riods and overtime. win over the Los Angeles Kings defensive eff ort saw the Rockets make Pavelski’s fi rst-period goal was on Saturday that improved their just four of 17 shots from the fi eld while his second on the man advantage intra-division record this season coughing up seven turnovers. in four games. The Sharks outshot to 7-2-3. “We just didn’t stop believing,” said the Flames 16-14 at even strength By earning seven of a possible Boston’s Terry Rozier, who said Irving through two periods, but it wasn’t 10 points against Pacifi c teams called the players together for “a special until Meier redirected a shot from since Dec. 14, when they beat talk” at halftime. Brent Burns that they were able to the Flames 3-2, the Sharks were The Celtics had cut the defi cit to 98- beat Calgary goalie David Rittich able to stay in third place and 97 on a dunk from Jayson Tatum with 7.3 a second time. move two points up on Anaheim seconds remaining. Pavelski’s nifty power-play and three up on Calgary before Rockets star James Harden was then goal came from the slot off a pass Thursday. called for an off ensive foul as Boston’s from Joe Thornton and tied the Marcus Smart was knocked down as game at one 7:16 into the game. RESULTS Houston tried to inbound the ball. But a pair of needless Sharks San Jose ...... 3 Calgary ...... 2 (SO) That opened the door for Horford’s penalties after that point erased Vancouver ... 5 Chicago ...... 2 game winner, and Harden was then whis- any potential momentum. Las Vegas..... 3 Los Angeles ..2 (OT) tled for another off ensive foul that sealed Less than two minutes after Toronto ...... 7 Arizona...... 4 the Rockets’ fate. the Sharks killed an interference Washington 4 Boston ...... 3 (SO) The Celtics topped the previous biggest call on Mikkel Boedker, Joonas Tampa Bay .. 3 Montreal ...... 1 comeback of the season — the Golden State Donskoi was whistled for trip- Florida ...... 3 Philadelphia .2 Warriors rally from 24 down to beat the Philadelphia 76ers on November 18. Irving led the Celtics with 26 points. Tatum scored 19 while Rozier and Smart scored 13 apiece. Horford fi nished with nine points, and also pulled down eight rebounds. “First of all, (the Rockets) were unbe- lievable in the fi rst half,” Boston coach Brad Stevens said. “The result doesn’t really matter. It’s the resilience that (the Celtics) showed, which they could have Boston Celtics guard Kyrie Irving (right) loses the ball while guarded by Houston Rockets guard Trevor Ariza during the second half easily folded.” of their NBA game at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts, on Thursday. (USA TODAY Sports)

BLAZERS AND BUCKS RALLY Damian Lillard, who missed his third four minutes to fall into a quick 17-6 hole. But Wiggins was held scoreless in the The Portland Trail Blazers also had to battle straight game with a right hamstring injury. They trailed by 10 at halftime, and by fourth when Butler and Towns combined back to beat the Philadelphia 76ers 114-110. The Milwaukee Bucks engineered the time they were down 74-54 with 7:13 for just 10 points. CJ McCollum scored 34 points, Shabazz another big comeback, overcoming a left in the third quarter their home fans A three-pointer by Towns with 4:19 Napier added a season-high 23 and Jusuf 20-point second-half defi cit to beat the were booing them. remaining put the Timberwolves up by Nurkic chipped in 21 points with 12 re- Minnesota Timberwolves 102-96. “I’d have booed us, too,” admitted Mil- three, but the Bucks scored the last 12 bounds for the Trail Blazers, who erased an Eric Bledsoe drained a three-pointer waukee forward John Henson. points of the game. 18-point third-quarter defi cit. with 2:25 left to play to give the Bucks But Henson and Bledsoe scored 10 Joel Embiid scored 29 points and pulled their fi rst lead of the night. points each in the third as the Bucks RESULTS down nine rebounds for the 76ers, who Bledsoe scored 26 points and Giannis plugged away, fi nally bringing Minneso- Boston ...... 99 Houston ...... 98 lost for the 10th time in 12 games. Antetokounpo added 22 with 10 rebounds ta’s fi ve-game winning streak to an end. Portland ...... 114 Philadelphia .....110 For Portland it was a fi rst home win in for Milwaukee. Karl-Anthony Towns led the Timber- San Antonio ...... 119 New York ...... 107 Calgary Flames’ Johnny Gaudreau (right) loses his stick against seven games, and it came despite the ab- The Bucks got off to a ragged start, wolves with 22 points. Andrew Wiggins Milwaukee ...... 102 Minnesota ...... 96 San Jose Sharks’ Joe Pavelski during their NHL game in San Jose, sence of two-time All-Star point guard turning the ball over four times in the fi rst added 21 and Jimmy Butler chipped in 20. Orlando ...... 102 Detroit ...... 89 California, on Thursday. (USA TODAY Sports)

NFL Ravens seek to ride late momentum into playoff s

AFP The Chargers’ chances of advanc- If the Falcons falter it would open Los Angeles ing depend on a win over the Oak- the door for the Seattle Seahawks to land Raiders — plus help from the punch their playoff ticket with a win results of their rivals. over the Arizona Cardinals. he Baltimore Ravens aim to Quarterback Philip Rivers said he “It’s a championship game for us,” cap their late-season surge won’t waste time worrying about Seahawks coach Pete Carroll said. with a victory over the the complicated scenarios. The Cardinals have beaten the Cincinnati Bengals tomor- “I can’t fi nd one yet where we can Seahawks in Seattle three out of the Trow that will punch their ticket to lose and still make it,” Rivers said. past four years, and coach Bruce Ar- the NFL post-season. “We can only control what we con- ians admits the chance to play spoil- The Ravens are one of four teams trol. I don’t think any of us are going er to the Seahawks’ hopes is a big — along with the Tennessee Titans, to be carried away over what else is motivator for a Cardinals team that Los Angeles Chargers and Buff alo going on and then not take care of is out of playoff contention. Bills — chasing the last two playoff our business.” “This is our playoff game,” Arians spots in the American Football Con- The Bills have the same mind-set said. “Our guys will be motivated ference as the regular season con- as they visit the Miami Dolphins. just like theirs. They’re going to be cludes. “If we don’t win, it’s not going to super motivated because they have The Ravens and Titans both con- matter,” Bills coach Sean McDer- to win. It should be a great game.” trol their own destiny and will be in mott said of his team’s slim playoff with wins. hopes. “We need to focus on the TOMORROW’S FIXTURES “We have to handle our business,” task at hand.” Green Bay at Detroit Baltimore linebacker Terrell Suggs The reigning Super Bowl cham- Houston at Indianapolis said. “We all have a job to do. We just pion New England Patriots can se- Chicago at Minnesota have to put together one good game, cure home fi eld advantage through- New York Jets at New England and we are in. If we win, we are in. out the AFC playoff s with a victory Washington at New York Giants Everybody knows that second sea- over the New York Jets or a Pitts- Dallas at Philadelphia son, we become a diff erent team — a burgh Steelers loss to the Cleveland Cleveland at Pittsburgh special team.” Browns. Carolina at Atlanta The Titans will be vying for a fi rst The Browns will be trying to avoid Kansas City at Denver playoff berth since 2008 when they joining the 2008 Detroit Lions as the Jacksonville at Tennessee take on the Jacksonville Jaguars on only teams to fi nish a season 0-16. San Francisco at Los Angeles Sunday. In the National Football Confer- Buff alo at Miami Unlike the Ravens, the Titans ence, the Atlanta Falcons can clinch Oakland at Los Angeles Baltimore Ravens’ Joe Flacco (right) is sacked by Indianapolis Colts’ Barkevious Mingo (centre) and Jabaal Sheard during the NFL game have slumped late, and go into the the fi nal wild card berth with a vic- Arizona at Seattle in Baltimore, Maryland, earlier this month. Ravens are one of four teams chasing the last two playoff spots in the American Football clash with the playoff -bound Jag- tory over the playoff -bound Caro- New Orleans at Tampa Bay Conference. (USA TODAY Sports) uars having lost three in a row. lina Panthers. Cincinnati at Baltimore Gulf Times 6 Saturday, December 30, 2017 SPORT

WINTER OLYMPICS Ice hockey without borders, Canada gives Korea an assist 'Clinching qualification was our goal... Getting a medal at the Olympics is simply beyond our reach'

Reuters ised players on its men’s ice hockey athletes in women’s ice hockey, fi gure Seoul team and forward Park Woo-sang said skating, luge, biathlon and skiing set his teammates had proved their worth to compete in Pyeongchang, but not on the ice as well as their love for South everyone is on board with the policy. hat does it mean to Korea off it. Roger Park, a professor at Hanyang represent your country at “We don’t think of them as natu- University’s Sports Industry Depart- the Olympics? For Brock ralised players, we think of them as ment, said the practice could run Radunske, the question Korean players,” he told Reuters. counter to Olympics ideals. Whas some nuance given the tower- “You could say they are foreigners “In most cases, (they) maintain their ing, blond-haired Canadian will be that love Korea more than Koreans original citizenship and go back to suiting-up for South Korea at the 2018 themselves.” their original country after the Games,” Winter Games. With around 100 registered profes- he told Reuters. The ice hockey forward is one of sionals in the country, South Korea “If they gain citizenship here solely 16 foreign athletes granted South needed all the help it could get just to compete and earn a lot of money, it’s Korean citizenship ahead of February’s to secure an Olympic spot in a sport also against the Olympic spirit.” Pyeongchang Winter Olympics under where the hosts are not guaranteed a Park also questioned the value of the changes to the country’s immigration berth. medals they won. laws that came into eff ect in 2011. “If these foreign athletes do not The changes, the Justice Ministry “We don’t think of them as have any attachment for or relation to told Reuters, were aimed at boosting naturalised players, we think South Korea, what is the point of them competitiveness in sectors such as of them as Korean players. You competing for the national team? sport, science and the economy. The could say they are foreigners that “If they leave South Korea after key point was that dual citizenship love Korea more than Koreans winning medals, can we still consider was now an option for those deemed to themselves," South Korean those medals earned by South Korean have “outstanding ability” who could forward Park Woo-sang said athletes?” “contribute to the national interest”. Several Korean sports federations Previous Winter Games hosts have contacted by Reuters said naturalised “I grew up in Canada and I’m also relied heavily on foreign-born athletes were off ered greater financial proud to be a Canadian, and in a players to bolster their ice hockey support than locals, but declined to sense I’m representing Canada squads. elaborate on fi gures. too... when I’m playing for Team In 1998, Japan’s ‘Seven Samurai’ An offi cial from the Korea Biathlon Korea,” the Brock Radunske said featured six Canadians and a Swede, Union, which has four Russian-born A naturalised athlete of South Korean ice hockey team, Brock Radunske, attends a training session. (Reuters) while Italy had nine Canadian and two athletes on its roster, told Reuters such The fi rst athlete without any Korean US-born players in their 2006 squad. athletes were in high demand. lineage ever to be naturalised, Ra- 21-month stint in the military. senting Olympic champions Canada “And some people were asking, While more of a factor at Summer “Internationally there is a kind of dunske said it was an “honour” to be was always out of reach. they thought I was representing North Olympics, changing national alle- competition going on to attract ath- chosen for Team Korea but that being WHERE IS KOREA? South Korea was therefore an at- Korea, they just didn’t know the dif- giance has also become prevalent at letes who are willing to be naturalised,” able to retain his Canadian passport Radunske has played professional tractive option but becoming a citizen ference.” the Winter Games. said the offi cial, who did not wish to be had been a key factor in his decision. ice hockey in Korea since 2008 when of one of the world’s least ethnically At a tournament in Russia earlier Data from the Pew Research Center identifi ed. “I grew up in Canada and I’m proud he became the tallest player ever to diverse countries was no easy task. this month, Dalton said he had con- showed 120 of the 3,000 competitors Ice hockey association media offi cer to be a Canadian, and in a sense I’m sign for Anyang Halla. The signing Radunske had to pass a battery of tests, fl icting emotions during the playing in Sochi in 2014 represented a country Kim Jung-min, however, said no fi nan- representing Canada too... when I’m was hugely popular with female fans, including of his Korean language skills of the anthems when Korea took on other than the one in which they were cial package was needed to persuade playing for Team Korea,” the 34-year- who fawned over his imposing 6ft 5in and knowledge of local culture and Canada — as they will in their fi nal born. the players to take on dual citizenship old told Reuters. (1.96m) frame and good looks. history. group game in Pyeongchang. The IOC imposes a three-year wait as they were already playing on profes- “I’m proud to have lived in both Their nickname for him appears to His fellow Ontario native Matt Dal- “When ‘O Canada’ was going on, period for athletes who want to switch sional contracts. countries, so when I’m on the ice I’m have got lost in translation, however, ton also came through the notoriously it was special but it was defi nitely a but it has allowed them to cut short the Kim also rejected the notion that going to do everything I can for Team with Radunske unlikely to encourage diffi cult process and said his decision little awkward,” he told Yonhap News process if their original Olympic com- Korea was trying to “buy” a medal. Korea.” the use of “Canadian Big Beauty” when to take on citizenship had caused some agency. “I didn’t sleep very well that mittee and governing sports federation “Clinching qualifi cation was our Under the previous immigration his playing days are over. confusion ‘back home’. day.” agree. goal because that is still such a big system, Radunske would not only have A third-round draft pick by the “Being in Canada, some people thing for us,” he told Reuters. “Get- had to surrender his Canadian passport Edmonton Oilers in 2002, Radunske didn’t even know where Korea was,” HIRED GUNS? AGAINST OLYMPIC SPIRIT? ting a medal at the Olympics is simply but might have been expected to do a never made it to the NHL and repre- said the goaltender. South Korea will have seven natural- South Korea also has naturalised beyond our reach.”

SKIING REPORT 40,000 to see Four Italy’s Paris wins Hills take leap of faith crash-marred Bormio downhill AFP Bormio, Italy

talian Dominik Paris snatched his fi rst win of the season at home as the men’s World Cup downhill saw some spectacular crashes as Iit returned to Bormio on Thursday. The 28-year-old clocked 1min 56.95sec, fi nishing ahead of Nor- wegian pair Aksel Lund Svindal and Kjetil Jansrud at.04sec and 0.17sec respectively. Despite the race being pushed back nearly an hour to clear over- night snowfall the technically diffi cult Stelvio proved treacherous with Ger- many’s Dominik Schwaiger airlifted off the piste after losing control and Germany's Richard Freitag (left) and teammate Andreas Wellinger attend a news conference on the eve of the Four-Hills Ski tumbling down the slope. Jumping tournament in Oberstdorf, Germany, on Thursday. (AFP) He escaped serious injury, sustain- ing bruising to the right side of his AFP “I already know that he is capable of this year to the arrival of new national body. Berlin jumping well, but it’s that he does it so coach Stefan Hoerngacher of Austria. France’s Matthieu Bailet suff ered regularly that gives us a huge satisfac- “We now have an excellent team a dislocated and broken left shoulder tion,” said Werner Schuster, the coach spirit, each athlete believes in him,” with compatriot Guillermo Fayed and round 40,000 people will of the German team. said Stoch. American Travis Ganong also crash- Italy’s Dominik Paris competes in the FIS Alpine World Cup Men Downhill in shiver in the snow of Ober- Freitag, 26, will be desperate to make “Stefan has changed some small ing out but without serious injury. Bormio, Italy, on Thursday. (AFP) stdorf today, straining necks his mark with the Four Hills and an Ol- things in my momentum and training Paris however stormed down the and eyes as ski jumping’s ympic title to add to his only interna- but it is especially the psychological piste claiming his second win in the “Bormio is always tough. I’m hap- her main rivals trailing by over a sec- prestigiousA Four Hills gets underway tional triumph so far, the 2015 world approach that is diff erent with him.” Italian Alpine resort he knows well py with my race, but the fresh snow ond after the fi rst leg. with their own German Alpine stars championship. Austria will rely on 24-year-old Ste- after 2012 — and the ninth World Cup slowed it down a bit,” added the 2010 And the 22-year-old from Colo- expected to sweep to victory. At just 22, teammate Andreas fan Kraft to shatter German and Polish victory of his career. Olympic downhill champion, making rado avoided disaster in the second The sport’s blue riband event, a Wellinger is the team’s great hope for hopes. “I had a good run, the track was in his way back this season after a knee run with her mother Eileen on hand to Christmas and New Year fi xture of the the future and is currently second in Kraft was Four Hills champion in a good condition, but it was diffi cult,” injury. cheer her home. ski jumping calendar since 1953, takes the World Cup standings. 2015 and has been an individual gold said Paris whose last win was in Aspen Olympic champion Matthias Mayer She enjoyed a 0.89sec advantage on extra signifi cance this year with the He already has two gold medals from medallist at the last two world cham- last March. of Austria fi nished sixth fastest, with over Switzerland’s Wendy Holdener 2018 Winter Olympics just six weeks the team event at the 2014 Winter Ol- pionships. “I hope to be able to continue like the next men’s World Cup downhill with Frida Hansdotter of Sweden at away. ympics in Sochi on the big hill followed However, an Olympic medal has this in January and heading towards race in Wengen, Switzerland on Janu- 1.22sec back in third. Germany’s Richard Freitag is the by another triumph in the mixed team eluded him. the Olympics.” ary 13. Shiff rin’s 36th World Cup success favourite having taken the lead in the event at this year’s world champion- “Obviously, that is my big objective It was the Italian men’s team’s fi rst The competition continues on Fri- followed wins in the parallel slalom overall World Cup competition. ships in Finland. this winter,” said Kraft. podium fi nish of the season, with day with the men’s combined — a and giant slalom at Courchevel last He will be keen to lay down a marker The leading threat to a German German coach Schuster, himself an their women’s team on six, as they downhill run and slalom. week. today at his home venue before the Four sweep of the Four Hills title is Poland’s Austrian native, is a fan of his compa- prepare for the Winter Olympics in That double in the French Alps Hills moves to Garmisch-Partenkirch- Kamil Stoch. triot. “Stefan Kraft has a killer instinct PyeongChang from February 9 to 25. SHIFFRIN ADDS LIENZ SLALOM TO came on top of the three-time world en and then into Austria at Innsbruck The 30-year-old is the defending even if one has to use this phrase care- The 34-year-old Svindal — win- GOLDEN DECEMBER slalom champion and defending Ol- and Bischofshofen. champion and captured double Olym- fully,” said Schuster. ner in Beaver Creek and Val Gardena Mikaela Shiff rin notched up her ympic gold medallist’s demonstration Freitag, the leader of the German pic gold on the big and normal hills at “He has the serenity of mind that al- and the last time the race was held fourth World Cup win this month of her all-round skill with her fi rst ‘Eagles’, has won three of the last fi ve Sochi and world titles in 2013 and 2017. lows him to make the right decision at the in Bormio four years ago — extended with a storming slalom success at ever downhill victory in this Olympic World Cup outings with two second After a slump in form in 2015 and right time and it is because of this that he his lead in the World Cup downhill Lienz, Austria, on Thursday. year in Lake Louise at the start of the places. 2016, Stoch attributes his rejuvenation has already won so many medals.” standings. The in-form American had all of month. Gulf Times Saturday, December 30, 2017 7 SPORT

CHESS India's Anand clinches World Rapid Championship

IANS Aruna remarked. Anand’s long- Fedoseev proceeded to play two Chennai time former rival and Russian 3’+2” games to decide the Cham- legend Garry Kasparov felt that pion. Anand 1,5-0,5 and took the the latest win will help the Indian golden trophy. ilencing those who cite his stun his critics. “Congratula- Ju Wenjun of China continued age for his recent dip in tions to the man from the sixties, the good run on the fi nal day of the form, India’s Viswanathan @vishy64theking, on his World Women’s Rapid Championship Anand, a fi ve-time World Rapid title! I hope you dedicated and after scoring two wins and ChessS Champion, on Thursday this latest victory to everyone who three draws emerged clear winner presented himself a world title as a has asked you when you were go- with 11,5/15 points. Ju modestly belated birthday gift. ing to retire!,” he said. repeated her statement from the Much to the delight of his fans Entering the last round of the fi rst day of the Championship, in India and the world over, the Open Rapid Championship, Anand stating that “she was lucky”. 48-year-old Anand won the and Magnus Carlsen were tied Her compatriot Lei Tingjie was World Rapid Championship in on the fi rst place with 10 points in position to direct a tiebreak Riyadh, proving his mastery in each. Anand took a quick draw match, but she could not win with the 64-square board game once with black against Bu Xiangzhi, black against Nana Dzagnidze, again. “Becoming world cham- and Magnus Carlsen sensed the therefore being awarded the silver pion again is the most amazing opportunity to play for a win. But medal. Elisabeth Paehtz claimed feeling,” Anand tweeted. Known Alexander Grischuk had his own the bronze with 10,5 points. as the ‘lightening kid’ during his plans and attacked ferociously to school days, Anand convincingly eventually defeat Carlsen and drag THE STANDINGS: won the world rapid tournament him down to 4th shared place in Men: 1-3. Viswanathan Anand (Ind) to bring back a world chess title to the overall standings. and Vladimir Fedoseev (Rus) and the nation that gave the world the Vladimir Fedoseev won the Ian Nepomniachtchi (Rus), 10.5; game itself. “I was happy on hear- Russian derby against Vladis- 4-9. Bu Xiangzhi (Chn), Magnus ing the news. He played against an lav Artemiev and Ian Nepom- Carlsen (Nor), Alexander Grischuk incredibly strong fi eld and won the niachtchi scored against Wang (Rus), Boris Savchenko (Rus), Rauf title undefeated,” Aruna Anand, Hao, to both catch Anand on the Mamedov (Aze) and Gadir Guseinov the champion’s wife, said. shared fi rst place. According to (Aze) 10. She said Anand goes to tour- the Tournament Regulations, “if Tie-break: Viswanathan Anand beat nament with an open mind and there is a tie for the 1st place, the Vladimir Fedoseev (Rus) 2-0. will not say anything about his top 2 players according to the fi rst Women: 1. Ju Wenjun (Chn) 11.5; 2. Lei chances of winning a tourna- eligible tie break criterion will play Tingjie (Chn) 11; 3-8. Elilsabeth Paehtz ment. “During the tournament, a play-off .” Nepomniachtchi had (Ger), Bela Khotenashvili (Geo), Pham Anand was more focused. He won the worst tie-break and therefore Le Thao Nguyen (Vie), Ulviya Fatali- India’s Viswanathan Anand and Chian’s Ju Wenjun (right) won the men’s and women’s title at the World Rapid Chess Championship crucial games at the right time,” won the bronze medal. Anand and yeva (Aze) and Ekaterina Atalik (Tur).

HATHAB SERIES ATHLETICS Track and fi eld faces Double delight for up to uncertain life without King Bolt Reuters Saeed, Ghanim wins London s the man who car- ried athletics on his back through dark days Saeed was in his elements with his horses as he ruled the podium in 115/125cm class sprinted off into the sunsetA in 2017, the sport itself was left to ponder an uncertain future without its shining bea- con, Usain St Leo Bolt. Alas, there was to be no storybook farewell for the great Jamaican as he bowed out at the world cham- pionships in London, unable to maintain his decade-long domi- nation as the world’s fastest man, earning only a bronze in the 100 metres. More anti-climactic still, his last race, the anchor leg in the sprint relay fi nal, ended with him crumpling to the track with a hamstring injury, before defying his medical helpers to rise gin- gerly and hobble over the line. The crowd off ered their hero a sympathetic roar and he ap- in trying to make his sport more plauded back to them — a poign- relevant and appealing to a new ant scene that summed up the generation, off ered an upbeat as- unique relationship between the sessment that athletics was en- greatest showman the sport had joying a fresh lease of life. seen and his disciples. Certainly, London off ered a For Bolt, at 30, it had been a glimpse of a promising future championships too far yet he with genuine star quality obvious bowed out with reputation en- again, most strikingly in the per- hanced, showing as much dig- formance of the peerless fl ying nity in defeat as he had always Qatari high jumper Mutaz Essa demonstrated pleasure after Barshim, who was unbeatable all his 19 global race triumphs. He summer. congratulated Justin Gatlin, his Then, there was Norway’s successor as 100m king, with a young converted decathlete warmth that proved beyond a Karsten Warholm winning from baying crowd in the London Sta- gun to tape in the one-lap hur- dium, who simply rained boos dles and the brilliant Belgian all- Saeed Nasser al-Qadi astride Jessico 4 won the Open Class, while Ghanim Nasser al-Qadi (right) emerged triumphant with Fudine in the Small Tour during the fifth leg of the down on the two-time doping rounder, heptathlete Nafi Thiam, Hathab Equestrian Series at Al Shaqab’s Indoor arena yesterday. PICTURES: Mohamed Tinakicht off ender as if crowning him as who broke the 7,000 point barri- the sport’s golden bogeyman. er in Gotzis, Austria before dom- By Sports Reporter Jackson making all the right moves, Therein lay the sport’s new inating in London. Cynicism, Doha clocking a time of 29.73 secs. Gabrielle dilemma. With Bolt gone, the though, remained devilish op- Moorat guided Desperadito to third place new standard bearer for world ponents for athletics to combat. fi nish, the pair taking 30.59 secs to fi nish sprinting now appeared to be a Even in London, some of those t was a double delight for Saeed their round. 35-year-old that athletics could ‘rich stories’ that Coe enthused Nasser al-Qadi as the prolifi c Qatari Today – on the last day of the event – neither believe in nor forgive. about were sprinkled with scep- rider scooped fi rst and third place in Future Riders (70/85 and 85/100), Medi- So where were the sport’s new ticism. For instance, after Brit- the Open Class during the fi fth leg of um Tour and Big Tour classes will be held. heroes going to come from? And ain’s distance king Mo Farah Ithe Hathab Equestrian Series yesterday. Hathab, meaning ‘Canter’ in Arabic, is who was going to fi ll the yawning had ended a track career on a At Al Shaqab’s Indoor arena, Saeed was an initiative launched by Qatar Olympic charisma chasm left by Bolt as he par with Bolt’s with a 10,000 in his elements with his horses as he ruled Committee president HE Sheikh Joaan now lounged around idly dream- metres gold and 5,000m silver, the podium in 115/125cm class. bin Hamad al-Thani. The series, which ing of one day playing for Man- the home hero ended up having First, he piloted his favourite 15-year- carries a total prizemoney of QR1 mil- chester United? to wearily defend himself about old bay Jessico 4 to faultless routine to set lion, is open for Qatari nationals and also Those world championships being coached by Alberto Sala- the fastest time of 62.08 second to take to residents of Qatar. The 12-leg event is off ered only partial answers de- zar, who is being investigated the top spot. being conducted jointly by Qatar Eques- spite the booming declaration of by the US Anti-Doping Agency Saeed then returned with Daydreamer trian Federation (QEF) and Al Shaqab and organising co-chair Ed Warner over his training methods. Fa- EC, the 14-year-old bay, to come home will run until April 2018. that “London 2017 has given rah, who will now concentrate on in 67.25 secs and settle for third place. Organisers aim to improve the stand- athletics its belief back.” road running, has since ended his His two podium fi nishes earned Saeed an ard of horse riding among Qatari youths True, it was a vibrant, hugely coaching arrangement with the combined prize money of QR6000. through Hathab, while also encouraging well-attended event, full of sur- American. Splitting Saeed’s two horses to run- the involvement of private stables and in- prises, but it was hardly the com- As for the man projected ner-up place was Mubarak Yousuf al- dividual horse owners to increase aware- Small Tour winner Ghanim Nasser al-Qadi (top centre), second-placed Mohamed plete panacea for a sport still so to take Bolt’s mantle, Wayde Rumaihi’s SIEC Cosmos Wijngaardhoeve ness of horsemanship as part of Qatar’s al-Ghazali (top left) and third-placed Gabrielle Moorat pose with the off icials at the troubled that the world’s biggest van Niekerk failed in his Z. The 15-year-old gelding completed the history and tradition. podium ceremony at Al Shaqab’s indoor arena country, Russia, was again left on 400m/200m golden double bid, round in 66.93 secs, which earned al-Ru- Results of the competition will be used the outside looking in at the Lon- winning the one-lap race but maihi QR3,000. in the selection process of riders to rep- 62.08 secs. Prize money: QR3,750 29.73 secs. QR 2000 don party. ending up, bizarrely, in tears af- In the fi fth leg’s opening event, Small resent Qatar in future international com- 2. Mubarak Yousuf al-Rumaihi (Siec Cosmos 3. Gabrielle Moorat (Desperadito) 30.59 secs. IAAF President Sebastian Coe ter winning ‘only’ a silver in the Tour 110/115cm class, Ghanim Nasser al- petitions. Each leg will carry points, with Wijngaardhoeve Z) 66.93 secs. QR 3,000 QR 1500 said he believed this athletics shorter event. Qadi emerged triumphant with Fudine. only top seven results to be counted, and 3. Saeed Nasser al-Qadi (Daydreamer EC) super-power, suspended amid He complained of a lack of re- Al Shaqab rider Ghanim and his seven- an overall winner to be declared at the 67.25 secs. QR: 2,250 TODAY’S SCHEDULE allegations of state-sponsored spect from Isaac Makwala, his year-old mare were runaway winners as end of series. 10pm: Future Riders Class 70/85 cm doping, was signifi cantly chang- Botswanan rival who, having the pair cruised to the fi nishing line in Small Tour: Table A, One round against the 11pm: Future Riders Class 85/100 cm ing its attitude to tackling the been kept out of the 400m after 28.63 secs in the jump-off . Ghanim won RESULTS clock with Jump off 110/115cm 3pm: Medium Tour: Table A, One round problem but there was still no being diagnosed with norovirus, QR2500 for his victory. Open Class: Table A, One round against 1. Ghanim Nasser al-Qadi (Fudine) Time: against the clock 120/130cm timescale for Russia’s return. muttered darkly about a conspir- In second place was Mohamed al- the clock 115/125cm 28.63 secs. Prize money: QR 2500 5:30pm: Big Tour Table A, Special two phases Still, though, Coe, who could acy to ensure Van Niekerk was Ghazali, with his 18-year-old bay Michel 1. Saeed Nasser al-Qadi (Jessico 4) Time: 2. Mohamed al-Ghazali (Michel Jackson) 130/140cm not be faulted for inventiveness the face of London.

Saturday, December 30, 2017 GULF TIMES SPORT

QOC president honours camel race winners

HE Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad al-Thani, President of the Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC), crowned the winners of the eight main closing rounds of the Founder Sheikh Jassim bin Mohamed bin Thani’s Camel Festival for local purebred Arabian cam- els which was held at Al Sheehaniya Racetrack yesterday.

HORSE RACING Al Muraqabah and Tip Two Win dazzle in big victories ‘She is a very big mare, who needs every single metre of the 2,000m. And she ran well today’

By Mikhil Bhat Doha

rainer Mohamed Jas- sim Ghazali, and his father Jassim swept the Tpodium for the Group 3 Qatar Oaks with Al Muraqabah winning the 2,000m race, even as British raider Tip Two Win put up a dazzling run on the home straight to top the Al Rayyan Stakes at the Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club (QREC) here yesterday. In the fi nal race of the eight- race card, Champion Jockey Harry Bentley, riding in the silks of Khalifa bin Sheail al-Kuwari, waited till the right moment to let Al Muraqabah move forward even as a spirited Scudding, rid- den by J P Guillambert, tried hard Jockey David Probert rides Tip Two Win to victory in the Al Rayyan to stay on in the lead. Stakes at the QREC yesterday. At the line, Al Muraqabah picked up a half-a-length victory al-Kuwari. Trainer: Mohamed Jassim over Scudding, even as Injaaz Ghazali. Stud’s Wayside Flower, trained by Ghazali Sr, completed the top three under Pier Convertino. “Scudding turned out to be QREC deputy chief steward Abdullah Rashid al-Kubaisi (second from right) with the winners of the Qatar Oaks for three-year-old the pacemaker in the race, but Local Thoroughbred fillies after Umm Qarn’s Walaa won the mile long race at the QREC yesterday. PICTURES: Juhaim the pace wasn’t too much. And Al Muraqabah likes a nice pace. Scudding had won the Oaks Trial, but well, Al Muraqabah was per- haps the better horse on the day on this distance,” Mohamed Jas- sim Ghazali told Gulf Times. Bentley, who hasn’t yet domi- nated the season like he has in the past, was palpably pleased with the performance. “My fi lly needs a good pace to get on. The slow pace helped Scudding, who didn’t allow to go past easily. But Al Muraqabah is a nice horse. She is a very big mare, who needs every single metre of the 2000m. And she ran well to- day,” Bentley said. “As far as the season is con- cerned, you need the right am- Trainer Roger Teal (left) receives his trophy from International Tent munition. We have got some nice Pegging Federation president Mohamed Issa al-Fairuz after Tip Two horses but the good ones just Win won the Al Rayyan Stakes at the QREC yesterday. have taken a little bit of time to come out. Nice to have a good win today, and we have some good ones tomorrow.” In the penultimate race of the day, David Probert and his part- ner Tip Two Win had little trou- ble going past the fi eld on the Jockey Harry Bentley rides Al Muraqabah to victory in the Qatar Oaks (Group 3) for three-year-old Thoroughbred fillies at the QREC yesterday. home straight to win the seven furlong run for two-year-old the lights as well,” Teal told Gulf who had the advantage on the Race 1: 1. Teber Bu Thaila (Theo al-Dafea. Trainer: Osama Omer al-Dafea. Thoroughbreds. Times after the win yesterday. straight under Stephan Ladjadj, Bachelot), 2. Reem Brooq (Jean Baptiste Race 5: 1. Walaa (Stephan Ladjadj), 2. Prior to the trip to Qatar, Rog- “He is a slow starter, got a little and then edged forward for fi ne Hamel), 3. Surra Man Raa (Michael Cad- Damsah (Eduardo Pedroza), 3. Abha er Teal’s ward had never gone rough back there but David found win. The win was Bachelot’s third dedu), 4. Sultan Bu Thaila (Carlo Fiocchi). (Tomas Lukasek), 4. Deen (Gerald around a bend having registered a pocket coming off the bend. He on the day, having guided Teber Won by: Shd, 2 ¼, 2 ½. Time: 1:25.41. Avranche). Won by: 4, ½, Hd. Time: solid performances on straights has a lovely big stride and put the Bu Thaila in a maiden for Ste- Owner: Abdulhadi Mana al-Hajri. Trainer: 1:41.07. Owner: Umm Qarn. Trainer: back home in the UK. race to bed beautifully.” fano Ibido in the fi rst race of the Stefano Ibido. Alban de Mieulle. But that proved to be no trou- Asked about future plans for day, and Nairouz for Smart in the Race 2: 1. Nairouz (Theo Bachelot), 2. Race 6: 1. Majnona (Theo Bachelot), 2. ble at all for the colt, who de- the horse, he said, “We wanted to Purebred Arabian Plate for three- Konouz (Carlo Fiocchi), 3. Mouhoobah Samaa (Stephan Ladjadj), 3. Djumana spite a slow start, made his way get the day out of the way, get him year-old fi llies. (Stephan Ladjadj), 4. Ellianka (Darren KB (Tomas Lukasek), 4. Deebaj (JP through the traffi c on the bend, back home and then plan. But it Umm Qarn and trainer Alban Williams). Won by: 6 ½, Nk, 2 ¾. Time: Guillambert). Won by: 1 ¾, 3 ¼, ¼. Time: before Probert found a gap on the was just nice to come here, win de Mieulle had two winners on 1:46.39. Owner: His Highness Sheikh 2:15.40. Owner: His Highness Sheikh home stretch and hit the button. this, and he is a nice little horse the day with Walaa following Mohamed bin Khalifa al-Thani. Trainer: Mohamed bin Khalifa al-Thani. Trainer: Off and away, he fi nished four- and there are some good days up her Oaks Trial victory with a Julian Smart. Julian Smart. and-a-half lengths ahead of ahead of him. I am sure he can go win in the Qatar Oaks for three- Race 3: 1. Deebah (Jean Baptiste Race 7: 1. Tip Two Win (David Probert) Ghazali Sr’s Anima Rock, while a mile.” year-old Local Thoroughbred Hamel), 2. AJS Dhabi (Tomas Lukasek), 2. Anima Rock (Harry Bentley), 3. Poets Mohamed Hussain’s ward, Poets Theo Bachelot rode His High- fi llies, and Deebah too staying 3. Bint Alfahal (Harry Bentley), 4. Dream (Gerald Avranche), 4. Es’hail Dream was third. ness Sheikh Mohamed bin Khali- unbeaten in Qatar, topping the Maraam (Stephan Ladjadj). Won by: Nk, (Stephan Ladjadj). Won by: 4 ½, 1, 3 “Back home he was running on fa al-Thani’s Majnona to a thrill- Local Purebred Arabian Plate 3, 1 ½. Time: 1:48.83. Owner: Umm Qarn. ½. Time: 1:25.41. Owner: Anne Cowler. slower surface, but I always knew ing victory in the Qatar Oaks for event for three-year-old fi llies. Trainer: Alban de Mieulle. Trainer: Roger Teal. that he would be great on quicker four-year-old Purebred Arabi- Osama Omer al-Dafea’s Harry’s Race 4: 1. Harry’s Dancer (Saleem Race 8: 1. Al Muraqabah (Harry Bentley), surface. He is a big hearted horse. ans. Dancer won the Sawda Natheel Golam), 2. My Sharona (Harry Bentley), 2. Scudding (JP Guillambert), 3. Wayside Our only worry was that he had In the fi nal furlong, Julian Stakes for Thoroughbred fi llies 3. Botanica (Marvin Suerland), 4. Tea Flower (Pier Convertino), 4. Dariga Jockey Theo Bachelot rides His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin never run around a bend until a Smart-trained Majnona moved and mares. Leaf (Jean Baptiste Hamel). Won by: 2, 3 (Eduardo Pedroza). Won by: ½, 1 ¾, ½. Khalifa al-Thani’s Majnona to victory in the Qatar Oaks for week ago, and of course under alongside Umm Qarn’s Samaa, RESULTS ¼, 2 ¼. Time: 1:11.18. Owner: Osama Omer Time: 2:04.87. Owner: Khalifa bin Sheail four-year-old Purebred Arabian fillies at the QREC yesterday.