FOOTBALL | Page 2 BOXING | Page 3 It’s a great day Filipinos rule for Bahrain the ring at football, says Southeast coach Sousa Asian Games

Tuesday, December 10, 2019 CRICKET Rabia II 13, 1441 AH Fans excited as GULF TIMES Pakistan set for fi rst home Test in a decade SPORT Page 4 SPOTLIGHT Qatar’s al-Attiyah wins World Sports Legend Award Barshim nominated for IOC Athletes Commission elections he Qatar’s Olympic candidacy fi le. The IOC is set high jump champion to announce the nominees for Mutaz Essa Barshim the voting process via social has been nominated as media platforms. The candi- Ta candidate to represent Qa- dates have the right to show tar in the elections of the IOC their vision and aspiration in Athletes Commission. The these elections through pro- IOC athletes Commission has motional campaign ran by the been established to serve as an athletes themselves. It is es- integral platform for athletes sential that only the athletes around the world to voice their themselves are responsible in opinions, vision and challeng- promoting their campaigns es, representing their respect- without interference from ed countries. The IOC’s 2020 their National Olympic Com- Olympic agendas mainly focus mittees, National Federations, on placing the athletes at the or any sponsoring company. forefront as the perfect exam- This regulation is set in ple representing the Olympic place to level the playing fi eld movement. and allow for a fair competi- The athletes commission tion between nominated can- consists of world and Olympic didates. The athletes will keep Qatar’s Nasser Saleh al-Attiyah was presented the World Sports Legend Award (WSLA) in Monaco recently. athletes selected by the ath- running their promotional Al-Attiyah is a three-time Dakar Rally champion, 15-time Middle East Rally champion and Olympic bronze lete’s national Olympic com- campaigns leading up to the medallist in skeet shooting. During this year’s edition, the award was also presented to former F1, Indycar mittee who is also responsi- 2020 Tokyo Summer Olympic and Nascar champion Mario Andretti of the United States, three-time MotoGP champion Loris Capirossi, ble of submitting the player’s Games. and multiple Olympic medallist and former women’s 400m world champion Ana Gabriela Guevara.

FOCUS Russia banned from Olympics, World Cup over doping scandal ‘Russia was aff orded every opportunity... but it chose instead to continue in its stance of deception and denial’

AFP Lausanne, Switzerland

he World Anti-Dop- ing Agency yesterday banned Russia for four years from major global Tsporting events including the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and the 2022 World Cup in Qatar over manipulated doping data. WADA’s executive committee, meeting in Lausanne, handed Russia the “robust” four-year suspension after accusing Mos- cow of falsifying data from a doping testing laboratory that was handed over to investigators earlier this year. The toughest ever sanctions imposed on Russian state au- thorities will see government of- fi cials barred from attending any major events, while the country will lose the right to host, or even World Anti-Doping Agency President Craig Reedie (left) arrives for a bid, for tournaments. press conference in Lausanne, Switzerland, yesterday. (AFP) “For too long, Russian doping has detracted from clean sport,” litically motivated. “This is the ken CEO of the US Anti-Doping WADA president Craig Reedie continuation of this anti-Rus- Agency, accused the Internation- said. sian hysteria that has already al Olympic Committee of having “Russia was aff orded every become chronic,” Medvedev told “orchestrated a path for this de- opportunity to get its house in domestic news agencies. cision to be appealed to the Court order and re-join the global anti- The WADA decision was wide- of Arbitration for Sport, thereby doping community for the good ly predicted, with Reedie having setting up CAS as the failsafe of its athletes and of the integrity made a presentation Saturday to to implement even weaker, if of sport, but it chose instead to the Olympic Summit, partici- any, consequences against these continue in its stance of decep- pants of which “strongly con- thugs who have been given re- tion and denial.” demned those responsible for the peated chances to do the right Under the sanctions, Russian manipulation of the data from thing”. sportsmen and women will still the Moscow laboratory”. He accused sports leaders of be allowed to compete at the Ol- “It was agreed that this was bowing “to the Russian money ympics next year and the 2022 In this February 24, 2014, picture, Russia’s President Vladimir Putin (centre) poses for a photo with Russian athletes, winners of the Sochi 2014 an attack on sport and that these and infl uence in failing to ad- Beijing Winter Olympics, but Winter Olympics, in Sochi. (AFP) actions should lead to the tough- equately deal with this sullen af- only as neutrals and only if they est sanctions against those re- fair years ago”. can demonstrate that they were Russian federation”. notably between 2011 and 2015, the Moscow laboratory was a key his country had “no chance” of sponsible,” the IOC said, asking The former head of Russia’s not part of what WADA believes Russia’s participation in Euro was revealed in the independent condition of Russia’s controver- winning an appeal. that the Russian authorities de- anti-doping agency, Grigory was a state-sponsored system of 2020 — and Saint Petersburg’s report by sports lawyer Richard sial reinstatement by WADA in “There is no chance of winning liver the “fully authenticated raw Rodchenkov, who fl ed Moscow doping. hosting of four matches — is not McLaren, released in 2016. September 2018. this case in court,” Ganus said. data”. after turning whistleblower, wel- Russia will still be allowed to aff ected by the ban because it is It led to the Russian Anti- RUSADA’s supervisory board “This is a tragedy,” he added. Positive doping tests contained comed the ban imposed on his compete in qualifi ers for the 2022 not defi ned as a “major event” for Doping Agency (RUSADA) being is set to meet on December 19 to “Clean athletes are seeing their in data leaked by a whistleblower country. football World Cup, but WADA anti-doping purposes. suspended for nearly three years take a decision on whether to ap- rights limited.” in 2017 were missing from the “Finally, fraud, lies and fal- director general Olivier Niggli previously over revelations of peal the ban at the Court of Arbi- laboratory data supplied in Janu- sifi cations of unspeakable pro- added that should they progress ‘A TRAGEDY’ a vast state-supported doping tration for Sport. ‘ANTI-RUSSIAN HYSTERIA’ ary 2019, which prompted a new portions have been punished in to the fi nals in Qatar, “the team The signifi cant extent of state- programme. Yury Ganus, the head of RU- Russian Prime Minister Dmitry inquiry. full swing,” Rodchenkov said in a there will not be representing the sponsored doping in Russia, Full disclosure of data from SADA, told AFP yesterday that Medvedev said the ban was po- Travis Tygart, the outspo- statement. Gulf Times 2 Tuesday, December 10, 2019 SPORT

FOOTBALL / ARABIAN GULF CUP SPOTLIGHT Reaching FIFA It’s a great day for World Cup next goal: Saudi Bahrain football, coach Renard By Sports Reporter team tried to break any escala- Doha tion in performance by stopping the game. This was their strate- gy, and they succeeded in the end audi Arabia coach Herve in getting what they wanted.” says coach Sousa Renard congratulated Renard stressed that taking the Bahraini team for precedence over the score al- winning the 24th Arabian ways gives the winning team the ‘I think everyone is a believer in this team and the players who made history’ GulfS Cup title, and praised the comfort and confi dence to con- performance of his players, and tinue the match in the appropri- By Sports Reporter the technical and administrative ate format, and said: “Bahrain Doha staff for their work during the scored fi rst, and played the way championship. they wanted. Our players tried to “We lost a penalty kick, and progress and score and provided s Helio Sousa prepared another ball in the crossbar at the best, and they performed to answer the journal- the start of the fi rst half,” Renard well. I congratulate them on it, ists’ questions after said after the 0-1 loss in the fi - but in the end they were un- their historic win in nal on Sunday. “Bahrain players able to come back in the result, theA 24th Arabian Gulf Cup win were waiting for us, but we re- because the Bahraini team has against Saudi Arabia on Sunday, ceived the fi rst goal. This is foot- strengthened its defences.” Bahrain players stormed into ball, if you do not score from the Regarding the absence of Has- the conference hall and began opportunities, you have to ac- san and Mohamed Khubrani chanting the Portuguese coach’s cept the possibility of accepting in the match, he said: “Hassan name for his eff orts that saw goals, and this was what really did not recover from the injury, them lift the title in nearly half happened. We played and fought as well as he told me he was in a century. to score the equaliser, but we did pain and was not ready for this It was a moment of achieve- not succeed.” match. The two players we gave ment, celebration and apprecia- He added: “We tried to change great performances in this tour- tion. And Sousa knew it. the course of the match after nament. In the end, we can say After the players left the hall, Bahrain’s fi rst goal, but the in- we have opportunities ahead. the 50-year-old said, “It is a great termittent stopping of the match We want to reach the 2022 Qatar day in the history of Bahraini killed the game. The Bahraini World Cup.” football that deserved to be cel- ebrated. This day is the culmina- tion of the tremendous work that we started – to create a team that can compete for titles, a work we started about fi ve months ago. We have fi ghter players in every match. It is a unique moment that we deserve to be proud of. We turn our sights to March, when the Asian qualifi ers confrontation awaits us.” He added: “We worked in- side an integrated system. So far we have won two champi- onships – in West Asia in Iraq and Gulf Cup 24 in Qatar. The Saudi team that we faced in the fi nal started modestly in its fi rst meetings, but it was elected with high quality in subsequent confrontations. We succeeded today in fi ghting it because we believed in the capabili- ties of our players, and we gave them full confi dence to present their best. I came from Portu- gal to take on such challenges. We worked to compete for the championships. This vision was not trusted by those around us. We played against a group of the most prominent teams on the Saudi Arabia to host major continent and achieved two im- portant titles. I think everyone snooker event for fi rst time is a believer in this team and the players who made history.” AFP chairman Barry Hearn said on Many described Sousa’s tink- London, United Kingdom Sunday. ering with the team ahead of The tournament will include its matches as “gambling”, but all 128 Tour players and the Sousa was quick to counter. “It audi Arabia has agreed a world’s top 32 will enter at the is not gambling; gambling is in deal with World Snooker third-round stage, with four the casino,” Sousa said jokingly. Sto host a ranking event local players competing in the “I believe in all the 23 players. for the first time after signing first round. Each of them was able to per- a 10-year deal with the sport’s Saudi Arabia’s General Sports form as they should, and this is governing body. Authority chairman Prince what we have proven. We spent The Saudi Arabia Snooker Mas- Abdulaziz bin Turki al-Faisal a lot of time building this team. I ters will be held in Riyadh from al-Saud said: “This partnership have players who are no less im- October 4-10 with total prize adds further to our hosting of portant than those who are here money of £2.5mn ($3.29mn) a diverse range of international and the conditions did not help as part of the 2020-21 World sports in Saudi Arabia. them to participate.” Snooker Tour calendar. “Having held motorsport He concluded: “I congratu- “This is a giant leap forward and boxing events in recent late the Bahraini people on this for our sport. We have enjoyed months, and with tennis and achievement. I congratulate our tremendous global expansion equestrian events to follow, we players on this heroic perform- over the past decade, particu- are thrilled to add the Saudi ance. Our goal is to continue to larly in Asia and Europe and we Arabia Snooker Masters, which achieve good results and to fi nd are thrilled to stage a new and will see world-class snooker our way in the double qualifi ers momentous tournament in the played in Saudi Arabia for the for the 2022 World Cup and Asia Middle East,” World Snooker first time in 2020.” 2023.” Bahrain’s players throw coach Helio Sousa (also above) into the air to celebrate winning the 24th Gulf Cup title in Doha on Sunday. (AFP)

BOXING Joshua says had health issue before fi rst Ruiz fi ght Reuters my health which I was going to face either unbeaten Ukrain- Bengaluru, India through for a long time,” said ian Oleksandr Usyk, the WBO’s Joshua after judges scored the mandatory challenger, or Bul- ‘Clash on the Dunes’ 118-110, garian Kubrat Pulev — the man- riton Anthony Josh- 118-110 and 119-109 on Sunday. datory challenger for the IBF. ua, who reclaimed his “I didn’t know what was Joshua said he wanted his world heavyweight ti- wrong with me. I felt so tired next fi ght to be held in London, tles with a clinical vic- and drained and thought it with his promoter Eddie Hearn toryB over Andy Ruiz Jr on Sun- must be down to training. suggesting Tottenham Hot- day, says a health issue had left “In the changing room before spur’s new stadium as a likely him tired and drained before his the fi ght (in New York) I got a venue. shock defeat to the Mexican- bucket of ice and was putting “Wembley doesn’t look American in their fi rst fi ght in my head in it thinking ‘why do great, date-wise,” Hearn said. June. I feel so tired?’ “Tottenham Hotspur is a nice Joshua regained the IBF, “Even in this camp I had an new stadium for a UK fi ght. WBA, WBO and IBO titles with operation done but as I’d start- We’ve got to look at it. a unanimous points victory in ed training in June I had no is- “We spoke to Spurs about Saudi Arabia, six months after sues.” hosting this fi ght, which they he was sensationally dethroned Joshua did not elaborate on were keen to do, but unfortu- by Ruiz at Madison Square Gar- the nature of the operation. nately the dates didn’t work dens in one of boxing’s biggest For the fi rst title defence of out. They would be keen to do it upsets. his second stint as world cham- and it would be a nice stadium “I had some issue with pion the 30-year-old is likely to do it in London.” Gulf Times Tuesday, December 10, 2019 3 SPORT

FOCUS Filipino boxers rule the ring in SEA Games fi nals Philippines top in the medals table with 136 golds, two-way battle between Thailand (84) and Vietnam (79) for second

AFP Clark, Philippines

ilipino fi ghters punched their way to seven box- ing golds at the Southeast Asian Games’ very own ThrillaF in Manila in front of a rau- cous home crowd yesterday. The fi fth and fi nal day of the boxing programme climaxed with 13 medal bouts at the Phil- ippine International Convention Center Forum in the capital, and the boxing-mad host nation was not disappointed. Carlo Paalam, Rogen Ladon, Charly Suarez, James Palicte and Eumir Felix Marcial picked up golds in the men’s bouts, while Josie Gabuco and Nesthy Petecio won women’s titles. Thai fi ghters took fi ve of the remaining gold medals, with Vi- etnam the only other nation on top of the podium. The biggest ever SEA Games, which was opened by local box- ing icon Manny Pacquiao on November 30, enters its last day of full competition today and the Philippines basketball team will be taking on Thailand in the evening final after both teams won their semi-finals yester- day. This edition is the first time eSports is being represented at a multi-sport competition Philippines’ Jeth Troy Rosario (right) in action with Indonesia’s Kevin sanctioned by the International Philippines’ Charly Suarez (left) in action against Thailand’s Pidnuch Khunatip during the men’s Lightweight (60kg) final in the Southeast Asian Sitorus during the men’s basketball semi-final at the Southeast Asian Olympic Committee, and the Games at Picc Forum in Pasay, Philippines, yesterday. (Reuters) Games in Pasay, Philippines, yesterday. (Reuters) first medals have been award- ed at the San Juan Arena in the from Myanmar 3-0 at the Ma- SWIMMING FINALE His compatriot Quah Zheng the city-state in the 100m but- MALAYSIA PROTEST ficult following a protest by capital. nila Hotel. Olympic champion Joseph Wen added another two golds — terfl y. Earlier Malaysia complained to Malaysia. Malaysia won the fi rst ever The Philippines have stormed Schooling got back to winning the 200m butterfl y and the med- Over at the brand new Games organisers after one of its However, a day later, Amzan’s gold with a win in the category of ahead in the medals table with ways on the fi nal evening of ley relay — to take his overall tally 20,000-seater athletics stadium, gymnasts was stripped of a gold gold was relegated to silver. mixed Hearthstone — a popular 136 golds, but there is a two- swimming at the aquatics centre to six, having already won the Vietnam’s Duong Van Thai added medal two days after she shared “I don’t understand why online card game — while Thai- way battle between Thailand at the main Games hub in New 100m and 200m backstroke, and to his 1,500m title with a win in the podium with a teammate who it was changed,” Malaysia’s land took the mixed title for bat- (84) and Vietnam (79) for sec- Clark City, with his Singaporean the 4x100m and 4x200m free- the 800m, while compatriots she tied with. chef de mission Datuk Megat tle game Arena of Valor. ond place. Indonesia were in team cruising to victory in the style relays. Dinh Thi Bich and Khuat Phuong Rhythmic gymnast Iz- Zulkarnain Omardin told AFP It was a day to remember for fourth with 69. 4x100m medley relay. Speedsters Jonathan Tan Eu Jin Anh came fi rst and second in the zah Amzan finished level on by phone, adding that SEA Singaporean Peter Gilchrist, 51, Seven of the last 11 home na- Butterfl y star Schooling has and Teong Tzen Wei, also from women’s 800m fi nal. points in the ribbon event in Games rules say both gymnasts who won his sixth consecutive tions have fi nished top of the med- vowed to “fi x” his physique af- Singapore, secured a one-two in Home favourites Melvin Ca- Manila with Koi Sie Yan on should get gold in such circum- English billiards gold. als table at the SEA Games, where ter winning only one individual the men’s 50m freestyle — the lano and Clinton Bautista won Saturday, and officials even- stances. The reigning world champion the fl exible sporting programme is gold medal at the Southeast Asian fastest event in the pool. the men’s javelin and 110m hur- tually decided to award them “We have submitted our pro- and current world number one traditionally heavily weighted to- Games, less than eight months be- Quah Ting Wen and Quah Jing dles, and Thai sprint teams won both golds despite Amzan’s test,” he said. “We are still wait- beat familiar foe Nay Thway Oo wards the home team. fore his title defence at Tokyo 2020. Wen also completed a double for both 4 x 100m relays. routine being judged less dif- ing for the reply.”

GOLF / PRESIDENTS CUP Woods looks to draw a line under Reed violation Confi dent Oosthuizen puts on his game face for Presidents Cup

Reuters Sydney, Australia

ouis Oosthuizen said his late charge at the Austral- Lian Open has given him a big boost of confidence heading into this week’s Presidents Cup clash against Tiger Woods’s United States team at Royal Melbourne. The 2010 British Open cham- pion came within a shot of forcing the battle for the Stone- haven Cup into a playoff at The Australian Golf Club on Sunday when he sealed a sizzling five- under-par 66 with an eagle at the 18th in the final round. Australian Matt Jones held his nerve to secure the trophy for the second time but Oosthui- zen thought his time in Sydney had been perfect preparation for his fourth Presidents Cup (From left) International team players Cameron Smith, Adam Scott, captain Ernie Els, US team captain Tiger Woods, and players Xander Schauff ele campaign. and Justin Thomas pose with the Presidents Cup trophy in Melbourne, Australia, yesterday. (AFP) “I used this week as preparation for next and obviously, Aussie Reuters Masters champion missed out on story. Unfortunately, he missed when some of these guys were in Open is a great event to play,” United States player Patrick another of the more seasoned Melbourne, Australia a chance to force a playoff against the playoff s by those two shots diapers. the 37-year-old told reporters. Reed’s widely-condemned rule campaigners in the Interna- winner Henrik Stenson at Alba- but we’re looking at this week.” “To have the opportunity to “First time over here, we had a violation at the Hero World tional line-up and he was happy ny Golf Club, but perhaps more Some Internationals players lead these guys and come down good time, got the family here. Challenge over the weekend. with his game after finishing nited States captain Ti- damaging was the widespread have suggested Reed might get to one of my favourite coun- But I’ll take a lot of confidence “I think the crowd is going to in a share of 10th at his home ger Woods attempted condemnation of his actions. some fl ak from the crowd over tries in the world and play one of out of this and hopefully we can have a nice time with him,” he Open. to draw a line under A jet-lagged Woods was asked the incident but Woods said he my favourite golf courses, it’s a pull it off next week. added. “I putted well, I just wasn’t Patrick Reed’s rules vi- about the incident after mak- thought the famous Australian dream come true.” “Game face is on now and I’m “(But) we’re focused on what we reading the greens awesome, Uolation at the Hero World Chal- ing the long journey to Australia love of sport would ensure a great World number four Justin ready.” want to achieve and what we but yeah, off the tee and around lenge over the weekend when his for the 13th edition of the bien- atmosphere for the contest. Thomas was only a couple of Oosthuizen teamed up with want to do. He brought those the greens I was pretty pleased team touched down in Australia nial contest at Royal Melbourne, Woods said the team had spent hours into his fi rst trip to Aus- fellow South African Branden things on himself so I can imag- with,” the world number 28 said. on Monday for this week’s Presi- which starts on Thursday. the journey, which he described tralia and, while excited at the Grace in 2015 to become the ine he’s going to have a tough “If I could take that over into dents Cup. “Yes, I have spoken to Pat about as “a day to kill in a tin can”, rest- prospect of extending the United only International pairing to time next week with the crowd.” next week and sharpen my Reed received a two-stroke it, it’s behind us, we’re onto this ing when they could but also do- States’s winning streak to eight earn four points in a single What the largely inexperienced irons up a little bit, should be penalty for improving his lie in a week, we’re focused on going ing some team building and hav- Presidents Cups, clearly had Presidents Cup and has a 7-5-3 International team captained by good to go. bunker on Friday during the third against this great International ing a bit of fun playing cards. more immediate priorities. win-loss-tie record in the bien- Oosthuizen’s compatriot Ernie Els “We’re ready to go, looking for- round of the tournament hosted team here,” the 15-times major “It’s a great team, a great mix, “It’s going to be a great week nial competition. will be trying to achieve at Royal ward to it. It’s been a pretty easy by Woods in the Bahamas, where winner told reporters at the offi cial a couple of older guys but the and we’re all looking forward to The mild-mannered world Melbourne is a second win in 13 week this week energy-wise, so most of the American team pre- launch of the tournament. majority of the team is under 30,” it, and I’m really looking forward number 20 was not too keen to editions of the biennial contest. yeah, excited about next week pared for their trip Down Under. “As we all know, Pat was pe- he said. “I’m telling stories about to a great night’s sleep tonight,” get involved in the hype over Australian Marc Leishman is and hopefully we can play well.” The penalty meant the 2018 nalised and that was it, end of what happened way back in ’98 he said. Gulf Times 4 Tuesday, December 10, 2019 CRICKET

FOCUS CRISIS South African players refuse to Fans excited as deal with board

AFP folded over a period of time, Cape Town “mostly with its (the board’s) knowledge and some even with its support.” outh Africa’s cricket “We are astounded that the Pakistan set for fi rst crisis continued yes- board of CSA which has led terday when the South the organisation during a tu- African Cricketers’ multuous period now refuses AssociationS repeated its call to take responsibility for the for Cricket South Africa’s deep, deep crisis in which board to resign — and said it cricket fi nds itself,” said Irish. would refuse to negotiate with “No one disagrees with the any members of the board. removal of the chief executive home Test in a decade SACA chief executive Tony but to suggest that the buck Irish said his organisation, stopped with him alone, and The first Test starts in Rawalpindi tomorrow and the second in Karachi from December 19 which represents the coun- for the board to cling so des- try’s professional cricketers, perately to power, is a matter was prepared to deal with in- for serious concern.” terim chief executive Jacques Irish said Nenzani person- Faul but not with any CSA ally shared responsibility for panel if it included members a breakdown in relations with of the board. the players which led to SACA In a statement, Irish said the fi ling a high court application suspension of chief executive for CSA to adhere to the terms Thabang Moroe, announced of a memorandum of agree- on Friday, should have been ment with SACA. followed by the resignation of “The president and other the board. board members ignored the CSA president Chris Nen- legitimate concerns of SACA zani announced the appoint- and the players for months in ment of Faul at a press con- the same way that the chief ference after a board meeting executive did. Formal and de- on Saturday and claimed tailed letters were sent not that a deal was close to being only to the chief executive signed for former Test captain but also to the president and Graeme Smith to become di- chairman of the fi nance com- rector of cricket. But Nenzani mittee dating back several brushed off widespread calls months. No replies to the let- for the board to resign. ters were ever received. This SACA’s statement listed a happened long before SACA large number of issues which launched its court proceed- had arisen under the board’s ings.” watch, including “forecasts Irish said that CSA took un- of huge and unprecedented til November to fi le a response fi nancial defi cits, systematic to SACA’s court application, breaches of agreements, high which was launched in May profi le court cases and legal — and had also failed to follow disputes, reports of uncon- up on a meeting in August, in- trolled spending by staff , ad- volving Nenzani and other key missions of the need for a fo- board members, which could rensic audit, suspension upon have resolved the issues. suspension of CSA employees, The crisis comes shortly failure to put in place Proteas’ before England arrive for a (national) team structures, at- tour which includes four Test tempts to silence the media, matches, with the fi rst Test resignations of independent starting on December 26. directors... and withdrawal of There was no immediate the game’s biggest sponsor.” response to SACA’s statement Irish said the issues had un- from CSA. Pakistan’s head coach Misbah ul Haq (centre) speaks with players during a practice session at the Pindi Cricket Stadium in Rawalpindi yesterday. (AFP)

AFP fi re on a convoy of buses travelling Zimbabwe became the fi rst team as we were once. But one can’t The series — the second for SPOTLIGHT Islamabad to a Test in Lahore in March 2009. to play in Pakistan in 2015, pav- blame the younger generations both teams in the ongoing World “This is my fi rst tour to Pa- ing the wave for a smattering of because they haven’t seen their Test championship — promises kistan,” said Sri Lanka skipper Twenty20 matches ever since. team playing in Pakistan.” to be intriguing, not least be- ri Lanka embarked on Dimuth Karunaratne, who opted But Test matches — consid- The PCB are now hoping to cause of the tussle between the Captain Kohli asks the fi rst Test cricket tour out of the team’s recent limited- ered the pinnacle of interna- turn things around thanks to a two coaches: Pakistan’s Misbah- of Pakistan in 10 years overs tour of Pakistan. tional cricket — have until now dramatic improvement in secu- ul-Haq and Sri Lanka’s Mickey yesterday following the “After the 2009 incidents remained absent. The fi rst Test rity in recent years, following a Arthur. butterfi ngers India Sdeadly 2009 attack on their team players were scared to tour Paki- starts in Rawalpindi tomorrow wave of crackdowns on militants Arthur was Pakistan’s coach that plunged Pakistan into sport- stan but in the last two years or so and the second is in Karachi from across the country. until August when he was axed ing isolation. Sri Lanka and other teams have December 19. Sri Lanka, despite being the by the country’s cricket of- to get a grip on “Touchdown Islamabad,” toured Pakistan.” “Pakistan’s losses due to non- target of the 2009 attack, have fi cials, who included Misbah, tweeted the Pakistan Cricket He added: “We want to play hosting of international cricket been a driving force behind the following a disappointing per- Board, along with video of the good cricket in Pakistan and hope have been substantial,” Waseem return of international cricket af- formance at this year’s World catching woes players at the airport, while Pa- they give us some good security.” told AFP. “Pakistan cricket sup- ter they played six limited-overs Cup. kistan Cricket Board chief execu- The 2009 attack slammed the porters have been denied the op- matches in Karachi and Lahore in The South African, who was tive Waseem Khan called their door shut on international sport- portunity to see their heroes play September and October. only appointed by Sri Lanka last arrival a “historic occasion”. ing fi xtures in cricket-loving Pa- live in our national stadiums.” The return of international week, will hope to pile the pres- Sri Lanka will play two Tests kistan as foreign teams refused to None of the players on Paki- games and Pakistan Super League sure on Pakistan who are coming under heavy security, one in visit over security fears. stan’s current roster, including matches — as well as behind- off a humiliating 2-0 Test thrash- Rawalpindi — where Pakistan’s Pakistan’s cricket team has skipper Azhar Ali (75 Tests) and the-scenes diplomacy — are fi - ing in Australia which pushed army is headquartered — and been forced to play its home Asad Shafi q (71), has played a Test nally paying dividends, according them down to eighth in the rank- the second in Karachi, ending a matches on neutral ground in the at home. to Waseem. ings. decade-long absence for cricket’s United Arab Emirates, result- “I am happy Test cricket has “The eight (PSL) matches in Misbah, who is also Pakistan’s fi ve-day format since the attack. ing in fi nancial losses and hard fi nally return to Pakistan,” said Karachi earlier this year... were chief selector and batting coach, Eight people were killed and times for Pakistani fans. Interna- fan Ashfaq Ahmed, 48. “Cricket eye-openers for the 43 foreign will be under especially heavy several players and offi cials were tional cricket began making in- in Pakistan is dying and our kids cricketers who returned as our scrutiny following Pakistan’s run wounded when militants opened roads back into the country when aren’t as keen toward the game ambassadors,” he said. of poor form.

BOTTOMLINE Virat Kohli gestures during the second T20 match against West Indies at the Greenfield International Stadium in Thiruvananthapuram on Smith wants MCG to retain Boxing Sunday. (AFP) Reuters Last two games we’ve been New Delhi below-par in the fi eld,” Kohli told broadcaster Star Sports after Sunday’s defeat. Day Test despite pitch concerns or someone who often “In the fi rst four overs we leads by example, In- created enough pressure and Reuters “Then I guess they have another dia captain Virat Kohli then you drop two chances in Melbourne year to work on their wickets to is appalled by the a T20 game in one over, that’s give us an even contest for bat and Fteam’s sloppy fi elding against going to cost you. If they lose ball, that’s what we want to see.” West Indies and wants them two wickets in one over, the ustralia’s batting main- A lifeless MCG pitch received to fi x the problem in the build- pressure’s on them. stay Steve Smith is confi - a “poor” rating from the govern- up to next year’s Twenty20 “I think it’s a game of mar- dent the Boxing Day Test ing International Cricket Council World Cup in Australia. gins and we need to under- against New Zealand will in 2017 while last year’s surface India, who had dropped fi ve stand where we went wrong. beA played on a safe, quality pitch against India was rated “average” catches in the series opener on It’s pretty evident. It’s there at the Melbourne Cricket Ground even though the tourists took 20 Friday, spilled three more on for everyone to see and for us (MCG) and does not want the ven- wickets to comprehensively win Sunday to allow West Indies to improve on. ue to lose the marquee fi xture over the match. to level the series 1-1 in Thiru- “I think fi elding is some- surface concerns. Irrespective of the negative rat- vananthapuram. thing we need to be more brave A Sheffi eld Shield match at the ings, Smith would like the mar- The unusually sloppy catch- about, and not worry about MCG was abandoned on Sunday quee match to stay at the hallowed ing in Hyderabad prompted dropping catches.” because of a dangerous pitch with venue. former all-rounder Yuvraj Kohli himself set the stand- several Western Australia batsmen “I’d love for it to stay, it’s part of Singh to wonder if playing too ard when he pulled off a spec- sustaining blows to the body from the tradition of Australian cricket much cricket was taking its tacular one-handed catch deliveries that reared up at them. for a long time,” said the 30-year- toll on the players. near the ropes to send back Cricket Australia said a diff erent old. Some of the players said the Shimron Hetmyer. pitch had been earmarked for the “I’ve had some of my great low fl oodlights in Hyderabad “It was one of those catches second Test against New Zealand memories of cricket walking out made sighting the ball tricky that just stuck in the hand,” starting on Dec. 26 but they will there on Boxing Day, listening to at times. No such excuse was said Kohli. still work with MCG curator Matt the anthems, you get kind of a off ered for the slip-ups in “It came out of the lights a Page to ensure it was of interna- shiver down your spine. Thiruvananthapuram, where little bit, but I just committed tional standards. “The Boxing Day Test in Mel- two catches went down in a to the ball and put both hands “He’s a good curator and he’ll be bourne is something I look forward single Bhuvneshwar Kumar out, and luckily it came into doing what he can to get us a good to every year. It’s a great occasion over. my hand.” wicket for Boxing Day,” Smith told and I would love for Melbourne to “Look, if you fi eld like that, Mumbai hosts the third and reporters in Perth yesterday. keep it.” File photo of Australia’s Steve Smith. (Reuters) then no total is big enough. fi nal match tomorrow. Gulf Times Tuesday, December 10, 2019 5 SPORT

NBA NHL Miller, Sabres top Oilers in overtime Davis scores 50 to Reuters Sheahan was sent on a Los Angeles breakaway by a blue line- to-blue line pass from Nygard and snuck a back- efenseman Co- hander through Ullmark’s lin Miller scored his pads at 8:25 of the period first goal of the sea- to pull the Oilers within son 1:13 into over- a goal. Darnell Nurse also propel Lakers over timeD as the Buffalo Sabres got an assist. defeated the host Edmonton They tied it on Nygard’s Oilers 3-2 Sunday night. power-play goal at 15:56, as Kyle Okposo and Johan he deflected Nurse’s shot Larsson also scored, and from the point into the net. goaltender Linus Ullmark Gaetan Haas was credited made 26 saves for the Sa- with a secondary assist. bres, who blew a two-goal, The Sabres took the lead Timberwolves first-period lead. Buffalo just 4:08 into the game as wrapped up a three-game Okposo scored for the sec- ‘It’s about getting into our off ense and executing and making the right play’ Western Canada trip with a ond consecutive game after 1-1-1 record. missing 10 contests with a Riley Sheahan and Joakim concussion. Skating across Nygard scored for Edmon- the crease, Okposo spun ton, which fell to 1-1-1 on its and redirected a shot from four-game homestand, and the left point by Marco Mike Smith stopped 19 of 22 Scandella over Smith’s right shots. shoulder. Minnesota Timberwolves forward Keita Bates-Diop (left) Sabres forward Jack Eichel Larsson made it 2-0 at and center Gorgui Dieng (right) defend Los Angeles weaved his way into the of- 10:43 of the fi rst, fi nding a re- Lakers forward Anthony Davis (centre) as he makes a fensive zone in overtime and bound of a Jimmy Vesey shot basket in the second half of the game at Staples Center. fed Marcus Johansson near alone in front of the net as PICTURE: USA TODAY Sports the right post. Johansson the trailer on a four-on-three sent a cross-crease pass to break. Rasmus Asplund also Miller, who put the puck into assisted on the goal. a nearly empty net. Edmonton forwards Zack Eichel extended his point Kassian and Ryan Nugent- streak to 13 games (10 goals, Hopkins both returned af- 13 assists), the longest cur- ter missing multiple games. rent run in the NHL. Nugent-Hopkins missed the Trailing 2-0 after the first previous six with a hand in- period, the Oilers tied it with jury, and Kassian was out the two goals in the second. past three with back woes.

RESULTS Winnipeg 142-125 Anaheim Florida 110-105 San Jose Arizona 110-104 Chicago NY Rangers 135-119 Las Vegas Buff alo 108-96 Edmonton

AFP scored 19 apiece and the Timberwolves led basket with 7.7 seconds remaining as Sacra- Los Angeles RESULTS by fi ve late in the second quarter. Ultimately, mento thwarted a late Mavericks rally. however, they had no answer for Davis. In Nemanja Bjelica, who led the Kings with LA Lakers 142-125 Minnesota Miami, rookie Tyler Herro scored 27 points 30 points, closed out the scoring with a layup nthony Davis scored 50 points to Miami 110-105 Chicago and made a go-ahead three-pointer with 38.2 after Richaun Holmes grabbed the rebound of power the Los Angeles Lakers to a Philadelphia 110-104 Toronto seconds left in overtime to lift the Heat to a Doncic’s miss. Buddy Hield added 26 points 142-125 victory over the Minne- 110-105 victory over the Chicago Bulls. Her- for the Kings, former Maverick Harrison sota Timberwolves on Sunday that LA Clippers 135-119 Washington ro’s heroics included a three-pointer with 7.1 Barnes had 13 and Holmes chipped in 12. gaveA the Western Conference leaders the best Oklahoma City 108-96 Portland seconds left in regulation, which ended with record in the NBA. Sacramento 110-106 Dallas the score tied at 97-97. CLIPPERS BOUNCE BACK Davis unleashed his aggression to notch He made three more from beyond the arc The Los Angeles Clippers bounced back from the fourth 50-point game of his career and Atlanta 122-107 Charlotte in the extra session — including one to tie the an embarrassing 28-point loss to the Mil- his fi rst with the Lakers. Brooklyn 105-102 Denver game and one to give the Heat the lead for waukee Bucks on Friday with a 135-119 vic- He connecting on 20 of 29 shots from the good as Miami improved to 10-0 at home this tory over the Wizards in Washington. fi eld — with 16 baskets in the paint and not a Davis, a perfect 10 of 10 from the free- season and 17-6 overall. Kawhi Leonard scored 34 points and pulled single three-pointer. throw line, also pulled down seven rebounds “My teammates trusted me with the ball,” down 11 rebounds for the Clippers as they im- “One for the ages,” Lakers coach Frank Vo- and handed out six assists. the 19-year-old reserve guard said. “Every proved to 1-1 in their six-game road trip. gel said. “I just came out aggressive, playing hard,” time I get a shot, I have confi dence.” “We just wanted to come in and execute,” “The fi rst thing that stands out to me was said Davis, who laid in a fl oater with 4:39 left In Dallas, Luka Doncic scored 27 points Leonard said. “Last game, we played very he had four steals, a block and great defense to play to reach 50 points for the night. “My with seven rebounds and eight assists for his sluggish on the off ensive end. for all 39 minutes he was out there,” Vogel teammates did a good job of fi nding me.” 19th straight game of at least 20 points, fi ve “It’s really not about missing shots or mak- said. “To be able to perform on that end of LeBron James added 32 points with 13 as- rebounds and fi ve assists. ing shots, it’s about getting into our off ense the fl oor and anchor us and still go for 50 in sists despite fi nding himself in foul trouble He passed NBA icon Michael Jordan for the and executing and making the right play.” what I feel is an old-school, smashmouth with four in the fi rst half. most such games in a row since the NBA/ABA Paul George added 27 points as fi ve Clip- way of getting 50. “No threes, right? Twenty Alex Caruso chipped in 16 points as the merger in the 1970s, but it wasn’t enough to pers players scored in double fi gures. Mont- of 29, living at the free throw line, post-ups, Lakers improved to 21-3. Eight Minnesota deliver a victory for the Mavs, who fell 110- rezl Harrell added nine of his 20 in the fourth New York Rangers left wing Chris Kreider celebrates after off ensive rebounds, crashes, all those types players scored in double fi gures. 106 to the Sacramento Kings. quarter to help Los Angeles put away the de- scoring a first period goal against the Vegas Golden Knights at of things... just an old-school performance.” Karl-Anthony Towns and Andrew Wiggins Doncic missed a potential game-tying termined Wizards. T-Mobile Arena. PICTURE: USA TODAY Sports

NFL Patriots jolted by Chiefs; 49ers down Saints AFP RESULTS ‘JUST TRYING TO WIN’ Los Angeles Asked about the boos his team had been subject- Atlanta 40-20 Carolina ed to at half-time, Belichick added: “We’re just Tampa Bay 38-35 Indianapolis trying to win games.” The Patriots fell to 10-3 with the loss but lead om Brady and the New England Patri- NY Jets 22-21 Miami ots slid to a second straight defeat on the AFC East. Sunday, falling 23-16 to the Kansas City San Francisco 48-46 New Orleans The Chiefs meanwhile clinched the AFC West Chiefs in a game marred by a series of of- Minnesota 20-7 Detroit divisional title with the win, improving to 9-4. Tfi ciating blunders. Elsewhere Sunday, the New Orleans Saints Denver 38-24 Houston The reigning Super Bowl champions launched also clinched their division despite losing a a spirited fi ghtback after trailing 23-7 in the third Baltimore 24-17 Buff alo thriller against the San Francisco 49ers, going quarter but lost crucial momentum after multi- Cleveland 27-19 Cincinnati down 48-46 in the Superdome. ple calls went against them at Foxborough. LA Chargers 20-15 Jacksonville Niners quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo fin- The most glaring offi ciating error occurred ished with 349 passing yards from 26 com- early in the fourth quarter, when N’Keal Harry Pittsburgh 45-10 Arizona pletions as San Francisco rallied superbly was wrongly adjudged to have been forced out of Tennessee 23-17 Oakland with a late drive after Drew Brees had helped bounds as he dived into the corner for a touch- Kansas city 42-21 New England the Saints take a 46-45 lead with less than a down. minute left. Replays clearly showed Harry was in-bounds Garoppolo showed great composure as the and the Patriots should have been awarded a last attempt for a game-tying score, but Brady’s seconds ticked down, converting a do-or-die touchdown — but with coach Bill Belichick al- pass to Julian Edelman in the endzone was batted 4th & 2 with a short pass to fi nd tight end George ready out of challenges, the call was allowed to away by Bashaud Breeland. Kittle. stand. Patriots coach Belichick refused to be drawn on Kittle then charged forward, shrugging off the With the drive eventually ending in a Patriots the offi ciating performance following the loss. attentions of two tacklers to advance 39 yards fi eld goal, the hosts turned around 23-16 instead Asked what offi cials had said after disallowing and take the 49ers within fi eld goal range. of potentially cutting the Chiefs lead to 23-20 Harry’s touchdown, Belichick replied: “You’ll It was left to veteran kicker Robbie Gould to with most of the fourth quarter remaining. have to talk to them about that. I’m not going to deliver the decisive fi eld goal, the 37-year-old The offi ciating crew had also blown an earlier speak for them.” nailing his kick from 30 yards to silence the Su- call, mistakenly whistling play dead after failing “I was proud of the way our guys competed perdome in dramatic fashion. to spot a Travis Kelce fumble, denying the Patri- tonight,” he added. “They battled for 60 min- The win sees the 49ers improve to 11-2 to ots a potential defensive touchdown. utes. Wasn’t always perfect, and there’s certain- regain fi rst place in the NFC West division, al- New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (right) runs for a first down being chased by The Patriots — who had been booed off the ly things we could have done better. But we were though Seattle would reclaim top spot with vic- Kansas City Chiefs defensive end Tanoh Kpassagnon (centre) during the second half at Gillette fi eld at halftime after trailing 20-7 — had one competitive right the way down to the fi nal play.” tory over the Los Angeles Rams later Sunday. Stadium. PICTURE: USA TODAY Sports Gulf Times 6 Tuesday, December 10, 2019 FOOTBALL

PREVIEW LIGUE 1 Marseille make it six in a row against Lampard seeks Bordeaux to stay with PSG

AFP compact defending and Adli Paris stunned the home fans when Chelsea’s fi rst home he thumped Josh Maja’s lay- off past Steve Mandanda from arseille kept pace long range. with Ligue 1 lead- However the hosts were not ers Paris Saint- to be deterred and Payet had a Germain on Sun- hand in the leveller, his corner Mday after coming from behind two minutes after the break to beat Bordeaux 3-1 and rack fi nding the head of Amavi, win for CL progress up a sixth straight win that who made no mistake from keeps them fi ve points behind close range. ‘I know there’s expectations we should get through a group but it was a tough group’ the champions. Bordeaux then handed Mar- Jordan Amavi, Morgan San- seille the lead on the hour mark Reuters son and Nemanja Radonjic when trying to play out from a London hit the decisive goals in front goal kick under intense pres- of a raucous crowd of around sure from the home attack. 52,000 as Andre Villas-Boas’ Pablo fl oated a soft pass helsea’s fi nal Champi- side maintained a hot streak straight to the feet of Sanson, ons League group game that has seen them rise to sec- who shifted his feet on the against Lille today will ond in the French top fl ight. edge of the area before smash- be their biggest test of “At the break the coach told ing home at Benoit Costil’s theC season so far as they look to us to do more, to get the Velo- near post. win at home for the fi rst time drome right behind us,” said Radonjic put the cherry on and reach the knockout stage, Sanson, whose 60th-minute the cake in stoppage time after manager Frank Lampard said strike put Marseille ahead af- another Pablo error, the Brazil yesterday. ter they had fallen behind to international this time being Chelsea are third in Group H Yacine Adli’s superb fi rst-half easily dispossessed by Valen- with eight points - the same as opener. tin Rongier near the halfway second-placed Valencia and two “In the second half we line. points behind leaders Ajax Am- were clearly the better team... The Frenchman charged at sterdam - having been unbeaten thanks to the fans we woke up.” the Bordeaux defence before away, but the London side have While a real challenge to feeding Serb Radonjic, whose picked up only one point in PSG’s domestic supremacy shot was saved by Costil be- two European home games this will be diffi cult, a return to the fore ricocheting in off Aurelien season. Champions League is looking Tchouameni. Lampard’s side can qualify for increasingly likely after anoth- Earlier, Saint-Etienne the last 16 with a win over Lille er exciting performance led by missed the chance to move or a draw if Ajax beat Valencia. Dimitri Payet. into the European places after “I’m well aware of (Chel- With three teams qualify- being beaten 3-1 at Reims. sea’s home form) and I think ing for Europe’s premier com- Claude Puel’s side are in it (qualifying) would be a good petition Marseille are seven eighth on 25 points after losing achievement,” Lampard told a points ahead of fourth-placed a tight contest to goals from news conference, accepting that Rennes and were in fi ne form Remi Oudin, Boulaye Dia and it was his most signifi cant game on Sunday, failing to be fazed Moussa Doumbia, two points since he took charge at the club. by Adli’s stunning 31st-minute away from Rennes in the Eu- “I know there’s expectations strike for Bordeaux. ropa League spot. we should get through a group The away side frustrated Nantes are a point ahead of but it was a tough group. And the dominant Marseille through- Saint-Etienne in sixth after slightly young feel to our team... out the fi rst period with beating struggling Dijon 1-0. The fact we lost our fi rst game, there’s a few diffi culties we’ve had. “You don’t want to lose games or predict losing games but the way we are... this was never go- ing to be a plain sailing, or ‘In- vincible’. Teams and individuals need these tests, it comes with football so it’s a test for all of us.” Lampard also said that Satur- day’s 3-1 league defeat by Ever- ton would not change his trans- fer window plans after the club had its transfer ban halved, pav- ing the way to recruit new play- ers in January. “You have to be careful with being too reactionary and (the) ban lifted, defeat at Everton... it’s quite easy to come to the conclusion that we need to spend,” he added. “Just as people at the start of Chelsea’s Danish defender Andreas Christensen attends a training session in Stoke D’Abernon, London, yesterday. (AFP) the season were saying ‘we’ve got all these young boys, we don’t need any players’. (At) a Guardiola admits Man City standards have slipped club like Chelsea, it’s a balance. “You have a strong squad Pep Guardiola says Manchester City may counter-attack and you have to accept that,” of Wednesday’s final group game against which I believe we have, but you no longer be able to match the standards of said the City boss. “That is the level we face Dinamo Zagreb, are through to the League have to look at ‘can we strength- the best teams after a painful defeat against against Liverpool, United, Barcelona, Madrid, Cup quarter-finals and have a kind draw for en?’ And there will be times... Manchester United left them 14 points be- Juventus. They are the teams we have to face the start of their FA Cup defence next month. January or next summer, when hind Premier League leaders Liverpool. and the reality is maybe we are not able now “The reality is we are 14 points behind for the we will, look at the opportunity Guardiola’s City have been the Premier to compete with them. “We have to improve mistakes we have done, for the quality of our to strengthen because we want League’s outstanding side over the past two and accept it and move forward. Maybe we opponents and especially, as well, the things to improve.” years, clocking up 100 points in 2017/18 and need to live that as a club to improve, to ac- we cannot control,” said Guardiola. “That is Lampard was handed an inju- retaining the title last term during their tre- cept the reality now and improve.” the reality but we have to continue. ry boost with defender Antonio ble-winning campaign. Guardiola hopes City, Guardiola, however, is not ready to give up “We are at the beginning of December and Rudiger, who has played only 45 who have now lost four of their 16 league on his side’s title defence and there is also we have other competitions to play in and minutes this season, back from games this season, will be able to learn from plenty more to play for in the remainder of other games to fight and improve on. Maybe injury but fellow centre back their setbacks. “United have the quality the campaign. City have already qualified for this is going to help us for the future so we Fikayo Tomori and striker Olivi- to defend and the quality to attack on the the last 16 of the Champions League ahead need to live this as a club to be better.” Olympique de Marseille’s Jordan Amavi celebrates scoring their er Giroud remain sidelined. first goal against Bordeaux in Marseille. (Reuters)

FOCUS Josoor delivers successful 2-day professional development workshop in Muscat osoor Institute recently ness acumen. presented a two-day Pro- Afraa al-Noaimi, Execu- fessional Development tive Director, Josoor Institute, Workshop in Muscat, titled said: “We were pleased to off er “HarnessingJ the Power of Sport”, our Professional Development in partnership with Sabco Sports, Workshop in Oman and the mix an Omani sports company, and of expert academic knowledge attended by over 40 sports pro- and real-world professional ex- fessionals from Omani clubs, as- perience was well received by sociations and companies. participants. We look forward Among the workshop speak- to many such exchanges and ers were experts from the world workshops in Oman as part of of sports such as Maite Ventura, our commitment to building the Managing Director - MENA human capacity of our regional La Liga, Peter Daire, Founding sports industries.” Partner of the Sport Collec- The event formed part of tive, and Mohamed Saadon al- Josoor Institute’s commitment Kuwari, Senior Sports Presenter to leverage the FIFA World Cup – beIN Sports. Delegates took Qatar 2022 to build the human part in a series of detailed brea- capabilities of the region’s sports kout sessions and programmes and events industries to deliver designed to challenge thinking other high-profi le sporting and and improve their sports busi- non-sporting events. Delegation members pose during Josoor Institute’s two-day professional development workshop titled ‘Harnessing the Power of Sport’ in Muscat. Gulf Times Tuesday, December 10, 2019 7 FOOTBALL

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE FOCUS Klopp says he never doubted midfi elder Salzburg pose Keita’s quality

AFP thinking, ‘why don’t I play?’ I London get all that. So we stayed in con- tact, we talked and we spoke a lot about it.” iverpool boss Jurgen Klopp said he never ques- serious threat to Klopp says he has never tioned the player’s quality. doubted the quality of “It was just unlucky and in midfi elder Naby Keita life you need luck always,” he Ldespite the Guinea internation- said. “He started (his Liverpool al’s limited impact since his ar- career) really well - everybody rival at Anfi eld last year. forgot that - then got injured. Keita has been confi ned to And again we had two really good a bit-part role since his £52.75 seasons.” leaky Liverpool million ($69 million) move from Liverpool last lost a league RB Leipzig in July 2018 and be- game in early January but de- ‘Obviously everybody was desperate for that, now we have it so let’s have it more often’ fore Saturday had played just 14 spite an eight-point lead over minutes of Premier League foot- second-placed Leicester, Klopp AFP ball this season. is not getting carried away. London But the 24-year-old, whose “I don’t know if it’s so special Anfi eld career has been disrupt- because we don’t think about it,” ed by injuries, gave a reminder of he said of the unbeaten run. iverpool travel to Salz- his ability with a goal and an as- “We get confronted with our burg today needing to sist on his fi rst top-fl ight start of winning streak always after the avoid defeat to the con- the campaign in Saturday’s 3-0 game, that’s the only moment. fi dent Austrian cham- win at Bournemouth. From that moment on, nobody Lpions to guard against an em- Klopp, who has reassured thinks about it.” barrassing Champions League Keita about his lack of fi rst-team Klopp believes resting and group stage exit for the holders. opportunities, admits the re- rotating his players will be key Jurgen Klopp’s men are used lentless form of his league lead- to successfully negotiating a to getting through to the knock- ers and a series of tight matches hectic December schedule, dur- out stages the hard way. In each have made it diffi cult to give him ing which they are competing in of the past two seasons they minutes. “Naby had injuries, multiple competitions. have needed home wins to se- the team is in really good shape, “It was wonderful - maybe the cure a place in the last 16 before so then do you change?,” said best thing of the (Bournemouth) going on to make the fi nal. Klopp. “We are not fl ying, it’s game - we didn’t have to use However, the spectre of a not like we won all of the games Sadio Mane,” said the German free-scoring Salzburg, led by 4-0, or 5-0, so we had to bring boss, whose team must avoid the Champions League’s top on a player who helps us with defeat against Salzburg today to scorer in Erlin Braut Haaland defending set-pieces. guarantee reaching the Champi- spells trouble for an injury- “Then Naby is sitting outside ons League knockout stages.” hit Liverpool backline that has consistently leaked goals this season despite streaking clear at the top of the Premier League. The Reds’ recorded a fi rst clean sheet in 14 games in Sat- urday’s 3-0 win at Bourne- mouth, but lost another centre- back as Dejan Lovren limped off in the fi rst half. Should the Croatian miss the trip to Aus- tria, Joe Gomez will be Klopp’s only fi t partner for Virgil van Dijk in central defence. Van Dijk narrowly missed out to Lionel Missi in the battle for the Ballon d’Or last week in rec- ognition of the transformative eff ect he has had on Liverpool’s fortunes over the past two years. But even the towering Dutch- man has been incapable of stop- ping the steady fl ow of goals Liverpool’s Guinean midfielder Naby Keita attends a training session against in recent months. at Melwood in Liverpool yesterday. (AFP) Injuries have meant there has been a constant rotation of Lovren, Gomez and Joel Matip England to host Italy in Euro 2020 warm-up alongside Van Dijk, while the attacking impetus off ered by England will step up their in support of the FA’s charitable full-backs Andy Robertson and preparations for the Euro 2020 partnership with Prince Wil- Trent Alexander-Arnold leaves finals with a friendly against liam’s Heads Together mental space in behind to be exploited. Liverpool’s German manager Jurgen Klopp attends a training session at Melwood in Liverpool yesterday. (AFP) Italy at Wembley in March, health initiative. Goalkeeper Alisson Becker the Football Association an- England will face Croatia and also missed the fi rst two months sheet at the weekend. done as Liverpool know from come from Norwegian won- Salzburg need to win to make nounced yesterday. the Czech Republic in Group of the season due to a calf injury “It’s great, we should have their fi rst meeting with Jesse derkid Haaland in just 21 ap- the last 16 on their fi rst appear- Gareth Southgate’s men will D at Euro 2020 as well as the to further unsettle the backline. them more often. It was the Marsch’s men in October. pearances. The 19-year-old ance in the group stage in 25 face the four-time world winner of the play-off path fea- The Brazilian is now back, most-used word in the dressing The hosts seemed to be cruis- started on the bench when the years. champions on Friday, March 27 turing Scotland, Israel, Norway but another injury to Fabinho room by the boys - ‘clean sheet, ing to another Anfi eld win in sides met at Anfi eld due to in- A point would be enough for before a match four days later and Serbia. All three fixtures will has robbed the back four of the clean sheet, clean sheet’. the Champions League as they jury, but came on to inspire the Liverpool to progress, but they against Denmark, also at Wem- be played at Wembley. best player to protect them in “Obviously everybody was raced into a 3-0 lead, but Salz- visitors’ revival in the second need to win to secure top spot in bley. England will then travel to Italy, European champions the holding midfi eld role. desperate for that, now we have burg hit back to level at 3-3 half and scored one of his eight Group E ahead of Napoli. play Austria in Vienna on June in 1968, have been placed in it so let’s have it more often. before Mohamed Salah’s win- Champions League goals. Given Liverpool’s paucity 2 before hosting Romania on Group A at next year’s finals TOPSY-TURVY FIRST “The next game where a clean ner ensured Liverpool edged a “He’s not the only threat of clean sheets and Salzburg’s June 7 at a venue in England and will play all three of their MEETING sheet would be useful is already seven-goal thriller. from Salzburg but he’s a proper thirst for goals, attack would that has yet to be confirmed. pool games, against Turkey, “I forgot how it feels, to be hon- around the corner, against Salz- Salzburg have scored 87 goals one,” said Klopp of the danger appear to be the best form The Italy game is designated as Switzerland and Wales, in est,” said Klopp on fi nally end- burg on Tuesday.” in 24 games in all competitions posed by Haaland ahead of the of defence for the European “The Heads Up International” Rome. ing the long wait for a clean That is easier said than this season, 28 of which have sides’ fi rst clash. champions.

SPOTLIGHT Messi out but Conte expects Inter to suff er AFP in the world with a very strong Milan squad of 20 to 22 players,” said Conte. “Barcelona remain one of the arcelona star Lionel four or fi ve teams that every year Messi will not make the sets out to win the competition. trip to the San Siro for “For their part, they are calm today’s fi nal Champions in fi rst place and will play with- LeagueB group game, but Inter out pressure and can create Milan coach Antonio Conte still problems. We have to give every- expects a tough test as his side thing knowing that it might not bids to reach the last 16. be enough.” Barcelona are already through Barcelona beat Inter 2-1 at to the knockout rounds after six- Camp Nou last time out, but time Ballon d’Or winner Messi Conte believes his team have scored in a convincing 3-1 vic- grown since then as they sit top of tory over Borussia Dortmund Serie A. “In Barcelona we played last time out. The Argentine a very good game with great has been left out of the 20-man courage and personality, but the squad along with midfi elder Ser- defeat came thanks to their great gi Roberto. Coach Ernesto Val- players. It’s been a while, we’ve verde’s side will also be without grown in some respects. injured the Ousmane Dembele, “If we think we won’t suff er Jordi Alba, Nelson Semedo and when Barca are in possession, Gerard Pique. we would be fools. When we get The Spaniards are assured of the possession, we will try to put fi nishing top of Group F as they them in diffi culty.” have 11 points from fi ve games. The former Chelsea and Ju- Inter are second, level on seven ventus coach hopes a capac- points with Borussia Dortmund ity San Siro crowd can pull the who host Slavia Prague, but the three-time former European Italians will qualify if the two champions through. clubs fi nish on the same number “Our stadium can give us a lot of points due to their superior of positive energy and I am sure head-to-head goal diff erence. it will. We all want to get to the “We’re talking about Barce- last 16, it would be a prestigious lona, one of the strongest teams goal.” Inter Milan’s Italian head coach Antonio Conte (centre) supervises a training session in Appiano Gentile yesterday. (AFP)

Tuesday, December 10, 2019 GULF TIMES SPORT

FIFA CLUB WORLD CUP Fan Entertainment Areas to off er family-friendly activities Entertainment areas will be located at both tournament venues: Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium and Khalifa International Stadium

here will be activities for the Doha Metro, making it easy for fans to activities for all visitors, we hope the both visiting and local fans.” Seven A full overview is available here. The whole family at the Fan En- get to and from the venues. Jassim Bin entertainment gives people a taste of teams will compete in this year’s FIFA full match schedule is available here. tertainment Areas being or- Hamad Stadium is served by Al Sudan Qatar’s inclusive and diverse culture, Club World Cup: Al Hilal SFC, Al Sadd sc.qa ganised especially for the FIFA station (Gold Line), while Khalifa In- along with a glimpse of the remark- SC, CR Flamengo, ES Tunis, Hienghène TClub World Cup Qatar 2019. ternational Stadium is served by Sport able FIFA World Cup that we will host Sport, Liverpool FC and CF Monterrey. Fan Entertainment Area The entertainment areas will be lo- City station (Gold Line). Match ticket in 2022.” The Last-Minute Sales Phase for tick- opening times: cated at both tournament venues: Jas- holders will benefi t from free travel on Jean-François Pathy, FIFA’s Director ets continues via FIFA.com/tickets. Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium sim Bin Hamad Stadium and Khalifa Doha Metro on match days. of Marketing Services, added: “We’re Tickets are aff ordably priced in Wednesday, December 11, 5.30pm International Stadium. They will open Nasser al-Khater, CEO of the FIFA delighted to have energetic and wel- three categories, ranging from QAR 25 Saturday, December 14, 2pm three hours before kick-off on each Club World Cup Qatar 2019 Local coming places for fans to celebrate at for Category 3 tickets to the fi rst three match day and feature food and bever- Organising Committee, said: “We’re We are sure they will prove popular during this year’s FIFA Club World match days, up to QAR 400 for Cat- Khalifa International Stadium age stalls, entertainment and a host of excited to be hosting Fan Entertain- attractions for both local and inter- Cup. We are sure the rich entertain- egory 1 tickets for the double-header Tuesday, December 17, 2.30pm family-friendly activities. ment Areas at both tournament ven- national fans. ment programmes on off er will en- comprising the third-place play-off Wednesday, December 18, 5.30pm Both stadiums are accessible via the ues during the FIFA Club World Cup. “As well as providing a host of fun hance the tournament experience of and fi nal. Saturday, December 21, 2.30pm

SPOTLIGHT FOCUS Our strength lies in our Mexico’s Monterrey team spirit, says Khenissi arrive in Doha tournament opener: a testing ‘derby’ against Asian champions Al Hilal. “They’re a world-class club, not just the best side in Asia,” said Khenissi. “With play- ers like [Sebastian] Giovinco, [Bafetembi] Gomis and [Andre] Carrillo, they’re a powerful side. But ES Tunis’ strength lies in our team spirit. No-one can stop us when we’re at our best, and when the match comes around it’s the team that remains focused to the end that will win.” Arab sides have distinguished themselves at recent Club World Cups. Morocco’s Raja Casablan- ca reached the 2013 fi nal before losing to Bayern Munich, while UAE’s Al Jazira made it to the 2017 semi-fi nals before going out to Real Madrid. Then in last year’s competition Al Ain, another UAE outfi t, stunned River Plate in the semi-fi nals only to lose to Real Madrid in the fi nal. Taha Yassine Khenissi (left) taking part in his third FIFA Club World Cup. As far as Khenissi is con- cerned, such good results can aha Yassine Khenissi was Reaching Qatar 2019 was no defeats, Khenissi said: “We only be achieved by looking Mexican club Monterrey players arrived in Doha yesterday. only 19 when he experi- easy task for Khenissi and his thought more about the semi- no further ahead than the fi rst enced his maiden FIFA teammates. As the defending fi nal than the fi rst game, which game: “Arab teams have done exican side CF stadium, with the prize a semi- proud. We’re happy to be in Club World Cup from champions, ES Tunis were the was a mistake. This time we’ll really well lately, starting with Monterrey arrived fi nal showdown with UEFA Qatar and look forward to ex- Tthe sub’s bench at Japan 2011. club everyone wanted to beat in be concentrating on our fi rst Raja, then Al Jazira, and fi nally in Doha yester- Champions League winners ploring some of what Doha Although he did not play against last season’s CAF Champions game against Al Hilal, which Al Ain. But as I said, we don’t day ahead of the Liverpool. has to off er,” said Monterrey’s Qatar’s Al Sadd and Mexico’s League. “It was a diffi cult jour- will be extremely diffi cult. Our want to get ahead of ourselves MFIFA Club World Cup 2019 Monterrey booked their spot Argentinian coach Antonio Monterrey, he learned a lot from ney, especially when it came to fi rst mission this time around is and repeat the mistakes of 2011 presented by Alibaba Cloud. in Doha by beating arch-rivals Mohamed. that tournament, so much so playing a second fi nal in less than to beat Al Hilal and only then we and 2018. Our main focus will be Nicknamed Los Rayados (the Tigres UANL in the CON- “Monterrey are a team with that when Esperance Sportive de six months,” he said. “We had a can start thinking about the fol- on the fi rst game against Al Hilal. Striped Ones), Monterrey CACAF Champions League a proud history and we feel Tunis returned to the competi- lot of tough games, like the match lowing matches.” Then we’ll see.” qualifi ed for the tournament fi nal back in May. This is privileged to host them in Qa- tion as CAF Champions League against Algeria’s CS Constan- He added: “We want things to The forward, who is also a after winning the CONCACAF Monterrey’s fourth appearance tar. We all can’t wait to see the winners at UAE 2018, Khenissi tine and the fi nal against Wydad be diff erent this time around. We Tunisia international, hopes Champions League. in the FIFA Club World Cup, team play, and I hope the trav- was a key player in the side. Casablanca of Morocco. But we went into the Al Ain game last their tournament will end with The FIFA Club World Cup having appeared in 2011, 2012 elling fans and players enjoy One year on, he is gearing up proved to be the best in Africa for year as favourites, but we lost a fi nal against Liverpool. “We’re kicks off tomorrow, when Xavi and 2013 after three consecu- the country and get a taste of for another return to the global the second year in a row.” because of a lack of experience. dreaming of playing them,” he Hernandez’s side Al Sadd, the tive CONCACAF Champions the World Cup atmosphere we stage. “It’s an honour for every This time we want to put those explained. “We’re used to play- host nation representatives, League titles. Monterrey came will off er in 2022,” added the player to play in a competition The first-hurdle complex mistakes right, prepare in the ing for titles. Taking part in this face New Caledonia’s Hieng- third in 2012, the team’s best CEO of the FIFA Club World like the FIFA Club World Cup,” The Tunisian club failed to win best way possible, and focus on tournament is a dream in itself hène Sport, winners of the OFC eff ort so far. Cup Qatar 2019 Local Or- he told FIFA.com in an exclusive their opening games in both of every single game.” and we want to go as far as pos- Champions League. The match “We are proud to be back ganising Committee, Nasser interview. “Being with a major their two previous FIFA Club sible. But as I said, we must not will take place at Jassim Bin at the tournament and fac- al-Khater. club like ES Tunis has given me World Cup appearances, los- STRONG OPPONENTS look too far ahead. All our focus Hamad Stadium. ing the world’s best. On our The FIFA Club World Cup the opportunity to take part in ing to Al Sadd at Japan 2011 and Their third FIFA Club World Cup must be on the fi rst game against The winners of the opening day, we can beat any of the 2019 presented by Alibaba this important world tourna- to Al Ain of United Arab Emir- appearance, ES Tunis will again Al Hilal. Then we can take it from match will then face Monter- teams competing and will do Cloud will take place from 11- ment three times.” ates in 2018. Refl ecting on those face Arab opposition in their there.” FIFA.com rey on December 15 at the same all we can to make our fans 21 December. FIFA.com