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Thursday, December 17, 2015 FOOTBALL Rabia I 6, 1437 AH Alonso thunderbolt GULF TIMES puts Bayern into last 8 of German Cup SPORT Page 4

SPOTLIGHT FIFA ethics body nears verdict but Platini will miss hearing

Michel Platini

Prologue winner Jacob Tipper (in yellow) celebrates with second-placed Hamid Beikhormizi of Pisghaman Giant Team and third-paced Jeron Koss Kers (4.09s) of Wilton Cycling Team. Qatar Cycling Federation President Sheikh Klahid bin Ali al-Thani (second from left) and other off icials are also seen in the picture. At bottom, Tipper with Sheikh Khalid bin Ali al- Thani.

CYCLING/ TOUR OF ZUBARAH

DPA term that he would hand back his Berlin mandate at an extraordinary FIFA congress set for February 26. Platini, the UEFA boss since 2007, Briton Tipper oseph Blatter and Michel intends to run for his succession and Platini face what could be the has handed in the necessary docu- last chance to save their foot- ments but owing to the suspension ball careers, in hearings at the mandatory integrity check is yet FIFA’sJ ethics committee adjudica- to be carried out. tory chamber today and tomorrow Blatter, 79, wants to end his role which only Blatter is set to attend. as a top man in world football after The ethics body chaired by Ger- more than three decades on his own surprises himself man judge Hans-Joachim Eckert terms by chairing the congress. The will determine the fate of the FIFA 60-year-old former France captain president Blatter and UEFA boss Platini meanwhile would cap his ca- Platini in connection with a “dis- reer as an with the FIFA top loyal payment” of 2 million dollars job. Platini received in 2011 for work Blatter was Platini’s mentor in the done for FIFA between 1998 and past but the two have since fallen 2002. out, with Platini urging Blatter in with prologue win The investigatory chamber of the vain not to seek another term at the ethics committee submitted its re- May congress. ports including “requests for sanc- Both concede that no written tions” to Eckert’s body in late No- agreement was made about the pay- ‘It is my first outing in Qatar and I was hoping to finish the tour among the top-10’ vember. ment but that they had struck a ver- Eckert is expected to publish a bal agreement. verdict on Monday (December 21), An internal UEFA document from with Blatter and Platini reportedly 1998 allegedly mentions possible By Yash Mudgal PROLOGUE TOP-10 facing lengthy bans, if not life bans. work done for FIFA by Platini and a Doha Remarks from investigatory position of sports director but it re- chamber spokesman Andreas Ban- mains unclear why Platini received 1. Jacob Tipper (TGR Team Giant–RBS) 0:04:18 tel prompted Platini not to appear the money nine years later. acob Tipper admitted he surprised himself by 2. Hamid Beikkhormizi (PKY Pisghaman Giant himself before the committee be- Former UEFA president Lennart winning the prologue in the third edition of the Team) 0:04:26, +8 cause Bantel had shown “a disregard Johansson told yesterday’s edition Tour of Zubarah at Aspire Zone yesterday. 3. Koos Jeroen Kers (WIL Wilton Cycling Team) for the presumption of innocence” of Swedish paper Dagens Nyheter Team Giant RBS rider Tipper, who entered 0:04:26, +8 when he was quoted as saying in Johansson he has been asked to tes- theJ tour with his eyes on a top 10-fi nish rather than an what he later named an unauthor- tify in the probe but has “no recol- 4. Andrea Palini (SKD Skydive Dubai) 0:04:28, +10 outright victory, clocked 4:18.3s after starting third last 5. Charlie Tanfield (ACH Achieve Northside Skin- ised interview that Blatter and lection” this was discussed in 1998. in a 3.3km to beat Iran’s Hamid nergate) 0:04:29, +11 Platini can expect long bans. “I approached all who were Beikhormizi (4:08s) of Pisghaman Giant Team. 6. Abderrahmane Mansouri (SHA Sharjah Team) A statement from his lawyers yes- present. Blatter was in Stockholm The Netherlands Jeron Koss Kers (4.09s) of Wilton 0:04:30, +12 terday also spoke of Platini’s “out- but did not attend the UEFA execu- Cycling Team came third. 7. Eugen KCP (Wacker, Kuwait Cycling Project) rage at a procedure he considers tive meeting. There was no mention 0:04:30, +12 only political to prevent him from that he (Platini) would get a position ‘We have a fairly new team and competing 8. Naser Rezavi (PKY Pisghaman Giant Team) running for the FIFA presidency.” as a sports director with FIFA.” with some of the very good teams here, but 0:04:31, +13 The adjudicatory chamber mean- The payment in 2011 came in the now I having a yellow jersey in the team puts 9. Mahdi Rajabikaboodcheshmeh (PKY Pisghaman while insisted that Platini would get same year of the FIFA presidential us in a good situation to defend it within the Giant Team) 0:04:32, +14 a fair trial even if he is only repre- elections in which Platini’s UEFA team for the coming days’ 10. Meher Hasnaoui (SKD Skydive Dubai) sented by his legal team tomorrow. backed Blatter against Mohammed 0:04:34,+16 Blatter, for his part, compared the bin Hammam who withdrew a few “It was defi nitely a pleasant surprise because it wasn’t probe to “the inqusition” in a letter days before the election and has something that I was expecting. But I knew it was a good he sent to all 209 FIFA member fed- since been banned for life. course for me -– it’s the kind of course that suits me and erations but is expected to appear Both men failed before the FIFA it’s of course great to win,” the 24-year-old British rider much windy today and I guess it will remain same for before the judges today. appeals committee to have the sus- said after the podium ceremony. couple of days to come,” he said. “I fi nished overall second in the Jelajah Malaysia tour Blatter and Platini were suspend- pension lifted, and Platini was also “It is my fi rst outing in Qatar and I was hoping to fi n- Talking about his team, he said: “We have a fairly new last week and hoping to for a podium fi nish here also,” ed by the ethics committee on Octo- turned down at the Court of Arbi- ish the tour among the top-10 as I knew the fi eld will be team and competing with some of the very good teams the 26-year-old rider riding for the fi rst time in Qatar, ber 8, after the Swiss Attorney Gen- tration for Sport (CAS) which how- very tough here. But with the yellow jersey on my back, here, but now I having a yellow jersey in the team puts said. eral two weeks earlier announced ever ordered FIFA not to extend the now I am confi dent of some good results in the coming us in a good situation to defend it within the team for the Sharjah Team’s Qatari rider Ahmed Bassam al- the opening of criminal proceedings suspension beyond the 90 days and stages. In fact whatever we will get in the coming days coming days.” Bourdainy, the winner of the third stage of the Qatar leg against Blatter. Platini was named January 5. will be a bonus for us,” he said after winning the tour’s One of the event’s favourites, Italian rider of Skydive of the 14th GCC Men’s Cycling Championship last Sat- “a person asked to provide informa- The CAS could become involved fi rst leader’s jersey. Dubai team Andrea Palin, clocked 4:10s to fi nish fourth. urday, came 22nd with a timing of 4:23s. Qatar National’ tion” by the authorities. again if Blatter and/or Platini are Tipper’s fi nished overall sixth in the Sharjah Interna- “I was hoping for a better result today. I have some Team’s Moosa Said fi nished 29th. Blatter has presided over FIFA banned by the ethics committee, tional Cycling Tour last month, his best result recently. problem at the start with my shoes, but overall it was a The fi rst stage of the tour will be held today — a since 1998 and said four days after meaning the case could continue “The conditions were really tough here. It was too good outing for me,” he said. 129.9km ride from Al Thakira to Madinat al-Shamal. his May 29 re-election for a fifth into 2016. Gulf Times 2 Thursday, December 17, 2015 FOOTBALL

CLUB WORLD CUP FOCUS Pele, Zico, lead calls River Plate scrape into for Brazil federation fi nal with nervy win chief to Goalkeeper Barovero was real hero as he kept the Argentine side in the game with a flurry of saves resign

Reuters AFP Osaka Sao Paulo

outh American champions River razil legends Pele and Plate overcame their anxiety to Zico have signed an reach the Club World Cup fi - open letter calling for nal with a jittery 1-0 win over change in the Brazilian SanfrecceS Hiroshima yesterday, keep- BFootball Confederation (CBF), ing alive the dream of a meeting with starting with the departure of its Barcelona. River did not really look like president who is facing corrup- scoring until Hiroshima goalkeeper tion charges in the United States. Takuto Hayashi failed to clear Leonardo “We demand the defi nitive Ponzio’s free kick and Alario headed resignation of (CBF president) home the loose ball in the 72nd minute. Marco Polo Del Nero and his But goalkeeper was directors, followed by free and the real hero as he kept the Argentine democratic elections,” read a side in the game with a fl urry of fi rst- statement following an initia- half saves. tive by Bom Senso FC (‘Common River, backed by 15,000 fans who Sense FC’), a collective of cur- made the marathon trip in the hope rent and former players led by of seeing their side meet Barcelona in 1994 World Cup winner Rai. the fi nal, must now rely on the Euro- Among the 130 signatories pean champions to avoid a shock defeat of the letter were the recently- against Asian counterparts Guangzhou retired goalkeeper Rogerio Ceni, Evergrande today. Hiroshima, who the coach and the promi- qualifi ed for the tournament thanks to a nent singer-songwriter Chico rule which awards a place to the cham- Buarque. The letter also called pions of the host nation, had knocked for the elections to be held out Auckland City from Oceania and “without the current electoral African champions TP Mazembe in a threshold, a mechanism which surprise run to the last four. prevents the emergence of inde- Although the Club World Cup is giv- pendent positions in the system en scant regard in Europe, teams from because it demands candidates South America regard it as the pinnacle obtain eight signatures from of club football. They often struggle to federations and fi ve from clubs.” beat supposedly lesser opponents in the Del Nero, 74, asked to be semi-fi nal when the prize of meeting a placed on leave at the beginning top European side is tantalisingly close. of this month “in order to dedi- River, whose supporters outnum- cate himself to preparing his de- bered the home fans by at least four to fence” in the US case and a sepa- one, had plenty of early possession but rate FIFA ethics inquiry. struggled to create openings and looked The US corruption investiga- very vulnerable to Hiroshima’s quick tion has targeted Del Nero as well counter attacks led by Brazilian striker as his predecessors at the head of Douglas. The Argentines completely the CBF, Jose Maria Marin (2012 lost their shape midway through the to 2015) and Ricardo Teixeira fi rst half but Baravero, one of several (1989 to 2012). journeymen professionals in their team, River Plate forward (centre) scores against during their Club World Cup semi-final in Osaka yesterday. (AFP) The letter also called for the came to the rescue. Brazilian authorities to open The 31-year-old, who has never shot over from close range. the Libertadores Cup in August. enjoy the moment.” not lose our calm and not get desper- their own investigation into the played for , did well to block The Argentines did not really look like Yet they always knew that they would The European and South American ate,” said Gallardo. corruption allegations. Yusuke Minagawa’s shot after the Hiro- scoring until Alario popped up with the fi rst have to negotiate a semi-fi nal champions enter the fray in the semi- “This sort of responsibility doesn’t The CBF was due to meet to shima forward got clear of the River de- winner late in the second half, sending against supposedly lesser opponents. fi nals of the competition when they are allow you to be uninhibited, especially appoint a vice-president in place fence. Minagawa, always a threat, failed the huge River contingent in the stadi- “We just had to get to the fi nal, there seeded not to meet each other. against a very well organised team who of Marin—who was arrested by to connect with a Douglas pass from an- um wild with delight.River Plate coach was no other way,” he said after his No European team has failed to reach hadn’t lost for a long time. It was a very, Swiss police in Zurich along with other counter attack and then saw an ef- Marcelo Gallardo said they had lifted side’s scrappy, nerve-ridden 1-0 win the fi nal since the tournament began in very dangerous game for us.” six other FIFA offi cials on May fort brilliantly turned away by Barovero a huge burden from their shoulders by over a team who qualifi ed as champions its current form since 2005. “This is a moment of satisfaction 27 and has since been extradited after getting free of two defenders. In beating Sanfrecce Hiroshima and se- of the host nation. But South American teams have al- to have reached the fi nal,” added Gal- to the United States—and Del between, Barovero also tipped over Yu- cure a potential dream meeting with “All these people came with this ways found the semi-fi nal to be a slog lardo, who has won both the Liber- Nero should he not return to his suke Chajima’s eff ort after he cut inside Barcelona. The Argentines and South dream and we had to carry this respon- and two have lost their last four en- tadores and , the position. “We believe in his in- a defender to make space for the shot. American champions have been tanta- sibility, and this put us under enormous counters—Internacional in 2010 and region’s equivalent of Europe’s second nocence and will continue to do River had their fi rst real chance just af- lisingly close to a showdown with Eu- pressure. It is a liberation to get to the their fellow Brazilians Atletico Mineiro tier Europa League, in only 18 months so,” said CBF general secretary ter halftime but skied his rope’s top side Barcelona since winning fi nal that we wanted and now we can in 2013. “We just had to be intelligent, in charge. Walter Feldman.

ROUND-UP BARCA’S PIQUE UNREPENTANT Barcelona’s Montoya free to go, OVER TWITTER ROW Osaka: Barcelona defender Gerard Pique yes- and I honestly admire him for that.” terday refused to apologise for igniting a Twitter Turning to today’s game, Pique insisted that says Inter Milan coach Mancini row with Real Madrid rivals Alvaro Arbeloa Barcelona—who lifted the trophy in 2009 and and Sergio Ramos. No stranger to public spats 2011 -- would be all business as they chase a AFP with Real players, Pique incurred the wrath of record third Club World Cup title. “We can’t Milan his Spain teammates by calling Arbeloa “an ac- use jet lag as an excuse, although it does have quaintance,” making clear reference to the term a strong impact,” said the former Manchester Martin “cono”—referencing a traff ic cone—an apparent United centre-back. “We still notice it and we n-loan Barcelona defender Martin Montoya dig at the full-back’s mobility. have to bear that in mind for the game tomor- Montoya is free to leave Inter Milan Despite flying 10,700 kilometres (6,600 miles) row.” but the Nerazzurri won’t be mak- to contest the Club World Cup in Japan, Pique He said the competition gave his team a ing any new signings in January, was immediately quizzed about the spat by good chance to continue winning titles. “We coachO Roberto Mancini said. Spanish journalists on the eve of Barca’s semi- are Barcelona so we must win,” he added. “We Montoya admitted his reluctance at join- final against China’s Guangzhou Evergrande. are playing against a diff erent kind of team, in a ing Inter on a two-year loan deal in July, “That’s not a question about sport,” he said diff erent environment from usual. Guangzhou when he said he was “sad to be leaving” the with a sheepish grin. are Asian champions and we know they are a Spanish giants after it became clear his fi rst- “Look, I said (Arbeloa) wasn’t a friend. Make of dynamic team and it’s a great challenge.” team opportunities would be limited. And six it what you want. I don’t have anything to add.” Barcelona coach Luis Enrique refused to rule months on, the Barca right-back is stuck in A war of words erupted after Pique recently Brazilian forward out of playing in Sunday’s final an impasse. The 24-year-old had hoped to posted a tweet appearing to mock Real’s recent in Yokohama if he recovers from a groin strain in relaunch his career but has made only two expulsion from the Copa del Rey for fielding an time. “ continues with his recovery proc- appearances for the Nerazzurri so far. ineligible player, prompting Arbeloa to accuse ess,” he said. “Just because you don’t see him Having made his only other appearance him of being obsessed with Real. training, doesn’t mean he is not training. I am not in a pre-season defeat to Sassuolo, Montoya When Pique responded in kind, Ramos waded one in favour of taking risks with injured players. played on Tuesday as Inter secured their in by calling on him to show respect, but Pique We will see, but not before getting to the final. place in the Italian Cup quarter-fi nals with a ing a match last weekend in protest against on FC Goa, managed by Brazilian legend Zico, opted not to inflame the situation ahead of First we have to win the semi-final.” 3-0 win over Cagliari at the San Siro. the refereeing, the Bulgarian Football Union in the fi nal of the second edition of the Indian today’s Yokohama clash. “There has been a lot Enrique insisted the Catalan giants would not Asked about the player’s future at the (BFU) said. Ten-man Litex were leading Lev- Super League, despite losing yesterday. of fuss about my tweets but feel free to interpret underestimate Evergrande, who stunned Mexi- club, Mancini said: “I don’t know if Montoya ski Sofi a 1-0 at the end of the fi rst half of their The World Cup winner’s side went down how you want,” he said. can side Club America 2-1 in the quarter-finals will leave in January. He’s played and shown game in the championship’s 20th round, 2-1 away to defending champions Atletico de “The role of Sergio Ramos is normal for a cap- last weekend, pointing to Brazilians Paulinho he can do the job. Things can change very when referee Georgy Yordanov sent off a sec- Kolkata in the second leg of their semi-fi nal tain. He is the Real Madrid captain and a great and Robinho as potential threats. “We won’t be quickly in football. He’s a good footballer and ond Litex player and gave Levski a . but progressed to Sunday’s showdown 4-2 captain. He came out to defend his teammate overconfident,” he said. a good lad. It’s up to him if he wants to accept The decision prompted an angry response on aggregate. Chennaiyin took a 3-0 advan- this situation or look somewhere else where from Litex’s sporting manager Stoycho tage into yesterday’s game at the Salt Lake he might play more regularly.” Stoilov and president Trifon Popov, who or- Stadium but goals from Serbian Dejan Lekic Inter are top of Serie A with a four- dered the players to leave the pitch. and English striker Iain Hume gave Kolkata lead over Fiorentina and Napoli, while cham- Popov was handed a 15,000-leva (7,600- a glimmer of hope before a Fikru Teferra pions Juventus and Roma are six and seven euro, $8,300) fi ne and the club must also pay strike in stoppage time ended any chances of Barcelona’s Gerard Pique attends a news conference points adrift respectively. Juve’s four-year another 20,000 leva, but the players them- an upset. Goa were waiting to discover who ahead of his team’s Club World Cup semi-final on the league title is under threat this selves were not sanctioned. their opponents in the fi nal would be after match against China’s Guangzhou Evergrande in season, but Mancini has ruled out recuiting “This was the only possible decision in line dispatching Roberto Carlos’s Delhi Dynamos Yokohama, south of Tokyo. (Reuters) during the January transfer window. with the disciplinary rules,” the BFU’s disci- 3-0 on Tuesday, overturning a fi rst-leg defi - Inter host Lazio, who are 16 points off the plinary committee chair Yuriy Kuchev told cit. Goals from Spanish midfi elder Jofre, and pace in 12th, in their fi nal league game of the journalists. Before the expulsion, which Li- one each from Brazilians Rafael Coelho and year on Sunday. tex can appeal within a week, the four-times Dudu in the second leg swung the tie in fa- Bulgarian champions were fourth in the table vour of Zico’s men. BULGARIA’S LITEX EXPELLED with 33 points from 19 games. Chennaiyin and Goa will both be bidding AFTER REF PROTEST to be crowned ISL champions for the fi rst Bulgarian football side Litex Lovech were MATERAZZI’S CHENNAIYIN TO CLASH time when they clash on Sunday. Goa head expelled yesterday from the country’s top WITH ZICO’S GOA IN INDIAN FINAL into the fi nal as favourites by virtue of the league after players walked off the pitch dur- Marco Materazzi’s Chennaiyin FC will take fact they fi nished top of the standings. Gulf Times Thursday, December 17, 2015 3 FOOTBALL

SPOTLIGHT Mourinho fast becoming much ado about nothing Whether this saga ends in exit stage left remains to be seen but the Chelsea manager is hardly the leading player in a Shakespearean tragedy Chelsea board considers Mourinho future: reports

London: Jose Mourinho’s there has been no off icial com- future as Chelsea manager is in munication from the club on suspense over his failure to lift his position since then. the team out of their alarming Mourinho, whose side host slump, according to British Sunderland in the league on press reports yesterday. Saturday, was expected to take The Daily Mail said that the training as usual at the club’s Chelsea board was due to meet training ground in Cobham, 17 to discuss Mourinho’s position miles (27 kilometres) southwest yesterday, while the Daily of London, yesterday. Telegraph claimed the club’s Several newspapers, includ- hierarchy was drawing up a ing The Sun, reported that Chel- list of potential replacements. sea’s players were angered by Premier League champions last Mourinho’s claim that they had season, Chelsea are currently “betrayed” his work following just a point above the relega- Monday’s 2-1 defeat at league tion zone after losing nine of leaders Leicester City. their 16 matches to date. They But Cesc Fabregas have, however, reached the says that it is the players’ re- Champions League last 16. sponsibility to haul the club out Reports suggest it would of their current predicament. cost Chelsea owner Roman “We all have to take respon- Abramovich between £10 sibility,” Fabregas said in a million ($15 million, 13.7 million Facebook interview. “If you are euros) and £40 million to sack a big player and you are paid Mourinho for a second time, like a big player, you must play having previously dismissed like a big player and behave like the Portuguese in 2007. a big player. Mourinho signed a new “We can bounce back, 100 four-year contract in August. percent. There is enough time Chelsea gave him a public vote to achieve it, but we must start of confidence in October, but now. It is up to us.”

Jose Mourinho’s stabs at epic FOCUS emotion always seem to come dangerously close to shrieks that they’ve all got it infamy. (Reuters) Chelsea players must get themselves out of By Marina Hyde thing about proper tragic heroes such as tain comes down on the drama. Even now, ally comes a point where one can’t really The Guardian Oedipus or Darth Vader or Dick Dastardly the poets of punditry are drafting think- bear to watch any more and begins to feel is that you feel a sliver of sorrow for them pieces or soliloquies that suggest Mour- something for the person taking the kick- trouble: Fabregas in the hour of their demise. In Mourinho’s inho’s second spell at Stamford Bridge was ing. There are plenty of steadily loathed ’m not saying there’s a camply comic case, the tears fail to liquefy – not only in akin to a Shakespearean tragedy. politicians I ended up feeling rather sorry DPA player. I am not saying you can’t element to the poignant posturings the eyes he may have gouged but in eyes And yet it so wasn’t. The really remark- for when it went spectacularly tits up – London have a bad season and bad games. of José Mourinho. But the declaration everywhere. able thing about Mourinho’s demise is the and often for more than three seconds. We all have big players and small that he felt “betrayed” after Monday’s Consider his capacity for self-refl ec- smallness of the man it has revealed. For a Yet the longer this goes on, the more my players but the attitude must be Iloss to Leicester recalled precisely for me tion. According to DCI Mourinho, the character who briefl y appeared to have all failure to feel the same as far as Mourinho helsea midfi elder Cesc spot on. “We must always be at the moment Nathan Lane’s drag queen in main lead he’s working on to solve the case the best lines, he now lacks even a time- goes makes me wonder: am I becoming a Fabregas has said it is the top of our games, even when The Birdcage is being given a crash course of why he’s having such a shitter is this: share on one of them. complete psychopath or is he really just up to the club’s players it’s not, and the behaviour has to in acting straight. “How do you feel about he’s TOO good. “Last season I did phe- Mourinho may have certain recognisa- an irredeemable prick? Will the pleasure to get themselves away be better than what we are see- that call today?” he is asked by way of a nomenal work,” he explained on Monday ble tragic-hero character traits but in each ever become a guilty one or will it remain Cfrom the relegation zone after a ing right now from every single role play. “I mean the Dolphins! Fourth- night. “Sometimes I fi nd myself think- of these cases he lacks the complemen- merely … pleasurable? shocking fi rst half of the season Chelsea player.” and-three play on their 30-yard line with ing that last season I did such an amaz- tary feature that gives the big-hitter epic One for my second-string analyst, per- for the Premier League cham- Chelsea have lost nine of their only 34 seconds to go!” ing job I brought players to a level that is complexity. Mourinho has the paranoia of haps. In the meantime, having cast him pions. Manager Jose Mourinho 16 league matches this season “How do you THINK I feel?” declaims not their level and, if this is true, I brought Othello without the cultural isolation, the from the tragic fi rmament, the spirit of criticized his players in public and the Spaniard said their repu- Albert, hand to his bosom. “Betrayed, be- them to such a level where this season they arrogance of Macbeth without the guilt, the season demands we fi nd another genre after their 2-1 defeat at Leicester tation as champions counts for wildered … ” A fretfully refl ective pause. couldn’t keep the super motivation to be the self-absorption of Hamlet without the to provide a berth for Mourinho’s story. left them 16th, one point above nothing now. “Confi dence is im- “Wrong response?” leaders and champions.” gift for self-satire, the madness of King Could it not be a Christmas movie? At this the bottom three. Mourinho said portant until a certain point. At And so with Mourinho, whose stabs at When the biographers come to anato- Lear without the nascent humility. Or if time of year, I think we should all be look- he was not sure some of his play- the end of the day, as a player you epic emotion always seem to come dan- mise this second chapter at Chelsea, I you want to go seriously highbrow about ing at the tale through the eyes of Frank ers wanted to succeed as much as have pride,” he said. “We can- gerously close to shrieks that they’ve all hope at least one of them considers enti- it, he’s basically a 52-year-old Anakin Capra. he did and said he felt betrayed not win the Premier League right got it infamy. They say comedy is tragedy tling it something along the lines of: “Just Skywalker in the Phantom Menace. And My own hope is that as Mourinho hov- by their performances. now but we must do better. I plus time but in Mourinho’s case the tem- Don’t Call It Shakespearean.” God knows nobody wants to see that. ers on the brink over Christmas, a kindly “We will all have to take our don’t think about anything apart poral passage is surplus to requirements. That is likely to be very wishful think- At the same time, I fi nd myself begin- guardian angel from the managerial af- responsibility,” Fabregas said in from wanting to beat Sunderland He is the managerial equivalent of the ing, however. ning to question my ability to keep see- terlife – played by Alex Ferguson – is dis- a question and answer session (on Saturday), play my best and death of Little Nell, at which, I need hardly The one thing of which you can be al- ing it. Normally, I end up looking away. patched to show him how things would on Facebook late Tuesday. “If that’s it. Right now no one is easy remind you, Oscar Wilde observed that most sure is that someone – perhaps many No matter how unappealing the central look without his infl uence down the years. you are a big player, and paid like (for us). We’ve put ourselves in one would have to have a heart of stone people – are already gearing up to posit character in these rather ghastly falls from It’s been a wonderful Premier League life, a big player, you must play like a this position and we must now not to dissolve into tears of laughter. The that cliched old theory as soon as the cur- whatever constituted grace, there usu- all told – and very far from a tragic one. big player and behave like a big prove that we can start winning.”

Prosecutors seek Swiss help FIFA in German WC tax case Zurich: German prosecu- of suspicious financial activ- Duo pleads not guilty in corruption scandal tors have asked Switzerland, ity linked to FIFA’s awarding home country of football of the 2018 and 2022 World AFP John Pappalardo told the court. world governing body FIFA, Cups to Russia and Qatar - New York In the same Brooklyn court, Callejas— to help look into a suspicious among a raft of corruption who was head of the Honduras football payment linked to Germany’s allegations engulfing the federation until August this year—similar- hosting of the 2006 World sport. wo prominent Latin American ly denied his guilt. He faces eight charges Cup, including by sifting Former DFB President football offi cials pleaded not guilty and was remanded in custody. through bank data. Wolfgang Niersbach, his Tuesday in a New York court over The 72-year-old Callejas, a current The Frankfurt state predecessor Theo Zwan- their alleged roles in the corrup- member of FIFA’s Television and Market- Ttion scandal engulfi ng the game’s graft- ing Committee, is accused of receiving $1.6 prosecutor has sought legal ziger and the association’s assistance over a 6.7 million former general secretary, mired world governing body FIFA. million in bribes between March 2011 and euro ($7.3 million) transfer Horst Schmidt—who all held Rafael Callejas, who was president of January 2013 for broadcast rights of games from Germany’s DFB football senior positions on the 2006 Honduras from 1990 to 1994, and Juan played by the Honduran national team. association to football’s organising committee—are Angel Napout, a FIFA vice president and Callejas, who appeared in court wearing world governing body, both suspected of tax evasion former president of the South American a checkered shirt and jeans, left Honduras authorities said yesterday. over the German payment, football confederation CONMEBOL, are on Monday on a private jet to face justice In November, police and prosecutors have said. among a slew of current or former football in the United States. US prosecutors have tax investigators raided DFB The DFB and Niersbach, offi cials charged with wrongdoing. vowed to leave no stone unturned in their headquarters and searched plus then-organising chief A total of 39 people and two compa- quest to root out graft at FIFA. the homes of off icials to Franz Beckenbauer, rejected nies have been charged by US authori- Federal Bureau of Investigation direc- investigate suspected tax the votes-for-cash accusa- ties in connection with the multimillion- tor James Comey has said that those in- evasion linked to the award- tions, whereas Zwanziger dollar corruption scandal that erupted at dicted had run corrupt schemes spanning ing of the tournament. has said the slush fund FIFA earlier this year when Swiss offi cials decades. FIFA’s long-serving president At the heart of the investi- allegations were true and swooped on a luxury hotel in Zurich. Sepp Blatter has also been suspended in gation is the 2005 payment that Niersbach clearly knew About a dozen have pleaded guilty over the swirling scandal—much of the alleged from the DFB that Der about the fund, without graft that dates back decades and has Juan Angel Napout (centre), a FIFA vice president and former president of the South wrongdoing happened under his watch Spiegel magazine alleged providing information threatened to bring FIFA to its knees, along American football confederation CONMEBOL, exits from Federal District Court in and he is the subject of a Swiss criminal was a return of a loan from on his own knowledge of with its leadership. Brooklyn, New York on Tuesday. (AFP) investigation. then-Adidas CEO Robert-Lou- the aff air. Napout, a 57-year-old Paraguayan, was The governing body’s ethics committee is Dreyfus to help buy votes Niersbach, who resigned arrested earlier this month in another raid Alfredo Hawit of Honduras, pleaded not keting rights for regional tournaments and suspended Blatter and UEFA boss Michel for Germany’s successful over the scandal, has said an on the same fi ve-star Baur Au Lac hotel guilty to fi ve charges of racketeering and World Cup qualifying matches. Platini in October over a $2.0 million pay- World Cup bid in 2000 at a internal investigation was and extradited to the United States earlier bribery off enses. Dressed in a blue sweater and black ment Blatter authorized to Platini in 2011, FIFA ballot. under way to find out why Tuesday, escorted by two US police offi c- FIFA, keen to be seen as cleaning up its pants, Napout was released on bail of reportedly for work done a decade earlier. Swiss authorities are sepa- the amount was paid to FIFA ers, appearing in court just hours later. act, suspended both for 90 days. $20 million. His next hearing will be on Both men insist the payment was legiti- rately reviewing 133 reports and what was it used for. Napout, who was arrested on Decem- They are accused of taking millions of March 16 and he will be under house ar- mate and part of an oral contract between ber 3 alongside fellow FIFA vice president dollars in bribes in return for selling mar- rest. “He pleads not guilty,” his attorney Platini and FIFA. Gulf Times 4 Thursday, December 17, 2015 FOOTBALL

GERMAN CUP SPOTLIGHT Spezia knock Alonso thunderbolt out Roma in Italian Cup puts Bayern in last 8 AFP over the Serie A strugglers. Rome Inter Milan progressed to the quarters on Tuesday with a 3-0 home win over Cagliari and will Bayern, the 2013 and 2014 winners, are in the quarters for the seventh time in a row erie A title hopefuls now meet the winner of Napoli v Roma were knocked out Verona, while defending cham- DPA of the Italian Cup yes- pions Juventus host city rivals Berlin terday as second division Torino. SpeziaS caused a last 16 upset to Rodrigo Palacio’s close-range advance to the quarter-fi nals on tap-in opened the scoring on 24 abi Alonso fi red Bayern Mu- penalties. After two periods of minutes for Roberto Mancini’s nich into the quarter-fi nals of extra-time failed to produce league leaders against Serie B the German Cup in a 1-0 win goals, Roma midfi elder Miralem side Cagliari, who despite oust- over Darmstadt, while Werder Pjanic and then striker Edin Dze- ing Sassuolo in the last round XBremen, Bayer Leverkusen and third- ko fi red over the crossbar as the were outplayed for long periods division Heidenheim also booked their Serie B visitors took a 2-0 lead at the San Siro. places in the last eight. from the spot. Marcelo Brozovic had scored Alonso struck when he cushioned the Italy midfi elder Daniele De a superb long-distance eff ort ball and then volleyed in from almost Rossi then French left-back Lu- in Inter’s 4-0 win at Udinese 30 metres to give Bayern the winner fi ve cas Digne made amends by slot- on Saturday and hit another in minutes before half-time against fellow ting their spot-kicks past Lean- the 71st minute to leave ‘keeper Bundesliga side Darmstadt. dro Chichizola in the Spezia . Alessio Cragno rooted to the Bayern, the 2013 and 2014 cup win- But it was too little too late as the spot. Ivan Perisic came off the ners, are in the quarter-fi nals for the sev- second division side advanced bench in the latter stages and enth time in a row. Pep Guardiola’s side 4-2 to set up a quarter-fi nal tie completed the scoring with a fi ne will also go into the new year top of the with Lega Pro side Alessandria. individual eff ort of his own nine Bundesliga and are also in the last 16 of A fortnight after ending Pal- minutes from time. the Champions League. “You have to take ermo’s interest in the competi- Also late last night, Fioren- your fi rst chance against such a compact tion with a shock 3-2 win in Sic- tina are in action later at home team. Afterwards the game tailed off , and ily, Alessandria stopped Genoa’s to Carpi while today sees Lazio, the freshness was lacing a bit,” Bayern progress on Tuesday thanks to a last season’s beaten fi nalists, sports director Matthias Sammer said. 113th-minute winner that gave host Udinese and AC Milan visit “We have progressed in both knock- the third division club a 2-1 win Sampdoria. out competitions. Now we have to bundle our energies for the Hanover game (on Saturday in the Bundesliga).” Visiting Bremen meanwhile defeated Borussia Moenchengladbach 4-3 while Leverkusen came from behind to beat fourth-tier side Unterhaching 3-1. Hei- denheim went through with a 2-0 win at second-division Erzgebirge Aue. Moenchengladbach crashed to a third defeat in a week - with 13 goals conceded - after losses to Manchester City in the Champions League and Leverkusen in the Bundesliga as Bremen, struggling in the league, booked their place in the last eight. Lars Stindl put Moenchengladbach in front from a Thorgan Hazard pass in the 32nd minute, but the visitors levelled seven minutes after the break when Janek Bayern Munich’s (right) Sternberg’s low shot went in off the post. celebrates with Rafinha after scoring Six minutes later Gladbach keeper against SV Darmstadt 98 during the Yann Sommer could only parry Florian German Cup at Allianz-Arena, Munich Grillitsch’s free-kick onto the post and on Tuesday. (Reuters) Jannik Vestegaard followed up to poke the ball over the line. Raff ael put substitute Branimir Hrgota through in the 73rd minute to equalise, but the home side conceded a third goal two minutes later when Claudio Pizarro scored from close range, and Anthony Eichin said. “Now I’m hoping for a home Leverkusen’s title bid with a 2-0 win on shot inside the post from a pass by sub- Ujah struck a fourth three minutes later game in the next round. We can travel to the last day of the season, allowing Bay- stitute Marlon Frey. with a shot defl ected past Sommer. Frankfurt (for the last league game of the ern Munich to win the league, but there Hernandez set Karim Bellarabi up for Hrgota netted his second for a stop- year) with a good feeling.” was to be no cup upset. the Germany striker to net the third for page-time consolation for the home side In Unterhaching, the regional league Leverkusen were soon back on level the Bundesliga side seven minutes from after Havard Nordveit’s free-kick was de- side shocked Leverkusen with a goal in terms when Christoph Kramer’s cross time. fl ected into his path by Levin Oeztunali. the 27th minute when Thomas Steinherr four minutes later was headed back by “It was diffi cult today. Unterhaching After four games without a win, broke on the left. His shot was saved by Stefan Kiessling for Javier Hernandez played well and showed why they have Bremen have now secured their fi rst Ger- Bernd Leno but Maximilian Bauer fol- to fi nish. Kiessling, who has hinted he got so far,” Bellarabi said. man Cup quarter-fi nal place for six years. lowed up to score. might want to leave the club after losing Four matches are scheduled Wednes- Rodrigo Palacio (left) of Inter Milan celebrates with his team-mate “Financially it was a very important win As a Bundesliga side in the 1999-2000 his fi rst-team place, put Leverkusen in day, including Augsburg against Borussia Gary Alexis Medel after scoring the opening goal during the Italian for the club,” general manager Thomas season, Unterhaching had thwarted front 10 minutes after the break with a Dortmund. Cup match at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza in Milan, Italy.

COPA DEL REY NEXT WEEK THERE WILL BE CLARITY OVER MY Sevilla, Espanyol, BAYERN MUNICH FUTURE: GUARDIOLA

By Ed Aarons The Guardian Pep Guardiola will hold talks Betis, Deportivo about his future after Bayern’s match against Hannover on Pep Guardiola has confirmed he will make a decision Saturday. (Reuters) over his future with Bayern Munich in the next week enter quarters amid increasing speculation that he could be set to replace at Manchester City. AFP front of their home crowd with a The Spaniard, who is in the final year of his contract Madrid 2-0 success over Logrones. with the German champions, has been repeatedly Espanyol, meanwhile, got off linked with a move to the Etihad Stadium next season to a winning start under new Ro- with some reports in Spain last month stating that evilla, Espanyol, Real manian coach Constantin Galca, he has already decided to continue his career in the Betis and Deportivo La coming back from a goal down to Premier League. Coruna all advanced to win 2-1, and advance 3-2 on ag- But after Bayern’s 1-0 win over Darmstadt on Tues- the last 16 of the Copa gregate. Holders Barcelona have day night, Guardiola refused to comment on questions DelS Rey on Tuesday to join al- already assured their place in about his future. “Tonight, I have no answer,” he said. ready-qualifi ed Barcelona and the last 16 with a 6-1 thrashing “Next week there will be clarity.” Cadiz. Deportivo held on for a of Villanovense. Real Madrid’s However, reports in Germany have stated that 1-1 draw against second division expulsion from the competition Guardiola has already informed Bayern that he will not Llagostera in their fourth round, for fi elding an ineligible player sign a new contract, with Bild claiming the Bundesliga second leg tie in Galicia for a 3-2 against Cadiz, allowed the third champions are now braced for his departure. aggregate victory. division side to advance. Last month, the Bayern chairman Karl-Heinz Rum- Real Betis, 2-0 winners at Gary Neville has a great chance menigge revealed that they have yet to begin negotia- home, were 3-1 down at Sport- to seal his fi rst win as Valencia tions over extending Guardiola’s stay but admitted ing Gijon in northern Spain be- boss at the third attempt when talks were scheduled to take place after Bayern’s match fore coming back to draw 3-3, Los Che host third tier Barakaldo against Hannover on Saturday. and go through 5-3 on aggregate. at the Mestalla. Valencia already “It is not planned to push back that date,” said Rum- Sevilla already had one foot lead the Basques 3-1 from the menigge. “We have always said there will be a decision into the last 16 after their 3-0 fi rst leg before Neville’s appoint- in 2015. I know that it’s late, just days before Christmas. away win and easily advanced on ment a fortnight ago. But the talks will be held after the Hannover match, and reports last month that the former Barcelona manager Bayern should Guardiola leave, with the Italian already we’ll then announce a decision. is set on leaving Germany because he would like “a reportedly having been sounded out by off icials at the “It always continues. There is no person in this world change of scenery”. German club. Ancelotti, who was sacked by Real in the who can’t be replaced at some point. That’s the state of Given the presence of the chief executive Ferran summer and replaced by Rafael Benítez, is currently on things. Players come, players go, and the same applies Soriano and the director of football Txiki Begiristain at a sabbatical having had a back operation in August. to coaches. They come and they go at one point.” the Etihad, both of whom he worked with at Barça, the After succeeding in 2013 after Bay- The Bayern captain Philipp Lahm has told Guardiola former Spain international has been tipped for the City ern’s victory over Borussia Dortmund in the Champions that the squad would like him to extend his stay. “The manager’s job several times. League final, Guardiola has yet to win Europe’s premier team’s position is clear, we enjoy working with our Manchester United have also been linked with Guar- club competition for his current club. He has guided coach and we really, really want to keep doing so,” said diola in the past, although sources at Old Traff ord told a star-studded squad to successive Bundesliga titles, Lahm. the Guardian last week that they intend to take a back with Bayern five points clear of closest challengers The Spanish newspaper Marca has also reported that seat when his contract with Bayern expires at the end Dortmund in this season’s standings. Guardiola’s mind is already made up. On Wednesday, it of the season because of the timing of his availability Bayern, who have been knocked out of the Champi- published a story claiming the 44-year-old has rejected and their support for Louis van Gaal. ons League in the semi-finals for the last two seasons Bayern’s off er of a new deal worth €20m a season and The former Chelsea and Real Madrid manager Carlo under their Spanish manager, will face Juventus in the is expected to join City next season. That followed Ancelotti is rumoured to be the favourite to take over at last 16 of this year’s competition. Alvaro Gonzalez helped Espanyol beat Levante 2-1. Gulf Times Thursday, December 17, 2015 5 SPORT

FORMULA ONE SEASON REVIEW China on track to top Teen Verstappen shows medals tally at Rio

Sydney: China is on track to return to the top of the med- potential and raw speed als table at the Rio de Janeiro Olympics next year ahead of the United States and Russia, according to a benchmark The highs and lows, the tops and the flops of the 2015 Formula One season study released by the Aus- tralian Olympic Committee yesterday. The annual study, which analyses the results in Olympic events at world championships and other elite events, gave China 39 gold medals based on the performances of its athletes in 2015. The United States, table-toppers in London in 2012, would have won 35 gold medals ahead of Russia (25) with Japan the best of the rest behind the three sporting superpowers on 18. Rio hosts Brazil, mean- while, would have finished outside the top 20 on the medals table with just three golds. Britain, which benefit- ed from the traditional host nation bump to finish third in London, would have been joint fifth with neighbouring France on 15 golds, while Australia and Germany tied for seventh on 13 in the study. That tally would nearly double Australia’s tally of seven golds in London, where a 10th place finish on the medals table gave the sports-mad country one of its most disappointing Games of recent years. Kitty Chiller, Australia’s Chef de Mission for Rio, was encouraged by the data and said the AOC’s target of a top five finish next year was a viable, if tough, goal. “We have moved from a total of seven gold in London in 2012 to 13 gold this year,” she said in a news release. Dutch teenager Max Verstappen has “Overall we’ve had a better caught the eye of the top teams. year, the gold medal tally is a tremendous improve- ment and the signs are of two decades, the Latin American race spectacle and managed to keep their others believe he can build a true ti- ever more anachronistic, retained only good for Rio. Fifth to eighth TOPS was the most enthusiastically-support- drivers under control. The re-emer- tle challenge in 2016, it must mean he to supply some much needed showbiz position on the medal tally is DRIVER MAX VERSTAPPEN ed and animated event of the year with gence of Ferrari as a threat, notably in failed to do so this year. Above all, his glamour and keep up a tradition for dull extremely tight and we are The Dutch teenager was only 17 at the huge crowds and emotional greetings Singapore, with Sebastian Vettel at the appetite for a fi ght will be watched very processional contests. It is time to con- still aiming for that fifth spot start of the year, but such was his im- giving it an unmatched atmosphere. forefront of their revival, proved Mer- closely when the real thing resumes sider how this race can be overhauled. in Rio if everything goes our pact that he ended it as one of the most The return to the circuit that com- cedes are only human - a failing seen again next season. way.” popular and respected men on the grid. memorates the Rodriguez brothers in often enough in Hamilton’s transparent Whatever he does, however, he failed TEAM - MCLAREN-HONDA The study showed Aus- He did not pass his driving test for the sprawling capital city with an up- moods. To allow both men to express to deliver the speed, race craft and de- Once the kings of the sport and a home tralia’s traditionally strong public roads until October, but by then graded stadium section delivered an their personalities in their cars was an- termination needed to mount a proper for multiple world champions, McLaren swimming team, which pro- he had already demonstrated a poten- intimacy and energy that showed great other Mercedes success. challenge to Hamilton this year when it survived a year in which they became duced just one gold medal in tial and a raw speed in his modest Toro support for F1 and motor racing and counted. the laughing stock of the paddock, the a chaotic London campaign, Rosso car that has caught the eye of the delivered a tumultuous race. Welcome FLOPS RACE - MONACO Japanese power-units failing in all re- would have won seven golds. top teams. back, Mexico. DRIVER - NICO ROSBERG This year’s showpiece event in the spects to leave drivers, 2009 champion Russia’s tally included two His courage and imagination enabled TEAM - MERCEDES His end-of-season form must have Mediterranean Principality produced Briton Jenson Button and two-time golds from track and field. him to make some of the season’s most It is impossible to argue for any other rubbed salt into his own wounds, prov- the wrong winner and the wrong result champ Fernando Alonso, powerless and The Russian Athletics Federa- audacious passing moves and, along team after a season of near-perfection ing as it did that he has the speed and due to a tactical pit-stop blunder by the often relegated to the back of the grid tion (ARAF) was suspended with world champion Lewis Hamilton, again from the silver arrows. Hamilton technical ability to match, and beat, the Mercedes team, turning what should with a penalty total that would not have last month following a report he has given F1 a chance to reach into won the championship, his second in world champion Hamilton, but he has have been a consummate Hamilton tri- disgraced a cricket team. that exposed widespread, a new and younger fan base. Seasoned a row and third in all, with a month to yet to prove it under truly stressful con- umph into a victory gifted to Rosberg. It was a joke, but it was too serious to systematic state-sponsored judges have suggested he has the talent spare, leaving team-mate Nico Rosberg ditions that matter when a champion- On a circuit not suited to modern be taken lightly for a team than rarely doping and related corrup- to emulate Ayrton Senna and Michael to steal the limelight in the fi nal three ship is on the line. wheel-to-wheel racing, where Sat- laughs unselfconsciously. The serial tion. Russian athletes are Schumacher. Ferrari are tipped to swoop races. The jury is out on his glorious end- urday’s qualifying session is the most winners hinted at an improvement in therefore set to miss the and sign him for 2017. That consistency proved the durabil- of-year hat-trick after Hamilton went meaningful track action unless it rains, the closing weeks, but a return to the World Indoor Athletics Cham- RACE - MEXICO ity, speed and effi ciency of the team in partying and if, by proving he has the and where the corporate fat cats take victory podium looks to be a distant pionships. Back on the calendar after an absence a season when they provided the main talent to win so consistently, he and the sun and pay the bills, this race looks prospect.

CYCLING Wiggins could ride on in 2017 but new Hour bid unlikely

By William Fotheringham and get past ’s record there and ride with Ilyo Keisse” – a The Guardian [of 55.291km] if conditions had been Belgian specialist who has won Gh- diff erent. The record is beatable and ent six times – “it’s something we’ve Former Tour de it will be beaten but another 700 been talking about for 10 years. I France champion hile a second Hour metres would have made people want to keep racing until the end of record appears out of think twice.” the year rather than stop in Rio. I’ve wants to keep the question for Sir Bra- Wth a fair wind and building on been loving riding this year, it’s been riding after next dley Wiggins, the 2012 this winter’s performances Wiggins like a breath of fresh air.” year’s Rio Olympics WTour de France winner and multiple hopes to end his international career Wiggins said he does not envis- gold medallist says he may keep rac- with a medal – he hopes a fi fth gold age stopping training and competing ing into 2017 rather than defi nitively – at next year’s Rio Olympics, where even if he ends up racing local time hanging up his wheels at the end of there is the intriguing possibility he trials and the Master’s world track 2016 as he had previously stated. may team up with championship alongside amateurs. “I will see how I feel this time next in the team pursuit – “Cav” is still “I will keep training – I don’t see year,” Wiggins said. “There might keen to do it, he’s committed to it”. why I would stop doing that – and I be other opportunities. They might Indeed, the sprinter has rented a might slip into the odd race that is ask me to present Match of the Day. fl at in Manchester for the next few easy to do, like a player-manager. [But] if I haven’t got a job by [this months to make training at the velo- I don’t know how that will fi t into time] next year I will keep racing.” drome more straightforward. After the team’s plans but what I do know One event that seems unlikely that Wiggins has said he would like is that the team’s moved forward – now is a further Hour record at- to race the for Team we’ve got some good young talent tempt, building on Wiggins’s Wiggins, followed by the six-day for next year.” 54.526km from June. In his recently races on the indoor tracks at London Wiggins cites the Welshman Scott published account of his record, My and Ghent. Davies as among his team’s strong- Hour, Wiggins speculates about at- With its connections back to Tom est signings, while he reiterates that tempting an “Athlete’s Hour” – in Simpson, the six at Ghent – where the team’s best performer this year, essence an Hour where the rider’s Wiggins was born – has been a de Owain Doull, is virtually certain to use of aerodynamic aids is severely facto extension to hardcore Brit- turn professional in 2017. restricted – but he appears to have ish cycling spectators’ calendar As well as his personal pleasure, put that idea to rest. “Now it’s all for many years. Wiggins won it in he is probably aware that if he keeps about the focus for Rio, so it’s look- 2003 with the Australian Matthew appearing on the road that will be a ing like never again. The time to do Gilmore and the Ghent organiser greater draw for possible fi nancial it would be now but my body shape Patrick Sercu has frequently said he backers. Senior riders have com- is changing for the team pursuit and would like to have Wiggins on his bined the player-manager role – it’s gone further away from what it roster. notably Wiggins’s former directeur should be for the Hour. “I’d love to do London, and go to sportif Sean Yates with the Linda “I have to accept the Hour was Ghent 17 years after I fi rst rode,” said McCartney team in 1998 – although what it was, a record of its time. Wiggins. “It’s another of these lit- it did not work for his fellow Olym- There is a tinge of disappointment tle historic things I want to go back pian when he attempted as I wanted to go past 55 kilometres and revisit one last time. I want to go it with the Endura squad in 2010. Gulf Times 6 Thursday, December 17, 2015 SPORT

NBA FOCUS Rondo apologises LeBron, Cavs’ for slur about gay ref stingy defence shut down Celtics 89-77 ‘We made the adjustments at halftime and just locked in, in the second half’

AFP sorry for what I said to Bill. There New York is no place on or off the court for language that disrespects anyone’s sexual orientation. acramento Kings guard “That is not who I am or what I Rajon Rondo apolo- believe and I will strive every day gised Tuesday for using to be a better person.” a homophobic slur dur- Kennedy, in his 18th season as ingS a game earlier this month to an NBA referee, was confronted NBA referee Bill Kennedy, who by Rondo after calling two tech- came out in the wake of the con- nical fouls and ejecting him from troversy. the game. Teammates had to re- Rondo was issued a one-game strain Rondo. ban last week by the National On Monday, Kennedy told Ya- Basketball Association for his hoo Sports: “I am proud to be an remark during the December 3 NBA referee and I am proud to be game against the Boston Celtics a gay man.” in Mexico City. Rondo was contrite. “My words toward Bill “My actions during the game Kennedy were unacceptable were out of frustration and emo- and did not refl ect my feelings tion, period!” he tweeted. “They toward the LGBT community,” absolutely do not refl ect my feel- Rondo said Tuesday. ings toward the LGBT commu- “I want to be clear, from the nity. I did not mean to off end or bottom of my heart, that I am truly disrespect anyone.”

SPOTLIGHT Rose disappointed life ban stays but Amir Johnson (left) of the Boston Celtics defends LeBron James of the Cleveland Cavaliers during their NBA game in Boston, Massachusetts, on Tuesday. (AFP) loves game DPA Love and JR Smith each buried triples challenge them better and we didn’t chal- Houston (12-14) which lost its second in a Los Angeles while James scored six points to spark a lenge them off ensively enough. When row despite converting 29 turnovers into 12-0 run, as part of a 17-2 surge to put you hold those guys to 89 points you need as many points. the Eastern Conference leaders ahead, to score more points.” he Cleveland Cavaliers picked up 62-52. Denver Nuggets 112, Minnesota Tim- their defensive intensity in the The Cavs held their opponents to 5-of- Elsewhere berwolves 100: Randy Foye hit six tri- second half and shut down the 22 shooting in the period and carried a Sacramento Kings 107, Houston ples en route to a season-high 19 points, Boston Celtics. 69-61 advantage into the fi nal frame. Rockets 97: DeMarcus Cousins col- Kenneth Faried also had 19 with 10 re- TLeBron James scored 24 points, Kevin The gap widened to 79-66 on a pair of lected 23 points with 12 rebounds, Rudy bounds, and the visiting Nuggets (11-14) Love added 20, and the visiting Cavs Iman Shumpert triples with 9:21 left but Gay had 17 and 13 boards, and the short- topped the struggling T-Wolves for their pulled away to beat the Celtics 89-77 on Boston wasn’t done. handed Kings (10-15) won their third in a fi fth win in the last six games. Tuesday for their third straight win. After the Celtics drew to within 79- row while snapping a seven-game slide Andrew Wiggins tossed in 23 points The Celtics average 104 points per 72, the Cavs went on an 8-0 run. Love against the visiting Rockets. and Zach LaVine added 20 for Minnesota game but were held to a season-low, in- scored six points, including a 3-pointer, The Kings were without assists leader (9-15) losers in seven of its last eight out- cluding just 31 in the fi nal two quarters, and James added a jumper to open up an Rajon Rondo, serving a one-game league ings. on a frosty 32 per cent shooting overall. 87-72 cushion to seal the win. suspension without pay for directing de- “That’s one of our staples we stress “We made the adjustments at halftime rogatory and off ensive gay slurs at veteran LA Lakers 113, Milwaukee Bucks 95: every single day, defend at a high level and just locked in, in the second half,” referee Bill Kennedy for not leaving the Kobe Bryant scored 22 points, rookie and try to move the ball off ensively,” Love said. “It allowed us to get a big win court in a timely manner upon his ejec- D’Angelo Russell added career-best James said. on the road.” tion in a December 3 game against Boston 19, and the West-worst Lakers (4-21) “They had 46 points at halftime but in Avery Bradley scored 17 points and in Mexico City. snapped a six-game skid after sending the second half, we locked down and start- Jae Crowder added 14 for Boston (14- Kennedy revealed he was gay on Sun- the Bucks to their 10th straight road loss. ed moving the ball and kept them off base.” 10) which had taken fi ve of its last seven day, and Rajon issued an apology for his Michael Carter-Williams netted 19 Cleveland (16-7) trailed 50-45 three games but were fl at for most of the game. inexcusable, insensitive homophobic points for the Bucks (10-16), playing their minutes into the third quarter before tak- “Their defence was great,” Celtics rants. fi rst game since ending Golden State’s ing charge. coach Brad Stevens echoed. “We’ve got to James Harden poured in 33 points for record 24-0 start on Saturday. AFP trol right now. Unlike 30 years Los Angeles ago, when I was out of control as BOTTOMLINE a gambler. “I live in Las Vegas because S all-time hits leader that’s where my job is. I’m a rec- Pete Rose (pictured) reational gambler. I don’t bet said Tuesday he was every day. I’m not a casino guy. disappointed that his I don’t play blackjack, roulette, MLB seeks safe, legal path for lifeU ban from Major League Base- dice, all that stuff . I occasion- ball remains in place. ally like to bet on horses because Rose spoke in Las Vegas a day I used to be a horse owner and after major league commissioner have a lot of respect for people in Rob Manfred said he would not that industry. But everything I do Cuban baseball players to US end Rose’s lifetime banishment is legal. I’m very selective with for betting on baseball as the people I associate with now.” Reuters permission for Major League Baseball to Cincinnati Reds manager, a pun- Rose said he still hopes for Havana reach a deal with Cuban offi cials. ishment imposed in 1989. a chance to be elected into the US-Cuban relations have improved Rose, 74, works for Mandalay Baseball Hall of Fame, but con- since Obama set a new course a year ago Bay casino in Las Vegas and says sideration would require his ban ajor League Baseball wants that led to the restoration of diplomatic he has his gambling under con- to be overturned. to fi nd a safe and legal way ties. But so far the policy has emphasised trol, but Manfred was unhappy “I think I can teach lots of peo- for Cubans to reach the big commerce only with Cuba’s nascent pri- that gambling remains a major ple not to make same mistakes leagues without the need for vate sector, steering away from the state. portion of Rose’s life. I made, to learn from my situ- Mdangerous overseas journeys in search of Absent normal relations, Cuban players Rose thanked Manfred for ation,” he said. “People headed riches in the American game, a top MLB are enticed by all manner of freelance tal- meeting with him last September down the wrong path can learn offi cial said on Tuesday. ent scouts and player agents who lure them and said he knew he put the fi rst- from my situation.” “It is the goal of our commissioner and to defect. When they do, Cuba bans them year commissioner “in a tough Rose has applied for rein- our owners to ultimately negotiate with from the ultimate glory in the Caribbean spot to make a judgement on my statement twice before with the Cuban Baseball Federation ... a safe country: playing for the national team. situation.” other commissioners. He ended and legal path for Cuban baseball play- When Puig left Cuba in 2012, he soon “I’m disappointed, obviously his playing days in 1986 with a ers who desire to play in Major League found himself entangled with Mexico’s disappointed,” Rose said. “But I record 4,256 hits and managed Baseball,” Dan Halem, MLB’s chief legal notorious Zetas crime organisation, will continue to be the best base- the Reds until 1989. offi cer, told a news conference. Cuban MLB player Yasiel Puig (left) poses with a tourist before a press conference at which threatened to chop off his arm if it ball fan in the world. ... I’m a base- “I’m just looking to be friends Halem is part of a goodwill mission to the National Hotel in Havana, on Tuesday. (AFP) failed to receive the promised $250,000 ball player. I’m a baseball person, with baseball.” Rose said. “It Cuba to that includes celebrated Cuban fee for his passage. and that’s never going to change.” would be nice to just have the defectors such as Jose Abreu and Yasiel Miguel Cabrera. Cuba, they each signed multiyear, multi- “The current situation ... is not ac- Rose says he has changed opportunity to go to the Hall of Puig who were given special permission Abreu and Puig each left on speedboats million-dollar contracts. ceptable,” Halem said. “We are going greatly from the person who Fame. to return to their country despite their il- destined for third countries to maintain Before creating a regulated player to try very hard to fi x it but it’s going to committed the violations in 1986 “I’ve led a Hall of Fame life by legal departures from the island. their free agent status and avoid the play- transfer system, the US Congress would require ... the cooperation of two govern- that led to his banishment. association with the teammates The tour, which runs through Friday, er draft that they would have been subject have to lift the trade embargo of Cuba or ments and certainly the assistance the “I’ve worked hard at it,” Rose I’ve had. I’ll try to be a better also includes some of baseball’s great- to as US residents. the administration of President Barack Cuban Baseball Federation and INDER said. “I’ve got it under wraps the person every day, to where they’ll est stars such as Clayton Kershaw and After making less than a dollar a day in Obama would have to grant extraordinary (the Cuban sports institute.)” last several years. I’m under con- eventually want me back.” Gulf Times Thursday, December 17, 2015 7 SPORT

NHL FOCUS Patriots lose top rusher Blount for rest Panthers post of season: reports

AFP rushers with 703 yards and New York four touchdowns. Brandon Bolden replaced Blount against the Texans and fi n- impressive 5-1 win eGarrette Blount, the ished with 51 yards on 16 carries, top rusher for the but Blount has most of the Pa- reigning Super Bowl triots’ carries this season and his champion New Eng- absence could dim the support for landL Patriots, will miss the star quarterback Tom Brady. remainder of the National The Patriots signed former Den- Football League season with a ver Broncos running back Montee hip injury, reports said Tues- Ball to their practice squad. During against Islanders day. his fi rst two NFL seasons with the Radio station WEEI and ESPN Broncos, he rushed for 731 yards said the injury Blount suff ered and fi ve touchdown on 175 carries ‘No matter who we play, if they don’t give us a chance, we’re right there with them’ in the second quarter of a 27-6 over 21 games. victory over the Houston Tex- At 11-2, the Patriots have By George Richards ans will sideline him for the fi nal clinched the AFC East division The Miami Herald (TNS) month of the campaign and the crown and are fighting Denver playoff s. and the Cincinnati Bengals for Blount leads the Patriots a first-round playoff bye. he Panthers came into Tuesday’s game underdogs against an Is- landers team that hadn’t lost in regulation in almost a month. TFactor in that the Panthers were miss- ing perhaps their top off ensive weapon and three of their opening night centres, and the smart money was on the Island- ers. Florida still had Roberto Luongo, and at times, that was enough. With Luongo stopping 33 shots and Florida getting goals from all over its ros- ter, the Panthers won their debut at Bar- clays Center 5-1 over the Islanders. New York came into the night an NHL- best 8-0-2 in its previous 10 games. The Panthers have now beaten the Islanders twice in the past three weeks. “It seems like no matter who we play, if they don’t give us a chance to win, we’re right there with them,’’ said Vincent Trocheck, who gave the Panthers a com- New England Patriots’ LeGarrette Blount. (TNS) manding 4-1 lead early in the third. “When we go out and play our game, we’re a good team. This team, our culture here, is us coming together and not play- National Hockey League roundup ing as individuals.” The Panthers, missing Jaromir Jagr to he Arizona Coyotes will be without Mike Smith for the fl u and three other centres to various Teight to 10 weeks after surgery on Tuesday for a core muscle maladies and assignments, looked rough injury. from the start. For the fi rst 18 minutes of Smith, a Vezina Trophy finalist in 2011-12 when the Coyotes the fi rst, it was all Islanders as the Pan- reached the Western Conference finals, has a 10-9-1 record with a thers didn’t get their fi rst shot off against 3.06 goals-against average and .901 save percentage in 22 games Jaroslav Halak until midway through the this season. period. - - Luongo, however, was quite busy as he ittsburgh Penguins goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury will be out stopped 19 shots in the opening period, Pa minimum of one to two weeks after he was diagnosed with helping the Panthers go in at the fi rst a concussion. break still scoreless. Fleury complained about not feeling well after Monday night’s 4-1 “We were down a few boys and we loss to the Washington Capitals. In 25 games this season, Fleury weathered the storm in the fi rst,” said has posted a 13-10-2 record with a .925 save percentage and a Luongo, who was awarded top star hon- 2.29 goals-against average. ours. “We came out in the second, got - - some goals, and it really gave us some eteran forward Jarret Stoll was claimed off waivers by the confi dence.” VMinnesota Wild. Florida struck fi rst early in the second Stoll, 33, has played in 821 career games but his production isn’t with Reilly Smith -- who missed Mon- what it once was. He scored just three points in 29 games with day’s practice with the fl u -- scoring on the New York Rangers, who waived him this week to add rookie his team’s fourth shot 1:51 into the period. defenseman Brady Skjei. Sasha Barkov, also on the sick list Mon- - - day, made it 2-0 with a pretty - Brandon Pirri (left) of the Florida Panthers in action against the New York Islanders during their NHL game at the Barclays Center in he Florida Panthers sent struggling center Dave Bolland to ed shot six minutes later. the Brooklyn Borough of New York City on Tuesday. (AFP) Tthe minor leagues on a conditioning assignment and recalled “We got some momentum in the sec- forward Rocco Grimaldi. ond and played a lot better after that,” with a strong performance.” in the off ensive side of the game. I think graines, Tallon said Tuesday. The 29-year-old Bolland, who is the Panthers’ highest-paid coach Gerard Gallant said. “We played he hasn’t played much hockey and the Tallon said the mystery is what is caus- forward at $5.5 million per season, has one goal and five points everyone, no one sat on the bench and we PANTHERS SEND BOLLAND TO AHL contract has become a burden. He’s being ing them. and averaged only 14:06 in ice time in 25 games for the Panthers went four lines.” The Panthers sent struggling center Dave extra cautious and he’s lost a little bit of “We’re testing for everything,” Tallon this year. The Islanders fi nally solved Luongo at Bolland to their AHL team in Portland, his mojo.” said. “He was good today and I think he’s - - 12:37 of the second, but the Panthers an- Maine, in hopes he gets his game back on Bolland wasn’t placed on waivers and day-to-day. We want to make sure he’s ack Kassian entered the follow-up phase of the Substance swered quickly after Aaron Ekblad made track. can stay with Portland for two weeks un- 100 percent… We’re not going to mess ZAbuse and Behavioral Health Program, the NHL and its Play- it 3-1 a mere 30 seconds later. Bolland, Florida’s highest-paid for- der his conditioning assignment. Bolland with this.” ers’ Association announced, and then waived by the Montreal A number of fans started heading to- ward at $5.5 million per season, has just is being paid his full NHL salary, and his Canadiens. ward the subway station when Trocheck one goal and fi ve points in 25 games so far. cap hit continues to count against the RESULTS Kassian, 24, was admitted to Stage 2 of the program and sus- made it a three-goal game. Jonathan Hu- In the past few weeks, Bolland has been Panthers. Chicago...... 0 Colorado ...... 3 pended without pay prior to the start of the regular season. He berdeau was awarded an empty net goal benched as well as being played on the “You want him to play better, work Dallas ...... 5 Columbus ...... 1 was as passenger in a car accident that left him with a fractured with 3:43 left for the fi nal tally of the wing on Florida’s fourth line. In his past harder, compete harder and score some Toronto ...... 4 Tampa Bay ...... 5 (OT) left foot and a broken nose. night. 11 games, Bolland has just two shots on points,” Gallant said. “This is just some- Montréal ...... 1 San Jose ...... 3 - - “We found a way to get it done,” Luon- goal. thing to try and jump-start him I guess.” Nashville...... 1 Calgary ...... 2 (OT) orward Barclay Goodrow was recalled from the San Jose go said. “It’s my job to make the saves, “We want him to get back to what he Minnesota ...... 6 Vancouver ...... 2 FBarracuda of the American Hockey League and rejoined the keep the boys in it. Then we found our was in 2010 and we both agree,” said gen- MIGRAINES TAKE BJUGSTAD Winnipeg ...... 3 St. Louis ...... 4 Sharks. legs in the second. That’s part of being eral manager Dale Tallon, who brought OFF ACTION Buff alo ...... 0 New Jersey ...... 2 Goodrow, 22, has three assists in 12 games with the Sharks this a team. Diff erent guys have to step up at Bolland to Chicago when he was with the Center Nick Bjugstad hasn’t skated since NY Islanders ...... 1 Florida ...... 5 season, and posted four goals and 11 assists in 72 career NHL diff erent times. Maybe they leaned on me Blackhawks. leaving the Panthers practice in St. Louis NY Rangers...... 4 Edmonton ...... 2 games with the team. in the fi rst, but they got rewarded later “We want him to get some confi dence on Nov. 30 after complaining of mi- Philadelphia ...... 4 Carolina ...... 3 (OT)

BOTTOMLINE Vikings no longer in fi rst place, but ‘nobody’s in panic mode’

By Chris Tomasson Newman said Tuesday. “Nobody’s rather than at home. Pioneer Press (TNS) in a panic mode.” “I haven’t done a poll,” line- If they win out against Chicago backer Chad Greenway said of the at home Sunday, the New York Gi- team’s mind-set. “I guess I’ve got wo weeks ago, the Vikings ants at home Dec. 27 and at Green to do a poll (Wednesday) and see were one desperation pass Bay on Jan. 3, the Vikings will win kind of how everybody’s feeling. from a 1-1/2-game lead the NFC North division. That’s be- But everybody’s ready to go.” over the Green Bay Packers cause a win over the Packers would Since a 30-13 home loss to Green Tin the NFC North. give them a possible tiebreaker. Bay on Nov. 22, the Vikings have Things sure have changed since One Vikings loss in the next lost three of their past four games. then. two games, though, and the fi nale That includes an ugly 38-7 home Green Bay beat Detroit 27-23 on against Green Bay could end up defeat to Seattle on Dec. 6. Dec. 2 on a shocking, fi nal-play being meaningless in the division Newman saw one positive in last 61-yard Hail Mary pass from Aaron race. week’s 23-20 loss at Arizona to Rodgers to Richard Rodgers. And “We’ve just got to take care of the Cardinals, who are tied for the not a lot has gotten better for the business,” said cornerback Cap- NFL’s second-best record at 11-2. Vikings. tain Munnerlyn. “We’ve got to do “I hate to use this, but I think that Minnesota has lost it past two what we can control, just go out the way we came out and played games to fall to 8-5. The Packers there and win this game (against last week let us know that, ‘Hey, followed their dramatic victory the Bears). We can’t worry about we’re able to play with good, qual- with a 28-7 home win Sunday over (any games after that). It starts on ity football teams,’ “ Newman said. Dallas to raise their record to 9-4. Sunday.” “But we just didn’t get it done. So “We’ve got three games left, and The Vikings are still in great shape moving forward we know we’ve got at the end of the day, we still have to make the playoff s as a wild-card to play with the same emotions and a chance to do what we set out to team. However, that would mean the same attitude, the same chip on Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson is upended during a first-quarter run against the Arizona Cardinals on December 10, do,” Vikings defensive back Terence opening the postseason on the road our shoulder, and seal the deal.” 2015, at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. Vikings lost the game 20-23. (Minneapolis Star Tribune/TNS) Gulf Times 8 Thursday, December 17, 2015 SPORT

TENNIS SPOTLIGHT Serena accepts With Mauresmo back, Sportsperson of Year, Bjorkman no longer eyes more slams part of Murray’s team ‘Amelie did come in at a diff icult time, when I had just come back from back surgery’

US tennis player (centre) receives the Sports Illustrated Sportsperson of the Year trophy from her sister Venus Williams (right) as their mother Oracene Price looks on during a ceremony in New York on Tuesday. (AFP)

Reuters being only the third to be recog- New York nised is pretty awesome.” Williams said that joining gymnast Mary Lou Retton and erena Williams added speed skater Bonnie Blair on the to one of the longest list of women to claim the award resumes in sports by col- motivated her to succeed on lecting the Sportsperson court next year and target even ofS the Year award from Sports more milestones. Illustrated, becoming only the “There’s numbers,” she said at third individual woman to claim the awards dinner, referencing the honour since its 1956 incep- Graf’s 22 slams and the 24 sin- tion. gles titles won by all-time leader Williams, 34, won the fi rst Margaret Court of Australia. three singles titles of “I never looked at numbers 2015 after taking last year’s U.S. until recently. I want to at least Open to hold all four crowns at try to reach a couple of numbers once for her second career ‘Ser- that I won’t mention. Just go one ena Slam’. at a time and hopefully will be She logged a 53-3 record, there one day.” reigned as world number one Williams won out over such every week for the second suc- strong contenders as NBA star cessive year and took her total of Stephen Curry, golfer Jordan grand slams to 21, one less than Spieth and racehorse American Steffi Graf for most in the Open Pharoah, the fi rst to win the US Era, at an age when most players Triple Crown in 37 years, who have been long retired. won the magazine’s readers poll “I’ve been doing what I do for for the award. over 20 years professionally and Her Sportsperson cover photo that’s a long time to be playing,” for the magazine, picturing her Williams told Reuters before in a black leotard and high heels Tuesday’s awards dinner. “And lounging on a golden throne, also this is the fi rst time I was ever generated a lot of buzz as well as ’ serves to UAE Royals’ during their International Premier Tennis League match in Dubai on Tuesday. (Reuters) recognised as Sportsperson of delighting Williams. the Year. “The cover I thought was re- Agencies nicest guys on the tour, bring on 2016.” month’s in an instant if The prospect of becoming a father “So it really, really meant a lot ally amazing,” she said. “You can London Former world number one Mauresmo his wife Kim were to give birth early to the for the fi rst time is already impacting on to me. And being a woman and never be too hot.” gave birth in August but will return to work couple’s child. the Scot’s schedule, with his off -season with Murray for 22 to 24 weeks next year. World number two Murray will be training regime now shifted to Dubai orld number two Andy Mur- “Amelie did come in at a diffi cult time, playing to a tight schedule at the start of rather than his usual venue of Miami. ray will not be working with when I had just come back from back 2016, with the baby due in mid-February, Remaining in the Gulf also gives Mur- National Football League roundup Swede Jonas Bjorkman next surgery, which was tough,” Murray, who and the Australian Open taking place Jan- ray the ability to jet to Belfast for the year after his French coach will become a father in February, told the uary 18-31. weekend’s BBC Sports Personality of the ittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger believes WAmelie Mauresmo resumed her role fol- BBC. “When I started working with her Even after losing four fi nals in Mel- Year award, where the recent PCincinnati Bengals linebacker Vontaze Burfict intended to lowing the birth of her son. offi cially I was ranked 11 in the world—I bourne, the 28-year-old said there would hero remains a heavy favourite. hurt him with a low hit during Sunday’s game in Cincinnati. Bjorkman joined Briton Murray’s team had just dropped out of the top 10 for the be no question of him returning to Lon- “Because obviously Kim is quite heavily Burfict dived at Roethlisberger’s ankles after a pass left his hand in March. fi rst time in eight years—and I’m now don if required by the uncertain family pregnant it’s a lot easier to get back from during the first half of the Steelers’ 33-20 win. Burfict later told “Nice to have Amelie back in the team back up to number 2, which is my highest circumstances of an early birth. here. All the fl ights leave in the evening Roethlisberger that he was pushed into him. out in Dubai,” Murray, who is compet- ranking.” “I’d go home. For sure, yes,” he told from Miami, whereas here you can fl y at “I don’t buy that he was pushed,” said Roethlisberger, who ing in the International Premier Tennis yesterday’s Daily Mail. “It’s obviously all times in the day,” said Murray. watched the play on tape after the game. “He definitely was div- League, said on his Facebook page yes- MURRAY WOULD ABANDON important. I want to make sure at the be- During his stay in Dubai, Murray also ing in low and going for my legs. It’s tough. I am just glad I didn’t terday. MELBOURNE FOR LONDON BIRTH OF ginning I am there as much as I can be to played in the IPTL for the Singapore get hurt.” “Thanks to Jonas for helping out this HIS CHILD try and help out, just be there for what- Slammers, beating Dubai’s Roger Federer - - year. I enjoyed working with one of the Murray said that he would quit next ever is really required of me.” in a one-set singles rubber. he Seattle Seahawks continued to shuff le their injury-riddled Tbackfield, off icially re-signing Bryce Brown and placing un- drafted rookie Thomas Rawls on injured reserve. BOTTOMLINE Brown was expected to figure into the mix against the Cleveland Browns this Sunday, but his role could be larger than expected with DuJuan Harris released. - - revised stadium construction plan in St. Louis calls for the Steelers, Seahawks peak at right time A NFL to contribute $300 million toward the $1 billion riverfront project. The St. Louis Rams are one of three franchises being considered By Steve DeShazo up, Thomas Rawls. But Russell Wilson for relocation to the Los Angeles area. Rams owner Stan Kroenke The Free Lance-Star (TNS) has more than taken up the slack, with 16 has progressed in a plan to build a stadium in California. touchdown passes and no interceptions - - in the past four weeks. He’s posted four owboys owner Jerry Jones said as long as Dallas is math- o professional sports league re- straight passer ratings of 138.5 or higher, Cematically alive for the postseason, no players are being shut wards regular-season perform- something no one has done since 1960. down and that includes wide receiver Dez Bryant, who appears to ance more than the NFL. Pittsburgh also got off to a shaky start, still be favoring his surgically repaired foot. Not only do teams with the going4-4 in large part due to injuries to The Cowboys play the New York Jets on Sunday. Nbest records earn home games in the sin- Ben Roethlisberger and Le’Veon Bell. “Shut him down? No,” Jones told 105.3 FM in Dallas. “I hope their gle-elimination playoff s, but the top two But Roethlisberger is now healthy and defense doesn’t shut him down early, but no, not at all.” teams get fi rst-round byes. (And in the his- productive, and the Steelers (8-5) have - - tory of sports, no one’s ever lost to a bye.) won four of their last fi ve — with the only ove over Matt Schaub and Jimmy Clausen, make room for Still, that doesn’t guarantee a smooth loss, fi ttingly, to Seattle. MRyan Mallett. ride to the Super Bowl. In the past 18 The Chiefs have won seven straight The Baltimore Ravens signed another former starting quarter- years, fi ve wild-card teams have won Su- and the Jets three in a row, but Pittsburgh back, bringing Mallett aboard for the final three weeks of the per Bowl titles: Denver (1997), Baltimore seems like the biggest playoff threat. The regular season. (2000), Pittsburgh (2005), the New York Steelers have won nine straight December - - Giants (2007) and Green Bay (2010). games and are 24-12 in the calendar’s fi - or the first time in four weeks, Denver Broncos head coach That requires winning three times on nal month under coach Mike Tomlin. FGary Kubiak opted not to use his Monday press conference the road just to get to the championship And by knocking Bengals quarterback to declare Brock Osweiler the starting quarterback for the next game. Any wild-card team that hoists the Andy Dalton out of Sunday’s 33-20 victo- game. Lombardi Trophy has earned it. ry with a broken right thumb, the Steelers Kubiak instead wants time to discuss the decision with the key And even though Carolina is a surpris- may have altered both teams’ postseason parties, including vice president John Elway and Peyton Manning, ing 13-0 and New England is its usual trajectories. who might be back in the starting lineup this week, but health will dominating self, it could happen again. If Bengals quarterback AJ McCarron (left) greets Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger Like Seattle, Pittsburgh probably won’t be a major factor. a baseball season is a marathon, an NFL after their game in Cincinnati, Ohio, on Sunday. (USA TODAY Sports) catch Cincinnati (10-3) for the division - - campaign is a demolition derby through title. But if the Steelers get the No. 1 wild ndrew Luck was cleared to ramp up throwing on Monday, but a minefi eld, where one false step can ruin play-call away from a quest for a three- round game at the winner of the pathetic card, they’ll visit the winner of the feeble AESPN reported the Indianapolis Colts doubt he will play again the whole year. peat. And the dreaded Super Bowl loser NFC East. That’s almost as good as a bye. AFC South. They know how to win on the in 2015. Getting hot in December can be more jinx seemed to grab them by the gullet. In recent years, Seattle’s success has road, and Roethlisberger has taken the According to the report, only in the best-case scenario would important than sustained excellence, and They started 0-2 and 2-4 as their best de- been built on defense and running the wild-card path to a title. Luck play in the postseason if the Colts reach the playoff s. two veteran teams seem poised to prove fensive player, Kam Chancellor, held out. ball. The defense is still strong; only two After hosting AFC West leader Denver - - that again. But they’ve won six of their last seven, teams have allowed fewer points than the (which stumbled last week) this Sunday, he Miami Dolphins claimed defensive end Damontre Moore If the playoff s started this weekend, with Cleveland (3-10) and St. Louis (5-8) Seahawks, who didn’t allow Minnesota or Pittsburgh fi nishes up at Baltimore and Toff waivers from the New York Giants and waived center- Pittsburgh would not even be in the play- up next at home. Seattle (8-5) won’t catch Baltimore’s off ense into the end zone in Cleveland (who are a combined 7-19). guard Jacques McClendon. off fi eld. But no one wants to face the NFC West leader Arizona (11-2) and earn a the past two weeks. Like the Seahawks, if the Steelers can Moore spent three seasons with the Giants before he was waived Steelers in January — or Seattle, either. home playoff game, but the Seahawks are The ground game has been slowed by squeeze their way into the playoff s, they Friday. The Seahawks are one questionable likely to get the next best thing: a fi rst- injuries to Marshawn Lynch and his back- may be a tough out. Gulf Times Thursday, December 17, 2015 9 CRICKET

LAMENT SPOTLIGHT Australia bring Sriram, Hussey on Dwayne Bravo board for World T20 says WI board needs shake up Bravo was stripped of the one-day captaincy a year ago then left out of the West Indies’ World Cup squad after the team he skippered walked out of their tour of India last year in a row over contracts. Reuters face in India,” Cricket Austral- Sydney ia’s Pat Howard said in a news release. “Mike has been one of our most successful players at ustralia have recruited transitioning between the dif- former India player ferent formats and his advice Sridharan Sriram to and support in this area will be help their team prepare of great benefi t to the players Afor the conditions they will face who have played a large amount in the World in India of test and ODI cricket in the early next year, Cricket Australia last 12 months.” said yesterday. Australia have played just one Sriram, an all-rounder who Twenty20 international in 2015, played eight ODIs for India be- with the triumphant 50-over tween 2000 and 2004, worked World Cup campaign and test with Australia A on their tour of cricket taking priority. The World India earlier this year and was Twenty20 is the one major in- slated to travel with the Test side ternational prize that has eluded to Bangladesh in October before Australia, whose players in the the trip was postponed. past have struggled to combat The 39-year-old will work with spin on the slow decks of the Australia side during their the subcontinent. three warm-up matches against “As a proud Australian crick- prior to their arrival eter I am delighted to be involved in India for the March 8-April 3 in Australia’s campaign for the tournament. Former Australia World T20 title,” said Hussey. batsman Mike Hussey will also “I’m really looking forward to work with the side for two weeks working with the boys and as- Dwayne Bravo of the tournament, bringing to sisting in any way possible with bear his experience of playing on their preparation and match day the subcontinent in the India Pre- plans.” mier League competition. Australia play New Zealand in “Sriram’s focus will be on Dharamsala on March 18 in their getting the players as prepared opening match of the tourna- as possible for what they will ment.

AFP League, Bravo said it was painful to see of things going on,” he said. ested to play Test cricket but I have yet SLanka says ‘conspiracy’ in Perera NZ doping Melbourne what had happened to the once-formi- “Those in charge have to look into to hear anything from any selector, what dable West Indian team. themselves. We don’t have proper their plans are for me, what my posi- Colombo: Sri Lanka’s sports Defending champions Sri Lanka “Times change and I think that is one grounds, proper nets or a proper acad- tion is,” said 32-year-old Bravo, who has minister defended yesterday are contenders to retake the ut-of-favour all-rounder of our problems, we tend to hold on too emy. All these things are a part of our played 40 Tests. wicketkeeper Kusal Perera title when the World T20 takes Dwayne Bravo yesterday la- much to the past and not focus on the downfall. “I just decided it’s time to move on who was suspended from the place from March to April in mented the sorry state of West future. That has been our downfall,” he “The relationship between players, with my life and try to channel my energy ongoing New Zealand tour India next year. Indian cricket and said those said. board members and management staff — in diff erent places. after failing a drugs test, hinting Jayasekera said Sri Lankan runningO the game needed to take a long “It’s painful to see the state of our it needs to get stronger and tighter. They “I would have loved the opportunity at a conspiracy against the President Maithripala Sirisena hard look at themselves. cricket.” (the board) need to have a lot more hon- to play Test cricket again but since be- cricketer. had spoken to Perera who was Bravo was stripped of the one-day His comments come amid stinging esty.” ing dropped back in 2010 I never got the Dayasiri Jayasekera told abruptly pulled from the series captaincy a year ago then left out of the criticism about the tourists’ inept per- His remarks follow pace great Michael chance and I just decided to call it a day.” parliament that authorities will in New Zealand involving two West Indies’ World Cup squad after the formance in the fi rst Test of their cur- Holding on Tuesday saying the West In- Despite this and his row with the West send a “B” sample for testing Tests, five ODI games and two team he skippered walked out of their rent series against Australia, who won in dies Cricket Board was “dysfunctional, Indian board, he has not given up hope after the International Cricket T20 matches. tour of India last year in a row over con- Hobart by an innings inside three days on untrustworthy and not liked by the em- of again playing the shorter forms of the Council announced last week Perera is Sri Lanka’s second tracts. Saturday. ployees”, while Brian Lara blasted its game at international level. that Perera tested positive international player to fail a He has not been picked for one-dayers Bravo joined a host of fellow former “bad governance”. “I’m not shutting down my opportu- for a banned steroid during a doping test. Left-hander Upul since and quit Test cricket this year after greats in blaming the West Indies Cricket Bravo said despite wanting to play Test nities to represent the West Indies, I still random check. Tharanga was suspended for being ignored by selectors. Board for the current malaise. cricket again earlier this year, he was now 100 percent want to play for the West In- “We are doing all we can to three months after testing posi- In Australia to play for the Melbourne “We’ve got the players to be up there no longer interested. dies in one-day internationals and T20s,” defend him,” the minister tive during the 2011 World Cup. Renegades in the Twenty20 Big Bash with the best in the world but there’s a lot “Until earlier this year I was still inter- he said. said. “We are wondering if this Tharanga blamed a “herbal allegation is a conspiracy to remedy” that he had taken for keep him out of next year’s T20 a long-standing shoulder injury BOTTOMLINE World Cup.” for failing the doping test. N. Zealand mull two spinners STUMBLING BLOCK BCCI awaiting govt for second Test against Lanka nod for Pak series

AFP pick the best team to get a win in IANS Hamilton the conditions.” Lahore Captain Brendon McCullum said the bowling options re- ew Zealand are toy- mained wide open. ormer England and Wales ing with the possibil- “When (Wagner) is in your Cricket Board (ECB) ity of playing an extra team you know that you’ve got chairman Giles Clarke spinner in the second those overs when you are going to has been told by the In- NTest against Sri Lanka starting in be able to create some opportuni- dianF cricket board authorities Hamilton tomorrow, despite their ties,” he said. they are waiting for the govern- commanding victory in the series “Mark Craig comes back into ment approval for a series against opener. calculations as well but Doug Pakistan in Sri Lanka. Bowling coach Dmitri Mascar- Bracewell, I thought he bowled Giles has played the role of a enhas spiced up competition in absolutely brilliantly throughout facilitator for the resumption of the bowling ranks by suggesting the Test match and all through India-Pakistan cricketing ties, The PCB hasn’t offi cially an- the line-up could be shaken up at Australia as well and just hasn’t holding meetings in Dubai with nounced Clarke’s reply to its the expense of either Neil Wagner got the rewards at the moment. the boards’ offi cials recently. chief Shaharyar Khan, the report or Doug Bracewell, both of whom “We’ll look at the surface and But he too has received a re- added. were impressive in the fi rst Test in work out the combination and ply similar to what was given to Shaharyar Khan on Monday Dunedin which New Zealand won the dynamic we are after and then the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced he will wait for a by 122 runs. we’ll make a decision.” when he spoke to Board of Control few more days for a final deci- “The boys bowled exception- Mascarenhas expected a more for Cricket in India (BCCI) presi- sion on the series after receiv- ally well on a really fl at and resolute performance from Sri dent Shashnak Manohar. The In- ing a call from Clarke, who re- it’s about time we took 20 wick- Lanka who are still bedding in dian board chief told him that the assured that he will speak to the ets,” Mascarenhas said yesterday, a clutch of newcomers after the Indian government had not yet BCCI again. as the squad began preparations retirement of several seasoned given its go-ahead for the series, The two boards signed an MoU for the second Test at Seddon Doug Bracewell of New Zealand bowls during day players in the past 18 months, reports dawn.com yesterday. last year in which they agreed Park. four of the first International Test cricket match notably Mahela Jayawardene and Pakistan Prime Minister Na- Pakistan will host India four “I think we just showed what between New Zealand and Sri Lanka at University Kumar Sangakkara. waz Sharif has already given the times while India will host their we are capable of doing, but now Oval in Dunedin on December 13. “We saw some really good green light to the PCB to host the arch-rivals twice in the next it’s time to keep that consistency signs from their batters. They’ve series in Sri Lanka. eight years. up and move forward.” cricket, bagged the key wicket of fewer deliveries and fi nished with Craig as a second spin option to got some really talented and skil- Two tentative dates for the The PCB isn’t keen to offi cially Mascarenhas rated Bracewell Sri Lankan captain Angelo Math- one for 88. back up Mitchell Santner. ful players,” he said. series, comprising three One- announce the cancellation of as “probably the best bowler” in ews in the second innings. Mascarenhas said a pitch “We could,” he said of the pos- “We know they’ve lost a couple day Internationals and two T20 the series since it believes such a the fi rst Test but without having Wagner took fi ve for 143 from inspection would determine sibility of playing two spinners. of big players but the ones coming matches, have been put forward move can have an adverse impact the same success as Wagner who, 42 overs in the match while the whether New Zealand keep both “But we haven’t seen the wicket in are having opportunities and by the PCB: Dec 15-Jan 4 and Dec on their next scheduled series on his recall after a year out of Test more miserly Bracewell bowled 10 seamers or replace one with Mark yet. From my point of view you taking them.” 19-Jan 4. with India in 2017. Gulf Times 10 Thursday, December 17, 2015 CRICKET

SPOTLIGHT FOCUS Warne names Ganguly captain of MLB prospect his India Test XI

IANS “The Indian side I’ve selected Melbourne is a very strong one and would be tough to play against. The hard- est position to select for me was chasing T20 ustralia leg-spin leg- the number 6 spot between my end Shane Warne has great friend VVS or Azharud- named Sourav Ganguly din.” as captain, Sachin Ten- Ultimately, while Warne Adulkar as the No.4 batsman and named Azharuddin in his team V.V. S. Laxman as the 12th man in and opted to have Laxman carry his “Best Indian XI”. the drinks, he said the fi nal deci- Warne, who is the second sion would depend on the condi- dream in India highest Test wicket-taker in the tions. world with 708 scalps from 145 “Hence I named 12 and would matches, continued his series of choose the 12th man on the day!” Boomer Collins had never heard of cricket before this year, but now he’s in India naming the best XI from coun- Warne’s greatest India XI fea- tries he has played against. tures Virender Sehwag (8,273 hoping to win a T20 contract — and he’s giving his new passion his best shot And it was unsurprising that runs) and Navjot Singh Sidhu Warne named Test cricket’s (3,202 runs) at the top of the overall greatest run-scorer order, followed by Rahul Dravid Sachin Tendulkar at No.4 in his (13,288 runs) at fi rst drop. side. Tendulkar — who retired Tendulkar would be followed By Justin Robertson at 40 having played a stagger- by Sourav Ganguly (7,212 runs) The Guardian ing 200 Tests, scored 15,921 runs - also named captain of Warne’s in his remarkable career, with 51 team - while Azharuddin at No.6 hundreds — was an automatic would be followed by iconic all- s far as cultural adjustments go, it was the selection considering the mo- rounder Kapil Dev (434 traff ic jams in that grabbed the at- mentous on-fi eld rivalry he has and 5,248 runs). tention of Boomer Collins. For Collins, born had with the Australian spin Current India limited-overs in the open spaces of Dallas, Bangalore took wizard. skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni A However, Warne said select- sneaks into the side and would some getting used to: mini vans strapped with ruck- sacks on the roof; rickshaw operators walking their ing his India XI was his toughest wear the gloves. steel-framed bikes in between trucks; mopeds using team to date, with the biggest While Warne’s criteria for his the curbs of the sidewalk to maneuver around bottle decision being who to choose greatest XIs demands he must necked intersections. between Laxman (8,781 runs in have played against all selected, “It was a sensory overload,” said the 26-year-old. “How 134 Tests) and former Indian Dhoni qualifi es having faced busy everything is. Everything is one huge traff ic jam.” skipper Mohamed Azharuddin Warne in the Indian Premier But Collins isn’t on a religious pilgrimage or some (6,126 runs from 99 Test) at the League (IPL). backpacking adventure. The former minor leaguer is in No.6 position. Anil Kumble (619 wickets), India to do the unthinkable: woo cricket scouts and win Between 1996 and 2012, Lax- Harbhajan Singh (417 wickets) a contract to play T20. Collins, who had never heard of man hit six out of his 17 Test and Javagal Srinath (236 wick- the game before this year, is giving cricket his best shot. hundreds, and four out of his six ets) round out Warne’s bowling “I’m going all in with cricket,” said Collins, who was One-Day Internationals (ODIs) attack. recently dropped from the Blue Jays’ aff iliate AAA team hundreds against Australia. Next, Warne has promised in Lansing, Michigan, and has only been playing cricket “This was the hardest team to name his greatest combined for two weeks. “It’s not a game you can halfway in. Espe- to select as I played against a Ashes XI and Sri Lankan Test XI. cially If I want to play at a higher level, I don’t think that I few legends at the end of their The team: Virender Sehwag, can go into it only giving it 50% of my time and eff ort.” respective careers like (Dilip) Navjot Singh Sidhu, Rahul Drav- Collins is in India with coach and mentor Julien Foun- Vengsarkar, Sanjay Manjreker, id, Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav tain, the founder of SwitchHit20 , a project that would Ravi Shastri and Manoj Prab- Ganguly, Mohammad Azharud- look at moulding the skills of minor-league players hakar as well as current players din, Kapil Dev, MS Dhoni, Anil into professional cricketers that could play in leagues like Zaheer Khan too,” Warne Kumble, Harbhajan Singh and around the world for sums up to $800,000. On his list wrote on his Facebook page on Javagal Srinath (VVS Laxman are 150 potential cricketers from the minor leagues; Tuesday. 12th) Collins is the first to fully commit to the project and Fountain expects that more than 1,000 applicants will attend a combine once a date and venue has been set. BOTTOMLINE Ever since he can remember, Collins - who got his nickname Boomer after the 1989 tornado that ripped by the Texas hospital he was born in - dreamed about playing professional baseball. And he did. He played for Get Lara involved, the Dallas Baptist University Patriots, where the likes of Blue Jays shortstop Ryan Goins and newly signed Chi- cago Cubs second baseman Ben Zobrist were drafted. Warne advises In 2013, although he wasn’t drafted, Collins signed with the Toronto Blue Jays as an undrafted free agent. He labored for four years with four diff erent teams - the West Indies Gulf League Coast Blue Jays, the Vancouver Canadiens, the Dunedin Jays and the Lansing Lugnuts - as a right- handed designated hitter and outfielder, but never got the call up he was looking for. He describes his time in the minors as “fortunate” and has no regrets. He would have loved more opportuni- ties but as he says “it wasn’t in the cards.” But never did he imagine a trip to India to begin a cricket career at 26. In 2014, 32 former minor league players filed a federal lawsuit against Major League Baseball commissioner Bud Selig and 17 major league teams. The lawsuit called for minor leaguers to be paid a salary that meets minimum wage requirements. This past October, US district court in San Francisco ruled that the lawsuit was approved as a class action, meaning it can add 10,000 former and current minor leaguers. It’s understand- able why these minor leaguers are seeking more pay: at $1,500, on average, per month, it’s well below the poverty line. Plus it’s also feasible to think that minor leaguers would find cricket’s T20 format hugely appealing, with the vast hitting of sixes that go out of the stands and fours that crash into the fence that replacing the exhilarat- ing home runs and paychecks starting at an estimated $80,000. The American perception of cricket though is this: why play a game that lasts for two weeks and still draw? Collins said one thing he’s finding burdensome about his transition to cricket is the decision-making - and deciding which shot to play. “With baseball you take your best swing whereas cricket you have to change your swing to the diff erent balls that come in,” he said. There are other intricacies Collins has noticed, too. In baseball, you never try and hit a ball that is aimed at IANS scores in Tests at 400 your body or head, but it’s the opposite in cricket, where Sydney and fi rst class cricket 501 not you use the bat to protect your body and wickets with a out. vertical approach. But as far as Collins is concerned, he’s He is currently in Australia spent all his life hitting a round ball with a round bat, so egendary Australia leg- after featuring in a Festival of he should be able to transfer his skills to hit a round ball spinner Shane Warne Cricket Twenty20 match in with a square bat. believes an interven- Western Australia last week. The first time Collins met Fountain was 11 months ago. tion from the legendary Warne, one of Lara’s main LBrian Lara is warranted in nemeses during his playing Fountain had reached out to him and other minor league baseball players off ering an off -season idea to order to save the West Indies’ days, said it was important the earn extra money. After looking at YouTube clips of troubled tour Down Under West Indies bounced back as cricket and a few emails later, Collins was soon texting from becoming a full blown world cricket needed a strong Fountain at least once a day with questions about the crisis. Caribbean side. sport. What he saw in T20 cricket was a game that had Speaking after witnessing “I think world cricket needs action; a game he could adapt to. the Windies innings and 212- the West Indies to be strong. As far as resumés go, the 45-year-old Fountain comes run defeat inside three days What they bring to the table is well versed to take Collins to the next level, but says in the opening Test in Hobart, so exciting,” said Warne. funding for this project is one obstacle that could curtail Warne said Lara could play a “They play with emotion, the whole thing. role in reviving team morale, passion and fl air. The Windies “I am paying for Boomer’s training out of my own reports CMC. are passionate people and they pocket. The project is currently being proposed to a “Lara is in the country. will be hurting from that loss.” few possible investors, but we will have to pitch it in They need to get him involved, The West Indies were ham- person,” he wrote, adding he’s already spent more than spend some time with the team mered in Hobart, dismissed $10,000 since he started the project in 2010. “Without in Melbourne,” said Warne twice for 223 and 148, in re- sponsors, it will be down to me paying for everything, on Tuesday, who snared 708 sponse to Australia’s massive and I simply cannot aff ord to put down tens of thou- wickets from 145 Tests. fi rst innings score of 583 for sands of dollars.” Lara is the highest run-get- four declared. ter for the West Indies in Tests They face Australia in the with 11,953 runs in 131 match- second Test in Melbourne Switch hit: Boomer Collins es, and remains the world- starting on Boxing Day (De- record holder for the highest cember 26). Gulf Times Thursday, December 17, 2015 11 SPORT

SPOTLIGHT FOCUS Aspire wraps up fi rst day of 2nd ‘Aspire in Qatar’s al-Hamad the World Fellows’ celebrates Gulf 12hr gathering in Doha debut at Yas Marina ‘This is the last race for me in 2015 and it has been a good season for racing’

Participants during ‘Aspire in the World Fellows’ coaching symposium.

By Sports Reporter facilities and briefed about the Doha educational and training pro- grammes the Academy pro- vides to its students as well as an he ‘Aspire in the World overview of the signifi cant suc- Fellows’ coaching sym- cess and progress that has been posium successfully achieved in the fi elds of sports opened today, featuring education and science. Ta group of world leading foot- During the afternoon, promi- ball experts that have travelled to nent sports psychologist Dr Glo- Qatar to share best practice and ria Balague from the University expertise, develop recommen- of Illinois in Chicago presented dations for training methodolo- a lecture on “The Role of the gies and support the manage- Coach in Training Psychological ment of young players. Skills”, which explored the ef- Representatives from 20 of the fects of psychology on athletic world’s leading clubs, federa- performance. A number of ad- tions and leagues that belong to ditional workshops sessions fo- the Aspire Fellows community are cused on training plans, match taking part in the two-day event. and training recovery, integrated By Our Correspondent break of almost three hours be- starter motor broke and he was took the fi nal fl ag for the team “We didn’t run our car on These include experts from clubs training methodologies and pre- Abu Dhabi tween the two races. forced to wait for the repairs. after 271 laps complete. The race full power as we had some including Chelsea, Paris Saint- venting soft tissue injuries. Amro joined up with the CRM The team then raced a faultless ended under red fl ags, dramati- small technical issues previ- Germain, Arsenal and many more. Day two of the symposium will Team from in their 5 hours to continue into 16th cally 10 minutes early due to a ous so we wanted to make sure The symposium began with an feature a visit to Aspire Acad- atari racing driver GB08 WOLF prototype car to place by the end of race one. violent crash involving two cars we gave ourselves a fighting open discussion session with the emy’s Laboratories along with Amro al-Hamad cele- run in the CN class, giving him “The fi rst outing in the race being heavily damaged. chance of at least finishing the visiting experts and the Acad- a number of other workshops, brated his maiden ap- some familiarity to the Radical was really great, I really enjoyed “It was not a normal fi nish so race, the team did a fantastic emy’s student-athletes during discussions and training ses- pearance in the Gulf SR3 he raced in past seasons. the car although it is very low to everyone was a bit surprised to job and I enjoyed racing with which the students shared their sions. Dr Donna O’Connor from 12hrQ race at Yas Marina circuit Joining new teammates the ground and isn’t always vis- see red fl ags near the end of the my new team mates”, com- experiences of training and com- the University of Sydney in Aus- with a podium fi nish, repre- Philppe Prette and Angelo Ne- ible to other GT cars, so I was a race, the two Ferrari’s collided in mented Amro. peting at the Academy. Students tralia is expected to give a pres- senting the country of Qatar for gro, who usually race in the Fer- little cautious with other cars front of me hitting an oil spill on “This is the last race for me were also given the opportunity entation on developing learning the fi rst time in this prestigious rari Asia Cup and Sam Taheri, around me, it’s the low nature of turn 3 and I was lucky to avoid the in 2015 and it has been a good to direct questions to the experts opportunities for players. endurance race event. the team qualifi ed the car in 12th these prototype cars and after a mayhem, thankfully we managed season for racing, where I have about how best to improve their Aspire Academy fi rst opened After achieving Qatar’s place ahead of all the Porsche while you get used to it. to bring our car to the fi nish line celebrated and lifted the Qatar performance. its doors in 2004 and is con- Free-diving National record in GT3 Cup teams. “The team were very pleased in one piece in 16th place overall fl ag on the podium with some The session provided a range sidered to be one of the leading Greece a few months ago, Amro All was not to be completely with my lap times as was being and fi rst in the CN class.” great teams so i am very proud. of valuable insights for partici- sports institutes in the Middle swapped his wet suit and fi ns for fault free running for the team very consistent to try and help “I was really impressed with Now I am focusing on attracting pants, helping to support the East. The Academy off ers an in- his race suit to get behind the who suff ered two technical is- the team gain time in certain the GB08 WOLF car and I re- new sponsors to replace Shell development of innovative ap- tegrated educational programme wheel for a new 12-hour chal- sues early on in the fi rst part of sectors, but it was tough be- ally enjoyed the high downforce who will not continue in 2016 proaches to improving train- of sports development, sports lenge. The format of the Gulf the six hour race with a throt- cause of the previous technical from the aero compaired to due to budget restrictions, but i ing methodologies, nurturing science and academic learning 12 Hours sees the event broken tle sensor problem forcing the issues,” Amro said. Race two what im used to in the Radical. want to thank them for the sup- footballing talent and support- to boys aged 12 to 18. The school down into two, six hour races, car into the pit box for repairs, was a battle to regain lost time We struggled a little bit on pow- port they have given me over the ing young players in achieving develops well-educated sports one in the daytime and one in losing 15 laps on the lead cars. for the team, Amro had three er on the straights against the years, and I look forward to con- sporting success. Following the champions and aims to become the evening which concludes Amro also had just entered the stints in the car totalling three GT3 cars but we had maximum tinuing this motorsport journey session, participants were then the world’s leading sports acad- under the fl oodlights, with a car for his fi rst stint, when the hours behind the wheel and cornering speed. for Qatar,” concluded Amro. given a tour of Aspire Academy’s emy for young athletes by 2020.

QATAR VOLLEYBALL LEAGUE

Qatar Sport Club defeated Al Khor 3-2 in a Qatar Volleyball League match yesterday. At right, action from Al Gharafa-Al Wakrah match.

Thursday, December 17, 2015 GULF TIMES SPORT

HORSE RACING/ QATAR NATIONAL DAY TROPHY TM Thunder Struck leads Umm Qarn one-two ‘When you are first and second in the big race, it obviously does feel very nice. TM Thunder Struck is a nice horse’

By Mikhil Bhat Doha

ajd Al Arab’s grey son TM Thunder Struck made Alban de Mieulle a very happy Mman yesterday. The Frenchman, two months ago, had tipped the Umm Qarn colt to do well in the Qatar Arabi- an World Cup at Longchamp but was bitterly disappointed with a 12th place fi nish. A little bit of rest since then and TM Thunder Struck has done well to pick up two victories, the second of which was yesterday in the Qatar National Day Trophy, a Group 2 race for Purebred Ara- bians, which featured the card at the Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club. Two weeks ago, TM Thunder Struck had won another feature, the Muaither Cup, beating a 12-horse fi eld. Yesterday, Jean Baptiste Hamel rode the fi ve-year-old to lead an Umm Qarn one-two with Ga- etan Faucon riding Amer progeny Nashmi to fi nish second. Ahmed Abdullah al-Marzooqi’s Raddad fi nished third. “When you are fi rst and sec- Sheikh Abdullah bin Mishal al-Thani (centre) receives the winner’s trophy from Minister of Youth and Sports HE Salah bin Ghanem bin Nasser al-Ali (second from left) after he rode Munjim to victory in the Maseela ond in the big race, it obviously races at the Qatar Racing and Equestrian Federation yesterday. PICTURES: Juhaim does feel very nice. TM Thunder Struck is a nice horse but he has What looked like a comfortable 1400m conditions event, Enwa’s (Gerald Avranche), 3. Stevie’s never been able to prove that he lead for The Scuttler soon dis- turn of foot left everyone be- Wonder (Tadgh O’Shea), 4. At- is a champion,” De Mieulle told appeared as Hamel had Adwan hind even as another Umm Qarn lantic Sea (Richard Mullen). Won Gulf Times yesterday. “He ran galloping at an impressive pace filly, Ablah II, mounted a charge, by: Hd, 0.5, 0.75. Time: 1:35.36. in Goodwood but was unlucky. on the outside, and jockey Yanis which didn’t yield much in the Owner: Salem Fadgam al-Hajri & Then he ran well in the prepara- Aouabed, who had held a steady end. Enwa’s first win was a com- Sons. Trainer: S. al-Hajri. tion for the Qatar Arabian World inside line with Pat Mustard, manding six length victory over Race 3: 1. Intishar (Stephan Cup at Longchamp but the day of moved ahead too. Umm Qarn duo Ablah II and Fir- Ladjadj), 2. Tarek Al Mels (Tadgh the Arc, he just wasn’t what we Enjoy Today, ridden by dous. O’Shea), 3. Khalfa (Marvin expected of him. Stephan Ladjadj, showed some Smart had another winner Suerland), 4. Heytham (Adrie “So we rested him a bit. That impressive turn of foot and kept on the day in Thabit, who was de Vries). Won by: 1.5, 0.5, Hd. has done well to him. We tried eating into Adwan’s lead but it ridden to a victory in the Local Time: 1:44.03. Owner: Injaaz Stud. him over seven furlongs two was only good enough for a sec- Purebred Arabian Novice Plate Trainer: Jassim al-Ghazali. weeks ago and he won. This time ond place fi nish at the post ahead event by Marco Monteriso in the Race 4: 1. Thabit (Marco we had him go over 2000m. I told of Fadak, who had managed to colours of Sheikh Mohammed. Monteriso), 2. Fiteen (Jean Bap- the jockey to wait and wait, and edge out Pat Mustard. In a thrilling end to the eight tiste Hamel), 3. Bint Al Akaber let’s see how it pans out in the Injaaz Stud and Jassim al- furlong event, the fi ve-year-old (Gerald Avranche), 4. Tabasheer end. It ended rather well. Ghazali picked up a victory in the grey horse just edged out Umm (Gaetan Faucon). Won by: Nk, Hd, “I was disappointed after Class 3 Thoroughbred Handicap Qarn’s colt Fiteen and Subaiya 1. Time: 1:45.16. Owner: HH Sheikh Longchamp but Kalino gave me event for horses rated 75-95 after Awad Ibrahim’s fi lly Bint Al Aka- Mohammed bin Khalifa al-Thani. a reason to cheer up by winning Sir Guy Porteous won a thriller ber for a win. The other horse to Trainer: Julian Smart. the big race in Abu Dhabi (Group that saw four horses fi nish within shed his maiden status on the day Race 5: 1. Adwan (Jean Baptiste 1 Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al one tenth of a second. was Blazers Rock, a four-year- Hamel), 2. Enjoy Today (Stephan Nahyan Jewel Crown) and today Ali bin Adel al-Muslimani’s old bay gelding owned by Salem Ladjadj), 3. Fadak (Gerald TM Thunder Struck won too.” New Pearl, ridden by Gaetan Fadgam Al Hajri & Sons. Yes- Avranche), 4. Pat Mustard (Yanis Earlier in the day, after miss- Faucon, took the lead early on terday’s Class 6 Thoroughbred Aouabed). Won by: 0.75, Nk, 0.75. ing out on a victory twice, Umm ahead of one of the strongest Maiden Plate was Blazers Rock’s Time: 1:34.94. Owner: Umm Qarn. Qarn and De Mieulle cherished fi elds in the card. Mullen kept Sir Jockey Jean Baptiste Hamel celebrates as TM Thunder Struck takes a five-length win in the Qatar National 34th outing and he won ahead of Trainer: Alban de Mieulle. a win with Adwan in the Class 5 Guy Porteous right behind New Day Trophy at the QREC yesterday. Mohammed bin Hamad Khalifa Race 6: 1. Sir Guy Porteous (Rich- Thoroughbred Handicap event. Pearl on the inside. al-Attiyah’s Dubawi gelding Dig- ard Mullen), 2. New Pearl (Gaetan Zakhir Stud’s The Scuttler took With only two furlongs to go, This was a second victory for the ahead of Noora bint Sheail al- colours of HH Sheikh Moham- ital Rebellion and Injaaz Stud’s Faucon), 3. Rising Dawn (Gerald the early lead in the 1600m event Mullen found his way blocked Injaaz-Ghazali combine after In- Kuwari’s Tarek Al Mels, trained med bin Khalifa al-Thani, kept Stevie’s Wonder. Avranche), 4. Tarrafal (Yanis with Minley, owned by Moham- and had to step out. While he did tishar was ridden to his second by al-Ghazali’s son Mohamed. the Amer fi lly in top fi ve as Ab- RESULTS Aouabed). Won by: Hd, Hd, Hd. med Khalid Hamad Ali al-Khalifa, that, jockey Yanis Aouabed had victory of the season by Stephan Khalfa, owned by Jassim bin Ali dullah Mohammed al-Kuwari Race 1: 1. Enwa (Richard Mullen), Time: 1:22.23. Owner: Injaaz Stud. galloping alongside. Four furlongs Yanis Ahmed Hassan al-Malki Ladjadj in the Purebred Arabian al-Attiyah, completed an al- and Sons’ Gunwa took the early 2. Ablah II (Jean Baptiste Hamel), Trainer: Jassim al-Ghazali to go, jockey Hamel and his ride al-Jehani’s Tarrafal squeeze past Handicap event for horses rated Ghazali hat-trick at the top. lead with jockey JP Guillambert 3. Firdous (Gaetan Faucon), 4. Fal Race 7: 1. TM Thunder Struck Adwan were sixth in the fi eld. a couple of horses on the inside 70 and below. After an encouraging fourth- at the helm. Akhair (Darren Williams). Won (Jean Baptiste Hamel), 2. Nashmi The complexion changed as to move ahead in the contention. Intishar had shed his maiden place fi nish in a strong Umm Salal Going into the bend, Mullen by: 6, 4, 1. Time: 1:30.22. Owner: (Gaetan Faucon), 3. Raddad the action approached the home In the end, however, Sir Guy status a month ago winning a Oaks Trials fi eld three weeks ago, had his ride steadily move up in HH Sheikh Mohammed bin (Asad al-Seyabi), 4. Vetlana De stretch with Stolen Story and Porteous was good to edge out 1400m event. Yesterday, fi ve days Julian Smart’s charge Enwa shed third. Coming on to the home Khalifa al- Thani. Trainer: Julian Faus (Tadgh O’Shea). Won by: Words Of A Prophet going past the competition for a fi ne win after an eighth place fi nish in a her maiden status in the Local straight, Umm Qarn’s Amer fil- Smart 5, 0.5, 1.25. Time: 2:11.14. Owner: Minley, and Adwan picking up with New Pearl fi nishing sec- novice event, the four-year-old Purebred Arabian Maiden Plate ly Firdous and Enwa went past Race 2: 1. Blazers Rock (Darren Umm Qarn. Trainer: Alban de speed. ond and Rising Dawn in third. fi nished one and a half lengths yesterday. Mullen, riding in the Gunwa. In the last 300m of the Williams), 2. Digital Rebellion Mieulle.

BASKETBALL Easy wins for Al Ahli, Al Sadd in Qatar league

By Sports Reporter Doha

ashad Woods scored a game-high 34 points but still fi nished on the los- ing side on another day of one-sided matches in the Qatar Basketball League. RAt the Al Gharafa Indoor Hall yesterday, Woods’ eff orts were in vain as Qatar Sports Club were handed an 85-64 drubbing by Al Ahli. It was a no-contest from the outset with Al Ahli racing to a 28-9 fi rst quarter lead and then enjoying a whopping 53-18 advantage at the half- way stage. Although Qatar Sports club pulled up their socks and scored 46 points over the fi nal two quarters, it proved too little too late for them. For Al Ahli, Jimmy Williams scored 30 points, while Elhadj Seydou and Lamar Demond chipped in with 22 and 20 respectively. Earlier, Al Sadd thrashed Al Shamal 90-56 af- ter leading 31-6 at the end of the fi rst 10 minutes. That was too much of a lead for Shamal to over- came and they soon caved in without much of a fi ght. Khalid Suliman Abdi scored 18 points for Al Sadd, while Brandon Provost had 17 while Mousa Daud Mousa and Abdulrahman Saad netted 13 each. Action from yesterday’s Qatar Basketball League at the Al Gharafa Indoor Hall.