SPORT Sunday 30 December 2018 PAGE | 05 PAGE | 07 Cook, Thomas Ronaldo brace and Southgate seals new honoured in UK record for New Year’ list Juventus

The Secretary-General Qatar ExxonMobil Open draw ceremony of the Qatar Tennis Federation (QTF), Tariq Darwish Zainal, is seen with Vice President and Human Resources Manager, ExxonMobil, Abdul Latif Al Naimi, Tournament Director Karim Alami, QTF Executive Director Saad Al Mohannadi, ATP Tour official Lars Graff and QTF referee Ashraf Hamouda at the draw ceremony conducted at Four Seasons Hotel in Doha yesterday. Participating players Marius Copil of Romania, Pierre- Hugues Herbert of France, Robin Haase of the Netherlands and Marco Cecchinato of Italy were also present at the draw ceremony. Hassan the one to watch as in-form Qatar seek solid World Cup rehearsal in UAE

REUTERS Qatar pulled off one of the most complete their preparations against a QATAR AT THE ASIAN CUP MUMBAI impressive results in their history when Carlos Queiroz-coached Iran, the top side they won 1-0 in Switzerland and five days in the continent, in Doha tomorrow. REUTERS An in-form Qatar will be hoping to use later, they fought back to earn a 2-2 draw Our preparations have been “The four friendly matches will be a the 10th Asian Cup in nearby United Arab against 2016 UEFA Euro quarter-finalists good opportunity to prepare the players,” Factbox on Qatar ahead of the Asian Cup, Emirates as a platform for a successful Iceland. very good. We played two Sanchez told reporters. which takes place in the United Arab Emirates maiden World Cup campaign as the hosts “The Asian Cup is a very important high-intensity matches in “I have several players to choose from January 5 to February 1: of soccer’s biggest event in 2022. tournament, and we want to give it our Europe and did well and from the preparatory camp and I will wait The January 5-February 1 tournament best,” Qatar goalkeeper Saad Al Sheeb hopefully, we can continue till the friendly matches to decide on the FIFA world ranking: 93 will be Qatar’s last major competition told sports weekly Doha Stadium Plus. final squad. Ranking in Asia: 13 ahead of the next World Cup and they “Our preparations have been very in the same way at the Asian “Everyve y team tea goes into to any a y compe- co pe PreviousPrevious AAsiansian Cups: 9 will look to improve on their Asian Cup good. We played two high-intensity Cup: Coach Felix Sanchezanchez tition eyeing the title. The Qatari team’s BestBest pperformance:erformance: QuQuarter-finalsa (2000, 2011) quarter-final appearances of 2000 and matches in Europe and did well and goalgoal is no different.different. 2015: Group stastagege 2011. hopefully, we can continue in the same “I“I knowknow Qatari Nickname:Nickname: The MaroMaroons,o Al Annabi Comprised largely of players from way at the Asian Cup.” played in Belgium and Spain,ain, and scored fansfans have big Coach:Coach: FelixFelix SSanchezanchez BBas 2018 AFC Champions League semi- Qatar’s defence will be boosted by the winning goal againstt SwitzerSwitzerland,land, hopeshopes fromfrom thethe RegularRegular captain: HHassanass Al-Haydos finalists - Al Sadd and Al Duhail - the Al the presence of Abdelkarim Hassan, who breaking clear and roundingunding homehome currentcurrent batchbatch of PlayerPlayer to watch: AbdulkarimAbdu Hassan Annabi have been pooled alongside was named 2018 AFC Asian Player of the keeper Yvon Mvogo too finishfinish withwith playersplayers anandd I RecentRecent fform:orm: Lebanon and Saudi Arabia in Group E, Year after the left back played a pivotal aplomb. hhopeope we can OctoberOctober 1616 (in TashkenTashkent)t Uzbekistan 2-0 Qatar with only North Korea below them in the role in Al Sadd’s run to the Asian Cham- The Qatari midfielder, wwhoho primariprimarilyly deliver.deliver. Having November 14 (in LugaLugano)no Switzerland 0-1 Qatar FIFA rankings. pions League semi-finals this season. operates behind the attack,ck, will look to saidsaid thatthat we areare NovemberNovember 20 ((inin Eupen)Eupen Qatar 2-2 Iceland However, Felix Sanchez’s men will However, Hassan’s club team-mate cement his status as onee ooff Asia’s totopp inin a tougtoughh group, DDecemberecember 23 (i(inn DohaDoha)) Qatar 2-0 Jordan be confident of advancing deep into the Akram Afif is likely to be the most rec- talents during his first Asianan Cup. andand aallll tthehe teams DDecemberecember 2255 (in Doha) Qatar 1-0 Kyrgyzstan tournament, having been boosted by two ognisable face in the squad after his Qatar have also won twowo more recent deserve the DecemberDecember 2277 (i(inn DoDoha) Qatar 0-1 Algeria impressive displays in international breakthrough year. warm-up matches againstnst Jordan and respect.”respect.” friendlies last month. Despite being just 22, Afif has already Kyrgyzstan, lost narrowly to AlgeriaAlgeria and Fixtures:Fixtures: GroupGroup E JanuarJanuaryy 9: Qatar vs Lebanon in AAll AiAin JanuJanuaryar 13: North Korea vs QQataratar in Al Ain JanuaryJanua 17: Saudi Arabia vs QatarQata in Abu Dhabi

Qatar arrive in the UAE forfor their 10th Asian Cup on theth back of some strong resultsre in international ffriendlies and hoping to makem an impression on thet soccer community aheada of their maiden WorldW Cup appearance in 2022 as hosts. The tournament will be Qatar’s last before the 20222022 World Cup and the tiny bbutut wealthyw Arab state will llookook toto better their best-ever Asian CCup show of reaching Qatari player tthehe quarter-finals.qua Abdelkarim FelixFeli Sanchez’s men Hassan (left) would hohope to advance deep takes part iinn tthehe tourntournament,a having been in a practice boostedboosted by twotw stellar perform- session with ances in recentre international team-mates. ffriendliesriendlies aagainstga Switzerland and Qatar coach Felix Sanchez Iceland.Iceland. 06 SPORT SUNDAY 30 DECEMBER 2018

The Centre Court at the Khalifa Tennis and Squash Complex in Doha. The Qatar ExxonMobil Open starts at the same venue tomorrow.

Djokovic clinches Wawrinka faces tough test fourth Mubadala title

AFP as Djokovic gets easy draw ABU DHABI

ARMSTRONG VAS Tomas Berdych is one of the two World number one Novak THE PENINSULA star players who arrived early Djokovic won a fourth in Doha to get use to the local Mubadala World Tennis Grand Slams star Stan conditions. Championship title yesterday, Wawrinka - seeking to bounce Djokovic, tops the entry list coming back from a set down back to top-10 - faces an uphill of star players at this year’s to beat Kevin Anderson 4-6, task to his Qatar Open campaign event and will be joined by the 7-5, 7-5. as top seed Novak Djokovic, the likes Dominic Thiem of Austria, Djokovic claimed victory 2018 Wimbledon and US Open Nikolov Basilashvili of Georgia, on a fifth match point against champion, was yesterday David Goffin of Belgium, Italian his South African opponent handed a relatively easy draw. Marco Cecchinato, Spaniards who won the pre-season The former World No.3 from Roberto Bautista Agut and exhibition tournament in Switzerland, a runner-up at the Fernando Verdasco, who are the 2018. 2008 edition, faces World No.11 seeded players at the $1.4m The 31-year-old Djokovic Karen Khachanov of Russia in tournament. previously claimed the three- the first round tie while World Second seed Thiem will face day event in the UAE in 2011, No. 1 Djokovic starts his Qatar World No. 55 Pierre-Hugues 2012 and 2013 and has now campaign against No. 26 Damir Herbert of France, who is matched Rafael Nadal’s Dzumhur from Bosnia. making his Doha debut. The record of four titles. The draw ceremony for the Frenchman is looking forward “I’m a bit tired. We ATP World Tour 250 series tour- to the challenge of facing Thiem. weren’t expecting to play two nament which kicks off from “Yes I do have a tough draw. hours and 30 minutes just tomorrow at the Khalifa Interna- Not easy to play the second seed before the start of the tional Tennis and Squash in the first round. Dominic season,” said Djokovic who Robin Haase of the Netherlands, Pierre-Hugues Herbert of France, Complex was held yesterday. The (Thiem) is an amazing player, with the winner taking on is building towards an assault Marius Copil of Romania and Marco Cecchinato of Italy during event ends on January 5, 2019. he finished the year among the Djokovic. Copil, one of the four on a possible seventh Aus- Wawrinka, who underwent top ten, so a tough opponent to players present for yesterday’s the draw ceremony in Doha tralian Open title next month. two surgeries to treat a knee beat but i am looking forward draw ceremony, said facing his cartilage injury in August 2017 to this match and will give my double partner and friend Fuc- had slipped to ATP Rank of 263 best,” Herbert said yesterday. sovics will be a ‘tough task’. in June but has since bounced Herbert said he is determined “We were a few hours late back to 66. to give his best in the new season in registering as a double pair in Tough matches expected Wawrinka has shown that and notch his first ATP title. Qatar so we would not be he is well on his way to returning “Last year I came close to playing together the doubles. We to his very best and he will keen winning the title. Hopefully I will had to switch partners for the to do well in Doha. win my first ATP Tour title this double event in Qatar. We will at Qatar ExxonMobil Throughout 2018, Wawrinka season. Last season was amazing be together as a pair for the Aus- has remained optimistic, saying in the terms of rankings and I tralian Open,” Copil said. repeatedly that he believes that want to build on the success in Qatar ExxonMobil Open, Open: QTF official Zainal eventually he will find his best the new season,” he added. which has featured some of the tennis and looks set to come out Meanwhile, Marius Copil of biggest name in tennis down the THE PENINSULA Secretary General of the Qatar Tennis Federation (QTF), firing in 2019. Romania will square up against years, is seen as the curtain Tariq Darwish Zainal, was joined by Vice President and Wawrinka along with Czech Marton Fucsovics of Hungary raiser for the ATP tour. A series of ‘tough matches’ are Human Resources Manager, ExxonMobil, Abdul Latif Al expected at the week-long Qatar Naimi, Tournament Director Karim Alami, QTF Executive ExxonMobil Open, QTF Sec- Director Saad Al Mohannadi, at the draw ceremony yesterday. retary General said after the draw ceremony yesterday. Secretary General of the Yes I do have a tough draw. Qatar Tennis Federation (QTF), Tariq Darwish Zainal, was Not easy to play the second joined by Vice President and seed in the first round. Human Resources Manager, Dominic (Thiem) is an ExxonMobil, Abdul Latif Al amazing player, he finished Naimi, Tournament Director Karim Alami, QTF Executive the year among the top ten, Director Saad Al Mohannadi, so a tough opponent to beat ATP Tour official Lars Graff and One Novak Djokovic playing it is no different this time also,” but i am looking forward to QTF referee Ashraf Hamouda at here this week. Stan Wawrinka Zainal added. “Tickets are the draw ceremony conducted and Tomas Berdych also in the available for those who don’t this match and will give my at Four Seasons Hotel in Doha. draw. I am sure the fans will want to miss out on watching best: Herbert of France Participating players Marius love watching them in action at the great players. Some touch Copil of Romania, Pierre- the Khalifa Tennis and Squash clashes are expected,” he added. This picture posted on Stan Wawrinka Hugues Herbert of France, Complex,” he added. “I believe the draw is very twitter handle shows the Swiss player Robin Haase of the Netherlands Djokovic, who won the tough for some players. Eve- practicing at the Khalifa International and Marco Cecchinato of Italy Qatar ExxonMobil Open in 2016 rybody would want to be in the Tennis and Squash Complex ahead of at the draw ceremony of the and 2017, is set to make his fifth final. That would mean some the Qatar Open which begins on Monday. Qatar ExxonMobil Open also appearance in Qatar. He will be tough matches are expected,” featured at the draw joined by Dominic Thiem of Zainal said. “Our national team ceremony. Austria and Karen Kachanov of players are also part of the main “Some of the top players are Russia at the 32-man draw. We hope they have a playing at this week’s Qatar Exx- tournament chance to move ahead. We also onMobil Open,” Zainal said “Fans have come to see the want the fans to be here at the yesterday. best of tennis in Qatar. We venue from Monday,” Zainal “We have the World Number always have a strong field and added. SUNDAY 30 DECEMBER 2018 SPORT 07 Ronaldo brace seals new Wolves rock record for Juventus Spurs’ title hopes

AFP Ronaldo curled in the opener 2-2 against Atalanta midweek, as Fulham, Cardiff MILAN after just two minutes in Turin and are firmly on track for an adding a second from the penalty eighth consecutive Scudetto. Cristiano Ronaldo bagged a brace spot after 66 minutes, putting the Ronaldo had come off the secure vital wins as Italian champions Juventus Portuguese top of Serie A’s bench to score in Bergamo but finished 2018 on a high with a scoring charts with 14 goals. returned to the starting line along 2-1 win over Sampdoria giving Fabio Quagliarella pulled with Miralem Pjanic. AFP EPL RESULTS the Italian champions a Sampdoria level with a penalty And the Portuguese striker LONDON new record of 53 after 33 minutes, with the visitors found a way through early Fulham 1, Wolverhampton 1 points before having a late Riccardo Saponara picking up a Paulo Dybala cross Tottenham’s Premier League Tottenham 5, Bournemouth 0 the winter goal ruled offside after consul- to fire in past Sampdoria goal- title challenge suffered a huge Man United 3, Huddersfield 1 break. tation with the video assistant keeper Emil Audero. blow as Wolves struck three Liverpool 4, Newcastle 0 referee. But Sampdoria pulled level times in the final 18 minutes to Crystal Palace 0, Cardiff 0 Juventus open up a 12-point following a penalty awarded win 3-1 at Wembley as Fulham Burnley 1, Everton 5 lead at the top of Serie A ahead when Emre Can handball with and Cardiff secured huge wins of Napoli who can reduce the gap Quagliarella making no mistake at the other end of the table Leicester 2, Man City 1 when they host Bologna later on past Mattia Perin in the Juventus yesterday. Brighton 1, Arsenal 1 Saturday. The seven-time goal. Spurs had the chance to Watford 1, Chelsea 2 reigning champions also have The 35-year-old became the close to within three points of Southampton 1, West Ham 2 a record number of points first player to score in nine con- league leaders Liverpool, who before the three-week secutive Serie A games since can now move nine clear at the winter break with 53 David Trezeguet for Juventus in top with a victory over Arsenal Moutinho’s corner to equalise. from 19 games. 2005. The Sampdoria goalkeeper at Anfield later yesterday. As the hosts pressed for a The reigning deflected over a Ronaldo header Tottenham had smashed 11 winner, Wolves broke in champions have on the hour but the hosts went goals past Everton and Bourne- numbers and Jimenez put the dropped points just ahead when the referee awarded mouth in the previous six days visitors in front six minutes from Juventus’ Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates after twice this season, a penalty for an Alex Ferrari and Wolves also looked to be put time before Helder Costa raced scoring his first goal against Sampdoria in being held by handball off a corner after a VAR to the sword by one moment of clear to score his first Premier Turin yesterday. Genoa at home and viewing. outstanding quality from Harry League goal. Kane midway through the first Fulham are now just a point half. away from safety after Ale- The England captain raced ksandar Mitrovic saved Abou- onto Son Heung-min’s pass and bakar Kamara’s blushes, but not cut inside onto his weaker left the wrath of manager Claudio India sees Asian foot, but still produced a pow- Ranieri. erful drive from 20 yards that The Frenchman ignored event as stepping beat Rui Patricio to move level Ranieri’s orders to let Mitrovic with Arsenal’s Pierre-Emerick take a late penalty with the Aubameyang as the league’s top scores still tied a 0-0 and saw stone towards scorer on 13 goals. his effort saved by Jonas Lossl. Much has been made of Tot- “I said to Aboubakar tenham coach Mauricio Pochet- Kamara to leave the ball to future dream tino’s ability to extract the most Mitrovic, he is the man who from a stretched squad, but shoots the penalties,” said REUTERS Spurs finally looked like a side Ranieri. “It is unbelievable, he MUMBAI jaded by competing on four did not respect me, the club, the fronts in the final stages as team and crowd. I spoke with India are hoping to use the Asian Cup as a Wolves took full advantage on him, it is not right. key building block towards realising a the counter-attack. A missed penalty was also dream of qualifying for the 2026 World “We have had a very good the turning point at the King Cup finals but doubts remain over the South Korean defender Kim Young-gwon celebrates run in the last few weeks and to Power where Neil Etheridge quality of the side ahead of next month’s after scoring against Germany during the 2018 FIFA keep that level is difficult,” said saved James Maddison’s spot- continental showpiece in the United Arab World Cup in this file photo. Pochettino. kick for Leicester. Emirates. “I think we started to pay for And Cardiff snatched a first India has a population of 1.3 billion but the effort in the other games. We away win of the season in the nation’s obsession with and success on are not machines.” stoppage time when Victor the cricket pitch has left it a massive under- South Korea keen to “We were wrong in the way Camarasa unleashed a rocket to achiever on the football field. we tried to play, too much long move the Welsh side four points The national side is 97th in the FIFA ball and our energy dropped in clear of the relegation zone. rankings and yet to play at a World Cup, the second half.” In an afternoon of few goals but All India Football Federation president end Asian Cup drought The comeback began when as the strains of a hectic festive Praful Patel is confident their fourth Asian Boly rose highest to meet Joao fixture list appeared to take Cup appearance will prove to be a vital their toll, Brighton also boosted stepping stone. REUTERS Cardiff snatched a their survival chances by “The... dream needs to be achieved by SEOUL beating Everton 1-0 on the 2026 as there will be eight teams from Asia first away win of the south coast. in the FIFA World Cup,” Patel told reporters South Korea are making season in stoppage Everton were unhappy with last week, adding the team would just not a habit of replacing their I’m confident that time the nature of Jurgen Locadia’s be looking to make it out of the group stage coach in the run-up to we’ll play well, but controversial winner as the in the UAE. Asian Cup tournaments Dutch striker had initially been I also know we’re not “You just always cannot live a dream but if Paulo Bento can Brighton also boosted flagged offside before firing into and we have to make the Asian dream a emulate Uli Stielike’s the only team chasing the roof of the net. their survival chances reality.” performance four years the title. Other teams However, after consultation India’s qualification for the 2011 Asian ago then the reward will by beating Everton 1-0 between the referee and his Cup in Qatar was more a case of coming have been well worth the will be ready, too. assistant, the goal was given as in through the back door when the country risk for the two-times I don’t think we’re the ball rebounded into Loca- advanced by winning the AFC Challenge champions. the top favourites: dia’s path via Everton midfielder Cup, a tournament for the lowest ranked Stielike was Fulham are now Andre Gomes. Coach Paulo Bento just a point away nations in the continent. appointed manager in Paulo Bento Newcastle were denied a That was their first appearance since September 2014, just four from safety after vital three points by Abdoulaye 1984 and while they remain the dominant months prior to the Aleksandar Mitrovic Doucoure’s late equaliser for force in South Asia, India are still a long region’s top international tournament, but editions of the Asian Cup in 1956 and 1960 Watford in a 1-1 draw at Vic- way behind regional powerhouses Japan, still managed to guide Korea to the final in when the tournament had only four teams saved Aboubakar arage Road after Salomon Australia, South Korea, Iran and Saudi Australia where they lost 2-1 in extra time vying for the title. Kamara’s blushes. Rondon had opened the Arabia. to the hosts. They have come up short ever since, scoring. They failed to qualify for the 2015 Fast forward to 2018 and South Korea with four runners-up finishes the closest Asian Cup and the Asian Football Con- have another new face at the helm with they have come to joining Saudi Arabia and Wolverhampton Wanderers’ Raul Jimenez federation’s (AFC) decision to increase Bento taking over in August after the Korea Iran as three-time champions. (centre)celebrates after scoring their second the number of finalists from 16 teams to Football Association decided to move on Japan have won the tournament a goal against Tottenham Hotspur at the Wembley 24 has helped the country return to the from Shin Tae-yong, who oversaw a first- record four times. Stadium in London, Britain, yesterday. tournament. round exit at the World Cup in Russia. South Korea’s task in the group stage India, managed by English coach Like Stielike, Bento has had little time has been made more difficult due to the Stephen Constantine, have been drawn to get to grips with the job before the Asian absence of captain Son Heung-min, who in Group A alongside hosts United Arab Cup but with the Koreans unbeaten in his will sit out the first two games under an Emirates, Bahrain and Thailand for the Jan. six matches in charge, optimism is building agreement with his club side Tottenham 5-Feb. 1 tournament. ahead of their opener against the Philip- Hotspur. Sunil Chhetri is the only surviving pines in Dubai on Jan. 7. Spurs had agreed to release Son for this member of the 2011 team who lost all three Bento, who actually faced South Korea year’s Asian Games football tournament, group games in Qatar and his tally of 65 on the pitch at the 2002 World Cup when which is not a FIFA-sanctioned event, under goals from 103 international matches since Portugal lost 1-0 to the co-hosts, has been the condition that he sit out November his 2005 debut makes him India’s most quick to tamp down expectations for the friendlies and the early part of the Asian Cup. prolific striker. upcoming tournament in the United Arab However, the Koreans should still have A 28-member squad left India for Abu Emirates. enough firepower to see them through to Dhabi on Dec. 20 to prepare for the quad- “I can understand that we can have pos- the knockout stage, with Gamba Osaka rennial tournament and played one itive expectations for the Asian Cup because striker Hwang Ui-jo enjoying a rich vein of friendly against Oman on Thursday, a 0-0 we performed well in the last six matches,” scoring form under Bento and Ki Sung- draw, while other Asian sides have warmed Yonhap News quoted him as saying earlier yueng impressing at the heart of the New- up with a string of matches. this month. castle United midfield in recent weeks. Since their last appearance at the finals “I’m confident that we’ll play well, but If Son can carry his goal-scoring form in 2011, India have only played two I also know we’re not the only team chasing in the Premier League over to the Asian Cup matches against a top-six Asian side when the title. Other teams will be ready, too. I when he eventually links up with the squad they were grouped with Iran for the 2018 don’t think we’re the top favourites.” ahead of their final group game against World Cup qualifiers, losing both ties The Koreans, who also face China and China, the Koreans’ near 60-year wait for without scoring a goal. Kyrgyzstan in Group C, won the first two another title might soon be over. SUNDAY 30 DECEMBER 2018 SPORT 05 Last year I came close to winning the title. Hopefully I will win my first ATP ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE Tour title this season. Last season was World No. 55 Crystal Palace vs Chelsea amazing in the terms of rankings and Pierre-Hugues Herbert Burnley vs West Ham United I want to build on the success in the Southampton vs Manchester City

new season. ACTION Manchester United vs AFC Bournemouth TODAY’S Al Emadi corners Big Tour glory with an impressive ride on Fiji

THE PENINSULA HATHAB EQUESTRIAN TOUR: ROUND 5 - RESULTS DOHA COMP. (5) OPEN CLASS - TABLE A, SIX BAR COMP., ART. 262.3 - 115/125 CM - PRIZE MONEY QR15,000 Qatari rider Khalid Mohammed Rank Horse Rider (Faults) Rd. 1 Rd.2 Rd.3 Prize Money Al Emadi captured the top 1 Jousts Jaber Rashid Al Amri 0 0 0 QR3,750 honours on the final day of the 2 Desperadito Saeed Nasser Al Qadi 0 0 4 QR2,625 Former England captain fifth round of the Hathab 2 Best Of Des Forets Salman Mohammed Al Emadi 0 0 4 QR2,625 Alastair Cook Equestrian Tour yesterday with an impressive ride on Fiji. COMP. (6) BIG TOUR - TABLE A, ONE ROUND AGAINST THE CLOCK, ART. 238.2.1 - 130/145 The 24-year-old rider who CM - PRIZE MONEY QR35,000 Cook, Thomas completed his round in 62.61 Rank Horse Rider Faults Time Prize Money secs astride his reliable bay 1 Fiji Khalid Mohammed Al Emadi 4 62.61 QR10,150 gelding at the Qatar Equestrian 2 Daydreamer EC Saeed Nasser Al Qadi 4 64.93 QR8,050 and Southgate Federation’s (QEF) Outdoor 3 Vivaldi K Mubarak Yousuf Al Rumaihi 4 71.61 QR6,300 Arena, got richer by QR10,150 honoured in UK with yesterday’s win. Popular rider Saeed Nasser cheque worth QR6,300. intense battle for the second New Year’s list Al Qadi finished with a time of However, yesterday’s result place, and the same contest 64.93 on Daydreamer EC to means Al Qadi will overtake Al saw two riders, Saeed Nasser REUTERS seal the second place on the Rumaihi in the overall Al Qadi (Desperadito) and LONDON podium. It also earned him a standings of the Big Tour after Salman Mohammed Al Emadi prize cheque worth QR8,050. the completion of the fifth (Best Of Des Forets) sharing Britain has recognised its Vivaldi K, with Mubarak round. the spot. sporting stars in the Queen’s Yousuf Al Rumaihi in the Earlier, in the Open Class, Both riders made four New Year’s honours list with saddle, booked the remaining Jaber Rashid Al Amri guided errors each in the third a knighthood for cricketer spot on the podium with a ride Jousts in three flawless rou- round yesterday and each of Alastair Cook, and awards for that lasted for 71.61 secs. tines to seal the top prize of them won QR2,625 in prize Tour de France winner Khalid Mohammed Al Rumaihi won a prize QR3,750. There was an money. Geraint Thomas, England Al Emadi on Fiji. soccer boss Gareth Southgate and his captain Harry Kane. Former England captain Cook, 34, who retired from international cricket this year, was his country’s most- New Zealand eye capped test player and record test run scorer. Welsh cyclist Thomas, 32, victory as Wagner has won three world cham- pionships and two Olympic gold medals along with this rocks Sri Lanka year’s Tour de France, while the honours for Southgate AFP SCOREBOARD and Kane follow England’s CHRISTCHURCH World Cup run in Russia this NEW ZEALAND, 1st innings 178 SRI LANKA, 1st innings 104 Summer in which the team New Zealand were eyeing an NEW ZEALAND, 2nd innings 585-4 dec finished fourth, their best historic victory as injury and SRI LANKA, 2nd innings result since victory in 1966. a barrage of Neil Wagner D. Gunathilaka c Watling b Southee ...... 4 The awards also include bouncers left Sri Lanka in D. Karunaratne c Watling b Boult ...... 0 a damehood for model Lesley tatters at the close of day D. Chandimal c Nicholls b Wagner ...... 56 Lawson, better known as four of the second Test in K. Mendis c sub (Henry) b Wagner ...... 67 Twiggy, one of the defining A. Mathews retired hurt ...... 22 Christchurch yesterday. faces of the swinging 1960s. R. Silva c Watling b Wagner ...... 18 The conditions were N. Dickwella b Southee ...... 19 Two members of the team tailor-made for short-ball D. Perera not out ...... 22 India’s Ravindra Jadeja (centre) celebrates with his team-mates after dismissing Australian captain Tim who rescued 12 junior foot- specialist Wagner, New S. Lakmal not out ...... 16 Paine on day four of the third Test match in Melbourne, Australia, yesterday. ballers and their coach from Zealand bowling coach Extras: (b 4, lb 2, wd 1) ...... 7 a flooded cave in Thailand, Shane Jurgensen said, as Sri Total: (for 6 wickets, 104 overs) ... 231 Richard Stanton and John Lanka were 231 for six at Fall of wickets: 1-1, 2-9, 3-126, 4-158, 5-181, Volanthen, received the stumps. 6-208 India two wickets away from George Medal for gallantry. Bowling: Boult 27-11-73-1, Southee 27-13- At most they have only 61-2, de Grandhomme 10-1-23-0 (1w), A knighthood goes to four wickets left, but with Wagner 28-10-47-3, Patel 12-9-21-0 writer Philip Pullman, whose doubt whether the injured winning Boxing Day Test books include the “His Dark Angelo Mathews will return Materials” trilogy, while to help them survive the final day. “Gruffalo” children’s author SCOREBOARD REUTERS At the crease were Dilruwan Perera on 22 and Suranga MELBOURNE However, Cummins’s heroics will Julia Donaldson, 70, is Lakmal on 16 with their 660-run target out of sight. INDIA, 1st innings 443-7 dec likely be consigned to a foot-note, awarded a CBE. Wagner, who had little success earlier in the series, broke AUSTRALIA, first innings 151 squandered as they were by the spe- CBEs also go to Scottish through stubborn Sri Lankan resistance, with figures of three INDIA, 2nd innings (overnight 54-5) India moved within two wickets of an cialist batsmen that came before him. violinist Nicola Benedetti, 31, M. Agarwal b Cummins ...... 42 for 47 from a marathon 28 overs. H. Vihari c Khawaja b Cummins ...... 13 emphatic victory in the third Test after Where straight bats were required and actress Sophie Okonedo, After rain ensured a drawn first Test in Wellington, a C. Pujara c Harris b Cummins ...... 0 reducing Australia to 258 for eight at to provide a platform of resistance, 50. win in the Christchurch decider would give New Zealand a V. Kohli c Harris b Cummins ...... 0 the close of day four yesterday as the Aaron Finch got his team off to the worst The New Year’s honours fourth consecutive series win for the first time after beating A. Rahane c Paine b Cummins ...... 1 home side’s batsmen suffered a familiar possible start by throwing away his have been awarded since the West Indies, England and Pakistan earlier this year. R. Sharma c S.Marsh b Hazlewood ...... 5 spate of failures. wicket for three with an unsightly cut Queen Victoria’s reign in the Despite losing both openers in the first two overs of their R. Pant c Paine b Hazlewood ...... 33 Having set a mammoth victory shot off Jasprit Bumrah that was gobbled 19th century and aim to rec- R. Jadeja c Khawaja b Cummins ...... 5 second innings, Sri Lanka fought to stay in the game until M. Shami not out ...... 0 target of 399 shortly before lunch, Virat in the slips. ognise not just well-known Wagner came into the frame. Skipper Dinesh Chandimal Extras (lb1 b5, w1) ...... 7 Kohli’s team attacked with precision Recalled all-rounder Mitchell Marsh figures but those who have and Kusal Mendis produced stubborn resistance for 53 overs Total (eight wickets declared, 37.3 overs) and intensity to leave Australia on life was similarly wasteful, slogging spinner contributed to national life for the third wicket before Mendis went for 67. 106 support at the end of a muggy and Ravindra Jadeja straight to Kohli at short through often selfless and They had seen off the swing and seam of New Zealand Did not bat: Ishant Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah overcast day at the Melbourne Cricket cover to be out for 10. unsung contributions over strike bowlers Tim Southee and Trent Boult at the start Fall of wickets: 1-28, 2-28, 3-28, 4-32, 5-44, Ground. Having done the hard work to get many years. 6-83, 7-100, 8-106 of the day, were untroubled by spinner Ajaz Patel, and Bowling: Starc 3-1-11-0, Hazlewood 10.3-3-22- The lion-hearted Pat Cummins set in his innings, Travis Head (34) fell In that spirit, an OBE for initially they dodged the barrage aimed at the ribs by 2, Cummins 11-3-27-6, Lyon 13-1-40-0 thwarted India’s hopes of closing out on his sword after tea by dragging Ishant fighting gun and knife crime Wagner. the win with a day to spare, anchoring Sharma onto his stumps with a dubious goes to Mark Prince, 49, But Mendis, who in the course of his innings became AUSTRALIA, 2nd innings some stubborn tail-end resistance after drive away from his body. Despite the whose son Kiyan was fatally only the second player behind India’s Virat Kohli to score M. Harris c Agwaral b Jadeja ...... 13 the top order crumbled. help from Australia’s poor shot selection, stabbed outside his school 1,000 Test runs this year, was frustrated as Wagner forced A. Finch c Kohli b Bumrah ...... 3 The seamer was 61 not out, a per- India produced moments of brilliance aged 15 in May 2006, while U. Khawaja lbw b Shami ...... 33 him on to the back foot with four successive deliveries. S. Marsh lbw b Bumrah ...... 44 sonal best, with Nathan Lyon on six, and to remove their more assured batsmen. 28-year-old Stephen Addison When the next ball was full length, the 23-year-old T. Head b Sharma ...... 34 Australia still 141 runs short of victory. Mohammed Shami dismissed who set up boxing classes to could not resist going for the drive and was smartly caught M. Marsh c Kohli b Jadeja ...... 10 Some rain is forecast on day five, Usman Khawaja lbw for 33 shortly after channel young people’s by substitute fielder Matt Henry diving to his left at extra cover. T. Paine c Pant b Jadeja ...... 26 but after dominating with bat and ball, lunch with a peach of a delivery, before energy away from crime is Angelo Mathews, who in the first three innings of the P. Cummins not out ...... 61 the tourists will almost certainly head Bumrah trapped Shaun Marsh for 44 awarded the BEM. series scored 236 runs and was dismissed only once, reached M. Starc b Shami ...... 18 to the Sydney finale with a 2-1 series with a searing ball. The wily Jadeja The biannual honours list N. Lyon not out ...... 6 22 when he was forced to retire at tea with a hamstring injury. Extras (lb6, b2, w2) ...... 10 lead and a genuine belief they can proved a constant menace, and induced is released on the Queen’s Chandimal faced 228 deliveries before he fell victim to a Total (eight wickets, 85 overs) ...... 258 become the first Indian team to win a an edge off Marcus Harris (13) that official birthday in June and Wagner bouncer that zipped from the gloves to the helmet To bat: Josh Hazlewood series Down Under. lodged in Mayank Agarwal’s mid-riff. at the end of each year. The and into the hands of close-in fielder Henry Nicholls. Fall of wickets: 1-6, 2-33, 3063, 4-114, 5-135, On a grim day for Australian cricket, The left-arm spinner later returned list, along with a guide to the Niroshan Dickwella reached 19 before he chopped a wide 6-157, 7-176, 8-215 Cummins was the only shining light, and to dismiss wicketkeeper-captain Tim various awards, is published Southee delivery on to his stumps. Silva and Dilruwan Perera Bowling: Bumrah 17-1-53-2, Sharma 12-0-37- he took career-best figures of 6-27 Paine for 26, leaving Australia to rely by the Cabinet Office and can 1, Jadeja 32-6-82-3, Shami 21-2-71-2, Vihari took Sri Lanka past the 200 mark before Wagner struck 3-1-7-0 before Kohli declared India’s second on their tail and a miracle to stave off be seen at www.gov.uk/ again with Silva caught behind for 18. innings at 106-8 in the morning. defeat. honours/honours-lists.