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Friday, January 3, 2020 FOOTBALL Jumada I 8, 1441 AH Ibrahimovic back GULF TIMES at struggling Milan spices up action SPORT Page 3

QNB STARS LEAGUE PREVIEW Al Sadd crash to Rayyan aim to close gap yet another defeat, on Duhail

By Sports Reporter Doha

l Rayyan will be aim- ing to get within one trail Duhail by 11 point of leaders Al Du- hail when they take on Al Arabi beat Al Ahli 3-0 to move to fourth spot at the expense of Al Sadd UmmA Salal in what could be a challenging QNB Stars League match today. Diego Aguirre’s side are second in the standings with 25 points, four behind leaders Al Duhail, and three points for them today would give them a morale boost in their quest for the title. “We hope to be ready to bring out our best in the second leg of the tournament. Al Rayyan al- ways play to win, so it is impor- that it was very important to tant that the team starts the sec- change. The situation demands ond leg with a victory,” Aguirre that we must work harder. said at his pre-match press con- “We are in the process of ference. building up a team, so the break “I still remember the diffi cult can serve us well in our bid to game we played with Umm Salal fi nd solutions. I do not put re- in the fi rst leg, which ended in a sponsibility on one party and I 2-2 draw. So, I think this match am confi dent that we will over- will also be diffi cult. come the tough situation,” said “I know that Al Duhail have Ben Askar. recruited Croatian Mario Man- In another match today, Al dzukic. I was surprised. It is a Shahania will clash with Al great deal for Al Duhail because Gharafa hoping for their fi rst win he is a player with huge capa- of the season. bilities and will be useful to the “We are starting a new phase, team,” he added. against Al Gharafa in the fi rst Aguirre said he was still work- round of second-leg matches. ing on getting a new professional They are undoubtedly a good player for the team team. We hope to record our fi rst “As far as we are concerned in victory. Our morale is high after Al Rayyan, we have sought a new the drawn match against Al Khor professional player. We are still in the last round and also over working on this and we expect the good performance that our Al Wakrah’s Omar Ali him to be a value addition to the team put up. (front) celebrates even team. Every coach hopes that all “Al Gharafa, despite their loss as he is congratulated his players are good. to Al Sadd in the last round, are by teammates after Umm Salal are currently at the always a strong team. They will scoring against Al Sadd bottom of the 12-team league miss some players, but they have yesterday. PICTURE: with a paltry fi ve points from 11 others to replace the absentees. Noushad T matches, but Aguirre was of the “We know that Al Shahania opinion that it would be a mis- are a lesser side compared to Al take to take them lightly. Gharafa, but we will play to win “It is wrong to think that and take three points. We went teams at the bottom of the table through diffi cult periods, but we will throw away points. They are a team trying to fi ght. We will will fi ght for positive results to play with enthusiasm. We can improve their position, so I warn win against Al Gharafa. If that the players not to be complacent. happens, we may move up in the “We, in Al Rayyan, respect all table.” By Sports Reporter Haydos, Pedro, Akram Afi f all either opponents. We know that many Al Gharafa coach Slavisa Doha missed the mark or were thwarted by Id- diffi cult matches await us in the Jokanovic said Al Shahania are riss. second leg and we have to be at a diffi cult team to beat despite Benyettou scored off a free-kick tak- the top of our readiness,” said their 11th position in the stand- here seems to be no end to Xavi en by Abdulrahman Ahmed, whereas Aguirre. ings. and Al Sadd’s woes as they suf- Omar’s goal came as a result of a cor- Umm Salal coach Aziz Ben “We might face problems be- fered their fourth defeat in the ner kick and the ball was defl ected in by Askar said the fact that his team cause Al Shahania have always QNB Stars League – this time Bounedjah. have got a few new players would been an organised team and give Tagainst promoted Al Wakrah. All that Al Sadd could do was score a do wonders. a good fi ght to their competitors. Mohamed Benyettou (eighth minute) late goal. “This is the fi rst confrontation We should be at our very best if and Omar Ali (38th minute) scored as Al Adding to The Wolves’ woes, for us in the second leg of the we are to bag three points. Wakrah led 2-0 at half-time, before Has- Bounedjah sent a penalty straight to Id- tournament and we did a lot of “Absences are normal in foot- san al-Haydos reduced the margin for Al riss in the 20th minute. The kick was work. We brought in some play- ball. Our team will miss a number Sadd in the 85th minute. awarded for a foul on Bounedjah himself ers. I do not need time, but the of players who are doing duty for Al Sadd, the team with the most league by Al Wakrah captain Bruno Uvini. team needs time to correct some the Qatar Olympic team. Our ri- titles – 14 – now don’t even have the In the second match of the day, Al mistakes and get set,” he said. vals also have absences. We are consolation of still being in the top-4 as Arabi thrashed Al Ahli 3-0 to leapfrog Al “We are expecting a lot from now trying to work with the ex- Al Arabi moved up on goal diff erence, and Sadd and move to fourth place on goal our new players. Whoever left isting players, who number 14 in the grim fact remains that with just 18 diff erence. can play in any other team. I saw addition to Under-23 players.” points, they are 11 behind leaders Al Du- This was Al Arabi’s fi fth win from 11 hail, hardly a comforting statistic for the matches, taking them to 18 points and defending champions. boosting their chances of a top-four fi n- Bayern, PSV to hold public training sessions Al Sadd, however, have two matches ish. in hand, deferred (from Weeks 5 and 7) Al Arabi opened their account through Bayern Munich fans can watch Similarly top Dutch side PSV due to their engagements in the 2019 German Pierre-Michel Lasogga who their favourite players in train- Eindhoven will hold public AFC Champions League. They will play struck in the 15th minute and never ing during their winter camp training sessions on football Al Arabi on January 6 and Al Khor on looked back. at Aspire Academy starting pitch 4 on January 5 and 8. The January 21 before the QNB Stars League’s Continuing to dominate the proceed- January 5. sessions will be held from 10am Week 13 action begins on January 23. Al Arabi players celebrate one of their goals against Al Ahli yesterday. ings, Al Arabi consolidated through The top Bundesliga side will onwards. Meanwhile, Al Wakrah moved to 15 Mohamed Salah in the 45th minute and hold public training sessions Belgian side Club Brugge will points with their fourth victory. game. The Blue Waves almost downed credit should go to goalkeeper Hassan Id- fi nished off the match with a Morteza on January 5, 6, 8, 9 and 10 hold public training sessions on Al Sadd dominated the game with 62 the shutter by the end of fi rst half when riss who weathered a fl urry of attacks by Pouraliganji strike in the 23rd. on football pitches 1 and 2 at three days – January 5, 6 and 7. per cent possession and created chances they were two goals up and resorted to Al Sadd, more in the second half. Al Ahli thus suff ered their seventh de- Aspire. The sessions will begin The sessions will be held from galore. counter-attacks. Nam Tae-Hee, Baghdad Bounedjah, feat in 12 matches and are placed ninth in at 10am. 4pm onwards. However, Al Wakrah played a smart Benyettou was their livewire, but much Boualem Khoukhi, Hamed Ismail, al- the standings. Gulf Times 2 Friday, January 3, 2020 FOOTBALL

SPOTLIGHT Ancelotti aiming to upset Liverpool once again Reuters lotti said when he was unveiled pitted against lower league op- Manchester as manager. position. Coming after a hec- “It’s a big rivalry here and a big tic spell of festive games, many motivation for us. I have a really managers will be tempted to ro- hen Carlo Ancelotti good relationship with Juergen tate their squads and give chanc- took over at Ever- Klopp. It is always exciting play- es to fringe players, which could ton last month, the ing against them. off er the chance for surprise Italian already had “Of course, I have beat them outcomes. Wan eye on Sunday’s FA Cup third but they are not used to losing. Among the ties which feature round Merseyside derby against It was a good day for me. I know Premier League sides against runaway Premier League leaders how much Evertonians want to those from down the English Liverpool. beat Liverpool. football pyramid, Steve Bruce’s Ancelotti, at his previous club “It’s not mission impossible, Newcastle travel to third-tier Napoli, managed to do what no nothing is impossible in foot- (League One) Rochdale on Sat- other manager in England has ball,” he added. urday. Holders Manchester City achieved this season – beat Juer- Everton have responded well take on League Two (fourth tier) gen Klopp’s side. to the arrival of Ancelotti, who Port Vale while West Ham Unit- Liverpool lost 2-0 in Naples replaced the sacked Marco Silva, ed and Burnley face League One in the Champions League in enjoying wins in the Premier opponents in Gillingham and September and followed that League over Burnley and New- Peterborough. up with a 1-1 draw in the return castle United before Wednes- Monday sees a fascinating en- game at Anfi eld – the only time day’s loss at Manchester City. counter between Mikel Arteta’s the Reds have not won at home Liverpool could feature their Arsenal and Championship (sec- this season. new Japanese forward Takumi ond tier) leaders Leeds United The only other defeat for Liv- Minamino, signed from Salzburg coached by Argentine Marcelo erpool this season came in the and who impressed so much Bielsa – a repeat of the 1972 FA EFL Cup when the club were against Klopp’s team in the Cup fi nal. forced to play a youth team Champions League, where he Championship (second tier) against Aston Villa due to their also came up against Ancelotti’s club Preston North End, twice fi rst team being on duty at the Napoli. FA Cup winners, host the Pre- Club World Cup in Qatar. The derby is the standout mier League’s bottom club Nor- “The Evertonians know my game of the third round which wich City while Nottingham record against Liverpool, they traditionally provides plenty Forest, fourth in the Champion- will be happy with this,” Ance- of upsets with top-fl ight teams ship travel to Chelsea. Everton manager Carlo Ancelotti reacts during their EPL match against Manchester City on Wednesday. (Reuters)

EPL FOCUS United considering reinforcements Arsenal blow away with Pogba and McTominay injured

Reuters without him all season, it’s a London big blow. “Scott will be out for a Man Utd to hand few months. He’s been magnif- icent and we just hope that Paul anchester United can come back within a month could be forced to or so... We’ve been suff ering a recruit midfi elders little bit, especially in midfi eld during the Janu- and we’ve got to cope with it.” Mary transfer window with the Solskjaer said the absence of injured Paul Pogba and Scott the two infl uential midfi elders Arteta fi rst victory McTominay set for lengthy would play a part in the club’s spells on the sidelines, man- decision-making process on ‘Everything I wanted to see on the pitch, I saw tonight’ ager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer said whether to sign reinforcements on Wednesday. this month. “We’ve got loads AFP Pogba is set to undergo sur- of games and important games. London gery to treat an ankle prob- But still, it’s got to be right and lem that will rule the French- that’s the big point here,” the man out of action for around Norwegian manager added. ikel Arteta got everything he a month, while McTominay is “If it’s available and if it’s asked for in his fi rst win as out for longer with knee liga- possible we’ll do something, Arsenal manager with a ram- ment damage sustained in last defi nitely. We’re looking at one pant fi rst 45 minutes from the week’s win over Newcastle or two (potential signings).” MGunners earning a 2-0 victory over Man- United. Pogba, who has been Pogba’s future at United chester United at the Emirates. linked frequently with a po- remains the subject of much Nicolas Pepe and Sokratis Papastath- tential move away from United, transfer speculation, especially opoulos scored the goals to secure just a spent over two months side- since recent comments from second win in 16 games. Arsenal started lined with an injury to his left his agent Mino Raiola criti- the game three times as many points off ankle and has only made eight cising the club. “Now Pogba’s the top four as the relegation zone, but a appearances for his club in all problem is Manchester (Unit- fi rst home win in 87 days hauls Arteta’s competitions. ed),” Raiola told the Italian men up to 10th and within four points of “We’ve had scans, it’s noth- newspaper, La Repubblica. United in fi fth. “I am very pleased with the ing major but it’s something that “It’s a club out of touch performance, I’m even more pleased with has to be sorted and dealt with with reality, without a sports the result,” said Arteta after his third game within a time frame,” Solskjaer project. I would no longer take in charge. “Everything I wanted to see on told a news conference after anyone there. They would even the pitch, I saw tonight.” United’s 2-0 defeat at Arsenal, ruin (Diego) Maradona, Pele There were signs of encouragement for which Pogba played no part in. and (Paolo) Maldini. Paul needs Arsenal in Arteta’s home debut against “He’s been advised to do it a club and a squad, one like Ju- Chelsea on Sunday when only a late col- as soon as possible. We’ve been ventus was before.” lapse saw a 1-0 lead turn into a 2-1 defeat. However, this time the hosts saw the game through as a dismal United per- COMMENT formance raised fresh questions over their chances of fi nishing in the top four. “At the moment we are suff ering to maintain that level of intensity of the fi rst halves,” Xhaka to stay at added Arteta. “That will come, but as well I really liked the resilience they showed. I liked to see them suff er together.” Arsenal: Arteta Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s men were again Arsenal’s Sokratis Papastathopoulos celebrates with teammates after scoring their second goal against Manchester United. (Reuters) shorn of Paul Pogba, who faces another Reuters month out after an operation on a trou- London blesome ankle injury that has kept him out for the majority of the season. Pogba’s absence is still evident in Unit- rsenal coach Mikel ed’s inability to create when denied the Arteta has said chance to counter-attack and they failed Granit Xhaka will to recover after falling behind early on. stay at the club af- “After they scored the fi rst goal, it terA the Swiss midfi elder pro- seemed like they got loads of energy,” said duced a gritty performance Solskjaer. “They were the better team. to help his side to a 2-0 win They were aggressive, they regained the over Manchester United on ball and it was hard to get the ball off Wednesday. performance against United, them.” For the fi rst time Arsenal started Xhaka was in the fi ring line which was Arsenal’s fi rst win with all of Pepe, Pierre-Emerick Aubam- earlier in the season after he in fi ve matches and took them eyang, Alexandre Lacazette and Mesut reacted furiously to fans boo- up to 10th in the standings. Ozil together in attack and Arteta’s bold ing him when he was substi- “I think he’s going to stay. choice paid dividends eight minutes in. tuted in a 2-2 draw at home to I really like him. If we get him Pepe scored just his second Premier Crystal Palace in October. on board he can be a tremen- League goal from open play since a £72 The incident led to him be- dous player for the football million move from Lille when he swept ing stripped of the captaincy club,” the Spanish coach told a home Sead Kolasinac’s crss at the back and also saw him left out of news conference. post. The Ivorian was suddenly brimming the side by Arteta’s predeces- “I love the way he is, the way with confi dence as he twisted and turned sor Unai Emery for a month. he lives his profession. He is a Luke Shaw before crossing for Aubam- Xhaka has started six of Arse- great football player. Today he eyang to volley just over. Lacazette then nal’s last eight league games was excellent at cutting out rolled Harry Maguire easily in a night to but British newspaper The passes and he made a lot of forget for the world’s most expensive de- Times reported on Tuesday great passes. I like how focused fender before pulling his shot across goal. that he was looking to leave in he is, he’s willing to learn.” David de Gea is another of United’s the January transfer window, Arteta endured a diffi cult more experienced stars suff ering an Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta reacts during the match against Manchester United on Wednesday. (Reuters) saying the 27-year-old was home debut, with Arsenal alarming dip in form and a poor clear- targeting a move to Bundes- conceding two late goals to ance from the Spaniard off ered another val as De Gea could only palm Lacazette’s United were allowed to dictate the game Matic’s clever reverse pass. “We have to liga side Hertha Berlin. lose 2-1 to Chelsea on Sun- sight of goal to Pepe, whose long-range header from a corner back into the danger but did not have the guile to make their be honest and admit physically we are not Arteta, however, said the day, but he was pleased to get strike came back off the post. Arsenal’s area and Sokratis pounced to fi re into the possession count. Andreas Pereira had the ready, but you have to show heart and this midfi elder has told him he off the mark and praised his fi rst half dominance was rewarded with roof of the net. As the hosts’ energy lev- best chance to give United a lifeline but team is ready to change a lot of things,” wants to remain in north Lon- players for how they reacted a second goal before the half-time inter- els dipped from a frantic fi rst 45 minutes, fi red into the side-netting from Nemanja said Arsenal defender David Luiz. don, also praising him for his against United. Gulf Times Friday, January 3, 2020 3 FOOTBALL

SERIE A FOCUS Troubled China hand reins to ex-Everton Ibrahimovic back player Li Tie

AFP terviewed for the job, a change of Beijing strategy after looking to foreign coaches for much of the past decade. ormer Everton midfi elder “We believe that Li can bring at struggling Milan Li Tie was named as coach about the change we want, as of China’s men’s football he admires high pressing and team yesterday, tasked a compact tactical style,” CFA Fwith reviving their World Cup secretary-general Liu Yi told qualifying campaign after Mar- Xinhua. “More importantly, Li cello Lippi’s abrupt departure. showed a strong desire to win The Chinese Football Asso- during his interview, and he will ciation said Li, who played in defi nitely have a better under- spices up action China’s only World Cup appear- standing of the players’ psycho- ance in 2002, is an “outstanding logical changes than a foreign Giants AC Milan have veteran Zlatan Ibrahimovic as Christmas gift and hope that age representative of Chinese foot- coach would,” Liu said. ball players” and was appointed has not dented his talent as he promises to help them salvage a disappointing season after an open process. ‘PLAY EVERY GAME WELL’ Li is already familiar with the President Xi Jinping and his DPA national coaching set-up having communist government’s stated Rome been in temporary charge during aim is for the country of 1.4 bil- Ibrahimovic lands in Milan for second stint the East Asian championships lion to host and eventually win a in South Korea last month. The World Cup. But despite heavily latan Ibrahimovic’s re- 42-year-old was the manager of investing in the sport, recruit- turn to AC Milan and Chinese Super League club Wu- ing European and South Ameri- new coaches at Fioren- han Zall before his appointment. can coaches and players in its tina and Genoa are the “It is believed that under the domestic league, and building Zbig news in the Italian Serie A leadership of the coach, the up football academies, China that resumes on Sunday after a Chinese national men’s football languish 76th in the FIFA world two-week winter break. team will work hard to train and rankings. They exited the 2002 The Swedish veteran was sign prepare scientifi cally with a high World Cup hosted by Japan and as a free agent for six months sense of mission and honour,” South Korea without a point or after a season in the US league the Chinese Football Association scoring a goal under the direc- at Los Angeles Galaxy. It will be said in a statement. Li’s perma- tion of Serbia’s Bora Milutinovic. his second term with the Dev- nent appointment follows a tur- Lippi, 71, initially quit in ils and the third with an Italian bulent year for Chinese football January after taking China to team. when Lippi’s resignation put an- the Asian Cup quarter-fi nals, He left the Rossoneri in 2012, other dent in the government’s where they lost 3-0 to Iran, and a year after helping them win hopes of making the country a his compatriot Fabio Cannavaro their last Scudetto. In 2006 he superpower in the sport. took over as caretaker. had his fi rst Serie A stint at Ju- The Italian 2006 World Cup- But Cannavaro, also coach of ventus, where he saw two titles winning coach stormed out of Chinese Super League cham- stripped in a corruption trial, the role in November after a 2-1 pions Guangzhou Evergrande, but went on to lift four with In- defeat to Syria left China with lost both of his two matches in ter Milan. seven points from four games charge before Lippi returned in The Devils’ website wished in their qualifying group for the May. Li takes over after China him and fans a “Happy New 2022 World Cup in Qatar. tried to add talent to their squad Zlatan,” quoting the striker as The former Juventus and Italy by naturalising foreign players, saying: “I’m coming back to a boss reportedly earned 180 mil- such as the Brazilian forward club I hugely respect and to the lion yuan ($25 million) per year, Elkeson. Li joined Everton in city of Milan I love. I’ll fi ght to- making him one of the best- 2002, playing 34 Premier League gether with my teammates to paid coaches in the world. Li is games over four seasons before change the course of this sea- the fi rst Chinese coach to take joining Sheffi eld United. son. I will do everything to make charge of the national team since In 2012, he joined Lippi as it happen.” 2016, when Gao Hongbo re- the Italian’s assistant coach at Milan closed the year with a placed Frenchman Alain Perrin, Guangzhou Evergrande, who 5-0 meltdown at Atalanta and only to resign eight months later. went on to win the Asian Cham- sit 11th on 21 points from 17 The offi cial Xinhua news pions League. He will lead Chi- games. agency said he was among three na’s training camp on Sunday in Ibrahimovic is most likely un- Chinese managers who were in- Guangzhou. available when they host strug- Zlatan Ibrahimovic arrives at the Ata Linate private airport in Milan ahead of signing for AC Milan. (Below) Fans and media surround a gling Sampdoria on Monday but car with Ibrahimovic inside at the Ata Linate private airport. (Reuters) coach Stefano Pioli, who took over from Marco Giampaolo in MILAN: Zlatan Ibrahimovic has arrived at October, said he expects much Milan’s Linate airport and was to undergo from the 38-year-old. medicals before signing for a second term “He can’t wait to train with with the Rossoneri club. “The important us, as I can’t wait to have him thing is that I am here and I am happy,” the available,” Pioli said. Swedish veteran said in a video posted on “Ibra is a player who can do the club’s website yesterday. “I always said anything. He can set up team- that this is home for me and finally I am mate goals and will be a key ele- here. I have been in other teams but I am ment in our attack.” back and this is what matters. I wait for the A return also took place at fans at San Siro and I want to make them Fiorentina, with ex midfi elder jump again.” Giuseppe Iachini back as coach The 38-year-old is expected to sign until to replace Vincenzo Montella. the June, with a possible renewal option for The Florentines are off to the next season. In November he ended a Bologna on Monday after clos- one-season term at Los Angeles Galaxy in ing the year with a 4-1 loss at the US league. Milan have programmed his Bayern to present new board member Kahn on Jan 7 Roma. They have 17 points and presentation today. In his previous two-year sit three clear of the drop zone. term with the Devils, Ibrahimovic helped Former goalkeeper Oliver Kahn day that “there are great tasks Worst off are Genoa, bottom them win the 2011 title and was the Serie A will be presented as new Bay- ahead. I’m so happy to return on 11 points and hoping to im- top scorer on 28 goals in 2012. He also won ern Munich board member on to that club and the FC Bayern prove under Davide Nicola, who national titles at Ajax, Inter Milan, Barcelona, January 7, the record Bundes- family. Pack ma’s (Let’s get this took over from Thiago Motta. Paris Saint-Germain. Milan go into match- liga champions said yesterday. started).” Bayern’s first league The Genoese, who in October day 18 sitting 11th, 14 points away from the Kahn formally started his job match after hibernation is on hired Motta for Aurelio Andrea- Champions League zone. on January 1 and is to succeed January 19 at Hertha Berlin zzoli, are at home to Sassuolo on Karl-Heinz Rummenigge as who are coached by Juergen Sunday. club chairman at the end of Klinsmann – who as Germany A buoyant, third-placed have a game in hand as they sit defender Stefan Radu said as Torino. Champions Juve, who Inter, behind Juve on head- 2021. Bayern said Kahn would helmsman ended Kahn’s career Lazio open Sunday action at six behind Juve and Inter Milan. about 10,000 fans attended the also lost 3-1 to Lazio in an early to-head, close the day with visit the team and coach Hansi as first-choice keeper ahead troubled Brescia, two weeks af- “There is so much enthusi- fi rst training session of the year December league game, wel- a late big match at Napoli. Flick during their January 4-10 of the 2006 home World Cup. ter stunning Juventus 3-1 in the asm, but now the diffi cult part on Monday. come Cagliari on Monday, when Atalanta against Parma and winter break training camp in Kahn ended his playing career Super Cup match. begins, because all will want Other Sunday games are six games are scheduled on the Lecce v Udinese complete Qatar. Kahn tweeted Wednes- in Munich in 2008. The Romans, on 36 points, to beat a big team like Lazio,” SPAL v Verona and Roma v Epiphany holiday. matchday 18.

SPOTLIGHT Vidal bonus dispute clouds Barca’s derby preparations Reuters He has not accepted his drop in infl u- Madrid found their footing in the fi nal Barcelona ence in the team quietly, telling Catalan months of 2019 after a disappointing end network TV3 in November he would “look to last season, where they were eliminated for a solution and look to other horizons” in the Champions League last 16 and fi n- a Liga leaders Barcelona will be if he did not regain a regular place in the ished third in La Liga, 19 points behind looking to preserve their two- side. champions Barcelona. point lead over Real Madrid when But his dispute with the club comes at Coach Zinedine Zidane hopes Los Blan- they visit local rivals Espanyol to- a time when the team is light in midfi eld, cos can continue their form into the new Lmorrow but their preparations have been with Brazilian Arthur Melo ruled out for year. “We want to continue with our good hit by a legal battle with their own mid- three weeks with a groin problem while dynamics and with the results that are al- fi elder Arturo Vidal. Carles Alena has joined Real Betis on loan. lowing us to stay alive in all the competi- The Chilean’s lawyers fi led a complaint The Catalans are also without fi rst tions we are playing in,” said the French- to Spain’s player’s union (AFE) last month choice keeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen, man. citing an unpaid bonus of 2.4 million euros meaning Brazilian Neto will make his “I will not ask for anything else because ($2.69 million), news of which emerged league debut in the derby against Espan- we are all very focused on what we are do- while the player was back in his homeland yol, who are bottom of La Liga and have ing and that is the most important thing during the league’s winter break. appointed their third coach of the season for a coach.” Barca have declined to comment on the in Abelardo Fernandez. Atletico Madrid, meanwhile, will be complaint, while Vidal has said its an issue Real Madrid slipped two points behind looking to continue their strong end to the for his representatives but has declared it the champions by drawing their fi nal year which took them back into the top- is “unfair” he has not received all of the game of 2019 at home to Athletic Bilbao four when they host Levante in search of a 4.1 million euros his people believe he is and begin the new year with a gruelling third win in a row. owed in total in appearance bonuses.Vidal match at neighbours Getafe, who are sixth Once the weekend’s league action is has only started four of Barca’s 18 league in the standings. over, Atletico, Barca, Real and Valencia games this season, making 10 substitute’s Jose Bordalas’s side, sixth, are enjoy- will head to Saudi Arabia to contest the re- appearances, and was left out of the line- ing another impressive campaign and are vamped Spanish Super Cup, with the top up for the club’s biggest matches against unbeaten at home in fi ve games across all fl ight resuming again two weeks later on Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid. competitions. January 17. Barcelona’s Arturo Vidal. (Reuters) Gulf Times 4 Friday, January 3, 2020 CRICKET

FOCUS OPINION Virat Kohli-led India capable of Bushfi re smoke winning all ICC tournaments: Lara

IANS ments that they play. I think New Delhi what Virat Kohli and com- hangs heavy over pany and the Indian team has to appreciate the fact that atting great Brian everybody sort of target In- ‘WE NEED TO BE TREATING Lara believes that dia. Everybody knows that the Virat Kohli-led some point of time one team THIS LIKE RAIN DELAYS IF Indian side is well is going to play that important capableB of winning all ICC match against India. If it’s a WE HAVE SMOKE DELAYS’ tournaments they play. The quarter-fi nal, semi-fi nal and Sydney Test former Windies skipper also fi nal,” Lara was quoted as say- felt that Kohli, David Warner ing by India Today. and Rohit Sharma are some Lara’s knock of 400 against of the batsmen who can break England in 2004 is still the the record of his highest Test highest individual score in score of 400. Test cricket and when quizzed The Kohli-led Team India which cricketers could break will visit Australia for the T20 the record, the former crick- World Cup in October and eter said: “It would be diffi - November this year and the cult for Steve Smith to do bat- Men in Blue have been reach- ting at No.4 for Australia. He ing the semi-fi nals and fi nals is a great player but he doesn’t of the ICC tournaments con- dominate. You know a player sistently. However, they have like David Warner for sure. A faltered on big days. player like Virat Kohli, who India had last won an ICC gets in early and gets set.” tournament in 2013 under the “He is a very attacking captaincy of the then skipper player. Rohit Sharma on his MS Dhoni in England. day. So, they have got quite a “I think they are defi nitely group of players who can do capable of winning all tourna- so,” he added.

India’s skipper Virat Kohli (centre) with his teammates. (AFP)

Cricketers to pay tribute to bushfi re victims

Australia and New Zealand suspend play (for Tests). cricketers will pay tribute But what we’re finding is it to firefighters and bushfire (smoke) comes in quick but New Zealand’s Tom Latham during a training session on the eve of the third Test against Australia in Sydney yesterday. (AFP) victims during the third Test also goes quick,” Cricket in Sydney, off icials said yes- Australia’s head of op- Reuters of the series but there is a very (104 degrees Fahrenheit) along “It’s maybe an opportunity fearsome bowling attack. terday, as they prepare for erations Peter Roach told Sydney real prospect of thick smoke the south coast on Saturday, for us to provide a distraction The pace of Pat Cummins, possible delays if air quality cricket.com.au. halting play at some point after bringing the prospect of re- for people and a bit of happiness Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood plummets due to smoke. “It’s unlikely, we believe, it’ll the fi ve-day contest gets under- newed fi refronts to add to the if we can by playing a brand of and James Pattinson combined At least 18 people have be there for a full day. he New Year’s crick- way today. around 200 current blazes and a cricket that Australians can be with the guile of off spinner lost their lives in one of “We might see some chal- et Test at the Sydney “We won’t be putting the possible increase in smoke. proud of,” Paine told reporters. Nathan Lyon has proved ir- Australia’s most devastating lenges across that day, Cricket Ground is one players’ health at risk, nor will A domestic Twenty20 match New Zealand last played a resistible in four home Tests bushfire seasons which has but we’ll play it like rain or of the great fi xtures on we be putting the health of in Canberra was abandoned be- New Year’s Test in Sydney in against Pakistan and New Zea- seen blazes raging across adverse weather. Time can theT Australian sporting calen- match offi cials, or fans at the cause of bushfi re smoke on Dec 1974 and the tourists would land this year. Cricket great the country, including on the be added on.” dar but this year it will be heavi- match at risk,” Cricket Australia 21. The ultimate decision over have been hoping to pitch up at Glenn McGrath, whose breast outskirts of Sydney. Before play today both sides ly overshadowed by the bushfi re chief Kevin Roberts said at the whether to suspend play rests the SCG in much better shape cancer foundation is the main The match, starting today, will take part in a minute’s catastrophe unfolding around ground. with the match offi cials, who than they have done. charity partner for the Test, will go ahead but play will be applause for fire and emer- the country. “This is quite a unique situ- have the discretion to call the The three-match series was said he thought the current suspended at the umpire’s gency services workers and While there was never any ation but we’re as confi dent as players off the fi eld if the air is lost after heavy defeats in Perth bowlers were now on a par with discretion, should smoke wear black armbands as a chance of any of the hundreds we can be that we’ve got the considered hazardous or vis- and Melbourne and a fl u-like the much feared attack he once significantly aff ect air quality mark of respect for those of blazes raging around the right expertise around us and ibility is greatly reduced. bug has ripped through the formed with Jason Gillespie, or visibility. who have died. country reaching the leafy sub- that good judgment will be ex- squad this week putting captain Brett Lee and Shane Warne. Tomorrow is shaping as of Cricket Australia also an- urbs of Sydney where the SCG ercised and the safety of every- BELEAGUERED NATION Kane Williamson and batsman “It’s as good a bowling attack most concern, when another nounced a fundraising drive has sat for 171 years, the smoke one at this great ground will be Australia’s Prime Minister Scott Henry Nicholls in doubt for the as we’ve had,” McGrath said heatwave is expected to for the Australian Red Cross from the deadly confl agrations put fi rst. Morrison drew fl ak on Wednes- match. The Black Caps have al- yesterday. sweep across the country Disaster Relief and Recov- is a diff erent matter. “We need to be treating this day when he suggested the be- ready lost pacemen Trent Boult “A lot of people have said and create dangerous fire ery Fund during one-day The skies were clear yesterday like rain delays if we have smoke leaguered nation would be “in- and Lockie Ferguson to injury New Zealand have been disap- conditions. matches between Australia when the hosts and New Zea- delays.” spired” by the match and Test on this tour and they can ill- pointing, but I think a lot of “Like rain, the rules are and New Zealand in Sydney land made their fi nal prepara- Temperatures are forecast to captain Tim Paine articulated aff ord any weakening of their that’s to do with how our bowl- in place to add time, to in March. AFP tions for the third and fi nal Test soar above 40 degrees Celsius more modest hopes yesterday. batting in the face of Australia’s ers have bowled.”

SPOTLIGHT INJURY SCARE Du Plessis warns team about Archer, Burns miss training ahead of

South Africa’s captain Faf du second Test complacency Plessis plays a shot during the Reuters placency creeps in, we’ll go back to playing second day of the first Test AFP to drop a fast bowler to make Cape Town just ordinary Test cricket. “This is the mes- against England at Centurion on Cape Town room for him. Defi nitely out sage that Bouch (coach Mark Boucher) and December 27, 2019. (AFP) of contention is left-arm spin I have been trying to drive home over the bowler Jack Leach, who came outh Africa captain Faf du Plessis last days, and we’ll keep driving it.” Du Ples- ofra Archer and Rory to South Africa as England’s has warned his team against com- sis confi rmed that batsman Temba Bavuma Burns missed yester- number one spinner but went placency as they take a 1-0 series was fi t again but would not get back his No. day’s England’s fi nal down with illness at the start lead into the second Test against 5 slot in the team as Rassie van der Dussen net practice with inju- of the tour and was unable to England,S from whom he expects a back- will be given more opportunity to prove his riesJ ahead of the second Test play in two warm-up games lash at Newlands today. worth after scoring a 50 on debut last week. against South Africa. and the fi rst Test in Centurion. The 107-run victory in the fi rst Test in Bavuma’s exclusion means that South Fast bowler Archer could not England captain Joe Root Pretoria on Sunday arrested a run of fi ve Africa are dispensing with their racial quota take part for the second suc- said at his pre-match press successive Test defeats for South Africa but for team selection where every team should cessive day because of pains conference earlier that Eng- any thoughts that the players might have have at least two black Africans and four in his right elbow, while Burns land would look at all options, about being back on course must be dis- others from the country’s mixed-race and injured his left ankle playing including the fi tness of Archer, pelled, he said yesterday. Indian communities. football as England warmed up before deciding on their line- “We haven’t really achieved anything as a South Africa fell short of that target in before getting down to cricket up. Root said he was confi dent Test team; we’ve just won one Test match,” Pretoria and will do so again in the second practice. that England could turn things Du Plessis told a pre-Test press conference. Test but Du Plessis looked to downplay a An England spokesman said around after their 107-run de- “There is a lot that still needs to happen potential controversy. they were awaiting results of feat in the opening Test. for us to go where we want to go as a Test “We don’t see colour and it’s important scans on both Burns and Arch- “When our backs are up team. For me it’s about understanding as a that people understand that. Opportunity er, adding that Archer was a against the wall we have team that the standards need to go up a lit- is very important for any colour and it’s im- “doubt” for the Test, which shown a huge amount of char- tle bit. We were fortunate that we could get portant to be fair to every player to give them starts at Newlands today. acter,” he said. “The most im- away a win in Pretoria but we understand a chance. If Archer is unable to play it portant thing we’ve got to har- that Test cricket against England is not al- “Temba will be the fi rst to acknowledge would enable England to play a ness is not to wait to be on the ways going to go our way,” he continued. that he got a really good opportunity and spinner, probably off -spinner back foot but to do it from the “If you take your foot off the gas and com- that no fi ngers can be pointed.” Dom Bess, without having outset. Gulf Times Friday, January 3, 2020 5 SPORT

NBA NHL Stars stage furious rally to beat Predators James records 8th in outdoor contest

AFP his fi fth goal of the season. Los Angeles Comeau took a hard check early in the game and missed most of the fi rst period. lexander Radulov That boosted the Stars and triple-double as scored the eventual they took that confi dence winner as the Dal- into the third period. las Stars scored four Janmark tied the game 58 Aunanswered goals to come seconds into the fi nal pe- from behind and beat the riod when he defl ected John Nashville Predators 4-2 in an Klingberg’s point shot for the outdoor NHL game in Dallas power-play marker. on Wednesday. Russia’s Radulov scored Lakers hold off Suns Sweden’s Mattias Janmark the game-winning goal with fi nished with a goal and an another power-play tally just ‘We had a dominant performance in the first half. I was proud of how we came out’ assist and Blake Comeau and over fi ve minutes into the pe- Andrej Sekera also scored for riod. the hosts in front of the sec- Sekera, of Slovakia, round- ond-largest crowd in NHL ed out the scoring by ending history. his 104-game goal drought The game was part of the at 6:35. The defenceman National Hockey League’s charged to the net during a annual outdoor series. scramble and was rewarded A total of 85,630 fans at- with his fi rst NHL goal since tended the game at Cotton March 2017. Bowl Stadium which opened The Predators scored both in 1930 and sits on the site of their goals during a fi ve- the Texas state fair grounds. minute powerplay after Stars “It was a really fun day, forward Corey Perry was really lucky to be part of it,” slapped with a major penalty said Comeau. for elbowing Ryan Ellis. Matt Duchene and Dante Rinne said they enjoyed Fabbro scored goals, and the festive atmosphere but goaltender Pekka Rinne it can’t hide the fact they are stopped 31 shots in the loss. struggling on the ice. American Ben Bishop “The positives? I think the made 31 of 33 saves for the whole experience is pretty Stars, who were down 2-0 unreal. It is my fi rst time early in the fi rst period before playing outdoors,” he said. storming back in the fi nal “Other than that? We are in period for the third straight trouble right now.” game. Meanwhile, the league an- With his team trailing 2-0, nounced Wednesday that the Comeau began the come- Minnesota Wild would host back, scoring the only goal a 2021 outdoor game on New of the second period with 68 Year’s Day against a team seconds left. that is still to be determined. Comeau got open in the The contest will be played slot and took a pass from at Target Field, home of Ma- teammate Jason Dickinson jor League Baseball’s Minne- and quickly fi red it home for sota Twins.

Phoenix Suns’ Kelly Oubre Jr. (left) guards Los Angeles Lakers’ LeBron James as he drives to the basket in the first half of the game at Staples Center. PICTURE: USA TODAY Sports

AFP of the season and Davis scored 26 points (January 1988) were also 11-of-11 from the RESULTS Los Angeles and grabbed 11 rebounds as the Lakers won fi eld. their third consecutive contest. The Knicks, who haven’t won three LA Lakers 117-107 Phoenix Kyle Kuzma added 19 points and Avery straight since November 2018, seized con- eBron James had a triple double New York 117-93 Portland Bradley fi nished with 18 for Los Angeles. trol of the contest in the fourth as they with 31 points, 13 rebounds and 12 Milwaukee 106-104 Minnesota Devin Booker fi nished with 32 points outscored Portland 34-16. assists as the Los Angeles Lakers and Kelly Oubre had 26 for the hapless Randle, who also had 13 rebounds, post- Orlando 122-101 Washington built up a big fi rst half lead then Suns, who lost their ninth game in their ed a double-double while Marcus Morris Lheld on to beat the struggling Phoenix of silence to pay tribute to former league last 11. (18 points), Bobby Portis (17 points) and Suns 117-107 on Wednesday. commissioner David Stern, who died The Suns have won just 13 games all year Reggie Bullock (11 points) also scored in The Lakers, who own the NBA’s second Wednesday following a brain haemor- and are 14 games back of the fi rst place double fi gures. Anthony was playing at best record behind Milwaukee, had to hold rhage. Lakers. Madison Square Garden for just the sec- on in the second half after leading at one James said Stern leaves a superb legacy ond time since he was traded by the Knicks stage by 36 points. behind. KNICKS ROUT TRAIL BLAZERS to the Oklahoma City Thunder in Septem- With their reserves struggling to main- “We lost a great visionary,” said James Elsewhere, Julius Randle scored 22 points ber 2017. tain the big lead James and Anthony Davis in the Lakers’ locker room after the game. and Mitchell Robinson made franchise His 26 points was the most he has scored had to return to the game and guide the “His vision was to make this game global. history by shooting a perfect 11-of-11 from in a game since he potted 28 for the Hou- off ense after the Suns got within seven I don’t know how many people believed in the fi eld as the New York Knicks won their ston Rockets against the Brooklyn Nets points. that with him or thought it could be done. third straight by routing the Portland Trail in November 2018. Also, DJ Augustin and “We have to do a better job of holding “This game is now watched in 200 or Blazers 117-93. Nikola Vucevic combined for 45 points as big leads,” said Lakers coach Frank Vogel. 250 countries all over the world. Look at The Knicks win spoiled the return to the Orlando Magic snapped a four-game “We had a dominant performance in the the collective group of players we got, Gi- New York of former Knick Carmelo An- losing skid with a 122-101 victory over the fi rst half. I was proud of how we came out. annis (Antetokounmpo), Dirk (Nowitzki), thony who scored a season high 26 points. Washington Wizards. “We didn’t play well enough in the third Manu (Ginobili) and now Luka (Doncic). Robinson fi nished with 22 points while The Magic, who have the league’s worst and fourth quarter but you learn lessons “You have to give him so much credit. tying the Knicks’ record for the most off ense, grabbed the lead halfway through Dallas Stars right wing Alexander Radulov celebrates the win when you win.” The Lakers and other NBA My prayers and condolences go to his fam- fi eld-goal makes without a miss. Bernard the second quarter for a four-point advan- over the Nashville Predators at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas. host teams on Wednesday held a moment ily. James posted his eighth triple double King (January 1984) and Johnny Newman tage at the half, 62-58. PICTURE: USA TODAY Sports

LOSS Former NBA commissioner Stern dies at 77 AFP Silver said in a statement. “He represented the NBA, leaving in beyond hotbeds of interest to New York launched groundbreaking me- 1978 to join the NBA as general develop of worldwide following. dia and marketing partnerships, counsel and becoming execu- Talent produced from the digital assets and social respon- tive vice president of the NBA sport’s higher profi le added to avid Stern, who mas- sibility programes that have in 1980. Key deals with the NBA the NBA’s global attraction, with terminded the NBA’s brought the game to billions of Players Association were made team’s boasting superstar talent growth into a global people around the world. regarding drug testing and a from beyond American borders. sports powerhouse “Because of David, the NBA salary cap, setting the stage for NBA clubs went overseas for ex- whileD serving as commissioner is a truly global brand — making Stern to replace Larry O’Brien as hibitions and training and talent from 1984 to 2014, died Wednes- him not only one of the greatest the NBA commissioner in 1984. searches under Stern’s guidance. day after suff ering a brain haem- sports commissioners of all time Stern oversaw the addition of orrhage last month. He was 77. but also one of the most infl uen- seven NBA expansion teams — FUNDAMENTALS, The NBA, whose champion- tial business leaders of his gen- the Charlotte Hornets, Miami HARD WORK ship games were not televised eration.” Heat, Orlando Magic, Minnesota Stern also helped establish the live in the United States when Stern boosted corporate back- Timberwolves, Toronto Raptors, Women’s NBA and a develop- Stern’s 30-year tenure began, ing for the league, helped by tak- Memphis (originally Vancouver) ment league for NBA talent, announced his passing, which ing charge the same year Michael Grizzlies and the New Orleans ensuring a next man was ready came with his family at his bed- Jordan joined the NBA to begin a Pelicans. Six clubs relocated to whenever an injury struck. side. legendary career on the court. new home cities during his ten- Silver, who began working for Stern, who underwent emer- Stern oversaw expansion of ure. Companies such as Nike and the NBA in 1992, appreciated gency surgery after he was the league from 23 to 30 clubs, McDonald’s turned to Jordan the detail with which Stern ap- stricken December 12, built the the debut of active NBA talent in and other NBA superstars for plied himself to maximising the league into a global sporting the Olympics and the sport’s ex- cross-promotion in selling their growth of the sport, the league empire by the time he retired pansion to a popular worldwide products, helping boost the pro- and its players. on February 1, 2014, and passed television phenomenon. fi le of the players and the league “For 22 years, I had a courtside leadership to current commis- “Every member of the NBA all the while. seat to watch David in action,” sioner Adam Silver. family is the benefi ciary of Dav- In this file photo taken on June 6, 2013, NBA Commissioner David Stern holds a news conference before The 1992 US Olympic “Dream Silver said. “He was a mentor “David took over the NBA in id’s vision, generosity and inspi- Game 1 of the NBA Finals playoff in Miami, Florida. (Reuters) Team” of NBA superstars was and one of my dearest friends. 1984 with the league at a cross- ration,” Silver said. the top attraction of the Bar- We spent countless hours in the roads, but over the course of 30 “Our deepest condolences go extended family, and we share Stern was born in 1942 and of the NBA’s New York Knicks. celona Games and dazzled op- offi ce, at arenas and on planes years as commissioner he ush- out to David’s wife, Dianne, their our grief with everyone whose worked in his father’s New York He became a lawyer in 1966 and ponents in a way unseen before wherever the game would take ered in the modern global NBA,” sons, Andrew and Eric, and their life was touched by him.” delicatessen, growing up a fan began working for the fi rm that or since, basketball expanding us. Gulf Times 6 Friday, January 3, 2020 SPORT

TRIBUTE We lost a leader who saved the Kings for Sacramento ‘He was a person who was not (tall) and whose life intersected with human beings who were 6-feet-6 or taller’

By Marcos Breton person who was not (tall) and The Sacramento Bee whose life intersected with hu- man beings who were 6-feet-6 or taller, and yet he was a tower- e would have no ing fi gure in whatever room he NBA basketball in walked into.” Sacramento and When Stern took over the the Kings would be NBA, its premier games – the Wa relic of the past without the NBA Finals – were still aired on power and infl uence of David tape-delay. That meant cham- Stern, the former NBA com- pionship games were sometimes missioner who died Wednesday shown on TV hours after the fi nal after initially suff ering a brain buzzer had sounded because the haemorrhage in New York on TV networks thought they were Dec. 12. Stern was 77 and his loss a drag on prime time program- is mourned deeply and widely ming. By the time Stern retired because the diminutive, bespec- in 2014, the NBA had surpassed tacled lawyer-turned-commis- baseball and rivalled the NFL in sioner is credited with elevating ratings power and billions in rev- the NBA from a niche league to enues earned. a global sensation over his 30 “The league’s annual revenue years at the helm, between 1984 from its television contract in- and 2014. creased by 40 times,” ESPN Sacramento benefi ted im- wrote last week. “The aver- measurably from Stern’s support age player salary jumped from when he expertly deployed his $250,000 a year in 1984 to more formidable levers of authority to than $5 million, and the value of rebuff eff orts to move the Kings franchises skyrocketed.” Stern to Orange County and Seattle. accomplished this by always be- That bought Sacramento lead- ing the smartest guy in the room. ers enough time to recruit a new He celebrated star players and ownership group that would give exciting rivalries. He understood NBA owners the option of keep- contracts, marketing, real estate ing the Kings in the state capital, and power better than anyone which Stern clearly wanted to who crossed his path and argu- do. This years-long eff ort result- ably better than any commis- ed in the construction of Golden sioner of any sport. Stern’s huge 1 Center, home of the Kings, and personality belied his modest the DOCO entertainment and stature. shopping complex around G1C. He was raised in New Jersey These are now tangible sym- and Stern seemed to relish un- bols of Stern’s expansive vision leashing his inner Jersey and for the NBA and of Sacramento’s powerful intellect on friends and thriving new downtown. “Sac- foes alike. When you were in his ramento will owe David Stern a presence, you were in the com- deep debt of gratitude for gener- pany of a formidable combina- ations to come,” said Mayor Dar- tion of wit and cunning that in- rell Steinberg. “Without his will- timidated as much as it charmed. ingness to step out and believe in Stern loved to mix it up with us, our city would be missing a anyone and, above all else, this major piece of its ongoing resur- was a man who knew who he was In this file photo taken on February 17, 2008 All Star East MVP LeBron James stands with NBA Commissioner David Stern following the 2008 NBA All-Star Game in New Orleans. (AFP) gence. Thank you does not begin and woe to the fool who under- to express what David Stern has estimated him. “He is the only of the way. He was on hand at the was really letting them have it in he was thinking, Stern kept re- nadive materialised as the leader mento’s eff ort to keep the Kings. meant to our city.” person I ever met who could ex- fi rst Arco Arena when the Kings The Bee. That made me persona turning to Sacramento to fi nd a of a new ownership group for He had let his hair grow longer Today, there is a street out- hibit extraordinary compassion played their inaugural game. non grata with all the Kings’ solution to the Kings ownership the Kings. And once that was and I remember him seeming side Golden 1 Center bearing and ruthlessness in the same And he was the most powerful horses and all the Kings’ men. crisis. Orange County materi- secured, Stern had the votes to frailer than I had ever seen him. Stern’s name. That is the ad- sentence,” Merchant said. player in the decade-long saga of You have not lived until Grant alised in 2011 as a Kings desti- keep the Kings in Sacramento. At the end of the screening, he dress of the arena, 500 David J. Because Stern made so much keeping the Kings from leaving. Napear, voice of the Kings, is nation and Stern led the NBA’s “He believed it was in the best eschewed the after-party and Stern Walk. And throughout the money for players and owners, “David (was) consistently our routinely fi re-breathing your rejection of that plan. Seat- interests of the NBA to stay in wanted to head home with his world of sports and business, he locked down their respect greatest fan and supporter of name into his 50,000-watt mi- tle became a real contender for Sacramento because this mar- wife. We watched him walking Stern was known as one of the and obedience. The NBA is a de- Sacramento,” said Gregg Luke- crophone with every Long Is- the Kings and Stern spelled out ket proved it loved this game,” gingerly to his vehicle, seeming most eff ective leaders of a major mocracy wrapped in a monopoly nbill, who brought the Kings to land fi ber of his being. I loved it. for Johnson what Sacramento Merchant said. “He believed a little bit lost and vulnerable in American brand in the last half- with NBA owners as partners. Sacramento and led the fi rst lo- Then one afternoon, my phone needed to do to stay in the game. Sacramento had the ability to the hustle and bustle of a Friday century. “Commissioner Stern The commissioner represents cal ownership group. “His sup- rang, I picked it up and imme- Namely, Sacramento needed to build an arena if it has the right night in Manhattan. defi ned the gold standard of be- them. Stern played that role like port is unique in NBA history. He diately recognised the deep and prove it had corporate support ownership group.” Said Luken- To his everlasting credit, Mer- ing a sports commissioner,” said a fi ne instrument but his voice was our original sixth man for 35 biting New York accent on the – which Johnson secured. The bill: “He personally stood fi rmly chant raced out after him and led Kunal Merchant, who was chief and vote always counted most years, privately supporting us in other line. All he said was, “This locals needed to fi nd a funding against threatened and attempt- the Sterns to their waiting car. of staff to former Sacramento because of who he was and what a (then) 23-league team in a tem- is David Stern,” and all I could mechanism to build an arena, ed franchise moves from here. I They got in and I never saw him Mayor Kevin Johnson during the he did to elevate the league. porary 10,000 seat building.” muster was – gulp! Stern started which they did. asked him why and he sincerely again. My regret is that I never years when Johnson led the local As a consequence of his un- The Maloofs fi rst wanted to out scolding me, which was un- They needed to prove to NBA stated that our fans deserved his thanked David Stern for what eff ort to save the Kings. questioned power, Sacramento move the team in 2011. Stern nerving to say the least. But he owners that a new arena would wholehearted support. Simply he did for my city. Some people “(Stern) understood the full got an NBA team in 1985 and kept persuaded Sacramento to give listened as well. I told him that not be bogged down in lawsuits, put, he loves Sacramento.” are called giants, but he really magnitude of what sports could it in early 2010s when the Maloof the Kings another year. The re- Sacramento didn’t want to lose which Steinberg delivered by Stern kept a low profi le af- was one in the truest sense of the be in society, in entertainment, brothers, the former Kings own- lationship between the Maloofs the Kings. It was an ownership crafting legislation that eff ec- ter his retirement. The last time phrase. Commissioner Stern was in real estate, in technology, in ers, sought to relocate to Orange and Sacramento soured greatly issue, not a market issue. Many tively blocked nuisance suits I saw him was in 2015, at the also one of the most unforget- international relations, in phi- County and then Seattle. Stern at this point and a certain news- others told him the same and while he was the leader of the screening of a subsequently table fi gures any of us will ever lanthropy,” he said. “He was a was with Sacramento every step paper columnist – well, me – though he never revealed what State Senate. In time, Vivek Ra- shelved ESPN fi lm about Sacra- meet.

NFL Pitcher Larsen dies of cancer at 90

Don Larsen, the only player to come and familiar face at our throw a perfect game in the annual Old-Timers’ Day celebra- World Series, died at the age tions in the decades following Eagles’ Wentz ‘grateful’ as he of 90, his representative an- his playing career,” the Yankees nounced Wednesday night. said in a statement Wednesday “The world is less ‘perfect’ night. today,” Andrew Levy’s tweet “Don’s perfect game is a defin- read. “Don Larsen, the only ing moment for our franchise, prepares for playoff debut man to pitch a perfect game in encapsulating a storied era of Reuters World Series history, is gone. Yankees success and ranking Los Angeles Goodbye, my friend. We will among the greatest single- miss you!” game performances in Major According to reports, Levy League Baseball history. The arson Wentz had to watch the said Larsen died of esophageal unmitigated joy reflected in Philadelphia Eagles in the play- cancer in Hayden, Iowa. his embrace with Yogi Berra off s the past two postseasons, Born in Michigan City, Ind., on after the game’s final out will including their victory in Su- August 7, 1929, Larsen posted a forever hold a secure place in perC Bowl LII. Injuries kept him out of the career 81-91 record with seven Yankees lore. It was the pin- team’s fi ve playoff games in that span. big-league clubs and won two nacle of baseball success and This year, it will be Wentz calling the World Series over 14 seasons a reminder of the incredible, signals on the fi eld, and he couldn’t be with the Yankees. But he unforgettable things that can more excited. He’ll make his playoff de- pitched his way into baseball take place on a baseball field. but Sunday when the Eagles (9-7) host lore on October 8, 1956, when “The Yankees organisation ex- the Seattle Seahawks (11-5) in the NFC he retired all 27 Brooklyn Dodg- tends its deepest condolences wild-card round. ers he faced as the New York to Don’s family and friends “Grateful for my health, grateful to Yankees won Game 5 by a 2-0 during this diff icult time. He will be out here with the guys in these big score before wrapping up the be missed.” meaningful games. Grateful to be playing World Series in seven games. Larsen was named Most Valu- into January,” Wentz said, via the team’s The perfect game, which able Player of the 1956 World website. “The last few weeks have been included seven strikeouts and Series, then won another cham- backs-against-the-wall (games) for us. ended with the iconic image of pionship with the Yankees in Guys have responded and stepped up and catcher Yogi Berra leaping into 1958. kept making play after play after play. Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz (centre) rolls out of the pocket as New York Giants cornerback Deandre Baker. Larsen’s arms, came three days Larsen made his debut with the Just kept believing. And here we are play- PICTURE: Andrew Mills/NJ Advance Media after Larsen lasted only 1 2/3 St. Louis Browns in 1953, then ing into January. Hopefully, we can do innings and gave up four runs, spent the next season with something special.” the fi eld during the Super Bowl season. lowing a record-setting season. He set “I think he’s grown up as a leader of all unearned, as the Dodgers the Baltimore Orioles after the The Eagles won the NFC East on the In 2018, it was a back injury that side- franchise records for completions (388) this team,” coach Doug Pederson said. beat the Yankees 13-8 in Game franchise relocated. After lead- fi nal day of the season, beating the New lined him. Nick Foles led the Eagles in the and passing yards (4,039) and also threw “You’ve seen it here now the last cou- 2 to take a 2-0 series lead. ing the majors with 21 losses in York Giants 34-17. Wentz, 27, also led postseason both years and was named a touchdown pass in all 16 regular-season ple of games, how he’s really just put the “We are deeply saddened to 1954, Larsen was traded to the the Eagles to a must-win victory against the MVP of Super Bowl LII. Wentz, the games, the fi rst Eagles quarterback to ac- team on his back and said, ‘Hey, follow learn of the passing of Don Yankees in November of that the Dallas Cowboys in Week 16. A knee No. 2 overall pick in the 2016 NFL Draft, complish that. me,’ and I think that’s a sign of growth Larsen, who remained a wel- year. Reueters injury in December 2017 kept Wentz off enters the postseason in good health fol- He played 99% of the off ensive snaps. and a sign of maturity. Gulf Times Friday, January 3, 2020 7 SPORT

GOLF SPOTLIGHT Nigerian teen Thomas set to tee in pink aims to ‘take the golf it up at fi rst PGA world by storm’

Reuters course. Abuja/Lagos, Nigeria “He asked me if I wanted to play and I said yes, so he bought me clubs and got me a golf pro- steady “thwack” rings fessional to train me,” she said — Tour event of 2020 out at the driving range the same man who was training just outside Nigeria’s the white boy. ‘All the motivation I need to get to number one in the world is in myself’ capital Abuja. A girl Her fi rst medal came quickly, cladA in pink shoes, pink skirt at the age of fi ve. She now has AFP and pink vest wields a club with 17 medals and has represented Los Angeles, United States a power that belies her slight Nigeria 11 times at tournaments frame, grimacing at poor shots in Africa, Europe and the United and smiling happily at others. States. ustin Thomas’ all-around Iyene Essien’s golf medals al- Poised and precocious, Essien game has made him one ready outnumber her 13 years of was the only teenager among 177 of the hottest players on age, and she has competed on golfers at the 2019 Nigeria Ladies the PGA Tour and the three continents. She is the top Golf Open Championship. She AmericanJ will try to carry that junior player in Nigeria, and now took 10th place, shyly high-fi v- momentum into this week’s wants to deliver her country’s ing the other competitors as the Tournament of Champions, the fi rst gold medal for golf at the crowd cheered. fi rst event of 2020. 2022 Summer Youth Olympics. Her father, consultant econo- Thomas, Dustin Johnson and “In this game you compete mist Eyo Essien, says she is just Jon Rahm are the headliners for against yourself and not other getting started. the event as the tour returns players, which is very exciting,” “She still has some room for from a December hiatus at the she told Reuters, adding that growth and I think as I said by par-73 Plantation Course in Ka- anything that goes wrong “is the age of 15 she will be ripe, you palua, Hawaii. still your mistake, you are the know, to take the golf world by The fi eld, which consists of one playing so you cannot blame storm,” he said. only those who won on the tour your caddy or anyone for the But Essien said she is commit- last year, includes just 34 golf- mistake you made”. ted to balancing school and golf, ers after several notable win- Her journey began when she and intends to study artifi cial ners decided to skip the no-cut saw a young white boy play- intelligence and robotics at uni- event. ing at the IBB International Golf versity. Top-ranked Brooks Koepka is and Country Club in Abuja. Her “In the next 10 years with a de- out with a left knee injury while father saw her excitement and gree in my hand, I will play as a Rory McIlroy, Phil Mickelson quickly arranged to get her on the professional golfer,” she said. and Tiger Woods also qualifi ed but opted not to play, as did Jus- tin Rose, Francesco Molinari and British Open champion Shane Lowry. That sets the stage for Tho- mas to take advantage. Thomas said his goal for 2020 is to get back to the world number one ranking. “All the motivation I need to get to number one in the world is in myself,” he said. “I don’t need to try to prove anybody wrong. “I don’t need to do it because people said I can’t. Because I want to be there is big enough motivation for me.” The 26-year-old Thomas, one of only 10 players in PGA history to shoot a sub-60 round, won the BMW Championship in Au- gust, fi nished fourth at the Safe- Justin Thomas (right) of the United States works with putting coach Matt Killen during the pro-am prior to the Sentry Tournament Of way Open in September and won Champions in Kapalua, Hawaii, on Wednesday. (AFP) the CJ Cup in October. Thomas also did well at the after last year was interrupted by a the year before and defi nitely not Rahm, who is the top-ranked fi nishes in the event. Iyene Essien, 13-year-old golf prodigy points at her trophies at home in Presidents Cup in Australia last nagging right wrist injury. two years before that. player in the fi eld. Defending champion Xander Abuja, Nigeria. (Reuters) month, fi nishing with a record “Yeah, I could have been a pity “Even with the injury hap- Spain’s Rahm has three wins Schauff ele overcame a fi ve-shot of 3-1-1, his loss coming in the party and asked for more atten- pening, I tried to stay patient, and 10 top-10s in his past 13 defi cit entering the fi nal round singles competition. tion, but I defi nitely didn’t de- and I was glad to see it kind of starts worldwide, vaulting him last year by posting a tourna- TENNIS The 2017 PGA Championship serve anything special,” said Tho- come back to how it felt at the to a career-high ranking. ment-record 62 on Sunday. He is winner, Thomas has a burning mas, who has qualifi ed for this end of the year.” Johnson is making his fi rst trying to become the fi rst player desire to put together a complete event four of the past fi ve years. Thomas will have competi- start of the 2019-20 season and since Geoff Ogilvy (2009-10) to season and get off to a strong start “I mean, I hadn’t done what I had tion from world number three has seven consecutive top-10 repeat as champion. Zverev says no

LOSS Kids fi rst, tournaments second, concerns over says comeback queen Clijsters curtailed off -season Former France rugby captain Reuters Bengaluru, India AFP Michel Celaya dies aged 89 Brisbane, Australia our-times Grand Slam champion Kim Clijsters, due AFP to make her professional comeback after a seven- ermany’s Alexander Bordeaux, France Fyear hiatus, said she will be selective in picking the Zverev said he felt tournaments she plays to give her time to focus on her in top shape for 2020 children. yesterday despite only ormer France rugby cap- Gstarting to hit balls a week ago A mother of three, the 36-year-old Belgian announced tain Michel Celaya died plans in September to come out of retirement for a sec- after an off -season curtailed by a at home in Biarritz yes- ond time. But her return, initially scheduled for January, lucrative exhibition tour. terday at the age of 89, his has been pushed back due to a knee injury. The 22-year-old only won that right this season. familyF has announced. one title last year, in Geneva, “For me I need to get my tennis Clijsters, who previously rejoined the circuit between Celaya played for France be- 2009 and 2012, said her priority this time was ensuring not quite taking the step up that back a little bit and kind of have a tween 1953 and 1961, captaining she was around when her children, aged between three many had predicted as he slipped fresh start as well,” he said. them to their fi rst ever outright and 11, needed her. from fourth to seventh in the “Obviously, the last year I fi n- win in the Five Nations and was “It’s going to be diff erent than before, I’m not going to men’s tennis rankings. ished number seven in the world. later a member of the French play a lot of tournaments,” Clijsters said in an interview But Zverev remains a big draw- I had good tournaments, but it coaching staff . with The Telegraph. “The kids aren’t going to travel with card and he fi nished 2019 playing was still not the year that I want- “My father spent nine seasons me as much. a fi ve-stop exhibition tour of ed to have and I hope I can kind of in the French team, 50 caps, 12 “I’m going to have to pick my tournaments wisely to see South America and China with improve this year.” times captain, fi rst Frenchman to what works with the kids and with school, exams... My Roger Federer. Zverev is playing the inaugural win the Five Nations fi ve times, kids and their schedules will not be aff ected by my deci- Although the tour meant a ATP Cup under the captaincy of two ‘small’ slams (with a match sion to come back.” shorter off -season than normal, German great Boris Becker and drawn against perfi dious Al- While a return at this month’s Australian Open — the Zverev insisted it made little dif- he is confi dent they will do well, bion),” his son Michael wrote on last Grand Slam she won in 2011 — has been ruled out, ference. despite being in a tough group Facebook referring to two draws Clijsters has been given wildcards for later tournaments, “I mean, still I think I had a with the Nick Kyrgios-led Aus- against England which denied including the Indian Wells Masters in March. good off -season. It was a little bit tralia. the French a Grand Slam in 1960 She said the amount she played would also depend on diff erent. It was shorter this year, Under the tournament for- (3-3) and 1961 (5-5). her fitness and recovery time. for sure,” he said at the ATP Cup mat, 24 nations are split into “He won in every great stadi- “I know this isn’t a five-year career. It’s just going to be team event in Brisbane. six round-robin groups across um in Great Britain and Ireland, something for two, three, four years if I can stay healthy “I only started playing tennis a Brisbane, Perth and Sydney with took part in legendary tours and and learn more about how my body will react,” she said. week ago, pretty much, so I don’t only eight teams qualifying for earned the respect of his team- In this February 23, 1957, picture, France’s captain Michel Celaya have a lot of tennis practice yet, the knockout phase. mates and his opponents.” (centre) is tackled by England’s players during the Five Nations rugby which I will build up. “We have a good team. We Celaya, who played second union tournament match at Twickenham, London. (AFP) “But I feel good. I feel pretty have top doubles players in the row or in the back row, spent his fi t again. My physical (condition) world. We have myself, Jan-Len- entire club career at his native ien Mias the honour of lead the dedicated his life to rugby. was never really my problem. It nard (Struff ), Mats (Moraing), Biarritz. French to an historic series vic- “All my condolences to his was in the beginning of my ca- who are great singles players,” he He played a role in France’s tory. family and friends.” reer, but in the last one, two years said. fi rst Five Nations title in 1954 “Michel Celaya, a great name After retiring as a player, Ce- it’s never been a problem. “So we want to give ourselves although it was shared with Eng- in French rugby and the Basque laya moved into coaching, taking “I know I can last matches, I the best chance to win and I think land and Wales. country has left us,” tweeted charge of Biarritz and working know I can play longer than most Boris can play a big part in that. In 1958, he was made cap- French Rugby Federation presi- with the French teams of Jean guys.” “He can play a big part in what tain for France’s first ever tour dent Bernard Laporte. Prat and Fernand Cazenave be- While Zverev is confi dent he will say on the bench, the en- to South Africa but suffered a “A totemic player and coach in tween 1967 and 1973. about his on-court stamina, he ergy that he has. I mean, he is one knee injury in the build-up and the France XV, he won fi ve Five He also worked in South Africa admitted he could have played of the most iconic sportsmen in missed both Tests, giving Luc- Nations in nine campaigns and and Australia. better last year and wants to put German history.”

Friday, January 3, 2020 GULF TIMES SPORT

HORSE RACING SPOTLIGHT Kyrgios pledges Umm Qarn’s Dabaab money for victims Trainers Alban of Australian de Mieulle, bushfi res unstoppable in Jassim Mohamed bit of smoke, the most hazardous Reuters Brisbane, Australia smoke in the world at the mo- Ghazali and ment,” Kyrgios said yesterday at an ATP Cup news conference in Hadi Nasser ustralian Nick Kyr- Brisbane. gios has put his hand “It’s obviously sad for every- al-Ramzani saddle up to help the victims thing that’s going on... There’s of raging bushfi res in no rain predicted there for the feature victory two winners each hisA country by promising a $200 next four months, so it doesn’t donation for every ace he serves look like the fi res are going to during the home summer season. slow down anytime soon, which More than 1,000 homes have is pretty sad.” been destroyed by the fi res Tennis Australia CEO Craig fuelled by searing temperatures Tiley has since confi rmed that a and high winds, with Kyrgios’ multi-city fundraiser campaign hometown of Canberra experi- will be launched to support those encing its worst air quality and who have been impacted by the residents have been told to stay wildfi res. indoors. “We want to help these com- “I’m kicking off the support munities in a meaningful way for those aff ected by the fires,” and will announce a number of world number 30 Kyrgios wrote fundraising and support initia- on Twitter. “I’ll be donating tives that will be rolled out across $200 per ace that I hit across all the ATP Cup, Australian Open the events I play this summer.” and our other events over the Kyrgios has one of the most le- coming weeks,” Tiley wrote in a thal serves on the ATP Tour, aver- statement. aging 16.6 aces per match in 2019. “Stay tuned for further an- Eager to help, Kyrgios’ ATP nouncements.” Cup teammate Alex de Minaur Kyrgios will kick off his season raised the stakes and announced when Australia take on Germany he will donate $250 for every ace in Group F of the ATP Cup today. off his racket during the Austral- After Kyrgios’ announcement ian swing. received a warm response on so- Colonel Steven Fabiano (seventh from right), Commander of Area Support Group – Qatar of the US Army, with the winners of the Dukhan Cup after Umm Qarn’s Dabaab won the “I like this I will go $250 per cial media, the ATP pledged $100 1700m race at Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club’s Al Rayyan Park yesterday. PICTURES: Juhaim ace, just because I don’t think for each ace served across the I’ll be hitting as many aces as you 10-day tournament in Brisbane, By Sports Reporter Race 3: 1. Hathlool (Alexander mate,” the 20-year-old de Min- Perth and Sydney to the Austral- Doha Reznikov), 2. Satam (Tomas aur tweeted. ian Red Cross bushfi re disaster Lukasek), 3. Djamil (Ronan Tho- John Millman, ranked 48 in the relief and recovery eff orts. mas), 4. Amalgham (Ali Khalid world, also promised to donate “With more than 1,500 aces scintillating ride by al-Mosallam). Won by: Hd, 7 ¾, $100 for every ace during the expected to be served by sin- Ronan Thomas astride 3. Time: 2:02.73. Owner: Khalifa Australian summer. gles and doubles players across Umm Qarn’s Dabaab Mohamed al-Attiyah. Trainer: Earlier on Wednesday, Kyrgios both the group rounds and Final saw the mare pick Hadi Nasser al-Ramzani. had tweeted to Tennis Australia Eight in Sydney, the ATP Cup upA a fantastic feature win as and proposed a charity exhibi- contribution is expected to ex- Race 4: 1. Shakour (Jamie Spen- she topped the Dukhan Cup cer), 2. Almakfee (Alexander tion match to help the bushfi re ceed $150,000,” the ATP said in a for Purebred Arabian fi llies Reznikov), 3. Braemar (Anas al- victims. The Australian’s sug- statement. and mares at Qatar Racing and Seyabi), 4. Third World (Eduardo gestion was liked by more than The campaign will be jointly Equestrian Club’s Al Rayyan Pedroza). Won by: 1 ¼, 1 ¾, ½. 12,500 users. funded by the ATP, Tennis Aus- Park yesterday. Time: 2:04.84. Owner: Injaaz “It’s pretty tragic what’s going tralia, Tennis New South Wales, The Alban de Mieulle-trained Stud. Trainer: Jassim Mohamed on, especially with my home- Tennis Queensland and Tennis mare was unstoppable in the Ghazali. town, Canberra, being under a West. 1700m feature for four-year- Race 5: 1. Thierry (Alexander old and older horses as the grey Reznikov), 2. Indian Horseman daughter of Munjiz beat the (Jamie Spencer), 3. Suprematism competition by a little more (Anas al-Seyabi), 4. Comrade In than eight lengths for her fi rst Arms (Ivan Rossi). Won by: ¼, win this season. ¾, 2 ¼. Time: 1:49.88. Owner: Al The six-year-old had been Jeryan Stud. Trainer: Hadi Nasser getting progressively better his al-Ramzani. season having fi nished in the Race 6: 1. Sealine (Ronan Tho- top three on her other two out- mas), 2. Aneeq (Ivan Rossi), 3. ings coming into yesterday’s Murihk (Tomas Lukasek), 4. AJS race, where she beat Alexander Al Moheeb (Jamie Spencer). Won Reznikov-ridden AJS Jamra. Ronan Thomas rides Dabaab to Dukhan Cup victory yesterday. by: Nk, 5 ¼, 1 ¼. Time: 2:14.84. It was the second win on the Owner: Umm Qarn. Trainer: day for owner-trainer-jockey Stud’s Thierry in the Thorough- Class 2 Thoroughbreds. Ali al-Marri), 2. Al Rayyan Park Alban de Mieulle. trio, with Sealine remaining un- bred Handicap for horses rated The evening began with Qa- (JP Guillambert), 3. Al Hadah Race 7: 1. Izzthatright (Jamie beaten on the surface to top the 85 and below. tari rider Meteb Ali al-Marri rid- (Alexander Reznikov), 4. Ezaz Spencer), 2. Receding Waves (JP Purebred Arabian Handicap for Another trainer-jockey duo ing his fi fth winner of the season (Saleh Salem al-Marri). Won by: Guillambert), 3. Cristofano Allori horses rated 90 and below. to notch a double on the day with Dalal Al Brooq shedding 5 ¼, ¾, 6 ¼. Time: 1:15.08. Owner: (Ronan Thomas), 4. Shobrom In the 1900m race, which was were champion trainer Jassim her maiden status in a six-fur- Rashid Ali Mohamed al-Saaq al- (Ivan Rossi). Won by: 1 ¾, 1 ¼, ¼. the six-year-old longest dis- Mohamed Ghazali and Jamie long sprint for Local Thorough- Marri. Trainer: Ali al-Marri. Time: 00:58.75. Owner: Injaaz tance, Sealine edged out Ivan Spencer. Spencer was astride breds. Another Thoroughbred to Race 2: 1. Zarandi (Carlos Hen- Stud. Trainer: Jassim Mohamed Rossi-helmed Aneeq at the post Injaaz Stud’s Shakour as the race to his fi rst win was Hamad rique), 2. Shellbrook (Soufiane Ghazali. by a neck for her fourth win. fi ve-year-old won for the fi rst Ahmed al-Malki al-Jehani- Saadi), 3. Rex Place (Alexander Race 8: 1. Dabaab (Ronan Tho- Reznikov was astride two time at Al Rayyan Park, winning trained Zarandi, who also won Reznikov), 4. Skip The Queue mas), 2. AJS Jamra (Alexander winners, both for Qatari trainer the 1900m Thoroughbred Nov- a six-furlong sprint with Carlos (Saleh Salem al-Marri). Won by: Reznikov), 3. Naima (Ivan Rossi), Hadi Nasser al-Ramzani — ice Plate, and then guided Injaaz Henrique in the saddle. 2 ½, ½, 4. Time: 1:12.51. Owner: 4. Texas (Soufiane Saadi). Won Khalifa Mohamed al-Attiyah’s Stud’s prolifi c Izzthatright to Saeed Nasser al-Qadi. Trainer: by: 8 ¼, 2 ¼, 3 ½. Time: 1:59.27. Hathlool in the Purebred Ara- the gelding’s 20th victory in the RESULTS Hamad Ahmed al-Malki al- Owner: Umm Qarn. Trainer: bian Maiden Plate and Al Jeryan penultimate race of the day for Race1: 1. Dalal Al Brooq (Meteb Jehani. Alban de Mieulle.

TENNIS Djoko, Nadal lead calls for ATP Cup, Davis Cup to merge AFP said having two men’s team com- Brisbane, Australia Thiem confi dent ‘Big Three’ will be toppled at Slams petitions was “too much”. “Obviously, we don’t need two AFP one of the men tipped to make cannot guarantee anything. There competitions the same way. Two uperstars Novak Djoko- Sydney, Australia the breakthrough, with the first are also many other very strong team competitions is too much,” vic and Rafael Nadal said Grand Slam of the year, the Aus- guys who can achieve that. he said. yesterday there was little tralian Open, just weeks away in “Maybe it’s also not happen- Djokovic does not normally point in having two men’s orld number four Do- Melbourne. ing and Big Three are taking play in Australia before the year’s teamS tennis competitions so fi rst Grand Slam in Melbourne, minic Thiem yesterday He said the younger players all four,” he added. “But we are close together and suggested the Wexpressed confidence were getting close. trying everything to achieve top but he will use the ATP Cup to new ATP Cup should merge with a new Grand Slam champion “I think we challenged them position, to achieve the biggest prepare for his attempt to win an the Davis Cup. will be crowned in 2020 outside already a lot. We also beat them titles, Grand Slam titles.” eighth Australian Open crown. The ATP Cup is about to kick the big three of Novak Djokovic, especially on Masters 1000 Thiem, 26, won five titles last “The Australian Open courts, off its inaugural edition, replac- Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer. stages and the ATP Finals,” said year at Indian Wells, Barcelona, Melbourne Park was always very ing a number of previous Aus- While the Austrian, Germany’s Thiem, who was runner-up to Kitzbuhel, Beijing and Vienna, but suitable to my game, and I can’t tralian Open warm-up tourna- Alexander Zverev, Greece’s Ste- Tsitsipas at the ATP Finals in he had a mixed time at the ma- wait to go back there,” he said. ments. fanos Tsitsipas and others have London in November. jors, falling at the first hurdle at “Obviously, that’s probably It comes six weeks after the had success at lesser tourna- “I think the last stage we have to Wimbledon and the US Open and my most successful court in my revamped Davis Cup, which also ments, the big guns continue to conquer is the Grand Slam stage, in the second round in Australia. career, in my life, so I love play- has countries playing each other dominate the majors. and I really think we’ll see a new However, he reached the final ing there.” in a round-robin format, was Thiem, in Sydney for the inau- Grand Slam champion in 2020. “I at Roland Garros, only to be Djokovic’s fi rst match in the held in Madrid. gural ATP Cup team event, is really hope that it’s me, but you beaten by clay king Nadal. ATP Cup will be against South Canadian Denis Shapovalov Africa’s Kevin Anderson on Sat- suggested yesterday that the two urday, while Nadal is set to face events — one run by the men’s agreed. the Davis Cup and the ATP Cup. “Yeah, is confusing to have Georgia’s Nikoloz Basilashvili on tour, the Association of Tennis “We need to have one Super “And it’s six weeks apart, so two World Cups of tennis in one the same day. Professionals, and the other by World Cup event, whatever you they’re not really helping each month. For me personally that’s “For me, that is a tough start the International Tennis Federa- want to call it,” he said. other in terms of marketing, in not the ideal situation for our to the season,” said Nadal. “The tion — should combine. Serbian player Novak Djokovic addresses a press confer