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Friday, January 15, 2021 CRICKET Jumada II 2, 1442 AH Survival of the fi ttest GULF TIMES as Australia look to seal series at Gabba SPORT Page 7 DAKAR RALLY Al-Attiyah wins stage, defl ated ‘I am really happy to be here on day 11 without Peterhansel keeps lead any technical problems’

AFP Yanbu, Saudi Arabia

asser al-Attiyah won his fi fth stage on the Dakar Rally yesterday when he fi nished near- lyN two minutes ahead of leader Stephane Peterhansel but still trails the Frenchman with one day to go. Peterhansel will start the fi nal stage, a 225-kilometre run across chains of dunes to Jeddah, lead- ing by a quarter of an hour as he seeks to add to his record 13 vic- tories in the race. “We lost just a few minutes, it’s nothing,” said Peterhansel at the fi nish. “There’s only one day to go... It’s time to cross fi ngers and hope that we will be in fi rst place at the end”. The longest stage of the race, a 464-kilometre drive across sand dunes from Al Ula to Yanbu brought a day of changing for- tunes. Peterhansel led with an advan- Toyota Gazoo Racing’s Nasser al-Attiyah of Qatar and co-driver Matthieu Baumel of France in action during tage of more than three minutes stage 11 of the Dakar Rally between Al Ula and Yanbu in Saudi Arabia yesterday. (Reuters) over al-Attiyah after 306 kilome- tres but suff ered two punctures. Khalid al-Qassimi took the lead after 362 kilometres at which point al-Attiyah had closed to within seven seconds of X-Raid Mini JCW Team’s Stephane Peterhansel of France and co-driver Edouard Boulanger change a tyre Peterhansel. during stage 11 of the Dakar Rally between Al Ula and Yanbu in Saudi Arabia yesterday. (Reuters) Peterhansel regained the lead and was 38 seconds ahead of the was a very big impact and we had punctured. I am sure that 16 tyres ridden by Pablo Quintanilla. chasing al-Attiyah 30 kilometres another puncture. We were a lit- times one minute and a half each “I knew that today was one of from the fi nish but could not hold tle bit afraid that also some part change is a lot.” my last chances to try to win and the lead. of the frame was broken, but at “We’ll see what happens to- I gave my all, all day,” said Sun- “Today it was really compli- the end it was OK.” morrow,” he said. derland. cated, like the organisers said be- Al-Attiyah, driving a Toyota, Spaniard Carlos Sainz in an- “We still have one day to go forehand, like we expected it to be, eventually crossed the line in 4hr other Mini was a further 30 sec- and many things can happen on because the navigation was not 34min 24sec, 1min 56sec ahead of onds back in third. Saudi Yazeed one stage.” easy, but we got two punctures, es- Peterhansel in his Mini. al-Rajhi was fourth in a Toyota. Argentina’s Kevin Benavides Red Bull KTM Factory Team’s Sam Sunderland in action during stage 11 of the Dakar Rally between Al Ula pecially the last one that was in the “It really wasn’t easy,” said the increased his lead in the overall and Yanbu in Saudi Arabia yesterday. (Reuters) dunes,” the Frenchman said. Qatari, who also won the pro- ‘MY LAST CHANCE’ standings over American Honda “They were really strange logue. Briton Sam Sunderland, 2017 teammate and defending champi- his helmet jumping off a dune on Ricky we pushed together on the There was drama on the stage dunes,” he added. “In the mid- “I am really happy to be here Dakar champion, won the mo- on Ricky Brabec to 7:13, with Sun- stage fi ve. dunes... Tomorrow we will push as Spain’s Joan Barreda, a two- dle of the dunes there were some on day 11 without any technical torbike category, the KTM rider derland currently second, at 4:12. “It was a really hard day, very like every day, no other strategy stage winner also on a Honda, rocks just after the crest of the problems with the car,” he added. timing 4hr 35min 21 sec for the “We did a really good job with long with plenty of navigation, a than that. exited the race after missing a dunes, so it was not easy to an- “We have really had a lot of punc- stage, maintaining a comfortable Ricky,” said Benavides, who lot of sand and dunes.” “There are no team orders and refuelling stop and subsequently ticipate or to see. The last one tures. I’ve had more than 16 tyres 2:40 lead over the Husqvarna broke his nose as he shattered Benavides added: “With yes, the race is still open.” running out of petrol.

FOOTBALL MotoGP adds test days to Qatar Neymar helps PSG to Champions Trophy win over Marseille schedule

AFP turn to have a goal chalked off when he MotoGP has added a Lens, France started his run too early to connect with shakedown and two days of a long pass from his captain Marquin- off icial testing to the March hos. pre-season schedule in Qatar eymar scored on his return to Icardi fi nally put dominant PSG after planned test sessions action for Paris Saint-Ger- ahead six minutes before the break with in Malaysia next month were main as they beat arch rivals a goal typical of his poacher’s style, fi rst cancelled due to the Covid-19 Marseille 2-1 to win this sea- meeting Angel Di Maria’s raking long pandemic. The shakedown son’sN Champions Trophy. ball with a close-range header that Ste- will be on March 5, followed by The Brazilian rolled home an 85th ven Mandanda pushed onto the post. testing on March 6-7. minute penalty to put PSG two goals The Argentine was quickest to follow Another off icial test is sched- ahead following Mauro Icardi’s fi rst-half up as the ball dribbled back out from the uled for March 10-12, with the opener to give new coach Mauricio Po- goal, and he tapped in his second goal season-opening night race chettino the fi rst trophy of his reign in the is as many games since returning from at the Losail circuit pencilled French capital, and managerial career. injury. in for March 28. Testing at “I hope to win more titles, but the He almost doubled his side’s lead in Malaysia’s Sepang circuit was fi rst will always be special,” said Po- fi rst half stoppage time when he hit a cancelled after the country chettino. “We deserved this victory, we left-footed strike back off the crossbar. declared a nationwide state of payed a good match.” Neymar returned to action in the emergency to curb the spread The Champions Trophy is the French 65th minute and was immediately tar- of the new coronavirus. equivalent of a Super Cup, usually con- geted by Gonzalez, the Argentine foul- In a statement, MotoGP said tested at the start of the season by the ing the superstar attacker several times that the events scheduled league champions and French Cup win- in what looked like a continuation of the for February 14-16 and 19-21 ners. pair’s spat. have been cut due to logistical With PSG winning both last season, However it was Neymar who had problems relating to Covid-19. Marseille had been selected as their op- Paris Saint-Germain players celebrate winning the Trophee des Champions after beating Marseille at Stade Bollaert-Delelis in the last laugh when he stepped up to “The ongoing Covid-19 ponents as the Ligue 1 runners-up. This Lens, France, on Wednesday. (Reuters) score the decisive second goal for PSG pandemic and the resulting season’s edition was delayed because of from the penalty spot after Icardi was lockdowns and complications the coronavirus pandemic. racism in the aftermath. The 28-year-old hadn’t featured lead with a 22nd minute tap-in, only to brought down by Marseille’s substitute have obliged the cancellation Hopes were high for a feisty tussle However it was a largely tame en- for the French champions since be- have the goal ruled out for off side after keeper Yohann Pele. of both events, which were set in Lens after Marseille’s league win counter in northern France, with the ing stretchered off with an ankle injury Kylian Mbappe strayed past Marseille’s Dimitri Payet pulled one back for to take place at Sepang Inter- at PSG in September ended with five most noteworthy incident being substi- during a 1-0 defeat to current league back line to collect Leandro Paredes’ Marseille with a minute remaining but national Circuit in Malaysia in red cards and Neymar accusing Mar- tute Neymar’s goalscoring return after a leaders Lyon on December 13. defence-splitting pass. it was too little too late for Andre Villas- February,” said the statement. seille centre back Alvaro Gonzalez of month away. Icardi thought he had given PSG the Seven minutes later it was Mbappe’s Boas’ side. Gulf Times 2 Friday, January 15, 2021 FOOTBALL

SPOTLIGHT FOCUS Bundesliga ‘place Stunned Bayern to be’ for young US talent: Klinsmann AFP place to be.” Berlin Hoppe was off ered a trial with Schalke on the back of his per- formances at the Barcelona Resi- ollowing Matthew dency Academy USA in Arizona. left rueing cup loss Hoppe’s “fairytale” The teenager echoes Klinsmann, hat-trick for Schalke who lives in the States. “You last weekend, US-based have to sacrifi ce a lot to play here Holders knocked out of German Cup by second division side Holstein Kiel Fformer Germany coach Jurgen (in Germany),” Hoppe said. “I Klinsmann says the Bundesliga learned a lot here, improved my AFP is the “place to be” for young technique, tactical skills, mental Berlin, Germany American talent. strength and physique – it was a Hoppe, 19, netted a hat-trick no-brainer to come to Schalke.” on only his fi fth Bundesliga ap- He hopes his breakthrough ayern Munich coach Hansi Flick pearance in Schalke’s 4-0 drub- with Schalke will encourage oth- insists the European champions bing of Hoff enheim, which er talented Americans to head to learn from their earliest German ended the Royal Blues’ miserable Germany. “There are plenty of Cup exit for 20 years after second run of 30 league games without a talented players in the US. They divisionB side Holstein Kiel ended their win. The South Californian be- just have to risk the jump to Eu- dreams of repeating last season’s treble. came the fi rst American to score rope,” he said. “We are extremely disappointed, we a Bundesliga hat-trick. “It’s a The fi rst US trailblazer was wanted to defend the treble,” said Flick fairytale story,” Klinsmann told Andy Mate, who played six after Bayern were knocked out of a cup ESPN. “It’s incredible and should games for Hamburg in 1964/65, competition for the fi rst time since he make the kid super proud and the but the Bundesliga’s boom of took charge in November 2019. “There youth system in America super Americans only took off in recent are no excuses left – lots of games, too proud.” years, partly driven by former little rest,” said Flick, pointing at Bay- However, Hoppe is on a well- Germany manager Klinsmann, ern’s tightly-packed fi xture list this sea- worn path of US talent in Ger- who managed the US men’s team son which often demands his team plays many’s top fl ight. “Every club for fi ve years until 2016. every few days. We have to tick it off and in the Bundesliga wants to fi nd There is also the ‘Pulisic fac- do things better. We have to be more their own ‘Captain America’,” tor’ – with every young soccer compact in defence, protect the central ESPN commented last year. 16 player in America dreaming of midfi eld better and apply more pressure.” of the 18 Bundesliga clubs have following the path of Chris- Bayern have fi ve weeks to fi x their po- at least one US import on their tian Pulisic. Pulisic moved from rous defence before facing Lazio away in books. Pennsylvania to Dortmund on a the last 16, fi rst leg tie in their Champions Hoppe’s US compatriots Gio- free transfer in 2016, then joined League defence. However, the Bundesliga vanni Reyna, 18, is a Dortmund Chelsea in a high-profi le transfer leaders’ hopes of repeating last season’s regular, Chris Richards, 20, is at three years later. triple-trophy haul is over following their Bayern Munich, Tyler Adams, 21, The “player pipeline to Eu- German Cup exit. plays for RB Leipzig and Bremen rope”, as Klinsmann describes it, Like the heavy snow which fell during has Josh Sargent, 20 – to name is strengthened by the increased the second-half, Kiel were ice cold in tak- just a few. importance Bundesliga clubs ing their chances. Goals by Serge Gnabry The Bundesliga is an attractive put on the US market. European and Leroy Sane gave Bayern a 2-1 lead proposition for US talent, says champions Bayern, for example, with 90 minutes gone, but a lapse in con- Klinsmann. “It’s not complicat- has a partnership with FC Dallas, centration allowed Kiel captain Hauke Holstein Kiel’s players celebrate after their win over Bayern Munich in the second round of the German Cup in Kiel. (Reuters) ed and the coaches are straight- who regularly send over players Wahl to header a last-gasp equaliser. forward,” said the former Tot- to train in Munich. Bayern then laid siege to the hosts’ to high numbers of the coronavirus in perhaps once in a lifetime,” beamed Kiel’s top six clubs in the Bundesliga. Having tenham striker, whose last brief Many hope to follow in the goal, but Kiel held the European cham- Germany, but Kiel fans made their pres- 32-year-old coach Ole Werner. lost his temper in a post-match inter- coaching job at Hertha Berlin footsteps of Chris Richards, the pions to a 2-2 draw after extra time and ence felt outside the stadium, blaring car The last time Bayern exited the Ger- view, Mueller later apologised on Insta- ended abruptly when he walked 20-year-old from Alabama, who their nerve for a 6-5 victory in the penalty horns and setting off fi reworks. man Cup so early, Thomas Mueller had gram to an reporter he felt was amused by out in early 2020. “If a young- has already played Champions shoot-out. After both sides netted their “You wanted to win the triple again?!” just joined their youth structure as an Bayern’s defeat. ster realises that it’s all about League football for Bayern af- opening fi ve attempts, Bayern midfi elder Kiel fans jeered at Bayern’s team bus 11-year-old. “The cup exit is brutal. This “Now you are laughing here,” he fumed performance and that he will get ter travelling over from Dallas in Marc Roca was the fi rst to have his saved. as it pulled out of the stadium car park is certainly not the best phase for FC Bay- after being asked what the mood was like the chance, the Bundesliga is the 2018. It left Kiel’s former Bremen forward after midnight. Kiel are the fi rst non- ern,” Mueller said. in the Bayern dressing room. Bayern need Fin Bartels, 33, who had earlier scored Bundesliga club to knock Bayern out in The loss follows last Friday’s 3-2 league to bounce back in Sunday’s tricky home a fi rst-half equaliser, to net the crucial the cup’s second round since Magde- defeat at Moenchengladbach. tie against Freiburg, who are on a club- penalty and spark wild celebrations. The burg, then in Germany’s fourth-tier, in Bayern have conceded 24 league goals record fi ve-game winning streak in the game was played behind locked doors due 2000/01. “Something like this happens this season – more than any of the other league.

UEFA plans for Euro and Champions League unchanged despite pandemic fears Lausanne, Switzerland: UEFA is not spread far and wide over the continent. percent, or behind closed doors.” to vaccinations, but UEFA insist “it is too planning any imminent changes to the “Given the health situation, personally I In recent days the Formula One Aus- early to make any decision” regarding format for the upcoming Champions think that the original idea of a competi- tralian and Chinese Grand Prix were both a new medical protocol for its competi- League knockout stages or to its plans tion spread all over Europe has little postponed, while a prestigious World tions. In his interview, Swiss FA chief to hold the delayed Euro 2020 this year chance of going ahead,” Dominique Cup skiing event at Wengen in Switzer- Blanc floated two possible solutions despite ongoing concerns about the Blanc, head of the Swiss Football As- land was called off due to increasing for the Euro, with one being to hold the coronavirus pandemic and other sport- sociation, said in an interview with Swiss Covid-19 cases in the area. tournament in one country, “in Russia or ing events being cancelled. media this week. Meanwhile, the European Champions in Germany, for example”. “As far as the Euro is concerned noth- The semi-finals and final are due and Challenge Cups in rugby union have Another would be to repeat the for- ing has changed,” a spokesperson for to be played in London, but England been put on hold after the French gov- mat for the closing stages of last year’s European football’s governing body said. is currently in lockdown as it grapples ernment said the Covid-19 variant in Brit- Champions League in Lisbon by bringing Postponed last year, Euro 2020 is now with an upsurge in infections related to ain made it too risky for its clubs to face all teams together to play games in one scheduled to go ahead from June 11 to a new variant of the Covid-19 virus. The opponents from the United Kingdom. city “with enough stadiums to host all July 11 this year. UEFA source said that a decision will The UEFA Champions League knock- six groups. That could be the case of However, even if it does go ahead, it be made “city by city” by March 5 with out stages are due to begin with the London.” is uncertain whether it will be possible four options on the table: “100 percent opening last 16, first legs on February In any case, he said, “we are heading to stage the tournament as planned in of spectators in the stadium, between 16. Calls are growing in some quarters towards a diff erent Euro, undoubtedly 12 cities across 12 diff erent countries, 50 and 100 percent, between 20 and 30 for athletes to be given priority access without fans”. Jurgen Klinsmann.

SUPER CUP ROUND-UP Strootman back Barcelona edge Real Sociedad in shootout to reach fi nal in Italy with Reuters Cordoba, Spain Genoa loan utch international arcelona booked their place in Kevin Strootman the fi nal of the Spanish Super returned to Serie A Cup after overcoming the ab- yesterday after joining sence of injured Lionel Messi strugglingD Genoa on loan from toB beat Real Sociedad 3-2 in a penalty French club Marseille until the shootout following a 1-1 draw after extra end of the season. “(Strootman) time on Wednesday night. has already taken part in his Barca midfi elder Riqui Puig kept his fi rst training session with his cool to deceive keeper Alex Remiro and new teammates,” Genoa said in score the decisive fi fth penalty sending a statement. The 30-year-old the Catalans into Sunday’s fi nal in Se- midfi elder left Roma for Marseille ville, after team mates Antoine Griez- in 2018 after fi ve years in the Ital- mann and Frenkie de Jong had squan- ian capital. dered their spot-kicks. Strootman only started one Barca goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter game this season at the Ligue 1 Stegen also played a crucial role in the side. Genoa are just above the victory, denying Sociedad’s Jon Bautis- Serie A relegation zone with 14 ta and Mikel Oyarzabal – who had never points from 17 games and travel previously missed from the spot – while to in-form Atalanta on Sunday. Willian Jose struck the post. De Jong headed Barca in front in the JOVIC RETURNS TO 39th minute after nice link up play be- FRANKFURT ON LOAN tween Martin Braithwaite and Griez- Real Madrid striker Luka Jovic mann but the Dutchman committed a will return to his former club handball early in the second half and Eintracht Frankfurt on loan until Oyarzabal levelled from the spot. the end of the season, the clubs Holders Real Madrid were meeting announced. Athletic Bilbao late last night in the oth- Jovic joined Real Madrid for er semi-fi nal of the competition, which 60mn euros in the summer of is being held across southern Spain af- Barcelona players react after their win over Real Sociedad in the Spanish Super Cup semi-final in Cordoba, Spain, on Wednesday. (Reuters) 2019 but scored only two goals ter initial plans to play it in Saudi Arabia last season and the Serbian is yet were wrecked by the coronavirus pan- chances to win the game.” took his place up front, while young at bay in a tight match before the game two stunning saves to deny Joseba Zal- to register this term. demic. “I had four names down to take Oyarzabal said he was proud of Socie- central defender Oscar Mingueza came opened up in extra time, when both dua and Adnan Januzaj. Barca have won “It has not been easy in Madrid penalties, I asked who took the fi fth and dad’s eff orts over the 120 minutes but in at right back to deputies for Sergino sides came close to fi nding a winner. the Super Cup a record 13 times but lost for Luka recently. For him, it is Riqui said he would. Perfect,” said Barca admitted losing on penalties “hurt even Dest, who was not fully fi t. Griezmann volleyed straight at to Atletico Madrid at the semi-fi nal stage important to come back to refo- coach Ronald Koeman. “It was a great more”. Messi missed Barca’s warm-up Sociedad, who made a blistering start Remiro, while Ousmane Dembele was of last year’s competition and coach Er- cus. His great desire was to return game, both sides played really well, it session on the morning of the game due to the La Liga season but have since also thwarted by the keeper, while Bar- nesto Valverde was sacked as a result, de- to Eintracht,” said Frankfurt’s was really intense and both teams had to thigh discomfort and Braithwaite faded, ran their hearts out to keep Barca ca’s Marc-Andre ter Stegen produced spite the team then sitting top of La Liga. sporting director Fredi Bobic. Gulf Times Friday, January 15, 2021 3 FOOTBALL

PREMIER LEAGUE Fulham silence Mourinho with late leveller to deny Spurs 'Once more we concede a goal that is completely avoidable. You have to keep a clean-sheet, not make mistakes'

AFP last Premier League game on Boxing London Day. But it was Parker who had the last laugh and he said: “I’m very proud of this team for what we’ve been through. ose Mourinho slammed Tot- There’s a lot of talk around, everyone tenham’s “avoidable” mistakes assumes about what happened. I know and lack of killer instinct after what we’ve been through the last two Fulham’s Ivan Cavaleiro rescued weeks. aJ 1-1 draw on Wednesday night. Harry “This game was supposed to be Kane had put the hosts ahead in the fi rst scheduled 16 days ago – for 10 days half at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadi- some of these boys were locked up in um, but Cavaleiro struck in the closing their houses (self isolating). We had stages to leave Mourinho frustrated. players out there who had one day’s Tottenham have won just two of their training. What pleased me most was a last eight league matches and sit in desire and a real quality at times.” sixth place. A win against third bottom Fulham looked capable of troubling Fulham would have taken them into Tottenham right from the start and third place above Manchester City, who Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa’s fi erce made it four successive league victories strike forced a good save from Hugo when Phil Foden earned a 1-0 win over Lloris. Alphonse Areola made an even Brighton earlier on Wednesday. better stop to push Son Heung-min’s Whether Spurs – six points behind curler over the bar, but Tottenham leaders Manchester United – will be struck fi rst in the 25th minute. regarded as title contenders for much Harry Winks’ sweeping pass found longer must be in doubt after this slop- Sergio Reguilon on the left wing and he py display. “Once more we concede a whipped an inch perfect cross into the goal that is completely avoidable. You six-yard box, where Kane dived to pow- have to keep a clean-sheet, not make er a spectacular header past Areola for mistakes. The markers are there. There his 18th goal of the season. Not even the wasn’t even an advantage in terms of prolifi c Kane is perfect and the Totten- numbers,” Mourinho said. ham star squandered a good chance to “We have lots of opportunities to kill double the lead moments later when he off matches. In other cases especially headed over from Serge Aurier’s cross. away we are winning but then don’t Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg was guilty of a have that ambition to get the goal and bad miss when he shot straight at Are- kill the game. There are things that are ola from Kane’s pass. individual mistakes. We have bad re- Son held his head in his hands after sults and we should avoid these results.” the South Korea forward surged clear, Cavaleiro’s leveller was a suit- only to see his low strike hit the far post ably dramatic end to the feud between and rebound to Areola. Those misses Mourinho and Fulham manager Scott proved crucial as Fulham snatched an Parker, triggered when Aston Villa’s equaliser in the 73rd minute. coronavirus outbreak meant Spurs’ Fulham’s Ivan Cavaleiro (centre) scores a header against Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League in London on Wednesday. (Reuters) Ademola Lookman sent over a su- scheduled trip to Villa Park on Wednes- perb cross from the left side of the Tot- day was postponed. cember because of Covid cases in the up for Mourinho’s team. short notice. Mourinho hit back, saying So he would have noted with inter- tenham area and Cavaleiro got between Instead, Tottenham’s game against Cottagers squad – was moved on Mon- Parker said it was “scandalous” for he would only feel sorry for Fulham if ested that Fulham named a strong team Reguilon and Eric Dier to plant a bril- Fulham – originally called off in De- day to help ease a potential fi xture pile- his team to be forced to play at such they played a weakened team. with nine of the 11 that played their liant header past Lloris.

FOCUS SPOTLIGHT Villa vs Everton postponed due to Covid-19 concerns Rafi a rescues Juventus to reach Reuters season, with Fulham stepping in to fi ll the been rescheduled for Jan. 23. The fi xture, London gap in the fi xture list. which was due to take place at Villa Park on “Following the rescheduling of Villa’s Dec. 4, was called off due to a Covid-19 out- Italian Cup quarter-fi nals fi xture against Tottenham Hotspur, which break at Newcastle’s training centre. ston Villa’s home match against was due to be played last night, a signifi cant Fulham’s trip to Brighton & Hove Albion Everton on Sunday has been post- number of players and staff remain in isola- has been pushed back a day to Jan. 27 with poned because of a Covid-19 out- tion,” the league said in a statement. “As a Crystal Palace’s home game with West Ham break at the Midlands club, the result, the Premier League Board has agreed United correspondingly brought forward a PremierA League said yesterday. Villa’s en- to Aston Villa’s request to postpone their day to Jan. 26. The league said this is to avoid tire fi rst-team squad and support staff have match on Sunday.” teams having to play a league match within been in isolation since last week after 14 Villa said that members of the fi rst-team two days of their FA Cup fourth round ties, positive cases of coronavirus were reported squad and staff who are healthy were ex- which are due to be played over the week- at the club. Dean Smith’s side were due to pected to resume training on Sunday when end of Jan. 23-24. Fulham have been drawn visit Tottenham Hotspur on Wednesday but they fi nish their period of isolation. New- to host Burnley in the Cup, while Brighton the game was pushed back to later in the castle United’s postponed game at Villa has welcome Blackpool.

ROUND-UP Colombia appoint Rueda as coach olombia named Reinaldo Rueda a qualifi ed solicitor, has been with the as their new coach yesterday, Premier League since 2018 and also held the appointing him for a second spell position of West Bromwich Albion’s direc- in charge just hours after he left tor of football for eight years. hisC position as manager of Chile. Rueda “He will be a member of the Arsenal left Chile on Wednesday to replace Carlos executive team and will be working closely Queiroz, who left his post with Colombia in with technical director Edu, manager December after two defeats left them joint Mikel Arteta and academy manager Per Juventus’ Hamza Rafia (centre) celebrates with teammates after scoring against Genoa during the Italian seventh in South America’s 10-team quali- Mertesacker,” a club spokesman said. Cup last 16 match at the Juventus Stadium in Turin on Wednesday. (AFP) fying group for the Qatar World Cup. “His responsibilities will include football The top four qualify automatically for the operations in the fi rst team and academy, all AFP for Morata to double their tally alty spot. But Christian Kouame 2022 tournament and the fi fth-placed side player contract management and relation- Milan after 23 minutes. But fi ve minutes blasted in a superb equaliser 12 goes into an inter-regional playoff . Rueda, ships with football’s governing bodies.” later Lennart Czyborra headed in minutes after half-time to take 63, coached Colombia at the 2004 Copa Garlick takes over a position that was to revive Genoa hopes. Filippo the match to extra-time. America and 2005 Gold Cup but failed to vacated in November by Huss Fahmy, who unisian midfi elder Ham- Melegoni curled in the equaliser Antonio Conte gave out-of- take his homeland through from the World was hired in 2017 and helped with contract za Rafi a came off the from outside the box, beating favour Danish international Cup qualifi ers for Germany 2006. negotiations for the club’s players as well as bench to score an extra- veteran keeper Gianluigi Buff on Christian Eriksen a rare start but A former coach of club sides Flamengo new recruits. time winner on his debut with quarter of an hour to go. he failed to make an impact. Lu- and Atletico Nacional of Medellin, he has Tas Juventus battled past Genoa Ronaldo came off the bench kaku came off the bench on 69 also managed Honduras and Ecuador. SANTOS SECURE ALL-BRAZIL 3-2 to reach the Italian Cup quar- with two minutes to go in regu- minutes and with a minute to go COPA LIBERTADORES FINAL ter-fi nals on Wednesday night. lar time. The Portuguese forward ensured Inter avoided going to a PETROV NAMED BULGARIA’S Santos defeated Argentina’s Boca Juniors Rafi a, 21, came on with quarter had a role in the winner, sending penalty shootout with his 17th NEW COACH 3-0 to set up an all-Brazilian Copa Liber- of an hour to go in regular time Morata through to tee up Ra- goal this season in all competi- Bulgaria appointed Yasen Petrov as national tadores fi nal after a one-sided semi-fi nal and scored his fi rst Juventus goal fi a with Brazilian Arthur saving tions. football team coach yesterday in place of victory in Sao Paulo on Wednesday. after 105 minutes in Turin. And- Juventus by heading off the line “It was important to qualify,” Georgi Dermendzhiev, whose contract was Goals from Diego Pituca, Yeferson Soteldo rea Pirlo’s side had let a two-goal three minutes later. Juventus, said coach Antonio Conte days not renewed. The 52-year-old Petrov will and Lucas Braga fi red the Sao Paulo giants advantage slip to allow Genoa the record 13-time winners, next before Inter host champions Ju- debut in Bulgaria’s World Cup Group C into a January 30 fi nal against city rivals back into the game. meet either Sassuolo or SPAL. ventus in Serie A. “This result qualifi er against Switzerland on March 25. 1-0 Premier League win over Liverpool at Palmeiras. With the tie fi nely balanced after “Had we made the most of all Earlier, Romelu Lukaku head- will give us a boost. We’ll now The BFU decided not to renew the contract home last Monday, where the 28-year-old a goalless fi rst leg in Buenos Aires last week, the opportunities we had in the ed in an extra-time winner as measure our ambitions against of Dermendzhiev, 66, after a string of losses scored the winning goal. the two sides battled it out behind closed fi rst half we would have avoided Inter Milan set up a quarter-fi nal Juventus.” AC Milan won 5-4 on since he took over in late October 2019. Striker Michael Obafemi will also miss doors at the Vila Belmiro stadium because complicating our lives,” said clash with city rivals AC Milan penalities on Tuesday after their Bulgaria failed to qualify for Euro 2020 tomorrow’s game after undergoing surgery of the Covid-19 pandemic. Pirlo. “We could have managed with a 2-1 win over Fiorentina. match against Torino ended 0-0 through the play-off s and were also rel- but goalkeeper Alex McCarthy and forward Santos, the team of legendary forward the double advantage better to Holders Napoli advanced with a after extra time. egated to Group C in the Nations League. Che Adams are available. Moussa Djenepo Pele, will now face Palmeiras at Rio de Ja- avoid extra time and save some hard-fought 3-2 win over Serie B In Naples, Andrea Petagna Former midfi elder Petrov, who played three joins Nathan Redmond and Jannik Vest- neiro’s Maracana stadium in a fi nal pushed strength for Inter (this weekend). leaders Empoli. scored the winner off a rebound times for Bulgaria, coached several Bulgar- ergaard among the long-term absentees. back from November 2020 due to the global But I’m satisfi ed, there were Belgian Lukaku connected with quarter of an hour to go ian sides before managing Chinese teams Southampton are seventh in the league with health crisis. many lads on the pitch for the with Nicolo Barella’s cross in the after Nedim Bajrami had twice Shijiazhuang Yongchang, Beijing Enter- 29 points after 17 games, while Leicester are Palmeiras completed a 3-2 aggregate fi rst time so there may have been 119th minute to beat Fiorentina pulled Empoli level. Giovanni Di prises and Henan Jianye. fourth on 32 points from 17 games. victory over Argentina’s River Plate on some lapses.” goalkeeper Pietro Terracciano Lorenzo headed in a Hirving Lo- Tuesday in their Sao Paulo second leg. San- Cristiano Ronaldo started on and snatch a late triumph. Arturo zano cross after 18 minutes, with SOUTHAMPTON STRIKER INGS ARSENAL SET TO HIRE tos has lifted the Copa Libertadores three the bench with forward Alvaro Vidal had given Inter the advan- the Mexican scoring the second TESTS POSITIVE FOR COVID-19 PREMIER LEAGUE’S DIRECTOR times, in 1962, 1963 and 2011, and will be Morata and defender Giorgio tage fi ve minutes before the break seven minutes before the break. Southampton striker Danny Ings has tested OF FOOTBALL GARLICK looking to become the fi rst Brazilian team Chiellini returning from injury. in normal time after a VAR re- “It was a painful match against positive for Covid-19 and is set to miss The Premier League’s director of football to win the continental crown four times. Chiellini set up Dejan Kulusevski view judged Terracciano to have a team full of young talents,” said tomorrow’s trip to Leicester City, manager Richard Garlick is set to become Arsenal’s Palmeiras by contrast has just one Liberta- to open the scoring after two fouled Alexis Sanchez. Napoli coach Gennaro Gattuso Ralph Hasenhuettl said. Hasenhuettl said new director of football operations “in the dores title, in 1999, since the tournament minutes in the Allianz Stadium. The Chilean slotted in his fi rst whose side next play either Roma Ings returned a positive result after their coming months”, the club said. Garlick, started in 1960. Kulusevski then sent through goal this season from the pen- or Spezia. Gulf Times 4 Friday, January 15, 2021 SPORT

TENNIS SPOTLIGHT Nadal and Thiem Murray tests Covid suff er coaching setbacks ahead of Australian Open positive, in doubt Reuters luck to the team.” Melbourne Nadal, US Open champion Thiem, ranked No. 3 in the world, and defending Australian Open orld number two winner Novak Djokovic will be Rafael Nadal and among top players quarantin- last year’s Austral- ing in Adelaide and then head to for Australian Open ian Open fi nalist Melbourne for the team-based DominicW Thiem have both suf- ATP Cup and the Grand Slam. fered setbacks with their coaches Thiem’s coach Nicolas Massu Murray was awarded a wildcard by organisers to play in the main draw unable to make the trip Down of Chile was not on the fl ight to Under for the year’s fi rst tennis Australia, having tested positive Reuters Grand Slam. for the novel coronavirus. “Be- Melbourne Players and offi cials have to fore we took off , we received the undergo a mandatory 14-day surprising message from Nico- quarantine on arrival in Australia las Massu that he had a positive ritain’s former world number one before they participate in war- test,” Thiem’s father Wolfgang Andy Murray is doubtful for mup events from Jan. 31 at Mel- was quoted as saying by Austria’s next month’s Australian Open bourne Park, where the major Kurier daily. “Nico will be tested after organisers confi rmed yes- will be held from Feb. 8-21. again in a few days. We hope that terdayB that he has tested positive for the Nadal’s coach Carlos Moya he will be negative then and he new coronavirus. Murray, 33, was award- said he would not be travelling to will be able to follow suit soon.” ed a wildcard by organisers to play in the Australia due to the strict health With restrictions on arrival main draw of the year’s fi rst Grand Slam restrictions. “After speaking in Australia, it was unlikely that in Melbourne. with Rafa, we have decided that Massu, a former top 10 player, “Andy Murray has advised that he has I won’t travel to Australia with could be part of Thiem’s team tested positive for Covid-19 and is isolat- the team,” Moya, a former world at Melbourne Park. Thiem, who ing at home in the UK,” Tennis Australia number one, said on social me- lost to Djokovic in the 2020 fi - said in a statement. dia. nal, will train with fellow Aus- “Unfortunately this means he will “I will follow the tournament trian player Dennis Novak dur- be unable to join the offi cial AO charter from home and will stay with my ing the quarantine period when fl ights arriving in Australia in the coming family, parents and kids due to the players are allowed fi ve hours days to go through the quarantine period the delicate situation that Spain outside their hotel rooms to pre- with the other players. The AO fans love is living with the virus. Best of pare for the major. Andy, and we know how much he loves competing here in Melbourne and how hard he’d worked for this opportunity.” British media reported that Murray was in good health and still hoped to compete at Melbourne Park in the hardcourt ma- jor, which has been pushed back three weeks and will start on Feb. 8 due to strict pandemic health measures in Australia. However, even if Murray recovers soon it will be diffi cult for him to make it to Australia later as players and offi cials must arrive during a 36-hour window from yesterday and then serve a manda- tory isolation of 14 days as per health pro- tocols. The players, who will be allowed to spend fi ve hours outside their rooms during quarantine for training purposes and will be tested daily for the virus, will then play warm-up events at Melbourne Park from Jan. 31 before the Australian Open starts. The fi rst batch of players and their sup- Rafael Nadal (centre) and Naomi Osaka (below) arrive in Adelaide port staff landed in Melbourne yesterday ahead of the Australian Open tennis tournament. (Reuters) while top players, including Novak Djok- ovic, Rafa Nadal and Serena Williams, ar- rived in Adelaide where they will isolate before playing an exhibition event. Three-time Grand Slam champion AMERICAN KEYS TESTS POSITIVE, Australian Open and Roland Garros Michael Mmoh, Elias Ymer (SWE) and Murray, currently ranked 123rd in the TO MISS AUSTRALIAN OPEN doubles champion Timea Babos (HUN), Australia’s Bernard Tomic (Qld) have world, had pulled out of the season- American Madison Keys said yesterday Australian Open 2012 quarterfinalist earned their AO main draw spots after opening Delray Beach Open in Florida she tested positive for Covid-19 and will and former world No.1 doubles player qualifying in Doha. earlier this month to reduce the risk of miss the Australian Open in Melbourne. and Roland Garros 2012 finalist Sara Er- Hosting Australian Open qualifying contracting Covid-19. The world number 16 said she returned a rani (ITA), Wimbledon 2010 semifinal- off shore – with the women in Dubai and He had hip resurfacing surgery in early positive result before she was due to trav- ist and US Open 2020 quarter-finalist the men in Doha - was an historic fi rst for 2019 but made his comeback to win the el to Australia and is now self-isolating at Tsvetana Pironkova (BUL) and inspiring the tournament and an innovative solu- Antwerp title nine months later. Murray her home. “I’m very disappointed to not British star Francesca Jones will make tion to some of the logistical challenges missed most of the 2020 season due to be able to play in the coming weeks after the trip down under after qualifying in presented by the pandemic. complications with his hip and struggled training hard in the off -season and know- Dubai. A further six women and six men will for form on his return after the Covid-19 ing Tennis Australia and the tours did so On the men’s side qualifiers in- travel to Australia as Lucky Losers and hiatus, suff ering a second-round defeat much to make these events happen,” the clude 17-year-old ATP Newcomer of undertake 14 days of mandatory quar- in the US Open before falling in the open- 25-year-old tweeted. the Year Carlos Alcaraz (ESP), former antine with the rest of the international ing round at Roland Garros. Sixteen women including two-time world No.12 Viktor Troicki (SRB), USA’s players.

BADMINTON Sandgren allowed to board Australian Open fl ight despite positive test

Melbourne: Tennys Sandgren was granted 8 weeks apart. I was sick in November, has recovered from Covid-19 must undergo Saina, Srikanth out as Indian special permission to board a chartered totally healthy now. “There’s not a single a similar health review and earn “special flight from Los Angeles bound for the Aus- documented case where I would be conta- clearance” from the authorities before tralian Open in Melbourne on Wednesday gious at this point.” travelling to Australia. challenge ends at Thailand Open despite testing positive for Covid-19 earlier A spokesperson for Covid-19 Quarantine Some 1,200 players and coaching staff in the week, Tennis Australia said. Victoria said it was common among people are set to begin arriving from Thursday IANS Sandgren said on Twitter he had tested who had previously tested positive to “shed for the Feb. 8-21 tournament, which was Bangkok positive in November and returned another viral fragments for some time — which can delayed by three weeks. positive test on Monday and might not be trigger another positive result”. Victoria state, once the country’s able to board the flight, one of 15 carrying Tennis Australia said in a statement the Covid-19 hotspot, has said it will impose ndian shuttler Saina Nehwal players and coaching staff to the first Grand decision to allow Sandgren to fly had been the strongest protocols seen at any tennis crashed out of the Thailand Slam of the year. made after a review by medical off icials. “ tournament for those flying in. Players and Open in the second round However, he was able to board the flight In the case of Tennys Sandgren, who has staff must isolate for two weeks before while Kidambi Srikanth for- with the help of Australian Open tourna- self-disclosed that he previously tested they can take part in warmup events at Ifeited his match with an injury as ment director Craig Tiley. “Wow I’m on the positive in late November, his medical file Melbourne Park. the Indian challenge came to an plane,” he said. “Craig Tiley is a wizard.” had to be reviewed by Victorian health Tennis Australia said players would end yesterday. The world number 50, a quarter-finalist authorities,” it said. “Upon completion of undergo a more rigorous testing schedule Mixed doubles pair Ashwini at Melbourne Park last year and in 2018, that review he was cleared to fly.” ahead of the Australian Open than most Ponnappa and Satwiksairaj Ran- later tweeted: “My two tests were less than Tennis Australia said any athlete who returning travellers. kireddy were the last Indian con- tenders to be knocked out of the tournament, losing 21-12, 21-17 to Hong Kong’s Tak Ching Chang F1 and Wing Yung Ng. Saina lost 23-21, 14-21, 16-21 Indonesia’s World No 6 Anthony Sinisuka Ginting beat local hope to local Busanan Ongbamrung- Kunlavut Vitidsarn at the Thailand Open yesterday. phan in a match that lasted for Leclerc isolating aft er positive Covid-19 test 68 minutes to bow out of the 15, 21-15 win over Kisona Selva- men’s singles, went down fi ght- Super 1000 tournament. Saina duray of Malaysia. With Saina’s ing to world No.6 Anthony Sinis- Reuters Leclerc did not say where he might have started the fi rst game well but loss, India’s challenge in the uka Ginting in the second round. London contracted the virus but was in Dubai earlier she squandered some chances women’s singles event has come Ginting came away winner at this month. He is the fi fth F1 driver known to and conceded a 9-11 lead at the to an end at the tournament. 21-16, 21-19, but his 19-year- have tested positive for Covid-19 after Mex- mid-game break. Sixth-seeded PV Sindhu had lost old opponent stayed with him errari Formula One driver Charles ican Sergio Perez, Canadian Lance Stroll, However, the Olympic bronze her opening round match 21-16, throughout the match, and even Leclerc announced yesterday he Britain’s seven times world champion Lewis medallist came back strong and 24-26, 13-21 to world No.18 Mia had his chances to force a third had tested positive for Covid-19 and Hamilton and Lando Norris. used all her experience to take Blichfeldt on Wednesday. game. The Indonesian however was self-isolating at home in Mo- McLaren’s Norris was the most recent, the fi rst game 23-21 in 26 min- Meanwhile, in men’s singles, recovered from 14-17 in the sec- nacoF with mild symptoms. The 23-year-old testing positive while on holiday in Dubai utes. Ongbamrungphan then Kidambi Srikanth also pulled ond and appeared quite pleased said he was feeling okay. earlier this month before a winter training staged a stunning comeback and out of the tournament before the with himself. He was also in no “I am regularly checked according to my camp. The 2021 Formula One season is due didn’t let her Indian opponent start of his second-round match doubt that Vitidsarn would be team’s protocols. Unfortunately, I learned to start in Bahrain on March 28 after the rule the next game, winning it due to a calf muscle strain. Ki- among the elite in the not-too- that I have been in contact with a positive usual Australian opener was postponed due 14-21 and taking the match into dambi was slated to face Malay- distant future. case and immediately went into self-isola- to the pandemic. the decider. In the fi nal game, the sia’s Lee Zii Jia but the latter will “For his age, he has quality. I tion, notifying anyone I had contact with,” Leclerc finished eighth overall last sea- Thai upped her game by a notch go through with the Indian pull- just faced him today for the fi rst he said on Instagram. son as Ferrari endured their worst cam- and won 21-16 to enter the quar- ing out and off ering a walkover. time and I could feel how good “A subsequent test I took has come back paign in 40 years. He is joined this year ter-fi nals. Meanwhile, Kunlavut Vitid- he was. He has good technique; positive,” he added. “I will remain in isolation by Spaniard Carlos Sainz from McLaren In the previous round, Saina sarn, considered one of the it was tough for me in the second in my home in Monaco in compliance with the in place of four times world champion Se- had registered a comfortable 21- brightest young prospects in game,” said Ginting regulations set by the local health authorities.” bastian Vettel. Gulf Times Friday, January 15, 2021 5 SPORT

NHL Leafs open with overtime win over Canadiens Reuters Anderson gave Montreal a 4-3 lead Toronto RESULTS at 1:03 of the third period after a rush down the left wing, and Vesey tied the Leafs 5-4 Canadiens game at 10:33 on a 19-foot wrist shot. organ Rielly scored at 3:24 Lightning 5-1 Blackhawks of overtime and the To- Flyers 6-3 Penguins LIGHTNING START STRONG, ronto Maple Leafs defeated ROLL OVER BLACKHAWKS the visiting Montreal Ca- Blues 4-1 Avalanche Ondrej Palat scored on Tampa Bay’s Mnadiens 5-4 on Wednesday night in the Canucks 5-3 Oilers fi rst power play of the season in a season opener. three-goal fi rst period, and the Light- Montreal’s Phillip Danault missed Nylander tied the score at 15:56 on ning began their Stanley Cup title de- on a breakaway during the overtime, a long slap shot through a screen on a fense with a season-opening 5-1 win and then Rielly converted a pass from return pass from Justin Holl. over the visiting Chicago Blackhawks John Tavares on a two-on-one for the Anderson restored Montreal’s lead on Wednesday. game-winner. at 19:36 on a wrist shot from the right Playing their fi rst game without William Nylander scored two goals circle on Drouin’s feed from the corner. high-scoring winger Nikita Kucherov and had an assist for the Maple Leafs. The Canadiens led 3-1 extended – out the entire regular season after Tavares fi nished with a goal and two their lead at 7:20 of the second pe- hip surgery last month – the Light- assists, and Jimmy Vesey scored the riod on Tatar’s breakaway goal dur- ning received tallies from Palat, Math- team’s other goal. Josh Anderson ing a power play. Alexander Romanov ieu Joseph and Anthony Cirelli in the scored twice for Montreal. Nick Su- got his fi rst career NHL assist with the opening frame. Steven Stamkos had a zuki and Tomas Tatar also scored, and pass that sprung Tatar. Zach Bogosian goal and two assists, and Brayden Point Jonathan Drouin notched three assists was serving a holding penalty. and Cirelli each had a goal and a help- while Jeff Petry had two for the Habs. Toronto tied the game with two er. Alex Killorn and Victor Hedman Carey Price made 29 saves for Mon- power-play goals late in the second notched two assists each. treal. Frederik Andersen stopped 28 period. Nylander scored with two Andrei Vasilevskiy, among the NHL’s shots and also picked up an assist on minutes left on a shot from the left cir- leading goaltenders last season with 35 Toronto’s third goal. cle. Anderson was serving a boarding regular-season wins and 18 more in the Montreal led 2-1 after the fi rst pe- penalty. Then, Tavares tipped in a shot playoff s, collected his fi rst this season riod, starting when Suzuki scored from from the left circle by Mitch Marner at by turning aside 22 of 23 shots by Chi- a sharp angle at 12:49 on a power play 19:21 with Toronto on a fi ve-on-three cago. after Petry’s point shot hit the post. advantage. Tampa Bay improved its NHL-best The Maple Leafs were serving a penalty Suzuki was serving a holding penal- winning percentage to .714 (19-7-2) in Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Morgan Rielly celebrates scoring a goal during the third period against the Montreal for too many men on the ice. ty and Weber was off for delay of game. 28 season openers. Canadiens at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto. (USA TODAY Sports)

NBA NFL Saints and Bucs battle for NFC Lakers beat Thunder title game berth

Reuters son, Brady has passed for 4,633 Los Angeles yards, 40 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. He has just sev- en interceptions against teams he New Orleans Saints other than New Orleans. for best road start in are the only team to have “I think we’ve just been go- beaten Tom Brady twice ing through growing pains in the same season. throughout the season,” Tam- ‘Adding an All-NBA player such TThey will try to beat Brady pa Bay wide receiver Chris a third time this season when Godwin said, “which is what as James to our roster better they host the Tampa Bay Buc- happens when you have a new caneers in an NFC divisional quarterback. It takes some positions our team to compete’ round game on Sunday. time to build that chemistry team history Drew Brees and the Saints and I think over the last couple ruined Brady’s debut with the of weeks we’ve done better at AFP Buccaneers after 20 seasons that.” Los Angeles in New England when they Since the second loss to the prevailed 34-23 in the season Saints, the Bucs have averaged opener in the Mercedes-Benz 34 points per game. eBron James scored 26 points to lift Superdome. “We’re doing diff erent the Los Angeles Lakers to a 128-99 They handed Brady the things that we were doing back road win over the Oklahoma City worst loss of his career when then, especially in the opener,” Thunder on Wednesday. they completed the season- Tampa Bay coach Bruce Arians LThe Lakers improved to 7-0 on the road series sweep with a 38-3 rout said. for the fi rst time in franchise history. in Tampa on November 8. “It’s just a matter of doing During the last three games, Los Ange- Now the stakes are higher, what you do and doing it bet- les has trailed for just 11 seconds. Wednes- as the winner will earn a trip ter than they do (what they day, the Lakers led from wire-to-wire. to the NFC Championship on do).” James hit a season-high fi ve 3-pointers, January 24. Brady threw for 381 yards including a pair to fuel an 18-2 run early “When the playoff s come and two touchdowns in a 31- in the third quarter to put the game out and you’re playing a division 23 wild-card win last week of reach. James scored nine consecutive opponent like this,” Saints at Washington. That was the points during that stretch. coach Sean Payton said, “it’s a Bucs’ fi rst playoff win since After going 5 of 14 from the fl oor in the whole new season. It’s entirely they won the Super Bowl after fi rst half, James was much more effi cient diff erent.” the 2002 season. in the third, hitting both of his 3-point Much of the attention lead- Running back Ronald Jones, tries and going 4 of 6 from the fl oor overall ing up to the game will be on who didn’t play last week, to help the Lakers extend their lead. Brees and Brady, the two most missed practice Wednesday A bit earlier in the game, it didn’t look productive passers in NFL his- because of quad and fi nger like the game would be competitive at all tory. This will be the last time injuries. Saints defensive end in the second half. James’ back-to-back they face each other, if Brees Trey Hendrickson, who has 3-pointers kickstarted a 16-0 Lakers run retires after this season. Brady three of the Saints’ six sacks that put Los Angeles up 56-32. is 43 years old and Brees turns of Brady this season, missed But by halftime, Oklahoma City had 42 on Friday. Brees’ team has a 21-9 home victory against closed the defi cit to 12, as the Lakers shot won fi ve of the eight career Chicago last week because of 1-for-8 to close the half. match-ups, and this will be the a neck injury, but he returned fi rst time the two have met in to practice on a limited basis the playoff s. Wednesday. RESULTS “I envisioned this game “A lot of things change in a Blazers 132-126 Kings happening (when Brady signed season,” Arians said. “It comes with the Bucs last off season),” down to one-on-one battles Nets 116-109 Knicks Brees said. “Tom and I have a of guys who know each oth- Lakers 128-99 Thunder friendship and mutual respect. er. Who’s going to make the Bucks 110-101 Pistons We were texting back and forth game-changing plays in this Monday, chuckling at this game?” Clippers 111-106 Pelicans whole scenario.” The Saints, who are trying Mavericks 104-93 Hornets The Saints defense was per- to reach the NFC Champion- Grizzlies 118-107 Wolves haps the most important factor ship game for the second time in winning the fi rst two games. in three seasons, have won the Anthony Davis’ status for the game was They intercepted Brady twice last fi ve meetings. questionable after suff ering a jammed toe in the fi rst meeting, including “When we play each other a day earlier in Houston. one that Janoris Jenkins re- (there) is a lot of emotion, a lot But Davis got off to a hot start, scoring turned for a touchdown, and of physicality,” Bucs wide re- 12 of his 18 points in the fi rst quarter. they intercepted him three ceiver Mike Evans said. Montrezl Harrell added 21 off the bench. times in the second meeting. “As players we love it. We Dennis Schroder, playing his fi rst game Brees had six touchdowns love this rivalry. I know the in Oklahoma City since being traded to and no interceptions in the fans love it. I would say it is our the Lakers in the off season after two sea- Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (right) goes to the basket as Oklahoma City Thunder forward Aleksej Pokusevski defends fi rst two meetings. For the sea- biggest rivalry.” sons with the Thunder, was 4 of 12 for 14 during the second half of their NBA game at Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA. (USA TODAY Sports) points with fi ve rebounds and fi ve assists. The Lakers hit 17 shots from 3-point Conference team broke down this week. The trade deal also involves the Cleve- Clippers. George hit 5 of 9 3-pointers and range in the win, shooting 45.9 percent Harden, the NBA’s MVP in 2018, said land Cavaliers, with Nets center Jarrett 8 of 16 shots from the fl oor. Patrick Bever- from beyond the arc. The Thunder have the Rockets were “just not good enough” Allen and forward Taurean Prince mov- ley added 10 points and six rebounds. lost all fi ve home games this season, this season as they sit second-bottom ing to the Cavaliers while guard Caris Nickeil Alexander-Walker scored a ca- their worst start at home since 2007. The in the Western Conference with a 3-6 LeVert and forward Rodions Kurucs reer-high 37 points on 15-of-23 shooting, franchise, in their fi nal season in Seattle, record, prompting the 31-year-old to say join the Rockets. US media reported including 5 of 8 3-pointers for the Peli- started 0-7 at home that season. the situation could not be fi xed. that LeVert is expected to move to the cans, who played without Zion William- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led Oklahoma Harden’s arrival at the Nets reunites Indiana Pacers in an exchange deal for son (health and safety protocols), Lonzo City with 17 points. Hamidou Diallo hit a him with forward Kevin Durant – his team All-Star Victor Oladipo. The Nets, sixth Ball (knee) and Eric Bledsoe (eye). buzzer-beater from about 75 feet out to mate at Oklahoma City Thunder – and in the Eastern Conference with a 7-6 Brandon Ingram collected 22 points close the third quarter. The Thunder’s Dar- guard Kyrie Irving as the franchise look to record, also sent three first round draft and six rebounds. Steven Adams fi nished ius Bazley left the game midway through the form their own All-star trio. “Adding an picks (2022, 2024 and 2026) and four with 12 points and six rebounds. JJ Redick third quarter with a right ankle sprain. All-NBA player such as James to our ros- first round pick swaps (2021, 2023, 2025 chipped in 12 points, while Kira Lewis Jr. ter better positions our team to compete and 2027) to Houston. fi nished with 10 for the Pelicans, who lost HOUSTON ROCKETS TRADE against the league’s best,” Nets general Meanwhile Kawhi Leonard had 28 their fourth in a row. The Clippers dic- FRUSTRATED HARDEN TO NETS manager Sean Marks said in a statement. points, nine assists and six rebounds, and tated for much of the contest. However, The Houston Rockets have traded guard “James is one of the most prolifi c scor- the host Los Angeles Clippers defeated the Alexander-Walker kept the Pelicans close. James Harden to Brooklyn, the Nets an- ers and playmakers in our game, and we short-handed New Orleans Pelicans 111- His 3-pointer cut the margin to 102-96 nounced yesterday, after the eight-time are thrilled to bring his special talents to 106 on Wednesday. Paul George had 27 with 3:24 remaining but an 8-2 run by the All-Star’s relationship with the Western Brooklyn.” points, six rebounds and six assists for the Clippers put them up 110-98. New Orleans Saints coach Sean Payton Gulf Times 6 Friday, January 15, 2021 CRICKET

REPORT SPOTLIGHT England fan waits 10 months for England in control Sri Lanka Test – and gets kicked out

AFP Army, as England’s support- Galle ers are known, and another for aft er bowling out a charity helping stray dogs in Sri Lanka. But they were also n England cricket taken down by authorities. ‘I know that I haven’t bowled as well as fan who waited 10 During his stay in Sri Lanka, months in Sri Lanka Lewis has worked remotely as I could have done and got away with to watch his team a web designer and done stints playA was escorted away by as a nightclub DJ. He visited probably one or two, but that’s cricket’ police before a ball had been Galle Fort on Saturday to map SL for 135 bowled in the fi rst Test yester- out his plans as it became clear day. that no spectators will be al- Reuters Rob Lewis, who decided to lowed at the ground. Galle, Sri Lanka Scorecard stay in the country after the Lewis said he was warned in original tour was aborted over advance that he would only get SRI LANKA 1st innings the coronavirus last March, restricted access to the ram- ngland captain Joe Root struck L. Thirimanne c Bairstow b Broad 4 had to resort to subterfuge to parts. his 50th Test fi fty to put them in a K. Perera c Root b Bess 20 sneak a peek at the day’s play. “They gave me half-an-hour strong position on the fi rst day of Lewis was ordered off the to put up three banners and go. the opening Test after Dom Bess K. Mendis c Buttler b Broad 0 historic ramparts of Galle That’s all,” Lewis added. tookE fi ve wickets as the tourists bowled A. Mathews c Root b Broad 27 Fort, a vantage point which “There will be another nine out Sri Lanka for a paltry 135. D. Chandimal c Curran b Leach 28 overlooks the city’s cricket days of play and I hope I will be An unbeaten 110-run partnership be- ground, just after the national able to get permission to go up N. Dickwella c Sibley b Bess 12 tween Jonny Bairstow and Root saw Eng- anthems. The game was held there again.” land to 127-2 at stumps yesterday, trail- D. Shanaka c Buttler b Bess 23 behind closed doors because of Sri Lankan police banned all ing by eight runs, with the opportunity W. Hasaranga b Bess 19 the pandemic. visitors from the 16th-century to go on and build a signifi cant lead after “I am very frustrated. I waited ramparts, a magnet for locals D. Perera b Bess 0 Sri Lanka posted the lowest fi rst-innings 10 months to watch this match who want to avoid paying for score in a test at the Galle International L. Embuldeniya run out Leach 0 and the police have kicked me tickets, offi cially for security Stadium. The pair steadied matters after A. Fernando not out 0 out,” Lewis told AFP. reasons. But a few journal- spinner Lasith Embuldeniya, who opened Extras (b1, nb1) 2 “At least I managed to sing ists were allowed to cover the the bowling, had removed England open- ‘Jerusalem’,” he added. match from the fort. ers Dom Sibley (4) and Zak Crawley (9) Total (46.1 overs) 135 Hours after getting his Fans and media were barred cheaply. Fall of wickets: 1-16 (Thirimanne), marching orders, Lewis re- from the stadium because of Root, in his 98th Test, survived a leg be- 2-16 (Mendis), 3-25 (K. Perera), 4-81 turned to another area of the the coronavirus, which has in- fore decision when on 20, which was over- (Mathews), 5-81 (Chandimal), 6-105 fort further from the ground, fected more than 50,000 peo- turned on review, before reaching his half (Dickwella), 7-126 (Shanaka), 8-126 (D. but still with a view of the ple and killed nearly 250 in the century off 94 balls. He will resume today Perera), 9-130 (Embuldeniya), 10-135 game. South Asian nation. on 66 with Bairstow playing a strong sup- (Hasaranga) “Back on the Fort because Sri Lankan journalist Rex porting role with 47 not out. Bowlers: Broad 9-3-20-3, Curran 4-2-8- I work here now,” he said on Clementine scaled the ram- Bess took 5-30 off just 10.1 overs with 0, Wood 6-1-21-0, Bess 10.1-3-30-5, Leach Twitter without giving an parts to keep up his record of strong back-up from Stuart Broad (3-20) 17-2-55-1 (nb1). explanation, though he was covering every Test in Sri Lan- as the home side failed to take advantage wearing a hard hat and a fl uo- ka since 2000. of winning the toss with some wayward ENGLAND 1st innings rescent safety jacket over his “I want to maintain my batting. Z. Crawley c Hasaranga b Embuldeniya 9 England T shirt. record even if they don’t al- Bess got off to the perfect start when D. Sibley c Thirimanne b Embuldeniya 4 He had put up three banners, low reporters to the grounds,” he took the wicket of the dangerous Kusal including one from the Barmy he said. J. Bairstow not out 47 Perera with only his second ball of the morning. Attempting an ambitious re- J. Root not out 66 verse sweep, Perera succeeded only in top Extras (nb1) 1 edging the ball to Root at slip to depart for NZ’s Devine slams fastest century in Total (41 overs) 127 20, the fi rst of several ill-considered shots England’s Dom Bess’ (left) celebrates with teammate Jack Leach after taking a wicket women’s T20 cricket from the home batsmen. during the first Test against Sri Lanka in Galle yesterday. (England Cricket) Fall of wickets: 1-10 (Sibley), 2-17 Niroshan Dickwella was caught at (Crawley) New Zealand captain Sophie get a few out of the screws. backward point for 12 while Dasun Shana- “I know that I haven’t bowled as well as bagged opener Lahiru Thirimanne and Bowling: Embuldeniya 18-3-55-2 (nb1), Devine smashed the fast- “Sometimes I can get a little ka, who scored 23, went in bizarre circum- I could have done and got away with prob- struggling Kusal Mendis in the same over Fernando 6-0-19-0, Hasaranga 7-0-30- est hundred in women’s bit carried away... and I get a stances, sweeping his shot onto the ankle ably one or two, but that’s cricket.” for the fi rst two wickets of the Test and 0, D. Perera 10-2-23-0. Twenty20 cricket yesterday, bit over eager and play some of Bairstow at short leg, popping it up Bess added that the fi ve-wicket haul then added Angelo Mathews after lunch. reaching the milestone in just rash shots so it was nice to into the air for wicketkeeper Jos Buttler to would be a confi dence booster. “Obvious- Dinesh Chandimal, who took over the eral setbacks on their tour of South Africa 36 balls in the domestic Super stick to some decent cricket claim. “It was bizarre. You want guys get- ly it’s a proud moment because I’ve taken captaincy from injured Dimuth Karu- earlier this month. A long hop from the Smash competition. shots today and finish the ting caught at short leg by Jonny rather fi ve wickets for England and no one can naratne, top scored for the hosts with 28. 23-year-old also accounted for Niroshan Devine, 31, hit nine sixes and job.” than hitting him, caught Buttler, but at take that away from me.” Sri Lanka were forced to leave out Karu- Dickwella, another home batsman guilty nine fours in her innings of One of Devine’s sixes grazed the end of the day a wicket is a wicket,” Preferred to England’s record Test naratne due to a fractured thumb - anoth- of poor shot selection in a disappointing 108 not out as her Wellington the cheek of a girl who was Bess told a news conference. wicket taker James Anderson, Broad er injury blow to a team that suff ered sev- batting performance. Blaze side beat the Otago watching from the grass Sparks by 10 wickets. The bank at the University Oval in all-rounder broke the previous Dunedin. record that had stood since After the match, Devine went S Africa’s Boucher confi dent of team safety on Pakistan tour 2010 – a 38-ball hundred from to check on the girl, who had West Indian Deandra Dottin. an ice pack against her face South Africa have faith in the team bus in Lahore in 2009 that He said the conditions will be apply yourself there are a lot of hopeful that, with a new board in Devine said she had felt but appeared to have avoided security measures put in place killed six policemen and two ci- more suited to his side than runs out there.” place, that could change. nervous coming back after any serious injury. (AFP) for their test and Twenty20 Inter- vilians. “We’ve had our (security) most sub-continent nations. Boucher also said he wanted to “He is on my radar in terms of spending 14 days in isolation national tour of Pakistan coach guys go there and do a recce of “It is tough but diff erent to India regain the services of 45-year- trying to get him back involved following her return from Mark Boucher said yesterday the situation and they have said and Sri Lanka, where it (the old Jacques Kallis as a batting in the set-up. I hope we treat him Australia. as he revealed that he hoped it is safe,” Boucher told reporters ball) turns. Pakistan is more consultant after the former with care as he has shown he “Whenever you have a bit of to lure Jacques Kallis back as a ahead of the team’s departure. conducive to fast bowling. all-rounder signed a short-term has a lot of other opportunities an extended break away from batting consultant. South Africa “So from my side there are no Reverse swing was very big, deal with England for their cur- in world cricket. the game, you get nervous start the first of two tests in Pa- issues, we have to get back there though regulations are tighter rent test tour of Sri Lanka. “He is a massive loss but I know about (whether) you can kistan on Jan. 26 as they return and start playing cricket.” these days on how you can work Cricket South Africa did not take Jacques would love to be work- come back into it,” she told there for the first time since Boucher made his test debut in on the ball. “They are historically up the option of retaining Kallis’ ing in South African cricket. The Spark Sport. 2007. Their absence followed a Pakistan in 1997 and went on to flat wickets. The areas you score services last year, citing transfor- knowledge he has needs to be “So it was just (nice) to spend militant attack on the Sri Lanka play 147 times in a stellar career. as a batsman are diff erent. If you mation targets, but Boucher is utilised.” some time in the middle and

FOCUS Brathwaite says he will ‘lead from the front’

AFP In spite of his poor form – he has opened the door for a lot of Dhaka made just 55 runs in four innings fringe players including un- in December’s two heavy defeats capped batsmen Kavem Hodge in New Zealand – it was a natu- and Shayne Moseley. est Indies open- ral progression for Brathwaite to On Wednesday the squad ing batsman Kraigg take over the captaincy as he has received an open letter from Brathwaite said he already led West Indies in fi ve of former captain Clive Lloyd urd- would not change his 64 Tests. ing them to take advantage of the Wmuch as a captain and was look- “Leading a team, you want to opportunity. ing forward to leading the squad win. My role here is to lead from “You have a chance of ce- in the two-Test series in Bangla- the front, both as a captain and menting a permanent place in desh later this month. with the bat. It will be great to the West Indies team and not “I obviously speak to the get the win,” he said. merely fi lling a gap,” said the players. Nothing much will Two of his previous fi ve Tests 76-year-old. change. Obviously as captain, as captain came in Bangladesh “You have been chosen on you will speak more. Naturally at the end of 2018 when West merit. This is your destiny. It is that would happen when you are Indies lost both matches in the your opportunity to fulfi l it. leading the team,” Brathwaite series. “This is a perfect opportunity told reporters at a virtual press Brathwaite scored just 22 runs to demonstrate your talents and conference in Dhaka. in four innings as the Bang- skills to the world and prove to Brathwaite was called on to ladesh spinners took all 40 all and sundry that you’re not lead the side after regular cap- wickets during the series. The second-class cricketers.” tain Jason Holder and vice- opener, however,says they have The fi rst Test starts February captain Roston Chase, and done their homework this time 3 in Dhaka, with the second get- eight other players, opted out of around. ting underway on February 11. the series over fears of corona- “You have to fi nd ways to The West Indies begin their virus. overcome challenges in interna- tour with a warm-up match “I still see myself as a leader tional cricket,” he said. on January 18 before playing a despite not being a (regular) “The spinners did well last three-match one-day interna- captain,” said Brathwaite. time. We have reviewed what we tional series. “But now, we have some sen- could have done better. We have The fi rst two ODIs will take ior players around that can give to execute and believe in our- place in Dhaka on January 20 and guidance. selves, trust our preparations,” 22 with the fi nal one-day game “I know the majority of the he said. in Chittagong on January 25. guys so I am familiar to speaking Trinidad batsman Jason Mo- to them. I look forward to lead- ‘CHOSEN ON MERIT’ hammed will lead the side in ODI ing this team.” The absence of so many regulars series. West Indies captain Kraigg Brathwaite bats in the nets during a practice session in Dhaka yesterday. (AFP) Gulf Times Friday, January 15, 2021 7 CRICKET

SPOTLIGHT Smith ‘feeds off ’ criticism, warns skipper Paine Reuters “If anything, I think he feeds off it. batsmen Hanuma Vihari a hamstring Brisbane His statistics speak for themselves and tear. we’ll see the best of Steve Smith again Rathour said India would leave nam- this week.” ing their team until the last moment. kipper Tim Paine warned yes- India’s batting coach Vikram “Our medical (team) is working with terday that Steve Smith “feeds Rathour suggested the Smith row had all the players. We would like to give off ” criticism and was fi red up been blown out of proportion. them as much time as we can. I think for the high-stakes fourth Test “We didn’t even know about that it will be only be tomorrow that we’ll againstS India, which Australia will start incident, only after the game when the know which eleven is going to play,” he without injured opener Will Pucovski. media picked it up,” he said yesterday. said. Smith has faced accusations he had “As a batsman, Rishabh wasn’t even If Bumrah cannot play, their already been trying to cheat by scuffi ng up bats- aware so I would not like to comment inexperienced attack will be led by man Rishabh Pant’s guard at the crease because this hardly matters.” Mohamed Siraj, who has only played during the tense drawn third Test at Australia will go into the series- two Tests, alongside one-Test pace- Sydney, which left the series locked at deciding clash without Pucovski, man Navdeep Saini and one of the un- 1-1. He strongly denied it and said he was who dislocated his shoulder while capped T. Natarajan or Shardul Thakur shocked by the reaction, claiming he was fielding in Sydney, where he made Earlier this week, wicketkeeper simply shadow batting. an impressive first innings 62 on Paine apologised for his own behaviour Paine, himself slammed for an ugly debut. in Sydney, where he launched a verbal sledging incident during the match, It was another cruel setback for the tirade at India’s Ravi Ashwin, was fi ned said his teammate was mentally strong highly-rated 22-year-old, who missed for dissent and dropped three catches and determined to build on his man- the fi rst two Tests with concussion. on the fi nal day as Australia failed to of-the-match performance in Sydney, Marcus Harris, who has played nine bowl India out. where he made 131 and 81. Tests, but not since Australia retained “I let it get under the skin, no doubt “Steve is in a good frame of mind,” the Ashes in England last year, will about that, I’ve admitted that, so for Paine said ahead of the clash at the open instead alongside David Warner. me it’s about rising above it and con- Gabba starting Friday, a ground where Barring late mishaps, it will likely be centrating on what I’m doing and con- Australia are unbeaten since 1988. the only change to the team that played centrating on leading my team,” he “I think we’ve seen through what the third Test. said. he’s been through in the last three India have their own injury worries “We’ve spoken a lot this game about years... he’s mentally very strong, very with all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja ruled controlling what we can control and tough. He knows sometimes he’s going out after dislocating his left thumb, focusing more inwardly on ourselves. to be criticised and he’s handled that while fast-bowling spearhead Jasprit If we do that, then we’ll be in a good Australia’s Steve Smith hits a shot during day four of the third Test against India at the Sydney Cricket Ground on January 10, supremely well. Bumrah has an abdominal strain and position.” 2021. (AFP)

FOCUS COMMENT Ashwin can take 800 wickets, Lyon Survival of the fi ttest not good enough, says Muralitharan

IANS Lyon, 33, has 396 wick- Brisbane ets compared to 34-year-old as Australia look to Ashwin’s 377.However, legen- dary leg-spinner Shane Warne ce Indian off -spinner Warne believes Lyon can scalp Ravichandran Ash- 600-650 wickets if he remains win can take 700- injury free. 800 wickets in Test “If he keeps himself injury cricketA while Australia’s Nath- free, I think he could easily go an Lyon is not good enough to on and play for another fi ve seal series at Gabba achieve the feat, feels legen- years,” Warne wrote in a col- dary spinner Muttiah Mura- umn for the Herald Sun. litharan. “That’s approximately an- ‘For me, it’s about rising above it and concentrating on what I’m doing’ “Ashwin has a chance be- other 50 Tests, and if he con- cause he is a great bowler,” tinues to take four wickets Muralitharan said while speak- per game, then that is another ing to former England captain 200 – or maybe 250 if he has a Michael Vaughan for the UK golden fi ve years – Test wick- Telegraph, as per Fox Sports. ets. “Other than that, I don’t think “You put that on top of his any younger bowler coming in 400 and he’s in the 600-650 will go to 800.” wicket club at 38 years of age. “Maybe Nathan Lyon is not And if he’s still going well then good enough to reach it. He is he might have a crack at me close to 400 but he has had to and Murali, which would be play many, many matches to awesome to see,” he added. get there,” he added. Muralitharan sits at the Lyon will be playing his top of the chart in the list of 100th Test in the fourth and leading wicket-takers in Test fi nal match of the ongoing cricket with 800 scalps. He is Border-Gavaskar series at The followed by Warne (708) and Gabba beginning yesterday. Anil Kumble (619).

India’s Ravichandran Ashwin. (AFP)

Harbhajan played cricket the Aussie way: Steve Waugh

Australians often felt that playing against Harbhajan Singh was like playing against themselves because of the way the Indian spinner approached the game, according to former captain Australia’s captain Tim Paine (left) and India’s captain Ajinkya Rahane greet each other at the end of the third Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground in Sydney on January 11, 2021. (AFP) Steve Waugh. “He played in the same vein, the same method and with the Reuters ter an abdominal strain in Sydney, mean- on the fi nal day in Sydney. teams confi ned to their hotel rooms in same spirit as we did and that’s probably why we found him a Melbourne ing India’s attack could be in the hands Paine was moved to apologise this Brisbane before and after training excur- bit prickly it was like playing against ourselves,” Waugh said in a of three rookie pacemen when the match week after he lost his cool, was abusive to sions, a vexing end to a long and arduous video interview on cricket.com.au. starts today. And the Gabba is no place for Ravichandran Ashwin and dropped three tour in the “bubble”. “He played cricket the Aussie way. He was in your face, a bit of punishing Test series that has the walking wounded, with Australia un- catches behind the stumps, any one of A chastised Paine said Australia would talk, aggressive, positive and he backed himself,” Waugh added. exacted a heavy toll on both defeated at the stadium since 1988. which might have unlocked the game for leave the frustrations behind them upon Waugh admitted that Harbhajan was the reason India beat the sides draws to a fi tting climax in In short, Ajinkya Rahane’s India have a Australia. taking the fi eld at the Gabba and their only Australian team led by him in the famous 2000/01 Test series. Brisbane where a humbled Aus- mountain to climb, even if a draw would It was arguably the wicketkeeper-cap- focus would be to administer the coup de Australia were on a 16-match winning streak in Tests and ended traliaA will aim to crush an ailing Indian be enough to retain the Border-Gavaskar tain’s worst day in the offi ce since taking grace. “For me, it’s about rising above it up losing the series 2-1. It also famously included the second side at their Gabba fortress. Trophy two years after their break- over the team in the wake of the Newlands and concentrating on what I’m doing and Test in Kolkata in which India became only the third team Australia had their confi dence rocked through 2-1 win in the 2018/19 series in ball-tampering scandal in 2018. concentrating on leading my team and not in history to have won a Test match despite being forced to in the third Test as India’s batsmen held Australia. Damning reviews tend to follow Aus- worrying about what’s going on on the follow-on. Harbhajan had become the first Indian bowler to take on for a gallant draw in Sydney but Tim The home side have had their own inju- tralia’s home series defeats and a reverse other side,” Paine said yesterday. a hat-trick in Test cricket in that match. Paine’s team hold the upper hand for the ry challenges, with Marcus Harris replac- at the Gabba could prove terminal for “We’ve spoken a lot... about controlling “He won the series for India in 2001. 32 wickets in three Tests. decisive clash of a series that has become ing Will Pucovski after the rookie opener Paine’s leadership a year out from Eng- what we can control and focusing more We just couldn’t counteract his bounce. He got this amazing survival of the fi ttest. was ruled out with a shoulder injury. land’s Ashes tour. inwardly on ourselves. Because if we do bounce off the length. Every spell he bowled against, he domi- With regular captain Virat Kohli on pa- Opener David Warner was clearly ham- He will lean heavily on his attack to that then we’ll be in a good position.” nated us,” said Waugh. ternity leave, India have defi ed a mount- pered by his groin strain as he laboured for deliver on a pitch that tends to reward “[He had an] Incredible strike rate, bowled a lot of overs and ing injury toll to keep the series alive but runs in Sydney but the veteran lefthander express pace, and will hope Nathan Lyon Australia (probable): David Warner, Mar- was consistent. Hayden probably took him on and did well, but now have few bullets left to fi re. has been cleared to play. can also get among the wickets as the cus Harris, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve the rest of us really couldn’t find a way to get on top of him. All-rounder Ravindra Jadeja has been Australia’s problems are more on the 33-year-old off spinner savours his 100th Smith, Matthew Wade, Cameron Green, Without him, we would have won the series. A very influential scratched and pace spearhead Jasprit mental side, with India’s obstinacy having test after lean pickings in the series. Tim Paine (capt), Pat Cummins, Mitchell figure, particularly against us,” he said. (IANS) Bumrah is also expected to be ruled out af- got the better of their captain and bowlers The Covid-19 pandemic has seen both Starc, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood.

Friday, January 15, 2021 GULF TIMES SPORT

FOCUS Generation Amazing youth advocates learn about UN Sustainable Development Goals

eneration Amazing youth Isabelle Picco, Ambassador of the Mo- Suazo said: “For UNITAR, it’s a real ball to solve challenges. “As youth ad- advocates attended a train- naco Mission to the UN; and football pleasure and honour to inaugurate to- vocates we have to be really resilient ing session organised in col- legend John Barnes, who notably played day a programme for strengthening and strong as young leaders. It isn’t an laboration with the United for Liverpool and England during his il- youth engagement with Sustainable easy task but it’s a really important op- GNations Institute for Training and Re- lustrious career. Development Goals and the Agenda portunity to be able to share ideas and search (UNITAR) and the Permanent During his opening address, al-Tha- 2030. The programme is to encompass new solutions.” Mission of The State of Qatar to the wadi encouraged youth to tackle the for these young participants in Qatar, Maha al-Badr, 16, also from Qatar, United Nations (UN). The training in- challenges they face head on and em- the tools to enable them to amplify the expressed her excitement about mak- troduced advocates to the UN Sustain- body resilience as advocates for change. importance of peace, security and de- ing a diff erence. able Development Goals (SDGs) as part “Through your journey with us we velopment.” “It’s amazing to be part of this glo- of their journey to deliver positive so- aim to provide you with the tools to Barnes, meanwhile, off ered inspiring bal movement towards achieving the 17 cial change through the power of foot- make a diff erence in your communi- context in relation to what youth advo- SDGs. At Generation Amazing we take ball – in Qatar and around the world. ties,” said al-Thawadi. “You carry with cates could achieve for themselves and part in a lot of workshops on football During the three-day online course, you a message for everyone else and their communities. for development to see how we can use youth learned about the SDGs, ac- especially for future generations with HE Hassan al-Thawadi, Secretary HE Sheikha Alya Ahmed bin Saif al- “The opportunities for young kids football to deliver social change, which quired knowledge about sport and sus- regards to the limitless power of sport General of the Supreme Committee for Thani, Ambassador of the State of through Generation Amazing, edu- is exciting.” tainable development, and built both and its contribution to the betterment Delivery & Legacy. Qatar to the UN. cationally and vocationally, is much The course also featured speakers leadership and negotiation skills. Four- of people’s lives.” more important than whether they can from the International Federation of teen young people aged 16-24 took part Speaking of the contribution youth play football or not. What Generation Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, in the training after being selected to will make to SDGs and sharing a mes- Amazing is giving these kids, in Africa, the International Peace Institute, El take part in a new advocacy programme sage of hope for the youth, Sheikh Alya and in a lot of disadvantaged places, is Origen Foundation and Glass2Sand. launched by Generation Amazing last said: “Youth advocates are not only an opportunity to maximise their po- In the months ahead, the Genera- summer. considered the driving force for posi- tential.” tion Amazing youth advocates will un- The course was introduced by HE tive change but also a key factor for The opening session and panel with dertake further training to boost their Hassan al-Thawadi, Secretary General fi nding solutions to social issues. I hope sport for development experts also gave communication, organisation, leader- of the Supreme Committee for Delivery that youth will understand sport’s abil- the advocates a chance to express their ship and teamwork skills. They will also & Legacy (SC); HE Sheikha Alya Ahmed ity to inspire, bring hope and transform views on the task ahead. advocate for pillar causes in the Gen- bin Saif al-Thani, Ambassador of the humanity by uniting us to work togeth- Sixteen-year-old Ali Fakhroo, from eration Amazing programme, such as State of Qatar to the UN; Marco A. Sua- er, as well as how they can contribute to Qatar, said he was determined to con- gender equality and inclusion – in line zo, Head of New York Offi ce, UNITAR; the Sustainable Development Goals.” Qatari youths Maha al-Badr and Ali Fakhroo (right) participated in online courses. tribute and harness the power of foot- with the SDGs. (Qatar2022.qa)

HORSE RACING Taxiwala blitzes to thrilling win in Muaither Cup sprint JP Guillambert guides Osama Omer al-Dafea’s gelding to feature victory; double for Meteb Ali al-Marri, Alberto Sanna

By Mikhil Bhat Sanna returned to the winner’s Doha enclosure astride Osama Omer al- Dafea’s Ginkeau who had held his own in the past in Group level contests. thrilling pace in the Muaither The five-year-old grey horse beat the Cup sprint brought to close twin threat of Michael Forest and his the day’s meeting as Osama mount Zalej Al Cham and JP Guillam- Omer al-Dafea’s Taxiwala bert ridden Maxr in the closing stages chasedA down Injaaz Stud’s Izzthatright of the 2,200m race by one-and-a- on the home straight for a scintillating half lengths. victory at the Qatar Racing and Eques- Ghazali’s father, Jassim, saddled a trian Club’s Al Rayyan Park yesterday. winner too with Marco Casamento The turf feature for Thoroughbreds helming Jassem Mohamed al-Badi’s was the fi rst time that the gelding had Qatar Gold to the fi ve-year-old’s sec- lined up for a fi ve-furlong sprint, and ond career win in a seven-furlong local under JP Guillambert, the bay son of Thoroughbred novice run. Holy Roman Emperor upped the pace at the right moment as the duo edged out RESULTS Michael Forest-ridden Izzthatright, Race 1: THOROUGHBRED MAIDEN who had led the aff air since the start, by PLATE (3 Year Olds) (Class 6) (Distance: a neck for a thrilling victory. 1,200m) In the only handicap run yester- 1. Thunderstone (JP Guillambert), 2. day, Mohamed bin Fahad al-Attiyah’s Shine That Light (Marco Casamento), 3. Goldamer raced to his second straight Al Ghariyah (Michael Forest), 4. US Cliff victory in the mile long race for Arabi- (Soufiane Saadi). Won by: ½, 5, No. Time: ans rated 95 and below. 1:12.37. Owner: Al Ghazali Stud. Trainer: With Soufi ane Saadi in the sad- Mohamed Jassim Ghazali. dle, the grey son of the prolifi c sire Race 2: LOCAL PUREBRED ARABIAN Amer, handed trainer Alban de Mieulle MAIDEN PLATE (Fillies & Mares) (4-6 his 32nd victory of the season as the year olds) (Distance: 1,850m) Frenchman consolidated his position at 1. Ghanayem (Meteb Ali al-Marri), 2. the top of the trainers’ championship. Valentina (Ghofrane Ghrissi), 3. Monati Earlier yesterday, Qatari apprentice (Ivan Rossi), 4. Rahaf HA (Killian Leon- jockey Meteb Ali al-Marri bagged a ard). Won by: 2 ¾, 1 ¾, ½. Time: 2:08.39. double, guiding two Arabians to their Owner: Abdullah bin Ali bin Khalifa al- maiden victories in cozy fi nishes. Attiyah. Trainer: Owaida Salem al-Hajri. In the local Arabian maiden race for Race 3: LOCAL THOROUGHBRED the ladies, al-Marri was astride Owa- SPECIAL WEIGHT MAIDEN PLATE (3 & ida Salem al-Hajri-trained Ghanayem 4 Year Olds) (Distance: 1,200m) in the colours of Abdullah bin Ali bin 1. Zelzal (Alberto Sanna), 2. Al Uraiq Khalifa al-Attiyah and the duo had lit- Navy (Tomas Lukasek), 3. Dreem Of tle trouble winning the 1,850m run by Doha (Ivan Rossi), 4. Madarek (Saleh almost three lengths. Salem al-Marri). Won by: 1 ¼, ½, ¼. Time: Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club Racing manager Abdulla Rashid al-Kubaisi (second from right) with the winners of Muaither Cup after Osama Omer al-Dafea’s Taxiwala Later in the second running of the 1:14.90. Owner: Subaiya Awad Ibrahim. won the 1,000m feature race at Al Rayyan Park yesterday. PICTURES: Juhaim Purebred Arabian Maiden Plate for Trainer: Mohamed Khaled Elahmed. horses aged 4-6 years old, the appren- Race 4: LOCAL THOROUGHBRED 1. AJS Al Aredh (Saleh Salem al-Marri), 2. tice rider was on Khalifa bin Sheail al- NOVICE PLATE (Distance: 1,400m) Seddik (Rashid Ali al-Marri), 3. Zameer Kuwari’s Hilona D’id. The Mohamed 1. Qatar Gold (Marco Casamento), 2. (JP Guillambert), 4. Nisal (Meteb Ali Hussain-trained fi lly brushed aside a Dream Boy (Soufiane Saadi), 3. Nayer al-Marri). Won by: ½, 2 ¼, 1. Time: 1:33.83. couple of disappointing runs to enter Bu Thaila (Alberto Sanna), 4. Al Hindi Owner: Al Ghazali Stud. Trainer: Mo- the winner’s enclosure for the fi rst time (JP Guillambert). Won by: ½, ½, 3 ¼. hamed Jassim Ghazali. in her three-run short career. Time: 1:25.38. Owner: Jassem Mohamed Race 8: PUREBRED ARABIAN NOVICE In the fi rst running of the mile-long al-Badi. Trainer: Jassim Mohamed PLATE (Distance: 2,200m) maiden, His Highness Sheikh Mo- Ghazali. 1. Ginkeau (Alberto Sanna), 2. Zalej Al hamed bin Khalifa al-Thani’s Jamaiel, Race 5: PUREBRED ARABIAN MAIDEN Cham (Michael Forest), 3. Maxr (JP Guil- who was out of depths in the course- PLATE (Div 1) (4-6 year olds) (Distance: lambert), 4. Jabir (Soufiane Saadi). Won and-distance outing in the Qatar Derby 1,600m) by: 1 ½, Hd, 9 ¼. Time: 2:28.47. Owner: (Group 3 PA), registered her fi rst career 1. Jamaiel (Tomas Lukasek), 2. Al Arabie Osama Omer al-Dafea. Trainer: Osama win on her fi fth start. The Julian Smart (Soufiane Saadi), 3. Hadjira De Flauzins Omer al-Dafea. ward was helmed by Tomas Lukasek to (Marco Casamento), 4. Tembel De Pine Race 9: PUREBRED ARABIAN victory. (Jason Watson). Won by: 2 ½, Nk, No. HANDICAP (95 & below) (Distance: Another Qatari jockey to guide a Time: 1:46.46. Owner: His Highness 1,600m) winner yesterday was Saleh Salem al- Sheikh Mohamed bin Khalifa al-Thani. 1. Goldamer (Soufiane Saadi), 2. Ma- Marri, who has now taken his season Trainer: Julian Smart. ghamir Des Forges (Marco Casamento), win tally to 17, with a fantastic ride Race 6: PUREBRED ARABIAN MAIDEN 3. Winne Taouy (Rashid Ali al-Marri), 4. astride Al Ghazali Stud’s AJS Al Aredh PLATE (Div 2) (4-6 year olds) (Distance: Latam (Killian Leonard). Won by: ¾, 3 in the Arabian claiming race. The Majd 1,600m) ¼, ½. Time: 1:44.76. Owner: Mohamed Al Arab gelding, trained by Mohamed 1. Hilona D’id (Meteb Ali al-Marri), 2. bin Fahad al-Attiyah. Trainer: Alban de Jassim Ghazali, edged out a fast-im- HM Al Bourak (Carlos Henrique), 3. Al Mieulle. proving Seddik by half-a-length. Malhouf (Marco Casamento), 4. Saab Race 10: MUAITHER CUP Among the Thoroughbreds who shed Al Manal (Francois Herholdt). Won by: (THOROUGHBREDS) (Distance: 1,000m) their maiden statuses, were Al Ghazali 3 ¾, 2, 2. Time: 1:45.27. Owner: Khalifa 1. Taxiwala (JP Guillambert), 2. Izzt- Stud’s Thunderstone, the Ghazali ward bin Sheail al-Kuwari. Trainer: Mohamed hatright (Michael Forest), 3. Zyzzyva that topped the card-opening six-fur- Hussain. (Tomas Lukasek), 4. Wonderwork long sprint under Guillambert, and Sub- Race 7: PUREBRED ARABIAN (Ivan Rossi). Won by: Nk, 2 ½, 1 ¼. Time: aiya Awad Ibrahim’s Zelzal who was rid- CLAIMING RACE (60-90) (Distance: 00:59.05. Owner: Osama Omer al-Dafea. den to a sprint victory by Alberto Sanna. 1,400m) Trainer: Osama Omer al-Dafea. JP Guillambert (left) rides Taxiwala to Muaither Cup victory at Al Rayyan Park yesterday.