SUNDAY, DECEMBER 22, 2013 SPORTS

Bale misses Madrid’s Monaco suffer a final game of the year Malaga beat Elche shock defeat 2-1

MADRID: Gareth Bale will miss Real Madrid’s final game of the year away ELCHE: Malaga edged 10-man Elche 1-0 on Friday for its first win in PARIS: Radamel Falcao made his comeback after almost a month on to Valencia today due to an inflamed calf muscle, Real boss Carlo Ancelotti nine away games this season in the Spanish league, easing the the sidelines only to miss a penalty as Monaco suffered a shock 2-1 has confirmed. Bale was absent from Wednesday’s 2-0 win over Olimpic pressure on coach Bernd Schuster. Malaga bounced back from its home defeat at the hands of struggling Valenciennes on Friday. The Xativa in the Copa del Rey after picking up the injury in training on Colombian striker, on as a substitute, saw his poorly-struck late penalty Tuesday. However, Ancelotti insisted the injury is not too serious, suggest- elimination from the Copa del Rey earlier this week to Osasuna with a much-needed victory that provisionally lifted it to the middle of saved by visiting goalkeeper Nicolas Penneteau as the principality side ing the Welshman will be fully fit by the time Real return to action after the let slip the chance to go provisionally top of the Ligue 1 table. Instead, winter break on January 6. “The injury he has is just a knock. It is not a seri- the standings. Midfielder Ignacio Camacho headed in Sergio “Duda” they remain two points adrift of leaders Paris Saint-Germain, who are ous injury, but he won’t be available for tomorrow,” said Ancelotti. “He has- Barbosa’s free kick six minutes in to score what proved to be the n’t had the necessary time to recover.” Angel di Maria will winner. already confirmed as autumn champions before replace Bale on the right side on the Madrid attack, while Elche kept most of the action to Malaga’s final third but failed to hosting third-placed Lille today. Monaco coach Cristiano Ronaldo will return after being suspended in mid- create clear chances. It was reduced to 10 men in the 60th when Claudio Ranieri had left Falcao on the week. Xabi Alonso is also certain to start given the impact defender Damian Suarez earned his second booking for a studs-first bench at kick-off as his side went looking he has made on the side in recent weeks since returning tackle on Camacho. “I’m happy for the goal but happier for the for a sixth consecutive win. They had not from injury. The former Liverpool midfielder’s contract is up three points that we really needed away from home,” Camacho said. conceded a goal in any of their last five at the end of the season and, although Ancelotti rec- “We have to see the positive side to what happened in the Copa outings but fell behind in bizarre fashion ognized keeping the 32-year-old is a priority, he dis- (del Rey). We’re out, but now we need to look to move up the here with half an hour played, Eric missed suggestions that Madrid are over-reliant on league table.” It was promoted Elche’s third straight loss. Barcelona Abidal bundling the ball into his own net Alonso. “The board want Xabi to renew his contract after ‘keeper Danijel Subasic had failed to cut because he is very important, he is experienced and and Atletico Madrid lead the league by three points ahead of Real has a lot of quality.—AFP Madrid. — AP out Arthur Masuaku’s cross from the left.—AFP HK history-making cricketers vie for Chinese fans

HONG KONG: Hong Kong’s cricketers made where field space is hard to come by and foot- Hawk Eye, outreach programs into 50 schools strong average of 30.12, while slow left-armer across the border in mainland China. “We have history by qualifying for next year’s World ball and basketball are far more popular. and weekend leagues involving roughly 500 Munir Dar’s 17 at 13.05 apiece placed quite a few youngsters coming through. We Twenty20 in Bangladesh, but when the news was brought to Hong Kong when players. However, it remains hard for cricket to him second on the leading bowlers’ list. Rather have 100 percent Chinese teams playing in the reached the city’s Chinese population, it was the British colonized the island in 1841. Once gain traction in the Chinese community, Hong than Chinese players, the squad is made up leagues,” says Walsh. “Our avowed aim is to greeted with a collective shrug. The former played in predominantly white clubs, it grew Kong’s dominant ethnic group. mainly of South Asians like 23-year-old vice- grow the game and we say part of our onus is British colony placed sixth out of 16 teams at to depend on short-term, mainly Western Samson Lam, a 33-year-old league cricketer captain Waqas Barkat, a hard-hitting middle to grow it that way-by that way I mean north recent qualifiers in the UAE, ensuring the city expatriates passing through on work con- who took up the sport three years ago and order batsman. over those hills into China,” he adds, gesturing will be represented at a major international tracts. now plays in an all-Chinese team, blames a Barkat, the son of Pakistani immigrants beyond the verdant ground of the city’s his- cricket tournament for the first time. It’s a That situation has changed over the past lack of local media interest but hopes Hong who is fluent in Cantonese, is optimistic about toric Hong Kong Cricket Club. major leap forward for a territory that has decade with the requirements that nearly all Kong’s recent success can change that. “Cricket the team’s trajectory given the relative youth This currently looks like a distant prospect, been playing international cricket since 1866. players be permanent residents or nationals, is the best sport of Hong Kong and being able of its core players. “In the coming four to five and with Lamsam aiming for retirement next But all-rounder Roy Lamsam, the squad’s only ending the cyclical nature of the squad and to make a World Cup final is something years Hong Kong is going to go big. Our age year, there are no other Chinese players on the current player of Chinese origin, says reaction placing the team on firmer ground. unique,” said Lam. “Hopefully (qualifying) average is 22 or 23. In the next five years guys verge of selection. But he hopes the team’s in Hong Kong has been muted. “We’ve reached a stage where people can’t would attract more Chinese. The problem are going to be very senior and will have more recent success can elevate its profile. “It’s diffi- “Obviously, Hong Kong’s made history. But I pretend we’re not there. They have to take us from what I see is there isn’t enough coverage. experience playing this group,” he says. cult, but there is still hope,” says the part-time don’t think we got the recognition that we seriously’” said chairman Mike Walsh, who “Two days after Hong Kong qualified, we Atkinson, a qualified teacher whose father also interior designer. “You cannot deny the fact deserved. I don’t know whether Hong Kongers oversaw the team’s transition from amateur to started seeing some news in local newspa- played for Hong Kong, says the side has taken we’ve accomplished something that no one are really happy or overjoyed at that,” he said. professional in April this year. Today, the pers-two or three sentences max. It’s not great strides, especially since the advent of has done before. Despite not being very popu- The 33-year-old, who made his debut for wealthy, semi-autonomous southern Chinese enough to get local people to understand it.” professional contracts. lar at the moment it’s there for people to the side in 1996 after making his way up city of 7 million receives generous govern- The team is led by Jamie Atkinson, a former But if the team is to develop further, Walsh understand to enjoy, get their curiosity satis- through an all-Chinese school team, said the ment and ICC funding that pays for top-class Durham University player who finished the says Chinese involvement is crucial. He adds fied. “Qualifying for the World Cup can only be sport still struggles to make headway in a city facilities including ball-tracking technology qualifier tournament in UAE with 241 runs at a that the eventual aim is to help the sport grow a positive thing.”—AFP India close in on win; S Africa retain hope

JOHANNESBURG: A direct-hit run-out of Graeme Smith ended a opening part- nership as South Africa fought to stave off defeat on the fourth day of the first Test against India at the Wanderers Stadium yesterday. Set to make an improbable 458 to win, South Africa were 138 for two at the close. South Africa had reached 108 without loss with both Smith and Alviro Petersen with increasing confidence. But Smith, on 44, went for a risky single after he punched a ball from to HAMILTON: Ross Taylor of New Zealand bats during day three of the third interna- mid-on. Ajinkya Rahane fielded superbly and tional cricket Test match between New Zealand and the West Indies at the Seddon threw down the stumps at the bowler’s end, to Park yesterday. — AFP the acclaim of his teammates. Smith’s dismissal was soon followed by that of Hashim Amla, who was bowled for the second time in the match New Zealand on course for without playing a shot. Amla made four before ducking a short-pitched from victory as Windies collapse which kept low, going over HAMILTON: New Zealand openers Peter BRILLIANT CATCH Amla’s right shoulder before hitting the top of Fulton and Hamish Rutherford safely negoti- He then had Kieran Powell well caught by his off stump. ated their way to the close of play on the Southee at third slip for a duck off the final The ball which accounted for Amla was one third day of the third test against West Indies ball of the over before Kirk Edwards tickled a of several which kept low at the golf course end yesterday after their bowlers had set up a ball down the leg side and wicketkeeper BJ of the pitch. Petersen, who scored a half-century in his team’s second innings for the first time in likely victory with a destructive display. Trent Watling took a sharp catch. All-rounder JOHANNESBURG: India’s Ravichandran Ashwin (L) and (right) celebrate as South Boult had blown the top off the West Indies Anderson and Wagner then chipped away at 27 Tests, made 76 and saw out the day with Faf du Plessis (10). With the light fading African batsman Graeme Smith (center) gets a direct hit from India’s Ajinkya Rahane on the order before Tim Southee polished off the tail the middle order with the latter taking the fourth day of the first cricket Test between South Africa and India yesterday. — AFP to pick up his 100th test as New crucial wicket of , towards the close, the umpires told Indian cap- Zealand dismissed the tourists for just 103 in who had anchored the visitors’ first innings tain Mahendra Singh Dhoni that he would have ished with three for 68, the same figures as all- side the off stump from Kallis. He batted for 353 their second innings shortly before the close with 122 not out, when he was brilliantly to use only slow bowlers if he wanted play to rounder Kallis, who had to carry a bigger than minutes and faced 270 balls in an innings which in Hamilton. caught for 20 by Kane Williamson in the gully. continue. usual bowling load in the absence of Morkel, included 21 fours. Kohli batted for 254 minutes New Zealand had conceded an 18-run first Narsingh Deonarine became Wagner’s Dhoni took off his wicketkeeping pads and who sprained his right ankle while fielding and 193 balls, hitting nine fours. Cracks in the innings lead after they were bowled out for second victim when the left hander prodded bowled two overs in partnership with off-spin- before lunch on Friday. pitch were starting to cause some deliveries to 349 earlier, courtesy of Ross Taylor’s third cen- at a delivery that flew to Taylor at first slip and ner Ashwin. India were bowled out for 421 in Pujara made the highest score for India in a behave unpredictably and was the tury of the series, before paceman Boult exposed the tail. Boult returned to the attack their second innings, leaving South Africa to Test at the Wanderers before he had virtually his victim of a ball from Kallis which kept low and reduced the West Indies to 13 for three in a and had , who scored 107 in negotiate 45 overs before the close of play as first lapse of concentration, flashing at a ball out- skidded into his stumps. — AFP devastating spell. Neil Wagner and Corey the first innings, trapped in front for 18 before well as the whole of the fifth day. Cheteshwar Anderson then chipped in with vital wickets Southee finished off the tourists with his Pujara and Virat Kohli took their third wicket SCOREBOARD through the middle order before Southee 100th test wicket when he trapped stand to 222 before Pujara was caught behind claimed three victims in his ninth over to fin- Veerasammy Permaul lbw for a duck. Taylor, off Jacques Kallis for 153. Kohli fell four short of JOHANNESBURG: Close of play scores on the fourth day of the first Test between South Africa and India at the ish off the West Indies innings and set his side who scored an unbeaten 217 in the series- his second century of the match. He made 96 Wanderers Stadium yesterday. before he was caught behind, cutting at off- a victory target of 122 runs. opener in Dunedin and 129 in Wellington, India, first innings, 280 (I. Sharma) Bowling: Steyn 30-5-104-0 (2w), New Zealand, who reached 6-0 in the two shone again in New Zealand’s first innings spinner JP Duminy. South Africa, first innings, 244 Philander 28-10-68-3 (1w), Morkel 2-1-4-0, Kallis 20- overs they faced in the evening session, lead with 131. The 29-year-old right-hander has The South African bowlers, who had endured India, second innings (overnight 284-2) 5-68-3, 15.4-1-69-2, De Villiers 1-0-5-0 the three-match series 1-0 after cruising to scored 493 runs in four innings and is within a torrid third afternoon at the hands of Pujara S. Dhawan c Kallis b Philander 15 (1w), Duminy 24-0-87-2 victory in Wellington last week. “The bowlers sight of Andrew Jones’s New Zealand record and Kohli, came back strongly despite being M. Vijay c De Villiers b Kallis 39 bowled outstandlingly well to get 10 wickets of 513 runs in a three-match series. Taylor’s without the injured Morne Morkel. India lost four C. Pujara c De Villiers b Kallis 153 South Africa, second innings V. Kohli c De Villiers b Duminy 96 in a session,” Taylor told Radio Sport. “Every series average is 246.5. “This was definitely wickets while scoring 74 runs in 28.2 overs A. Petersen not out 76 before lunch. At that stage India were 394 ahead R. Sharma b Kallis 6 G. Smith run out (Rahane) 44 single one of them bowled with aggression the hardest of the three centuries so far,” he A. Rahane c Smith b Duminy 15 and put pressure on the West Indies batsmen. said. “The way (Sunil) Narine bowled and but Dhoni decided not to declare and the H. Amla b Mohammed Shami 4 innings continued until mid-afternoon. M. Dhoni c sub (Elgar) b Philander 29 F. du Plessis not out 10 “They put them under pressure for long peri- Permaul were at us all the time and having to R. Ashwin c Du Plessis b Philander 7 Extras (lb2, nb1, w1) 4 ods of time and gave them no reprieve.” negate that.” Off-spinner Narine took career- Zaheer Khan was the main beneficiary of the Zaheer Khan not out 29 Total (2 wkts, 45 overs) 138 Boult, who took match figures of 10-80 in the best figures of six for 91 from 42 overs and decision to bat on and hit a breezy 29 not out, I. Sharma lbw b Imran Tahir 4 Fall of wickets: 1-108 (Smith), 2-118 (Amla) second test but captured just one wicket in will look to be a major factor on the fourth which included sixes off leg-spinner Imran Tahir Mohammed Shami b Imran Tahir 4 and fast bowler . Steyn, the world’s Extras (b9, lb7, w8) 24 Bowling: Zaheer Khan 9-0-29-0, I. Sharma 9-2-28-0 the first innings in Hamilton, was back to his day, already getting big turn from the pitch. (1nb), Mohammed Shami 8-1-30-1 (1w), Ashwin 16- best, bowling Kraigg Brathwaite with an “If you lose a few early wickets like we did in number one ranked Test bowler, had one of his Total (120.4 overs) 421 Fall of wickets: 1-23 (Dhawan), 2-93 (Vijay), 3-315 2-42-0, Vijay 1-0-3-0, Dhoni 2-0-4-0 inswinger for seven on the first ball of the Dunedin it... could be difficult,” Taylor added. poorest matches. He failed to take a wicket in the second innings and conceded 104 runs in 30 (Pujara), 4-325 (R. Sharma), 5-327 (Kohli), 6-358 Match situation: South Africa need 320 runs to win fifth over. “Still 110 runs to go and we need to get off to (Rahane), 7-369 (Ashwin), 8-384 (Dhoni), 9-405 with eight wickets Remaining. a solid start.”—Reuters overs. He had match figures of one for 165. Steyn’s new ball partner fin- SCOREBOARD Scoreboard at the close of play on the third day of the third test between New Zealand and West Indies at ABK sponsors Shamali’s Seddon Park in Hamilton yesterday. West Indies first innings (367) K. Edwards c Watling b Boult 1 New Zealand first innings (overnight 156-3) K. Powell c Southee b Boult 0 retirement ceremony P. Fulton c Sammy b Narine 11 M. Samuels c Watling b Anderson 8 H. Rutherford c & b Sammy 10 S. Chanderpaul c Williamson b Wagner 20 KUWAIT: As part of its corporate social responsibility that K. Williamson lbw b Narine 58 N. Deonarine c Taylor b Wagner 13 R. Taylor c Samuels b Best 131 D. Ramdin lbw b Boult 18 encompasses support of youth and sport activities, in B. McCullum c Sammy b Narine 12 D. Sammy c Watling b Southee 24 accordance with its ongoing CSR Campaign “Our Society... C. Anderson c Deonarine b Permaul 39 S. Narine not out 0 Our Responsibility”, Al Ahli Bank of Kuwait is pleased to BJ Watling c Ramdin b Sammy 20 V. Permaul lbw b Southee 0 T. Southee lbw b Narine 18 T. Best lbw b Southee 0 support the retirement ceremony of renowned player Ali Al I. Sodhi b Narine 9 Extras: lb-12 12 Shamali, who was with Al Qadsiya Sporting Club and previ- N. Wagner c Edwards b Narine 22 Total: (all out, 31.5 overs 103 T. Boult not out 1 Fall of wickets: 1-12 2-12 3-13 4-40 5-46 6-75 7-91 ously a Kuwait National Team Player. ABK is keen to sup- Extras: nb-4, b-6, lb-8 18 8-103 9-103 10-103 port sport and value the immense contribution of athletes. Total: (all out, 117.3 overs) 349 Bowling: Boult 10-4-23-4, Southee 8.5-5-12-3, Fall of wickets: 1-18 2-43 3-138 4-174 5-224 6-269 Anderson 6-0-22-1, Wagner 7-1-34-2. Our sponsorship of Ali Al Shamali’s retirement ceremony 7-306 8-317 9-332 10-349 New Zealand second innings comes in recognition of his excellent achievements in Bowling: Best 14-1-63-1 (nb-1), Sammy 23-8-69-2 P. Fulton not out 4 (nb-2), Permaul 35-6-103-1, Narine 42.3-17-91-6 H. Rutherford not out 0 Kuwait’s football field.” Retired player Ali Al Shamali (nb-1), Deonarine 3-0-9-0. Extras: b-2 2 thanked ABK for their kind support and generosity, and West Indies second innings Total: (for no wickets, two overs) 6 hopes ABK would continue to honor meritorious athletes K. Brathwaite b Boult 7 Bowling: Best 1-0-4-0, Narine 1-1-0-0. of the future. Ali Al Shamali