NBA | Page 6 HANDBALL | Page 8 Harden France look To Advertise here shines in to turn Oly Call: 444 11 300, 444 66 621 Rockets’ misery into victory World gold

Sunday, January 29, 2017 GOLF Jumada I 1, 1438 AH Woods misses GULF TIMES cut, Rose holds the lead at Torrey Pines SPORT Page 2 CanCan WangWang breakbreak CBQM’sCBQM’s AsianAsian jinx?jinx? South Korean leads by three strokes going into today’s final round

By Satya Rath mitted he’s enjoying a love aff air with the Doha Golf Doha Club course, which has produced a star-studded list of champions including Els, Adam Scott, Retief Goosen and Sergio Garcia in the past. “I like this course. I like the n the history of the Commercial Bank Qatar Mas- wind. I like the green conditions. It’s pretty nice for me, ters, no Asian golfer has managed to lift the coveted it suits my game,” he said. Mother of Pearl Trophy. Since struggling to two-over-par after his fi rst three All that could change in the event’s landmark 20th holes in Thursday’s opening round, Wang has only card- Iedition if Wang Jeunghun continues his blazing form ed one bogey in his next 51 holes. that saw the 21-year-old South Korean shoot a bogey- “The wind is similar to the courses where I won, but free 65 to take a three-shot lead into today’s fi nal round. the course is diff erent. I’m so excited about tomorrow. Wang was among the record-breaking nine-player Right now there are no nerves, but tomorrow … I’m not leading group who started the day in a tie at eight-un- sure yet!” added the youngest men’s player in last year’s der, but burst away from the rest in spectacular fashion, Olympic golf tournament in Rio. sinking three birdies on the front and four on the return Thailand’s Kiradech, who was in the group ahead of to move to a three-day 15-under total and fi nish three Wang, tipped Wang to win his third and biggest Euro- shots ahead of playing partner Jaco Van Zyl (68) of South pean Tour title, but believes there are many other players Africa, and Spain’s Nacho Elvira (68), who are both in with a chance. seeking a fi rst European Tour win. “I heard a lot of cheers behind me all day. I didn’t see South Africa’s Thomas Aiken (68) was fourth on 11-un- anything because the game was so fast because it was der, one ahead of 2016 Ryder Cup players Rafa Cabrera two-balls, but I knew what was going on,” said Kiradech, Bello (66) of Spain and Andy Sullivan (70) of England, who played with Wang in a three-ball on the fi rst two Englishman Nathan Kimsey (66), Thailand’s Kiradech days. “He has a lot of confi dence right now and in his Aphibarnrat (70) and Sweden’s Joakim Lagergren (67). position, it’s a good chance to take the trophy. I remem- Among the star draws, four-time major winner Ernie ber he was two-over after his fi rst few holes, so to fi nish Els (71), World No. 10 Alex Noren (71) and 2013 champion the third round 15-under shows he’s the hot player in the Chris Wood (70) were on seven-under, two-time major fi eld. But there are 18 more holes and if the wind picks winner Martin Kaymer (68) was six-under and 2010 US up, anything can happen.” Open champion Graeme McDowell (70) was fi ve-under. Wang, the 2016 European Tour Rookie of the Year who LEADING SCORES (AFTER 3RD ROUND) won back-to-back titles in Morocco and Mauritius last 201: Wang Jeunghun (KOR) 69-67-65 May, shot 69 and 67 in the opening rounds heading into 204: Jaco Van Zyl (RSA) 67-69-68, Nacho Elvira (ESP) 67-69-68 the weekend and looks in pole position to break Asian’s ti- 205: Thomas Aiken (RSA) 68-68-69 tle jinx at the European Tour event at the Doha Golf Club. 206: Andy Sullivan 68-68 70 (GBR), Kiradech Aphibarnrat “I got a lot of confi dence from the fans. A couple of (THA) 66-70-70, Joakim Lagergren (SWE) 67-72-67, Nathan them brought a Korea fl ag, so I felt really great,” said Kimsey 66-74-66 (GBR), Rafael Cabrera-Bello (ESP) 70-70-66 Wang, who will again play with Van Zyl today. The duo 207: Mike Lorenzo-Vera (FRA) 69-69-69, Paul Dunne 67-70- tee off at 12.05pm. 70 (IRL), Romain Langasque (FRA) 70-70-67 “My irons are really good now. That was the key to 208: Anthony Wall 68-69-71 (GBR), Mikko Korhonen (FIN) seven-under and my putting was really good, too. Eve- 65-71-72, Jordan Smith 71-66-71 (GBR), Oliver Fisher 70-70- rything’s good right now. I don’t want to think about 68 (GBR), Nino Bertasio (ITA) 71-69-68 South Korea’s Wang Jeunghun shot a winning, I just want to focus on my own game. I have a 209: Chris Wood 69-70-70 (GBR), Alex Noren (SWE) 68-70- bogey-free 7-under-par 65 to lead by three good chance to win,” he added. 71, Ernie Els (RSA) 68-70-71, Ryan Fox (NZ) 72-70-67, Bradley shots going into the final day of Commercial Wang is playing the CBQM for the fi rst time, but ad- Dredge (GBR) 64-72-73 Bank Qatar Masters. PICTURE: Jayaram Serena surpasses Steffi , says there’s no way she could have done it without Venus “It’s pretty awesome. I really —who knocked Serena out in decisive break to go 4-3 in front AFP Melbourne wanted to get to 23, more than you round two on her with an unstoppable backhand, (right) and elder can ever imagine. And I kept tell- debut in Melbourne 19 years and served out the set with an sister Venus with ing myself, ‘Serena, 22 isn’t bad’. ago, and they have since played ace. Serena was fi red up and she their Australian jubilant Serena Wil- “To get to number 23 here is nine major fi nals together, liv- worked three break points in the Open winner liams said it was “awe- really rather special, against Ve- ing each other’s highs and lows. third set, only for her sister to and runner-up some” to fi nally clinch nus as well because my fi rst big Aged 36 and seeded 13, Ve- negotiate her way out of trouble trophies. (AFP) a record 23rd Grand match was against her here on nus had turned back the clock with some big forehand winners. ASlam title after beating her sister this court. Going into this match, to make her fi rst Grand Slam The tense battle went with Venus in the Australian Open fi - it felt like it was all full circle.” title match since Wimbledon in serve to 3-3 before Serena nal, a result which also took her Serena’s astonishing achieve- 2009, but adding to her seven cranked up the pressure to break back to world number one. ment also means she ends the major successes was not to be. with a scintillating crosscourt The dominant American won brief stay at world number one of “Serena Williams... That is my backhand and take a 4-3 lead. her seventh Aussie title 6-4, , who displaced little sister, guys. Congratula- With history beckoning, she 6-4 to fi nally surpass Steffi Williams in September after tions Serena on number 23,” said wasn’t about to throw it away Graf’s Open-era milestone of 22 three-and-a-half years at the top. an emotional Venus. “I have been and she served out the match, major wins, nearly 18 years after Fittingly, her sister and clos- right there with you, some of them falling to the fl oor in celebra- she lifted her fi rst Slam trophy est confi dante, Venus, was on I lost right there against you. Yes, tion before a long embrace with at the 1999 US Open. the other side of the net to share that is weird but it is true.” Venus to share the biggest mo- The 35-year-old Serena, the moment of victory, another She added: “To have this op- ment of her career. who had equalled Graf’s mark chapter written in their amaz- portunity to play against each Despite the loss, being in the at Wimbledon last year, now ing family history. other again, and to be able to fi nal was a big achievement for stands just one behind the all- “There is no way I would be at rise to that occasion, was quite Venus, whose career went off the time record of 24 won by Marga- 23 without her. There is no way momentous.” boil for several years after she was ret Court, who was in the presi- I would be at one (title) without Showing the single-mind- diagnosed with the energy-sap- dent’s box at Rod Laver Arena. her,” said Serena. edness that has propelled her to ping Sjogren’s syndrome in 2011. “I don’t like numbers dur- “She is my inspiration. She greatness, Serena, seeded two, But she managed her sched- ing a tournament when I am is the only reason I am standing overcame a scratchy and nervous ule carefully and adopted a raw trying to reach a big milestone. here today and the only reason start in which all four opening foods and vegan diet, making Now we can talk about it,” she that the Williams sisters exist.” games were breaks and when she the semi-fi nals at Wimbledon told ESPN, after posing in shoes It was Venus—when still a smashed a racquet in frustration. last year before her run to the branded with ‘23’ on the heel. teenager with beads in her hair But she soon settled to get a decider in Melbourne. Gulf Times 2 Sunday, January 29, 2017 GOLF

IN THE HUNT SPOTLIGHT Crowds fl ock to Doha Golf Club to Ryder rookies ‘in a watch stars in action arge crowds gathered for jor in 1994 – is seeking his fi rst the third round of the European Tour title since 2013 20th Commercial Bank and 29th in total. Qatar Masters as dozens Two-time Major winner ofL players started the day in the Martin Kaymer and 2010 US strong position’ at hunt after a record-equalling Open champion Graeme Mc- nine-way tie at the halfway Dowell – both veterans of four stage. Ryder Cups – and 2016 Ryder Four-time Major winner Cup rookies Rafa Cabrera Bello, Ernie Els and World Number 10 Andy Sullivan and Chris Wood, Alex Noren enjoyed particularly the 2013 champion, are among large support, with the star- other big names this week. studded pairing among a re- First held in 1998, the Com- CB Qatar Masters markable 26 players within two mercial Bank Qatar Masters shots of the overnight lead. Both has helped establish Qatar as a players are competing in their world-class sporting venue and ninth Commercial Bank Qatar is considered the country’s an- Masters. nual ‘must-attend’ sporting and Els, 47, won the tournament social event. Sitting at the heart on his debut appearance in of the European Tour’s Middle 2005 and has been a consistent East swing, the tournament at- fan’s favourite. Now competing tracted over 25,000 spectators in the tournament for the fi fth in 2016 and was broadcast to a straight year, the popular South global TV audience of over 400 African – who won his fi rst Ma- million.

Spectators watch South African star Ernie Els in action at the Doha Golf Club yesterday.

FARMERS INSURANCE OPEN Woods misses cut, Rose holds lead at Torrey Pines

Andy Sullivan is in the mix for the title after moving to a 10-under par aggregate after the third round of the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters yesterday. AFP that didn’t go in. But I hit it a lot La Jolla, United States better today which was nice,” Spain’s Rafa Cabrera Bello and Woods said, adding that he will tie for the lead and finished with a 70. played really good. I was in control the Sullivan is another Ryder Cup rookie only get sharper after playing England’s Andy Sullivan put Young Korean Wang Jeunghun leads at entire day, rolled some good putts and eager to win another European Tour ti- iger Woods’ long-await- more tournaments. themselves in contention for 15-under after a bogey-free 65. gave myself lots of birdie chances. In tle as he seeks to follow up on his break- ed PGA Tour comeback “Playing tournament golf is another European Tour title Cabrera Bello, 32, enjoyed his best- the end, I had a good score but I think I through three-win season in 2015. came to an abrupt end a bit diff erent to playing with aft er an exciting third round at ever season in 2016, securing seven top- earned it,” Cabrera Bello said. The 30-year-old twice finished run- at the Farmers Insurance your buddies in a cart. I need to five finishes on the European Tour and “The next win will happen. Some- ner-up last year and tied for 12th at The TOpen on Friday as the former get more rounds under my belt Doha Golf Club PGA TOUR, finishing fifth in the Olym- times I’ve messed up and ended up not Open Championship, so is eager to lift world number one tumbled out and more playing time and that’s pics, going undefeated at September’s winning because of my fault. Other his first trophy since winning the Por- of the tournament after missing what I’m trying to do,” he said. By Sports Reporter Ryder Cup and finishing eighth on The times, I’ve felt that I have done really tugal Masters in October 2015. the cut. Woods, who played in the un- Doha Race to Dubai Rankings. good and others have outplayed me. “I scored better on the par-fives to- Woods started the day at Tor- offi cial Hero World Challenge However, the muscular Spaniard And other times, I’ve just finished up day, so that was a positive,” said ‘Sulli’, rey Pines Golf Course needing a invitational last month, is step- failed to add to his two European Tour there by coming from behind, so not who bogeyed the par-five first before low second round score to ex- ping up his comeback with a de- yder Cup rookies Rafa Cabrera titles, won in 2009 and 2012, and is really having had a real chance of win- bagging birdies at nine and 18 and an tend his participation into the manding series of tournaments Bello of Spain and Andy Sul- continually reminded of his seven run- ning. eagle on 10, all par-fives. weekend after a wayward four- as he targets April’s Masters at livan of England both moved ner-up finishes – including in Hong “I try to do as good as I can every sin- “On the whole, I’m pretty happy with over-par fi rst round on Thurs- Augusta. to 10-under-par at the 20th Kong last month – and six thirds on the gle day and luckily I’ve been on a good two-under and hopefully I can go out day. But the 41-year-old could RCommercial Bank Qatar Masters to give European Tour. Cabrera Bello finished stretch and been up there consistently there tomorrow and find some fire- But despite perfect conditions only refl ect on a frustrating out- themselves a strong chance of another joint runner-up at the Commercial now for many, many weeks over the works and get up the leaderboard. I’m on Torrey Pines’ more forgiv- ing at Torrey Pines, the pictur- European Tour title. Bank Qatar Masters last January, after past year-and-a-half. I know if I keep five behind the lead, I’m still sitting ing North Course, Woods again esque coastal course nestling Cabrera Bello shot a six-under-par ties for third in 2011 and 2014. putting myself in that position and keep there, so anything can happen and I’ll struggled to generate any mo- against the Pacifi c Ocean just 66 to soar up to a share of fifth with Sul- “I teed off earlier this morning and playing the golf I’m playing lately, it will try and chase him down. I’m in a strong mentum, carding a level-par 72 outside San Diego where he has livan, who started the day in a nine-way I was aware I needed a low one. I felt I happen again. It’s just a matter of time.” position.” which left him four-over after 36 won no fewer than eight times. holes. Woods was not the only high- With the cut coming at level profi le casualty on Friday, with BOTTOMLINE par, Woods was left contem- world number one Jason Day plating an early exit at his fi rst and world number three Dustin full-fi eld PGA Tour event since Johnson also missing the cut. August 2015. Rickie Fowler also missed out “It’s frustrating, not being after fi nishing three over follow- able to have a chance to win the ing a second round 75. tournament,” Woods told re- At the other end of the lead- Lorenzo-Vera celebrates porters. “I didn’t make the cut.” erboard, England’s Justin Rose Woods — who now heads to will take a one-shot lead into the the Gulf for the Omega Dubai weekend after carding a one-un- Desert Classic next week, took der-par 71 on the South Course, comfort from signs of improve- a day after his seven-under-par birthday with friends at CBQM ment on Friday after his erratic opening round. opening round the previous day. The 2016 Olympic champion rance’s Mike Lorenzo-Vera en- “Overall today was a lot bet- sank a 10-foot birdie putt on the joyed a special surprise after the ter than yesterday. I hit it better, last — his third of a round which third round of the Commercial I putted well again,” Woods said. included two bogeys — to move Bank Qatar Masters yesterday “I hit a lot of beautiful putts clear of the fi eld at eight under. whenF he was presented with a birthday cake by fellow European Tour pros at Miyazato fi ghts to maintain Myanmar Open lead Doha Golf Club. French players Grégory Havret, Ju- Yangon: Japan’s Yusaku If Miyazato clinches tomor- lien Quesne, Sébastien Gros and Romain Miyazato clung on to his lead row’s title it will be the three- Langasque, and Portugal’s José-Filipe in round three of the Myanmar time winner’s first victory Lima all sang ‘Happy Birthday’ in yesterday, dropping his outside of Japan. as they gave a cake to Lorenzo-Vera, who first shot of the tournament “My tee shots were not good had just signed for a three-under-par 69 as blustery conditions hit the and it was so diff icult to play in on his 32nd birthday. Yangon course. this wind,” he told tour organis- “That was a pretty good surprise be- Miyazato sank a huge eagle ers after the third round, add- cause there was absolutely no hint for early in the day but saw his ing that the eagle was “lucky”. me to see them. People had already said lead narrow to one shot after “I think I need to be more ag- ‘Happy Birthday’ when I came off the bogeying three holes, finishing gressive if I want to win. Let’s green so I thought, okay, it’s going to be the round with 11-under par see what happens,” he said. pretty calm – and it was not. That was 202 total. Myanmar’s nascent golfing very nice. Thank you,” said Lorenzo-Vera, On his heels was Korea’s K.T. scene has gathered steam as who said he wouldn’t be celebrating too Kim, who climbed up the lead- the county emerges from five wildly on Saturday night. erboard with a run of five bird- decades of isolating military “No, I’m going to try to put myself in a ies in 12 holes, closing the day rule. good position for tomorrow. I’m going to one shot away from the top. While golf remains the stay steady, have a Skype with the family ropean Tour. “Today was really good ac- putts on these hard greens. I’m playing Major winner Ernie Els, two-time Major Golfers from 30 diff erent na- preserve of the elite, some of and that’s it.” tually because I’ve been struggling with good and we’ll see what happens at the winner Martin Kaymer, 2010 US Open tions are battling for a share of Myanmar’s best players hail Lorenzo-Vera was already in a good my driver for the past two years and now end.” champion Graeme McDowell, World the $750,000 pot in Myan- from modest backgrounds, mood after a round featuring fi ve birdies I’m fi nding some fairways. I’m hitting the The Commercial Bank Qatar Masters Number 10 Alex Noren and 2016 Ryder mar’s richest tournament at learning the skill as caddies to and two bogeys moved him up to nine- ball really solid so I had plenty of birdie is celebrating its 20th edition this week. Cup rookies Rafa Cabrera Bello, Andy the Pun Hlaing Golf Club. the rich. under as he seeks his fi rst win on the Eu- opportunities and managed to make a few The star-studded fi eld features four-time Sullivan and Chris Wood. Gulf Times Sunday, January 29, 2017 3

SPOTLIGHT Serena’s record-breaking 23 Slam wins

Serena Williams won her 2009 - Australian Open - Di- 23rd Grand Slam title at the nara Safina - 6-0, 6-3 Australian Open on Saturday, 2009 - Wimbledon - Venus surpassing Steff i Graf to set a Williams - 7-6 (7/3), 6-2 new Open-era record. 2010 - Australian Open - Jus- Here is her full list of Grand tine Henin - 6-4, 3-6, 6-2 Serena’s story... Slam final victories: 2010 - Wimbledon - - 6-3, 6-2 Year, tournament, opponent, 2012 - Wimbledon - Agnieszja score Radwanska - 6-1, 5-7, 6-2 1999 - US Open - Martina 2012 - US Open - Victoria Hingis - 6-3, 7-6 (7/4) Azarenka - 6-2, 2-6, 7-5 2002 - French Open - Venus 2013 - French Open - Maria Williams - 7-5, 6-3 Sharapova - 6-4, 6-4 from ghetto girl to 2002 - Wimbledon - Venus 2013 - US Open - Victoria Aza- Williams - 7-6 (7/4), 6-3 renka - 7-5, 6-7 (6/8), 6-1 2002 - US Open - Venus 2014 - US Open - Caroline Williams - 6-4, 6-3 Wozniacki - 6-3, 6-3 2003 - Australian Open - Ve- 2015 - Australian Open - Maria nus Williams - 7-6 (7/4), 3-6, 6-4 Sharapova - 6-3, 7-6 (7/5) 2003 - Wimbledon - Venus 2015 - French Open - Lucie Williams - 4-6, 6-4, 6-2 Safarova - 6-3, 6-7 (2/7), 6-2 Grand Slam queen 2005 - Australian Open - Lind- 2015 - Wimbledon - Garbine say Davenport - 2-6, 6-3, 6-0 Muguruza - 6-4, 6-4 2007 - Australian Open - Maria 2016 - Wimbledon - Angelique ‘This is a story. This is something that I couldn’t write a better ending’ Sharapova - 6-1, 6-2 Kerber 7-5, 6-3 2008 - US Open - Jelena 2017 - Australian Open - Venus Jankovic - 6-4, 7-5 Williams 6-4, 6-4

Peers-Kontinen stun Bryan brother to win doubles title

Finland’s Henri Kontinen (R) and Australia’s .

Australia’s John Peers and his title and a 17th Grand Slam Finnish partner Henri Kon- crown. tinen upset highly decorated For Peers and Kontinen it was Americans Bob and Mike Bry- a first major title, with the an to win the Australian Open Melbourne-born Australian men’s doubles yesterday. fittingly hitting the winner, Seeded four, they came spinning a lob over the head through a tough battle 7-5, 7-5 of the Bryan twins. on Rod Laver Arena to deprive He is the first Australian to win the third-seeded Bryan broth- the title since Todd Wood- ers of a seventh Melbourne bridge in 2001.

INSPIRATION Upbeat Venus ready This handout photo taken and released by Tennis Australia shows Serena Williams of the US posing with the championship trophy in the locker room. to ‘kill it’ aft er loss to AFP Along the way she has been world surely soon be hers. seeing their daughters needed more spe- Melbourne number one for a total of 309 weeks — a But don’t bet against the newly-en- cialist coaching, with Serena already an span of nearly six years — and won major gaged Williams, showing a refreshingly outstanding junior. little sister titles against some of the greats: Hingis, carefree spirit this year, also sealing the She turned professional in 1995, at the erena Williams started play- , , calendar-year Grand Slam which nar- age of just 14. ing tennis on potholed courts in and of course, her sister rowly eluded her in 2015. Two years later, she was in the top 100 one of America’s most notorious Venus. and in January 1998 made her Grand gangland neighbourhoods, but Venus, 14 months older at 36, is her ‘PREPARE FOR THE UNEXPECTED’ Slam debut, reaching the second round againstS the odds she has risen to become greatest rival and she can also take much It’s all a long way from the pitted courts, of the Australian Open — where she was arguably the best player in the sport’s credit for her success, after so many years sometimes missing nets and with gun- beaten by Venus. history. touring and practising together and en- shots audible nearby, of Compton in Los It was to kick off a long rivalry, the big- It hasn’t been an easy journey in a white- couraging each other. Angeles, where Williams practised with gest of either player’s career but also the dominated sport steeped in tradition, but But it’s a lop-sided head-to-head: out Venus from the age of fi ve. friendliest, with no question of dishar- Williams has pursued her goals with a de- of their nine major fi nals, Serena has won The youngest of fi ve daughters was mony even as Serena took control of their termination just as fearsome as the raw seven and her overall win-loss record drilled intensely by her father, former head-to-head fi gures and beat Venus in power with which she plays her shots. against her big sister is 17-11. sharecropper Richard Williams, who was six major fi nals. Strong but also quick, ruthless and In a sign of her dominance, Williams has happy to let schoolchildren hurl insults at And so it was fi tting that when Ser- fi ercely competitive, Williams has been a winning career record against all 14 play- his girls as they played. ena’s crowning glory came, in the same at the top for a generation, since she beat ers she has beaten in major fi nals, including “In order to be successful you must place where her Grand Slam career start- aged 17 in the 1999 US her towering 19-2 against Sharapova. prepare for the unexpected — and I ed 19 years earlier, Venus was the fi rst to Open fi nal. After surpassing Steffi Graf’s record wanted to prepare for that,” he told CNN congratulate her across the net. So often she has been more or less un- of 22 major titles in the post-1968 Open in 2015. “Criticism can bring the best out “This is a story,” Serena said. “This is beatable, and even at the age of 35 she re- era on Saturday, there’s little else for of you.” something that I couldn’t write a better Sisters Serena Williams (L) hugs after winning the mains the favourite whenever she plays, Williams to achieve, barring Margaret Richard and Oracene Williams moved ending. This is a great opportunity for us women’s singles final of the Australian Open. her capacities not noticeably diminished. Court’s all-time record of 24 which will their family to Florida in the early 1990s, to start our new beginning.” Reuters semi-fi nals. Played against a lot Melbourne of players who were in form,” she BOTTOMLINE added. “I feel I played very well this enus Williams was in week, pulled a lot of things out bullish mood after she of my pocket,” she said with a was denied the chance smile. “I got more stuff in my to end her eight-year pocket.” Sania aims for seventh major title Vgrand slam title drought by her Venus’s fi rst grand slam fi nal younger sister Serena at the Aus- appearance in eight years was a IANS We just had to trust we will get a tralian Open yesterday. stunning victory of perseverance Melbourne chance, and we did.” The seven-times grand slam following her struggles to man- Dodig said he was under pres- winner went down 6-4 6-4 on age Sjogren’s syndrome, an au- sure in the match as the going Rod Laver Arena but said she had to-immune disease that causes ania Mirza will be bid- got tough. “To be honest, I feel a proved she had the game to reach fatigue and joint pain. ding for her seventh ma- bit of pressure,” said Dodig. more major fi nals and to return “She’s the toughest player I’ve jor tennis title, and fi rst Dodig said as he is yet to win to the blue courts of Melbourne ever faced,” said Serena, who with Croatian partner a major title in mixed doubles he next year for an 18th tilt at the clinched her seventh Melbourne IvanS Dodig, in the Australian will try harder and will take cue title. Park crown to surpass Steffi Graf Open mixed doubles fi nal where from her partner who has great- “I, God willing, would love to as the most prolifi c grand slam the second seeds take on un- er experience in summit clashes. come back,” she said to cheers title winner of the open era. seeded American Abigail Spears Dodig says he doesn’t have as from the crowd. “There’s no way I would be at and Colombian Juan Sebastian many Grand Slams as her so he At 36 and fi ve months, Venus 23 without her, there’s no way I Cabal here today. will be trying his best in the fi nal. was the oldest woman’s grand would be number one without Sania-Dodig overcame a “We played the fi nal in Paris slam fi nalist since Martina Na- her.” tough one-hour-18-minute and we lost a tough match and vratilova, aged 37, lost the 1994 Venus also paid tribute to her battle in the semi-fi nal against now we’re again in a fi nal and Wimbledon fi nal to Conchita sister, who is set to regain her Aussies and now I don’t have so many Grand Martinez. number one ranking. Sam Groth 6-4, 2-6, (10-5) on Slams like Sania but I have one “Ready to kill it this year. “Your win has always been Friday. Abigail-Cabal defeated in doubles, so I’m here trying to That’s my goal,” she said. my win. All the times I couldn’t of Ukraine and give my all and energy for at least “It’s a great start to the year. be there, couldn’t get there, you Aussie Chris Guiccione 7-6 (1), one more mixed (doubles title),” I’m looking forward to the rest were there,” she said, her eyes 6-2 in the last four stage. File picture of India’s Sania Mirza (R) and Croatia’s . he said. of year. sparkling with emotion as she The Indo-Croatian pair will Dodig, 32, added he is glad to “This is like tournament clutched the runners up trophy,” play their second Grand Slam fi - She has won three mixed dou- Dodig showed impressive com- fazed by the mistakes. strike up a decent partnership number two and it’s already a lot she said. nal, having lost the French Open bles titles, the last being the posure to claim the semi-fi nal. “I was serving ok, just those with Sania. “I’ve really enjoyed of work. I’m looking forward to When asked if the sisters were fi nal to experienced pair of Le- 2014 US Open with Brazilian They were given a run for their couple of double faults. But playing with Sania. We had a tournament number three and the greatest sporting siblings of ander Paes and Martina Hingis . money by Samantha-Groth but that’s how it is. Me and Ivan are good run last year here as well four. It’s going to be awesome.” all time, however, Venus smiled. last year. The 30-year-old Hyderabadi eventually emerged stronger a good team, we stay positive and now being in the fi nal is On the back of her run to a “I don’t think we’re going for It will be Sania’s second Aus- has six major titles in her kitty, from the tie. and fi ght. We support each other great for us. Unfortunately, we 15th grand slam fi nal, Venus will the greatest story in sports. We’re tralian Open mixed doubles fi - three in mixed doubles and three Sania committed two double when the chips are down,” Sania always have to play these super move up the world rankings from just going for some dreams. In nal after winning in 2009 with in women’s doubles. faults at crucial phases of the said after the match on Friday. tie-breaks, but it’s fun if you’re number 17 to 11th tomorrow. the case that we are, what an compatriot . The second seeded Sania- contest. But she remained un- “Our strength is our return. winning,” he said. “I didn’t lose a set until the honour, what an honour.” Gulf Times 4 Sunday, January 29, 2017 TENNIS

PREVIEW Deja vu slam to climax with vintage Roger-Rafa show Federer, Nadal will meet in a grand slam final for the first time in more than five years

Reuters Melbourne

oger Federer (right) and Rafa Nadal (left) take to Rod Laver Arena to reprise one of the great sporting rivalries of the modern age today, a fi tting climax to an Australian Open which has sentR tennis back to the future. After the thirtysomething Williams sisters played their own throwback fi nal yesterday, Federer and Nadal will meet in a grand slam fi nal for the fi rst time in more than fi ve years. Their ninth meeting in a grand slam fi nal is all the sweeter for being so unexpected. Last October, as both men have recalled this week, Federer travelled to Mallorca for the opening of his friend’s new tennis academy. The Swiss was on “one leg” after knee surgery and the Spaniard still hampered by the wrist injury that wrecked his 2016 season. “At that moment, for sure we never thought that we had the chance to be in a fi nal again, and especially in the fi rst of the year,” recalled Nadal. “Both of us I think worked very hard to be where we are. It’s great that we are again in a moment like this.” As Nadal and Federer arrived at Melbourne Park as ninth and 17th seeds, therefore, the fi rst drafts of the obituaries of two great sporting careers were being prepared. They were hurriedly dropped back into the fi les, however, as it became apparent the duo were playing vintage tennis: Federer all fl uidity and peerless shot- making, Nadal at his brutal best from the baseline. The early departures of reigning champion and top seed , the players who had joined Federer and Nadal to make up the “Big Four”, then opened up the path to a grand fi nal reunion. Although it has often felt more like 2007 than 2017 at Melbourne Park this week, even great champions are not immune to the ravages of time.

RECOVERY TIME At 35, Swiss Federer is the oldest men’s grand slam fi - nalist since lost the US Open fi nal in 1974 at the age of 39. Nadal might be fi ve years younger but has been on tour since his late teens and the eff ort required for his attri- tional playing style puts tremendous strain on his body. And while Federer has been able to rest up after his three-hour semi-final victory over on Thursday, Nadal must recuperate as best he can after his epic five-hour victory over on Friday. “That’s what I’m going to try,” the 14-times grand slam champion said. “I did it in 2009. I am seven, eight years older.” That fi ve-set 2009 victory over Federer earned Nad- al his sole Australian Open crown and another would make him the only man in the open era apart from Roy Emerson to have won all four grand slams twice. Federer has four Australian Open titles but just a sin- gle French Open crown, his path to Roland Garros glory more often than not blocked by Nadal. Immediately after his semi-fi nal, as he was fi nally able to ponder meeting his great rival, the 17-times grand slam champion suggested his 11-23 record against Nadal might have been in part due to them meeting on clay so often early in their careers. Afterwards, in his news conference, he was less can- did, noting only that the pace of the Rod Laver Arena this year allowed him to be more aggressive. “Now it’s a diff erent time,” he said. “A lot of time has gone by. I know this court allows me to play a certain game against Rafa that I cannot do on centre court at the French Open.” Nadal has a 6-2 edge over Federer in grand slam fi - nals but few are making a call with any confi dence over who will win today’s contest. “I just know that two of the greatest players of tennis are going to square off on Sunday, and it’s going to be a freakin’ amazing match,” Dimitrov said on Friday. Roger and Rafa, eight Slamming finals and will The pressure was on Federer as top The Swiss took the fight to the match. It was a close contest until of their long rivalry. had 24 hours more to recover. play their ninth Grand Slam final at the seed and a three-time defending cham- Spaniard early, earning 10 break point Federer claimed a decisive break in Nadal won the first set and trailed Fe- Both Nadal proved he was mentally Australian Open today. pion, riding a 47-match grass court win chances over three consecutive Nadal the sixth game of the fifth set to equal derer 3-0 in the second but he fought and physically stronger, punishing Here is how the eight previous finals streak against someone who had strug- service games. Borg’s record of five consecutive back to silence the crowd. a poorly-serving Federer to become unfolded: gled previously on the surface. But the tough Spaniard refused to Wimbledon titles. The third set was interrupted by rain the first man since Goran Ivanisevic in Federer started strongly, breaking buckle and he scrapped to win the with Federer eventually clinching it on 2001 to win a Grand Slam with five-set 2006 FRENCH OPEN. Nadal in the second, fourth and sixth first set. . his third set point 7-5. victories in the semi-finals and final. Nadal 1-6, 6-1, 6-4, 7-6 (7/4) games to take the set 6-0. Although Federer rebounded to win Nadal 6-1, 6-3, 6-0 The fourth set also moved into an in- Playing in his first Roland Garros final, The Spaniard managed to strike back the second set, Nadal’s ability to fight In their 17th career meeting, much evitable tiebreak with Federer rallying . Federer was attempting to become with a break in the first game of the off break point opportunities and his was expected of Federer but it proved to take it to fifth. Nadal 7-5, 7-6 (7/3), 5-7, 6-1 the first player since Rod Laver in 1969 second set but failed to close it out. high-kicking left-handed forehands to be the most one-sided encounter Rain hit the match in the decider and This was Nadal and Federer’s eighth to win four straight Grand Slams while Federer then narrowly took the sec- were the telling factors and too much between the pair. as darkness fell Nadal finally con- and last meeting in a Grand Slam final Nadal, 20, was out to be the youngest ond set in a tiebreak 7-5 but lost the for Federer to handle. Nadal broke Federer’s serve in the first verted his fourth match point in the and having ended Novak Djokovic’s to defend the title since Bjorn Borg. third, also in a tiebreak. game and from there he didn’t look longest Wimbledon final in history, 41-match unbeaten run in the semi- The Swiss master broke twice in the In the tense fourth, Federer took early 2007 WIMBLEDON. back with the Swiss hitting too many lasting four hours, 48 minutes. finals, the Swiss was hoping his form first set to race to a 5-0 lead. control, breaking twice for 4-1 before Federer 7-6 (9/7), 4-6, 7-6 (7/3), 2-6, unforced errors and failing to take his would be enough to dethrone Nadal. But then Nadal began to dominate capturing his 39th career title and 6-2 opportunities. 2009 AUSTRALIAN OPEN. He made a strong start as he raced with his crushing forehand, and Fed- eighth Grand Slam crown. In a repeat of the 2006 final, a never- The third set lasted just 27 minutes Nadal 7-5, 3-6, 7-6 (7/3), 3-6, 6-2 to a 5-2 lead but Nadal then reeled off erer started to struggle. day-die Nadal pushed four-time cham- as Nadal broke serve three times and History was again at stake with Fed- five straight games to take the opener. Nadal did not drop serve again until . pion Federer to five sets for the first hand Federer his first bagel set since erer looking to equal Pete Sampras’ He capitalised on his momentum and he tried to close out the match at 5-4 Nadal 6-3, 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 time in his 34-match winning streak at June 1999. all-time record of 14 Grand Slam titles, kept his composure in the tie-break to in the fourth. The stakes were high with Federer the All England Club. while for Nadal it was a chance to take a commanding two-set lead. He clinched the match soon after in attempting to become just the sixth Federer, who had never lost a match 2008 WIMBLEDON. become Spain’s first Australian Open A resilient Federer delighted the crowd the tiebreak, winning his 14th con- man in history to win all four Grand at Wimbledon after winning the first Nadal 6-4, 6-4, 6-7 (5/7), 6-7 (8/9), 9-7 champion. in a tough third set as he clawed his secutive final. Slam titles and only the third man to set, claimed the crucial first set tie- Federer was looking to clinch his Nadal had beaten Fernando Verbasco way back into the match, but he missed hold all four majors at the same time. break despite Nadal’s gallant eff orts. 13th career Grand Slam title and sixth in five hours and 14 minutes — then break point opportunities on Nadal’s 2006 WIMBLEDON. Nadal was looking to win three con- But Nadal’s blistering passes and straight Wimbledon trophy in one of the Australian Open’s longest-ever opening serve in the fourth and from Federer 6-0, 7-6 (7/5), 6-7 (2/7), 6-3 secutive Roland Garros crowns. serve and volley kept him in the the most eagerly anticipated matches match — in the semis, while Federer there the tide swiftly turned. Gulf Times Sunday, January 29, 2017 5 Scorchers claim Australia’s Big Bash title SPOTLIGHT Indian team’s AFP for nine with 25 balls to spare. can be a tricky target,” Klinger said. tial bowling spell with one for 13 off four Perth It was the Scorchers’ third title in six “We just thought that we’ll come out overs after taking three for three in the BBL seasons in another dominant cam- here and take the game away. Whiteman semi-fi nal win over the Melbourne Stars. fi elding a joy to paign. was unbelievable in the fi rst three-four Johnson said he thoroughly enjoyed ichael Klinger smashed an Englishman Ian Bell was at the overs, but our bowlers set this up for us.” playing in the BBL but had no thoughts unbeaten 71 off 49 balls to with Klinger when the winning runs were Pacemen Jhye Richardson and England of breaking his retirement to play inter- watch: Tendulkar steer the Perth Scorchers to hit and remained 31 not out off 25 balls. import Tim Bresnan set up the crushing national T20 cricket. a crushing nine-wicket win Sam Whiteman gave Justin Langer’s victory with three each in the “Pretty awesome. It brings back old overM the Sydney Sixers in Australia’s Scorchers a fl ying start with 41 off 21 Sixers’ struggling innings. memories. The last two games have been Big Bash League fi nal in Perth balls with fi ve fours and three sixes until Richardson took three for 30 and amazing,” Johnson said. on yesterday. he was by Brad Haddin off Test had a hand in a run-out, while Bresnan “You always think about coming out Klinger hammered five fours and off -spinner Nathan Lyon in the eighth chipped in with three for 40. of retirement. Playing here, I had fun, five sixes in the Scorchers’ 144 for over. Former Australia Test fast bowler but I don’t think I will play international one to easily overhaul the Sixers’ 141 “Some times the risks come off . 140 Mitchell Johnson had another infl uen- cricket again."

ODI Parnell and Tahir Sachin Tendulkar gestures as he speaks at a programme to promote a marathon in Kolkata yesterday.

IANS fi elding well, both mind and Kolkata body need to be sync. “It is one thing to be mentally attacking but the fact that you also make shine in S Africa’s ricket legend Sachin your body to go to that dimen- Tendulkar yesterday sion where your mind goes and said the Indian team that is only possible when you Cwas one of the best are fi t, when you practice. fi elding sides in the world. Talk- “Nothing happens without ing about the importance of fi t- practice. The team has to be ness in sports in today’s world practising hard and also con- and the advanced fi tness regime scious of their fi tness,” he said. win over Sri Lanka that the cricketers follow now, Highlighting the importance the former batting superstar of fi tness in his own life, Ten- Amla made 57 and Faf du Plessis 55 not out as South Africa cruised to victory said the way the present Indian dulkar pointed out the neces- cricket team fi elds, is a “joy to sity of adopting a “diff erent life- AFP SCORECARD watch”. style” for the present generation Port Elizabeth “I think we have possibly one to stay fi t and healthy. Sri Lanka of the best fi elding sides in the “When I was growing up my N. Dickwella lbw b Parnell ...... 1 world. It is a joy to watch all grandma told me, your health ayne Parnell and Imran S. Weerakkody c Amla b Parnell ...... 5 these guys fi elding the way they is your wealth. That is the same Tahir took three wickets K. Mendis lbw b Imran Tahir ...... 62 do. Even when fi elding they are message I want to share with our each to set up a com- D. Chandimal b Imran Tahir ...... 22 extremely aggressive and at- entire nation. Stay healthy and fortable eight-wicket tacking,” Tendulkar said at an adopt a diff erent lifestyle,” the U. Tharanga c Duminy b Imran Tahir .....6 winW for South Africa in the fi rst one- event for the Kolkata Full Mara- record run-scorer, who enjoyed day international at St George’s Park D. de Silva c Du Plessis b Parnell ...... 28 thon. a lengthy international cricket yesterday. A. Gunaratne run out (De Kock) ...... 10 “Our fi tness routine was career from 1989 to 2013. Sri Lanka struggled to 181 all out, N. Kulasekara c De Kock b Rabada ...... 17 slightly diff erent. There was “We sometimes prefer to sit with Kusal Mendis the only batsman J. Vandersay lbw b Morris ...... 8 less awareness. More and more at a place and watch others play. to shine for the tourists, making 62. S. Lakmal b Morris ...... 3 things were discovered with We should all participate. Fit- Left-arm seamer Parnell took L. Sandakan not out ...... 2 time and eventually those things ness is not just from outside it is three for 48 while leg-spinner Tahir Extras (lb5, w12) ...... 17 added more value to the fi tness,” about how you feel from within. showed superb control in a strong Total (48.3 overs) ...... 181 the 43-year-old added. It is not for the looks it is for a westerly wind, taking three for 26. Fall of wickets: 1-1 (Dickwella), 2-14 He also pointed out that for quality lifestyle,” he added. “Today was a little more special for (Weerakkody), 3-86 (Chandimal), 4-99 me,” said man of the match Tahir. “It (Mendis), 5-102 (Tharanga), 6-125 (Gu- is my wedding anniversary and this is naratne), 7-155 (Kulasekera), 8-170 absolutely for my wife. She asked me Mohamed Shami’s father dead (Vandersay), 9-170 (De Silva) to take fi ve wickets and win man of Kanpur: India speedster Mo- family get courage & strength the match. I didn’t take fi ve wickets Bowling: Rabada 10-1-35-1, Parnell hamed Shami’s father Tousif to bear the loss. Rest in Peace, but I am very happy with my per- 10-1-48-3 (5w), Morris 9.3-1-29-2 (3w), Ali passed away on Friday Sir,” Shami wrote on his Face- formance.” Phehlukwayo 7-0-31-0 (1w), Imran Tahir following a heart attack. book account. Hashim Amla made 57 and Faf du 10-0-26-3, Duminy 2-0-7-0 (1w) “Team Shami condoles the Shami is recuperating from Plessis 55 not out as South Africa South Africa death of Mohammed Shami’s a knee injury. His father was cruised to victory with 15.4 overs to Q. de Kock c Weerakkody b Sandakan ....34 father Tousif Ali, who passed hospitalised since January 5, spare. Parnell plunged Sri Lanka H. Amla c and b Gunaratne ...... 57 away after failing to recover after suffering his first heart into early trouble by taking wickets F. du Plessis not out ...... 55 from a heart attack. May the attack. with the fi rst balls of the second and A. de Villiers not out ...... 30 fourth overs after South African cap- Extras (lb2, w2, penalty 5) ...... 9 tain AB de Villiers won the toss and Total (2 wkts, 34.2 overs)...... 185 decided to bowl. APPOINTMENT Although Dinesh Chandimal and Fall of wickets: 1-71 (De Kock), 2-131 Mendis put on 72 for the third wick- (Amla) et, Tahir ripped the heart out of the Bowling: Kulasekera 5-0-20-0, Lakmal middle order, taking three wickets in 6-1-29-0 (1w), De Silva 2-0-9-0, Vander- Law named as new four overs. say 7-0-51-0, Sandakan 8-0-35-1 (1w), Gu- “It was a great bowling perform- naratne 5-0-19-1, Mendis 1.2-0-15-0 ance which put them on the back West Indies coach foot,” said De Villiers. “The new ball bowlers bowled with a lot of intensity well below par, it was still a tricky tar- AFP Essex, Lancashire and Derby- up front, which is exactly what we get on a pitch which was slow, two- St. John’s shire. want from them, and Immy (Tahir) paced and kept really low. He was also a successful cap- was a great impact bowler in the mid- “It was more like Sri Lankan con- tain in Australia’s domestic dle overs again.” ditions and their spinners could have ormer Australian inter- cricket with fi ve fi rst class and De Villiers praised Amla and Quin- caused some problems. But Quinton national Stuart Law was two one day titles. He scored the ton de Kock (34), who put on 71 for and Hash got us off to a great start, yesterday named as the most runs at that level — 27,080 South Africa’s fi rst wicket. which made it easy for Faf and me,” South African spin bowler Imran Tahir celebrates after taking the wicket of Dinesh Chandimal new coach of the West runs in 367 matches. “Although Sri Lanka’s total was said De Villiers, who made 30 not out. IndiesF on a two-year deal. Law was also named one of fi ve (not visible) during their (ODI) match against Sri Lanka yesterday. The 48-year-old will bring Wisden Cricketers of the Year in the experience of being a former 1998. BOTTOMLINE head coach of Sri Lanka and Outgoing director of cricket Bangladesh to the job. at the West Indies Cricket Board “I am excited at the opportu- (WICB), Richard Pybus said: “We nity to contribute to what I think are delighted to welcome Stuart, India eye improved show to avoid T20I series defeat is an interesting time for West he comes at an exciting and criti- Indies. I think this assignment cal time in the development of IANS cricket post surgery. has come at an important time of the West Indies men’s team. England’s Nagpur England pacers did most of the my career,” said Law. “He has great experience and cricketers walk damage at Kanpur. They bowled Law played just one Test for breadth of knowledge as a player back after a just short of length, denying the Australia in his career but fea- and coach and his cross-cultural photo shoot at the ndia will be eager to produce a Jamtha stadium in big-hitting Indian batsmen room tured in 54 one-day internation- experience and winning attitude much improved performance Nagpur yesterday. to free their arms. All the fi ve als while building a solid fi rst- will be key assets in the develop- to avoid a Twenty20 Interna- bowlers used by captain Eoin Mor- class career with Queensland, ment of the team.” tional (T20I) cricket series loss gan claimed wickets. againstI England in the second of England would be confi dent of the three-match rubber here to- their prospects at Nagpur’s VDCA Black Caps out for revenge against Australia day. stadium, having defeated India in India were comprehensively a World Twenty20 Championship AFP, Auckland: New Zealand will Australia’s top priority at the beaten by seven wickets in the match last year when the hosts seek revenge against an under moment is the upcoming tour of fi rst T20I match at Kanpur. Their were captained by Dhoni. They strength Australia in the one-day India, where they have not won famed batting line-up, spear- are likely to name Kanpur’s win- series beginning in Auckland a Test since 2004, and they have headed by skipper Virat Kohli who ning XI. Morgan himself is in good tomorrow after a humiliating rested vice-captain Dave Warner opened the innings, failed to get form, guiding the team to a win at whitewash in the return fixture and batsman for going and could only manage to Kanpur with a crucial 51-run in- last year. the New Zealand series. Captain post 147/7 after being sent in to bat. nings. He also scored a century Australia dominated the Black is also out with an They lost wickets at regular in- (102) in the One-Day series, which Caps 3-0 to hoist the Chappell- ankle injury, forcing wicketkeeper tervals, failing to get any momen- his team lost 1-2. Hadlee Trophy in December and Matthew Wade to don the skip- tum in their innings. Kohli (29), Morgan got able company at coach Mike Hesson said his team per’s armband and leading to recalled veteran Suresh Raina (34) Kanpur in Joe Root (46). They have were keen to make amends on youngster Sam Heazlett’s call-up. and former skipper M.S.Dhoni (36) enough fi repower in their batting home soil. “We only played them a The Black Caps will not miss were the only batsmen to get starts to punish any bowling line-up and short time ago and we weren’t at Warner in particular, who was their but were unable to capitalise. Not exhibited it in the fi rst match. our best. We probably didn’t have chief tormenter in the December only the senior batsmen, newer comfortably with 11 balls to spare, Amit Mishra considered for selec- land earlier in Mumbai. The absence of India’s premier the resources that we’ve got avail- series, amassing 299 runs at 99.66 players like opener K.L. Rahul (8), losing only three wickets. tion. Bhuvneshwar may take the spinners Ravichandran Ashwin able now,” he said. from the three matches. middle-order bat Manish Pandey India are likely to persist with Rising wicketkeeper-batsman place of an expensive Jasprit Bum- and Ravindra Jadeja, both rested “It’s a huge series for us, an excit- Australia, the world’s top ranked (3), all-rounder Hardik Pandya (9) Kohli opening the batting. But Rishab Pant has also a fair chance rah, who was heavily punished for the series by India, has been ing series for us and playing in ODI team, have added Aaron Finch all got dismissed cheaply, squan- they may re-look their team com- of being named in the playing XI, by England batsmen at Kanpur. to their advantage though they front of some big home crowds and Shaun Marsh to the batting to dering the chance to rise to the oc- bination with pacer Bhuvneshwar having impressed with his de- Veteran speedster Ashish Ne- exhibited vulnerability against is going to be really important face New Zealand, who are ranked casion. Kumar, Punjab batsman Mandeep structive batting abilities in a 50- hra wasn’t in rhythm either in his leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal at for us.” fourth. England reached the target Singh and seasoned leg-spinner over practice game against Eng- comeback match to international Kanpur. Gulf Times 6 Sunday, January 29, 2017 SPORT

NBA SPOTLIGHT Heat cruise past besieged Harden making habit Chicago Bulls

AFP Chicago

he Miami Heat breezed to a 100-88 of triple double nights win over Chicago on Friday, capping a drama-fi lled day for the beleaguered Bulls in which stars Dwyane Wade and ‘He played about as good as you can play. Obviously, he pulled us out tonight’ TJimmy Butler were left off the starting lineup. Wade and Butler were benched Friday to start the fi rst quarter as punishment for com- AFP ments criticizing teammates two nights earlier. Los Angeles While the benchings didn’t last past the fi rst quarter the impact was obvious. Butler shot a miserable one-of-13 for three points, with ames Harden became the fi rst Wade making six-of-17 for 15 points. player in history with mul- Butler entered the game 5:07 into the fi rst tiple 50-point triple doubles quarter while Wade came in 28 seconds later. in a season, scoring 51 points Wade and Butler’s earlier remarks prompted inJ the Houston Rockets 123-118 guard Rajon Rondo to fi re back on social media win over the Philadelphia 76ers on with comments that indirectly called out Wade Friday. and Butler. Wade tried to mend some fences Harden has had more than his after Friday’s contest. share of big nights this season. His “Everyone gets an opportunity to express point total was two off his season themselves,” he said. “I said my comments af- and career high of 53, against the ter the game and you deal with them as a team New York Knicks on December 31. and we move on to play basketball. “I can’t Harden said he “just tried to be speak for everyone but I have no hard feelings.” aggressive” and be in “attack mode” The apparent dissension in the locker room all night. carried over into the game. In the second quar- Harden also tallied 13 assists and ter Butler removed himself from the game af- 13 rebounds as he posted his 14th ter he was whistled for a foul. Bulls coach Fred triple double of the season and the Hoiberg did not have a substitute ready, and 18th time he has accumulated over forward Taj Gibson scrambled to come off the 30 points and 10 assists. bench to replace Butler. It might be hard for others to no- “I just didn’t make shots. I am not down on tice when he has an off night, but myself,” Butler said following Friday’s game. “I not Harden. He felt the need to pick am still going to be who I am. Still work, come things up after scoring just 30 points back in this bad baby on Sunday.” in the Rockets’ loss in Boston on The Heat were fuelled by 26 points from Wednesday night. guard Goran Dragic and 19 from backcourt “I had to get back in the gym yes- partner Dion Waiters as Miami added a whole terday and put extra shots up and other level to the woes of the Bulls, who lost get my confi dence up a little bit,” he their second straight at home. said. Wade and Butler were harshly critical of He went 16-of-28 from the fl oor, their teammates after a 119-114 loss to the At- six-of-11 from the arc and 13-of-14 lanta Hawks on Wednesday. from the foul line against the Sixers. “He played about as good as you can play,” coach Mike D’Antoni said. “Obviously, he pulled us out to- Many Clouds dies aft er night.” Thistlecrack upset Sixers coach Brett Brown said his players were hesitant to double- Cheltenham: Many Clouds, the 2015 Grand team Harden and leave the Rockets’ National winner, collapsed and died in the many three-point shooters open. shadow of the winning post after upsetting “You have to pick your poison,” odds-on favourite Thistelcrack in a Gold Cup Brown said. “You say, ‘What sword warm-up at Cheltenham yesterday. are we going to die on?’ And you saw After one of his career-best performances the it. You saw an NBA All-Star. You saw 10-year-old faltered and fell to the ground. a gold medallist. You saw a legiti- Medics were quick to attend but could not mate candidate for MVP.” save trainer Oliver Sherwood’s stable star. Harden notched 17 of his points “So sorry, we were beaten by a better horse in the fi nal 8:19, after 76er rookie on the day, poor old Many Clouds, this is as Joel Embiid scored 11 points in the sad as it can be,” said Colin Tizzard, trainer of opening minutes of the fourth quar- Thistlecrack. ter that helped Philadelphia cut a The tragic outcome turned the mood at 12-point defi cit to fi ve points. Cheltenham from one of surprise celebration Harden also scored 19 points in at Many Cloud’s stirring victory over the ante- the third quarter. post Gold Cup favourite to one of sombre Nene added a season-high 21 reflection at the loss of one of National hunt points for the Rockets, who snapped racing’s most cherished equine sons. a two-game losing streak. Many Clouds perished after a typically foot- Center Embiid, back after miss- Houston Rockets guard James Harden (No 13) dribbles past Philadelphia 76ers forward Ersan Ilyasova during the first quarter at Wells Fargo Center. perfect and gutsy performance. ing the three previous games with a PICTURE: USA TODAY Sports Sent off at 8-1 for the Cotswold Chase he led bruised left knee, topped the Sixers Thistlecrack over the last and got the better with 32 points — one shy of his ca- ing. Pacer guard Jeff Teague made and getting my game back to where Cousins missed a tip at the buzzer RESULTS of his year younger rival, the 4-9 favourite, reer high. two game-clinching free throws it needs to be.” that would have given the Kings a in a no-holds barred battle up the famous Elsewhere, Paul George scored six with less than a second left to play. Indiana improved to 24-22 on the victory. Portland 112 Memphis 109 Cheltenham hill. of his 33 points in overtime, and the season and 3-18 when trailing after The Kings grabbed a 64-55 halft- Houston 123 Philadelphia 118 Many Clouds’ finest hour came at Aintree on Indiana Pacers rallied to defeat the ‘Hard-fought game’ three quarters. CJ Miles added 18 for ime lead helped in part by sinking 11 Washington 112 Atlanta 86 April 15, 2015, when he produced an exhilarat- Sacramento Kings 115-111 at Bank- “That was a hard-fought game,” the Pacers, Jeff Teague had 17 points of 16 shots beyond the arc during the Miami 100 Chicago 88 ing exhibition of jumping to land the world’s ers Life Fieldhouse. George’s basket said George. “We were tired and and eight assists and Myles Turner fi rst two quarters. New Orleans 119 San Antonio 103 most famous steeplechase under jockey with 31 seconds remaining broke a sluggish at times, but we knew we scored 14. George made six free In Toronto, Kyle Lowry scored Toronto 102 Milwaukee 86 Leighton Aspell. 111-111 tie after Sacramento’s Garrett had to battle back. We knew how throws during the fi nal 2:30 to force 32 points and added six assists as NY Knicks 110 Charlotte 107 He returned last year to try to defend his Liv- Temple and Darren Collison each physical the Kings are. overtime tied at 104-104. George Toronto ended a season-high fi ve- Boston 128 Orlando 98 erpool crown but had to settle for 16th behind missed potential game-tying shots “Every possession was tough missed a potential game-winner game losing streak with a 102-86 Cleveland 124 Brooklyn 116 Rule The World. with seven and two seconds remain- down the stretch. I’m feeling good with 0.6 seconds left, and then victory over Milwaukee. Indiana 115 Sacramento 111 (OT)

NFL Why Staff ord doesn’t deserve a huge contract

By Carlos Monarrez downs and three interceptions in In the interest of full disclo- become a very good player. Detroit Free Press double-digit losses. sure, I will tell you that I hap- But that doesn’t mean he de- The Lions backed into the pen to like Staff ord on a personal serves the richest contract in playoff s – thanks to the choking and professional level. He’s not NFL history. I don’t even think atthew Staff ord Washington Redskins – and then aloof, as some players are, and he deserves an extension yet, does not deserve to Staff ord completed 56 percent of he’s usually willing to make unless he’s willing to give the become the NFL’s his passes in a 26-6 thrashing by small talk at his locker. Lions a massive discount. Staf- Mfi rst $25 million- the Seattle Seahawks. He grew up with pitcher Clay- ford turns 29 next month and per-year player. Hey, I’m starting to see what ton Kershaw, and I grew up a has a fi nger injury that everyone According to Bart Scott – a Scott is talking about. Pay that Los Angeles Dodgers fan, so we assumes will heal just fi ne, even CBS analyst, former NFL player man! sometimes chat about him. I was though no one really knows. If and Detroit native – and many Sure, Staff ord was hurt at the pestering Staff ord during the 2016 has taught us anything, it’s others, that’s exactly what the end of the season, so some of baseball season to see whether that nothing is predictable. Detroit Lions should make their his ineptitude is understand- he would go to the World Series Staff ord should play out the star quarterback. able. There tends to be a signifi - in Cleveland if the Dodgers ad- fi nal year of his deal in 2017 and “He’s earned it,” Scott told the cant recency bias when it comes vanced. I secretly was hoping to prove he deserves a huge new Free Press this week. to athlete contracts, which is bum a ride because I can only as- deal with consistently excellent But what exactly has Staf- insane. You shouldn’t judge a sume that Staff ord has a Ferrari play that leads to playoff suc- ford earned? Scott defended player only by what he has done hovercraft. cess. That would take us to 2018, his opinion by saying that Staf- at the end of a season or even Mostly, I think Staff ord has when Staff ord would be an un- ford should be the NFL’s MVP. over one season. been a good professional. He restricted free agent. If he plays He said Staff ord is a leader and, But how does Staff ord’s career has been criticised by fans and hardball and refuses to sign a without him, the Lions wouldn’t shape up? He is 51-58, has made media and hasn’t lashed out nor reasonable deal, the Lions could have won a game. one Pro Bowl, as an alternate become sullen – or even passive use the franchise tag to keep him. The fact is Staff ord hasn’t and has three winning records in aggressive – with reporters. He That would mean Staff ord’s next earned anything near this kind seven nearly full seasons. has done charitable work in De- shot at free agency would come of money. He’s 0-3 in the play- He also has gotten one head troit and has kept out of trouble. in 2019, when he would be 31. off s. When the games mattered coach and staff fi red, one off en- Detroit Lions Matthew Staff ord. He also has improved his foot- At that point, if Staff ord still most down the stretch – the sive coordinator fi red, almost work and mechanics. He has hasn’t led the Lions to consist- fi nal three games of this regu- another head coach fi red, a gen- legacy is muddied. Yes, the guy age quarterbacks, Staff ord prob- Bowl quarterback came dur- shown great toughness in a game ent success and a playoff win, I lar season, when the Lions had eral manager and team president has ability, a bionic arm and a ably would be held to a higher ing the Nixon administration, that demands psychotic levels of seriously doubt that many NFL a chance to start exorcising the fi red, and he was benched in sharp mind. But if the Lions were standard by fans, media and the a dude who can throw the ball it, and he has added some eff ec- general managers would look ghost of Bobby Layne – Staff ord 2015. Pay that man! a franchise that had a history of organisation. hard looks pretty dang good to a tive mobility to his game. He has at Staff ord and say, “Pay that fell fl at. He threw two touch- The truth is that Staff ord’s good or even better-than-aver- When your team’s last Pro lot of people. become a better player. He has man!” Gulf Times Sunday, January 29, 2017 7 SPORT

RUGBY SPOTLIGHT England the team to beat as Lions loom Blitzboks red-hot in over Six Nations

AFP All Blacks in Chicago in No- London vember that also bolstered the Lions’ self-belief. But Joe Schmidt, Ireland’s ngland will look to be- Kiwi coach, has tried to keep Wellington sevens come only the sixth team expectations in check. to win back-to-back “A top-two fi nish would be Grand Slams in what is great,” he said. “It’s hard to say ‘We’ve showed when we get a bit of ball and a bit of time we can do something with it’ nowE the Six Nations when this anything beyond that, because season’s Championship gets un- I think this Six Nations will be derway next weekend. the most competitive I’ll have FP Their opening match against been involved in.” Wellington France at Twickenham on Feb- Wales have a new captain in ruary 4 will see England bid- Alun Wyn Jones, while Scot- ding to extend their 14-match land and Italy promise to be in- outh Africa continued winning streak, with 13 of creasingly diffi cult to beat. to set the pace at the those victories under coach As for France, the last side to Sevens World Series in Eddie Jones since the Austral- win consecutive Grand Slams Wellington yesterday, ian’s appointment following back in 1998, they showed whileS former New Zealand coach a fi rst-round exit at the 2015 enough encouraging signs in Gordon Tietjens’ return to his World Cup. defeats by Australia and New homeland with Samoa fell fl at. Another perfect Six Nations Zealand in November to give England, South Africa, New season would see England sur- their supporters hope. Zealand and tournament sur- pass world champions New prise package Canada all topped Zealand’s record of 18 succes- ‘Bubbling’ their pools with three wins from sive top-tier Test wins. This Six Nations will see three matches to cruise into the New Zealand will also pro- bonus points trialled for the quarter-fi nals. vide a target of a diff erent sort fi rst time and the eff ect of But it was the competition- as it is the destination for the World Rugby’s crackdown leading Blitzboks who caught the British and Irish Lions tour in on high tackling is also set to eye, holding Australia and Japan June, with the combined side be on show. Yet what excites scoreless before demolishing seeking just a second series win Jones most is the quality of Fiji 31-12. They raced to a 17-0 over the All Blacks to follow the teams involved — a far cry lead but Fiji narrowed it to 17-12 their celebrated 1971 triumph. from the gloom that enveloped before South Africans stepped “It’s one of the greatest the northern hemisphere game up a gear and the reigning series things in world rugby, a Lions after a 2015 World Cup in Eng- champions and Olympic gold tour,” said Jones. “It’s some- land where no European side medallists had no answer. thing we’ve got to hold dear. reached the semi-fi nals. “We came out and laid a solid “But the players have got to “Look at the form of the foundation, then really built understand it’s a consequence contestants, it’s very positive, on that,” South Africa captain of playing well for England. bubbling isn’t it?,” said Jones. Philip Snyman said. “Fiji ran us If they play well for England “Ireland turned world rugby close towards the end but luckily they’re going to get selected for upside down; they come in in the guys came through.” the Lions.” good fettle, a well-coached Canada provided the ma- confi dent group of players.” jor upsets of the day, defeating ‘Competitive’ He added: “Scotland have Wales (28-2), Scotland (28-19) With England missing been promising to beat a big and Russia (29-0). Scotland former captain Chris Robshaw side for a long time, they still qualifi ed for the quarters as and powerhouse centre Manu should have beaten Austral- runner-up in their group, as did Tuilagi for the whole of the Six ia in November; Italy under Argentina, Fiji and France. Nations, while nursing injury Conor O’Shea beat South Af- Local interest was on the Pool C doubts over back-rows Billy rica, a fantastic achievement. grudge match between New Zea- Vunipola and James Haskell, as Brendan Venter is on board as land - who have won the Welling- well as wing Anthony Watson, the defence coach, the defence ton tournament for the past three their strength in depth will be will improve measurably. years - and Tietjens’ Samoa. tested. “Wales — Rob Howley has Tietjens coached New Zealand Indeed predictions of a win- got a chance of being head for 22 years, guiding them to 12 ner take-all Grand Slam decid- coach so he’s going to take Sevens World Series titles, four er between England and Ire- them forward. France should Commonwealth gold medals and land could well have fallen fl at have beaten Australia; take the two Sevens World Cup crowns. by the time the teams meet in intercept out and they’d have He announced his departure Dublin in the fi nal round of the beaten New Zealand. after last year’s failure at the Rio Six Nations on March 18. “They’ve got a big physical Olympics, and then accepted a Ireland deserve their billing pack, big back line, two Fijian role with the Pacifi c islanders. as second favourites, however, wingers, big South African However, he was still offi cially after ending New Zealand’s fullback — a big physical team contracted to NZR, which made record-breaking run with a that know how they want to him sit out the opening rounds, stunning maiden win over the play.” making Wellington his fi rst tour- nament in charge of Samoa. Tietjens, who has described his treatment as “hurtful”, said he knew the New Zealanders -who have won the Wellington tournament for the past three years - would be fi red up facing their former boss. He was proved Fiji’s Jasa Veremalua (L) jumps for the ball with South Africa’s Rosko Specman (R) and Seabelo Senatla (C) during the pool match between Fiji correct as they scored in the fi rst and South Africa on day one of the IRB rugby Sevens at Westpac Stadium in Wellington yesterday. (AFP) 90 seconds and went to record a comprehensive 33-7 win. RESULTS “You’ve hardly even touched (the ball) yet, let’s get a bit of Pool A Pool B Pool C Pool D mongrel out there on the park,” a Argentina 17 Kenya 12 Fiji 26 Australia 12 France 21 USA 21 Wales 33 Russia 0 frustrated Tietjens told his play- England 40 PNG 0 South Africa 33 Japan 0 New Zealand 33 Samoa 7 Canada 28 Scotland 19 ers in the half-time huddle. Sa- Kenya 47 PNG 5 Fiji 56 Japan 0 USA 24 Samoa 12 Canada 28 Wales 5 moa also lost their other two pool England 26 Argentina 7 South Africa 28 Australia 0 New Zealand 21 France 14 Scotland 12 Russia 5 matches but Tietjens said he still England 31 Kenya 12 Australia 33 Japan 12 France 28 Samoa 5 Canada 29 Russia 0 believed the raw materials were Argentina 41 PNG 14 South Africa 31 Fiji 12 New Zealand 24 USA 12 Scotland 31 Wales 7 there to build a successful side.

FOCUS NHL’s all-time greats cite Howe as the best

By Mark Herrmann ebrating its 100th year by celebrat- can sports organizations, follow- Newsday ing the top 100 players in its history, ing Major League Baseball, and it a list that was announced last night values its history. It was in keeping as a precursor to a Hollywood- with that tradition that the other ockey’s three greatest liv- fl avored All-Star Game at Staples legends spoke so warmly about ing players opened what Center tomorrow. Howe. “It’s not a bad thing to be is arguably the greatest Jon Hamm, the star of “Mad named in the top 100 behind a guy collection of National Men,” hosted the ceremony (af- like Gordie Howe,” Gretzky said. HockeyH League (NHL) stars ever ter the fi rst 33 all-timers, from the But many fans and experts would assembled by agreeing that none Original Six era, were named earlier say that Orr was the preeminent of them was the greatest who ever in the month). Among the enter- talent for the way he revolutionized played. Bobby Orr, Wayne Gretzky tainers scheduled to appear during hockey as a defenseman who could and Mario Lemieux all said Gordie the weekend is rapper Snoop Dogg. control the game at any moment Howe was in a class by himself. Still, the league is emphasising that on either end of the ice. Gretzky “I think we’re all pretty much in the most brilliant stars in its con- said that when he played with Ace agreement that Gordie was pretty stellation are its players, past and Bailey, a former Orr teammate, he special,” Gretzky said of the man present. drove Bailey crazy asking questions he idolized and who died last June. “We’re like little kids. We’re hav- about Orr. Orr, who played against Howe, said, ing more fun than anybody,” said Orr is now the agent for Connor “Gordie, in my mind, is the best Gretzky, known as The Great One McDavid, who plays for the Oilers, that ever played the game. I’m not for being the league’s all-time lead- the franchise for which Gretzky is sure we’ll ever see another one.” er in goals, assists and points. an executive. McDavid aspires to And Lemieux, sitting with the Among the fi rst players an- catch up with the current consen- other two icons, added, “He could nounced Friday night were 1970s- sus No. 1 player, Sidney Crosby of play any way you wanted out there ... era Rangers Brad Park, Jean Ratelle, the Pittsburgh Penguins, the team He played until he was 51 years old.” Phil Esposito and Marcel Dionne. Lemieux owns. Actually, a case could be made for Among those who followed were It was not lost on Orr that the any of them. “That’s what makes Mike Bossy, Bryan Trottier, Mark greats stay involved. “I think that’s sports great and that’s what makes Messier, Pat LaFontaine, Billy why the game is so great,” he said. hockey wonderful,” said Gretzky, Smith, Mike Gartner and Denis “The players just don’t walk away. whose Babe Ruthian statistics Potvin. They come back and try to make the probably never will be surpassed. The NHL is the second-oldest game even better. I think that says a The point is that the NHL is cel- of the four major North Ameri- lot for our game.” (L-R) Former NHL players Wayne Gretzky, Bobby Orr and Mario Lemieux during the NHL All-Star Weekend in Los Angeles. (AFP) Gulf Times 8 Sunday, January 29, 2017 SPORT

HANDBALL ATHLETICS Bolt returns medal, says ‘rules are rules’ France look to turn AFP The loss of the relay gold Kingston, Jamaica deprives Bolt of one of his “triple triples” — he won gold in the 100m, 200m and the amaican sprint super- 4x100m at Beijing and re- star Usain Bolt in- peated the unprecedented feat sisted the loss of one of in London in 2012 and again in his nine Olympic gold Rio last year. Olympic misery medalsJ because of the doping While conceding that the sanction of relay teammate term “triple-triple” had “a Nesta Carter won’t tarnish his nice ring to it” Bolt said he was legacy. looking forward. “I am disappointed based “What can you do?” he on losing a medal, but it won’t said. “I’ve done all I wanted take away from what I have in the sport, I have really im- done throughout my career, pacted the sport, I’ve really into World gold because I have won my indi- accomplished a lot so for me, I vidual events and that’s the can’t complain,” he added. key thing,” Bolt said while at- He emphasized that his pri- ‘I’m always a little apprehensive before the important games’ tending the opening of a high ority was to avoid distractions school gym in Santa Cruz, in order to train properly in Jamaica. the coming months. Bolt said he had already “This is my last season and handed back the 4x100m re- I want to go out on a winning lay gold from the 2008 Beijing note,” said Bolt, who is head- Games, which the Interna- ing for engagements in Aus- tional Olympic Committee tralia next week said his im- offi cially withdrew from Ja- mediate plans center on “just maica this week because of training” for competition. Carter’s postive drug test. Bolt, who is reportedly “I am not fully happy about willing to contribute to fund- the situation but rules are ing of Carter’s appeal, said he rules,” Bolt said, noting that had not yet spoken to Carter Carter and Jamaica’s athlet- since news of the lost gold ics authorities are planning to medal, but stressed that there appeal the sanction. was “no bad blood” between “We have to sit and see how them. that works out,” he said. “I know it must be very Bolt, Carter, Asafa Powell hard, must be rough on him, I and Michael Frater were on the know how social media can be Jamaican relay squad that was and I know how Jamaica is. So disqualifi ed after Carter tested hopefully there is some love positive for the banned sub- (being shown towards Carter). stance methylhexaneamine in “It’s rough, things hap- a re-test of Beijing samples. pen in life for reasons no one All of them surrendered knows,” he said. “I hope he their medals on Friday. doesn’t take it to heart.”

LeMond, engineer say cheats use secret motors

New York: A Hungarian designer of a secret bicycle motor says he thinks pro cyclists have used them to cheat since 1998 and US cycling legend Greg LeMond says he can’t trust Tour de France results. Both were interviewed by the CBS television news show “60 Minutes” for a segment to be telecast Sunday where designer Norway’s left wing Magnus Jondal celebrates a goal during the 25th IHF Men’s World Handball Championship 2017 semi-final against Croatia at the Accorhotels Arena in Paris on Istvan Varjas, a scientist and former cyclist, outlines mechanical Friday. (AFP) cheating methods in a sport already rocked by infamous dop- ing scandals, notably by disgraced US rider Lance Armstrong. AFP “I’m always a little apprehen- Norway reached the fi nal for Sagosen, his team’s leading “We are devastated, but the Varjas designed a motor to fit inside a bike frame in 1998 and Paris sive before the important games. the fi rst time on Friday with a strategist. most important thing is to an anonymous buyer paid him $2 mn for it and a deal not to In Rio, we collapsed against dramatic 28-25 extra-time vic- Sagosen has hit 40 goals in stay united and try and rest for work on such motors, speak of them or sell them for 10 years. Denmark and I saw a face of the tory over Croatia. eight games at the tournament Saturday (third-placed game He said he thinks the motor was used to cheat in cycling races, rance will look to bury French team that I didn’t know,” “It’s my 10th championship to make him the second-best against Slovenia) because there but Varjas claims it’s not his fault, saying even if he knew for the misery of their Ol- said France right-back Valentin and at last we have achieved our scorer in the tournament. He has is a bronze medal at stake,” certain it would be used for cheating, “If the money is big, why ympic Games heart- Porte. main goal of winning a medal. also played 41 crucial passes to said Croatia’s right-back Luka not?” break when they chase “I thought maybe it could It’s incredible,” said Norway piv- his teammates. Stepancic. Three-time Tour de France winner LeMond wants greater aF sixth world championship ti- happen again. So I’m not as calm ot Bjarte Myrhol. Goalkeeper Torbjorn Bergerud “After we missed the penalty testing for motors by cycling off icials. “This is curable. This is tle against fi rst-time fi nalists as I was before the games in the “We never stopped believ- will also be crucial in today’s fi - in the last minute, we scored two fixable,” LeMond said. “I don’t trust it until they figure out... how Norway today. past. Since that fi nal, our oppo- ing, we were on the attack all the nal. The 22-year-old was named goals. But in the last fi ve minutes to take the motor out. I won’t trust any victories of the Tour de Five months after being nents believe in their chances. time. We always said our time man of the match in Friday’s we just couldn’t fi nd a way to France.” stunned by Denmark in the gold So that’s why I’m going to pre- would come and that this is our semi-fi nal after pulling off a their goal. We had a red card and Varjas displayed his motorized bicycles in a Budapest bike medal match in Rio, the French, pare this fi nal with humility and year. fi ne save from a penalty taken they took advantage.” shop, showing journalists how a secret switch can engage the led by one of the sport’s super- seriousness.” France were world champi- by Croatia’s Zlatko Horvat in the France defeated Slovenia 31- motor or, in more sophisticated models, it engages as a rider’s stars in Nikola Karabatic, have France beat Norway 31-28 in ons on home ground in 2001 and last minute of normal time. 25 on Thursday to reach the fi nal heart rate peaks. One rider was caught with a secret motor last a golden opportunity to seal the the preliminary round but the two of that team - 40-year-old That kept the score at 22-22, and get to within touching dis- year and Jean Pierre Verdy, former French Anti-Doping Agency title. Scandinavians, who failed to Thierry Omeyer and Daniel Nar- sending the tie into two fi ve- tance of a sixth major interna- testing director, is concerned. But that chastening loss to the reach the Olympics, know that cisse, 37, are still in the squad 16 minute periods of extra-time. tional title. “It has been the last three to four years when I was told about Danes means that France, world they have the measure of their years later. Croatia, world champions in The Croatian team were facing the use of the motors,” he said. champions in 1995, 2001, 2009, hosts having defeated them 29- Norway, for their part, boast 2003, led 24-22 in the extra peri- Slovenia, beaten 31-25 by France “There’s a problem. By 2015, everyone was complaining and I 2011 and 2015, will not be under- 24 at the European champion- one of handball’s hottest pros- od but the faster style of Norway in their semi-fi nal, in the bronze said, ‘Something has got to be done.” estimating Norway. ships in Poland in 2016. pects in 21-year-old Sander eventually paid dividends. medal play-off l.

SPOTLIGHT BLUE PHOENIX CLAIM QATAR RUGBY XV’S DOMESTIC LEAGUE Asia Rugby Sevens on March 3 and 4

By Sports Reporter this year featuring 11 national Doha teams. With Qatar hosting the only leg of the 2017 AR Sev- sia Rugby Sevens ens Trophy, the 2018 Asian Trophy, organised Games planned to be hosted by the Qatar Rugby by Indonesia, the 2019 Rug- Federation (QRF) by World Cup and 2020 Ol- andA its partners Aspire, will ympics being held in Japan, take place on March 3 and 4 the World Rugby focus is on in Doha. Asia and Qatar is a major mar- The Asia Rugby Sevens ket within Asia for the growth Trophy is the most popular and development of the and prestigious event organ- sport. ised by the Asia Rugby’s Ex- The Qatar Rugby Federa- ecutive Committee. tion is seeking Level 1 match The Asia Rugby Sevens offi cials and volunteers in Trophy follows the sport both offi cial and non-offi cial programme of World Rugby roles. and its regions which refl ect The National Sevens team the diverse sporting culture preparations will be fi nalised of the continent. soon any player who quali- The Asia Rugby Sevens fi es and wishes to trial with Blue Phoenix players celebrate with the trophy after winning the Qatar Rugby XV’s Domestic League. Blue Phoenix defeated DRFC Second 30–27 to win the title at the Doha Trophy is an annual series of the team should contact Ta- Football Stadium. regional rugby seven’s tour- lal Mujalli on phone number naments run by Asia Rugby 66541199. Gulf Times Sunday, January 29, 2017 9 SPORT

SPOTLIGHT ACTIVITY GALORE Aspire Zone unveils its programme for Qatar International National Sport Day Rally has 30 entries from 12 countries ‘We are delighted to see so many nationalities and several new faces on the entry list File picture of ‘Beat the Champion Contest’ held in 2016. for our round of the FIA Middle East Rally Championship’ By Sports Reporter that are being organised by As- Doha pire Logistics”. He added: “Thanks to our ongo- ing commitment to the local com- spire Zone Founda- munity, AZF enables organisations tion’s (AZF) National and entities of all shapes and sizes Sport Day (NSD) cel- to benefi t from our world-class Aebrations are rapidly venues and capabilities by hosting taking shape as the NSD organ- their own NSD activities in Aspire ising committee at AZF puts the Zone. This in turn off ers all sectors fi nal touches to this year’s pro- of the local community in Qatar gramme of activities. the opportunity to celebrate NSD The activities are being or- in their own way, signifi cantly ganised by AZF and its member increasing the number of partici- organisations: Aspire Academy, pants in AZF’s NSD celebrations Aspetar, and Aspire Logistics year after year”. and will include more than 25 In designing its NSD pro- unique events for all members of gramme of activities, the Foun- the community to enjoy. Moreo- dation focused on activities that ver, AZF will host more than 18 both promote physical activity entities participating in NSD as part of a healthy lifestyle and celebrations. emphasise the importance of ex- As with previous years, 2017’s ercise in daily life. This is in line plans prove that Aspire Zone with AZF’s eff orts to promote Foundation really does off er healthy lifestyles among people something for everyone, no mat- of all ages across the country, ter their age or level of fi tness. helping Qatar realise the Qatar Commenting on the NSD National Vision 2030. preparations, Mohammad Mu- barak al-Kuwari, Chairman of Nordic Walking and Kendo new the NSD Organising Committee in this year’s programme at AZF, said: “Our plans for this Nordic Walking joins the wide year’s National Sport Day are range of activities that visitors progressing well and the teams at have come to expect fromAZF, our member organisations have with teams from the “Exercise is been busily working for some Medicine” programme off ering time now. Together, they have a 2-hour Nordic walking activ- drawn on the collective experi- ity from 10am at Aspetar’s West ence and sporting capabilities Wing. Nordic Walking is low im- to develop another fantastic and pact, delivers total body fi tness, varied programme. What makes increases cardio fi tness, burns our NSD activities unique is that more calories and activates 90% we open our doors to all mem- of the body’s muscles. It is a ‘to- bers of the community so they tal body’ version of walking that can come and benefi t from our can be enjoyed by non-athletes expertise. I would encourage at- as a healthy physical activity. In File picture of Qatar’s Khalid al-Suwaidi will be one of the main challenges to defending champion Nasser al-Attiyah during the 2017 Qatar International Rally. tendees to take part in the many addition to walking, the activity sports science related activities will include fun games and dif- By Sports Reporter from the likes of Qatar’s Khalid al-Su- being organised by Aspire Acad- ferent exercises for stretching, Doha waidi and Kuwait’s Masoud al-Saleh in emy this year, in addition to the balancing and conditioning. their Ford Fiesta R5s. 5000-step walk off ered by ex- In collaboration with the Japa- The battle for supremacy in the Group perts at Aspetar’s “Exercise is nese embassy in Qatar, Football he Qatar Motor and Motorcycle N category will be fascinating and 10 Medicine” programme and a va- Pitch 10 will host Kendo shows, a Federation (QMMF) announced teams will be hoping to gain the upper riety of community fun and en- Japanese martial art that is one of yesterday that an impressive 30 hand on the fi rst of fi ve rounds of this tertaining activities open to all the oldest in the world. competitors from 12 countries year’s shortened championship. Twill take part in the 2017 Qatar Interna- Qatar’s challenge lies in the hands of tional Rally, round one of the FIA Middle defending champion Rashed al-Naimi, PORSCHE GT3 CUP CHALLENGE ME East Rally Championship, taking place Sheikh Suhaim al-Thani, Saif Aal-Naimi, on February 3-4. Nasser Aal-Kuwari, Khalifa Saleh al- The traditional opening round of the Attiyah and Khalid al-Mohannadi, while regional rallying series will be fought out Meshari al-Thafi ri and Salem al-Thafi ri Doha resident Frijns over 12 special stages in a revised two- represent the State of Kuwait. day route laid on by rally offi cials under The international fi eld is completed File picture of Qatar’s Khalifa al-Attiyah. the supervision of QMMF President Ab- by Lebanon’s Henry Kahy, the experi- ends up eleventh dulrahman al-Mannai and Executive Di- enced German lady driver Edith Weiss tionalities and several new faces on the look forward to seeing everyone at Losail rector Sultan al-Muraikhi. and Oman’s Hamid al-Qassimi. Jordan’s entry list for our round of the FIA Middle next week.” Nasser Saleh al-Attiyah and his French Asem Aref is chasing two-wheel drive East Rally Championship,” said Abdul- The event is based within the Losail cir- navigator Matthieu Baumel are the top honours and has entered his Renault Clio rahman al-Mannai. “We have our local cuit, north of Doha, and the facility will seeds and fi rm favourites to retain their at the rear of the fi eld with navigator drivers at the front of the fi eld pushing host administration checks, scrutineering title, but the Skoda Fabia R5 driver faces Musa Djiyerian. for honours and strength in depth in an and media and rally facilities from Tuesday stiff competition at the front of the fi eld “We are delighted to see so many na- international line-up in Group N. We through to Saturday next week.

BOTTOMLINE Former F1 supremo Ecclestone

Charlie Frijns speaking to the press after Race 1 of Round 3.

By Our Correspondent in eleventh after a bold move dismisses rival series rumours on Tom Oliphant in the fi nal lap Dubai Reuters the sport.” people he had dealt with over the went wrong. Frijns will take the London Ecclestone’s business model, years. positives after qualifying in pole as chief executive for outgoing Speaking separately to Reu- reland’s Ryan Cullen has position for Race 2, looking to controlling shareholders CVC ters, Ecclestone indicated he swept to an emphatic victory immediately rectify the unfortu- ormer Formula One chief Capital Partners, was to maxim- would be attending races in his in the opening race of the third nate start to the weekend. executive Bernie Ec- ise the revenues from race host- new, if undefi ned, capacity of round of the Porsche GT3 Cup Speaking after Race 1 Frijns clestone has dismissed ing fees and television contracts. ‘Emeritus Chairman’ and advis- IChallenge Middle East Season 8 said: “I had a really bad start speculation that he Liberty, owned by US cable er to the board and had plenty of and opened up a lead at the front and nearly stalled the car. I have mightF set up a rival series and television magnate John Malone, other business to attend to. of the drivers’ championship. a new clutch, I released it a bit said he would never want to un- have a longer-term vision and Talk of the Briton turning his Behind Cullen, surprise pack- fast, and the car almost stalled, dermine the existing champion- have said they want to grow the attentions to any rival series had age Oman’s Al Faisal al-Zubair giving me a slow start off the ship. sport in the Americas, bring in a appeared highly unlikely from continued his impressive debut line. After that I was in 6th po- In a statement to Reuters on new and younger audience and the outset given his age and in the series with an assured race sition and was just chasing the Friday, breaking a long silence, secure the traditional European undertakings given to the new in second place, the best fi nish pack trying to gain a position at the 86-year-old Briton said he venues. owners. of his young career. Third posi- a time. Tom Oliphant was just in wished to clear up rumours that Carey also wants to cut the Ecclestone said Formula One tion and fi nal step of the podium front of me and every time I tried spread after he was replaced at costs of competing, and intro- would be moving to a new Lon- went to Saudi’s experienced to overtake, he just shut me out. the helm by American Chase duce a fairer distribution of prize don base to accommodate an ex- driver Bandar Alesayi, who like In the last lap I took a chance to Carey on Monday. File picture of former Formula One chief Bernie Ecclestone. money so teams can compete on panded staff and key executives, al-Zubair achieved the highest get past him and again he tried “I have built the champion- a more level playing fi eld. such as legal head Sacha Wood- fi nish of his season. to block me out and we touched ship over the last near 50 years, back into the sport. “This I have done for the dif- Ecclestone has kept out of the ward-Hill, would be working for For Doha-resident Charlie Fri- which led us both to spin out and which is something I am proud “The new owner of the com- ferent shareholders over the last limelight since Monday, avoid- the new management. jns, the fi rst race of 2017 and the retire from the race. It’s a very of, and the last thing I want is to pany will be able to carry out the years and also when I owned 100 ing public comments about his Although surprised to be fi fth out of twelve in the season disappointing situation for me as see it damaged,” he said. administration of the company percent of the company. replacement or the end of his moved aside, after being asked was a day he would prefer to for- before the race I was leading the Ecclestone said he hoped fans in a diff erent way to the way I “I would have loved the luxury 40-year-reign as Formula One last September to stay on for an- get. After a disappointing start championship and today I was appreciated that Formula One’s had, which was to produce fi - of what Chase Carey, the CEO, supremo. other three years, he made clear which saw him slip from third to hoping to build on that. Tomor- new owners Liberty Media, who nancial results for the share- is able to do. I hope the F1 sup- He said, however, that he was he was not ready to retire. sixth position on the opening lap, row we will have to start a fresh completed their takeover on holders, the normal actions of a porters appreciate this as Chase touched by the support and “I’m not the retiring person,” Frijns fought hard for fi fth place and really push hard to secure the Monday, intended to put money chief executive,” he said. intends to put money back into thanks he had received from the he said. but eventually could only come best possible result.” Gulf Times 10 Sunday, January 29, 2017 FOOTBALL

FA CUP Wolves knock out Liverpool, Spurs survive Wycombe scare giants Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester City all made it comfortably through to the last 16

AFP up when Pedro scored at the far post follow- London ing Michy Batshuayi’s defence-splitting pass. Branislav Ivanovic made it 3-0 before Batsh- uayi’s penalty nine minutes from time complet- iverpool were knocked out of the FA Cup ed the scoring. “It was important to go to the by Championship club Wolves yesterday next round and to think about the next game at as Tottenham survived a potential giant- Liverpool — a tough game,” Conte said. killing of their own by twice coming Manchester City won an all-Premier League Lfrom behind in a 4-3 win over fourth-tier Wy- tie against Crystal Palace, last season’s losing combe Wanderers. fi nalists, 3-0 courtesy of goals from Raheem Elsewhere, Premier League giants Chelsea, Sterling, Leroy Sane and Yaya Toure. Arsenal and Manchester City all made it com- England forward Theo Walcott scored a hat- fortably through to the last 16. Seven-times trick against his former club as Arsenal won 5-0 FA Cup winners Liverpool lost 2-1 at home to away to Southampton in yesterday’s late kick- second-tier Wolves as the Merseysiders’ season off , the Gunners untroubled as manager Arsene went from bad to worse. Wenger served the fi rst of a four-game touchline Defeat meant Liverpool, 10 points behind ban for misconduct. Premier League leaders Chelsea — their next First-half goals from Danny Welbeck, who opponents at Anfi eld on Tuesday — had been scored twice, and Walcott put Arsenal 3-0 up knocked out of two cup competitions in four before Walcott completed his treble after the days following their 2-0 aggregate loss to South- break against a Saints side already heading to ampton in Wednesday’s League Cup semi-fi nal. Wembley for next month’s League Cup fi nal Wolves were ahead in under a minute, Rich- against Manchester United. ard Stearman heading in a free-kick and, four In other FA Cup ties, Premier League Burnley minutes before half-time, Andreas Weimann and Middlesbrough triumphed following 2-0 fi nished an excellent counter-attack by the and 1-0 wins over lower league Bristol City and Midlands club. Accrington respectively. Meanwhile non-league But, having rarely threatened, a much- Lincoln stunned Championship leaders Bright- changed Liverpool pulled a goal back when Di- on 3-1 and third-tier Oxford upset second-tier vock Origi scored from close range in the 86th Newcastle 3-0 as Blackburn defeated Blackpool minute following a corner. 2-0 and Huddersfi eld thrashed Rochdale 4-0. That, however, was good as it got for Liver- FA Cup holders United are at home to Wigan pool, who have now won just one of their last today while non-league Sutton face Champion- eight matches in all competitions. “We were ship club Leeds. very bad,” Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp said. “We started badly and it didn’t really get better.” FA CUP RESULTS For Wolves, victory gave them a second Pre- Fourth round mier League scalp in this season’s FA Cup af- Blackburn 2 (Gallagher 9, Bennett 22) Blackpool 0 ter they beat Stoke City in the third round and Burnley 2 (Vokes 45, Defour 68) Bristol City 0 manager Paul Lambert said: “We’ll enjoy the Chelsea 4 (Willian 14, Pedro 21, Ivanovic 69, Batsh- ride. We might get dismantled in the next game uayi 81-pen) Brentford 0 but the last two (FA Cup) games have been un- Crystal Palace 0 Manchester City 3 (Sterling 43, believable.” Sane 71, Toure 90+2) Wycombe threatened an even bigger upset as Lincoln 3 (Power 57-pen, Tomori 62-og, Robinson they surged into a 2-0 lead away to eight-times 85) Brighton 1 (Towell 24) FA Cup winners Spurs thanks to two fi rst-half Liverpool 1 (Origi 86) Wolves 2 (Stearman 1, Wei- goals from captain Paul Hayes only for Son He- mann 41) ung-Min, who scored twice, to grab the winning Middlesbrough 1 (Downing 69) Accrington 0 goal seven minutes into stoppage-time. Oxford 3 (Hemmings 46, Nelson 79, Martinez 87) Hayes fi red Wycombe into a 23rd-minute Newcastle 0 lead, against a Spurs side showing nine changes, Rochdale 0 Huddersfield 4 (Quaner 42, Brown 66- with a fi ne volley. And in the 36th minute, Hayes pen, Hefele 72, 84) made it 2-0 from the penalty spot after Cam- Southampton 0 Arsenal 5 (Welbeck 15, 22, Walcott eron Carter-Vickers’s foul on Sam Wood. Wolverhampton Wanderers’ Richard Stearman (centre) celebrates with teammates after scoring a goal against Liverpool during the English FA Cup 35, 69, 84) But Son scored on the hour and four minutes fourth round match at in Liverpool, north west England, yesterday. (AFP) Tottenham 4 (Son 60, 90+7, Janssen 64-pen, Alli 89) later the north London side were level through Wycombe 3 (Hayes 23, 36-pen, Thompson 83) a Vincent Janssen penalty after he was brought tute, to make it 3-3. relieved Spurs manager Mauricio Pochettino comfortable 4-0 fourth-round win at home to Played Friday: Derby 2 (Bent 21, Bryson 40) Leices- down in the box. Wycombe, however, regained Wycombe were then cruelly denied even a re- said. “They were heroes.” Wycombe boss Gareth fellow west London club Brentford. Wilian gave ter 2 (Bent 8-og, Morgan 86) the lead though Gary Thompson’s 83rd-minute play when South Korea forward Son scored with Ainsworth added: “It was an outstanding eff ort Chelsea a 14th-minute lead with when he lifted Playing today: Fulham v Hull (1230 GMT), Manches- header only, with two minutes of normal time a defl ected shot seconds before the fi nal whistle. from the boys.” a free-kick over the wall and into the top corner. ter United v Wigan (1600 GMT), Millwall v Watford left, for England midfi elder Alli, on as a substi- “Full credit to Wycombe they played very well,” Chelsea kept their double hopes alive with a Minutes later, Antonio Conte’s men were 2-0 (1200 GMT), Sutton v Leeds (1400 GMT)

SPOTLIGHT FOCUS Klopp accepts Liverpool Martial aims for FA Cup boost ‘very bad’ in shock exit with Manchester United AFP last eight matches in all competitions following a AFP Liverpool bright start to the season. Manchester, United Kingdom “We were very bad,” Klopp said. “We started badly and it didn’t really get better. Everyone saw it. iverpool manager Jurgen Klopp accepted his There are not a lot of good things to say about this nthony Martial’s Manchester side had been ‘very bad; after second-tier game. It’s diffi cult to explain.” United future has looked to be Wolverhampton Wanderers knocked them Liverpool have now won just once, against in severe doubt lately, so today’s out of the FA Cup with a 2-1 win at Anfi eld fourth-tier Plymouth in a third-round FA Cup re- FA Cup fourth round tie against Lyesterday. play, in 2017. “If someone asks if this is the lowest WiganA carries extra signifi cance for him. Defeat in this fourth-round tie meant Liverpool, point of my Liverpool time until now, I don’t know,” United boss Jose Mourinho has confi rmed 10 points behind Premier League leaders Chelsea, said Klopp. “But if it is a perfect moment to turn that the France forward will start the match, had been knocked out of two cup competitions in because it is not possible to go lower,” the German having been omitted from the squad for the a matter of four days following their 2-0 aggre- boss added. As for the changes to his side, Klopp last two matches. gate loss to Southampton in the semi-fi nals of the said: “I am responsible for the line-up. I am not al- It will be the fi rst time that Martial has League Cup on Wednesday. lowed to blame a single player.” played since he started the 1-1 Premier Wolves’s Richard Stearman stunned the home Liverpool’s next game is a daunting clash at home League draw against Liverpool on Janu- crowd by putting the visitors 1-0 up inside the fi rst to Chelsea on Tuesday and Klopp said: “It doesn’t ary 15, when he was substituted after 65 minute when he headed in a free-kick. And four make it easier for Chelsea, that game is not decided minutes. Asked directly on Wednesday if minutes before half-time, the Championship club already. It’s up to us and if we play better we have a he thought that Martial had lost his focus, doubled their lead when Andreas Weimann fi nished chance. If we don’t, we don’t have a chance.” Mourinho said no, although he did add that off an excellent counter-attack. For Wolves, victory gave them a second Premier “I think he just didn’t catch with both hands But, having rarely threatened, a much-changed League scalp in this season’s FA Cup after they a big opportunity he had”. Liverpool pulled a goal back when Divock Origi knocked Stoke City out in the third round and man- Mourinho, though, has promised Martial scored from close range with four minutes left fol- ager Paul Lambert said: “We’ll enjoy the ride. We he will keep his place if he performs well lowing a corner. That, however, was good as it got might get dismantled in the next game but the last against a Wigan side who have climbed out for Liverpool, who have now won just one of their two (FA Cup) games have been unbelievable.” of the Championship relegation zone after winning their last two matches. The manag- er will also play Sergio Romero in goal after agreeing to give David de Gea the weekend off , with Joel Pereira named on the bench as back-up, while left-back Luke Shaw will play for the fi rst time since November after United boss Jose Mourinho (right) has confirmed that the France forward Anthony Martial recovering from injury. will start the match, having been omitted from the squad for the last two matches. “Anthony will play on Sunday and if he plays magnifi cently, he will play against serve team manager at Old Traff ord. considerably. He is not the only United con- Hull in the next match — it’s simple,” Mour- “We know the diffi culty to play against nection at Wigan. Midfi elder Ryan Tunni- inho said. United have secured a place in the Championship teams. We played Wigan al- cliff e, on loan from Fulham, is set to feature League Cup fi nal, beating Hull 3-2 on ag- ready in pre-season and now they are with against the club where he started his career. gregate despite losing Thursday’s second leg Warren, who knows us well and will come Joyce is Wigan’s fourth permanent man- 2-1, a result that ended the club’s 17-match with special motivation to play against his ager since Roberto Martinez won the FA Cup unbeaten run. Mourinho was unimpressed old club,” Mourinho said. in 2013; two relegations followed, and they with his side’s display at the KCOM Sta- “I worked at the club with him for a few were only promoted back to the Champion- dium, and has made clear he expects better months but it was enough to know he’s a ship in May. The manager has played down against Wigan today. very nice man, a very passionate football the signifi cance of his Old Traff ord return, His team won 2-0 at Wigan in a pre-sea- man. He took the risk, accepted the chal- saying: “I don’t think this game is about son friendly, although the Championship lenge and left a good situation at this club.” me. It’s obviously a great day out for the club have changed their manager since then. Joyce had a diffi cult start at Wigan, los- fans, and a great opportunity for the players Gary Caldwell was sacked in late October ing seven of his fi rst 10 league matches in to play at an iconic stadium, pitting them- Liverpool’s Daniel Sturridge (right) talks to manager Jurgen Klopp before coming on as a substitute and replaced early the following month by charge, although successive wins over Bur- selves against some of the top players in the during the FA Cup match against Wolverhampton Wanderers yesterday. (Reuters) Warren Joyce, who spent 10 years as the re- ton and Brentford have improved the mood world — and to try to win a game.” Gulf Times Sunday, January 29, 2017 11 FOOTBALL

BUNDESLIGA Benzia condemns Leipzig fi ght back to Lyon to defeat

AFP keep pace with Bayern Paris

assine Benzia punished Hoff enheim were the last undefeated team left in Europe’s top leagues former side Lyon with his fi rst goals of the sea- AFP son to hand Lille a 2-1 Ywin at Parc OL in Ligue 1 yester- Berlin day. Algeria international Ben- zia, who joined Lille from Lyon econd-placed RB Leipzig ended 10-man in 2015, scored for the fi rst time Hoff enheim’s unbeaten run this season in over a year with a defl ected with a 2-1 comeback win in yesterday’s key fi rst-half strike before adding a Bundesliga clash to stay just three points second from the penalty spot. behindS leaders Bayern Munich. Alexandre Lacazette halved Hoff enheim were the last undefeated team left the defi cit with a late spot-kick in Europe’s top leagues but Marcel Sabitzer’s 77th- for Lyon, but Lille clung on amid minute winner dealt the visitors their fi rst loss of a fractious fi nale to snap a four- the season after striker Sandro Wagner’s dismissal. game winless run. They climbed “I was impressed by the way we didn’t lose two spots to 11th while Lyon re- our way after going behind,” said RB coach Ralph main eight points adrift of the Hasenhuettl. “That was a big point against a very Champions League places, a good opponent. We were very clever, very fl exible, second defeat in a fortnight re- in the way we acted.” ducing their already slim title Hoff enheim took the lead at Leipzig’s Red Bull hopes even further. Arena when midfi elder Sebastian Rudy, who will Dutch international Memphis join Bayern next season, started a copybook coun- Depay made his fi rst start for ter-attack from his own box. Hoff enheim moved Lyon following his arrival from the ball quickly until ex-Leicester striker Andrej Manchester United and won Kramaric squared in the Leipzig box to present an early free-kick that Math- midfi elder Nadiem Amiri with a tap-in on 18 min- ieu Valbuena curled against the utes. Leipzig kept their composure and Guinea crossbar. playmaker Naby Keita forced his way into the Hof- The visitors took the lead fenheim area to lay the ball off as Timo Werner though on 38 minutes as Ben- netted his 11th goal this season. zia’s shot from outside the area Hoff enheim were reduced to 10 men for the last brushed off Mapou Yanga- 30 minutes when Wagner was shown a red card for Mbiwa and left Anthony Lopes a clumsy tackle on Leipzig’s Stefan Ilsanker. Leip- wrongfooted in the Lyon goal. Depay drilled just over with a vi- cious dipping eff ort shortly be- POINTS TABLE fore he was replaced by Maxwel Cornet midway through the sec- (played, won, drawn, lost, goals for, goals ond half and neat work from the against, points): RB Leipzig’s Naby Deco Keita (left) and Diego Demme (right) attempt to stop Hoff enheim’s Sandro Wagner from scoring yesterday. (Reuters) substitute appeared to have con- Bayern Munich 18 14 3 1 42 11 45 jured an equaliser. The France RB Leipzig 18 13 3 2 36 16 42 zig grabbed the winner when Keita stepped on the tom side Darmstadt 6-1 at home as Japan striker egation zone with a 2-1 home defeat against Augs- midfi elder then compounded E’cht Frankfurt 18 9 5 4 23 15 32 gas and passed to Austria international Sabitzer Yuya Osako scored twice in the rout. burg, whose Dominik Kohr scored the winner after his misery by conceding a pen- Hoff enheim 18 7 10 1 31 1931 who fi red home from 22 metres out. Ex-Germany midfi elder Torsten Frings, Darm- Halil Altintop equalised following Germany striker alty for bringing down Sebastien B. Dortmund 17 8 6 3 37 20 30 Carlo Ancelotti’s Bayern stayed top with a 2-1 stadt’s new coach, cut a frustrated fi gure as Co- Mario Gomez’s early goal for the Wolves. Corchia, with Benzia tucking Hertha Berlin 17 9 3 5 25 19 30 win at battling Werder Bremen, who put up a logne raced into a 3-0 half-time lead through an Eintracht Frankfurt went third on Friday with a away his second of the contest Cologne 18 7 8 3 27 16 29 fi erce second-half fi ght. Bayern took the lead when own goal by Aytac Sulu, Osako and Anthony Mod- 1-0 win at Schalke with their burly striker Alexan- 10 minutes from time. B Leverkusen 17 7 3 7 26 25 24 Franck Ribery’s pass found Arjen Robben and the este. Darmstadt’s Sidney Sam netted a second-half der Meier, the league’s top scorer in 2014-15, net- Lyon received a lifeline when Freiburg 17 7 2 8 22 29 23 Dutch winger curled his shot inside the post from penalty before Osako, ex-Dortmund midfi elder ting a fi rst-half winner. Adama Soumaoro upended Schalke 04 18 6 3 9 21 20 21 outside the area on 31 minutes. Milos Jojic and Latvia striker Artjoms Rudnevs RESULTS Lacazette in the box to allow the Mainz 05 17 6 3 8 26 30 21 The lead was doubled when David Alaba hit a netted for Cologne. The result leaves Darmstadt Wolfsburg 1 (Gomez 4) Augsburg 2 (Altintop 25, Kohr striker to pull a goal back with Augsburg 18 5 6 7 15 20 21 sweet free-kick which curled inside the post right seven points from safety while Cologne stay sev- 69); Ingolstadt 3 (Gross 14, Suttner 22, Cohen 47-pen) four minutes remaining, and VfL Wolfsburg 18 5 4 9 17 26 19 on the stroke of half-time. But Bremen, who had enth. Ingolstadt remained 16th but boosted their Hamburg 1 (Sakai 63); Werder Bremen 1 (Kruse 53) Lille were fortunate to hang on as M’gladbach 17 4 5 8 15 25 17 last scored against Bayern in April 2014, dug deep survival chances with a 3-1 win over Hamburg, Bayern Munich 2 (Robben 31, Alaba 45+1); Darmstadt Lacazette then fl ashed another Werder Bremen 18 4 4 10 22 38 16 and put up a spirited display at Weser Stadion. who drop to second from bottom. 1 (Sam 66-pen) Cologne 6 (Sulu 32-og, Osako 37, eff ort inches wide of the post a Ingolstadt 04 18 4 3 11 17 29 15 Germany striker Max Kruse pulled a goal back Pascal Gross, Markus Suttner and Almog Co- 72, Modeste 42, Jojic 85, Rudnevs 89); RB Leipzig 2 minute later. Reigning champion Hamburg 18 3 4 11 15 35 13 on 53 minutes and ex-Arsenal winger Serge Gnabry hen, who netted a penalty, scored for Ingolstadt (Werner 38, Sabitzer 77) Hoff enheim 1 (Amiri 18) Paris Saint-Germain welcome Darmstadt 18 2 3 13 12 36 9 caused lots of problems down the right fl ank, but before Hamburg’s Japanese captain Gotoku Sakai Played Friday: Schalke 04 0 Eintracht Frankfurt 1 leaders Monaco to the Parc des Bayern ultimately held on. Cologne battered bot- pulled a goal back. Wolfsburg slid towards the rel- (Meier 33) Princes today.

LA LIGA AFRICA CUP OF NATIONS Atletico outplayed in Burkina Faso fi rst into semi-fi nals

AFP stalemate at Alaves Libreville, Gabon

AFP urkina Faso scored twice in the clos- Madrid ing stages to beat Tunisia 2-0 yester- day and become the fi rst qualifi ers for the Africa Cup of Nations semi- tletico Madrid had goalkeeper Miguel fiB nals. Substitute Aristide Bance scored on 81 Angel Moya to thank for preventing minutes after a controversially awarded free- Theo Hernandez infl icting defeat on his kick with big-screen replays suggesting the parent club as the Champions League hand-ball decision was wrong. fiA nalists clung on for a 0-0 draw at Alaves yester- Prejuce Nakoulma doubled the lead three day. Victor Languardia hit the bar in the fi rst-half minutes later in Libreville with a breakaway as Alaves dominated throughout. goal to clinch a semi-fi nal against Egypt or However, it was Hernandez, on loan from Morocco next Wednesday. Atletico, who had the hosts’ best chance to seal The goalless fi rst half of the quarter-fi nal all three points when his low drive was turned be- produced more yellow cards than clear cut hind Moya two minutes from time. A point moves chances at the Stade de l’Amitie in a hot and Atletico a point ahead of Real Sociedad in fourth, humid Gabonese capital. but Diego Simeone’s men lose further ground on Tunisians , Mohamed the top three with Real Madrid, Sevilla and Barce- Ali Yakoubi and were cau- lona all in action today. tioned by the South African referee, as was And a poor day for Atletico was rounded off by Burkinabe Charles Kabore. Bertrand Traore, muscle injuries suff ered by Jose Maria Gimen- a Chelsea midfi elder on loan to Dutch giants ez and Angel Correa which make them serious Ajax, came closest to scoring for Burkina Faso doubts for Wednesday’s Copa del Rey semi-fi nal, midway through the half. Nakoulma did the fi rst leg at home to Barcelona. spadework by muscling past two Tunisians In a sign of what was to come, Alaves started and Traore turned smartly in a crowded goal- brightly and Moya was called into action as early mouth to fi re just over. as the seventh minute when he saved smartly from Atletico Madrid’s Nicolas Gaitan and Deportivo Burkina Faso had a narrow escape on 34 Ibai Gomez. Languardia was then unfortunate as Alaves’ goalkeeper Fernando Pacheco vie for the minutes when fl icked a Burkina Faso’s Aristide Bance (left) celebrates with teammates after scoring a goal during his towering header came back off the underside ball during the La Liga match yesterday. (Reuters) corner across the goal and Yakoubi just failed the Africa Cup of Nations quarter-final match against Tunisia at the Stade de l’Amitie of the bar and from the rebound Deyverson and to connect. Soon after, Burkinabe Issoufou Sino-Gabonaise in Libreville, Gabon yesterday. (AFP) Manu Garcia got in each other’s way as they com- we deserved given how we played. It was a bad Dayo had the ball in the net after a free-kick, bined to send the rebound over. Gimenez left the game from our point of view and Alaves were bet- but the Tunisians were relieved to see the fl ag utes later when Nakoulma broke clear, raced make it out of their group. fi eld in tears early in the second period after tear- ter than us in every aspect, especially in intensi- raised for a clear off side. past Mathlouthi, who had charged from his Morocco’s north African rivals Egypt have ing a thigh muscle. ty,” Simeone said. “It was not a good performance Having had less possession in the fi rst half, box, and stroked the ball into an empty net. been a diffi cult team to break down under However, Atletico did have one great chance and we have to try and improve so we can do bet- Burkina Faso reversed the trend as the second Hector Cuper and progressed from their to steal the win when Nico Gaitan was left one- ter in our next game (against barcelona).” half unfolded, pushing forward without really RENARD EYES SEMIS SPOT group without conceding a goal. on-one with Fernando Pacheco, but was dispos- Earlier, sixth-placed Villarreal moved to within threatening to score. The fi fth yellow card of WITH MOROCCO Hopes are now beginning to rise back home sessed as he tried to round the ‘keeper 15 minutes two points of Atletico thanks to a 2-0 win over the match went to Burkinabe Yacouba Couli- Herve Renard will be hoping to move a step that the Pharaohs can mark their return to the from time. With Correa also hobbling and Sime- rock bottom Granada to register their fi rst vic- baly, the only local-based footballer in the closer to winning a third Africa Cup of Na- competition after a seven-year absence by one having made all three of his substitutions, tory of 2017. Both goals came from set-pieces as Burkinabe starting line-up. tions crown when he leads Morocco into a winning a record eighth title. Atletico were practically left with 10 men for Alvaro Gonzalez’s knockdown was turned home Most of the 10,015 crowd was backing quarter-fi nal against Egypt in Port-Gentil Egypt’s only win in fi ve previous Cup of the fi nal stages. And Alaves nearly took advan- by captain Bruno Soriano just before half-time. Burkina Faso and they showed great excite- on today. The dashing Frenchman eliminated Nations matches against Morocco came in a tage thanks to an Atletico player as Hernandez And Gonzalez then got his fi rst goal for the club ment when giant striker Bance replaced the Ivory Coast, the side he led to the title in 1986 semi-fi nal on home soil. Ghana will face bombed forward from left-back but chose to shot by stabbing home whilst prone on the ground 17 Cyrille Bayala on 76 minutes. 2015, as Morocco made the knockout phase of DR Congo earlier today in the other quarters. with Deyverson waiting for a cut-back and Moya minutes from time. It proved an inspired substitution by Por- a Cup of Nations for the fi rst time since 2004. Ghana are hopeful of having skipper Asa- stood tall to defl ect the ball wide. RESULTS tuguese coach Paulo Duarte as much-trav- Also the architect of Zambia’s unlikely tri- moah Gyan back fi t from the thigh injury that Simeone’s side have won just one of their last Villarreal 2 (Bruno 42, Alvaro Gonzalez 73) Granada 0 elled Bance broke the deadlock fi ve minutes umph in Gabon in 2012, Renard’s aim now is forced him off in the fi rst half of Wednesday’s four away games in the league in what has been Alaves 0 Atletico Madrid 0 after coming off the bench. Bertrand Traore to become the fi rst coach to win the title three defeat to Egypt. their worst campaign since the Argentine coach Playing today (time in GMT): Real Betis v Barcelona pushed a free-kick just outside the area to the times with three diff erent countries. DR Congo have arguably been the most took charge in December 2011. Atletico are fourth (1100), Espanyol v Sevilla (1515), Athletic Bilbao v Ivory Coast-born striker and he hammered a It would be another triumph against the impressive side in the tournament thus far on 36 points and could drop to fi fth if Real Socie- Sporting Gijon (1730), Real Madrid v Real Sociedad low shot past Tunisia goalkeeper and captain odds, given the number of key players Moroc- and Grant has warned his men, runners-up dad win at leaders Real Madrid today. (1945) . co lost to injury before jetting off to Gabon, in 2015, that their recent record will count for “We leave here with a point which is more than Tomorrow: Las Palmas v Valencia (1945) Burkina Faso doubled the lead three min- but they displayed their fi ghting qualities to nothing.

Sunday, January 29, 2017 GULF TIMES SPORT

QATAR STARS LEAGUE AL KASS INTERNATIONAL CUP PSG cruise past Lekhwiya back on Esperance

By Sports Reporter each of their fi xtures, but a lack Doha of creativity in midfi eld perhaps prevented the striker from ful- fi lling his potential, despite net- aris Saint-Germain en- ting twice in previous games. joyed a straightforward Timothy Weah got the Parisi- top aft er Arabi win 2-0 win against a jaded ans underway in the 19th minute. Esperance De Tunis in A ball between the centre backs Pa match that petered out after released the lethal striker, and an enjoyable fi rst half at the un- his side-footed eff ort was placed It was Lekhwiya’s 14th win of the season while Arabi failed to add to their six victories der-17 Al Kass international Cup, between Montasar Essid’s legs. yesterday. The ball ricocheted off the post By Sports Reporter PSG came into this game with a and was cleared by Mohamed Doha point to prove, following a largely Ammar, but referee Mohammed disappointing tournament. The Al Obaidly decided the ball had French giants have been crowned crossed the line after conferring atar Stars League leaders Le- Al Kass champions in the past, with his assistant. khwiya returned to the top of with some of their youth players It took just ten minutes for the table after picking up three going on to rub shoulders with them to double their lead. This key points with a hard-fought some of world football’s most time no questions were asked 1-0Q win over hosts Al Arabi yesterday. famous names as part of the fi rst as an Eric Ebimbe shot struck A goal towards the end of the fi rst half team set up. the back of the net in convinc- from South Korean midfi elder Nam Tae- After spectacularly disposing ing fashion. Target man Virgiliu hee was enough for Djamel Belmadi’s of Real Madrid in their opening Postolachi held off his defender, side, in a game that saw a number of yel- match, many expected Les Paris- and a clever backheel to Ebimbe low cards. iens to challenge for the trophy. saw the midfi elder through on It was Lekhwiya’s 14th win of the sea- However, their confi dence took goal, with an easy fi nish past that son while Al Arabi – coached by Oswaldo a knock after falling short against keeper Garlssone Innocent found Oliveira only for the second time after underdogs Al Ahli, and they impossible to stop. The only time signing a new contract early this month – came up short against tourna- Esperance looked to threaten, failed to add to their six wins so far. ment outsiders RB Salzburg. it was Gurbouj who, was in the In the third minute, Al Arabi created the Despite having one of the thick of things. His superior pace fi rst chance of note when defender Assie tournament’s most lethal for- and strength got the better of Koua Vivien broke free of his marker and wards at their disposal, Esper- Lucas Bernadou, and a perfect slipped in a great through pass from the ance De Tunis had struggled to into the box picked out left fl ank. Unfortunately no one was on score during their campaign. Top Moataz Ouertani. However, the hand to fi nish off the move for the hosts. scorer Oussama Gurbouj, with midfi elder lost his head under In the 19th minute, Lekhwiya’s As- his aerial ability and impressive pressure and failed to hit the tar- sim Madibo fi red a long-range shot that acceleration, looked menacing in get from point-blank range. dipped on Al Arabi goalkeeper Masoud Zeraei who reached out to his left to block the ball. In the 28th minute, Al Arabi’s Luis Jimenez charged into the Lekhwiya box and chipped in a neat ball for Yusef Ahmed who missed the target from close range. Three minutes later, Al Arabi’s Imoh Ezekiel zipped past his marker Mo- hamed Ali but his low shot was fl icked away by goalkeeper Amine Lecomte what was the best move by the home side. Three minutes from the fi rst-half whistle, Nam Tae Hee got his name on the scoresheet to give his side a lead against the run of play. A dangerous cross came into the box and Arabi keeper Masoud Zeraei punched the ball into the South Korean international which eventually found its way into the back of the net. Arabi tried to fi nd an equaliser in the second half, and came close towards the end of the game when striker Yusef Ahmed had a long distance strike well saved from Amine Lecomte. Lekhwiya eventually held out to reg- ister a narrow win, and maintain their unbeaten start to the league. The victory also means that Lekhwiya returns to the Paris Saint-Germain beat Esperance De Tunis 2-0 at the under-17 Al top of the table. Lekhwiya’s Abdelrahman Mohaed (right) is fouled by Al Arabi's Yousief Ramadan during the QSL. PICTURE: Noushad Thekkayil Kass international Cup in Aspire yesterday.PICTURE: Jayaram

FOCUS SPOTLIGHT Enad screamer does it for Al Waab clinch Qatar Rayyan against Kharaitiyat Amateur League title

By Sports Reporters sion. Six minutes later the Blue Waves found Doha an equaliser through new signing Yous- soupha Mbengue. Slick build up play even- tually ended when Abdurahman Mesaad efending champions Al Rayyan fl icked through an onrushing Mbengue who yesterday struggled to a 1-0 win showed plenty of composure in slotting the over Al Kharaitiyat in the Qatar ball into the bottom right hand corner to Stars League match yesterday. De- level up the scores. spiteD a fi erce fi ght from Kharaitiyat, Rayyan Emboldened by the equaliser Kais Yâak- relied on a spectacular goal from Abdulma- oubi’s side pushed to take the lead and had jeed Enad to post their eleventh win of the plenty of chances to do so as the fi rst half season. Kharaitiyat started the match on the progressed. On the twenty minute mark, front foot. Just three minutes into the fast- Muaither keeper Basil Zedan produced a paced game, Al Kharaitiyat’s Sanzhar Tur- good save to deny a goal bound free-kick sunov curled in a beautifully-taken free kick from Wakrah defender Sultan Al-Brake. but his shot narrowly missed the Al Rayyan Whilst goalscorer Mohammed Med- goalpost. hat put in superb last ditch tackle to deny Eight minutes later, Kharaitiyat’s Mo- Wakrah striker Prince Ibara who was baring hamed Salam opted for a long-range shot down on the Muaither goal. Despite conced- that whizzed past the far Rayyan goalpost, ing possession, Muaither missed a golden adding to the concern of coach Michael chance to head into the break with a 2-1 lead. Laudrup. With the champions struggling, Iraq international Ahmed Yasin knocked in a Rayyan’s Gonzalo Viera showed his frustra- perfect cross to N’Guessan Yessoh, however tion when he clipped hard at Al Kharaitiyat’s the Ivorian pulled his shot well wide, the Tursunov at the half-hour mark. fi rst half ended honours even at 1-1. Al Waab captain is presented the trophy by Hani Balan, Executive Committee Member of the Qatar Foot- The lions eventually registered their fi rst Ten minutes after the restart Muaith- ball Association, after winning the Qatar Amateur League title. chance of note just two minutes from the er took the lead. Courtesy of the head of fi rst-half whistle, veteran striker Sebastian N’Guessan Yessoh Muaither defender Sha- By Sports Reporter year’s edition witnessed the participation of 12 Soria found Koh Myong-jin unmarked on neen Ali fl oated in a cross into the box with Doha teams which include Al Waab, EIS Pearl CFC, Lu- the edge of the Kharaitiyat box. Koh un- Al Rayyan’s Abdulmajeed Enad (centre) the Ivorian attacker timing his run perfectly sail, Doha, Al Kaabaan, Al Quds, Copros, Al Bidda, furled a curling shot that narrowly missed celebrates with teammates after scoring to nod the ball into the back of the net for his Ezdan, Madinat Khalifa, Amwaj, and Al Matar. the Kharaitiyat box with goalkeeper Ahmed against Al Kharaitiyat during a QSL match second goal in as many games for his new l Waab clinched the Qatar Amateur A special prize worth QR5,000 was given to the Soufi ane completely beaten. The fi rst half yesterday. PICTURE: Anas al-Samaraee side. League (QAL) title in its fourth edition for top scorer of the league, Noor El Din Bousar, who ended even at 0-0. Wakrah pushed hard to draw level again, the third time, making them the team that played for the EIS Pearl CFC and scored a total of Rayyan raised the stakes in the second glers Al Wakrah yesterday. but lacked cutting edge in the fi nal third. won it most times since its kick off in 2013 none goals throughout the league. half and Sebistian Soria came close to open- Phillipe Birol’s side where masterful on the The closest they came in the second half to season,A after winning 1-0 again EIS Pearl CFC. Al Waab received a cash prize of QR150,000 and ing the scoring but missed a one on with the counter attack, taking their chances when it fi nding parity was shut down when Stallions The QAL champions were given the trophy by gold medals, while the runner-up team EIS Pearl goalkeeper from a Abdulmajeed Enad cross. mattered. January signing N’Guessan Yes- defender Shaheen Ali cleared the ball off the Hani Balan, Executive Committee Member of the CFC received QR100,000 and silver medals, and In the 54th minute, Enad broke Kharaitiyat soh was the star for the stallions, as his brace line to deny Wakrah striker Prince Ibarra. Qatar Football Association (QFA), at the corona- the third place team Al Quds received 80,000 and hearts when he launched a fi erce drive from ensured that Muaither picked up only their The Blue Waves continued to push players tion ceremony following the fi nal match which bronze medals. 20 yards to beat Soufi ane with his second fourth win of the QSL season. forward, and that proved to be their down- took place in Al Ahli Stadium at 6pm on Friday 27th This year the league kicked off on 25th October goal this season. Kharaitiyat pushed hard to Muaither made a dream start in the rel- fall as Muaither took a 3-1 lead on the 88th January. The presentation ceremony was attended and was played across various venues in Qatar in- fi nd their way back into the game, but Rayy- egation battle taking the lead ten minutes minute. by Fahad Thani, Director of Football Development cluding Doha Stadium, Al Ahli Stadium and QFA’s an held on for the win and to stretch their into the game through right back Moham- Racing away on the counter, Ahmed Ya- at the QFA, Ibrahim Shaheen, Chairman of the QAL Football Development Department pitches. winning streak in the QSL to fi ve games. med Medhat. The Stallions defender was the sin picked out N’Guessan Yessoh who rolled Organising Committee, and Sami al-Shammari, Al Waab fi nished the season with a tally of 29 quickest to react when Bruno Aguiar’s free- the ball into the back of the net to assure his Executive Director for Administration at the Su- points after winning 9 matches and drawing 2. EIS MUAITHER REGISTER IMPRESSIVE kick rebounded the crossbar, thumping the side all three points. The win means that preme Committee for Delivery & Legacy. Pearl CFC came in second with a tally of 25 points 3-1 WIN OVER WAKRAH ball into the back of the net with authority. Muaither now move off the bottom of the Organised by the QFA with support from the after winning 8 matches, drawing 1, and losing 1. Muaither moved off the bottom of the QSL Al Wakrah kicked into life immediately QSL standings, and are replaced by Al Wak- Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy (SC), Third place team Al Quds collected a total of 21 standings with a 3-1 win over fellow strug- after the goal, and began to boss posses- rah. the Strategic Partner of the QAL since 2013, this points.