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Saturday, December 2, 2017 GOLF Rabia I 14, 1439 AH Woods happy GULF TIMES after solid return in Bahamas SPORT Page 6 2018 FIFA WORLD CUP DRAW Spain and Portugal thrown together in 2018 World Cup ‘They are the champions of Europe and have fantastic players’

AFP islav Cherchesov. Moscow Russia face a host of dan- gers in Group A in the shape of Uruguay, led by Barcelona’s he 2010 World Cup Luis Suarez and Paris Saint- winners Spain were Germain’s Edinson Cavani, and placed in the same Egypt, spearheaded by Liver- group as Cristiano Ro- pool striker Mohamed Salah. naldo’sT Portugal at the 2018 France and their potent strike- World Cup in Russia, while force of Antoine Griezmann England will face a talented and teenage sensation Kylian Belgium side. Mbappe will play Australia, Peru Spain’s clash with reigning and Denmark in Group C. European champions Portugal Spain and Portugal’s other in Sochi on June 15 was an ear- opponents in a tough-looking ly highlight thrown up by the Group B are Morocco and Iran. glitzy draw in the Kremlin. Spain coach Julen Lopetegui Neymar’s Brazil must nego- Russian President Vladimir Putin (left), Brazilian legend Pele and said the pairing with Portugal tiate a group including Swit- Argentine legend Diego Maradona (right) pose for pictures. (AFP) leaves little room for error. zerland, Costa Rica and Serbia “Portugal have won an im- as the South Americans seek a England were placed with Kevin focus on.” portant title and, moreover, very sixth title. de Bruyne’s Belgium, surprise Lionel Messi and his Argentina recently. They are the champions Holders Germany meanwhile packages Panama and, in their team which struggled to qualify of Europe and they have fantastic were paired with Mexico, Swe- opening game in Volgograd on will play World Cup debutants players,” Lopetegui told Spanish den and South Korea as Joachim June 18, Tunisia. Iceland as well as a dangerous TV station Cuatro. Loew’s men try to become the England manager Gareth Croatia outfi t and Nigeria. Japan will face a tough task to fi rst nation to retain the title Southgate said his mind went “You know football, you al- fi nish in the top two of Group H since Brazil in 1962. back to playing in the 2-0 ways have a chance,” said Iceland that features Robert Lewand- “I am certainly not scared,” group-stage win over Tunisia coach Heimir Hallgrimsson. “We owski’s Poland, Sadio Mane’s Loew told ZDF television. at the 1998 World Cup. have shown through the years Senegal and Colombia. “Other countries have been “Remembering the Tunisia that if we play well, we can at Russian President Vladimir watching us over the last few game in 1998, it was the fi rst least give them a good game.” Putin said in a speech at the years and they have progressed thing that went through my The tournament that spans 11 draw ceremony that Russia had and they have great players. This mind,” he said. “It was a fantas- cities and 12 stadiums kicks off a “strong aff ection” for football. will be an exciting World Cup.” tic day and it’s nice to be able to when host nation Russia take “Our country is looking for- relive that. on Saudi Arabia on June 14 in ward to the championship and MESSI VS ICELAND “We haven’t done as much Moscow’s Luzhniki Stadium. intends to hold it at the highest In a draw overseen by their preparing on the African teams “We just didn’t want to get level,” Putin said. former striker Gary Lineker, yet so now that’s what we can Spain,” said Russia coach Stan- — More on Page 2

QNB STARS LEAGUE Hamroun penalty seals Sadd’s thrilling win over Khor

By Sports Reporter al-Haydous saw his attempted lob drift of the league. a corner, delivered to Tayebi who was Doha just wide. Al Sadd next play Al Kharaitiyat and on hand to send in a right-footed volley Ten minutes into the second half and it will be Al Khor vs Al Arabi. from close. it was the captain again who showed his With the half drawing to a close, it was ugurtha Hamroun’s dramatic expertise. Xavi stepped up to hit a 20- QATAR SC BEAT KHARAITIYAT Mohy this time who won a penalty for his 87th-minute penalty sealed a yard free-kick up and over the wall to Earlier in the day, hosts Qatar SC won side as he was impeded inside the area. 3-2 victory for Al Sadd at the leave the goalkeeper with no chance. a thrilling encounter against rivals Al Tiberkanine stepped up and deceived Khalifa International Stadium From that moment on, Al Khor really Kharaitiyat. Qatar SC, who now have the keeper by shooting straight down the againstJ a resilient Al Khor in Week 10 of came into life for the fi rst time and im- seven points, went 2-0 up through middle to pull a goal back. the QNB Stars League yesterday. mediately pulled one back through So- Michael Babatunde in the 18th minute They hosts were made to pay one Xavi Hernandez had put Al Sadd in roush. The Iranian midfi elder was able and Mohamed Tayebi in the 20th before more time when Deba came in from front with goals in the 15th and 55th to latch on to a defensive scramble and Rashid Tiberkanine (40th) and Anwar the right, skipped past his marker and minutes, while Al Khor’s Madson and slot home. Deba (53rd) pulled The Thunders level. unleashed a powerful left-footed drive Soroush Hossein scored in the 59th and At this point, it was one-way traf- Substitute Ali Awad sealed victory for into the bottom right corner. 70th respectively. fi c and The Knights got their equaliser the home side in the 69th. As Al Kharaitiyat, who stayed on The game was open from the off set when Naif al-Buraiki rose brilliantly to The fi rst half started in electric fash- nine points, exerted a growing domi- and the advantage was taken by a surg- head home a Soroush corner. ion, with Qatar SC on the attack and nance on the game, they were shocked ing Al Sadd. Some intricate interplay With Al Khor pushing for a win- winning a host of corners. They were when they found themselves behind down the right ended with Hamroun ner, having forced multiple saves from rewarded with a penalty when Goun- again. Ali Jasemi sent in a probing, pulling the ball back to captain Xavi, young goalkeeper Meshaal Barshim, erou Mohy swept the legs of Fahad out-swinging cross that escaped all but who was on hand to sweep home. The Wolves hit back when they won al-Balooshi. Babatunde stepped up to substitute Awad who was on hand to The Wolves, who raised their points a late penalty. Boualem Khoukhi was convert the kick past the keeper and slide in and fi nish at the back post. tally to 24, could have doubled their ad- felled in the area, allowing Hamroun grab his third goal of the campaign. Qatar SC will be at home against Al Al Sadd’s Jugurtha Hamroun (third from left) celebrates with his teammates after vantage not long after following Xavi’s to step up to clinch the game and get Al Soon, Qatar SC got their second goal Gharafa, while Al Kharaitiyat host Al he scored the winning goal off a penalty against Al Khor during their QNB Stars expert lofted through ball, but Hassan Sadd back in contention at the top end following a promising attack that led to Sadd at the Al Khor Stadium in Week 11. League match yesterday. PICTURE: Shemeer Rasheed Gulf Times 2 Saturday, December 2, 2017 FOOTBALL

SPOTLIGHT Doping not a big problem in football: Infantino AFP 50 or 60 matches every year. They are Moscow tested, I don’t know how many times eve- ry year. “If you would have a serious doping is- IFA president Gianni Infantino sue in football this would be known by yetserday sought to distance foot- now, whether in Russia or any other coun- ball from any suspicions of the try of the world.” widespread doping in other sports Russia’s Deputy Prime Minister Vitaly thatF has cast a cloud over World Cup hosts Mutko, who is also in charge of the World Russia. Cup organising committee, has been im- Russia have been stripped of a third of plicated in the doping allegations. the medals they won as hosts of the 2014 That led to a question to Infantino ask- Winter Olympics in Sochi and last week a ing how Mutko could feasibly keep his ban on the country taking part in interna- World Cup position if the IOC decision tional athletics was upheld by the sport’s were to go against Russia. governing body the IAAF. “As far as I and FIFA are concerned, the Next Tuesday, the International Olym- answer is simple, it will have no impact,” pic Committee will meet to decide wheth- said Infantino with Mutko sitting along- er to ban Russia from the 2018 Winter side him. Games in Pyeongchang, South Korea, over “I don’t, and FIFA doesn’t, participate allegations that it ran a state-sponsored in any speculation about any situation.” doping programme for years. Insisting that the sport’s world govern- But Infantino claimed that the level of ing body will come down hard on anyone testing in football is suffi cient to show that found to be in breach of anti-doping rules, the game is largely clean. he added: “So far all the tests we have con- “I don’t think there are many other in- ducted - be it at the World Cup in 2014, at ternational sports organisations who are the Confederation Cup, the Euros, in club doing as many anti-doping tests as foot- competitions - have been negative. ball is doing, with FIFA, UEFA or national “And these tests are not carried out in associations, in and out of competition, Russia. All the tests have been carried out blood, urine, biological passports,” In- outside Russia, by non Russians. fantino said during a press conference in “It will be the case in future too, and if the Kremlin in Moscow ahead of the 2018 it turns out anyone has committed a rule World Cup draw. violation, or doped, then there will be FIFA president Gianni Infantino (left) and Russian president Vladimir Putin speak on stage ahead of the draw for the 2018 FIFA World Cup at the Kremlin Palace in “Professional players in top teams play sanctions.” Moscow yetserday. (AFP)

REACTION COMMENT Portugal clash concerns Lopetegui England’s Southgate level.” AFP Madrid Indeed, Portugal survived without an injured Ronaldo for the vast majority of the pain coach Julen Lo- Euro 2016 fi nal to shock hosts petegui believes an France thanks to an extra-time enticing clash with goal from Eder. European champions However, Portugal have ‘won’t write off ’ rivals Portugal,S led by World Player failed to beat Spain in seven of the Year Cristiano Ronaldo, previous meetings at major The objective is to qualify from the group. You’re never quite sure how many points to start their World Cup cam- tournaments, including as the paign leaves the 2010 champi- Spanish went on to lift their you need for that and there will be ups and downs along the way I’m sure. For me ons with little room for error only World Cup in South Af- in Russia. rica in 2010. personally, to play in a World Cup for my country was an incredible honour’ The Iberian neighbours will “What matters to us is to be favourites to progress from play a great game when the AFP Group B after also being paired time comes and to be capable Moscow with Morocco and Iran in Fri- of beating them,” added Lo- day’s draw in Moscow, but petegui. they face each other fi rst up in “The rest is history.” ngland manager Gareth Sochi on June 15. Lopetegui was at least hap- Southgate refused to get Real Madrid’s Ronaldo is py with Spain’s draw in terms carried away with what just one of a number of Por- of logistics with their expected appeared to be a hugely tugal’s top players who ply base in Krasnodar just a half favourableE draw yesterday for their trade in Spain, but Lo- an hour fl ight away from Sochi his team at the 2018 World Cup petegui was keener to point to before facing Iran in Kazan and in Russia. the overall qualities Portugal Morocco in Kaliningrad. The draw in Moscow saw Eng- showed in claiming their fi rst “Until it is offi cial I can’t land given games against Bel- major trophy at Euro 2016 just say anything, but it is more gium, Panama and Tunisia in 18 months ago. than probable the base will be Group G. “Straight away it isn’t the (Krasnodar),” he added. It meant England, who have time to talk about individuals,” “Knowing the distances not won a major men’s interna- Lopetegui told Spanish TV there could be in Russia, it is tional trophy since lifting the station Cuatro. quite balanced.” 1966 World Cup on home soil, “Portugal have won an im- Iran’s Portuguese coach avoided global giants Argentina, portant title and, moreover, Carlos Queiroz, who also had Brazil and Germany after Ar- very recently. They are the a brief spell in charge at Real gentina great Diego Maradona champions of Europe, they Madrid, was more enthusias- picked them out of Pot 2 at the have fantastic players and we tic as he claimed he couldn’t Kremlin’s State Palace. are talking about the highest have wished for a better draw. England will face Tunisia in their opening game in Volgograd on June 18, a repeat of their fi rst FOCUS game in the 1998 World Cup in France, when goals from Alan Shearer and Paul Scholes se- cured a 2-0 win in Marseille. Japan coach eyes They will then travel to Nizhni Novgorod on June 24 to take on Panama, making their fi rst ap- Colombia ‘revenge’ pearance in a World Cup fi nals, with their concluding group fi x- AFP reaching the knockout stag- ture against well-regarded Bel- Tokyo es, only to exit with barely a gium in Kaliningrad on June 28. whimper as they were torn to With the top two teams in each shreds by Colombia in their pool going through to the second apan coach Vahid Halil- fi nal game. round, Belgium and England will hodzic promised to “I know Senegal well,” said be huge favourites to make it out avenge his side’s hu- Halilhidzic, who led Algeria to of Group G. miliating 4-1 thrash- the last 16 in Brazil. But Southgate, recalling Eng- ingJ by Colombia at the 2014 “It will be important how land’s decades of disappoint- World Cup following Friday’s we cope with players who are ment on the international stage, draw for next summer’s fi nals almost two metres tall,” he was wary of Panama, telling the England’s coach Gareth Southgate (left) speaks with Belgium’s coach Roberto Martinez at the 2018 FIFA World Cup draw at the State Kremlin in Russia. added. BBC: “We’ve been good at writ- Palace in Moscow yesterday. (AFP) The fi rebrand Franco-Bos- “Poland have one of the best ing teams off and then getting nian admitted “it could have strikers in the world in (Robert) beat. We’ve got to be prepared need for that and there will be been worse” after the Blue Lewandowski so we have seven for every game.” ups and downs along the way I’m No fear of England for Tunisia, Panama Samurai were drawn alongside months to determine our goals Former England international sure. For me personally, to play Tunisia coach Nabil Maaloul was Tunisia and England will meet in how important it is for us as the Colombians, Senegal and and to prepare in earnest to Southgate played against Tuni- in a World Cup for my country delighted to be drawn in the their opening game in Volgo- Muslims.” Poland in Group H for their achieve them. I want the play- sia at France 98.“Remembering was an incredible honour. To same group as England for the grad on June 18 - a repeat of the Panama’s first ever match at sixth successive World Cup ers to be ready for Russia.” the Tunisia game in 1998, it was lead my country there as a man- 2018 World Cup, insisting that 1998 World Cup group stage, a World Cup finals will come appearance. Japan reached the knockout the fi rst thing that went through ager is beyond that.” the two teams will fight it out for when England won 2-0 in their against Belgium in Sochi, also “There was the possibility of stages as 2002 tournament my mind,” he said. “It was a fan- England beat Belgium, several second place behind Belgium. first match in Marseille. on June 18. But the matches fi nding ourselves in a more dif- co-hosts under Frenchman tastic day and it’s nice to be able of whose players are now estab- Belgium, England, Tunisia and “Belgium are the team in the against Tunisia and England fi cult group,” Halilhodzic told Philippe Troussier and again at to relive that. lished Premier League perform- Panama were drawn together best form just now but I think we will be particularly evocative Japanese media. the 2010 fi nals in South Africa “We haven’t done as much ers, at the 1990 World Cup in in Group G at ceremony in the can negotiate the match against for their coach Hernan Dario “H is for Halilhodzic,” joked under Takeshi Okada. preparing on the African teams Italy and have never lost to them Kremlin, with the Belgians the England. It is the key game for Gomez. the 65-year-old, pointing to But they have failed to reach yet so now that’s what we can at a major tournament, suff er- top seeds. And that makes them us, and I think if we can get a Asked for his memories of that Japan’s opening game with those heights in recent years focus in on.“There’s a little bit ing only one defeat in 21 matches the clear favourites in the eyes positive result there we have game, he said: “The goal Beck- Colombia as key to his side’s and Japan Football Association of travelling (after the fi rst game) with their European rivals. of Maaloul. “Without contest every chance of qualifying,” ham scored! They were a very progress at the 2018 tourna- chief Kozo Tashima demanded and maybe gives us the opportu- Former England winger Chris they are the favourites in this added Maaloul. Tunisia will be good team, but this team is more ment. “It’s a group where an improvement at the 2018 nity for injuries if we get them to Waddle, who missed a penalty group. Their coach has an em- based just outside Moscow dur- humble than them.” all the teams have their own fi nals. clear up.” in a 1990 World Cup semi-fi nal barrassment of riches,” Maaloul ing the tournament, and their “Panama are very happy with strengths. “We’ve drawn some great Southgate added: “It’s fantas- shoot-out defeat by Germany, said of Roberto Martinez’s team. coach is also happy at avoiding this group. We will come up “The Colombia game will teams but I hope we’re pre- tically exciting to be here for the said Southgate’s men had been “They are clearly favourites from playing until the fifth day of the against big teams, strong teams. be key. Purely by coincidence I pared well enough to com- draw with every other coach. I’m given a “fantastic” draw. what we have seen in recent competition. “That is the most Panama are learning and trying watched a video of them a few pete,” he said. really looking forward to getting “You can’t ask for a better years, with the coach they have, important thing for us. I asked to progress,” he said. days ago. For Japan it will be “Obviously the fi rst game on with it now. draw,” Waddle told the BBC. and then second place I honestly God to avoid putting is in the But asked if he feared any of chance to get revenge for the with Colombia will be impor- “The objective is to qualify “Every team is dangerous. Bel- think will be between England first group because Ramadan their players, he quipped: “The last World Cup.” tant but we have to be proud of from the group. You’re never gium are class on their day but and us.” finishes on June 14-15. You know only dangerous player is Messi!” Japan went into the 2014 our performance on the world quite sure how many points you the rest are very beatable.” fi nals in Brazil with hopes of stage.” Gulf Times Saturday, December 2, 2017 3 FOOTBALL

FOCUS City boss Guardiola regrets Redmond rage AFP What I said is what I said and what you have to attack because you have the Manchester Nathan said in his statement. quality to do that. “I admire him as a player and say “Never in my career, on or off the thank you for his comments, but if the pitch, was I disrespectful about what ep Guardiola has admitted he FA want my statement again I am able they believe they have to do to beat me. regrets his extraordinary post- to explain whatever they want. If they It’s the same as I do to beat them.” match exchange with South- don’t believe me, I don’t know what City’s win over Southampton came ampton’s Nathan Redmond we’re doing here. courtesy of a 96th minute goal from Pthat has brought him to the attention “When I give you an opinion, I give Sterling, the third time in eight days of the disciplinary department of the you an opinion,” former Barcelona and the England striker had scored a late Football Association. Bayern Munich manager Guardiola told decider. The FA have asked Guardiola for his reporters. It followed an 84th minute win- observations after he was pictured in “You can agree or not, but if I’m ex- ner at Huddersfi eld on Sunday and an what looked like an angry exchange plaining what happened and the peo- 88th minute winner in the Champions with the player following Premier ple don’t believe me then let’s cancel League against Feyenoord. Sterling also League leaders Manchester City’s dra- our press conferences and just play the struck twice in added time in August, matic late win against the Saints on games. If they want to listen to me then hitting a winner at Bournemouth and Wednesday. I will do it. It’s not a problem.” an equaliser against Everton in the only Redmond has insisted no off ence was match this season rampant City have taken and confi rmed the City manager’s ‘Never judge’ not won. claims he was merely complimenting Meanwhile the City manager still in- Reports have suggested City are try- the Southampton winger after Raheem sisted he meant no disrespect to South- ing to tie Sterling to a longer-term con- Sterling’s goal deep into stoppage time ampton or their manager Mauricio tract to add to his existing two-and-a- sealed a win that kept Guardiola’s men Pellegrino, his former Barcelona team- half year deal. eight points clear at the top of the table. mate. “It’s not my business,” said Guar- But Guardiola still conceded yester- “I never judge and never will judge diola. “But I think I was clear, we were day he regrets the way he went about the way my opponents play against my clear, when Arsenal wanted him we said talking to an opposition player in pub- team,” Guardiola said. “Everyone wants no, that’s not going to happen, he’s still lic. to win the game, defi nitely. We didn’t young, we hope to make him happy and “Yes,” said Guardiola when asked if win clearly because it’s so complicated he can stay for longer. but it depends on he regretted his actions. “I did it in Mu- when 10 players defend in the box. They the club and him. nich, with my old player (Joshua) Kim- believe that is the best way.” “All the credit goes to him. All the mich, I did the same in Dortmund and He added: “I’ve faced this kind of managers want to help their players be- had regret there after the game and the team a lot in my career and I have to cause if they play bad we’ll be sacked. same now.” think how to beat them. But all the credit is Raheem’s. The Spaniard added: “I cannot con- “I understand completely to attack “We tried to help him, the individual Manchester City’s Spanish manager Pep Guardiola reacts as he talks with Southampton’s English midfielder Nathan Redmond trol myself. Hopefully I will improve. with the set-pieces. I said to Nathan performances, it’s no secret.” following their English Premier League match at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester on Wednesday. (AFP)

EPL PREVIEW Conte focused on Chelsea amid Bjorn Borg inspires speculation of Luiz departure Reuters urday’s Premier League game London against 12th-placed Newcastle Mourinho’s pursuit United. “We are very fast to pass to helsea manager Anto- diff erent situations. But my nio Conte has dismissed focus is only on Chelsea and I speculation linking de- am totally committed to this fender David Luiz with club and my players.” aC move away from Stamford Luiz, who featured in last Bridge and said that the club’s month’s 4-0 Champions of Manchester City main focus was on catching up League victory over Qarabag, with Premier League leaders is set for a spell on the side- ‘I tell my players to just think about the game. It is just the game, it is Arsenal. We Manchester City. lines with the club not putting Luiz was dropped for Chel- a timescale on his return. don’t think about how many points behind we are. It is Arsenal, and that is diff icult sea’s Premier League matches Chelsea are third in the table against Manchester United, with 29 points after nine wins, enough without us being focused on other things. We focus on this’ West Bromwich Albion and two draws and two defeats and Liverpool and missed Wednes- Conte stressed that his team AFP day’s 1-0 win over Swansea had to believe they could close Manchester City with a knee injury. the 11-point gap on City. Conte has put the Brazilian’s “It’s right for the mentality. omission down to tactical deci- In every game we must have anchester United sions but with suggestions of the right desire and will to manager Jose Mour- a breakdown in the pair’s rela- fi ght. In this moment it is very inho has said he is tionship, reports in the Spanish diffi cult. They (City) are get- ready to take the media said that the defender ting good results at the end of MBjorn Borg approach to chasing could quit the club amid inter- the game many times.” down Manchester City. est from Real Madrid. Meanwhile, Conte said he Mourinho’s side are eight “These are speculations in would accept a Football Asso- points behind Pep Guardiola’s this period. We pass from my ciation charge for misconduct Premier League leaders going sacking to the Real Madrid following his dismissal for ar- into this weekend fi xtures. (story),” Conte told a news guing with the referee during City have dropped just two conference ahead today’s Sat- Wednesday’s win over Swansea. points in 14 matches this sea- son, and have developed a recent habit of grinding out late wins. Raheem Sterling’s goal six minutes into stoppage time earned a 2-1 victory over South- ampton on Wednesday, three days after the same player had scored with seven min- utes to spare to beat Hudders- fi eld Town. United have struggled to keep pace, despite winning 10 out of 14 league matches this season, but Mourinho has no intention of conceding defeat in the title race at this stage. Instead, he has taken inspira- Chelsea manager Antonio Conte addresses a press conference tion from the recent Hollywood ahead of their EPL match against Newcastle United. (AFP) movie about the great tennis ri- valry of the late 1970s and early A combination of pictures shows Arsenal’s French manager Arsene Wenger (left) giving a press conference on the eve of the team’s UEFA Champions 1980s between Swedish star League match against Paris PSG on September 12, 2016 at the Parc des Princes stadium in Paris and Manchester United’s Portuguese manager Jose Pardew optimistic aft er West Brom Borg and John McEnroe of the Mourinho attends a press conference at Old Traff ord in Manchester on October 30, 2017, on the eve of their UEFA Champions League Group A match quality assessment United States. against SL Benfica. (AFP) Borg and McEnroe met 14 New West Bromwich Albion boss Alan Pardew is convinced the times in tour matches between about the game. It is just the sea manager Mourinho has failed The United manager, mean- Tottenham yielding just three quality in their squad will help him move the struggling team 1978 and 1981, winning seven game, it is Arsenal. We don’t to win any of his seven away while, could be without Nemanja points and one goal. up the table, although he says it will take time for the players to each, with their contest in the think about how many points Premier League matches Matic for the match at Arsenal, That run includes a 2-0 defeat adapt to his style of play. 1980 Wimbledon fi nal, which behind we are. It is Arsenal, and against the rest of last season’s after the midfi elder asked to be at Arsenal last season as Wenger Pardew replaced Tony Pulis as manager of 17th-placed West Borg eventually won in fi ve sets, that is diffi cult enough without fi nal top six – Chelsea, Totten- substituted in the second half of recorded his fi rst competitive Brom on Wednesday, a first return to management since he was considered by many experts to us being focused on other things. ham, Manchester City, Liverpool Tuesday’s 4-2 win at Watford with victory over Mourinho at the sacked by Crystal Palace midway through last season. His first be one of the greatest clashes in We focus on this.” and Arsenal. a muscle injury. 16th attempt. game in charge is at home against bottom-of-the-table Palace, a tennis history. The often outspoken Por- However, he has rejected “Matic is a doubt,” said Mour- The pair have shared a tumul- club the 56-year-old says is still “close to his heart”. tuguese manager Mourinho’s claims that he is too conserva- inho, who is also without the in- tuous relationship over the years “It was freezing out on the training ground but it was great to ‘Game at a time’ comments, perhaps surprisingly, tive with his tactics in big away jured Eric Bailly, Marouane Fel- but Wenger does not believe be back out there,” Pardew told a news conference yesterday. Mourinho believes the mes- suggested he sympathised more matches. “It depends what you laini and Phil Jones. Mourinho, renowned for his de- “There’s a real honesty about the group I have and they feel as sages in the fi lm can help him with the low-key personality of think about risk,” he said. “Let’s see the feeling before fensive tactics in such matches, though they can play better. I believe they can too. “Looking and his players prepare for their Borg, a fi ve-time Wimbledon “I think in the beginning of the match, let’s see the warm up, will only be eyeing a clean sheet at the squad, I have got some real quality players here. There league match away to Arsenal at champion, than the demonstra- football, the guy who decides I hope he can (play).” in north London this weekend. should be some signs of my style of play on Saturday. It won’t be the Emirates Stadium today. tive and controversial McEnroe, to say defenders, attackers, this Arsenal boss Wenger is not Asked whether he expected completely nailed down of course. I’ve had two days on the train- “I play a game at a time and a winner of seven Grand Slam guy was bad. Everybody has to expecting Mourinho to set his Mourinho to park the bus with ing pitch. Hopefully we can get a win.” that is the way to do it,” Mour- singles titles. defend and attack, especially in team up defensively despite his a defensive outlook, Wenger re- West Brom have not won in the league since August 19 and are inho told reporters yesterday. Mourinho was asked if he modern football, so for me you reputation for “parking the bus” plied: “No, I don’t expect any- two points above the relegation zone, but Pardew said victory “Yesterday I was watching an was more like McEnroe, and can say what you want. in big matches. thing special. over Palace, who are showing signs of life under Roy Hodgson interesting movie, Borg v McEn- that Arsenal counterpart Arsene “My goalkeeper needs to know But Mourinho has yet to win “I just expect us to be ready with five points in their last three games, could ignite his team’s roe. Wenger the equivalent of Borg. what to do when his team has the an away game against a fel- to recover now. Man United is a season. “I had a long history with Palace, both as a player and a “Borg’s coach was telling him But Mourinho responded: “I love ball, how to attack, and my strik- low “big six” side since tak- strong team and I expect us just manager. And most of the players in their dressing room, I either that all the time: ‘One point at a tennis. I don’t play tennis.” er needs to know how to defend ing charge at Old Traff ord, with to cope with the problems they brought them to the football club or gave them new contracts,” time; think about just one point’. Since taking over at Old Traf- and what to do, this is simple, for seven games at Chelsea, Arsenal, will give us. They will attack as Pardew added. “I tell my players to just think ford in May 2016, former Chel- me is simple.” Manchester City, Liverpool and well. They will not only defend.” Gulf Times 4 Saturday, December 2, 2017 FOOTBALL

QNB STARS LEAGUE Duhail coach Belmadi wary of Markhiya By Sports Reporter match to be like that. a diffi cult match. Al Duhail are against Al Ahli. Doha “Al Markhiya are a side with right on top of the table and “I don’t think there was any- good fi ghting spirit. They’ve we’re 11th and are also the pro- thing wrong with our tactics and had many negative results, but moted side. They’ve players of strategy. It was a totally diff er- nbeaten Al Du- you can’t write them off . We’re high calibre, such as the league’s ent approach by our players. We hail should face no trying to give opportunities to top scorer Youssef El Arabi and created more opportunities, but problems seeing off youngsters as and when we get a Youssef Msakni. And they’re made many mistakes. I had al- Markhiya in their QNB chance.” simply the best side around. ways feared it. UStars League match today. Al Duhail’s card has been “But in football, upsets hap- “There’s no room for compla- Djamel Belmadi’s men are on slightly blotted by lone draw in pen. We will be happy even with cency against Al Ahli. There’re 25 points from nine matches and nine matches but Belmadi said a draw. three teams — Al Duhail, Al a win for them today is almost there’s still plenty of football to “We go into all games with Rayyan and Al Sadd — in the top guaranteed although the coach be played in the league. a mentality to win. Honestly draw and nine in the bottom row. himself appeared a bit wary. “The title race is still hot speaking, our target for this We want to be in the top bracket. “Never will we take this match as Al Sadd can anytime storm match is a draw. Our biggest I believe even in the matches lightly inspite of the fact that Al their way to the top even though problem is missing chances. which we lost, we were the bet- Markhiya are second last in the they’re four points behind us at We’ve created many opportuni- ter side. The only thing was that table. We’ll take this game just the moment. The team that as- ties only to fumble in front of the we failed to deliver. like we played against Al Sadd in pires to win a league competition goal,” said Adam. Al Ahli coach Joaquin Capar- the previous week. These three has to be very strong and must Al Sailiya coach Sami Trabelsi, ros was also ruing his team’s loss points are also very important stay focused. I would rather pre- meanwhile, lashed out his play- to Al Kharaitiyat last week. for us,” Belmadi said at his pre- fer to win the championship by ers for their defeat to Al Khor “It’s an important game. es- match press conference. a single-point diff erence than last week. pecially since we slipped from “I respect all teams and Al achieving it by a 20-point mar- “The mentality of the play- sixth to eighth place in the Markhiya are no diff erent. We’ve gin,” said Belmadi. ers has to be blamed for our de- standings following our loss to to play with utmost concentra- Al Markhiya coach Yousef feat to Al Khor in the last match. Al Kharaitiyat in the last round. tion and determination. Every- Adam, meanwhile, said his side They showed complacency and We lost three valuable points in one knows that we had stumbled will be well motivated against didn’t concentrate, and applied the process. I’m not at all happy against Al Gharafa, playing out Duhail. themselves on the pitch,” said with that result. We could’ve a draw, and we don’t want this “Obviously, it’s going to be Trablesi, ahead of their match fared better,” he said. Duhail coach Djamel Belmadi (right) addresses the media ahead of their QNB Stars League match against Markhiya.

SPOTLIGHT LA LIGA Bale out of Real trip to Bilbao, Ramos Penalty disputes returns with mask

Reuters this, that this is a tough time Barcelona for him but he’ll come out of it, and we’ll keep supporting him until he is better.” eal Madrid forward Bale played a pivotal role add spice to Celtic, Gareth Bale has been in Real’s Champions League ruled out of today’s wins in 2014 and 2016 as well La Liga game at Ath- as winning the King’s Cup fi - leticR Bilbao, coach Zinedine nal against Barcelona in 2014 Zidane said yesterday, after with a remarkable sprint down the Wales international picked the touchline and fi nish. up yet another injury on his However, he missed most of return to action on Tuesday last season’s Liga and Cham- Motherwell clash after 63 days out. pions League double win with The French coach also added a series of injuries. ‘It wasn’t a penalty. I’ve seen it back. I’ve planted my leg and he’s ran into me and flopped over’ that captain Sergio Ramos will “We can’t forget what he play wearing a protective mask has done for the team. When after breaking his nose in the he is fi t he is phenomenal, so Madrid derby a fortnight ago. we need to be patient with Bale came on in the 62nd him,” Zidane added. minute of the King’s Cup last- Real are fourth in the league 32 second leg match against standings but cut the defi cit Fuenlabrada and had an im- with leaders Barcelona to eight mediate impact, setting up points last week and face an two goals for teammate Borja Athletic side in crisis. Mayoral in a 2-2 draw, with The Basque side, the only Real progressing 4-2 on ag- team along with Barca and gregate. Real to have never been rel- Any hopes that this would egated from the top fl ight, are be the start of a comeback two places above the relega- from Bale were quickly dashed tion zone. They are also reel- the following day, however, ing from a humiliating King’s with reports he had been ruled Cup exit to Formentera on out of the game with Athletic Wednesday which lead to their with another calf injury. usually loyal fans booing the “It’s not much, just discom- team off the pitch. fort, but as he’s been out for so “The atmosphere won’t long it’s diffi cult, I hope it’s benefi t us, their fans will sup- just a physical problem and is port their team as they always only discomfort,” Zidane told do and even more so when a news conference yesterday. they host Real Madrid,” added “He needs to be with the Zidane. team, train with the team and “It’s going to be a diffi cult feel like another member of game, we’re going to have to the squad. We keep telling him fi ght.

MLS CUP Seattle beat Houston 3-0 to enter fi nal

Reuters season tie and extended their Miami unbeaten home streak to 15 games. Seattle’s last home loss came at the hands of Toronto he Seattle Sounders FC on May 1 but they will need eased to a 3-0 victory to travel to Canada for the fi nal over the Houston Dy- due to their opponent’s supe- namo in the second leg rior regular-season record. ofT their Major League Soccer Victor Rodriguez opened the Western Conference Cham- scoring for the Sounders at the pionship yesterday to set up mid-point of the fi rst half when a rematch of last year’s MLS he lifted a deft chip over Hou- Cup fi nal against Toronto FC. ston keeper Joe Willis and Clint The defending champions Dempsey doubled the lead in will travel to Toronto for the the 57th minute, tapping in a Celtic’s Kieran Tierney vying for the ball with Motherwell’s Carl McHugh during their Scottish League Cup final. (Reuters) Dec. 9 fi nal after dispatch- low cross from Joevin Jones. ing Houston 5-0 on aggre- Will Bruin completed the AFP gave them the lead late on. Rose. “Clearly he has played “Again, their keeper made a The Gers, with interim man- gate, cruising to victory over a rout with another chip past Glasgow However, with the Hoops’ for it. He’s gone down, it’s re- great save, we should have fi n- ager Graeme Murty in charge, weakened Dynamo side, who an out-rushing Willis in the 65-match unbeaten run seem- ally soft, and it’s happened to us ished it, the ball rebounds out, ended a run of two succes- were reduced to 10 men after 73rd minute to send the 45,298 ingly set to come to an end, the twice in a week now. When the the player makes an attempt sive defeats as they claimed a 66 minutes and missing ailing green-clad Seattle fans into eltic and Motherwell are Glasgow giants were awarded referee blew his whistle I was to get the ball, Callum steps in 3-0 victory over the Dons on marksman Romell Quioto. a frenzy on a cool and clear preparing to lock horns another contentious spot-kick shocked. I really was.” front, gets his body there and he Wednesday. The Ibrox club could “It’s a tremendous oppor- evening. for the third time in less two minutes from time after However, Celtic manager knocks him over. now leapfrog Aberdeen into sec- tunity,” Sounders goalkeeper Houston’s main threat came than a week today in a Callum McGregor went down in Brendan Rodgers was quick to “And if you look at the ref- ond if they can claim victory in Stefan Frei told reporters of from Tomas Martinez, who potentiallyC powder-keg encoun- the box under a challenge from dismiss the protests and defend- eree’s decision, he is in the per- the reverse fi xture on Sunday. the chance to repeat as cham- had two smart shots saved by ter following two controversial Andy Rose. ed his players by insisting both fect position to give it so yes, pions against top-seeded Frei late in the fi rst half before penalty calls that went the way And it was Sinclair, subject to penalty decisions were correct. I thought it was a penalty. Of Fixtures (1500 GMT unless Toronto. he was dismissed after the of the Scottish champions. abuse from the home support for his And the former Liverpool boss course when you are the opposi- otherwise stated) “We’re going to give it our break for shoving Jordy Delem A disputed penalty earned part in Sunday’s spot-kick, who ex- stoked the tensions between the tion, you probably think it’s not.” Today best shot to take advantage of on the back of the head while by Scott Sinclair in Celtic’s 2-0 pertly dispatched his penalty to earn clubs by saying the Fir Park side Rodgers’ side could open up a Celtic v Motherwell it.” the Seattle midfi elder was ly- win over Motherwell in Sunday’s his side a draw – much to the anger seem to be furious about every seven-point lead at the top of the Hearts v Hamilton The second-seeded Sound- ing on the ground. League Cup fi nal ratched up ten- of the home side. decision given against them. Scottish Premiership with vic- Partick Thistle v Hibernian ers were barely pushed by The pair had made initial sions for Wednesday’s reunion “It wasn’t a penalty. I’ve seen “They have been angry with tory against Motherwell on Sat- Ross County v Dundee the fourth-seeded Dynamo contact while jumping for at Fir Park, where the Steelmen it back. I’ve planted my leg and a lot since Sunday, they seem to urday, 24 hours before second- St Johnstone v Kilmarnock as Seattle managed to avoid a high ball and the red card looked on course for revenge he’s ran into me and fl opped be angry with everything,” the place Aberdeen host Rangers at Tomorrow conceding a goal for an MLS- came after a video review of when Mikael Lustig’s own goal over,” said Motherwell defender Northern Irishman said. Pittodrie. Aberdeen v Rangers (1230) record sixth straight post- the incident by the referee. Gulf Times Saturday, December 2, 2017 5 SPORT

NBA NFL James leads Cavs Cowboys romp past to victory, Irving Redskins sparks Celtics The Cavs’ 10th straight win saw them improve to 15-7 in the Eastern Conference

LeBron James (23) of the Cleveland Cavaliers looks to drive against Ersan Ilyasova of the Atlanta Hawks at Philips Arena in Atlanta on Thursday.

Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Ryan Switzer (10) scores on an 83-yard punt return in the second quarter against the Washington Redskins during an NFL football game at AT&T Stadium. PICTURE: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

The Sports Xchange 17 points and held a 17-7 lead at halft- Dallas ime. The Dallas defense and special teams created a pair of turnovers in the allas quarterback Dak Pres- fi rst quarter, but the Cowboys’ off ense cott shook off a first-half failed to take advantage of either one. hand injury as he and running The Cowboys fi nally gained their back Alfred Morris powered initial fi rst down on the fi nal play of the theD Cowboys to a 38-14 victory over fi rst quarter. Prescott scrambled away the Washington Redskins at AT&T Sta- from pressure and then ran 13 yards to dium on Thursday. convert a third-and-fi ve from the Dal- Prescott passed for 102 yards and las 46. two touchdowns, including a 13-yard Prescott then capped the 11-play, AFP which included a burst of scoring power the Philadelphia 76ers. six points in the fi nal 45 seconds to scoring pass to Dez Bryant early in 59-yard scoring march when he hit Los Angeles that took the Hawks into a 67-58 lead Irving’s 36-point haul at the TD rescue Denver from defeat against the fourth quarter that gave Dallas a tight end Jason Witten with an eight- in the fi rst half. Garden had the Boston crowd chant- the team with the worst record in the 17-point advantage. yard touchdown pass to put Dallas 7-0 James however stepped up to halt ing “M-V-P” in appreciation of an- NBA. Morris rushed for 126 yards and a up with 10:43 left in the second quar- eBron James conjured a dou- Schroder’s fl ow of points, enabling other standout showing. The Bulls fell to 3-17 with the loss touchdown, all but 38 yards coming in ter. ble-double and a defensive the Cavaliers to regain the lead at 99- The victory at the TD Garden saw as Denver improved to 12-9. the second half. Dallas eventually converted a turn- masterclass as the Cleveland 90 heading into the fi nal quarter. Boston move to 19-4 to tighten their In Los Angeles, the Clippers’ woes He successfully moved the chains over into points when DeMarcus Law- LCavaliers notched a 10th “I take a lot of pride in my defen- grip at the top of the Eastern Confer- continued with a blowout 126-107 for Dallas (6-6), which had lacked a rence sacked Cousins, separating the straight win on Thursday while Kyrie sive abilities no matter if I’m guard- ence standings. defeat against the Utah Jazz. consistent running game since Ezekiel Washington quarterback from the ball. Irving got Boston back in the groove ing a point guard, a power forward, a “I say all the time how spoiled we The Clippers were without four of Elliott began serving a six-game sus- Maliek Collins recovered for the Cow- with a 36-point display. center or a small forward. I take the are to coach guys at this level,” Boston their fi ve starters from opening night: pension for violating the NFL’s per- boys at the Redskins 19-yard line. Two days after being tossed out of challenge,” James said. coach Brad Stevens said of Irving’s Blake Griffi n (knee), Danilo Gallinari sonal-conduct policy four games ago. Dallas’ third takeaway of the fi rst a game for the fi rst time in his career, “My teammates wanted me to take performance. (hip), and guards Patrick Beverley Washington quarterback Kirk Cous- half set up a Dan Bailey fi eld goal from James scored 24 points with 12 assists the challenge and I wanted to take the “He’s certainly one of the most (knee) and Milos Teodosic (foot). ins completed 26-of-37 passes for 251 24 yards that put the Cowboys ahead in a 121-114 win over Atlanta. challenge.” gifted scorers in the game and he can The makeshift nature of their yards and two touchdowns. However, 10-0. The Cavs’ 10th victory in a row saw Cavaliers coach Tyronn Lue also do things with just a tiny amount of lineup was brutally exposed by Alex he was intercepted twice and fumbled Ryan Switzer put the exclamation them improve to 15-7 in the Eastern praised James’ defensive eff ort in space and make it look easy.” Burks, who put up 28 points for Utah once, part of the Redskins (5-7) losing point on an eventful fi rst half for the Conference standings, their early successfully shackling Schroder. The Sixers meanwhile fell to 12-9 with teammate Donovan Mitchell the turnover battle, 4-0. Dallas special teams units when he re- season woes an increasingly distant “LeBron did an unbelievable job. after the defeat, with Croatian pow- adding 24. The Jazz improved to 11- Morris ran one yard for a touchdown turned a punt 83 yards for a score. memory. One of the best I’ve seen all year,” Lue er forward Dario Saric leading their 11 with the win as the Clippers fell to with 4:55 left in the fourth quarter, Switzer’s touchdown put the Cow- James was backed by Kevin Love, said. scoring with 18 points. 8-12. sealing the win for Dallas. Cowboys boys in front 17-0 with 3:46 left in the who also had a double-double with 25 “That was big time for us, for him In Denver, the Nuggets needed a running back Rod Smith added a one- second quarter. points and 16 rebounds. to guard Schroder. He got some big driving layup from Will Barton with RESULTS yard scoring run with 2:37 left. Washington answered before halft- But it was James’ defensive display stops.” 3.2 seconds left on the clock to snatch Utah ...... 126 LA CLIPPERS....107 Prescott went to the locker room ime as Cousins led a nine-play, 75-yard in subduing the threat of Atlanta’s In Boston, meanwhile, James’ a 111-110 victory over the Chicago Milwaukee ...... 103 PORTLAND ...... 91 during the second quarter to have a touchdown drive. Cousins hit wide re- Dennis Schroder which dominated former Cavs teammate Irving once Bulls. DENVER ...... 111 Chicago ...... 110 hand injury examined, but he returned ceiver Ryan Grant with a 20-yard pass the post-game discussion. again came to the Celtics’ rescue with It was the fi nal act of a late scor- Cleveland ...... 121 ATLANTA ...... 114 to the game by the end of the fi rst half. for the score with just over a minutes Schroder fi nished with 27 points, a dazzling display of scoring to over- ing burst from Barton, who bagged BOSTON ...... 108 Philadelphia ...... 97 The Cowboys scored the game’s fi rst remaining before halftime.

NHL Own goal by Russell helps Leafs beat Oilers

The Sports Xchange two goals and an assist to lead Montreal The Kings trailed 2-1 before Jonny Toronto to its fourth straight win. Brodzinski and Jussi Jokinen scored Left winger Max Pacioretty had a goals nine seconds apart in the second goal and an assist, while left winger period. Gaborik, playing in his fourth dmonton’s Kris Russell scored Charles Hudon, right winger Andrew game, tallied in the fi rst period, and he a goal for the Oilers, then he Shaw and left winger Alex Galchenyuk and Tyler Toff oli added empty-netters scored his second of the night. also scored for Montreal. Goaltender for the Kings. Evgeny Kuznetsov scored But the latter was for the To- Carey Price stopped 28 shots. twice for the Capitals, who saw their rontoE Maple Leafs. The Canadiens were playing the three-game winning streak end. With the score tied 4-4 and 1:05 left second of back-to-back games after on the clock, Russell tried to clear the defeating Ottawa 2-1 in Montreal on WILD 4, GOLDEN KNIGHTS 2 puck behind his net, and ended up ri- Wednesday night. Detroit is winless in Eric Staal scored twice in the third fl ing it through the legs of Oilers goalie its last six games (0-3-3). period, including the game-winner just Laurent Brossoit. The own goal — cred- past the midway point of the period, to ited to the Leafs’ Patrick Marleau — was STARS 4, BLACKHAWKS 3 (OT) lift Minnesota past Vegas. the decider as the Leafs went on to win Mattias Janmark scored a pair of Matt Dumba’s blast struck Vegas de- 6-4, with Nazem Kadri adding an emp- goals, including the game-winner 51 fenseman Deryk Engelland on the hand ty netter. seconds into overtime, and Dallas beat and defl ected to Stall for a tap-in goal Russell has scored early in the third Chicago. at 12:05 of the period. Staal added an period to tie the game 4-4. Janmark fl ipped a shot past goalie empty-net goal with 5.1 seconds left to Mark Letestu had three points for Corey Crawford to fi nish off the win, seal it. the Oilers, William Nylander had three which was Dallas’ third straight. points for the Leafs. The Blackhawks (12-9-4) tied the FLAMES 3, COYOTES 0 Oilers captain Connor McDavid, the game 3-3 at 4:34 of the third period Mike Smith stopped all 28 shots he reigning MVP, got a goal, and Leafs star Milan Lucic #27, Kris Russell #4 and Connor McDavid #97 of the Edmonton Oilers celebrate McDavid’s goal against the when Patrick Kane redirected a Gus- faced and Mark Jankowski scored twice Auston Matthews had a goal and assist. Toronto Maple Leafs at Rogers Place in Edmonton, Canada. tav Forsling shot past Dallas goalie Ben as Calgary blanked Arizona. Brossoit was starting in place of Cam Bishop, who remained in the game after Making his fi rst start against his Talbot, who was placed on injured re- less than four minutes later as Vancou- ond of the night and his 1,034th career 19:03 to salt it away. Both Sedins logged taking a shot to the mask earlier in the former team since being acquired in a serve Thursday morning. ver rallied to topple Nashville. point. assists, giving them three-point nights. period. trade June 17, Smith was solid in net as Sedin, whose assist on Loui Eriks- Boeser snapped a 3-3 tie with a recorded his second shutout of the sea- CANUCKS 5, PREDATORS 3 son’s second-period goal was point wrister from the right post at 14:08. CANADIENS 6, RED WINGS 3 KINGS 5, CAPITALS 2 son and 35th of his NHL career. Daniel Sedin scored his 1,000th ca- number 999, hit his milestone with Eriksson tacked on an empty-netter at Right winger Brendan Gallagher had Marian Gaborik scored his fi rst two Goalie Scott Wedgewood, who made reer point with a game-tying power- a wrister from the slot at 10:22 of the goals of the season, Jonathan Quick his fourth straight start for the Coyo- play goal, and rookie Brock Boeser third period. Fittingly, twin brother San Jose Sharks goalie Martin Jones (left) defends against Winnipeg Jets’ Matt stopped 27 shots, and Los Angeles got tes (6-18-4), stopped 41 of 44 shots he tacked on the game-winning marker Henrik Sedin drew an assist, his sec- Hendricks during the NHL game on Saturday. (USA TODAY Sports) its third straight win. faced. Gulf Times 6 Saturday, December 2, 2017 SPORT

GOLF / HERO WORLD CHALLENGE SPOTLIGHT Leishman storms to Woods happy Australian PGA lead AFP Gold Coast, Australia

n-form Australian Marc Leish- man fi red seven-under-par 65 to storm to a share of the lead of the aft er solid return Australian PGA on the Gold Coast Iyesterday. Woods, playing his first round of tournament golf in 301 days, fires 69 Leishman, who this week won the Greg Norman Medal for the Australian AFP golfer of the year, started the second Miami round one shot behind overnight lead- ers Adam Bland and Jordan Zunic. But his sizzling second round en- ormer world number one Tiger sured he would fi nish the day at 12 Woods made a satisfying re- under par alongside Bland, who fi red turn on Thursday in his latest a second consecutive six-under 66 at comeback after a 10-month par-72 Royal Pines. layoffF punctuated by back surgery and Two-time champion Greg Chalmers personal problems. was two shots further back on 10 under, Woods, playing his fi rst round of one ahead of Zunic, Cameron Smith tournament golf in 301 days, fi red a and Rhein Gibson. three-under-par 69 in the opening US Masters champion Sergio Gar- round of the Hero World Challenge at cia fi red a one-under 71 to close at six Albany Golf Club in the Bahamas. under but Adam Scott, who won the The 41-year-old 14-time major green jacket in 2013, struggled all day champion carded fi ve birdies and two and missed the cut by two shots after bogeys in an encouraging fi rst outing fi nishing at one over. since injury forced his withdrawal at Leishman, who won the biggest the Dubai Desert Classic in February. tournament of his career at the BMW “I thought I did great,” said a smil- Championship in September, began ing Woods, who is three shots back his round with three consecutive bird- from leader Tommy Fleetwood, who ies, and despite two bogeys on the back posted a six-under-par 66. nine, he fi red four more birdies and an “I hadn’t played in a while after eagle. some diffi culties, so to come out here “I was striking the ball well and and score like I did was nice,” Woods thought I would be pretty aggressive all added. “It was fun to be out there and day, especially after birdieing the fi rst be part of a scorecard again.” couple of holes,” Leishman said. Woods underwent back surgery in “When you’re on a run like that and April in the latest of a series of injury playing well, you sort of can aff ord to be He said it was important to have a setbacks which also forced him to miss aggressive. solid second round to build on his ef- the entire 2015-2016 season. Tiger Woods of the United States walks off of the 18th green during the first round of the Hero World Challenge in Albany, “If you make a few mistakes, you feel forts on the opening day. He admitted he had not known what Bahamas, on Thursday. (AFP) like you can make some birdies.” “It’s always great to get off to a y-fl to expect on his return to competitive Bland, 35, has not won a tournament ing start, but if you can’t back it up in golf. “I didn’t know what I could do. chip led to a bogey on the ninth. vealed he had undergone professional thanked every one of them.” since the 2015 Japanese PGA but he the second round or at least be therea- I’ve been playing golf, been playing a However Woods came roaring back treatment to help him manage his Woods also revealed the support he fi red seven birdies and only one bogey bouts, you’re kind of just chasing your lot of holes at home,” Woods said. after the turn, with birdies on the medications. had received from fellow profession- to keep pace with Leishman. tail for the rest of the week,” he said. “But it’s a little diff erent when 10th, 13th and 14th to move to four Woods said he had paid a mental trib- als during his recovery had helped him you’ve got to tee it up in a tournament. under before a bogey on 16 halted his ute to all those who had enabled him to return. I had a lot of adrenaline going there. momentum. return to the sport he once dominated “The guys have been great. They’re TENNIS “I had to dial it back a little bit. Thursday’s round follows a diffi - before he teed off on Thursday. all trying to help me — they’re always Those are the internal struggles I cult year for Woods, who in addition “I was very thankful this morning,” texting me to say ‘Hey, come on, let’s go haven’t had for a while.” to his injury problems has also battled he said. “I was in my head thanking all out and play,’” Woods said. “They really After narrowly missing with two demons in his private life. He was ar- the people that have really helped me want to help me come back and play.” Djokovic adds Stepanek birdie putts on the opening two holes, rested for driving under the infl uence and gave me a chance to come back Woods, whose 79 career PGA Tour Woods made his fi rst birdie of the day in May after being found asleep in his and play this round again. wins are three shy of Sam Snead’s all- on the par-fi ve third, reaching the Mercedes-Benz by the side of the road “There were a lot of people that were time record, has not won a major title to coaching team green in two before two-putting. near his home in Florida. instrumental in my life — friends, out- since the 2008 US Open and has not A further birdie on the eighth — Woods, who was found to have fi ve side people I’ve never met before, ob- won any event since the 2013 World Reuters when he drained a 20-foot putt — put drugs including the powerful opioid viously my surgeon — a lot of people. Golf Championships Bridgestone In- Belgrade him at two under before a botched hydrocodone in his system, later re- “I tried to make sure in my head I vitational.

ormer world number one No- vak Djokovic said yesterday he London mayor takes control of Olympic stadium Canter, Frittelli close had added close friend Radek Stepanek to his coaching team in on the lead in andF was excited to be working with the AFP nual loss of around £20mn year lease on the 60,000- London ($27mn) as a result of the seat stadium, made a one-off Mauritius Open golf Czech. “bungled decision”. contribution of £15mn to the American Andre Agassi, eight-times Khan ordered the investiga- conversion costs and pay Laurie Canter and Dylan Frittelli are amongst the grand slam champion, will continue to ondon Mayor Sadiq tion after it had been revealed £2.5mn a year in rent. The to- chasing pack who cut leader Arjun Atwal’s lead to a coach Djokovic at the grand slams with Khan is to take over that the bill to taxpayers for tal price tag for the stadium, single shot going into the third round of the AfrA- 39-year-old Stepanek stepping in at Lcontrol of the Olympic converting the centrepiece which also has a new roof, is sia Bank Mauritius Open. India’s Atwal started the other tournaments. leading him to cut his coaching ties stadium after an independ- of the London 2012 Olympic estimated to be £752mn. day with a four-shot advantage after producing a “Radek is one of my very close with German Boris Becker, and after a ent review uncovered a and Paralympic Games into Khan commissioned the course-record 62 at Heritage Golf Club on Thursday friends on the tour and I was always second-round exit at this year’s Aus- “catalogue of errors” that led a multi-purpose venue had review in March and the and a second round 70 took him to ten under par. impressed with his level of determina- tralian Open he parted ways with his to massively increased costs climbed to £323mn. 169-page report warned the Early starters Frittelli of South Africa and Englishman tion, passion and love for the sport,” back-up team in May. over conversion after the “I ordered the review into the cost to the public was never Canter posted rounds of 66 to get within one shot of Djokovic said in a statement. Stepanek, 39, reached a career-high 2012 Games. finances of the London Sta- going to be recovered. the leader, and another South African, Louis de Jager, “The fact that he just recently retired number eight in the world rankings and The report said the decision dium to understand how key “I am determined to put the joined them on nine under par in the afternoon. Frit- speaks volumes of his love for the game. twice helped the Czech Republic win to transform the stadium decisions were made about London Stadium towards a telli, who was named Graduate of the Year, finished He has lot of experience and knowledge, the Davis Cup before announcing his and enter into contract with its transformation and why stronger financial footing with a flourish, rolling in his birdie putt from five feet and has played on a high level for many retirement this month. Premier League side West costs were allowed to spiral and secure its long-term at the eighth - his penultimate hole - before smashing years. I am excited to join our forces and He was also looking forward to the Ham was “made on incorrect out of control,” said Khan. future, but I’m under no illu- his tee shot to within a couple of feet of the hole at cannot wait to compete again having a challenge of helping Djokovic return to financial estimates and an London Legacy Development sion that this is going to take the par four ninth and tapping in for a closing eagle. new team to back me up.” winning ways. “I’m honoured to be a new insuff icient appreciation of Corp (LLDC), the body that time and some real commit- Canter notched back-to-back birdies towards the end The 30-year-old Djokovic, who has member of Novak’s team,” said Stepanek. the critical commercial and operates the stadium for the ment from all partners to of his round to get within a shot of Atwal, and had a won 12 grand slam titles, suff ered a “It is a new and exciting challenge for me, financial risks”. Greater London Authority, ad- make this work,” he said. great chance to catch the 44 year old at the ninth - his year-long dip in form before an elbow which I’m looking forward to, and I be- The review by accountants mitted problems with retract- West Ham issued a statement last - but he just missed a six-foot putt. Three-time Eu- injury forced him to retire in this year’s lieve that as a team we can help Nole (No- Moore Stephens, published able seating were the biggest saying they remained commit- ropean Tour winner Atwal, who will captain Team Asia Wimbledon quarter-fi nals. The Serb vak) reach his goals.” yesterday, said taxpayers cause of the rise in costs. ted to the terms of their agree- in the EurAsia Cup, kept his nose in front after a round has not played competitively since. Djokovic, 12th in the world rankings, had been left to foot an an- West Ham, who have a 99- ment for its 99-year duration. that included three birdies and two bogeys. Djokovic lost the world number one is due to start his comeback at the Abu ranking to Andy Murray 12 months ago, Dhabi exhibition event in December.

BOTTOMLINE It’s a ‘bit tight’: Asian Games face race against time

AFP scandals and a deadly stampede at the Games’ organising committee, INAS- originally built for the 2011 SEA Games, Palembang, Indonesia football fi nal. GOC. workers are painting curbstones black But the Asian Games are on a dif- In sleepy South Sumatra, an hour’s and white and an unidentifi ed man is ferent scale altogether: 9,500 athletes fl ight from Jakarta, large parts of Pale- asleep in one of the bedrooms. alf-fi nished venues and an air in 40 diff erent sports, compared to 28 mbang’s Jakabaring Sport City remain Meanwhile the Jakarta athletes’ vil- of unpreparedness raise an for the last Olympics, and held in two a building site, permeated with the lage, seven tower blocks housing 5,400 uncomfortable question for diff erent cities for the fi rst time in the screech of angle-grinders and smoke small apartments, is nearing comple- Indonesia: will it be ready for event’s history. from bonfi res on nearby wasteland. tion but backs on to a foul-smelling, Hnext year’s Asian Games? With at least one venue, the velo- At the bowling venue, teams of car- toxic black river. With less than nine months to go, drome in Jakarta, not expected to be penters are laying down chipboard un- The target seems to be that Indonesia earthmovers and cranes dot construc- ready until June, chief organiser Erick derfl ooring for the 40 bowling lanes, will be more or less ready for the Games, tion sites and plans for logistics remain Thohir admitted the schedule was “a while piles of bricks and debris are and that they will be held without too hazy, pointing to a frantic build-up to bit tight” for the 30tn rupiah ($2.2bn) heaped on the dirt forecourt outside. many of the organisational hitches that the regional Olympics in August. Games. Nearby, the skeletons of unfi nished often plague major events. Turbulent preparations for ma- But Thohir, the media tycoon who is buildings stand next to the white grand- But for many Indonesians, holding jor events are nothing new: the 2004 president of Inter Milan and owns DC stand at the rowing venue, which will be the competition at all is already a tri- Athens Olympics stadium was only United, pledged that Indonesia will be the “best... in the world”, according to umph for a country which has weath- completed weeks before the opening ready to host its biggest sports event yet provincial governor Alex Noerdin. ered severe diffi culties since inde- ceremony, and Brazil’s 2014 World Cup from August 18 to September 2. “(The venues are) not ready 100 %,” pendence in 1945 to become one of the went ahead in unfi nished venues. “Actually we’re doing something In this November 28, 2017, picture, shows construction work at the rowing venue of admitted the ambitious Noerdin, who world’s biggest emerging economies. The doomsday scenario remains that’s impossible but became possible,” the 2018 Asian Games in Palembang, Indonesia. (AFP) also hopes to attract a MotoGP motor- “Not only do we want to host some- New Delhi’s 2010 Commonwealth he said this week during an offi cial me- bike race to Palembang, and jokes that thing for the international audience, Games, where problems ranged from dia visit and venue tour. out as hosts of the upcoming tourna- A change of president in 2014 slowed he even has his eye on the Olympics. but also we want to build something for fi lthy conditions at the athletes’ village “We’re still in progress but we will ment, citing concerns over prepara- eff orts to push forward the project, as “Some infrastructure is under con- the people of Indonesia. I think that’s to collapsing infrastructure. make sure that the (work) is fi nishing tions and the heavy fi nancial burden. has repeated tinkering with the sport- struction, so apologies for the traffi c something that’s important for Indo- Indonesia had its own problems up and we will make everything ready Indonesia, facing fi ve years to pre- ing schedule. jams, for so many cars everywhere,” he nesia,” said Thohir. with the 2011 Southeast Asian Games on time,” he added. pare rather than the usual seven, then “We hope that this (sporting pro- said. “But we promise you, six months “We want to show Indonesia has re- — which, like the Asian Games, were Hosting the Asian Games is an ambi- opted to bring the Games forward from gramme) is not changing any more before the Asian Games Palembang will ally changed over the past 50 years... split between Jakarta and Palembang in tious endeavour for any country, as un- 2019 to 2018 to avoid a clash with na- — hope for us and pray for us,” said an be the most beautiful city in Indonesia.” the image we want to show is the trans- South Sumatra — following corruption derlined in 2014 when Vietnam pulled tional elections, losing another year. exasperated Harry Warganegara of the At the Palembang athletes’ village, formation of Indonesia.” Gulf Times Saturday, December 2, 2017 7 CRICKET

PREVIEW SPOTLIGHT Anderson is ‘biggest Day-night Test sledger’, says Smith Reuters tralia in 2010-11, while Smith managed Adelaide a high score of 54 not out in three tests over the series. In Brisbane last week, though, An- ustralia captain Steve Smith derson managed two wickets at the described England’s James cost of 77 runs while Smith put to- Anderson as “one of the big- gether a match-turning innings of 141 off ers best chance gest sledgers in the game” as not out. theA heat rose off -fi eld at the Adelaide Anderson, who also complained Oval on the eve of the second Test. to the umpire about Australian short England have made clear that their bowling at England tail-enders in dissatisfaction over comments aimed Brisbane, said the sledging from the at Jonny Bairstow during their second home team had been “infuriating”. innings in the 10-wicket defeat in the “A bully waits until they are in the fi rst Test in Brisbane last week that ascendancy to pounce on people. That of win for England gave the hosts a 1-0 lead in the fi ve- is what Australian teams do,” he wrote match series. Anderson compared the in a column in the Daily Telegraph. The Aussies have been quite clear that they will continue with their antics of the Australians to bullying in “They are quiet when they are not a column in a British newspaper but on top which was the case for the fi rst “chirping” but Smith agreed there was a “line” that should not be crossed an amused Smith told reporters that three days of the Brisbane test and when it came to doling out insults in then on day four they came alive. It is Reuters been mockery at England’s predica- the middle, the England paceman was down to us to cope with that and deal Adelaide ment, merely at Cameron Bancroft’s Australian cricket captain Steve Smith takes among the worst off enders. with it.” laconic explanation of how Bairstow a catch during training in Adelaide yesterday. “I read the article, and it’s inter- Australia have long held a reputation had greeted him with a “headbutt” in esting coming from Jimmy, calling us for verbal aggression on the cricket ngland captain Joe Root’s im- a Perth bar. bullies and big sledgers,” Smith told pitch but Smith said he thought the patience to resume hostilities Smith also fi red back at James An- reporters. Brisbane match had been played in the with Australia at Adelaide derson’s assertion that the Australians “I think he’s one of the biggest right spirit. “There’s a line there that Oval after a week of off -fi eld were like “bullies” with their “sledg- sledgers in the game, to be perfectly we’re not to cross and I thought we distractionsE was palpable on the eve ing”, suggesting the England quick was honest with you. played in good spirits,” he said. of the fi rst day-night Ashes Test yes- in a league of his own when it came to “To me in particular, I remember “I think the umpires and the match terday. the art. back in 2010 when I fi rst started and referees are there to determine that. While his Australian counterpart The Australians have been quite wasn’t any good, he was pretty happy From my point of view it’s about play- Steve Smith basked in the confi dence clear that they will continue with to get stuck into me then. Pretty inter- ing good, hard cricket and I think we that comes from scoring an unbeaten their “chirping” at the English and esting coming from Jimmy.” did that at the Gabba and I think we’ll 141 to lead your side to a 10-wicket while Smith agreed there was a “line” Anderson took 24 wickets when continue to do that throughout the se- victory, Root fi elded questions about that should not be crossed, he was not England retained the Ashes 3-1 in Aus- ries.” Ben Stokes, Jonny Bairstow’s “head- about to defi ne where it lay. butt” and Moeen Ali’s fi nger. “I think the umpires and the match After suggesting that England referees are there to determine that,” MOTIVATED would use as motivation Smith’s un- he said. “From my point of view it’s controllable laughter during the post- about playing good, hard cricket match press conference at the Gabba and I think we did that at the Gabba on Monday, he quickly added that and I think we’ll continue to do that Root seeks to score he would prefer people were talking throughout the series.” about cricket. Smith was equally ebullient when “It’s quite an insignifi cant part of asked about English attempts to frus- ‘heavily’ at cricketing what is an important series. The crick- trate him at the crease by limiting his et is what should be the main focal part scoring as they seek to level up the se- of what we are about,” Root said. ries at 1-1. alma mater “Our responsibility as players is to “That’s cool. I’m happy with that,” make sure that for the rest of the se- he smiled. “I love batting, I’m happy to AFP I’m sat commentating on England ries, that is the stuff that is spoken stay out there batting as long as I can to Adelaide teams of the future and I can tell every- about, what we do on the fi eld.” be perfectly honest. If it has to take me one how good I was. Root also wanted to “move on” from 300 balls to get a hundred then it will “For now, it’s just about doing eve- the Stokes saga, as much as he was ex- take me 300 balls.” oe Root said he hoped to “con- rything I can to win this series, ulti- cited by the prospect of the suspend- Adelaide, with the prospect of pink tribute heavily” with the bat as mately I’ve just got to do whatever I ed all-rounder getting back out on a ball movement under the lights, has England seek to bounce back in can to win games of cricket in the next cricket pitch in New Zealand. long been touted as England’s best the second Ashes Test in Ad- four games. Personally, this would be Much as he wanted to move on, chance of a Test win in the series but elaide,J where he played as a teenager the biggest achievement of my career though, the questions kept returning Root knows that, as his team’s best and trained under Australia coach Dar- so far.” If England win the series, Root to the sledging of players on the fi eld, batsman, he will need to fi re along ren Lehmann. will join illustrious post-World War II which Root said he was all in favour of, with his bowlers. Root scored 15 and 51 as holders Eng- England skippers Len Hutton, Ray Il- as long as limits were respected. “I’ve just got to do whatever I can to land crashed to a 10-wicket defeat in lingworth, Mike Brearley, Mike Gatting “There are certain things that peo- win games of cricket in the next four Brisbane, stacking the odds of victory and Andrew Strauss in leading a side to ple know they shouldn’t say on the games because personally this would against them in the fi ve-Test series. Ashes glory in Australia. fi eld,” he said. “I think it’s important be the biggest achievement of my ca- The tourists head into the day-night Root comes full circle in Adelaide, that both sides, not just one side, get reer so far,” he said. game knowing that after losing the where he nurtured his game as a teen- that right and don’t overstep.” “The best way of me achieving that fi rst Test, England have been beaten ager. He spent fi ve months in the city Smith was quite happy to confi rm is to go out and score heavily, big runs. in every Ashes series in Australia since when 19 playing at the Prospect club. that his laughter at the Gabba had not It’s as simple as that.” 1954-1955. “I really enjoyed the city and work- Adelaide has special resonance for ing very hard at the Darren Lehmann Root, the 26-year-old Yorkshireman, Academy,” he recalled. “I think it’s who spent formative time as a cricketer quite funny how things work out, isn’t BOTTOMLINE in the South Australia city. it? Much depends on Root scoring runs “At 19 years old I was working at his to bring home the Ashes urn, and he academy and now we’re in an Ashes said it would be his greatest achieve- series where he is the coach of the op- ment to lead England to a series victory. position side.” “More than anything I am desperate Off the back of his time in Adelaide, to win this series, as a batter I want to Root made his County Championship Wagner fl oors West Indies contribute heavily in this series,” said debut the following season. Root, who lies third in the Test batting “So the work I did over the year and rankings. all the stuff that winter set me up for “Individual stuff , I’ll worry about the following summer, it was instru- with seven-wicket haul that when I’ve stopped playing, when mental in my development,” he said.

AFP Ambris stepped back on his stumps with the fi rst FOCUS Wellington ball he faced in Test cricket. Wagner also removed Roston Chase (fi ve) and Jason Holder with successive balls, with Holder eil Wagner rated his career best seven- falling to a perfectly placed yorker, and wrapped up Chandimal questions wicket haul a “horrible” performance as the innings with the dismissal of Shannon Gabriel New Zealand seized the honours on day (10). one of the fi rst Test against the West Indies Shane Dowrich was run out for 18 while Trent India’s green-track claim Nin Wellington yesterday. Boult took the wickets of Powell (42) and Miguel But as the West Indies licked their wounds after Cummins (one). being rolled in the fi rst innings for 134, they believed AFP they only were one wicket away from getting back Scoreboard New Delhi into the game. West Indies first innings “The big wicket is Ross Taylor. If we can get him K. Brathwaite c Nicholls b Wagner ...... 24 early tomorrow morning, anything’s possible,” K. Powell c Raval b Boult ...... 42 ri Lanka skipper Dinesh coach Stuart Law said. S. Hetmyer c Latham b Wagner ...... 13 Chandimal yesterday mocked Taylor was not out 12 with Jeet Raval on 29 as New S. Hope c Blundell b Wagner ...... 0 India’s claim of preparing Zealand reached 85 for two at stumps — 49 runs in R. Chase c Raval b Wagner ...... 5 green tracks for the ongoing arrears after Wagner ensured the West Indies were seriesS and said his side was focused S. Ambris hit wicket b Wagner ...... 0 dismissed cheaply. S. Dowrich run out (Santner) ...... 18 only on winning the fi nal Test against The South African-born left-armer, a fi ery J. Holder b Wagner ...... 0 the hosts. short-ball specialist, claimed seven for 39 and was K. Roach not out ...... 14 The visitors trail the three-match twice on a hat-trick as he bettered his previous M. Cummins b Boult ...... 1 series 1-0 after suff ering a record in- best of six for 41 against Zimbabwe last year. S. Gabriel c Latham b Wagner ...... 10 nings and 239-run defeat in the previ- dian bowlers. But it was an innings-destroying performance Extras (b2, lb5) ...... 7 ous match in Nagpur. The fi rst Test in But Chandimal sprung to the de- that Wagner did not see coming after the West In- Total (all out; 45.4 overs) ...... 134 Kolkata ended in a draw. fence of his former skipper, saying the dies, sent into bat, comfortably reached 59 without New Zealand’s Neil Wagner celebrates claiming Fall of wickets: 1-59 (Brathwaite), 2-75 (Powell), 3-79 India’s team management says they visitors’ batting woes were not down loss. West Indies’ Kraigg Braithwaite’s wicket at the Basin (Hetmyer), 4-80 (Hope), 5-80 (Ambris), 6-97 (Chase), have laid out fast-paced pitches to to one player. “It was a bit of a bizarre day to be honest. I sort Reserve in Wellington yesterday. 7-97 (Holder), 8-104 (Dowrich), 9-105 (Cummins), 10- prepare for their next challenge — a “There are other senior batsmen of got a bit worried at one stage, they were looking 134 (Gabriel) tough away Test series against South and even the youngsters, they have to quite comfortable,” he said. “A 100 lead or 150 sounds lot but I believe Bowling: Boult 16-8-36-2, Henry 11-1-39-0, de Grand- Africa in January and February. take responsibility when they are in “The pitch was not doing as much as we expect- if we put our minds to it that’s a pretty good homme 4-1-13-0, Wagner 14.4-2-39-7 “If you look at the wicket (in New the middle,” the Sri Lankan captain ed and I felt horrible to be honest. At the start I just batting wicket coming into day three and day Toss: New Zealand Delhi), I am not sure that they are pre- said. felt like I didn’t have a great rhythm.” four.” New Zealand first innings paring for South Africa,” Chandimal “That’s a problem we have (had) “I think I’ve bowled a lot better on other days Despite the conditions, openers Kieran Powell T. Latham c Roach b Holder ...... 37 told reporters ahead of the fi nal Test, over the last one-and-a-half years. and not get a wicket and then you get days like this and Kraigg Brathwaite safely progressed to 59 be- J. Raval not out ...... 29 which starts at New Delhi’s Feroz Shah The top fi ve batsmen especially have and you end up getting a seven-for... things don’t fore Wagner engineered a collapse that saw all 10 K. Williamson c Hope b Roach ...... 1 Kotla ground today. to play long innings.” really tick but wickets just keep falling and it’s a wickets fall in 22 overs for only 75 runs. R. Taylor not out ...... 12 “The Kolkata wicket looked like a Sri Lanka suff ered a 9-0 whitewash just bizarre thing.” By digging the ball in short and angling it to- Extras (b4, nb2) ...... 6 South African wicket but not these across all formats when India toured Law described the West Indies batsmen as being wards the rib cage he had his fi rst success in his Total (two wickets; 38 overs) ...... 85 two,” he said, referring to the pitches the island nation between July and “all bitterly disappointed” with their eff ort but be- third over when Brathwaite went for 24. Fall of wicket: 1-65 (Latham), 2-68 (Williamson) in Nagpur and New Delhi. September this year. lieved they were still in the game. On either side of the lunch adjournment he Bowling: Gabriel 10-2-22-0 (2nb), Roach 9-4-27-1, “They are thinking about the next They have never won a Test on Indi- “I know we’re a lot better than what we per- ripped through the West Indies’ new generation of Cummins 8-5-6-0, Holder 9-4-19-1, Chase 2-0-7-0 series. We as a team are thinking about an soil, but Chandimal said the visitors formed like out there today,” he said. specialist batsmen with three wickets in four balls. Toss: New Zealand this series,” the visiting captain added. have not given up hope. “It’s one of those things we tend to have habit of Shimron Hetmyer (13) went on in the last ball be- Umpires: Ian Gould (ENG), Rod Tucker (AUS) Sri Lanka’s batting has fl oundered “On that day, if we can do well then not starting a series very well but by no means are fore lunch, rising star Shai Hope fell on Wagner’s TV umpire: Bruce Oxenford (AUS) so far this tour, with big names like defi nitely we can compete with the In- we dead and buried in this contest. second ball after play resumed and debutant Sunil Match referee: Chris Broad (ENG) Angelo Mathews failing to counter In- dian team,” he said.

Saturday, December 2, 2017 GULF TIMES MOTORSPORT

SPOTLIGHT QMMF leader in motorcycle sport in region, says president

By Sports Reporter 30 years of contribution to develop in the future with Ippolito, also met “I think basically the strategy of get- Al-Mannai was also gushing in his Doha motorsport in Qatar. The 62-year- with presidents of other national fed- ting in new young drivers is working,” praise of navigator Nasser al-Kuwari old Ippolito had commended Qatar’s erations. “We met the President of FIA said al-Mannai. “The decision to in- for winning the FIA Middle East Rally initiatives to promote the sport in the and we also met presidents from other volve the drivers in making rules and Championship 2 title. atar Motor and Motorcy- country. federations, from Turkey, Germany regulations with QMMF last year was a “We are very proud of him. Nasser cling Federation (QMMF) Speaking on the sidelines of the World and Portugal. We had very productive right one. We now see more people be- has proved Qatar does not only have President Abdulrahman Touring Car Championship at Losail yes- meetings with all of them. We also got ing involved. good drivers but also good navigators. al-Mannai has praised his terday, al-Mannai said: “Qatar has been an award for 30th anniversary since the “Nasser (al-Kuwari) is the navigator He won this award for his skills, his federationQ for being the leader for mo- ahead of everyone in the region when it establishment of QMMF. It was a really and he has never raced before, but he is professionalism and we are very proud torcycle sport in the Middle East. comes to promoting motorcycle races. nice way to end the trip,” he said. now racing in QTCC. We are seeing new of him,” he said. Since its inception 30 years ago, Losail is the fi rst motorcycle circuit in the This year’s Qatar Touring Car Cham- drivers like Abdulghani giving a good “It takes a lot of years to become suc- QMMF has been a trendsetter for two- region and we also held the fi rst MotoGP pionship, the opening round of which competition to other drivers. cessful but there has to be desire and wheeler events in the Middle East. The race in Middle East. Then we have Su- was held last night along with WTCC, “So we are going to continue the commitment also. These are the traits Losail International Circuit is the only perbikes too. I think from the beginning, has attracted young drivers. And al- same format and hopefully we will be of any professional. And Nasser is an track in the region to host MotoGP, when the circuit was built, it was suited Mannai was quite pleased about that. able to attract Qatari nationals to the example of that. We hope he continues while it also conducts the World Super- for motorcycle races. Because of that, Apart from the drivers that took part circuit and make them get away from in this line and we are happy to support bike Championship every year. there is right environment for the sport in the fi rst season, new ones – Nasser street racing. Hopefully they can do him any way we can. Additionally he is Last week, during the 2017 FIM and that has helped a lot in creating the al-Kuwari, Mohamed al-Buainan and something more professional. They can now part of the QTCC and he is giving World Champions gala in Spain, FIM culture.” Ibrahim al-Abdulghani – all impressed enjoy themselves at Losail as it is a fan- the other drivers a hard time. He is fast chief Vito Ippolito presented a me- The QMMF president, who discussed in their fi rst outing, making QTCC a tastic circuit, they can have fun while and we are expecting to see a very com- mento to al-Mannai to mark QMMF’s ways and means to develop the sport competitive series. staying safe,” he added. petitive season,” al-Mannai added.

FOCUS Volvo’s Bjork wins first WTCC championship Bjork clinches title in after nearest rival Michelisz finishes ninth and eighth in Opening Race and Main Race WTCC fi nale at Losail respectively

By Sahan Bidappa Doha

n what was an anti-climax, Volvo’s Thed Bjork clinched the World Touring Car Championship title, after his nearest rival Honda’s Norbert Michelisz failed to rise up Ito the challenge in the fi nal round at the Losail International Circuit last night. It was meant to be the closest battle for WTCC title in years, with Sweden’s Bjork carrying just a six-and-half-point lead over Michelisz. But the Hungarian suff ered a brake issue in qualifying and had to start from 11th. He could not make up ground, and fi nished ninth and eighth in Opening Race and Main Race respectively. Bjork, starting seventh from the grid, fi n- Thed Bjork in action around Losail International Circuit yesterday. ished fi fth in fi rst race, with teammate Yvan Muller protecting the championship leader from behind. Carrying a 16.5-point lead over Michelisz heading into Race 2, with 30 on off er, Bjork just had to maintain his starting position of fourth in the main race to guarantee the driv- ers’ crown. But the 36-year-old Swede went one better fi nishing third even as Michelisz limped to the fi nish line in his Honda Civic. A triumphant Bjork stood on top of his Volvo S60 car, held his arms aloft as he celebrated with his team. “It’s the best night of my career,” said the Swede. “Unbelievable, absolutely cra- zy. Thank you so much everybody,” added the new champion on the radio as he crossed the fi nish line. To make it a double delight, Volvo also won the manufacturers’ title. Esteban Guerrieri (also below) celebrates his victory in the Main Honda had something to cheer about as Es- Race of the WTCC Race of Qatar yesterday. teban Guerrieri won the Main Race. Sebastian Loeb Racing’s Tom Chilton claimed victory in the penultimate race, which clinched the Brit the WTCC Trophy title. Argentina’s Guerrieri was never threatened after starting from pole in the 12-lap Main Race. He and Bjork were joined on the podium by Munnich Motorsport’s Rob Huff , who made a determined bid to rise from his third position on the grid by taking to the grass on the run down to Turn 1 at the start. Nicky Catsburg played the lead support to Bjork, before fi nishing third in his Volvo S60, ahead of the new champion. WTCC Trophy champion Chilton was fi fth. Mehdi Bennani, Chilton’s teammate lost all hope of beating the Briton to the title at Turn 1 following the start. Thed Bjork (second from right) celebrates his title victory on the podium with World Tour Car Championship Main Race winner Esteban The Moroccan, who won here last year, came Guerrieri (centre), runner-up Rob Huff (left), third-placed Nicky Catsburg (right) and Honda’s Tiago Monteiro yesterday. into heavy contact with WTCC legend Muller, who pushed him off and a few laps later Bennani retired his Citroen C-Elysee with damage and a QATAR TOURING CAR CHAMPIONSHIP puncture on the front right corner. From 11th on the grid, Michelisz made up one position off the line and benefi ted from a col- lision between Chilton, Bennani and Muller to climb to ninth. He then passed John Filippi’s Al-Kuwari, al-Khelaifi share spoils in first round Sebastien Loeb Racing Citroen further round the opening lap, but found Muller’s Volvo a By Sports Reporter latter cruised to victory. more diffi cult obstacle to clear. Doha In the end, al-Khelaifi won with a resounding The Hungarian ultimately ended up stuck seven-second margin. Eldib in Honda EP3 was behind Muller — who had come out of retire- comfortably third again. ment to assist Volvo’s title push — for the re- aadon al-Kuwari and Abdullah al-Khelaifi “I am very happy. It was a very tough Race 1. Ab- maining 11 laps and crossed the line in eighth. It shared the spoils in the opening round of dullah put me under pressure from the start to the was a disappointing fi nish to the campaign for the Qatar Touring Car Championship, with fi nish. He is the QTCC champion, very young and Michelisz, who had made a late march towards both the drivers winning a race each to set very fast driver. He was behind me all the time but the title after wins in Portugal, Argentina and upS an exciting season ahead. I had to use all my experience to beat him in Race Japan. At the Losail International Circuit last night, 1,” said al-Kuwari. In the Opening race of 10 laps, Chilton passed veteran al-Kuwari beat his younger rival to fi nish Al-Khelaifi rued not being able to capitalise teammate Bennani with a little over two laps of fi rst in the Race 1. But defending champion al- on a good start. “Saadon was better than me in the race to go and eased home from there to a Khelaifi had his revenge in the Race 2, as he out- the start. I tried to catch him on the straight but I winning margin of 2.175 seconds. witted his experienced rival. Both the drivers were couldn’t take the fi rst position. There was an ac- Chilton tailed Bennani after both had passed in a Toyota GT86. cident in the middle of the race on the straight and pole position starter Kevin Gleason in his RC In Race 1, al-Kuwari starting from second I had a huge oversteer which cost me a lot of time Motorsport entry. The two French cars put on jumped into the lead as pole-sitter Ibrahim al- and he built the gap from that and I couldn’t catch an entertaining battle, which included some Abdulghani suff ered an engine problem in the very him,” said al-Khelaifi . contact, before Chilton made the decisive move fi rst lap and had to retire. Al-Kuwari crossed the For Eldib, it was a night he won’t forget for a long on lap eight of 10. line in 24 minutes and 43.786 secs, with al-Khelaifi time. “I was the fi rst podium of my career. It is a “Yes! The race of my life!” he shouted in de- 1.154secs behind. fantastic feeling. It was an amazing race. I qualifi ed light over the radio after taking the chequered Al-Kuwari’s son Nasser al-Kuwari, making his fourth but I know that on the grid there were so many fl ag. “Oh wow. It really was the race of my life. maiden appearance at QTCC, missed out on the great drivers. I had a great race especially with Nasser We didn’t give each other an inch and at one podium after a close battle with Adham Eldib, who al-Kuwari. We kept on exchanging positions but I point I thought Mehdi was going to put me into pipped him to a third-place fi nish. It was the fi rst po- kept the pace and pushed hard till the end. I am very the tyres. But this is for an FIA world champi- Winner Abdullah al-Khelaifi (centre), runner-up Saadon al-Kuwari (left) and third-placed dium fi nish of his career for Eldib, who would go on to happy to get back-to-back podium fi nishes,” he said. onship – and now I’m leading it,” he added. Adham Eldib pose on the podium after Race 2 of the opening round of the Qatar Touring his second podium later in the night. The trophies were presented by QMMF Presi- His victory meant he led Bennani by 1.5 Car Championship at Losail International Circuit yesterday. Also seen are QMMF President In the 10-lap Race 2, drivers started in reverse dent Abdulrahman al-Mannai, LCSC General points going into the Main Race. Eventually it Abdulrahman al-Mannai, LCSC General Manager Khalid al-Remaihi and QMMF Secretary- grid. But the tussle was between al-Kuwari and Manager Khalid al-Remaihi and QMMF Secre- didn’t matter, as Bennani crashed out in the late General Abdulrazak al-Kuwari. al-Khelaifi , who raced wheel-to-wheel before the tary-General Abdulrazak al-Kuwari. night race, easing Chilton of any pressure.