HHOCKEYOCKEY | Page 4 Australia, England grab World Cup semi-fi nal spots

Thursday, December 13, 2018 CYCLING Rabia II 6, 1440 AH Team Sky upbeat GULF TIMES despite loss of sponsor’s backing SPORT Page 3 UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE CSKA dumped out of Europe despite stunning win at Real Madrid

AFP second place. home shortly before the interval second half. Paris Home coach Santiago So- after an excellent team move to But Plzen extended their Eu- lari boosted CSKA’s hopes be- leave Real facing an embarrass- ropean campaign when Chory fore kick-off by making seven ing loss. headed in after Kovarik’s volley SKA Moscow stunned changes to the starting XI which At half-time Solari sent on was pushed out by Antonio Mi- a much-changed Real beat Huesca 1-0 in La Liga at the Bale, the two-goal hero of last rante. Madrid with a 3-0 vic- weekend, leaving Gareth Bale, season’s fi nal triumph over Liv- Teenage midfi elder Luca tory at the Santiago Luka Modric, Raphael Varane erpool, with Kroos following Pellegrini was sent off in inju- BernabeuC yesterday, but still and Toni Kroos on the bench. soon after. ry-time after picking up two fi nished bottom of Champi- Real’s youngsters started But it was CSKA who ex- bookings in quick succession, ons League Group G as Viktoria brightly, with Vinicius Junior tended their advantage, as Ar- as Roma’s winless run in all Plzen beat Roma. forcing visiting goalkeeper Igor nor Sigurdsson fi red low past competitions stretched to fi ve The Russian side, who also Akinfeev into a fi ne-one handed Thibaut Courtois in the Real games. downed Real 1-0 in the reverse save, and Marco Asensio then goal with 17 minutes to play. fi xture, had to better Plzen’s re- curling the ball against the It mattered little though, as RESULTS sult to fi nish third and qualify crossbar. Plzen secured a place in the Eu- Group G: At Plzen, Czech for the Europa League. But Viktor Goncharenko’s ropa League last 32 thanks to Republic But Plzen edged out Roma 2-1 CSKA claimed a shock lead Tomas Chory’s 72nd-minute Viktoria Plzen (CZE) 2 (Kovarik in the Czech Republic to render in the 37th minute, as Fedor winner against Roma. 62, Chory 72) Roma (ITA) 1 CSKA’s famous victory ulti- Chalov danced through the Midfi elder Jan Kovarik tapped (Under 68) mately meaningless. makeshift Madrid defence and in to break the deadlock in the At Madrid Holders Real had already pro- bent a left-footed shot into the 62nd minute, only for Turkish Real Madrid (ESP) 0 CSKA Mos- gressed to the last 16 as group corner. youngster Cengiz Under to level cow (RUS) 3 (Chalov 37, Schen- CSKA Moscow’s Fedor Chalov celebrates with teammates after scoring their first goal during the Champions winners, with Roma through in Georgiy Schennikov volleyed for Roma midway through the nikov 43, Sigurdsson 73) League Group G match against Real Madrid in Madrid, Spain, yesterday. (Reuters)

FOCUS Qatar World Cup will meet high standards, say football offi cials at FIFA summit From praise for the country’s facilities to support for Qatar’s initiatives in development of football, feedback was encouraging

By Sports Reporter Doha

ffi cials attending the FIFA Executive Foot- ball Summit in Doha have said they are ex- pectingO 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar to be a memorable edition. Iraq Football Association (IFA) president Abdul Khaliq Masood has said the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar will meet “high stand- ards”. Masood said: “The 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar will be ideal in everything. Qatar will meet all requirements — whether it is infrastructure, stadiums, trans- portation or hosting fans, it will Bhutanese Football Federation president Dasho Ugen Tshechup Dorji Syrian Football Federation president Fadi al-Dabbas speaks to the be a World Cup that meets high (right) arrives for the FIFA Executive Football Summit in Doha. media on the sidelines of the summit. standards.” He added: “It will be a unique Qatar with us. Hopefully we will Sudanese Football Federa- world what sports means to peo- World Cup since the distances have an understanding with QFA tion secretary-general Dr Has- ple around this region. I have vis- between two stadiums is very so that we could improve our bi- san Abu Gabal said, “First of all ited Qatar many times before and I less. It just takes minutes to go lateral relations further. We will I would like to congratulate the have witnessed world-class sports from one venue to another. You look to have training camps here QFA on their General Assembly events. Everything about Qatar can actually watch two matches at your great facilities, maybe at held on Monday. Also I take this is great news for the fi rst-time in a day and I am sure we will see the end of January or February. opportunity to congratulate the visitors. From the Hamad Inter- an exciting World Cup.” “We will start a full collabora- QFA President HE Sheikh Hamad national Airport to sports venues, Masood added AFC Presiden- tion next year with training camps, bin Khalifa bin Ahmed al-Thani you feel in awe watching the amaz- tial candidate Saud al-Mohanna- workshops and other exchange on being re-elected for another ing infrastructure in the country.” di has every right to compete for programmes. I take the opportu- four-year term. Mr Mansoor al- Philippines FA president and the top post and that he can do nity to thank QFA for their whole- Ansari, the Secretary-General of FIFA Council member Mari- a good job in projecting the im- hearted support extended to us. QFA, has expressed their willing- ano Araneta said, “I thank QFA age of Qatar so that his country “We haven’t had the chance ness to work with us to develop for hosting this gathering. Each has a voice in FIFA. Masood said to visit the World Cup venues the game in a co-operative man- meeting is an opportunity to al-Mohannadi has a likeable per- but at QFA headquarters we got ner. I am sure we could join hands discuss the development of the sonality. QFA President HE Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa bin Ahmed al-Thani (left) to see the amazing projects that and take the game forward in game. As far as the 2022 FIFA Syrian Football Federation with Iraq Football Association (IFA) president Abdul Khaliq Masood. are about to be completed soon. both countries. Today at the FIFA World Cup in Qatar is concerned, president Fadi al-Dabbas praised Philippines FA president Mariano We know Qatar is preparing eight gathering, there were a number I am confi dent that the event here Qatar’s preparations for the 2022 As for Qatar’s preparations for Dorji said he intends to support Araneta. great venues for the 2022 FIFA of important issues discussed. will have all the ingredients of World Cup. hosting the 2022 FIFA World Cup, the candidature of al-Mohannadi World Cup. I must say QFA is successfully success. I expect great organisa- “I am happy to be here for the he said: “As we have seen through for a seat on the FIFA Council. ciation secretary-general Arslan “The 2022 FIFA World Cup in hosting such key meetings along tion from Qatar.” FIFA gathering. It is a good op- the presentation at the workshop, “Qatar is the biggest supporter Kyyasovich expressed delight on Qatar, I think, would be of a high with FIFA. Such meetings are a Araneta added: “The infra- portunity to state our issues in there are tremendous prepara- of the development of football in visiting the Aspire Academy. level. The World Cup in Qatar will great opportunity for footballs structure here in Qatar is truly front of the football family. It is tions which are on-going. The Su- Asia. The 2022 FIFA World Cup “Everything was high qual- be held in November and Decem- offi cials from around the world world-class. Plus Qatar has great also a good opportunity to dis- preme Committee for Delivery and in Qatar will be seen by future ity. The welcome accorded to us ber and the weather is just great to gather and discuss the game’s experience of hosting top-class cuss football plans,” al-Dabbas Legacy are doing a great job and we generations as a model edition of in Qatar was warm. I have the at this time of the year. I think development.” sports events. I take this oppor- said. He said FIFA offi cials have wish them success.” the World Cup,” he said. “It will same impression about Aspetar, the World Cup in Qatar will be He added: “I feel Qatar hosting tunity to thank the QFA fam- promised to visit Syria during the Bhutanese Football Federation be the best ever. I am sure of this.” the sports medicine hospital. We unique, something that we may the 2022 FIFA World Cup is a great ily for taking great eff orts to have coming months. president Dasho Ugen Tshechup Turkmenistan Football Asso- are carrying a positive image of have not seen before,” he said. opportunity to showcase to the this gathering.” Gulf Times 2 Thursday, December 13, 2018 CRICKET

INDIA’S TOUR OF AUSTRALIA SPOTLIGHT Langer ready for India quicks getting pacey track in the thoroughbred second India Test Perth Stadium curator is keen to produce a fast, bouncy wicket for that treatment would not be out of place at the WACA

Australia’s Tim Paine is “ready to go” according to coach Justin Langer (not pictured). (AFP)

AFP and bounce there. We’ve also Perth, Australia seen some pace and bounce in it during the one-dayers and T20 game.” ustralia coach Justin But he said neither team would Langer said yesterday know how the drop-in pitch he expected a pacey plays in Test conditions until the wicket at the new Perth match begins on Friday. StadiumA for the second Test “Time will tell what the wicket against India and declared “pret- brings... If we can get (WACA- ty boy” captain Tim Paine “ready style pace and bounce) it’d be to go” despite injury. a great thing for Test cricket,” Australia are looking to avenge Langer said. a 31-run defeat in Adelaide to level Langer also scoff ed at sugges- the four-Test series but Langer tions skipper Paine could miss admitted there was some uncer- the Test after a delivery in Ad- tainty over the surface in Perth. elaide smashed into a right fi nger The Test will be the fi rst played that has required several opera- at the new stadium and Langer tions in the past. said it appeared the wicket was “Paine is the toughest pretty similar to the fast track which boy I’ve seen in my life,” he said. made its predecessor, the WACA, “Even if it was snapped in a haven for pace bowlers. about four places he’d still be “I’m really fascinated and right. He’s absolutely fi ne. He’s can’t wait to see what the wick- obviously had issues with it be- et brings,” he told reporters. fore but he’s 100 % ready to go.” “There’s only been one four-day India’s win was their fi rst in game in its history. Australia in a decade, and their “I went and watched a bit of fi rst ever in the opening Test as the NSW versus WA game — they search for a maiden series there was certainly some pace win Down Under.

PRIORITIES India’s Jasprit Bumrah (left) celebrates with captain Virat Kohli after taking a wicket on the fifth day of the first Test against Australia in Adelaide on Monday. Pace bowlers Bumrah, Ishant Sharma and Mohamed Shami took 14 of 20 wickets at Adelaide Oval. (Reuters)

Reuters all three were being spared net wicket,” he said. Maxwell says to Melbourne duties on Tuesday in a bid to “Again, whatever is in the off - Kohli engineered Kumble’s exit, freshen up before day one of the ing, we are happy with it.” leaked e-mail suggests second Test starting at Perth However, he said he would spurn IPL in pursuit ndia are treating their pace Stadium on Friday. urge his bowlers to stick to the AFP “Mr Kumble a legend in his own bowlers like prize-winning “I think fast bowlers are a pre- same recipe that brought suc- New Delhi right was subjected to loss of thoroughbreds after the cious commodity and they need cess in Adelaide — consistency face and made to look like a of Test berth series-opening win over to be taken care of like what and sustained pressure. villain,” added Edulji. “He was IAustralia in Adelaide while cau- you do with a racehorse,” India “You can be carried away with he acrimonious exit of gracious enough to move on for tioning them against straining bowling coach Bharat Arun told the extra pace and bounce but India’s cricket coach last which I respect him. There also, too hard at the reins when the reporters in Perth yesterday. again you need to understand Tyear was given a fresh rules were broken and I had second match gets underway in “And that’s exactly what’s that on any responsive track, twist yesterday as a leaked raised objections back then.” Perth. happening.” what is really going to be suc- e-mail suggested captain Virat Edulji’s e-mail originated from Ishant Sharma, Mohamed Friday’s Test will be the fi rst cessful is your consistency,” he Kohli had “frequently” worked a separate controversy in the Shami and Jasprit Bumrah took played at the new Perth Sta- said. behind the scenes against him. women’s national team, where 14 of 20 wickets at Adelaide Oval dium, which has a drop-in pitch “And that’s exactly what we’re Former coach Anil Kumble quit former coach Ramesh Powar in a fi ne debut as a pace trio on and succeeded the WACA as the going to work with the bowlers.” over a rift with Kohli in June fell out with one-day captain Australian soil that helped fi re city’s premier venue for interna- While the quicks were akin to 2017, saying his relationship Mithali Raj. As men’s national the tourists to a 31-run win on tionals. racehorses, Arun likened spin- with the skipper was “unten- team coach, Kumble helped In- Monday. Perth Stadium curator Brett ner Ravichandran Ashwin, who able”. The Board of Control for dia reclaim the No1 Test ranking Former England captain Sipthorpe is keen to produce a took six wickets and bowled a Cricket in India has denied any and maintained an unblemished Michael Vaughan wrote on fast, bouncy wicket that would huge load at Adelaide, to a fi ne division in the Indian camp. record in five Test series. But Twitter that India skipper Virat not be out of place at the WACA. wine. But in a leaked email seen by he resigned after his one-year Kohli and actress wife Anushka Arun said India’s bowlers “Spinners mature a lot with AFP, senior administrator Diana term ended with a humiliating Sharma had given up their busi- would welcome that prospect age, maybe they’re like wine,” Edulji wrote to board adminis- defeat to Pakistan in the 50-over ness class seats to two of the following the relatively unhelp- he said. trator Vinod Rai that Kohli “fre- Champions Trophy in June 2017, quicks for the three and a half ful track served up at Adelaide. “He helped us gain control. He quently sent SMSs to the CEO prompting a fallout with Kohli hour fl ight from Adelaide to “Defi nitely with a little help gave us the control, bowling close on which you acted and there who reportedly didn’t like the Perth on Tuesday. from the wicket, obviously the to 90 overs for 147 runs and six was a change in the coach”. coach’s training techniques. India coach Ravi Shastri said bowlers would love that sort of a wickets, you can’t ask for better.”

BOTTOMLINE ICC boss ‘confi dent’ of corruption-free World Cup

AFP The 59-year-old Richardson, New Delhi who is a former South Africa wicketkeeper, also reiterated ICC’s interest in taking cricket he head of cricket’s to the Olympics. Reuters ald Sun newspaper yesterday. world body said yester- The vast majority of ICC Melbourne “To knock back a chance to day he is confi dent of a members are keen to have the play IPL was a big decision, and corruption-free 2019 sport at the quadrennial event, a tough decision. It’s not some- TWorld Cup as the sport works but the Board of Control for ll-rounder Glenn thing you make lightly, but the overtime to disrupt criminals Cricket in India (BCCI) has its Maxwell has said he thought of playing Test cricket who attempt to fi x matches. reservations. will turn his back on the again still burns deep. David Richardson, chief execu- “We have got an ambition to lucrative Indian Pre- “I desperately want to get back tive of the International Cricket have cricket in the Olympics mierA League next year and play out there and I still think I have Council, also called on national in 2028. That’s easier said than a full season of English county a lot to off er the Australian Test governments to do more to tackle done. We need to convince the cricket in a bid to regain his spot team.” match fi xing, which has aff ected International Olympic Com- in the Australian Test side. Maxwell has reaped millions lucrative Twenty20 leagues as mittee to have cricket,” said Ri- The hard-hitting 30-year-old of dollars playing in the IPL but well as international matches. chardson. played the last of his seven Tests had a poor tournament with The ICC anti-corruption “103 out of 104 members are against Bangladesh in September Delhi Daredevils this year and unit “is trying to be much more strongly behind that decision 2017 and missed out on a spot in was released by the franchise last proactive in fi rst of all disrupting to get cricket in the Olympics. the squad for the ongoing four- month. these criminals who are travel- There are some issues that BCCI match series against India. He was controversially over- ling the world trying to corrupt International Cricket Council chief executive David Richardson speaks at a promotional event in New has with the Indian Olympic Maxwell will join up with looked for the tour squad to play the game,” said Richardson. Delhi, India, yesterday. (AFP) Association but I am very con- former Australia Test opener Pakistan in United Arab Emirates “Working hand in hand with fi dent that those issues can be Joe Burns and his former World in October, beaten out by four the law enforcement agencies governments to introduce legis- corruption and match fi xing. was also charged for failing to resolved.” Cup-winning teammate James uncapped players. will help us do that. So (we are) lation that can make attempts Sri Lanka bowling coach Nu- co-operate with a match-fi xing The only time cricket has Faulkner at Lancashire, and play Tim Paine’s Australia are 1-0 very confi dent that we will keep to fi x cricket matches a criminal wan Zoysa was the latest to face probe and concealing informa- ever featured at the Olympics all three formats with the county down in the four-Test series the World Cup corruption free,” off ence and put these people be- suspension in October over ac- tion in October. was in 1900, with just two side. against India after losing by 31 Richardson told reporters at a hind bars.” cusations of match fi xing. The 2019 World Cup is due to men’s teams competing. Great “This is a pretty clear sign I runs in Adelaide on Monday. The promotional event in New Delhi. Richardson said there are cur- Former Sri Lankan opener and take place in England and Wales Britain won gold with hosts still want to play Test cricket,” second Test starts in Perth to- He added: “We are persuading rently investigations ongoing into ex-selector Sanath Jayasuriya from May to July. France taking silver. Maxwell told Melbourne’s Her- morrow. Gulf Times Thursday, December 13, 2018 3 SPORT

CYCLING Team Sky upbeat despite loss of broadcast giant’s backing ‘Everyone at Team Sky has got big ambitions for 2019 and this news has made us more determined than ever to make them happen’

AFP London

he future of Cycling giant Team Sky was thrown into doubt yes- terday after British me- Tdia company Sky announced it was ending a partnership that has delivered six Tour de France titles in the past seven years. Team Sky have clocked up eight Grand Tour wins since their formation, but they have also been plunged into contro- versy for using special exemp- tions to administer drugs that can enhance performance. The outfi t, which has 322 wins in total since 2010, will operate for the last season as Team Sky in 2019 and could continue under a diff erent name if a new backer is found, a Sky statement said. Team Sky boss Dave Brails- ford is confi dent he can keep his group at the top of the sport regardless of their suddenly un- certain future. “Every change brings oppor- tunity. We like to build things, we’re creators, we build. From our point of view I see it very much as an opportunity,” Brails- ford told Sky Sports News. Insisting he wasn’t caught unawares by the announcement, Brailsford added: “Let’s face it, the reality of the situation with Sky and the environment and everything else...did it come as a surprise? No, not really. “We started out with ambi- tion, thinking: ‘could we win the In this July 6, 2018, photo, British riders Christopher Froome (front centre), Luke Rowe (left), Geraint Thomas (second rear) and their Team Sky teammates ride during a training session near Saint-Mars la Reorthe, Tour de France in fi ve years?’ western France, on the eve of the start of the 105th edition of the Tour de France. (AFP) “Who’d have thought then that 10 years later we’d be look- wrote on his Twitter account. emptions, after a damning Brit- levels of the asthma medication ing at our 10th season.” “I can’t predict the future ish parliamentary report said the salbutamol, on his way to victory Tour of Spain to start from Netherlands in 2020 Sky’s announcement closes but I can say this with absolute team crossed an “ethical line” by in the Vuelta a Espana in 2017. He an extraordinary chapter in Cy- certainty, this is a really special using the loophole to administer was cleared 10 months later. The 2020 Tour of Spain will start The 2015 Tour de France started two Grand Tours in a single cling that began with the dream team. drugs to enhance performance. Team Sky also have plenty of in Utrecht and the first three in the city and the second stage season, and said that his home of creating Britain’s fi rst Tour “We plan to be together in The Commons digital, cul- detractors within Cycling for stages will take place in the of the 2010 Giro d’Italia ended race would be his main target de France champion – which 2020 if at all possible and we will ture, media and sport commit- tactics that many believe stifl e Netherlands, organisers and there. next year. “Next year, I will do seemed overly ambitious at the all be doing everything we can to tee report said MPs believed racing. Their superior budget Dutch off icials announced Organisers have not yet revealed the Giro and the Tour. The Giro time. But Bradley Wiggins made help make that happen – in dif- that triamcinolone, used to treat has allowed them to employ rid- yesterday. all the details of the route for d’Italia is my main aim,” he said it reality in 2012, before Chris ferent colours with a new part- asthma, “was being used to pre- ers who would be leaders else- “The team presentation, the start 2019, but they have confirmed at a presentation of his team, Froome won four Tour de France ner but the same values, focus pare Wiggins, and possibly other where in a support capacity and with a team time trial and the that the race will begin in Spain. Bahrain-Merida, in Croatia. titles and Geraint Thomas be- and desire to win.” riders supporting him, for the eff ectively shut down attacks finish of the second stage are to The Vuelta has only started Nibali, a winner of two Giro came Sky’s third winner of Cy- Deep-pocketed Sky are Tour de France”. in the biggest races, something be held in Utrecht in August,” the abroad three times – in Lisbon in d’Italia titles and the 2014 Tour, cling’s landmark event this year. known for Brailsford’s meticu- Sky were also in the crosshairs that has proved unpopular with Vuelta’s off icial website said. 1987, in Assen in the Netherlands has competed in both races Froome responded to the news lous and innovative application for a suspected anti-doping vio- many, particularly at the Tour de “The second stage will start in in 2009, and in Nimes, France, twice before, including when he by insisting his team expect to of ‘marginal gains’, the theory lation over a mystery package France. ‘s-Hertogenbosch, while the in 2017. claimed his second maglia rosa return stronger than ever with a that many small advantages in reportedly destined for Wiggins Sky began its involvement complete third stage will cover Meanwhile four-time Grand in 2016. new backer. areas as diverse as wind resist- in 2011, although a UK Anti- with the sport in 2008, when the Province of Noord-Brabant, Tour winner Vincenzo Nibali an- The 102nd edition of the Giro “We are not fi nished yet by ance, diet and sleep quality can Doping investigation concluded it successfully teamed up with both starting and finishing in nounced that he will ride in both gets underway in Bologna on any means. Everyone at Team add up to a signifi cant improve- with no charges brought. British Cycling to increase par- Breda.” the 2019 Tour de France and May 11, with Geraint Thomas’ Sky has got big ambitions for ment in performance. Sky was then caught in a long- ticipation and support the coun- Utrecht will become the first Giro d’Italia, according to Italian defence of the Tour de France 2019 and this news has made However, Sky’s image was running doping controversy that try’s elite riders, who became a city to host stages for the three media reports. yellow jersey to begin on July 6 us more determined than ever clouded in the controversy over began when Froome returned an major force at world events in- major tours. The 34-year-old has never won in Brussels. to make them happen,” Froome so-called therapeutic use ex- adverse doping test, for elevated cluding the Olympic Games.

SPOTLIGHT GOLF Late birthday gold for Jamaica’s World No. 2 Rose primed to defend Indonesia Masters title Atkinson but US rule swim Worlds and compete at the highest Reuters AFP Jakarta level. More and more players Shanghai are graduating from the Asian Tour,” said Rose, who lead from ustin Rose will have a the fi rst round to win last year’s amaican star Alia Atkin- chance to fi nish a stellar tournament by eight strokes. son celebrated turning 30 year on a high when the “I think it is a sign of things by fi nally winning 50m world number two tees to come. If you look at the breaststroke gold at the offJ today in the defence of his LPGA, they are strongly rep- shortJ course World Swimming Indonesian Masters title. resented by Asia unbelievably Championships yesterday as the The 38-year-old will be the guys because of my ranking. We well. We are beginning to see record-smashing United States highest-ranked player at the tee off together with the same that happen on the men’s side.” dominated. Royale Jakarta Golf Clubwith score on Thursday. It is about a Stenson hopes the fact that Atkinson’s landmark birthday Ryder Cup team mate Hen- great week’s work. There is no he has never played in Indo- was on Tuesday but she had to rik Stenson and India’s Shub- complacency from that point nesia before will not hurt his wait a day to really mark the oc- hankar Sharma, the newly of view.” chances. “I’ve come up with a casion in imperious style in the crowned Asian Tour Order of Sharma, 22, played in all four plan and hopefully I can play Chinese city of Hangzhou. Merit champion, expected to be major championships this year some decent game and I can When it came she lapped among main challengers. and won the European Tour’s be one of the guys in the mix the opportunity up as Atkin- “I have always had the men- rookie of the year. And 2013 on Sunday,” said Stenson, who son, the world record-holder in tality that the golf course US Open champion Rose has won the 2016 British Open. a 25m pool, stormed to victory doesn’t recognise who is the been impressed with the rise “It’s a good golf course. I in 29.05sec. It was comfortably best player in the world,” Rose of Asian players on the global like it. I don’t have much ex- short of her world-leading time of said ahead of the season-end- circuits. perience as compared to Justin 28.56sec, set in October, but was ing Asian Tour event. “We are seeing Asian play- and the other players who have Atkinson’s fi rst 50m gold after “I don’t tee off ahead of these ers crop up all over the world played here in the past.” three world championship silvers. Alia Atkinson of Jamaica competes in the women’s 50m breaststroke finals at the 14th FINA World Swimming I’m really happy to fi nally get Championships (25m) in Hangzhou, China, yesterday. (Reuters) the gold in the 50m,” Atkinson said with a broad smile the Americans, two years ago. On Tuesday, the fi rst day two years ago in Canada, carry- World champion Momota makes electric start to BWF Finals “There’s a lot of stereotypes The United States backed that of action, the US men – with ing home seven golds. about age, and I just turned up with victory for Olympic Pieroni on the second leg – set a But she was shocked in the World badminton champion Kento Momota and banned for more than a year for visiting an 30, so it’s really cool. To see the champion Ryan Murphy in the new world record in the 4x100m 100m backstroke, forced into made a lightning start at the BWF World Tour illegal casino. 30-year-olds still able to do it...” men’s 100m backstroke, pipping freestyle. Katinka Hosszu, a tri- second by Olivia Smoliga to un- Finals in China yesterday, rampaging past India’s The 24-year-old had too much quality and power The United States started the home swimmer Xu Jiayu into sil- ple gold medallist at the 2016 Rio derline the United States’ supe- overwhelmed Sameer Verma in just 36 minutes. for Verma - ranked 14th in the world - thrashing evening session of day two with a ver by 0.03sec and putting the Olympics, grabbed her second riority. The Japanese star is looking to put the seal on him 21-18, 21-6 to confirm his status as the man bang, setting a new short-course US into the early lead in the med- gold in Hangzhou as the Hun- The all-powerful Americans a breakthrough year in which he has risen to to beat in Guangzhou. world record in the women’s als table with four golds overall. garian triumphed in the wom- made it a fi fth gold out of eight number one in the rankings and become world Also untroubled in her opener was the women’s 4x50m medley relay. Four became fi ve for the en’s 200m butterfl y. up for grabs on the day when champion for the first time. number one, Tai Tzu-ying from Tawian, who de- Their scorching time of Americans when Blake Pieroni, Dubbed the “Iron Lady”, they triumphed in the mixed It is all a far cry from 2016, when Momota was feated Zhang Beiwen of the United States 21-15, 1:42.38 smashed the previous out in lane eight, took victory in Hosszu dominated the short 4x50m freestyle in another expelled from ’s team for the Rio Olympics 21-17 in 30 minutes. best time of 1:43.27, also set by the men’s 200m freestyle. course world championships world-record time. Gulf Times 4 Thursday, December 13, 2018 SPORT

HOCKEY RUGBY Australia, England Under-fi re Cheika ‘has grab World Cup to go’, says semi-fi nal spots Wallabies Aussies to face the winner of match between India and the Netherlands in last-four great Burke AFP Despite club success at Lein- IANS Sydney ster and the NSW Waratahs, Bhubaneswar, India Cheika has struggled to stamp his authority on a Wallabies side allabies legend Matt that is replete with world-class ngland edged past Ar- Burke has urged players, but has consistently un- gentina 3-2 in a pul- Rugby Australia to derperformed of late. sating quarter-fi nal of axe Michael Chei- “I think they have to change it the hockey World Cup, kaW along with his coaching staff from the top down. Getting rid whileE Australia thrashed France after a review was announced of the assistant coaches won’t be 3-0 for their spot in the last four into their positions less than a enough because it’s still the same here yesterday. year before the World Cup. voice,” said Burke. Veteran dragfl ick expert The two-time world champi- “At the moment it’s untenable Gonzalo Peilat (17th, 48th min- ons have won just four Tests this when you’re looking at the situ- utes) converted a couple of pen- year and slipped to sixth in the ation from the coaches and then alty corners for Argentina. world rankings, heaping pressure the high performance managers England, who were impressive on Cheika as a sense of turmoil and the rest of it.” with their free fl owing attacks engulfs the national side. Rugby Australia has promised a and well organised defence, Burke said the Wallabies need- decision on Cheika and his coach- scored fi eld goals through Barry ed change “from the top down”, ing staff “ahead of Christmas”. Middleton (27th), Will Calnan calling for Cheika and his as- Cheika’s contract is due to run (44th) and Harry Martin (49th). sistants, Stephen Larkham and out in a year and he had previ- It was an end-to-end aff air Nathan Grey, to go. ously received the backing of with plenty of scoring chances “Michael Cheika after that Rugby Australia chief executive for both teams although Eng- (season) has to go” Burke, who Raelene Castle to take the Wal- land enjoyed a slightly upper played 81 Tests for Australia and labies to the World Cup in Japan. hand for the most part. was a World Cup winner in 1999, However, three defeats out Although England dominated told Big Sports Breakfast radio. of four on their northern hemi- the opening quarter, Peilat gave “There has to be a change. I sphere tour renewed the pressure Argentina the lead with a power- don’t think just getting rid of on Cheika, who took the Walla- ful dragfl ick. England goalkeeper the assistant coaches will be bies to the last World Cup fi nal George Pinner had dived the cor- enough,” he added. in 2015. rect way but was beaten by the sheer power in Peilat’s shot. England almost struck back in the next minute but an excellent save by goalkeeper Juan Manuel Vivaldi at his near post main- tained Argentina’s lead. There were chances at both ends and Vivaldi was soon forced to make another good save to keep Argentina ahead. But the relentless England pressure fi nally bore fruit when Middleton scored a fi eld goal with an excellent fi nish after a well worked build-up. Australia’s Dylan Wotherspoon (right) in action with France’s Cristoforo Peters-Deutz during the 2018 Hockey World Cup quarter-final in Calnan, who had to sit out for Bhubaneswar, India, yesterday. (AFP) a while after picking up a yellow card, made amends soon after to a penalty corner for the South minute when Martin scored to In the second of the day, Jer- The Kookaburras scored their coming back in when he beat Americans after a review. make the issue safe for the Euro- emy Hayward scored from the third goal from fourth pen- Vivaldi at his near post with a But if the English players had pean powerhouse. penalty corner for Australia as alty corner as stunning work by powerful fi nish. heaved a sigh of relief, it turned Argentina seemed to disinte- he found space between two Aran Zakerski put the fi nishing England had a narrow escape out to be temporary as Peilat grate under pressure in the clos- players and the goalkeeper failed touches on the move. a couple of minutes into the fi nal scored with another powerful ing minutes with two of their to protect. In the semi-fi nals, Australia quarter when the umpire ini- dragfl ick. players sent off for yellow card Australia took a 2-0 lead as will now take on the winner of tially awarded a penalty stroke England struck back at the off ences as England clinched a Blake Grovers found the back of today’s quarter-fi nal between to Argentina which was changed other end in the very next well-deserved victory. the net in the 19th minute. India and the Netherlands.

World Cup-winning All Blacks Ben Smith to join Pau

AFP club’s president told French debut in 2009. have an impact on the squad 11th place in the table, despite Pau, France broadcaster RMC Sport on He will move to an unnamed and considering his calibre originally agreeing a three-year Tuesday. Japanese club after finishing it will allow him to help our deal in the autumn. Smith lifted the Webb Ellis tro- the 2020 Top 14 season and youngsters,” Bernard Pontneau The 36-time All Blacks has SPOTLIGHT ew Zealand three- phy in 2015 and the 32-year-old will be unable to feature for said. decided to re-sign with the New quarter Ben Smith will has featured on 76 occasions his national side while playing On the other hand, New Zea- Zealand Rugby Union. Njoin Pau after next for his country, scoring 33 tries outside of New Zealand. land back-rower Ardie Savea His brother Julian plays for year’s Rugby World Cup, the since making his international “It’s a great satisfaction. He will will not join the club who sit in Toulon in the France’s top tier. ‘Game-changing’ Premiership Qatar and Uzbekistan equestrian federations sign MoU investment remains on course

AFP tive.” London PRL chief executive Mark Mc- Caff erty indicated the deal was close enough that it might not remiership Rugby chair- even require another formal man Ian Ritchie on Tues- meeting before the biggest in- day insisted his organi- vestment in the history of the sation remain on track to game can be announced. Pcomplete a multi-million pound Offi cials hope it will transform investment deal that will change the domestic competition, lead- the face of rugby union. ing to a much greater strength in Ritchie had been expected depth and more opportunities to announce the completion of for the smaller clubs to challenge the £230mn ($288mn) deal with for silverware. CVC Capital Partners follow- Under the PRL’s existing rules, ing Premiership Rugby’s latest the salary cap level remains at meeting on Tuesday. £7mn irrespective of the pro- Instead, cash-strapped Eng- spective investment levels. lish top-fl ight clubs will have to “I wouldn’t say there were wait. sticking points, it’s more that “We had a good PRL board these are not straightforward ne- meeting and there remains a gotiations because they have got unanimity about our approach a number of diff erent angles to and our desire to enter into (this them,” McCaff erty said. deal),” Ritchie said of the plan, “With the collective will which would earn each club an around the table today, we can estimated £18mn in exchange for fi nd the results to those remain- CVC becoming the PRL’s part- ing few items. ners. “It will be a landmark moment, “We remain on track with our if we can get there, which will ush- objectives. These discussions are er in a new era for the game going Asian and Qatar Equestrian Federation (QEF) secretary-general Badr Mohamed al-Darwish (right) and Uzbekistan Equestrian and Modern Pentathlon Federation president inevitably complex but we have into next year, and that will allow Bakromjon Gaziev pose after signing a memorandum of understanding (MoU) in the Uzbek capital of Tashkent yesterday. had a good meeting today and we the clubs to make the next big in- remain with that shared objec- vestment in the game.” Gulf Times Thursday, December 13, 2018 5 SPORT

NBA SPOTLIGHT NBA star Curry signals willingness to meet Ibaka leads Raptors’ with Nasa over Moon landing doubts

Reuters tronauts on the Moon from New York 1969-1972,” Allard Beutel, rout of Clippers a spokesman for the US federal agency, said in a statement. ‘Finally back at home and seemed like we were playing well. We’ve been putting some good hree-time NBA cham- “We’d love for Mr. Curry to pion Stephen Curry tour the lunar lab at our John- quarters together, but tonight was a four quarter game and we had to just build around it’ on Tuesday signalled son Space Center in Houston, that he is willing to perhaps the next time the War- Ttake Nasa up on its off er to tour riors are in town to play the AFP Los Angeles its lunar lab in Houston af- Rockets,” he added. ter his pronouncement this Beutel said the lab housed week that he does not believe hundreds of Moon rocks and he Toronto Raptors shrugged off humans ever walked on the the Apollo mission control. the absence of Kawhi Leonard to Moon. “During his visit, he can stretch their lead at the top of the During the “Winging It” see fi rst-hand what we did 50 Eastern Conference on Tuesday, podcast released on Mon- years ago, as well as what we’re Tbreezing past the Los Angeles Clippers day, the Golden State Warri- doing now to go back to the with a 123-99 victory. ors guard asked fellow players Moon in the coming years, but Leonard, ruled out just hours before Vince Carter and Kent Baze- this time to stay,” he said. tip-off after complaining of a sore hip, more whether they believed Curry responded on Twit- could also miss the Raptors’ game against humans had ever been to the ter to a CNN story on the con- the reigning NBA champion Golden State Moon. troversy that included Nasa’s Warriors on Wednesday. The players said they did statement with a smiling emoji Toronto, however, laid on a devastating not, to which two-time MVP wearing sunglasses, an indica- scoring display to overwhelm the Clippers Curry said: “They’re gonna tion that he may be willing to and serve notice that they remain a formi- come get us. I don’t think so make the trip when the War- dable threat even without the in-form Le- either.” riors visit the Houston Rockets onard. Serge Ibaka and Kyle Lowry led the “Sorry, I don’t want to start on March 23. way for the Raptors with 25 and 21 points conspiracies.” The commotion over his respectively while four other players made After Neil Armstrong and remarks came after Boston double fi gures. Buzz Aldrin became the fi rst Celtics guard Kyrie Irving was The Clippers off ense however struggled men to walk on the Moon in widely mocked last year for to make any inroads against the Toronto 1969, a further 10 American saying he believed the world defense, with starters Tobias Harris and astronauts on fi ve subsequent was fl at. Danilo Gallinari producing just 21 points missions stepped onto the lu- In October, Irving apologised between them. nar surface. for the comments, saying sci- The 30-year-old’s state- ence teachers had approached RESULTS ment created a commotion him to say he was making their on social media and led Nasa to jobs more diffi cult. Houston 111-104 Portland extend an invitation to Curry to Curry attended Davidson San Antonio 111-86 Phoenix come and see evidence of the College in North Carolina from Moon landing for himself. 2006-2009 but left for the Toronto 123-99 Clippers “There’s lots of evidence NBA before his fi nal year and Nasa landed 12 American as- did not graduate. Tyrone Wallace (15 points) and Boban Marjanovic (18) produced a burst of scor- ing off the bench, but the Clippers never threatened a Toronto team that surged into a 36-23 lead at the end of the fi rst quarter. The Raptors improved to 22-7 with the win to go three games clear of Milwaukee at the top of the standings. The Clippers loss gives them an identical record to city rivals the Los Angeles Lak- ers, with both teams on 17-10. Earlier Tuesday, James Harden scored 29 points as the Houston Rockets halted their three-game losing streak with a 111- 103 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers on Tuesday. Reigning NBA MVP Harden also chipped in four assists on a night when seven Rockets players fi nished in double digits. Rockets point guard Chris Paul Toronto Raptors forward Serge Ibaka dunks the ball as LA Clippers guard Milos Teodosic looks on during their NBA game at Staples produced a triple double with 11 points, Center. PICTURE: USA TODAY Sports 11 rebounds and 10 assists as Houston improved to 12-14. Mike D’Antoni’s side the defeat, leaving them in eighth place fourth on the list of career victories, after “It’s an awesome achievement to get to remain near the foot of the Western Con- in the Western Conference table. The a 111-86 blowout over the hapless Suns. fourth all time,” Spurs veteran Patty Mills ference, one place off the bottom ahead of Blazers led the scoring on Tuesday with The victory took Popovich one game said. “You almost pinch yourself at times the Phoenix Suns, who are 4-24. “It’s big Damian Lillard pouring in 34 points and clear of Pat Riley, the fi ve-time NBA when you step back and realise where you time for us,” Harden said of the win. C.J.McCollum adding 22. champion, who has 1,210 career wins. are and who is coaching you. It’s an honour “Finally back at home and seemed like But the Rockets scoring off the bench Don Nelson leads the list of coaches to be in this locker room and to be coached we were playing well. We’ve been putting proved decisive for Houston, with Nene, with the most victories with 1,335 wins by him, and I think everyone feels that way.” some good quarters together, but tonight (10 points), Daniel House Jr (12) and Ger- ahead of Lenny Wilkens and Jerry Sloan. Tuesday’s win lifted the Spurs to 14- was a four quarter game and we had to just ald Green (13) all contributing. In San Popovich ignored questions about his 14 for the season but they remain in 10th build around it.” Antonio, Spurs coach Gregg Popovich milestone win after the victory, preferring place in the Western standings, two places The Trail Blazers slipped to 15-12 with bagged his 1,211th career win, putting him instead to let his players do the talking. outside the playoff s.

NHL Ovechkin hat-trick leads Caps over Wings Reuters Kyle Brodziak had a goal and an assist each RESULTS Washington for Edmonton, which has won four straight and improved to 8-2-1 since Ken Hitchcock Boston 4-3 Arizona took over as coach. lex Ovechkin scored three goals, Buff alo 4-3 Los Angeles Mikko Koskinen made 39 saves to win his and Nicklas Backstrom added four Toronto 4-1 Carolina second straight game. He blanked the Cal- assists as the Washington Capitals Vancouver 3-2 Columbus gary Flames 1-0 on Sunday. jumped out to a big lead early and Colorado’s Mikko Rantanen had a goal and defeatedA the visiting Detroit Red Wings 6-2 Washington 6-2 Detroit three assists to increase his NHL-leading Tuesday night. St. Louis 4-3 Florida points total to 52. Ovechkin’s three goals gave him points in Nashville 3-1 Ottawa Gabe Landeskog had two goals and two 12 straight games, helping fi ll the absence of assists, and Colin Wilson also scored for the T.J. Oshie, out for the past 11 games (concus- Minnesota 7-1 Montreal Avalanche, who have lost three of four fol- sion). Winnipeg 6-3 Chicago lowing a 9-0-2 stretch. Colorado has allowed However, Oshie returned and scored a Edmonton 6-4 Colorado 21 goals in its past four games. goal, and Brett Connolly and Travis Boyd also Semyon Varlamov has given up 14 of those found the net. goals just 61 seconds apart midway through goals in three starts. He allowed six goals at Ovechkin leads the NHL with 25 goals. The the second period. Pittsburgh and fi ve at Tampa Bay on Saturday multi-goal game was the 126th of his career, The fi rst one went to Ovechkin at 9:05 be- before being pulled in a 7-1 loss. He was re- moving Ovechkin past Dino Ciccarelli into fore Oshie celebrated his return with a pow- moved Tuesday after allowing the fi rst three 10th place in NHL history. er-play goal 10:06 into the period, giving the goals on 18 shots. Backstrom also helped with his four as- Capitals a 5-0 lead. Philipp Grubauer came on and allowed sists, getting helpers on the fi nal four Wash- That ended Bernier’s night, and Jimmy three goals on the fi rst six shots he faced. He ington goals. John Carlson and Evgeny Howard came on to replace him. Bernier fi nished with fi ve saves. Kuznetsov both added two assists. stopped 10 of 15 shots; Howard 9 of 10. Brodziak gave Edmonton a 1-0 lead in Goalie Braden Holtby made 35 saves in the Dylan Larkin broke up Holtby’s hopes for a the fi rst period, and then the Oilers broke it win and carried a shutout into the third peri- second consecutive shutout when he scored open in the second. Nugent-Hopkins scored od before the Red Wings scored. The Capitals 1:03 into the third period. Ovechkin then a power-play goal at 9:26 and then made it now have won three straight games. completed his hat trick at the 9:33 mark with 3-0 with his 10th goal at 13:37, chasing Var- Connolly made it 1-0 when he tipped a a shot that Howard stopped, but the puck lamov. Carlson shot past Detroit goalie Jonathan trickled through. Just 1:37 later, McDavid scored his 17th on Bernier 3:39 into the game for a power-play Gustav Nyquist also scored for the Red the fi rst shot Grubauer faced. Colorado fi - goal. Wings later in the period and fi nished with a nally got one by Koskinen when Rantanen’s Boyd, who scored his fi rst NHL goal in goal and an assist. wrister beat him under his right arm at 16:01, Washington’s last game, stretched his streak but Edmonton responded 42 seconds later on to two games by taking a slick pass from Nic IMPROVING OILERS DUMP Draisaitl’s 16th of the season. Dowd and scoring from the right side just SLIDING AVALANCHE Wilson’s power-play goal early in the third past the midway mark of the fi rst period. Ryan Nugent-Hopkins scored two of Ed- period made it 5-2 and gave Colorado some Ovechkin then made it 3-0 in the fi rst monton’s four second-period goals, and the pep, but Nurse restored the four-goal lead when he fi red a shot that appeared to be going surging Oilers beat the Colorado Avalanche 1:24 later with his fourth. wide but hit a Detroit player, quickly changed 6-4 on Tuesday night in Denver. Landeskog added his 18th and 19th in Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin (centre) celebrates with centre Nicklas Backstrom (left) and direction and went in with 7:01 left. Leon Draisaitl had a goal and two assists, the fi nal four minutes, but the Avalanche’s defenseman Michal Kempny after scoring a goal against the Detroit Red Wings in the first period at the Ovechkin and Oshie teamed up for two and Connor McDavid, Darnell Nurse and comeback eff ort fell short. Capital One Arena. PICTURE: USA TODAY Sports Gulf Times 6 Thursday, December 13, 2018 FOOTBALL

EUROPA LEAGUE FOCUS Arsenal’s Ainsley Koscielny set for fi rst makes racism claim AFP London

rsenal midfi elder Ain- Arsenal start since May sley Maitland-Niles claims he has endured similar racist abuse to ManchesterA City star Raheem French defender had ruptured his Achilles against Atletico Madrid last season Sterling. Sterling allegedly suf- fered racist taunts from a Chel- AFP sea fan during City’s 2-0 defeat London at Stamford Bridge on Saturday. The shocking incident has reignited the debate over how rsenal defender Laurent Ko- to tackle racism in football after scielny will make his fi rst ap- the sport struggled for decades pearance since May when the to eradicate the problem. Now injury-plagued French inter- Maitland-Niles has revealed his nationalA starts today’s Europa League own disturbing experience of tie against Qarabag. Koscielny ruptured racism. Asked if he has been on his Achilles in Arsenal’s Europa League the receiving end of racist abuse, defeat against Atletico Madrid last sea- the 21-year-old replied: “Yes, I son. The 33-year-old missed France’s have. Not at a professional level World Cup-winning campaign due to but growing up in the youth the injury. ranks. I think it’s disgusting, He fi nally returned for Arsenal’s re- honestly. I really do credit Ra- serves in a Checkatrade Trophy clash heem for coming out and stand- with Portsmouth last week and Emery ing up for himself and other confi rmed yesterday that Koscielny will players and speaking about it.” start against Qarabag. A week before Sterling’s inci- The Gunners have a defensive crisis dent, Arsenal striker Pierre-Em- ahead of Sunday’s trip to Southampton erick Aubameyang had a banana with Rob Holding injured, Shkodran skin thrown in his direction as Mustafi struggling with a hamstring he celebrated in front of Totten- problem and Sokratis Papastathopoulos ham supporters after opening suspended. That could mean Koscielny the scoring in the north London will be asked to play twice in four days derby. England Under-21 inter- if he proves his fi tness. “Because we are national Maitland-Niles said going to play a lot of matches, in the his own encounter with racism next 10 days we play four matches — came during his time in Arse- each of them very important...it is in nal’s academy. “It was pretty our planning to start with Laurent Ko- much similar to what Raheem scielny,” Emery told reporters. got to be honest,” he said. “I lit- “We are going to decide after tomor- erally went out to pick up the ball row’s match, as it’s the fi rst match with for a throw-in and there was a bit us that Laurent Koscielny will play. We of racial abuse behind me. What are going to look also if he can play 90 can I do? I just got on with the minutes or less minutes in this game. game, as he did. It hurts. It hurts We are going to decide but the fi rst is me to talk about it. But I think to think about the match tomorrow be- that’s why it’s so important that cause we need to receive information on we need to get rid of it from the how he can feel.” game. It’s not just footballers Mesut Ozil could also feature against who need to be on board with it. Qarabag having lost his place in Emery’s It’s everyone else: the press, the side. media and the staff as well." Germany midfi elder Ozil has missed Maitland-Niles revealed he the last fi ve games in all competitions Arsenal’s Laurent Koscielny (second right) trains with his teammates in London yesterday. (Reuters) informed authorities of the inci- with a combination of a back injury and dent, but nothing was done. “At Emery preferring other options in his “Tomorrow he is in the group, there UEFA EUROPA LEAGUE FIXTURES Wien vs Rangers (1755); PAOK v BATE v Bordeaux (2000) AEK Larnaca v the time, I just spoke to my dad starting line-up. are 18 players in the squad for this (All times GMT) (1755); Vidi vs Chelsea (1755) Sevilla v Bayer Leverkusen (2000) Olympiakos about it and he did sort of give Emery was forced to deny reports of match and I am going to decide if he Rennes v Astana (1755); Dynamo Kyiv v Krasnodar (1755) Olympique Marseille v Piraeus v Milan (2000) Spartak Trnava v me the heads up and showed me a training ground row with Ozil earlier plays tomorrow from the beginning or Jablonec (1755); Besiktas vs Malmo FF Apollon (1755) Lazio v Eintracht Frank- Fenerbahçe (2000) Dinamo Zagreb v An- a few things about racism before this season after claims he had told the during the match in the 90 minutes,” (1755) Genk vs Sarpsborg 08 (1755); Vil- furt (1755) Sporting CP v Vorskla (2000) derlecht (2000) RB Leipzig v Rosenborg my time, when I was playing former Real Madrid star to work harder. Emery said of Ozil. larreal vs Spartak Moskva (1755); Rapid Arsenal v Qarabağ (2000) København (2000) Celtic v Salzburg (2000) football,” he added.

SPOTLIGHT BOTTOMLINE Japan shuns Kagawa Playing top Asian sides key for India: Chhetri Reuters for Asian Cup Mumbai

AFP Tokyo ndia must have regular competition against the continent’s top sides if they are to have any hope of taking apan dropped former their game to another level, captain Manchester United star ISunil Chhetri has said ahead of next from month’s Asian Cup in the United Arab the Blue Samurai’s bid to Emirates. reclaimJ the Asian Cup, opting Since their last appearance at the fi nals instead for a squad fi lled with in Qatar in 2011, India have played twice young Europe-based talents. Muroya, Genta Miura, Takehiro against a top-six Asian side when they Coach yes- Tomiyasu, , were grouped with Iran for the Russia terday selected several players , , World Cup qualifi ers. Chhetri, who will with only a handful of caps to , Junya Ito, Shoya lead India in just their fourth appearance their names for Asia’s show- Nakajima, , at the fi nals, said they had to be given the case football tournament in the chance to stretch themselves more. Hidemasa Morita, Ritsu Doan, United Arab Emirates starting in “It’s very, very important for us to , , Koya January. The likes of Ritsu Doan keep playing against the big giants — the Kitagawa of Groningen, of UAEs, the Australias, the Korea Repub- Portimonense and Takumi Mi- AUSTRALIA HIT BY MOOY lics,” Chhetri told FIFA.com. namino of Salzburg will lead Ja- BLOW AS INJURY RULES STAR “It’s one thing to do well against your pan’s bid for a record-extending OUT OF ASIAN CUP neighbours, and without demeaning any fi fth title. But there was no place Australia midfi elder Aaron Mooy one of them, it’s a diff erent thing when for midfi elder Kagawa, 29, now will miss the Asian Cup after the you go out and play the giants of Asia.” struggling for playing time at Huddersfi eld star was ruled out Cricket-loving India has a population . until February with a knee injury, of 1.3 bn but it is a massive underachiever Kagawa has long been among the club announced. Mooy suf- as far as football is concerned. The na- the leading stars of Blue Samurai fered a tear to the medial collat- tional side is 97th in the FIFA rankings and at his German outfi t, but the eral ligament in his right knee in and yet to make an appearance at the attacking player has found him- the defeat at Arsenal on Saturday. World Cup fi nals. self unable to get regular fi rst- “After consulting a specialist on The Asian Football Confederation’s country like us to keep qualifying for this Bahrain and Thailand for the January experienced player with 103 caps. team football under Dortmund Tuesday, Aaron has been ruled (AFC) decision to increase the number big tournament, because that tells you 5-February 1 tournament and Chhetri is “In UAE and Thailand we have two coach Lucien Favre. out until February,” Huddersfi eld of fi nalists at the Asian Cup to 24 teams where you are and if you’re doing well. under no illusions about the task facing teams who are very, very technically gift- He told Japanese media last said in a statement. “I’m gutted from 16 has helped the country return to “It also gives you a chance to rub shoul- them. ed. I think even Bahrain are going to be month that he wished to move to to be missing an important time the tournament. ders with the biggest teams in Asia. If you “Without putting ourselves down, very physical. Spain to take on a new challenge. for club and country,” Mooy said. “I was really dejected when we missed do well, other teams take notice of you.” when you’re India and you qualify for the “I’m just looking at it as one game at Moriyasu suggested he had been The 28-year-old’s absence will out on the last edition,” Chhetri said of India, managed by English coach Asian Cup any team that you face are go- a time. I don’t think we will be thinking tempted to turn to veterans like be a major blow for both the Soc- the 2015 tournament in Australia. Stephen Constantine, are in Group A ing to be diffi cult,” said Chhetri, India’s about the mathematics of the group from Kagawa, but said he needed to ceroos and Huddersfi eld. “I think it’s very, very important for a alongside hosts United Arab Emirates, record scorer with 65 goals and their most the moment go.” pick players in their best form. Australia will be aiming to However, the young squad retain the Asian Cup title they will be supported by Werder won in 2015 when they head to Bremen striker Yuya Osako and the United Arab Emirates for the Galatasaray defender Yuto Na- latest edition of the tournament, KOORA TIME KICKS OFF AT DARB AL SAAI gatomo, both veterans of past which gets underway on Janu- World Cups. Japan won the Asian ary 5. The Socceroos have been Doha: The Qatar Football Association at the heart of the event and will be the Museum, showcasing the story of the Koora Time is based on FC Barcelona Cup in 1992, 2000, 2004 and drawn to face Jordan, Syria and (QFA) and Qatar Shell announced Koora venue for games, training and exercises; programme, virtual reality headsets, and Foundation’s FutbolNet methodology 2011, but failed in the last edi- Palestine in Group B. Time’s Qatar National Day activities at there will even be opportunities to train a screen and beanbag zone – ensuring and provides children with an extra 72 tion, won by Australia in 2015. Mooy played a key role in Hud- Darb Al Saai, which began yesterday and with former professional players from there is something for everyone. hours of extra-curricular physical educa- “Japan’s national team did not dersfi eld’s successful attempt to will run until December 20. QFA. Activities will also include games Koora Time was developed by Qatar tion per year. Since its launch in March win the title last time. We will avoid relegation from the Pre- The award-winning programme and such as the Speed Kick, Target Shot, Shell in partnership with the QFA, and 2013, the programme has benefitted reclaim the Asian Cup and bring mier League last season. will provide kids and families days of and Robo Keeper, as well as a play zone the initiative has won eight CSR awards over 20,000 children across Qatar, and back the title,” Moriyasu said. He has been in fi ne form this physical activity, opportunities and for younger kids, promoting a healthy since 2014. It is designed to improve the last year’s programme saw a reduc- Japan squad: Masaaki Hi- term, scoring twice in his club’s spaces to play football and the chance to lifestyle for the whole family. health and well-being of young people in tion in Body Mass Index (BMI) of 93% gashiguchi, Shuichi Gonda, 2-0 win at Wolves last month. practice skills, for all age groups, in a fun In addition to sports, there will also be Qatar through football, and contributes of participants. To find out more about Daniel Schmidt, , The Terriers are third bottom of and non-competitive environment. non-physical activities which will include to the Social Development pillar of the Koora Time or to register a child for the , , the Premier League and sit two The Koora Time football pitch will sit a fun photo booth, the Koora Time Qatar National Vision 2030. programme, visit www.kooratime.qa. , , Sei points from safety. Gulf Times Thursday, December 13, 2018 7 FOOTBALL

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE PSG trip to Dijon goes ahead as Ligue 1 games postponed

Paris Saint-Germain will travel to take on Dijon in Ligue 1 this weekend, the league (LFP) said, after several matches were postponed because police resources are required to deal with pos- sible anti-government protests. Salah sends Liverpool The LFP had announced the postpone- ment of the games between Nice and Saint-Etienne and Nantes and Montpel- lier earlier and then added Caen-Tou- louse. Local government off icials in Dijon said the fixture against the league champi- ons will be played but no travelling Pa- into last 16, Moura risian fans will be allowed into the Stade Gaston Gerard to watch the league lead- ers on Saturday.

Liverpool title bid hit by Matip injury comes to Spurs’ rescue Liverpool defender Joel Matip will be out of action for up to six weeks after suff ering a fractured collarbone. ‘Wow, what a game. I am not sure a manager could be prouder of a team than I am’ Matip was injured in the final minutes of Liverpool’s 1-0 win against Napoli in the AFP Champions League at Anfield on Tues- Paris day. The 27-year-old landed awkwardly following an aerial challenge and is now set to undergo surgery. Matip had ohamed Salah’s fi rst-half started the Reds’ last three matches and goal and a stunning late his injury is blow to Liverpool’s hopes save from goalkeeper Al- of remaining on top of the Premier isson saw Liverpool edge League. Jurgen Klopp’s side, who sit Minto the Champions League knockout one point above Manchester City, are stage after a tense 1-0 win over Na- already without Joe Gomez. poli on Tuesday night, while Lucas Moura’s late strike saw Tottenham progress with a draw at Barcelona. Chelsea target Pulisic not Last year’s runners-up Liverpool for sale in Jan: Dortmund knew victory by two goals or a 1-0 tri- umph would put them through to the leaders Borussia Dortmund last 16 from Group C, and Salah’s cool have insisted Chelsea-target Christian 34th-minute strike proved enough as Pulisic will not be allowed to leave in they fi nished ahead of Napoli on goals the January transfer window. According scored. “Wow, what a game. I am not to British media reports, Chelsea are sure a manager could be prouder of interested in the 20-year-old US interna- a team than I am,” Reds boss Jurgen tional, but Dortmund, who want 50mn Klopp said. euros for the right winger, have blocked Paris Saint-Germain reached a possible departure next month. “We the knockout rounds as group win- won’t let any important players go ners thanks to a 4-1 victory over Red who are indispensable to achieving Star Belgrade, with Neymar, Kylian our sporting goals,” director of sport Mbappe and Edinson Cavani all on Michael Zorc said with Dortmund seven the scoresheet. Liverpool grabbed the points clear in the league table. “I crucial goal at a raucous Anfi eld, as strongly assume that Christian will still Salah jinked past be wearing the Borussia Dortmund shirt inside the area and slotted the ball be- in February.” yond goalkeeper David Ospina. Salah, who had already wasted an earlier chance with a heavy touch, Ex-Gunner Adams named continued to run Napoli ragged early English rugby body chief in the second half, but Ospina saved from Jordan Henderson and James Former Arsenal and England captain Milner curled wide as Carlo Ancelot- Tony Adams has been named the new ti’s men stayed a goal from turning the president of English rugby league’s group on its head. governing body. Despite his roots in The atmosphere around Anfi eld be- football, Adams has close links with came increasingly tense as the Premier rugby league through his Sporting League leaders continued to miss op- Chance charity. The 52-year-old will portunities, with Ospina springing to replace current Rugby Football League his left to tip away Salah’s attempted (RFL) president Andy Burnham, a politi- lob before denying Mane from point- cian for the centre-left Labour party and blank range. the mayor of Manchester, in the middle Senegal forward Mane was guilty of of next year. Adams made more than two further snatched eff orts in front of 500 appearances for Arsenal and won goal, and Napoli almost made the Reds 66 caps for England. Since the end of pay in the dying moments. his playing career, Adams has had spells The ball fell for substitute striker as manager of Wycombe, Portsmouth, Arkadiusz Milik unmarked in the area, Gabala and Granada. but Alisson raced from his line to keep Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah (right) runs past Napoli’s Mario Rui during the UEFA Champions League group C match at Anfield stadium in Liverpool. (AFP) out the Pole’s strike with his legs. “I have no idea how Alisson made a save ther gloss to the scoreline in added low shot struck the post. at Club Brugge. Raphael Guerreiro Group B: At Barcelona, Spain: Barce- FIFA bans Afghan football like this,” gushed Klopp. “It was amaz- time. “We made mistakes, but I really Mauro Icardi levelled for Inter tapped in Maximilian Philipp’s low lona (ESP) 1 (Dembele 7) Tottenham chief pending abuse probe ing.” liked the reaction after Belgrade’s goal. against PSV with 17 minutes left to cross in the 15th minute against Thi- (ENG) 1 (Moura 85); At Milan, Italy: Inter PSG went into their match in Bel- We controlled the match,” PSG coach leave Spurs needing to score at least erry Henry’s crisis-hit Monaco, before Milan (ITA) 1 (Icardi 73) PSV Eindhoven FIFA yesterday suspended the president grade knowing that victory would send Thomas Tuchel said. once. Tottenham, who were facing an slamming in a second late on. “It’s a (NED) 1 (Lozano 13) of the Afghanistan Football Federation early elimination when trailing PSV in them through, and Edinson Cavani Spurs went into their fi nal Group perfect evening. On the whole it was Group C: At Liverpool, England: Liver- Keramuddin Karim for 90 days pending gave the French champions the perfect B game at the Camp Nou needing to their fourth group match before rally- a deserved victory,” said Dortmund an investigation into allegations of pool (ENG) 1 (Salah 34) Napoli (ITA) 0; start by tapping in after an excellent match Inter Milan’s result against PSV ing to win and then beating Inter, con- coach Lucien Favre. sexual and physical abuse against the At Belgrade: Red Star Belgrade (SRB) 1 run and pass by Kylian Mbappe. Eindhoven in Italy, but Mauricio Po- tinued to push and Moura met Harry Earlier on Tuesday in Group D, national women’s team. FIFA’s inde- Neymar’s strike fi ve minutes before chettino’s side fell behind in only the Kane’s low cross in the 85th minute to Galatasaray secured a Europa League (Gobeljic 56) Paris Saint-Germain (FRA) pendent ethics committee said in a half-time appeared to have put the seventh minute as Ousmane Dembele cap a dramatic group-stage revival. last-32 place despite losing 3-2 to Por- 4 (Cavani 10, Neymar 40, Marquinhos statement that the provisional ban “may game to bed, but Red Star, who had scored a wonderful individual goal. “I always believed it was possible to in an entertaining game which saw 74, Mbappe 90+2) be extended pending proceedings on already beaten Liverpool and held Na- Hirving Lozano gave PSV a shock to win the game,” Spurs manager Po- two of three penalties scored. Group D: At Istanbul, Turkey: the merits of the case.” poli in Serbia earlier in the campaign, early advantage at the San Siro, chettino said. “We fully deserved to go Galatasaray (TUR) 2 (Feghouli 45+1, Karim is barred from all football-related pulled one back before the hour mark though, to leave Tottenham heading through with Barcelona. We were the CHAMPIONS LEAGUE RESULTS Derdiyok 65) FC Porto (POR) 3 (Felipe activities at both the national and through Marko Gobeljic. through as it stood. The English club best (two) teams in a diffi cult group.” Group A: At Bruges, Belgium: Club 17, Marega 42-pen, Oliveira 57); At international level, the statement said. But PSG fi nally sealed their spot had plenty of half-chances against a Borussia Dortmund snatched top Afghanistan’s President Ashraf Ghani Brugge (BEL) 0 Atletico Madrid (ESP) 0; Gelsenkirchen, Germany: Schalke (GER) in the last 16 as Marquinhos headed much-changed Barca, who had al- spot in Group A with a 2-0 win over has ordered an investigation into claims At Monaco: Monaco (FRA) 0 Borussia 1 (Schoepf 90+1) Lokomotiv Moscow in Angel Di Maria’s free-kick with 16 ready won the group, but Philippe rock-bottom Monaco, as Atletico of abuse by male off icials against mem- (RUS) 0 minutes to go and Mbappe added fur- Coutinho almost made it 2-0 when his Madrid were held to a goalless draw Dortmund (GER) 2 (Guerreiro 15, 88) bers of the women’s team.

SPOTLIGHT FOCUS Tottenham defi ed doubters, says Pochettino Celtic star Griffi ths AFP Victory, and progress to the knock-out Barcelona stages, represents an impressive achieve- takes break to deal ment for Tottenham, particularly given they have had to play home games at auricio Pochettino revelled in Wembley this term while their new sta- with personal issues Tottenham defying what he dium continues to be delayed. “It is great said many had dubbed “mis- for the club,” Pochettino said. “It gives us AFP he has done amazing to play to sion impossible” on Tues- the possibility to play Champions League Glasgow the level and score some of the Mday as they drew away to Barcelona and in our new stadium, which will be a mas- goals he has. But he has reached qualifi ed for the Champions League’s last sive boost for the club.” the point where it is a struggle for 16. Spurs needed to match Inter Milan’s With Barcelona already guaranteed to eltic striker Leigh Grif- him and we are going to give him result at home to PSV Eindhoven, which go through as group winners, their coach fi ths is taking a break all the professional help that he they did, thanks to Lucas Moura’s 85th- Ernesto Valverde took the chance to rest from football as he seeks possibly needs to get himself into minute equaliser snatching a 1-1 draw at several key players, including Lionel Mes- help for ongoing per- a good place again.” the Camp Nou. si. Messi came on in the 64th minute but sonalC issues, Hoops manager Griffi ths came off the bench Inter were held to the same scoreline by was quiet, while the likes of Jordi Alba, Brendan Rodgers revealed yes- in Celtic’s 5-1 Scottish Premier- PSV, sending Pochettino’s side through Marc-Andre ter Stegen and Sergio Bus- terday. Griffi ths has endured a ship win over Kilmarnock at the in second place in Group B, despite them quets were also missing from the starting diffi cult season marred by injury weekend, but is out of the Europa taking just a single point from their open- line-up. On Messi’s introduction in the problems, but Rodgers said the League Group B clash with Salz- ing three games. “No-one believed in us,” second half, Valverde said: “It’s good to Scotland international’s decision burg today. Asked if it was more Pochettino said afterwards. “People said keep him busy.” He added: “We qualifi ed to step away from the sport was than a physical injury, Rodgers it was mission impossible but we are here. quickly and that speaks for itself.” prompted by off -fi eld troubles. said: “Yes it has been ongoing It is a massive achievement for the club.” Dembele’s surging run and fi nish in the The 28-year-old is widely re- in my time here with Leigh. “I Ousmane Dembele’s superb early goal seventh minute was the perfect riposte ported to have entered a treat- am very close with him, we have looked set to put Tottenham out, as Son from the 21-year-old to more reports of ment facility to deal with a gam- a very strong relationship and Heung-min, Harry Kane and Moura all indiscipline this week. “It was a great bling addiction. he has had a number of issues missed excellent chances. Moura’s late goal, the kind only players with his talent “Leigh will be taken out of around outside of the football strike, however, set up a dramatic fi nale, can score,” Valverde said. “We are happy football now for a little period environment and thankfully for with Spurs players left to wait after the fi - with him. Throughout the season, things of time,” Rodgers told reporters. him, there is great support out nal whistle for the fi nish to be confi rmed happen with the players and we solve Tottenham’s Lucas Moura (right) celebrates with teammates after scoring against “Leigh has had ongoing issues there and it is no longer a weak- in Italy. them internally, that’s it.” Barcelona in the Champions League at Camp Nou on Tuesday. (Reuters now for a number of months and ness now to talk.”

Thursday, December 13, 2018 GULF TIMES SPORT

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE Sanchez names preliminary Qatar squad for Asian Cup PSG keeping cool heads Doha: Qatar coach Felix Sanchez yesterday named a provisional squad of 27 players for the AFC Asian Cup, which will be held in the UAE from January 5 to February 1. The squad will be pruned to 23 after the four friendlies aft er making last 16 games. The squad is expected to assemble for training from tomorrow and then is sched- uled to play friendlies against ‘We need to stay humble and have a professional attitude. We are improving and we are hard to beat’ Jordan on December 23, Kyrgyzstan on 25, Algeria on AFP 27 and Iran on 31 in Doha. Belgrade Sanchez’s men are in good form going into the Asian Cup, having won four of the six aris Saint-Germain coach Tho- friendly matches in the last mas Tuchel said his side need few months. They beat China, to “stay humble” after they Palestine, Ecuador and Swit- thumped Red Star Belgrade 4-1 zerland and tied with Iceland. Pon Tuesday night and qualifi ed for the Their only loss came against last 16 of the Champions League, fi n- Uzbekistan. ishing ahead of Liverpool and Napoli to Qatar is in Group E along top a tight Group C. with Lebanon, North Korea, First-half goals from Edinson Cavani and Saudi Arabia. Al Anabi’s and Neymar set the French champions opening match in the pres- on their way, before a bullet header from tigious competition will be Marquinhos, Kylian Mbappe’s injury- against Lebanon on January 9 time strike and Liverpool beating Na- in Al Ain, before they take on poli 1-0 ensured fi rst place in the group North Korea on 13 and Saudi after Marko Gobeljic pulled one back for Arabia on 17. Only two teams the hosts early in the second half. from each group will qualify “We made mistakes, but I really liked for the knockout stage. the reaction after Belgrade’s goal. We Meanwhile, five referees controlled the match,” said Tuchel said from Qatar will off iciate at after the win. “We need to stay humble the Asian Cup. Abdulrahman and have a professional attitude. We are al-Jassim, Khamis al-Kuwari improving and we are hard to beat.” and Khamis al-Mari are chosen PSG fi nished the group stage on 11 as match referees, with Taleb points, two ahead of second-placed Salem and Saud Ahmed also Liverpool and Napoli, who were elimi- making the list as assistant nated due to their defeat at Anfi eld. referees. With the expansion Topping such a keenly-contested group of Asia’s most prestigious is a huge boost for PSG, who have domi- tournament from 16 to 24 nated French football since being taken teams, a record 60 match off i- over by Qatari investors but fl attered to cials – comprising 30 referees deceive on the continent. and assistant referees each Arrival in the knockout stage comes – have been appointed for the after two straight wins for PSG, with month-long tournament. Tuesday’s beating of Red Star coming after a crucial 2-1 victory over Liverpool QATAR PROVISIONAL SQUAD that put qualifi cation in their hands. Goalkeepers: Saad al-Sheeb, “We showed for a second time after Youssef Hassan, Mohamed the match against Liverpool that we al-Bakri, Jassim al-Hail, Yazen are ready for this kind of match,” add- Naim ed Tuchel, whose side began the group stage with a 3-2 defeat by the impres- Defenders: Bassam Hisham, sive Reds at Anfi eld and then struggled Sultan al-Brake, Hamed Ismail, to contain Napoli in the two draws with Boualem Khoukhi, Tariq the Italian side. Paris Saint-Germain’s Kylian Mbappe (left) celebrates with Neymar after scoring a goal against Red Star Belgrade at the Rajko-Mitic stadium in Belgrade. (AFP) Salman, Abdelkareem al-Ali, However, PSG scored 10 goals in two Pedro Miguel, Mohamed Alaa, games against Red Star, who beat Liv- get to the quarter-fi nals, but we’ll deal ratti’s through ball, brushed Filip Sto- out of sight three minutes before the out when he met Di Maria’s beautiful Abdul Karim Hassan, Ali Afif, erpool and drew with Napoli in Bel- with what we are given in the draw.” jkovic aside and slipped a perfect pass break, but Mbappe wasted an excellent deep free-kick to make sure of the three Mohamed Musa grade — dropped points that allowed PSG had Red Star on the back foot for the Uruguayan. chance to make it three, again bursting points with 17 minutes remaining. Midfielders: Salim al-Hajri, As- the Ligue 1 leaders to fi nish top. “We are from the start, and their blistering at- Red Star captain Stojkovic had a tor- through past Stojkovic on the left only Mbappe’s neat fi nish as the fi nal sec- happy, we came for qualifi cation and we tacking trio of Neymar, Mbappe and rid evening, and Neymar made light to fl uff his shot into the side netting. onds ticked away and Liverpool’s win sem Madbo, Karim Boudiaf, Ali showed our intentions (with the win),” Cavani did not waste time in putting the work of the 25-year-old on his way to a Red Star came out fi ring in the second were the icing on the cake for PSG. “We Awad, Ahmed Fathy, Abdulrah- said Mbappe, who also laid on Cavani’s away side ahead. wonderful solo goal in the 31st minute, half, and could have scored twice before knew it was going to go to the very end man Fahmy, Abdulaziz Hatem opener. Asked about PSG’s chances Just eight minutes were on the clock dribbling into the box and sitting down Gobeljic smashed past Gianluigi Buff on ever since the draw,” said Marquinhos. Forwards: Hassan al-Haydous, of winning the Champions League, when Cavani tapped Mbappe’s pass into the hosts’ keeper Milan Borjan before in the 56th minute to set the Rajko Mitic “We knew this group was very diffi cult, Akram Afif, Almoez Ali, Ahmed Mbappe added: “We need to see what an open goal, after the French teenage lifting the second into the net. stadium ablaze with noise. However so it’s great to fi nish fi rst, it’s a good sign Alaa. we’ll have in front of us. The goal is to sensation met the excellent Marco Ver- The Ligue 1 leaders should have been Marquinhos snuff ed their enthusiasm for the future.”

SPOTLIGHT QNB STARS LEAGUE Sports minister elated with response Delighted to go top of the league: to Qatar Motorsports Academy Al Sadd’s Ferreira By Sports Reporter Doha By Sports Reporter Doha E the Minister of Culture and Sports Salah bin Ghanem bin l Sadd head coach Nasser al-Ali has lavished Jesualdo Ferreira was praise on Qatar Motorsports a happy man on Tues- HAcademy (QMA) and said he was confi - day night, after his dent that Qatari champions will graduate sideA went top of the QNB Stars from the academy in the future. League table with a thrilling 3-1 Last month, Losail Circuit Sports win over Al Duhail. Speaking af- Club (LCSC), Dorna Sports SL and As- ter the match, Ferreira said: “As I pire Academy joined forces to launch the said before, the most important QMA, which gives young riders between thing is the win and the three the age of eight and 16 years the oppor- points. Al Duhail were not weak tunity to learn from the experts and im- for most of the match; we were prove their skills. Al-Ali paid a visit to the not deceived by their draws in academy at Losail Circuit last weekend their last two games. Their play- and was briefed about the international ers have a winning mentality and this game despite us winning it. class facility, which provides both theo- they came into this game looking They are capable of achieving big retical and practical lessons for the bud- to win and increase the gap. But things after the return of their ding rides. The minister lauded the ef- we turned up and got the win.” injured players. Both of us have a forts of LCSC for their initiative to launch The Portuguese coach was tough task in the upcoming peri- the academy. “Lusail Circuit have taken a not happy with his players show od because of the absence of the special step to launch the academy, which and said there was room for im- players who will join the national is open to Qatar citizens as well as resi- provement. “Despite this win, I team. Everyone knows how much dents,” he said am not satisfi ed with the players’ Sadd and Duhail contribute to Al-Ali was impressed with the enroll- performance because they could the national team and I am wor- ment of 24 Qataris children in the acad- have put a better show. I think the ried that the players will get in- emy out of 71 children. “It’s a remarkable players’ performance needs to jured. I hope they return in their and unexpected number and I am op- HE the Minister of Culture and Sports Salah bin Ghanem bin Nasser al-Ali with the young riders at the Qatar Motorsports Academy. improve in the next period if we best conditions, all prepared to timistic more Qatari children will enrol want to win the league,” he said. restart the league with the same in the academy next year. Our ambition LCSC vice-president and general make it 71 for the pilot batch,” the LCSC Cardoso was excited to see the desire of Ferreira pointed out that the momentum,” he said. in the academy is to create strong rela- manager Khalid al-Remaihi was pleased vice-president said. young riders for the sport. “I am very passing game of his side was not Al Sadd have one-point ad- tions with academies all over the world with the response. “LCSC has made great “The club will provide the best of ex- happy to see many kids at the beginning up to the mark. “It was an even vantage going into the winter and expand the sport in Qatar. Qatar has eff orts in co-operation with Aspire Acad- perts, trainers and academics in motor- of our Academy,” said Cardoso. “It has match. We made a lot of mistakes break, with the league now re- many heroes in motorsport, most notably emy in order to bring this huge project to sport with QMA’s Motorcycling head and been a few months of hard work, enthu- in passing and the players were suming only in February after the Nasser Saleh al-Attiyah, and want to cre- light and make it a reality on the ground,” former MotoGP and WorldSBK rider Jose siasm and desire to see our goals fulfi lled. evidently fatigued. The pressure conclusion on AFC Asian Cup. ate new heroes for the future,” he said. he said. Luis Cardoso leading the training proc- The participation of our riders has been was more on the Al Sadd players And Ferreira said it was not easy The academy received tremendous re- Al-Remaihi noted that the initial plan ess,” he added. incredible and I am sure that we will en- than on Al Duhail. But I am de- to predict who will the title. sponse when the registration was opened, was to have 30-40 children in the fi rst Qatar Motor and Motorcycle Federa- joy passing our experience on to the kids.” lighted that we are on top of the “For us, the fi rst phase of the with more than 200 children taking part year but they had to enrol more children tion Abdul Rahman al-Mannai said the Qatari rider Saeed al-Sulaiti, one of the league table, this has come about league is over now. It is diffi - in the activities of the Family Open Day thanks to the large turnout, which he academy will play an important role in QMA coaches, said: “I’m very happy be- after a lot of eff ort put in by the cult to predict who will win the programme in November. Registrants pointed out has led to increase in number providing many young children with the cause we’ve been waiting for an academy players throughout the season,” league. There is a two-month were made up of 17% Qatari children and of trainers and training days. “We have opportunity to learn and develop in sport. like this for a long time. Having partners the veteran coach said. break and we will suff er more there were a total of 25 nationalities rep- added more trainers to the academy’s He expected the academy to develop like Dorna and Aspire is a guarantee for Ferreira paid tribute to Du- than Duhail due to the absence of resented among all the children. Howev- repertoire. We had a diffi cult job to signifi cantly in the coming period to be- all of us and this great project. I did not hail, even saying they were bet- the international players. I don’t er, the academy had to prune the number choose from 200 children, and we have come a regional centre in the region. expect to have so much demand from the ter than his team on Tuesday. know what we will do without to 71 in the fi rst season. selected the best ones among them to QMA’s Motorcycling head Jose Luis beginning so I am very happy about it.” “Duhail were better than us in these players,” he said.