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Tuesday, January 22, 2019 FOOTBALL Jumada I 16, 1440 AH Ryan the hero GULF TIMES as Australia beat Uzbekistan in shootout SPORT Page 3 ASIAN CUP/ QATAR VS IRAQ, 7PM TODAY Qatar ready for ‘hard’ game of football against Iraq

‘It was wonderful to see the team win three matches while playing quality football. But SPOTLIGHT now we forget those results because to ensure we emerge victorious we must start afresh’

Agencies Abu Dhabi Japan oach Felix Sanchez said Qatar will ‘play hard’ football in their AFC Asian Cup last 16 Cclash against 2007 champions knock out Iraq today. Qatar stormed into the last-sixteen of the 24-team tournament on the back of three straight wins against Lebanon, North Korea and Saudi Arabia. Saudis “We will play hard,” Sanchez said in a pre-match press confer- Reuters ence. “Our aim is to win and to do Sharjah that we have to play our best be- cause our opponents are strong,” the Spaniard added. fi rst-half goal from “Our team is riding high on Takehiro Tomi- confi dence. This is like the fi nal. yasu was enough to To win the match is our goal,” send Japan into the Sanchez said. AsianA Cup quarter-fi nals for “It was wonderful to see the the eighth consecutive tour- team win three matches while nament after a 1-0 win over playing quality football. But now Saudi Arabia at Sharjah Sta- we forget those results because to dium yesterday. ensure we emerge victorious, we The Saudis, looking to must start afresh. We will do our end a 23-year drought since best. Iraq has talented players their third continental title, and for us to qualify for the next paid the price for failing to stage, we must win this match,” convert their chances and Sanchez said. Raring to go: Asian Cup top scorer Almoez Ali (second from left) poses with his teammates during a training session in Abu Dhabi yesterday. At so the four-times champion “We have been working hard bottom, coach Felx Sanchec and player Ali Afif attend a pre-match press conference. Samurai Blue progress to for a long time. We have a great “Opponents cannot be chosen. group and won against every- face Vietnam on Thursday. Takehiro Tomiyasu group of gifted players who work You play whom you get to face. body. All players are confi dent,” Japan went in front in the celebrates with Maya as a one unit. This was our meth- Any opponent will have a tough Afi f said. 20th minute when defender Yoshida after scoring od in previous matches – to play time. Iraq is a strong team with “We know they are a tough side Tomiyasu rose above a Saudi against Saudi Arabia. as a unit and give our best. a distinguished group of players. but we are ready with our confi - defender in the centre of the “We also played strong teams We look forward to playing to win dence high,” he added. box to head a corner into the Moments later defender in friendly matches in the last to qualify for the quarter-fi nals.” “Our team has a great bunch bottom left-hand corner of Ali Hadi al-Bulayhi guided few matches. We played against Reacting to praise from Por- of young players and they have the net.The Samurai Blue the ball well over the bar Ecuador, Switzerland, Iceland tuguese coach Jose Mourinho on to be patient to have a promising defenders put in a solid shift with a free header after an and many other teams. That gave Thursday after Qatar beat Saudi future.” against an aggressive Saudi inviting Aldawsari cross into us match practice and the experi- Arabia, Sanchez said: “Of course “You can see the seriousness Arabia, who dictated play the penalty area. ence we needed to get the players it is very nice to hear such words. with which the players play. They throughout the match but The defeat could be Juan ready,” Sanchez said. We feel good to have the praise of play to win and improve. That’s struggled in front of goal. Antonio Pizzi’s last match “We have had enough time to a great coach like Mourinho. It to their advantage since they “Today’s key was that we as Saudi Arabia head coach. rest and be ready for this match. was a great game against Saudi want to play for Qatar for long,” could play with patience,” He told reporters that his It is diffi cult to win in all games of and we enjoyed our win.” he said. Japan coach Hajime Mori- contract expired at the the championship in general but Meanwhile Qatar will put in On the technical level of the yasu told reporters. Asian Cup and that so far we were able to achieve this be- a 100 percent eff ort for a win in two teams, Afi f explained: “The Midfi elder Salem Aldaw- there had been no discus- cause we stuck to our plans. We their last 16 clash against Iraq, two teams have the elements sari had a golden opportu- sions on renewing it. Japan, intend to repeat that against Iraq forward Ali Afi f said. capable of making a diff erence. nity to put the Green Falcons who claimed their last title also. We will have the same ap- “It is an important match since That makes for an interesting level in the 62nd minute but in 2011, had won all three of proach that we had against all our we will be playing a strong outfi t clash. We are meeting a team sprayed the ball over the bar their previous tournament three rivals (in the fi rst stage),” he As for playing against Iraq, ing Saudi Arabia 2-0 in their last in Iraq. But let me tell you, Qatar that has done well in this tourna- with a right-footed shot matches to fi nish top of their added. another Arab side after beat- game, Sanchez said yesterday: players are ready. We topped our ment.” from the centre of the box. group.

CRICKET Qatar outplay Saudi Arabia in ACC opener

By Sports Reporter players to have the rivals struggling brisk 26-ball 43, which included bia. We hope that the Qatar team will Muscat at five for 39. Saudi opener Sajid eight hits to the fence, and they lost keep improving its performance and Imran Cheema scored a 41-ball 47. three more players in quick succes- continue to win matches. We wish After Cheema was ninth out at 88, sion. more successes to the team,” al-Ku- atar’s Tamoor Sajjad (pic- Mohamed Adnan offered a spirited But Mohamed Tanveer and Noman wari added in his statement. tured receiving his man- rearguard resistance and collected Sarwar held the innings together to of-the-match award) 38 not out with four sixes and two see Qatar home in 15.3 overs. Tanveer Brief scores: snared three wickets for 11 boundaries. His 15-ball effort helped blasted two sixes and three fours to Qatar beat Saudi Arabia by four runsQ as Qatar posted a fi ne four-wick- the team reach 126. collect 33 not out off 18 balls, while Saudi Arabia wickets: : 126 all out in et victory over Saudi Arabia in their Iqbal Hussain Chaudhry also Sarwar’s unbeaten 11 had two fours. in 20 overs (Sajid Imran Cheema 43, opening match of the ACC Western grabbed three wickets, while In- Sajjad was declared the man of the Mohamed Adnan 38; Noman Sarwar Region Twenty20 Cricket Tournament am-Ul-Haq and Mohamed Nadeem match. 2/16, Tamoor Sajjad 3/11, Mohamed here yesterday. shared two wickets. Qatar Cricket Association Presi- Nadeem 1/43, Inam-Ul- Haq 1/13, The decision to put Saudi Arabia Qatar also suffered an early set- dent Yousef Jeham al-Kuwari con- Iqbal Hussain Chaudhry 3/26) in to bat first by Qatar skipper In- back as they lost Kamran Khan for gratulated the national team on their Qatar: 126 for seven in 15.3 overs am-Ul-Haq was justified as Noman six. But they steadied their innings superb victory over bitter rivals Sau- (Faisal Javed Khan 43, Zaheerud- Sarwar dealt two quick blows. Saudi with a 47-run stand between Faisal di Arabia. deen Ibrahim 21, Mohamed Tanveer Arabia, from two down for eight in Javed Khan and Zaheeruddeen Ibra- “We are extremely pleased with 33 runs, Noman Sarwar 11 not out; two overs, could never recover and him, who hit 21 with two sixes and a the national team’s splendid four- Ibrar-Ul Haq 1/23, Usman Ali 1/21, folded up at 126 off the final ball. four in 18 balls. wicket triumph in the opening match Mohamed Nadeem 3/16, Faizal Khan The Saudi collapse was accelerated The winners experienced a mini in the ACC Western Region T20 in 1/21) by Sajjad who removed three more slump after Khan went out after a Oman and that too over Saudi Ara- Man-of-the-match: Tamoor Sajjad Gulf Times 2 Tuesday, January 22, 2019 FOOTBALL

ASIAN CUP QATAR TRAIN FOR IRAQ GAME Ryan the hero as Australia beat Uzbekistan

Holders to play hosts UAE in the quarter-finals Qatar players train on the eve of their Asian Cup Round of 16 match against Iraq at the Al Nahyan Stadium in Abu Dhabi yesterday.

FOCUS UAE beat Kyrgyzstan in extra time to enter quarter-fi nals

AFC ed UAE goalkeeper Khalid Eisa and fi nished with Abu Dhabi aplomb to draw his side level. Clearly buoyed by the equaliser, Kyrgyzstan refused to concede an inch to their opponents, ost nation the United Arab Emirates although Matar threatened to restore the UAE’s Australia’s goalkeeper Maty Ryan (second left) celebrates with teammates after his shootout heroics helped his team to win over kept alive their AFC Asian Cup UAE lead when he fi zzed a shot from distance narrowly Uzbekistan in the AFC Asian Cup Round of 16 match at the Khalifa bin Zayed Stadium in Al Ain, UAE, yesterday. (AFP) 2019 title ambitions yesterday, as an ex- over as the fi rst half drew to a close. tra-time Ahmed Khalil penalty helped After the break, Mabkhout almost immedi- that we could get caught out on the counter. The Socceroos pressed in the second half, secureH a hard-fought 3-2 win over Kyrgyzstan ately headed Bandar Mohammed’s pinpoint cross Reuters Al Ain, United Arab Emirates We did exceptionally well with that and it’s with Rhyan Grant heading over from an acute and a place in the quarter-fi nals. inches wide of the post, before a curling Kichin just about building and these type of results angle when Milos Degenek’s diagonal ball In truth, Alberto Zaccheroni’s side struggled delivery eluded its intended target and thudded give players confi dence.” found him unmarked behind the Uzbekistan for large periods of a game which saw Khalil’s against Eisa’s crossbar with the custodian beaten. ustralia goalkeeper Maty Ryan Australia deserved to progress after domi- defence having moments earlier sent another success from 12 yards seal their progress only af- However, any momentum Kyrgyzstan had been earned the Asian Cup holders a nating the second half and most of extra time header into the hands of Nesterov. ter Kyrgyzstan had twice come from behind fol- building was brought to a sudden halt on 64 min- quarter-fi nal place with two saves in the 0-0 stalemate as they kept their hopes Uzbekistan’s keeper was now seeing all the lowing Khamis Esmaeel’s early opener. utes as the UAE went ahead once again, this time in the shootout to see off Uzbekistan of retaining the title on track. It was Uz- action, and he was forced to deny Leckie nine On a night when tournament debutants Kyrgyz Mabkhout collecting Amer Abdulrahman’s pass 4-2A on penalties after the match fi nished bekistan, however, who had made the early minutes after the Hertha Berlin winger came Republic shone brightly, the UAE’s victory sets and drilling the ball beyond Kutman Kadyrbekov goalless following extra time yesterday. running and Ryan was called into action after off the bench before pushing Tom Rogic’s de- up a quarter-fi nal showdown with Australia in Al in the Kyrgyz Republic goal. Brighton & Hove Albion’s Ryan denied Is- just 10 minutes as Eldor Shomurodov burst fl ected strike from outside the area wide for a Ain on Friday, and maintained Emirati hopes of To their credit, Kyrgyzstan refused to buckle, lom Tukhtakhujaev and Dostonbek Khamda- past Trent Sainsbury to force the Premier corner. Australia continued to be frustrated claiming a fi rst-ever Continental crown. and after Vitalij Lux, who bagged a hat-trick last mov to leave Mathew Leckie to score the win- League keeper to block his close-range shot. when the game went into extra time with Entering the game as Group A winners, the UAE time out, had fl ashed a late eff ort agonisingly ning spot kick and take the Socceroos into the Australia carried little threat, with Aziz Chris Ikonomidis, Leckie and Rogic all going began brightly, and after Valeri Kichin’s splendid wide, Tursunali Rustamov headed home a last last eight. Australia will next face hosts the Behich registering their only goal attempt in close before the extra period drifted towards last-ditch tackle had robbed Ali Mabkhout when gasp equaliser following Anton Zemlianukhin’s United Arab Emirates, who beat Kyrgyzstan the opening 45 minutes when he tried his luck penalties. the striker was bearing down on goal, they went cross to send the pulsating match into extra-time. in extra time. from outside the area, and Uzbek keeper Ig- In the shootout, Behich saw his penalty ahead in the 13th minute through a fi ne Esmaeel Mabkhout spurned an early chance in the second “I’m proud of the guys and how they stayed natiy Nesterov had few problems. saved by Nesterov before Tukhtakhujaev’s header from Ismaeil Matar’s corner. minute of the additional 30, before – just 60 sec- calm, showed no emotion and stuck to the Javokhir Sidikov fl ashed a long-range ef- attempt was kept out by Ryan, and the Aus- Having impressed during the group stage, onds later – the striker was brought down in the game plan and had great discipline,” said fort narrowly wide of Ryan’s goal and Kham- tralia keeper then denied Khamdamov in the Kyrgyzstan bounced back in fi ne fashion shortly area by Bekzhan Sagynbaev. Substitute Ahmed Australia coach Graham Arnold. “Defensively damov should have done better when he was penultimate round to leave Leckie to wrap up before the half-hour mark, Akhlidin Israilov’s de- Khalil stepped up to convert the resulting penalty we didn’t throw too many players forward so found by Shomurodov with time and space. the win. lightful pass fi nding Akhlidin Israilov who round- and put his side ahead yet again.

SPOTLIGHT LIPPI SAYS CHINA NEED ‘MORE FOCUS’ AHEAD OF IRAN CLASH Goalkeeper Beiranvand keeps Iran alive Al Ain, United Arab Emirates: Lippi already appeared to be Marcello Lippi said China need defending his record when he AFP to learn how to focus for an en- volunteered statistics that in his Abu Dhabi tire game ahead of their crunch 10 competitive matches, China Asian Cup quarter-final with have won six and lost only two, Iran, the biggest — and possibly to Iran and South Korea. “That ran goalkeeper Alireza Beiranvand last — game of his tenure. The means I have to be very proud had fl ashbacks of facing a chest- Italian World Cup-winning of my players,” he said, adding: puffi ng Cristiano Ronaldo before coach hailed his players after “I’m very satisfied because this saving a fi rst-minute penalty that they overcame Thailand 2-1 to team is getting great results Ikept his team’s Asian Cup challenge reach the last eight, saying they and we’re in the quarter-finals, alive. The talismanic 26-year-old de- had proved they were among which means we’re one of the nied Oman captain Ahmed al-Mahaijri the best in Asia. top eight Asian teams.” to spark a 2-0 victory in Abu Dhabi at the But Lippi, 70, said China still Reaching the quarters weekend, sending title-chasing Iran into had a habit of drifting in and matches China’s performance the quarter-fi nals. out of games after another of 2015, when the Asian Cup But Beiranvand revealed that memories Jekyll-and-Hyde perform- had only 16 teams rather than of keeping out Ronaldo’s spot kick in a 1-1 ance in which they trailed 1-0 24. China have never won the draw with Portugal at last year’s World midway through the second trophy in 11 previous attempts. Cup had helped him prevent a disastrous half. “Chinese players have However, Lippi also sounded start against Oman. “Ever since saving to improve psychologically,” the alarm for future Chinese that kick from Cristiano, Iran fans expect said Lippi, who is expected to teams after fielding an ageing me to save penalties,” Beiranvand said af- leave China after the Asian Cup line-up including four starters ter the game. following two-and-a-half years in their thirties, and only one “I actually did think about that mo- at the helm. “Sometimes they younger than 26. ment for a fraction of a second — I told need to be much more focused myself I can’t let everybody think what and concentrated and pay more SOUTH KOREA BLOW happened in Russia was a fl uke,” he add- attention during the game. It’s AS KI RULED OUT ed. “I just tried to concentrate and tried to a psychological thing. It’s very South Korea’s Asian Cup hopes repeat it again at a diff erent tournament. important to have the same have suff ered a blow after Pre- First and foremost, it’s my duty to save intensity, the same determina- mier League midfielder Ki Sung- penalties and help the team. But the way tion from the beginning of the yueng was ruled out of the I look at my career at the moment, there’s Goalkeeper Alireza Beiranvand (left) denied Oman captain Ahmed al-Mahaijri a penalty to spark a 2-0 victory in Abu Dhabi on game.” tournament with a hamstring no limit to my dreams.” Sunday, sending title-chasing Iran into the quarter-finals of the AFC Asian Cup in Abu Dhabi. (Reuters) China were under the cosh injury. The 29-year-old New- Video emerged after the match of Iran against Thailand on Sunday un- castle United man played less forward Sardar Azmoun pointing to the Iran, Asia’s top-ranked side, have failed Beiranvand found fame at the World quillity to play our attacking game. We til Lippi switched his formation than an hour at the tournament goalkeeper’s right before al-Mahaijri to win Asian football’s most coveted prize Cup when he revealed he had run away love Ali, he has a big heart and an amaz- at half-time, turning the tables before being taken off during stepped up to shoot. “I had already decid- since 1976 — an anomaly Beiranvand from his nomad family and worked in a ing spirit.” as they swamped the Thais for South Korea’s opening win over ed to dive that way,” insisted Beiranvand. admitted causes the “Team Melli” play- car wash and as a street cleaner before Beiranvand tipped Iran to go all the much of the second period. But the Philippines in Dubai. “But when Sardar gave me the sign I was ers some heartache. “We think about it making it as a footballer, often forced to way. “After the way we played in Russia, Iran, Asia’s top-ranked team, Ki’s withdrawal was an- 100% sure.” every single day to be honest,” he nodded. sleep on the streets of Tehran. the expectation is that we make a run at will provide a much stiff er test nounced as South Korea, A poacher’s goal from Brighton for- “Inside our hearts it is one of our big- Iran coach Carlos Queiroz makes no it here,” he said. “We’ve been the top- and the expectation is that two-time winners of the tourna- ward Alireza Jahanbakhsh and an Ashkan gest dreams. And after 43 years it’s one of secret of his admiration for his giant goal- ranked team in Asia for a long time now, after Thursday’s game in Abu ment and the 2015 runners-up, Dejagah penalty were ultimately enough the biggest dreams of the Iranian people keeper. “That penalty save kept us in the so hopefully we can top it off by win- Dhabi, China will be packing prepare to take on Bahrain in for Iran as the Asian Cup co-favourites in terms of sport, so we defi nitely think game,” said the former Real Madrid boss. ning the Asian Cup. We want to make our their bags. the round of 16 today. advanced to face China in the last eight. about it.” “Ali gives us more confi dence and tran- country proud.” Gulf Times Tuesday, January 22, 2019 3 FOOTBALL

LA LIGA ARIJIT SINGH: IT WOULD BE AN HONOUR TO SING THE 2022 WORLD CUP ANTHEM

Doha: Indian singer Arijit Dembele shines but Singh is a household name in the subcontinent having dished out countless hits in his short career so far. Arijit, who has won the prestigious Filmfare award thrice, was in Doha last week where he also revealed he Messi needed off is a football fan and expressed his desire to sing the World Cup anthem when Qatar hosts the event in 2022. “Honestly, we have an en- vironment for cricket in India. So, to be a football fan is a bit bench to rescue Barca diff erent. I started following football in school. There were not many matches on television Barca regain their five-point advantage over Atletico Madrid at the top of the table back then. But now I actually get to follow football more as AFP it is easier to get informed,” Barcelona the 31-year-old vocalist told Qatar has football in its blood. goal.com. Theme songs are an The stadiums are super cool. integral part of any World Cup More than anything, the fans usmane Dembele gave Barce- and Singh feels that it would be will enjoy the game and the lona a glimpse into the future an ‘honour’ to lend his voice to players,” the versatile singer but Barcelona still needed Li- the 2022 anthem. said. An avid follower of Indian onel Messi to beat Leganes 3-1 “I would love to sing the 2022 football and a diehard Man- onO Sunday night and restore their fi ve- WC anthem. It is not every day chester United fan, he strongly point lead at the top of La Liga. Messi had that you get to do those things. believes that Indian football is started on the bench, rested by coach Er- It will be my honour to do that,” on the right track. nesto Valverde, and for just over an hour he added. “We understand that Indian at the Camp Nou, Dembele fi lled the void Singh also visited the football is progressing. The by scoring the opening goal in a sparkling Supreme Committee head- infrastructure is improving individual display. quarters during his visit and so our development is also The 21-year-old, however, limped off expressed his admiration for taking place. We have good with a sprained ankle in the 69th minute, the progress being made in players and now we need more shortly after Leganes had equalised preparation for the World Cup. challenges so that they can through Martin Braithwaite and Valverde “Fans will love it (World Cup) in recognise their mistakes and responded by introducing Messi. Qatar. The culture is fantastic. improve. He needed only seven minutes to make an impact as his bending shot was fol- lowed up by Luis Suarez, who poked the ball in ahead of Leganes goalkeeper Pi- SPOTLIGHT chu Cuellar. Messi then rounded off the win by scoring himself in injury-time. Leganes had protested against Suarez’s fi nish, convinced that Pichu had been Ronaldo to answer fouled by a high foot. “It was a clear foul,” coach Mauricio Pellegrino said. “Barca don’t need these tax fraud charges kind of decisions to help them.” But VAR disagreed and Barca advanced Reuters not immediately respond to an to what was, in truth, a fully deserved Madrid email requesting comment. victory. It means they regain their hefty In 2017, Ronaldo denied the advantage over Atletico Madrid at the top accusation that he knowingly of the table, with the diff erence ahead of ristiano Ronaldo is used a business structure cre- Real Madrid also back to 10 points. due in court in Spain to- ated to allegedly hide income his Leganes had beaten Barcelona at home day to answer charges of image rights generated in Spain in September but that remains the high evading taxes during his between 2011 and 2014. He had point of their season. Cnine-year reign as Spanish side paid a fi ne of 5.7mn euros, plus They stay 14th. Valverde was accused Real Madrid’s all-time highest interest of about 1mn euros, in of failing to rest key players last term, scorer. The Portuguese striker July 2018, the prosecutor’s offi ce to the detriment of their progress in the is expected to plead guilty after said last week. Champions League, and his gamble to he struck a deal last year with Between 2005 and 2010, the spare his star player just about paid off . authorities in Spain to settle the so-called “Beckham law” al- “There are lots of games,” Valverde said. case by paying an 18.8mn euro lowed foreign football players in “We talk to the players and decide when it ($21.4mn) fi ne and accepting a Spain to curb their tax payments. may be good for them to rest.” suspended jail sentence. It was lifted as fi nancial crisis “It was diffi cult with and without Mes- The 33-year-old Juventus strained state coff ers and pros- si,” Pellegrino said. Barcelona needed him forward is unlikely to serve any ecutors set their sights on the tax in the end but for a while, Dembele, and time in jail, as the 23-month aff airs of household names of the the 21-year-old Carles Alena in midfi eld, Barcelona superstar Lionel Messi celebrates with teammate Jordi Alba after scoring against Leganes on Sunday night. (Reuters) term prosecutors have requested football world including Ronaldo had shown there may yet be life after is within a two-year threshold and Barcelona’s Lionel Messi. Messi, who turns 32 in June. came back, Dembele opened up his body liant night cut short. Malcom came on. exchanged with Alba in injury-time. A that can be served on probation Ronaldo’s former teammate Dembele was at the heart of every- and his right foot, guiding the ball fi rst- Seven minutes passed between Messi’s swoop of the Argentinian’s right foot was for a fi rst off ence under Spanish Xabi Alonso is also due in court thing in the fi rst half, his hips slaloming time into the bottom corner. substitution and Suarez’s goal. Messi cut all it needed. law. Ronaldo asked for special today to respond to charges through the hapless Leganes defence, After half-time, Philippe Coutinho in from the right and curled a shot to- security measures for accessing in a separate tax fraud case, in who swarmed around him in numbers but fi red over after another Dembele fl ick wards the top corner, where Pichu dived SPANISH LA LIGA RESULTS the court, but the request was which prosecutors are seeking always seemed a step behind. A cheeky and it felt like only a matter of time be- to meet it and palmed the ball into the air. denied, a Madrid judge said in a a fi ve-year jail term and a 4mn Real Betis 3 (Tello 12, Loren 54, Canales nutmeg was followed by an audacious fore another goal would come. It did, As it dropped, Suarez got there fi rst, stab- statement. fi ne. Alonso, who was part of scoop, which found Suarez but he poked but Leganes scored it, with their second bing in the rebound at around hip-height 90+4-pen) Girona 2 (Garcia 36, Doumbia Spanish media reported he had Spain’s World Cup-winning na- wide. It was a classy fi nish for the opener shot on target. Alba was caught out and before clattering into the keeper’s chest. 44); Villarreal 1 (Toko Ekambi 71) Athletic asked to be allowed to enter the tional team before retiring from too, although the goal owed more to the Youssef En-Neysri nipped in. VAR checked and Leganes protest- Bilbao 1 (Jaume 19-og); Rayo Vallecano courtroom via the car park. Of- the game in 2017, is accused of collective than individual. His fi zzing cross found Braithwaite, ed. The goal stood. Suarez should have 2 (Comesana 22, Embarba Blazquez 28) fi cials say today’s hearing will be defrauding the Spanish state of Gerard Pique started it, driving from who darted ahead of Pique to prod home. scored again but shot straight at Pichu, Real Sociedad 2 (Moreno 39, Willian Jose short, and only require Ronaldo two mn euros between 2010 and deep in defence down the wing. Alena Messi had been warming up and was who gathered, rushed out and barged 82); Levante 2 (Coke 42, Roger 90+5) Val- to confi rm he accepts the deal. 2012. He has repeatedly denied took over and found Dembele, who spread quickly introduced. Alena made way and into the shoulder of the Uruguayan. Any ladolid 0; Barcelona 3 (Dembele 32, Suarez Ronaldo’s agent in Portugal did any wrongdoing. the ball wide to Jordi Alba. When the ball shortly after Dembele followed, his bril- doubt was dispelled, however, as Messi 71, Messi 90+2) Leganes 1 (Braithwaite 57)

FOCUS PSG contract rebel Rabiot hopes to end forced exile

AFP the French club. The 23-year-old French the January transfer window closes. The sons”. Rabiot is reportedly happy to stay Paris international midfi elder has not played French league (LFP) confi rmed that Ra- at PSG for the remainder of the campaign. for PSG since early December and has biot has taken the matter to their legal His enforced absence comes at a time been ordered to train with the reserves committee, claiming that PSG’s decision when PSG are short of options in mid- ontract rebel Adrien Rabiot is after failing to agree a new contract. to banish him goes against the “profes- fi eld and have just lost Marco Verratti to hoping to force Paris Saint-Ger- His existing deal expires at the end of sional footballer’s charter”. an ankle injury. With the fi rst leg of their main to allow him to train with the season and Rabiot has been strongly That charter only allows for players to Champions League last-16 tie against the fi rst-team squad again amid linked with a move to Barcelona, either be ordered to train apart “on a temporary Manchester United just three weeks away, Congoing uncertainty about his future at for free in the summer, or even before basis” and for “exclusively sporting rea- PSG need to bring in reinforcements.

LIGUE 1 Last-gasp derby victory for Lyon AFP save to keep the visitors in the game, Kevin Strootman cross two minutes Marseille moved up to seventh and Paris twice denying the in-form Wahbi after the interval to earn Marseille a to within six points of the Champions Khazri before tipping away Hamou- welcome three points. Caen played League spots after infl icting a fi fth ma’s follow-up. Saint-Etienne again most of the second half with 10 men home defeat in six outings on a Caen oussa Dembele grabbed a had a chance to win the match in a after Frederic Guilbert was dismissed outfi t with just three wins all season. stoppage-time winner for frantic goalmouth scramble but Remy for a second booking. Kylian Mbappe and Edinson Cavani Lyon in a 2-1 victory over Cabella was thwarted by Lopes and Marseille had faced angry support- both scored hat-tricks on Saturday as bitter foes Saint-Etienne Leo Dubois produced a vital block to ers in heated exchanges following last Paris Saint-Germain romped to their Mon Sunday, while Marseille snapped a repel Lois Diony’s subsequent eff ort. weekend’s 1-1 home draw with Mo- biggest-ever home win with a 9-0 wretched run of nine games without a A pitch invasion by angry home fans naco, the culmination of a dismal run thrashing of bottom side Guingamp. win as they beat Caen 1-0 in Ligue 1. caused a lengthy stoppage when Lyon that included a humiliating French Meanwhile, Thierry Henry’s night- Romain Hamouma headed Saint- won 5-0 last season, and tempers Cup defeat by fourth-tier amateurs mare spell in charge of Monaco took Etienne into the lead on 21 minutes, again briefl y threatened to boil over Andrezieux at the start of the month. another turn for the worse after 5-1 but Nabil Fekir converted a second- following the fi nal whistle on Sunday. Marseille coach Rudi Garcia, who home humbling to Strasbourg. half penalty to haul Lyon level follow- Lyon climbed back above their rivals again faced calls to resign from Mar- ing a handball by Loic Perrin. Dembele into third place after dealing Saint- seille fans in the away section, was FRENCH LIGUE 1 RESULTS headed over in the dying stages after Etienne a fi rst home loss of the season. unsure whether Payet would be avail- Rennes 0 Montpellier 0; Angers 1 coming on as a substitute, but the for- Earlier, Marseille recorded a fi rst able for next week’s visit of Lille. “I ward made no mistake with another win since late November despite los- don’t know. It’s never good when it’s (Fulgini 90+4) Nantes 0; Caen 0 chance moments later to fl oor the ing the infl uential Dimitri Payet to the knee,” said Garcia. “He felt it all of Marseille 1 (Sanson 47); Bordeaux 1 hosts in the 95th minute. a knee injury after just 24 minutes. a sudden... I think it was a Caen player (Cornelius 77) Dijon 0; Saint-Etienne Lyon’s Moussa Dembele (left) attempts to get past Saint-Etienne’s Neven Subotic Lyon goalkeeper Anthony Lopes Morgan Sanson, on as a substitute for who fell on top of him, or something 1 (Hamouma 21) Lyon 2 (Fekir 65-pen, during the French Ligue match on Sunday night. (Reuters) had earlier pulled off a stunning triple Payet, guided home a header from a like that, when he was on the ground.” Dembele 90+5) Gulf Times 4 Tuesday, January 22, 2019 FOOTBALL

SERIE A FOCUS Struggling Huddersfi eld appoint AC Milan back fourth Siewert as new coach

Reuters London with win over Genoa uddersfi eld Town have appointed Borus- sia Dortmund reserve Napoli beat 10-man Lazio 2-1 to close the gap on leaders Juventus to six points team manager Jan SiewertH as head coach with a AFP contract until 2021, the Premier Milan League club announced yes- terday. Siewert replaces David Wagner, who left the club by abio Borini and Suso scored late mutual consent last week with as AC Milan bounced back from Town rooted to the bottom of the last week’s Italian Super Cup league table. defeat to Juventus by reclaim- German manager Wagner ingF fourth spot in Serie A with a 2-0 win guided Huddersfi eld into the at Genoa yesterday. Gennaro Gattuso’s top fl ight in 2016-17 for the fi rst side have 34 points from 20 games and time in 45 years after winning sit in the fi nal Champions League berth, the Championship playoff fi nal overtaking Roma who are one point be- against Reading. With the odds hind in fi fth and Lazio, who are a further stacked against him, he then point behind in sixth after their 2-1 de- kept them in the top fl ight last feat at Napoli on Sunday. season. Just four points separate Milan and The current campaign has eighth-placed Sampdoria in a tight race been more diffi cult, however, to qualify for Europe’s premier club with Town winning two of their competition. Gattuso’s side — unsettled 23 matches and currently sitting by their defeat to Juventus in Saudi Ara- 10 points adrift of safety at the bia and mounting speculation surround- bottom of the table. Siewert has ing Argentine striker Gonzalo Higuain’s previously coached Germany’s loan move to Chelsea — struggled early international youth sides and against Genoa, who are in 14th position held senior management roles at following their 10th defeat of the season. VfL Bochum and Rot-Weiss Es- Gattuso left Higuain out of his squad sen apart from his role in charge after saying he was not “mentally ready” of Dortmund’s reserves. while Genoa’s Krzysztof Piatek, who “Jan’s name came to our at- is set to replace Higuain at Milan, was AC Milan’s forward Fabio Borini (right) shoots tention in his previous role as suspended. Milan goalkeeper Gianluigi past Genoa’s defender Davide Biraschi during the assistant manager and under-19 Donnarumma pulled off key saves and Italian Serie A match at the Luigi-Ferraris stadium Coach at VfL Bochum. We fi rst new Brazilian signing Lucas Paqueta also in Genoa, Italy, yesterday. (AFP) spoke with him over two years’ impressing as his long range volley rat- ago and we’ve kept in commu- tled the post just before the break. nication since, watching his Donnarumma again came to the res- progress with interest,” Town’s cue in the second half with a double chairman Dean Hoyle told the save on Miguel Veloso and Daniel Bessa. club’s offi cial website. However Milan got into their stride as Hoyle added that Siewert had the game edged into its fi nal period, with been tasked with enhancing Andrea Conti setting up Borini to tap in the high-pressing identity that with 18 minutes left. Wagner had instilled in the team, Donnarumma then got his hand to a while his reputation for promot- powerful Veloso strike before Patrick ing youth had also made him an Cutrone sent Suso free on the counter attractive candidate. attack, the Spaniard shaking off Genoa’s “Many of (Siewert’s) core phi- defenders to shoot home the decisive who drop out of the Champions League Pole his seventh goal in eight games. gling Frosinone 5-0 to bring his tally to SERIE A RESULTS losophies and beliefs about how goal from an angle 10 minutes later. places into fi fth at the expense of city ri- Ciro Immobile pulled one back for 13 in the last seven league games. The Genoa 0 AC Milan 2 (Borini 72, Suso 83) he wants his teams to play match Seven-time reigning champions Juven- vals Roma. Lazio after 65 minutes at the San Paolo side from Bergamo are just two points off our own. He likes high-eff ort, tus were taking on bottom club Chievo Eusebio Di Francesco’s Roma are one stadium, but the visitors were strug- the fi nal Champions League berth. Played Sunday: Frosinone 0 Atalanta 5 high-intensity, high-pressing late last night looking to pull back nine point ahead of Lazio who host seven- gling as they played the last 20 minutes In Florence, Sampdoria held 10-man (Mancini 11, Zapata 44, 47, 64, 73); SPAL football that is good to watch,” points ahead of second-placed Napoli. time reigning champions Juventus next a man down after Francesco Acerbi was Fiorentina 3-3 in a game between Europa 1 (Kurtic 63) Bologna 1 (Palacio 24); Hoyle said. Napoli had beaten 10-man Lazio 2-1 weekend. Napoli were without suspend- sent off for a second yellow card. “We League hopefuls. Fiorentina 3 (Muriel 34, 70, Pezzela 90+3) “In the short-term, we will on Sunday to close the gap on leaders ed defender Kalidou Koulibaly, captain were missing a lot of players, but you Colombian forward Luis Muriel Sampdoria 3 (Ramirez 44, Quagliarella continue to fi ght as hard as pos- Juventus to six points and consolidate Marek Hamsik and forward Lorenzo In- really couldn’t tell at all, which shows bagged a brace on his fi rst appearance 81-pen, 85); Cagliari 2 (Pavoletti 36, Farias sible against relegation from the second place. First-half goals from Jose signe. our strength in depth,” said Ancelotti. for Fiorentina since his loan move from 90+1) Empoli 2 (Di Lorenzo 70, Zajc 81); English Premier League. We’re Callejon and Arkadiusz Milik ensured all But Carlo Ancelotti’s side could have “We had moments of diffi culty, some Sevilla, with Fabio Quagliarella getting a Napoli 2 (Callejon 34, Milik 37) Lazio 1 not giving up on that. We will three points for the southerners. won by a larger margin with Milik and of which we could have dealt with bet- double to join Cristiano Ronaldo on top (Immobile 65) also plan for the medium and Napoli have 47 points from 20 games Fabian Ruiz both hitting the woodwork ter and there were some naive errors, but of the goal scoring charts with 14 this Played Saturday: Roma 3 (Zaniolo 15, long-term, whatever the out- and are now seven ahead of third-placed early. Spanish forward Callejon scored overall there was a lot of quality.” season. The side from Genoa are eighth Kolarov 34-pen, El Shaarawy 73) Torino 2 come. Jan is committed to us and Inter Milan who were held to a goalless his fi rst Serie A goal this season after Earlier Colombian forward Duvan — one point off the Europa League (Rincon 51, Ansaldi 67); Udinese 1 (Okaka is excited to take on the chal- draw at home by Sassuolo on Saturday. 34 minutes with forward Milik’s superb Zapata scored four goals as ambitious berths, with Fiorentina three points be- 50) Parma 2 (Inglese 11-pen, Gervinho lenges we have ahead, whatever But it was a damaging defeat for Lazio free-kick three minutes later giving the northerners Atalanta thrashed strug- hind in tenth. 68); Inter Milan 0 Sassuolo 0 they look like.”

SPOTLIGHT TRANSFER Russian coaches praise Aspire Chelsea’s Morata closes in on Atletico loan

By Dominic Fifield family are understood to have fl own back to ahead of ‘Match Premier Cup’ The Guardian the Spanish capital over the weekend, with the striker expected to follow in the next few days. An agreement was struck between lvaro Morata’s underwhelming Chelsea and Juve for Higuaín late last week 18-month stint with Chelsea ap- with the move currently waiting for Milan, pears to be drawing to a close with with whom the Argentinean striker has spent the Spain forward set to move to the fi rst six months of the campaign, to sign AtleticoA Madrid on an initial loan deal with Genoa’s Krzysztof Piatek as a replacement. an option to make the transfer permanent The Pole is costing around £35mn with for £48.5mn at the end of the season. confi rmation of that move expected today. Morata was a club record signing when Chelsea may be obliged to make Higuain’s he joined from Real Madrid for a little under move permanent depending upon whether £60mn in the summer of 2017 but, despite a goal and achievement clauses written into his bright start to his career at Stamford Bridge, £170,000-a-week deal are triggered. form and confi dence have drained signifi - Another striker under contract at the club, cantly over the last year. the Belgium international Michy Batshuayi, There were 15 goals in all competitions remains in limbo as he awaits clearance to over his fi rst campaign in England – albeit join Monaco for the second half of the sea- only three in 23 games from Boxing Day – and son. The forward had a season-long stint at this season has yielded fi ve in the top fl ight. Valencia cancelled earlier this month and, But the 26-year-old has failed to convince having attracted tentative interest from Maurizio Sarri of his suitability for the cen- Crystal Palace, has made clear his desire to tral striking position in his system, with the work with Thierry Henry at the Ligue 1 club. player himself pining for a return to Spain. However, Chelsea would prefer to sanction The Italian head coach has preferred to use a sale for around £40mn rather than another Eden Hazard as a false No 9 to either Morata Spaniard’s departure has been sanctioned. temporary switch and the French club are ap- or Olivier Giroud in recent weeks and, with Morata may have become closely associ- parently now exploring the possibility of tak- Head Coaches of Zenit St. Petersburg, Spartak Moscow, Lokomotiv Moscow and Rostov pose after a press Chelsea confi dent of securing Gonzalo Hi- ated with Real Madrid, but he had begun his ing Napoli’s Carlos Vinicius on loan. conference at Aspire Zone yesterday. guaín on loan from Juventus this week, the career in the youth system at Atlético. His

he Match Premier Cup they and their teams had received tournament will be broadcast live tournament featuring since arriving in the country. “As- in Russia on Match TV and Match four leading Russian pire Academy is phenomenal and Premier. Dier calls on Spurs teammates to step up in absence of Kane football clubs got under- boasts some of the best sports The clubs’ Head Coaches were Tway last night at Aspire Acad- facilities of any l have seen in the very enthusiastic about com- London: Eric Dier has called on his Totten- Cup semi-final second leg at Chelsea. one of the best strikers in the world. Any emy. The Head Coaches of Zenit world,” remarked Yuriy Semin. peting in this novel tournament ham Hotspur teammates to step up in the Tottenham lead 1-0 after the first leg. team would feel the loss if Harry wasn’t St. Petersburg, Spartak Moscow, “It’s obvious why this is the train- in Doha which takes place dur- absence of Harry Kane as the club sweat “Every team gets injuries. We have to playing, so we have to find a solution and Lokomotiv Moscow and Rostov ing base for the Qatar national ing the Russian League’s winter on the fitness of midfielder Dele Alli. Top- deal with it — we’re not sulking about it or move on. Injuries happen in football and held a press conference during team. Aspire Academy has exactly break. Russian teams normally scorer Kane is out until March with an ankle feeling sorry for ourselves,” said Dier, who that’s why you have a squad and not just 11 which they shared their impres- what any team requires for train- travel abroad to warmer climates injury and fellow forward Son Heung-min is returned as a substitute at Fulham after players. sions of the facilities at Aspire ing camps and to prepare.” for training camps and ahead on duty with South Korea at the Asian Cup. spending more than a month out following “It was a good start (to life without him). Zone. Valeriy Karpin added: “The of league matches resuming in Alli came off towards the end of Sun- surgery to remove his appendix. People are going to be talking about it Oleg Kononov (FC Spartak facilities at Aspire Academy are March. They also expressed that day’s last-gasp 2-1 win at Fulham with a In the absence of Kane and Son, Fern- when he’s injured but we’ve just got to get Moscow), Sergey Semak (Zenit excellent. We don’t have anything in coming to Qatar, they have hamstring problem, giving boss Mauricio ando Llorente played up front at Craven on with it. Harry will be doing his best to St. Petersburg), Yuriy Semin (Lo- like this in Russia”. ‘The Match found an ideal new destination, Pochettino a headache as he juggles scant Cottage. Fulham took the lead in the first get back as soon as possible and it’s down comotiv Moscow) and Valeriy Premier Cup’ which is being or- and also an opportunity to in- resources. The full extent of Alli’s injury half courtesy of a Llorente own goal but to the team and the squad to rally and Karpin (Rostov FC) said they be- ganised by Match TV and the troduce Russian football to this will be assessed using a scan, the results Alli equalised and Harry Winks grabbed the carry on,” added the England international. lieved the new tournament in Russian Premier League in part- country while introducing Qa- of which are likely to come in the next few winner deep into injury time. Spurs are third in the Premier League and Qatar was a very positive devel- nership with Qatar Football As- tar to huge numbers of fans back days but it is unlikely the England midfield- “It’s not a question of if we can cope play Borussia Dortmund in the Champions opment. They were also very en- sociation and Aspire Zone Foun- home who will be following their er will be involved in Thursday’s League without Harry or not,” said Dier. “Harry’s League last 16 next month. thusiastic about the welcome that dation will run till 29 January. The teams’ progress. Gulf Times Tuesday, January 22, 2019 5 SPORT

NFL Brady was already the greatest QB — now he’s just rubbing it in Patriots star stepped up with his team’s season on the line and time running out on Sunday. Then he did it again in OT Rams rally past Saints in overtime to reach Super Bowl against Patriots

AFP tough start. We had confidence Washington and we got it done. It was a ‘IT’S A TOUGH CALL’ great win.” The Saints, who beat the Rams The Rams seek their fourth NFL 45-35 in the regular season at reg Zuerlein kicked a crown but their first for Los New Orleans, were deadlocked 57-yard field goal in over- Angeles in the Super Bowl era. late at 20-20 when Brees lofted Gtime Sunday to send the The team won NFL titles in 1945 a long pass that Ted Ginn Jr. Los Angeles Rams into Super based in Cleveland, 1951 based grabbed for a 43-yard gain to Bowl 53 with a 26-23 victory in Los Angeles and by winning the Rams 13-yard line. over the New Orleans Saints. the 2000 Super Bowl while A controversial no-penalty The Rams, who fell behind 13-0, based in St. Louis. The franchise call on third down when Rams made their greatest NFL playoff lost two other Super Bowl trips cornerback Nickell Robey-Cole- comeback and never led until in 1980 (Los Angeles) and 2002 man ran into Saints intended Zuerlein kicked the longest (St. Louis). receiver Tommylee Lewis led to playoff field goal in team history “I’m so happy and proud for a 31-yard Wil Lutz field goal to to win the National Conference the players and coaches and give the Saints a 23-20 lead, but final. so happy for the city of Los it also gave Los Angeles 1:41 to “Unbelievable. Can’t find the Angeles,” Rams owner Stan respond. words,” said Rams quarterback Kroenke said. The Rams drove to set up Zuer- Jared Goff . “To be down 13-0, the The Saints received the ball to lein’s 48-yard equalizer with defense to play the way they open the extra period but Rams 15 seconds remaining to force did. And our kicker made a 57- linebacker Dante Fowler hit overtime, leaving Saints coach yard field goal. Unbelievable.” quarterback Drew Brees as he Sean Payton upset at off icials The Rams advanced to the Feb- threw and safety John Johnson well after the last whistle. ruary 3 NFL championship spec- picked off the awkward lob “They felt like the player arrived tacle in Atlanta against New while falling onto his back. at the same time the ball did,” England Patriots, the winner of That lone New Orleans turnover Payton said. “It was an interfer- the American Conference final. set up Zuerlein’s winner after he ence call. It was a tough call Rams coach Sean McVay, who made earlier field goals from 36, when you’re in a position to go turns 33 on Thursday, became 24 and 48 yards. the Super Bowl. the youngest coach to reach the “I’m proud of our defense,” said “Credit the Rams. They made Super Bowl. Rams defensive tackle Ndamu- the plays when they had to. I’m “It’s a credit to the people you kong Suh. “We’ve got one more proud of our team. They accom- New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady reacts after defeating the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC Championship game at Arrowhead have around you,” McVay said. to take care of. I was crying on plished a lot. It’s just disappoint- Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri, on Sunday. (USA TODAY Sports) “Our team demonstrated great the bench. I’ve never been this ing to get to this stage and not mental toughness. It was a excited.” get any farther.” By Oliver Connolly score; and it was all capped with to go. Then Mahomes led his more than the Steelers, Cowboys, The Guardian a bone-headed neutral zone in- team to a fi eld goal with seconds 49ers, Broncos, and Packers have fraction to extend the game. left to force overtime. What was had in their entire histories. It is Chiefs pass-rusher Dee Ford incredible was that neither man hard to overstate how absurd that id you feel the inevi- lined up in the neutral zone as showed nerves with the season is. These are not run-of-the-mill tability? Tom Brady in time wound down in the fourth on the line. And if either Brady or franchises. It’s a who’s who of overtime, needing to quarter, negating what would Mahomes did have nerves, they sporting institutions. They are Dput together a drive to have been a game-clinching in- were channelled into making the founding fathers of the game, win the game and send the New terception. them play even better. and Brady’s history bests them England Patriots to their ninth And then there was Kansas The NFL’s overtime rules dic- all. Super Bowl. And, of course, he City’s young quarterback Patrick tate that if the fi rst team who New England haven’t been delivered, because Brady always Mahomes, that delightful magi- possesses the ball scores a touch- at their clinical best this sea- delivers. He marched his team cian, who went toe-to-toe with down, the game is over. When son. They have struggled on the down the fi eld with the confi - Belichick, the greatest defen- Brady was given the ball after road and been fortunate to play dence and presence of the great- sive mind in league history, and New England won the toss, he in a poor division – posting a est to ever play quarterback. kept producing haymakers. The obliged. Three third-down con- +100-point diff erential in the It wasn’t an easy night for 23-year-old, in his fi rst full sea- versions thrown to his most reli- AFC East and +1 out of it. But the Brady, Bill Belichick and the Pa- son, unleashed some of those able lieutenants – Julian Edelman team aren’t ready to relinquish triots. rare, dimension-altering throws and Rob Gronkowski – helped the throne just yet. Belichick re- The Kansas City Chiefs pushed that only he appears capable of seal victory. Brady led the team mains the league’s greatest dif- them to the brink in a game that conjuring. to the four-yard line before Rex ference-maker. And even at 41, took more twists than a dodgy The fi nal two minutes of the Burkhead plunged into the end Brady can muster a heroic drive M Night Shyamalan fl ick: there fourth quarter were a master- zone to set up a date with the Los or three when a season is on the was a muff ed punt controversy; class in quarterback play from Angeles Rams in Atlanta in two line. a catch-no catch; an abysmal both sides. Brady and Mahomes weeks. “I felt pretty good about our roughing the passer penalty, exchanged clutch drives. First, Already recognised as the chances,” team captain Matthew when Chris Jones dared to touch Brady led one of his classic two- greatest player to play the po- Slater said postgame. “Because LA Rams kicker Greg Zuerlein (second from left) kicks the winning field goal against the New Orleans Brady’s shoulder pads; a blatant minute drills, putting the Patri- sition, Brady is now rubbing it we have Tom Brady as a team- Saints during overtime in the NFC Championship game in New Orleans on Sunday. (USA TODAY Sports) illegal interception leading to a ots up 31-28 with under a minute in. His ninth Super Bowl trip is mate.”

NBA NHL Rose and Towns combine Lehner inspires Islanders to 3-0 win over Ducks as ‘Wolves edge Suns Reuters New York AFP Los Angeles RESULTS obin Lehner recorded Indiana 120-95 Charlotte 19 saves as the surg- errick Rose nailed a Minnesota 116-114 Phoenix ing New York Islanders three-pointer from LA Clippers 103-95 San Antonio notched their second 18 feet with just 0.6 straightR shutout Sunday with a seconds left to lift the 3-0 win over the visiting Ana- MinnesotaD Timberwolves to a for San Antonio. heim Ducks at Uniondale, New 116-114 victory over the Phoenix York. Suns on Sunday. SPURS STUNG Cal Clutterbuck scored twice “It was about damn time I hit a The Spurs, who committed 18 in the fi rst period for the Island- shot like that,” said Rose. turnovers, took their only lead ers, who have won fi ve straight Rose and Karl-Anthony Towns with just over three minutes re- and 15 of 18 to move into fi rst took turns carrying the ‘Wolves maining in the fi rst when Bryn place in the Metropolitan Di- on their backs as they combined Forbes drained a three pointer. vision. It was the sixth career for 61 points. The Clippers went on a 22-2 run two-goal game for Clutterbuck Towns scored 28 of his 30 bridging the fi rst and second quar- and his fi rst since Jan. 4, 2018. points in the fi rst half and Rose ters, turning a one-point defi cit Leo Komarov scored in the fi - Goalie Chad Johnson made 25 the net as Adam Pelech’s shot scored 29 of his 31 points in the Minnesota Timberwolves guard Derrick Rose (centre) drives in the into a 45-26 lead with 11 minutes nal minute of the second period saves for the Ducks, who have bounced off Johnson. The puck second half for the Timber- NBA game against Phoenix Suns on Sunday. (USA TODAY Sports) remaining in the fi rst half. for the Islanders. lost 13 of 15. skittered to Clutterbuck, who wolves, who had to overcome an Elsewhere, Victor Oladipo Clutterbuck’s early goals gave Clutterbuck scored his fi rst had a split-second open lane 11-point defi cit. a triple double as the Los Ange- 31 seconds to go on Aldridge’s scored 16 of his 21 points in the the Islanders an advantage that goal to cap a frantic power play and fi red a shot past Johnson The Suns decided to double les Clippers snapped a fi ve-game fi nal basket of the game but the second half and Darren Collison was never seriously threatened sequence. Nick Leddy’s stick with 10:04 left. team Towns in the second half losing skid with a 103-95 win Clippers were able to execute fi nished with 19 points as the Indi- by the Ducks, whose best scor- broke as he fi red a slap shot on The Islanders extended the which opened the door for Rose over the red-hot San Antonio down the stretch. ana Pacers posted their fourth win ing chance came when Lehner net, but the Islanders were able lead with 28.1 seconds left in the to then take charge. Spurs. “It was a great win,” said Har- in fi ve games with a 120-95 victory stopped Derek Grant at point- to maintain control of the puck second period, when Komarov’s “I got to get back into the Harris also had nine assists ris. “Every single guy that got out over the Charlotte Hornets. blank range and then smoth- and Anthony Beauvillier passed redirect of Devon Toews’ shot rhythm of things. I believe in and nine rebounds and Patrick here and played was eff ective. “Me, Bojan (Bogdanovic), Vic, ered up a putback opportunity to Josh Bailey, who knocked fl uttered past Johnson. myself and I work on this all the Beverly fi nished with 18 points “We knew tonight we were go- we were all being aggressive on by Devin Shore with a little the puck out of the air with his time,” Rose said, who shot 11-of- and 12 rebounds for the Clippers ing to need everybody’s eff ort.” the pick-and-roll,” Collison said. under three minutes left in the hand. Bailey dished to Clut- 18 in the second half. in front of a crowd of 18,300 at LaMarcus Aldridge had 30 “When all three of us are aggres- game. terbuck, whose shot sailed past RESULTS TJ Warren scored 21 points and the AT&T Center arena. points and 14 rebounds and a sive, it’s tough to beat us.” The back-to-back shutouts the outstretched stick of Ducks Devin Booker and Kelly Oubre The Clippers led the contest banged up leading scorer De- Kemba Walker led the Hor- are the fi rst for the Islanders defenseman Brandon Mon- Chicago 8-5 Washington each added 18 for Phoenix, who for all but 14 seconds as Beverley Mar DeRozan returned from a nets with 23 points but didn’t get since Feb. 15-16, 2018, when tour and under the stick arm of NY Islanders 3-0 Anaheim lost all four games on their road helped seal the victory with two one-game absence to fi nish with much help. Malik Monk fi nished they blanked the New York Johnson at the 4:50 mark. Vancouver 3-2 Detroit trip to drop to 4-20 overall on the late free throws. eight points on a dismal four of with 11 points off the bench while Rangers and Carolina Hurri- Clutterbuck doubled the lead road this season. San Antonio, who suff ered 16 shooting. Bismack Biyombo scored 10 as canes. Thomas Greiss made 19 a little more than fi ve minutes Arizona 4-2 Toronto Elsewhere, Tobias Harris their second consecutive loss at Rudy Gay had 19 points and the Hornets’ three-game win- saves in Friday’s 2-0 win over later, when he was positioned Carolina 7-4 Edmonton scored 27 points and fl irted with home, took the lead, 101-95, with Marco Belinelli added 12 points ning streak ended. the Washington Capitals. perfectly a few feet in front of Gulf Times 6 Tuesday, January 22, 2019 SPORT

GOLF / DESERT CLASSIC GOLF / LPGA TOURNAMENT OF CHAMPIONS Ji wins in Florida Unheralded Long as Ko collapses holds off Mickelson, Hadwin for victory Long, ranked 417, had only made his way onto the PGA Tour via the Web.com Tour

AFP AFP at the 16th, but a disappointing Los Angeles Miami day ended on a down note when Ko was in the hazard at the par-3 18th on the way to another dou- ourneyman Adam Long i Eun-hee won the LPGA ble-bogey and a six-over 77. birdied the fi nal hole Tournament of Cham- That left her in eighth place, Sunday to seize his fi rst pions on Sunday, fi ring seven shots adrift. US PGA Tour title at the a one-under par 70 for a Ji fi nished with fi ve birdies and DesertJ Classic ahead of fi ve- two-shotJ triumph over fellow four bogeys on the day. Lee ap- time major winner Phil Mickel- South Korean Lee Mi-rim. plied some pressure with birdies son and Adam Hadwin. On a day when chillier temper- at the 10th, 13th and 16th that Long, a 31-year-old American atures and gusty winds made life moved her to 12-under and that’s ranked 417th in the world, only more diffi cult at the Four Seasons where she fi nished after her made his way onto the US PGA Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Flor- three-under 68. Tour this season via the Web. ida, Ji shook off back-to-back A bogey at 15 dropped Ji to com Tour. opening bogeys to seize her fi fth 13-under, but she responded He had seven birdies without LPGA title. with a three-foot birdie at the a bogey in his seven-under 65 The 32-year-old, a former US par-four 16th to give herself a for a 26-under par total of 262 Women’s Open champion whose cushion over the last two holes. and the win in his sixth career 2017 Swinging Skirts Taiwan Ji said the format of the new PGA Tour start. triumph saw her end an eight- season-opening event, which “I’m in disbelief right now,” year title drought, has now won features celebrities playing Long said. “I don’t really know at least one tournament in three alongside LPGA winners from what just happened, but I’m straight seasons. the past two seasons, made for a thrilled.” She started the day tied for the relaxing week. Playing in the fi nal group for lead with New Zealand’s former “It made it more fun,” she said. the fi rst time alongside Mickel- world number one Lydia Ko “I didn’t get nervous.” son and Hadwin — a Canadian and they remained tied atop the American Nelly Korda fi nished with three top-10 fi nishes in the board after nine holes. third, balancing two bogeys and past three seasons in the Cali- But Ko’s challenge faded with two birdies in her even par 71 for fornia desert — Long said the a double-bogey at 13, promptly 273. Thailand’s Moriya Jutanu- attention on his better-known followed by a bogey at 14. She garn and China’s Feng Shanshan playing partners left him “kind made her only birdie of the day shared fourth on 274. of in the background doing my thing”. The trio were tied at 25-under heading into the par-four 18th Mexican amateur Ortiz earns on the Stadium Course, one of Masters berth with LatAm win three courses used in the tour- nament. AFP at famed Augusta National, Facing a second shot from an Washington Ortiz secured places in the final awkward lie below his feet, Long qualifying stages of this year’s stuck it 14 feet from the pin as US and British Opens as well as Mickelson fi red out of the rough exico’s Alvaro Ortiz, a spot in the US Amateur. to 38 feet and Hadwin found the twice a runner-up, Ortiz finished 72 holes at back greenside bunker. Mwon the Latin Amer- the Teeth of the Dog course Mickelson, who had led all ica Amateur Championship at Casa de Campo with a week since a sensational open- Adam Long of the United States celebrates after making the winning putt on the 18th hole during the final round of the Desert Classic at the on Sunday in the Dominican 14-under-par 274 total to ing 60, settled for a par and a Stadium Course in La Quinta, California, on Sunday. (AFP) Republic to claim a berth in defeat Costa Rica’s Luis Gagne three-under 69 for 15-under this year’s Masters golf tour- by two strokes. Both fired final 263, where he was joined by know you’re going to make,” he gain a share of the lead. I just couldn’t get the ball to go It was another near miss in the nament, off icials announced. round 6-under par 66s. Hadwin who also parred the last said. “You can’t control that, but in the hole.” event for Hadwin, who carded a Ortiz, a 23-year-old from Guad- Ortiz, whose older brother for a fi ve-under 67. when you have that feeling it’s a ‘TERRIBLE PUTTING DAY’ Hadwin had taken control third-round 59 on the La Quinta alajara who settled for second Carlos is a PGA Tour player, Long, who twice chipped in good one.” Overall, however, he called it an with six birdies in the fi rst 11 course in 2017 but settled for in 2017 and 2018, will become trailed by two shots but for birdie on the back nine, said Mickelson struggled on the “awful” day with the putter. holes. second place. He fi nished tied only the second Mexican ama- eagled the par-5 12th and bird- that Mickelson’s fi rst putt at 18 greens all day, starting with a “Terrible putting day, one of He still held a two-shot lead af- for third last year. teur to compete in the Masters ied the par-4 13th then sank a gave him a good indication of three-putt bogey at the fi rst. the worst I can recall in a while,” ter his only bogey of the day at 13, “It would have been a special after Juan Antonio Estrada, tap-in birdie at the par-4 17th what his putt would do. Mickelson fi nished with fi ve said the 48-year-old who was in but he couldn’t fi nd another bird- moment if I could have pulled it who played from 1962-64. and closed with another birdie “It was one of those putts birdies — draining a six-footer search of a 44th career title. “I ie the rest of the way and Mickel- off ,” Hadwin said. “But there’s In addition to playing next April for the victory. that you stand over and you just at 15 and a 10-footer at 16 to re- hit a lot of good shots today, but son and Long closed the gap. always next year I guess.”

RUGBY High hopes: Wales eye international boost aft er Euro club misery

AFP have annual operational budgets Paris of no more than £6.5mn when Launchbury, Shields likely to be fi ne sides in England’s Premiership, France’s Top 14 as well as the for England duty: Young ccording to the bare Irish provinces, who face Welsh statistics, Wales are the regions in the Pro14, reportedly Forwards Brad Shields and Joe “Basically, he got his head in world’s third-best rug- spend more than double the fi g- Launchbury should be fine to the wrong position in a tackle Aby union team, behind ure on salaries, facilities and play for England despite being and his head hit one of the only the mighty All Blacks and academies. hampered by injuries, Wasps’ Leinster player’s hips,” Young Ireland, but their clubs are failing In contrast, Stade Francais in director of rugby Dai Young. told reporters. to match the dizzy heights of the Paris boast a £30mn budget for With England set to begin their “He has had quite a few neck national side. this season. Six Nations campaign against issues in the past, but we don’t For the seventh time in ten Welsh domestic rugby’s fi nanc- Ireland on Feb. 2 in Dublin there feel this is anything serious. years no Welsh region has quali- ing has been a controversial sub- were concerns that the pair may I would be very surprised if fi ed for the quarter-fi nals of the ject in the decades since the game miss out but Young said the is- in the next 48 hours he is still top tier competition of European turned professional in 1995. sues did not appear serious. struggling.” rugby. This season marks 15 years Launchbury lasted nine min- Young said Shields was left out As a contrast, in the same since one of the original regions, utes of Wasps’ 37-19 Champi- after the 27-year-old suff ered a period, the national team have the Celtic Warriors were dis- ons Cup loss to Leinster on problem in training. reached a World Cup semi-fi nal, banded after just 12 months of Sunday before being with- “Yesterday, after the team run, claimed two Six Nations titles existence. drawn due to a head injury he was doing a few extras and which also included a Grand Presently the remaining re- while Shields did not start due took a knock to his hip and Slam in 2012. gions and the Welsh Rugby Un- to a hip problem. the muscle went into spasm,” The Scarlets and the Cardiff ion are holding discussions about Young said Launchbury, 27, Young added. “He is going to be Blues missed out on the Champi- a new agreement on how much had passed a head injury as- sore for 24 or 48 hours, but we ons Cup last eight failing to qual- money the professional outfi ts sessment but did not return don’t see them being a concern ify from pools which included Scarlets’ players react after losing their European Rugby Champions Cup Pool 4 match against Racing 92 at receive. due to a stiff neck. for England moving forward.” former European Cup winners in Paris La Defense Arena in Nanterre, France, on Saturday. (AFP) At the semi-professional level Leicester, Ulster and Saracens as there are both success stories and well as last season’s runners-up we have to understand where we the Ospreys and Dragons, fell to the next stage of at least one of sorry tales. Ireland’s Beirne to miss Six Nations Racing 92. are at and where we are going to be short in the second-tier Europe- the tournaments. Merthyr lead the Welsh Pre- start with knee injury The Blues’ coach John Mulvi- in a couple of years time.” an Challenge Cup — a competi- Both Ireland and Scotland will miership mainly thanks to in- hill said there’s a big diff erence The Scarlets’ Wayne Pivac — tion the capital city-based Blues see all their domestic outfi ts in vestment from multi-millionaire Ireland forward Tadhg Beirne is Leinster’s Adam Byrne, who can between playing pools compared who will take over from Warren won in May and in 2010. action at the end of March and businessman Stanley Thomas. out of the first two rounds of the play on the wing or as a full- to sides from other countries. Gatland as Wales coach after this The regions only managed France have both Racing 92 and At the other end of the table, Six Nations championship with back, has been asked to travel “For a squad that is not as year’s World Cup — echoed his seven victories in 24 European Toulouse through in the Cham- Neath, established in 1871 and a knee injury and Quinn Roux to Ireland’s training camp in deep as the teams we are play- Blues counterparts’ thoughts. fi xtures this term and it’s the pions Cup. one of the country’s storied clubs has been called up as a replace- Portugal this week as cover for ing, we can take some credit out “We haven’t had a lot of luck fi rst time since 2013/2014 there England have Saracens in the where the likes of future national ment, the Irish Rugby Football the injured Andrew Conway. of that. It is about making sure in the competition through play- will be no Welsh knock-out rep- European Cup quarter-fi nals. skipper Jonathan Davies and Union (IRFU) said yesterday. Conway also picked up a our squads are deep enough to ers being unavailable,” said Pivac resentation in either of the two Even Italy have their fi rst ever Shane Williams cut their teeth, Munster lock Beirne was knock while playing for Mun- cover when boys are away or we whose team’s run to the semi- continental competitions. European last-eight spot thanks have been deducted points for injured during their European ster on Saturday and will only have injuries,” he told BBC Sport fi nals last season was at least a to Benetton Treviso in the Chal- failing to fulfi l league fi xtures. Champions Cup win over Ex- return to training next week, Wales. glimmer of hope in that it was a MONEY TALKS lenge Cup. The ‘Welsh All Blacks’ also face eter on Saturday and has been ahead of Ireland’s opening “It is the luck of the draw as well fi rst last-four spot for a Welsh With less than two weeks to the Not surprisingly, money is at a winding-up petition at the end ruled out after having a scan, Six Nations match against Eng- depending on who you get. There side since 2007. start of the Six Nations all of the root of the problem. of January after the last case in the IRFU said in a statement. land in Dublin on February 2. are some big teams in Europe and The other two Welsh regions, Wales’ rivals have a side through Each of the four Welsh teams December was dismissed. Gulf Times Tuesday, January 22, 2019 7 SPORT

AUSTRALIAN OPEN SPOTLIGHT Drained Djokovic ‘not feeling so Stefanos Tsitsipas, great’ aft er grind past Medvedev

AFP “Even though it was three sets Melbourne to one, it seems like a fi ve-set a tennis great in match, really,” said Djokovic. “It was draining physically a rained Novak Djokovic lot, because, you know, you just admitted he “didn’t feel could not rely on the one-two so great” after surviv- punch tactics.” ing a physical fourth- Djokovic reached his 43rd roundD examination against 15th Grand Slam quarter-fi nal to stay seed Daniil Medvedev at the on course for a record seventh the making Australian Open. Australian Open title, but will The world number one came next have to conquer marathon through an almost three-and- man Nishikori. Tsitsipas burst onto the scene by reaching his first final at Barcelona last April a-half hour, four-set grind that The Japanese number one was extended into the early hours of in trouble at two sets down be- AFP Tuesday morning. fore winning a third fi ve-setter in Athens Djokovic dropped a set for four matches to get past Spain’s the second match running but Pablo Carreno Busta. won 6-4, 6-7 (5/7), 6-2, 6-3 at onqueror of his idol 12:43 am to set up a quarter-fi nal Roger Federer in the against Japan’s eighth seeded Kei We had rallies of last 16 of the Austral- Nishikori on Wednesday. 40, 45 exchanges. Cian Open, the rise of Serb Djokovic and Russian That’s why I think Greek youngster Stefanos Tsit- Medvedev both needed atten- it was physically sipas is one that appears des- tion from the trainer during an ‘ tined to carry him to the top of exhausting encounter liberally exhausting. –Novak the tennis world. sprinkled with punishing rallies Djokovic He made no secret of his im- of 30 shots or more. mense respect for the Swiss star, “I didn’t feel so great, you whose posters coated the walls know, in the last 20 minutes of “Congratulations to him for of Tsitsipas’ bedroom as a child, the match,” Djokovic told report- fi ghting back from two sets to but the 20-year-old Athenian ers. love down and break down. He’s didn’t allow sentiment to stand “So we’ll see tomorrow how a fi ghter,” said Djokovic. in his way. the body reacts, but I’m confi - “He’s a very talented player. “He’s a legend of our sport,” dent I can recover and I can be One of the quickest players on Tsitsipas said ahead of his clash ready for next one,” he said. the tour. You know, hard worker. with the 20-time Grand Slam “It was just, you know, a little I have lots of respect for him.” champion. “If I thought about it bit of fatigue, a little bit of back. The Australian Open is Djoko- now it’s insane I’m in this posi- Nothing major. But there are a vic’s most successful major and tion where I can actually play couple of things that have sur- a seventh crown would put him him. It’s really emotional.” faced,” said the 14-time Grand clear of six-times champion But Tsitsipas showed scant Slam champion. Roger Federer, who was elimi- regard for the world number “It was kind of a cat-and- nated on Sunday, and Australian three — the double reigning a-mouse game for most of the great Roy Emerson, whose six champion in Melbourne — on match. wins all came before the Open Sunday, playing the brand of “We had rallies of 40, 45 ex- era. tennis that has propelled him to changes. That’s why I think it Victory at this year’s Austral- 15th in the rankings after barely club in a chic Athens suburb, was physically exhausting. ian Open would be the Serb’s two seasons on tour. but also by his mother, a former “His backhand is very, very 15th in Grand Slams, putting him He will climb yet further fol- Halep upbeat despite Serena loss, ranking threat professional player in the So- solid. He didn’t give me much third on the all-time winner list lowing his best performance viet Union. from that side, but, you know, — one ahead of American great to date at a Grand Slam, and Melbourne: World number highest level in tennis, but I Julia Salnikova is the daugh- you can’t always play on the Pete Sampras, but behind Rafael the Greek intends to continue one Simona Halep yesterday didn’t play bad, so I’m happy ter of an Olympic football gold forehand. Nadal’s 17 titles and Federer’s 20. building on a breakthrough year shrugged off a fourth-round about the way that it’s been medallist, and she too is fully “You have to open up the court It would be his third major in in 2018. loss to Serena Williams that going this tournament. I take integrated into the sporting and try to be patient and con- a row after winning Wimbledon His reward for felling Federer ended her Australian Open only the positives. I had great culture that permeates the struct the point.” and the US Open and set him up is a quarter-fi nal, he is the fi rst hopes and threatens her top matches.” Tsitsipas family. The 31-year-old Serb crucially for a crack at the “Novak Slam”. Greek ever to reach this stage ranking. Halep was not concerned her The secret “is to gradually saved three break points at 1-2, The French Open comes next of a Grand Slam, today against The Romanian top seed lost fourth-round exit could cost set goals and make the player 0-40 in the pivotal third set to and victory at Roland Garros Roberto Bautista Agut. 6-1, 4-6, 6-4 but remained her the number one rank- aware of his responsibilities to break the tenacious 22-year- would mean he holds all four Tsitsipas burst onto the scene upbeat after a gutsy display ing, saying she preferred to make them progress” repeats old’s resolve. majors. by reaching his fi rst tour-level against 23-time Grand Slam concentrate on tournament Apostolos. fi nal at Barcelona last April, and champion Williams, who is results. Stefanos, the eldest of four then fi nishing runner-up to Ra- on a mission this year for a “The main goal is just to play siblings, fi rst tasted success in fael Nadal at the Rogers Cup in record equalling 24th title. as good as I can every match, 2016 when he won the Wimble- Tiafoe takes on Nadal hoping to keep dream alive Canada where he claimed four Halep, 27, a finalist in 2018, to win every match I play, so don boys’ doubles title and rose top-10 scalps. arrived at Melbourne Park the ranking doesn’t really mat- to the top of the junior rankings. Melbourne: Having already it,” world number 39 Tiafoe Those impressive runs ul- on a five-match losing streak, ter,” she said. He is a young man seemingly changed the lives of his immi- said. “The beginning of my timately led to a maiden title equalling the worst run of her “At this stage I have to work without limits, personifi ed by grant parents, Frances Tiafoe career, I was playing for them, at Stockholm in October, the career and trying to shake off hard to get the level back, to the #TsitsiFast hashtag — a fa- is hopeful to build on his own trying to do everything for my fi rst-ever for a Greek player on a back injury that curtailed feel 100% every match. So I’ll vourite of the Greek’s on social stature in the game as he pre- family. Obviously now I put the ATP circuit. her season. work for that.” media. pares for an Australian Open them in a great place. Now I’m “I always thought it would After appearing listless As for her immediate plans, The angelic-looking Tsitsi- quarter-final clash with Rafa trying to do it for me.” take me longer to get there. But through the early rounds, the Halep said she would be rest- pas also runs his own YouTube Nadal today. Tiafoe, who turned 21 on I’ve worked hard and it’s not French Open champion lifted campaign she replied: “Close ing up and closely watching channel, offering a glimpse American Tiafoe, the son Sunday, faces a tough test as a surprise to me,” a confi dent to defeat Venus Williams then to 10.” the rest of the season-opening into his life behind the scenes of immigrants from Sierra he bids to keep the big dream Tsitsipas said at the time. played her best tennis of the “I have the courage to say Grand Slam. while also transporting his fans Leone, recalled his humble alive, with 2009 champion It’s not just the physical tournament against Serena that, because I took the risk “I’ll just go home, I will rest from tournament to tourna- beginnings after stunning Nadal in ruthless form coming prowess of the 1.93m (6ft 4in) after weathering an early to stay home so much (for and I will watch tennis,” she ment. Bulgaria’s Grigor Dimitrov on into the contest at Rod Laver Tsitsipas that sets him apart. onslaught. off -season rest). said. “I’m also curious about His fl edgling “A Greek Sunday to reach the last eight Arena. The Spaniard has not “Stefanos is in the process When asked to rate her “I haven’t prepared for the who is going to win.” Abroad” podcast gives further at a major for the first time in dropped a set so far in the of acquiring a great mindset, insight and Tsitsipas is an as- his career. tournament but said after his which is largely down to dif- piring photographer as well. He “I told my parents 10 years victory over Tomas Berdych fi cult wins he’s earned,” his fa- producer of elite players located “A very special connection” Armed with a formidable documents his work as “Steve ago I was gonna be a pro ten- in the last round that he did ther and coach Apostolos Tsit- on the Cote d’Azur, in 2015, Ap- links father and son says Ste- one-handed backhand and a the Hawk” on Instagram, a nis player and change their not expect his first career sipas told AFP recently. ostolos has stayed at his son’s fanos, for whom family provides powerful serve, the Greek’s tra- username befi tting one soaring life. Now I’m in the quarter- meeting with Tiafoe to be as While he joined the Moura- side and remains a pivotal fi g- a welcome respite from the rig- jectory has been carefully over- towards the summit of men’s finals of a Slam. I can’t believe smooth. toglou Academy, a renowned ure in his career. ours of professional tennis. seen by his father, a coach at a tennis.

SOUQ WAQIF EQUESTRIAN FESTIVAL

Ameera Al Safwa with her connections after winning Class 5 A in the Souq Waqif Equestrian Festival Horse Show yesterday. Durra Al Waab with connections after winning the competition for Class 2 A fillies.

Tuesday, January 22, 2019 GULF TIMES SPORT

TENNIS Top seed Serena outslugs Halep as Djokovic battles on In a towering performance, the American great scored her biggest win since having a baby to grind down the Romanian top seed 6-1, 4-6, 6-4

AFP Melbourne

fi red-up Serena Williams slugged past world number one Simona Halep yesterday as Ashe inches ever closer to a 24th Grand Slam title, while Novak Djokovic survived a battle to stay on course for a record seventh Australian Open crown. In a towering performance, the American great scored her biggest win since having a baby to grind down the Romanian top seed 6-1, 4-6, 6-4 and move into a quarter-fi nal against sev- enth seed Karolina Pliskova. Czech Pliskova is another form play- er, winning the warm-up Brisbane In- ternational and easing past two-time Grand Slam winner Garbine Muguruza 6-3, 6-1 to set up the Williams clash. “I’m such a fi ghter, I never give up,” declared Williams after the epic en- counter. It was an intense match and there were some incredible points but I love playing tennis and being out here and I love this court, it’s really cool to be back.” While Williams stayed calm, highly- rated German fourth seed Alexander Serbia’s Novak Djokovic celebrates after beating Russia’s Daniil Medvedev Zverev lost the plot against Canadian yesterday. Milos Raonic, crashing 6-1, 6-1, 7-6 (7/5) and demolishing a racquet in a bag after losing a 5hr 5min marathon 6-7 “I think the biggest thing for me is the massive meltdown. (8/10), 4-6, 7-6 (7/4), 6-4, 7-6 (10/8). belief. I think I believe in myself more And Spain’s Pablo Carreno Busta also Nishikori will now play six-time this year than I have last year,” said the let the pressure get to him, ranting at the champion Djokovic, who dropped a set bubbly 21-year-old, who beat Williams umpire after a disputed call when lead- for the second match in a row before in the US Open fi nal last year. ing the fi nal tiebreak 8-5 against Japan’s seeing off 15th-seeded Daniil Medvedev She next faces ambitious sixth seed Kei Nishikori. 6-4, 6-7 (5/7), 6-2, 6-3. Elina Svitolina, who needed to dig deep He failed to win another point and “It was defi nitely a physical battle. to overcome 17th seeded Madison Keys was booed as he stormed off Margaret It was diffi cult to get through him,” the 6-2, 1-6, 6-1. Court Arena, angrily throwing his kit Serbian world number one said. “In Svitolina was a quarter-fi nalist at these kinds of matches you just have to Melbourne Park last year and has set hang in there.” Dominant Williams over- her sights high after her breakthrough RESULTS shadowed them all and is overwhelming in winning the WTA Finals Singapore, favourite to win an eighth Australian ti- targeting a Grand Slam win and world Men’s singles (4th round) tle, with defending champion Caroline number one. Milos Raonic (CAN x16) bt Alexander Zverev Wozniacki and second seed Angelique Earlier on Rod Laver Arena, Zverev (GER x4) 6-1, 6-1, 7-6 (7/5) Kerber already out. self-destructed to slump out at the Lucas Pouille (FRA x28) bt Borna Coric (CRO She has been in ominous form at hands of Raonic. x11) 6-7 (4/7), 6-4, 7-5, 7-6 (7/2) Melbourne Park as she seeks one more The German has routinely been Kei Nishikori (JPN x8) bt Pablo Carreno-Busta major title to put her alongside Marga- anointed as the fl ag-bearer for the next (ESP x23) 6-7 (8/10), 4-6, 7-6 (7/4), 6-4, 7-6 ret Court’s record 24, and it looked like generation, but again failed to live up to (10/8) French Open champion Halep would be his reputation and has now missed out Novak Djokovic (SRB x1) bt Daniil Medvedev another easy scalp after a fi rst set rout. on making the last eight of a major 14 (RUS x15) 6-4, 6-7 (5/7), 6-2, 6-3 But the nuggety Romanian isn’t times in 15 attempts. world number one for nothing and she So furious was he with his form, the Women’s singles (4th round) bounced back to set up a huge power 21-year-old had a major temper tantrum Naomi Osaka (JPN x4) bt Anastasija Sevas- struggle that Williams fi nally won with in the second set, whacking his racquet tova (LAT x13) 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 a break in the seventh game of the third into the ground eight times to leave it a Elina Svitolina (UKR x6) bt Madison Keys set. “I really needed to elevate my game. crumpled mess. (USA x17) 6-2, 1-6, 6-1 She’s a great player,” said Williams. “I just tried to stay composed and Karolina Pliskova (CZE x7) bt Garbine Mugu- Fourth seed Naomi Osaka, mean- it worked out well for me today,” said ruza (ESP x18) 6-3, 6-1 while, was composed as she beat crafty cool 16th seed Raonic, who will now Serena Williams (USA x16) bt Simona Halep Latvian Anastasija Sevastova, emerging face Frenchman Lucas Pouille after he Serena Williams of the US reacts after a point against Romania’s Simona Halep on day eight of the Australian Open in Mel- (ROM x1) 6-1, 4-6, 6-4 from an error-strewn fi rst to win 4-6, battled past Croat Borna Coric in four bourne yesterday. 6-3, 6-4. tough sets.

BOTTOMLINE Qatar 2022 will be a great success: Mourinho

Jose Mourinho, one of world thought so much about every de- reduce the travelling time, and football’s most successful and tail. It looks to me like legacy is fi nd the right facility. I think this high-profile managers, visited not just a word for you, but really is going to be the fi rst time that Doha this week and received a Chief of Tournament something that you are working everyone chooses their location, personal tour of the Qatar 2022 Readiness and Experience on. their hotel, their training ground headquarters with Chief of Tour- Group Nasser al-Khater I’m so positively surprised. I – and that will be your home un- nament Readiness & Experience with Jose Mourinho. expect that [in 2022] I’m going til you are knocked out, or you go Group Nasser al-Khater. to be a club coach, and then I will home with the cup. That is un- Following the tour he spoke probably be not so happy that real, even at club level. It is fan- exclusively to sc.qa to give his in the middle of the season my tastic. thoughts on the tournament, its players are travelling to the World legacy impact, the fan experi- Cup, but I have to admit the event Q: And for the fans too… ence and why he was pleasantly has everything to be amazing. A: For supporters it can also be surprised with what he saw... something magnifi cent. For ex- Q: As a manager, how ap- ample in Russia you are located Q: Jose, thanks for joining us pealing do you think the com- in Moscow, then to see the other and welcome to Qatar. Firstly, pact nature of this tournament games you have to go to Rostov, or can we begin by asking what will be – and how disruptive Saint Petersburg – and you have your fi rst reactions are to the can excessive travelling be? to travel a lot. Here you can also, plans for Qatar 2022? Even in pre-season for us in as a supporter, be based in a cer- A: I’m very impressed. Know- Europe, which is a small period, tain place and see all the matches ing your country, I cannot say I we don’t like to travel – we like that your team is playing. am very surprised because I was to have a base. But because of So I see lots of positives that to expecting something amazing. commercial reasons, we are al- be honest I was not aware of be- But there were some question ways travelling. We always try to fore I came. marks that a football manager can have before he understands all of the dynamic – and that is what makes me really amazed by the level of organisation. I be- lieve that many of us in Europe, players, coaches, clubs – we had some question marks – but when can stay for a month in the same world, and just the second in Asia. times [for players and fans], the Q: How important do you you arrive here you don’t have training ground without moving. How important is it that Asia has prime time [viewing] for so many think the legacy plans are for question marks anymore. The weather won’t be so hard…so its chance again? billions because of your place in this tournament? Mourinho on a visit The facilities are amazing. You I think it’s going to be a fantastic A: After watching with incred- the globe. Your concept of legacy goes to the Al Wakrah thought about every detail. The event. I just hope that the foot- ible attention the video that you There are many things that you deep. It goes deep because so Stadium site. number of training places for all ball itself can give this amazing have, I realised certain things. don’t immediately think about many countries invest so much the teams, the beauty and secu- organisation what you deserve. For example, the concept of the when an Asian country gets the in the World Cup, but then after rity of all the stadiums, the short location, the short distances for World Cup, but then you realise that there are empty stadiums. distances between every sta- Q: It will be the fi rst FIFA World countries [to travel to Qatar] from there are so many positives. No legacy; no infl uence of the fu- dium, no travelling – the teams Cup to take place in the Arab around the world, the travelling ture of other countries. You have