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Saturday, December 24, 2016 FOOTBALL Rabia I 25, 1438 AH Hodgson feels GULF TIMES Rooney still has role to play for England SPORT Page 4 ITALIAN SUPER CUP Milan win title as Juventus leave empty handed, again For the second time in three years, Juventus players leave Doha heartbroken after suff ering yet another loss in the penalty shootout. This time, despite the heroics of skipper Buff on, AC Milan pip them to the post and win the Italian Super Cup

By Sahan Bidappa Doha

or the second time in three years, Juventus players left Doha heart- broken. The champions of last fi ve years have somehow failedF to fi nd lady luck smiling in their favour in the Qatar capital. At the Al Sadd Stadium last night, 2014 came back to haunt Juventus as they lost the Italian Super Cup — on penalties once again. Back then, the Juventus were pipped to the post by Napoli, this time AC Milan had the last laugh against the Old Lady of Turin. Truth be told, Milan were the better team on the night and deserving win- ners. The San Siro side had numerous chances to score the winner during the regulation time and then in extra time too, but were undone by Juventus goal- keeper Gianluigi Buff on’s mastery. Buff on, playing in his 600th match for Juve, however, was helpless when Mario Pasalic sent him the wrong way to seal a pulsating clash 4-3 (1-1 in reg- ulation time) in Milan’s favour. It was another Gianluigi, though, who was the hero last night. The 17-year-old Milan goalkeeper Donnarumma, who shares his fi rst name with Buff on, showed the compo- sure of a veteran when he fl ung to his left to save Paulo Dybala’s kick one- handed, which proved decisive in the shoot-out. Giacomo Bonaventura had cancelled out a Giorgio Chiellini’s opener as both teams were locked in 1-1 at full time. This Italian Super Cup triumph was Milan’s fi rst piece of silverware, since Rossoneri’s won the same trophy in 2011. Back then was in charge of Milan, but he was in the opposite camp this time, as cur- AC Milan’s players celebrate winning against Juventus during the Italian Super Cup final match between AC Milan and Juventus in Doha yesterday at the Al Sadd stadium. rent Milan coach Vincenzo Montella savoured his fi rst trophy. Milan also equalled Juventus record of seven Ital- ian Super Cup trophies. “It’s a nice feeling to win. The lads have to see this as a good starting point for the future, as we played on a par with a great side like Juventus,” said a delighted Montella. “We did everything to avoid penal- ties. We have lost twice in Doha and hopefully the third one will go better. I have to compliment Milan, as they put in a strong performance,” Juventus coach Allegri said. This is traditionally a clash between the Scudetto winners and Coppa Ita- HE Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa al-Thani, Qatar Prime Minister, giving lia holders, but as Juve had won both the gold medal to AC Milan goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma yesterday. those trophies in 2016, their opponents were Milan, the beaten Coppa fi nalists. trice Evra. act again, fl ying to his left to stop a Juventus’ goalkeeper Gianluigi Milan started the game on nervous The equaliser came in the 39th screamer from the German midfi elder. Buff on reacts at the end of the match. note as Juventus were all over them in minute for Milan when Suso whipped Carlos Bacca had the opportunity to the fi rst 15 minutes. Montella’s men, in a cross from the right and Bonaven- seal it for Milan but could not tap in a lan defender Mattia De Sciglio’s arm, who had beaten Juventus in the league tura ducked slightly to steer his glanc- Juraj Kucka’s cross. which was the last touch of the match. game as recently as October, started ing header into the far top corner. Bacca’s heart must have been in his But the referee would have none of it. out playing too deep. And Juventus Juventus were lucky not to be a man mouth, when Dybala, who replaced In penalties, it was advantage Ju- took advantage of that. less after escaped Miralem Pjanic in the 67th minute, had ventus when Buff on saved a soft kick The Turin side almost went ahead being sent off . The Swiss defender, an golden opportunity to become Ju- from Gianluca Lapadula. But Mario after seven minutes, but Mario Mand- who was already on a yellow, elbowed ventus’ hero . But the Argentine striker Mandzukic hit the bar and parity was zukic’s fi erce shot was blocked by Don- Bonaventura but referee Antonio Da- inexplicably missed his target. restored. With Milan converting the narumma. The Milan goalkeeper was mato failed to spot that. In extra time, Buff on was at his best next three, Dybala was under pressure once again called into action on Ste- In the second half, Milan began from as he kept out a Bacca header, which to score. fano Sturaro’s strike, but on the result- where they had left in the fi rst half. bounced off the ground but was head- And the Argentine messed up again, ing corner Giorgio Chiellini volleyed in They had more possession and looked ing into the net. as Donnarumma produced a sensa- with his shin-pad to give Juventus the the most likely to take the lead. Juventus picked up their intensity tional one-handed save. Pasalic still lead in the 18th minute. But Chiellini defl ected a Suso eff ort and thought they had done the job had to score and he kept his cool to That goal woke up Milan from their and on the corner Alessio Romagnoli’s when Evra found the net in the 111 min- convert and trigger emphatic scenes slumber, as they started to play a high header looped onto the crossbar. For utes. But the Frenchman was clearly among his Milan teammates. pressing game from then on. Milan’s Juventus, their 90mn Euro signing off side. Evra was in action when he “I cannot describe what I’m feeling best player on the night, Fernadez Suso Gonzalo Higuain was off -colour on the found an unmarked Dybala in the box and I don’t even know what was go- went close to scoring the equaliser, big occasion. Though he came close a with three minutes left on the clock. ing through my head! We knew that we but shot wide. Juventus then received couple of times, but was unable to get Dybala, however, once again ballooned had to give it our all, we played on level a setback when the impressive winger past Donnarumma. over the bar from 12 yards. terms with Juventus,” said the young Alex Sandro limped off with a muscu- Sami Khedira had a couple of There was drama in the end when Ju- Donnarumma as he joined his team- lar problem and was replaced by Pa- chances, but Donnarumma was in the ventus appealed for a handball on Mi- AC Milan’s players celebrate with their goalkeeper Donnarumma yesterday. mates for a long night of celebration. Gulf Times 2 Saturday, December 24, 2016 SPORT

I WAS THERE...

The packed Al Sadd stadium saw a lot of support for both the teams. And they were loud! PICS: Noushad Thekkayil & Shemeer Rasheed

SPOTLIGHT ALL PRAISE Milan and Juventus bosses impressed Doha a special place with Aspire Academy for Milan’s Honda ‘It seems as if that was a long time ago. The city has changed rapidly. The facilities now are even more amazing. I hope I go back again with yet another title’

By sc.qa Doha Ali Salem Afifa, Aspire Academy Deputy Director General with apanese attacker Keisuke Hon- Giuseppe Marotta, CEO of Juventus FC (L) and , da is no stranger to Qatar. The Vice-President and CEO of AC Milan. 30-year-old led the ‘Samurai Blue’ to a record fourth Asian title in the By Sports Reporter impressed by what l have seen 2011J AFC Asian Cup, emerging as the and it shows how Qatar is as- Doha tournament’s Most Valuable Player. Now tutely planning and setting out he has touched down again in Doha and ambitious goals for success.” says he is “glad to be back”, this time as a he bosses of two of Se- Fellow countryman and Ju- European star as he seeks to win his fi rst rie A’s biggest clubs ventus FC CEO Giuseppe Marot- piece of silverware for AC Milan against visited Aspire Academy ta also commented on the visit Juventus in the Italian Super Cup (which on Thursday morning by saying: “It is clear that Aspire he did end up winning). aheadT of the hotly contested Academy continues to develop Honda, who has scored 36 interna- 2016 Supercoppa Italiana clash and grow and set the bench- tional goals in 82 appearances, told www. between Juventus FC and AC mark for world-leading sport sc.qa that the 2011 win was a special mo- Milan. Played at the Jassim Bin academies. The facilities and ment of his career, but he is no mood to Hamad Stadium in Al Sadd, sport programmes run here are rest on his laurels. home of the Al Sadd SC team, amongst the very best around “The Asian title was a special one,” the match represents one of the world, ensuring that sport in said the Japanese star who joined the the most prestigious domestic Qatar has a very bright future. I ‘Rossoneri’ in 2014. “It seems as if that Italian cups and one of the big- fully expect Aspire Academy to was a long time ago. The city has changed gest games of the year in Qatar, deliver long-lasting success in rapidly. The facilities now are even more popular with football fans from Qatar and to set a great example amazing. I hope I go back again with yet around the country. to the rest of the world.” another title.” Adriano Galliani Vice-Pres- The Juventus FC and AC Milan The man who has been part of Japan’s ident and CEO of AC Milan squads also made full use of the ‘Magnifi cent Trio’ along with Shinji Ka- and Giuseppe Marotta, CEO of facilities and equipment at Aspire gawa and Shinji Okazaki since that 2011 league-leaders Juventus FC, led Academy during their stay, with triumph recalled an early instance of delegations of executives and of- both clubs training for several them being in action together, a cliff - fi cials from their respective clubs hours on the Academy’s outdoor hanger of a quarter-fi nal against hosts for the tour. football pitches, which have been Qatar at the Al Gharafa Stadium. “That The visitors were welcomed maintained to the very highest was one of the early instance of us play- and accompanied to Aspire standards. They also trained us- ing together. Qatar played very well in Academy by Deputy Director ing the Footbonaut, an innovative that game, and we were lucky to qualify General, Mr Ali Salem Afi fa. Dur- football training machine which for the semi-fi nals,” he said. ing their hour-long visit, they fi res balls at diff erent speeds and So would the attacking midfi elder like were given an extensive overview trajectories at players, who must to come back to Qatar for the 2022 FIFA of the state-of-the-art facili- control and pass the ball into a World Cup? “Yes, but of course not as a AC Milan Japanese midfielder Keisuke Honda (R) during a training session in Doha. ties and labs, as well as the dy- highlighted square. player,” he said with a smile. namic sports programmes avail- The pitches Juventus FC and However, die-hard fans of Honda are Japan vs Denmark at the 2010 FIFA World enjoyed every minute of it. I was so glad able. They also met a number of AC Milan trained on are the same more optimistic. “Of course, he will play Cup in South Africa, which I watched I travelled.” coaches and staff who explained pitches that attract the likes of for Japan in the 2022 FIFA World Cup,” on television,” she remembered. Playing Honda’s brilliant cross 10 minutes before the role of Aspire Academy in Bayern Munich, FC Schalke 04, said 24-year-old computer professional as a centre-forward, Honda scored one half-time was met with a diving header by helping athletes reach their full Manchester United, Paris Saint- Saori Asada, who travelled from Tokyo and set up another as Japan prevailed 3-1 defender Alex to give Milan a 1-0 advantage sporting potential. Players from Germain, KAS Eupen and Ahli just to support Honda and Milan. in the group stage, a technical master- against fi erce city rivals Inter. both teams also had the oppor- FC Saudi Arabia for winter train- “I try to watch Honda whenever pos- class which to this day has been referred “I hope Honda rekindles the 2011 mag- tunity to meet student-athletes ing camps year after year. sible. It is easier to do so while he plays to by many as the best by an Asian team ic against Juventus. But I love Doha even from Aspire Academy. This is the second time that for Japan but this was a golden opportu- against European opposition. if that were not to happen – the 2011 win Commenting on the tour, AC Qatar has hosted the Supercoppa nity to see him play for Milan because the The Milan derby of January 2016 is a and the triumph of our team in the Asian Milan Vice-President and CEO Italiana fi nal, following 2014’s game is in Doha,” said Asada, who has a close second. U-23 Championships earlier this year are Adriano Galliani said: “Aspire fi xture which saw Juventus FC photographic memory of the memorable “I was at the San Siro to watch the good enough reasons to love this city. I Academy is phenomenal and it lose to Napoli 6–5 in a penalty goals and assists of her favourite star. Saori Asada has travelled all the way game which Milan won 3-0,” said Asada. hope to come back for the World Cup in takes sport development to an- shootout following a 2–2 draw in “My best Honda game was, of course, from Tokyo to support Keisuke Honda. “Honda was amazing in that game and I 2022,” Asada concluded with a smile. other level. I have been hugely regular time. Gulf Times Saturday, December 24, 2016 3 FOOTBALL

LUCRATIVE WARNING Wenger urges Premier League Oscar set for to be wary of Chinese riches

Reuters record-breaking London rsenal manager Arsene Wenger has warned the Premier League not to underestimate the enormousA spending power of Chinese football after the Asian Shanghai move country secured another high- profi le signing yesterday. Wenger joins Chelsea counter- As well as Asia’s record signing, Oscar will also become Chelsea’s biggest sale, part in expressing concern that a growing number beating compatriot David Luiz’s £50mn move to Paris Saint-Germain in 2014 of players could be lured to the Far East by the riches on off er in AFP the Chinese Super League. Shanghai The Frenchman raised the in future for the Premier League.” issue on the same day Chel- On the pitch, Arsenal received sea midfi elder Oscar was set to a boost ahead of the busy festive helsea’s Oscar said he was become the world’s highest- period by the return of striker looking forward to joining his paid player, earning a reported Danny Welbeck, who has re- “new family” yesterday after $490,760 per week, after he sumed full training for the fi rst C Shanghai SIPG sealed terms agreed to join Shanghai SIPG in time since suff ering a knee injury on what will be China’s fifth Asian- the 16-team competition. in May. record signing in less than a year. “It’s (Oscar’s move) a surprise Wenger also jumped to the The 25-year-old Brazil midfielder, to me but when I was in Japan defence of creative midfi elder snared for a reported £60mn (70.5mn they had many Brazilian play- Mesut Ozil, who has come under euros), becomes just the latest top ers like Leonardo, Jorginho and fi re for a perceived lack of eff ort player in his prime lured to the mega- Dunga. The competition was well in the recent defeats to Everton rich Chinese Super League. organised,” the former Nagoya and Manchester City. He is due to finalise the deal in Grampus manager Wenger told “Big players always respond Shanghai in the “coming days”, said reporters yesterday. to criticism on pitch. I don’t the Chinese club, which is coached by Graziano Pelle, Ezequiel give him (Ozil) leeway. He suf- ex-Tottenham Hotspur manager Andre Lavezzi and Jackson Martinez are fers more when we don’t have the Villas-Boas. all recent arrivals in China, while ball,” Wenger said. “I’m very happy to sign to SIPG. This Shanghai SIPG manager Andre “He is a guy who works much is an important day for me to join to my Villas-Boas is also on a lucrative harder than people think — his new family in China,” Oscar said in a contract since replacing former body language goes against video statement released by SIPG. England boss Sven Goran-Eriks- him sometimes. We are a team As well as Asia’s record signing, Os- son. who wins it back high up with car will also become Chelsea’s biggest Additionally, Argentine striker Sanchez and Ozil — he does his sale, beating compatriot David Luiz’s Carlos Tevez is on the brink of a job very well.” £50mn move to Paris Saint-Germain big-money move to Shanghai The back-to-back losses left in 2014. Shenhua, while infl uential Ar- fourth-place Arsenal looking Chinese Super League clubs have al- senal winger Alexis Sanchez has over their shoulder rather than ready splashed out more than $400mn been linked with a transfer to ahead, as they are now nine on players this year, after President Xi Hebei China Fortune by the Brit- points behind leaders Chelsea Jinping laid out a vision of turning the ish media. and just one point ahead of fi fth- country into a football power. “At the moment, I think Oscar placed Tottenham Hotspur after Chinese teams broke the Asian moves because he doesn’t play... 17 games. record three times in just 10 days in China gives him that opportunity Arsenal will hope to get back the January-February transfer window, and they invest a lot of money to to winning ways when they host and moved it still higher when Brazil’s create a big force,” Wenger add- eighth-placed West Bromwich Hulk joined SIPG for 55.8mn euros in ed. “It could become a problem Albion on Monday. July. Significantly, Chinese clubs are now SPOTLIGHT competing with European rivals for cial media account. world-class players, who are opting for “Oscar will arrive in Shanghai in the China’s fi ve record signings China’s astronomical pay packets over coming days to officially join SIPG.” — Oscar, 70.5mn euros: Oscar will become by Jiangsu Suning in February. Teixeira has the chance of a career in football’s top He has been a target of Shanghai’s Mourinho admits its Chelsea’s most expensive sale and one proved an important asset with 19 goals in leagues. new manager Villas-Boas since the of the biggest transfers from the Premier 14 games so far for Jiangsu, who finished Oscar’s ex-Chelsea team-mate Ram- Portuguese managed Tottenham Hot- League when he signs his new deal with second in the Chinese Super League. ires 29, and Alex Teixeira, 26, are other spur in the 2012/13 season, but opted Chelsea’s title to lose Shanghai SIPG, worth a reported £60mn highly rated Brazilians in their twen- to join Chelsea instead. (70.5mn euros), in the coming days. The — Jackson Martinez, 42mn euros: Two-time ties to join the Super League for record Last week Chelsea boss Antonio Reuters 25-year-old scored 38 goals in 203 matches Asian champions Guangzhou Evergrande sums this year. Conte, when asked to comment on Os- London for Chelsea after arriving from Brazilian had high expectations of Atletico Madrid’s Other world-renowned players in car’s impending transfer, called Chi- outfit Internacional for nearly 30mn euros Colombian hitman when he joined in Febru- China include Hulk and Jackson Mar- na’s financial muscle “a danger for all helsea’s ability to grind in 2012. At Shanghai he joins former Totten- ary. But the 30-year-old has managed only tinez, both 30, and Ezequiel Lavezzi teams in the world”. out victories will make ham Hotspur boss Andre Villas-Boas, who four games for his new club, albeit scoring and Graziano Pelle, both 31. Chinese state media has also warned it very diffi cult for any- arrived at the club last month. four times along the way. It mattered little as According to reports, some of the of a “bubble” developing in China’s Evergrande won their sixth straight Super one to catch them in the players are now among the highest paid football industry, saying total spend- PremierC League, Manchester — Hulk, 55.8mn euros: The muscular League title in October. Brazil striker, 30, joined SIPG from Zenit St. footballers in the world. ing this year had topped $1bn. United manager Jose Mourinho Petersburg in July and helped them finish — Ramires, 28mn euros: The Brazilian A Chelsea statement said Oscar will Communist Party mouthpiece the has said. third in this year’s Chinese Super League, had fallen out of favour with then English join SIPG at the start of the January People’s Daily said 8bn yuan ($1.15bn) United, unbeaten in their last grabbing four goals. He scored 77 goals in champions Chelsea, who probably couldn’t transfer window, noting he has won had been spent in 2016, a sum which eight league games since be- 147 matches with Zenit, winning them the believe their luck when Jiangsu off ered to the Premier League, League Cup and “far exceeded the economic value ing thrashed 4-0 at Stamford 2014-15 Russian Premier League title. take him off their hands in January for a fee Europa League titles during his four- brought to the league”. Bridge, are sixth with 30 points that was, for a short time, an Asian record. and-a-half years at the London club. The breakneck spending shows no after 17 matches. They are 13 — Alex Teixeira, 50mn euros: Striker Teix- He has returned five goals in five games “Shanghai SIPG has formally com- sign of slowing, however, with Argen- points behind leaders Chelsea, eira, 26, scored 89 goals in 223 matches for for SIPG but will form a formidable midfield pleted the transfer agreement of Brazil tine forward Carlos Tevez also expect- who are six clear of second- Ukraine’s Shakhtar Donetsk and was a tar- partnership with Oscar in incoming man- football player Oscar with Chelsea,” ed to move to China when the transfer placed Liverpool. get for Liverpool until he was snapped up ager Andre Villas-Boas’s team next season. the Chinese club said on its official so- window opens in January. “You have to be honest and say that is very diffi cult. It’s not just the diff erence in points, it’s also BOTTOMLINE the Chelsea philosophy of play- tant to predict where his side ing,” he told British media about might fi nish. his side’s title chances. “Let’s see where we fi nish. I “They score one goal and they don’t want to say fourth, because win. They defend a lot. They de- I think we can do better than fend well... They don’t care what fourth,” he added. people say, what people think. “But we have the risk of not Asian champions Jeonbuk They just want to win. And, be- fi nishing fourth because the cause of that, I don’t see them competition is so hard and the losing many points.” top teams have the same ambi- United have narrowed the gap tions as we have. So I don’t want to fourth-placed Arsenal to four to say fourth or third or fi fth.” facing match-fi xing ban points thanks to three straight United host 18th placed Sun- wins, and Mourinho was reluc- derland on Monday. AFP struggled against match-fi xing, with ma- Kuala Lumpur jor scandals seen in a swathe of countries including South Korea and China. Barcelona to face Athletic In September, K-League leaders Jeon- sian title-holders Jeonbuk Hy- buk were docked nine points and fi ned Bilbao again in Copa del Rey undai Motors could be banned 100mn won ($83,000) after one of their from next year’s AFC Champi- scouts was convicted of bribing referees AFP, Madrid: Holders Barcelo- Sevilla have been drawn against ons League over a match-fi xing during the 2013 season. na will face familiar opponents Real Madrid, with the first leg Ascandal after a new eligibility body was As a result, Jeonbuk narrowly missed in the shape of Athletic Bilbao at the Santiago Bernabeu, in a unveiled yesterday. out on the Korean title. But they beat in the last 16 of the Copa del repeat of the UEFA Supercup at Jeonbuk, who lifted the Asian trophy UAE’s Al Ain 3-2 on aggregate in the Rey after Friday’s draw paired the start of this season. in November, two months after they were Champions League fi nal to lift Asia’s most the sides together. Madrid won 3-2 after extra time punished for match-fi xing in South Ko- prestigious club trophy. Barca will go to San Mames for in the Norwegian city of Trond- rea’s K-League, face a possible one-year The eligibility body will also rule on the first leg in the first week heim in August thanks to a late ban by the fi ve-member panel. clubs suspected of “violation of rules re- in January before hosting the goal by Dani Carvajal. The Asian Football Confederation said lating to control or infl uence”, and will Basque side in the return at the They will go to Seville for the the independent Entry Control Body, led make sure football associations nominate Camp Nou a week later. return leg days before the sides by China’s Liu Chi, will make decisions the correct clubs to play in Asian compe- Barcelona have beaten Athletic meet in La Liga at the Sanchez based on a new document setting out rules titions. Over the past month, Hong Kong in three Copa del Rey finals in Pizjuan on Sunday, January 15. for eligibility. has been hit by infi ghting over which team the last eight seasons and also Atletico Madrid will meet Las Any clubs involved in “arranging or in- should play the 2017 Champions League emerged victorious when the Palmas, while Villarreal, current- fl uencing the outcome of a match at na- after the domestic title-winners, Eastern, sides clashed in the quarter- ly fourth in La Liga, have been tional or international level” will be barred expressed doubt about taking part. finals last season. drawn against Real Sociedad. from the Asian competition for one sea- Eastern ultimately retained their place Luis Enrique’s side won the One second-tier team is guaran- son, the document says. threat to sport,” AFC general secretary sporting integrity of our competitions in next year’s Champions League, when trophy by beating Sevilla 2-0 teed to reach the quarter-finals “The AFC has a zero tolerance towards Windsor John said in a statement an- which are now regarded as some of the they will make history with the tourna- after extra time in the final in after Alcorcon and Cordoba match manipulation and has done more nouncing the new body. best in the world.” ment’s fi rst female coach, Chan Yuen- Madrid. were drawn together. than many other bodies to tackle that “We are also determined to protect the Asia’s football authorities have long ting. Gulf Times 4 Saturday, December 24, 2016 FOOTBALL

SERIE A Hodgson feels Rooney still has role to Roma pounce on play for England Napoli gaff e with London: Wayne Rooney still caught having a drink, be- has an important role to play cause someone snapped you.” in manager Gareth Southgate’s Hodgson, who resigned as England squad, former na- England manager following tional manager Roy Hodgson their humiliating Euro 2016 has said after the striker’s exit to Iceland earlier this year, win over Chievo leadership was recently called is one of the bookmakers’ into question. favourites to fill the vacant The 31-year-old captain made manager’s job at Crystal Pal- Dzeko spurned several chances to tie and perhaps surpass Icardi in the later stages, a public apology after he was ace, who sacked Alan Pardew photographed socialising and on Thursday. before Diego Perotti put the result beyond doubt with a penalty on the stroke of full-time looking worse for wear at the However, the 69-year-old will England team hotel in the bide his time before taking up early hours of the morning his next managerial assign- while on international duty last ment. month. “I’m not thrusting myself for- “The question these days for ward for every job that comes the coach is: is his role as one up, I’m leading a fairly low-key of the squad with his experi- life. I quite like the idea of still ence, knowledge, the fact he’s coaching,” he added. a good guy and gets on with “If you ask me what I put on everybody, or is his role as one my passport, football manager of the (starting) XI?” Hodgson or football coach? I would put told British newspaper The football coach. Times. “I’ve missed the day-to-day “That is up to the coach to routine after four years with decide. I don’t know that you England. I’m a better coach become a bad leader, a bad now, towards the end of my ca- captain, because you get reer, than I was when I started.”

West Brom bid for Schneiderlin, United will let him leave London: West Bromwich opened his heart a couple of Albion have made a bid to times. He is a great profes- sign France midfielder Morgan sional, a fantastic boy. Schneiderlin and Manchester “If he is playing regularly, I have United manager Jose Mourinho a right to say ‘no way’. If he is said yesterday he would let him not playing regularly, I have no leave for the right price. right to say ‘you are not going West Brom boss Tony Pulis told anywhere’. reporters: “I don’t want to say “If the off er is right and our any more other than confirm board thinks the off er is good, I our bid (for Schneiderlin). We would not stop him going.” have to be fair to Manchester Albion could find themselves United and the player”. competing with other clubs for British media have reported Schneiderlin, who cost 25mn that Albion tabled an off er in pounds when United bought the region of 13mn pounds him from Southampton in ($15.93mn) for Schneiderlin, 2015. Everton have also been who has played only 11 minutes mentioned in the British media of Premier League football as potential suitors. Roma’s Bosnian-Herzegovinan forward Edin Dzeko (L) heads the ball during the Italian Serie A football match between Roma and Chievo Verona on Thursday at the Olympic for United this season under West Brom hope to strengthen Stadium in Rome. Mourinho. their squad, building on their Asked later at a news confer- impressive form as they lie AFP Serie A leader Mauro Icardi, who hit a Insigne fl ew over the head of Ciprian Results and standings ence if Schneiderlin wanted to eighth in the Premier League Milan brace for in a 3-0 win over Tatarusanu and into the far corner of the leave, Mourinho said: “Yes. He after 17 games. Lazio on Wednesday. Fiorentina net on 25 minutes. Dzeko spurned several chances to tie There was a hint of off side, and AS Roma ...... 3 Chievo Verona 1 Cagliari ...... 4 Sassuolo ...... 3 fi rst-half free-kick from and perhaps surpass Icardi in the later Fiorentina coach Paulo Sousa later hit Fiorentina...... 3 Napoli ...... 3 Stephan El Shaaraway sent stages, before Diego Perotti put the re- out at the decision: “It happens, but all Palermo ...... 1 Pescara ...... 1 FAVOURITE Roma on their way to a precious sult beyond doubt with a penalty on the of us have to improve and we also have to Sampdoria ...... 0 Udinese ...... 0 3-1 win over Chievo that moved stroke of full-time. help the referees to get better. Torino ...... 1 Genoa ...... 0 Athem to within four points of Juventus Roma’s 11th win of the campaign “We did well to fi ght our way back, but on Thursday. tightened their grip on second spot and, we deserved to win.” P W D L F A Pts Allardyce tipped to With Juventus in Super Cup action although Juventus will be expected to re- But then Federico Bernardeschi’s Juventus 17 14 0 3 36 14 42 in Doha yesterday against AC Milan but store their seven-point advantage when 52nd minute free-kick defl ected off Jose AS Roma 18 12 2 4 39 18 38 facing a relatively easy fi xture with Cro- they face Crotone in their catch-up fi x- Callejon’s elbow to wrong-foot Pepe Napoli 18 10 5 3 40 21 35 succeed Pardew tone on their return, both Roma and Na- ture in early February, the Giallorossi Reina in the Napoli net. Lazio 18 10 4 4 32 21 34 poli were keen to stay on their tails in the have stolen a march on Napoli. Napoli looked to be back in command AC Milan 17 10 3 4 27 20 33 Atal. Bergamo 18 10 2 6 27 21 32 Reuters fi nal fi xtures of 2016. A last-gasp penalty from Manolo when Dries Mertens fl icked a Faouzi London El Shaarawy was given a rare start by Gabbiadini saw Napoli grab a share of Ghoulam cross past Tatarusanu in the Inter Milan 18 9 3 6 28 21 30 Torino 18 8 4 6 36 27 28 coach Luciano Spalletti and the former the spoils in a 3-3 draw at Fiorentina that 68th minute to restore the visitors’ one- Fiorentina 18 7 6 5 28 24 27 Milan forward paved the way for a classy nonetheless saw them drop two precious goal advantage, the Belgian remark- Udinese 18 7 4 7 24 24 25 lan Pardew has been win with an incisive free kick on the points. ably hitting his eighth goal in just three Chievo Verona 18 7 4 7 19 20 25 sacked as Crystal Pal- stroke of half-time that levelled Jonath- Napoli remain third but are seven games. Genoa 18 6 5 7 21 22 23 ace manager, the Pre- an De Guzman’s 37th minute opener. points behind Juventus, three behind Later, Mertens hit out at the state of Sampdoria 18 6 5 7 21 24 23 mier League club said “His goal was a decisive factor for us,” Roma and one ahead of Lazio. AC Milan Fiorentina’s pitch. Cagliari 18 7 2 9 27 42 23 onA Thursday, with former Eng- Spalletti later told Sky Sport. are fourth at one point further behind, “Unfortunately my goal wasn’t Bologna 17 5 5 7 17 22 20 land boss Sam Allardyce appear- Roma were superb after the break and but also have a catch-up game, away to enough. We played fairly well on a pitch Sassuolo 18 5 2 11 24 33 17 ing poised to take over. Edin Dzeko fi red the hosts into a 52nd Bologna, in February. that was in terrible condition. Usually Empoli 18 3 5 10 10 26 14 Pardew has paid the price for minute lead with his 13th goal of the After two consecutive defeats for it’s fi ne, but tonight it was horrible. Palermo 18 2 4 12 16 35 10 a dreadful start to the season — campaign. Fiorentina, Napoli had a decisive swag- “It’s a shame, we had chances to win Crotone 17 2 3 12 14 32 9 eight defeats in 10 games have The Bosnian is now just one behind ger after a beautiful strike from Lorenzo this game.” left the team in 17th place, just one point and one place above the relegation zone. File picture of Sam Allardyce BOTTOMLINE British bookmakers imme- diately installed Allardyce as thank everyone for their support, favourite to succeed him at Sel- in particular the players who hurst Park. gave me everything. I feel I had a In a statement the club’s co- special bond with the club.” owner, Steve Parish, said: “I Earlier this month Pardew would like to put on record our courted controversy after a 3-0 Chelsea cleared by EPL for not sincere gratitude for the tremen- win at Southampton when he dous service Alan has given us, said the club have investors “who both in his time here as manager perhaps don’t know a lot about and previously as a player. football”. “During his tenure Alan’s hard British media interpreted that reporting abuse claims work and dedication were with- as a reference to American bil- out question. He has improved lionaires David Blitzer and Josh AFP independent expert carry out a ing a gagging order as a condi- rating his offi ce than scouting. warned them about him in 2001,” so many areas of the club and we Harris, who provided part of a London full safeguarding audit. tion of paying Johnson £50,000 He moved on to another Lon- Driscoll told The Times. wish him the very best for the 50-million-pound ($61.47mn) “The League has no reason to ($63,850, 59,230 euros) compen- don club, Charlton Athletic, “I was a detective inspector at future. cash injection into the club last have any concerns about Chel- sation in 2015 for the abuse he where a former youth player al- the time and I was phoning them “With games now coming December. he present Chelsea re- sea’s current provisions in this suff ered at the hands of Heath. leges he was abused by him. from the police, but I might as thick and fast over the holiday Pardew’s departure seems gime did not break any area, but, given the seriousness Johnson, now 57, broke the It is not known whether Chel- well have been phoning from the period the club are hoping to likely to trigger a return to man- rules in keeping quiet of these historical allegations, gagging order once other former sea are one of the four London- moon. put someone in place as quickly agement for Allardyce, who was about allegations of sex feels that such a review is an ap- footballers had come forward based Premier League teams “I was saying he had a convic- as possible but have nothing to sacked as England manager after abuseT suff ered by former youth propriate course of action,” it to claim they had been victims under police investigation over tion but they just treated it as a say about a replacement at this just 67 days in September after a player Gary Johnson, the English added. of sex abuse decades ago and he historic abuse. Twenty-six other football matter,” said Driscoll, time.” Pardew, a former Palace newspaper caught him on cam- Premier League said. Chelsea additionally has to told the BBC he would be seek- clubs from the capital are also in- who during his career success- midfi elder, was appointed at the era off ering advice on how get “After careful consideration, provide the Premier League with ing greater compensation from volved. However, former detec- fully brought the white killers of start of 2015 and led them to their round FA rules on transfers. the board has determined that no details of the club’s internal re- Chelsea as the abuse had “taken tive Clive Driscoll said yesterday black teenager Stephen Lawrence best Premier League fi nish. He Bookmakers have the former Premier League rules were bro- view on historic abuse, launched away his childhood”. that Chelsea and another cur- to trial after years of frustration also took the club to last season’s Bolton Wanderers and Newcas- ken by the club not reporting this after Johnson and several other There has been some specu- rent Premier League club, Crystal over the initial investigation. FA Cup fi nal, where they lost to tle United boss as odds-on fa- matter to them in 2014,” the Pre- former players came forward to lation that Chelsea could face a Palace, had dismissed his warn- According to the information Manchester United. vourite at prices between 1-3 and mier League said in a statement claim they had been abused by group action law suit that could ing in 2001 about another scout. gathered by Operation Hydrant But their league form tailed off 1-5, and British broadcaster Sky yesterday. scout Eddie Heath back in the potentially cost them millions. John Butcher had been con- — the UK-wide police inves- towards the end of the campaign, said Allardyce’s representatives The Premier League said it has 1970’s. The Premier League said Heath, who died in 1983 aged victed in 1993 of attempting to tigation into non-recent child and they have endured a disas- would be meeting the club in the insisted that Chelsea — whose Chelsea has agreed to the re- 54, was sacked by Chelsea in 1979 smuggle child abuse images into sexual abuse — 148 clubs are now trous start to the current season, next 24 hours. present owner Russian oligarch quests. by then manager Geoff Hurst, not England from the Netherlands. involved, with 155 potential sus- having won just six games in the His fi rst game in charge could Roman Abramovich took over The club and Abramovich for sexual impropriety but be- “I spoke to Millwall, Chelsea pects and 429 victims, aged be- whole of 2016. be away to Watford on Boxing years after the abuse — have an have been lambasted for impos- cause he spent more time deco- and Palace about Butcher and tween four and 20. Pardew said: “I would like to Day. Gulf Times Saturday, December 24, 2016 5 SPORT

NBA Former Nuggets coach Karl harshly critical of Anthony in his new memoir Heat retire O’Neal’s AFP Los Angeles

ormer Denver Nuggets coach George Karl is harshly critical of New York FKnicks star Carmelo Anthony in an unsparing new memoir in which he calls No. 32 jersey, then the player a “user of people”. Anthony spent his first seven-and-a-half NBA seasons with the Nuggets, playing six-and-a-half of those campaigns — from 2005 until early 2011 — for Karl. “Carmelo was a true conundrum for me in the six years I had him,” Karl writes, according to multiple New York media rally to down Lakers outlets that obtained an advance look at his book Furious George. “He was the best off ensive player I ever ‘It was like going down memory lane. It felt like 2006. Shaq engaged the entire crowd with incredible coached... He really lit my fuse with his low demand of himself on defense. He had class. Our players were sitting there with eyes wide open. They saw a vision of what we are trying no commitment to the hard, dirty work of stopping the other guy...” to build and what the arena feels like when you have a legitimate championship-contending team’ “Since Carmelo only played hard on one side of the ball, he made it plain he couldn’t lead the Nuggets, even though he said he wanted to. Coaching him meant working around his defense and compen- sating for his attitude.” In the book due out in January, Karl adds that he believes Anthony could have become “the best defender at his position in the NBA”. “That was never going to happen with Melo,” Karl says, “whose amazing ability to score with the ball made him a star but didn’t make him a winner.” Anthony declined to get into a verbal spat with Karl on Thursday night but did say he was pleased to see others speaking up for him. “It’s irrelevant to me. It’s irrelevant at this point,” he said. “The truth of the matter is, everybody else is kind of speaking up for me from their own experience. So I really don’t have to speak on it.” Anthony isn’t the only one of Karl’s former players to come in for criticism. Retired Nuggets forward Kenyon Martin and former Nuggets guard JR Smith, now with the Cleveland Cavaliers, are dubbed, along with Anthony, “spoiled brats”. Karl spent 27 seasons on NBA sidelines coaching the Nuggets, Cleveland Cava- liers, Golden State Warriors, Seattle Super- sonics, Milwaukee Bucks and Sacramento Kings. His most recent stint was as a failed two-year stop in Sacramento from 2014-16, with the Kings going 44-68. Overall, Karl built a record as a head coach of 1,175-824, and ranks all-time fifth on the NBA’s coaching victories list. His 22 playoff appearances include a Miami Heat legend Shaquille O’Neal (below) watches from the sidelines as Timofey Mozgov (left) of the Los Angeles Lakers fights for the ball with Hassan Whiteside of Miami during their NBA game runner-up finish in the 1995-96 NBA Finals at the American Airlines Center in Miami, Florida, yesterday. Heat rallied from a 19-point second-quarter deficit to beat O’Neal’s former team Lakers 115-107 and snap a three-game losing skid. (AFP) with Seattle.

AFP knew it was going to electric, and we wanted to The Clippers dictated for much of the fi rst NBA owners approve labour deal Miami give them a show. It was a lot of fun playing in half, taking a 57-45 lead the break. They held this arena tonight.” the Spurs to 38.5 % shooting while hitting 50 National Basketball Association owners Whiteside and Winslow each had 23 points % of their shots in the fi rst half. Los Angeles have approved the tentative collective haquille O’Neal fulfi lled a promise in and 13 rebounds. Whiteside has 23 double- converted 6-of-13 (46.2 %) from behind the arc bargaining agreement reached with the 2006 to bring Miami its fi rst NBA cham- doubles this season, tying him for the NBA lead compared to 2-of-6 (33.3 %) for San Antonio. players’ union last week and await a rati- pionship and the Heat said thank you on with Russell Westbrook and James Harden. For the game, the Clippers hit 46.4 % of fication vote by the players, according to Thursday by retiring his No. 32 jersey. It was the fi rst career double-double for the their shots to 40.2 % for the Spurs. From long media reports. S The jersey was lifted to the rafters in an emo- second-year forward Winslow as the Heat (10- distance, the Clippers were 11-of-28 (39.3 %) to Ratification of the seven-year deal by tional but sometimes light-hearted halftime 20) snapped their three-game losing streak. All 6-of-19 (31.6 %). the players, who are voting electronically, ceremony that included O’Neal’s mother, Luci- three of those losses came at home. The Spurs played without reserve Manu Gi- could come as early as today and seal la- lle, arriving on the court behind the wheel of a In Los Angeles, despite losing Chris Paul to a nobili after Spurs coach Gregg Popovich decided bour peace by Christmas Day, the reports scaled-down 18-wheel truck. hamstring injury, the Los Angeles Clippers beat to rest the 39-year-old before the trip. Before suggest. There is breathing room still, as It was a miniature version — right down to the San Antonio Spurs 106-101 at Staples Center. leaving, Paul passed Kevin Garnett (16th) for the two sides extended their deadline to the words “Diesel Power” written on the side Paul suff ered a strained left hamstring early career steals with 1,859. Paul is one theft shy of January 13. — of the semi that O’Neal once drove into town in the third quarter and did not return. He fi n- moving pass Isiah Thomas for 15th place at 1,861. Negotiations have gone smoothly, in when he made that initial promise back in 2004. ished with team-high 19 points, six assists and Paul’s problem added to the Clippers’ injury marked contrast to the last round. In 2011, But the best thing about the night for the seven rebounds in 23 minutes. woes. Forward Blake Griffi n underwent arthro- an impasse led to a 161-day lockout with Heat was they rallied from a 19-point second- Without Paul, the Clippers received a boost scopic knee surgery on Tuesday and could be a shortened 66-game season that did not quarter defi cit to beat O’Neal former team, the from their bench. Marreese Speights had 14 out for up to six weeks. start until Christmas. Los Angeles Lakers, 115-107 and snap a three- points, seven rebounds and fi ve assists, while Elsewhere, Isaiah Thomas scored 28 points, With a new nine-year television deal game losing skid. Raymond Felton added 13 points. Jamal Craw- including 14 in the fourth quarter, and the Bos- pumping $24 billion into the league, both O’Neal defl ected the praise, thanking Heat ford chipped in 11 points. The Clippers’ reserves ton Celtics defeated the Indiana Pacers 109-102. sides have a lot at stake. boss Pat Riley as well as his teammates, espe- outscored the Spurs’ bench 58-31. Boston won its fourth in a row, sealing it with As league revenues climb, the salary cap cially star guard Dwyane Wade, who became the Center DeAndre Jordan had 11 points and two free throws from Thomas and two from Jae continues to increase, pushing the maxi- other half of the club’s one-two scoring punch. nine rebounds, and J.J. Redick also scored 11 for Crowder during the fi nal 14 seconds after Indi- mum wage next season for a player with at “When you win championships, it becomes the Clippers (22-8), who beat the Spurs for the ana closed to within 105-102 on two CJ Miles least 10 seasons to $36 million. contagious. I felt like I still had a lot to give I just second time this season. Kawhi Leonard led the free throws with 19 seconds to play. The new deal is expected to include needed another piece. D-Wade was that piece,” championship-contending team. It was a spe- Spurs (23-6) with 27 points and nine rebounds. Jeff Teague had a season-high 31 for Indiana, higher minimum salaries, a more detailed O’Neal said. “It was already his team so I wasn’t cial presentation.” Pau Gasol contributed 21 points and eight re- which lost its second straight. Paul George and domestic-violence policy, tweaks to the going to redecorate the Christmas tree.” Indeed it was. O’Neal’s message didn’t go bounds. Danny Green and LaMarcus Aldridge Miles each had 19 for the Pacers, and Thaddeus drug-testing procedure, a shortened presea- Heat coach Erik Spoelstra, whose team unnoticed by Justise Winslow. scored 10 apiece. Young added 15 points and 12 rebounds. son and a regular season with more days off trailed by seven points at halftime, said Miami He scored a career-high 23 points and Has- The Spurs lost for only the second time on between games. The agreement comes with got an emotional lift from listening to Shaq’s san Whiteside had his sixth double-double in the road and are 15-2 away from home. the NBA at an all-time high in popularity. acceptance speech. a row to lead Miami past the struggling Lakers, The Spurs cut the Clippers’ double-digit Results Earlier this year, Forbes said the average “It was like going down memory lane. It felt who have fallen on hard times since the days of halftime lead several times in the second half LA CLIPPERS 106 ...... San Antonio 101 NBA team’s value rose to $1.25 bn, a jump like 2006,” he said. “Shaq engaged the entire O’Neal and Kobe Bryant. but were unable to overcome it. San Antonio MIAMI 115 ...... LA Lakers 107 of 13% from the previous year, driven crowd with incredible class. Our players were “It was a great environment,” said Winslow, closed to within fi ve early in the fourth quarter Golden State 117 ...... BROOKLYN 101 primarily by media and sponsorship deals sitting there with eyes wide open. They saw a who posted a career high in points and a season but again the Clippers increased the defi cit back NY KNICKS 106 ...... Orlando 95 being renewed at double or even quadru- vision of what we’re trying to build and what high in rebounds. “We knew the fans were going to double fi gures again. The Spurs made a late Boston 109 ...... INDIANA 102 ple the previous amounts. the arena is like when you have a legitimate to be out here to see Shaq’s jersey hanging. We run near the end, but it was not enough. (Home team in CAPS)

ROUND-UP Cleveland Browns in race to avoid ignominious 0-16 season

AFP Chargers in their fi nal home game of the ing 188 points — isn’t due to lack of eff ort. Brazilian MMA star Justino assured under the policy before any The Indians, who advanced to the Los Angeles season on Saturday. They close the sea- “There are some things we have to do in possible doping violation sanctions may be imposed. World Series where they were beaten by son against the Steelers in Pittsburgh. much better. But I can never question if Justino last fought on September the Chicago Cubs, are hoping the slug- Griffi n was sacked ve fi times in our guys are trying and playing hard,” Top-ranked female mixed martial arts 24, stopping Lina Lansberg in the sec- ger will be the fi nal piece of the puzzle. he Cleveland Browns are run- Browns’ loss to the Buff alo Bills last Jackson said. “Do I think we can play featherweight Cris ‘Cyborg’ Justino has ond round as part of a UFC Fight Night The 33-year-old Encarnacion re- ning out of time, but quar- weekend — taking the total of sacks sur- better? Yes I do, but I do not think by been informed by the US Anti-Doping event in her native Brazil. portedly signed a three-year deal for terback Robert Griffi n III says rendered by Cleveland this season to 53. any stretch it is an eff ort issue.” Agency (USADA) of a possible doping The 31-year-old (17-1) previously $65 mn and is expected to replace Mike they’ll battle to the end of the Although Griffi n said the team Unfortunately for the Browns, as violation, the Ultimate Fighting Cham- tested positive for an anabolic steroid Napoli at fi rst base and designated hit- Tseason to avoid joining the 2008 Detroit wasn’t feeling extra pressure to avoid their defeats pile up, their opponents pionship (UFC) said yesterday. in December 2011, which she blamed on ter. Encarnacion, a former third base- Lions in 0-16 NFL ignominy. the dreaded 0-16, he acknowledged become even more determined not to The UFC said in a statement it was a diet supplement she received from a man, split time between fi rst base and “I think guys are going to fi ght all the that “everybody is aware of it.” be the fi rst to fall to them. formally notifi ed that USADA told former coach. designated hitter for the Toronto Blue way through to the fi nish,” Griffi n said of The struggles of the Browns stand That’s certainly true of the Charg- Justino of a potential anti-doping Jays in recent years. the Browns’ determination not to join the out in even sharper relief after Cleve- ers, who have produced back-to-back policy violation stemming from an out- Indians ink Encarnacion Encarnacion, of the Dominican Re- 2008 Lions as the only teams since the land celebrated the NBA championship losing seasons and will miss the play- of-competition sample collection on to three-year deal public, was an all-star for the third league expanded to a 16-game schedule of the Cavaliers in June, and the Indi- off s for the seventh time in eight years. December 5. time in four years in 2016. He tied for in 1978 to fi nish without a victory. ans’ run to the World Series in 2016. “We’ve got to fi nd a way to win this USADA, the independent adminis- Edwin Encarnacion, one of the top the American League lead with 127 RBIs The expansion Tampa Bay Bucca- But coach Hue Jackson says their one,” head coach Mike McCoy said. trator of the UFC’s anti-doping policy, names on Major League Baseball’s free and tied for third with 42 home runs. neers went 0-14 in 1976. predicament — the Browns have lost six A lot of people are pulling for the would handle “the appropriate adju- agent market, has agreed to a three- The Indians, winners of the American Griffi n will be making his third straight games by at least 13 points and Browns, however, and that includes mem- dication of this case,” the UFC said, year deal with the Cleveland Indians, League title this year, lost to Chicago in straight start when the Browns play the have been out-scored by a league-lead- bers of that hapless 2008 Lions team. adding that a full review process was US media reported yesterday. game seven of the World Series. Gulf Times 6 Saturday, December 24, 2016 SPORT

LOOKING BACK Doping, corruption keep pressure on sports bodies

DPA crucial question for the IOC of whether nent among athletes who tested posi- bastian Coe has repeatedly stressed. Berlin Russian athletes can still be allowed to tive for , a drug which in- “We now have structures, we now have compete on the international stage. creases blood fl ow. frameworks and foundations that will In the summer, the IOC, led by presi- A number of other countries, in- create a safety net.” orruption and dent , decided against a cluding Kenya, are also being closely FIFA also heralded a “new era” fol- has continued to present inter- blanket ban of Russian athletes from monitored to ensure their anti-doping lowing the corruption aff airs which national federations with ma- the Rio Games, preferring to delegate standards measure up to international engulfed the federation and came to a jor challenges in a year which decisions over individuals to each in- standards. The doping scandals have head in 2015 with the arrests of leading hasC seen a change at the top of football’s ternational federation. added to the governance crises affl ict- football offi cials. governing body FIFA and promises of In contrast, the International Paral- ing both FIFA and the IAAF, two of Gianni Infantino was elected FIFA reforms elsewhere. ympic Committee banned com- sport’s biggest and most important in- president in February hoping to restore As the countdown begins to the 2018 pletely from its Rio Games, while the ternational federations. credibility, as US and Swiss corruption Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, IAAF has already suspended the Rus- The IOC had in late 2014 set out prin- investigations continue. South Korea, the pressure is growing on sian athletics federation. ciples for improving sports governance Infantino’s election ended the 18- the International Olympic Committee Bach insisted the IOC would apply in its Agenda 2020 reform package. year reign of fellow Swiss Joseph Blat- (IOC) to act on doping. a “zero tolerance policy not only with The IAAF recently agreed its own ter, whose six-year ban from football The spotlight meanwhile remains on regard to individual athletes, but to all broad reform package which became was confi rmed this month by the CAS. Russia, who host football’s Confedera- their entourage within its reach” in the vitally necessary after corruption and European football’s body UEFA’s tions Cup in 2017 and is gearing up for doping fi ght. doping scandals. erstwhile president , who the 2018 World Cup, following evidence An Olympic summit later proposed New statutes are intended to prevent was regarded as the favourite to succeed of state-run doping and calls for an in- a global drug testing system independ- fraud and the abuse of power, while in- Blatter, also fell as a result of the scan- ternational sport ban. ent from sports authorities, and Bach creasing transparency and giving ath- dals. He is now banned from football for With major events in 2017, includ- recommended all doping sanctions be letes more rights. A new “integrity unit four years while absent from his “own” ing the Champion- handed down by the Court of Arbitra- board” will be responsible for the fi ght Euro 2016 in France. He was succeeded ships, the focus will also be on the in- tion for Sport (CAS). British track legend Sebastian Coe, who replaced the disgraced Lamine Diack against doping. by Slovenian Aleksander Ceferin. ternational athletics federation (IAAF), The sports world will be looking as IAAF president, has initiated a reform package to prevent fraud and abuse of The reforms come as French authori- Infantino’s plans to expand the World which has to deal with corruption at the closely to see if strong words are fol- power, while increasing transparency and giving athletes more rights. ties continue a fraud and money laun- Cup fi nals remain controversial, while top and barred Russian track and fi eld lowed up by deeds, but media com- dering investigation into former IAAF the new president also had to defend athletes from the 2016 Rio Olympics. mentators who follow Olympics aff airs month’s publication of the second part 2008 and 2012 Olympics, with dozens president Lamine Diack of Senegal, himself among other things for using The report by WADA’s independent remain sceptical. “The IOC’s behaviour of the McLaren report into doping. stripped of their medals. who was allegedly involved in covering a private jet and over discussions sur- investigator Richard McLaren, which has been most notable for its vacillation The doping fi ght, however, has seen Russians, most notably tennis star up positive doping samples. rounding his salary. However, he was said more than 1,000 Russian athletes and procrastination,” Britain’s Guard- more than 100 international doping of- Maria Sharapova, who is now serving “Never again can one person wield cleared by the FIFA’s ethics committee were implicated in doping, poses the ian newspaper wrote following this fenders caught in IOC retests from the a 15-month ban, have also been promi- unchecked power,” IAAF president Se- of any misconduct.

DOPING NHL Jagr becomes 2nd-highest points 28 Russian athletes scorer of all time Reuters Nashville at Bridgestone Florida Arena. Nic Dowd, Jeff Carter, Devin Setoguchi and Nick Shore scored for the Kings. zech Jaromir Jagr face IOC action over became the second Senators 2, Ducks 1 (OT) highest points scorer Mike Hoff man scored on a one- of all time in the Na- timer with 56.2 seconds left in Ctional Hockey League (NHL) overtime to give Ottawa a win when the Florida Panthers over Anaheim at Canadian Tire winger collected an assist for Centre. It was the fourth win Aleksander Barkov against the in a row for the Senators. Ryan Boston Bruins yesterday. Dzingel scored in regulation for tampered samples The 44-year-old reached the Senators while Jakob Sil- 1,888 points at 13.20 min- fverberg replied for the Ducks. utes into the third period to ‘In Russia there never was—it is simply impossible and we will do everything for move past Hall of Famer Mark Lightning 5, Blues 2 Messier and now trails only the Alex Killorn scored 5:25 in to this never to be the case—a state doping system and support for doping. We ‘Great One’ Wayne Gretzky, the third period as Tampa Bay who ended his career with a scored fi ve unanswered goals to have, like any other country, problems with this and we need to recognise that’ staggering tally of 2,857 points. defeat St Louis at Amalie Arena. Barkov scored Florida’s only Jonathan Drouin scored twice goal in a 3-1 loss to Boston, and Michael Bournival and The IOC move comes after the pouncing on the rebound af- Brian Boyle also scored for the publication of the second and ter Jagr’s defl ection of a long- Lightning. Victor Hedman fi n- final part of the Richard McLaren range shot from defenseman ished with three assists and An- (pic) report into Russian Michael Matheson had rico- drei Vasilevskiy fi nished with 21 doping earlier this month. cheted off Bruins goaltender saves. David Perron and Wade Tuukka Rask. Megan scored for the Blues. Offi cials reviewed the play to confi rm the assist, then Wild 4, Canadiens 2 Jagr thumped his chest in cel- Eric Staal scored a short- ebration and gave the fans handed goal early in the third a thumbs-up. As the BB&T to lift Minnesota to a victory Center crowd in Florida over Montreal at the Bell Cen- cheered loudly for Jagr, the tre. Jordan Schroeder, Jared Panthers briefl y halted the Spurgeon and Jason Zucker game to present the Czech with also connected for the Wild a ceremonial gold stick in hon- while Max Pacioretty and Art- our of the milestone. turi Lehkonen scored for the “I appreciate everything Canadiens. The Wild’s ninth that has happened to me,” Jagr, straight win matches a fran- who won two Stanley Cup ti- chise mark set in March 2009. tles with the Pittsburgh Pen- guins, said on the ice after be- Devils 4, Flyers 0 ing presented with the stick. “I Playing their most complete have played with so many great game in recent memory, New players during my hockey ca- Jersey snapped a seven-game reer... and I thank the fans.” losing streak with a victory Messier, who played with over Philadelphia at the Pru- Jagr for the New York Rangers dential Center. PA Parenteau in 2003-04, congratulated the and Adam Henrique each had a Czech in a video message dis- goal and an assist for the Dev- played on the giant scoreboard ils, who also got goals from screen: “It is an honour for me Miles Wood and Kyle Palmieri. to pass this baton on to you.” Jagr has played 1,663 games Hurricanes 3, Sabres 1 for eight NHL teams since be- Three players scored and Cam ing selected by the Penguins as Ward made 22 saves to lead Agencies there was “evidence of manipula- said four Sochi gold medallists determined to ensure the neces- programme, former sports minister the fi fth overall pick in the 1990 Carolina to a win over Buff alo. Zurich tion of one or more of their urine had samples with physiologically sary measures are undertaken to and current Deputy Prime Minister draft. His 1,888 tally includes Jeff Skinner, Justin Faulk and Se- samples” collected at the 2014 impossible salt readings, while punish the off ences. We will work was banned from at- 755 goals and 1,133 assists. bastian Aho scored for the Hur- Sochi Games for doping tests. The there was evidence that bottles together with the Russian Ski As- tending the Rio Olympics this year ricanes. Johan Larsson scored wenty-eight Russian world body added that the 28 cases containing the urine samples of sociation to rehabilitate the Rus- because of the controversy. the lone goal for the Sabres and athletes who took part in were not considered positive dop- 12 Russian Sochi medallists had sian cross-country skiing com- The Russian President was Elsewhere... Robin Lehner made 31 saves. the 2014 Winter Olym- ing tests although “the manipu- been tampered with. munity and we sincerely count on again pressed on state involve- Blue Jackets 7, Penguins 1 pics in Sochi face disci- lation of the samples themselves Meanwhile, Russian President their commitment to clean sport.” ment in the doping at his end of Scott Hartnell scored three Maple Leafs 6, Avalanche 0 Tplinary proceedings over possible could lead to an anti-doping rule Vladimir Putin said yesterday Russia has already been year press conference yesterday goals and the Columbus Blue Frederik Andersen had 38 saves manipulation of their urine sam- violation and sanctions”. there were some problems with stripped of the right to host next before the IOC made its latest Jackets extended their fran- for his fi rst shutout of the sea- ples, the International Olympic IOC president Thomas Bach sports , but that year’s bobsleigh world champi- announcement. “In Russia there chise-record winning streak to son, Nazem Kadri had two Committee (IOC) said yesterday. said: “This is the immediate there was no state-sponsored dop- onships in Sochi in March and a never was — it is simply impossi- 11 games with a 7-1 victory over goals, and Toronto beat reeling The global skiing body (FIS) later follow-up to Professor (Richard) ing system as critics have alleged. speed skating event scheduled for ble and we will do everything for the Pittsburgh Penguins in a Colorado. James Van Riemsdyk announced that it had suspended McLaren’s report. The IOC will Speaking at an annual end-of-year Chelyabinsk in the same month this never to be the case — a state battle at the top of the Metro- had a goal and an assist and six Russian cross-country skiers go beyond the fi ndings of the news conference, Putin said that by the governing bodies of the re- doping system and support for politan Division. Also scoring rookie Auston Matthews who were among those being inves- (McLaren) report by re-analysing sports should not be politicised. spective sports. It has also pulled doping,” Putin said. goals for the Blue Jackets were stayed hot with a goal. tigated and said Russia had pulled all the samples of all the Russian The FIS said Russia had “re- out of hosting a World Cup bia- “We have, like any other coun- Cam Atkinson, Brandon Saad, out of hosting the fi nal meeting of athletes who participated in the turned” the fi nal meeting of the thlon meeting in Tyumen, due to try, problems with this and we William Karlsson and Boone Jets 4, Canucks 1 the sport’s World Cup season. Olympic Winter Games Sochi cross-country World Cup season, be held the week before the cross- need to recognise that. Recognis- Jenner. Sergei Bobrovsky fi n- Nikolaj Ehlers scored two The moves follow publication 2014 as well as all those who par- due to be held in March in Tyu- country event. ing this, (we need) to do every- ished with 23 saves and boosted third-period goals and col- earlier this month of the second and ticipated in the men, as a sign of goodwill. “The Twenty-seven Russian athletes thing for there to be no doping. To his record to 20-5-2. Sidney lected an assist as Winnipeg fi nal part of the World Anti-Doping London 2012.” Russian Cross-Country Ski Asso- have already been sanctioned by that end we must closely cooper- Crosby scored Pittsburgh’s only defeated Vancouver. Rook- Agency’s independent McLaren re- The McLaren report said there ciation has communicated to FIS the IOC as a result of re-testing of ate with the International Olym- goal in the fi rst period. Matt ie Patrik Laine and Bryan port into Russian doping. It found was a systematic cover-up, which their determination to build its some samples from the 2008 Bei- pic Committee, WADA and other Murray gave up six goals before Little also scored for the more than 1,000 Russian competi- was refi ned at the 2012 Olympics, credibility in the cross-country jing Games and London. All Rus- international organisations. And he was replaced in the third pe- Jets, who scored three times tors in more than 30 sports were in- 2013 world athletics champion- skiing community and commit- sian samples from the 2010 Van- we will do this,” Putin declared. riod by Marc-Andre Fleury. in the third period. Markus volved in an institutional conspir- ships and 2014 Sochi Winter Ol- ment to clean sport,” said the FIS. couver Winter Games are also to “We need to rid sport as well as Granlund scored for the acy to conceal positive drug tests ympics. It said that more than 30 FIS president Gian Franco be re-tested, the IOC said. culture of politics because sport Kings 4, Predators 0 Canucks. Ryan Miller stopped over the course of fi ve years. sports were involved in conceal- Kaspar said the McLaren report’s While the Russian government and culture are meant to unite Peter Budaj stopped 28 shots 21 shots for Vancouver. Michael The IOC said in the case of the ing positive doping samples. fi ndings had “seriously damaged has repeatedly denied any offi cial people, not divide them,” the for his fourth shutout of the Hutchinson made 22 saves for 28 athletes being investigated, Among its fi ndings, the report the integrity of sport and we are involvement in the alleged doping Russian leader added. season as Los Angeles dumped Winnipeg. Gulf Times Saturday, December 24, 2016 7 SPORT

FOCUS Al-Mohannadi wins Qatar Table Ramzy, Garlic VH Tennis presidency unopposed Kapelhof dazzle on second day too Qatar’s Mubarak al-Rumaihi, riding Vivaldi K, picks up top prize in 135cm event QNA ciation saw Mohammed Abdullah Doha al-Saleh as secretary general, and Thani al-Zara, Ali Sultan Muftah and By Sports Reporter Naji al-Aji as members for a four- Doha he Qatar Table Tennis Asso- year term. The general assembly ciation general assembly saw discussed the association’s achieve- TKhalil Ahmed al-Mohannadi ments during the Arab champion- or the second consecutive day, win the presidency unopposed. His ship for men and the Rio Olympics. Saudi Arabia’s Ramzy Hamad term would end in 2020. They also discussed next year’s al-Duhami and his horse Gar- The new formation of the asso- schedule. lic VH Kapelhof claimed the topF prize of the day in the QR 1.35m Qatar International Show Jumping Championship yesterday. RESOLVE The duo, who won the Special Two Phases 145cm event on Day One, re- turned to the Qatar Equestrian Federa- tion Main Arena to once again dazzle the audience in the 145cm (Table A, One Kvitova determined round against the clock, Art. 238.2.1) event, which was also a qualifying com- petition for the FEI World Cup. to play again aft er They completed the routine with zero faults in 63.70secs, bagging the prize of QR 67,500. Turkey’s Derin Demirsoy, rid- knife attack ing Narazo De Nyze Z, took home QR54,000 for faultless eff ort of 65.70 Reuters seconds, edging out Reed Kessler of Prague the United States and his bay gelding Cos I Can, who fi nished their routine in 65.72 seconds. wice Wimbledon champion Qatar’s Olympian showjumper Petra Kvitova said yesterday Sheikh Ali bin Khalid al-Thani, riding she would do everything she Carolina 31 from Stone Hill Farm, had could to return to tennis after to settle for fi fth spot, after clocking Tsuff ering a hand injury in a knife attack Saudi Arabia’s Ramzy Hamad al-Duhami rode Garlic VH Kapelhof to victory in the 145cm (Table A, One round against the 69.66secs with no faults. clock, Art. 238.2.1) event in the Qatar International Show Jumping Championship yesterday. PICTURES: Lotfi Garsi that will keep her out of the sport for at Qatari rider Mubarak Yousuf al- least six months. Rumaihi was impressive on Vivaldi K, (QR8,750) Kvitova was wounded on Tuesday picking up the top prize in the CSI4* 2. (Coca De Alba) Mohammed Salem when she fought off an intruder at her 135cm (One round against the clock al-Marri (QAT), 40.07 (QR7,000) home in the Czech Republic, damaging with jump-off ) event yesterday. 3. (Moustic Des Flayelles) Khaled Ab- all the fi ngers on her left playing hand. A fl awless ride in a time of 30.36 dulaziz al-Eid (KSA), 40.63 (QR5,250) The world number 11 addressed the seconds on his 14-year-old chestnut 4. (Plus) Abdulaziz Aleid (KSA), 41.95 media directly for the fi rst time yester- gelding meant that the 32-year-old Ru- (QR3,500) day after an operation to repair the ten- maihi, brother of Olympian Ali al-Ru- dons in her hand and was determined maihi, won QR 11,250 besides a trophy. Competition 5: Table A, One round to get back to playing. In second place was compatriot against the clock with jump-off 135 “I have no choice but to look ahead, Hamad al-Attiyah on his mount, Cas- cm (Prize QR 45,000) and not back, to see how everything sander Van Het Bremhof. The duo 1. (Vivaldi K) Mubarak Yousuf al- will develop,” she told a news confer- completed the routine in 32.59secs for Rumaihi (QAT), 30.36 (QR11,250) ence at which she could be seen smiling a prize of QR 9,000. 2. (Cassander Van het Bremhof) Ha- and laughing at moments. fi rst of her two Wimbledon singles ti- Salman Mohammed al-Emadi on mad al-Attiyah (QAT), 32.59 (QR9,000) “It does not really matter to me how tles. Zorro Z ensured a podium sweep for 3. (Zorro Z) Salman Mohammed al- long it will take (to play again), whether She had been a virtual fi xture in Qatar in the event, fi nishing third in a Emadi (QAT), 33.03 (QR6,750) it is three months, six months, a year or the top 10 before slipping somewhat time of 33.03 secs and was awarded QR 4. (Beyonce) Rashid al-Marri (QAT), however long. But certainly I want to this season. However, she showed im- 6,750 for the eff ort. 33.96 (QR4,500) return one day and I will do everything proved form in recent months, winning Qatar’s Rashid al-Marri on Beyonce possible to do so.” the Wuhan Open title in October and was fourth in 33.96 secs, followed by Mubarak Yousuf al-Rumaihi guides Vivaldi K to victory in the 135cm (One round Competition 6: Table A, One round Kvitova said she had been able to the season-ending WTA Elite trophy in three riders from Saudi Arabia. against the clock with jump-off ) event yesterday against the clock Art. 238.2.1 145cm move her fi ngers in a session with doc- November. Earlier, riding under the FEI ban- (Prize QR 270,000) tors on Thursday, which she called “the Media have reported the intruder ner, Kuwait’s Ali al-Khorafi clocked while Saudi Arabia’s Khaled Abdulaziz DAY 2 RESULTS 1. (Garlic VH Kapelhof) Ramzy Hamad greatest Christmas present”. into her apartment had posed as a 33.72 seconds on his mount Ungarin al-Eid, riding Moustic Des Flayelles, Rank, (Horse), Rider, Time, (Prize- al-Duhami (KSA), 63.70 (QR 67,500) News of the attack on Kvitova this boiler inspector to get in. Police are still 4 with no penalties to win the CSI4* was third with a time of 40.63secs. money) 2. (Narazo De Nyze Z) Derin Demirsoy week shocked the tennis world. The searching for her attacker. The attack 120cm category, picking up a prize of Qatar International Show Jump- (TUR), 65.70 (QR 54,000) hard-hitting 26-year-old rose to world has been described as a random act QR 8,750. ing Championship is the annual event Competition 4: Table A, One round 3. (Cos I Can) Reed Kessler (USA), 65.72 number two in 2011 when she won the with Kvitova not specifi cally targeted. Qatar’s Mohammed Salem al-Marri hosted by the Qatar Equestrian Federa- against the clock with jump-off 120 (QR 40,500) on Al Shaqab’s Coca de Alba was second, tion, and will be followed by Al Rayyan cm (Prize QR 35,000) 4. (Confident of Victory) Vladimir having clocked 40.07secs (QR 7,000), Championship from December 26-31. 1. (Ungarin 4) Ali al-Khorafi (FEI), 33.72 Tuganov (RUS), 67.17 (QR 27,000) RUGBY TENNIS Jones believes tough Federer expects injury layoff warm-up games will help Lions roar to prolong playing career Reuters Bengaluru

Reuters at the 1999 US Open. Mumbai But his semi-fi nal defeat by Ca- ngland coach Eddie Jones be- nadian Milos Raonic at Wimbledon, lieves the six tour matches the which saw him drop to 16 in the world British and Irish Lions will play oger Federer believes his rankings, was his last professional next year ahead of the fi rst test six-month absence due to a match this year. againstE the All Blacks on June 24 will knee injury could help pro- Federer said his goal was to get fully give the touring side a signifi cant ad- long his playing career, with fi t and he was looking forward to a few vantage. theR 17-times grand slam winner saying matches in Perth before the year’s fi rst Warren Gatland’s team face a Pro- he has enjoyed the break. grand slam starts later in the month in vincial Union XV, New Zealand Maori The 35-year-old Swiss had surgery Melbourne. and four of the country’s Super Rugby on his left knee in February and, af- “This year is unique because maybe sides in a gruelling run of fi xtures start- ter missing the French Open with a this is the year more than any time be- ing on June 3, before the three-match back injury, announced in July that he fore where I do need matches at the test series kicks off against the double needed extensive rehabilitation and beginning of the season,” Federer said, world champions. would be sidelined for the rest of the adding that he was doing everything The Lions have not won a series in season. possible to add more majors to his tro- New Zealand since 1971 and Jones said Federer returns to action at the phy cabinet. the ‘Super Series’ fi xtures would allow Hopman Cup, starting on Jan. 1, which “Matches have a diff erent intensity the visitors to adapt to conditions and he will play in for the fi rst time since about it and your body reacts accord- playing styles expected in the tests. he teamed up with his now wife Mirka ing to it.” “What’s going to be interesting is the in 2002. He will partner compatriot Federer said he had expected Andy lead-up games; how much form the Li- have continued their dominance de- Belinda Bencic, 19, at the international Murray to be world number one at some ons can get quickly against Super Rug- spite losing many senior players after team tournament in Perth. point but was surprised the Briton fi n- by teams who are going to be fi ring,” the the 2015 World Cup triumph. Federer said it was a tough call to I thought I would. Maybe my body UNIQUE YEAR ished the year at the top of the rankings 56-year-old Australian told news web- “It’s quite exceptional what they’ve take a six-month break and he looked needed a rest more than I thought it For much of his career, the former ahead of Serb Novak Djokovic. site Stuff . (www.stuff .co.nz) done and that they’ve got the capacity at the bigger picture before deciding. would. I tried to look at the big picture, world number one had been blessed “That just gives even more credit to “I think there’s a potential advan- to replace icons of the game so quickly,” “I do believe that it could be very I hope it’s going to pay off . with a body that seemed bullet-proof Andy for not becoming world number tage there for the Lions. Although it’s he added. benefi cial for the future of my tennis “At least one thing I know now is I against the aches, pains and injuries one but fi nishing world number one,” a bloody tough schedule, everyone “The gap they have between the best career,” he told reporters on a confer- have no regrets. I did everything this suff ered by most top athletes. he said. “Those are two separate acknowledges that, but it gives them player and their next best player is a lot ence call. year to get my body back in shape. It Until May this year, Federer had things. a chance to adjust to the pace and the smaller than any other country in the “To have had this six-month lay- didn’t feel too gruelling, too long, too appeared in 65 successive grand slam “Becoming world number one for tempo that’s going to be played in New world. It’s a great credit to New Zea- off , rejuvenated, refreshed... maybe hard to go through this process. I have tournaments and the last time he was a week or fi nishing a year as world Zealand.” land’s development system and their mentally I needed this rest more than actually enjoyed it.” absent from one of the four majors was number one, it’s a diff erent animal.” Jones also praised the All Blacks, who coaches.”

Saturday, December 24, 2016 GULF TIMES CRICKET

PAKISTAN’S TOUR OF AUSTRALIA FOCUS Maddinson Momentum with should get another chance, Pakistan vs weary says Starc

Reuters “There were some times where Melbourne I was backed more and given more of a chance, and (with) a longer run of cricket, I guess my ic Maddinson has performances started to pick up Aussie bowlers struggled in his fi rst and I got that consistency in my two Tests for Australia game,” the fast bowler added. but New South Wales Australia lead the series 1-0 ‘They’ll be sore, for sure, but it depends on how significant those little things are’ Nteam mate Mitchell Starc said going into Monday’s Test and yesterday the batsman should Starc said he was itching to get get another chance to prove started. Four years ago he was himself in the Boxing Day Test rested for the Boxing Day Test at against Pakistan. the MCG against Sri Lanka in a Maddinson was out of a duck bid to manage his workload. on debut against South Africa Starc, who required surgery at Adelaide before scoring one on a deep leg wound after a freak and four runs against Pakistan at training accident in September, Brisbane. said his body was holding up well The left-handed lower-order and that he was still bowling at a batsman could face the axe after good pace late into the day-night selectors brought uncapped all- fi xture at Brisbane. rounder Hilton Cartwright into “I think the last ball I bowled the 13-man squad for the Mel- in that Test match, which was bourne Test. in the 56th over, was 149 clicks “I defi nitely think Maddo (kmph) so (there’s) no issues on should get another chance,” my end,” Starc said. Starc said. “In the end, it’s up “You’d have to ask the other to the selectors but I think con- quicks if they’re any diff erent, tinued cricket, defi nitely at this but I think the Boxing Day Test level, can only help him. just gets everyone up and ready “It’d be a great opportunity for to go. him on Boxing Day after we’ve “From what I’ve seen around had a couple of good wins as a the guys the last day-and-a-half, unit as well (and) it’d be nice to everyone’s feeling pretty good stick together.” (and) recovered really well... Starc said continuity would there’s no reason why anyone help Maddinson, who turned 25 on would be missing out through Wednesday, improve at Test level. injury or rest, as far as I know.”

Pakistan’s batsmen Asad Shafiq (right) and Yasir Shah walk on the ground for the fifth day of the Test against Australia in Brisbane on Monday. Shafiq scored a magnificent century as the tourists fell just 39 runs short of a mammoth 490-run target. (AFP)

AFP Flower, said the Australians can expect and that’s it’. Well guess what? It wasn’t.” at an undistinguished 41.93, and he has Melbourne another hard slog on an abrasive drop-in only four wickets at 74.75 in the current Melbourne Cricket Ground wicket in ex- ‘SORE, FOR SURE’ Sheffi eld Shield campaign. pected sweltering conditions as Pakistan Pakistan have lost their last 10 Tests in The selectors’ desire for a batting akistan say they have the mo- fi ght to level the three-match series. Australia and last won at the MCG in 1981 all-rounder to take a place in the top six mentum heading into the Boxing “The confi dence they have gained in the era of Imran Khan, Javed Miandad means the incumbent number six, Nic Day Melbourne Test after giving since that last innings and that momen- and Zaheer Abbas. Maddinson, could face the axe after his Australia a mighty fright during tum will defi nitely help carry them on The Australians are confi dent crack three Test innings of 0, 1 and 4. Pan epic run-chase in the opening clash of into this Test,” former Zimbabwean Test pace pair Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazle- Team vice-captain David Warner is also the series. batsman Flower said. wood will back up to bowl at the show- overdue and has not posted a Test century The tourists fell just 39 short of a “It’s going to be hard work for the piece event despite each sending down since his 122 against the West Indies in Syd- mammoth 490-run target on the fi fth bowlers, but if we can get into them early 56 overs in the Brisbane heat with just a ney in January for an average of 35 this year, and fi nal day of the Gabba Test, led by a and if the ball starts reversing then I’m week’s recuperation. well below his career average of 47.58. magnifi cent 137 from Asad Shafi q. sure we’ve got a good chance of making “They’ll be sore, for sure, but it de- Steve Smith was a relieved captain as some things happen.” pends on how signifi cant those little TEAMS England star Broad pens new his Australia team fell over the line after Australia dominated the fi rst day- things are and the risks associated with Australia (from): Matt Renshaw, David Nottinghamshire deal the last fi ve Pakistan wickets piled on 230 night Brisbane Test up until late on the it,” team sports medicine manager Alex Warner, Usman Khawaja, Steve Smith runs to get within sight of a world-record fourth day, when signs of anxiety crept in Kountouris said. “In general terms we (capt), Peter Handscomb, Nic Maddinson, England fast bowler Stuart Test run chase. as Pakistan edged closer to a miraculous think they’ll get through but we won’t Hilton Cartwright, Matthew Wade, Mitch- Broad has signed a new three- The gruelling 145-over fourth innings victory before Shafi q was dismissed. know until we assess.” ell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Nathan Lyon, year contract with Nottingham- has taken its toll on the Australian bowl- “I saw a lot of very nervous campers all Zimbabwe-born Cartwright, who was Jackson Bird, Chadd Sayers. shire, the English county side ers with selectors adding bowling all- of a sudden for the fi rst time,” Pakistan recently included in the Chappell-Hadlee Pakistan (from): Azhar Ali, Sami Aslam, said yesterday. The 30-year-old rounder Hilton Cartwright to the squad assistant coach Steve Rixon said. ODI squad to face New Zealand but did Babar Azam, Younis Khan, Misbah-ul- moved to Notts ahead of the as a precaution while their recovery is “I would have thought they would have not play, has averaged 44.50 across 16 Haq (capt), Asad Shafiq, Sarfraz Ahmed, 2008 season but has featured assessed. turned up thinking, ‘We’re just going to win fi rst-class matches. Wahab Riaz, Yasir Shah, Mohamed Amir, on a limited basis at first-class The tourists’ batting coach, Gary this, it’s only going to take two good balls But his 15 fi rst-class wickets have come Rahat Ali, Sohail Khan, Imran Khan. level after establishing himself as a central part of the England side. His tally of 368 Test wickets BOTTOMLINE UPDATE leaves him third on England’s all- time list, while he has contributed to four Ashes victories and was part of the team that won the World T20 championship in 2009. Banned South African batsman Australia assures fans He famously rattled through the Australian batting line-up during the 2015 Ashes at Trent Bridge, recording career-best figures of 8 for 15 as the tourists were dismissed for just 60 on Petersen ‘feared for safety’ over security fears Broad’s home ground. “Whatever happens in the next few years, Stuart will go down as one of England’s great fast bowlers,” said AFP Reuters “We applaud Victoria Nottinghamshire Director of Cricket Mick Newell. “He has per- Johannesburg Melbourne Police for their eff orts this formed well in all kinds of diff erent conditions over a long period morning in neutralising the of time. He also has the ability to sense the big moments and threat and we will continue put in match-winning performances under pressure. He’s still anned former South Af- ricket Australia has to work with the relevant au- very driven, he’s going to play for at least a few more years and rica Test batsman Alvi- assured fans over thorities to ensure the high- his experience and skill will continue to influence matches.” ro Petersen said Thurs- security arrange- est security standards and day he hired a bodyguard ments for the Box- protocols are maintained.” becauseB he feared for the safety Cing Day (December 26) Test Extra police would be on Ex-Kiwi skipper Vettori to join of himself and his family dur- against Pakistan yesterday patrol on Christmas Day and Middlesex ing investigations into cricket after police foiled a plot to at the annual Boxing Day match-fi xing. attack prominent sites in cricket test, which attracts Former New Zealand captain In a statement issued by his Melbourne with a series of tens of thousands of fans Daniel Vettori is to join the charitable foundation, Petersen bombs on Christmas Day. every year, in Melbourne the coaching staff at Middlesex in claimed that the plea bargain he has pleaded guilty to took place ing for the Lions last season.” About 400 police and following day, acting Vic- 2017, the English county cham- reached with Cricket South Af- under pressured and unusual cir- Petersen claimed he had as- members of Australia’s do- torian police commissioner pions announced yesterday. rica (CSA), accepting a two-year cumstances.” sisted an anti-corruption offi cer, mestic spy agency conduct- Graham Ashton said. The 37-year-old, who played 442 ban, vindicated his insistence Petersen admitted taking part “to the point that he gave him ed overnight raids on homes Australia lead the three- matches for New Zealand over that he was not corrupt. in discussions with former inter- information and details of a pos- in the suburbs of Melbourne test series 1-0 after a nerv- all three formats before retiring Petersen pleaded guilty to national player and Lions fran- sible fi x that was going to happen and arrested six men and a ous 49-run victory in a day- last year, has signed a three- charges of failing to disclose ap- chise teammate Gulam Bodi, who hours before a game”. woman, all Australian citi- night fi xture at Brisbane. year contract with the county proaches to engage in corrupt was banned for 20 years for act- The 36-Test veteran admitted zens in their 20s. The sport was the target of which will see him become head conduct, failing to disclose full ing as an intermediary for illegal that he should have reported his “Our security team is in an attack in Lahore in March coach for the NatWest T20 Blast details of evidence involving an- bookmakers. discussions with Bodi and that contact with the relevant au- 2009, when the Sri Lankan campaign. Vettori is currently the other player, and of concealing “These discussions took place he should have made a full dis- thorities to ensure we have team bus was set upon by at head coach of Brisbane Heat in and destroying evidence. at a time when Alviro knew that closure earlier. He said he wanted the appropriate level of se- least 10 gunmen armed with Australia’s Big Bash League, while he holds the same position CSA withdrew charges relat- the fi xing scandal was under other players to learn from his curity at the Boxing Day test rifl es, grenades and rockets, with Royal Challengers Bangalore in the Indian Premier League. ing to fi xing or contriving to fi x investigation and he was con- experience. and other cricket matches wounding six players and “I am very excited about the opportunity to be involved with matches and of accepting or of- vinced that the fi xing operation The statement concluded by being held around the coun- a British coach and killing Middlesex in their pursuit of a T20 title,” Vettori said. “There is fering to accept a bribe or other would be shut down imminently. stating that Petersen, 35, is stud- try,” CA chief executive eight Pakistanis. Most in- talent and experience in all facets of their game and I look for- reward to fi x or infl uence match- “Knowing that the match-fi x- ying for a law degree and a man- James Sutherland said. ternational cricket tours to ward to complementing their skills and all the fantastic work the es. ing is controlled by criminal gangs, agement diploma and that he “The safety and security of Pakistan were subsequently current coaching staff has done.” Middlesex have reached the The statement issued on his Alviro feared for his and his fam- intended to stay fi t with a view to our fans, players and offi cials cancelled and they have since Twenty20 final only once, winning in 2008. They claimed the behalf said: “The events that ily’s safety, to the point where he resuming his cricket career when attending any cricket match is played all their home games county championship this year for the first time since 1993. gave rise to the charges Alviro engaged a bodyguard while play- his ban ends in November 2018. our number one priority. in the United Arab Emirates.