FOOTBALL | Page 3 Arsenal goalie Cech to retire at end of season

Wednesday, January 16, 2019 CRICKET Jumada I 10, 1440 AH Kohli and Dhoni shine GULF TIMES as level ODI series against SPORT Page 7

Paris Saint-Germain’s Argentine midfielder Angel Di Maria (L) and Brazilian forward Neymar share a light moment as Paris Saint-Germain’s Qatari president Nasser al-Khelaifi (L) speaks to PSG fans turned out in large numbers to watch their they take part in their winter training camp at the Khalifa International Stadium in Doha yesterday. PSG assistant sporting director Maxwell. heroes train. PICTURES: Noushad Thekkayil and AFP PSG fever grips fans Neymar, Mbappe, Cavani and teammates train at Khalifa International Stadium watched by thousands of fans

By Sahan Bidappa World Cup winner soaking in the atmos- Doha phere at the Khalifa Stadium. “I think it’s important to have contact with your fans. Not only here, but around aris Saint-Germain fever the world. They have had the chance to gripped the Khalifa Interna- come and see us in train. It was an op- tional Stadium yesterday, as die- portunity for us to spend some time to- hard fans of the French Ligue 1 gether,” the 20-year-old said, after pos- championsP thronged the venue to catch a ing for pictures with fans. glimpse of their favourite stars in train- Meanwhile PSG’s head coach Tho- ing. mas Tuchel and his assistant Maxwell It was Neymar, the most expensive toured the sports facilities at the Aspire footballer in the world, who was dar- Complex and attended a youth training ling of the fans as his every move was session alongside the Aspire Academy cheered on by the fans. With the Khalifa coaches. Stadium being one of the venues for the Tuchel was left impressed as he got 2022 World Cup, Neymar got a feel of the a tour of 250-acre facility. “It’s excep- atmosphere he can expect in four years’ tional, incredible. This is one of the best time. pitches I have ever seen. The academy is And the Brazilian forward was thrilled just great. The complex has incredible at the prospect of playing at the venue infrastructure, it has many features. It’s and in in 2022. an inspiration for me to learn and im- “It was a great feeling to be able to prove myself and to focus on the game,” train at a stadium which will host the the German coach said. 2022 World Cup. I am excited to repre- On Monday, PSG players had partici- sent my country in 2022 and to write the pated in numerous activities organised history of ,” said Neymar, after a by the club and its sponsors. The Qatar one-hour workout with his team-mates, National Tourism Council (QNTC) took who are here in Doha for annual winter Neymar, Gianluigi Buff on, Angel Di Mar- training camp. ia and Thiago Silva on a trip to Sealine “The fans here are just amazing and I beach to fi lm an advertisement on ath- am very happy to have experienced this. letes’ performance, intensity and perse- This is my fi rst time in this stadium, the verance. Few other players were among temperature was so wonderful, and the the fi rst passengers to ride the soon-to- fans’ presence made it even more amaz- (L to R) Paris Saint-Germain’s Italian midfielder Marco Verratti, Uruguayan open metro line to Al Wakrah Stadium, ing,” he added. forward Edinson Cavani and French forward Kylian Mbappe fight for the ball. and enjoyed an exclusive tour of the are- PSG will wrap up their four-day Qa- na currently under construction for the tar tour today with a training session at United on February 20. the Champions League but we are also 2022 FIFA World Cup. Aspire Academy, and Neymar said it was “We have come to train in Qatar for a strong team that is capable of winning Dani Alves, Edinson Cavani, Marquin- an ideal preparation for the second half the upcoming matches, especially in the the title,” Neymar said. hos, Mbappe, and Marco Verratti teamed of the season, including a crucial Cham- Champions League and it’s been good so PSG’s young sensation Kylian too was up at the Kempinski Hotel for the shoot- Paris Saint-Germain’s German coach Thomas Tuchel watches his pions League match against Manchester far. We have a very strong opponent in popular among fans, with the French ing of an advert for the Qatari bank QNB. players train at the Khalifa International Stadium.

DAKAR RALLY Loeb wins stage but al-Attiyah stretches lead Qatar’s driver Nasser al-Attiyah Motorsport.com PH Sport driver Loeb (L) jokes with co-driver Mathieu Baumel the advantage in the latter part of blow as he dropped 24 minutes sits seven minutes outside of a began the eighth stage of the of (R). the stage, claiming his 14th career to al-Attiyah as a result of getting podium place. The two remain- event over two hours later than Dakar stage win by 7m27s. stuck in the dunes twice. ing Buggy drivers — Cyril his main rivals, as Dakar organ- But Toyota man al-Attiyah still As a result, is now Despres and — both ebastien Loeb scored his isers opted to group together the came away with an enhanced X-raid’s best-placed driver in the endured a disaster stage as they fourth stage win of the top 10 in the cars running order lead, as his nearest rival in the overall classifi cation, 46m29s got stuck in the sand early on. 2019 yester- with the top 10 bikes and top fi ve overall classifi cation, Stephane behind al-Attiyah with only two Despres gave away 55 minutes day, but Qatar’s Nasser trucks. Peterhansel, hit yet more trouble. stages left to run. to al-Attiyah as a result but the SSaleh al-Attiyah stretched his After dropping three minutes After Peterhansel won Mon- Loeb’s pace has enabled him Frenchman remains a distant lead in the overall standings to 46 to al-Attiyah in the opening por- day’s seventh stage, the X-raid to get within 16 seconds of Roma fi fth overall, narrowly ahead of X- minutes to remain fi rm favourite tion of the 361km San Juan de Mini driver’s quest for a 14th for second overall by the end of raid’s Kuba Pryzgonski, who was for the ttile. Marcona-Pisco test, Loeb seized Dakar title took another severe the day, while Peterhansel now third on the day. Gulf Times 2 Wednesday, January 16, 2019 FOOTBALL

SPOTLIGHT UEFA starts action against Qatar-Saudi Asian Cup Chelsea AFP Paris

EFA has begun disci- plinary proceedings against Chelsea fol- lowing alleged anti- clash has Latin fl air in SemiticU chanting during the club’s Europa League match at Hungarian club Vidi last month, European football’s governing body announced yesterday. A vocal minority of Chelsea fans were heard singing a diplomatic shadow derogatory chant about Tot- tenham supporters, featuring anti-Semitic language, during ‘Now we have to plan the next one. We know it is going to be very diff icult’ the 2-2 draw at the Groupama Arena in Budapest. DPA player of the year . “In relation to the alleged Abu Dhabi “We cannot say we are coming here racist incidents that occurred to be champions, we have to go game by at the afore-mentioned match, game. “That’s what we’re doing and in UEFA has announced that orld Cup hosts Qatar have the next game against Saudi it will be disciplinary proceedings have impressed at the Asian the same,” the defender added. “We been instigated against Chel- Cup so far and tomor- will go game by game.” sea FC,” UEFA said in a state- row meet in The ‘one game at a time’ cliche can- ment. It added that its Control, aW clash dripping with diplomatic ten- not be avoided during a tournament Ethics and Disciplinary Body sion, sporting merit and a touch of but the current competition, and the would deal with the case on Latin fl air thrown in. Copa America in a few months, form February 28. Subjected to a harsh diplomatic and part of a bigger picture. Chelsea have been dogged economic blockade by neighbours Striker Hassan al-Haydos admit- by accusations of supporter since June 2017, Qatar played North ted to the Gulf Times “tournaments racism in recent weeks, with Korea in front of a near-empty stadium are part of our preparations for the four supporters banned because of the travel restrictions. FIFA World Cup,” which the coun- pending an investigation into “We know that we don’t have our try hosts November-December 2022. alleged racist insults directed supporters here,” Sanchez said after Four years is not as long as it seems in at Raheem Sterling during the the 6-0 thrashing of North Korea — international football as everyone else Blues’ 2-0 win over Premier whose own lack of fans meant the game Qatar players will soon have to turn their attention League champions Manches- in Al Ain resembled an amateur clash go through their to qualifying while Qatar — as directly ter City in early December. watched by just a few hundred people. routine during a entered hosts — must make do with Chelsea coach Maurizio Sarri “The players know that this is go- training session friendlies. said the club were in a “fight ing to be the scenario. The fi rst game yesterday. Qatar are guaranteed to progress win against stupid people” fol- (against Lebanon) was a diff erent at- or lose against the Saudis “which is one lowing further allegations of mosphere than today. of our fi rst objectives,” according to racism from supporters in the “We need to deal with it, but the Sanchez. away end during his side’s 2-1 players when they are the pitch they “Now we have to plan the next one. win at Watford on Boxing Day. focus only on what happens on the We know it is going to be very diffi cult.” Days previously Chelsea fi eld.” The Saudis qualifi ed but then under- chairman Bruce Buck had And so far they have done just that. performed at the World Cup in published an open letter to Sanchez, who held various youth team last year but comfortable wins over fans in which he blamed a roles with Qatar before taking the sen- North Korea and then Lebanon suggest “deeply unpleasant but vocal ior position, has seen his side win both they are back on track. minority” for refusing “to join Group E matches so far to set up the “The players committed to the tac- us in the 21st century” and mouth-watering clash with the Saudis tics and strategy,” their Argentine/ damaging the club’s image. in Abu Dhabi. Qatar have never been Spanish coach Juan Antonio Pizzi said. “We must not allow a small beyond the Asian Cup quarter-fi nals The path out of Group E does not look minority of fans to bring but top the table on goal diff erence easy, however, as both winners and further embarrassment upon from their also perfect rivals, who are runners-up are guaranteed tough op- us, and will continue to take three-time champions. “We’re build- ponents. Whoever is fi rst will meet the strongest possible action ing a new team and there are a lot of or Iraq while the other faces against them,” said Buck. younger players,” said Qatari Asian or Uzbekistan in the last 16.

THRILLER PREVIEW Late winner as Aussies down Syria to go through Korean coach

AFP sistant referee, who was surrounded by Al Ain Syrian players. The incident silenced the admits concern massed ranks of Syrian fans but there was uproar around the stadium shortly om Rogic’s injury-time thun- afterwards when their team vehemently over Son’s Asian derbolt settled an Asian Cup claimed a penalty for a Milligan handball. thriller yesterday as defending Australia looked fi rmly in control and Tchampions Australia beat Syria they could have had a third goal when Cup readiness 3-2 to reach the last 16 and knock out substitute saw a low their war-torn rivals. shot cannon off the base of the upright. AFP The result meant the holders fi nished But Mexican referee Cesar Ramos Abu Dhabi second in Group B behind Jordan, whose threw Syria a lifeline when he gave them simultaneous 0-0 draw with Palestine a penalty after Omar al-Soma went down gave the Palestinians hope of qualifying Syria’s Khaled in the box — and the striker stroked them outh Korea coach Paulo as one of the best third-placed teams. al-Mbayed (L) level once more with 10 minutes to go. Bento fears Tottenham Syria, vocally backed by thousands of in action with It looked like Syria would escape with forward Son Heung- their fans in Al Ain, twice fought back Australia’s Tom a vital point before Celtic’s Rogic, play- min has played too many from a goal behind before Rogic slammed ing the tournament with a broken hand, gamesS over the past month af- Rogic during home the winner in the third minute of their Asian belted Australia’s third from distance. ter his star player’s arrival in the injury time. Cup match Meanwhile in Dubai, Jordan were held UAE for the Asian Cup. Injury-hit Australia, with only six out- yesterday. to a goalless draw by Palestine in a fi ery The Koreans take on in fi eld players on the bench, needed just a clash to preserve their unbeaten record Abu Dhabi today as they con- draw to go through as they kicked off at and progress as Group B winners. tinue their quest to end 59 years the same time as Jordan against Palestine. but the goal was ruled out for a foul on utes as Mouaiad Alajaan’s cross picked Twice quarter-fi nalists, in 2004 and of hurt in the competition, but Syria looked an early threat before . out Omar Khrbin, who on his 25th birth- 2011, Jordan stunned holders Australia in Bento will take no risks with his Australia started to get a grip on the game But Australia were getting close and day saw his header saved by Mat Ryan but their opening game before beating Syria best player despite needing a win and Hibernian striker , after seeing one raking shot then gobbled up the rebound. 2-0. But they found plucky Palestine a to fi nish top of Group C. fl ashed a header just wide. blocked, unleashed a fabulous eff ort On 54 minutes, ’s tougher nut to crack in Abu Dhabi. “Of course we know how many Marcello Lippi’s Chinese side, There was drama on the half-hour which curled into the top corner four shot was hooked away by Omro al-Mi- Abdallatif al-Bahdari header gave Jor- matches and minutes he has who currently lead the group on when a Syrian free-kick bounced through minutes before half-time. dani — but the ball was judged to have dan a scare on the hour-mark of a match played over the past month,” the goal diff erence after edging Kyr- a packed penalty area and into the net, However, the lead lasted just two min- crossed the line by the additional as- that was not one for football purists. former boss said yester- gyzstan 2-1 and thrashing the day. He’s probably never played Philippines 3-0. as many games in a row as he has “We face a good team with a FOCUS recently. It’s only his second day very experienced coach,” said the with us so we will need to check Portuguese. his condition tomorrow before we “But we have to take risks and make any decision on him. attack if we are to achieve our Kanu laments ‘saddest day’ of life aft er medals vanish “He’s a very important part of ambition and fi nish top of the the team obviously,” added Bento, group. With or without Son, our AFP beginning to accumulate whatever he has who took charge of South Korea goal doesn’t change — we will Abuja today and to earn those precious valu- after last year’s World Cup. try to win.” Lippi is set to ring ables,” he said in a statement. “But we won’t take any risks the changes as China chase a fi rst “We respectfully call on the Nigeria and we also have other options.” Asian Cup title, but he denied re- wankwo Kanu said yesterday police and other security agencies to Son has played in 12 matches ports striker Wu Lei would be sent that he had suff ered the “sad- work hard at unravelling the perpetrators for Spurs in a little over a month home with a shoulder injury. dest day” of his life after fi nd- of this nefarious act.” and admitted to feeling some fa- “He’s had a niggle but he’s get- ing out every medal won by the There was no immediate response from tigue on his arrival in the Emir- ting better,” insisted the Italian. Nformer Arsenal and Nigeria star had van- the police in Lagos when contacted by ates on Monday. “I would be ly- “He isn’t going anywhere — ished from a Lagos property of his. AFP. ing if I said I wasn’t tired,” said but we won’t be risking him to- Speaking to online outlet The Ca- The disappearance was reportedly the 26-year-old. “But I’m used morrow.” China fi nished Asian ble, Kanu lamented the “rude shock” of linked to a court case about a fi nancial to playing every three days, so Cup runners-up in 1984 and learning that a host of cherished keep- dispute involving a hotel owned by Kanu hopefully it will be okay. I’m here 2004 but Lippi, who steered his sakes earned over his football career had in the upmarket Victoria Island area of to help South Korea lift the Asian native to World Cup victory disappeared from a Lagos property that is Lagos. Cup.” in 2006, backed his side to make at the centre of a long-running legal dis- Nigerian media reported that the tro- South Korea have puzzlingly a run at the title. pute. phies and medals disappeared after the failed to scoop Asian football’s “To become champions you “This is the saddest day of my life as I 42-year-old discovered illegal renovation most coveted prize since win- need good players, which we cannot understand why this happened to work had been carried out at the property. ning back-to-back titles in 1956 have,” said the 70-year-old. me,” he said, The Cable reported Kanu as Kanu was twice CAF African Footballer and 1960. They beat tournament “You also have to have com- saying. of the Year and won major trophies with fi rst-timers the Philippines and plete harmony in the group. You “All the medals I have earned, in ad- Arsenal, Ajax and Portsmouth. Kyrgyzstan 1-0 in their fi rst two can’t have any prima donnas. dition to the Olympic torch that I cher- Nigeria Football Federation president Nwankwo was “in intense pain” at their Since retiring from football, he has run games but were less than impres- If we’re not all working for the ished, are all gone and I don’t even know Amaju Pinnick confi rmed the disappear- loss. the Kanu Heart Foundation, to help young sive without star man Son. same thing it will be very diffi cult who to ask for all these prized assets.” ance of the medals and trophies, saying “Kanu worked very hard from a humble African children with heart defects. But Bento promised to attack to win this tournament.” Gulf Times Wednesday, January 16, 2019 3 FOOTBALL

SPOTLIGHT PREVIEW Rivalry and revenge: Iran face Indian footballers Iraq challenge

AFP Dubai

ne of football’s great win hearts despite rivalries takes centre- stage at the Asian Cup today when Iran play IraqO still smarting from their controversial exit four years ago. Iran played most of the classic 2015 quarter-fi nal with 10 men after Mehrdad Pooladi’s hotly Asian Cup exit disputed fi rst-half dismissal but when it ended 3-3 after extra- ‘Disappointed seeing how it turned out but we can only go upwards time, Iraq edged the penalty shoot-out. from here. Proud of the boys and we thank the fans for their support’ Iran’s protest that Iraq yielded an ineligible player was dis- Iran coach . missed as Carlos Queiroz’s AFP three-time winners were sent “Iraq are a strong team and New Delhi packing from the tournament in they are one of the favourites to Australia. win the title. We have to be at our Four years on from their clash best.” ootball fans and pundits in , Iran forward Saman Iran have not won the Asian ti- were full of praise for Ghoddos said memories were tle since 1976 but they have been India yesterday even as still fresh as Team Melli take on the most impressive so far among an injury-time penalty Iraq in their fi nal game of Group the 24 teams in the newly-ex- costF the Blue Tigers an unlikely D. panded tournament. spot in the Asian Cup knockout “Iraq are tough opponents and A 5-0 thrashing of Yemen was stages and prompted the coach I think that this will be a revenge following by a clinical 3-0 vic- to resign. match for us,” said Ghoddos, ac- tory over Southeast Asian cham- Despite its giant population cording to Iran’s Varzesh3 web- pions Vietnam. India is a footballing minnow site. Iraq, meanwhile, came from at a lowly 97th in FIFA’s world “I’ve been waiting for this behind to beat Vietnam 3-2, and rankings, and its players are used match ever since the last Asian then defeated Yemen 3-0. Facing to being overshadowed by the Cup. We will win this match for Asia’s highest-ranked team will nation’s glamorous millionaire the people.” be a diff erent challenge entirely, cricketers. Football is one of the remain- however. They did not even qualify for ing points of contention between “You can’t compare the the last Asian Cup, but dared to the Middle East neighbours, who matches we had with Vietnam dream of glory after stunning fought a bloody war in the 1980s and Yemen to the match against Thailand 4-1 in their opening in which hundreds of thousands Iran,” said coach Srecko Katanec, match in the United Arab Emir- of people died. who took his native to ates. Relations between the two the 2002 World Cup and joined Having lost to the hosts in countries have warmed since Iraq in September. their second match, the 0-0 the removal of long-serving “Vietnam played very fl uid scoreline going into injury time Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein football for the fi rst 45 minutes in their fi nal match Monday in 2003, but games between the and we came out on top. Against against Bahrain would have two are not for the faint-hearted. Yemen, we were a little compla- been suffi cient to see India Iran, the three-time Asian Cup cent and maybe that’s why we through. winners, lead Iraq on goal diff er- need to play a strong team, on But a rash foul by skipper ence at the top of Group D, with paper, like Iran.” Pronay Halder gave Bahrain a both teams already qualifi ed for The build-up to the game has penalty, converted coolly by the next round. been closely followed in both Jamal Rashed. Former Real Madrid and Por- countries, with former Iraqi The Hindu daily said India had tugal coach Queiroz, linked with player Imad Mohamed telling “won hearts aplenty” with their a move to the national AFP that Iraqi media had played performances, earning plaudits team after the Asian Cup, said his up its “political character”. as they “threw their bodies at prime concern was maintaining “Iraq’s audience is looking at the ball, defended doggedly and Asian Cup debut when it was a UAE and Bahrain. Keep it up. roics, cricket remains the only turned up to watch the national Iran’s perfect start. this match with a special lens put up a fearless display.” four-team competition, India Way to go..” said a Twitter user, game in town for most Indians. team play in the Inter-Conti- “In football, the most impor- that distinguishes it from all “The Indians had endured a last qualifi ed in 2011 when they Amit Jain. Striker Sunil Chhetri overtook nental Cup in Mumbai. tant match is always the next one other matches that it played so long journey to rub shoulders were thrashed in every game and “Heartbreaking loss. but full Lionel Messi in international But in a celebrity scene dom- and every match is like a fi nal for far or that it will play in the Asia with Asia’s best. Unfortunately let in 13 goals. marks to Chhetri and company goals during the tournament, inated by Bollywood actors and us in the tournament,” Queiroz Cup,” said Iraqi journalist Ghazi for them, the journey ends here,” “The positives are, the team for making us hope. lov u guys,” but few Indians would even rec- cricketers, footballers rarely said. Shaea. the newspaper said. is much fi tter. Full credit goes to wrote another, Jaya Singh. ognise their football talisman. make a broader impact beyond ESPN India said the bid to Stephen Constantine that he has Indian defender Sandeep Jh- Millions of Indians do watch the sports pages. reach the knockout stages had made it very cohesive, very fi t,” ingan thanked the fans. England’s , but “Cricket is number one, ITALIAN SUPER CUP been thwarted “in the most dia- commentator and author Novy “We defended like warriors 34-year-old Chhetri has spent every other sport has to accept bolical of ways”. Coach Stephen Kapadia told AFP. and the defeat is really hard to most of his club career in In- that they can only compete for Constantine stepped down af- “He has made the team that take,” said Jhingan. dia’s domestic leagues, barring the number two spot,” Kapadia ter the game, but said “the boys plays to a game plan.” “Disappointed seeing how it brief stints with Kansas City said. Tensions high have exceeded expectations” Fans too chose to highlight the turned out but we can only go Wizards and Sporting Clube de He added: “We shouldn’t get and that he was “exceptionally good moments on the fi eld. upwards from here. Proud of the Portugal’s reserves. carried away (by the Asian Cup proud of the players for every- “We loved the way India boys and we thank the fans for Last year Chhetri made an performance). It is a step for- as Juventus target thing that they’ve given”. played, especially against Thai- their support.” emotional plea to Indians to fi ll ward. The team is still not World Beaten fi nalists on their 1964 land. They fought hard against But despite the Asian Cup he- empty stadiums after just 2,569 Cup material”. fi rst title of 2019 BOTTOMLINE FOCUS AFP panied by a man is sad. It’s dis- Jeddah gusting. I won’t watch the game,” said Salvini, a passionate AC Mi- Barcelona lan fan. ristiano Ronaldo’s Ju- The head of the Serie A, Ga- ventus target their fi rst etano Micciche, defended the Arsenal goalie Cech to fi rst team to title of 2019 in the Ital- decision to play in Saudi Arabia ian Super Cup today as an historic one. Cagainst a backdrop of contro- “Until last year, women (in spend half versy and protests over human Saudi Arabia) could not attend rights issues and ticket restric- any sporting event,” he said. quit at end of season tions imposed on female fans by “We are working to ensure that billion euros hosts Saudi Arabia. in the next games that we play in Reuters The one-off match is normally the country, women can access London between the reigning Serie A all the stadium seats.” on wages and Italian Cup champions. As Riyadh, long known for im- Juventus won both trophies last posing harsh restrictions on rsenal goalkeeper Petr Cech Reuters season they will take on AC Mi- women, last year eased decades- yesterday announced his re- Madrid lan, the losing Cup fi nalists, at old rules separating the sexes to tirement at the end of the King Abdullah Sports City Sta- allow women to enter football Premier League season after dium, in Jeddah. stadiums for the fi rst time. 20A years as a professional and winning a Liga champions Barcelona became It will the 10th time the Super Juventus’s Brazilian defender everything in club soccer. the fi rst soccer team to spend over half Cup fi nal has been played abroad Alex Sandro said he was expect- One of the world’s great keepers, the a bn euros in wages after their staff in 31 editions, with the United ing “a diff erent type of game”. 36-year-old joined the Gunners from costs shot up by 42% over the past year, States, China and Qatar hosting “I’ve been there (Jeddah) with London rivals Chelsea in 2015 and Laccording to a study by KPMG. previous matches. Brazil already and I think the holds several Premier League records, KPMG’s Football Benchmark study ana- But not since the 2002 choice Saudis have taken a step forward. including the most clean sheets (202 lysed the squads and finances of the respec- of the Libyan capital Tripoli has “They have a diff erent fan base in 443 appearances). tive champions of Europe’s top eight leagues. there been such heated discus- and culture, but I think it’ll be a “It has been 20 years since I signed The Catalans, who signed Brazil play- sion. good fi nal.” my fi rst professional contract, so it maker Philippe Coutinho from Liverpool in Human rights and other issues Qatari broadcaster beIN feels like the right time to announce January 2018 for a club record 160mn euros have overshadowed the buildup, Sports also asked Italian foot- that I will retire at the end of this sea- ($183mn), have staff costs of 562mn euros a with Amnesty International urg- ball bosses to call off the match son,” the Czech said on Twitter. year. ing both teams to shun the match amid claims that Saudi-backed “Having played 15 years in the Along with the arrival of France forward over the murder of journalist channels are pirating live feeds Premier League, and won every sin- Ousmane Dembele in August 2017 and the Jamal Khashoggi in the Saudi of games, including Serie A fi x- gle trophy possible, I feel like I have renewal of several players’ contracts, includ- consulate in Istanbul. tures. achieved everything I set out to Cech joined Chelsea from French side He still holds the Premier League ing talisman Lionel Messi’s, their expendi- Anger was further infl amed Qatar is under a Saudi-led achieve,” he added. Rennes in July 2004 and helped them record for most clean sheets in a season ture in this field has increased hugely. when Serie A released informa- economic boycott amid tensions “I will continue to work hard at Ar- win four Premier League titles, four (24) and went 1,024 minutes without Paris St Germain have the second highest tion on how to get tickets, say- in the region. senal to hopefully win one more tro- FA Cups, three League Cups, the UEFA conceding in 2004-05, a benchmark wage bill on the KPMG list at 332mn euros, ing some category of seats were On the pitch, seven-time phy this season, then I am looking for- Champions League and Europa League. that has since been surpassed. He was an increase of 20%. only available for men and that reigning Italian league cham- ward to seeing what life holds for me He also suff ered a fractured skull capped 124 times by his country. Expenditure on wages rose across the women could only gain access by pions Juventus — powered by off the pitch.” while playing against Reading in Arsenal remain in contention for board with the exception of Premier League buying tickets in “family” areas Portuguese superstar Cristiano Cech started the season as Arsenal 2006, leading to the tall Czech wear- the FA Cup, although they host in- champions Manchester City, who saw their in the 60,000-seater stadium. Ronaldo — will be looking to manager Unai Emery’s fi rst choice but ing protective headgear. form Manchester United in the fourth spending on wages fall five %. Matteo Salvini, Italy’s deputy continue to steamroller their ri- lost out to new signing Bernd Leno af- With Arsenal, Cech has won another round on Jan. 25, and the Europa The report says Manchester City have the prime minister, condemned the vals. Massimiliano Allegri’s side ter he suff ered a hamstring injury in FA Cup and two Community Shields. League. most valuable team, worth a total of 1.182bn restrictions as “disgusting”. are unbeaten so far in Serie A, September. Cech kept a total of 228 clean sheets The North Londoners are fi fth in euros, while PSG duo Neymar (229mn) and “To have the Italian Super- and will be pushing for their fi rst The four-times Premier League with Chelsea in all competitions, be- the Premier League, ahead of United Kylian Mbappe (215mn) are the most valu- coppa being played in a country title of the season, which they Golden Glove winner has been restrict- fore he fell behind Thibaut Courtois in on goal diff erence but 16 points adrift able players in the world, followed by Messi where women cannot go to the hope will also include the Cham- ed to Cup appearances since his return. the pecking order. of leaders Liverpool. (203mn). stadium unless they are accom- pions League. Gulf Times 4 Wednesday, January 16, 2019 SPORT

FOCUS Garcia in no hurry to be Ryder Cup captain

AFP France “was diff erent, it was The focus “is for all of us to was “much easier being a player” Singapore extremely, extremely special the keep playing well, to keep at it than captain. way it came down to energy and because in two years it’s going to “The pressure on the captain is the fi rst tee, the way it was set up, be tough” defending the title on immense and he’s at the mercy of yder Cup star Sergio the crowds, everything,” he told American soil, Garcia said. the players,” said Casey, who will Garcia said yesterday he reporters. “Wisconsin is going to be a big also play in the Singapore Open is in no hurry to captain “The golf course was amazing challenge for us to keep the cup... this week. the European team de- and the weather was incredible. so we need to keep our level up,” Three-time major winner Pad- spiteR his record playing success, The way the team came togeth- he said. raig Harrington of the Republic of stressing his focus is on defend- er... it meant a lot to all of us and Garcia, the 2017 Masters cham- Ireland was this month handed the ing the title in 2020. to Europe.” pion, was not at his best for much task of defending Europe’s Ryder Garcia, 39, was on dominant Asked if he had ever aspired of the 2018 season but European Cup title, succeeding Bjorn. form as Europe beat the United to captain Europe’s campaign, captain Thomas Bjorn picked him The $1mn Singapore Open will States last year in France, and in Garcia said the thought did cross anyway as part of the 12-player be played over four days at the the process became the cup’s all- his mind but stressed he was not European Ryder Cup team. Sentosa Golf Club. time points leader, eclipsing Nick pushing for that to happen “any The Spaniard proved himself Faldo’s 21-year record. time soon”. by becoming the biggest contrib- (From left) Golfers Matthew Speaking ahead of the start of He said he still wanted to play utor in Ryder Cup history with 25 Fitzpatrick of England, Sergio the Singapore Open tomorrow on the European team for a few points. Garcia of and Paul Casey where he is the defending champi- more Ryder Cups if possible, and English golfer Paul Casey, who of England pose with the on, Garcia said the memory of the would only think about becom- was also part of the winning Eu- Singapore Open trophy at a press Ryder Cup victory was still fresh. ing captain after that. ropean Ryder Cup team, said it conference yesterday. (AFP)

GOLF RUGBY Halfpenny included in extended Wales Fleetwood hopes Six Nations squad

Reuters “This is the fi rst time I’ve ac- London tually selected him,” Gatland said of Young. “Seven or eight players are carrying knocks at the to get his new irons ales included Leigh moment and may be available for Halfpenny in their the second match (against Italy Six Nations squad on Feb. 9).” yesterday, despite Wales start their Six Nations Wthe fullback having not played campaign against France on Feb. rugby since he was concussed 1, seeking a fi rst crown since against Australia in November. claiming back-to-back titles in Halfpenny, one of seven back- 2012 and 2013. hot and strike again three options in a 39-man squad “We have a really experi- named by coach Warren Gat- enced squad of players, who land, was poleaxed by Australia’s have been around a number ‘...whether they had a bad 2018 or an amazing one, they start 2019 all the same’ Samu Kerevi in the 9-6 victory of campaigns together and we over the Wallabies, one of four feel we are in a pretty good AFP November wins for the Welsh. place going into this huge Abu Dhabi “We’ll make an assessment when year,” Gatland said. he comes in,” Gatland told reporters. “We’ll see where he’s at. He’s been SQUAD ommy Fleetwood will be advised to continue training and Forwards: Rob Evans, Wyn Jones, using a brand new set of stuff . If he’s right, he’ll be in con- Nicky Smith, Elliot Dee, Ryan clubs as he aims to win tention but if not we’ll have to make Elias, Ken Owens, Leon Brown, the $7mn Abu Dhabi some other plans. Tomas Francis, Samson Lee, Dillon THSBC Championship for the “We have got a few injuries Lewis, Jake Ball, Adam Beard, Seb third time in three years. and have selected a larger squad Davies, Cory Hill, Alun Wyn Jones, A victory on Saturday (the because of that.” Ross Moriarty, Josh Navidi, Justin tournament starts today) would Gatland has included four fl y- Tipuric, Josh Turnbull, Aaron make the Englishman the fi rst halves in Gareth Anscombe, Jar- Wainwright, Thomas Young. player to win a fully-sanctioned rod Evans, Dan Biggar and Rhys Backs: Aled Davies, Gareth Dav- European Tour event three times Patchell, though the latter two ies, Tomos Williams, Gareth Ans- in a row after Ernie Els at the are carrying injuries. combe, Dan Biggar, Jarrod Evans, Heineken Classic in 2004. But Loose forward Dan Lydiate Rhys Patchell, Jonathan Davies, the 27-year-old from Southport was not been included as he Hadleigh Parkes, Owen Watkin, will be without his trusted irons nurses an elbow injury, with Scott Williams, Hallam Amos, that he used for over six years. Thomas Young getting the call Steff an Evans, Leigh Halfpenny, The Nike VR irons that helped having been overlooked in the Jonah Holmes, George North, Fleetwood win three tourna- recent past. Liam Williams ments and climb from 188th position in the world rankings in August 2016 to his current No.14 are no longer available after the Faletau in doubt for Six Nations aft er company stopped manufactur- breaking arm ing equipment. Fleetwood is obviously hop- AFP ing to reproduce the kind of London form that saw him win in 2017 with a score of 17-under par and then last year on 22-under. That ales No 8 Taulupe came after missing four cuts in Faletau is in doubt his previous fi ve starts at the Wfor the Six Nations National course of Abu Dhabi A victory on Saturday at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship would make England’s Tommy Fleetwood the first player to win a fully after his club Bath confirmed Golf Club. sanctioned European Tour event three times in a row since 2004. yesterday he had broken his “I’ve said it before, the course arm for the second time in a kind of battered me for a few diff erent test. It’s a fresh start last week and tried everything cause of the irons... it will be be- starts in Abu Dhabi, including matter of months. years. Then had two years where for everybody. People don’t play we could,” said Fleetwood. cause of me. a second place in 2016, said: The 28-year-old Tonga-born I’ve won,” said Fleetwood. for a while and whether they had “I’ve got a new driver and I’ve “I know I have full confi - “I feel like the game’s in good star suff ered the injury in “This is a course where if you a bad 2018 or an amazing one, got new irons this week. Even- dence in them. But there might form. I’ve been working on it Saturday’s 18-16 European play well, you can do well and they start 2019 all the same.” tually, you have to try them in a be some tweaks or there might since Hawaii, so I feel like it’s Champions Cup pool clash if you don’t, you kind of strug- On his change of club, Fleet- tournament, otherwise it means be something else I prefer. But definitely gotten a little bit victory over Wasps on what following another fracture gle. Just so happens the last wood said he had been testing nothing. Going on the course is these ones are the answer this better, and I’m looking forward was his return from a 13-week which occurred in October. two years, I played really well, various products for some time the next step. At some point, I week.” to seeing how it holds up this absence which saw him miss “It’s not yet known at this time kind of like tee-to-greened it to and felt he just needed to make need a more long-term solution. Also in the fi eld is world No.3 week on the golf course.” the November Tests. how long Taulupe will be out death. I made very little bogeys the decision. If you think about it, throughout Dustin Johnson. The Ameri- The tournament is part of the “Bath Rugby can confirm that of action.” over two years, and ultimately my career I’ve had the same set can has already started his year, Rolex Series events on the Eu- Taulupe Faletau suff ered a Wales are due to name their Six that’s ended up in me winning a ‘FULL CONFIDENCE’ of clubs for six, seven years. coming off a tied fourth place ropean Tour. For the fi rst time, fracture to his forearm in Satur- Nations squad later yesterday couple times. “I’ve been trying things for a “So I need to get it fi xed. You fi nish at the Tournament of it would be a Wednesday start, day’s Champions Cup fixture for the opener against France “But again, it’s not really to long time now, trying all diff er- just have to try them and we’ll Champions on the PGA Tour in with the fi nal round on Satur- against Wasps,” read the club in Paris on February 1 with the say that this year will be the ent manufacturers. You don’t see how it goes, really. I like Hawaii. day. Apart from Fleetwood and statement on their website. tournament reaching its climax same. The rough is a little bit really get the chance throughout the ones that I have now. If it Johnson, who finished inside Johnson, it also features world “Faletau was making his return on March 16. thicker this year. It’s a slightly the year. I had a week of practice doesn’t go well, it won’t be be- the top 10 in his two previous No.2 Brooks Koepka of the USA.

SPOTLIGHT LPGA will play for record $70mn, but long way from parity Reuters Channel while the men’s circuit since 2010.” here once or twice a year, but at will be separate competitions the US will defend against Eu- Tour Championship in which the New York is broadcast on free-to-air net- The LPGA’s US-based global end of the day I have to play were with alternating tee times and rope at Gleneagles in Scotland cup points leader will begin the work television. circuit will consist of 21 tourna- my cheque writers’ tell me.” diff erent tees. will be the main feature of the event at 10 under par, a 10-shot “The diff erence in purses is ments in North America, nine in His longer-term vision also in- While the event is not new, it calendar this September. headstart over the bottom fi ve he LPGA season kicks the diff erence in total viewer- Asia/Australia and four in Europe cludes a joint event with the PGA will be the fi rst time it falls un- The LPGA season will conclude qualifi ers. off tomorrow for a sea- ship,” Whan told Reuters in a in 2019, a ratio with which Whan Tour, which is close to fruition. der the LPGA umbrella, part of a as usual with the CME Group Both tours have made the son that will comprise television interview ahead of the said he was comfortable. “Two years ago we created a four-event Australia-Asia swing. Tour Championship in Naples, change to simplify the situation 34 events and distribute Tournament of Champions sea- With 19 vacant weekends on joint task force with PGA Tour,” Florida in November, where the for players — and spectators — Tsome $70mn in prize money, a son opener that will be held in the schedule, however, there is he said. “We’re kicking around CHAMPIONSHIP CHANGE purse has been doubled to $5mn who often did not know where record amount for the circuit al- Florida. plenty of room for the LPGA to a lot of ideas. I think you should The season will feature fi ve des- and includes a women’s record they stood in the points race. though it is still barely one-fi fth “There is a real business rea- grow and Whan sees one gaping expect to see something in the ignated major championships, $1.5mn to the winner. Whan, however, did not want on off er on the PGA Tour. son. It’s based on real data. I un- hole that he would love to plug next year.” with one big change as the Evian The prize money increase more to go the PGA Tour route of start- The discrepancy roughly par- derstand it. I was a sponsor be- with a new tournament or two. Golf fans who enjoy watch- Championship in France moves than makes up for the scrapping ing the fi nal event with players on allels the diff erence in televi- fore a commissioner. “We’ve got a pretty signifi cant ing both players will not have to to a July 25-28 time-slot after of the bonus the winner of the diff erent scores. sion ratings in the “It doesn’t mean I like it, hole in the (US) north-east be- wait that long, however, because an ill-fated six-year stretch in Race to the CME Globe points “We’re going to treat the 60 between the tours, according to doesn’t mean it’s the end of the tween New York and Boston,” he next month’s Victorian Open in September, when it was often race used to receive. players in our fi nal event the LPGA commissioner Mike Whan, road. Seven or eight years ago said while on a promotional visit Australia will feature men and plagued by poor weather. The PGA Tour has also simpli- same way,” he said. with the women mainly shown it wouldn’t have been one fi fth. to New York. women playing the same course The game’s premier team fi ed its FedExCup points race, in- “This way everybody under- on the smaller audience Golf We’re up 80 percent in purses “In a perfect world we’d get up for the same purse although it event, the Solheim Cup, in which stituting a staggered start for the stands you win, you win.” Gulf Times Wednesday, January 16, 2019 5 SPORT

NBA Harden’s 57 points fuel Rockets’ win over Grizzlies Harden records his 17th consecutive 30-point game, the longest such streak since Chamberlain's run in 1964

Reuters against teams with losing records. Houston Danilo Gallinari added 25 points and Tobias Harris had 21 for the Clippers.

ames Harden scored a season- JAZZ 100, PISTONS 94 high 57 points, and the host Donovan Mitchell scored 28 points, and Houston Rockets survived their Rudy Gobert contributed 18 points and fi rst game without center Clint a career-high-tying 25 rebounds to lead Capela,J pulling away in the second half Utah to a victory over Detroit in Salt for a 112-94 victory over the reeling Lake City. Kyle Korver scored 19 points Memphis Grizzlies on Monday. off the bench for Utah while Joe Ingles Harden recorded his 17th consecu- added 13 points and matched his season tive 30-point game, the longest such high with eight assists. streak since Wilt Chamberlain had a The Jazz earned their fourth win in a 20-game run in 1964. Kobe Bryant had row despite committing 17 turnovers. a stretch of 16 straight 30-point games Blake Griffi n scored 19 points while in 2003. Harden scored 36 points in the Andre Drummond chipped in 15 points fi rst half. and 13 rebounds for the Pistons, who One night after the Rockets lost lost for the eighth time in 10 games. Capela for up to six weeks with a right Reggie Bullock added 13 points as De- thumb injury, Harden shot 17 of 33 from troit fell to Utah for the second time the fl oor, including 6 of 15 on 3-point this month, having dropped a 110-105 tries, while converting 17 of 18 free decision in Michigan on Jan. 5. throws. He added nine rebounds. It was the 11th 50-point game for an NBA KINGS 115, TRAIL BLAZERS 107 player this season – three of those be- Buddy Hield scored 19 points to pace longing to harden. six Sacramento players in double fi g- His latest huge game came a day after ures as the Kings earned a victory over he scored 38 points in a loss to the Or- visiting Portland. lando Magic, despite connecting on a Bogdan Bogdanovic added 18 points dismal one of 17 three-point attempts. off the bench and De’Aaron Fox con- “I knew he was dog-tired,” Rockets tributed 16 points and nine assists for coach Mike D’Antoni said. “I knew he the Kings, who have won four consecu- was trying to orchestrate it early and try tive home games and four of fi ve games to save his legs a little bit.” overall. Damian Lillard scored 35 points But D’Antoni admitted he could only for the Trail Blazers, who had won two marvel at harden’s determination. “The games in a row. guys guarding him are really good de- fenders,” said D’Antoni, who notched NETS 109, CELTICS 102 his 600th career win as a coach. “It’s D’Angelo Russell scored 18 of his 34 beyond impressive,” D’Antoni said. points in the third quarter as Brooklyn “It’s rare that people can do what he’s snapped a 10-game, head-to-head los- doing.” ing streak to Boston by dominating the Danuel House Jr. tallied 15 points and third quarter in New York. The Nets Gerald Green scored 14 points for Hou- pulled away by outscoring Boston 44- ston, which has alternated wins and 21 in the third. losses over the past seven games. Gar- During the period, Brooklyn shot rett Temple and Mike Conley scored 65.4% (17 of 26) and produced its wid- 14 each for the Grizzlies, who have Houston Rockets’ James Harden (right) dribbles the ball as Memphis Grizzlies’ Garrett Temple defends during the NBA game in Houston on Monday. (USA TODAY Sports) est point disparity in a third quarter dropped eight of their past nine games. since outscoring Boston by 24 on April lotte guard Tony Parker, who played for past four seasons as an assistant with hard to describe the feeling I have right points and Jrue Holiday had 19 points 2, 2005. Rookie Rodion Kurucs added HORNETS 108, SPURS 93 the Spurs for 17 years before signing the Spurs. LaMarcus Aldridge led the now.” and eight assists for the Pelicans, who 19 points for the Nets, who won for the Kemba Walker poured in 33 points with the Hornets in the off season as a Spurs with 28 points while Derrick have won four of fi ve. 14th time in 19 games. and Jeremy Lamb added 19 as visiting free agent. White hit for 18. PELICANS 121, CLIPPERS 117 Davis recorded his 14th straight Jayson Tatum led the Celtics with Charlotte walked past San Antonio to Parker scored eight points, all in the “Man, a lot of love,” said Parker, who Anthony Davis overcame a slow start double-double and 31st of the season. a career-high 34 points while Jaylen snap a three-game losing streak. The second half. The contest was also a re- won four NBA titles with San Antonio. and fi nished with 46 points and 16 re- Montrezl Harrell had 26 points and 10 Brown added 22. Kyrie Irving (right game was the fi rst in San Antonio as a turn to San Antonio for Hornets rookie “I’ve been with those fans for a long bounds to lead New Orleans to a win rebounds for Los Angeles, which has quad contusion) and Marcus Smart (ill- member of the visiting team for Char- coach James Borrego, who spent the time and I really appreciate (this). “It’s at Los Angeles. Julius Randle scored 27 lost three in a row, the past two at home ness) sat out for the Celtics.

SPOTLIGHT Ex-Yankees pitcher Stottlemyre Cousins now a necessity for the Warriors dies at 77 By Devin Gordon the Warriors lack physical toughness The Guardian Golden State Warriors’ but because they lack muscles. They’re New York: Longtime New DeMarcus Cousins is just not that strong. York Yankees pitcher and expected to play his first This is Golden State’s only true vul- pitching coach Mel n a matter of days, once DeMarcus games of the season in the nerability. Besides an injury or two, this Stottlemyre died on Sunday Cousins returns from the Achilles coming week. (AFP) is the only thing that can stop them in Seattle after a lengthy injury that has sidelined him all sea- from winning the title. And a couple battle with cancer. He was son, the Golden State Warriors will of the Eastern Conference’s best teams 77. Multiple media outlets re- Ihave the capacity to start an all-All Star are built to exploit that weakness. The ported the news of his death, lineup, the fi rst time that has happened Toronto Raptors, in particular, have when he received various since last February, during the actual All giant swooping condors all over the tributes on social media. Star game. Cousins, Steph Curry, Kevin court – Kawhi Leonard, of course, Stottlemyre’s wife, Jean, Durant, Klay Thompson and Draymond but also young bottle rockets Pascal told The New York Times that Green all played in that game. Andre Ig- Siakam and OG Anunoby, plus hydrant- he died as a result of compli- uodala, an All Star just once, in 2012, is shaped bulldog Kyle Lowry at the point cations of multiple myeloma, the slouch of the bunch, which is why on of attack. The Raptors are bigger and a type of blood cancer. Born this team he comes off the bench. stronger than the Warriors, and they’re in a small town in Washington, Despite lousy shooting seasons so far younger and hungrier than the Cavs Stottlemyre was bound for the from Thompson and Green, the War- were last season. If Toronto reach the big city when Yankees scout riors are still the NBA’s top off ense and, fi nals, they’ll be Golden State’s stiff est Eddie Taylor discovered him at least when Green is on the fl oor, the challenge yet, including the LeBron-led at Yakima Valley Community league’s top defense. Sure, they’re los- team they lost to three years ago. College in Washington and ing games at a faster rate, by far, than at Here’s the problem with this disaster signed him to a $400-per- any other point during their present run scenario, though: the Warriors already month contract. He reached as the league’s best team. have the solution on their roster, and he the big leagues in 1964, after But we’ve all seen this movie before. rejoins the line-up in a few days. No one a 13-3 season in Triple-A, when They’re bored, they will be for another knows what Cousins will look like when the Yankees were in a pennant two months, and it’s fi ne. They’re fi ne. he resumes playing, only that he will be race with a pitching staff You’d have to be an idiot to bet against somewhere south of 100%. plagued by injuries. the Warriors this season. But we do know he’ll still be coun- He turned into the ace of But let’s say you’re an idiot. Let’s say try strong, he’ll still be 275lbs, and he’ll the staff , and by the time he you really think this is the year it all still have a mean streak the length of the retired in 1974, he’d compiled ends. And you’re not even counting on Pacifi c Coast Highway. The presence 164-139 lifetime record in 360 someone’s knee blowing out to open of even one monster big man will have games, starting all but four the door for a lucky challenger, or some a cascading impact on the otherwise of them. Stottlemyre had a kind of internal meltdown that ends skimpy Warriors. He’ll patch the one career ERA of 2.97 and threw with Green in a straitjacket and KD in hole this team have left simply by tak- more than 250 innings in Madison Square Garden (please, please, ing the fl oor. And unlike the rest of his nine of his 11 seasons with the please). You just think, again, idioti- teammates, he has everything to prove, Yankees. He was a three-time cally, that someone is going to beat the and everything to lose. No one will be 20-game winner and a five- Warriors on the fl oor, at even strength, pushing Cousins around. time All-Star selection. fair and square. You just think they’re In reality, the only thing that’s going to lose. you have to pummel them. Bruise them. said facing the Giants defensive line was gled and his knee so busted even Kevin changed halfway through this NBA sea- And if you are that idiot, you should Foul them. If you can’t beat them, beat “like throwing in a forest, dude.” Rocky Love could handle him son is how we view Cousins’s role on also take some comfort in the fact that them up. This is actually how you top- spent an entire fi ght pounding Drago in This has been the blueprint for slow- the Warriors. Heading into the season, you’re starting to get company from ple every dynasty and knock off every the gut before moving in for the kill. ing down Curry, and the Warriors, ever he was an indulgence – a new trick for a lot of non-idiots, including the es- seemingly invincible foe, from Michael And in 2016, when the Cavs took since. You can’t stop them, but you a bunch of bored old dogs, an insurance teemed Zach Lowe, whose refusal to Jordan to Tom Brady to Ivan Drago. down the Warriors, they tossed around can make them bleed on every bas- policy they’d never have to cash in. But rule it out last week – “I’m not there The plodding, punishing Pat Riley a gimpy Steph Curry like a chew toy. ket. Ironically, the addition of Durant, not anymore. No one is going to knock yet” – was telling in its own right. May- Knicks of the 90s were a direct reaction They’d set hard screens to get LeBron who is so tall and skinny he’s practi- off Golden State this year. It’s as idi- be if we work backwards – if we pre- to MJ – knocking Air Jordan out of the James the ball in isolation against Curry, cally two-dimensional, only made this otic as ever to think otherwise. But they reverse engineer a Warriors defeat – we sky didn’t wind up working, but it was and then James would bull through him strategy more alluring. Green is made didn’t cruise all the way last season, and can imagine how it happens? the closest anyone ever came. The New to the hoop. They’d chip him around of wrought iron, but if he’s your thick- they’re not going to cruise all the way As a matter of fact, we can. The only York Giants beat Tom Brady twice in the every corner, put extra sauce on every est player, you’ve got a very thin team. this season. Cousins was supposed to way to beat the Warriors hasn’t changed Super Bowl by hitting him over and over foul, a knee to every thigh. By the end of A few of the league’s top teams are able be their cherry on top. Instead, he may since the Warriors became the Warriors: again; during the second loss, Brady that series, Curry’s body was so man- to outmuscle Golden State, not because have to save them. Gulf Times 6 Wednesday, January 16, 2019 SPORT

NFL FOCUS FINA clears swimmers to Soderberg hat-trick lift s compete in independent events Reuters Avalanche to easy win Berlin INA yesterday allowed Maple Leafs now have lost five of their past seven games athletes to take part in independent competi- Reuters Ftions in a bid to settle a Toronto fi nancial dispute, but the world swimming federation said re- sults from those events will re- arl Soderberg scored his fi rst quire its approval to be consid- career hat-trick — includ- ered as offi cial. ing the go-ahead goal midway FINA has been under grow- through the third period — and ing pressure from competitive theC visiting Colorado Avalanche defeat- swimmers, including Britain’s ed the Toronto Maple Leafs 6-3 on Mon- Olympic and world breaststroke day night. Gabriel Landeskog, Mikko champion Adam Peaty, who Rantanen and Matt Calvert also scored are demanding a bigger fi nan- goals for the Avalanche, who won for the cial share from the revenues the second time in the past 11 games. sport generates. Calvert’s goal and Soderberg’s third “FINA acknowledges that tally were into an empty net in the third swimmers are free to partici- period. Igor Ozhiganov, Kasperi Kap- pate in competitions or events anen and Mitch Marner scored for the staged by independent organis- Maple Leafs, who have lost fi ve of their ers, namely entities which are past seven games. neither members of FINA nor Auston Matthews added two assists related to it in any way,” FINA for Toronto. Goaltender Frederik An- said following a meeting with dersen returned to the Maple Leafs’ net national federations. after missing eight games with a groin “Any independent organisers injury and the fl u. He made 32 saves. which intend to have the results Colorado goaltender Semyon Varlamov and records of any competitions made 17 saves for the win. or events duly registered with and acknowledged by FINA shall FLYERS 7, WILD 4 co-operate with or seek approval James van Riemsdyk notched his fourth from FINA or from any relevant career hat trick to lift host Philadelphia member federation,” it said. past Minnesota. Nolan Patrick scored Three world class swimmers two goals and had two assists while — three-times Olympic gold Wayne Simmonds also added two goals medallist Katinka Hosszu of for the Flyers, who had lost nine of their and US world cham- previous 10. Scott Laughton tallied three pions Tom Shields and Michael assists for Philadelphia, while Claude Carl Soderberg of the Colorado Andrew — fi led a lawsuit in the Giroux and Radko Gudas recorded two Avalanche skates with the puck United States last month chal- assists each. Flyers goaltender Carter against the Toronto Maple Leafs lenging what they allege is the Hart made 34 saves. Jason Zucker, Joel during an NHL game in Toronto monopoly FINA has over the Eriksson Ek, Marcus Foligno and Ryan on Monday. (AFP) control of international compe- Suter each scored one goal for the Wild, titions. The lawsuit comes after who dropped their second in a row. Eric a swim meet organised by the Staal had two assists for the Wild. privately-controlled Interna- tional Swimming League (ISL), CANADIENS 3, BRUINS 2 (OT) which is led by Ukrainian energy Jeff Petry scored the overtime winner to tycoon Konstantin Grigorishin, cap a two-point game, and goalie Carey David Krejci and Brad Marchand scored with a breakaway goal in the fi rst and each netted a goal and an assist, and St. OILERS 7, SABRES 2 was cancelled last month after Price was sensational in a 41-save per- for the Bruins. closed it with an empty-netter in the Louis scored three second-period goals Zack Kassian and Milan Lucic each it was considered as “non-ap- formance as Montreal won at Boston. third. Brett Seney also scored in the fi - in less than fi ve minutes to knock off scored twice — doubling their goal to- proved” by the Italian swimming Just 15 seconds into overtime, which was DEVILS 8, BLACKHAWKS 5 nal period for New Jersey, which has host Washington. The Blues emerged tals for the season — as host Edmonton federation. FINA says it has con- forced by a late Boston goal, Montreal’s Kyle Palmieri scored the fi rst two of won two straight following a three- with their fi rst three-game winning feasted on slumping Buff alo. Mikko Ko- sistently increased prize money Max Domi fi red a shot that Boston goal- New Jersey’s fi ve unanswered second- game losing streak. Patrick Kane had streak of the season. skinen made 41 saves and collected an for athletes at its events such as ie Tuukka Rask couldn’t control. Petry, period goals, and the Devils hung on to two goals and two assists for the Black- The Capitals have dropped two in a assist in the victory, Edmonton’s second the short and long course world whose father Dan was a major league beat Chicago at Newark, NJ. Palmieri, hawks. Chicago’s other goal scorers row at home. Alex Ovechkin opened in three games. Ryan Nugent-Hopkins championships and the swim- pitcher, batted the puck out of the air Travis Zajac, Sami Vatanen and Kevin were Brent Seabrook, Dominik Kahub the scoring for Washington in the fi rst and Connor McDavid each had a goal ming World Cup. “FINA recog- for his 10th goal of the season. The Ca- Rooney scored within a span of less and Brandon Saad. period, but Ivan Barbashev, Dunn and and an assist for the Oilers, who also got nises the right of athletes to par- nadiens, who have won two straight and than 13 minutes as the Devils blew open David Perron scored for St. Louis in the a goal from Leon Draisaitl. Casey Mit- ticipate in any swimming event,” three of four games, also got goals from what was a 1-1 game. BLUES 4, CAPITALS 1 second. Tarasenko scored a power-play telstadt and Evan Rodrigues notched said FINA legal counsel Francois Paul Byron and Brendan Gallagher. Blake Coleman opened the scoring Vince Dunn and Vladimir Tarasenko goal midway through the third period. the goals for the Sabres. Carrard.

FOCUS ATHLETICS Japan’s Olympic Committee head denies Kipchoge relishing prospect of impropriety in 2020 bid procedures taking on Farah in London

Reuters By Sean Ingle That wish has now been grant- year before fi nishing runner-up Tokyo The Guardian ed with the Kenyan, who was in the New York marathon in No- Japanese Olympic Committee named the 2018 IAAF Athlete vember, will race. president Tsunekazu Takeda of the Year in December, hav- Hugh Brasher, event director he head of Japan’s Olympic Com- attends a press conference in he marathon world ing agreed to make his fourth of the race, said he was delighted mittee confi rmed that he had been Tokyo yesterday. (AFP) record holder, Eliud Kip- appearance in London. “I had a to have set up a mouthwatering questioned by French authorities choge, says he is “rel- memorable 2018, winning the showdown between Kipchoge, Tin December yesterday but repeat- ishing the prospect” of Virgin Money London Marathon who is unbeaten in London and ed his denial there was anything improper Tfacing Mo Farah again over 26.2 and then setting a new world also holds the course record of about Tokyo’s bid for the 2020 Games and miles after confi rming that he record at the Berlin marathon 2:03.05, and Britain’s greatest vowed to prove his innocence. will run the London Marathon and I’m hoping that 2019 is just distance runner. French fi nancial prosecutors investigat- in April. Kipchoge, who won his as good to me,”said Kipchoge. “There is no doubt that Eliud ing a multi-million dollar payment made by third London title in last year’s “I am looking forward to rac- Kipchoge is the greatest mara- the bid committee to a Singaporean consul- race, with Farah fi nishing third, ing Sir Mo Farah again. He is a thon runner of all time,” he said tancy questioned Tsunekazu Takeda in Paris then went on to set a stunning great champion and proved in “Since Sir Mo Farah won the and he was placed under formal investiga- world record of two hours, one Chicago that he can win a major Chicago Marathon in October, tion for suspected corruption on Dec. 10, a minute and 39 seconds in Berlin marathon so I relish the battle everyone has been talking about judicial source said on Friday. Takeda told a in September – beating the pre- with him and also the many oth- another head-to-head between packed news conference there were no rea- vious best by over a minute. er great athletes that I’m sure will Mo and Eliud and we are abso- sons to doubt any part of Japan’s dealings Farah, meanwhile, went on once again be on the start line in lutely thrilled that this show- with the Singaporean consultancy in con- to claim the Chicago Marathon London.” down will happen. We will see nection with Tokyo’s bid and that he would in October in a European record The top three from the 2018 two absolute legends of distance co-operate fully with French authorities. time of 2hr 5min 11sec – and af- podium will all be in London running competing over 26.2 After apologising to the Japanese peo- terwards promised that he was again this year with organisers miles of roads in the greatest ple and everyone involved in organising “not afraid to keep turning up in confi rming Ethiopia’s 22-year- marathon in the world. I cannot the 2020 Tokyo Games for worrying them, hosting of the 2016 Rio de Janeiro and the the IOC to Tokyo 2020 organisers regarding the same fi eld and testing Kip- old marathon star Shura Kitata, wait until Sunday 28 April to see Takeda repeated denials fi rst made on Friday 2020 Tokyo Olympics. Takeda. choge”. who was second to Kipchoge last who comes out on top.” that there were any improprieties in Japan’s Whatever the outcome of the French in- The move against Takeda is linked to an dealings with the Singaporean consultancy. vestigation, the news now hangs over prep- investigation French prosecutors launched “There were two contracts exchanged be- arations for Tokyo 2020 just 18 months out in 2016 into more than $2mn of payments by tween the Tokyo bid committee and the Sin- from the start of the summer showpiece. the Japanese bidding committee to consul- gaporean company, but they were concluded Tokyo 2020 organisers, however, moved tancy fi rm Black Tidings, which was termi- under the usual sort of procedures and passed to distance themselves from the bidding nated in 2014. around and approved as usual,” Takeda said. team’s activities. Prosecuting judge Renaud Van Ruymbeke “I was the fi nal person to approve them, many “Tokyo won the 2020 race because the now suspects Takeda — a former Olympic others had done so before me.” city presented the best bid,” Tokyo 2020 showjumper, longstanding Olympics offi cial He added the contracts were for lobby- spokesman Masa Takaya said in an inter- and second cousin of Emperor Akihito — of ing and information gathering, that the view. “The mission of the organising com- paying bribes to secure his nation’s winning payments were as usual for such work, and mittee is to deliver the Games for athletes bid, the judicial source said on Friday. noted that a 2016 investigation by a third- and spectators around the world. We want Takeda, 71, a great-grandchild of Em- party committee had cleared the 2020 bid to continue to focus on this mission to make peror Meiji who competed in the 1972 and committee of any wrongdoing. this happen.” 1976 Olympics, has been a member of the “From here on in, I will fully co-operate “The organising committee was estab- Japanese Olympic Committee since 1987 with the French authorities and make eve- lished after the election so the Tokyo 2020 and its president since 2001. He has helped ry eff ort to prove my innocence,” he said. organising committee has no idea to know co-ordinate preparations for several Winter Under French law, a formal investigation the details of its (bidding team) activities. Olympics as a senior member of the IOC and means there is “serious or consistent evi- There will be no impact to Games prepara- also heads the IOC’s marketing commission. dence” implicating a suspect in a crime. tions,” Takaya stressed. The IOC ethics commission opened a It is one step closer to a trial, but such International Olympic Committee (IOC) fi le on Takeda on Friday. This investigation investigations can be dropped without go- President Thomas Bach said during a visit is the latest blow to the governing body, ing to court. French investigators have led a to the Japanese capital in December that he which has been trying to clean up the bid- years-long probe into corruption in athlet- couldn’t remember a host city being as well ding process around Olympic Games fol- ics and in early 2016 extended their inquiry prepared as Tokyo. Takaya said there had lowing a spate of corruption allegations and into the bidding and voting processes for the been no “specifi c signals or messages” from increased spending by host cities. Eliud Kipchoge (right) and Mo Farah will go head to head in London again in April. (Reuters) Gulf Times Wednesday, January 16, 2019 7 CRICKET

SECOND ODI FOCUS Burgeoning pace stocks point to Dhoni, Kohli steer future for pitch perfect

Reuters for a fi nger injury for Vernon Johannesburg, South Africa Philander, but ended up with 24 India to win over wickets at an average of 14, just one shy of the 117-year old South he emergence of Du- African record for a three-Test Visitors chase down 299-run target anne Olivier to bolster series. South Africa’s impres- While the bowlers and Gibson, to send the three-match series into a sive fast bowling stocks a former pace bowler, might have Twas a major catalyst in the 3-0 enjoyed the conditions, there decider in Melbourne on Friday Test series victory over Paki- have been some rumblings from Australia stan and provides a glimpse into the batsmen about how diffi cult AFP the future for teams visiting the it is to score runs at home. , Australia country. “I keep saying to the batters, When Ottis Gibson took over when the wickets are like this, as Proteas coach in August 2017 you don’t need to score 500, it’s eteran wicketkeeper he made it clear he favoured us- not necessary,” Gibson said. Mahendra Singh Dhoni ing South Africa’s traditional “If we get 262, on a fast, steered India to a six- strength — fi ery seam bowling bouncy track, 262 with our fast wicket victory over — to bring success in the Test bowlers is a great score because VAustralia in the second one-day arena. we know we can knock a team international to level the series With wickets produced to aid over for under that, which is in Adelaide yesterday. that plan, South Africa used a what we did.” Former skipper Dhoni, play- four-prong seam attack against a South Africa, who have moved ing in his 334th ODI, cooly guid- Pakistan team clearly not equipped to second in the Test rankings ed India across the line with four to handle the pace and bounce of behind India, play fi ve one-day balls to spare to back up a daz- South African conditions. internationals and three Twen- zling century from captain Virat “You have to play to your ty20 matches against Pakistan Kohli. strength, and if your strength is before Sri Lanka arrive for two India successfully chased four quality fast bowlers, then Tests in February. down a target of 299 runs set use those,” Gibson told reporters, Gibson has hinted the heavy by Australia who scored 298 for while dismissing criticism from workload in a World Cup year nine with Shaun Marsh scoring Pakistan’s Mickey Arthur the may see a change in tactics for 131 off 123 balls. pitches were too much in favour that series, which could give the The three-match series now of the home side. side the opportunity to rest play- goes to a decider in Melbourne “When you look at the opposi- ers and bring about a return for on Friday after Australia won tion and see they are accustomed spinner Keshav Maharaj. the opening game in by to playing on slow wickets, then “KG (Kagiso Rabada) says he is 34 runs. why not produce fast, bouncy bowling at 60 percent‚ but he is “Tonight was an MS (Dhoni) pitches when you are playing at bowling at the speed of 145 and classic,” man-of-the-match home?” Gibson added. I say to him that ‘I am looking Kohli said. “He takes the game “We will continue to play this forward to the time when you are till the end, when only he knows brand of cricket because it’s suc- bowling at 100 percent’‚“ Gibson what’s going on in his mind, and cessful.” said. he backs himself to hit those big Ironically injuries have helped “He is taking wickets‚ do- shots at the end. to boost their depth, with Lungi ing great work for the team and “And hats off to Dinesh Ngidi fi lling in for the experi- what we have done in the last 12 (Karthik) too, he came in and enced Dale Steyn when he was months is to look for opportuni- took the pressure off him.” sidelined for lengthy periods, ties to rest people. We will fi nd an When Kohli holed out to while Olivier replaced the former opportunity to rest him for sure. Glenn Maxwell at deep mid- when he missed the Pakistan se- “With regards to Keshav‚ he wicket to end his stellar knock of India’s Mahendra Singh Dhoni in action during the second ODI against Australia in Adelaide yesterday. (Inset) India’s Virat Kohli. (AFP) ries with a knee problem. knows that he is still part of the 104 off 112 balls, it was 37-year- Olivier would likely not have plans and he understands his role old Dhoni who took charge to Kumar off an inside edge for six played the fi rst Test were it not and the bigger picture.” pilot his side home with support Scorecard in the seventh over and Usman from Karthik with an unbeaten Khawaja put on 56 runs for the 25. AUSTRALIA Fall of wickets: 1-20 (Finch), V. Kohli c Maxwell b Richardson 104 third wicket with Marsh be- Dhoni was physically strug- A. Carey c Dhawan b Shami 18 2-26 (Carey), 3-82 (Khawaja), A. Rayudu c Stoinis b Maxwell 24 fore he was brilliantly run out gling in the hot conditions and 4-134 (Handscomb), 5-189 by Ravindra Jadeja with a direct needed treatment from the team A. Finch b Kumar 6 (Stoinis), 6-283 (Maxwell), 7-283 M.S. Dhoni not out 55 throw from cover point for 21. physio to fi nish his match-win- U. Khawaja run out (Jadeja) 21 (Marsh), 8-286 (Richardson), D. Karthik not out 25 Handscomb threw away his ning knock and keep India alive S. Marsh c Jadeja b Kumar 131 9-286 (Siddle) Extras (lb9, w7) 16 wicket when he rashly tried to in the series. sweep Jadeja but was well beaten P. Handscomb st Dhoni b Jadeja 20 Bowling: Kumar 10-0-45-4 (2w), Total (4 wickets; 49.2 overs) 299 India lost four wickets in their Shami 10-0-58-3, Siraj 10-0-76-0 and smartly stumped by Dhoni M. Stoinis c Dhoni b Shami 29 Fall of wickets: 1-47 (Dhawan), chase after Australia’s total. (3w), Kuldeep 10-0-66-0, Jadeja on 20. 2-101 (Sharma), 3-160 (Rayudu), Shikhar Dhawan hit out be- G. Maxwell c Karthik b Kumar 48 10-1-49-1 (1w) Stoinis was caught behind off fore he was snapped up by Us- 4-242 (Kohli) a short ball from Shami for 29, J. Richardson c Dhawan b Shami 2 man Khawaja at mid-wicket off Bowling: Behrendorff 8.2-1-52-1, and Maxwell produced a lively Jason Behrendorff for 32 from 28 N. Lyon not out 12 INDIA Richardson 10-0-59-1 (2w), Sid- cameo with Marsh before he was balls in the eighth over. P. Siddle c Kohli b Kumar 0R. Sharma c Handscomb b Stoinis dle 8-0-58-0 (3w), Lyon 10-0-59- caught at long-off by Karthik. Marsh followed in similar India were sailing along before J. Behrendorff not out 1 43 0 (1w), Stoinis 9-0-46-1, Maxwell Sydney centurion Rohit Sharma 4-0-16-1 fashion two balls later when he on 43 top-edged Marcus Stoinis Extras (lb4, w6) 10 S. Dhawan c Khawaja b Behrendorff lofted Kumar to Jadeja at long- 32 RESULT: India won by 6 wickets to deep forward square where Total (9 wickets; 50 overs) 298 off . Peter Handscomb, looking into The wickets kept tumbling late the setting sun, took a safe catch in the innings with Jhye Richard- to break up a dangerous 54-run ‘GOOD GAME’ neshwar Kumar and Mohamed “When you come up like a son caught at deep point by Dha- partnership with Kohli. Marsh hammered 11 fours and Shami. batting side against India, you wan off Shami for two and Peter Ambati Rayudu was the third three sixes, claiming his sev- They took a combined four for know you have to get wickets Siddle was out for a fi rst-ball duck wicket to fall caught at deep enth ODI century and second 17 in the last 18 balls with Ku- regularly, and we ran into that caught by Kohli at deep backward mid-wicket by Stonis off Max- against India as Australia made mar claiming the big wickets of man Dhoni as well,” Australia point off Kumar. well for 24. the tourists sweat in the fi eld in Marsh and Glenn Maxwell. skipper Aaron Finch said. The Australians lost four Kohli was annoyed to get out temperatures hovering around Maxwell had kicked along “Credit to India, they played wickets for three off 11 balls be- with the job unfi nished and six 40 Celsius (104F). Australia’s scoring rate with a well. We played well as well, it fore Nathan Lyon blasted a six overs left but Dhoni used his India could have been chas- typically rumbustious knock of was a good game of cricket.” off the final ball. vast experience to get his team ing an even higher total if not for 48 off 37 balls coming into bat Finch earlier struggled for Kumar fi nished with four for safely home. the last three overs from Bhuv- at No 7. runs before he was bowled by 45 and Shami three for 58.

SPOTLIGHT

South African pace bowler Duanne Olivier finished the three-Test Warriors Club outplay Feroz Youngsters in T20 fi nal series against Pakistan with 24 wickets at an average of 14. (AFP)

By Sports Reporter two fours to get 32 in 21 balls and Doha Noman added 31, including two APPOINTMENT sixes and as many boundaries. Apart from Murad, Imraz re- fter his blistering un- turned fi gures of two for 23 and beaten 22 off just sev- Tamoor got one for 28. Sawhney is new ICC en balls, Murad lifted The Qatar Cricket Associa- Warriors Club to an tion, under the presidency of imposingA 52-run victory against Yousef Jeham al-Kuwari, hosted chief executive Feroz Youngsters with his fi ne this tournament as a part of its bowling in the fi nal of the QCA strategy to groom the players Reuters to the ICC and will lead the de- T20 Cricket Premier Division and hone the competitive edge Bengaluru livery of our new global growth Tournament. of the national teams with a se- strategy for the game,” Manohar At the Asian Town Cricket ries of events. The fi nal match said in a statement. Stadium, Warriors Club out- was attended by QCA Opera- anu Sawhney, the “Our search produced a host of classed the rivals after amass- tions manager Manzoor Ahmad, former managing di- excellent candidates from around ing 206 for six in 20 overs as who also distributed the prizes rector of ESPN Star the world, but Manu stood out as man-of-the-fi nal Murad snared along with other QCA offi cials, Sports, has been ap- the man to work with our Mem- three wickets and limited Feroz including Gul Khan Jadoon, Mpointed as International Cricket bers and take cricket forward. Youngsters to 154 for seven. Syed Hassan Raza, Jehangir, Council’s (ICC) new chief execu- “He has proven success in a Adnan and Andrey (14 with a Shamas and umpires coordina- tive, the sport’s governing body number of leadership roles in six and a four) launched the in- tor Raja Mohamed Naseem. announced yesterday. both sport and broadcasting. He nings on fi rm footing, collecting Sawhney will join the ICC next is a strategic thinker and under- 41 runs in just four overs. At 53, BRIEF SCORES: Warriors Club month before formally taking stands the cricket landscape and Adnan’s departure for 23 in 15 206 for six in 20 overs (Imal 39 over the reins from David Rich- its complexities.” balls brought together Imal and in 31b, Tamoor 34 in 27b, Assad ardson, whose contract expires Former Singapore Sports Hub Tamoor. The two milked 60 runs 29 in 15b, Imraz 24 not out in 13b, at the end of the World Cup in chief executive Sawhney was to set up a solid foundation. Adnan 23 in 15b, Murad 22 not July. with ESPN Star Sports for 17 Imal top-scored for Warriors out in 7b; Inam-Ul-Haq 3 for 39, Indian-born Sawhney was the years and during his tenure led Club with 39 off 31 balls. His score past 200-mark with ease. rad clobbered a six and three three down for 21 despite spir- Musawar 2 for 19) beat Feroz unanimous choice following a the global broadcast partnership innings had three fours and Ta- Assad fi red a six and three fours boundaries in 22, while facing ited eff orts from Inam-Ul-Haq, Youngsters 154 for seven in 20 global recruitment process led by deal with the ICC that ran from moor blasted two sixes and three in 29, while Imraz and Murad fi n- merely seven balls. Imran and Noman. overs (Inam-Ul-Haq 45 in 31b, ICC chairman Shashank Mano- 2007-15. boundaries to contribute 34 in ished undefeated, reeling off 47 Murad’s two wickets in his Haq followed his three-wick- Imran 32 in 21b, Noman 31 in 27b; har and the nominations com- He is also a non-executive di- 27 balls. runs for the seventh wicket. second over and Imraz derailed et haul with an impressive 45, Murad 3/20, Imraz 2/23, Tamoor mittee. rector and member of the audit Later, Assad, Imraz and Murad Imraz smashed a six and three the chase of Feroz Youngsters, which contained a six and seven 1/28) by 52 runs. Man of the “He brings 22 years of out- committee at Premier League sparkled with bat and took the fours in his 15-ball 29 and Mu- who could never recover from fours. Imran cracked a six and Final: Murad (Warriors Club) standing commercial experience football club Manchester United.

Wednesday, January 16, 2019 GULF TIMES TENNIS

AUSTRALIAN OPEN SPOTLIGHT Osaka beats the Ominous Serena, bugs to power into second round

AFP ballboy’s help when a bug was Melbourne fl uttering on court as she pre- pared to serve for the match. “I’m not really that great at Djokovic make apanese fourth seed catching them, I’d accidentally Naomi Osaka overcame squish it maybe, so it’s probably a nervous start and dis- not a good idea” she said. traction from fl ying bugs Osaka quickly put aside her toJ ease into the Australian Open brush with Australian wildlife second round yesterday. and sealed the match with an ace. The US Open champion downed Bookies have installed her as Open statements Magda Linette of 6-4, 6-2 second favourite to lift the Aus- in just under an hour to set up a tralian title after Serena Wil- meeting with Tamara Zidansek of liams, who she beat in last year’s ‘It’s weird walking back on — by myself this time — it feels good’ in the next round. US Open fi nal, sparking the “I felt really nervous walking American’s infamous meltdown onto the court but then when I at the umpire. started playing I just felt really While the controversy over- happy and grateful that I’m able shadowed Osaka’s breakthrough to play in front of such a great moment, she has appeared com- crowd,” she said. fortable in the spotlight and says The 21-year-old said she she is feeling no extra pressure enjoyed the warm Australian at Melbourne as a Grand Slam conditions but had to call for a champion.

Serbia’s Novak Djokovic hits a return against Mitchell Krueger (not pictured) of the US during their singles match yesterday. (AFP)

AFP which is insane,” she ESCAPE ACT Melbourne said. “It’s weird walk- Fourth seed Alexander ing back on — by myself Zverev, who is looking this time — it feels good. to win his fi rst Slam title focused Ser- I have so many memo- and establish himself as a ena Williams ries from last time I was serious threat to Djoko- sent an omi- here.” vic, Federer and Rafael nous Austral- Bidding for an eighth Nadal, cruised past Aljaz FOCUS ianA Open warning with Melbourne Park crown, Bedene 6-4, 6-1, 6-4. a 49-minute fi rst-round few are betting against “I’ve had about 86 demolition yesterday as Williams despite her low- injuries and the ankle is world number one Novak ly seeding and she next still a bit swollen,” said Injury-troubled Djokovic destroyed his faces Canadian Eugenie the 21-year-old. “But opponent as he targets a Bouchard who eased past I’ve done everything record seventh title. China’s Peng Shuai. right in my preparation. Kyrgios falls to cap US Open cham- Williams played at Now I either play well or pion Naomi Osaka also the mixed teams Hop- I don’t.” stormed through, but man Cup in this But eighth seed Kei bleak day for hosts world number one Simo- month, but her appear- Nishikori, who won in na Halep was lucky to stay ance on Tuesday was her Brisbane last week, had a Reuters ing about it. I literally just said it alive, needing to dig deep fi rst outing on tour since lucky escape. Melbourne had nothing to do with my loss,” and claw back from a set a meltdown in losing the The Japanese star he said. down before beating Kaia US Open fi nal to Osaka in looked down and out “Really pointless to keep ask- Kanepi 6-7 (2), 6-4, 6-2. September. against little known n injury-hampered ing me questions about it.” American giant Wil- Like Williams, Djoko- qualifi er Kamil Majchr- Nick Kyrgios crashed Kyrgios was caught up in a liams is bidding to match vic is also gunning for zak, losing the fi rst two out of the Australian local media storm on Monday, Margaret Court’s record a slice of history as he sets before the Pole be- Open fi rst round yes- when compatriot Bernard Tom- of 24 Grand Slam crowns looks to win a seventh gan badly cramping. terdayA with a 6-4, 7-6 (5)m, 6-4 ic publicly pilloried Austral- on her fi rst return to title. Fellow six-time He bravely fought on thrashing at the hands of Milos ia’s Davis Cup captain Lleyton Melbourne Park since champion Roger Federer before calling it a day Raonic that capped a dismal day Hewitt and said neither of the winning in 2017 while is aiming for the same. after winning just two of for the host nation. players wanted to play under the eight weeks pregnant. The Serb blasted the next 17 games. A prodigious yet polarising twice Grand Slam champion. Now 37, she kept a low past American quali- Elsewhere, 2014 talent, former quarter-fi nalist “We all know who those play- profi le in the lead-up to fi er Mitchell Krueger champion Stan Wawrin- Kyrgios suff ered his earliest exit ers are: myself, (Thanasi) Kok- the opening major of the 6-3, 6-2, 6-2 to set up a ka benefi ted from an op- from Melbourne Park, leaving kinakis, Kyrgios,” Tomic told year and came out of the clash with Jo-Wilfried ponent pulling out, with further doubts as to whether the reporters at Melbourne Park af- blocks fl ying against fel- Tsonga, who he beat in Ernests Gulbis calling it 23-year-old Australian can real- ter being eliminated in the fi rst low mum Tatjana Maria, Melbourne to win the quits after hurting his ise his potential. round. pummelling her German fi rst of his 14 Grand Slam back in the second set. In a match neatly summarising Kyrgios distanced himself opponent 6-0, 6-2. crowns back in 2008. Among the women, Kyrgios’s roller-coaster career, the from the world number 88’s Sporting a striking jade “It feels great to be sixth seed Elina Svitolina 52nd-ranked player spent much comments. green jumpsuit and fi ne healthy and back on this easily progressed, as did of the night muttering expletives “I don’t know what to say. mesh stockings on Rod court again,” he said of Williams’ sister Venus, about the condition of his right Like, I don’t have a big deal with Laver Arena, the 16th seed Rod Laver Arena. who incredibly played knee and had a trainer working on anything,” he said. wasted no time in getting “I had a tremendous her fi rst Grand Slam the injury between sets. “I’ve always wanted to play out of the blistering Mel- success in the last six tournament 22 years ago. When on his feet, he was of- Davis Cup. I love Davis Cup. If bourne heat and said it months. It got me to a But two-time cham- ten thrilling to watch under the I don’t play, I don’t play. Like, was good to be back. great position. Hope- pion Victoria Azarenka lights at Melbourne Arena but I’m available. That’s all I got to “The last time I was fully I can follow up on was bundled out, along gifted free points to the Canadian say. Like, what do you want from Serena Williams of the US serves against ’s Tatjana Maria (not pictured) during here I was pregnant and this victory tonight with with 10th seed Darya Ka- 16th seed with a slew of botched me?” their singles match on day two of the Australian Open in Melbourne yesterday. (AFP) playing at the same time a good performance.” satkina. trick shots. Kyrgios was one of six home Kyrgios said his knee had players sent spinning out of the nothing to do with the result and tournament yesterday, including paid Raonic full credit for serv- former US Open champion Sam DIARY ing up a storm in the one-sided Stosur and Australian women’s clash. number two Daria Gavrilova. He then snapped at a reporter Raonic moved into a second for asking about the injury. round clash with former cham- Mum’s the word: Serena has fences to mend “I don’t know why we’re talk- pion Stan Wawrinka.

erena Williams might eloquently about her desire to be next in the fi ring line against need to mend some go on the players’ council and a man who hit 70 percent of his fences with Tatjana try to grow the game, though fi rst serves yesterday, rattled Maria after humiliat- she was reluctant to outline off three second serve aces ingS the German 6-0, 6-2 in her platform. and had 85 of his 158 serves in the fi rst round at Melbourne “I don’t want to be the the match unreturned. Fans of Park. The pair are neighbours typical political person who’s long rallies might want to give at Florida’s Palm Springs and like, I promise all these things, it a miss though. have young children who are and then you get in then and playmates, but Serena was not you’re like, oh wait, that’s not TWITTER! LET ME IN letting emotion hinder her possible,” she said. A smiling Fast-rising Denis Shapovalov, bid for a record-equalling 24 Keys off ered only one reason 19, has been locked out of Grand Slam. why players should vote for her his Twitter account over a She was relentless during to represent them: “Because mix-up about his age, and he their fi rst round clash and I’m really great — that’s all I’ve desperately wants to get back Maria left the court in tears af- got so far.” online. After cruising into the ter her humiliation, with Ser- Australian Open second round, ena expressing regret they met A SERVE FOR THE AGES the young Canadian, seeded so early in the tournament. Croat veteran Ivo Karlovic 25, pleaded for help. “We are neighbours and we go showed his booming serve “There’s some issues with to each others houses and our has lost none of its fi repower my birth date and stuff . I’m ac- daughters play together,” she as he banged down 39 aces, tually just trying to fi gure that said. “Her daughter is older one for each year of his age, in out right now. They don’t want than mine, at Wimbledon she ’s Ivo Karlovic celebrates his victory over Poland’s Hubert defeating Hubert Hurkacz 6-7 to let me back in. Please, Twit- was helping mine out. I’ve got Hurkacz (not pictured) yesterday. (AFP) (5), 7-6 (5), 7-6 (3), 7-6 (5). The ter, let me back in,” he said. He a video if it, it was the cutest 6ft 11in (2.11m) world number added that he was “confused” thing in the world. Us mums VOTE FOR ME, I’M GREAT ers’ interests on the WTA Tour, 73 will be 40 next month as he about what was going on. need to come out and play and American Madison Keys has but admits her campaign slo- attempts to reach the last 32 “They just kind of kicked me do well. I wish we could have revealed she wants to become gan is a work in progress. Keys, at Melbourne for a sixth time. out, said, yeah, I need to send a played later on.” involved in representing play- the daughter of a lawyer, spoke Eighth seed Kei Nishikori will letter or something.”