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Wednesday, December 20, 2017 CRICKET Rabia II 2, 1439 AH New Bradman? GULF TIMES Smith rises to exalted heights SPORT Page 2 FOOTBALL Gharafa lift QSL Cup with 3-2 victory over Al Rayyan Al Rayyan’s woes were compounded by the fact that their star player Rodrigo Tabata missed a late penalty

Al Gharafa were quick off the blocks, raiding the rival citadel in the third minute and scoring through captain Jimenez, who slammed the ball past goalkeeper Saoud al-Khater following an assist from Ahmed Alaaeldin. Al Rayyan then slowly took con- trol of the proceedings and were soon on level terms when prolifi c scorer Hamdallah found the target. The goal resulted from a free-kick taken by playmaker Rodrigo Tabata that came off the defensive wall. Tabata himself chipped the ball back for Hamdallah to score. Jimenez was again the star past half hour as he essayed a pass to the left wing for Alaaeldin to cross and Seraj was bang on target to help Al Gharafa regain the lead. Referee Abdulla Ali Athba had to fl ash a yellow card to Al Rayyan’s Ahmed Abdel Maqsoud for a lung- ing foul on Al Gharafa’s Diogo Amado in the 40th and Hamdallah too got Captain Luis Jimenez receives the QSL Cup trophy from QFA Vice-President booked for questioning the decision. Saoud Abdulaziz al-Mohannadi. Al Rayyan struggled when Tabata could not be his usual self and striker Sebastian Soria failed to make inroads Al Gharafa players and off icials pose after winning the QSL Cup yesterday. PICTURES: Noushad Thakkayil into the rival territory. On the other hand, Al Gharafa came By Sports Reporter up with a far better display, with the Doha enterprising Alaaeldin, who hogged the limelight along with Jimenez, tak- ing a lot of initiatives. Their defenders orm team Al Gharafa edged out also stood fi rm. Al Rayyan 3-2 to become the Alaaeldin himself got on the score fi rst team to win the QSL Cup sheet after an hour and the goal; a Fa second time after a dramatic long-range solo eff ort, had brilliance fi nal match yesterday at Suhaim bin written all over it. Hamad Stadium. Al Rayyan coach Michael Laudrup, Al Rayyan coach Michael Laudrup meanwhile, brought on Mohsine had made no secret of his unease at Moutaouali in place of Daniel Goumou the prospect of facing Al Gharafa in the and Aldoukali al-Baoure for Soria. fi nal, referring to the two defeats his Kasola then reduced the margin by team suff ered against them in the Qa- heading in a Tabata corner kick from tar Stars League last season. the right. The game witnessed some And although the Lions put up a dramatic scenes when Al Rayyan gallant show yesterday, scoring twice earned a penalty in the 79th after Seraj to storm back into contention after tripped Mohamed Alaaeldin inside being down, they just couldn’t fi nd the box. Tabata took the shot from the that extra bit of resolve to put it across Al Gharafa players celebrate after the final whistle. spot, but Qasim Burhan drew all his the Cheetahs. top-fl ight experience to block it. Tem- Al Rayyan’s woes were compounded at the title. season after a space of three seasons. pers fl ared and three Al Gharafa players by the fact that their star player Rod- With yesterday’s win, the Cheetahs Captain Luis Jimenez (third were booked as they continued their rigo Tabata missed a late penalty. Had thus repeated history, having also won minute), Amro Seraj (36th) and protests. Al Gharafa goalkeeper Qasem Burhan the inaugural edition of the tourna- Ahmed Alaaeldin (64th) netted the Qatar Football Association Vice- not saved the shot, diving to his right, ment in 2009-10. Al Sadd, Al Wakrah, Al Gharafa’s goals, while Abderra- President Saoud Abdulaziz al-Mohan- the match would have probably gone erstwhile El Jaish and Qatar SC, in that zaq Hamdallah (12th) and Mohamed nadi crowned the winners in the pres- into extra time with the scores tied order, were the other champions be- Kassola (70th) were on target for Al ence of Qatar Stars League CEO Hani 3-3, allowing Al Rayyan another crack fore the tournament was revived this Rayyan. Taleb Ballan. Al Gharafa coach Jean Fernandez with the QSL Cup trophy.

CRICKET Ashes won, Australia aim for a clean sweep Reuters with what we’ve achieved in these fi rst Australia were able to pick the the Gabba, has given him an astonish- Perth three test matches. I’d love to do that same team throughout the series ing average of 142 for the Ashes series. again, but we will just take it one step sweep in 2013/14 but Smith may Long saddled with the burden of at a time.” not have that luxury due to an scoring in a vulnerable batting lineup, ictorious Australia will head Australia were able to pick the same injury doubt over Mitchell Starc Smith has enjoyed ample support in to Melbourne for the Box- team throughout the series sweep in the series. ing Day Test against England 2013/14 but Smith may not have that “It’s highly pressurised, Ash- Mitchell Marsh smashed 181 at the brimming with confi dence luxury due to an injury doubt over es cricket,” he told reporters at the WACA and his older brother Shaun Vafter reclaiming the Ashes in Perth and Mitchell Starc. WACA. scored an unbeaten 126 in the second on a mission to subject the tourists to The pace spearhead carried a heel “Everyone is nervous every ball, Test in Adelaide. another 5-0 series whitewash. injury through the fi nal day at the every session — it’s been that way for Mitchell’s maiden ton in his 22nd Captain Steve Smith was a member WACA and could be rested for Mel- 15 days so far. Test came after years of failing to de- of the Michael Clarke side that swept bourne, which may open the door to a “So they can go and express them- liver with the bat, so it was hugely the last series Down Under in 2013/14 recall for squad seamer Jackson Bird. selves a little bit more now, so we’ll be encouraging for a team who have and will feel good about his chances of With Josh Hazlewood in top form playing the same brand of cricket but searched in vain for a decent all- emulating his former skipper by de- after grabbing fi ve wickets to rout with less pressure on us.” rounder to help support their young feating Joe Root’s demoralised team in England for 218 in their second innings Since an acrimonious series defeat pace attack. the fi nal two matches. at the WACA, Australia are unlikely to at home to South Africa a year ago, “The challenge for him is to back it “It’d be fantastic to do that and we’ll be overly concerned about Starc’s pos- Australia have won nine of their past up again, to be perfectly honest, and talk about Melbourne when we get sible absence. 13 Tests, with their captain leading the one innings doesn’t make a cricket ca- there,” Smith said after their innings Coach Darren Lehmann said he was way with over 1,000 runs in the calen- reer,” said Lehmann. and 41-run win at the WACA saw Aus- Australia’s Josh Hazlewood (3rd R) holds up the ball after taking his fifth wicket eager to see how the team would play dar year. “So for him he’s got to back it up tralia take back the urn. with the dismissal of England’s Craig Overton in the third Ashes Test match in with the pressure of winning the series Smith’s 239 the WACA, following an next game and do the right thing. He’s “Right now, I’m just really satisfi ed Perth on Monday. on home soil behind them. unbeaten 141 in the series-opener at here to make runs.” Gulf Times 2 Wednesday, December 20, 2017 CRICKET

SPOTLIGHT PREVIEW New Bradman? Confi dent India eye T20 Smith rises to series win IANS Cuttack

ndia will aim to continue their su- premacy over Sri Lanka when they face off in the opener of the three- exalted heights match T20 International series at Ithe Barabati Stadium here today. Fresh from a 2-1 win in the ODI se- Smith, whose idiosyncratic style — moving across his stumps as the bowler ries, a new-look India will once again be led by Rohit Sharma, even as regu- delivers — flies in the face of cricket’s purists, has a Test average of 62.32 lar skipper Virat Kohli and some other regulars have been rested ahead of the challenging South Africa tour later this month. India enjoy a 7-4 record against the Islanders in the shortest format but do not have happy memories of the soli- tary T20I at the venue. The men-in-blue had folded up for India captain Rohit Sharma at a 92 in their six-wicket loss to South Af- training session in Cuttack yesterday. rica in 2015 as crowd trouble brought infamy to the venue. third ODI and he would be the key along Going into today’s tie, Rohit will have with former skipper Angelo Mathews. a new opening partner in Lokesh Rahul The islanders would also hope that with Shikhar Dhawan being rested for stumper Niroshan Dickwella strikes the rubber. form to give some stability to the mid- Former skipper Mahendra Singh dle order which comprises the likes of Dhoni will need to guide the inexperi- Asela Gunaratne, Sadeera Samaraw- enced middle order comprising rookies ickrama and Thisara Perera. Shreyas Iyer, Deepak Hooda and Man- ish Pandey while Dinesh Karthik and Squads: all-rounder Hardik Pandya can provide India: Rohit Sharma (Captain), Lokesh stability to the lower order. Rahul, Shreyas Iyer, Manish Pandey, The bowling department will be Dinesh Karthik, Mahendra Singh Dhoni spearheaded by death over specialist (WK), Hardik Pandya, Washington Jasprit Bumrah, who will have Sau- Sundar, Yuzvendra Chahal, Kuldeep rashtra left-arm pacer Jaydev Unadkat, Yadav, Deepak Hooda, Jasprit Bumrah, Hyderabad’s Mohamed Siraj and two Mohammad Siraj, Basil Thampi, Jaydev fi rst-timers in Washington Sundar and Unadkat. Basil Thampi for company. Sri Lanka: Thisara Perera (Captain), Besides the pacers, the wrist spin Upul Tharanga, Angelo Mathews, Kusal duo of Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra Janith Perera, Danushka Gunathi- Chahal are expected to deliver. laka, Niroshan Dickwella (WK), Asela Sri Lanka, on the other hand, have Gunaratne, Sadeera Samarawickrama, lost fi ve T20Is on the trot, starting from Dasun Shanaka, Chaturanga de Silva, the match against Bangladesh in April. Sachith Pathirana, Dananjaya De Silva, For the visitors, Upul Tharanga was Nuwan Pradeep, Vishwa Fernando, in imperious form during his 95 in the Dusmantha Chameera.

COMEBACK De Villiers, Steyn back Unconventional: Australia captain Steve Smith in S Africa Test squad

AFP AB and Dale bring loads of experi- Johannesburg ence to the side apart from being two of the South African all-time greats,? said selection convener Linda Zondi. AFP Records have tumbled for the crick- risk and making him even harder to set movements by him during his routine B de Villiers and Dale Steyn Faf du Plessis was named as captain, Sydney et-obsessive Smith, who broke into fi elds against. preparation before facing the bowler. were yesterday named in although he has been out of action re- the Test arena as a leg-spin bowling “You wouldn’t coach a young player Other maverick moments have a 14-man squad for South cently following a shoulder operation. all-rounder batting at number eight to hold a bat like he does with such a come to light during the Ashes series. Africa?s one-off day-night Although De Villiers is set to re- teve Smith has broken English in 2010. strong bottom hand or move around At a Perth drinks break while Smith TestA against Zimbabwe, starting in Port turn to Test action, he was withdrawn hearts and smashed records Since then Smith has reeled off the quite as much,” observed former Eng- was batting in his 399-ball epic, team Elizabeth on December 26. from the South African Invitation team with his phenomenal Ashes milestones to draw comparison with land captain Nasser Hussain. support staff brought a chair onto Batsman De Villiers has not played which starts a three-day match against batting and is being acclaimed the greatest batsman the game has “But when his bat comes down in the WACA Ground so Smith could sit Test cricket since January 2016 while the Zimbabweans in Paarl on Wednes- asS the best Australian batsman since ever seen. contact with the ball it is the full face down — not to rest, but redress. fast bowler Steyn suff ered a fractured day because of lower back stiff ness. the greatest of all, Don Bradman. He has amassed 22 Test centuries, and his hand-eye coordination is just As with tennis superstar Rafael shoulder in a Test against Australia in Zondi said the withdrawal was a pre- That is rarefi ed company for the 14 of them in 29 Tests as captain. phenomenal.” Nadal’s fastidious obsession with the November 2016 and only returned to caution and that De Villiers would be quirky 28-year-old skipper, who led Bradman made 14 hundreds in 24 Former Australia captain Mark Tay- precise placement of his water bottles competitive cricket last month. available for the Test. Australia to reclaiming the Ashes with Tests as skipper. lor added: “At the moment his bat by his courtside chair, Smith also has New ball bowler Vernon Philander is an imperious 239 — his highest Test Smith is only the fi fth Australian looks six-foot wide. a peculiarity where he is distracted by also back after missing a recent series South African Test squad: score — in Australia’s mammoth fi rst captain, one of them being Bradman, “Smith has got an insatiable appe- the sight of his shoelaces. against Bangladesh because of a back Faf du Plessis (captain), Hashim Amla, innings 662 for nine declared in the to have scored two Ashes double hun- tite for runs. You can see when he bats, As Smith sat on the chair, he had the injury. Temba Bavuma, Quinton de Kock third Perth Test victory on Monday. dreds. Rival skipper Root has tried he gets in that little bubble. laces re-taped to avoid seeing them. South Africa?s top four fast bowl- (wkt), Theunis de Bruyn, AB de Villiers, Ashes-winning skipper Smith has everything during the current series “He’s almost oblivious to every- “I have always had an issue with ers are reunited, with Morne Morkel Dean Elgar, Keshav Maharaj, Aiden almost single-handedly batted Joe to dislodge Smith, to get him out of his thing that’s going on around him, ex- looking at my shoelaces when I’m having recovered from an injury he Markram, Morne Morkel, Andile Pheh- Root’s team out of the series, accumu- “bubble”, but to little eff ect. cept the ball that is coming out of the batting,” Smith said of his habit earlier suff ered during the fi rst Test against lukwayo, Vernon Philander, Kagiso lating 426 runs in just four innings at Over the 15 days of the one-sided bowler’s hand.” this year. Bangladesh. Rabada, Dale Steyn. an average of 142, which allowed his series Smith has batted for more than Such is Smith’s attention to detail He said the sight of laces “would bowlers to do the rest. three full days. He has simply been the that he gets his fi ancee Dani Willis to sort of do my head in a bit”. Smith, whose idiosyncratic style diff erence. act as a bowling-machine operator in “So I ended up getting a physio to FOCUS — moving across his stumps as the Much has been said about Smith’s their backyard for extra batting prac- tape my shoelaces to my socks. I just bowler delivers — fl ies in the face of unconventional batting technique, in tice. like just seeing my shoes and every- cricket’s purists, has a career average some ways similar to Bradman, who “He sets everything up and I just thing to look sort of clean... just no of 62.32 from 59 Tests. would bring his bat down in a rotary load the balls,” she revealed. shoelaces.” Zimbabwe seek to That places him second only in Test movement. Smith is a notorious fi dgety charac- Another of Smith’s oddities is that history to Bradman, whose average of Smith is similarly unique and pos- ter while at the batting crease. he changes his batting gloves every 20 99.94 at the pinnacle was forged from sesses rapier-like refl exes. He rarely Host broadcaster Channel 9 count- to 30 minutes during an innings, and end underdog tag 1928-48. hits the ball in the air, cutting down ed 23 diff erent ticks, fidgets and has up to 15 pairs of gloves in his kit. AFP tween that are the biggest challenge for Paarl, South Africa us.” BOTTOMLINE The contest with South Africa will be Zimbabwe’s fi rst day-night Test and imbabwe cricket coach Heath captain Graeme Cremer admitted: “We Streak said yesterday he wanted haven’t played with a pink ball and we his players to play “winning haven’t played a lot under lights.” cricket” when they meet South Cremer said this week’s day-night ZAfrica in a one-off day-night Test next match at Boland Park was a crucial part England face postmortem week. of his team’s preparation for the Test. “We’d rather lose trying to play a win- “We’ve had two sessions under lights Reuters him score 766 runs in their 2010/11 has battled manfully through a diffi - “That’s for people above my pay ning brand of cricket than just compete,” to see how it (the pink ball) reacts,” said Perth triumph Down Under have proved for- cult campaign, but at the age of 35 the grade to make that decision.” said Streak of a Test South Africa are ex- Cremer. lorn. The veteran left-hander has in- long-serving Lancastrian may not be Bayliss has, however, off ered no pected to win comfortably. “At twilight, when it’s starting to get stead reprised his form from the away able or willing to lead England’s pace bright ideas on how to rejuvenate “The main thing is belief and shak- dark a little more seems to happen off ngland will have to make some series of 2013/14 when he stumbled attack far into the future. England or fi nd faster bowlers that can ing off that underdog mentality we had,” the wicket. tough decisions about the fu- through a 5-0 whitewash under the Australia has often proved to be a compete on Australian pitches where he said in Paarl, the western Cape town “This warm-up game will give us a tures of some of their most yoke of captaincy. tour too far for veteran England play- they have now lost eight straight where Zimbabwe begin a three-day good idea of what to expect and there decorated senior players after Despite being relieved of the lead- ers, as was shown by the 2013/14 matches. warm-up match against a South African will be lots of discussion before the Test.” theyE were ruthlessly exposed by Aus- ership burden this time around, Cook debacle which ended the careers of “I haven’t got the answers,” said the Invitation team today. Both Streak and Cremer are looking tralia in a 15-day Ashes capitulation. has ‘supported’ his successor Root Graeme Swann, Matt Prior and Kevin Australian. Zimbabwe have played just ten Tests forward to playing in the fi rst scheduled Joe Root’s team head to Melbourne with only 83 runs at an average of 13.83 Pietersen. “Over the last couple of years we’ve since they last met South Africa in four-day Test in more than four decades. 3-0 down in the fi ve-match series af- this series, comfortably the lowest of That whitewash also led to the de- certainly been on the lookout for a few Harare in August 2014, losing nine and “The so-called bigger teams will ter being subjected to an innings and England’s specialist batsmen. parture of director Andy Flower, but positions in the team and no one until drawing one. probably have to score a bit quicker and 41-run hiding in the third test at the Broad, meanwhile, has managed current coach Trevor Bayliss says he this tour has stood out.” “It’s well documented how little Test give the lesser teams more opportunities WACA, where opener Alastair Cook only fi ve wickets at an average of 61.80 is still the right man to lead the team. In Somerset seamer Craig Overton, cricket we play,” said Streak. “I think for to take wickets. The game will move a lot and paceman Stuart Broad failed to and suff ered the worst test fi gures of “You may not (think that), but I who bowled with vigour in Adelaide us it’s less about the type of cricket than quicker, I think,” said Cremer. deliver yet again. his career at the WACA, where he went think our performances have gone and Perth until suff ering a rib injury, about playing at international level. Streak said that with 98 overs a day English hopes that Cook could wicketless for 142 runs. pretty well over the last couple of England have at least unearthed an “Whether it’s playing Tests or one- instead of the usual 90, there would be channel the Herculean eff ort that saw His pace partner James Anderson years,” he told reporters at the WACA. encouraging prospect. day internationals, it’s the gaps in be- plenty of time to achieve results. Gulf Times Wednesday, December 20, 2017 3 FOOTBALL

LA LIGA Paulinho has silenced critics ahead of his fi rst Clasico Reuters occupy the same space on the with Guangzhou has been one of Madrid pitch as wingers Neymar and the revelations of the season. Dembele, he has forced his way “I’ve not come here to shut into the side. any mouths, but to work hard hen Paulinho signed Valverde has changed Barce- for the team, and that’s what I for Barcelona in Au- lona’s formation from 4-3-3 to am doing,” said Paulinho in No- gust from Chinese 4-4-2, with Paulinho’s presence vember. side Guangzhou giving the Catalans far greater Instead he has left them WEvergrande the deal was widely defensive security, meaning Ser- agape, forming an unlikely but viewed with derision, with both gio Busquets does not have to do profi table partnership with Li- fans and the media doubting the midfi eld’s dirty work alone, onel Messi which has been a big the Brazilian had the quality to and making them diffi cult to factor in Barcelona’s unbeaten thrive at Camp Nou. break down. start to the season. The months since have seen The Argentine has enjoyed his detractors eat humble pie. Paulinho has earned his playing off Paulinho when he Paulinho has earned his place place in the Barcelona side bursts forward from midfi eld in the Barcelona side and has and has become a crucial to unsettle defences, creating become a crucial part of man- part of manager Ernesto space for Barca’s legendary play- ager Ernesto Valverde’s system, Valverde’s system maker. meaning he is likely to line up “I think that Paulinho is against Real Madrid at the San- That does not mean the at- evolving and he is raising his lev- tiago Bernabeu in Saturday’s tacking threat has been badly di- el,” said Brazil coach Tite, who Clasico. minished though, with Paulinho will call on the midfi eld dyna- With Neymar leaving for Paris contributing six La Liga goals, mo next year at the World Cup, St. Germain, a gap in the side more than any player at Real barring injury. opened up and although Ous- Madrid, including vaunted for- If Paulinho can continue his mane Dembele was signed from wards Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim excellent form against Madrid Borussia Dortmund to fi ll it, the Benzema and Gareth Bale. and help Barcelona open up a 14 Frenchman’s hamstring injury Paulinho, 29, who failed to point lead over their arch-rivals, has kept him sidelined. make a mark at Tottenham Hot- he will be one step closer to ar- Although Paulinho, a rugged spur in the Premier League and riving in Russia with a La Liga box-to-box midfi elder, does not rejuvenated his career in China winners’ medal around his neck. Barcelona’s Paulinho celebrates with Aleix Vidal after scoring against Deportivo in their La Liga match on Sunday. (Reuters)

LEAGUE CUP SPOTLIGHT La Liga chases Asian cash with early Chelsea coach Conte Clasico kick-off

AFP added Gay de Liebana. Madrid According to a study car- ried out by consumer analyt- ics specialists Nielsen Sports, or the fi rst time, Span- last season’s corresponding sticks to youth policy ish football’s show- fi rst La Liga Clasico of the piece event, El Clasico season generated more than ‘I have to trust my players. Not only with words, but with facts, to show I trust my players between giants Real $42.5 million in media value MadridF and Barcelona, has for sponsors. and I want to give them a big opportunity in a big game to show me they deserve to play’ been scheduled for a lunch- “The kick-off of the next El time kick-off (1200GMT) on Clasico on December 23 is at 1300 Saturday as La Liga seeks to Madrid time, 2000 in Shanghai, capture Asia’s attention and 1900 in Jakarta and 1730 in New its cash. Delhi,” continued Evers. “We are keen to provide our “These are all locations fans in Asia the opportunity to where we know there are watch Real Madrid and Barce- many La Liga fans and where lona face off at a time that is we will be hosting events to convenient to them,” La Liga’s celebrate El Clasico. Chief Communications Of- “Additional events are be- fi cer Joris Evers told AFP. ing held in various locations With a potential television around Asia. Through this and audience of 650 million peo- other initiatives we want to ple, according to La Liga, El make existing fans even big- Clasico is the most watched ger La Liga supporters and, of club match around the world course, we want to attract new thanks to its unique mix- supporters as well.” ture of star protagonists and Such events are a sign of a fi erce rivalry fostered over La Liga’s awareness of how decades both on the fi eld and the Spanish top fl ight lags off it by the distinct cultural behind England’s cash rich diff erences between Catalonia Premier League in the battle and Madrid. for Asian based fans. The Pre- “It is the ideal shop win- mier League’s estimated $3.9 dow, the marquee match to billion income from domestic show to people Spanish foot- and international TV rights a ball,” Jose Maria Gay de Lie- season dwarfs La Liga’s $1.9 bana, professor of economics billion revenue. at Barcelona University and Moreover, whilst Asia is an expert in Spanish football the Premier League’s biggest fi nances, said to AFP. international market, it trails However, it is not just a behind the Americas and the boom in lucrative television rest of Europe in La Liga’s rights that La Liga and its two rights deals. biggest clubs are seeking with “We have changed kick-off an early start this weekend, but schedules so that they can be a showcase for all of their lu- seen at reasonable times here crative sponsorship contracts. in Asia and we will continue to Last year Barcelona signed take steps to ensure that this a club record shirt sponsor- part of the world can enjoy ship deal worth a minimum of La Liga as much as possible,” 220 million euros ($258 mil- La Liga president Javier Te- lion) over four years with Jap- bas said at the opening of the anese online retailer Rakuten. league’s new Singapore offi ce “They want to sell their earlier this year, just one of products to international a series of new La Liga bases markets, above all in Asia,” across the world.

FOCUS Chelsea’s Italian head coach Antonio Conte gestures during the English Premier League match against Southampton at Stamford Bridge in London on Saturday. (AFP)

AFP “I have to trust my players. defence and the Italian says the Bournemouth’s Daniels, King to miss London Not only with words, but with Denmark international is an ex- Atletico report Barca facts, to show I trust my players ample to Chelsea’s fringe play- Chelsea clash with injury and I want to give them a big op- ers. Bournemouth will be without the injured pair of Charlie Daniels and helsea head coach An- portunity in a big game to show “I hope to have this type of Joshua King when they face Premier League champions Chelsea in to FIFA over illegal tonio Conte says he will me they deserve to play.” problem,” Conte told journalists the League Cup quarter-final on Wednesday, manager Eddie Howe give his young players With wing-back Marcos at Chelsea’s Cobham training has said. Defender Daniels suff ered a groin injury and lasted less than another chance to shine Alonso suspended after accu- base southwest of London. an hour in the 4-0 defeat by Liverpool in the league on Sunday, while Griezmann approach inC today’s League Cup quarter- mulating fi ve yellow cards, Bra- “Before taking a decision for forward King came off after 31 minutes with a hamstring injury. fi nal at home to Bournemouth. zilian Kenedy is set to get a rare the starting XI, if a player plays Ahead of Bournemouth’s trip to Stamford Bridge, Howe said the injuries AFP tact made by Barcelona not Conte fi elded weakened teams fi rst-team start on the left fl ank. or not, the last part of the body were not serious. Madrid only breaks FIFA’s rules, but in the earlier rounds against Back-up striker Michy Batsh- that I look (at) is the head. “They will however keep them out of tomorrow’s game and we’ll have could also aff ect the integ- Nottingham Forest and Everton uayi and midfi elder Danny “You ask me: ‘Why don’t to wait to see if they will be available for Manchester City,” Howe told rity of La Liga. Barcelona lead and although the semi-fi nals are Drinkwater, who has recov- Chelsea play young players?’ I the club’s website (www.afcb.co.uk). tletico Madrid re- the league with Atletico their now in sight, he is not planning ered from illness, could both be put a young player (in) now. If Striker Callum Wilson, who has made eight appearances and scored ported Barcelona to closest challengers six points to change his approach. named in the starting XI. you deserve to play, you play. three goals in the league this season after easing back into action fol- football’s govern- behind in second. “Every competition is serious. Wales international Ethan “Don’t forget Christensen is lowing serious knee injuries, was given a pain-killing injection and has ing body FIFA over “He is a player under a I think our task is to try to win the Ampadu, 17, could start and fel- playing, only 21 years old. He’s illegalA contact made to star long contract and this can’t not trained with the squad. game, to try to reach the semi-fi - low teenagers Callum Hudson- showing he deserves to play. With a league trip to leaders Manchester City on Saturday and games forward Antoine Griezmann, happen. Moreover, the club nal,” Conte told yesterday’s pre- Odoi and Dujon Sterling are also I think this guy has fantastic against resurgent West Ham United and Everton towards the end of Atletico club sources con- considers that it could aff ect match press conference. in contention. prospects for the present, for the the year, Howe is likely to ring in the changes against Chelsea yester- fi rmed yesterday. the competition where Barca “At the same time it’s right David Luiz remains sidelined future.” day. “The complaint has been are currently top and Atletico in this competition to give the with a knee injury, but the form Conte would not be drawn on “We’re stretched due to injuries and I have to be careful, managing the presented for repeated con- second,” added the Atletico opportunity to the players not of Andreas Christensen means newspaper reports linking Luiz squad will be important,” Howe added. “There will be a certain number tact between Barcelona, source. playing regularly. the Brazil centre-back has not with a move away from Stamford of changes as I don’t want us to suff er any more injuries. the player and his team,” an Barca were slapped with a “For the players that are been missed. Bridge. “We will feel pressure in that we need a positive response after Sunday... Atletico source told AFP. one-year transfer ban for the struggling to fi nd the best form Christensen, 21, has usurped “I don’t read,” said the We need to make sure we leave Stamford Bridge with a positive mind- Griezmann renewed his illegal recruitment of for- after injuries; (Danny) Drinkwa- Luiz as Conte’s preferred pick Chelsea manager. set again.” contract until 2022 in June eign minors by FIFA that was ter, for example. in the centre of his three-man “I solve the problem.” and Atletico consider con- served in 2015. Gulf Times 4 Wednesday, December 20, 2017 FOOTBALL

SPOTLIGHT DECISION How has Guardiola Lanzini gets two-game ban transformed City? for Stoke dive Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola may lead the team to English Premier League title this season as they build a 11-point lead

West Ham United’s Manuel Lanzini (left) and Diafra Sakho celebrate their third goal against Stoke City on Friday. (Reuters)

AFP not made contact and the FA charged London Lanzini with the offi ce, which an in- dependent regulatory commission up- held at a hearing yesterday. est Ham United midfi elder Argentinian playmaker Lanzini will Manuel Lanzini has been miss West Ham’s League Cup quarter- banned for two games for fi nal at Arsenal on Tuesday and Sat- diving to win a penalty, urday’s Premier League encounter at WEngland’s Football Association an- home to Newcastle United. Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola looks on during the EPL match against Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday in Manchester. (Reuters) nounced yesterday. Stoke manager Mark Hughes was en- “Manuel Lanzini will serve a two- raged by Lanzini’s antics, but his West AFP ($46.8 million, 39.6 million euros) next season we will go all out.” mier League, decisive in the tackle and match suspension with immediate ef- Ham counterpart David Moyes said he London move to sign uncapped Brazilian goal- His fi rst season in England was a authoritative in possession. fect after his denial of a charge of ‘Suc- was “a bit surprised” the 24-year-old keeper Ederson from Benfi ca, but it gruelling experience as he fi nished a Nicolas Otamendi, long derided for cessful Deception of a Match Offi cial’ had been charged. has been a masterstroke. campaign without silverware for the his propensity for going to ground too was rejected,” the FA said in a state- Lanzini is the second player to have leven points clear atop the Pre- The 23-year-old is a sturdy pres- fi rst time in his managerial career. easily, has prospered alongside him, ment. been retrospectively charged with sim- mier League and on an unprec- ence between the posts and, perhaps One-sided mid-season defeats meaning Vincent Kompany’s ongoing West Ham were awarded a spot-kick, ulation after Everton’s Oumar Niasse, edented 16-game winning run, more importantly, his superb distri- against Leicester City (4-2) and Ever- injury problems have not unduly af- which Mark Noble scored to put them who was banned for two games last Manchester City have produced bution has enhanced City’s capacity to ton (4-0) exposed City’s shortcomings fected the team. Sterling, meanwhile, ahead, during Saturday’s 3-0 win at month. oneE of the most stupendous half-sea- play out from the back. and Guardiola was mocked for saying is belatedly fulfi lling his vast poten- Stoke City after Lanzini went to ground The Premier League introduced ret- sons in English football history. Making an ally of adversity: Af- he was “not a coach for the tackles”. tial, his new-found eff ectiveness in when challenged by Erik Pieters. rospective punishments for simulation At the same stage last season, City ter City shelled out close to £100 mil- A less storied coach might have front of goal making him City’s top Video replays showed Pieters had at the start of the season. were seven points below eventual lion to sign Kyle Walker and Benjamin gone back to the drawing board, but scorer with 15 goals. champions Chelsea in third place and Mendy, Guardiola began testing out Guardiola responded by going further Instilling belief: City’s football fi nished the campaign 15 points off the systems in which the width in his team in the same direction, convinced City over the season’s fi rst three months Moyes says he can manage any club in the world pace. was provided by the full-backs. could succeed playing his kind of foot- was jaw-dropping and when they AFP Sport looks at what manager But when Mendy ruptured his an- ball. His conviction has paid off lost momentum, the players’ belief in West Ham United manager David in three games going into Saturday’s Pep Guardiola has done to turn City terior cruciate ligament in a 5-0 win spectacularly. Guardiola’s methods allowed them to Moyes believes he is good enough to league clash with Newcastle United at from also-rans into world-beaters. over Crystal Palace in late September, City’s dazzling possession-based continue grinding out results. manage any team in the world and home. he had to change tack. approach, orchestrated by the brilliant Between late November and early is keen to prove his capability at the “I think I’m capable of doing the job at Finding the right goalkeeper: Guardiola recalibrated his team by David Silva and the peerless Kevin De December they eked out four 2-1 wins Premier League club this season. any club in the world so I’m sure I can The boldest move Guardiola made in deploying Raheem Sterling and Leroy Bruyne, has yielded some huge wins in succession, with three of those The Scot, who spent 11 years in charge do it at West Ham,” Moyes said. his maiden season at the Etihad Sta- Sane wide on each fl ank and the pair and a staggering 56 league goals. secured by goals scored in the 83rd of Everton before unsuccessful spells West Ham, who were in the relegation dium – axing long-serving goalkeeper have responded with some scintil- Improving key players: John minute or later. at Manchester United, Real Sociedad zone when Moyes took over, have Joe Hart – proved his least successful. lating performances. Mendy’s mis- Stones endured a diffi cult fi rst season “The most important thing within and Sunderland, was named West Ham climbed to 15th in the table with 17 Hart’s replacement, Chile interna- fortune has also opened the door to at City, but Guardiola stood by the el- this team is probably the belief in the boss in November after the club sacked points after four wins, five draws and tional Claudio Bravo, proved ill-suited Fabian Delph, who has excelled in an egant centre-back, defending his right dressing room,” Sterling told the BBC Slaven Bilic. nine draws while Newcastle are 18th. to the unforgiving cut and thrust of unfamiliar left-back role. to take risks in possession and praising recently. Moyes has set about repairing his repu- “I have to come here and show I can the English game and his error-strewn Having faith in his methods: In his courage on the ball. “The manager sets a plan for each tation while also helping the London do it. You have to come and show what displays cost City multiple points. a prophetic remark from the end of Guardiola’s faith has been rewarded game. He gives us the blueprint. Then side regroup after a poor start to the you can do. Your reputation doesn’t Guardiola took a punt in the close last season, Guardiola said: “The team this term as Stones has blossomed into you can see everyone else buying into season. The Hammers are unbeaten stand for anything,” he added. season, authorising a £35 million understands the ideas clearer now and one of the fi nest defenders in the Pre- it. Everyone is on board.”

EPL Sigurdsson beauty adds to Swansea woes AFP “From there it was nice and com- Lukasz Fabianski did superbly to Liverpool fortable. It is a great three points con- save Rooney’s spot-kick but Calvert- sidering how poorly we played in the Lewin followed up to rifl e the ball fi rst half.” home. ylfi Sigurdsson’s stunning Swansea, who lost their sixth suc- Rooney, though, said he is not go- goal against his former club cessive away match and have only one ing to surrender penalty duties even maintained Everton’s un- win in their last 10 games, are four though he has the second worst miss beaten record under Sam Al- points adrift of safety. record in Premier League history - 10 Glardyce with a 3-1 win on Monday that “The mood in the dressing room from 33 with England and Newcastle left Swansea rooted to the foot of the is very fl at,” Swansea manager Paul great Alan Shearer missing 11 of 67. Premier League. Clement told the BBC. “I’m a confi dent person and believe The 28-year-old Icelandic inter- “We’re bottom of the table on 12 in myself,” Rooney told Sky Sports. national left Swansea for a record points. We’ve got to focus on getting “If you look at the pens I have £45 million ($60 million) in the close to 15 points at the halfway mark.” missed you will see I put a bit of top season and his 30-yard eff ort in the spin on the ball so someone could fol- second half illustrated why Everton ‘I’m not giving them up’ low up! I’m not giving them up.” wanted him so badly. The visitors suff ered a huge blow There was not a lot to choose be- Dominic Calvert-Lewin, with his when Ivory Coast striker Wilfried tween the sides for the fi rst 20 min- seventh goal in all competitions, had Bony pulled up injured with what utes of the second period until Sig- brought Everton level after Leroy Fer Clement believes is a hamstring urdsson came up with his moment of had given the visitors the lead with his problem and had to go off in the fifth magic. fi rst goal in 38 matches. minute. He came in from the left wing af- Wayne Rooney wrapped up the It was the visitors, though, who ter receiving the ball from Rooney points with a penalty – he had an ear- broke the deadlock. and unleashed an unstoppable right- lier one saved before Calvert-Lewin Jordan Pickford could do nothing footed curling eff ort into the far top knocked in the rebound – for his 10th about Fer’s close range half-volley af- corner. goal of the season. ter the Dutchman had escaped Ashley Swansea’s luck was well and truly Victory sees Everton rise to ninth Williams’s attention, nipping around out when Jonjoe Kenny went down in – a heady spot given they were in the the back of the defender to give the the area under a challenge by Martin relegation places on October 23 – and visitors the lead with only their 10th Olsson 18 minutes from time and ref- unbeaten in fi ve matches under Al- goal of the campaign. eree Jon Moss pointed to the spot de- lardyce. However, the sides went in at half- spite the contact being outside the box. “In games you need something spe- time all square as in time added on Rooney this time made no mistake, cial and Gylfi provided that,” Allardyce Roque Mesa felled Aaron Lennon to though Fabianski got a hand to his Everton’s Icelandic midfielder Gylfi Sigurdsson (centre) celebrates scoring the second goal, with teammates during the EPL match told Sky Sports. concede a penalty. powerfully-hit spot-kick. against Swansea City at Goodison Park in Liverpool on Friday. (AFP) Gulf Times Wednesday, December 20, 2017 5 SPORT

NHL Couture’s absence noticeable in Sharks’ loss to Oilers By Paul Gackle by Leon Draisaitl, who centred use other guys.” That’s probably the biggest The Mercury News the team’s third line. Draisaitl Maroon also brought some thing.” set up Mark Letestu with a one- playfulness to the game, tugging Team Teal did manage to put timer in the left circle just af- on Brent Burns’ scraggly beard as three goals on the board, the ife without Logan Cou- ter a Sharks penalty expired at they fell to the ice in a scrum near sixth consecutive game in which ture proved to be as chal- 14:42 of the fi rst. With 1:09 left the net. they’ve scored three or more. lenging as expected on in the period, Draisaitl gave Ryan “It wasn’t really a tug, he was Pavelski opened the scoring Monday night. Strome a look into a gaping net, just kind of petting it,” Burns on the power play at 6:15 of the LWith Couture sidelined by a sliding over a cross-ice pass in said. “It’s a nice beard.” fi rst, marking the sixth consecu- concussion, the San Jose Sharks front of the crease after he re- The Sharks’ second-ranked tive game in which the Sharks’ (17-11-4) struggled to generate ceived a feed from Jujhar Khaira defense is starting to show some resurgent power play has found off ense for large chunks of their at the side of the net. cracks, surrendering four or the net. Burns got the play start- game against the Edmonton Oil- The Oilers’ second line added more goals for the sixth time in ed by fi nding Kevin Labanc, who ers (15-17-2), producing just 21 to the lead at 6:36 of the middle eight games, producing a 3.63 earned the primary assist, with a shots on goal. frame. Drake Caggiula scored goals-against average over that cross-ice pass, his 14th point in They also missed their top scor- his fourth, poking in a Ryan Nu- span. The game also represented 14 games. er’s presence on the defensive side gent-Hopkins pass from the side the sixth consecutive game in Tomas Hertl scored the of the puck as the Oilers closed the boards after he burned past Pav- which goalie Martin Jones has Sharks’ second goal, his eighth, gap in the Pacifi c Division to six elski streaking to the net. surrendered four or more goals. in the second, and Marcus So- points with a 5-3 win. The Nugent-Hopkins line also “We’ve just got to stay a little rensen scored his second goal in “He’s tough to replace, no scored an insurance goal with tighter in the dzone,” defense- as many games in the third. doubt about it,” captain Joe Pav- 11:37 left in the third, making it man Justin Braun said. “We’re Labanc recorded two assists in elski said. “He takes a line and 4-2 when Pat Maroon blasted a getting a little loose, leaving the loss. The Sharks reassigned drives it when he’s out there. slapshot into the top-right cor- maybe a little early.” defenseman Joakim Ryan to the Special teams, all that stuff that ner from the left circle on the DeBoer said the Sharks’ de- AHL Barracuda Monday, open- he does, it’s tough to replace.” rush. fensive woes are a product of his ing up a roster spot to activate Despite the absence of their “The diff erence in the game team’s recent tendency to fall Mikkel Boedker from the injured top-defensive forward, the was the depth,” head coach Pete behind early. The Sharks have reserve. Boedker had missed Sharks managed to keep the DeBoer said, noting that the found themselves trailing in the seven games with a lower-body NHL’s reigning scoring cham- Sharks lineup was “thin” with- fi rst period of six of their last injury. pion, Connor McDavid, off the out Couture. seven games. scoreboard. Instead, they got “Others guys have got to get “You’re getting behind in RESULTS beat by the Oilers’ second and up. They didn’t get the job done games and you open it up,” the Kings 4 Flyers 1 third lines. ... the fourth line got pinned in Sharks coach said. “It obviously Bruins 7 Blue Jackets 2 The Oilers went into the fi rst their zone for extended periods creates some more off ense, but Devils 5 Ducks 3 intermission with a 2-1 lead to the point that we couldn’t re- you obviously give up some Oilers 5 Sharks 3 The Edmonton Oilers celebrate a third period goal by forward Patrick Maroon (left) against the San Jose thanks to a pair of nifty passes ally play them. Then, you over- more, too. Avalanche 4 Penguins 2 Sharks at Rogers Place. PICTURE: USA TODAY Sports

NBA SPOTLIGHT Lakers retire Kobe’s two jersey numbers at Celtics edge Indiana half-time ceremony

AFP champion. Los Angeles Bryant, 39, said fans in- spired him to put in the work every day that became his ive-time NBA cham- trademark over two decades Pacers on Rozier’s pion Kobe Bryant was with the Lakers, an unprec- hailed as the “greatest” edented feat. Los Angeles Laker of “Those times are the allF on Monday by fellow legend dream,” Bryant said. “It’s not Magic Johnson in a ceremony the destination. It’s the jour- to retire Bryant’s jersey num- ney. If you accomplish that, bers. your dreams won’t come true The tribute came at half- – something greater will.” steal and layup time of the Lakers’ Staples With a nod to his “Black Center matchup against the Mamba” nickname, Bry- ‘It’s a tough, tough loss. We gave ourselves a chance to win and we competed with the best defending NBA champion ant closed his remarks with, Golden State Warriors, with “Mamba out.” team in the Eastern Conference. We can be that good. We just have to keep on getting better’ Bryant’s Numbers 8 and 24 With his family on hand to joining other inspirational watch, Bryant was honoured AFP Laker icons from the team’s with the mention of such ca- Los Angeles 70-year history. reer highlights as his career- “We’re here to celebrate the high 81-point game in a 2006 greatest to ever wear the pur- victory over Toronto, the sec- erry Rozier’s steal and ple and gold. He made us rub ond-highest point total in any layup with 1.2 seconds our eyes and wonder what did game in NBA history. remaining Monday gave we just see,” said Johnson, now Also acknowledged was his Boston a 112-111 NBA Lakers president of basketball fi nal game, when he became Tvictory over the Indiana Pacers operations. the oldest player in NBA his- after the Celtics squandered a “There will never, ever be tory to score 60 points, hitting 19-point lead. another Kobe Bryant.” the mark on the number in his Kyrie Irving led the Celtics Bryant played 10 seasons in farewell victory over Utah. with 30 points while Al Hor- each retired number, winning “There will never be an ath- ford scored 14 points, grabbed three titles in the single-digit lete in his last performance to 10 rebounds and passed off nine uniform top and two in the top this man’s performance -- assists. Jayson Tatum contrib- higher number jersey. 60 points. Man,” Johnson said. uted 16 points and Marcus Smart “Thank you so much for to- The most emotional mo- added 15 and the Celtics made night,” Bryant told the crowd, ment came when Lakers own- their fi rst 10 shots and improved which chanted his name while er Jeanie Buss, who has helped the best record in the Eastern giving him a standing ovation. keep the Lakers heritage to- Conference to 26-7. “It’s not about my jerseys gether, paid tribute to Bryant. “That was one hell of a of that are hanging up there for “What we’re celebrating is a game to be a part of,” Irving me. It’s about the jerseys that the journey you took us on for said. were hanging up there before.” those 20 years,” Buss said. Victor Oladipo led the Pacers Many of the team’s past “If you separate the accom- (17-14) with 38 points, 30 in the legends were on hand to wel- plishments of each of those second half. His 3-pointer and come Bryant, who retired af- jerseys, both of those players layup on back-to-back posses- ter the 2015-16 campaign as would be in the Hall of Fame. sions gave Indiana a fi ve-point an 18-time All-Star, a 2008 “We asked for your hus- edge with 31 seconds to play. NBA Most Valuable Player and tle and you gave us your heart An Irving three-pointer two-time NBA Finals MVP, which was so much more. You pulled Boston within 110-109 two-time NBA scoring cham- have forever made your mark with nine seconds remaining. pion and two-time Olympic on this franchise.” Rozier followed by intercepting a Bojan Bogdanovic pass intended for Oladipo and raced the oppo- site way for the winning layup. “It’s a tough, tough loss,” Oladipo said. “We gave ourselves a chance to win and we competed with the best team in the Eastern Con- ference. We can be that good. We just have to keep on getting better.” Oklahoma City’s Russell Boston Celtics guard Terry Rozier (No 12) steals the ball and dunks it with under two seconds to go in the fourth quarter against Indiana Pacers Westbrook scored a season-high forward Bojan Bogdanovic (No 44) at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. PICTURE: USA TODAY Sports 38 points on 16-of-28 shoot- ing from the fl oor and sank the On the night when the Los who scored 37 points, hit two points. At Charlotte, reserve Frank winning free throw after being Angeles Lakers retired Kobe Bry- free throws with 2.5 seconds Kent Bazemore’s two late bas- Kaminsky scored 24 points and fouled later in the host Thun- ant’s two jersey numbers, the de- left and Damian Lillard missed kets among his 16 points halted the host Hornets snapped a der’s 95-94 victory over Denver. fending champion Golden State a 3-point shot at the buzzer as a Miami rally as the host Atlanta three-game losing streak with a The league-leading Houston Warriors stole the show with a the host Timberwolves held off Hawks beat the Heat 110-104. 109-91 victory over New York. Rockets stretched their win streak 116-114 over-time triumph. Portland 108-107. Taurean Prince matched a career to 14 games with a 120-99 rout Kevin Durant scored 36 Lillard had 17 points, 13 assists high with 24 points and Den- RESULTS of visiting Utah as Eric Gordon points, grabbed 11 rebounds and and eight rebounds while Jusuf nis Schroder added 21 for the Boston 112 Indiana 111 scored 33 points, making a ca- passed out eight assists. He net- Nurkic and C.J. McCollum each Hawks. Josh Richardson had 26 Charlotte 109 New York 91 reer-high seven 3-pointers, and ted 12 of Golden State’s 14 points scored 20 for the Trail Blazers. points for Miami. Atlanta 110 Miami 104 James Harden added 26 points, in over-time to spark the victory, Nikola Mirotic and Kris Dunn LaMarcus Aldridge scored 19 Minnesota 108 Portland 107 six rebounds and six assists with including the deciding jumper each scored 22 points and Justin points and Tony Parker added 16 Houston 120 Utah 99 Chris Paul contributing 18 points, with 6.4 seconds to go. Holiday added 20 to power the as the San Antonio Spurs cruised Chicago 117 Philadelphia 115 nine rebounds and 10 assists. Lonzo Ball, who scored seven host Chicago Bulls to their sixth past the visiting Los Angeles Oklahoma City 95 Denver 94 Clint Capela returned from of his 16 points in the extra fi ve consecutive victory, a 117-115 Clippers 109-91 while T.J. War- San Antonio 109 Los Angeles injury and had 24 points and 20 minutes, had a potential tying triumph over Philadelphia. ren scored 19 points and Isaiah Clippers 91 rebounds for the Rockets (25- layup blocked by David West to Dario Saric led the 76ers with Canaan added 17 to power the Phoenix 97 Dallas 91 Kobe Bryant poses with his family at half-time after both his Los 4) while Rodney Hood led Utah snuff the Lakers’ last chance. 27 points while Australian rook- Phoenix Suns over host Dallas Golden State 116 Los Angeles Angeles Lakers jerseys (No 8) and (No 24) are retired at Staples with 26 points. Minnesota’s Jimmy Butler, ie star Ben Simmons added 19 97-91. Lakers 114 OT Center in Los Angeles, California. (Getty Images/AFP) Gulf Times 6 Wednesday, December 20, 2017 SPORT

NFL SPOTLIGHT Diddy wants Falcons dump to be fi rst black team owner Bucs to stay in Donald Trump has seized on the issue, AFP New York demanding that owners punish ath- letes who do not stand for the anthem. Amid Trump’s attacks on the ath- ith racial tensions cast- letes, Curry, a history-making shooter ing a pall over American for the Golden State Warriors, said football, rap mogul Diddy he would not want to visit the White wants to buy the Carolina House with his NBA championship- NFC South chase WPanthers and become the fi rst African winning team. American owner of an NFL team. While more than two-thirds of play- Falcons would win division title if they beat Saints and Panthers this month The New York rapper, estimated by ers in the National Football League are Forbes magazine to be worth $820mn, black, only one team has an owner who The Sports Xchange voiced his interest as Panthers owner is an ethnic minority — the Jacksonville New York and founder Jerry Richardson stepped Jaguars, who are owned by Pakistani- down in the wake of sexual harassment born tycoon Shahid Khan. allegations. Only one team in all of professional he Atlanta Falcons pulled “I would like to buy the @Panthers. sports has a black owner — the NBA’s within a game of the NFC Spread the word,” tweeted Diddy, who Charlotte Hornets, whose controlling South lead thanks to a 24-21 is also known as Puff Daddy and whose interest is held by basketball legend victory against the injury- real name is Sean Combs. Michael Jordan. Tplagued Tampa Bay Buccaneers on “There are no majority African Still, Diddy would face forbidding Monday night at Raymond James Sta- American NFL owners. Let’s make his- odds to buy the Panthers. The move dium. tory,” he wrote. would need approval from other NFL Tampa Bay kicker Patrick Murray After Diddy’s initial tweets late Sun- owners, some of whom might be loath was wide right on a 54-yard fi eld-goal day, two African American sporting to a deal that gives a role to Kaepernick. attempt as time expired. stars said they wanted to join his bid — The hard-living Diddy has also had The defending NFC champion Fal- Colin Kaepernick and Steph Curry. his own share of controversy, including cons (9-5) would win the division title Kaepernick, a former quarterback his arrest on weapons charges after a if they defeat the New Orleans Saints for the San Francisco 49ers, began a 1999 shooting at a New York club, al- (10-4) on Sunday and the Carolina movement of players kneeling rather though he was acquitted. Panthers (10-4) on Dec. 31. than holding their hearts during the Diddy, 48, was ranked the world’s The Bucs (4-10), who entered the national anthem as a protest against top-paid celebrity on the last Forbes game without three injured defensive police brutality and other racial injus- list in June, raking in $130 mn in the starters, had six more players ruled out tices in the United States. previous year. after getting hurt on Monday night. Kaepernick no longer has a job — Outside of music, his business em- Falcons running back Devonta Free- retaliation, his supporters say, for his pire includes fashion lines and a stake man (22 carries, 126 yards) provided a outspoken politics — and President in French-made Ciroc vodka. 24-14 margin with a 32-yard touch- down run on third-and-2 with 7:58 remaining. The Bucs answered on Ja- meis Winston’s 16-yard pass to Adam Humphries with 4:07 to play. From there, Tampa Bay eventu- ally regained possession when Bucs defensive tackle Clinton McDonald dumped quarterback Matt Ryan for a 3-yard sack on third-and-9 just past the two-minute warning. Winston completed three passes on Tampa Bay’s final drive, driving the Bucs from their 29-yard line to Atlanta’s 36, setting up Murray’s unsuccessful attempt to force over- time. Winston completed 27 of 35 passes for 299 yards and three touchdowns in his most effi cient eff ort of the season. Ryan was 17 of 31 for 212 yards and one score. In the third quarter, the Bucs pulled within 17-14 on Winston’s 42-yard pass to Mike Evans, who outfought two defenders in the end zone. Tampa Bay preserved that three-point defi - cit when Will Gholston blocked Matt Bryant’s 33-yard fi eld-goal attempt. In this February 1, 2004, picture, Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs performs during the AOL The Falcons led 17-7 at halftime, halftime show of Super Bowl XXXVIII, which was played between New England pulling away with a 10-point second Patriots and Carolina Panthers, at Reliant Stadium in Houston, Texas. (TNS) quarter. Atlanta gained its advantage when Freeman lost a fumble at the 1-yard UPDATE line, but tight end Levine Toilolo re- covered in the end zone for a touch- down. Tampa Bay Buccaneers free safety Chris Conte (right) forces the fumble of Atlanta Falcons running back Devonta Freeman The Bucs tried to answer back, but during the second half of the NFL game at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida, on Monday. (USA TODAY Sports) Long-time woman exec Peyton Barber lost a fumble at Atlan- ta’s 5-yard line and Falcons defensive fi eld goal by Bryant with 3:12 remain- an’s 6-yard pass to Justin Hardy. 30-yard scoring pass to rookie tight tackle Dontari Poe recovered. ing in the half for a 17-7 lead. On the ensuing drive, Tampa Bay end O.J. Howard, who sustained a takes over Panthers as The Falcons tacked on a 57-yard Atlanta opened the scoring with Ry- pulled into a 7-7 tie with Winston’s game-ending ankle injury on the play. Richardson exits GOLF AFP Becker has handled business opera- Washington tions, entertainment, stadium opera- tions, ticketing and sponsorship for the Panthers and has the support of former ong-time Carolina Panthers Bank of America chief executive and executive Tina Becker was chairman Hugh McColl, who with Ri- Thomas tips Woods to have named chief operating offi cer of chardson led the eff ort that lured an the NFL club on Monday, hours NFL expansion team to Charlotte. Lafter scandal-hit owner Jerry Richard- “Tina is the right person to lead this son announced the team is for sale. organization,” McColl said. “I know she Becker takes full control of the day- is committed to the Panthers, to the strong 2018 Augusta Masters to-day management of the organiza- city of Charlotte and to ensuring this tion, becoming one of the NFL’s most organisation is run in a professional Reuters hamas two weeks ago. powerful women, even as Richardson and progressive manner.” Cary, North Carolina “It’s hard to not hype it up or talk fades from the scene after Sports Illus- Panthers coach Ron Rivera was hired about this or that but in reality we trated reported details of sexual mis- by Richardson in January 2011. need to see what happens because no conduct allegations by Richardson and “He has truly helped me and given ustin Thomas reckons a healthy one knows. at least one instance of a racial insult to me every opportunity,” Rivera said. “He Tiger Woods will have a good “He was just so happy (at the World an African-American scout. was the fi rst owner in my nine inter- chance of challenging at April’s Challenge), which was cool to see. I’ve “These have been some of the most views to give me that chance. That’s all Masters, while at the same time spent some time with him the last diffi cult days of my 19 years with the I can speak of. reservingJ judgment over the 14-times couple of years and I’ve never seen Panthers. But I am lifted up by the “I know the allegations are serious. I major champion’s comeback. him so happy... having so much fun strong resolve and the commitment know the league is doing an investiga- Pointing out that several veterans and grinding it out and playing well.” our employees have shown to this or- tion, and everybody should be heard have superb records at Augusta Na- World number three Thomas is ganization,” Becker said in a statement. and respected. At the end of the day, tional, Thomas said on Monday that coming off a brilliant year highlighted “Our team on the fi eld is perform- who am I to judge? We need to have all Woods could follow the example set by by his major breakthrough victory at ing at a very high level, and I believe is the answers before we can do any of the likes of Bernhard Langer and Fred the PGA Championship in August. bound for the Super Bowl. that. Couples. He won four other events in 2017 “My immediate focus will be to en- “I just think that as we go forward as “If he’s healthy, there’s no reason he and has set new goals for 2018, though sure the corporate side of the organisa- a football team, I think it’s important wouldn’t (play well),” Thomas said in a he is not sharing them publicly. tion performs at the same high level, to remember that we’re still here obvi- teleconference call. Thomas has enjoyed some time off while addressing the real concerns that ously to play football.” “There’s a reason Freddie played so recently recharging his batteries for have been raised in recent days.” At 10-4, the Panthers share the NFC well there for so long (and) Langer... the new season, which he will kick off The Panthers announced on Friday South division lead with New Orleans, because it’s such an advantage know- in two weeks’ time by defending his ti- they were investigating Richardson’s although the Saints own a tie-breaker ing the course and the more you play, tle at the season opening Tournament conduct and the Sports Illustrated re- edge from sweeping their two games the world of diff erence it makes.” of Champions at Kapalua in Hawaii. port said at least four former Panthers this season. Woods, who turns 42 on Dec 30, has The 24-year-old said he had done employees have received “signifi cant” “We’ve been weathering the storm won the Masters four times, most re- little during his break and outlined monetary settlements due to inappro- and not letting the media aff ect and cently in 2005. Langer, meanwhile, was in conten- and while few expect him to recapture a typical day that consists of loung- priate workplace comments and con- alter our focus,” Panthers quarterback Couples, the 1992 champion, now tion at the age of 57 going into the fi nal his previous greatness, the jury is still ing on the couch at his south Florida duct by Richardson, including sexually Cam Newton said. “I’m just happy that aged 58, has continued to perform well round in 2014, before fi nishing equal out. home, punctuated by trips to the gym suggestive language and behaviour. we’re winning.” at Augusta into his 50s, fi nishing in the eighth. “If he plays healthy, I think he’ll and a dip in the swimming pool. Richardson, according to the report, Carolina, which has won six of its top 20 on six of his past seven appear- Woods is attempting a comeback have a great year,” said Thomas, who “When you do win, it takes so much would make remarks about women’s past seven games, is at home against ances. after multiple back surgeries. He has played with Woods in the fi nal round out of you,” he said. “It was such a cra- rears on “Jeans Fridays” on his way to Tampa Bay before visiting Atlanta to Germany’s twice Masters champion hardly played over the past two years of the Hero World Challenge in the Ba- zy end of the year. It caught up to me.” his offi ce. conclude the regular season. Gulf Times Wednesday, December 20, 2017 7 SPORT

Women cricketers celebrate Qatar National Day SPOTLIGHT Al Shaqab’s refreshed mission statement reaffi rms commitment to preserving Qatar’s equine heritage

By Sports Reporter Since 2004, Al Shaqab has operated Doha under the umbrella of Qatar Founda- tion, and through its ongoing activities and the hosting of high profi le compe- l Shaqab, one of the most re- titions, aligns itself with the Qatar Na- nowned equestrian centres tional Vision 2030 to promote Qatar as in the world, has celebrated a premier sporting destination. remarkable achievements The new mission has also resulted in overA the past quarter of a century. the unveiling of a new Al Shaqab logo, These achievements are a result of Al which was redesigned with the aim of Shaqab’s steadfast commitment to its refl ecting Qatar’s national symbol – vision of striving to be a leading equine the newly adopted colour of maroon centre of excellence. ties in with the country’s national pride Coinciding with its 25th year an- while the distinct points depicted in niversary, Al Shaqab recently revis- the rebranding pay homage to the ser- ited and refreshed its mission state- rated edges on the Qatar national fl ag. ment and brand identity to reaffi rm Furthermore, the rebranding of the its commitment to preserving Qatar’s logo represents Al Shaqab’s global po- Qatar Rugby, Hockey and Cricket Federation president Yousef Jeham al-Kuwari, Qatar women cricketers and other off icials celebrate Qatar National Day. Here rich equine heritage. The new mission sition as an equestrian centre at the they are seen posing with the Qatar national flag on the occasion. statement embodies Al Shaqab’s vision forefront of equine excellence where as a world-class equestrian facility, old traditions merge with a modern ap- namely: to set the highest standard of proach to pave the way for a new path equine welfare, breeding, equine edu- that works to fulfi l and sustain its vi- ATHLETICS cation and research; promote the Ara- sion for the future. bian horse and its revered legacy across Al Shaqab is synonymous with the globe; developing, integrating and breeding champion Arabian horses, optimising utilisation of its assets and and the redesigned logo serves to hon- human capital towards making it a self- our many of its revered thoroughbreds, sustainable entity and engaging the particularly Marwan Al Shaqab – the community. pride of Al Shaqab’s national breeding Al Shaqab has set out to fulfi l the hu- program – who is the prominent horse man capital pillar of its mission state- featured in the foreground of the logo. Shocked Gatlin ment by attracting local and interna- Al Shaqab’s continued success is tional talents, inspiring young riders, testament to the key role it plays in Qa- trainers and equine enthusiasts of the tar, connecting history, culture, sport, future. The experts from all corners business, and the community. The re- of the globe that Al Shaqab employs, vamped Al Shaqab mission statement along with local talents, are given an ensures the renowned equestrian centre opportunity to further develop and is able to build on its achievements over enhance their expertise at the world- the past 25 years, and continue to nur- sacks coach aft er class facilities and, in turn, carry on the ture equestrian sport while upholding doping claim legacy of equine appreciation in Qatar. Qatar’s equine heritage and tradition. ‘All legal options are on the table as I will not allow others to lie about me’

Reuters London

orld 100 metres champi- on Justin Gatlin said yes- terday he was “shocked and surprised” at doping Wallegations made against his coach Dennis Mitchell, like Gatlin a con- victed doper, but added that he had sacked him as soon as he heard about the issue. Britain’s Daily Telegraph set up a sting where they claim Mitchell, the American former medal-winning sprinter who was previously banned for doping, and sports agent Robert Wagner had off ered to supply per- formance-enhancing drugs to under- cover reporters claiming to be making a movie featuring a doped athlete. Gatlin, 35, who won the world title in London this year against a backdrop of jeering relating to his two doping bans, issued a statement via Instagram TENNIS where he said: “I am not using and have not used PEDs (performance- enhancing drugs). “I was shocked and surprised to Former Wimbledon learn that my coach would have any- thing to do with even the appearance of these current accusations. I fi red champion Bartoli him as soon as I found out about this. “All legal options are on the table as I will not allow others to lie about me announces comeback like this.” The Athletics Integrity Unit and AFP the US Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) Paris have both said they are investigating the claims. USADA said in a statement: “In- ormer Wimbledon champion vestigations stemming from tips and Marion Bartoli announced whistleblowers play a critical role in her professional tennis come- anti-doping eff orts. We are presently back in a video posted to her co-ordinating with the Athletics In- InstagramF account yesterday. tegrity Unit in order to investigate The 33-year-old announced her re- these claims fully.” tirement immediately after winning The International Olympic Com- the 2013 Wimbledon title, fulfi lling a mittee said yesterday: “The IOC has lifelong ambition. full confi dence that WADA will look “It’s going to be a huge challenge, I very carefully into this matter.” still have a lot of practice ahead of me,” The Telegraph quoted International she said. Association of Athletics Federations “I’m really looking forward to being president Seb Coe as saying: “These on the court again... Especially in Paris allegations are extremely serious and at Roland Garros in my home country, I know the independent Athletics In- American sprinter but also for the Fed Cup and Wimble- tegrity Unit will investigate in accord- Justin Gatlin don.” ance with its mandate.” The Frenchwoman added that she In a statement to the Telegraph, the sport throughout his career, which was aiming to return at the Miami Mitchell, who confessed on oath to brought him Olympic 100m gold in Dennis Mitchell. Open hardcourt tournament in March. using banned substances during his 2004 and a host of other global med- She has won eight WTA Tour titles career, said: “I never suggested in any als. He served two doping bans for and reached a career-high ranking of way that any of my current athletes off ences he has always denied and af- seventh in 2012, before carving out a But a month later, she said she was used any banned substances or that I ter his second comeback, was widely successful career as a television pundit “on the road to recovery”, after strug- was familiar with training any of my painted by the media as the bad guy after retiring. gling with an illness that medical ex- current athletes with those substanc- going up against the sport’s darling, In 2016, Bartoli suff ered from a mys- perts said was so rare they had no name es.” Usain Bolt. tery virus that saw her lose 20kg of for. Wagner also denied being involved In August, in Bolt’s fi nal individual weight. Bartoli was the last French player to in doping but said he “played along” championship race, Gatlin took the Bartoli said she feared for her health win a Grand Slam singles tournament in the sting because he knew what was 100m gold at the World Champion- after pulling out of an exhibition event four years ago, and is the only one to going on. ships in London, with the Jamaican at the All England Club ahead of Wim- have lifted a major title since Amelie Gatlin has been a divisive fi gure in fi nishing third. bledon that year. Mauresmo won Wimbledon in 2006.

Wednesday, December 20, 2017 GULF TIMES SPORT

CRICKET Faisal’s 99 helps Qatar Stars win National Day Cup 3-0 Man of the match Faisal Khan was the star of the evening helping Qatar Stars overcome stiff target of 205

By Sports Reporter Doha

elligerent knocks by opener Faisal Khan and number three batsman Inam-ul-Haq helped Qatar Stars complete a three- nilB sweep over Asian Stars in the Qatar National Day Celebration Cup series at the Asian Town Stadium on Monday night. Having won the fi rst two matches and already claimed the Cup, it re- mained to be seen if Asian Stars could salvage a bit of their pride with at least one victory to their credit. But although they put up a splendid fi ght, it was Qatar Stars who managed to clinch a thrilling win with just one ball to spare in the 20-overs-a-side en- counter. Man of the match Faisal Khan was the star of the evening, his brilliant 99 off just 45 balls helping Qatar Stars overcome the stiff victory target of 205 with seven wickets still in hand. Faisal slammed eight sixes and an equal number of fours before being stumped by former Pakistan batsman Adnan Akmal off Saeed Ajmal one short of his century. Inam-ul-Haq gave Faisal great sup- Qatar Stars players and off icials celebrate with the trophy after they won National Day Celebration Cup 2017 by beating Asian Qatar Stars players pose for a selfie after they won the National Day Celebration port with an unbeaten 58 off 40 balls Stars in a three-match series at Asian Town Stadium on Monday night. PICTURES: Ram Chand Cup 2017 on Monday night. with the help of six sixes as Qatar Stars reached 207 for the loss of just three wickets. Ajmal claimed two for 22 in his four overs. Earlier, Asian Stars captain Misbah- ul-Haq treated the decent crowd to a fl urry of sixes as he scored an unbeaten 76 in his team’s score of 204 for 2. Former Pakistan captain Misbah fl ew into Qatar only on Monday morn- ing after leading Punjabi legends in the Pakistan Cricket Board organised T10 League in the UAE. He showed no signs of fatigue al- though he only dealt in singles during the fi rst 12 balls he faced. But he eas- ily changed gears after that, belting the bowlers to all parts of the ground, hit- ting three straight sixes in the process. Misbah was given a solid platform by former Pakistan players Yasir Hameed and Salman Butt who fi gured in a 65- run stand for the fi rst wicket. Butt made 58 off 45 balls with three sixes, while Hameed hit 43 off 30 as Asian Stars made 204 for 2. Action from the third match between Qatar Stars (in maroon) and Asian Stars on Monday.

SPOTLIGHT BASKETBALL Skipper Yousif stars in Aspire Academy welcomes Qatar SC victory

By Sports reporter But that still proved too little too Doha late as Qatar Sports Club also scored 21 points of their own to wrap up the win. Iranian, Greek and Serbian For Al Sadd, Mozer Hiue scored 21 kipper Mohamed Yousif led points, while Babacar Dieng and Mus- from the front with a game- tafa Fouda had 17 and 14, respectively. high 22 points Qatar Sports The match was remarkable in the Club posted an emphatic 85- sense that Qatar Sports Club won football association presidents 75S victory over Al Sadd in the Qatar despite committing several errors. Al Basketball League yesterday. Sadd scored 20 points from turno- Brandan Kearney (20), Baden Jaxen vers and 20 second chance points, (18) and Nicholas West (17) made valu- while their bench also excelled with able contributions in a match that saw 19 points. Qatar Sports Club lead throughout. In the second match of the day, Yousif found the target with four Khobi Ibrahim Williamson, Ja’wan of six three-point attempts, while Davis and Darrell Maurice Blackmon Kearney also had a trio of three- Jr. combined well to take Al Khor past pointers. The outcome of the match Al Ahli 79-73 in a thriller. was pretty much sealed at the end of Williamson, Davis and Blackmon the third quarter when Qatar Sports scored 23, 22 and 21 points respectively, Club led 64-47. in Khor victory, even as Nenad Zivhe- The massive-point advantage vikk top-scored in the match with 25 stood Qatar Sports Club in good stead points but his team Al Ahli fell short by in the fi nal 10 minutes when Al Sadd six points. Ndoye Elhadj Seydou added raised their game to score 28 points, 22 for Ahli, while Nemanja Besovic the highest in the four quarters. pitched in with 18 points. Valter Di Salvo (left), Director of Football Performance and Science at Aspire Academy director general Ivan Bravo (centre) with Football Federation Aspire Academy, with Hellenic Foot- Islamic Republic of Iran president Mehdi Taj. ball Federation president Evangelos Football Association of Serbia Grammenos. president Slavisa Kokeza. By Sports Reporter tours of Aspire Academy’s facilities, in- Doha cluding a sneak peek of the Academy’s menos said, “It is quite evident that this tions are a benchmark for anyone who new Football Performance building, country has a vision and well-thought- wants to develop sport. We hope that which is still under construction. The out plans about sport development. l Serbia and Qatar continue to work to- spire Academy recently wel- FFIRI president was also accompanied fi rmly believe that it will reach its ob- gether for the mutual benefi t of sports comed the presidents of the by his predecessor Ali Kafashian. jectives in the years to come. Aspire development in both countries. Hellenic Football Federation “I have been very impressed by what Academy is really impressive and has “We can exchange notes on youth (HFF), Football Federation Is- is going on at this marvellous sports embarked on a good sports develop- coaching and development methods lamicA Republic of Iran (FFIRI), and the development institution. The possi- ment philosophy which is backed up as we’ve both scored some successes in Football Association of Serbia at its fa- bilities that Aspire off ers to the current by world class facilities. Sport in Qatar, this area, given that our U-20 national cilities last week. and future generation of Qatari athletes particularly football, has a bright future team were winners of the 2015 FIFA Evangelos Grammenos of HFF, Me- is excellent. These world class facilities, ahead and Aspire Academy has a major U-20 World Cup in New Zealand and hdi Taj of FFIRI and Slavisa Kokeza of combined with the right vision for the role to play to help the country achieve Qatar’s won the 2014 AFC U-19 Cham- Football Association of Serbia were all education and nurturing of sports tal- its sporting ambitions.” pionships. I am sure even our coaching praise for the facility. ent in the country, will leave a lasting Grammenos also visited Aspetar, the programmes can build on each other’s Aspire Academy director general legacy for Qatar. Qatar should indeed world’s leading specialised orthopaedic experiences and strengths. Judging Ivan Bravo, Director of Football Per- be proud of Aspire Academy,” Taj said. and sports medicine hospital in Qatar. from the eff orts that l see here at Aspire formance and Science, Valter Di Salvo, Speaking about the Academy’s phi- Kokeza, who was accompanied by Academy, I am sure that Qatar will put and Director of Sport and Strategy, losophy and how it all works in con- the Football Association of Serbia’s together a competitive team in 2022, Markus Egger, welcomed each delega- junction with the Qatari national sports Sport Director, Goran Bunjevcevic, one that will represent the country well tion and accompanied them on guided federations and associations, Gram- added: “Aspire Academy and its opera- at the 2022 FIFA World Cup Qatar.” Qatar SC's Mohamed Yousif (centre) in action vs Al Sadd. PICTURE: Jayan Orma