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Tuesday, February 28, 2017 TENNIS Jumada II 1, 1438 AH Federer returns GULF TIMES with easy win over Paire in Dubai SPORT Page 6

FOOTBALL CRICKET Lekhwiya twin Pakistan to hold T20 fi nal blunders gift on home soil Al Fateh 2-2 draw Lekhwiya clearly were the better side, especially in the latter part of the second half during which they came up with several scoring opportunities

By Sports Reporter Doha Lekhwiya scorers Youssef al-Arabi and Nam Tae-hee celebrate in Al Hasa yesterday. couple of horrible blunders saw Lekhwiya PCB executive chairman Najam Sethi gift Saudi Arabia’s Al Fateh a 2-2 draw in the Asian Champions League at the Prince Reuters/AFP dominated build-up to the March 5 AAbdullah Bin Jalawi Stadium in Al Hasa. Islamabad fi nal in Lahore. Four-time Qatar Stars League champions Le- Karachi Kings beat Islamabad Unit- khwiya, who thrashed the UAE’s Al Jazira last week, ed by six wickets in a must-win game were clearly the better side but lost out on a golden akistan will hold the fi nal of in Dubai, eliminating Lahore Qaland- opportunity to consolidate their position in Group B its wildly popular domestic ars from the next round. after allowing their rivals to bounce back from a goal T20 cricket league on home For the fi rst time in the league Chris down and clinch one point. Psoil for the fi rst time, despite Gayle showed why he was regarded as Moroccan international Youssef al-Arabi had a wave of deadly attacks across the the most destructive limited over bats- netted his third goal in two matches to help Le- country, the cricket board announced man, hitting a 17-ball 44 with fi ve tow- khwiya go ahead in the 18th minute, heading the yesterday. ering sixes and two boundaries. ball crisply off a Youssef Msakni cross, but Nathan However, it was not clear how many Gayle was dropped from the last Junior scored from the spot to draw level in the 40th foreign players would come to Pa- match after managing just 59 runs in minute after Luiz Junior had handled the ball. kistan, where 130 people have been six games. As if the handball was not costly enough, Le- killed in recent attacks, to take part in Gayle’s quickfi re knock eased Ka- khwiya conceded their second goal in the 56th the March 5 game in the eastern city of rachi Kings’ 124-run target in a match minute when goalkeeper Amine Lecomte’s inept Lahore. reduced to 15-over-a-side due to rain handling of a corner kick saw Sayyef al-Bishi scor- While the league, now in its sec- in Dubai. ing from point blank range. ond year, attracts an estimated televi- Islamabad United, who were already Lekhwiya clearly were the better side, especially sion audience of over 50mn people in in the play-off s, had posted 123-7 with in the latter part of the second half during which the cricket-crazed nation, so far all West Indian Dwayne Smith hitting a they came up with several scoring opportunities. matches have been played in the Unit- 36-ball 49. But forward Youssef Msakni’s shot was saved by ed Arab Emirates. It was Gayle’s West Indian team- Al Fateh goalkeeper Abdullah al-Qaisher and Moez “The nation has shown its pas- mate who brought Lahore’s downfall Ali went wide from close. sion and unity. The Pakistani nation in the last game, smashing two sixes The Saudi side appeared heading for their fi rst- is peaceful and it will not be black- off the last two balls of the match to ever win in the continental event over the years but mailed,” Pakistan Cricket Board ex- help Karachi chase down the 156-run Lekhwiya’s Nam Tae-hee scored a stunning 86th ecutive committee chairman Najam target. minute equaliser to deny them three points. Sethi said. Peshawar Zalmi (Youth) and Quetta With time running out Lekhwiya’s Korean star In Group A, Iran’s Estheglal thrashed Saudi Ara- Wahda in their fi rst match of the campaign as goals The Pakistan Super League features Gladiators, who fi nished one and two Nam found the target following a throw-in with a bia’s Al Tawoon 3-0 and Uzbekistan’s Lokomotiv from South American duo Gonzalo Viera and Victor cricket stars from all over the world but respectively in the league phase, will sweetly struck volley that arched over al-Qaisher downed UAE’s Al Ahli 2-0. Caceres ensured a win on their return to the com- many appear reluctant to travel to Pa- meet in the fi rst play-off s in Sharjah into the top right corner of the net. Meanwhile, Saudi giants Al Hilal and Qatar’s Al petition, before the Doha-based team then lost by kistan for the fi nal. today. The winner will qualify for the In another Group B match, Estheglal Kouzestan Rayyan will go head to head in Group D of the 2017 the same scoreline to Al Gharafa in the Qatar Stars “We have to wait until March 3 to fi nal. handed UAE giants Al Jazira their second straight AFC Champions League today at Prince Faisal Bin League on Saturday. know which foreign players will trav- Pakistan has played most of its home defeat with Aloys Nong fi nding the net in the very Fahd Stadium with the two sides looking to main- Al-Hilal won both of the previous two encoun- el to Lahore, as we still do not know international matches in the United second minute. tain their unbeaten start on the continent. ters between these teams, outscoring Al Rayyan by a which two teams will qualify,” Sethi Arab Emirates since 2009, when gun- Al Jazira, the runaway leaders in the UAE Pro Brazilian Carlos Eduardo netted with eight min- combined score of 5-1 in the 2013 Group Stage. told reporters. men attacked a bus carrying the Sri League, were beaten 3-0 by Lekhwiya in Doha last utes remaining as Al Hilal secured a 1-1 draw with Al Rayyan have lost 12 of their last 13 games away The tournament entered the play- Lankan cricket team from their hotel to week and their second loss on the trot has left them Persepolis in their opening game of the tournament from home at this tournament (W1), including each off s on Sunday with title-holders Is- Lahore’s Gaddafi stadium, wound- with a great deal of catching up to do as the tourna- after falling behind midway through the second half. of the last seven despite having scored a combined lamabad, Peshawar, Quetta and Ka- ing six players and killing six security ment progresses. Al Rayyan, meanwhile, ran out 2-1 victors over Al six goals in their last three such games. rachi progressing as security fears personnel and two civilians.

BOTTOMLINE Qatar’s Fijian coach Biumaiwai exudes confi dence ahead of Asian 7s tournament

By Mikhil Bhat Beracibi and Orisi Sareki have joined have to show improvement with the lo- prepared well and we should treat each Doha the coach here but none of them will cal boys.” The 12-man squad has a good game as a fi nal. be wearing Qatar colours this tourna- mix of expats, who call Qatar home, and “We have a few big forwards and that ment, which gives the winners a shot at nationals – wingers Rakan al-Mutawaa is our advantage, and style. Idea is to run atar coach Usaia Biumaiwai making it to the Rugby World Cup 7’s in and Abdul Kareem al-Muhannadi, and straight at them, use offl oads and break believes his team have all it 2018. forward Mubarak al-Malik. the opposition’s defence line.” takes to win the 11-nation While the qualifi cation rules don’t al- Al-Muhannadi and al-Malik made As much as he would like to prep the QAsia Rugby Sevens Trophy low the Fijians to play for Qatar in this their Sevens debut in 2006 when Qatar team for the big games, especially with which will be played this Thursday and tournament yet, Biumaiwai is not wor- hosted the Asian Games. the likes of Singapore and Thailand also Friday in Doha. ried. “I came here in 2015, and I have seen in the tournament, Biumaiwai is all for Fijian Biumaiwai, who has been in “It is not concern. The boys have the local boys improve a lot,” he said. taking baby steps. Qatar since 2015, was talking on the been playing with the Fijian boys, and Qatar have been drawn in the same “I don’t want to think about them. It sidelines of a team practice session at have been getting better at playing the group as the Philippines and Nepal. will only put you under a lot of pressure. Aspire Zone ahead of the two-day tour- Sevens. As a format Sevens is very new Asked about the team’s preparation There are two things: fi rst, every game is nament that’s just around the corner. here in Qatar, and playing that is diff er- for the pool phase, he said, “I have been a fi nal, and two, look forward to a game “Preparations were scrappy a couple ent from the XVs. The Fijians are here to in Asia for 16 years now, and know all the when you get to it. As of now, pool games of weeks ago, but this week, we trained Qatar coach Usaia Biumaiwai (left) and assistant coach Talal Mujalli. help prepare the rest,” he said. teams. The Philippines are a good team are the focus, top the pool and then think as a whole team and we have been mak- “My job is to use the players I have and and I have told the boys that we should about the later stages. Though, winning ing a lot of progress. Our team is now Times. Along with the 55-year-old, a few The likes of Iliesa Rakabu, Isireli make sure they improve and evolve. You not be underestimating any of the teams is our goal and I think it is possible,” he looking good,” Biumaiwai told Gulf Fijian players too joined him in Qatar. Biumaiwai, Jope Tikomaileponi, Pita can’t depend on the Fijian boys only. You in the tournament. All the teams are said. Gulf Times 2 Tuesday, February 28, 2017 FOOTBALL

SPOTLIGHT PREMIER LEAGUE Kane growing into Brighton deserve a Spurs legend: Coach Pochettino AFP said: “He either takes chances or promotion, says CEO creates them or he’s involved in London the creation of chances, always involved at the sharp end. Chairman Bloom has seen the ‘Seagulls’ go close in three of the past four seasons auricio Pochettino “There’s great movement believes Harry Kane around him and that causes is on course to be- consternation. He benefi ts from coming a Tottenham that. He’s in a good team and MHotspur great after the striker he’s a good player and when it scored the 100th club goal of his all clicks they’re very diffi cult to career. stop.” Kane, 23, scored a fi rst half Kane also set up Dele Alli hat-trick in his club’s 4-0 vic- for his side’s fourth goal as the tory over Stoke City, reaching the midfi elder delivered the ideal century mark with his fi rst goal response after being sent off and ending the game with his against Gent. Alli was heavily season tally on 22 goals. criticised for the fi rst half chal- The striker’s eff ort helped lenge that brought a straight red Spurs bounce back after the card and the player admitted it disappointment of going out of had been a diffi cult 72 hours. the Europa League against Gent He said: “It has been a diffi - this week and Pochettino be- cult week for me. I felt horrible lieves Kane’s all-round display after the game in the week. I’m confi rmed his qualities as one of delighted to respond like this to- the world’s most dangerous for- day.” wards. And his manager off ered his “Harry has the profi le to be full support for the 20-year- a legend (at Tottenham),” said old.”Our conversations are pri- the Spurs manager. “Maybe he’s vate but I gave more love than starting to be a legend with the normal,” said Pochettino. “He’s goals he’s scoring and the way he very mature and he showed that behaves. He is so professional. today. I am happy for him be- He has the perfect profi le to be a cause he was sad and disappoint- legend here. He has his character. ed. He is only 20 years old. I will Sometimes he argues with me. always protect and support him. Sometimes he’s upset with me. “For me, he is one of the best Sometimes he is happy. He has a young players in the world. I will strong character.” always protect him. His char- Pochettino added: “He is acter and the way he behaves, one of the best. I am pleased for sometimes can make a mistake him. He deserves it (to reach 100 but I want him on the pitch and I goals). He is very professional, a want him next to me.” top man and I’m very happy. This The win moved Tottenham up is not new for me. I’ve said many to second place and while the times for me he is one of the best gap to leaders Chelsea remains a Brighton lead the Championship and victory at home to second-placed Newcastle tonight would see them move nine points clear of third-placed Huddersfield. strikers in the world.” daunting ten points, Pochettino Stoke manager Mark Hughes, insists he has not given up hope AFP years after working with the Football made a loss every year I’ve been there,” a former striker with Manches- of chasing down Antonio Conte’s London Association, Tottenham and Vancouver said Barber. “Our challenge is to limit ter United, Bayern Munich and side. He said: “Ten points is a big Whitecaps — said the club had to be pre- them and compete with those clubs with Barcelona, added his voice to the gap, but we keep going and be- pared fi nancially for either scenario. “We parachute payments. They have tens of praise directed Kane’s way. He lieve. We try to put on pressure.” ony Bloom deserves promotion work on a twin track budget,” said Barber. millions of pounds more than us even be- to the Premier League as a re- “We have to prepare for another season in fore a ball has been kicked. turn on the £200mn (234mn eu- the Championship but also for the EPL. If “It hasn’t worked for Norwich or Villa ros, $248mn) he has invested in you start planning in May you will be in this season for diff erent reasons. But TChampionship side Brighton, says club trouble, so we have parallel projects. We over a period of time the disparity will chief executive Paul Barber. are working to get back in the black which grow and will have an eff ect. History has Chairman since 2009, Bloom — a would be for the fi rst time in our history shown so far it hasn’t but these numbers hometown boy and successful property and give some money back to the owner.” are getting bigger and the law of averages developer, as well as a renowned poker Barber, who came into football after a dictates that those coming down will go player — has seen the ‘Seagulls’ go close career in banking, admits the odds of re- back up. Only well run clubs will be able in three of the past four seasons. Last year taining their place should they gain pro- to compete against that.” they lost out in heartbreaking fashion on motion will be diffi cult. “It is really tough Barber believes nevertheless the club the second and last automatic promotion to stay up and looking at the numbers is in a good place whatever the outcome place on goal diff erence — and then lost to now it will be very tough to stay there,” this term. “I run on the sea front and the Sheffi eld Wednesday in the fi rst round of said Barber. numbers of kids wearing Brighton shirts the play-off s. “It is possible to do both like Bourne- as opposed to fi ve years ago is stunning,” But they’re back in the mix this term mouth last year and probably Burnley will says Barber. and Barber says they mustn’t mess it up this season. You have got to be clever and “It is partly down to results and they again. Brighton — who have never played Brighton Chairman Tony Bloom smart and recruit really well whilst main- want to be part of success. However, it in the top fl ight since the start of the Pre- taining the togetherness and spirit of the is also down to the club giving free shirts mier League in 1992 — lead the Champi- to give us an edge,” Barber said. “He has previous squad.” to boys on their seventh birthday whose onship and victory in front of a sell out brought us a new ground (37,500 capac- Barber admits that if Brighton fail to families are signed up to the club. crowd at home to second-placed New- ity Amex Stadium), training facilities and reach the Premier League this time the “If your older sibling gets one then the castle tonight would see them move nine covered the losses. This is the fourth year challenge is only going to be greater for others want one and you can have 3-4 ex- points clear of third-placed Hudders- in fi ve we are in a good position to go up those clubs battling the relegated trio tra fans. Partly as a result of that our av- fi eld, who would have a game in hand. and I just hope we don’t screw it up like who receive huge amounts of cash from erage gates have gone from around 6,000 Tottenham Hotspur’s striker Harry Kane (right) takes the match ball “We are very lucky we have a very the other three.” the Premier League. in 2011 (when the Amex opened) to just from referee Jonathan Moss at the end of the match after scoring a wealthy owner who has set aside money Barber — in his present role for fi ve “We have been very consistent and under 30,000 now.” hat trick against Stoke City on Sunday. (Reuters)

FOCUS Metabolism disorder sidelines ‘Animal’ Ibrahimovic thanks kids, Dortmund's Goetze indefi nitely Berlin: Borussia Dortmund will be without MARIO GOETZE for the foreseeable future after a medical check revealed a metabolism Mourinho for United chance disorder, the latest set-back for Germany’s World Cup hero. “I am in the process of get- AFP ting treatment and I will do everything I can London to get back into training as quickly as possible to help my team achieve our common goals,” Goetze told the club website yesterday. latan Ibrahimovic thanked his chil- The 24-year-old scored in extra-time of the dren and Jose Mourinho for getting 2014 World Cup final to seal a 1-0 win over him to sign for Manchester United Argentina. But this season he has endured a but refused to commit his future to diff icult return to Dortmund, struggling with Zthe club after his goals helped them win the form and injuries, following three unhappy League Cup. years at Bayern Munich spent mainly on the Ibrahimovic scored United’s fi rst and their bench. winner in a 3-2 victory over Premier League It cost Dortmund 22mn euros ($23mn) to rivals Southampton at Wembley on Sunday as buy Goetze back from Bayern, having been they lifted their fi rst trophy under Mourinho. forced to sell him in 2013 for 37mn euros Both Portuguese manager Mourinho and when the Bavarians triggered a release clause Swedish striker Ibrahimovic are in their fi rst in his contract. He has not played at all this season at Old Traff ord, having previously month after picking up a leg injury and was worked together at Inter Milan. Ibrahimovic’s dropped for Dortmund’s home Bundesliga contract expires at the end of the season, al- win over second-placed RB Leipzig at the though there is a one-year extension clause. start of February because of poor form. The His double against the Saints took his tally attacking midfielder has scored just two goals for the campaign to 26 goals and helped him in 16 appearances for Dortmund this season. win the 30th major trophy of his illustrious Dortmund, who are third in Germany’s top career. Asked about his plans for next season, flight, gave no date for his return. But there is Ibrahimovic said: “Let’s see what happens. I relief that the club now know there is a medi- think in your career you have moments. I did cal reason for the Germany star’s woes. not come to England before because it was “We are glad to know the reasons for not the moment. I came when I thought it was Manchester United’s Zlatan Ibrahimovic scores the winner in the English League Cup final Mario’s complaints and we are convinced that the moment and the moment was there.” against Southampton at Wembley stadium in north London on Sunday. (AFP) after recovering he will give us extra quality Ibrahimovic, 35, added: “If we speak about with his exceptional abilities,” said Dort- the coach (Mourinho), England, the Premier sically, ‘tell me what number I should wear’. Ibrahimovic was equally bullish when mund’s director of sports Michael Zorc. League, the club has to thank him because he My mind was not here. Then my kids started asked if the only way was down if he left Unit- “Mario gets the full backing and maximum called me and asked me to come here, other- to bump my head and Jose called, then I am ed, one of world football’s most well-known support from all of us at Borussia Dortmund wise I would not have been here. here.” Ibrahimovic relished that he was con- teams. “For me, or the club?,” he replied. “I on his way back.” “Even my two kids wanted to see me play founding all those who thought him too old will stop on top. I will not play one game by Among the games he will miss is the Cham- at United. I had my mind somewhere else. for the Premier League. being Ibrahimovic and for what I did before. pions League round-of-16, second-leg clash at Before, everything was coming on top of the “I know I look good. I feel fresh. I feel good. If I don’t perform, if I don’t bring results, I home to Benfica on March 8 having lost the table, then Jose called. I have a special rela- I feel like an animal. I feel like a lion. I feel in will not play. I will play as long as I can bring first match 1-0 in Portugal. tionship with him. When he called it was ba- good shape. I train hard.” results.” Gulf Times Tuesday, February 28, 2017 3 FOOTBALL

LA LIGA FOCUS Jonker Zidane hails impact subs replaces Ismael at Wolfsburg in Madrid comeback AFP Berlin Real hold a one-point lead over their title rivals Barcelona and also have a game in hand rsenal youth academy AFP boss Andries Jonker Madrid Real Madrid’s Sergio Ramos and was yesterday named Villareal’s Mario Gaspar (left) go for head coach at strug- glingA Bundesliga club VfL Wolfs- a header during the Spanish League eal Madrid boss Zinedine Zi- match at El Madrigal stadium in burg and revealed that ex-Gun- dane hailed the impact of Isco Villareal on Sunday night. (AFP) ners star Freddie Ljungberg will and Alvaro Morata off the be his assistant. bench as the European cham- This is the fi rst time Jonker pionsR came from 2-0 down at Villarreal has been appointed head coach on Sunday night to win 3-2. at a top club after previous stints Morata completed the comeback af- on the staff at Bayern Munich, ter Gareth Bale and Cristiano Ronaldo Wolfsburg and Arsenal’s acad- had hauled Madrid level to ensure Zi- emy, where he was working with dane’s men move back ahead of Barce- the Swede Ljungberg, 39. lona at the top of La Liga. “I’m bringing Ljungberg as my Real hold a one-point lead over their assistant coach and I’m looking title rivals Barcelona, who won 2-1 at forward to the job,” said Jonker Atletico Madrid on Sunday, but also in his fi rst press conference. This have a game in hand. “They deserve (to will be Ljungberg’s fi rst senior play) more for sure,” Zidane said of the coaching role. The ex-midfi elder Spanish international duo. “The did is regarded as a legend at Arse- very well, they changed the game. In nal having scored 71 goals in 318 any case we will need every player be- games for the Gunners, where tween now and the end of the season. he had been coaching a junior “They are all up for it. It is a long team since last July. Jonker has a season, but this shows that everyone contract until June 2018 and re- is ready when they are called upon. places Valerien Ismael, who left With everything that happened today on Sunday after Wolfsburg’s 2-1 it was vitally important to get the three defeat to Werder Bremen. The points.” Dutchman is Wolfsburg’s third Real had suff ered just their second coach this season, after they also league defeat of the season at Valencia sacked Dieter Hecking in Oc- in midweek. And Zidane’s men looked tober. Friday’s loss left the 2015 well on course to suff er another reversal German Cup winners just two when Villarreal struck twice in six min- points from the relegation spots utes early in the second-half through after only six wins from 22 league Manu Trigueros and Cedric Bakambu. games. “We need to solve a small However, Zidane reacted immedi- problem here,” said Jonker, eye- ately by introducing Isco for the more ing up the relegation battle at the defensively minded Casemiro. 2009 German champions. Having been outplayed for the open- He says his priority is to fi nd ing hour, Madrid forced Villarreal onto out why Wolfsburg have lost the back foot and were rewarded when fi ve of their last six matches in Bale’s header halved the arrears 25 min- all competitions despite spend- utes from time. ing 33mn euros on new players in Ronaldo then smashed home a con- January. The 54-year-old Jonker troversial penalty after Villarreal cap- has plenty of experience of Ger- tain Bruno Soriano was harshly ad- circumstances before hobbling off to fi rst-half. “Asenjo seems to have torn Meanwhile, under-fi re Barcelona Diego Godin. Defeat leaves fourth- man league football. judged to have handled inside his own be replaced by Lucas Vazquez a minute his ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) in coach Luis Enrique thanked the “terri- placed Atletico just one point clear of He was Louis van Gaal’s as- box. And the comeback was complete from time. However, Zidane said the his left knee. It’s a real shame,” said Vil- ble” state of Atletico’s pitch for Messi’s Real Sociedad in the battle for the fi nal sistant at Bayern from 2009 until when Morata, who only replaced Karim Welshman suff ered just “a knock” and larreal coach Fran Escriba. winner at the Vicente Calderon. Messi Champions League slot. “We competed April 2011 when he stepped up Benzema 13 minutes from time, pow- should be fi ne to feature against Las His absence proved vital as back-up stabbed home at the second attempt af- very well, but they showed their class in as caretaker coach until the end ered home Marcelo’s cross six minutes Palmas tomorrow. ‘keeper Andres Fernandez let Morata’s ter his fi rst eff ort was blocked to register both areas,” said Atletico coach Diego of the season after van Gaal was later. “At 2-0 down you have to change Villarreal ‘keeper Sergio Asenjo was header slip under his body for the win- his 27th career goal against Atletico. Simeone. sacked. Jonker then had a stint as something,” added Zidane. “It worked not so fortunate as he appears to have ner. Escriba had to watch that goal from “It was a terrible pitch for passing Following their Champions League Wolfsburg’s assistant coach from out well for us. It allowed us to camp suff ered a fourth cruciate knee ligament the stands after being dismissed from the ball, but I think it favoured us for thrashing to Paris Saint-Germain and 2012 to 2014 when he left to be- much more in their half.” injury of his career. Asenjo, who has the touchline for taking his protests both the goals,” said Enrique. Rafi nha’s struggles at home to Leganes, Enrique come the head of Arsenal’s acad- Bale was making his fi rst start for presided over La Liga’s best defence, over the penalty too far. “The match scrappy eff ort fi red Barca into the lead switched from the Catalans’ habitual emy. Wolfsburg fi nished second three months and was forced to play went down after turning Benzema’s was over for us after the penalty,” added just after the hour, but Atletico re- 4-3-3 to a 3-4-3 with Messi forced into to Bayern Munich in 2014/15 and almost the full 90 minutes given the header to safety midway through the Escriba. “We lost our focus”. sponded seven minutes later through an advanced midfi eld role. were eighth last season.

SERIE A ITALIAN CUP Roma’s Nainggolan brace rocks Inter Allegri warns Juve AFP over ‘angry’ Napoli Milan

AFP League and Cup winners the spectacular double from Bel- Milan past two seasons, Juventus re- gium midfi elder Radja Naing- main in contention for the treble, golan kept the Serie A title race having coasted past Porto 2-0 ticking over after Roma stunned uventus coach Massimil- last week in their Champions InterA Milan 3-1 at the San Siro on Sunday iano Allegri has warned League last 16 tie in Portugal. night. Inter welcomed Luciano Spalletti’s against complacency And Allegri, who steered Juve visitors confi dent of avenging their 2-1 when the Turin giants to the 2015 fi nal and a 3-1 defeat defeat in the capital having suff ered only hostJ ‘angry’ Napoli in the fi rst leg to Barcelona in his fi rst season one defeat, away to Juventus, in their past of their Italian Cup semi-fi nal in charge, admitted he wouldn’t 10 league outings. But in what is club tonight. Napoli’s hopes of stay- mind seeing his side play a few captain Francesco Totti’s 25th and fi nal ing in the title hunt were dented extra games at the end of the season in Serie A, a rampant Roma had by a humiliating 2-0 home de- season. “To fi ll out the fi xtures other ideas. feat to 10-man Atalanta on Sat- calendar it would be nice to get to Nainggolan had the Giallorossi 1-0 urday which left them 12 points the fi nal of every competition,” up on 12 minutes with a ferocious strike off the top. Although Juve’s last he added. “As things stand we and doubled their advantage with an reverse at home was a league de- have 15 games to play, but hope- even more impressive off ering shortly feat in September 2015 and they fully we can extend the calendar after the restart. Although Mauro Icardi recorded a 30th consecutive win because without football the marked his return from a two-game ban in Turin with a 2-0 victory over week gets boring.” Lazio host by reducing arrears on 81 minutes, Diego Empoli on Saturday, Allegri ex- Roma in a Cup semi-fi nal fi rst Perotti restored the visitors’ two-goal pects Maurizio Sarri’s men to leg tomorrow. advantage from the spot on 85 minutes. push them all the way. Roma remain second and, after Juventus “Now, our focus is on the Cup. stretched their lead to 10 points with a We want to reach a third con- 2-0 win over Empoli, restored the gap on secutive fi nal and it won’t be easy the Turin giants to seven points. because we’re up against a team Nainggolan was easily Roma’s best that will still be angry after de- player on the night, but said: “All I do is feat on Saturday,” Allegri said what I’m told to, and I’m enjoying myself. yesterday. “I’ve been given a little bit more freedom “Napoli haven’t suddenly be- on the pitch so I’m trying to help the team come a bad side in the space of as much as I can.” AS Roma’s Radja Nainggolan (second right) celebrates with teammates after scoring against Inter Milan on Sunday night. (AFP) three days. Playing at home is The win was all the more important af- crucial for us if we want to keep ter Napoli’s title bid was dented by a 2-0 in the early stages. pouncing on Kevin Strootman’s pass to A frustrated Pioli had replaced Bro- a clean sheet.” defeat at home to Atalanta on Saturday Icardi was dispossessed by Federico force Handanovic to parry down low. zovic with Italy striker Eder 10 minutes Juventus, bidding for a third which left Maurizio Sarri’s men in third Fazio as he teed up a shot in the open- Inter had penalty claims waved away after the restart, but Nainggolan doubled consecutive league and Cup place, but now 12 points off the pace. ing minutes and soon after Ivan Perisic when Icardi fell under a challenge from Roma’s lead in spectacular fashion mo- double, boast a seven-point lead Roma coach Luciano Spalletti was un- was cautioned for fl icking the ball up Fazio, although Roma captain Daniele De ments later. over Roma in Serie A after the equivocal. Although he hailed a “great and heading it back to his ‘keeper Samir Rossi was rightly shown a yellow card on When an Inter attack broke down, the Giallorossi humbled Inter Milan game between two top sides”, he added: Handanovic. 40 minutes for a reckless challenge on Belgian launched the counter before the 3-1 at the San Siro on Sunday. As “If we’d passed the ball around for 10 sec- Handanovic was forced down low mo- Gagliardini. halfway line and powered up the middle he did on Saturday, Allegri is set onds more on some occasions, we would ments later to stop a Mohamed Salah At the other end, Roma ‘keeper Wo- before beating Handanovic with a fi erce to rest Gianluigi Buff on and hand have destroyed them.” drive from Dzeko’s cheeky chip, but was jciech Szczesny came to Roma’s rescue strike from 25 yards. the goalkeeping gloves to Nor- Inter coach Stefano Pioli lamented: left clutching at thin air on 12 minutes. twice, parrying a Marcelo Brozovic fi rst- Inter hit back when Roma defender berto Neto for the second con- “We had chances, but they were more Nainggolan collected Dzeko’s pass timer before bundling the ball clear from Antonio Rudiger left Icardi with space secutive game. clinical than us. They have a lot of quali- on the left and stole a march on Roberto the resulting corner. Inter had Szczesny to slide in and direct Perisic’s cross past “Neto will play again to- ties.” Gagliardini before unleashing a ferocious under pressure from the restart but the Szczesny on 81 minutes. But when Gary morrow,” said Allegri. “He’s a Napoli’s defeat should have inspired drive that landed in Handanovic’s far top Pole parried Antonio Candreva’s drive Medel tried to stop Dzeko with a reck- great goalkeeper and has always Inter to keep on challenging for a top corner. Joao Mario’s fi rst-time eff ort de- from the right. less challenge in the area minutes later, stepped up to the plate for us three fi nish and a return to the Champi- fl ected over from eight yards moments Perisic, unmarked in the area, then the referee pointed to the spot and Perotti when asked. The only reason he’s ons League for the fi rst time since 2012, later, but in defence Inter were in disarray. fi red a defl ected drive over after Bruno stepped up to beat Handanovic with the number two is because there’s but events conspired to upset their plans Dzeko had time to switch feet before Peres slid in to challenge late. easiest of roll-ins. Buff on ahead of him.” Gulf Times 4 Tuesday, February 28, 2017 FOOTBALL

SPOTLIGHT Resurgence of Fabregas asserts substance of Conte’s style By Nick Ames in London The Guardian From the youthful zest of his early days at Arsenal, via Camp Nou and now as part of a reborn Chelsea squad running away with the Premier League, Fàbregas is coming of age under the t was a throwaway line but you still knew what Cesc Fabregas meant when, after com- Italian – and he has no intention of stopping yet fortably eluding Swansea City’s grasp for 90 minutes, he was asked how he might envi- Ision the next stage of his career. “I think every time I plan something it never goes the way it’s supposed to.” If that speaks of past disappoint- ments he could, at least, savour an afternoon in which everything came together by design. Fabregas chose the occasion of his 300th Pre- mier League appearance – and fi rst top-fl ight start of 2017 – to provide a best-of compilation; a highlights package in which he sharpened the knife, infl icted the wound and never quite let go against “very, very compact” opponents Anto- nio Conte decided would struggle with his sub- tlety from the start. Sometimes an afternoon works out perfectly for everyone and while his manager could take satisfaction from his own logic there was a sense of liberation in Fabregas whose professionalism in the face of a staccato season’s involvement has not gone unnoticed at Stamford Bridge. “Sometimes the easy way is to escape, to run away, to sulk and want to leave, to create a dra- ma,” Fabregas said. “But in my mind, I decided I wanted to challenge myself. Not everything comes easily in life and sometimes you have to fi ght certain situations you are not used to, or are against you in a way. But hopefully I have shown the manager can trust me.” Despite the attentions of Jack Cork, the former Chelsea academy player primarily tasked with dulling his appreciation of space, Swansea’s midfi eld never really got near Fabre- gas Something akin to his neat take and jabbed fi nish that opened the scoring had been threat- ened even before the 19th minute; the slide-rule pass from which Pedro, who had created the fi rst goal, beat Lukasz Fabianski rather too easily for the second helped ensure balance was restored, and that only told part of the tale. exchange of passes between the two after half- and have won a lot, you realise that in football he also lauded. In return he has found a squad until a cutback by Hazard brought a crisp fi nish Fabregas also hit the crossbar and twice time saw a low Fàbregas drive tipped away; you can never know everything.” willing to mould itself to his ways. from Diego Costa, but Fabregas and Chelsea had forced Fabianski into impressive saves, looking if pairing such natural footballers might have That receptiveness – tying in with the im- “I think he came in and wanted to see if I could been comfortably superior in all areas. like the player who once scored 15 league goals seemed a risk on other occasions for Conte, proved maturity of a player who, by his own adapt, and I can understand that,” Fabregas said This time, it was how things had been sup- in a season for Arsenal, his instincts prevailing the results were at times mesmerising against admission, “told people not even to speak to of Conte. “As a player I’m someone who wants posed to go. Even if you suspect Fabregas alter- when nudged up towards the attack. During the Swansea. me” if he was dropped earlier in his career – re- to play with the ball, maybe not so much the de- native career trajectories meet somewhere on 2007-08 campaign, when the Spaniard was the The old zest was there and Fabregas knew it. fl ects well on Fabregas but also on Conte, whose fensive side. But [this game] shows I adapted to the Camp Nou pitch, he is no faded force and the poster boy for a young Arsenal side that should “I know I’ve played many more games than a management of those on the margins has been the way he wants to play and hopefully I can play odds on a successful continuation of his life at have won the title, Arsene Wenger described his 29-year-old is supposed to play, but I feel young masterful. Conte admitted he has had “a lot of more.” There was certainly little problem with Chelsea may have fallen slightly. freewheeling charges as “playerish”. in my mind,” he said. “I feel fresh. With Conte conversations” with players who have been left Chelsea’s work off the ball even if it was, in fact, “China? I’m 29!” was the response to another It was a classic Wengerism, meaning both I’m learning new things, new situations, new out this season but he is fi nding his frankness a touch of over-enthusiasm from N’Golo Kante question about how next season might pan out; nothing and everything, but seemed made for manners and a new philosophy. It makes a dif- reciprocated. “I prefer to tell a bad truth than a that won Swansea the free-kick from which it said plenty about the rejected destination but the relationship on show between Fabregas ference, it makes it entertaining. Sometimes, if good lie,” he said of his approach to players such Fernando Llorente headed an excellent equalis- also for the continued motivation of a Premier and Eden Hazard here. One dummy and sharp you think you’ve been playing for a long time as Fàbregas and Willian, whose positive attitude er. The outcome remained theoretically in doubt League staple.

LIGUE 1 UNIVERSITY LEAGUE PSG hammer Marseille 5-1 Qatar University win title

By Sports Reporter Doha

atar University (QU) took top honours in the University League 2016-17 when they beatQ Qatar Aeronautical College (QAC) 5-0 in a thrilling fi nal at Qatar Foundation’s Recreation Center Pitch 1 this weekend. Additionally, Northwest- ern University in Qatar (NU-Q) beat Hamad Bin Khalifa Univer- sity (HBKU) in the league’s third place playoff , with a final score of 2-0. An award ceremony was held to honour the fi rst, second, and third place teams, along with the Qatar Football Associa- tion (QFA) referees. Three spe- Paris Saint-Germain’s Marquinhos (left) celebrates with Edinson Cavani after scoring a goal during the cial prizes worth QR5,000 each French L1 match against Olympique de Marseille in Marseille, southern France. (AFP) were presented, including Best Goalkeeper (Omar al-Ansari AFP gentine attacking midfi elder Javier Pastore — re- from NU-Q), Top Scorer (Eslam Paris called after injury at the expense of Julian Draxler Yassin Elsherif from QAC), and Qatar University beat Qatar Aeronautical College 5-0 to win the University League. — cleverly dinked the ball through to Cavani, who Best Player (Abdullah al-Majed poked in past the advancing Yohann Pele in the from QU). QU received a cash dinson Cavani bagged his 35th goal of a home goal to continue his deadly form. prize of QR40,000, while QAC spectacular season as Paris Saint Germain It was the Uruguayan predator’s 35th goal in and NU-Q received QR30,000 swept aside Marseille 5-1 on Sunday night all competitions this term and 26th in the league. and QR20,000 respectively. in “Le Classique” to move second in Ligue Cavani might have had a second on 23 minutes as The ceremony was attended 1.E The reigning French champions are three points PSG dominated, but he miscued his scissor kick by Hilal al-Mohannadi, Chair- behind prolifi c league leaders Monaco and level over with the goal gaping. man of the School and University with Nice, but go second thanks to a better goal The second half was more of the same and it League Committee in QFA; Mo- diff erence in what has become a three-way tussle was 3-0 on 50 minutes when another Brazilian, hammed al-Soud, Head of Rec- for the title. Lucas Moura, profi ted from poor defending to reation Services at QF, and Ali al- A Stade Velodrome record 65,252 packed into prod in from close range. Matuidi claimed the as- Mahmoud, Acting Community the stands in the hopes of seeing a Marseille side sist but it was Pastore, back in boss Unai Emery’s Engagement Manager from the buoyed by fresh investment and the return of starting XI and back to fi tness, who provided a Supreme Committee for Delivery Dimitri Payet derail their old rival’s title charge. classy touch on the way. & Legacy. But the vociferous home fans were silenced Emery replaced Pastore with Draxler early in Hilal al-Mohannadi com- after just six minutes when skipper Thiago Silva the second half and just after the hour the Ger- mented: “Congratulations to rose to powerfully nod the ball back across goal man international schemer made it 4-0, fi ring in Qatar University for winning the and fellow Brazilian defender Marquinhos headed fi rst time after a pinpoint Thomas Meunier cross. title of the University League for home unchallenged. Marseille grabbed a 70th-minute consolation the fourth time. We look forward That opened the fl oodgates and Blaise Matuidi, through Rod Fanni, before Matuidi sealed the to collaborating with Qatar Foun- who scored the fi fth and best goal of the evening, rout, steering the ball into the top corner from just dation next year for the fi fth edi- was jubilant afterwards. “We knew they were go- outside the box. The heavy defeat leaves Marseille tion of this exciting tournament. ing to try to squeeze us in the fi rst 15-20 minutes, in seventh. I would like to thank the sponsors playing football.” Qatar Aeronautical College; Committee for Delivery & Leg- but we managed well,” the French international Earlier, Manchester United fl op Memphis for their continued support to The fourth University League while Group B included North- acy as the Strategic Partner, the midfi elder said. Marseille were never in the game Depay struck twice as Lyon, a distant fourth, help develop the league.” brought together eight colleges western University in Qatar, University League is a joint col- but Payet, who forced his way out of West Ham smashed Metz 5-0. He added: “The University and universities from across Qa- University of Calgary in Qatar, laboration between the Qatar in the winter transfer window for 30mn euros Nerveless Fabinho chipped in a late penalty as League is an example of QFA’s tar to compete for the champi- Georgetown University School Football Association (QFA) and ($32mn), had the home side’s fi rst real chance Monaco beat Guingamp 2-1 away on Saturday to commitment to nurturing a foot- onship title. Group A included of Foreign Service in Qatar, and Qatar Foundation for Education, when he fl ashed a long-distance strike just wide move clear at the top. Nice were also winners, but ball culture among the youth, Qatar University, Texas A&M College of the North Atlantic – Science and Community Devel- on the quarter hour. they made hard work of it too, coming from be- and encouraging young people to University at Qatar, Carnegie Qatar. opment (QF) and was launched A minute later however it was 2-0 when the Ar- hind to beat Montpellier 2-1 on Friday. adopt healthy lifestyles through Mellon University in Qatar, and Sponsored by the Supreme in 2013. Gulf Times Tuesday, February 28, 2017 5 RUGBY

FOCUS COMMENT Williams drugs Rugby chiefs back ref charge ‘harms All as no-ruck pioneer Blacks legacy’

AFP he added. Wellington Williams is the second ex-All Black at Racing 92 to face trouble with the law after the legendary Dan Carter was slams ‘rude’ Jones ew Zealand media yester- caught drink-driving in Paris earlier day accused Ali Williams of this month. tarnishing the image of the Newstalk ZB’s France correspondent ‘It’s called coaching. He is being rude to coaches who outmanoeuvred him’ All Blacks after French po- Catherine Field said Racing 92 promot- Nlice charged the World Cup-winning ed itself as a family club and would have former international with buying co- expected better from its high-profi le caine. recruits. Williams and ex-Wallaby James “It’s not just a glamour club, it’s a O’Connor were arrested outside a Paris club that’s really based around family... nightspot over the weekend after alleg- it’s really something that goes against edly being caught with 2.4 grams (0.08 the ethics of this particular club,” she ounces) of the drug. said. Fairfax New Zealand sports column- “On top of that, there’s always a lot ist Kevin Norquay said such behav- of interest in what the former All Blacks iour was unacceptable for a former All are doing here in France.” Black, let alone one who once led the However, there was also some sym- team’s fabled haka war dance. pathy for Williams, with the New Zea- “Ali Williams has hauled the proud land Herald’s Chris Rattue saying the black name through the white powder lock was a “victim” in the war on drugs. dirt,” he wrote. “I wish Williams and O’Connor “He’s not just a silly boy with money well,” he wrote, arguing that prohibi- having a bit of a lark outside a Paris tion of drugs had created a disaster. nightclub. “Theirs was a victim-less crime.” “He’s Ali Williams, All Black lock, 77 He added the pair were “guilty of Test caps, World Cup winner in 2011. nothing, whatever the outcome”. Wearer of the Silver Fern, dispenser of Williams made his All Blacks debut the haka.” in 2002 and played 77 Tests over the Norquay said Williams’ status as next decade, including victory in the an All Black was the reason he was in 2011 World Cup fi nal against France. France playing for Racing 92, the de- He gained a reputation as a prankster fending Top 14 champions who have during his playing days, once turning suspended the 35-year-old indefi nitely up to a Super Rugby press conference over the incident. dressed as Spiderman. “Williams’ allegedly illegal act did There were also off -fi eld issues and not hurt only himself, or those close to the Auckland Blues sent him home in him — such as his wife and small chil- disgrace ahead of a semi-fi nal in South dren. He harmed the All Black legacy,” Africa in 2007 for repeated indiscretions.

England coach Eddie Jones (centre) reacts to England’s early play during the Six Nations match against Italy at Twickenham stadium in London on Sunday. (AFP)

AFP a referee lose his perspective of the England fl y-half George Ford tactics are akin to underarm bowling. London game.” warned it would “kill the game quick- It is not bad sportsmanship. It is a tac- However, a spokesman for World ly” if other sides followed Italy’s ex- tic.” Rugby, the game’s global governing ample as “there’s no rugby going to be He added: “It is so easy (to counter). ugby chiefs insisted yester- body, told AFP yesterday: “The match played”. You either make sure there is an Italian day that referee Romain Poite offi cial team offi ciated law correctly. Despite England’s outrage, this was in the breakdown, so it has to be called had correctly overseen Italy’s “There is a formal process for un- not the fi rst time the tactic had been a ruck, or you run straight through the unorthodox approach to the ions to request law clarifi cations, if deployed with New Zealand’s Waikato middle, where there is a hole. Then breakdownR in their Six Nations clash they wish to do so.” Chiefs having done something similar you have the advantage against a re- at Twickenham as the tactic’s pioneer Engand’s Rugby Football Union said in Super Rugby and Australia’s David treating defence.” accused England coach Eddie Jones of yesterday they did not plan to utilise Pocock nearly creating a try against England did this in a second half being “rude” that procedure, with a spokeswoman Ireland last year with the ploy. where they scored fi ve of their six tries. Jones was seething as a struggling explaining: “This type of issue is dis- An impressed Woodward, whose Injured Mnisi to miss the remainder Italy, defying all pre-match predic- cussed ‘in the round’ with World Rug- ‘OUTMANOEUVRED’ England team won the World Cup of Super Rugby season tions, led the Grand Slam champions by, through the normal structures and Ben Ryan, who as England Sevens against an Australia side coached by 10-5 at half-time in a match where meetings. coach pioneered the ‘no-ruck’ ploy Jones, praised the Azzurri in his Daily Reuters dergo surgery, the Lions confirmed in the Azzurri repeatedly refused to form “World Rugby regularly issue clari- in the abbreviated form of the game Mail column published yesterday. Cape Town a statement yesterday. rucks. fi cations on various laws so could de- back in 2012, said he’d been stunned “It’s what David always has to do if He fell awkwardly in a tackle and was With this gameplan they could le- cide to do this anyway due to the inter- by Jones’s fury. he is to stand any chance against Go- substituted after just 13 minutes of his gitimately stray off side — a move est generated by yesterday’s match.” “I am fl abbergasted with Ed- liath,” he said. “The tactic is entirely ions centre Howard Mnisi has season, replaced by another long-term England’s 2003 World Cup-winning As part of the standard post World die Jones’s reaction to it. It is called legitimate and it was fascinating to been ruled out for the remain- knee injury casualty, Harold Vorster. coach Clive Woodward called “inno- Cup review into the laws of the game coaching, Eddie,” Ryan, who guided watch it unfold in a big-match situa- Lder of the Super Rugby compe- Mnisi is expected to be sidelined for vative and inspired”. following the 2015 edition in England, Fiji to Olympic Sevens gold in Rio last tion.” tition after he suff ered a serious knee up to nine months, making it unlikely England eventually regained their offi cials were already looking into the year, told The Times. O’Shea had no qualms at all about injury in his team’s opening weekend he will return to the field in 2017. composure to win 36-15 on Sunday as tackle and ruck area prior to Sunday’s “He is being quite rude to people, his side’s approach, saying his side — 28-25 victory over the Cheetahs on He was instrumental in helping the they extended their winning steak to game. fellow coaches who outmanoeuvred thrashed 63-10 by Ireland in their pre- Saturday. Lions to the Super Rugby final last 17 successive Tests. Jones made no attempt to hide his him.” vious match — “played to the law”. Mnisi, 27, suff ered multiple ligament season, leading to a call-up for the But an angry Jones called for the anger at Italy’s gameplan, which he “Conor (O’Shea, the Italy coach) “We are not going to roll over and damage to the knee, including to his South Africa ‘A’ side in a two-match rulebook to be revised and accused compared to underarm bowling in and Brendan (Venter, the defence we are going fi ght,” he insisted. “Just anterior cruciate, lateral collateral series against the touring England Poite of looking “fl ustered”, with the cricket, by saying: “If that’s rugby, I’m coach) are working bloody hard. They because we took people by surprise, and posterior cruciate, and would un- Saxons. Australian adding: “I’ve never seen going to retire.” don’t need a fellow coach to say their what do they want us to do?”

BOTTOMLINE South Africa stick with struggling Coetzee

AFP 2016 performances even though last staff that will support Coetzee with Johannesburg year was an extremely challenging sea- Franco Smith named backline coach in son,” Coetzee said. place of Mzwandile Stick. “Our below-par performances will A new defence coach, expected to outh Africa have kept faith in never be acceptable and we will have to be Brendan Venter, will be announced coach Allister Coetzee despite turn it around. soon to replace JP Ferreira. a dismal 2016 season, the na- “Since the tour to Europe at the end Smith coaches the Central Cheetahs tional rugby union announced of last year, my focus has been on plan- and Venter assists Italy coach Conor yesterday.S ning for the 2017 season and onwards, O’Shea. Both are former Springboks. The Springboks lost eight of 12 Tests and ensuring we show a marked im- “Last year was an incredibly tough one last season, a calendar year record for provement. for the Springboks,” admitted South Af- the country that won the Rugby World “At this time last year I was still to be rica Rugby president Mark Alexander. Cup twice. appointed, but this time I have already “We weighed many factors in the South African offi cials held a long re- been planning, holding meetings, prep- review process and believe that these view of the season amid media specu- aration camps and fi ne tuning logistics, changes will strengthen the Springbok lation that Munster rugby director and to ensure optimal performance.” management hand.” former South Africa forward Rassie Er- Coetzee was named national coach Coetzee named a 41-man squad yes- asmus would replace Coetzee. last year after a stint with Kobelco terday for the fi rst get-together ahead Among the defeats was a 57-15 drub- Steelers in Japan following six years in of Tests against France in Pretoria, Dur- bing in Durban by greatest rivals New charge of the Western Stormers in Su- ban and Johannesburg. Zealand, the heaviest home beating per Rugby. Club fi xtures in Australasia will pre- suff ered by South Africa. His best showing was fi nishing run- vent players from the Coastal Sharks They also lost for the fi rst time at ners-up to Northern Bulls in a 2010 all- and Southern Kings participating. home to Ireland, away to Argentina, South African fi nal. Among the pressing issues for Co- and to Italy. South Africa host a three-Test se- etzee is naming a captain to succeed However, amid many media and so- ries against France in June ahead of retired hooker Adriaan Strauss. cial media calls for Coetzee to resign or the four-nation Rugby Championship, Fly-halves Patrick Lambie and be fi red, the 53-year-old will serve the which includes Argentina, Australia Handre Pollard and loose forward War- second season of a four-year contract. and New Zealand. ren Whiteley are among those who have “We have no excuses for our poor There have been two changes to the been linked to the position. Gulf Times 6 Tuesday, February 28, 2017 SPORT

DUBAI TENNIS CHAMPIONSHIPS CYCLING Federer returns Costa motors to Abu Dhabi with easy win over Tour win

AFP honours in a sprint from Brit- Abu Dhabi on Mark Cavendish and Andre Greipel of Germany. The 30-year-old Costa is ui Costa avoided any showing powerful early season late mishaps to win the form after also coming second in Paire in Dubai Tour of Abu Dhabi after the Tour of Oman. Australia’s Caleb Ewan claimedR Sunday’s fourth stage Swiss launches quest for eighth title in the emirate with 6-1 6-3 win over Frenchman STAGE 4 RESULTS (TOP FIVE) under rain and fl oodlights at the 1. Caleb Ewan (AUS/ORS) 3:03:06 Yas Marina Formula One circuit. 2. Mark Cavendish (GBR/DDD) st Portugal’s former world 3. Andre Greipel (GER/LTS) st champion Costa took a decisive 4. Nicolo Bonifazio (ITA/TBM) st lead in the race with success in 5. Matteo Pelluchi (ITA/BOH) st Saturday’s third stage. And he kept out of trouble to OVERALL CLASSIFICATION top the overall standings by four 1. Rui Costa (POR/UAD) 16:42:21 seconds from Russia’s Ilnur Za- 2. Ilnur Zakarin (RUS/KAT) +4sec karin, with Dutch rider Tom Du- 3. Tom Dumoulin (NED/SUN) +16 moulin in third. 4. Bauke Mollema (NED/TFS) +38 Ewan took the closing day 5. Julian Alaphilippe (FRA/QST) +53

Switzerland’s Roger Federer in action against Benoit Paire of France during their first round match in the Dubai Tennis Championship yesterday. (Reuters)

AFP loss with the streaky Frenchman treated Paire had his ankle strapped trailing “But I still have a few years to play on Dubai on his right ankle and also jeered for toss- 4-1 in the opening set and then lost serve the Tour, so I’m pretty confi dent that I’m ing a racquet in the second set as he was as Federer took a 5-1 lead. The third seed gonna make 400-plus, hopefully.” crashing to defeat. wrapped it up after less than 30 minutes Spain’s Marcel Granollers put out oger Federer took the open- Federer is playing the event for the 13th with a service winner. Czech Jiri Vesely 6-3, 6-2 while Guill- ing step in his bid for a record time, improving to 48-5 in the emirate The second set was equally one-way ermo Garcia-Lopez defeated Serb Viktor eighth title at the Dubai Tennis where he keeps a training base. Federer as Federer went through in well under an Troicki 6-4, 6-3. Championships yesterday with a won his 11th match since losing to Tomas hour. (From left) Second-placed Ilnur Zakarin of Team Katusha Alpecin, Tour comprehensiveR 6-1, 6-3 defeat of Benoit Berdych in the 2013 semi-fi nals. Spanish sixth seed Roberto Bautista FIRST ROUND RESULTS of Abu Dhabi winner Rui Costa of UAE Abu Dhabi and third-placed Paire. He has yet to lift an eighth title at any Agut advanced over Russian hope Karen 3-Roger Federer (SUI) bt Benoît Paire Tom Dumoulin of Team Sunweb celebrate on the podium after the Federer, playing his fi rst match since event having achieved seven in Dubai, Khachanov 6-1, 7-6 (4) while 2014 semi- (FRA) 6-1, 6-3 fourth and final stage of the Tour of Abu Dhabi on Sunday. (AFP) winning a record 18th Grand Slam title Wimbledon, Basel, Cincinnati and Halle. fi nalist Philipp Kohlschreiber moved to Philipp Kohlschreiber (GER) bt 8-Gilles a month ago in Melbourne over Rafael “I’m happy with how I played, I was within two victories of his 400th career Muller (LUX) 6-4, 7-6 (1) Nadal, had been unsure of his form after able to stay aggressive,” Federer said win after he defeated eighth seed Gilles Marcel Granollers (ESP) bt Jiri Vesely dealing with a leg injury picked up at the as the event began it’s 25th edition. “I Muller of Luxembourg 6-4, 7-6 (1) (CZE) 6-3, 6-2 Tsonga moves up 4 places aft er Australian Open combined with a month couldn’t have had a better fi rst round “I didn’t know, actually, to achieve my Guillermo Garcia-Lopez (ESP) bt off court after his title triumph. start. record would be great,” the 33-year-old Viktor Troicki (SRB) 6-4, 6-3 Marseille win But he need not have worried as he de- “I still cannot believe my start to the German said. “It would put me in the Roberto Bautista Agut (ESP) bt Karen feated Paire for the fourth time without a season.” semi-fi nals. Khachanov (RUS) 6-1, 7-6 (4)

GOLF Fowler closes out Honda Classic win

AFP “It’s nice to have a cushion Miami when you are playing the last two holes,” Fowler said, adding that the round in breezy condi- ickie Fowler, buoyed tions wasn’t easy. by a brace of long- “To go from yesterday, where range birdie putts, it was pretty chill out here, not Marseille winner Jo-Wilfried Tsonga returned to the world’s top won the US PGA Tour a whole lot of breeze, and good 10 when the ATP rankings were released yesterday. The 31-year- HondaR Classic on Sunday with conditions to just go hit golf old Frenchman won his third title on the south coast of France a one-over par 71 in the fi nal shots and pick this golf course on Sunday, beating compatriot Lucas Pouille 6-4, 6-4 in the final. round at PGA National. apart, today was completely Tsonga moved up four places to seventh, his highest ranking Key birdie putts of 40 feet diff erent, a lot of crosswinds,” since June last year. Pouille also gained two places to move up and 25 feet helped Fowler over- he said. to 15th while Austria’s Dominic Thiem dropped one spot to ninth come two tee shots into the “This was a tough wind to despite winning the title in Rio de Janeiro. American Jack Sock water. play this golf course in. And I moved up three places into the top 20 after winning the Delray He started the day with a felt like I hit some good shots Beach tournament. Andy Murray held onto the world number four-shot lead and with fi ve that got just on the wrong side one ranking ahead of Novak Djokovic, with neither of them in birdies, four bogeys and a of the wind and didn’t come action last week. double-bogey fi nished with a back like I was.” 12-under total of 268 — four Woodland had applied some strokes ahead of Morgan Hoff - early pressure, but he fi nished Dubai win sends Svitolina to mann and Gary Woodland. with back-to-back bogeys to career high 10th “My putter saved me,” said settle for a 69 and a share of Fowler, who was in the water second on 272 alongside Hoff - Ukraine’s Elina Svitolina hit off the tee en route to a double mann, who carded a 68. a career high world ranking bogey at the sixth, and shock- “I gave myself a lot of chanc- after her victory in Dubai ingly in the water again off the es. Just didn’t get the putts helped her crack the WTA tee at 17, where he salvaged a to come in down the stretch,” top 10 released yesterday. bogey. Woodland said. “But obviously The 22-year-old moved up He dropped another shot Rickie is playing some great three places to 10 after beat- at the par-fi ve 18th, where his golf. So happy with the way I’m ing former world number third shot found a greenside playing and looking forward to one Caroline Wozniacki in bunker. next week.” Saturday’s final. Denmark’s Despite the ugly ending, the England’s Tyrrell Hatton, Wozniacki moved up one round saw Fowler win for the who started the day in second place to 14th. Serena Wil- fi rst time when holding the place, carded a two-over 72 to liams remains on top of the 54-hole lead on the PGA Tour, fi nish in a large group sharing rankings but less that 500 after four prior misses. fourth on 273. points ahead of Angelique His lead had dwindled before The group also included Kerber, who could have he rolled in a 40-footer at the Venezuela’s Jhonattan Vegas, gone top had she won in 12th and a 25-footer at the next, whose 64 was the best round of Dubai but lost to Svitolina in and his advantage was up to fi ve the day and included a hole in Rickie Fowler celebrates after winning The Honda Classic at PGA National in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, the semi-finals. strokes when he birdied 16. one at the par-three 15th. on Sunday. (USA TODAY Sports) Gulf Times Tuesday, February 28, 2017 7 SPORT

NBA FOCUS Pistons’ comeback comes up short Westbrook takes against Celtics

By Vince Ellis Eastern Conference. Pistons Detroit Free Press coach Stan Van Gundy got a quick time-out after the Celt- ics beat the Pistons down the he Boston Celtics fl oor for two easy layups to charge, Griffi n showed why they have take an early 6-2 lead. designs on reaching The Pistons’ struggles the NBA Finals. continued with Brown, who TAnd the Detroit Pistons’ lit- scored seven points in the any of miscues proved decisive fi rst quarter. The Celtics took in the 104-98 loss at the Palace a couple of eight-point leads on Sunday. with the last coming at 19-11 Isaiah Thomas scored 33 on ex-Piston Amir Johnson’s powers Clippers points and his Celtics (38-21) fl ying dunk on an off ensive re- were able to beat back an- bound. Detroit cut the defi cit other late off ensive surge from to two at 19-17 on a Jon Leuer ‘At the end of the day, Russ made all the plays down the stretch. You have to give them credit’ Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, 3-pointer with 4:34 left in the who scored nine points in the fi rst quarter. The Pistons used fourth quarter to help the Pis- a 9-2 run to take a 32-29 lead AFP tons to a 96-95 lead with less early in the second quarter. Los Angeles than one minute remaining. But the Celtics answered But Reggie Jackson launched with an 18-3 run to take a 47- an errant 3-pointer with 55 35 lead at the 4:31 mark of the ussell Westbrook scored seconds left. The Celtics’ Al second quarter. Thomas ac- 21 points in the fourth Horford grabbed the rebound, counted for fi ve points, two as- quarter en route to his and on the ensuing posses- sists and a steal during the run. 29th triple double of sion rookie Jaylen Brown sank Jackson kept the Pistons theR season as the Oklahoma City a corner 3-pointer while being around with eight points, in- Thunder beat the New Orleans fouled to give the Celtics a 98- cluding two 3-pointers, to close Pelicans 118-110 on Sunday. 96 lead with 37.1 seconds left. the half. And after Horford Westbrook posted his seventh He missed the free throw, but missed a 3-pointer, Jackson career 40-point triple double, Smart grabbed the off ensive gathered the long rebound and which tied him with Wilt Cham- rebound - their fi fth off ensive pushed it into the frontcourt. berlain for the second most in rebound while Pistons center He found Morris for an open NBA history. Andre Drummond was benched 3-pointer from the wing to cut Westbrook fi nished with because of Boston’s aggres- the halftime defi cit to four at 41 points on 14-of-29 shoot- sive use of intentionally fouling 54-50. Morris committed fi ve ing from the fi eld in front of a Drummond, who was 1-for-11 turnovers in the fi rst half. crowd of 18,200 at the Thun- from the line. The Pistons fi n- The Celtics quickly pushed der’s Chesapeake Energy Arena. ished 16-for-35 from the line the lead to 67-52 open the sec- He also had 11 rebounds and 11 and committed 17 turnovers. ond half, but Drummond’s ac- assists. Smart made both free tivity stabilised things. “I just stay in attack mode and throws to give the Celtics a His jump hook after an of- tried to help us win,” Westbrook 100-96 lead with 37 seconds fensive rebound cut the defi cit said. left. Drummond fi nished with to 13. Another jump hook cut The 21 points is the most 17 points and 15 rebounds, the defi cit to 11. Westbrook has ever scored in the and Jackson had 17 points and He then got a steal and went fourth during his career. six assists. Caldwell-Pope led in for an easy breakaway, but “I think throughout the game, the Pistons with 18 points, he missed the dunk. But he I try to fi nd ways to pick my and Marcus Morris scored 16 hustled back on defense and spots,” Westbrook said. points. The Celtics remain forced Johnson to travel. “Tonight was the fourth quar- second in the Eastern Confer- Another hook shot cut the ter. Some nights it may be early, ence. The Pistons (28-31) fall defi cit to seven at 67-60. Mor- some nights it may be late. I just to 7-4 in the month of Febru- ris’ three-point play at the end play. ary and still hold the eighth of the third quarter cut the “The game will tell you what and fi nal playoff spot in the defi cit to 79-74. to do. If something is working, I keep doing it.” Enes Kanter came off the bench to add 20 points and nine Hayward powers Jazz past Wizards rebounds. Steven Adams and Alex Abrines each had 13 points Gordon Hayward scored a game-high 30 points as the Utah for the Thunder. Anthony Davis Jazz handed the Washington Wizards a rare home loss at the led the Pelicans (23-37) with 38 Oklahoma City Thunder Russell Westbrook scores 21 points against New Orleans Pelicans in the fourth quarter en route to his 29th triple Verizon Center arena with a 102-92 victory on Sunday. points and seven rebounds. double of the season. (AFP) The Jazz led by as many as 24 points en route to their third “I thought we played well,” consecutive win in the battle between the two first place NBA New Orleans coach Alvin Gentry wrong to receive it,” said Cous- assists and nine rebounds, while won their fourth game in fi ve in front by three with 1:38 left teams. Rudy Gobert finished with 15 points and 20 rebounds said. “I thought we did a good ins, who leads the league in tech- J.J. Redick scored 22 points for contests with a 100-96 victory in the third quarter — and the and George Hill tallied 21 for the Northwest Division-leading job. We started the game the nical fouls. Los Angeles. over the Phoenix Suns. Bucks led the rest of the way. Jazz, who improved to 37-22 on the season. right way. Kemba Walker led the Hornets Brogdon scored all 15 of his TJ Warren led Phoenix with 23 “It’s a big win,” Gobert said. “I’ve been watching this team. “At the end of the day, Russ Clippers sting Hornets in OT with 34 points and Nicolas Ba- points and dished out fi ve of his points and Alan Williams scored They’ve been playing great, especially at home. We knew it was made all the plays down the Elsewhere, Blake Griffi n tum added 31 and eight rebounds seven assists in the second half. a career-high 17 points off the going to be a big challenge, and it shows that we’re ready for stretch. You have to give them scored 43 points and collected 10 for the Hornets, who lost for Giannis Antetokounmpo had 28 bench. playing (against) anybody.” credit.” rebounds, lifting the Los Angeles the sixth time in their last seven points, eight rebounds and six The Southeast Division-leading Wizards (34-23) had won 19 of Pelicans forward DeMarcus Clippers to a 124-121 overtime games. assists for the Bucks. RESULTS their last 20 home games and had scored at 100 points in 23 Cousins added 31 points and 10 victory over the slumping Char- Jeremy Lamb chipped in 19 “I thought Malcolm played a Thunder 118 Pelicans 110 consecutive games. rebounds before fouling out. lotte Hornets. points, while Frank Kaminsky great second half,” Bucks coach Spurs 119 Lakers 98 The Wizards have now dropped two consecutive games for the Cousins picked up a technical DeAndre Jordan fi nished with fi nished with 16 points and fi ve Jason Kidd said. “He was great. Bucks 100 Suns 96 first time in nearly two months. Washington lost 120-112 at the foul 32 seconds into the game. 20 points and 19 rebounds for rebounds before fouling out with Giannis made a lot of great reads. Grizzlies 105 Nuggets 98 Philadelphia 76ers on Friday and it doesn’t get any easier going It was the 18th of the season for the Clippers, who defeated the 4:21 left in regulation. Beasley was awesome. There Jazz 102 Wizards 92 forward. Cousins which means he will be Hornets at Staples Center for the In Milwaukee, Malcolm Brog- were a lot of good things.” Celtics 104 Pistons 98 “Philly, that was a trap game,” Washington forward Markieff suspended for one game. seventh straight game. don provided the second half Brogdon scored six points in Raptors 112 Trail Blazers 106 Morris said. “This game, they just beat our (butt). It happens.” “I don’t feel I did anything Chris Paul had 15 points, 17 spark off the bench as the Bucks a 12-0 run that put Milwaukee Clippers 124 Hornets 121 (OT)

SPOTLIGHT Aspire Torch Staircase Run on March 18

By Sports Reporter “As part of our core mission to Doha build a culture of physical activ- ity and healthy lifestyle in Qatar, we are keen to engage communi- spire Zone Foundation ty members with AZF’s various (AZF) yesterday an- sporting events in an exciting nounced opening reg- environment, which motivates istration for the sixth them to take part in all sorts of annualA Aspire Torch Staircase athletic activities.” Run from February 28. Al-Khater added, “We en- The race is scheduled to take courage all sports enthusiasts in place on March 18 at the Torch Qatar to take part in the race as hotel in Aspire Zone. This year’s a way to challenge themselves edition is open for participants and discover their true poten- 16 years of age and older and tial. This type of competition re- will feature several categories for quires a high level of fi tness and both male and female partici- endurance, but everyone is en- pants in diff erent age groups, in- couraged to attempt the summit cluding 16 to 17 years old, 18 to 39 and give it their best shot.” years old, and 40 years old and Previous editions of the run above, as well as an open catego- generated unprecedented success ry for the hotel’s wait staff . on par with international tower- The route of the Aspire Torch running competitions, including Staircase Run will consist of 1,304 Empire State Building Run-Up stairs, as runners will have to make in New York, USA, and Berlin their way to the top of the 300m Sky Tower in Germany. Over the tower to the 51st fl oor. Those who past two editions, ATSR attracted fi nish the race in the shortest time more than 600 participants from will receive valuable cash prizes. both local and expat communi- Speaking about the registra- ties alongside other tower run- tion opening, Abdullah al-Khat- ners from all over the world. er, Events Manager at AZF, said: In 2015, ATSR was awarded an “Since its launch in 2012, as a offi cial Grand Prix status as one fi rst of its kind event in the Mid- of the top international tower dle East, ATSR has become a key running competitions. Inter- event on the calendar of every ested community members can sports enthusiast in Qatar and an visit www.lifeinaspire.qa to reg- important part of AZF’s off ering ister and fi nd out more informa- to the community. tion about taking part in the run. Gulf Times 8 Tuesday, February 28, 2017 SPORT

NHL FOCUS Patience and perseverance make Gaudreau scores Kentucky’s senior trio exceptional

By Jerry Tipton Willis diff ered from the typical Lexington Herald-Leader wooing. twice in Flames win “All the other schools were telling him how much play- ith Dominique ing time he was going to get Hawkins, Mychal as a freshman,” said Barr, who Mulder and Derek coached Willis at Bullitt East Willis as hono- High in Mount Washington, Wrees, Kentucky’s Senior Night Ky., “and telling him when today will be something of an he’d probably start. over Hurricanes anomaly. Each player is a tes- “Kentucky never told him tament to the old-school val- that. They just told him they ues of diligence, patience and wanted him and he’d have to ‘We didn’t compete hard enough to get in their end and hold on to pucks and create plays’ perseverance. And, of course, earn everything he got. For a UK has become synonymous kid to choose that over guar- with college careers measured anteed playing time, I think By Chip Alexander in months, one-and-done shows the kind of character The News & Observer (Raleigh, players and fast-tracking to he has. He wanted to be chal- N.C.) professional fame and fortune. lenged. I’m really proud of Kentucky’s Senior Night is a him.” dying ember whose fl ickering Willis, who committed to he Carolina Hurricanes, light is obscured by the garish Purdue as a high school so- coaches and players, NBA sun. phomore, has heard fans ques- viewed a fi ve-game In this sense, Hawkins, tion his love of basketball. Barr homestand after their Mulder and Willis have been scoff ed at this notion. TNHL bye week as chance to make exceptional Kentucky players. “If he didn’t love the game, a move. They’ve combined to make 29 I don’t think he would have Win games, climb up in the starts in a cumulative 10 Ken- gone there,” Barr said. Eastern Conference standings, tucky seasons. Yet, we’re still put together a late-season surge, waiting for the fi rst grousing Willis, who committed to get into playoff contention. about playing time, and, truth Purdue as a high school Instead, the Canes ended it be told, each has wanted to sophomore, has heard with a thud, with a 3-1 loss Sun- play more. fans question his love of day to the Calgary Flames that “He’s like a horse biting basketball fi nished off a disappointing 1-3- at the bit in the starting gate 1 stretch at PNC Arena. wanting to get in,” Randy What Barr fi nds diffi cult to General manager Ron Fran- Mulder said of his son. “But he accept is how diff erently fans cis traded veteran defenseman understands.” view Willis this season as op- Ron Hainsey on Thursday. Oth- This ability to understand posed to last season. In 2015-16, er changes could be made be- and gracefully carry on makes Willis emerged as a diff erence fore the NHL trade deadline on Allen Feldhaus Jr., proud of maker as a 3-point shooter. His Wednesday. Hawkins. When Feldhaus defense needed to improve. His “We made it easy for man- coached him for Madison Cen- numbers were similar this sea- agement, for sure,” Hurricanes tral High School, Hawkins was son going into Saturday’s game coach Bill Peters said on Sunday. the main man, the Kentucky against Florida. The same is Asked if he anticipated more Mr. Basketball who led his true of his strengths and weak- changes, Peters said, “I’m not team to a state championship. nesses. Yet he’s now perceived sure but I don’t have much of a When asked to compare that as a weak link. leg to stand on, to argue. They’ll Hawkins with the role-playing “He seemed the hottest be making decisions, and I’m substitute at UK, Feldhaus thing for Kentucky fans to talk sure they’re busy as we speak.” chuckled and said, “Well, he about last year in a positive Johnny Gaudreau, who can be never stood in the corner for way,” Barr said. “The thing I dynamic, was on Sunday, scor- us.” don’t understand this year is ing twice and adding an assist Hawkins stands in the cor- he’s the same player he was for the Flames (33-26-4), who ner for UK – along with serv- last year. I don’t understand have moved into playoff position ing as a defensive stopper and the turn. I mean, he’s gone in the Western Conference with occasional ball handler – with from beloved last year to ma- a 9-2-1 run. an upbeat determination to ligned this year. Goalie Brian Elliott was stout make the most of his assign- “I think it’s confusing for enough in net, allowing a power- ment. him. It would be for any kid.” play goal to Victor Rask in the “He’s going to take what- Confusing, perhaps, but not fi rst period but nothing else in Calgary Flames’ Sam Bennett (No 79) and Sean Monahan (No 23) celebrate after Johnny Gaudreau (not pictured) scored during the third ever role Coach (John Calipari) demoralising. “I’m proud of fi nishing with 34 saves. period against the Carolina Hurricanes at PNC Arena in Raleigh. PICTURE: Observer/TNS wants him to take, and that’s Derek,” Barr said. “I’m proud “Our eff ort was lacking what makes me most proud of him for going there and throughout,” Peters said. many in the neutral zone, and had a chance to take a 2-0 lead breakaway in the second period, next play road games against of him,” Feldhaus said. “In my fi ghting a tough battle.” “Usually we start well. I didn’t the Flames had 24 takeaways. when defenseman Ryan Mur- Ferland beating goalie Eddie Florida and Tampa Bay. opinion, he’s the ultimate team Randy Mulder has no re- think we did. We had two power “We didn’t compete hard phy had an open shot form the Lack, then scored on a shot from “For how consistent we’ve player.” grets. “He could have gone to plays early in the game, scored enough to get in their end and slot. But Canes forward Phil Di the slot. been at home it’s been frustrat- The seniors knew that play- a lesser school and played 30 on one of them, didn’t generate hold on to pucks and create Giuseppe knocked the Flames’ His backhander hit the skate ing,” Staal said. ing for Kentucky would be minutes-plus and scored 25 much fi ve-on-fi ve. I don’t think plays,” Staal said. Matt Stajan down in the crease, of Canes defenseman Brett “They were big games, and we challenging. Mulder, who points a game,” he said of his we got going at any point in the Peters said the Canes missed and Murphy’s shot – which had Pesce, who then tried to get his dropped the ball on a few.” originally committed to Wi- son. “But the exposure you get game.” forward Brock McGinn, who beaten Elliott – hit Stajan in the stick on the puck only to knock it chita State, heard skepticism at Kentucky, the environment, Peters did some line juggling plays with some thump but sat helmet and shoulder as Stajan to Gaudreau. Results about switching to UK. the beautiful people, it’s been a during the game, moving Teuvo out the game with an injury. was getting up and stayed out of Gaudreau made a quick move Blue Jackets 5 Rangers 2 “I go, they’re the best team,” great experience.” Teravainen to center with Jeff “We missed his energy, missed the net. Peters shrugged off that to the middle in the third to score Predators 5 Oilers 4 Randy Mulder said. “You get to Feldhaus echoed the sen- Skinner and Lee Stempniak, and his competitiveness,” Peters near-miss, saying, “Would we his second of the game as the Flames 3 Hurricanes 1 play for the best team with the timent. “I think he’d do it Jordan Staal to center with Se- said. “We could have used a little have started to play properly if defensive pairing of Pesce and Bruins 6 Stars 3 best players, arguably for the all over again,” he said of bastian Aho and Elias Lindholm. bit more of both.” we got up two?” Noah Hanifi n struggled. Both Senators 2 Panthers 1 best coach.” Hawkins. “I don’t think he’d Nothing worked as the Canes After Rask scored his fi rst goal Gaudreau made a nifty stretch had minus-3 games. So much for Blackhawks 4 Blues 2 As Troy Barr recalled, Ken- trade it for anything. I think he had too many careless passes, in 16 games, the Canes (25-25-8) pass to Micheal Ferland for a the big homestand. The Canes Coyotes 3 Sabres 2 tucky’s recruiting pitch for enjoyed the ride.”

SPOTLIGHT Kings get Bishop from Lightning in exchange for Budaj

By Kevin Baxter Ottawa Senators and St. Louis Blues. He has Los Angeles Times a 146-77-23 record, a 2.32 goals-against av- erage, a .919 save percentage and 19 shutouts and also played in the 2015 Stanley Cup Final. day after getting Jonathan Quick But there’s no guarantee Bishop will be back from a groin injury that had with the Kings beyond April. He will earn sidelined him all season, the Los $5.95 million this season before becoming an Angeles Kings picked up another unrestricted free agent. However given the topA goaltender on Sunday when they ac- continued uncertainty over Quick’s health, quired veteran Ben Bishop in a trade with the Lombardi said the trade was worth the risk. Tampa Bay Lightning. “You’re never sure how well a guy who’s And while that doesn’t address the team’s been out this long, is he going to have his ‘A’ sagging off ense, it does give the Kings argu- game?” he said. ably the NHL’s best goalie tandem for the fi - “This is not an insurance policy. (Bishop) nal 21-game push for the playoff s. needs to play.” “Every game down the stretch is critical,” Playing in relief of Quick, Budaj is hav- said Kings President and General Manager ing a career-best season, having appeared in Dean Lombardi, who expects Bishop to be 53 games, going 27-20-3 with a 2.12 goals- with the team ahead of Monday’s game at against average, a .917 save percentage and an Minnesota. “There’s not a lot of room here for NHL-best seven shutouts. error. We want to take that out of the equa- Lombardi suggested it was unlikely he tion by making sure we have a No. 1 goalie in would make another deal before Wednes- there every night. day’s trade deadline to address the Kings’ “This, we felt, was going to give us the best woeful off ense, which entered Sunday ranked chance to get in (the playoff s).” 24th in the NHL, averaging 2.44 goals a game. The Kings sent goalie Peter Budaj, minor “The focus has to be on the players we have league defenseman Erik Cernak and a sev- producing up to their capability. And then enth-round pick in this summer’s draft to the we can look at additions,” said Lombardi, Lightning in exchange for Bishop and a fi fth- who reportedly has $3.3 million of salary- round draft pick. The Kings may also have cap space available. “You’re not going to get to surrender a conditional draft pick if they an (Artemi) Panarin or a (Patrick) Kane or make the playoff s. (Alex) Ovechkin or anything else that’s going A fi nalist for the Vezina Trophy as the to completely revamp your off ense right now. NHL’s top goaltender last year, Bishop, 30, “The answer ... has to come from within.” has played in 32 games this season, posting a After Monday’s game with the Wild, the 16-12-3 record with a 2.55 goals-against av- Kings will fl y 1,000 miles to Calgary for a erage, a .911 save percentage and one shutout. Tuesday night game with the Flames, one of In an eight-year NHL career, the Denver na- two teams they are chasing for the Western tive has played 263 games for the Lightning, Conference’s fi nal playoff berth. Veteran goaltender Ben Bishop. Gulf Times Tuesday, February 28, 2017 9 SPORT

SPOTLIGHT EFG SAILING ARABIA – THE TOUR Pressure mounts as Mercedes pile on fi nal leg fi nish nears the laps; McLaren, Red Bull sidelined Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel, a four times champion with Red Bull but without a win last year, was fastest in the sunny opening session with a lap of 1:22.791 seconds By Our Correspondent and fi fth consecutively. Muscat Italian team Adelasia di Torres, newcomers to Arabia’s premier off shore regatta, were today occu- n epic tussle for the top pying the fourth spot in the Leg 5 spot in the fi fth and fi - rankings, with all-woman crew DB nal leg of EFG Sailing Schenker (GER) in sixth and Team Arabia – The Tour was Averda (GBR) in seventh. yesterdayA playing out as the fl eet Bienne Voile (SUI) were some closes in on the Dubai fi nish line. 25 miles behind the rest of the Reigning EFG Sailing Arabia – fl eet today after they ran aground The Tour champions EFG Bank overnight 70nm west of Abu Monaco (MON) and title chal- Dhabi. lengers Team Al Mouj Muscat No-one was injured and their were this morning split by just a yacht sustained only minor dam- few metres as the 205-nautical age before being towed to deeper mile sprint from Doha to Dubai water by the EFG Sailing Arabia entered a second day. – The Tour committee boat, al- The rival crews have been lowing the team to restart the leg. practically neck and neck since The fl eet is expected to cross the fl eet of eight international the Leg 5 fi nish line in Dubai this teams set sail from Qatari capital evening. Doha on Sunday morning. The EFG Sailing Arabia – The

Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel is followed by Mercedes’ Valtteri Bottas during the Formula One test session at the Barcelona-Catalunya racetrack in Montmelo, Spain yesterday.

Reuters Ricciardo brought out the fi rst red fl ag Barcelona of the morning, stopping on track with a At midday yesterday the fl eet, Tour crown will be decided on sensor problem between turns three and spread over just three nautical Wednesday by a series of in-port four. miles, had around 60nm still to races around a short course held orld champions Mercedes The car was brought back to the pits sail to the fi nish line off Dubai’s at The Palm Jumeirah Marina pounded out the laps while shrouded in a tarpaulin on the back of a iconic The Palm Jumeirah, the West, supported by Nakheel. Ferrari went fastest and ri- fl atbed truck. culmination of 763nm of intense vals Red Bull and McLaren It was craned off and taken back into off shore action around the Ara- Overall results Whit immediate setbacks as Formula One’s the garage, where mechanics were work- bian Gulf. new crop of cars made their test debuts ing on removing the gearbox. EFG Bank Monaco, who have EFG Bank Monaco (MON/Thi- yesterday. Force India’s Mexican driver Sergio lifted the EFG Sailing Arabia – erry Douillard) – 8 points Valtteri Bottas, replacing retired world Perez and Williams driver Felipe Massa The Tour trophy the past three Team Al Mouj Muscat (OMA/ champion Nico Rosberg at Mercedes were third and fourth fastest and com- years, started the fi nal leg with Christian Ponthieu) – 12 points alongside Lewis Hamilton, had completed pleted 39 laps each. a narrow four-point advantage Team Renaissance (OMA/Fa- well over a race distance by lunchtime with Of the rest, only Sweden’s Marcus over Team Al Mouj Muscat, run- had Al Hasni) – 19.75 points 79 timed laps of the Circuit de Catalunya. McLaren’s Fernando Alonso in action yesterday. Ericsson came close to their lap tally with ners-up in last year’s event. Team Zain (KUW/Cedric Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel, a four times 32 for Sauber, who are using last year’s But with double points up for Pouligny) – 24 points champion with Red Bull but without a 0.378 slower on the soft tyres. the new Red Bull RB13 after its presenta- Ferrari engine. grabs on Leg 5 the overall podium Team Averda (GBR/Andrew win last year, was fastest in the sunny The main focus of all teams was on re- tion on Sunday, had completed only four. Renault’s Nico Hulkenberg had the positions are far from decided. Baker) – 36.75 points opening session with a lap of 1:22.791 liability and racking up mileage, however, McLaren’s engine partners Honda said honour of being fi rst on track. Team Renaissance (OMA) began Adelasia di Torres (ITA/Renato seconds and 62 laps to his credit on me- with some cars sporting intricate aero- the orange and black MCL32 car, which The new cars, wider and with bigger the leg occupying the third po- Azara) – 36.75 points dium tyres. dynamic devices to measure air fl ow and managed just one untimed installation front and rear tyres, are expected to be dium spot on the tour leaderboard Bienne Voile (SUI/Lorenz The German’s time was already close performance. lap, had an oil systems problem. several seconds a lap quicker than last 4.25 points ahead of Team Zain Mueller) – 37.50 points to the fastest lap in 2016 Barcelona test- Fernando Alonso failed to set a timed “We plan to run again today but due to year’s, if no louder. (KUW), however at the latest po- DB Schenker (GER/Annemeike ing of 1:22.765. lap on home soil in the McLaren while the diffi cult access location it will take sev- The season starts in Australia on sition report the chasers were two Bes) – 42.25 points Bottas was second on the timesheets, Australian Daniel Ricciardo, fi rst to drive eral hours to resolve,” a spokeswoman said. March 26. places ahead of their rivals in third

BOTTOMLINE Busch wins Daytona 500 demolition derby Reuters stages and points awarded to the top 10 Daytona Beach, Florida drivers at the end of each segment. The format produced some wild pit stop strategies as Kurt’s younger broth- urt Busch steered clear of the er Kyle Busch and Kevin Harvick picked chaos to win a crash-fi lled up stage wins but not the big prize. Daytona 500 on Sunday as Kyle Busch’s race came to an abrupt the Great American Race was end just halfway when he spun and col- Ktransformed into the Great American lected several cars, including Earnhardt Demolition Derby. and Kenseth, bringing out a red fl ag and Busch led for one lap but it was the halting the race. most important one as he powered his “To get back to the race track meant a Stewart-Haas Racing Ford to the front lot to me and just sorry we weren’t able with less than one to go after polesitter to deliver a better result today for all Chase Elliott ran out of gas. our fans,” said Earnhardt, who missed The 38-year-old American then held the second half of last season after suf- off Ryan Blaney by .228 of a second to fering a concussion. claim his fi rst Daytona 500 in 17 tries, “I don’t really know what hap- after previously fi nishing runner-up pened... luckily the hit wasn’t that three times. Busch puts his hand in concrete after hard.” “There is nothing predictable about winning the 2017 Daytona 500. After just one incident brought out this race anymore and the more years a caution in the fi rst 100 laps, the back that have gone by that I didn’t win I scathed. half of the race produced a series of kept trying to go back to patterns that “Our car was damaged on all sides,” wrecks. I had seen in the past,” an emotional said Busch after collecting his 29th ca- Only 23 laps after Kyle Busch’s crash Busch told reporters. reer win. “We went through everything the yellow fl ag was out again when sev- “My mirror fell off with 30 laps to go today.” en-times series champion Johnson was and I couldn’t even see out the back. After an orderly start to the Mon- at the centre of a massive 16-car pileup And I thought that was an omen. Throw ster NASCAR Cup season, the second that knocked out Danica Patrick, the caution to the wind.” half of the 200-lap race turned it into only woman in the race, among others. There were also tears in pit lane as Kurt Busch, driver of the #41 Haas Automation/Monster Energy Ford, celebrates after winning the 59th Annual Daytona 500. a wreckfest with multi-car pile up af- The yellow was out again a few laps co-owner Tony Stewart, who tried for ter pile up knocking out many of the later, ending the hopes of another almost two decades as a driver to fi nd a owner,” said Stewart. “To watch Kurt “It is probably the most patient race I still running at the end and only fi ve favourites and former champions, in- former winner Trevor Bayne. way to Victory Lane at Daytona, fi nally was an awesome job those last couple have ever seen Kurt Busch run.” reaching the fi nish line without some cluding twice winners Dale Earnhardt Just as action resumed the yellow celebrated. of laps you really didn’t know what was Patience was indeed a virtue on a damage. Jr., Jimmie Johnson and Matt Kenseth. fl ag was waved again when a multi-car “I ran this damn race 18 times and going to happen because guys were try- wild afternoon at Daytona Interna- Even Busch, the 2004 NASCAR A new NASCAR season began with a crash sent 2012 Series champion Brad couldn’t win it so fi nally won it as an ing diff erent things. tional Speedway that saw just 25 cars Series champion, did not escape un- new format, the race divided into three Keselowski to the garage. Gulf Times 10 Tuesday, February 28, 2017 SPORT

SPOTLIGHT ANALYSIS Olympic bidders face the harsh reality Farah coach denies of costs heavily outweighing benefi ts The IOC may fi nd fewer cities eager to host the Games with experts agreeing that staging the event is allegations that he economically damaging despite a larger revenue cake broke doping rules ‘I believe in clean sport and a methodical, dedicated, approach to training. All Oregon Project athletes are required to comply with the WADA Code and IAAF Rules’

Reuters London

lberto Salazar, the coach of Britain’s Olympic champion Mo Farah, has denied administering banned supplements to his ath- letesA and issued a fi rm rebuttal of what he said were false allegations against him in a British newspaper. File picture of the inside of the world-famous Maracana Stadium that The Sunday Times earlier reported that played a key role in the 2014 World Cup and 2016 Olympic Games Salazar had used prohibited infusions of and is now in a dilapidated condition. supplements to improve the performance of his runners, citing what the newspaper By Sean Ingle, The Guardian From 1968 to 2012, for in- said was a leaked United States Anti-Dop- London stance, every single Olympic ing Agency (USADA) report. Games ended up costing more But the coach, who was accused of vi- than originally estimated. Who olating anti-doping rules in a BBC docu- hese days even the Ol- can forget that London’s ini- mentary in 2015, said on Sunday that the ympics is going on the tial bid was £2.4bn? That fi gure newspaper had “recycled old allegations” 5:2 diet. Less than 18 was revised upwards within two he had already refuted. months ago, the politi- years to £9.3bn. The Sunday Times was not immediately ciansT and panjandrams of Ham- As Baade and Matheson note available to comment. burg, Rome, Budapest, Paris and wryly, when costs came in at a “I have clearly and repeatedly refuted Los Angeles all craved the right mere £8.77bn “the organisers allegations directed against me and the to host the 2024 Games. Now, laughably claimed the event had Oregon Project,” Salazar said in a state- following Budapest’s withdrawal come in under budget”. ment referring to Nike’s training centre last week, only Paris and Los An- The forecasts of economic for elite distance runners. geles remain. But it is merely re- growth are usually wide of the “I believe in a clean sport and a me- fl ective of a bidding process that mark too. When Salt Lake City thodical, dedicated, approach to train- is getting worryingly slimmer. hosted the Winter Olympics ing. The Oregon Project will never permit Twelve cities fought over the in 2002, for instance, it cre- doping and all Oregon Project athletes 2004 Olympics. Yet only two ated between 4,000-7,000 jobs are required to comply with the WADA were in the running for the 2022 – roughly one-quarter to one- (World Anti-Doping Agency) Code and Winter Olympics. And now here tenth the number claimed by IAAF (International Association of Ath- we are again. Even LA, one of the Utah offi cials. And, according to letics federations) Rules. I do not use last pair standing for 2024, was Baade and Matheson, the fed- supplements that are banned.” a replacement for Boston after eral government spent $342m on The Sunday Times said Farah and other a concerted public campaign the 2002 Winter Olympics and athletes coached by Salazar were given forced a rethink at the US Olym- at least another $1.1bn on infra- infusions of a research supplement based In a file picture, US coach Alberto Salazar (C) hugs Britain’s Mo Farah (R) and US athlete Galen Rupp (L) following the men’s 5,000 pic Committee. structure improvements leading on the chemical L-Carnitine and that one metres final at the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) World Championships in Daegu. The great recession of the past up it - which amounts to about athlete who was given a high dosage said decade has not helped. Nor has $300,000 in federal government it was as eff ective as illegal blood doping. istered L-Carnitine in exactly the same in the belief performances would be boost- port had been leaked by the ‘Fancy Bears’ the rise of social media, which Responding to the newspaper report, way USADA directed.” ed through increased testosterone levels. hacking group. makes it is easier for protestors “There is an absolute Farah said in a statement that he was “a Salazar added: “The leaking of infor- The Sunday Times, citing the USADA USADA on Saturday confi rmed to Reu- to create energy and noise. But consensus among sports clean athlete who has never broken the mation and the litigation of false allega- report, said Farah’s British doctors had ters that the document cited by the Sunday there is something else. Some- economists that it is rules in regards to substances, methods tions in the press, is disturbing, desper- intervened because they were concerned Times appeared to have been leaked but thing more fundamental. economically damaging to or dosages”. ate and a denial of due process. about the eff ects on his health. would not comment on the report’s con- For more than 30 years the Ol- host the Games, unless one Salazar, a Cuban-born American mar- “I look forward to this unfair and pro- Farah, who last year became only the clusions or any accusations against Salazar. ympics has been sold not only as puts a very high value on athon runner who has worked with Fa- tracted process reaching the conclusion I second man to retain the Olympic 5,000 “USADA can confi rm that it has pre- a month-long festival of sport the local population rah since 2011, said his athletes had used know to be true.” and 10,000 metres titles, said the news- pared a report... regarding care given by a but as a wondrous infrastructure enjoying the party” L-Carnitine but added in his statement Nike also issued a statement on Sun- paper had used his profi le to make “the physician to athletes associated with the programme: a sort of one-stop that it was not a banned substance and day, saying: “Alberto has clearly and re- story more interesting”. Nike Oregon Project,” USADA Commu- economic pharmacy that could spending per job created. had only been administered after he had peatedly refuted the allegations directed “If USADA or any other anti-doping nications Manager Ryan Madden said in regenerate run down parts of a As they put it spikily: “If one checked in writing with USADA about against him and the management of Or- body has evidence of wrongdoing they an email to Reuters. city, boost growth, turbo-charge wishes to know the true eco- what its guidelines were. egon Project. Nike strongly believes in should publish it and take action rather “It appears that a draft of this report a nation’s fi tness and get tourists nomic impact of an event, take “L-Carnitine is a legal nutritional sup- clean sport.” than allow the media to be judge and was leaked to the Sunday Times by the fl ocking in. whatever numbers the promoters plement that is not banned by WADA,” he jury,” he added. Russian state-affi liated hacker group The International Olympic are touting and move the decimal said.”Any use of L-Carnitine was done so PRESCRIPTION MEDICINES After the 2015 BBC documentary, Fa- known as Fancy Bears. Committee, and the concentric point one place to the left.” within WADA guidelines. Salazar did not address in his statement rah was exonerated by UK Athletics who “We understand that the licensing circles of consultants and advi- It does not help a city’s chanc- “I also communicated in writing with further allegations in the British newspa- found no impropriety on his part from body is still deciding its case and as we sors that surround bidding cities, es of making a profi t when the USADA in advance of the use and ad- per that the leaked USADA report also ac- the initial fi ndings of a review into his re- continue to investigate whether anti- will always argue that a sceptical IOC pockets more than 70% ministration of L-Carnitine with Oregon cused the coach of abusing prescription lationship with Salazar. doping rules were broken, no further public will see the light once the of Olympic television revenue Project athletes... who were then admin- medicines for his athletes, including Farah, The Sunday Times said the USADA re- comment will be made at this time.” glory of the event hoves into view. compared with less than 4% But people increasingly don’t buy between 1960 and 1980. Or that it. They know the numbers do not even making a bid costs millions. BOTTOMLINE match the rhetoric. Chicago, for instance, ploughed David Forrest, an economics more than $70m into trying to professor at the University of host the 2016 Games, only to Liverpool, puts it bluntly. “There come last in a four horse race. is an absolute consensus among On his election in 2013 the sports economists that it is eco- IOC president, Thomas Bach, Meet Malaysia’s fi rst family of skiing nomically damaging to host the promised that his Agenda 2020 Games, unless one puts a very programme would fi nd ways to AFP what we’ve done,” said Mirzan. tacted the Malaysian minister high value on the local popula- reduce costs by allowing cities to Sapporo, Japan “At the end of the day his of sport,” Webb’s father Steve tion enjoying the party,” he says. use more of their existing ven- mantra for his years in offi ce was explained. “The only publications attrib- ues, and potentially spread bids ‘Malaysia can’ — so being able to “We were thinking it might uting benefi ts to hosting are by between more than one location, fanciful idea that start- represent Malaysia in a fi eld that take about two years to get consultancies paid by politicians but there is little sign that it is ed out as a joke among has never been represented be- through to someone as impor- to validate their vanity projects.” having any practical impact yet. young members of fore, for me, that is pushing the tant as a minister, but he was So what does this mean for the one of Malaysia’s most envelope and what he was and is very interesting in developing 1984 A PROFITABLE AFFAIR future of Olympics? According prominentA families has snow- all about.” new sports and to our surprise Forrest’s reading is that the Los to Michael Payne, who was the balled into a fully fl edged ski team After setting up a national ski he actually contacted us straight Angeles Olympics in 1984 was IOC’s director of marketing and and dreams of Olympic success. federation, Mirzan moved to the away and said come in and talk. profi table for the city but that TV for 20 years and is now a con- Despite being a tropical, United States, enrolling at the “It was really perfect timing, was because it was the only bid- sultant for the Los Angeles bid, snowless country, Malaysia has University of Colorado, but re- and the rest is history.” der and the IOC had no choice we should not get carried away. created its own alpine ski team mained the sole member of the Mirzan and Webb soon met up but to accept it would use exist- “I would be very cautious in say- — albeit with only two members Malaysian team. in Minnesota and started hatch- ing facilities. “The profi t at LA ing it’s the end of the world,” he — which is currently competing Unbeknown to him, a former ing their plans to put Malaysia seduced other cities into bid- tells me. “Sure there is a prob- at the 8th Asian Winter Games coach of top US skier Lindsay on the alpine skiing map, but ding. As the IOC has a monopoly, lem. Los Angeles and Paris are in Sapporo, Japan. Vonn had implanted a simi- not as a novelty act – they both bidders will compete with each two very strong candidates, from Unlike the antics of Venezue- File picture of Othman Mirzan. lar idea in the head of another wanted to be competitive. other in the beauty contest [lav- two countries who have been re- la’s Adrian Solano, who wobbled young Malaysian, Jeff rey Webb, Mirzan broke the ice when he ish facilities, accession to IOC peatedly bidding for the Games.” amateurishly around the slopes minister Mahathir Mohamad, 17 at the time and no one takes a who was born in Kuala Lumpur entered this year’s world champi- demands, bribes] until they have He believes the likes of Barce- at last week’s Nordic World Ski thought his country should do 17-year-old seriously when they but moved to the US when he onships in St Moritz, Switzerland. given away any hope of a profi t lona and London have shown the Championships in Finland, both the same after fl ippantly sug- are trying to start a national as- was fi ve years old. Then both were selected for and indeed the price extracted by Olympics can still inspire people Malaysians are accomplished gesting his family had already sociation, but the Malaysian A competitive ski racer, Webb the Asian Winter Games, with the IOC will go higher than that and change cities. And while he skiers, driven by the ambition begun their own team. Olympic Committee were very caught the eye of the coach at a Webb fi nishing 15th and Mirzan since politicians are willing for agrees the IOC is taking a higher of promoting winter sports in a “It started as a joke. My sib- enthusiastic.” training academy in Washington 24th in the men’s giant slalom. their taxpayers to take a big loss.” slice of revenue than in the past, country where football and bad- lings and I all skied together and state, who suggested he look at Now they have their sights The scale of the problem is he says it is coming from a much minton dominate. the running joke was always that ‘DOESN’T LIKE THE COLD’ the possibility of skiing for his set on the Winter Olympics, and made abundantly clear by Go- bigger cake. “I just negotiated a Partly inspired by the Jamai- we were the Malaysian ski team Mirzan, 22, said his famous native country on the interna- again the timing seems perfect ing for the Gold: The Economics deal last month for the IOC for can bobsledders who defi ed con- because we’re the only Malay- grandfather, Malaysia’s prime tional stage. with Pyeongchang, South Korea of the Olympics, written by the one top partner for close to a bil- ventional wisdom by competing sians people see skiing,” he said. minister from 1981-2003 and Webb, just 18 and still in high hosting the games in 2018 then US economic professors Robert lion dollars,” he adds. “When I at the 1988 Winter Olympics, “From that, the idea kind of still highly infl uential in the school, never took the idea too se- Beijing in 2022. A Baade and Victor A Matheson. launched the Top programme, 10 more and more warm-weather grew. It started out as ‘Let’s see if country, was an enthusiastic riously until his father read in a ski “I would love to go to the Ol- Soberly and effi ciently they ex- partners paid $100m. So the cake countries have been entering this is viable’ and then when we supporter of the team, although magazine that Mirzan had started ympics one day but not just for amine every piece of research is much bigger.” That much is teams in snow and ice events in fi gured out it was viable we had he hasn’t seen them race live. a Malaysian ski federation. the sake of going. I would love into previous Olympic Games true. The question is, given that recent years. to see what it takes. “He doesn’t like the cold so “We go back to Malaysia for to go and compete up there with and, in most cases, fi nd a gaping the Olympics are more bloated Othman Mirzan, the grand- “There’s a lot of rings you have he doesn’t come to the races but three months every year and everyone else and pull off a big chasm between the promises and than ever, how many cities in the son of former Malaysian prime you have to jump through. I was I know that he’s very proud of when we were there we con- result for Malaysia,” said Mirzan. reality. future will still want to eat it? Gulf Times Tuesday, February 28, 2017 11 CRICKET

FOCUS Panesar compares Aussie left -arm spinner O’Keefe with reliable Korean car ‘When I first saw him, he asked me: ‘what do you think of my bowling?’ I said to him, ‘you’re like a Hyundai i30. You’re very much unassuming. You’re reliable. You get from A to B and you get the job done.’ I remember telling before they left for India, ‘I feel like O’Keefe will have the most impact.’ That was my judgement and sometimes these things happen in cricket’

Reuters Melbourne Former England left-arm spinner Monty Panesar, who was hired by Cricket Australia to work with the Australian team’s spinners before the tour to n motoring parlance, Australia India, had predicted that fellow left-arm tweaker spinner Steve O’Keefe is more re- O’Keefe (left) will make a big impact in the series. liable Korean car than prestige ve- hicle but his “happy” mental state Imakes him a great addition to the team garage, according to former England bowler Monty Panesar. Recalled for just his fi fth Test since his 2014 debut against Pakistan, O’Keefe took 12 wickets in the series- opening defeat of India, the biggest haul ever by a visiting spinner. Fellow left-arm spinner Panesar, who hopes to restore his own stalled in- ternational career, was hired by Cricket Australia to work with the team’s spin- ners before the tour and he saw enough in 32-year-old O’Keefe to feel he could play a big role. “When I fi rst saw him, he asked me: ‘what do you think of my spin bowling?’ I said to him, ‘you’re like a Hyundai i30,’” Luton-born Panesar told Reuters in an interview. “’You’re very much un- assuming. You’re reliable. You get from A to B and you get the job done.’ “I remember telling (the team man- agement) before they left for India, I said ‘I feel like O’Keefe will have the most im- pact.’ That was my judgement and some- times these things happen in cricket.” Panesar played the last of his 50 Tests at the Melbourne Cricket Ground during England’s 5-0 humiliation in the 2013/14 series but he returned Down Under last year to play grade cricket for Sydney club Campbelltown-Camden Ghosts. He faced O’Keefe in a match against Manly-Warringah last month and lasted only three balls before becoming one of the Australian’s nine victims in the fi rst innings. O’Keefe had pulled out of the out. He’s an intelligent cricketer. He shared a similar battle to overcome scep- dent involving security staff at a Sydney much you want to make a comeback,” said up in the air but he is in a peaceful state domestic ‘Big Bash’ Twenty20 competi- knows his limitations but he’s happy. tics about their abilities and also sur- hotel soon after returning home injured Panesar, who has battled to get back to his of mind since opening up last year about tion to play more red-ball cricket in the “That’s what I was surprised by. He’s vived brushes with indiscipline off -fi eld. from Australia’s tour of Sri Lanka. best since shoulder surgery in late-2015. his struggles with mental health issues. lead-up to the India tour and Panesar just happy with what he’s got and he When playing for county side Sussex The incident was a wake-up call for “And also it’s a test of your self-belief O’Keefe’s eff ort in Pune had also was impressed with his application. just tries to make the best of that. He in 2013, Panesar infamously urinated on O’Keefe, who has steered clear of alco- and confi dence. O’Keefe was brilliant, added fuel to the fi re for Panesar’s own “We had a chat at the game and I had doesn’t try to be anyone else. He tries to a nightclub’s doormen and was fi ned by hol since and ploughed back into do- he mentioned something happened in hopes of reviving his England career. an opportunity to look at his bowling,” be the best O’Keefe he can be.” police for being drunk and disorderly. mestic cricket with renewed purpose. Manly and then he said to me it had been “Very much so. It’s a great story and it the 34-year-old said. “He very much Forty-fi ve Tests separate the left- O’Keefe was fi ned by his cricket “Sometimes there are people out there over 150 days that he hadn’t drunk.” inspires people like us in our thirties to sets up batsmen and looks to get them armers, but O’Keefe and Panesar have board last August for a drunken inci- who criticise you and that’s a test of how Panesar’s cricketing future remains make that comeback,” he said. BOTTOMLINE Herath to lead Lanka against Bangladesh India frugal with praise for Sri Lanka’s tour of Zimbabwe in AFP Colombo November when he led his side to win both Tests. Sri Lanka Cricket is expected ri Lanka yesterday named to announce the full squad for Pune Test tormentor O’Keefe Rangana Herath as the Bangladesh Tests today. Reuters Sskipper to replace Angelo The first Test begins in Galle on New Delhi Mathews who was dropped March 7 while the second is in from next week’s two-Test home Colombo and starts on March 15. series against Bangladesh. Sri Lanka have a good record teve O’Keefe was instrumental in Sri Lanka Cricket said the at home and beat Australia helping Australia record one of 38-year-old left-arm spinner 3-0 in the last series that they the most famous Test victories Herath was named captain al- hosted in August 2016. in recent times but hosts India though he had retired from the Bangladesh, by contrast, haveS been quick to put their heavy defeat shorter formats of the game. have only won three of their down to the pitch in Pune rather than the “He has taken on the challenge Test matches on the road since 32-year-old spinner’s performance. of leading the team through the gaining full status 17 years ago Indian batsmen have built a reputa- two-Test series against the Bang- although they have shown tion for their prowess against the turning ladesh team,” the cricket board recent signs of improvement ball over the years but left-armer O’Keefe said in a statement. and beat England in a home Test shattered that aura as Australia bulldozed It did not said why Mathews late last year. the world’s top-ranked Test team inside was dropped from the Test squad, The last series between the three days. but he returned home last month two sides in Sri Lanka in 2014 O’Keefe’s 12-wicket match haul, the half way through the South Afri- saw the hosts win one of the best fi gures recorded by a visiting spinner can tour after twisting his ankle. Tests by 248 runs while the on Indian soil, earned him the man-of- Herath had filled in during second was a draw. the-match award but little else in terms of praise from the vanquished hosts. India captain Virat Kohli blamed his side’s twin batting collapses on their recklessness, while others felt the turn- ing track had backfi red on them. Out-of-favour off -spinner Harbhajan Singh, who has had several run-ins with Australian players, said he was not con- Australia spinner Steve O’Keefe (with the ball) is congratulated by teammates after his match-winning haul in the Pune Test. (AFP) vinced by O’Keefe’s performance and would need to see him in action on a better track. “To be honest, that wasn’t a pitch,” anything. You just need to bowl fast and accurate while his preys looked for spin “I will have to see (O’Keefe) bowl on Singh, a veteran of 103 Tests, said of the not give the batsmen room to either come which wasn’t always there,” the former a good Test match wicket. Not this one,” surface used for the series opener. “Test down the track, or be able to manoeuvre Test batsman wrote in a column in yes- the 36-year-old, who had predicted a 4-0 cricket should last fi ve days. You cannot the ball around. Bowling six deliveries in terday’s Times of India newspaper. series defeat for Australia, told reporters. play on such wickets where anyone runs the same spot is all you need to get wick- “They invariably ended up playing “Until then, I will reserve my comments.” in to bowl and takes wickets. I have played ets on such tracks,” he added. wrong lines. They didn’t use their feet O’Keefe and off -spinner Nathan Lyon in over 100 Tests, and I know how hard I Former coach Ravi Shastri also felt much either... It’s an issue which can’t combined to claim all 10 Indian wickets in had to work to earn every single wicket.” O’Keefe was richly rewarded for his ac- be left pending even on fair tracks as the second innings to skittle out the hosts All O’Keefe had to do was to bowl curacy against the leaden-footed Indian even they would scruff up in second in- for 107, two more runs than they managed faster through air and be accurate, Singh batsmen. nings. Indians must fi nd a way to break in the fi rst, at a venue making its Test debut. said. “You don’t need to fl ight the ball or “Steve O’Keefe was controlled and O’Keefe’s rhythm,” added Shastri. Tuesday, February 28, 2017 GULF TIMES SPORT

WORKERS’ CUP UK parliamentary delegation visits SC headquarters, gets updated on Sporting spirit in ample preparations for 2022 World Cup

By Isabel Ovalle Dávalos www.sc.qa display as DPC go down British parliamentary delega- tion visited the headquarters Aof the Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy (SC) this month to learn about the rapidly advancing preparations for the 2022 FIFA World Cup Qatar. The delegation, led by Qatar’s am- to L&T in opening game bassador to the UK, Yousef al-Khater, included eight Members of Parlia- ment and other dignitaries, including ‘Life is short and we need to enjoy whatever football we can pack into it. Football teaches us workers the British ambassador to Qatar, Ajay Sharma. to be optimistic. I am sure we will stage a comeback by winning both our remaining group games’ “Qatar was delighted to host again a parliamentary delegation from the UK, whose agenda also included a By Abilash Nalapat And nobody embodied the pas- look at the preparations for the 2022 www.sc.qa sion more than Gyasi and his DPC SC’s Assistant Secretary General Nasser World Cup,” said al-Khater. teammates. “Life is short and we al-Khater meets players before the opening He added: “The delegation dis- need to enjoy whatever football game of the Workers’ Cup last Friday. cussed progress with those oversee- inutes before the fi fth we can pack into it,” he said with a ing the preparations and saw for edition of the Supreme smile. “Football teaches us workers themselves the work taking place Committee for Delivery to be optimistic.” to get the world-class stadiums and & Legacy (SC)-spon- He added: “I am sure we will infrastructure ready. Msored Workers’ Cup offi cially got stage a comeback by winning both They witnessed first-hand the ef- underway on Friday in front of close our remaining group games.” forts made to ensure those involved to 6,000 spectators, African pop Despite the heavy defeat, BOTC in the construction enjoy good living music boomed around the Qatar manager Mohamed Malek too conditions. The delegation also learnt Sports Club Stadium and a group of struck the same note of optimism. about the SC’s commitment towards Ghanaian players burst into a spon- “Playing in the iconic Qatar SC ensuring the tournament leaves a taneous dance in the stands. stadium, which has staged a lot positive long-term legacy.” Their team, Doha Pest Control of prestigious tournaments, is a The visit also included an audience Company (DPC), had lost to 2016 once-in-lifetime experience for with the Emir of the State of Qatar, HH semi-fi nalists Larsen & Toubro in my team,” said Malek, who is origi- Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani. their fi rst group game earlier in the nally from India. “I am thankful “This was a sign of the remarkably day. Yet, that did not stop them en- to the SC and QSL for making this close relations between Qatar and the joying the occasion as the tourna- possible through the Workers Cup.” UK and the determination to build on ment, organised by the Qatar Stars The star of the evening, Na- them in the years ahead,” concluded League (QSL), resumed with all kheel’s fi ve-goal forward Maha- the ambassador. the passion seen when 11,000 fans mat Aboubakar, clearly enjoyed the During their visit to the SC Legacy witnessed the Workers’ Cup 2016 experience. “This is unbelievable, Pavilion, an interactive exhibition fi nal in May. to be able to play in a great stadi- that tells the story of the 2022 FIFA “Football is everything for us, um and score fi ve goals in front of World Cup Qatar, the delegation was we love playing it and watching it,” nearly 6,000 people. I am speech- welcomed by SC Secretary General explained Joseph Gyasi, a striker in less,” said the man from Chad. Hassan al-Thawadi and Communica- the DPC side. “Playing well in the His coach, Sami Majzoub, was tions Director Fatma al-Nuami. Workers’ Cup gives us pride and equally pleased: “It was an honour The UK delegation also took the the tournament also gives us enor- for us to play — for the second year opportunity to visit the construction mous entertainment as fans.” running — in the game after the site of Al Bayt Stadium in Al Khor After the SC’s Assistant Secre- opening ceremony, with all these City, where they visited the adjacent tary General Nasser al-Khater had fans watching. Al Bayt Village, which houses those offi cially opened the tournament And to win again, this time by a working on the site. along with the Qatar Stars League bigger margin, was fantastic,” he They witnessed the rapidly pro- CEO Hani Balan, the Nakheel said, referring to their 5-0 triumph gressing construction of the stadium, Landscapes team put on a fi ne dis- on the opening day of the Workers’ including the recently installed struc- play, beating the Bin Omran Trad- Cup 2016. ture for its modular seats. ing & Contracting L.C.C. side 8-0. “I hope we go on to achieve big- Using modular seating will allow “The Workers’ Cup is grassroots ger things this year. I want my team almost half of the stadium’s 60,000 football at its best,” al-Khater told to play in the fi nal in front of 15,000 seats to be donated to football www.sc.qa. “We see pure passion people and win,” he concluded development projects abroad after in the stands and on the pitch.” with a smile. the 2022 FIFA World Cup Qatar, contributing to the tournament’s global legacy.

With African pop music booming around The delegation was led by Qatar’s the Qatar Sports Club Stadium, close to ambassador to the UK Yousef al- 6,000 spectators witnessed the opening Khater, and included eight Members match of the Workers' Cup between Doha of Parliament and other dignitaries, Pest Control Company (DPC) and 2016 including the British ambassador to semi-finalists Larsen & Toubro. Qatar, Ajay Sharma.

RALLYING QMMF to run counting round of National Baja Series in conjunction with FIA World Cup event By Sports Reporter supplementary regulations. National T3 Doha category vehicles may also be transported along road sections and teams will benefi t from reduced entry fees. ffi cials at the Qatar Motor and Meanwhile, staff at the QMMF have Motorcycle Federation (QMMF) now published the offi cial Rally Guide and have confi rmed that they will are fi nalising the regulations for the FIM host a counting round of the motorcycle and quad section of the inter- QatarO National Baja Championship in national event. conjunction with the Qatar Cross-Coun- Erick Nevels has been appointed as try Rally, round four of the FIA Cross- Clerk of the Course for the fi rst time and Country Rally World Cup and round two will work alongside FIM Technical Dele- of the FIM Cross-Country Rallies World gate Izak Santej and under FIM Jury Pres- Championship, from April 17 to 22. ident Jean-Francois Wulveriqk. Nevels QMMF President Abdulrahman al- hails from Argentina and has vast expe- Mannai confi rmed that the fi rst part of legs rience of cross-country rallying, having two, three, four and fi ve will count towards worked on events such as the Dakar Rally the domestic off -road series and the clas- in South America on several occasions. sifi cation of each day will be determined The Polish Overdrive Racing duo of on results registered at a passage control Aron Domzala and Szymon Gospodarczyk after around 150km of each leg. claimed victory in last weekend’s Baja Russia “Qatar National Baja competitors may Northern Forest Rally, the opening round of continue the race after the passage control the FIA World Cup for Cross-Country Ral- and be registered for the overall standings lies, through the remote snowy wastelands in the main Qatar Cross-Country Rally,” of the Karelia region of northwestern Russia. said al-Mannai. “This will not aff ect the They hold an early lead over Czech driver results at the passage control.” Miroslav Zapletal and Slovakian navigator The 2017 Qatar National Baja will be Marek Sykora in the points’ standings. open to cars in FIA group T1, T2 and T3 as The closing date for entries at reduced well as the National T3 category for desert rates for the Qatar Cross-Country Rally is buggies complying with technical regu- March 6 (Monday), with the fi nal cut-off lations published as an appendix to the planned for March 27.