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Wednesday 28 December 2016 PAGE | 22 PAGE | 23 Ibra won't leave Conte focussed on United a failure, vows Mourinho crown, not record

SHOW JUMPING SCHEDULE Read under as competition number, rule, Keen contest on height, prize and event code (all CSI4*-W classes): December 29 01 Two Phases 274.5.3 120 QR 30,000 02 Table A 238.2.1a 135 QR 35,000 03 Two Phases 274.5.6 145 QR 122,100 December 30 the cards in Doha 04 Table A 238.2.2a 120 QR 35,000 05 Table A 238.2.2a 135 QR 45,000 06 Table A 238.2.1a 145 QR270,000 Carlsen shaky December 31 07 Table A 238.2.1a 135 QR 40,000 Defending world 08 Winning Round 276.2 145 QR 122,100 champion Magnus 09 WC 2 Rounds 273.4.3b 160 QR 650,000 Carlsen of Norway slips to the 13 position at the World Rapid Championship

The Peninsula

n interesting contest is on the cards as the 2016 FIDE World Action from last week's Show Jumping Championship at the Qatar Equestrian Federation's Rapid Champion- ship heads into the (QEF) Main Arena. Inset: Mohammed Morshed Al Enizi, the Director of Public Relations at QEF. lastA rounds. The last-five deciding rounds of the 15-round cham- Prizes up for grabs for fans pionship will be held today. India's Viswanathan Anand (right) in action along with other Yesterday, overnight leader players during the Qatar Rapid and Blitz Championships, at Anton Korobov of Ukraine and the Ali Bin Hamad Attiya Arena, Al Sadd, in Doha yesterday. at top show jumping event Shakhriyar Mamedyarov of Pics by: Salim Matramkot/The Peninsula Azerbaijan shared the lead at the end of the eight round. The Peninusla Korobov and Mamedyarov, Closing following the top China, Carlsen, Vladislav Arte- both have 6.5 points at the end two of Korobov and Mamed- miev of Russia, Ivan Cheparinov rganisers of the Al of eight rounds, while defend- yarov, were Levan Pantsulaia of of Bulgaria, and Villagra Hen- Rayyan Show ing world champion Magnus Georgia, Levon Aronian of riquez, all have 5.5 points.Today Jumping Champi- Carlsen of Norway fell way back Armenia, Vassily Ivanchuk of is the last day of the three-day onship have to the 13 position, with 5.5 points Ukraine, Yangyi Yu of China, Rapid event. announced prizes after eight rounds. Alexander Grischuk or Russia, The Rapid will be fifteen (15) Ofor fans who turn up for the Another contender, India’s Anand, Ian Nepomniachtchi of rounds for Open and twelve (12) December 29-31 event to be Viswanathan Anand, a former Russia, all with six points, Chao rounds for Women’s champion- held at Qatar Equestrian Feder- world champion has half a point Li of China, Santosh Gujrathi ship, with a single game for each ation's (QEF) Main Arena. more than Carlsen. Vidit of India, Xiangzhi Bu of round, Swiss event. Some of the world's top names are listed to feature at the three-day event now into its second year. Saudi Arabi's Faisal Aba Alkhail, compatriot Abdullah Faris Abaalkhail and Frenchman Nivinne Abelard are confirmed riders. According to Mohammed A horse been put through its paces at the Qatar Equestrian Morshed Al Enizi, the Director of Public Relations at QEF, yes- Federation's (QEF) Main Arena, yesterday. terday confirmed 'spectacular surprises for fans' who will visit the QR1.34m tournament. Al arrangements have been final- the Main Arena for the three-day Enizi said Qatar's Olympic ised and all the riders are event. Games squad will also feature already in town," he said. The forthcoming event will at the December 29-31 event. This week's top event is be the second top show jump- "We have arranged for spe- worth QR 1.4m to the riders. Zu Chen (left) of Qatar ing championship to be held at cial fan zones around the QEF's "Show jumping has mass pondering her next move the same venue. Main Arena. Kids Zones have following in Qatar. This event at the Qatar Rapid and Blitz Last week QEF staged the also been set up inside the com- will go a long way in contin- Qatar International Show Jump- pound. We saw amazing crowds uing with that tradition," he Championships, at the Ali Bin ing Championship that was last week and we expect a sim- said. Hamad Attiya Arena, Al Sadd, clinched by Demir Demirsoy of ilar turnout later this week," Al The winner on the last day in Doha yesterday. Turkey. Demirsoy won the Enizi said yesterday. of event will walk way Grand Prix - the feature class at "From our side, all the QR650,000 richer. De Silva defies South African pace attack

Port Elizabeth, South Africa SCOREBOARD impressive performance by the AFP South African bowlers. Philan- South Africa (I innings): (3nb); Herath 20-4-48-2; De Silva 3-0-12-0. S Cook c Chandimal b Lakmal ...... 59 Sri Lanka (I innings): der and Abbott both bowled well, hananjaya de Silva kept D Elgar c Chandimal b Lakmal ...... 45 D Karunaratne b Abbott ...... 5 taking three for 35 and two for Sri Lanka's hopes alive H Amla c Chandimal b Lakmal ...... 20 K Silva lbw Philander ...... 16 49 respectively, but rising star Dwith a defiant innings on J Duminy lbw Herath ...... 63 K Perera c De Kock b Philander ...... 7 Kagiso Rabada had an off day. the second day of the first Test F du Plessis c Karunaratne b Lakmal ...... 37 K Mendis c De Kock b Abbott ...... 0 Rabada struggled to find his against South Africa at St T Bavuma lbw Herath ...... 3 A Mathews c Elgar b Rabada ...... 39 rhythm and conceded 63 runs in George's Park yesterday. Q de Kock b Pradeep ...... 37 D Chandimal lbw Philander ...... 28 13 overs, although he did take the V Philander c Chameera b Pradeep ...... 13 D de Silva (batting) ...... 43 De Silva made 43 as K Maharaj c Chandimal b Lakmal ...... 0 R Herath lbw Maharaj ...... 24 key of Mathews, caught Sri Lanka struggled to 181 for K Abbott (run out) ...... 0 D Chameera (batting) ...... 7 low down at third slip by Dean seven - still 105 runs behind K Rabada (not out) ...... 0 Extras (LB-4, NB-3, W-5)...... 12 Elgar. De Silva, playing in only South Africa's first innings total Extras (LB-3, NB-5, W-1) ...... 9 Total (for 7 wkts) ...... 181 his sixth Test, showed some of of 286 - before bad light ended Total (all out) ...... 286 Fall of : 1-10, 2-19, 3-22, 4-61, 5-94, 6-121, the quality that has already play. South African new ball Fall of wickets: 1-104, 2-105, 3-178, 4-213, 5-225, 7-157. brought him centuries against bowlers and 6-253, 7-276, 8-276, 9-281. : Philander 16-7-35-3 (2nb); Abbott 18-3-49- Australia and Zimbabwe,

Bowling: Lakmal 27-9-63-5; Pradeep 21.5-5-66-2 2; Rabada 13-3-63-1 (1nb; 1w); Maharaj 10-3-30-1. South African bowler Kagiso Rabada (centre) celebrates the Kyle Abbott put the Sri Lankan (2nb); Mathews 13-5-26-0 (1w); Chameera 14-1-68-0 To bat: S Lakmal, N Pradeep. although he survived a caught batsmen under pressure in and bowled chance to left-arm dismissal of Sri Lanka batsman Angelo Mathews during the seam-friendly conditions, with spinner Keshav Maharaj when second day of the first Test match at Port Elizabeth the first three wickets falling for Sri Lankan Angelo Math- innings, with assistance from he was on 27. When play ended ground, South Africa, yesterday. 22 runs. ews made a solid 39 before De Dinesh Chandimal and Rangana he had faced 69 balls and hit five It looked as though a full- Silva came out to bat at number Herath. fours. The day started well for Sri Lakmal, playing in his 32nd Test, , finishing with five scale collapse was possible but seven and played an impressive It was not a wholly Lanka when fast bowler Suranga took his first five-wicket haul in for 63. SPORT WEDNESDAY 28 DECEMBER 2016 21

NBA: With James resting, Azhar shines on gloomy day Cavs fall to Pistons Melbourne More rain at MCG one when he sliced a thick edge Reuters into the slips, only for Usman Los Angeles Pakistan opener Khawaja to miss the flight of the AFP pening batsman Azhar Ali reaches his ball which raced off harmlessly Azhar Ali shone in 12th career century for four. He beat the slips a he Detroit Pistons made gloomy conditions under trying number of times in a quickfire the most of LeBron with a patient, conditions on day two innings to add more misery to T James's absence, snap- unbeaten century to of Melbourne Test Smith's side. ping a five-game skid with a O guide Pakistan to 310 for six in Having taken over 90 balls 106-90 victory on Monday the second Test against Australia We need to put runs to strike his first boundary on over the NBA champion yesterday but both sides were day one, Azhar opened his shoul- Cleveland Cavaliers. on the board so we left frustrated at the end of a ders in the morning with a A day after their 109-108 can get early wickets rain-blighted second day. number of crisply struck triumph over the Golden State Azhar was 139 not out with and put Australia boundaries. in a Christmas Day tail-ender Mohammad Amir on under pressure: Riaz A short break for rain left thriller, the short-handed 28 as a rain-shower cut short him stranded on 96, and Smith Cavs had no answer for the another stop-start day at the batsman Asad Shafiq combined introduced himself and Nic Mad- Pistons. Melbourne Cricket Ground. for a 115-run partnership and dinson to bowl some part-time Tobias Harris came off After 39 overs were lost on batted through the entire first spin in an attempt to dislodge the the bench to lead Detroit with the opening day, the weather session as Australia laboured opener before lunch. zOn 99, 21 points. The hosts shot a wiped out the entire middle ses- with the old ball reaching the end though, Azhar glanced two runs modest 44.6 percent overall, sion, limiting Australia to two of its life. down the leg-side off Maddin- but they connected on 16 of wickets while crimping Paki- Resuming in the morning on son to bring up the milestone, 28 (57.1 percent) from three- stan's hopes of forcing a result 142-4, the pair added 90 runs to giving a little hop of joy before point range. to keep the three-match series lunch before Australia broke embracing Shafiq in Six Pistons scored in dou- alive after the tourists lost the through with the new ball after celebration. ble figures, with Kentavious opener in Brisbane by 39 runs. play finally resumed. Caldwell-Pope contributing Rain aside, Azhar added to Shafiq tucked seamer Jack- SCOREBOARD 18 points, Marcus Morris 15 Australia's torment as he sum- son Bird for a single to fine leg and Jon Leuer and Reggie moned all his powers of to bring up his 50 but was caught Pakistan (I innings): Jackson 13 apiece. S Aslam c Smith b Lyon ...... 9 concentration to shrug off the in the slips moments later, prod- A Ali (batting) ...... 139 With James watching delays and survive 287 balls. ding uncertainly at a seaming B Azam c Smith b Hazlewood...... 23 from the sideline in street He and Amir are likely to off the same bowler. Y Khan b Bird ...... 21 clothes, the Pistons seized a come out with all guns blazing Captain Steve Smith, who Misbah c Maddinson b Bird...... 11 50-44 halftime lead. They in the morning to add quick runs grassed two chances in the first A Shafiq c Smith b Bird ...... 50 held the Cavaliers to 38 per- and then send Australia in to bat. Test win in Brisbane, took his S Ahmed c Renshaw b Hazlewood ...... 10 cent shooting and forced 22 "The decision has to be taken third slips catch of the innings to M Amir (batting) ...... 28 turnovers, leading to 29 Extras (B-4, LB-9, W-5, NB-1) ...... 19 by the captain and coach in the make Shafiq Bird's third Total (for 6 wkts) ...... 310 Detroit points. morning how we have to play," victim. Fall of wickets: 1-18, 2-60, 3-111, 4-125, 5-240, Kyrie Irving led the paceman Wahab Riaz told The breakthrough lifted the 6-268. Cleveland with 18 points and reporters. "But obviously we home side's bowlers, and Josh Bowling: Starc 23.2-6-77-0 (1w); Hazlewood Pakistan's Azhar Ali after eight assists. Kevin Love need to put some runs on the Hazlewood soon had wicket- 26-11-33-2; Bird 29-5-91-3 (1nb); Lyon 17-1-69-1; scoring a century against added 17 points and 14 Smith 3-0-9-0; Maddinson 3-0-18-0. board so we can get some early keeper Sarfraz Ahmed caught in Australia in Melbourne rebounds for the Cavaliers wickets and put Australia under the slips for 10. Australia: D Warner, M Renshaw, U Khawaja, S who are 23-4 when James is

Smith, P Handscomb, N Maddinson, M Wade, M yesterday. pressure." Tail-ender Amir came out Starc, J Hazlewood, N Lyon, J Bird. in uniform and 0-3 without Azhar and middle order swinging and was reprieved on him this season. "He's probably the best player in the world," Pistons forward Jon Leuer said. "When he's not in there, it's a different feel, for sure. They Ali – Pakistan's man for all seasons still have some talented guys with Kyrie (Irving) and Kevin (Love), their shooters and Melbourne Australia. The rain has crimped He was fortunate Nathan how they space the floor. Reuters the tourists' hopes of forcing a Lyon missed the stumps for a "It still makes it difficult, result to keep the three-match run-out chance when coaxed but LeBron kind of facilitates akistan's opening batsman series alive after their 39-run into a reckless single by Asad everything." Azhar Ali (pictured) has loss in the Brisbane opener. Shafiq, with whom he shared an As their five-game win- P rarely seemed a man in a But Azhar may have at least important 115-run stand. ning streak ended, the Cavs hurry in six years of Test cricket won over more fans, having left Just before the morning fell to 23-7, still the best in the so it was fitting that his 12th cen- some cold with his one-dimen- drinks break, he had to lunge Eastern Conference. tury was eked out in fits and sional, blue collar batting style. back to his crease when Shafiq The second-placed starts over two rainy days at the He also boosted his claim to smacked straight back at bowler Toronto Raptors improved to Melbourne Cricket Ground. be a man for all surfaces. Jackson Bird who got a hand to 22-8 with a 95-91 victory Azhar's unbeaten 139 pushed Having previously scored all the ball before it clattered into over the Trail Blazers in Pakistan to 310 for six at the end his centuries on Asian pitches, the stumps. Portland. of day two of the second test Azhar's knock at the MCG added A third umpire review DeMar DeRozan scored against Australia on Tuesday and to the 139 he scored in Birming- showed he was safe but the 20 points with 10 rebounds was a triumph of patience and ham in August in a losing cause scoreboard flashed that he was and seven assists for the Rap- determination in the face of frus- against England. "out", as if its operator was also tors, who notched their fourth trating rain delays and a world "He was very committed, weary of Azhar's resistance. The straight win. class pace attack. very determined ... from the first scoreboard was quickly James Harden and the The ton lifted the gritty day as well," Pakistan paceman to Australia since his debut at most stolid and frustrating on amended, prompting groans Houston Rockets, left out of 31-year-old past 1,000 runs for Wahab Riaz told reporters after Lord's in 2010, where he scored day one, and took over 90 balls from the home crowd and Azhar the NBA's five-game Christ- the year, a milestone shared by his team mate's unfinished 287- 16 and 42 but soaked up plenty before hitting his first marched on. mas party, showed the league only four others from the south ball knock. of time at the crease. boundary. Rain forced a break and left what it missed in a 131-115 Asian nation. "We had a chat as well that He scored back-to-back cen- But on day two he opened his him stranded on 96 but unfazed, victory over the Phoenix He is also within striking he wanted to score a century and turies in the Abu Dhabi test in shoulders against the ageing ball he returned to tease two runs Suns. range of Majid Khan's 158 at the that he wanted his name on the 2014 to help Pakistan blank Aus- and sent a string of sublime down the leg-side to bring up an Harden notched his 24th same ground in 1972, the high- board at the MCG." tralia 2-0 in the series. straight drives thundering past assured and morale-boosting double-double with 32 points est score by a Pakistan player in Azhar has proved a bugbear At the MCG, he was at his Australia's hapless seamers. century. and 12 assists in the Rockets' second victory over the Suns in less than a week. The Rockets scored 39 points in the first quarter and led by as many as 34 in the Green light for Russell's second half, making 15 three- pointers along the way. In Orlando, the Magic also black bat in Big Bash led wire-to-wire in a 112-102 triumph over the Memphis Grizzlies. Forward Aaron Gor- Sydney discolouring the match ball and we have granted don scored 30 points and was Reuters approval for Andre to use the bat in any future a perfect four for four from BBL matches," said league chief Anthony three-point range. His 12 con- est Indies all-rounder Andre Russell Everard. secutive points in the third (pictured left) was given the all-clear The decision fits with the Big Bash League's period helped turn back a W to use his black bat in Australia's embrace of novelty to attract and entertain Grizzlies rally. Twenty20 Big Bash League yesterday after it crowds but it appears the arrival of the touted In Chicago, the Bulls was initially banned for leaving marks on the December 25 match might have to wait until halted a three-game losing ball. the 2018-19 season. But Cricket Australia chief streak with a 90-85 victory Russell was banned from using the distinc- James Sutherland, the driving force behind day- over the Indiana Pacers. tive bat after it discoloured the white ball during night Test cricket, is clearly open to the idea. Dwyane Wade scored 21 the derby between his Sydney Thunder and the "I'm not sure we'll be ready for it (next year)," points and handed out five Sydney Sixers last week. he told ABC Radio yesterday. assists for the Bulls, who led Cricket Australia reversed the ruling on "I think there is a growing sentiment that it by as many as 16 in the first Tuesday after assurances that the bat had been is a possibility. We need to think about the right half but saw the Pacers pull modified with the addition of a "clear laminate venue for it and we also need to consult widely. even early in the fourth quar- cover" to prevent the problem recurring. "I think it is an opportunity, and it'll be a ter after Chicago managed "We're now satisfied that the bat will not good thing for the game and for cricket fans just 12 points in the third compromise the integrity of the game by around the country." period. 22 SPORT WEDNESDAY 28 DECEMBER 2016 Roma to build new stadia

Dubai built a 41,000-seat stadium in Ibra won't leave United Reuters 2011 instead of relying on the Stadio delle Alpi which it had S Roma is on track to to share with Torino. break ground on its new Such purpose-built modern A 56,000-seat stadium to facilities could help Italy in any a failure, vows Mourinho be built in Rome's south-west, future bid to host either a World its chief executive said in Dubai Cup or European yesterday. Championship. The €1.3bn ($1.36bn) Stadio Roma will have to present Della Roma has faced years of their plans for confirmation to delays as the club waited for a new city municipality follow- approval. ing December's resignation of Originally set to open in the Prime Minister Matteo Renzi, current season, chief executive which set off a string of changes Umberto Gandini said the club in Italian politics. is in the "final step" of the "The expectation is that approval process and the sta- with minimal modification to dium would be ready by the original project we hope 2020-21 season, if not earlier. that we can get their approval," "It's a question of a couple Gandini said. of months," he told Reuters on The new stadium would the sidelines of a sports help Roma, currently second in Manchester United's Zlatan conference. Serie A, raise revenue. The club Ibrahimovic celebrates Roma's plans follow current currently alternates with cross- after scoring a against Serie A leader Juventus, who city rival SS Lazio in borrowing Sunderland against became the first top Italian club the publicly-owned Stadio Sunderland during their to own its own ground having Olimpico venue for its games. Manchester United's Premier League match at Zlatan Ibrahimovic in Manchester, celebrates after scoring a England, on Monday. goal against Sunderland during their Premier Yaya Toure League Match at Old Trafford in Manchester, England, on Monday.

Man United Manchester not coming here to leave the but in four days, I have my AFP Ibrahimovic has Premier League without prov- doubts." scored 50 times ing himself. Sunderland manager anchester across all "To leave the Premier David Moyes suffered defeat United man- competitions for club League having failed at Man- on his first return to Old Traf- ager Jose and country in 2016. chester United? No way." ford since United sacked him Mourinho is Ibrahimovic set up Daley in April 2014. looking for- United's fourth Blind to put United ahead in Moyes, whose team Mward to working with Zlatan successive Premiere the 39th minute and then ran remain in the Premier League Ibrahimovic again next sea- League win extends through to score from Paul relegation zone, said he son after declaring the their unbeaten record Pogba's pass before setting up enjoyed his return, despite the Young-at-heart Toure happy striker's contract extension in all competitions to Henrikh Mkhitaryan for a publicity that surrounded him will be a formality. 11 matches. spectacular 'scorpion kick' in the days before the to get match time for City Ibrahimovic 35, arrived volley. fixture. from Paris Saint-Germain in United secured a fourth "When you are in football, July on a one-year deal with country during 2016, the year successive Premier League what comes around goes London delivered his latest impressive an option for a further year, he retired from international win, and extended their around," said the Scot, whose AFP display as City overcame Hull which Mourinho in Novem- football with Sweden. unbeaten record in all com- team replied through Fabio 3-0 at the KCOM Stadium on ber indicated United would "I am not really surprised petitions to 11 matches, in the Borini's long-range effort. aya Toure admits he feels Boxing Day to stay in touch with look to take up. After Zlatan because he is a very intelligent absence of captain Wayne "I knew that some day I reborn after returning leaders Chelsea. Ibrahimovic scored once and guy and a very proud man," Rooney. The United captain would come up against the Yfrom exile to play a key "I look like a kid, just enjoy- made two goals in United's 3-1 Mourinho said. was withdrawn from the Manchester United players or role in Manchester City's Pre- ing playing football and helping Boxing Day win over Sunder- "He decided to come to squad after suffering a thigh work with some of them. mier League title challenge. my team-mates and the fans. land, Mourinho said the clause Manchester United and to the muscle injury in training. "I think that's what hap- Toure, 33, appeared des- It's very important to me," had not been activated yet, but Premier League, to a club with Mourinho said the Eng- pens when you're in football. tined to leave City after being Toure said. would be. the level of expectation of land captain was a doubt for I enjoyed coming back. I have frozen out by new manager Pep "I'm used to winning Pre- "It is activated in his brain Manchester United, in the United's home match against always enjoyed coming here. Guardiola earlier in the season. mier Leagues. I know it's going and it is activated also in my most difficult league in the Middlesbrough on New Year's It's a hard place to come, a But the midfielder has enjoyed to be tough but we have to keep decisions and in the owners' world for a striker. Eve. Asked if Rooney would hard place to get a result, and a remarkable renaissance in the going because Chelsea are very and the board's. So it is no "When he decides to come be fit, Mourinho said: "I don't that showed today." space of just six weeks. good this year." problem," said Mourinho. here, it is because he knows think so. I hope so. I would From chasing titles at Old Surprisingly brought in from Toure broke the deadlock Ibrahimovic's goal against he can do it. like him to be. Trafford, Moyes now finds the cold by Guardiola after the against Hull with a 72nd minute Sunderland means that he has "When we contacted him "He is always a player I himself locked in a relegation resolution of a row with his agent penalty after Andrew Robertson scored 50 times across all and he said, yes, he will come, would like to be available. tussle with Sunderland, who in November, Toure has regained fouled Raheem Sterling and City competitions for club and I was sure that he was Let's see. It is not a big deal, lie two points from safety. his old place at the heart of City's remain in good shape ahead of midfield engine room. this weekend's crucial clash with The former Barcelona star title rivals Liverpool. Al Wakrah welcome new signing Youssouph QSL: Al Sailiyah get serious ahead of the second phase The Peninsula for Tunisian club CA Bizertin. midfielder Prince Oniangue joined are currently in 13th spot in the Youssouph replaces Al Wak- Al Wakrah last week. QSL points race. atar Stars League (QSL) out- rah's Uruguayan import Pablo Twenty-year-old Oniangue Al Wakrah's Tunisian coach The Peninsula fit Al Wakrah have added Olivera, a club official said. has replaced Pablo Daniel Zebal- Kais Yaakoubi headed his team's QSenegalese midfielder Yous- The ace midfielder is scheduled los, Mohammed Al Sulaiti, the training session on Monday night, atar Stars League souph Mbengue to their roster, to undergo a routine medical before club's football deputy, said two the club said on Tuesday. A closed- (QSL) side Al Sailiyah details showed yesterday. being presented to the media. days ago. door training camp will start from Qhave launched their The 25-year-old, who arrived Youssouph is the second major Youssouph is expected to beef December 27, a week ahead of Al training camp ahead of the in Doha on Monday, last played signing after influential Congolese up the midfield for Al Wakrah who Wakrah's January 4, 2017 clash. second phase of the league that commences on January 3, 2017. According to club offi- cials, Al Sailiyah is keen El Jaish forward Magid arrive for their QSL clash against Al Arabi 'fully pre- pared' next week. the mistakes committed in Coach Sami Trabelsi the last clash where they faces long lay-off (pictured) has also urged conceded five goals. the side to forget about A club official said the The Peninsula The forthcoming surgery will be the their 5-1 loss to Al Wakra coach had informed the first step for Mohammed who faces a in round 13 last week. players 'to knuckle down l Jaish forward Magid Mohammed long lay-off. Placed 11th, Al Sailiyah and focus on the next is set undergo a surgery to repair Club officials have said the striker are looking to turn things game'. Edamaged ligaments, a club official won't be able to get on the pitch for at around in the second phase The official added that said yesterday. least six months following the surgery. after a none-too-impressive 'the team needed a deter- Mohammed suffered a bad injury Yusuf Muftah, Seydou Keita, Abdul- results in the first four mined performance at the during a ninth-round Qatar Stars League rahman Abkar, Dame Traore, Abdul months of the season. start of the second phase of (QSL) clash. It was announced then that Qadir Ilyas, Khalid Abdul Rauf and Trabelsi, a former Tuni- QSL'. the Qatar national team strike will be out Mohammed are some of the key El Jaish sian football player, headed Trabelsi is keen to help for the entire season. names on the injured list. Al Sailiyah's training session the side rise in rankings as The 31-year-old will undergo sur- El Jaish are in 3rd spot in the QSL on Monday. teams get ready for the last Magid Mohammed gery at Qatar's Aspetar, the sports points race. QSL action resumes on Jan- The coach said the team four months of the medicine hospital. uary 3. will get down to eradicating season. WEDNESDAY 28 DECEMBER 2016 SPORT 23

Wenger salutes 'fighter' Giroud

London AFP

rsene Wenger hailed Olivier Giroud's fight- Aing spirit after the Arsenal striker marked his first Premier League start of the season with the winning goal against West Bromwich London side's achievement and will be noted by their Albion. AFP main rivals. Giroud headed home four "I think today we sent a good message," minutes from the end of a ntonio Conte insisted his focus is said Conte. game that had seemed des- on the Premier League title and "In general because I think that a lot of tined to finish goalless at the not seeing his Chelsea side set a people waited to see if, without two really . new record of successive league important players, Costa and Kante, we could Before Monday's 1-0 vic- victories. lose points in this game. To win 12 tory, Giroud had come off the AThe 3-0 defeat of Bournemouth on Mon- "It didn't happen, I am pleased for this, bench 10 times in Premier games in a row day set a new club record of 12 straight league because I can count on all my players in the League games this season and wins, one short of Arsenal's single-season squad. I try in every game to make the best is not easy in scored three goals, making his mark from 14 years ago. decision for the team without looking at the this league. only club starts in the Cham- Victory over Stoke at Stamford Bridge faces." pions League. next weekend will set up the possibility of Conte opted to employ Hazard as a cen- It's a fantastic But Gunners boss Wenger Conte's side breaking the record at Totten- tral striker, forcing 23-year-old Belgian run but it's insisted that Giroud had not ham Hotspur. international forward Michy Batshuayi to important to had anything to prove to him Conte, though, says the only thing that continue his wait for a first league start since despite his repeated absence concerns him is the impact on the table that his £33m ($40.5m, (€38.7m) arrival from continue that from the starting line-up. shows Chelsea clear in top spot. Marseille. now, says "He always makes a point "If you ask me I hope to continue win- "After the Crystal Palace game I said we Chelsea's when he comes on because ning until the end of the season but, for sure, had a week to work to find the right solution, he has scored many times it is not easy," said Conte. to play for the first time without Diego, with- manager when he comes in," Wenger "I am pleased to see my players with great out Kante," said Conte. Antonio Conte said. concentration and focus, with great will to "After a week of work, I decide to choose "He has qualities in our fight and continue in this way. this type of solution, with Eden, Pedro and squad that are needed and "To win 12 games in a row is not easy in Willian. I'm pleased for the performance of that the other players have this league. these players. not. He's a fighter too, Olivier, "It's a fantastic run but it's important to "I think that Michy is a really good player, and has a fantastic continue that now. but a young player, he is trying to adapt to mentality. "For me, it's important only for the table. this league. "It has been frustrating for "With these 12 wins in a row we took 36 "I try to make the best decision for the him because he didn't always points and our table position is fantastic now. team but I am sure that Michy could have the play but I think we have an It's important only for this. possibility to show his talent in the future." honest relationship. "I always thought that the record is not Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe "I have big respect for him important if at the end you don't reach some- admitted the defeat had taught his side a val- and he knows that he was not thing important in your championship." uable lesson. always playing but despite Pedro set Chelsea on course for victory "When you have Hazard, Pedro and Wil- that he kept a strong motiva- with a 24th-minute opener before Eden Haz- lian, counter-attacking with such pace it's tion level. ard added the second from the penalty spot difficult," said Howe. "Part of the job of a player four minutes into the second half and Pedro "I think that was probably the thing where is to be always ready, the added the third in injury time. we fell short, on the ball we gave them too players who are always ready Victory was achieved without suspended many times to get into those situations by not will be there and the players duo Diego Costa and N'Golo Kante and Conte being tight enough or good enough on the who feel sorry for themselves believes this only increased the scale of his ball in those situations." get their chance and they give you one more reason to jus- tify why you didn't select them. The fighters are always ready." Giroud has been kept on the bench by the fine form of Chile forward Alexis Sanchez City face series of 'finals', says Guardiola and just as he finally gets a chance to make his mark, he may also have to compete Manchester pressure will be routine for his side in the absolutely everything to be there. with fit-again forward Danny AFP new year, especially with title rivals Chel- "After that, football is unpredictable. Welbeck. sea and Liverpool not encumbered by Sometimes you believe something is done "We are competing and I anchester City manager Pep Guar- having to play in European and it is not done. think if I only have one striker diola believes that every game in competition. "What we have to do is win every everybody says: 'What are M the second half of the season will "Sometimes you play before, some- game and play like this last one. We're you doing?'" Wenger said. be like a Cup final for his title hopefuls. times you play later," said Guardiola. "But going to try and, after that, we will ana- "We need two or three An impressive and hard-earned 3-0 it doesn't matter whether you are seven lyse whether it has been enough or not strikers and we have Welbeck win at Hull kept pace with leaders Chel- points or 10 points behind when one team enough. But that's the goal." coming back so most of the sea after Antonio Conte's side beat has won 12 in a row. Guardiola had further good news time we have to make the Bournemouth earlier on Monday. "We have one game to finish the first when he learned that his England decision depending on our The Blues had opened up a 10-point half of the season and then the second defender John Stones will not face a long opponent. gap over Guardiola's team for whom starts and it's like a final for us if we want spell on the sidelines following injury. "Like today I knew they defeat at Hull would have spelled to be there until the end of the season. Recalled after being dropped for City's would play deep, and in the disaster. "Liverpool went so close one year last two games, Stones lasted less than 20 air Giroud could be the solu- The Catalan admitted that the pres- because they had one game a week and minutes before suffering a knee injury tion so I have to make the sure was on following that result altough last year Leicester it happened the same. but one which should not see him side- right decisions. a Yaya Toure penalty, a tap-in from sub- This time Chelsea and Liverpool are the lined for long. "We kept going and in the stitute Kelechi Iheanacho and an own goal ones. "He had a huge kick on his knee and end when we couldn't make from Curtis Davies ensured he eventually "We have played seven more games couldn't run," explained Guardiola. "When a difference on the ground we enjoyed his first Boxing Day in English than them and important ones like the you look at his knee, it is badly swollen Manchester City manager made it in the air with maybe football with a comfortable win. Champions League. That is why it will be but it is just a kick, not something serious Pep Guardiola the only player in our team But he also conceded that such tough, it will be hard but we have to do like ligaments." who can do that." 'Scorpion' volley was a matter of instinct taking over: Mkhitaryan

Manchester against England in 1995, was establishing himself in United's AFP allowed to stand despite an appar- first team and manager Jose Mour- ent offside. inho was delighted to see the enrikh Mkhitaryan said his "I was expecting the ball in former Borussia Dortmund star spectacular 'scorpion kick' front of me, but I was already in back in action. Hvolley in Manchester Unit- front, so I got it behind me," Mkhi- "I have to watch back on TV ed's 3-1 victory over Sunderland taryan told MUTV. because I didn't yet, but it looked on Monday had been a matter of "So the only thing I could do, it for me phenomenal," said Mour- instinct taking over. was a chance to hit it with the inho, whose side drew level on The Armenian playmaker back-heel. I did it and I points with fifth-place Tottenham sealed victory at Old Trafford by succeeded." in the Premier League table. diving beneath Zlatan Ibrahimov- Mkhitaryan came on as a sec- "I think he scored in the right Manchester United's Henrikh Mkhitaryan ic's right-wing cross and flicking ond-half substitute, having goal, the Stretford End, with the peo- strikes the ball with the back of his heel the ball past goalkeeper Jordan previously spent two games on the ple very enthusiastic just behind. It to score a goal against Sunderland during Pickford with his right heel. sidelines with an ankle injury sus- was a great moment and for him their Premier League match at Old Trafford The goal, reminiscent of former tained during United's 1-0 win over "He was out of two matches and in Manchester, England, on Monday. Colombia goalkeeper Rene Higu- Tottenham Hotspur. he's back. I think he also brought ita's famous 'scorpion kick' save His injury came just as he was quality with his performance. "